1578  St Patrick’s Church newry built by Bagenal whose family crest is incorporated in it. In the following century it was destroyed, then restored after the Glorious Revolution

1558-1603 Reign of Elizabeth, early in which Ireland had her counties and baronies demarked

1585 The Queen granted Loughbrickland to Sir Marmaduke Whitchurch (opt. cit.) who built a castle there ‘where three roads meet’ ; also a Church; also a ‘Protestant’ town. The Castle was demolished by Cromwell to prevent rebels from holding it. Its ruins survived into the nineteenth century

1589 Newcastle (Castle) built by Felix Magennis – later became the town’s principal hotel

1600 The list of distinguished families in County Down included:

 Bagenal; Sir Hugh Magennis; Sir Owen MacNeil; Con O’Neill; Iver Roe Magennis; Brian O’Neil; John Whyte of Dufferin; Savages; Fitzsimons; Dowdals; Macartans; Bensons; Russels; Jordans; Audleys; Mandevilles.

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