Benvarden & Its Surrounding Area
Benvarden is a small rural townland in the north of County Antrim.
It is located a few hundred yards outside the village of Ballybogey.
Our townland is part of the Civil Parish of Dunluce and the Barony of Dunluce Lower.
It is located a few hundred yards outside the village of Ballybogey.
Our townland is part of the Civil Parish of Dunluce and the Barony of Dunluce Lower.
Rural Culture & Society
Benvarden has a local church (Ballywatt Presbyterian Church), a primary school (Kilmoyle Primary School), an Orange Lodge (Benvarden Temperance True Blues LOL 1001), a marching band (Benvarden Flute Band) and an Apprentice Boys Club (Benvarden Mitchelburne ABOD).
The River Bush
The River Bush (also known as 'Bush River') flows through Benvarden Gardens and past our Orange Hall on its way to the sea. Anglers regard it to be an excellent location for salmon fishing. St Columb's Rill, a tributary of the River Bush, supplies the water used for distilling Bushmills whiskey.
Lady Macnaghten & The Siege of LondonderryBenvarden has a very strong connection to the events of the Siege of Londonderry.
If you look at the graphic located to your right (depicting Bishop Walker's proclamation of victory), you will notice a woman to his right carrying a baby in her arms. She is wearing the family tartan of the Macnaghten Clan. Her name is Lady Macnaghten of Benvarden. |
We know from history that Lady Macnaghten took her family and workers from Benvarden to Londonderry, in order to keep them safe during the troubled years of 1688 and 1689.
After the siege was over, Lady Macnaghten returned to her Estate at Benvarden House (now owned by the Montgomery family).
Today, in the city of Londonderry, there are still areas of the Waterside named 'Benvarden' in honour of the role played by Lady Macnaghten and the people of Benvarden in defending the Walled City.
After the siege was over, Lady Macnaghten returned to her Estate at Benvarden House (now owned by the Montgomery family).
Today, in the city of Londonderry, there are still areas of the Waterside named 'Benvarden' in honour of the role played by Lady Macnaghten and the people of Benvarden in defending the Walled City.
1859 Revival
The townland of Benvarden was greatly affected by the 1859 Revival - a mighty move of God's Holy Spirit that saw multitudes of people gloriously saved, drawn to Christ, rescued from the Road to Hell and placed upon the Road to Heaven.
The 1859 Revival was a Golden Era in Ulster's History. It all started with just 4 people in Kells who prayed and asked God to "take the field in Ulster". Their names were as follows: James McQuilkin, John Wallace, Robert Carlisle and an Orangeman called Bro Jeremiah Meneely. Another Orangeman, Bro Rev Hugh Hanna, also played an important part in the 1859 Revival.
The 1859 Revival was a Golden Era in Ulster's History. It all started with just 4 people in Kells who prayed and asked God to "take the field in Ulster". Their names were as follows: James McQuilkin, John Wallace, Robert Carlisle and an Orangeman called Bro Jeremiah Meneely. Another Orangeman, Bro Rev Hugh Hanna, also played an important part in the 1859 Revival.
The Ulster Covenant
During the Home Rule Crisis, the famous Ulster Covenant was signed in Benvarden Orange Hall.
Local Military Heroes
When Sir Edward Carson called for the people of Ulster to rise to the challenge, join the Ulster Volunteer Force and enrol with the 36th Ulster Division - the men of Benvarden were not found lacking. Loyal citizens from all over this area answered their country's call.
It comes as no surprise therefore to discover that a number of important military heroes have either lived or worked in this little townland - the most famous being Private John Meeke MM (a member of our lodge who went on to become the Hero of the Battle of Messines in 1917) and Private James McKeeman (a member of Benvarden Flute Band who died at the Somme on 1st July 1916).
It comes as no surprise therefore to discover that a number of important military heroes have either lived or worked in this little townland - the most famous being Private John Meeke MM (a member of our lodge who went on to become the Hero of the Battle of Messines in 1917) and Private James McKeeman (a member of Benvarden Flute Band who died at the Somme on 1st July 1916).
The Causeway Safari Park
For many years, Benvarden was the location of Ulster's famous 'Safari Park'.
The Safari Park was very much a labour of love. It had a very special place in everyone's heart and stories about it abound to this very day. For example, it is said that - during the Ulster Workers Strike of 1974 - local people emptied the contents of their freezers so that the animals could have something to eat.
The Safari Park was very much a labour of love. It had a very special place in everyone's heart and stories about it abound to this very day. For example, it is said that - during the Ulster Workers Strike of 1974 - local people emptied the contents of their freezers so that the animals could have something to eat.
Benvardin Kennels
When Causeway Safari Park closed its doors in the 1990s, it was eventually replaced by the highly esteemed and much loved 'Benvardin Kennels' - an animal sanctuary that does amazing work with dogs.
The Montgomery Estate
Benvarden's most famous residents are The Montgomery Family - understood to be descended from the Scottish House of Montgomery (major backers of the Ulster Plantation).
The Montgomery Family and their descendants did many important things.
One of them founded the Northern Bank in 1809.
Back then it was known as 'Montgomery's Bank'.
In 1907, the Montgomery Family built Benvarden Orange Hall and presented it to our lodge as a gift.
Each 12th July (during the early 1900s), Lady Montgomery provided refreshments for the lodge upon their return from the main demonstration.
The Montgomery Family and their descendants did many important things.
One of them founded the Northern Bank in 1809.
Back then it was known as 'Montgomery's Bank'.
In 1907, the Montgomery Family built Benvarden Orange Hall and presented it to our lodge as a gift.
Each 12th July (during the early 1900s), Lady Montgomery provided refreshments for the lodge upon their return from the main demonstration.
Benvarden Gardens
The Montgomery Estate still stands to this day and is now the site of Benvarden Gardens - a breathtakingly beautiful mansion house and grounds.
In his book entitled, Gardens of Ireland, Terence Reeves-Smyth describes Benvarden Gardens as having one of the "few fully-maintained walled gardens in Ireland and undoubtedly the best in private hands."
In his book entitled, Gardens of Ireland, Terence Reeves-Smyth describes Benvarden Gardens as having one of the "few fully-maintained walled gardens in Ireland and undoubtedly the best in private hands."
The Beast of Ballybogey
Like many other parts of the world, Benvarden has its very own mythical creature, 'The Beast of Ballybogey'. Whilst this distinguished chap went through a bit of a naughty phase back in 2003 to 2007 (when he decided to help himself to a number of local sheep), he does seem to have calmed down a bit since then.
Nowadays he just can't be bothered. He takes it easy, puts in the odd appearance here and there, but seems to be quite well behaved and generally keeps himself to himself. We're all glad that he's decided to turn over a new leaf.
At the height of his mischief, The Beast of Ballybogey attracted the attention of local police, the USPCA, a search-helicopter and a low-flying airplane. A Police Inspector was once quoted as saying: "It is like trying to find a needle in a haystack - except this needle has four legs and is not afraid to use them." Needless to say, the mystery continues.
Nowadays he just can't be bothered. He takes it easy, puts in the odd appearance here and there, but seems to be quite well behaved and generally keeps himself to himself. We're all glad that he's decided to turn over a new leaf.
At the height of his mischief, The Beast of Ballybogey attracted the attention of local police, the USPCA, a search-helicopter and a low-flying airplane. A Police Inspector was once quoted as saying: "It is like trying to find a needle in a haystack - except this needle has four legs and is not afraid to use them." Needless to say, the mystery continues.
Old Kilmoyle School House
Until its demolition a number of years ago, the Old School House stood beside Benvarden Orange Hall.
It was gifted to the local area by The Montgomery Family and functioned as a Rural District School prior to 1958, when it was replaced by Kilmoyle Primary School. Many of our older Lodge Members were educated at the Old School House and have very fond memories of it. |
Benvarden or Benvardin?
‘Benvarden’ is the old-fashioned spelling of ‘Benvardin’.
The 'Benvarden' spelling is used by the Gardens, Orange Lodge, Apprentice Boys Club and Flute Band.
The 'Benvardin' spelling is used by the Kennels, as well as all road signs and modern maps.
The 'Benvarden' spelling is used by the Gardens, Orange Lodge, Apprentice Boys Club and Flute Band.
The 'Benvardin' spelling is used by the Kennels, as well as all road signs and modern maps.
Benvarden: A Tradition of Punching Above Its Weight
As you can see from the above information, the little townland of Benvarden has a long and proud tradition of punching above its weight.
The officers and members of Benvarden Lodge wish to emulate that tradition.
The officers and members of Benvarden Lodge wish to emulate that tradition.