Ballynoe
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 Entering the village of Ballynoe along the Ballylucas Road | |
  Ballynoe Location within Northern Ireland Show map of Northern Ireland Ballynoe Ballynoe (County Down) Show map of County Down | |
| Population | 169 (2011 census)[1] |
| Irish grid reference | J496438 |
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| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DOWNPATRICK |
| Postcode district | BT30 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
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Ballynoe (Irish:An Baile Nua, meaning 'the new settlement') is a settlement andtownland, south ofDownpatrick inCounty Down,Northern Ireland. The townland is approximately 0.84 km2 (207.37 acres) in area.[2] It is situated in thecivil parish ofBright and the historicbarony ofLecale Upper.[3]
Ballynoe is the site of an old church, known as the church of Kilschaelyn (Caolán's Church).[4] In the Taxation ofPope Nicholas IV it was taxed at two Marks.[5] The church stood a little to the west of the hamlet of Ballynoe, the cemetery skirting the gardens of the Connor families on that side, where debris of the walls and human remains have frequently been turned up.[6]Reeves also identified 'Kilschaelyn' and noted that it appeared to be the similar to 'Capella de Kylsaghlyn', which was appropriated to the Abbey of St. Patrick of Down.[5] The site of the church in Ballynoe was also recorded as being approximately two miles north of the township ofBallydargan.[7] A stone monument from the period of Pope Nicholas's Taxation was also discovered at this site, likely belonging to a knight. It was a part of a cuneiform headstone with an elegant and elaborate cross design. The sculpture on the headstone includes the hilt of a straight Norman sword to the left of the cross. It is likely to have been subjected to thedissolution of the monasteries in 1541. By 1622,Bishop Echlin reported the church as a ruin.
The property attached to the church is detailed in a charter to the Monastery of Mahee Island in Lough Strangford. The Monastery ofNendrum (Nóendruimm) on Mahee (a phonetic spelling of Mochaoi[8]) island inStrangford Lough also has a connection to Ballynoe. The monastery's founder St. Mo Chaoi ofDál Fiatach (died approx. 490 A.D.) was converted bySt. Patrick.[8] Originally named Caolán, he was affectionately called Mochaoi by the Irish people. Ballynoe is referred to as BaliehaUan (The town of Caolán) in the Charter of Mahee. The church likely stood near the spot where St. Caolán or Mo Chaoi was converted.[9]
The historical and geographical context of Ballynoe and Legamaddy suggests that St. Patrick might have taken an indirect route from Saul to Bright through Ballynoe due to a lake in the low-lying valley. The site of an even older church than Ballynoe's is located inLegamaddy, nearBallydargan, with graves lined with thin flagstones, indicating its age. Aholy water stoup was found there, and it is believed the church became disused when Ballynoe was established.
In 1427,Janico Dartas or D'Artois held properties in Kilsaghlyn, and by the third year ofEdward VI's reign, the chapel there was associated with theAbbey of St. Patrick of Down. The inquisition held in 1427 revealed that Sir Janico D'Artois possessed various lands, including half a carucate in Gilberton, gifted by the abbot and convent of the Blessed Mary of Inch, and two messuages (house with its outbuildings and adjacent land[10]) and onecarucate in Nuntown, gifted by the prioress and convent of the Blessed Mary of Down. He also held four messuages and three carucates in Kilsaghlyn (Ballynoe) and one and a half carucates in Whetbyton (Whigamstown). Gilberton, originally belonging to theabbey of Inch, likely had a chapel for tenant convenience, though no traces have been found in Ballygilbert or Ballyviggis. Nuntown, known as Ballynagalliagh, had stone-lined graves discovered years ago. Remarkably, all these townlands, except Ballynoe, still belong to theArdglass estate, which was owned by theFitzgeralds, descendants of D'Artois, until 1808.
In an inquisition from 1618, the names of the townlands in the parish of Bright are listed, but Ballynoe is not mentioned. However, there is a townland named "Kilschaelyn" included.[11][8] TheDown Survey also reported that in 1641 D.S. Ker, Esq., was the territorial representative and the owner of this townland.[12] Although the ancient name has disappeared, a 1729 deed identifies the church of Ballynoe, and was also known as Kiltougbers and another in 1760 as Kiltaghlins, BaUie-nua.[13][9] Various historical documents show the evolution of the name from "Killskeaghly"[14] and Killaghlins[12] to the modern "Ballynoe," meaning "new town." These names represent the various forms in which the ancient Irish name appeared before it eventually disappeared and was replaced by Ballyno and eventually the modern name Ballynoe.[15]
In 1732, the tenant farmers in Ballynoe were John Miller & partners and John Patterson.[6] Early ordinance maps from 1834 show Ballynoe prior to the establishment of the railway.[16]
Tochmarc Étaíne "The Wooing of Étaín" is an Irish mythological tale about the love story betweenÉtaín andMidir, filled with transformations, trials, and eventual reunions despite the jealousy and interference of Midir's first wife,Fúamnach.
Midir, a member of theTuatha Dé Danann, falls in love with Étaín, but Fúamnach becomes jealous and casts spells on Étaín, who turns her into water, a worm, and finally a fly. Despite these transformations, Midir remains devoted to Étaín, and their love story continues through many trials and transformations until they are finally reunited.
Ailill Angubae, king of theUlaid and brother ofHigh KingEochaid Airem, falls deeply in love with Étaín and begins to waste away due to his unrequited love. Étaín agrees to meet him to save his life, but Midir intervenes by casting a spell that causes Ailill to fall asleep, preventing their meeting and revealing the depth of Midir's connection to Étaín. Ailill lives in Mag nInis (now known asLecale) and is likely identified asBallynoe.[17][18]
This site is mentioned alongside significant landmarks such as Emain Macha (Navan Fort) and Tara (Hill of Tara). These references highlight the importance of Ballynoe in ancient Irish lore, connecting it to other prominent mythological sites.
The main local feature isBallynoe stone circle, an ancient site dating to the late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. It features over 50 monoliths ofOrdoviciangritstone andgranites[19] and has been linked tosolar alignments and ancient burial practices. Excavations in the 1930s revealed burialcists and a long mound within the circle.[20][21] The site is also mentioned in theTochmarc Étaíne, an early Irish mythological text.
The disusedBallynoe railway station was part of theBelfast and County Down Railway, which connected Downpatrick to Ardglass in Northern Ireland. The station building,[22] signal box, and goods shed[23] are still standing and have been converted into private properties. While the original brickwork and structure are largely intact, the signal box[24] is in need of repair. The platforms and their canopies are no longer present, but remnants of the platform edges can still be found in some areas.[25][better source needed]
![Ballyno (1912)[15]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aHistoric_map_of_Lecale_-_Alice_Stopford_Green%2c_1912.jpg)
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Townlands that border Ballyvange include:[2][26][27]
