Parishioner publishes a history of St Columba’s Knock
Congratulations to Ivan Coffey, a parishioner of St Columba’s Knock, who has published a fascinating booklet about the parish which tells The story from earliest times. Ivan is pictured here with Revd John Auchmuty (Rector) and Canon Ken Smyth (Assistant Priest)
Knock parishioner, Ian Noad, reviews Ivan’s booklet below:
Few parishioners would imagine that the heritage of our beautiful church stretches back some 800 years to medieval times. In his recently published booklet, parishioner Ivan Coffey takes us on a fascinating journey through the development not only of St. Columba’s, but also of St. Elizabeth’s (Dundonald) and Knockbreda Parish Church (Breda), each one inextricably linked to a nearby Anglo Norman motte from the early 1200’s.
In a few short pages, we are able to appreciate the influence of John de Courcy, Edward Bruce, the O’Neill clan, socio–economic advances and upheavals up to the Reformation; the effect of the Plantation (the Hamilton, Montgomery and Hill families) and even Cromwell, right through to the extensive industrial development of East Belfast in the 19th century; and how these historical milestones determined the growth, as well as periodic decline, of the three intertwined medieval parishes.
Do not be fooled by the apparent brevity of the booklet, however! Thanks to painstaking research, the author packs a mass of detailed information into every page. The A4 format lends itself well to the delightful range of illustrations (penned by Art Club member, Roy Williamson), maps and photographs to aid our understanding; and the essential timeline succinctly summarizes eight turbulent centuries in just two pages. If that was not enough, the Annex provides a fascinating description of the townlands that broadly comprise St. Columba’s present day parish boundaries, with an in–depth explanation of their old Irish names.
This is a scholarly and informative narrative for readers of all tastes, a book of reference to be read and re–read, a must for parishioners (and family and friends worldwide) interested in learning more about the 800 year heritage of their church. It provides an essential prelude to Gerald Hill’s forthcoming update of Betty Rainsford’s admiral 100 year history An House Not Made With Hands, due to be reprinted and published in June this year to coincide with the 120th anniversary of the parish.
Thanks to Ivan Coffey’s generosity, St. Columba’s will also be a major beneficiary as all the proceeds of his excellent publication will go directly to the Parish Building Fund.
Copies are £8.00 each. To order, please contact St Columba’s parish office:
Email: office@coiknock.org or Tel: 028 9065 6891