Killowen Church beside the Dibney river and near the Castle, is the original church in Killyleagh and dates back to medieval times.
Near the Castle of Killyleagh stood an ancient church called Killowen, of which the east gable is all that remains. It is not unlikely that the church has been Killowen (the river church) from its proximity to a river that flows along the western side of the cemetry, but there certainly was a church somewhere along the shores of Strangford Lough called Cill-Aedhain, (pronounced Killeean) — the Church of Aedhan, a saint whose festival was
kept on the 1st of April.
The Four Masters at the year 1149, speaking of the army led by Niall O’LoughIan say - "A part of them went upon the islands of Lough Cuan (Strangford Lough) and they plundered Inis-Cumscraidh (Inch), Leeathglaise (Downpatrick), Cill-Aedhain, Magh-bila (Moville) Beannchor (Bangor) and all the other churches of the county except Dun(Downpatrick) and Sabhall (Saul)". "Cill-Aedhain" pronounced Kill-een, presents in sound a great similarity to Killowen, the position of which will correspond with the account in the “Annais".
An ancient burial ground in the townland of Toy and Kirkland contains the ruins of a church which measures 56.5 by 17.5 feet. "The masonry" says Dr Reeves, "is of a very ancient character, and the walls are in some places 5.5 feet thick. The spot is locally called Killrasy or Killyandrews". The "Terrier" thus notices this church
and that of Killyleagh — "Ecclesia de Killandrus, a union, pays in proxies, 10s; in reflections, 10s, in synodals, 2s Ecclesia de Killyleagh, a union, pays in proxies, 5s in reflections, 5s in syndolas, 2s"
According to Parish Priests there was a Fr. Dromgool, who during the wars of the Revolution had spiritual charge of all the districts, extending from Quoile Bridge to Long Bridge in Belfast. ln the year 1704, the Rev Patrick Moylin registered himself as "Popish Priest" of Kilandreas (Kilrasy in the civil parish of Killyleagh) and Inch. He was then 54, he resided at Ballygally.
The Rev Richard Curoe, PP Ballykinlar was appointed on the 12th January 1780. After ministering to his flock for upwards of 64 years. Fr. Curoe died at his residence in Lisnamore on 31st July 1844 and was interred in the chapel yard of Kilclief. "The old priest" as he was familiarly called had arrived at the patriarchal age of 102. He was the last priest of Down & Connor of those who worship God with the canopy of heaven for a covering, and a rude stone in an open field for an altar whereon to celebrate the sacred mysteries. A stone was erected. by the Very Rev. Richard Marner DD PP VF in memory of his grand uncle Rev. Richard Curoe PP Kilmore Crossgar who was born in Ballymagarrick 1742 died 31 Jury 1844 and was interred in this cemetery Kilclief aged 102 years RIP.
Killyleagh's old chapel was erected by Fr. Curoe assisted by his curate the Rev James Denvir in 1831. The Chapel was small and plain and could accommodate 180; between 100 and 130 attended on Sundays. Dimensions 54 feet by 30 feet expenses paid by a collection made. Fr. Connor replaced it by the church erected from the designs by Mr Thomson. It was commenced in 1859 and was opened on 22nd October 1861.
Fr. Curoe was succeeded by the Rev. George Maguire, his curate and grand nephew. Fr. Maguire was a native of
Downpatrick. Having received a preliminary education he entered the Rhetoric Class in the College of Maynooth on 4th September 1828. He was ordained in Belfast at the Advent Quarter Tense 1834 after which he was sent as curate to Randalstown but on 5th February 1835 he was appointed as curate to Kilmore and at the "Months Mind" of Fr. Curoe he was promoted to the vacant parish which he held to his appointment to the parish of Upper Mourne on 14th October 1856.
The Rev Edward Connor succeeded Fr. Maguire. Fr. Connor was a native of Ballynoe in the parish of Bright and
a brother of Rev Hugh Connor PP Kilcoo. After having completed his studies in the College of Paris he was ordained in Belfast by Dr Denvir on 5th May 1842.
Compiled by Sylvester Vaughan (Rip)
Ref: Fr O’Laverty’s Volume 1
kept on the 1st of April.
The Four Masters at the year 1149, speaking of the army led by Niall O’LoughIan say - "A part of them went upon the islands of Lough Cuan (Strangford Lough) and they plundered Inis-Cumscraidh (Inch), Leeathglaise (Downpatrick), Cill-Aedhain, Magh-bila (Moville) Beannchor (Bangor) and all the other churches of the county except Dun(Downpatrick) and Sabhall (Saul)". "Cill-Aedhain" pronounced Kill-een, presents in sound a great similarity to Killowen, the position of which will correspond with the account in the “Annais".
An ancient burial ground in the townland of Toy and Kirkland contains the ruins of a church which measures 56.5 by 17.5 feet. "The masonry" says Dr Reeves, "is of a very ancient character, and the walls are in some places 5.5 feet thick. The spot is locally called Killrasy or Killyandrews". The "Terrier" thus notices this church
and that of Killyleagh — "Ecclesia de Killandrus, a union, pays in proxies, 10s; in reflections, 10s, in synodals, 2s Ecclesia de Killyleagh, a union, pays in proxies, 5s in reflections, 5s in syndolas, 2s"
According to Parish Priests there was a Fr. Dromgool, who during the wars of the Revolution had spiritual charge of all the districts, extending from Quoile Bridge to Long Bridge in Belfast. ln the year 1704, the Rev Patrick Moylin registered himself as "Popish Priest" of Kilandreas (Kilrasy in the civil parish of Killyleagh) and Inch. He was then 54, he resided at Ballygally.
The Rev Richard Curoe, PP Ballykinlar was appointed on the 12th January 1780. After ministering to his flock for upwards of 64 years. Fr. Curoe died at his residence in Lisnamore on 31st July 1844 and was interred in the chapel yard of Kilclief. "The old priest" as he was familiarly called had arrived at the patriarchal age of 102. He was the last priest of Down & Connor of those who worship God with the canopy of heaven for a covering, and a rude stone in an open field for an altar whereon to celebrate the sacred mysteries. A stone was erected. by the Very Rev. Richard Marner DD PP VF in memory of his grand uncle Rev. Richard Curoe PP Kilmore Crossgar who was born in Ballymagarrick 1742 died 31 Jury 1844 and was interred in this cemetery Kilclief aged 102 years RIP.
Killyleagh's old chapel was erected by Fr. Curoe assisted by his curate the Rev James Denvir in 1831. The Chapel was small and plain and could accommodate 180; between 100 and 130 attended on Sundays. Dimensions 54 feet by 30 feet expenses paid by a collection made. Fr. Connor replaced it by the church erected from the designs by Mr Thomson. It was commenced in 1859 and was opened on 22nd October 1861.
Fr. Curoe was succeeded by the Rev. George Maguire, his curate and grand nephew. Fr. Maguire was a native of
Downpatrick. Having received a preliminary education he entered the Rhetoric Class in the College of Maynooth on 4th September 1828. He was ordained in Belfast at the Advent Quarter Tense 1834 after which he was sent as curate to Randalstown but on 5th February 1835 he was appointed as curate to Kilmore and at the "Months Mind" of Fr. Curoe he was promoted to the vacant parish which he held to his appointment to the parish of Upper Mourne on 14th October 1856.
The Rev Edward Connor succeeded Fr. Maguire. Fr. Connor was a native of Ballynoe in the parish of Bright and
a brother of Rev Hugh Connor PP Kilcoo. After having completed his studies in the College of Paris he was ordained in Belfast by Dr Denvir on 5th May 1842.
Compiled by Sylvester Vaughan (Rip)
Ref: Fr O’Laverty’s Volume 1
The following poem was penned by Lady Dufferin of Killyleagh Castle, during the great famine which swept across Ireland. From her window she looked down upon a young man bidding farewell to his wife’s grave before he left for America.
The stile itself can be seen on the right of the entrance gates to Kilowen cemetery hence the local name of Marys Style.
The stile itself can be seen on the right of the entrance gates to Kilowen cemetery hence the local name of Marys Style.
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I'm sittin' on the stile, Mary,
Where we sat side by side On a bright May mornin' long ago, When first you were my bride; The corn was springin' fresh and green, And the lark sang loud and high And the red was on your lip, Mary, And the love-light in your eye. The place is little changed, Mary, The day is bright as then, The lark's loud song is in my ear, And the corn is green again; But I miss the soft clasp of your hand, And your breath warm on my cheek And I still keep list'ning for the words You never more will speak. 'Tis but a step down yonder lane, And the little church stands near, The church where we were wed, Mary, I see the spire from here. But the graveyard lies between, Mary, And my step might break your rest For I've laid you, darling! down to sleep, With your baby on your breast. I'm very lonely now, Mary, For the poor make no new friends, But, O, they love the better still, The few our Father sends! And you were all I had, Mary, My blessin' and my pride: There 's nothin' left to care for now, Since my poor Mary died. Yours was the good, brave heart, Mary, That still kept hoping on, When the trust in God had left my soul, And my arm's young strength was gone: There was comfort ever on your lip, And the kind look on your brow I bless you, Mary, for that same, Though you cannot hear me now. I thank you for the patient smile When your heart was fit to break, When the hunger pain was gnawin' there, And you hid it, for my sake! I bless you for the pleasant word, When your heart was sad and sore O, I'm thankful you are gone, Mary, Where grief can't reach you more! I'm biddin' you a long farewell, My Mary - kind and true! But I'll not forget you, darling! In the land I'm goin' to; They say there 's bread and work for all, And the sun shines always there But I'll not forget old Ireland, Were it fifty times as fair! And often in those grand old woods I'll sit, and shut my eyes, And my heart will travel back again To the place where Mary lies; And I'll think I see the little stile Where we sat side by side: And the springin' corn, and the bright May morn, When first you were my bride |