Templecranny ruined church & old graveyard - known as "Sweet Port-a-Ferry" church yard.

This is in the townland and parish of Ballyphilip and town of Portaferry. Off of Church Street, in Portaferry's Conservation Area.

"The origin of the site is unknown, the old name, Temple Cranny suggesting that it is of some antiquity. The ruins are possibly as old as the sixteenth century but there was an older parish church in the rectory grounds which was accidentally destroyed about 1784. Temple Cranny was dismantled in 1787 when the modern parish church was built across the road. The Savage memorial was then transferred to the new church and a replica placed in the ruins. The parish registers all date from 1745.

The graveyard is uneven but the grass is kept cut by the local Council. This results in a tidy appearance beneath which many old flat stones are probably concealed. Some of these were uncovered with difficulty to copy for these transcripts. A few stones of sandstone or shale and irretrievably lost by flaking. The oldest dates from 1659."

"One of the most ancient sites in Portaferry, this small graveyard contains graves dating from the 17th century and the remains of an old church. A medieval church is also thought to have stood on this site. For most of the 17th century this was the local place of worship for Presbyterians. The first minister of Portaferry, John Drysdale, preached here. A Royalist, he was arrested by a Cromwellian officer. Several 17th century memorials, including those of Ulster-Scots ancestry, can be seen here. The church was given over to the Church of Ireland and was still in use in the late 18th century. After being removed, Presbyterians built a new meeting house on the site of the current Presbyterian church.

James Maxwell, who is buried here, died fighting for the United Irishmen during the 1798 Rebellion. He died on June 10th at the height of the rebel's success, when they held all of North Down and Ards." [b. 1769 from Corrick, son of Robert and Barbara. His brother, David Maxwell, and his Mother, Barbara are also buried here]