Information, photos and video provided by Sonia Evans, Ardess Parish Administrator
Contributed by Janet J. Johnston
The historic St. Mary’s Church of Magheraculmoney (pronounced Mac-hera-cul-money) Parish, also known as Ardess Parish, dominates the
drumlin landscape of the quiet rural townland of Ardess. The name, Magheraculmoney, has been translated to “the plain of the
back of the shrubbery” and “the plain of the peaty angle.” An Order of Council was issued on 27th February 1770, dividing the parish
into two, with the second parish being called Drumkeeran.
Area where the Drumkeen Johnstons lived
The first rector of Magheraculmoney was recorded in 1439, and records state that the Church, also previously known as Templemaghery
Church, was originally built during the fourteenth century and was subsequently burnt in 1484. Part of today’s present stone-built
structure can be dated as far back as fifty years before the Reformation. In 1622 it was noted that the Church was lately roofed,
but not glazed. It has since undergone extensive alterations and enlargements during the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Ardess Church with its three stage tower now stands proudly as a distinctive landmark.
The graveyard surrounding the Church is immediately recognizable as an ancient pre-plantation graveyard and it is estimated that there
is a total of 433 marked grave headstones, flat slabs and crosses.
Dr. William Roulston, Research Director of the Ulster Historical Foundation, believes that this churchyard has the earliest sculpted
headstones in Northern Ireland. Fashioned in the form of a Celtic cross, there is a stone, with the oldest visible date being 1679.
There are about a dozen more headstones in this style which clearly represents a school of masonry of that era.
James Johnston marker - note the Johnston coat of arms
Inscription:
Here
lieth intered
James Johnston
late of Banagh Esq.
Who died
April 15, 1757
aged 66 Years
A Message from Sonia Evans, Ardess Parish Administrator
We thank you for your interest in our church and hope that you have gained an insight into our church and it’s wonderful history.
As you can see from the outside photographs, it has been lovingly refurbished with major extensive works outside (we are very fond
of our church and great care has been taken to keep it updated with respect to it’s important historical value). We have extensive
interior plans already set in place and if I could be so bold and kindly ask that if you and/or your family are willing to make a
donation, if you would mind making it towards our building account fund which would be put towards the interior work. For ease, I
have added the details below:
Magheraculmoney Parish Building Account
Sort Code: 95-03-42
Account Number: 91019961
Kind regards,
Sonia Evans
Parish Administrator
Ardess Fountain Centre
Ardess Parish Office,
The Fountain Centre,
Drumwhinney, Kesh,
County Fermanagh, UK
BT93 1SD
Phone: 028-6863-2695
Email: office@ardess.org
Ardess Parish Church is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC105485
Fountain (NI) Limited is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101326
