Notes from the Diary of John Norris Thompson, Bridge Cottage, Church Road
In Carn Chapel the altar was once in the gable end. It was changed and put in the centre back with a gallery all around. The verdict was that it would surely fall. The pillars of green hart were 9 inches in diameter. The piles on top of the poles were 12 inches square.
It opened with a Mission and during the sermon someone in the congregation shouted that the gallery was coming down. The people panicked and made for the door. Bonnets and shawls were strewn everywhere. It was a nasty hoax – it could have been a tragedy. Only two remained in the Church with the priest.
1854: The name of the parish priest was McCafferty, a very old man. His curate, Mr. Magill was a queer fish and I believe he drank like a fish
Belfry in Carn chapel: finished 1st May, 1875. The Angelus bell rang for the first time on Christmas day, 1876, the bell and the tower of the R.C. chapel being new.
28th March, 1885: Robt. Moore called to obtain our sanction to the extension of the Catholic burying ground.
2nd July, 1885: Festival of the Catholic Temperance at Benduff ground. Turnout of new brass band.
Wakes: Wakes are on the decline. The priests have set their faces against this old institution and such wakes as are now held are no longer the scene of carousing that they were of old and probably the custom will wear out in a few years. The Beenyie or howl over the dead has been discontinued for years. After we came here (1854) there was a funeral at the Church where it was given in good style. This was among the last funerals of Roman Catholics in the old Church burying ground. Since then they all bury in the R.C. Chapel yard. Most of the Presbyterians have got burying ground at the Meeting House now. But all denominations used to bury in the Donagh Churchyard.