Annaclone
Annaclone is a village and civil parish between Rathfriland and Banbridge in south County Down, Northern Ireland, about 7 km south-east of Banbridge. The village is situated in the townlands of Ardbrin and Tullintanvally and both it and the civil parish are located in the historic barony of Iveagh Upper, Upper Half. It had a population of 190 people in the 2021 census.
The geography of Annaclone is typical of much of the area around the Mourne Mountains with rolling drumlins and farmland. Nearby Corbet Lough is visited by anglers while the highest point of the parish, locally known as 'the Knock', has views of the Mourne Mountains towards the south and Slieve Croob towards the north east.
History
Several Celtic artefacts were found in a marsh in the Ardbrin area of Annaclone. These finds included a horn known as the 'Ardbrin Horn' which now resides in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. Historically, the area belonged to the Magennis clan. The remains of their castle are situated in nearby Rathfriland.Sport
The local Gaelic Athletic Association club, Annaclone GAC, was founded in 1897.Annaclone has previously played host to a stage of the Circuit of Ireland Rally as well as other cycling events throughout the year.
People
- Patrick Brontë, father of Charlotte Brontë and Emily Brontë, was born in the parish in 1777 and also taught in a school in the parish. As a result, the area of southern Annaclone is known as 'The Brontë Homeland'. Although Patrick Brontë's house is now in ruins, the nearby Brontë Interpretative Centre maintains the link between the family and the area.
- Catherine O'Hare, the first European woman to cross the Canadian Rockies, was born around 1835 in the townland of Ballybrick in Annaclone.
Civil parish of Annaclone
- Ardbrin
- Aughnacloy
- Ballynafern
- Ballynafoy
- Ballynagross
- Ballynanny
- Ballysheil
- Cappagh
- Clay
- Derrylough
- Lisnasliggan
- Tullintanvally