Death Certificate of Father Thomas Patrick Lee, (at the bottom) the first Parish Priest of Kilbirnie. He apparently was infected by fleas whilst giving the Last Rights aged 33.
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Tag: scotland
St Brigids Church History 1862-1962 #kilbirnie #northayrshire
please click here for the document (PDF) Final page here
This 27 page document produced in 1962 looks at Catholicism on the west coast of Scotland and details how the Church in Kilbirnie came to be opened in 1862. It contains a photo of the first priest ( I already posted his death certificate on this blog) as well as the surnames of all of the first Catholic families to worship in the Church which is very good for genealogy researchers. It gives a rare glimpse of Catholic life on the west coast of Scotland and also talks about the opening of the school as well as other Churches in the area.
“Willie Mackie´s Homecoming” #kilbirnie #northayrshire #scotland
Willie Mackie left Kilbirnie Scotland to emigrate to the USA as many people did before him, in search of a better life. As the title suggests, this was his homecoming celebration in Kilbirnie Gospel Hall Brethren Assembly.
This photo would be from the 1930s. Im not sure if he returned to the USA at a later date or settled in Kilbirnie again.
Calling Freedom – A Poem for Scottish Independence
Notice how strongly the fire begins to burn, fed by the air of Freedom
Who has ever fought against our Freedom and won?
See how it burns away bad opinions, and the water of our burns flood
For our betterment, our blood and our places, the water rises.
See the fire and water rise
Hear the winds of our mountains roar
See how they come to take their own, calling for us to stay faithful
Do not stem the water or extinguish the fire
Leave our land’s trees and its streams and it´s fires
To call Freedom, the voice carried in the wind
The courageous gun and sword laid down before our enemies
Shining and moving in museums of a time long ago
Quaking and shaking of cannons in castles
Water and fire is what defends us now, ancestral whispers, Fed by Freedom´s breath of air
See the fire and water rise
Hear the winds of our mountains roar
See how they come, to take their own, calling for us to stay faithful
Do not stem the water or extinguish the fire
Let our land’s trees and its streams and it´s fires, be,
To call Freedom, the voice carried in the wind
Scotland and the UK: Slavery Street Names
Search the UK database https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/
#Scottish #Gaelic on #DuoLingo
If you are interested in Gaelic, the Gaelic version launches on the free Duolingo app on St Andrews Day which is tommorrow.
Auld Simon´s Prayer – A poem for Lochwinnoch
Auld Simon is an unused Church in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland O gentle bell, which rests within the tower; The clock is wound to guard each sleeping hour, Upon the Johnshill Brae where birds take flight, O Presence, Keep us sober, safe, tonight. O shadows long, which cast upon the gates, Darkened thoughts of hopes deferred and hate, Love, illuminate my thought with golden threads, And give me purer, higher, better paths to tread. Of youth who drink and dance upon the tombs, Amidst the birds as sunset hour looms, Gentle Love who always knows me best, Keep me here within your gentle breast. If your old brow does gusts of snow impart A wintry breeze does surely hit the heart, Love, show me snowdrops during that cold spell, And fill my ears with dear Auld Simon´s bell.
Kilbirnie & Beyond 
