Killough
Encyclopedia
Killough is a village
and townland
in County Down
, Northern Ireland
. It lies on the Irish Sea
shore near Ardglass
, five miles southeast of Downpatrick
. It is notable for its sycamore-lined main street. In the 2001 Census
it had a population of 845 people.
ports began to rise in prominence. In 1625 William Pitt was appointed as Customer of the ports of Newcastle
, Dundrum
, Killough, Portaferry
, Donaghadee
, Bangor
and Holywood
.
The village was originally known as St Anne's Port. The harbour was built in the 18th century by the Wards of Castle Ward
house, just outside Strangford
. A straight road still runs from Castle Ward to Killough. Killough was formerly in Rathmullan parish then transferred to Bright parish. The population in 1659 was 21. By 1821 it was 1,140 and in 1846 it was 1,148 with 224 houses, 51 families employed in agriculture; 126 in manufacturing or trade; 21 in professions; 118 in labouring jobs and 68 directing labour. In 1836 there was a Church of Ireland, two Methodist and a Catholic church. There were also some schools and an ancient well, St. Scordon's. The proprietor was Lord Bangor.
Killough was full of bustling life in the 18th century. The village and port were the creation of Michael Ward of Castleward, the father of the first Lord Bangor and a justice of the King's Bench. From Norman times the Catholic Russell family held the manor of Killough, but they had been deprived of it after the rising of 1641. It was a place of little consequence, however, until Michael Ward turned his attention to it. He renamed it Port St. Anne, in honour of his wife, established a salt works and made a number of improvements to the harbour. The principal trade was the export of barley
with fifteen ships and twenty boats engaged in fishing.
After the outbreak of war between Great Britain
and France
in 1793
the growing of cereals increased in Lecale and Killough, as one of the ports of export, expanded to deal with it, until its population was almost double what it is today. The existing harbour facilities were soon inadequate and between 1821 and 1824, Michael Ward's son, the first Lord Bangor, employed the engineer Alexander Nimmo, to build new quays at a cost of £17,000. The piers, a long one of nearly 600 ft on the Killough side and a short one of 100 ft on the Coney Island side, enclosed a fine harbour. The village prospered and the grain merchants built their imposing houses in Castle Street, and their stores on the narrow lane leading to the quays.
For a brief period in the early 19th century, Killough was the busiest of the seaside villages of East Down and with its tree-lined main street, in many ways the most attractive. But when the post-war depression of the 1830s brought a fall in grain prices, merchants who had expanded in many fields during the inflationary period, soon found themselves in difficulty. For a time their reserves enabled them to keep going, but soon Killough saw one grain store after another close and its once busy harbour lay idle. The decline of the village was reflected in the population which fell from 951 in 1851 to 380 in 1937.
St Joseph's Church
This chapel was erected in 1828 with money donated by a merchant named Mr Rogan. Prior to this Catholics worshipped at a Mass Rock near Conaimstown. The parish priest at the time was Rev. Father Richard McMullan. The church was consecrated by Dr Crolly in August 1828. In 1836 it was described as a plain building capable of seating 400 people. In 1844 the chapel was altered and it was rebuilt in 1884. 2009 heralded the arrival of a new Parish Priest, Fr. Peter O'Hare from North Belfast who has been a positive and welcome addition to the village.
St Anne's Church
This Chapel of Ease was rebuilt in 1716, again rebuilt in 1738 and again in 1815. This was paid for from a bequest of Rev. James Hamilton. Rev. Robert Stewart was rector for 40 years until his death in 1812. Rev. Francis McGillacuddy was rector in 1830. Rev. William Milligan died on 7 August 1832. His wife and two children also died in 1832.
It was described in 1836 as a neat building with a belfry and spire and one small gallery. It seats 250 people and the spire was blown down and the roof damaged on the night of a big storm on 12 January 1839. The Rev. Horatio Moffat was appointed curate on 28 October 1845. Rev. J.W. Williams was rector in 1877, Rev. J. O'Flaherty in 1910 and Rev. R. Frazer in 1937.
.
Scenes from Terry George's forthcoming film Whole Lotta Sole starring Brendan Fraser
and Martin McCann
were shot on location in the village, using Killough's harbour and beaches for many of the exterior shots.
The village is the inspiration for the book Sweet Killough, Let Go Your Anchor by Irish politician Maurice Hayes
, taken from the publication of the same name.
An annual line-dancing contest in fancy dress is held on the Main Street every Mayday.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and townland
Townland
A townland or bally is a small geographical division of land used in Ireland. The townland system is of Gaelic origin—most townlands are believed to pre-date the Norman invasion and most have names derived from the Irish language...
in County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It lies on the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
shore near Ardglass
Ardglass
Ardglass is a coastal village in County Down, Northern Ireland and still a relatively important fishing harbour. It is situated on the B1 Ardglass to Downpatrick road, about 11 kilometres to the south east of Downpatrick, in the Lecale peninsula on the Irish Sea. It had a population of 1,668...
, five miles southeast of Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
. It is notable for its sycamore-lined main street. In the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
it had a population of 845 people.
History
In the 17th century UlsterUlster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
ports began to rise in prominence. In 1625 William Pitt was appointed as Customer of the ports of Newcastle
Newcastle, County Down
Newcastle is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 7,444 people recorded in the 2001 Census. The seaside resort lies on the Irish Sea coast at the base of Slieve Donard, one of the Mourne Mountains, and is known for its sandy beach and the Royal County Down Golf Club...
, Dundrum
Dundrum, County Down
Dundrum is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is beside Dundrum Bay, about 4 miles outside Newcastle on the A2 road. The town is best known for its ruined Norman castle. It had a population of 1,065 people in the 2001 Census....
, Killough, Portaferry
Portaferry
Portaferry is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland, at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula, near the Narrows at the entrance to Strangford Lough. It had a population of 2,467 people in the 2001 Census. It has an aquarium and is well-known for the annual Galway Hookers Regatta. It hosts...
, Donaghadee
Donaghadee
Donaghadee is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the northeast coast of the Ards Peninsula, about east of Belfast and about six miles south east of Bangor. It had a population of 6,470 people in the 2001 Census...
, Bangor
Bangor, County Down
Bangor is a large town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough and within the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland, and holds Blue Flag status...
and Holywood
Holywood
Holywood is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the shore of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. Holywood Exchange and Belfast City Airport are nearby. The town hosts an annual jazz and blues festival.-Name:...
.
The village was originally known as St Anne's Port. The harbour was built in the 18th century by the Wards of Castle Ward
Castle Ward
Castle Ward is an 18th century National Trust property located near the village of Strangford, in County Down, Northern Ireland. It overlooks Strangford Lough and is 7 miles from Downpatrick and 1.5 miles from Strangford....
house, just outside Strangford
Strangford
Strangford is a small village at the mouth of Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 475 people at the 2001 Census.On the other side of the lough is Portaferry and there is a ferry service between the two villages...
. A straight road still runs from Castle Ward to Killough. Killough was formerly in Rathmullan parish then transferred to Bright parish. The population in 1659 was 21. By 1821 it was 1,140 and in 1846 it was 1,148 with 224 houses, 51 families employed in agriculture; 126 in manufacturing or trade; 21 in professions; 118 in labouring jobs and 68 directing labour. In 1836 there was a Church of Ireland, two Methodist and a Catholic church. There were also some schools and an ancient well, St. Scordon's. The proprietor was Lord Bangor.
Killough was full of bustling life in the 18th century. The village and port were the creation of Michael Ward of Castleward, the father of the first Lord Bangor and a justice of the King's Bench. From Norman times the Catholic Russell family held the manor of Killough, but they had been deprived of it after the rising of 1641. It was a place of little consequence, however, until Michael Ward turned his attention to it. He renamed it Port St. Anne, in honour of his wife, established a salt works and made a number of improvements to the harbour. The principal trade was the export of barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
with fifteen ships and twenty boats engaged in fishing.
After the outbreak of war between Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
and France
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
in 1793
French Revolutionary Wars: Campaigns of 1793
The French Revolutionary Wars continued from 1792, with new powers entering the First Coalition after the execution of King Louis XVI. Spain and Portugal entered the coalition in January 1793, and on 1 February France declared war on Great Britain and the Netherlands.At the opening of the year,...
the growing of cereals increased in Lecale and Killough, as one of the ports of export, expanded to deal with it, until its population was almost double what it is today. The existing harbour facilities were soon inadequate and between 1821 and 1824, Michael Ward's son, the first Lord Bangor, employed the engineer Alexander Nimmo, to build new quays at a cost of £17,000. The piers, a long one of nearly 600 ft on the Killough side and a short one of 100 ft on the Coney Island side, enclosed a fine harbour. The village prospered and the grain merchants built their imposing houses in Castle Street, and their stores on the narrow lane leading to the quays.
For a brief period in the early 19th century, Killough was the busiest of the seaside villages of East Down and with its tree-lined main street, in many ways the most attractive. But when the post-war depression of the 1830s brought a fall in grain prices, merchants who had expanded in many fields during the inflationary period, soon found themselves in difficulty. For a time their reserves enabled them to keep going, but soon Killough saw one grain store after another close and its once busy harbour lay idle. The decline of the village was reflected in the population which fell from 951 in 1851 to 380 in 1937.
Demographics
Killough is classified as a small village or hamlet by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). That is with a population between 500 and 1,000. On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 845 people living in Killough. Of these:- 28.5% were aged under 16 years and 13.3% were aged 60 and over
- 48.3% of the population were male and 51.7% were female
- 91.8% were from a CatholicCatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
background and 6.8% were from a ProtestantProtestantismProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
background - 7.3% of people aged 16–74 were unemployed
Places of interest
St John’s Point lighthouse and ancient church are close to Killough.St Joseph's Church
This chapel was erected in 1828 with money donated by a merchant named Mr Rogan. Prior to this Catholics worshipped at a Mass Rock near Conaimstown. The parish priest at the time was Rev. Father Richard McMullan. The church was consecrated by Dr Crolly in August 1828. In 1836 it was described as a plain building capable of seating 400 people. In 1844 the chapel was altered and it was rebuilt in 1884. 2009 heralded the arrival of a new Parish Priest, Fr. Peter O'Hare from North Belfast who has been a positive and welcome addition to the village.
St Anne's Church
This Chapel of Ease was rebuilt in 1716, again rebuilt in 1738 and again in 1815. This was paid for from a bequest of Rev. James Hamilton. Rev. Robert Stewart was rector for 40 years until his death in 1812. Rev. Francis McGillacuddy was rector in 1830. Rev. William Milligan died on 7 August 1832. His wife and two children also died in 1832.
It was described in 1836 as a neat building with a belfry and spire and one small gallery. It seats 250 people and the spire was blown down and the roof damaged on the night of a big storm on 12 January 1839. The Rev. Horatio Moffat was appointed curate on 28 October 1845. Rev. J.W. Williams was rector in 1877, Rev. J. O'Flaherty in 1910 and Rev. R. Frazer in 1937.
Cultural references
Killough was used as one of 133 filming locations for the upcoming Kari Skogland film Fifty Dead Men WalkingFifty Dead Men Walking
Fifty Dead Men Walking is a 2008 English-language crime thriller film written and directed by Kari Skogland. It is a loose adaptation of Martin McGartland's 1997 autobiography of the same name...
.
Scenes from Terry George's forthcoming film Whole Lotta Sole starring Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
and Martin McCann
Martin McCann (actor)
-Biography:McCann born to Anne McCann, he grew up with a brother and sister in the working-class Divis Flats area of Falls Road in Belfast.He credits his mother with helping him with his success...
were shot on location in the village, using Killough's harbour and beaches for many of the exterior shots.
The village is the inspiration for the book Sweet Killough, Let Go Your Anchor by Irish politician Maurice Hayes
Maurice Hayes
Maurice Hayes is an Irish politician and was an independent member of the 21st and 22nd Seanads, nominated as a senator by the Taoiseach.-Life:Maurice Hayes was born in County Down in Northern Ireland....
, taken from the publication of the same name.
An annual line-dancing contest in fancy dress is held on the Main Street every Mayday.
Notable people
- Jim ManleyJim ManleyJim Manley is an artist, born on 17 January 1934, in St Helens, Lancashire, England. He has lived in Killough, County Down, Northern Ireland since 1971...
- artist - Charles William RussellCharles William RussellCharles William Russell was an Irish Roman Catholic clergyman and scholar.-Early life:He was born at Killough, County Down, Ireland, a descendant of the Russells who held the Barony of Killough of Quoniamstown and Ballystrew.He received his early education at Drogheda grammar school and at...
(18121812 in Ireland-Events:*1 October - James Sadler, an English balloonist, started a balloon flight from Belvedere House near Mullingar in an attempt to cross the Irish Sea...
- 18801880 in Ireland-Events:*2 February - Charles Stewart Parnell addresses the United States Congress.*March - April - General election.*27 April - Charter founding the Royal University of Ireland.*17 May - Parnell elected chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Party....
), priest and scholar.