John & Joanne's Wedding - Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick
John & Joanne's wedding at Kells presbyterian followed by the Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick
William Drennan Presbyterian, Physician, United Irishman, Poet.
I'm down at Rosemary Street Presbyterian Church in the heart of Belfast to see what I can find out about this remarkable man who somehow managed to survive the summary hangings that occured after the failure of the 1798 Rebellion.
William Drennan (23 May 1754 – 5 February 1820) was an Irish physician, poet and political radical, who was one of the chief architects of the Society of United Irishmen. He is known as the first to refer in print to Ireland as the emerald isle in his poem When Erin first rose.
William was son to Reverend Thomas Drennan (1696–1768), minister of Belfast's First Presbyterian Church on Rosemary Street, where William was born in 1754. Thomas Drennan was an educated man from the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the congregation of Holywood, county Down in 1731. Drennan was heavily influenced by his father, whose religious convictions served as the foundation for his own radical political ideas. His sister, Martha, married fellow future United Irishman Samuel McTier in 1773.
In 1769 he followed in his father's footsteps by enrolling in the University of Glasgow where he became interested in the study of philosophy. In 1772 he graduated in arts and then in 1773 he commenced the study of medicine at Edinburgh. After graduating in 1778 he set up practice in Belfast, specialising in obstetrics. He is credited with having been one of the earliest advocates of inoculation against smallpox, and of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. Drennan also wrote much poetry, coining the phrase Emerald Isle and was the founder and editor of a literary periodical, Belfast Magazine. He moved to Newry in 1783 but eventually moved to Dublin in 1789 where he quickly became involved in nationalist circles.
Like many other Ulster Presbyterians, William was an early supporter of the American Colonies in the American Revolution and joined the Volunteers who had been formed to defend Ireland for Britain in the event of French invasion. The Volunteer movement soon became a powerful political force and a forum for Protestant nationalists to press for political reform in Ireland eventually assisting Henry Grattan to achieve home rule in 1782. However Drennan, like many other reformers, quickly became dismayed by the conservative and sectarian nature of the Irish parliament and in 1791 he co-founded the Society of United Irishmen with Wolfe Tone and Thomas Russell.
He wrote many political pamphlets for the United Irishmen and was arrested 1794 for seditious libel, a political charge that was a major factor in driving the United Irishmen underground and into becoming a radical revolutionary party. Although he was eventually acquitted, he gradually withdrew from the United Irishmen but continued to campaign for Catholic Emancipation.
He settled in Belfast in 1807.[5] In 1810 he co-founded the non-denominational Royal Belfast Academical Institution. As a poet, he is best remembered for his poem The Wake of William Orr, written in memory of a United Irishman executed by the British. Despite Drennan's links with revolutionary republicans, he gradually became alienated from the post-Union nationalism of the period. His abiding concern for Liberalism and post union realities made him contemplate his political ideas anew.[6]
Regarding the Act of Union, Drennan wrote that:
' a FAITHFUL UNION, a real assimilation of the countries, in spirit as well as in form, not merely in virtue of parchment.'
Remarkably when Drennan died in 1820. He had already directed that his coffin be carried by an equal number of Catholics and Protestants with clergy from different denominations in attendance.
On 8 February 1800, Drennan married Sarah Swanwick, an English lady of some wealth from Shropshire, and in 1806 left Dublin for Belfast.[1] They had one daughter and four sons.[3] His sons John Swanwick Drennan and William Drennan wrote a biography of him for Richard Davis Webb's A Compendium of Irish Biography.[1]
His son, John Swanwick Drennan, was a noted poet. Through his daughter Sarah, who married John Andrews, of a prominent family of flax merchants, he had several notable descendants, including:
William Drennan Andrews, judge of the High Court of Justice in Ireland
Sir James Andrews, 1st Baronet, Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland
John Miller Andrews, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland
Thomas Andrews who drew up the plans for the Titanic and was aboard when she sank; he drowned.[citation needed]
Thomas Drennan, performance artist known primarily for his seminal work 'Journey to the Centre of Drennan'
BB Display 2012 Part 6: Company Section UV Lights March
6th part of 5th Carrick (Woodlands Presbyterian Church) Boys Brigade Display. Company Section (1st-6th Year) do their marching with a cool visual twist, UV lights.
Grave of William Drennan Chief Architect of the United Irishmen
There are many historcally significant graves dotted around Clifton Street Cemetery and this is one of them.
William Drennan M. D. 1754 – 5 February 1820
He was a physician, poet and political radical, was one of the chief architects of the Society of United Irishmen. He is known as the first to refer in print to Ireland as the emerald isle in his poem When Erin first rose.
Born in Belfast in 1754, William was son to Reverend Thomas Drennan (1696–1768), minister of Belfast's First Presbyterian Church. Thomas Drennan was an educated man from the University of Glasgow and was ordained to the congregation of Holywood, County Down in 1731. Drennan was heavily influenced by his father, whose religious convictions served as the foundation for his own radical political ideas. His sister, Martha, married fellow future United Irishman Samuel McTier in 1773.
Education
In 1769 he followed in his father's footsteps by enrolling in the University of Glasgow where he became interested in the study of philosophy. In 1772 he graduated in arts and then in 1773 he commenced the study of medicine at Edinburgh. After graduating in 1778 he set up practice in Belfast, specialising in obstetrics. He is credited with having been one of the earliest advocates of inoculation against smallpox, and of hand washing to prevent the spread of infection. Drennan also wrote much poetry, coining the phrase Emerald Isle and was the founder and editor of a literary periodical, Belfast Magazine. He moved to Newry in 1783 but eventually moved to Dublin in 1789 where he quickly became involved in nationalist circles.
Politics
Like many other Ulster Presbyterians, William was an early supporter of the American Colonies in the American Revolution and joined the Volunteers who had been formed to defend Ireland for Britain in the event of French invasion. The Volunteer movement soon became a powerful political force and a forum for Protestant nationalists to press for political reform in Ireland eventually assisting Henry Grattan to achieve home rule in 1782. However Drennan, like many other reformers, quickly became dismayed by the conservative and sectarian nature of the Irish parliament and in 1791 he co-founded the Society of United Irishmen with Wolfe Tone and Thomas Russell.
He wrote many political pamphlets for the United Irishmen and was arrested 1794 for seditious libel, a political charge that was a major factor in driving the United Irishmen underground and into becoming a radical revolutionary party. Although he was eventually acquitted, he gradually withdrew from the United Irishmen but continued to campaign for Catholic Emancipation.
RBAI or Inst.
Drennan settled in Belfast in 1807 after inheriting a large fortune. In 1810 he co-founded the non-denominational Royal Belfast Academical Institution. As a poet, he is best remembered for his poem The Wake of William Orr, written in memory of a United Irishman executed by the British. Despite Drennan's links with revolutionary republicans, he gradually became alienated from the post-Union nationalism of the period.
The grave of William Steel Dickson 1744 -1824 United Irishman
another Prebyterian minister and yet another United Irishman.
Born on 25 December 1744, William Dickson was the eldest son of John Dickson, a tenant farmer of Ballycraigy, Carnmoney, Co Antrim. He received his early education from the Rev. Robert White, the Presbyterian Minister of Templepatrick. In Glasgow University he studied under Adam Smith and John Millar.
Pastor of Ballyhalbert in 1771 and Portaferry 1780, in 1793 he was chosen Moderator by the Synod of Ulster. An enthusiastic member of the Volunteers he was a strong and consistent advocate of immediate Catholic emancipation and of parliamentary reform. He took an active part in the political campaigns of Robert Stewart Sen. - later Lord Londonderry (1781) and the young Robert Stewart - later Lord Castlereagh (1790). When in 1791 the Society of United Irishmen was formed in Belfast. Dickson became a member. In 1798 he was reputed to have been Adjutant General of the County Down forces and, while this was never proved, he did not deny it.
On 5 June 1798, two days before the attack on Antrim that started the Rebellion in Ulster, Dickson was arrested in Ballynahinch. Not charged with any offence, he was moved, in August of that year, to a prison ship in Belfast Lough where he remained until transferred, with the other State Prisoners from Dublin to Fort George in Inverness, Scotland. Set free on 13 January 1802 he found himself without employment until he was called by the new Congregation of Second Keady and installed in March 1803.
His campaign to clear his name from the imputations of being implicated in treasonable or seditious practices leveled at him by the Synod of Ulster in 1799 succeeded when, in 1813, a meeting of the Synod declared that the words were inaccurately used of him. In 1812 he published his A Narrative of the Confinement and Exile of William Steel Dickson, DD.
In 1815 he resigned from his congregation and retired to Belfast where he died on 27 December 1824. He is buried in Clifton Street burying ground.
Dickson surviving written works are a testament to his progressive mentality and his detestation of the arbitrary abuse of power by government. His was the driving force in the spread of the gospel of liberalism, from which the United Irishmen derived much of their strength.
High Kirk Presbyterian Church - 22nd December 2019 - Carol Service
Our annual Carol Service
Adele & Stephen's wedding at the Dunadry hotel
As Adele and her bridesmaids were busy with the bridal preparations in the morning, Adele's dad was remaining cool and had time to enjoy a game of video chess. However, everything came together beautifully for their ceremony at Union Road Presbyterian church in Magherafelt, and reception afterwards at the Dunadry hotel. Wedding Films by John Campbell
Thomas Russell United Irishman Anglican former British soldier
Yet another educated Protestant who was heavily involved with the United Irishmen movement and yet another who paid the full price for doing so by being hung at the age of 36 in Downpatrick jail.
One wonders if there would have been any United Irishmen and further Republican Movement had it not been for these rebellious Presbyterians Methodist and smaller number of Anglicans who had, unfortunately for themselves, developped, social consciences.
Thomas Paliser Russell (21 November 1767 – 21 October 1803) was a co-founder and leader of the United Irishmen. He was executed for his part in Robert Emmet's rebellion in 1803.
As an officer of the garrison, Russell had access to the newly emerging professional and business class, many of whose members were radicals (being Presbyterians) excluded from the Ascendancy.
The French Revolution in 1789 was warmly greeted in Belfast as were its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. With his keen mind and radical ideas, Russell soon became a confidante of Henry Joy McCracken, James Hope, Samuel Neilson and others who were to play a prominent role in the United Irish movement. With them he developed ideas of parliamentary reform, to include the bulk of the people, and Catholic emancipation.
In 1795 Russell, Wolfe Tone, Henry Joy McCracken and Samuel Neilson as they led a band of United Irishmen to the top of Cavehill overlooking the town of Belfast where they swore an oath never to desist in our effort until we had subverted the authority of England over our country and asserted her independence prior to Wolfe Tone's exile to America.
In 1796, Russell published an ambitious and far-sighted document, Letter to the People of Ireland, which laid out his vision of social and economic reform for the Irish nation.
Russell took no military part in the United Irishmen rebellionof 1798 as he was in prison. However he actively supported Robert Emmet's (yet another Protestant from a wealthy background ) attempted uprising in 1803 with fatal consequences for himself when he was rearrested and executed in Downpatrick jail.
ACTIVATING YOUR FAITH (Belfast, Northern Ireland) with Dr Cecil Stewart OBE
Deciding Your Destiny with Dr Cecil Stewart OBE. Recorded at Place of Victory for All Nations (PVN), an African church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Website: Facebook:
YouTube: Email: ccn@ccnorg.com
Amanda & Aaron's photo montage at Castle Upton
After their wedding ceremony in Kilwaughter Old Presbyterian church, Amanda and Aaron had their photos taken in the beautiful surroundings of Castle Upton Estate in Templepatrick. - Wedding Films by John Campbell -
Worship Service - 9/22/13 Evening Service: The Voice of One...
Evening Worship Service
Dr. Liam Goligher preaching: The Voice of One...
John 1:19--28
From the live stream of our serivces:
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First Ballymena // GB Display // Juniors // Moses
2015 GB Display poem read by the Juniors of the 75th N.I. Company.
AWAKENING YOUR FAITH (Belfast, Northern Ireland) with Dr Cecil Stewart OBE
Deciding Your Destiny with Dr Cecil Stewart OBE. Night 1/2 recorded at Cornerstone Pentecostal Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Website: Facebook:
YouTube: Email: ccn@ccnorg.com
Ground Breaking Ceremony for new church at Oakfield Drive
Ground Breaking Ceremony for new church at Oakfield Drive on 29th May 1999 (Captured from VHS 2014)
At the time Pastor Sam said:
Our Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on the 29th May at the new church land at Oakfield Drive. It was a tremendous day for our congregation, as we were greeted by the warmest day of the year so far with beautiful sunshine and a large number of supporters to encourage us. There were at least fifteen ministers and pastors present from various denominations, together with our Mayor, Mrs Janet Crampsey, our Deputy Mayor Councillor Tom Creighton and Alderman James Brown. Each were there to cheer us on in the great task which we have embarked upon in the building of our new church. Also present were our Architect, the Builder and Bank Manager; with representatives from the Royal British Legion, the UDR Regimental Association, and Clanmill residents. Our local papers the Carrickfergus Advertiser and Times also took pictures and published fine articles of the event.
Rev Sidlow McFarland, from the North Street Presbyterian Church and Chairman of Mission Carrick gave us much encouragement as did Rev Brian Turnbull of the Antrim Community Church who also represented the Independent Minister's Fellowship meeting at Christchurch.
Just after the scripture readings from Pastor Marie came the dedication of the ground. I have to record that the prayer of dedication was not without some little emotion on my part as the history of the past twenty five years with my church passed before my eyes. But it was wonderful to see the emotion, the joy and the appreciation on the faces of all who were there to give God the glory. Thereafter brother George Yea presented the new spade to the Mayor. This was specially made and polished at Patterson's Spade Mill and donated by Michael and Irene McCune. After congratulations from the Mayor the first sod was enthusiastically turned to the applause of the congregation. Sister Elizabeth Craig then presented Alderman Crampsey with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Our friends George and Jessie Cuthbertson were also there to encourage us, having travelled from Edinburgh, whilst Don Bowyer, a good friend of our church, supplied and put up the streamers giving much colour to the occasion. He also took many photos. Pastor Sam McIlwrath from the Belvoir Church had arranged for the fine band which accompanied the singing and entertained all our guests before the service and we extend to them all our grateful thanks.
My special thanks to the men and women of Christchurch who worked so hard in the moving of so many seats from the church to the site and the setting up of all the equipment; also to the catering group which provided such a wonderful reception. All this effort was going on whilst our faithful group of workers continued with their Car Boot Sale prior to the service.
A new era has opened for us in this our 25th Anniversary year. We have much to celebrate! Each week we can see the hand of God moving amongst us in answers to prayer in the building of the spiritual house as well as the material. Let us continue in the building of the house and let there be no let up in our efforts till we see the vision become a reality.
County Antrim
County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim) is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 3,046 square kilometres (1,176 sq mi) and has a population of about 618,000. It is one of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland and is within the historic province of Ulster.
The Glens of Antrim offer isolated rugged landscapes, the Giant's Causeway is a unique landscape and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bushmills produces whiskey, and Portrush is a popular seaside resort and night-life area. The majority of Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, is in County Antrim, with the remainder being in County Down.
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The Grave of Henry Joy McCracken United Irishman
APOLOGY - I was getting Wolfe Tone mixed up with another United Irishmen leader. Tone was indeed Prtestant but his father was Church of Ireland and a coach maker. Please pardon my stupid error!
I'm down at historic Clifton Street Cemetery in the heart of Belfast to visit the grave of Henry Joy McCracken (31 August 1767 – 17 July 1798) This man was like many others would be an enigma to many today. He was a Presbyterian, a Ulster Scots industrialist and a founding member of the Society of the United Irishmen.
History
Henry Joy McCracken was born in High street, Belfast into two of the city's most prominent Protestant industrial families. He was the son of Ulster Scot Presbyterian shipowner Captain John McCracken and Ann Joy, daughter of Francis Joy, of French Huguenot Protestant descent. The Joy family made their money in linen manufacture and founded the Belfast News Letter. Henry was the elder brother of political activist and social reformer Mary Ann McCracken, with whom he shared an interest in Irish traditional culture.
In 1792, he helped organise the Belfast Harp Festival which gathered aged harpists from around Ireland, and helped preserve the Irish airs by having them transcribed by Edward Bunting. Bunting, who lodged in the McCracken's Rosemary Lane home, was a classically trained musician.
McCracken became interested in radical politics from an early age and joined the Society of the United Irishmen in 1795 which quickly made him a target of the authorities. He regularly travelled throughout the country using his business as a cover for organising other United Irish societies, but was arrested in October 1796 and lodged in Kilmainham Jail in Dublin. While imprisoned with other leaders of the United Irishmen, McCracken fell seriously ill and was released on bail in December 1797.
Following the outbreak of the United Irishmen-led Rebellion in Leinster in May 1798, the Antrim organisation met on 3 June to decide on their response. The meeting ended inconclusively with a vote to wait for French aid being passed by a narrow margin. A new meeting of delegates was held in Templepatrick on 5 June where McCracken was elected general for Antrim and he quickly began planning military operations.
McCracken formulated a plan for all small towns in Antrim to be seized after which rebels would converge upon Antrim town on 7 June where the county's magistrates were to hold a crisis meeting. Although the plan met initial success and McCracken led the rebels in the attack on Antrim,The Roman Catholic DEFENDERS Group whom McCracken thought would assist were conspicuous by their absence. McCrackens United Irishmen were defeated and his army melted away. Although McCracken initially escaped, a chance encounter with men who recognized him from his cotton business led to his arrest. Although offered clemency if he testified against other United Irishmen leaders, McCracken refused to turn on his compatriots.
He was court-martialled and hanged at Corn Market, Belfast, on land his grandfather had donated to the city, on 17 July 1798, aged 30.
McCracken's remains are believed to have been reinterred by Francis Joseph Biggar in 1909 at Clifton Street Cemetery, Belfast, alongside his sister Mary Ann. His illegitimate daughter Maria (whose mother is speculated to have been Mary Bodell), was raised by her aunt Mary Ann McCracken.
Belfast Streets Linked to Henry Joy McCracken's United Irishmen
In this very ad hoc video I come across a number of Belfast street sites/places/entries associated with Henry Joy McCracken and his associates in the Society of United Irishmen of the 1780s.
Remarkably, 'All attendees at the first meeting of the Belfast branch of the United Irishmen were Protestant. Two (Theobald Wolfe Tone and Thomas Russell) were Anglicans and the rest Presbyterian; most of whom were involved in the linen trade in Belfast. Along with Tone and Russell, the men involved were: William Sinclair, Henry Joy McCracken, Samuel Neilson, Henry Haslett, Gilbert McIlveen, William Simms, Robert Simms, Thomas McCabe and Thomas Pearce. After forming, the Society named chandler Samuel McTier as its first President.
Canon Andrew White at St Marks in Portadown
On Friday 17th April 2015 Canon Andrew White (TheVicar of Bagdad) visited St Marks church in Portadown, Northern Ireland. This is taken from the praise and worship session that preceeded Andrew's talk.