gallery graves antrim

This is the oldest of the burying grounds in the town, and among the families associated with it are the Smiley's, who were prominent in bygone years. Buried in the Smiley plot is Dr. James McHenry, a local author who spent some time in the United States....

Many of the plots of families who trace their roots to the 17th century settlement of the area can be found here. St. John's Parish Church, around which the cemetery is sited, dates back over 400 years....

An old spanish Chestnut tree which can be found there is said to have grown from a seed in the pocket of a sailor drowned off the coast during the time of the Spanish Armada in 1588; legend has it that his body was washed ashore and buried at Cairncastle. Other interesting graves in the cemetery include that of local clergyman and historian Rev. Classon Porter, who once lived at nearby Ballygally Castle and whose tombstone is in the shape of a Celtic Cross. Inside the church is a baptismal fon...

This old cemetery at Ballycarry includes the ruins of Ireland's first Presbyterian Church within its boundaries, as well as the grave of the first Presbyterian minister in Ireland, Rev. Edward Brice, who died in 1636. Some 50 graves of general historical note are marked as part of the Templecorran cemetery Project and uided tours for groups canbe arranged by the Ballycarry Community Association....

Glencloy :- "Glen of Hedges" this is and area of stone dykes....

Many of the gravestones inside the cemetery relate to seafaring families long associated with this peninsula....

Glenballyeamon :- "Eamon's townland Glen", here you can find traces of the Glen's ancient forts....

Legend has it that the first people to the buried here were Danes, who brought soil from Scandinavia so that they could rest in their own soil. Whether true or not, locals say that the soil at Ballypriormore is sandier than elsewhere in Islandmagee. Many old gravestones are to be found in the cemetery, which is accessed along a small lane just past Ballypriormore School....

Glenaan :- "Glen of rush lights" famous for the the grave of the warrior poet Ossian....

Glencorp :- "Glen of the Slaughter", an area of hill farms and whin clad slopes....