"Magheramorne"

Article contributed by Glen Brown - May 05

My father John Howard Brown 1898-1968, born at Ballypollard, son of a cartwright, supplied carts to Magheramorne Quarry (later Portland Cement) Magheramorne. He joined the orginal UVF along with numerous relatives, neighbours and fellow like-minded Irishmen (his covenant copy bearing his signature can be seen in Larne Historical Centre and on documentaion at NI Public Office). He joined the Irish Guards as a volunteer for the duration of WW1, serving in Belgium and France.

On his return to Magheramorne, work soon became scarce, so he set off on his travels. In Australia he met up with old neighbours & boyhood friends who had immigrated from Magheramorne at the beginning of the 20th century. Journeying on to USA, he travelled about from job to job. On talking recently (Nov 2004) to Sam McCready at his home on Curran Road, Sam told me that father, when they were neighbours in Magheramorne c1947), had told him he had been like a hobo while in North America. In the mid 1930s he returned and worked in Clyde shipyard in Glasgow, where he met and married my mother (Supervisor, GPO Head Office Glasgow).

When WWII ended and shipbuilding began to decline, the family returned to Magheramorne in time for me to be born. Local neighbour and family friend, Mrs Murray, helped my Mother deliver me. We were surrounded by relatives, good neighbours, good friends. My aunt ran a local wee shop, there was a burn that ran through the nearby meadow where, with my brother Iain, Jim & Thomson O'Neill, David McCallan and other local children, I caught spricks.

Church and Sunday school were well attended. Back in early 1950s public entertainment came in either in the Church, Lily of the North Orange Hall and The Reck (Cements Works Recreation Hall). In the latter I recall Mavis Semple, the lass McGuigan rendering wonderful recitations and on another occasion two young teenage girls from Larne demonstrated the new jiving craze to Rock n Roll. My Father was musical and enjoyed singing to us. The Saturday Radio Shows Childrens Favourites, the Mc Cooeys and Smokey Mountain Jamboree Boys (C&W) helped me to enjoy life.

My cousins Artur and Randal Brown were very fine musicans and encouraged their children likewise. Arthur's son Alex and daughter Vera joined Randals son Billy to be the Brown Family (trio), performing around the area. Young Alex was later to join Larne showbands The Regent and The High Seas (the latter became resident showband in the Kings Arms Ballroom Larne as well as touring Ireland, Scotland and England. Cousin Billy Brown (RIP) was a founder member of the Freshmen, music writer, naturalist, artist etc

Family tree includes Browns, McDowells, Howards, McConnell, Rice etc Like many Magheramorne folk before them they are scattered around the world from Canada to Hong Kong.

Your Responses

Glen Brown - May '07
Hi Roger McCalmont,

There was a Blacksmit's named McManus on Larne Main Street. I am making enquiry regarding Magheramorne. Once I know more I'll reply here.

My email is laharna60s@yahoo.com

Glen Brown - Mar '07
An update Re' Glen Brown Comment dated September 2006.
The American lady (a McCready of Magheramorne descent) will visit Magheramorne and Larne during the first week in August 2007.

Glen Brown - Apr '07
Hi Roger,
I will make some enquiry regarding James and get back to you.
laharna60s@yahoo.com.
Glen Brown

Roger McCalmont - Apr '07
My great-grandparents, John McManus & Isabella Curry were wed at St. Mcanissi's RC Church, Larne on 1 Sept. 1872. Their daughter, my grandmother, Rosanna was supposedly born 10 March 1878 yet I can find no record of her birth. I believe they also had a son James. Can anyone from the area of Magheramorne, provide information on the McManus family?

Glen Brown - Feb '07
The Browns, Howards and McDowells worked together at Ballypollard, up until the turn of the last century 1800-1900 . Gradually as their craft died so did numerous other rural crafts. In the 1950s our McCready cousins and neighbours mutually assisted each other to mow and rake the hay and similar labour intensive chores.
Oh the food, the crack,the fun, the blisters. the sore back muscles at 'the spud pickin' but best of all the harmony of the friendships.
Will the computer be obsolete in one hundred years time too?
Back in past centuries many Magheramorne turned to the seafaring for their livelihood. That too has deminished, even the Irish Sea passenger ferry boats being manned by crew from variou snationalities.
If ever I am ever on a ship that has an emergency, that at the outset of such a calamity, that the crew looking after my well being,s do not shout , their commands /instructions to me in their native language. That is one good reason why one is advised to read and listen to all safety instructions announced prior to sailing..
laharna60s@yahoo.com

Glen Brown - Sep '06
"We are all Jock Tamson bairns" or so a similar saying goes.
The more one researches their family tree(s) or puts pen to paper on that subject into the public domain, one is often surprised by the contacts made.
For a couple of years now I've been in email contact with an Australian. He had traced an ancestor of his that had left Magheramorne in the late 1800s to settle in Australia.
Quite recently he advised me that another descendant of Magheramorne McCreadys has been in touch with him from the USA. She and I have now begun exchanging emails too.

Plans are ready afoot for 2007 by the american lady with her travelling companion to visit Magheramorne during one of my regular visits.

Glen Brown - Dec '05
I thank those that contacted me at my email address and I take this opportunity to wish you the very best of Seasonal Greetings.
To those awaiting further information, once I get it from my sources I will as before pass it on direct to you. On my recent visit to Larne Borough, I enjoyed the pleasure of several friends company including a very warm welcome from old friends out in Magheramorne.
Words cannot express how good you all made me feel.
Thank you. Yours in friendship.
Glen Brown

Mary McDowell-Cupp - Sept '05
IM decended from James B. McDowell from Conor County Antrim. His father was Clouthworthy McDowell and his mother was Mary Boul. My cousin Richard did our geneology even into Scotland. Mary McDowell-Cupp

Glen Brown - June '05
My Father's birth certificate gives his father (my grandfather) occupation as "Carter". On other documentation it is shown as 'Cartwright'. My grandfather on the Howard side of the family was a Blacksmith at Ballypollard, Magheramorne. My uncle Arthur Brown carried on Blacksmithing until it became rare craft.

In 2005 I've been in contact with Iain Howard Bradley a third cousin. Iain has been researching our Brown & Howard families tree. While another 2nd cousin has researched the related family tree of McDowell family. If any relative seeking information regarding our family trees, may contact me by email - rob**glenbrown@blueyonder.co.uk. (remove ** before sending message) or address their comments here.