bronte homeland interpretative centre

Former Church and Schoolhouse where Patrick Bronte preached and taught. Father of Charlotte and Emily.

Bronte Homeland Picnic Site, Knockiveagh:
The picnic site at Knockiveagh is an ideal place to stop and see the rolling hills where Patrick Bronte grew up and the mountains of Mourne in the background. The picnic area occupies the ruins of a former shebeen - an illicit drinking house.

Alice McClory's Cottage:
This cottage was the childhood home of Patrick's mother, Alice McClory. Alice and Hugh used to court secretly and some say they eloped to their wedding in Magherally Church, near Banbridge.

The Birthplace Cottage:
Little now remains of the family's two-roomed cottage in the fairy glen at Emdale. The remains have been in the care of the Bronte Homeland Trust since 1956.

Glascar School:
Patrick taught here in the 1790's, although the original schoolhouse was replaced by this more modern building in 1844. He is said to have used enlightened teaching methods to bring out the best in his pupils. He was later dismissed for forming a romantic attachment with one of them.

Situated at Former Drumballyroney Church and School House near Rathfriland, County Down, ten miles south of Banbridge. It is well signposted along the 10-mile route shown on the map.