Wesleyan Methodist Church, Ballynahinch
in Lisburn Street

After John Wesley's visit in 1785 , the Methodists asked Lord Moira's permission in 1795 to use the attic of the new Market House for their services. A few years later, he granted them a free site to build their own church and added ten guineas to the building fund. Most of the churches in Ballynahinch were wrecked and looted in the 1798 battle of Ballynahinch but the Methodists survived with outdoor meetings or home meetings in Ballynahinch, Spa, Comber Bridge, Magheralone, Creevytennant & Magherahamlet. This church (photo) was built in 1856 . Ballynahinch became a separate circuit in 1879 & a manse was built in 1881 on the Crossgar Road. The minister in 1910 was Rev. Robert Jamison.

Newspaper article from Northern Star;
letter to Earl of Moira, dismayed at his departure 2 Dec 1796

Newspaper article from Down Recorder;
opened in Ballynahinch 23 May 1857; harvest festival 15 & 16 Oct 1928*; Sunday School gained prize for fund raising 13 Apr 1937*

Records from 1879; no graveyard

St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ballynahinch
in Church Street

There was originally a wooden hut in Dromore St, Ballynahinch on the site of an ancient Mass station. This chapel was started in 1807 when David Ker Esq. offered the site in Church Street for a new church in exchange for the Dromore Street site that he wanted for a linen hall . It was to replace the old church in Magheradrool townland and was not completed until 1812 due to lack of funds . In 1836 it was described as a plain, slated rectangular building with 300 attendants. The roof blew off in the Big Wind of 1839. It was rebuilt in 1868 & refurbished in 1993.

The parish priests; Rev. Francis McKenny 1781-88; Rev Alexander McCoy then Rev. James Moore from 1821 until his death in 1826. Then Rev. Peter Polin until his death in 1832 then Rev. Henry O'Hagan before his death in 1833; Rev. Daniel Sharky was parish priest in 1833 until his death in 1864; the curate in 1846 was Rev Thomas Ryans; in 1864, Rev. Charles O'Hare until his death in 1887; Rev. John McGrath until his death in 1897 then Rev. John Doyle until his death in 1931; Rev Edward McGivern 1931- 1938; Canon Michael McClory 1938- 1967; Canon Alexander McMullan 1967-1975; Canon Patrick Smyth 1975- 1998; Rev Gerard McCrory 1993+

Newspaper articles in Down Recorder;
Consecration of new church at Ballynahinch 4 Jul 1868

Newspaper article from Northern Herald;
Death of Rev. Henry O'Hagan, parish priest Ballynahinch 2 Nov 1833.

Available records ; NLI have free copies of microfilmed baptisms 1827 -1881 & marriages 1829-1864 - http://registers.nli.ie/ ; PRONI , NLI & LDS have baptisms 1827-1880, marriages 1829-1864; UHF have baptisms 1827-1900 & marriages 1826 -1900, graveyard attached

The Spa, near Ballynahinch

This old postcard was kindly sent to me by Leona Thomas. It shows Charlie McGee outside the Spa Ballroom in his cart in 1906 .
The Spa at Ballynahinch has been a resort since the early 18th century. The popularity of the Spa was due to the supposed medicinal properties of the waters and hundreds flocked to the area between May and October every year. The Assembly Rooms, seen in the photo, were built in 1840 by the Ker family (the local landlords) and were purchased by the adjacent temperance hotel in 1900. In the 1920s the Elmwood Spa hotel was owned by Mrs. W. R. Flinn and advertised that it was ," One of the Finest Inland Hotels in the North of Ireland. Exquisite View; Tennis and Croquet Lawns; Sulphur and Iron Springs; Hot Sulphur Baths; Large Comfortable Rooms. Late Dinner. Adjoining the Golf Links."

Writing on 12th July 1760 Mrs. Mary Delany noted that, " Master Price is much better with drinking the Ballynahinch waters- a chalybeate in this neighbourhood." It was used to station troops in the 2nd World War and is now a Masonic hall.

Bramah pumps were installed at Spa Wells in 1810 by Mr. David Ker of Montalto and a tourist boom occurred. In 1840 his son, David built the Spa Assembly Rooms with a ballroon upstairs reached by an elegant staircase. Magherahamlet Church of Ireland was built in 1815 for visiting tourists convenience. (DR 21/6/2006L)

(The following information was kindly sent to me by Mrs. Isabel Keenan of Spa.) "One of the most famous attractions of Spa as well as the 3 pump houses was the Labyrinth. Many guests wandered around to get to the middle. There was a bell there which they rang. Many parties and tea dances were held in the Elmwood Hotel (now Spa Nursing home). Guests were ferried from the train in Ballynahinch by jaunting car to Spa.

Unfortunately, now the maze has been built on. There are 8 houses on the site. There was an outcry at the time but eventually
permission was granted to build. It is said that there are United Irish Men buried there. Echo Hall just along the road from the Church was where the United Irish Men stayed the night before the Battle of Ballynahinch and there was a prayer meeting held just in front of it." he Assembly Rooms were used by soldiers during 2nd World War.

Newspaper articles from Northern Star;
citizen-soldiers Volunter National Guardians formed here 25 Jul 1792; Volunteers meeting 1 Dec 1792

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
sulphur & iron well here; l article 28 Mar 1840; Protestant ball 9 Mar 1844: article 2 Aug 1845: letter 20 Jun 1846: archery fete 10 Jul 1847: article 2 Oct 1852; article 5 May 1866; golf more popular than the waters 24 Jul 1915*; meeting of Co Down Staghounds in Spa 3 Jan 1936*; imporved facilities at The Spa 16 Apr 1937*; reputation of The Spa 4 Jun 1939*; photo 23/4/2008

Newspaper article from Northern Independent:
article on wells 29 Jun 1872

The Presbyterian Church in Spa

This church is at the crossroads in the village of Spa. The following information was kindly sent to me by Mrs. Isabel Keenan, wife of the current minister (2003)

"In the 1880's The Spa was a fashionable health resort. The waters properties had been values by locals for 200 years before that. In 1873 Robert McQuiston, who was a wealthy merchant from Belfast and a regular visitor , decided to provide a Meeting House for visitors and locals.

The foundation stone was laid by Rev David Edgar on 27th July 1871. The building was designed by Messrs. Young McKenzie of Belfast and the builder was John Russell of Newcastle. On 16th July 1872, the Meeting house was dedicated by The Right Reverend William Johnston, the Moderator of the General Assembly. The following Sunday saw the start of the Sunday School. For 2 years the church had visiting ministers fron the Comber Presbytery.

In 1872 the first baptism took place of John Robert McQuiston McCoubrie, infant son of William and Annie of Mount Pleasant. On 11th December 1873 leave to call a minister was granted and on 5th May 1874 . Rev . William Wilson of Belfast was ordained as first minister. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (Communion) was first celebrated on 25th October 1874 with 120 communicant present. The manse was built some time between 1874 and 1879. In 1879 Rev. James Knowles was installed as minister. In 1895 Rev. John McAdam was installed. During his time here, central heating was installed and the grounds were enclosed by a wall and railings. (They had been enclosed by trees). The minister in 1910 was Rev. J. McAdam..

In May 1925, Rev. McAdam resigned and the 2 congregations of Magherahamlet and Spa were joined under one minister. In 1925 Rev. S. D. McKee was installed then in 1946 Rev. Munce Drennan was installed following the death of Rev. McKee. In 1955 Rev. Cecil Adams was installed then in 1964 a pipe organ was installed. In 16th April 1987 Isabel's husband Rev. John L. Keenan was installed.

The church hall (The Arnold Hall) was build in 1954 and a major extension and refurbishment was carried out in 1999. The new hall was dedicated by Right Rev. John Lockinton and opened by Mrs. Keenan in January 2000. The Rev. John Keenan died suddenly 19 Feb 2005. Rev David Hyndman was installed in Apr 2007.

Records available 1875-1986; graveyard in the grounds

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
death of Robert McQuiston , founder of the church 19 Nov 1881; service of song 10 Mar 1883

Drumaness village and mill
4km SE of Ballynahinch on Newcastle road

This painting of Drumaness was done in 1930 by James J. McKinney (1921-2013) and was kindly given to me by Gerry Rice of Drumaness. The Rice family lived in the end terrace of Red Row c. 1950. The mill buildings are still there today and the old terraced housing but they are surrounded by a modern housing estate (see DR24/11/2004)

In 1659 there were 0 English/Scots & 13 Catholic families here. The proprietor in 1836 was Colonel Forde of Seaforde whose agent was Capt. Gordon. There were 42 landholders in the townland and they were mostly Catholics as the land was poor quality. Their farms were from 3- 24 acres and the rents from 7/6 - 32/6 an acre. The crops were potatoes, corn & barley. Thirty weavers were employed in the mill and a school was established in 1832. There was also William Davidson's corn mill, a wash mill, Johnston's flax mill, McCoobery's flax mill and a bleach mill here. In 1850 James Hurst of Manchester opened a new spinning mill in the village. The Catholic Parochial House and new Catholic chapel were built in 1930 on the western side of Newcastle Road. Drumaness Mills Football Club was formed in 1929.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
new master for the school 24 Feb 1838; J. Nocher murdered 22 Jun 1850; valuable flax mill, machinery & land for sale 24 Jan 1857; stabbing at public house 17 Jul 1858; science class results 13 Jul 1872 ;accident at Hurst's mill 8 Feb 1873; strike at spinning mill 3 Jul 1924*; Drumaness District Summer Football League meeting 4 Jun 1939*

I have indexed the full listings of all the inhabitants in Griffiths Valuations for 1863 into the Surnames Index.