Clare, County Armagh
 |
| Clare | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
 Clare Crossroads (2008) | |
  Location within Northern Ireland | |
| • Belfast | 28 |
| District | |
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | CRAIGAVON |
| Postcode district | BT62 |
| Dialling code | 028 |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| UK Parliament | |
| NI Assembly | |
Clare (from An Clár, meaning 'the plank bridge')[1] is a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is situated on the Cusher River in the civil parish of Ballymore and the historic barony of Orior Lower, two miles southwest from Tandragee.[2]
History
[edit]1641 Irish Rebellion
[edit]The devastation caused by the 1641 Irish Rebellion extended beyond the major towns, reaching the village of Clare. Patrick oge McRoorey O'Hanlon and his rebels executed Tatton along with his son William Tatton, as well as William Clay and John Thomson.[who?] Additionally, Thomas Smith, John Grantham, John Parker, John Greear, Mathew German, and John Willimott lost their lives. The Earl of Bathe's Castle, now known as Clare Castle, was later set ablaze after being taken by surprise by the O'Hanlons, resulting in further casualties.[3]
Redbrae Massacre
[edit]The Redbrae Massacre was one of many which took place during the rebellion of 1641. It occurred on the Drumnamether Road[4][failed verification] which is adjoined with Bell's Crossroads,[5][failed verification] located on the outskirts Clare.
The local Protestant settlers of the area were gathered together on the hill of the Drumnamether Road[4] and murdered by Irish rebels using blunt weapons in the most brutal of ways.[citation needed] This massacre was apart of a series of attacks by Irish rebels throughout the area in response to Protestants from Scotland and England having settled in the area.
The name 'Redbrae' originated from the event that occcured on the Drumnamether Road.[4] The word 'Red' represents the colour of the bloodshed by the Protestant settlers who were killed, while 'Brae' is a Scottish term meaning steep bank or hill, referring to the location of the massacre that took place in 1641.
Redbrae was mentioned in Taylor and Skinner's Book of Irish Road Maps (1777).[6] It is also mentioned on the thirteenth page of The Traveller's Guide through Ireland printed in Dublin in 1794.[7]
Until recent years,[when?] there was a cross-like feature on the roof of a house at Redbrae. Green slates formed the cross, and being on the roof it acted as a reminder, or a memorial of what had taken place on that day. The name Redbrae continues to exist today in the form of 'Redbrae Lane', located near the site of the Massacre that took place in 1641.[8][failed verification]
Orange Halls
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Clare has a central Orange Hall located in the village, as well as several others located on the outskirts of the area.
The Orange Hall in the village dates from 1893 and is still thriving in the 21st Century.[tone] This hall hosts Clare Conquering Heroes LOL 102, Clare's Orange Lodge.[9][better source needed]
Churches
[edit]
Clare has three churches, Clare Presbyterian Church,[10] Clare Church of Ireland[11] and Clare Reformed Presbyterian Church.[12]
Clare's Presbyterian church, founded in 1633, is recognised as one of the oldest churches in Northern Ireland.[citation needed] In the 1700s, the congregation comprised approximately 300 to 400 families. Records from the early 19th century indicate that Seatholders included members who journeyed from distant locations such as Poyntzpass, Marlacoo, Cornascriebe, and Ballynewry. However, the emergence of other congregations like Ahorey, Cremore, and Tandragee offered more accessible options for families making the lengthy trek to Clare on foot.[13]
The current Meeting House represents the fourth structure in Clare's extensive history. The original church was destroyed during the turmoil of the 1641 Irish Rebellion. The second edifice endured for approximately 30 to 40 years, while the third remained standing for a century and a half. This third building featured a three-aisle design, which was a favored architectural style of its era due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Church records indicate that, in its later years, the structure was in significant disrepair, with an estimated cost of £750 for a new building. The existing structure was completed in 1828, and a comprehensive renovation of the interior took place in 2013.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Clare Townland, Co. Armagh". www.townlands.ie. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "Clare, Ballymore Civil Parish, County Armagh". www.igp-web.com. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "1641 CLRLE | Deposition of Elizabeth Rolleston". 1641dep.abdn.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ a b c "Drumnamether Rd · Craigavon, UK". Drumnamether Rd · Craigavon, UK. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "Bell's Crossroads · Craigavon BT62 2HB, United Kingdom". Bell's Crossroads · Craigavon BT62 2HB, United Kingdom. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ a b "Taylor and Skinner - Road Maps of Ireland 1777". www.swilson.info. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ Tyner, George (1794). The Traveller's Guide Through Ireland: Being an Accurate and Complete Companion to Captain Alexander Taylor's Map of Ireland, Giving the Distance by the Great Roads from Dublin to Every Town in the Kingdom, the Cross Roads, and Description of the Gentlemens Seats Near the Roads ... To which are Added the Roads from London to Chester, Holyhead, &c. P. Byrne.
- ^ "Redbrae Ln · Craigavon BT62 2HF, UK". Redbrae Ln · Craigavon BT62 2HF, UK. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Welcome". www.clarepresbyterian.org. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "Genuki: Clare Road, Clare, Church of Ireland, Armagh". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ "Genuki: Cloghoge Road, Clare, Reformed Presbyterian, Armagh". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
- ^ a b "About Us". www.clarepresbyterian.org. Retrieved 2024-09-01.