Restoration work to begin at graveyard

Restoration work to begin at graveyard

24 August 2016

WORK is to start shortly to preserve the remains of a derelict Ballynahinch church which was home to Church of Ireland and Catholic communities in the 18th century.

Protestants and Catholics worshipped at the former Magheradrool church at the Crabtree Road and used the adjoining the graveyard before the respective congregations moved to new churches built for them in the town centre.

The old church was built at Magheradrool in 1607 and used jointly by the Church of Ireland and Catholic communities. The Roman Catholic service was held at the church at 9am, with the Church of Ireland Service starting two-and-a-half hours later.

Little remains of the old church which is located along an obscure farm lane and there are suggestions that it was preceded by an even earlier place of worship, dating back to the very early 13th century.

Given the site’s unique historical significance, Stormont Minister Paul Givan has confirmed a meeting will be held between staff from the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division (HED), the site’s current owners and other interested parties to discuss its future.

Mr Givan said the Crabtree Road site is a protected historic monument and confirmed his officials have visited the location — where illegal dumping was recently reported — and noted its condition.

Councillor Patrick Clarke, who recently highlighted the need for more to be done to protect the historic site, has welcomed the ministerial intervention. He said the remains of the church and graveyard have become badly overgrown over recent years.

“I welcome Mr Givan’s confirmation to me by letter that a meeting will take place to discuss the future of the site and to remove ivy which covers the remains of what was a unique church home to two traditions,” he continued.

“The scale of the work that is required at the site will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting when HED officials will also spell out what appropriate actions may be required for the future.”

Councillor Clarke is also keen for new signs to be erected to direct visitors to the old church and graveyard, alongside the provision of a display board detailing the history of the site.

“Minister Givan has advised that his officials will be happy to discuss these issues with me. I believe new signs are required and hope they will be in place before too long,” he continued.

Councillor Clarke confirmed that Newry, Mourne and Down Council is currently liaising with Northern Ireland Electricity regarding an electricity substation close to the historic site in a bid to have the organisation remove waste items which have been dumped illegally. He said the local authority is organising a litter pick at the site with council lawyers investigating who owns the lane-way which leads to the old church and graveyard.

“No dumping signs are also to be erected within the coming weeks and I would like to thank Mr Givan and all the various agencies for their prompt response to concerns I raised about this unique site several weeks ago. It is a location worth preserving,” added councillor Clarke.