New Forge House, Magheralin

This short video shows the walls and New Forge House which was

built by the Waddell Family in 1795

Visit to PRONI

I visited PRONI and was able to examine letters written by James Waddell and the Marquis of Downshire

During my online research I have found some interesting information which is extremely relevant to my project. For example, I found a select committee on Orange Lodges, Associations or Societies in Irelan from 1835 wherein a Mr Jame Christie from Kircassock House in Magheralin detailed disturbances in Magehralin in the late 1790's. In his testimony James Christie discusses murder, the wrecking of catholic homes and the burning of churches in the village.

Down County Museum

The visit to the Dounty County Museum was both useful and interesting as I was able to see items used during the rebellion and looking at the actural cells where prisoners were kept gave an impression of how prisoners were treated at the time. Thomas Russell was executed outside this museum after having been kept prisoner there - this is particularly relevant to my research as the husband and brother -in-law of James Waddells daughter were jurors at the Russell trial.

What I have learned this week....

On a not so positive note - I have tried to contact a number of local historians in relation to my research and unfortunately have had no response to any of my requests. This has been quite frustrating but at the same time empahasised the need to undercover more primary research.  I will have to revisit the Public Records Office and the Armagh History library in order to further research the disturbances in Magheralin in relation to the United Irishmens rebellion.

Whats next ....

I plan to visit the Magheralin Graveyard

The prominent land owner and Justice of the Peace during the 1790s was Captain James Waddell and he is buried in the old grave yard with members of the family..

Research to date

So far I have visited

• The Irish History Library Armagh
• Lurgan Library
• Public Records Office Northern Ireland (PRONI), Belfast
• St Patricks Church, Magheralin
• Down County Museum, Downpatrick

I have managed to gather various sources of documentation including books, letters, journals etc and the challenge has been to extract information relevant to my research

Magheralin 1798 The Story So Far ....

Why I am researching this particular topic...

The pursuit of Irish independence in the late 1790s was not confined to the main cities of the island and many battles were fought in the small townlands throughout the country. In the north of Ireland the conflict became increasingly sectarian and community divisions between Catholic and Protestant neighbours increased tensions in small towns and villages. I live in the small village of Magheralin situated between Moira and Lurgan in County Armagh. In her book Like an Evening Gone, Eileen Cousins made reference to the religious tension which existed in Magheralin in the late 1790’s. The aim of my research will be to get an understanding of how the sectarian tensions had increased to such an extent that riots had broken out, churches burned down and murder committed in the village.

Preliminary Research

I plan to research the events of the 1798 rebellion in Magheralin