History of Sligo, county and town, from the close of the Revolution of 1688 to the present time

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Ancient crystalline rocks at The Rosses

   near The Rosses · locality · Donegal

   A small exposure of ancient crystalline rocks occurs on the low, undulating headland of The Rosses, between Sligo and Drumcliff Bays. This tract stretches eastward for nearly three miles, and the rocks present considerable variety in their composition.

   Read the passage

   Among the Ox Mountains are examples of the results of metamorphic action in the production of varieties of crystalline rocks, depending on the character of the original strata ; thus, there are found, in rotation, beds of granitoid gneiss, mica schist, quartzite, and crj^stalline limestone, whose original composition was, in all probability, sandstone, shale, grit, or limestone. A small exposure of these old rocks occurs also at intervals on the low, undulating headland of " The Rosses," between Sligo and Drumcliff Bays. This tract stretches eastward for nearly three miles, and the rocks present considerable variety in their composition. From observations

   264 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 131

   As the companion tells it

   The Rosses, the low, undulating headland you're passing through between Sligo and Drumcliff Bays, holds a small exposure of ancient crystalline rocks. This tract stretches eastward for nearly 3 miles, and the rocks show considerable variety in their composition. They are the same kind found among the Ox Mountains, where metamorphic action produced beds of granitoid gneiss, mica schist, quartzite, and crystalline limestone. These were once, in all probability, nothing more than sandstone, shale, grit, or ordinary limestone, transformed deep in the earth over vast stretches of time.

2. Bank of Ireland branch opens on The Mall, Sligo, 1828

   The Mall · street · Sligo · 1828

   The Bank of Ireland announced the opening of a branch in Sligo, commencing business at an office on The Mall on a Monday in January 1828, for the discounting of bills and other banking transactions. Agents Richard Gethin and George Dodwell managed the opening.

   Read the passage

   " Bank of Ireland. The undermentioned agents for conducting a branch of the Bank of Ireland in Sligo, will commence business in their office on The Mall, on Monday the 7 th instant for the discounting of Bills and other Banking transactions.

   " Januanj 3rd, 1828. " Richakd Gethix.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 89

   As the companion tells it

   Along here on The Mall, the Bank of Ireland opened a Sligo branch on the 7th of January, 1828, for discounting bills and other banking business. The agents conducting it were Richard Gethin and George Dodwell, before another manager took over in 1834.

3. Calp sandstone formations of Cliffoney

   Cliffony · town · Sligo

   The northern part of the Cliffoney district features nearly horizontal beds of reddish and yellow sandstones and grits known as 'calp' sandstones, stretching between the mountain and the sea.

   Read the passage

   The Carboniferous system is largely represented in Sligo by Upper, Middle (ealp),and Lower Limestone, and Lower Carboniferous Sandstone. Over an anticliual of this latter subdivision, the road from Dromore West to Sligo passes for a mile and a-lialf, about the average width of the formation which extends from the sea to the Ox range, a distance of four miles. The same sandstone also occurs west of Aelare, with a north-easterly strike for some miles along the base of the metamorphic ridge. Associated with the Middle Limestone is found a series of reddish yellow, brown, and white sandstones, grits, &c., known as " calp " sandstones, that spread their nearly horizontal beds over the whole of the northern part of the Cliffoney district, between the foot of the mountain and the sea, and re-appear in the Mullaghmore promontorj^, and the island of Inismurray. Beds of calp limestone are found unusually fossiliferous in this district, as at the " Serpent " rock, which derives its rather fanciful name from the masses of large curved cylindrical corals, well exposed by weathering. A mile east of this the beds are cut by a four-foot dyke of basalt. The rocks on the shore, west of Streedagh House, abound in specimens of fossil corals, as Zaphrentis cylindrica, 18 to 2-1 inches in length, and two or three inches in diameter, which project from the surface of the beds, that are themselves often largely formed of such cluster corals as Lithostrotion. There are also large-sized brachiopods, as Productus and Spinfer. Similar beds at " Gibraltar " (two miles west of Sligo), contain Zap/treiifis, locally styled " rams' horns ; " and it is frequently seen on both sides of Ballysadare Bay. The Lower Carboniferous Limestone is, in some places, represented by a brown or gray crystalline magnesian limestone (dolomite), as at Eosses Point; to the north of Ballintogher, by light and dark gray compact limestone, having a metallic ring when struck. At Ballysadare it affords an excellent building stone (dark gray and subcrj^stalline), capable of being used for tombstones, &c. &c. The Upper Limestone occupies a large aggregate extent of the county ; Lough Gill is almost entirely surrounded by it ; so is Lough Arrow, and the intermediate Barony of Tirerrill is largely

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 132

   As the companion tells it

   As you come through the town of Cliffony in Sligo, you are passing over nearly horizontal beds of reddish and yellow sandstones and grits known as "calp" sandstones. They spread across the whole northern part of this district, lying between the foot of the mountain and the sea. The same beds reappear out on the Mullaghmore promontory and on the island of Inismurray. The calp limestone here is unusually rich in fossils. At a spot called the "Serpent" rock, weathering has exposed masses of large curved cylindrical corals, which gave the rock its fanciful name. A mile east of that point, a four-foot dyke of basalt cuts through the beds. On the shore west of Streedagh House, the rocks abound in fossil corals, some eighteen to twenty-four inches long and two or three inches across, projecting from the surface of beds that are themselves often largely formed of cluster corals. Large brachiopods are also found in these layers.

4. Carrowlustia stream excluded from reservoir

   Carrowlustia · townland · Sligo

   A third stream, the Carrowlustia, with a drainage catchment of 350 acres, lies on the west side of the reservoir. Because most of its area is peaty in character, its water is diverted around the south side of the reservoir rather than allowed to enter it.

   Read the passage

   which he had superintended the carrying out of the plans." The water supply for the town is taken from a catchment area in the neighbouring- mountainous district, having a mean elevation of 950 feet above the sea and situate between the counties of Leitrim and Sligo. The drainage from this district is carried off by two streams or rivers, the Doonally river, the catchment basin of which is 1315 acres, and the Kilsellagh stream, with an area of 628 acres ; the latter falls into the Doonally river, and both together flowing by Doonally House and Rathbraghan disci large into the sea about a mile north of the town. The total drainage ground, therefore, from which the flow can be utilized is 1910 acres, and taking the average available rainfall in the district as thirty inches, the daily flow off the ground would be 3,637,500 gallons, of which only about 400,000 are daily required for town use, thus leaving the balance to be stored in the reservoir or allowed to run down the stream. On the west side of the reservoir there is a third stream — the Carrowlustia — having a drainage catchment of 350 acres ; as most of this area, however, is of a peaty character, the water from it is not allowed to enter the reservoir, but is diverted and flows round the south side of the reservoir, falling into the Doonally river just below the embankment.

   The principal works in connexion with the water supply are the (1) iinpouuding or storage reservoir on the Doonally and Kilsellagli streams, with its flood water-course, embankment, outlet- tower, waste-weir, &c. ; (2j the piping to the relief tanks and service-reservoir; (3) the service-reservoir and the works of distribution through the town.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 95

5. Chapel at Longford with image-worship inscription

   Longford · town · Longford

   A quaint little chapel in the grounds of Longford bears a Latin inscription expressing the doctrine of image-worship: that the image teaches about God but is not itself God, and that one should worship in the mind what one discerns in the image.

   Read the passage

   The following statement of the doctrine of image- worship may be observed in the quaint little chapel, situated in the grounds of Longford,

   B

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 2

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Longford, there is a small chapel in the grounds that carries a Latin inscription on image worship. The doctrine it sets out is that an image teaches about God but is not itself God, and that one should worship in the mind what one discerns in the image.

6. Collooney–Boyle road via Ballinafad built

   Ballinafad · townland · Sligo · 1800

   The road from Collooney to Boyle via Tubberscanavan and Ballinafad was constructed about the beginning of the nineteenth century, with subsequent alterations for better gradients. Much of it is now nearly deserted due to rail traffic diversion.

   Read the passage

   The road from Collooney to Boyle, by Tubberscanavan and

   ' It is shown on the map of 1778. O 2

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 99

7. Famine Relief in Sligo Town, 1822

   Sligo · town · Sligo · 1822

   In 1822, relief efforts in Sligo town provided gratuitous aid to hundreds of families across four districts. Labourers were employed and women spun flax, while provisions were sold at reduced rates to combat poverty.

   Read the passage

   167 labourers employed at 4s. 6d. each per week, . 108 women, spinning flax, at a weekly loss of, The weekly loss on the sale of provisions at reduced rates. Supposed increase of weekly gratuitous aid to paupers,

   till 20th August,

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 221

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Sligo, in 1822 this town saw relief efforts for hundreds of families across four districts. Labourers were employed, women spun flax, and provisions were sold at reduced rates to fight poverty, continuing till the 20th of August.

8. Glencar visited by eagles and falcons

   Glencar · electoral division · Sligo

   Glencar was noted as a winter haunt of the Golden Eagle, which formerly bred in County Sligo, and as a locality frequented by the Peregrine Falcon. These observations were recorded by R. Warren as part of a catalogue of County Sligo birds.

   Read the passage

   Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetus). Visits Glencar in winter. Formerly bred in the county.

   Sea Eagle (Aquila alUcilla). Now known only as a rare Tisitor.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 263

9. Raised beach peninsula on Ballysadare Bay

   Ballysadare Bay · bay · Sligo

   A larger area of raised beach deposits on the north shore of Ballysadare Bay forms a peninsula seldom overflowed by the sea, further indicating a slight elevation of the land in comparatively modern times.

   Read the passage

   In conclusion, a few observations niay be made with regard to raised-beaches — those very recent examples of geological activity. Portions of the coast of Drumcliff Bay, near Carney, which contain shells of oysters, clams, periwinkles, &c., are now from four to six or seven feet above high- water mark. In Sligo Bay, at Ballincar, and near "Gibraltar," there are also silty deposits with cockles and other sliells embedded, all now well beyond tlie reach of the tide. A larger area of similar character on the north shore of Ballysadare Bay, and forming a sort of peninsula seldom if ever overflowed by the sea, seems to indicate a sliglit elevation of the land in comparatively modern times.'

   Irish names of localities are generally descriptive, either of tlie peculiarities of the configuration of the ground in the immediate vicinity, or of some prominent object or objects which there attracted attention. In the " Field-Name Books " of the Ordnance Survey (whicli are now in the Mountjoy Barracks, Phoenix Park), the Irish name, English orthography, and translation of every townland name in Ireland is given — so far as O'Donovan was able to ascertain at the time, i. e. some half-century ago. In Appendix I. a transcript of the MS. is given — so for as relates to the County Sligo — without alteration or annotation, on the authority of O'Donovan. Some of the translations are now, by the best authorities, considered erroneous, but the vast majority are correct.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 135

10. Rathmadder townland named for the drinking vessel

    Rathmadder · townland · Sligo

    A townland in the Parish of Kilfree is called Rathmadder, meaning 'the Fort of the Madder,' named after the traditional four-handled madder drinking vessel. The name preserves the memory of this ancient drinking cup associated with Irish feasting customs.

    Read the passage

    ' There is a townland in the Parish of Kilfree, styled Rathmadder, i.e. the Fort of the Madder.

    ^ Another poor woman describing the peaceful end of her daughter said " she stole away like the mist up the mountain side."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 175

11. Reproductive Loan Fund for poor Sligo fishermen

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1875–1888

    The Irish Reproductive Loan Fund issued a total of £4,962 to poor fishermen over the fourteen years ending 31 December 1888, of which almost the entire amount was repaid.

    Read the passage

    By a return received, it would appear that the total amount issued by the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund to poor fishermen in the fourteen years to 31st December, 1888, was but £4962, of which almost the entire is repaid.

    Prior to 1847 salmon might be caught at any period of the year in the Sligo river ; but the time was then restricted from the 1st January to the 20th August. In 1863 the close season was extended to the 14th February, and no fishing was permitted on Saturday or Sunday ; for each net employed, a licence which cost £3 had to be taken out.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 128

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, this town once had a small scheme for its poor fishermen. Between 1875 and 1888 the Irish Reproductive Loan Fund issued just under £4,962 to them over fourteen years, and almost the entire amount was repaid. Before 1847, salmon could be caught at any time of year in the Sligo river. Then the season was restricted to between 1 January and 20 August. In 1863 the close season was extended to 14 February, and no fishing was allowed on Saturday or Sunday. Each net required a licence costing £3.

12. Sea-caves at Aughris, Dirk, and Raughly

    Aughris · townland · Sligo

    The coastline of County Sligo features numerous natural sea-caves formed in the local limestone. Notable examples of these coastal geological curiosities are found at Aughris, Dirk, and Raughly.

    Read the passage

    Of natural curiosities, a series of caves in the limestone (already described, vol. i., pp. 375-8) may be mentioned ; and there are numerous sea- caves, as at Aughris, Dirk, Raughly, &c., not requiring particular mention here.

    A glance at the geological map shows that Sligo forms part of the great limestone plain of Ireland. A strip, differently coloured, representing various igneous and metamorphic rocks, such as granite, quartzite, mica schist, gneiss, extends across the county from the shores of Lough Conn, in Mayo, to Benbo Hill, in Leitrim, where it ends abruptly. The Ox Mountains form the Sligo portion of this metamorphic baud, whose conical or dome-shaped outlines are in marked contrast to the bold escarpments and terraces of the mountain-

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 130

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the limestone coast has carved out sea caves at Aughris, Dirk, and Raughly. The book that records them calls them natural curiosities but says they don't need particular mention, so that's all we get. Sligo sits on the great limestone plain of Ireland, which is what gives the coast these caves in the first place.

13. Sligo Militia marched to Dundalk

    Dundalk · town · Louth

    Following its campaign in the south of Ireland, the Sligo Militia regiment was marched to Dundalk. The regiment had previously been moved south and replaced by the Clare Militia.

    Read the passage

    Almost immediately after its embodiment in 1793, the Sligo Regiment was moved to the South of Ireland, and was replaced in December, 1791, by the Clare Militia. After its

    32 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 15

14. St. Vincent de Paul Society in Sligo Cathedral vestry

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    The vestry adjoining Sligo Cathedral was built in a style corresponding to the Cathedral. Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society held weekly conferences there, benefiting the deserving poor of the town.

    Read the passage

    The vestry adjoining the cathedral is built in corresponding style. Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society here hold their weekly conference ; their labours are of benefit to the deserving poor of the town.

    It is curious that neither the Friary Church nor the Cathedral are built in accordance with the ancient and Catholic practice of " Orientation."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 64

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, the cathedral vestry is built in a matching style to the cathedral itself. Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society hold their weekly conferences there, and their work benefits the deserving poor of the town. The record also notes that neither the Friary Church nor the Cathedral follow the ancient Catholic practice of orientation.

15. Ulster Bank branch in Ballymote

    Ballymote · town · Sligo

    A branch of the Ulster Bank was established in Ballymote, under the charge of Mr. Tew.

    Read the passage

    The Ulster Bank opened a branch in Sligo, 7th December, 1861, under the management of Mr. James Daniel Mitchell, who was succeeded in September, 1863, by Mr. Robert M'Cullagh, and he, in tm-n, was replaced in 1875 by Mr. George Heron, who died April, 1889, since which date the Bank has been under the management of Mr. John C. Quin. The present handsome building was erected in the years 1862-3, at a cost of somewhat over £5000. There is also a branch in Ballymote in charge of Mr. Tew.

    The handsome banking edifices here described as situate in the town of Sligo, are all in the same street, so that the conundrum propounded nearly fifty years ago in the pages of The Cryptic, with regard to Stephen-street, is still applicable to the locality, viz. that it resembles a canal because it has a bank on both sides !

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 90

16. Failed slate quarry near Lough Talt

    near Lough Talt · lake or lakes · Sligo · 1800

    At the beginning of the 19th century, Mr. Taaffe opened a slate quarry near Lough Talt. However, the quarry proved to be a commercial failure.

    Read the passage

    In the commencement of this century a slate quarry was opened by Mr. Taaffe near Lough Talt, but it proved a failure.

    Brick-clay is found in a few localities in the county ; it is "worked near Collooney, and in Leitrim, on the river Bonet ; the bricks, however, are of an inferior quality.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 126

17. Presbyterian church and school at Clogher, Coolavin

    Clogher · townland · Sligo · 1852

    A small Presbyterian church, manse, and school were erected in the townland of Clogher in the half barony of Coolavin approximately forty years before the book's publication. A similar settlement existed near Ballymote, improved in 1833 with a grant from the Emlaghfad Vestry.

    Read the passage

    In the townland of Clogher (half barony of Coolavin) there is a small Presbyterian Church, Manse, and School, which were erected some forty years ago. There is a somewhat similar settlement near Ballymote ; and in 1833 the congregation was enabled to improve their place of w^orship by means of a grant from the Emlaghfad Vestry.

    The Congkegational or Independent Church is mentioned during the time of the Commonwealth, when it is alleged that a Puritan or Independent Minister resided for some years in Sligo, and preached in St. John's Church, but was " silenced upon the Restoration in 1660." His following must have either dispersed or been merged in the Irish Church, for the sect remained without visible existence till the year 1773 or 1780, when Andrew Maiben (a Scotch merchant engaged in the linen trade) settled in Sligo, and commenced a regular " Sabbath-day" service. Maiben was a Presbyterian, but on account of the then minister of his denomination holding and preaching doctrines of which he did not approve, he (Maiben) commenced a daily prayer meeting. Through this means a young man named Albert Blest was converted, and became an earnest supporter of and worker with Mr. Maiben, and these two alternately addressed the meeting. Thus was commenced the Independent Congregation in Sligo, although neither of its founders held the views which are generally associated with the name Independent.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 70

18. Act of Union and Sligo Borough Representation

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1800

    Following the Act of Union, the Borough of Sligo was restricted to returning only one Member to the Imperial Parliament.

    Read the passage

    {Bi/ the Act of Union Sligo Borough returned only one Member to the Imperial Parliament.)

    1802, July 24, 1806, July 16,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 219

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you're in a town whose political voice was cut down by the Act of Union in 1800. Before then, Sligo Borough returned two members to parliament. After the union, it returned only one. The records note elections in 1802 and 1806.

19. Duel at Camphill near Collooney, January 1836

    Camphill · townland · Cork · 1836

    A duel meeting took place on Sunday morning, 23rd January 1836, at Camphill, near Collooney, between H. Fawcett and another party. The outcome is not described in this section as the passage cuts off.

    Read the passage

    A meeting took place on Sunday morning, 23rd January, 1836, at Camphill, near Collooney, between H. Fawcett and

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 160

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Camphill, a meeting took place on Sunday morning, 23 January 1836, between H. Fawcett and another party. The record breaks off there, so we do not know how it ended.

20. Geological faulting at Belladrihid

    Belladrihid · townland · Sligo

    The boundaries of the metamorphic ridge near Ballysadare display great lines of faulting that disturbed the Carboniferous strata. These complex dislocations are well displayed in the tilted limestone exposures at Belladrihid.

    Read the passage

    The salient features in the geology of Sligo are (I) the enormous denudation of the Carboniferous beds in the northeast ; (2) the position and structure of the metamorphic ridge ; and (3) the many interesting indications of the movement of the ice- sheet. It may assist in conveying an idea of this general denudation if we try to estimate the quantity of material that would be required to fill up even one of the excavated valleys — say Glencar. A mass adequate for this purpose would need to be nine miles long, with a breadth of two miles at each end, and one in the centre, and a vertical thickness ranging from 400 to 1100 feet. And yet the gap, large as it is, is but a small part of the total excavation that has left the adjacent mountains standing out in conspicuous relief. At and near the boundaries of the metamorphic ridge often occur great lines of faulting that run in various directions, and have greatly disturbed the tranquillity with which the deposition of the great Carboniferous strata took place. The traces of such disturbances are well displayed in the limestone exposures north-east of Ballysadare, at Belladrihid, where the beds are tilted at high angles. The complex dislocation in this locality forms a link between the great break that exists to the westward and that which forms the northern boundary of the metamorphic band eastward, and which has been traced for upwards of twenty-five miles.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 134

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Belladrihid, the limestone beds are tilted at steep angles, exposing a complex record of geological disturbance. These are great lines of faulting that run in various directions along the boundaries of the metamorphic ridge, and they disrupted the Carboniferous strata that had been laid down here with what the geologist Woodworth called "tranquillity." The dislocation at this spot forms a link between a great break to the west and another fault that marks the northern boundary of the metamorphic band to the east, traced for upwards of 25 miles. The tilted exposures lie north-east of Ballysadare, and they show clearly how the old strata were shoved and broken. The wider story is one of enormous denudation across Sligo, where vast quantities of Carboniferous rock were stripped away over time, leaving mountains standing out in conspicuous relief. The gap at Glencar alone would need a mass nine miles long, up to two miles wide, and 400 to 1100 feet thick just to fill it back in.

21. Lead mine near Ballysadare worked in 1778

    Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 1778

    A lead mine near Ballysadare was worked in the year 1778 but proved unremunerative. No further details of the venture's scale or duration are given in the section.

    Read the passage

    In the year 1778 the lead mine near Ballysadare was worked, but proved unremunerative.

    Writing in 1802 M'Parlan states that iron works had been carried on by Mr. Eutledge in the County Sligo, until the neighbouring woods were consumed as fuel. The works were then transferred to Foxford.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 129

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Ballysadare, a lead mine was worked in 1778. It proved unremunerative, and nothing more is recorded of its scale or how long it lasted.

22. Magnesian limestone at Rosses Point

    Rosses Point · town · Sligo

    At Rosses Point, the Lower Carboniferous Limestone is represented by a brown or gray crystalline magnesian limestone, also known as dolomite.

    Read the passage

    The Carboniferous system is largely represented in Sligo by Upper, Middle (ealp),and Lower Limestone, and Lower Carboniferous Sandstone. Over an anticliual of this latter subdivision, the road from Dromore West to Sligo passes for a mile and a-lialf, about the average width of the formation which extends from the sea to the Ox range, a distance of four miles. The same sandstone also occurs west of Aelare, with a north-easterly strike for some miles along the base of the metamorphic ridge. Associated with the Middle Limestone is found a series of reddish yellow, brown, and white sandstones, grits, &c., known as " calp " sandstones, that spread their nearly horizontal beds over the whole of the northern part of the Cliffoney district, between the foot of the mountain and the sea, and re-appear in the Mullaghmore promontorj^, and the island of Inismurray. Beds of calp limestone are found unusually fossiliferous in this district, as at the " Serpent " rock, which derives its rather fanciful name from the masses of large curved cylindrical corals, well exposed by weathering. A mile east of this the beds are cut by a four-foot dyke of basalt. The rocks on the shore, west of Streedagh House, abound in specimens of fossil corals, as Zaphrentis cylindrica, 18 to 2-1 inches in length, and two or three inches in diameter, which project from the surface of the beds, that are themselves often largely formed of such cluster corals as Lithostrotion. There are also large-sized brachiopods, as Productus and Spinfer. Similar beds at " Gibraltar " (two miles west of Sligo), contain Zap/treiifis, locally styled " rams' horns ; " and it is frequently seen on both sides of Ballysadare Bay. The Lower Carboniferous Limestone is, in some places, represented by a brown or gray crystalline magnesian limestone (dolomite), as at Eosses Point; to the north of Ballintogher, by light and dark gray compact limestone, having a metallic ring when struck. At Ballysadare it affords an excellent building stone (dark gray and subcrj^stalline), capable of being used for tombstones, &c. &c. The Upper Limestone occupies a large aggregate extent of the county ; Lough Gill is almost entirely surrounded by it ; so is Lough Arrow, and the intermediate Barony of Tirerrill is largely

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 132

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Rosses Point in Sligo, the rock beneath the ground belongs to the Lower Carboniferous Limestone. Here it takes the form of a brown or gray crystalline magnesian limestone, also known as dolomite. The book names this place as one of the spots where that particular type of stone is found.

23. Marine inscription in Ballysadare churchyard

    Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

    The churchyard at Ballysadare contains a marine inscription of a type common in the 18th century, similar to the one on Captain James Hamilton's tombstone at St. John's in Sligo.

    Read the passage

    It is alleged that, by reason perhaps of cliemieals in the soil, yews will not grow in the chiirch3''ard except in freshlyimported earth, that few, if any, worms burrow in the ground, and that rats do not frequent the place. Like most churchyards in the country, there are few tombs of any antiquity remaining, that of Sir Roger Jones being the oldest. One inscription records the death of a man " who deceased being aged 120 years," and here and there the beholder is startled by sight of the word " executed," in bold lettering ; but it relates, not to the manner of death of the occupant of the tomb, but to the self -advertising of the sculptor. A very common 18th century marine inscription, somewhat similar to that in the churchyard at Ballysadare, may be seen on the slab over the last restiugplace of Captain James Hamilton, who died in 1766 : —

    " Tho' Boreas' blasts and Neptune's waves

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 67

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in Ballysadare, the churchyard holds a marine inscription of a kind that was common in the 18th century. A similar one can be seen in Sligo at St. John's, on the slab over Captain James Hamilton, who died in 1766. That stone carries the words, "Tho' Boreas' blasts and Neptune's waves," a style of seafaring memorial that this Ballysadare inscription shares.

24. Relief-work roads in County Sligo, 1880–1882

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1880–1882

    During the relief-works of 1880–1882 approximately forty-five miles of road in County Sligo were newly made or improved, adding to the network expanded during the earlier famine relief-works of 1845–1849.

    Read the passage

    In the relief-works of 1880-1882, about forty-five miles of road were newly made or improved.

    The annexed Table will show the comparative mileage under repair at various periods. No statistics prior to 1S27

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you are on roads shaped by hunger. During the relief-works of 1880 to 1882, about 45 miles of road in County Sligo were newly made or improved, part of the same network expanded during the earlier famine relief-works of 1845 to 1849.

25. Ring Ouzel at Lough Talt and Hollybrook

    near Lough Talt · lake or lakes · Sligo

    The Ring Ouzel, or Ring Blackbird, was a regular summer visitor to the mountain districts of County Sligo and was noted as common about Lough Talt and near Hollybrook. The observation formed part of R. Warren's bird catalogue.

    Read the passage

    Ring Ouzel, or Ring Blackbird {Tardus torquatus). Regular summer visitor to the mountain districts ; common about Lough Talt, and near Hollvbrook.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 263

26. Rubbly limestone at Keash

    near Kesh · population centre · Sligo

    The Carboniferous limestone at Keash and the surrounding district is sometimes amorphous and 'rubbly' in structure, with beds that are highly fossiliferous, containing corals and encrinites.

    Read the passage

    composed of this rock, which also forms a capping to the limestone mountains already mentioned. This limestone is usually pure, light gray or bluish, and massive ; at many points the beds are highly fossiliferous, containing corals, encnniten, &c. Chert, a siliceous material resembling flint, is of common occurrence, concretionary or bedded ; and the limestone itself is sometimes amorphous in structure, " rubbly," as seen at Keash and other places in that district.

    The upper members of the Carboniferous group include the Coal Measures, remnants of a once widely extended formation, but which has been almost entirely swept away by the agents of denudation that have given to the north-east of the county its remarkably bold physical features, its high table-lands, and deep and broad valleys, with the terraced escarpments tluit bound them. What is known as the " Connaiiglit Coal Field " extends only a short way into Sligo ; it is described as (1) the south-west district (Arigua), County Roscommon ; (2), the northwest district adjoining ; (8), the Slieve-au-Ieran district, including all coal-bearing strata east of Lough Allen, County Leitrim. In two townlands in Sligo, Ballinashee and Straduff, pits have been sunk yielding coal from a seam sixteen to seventeen inches thick. These Coal Measures may be looked on as fragments of a once extensive coal field. They afford a clay-ironstone of good quality, containing as high as 41 per cent, of the metal, and formerly made use of for smelting purposes.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 133

27. Sligo postal revenue and staff growth 1870-1890

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1870–1890

    The weekly circulation of letters from the Sligo post office district grew from 13,000 in 1870 to 44,500 in 1890, while telegrams rose from 300 to 2,300. Staff at Sligo grew from 7 to 26, and sub-offices from 11 to 18 over the same period.

    Read the passage

    Weekly circulation of letters, . . 13,000 16,500 44,500

    ,, ,, telegrams, . 300 850 2,300

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 108

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, think of the post office here in the 20 years after 1870. Weekly letter circulation grew from 13,000 to 44,500, and telegrams from 300 to 2,300. The staff rose from 7 to 26, with sub-offices going from 11 to 18. A quiet town getting busier.

28. Toomour altar slab near old church

    Toomour · townland · Sligo

    The altar at Toomour, close to the old church, shows no vestige of mortar and bears a slab about two feet from the ground with peculiar strokes at its northern extremity. Three flags on edge and a dumbbell-shaped natural rock fragment rest on it, the latter resembling the healing-stone of St. Conall.

    Read the passage

    The altar at Toomour — close to the old church — shows not the slightest vestige of mortar. The altar slab, about two feet

    from the ground, is represented by fig. 54. ^ fr— —

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 184

29. Townland names of Drumrat Parish

    Drumrat · parish · Sligo

    This section provides Irish-language etymologies for numerous townlands in the parish of Drumrat, County Sligo. Names reference local features like raths and mills, historical associations like old burial grounds, and physical features like rocks and hills.

    Read the passage

    Parish of Drumrat.

    Abbeyville, or Ard- ) laherty, . . )

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 237

30. Upper Limestone surrounding Lough Gill

    near Lough Gill · lake or lakes · Kerry

    The Upper Limestone occupies a large aggregate extent of County Sligo, with Lough Gill being almost entirely surrounded by this limestone formation.

    Read the passage

    The Carboniferous system is largely represented in Sligo by Upper, Middle (ealp),and Lower Limestone, and Lower Carboniferous Sandstone. Over an anticliual of this latter subdivision, the road from Dromore West to Sligo passes for a mile and a-lialf, about the average width of the formation which extends from the sea to the Ox range, a distance of four miles. The same sandstone also occurs west of Aelare, with a north-easterly strike for some miles along the base of the metamorphic ridge. Associated with the Middle Limestone is found a series of reddish yellow, brown, and white sandstones, grits, &c., known as " calp " sandstones, that spread their nearly horizontal beds over the whole of the northern part of the Cliffoney district, between the foot of the mountain and the sea, and re-appear in the Mullaghmore promontorj^, and the island of Inismurray. Beds of calp limestone are found unusually fossiliferous in this district, as at the " Serpent " rock, which derives its rather fanciful name from the masses of large curved cylindrical corals, well exposed by weathering. A mile east of this the beds are cut by a four-foot dyke of basalt. The rocks on the shore, west of Streedagh House, abound in specimens of fossil corals, as Zaphrentis cylindrica, 18 to 2-1 inches in length, and two or three inches in diameter, which project from the surface of the beds, that are themselves often largely formed of such cluster corals as Lithostrotion. There are also large-sized brachiopods, as Productus and Spinfer. Similar beds at " Gibraltar " (two miles west of Sligo), contain Zap/treiifis, locally styled " rams' horns ; " and it is frequently seen on both sides of Ballysadare Bay. The Lower Carboniferous Limestone is, in some places, represented by a brown or gray crystalline magnesian limestone (dolomite), as at Eosses Point; to the north of Ballintogher, by light and dark gray compact limestone, having a metallic ring when struck. At Ballysadare it affords an excellent building stone (dark gray and subcrj^stalline), capable of being used for tombstones, &c. &c. The Upper Limestone occupies a large aggregate extent of the county ; Lough Gill is almost entirely surrounded by it ; so is Lough Arrow, and the intermediate Barony of Tirerrill is largely

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 132

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel near Lough Gill, you are passing through one of the great stretches of Upper Limestone that covers a large part of County Sligo. The lake is almost entirely surrounded by this formation, as is Lough Arrow to the south, with the Barony of Tirerrill lying largely between them. The limestone here belongs to the Carboniferous system, which is extensively represented across Sligo through Upper, Middle, and Lower Limestone, along with Lower Carboniferous Sandstone. The same system produces building stone at Ballysadare, dark gray and sub-crystalline, used for tombstones. At Rosses Point the Lower Carboniferous Limestone appears as a brown or gray crystalline magnesian limestone, and near Sligo at a place called Gibraltar, fossil corals known as Zaphrentis are found in the beds, locally styled rams' horns.

31. Volunteer brigade review planned near Sligo, 1781

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1781

    A detailed plan was drawn up for a review of the Sligo Volunteer brigade near Sligo on 19 July 1781. The cavalry and infantry were to form a single brigade with elaborate manoeuvres including an attack on a bridge and the passage of a river.

    Read the passage

    *Plan of a review to be held near Sligo on Thursday, the 19th July next, 1781.

    [To face page 8.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Sligo, on 19 July 1781 a plan was drawn up to review the Sligo Volunteer brigade near here. The cavalry and infantry were to form a single brigade, with elaborate manoeuvres including an attack on a bridge and the passage of a river.

32. Water Distribution at Stephen Street

    Stephen Street · street · Sligo

    The main sluice controlling the pipe line from the service reservoir terminated in Stephen Street, opposite New Bridge Street. From this point, water was distributed throughout Sligo town in pipes varying from eight to three inches in diameter, equipped with street wells and fire-plugs.

    Read the passage

    is laid a cast-iron cleansing pipe. The straining tower is of masonry, having near the bottom three outlets, in front of which are placed wire-gauze strainers in oak frames ; through these the water is admitted to the interior of the tower ; they can be moved at pleasure, and are counterbalanced by weights that are suspended in the interior of the tower, and are connected with the strainers by chains passing over pulleys hung in the upper part of the walls. From this tower to the sluice-pit — which is a masonry tower built in the centre of the bank of the reservoir— is placed the sluice on the line of pipes that lead to the town, and which terminates in Stephen-street, opposite New Bridge-street. From this line in which are placed two scouring cocks, the water is distributed through the town in pipes that vary in diameter from eight to three inches, and are provided with street wells, and fire-plugs or hydrants. Sluice- cocks also are placed in the pipes, so that in case repairs should be requisite, the water may be shut off from the various streets or districts ; and provision is also made for supplying the town directly from the Doonally Keservoir, in the event of its being for any purpose necessary to empty the Service Reservoir. Within the last five years the waterworks have realized a net profit of nearly £1,500. In May, 1890, the accounts showed a clear profit of £546, so that financially, it is hoped, the enterprise may prove to be eventually a decided success. The actual supply of water is abundant, and would be sufficient to meet the requirements of a town of 50,000 inhabitants.*

    * The Engineer, 1881, pp. 160-2.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 96

    As the companion tells it

    Along here on Stephen Street, the main supply pipe from the service reservoir comes to an end, opposite New Bridge Street. From this point the water spreads out through Sligo in pipes ranging from eight to three inches in diameter, fitted with street wells and fire-plugs or hydrants. Sluice-cocks are set into the pipes so that if repairs are needed, the water can be shut off from individual streets or districts. There is also provision to supply the town directly from the Doonally Reservoir, should the Service Reservoir ever need to be emptied. The waterworks have done reasonably well financially. Within the last five years they realized a net profit of nearly £1,500, and in May 1890 the accounts showed a clear profit of £546. The actual supply of water is abundant, and would be sufficient to meet the requirements of a town of 50,000 inhabitants.

33. 1663 trade token of Thomas Goodin in Enniscrone

    near Inishcrone · town · Sligo · 1663

    Thomas Goodin, a merchant, issued a trade token in Enniscrone in 1663, bearing the image of a castle on the obverse. This discovery demonstrates that such tokens were struck not only in the town of Sligo but also in country villages.

    Read the passage

    (7.) THO. GOODIN MAECHANT (a castle) ; ret^ers^?, OF INESCEONE. 1663.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 85

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Inishcrone, in 1663 a merchant named Thomas Goodin issued a trade token here. It bears a castle on its face. This small coin shows that such tokens were struck in country villages like Enniscrone, not just in the town of Sligo.

34. Heronries established across Sligo estates

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo

    Active heronries were recorded at seven named Sligo locations: Annaghmore, Templehouse, Tanrego, Hazlewood, Cleveragh, Portland, and Hollybrook.

    Read the passage

    There are Heronries at Annaghmore, Templehouse, Tanrego, Hazlewood, Cleveragh, Portland, and Hollybrook.

    GEOLOGY, GENERAL FEATURES, ETC. .'i05

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 153

35. Three stone crannogs in Lough Talt

    near Lough Talt · lake or lakes · Sligo

    The remains of three stone crannogs are located in Lough Talt. One of them is still well defined.

    Read the passage

    In Lough Talt are the remains of three (stone) crannogs (see page 197). One of them is still well defined, and the sites

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 136

36. Hibernian Bank branch in Tubbercurry

    Tobercurry · town · Sligo

    A branch of the Hibernian Bank was lately opened in the village of Tubbercurry.

    Read the passage

    In the village of Tubbercurry a branch of the Hibernian Bank has been lately opened.

    The Police Barracks are now situated on Albert-road and

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 90

37. Placenames of Emlaghfad Parish

    Emlaghfad · townland · Sligo

    This section provides Irish-language etymologies for numerous townlands in the parish of Emlaghfad, County Sligo. Names reference local features like fords and islands, historical associations like churches and forts, and natural features like holms and mossy land.

    Read the passage

    Parish of Emlaghfad.

    Ardconnell, .

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 238

38. Placenames of Kilmorgan Parish

    Kilmorgan · townland · Sligo

    This section provides Irish-language etymologies for numerous townlands in the parish of Kilmorgan, County Sligo. Names reference local features like stone forts and ridges, historical associations like churches and forts, and natural features like sand banks and flag-stones.

    Read the passage

    Parish of Kilmorgan.

    Ardrea,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 239

39. Placenames of Kilshalvy Parish

    Kilshalvy · townland · Sligo

    This section provides Irish-language etymologies for numerous townlands in the parish of Kilshalvy, County Sligo. Names reference local features like hills and ridges, historical associations like churches and forts, and natural features like holms and oak-woods.

    Read the passage

    Parish of Kilshalvy.

    Ardkeeran,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 239

40. Bird's-eye view from Calry Church tower

    Calry · parish · Sligo

    A bird's-eye view of Sligo town could be seen from the tower of Calry Church, taking in the Infirmary and Fever Hospital nearby, the Gaol on the opposite bank of the river, and the Slieve-da-en and Slish ranges in the background.

    Read the passage

    Belvoir, with the Slieve-da-en and Slish range in the background ; in the foreground the river may be observed issuing from the lake, glimpses of which are visible amidst its woodclad shores, whilst beyond can be seen the distant Leitrim Mountains. Beside us are the Infirmary and Fever Hospital ; and on the opposite bank of the river, the Gaol. A bird's-eye view of the town, as seen from the tower of Calry Church, is given in the Frontispiece.

    Sligo, in olden days, did not present an imposing appearance. With the exception of the ruins of tlie Abbey, St. John's Church, and some quaint old houses which stand in and near it, the town may be said to have been but an agglomeration of thatched dwellings. A good idea of the general aspect of the town in 1818, as viewed from the sea, is conveyed by the illustration (fig. 22] reproduced from an engraving of that date. The houses were, in general, but one or two storeys in height, the windows small, the streets narrow and tortuous, being only intended for foot passengers and pack animals. Merchandize was then transported exclusively on the backs of horses or donkeys (for almost every leading tlioroughfare has been widened within living memory). To add to the general inconvenience of passers-by, the small dealers displayed their goods in stalls alongside the streets, whilst pedlars moved about everywhere essaying to dispose of their wares. The drainage was carried off by surface gutters, which did not add to the salubrity of the atmosphere, though they were in some instances flushed by small rivulets.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 62

41. Castle of Sligo depicted in old library engraving

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    An engraving attached to the books of the old library of Sligo depicted the arms of Sligo, with a distant edifice evidently intended to represent the Castle of Sligo. The old Corporation seal was replaced in 1871 after a Council resolution.

    Read the passage

    '* Sligo Borough Improvement Act, 1869, is in smaller type than, and is placed within, the old legend. On the frontal page of this book may be observed the arms of Sligo, as depicted in an engraving which was attached to the books of the old library of Sligo ; the edifice seen in the distance was evidently intended to represent the Castle of Sligo.

    The origin of the present seal is as follows : — On the 2nd January, 1871, it was resolved by the Council " that the Finance and Works Committee be directed to procui-e a seal and lever for the Corporation, not capable of being opened save by three keys, and that when procured, one key shall remain in possession of the Mayor, a second key in possession of tlie ex-Mayor, and the third in possession of the town clerk for the time being — for use as ordered by the Coimcil from time to time."^ On the 3rd April of same year a resolution was passed discontinuing the use of the seal adopted in 1783.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 59

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, there's a castle you can no longer see. An engraving once attached to the books of the old library of Sligo showed the arms of Sligo, with a distant edifice that was evidently intended to represent the Castle of Sligo. The old Corporation seal, adopted in 1783, was replaced after a Council resolution. On the 2nd of January 1871, the Council directed the Finance and Works Committee to procure a new seal and lever for the Corporation, one that could not be opened save by three keys. One key was to stay with the Mayor, a second with the ex-Mayor, and the third with the town clerk. On the 3rd of April of that same year, a resolution was passed discontinuing the use of the old seal from 1783. The engraving in the library books is a record of arms and a vanished castle, nothing more.

42. Corporation seal of 1723 commemorating Wynne patronage

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1723

    The Corporation seal of 1723 appears to have been struck to commemorate the Wynne family becoming Patrons of the Borough of Sligo. It bears the initials of Provost Mitchelburn Knox and encircles thirteen groups of dual letters representing the Provost and twelve burgesses.

    Read the passage

    tne letters a.r., i.e. Anne Kegma, and the date tionofsiigo of 1709. 1709. Underneath appear the letters p.i.b., i.e. Provost James Bennett, who died that year (see fig. 14) . The next seal, that of 1723 (see fig. 15), deserves special notice as it would seem to have been struck to commemorate the event of the Wynne family becoming Patrons of the Borough. On it the same arms appear, but more rudely sculptured, and above are the letters p.m.k. i.e. Provost Mitchelburn Knox, with the date 1723. Around is the legend borough of sligoe, and encircling this are thirteen groups of dual letters, which represent the initials of the Provost and 12 burgesses of the Corporation : —

    [^To face page 120.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 57

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town whose corporation seal of 1723 seems to have been struck to mark the Wynne family becoming Patrons of the Borough. The seal bears the initials of Provost Mitchelburn Knox and the date 1723, with the legend 'borough of sligoe' around its edge. Encircling that are thirteen groups of dual letters, standing for the Provost and 12 burgesses of the Corporation.

43. Corporation seal of Sligo, 1709

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1709

    The earliest known seal of the Corporation of Sligo bears the date 1709 and depicts a deer or antelope with its dexter fore foot lifted, resting on a rock. The initials P.J.B. record Provost James Bennett, who died that year.

    Read the passage

    The earliest books of the Corporation are missing, but the first known seal may be noticed. This bears the date 1709, and it is evidently not a hare that is thereon represented, but rather a species of deer or antelope, having its dexter fore foot lifted and the other resting on a piece of rock which in shape somewhat resembles a barret-cap. Around is the legend BUROGH OF si.iGOE, the beginning and end being marked by a dividing ornament, below which are ^'g. 14-

    j\ -I 11 • A i-> • 1 ji 1 i Seal of the Corpora-

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 57

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo town has an old civic mark worth knowing about. The earliest known seal of the Corporation of Sligo dates from 1709. It shows a deer or antelope with one fore foot lifted, the other resting on a piece of rock. Around the edge runs the legend Borough of Sligo. The initials on the seal record Provost James Bennett, who died that same year. The earliest corporation books themselves are missing, so this seal is the oldest civic record that survives.

44. Detailed description of Sligo Corporation mace

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1702–1703

    Robert Day, F.S.A., examined one of the Sligo Corporation maces, describing it as 18 inches long with a bowl-shaped head divided into four oval spaces bearing the crowned emblems of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland in fine chased work, surmounted by the Royal Arms of Queen Anne.

    Read the passage

    bearing, in bold relief and well-ebased work, 'the emblems of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland, i.e. the rose, fleur-de-lis, thistle, and harp, all regularly crowned within chaplets of oakleaves. The spaces between these oval wreaths are filled in with leaf-designs similar to, and in perfect keeping with, the ornaments upon the handle. The head of the mace is surmounted with an open-work pattern, like an engrailed line in heraldry, each point having a ball-termination. Within the space enclosed by this circle are the Royal Arms, with the initials of Queen Anne, a. r., and at either side fleur-de-lis, all in remarkably fine bold repousse and chased work."

    The following inscription is upon the base of the mace-head :

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, the town carries an old civic symbol from the early 1700s. One of the Sligo Corporation maces, examined by Robert Day, bears the emblems of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland. The rose, fleur-de-lis, thistle, and harp are all crowned within chaplets of oak leaves, set in bold chased work. The head is surmounted by the Royal Arms of Queen Anne, with her initials A.R., flanked by fleur-de-lis in fine repousse work.

45. Dominican Abbey of Sligo: religious house and later quarry

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1698–1760

    The Sligo Dominican cloisters housed twenty friars and included study and lecture halls. The friars were expelled in 1698 but soon returned, repairing the chancel roof. A merchant named Corkran later used the abbey fabric as a quarry to build 'The Mall' by the river-side, until Father Laurence Connellan stopped him.

    Read the passage

    The Irish branch of the Order of St. Dominic and its patrons, in the 13th century, appear to have cherished a peculiar veneration for the cross, most of their convents founded during that period being dedicated to the " Holy Cross." The Sligo cloisters afforded accommodation for twenty friars ; there were also study and lecture halls, to which the youth of the surrounding country flocked, and in which the novices of the order and candidates for the priesthood were instructed in theology. The gardens of the abbey extended to the water's edge ; the building itself and its inmates were subjected to many vicissitudes from the period of the accession of Elizabeth to the close of the revolution of 1688 ; it was not, however, until 1698 that the friars were expelled from its walls ; ' they soon after returned to the abbey, repaired the chancel roof, and built temporary shelter near the rood-screen.

    Despite the presence of the members of the Dominican Order, the fabric of the old abbey was not secure from the attacks of Vandal speculators, who proceeded to utilize it as a quarry. The chief offender in regard to these dilapidations was a merchant named Corkran, by whom "The Mall" at the river-side was built, and after whom it was named. Father Laurence Connellan succeeded at last in arresting his destructive hand. According to a MS. on this subject the spoliation did not bring good luck to its author, as Mr. Corkran's ultimate fate was rather peculiar. He was wealthy, proud, and pompous ; one night,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 63

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Sligo, this was the town of a Dominican abbey whose cloisters housed 20 friars and had study and lecture halls where young men from the surrounding country came to learn theology. The friars were expelled in 1698 but came back soon after, repairing the chancel roof and putting up temporary shelter near the rood-screen. Despite their return, the old abbey fabric was not safe. A merchant named Corkran used it as a quarry to build The Mall at the river-side, a building he named after himself. Father Laurence Connellan finally put a stop to him. A manuscript on the subject says the spoliation brought Corkran no good luck, and that his end was rather peculiar. He was wealthy, proud, and pompous. One night, the record says, something happened to him, though the account breaks off there. The abbey gardens once ran down to the water's edge, and the building had weathered much from the accession of Elizabeth through the revolution of 1688, but it was Corkran who stripped it for stone.

46. Evelyn Ashley's attempted restoration of Sligo Abbey

    Sligo Abbey · ecclesiastical site · Sligo · 1883

    In September 1883, the Hon. Evelyn Ashley and the Board of Works sought to place Sligo Abbey under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act. The Corporation wished to obtain the Act's benefits but refused to close the abbey to interments, rendering restoration impossible.

    Read the passage

    The Abbey has been already fully described, but the illustration (fig. 23) may be of interest ; it is from a photograph of the building taken before the carrying out of the restorations' lately undertaken b}'" the Hon. Evelyn Ashley. On the 27th September, 1883, a letter was received by the Corporation from him, as well as one from the Secretary of the Board of Works, desiring to have the abbey placed under the provisions of the *' Ancient Monuments Protection Act ; " but although the Corporation wished to obtain for it all the benefits of this Act, they would not close it against interments, and thus rendered restoration impossible. A Mayor of Sligo stated that, previous to the opening of the public cemetery, the abbey ground was in even a worse state than it is at present. " With my own eyes," said he, " I saw in it human skulls to the number of some 600 or 800 piled up in one place." This was no new state of things, for Beranger, who visited the abbey in the 18th century, greatly admired its architecture, but noticed the disgraceful state of neglect in which the burial-place was left, the altar being covered with bones, skulls, &c., in such quantities that they would have furnished " a cargo for a small vessel." In later times, in one locality on the western littoral, it is asserted as a positive fact by the country people, that the captain of a small trading vessel, one moonlight night, had all the bones lying about a church near which his ship was anchored, and which amounted to several tons, carried on board, and at once sailed

    ' There is one rather mythical benefactor of the monastery — Pierce O'Timony, who is by various writers alleged to have restored or endowed the establishment. As a small return for his munificence the monks erected a statue to his memory, which De Burgo states he saw in the cloisters.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 62

47. Gold mayoral chain of Sligo Borough

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1882

    A gold chain for the chief magistrates of Sligo Borough was constructed in 1882 by Nelson Brothers of Sligo. Bernard Collery, Mayor of Sligo that year, originated the idea and contributed £80, with former mayors each adding a link bearing their name and year of office.

    Read the passage

    the breast some badge or mark of their office. The chain now pertaining to the Mayoralty of the Borough (see fig. 13) dates from 1882, in which year it was constructed by Messrs. Nelson, Brothers, Sligo. It is of 18-carat gold, Hall-marked on every link. It consists of 18 shields joined together by double cablelinks with an intermediate link-lozenge. Each shield is surmounted by a shamrock ; the obverse bears the crest and arms, and the reverse the name and year of office of each Mayor who has had the privilege of adding a link. The centre link — somewhat larger than the others — is backed by two Irish Harps from which droop shamrocks, the whole being surmounted by a royal crown picked out in crimson, green and ermine enamel. This link is appropriated to the donor, with whom the idea of providing a chain for the successive chief magistrates of the Borough originated, and who contributed £80 towards the expense. The chain weighs 15J ounces.

    From the centre link hangs a pendant of fine gold weighing 4 ounces; it is circular in form and is surmounted by a wreath of shamrocks, fastened at the base by a riband and knot of crimson enamel. Rising from the top are two Irish wolf-hounds at gaze, and between them is suspended a spray of shamrocks. On the front of the medallion, beautifully worked in variegated enamel are the present arms of the Borough, and on the circle outside. Corporation of Sligo, 1612. The inscription on tlie reverse of the medallion runs thus: — Presented principally BY Bernard Collery, Mayor of Sligo, 1882, and former Mayors. The following is a list of the ex-mayors who each contributed a link to the chain : — Daniel M'Grill, John M'Gowan, John M'Carthy, Robert Hunter, Charles Sedley, William A. Woods, James Tighe, Alexander Gillmor, James Kidd, Charles Anderson, Maurice Conry, Robert Crawford, James Nelson, John Walsh, Stephen M. Cherry, Bernard Collery.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 57

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo town, the story of its mayoral chain goes back to 1882. That year, Bernard Collery, Mayor of Sligo, originated the idea of providing a gold chain for the successive chief magistrates of the borough and contributed £80 towards the expense. The chain was made by Nelson Brothers of Sligo, in 18-carat gold, hall-marked on every link. It consists of 18 shields joined by double cable links, each shield surmounted by a shamrock, bearing the crest and arms on one side and the name and year of office of each mayor on the other. Former mayors each added a link, among them Daniel McGill, John McGowan, John McCarthy, Robert Hunter, Charles Sedley, William Woods, James Tighe, Alexander Gillmor, James Kidd, Charles Anderson, Maurice Conry, Robert Crawford, James Nelson, John Walsh, Stephen Cherry, and Bernard Collery himself. The centre link, larger than the rest, is backed by two Irish harps with shamrocks and a royal crown picked out in crimson, green and ermine enamel. From it hangs a pendant of fine gold, circular, with two Irish wolf-hounds at gaze, shamrocks, and the arms of the borough. The inscription on the reverse reads, "Presented principally by Bernard Collery, Mayor of Sligo, 1882, and former Mayors."

48. Green Fort: panoramic viewpoint over Sligo

    Greenfort · electoral division · Donegal

    The Green Fort, anciently called Rath-da-hrittog or Britton's Fort, and later associated with Sir Teigue O'Regan, offers the best panoramic view of Sligo town and its surroundings. Its smooth glacis slopes down on three sides toward encroaching buildings.

    Read the passage

    HE beauty of the environs of Sligo is very striking, but the town itself lies in a hollow, through wliich glides the river tliat leaves Lough Gill as a broad stream, and so continues, until it reaches Buckley's Ford ; from thence it narrows and becomes more rapid, falling some 20 feet between that spot and the tide-way. The river divides the town into two unequal parts, that on the southern bank beiug the more considerable. The best point for observation is the Grreen Fort, from whence a panoramic view, not alone of the town, but of its surroundings, is obtainable. The glacis around the old entrenchment is smooth as in days of yore, when it was styled Rath-da-hrittog, or Britton's Fort, or when in after years it was in the possession of Sir Teigue O'Eegan. The ground slopes down in an uninterrupted lawn-like declivity, whicli on three sides is terminated by ever-encroaching buildings, whilst northward it joins the open country. Close at hand are situated the Workhouse and the Lunatic Asylum, backed by the heights of Killogaboy, Coj)e's Mountain, and the Ben Bulben range ; in the dim distance the outline of the Donegal Highlands appears over Knocklane, Eaughly, and Rosses Point ; below are seen the channel, inner bay, and harbour. To the west and south, Knocknarea and the Tireragh range close in the view ; at foot, the entire town of Sligo lies spread out. Its large public buildings — the Town Hall, Railway Terminus, Cathedral, Presbytery, Collegiate Buildings, Friary, Courthouse, and Calry Church rise prominent from amongst the monotonous mass of slated houses. To the south-east and east are the heights of Cairns and

    \_To face page 126.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming up on Greenfort, an electoral division just outside Sligo. The old fort here gives the best panoramic view of Sligo town and everything around it. It was once called Rath-da-hrittog, or Britton's Fort, and later it belonged to Sir Teigue O'Regan. The smooth glacis slopes down on three sides like a lawn toward the ever-encroaching buildings, while northward it opens onto the country. From up here the whole of Sligo lies spread out below, the river running through it from Lough Gill down to the tidal channel and the harbour. Knocknarea and the Tireragh range close the view to the west and south, and the Donegal Highlands show faint in the distance beyond Knocklane, Raughly, and Rosses Point.

49. Houses on Sligo bridge made passage dangerous

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1188–1827

    The Bridge of Sligo is mentioned in the Four Masters as early as 1188. By 1827, houses built on the east end of the old bridge had narrowed the passage so much that it was dangerous for two carriages to pass each other.

    Read the passage

    •' The Bridge of Sligo " is mentioned in the Four Masters so early as 1188, but it is unlikely that much, if any, of the original structure remained in 1800 or 1803 — the date of the formation of the body to which this seal belonged. It is to be noticed that the entrance to the bridge, to the left of the engraving, is overbuilt with houses ; and in a report of the year 1827 it is stated that " the east end of the old bridge had been greatly narrowed and the passage into tlie adjoining streets confined — in such a

    Fig. 20. — First Seal of the Town and Harbour Commissioners. (Full size.)

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, the old bridge here goes back a long way. The Four Masters mention the Bridge of Sligo as early as 1188, though little of the original structure likely remained by 1800. The real problem came later, when houses were built over the entrance. A report in 1827 noted that the east end of the old bridge had been greatly narrowed and the passage into the adjoining streets confined, so much so that it was dangerous for two carriages to pass each other.

50. Lord Lieutenant's visit to Sligo, 1836

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1836

    On 23rd August 1836, trades processionists marched out of Sligo to Ballysadare and Collooney to greet Earl Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He entered Sligo at six in the evening, received an address from Liberals, and the town was illuminated at night.

    Read the passage

    Earl Mulgrave — then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland — having announced his intention of visiting Sligo, the Liberals resolved to give him a reception, and applied to the High Sheriff, James Knott, of Battlefield, for the use of the Court-house, which was refused by him, and in consequence he was superseded in the commission of the peace. On the 23rd August, 1836, the trades processionists, with wands, scarfs, belts, and banners, marched a few miles out of the town to Ballysadare and Collooney, but His Excellency did not enter Sligo till six in the evening ; he was met by a deputation from the Liberals, who presented him with an address, and at night the town was illuminated. On the next day the Lord Lieutenant conferred the honour of knighthood on Colonel William Parke,^ of Dunally, and visited

    ^According to the evidence given before the Commission in 1833, everything brought in for sale paid toll, even to cabbage plants, gooseberries, nails, hats, and brogues.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, this is the town Earl Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, visited in August 1836. The Liberals wanted to give him a grand reception and asked the High Sheriff, James Knott of Battlefield, for the use of the Court-house. He refused, and was superseded in the commission of the peace for it. On the 23rd of August, trades processionists with wands, scarfs, belts, and banners marched a few miles out of town to Ballysadare and Collooney to meet him. But His Excellency did not enter Sligo until six in the evening, where a deputation from the Liberals presented him with an address, and the town was illuminated that night. The next day the Lord Lieutenant conferred the honour of knighthood on Colonel William Parke of Dunally.

51. Old Abbey of Sligo depicted on Commissioners' seal

    Sligo Abbey · ecclesiastical site · Sligo · 1803–1869

    The seal of the Town and Harbour Commissioners showed the old Abbey of Sligo in the distance, with the western face of the edifice represented as if perfect. A small boat appears close to the foreground of the engraving.

    Read the passage

    In the distance is evidently the old Abbey with the western face of the edifice represented as if perfect ; close to the foreground there is a small boat. Around runs the legend, corpo-

    RATION FOR IMPROVING THE TOWN AND HARBOUR OF SLIGO ^,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    Right here is Sligo Abbey. The old abbey appeared on the seal of the Town and Harbour Commissioners, shown in the distance with its western face represented as if perfect. A small boat sat close to the foreground of the engraving, and around it ran the legend for the corporation for improving the town and harbour of Sligo.

52. Sligo Abbey burial ground strewn with human skulls

    Sligo Abbey · ecclesiastical site · Sligo · 1700–1883

    Sligo Abbey's burial ground was in a disgraceful state of neglect, with a Mayor of Sligo reporting seeing 600 to 800 human skulls piled in one place. Beranger, visiting in the 18th century, noted the altar covered with bones and skulls in such quantities they would furnish a cargo for a small vessel.

    Read the passage

    The Abbey has been already fully described, but the illustration (fig. 23) may be of interest ; it is from a photograph of the building taken before the carrying out of the restorations' lately undertaken b}'" the Hon. Evelyn Ashley. On the 27th September, 1883, a letter was received by the Corporation from him, as well as one from the Secretary of the Board of Works, desiring to have the abbey placed under the provisions of the *' Ancient Monuments Protection Act ; " but although the Corporation wished to obtain for it all the benefits of this Act, they would not close it against interments, and thus rendered restoration impossible. A Mayor of Sligo stated that, previous to the opening of the public cemetery, the abbey ground was in even a worse state than it is at present. " With my own eyes," said he, " I saw in it human skulls to the number of some 600 or 800 piled up in one place." This was no new state of things, for Beranger, who visited the abbey in the 18th century, greatly admired its architecture, but noticed the disgraceful state of neglect in which the burial-place was left, the altar being covered with bones, skulls, &c., in such quantities that they would have furnished " a cargo for a small vessel." In later times, in one locality on the western littoral, it is asserted as a positive fact by the country people, that the captain of a small trading vessel, one moonlight night, had all the bones lying about a church near which his ship was anchored, and which amounted to several tons, carried on board, and at once sailed

    ' There is one rather mythical benefactor of the monastery — Pierce O'Timony, who is by various writers alleged to have restored or endowed the establishment. As a small return for his munificence the monks erected a statue to his memory, which De Burgo states he saw in the cloisters.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    Right here at Sligo Abbey, the burial ground was once in a disgraceful state of neglect. A Mayor of Sligo reported that before the public cemetery opened, things were even worse than they later became. He said with his own eyes he saw human skulls to the number of 600 or 800 piled up in one place. This was no new state of things. Beranger, visiting the abbey in the 18th century, greatly admired its architecture but noticed the burial place left in disgraceful neglect, the altar covered with bones and skulls in such quantities they would have furnished a cargo for a small vessel. In 1883 the Hon. Evelyn Ashley and the Secretary of the Board of Works wrote to the Corporation asking to have the abbey placed under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act. The Corporation wished to obtain for it all the benefits of the Act but would not close it against interments, and thus rendered restoration impossible.

53. Sligo Borough house counts and valuation, 1812–1890

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1812–1890

    House numbers within the Sligo Borough boundary fluctuated from 1,150 in 1812 to 2,667 in 1831, declining to 2,099 by 1871. The total valuation rose from £5,854 in 1795 to £19,316 in 1890, reflecting the town's changing economic fortunes.

    Read the passage

    It is difficult to ascertain the exact number of houses formerly within the Parliamentary boundary, owing to confusion between it and the municipal boundary. In 1812 Wakefield computed that there were 1150 houses within the municipal boundary; in 1831 there were 2667 ; in 1841, 2183 ; in 1871 there were but 2099 houses. According to a decision of the Court of Common Pleas, in 1873, owners are not liable for the rates on vacant premises.

    The total valuation of houses within the Borough, in 1795, amounted to £5854; in 1800, to £7383; whilst the average valuation of the Parliamentary area of the Borough for nine years prior to its separate organization was about £17,540. The area (including water) of the extended boundary is 3001a. 1r. 2p. ; the older municipal area had comprised about 417 acres (see fig. 11).

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 54

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo town around you grew and shrank in waves across the 1800s. Wakefield counted 1150 houses within the municipal boundary in 1812. By 1831 that had more than doubled to 2667, then fell back to 2183 in 1841 and 2099 in 1871. The total valuation of houses in the borough rose from £5854 in 1795 to £7383 in 1800, and the parliamentary area averaged about £17,540 in the years before its separate organization. A decision of the Court of Common Pleas in 1873 held that owners were not liable for rates on vacant premises.

54. Sligo Borough institutions and county cess contribution

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1869

    The Act relieved borough property from county cess for road and bridge maintenance outside the borough, while imposing full liability for construction and repair of roads and bridges within the borough. Public institutions such as the Gaol, Fever Hospital, and Workhouse had disproportionately high inmate proportions relative to the county.

    Read the passage

    was passed by the Commons, but thrown out by the Lords — for financial reasons. In Sligo, the Bill was not regarded as a party question ; of the 427 voters and persons who signed the petition against the measure, more than half were Liberals, the remainder Conservatives ; in the fight, all party ties were for the time dissolved, and every one " fought for liis own hand." Fortunately for the promoters, the Grand Jury of the County, after securing the interests of the ratepayers, did not oppose the Bill ; the points of difference were amicably arranged ; the Grand Jury waived their demand that population should be the basis of payment, and accepted instead the calculation based on valuation. This came to about one-twelfth of the valuation of the entire county ; though with regard to the inmates of Public Institutions such as the Gaol, Fever Hospital, Workhouse, &c., the proportion of numbers stood at 26, 30, and some as high as 60 or 70 per cent. The statement of the expenditure on the Borough during nine years by the Grand Jury of the County will demonstrate conclusively that the latter body, during this period, expended on the town a much larger annual sum than it was proportionately entitled to. It was presented to the committee of the House of Lords, by the County Surveyor, Noblett St. Leger, who was called as a witness by the promoters of the bill : —

    Year.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Sligo town. In 1869 a bill came before Parliament that would have changed how Sligo borough paid toward county costs. It passed the Commons but the Lords threw it out on financial grounds. In Sligo itself it was not seen as a party matter. Of the 427 people who signed the petition against the measure, more than half were Liberals and the rest Conservatives, and as the source puts it, everyone "fought for his own hand." The Grand Jury of the County, after securing the ratepayers' interests, chose not to oppose the bill. They gave up their demand that population should set the payments and accepted valuation instead, which worked out to about one-twelfth of the valuation of the entire county. The public institutions here tell a harder story. The Gaol, the Fever Hospital, and the Workhouse held disproportionate numbers. Their inmates stood at 26 and 30 per cent of the total in some cases, and as high as 60 or 70 per cent in others. The County Surveyor, Noblett St. Leger, presented the House of Lords committee with a statement of nine years of county spending on the borough, showing the county had spent far more on the town each year than it was proportionately owed.

55. Sligo Borough waterworks debt and financial expansion

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1869–1891

    The Sligo Corporation obtained powers under local Acts to construct waterworks and purchase market rights, borrowing substantially beyond the original £50,000 authorized. By 1887 the total debt reached £59,994, reduced to £54,559 by 1891, with revenue from water sales expected to justify the expenditure.

    Read the passage

    In 1885 there was an overdraft of some £7236 due to the Provincial Bank, and in 1886 a loan of £5000 was obtained from the Board of Works, on the ground of the proved necessity of the expenditure for proper completion of the waterworks, and with the expectation (which has been realized) that the increasing revenue from sales of water to public institutions, and for trade purposes, &c., would justify the advance. In 1887 the total debt amounted to the large sum of £59,994, but is now (1891) reduced to £54,559. A tabular statement is given in Appendix G.

    The Corporation have authority to provide a fire brigade, fire engines, &c., to erect artizans' dwellings, and to regulate the Borough funds and rates. A number of Public Acts are incorporated with the local Act, for the purpose of enabling the ruling body more effectually to carry out the provisions of the latter.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 54

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, this is a town whose Corporation took on serious debt to build its waterworks. Under local Acts they borrowed well beyond the original authorization, and by 1887 the total debt stood at £59,994. That figure included a £7,236 overdraft with the Provincial Bank in 1885 and a further £5,000 loan from the Board of Works in 1886, taken because the expenditure was, in their words, of proved necessity for proper completion of the waterworks. They expected that growing revenue from sales of water to public institutions and trade would justify the advance, and that expectation was realized. By 1891 the debt had been reduced to £54,559. The Corporation also had authority to provide a fire brigade and fire engines, to erect artisans' dwellings, and to regulate the borough funds and rates.

56. Sligo Corporation civic maces gifted by Samuel Walton

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1702–1846

    Two silver civic maces held by the Sligo Corporation were presented by Samuel Walton, a former parliamentary representative of the Borough. Dating to 1702–3, they bear Irish hall-marks and the Royal Arms with Queen Anne's initials, and were returned to the Corporation by patron John Wynne in 1846.

    Read the passage

    The two maces are fac-similes, and were presented by Samuel "Walton, who for some years represented the Borough in Parliament. The two Sergeants of the Mace were, according to the Charter, officers of the old Corporation. In 1819 William Meyrick was admitted a freeman of the Borough before being appointed to the post, whilst on the 29th September, 1823, Ricliard Meyrick and Robert Carey were Sergeants of the Mace, and so continued until the Municipal Reform Act of 1842, when they, as provided by the Act, each received an annuity from the new body. The maces remained in possession of Mr. Wynne, as Patron of the Borough, until the year 1846, when " The unanimous thanks of the Council were returned to John Wynne, Esquire, for returning the maces to the Corporation."

    These civic maces each weigh about 30 oz. No maker's stamp appears on them, although on the three parts which unscrew there are Irish hall-marks, and the date letter for 1702-3.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, the town has a civic story tied to two silver maces held by the old Corporation. They were presented by Samuel Walton, who represented the Borough in Parliament for some years. Each mace weighs about 30 ounces and bears Irish hall-marks with the date letter for 1702, along with the Royal Arms and Queen Anne's initials. The maces later stayed with John Wynne as Patron of the Borough until 1846, when the Council returned unanimous thanks to him for returning them to the Corporation. The two Sergeants of the Mace were officers of the old Corporation under its Charter. In 1819 William Meyrick was admitted a freeman of the Borough before being appointed to the post. Richard Meyrick and Robert Carey served as Sergeants of the Mace from September 29, 1823, until the Municipal Reform Act of 1842, when each received an annuity from the new body.

57. Sligo Stones on the 1766 map

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1766–1783

    A group marked 'Sligo Stones' is depicted on an old map of Sligo from 1766, on the space representing the lane near the present Presbyterian Church. The stones are again mentioned in the applotment book of 1783 as 'Back-lane up to Sligo Stones,' but over time the device evolved into oyster shells and other imagery on Corporation seals.

    Read the passage

    and at once closed on the liind foot of poor puss. The pictures of the incident, however differ in details, for in the earlier representation, the hare is passing a kind of semicircle of stones, and on an old map of Sligo made in 1766, there is depicted, on the space marked as representing the lane near the present Presbyterian Church, a singular group marked " Sligo Stones"; in the applotment book of 1783 they are again mentioned, "Back-lane up to Sligo Stones." As time advanced the stones turn into oyster shells, the green sward into a strand, then comes a stream in the foreground, and finally a square fortalice. The comparatively new device first appears on the 28th January, 1775 (see fig. 16), and any one who carefully examines the Corporation books can perceive that from that date up to the 5th September, 1783, this so-called seal is merely the ornamental device that had originally headed the local newspaper, from which it was cut off and then wafered on to the leaf of the Corporation book, the printing on the reverse being distinctly observable. In 1778 the

    Fig. 17. — Newspaper device used as a seal by the Corporation of Sligo. (Full size.)

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Sligo now. On an old map of Sligo made in 1766, a singular group called Sligo Stones was depicted on the lane near what is now the Presbyterian Church. The applotment book of 1783 mentions them again, calling the way 'Back-lane up to Sligo Stones.' As time went on, the stones turned into oyster shells on the Corporation seals, the green sward became a strand, then a stream appeared in the foreground, and finally a square fortalice. This new device first appears on the 28th of January 1775. Anyone examining the Corporation books can see that from that date to the 5th of September 1783, the so-called seal was merely an ornamental device that had originally headed the local newspaper, cut off and wafered onto the leaf of the Corporation book, with the printing on the reverse still visible.

58. Sligo town lies in hollow by river from Lough Gill

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    Sligo town is situated in a hollow through which the river from Lough Gill flows as a broad stream until it reaches Buckley's Ford, where it narrows and falls some twenty feet before reaching the tide-way. The river divides the town into two unequal parts.

    Read the passage

    HE beauty of the environs of Sligo is very striking, but the town itself lies in a hollow, through wliich glides the river tliat leaves Lough Gill as a broad stream, and so continues, until it reaches Buckley's Ford ; from thence it narrows and becomes more rapid, falling some 20 feet between that spot and the tide-way. The river divides the town into two unequal parts, that on the southern bank beiug the more considerable. The best point for observation is the Grreen Fort, from whence a panoramic view, not alone of the town, but of its surroundings, is obtainable. The glacis around the old entrenchment is smooth as in days of yore, when it was styled Rath-da-hrittog, or Britton's Fort, or when in after years it was in the possession of Sir Teigue O'Eegan. The ground slopes down in an uninterrupted lawn-like declivity, whicli on three sides is terminated by ever-encroaching buildings, whilst northward it joins the open country. Close at hand are situated the Workhouse and the Lunatic Asylum, backed by the heights of Killogaboy, Coj)e's Mountain, and the Ben Bulben range ; in the dim distance the outline of the Donegal Highlands appears over Knocklane, Eaughly, and Rosses Point ; below are seen the channel, inner bay, and harbour. To the west and south, Knocknarea and the Tireragh range close in the view ; at foot, the entire town of Sligo lies spread out. Its large public buildings — the Town Hall, Railway Terminus, Cathedral, Presbytery, Collegiate Buildings, Friary, Courthouse, and Calry Church rise prominent from amongst the monotonous mass of slated houses. To the south-east and east are the heights of Cairns and

    \_To face page 126.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo lies in a hollow as the road comes through, with the river from Lough Gill running broad through the town until it reaches Buckley's Ford. From there it narrows and drops about 20 feet before meeting the tide. That river splits Sligo into two unequal parts, the southern bank being the larger side. The best place to take it all in is the Green Fort, which gives a full panoramic view of the town and its surroundings. The old entrenchment there was once called Rath-da-hrittog, or Britton's Fort, and in later years it was held by Sir Teigue O'Egan. Its smooth glacis slopes down like a lawn on three sides to the ever-encroaching buildings, while northward it opens to the country. From that height you can see Knocknarea to the west, the Ben Bulben range behind, and on a dim day the outline of the Donegal Highlands in the distance. Below lies the whole town spread out, its larger public buildings rising from the mass of slated houses.

59. Sligo town's old appearance and narrow streets

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1802–1834

    In the early 19th century, Sligo consisted largely of thatched dwellings with narrow, tortuous streets designed only for foot passengers and pack animals. By 1802 it had seven or eight streets of tolerably decent houses and was described as rather unclean but important in export and import trade.

    Read the passage

    Sligo, in olden days, did not present an imposing appearance. With the exception of the ruins of tlie Abbey, St. John's Church, and some quaint old houses which stand in and near it, the town may be said to have been but an agglomeration of thatched dwellings. A good idea of the general aspect of the town in 1818, as viewed from the sea, is conveyed by the illustration (fig. 22] reproduced from an engraving of that date. The houses were, in general, but one or two storeys in height, the windows small, the streets narrow and tortuous, being only intended for foot passengers and pack animals. Merchandize was then transported exclusively on the backs of horses or donkeys (for almost every leading tlioroughfare has been widened within living memory). To add to the general inconvenience of passers-by, the small dealers displayed their goods in stalls alongside the streets, whilst pedlars moved about everywhere essaying to dispose of their wares. The drainage was carried off by surface gutters, which did not add to the salubrity of the atmosphere, though they were in some instances flushed by small rivulets.

    In 1802 Sligo was described as consisting of about seven or eight streets " composed of tolerably decent houses, some very good." Tlie town was considered " rather unclean and unhealthy," but it was "of no small importance in the general export and import trade." Frazer, writing of Sligo at a later period, states, that " the streets in the older parts of the town were narrow, dirty, ill-paved, and badly suited to the bustle of an export trade ; it had nevertheless much more the appearance of a business place than any other town in Connaught, a circumstance wholly owing to the spirit and enterprise of its

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you are moving through streets that once looked very different. In the early 1800s this town was largely a collection of thatched dwellings, most only one or two storeys high with small windows. The streets were narrow and winding, made only for people on foot and pack animals. Goods were carried on the backs of horses and donkeys, and small dealers set out stalls alongside the streets while pedlars moved about selling their wares. Drainage ran along surface gutters, flushed here and there by small rivulets, and the town was described in 1802 as "rather unclean and unhealthy." That same year Sligo was said to consist of about seven or eight streets "composed of tolerably decent houses, some very good." Despite its poor state, it was "of no small importance in the general export and import trade." Frazer, writing later, noted that the older streets were narrow, dirty, ill-paved, and badly suited to the bustle of an export trade. Yet Sligo had more the appearance of a business place than any other town in Connaught, owing, he said, wholly to the spirit and enterprise of its people.

60. Sligo Workhouse and Lunatic Asylum near Green Fort

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    Close to the Green Fort in Sligo were situated the Workhouse and the Lunatic Asylum, backed by the heights of Killogaboy, Cope's Mountain, and the Ben Bulben range. These institutions were prominent in the landscape visible from the fort.

    Read the passage

    HE beauty of the environs of Sligo is very striking, but the town itself lies in a hollow, through wliich glides the river tliat leaves Lough Gill as a broad stream, and so continues, until it reaches Buckley's Ford ; from thence it narrows and becomes more rapid, falling some 20 feet between that spot and the tide-way. The river divides the town into two unequal parts, that on the southern bank beiug the more considerable. The best point for observation is the Grreen Fort, from whence a panoramic view, not alone of the town, but of its surroundings, is obtainable. The glacis around the old entrenchment is smooth as in days of yore, when it was styled Rath-da-hrittog, or Britton's Fort, or when in after years it was in the possession of Sir Teigue O'Eegan. The ground slopes down in an uninterrupted lawn-like declivity, whicli on three sides is terminated by ever-encroaching buildings, whilst northward it joins the open country. Close at hand are situated the Workhouse and the Lunatic Asylum, backed by the heights of Killogaboy, Coj)e's Mountain, and the Ben Bulben range ; in the dim distance the outline of the Donegal Highlands appears over Knocklane, Eaughly, and Rosses Point ; below are seen the channel, inner bay, and harbour. To the west and south, Knocknarea and the Tireragh range close in the view ; at foot, the entire town of Sligo lies spread out. Its large public buildings — the Town Hall, Railway Terminus, Cathedral, Presbytery, Collegiate Buildings, Friary, Courthouse, and Calry Church rise prominent from amongst the monotonous mass of slated houses. To the south-east and east are the heights of Cairns and

    \_To face page 126.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo sits in a hollow, with the river from Lough Gill gliding through it as a broad stream before narrowing and falling some 20 feet between Buckley's Ford and the tide-way. The best point to take it all in is the Green Fort, once called Rath-da-hrittog, or Britton's Fort, and later held by Sir Teigue O'Regan. From that old entrenchment you get a panoramic view of the town and everything around it. Close to the fort stand the Workhouse and the Lunatic Asylum, backed by the heights of Killogaboy, Cope's Mountain, and the Ben Bulben range. The Donegal Highlands appear in the dim distance over Knocklane, Raughly, and Rosses Point, while below lie the channel, inner bay, and harbour. Knocknarea and the Tireragh range close the view to the west and south, and the whole town of Sligo spreads out at foot, its large public buildings rising from the mass of slated houses.