New book 'The Seven Villages of Newtownabbey' to be launched at Rathcoole Library
A new book is to offer an opportunity to learn more about the history, stories, and communities that have shaped Newtownabbey.
‘The Seven Villages of Newtownabbey - Carnmoney, Glengormley, Jordanstown, Monkstown, Whiteabbey, Whitehouse and Whitewell’ will be launched at Rathcoole Library on Thursday, May 21 at 11am.
It was written by Lorna Doherty, Chair of the North of Ireland Family History Society (NIFHS) Antrim and Newtownabbey Branch.
The launch will include an introduction to the book, reflections on the research behind it, and time for conversation and connection with others who share an interest in local heritage.
Anyone with an interest in history, place, and community, and celebrating the importance of preserving and sharing local stories is welcome to attend.
Booking is advised by contacting the library on 028 9085 1157 or by email at [email protected].
30th anniversary sparks drive to create family history document
The Seven Villages author Lorna Doherty, who was brought up on a farm outside Banbridge, has a strong background in education.
She trained as a teacher of Domestic Science, working in various primary and secondary schools for 11 years before being appointed to the EU-funded Transition to Adult and Working Life Project (TRAWL) Project.
After that, she was employed within the Northern Ireland Schools Examinations Council – a forerunner to CCEA – taking on a number of management roles within NI’s examinations system.
Although The Seven Villages is her first historical publication, Lorna has competed numerous reports and publications of various types during her career at CCEA.
The idea for the book first took shape in September 2024, when the NIFHS branch agreed to change its name to Antrim and Newtownabbey, in line with the name of the local council.
"Our Committee decided that since it was our 30th anniversary in 2025, we should initially begin by creating a family history document focussing on the seven villages of Newtownabbey, with the possibility of creating additional documents to encompass the wider Antrim area at a later stage,” Lorna said.
"As Chair of the Branch, I agreed to research and produce the document. It took much longer than expected since, in late 2024, I fell and broke both shoulders and my left arm. Then, in November 2025 I fell again, broke my femur and was hospitalised for six weeks. Thankfully I am now recovering and trying to be very careful!
"Much of the research was conducted online using Wikipedia and facts checked by scrutinising relevant additional sources and books from the NIFHS library at [the Society’s Research Centre] C4. The accuracy of the historical text was also checked by a local historian. I persevered, and the document is now complete to be uploaded online.”
As Lorna conducted her research, the sheer volume of material that was held by various local organisations and groups began to emerge. “The amount of local information that exists if you know where to look – for example, births, marriage and death records held by local churches and now transcribed and available from the NIFHS library,” the author added.
Information about the World Wars and details of those who gave their lives can be gleaned from local churches and various websites.
Also of interest was the McFee 'Stud' Book - two volumes of information collated by William McFee providing details of local families, especially those from the Parish of Carnmoney.
The register includes birth years from the 17th century to 1917, as well as spouses' names and emigration details, where available.
A list of families living in the Belfast Hills, specifically in areas like Carnmoney, Cave Hill, Colin Glen, Divis and the Black Mountain, Ligoniel, and Slievenacloy, is available on the Belfast Hills website. This list includes names, townlands, parishes, and counties, and also offers a link to the 1840s Ireland Griffiths Valuation.
Some well-known names in the area also feature in the book, including sports journalist, photographer and aviator Lilian Bland (1878-1971).
Lilian was the first person to design, build, and fly a biplane in Ireland in 1910, testing it as a glider on Carnmoney Hill.
Lorna’s research also shone a light on Sadie Lee, Glengormley shop owner and motorcyclist. In 1923 and 1926, Sadie raced in The Ulster Motor Cycle Club social run of the season and the Temple Motor Cycle Club.
"Local people told stories about Sadie serving Bob Hope, Bing Crosbie, Al Jolson, and Burl Ives, who came here to entertain American soldiers during World War II,” Lorna said.
Other famous faces with local links include broadcast journalist Bill Neely, who was born in Glengormley in 1959; Rathcoole-born John Anderson (1948-2024), a composer, musician and radio presenter, and Irish footballer Mary Ann ‘Molly’ Seaton, who was born in North Belfast in 1905.
Alongside this is William McCready (1909-82) of Whiteabbey, a postal worker, diarist, and an exceptional book collector.
Renowned for acquiring signed and limited-edition books, McCready also corresponded with notable writers.
The Seven Villages, or any of the branch or Society’s other publications can be purchased via their online shop or by contacting the Secretary of the branch directly at Antrim&[email protected].
About NIFHS Antrim & Newtownabbey Branch
For over 40 years, the North of Ireland Family History Society has been promoting and encouraging the private and public study of family history, genealogy, heraldry and local history.
The Antrim and Newtownabbey Branch started as the Newtownabbey Branch of the Society 31 years after a meeting in Glengormley Library proved there was enough interest in the area to start a branch.
The branch currently meets from September to June on the second Monday of the month, now on Zoom with some in person workshops and outings scattered throughout the season.