July 1931

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

JULY, 1931

CLERGY :

Rev. Canon Archer, B.D., The Rectory, Seagoe,

Rev. W. F. Hayes B.A., Edendale, Carrickblacker

Road, Edenderry, Portadown.

CHURCHWARDENS :

Rector's—Mr. Robert Scott.

People's—Mr. Isaac Dickson.

The Confirmation,

On Saturday, June 20th, the Right Rev. C. T. P.

Grierson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Down and Connor

and Dromore, held a Confirmation in the Parish

church at 3.30 p.m. There was a large congregation

present. The candidates assembled in Seagoe School

at 3 p.m., and after a short interval walked in procession

to the Church. Besides the candidates, 75 in number

from Seagoe, there were three from Holywood Parish,

in the Co. Down, and one from the

Parish of Ardmore. The Ven. W. Manning, M.C.,

Archdeacon of Down, acted as Bishop's Chaplain..

After an opening Hymn the Rector read the Preface,

and the Bishop from his chair at the Chancel step

spoke to the candidates and explained to them the

solemn nature of the Rite of Confirmation. He then

asked the candidates to stand while he put to them

the four questions in the Service. The questions

were clearly and reverently answered. The Versicles

followed then while the Bishop stood, the congregation

knelt and the Bishop offered the very ancient

Collect which comes down to us from early in the

third century, beginning with the words 'Almighty

and everlasting God." The Rite of Confirmation was

then administered, two candidates at a time kneeling

before the Bishop for the Laying on of Hands. When

all the candidates had been confirmed the Hymn No.

235, "Thine for ever God of Love" was sung kneeling.

The Bishop then gave an address to the newly Confirmed.

He especially emphasised three things as

very necessary for them to remember; first, the duty

of Daily Private Prayer, secondly, the reading of a

portion of Scripture each day, and thirdly the right

observance of Sunday as a Day of Worship by

attending the Public Services of the Church and

partaking regularly of Holy Communion.

The concluding prayers were said by the Bishop and at

the close of the Service the Hymn " Oh, Jesus, I have

Promised," No. 585 was sung. Besides the Bishop,

the Archdeacon of. Down and the Rector, the Rev,

Jas. Smyth, Rector of Ardmore, and the Rev. W. F.

Hayes, Curate of Seagoe, assisted at the Service.

The following is a list of those from the Parish of

Seagoe who were confirmed—I, John Allen, 2, Francis

Anderson, 3, Thomas Anderson, 4, William Henry

Best, 5, Thomas David Courteney, 6, Ernest Gibson,

7, Henry John Gracey, 8, James Gracey, 9, Robert

Gracey, 10, David William Guy, 11, James Hewitt,

12, James Alexander Heyburn, 19, William John Hoy„

14, Robert Jennett, 15, James Livingstone, 16, Robert

John Lyness, 17, John Joseph Magee, 18, Henry

Martin, 19, James Alexander M'Cabe, 20, Charles

George M'Dona1d, 21, James Neill, 22, William

23, John James Nixon, 24, William James Porter, 259

Victor Henry Porter. 26, WiIliam Victor Porter, 279

William Alexander Rehill, 28 Dawson Robinson, '29„

Robert Robinson, 30, Charles Hubert Rock, 31,

Alexander Ruddell, 32, David Sherman, 33 Thomas

Edward Stanfield, 34, James Treanor, 35, John

Walker, 36, Robert Watson, 37, William Holmes

White. Total 37.

1, Elizabeth Anne Boyce, 2, Vera Clarke, 3,

Myrtle Browne, 4, Olive Coulter, 5, Mary Maude

Cousins, 6, Eileen Dunlop, 7, Dorothy Ellis. 8, Mary

Jane Ellis, 9, Margaret England, 10, Margaret Free.

burn, 11, Olive Guy, 12, Florence Hewitt, 43, Violet

Hoy, 14, Florence Hynes, 15, Anne Jane Magee, 16,.

Margaret Magee, 17, Elizabeth Major, 18, Mary

Elizabeth Mayes, 19, Dinah M'Cabe, 20 Emily M'Knight,

21, Martha Jane M'Loughlin, 22, Dorothy Mulvina

Montgomery, 23, Anne Jane Robinson, 24, Grace

Robinson, 25, Myrtle Roney, 26, Elizabeth Jane

Ruddell, 27, Margaret Ruddell, 28, Gertrude Simpson

29, Sarah Sinnamon, 30, Olive Stanfield, 31, Alice

Steenson, 32, Mary Eveline Treanor, 33, Anne Jane

Twinem, 34, Edna May Vennard, 35, Emma Walker,

36, Mabel Watters, 37, Anne Maria Watson, 38, Anne

Whiteside. Total 38. Full total 75.

A large number of those who had been Confirmed

attended the early celebration of Holy Communion

in the Parish Church on Sunday, June 21st, and some

others were present at the later celebration. We

hope that any who have not yet attended Holy

Communion will be present at the celebration on Sunday

July 5th, after Morning Prayer. Each person Confirmed

will receive a Confirmation card signed by

the Bishop. A complete Register of all the Parishioners

who have been confirmed is kept in the Rectory safe.

It goes back to the year 1879, when Dean

Dawson was appointed Rector of Seagoe.

Excursion to Warrenpoint,

our annual Sunday School Excursion takes place

(D.v.) on Thursday, July 16th. All arrangements

have now been made, and the excursion promises to

be a great success. The tram to Warrenpoint will

leave Portadown Station at 10115 a.m., and the return

will leave Warrenpoint at 9 p.m. The Sunday

Schools will assemble in the Parish Church at 9 a.m.

sharp, when a short Service will be held. The

children, with their Superintendents and Teachers,

will form in procession at the Church gates and will

be accompanied by the Ballyhannon and Tamnificarbet

Bands. The price of tickets will be as follows:—

Children whose names are on the Sunday

SEAGOE, PARISH MAGAZINE.

Seagoe Sunday Schools

Excursion to Warrenpoint, Thursday, July 16t

Train leaves Portadown 10-15 a.m. Train leaves Warrenpoint 9 p.m

TICKETS 2/- each. Refreshment Ticket at 1/- each if purchased before July 14th

School Rolls and who have attended at least eight

Sundays since January 1st, 1931, 8 years old and

under, 6d each; 8 years to 14, 9d; 14 to 16, 1/-.

Members of Bible Class and G.F.S. members (over 16), 1/6.

Superintendents and Teachers, 1/6. All these ticket

holders are entitled to two Refreshments. Outsiders'

tickets, 2/- each. Outsiders can have two Refreshments

if they purchase a Refreshment Ticket at 1/-,

but these tickets must be secured before July 14th.

July Anniversary Service.

On Sunday evening, July 12th, an Anniversary Service

will be held in the Parish Church at 7 p.m.

Places will be reserved for the members of the local

Orange Lodges attending the Service. The collection

will be on behalf of the Lord Enniskillen Memorial

Orphan Fund. The Preacher will be the Rev. Francis

Matchett, B.D., Rector of Hillsborough and Chaplain

to the Governor of Northern Ireland.

C.L.B. Parade.

Seagoe C.L.B. and the Cadets will (D.v.) hold a

combined Parade with St. Mark's Boys' Brigade at

Seagoe Parish Church on Sunday, July 5th, at 7 P.m.

The St. Mark's lads have always shown a very kindly

feeling towards the Seagoe lads and have held

several very happy combined parades. We will

welcome them once again to Seagoe on Sunday, July

5th. Seagoe C.L.B. is in a very flourishing condition,

and the new Bagpipe Band adds greatly to its

efficiency. Captain Metcalfe and his officers are to

be congratulated on having such a fine Brigade. A

large number of the lads are going to the camp at

Blackpool this month. The summer camp is always

most enjoyable and Blackpool is a splendid place

for it.

Ordination,

Our former Lay Reader, Mr. Robert Gracey, was

ordained to the office of Deacon in St. Anne's

Cathedral, Belfast, on Sunday, June 28th, by the Lord

Bishop of Down. Over thirty of the Parishioners of

Seagoe were present at the solemn Service. Mr.

Gracey has been appointed Curate-assistant of St.

Donard's Parish, Bloomfield, Belfast, by the Rector,

the Rev. Canon Moore, M.A., M.C. His many friends

in Seagoe Parish will wish the Rev. Robert Gracey

much blessing and success in his new and responsible

post. He has received a very hearty welcome

from the people of St. Donard's.

The Somme Anniversary.

The Portadown Branch of the British Legion of

ex Service men attended Morning Prayer in Seagoe

Church on the anniversary of the Somme, Sunday

June 28th. Seagoe C.L.B. and Cadets, with bands

were also present. The Church was crowded. The

Rector Preached, and before the Sermon, while the

Congregation stood, read out the names of those from

the Parish who fell in the Great War. The Service

was very hearty and devotional. The Last Post and

the Reveille were sounded in the Church after the

Benediction had been pronounced, and after the

Service wreaths were placed at the Memorial Pillars

by the C.L.B. and the ex Servicemen. The collection

which was on behalf of the Co. Armagh Protestant

Orphan Society, amounted to £4 8s ld.

Parish Register for June.

Baptisms,

The following were Baptized m Seagoe Parish Church on June 6th, 1931:—

Lester—Samuel Oswald, son of Quinton and Adeline Lester, of Lisniskey.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Woodside Lester, Adeline Lester.

Tate—Eileen, daughter of Herbert and Letitia Tate of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Margaret Guy, Letitia Tate.

Best—Avice Winifred, daughter of William and Sarah Anne Best, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sarah Kane, Sarah Anne Best

Marriages.

Hewitt and M'ConneII—June 11th, 1931, William John Hewitt, of Edenderry,

to Mary Elizabeth M'Connell, of Portadown

Walker and Hamill—June 12th, 1931, Frederick Walker, of Tegnavin, Parish or Shankill, to

Sarah Hamill, of Killicomaine.

Seagoe School Sports.

The sports for the pupils of Seagoe P.E. School

will take place in a field very kindly lent by

Isaac Walker, of Seagoe Farm, on Thursday, July

9th, at 3 p.m. Prizes will be given for running, walking,

jumping, tug of war and all kinds of contest:

The boys and girls have been practising for some

time and we expect some records will be broken.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

G. F.S. Excursion.

On Saturday, June 27th, Seagoe G.F.S. had a most

enjoyable excursion to Dublin. They left Portadown,

some 38 in number, by the 8.20 mail train and arrived

in Dublin at 10.50 a.m. The Rector, who had

been in Dublin, met them at Amiens St. The

excursionists first made their way to Nelson's Pillar and

from there proceeded to view the sights of the City.

The first place visited was the Old Parliament House,

now the Bank of Ireland. They saw the famous

crystal chandelier and the Tapestries of Derry and

the Boyne. Crossing College Green, they entered

Trinity College and there visited the Chapel, Dining

Hall, 3 century old kitchen and the great Library,

with its Book of Kells. Then going up Grafton St.

and along St. Stephen's Green, they reached the

famous G.F.S. Oak House. This house, which has

been recently acquired by the G.F.S. as a Hostel

Head Headquarters, cost over 7,OOO. Mrs. Shannon

met the party and a splendid dinner was in readiness.

Everything was of the best and Associates of

the Dublin Branch waited on us. The Grace before

Meat was sung by the members. After dinner, the

members adjourned to the pretty little Chapel of the

hostel, where Canon Archer conducted a short service.

The excursionists went next to see the National

Cathedral of St. Patrick and were shown over it

by the attendant.

They saw Swift's grave and Shomberg's tomb and

each of them sat in the chair

which King William had sat in at the Thanksgiving

Service held in the Cathedral after the Battle of the

Boyne. From St. Patrick's they journeyed to the

Pheonix Park by tram and visited the Zoo. The

lions and tigers and monkeys were very glad to see

the Seagoe excursionists, and even the polar bears

looked happy notwithstanding the heat. At 5 0'clock

all returned to the Oak House tea and again enjoyed

the kind hospitality of the G.F.S. helpers. The

return train left Dublin at 6.40, and all arrived back

in Seagoe at 9 p.m. after a most enjoyable day. Mr.

and Mrs. Scott accompanied the excursion, and we

congratulate the secretary, Mrs. Scott, on the great

suceess of the excursion which she organised.

Floods at Seagoe.

On Sunday, June 21st, a very heavy downpour of

rain occurred just as the congregation were leaving

the Church after Morning Prayer. Both Upper

Seagoe Road and also Church Lane were flooded.

At one part the water was 2 or 3 feet in depth. The

people could not get across but one or two courageously

walked through the flood. One kindly

parishioner took off his boots and stockings and carried

a more elderly parishioner across the waters

on his back. There was quite a river of water flowing

past the Church gate. A motor car bringing

people from the Church stopped in the middle of

the flood in Upper Seagoe and could not be got to

move until the flood subsided.

Seagoe Mothers' Union.

The members of the Mothers' Union are having an

afternoon Picnic to Breezehill, in Knockmena,

opposite Twinem Terrace, Lurgan Road, on Tuesday,

July 28th, at 4 p.m. Breezehill is a fine bracing

place. Mrs. Twinem, of Lylo, who is President of the

Union, is very kindly entertaining the members on

this occasion. The members of the Committee of

the Mothers' Union had an enjoyable excursion to

Warrenpoint on Wednesday, June 24th.

The Grove Field.

A large iron gate has been erected at the entrance

to the Grove Field. Mr. Isaac Dickson, People's

Churchwarden, very kindly erected the gate, no easy

job, and got good help from Mr. Gilbert Price. Mr.

Henry Dickson also assisted.

Wednesday Services.

The Services usually held on Wednesday evening

in Edenderry Parochial Hall will be discontinued

during July and August.

Men's Bible Class,

The Men's Bible Class held on Sunday mornings

in the Orange Hall, Edenderry, will not be held

during July and August.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Making the Railway through Seagoe in 1838.—The

construction of the Ulster Railway (now known as

the Great Northern Railway) through the centre of

Seagoe Parish in the years 1836-1839 created great.

interest and was also the cause of a certain amount

of rearrangement among in the Parish.

Legal powers were obtained the Railway promoters

and anyone whose land happened to lie in

the path of the proposed Railway line was compelled

to give it up. The actual width of ground which the

Railway Company could legally take was 22 yards.

but in many cases a larger amount had to be acquired.

The Act of Parliament sanctioning the construction

of the Ulster Railway from Belfast to

Armagh is of course still in existence and can be

consulted in any of our older Libraries. The names

of those who held land required for the making of

the Railway are published at the end of the Act of

Parliament, with details as to the character of the

land and its extent. Here are the facts as far as the

Parish of Seagoe is concerned. Three townlands

only are referred to, Tarsan, Kearnan and Seagoe

Lower. The landlord in Tarsan whose land was

affected was Lord Mandeville, and the three tenants

whose holdings were taken were a house and garden

belonging to Henry M 'Ginilis, also land occupied by

Mary Blac (Black) and by William Galway. In the

townland of "Kearnan" the landlords were Mr.

Moore and Lord Mandeville. In Mr. Moore's property

a house and garden belonging to William M'Kee

were taken, and iii Lord Mandeville's property a

garden occupied by Widow Ramsey, and also a

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

garden occupied by Hugh M'llroy were taken. In the

townland of Lower Seagoe the owner is stated to be

the Venerable Archdeacon Saurin. It is described

as Bishop's land, occupied by Archdeacon Saurin,

and consisted of plantings and part of the walk to

the Church. In the same townland the holding of

John Walker is named, and he is compensated for

the taking of part of the road to his house.

Portrait of the Venerable William M'Murray

D.C.L., the Canadian Pioneer Missionary.—We have

received from Mr. T. A. Reid, of Hart House, Toronto,

Canada, a very fine photograph of the Ven.

Archdeacon M'Murray, D.C.L., one of the founders of

Trinity College, Toronto, and who left Ballygargan,

then in the Parish of Seagoe (now in Knocknamuckley),

about the year 1818, when as a child of eight his

father emigrated to Canada. In a recent issue we

gave particulars regarding the career of Archdeacon

M'Murray, and we hope shortly publish his portrait

in the Magazine. The portrait from which the

photograph sent by Mfr. Reid is taken bangs in an

honoured place on the walls of Trinity College,

Toronto, which the Archdeacon was largely instrumental

in founding. It was painted by the artist

Wyley Grier, and represents the Archdeacon seated

in an armchair. His quiet, resolute expression and

strong tall frame illustrate the typical Canadian

Pioneer and Missionary.

Nightingales in Seagoe Parish.—Dr. Rowlett, of

Portadown, tells us that over thirty years ago when

he was resident in Ardmore, he heard the song of

the Nightingale frequently in the neighbourhood of

Raughlin, on the shores of Lough Neagh. There has

always been an uncertainty as to whether the

Nightingale visits Ireland, but in the Museum of Queen's

College, Cork, there is preserved one specimen that

was caught at Kinsale, in the County Cork. It has

never been found north of Scarborough, in England,

but Scarborough is exactly in the the same latitude

as Raughlin, It has also been said that it now

passes west of three degrees of West latitude, which

would exclude North Wales and Ireland. Dr. Rowlett

used to hear its song in the early hours before dawn

when driving on professional duty along the quiet

shores of the Lough. There is an Irish songster

whose habits so closely resemble those Of the

Nightingale as to be sometimes mistaken for it, that is the

Sedge Warbler. It has been called the Irish Nightingale.

It sings all though the night, and its song,

according to White of Selborne, resembles a blend of

the skylark, sparrow and swallow. It is brown in

colour and about 4 ½ inches in length. The Nightingale

is also a pale brown and is about six inches

in length. Some of us have heard the wonderful

song of the Nightingale broadcast on the wireless

but it would be much more impressive if we heard its

rich notes in the quiet evening hours along some of

the picturesque ' loanins" of Seagoe Parish.

The " Rutchen" in Seagoe Parish.—" Where is

Rutehen in Seagoe Parish—is a question which

few perhaps could answer. It is the interesting name

now unfortunately very seldom heard, of the road

which passes from the New Lurgan Road through the

townland of Tamnifiglasson to the stone railway

bridge in Balteagh. It is one of the old names in

the Parish such as Drumcart, Slantry, and the Reid

which come to us from ancient days and which are

not the names of townlands, but of old territorial

divisions. It is not easy always to find a derivation

for these old names but it is almost certain that the

name is a form of the diminutive of the Irish word

Ros, meaning a wood. Rusheen being the diminution

of Ros, would mean the Little Wood, implying either

a wood of small extent or a growth of small bushes,

trees or underwood. This meaning of the word fits

with the name of the townland in which the Rutcheen

or Rusheen is, namely, Tamnifiglasson, which in its

Irish form is Tamhnach feadha Glassan and means

" the Field of the Wood of Glassan."

SERVICES

THE PARISH CHURCH.

HOLY COMMUNION—1st Sunday after Morning

Prayer ; 3rd Sunday at 8 a.m., and on the Chief

Festivals.

HOLY BAPTISM—1st Saturday of Month at 3 p.m.,

and during any Service in the Parish Church

i! notice be given ; Two Sponsors at least are

required, and they must be Confirmed members

of the Church. Churchings are held at each

Baptism. Mothers are expected to bring a thank

offering. (See Book of Common Prayer.)

MORNING PRAYER—Sundays and Chief Festivals

8 p.m. during Advent and Lent

EVENING PRAYER—Sundays 7 p.m.

DISTRICT SERVICES.

Hacknahay—Last Sunday of Month at 3.30 p.m.

Drumgor-—Second Sunday of Month at 4 p.m.

Edenderry—Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

CLASSES

ADULT CLASSES Sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Edenderry. For Women Seagoe School.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS—IO a.m. Edenderry parochial

Hall and Seagoe School. 3 p.m. Seagoe, Edenderry

Parochial Hall, Levaghery, Hacknahay

Carne, Drumgor, Bocombra.

Mothers' Union—2nd Tuesday of each month.

DAY SCHOOL—Seagoe, 9-30 a.m. Principal Mr R. Scott.