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Article by Brian Willis
Boring history? Not a bit of it. There's a twist to this tale.
Talk to any local Ballycastle person about the history of the area and inevitably one of the first people they mention is Julia McQuillan, "the Black Nun". She was a recluse who reputedly lived in Bonamargy Friary (aka.Banamargy or Bunnamairge). By the way - see that word "reputedly"? Well I guess I should start every sentence with it when composing these historical paragraphs. So please just take it as read.
Bonamargy Friary was built in the early 1500's and occupied by the Third Order of Franciscans until the mid-17th century. It is now a ruin in State care under the wing of the Environment and Heritage Department of the DoE.
The Friary is just south of Ballycastle on the Cushendall Road.
Buried
The Black Nun lived and died there some time during the 1600's. It was her last wish that she should be buried near the entrance to the church so that worshippers, on entering, would tread on her grave, as a token of her humility. She is supposedly buried under a stone slab marked with this unusual holestone cross.
The lady is renowned, mainly because of her "Seven Prophesies", but even here there is some dispute about what exactly were her thoughts on the future. Perhaps 'Your Place & Mine' surfers can help me with this list.
Here are a few that I have gathered from various sources.
Boats would be made of iron
Knocklayde (the nearby mountain) would give water. Other sources give a stronger version and say- Knocklayde would burst and the water pouring from it would flood land for seven miles around.
Yet another version says- A man would be able to press a button and water would flow from Knocklayde to Ballycastle.
Two standing stones (Some suggest at Carnduff and Barnish. Others say Gortconny and Carey) would come together. Stones from both areas have subsequently been used in the building of Ballycastle harbour.
Ireland would become independent with the arrival of a sailing ship with her sails on fire
Horseless carriages (But all the prophets were onto them!)
A red haired cleric (Don't know what this is about- any ideas?)
The Hilltown river would flow with blood.
Haunts
Julia McQuillan- The Black Nun, still haunts Bonamargy Friary... or so they say.
Load of rubbish? .......read on dear surfer.
The strange case of the mysterious rock fall.
The following is not "reputedly", but is a true account of what happened during our visit to research this article...
Boring history? Not a bit of it. There's a twist to this tale.
Talk to any local Ballycastle person about the history of the area and inevitably one of the first people they mention is Julia McQuillan, "the Black Nun". She was a recluse who reputedly lived in Bonamargy Friary (aka.Banamargy or Bunnamairge). By the way - see that word "reputedly"? Well I guess I should start every sentence with it when composing these historical paragraphs. So please just take it as read.
Bonamargy Friary was built in the early 1500's and occupied by the Third Order of Franciscans until the mid-17th century. It is now a ruin in State care under the wing of the Environment and Heritage Department of the DoE.
The Friary is just south of Ballycastle on the Cushendall Road.
Buried
The Black Nun lived and died there some time during the 1600's. It was her last wish that she should be buried near the entrance to the church so that worshippers, on entering, would tread on her grave, as a token of her humility. She is supposedly buried under a stone slab marked with this unusual holestone cross.
The lady is renowned, mainly because of her "Seven Prophesies", but even here there is some dispute about what exactly were her thoughts on the future. Perhaps 'Your Place & Mine' surfers can help me with this list.
Here are a few that I have gathered from various sources.
Boats would be made of iron
Knocklayde (the nearby mountain) would give water. Other sources give a stronger version and say- Knocklayde would burst and the water pouring from it would flood land for seven miles around.
Yet another version says- A man would be able to press a button and water would flow from Knocklayde to Ballycastle.
Two standing stones (Some suggest at Carnduff and Barnish. Others say Gortconny and Carey) would come together. Stones from both areas have subsequently been used in the building of Ballycastle harbour.
Ireland would become independent with the arrival of a sailing ship with her sails on fire
Horseless carriages (But all the prophets were onto them!)
A red haired cleric (Don't know what this is about- any ideas?)
The Hilltown river would flow with blood.
Haunts
Julia McQuillan- The Black Nun, still haunts Bonamargy Friary... or so they say.
Load of rubbish? .......read on dear surfer.
The strange case of the mysterious rock fall.
The following is not "reputedly", but is a true account of what happened during our visit to research this article...
Source and full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk...m/A789285.shtml
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