There are few Irish Parishes more ancient than that of Kilbroney founded by St Bronach in the Sixth Century and from whom it takes it's name 'Kilbroney' meaning Church of Bronach.
Tradition tells us that as a young girl she had a vision, the result of which she founded a little Christian Community in the Glen above Rostrevor, then known as 'Glen Seichis' thought to mean seclusion.
It was here that she established her little Church on the site now occupied by the old pre-reformation ruins in Old Kilbroney Graveyard over which she presided as Abbess, for we find that in medieval times the custody of her Baculus or Staff was held by the incumbent of the Parish whose office still carries the title 'Keeper of the Staff of St Bronach'. The staff has long since disappeared, perhaps lost at the time of the Reformation but St Bronach's Bell or 'Clug Ban' (CIRCA 800AD) still survives. Her Feast Day is April 2nd.
The 1500s and 1600s were very unsettled times - the first Church built in the Parish after the Reformation was in 1733. According to Church records for greater convenience a New Church was built in the Village and dedicated to St Paul (The Crag Graveyard). Communion Silver was presented by Mrs Ann Ross wife of the first Robert Ross to reside in Rostrevor and inscribed - The gift of Mrs Ann Ross to 'Ye Church of Rostrevor, 1732'.
St Paul's served as the Parish Church for only 89 years as, with a growing population, a larger Church was required.
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Tradition tells us that as a young girl she had a vision, the result of which she founded a little Christian Community in the Glen above Rostrevor, then known as 'Glen Seichis' thought to mean seclusion.
It was here that she established her little Church on the site now occupied by the old pre-reformation ruins in Old Kilbroney Graveyard over which she presided as Abbess, for we find that in medieval times the custody of her Baculus or Staff was held by the incumbent of the Parish whose office still carries the title 'Keeper of the Staff of St Bronach'. The staff has long since disappeared, perhaps lost at the time of the Reformation but St Bronach's Bell or 'Clug Ban' (CIRCA 800AD) still survives. Her Feast Day is April 2nd.
The 1500s and 1600s were very unsettled times - the first Church built in the Parish after the Reformation was in 1733. According to Church records for greater convenience a New Church was built in the Village and dedicated to St Paul (The Crag Graveyard). Communion Silver was presented by Mrs Ann Ross wife of the first Robert Ross to reside in Rostrevor and inscribed - The gift of Mrs Ann Ross to 'Ye Church of Rostrevor, 1732'.
St Paul's served as the Parish Church for only 89 years as, with a growing population, a larger Church was required.
Next >
Website created and maintained by Craig McCarter
<thecraigery@googlemail.com>
Contact:
Rev. Sam Jones
Address:
AYW Rostrevor
The Kilbroney Centre
15 Kilbroney Road
Rostrevor
BT34 3BH
Tel: 028 417 38293
Email:
jonesatkilbroney@
hotmail.co.uk
Alyn Jones
Address:
AYW Rostrevor
The Kilbroney Centre
15 Kilbroney Road
Rostrevor
BT34 3BH
Tel: 028 417 38401
Email:
alynjones@alliance
youthworks.org.uk
Rev. Sam Jones
Address:
AYW Rostrevor
The Kilbroney Centre
15 Kilbroney Road
Rostrevor
BT34 3BH
Tel: 028 417 38293
Email:
jonesatkilbroney@
hotmail.co.uk
Alyn Jones
Address:
AYW Rostrevor
The Kilbroney Centre
15 Kilbroney Road
Rostrevor
BT34 3BH
Tel: 028 417 38401
Email:
alynjones@alliance
youthworks.org.uk