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Historical Sites to Visit
St John’s Church
One of the oldest churches in the province
still in use. This simple rectangular structure with windows
of Elizabethan gothic dates back to 1595. It is known as "New
Church" distinguishing it from the earlier St John’s
in Ballykeel.
St John's Church
Family History
Over the generations, immigration
has carried Islandmagee’s progeny to distant parts of the
globe.
Many old family names can be read on the
gravestones in the ancient graveyards of Ballykeel, Ballypriormore
or St John’s. The seafaring tradition comes across strongly
on nineteenth century stones that often include ship’s
names and exotic places.
Vikings made use of Larne Lough or "Wulfric’s
Fjord". In the late middle ages members of the clan Magee
moved from the Hebrides to the peninsula inspiring the modern
name.
Witches of Islandmagee
A series of incidents on "the Island"
in 1710 and 1711 led to arrests and as a result, Ireland’s
last witchcraft trial took place in Carrickfergus on 31 March
1711. Eight women were convicted of witchcraft and sentenced
to one year’s imprisonment and to be four times pilloried,
as a result of which one woman lost an eye.
The offence of witchcraft was repealed
in 1734.
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