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The facts that I have on this side of the Atlantic (US/Canada) are pretty well known, but where my family came from in County Down not so much.

I know that William McGibbon (Sr.) was born around 1783 and married Agnes. They had some children James (1816); Joseph (1820); William (1830); Margaret (1810); Susanna (1825); Mary (1814). There was also a Samuel who may have been a relative but not a child of theirs.  James may have immigrated a bit earlier than the rest of the family which seems to have left in 1847. Apparently they were either connected by marriage or good friendship to a McCracken family as there was some correspondence years later which mentioned the old homestead in Glassdrumman.

They originally settled in Moores Mills, New Brunswick Canada, but most of the family immigrated once again to Lewiston, Maine in the United States.

If anyone has any information regarding my family in the Saintfield area I (and the rest of the family) would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again for any assistance you can render.

Saintfield Development Association’s Saintfield News Issue 22 has been distributed by members to homes in Saintfield, but in case you didn’t receive a copy it can be downloaded here by clicking on the image below.

Martyn Todd, Chair of the SDA, received this plaque from Councillor Cathy Mason, the new Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down Council. He received it on behalf of all the volunteers who delivered food parcels in and around Saintfield and Darragh Cross during the first lock down last year. Councillor Mason said that the residents of the Rowallane area were fortunate to have so many people willing to help out during the pandemic.

You may be aware that the Saintfield Development Association is in the lengthy process of developing the windmill field (adjoining the community centre) as a community park.  This facility will provide a much-needed safe space for the people of Saintfield and environs to relax, exercise, socialise and enjoy the fresh air.  At the same time, plans are in hand to preserve and make safe the old windmill and ancillary buildings in the field, which are currently deteriorating.

The windmill was an important part of Saintfield life in past years and we would love to find out more about the mill, the ‘Big Wind’ which blew the sails off and put it out of action, never to be repaired; and any other items of information surrounding this historic structure.

If you have any stories, memories or anecdotes about the windmill and its surrounds, please let us know. Your reminiscences will help us to build up a picture of the role the windmill and field played in the lives of residents over the years.

We will publish a selection on our website and in Saintfield News, so send your tales to editor@discoversaintfield.co.uk

Information provided by Ellen Brennan, Newry Mourne & Down District Council’s Rowallane DEA Coordinator:

Download class details HERE

Tom Franklin, the Project Co-Ordinator for the Bolster Community in Newry, is pleased to announce that they are currently launching a new Youth Leadership Project across the 7 DEAs of Newry, Mourne and Down for Year 10 & 11 students (13,14, 15 yr olds).

Youth Upfront is a Peace IV-funded project that will be starting in February and will consist of up to four remote, interactive workshops throughout February and March, hosted by guest speakers and facilitators.

They will then be taking the participants on a free weekend-long residential (Covid Pending) to the SHARE Discovery Village in Fermanagh across April & May, including additional workshops onsite during the visit.

They will also be hosting community events organised by the participants themselves to round off the project and these will occur in May & June.

Additional information for both Youth Leaders and Students