About Killead and Gartree - news paper coverage

News Paper Snips - About Killead and Gartree

The Book ' About Killead and Gartree featured in a number of local news papers including the Belfast Telegraph, Antrim Guardian and Antrim Times.

About Killead and Gartree

Copyright Š 2004

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"Killead: a parish with many stories to tell"

Writes Judith Cole of the Antrim Guardian (March 3, 2004) Exerps from Judith's article as follows:

A timely new book on the rich history of Killead has been published, just as St Catherine's Parish Church, which was built in 1712, reopens its doors following extensive renovations.

Including over 100 photographs, the book has notes on the 36 townlands of the Parish of Killead dating back to 1828 and information and articles from several life long members including Lord Molyneaux.

Killead Parish includes Gartree Church, built by the Pakenham family of Langford Lodge, on the shores of Lough Neagh.

And there are fascinating stories in the book about the house and estate of Langford Lodge, Rowley Heyland, the Aviation Society, Glenn Millar and much more.

St Catherine's parish church is one of the oldest in the Diocese of Connor.

The minutes from Killead Vestry, recorded from 1828, make interesting reading not least to note that that on 12 April 1928, the names of two ladies were recorded as being selected as members of the Select Vestry for the first time.

The author found that the first citing of a school at Killead was 1802.

Lord Molyneaux of Killead has contributed an interesting autobiographical piece, including his baptism at St Catherine's (Killead) and his time in the Royal Air Force during the war.

Rev. Canon Wright M.A. pictured at the Book Launch. Incumbent of the Parishes of Killead and Gartree 1982 - 1986

How to obtain a copy of 'About Killead and Gartree'

Church near miss recalled writes Eddie McIlwaine (Belfast Telegraph)

'About Killead and Gartree' is packed with anecdotes and statistics about St Catherine's and its sister church, Gartree down the road - where celebrated bandsman Glenn Miller once played the organ when he was here to entertain American airmen based at Langford Lodge. One story tells of a near miss with an aeroplane as one local taking a shortcut drove her car across the runway on her way home from church one Sunday in 1948.

St Catherines has been at Aldergrove since 1712 when there were only birds up in the air and the RAF hadn't been invented, but there has been a human flying tradition dating back to 1918.

Since the arrival of the RAF 'About Killead and Gartree' tells us, 46 airman have been laid to rest in the church graveyard, including casualties of World War II among whom was Pilot Officer H. G. Frazer who took off in a Halifax bomber during the war and never returned.

His son Gordon junior of York traced his father's last resting place to Aldergrove two years ago and wrote a poem about the brave dad he never knew.

Your name lives on in me and mine

It stands, written, looking out to sea,

Oft visited, near the home where they sent

The one line telegram and your wings.

Rev. Irvine B.A., B Phil pictured at the Book Launch. Incumbent of the Parishes of Killead and Gartree 1998 - present

Mildred's guide to Parish History Antrim Times 3 March 2004

A HISTORICAL insight into the Parish of Killead and Gartree is set to be launched in the Borough. Mildred Irvine has penned a historical insight into the Parish, to coincide with the reopening of St. Catherine's, Killead, which was originally built in 1712.

The publication, 'About Killead and Gartree', includes over 100 photographs and has notes on the 36 townlands of the parish. Articles by several life-long members of St. Catherine's, including Lord Molyneaux of Killead, provides an interesting backdrop into a book which has a wealth of information.

The Parish of Killead includes Gartree Church, built by the Pakenham family of Langford Lodge, and the book has many key notes and articles about the area:Rowley Heyland, The Pakenham family, Langford Lodge, The Americans (1942-44), Glenn Miller and much more.

It is hoped the launch of the book, on March 10 (8pm) at St. Catherine's Parish Hall, will help raise valuable funds for the church.

Author Mildred Irvine arrived at Killead and Gartree in 1998 when her recently retired husband became vicar of the two parishes. She said: "As I met and spoke to many friendly people living in the Parish, I soon realised there were lots of interesting stories about the people and events of the past in the area."

"No account of the Church and its people had been compiled despite the long history of the Parish and Mildred Irvine - authoress thought it would be a shame for the information and stories to be lost through the passage of time. The timing of this book also coincides with a major renovation of Killead Church, one of the oldest in the Diocese of Connor (built in 1712)."

"Since there are several sources of information about the history of the Parish, I decided mostly to document material that is not so readily available; particularly about St. Catherine's, its sister church, Gartree and people associated with them. I include, for example, extracts from the minutes of Killead Parish dating from 1828 in legible form!"

Mildred initially set about drawing together some anecdotes that would make an interesting booklet, to record some of the social history of the people living in the parishes.

"The booklet soon grew into a book as so many people kindly supplied information and wrote articles. While I have included much more material that I had initially intended, I realise that I have only scratched the surface of the rich historical past of the Churches and the Parish. I would like to thank everyone who assisted in the production of this book."

Included in 'About Killead and Gartree', you will find chapters illustrating such topics as the Vicars of Killead and Glebe House, The Military Graves, The Mothers' Union, a chapter on Aldergrove, Belfast International Airport, and Extracts from Gartree Preachers' Book and Gartree Minutes.

The photographs and maps detail the life and times of the Parish, giving many local people an in depth look what it would have been like for our many ancestors. The book will be launched on March 10 at St.Catherine's Hall on RAF base, Aldergrove. It will then be sold for Ł10, with proceeds going to the future development of the Parish.