43 



to the rectory of Breadac, when the Primate decided in favour 

 of the former, and directed Patricius Pallidus O'Gallmyre, a 

 principal parishioner, to call in the assistance of Aodh Buide 

 O'Neill, in case the secular arm should be required." The 

 decay and dilapidation of the parish churches of Knock and 

 Breadac caused the two parishes to be made one, at which time 

 the church of Knockbreda was built on its present site at the 

 entrance to Newtownbreda. It is still a matter of doubt as to 

 whether the original village of Breadac was situated within 

 the demesne of Belvoir or occupied the site of the present vil- 

 lage. It is, however, clear that the old church was enclosed 

 in the cemetery within the demesne. Whether rebuilt or re- 

 moved, it is more than probable that during the eighteenth 

 century, and perhaps part of the seventeenth, the village of 

 Newtownbreda occupied the present site. Its position on the 

 highway to the agricultural districts, and its proximity to 

 Belfast, caused it at this time to become a station of consider- 

 able importance. It was also at this date inhabited almost ex- 

 clusively by nailors, whose fires at night attracted the attention 

 of passengers by mail coach, who passed through the village. 

 By a covenant dated 13th October, 1623, the castle and lands 

 of Castlereagh were conveyed by Con O'Neill to Moyses Hill, 

 ancestor of Michael Hill, of Hillsborough, and progenitor of 

 the founders of the noble houses of Downshire and *Dun- 

 gannon. The estate of Belvoir continued in possession of 

 the Dungannon family for some time, and afterwards became 

 the property of Sir Robert Bateson, Bart., only son of Thos. 

 Bateson, Esq., of Orangefield. 



After having sketched the present condition of the 

 village, the paper proceeded to take the principal places 

 in detail, and described the old highway and the village 

 church (which is stated to have been designed by Cassel, 



* Second Foundation. 



