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Archiver > Scotch-Irish > 1999-04 > 0925141725


From: linda Merle <>
Subject: Re: Census N. Ireland (Some Good News)
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 1999 08:48:45 -0700


Hi Bonny,

>Is that near the town of Kells in Connor Parish? I have not
>heard about this before.

Yes -- the Reformed Presby church at Kellswater (after the Kellswater
River) was the first Reformed Presbyterian church in Ulster.

Here is a poem from J G Thompson's "Lays of the Covenant" (1911).

"Kellswater" ends with these verses ( the Kellswater River speaks):

"Among the sombre mountains,
In grand confusion flung,
I first began my wanderings,
When this old world was young.

I reached Glenwherry's valley,
All clothed in cornfields bright,
How soft their glow at sunset,
Bathed in the mellowed light.

And many a sparlking streamlet,
My heavy bosom swells;
In mighty volume foaming,
I pass by Ross and Kells.

I wind by Lisnawhiggle,
By New Lodge and Kildrum,
To view my sylvan beauties
What host of strangers comes.

I marshall all my powers,
And dashing through the plain,
I pour out my silvery treasure,
A tribute to the Maine."

>From "Kellswater Reformed Presbyterian Church:A Short History"
by Robert Buchanan, published by the congregation in 1989 shortly
after Mr Buchanan was murdered by the IRA. He was an RUC superintendent.

Some part of the present land owned by it was in the Colville estate from 1692
until 1883, when the new purchasers, Misses Nicholson, sold it to the
Kellswater Congregation.

Linda Merle

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