Finding Our Place

What’s in a name?

Aghalee has been known by many names over its long history. In 1125AD records refer to Achaid while the 1306AD taxation records use the name Acheli. Two references from the 1490s refer to Acadle and in 1546AD the name Achalead is used with reference to the church. Around 1583 there is mention of Aghillivi church and in the C17th various names appear, such as Aughellie, Anaheley, Aughelly, Aghaly, Anneghelly, Agholey, Aghelly and Aghelee. From the census of 1659, we see the more familiar name of Aghalee - but those who live here have always simply called it ‘home’.

Our church is named ‘Holy Trinity’ and our parish is named ‘Aghalee’ but both are often referred to as ‘Soldierstown’. It is believed that the name ‘Soldierstown’ arose through common usage due to the presence of a military garrison in the area around the time of the Ulster Rebellion (1641AD). So, ‘Soldierstown’ is not a townland, a parish, or a church – but rather, a colloquial name that has gained acceptance.

Finding our place

Historically, our parish area included the four ancient churches and medieval parishes of Aghalee, Aghagallon, Maghernagaw (Tamlaght) and Magheramesk (Rathmesk/Trummery). Only comparatively recently, from about 1834, could it be viewed as a single parish.

In 2017, Maghaberry was made a separate parish; although those parts of Magheramesk lying west of the A26 Glenavy Road remain in the Parish of Aghalee.

The residents of Aghalee in any era have always known where it is located; but over the centuries, frequent changes in civil and ecclesiastical boundaries have led others to describe the location of Aghalee in many ways. Also, the spelling of place names has provided far more variations than could reasonably be listed here.

• 1034 – Engusa MacMailraba granted land at Aghalee and Magheramesk to the Bishop of Down.
• 1111 – The diocese of Down is one of 24 officially recognised by the Synod of Rathbreasil.
• 1190 – first mention of a Bishop or Diocese of Dromore.
• 1306 – All four parishes are recorded within the Diocese of Down and rural-deanery of Dalboyn.
• 1453 – Down Diocese is united to Connor (becoming Down & Connor)
• 1536 – Up to the dissolution of the monasteries, the tithes of Aghalee Parish were paid to Bangor Abbey; while the tithes of Aghagallon Parish were paid to Moville Abbey.
• 1546 – Aghalee is listed amongst the parishes of Dromore diocese; while Aghagallon and Magheramesk remain within the diocese of Down & Connor.
• 1611 – Sir Fulke Conway is granted the Manor of Killultagh, becoming the rector of Aghalee, to whom tithes were payable.
• 1667/77 – a new church is built at Soldierstown and, from this time, the older parishes are grouped together more consistently, as Aghalee Union.
• 1842 – Dromore is united to Down & Connor (becoming Down, Connor & Dromore)
• 1945 – Connor becomes a separate diocese (Down & Dromore remains)
• Present day – Aghalee Parish is now a parish within the Diocese of Down & Dromore; in the area-deanery of Clanbrassil.

It is worthy of note that, according to Roman Catholic tradition (post-Reformation), Aghalee lies within the Parish of Aghagallon and Ballinderry, in the diocese of Down & Connor.

Aghalee (with Maghaberry) is also unique in being the only part of the Diocese of Down & Dromore to lie within the County of Antrim.