23/06/2026
Historic 1846 Manuscript Brought to Light: J.T. Cleland’s Annals of Downpatrick Published for the First Time
The Lecale Heritage Hub is proud to announce the publication of J.T. Cleland’s Annals of Downpatrick, a landmark volume that brings to public attention—for the very first time—the earliest known written history of the County Town. Originally compiled in 1846 by a remarkably gifted 17 year old, John Thompson Cleland, this new edition has been meticulously transcribed, edited, and annotated by local historian Philip S. Blair.
Long preserved only in private and archival typescripts, Cleland’s manuscript has never before been this accessible to the wider public. This new edition restores his vivid chronicle of Downpatrick’s past—its saints, sieges, abbeys, invasions, and remarkable characters—while also incorporating extensive editorial notes, historical corrections, and newly sourced illustrations of Cleland’s lost pen and ink drawings.
Philip Blair’s edition draws upon rare materials held at PRONI, his personal copy of the 1925 typescript by antiquarian R.W.H. Blackwood, and surviving contemporary sources. The result is the most complete and authoritative version of Cleland’s work ever produced. The Appendices also include a 1708 survey of the town.
Who Will Be Interested in This Book...
This publication will be of particular value to:
• Local historians and heritage researchers
Those studying Downpatrick, Lecale, or Ulster history will find an unparalleled chronological record stretching from the 2nd century to the mid 19th century.
• Genealogists and family historians
Cleland’s detailed references to local families, clergy, landowners, and townlands provide a rich resource for tracing ancestry in the Downpatrick region.
• Archaeologists and architectural historians
The book preserves descriptions—and in some cases drawings—of buildings long vanished, including the old gaol, Castle Derras, the Three Sisters gallows, and the Cathedral in ruins.
• Students of early Irish Christianity
With extensive material on St Patrick, St Donard, St Cailan, and the medieval church foundations of Down, the Annals offer a rare local perspective on Ireland’s ecclesiastical past.
• Social historians and cultural scholars
Cleland’s eyewitness accounts, local traditions, and anecdotes capture the lived experience of Downpatrick’s people across centuries.
• Residents of Downpatrick and Lecale
For anyone with a connection to the town, this book offers a compelling, accessible narrative of the place they call home—its origins, its landmarks, and the stories that shaped it.
A Major Contribution to Local Heritage
“Cleland’s Annals are more than a historical document – they are a window into the identity of Downpatrick,” says editor Philip S. Blair. “By making this work publicly available for the first time, we hope to inspire renewed interest in the town’s extraordinary past and ensure that its stories continue to be shared.”
The publication aligns with the Lecale Heritage Hub’s mission to preserve and promote the cultural legacy of Lecale through accessible, community focused historical resources.
Publication Details
Title: J.T. Cleland’s Annals of Downpatrick
Author: John T. Cleland (1846)
Editor: Philip S. Blair
Publisher: Lecale Heritage Hub / Ganimor Press
ISBN: 9798 1968 3966 5
Format: Hardback
Pages: 120
Availability: Amazon
Price: £15
