St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Ann St , Newtownards then North Street Parochial House 71 Upper North St, Newtownards BT23 4JD Tel; 9181 2137 Fax; 9181 5200 Father Patrick Curran was brought to the parish in 1811 to tutor the family of Lord Londonderry. He used his influence to obtain a site for a chapel in Ann Street. A church was erected in 1815 at a cost of £80 & paid for by public subscription The priest 1814-1817 was Rev. Hugh Smith then Rev. Bernard Magee by 1822 the priest was Rev. Arthur McGlew & Rev. Patrick Curoe in 1831-1832. In 1831 there were 236 Catholics in Newtownards which quickly rose to 574 . The chapel was described in 1836 as a small, plain building 40 by 20 feet and capable of holding 160 with an average attendance of 60 people. A new church was built in 1845 to accommodate the larger congregation by Rev William McLea/McAlea (1842- 1856) ) . It was used until 1877 & finally demolised in 1994 . The above church in North Street was built in 1875-1877 and cost around £4000 . Lady Londonderry had converted to Catholicism in 1855 and paid for all construction and fitting out. 20th century priests: Rev. Peter McKenna until 1903; Rev. George Crolly 1903- 1912; Rev James McAuley 1912- 1927; Rev. Arthur Kennedy 1927- 1936; Rev. John Murphy 1936- 1949; Rev. Leo McKeown 1949- 1969; Rev. Robert Murphy 1969- 1973; Rev. Patrick McFerran 1973- 1983; Rev. Francis McKenna 1983- 1989; Rev. Daniel Whyte 1989- 1994; Rev Edward O'Donnell 1994+ Newspapers article from Down Recorder; Board of Guardians & Catholic chaplain 26 Feb 1870 Newspaper articles from Newtownards Chronicle; new chapel cost £4,000 8 May 1875 & 7 Aug 1875 ; dedication service 27 Oct 1877 no graveyard; PRONI & NLI have baptisms 1864- 1880; UHF has baptisms 1818-1900 & marriages 1825-1900; This photo was kindly sent by Sandra Gilpin |
References; GV; V7 p105, 106 ,109 OSM; LM 1994 p61,62, 63,68,72 ; POD; DR; NAHN p87,111,121,148; TIA; GIC; NC; PE;GV |
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Out stomping in Glen Nevis today. Snow on The Ben already. rain, hail, high winds and sun shine all on one 10km hike.
Orric
Out stomping in Glen Nevis today. Snow on The Ben already. rain, hail, high winds and sun shine all on one 10km hike.
Orric
Gigrin Farm, Rhayader, Powys. They have a feeding station there and the birds know when to appear. £4.50 for entry and the use of a big and comfortable bird hide (one of 5). around 200 kites, lots of buzzards, crows, rooks, a few ravens, and the local peacocks all in attendance.
I know environmentalists will take nut cutlet slices out of me for saying I like this pic of a "mono-culture" but the lines appeal to that Aquarian in me.another from today's stomp![]()
Orric
Playing with the camera settings again. Took this one of some spindle berries
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