GlenavyHistory.com

THE WRECKERS

During the dark days of the early eighteenth century Mass was also celebrated on a hill in Ballymacrickett where, just as in the Largy there was a good view. Sometime around the 1760's probably, this too was elevated into a "Mass-house." It stood there until 1798 when seven or eight locals who called themselves "The Wreckers" lived up to their name. There seems to have been an organised plan of destruction as around the same time the old churches or "Mass-houses" of the Rock, Derryaghy, Aghagallon and Ballinderry were also destroyed.

The poverty of the priests and people during the nineteenth century is almost impossible to believe in our more affluent days. Fr. Crangle was Parish Priest at the time of "the wrecking" and he is the first of the priests of the parish who emerges from the records as a person of flesh and blood, and not just as a name on a tombstone. He was a native of Sheepland in Dunsford and was ordained at home before going abroad, as was the custom, and studied at the College of Vadastus in Douai getting the degree of B. Philos. at the University there. In 1783 he returned to Ireland and worked in Belfast, and on May 25. 1787, came to Glenavy. He had a brother who lived at Darachrean-indeed this is still known as "Crangle's Hill"-and the priest lodged with his brother. On Aug. 20, 1802. he got 13 guineas compensation for the damage caused to the church, and Fr. Devlin of Derryaghy got 12 guineas. It was Fr. Crangle who re-erected the church at Chapel Hill. Ballymacrickett, which is described as "a neat modern building measuring 60 feet by 30 feet." It was used until the erection of the present building. There is another story that Fr. Crangle lived in a house which formed part of the church, but whether this was an interim measure while the new church was being built or not it is now impossible to say. It is possible that he feared "the Wreckers" might one day return. The old chapel was of stone, roofed with thatch, and probably had an earthen floor. Fr. Crangle died in 1813 or 1814 and was buried beside it. The position of his grave is roughly about the position of the sacristy door in the present building.

On Palm Sunday, and at other times when the priest could not conveniently celebrate two Masses, it was customary to say Mass at a place called "The Gulf," on the bank of Lough Neagh, which was nearly central for the two congregations, but this custom had to be stopped because of disturbance by Orange mobs. When the Catholics ceased using the Mass-house at Thompson's they used to assemble for Mass at a store-house in Ballyginniff. This was a long building with thick walls covered with ivy and surrounded by trees. Mr. McClure who later owned this property found human bones in the vicinity. Fr. Crangle as well as building the church in Ballymacrickett, built a small chapel in the townland of Ballyquillin which was later enlarged into the present church.

The date of the erection of this old chapel is not known. The building in Ballymacrickett was completed by Fr. Crangle in 1802. From the time of the "wrecking" Mass had been said among its ruins.

The Roman Catholic chapel is a neat modern building (1816), 60 feet long by 30 wide; and is situated in the town land of Ballymacricket, within half-a-mile of the town of Glenavy. The Rev. Patrick Blaney is the priest. This chapel was built about 15 years ago by subscription; to which the Marquis of Hertford and the Protestants of the union liberally contributed.

Ecclesiastical Union

There is a neat Roman catholic chapel in Ballymacricket town land, situated near the road from Glenavy to Moira.

Glenavy - Religion

The Roman Catholic chapel in this parish serves also for the neighbouring ones. The priest is supported solely by his flock.

Glenavy - Public Buildings

There is a neat Roman Catholic chapel situated near the road from Glenavy to Moira, in the town land of Ballymacricket; built in 1802. There are 17 seats in aisle, would contain 85 persons; in gallery 28 seats, would contain 85 persons; in gallery 28 seats, would contain 140 persons; cost between 350 to 400 pounds, dimensions 68 by 33. The expense of the erection of the chapel was defrayed by generous subscriptions and collections. Built at various periods, the interior of this chapel is extremely neat. It is always decorated with ivy, and over the communion table there is a picture of Our Saviour crucified (not a good one), but it gives a finished appearance to the place.

The other public buildings in the parish consist of the Roman Catholic chapel situated near the road from Glenavy to Moira, in the town land of Ballymacricket, and three-quarters of a mile south of the village of Glenavy. It was erected in 1902 on the ruins of the former chapel which was burned during the rebellion of 1798. It measures 68 feet long and 33 feet, and consists a gallery and accomodation for about 400 persons. It is plain but neat in its appearance, being roughcast and neatly whitened. The interior is as yet but partially seated. It has cost between 350 and 400 pounds, which was defrayed by subscription. The interior of the chapel is tastefully decorated with evergreens, and over the altar is a painting of the Crucifixion. This, however, is not a very masterly production.

R.C. Church - James Denvir, P.P. Joseph Canning, Curate. Post town Crumlin.

Concert at Glenavy - The annual evening concert in connection with the choir of St. Joseph's Glenavy, came off on Monday, the 8th inst., in the Ballymacrickett School - rooms, which were tastefully decorated for the occasion. Several distinguished amateurs from Lisburn kindly lent their services, and their several items were heartily applauded. The first part opened with selections from the orchestra. The choir then sang "On Music" (Moore). Mr. Crossan, Lisburn sang "Three Jolly Sailors"; and in the second part "The Call to Arms", to both of which his fine voice did ample justice. Mr. Thomas Goodman, Lisburn, entranced the audience by his inimitable impersonations, which included the following:- "The Crack Pot in the City"; "Mr. Macanality"; "Come down and open the door", and convulsed the house with laughter in his female impersonation of "My Husband, Teddy". Mr. Herbert, Lisburn, gave "Pat O'Hara" also, beautiful selections on the piccolo in his usual masterly style. "The Outlaw" and "The Warrior Bold" were rendered beautifully by Mr. Mulholland, Lisburn. The other items included "The Cricket Gallop," and "The Irish Quadrilles", by the Orchestra, and "Farewell, but whenever you Welcome the Hour", and "Oh! Where's the Slave so Lowly?" by the choir, after which Messrs. Goodman and Walsh gave a splendid Negro entertainment, with banjo and bones, and some choice conundrums and local "hits", which the audience highly appreciated. The entertainment concluded with the screaming farce entitled "Master and Servant", by Messrs. Walsh and Goodman. The Very Rev. G. Pye, P.P., the highly esteemed pastor of the parish, delivered a short address suitable to the occasion, after which the company separated, highly delighted with the amusement of the evening. During the evening, Mr. John Loughery presided at the harmonium.

Marriages

McGready - Fleeton - October 7th 1914 at Glenavy Church (with Nuptial Mass) by the Rev. Francis McBride, P.P., Joseph, youngest son of the late Patrick McGready, to Elizabeth Lucinda, eldest daughter of William John Fleeton, Killultagh, Upper Ballinderry.

The Lisburn Herald, Saturday July 7th 1923

My sketch would be incomplete and a great injustice in a large portion of the community coming under my review if I omitted to make reference to the venerable and highly honoured Parish priest of Glenavy, the Very Reverend George Pye, V.G., who for over forty years held the uninterrupted position of Parish Priest of Glenavy and Killead. Coming to the parish a comparatively young man from the adjacent parish of the "Rock", he very soon distinguished himself as a capable, wise, shrewd, and sagacious administrator of the affairs and management of this large and populous parish. Possessing the rare qualities of discernment and penetration of human nature, he was able to enforce discipline in a manner to command both obedience and respect; and on his teaching and pulpit ministration he set up a high ideal of Christian ethics in his dealings, and has been often known to remonstrate and denounce severely anyone violating in act or deed the precepts , insisting on full restitution, even to the uttermost farthing. He was held in high esteem by the Protestant community, who, on special occasions requiring financial assistance, showed in a practical manner their sympathy and liberality in his undertaking, due, no doubt, in great measure in his pleasing and commanding personality. Although a loyal and devoted son of the Church, yet has broadminded and sympathetic nature went out to suffering humanity irrespective of creed or class, and rarely a funeral of a noted person in the parish passed without the presence of Father Pye paying his last respects to the deceased; and to the knowledge of the writer, he has been often know n to call in the house of the mourning to offer his sympathy and condolence to the bereaved ones. We can recall his homely attitude, riding through the parish with pleasing stride and kindly salute, not withheld even to the person seeking alms. The toilers of the land found in him a warm-hearted friend, his unflinching attitude on their behalf and advocacy for fair rent, fixture of tenancy, and free sale, obtained by the Land Act 1881, commanding universal praise from those aggrieved. He was a sound educationalist and agreed that the National system of education met the needs of the nation in the matter of primary education. He set an example and practice by visiting schools not under his management or jurisdiction, and imparting to the children of his care religious instruction. In this matter our present day legislation is not much in advance of Father Pye's conception. In addition to the many qualities enumerated he was a brilliant and distinguished scholar and linguist so versed and skilled in languages that he could give the origin of words and phrases almost off-hand. It was feared at one time Glenavy would lose him on promotion most exalted position in the Church, and I think I might venture the assertion that his desire and wish was to remain with the people whom a binding and mutual bond of affection and goodwill had noted. No more tangible proof exists than the memorial in the chapel yard erected by his sorrowing flock in sacred remembrance of his long and faithful protectorate as Parish Priest of Glenavy. Doubtless some of your older readers will remember the famous controversy he had with the Revd. E. Johnston-Smyth, then rector of Glenavy on doctrinal matters which eventually created such absorbed interest and enthusiasm. These lectures were afterwards published in pamphlet form. I feel in this brief review I could not do a?? justice to his many noble qualities of heart and soul. Although dead his ??as a voice calling us to come out of the dead and live and make history.

Lives of great men oft penned it
We can make our lives sublime
And departing leave behind it
Footprints on the ends of time."

Reviewing my work, I wish to revert back to the village and to say that I presume a rural district is so well represented in the various trades and professional ? ? in Ulster as Glenavy. Here we have in addition to the blacksmith referred to, the watchmaker, shoemaker, saddler, tailor, carpenter, mechanic, motor and bicycle works and in the professional sphere two medical doctors, two clergymen, and a schoolmaster, while it is our ? Boast of having possessed a poet, and as a lilting close to my series of articles I finish with McWilliam's poem:

Glenavy dear, my native soil,
Where there I spent my early days,
Though distant from thee many a mile
I'll still incline to sing your praise;
Your bright green hills, your meadows broad,
Your walks and groves and streamlets clear.
Where many a pleasant hour I spent
Unknown to care, Glenavy dear.

Sweet Ballymote, that friendly spot
Where there my eyes behold the light,
Imagination paints the spot
For in it I took your pure delight
And from the hill I went to school.
To Ingram's Mount, or very near,
And never yet I dreamed at all
To part with thee, Glenavy dear.

It was there my principles were formed,
It was there I learned to use the quill,
To write and cypher there I learned
And these, thank god, befriends me still;
Some hundred times on Sunday morn,
Our reverend prelate for to hear,
With heart so light, and free from harm,
I passed through thee Glenavy dear.

The silver lake below the town,
Where boats do scud before the gale,
Where fish in plenty do abound
The speckled trout and curling eel;
At sweet sixteen I've often been
Along your sweet, delightful shore.
Reflecting on the early scenes
Reminds me of Glenavy dear.

Oftimes on Saturday, I came
Into Glenavy all alone,
And when into that town I came
The best of company there I found,
Into the inn where we went in,
Where we drank whiskey, ale and beer,
If I had time and cash to spend,
I'd spend it in Glenavy dear.

Now twenty years have nearly run
Since I these groves and glens surveyed,
My comrades are dispersed and gone,
And of my friends great numbers dead,
My father and my mother too,
In death's cold shade do moulder here,
It soon may be my fortune too,
So fare-thee-well, Glenavy dear.