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Early- and mid-19th century guide books refer to the nearly-obliterated remains of the old Magennis castle at the summit of the hill, close to where the water tower stands today. But after the 1641 Rising the castle was dismantled and the inn and other chief houses built with its materials. A 'Scheme for the Improvement of the Estate and Town of Rathfriland', prepared by Henry Waring in March 1764, recommended that all proper methods be taken to promote and encourage the linen market; that a market house be immediately built; that renewable leases for lives be made of the tenements, then ruinous. In contrast to Banbridge and Tandragee, turbary was contiguous and plentiful: this would affect the rents at which property would let, and Miss Magill could fix each rent as appropriate. Probably as a result, a market house was built, but still in 1846 there was apparently but little trade in the town. In earlier times known as Insula Magennis, on 'the steep acclivities' of its little hill 'rising out of the surrounding bog' like a small medieval city, the town has caught the imagination oi succeeding generations. R.L. Praeger, Lady Mabel Annesley, Richard Rowley have all known its spell: 'it seemed to be always in sunshine'. Helen Waddell, writing of Ballygowan over the hill, caught exactly the exciting quality of this part of Down: 'in the summer afternoons my bachelor uncle, as crusted as one of his apple trees, limped about the fields in the dusk, with the moon hanging over the Mournes, and said there wasn't a place like it in the country'. And why should the Union Jack floating from the tower of the church, now as when Lady Mabel Annesley lived under the shadow of the hill, seem a happy and not a provocative thing? The plan of the town is simple, consisting of a square of streets crowning the hill, and five streets which fall away steeply on all sides to the patchwork of lush greens, mountains and distances beyond. Light and airy, most of the stucco is painted in fresh clear colours, and behind the street frontages one is constantly aware, through archways and entries, of the wealth of good rubble-stone backs of buildings, tanneries, stores and warehouses. Few buildings are individually of the highest quality, but it is a case of the effect of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Brash intrusions have so far been kept at bay in Church Square, Main Street, Downpatrick Street and Caddell Street, at least since the building of the Northern Bank, and it is to be hoped that the place will not succumb now. And thankfully too, 20th-century commercial pressures have not as yet resulted in the town sprawling endlessly down the hills to the farmlands around. Several of the shops and premises in the centre are empty. One hopes that lifting of the security restrictions will bring further life, and that modernisation and updating will respect the hitherto largely-unspoiled inherited architectural character. The appearance of the town is nevertheless spoiled at many places, Church Square, Newry Street, John Street to name a few, by most unsightly electricity poles and gather-ups of the neighbourhood's wires. A small thing which gives pleasure while walking around - the little oval convex enamelled street numbers still on many of the house and shop doors. Also in the Square is the War Memorial, commemorating both World Wars: an obelisk of granite blocks, but not particularly inspired. In the corresponding position at the north end of the Square stood a pump. The market is still held in the Square every week, and dues paid to the Meade family. A house at the corner of Church Square and Newry Street, perhaps entry no. 28 above, 3 Newry Street, may have been used by Theodosia Magill, the house at Lissize having been given up earlier in the century: certainly this same house in the town was later used by Crane Brush, when agent to the estate. The local Hell Fire Club is also reputed to have used it. From the square at Rathfriland on top of a steep hill, five streets with stepped terraces fall away sharply on all sides. Before the combustion engine, the cheery residents usually walked home, getting out of their traps and carts to spare the ponies. The town has a mid-week variety market in the square and 3 livestock sale days a week. During the nineteenth century potato famine, the market house (1770) was used as a soup kitchen though Rathfriland was spared the worst, since cereals as well as potatoes were grown locally. Four substantial Presbyterian churches are testimony to past differences of opinion. The old Quaker meeting house is now a scout hall, and the small shop with pointed windows on the first floor was originally the town's Methodist chapel. A very prominent funnel shaped water tower occupies the high point in the riverless town, near the site of a sixteenth century Magennis castle, now vanished. This part of County Down has distinguished connections with pioneer Canada. The intrepid Catherine O'Hare, mother of the first European child born west of the Rockies was herself born in Rathfriland in 1835. She and her husband, Augustus Schubert, joined 200 Overlanders who went west in search of gold, and blazed the trail for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Rathfriland has not yet erected a memorial to this remarkable woman, though in Kamloops city park British Columbia is named after her, and Armstrong also has a monument. |
Andrew George Scott was born in the North of Ireland in 1842. His father, Captain Scott, had formerly lived at Clanverraghan, near Castlewellan, where he had owned part of the town land as well as some rural property. He later moved to Rathfriland, and built a new house on Castle Hill, on the site of the courtyard of the ancient castle of the Magennisses.The house which still stands today, was the birthplace of this notorious bushranger.
While there Scott became close friends with the local schoolmaster, James Simpson and Julius Wilhelm Ludwig Bruun, who was the manager of the Mt Egerton branch of the London Chartered Bank. At the end of the first week in May, Bruun was not able to transfer the gold to the larger branch at nearby Gordon, and as a consequence was holding over a thousand pounds in the safe. On the Saturday night when Bruun was returning from dinner to the bank, where he slept, a man wearing a disguise on his face, placed a revolver against his head and forced him inside. The assailant demanded money and Bruun immediately recognised the voice of Andrew Scott. The bushranger put the contents of the safe into two bags and then lead the blindfolded manager over to the church where he told Bruun that he was waiting for his mate. They waited 10-15 minutes and as no-one arrived, they then went on to the schoolhouse. After going inside Bruun was forced to face the wall while the bushranger wrote a short note, and signed it 'Captain Moonlight'.
Andrew Scott acted dumbfounded and categorically refuted the claims, explaining that he had just arrived from Melbourne, and produced a train ticket to prove his innocence. The Reverend even went as far as visiting Bruun's father, demanding that he advise his son to apologise. He was so convincing that the police believed he was innocent and therefore diverted their attention to Bruun, who was duly arrested. They also took into custody the School Master, James Simpson, who was accused of being an accomplice and author of the "Moonlite" letter. On July 23rd, 1869, Bruun and Simpson were tried at Ballarat by Mr Justice Redmond Barry. Included in the witnesses for the prosecution was the Reverend Scott who testified against his former friends. Both men were acquitted on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence. Shortly after arriving in Fiji, Andrew Scott ran up a debt of £260 to a Mr George Winters over the acquisition of some land. The loan was never paid as Scott left for Sydney via New Caledonia. After his arrival in Sydney, Scott sold a cake of gold and with the money he purchased a yacht called the 'Why Not', with intentions of moving on once again. But before he could leave, he was arrested for passing bad cheques. On December 20, 1870, he was brought before the Sydney Quarter Sessions charged with obtaining goods by means of false pretences. On being found guilty, he was sentenced to twelve months in Maitland Gaol. During this time the former bank manager at Mt Egerton, Julius Bruun, became obsessed with tracking down the good Reverend, and hired a private investigator by the name of George Sly. Sly was a very competent investigator and soon discovered him in Parramatta Gaol. He also discovered that the cake of gold Scott sold to the bank in Sydney was of almost the identical weight to one stolen from Mt Egerton. Thanks to Sly, the Victorian police built up quite a case against Scott, and on his release in March 1872, he was promptly arrested and extradited to Victoria to face a re-opening of the Mt Egerton Bank Robbery. But Scott did not plan to hang around for the trial, and as soon as he was placed in the Ballarat Gaol, he made plans for his escape. He teamed up with another inmate named Plunkett, and together with four others named James Dermoody, James Stapleton, William Taylor and William Marshall, escaped over the south wall. All were back behind bars within several days except Stapleton, who was finally run down a month later at Mt Bolton.
Following his release on March 18th, 1879, Andrew Scott was kept under close surveillance by the police. At the time he had an accomplice named James Nesbitt alias Lyons, who he had met in prison. During this period Scott was very heavily involved in lecturing about prison reform, and following one of these given at Ballarat, he met a Thomas Williams, alias "Frank Johns", alias "Charlie Davidson". Tom had never been in trouble with the law, and told his parents he was going to Horsham to work. On August 15th the Lancefield bank was robbed and the trail led to Scott and Nesbitt, who were found living in Fitzroy with young Tom Williams. Although both men were strongly suspected, not enough evidence could be found to have them charged. While living on the outskirts of Melbourne, two others were also to join them. They included 22 year old Thomas Rogan alias "Baker", who had formerly been convicted on larceny and horse-stealing charges, and Augustus Warneckie, the 19 year old son of Ernest Warneckie who had owned both the Royal Oak Hotel and the County Court Hotel in Melbourne. In October 1879, Andrew Scott decided to leave Melbourne and head north into New South Wales, supposedly to find work somewhere around Wagga Wagga for him and his mates. The Victoria Police watched the progress of the party, as it moved northward on what Scott professed to be was 'a possum-hunting picnic'. Supt. Sadleir made the claim that 'Scott sent word to Ned Kelly that he wished to join forces with him. Kelly sent back word threatening that if Scott or his band approached him he would shoot them down.' Finally Scott and his party reached the Murray River and crossed by punt at a place six miles from Albury, called Benquille. From there they continued in the direction of Wagga Wagga but were forced to keep travelling, as jobs were very scarce. During this time another man also joined the group, his name was Graham Bennett. Graham, who was born in England in 1859, took up sailing as a career, and eventually arrived in Australia in 1877. It is believed that he came to try his luck on the goldfields, but having failed, sought work firstly in north-east Victoria and then into New South Wales. Scott and his party were heading east towards Wantabadgery, when they stopped at the home of the McGlede family to ask for work. Although there was no job there for them, they were given bread and milk. From there they rode to Clarendon and stopped in at David Weir's store. Once again they asked for work but he could only offer them 8 lbs of flour. Feeling tired, hungry and dejected, they turned south and headed for Wantabadgery Station. On arrival, Scott and his party went to the homestead and enquired as to the possibility of employment. They were informed that the owners and overseer were away, but they could try again next day. After camping in the hills for the night, the men walked up to the homestead next morning and once again asked for work. A servant girl told William Baynes, the Station manager, that the men were outside, but he kept them waiting for 2½ hours before informing them that there wasn't any and they better clear out. The men were now very dejected, and without having had anything to eat since early the previous day, were suffering the pangs of hunger. That night it rained, and by next morning Scott chose that if the station would not give them what they wanted, they would go back and take it from them. It was 3.30 in the afternoon of November 15th, when Scott and his companions walked up to the back gate of Wantabadgery Homestead. They bailed up the servants, and then Falconer MacDonald and William Baynes and their families, and after taking possession of all the firearms, they helped themselves to the storeroom to get something to eat. Messrs MacDonald and Baynes were kept prisoners away from the rest, and Scott told Baynes that his life would be forfeited. Towards evening several more people were bailed up and the bushrangers prepared to stay for the night. At 10.30 next morning, a 16 year old boy named James Stearman was taken hostage after delivering the mail between Wagga Wagga and Clarendon. Shortly after this, Scott, accompanied by some of the prisoners, rode over to the old station and captured Mr Reid, the Station overseer and his wife. Not long after Scott returned, several horsemen approached the house. One of them was John Beveridge, a descendant of one of the oldest families in the district. These men where taken hostage and their horses put in the horse-yard. Scott took a liking to Beveridge's horse, and after unsuccessfully trying to ride it, shot it dead. The number of hostages now being held was over thirty, and for a small community such an occurrence could not go unnoticed. About mid-afternoon, Alexander McDonald at Paterson's Hotel heard that something was going on, and rode into Wagga Wagga to alert the police. Another man named Fred Williams was informed by Mrs McDonald after her husband left, and he rode to Gundagai to inform the authorities there. Four Constables from Wagga Wagga arrived at Wantabadgery Station at 4 o'clock on Monday morning. Leaving their horses with Alex McDonald, about 400 yards at the back of the house, the troopers took up position closer to the house and waited till daylight. When it was light enough to see, the police started to approach the back door, but when within about 20 yards, their presence was given away by a dog barking. As Scott went to the door to check out the cause of the disturbance, Constable Headley called on the bushrangers to surrender. Scott opened fire and was quickly joined by the rest of his friends. The troopers drew back and positioned themselves amongst some trees. During a lull in the fighting, Scott forced Falconer MacDonald, his son and Mr Baynes onto the roof to keep the police under surveillance. The bushrangers then planned to surround the police, and while Scott and Nesbitt resumed firing, their companions now on horseback attempted to outflank them. Cut off from their horses, the troopers were forced to retreat, and walked to Tenundra Park. After acquiring fresh mounts, they waited for the arrival of reinforcements from Gundagai. With the police now gone, the bushrangers decided it was time to leave, and after commandeering the police horses and several others belonging to the station, the gang left. Riding on past Pattersons Hotel, the gang headed towards Eurongilly, but after having gone about two miles, they decided to call back to McGlede's farm, where they had visited a few days before. As the district was alerted, men started to come from every direction. On being notified, Senior Sergeant Carroll left Gundagai with four Constables, while Constable Wyles came from Bethungra. Civilians also came to help and included a dozen armed men organised by the contractors Fishburn and Morton, who were constructing the Junee to Narrandera railway. John Beveridge, who had been one of the hostages, rode straight home to 'Dollar Vale', and after securing firearms, returned with two other men. As the bushrangers travelled along Eurongilly Road, they met up with Beveridge's party. Scott, on seeing they were armed, immediately guessed what their intentions were, and bailing them up, took their weapons. At that moment six of the squatter's shearers arrived on the scene and were also searched for guns, but they found none. All the hostages were then stood in a line on the side of the road, and Scott announced that he intended to put Beveridge and his two accomplices on trial for bearing arms against them. A jury was formed and Scott appointed himself as judge. When the jury found them 'not guilty', Scott was obviously upset as he clearly wanted the squatter dead, and as an alternative he shot his horse instead. The prisoners where made to kneel down, while Scott walked past and kicked each of them. When Beveridge tried to avoid the kick, the bushranger threatened to cut off a piece of his nose. The gang collected the captured guns and burnt them before leaving. As the party continued down the road, they met Constable Wyles, who was immediately disarmed and forced to accompany them to the farmhouse of Edmund McGlede. On arrival at the house, Scott found only Mrs McGlede, and assuring her that they meant no harm, they partook of milk and brandy and prepared to leave. Meanwhile, at Tenundra Park the two police parties met up and after acquiring fresh horses, rode on to Wantabadagery homestead. On finding the bushrangers had left, they took up their trail. Shortly after the party was joined by John Patterson and Daniel Egan, and on their arrival at the Australia Arms Hotel, they were given directions as to which way the gang had gone. As the police rode on towards McGledes hut, the bushrangers were in the process of just leaving. However, on seeing the patrol, Scott and his men returned to the house and prepared to make a stand. When the bushrangers' backs were turned, trooper Wyles seized the opportunity and ran to the approaching police party. There he was given a revolver and joined their advance. The bushrangers had taken cover behind a fence and trees near the house, and when the police called on them to surrender, Scott gave a defiant refusal. At that point both sides started shooting. In the first volley Constable Barry's horse was shot from beneath him before he could dismount. The police, now on foot, spread out in a half circle and approached the hut. The police, now feeling more confident, converged on the house, and the bushrangers retreated to the detached kitchen, taking Mrs McGlede with them. As Constables Webb-Bowen and Headley took cover behind a spring cart only about eight yards from the house, Scott stepped out from the kitchen door and firing, hit Webb-Bowen in the neck. Headley, now joined by Gorman, ran to the house, and as they went, were fired at by Nesbitt. Gorman took aim and on firing at Nesbitt struck the bushranger in the neck. Things were now hotting up for Scott with three Constables concentrating their fire on his position. He decided that the odds were against him and called out that he wished to surrender. Carroll at this point ran around and entered the back door of the kitchen. He first saw Nesbitt lying on the floor and then noticed Williams, who was curled up crying inside the chimney. He called on him to surrender, and after agreeing ran outside into the arms of Constable Wyles. Scott threw his guns outside and was taken prisoner by Cassin, who handcuffed him. Bennett also came out and was surrounded by three Constables. Rogan at this stage could not be found, and fearing he had escaped, Sergeant Carroll took two Constables with him to search for him in the direction of Junee. Constable Johns was also dispatched to take the news of the outlaws capture to Wagga Wagga. Around three o'clock that afternoon Warneckie died, and his compatriot, James Nesbitt, followed two hours later. That night, the remaining bushrangers spent the night at McGlede's house under guard. The following morning, as the police were making preparation to take their prisoners to Gundagai, Thomas Rogan was found hiding under a mattress in McGlede's bedroom. Senior Constable Edward Mostyn Webb-Bowen was transported to Gundagai by wagon, but despite all efforts to save him, he eventually died on Sunday, November 23rd. The four remaining bushrangers were brought before the Gundagai Court on November 20th, charged with 'Robbery-Under-Arms' and 'Wounding with Intent to Murder Constable Webb-Bowen'. The trial lasted two days, but when the Constable died the following day, the four men were remanded to appear at Sydney Court on a charge of murder. They were again tried in Sydney on December 8th, and after deliberation for two hours, the jury found them all guilty, but recommended mercy for Rogan, Williams and Bennett. Justice William Windeyer was not feeling merciful that day and sentenced them all to death. Following two appeals against their sentences, the Executive Council eventually commuted the sentences of Bennett and Williams to life imprisonment. |
THE TOWNLANDS OF THE DROMARA PARISH
All sixteen townland names in Dromara Parish are derived from the Irish language. Most of the names describe some feature, physical or otherwise, of the area in question. These notes on the derivation of the townland names are based on the research on the townland names of Dromore Diocese carried out by the late Dean MOONEY, a native of Ballynahinch Parish, and a former Parish Priest of the Diocese of Dromore.
There must have been an abundance of whitethorn in AUGHNASKEAGH in former days because the name represents the Irish “Achadh na Sceach”, the field of the whitethorn.
ARTANA is from the Irish “Ardtamhnach”, high ground, and if you go there you will be struck immediately by the number of the high rounded hills, technically known as drumlins, in the area.
Apparently BEGNEY was once a glebe, i.e. church land, as the name is derived from “Beag-neimhe”, small glebe.
A cross to mark an event or simply to indicate a local boundary was a feature of the countryside in bygone days and this explains the name CROSSGARE which is from the Irish “Cros Ghearr”, short cross.
There was an oratory or chapel in the townland of DERRY. This is indicated by all the old forms of the name. The old and fuller form of the name represents “Doire Laithrigh Dairthi”, which means the oakgrove containing the oratory site. Where was the oratory? There is no trace of it now but the view that it once existed is further strengthened by the fact that the adjoining townland of BEGNEY was once church land. The oratory was probably a chapel-of-ease of Dromara Parish.
DREE is a shortened form of the Irish “Baile na Droinge”, the townland of the portion. DREE was also known as “Drumviredy” meaning it would seem, the hill ridge of AIDITH’s portion. AIDITH and his clan ruled the territory of Iveagh from the 10th to the 12th century. After that time they were superseded by the MAGENNIS clan as rulers of the Barony of Iveagh. AIDITH got one portion of the land in question while some one else got the other portion which as we shall se was DRINN.
The River Lagan rises in the townland of DREE on the west side of Slieve Croob. The summit of Slieve Croob is the meeting point of five townlands: DREE, DRINN, DOOGLEN, SLIEVENISKY and LEGANANNY, four Parishes Dromara, Ballynahinch, Drumaroad and Leitrim, and two Dioceses, Dromore and Down and Conner.
DRINN has the same origin as DREE. The two townlands join each other and seem to be the two halves or portions of one original townland.
DROMARA, a small townland, which enfolds the village, must have been noted for the good quality of its pasture because the name is derived from “Droim Bearach”, hill ridge of the heifers.
DRUMADONEY represents “Droim an Domhnaigh”, Sunday Hill. Possibility this was a favorite place for festivals which were often held on Sundays.
Up until the 1600’s Ireland was heavily wooded and the name FINNIS is a reminder of those days. It is from the Irish “Fidh-Innis”, wooded island. Why island? If you look at the Ordnance Survey map you will see the townland is almost completely encircled by water namely the Lagan River and its tributaries.
Gransha is from the Irish “Grainseach”, granary. The area must have been notable for its grain and there were at least two cornmills there almost within living memory.
For some reason places are sometimes designated half-townlands even though the other half is not otherwise mentioned. That is the case with LEVALLYREAGH which comes from “Leath-bhaile Riabhach”, grey half-townland. Why grey? Possibly this refers to a period in the distant past when this area was not yet brought into cultivation.
MOYBRICK is obviously a very ancient name. It is from the Irish “Ma Thoirc”, the plain of the wild pig. In early times when woods of oak and beech abounded in Ireland it was customary for kings and chieftains to keep great herds of swine which fed on mast and were tended by swine herds.
MOYDALGAN was not always as well cultivated as it is today because the name comes from “Ma Dealgan”, plain of the briars.
The blackthorn formerly abounded in MULLAGHDRIN because the name represents the Irish “Mullach Draighin”, blackthorn hill.
The derivation of MONEYNABANE is not certain. The name seems to represent the Irish “Muine na Baine”, the thicket in the untilled land. The reference could be to a time when the area was not yet made amenable to the plough.
CLERGY BORN IN DROMARA PARISH
As noted in the section on Dromara Parish Priests, Father Francis McKENNY and Father Thomas BRADY were natives of the Parish. It is surmised that Father Francis REAVEY, the Parish Priest who began the building of St. Michael’s Church, was also a native of Dromara.
The following notes record the remaining native born clergy.
Father Peter POLIN was educated at Maynooth and ordained in 1820. He became P.P., Magheradroll in 1826 and died or retired in 1832.
Father Bernard McALEENAN was educated at Maynooth and was ordained in 1859. He was Adm. Dromara 1881 to 1883. He was appointed P.P. Tullylish in 1895 and died in 1897.
Father John McKENNY was a member of a family long associated with the Parish of Dromara. He was educated at Maynooth and ordained there by Dr. FENNELLY, Bishop of Madras on the 24th June 1878. For the subsequent eleven years until 1889, Father McKENNY ministered in the Diocese of Down and Conner. On returning to Dromore Diocese, in September 1889, he was appointed curate in Lower Drumgooland. This was to be the beginning of a very long ministry to that Parish, for after the Curacy of 22 years, on November 8th 1911, Father McKENNY was appointed Parish Priest of Lower Drumgooland in succession of Dr. McCONVILLE. He died on 25th January 1937 aged 83 years and was interred in Gregory Cemetery. In July 1928, Father McKENNY celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his elevation to the priesthood. He was a kinsman of the Very Reverend Francis McKENNY, P.P.V.G. of Dromara and Magheradroll.
Father James McKENNA was born in Drinn on 1st February 1854. He was educated at the Diocesan Seminary, Newry, entered Maynooth on September 8th 1871 and was ordained 24th June 1878. He ministered in the diocese of Down and Connor.
Father Joseph DOYLE was born in Finnis, educated in Maynooth and was ordained by Dr. Leahy in the Diocesan Seminary, Newry, on February 2nd, 1884. He was curate in Ballela from February 1884 to 1886, in Magheralin from July 1886 to 1890, in Seagoe from 1890 to 1895, in Kilbroney from February 1895 to 1901 and in Newry from 1901 to 1907. On November 14th 1907 he was appointed Adm. In Newry and continued to minister there until 1914, when he was appointed Parish Priest of Tullylish.
Father DOYLE was appointed to the prebendal of St. Colman’s and Lann, on the 28th January 1925 and Canon Theologian on February 14th 1927. He died suddenly in the Parochial House, Banbridge on Sunday June 8th, 1935 and was interred in Lawrencetown Cemetery.
Father Daniel McALISTER was born in Drinn in February 1861. He was educated in the Irish College, Paris, which he entered in his 21st year and was ordained by Doctor Leahy in Newry Cathedral on September 8th 1887. From 1887 to 1891 he served on temporary mission in Glasgow. He was curate in Lurgan from July 1891 to 1905, in Warrenpoint from October 1905 to 1924 when on October 13th of that year he succeeded Canon MacGennis as Administrator. On March 7th 1927, he was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter and on the 5th November 1934, he was appointed Canon Penitentiary. Canon McALISTER was made Archdeacon of Dromore on June 6th 1937. He died 24th June 1949 and was interred in Burren Cemetery.
Father Daniel POLLEN was born in the townland of Crossgare. He was educated at the Irish College, Salamanca and ordained by Mgr. Francis X. Valdes Y Noriega, Bishop of Salamanca on June 12th 1910. He was curate in Tullylish from July 1910 to December 1911, in Newry from December 1911 to December 1917, in Rostrevor from 1917 to 1919 and in Banbridge from 1919 to July 1935. On the 6th July 1935 Father POLLEN was appointed Parish Priest of Annaclone and on 28th January 1941 he was appointed to Magheralin. He was appointed to the prebendal stall of Drumeragh in the Cathedral Chapter on April 6th 1950.
Father Joseph BYRNE was born in the townland of Levallyreagh and eductaed at Maynooth. He was ordained there by Doctor Morrisroe, Bishop of Achonry on June 20th 1915 and served on temporary mission in America until 1920. He was curate in Dunmore from October 1920 to 1931, in Annaclone from January 1931 to 1932 and in Burren from May 1932 until his appointment as Parish Priest of Upper Drumgooland on February 11th 1941. He died in Newry on October 10th 1952 and was interred in Leitrim Cemetery.
Father Daniel McALISTER was born in the townland of Muninabane. He was educated at Maynooth and the American College, Rome and ordained in 1929. He served in the Diocese of San Francisco. He was a nephew of the Very Reverend Canon POLLEN, Parish Priest of Magheralin. He died in California on January 14th 1965.
Father Patrick KELLY was born in Toronto, Canada and reared in Dree. He was educated at St. Colman’s College, Newry from 1928 to 1932. In response to a call for Irish students by the Bishop of Agen, a diocese in southwest France, he went to a seminary in Bordeaux in 1935. He was ordained in France on 29th June 1940 and appointed on the same day curate at the Cathedral, Agen. On December 4th 1945 he was appointed Parish Priest of Samazan and on the 21st June 1950 he was appointed Dean of Canton du Mas with residence in the village of Le Mas d’Agenais. In his capacity as Dean he had a team of six priests, French, Dutch and Irish who had the care of thirteen parishes. In July 1973 he sought his release from the diocese of Agen for health reasons and was appointed Curate in Derrymacash on 1st August 1973, and was transferred as curate to Derrytrasna on 6th July 1976. He was appointed curate in Ballela on 30th December 1982.
Three ladies, formerly parishioners here, are in the Religious life:
Sister Mary Malachy, formerly Sarah Teresa BRYNE is a member of Sisters of Mercy,
Sligo.Sister Mary Lelia, formerly Frances BRYNE, is a member of the Holy Faith Convent, Wicklow. Both the above are sisters and come from Levallyreagh, Dromara.
Sister Mary Paul Antoine, formerly Margaret McCARTAN, is from Artana, Dromara, and is a nun in Little Sisters of the Assumption. She is now stationed in Cork.
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