Ros Davies' Co. Down, Northern Ireland Family History Research Site
© Rosalind Davies 2001
Permission granted to reprint research for non-profit use only

Magherahamlet Parish

now incorporated into Dromara parish

Church of Ireland Presbyterian Church Drumgavelin townland McAuley's Lake in Dunbeg townland

 

Magherahamlet Chuch of Ireland

Magherahamlet Church of Ireland
on the road between Ballynahinch & Castlewellan on the western shore of McAuley's Lough

The original medieval church was at Templemoyle in Dunmore townland. This present church was built to serve tourists visiting at nearby Spa. It was built in 1816 at a cost of £500 from Board of First Fruits and enlarged in 1870. The rector before his death in 1833 was Rev. Alexander Browne. The church was described in 1836 as a plain ,rectangular, roughcast building with a square tower, capable of holding 230 people with an average attendance of 150. The rector at that time was Rev. Hannington Elijah Boyd.

Newspaper articles from Down Recorder;
Rectory for auction 20 Aug 1864; soiree to raise funds to acquire minister 29 Jan 1881; sustenation fund 7 May 1881;

Some records were destroyed in Dublin in 1922 but PRONI has births, deaths & marriages 1823- 1862; Graveyard attached ,gravestones UHF Vol 9; oldest stone 1822; email me for a gravestone look-up

References;V12 p 63, 66, 67 OSM; DR: V 9 MIs; GIC; DR 21/6/2006L

 

Magherhamlet Presbyterian church, Drumgavelin townland

Magherahamlet Seceeding Presbyterian Church

in Drumgavelin townland
on the road between Seaforde & Dromara

This Meeting House began under the Secession Synod and was built in 1830 by private subscription. The first minister was installed in 1831. It was described in 1836 as a plain, rectangular, slated building. The minister at that time was Rev. Thomas Clarke. The minister in 1910 was Rev. Warnock.

Records- baptisms from 1831 & marriages from 1832. The graveyard near the church is small with mainly modern gravestones, gravestone inscriptions available UHF Vol 9; email me for a gravestone look-up

References;V12 p 63, 66, 67 OSM ; GIC; MIs; POD

 

McCoubrey's Farm, Drumgavelin McAuley's Lake
McCoubrey's Farm at the crossroads in Drumgavelin townland

McAuley's Lake in Dunbeg townland
 used as a storage reservoir for supplying water to Hurst's mill in Drumaness in 19th century

( This photo was kindly sent to me by John McCreanor)

 

by Ros Davies