Laa Loo / Laa Lau

Page 4 –

Stanza on viewing the ruins of Portmore, in the County of Antrim

‘Tis near to Lough Neagh, on the Southern side,
On the brink of a river there once did reside
The noble Lord Conway, of honor and fame,-
Was gallant and brave, and did gain a good name.

Conaway was his name – they told me ‘twas so,
As I was informed by them who did know:
I viewed the place, did view it o’er and o’er;
I inquired the name – told me it was Portmore.

It once was a grand and magnificent seat;
Its grand office-houses they were very neat,-
They could not be equalled by those who had seen,-
So complete were thy built, they might serv’d the Queen.

Fine walled-in garden was there to be found;
With walks and fine flowers it there did abound,
All in the first order and highest degree –
A place like Portmore it was rare then to see.

I oft heard it talk’d of, before I went there,
By old ancient people, who took every care,
The place could describe, and to tell it to me,
And give it a place in my work, which you’ll see.

But oh! now to think upon the hand of time,
Since that noble edifice was in its prime –
How it has cut down and moulder’d away,
Those noble, fine buildings, and gone to decay.

The remains of the walls are all mantled o’er
With ivy so green, at that ancient Portmore;
But ‘tis kept in memory, that fine, pleasant place,
Where there once liv’d a lord of a noble race.

It is close to Lough beg * – you will find on its shores
That old, ancient place that is still call’d Portmore;
Near to Ballinderry this place it doth lie;
A more pleasant country you could not espy.

For fine fruitful orchards, and plantings so grand
The Marquis of Hertford inherits that land.
For wheat, and for oats, there’s nought could it surpass
And also abundance of clover and grass.

With milk and with honey the place does abound –
The truth I do tell – I do write what is sound.
The next place I mention, they call it Laloo,
Lies hard by Portmore, and from it you can view

That old ancient church, and whose walls still do stand
And fine burying-ground for those in that land.
Who, wise to lie there, when their life it is fled,
And here be no more, but to sleep with the dead.

In the winter season it is surrounded o’er.
When floods they do swell all around by Portmore;
So that when a funeral doth go to the place,
I often have known it then to be the case.

That the corpse was ferried o’er to get there,
To a fine rising ground – interr’d there they were,
And there to remain until the judgement day,
And wait on the word, now, rise, come away.

* Loughbeg is a small lake about a mile distant from Lough Neagh, about four miles in circumference, and communicates by river that runs between them.

On the author travelling along the way between Lurgan and the town of Antrim

From Lurgan town I chanced to go
A journey unto Antrim town:-
Believe me, what I say is so, –
No finer country’s to be found.

For, as I passed along that way,
I had a fine prospective view
Of hill and dale; I now do say,
The country was to me quite new.

I only was a stranger there,
When I along that way did pass,
In summer time, could not forbear
To notice what fine corn and grass

Within the fields of that fine land –
As fine a crop as ever grew,
With plantings fine on every hand,
Appeared quite pleasing to my view.

The pasture- fields were mantled o’er
With grass so green and daisies bright;
Those rural scenes were more and more
Attractive still unto the sight.

But what I now have more to say,
In passing on along that line,
It sometimes caused me to delay,
To view the handsome dwellings fine.

Of farmers’ houses, neat and clean,
Respectable, and very grand,
‘Tis quite a pleasing lovely scene,-
Serve to embellish that fine land.

A land so fertile, and so good,
To equal it ‘tis very rare;
For wheat and oats, ‘tis understood,
That none with it is to compare.

Besides all that, no other place
In Irish ground, that you would see,
Could yet compare – it is the case –
With orchards fine, abundantly.

The fruit it is so good and fine,
Of various kinds that are so nice,
Those at a distance do incline
To buy those fruits at a good price.

And with them, they do cross the sea,
To other parts, as I am told;
They, for their pains, rewarded be,
When their fine fruit they have it sold.

Those fruits I need not mention here,
Nor to describes the various kind,
But what is common, say not dear,
As in that place you there will find.

Oh, what a fine and pleasant view,
To Westward, as I passed along!
To me, indeed, it was quite new –
I to that place did not belong.

Lough Neagh it to the left does lie,
Lough Beg another lake bear to, –
It is but small, it is close by
The larger lake which I did view.

In miles extend ‘bout twenty-four;
Its breadth is twelve, they tell to me;
From Western to the Eastern shore,
Lough Neagh would mind you of the sea.

In it there is an island grand,-
It is renowned for its fame;
Great numbers there they oft do land-
Ram’s Island it is called by name.

‘Tis two miles distant from the shore,
Unto that island of which I speak;
Some go to it health to restore,
And some for pleasure they do seek.

In it there is a building fine,
To ‘commodate those that so call;
Fine walks and flowers do combine
To please the minds of great and small.

The Derry mountains I did spy
Along, as I did pass that way;
Slievegullen, with its summit high,
I saw it plain most of the way.

Some handsome villages I passed through –
Namely, that place called Aughalee;
As I did on my way pursue,
It was quite pleasant unto me.

The next place, then, of any note,
Was Ballinderry – there I came;
‘Tis a fine place, tis’ not remote,-
I found it was of ancient fame.

Fine handsome buildings I saw there,
Fine shops and stores I there did spy;
The people to them do repair,
For every article they do buy.

The finest orchard in that place,
Is close by it, that building rare;
The distance but a little space
From off the building I saw there.

A fine Moravian Chapel there,
And Preacher’s house so neat and grand;
The people thither do repair,
Their duty then to understand.

And hear the Word of God explained –
The Scriptures good that they might know
Religion they have n’er disdained,
Lest it should prove their overthrow.

For we should still to it adhere, –
Be always ready at the call;
Then there is nothing we should fear,
But in peace and love with all.

A School-house, also, in that place,
For male and female children there,
To teach them good, and give them grace,
For which the youth they all repair.

Into Glenavy then did come –
An ancient village on my way;
The buildings few, yet there are some,
But almost are gone to decay.

The church is handsome, steeple grand;
It is adorned with clock and bell –
Low in a valley it does stand –
The hours that pass does truly tell.

Then straight to Crumlin I did go –
A village handsome to the view;
‘Tis most delightful, it is so,
When I my thoughts on it renew.

Some buildings there are fine and neat,
But most of them they are but low;
But, at the same time, are complete,-
In them there’s comfort, I do know.

Two Meeting-houses are in that town,
For Presbyterians, so direct;
They’re neatly built, and of renown:
Their Clergy they do much respect.

Beside, a School-house there, most grand-
It is for those of every sect;
Unto the village nigh at hand.
Instruction there is given direct.

There is a fine dispensary
Established in that small town,
Where medicine is got quite free,-
A doctor there to serve it round.

He is a gentleman of skill,
In which, indeed, it is well known;
His patients they do love him still,
Which every one of them do own.

Hard by that village, there does stand
Glenoak, a famous ancient seat;
It does adorn that fertile land –
That building fine, and very neat.

There are other buildings near the place;
But it would trespass on the time:
I find that it would be the case –
I’ll not be guilty of that crime.

Thus to describe them, one and all,
No farther here I will pursue;
Perhaps, again, that I may call,
And write you something that is new.

I straight set off for Antrim town;
The country, as I went along,
Was a fine rich and fertile ground,-
The people there were very throng –

At their employment, what it may:
Their labour was of different kind;
As in this world, where we do stray,
There’s divers work, of divers kind.

I now in Antrim did arrive,
A town both ancient and of fame;
In trade the people there do thrive;-
Industry good will do the same.

An ancient castle in that place –
A noble Lord does in it dwell;
He’s of a noble ancient race,
As many here do know full well.

So, I am at my journey’s end,
No farther here I mean to go;
My mind can hardly comprehend
These true remarks, I find it so.

I now did say my journey’s end,
Which, with man’s life, we may compare,-
We often here have to contend
With sorrow, trouble, anguish, care, –

Until, at once, we’re called away,
And taken out of this world’s din,
No longer in it then to stay –
No longer live in guilt and sin.

In the town land of Ballinderry (Baile-an-doire, "the town of the oak wood"), near the border of Portmore Lough, there is a hill on which are a grave-yard, and the ruins of Ballinderry Church. In the Taxation of Pope Nicholas, Ecclesia de Derbi is valued at 8s. This church was a mensal belonging to the bishop. The Terrier enters:- "Ecclesia de Ballinderrie, in Kilultagh, one mensal, both spirituals and temporals; the vicar pays in proxies, 6s. 8d.; refections, 6s.8d.; synodals, 2s." It also enters among the See-lands – "In Ballinderrie Mannor, six townes, spiritualities and temporalities," held by "Sir Foulke," as tenant under the See. In 1622, the Protestant bishop returns: – "Ballinderry ruinous. The Bp.’s mensal, but possessed by Sir Foulke Conway, Knight." The rectorial tithes continued in the possession of the representatives of Sir Foulke, until the Disestablishment, and the lands have been completely merged in their estate. In the graveyard, there are two Holy-water stoups, merely basins hollowed in coarse black stones. The Catholics of the neighbourhood formerly performed penitential stations around this graveyard. The church is popularly know by the name of Laloo. The Rev. Richard McLogan, P.P., Glenavy, and the Rev, Richard McLogan, P.P., Saintfield, who were natives of this parish, are interred in the graveyard. An inscription, commemorating the latter, is inscribed on the grave stone (see Parish of Saintfield). There is also a grave-stone commemorative of an apostate priest:- "Rev. Bernard O’Doran, late vicar of Killead, who departed this life on the 16th October, 1815." The records of the County Antrim Grand Jury, which are preserved in the Secretary’s Office, Co. Court House, Belfast show that O’Doran received from the rate payers, as "a Conformist Priest," a salary of £40 per annum, from 1778 till 1800, under an Act of Parliament, which rewarded in this manner, any priest who became a Protestant.

REV. BERNARD O’DORAN

In O’Laverty’s history of the parish of Cushendall, it is told that a young priest named Bernard O’Doran was appointed there in 1771. In 1773 he was suspended and though he appealed against this sentence and promised to do penance, he apostasised. The records of the County of Antrim, preserved in the Office of the Secretary of the Grand Jury show that O’Doran as a "Conformist Priest," received £40 per annum from 1778 until 1800. Finn’s Leinster Journal (Arch. Hib. vol. XVII) has this entry: "2 Feby 1774: On Sunday (30) last, the Rev. Bernard O’Doran late priest of the parish of Laid and Ardclinis, in the diocese of Connor, renounced the Popish communion and embraced the Protestant religion before the Rev. William Preston in the parish of Belfast." An entry in the Freeman’s Journal shows that in July 1774, "John Karr, Templepatrick, read his recantation … and embraced the Protestant religion before the Rev. Bernard O’Doran in the parish church of Dunigmore."

Naturalists’ Field Club
Excursion to Ballinderry and Portmore.

The above club had the final excursion of the season on Saturday last, under the conductorship of Mr. S.M. Macoun, the places visited being Ballinderry and Portmore. Travelling in brakes, the party halted at "Jeremy Taylor’s Church," where Mr. N.H. Foster described the settlement of the district by the English under Lord Conway, who built a castle on the site of the older O’Neill structure. Jeremy Taylor settled here at the invitation of Lord Conway in 1658. Consecrated Bishop of Dromore in 1661, he died on 13th August 1667. The old church, restored about 20 years ago under the supervision of W J Fennell, is interesting as one of the few remaining Jacobean churches in Ireland, After inspecting the church the members drove to Lower Ballinderry Corner, whence a walk of about half a mile led to the ruins of the old church of Portmore. Here the members scattered to follow their various pursuits till four o’clock, when tea was served in the schoolroom, the catering being in the hands of Ye Olde castle. Afterwards a business meeting was held, at which Mr. A. M.I. Cleland announced that the average attendance at the excursions during the season had been about 50. On the return journey the Tansey Road was taken through Killultagh and past Stoneyford to Castle Robin, where a fifteen minutes’ halt was allowed. From here the party admired the Lagan valley spread beneath them, whilst inspecting the somewhat meagre ruins of the castle. The drive to Belfast was then resumed.

Portmore Burying ground from Mr. W.F. Reynolds

Death

Reid – May 8 1926 at his residence Portmore, Ballinderry, County Antrim, John Reid, Cattle dealer, husband of Mary Reid – RIP. Funeral from his late residence to the family burying ground at the Old Churchyard, Ballinderry, today (Monday) at 3 o’clock. Deeply regretted.

Portmore Graveyard

Mr. Arnold referred to the recent discussion regarding the ownership of trees adjoining the Portmore Graveyard and said that since then the trees had been felled. The men who had undertaken the work, he said, had done it in a disgraceful manner, the trees being cut in such a fashion that some of the fencing round the graveyard had been broken down. The men went so far as to take a Jeep into the graveyard
To transport the trees away. The turning into it had been left in such a condition that it was almost impossible to get to the property. He thought the place should be inspected and the damage put right because the graveyard had been very badly abused.

It was unanimously decided that the engineer inspect the graveyard and the owner of the property involved instructed to clear up the cemetery and make good any damage committed.

The chairman added that it was a great pity that such a famous old graveyard should be desecrated in such a manner.

Graveyard Caretaker

On the recommendation of the local committee, Samuel Carlisle, Lower Ballinderry, was appointed caretaker of Portmore Graveyard at a salary of £15 per annum.

The Walls of La Loo

So far as Ballinderry, in Co. Antrim is concerned, I’m going to put the place out of my mind altogether for a while – after this. The story about pre-Reformation La Loo church and graveyard fascinated readers from all parts of the Province.

But some have expressed disappointment that I didn’t include a photograph of the remains of La Loo, as that would have completed for them "the picture in words that I painted."

OK then! Here it is, and though you can see only two Irish yews trees in the photograph, the gable ends of the church that became a ruin about 1660 are surrounded by these long-living conifers – dotted around the resting places of the forgotten dead.