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Draft:Legamaddy

Coordinates: 56°16′45.1″N 5°42′41.8″W / 56.279194°N 5.711611°W / 56.279194; -5.711611
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This page is about the townland in County Down. For other uses, see Legamaddy.

Legamaddy
A road in Legamaddy
The school run at St Patrick's Primary, Legamaddy
Legamaddy is located in County Down
Legamaddy
Location within County Down
County
CountryNorthern Ireland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
List of places
UK
Northern Ireland
Down
56°16′45.1″N 5°42′41.8″W / 56.279194°N 5.711611°W / 56.279194; -5.711611

Legamaddy is a townland located in County Down, Northern Ireland, within the civil parish of Bright and the barony of Lecale Upper. The Irish name for Legamaddy is "Lag an Mhadaidh," which translates to "Hollow of the Dog."[1] This area has a rich history, with records dating back to the early 18th century. Legamaddy is situated near Downpatrick, a town known for its historical significance, including connections to St. Patrick. The townland covers an area of approximately 85.63 hectares (211.59 acres)[2] and is bordered by several other townlands, including Ballydargan, Ballynoe, and Coniamstown.[3]

History

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The region is characterized by its rural landscape and historical landmarks, such as the ruins of old churches and schools, reflecting its long-standing community and cultural heritage. There is a small lake at the south-west corner of the townland, which may be the ‘hollow’ referred to in the place-name. Legamaddy was originally called Carrowmalt.[4]

It was owned by Thomas Cromwell, 3rd Earl of Ardglass, in 1669 and leased to Patrick Shane from 1637 to 1669, who then sublet it to William Hamilton Esq.[5] The name of this townland seems to have no recorded mention before 1710 when it had a slightly different spelling (Leggamaddy). In 1755 it was named Liggmaddy.[6]

Legamaddy House was originally owned by the Southwell Estate in 1752.[7] It was later bought by the Ker family in 1835, and as of 1886, it was the residence of John Hutton.[8] The population of Legamaddy in 1841 was 57.[9] This historical connection between the church and the school highlights the long-standing commitment to education and community development in the area. The presence of both the old and new primary schools underscores the enduring legacy of St. Patrick's in fostering learning and growth for generations.

St. Patrick's Catholic Church

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St. Patrick's Legamaddy, erected in 1865 by Fr. Richard Killen, Parish Priest, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2015.[10] This church was built to replace the former church at Coniamstown, which dated back to before 1745.[11] The original Catholic chapel in Coniamstown was erected around 1745 and replaced by a better chapel in 1796. By 1836, this chapel, described as having no seats but accommodating 400 people. It was replaced by the new church in Legamaddy townland with the foundation stone laid on August 27, 1862.

Following the Great Famine, the Catholic Church in Ireland, along with the diocese of Down and Connor, began revitalizing efforts to support and organize their congregation, capitalizing on the newfound freedom of expression granted by the Emancipation Act of 1829. Archbishop Paul Cullen of Armagh led these initiatives, aspiring to establish new, significant churches that fulfilled their purpose, as well as new primary and secondary schools. Religious orders of priests, brothers, and nuns were strongly encouraged to create institutions to aid in various aspects of development. The Great Famine had been a devastating blow, but with over a decade having passed, it became crucial to take action to establish adequate facilities and fulfill the people's expectations.

The church was designed in the early Gothic style by architect Mr. John O'Neill from Belfast.[12][13][14] In addition to working on Legamaddy Church, where he was responsible for designing and preparing drawings and documentation for tendering, he was also actively involved in designing and preparing tender documents for the Church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, in Whitehouse, Newtownabbey. A notice to builders regarding this project was published in the Belfast Morning News on Saturday, November 29, 1862.[15]

The interior of St Patrick's Church, Legamaddy

The church features several notable architectural elements [16]:

  • A long Nave: The main body of the church where the congregation sits.
  • Square ended chancel: The area around the altar, including the choir and sanctuary, where the clergy and choir are typically seated.
  • A clearly expressed sacristy: The room where vestments and sacred objects are kept, and where the clergy prepare for services.
  • Porches: Entrances porch on the north, south and western (at the base of the tower) sides of the church.
  • A square ended chancel ridge: referring to the rectangular shape of the chancel, which is the area around the altar.
  • Tower: The church features a large, square, and squat tower with corner buttresses and a recessed pointed arch doorway. However, the tower remains incomplete due to insufficient foundations, which were unable to support the originally planned eighty-foot tower with an embattled parapet.
  • Roof: The church is topped with a pitched slate roof.
  • Stonework: The church is adorned with buff sandstone dressings, shouldered buttresses and important ashlar quoins (the cornerstones of the church) emphasised with angled ones.

In front of the church stands a stone Celtic cross [17], commemorating the missions given by the Passionate Fathers in July 1870 and July 1885. The church with the storey and a half parochial house also has an adjoining graveyard, with the stone ruins of the former primary school still present nearby. The long axis of the church is oriented towards the road and its unfinished tower is positioned away from the entrance gate.

The site also includes a Mass rock where Catholics worshipped during Penal times. The priests in 1704 and 1768 were Rev. Seneca (or Jenkin) Smith and Rev. Magnus Grant, respectively.[4] The church's rich history and architectural significance make it a notable landmark in the area, reflecting the enduring legacy of faith and community in the region. The combination of these features, along with the church's historical context, adds to its charm and importance as a local landmark.

Education

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A recently extended and refurbished St. Patrick's Primary School is located next door to the church. It is a Catholic educational institution dedicated to providing a secure and nurturing environment for its students. The school emphasizes the holistic development of children, focusing on their spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, and physical growth.

The school offers a stimulating educational experience, encouraging students to grow in confidence and independence. It maintains a strong commitment to fostering a supportive community, with staff readily available to address any concerns parents may have. The school's mission is to ensure that each child enjoys a comprehensive range of learning opportunities, contributing to their overall development and well-being.

History of the school

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Adjacent to the church, you can still find the stone ruins of the former primary school, (also established by Fr. Richard Killen [18]) which now serves as the parish hall and dates back to 1837. Samuel Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, described it as:

St Patrick's Parish Hall, Legamaddy (formerly the primary school)

"... a school of about 80 boys and 50 girls, for which a school-house in the churchyard was built by subscription; also a pay school, in which are about 20 boys and 20 girls."[19]

In 1883 there were 158 pupils enrolled in the school with an average daily attendance of 64 (86 boys & 72 girls).[20] By 1892 there were only 64 pupils enrolled in the school with an average daily attendance of just 37 (all were boys).[21] The school originally featured a one-room design, typical of that era in Ireland, and was heated by a pot belly stove. Over the years, it was converted into three separate classrooms.

This historical connection between the church and the school highlights the long-standing commitment to education and community development in the area. The presence of both the old and new primary schools underscores the enduring legacy of St. Patrick's in fostering learning and growth for generations.

People from Legamaddy Primary School

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  • Reality TV star Matthew McNabb attended Legamaddy Primary School.[22][23]
  • County Down GAA Senior Football Championship final winners 1994 team member Richard Starkey attended Legamaddy Primary School.[24]
  • Teacher and author John McGrath was headmaster of Legamaddy Primary School.[25][26]
[edit]
  • The tower of St Patrick's Chapel, Legamaddy (2011)
    The tower of St Patrick's Chapel, Legamaddy (2011)
  • Carrowbane Road east of Legamaddy Chapel (2011)
    Carrowbane Road east of Legamaddy Chapel (2011)
  • The Ballynoe Road at Legamaddy (2011)
    The Ballynoe Road at Legamaddy (2011)
  • The grave yard of St Patrick's Catholic Chapel, Legamaddy (2011)
    The grave yard of St Patrick's Catholic Chapel, Legamaddy (2011)
  • View towards Legamaddy Catholic Chapel (2011)
    View towards Legamaddy Catholic Chapel (2011)

See also

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Townlands that border Legamaddy[28]

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  • Ballydargan to the south
  • Ballylucas to the west
  • Ballynewport to the west
  • Ballynoe to the north
  • Carrowbane to the east
  • Coniamstown to the east
  • Whigamstown to the east

References

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  1. ^ "Celebrating Ulster's Townlands". Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  2. ^ "Legamaddy". Townlands.ie. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  3. ^ "Legamaddy". IreAtlas Townlands Database. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b "An historical account of the Diocese of Down and Connor, ancient and modern". Internet Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Place Names: L". Ros Davies' Co. Down, Ireland Genealogy Research Site. p. 1066. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  6. ^ "Dictionary of Ulster Place-Names". Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  7. ^ "Southwell, Edward". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Thom's Official Directory of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, 1884". Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  9. ^ "The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1846". Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  10. ^ "St. Patrick's Legamaddy Cemetery". Find a Grave. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  11. ^ "The Irish Monthly, 1887". Internet Archive. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  12. ^ "CO. DOWN, LEGAMADDY, CHURCH OF ST PATRICK (RC)". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  13. ^ Tracey, J J (1987). A Dissertation on the Buildings of John O’Neill and O’Neill and Byrne Architects 1862-1883 (Master's Thesis (This thesis may be consulted at the Irish Architectural Archive)). Belfast: Queen’s University. p. 72.
  14. ^ "John O'Neill". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Notice "To Builders" (top right of 6th column)". Gale. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  16. ^ "St. Patrick's RC Church, Legamaddy". Stone Database. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  17. ^ "Parish of Bright". Parish of Bright. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  18. ^ "Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons, 1859". Internet Archive. p. 96. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  19. ^ "Bright, a parish - Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837)". Library Ireland. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, 1830-1840". Internet Archive. p. 406. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  21. ^ "Ordnance Survey Memoirs of Ireland, 1830-1840". Internet Archive. p. 460. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  22. ^ "DWTS couple Matthew MacNabb and Laura Nolan visit Downpatrick primary school". Sunday World. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  23. ^ "Reality TV star Matthew visits ex-primary school". Down Recorder. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  24. ^ "Richard Starkey Down Football 1995". Inpho Photography. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  25. ^ "Mr John McGrath". The Down Recorder. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  26. ^ "Parish of Bright". Parish of Bright. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  27. ^ "PlacenamesNI.org - Legamaddy, County Down (Northern Ireland Place-Name Project, Tionscadal Logainmneacha, Thuaisceart Eirann)". ArcGIS Experience. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  28. ^ "Down civil parishes (map of Bright townlands)". John Grenham. John Grenham. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
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