Graveyard

The graveyard is to the south of the church and is densely packed with stones of all periods from the 17th century, the oldest being dated 1672. The boundary wall you see behind you was built in 1786.

During the era of the Society of United Irishmen, there was strong support for the rebels’ cause in Killinchy and a large contingent joined up.  The Killinchy members used to meet secretly in or behind the windmill in Killinchy, they sharpened their pikes in a little smithy nearby and hid them in the roof the Presbyterian church.

On 9th June 1798, the Killinchy men took part in an ambush of an advancing government force near Saintfield: the government troops were forced to retreat with the loss of 56 men killed.