It’s worth considering some historical references which throw light on the early history of our parish …
This piece ancient Irish Literature tells the story of Neidhe, who returns from Scotland to contend for the post of Ollamh (chief poet) to the King of Ulster; a post which has been left vacant by the death of his father. One of the places his journey takes him is 'over Magh-Ercaithi' (possibly Magheramesk). The story is dated around or before the time of Christ. It implies that, at that time, Magheramesk may have been the seat of a local chieftain, where such wandering minstrels would find employment.
This ancient prayer provides a long list of saints and pilgrims who travelled to or from Ireland. Amongst the early Christians who came to these shores Aengus mentions Saxons, Gauls, Romans (to Aghagallon), and seven Egyptian monks who are believed to be buried near Nutts Corner …
The Romans in Achudh Galma (Aghagallon), in Hy-Echach (Iveagh), I invoke to my aid, ….
Seven Egyptian monks in Disert Ullaigh (Dundesert, Crumlin), I invoke to my aid, through Jesus Christ.
An early reference to our parishes once existed amongst the 'muniments of the see of Down'. The original scroll was lost long ago, but we know of its existence due to two surviving copies.
The lost scroll recorded that Engusa MacMailraba, who ruled over Dalbuine in 1034AD, gave to the Bishop of Down certain churches and lands including - Acavilly (Aghalee) with one carucata; Rathmesge (Magheramesk) with two carucatis – also lands in Crumlin, Glenavy, Lambeg, Derryvolgie, Ballinderry, Magheragall, Derriaghy, Drumbo and Blaris. This ancient record was, apparently, later attested by John De Courcy, and Hugh de Lacy - and confirmed when King John visited Carrickfergus (1210AD)
One 'carucata' is the amount of land that could be ploughed by a team of 8 oxen in one season … circa 120 acres.
Throughout the C13th, taxes were frequently levied on churches throughout the Holy Roman Empire in order to fund the Crusades. Such taxes, known as 'Decimae Saladinae' or simply 'Tenths', were traditionally paid to the Pope or, by his grant, to kings.
In Ireland, each rural dean was instructed, under oath, to carry out an accurate valuation of all church revenue in his deanery. Based on this valuation, a tax of one tenth of all annual income and moveable properties, was imposed on each church.
These taxes were collected so frequently, and taxation was putting such a strain on church finances, that in 1291AD, several Irish bishops wrote to the King complaining that their ‘clergy were so reduced by war, rebellion, and depredation, as to be in the extreme of poverty.'
Yet another collection of the 'Tenths' was imposed on all churches in Ireland for two years in 1306/7AD. The records of this 1306AD taxation were rediscovered in 1807AD on six scrolls which had been deposited in the offices of H.M. Exchequer around 1323AD; and it is in these records that we find the earliest written reference to our parishes.
These taxation records show that our churches were included within the Diocese of Down and rural-deanery of Dalboyn; the deanery consisting of 9 rectories, 5 chapels and 1 vicarage:
It’s interesting to note that our neighbouring parishes of Ballinderry (Derbi) and Glenavy (Lennewy) are included in the Diocese of Down (rather than Connor, as at present). At that time the diocesan boundary extended to northern end of Lough Neagh, roughly in a line from Killead to Greenisland.
Magheramesk is described as a church and seems to have had a greater income than Aghalee, Aghagallon or Maghernagaw, each of which hold the status of a chapel. Magheramesk was levied at 8d, while Aghalee, Aghagallon and Maghernagaw were levied at the minimum 4d each. From this we may infer that our parishes were relatively poor - on the lowest rung of the social ladder.
Archbishop George Dowdall holds the unique distinction of having been appointed Archbishop of Armagh twice - appointed by Henry VIII, he withdrew under Edward VI, but was re-instated by Queen Mary. His archive register gives an insight into the state and condition of the Irish Church at the start of the Reformation. In its taxation records of 1546AD, the rectory and vicarage of Achalead were listed among the benefices of the Diocese of Dromore.
On 4th July 1605 an ‘Inquisition’ was held at the ancient monastic site of Ardquin (near Portaferry); by this William Parsons, the Surveyor General of King James I, assessed the ownership of lands in Ulster.
In his report we discover that, at the dissolution of the monasteries (circa 1536AD), ‘James McGuilmere, Abbot of Moville, was seized … of the church, or impropriate rectory ofAghallmagh (Aghagallon). Similarly – ‘William O'Dornan, Abbot of Bangor was seized … of the church or rectory of Anaghely or Aghaley (Aghalee).
