BALLYCONNOLLY TOWNLAND
Ballyconnolly, Baile Ui Conghalaigh, Connolly’s town is situated 2½ miles east of the village of Portglenone and 1 mile W.S.W. from Cullybackey. It is in the Barony of Toome and contains 497 acres, 1 rood and 11 perches. Population in 1881 – 310 Population in 1891 – 258
BALLYMENA PAST AND PRESENT
BALLYMENA PAST AND PRESENT Oh, City o’ the Seven Towers Securely hid ‘mang rural flowers, By hill, an’ hedge an’ stream Nature’s hand, wi’ lavish gift, Has gi’en your name an’ place a lift Beyount a poet’s dream. Whun you wur theek’t wi’ scraws an’ strae, An’ surocks sought the healthy ray Aboun the wee […]
BALLYWATERMOY GOSPEL HALL
BALLYWATERMOY GOSPEL HALL The commencement of Ballywatermoy Gospel Hall as we know it today was not in the townland of Ballywatermoy but in the townland of Drumack, about four miles from the present hall. A small number of people, including some women, met in William Baird’s kitchen on Sunday’s to remember the Lord and […]
BALLYWATERMOY TOWNLAND
Ballywatermoy, Baile Uachtar-Mháighe, town of the upper plain. This townland is situated in the Barony of Lower Toome and contains 321 acres, 0 roods, 8 perches. Population in 1881 – 161 Population in 1891 – 126
BE SURE TO CRITICISE
BE SURE TO CRITICISE Great men o’ lerning noo-a-days Reside in ilka hoose; Wae ready pen you wull them ken In controversy’s crouse, The poorest man, frae dee tae dan, Tae famous note may rise: Tae keep him still wae empty till Be sure tae criticise. There is a class wha fain wad pass Tae […]
BESIDE THE MAINE
“Oh! Green and gay the beeches beWhich grow beside the Maine;And sweet the bloom of hawthorn treeWhen May is on the wane. The blue that lights the laughin eyesOf speedwell through the DreenMight well provoke the longing sighsOf Beauty’s peerless Queen. And never yet was music madeFrom harp or reed or lute,Might match the merry […]
BIBLE RULES FOR ALL SCHOOLS
BIBLE RULES FOR ALL SCHOOLS Dear Editor, – Please try and find For this a little space, Although it may be thought behind, And lacking of good grace. The subject to which I refer Is much discussed to-day By good men who are brave to dare, And not afraid to say. The Bible is the […]
BROUGHDONE TOWNLAND
Broughdone, pronounced Brogh/doon, Bruach Dúin, meaning brink or margin of the fort. It is situated in the Barony of Lower Toome and contains 392 acres 0 roods and 9 perches. Population in 1881 – 260 Population in 1891 – 219
CAPTAIN R. J. MACIVOR
CAPTAIN R. J. MACIVOR Captain MacIvor, although born near Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, may be said to be a native of Cullybackey by reason of the fact that it was there that his family had its roots. After completing his training at Marlborough Street Training College, his first teaching appointment was in the Belmont district of […]
CARCLINTY TOWNLAND
Carclinty or Carclunty, Ceathramhadh Cluainteach, meaning meadow quarter is situated near the south-eastern extremity of the parish of Rasharkin and is bounded on the south by the parish of Ahoghill. It contains 758 acres.
CARDONAGHY TOWNLAND
Cardonaghy, Car or Carn Donnchadha, meaning Donogh’s round hill or carn is situated close to the S.W. end of the village of Cullybackey and extends south for one mile. It is in the Barony of Lower Toome and contains 301 acres 2 roods 17 perches. It contained Mount Davies, the residence of Alexander McManus Esq […]
CATCH-MY-PAL
CATCH-MY-PAL “Catch-my-pal, sur, whut’s it’s meaning’?” Last week wus pit strecht til’ me By a catchy nice young woman Jist as iver I did see. Flabbergasted an’ dumbfounded Hoo best til’ meet his queery, So thus in my ain simply style I spak anent the theery. A clergyman frae auld Armagh, Young Patterson by name, […]
CEAD MILE FAILTHE
CEAD MILE FAILTHE A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES Now let us all rejoice, Since Winter is past, And sing with heart and voice, That Spring has come at last Cead mile failthe! And let us sing once more, Now April is here; For spring cleaning is o’er, And visitors appear Cead mile failthe! And let us […]
CHARLES AND DI
CHARLES AND DI Twas on a bleak December day The winter winds did howl We heard that Princess Di and Charles Had broken their marriage vows The Queen was sitting on her couch With Philip by her side When she heard the awful news With shame she almost died She said, “What have our children […]
CHESNEY, JESSICA
JESSICA CHESNEY-KÜRTEN 1969- Born on the 24th November 1969 to George and Rosemary Chesney, Jessica began her riding career on a donkey. She discovered her passion for horses and love of riding from an early age and encouraged by her parents who both had a competitive streak Jessica went on to win several national pony […]
CHRISTMAS 1945
CHRISTMAS 1945 Dear readers, at this merry time, Please forgive this far back old rhyme; And thank God for such times as these, Peace, joy, love, and Christmas trees. In A.D. seven and twenty-four A pilgrim band, weary and foot sore, “Hiked” through the heart of Europe dark, Where true religion was a spark. Along […]
CLERICAL CULLINS FRAE CULLYBACKEY
CLERICAL CULLINS FRAE CULLYBACKEY I min’ whun I wus younger, freens, Awa ba’k in tha jolly teens, Times frought wae monie happy scenes Fur me an’ you. Oh! had the half those micht “hae beens” Became rael true. Alas, hoo apt whun we ir bate We lee the blame on cruel fate, Instead o’ on […]
CLOUGH MAYOR
CLOUGH MAYOR We have a new Mayor a man of the cloth He comes from the beautiful townland of Clough He took over from Sandy in the year ‘93 With pride wears his chain so we all can see He attends every function wherever he’s called Gives visitors a reception up in the Town Hall […]
COCHRANE, BOB FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY Easterly the winds are blowing, Howling, fifing through the keyhole; Hard as flint is all the landscape; Shifting snow shall come and gather O’er the hard and black brown furrows. On the ash-twig tunes the song thrush, Tunes the little spotted song thrush, And the jolly, half-starved robin Sings as sweetly as the blackbird. […]
COCHRANE, EDWARD AUTUMN GONE
AUTUMN GONE Gone is Autumn’s fading face, And Winter’s sharply fills its space, With eyes of ice and teeth that bite The noses and the fingers white, His eyelids sunken far from view; His long white hair is dripped with dew. Edward Cochrane Age 13 Tullygrawley School
COCHRANE, EDWARD WINTER
WINTER The frost has come with coat of glass, And starving robins hop and pass, And withering grass is froze together, In the cold and biting weather. And thrush and blackbird quickly hop, Looking for something to fill their crop. And diamonds stare from the hedges bare In the dull and frosty air. Sends the […]
CORONATION ANTHEM
CORONATION ANTHEM TUNE:- “GOD SAVE THE KING” Spirit of God descend, A nations’ prayer attend, God save King George; Anointed at thy Word, Let holy oil, Oh, Lord Upon his head be poured, God save King George. Oh, guard him by thy peace, Spirit of love and grace, Long live the King; Let England’s strength […]
CRAIGS
CRAIGS CULLYBACKEY Up in the North o’ fair Entrim, A beauty-spot in oor Isle, What Nature’s charms ir enchantin’ Beamin’ wae her sweetest smile, Wae whom let us join the meander, An’ linger aboot fur a while. The place simply beggars description, Sae fertile, tidy, an’ neat Beautified by its fine woodlan’ Enriched by acres […]
CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH
CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH On a corner which once was a barren, rocky area where cock fights took place on an Easter Monday and goats ran free sits the Craigs Parish Church opposite the Craigs Parochial School. Prior to the building of the parish church it was in the schoolhouse that the first recorded service […]
CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH RECORDS
CRAIG_PARISH_CHURCH_MARRIAGE_RECORDS_1841_-1925 CRAIGS_PARISH_CHURCH_BURIALS_1841_to_1944 CRAIGS_PARISH_CHURCH_BAPTISMAL_1839-1925 CRAIGS_PARISH_CHURCH_GRAVES CRAIGS _BURIAL_GROUND_ALLOTTED_1841_AS_UNDER_STRANGER_GROUNDS_ROWS CRAIGS_1899_THOSE_OVER_13_YEARS_OLD_NOT_CONFIRMED_DEC_1899 CRAIGS_PARISH_CHURCH_COMMUNICANTS_1893-1894_&_1896-1897 CRAIGS_PARISH_CHURCH_FAMILIES_1893_and_1897 CRAIGS_PARISH_CHURCH_FAMILY_1901 CRAIGS_PARISH_CONFIRMED_1886-1897 VESTRYMEN
CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH VESTRYMEN 1870-1910
1870-1874 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1875 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1877 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1880 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1881-1882 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1883-1884 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH RESGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1887-1888 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF VESTRYMEN 1891-1892 CRAIGS PARISH CHURCH REGISTER OF […]
CRAIGS TOWNLAND
Craigs townland is within the parish of Craigs, and barony of Kilconway. O’Laverty describes the townland as having four sub-denominations of Groogagh, Aughnakeely, Carhunny and Grannagh. This was known locally as the “four towns of Craigs” The Craigs, derived from the Irish Na Creaga, “the rocks” contains 2,801 acres 2 roods and 21 perches. The […]
CULLYBACKEY
CULLYBACKEY Students of nature Come without failure, And see for yourselves the facts which are seals; The located valley Round old Cullybackey Is an unveiled seclusion among the hills. The meaning of words, Like the crossing of fords, Is a bugbear and caution to all without will; Yet secrets are patent To modern and ancient, […]
CULLYBACKEY
CULLYBACKEY Dear Sur, a’ freens, “Cully” just means A “doug” some people think, An’ “backey” fair is neathin’ mair Nor “leep” which disnae clink. Ithers wul say fur truth this day Although they dae nae preach That Cullybackey, dry or drackie, Means “land o’ guid white beech.” At corner here monie a year, Whun fewer […]
CULLYBACKEY
The following lines do not apply so much to the Cullybackey of to-day (1913) as to the village of say, twenty years ago, as it appeared to the boy of that period. Great men have sung of mighty deeds,And divers lands of fair renown;I’ll choose as meet a humbler theme,I’ll sing of Cullybackey town.My native […]
CULLYBACKEY – DECICATED TO MR AND MRS STOTT, CRAIGDUN CASTLE
CULLYBACKEY Dedicated to Mr and Mrs Stott, Craigdun Castle Cullybackey, pretty village – I should rather say a town In far-off days thou wert a place of very great renown; Old chieftains here resided, and old rulers of the land, All lived here in wealth and grandeur – men bowed at their command. Thy lovely […]
CULLYBACKEY BOYS AND FEMALE SCHOOLS
CULLYBACKEY BOYS SCHOOL Established 1825 2nd class Presbyterian A Hamilton Room 41ft X 16ft 24/09/1840 Granted salary to James Stewart from 01/07/1840 Books for 75 pupils 08/04/1842 Paid salary to James Stewart £1.5.0 […]
CULLYBACKEY CHAPEL
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULTE CONCEPTION CHAPEL OF EASE Nestling among the trees, and partially screened from the roadway on the east side of Cullybackey on the road to Ballymena stands the “Chapel of Ease” Roman Catholic Church. Cullybackey is situated within the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical parish of Ahoghill and the spiritual needs of the members […]
CULLYBACKEY COLEENS
CULLYBACKEY COLEENS In huntin’ up some fibre freen’s Anither yarn tae spin That readers o’ this paper great Micht hae anither grin. But naethin’ wud warp through mae brain Midst al’ these rural scenes, Fur first an’ last before me past Cullybackey colleens Fu’ fair this day. Keep min’ a dae nae juist refer Tae […]
CULLYBACKEY ELIM CHURCH
It was first envisaged that the portable wooden structure built in Pottinger Street, Cullybackey, to accommodate a small Elim congregation and officially opened in 1919 by Principal George Jeffreys, would be an outreach from the Ballymena Elim Church, which would be administered by their Pastor and session who, with the local leaders, would take responsibility […]
CULLYBACKEY FAITH MISSION HALL
FAITH MISSION PRAYER UNION HALL In 1915, a mission was conducted in Cullybackey YMCA Hall, Main Street, by two Faith Mission pilgrims, Misses Mosley and Evans. During the Mission a large number of people were blessed and at the close, a weekly prayer meeting – the Prayer Union was formed to help and […]
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB A PARTING SCENE BY N. Y.
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB A PARTING SCENE Like emigrants upon the shore, They silent stood an ne’er before, And well they knew that they no more, When this sad parting scene was o’er, On earth would meet again They viewed the landscape far and near, The hills and woodlands all so dear The river’s banks and […]
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB AFTER THE SOCIAL
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB AFTER THE SOCIAL (With apologies to Mr Rudyard Kipling) When the last golf round has been ended, And the clubs are rusty and bent, When the oldest duffer has ??? And the last long carry is spent; We shall all need a rest from our labours Lie down on the links by […]
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB BY NIBLICK
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB IN MEMORIAM O’ yez! Golfers of the Maine Listen to my doleful strain; Never, never more again Shall ye wield you mashie. Cullybackey’s joys are fled, Links of “Love” are cold and dead; Their dirge sung o’er Maine’s pebbly bed And waterlogged Dromona. Oh! for a shot at the bunker high, With […]
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB IN COMMEMORATION 1922
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB IN COMMEMORATION Had there been a wide report They should lose their famed resort, That the Loopagh’s no consort, Without special dower Protestations, if you please Had been made like dying bees ‘Gainst an immemorial squeeze At a social hour. But, like sporting golfers they Wisely chose the gentler way To requite […]
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB IN COMMEMORATION 1937
CULLYBACKEY GOLF CLUB IN COMMEMORATION Has there been a wide report You shall lose your famed resort, That the Loopagh’s no consort Without special dower? Protestations, if you please, Can be made, like dying bees, ‘Gainst an immemorial squeeze, At a social hour. Golfers all, what would you do More than has been tried for […]
CULLYBACKEY GREETINGS TO DR. DICK
CULLYBACKEY GREETINGS TO DR. DICK All the children rise to greet you As many as you have brought to view The Valley of the Maine Ere you embark for foreign shores; Heaven bless you with its bounteous stores, To stay while life remain. To while away some hours at sea Think that home friends do […]
CULLYBACKEY METHODIST CHURCH (OLD AND NEW)
Situated in the “corner nook by the river side” is what is now referred to as the Old Methodist Church formerly the United Free Church. The congregation was founded in 1810 but it wasn’t until 1839 that the church at that time known as the Original Secession Church was built and officially opened on 22nd […]
CULLYBACKEY ON THE MAINE
CULLYBACKEY ON THE MAINE Dear sur an’ editor, sae kind, A word or twa I’d write, Aboot a piece o’ poetry A saw in black and white. ‘Twus in your famous paper, A read this boasting scrawl, ‘Boot the village o’ Ahoghill, An’ its talen yin an’ all. Nae doot a gee it credit For […]
CULLYBACKEY ON THE MAINE
CULLYBACKEY ON THE MAINE How oft we tried to sing the sweet story, Begin in the mists of primeval glory, With thy old name – Cullybackey. As well might we try to recall the refrain Of the flood’s first song as it ran down the Maine Along its well-wooded valley. Yet nature repeats herself time […]
CULLYBACKEY PIPE BAND BY A.C.
CULLYBACKEY PIPE BAND All lovers of good music, who dwell throughout the land, Come listen to me while I tell the wonders of our band: In the Cullybackey village, that stands beside the Maine, The kilty boys can make a noise, when led by John McClean. When on parade they march along, their like is […]
CULLYBACKEY REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The first Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland was constituted in 1784 but it was not until 1789 that a Meeting House was erected in Cullybackey. It was a plain rectangular structure, with a stairway at each gable leading to the galleries and was known as the “Pound Meeting House,” having been […]
CULLYBACKEY THE PASSING OF THE OLD “NEW SCHOOLROOM.”
CULLYBACKEY THE PASSING OF THE OLD “NEW SCHOOLROOM.” APRIL 1908 Familiar were those diamond panes That long, low room, where oft I spent A Sabbath hour on learning bent, Or took the part of him who trains The youthful mind to way of God, In life’s bright springtime, ere the fret And rush of living […]
CULLYBACKEY TOWNLAND
Cullybackey, CúilnaBaice meaning the angle or corner of the river bend is situated 3½ miles N.W. of the town of Ballymena and contains the village of Cullybackey, situated close to the River Maine which forms its western boundary. It is in the Barony of Lower Toome and contains 531 acres,1 rood and 16 perches. Population […]
CULLYBACKEY YIN NOUGHT YIN
CULLYBACKEY YIN NOUGHT YIN A stranger once to our village came He stopped and asked me, “Now what is its name?” I said, “Cullybackey” he started to smile I knew he was going to stay for a while Accommodation he wanted but none could he find With his big fancy car he looked ever so […]