Opening Of Holy Family, Church Teconnaught 1899
Taken from The Northern Star Saturday May 20th, 1899
CATHOLIC PROGRESS IN ULSTER IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY AT CROSSGAR NEW CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, TYCONNETT (note the spelling of Teconnaught)
DEDICATED BY MOST REVEREND DR. HENRY SERMON BY VERY REVEREND DR. McRORY ELOQUENT APPEAL GENEROUS RESPONSE
After months of labour and unremitting anxiety the indomitable energy which James McArdle the zealous the zealous and beloved Parish Priest of Crossgar brought to the execution of the noble task he has undertaken, has been crowned with unqualified success. On Sunday last in the presence of an immense congregation, the new Church of The Holy Family, Tyconnett, Crossgar was dedicated by Most Reverend Dr. Henry.' So wrote the correspondent for The Northern Star on Saturday May 20th 1899. The building of a new Catholic Church made huge headlines over one hundred years ago.
A page of The Northern Star was given to the official opening of Holy Family Church and the complete sermon which was preached by Dr. McRory a distinguished professor from Maynooth, later Bishop of Down and Connor and Cardinal of Armagh, was published. It was interesting to read certain details of the day written in the flowery English of that era. 'The morning wore a threatening aspect but did not prevent the huge attendance who flocked to the sacred edifice. From many parts of County Down - from Downpatrick and Portaferry were numbers anxious to lend a helping hand to Father McArdle in his laudable undertaking. Belfast too furnished its full quota and a special train conveyed large numbers from Ulster's Capital animated by Catholic zeal and a desire to give tangible ernest of their appreciation of the great work which he has brought to completion. The grand total of £1034 realised as a result of the collection is an abiding testimony of the generous Northern Catholics to the Church of their fathers and on the outcome of his efforts Father McArdle deserves the warmest congratulations.
Later in the article tribute is paid to the cross community support which was evident at the time. 'A pleasing and notable feature of the proceedings was the presence of several Protestants and Presbyterian's to aid in the good work - a fact that in itself speaks volumes for the esteem in which Father McArdle is so deservedly held by all creeds and the general popularity which he enjoys'.
The ceremonies commenced shortly after 11.00 o'clock. His Lordship Dr. Henry was assisted in the dedication by the Very Reverend Daniel McCashin, Adm. V.F. St. Matthews with Very Reverend Robert Crickard P.P. .V.F. Ballynafeigh and Reverend Henry Boyle, P.P. Randalstown as chanters. At half past eleven High Mass was celebrated by Reverend Richard Smyth PP. Sainfield, Reverend H. Boyle P.P. deacon and Reverend James Marmion C, C. Loughinisland Sub deacon.
At the end of Mass Father McArdle announced that the result of the collection hads more than realised his highest expectations. The amount received in the Church wa £309.19s, £20 had come in from Killyleagh and additional sums received made the his grand total of £1034,00 for the occasion. He could not sufficiently well express thanks to all who had assisted in the work.
• INTERESTING FOOTNOTE •
The Church of The Holy Family Teconnaught was built in what was then part of the parish of Loughinisland. The townlands of Teconnaught Magheralone, were transferred from Loughinisland to the Parish of Kilmore at the time Holy Family Church was built.
From the Northern Star
'After the Mass His Lordship then addressed the congregation and said he desired, before they separated to tender to the venerable Parish Priest of Loughinisland Father James Crickard the thanks of the people of the parish and of himself for having obtained the site of that church which would be a great blessing and accommodation for the people of the district who had previously had to travel a long distance to assist at Mass on Sundays. They owed Father Crickard a deep debt of gratitude for that, and also Colonel Forde who had so kindly granted them the site for the Church and Schools and he felt it incumbent of him to thus express publicly his and their indebtedness to Father Crickard and Colonel Forde.'
It is of interest that the townland of Rosconnor was not transferred to the Parish of Kilmore in 1899. No Catholic family lived in this townland at that time. This townland was transferred to Kilmore in August 1994.
Taken from The Northern Star Saturday May 20th, 1899
CATHOLIC PROGRESS IN ULSTER IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY AT CROSSGAR NEW CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, TYCONNETT (note the spelling of Teconnaught)
DEDICATED BY MOST REVEREND DR. HENRY SERMON BY VERY REVEREND DR. McRORY ELOQUENT APPEAL GENEROUS RESPONSE
After months of labour and unremitting anxiety the indomitable energy which James McArdle the zealous the zealous and beloved Parish Priest of Crossgar brought to the execution of the noble task he has undertaken, has been crowned with unqualified success. On Sunday last in the presence of an immense congregation, the new Church of The Holy Family, Tyconnett, Crossgar was dedicated by Most Reverend Dr. Henry.' So wrote the correspondent for The Northern Star on Saturday May 20th 1899. The building of a new Catholic Church made huge headlines over one hundred years ago.
A page of The Northern Star was given to the official opening of Holy Family Church and the complete sermon which was preached by Dr. McRory a distinguished professor from Maynooth, later Bishop of Down and Connor and Cardinal of Armagh, was published. It was interesting to read certain details of the day written in the flowery English of that era. 'The morning wore a threatening aspect but did not prevent the huge attendance who flocked to the sacred edifice. From many parts of County Down - from Downpatrick and Portaferry were numbers anxious to lend a helping hand to Father McArdle in his laudable undertaking. Belfast too furnished its full quota and a special train conveyed large numbers from Ulster's Capital animated by Catholic zeal and a desire to give tangible ernest of their appreciation of the great work which he has brought to completion. The grand total of £1034 realised as a result of the collection is an abiding testimony of the generous Northern Catholics to the Church of their fathers and on the outcome of his efforts Father McArdle deserves the warmest congratulations.
Later in the article tribute is paid to the cross community support which was evident at the time. 'A pleasing and notable feature of the proceedings was the presence of several Protestants and Presbyterian's to aid in the good work - a fact that in itself speaks volumes for the esteem in which Father McArdle is so deservedly held by all creeds and the general popularity which he enjoys'.
The ceremonies commenced shortly after 11.00 o'clock. His Lordship Dr. Henry was assisted in the dedication by the Very Reverend Daniel McCashin, Adm. V.F. St. Matthews with Very Reverend Robert Crickard P.P. .V.F. Ballynafeigh and Reverend Henry Boyle, P.P. Randalstown as chanters. At half past eleven High Mass was celebrated by Reverend Richard Smyth PP. Sainfield, Reverend H. Boyle P.P. deacon and Reverend James Marmion C, C. Loughinisland Sub deacon.
At the end of Mass Father McArdle announced that the result of the collection hads more than realised his highest expectations. The amount received in the Church wa £309.19s, £20 had come in from Killyleagh and additional sums received made the his grand total of £1034,00 for the occasion. He could not sufficiently well express thanks to all who had assisted in the work.
• INTERESTING FOOTNOTE •
The Church of The Holy Family Teconnaught was built in what was then part of the parish of Loughinisland. The townlands of Teconnaught Magheralone, were transferred from Loughinisland to the Parish of Kilmore at the time Holy Family Church was built.
From the Northern Star
'After the Mass His Lordship then addressed the congregation and said he desired, before they separated to tender to the venerable Parish Priest of Loughinisland Father James Crickard the thanks of the people of the parish and of himself for having obtained the site of that church which would be a great blessing and accommodation for the people of the district who had previously had to travel a long distance to assist at Mass on Sundays. They owed Father Crickard a deep debt of gratitude for that, and also Colonel Forde who had so kindly granted them the site for the Church and Schools and he felt it incumbent of him to thus express publicly his and their indebtedness to Father Crickard and Colonel Forde.'
It is of interest that the townland of Rosconnor was not transferred to the Parish of Kilmore in 1899. No Catholic family lived in this townland at that time. This townland was transferred to Kilmore in August 1994.
Renovations to The Church of the Holy Family 1954
The first major alterations to the Original interior fabric of Holy Family Church rook place file year 1954. At that time Teconnaught was a largely rural community; they was no public water supply to the houses or school and no electricity in the area. The lighting in the church was provided by gas.
However change was imminent. Electricity came to Teconnaught in 1953 and at the same time that it was installed in the church, the parish Priest, Father John Taggart decided to modernise the altar and sanctuary areas. The new altar which is presently in the church replaced the original elaborate wooden one.
On Sunday 24th of October 1954 a rededication of the sanctuary took place. The blessing was performed by the parish priest Reverend John Taggart assisted by Reverend Richard O'Rawe, the curate in Teconnaught. The special sermon on that day was given by the Reverend Denis Cahill, the Parish Priest of Drumaroad who said "this day is a landmark in the history of theparish. An altar is not only a holy place - it is the holiest place on earth. On this blessed day of yours, good people, one cannot help thinking of the hundreds of priests who offered the holy Sacrifice within the boundaries of this ancient parish. Many a crude altar was used for the awful mysteries and there is many a Mass Rock buried for ever under the brushwood. Ours is an old parish - Kilmore with its roots in the past more than 1000years ago. Much of that history is lost for there is not stone left upon a stone o the old foundations".
The new altar in Holy Family church was donated by William Savage and Miss Elle Savage of Magheralone and a plaque on the altar steps marks their generosity.
A £170,000 new Lease of Life for Holy Family Church The second major renovation of Holy Family Church took place during late 1985 and early 1986.
The renovation included the replacement of all stained glass windows, the provision of a new confessional, the replacement of all seating and floors and a completely new entrance area to the church. The marble altar at the rear of the sanctuary was moved to the front and a new Ambo and Celebrant's chair were placed on either side. The Baptismal Font was placed within the Sanctuary area. The architect for the renovations was Mr Gerard Irvine who lived locally and who was closely involved in the life of the parish.
The service of rededication was performed by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Most Reverend Cahal Daly assisted by Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Walsh. The chief concelebrant at the Mass of dedication was Reverend Father Dominic McHugh, Parish Priest of Kilmore, and the Master of Ceremonies for the day was Father Joseph Kennedy, C.P. then curate in Teconnaught. Other former curates present at the ceremony were Reverend Partick McDowell, (1941 - 1945) Father Eugene McArdle (1960 - 1966) and Father Coppinger (1966 - 1976). Bishop Daly in his homily stressed the need for family prayer. He spoke of the handing on of faith from one generation to the next. "Your responsibility" he said " is to hand or that faith in your turn to the generations who will follow you and who are already present in the children and young people of Teconnaught. Handing on the faith can be compared to handing on a lighted candle. We pray that the light of faith may never be extinguished and may never be reduced to a flickering flame in the homes is Teconnaught."
Shortly after our centenary celebrations in 2000 further renovation work was carried out moving the Altar back to the high Altar and replacing it with a new Altar made on granite a new Ambo and presidential chair and baptismal Font where also put in place. Carpet was also laid on the sanctuary floor. Four pews where removed and replaced with soft seating near front of Altar.
However change was imminent. Electricity came to Teconnaught in 1953 and at the same time that it was installed in the church, the parish Priest, Father John Taggart decided to modernise the altar and sanctuary areas. The new altar which is presently in the church replaced the original elaborate wooden one.
On Sunday 24th of October 1954 a rededication of the sanctuary took place. The blessing was performed by the parish priest Reverend John Taggart assisted by Reverend Richard O'Rawe, the curate in Teconnaught. The special sermon on that day was given by the Reverend Denis Cahill, the Parish Priest of Drumaroad who said "this day is a landmark in the history of theparish. An altar is not only a holy place - it is the holiest place on earth. On this blessed day of yours, good people, one cannot help thinking of the hundreds of priests who offered the holy Sacrifice within the boundaries of this ancient parish. Many a crude altar was used for the awful mysteries and there is many a Mass Rock buried for ever under the brushwood. Ours is an old parish - Kilmore with its roots in the past more than 1000years ago. Much of that history is lost for there is not stone left upon a stone o the old foundations".
The new altar in Holy Family church was donated by William Savage and Miss Elle Savage of Magheralone and a plaque on the altar steps marks their generosity.
A £170,000 new Lease of Life for Holy Family Church The second major renovation of Holy Family Church took place during late 1985 and early 1986.
The renovation included the replacement of all stained glass windows, the provision of a new confessional, the replacement of all seating and floors and a completely new entrance area to the church. The marble altar at the rear of the sanctuary was moved to the front and a new Ambo and Celebrant's chair were placed on either side. The Baptismal Font was placed within the Sanctuary area. The architect for the renovations was Mr Gerard Irvine who lived locally and who was closely involved in the life of the parish.
The service of rededication was performed by the Bishop of Down and Connor, Most Reverend Cahal Daly assisted by Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Walsh. The chief concelebrant at the Mass of dedication was Reverend Father Dominic McHugh, Parish Priest of Kilmore, and the Master of Ceremonies for the day was Father Joseph Kennedy, C.P. then curate in Teconnaught. Other former curates present at the ceremony were Reverend Partick McDowell, (1941 - 1945) Father Eugene McArdle (1960 - 1966) and Father Coppinger (1966 - 1976). Bishop Daly in his homily stressed the need for family prayer. He spoke of the handing on of faith from one generation to the next. "Your responsibility" he said " is to hand or that faith in your turn to the generations who will follow you and who are already present in the children and young people of Teconnaught. Handing on the faith can be compared to handing on a lighted candle. We pray that the light of faith may never be extinguished and may never be reduced to a flickering flame in the homes is Teconnaught."
Shortly after our centenary celebrations in 2000 further renovation work was carried out moving the Altar back to the high Altar and replacing it with a new Altar made on granite a new Ambo and presidential chair and baptismal Font where also put in place. Carpet was also laid on the sanctuary floor. Four pews where removed and replaced with soft seating near front of Altar.
Priests that lived in Teconnaught
1914 - Present
Father Daniel Murphy 1914 - 1919 Served as chaplain in France - November 1916. Chaplain to the prison ship " Argenta" in 1922. In later years he was appointed P.P. Glenarm, Holywood and Holy Rosary,Archdeacon Murphy Died 14.03.1976 and is buried in Milltown Cemetery.
Father Thomas O'Hare 1919 - 1922 Native of Ballymacnab, Co Armagh. In later years was appointed P.P. The Braid. He died 2nd October 1971. and is buried in Ballymacnab.
Father James Green 1922 - 23 Native of Aughlisnafin, Castlewellan. He was later appointed P.P. Ballygalget where he is buried.
Reverend James Dean 1923 - 1928 Father Dean was a native of St Patrick's Parish. For many years was Curate in St Malachy' s Parish Belfast. . Later he was appointed P.P. in Aghagallon where he died on 15th March 1973.
Reverend John Logue 1928 - 1937 Father Logue was native of Ardoyne. He was much involved in the building of St Columba's Hall. His health failed and he died of tuberculosis in September 1937 while still a curate in Teconnaught. He is buried in Milltown Cemetery. His brother David was ordained a priest in Rome in 1969 and served in Southwark Diocese in London.
Father Peter Morgan 1937 - 1939 Father Morgan was ordained for the Derry diocese. He was a nephew of Bishop Mageean. He only served briefly in Down and Connor Diocese.
Father John Henry 1939 - 1941 Father Henry was in ill health most of his ordained life. Later served in Antrim and at the time of his death in 1967 he was chaplain to the Cross and Passion Convent Larne.
Father Patrick McDowell 1941 - 1945 Born at Fortwilliam Belfast. After serving in Teconnaught was appointed C.C. Glenarm. Later he served as chaplain to Dominican Convent Portstewart and Chaplain to Christian Brothers Glen Road. He died in 1988 and is buried in Greencastle.
Father Patrick Meenan 1945 - 1947 Father Meenan was a native of Fanad Co Donegal. He spent some time in Nigeria with St Patrick's Missionary Society. He was later appointed P.P. Culfeightrim near Ballycastle where he died in 1979.
Father Richard O'Rawe 1947 - -1955 Father O'Rawe was a native of Swatragh Co Derry. During his time in the original wooden altar was replaced by the present marble altar and sanctuary. Later Father O'Rawe was appointed C.C. in Whitehouse and C.C. Holy Rosary Belfast. He died in September 1976. and is buried at The Bay Glenariff beside his uncle who was also in so a priest in the Diocese. Father O'Rawe has two nephews currently serving the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Father John Field 1955 - 1960 Father Field was a native of Holy Family Parish, Belfast . Father Field was an accomplished sportsman and photographer and had a great love of classical music. Later he was appointed C.C. Newcastle and C.C. Dunloy. He is buried in Feystown, Glenarm.
Father Eugene McArdle 1960 - 1966 Father McArdle was a native of Holy Rosary Belfast. Father McArdle concerned himself with education and during his time in Teconnaught the new St. Colmcille's High School and Holy Family P.S. were plannedd and built. Later Father McArdle served as Parish Priest in Ballyclare Ligoniel and St. John's in West Belfast. In failing health he returned to the Parish of Kilmore as P.P. in 1995. He died suddenly in November 1996 and is buried beside Holy Family Church.
Father Michael Coppinger 1966 - 1976 Father Coppinger was a native of Gort in Co. Mayo. He served in Scotland for 15 years before being appointed to Teconnaught. In later years he was appointed P.P. Ballyclare and P.P. Glenravel. He died in November 1992 and is buried in the cemetery beside Glenravel Church.
Father James McAfee SMA 1976 - 1985 Father McAfee was a native of Ballymoney in Antrim. He was a mem-ber of the Society of. African Missions and served in Nigeria for many years. He was Chaplain to the Royal. Air Force during the Second World War. He retired from his service in Africa and spent his final years as a Curate in Teconnaught. He died in January 1985 and is buried in the S.M.A. Cemetery at Wilton, Cork.
Father Joseph Kennedy CP 1985 - 1987 Father Kennedy. a member of the Tobar Mhuire Community was curate in Teconnaught when the second major renovations to Holy Family Church were carried out. Father Kennedy was closely involved with the youth of the area. He was recalled to his order in 1987 and is now serving in Mount Argus in Dublin.
Father Conleth O'Reilly C.P. 1987 - 1997 Father Conleth is a member of Tobar Mhuire Community. He had served in Enniskillen, Musselburgh, Dublin and Belfast before his appointment as Curate in Teconnaught. He retired as curate in 1997 living in Tobar Mhuire while assisting in neighbouring parishes. He died on 10th April 2008 and is buried in the Passionists plot in Teconnaught after funeral Mass in his beloved Holy Family Church where ministered for 10 years
Father John Craven, C.P. 1997 - 1999 Father John is a member of the Tobar Mhuire Community. Father John served as priest in Botswana South Africa and in Crossgar before being appointed as curate in Teconnaught. He is currently Superior of the Monastery at Tobar Mhuire.
Father Mel Byrne, C.P. 1999 - Father Mel is a member of the Passionist Community based at Tobar Mhuire. He spent most of his life giving missions and retreats in Ireland and Scotland. He spent one year in India setting up a Passionist Seminary in Cochin. Recently he spent three years in North America studying and in Parish work. He has since retired and is living in Tobar Mhuire
Fr Patrick McKenna
Father Thomas O'Hare 1919 - 1922 Native of Ballymacnab, Co Armagh. In later years was appointed P.P. The Braid. He died 2nd October 1971. and is buried in Ballymacnab.
Father James Green 1922 - 23 Native of Aughlisnafin, Castlewellan. He was later appointed P.P. Ballygalget where he is buried.
Reverend James Dean 1923 - 1928 Father Dean was a native of St Patrick's Parish. For many years was Curate in St Malachy' s Parish Belfast. . Later he was appointed P.P. in Aghagallon where he died on 15th March 1973.
Reverend John Logue 1928 - 1937 Father Logue was native of Ardoyne. He was much involved in the building of St Columba's Hall. His health failed and he died of tuberculosis in September 1937 while still a curate in Teconnaught. He is buried in Milltown Cemetery. His brother David was ordained a priest in Rome in 1969 and served in Southwark Diocese in London.
Father Peter Morgan 1937 - 1939 Father Morgan was ordained for the Derry diocese. He was a nephew of Bishop Mageean. He only served briefly in Down and Connor Diocese.
Father John Henry 1939 - 1941 Father Henry was in ill health most of his ordained life. Later served in Antrim and at the time of his death in 1967 he was chaplain to the Cross and Passion Convent Larne.
Father Patrick McDowell 1941 - 1945 Born at Fortwilliam Belfast. After serving in Teconnaught was appointed C.C. Glenarm. Later he served as chaplain to Dominican Convent Portstewart and Chaplain to Christian Brothers Glen Road. He died in 1988 and is buried in Greencastle.
Father Patrick Meenan 1945 - 1947 Father Meenan was a native of Fanad Co Donegal. He spent some time in Nigeria with St Patrick's Missionary Society. He was later appointed P.P. Culfeightrim near Ballycastle where he died in 1979.
Father Richard O'Rawe 1947 - -1955 Father O'Rawe was a native of Swatragh Co Derry. During his time in the original wooden altar was replaced by the present marble altar and sanctuary. Later Father O'Rawe was appointed C.C. in Whitehouse and C.C. Holy Rosary Belfast. He died in September 1976. and is buried at The Bay Glenariff beside his uncle who was also in so a priest in the Diocese. Father O'Rawe has two nephews currently serving the Diocese of Down and Connor.
Father John Field 1955 - 1960 Father Field was a native of Holy Family Parish, Belfast . Father Field was an accomplished sportsman and photographer and had a great love of classical music. Later he was appointed C.C. Newcastle and C.C. Dunloy. He is buried in Feystown, Glenarm.
Father Eugene McArdle 1960 - 1966 Father McArdle was a native of Holy Rosary Belfast. Father McArdle concerned himself with education and during his time in Teconnaught the new St. Colmcille's High School and Holy Family P.S. were plannedd and built. Later Father McArdle served as Parish Priest in Ballyclare Ligoniel and St. John's in West Belfast. In failing health he returned to the Parish of Kilmore as P.P. in 1995. He died suddenly in November 1996 and is buried beside Holy Family Church.
Father Michael Coppinger 1966 - 1976 Father Coppinger was a native of Gort in Co. Mayo. He served in Scotland for 15 years before being appointed to Teconnaught. In later years he was appointed P.P. Ballyclare and P.P. Glenravel. He died in November 1992 and is buried in the cemetery beside Glenravel Church.
Father James McAfee SMA 1976 - 1985 Father McAfee was a native of Ballymoney in Antrim. He was a mem-ber of the Society of. African Missions and served in Nigeria for many years. He was Chaplain to the Royal. Air Force during the Second World War. He retired from his service in Africa and spent his final years as a Curate in Teconnaught. He died in January 1985 and is buried in the S.M.A. Cemetery at Wilton, Cork.
Father Joseph Kennedy CP 1985 - 1987 Father Kennedy. a member of the Tobar Mhuire Community was curate in Teconnaught when the second major renovations to Holy Family Church were carried out. Father Kennedy was closely involved with the youth of the area. He was recalled to his order in 1987 and is now serving in Mount Argus in Dublin.
Father Conleth O'Reilly C.P. 1987 - 1997 Father Conleth is a member of Tobar Mhuire Community. He had served in Enniskillen, Musselburgh, Dublin and Belfast before his appointment as Curate in Teconnaught. He retired as curate in 1997 living in Tobar Mhuire while assisting in neighbouring parishes. He died on 10th April 2008 and is buried in the Passionists plot in Teconnaught after funeral Mass in his beloved Holy Family Church where ministered for 10 years
Father John Craven, C.P. 1997 - 1999 Father John is a member of the Tobar Mhuire Community. Father John served as priest in Botswana South Africa and in Crossgar before being appointed as curate in Teconnaught. He is currently Superior of the Monastery at Tobar Mhuire.
Father Mel Byrne, C.P. 1999 - Father Mel is a member of the Passionist Community based at Tobar Mhuire. He spent most of his life giving missions and retreats in Ireland and Scotland. He spent one year in India setting up a Passionist Seminary in Cochin. Recently he spent three years in North America studying and in Parish work. He has since retired and is living in Tobar Mhuire
Fr Patrick McKenna
The Rocks Chapel
The Rocks Chapel situated in the townland of Magheracranmoney was erected by Reverend James Killen and was opened on Halloween night 1769. The chapel was a traditional like building originally thatched, and set in a field along the now aptly named Rocks Road. The congregation attending The Rocks Chapel came from all the towniands, surounding the Church, Lisnamore, Inch, Teconnaught, Tullynacree, Annacloy, Rosconnor, Carnacally, Kilmore, Conlig, Cargagh, Dunanelly, The Rann, Drumsallagh and Ballyrenan. These people mostly walked to church along 'The Mass Pads', through the fields and over the stiles. Shortly after the new Church of The Holy Family was opened in 1899, the Rocks Chapel became derelict and eventually fell into disrepair and ruin.However the Vestment worn by the priests who celebrated Mass in the Rocks Chapel have been preserved. They were always retained and are still kept in the Shields family home near the Church.
Rev. James O'Laverty writes in 'An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor' (1878) "It is the only thatched chapel in the diocese and standing beside the Mass Rock of the haunted priest for which it has been substituted it processes a power of envoking religious feelings even in the most hardened mind that a more glorgous fabric could not lay claim to."
Rev. James O'Laverty writes in 'An Historical Account of the Diocese of Down and Connor' (1878) "It is the only thatched chapel in the diocese and standing beside the Mass Rock of the haunted priest for which it has been substituted it processes a power of envoking religious feelings even in the most hardened mind that a more glorgous fabric could not lay claim to."