and District Jerrettspass ANDREW HALLIDAY

The geology of a district has a great influence on its history, and so it is with the Jerrettspass area. Millions of years ago there was consider able volcanic activity in the British Isles. In this particular area there was intrusive vulcanicity whereby rocks cool and solidify underground and are later exposed by the layers above them being eroded away. A good example of this is Goraghwood quarry, which is in fact a dyke or underground intrusion originating from Slieve Gullion. At Jerrettspass, a fault or crack in the rock has been eroded over the years to produce a fairly narrow glen similar to those found in the Glens of Antrim. the ice this intrusion was During age HBBBK - .-^iiBHBBBBHH exposed, and as the ice receded, the material suspended Jerrettspass, Co. Armagh in it was deposited over the area in the form of an uneven series of mounds known as Drumlins. of the surrounding country. Six counties may be seen an immense river must have flowed Therefore, through on a clear day. this at one which a valley time, disappeared leaving Three brothers known as "The Three Collas" came line of marshes surrounded by rich alluvial soil. north as mercenaries of the High King of Tara in 332 Across this bogland, passes were made at convenient A.D. and in a seven-day battle (which was so great places. Those in our immediate neighbourhood were that corpses lay scattered from Drumillar, near at Jerrettspass, Knockanarney, Aughantarraghan, , to the Clanrye,) they defeated Fergus, and Pass where the old subsidiary King of Ulster, and went on to take Armagh. The roads are still in existence. townland of Lurganare (the ridge of slaughter) would Jerrettspass in the early part ofthe 16th century was appear to have got its name from this battle. The known as "Lameses" or "Lambs Pass". this Formerly remnants of Ulstermen withdrew to and Antrim ancient pass, like its neighbours at Poyntzpass and (Ulidia) and to defend themselves built a ditch and bank Scarva, was defended by a castle, the three being built from the Clanrye to Lisnagead. Lough Neagh and the by the Duke of Albemarle. This immediately shows River Bann helped in their defence the rest of the way. the to these as focal importance given passes points Parts of this ditch and bank can be seen at "The for safe passage and as places for the local inhabitants Barracks'' at Knockanarney and in Dromantine to meet. townland not far from the rear entrance to Dromantine DANE'S CAST House. The Irish name for this earthwork is "Gleann ? na Muice duibhe" The Glen of the Black Pig. Knockanarney pass connects the parishes of and At Donaghmore Drumbanagher. Knockanarney MAGH COBHA the old road over "Barrack Hill" passes a portion of the remains of an ancient earthwork known as "The In his book "The Parish of Donaghmore" J. D. Dane's Cast". This road continues up the Church Hill Cowan states that from earliest times this territory was through the townland of Lissummon where the remains known as "Magh Cobha" which would have included of a fort crown the summit. Near the fort is a "statue the towns of , Dromore, Poyntzpass and menhir" or "standing stone" which probably marks north of . Magh Cobha means "Plain of the grave of a former chieftain. The lofty position of Cobha." Lissummon Fort must have been invaluable in the days "The district was composed of morasses and forests. of primitive warfare for it commands an extensive view Fields for cultivation or pasture were mainly unfenced. AND J_POYNTZPASS DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Fences first appeared in the 7th century A.D. Land recruited in 1798 by John Moore who was Captain and was farmed in a primitive fashion, corn of various C. Warburton being Lieutenant. kinds being the chief crop. Pasture was usually for cows being chief article of wealth. The houses were "THE BATTLE OF THE PASS" mostly of wood with families of superior rank living in the forts which were generally of circular form/1 As a result of the "Penal Laws" which were The Magenis (Maginies) family ruled Magh Cobha enforced during the 18th century both Presbyterians from the 12th century A.D. until the 17th century A I) and Roman Catholics suffered. Some persecuted across was In 1607, during the Plantation of Ulster Sir Arthur Presbyterians emigrated the Atlantic. There Magenis submitted to the new system and the land was great competition for land in the Jerrettspass area, divided into large estates. The Magenis family cm tied Protestant tenants being ousted by Catholic tenants and tailed a land to the east of Jerrettspass, the estate vice-versa. When the 1798 rebellion broke out young Dromantine. Presbyterian farmer banded together his friends and was ? ? The Drumbanagher estate beside Drom.miuu neighbours both Protestant and Catholic and granted in 1610 to Sir Garret Moore. Itwas hiIki ned turned them into a branch of the Society of United by his fifth son, Arthur, whose direct descendant, John irishmen. The members coveted the notice of the Moore, sold the estate to Lieutenant Colonel Maxwell military authority and for this they had not long to wait. Close in 1818. The original house was huini dnwn and They had weekly meetings for drill. On one of these ? ? summer and in the years 1832-37 Colonel Close built a castU occasions a fine evening there arrived a a a of Scottish freestone in Italian style Imin design In small party of the Armagh Militia, still smaller party was in lo a W. H. Playfair. A demensc wall hmh 1K47 of cavalry known as the Welsh Horse and few Limine was give employment dining the mounted yeomen. The entire company under the command of a Lieutenant Tuskin. The "Defenders of the Pass" as they called LOCAL VOLDNTKIRS \M) YKOMKN were themselves armed with old muzzle-loading guns, <>l During the American Wai huK ikmuIciut, whu h antiquated pistols and pikes made in local forges. An in of the Hntish usual I\ at began 1776, many troops eye-witness the time recalled how, accompanied by were to in stationed in Ireland withdrawn fight other members of the family he was taken to a field America. As a result, the local inhabitants were leli on his mother's farm overlooking the scene of the ore assi defencless against attack and the ret ihe\ mhli d conflict. There, he watched as the advancing militia in at thus tin Indi together 1779 : heran and horsemen were confronted by a handful of Volunteers. peasants. He heard the sound of the guns; the crack ol ( Lord Charlemont took command tin

GERRARD'S PASS organ was presented to the church by Misses Grace and Alice Close. This organ built by Telford and In later years when a Post Office was established in Telford of Dublin is still in use today. the little settlement, the name of the postmaster was "Gerald" later corrupted into "Gerard". He was a "HOLY POTEEN" relative ofthe young man who had suffered in the 1798 Drumbanagher church has had many special rebellion. By his influence the village became known collections in its time all for but none of as "Gerrard's Pass." good causes, them ismore famous than the. one taken up by the then Through time the spelling changed the 'Jerritz Pass' sexton Robert (Crab) The story goes that on and then to the present name of Jerrettspass. Kelly. Sunday mornings the minister always started the service as soon as the bell stopped ringing and this didn't give the secton time to get down from the belfry. As a result it wasn't unusual for him to arrive late. However, one Sunday morning the bell was heard to pell during the service. The Church treasurer a Mr. Griffith, who was also a schoolmaster of Drumganagher Primary School, slipped out to see what had happened. He ascended into the belfry and found Kelly blind drunk beside a still he had set up to distill ' * fiimes had been the and BHfejijBMB^^^^BL*BBSS21 *^^^&t^?3feitiiK0M&^*S^KK3^K^^^^El^R poteen. Any escaping up spire the police would never have suspected the church because the smoke mingled with the smoke coming out of the boiler house.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1st Drumbanager Presbyterian Church, Jerrettspass In 1751, the present Presbyterian church was built under the of the Reverend Michael DRUMBANAGHER PARISH CHURCH leadership Henry. This was known as the 1st Drumbanagher, Drumbanagher Parish Church is a picturesque Presbyterian Church. It is said that before this, the building sited in the hills near Jerrettspass. Many of people worshipped in a tiny wattle church in the glen the parishioners reside in or around the village. behind where this church now stands. The original church was consecrated on 22nd May, However, in 1801 Jerrettspass (Lower) Presbyterian 1731 by the Bishop of Dromore and Armagh and was Church was founded. It split from the older called "St. Mary's, Drumbanagher." This building congregation, but the cause of the division is not stood in the centre of the present graveyard and was known. This became known as the "Secession a very plain, having only small bell tower at the eastern Congregation of Drumbanagher" and was under its end. In 1833 a new church was built at Mullaghglass own Presbytery and Synod until 1844. After that it and was named "St. Luke's Drumbanagher." became known as 2nd Drumbanagher and later Eventually the old church was demolished and the Jerrettspass Presbyterian Church. stones absorbed into the foundations of the present It was not until 1902, that the two churches were church, the foundation stone of which was laid by united as 1st Drumbanagher and Jerrettspass Colonel Close on 2nd September 1859. The granite Presbyterian Church under the leadership of the stone used came from neighbouring quarries and the Reverend James Mulligan. Services were held church was completed in 1861. It was consecrated on separately in both churches on alternate Sundays until 18th July, 1861 by the Bishop of Dromore and it was decided to meet in 1st Drumbanagher only. Armagh. In 1872 Drumbanagher was made a separate parish from the old Parish of Killeavy. Later in 1885 an organ, built by Wadsworth of Oxford Street, Manchester, was erected in the church. Then in 1899 it was transferred to Loughgilly Church and a new AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY 10_POYNTZPASS

In 1972 the school was closed and the pupils transferred to Poyntzpass and then in 1975 the building was demolished having fallen into a state of disrepair.

Church of Ireland, Drumbanagher

JERRETTSPASS SCHOOL National School Around the time that the Presbyterian Church was Jerrettspass ? built in 1751, a school house was also built probably ? fairly primitive four walls, thatched roof, small NEWRY CANAL windows, earthern floor with a fire probably in the centre of the room. This remained until demolished The Newry Canal runs close to Jerrettspass. Work on the Canal in but unforeseen difficulties tomake way for the Belfast-Dublin line around 1850. began 1730, retarded and it was not until 1742 that the Through compensation received from the Railway progress Canal was for traffic. It was the first Company, a new school was built infront of the church opened major inland canal in the British I8V2miles with the site taken from church grounds by the Isles, being long with 14 locks. However 1750 winter flood water authority of the landlord, Captain Douglas. Initially by had breached the banks at several and the locks itwas called "Jerrettspass Scriptural School" and was places were to leak and maintained by the Church Education Society. This beginning decay. Hence, between 1801 and 1810 John Society had the following object:? Brownrigg reconstructed the Canal and after 1810 there were "To assist schools at present existing, and to only 13 locks. The Canal at was one of establish new schools on an improved system for the bridge Jerrettspass three rebuilt and is dated 1808. purpose of affording to the children of the Church bridges by Brownrigg The Canal was owned the instruction in the Holy Scriptures and in the Catechism by Newry Navigation services were introducted in 1813 and other Formularies of the Church, under the Company. Passenger the of from to direction of the bishop and parochial clergy, and under by Quakers Moyallen Knockbridge teachers who are members of the United Church of Newry. First Class Cabin 3/4 return England and Ireland." Later all schools were transferred to the National Second Class Cabin 2/1 return These services continued for about 30 Board of Education, but still under parochial passenger management. Captain Douglas became patron of years. The Canal was intended to coal on from Jerrettspass National School with the vicar of carry barges Coalisland to but was used to coal in the Drumbanagher as manager. Some years later Captain Newry, carry direction. In the 1938-39 commercial Douglas vested the school in the Armagh Board of opposite years traffic the Canal. The warrant for Education, who thus became Patrons. In July 1926, stopped using abandonment was issued on 7th as far as the Vicar, with the consent of the Patrons, transferred May, 1949, the town of and the town on 21st the school to the Armagh Regional Committee Newry through March, 1956. reserving the right to use the building after hours for this locals had been as parochial purposes. During operation, employed POYNTZPASS AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY_11

"Lighter men" who worked on the barges which three arch stone bridge crossing a small stream on the - carried coal on the Canal. At Jerrettspass there is the Armagh Goraghwood line with a total often bridges remains of a jetty where coal etc., was off-loaded and in the Jerrettspass area alone. wheeled by wheelbarrow to the local coal merchants yard, which was a short distance away.

GORAGHWOOD STATION

The location of Jerrettspass has throughout history made it one of the focal points for traffic routes due to its position along the valley which runs southwards towards the famous "Gap of the North". This must surely be one of the reasons why it was chosen as the site for the mainline junction station at nearby Goraghwood at the advent of the railway. One of the first printed references to the building of a railway was made in Coote's "Statistical Survey Goraghwood granite quarries of Co. which states:? Armagh" However, itmust be noted that the building of the "An iron road has been talked about but no decision railways resulted in the loss of some of the history of has been made." Jerrettspass. The 1823 Ordnance Survey map shows Construction of the from to railway Newry that several of the houses existing at that time were started in 1846 but was not finished until - Goraghwood lost during the building ofthe Armagh Goraghwood 1853. The - track was diverted Armagh Goraghwood line and the school house originally facing the Colonel Close of after an by Drumbanagher Presbyterian church was demolished to facilitate the unsuccessful the to drive - attempt by railway company Belfast Dublin double track line which also goes the route of his demense. As as through part result, through Goraghwood. the Lissummon the in had to Tunnel, longest Ireland, At its peak, Goraghwood Station was a busy, be built to the estate. The remains of the by-pass thriving junction on the major inter-city route and acted embankments for the route can still original proposed as a vital artery on the once vast network ofthe Great be seen in the to the rear of the - glen Presbyterian Northern Railway of Ireland. In the 1850s 1900s it Church at Besides the Jerrettspass. impressive was the quickest way to get from Belfast to London :? embankments and these resulted in cuttings, railways (a) via train Belfast to Goraghwood some of the finest of stone and steel examples girder (b) via train Goraghwod to Greenore to be built. from an steel bridges They range interesting (c) via boat Greenore to England. with a wooden floor to an girder bridge impressive The station complex included a shop, a waiting room and various other passenger facilities. There was also a Customs post at the station, for many years the first stop for travellers entering . The -ipr'.. <&?t& Warrenpoint train service was very popular, especially in the summer-time for Sunday School excursions etc. However, on the 3rd January, 1965 the life of Goraghwood station ended when the line from Goraghwood to Newry and closed due to lack of passengers. Many local people also worked in the granite quarry at Goraghwood which was also owned by the Railway Company and the stone quarried was used in the upkeep of the railway lines and bridges throughout O'Hare's Coach Factory Jerrettspass 1909 Northern Ireland. However this industry also died with in Governess and Rail Cars, "Specialists the closing of the station. Rubber Tyreing on Premises" AND DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY \2_POYNTZPASS

TRAIN RACING

The train was a great challenge to some of the landlords in the area, with to its The regard speed. I JLy. *\\-' Innes family, who then owned Dromantine House, and /^ JL~ - JK.mi who were great gambling men, made bets that their Arabian ponies would beat the train from Jerrettspass to Goraghwood. The story goes that on the day of the race, both pony and train arrived at the same time in the station. Itwas said that the coachman could handle the ponies so well that "they could turn the coach wheels over a half crown on the ground!"

Goraghwood station

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