RAVARNETTE and SOUTH LISBURN
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE circa 1972
Ravarnette School

 
 
 

 
 
 

 FOREWORD
by His Worship The Mayor of Lisburn,
Alderman John M. Gilchrist, B.Sc., J.P.

I welcome the opportunity presented by Ravarnette Primary School to write a short Foreword for their Community Magazine.
I would congratulate Mr. S. Bell and his colleagues on their initiative in producing this magazine which, as can be seen from the list o f contents, contains so much o f interest to those who live in or visit the district.
I do hope that this magazine will be well received, since it is a positive effort by a locally based group to promote their district, and at the same time to present a truer picture of the interests, and way of life, of those living within the enlarged Borough of Lisburn.
JOHN M. GILCHRIST

 

FROM THE BOOK OF BOOKS
"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee."
(Deuteronomy 32 v. 7.)

EDITORIAL

I hope that our community magazine will not only be a means of raising Funds for the school and youth club at Ravarnette but will also provide the surrounding community with news and information of a wide selection of local clubs and societies whose good work can sometimes go unnoticed or be taken for granted. I have also combined this with a little local history and items contributed by pupils of our school.

In producing our magazine one must remember that a community includes the very young, teenagers, young adults, middle aged and elderly. I have tried to include something for all; things to make you laugh, things to make you cry, things to make you weep and things to make you sigh.

Our school at Ravarnette is the focal setting for such a magazine as it is by virtue of its position the Magnetic South of Lisburn.
To the many club and society secretaries, clergymen, historians, pupils of Ravarnette Primary School, parents, friends and all those other people who helped in any way in the production of the magazine I accord my sincere thanks. I am deeply grateful to Mrs. Edna Shortell of Carnreagh for designing such an attractive cover depicting Ravarnette Primary School.

I gratefully acknowledge the help and advice received from all our advertising patrons and appreciate their support.
STANLEY BELL

LOCAL PLACE NAMES with ancient origins

RAVARNETTE (Ravernet or Ravarnett)-The Fort in the Gap, (originally built on a fairy rath). Original name Rath Varna.
LEGACURRY The hollow of the cauldron.
CULCAVY The hill back of the long lush grass.
CARNBANE The monumental heap of white stones (originally Garanbane).
BLARIS (Originally Ballytempleblaris). The town of the church of Blaris.
MAGHERAGEERY A field in the thicket by a river.
MAGHERABRENNAN The field of the McBrennans.
AGHNALECK The field of the flag-stones.
DUNEIGHT (Originally Duneathach). The fort of Eoghy (Eoghy was one of the many kings who ruled over the Kingdom of Ulidia).
CLOGHER A stony place.
LARGYMORE The great slope of a hill (Formerly called Ballylergemore)
CARNREAGH The monumental heap of grey stones.
LISNOE The new circular fort
CABRAGH Bad Land.
LISNASTREAN The circular earth fort of the stream
BALLYHOMRA The townland of the long hill or ridge.
CARGACROY Hard Rocks.
LISNAGARVEY The fort of the gamesters.
LISBURN A circular earthen fort in a rocky district.
TAGHNABRICK (formerly Taghebrack and originally Ballemanelisbery)The Speckled House.
ANNAHILT The marsh of the doe.
MAGHERADARTIN The field with the oak trees.
BALLYWORFY The townland of the slaughter in the wood.
CARGACREEVY A branchy place on a little rock.

OTHER LOCAL PLACE NAMES of fairly modern origin

SPRUCEFIELD, EGLANTINE, LARCHMONT, BEECHMOUNT, HILLSBOROUGH, NEWPORT, SPIREHILL, LAKEVIEW.

CURRIE'S CASTLE

Where Mr. Suffern now lives was originally known as Currie's Castle and part of the ancient ballroom is still standing. Legend says that young Lady Curry was killed whilst out riding her horse on May-Eve and if you go there at just after twelve on May-Eve night you can see the ghost on the white horse jump over the high bank behind the main house. The original entrance was up along the river from the side of Lisnoe bridge over a small ford above where the Glen River enters the main Ravarnette River.
JIM WILSON
 

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