You are invited to the Launch of
Full Circle - A Story of Ballybay Presbyterians
on Friday, 2nd December 2022 in Cahans Meeting House at 8pm
Location map: Cahans Meeting House, Stranooden, Co. Monaghan, Ireland
23 years have passed since the publication of Full Circle. This Second Edition brings the story up to date. It includes additional material, corrections and many colour photographs. Presbyterian people have lived, worshipped and worked in the Ballybay area of Co. Monaghan for well over 300 years. Full Circle traces the social, political and religious contexts in which their story (and individual stories) developed. There were years of division with the coming of the Seceders from Scotland c1750. A second Presbyterian community, Cahans, was formed, then Derryvalley in 1799. Later division led to Second Ballybay, the church in the town.
Famine, emigration, political and economic hardships all played a part in reducing Presbyterian numbers, and in 1972 Cahans, Derryvalley and First Ballybay reunited to form today's First Ballybay - the "full circle" almost complete. The 'circle' has been complete since 2005 with First and Second Ballybay worshipping and working together, and Drumkeen with Rockcorry.
Full Circle is both a story and a record of people and events, members and ministers, women and men. It shows
- their involvement in linen, such an important part of Ballybay life for many years
- their role in Tenant Right agitation
- their commitment to education at national school, secondary and theological levels
- their support for the 1798 cause
- their sufferings during the years of the great famine and in war
- their concern for the poor
- their spiritual life and the influence of renewal movements
- the effects on their lives of more modern developments
- the place of 'lay' people in their church life, together with Christian service in Ireland and other countries.
The story includes the famed 'Cahans Exodus', tells of Hope M. Waddell, the first Irish Presbyterian missionary (who served in Jamaica and west Africa from 1829 - 1858), his brother William Charles Waddell, Monaghan coroner before, during and after the ‘famine' years, David Nelson, awarded the Victoria Cross during the first World War, and David Bell, Presbyterian minister and fierce advocate of Tenant Rights who left Derryvalley to pursue his political work.
Come and please invite your family and friends.
Cahans Meeting House is a Registered Charity in Ireland - RCN 20206453.