Local historian is speaker at Lecale Review launch

Local historian is speaker at Lecale Review launch

21 November 2018

THE Lecale and Downe Historical Society launched its annual journal in the Down County Museum on Monday night.

Lecale Review No 16 was officially launched by local historian, Philip Orr, who described it as another “excellent mix” of fascinating stories connected to Lecale and Co Down.

The latest publication — which coincides with the Society’s 70th anniversary celebrations —  is packed full of stories of families such as the McCartans who lived near the site of the present Montalto House near Spa.  

Noted historian Horace Reid tells the story of how Phelim McCartan helped attack and capture Cromwell’s castle that stood at the top of Scotch Street in Downpatrick in 1642, just as the English Civil War was spreading to Ireland. 

The article reveals that things didn’t turn out well for Phelim, who spearheaded the gutsy move and was later hanged in Carrickfergus and all his lands were confiscated. 

The society’s secretary, Philip Blair, writes about the O’Roney family who hailed from Ballyroney in his contribution to the new book.

He reveals that the family’s chief clansman was the only one brave enough to tackle the notorious giant black cat who terrified and killed sheep and locals alike around Clough and the Mount Panther estate.

In fact, locals also insist that Clough gets its name from ‘Cloughmaghrecat’ which translates as “the stone of the field of the cat”.

The new publication also features an article on Fr Richard Ranaghan who grew up in Killough, penned by John McGrath.

The local priest was one of the first Columban missionaries to enter China in the 1920s and was one of the first pioneers of moving pictures. He recorded his travels and exhibited the result in Rome and is reported to have attracted favourable attention from Pope Pius XI. 

Mr McGrath’s article claims that Fr Rangan went on to edit film material and is reputed to have had Bing Crosby record White Christmas before he went on to sing it in in Holiday Inn, which has become a classic Christmas film.

The new book also records a great piece written by Maureen Donnelly on the McAllen family who settled in Newcastle in 1870. 

It tells how William McAllen established the first plumbing business in the town and was, most notably, the first person in the town to power an electric light bulb. His business still survives to this day as William McAllen and Sons. 

Sadly, the book reveals that William, while working on the construction of the City Hall in Belfast, fell from scaffolding and died, leaving behind a widow and young son Robert. 

When Robert grew up, he too became a plumber and married Brigid ‘Jetty’ Dalzell from Clarkhill Road in Annsborough who is pictured in the book celebrating her 100th birthday some years ago.

Intriguingly, the new publication opens with two iconic photographs taken of the same spot on Scotch Street — but 113 years apart. 

For those interested in local history, this article written by William Stranney, blows off the dust to reveal even more or our historical hidden treasures. 

The article reveals that a deed made on May 1, 1919, states members of the Parkinson family sold the building pictured in both pictures to James Dickson who was a cabinet maker in it from 1899. 

In addition, the deed reveals that his business must have flourished because records show that from that date, he became both the landlord and occupier. Records also show the business was to thrive for a further three decades. 

The new publication, which would make an ideal gift or Christmas present, is packed with articles and photographs of people and places, helping bring them all to life and celebrating those who have made a significant contribution to Down and Lecale.