Clonaneese

Clonaneese (also spelled Clonenis, Clenaneese or Clananeese) means in Irish "Angus' meadow". Pre 1600 it was the home of the McDonald,s, a Scottish galloglass family who helped defend The O'Neill in Dungannon.

The area known as Clonaneese is situated midway between Dungannon and Ballygawley in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The 1609 Bodley map shows 27 townlands there. One of these townlands, Killeeshil, gave it's name to the Parish which covers the most of Clonaneese. The Clonaneese name was used for the Poor Law Union and the electoral area. But it's name is mainly associated with the two Presbyterian Congregations, Lower and Upper Clonaneese.

The first Presbyterians in the Clonaneese area worshipped in the Parish Church in Killeeshil. In 1617 the Rev Robert Hamilton, a Scottish Presbyterian, was installed as Rector. He did not conduct the Services according to the rituals of the Anglican Church and was ejected for this non-conformity in 1622/23. The Presbyterians built a small mud house in the townland of Innish, commonly called the "Clabber House", to meet in. In 1728 they applied for a Minister of their own and supplies of preaching were granted. In 1743 they rented land off the Earl of Charlemont and built a new meeting house the next year. Some years in later a mill race was dug within a few feet off the meeting house and this caused flooding. So in 1788 money was raised to raise the building, which was built in a hollow beside the Oona Water. When money was raised the minister and a majority of the Congregation decided to build a new meeting house on higher ground. Many others objected saying they did not want to be "removed from their ancient seat". The new meeting house was built and others remained, both called themselves Clonaneese, but in 1809 they were in the Presbyteries of Upper and Lower Tyrone, and as geographically the upper and lower suited they have been known as this since.

See also

• List of townlands of County Tyrone