Name: History of Sligo, county and town, from the close of the Revolution of 1688 to the present time
Author: W. G. (William Gregory) Wood-Martin (1847–1917)

Kelp-burning industry on the Tireragh coast

Tireragh · barony · Sligo · 1740–1825

From the mid-eighteenth century vast quantities of kelp were burned along the Tireragh littoral, driving a surge in coastal population as inland inhabitants flocked to the shore. The industry was so profitable that fishing was practically abandoned, though kelp-making was seasonal and dependent on weather for drying the wrack.

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practically dead in Sligo. The little that is yet made in Tireragh is shijoped from Sligo, and from about Eaughly it is shipped from Mullaghmore to Glasgow. This manufacture has thus been carried on in the district with varying success, so much depending on the weather : when the season is favourable for drying the Avraek, even when prices are low, it still yields a fair return for the labour expended, but in bad weather great trouble and time are expended for A^ery trifling remuneration. The coast line of Sligo is more thickly populated than parts remote from the sea, and this may fairly be accounted for by the fact that it was at all times largely inhabited by fishermen. When kelp-burning was established, the inhabitants of the neighbouring districts flocked to the littoral, and the profits of this industry were so great that fishing was practically abandoned ; the coast population was doubled, but the fisheries were no longer worked.
Young, in his Tour in Ireland, stated that about 1777 vast quantities of kelp^ were burned along the Tireragh littoral, but it was then made only during the summer season, for in winter or spring the farmers used the wrack as manure. The shore was very fruitful in seaweed, and a rent was paid for it by the ton of what was obtained. In Wakefield's Ireland it is observed that kelp was used by the Irish bleachers, and was made along the coast of Sligo.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 125

Lack of a morgue in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1878–1885

The want of a morgue in Sligo was a long-standing grievance. Despite a Council resolution of 5th August 1885 to erect a dead-house, the only authorized places for depositing corpses remained the engine-shed at the Town Hall or the nearest public-house.

Read the passage

The want of a morgue or dead-house in Sligo has long been a grievance, the publicans naturally disliking to have a corpse carried into their premises, although under legal obligation to permit it. On 5th August, 1885, the Council resolved to erect a place for temporary depositing of the dead, but the resolution not having been acted on, the only place which can be used at present for the purpose is (as authorized by the resolution of the Council, 8th May, 1878) the engine-shed at the Town Hall, or the public-house nearest to where the corpse is found.
In January, 1847, the Council decided on the erection of Public Baths and Washhouses ; the resolution, however, was not carried out. Again, in October, 1856, the Act (9 & 10 Vict.) for promoting the voluntary establishment of these useful institutions was adopted, and after inquiry as to the working of the Act in other boroughs, it was determined, in November, 1856, that an application should be made for the loan of £900, for erection of baths in Sligo. This resolution, together with those previously passed, remained a dead letter, though supported by the lively interest taken in the town by Lord Palmerston, who had allocated a plot of ground for the proposed purpose.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 91

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, there is a story about what the town lacked. The want of a morgue or dead-house here was a long-standing grievance. Publicans naturally disliked having a corpse carried into their premises, though they were under legal obligation to permit it. On the 5th of August, 1885, the Council resolved to erect a place for the temporary depositing of the dead. But the resolution was not acted on. The only place that could be used, as authorized by a Council resolution of the 8th of May, 1878, was the engine-shed at the Town Hall, or the public-house nearest to where the corpse was found. It was a pattern in this town. In January, 1847, the Council decided on the erection of Public Baths and Washhouses. That resolution was not carried out. In October, 1856, the Act for promoting the voluntary establishment of these institutions was adopted. After inquiry into how the Act worked in other boroughs, it was determined in November, 1856, that an application should be made for a loan of £900 for the erection of baths in Sligo. This too remained a dead letter, though supported by the lively interest Lord Palmerston took in the town, and though he had allocated a plot of ground for the purpose.

Mob breaks Protestant householders' windows in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1829

In 1829, following the Catholic Emancipation debates, a mob broke the windows of almost every Protestant householder in Sligo, reflecting sectarian tensions in the town.

Read the passage

On O'Connell's visit to Sligo, during the Summer Assizes of 1828, he was entertained at a public banquet in "the new Catholic Free-School," and about one hundred and thirty sat down to dinner. The Catholic Emancipation question was warmly taken up in Sligo, Roman Catholic and Protestant meetings being of frequent occurrence. In the year 1829 the mob broke the windows of almost every Protestant householder in Sligo. In 1831 Reform and anti-Reform meetings were held in the town ; and the throwing open of the Borough to popular representation was naturally opposed most strenuously by Mr. Wynne. A very important demonstration was held in the Court House, 11th January, 1832 ; although designated an Anti-Reform meeting, yet speakers on both sides were allowed a hearing.
So early as 1828, when Reform was on the tajns, Mr. John Martin had been nominated by the moderate Liberals to contest the representation of the borough with Mr. Wynne. He was not considered by some to be a politician of sufficiently advanced type, and as such O'Connell objected to him, concluding his speech thus : — " My hostility to Mr. Martin is by no means personal ; on the contrary, he is a gentleman for whom I entertain personal regard." However, the time for the contest drew on, and no candidate more pleasing to O'Connell was obtained. At the hustings the electors were reminded of the time when a bundle of rushes or even a horse-load of brooms could not enter the town without paying toll; and their worthy ex-Provost had been compelled to appear one night at an entertainment in very shabby lower-garments, because the smart new attire intended for the occasion had been detained at the toll-gate for want of the bearer being provided with the sum of two-pence needful to

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 25

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town where sectarian tensions ran high in 1829. That year, the mob broke the windows of almost every Protestant householder in Sligo, in the wake of the Catholic Emancipation debates that had divided the town. The previous summer, Daniel O'Connell had visited during the Assizes and was entertained at a banquet in the new Catholic Free-School, where about 130 sat down to dinner. Catholic and Protestant meetings had been frequent, and feelings ran warm on both sides. The window-breaking was the bitter fruit of that climate. In the years that followed, Sligo saw Reform and anti-Reform meetings held in the town, and a major demonstration at the Court House on 11 January 1832, where speakers on both sides were given a hearing. The throwing open of the borough to popular representation was strenuously opposed by Mr. Wynne.

Peasantry blocked roads to prevent voters reaching Sligo, 1822

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1822

During the 1822 County Sligo election, peasants cut roads or built walls across them at night to stop cars carrying voters from reaching Sligo town in time. Houses of electors were visited by mobs warning them how to vote.

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In distant parts of the County, roads were either cut or had walls built across them during the night, by the peasantry, in order to prevent cars from reaching Sligo with voters in time to be safely housed and protected from intimidation before nightfall ; the houses of electors were visited by mobs for the purpose of warning them to vote only as directed. In the streets of the town, during successive days, there was more or less rioting; and in the booths were to be heard scuffling, wrangling, intemperate language, charges of bribery, partiality, and intimidation.
As the candidates ran a neck-and-neck race the polling was watched with the greatest interest, for it was but the renewal of the struggle of 1790, when the Wynne family lost the seat — tlie war-cry of the opposing factions being " Wynne and Perceval," " Martin and King," thus bringing into prominence the names of the supporters of the respective candidates.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 19

As the companion tells it

Coming up is Sligo town. In the 1822 County Sligo election, peasants cut roads or built walls across them during the night to stop cars carrying voters from reaching the town in time. Mobs visited the houses of electors to warn them how to vote. The streets saw days of rioting, and the booths were full of scuffling, charges of bribery and intimidation. The candidates ran neck and neck, and the polling renewed a struggle from 1790, when the Wynne family lost the seat. The factions shouted their war cries: "Wynne and Perceval" against "Martin and King."

Sligo Abbey burial-ground closed during epidemic

Sligo Abbey · ecclesiastical site · Sligo · 1849

The Abbey burial-ground in Sligo was closed for about six months during the epidemic, during which ornamental railings were erected. It was reopened after a special request to inter a well-known citizen, after which families with burial-places there were permitted to resume interments.

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In Sligo the Abbey burial-ground remained closed for about six months — during which period the ornamental railings in front of it were erected — when the Mayor was solicited as a special favour to grant leave for the interment of a well-known citizen ; this being done, the local magistrates acted subsequently on the opinion tliat all families having burial-places in the Abbey should have permission to inter there as soon as the epidemic had quite disappeared : a magistrate's order, however, had to be produced. The place once opened, applications from all sides poured in, and the result was a reversion to the old state of things.
In the year 1 854 there was a slight outbreak of cholera, whilst in 1866 two oases occurred, produced, it was alleged, by drinking water drawn from near where a sewer discharged into the river. In January and February, 1875, a virulent type of smallpox broke out in the village of Tubbercurry and its neighbourhood. The disease was alleged to have been imported into tiie locality by some itinerant quacks from the County Mayo, who

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 40

As the companion tells it

Right here at Sligo Abbey, the burial-ground stayed closed for about six months during the epidemic of 1849. While it was shut, the ornamental railings in front of it were put up. Then the Mayor was asked as a special favour to allow the burial of a well-known citizen. That request was granted, and afterwards the local magistrates took the view that all families who had burial-places in the Abbey should be allowed to inter there as soon as the epidemic had quite disappeared, though a magistrate's order had to be produced each time. Once the place was opened, applications from all sides poured in, and the result was a reversion to the old state of things. So what had been a closed ground became busy again, and the new railings stood as the one lasting change from those months.

Sligo Town Hall built from Reproductive Loan Fund

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1825–1861

Efforts to erect a Town Hall in Sligo began as early as 1825 but collapsed. After years of the Corporation lacking a permanent meeting place, a petition to the Lord Lieutenant in 1860 secured roughly £2,790 from the Reproductive Loan Fund, and the building was erected in Quay Street.

Read the passage

On the 14th December, the Lords of the Treasury appropriated the balance of the Reproductive Loan Fund, about £2790, to defray the cost of the proposed buildings, and on the 1st January, 1861, a unanimous vote of thanks was given by the Council to Moses Monds, " as the person who first suggested the idea of applying for and ultimately succeeding in obtaining the balance of the Reproductive Loan Fund."
In the survey of the town taken in the year 1662, the site on which the Town Hall now stands is described as "The Castlequarter, now the New Fort beginning at the bridge, south side

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 73

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, the Town Hall on Quay Street stands where a 1662 survey described "The Castle-quarter, now the New Fort beginning at the bridge, south side." Efforts to erect the hall began in 1825 but collapsed, leaving the Corporation without a permanent meeting place. In 1860 a petition to the Lord Lieutenant succeeded. On the 14th of December, the Lords of the Treasury appropriated about £2790 from the Reproductive Loan Fund. On the 1st of January 1861, the Council gave unanimous thanks to Moses Monds, who first suggested applying for the fund and ultimately succeeded in obtaining it.

Victoria Bridge foundation stone laid in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1846–1852

The first stone of Victoria Bridge in Sligo town was laid on 1st May 1846 by the Mayor and Corporation with ceremony. Active operations began in February 1847, and the bridge was publicly opened on 26th June 1852, costing over £4,243 including approaches and compensation to owners of nine houses on the old bridge.

Read the passage

On 1st May, 1846, the first stone of the Victoria Bridge was laid, with imposing ceremony, by the Mayor and Corporation, in presence of a large crowd of spectators, " a bottle of the genuine native being decapitated on the stone."
Active operations were not commenced until the month of February, 1847. The cost of the bridge itself was £2017, and of the approaches to it £2226. This includes the sum of £1626 granted to the owners of nine houses which were built on or near the old bridge— making a total of £4243. The Victoria line, however, was not publicly opened until 26th June, 1852. It should be borne in mind that the expense of the Victoria Bridge and the approaches to it was defrayed by the Grand Jury of the County, as was likewise the cost of the widening of Wine-street, Quay-street, and other thoroughfares; and but for the passing of the " Sligo Improvement Bill " of 1869, an intercepting sewer would have been constructed (also by the Grand Jury) on each bank of the river. Mr. Noblett St. Leger (County Surveyor), stated in his evidence before a Committee of the House of Lords that the Grand Jury of the County had within the twenty years prior to 1869 spent £10,000 in widening the streets of the town.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 101

As the companion tells it

As the road passes through Sligo town, you are near the line of Victoria Bridge, whose first stone was laid on 1st May 1846 by the Mayor and Corporation, with imposing ceremony and a large crowd of spectators. The record says "a bottle of the genuine native being decapitated on the stone." Active operations did not begin until February 1847. The bridge itself cost £2017, and the approaches to it £2226. That total includes £1626 granted to the owners of nine houses built on or near the old bridge, making a total of £4243. The Victoria Bridge was not publicly opened until 26th June 1852. The expense of the bridge and its approaches was defrayed by the Grand Jury of the County, as was the cost of widening Wine-street, Quay-street, and other thoroughfares. But for the passing of the Sligo Improvement Bill of 1869, an intercepting sewer would have been constructed by the Grand Jury on each bank of the river. Mr. Noblett St. Leger, the County Surveyor, stated in his evidence before a Committee of the House of Lords that the Grand Jury had within the twenty years prior to 1869 spent £10,000 in widening the streets of the town.

Decline of the 1775 Killala Bay and River Moy fishery

near Killala Bay · bay · Mayo · 1775

In 1775, about 150 fishing boats operated in Killala Bay and the River Moy. The fishery was reportedly declining at this time, partly because the privateer Thurot had swept the coast of boats.

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In the year 1775, the sea fisheries of Sligo had developed ; there were about 150 fishing-boats belonging to the Bay of Killala and the River Moy — five men to a boat. They judged of tlie shoal of herrings being near at hand by the presence of the gannet, a bird that pursues these fish. The herrings were then usually caught near the bar. This fishing began in October, and lasted only two or three weeks. Sometimes each boat got 10,000 herrings, wliich was a full load, but this was a very rare occurrence ; the gpueral number was from three to five thousand, and the price from thirteen pence to two and sixpence, the average being one shilling and eight pence per hundred. At the date mentioned the ordinary fishing-boat employed in regular work off the Sligo coast was of about four tons measurement. There were seven shares of net to each boat, each share being sixty yards long, and four fathoms deep, with eight score mesh ; the nets were made by the fishermen themselves, and were composed either of flax or hemp, well tanned. The division of profits was made according to scale. The owner of the boat had a fifth, the nets two-fifths, and the crew two-fifths. The two-fifths belonging to the crew were sub-divided into sixths, of wliich the skipper had two shares. The fishery at this time was stated to be declining ; a filibuster named Thurot was reported to have swept the coast of boats.
In Sligo, and also on the whole of the north-west coast, the herring fishery was of great importance until the year 1783 ; after that time it failed almost entirely. During the summer season a few herrings were caught, but the quantity was so small as scarcely to be worth notice.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 127

Exclusive dealing intimidations in Sligo town, 1829

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1829–1830

A 1829 committee report by Protestants of Sligo found that 'exclusive dealing'—boycotting of Protestant traders—had been pursued to an injurious extent in Sligo town and county. Depositions confirmed atrocious intimidations were used to prevent individuals dealing with Protestants.

Read the passage

*' The strict scrutiny your committee has made forces conviction on their minds that this iniquitous anti-social measure has heen pursued to an injurious extent in this town and county. Depositions now in the possession of this committee justify them in stating that atrocious intimidations have been used towards several individuals to prevent them dealing with Protestants."
Numerous instances are cited, and " exclusive dealing " — or at least an attempt at effecting that object — was rife in 1830. The following notice was given as an example : —

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 162

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is a town where a committee in 1830 found sectarian intimidation at work. People were threatened to stop them trading with Protestants. The committee took depositions confirming that what they called "exclusive dealing" was being pursued, in their words, to an injurious extent.

Guide pillars marking route to Coney Island across strand

Inishmulclohy or Coney Island · townland · Sligo

Fourteen stone pillars on quadrangular bases with rings were erected in a direct line from the old Scarden Mills to mark the route across the strand to Coney Island. They have saved many lives, as persons overtaken by the tide cling to the rings or sit atop the pillars awaiting rescue.

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The work that St. Patrick abandoned has in later days been to some extent effected by the Grand Jury of the county. The direct route to the island across the strand is now marked by 14 pillars, built of stone, and placed in a direct line from the old Scarden Mills. The pillars are on quadrangular bases with steps, and having rings strongly secured to the pillars; these have been instrumental in saving many lives, for persons overtaken by the tide may often be observed clinging to the rings or seated on the summit of a pillar, where they present a most singular appearance.^ A roadway is now in course of construction.
Along the borders of the river Grarvogue, at a spot styled Lugananta (/. e. the hollow of the nettles), is the site on which was fought, in 1645, the battle by the R. C. Archbishop of Tuam — at least so says local tradition. In the commencement of this century, when the present woods with which the hollow is surrounded were being planted, swords, pistols, guns, and armour were dug up. This spot is on the line of the old track which formerl}^ led from Cairns to Ballintogher, along the shore of Lough Gill through the pass between Slish and Slieve-da-en.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 193

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Inishmulclohy or Coney Island, you can still see the guide pillars that mark the route across the strand. Fourteen of them, built of stone, set in a direct line from the old Scarden Mills. They stand on quadrangular bases with steps, and each pillar has rings strongly secured to it. The Grand Jury of the county had them put up, carrying out in later days work that Saint Patrick abandoned. These pillars have saved many lives. When the tide overtakes people crossing the strand, they can be seen clinging to the rings or seated on the summit of a pillar, where they present a most singular appearance, waiting for rescue. A roadway was also in course of construction when this was written. The material goes on to another place, Lugananta, the hollow of the nettles, along the river Garavogue. Local tradition says a battle was fought there in 1645 by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Tuam. When the surrounding woods were planted early in this century, swords, pistols, guns, and armour were dug up. That spot lies on the old track from Cairns to Ballintogher, along the shore of Lough Gill through the pass between Slish and Slieve-da-en.

Lady Morgan describes Sunday cake-dance in Tireragh

Tireragh · barony · Sligo · 1806

Lady Morgan described a cake-dance in the barony of Tireragh in 1806, where a distaff was fixed in the ground with a flat cake on top as a prize for the best dancer or archest wag. People of both sexes for miles around attended, with a piper seated nearby collecting contributions in a dug hole.

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Lady Morgan, describing a " cake-dance " in the barony of Tireragh, states that in the year 1806 some few halfpence were always spared from the household purse to purchase the pleasures which the Sunday cake bestowed. In the centre of a field a distaff was fixed in the earth, on which was placed a large flat cake, and this cake became the reward of talent ; it was sometimes carried off by the best dancer and sometimes by the archest wag of the company. The young and old of both sexes for miles around the neighbourhood hastened to enjoy the festivity. At a little distance from the standard of revelry was placed its chief agent, the piper, who was always seated on the ground and near him was dug a hole into which contributions of the assembly were dropped. At the end of every jig, the piper was paid by the young man who danced it, and who endeavoured to enhance the value of the gift, by first bestowing it on his fair partner, and although a penny a jig was esteemed very good pay, 3^et the gallantry or ostentation of the contributor, anxious at

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 201

Skirmish at Tubbercurry during French advance

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1798

Captain O'Hara's yeoman cavalry picket at Tubbercurry reconnoitred the advancing French force. In the skirmish, Lieutenant Knott was taken prisoner and his son killed; Captain Russell of the Prince of Wales' Fencibles was also captured, severely wounded, and died days later.

Read the passage

The " Corran-Liney and Coolavin cavalry," stationed there as a picket, under the command of Captain O'Hara, Member for tlie County, advanced to reconnoitre the enemy, and in a skirmish with tliem Lieutenant Knott was taken prisoner and his only son killed ; also Captain Russell, of the Prince of Wales' Fencibles, was captured by the French at Tubbercurry, and having been severely wounded died a few days after.
Captain O'Hara sent intelligence to Colonel Yereker at Sligo that the French were advancing.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 9

Yarn exports from Sligo port

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1775–1791

During the peak of the linen trade, enormous quantities of yarn were exported from the port of Sligo to England. In 1775 alone, £80,000 worth of yarn was exported, with substantial shipments to Manchester and Liverpool.

Read the passage

There was an immense export of yarn to England during the halcyon days of the linen trade. In the year 1775 £80,000 worth of yarn was exported from the port of Sligo ; in 1777 upwards of £40,000 worth of the commodity was sent thence to Manchester and Liverpool ; in 1791, 61,041 yards of linen cloth were exported.
About the time of the introduction of the linen industry into Sligo, the landlords seem to have specially exerted themselves in endeavouring to create occupation for the rapidly increasing population. Salt works were established in several localities, notably at Drumcliff and Ballydrihed, but in order to work them skilled labour had to be imported from the North of Ireland. A few smaller but now extinct industries existed in the town of Sligo ; most of these were finally annihilated by the railroad. " Carding " was formerly a very general industry, as was also " brogue " making. The ancient brogue was made of raw hide, rudely stretched, and the primitive pattern continued in use until recent times. Hundreds have been found in bogs, and good specimens of these, together with some of more elaborate finish, are preserved in the Science and Art Museum, Dublin. 1

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 123

As the companion tells it

Coming up near Sligo town, a port that once shipped enormous quantities of yarn to England during the peak of the linen trade. In 1775 alone, £80,000 worth of yarn was exported from here, and in 1777 upwards of £40,000 worth was sent to Manchester and Liverpool. By 1791, 61,041 yards of linen cloth were exported through the port. When the linen industry was introduced, landlords made efforts to create work for the growing population. Salt works were set up at Drumcliff and Ballydrihed, though skilled labour had to be brought in from the north of Ireland to run them. Sligo town also had smaller industries that have since vanished, most wiped out by the coming of the railway. Carding was once widespread, and so was brogue making. The old brogue was raw hide, rudely stretched, and that simple pattern stayed in use until recent times. Hundreds have been found preserved in the bogs, and good specimens now sit in the Science and Art Museum in Dublin.

Aged Crofton defends Longford house from rebels

Longford · town · Longford · 1798

James Crofton of Longford was absent when rebels came, but his bedridden aged father refused to leave, placing his couch across the front door and daring the assailants to enter over his body. The rebels left him unmolested, saying they only wanted his son.

Read the passage

James Crofton of Longford was absent from his residence, but his father, an aged but very resolute man, refused to leave, even after being informed that the rebels purposed to visit the house. The old man, who was bedridden, caused his couch to be placed across the front door, and informed his assailants that if they entered it should be across his body. They replied that
26 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 12

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is the town of Longford. In 1798, James Crofton of Longford was away when rebels came to his house. His aged father, bedridden but resolute, refused to leave, and had his couch placed across the front door. He told the rebels they would have to enter across his body. They left him alone, saying they only wanted his son.

Judge Keogh unseats Major Knox at Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon · town · Leitrim · 1869

A petition against Major Knox's 1868 election was heard before Justice Keogh at Carrick-on-Shannon, commencing 19 February 1869. After five days of investigation, Keogh declared the election void due to bribery by Knox's agents, though acquitting Knox personally of knowledge.

Read the passage

After a searching investigation, which lasted five days. Judge Keogh unseated Major Knox, declaring the election to be void by reason of bribery by his agents, acquitting him, however, personally of knowledge, but directing that he should pay the costs of the petition. Major Knox subsequently stated that tlie election and petition cost him nearly £8000.^ The Judge reported to the House of Commons that he had reason to believe that corrupt practices and bribery extensively prevailed at this and previous elections. The result of this report was the staying by the House of Commons of a new writ, and tlie ordering of a Special Commission to issue for the purpose of examining into the subject of corrupt practices existing at the three last elections, and appointing D. C. Heron, U.C, J. A. Byrne, and W. R. Bruce as Commissioners to make the inquiry, and report thereon. This Commission sat for the first time in the County Court-house, Sligo, on the 5th October, 1869, and finally closed in December. Upon a report and return to the House of Commons of these Commissioners," a bill was brought in to disfranchise the Borough of Sligo for the corrupt practices that were reported. The result was its disfranchisement by 33 & 34 Yict. c. 38 ; and a number of celebrities of the day. Queen's counsel, barristers, justices of the peace, gentlemen, merchants, and persons holding official appointments were, on their names being scheduled in the reports of the Judge
^ Major Knox died 24th January, 1873, aged 36 years.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 30

Penannular gold object found on Collooney-Enniskillen railway cutting

Collooney · townland · Sligo

A fragmentary penannular object with an earthen core covered in thin gold plate, decorated with archaic dots and scorings, was discovered in a peat stratum about six feet deep during construction of the Collooney and Enniskillen Railway. Robert Duke of Newpark presented it to the Royal Irish Academy.

Read the passage

Many curious and antique gold ornaments have been found from time to time in the county. Along with a penannular ornament (acquired by the Royal Irish Academy), were discovered a quantity of small ring chains. A golden-cupped fibula (fig. 42) was found in a bog near the town in 1874 ; it was quite perfect, and was purchased by the Royal Irish Academy for £21 12s. Remains of this class have long been a puzzle to the antiquary. There seem to be but scanty grounds for styling them " fibulse ; " they are found of sizes varying from a mere shirt stud to that of a door-handle — sometimes even larger. Portion of a strange penannular object was found in a cutting when the Collooney and Enniskillen Railway line was in course of construction ; it was in a stratum of peat, resting on gravel, and at a depth of about six feet from the surface ; the relic consists of a hard earthen core, covered with a thin plate of gold, upon which is displayed a variety of dots and scorings of very archaic character. Articles of the so-called " fibulae " character, and probably contemporary with the fragment in question, have not unfrequently been found to contain a core of earth or copper. This curious waif of time coming into the possession of Robert Duke, d. l., of Newpark,
Fig. 42. — GoUl-cupped Fibula. (About one-third real size.)

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 124

Protestant prisoners marched across mountains, returned for want of food

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1798

A body of rebels sent across the mountains from Ballina to Tubbercurry with eighty Protestant prisoners. The distress for food was so acute that the prisoners were sent back under a rebel guard rather than being retained.

Read the passage

Besides the rebels who had marched from Castlebar with the French, a considerable body of them were sent across the mountains (from Ballina to Tubbercurry) with eighty Protestant prisoners ; the distress for food, however, was so great that the latter were sent back under a rebel guard.
From Tubbercurry the French proceeded to Collooney, and on their way the Irish pikemen plundered the house of Mr. Perceval of Templehouse, because he had been active against the " United Irishmen."

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 9

1830 contested Sligo county election with mob unrest

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1830

In the 1830 Sligo county election, Cooper, King and French were all proposed. Mobs paraded the streets of Sligo during the contest. After three days of polling the result was declared on 17th August: Cooper 465, General King 385, French 116.

Read the passage

Armstrong ; King was proposed by the lion. Edward Wingfield, seconded by James Wood ; French was proposed by Captain Hillas, seconded by Daniel Jones. Mobs paraded the streets of Sligo ; and on the 17th August the result of three days polling was declared as follows : Edward Joshua Cooper, 465 ; General King, 385 ; Fitzstephen French, 116.
From 1830 to 1841, and again from 1857 to 1859, Edward Joshua Cooper represented the County in Parliament. He was born in 1798 ; and after spending some years at Armagh and Eton, entered Christ Church College, Oxford, where he remained but two years, when he started on a lengthened series of travels. In 1821 he engaged an Italian artist, and visited Egypt, the result of his journey being published under the title of Vieivs of Egypt and Nubia. In 1824-5 he traversed Denmark, Sweden and Norway, as far as the North Cape. Mr. Cooper kept meteorological registers at Markree, but owing to his frequent absences they were very imperfect until 1833. Becoming manager of the property on the death of his father in 1830, he at once took steps towards founding an observatory, which he intended to endow, in order to ensure its permanent utility. Mr. Cooper was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1853, and in 1858 received the Cunningham Medal of the Royal Irish Academy for his Catalogue of Ecliptic Stars. He died on the 23rd April, 1863. "His personal qualities were of a high order, and he was accomplished in many ways ; but his zeal for science did not lead him to neglect the duties of his position, for he was a kind and good landlord, making great exertions to educate and improve his tenantry." ^

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 20

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in the town where a troubled county election played out in 1830. Cooper, General King, and French were all proposed, and mobs paraded the streets during the contest. After three days of polling, the result was declared on 17th August: Cooper 465, King 385, French 116. The winner, Edward Joshua Cooper, born in 1798, had travelled widely before entering politics, visiting Egypt in 1821 and publishing Views of Egypt and Nubia, then journeying through Denmark, Sweden, and Norway as far as the North Cape. He represented the County from 1830 to 1841, and again from 1857 to 1859. On his father's death in 1830 he became manager of the property at Markree and began founding an observatory there. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1853, and in 1858 received the Cunningham Medal of the Royal Irish Academy for his Catalogue of Ecliptic Stars. He died on the 23rd of April, 1863. Of him it was written that his personal qualities were of a high order, and that his zeal for science did not lead him to neglect the duties of his position, for he was a kind and good landlord.

1848 Sligo election: Townley unseated for bribery

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1848

In April 1848 Charles Townley was returned for Sligo Borough by a majority of seven votes but was unseated on petition for bribery. Evidence before the House of Commons committee revealed his agent had lodged in filthy conditions in Sligo, and the constituency was rife with corruption.

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oi^ponent being Charles Townlej, of Townlej, County of Lancaster— a gentleman reputed to be very wealthy. Townley was supported by the priests, and is reputed to have laid out immense sums of money. " If he buys men from the priests, he may sell them to the minister if he chooses," was about the wittiest thing said against him. Townley was returned by a majority of seven votes, but he was unseated on petition. In the evidence given before a Committee of the House of Commons, a Mr. Cantwell, Mr. Townley's agent, stated that he took up his quarters at the hotel in Sligo, having left his lodgings on account of their filthy condition : the house was one of the dirtiest in the town, and there were fleas in it. " I dare say if the fleas had been unanimous they would have pulled you out of bed," facetiously observed the cross-examining counsel. " Well, they might have done that," retorted Mr. Cautwell. This retort was probably suggested by the anecdote told of Currau, who used to declare that if a house was infested with fleas they always flew to his bedchamber, when they heard he was to sleep there ! and once, when making complaint to his landlady in the morning, he exclaimed, "By heaven. Madam, they were in such numbers, and seized upon my carcase with so much ferocity, that if they had been unanimous, and all pulled one way, they must have dragged me out of bed entirely."

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 27

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Sligo town. Back in April 1848, this place was the scene of a rigged election. Charles Townley, a wealthy gentleman from Lancashire, stood for Sligo Borough with the support of the priests and a reputation for laying out immense sums of money. He was returned by a majority of seven votes, but was unseated on petition for bribery. The evidence before a House of Commons committee gave a flavour of the whole dirty business. Townley's agent, a Mr. Cantwell, told the committee he had taken up quarters at the hotel in Sligo after leaving his lodgings because they were filthy — one of the dirtiest houses in the town, with fleas in it. The cross-examining counsel remarked, "I dare say if the fleas had been unanimous they would have pulled you out of bed." Cantwell retorted, "Well, they might have done that." The exchange echoed an old anecdote told of Curran, who once complained to his landlady that the fleas seized upon his carcase with such ferocity that had they been unanimous and all pulled one way, they must have dragged him out of bed entirely.

Ancient cross at St. Attracta's well, Kilturra

Kilturra · townland · Sligo

An ancient cross at the well of St. Attracta in the parish of Kilturra is likely no later than the sixth century. It features unique incised scorings on its horizontal limb that may be a form of oghamic cipher.

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In the parish of Kilturra, the ancient and curious cross, situated at the well of St. Attracta, is probably of a date not later than the sixth century. It closely resembles a class of sculpture that students in ecclesiology have observed upon the walls, or over the doorways of primitive Christian Churches still remaining in parts of Northern Africa, Syria, and Asia Minor, and these buildings are supposed to be as old as the fourth century, A peculiarity of this Sligo cross is that from its horizontal limb rise eight scorings, four in each quadrant, and in this respect the monument appears to be unique. These scorings or digits may, perhaps, be a species of oghamic cipher, for all writings of this genus were, it is alleged, intended to be more or less disguised. To the class as represented by this specimen no key has been at present discovered. The total height of the cross over ground is 24 inches, and it measures 10 inches along its longitudinal limb. The lines are incised in the sandstone of which the cross is formed.
Near it stands a modern cross, stated to have been erected at the close of the last century by "Bishop Phillips." It is composed of a quadrangular piece of limestone, resembling an ordinary headstone in a graveyard. It is 27 inches in height, by 16| inches in width ; there is no lettering on it.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 187

Barytes mine and steam-mill at Ballintrillick

near Ballaghnatrillick · population centre · Sligo

A barytes mine near Ballintrillick used a complex system of ladders, wire cables, and buckets to transport spar down the cliff. A steam-mill for grinding it was erected near Ballintrillick-bridge, providing local employment.

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been since working it in partnership. Drifts on the lode have been started 200 feet lower down the cliff, and a ladder-road has been made from top to bottom, by wliiuh access to the mine can be had in all weathers, either from above or from below. The first of these ladders from the bottom of the precipice, is 140 feet in length, and nearly sheer; a ropeway of permanent wire cables with a span of 3000 feet is now used for transporting the spar from the mouth of the mine to the road below, and upon these steel buckets are slung from overhead, grooved wheels pass up and down every three minutes with a load of 5 cwt. each, the full one coming down taking up the empty one on the other line. The buckets are tipped into a truck which shoots the ore to the washing and dressing sheds below, and from there it is carted to the steam-mill which has been erected for grinding it, near Ballintrillick-bridge, and which, is conveniently situated for the lodes not yet developed on the north side of the glen. Here it is again picked over, all impurities removed, and after being dried on a tiled floor heated by the waste steam from the engine, it is ground in Lamberton's Ball Mills, six of which have been put up ; the impalpable powder is separated from the grit by special machines and packed into barrels, or bags, for shipment from Mullaglimore or Sligo. It is anticipated that a considerable export trade will be done to America, and that from three to five thousand tons during the year may be disposed of at a remunerative price, giving employment locally to sixty or seventy hands. The principal use of barytes is as a substitute for white-lead in making cheap paint. It is used by bleachers for size, by paper-makers and china manufacturers for glaze, for making glass, by chemists for making analyses, and for a variety of otlier purposes. It is sometimes introduced into articles that are sold by weight and merely for the purpose of adding weight — the quality which its name implies, and whicli is its distinguishing characteristic. There are other mines of a somewhat similar description near Clonakilty, and also in the neighbourhood of Bantrj', but the more valuable cax'bonate of baryta or barium does not, it is alleged, occur elsewhere in Ireland.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 126

Beranger's 1779 tour sketching Lough Gill from the Sligo–Enniskillen road

near Lough Gill · lake or lakes · Kerry · 1779

In 1779 the tourist Beranger travelled the old mail-coach road from Sligo to Enniskillen, marvelling at the mountain scenery and pausing to sketch a distant view of Lough Gill with its wooded islands and surrounding hills.

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The old mail-coach road from Sligo to Enniskillen leads tlirough lovely scenery. In 1779 the tourist Beranger thus describes his impression of it : — " All the mountains of Cavan, Monaghan, and Fermanagh, which we thought once high, are nothing in comparison to those we passed this day. We looke<l forward from the top of the first we ascended, and were astonished to see others as high before us, succeeding one another in chains, piled up so that no horizon could be seen. Thinking it impossible to pass over them, we fancied that we had strayed from the right road, and sent our Irish interpreter to inquire, who soon confirmed that we were to pass them ; but if we had the trouble to walk over them, we were ampl}' repaid by the variety of charming prospects every hill afforded, particularly one v/here we had a distant view of Lough Gill, with its hills around it, and some of its wooded islands. I eoiild not withstand the temptation to take a sketch of it."
Within the last fifty years many miles of useful roads have been made through various parts of the county, and there are now very few districts which are not opened up.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 100

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Lough Gill, a lake you are coming near on this old road. In 1779 a tourist called Beranger came this way on the mail-coach road from Sligo to Enniskillen. He wrote that all the mountains of Cavan, Monaghan, and Fermanagh, which he and his party had once thought high, were nothing compared to the ones they passed that day. From the top of the first mountain they climbed, they looked forward and saw others as high again, succeeding one another in chains, piled up so that no horizon could be seen. They thought it impossible to pass over them and fancied they had strayed from the right road. They sent their Irish interpreter to ask, and he soon confirmed they were to pass them. If they had the trouble of walking over them, Beranger said they were amply repaid by the variety of charming prospects every hill afforded. One hill in particular gave them a distant view of Lough Gill, with its hills around it and some of its wooded islands. He said, "I could not withstand the temptation to take a sketch of it."

Celebrated battle of 504 in the defile of the Curlew Mountains

near Curlew Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Roscommon · 504

A celebrated battle was fought in the year 504 in the defile of the Curlew Mountains, on the ancient route invaders used when approaching Sligo from the direction of Boyle. The pass remained a strategic military corridor down to the Revolution of 1688.

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HE historians of ancient Erin inform us tliat there were roads leading through all the provinces of the kingdom ; yet thick woods extended over vast districts of the country, and in none were they more numerous than in the present County Sligo. Like the Romans, the Anglo-Normans were great roadmakers. One of the " Red Earl's " first works in the county was the construction of a road over the Curlew mountains to his newly-erected stronghold at Ballymote, and which is still styled by the country people Bothar-an-Iarla-Ruaidli, or the Red Earl's road. Until comparatively recent times it was the ancient route to Sligo over " the craggy mountain of the Curlews." In many places it can still be traced, and seems to have resembled the mule tracks yet to be seen in Spain. It was constructed, most probably, on the ancient trail followed by invaders of Sligo from the direction of Boyle, and where, in the defile of the mountains, a celebrated battle was fought in the year 504. From this date down to even so late as the Revolution of 1688, it was the line on which many important movements of troops took place, and it may be considered one (perhaps the only one) of the really ancient roads through the county. In addition there was the track followed by O'Donnel from Tirconnell, that by which O'Rorke could invade Sligo, and the route from Ballina to Ballysadare.
Lithgow, a travelled Scotchman, in his quaint account of journeyings through Ireland in 1619-1620, when describing the general state of the tracks, states they could not be designated roads that he traversed ; and he was of opinion that there were more rivers, lakes, brooks, strands, quagmires, bogs, and

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 97

Coast peasantry survive on seaweed and shellfish, 1822

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1822

During the severe distress of 1822, peasantry along the Sligo coast supported life chiefly on seaweed and shellfish picked up on the shore. This followed total failure of the potato crop caused by months of heavy rain.

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The fields were untilled, and in the preceding year there had heen a total failure of the flax crop, thereby adding to the calamities of the poor. In the months of June and July, the peasantry along the coast supported life chiefly on sea- weed and shell-fish, picked up by them on the shore. This severe distress was caused by the total failure of the potato crop, owing to heavy rains which lasted for many months, beginning at the close of the previous year. There was also a great mortality among cattle, probably arising from the same cause.
An eye-witness thus describes Sligo, in the month of May, 1822 : — "It would be impossible for you to conceive or me to describe the state of the poor among us : the most appalling description would fall far short of the reality. To know all, you should put your head into a cabin, containing perhaps ten or fifteen squalid inhabitants who had fasted forty-eight hours ; hear the cries of the children, behold the tears of the mother, and the worn, heavy countenance of the father, who has neither work to do, nor strength to do it. With all that can be done, numbers must die of hunger, and disease resulting from it. The prospects of another year are gloomy in consequence of the ground remaining unplanted for want of seed potatoes. We are anxiously expecting an importation of them from the bounty offered by Government."

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 32

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is a town that saw terrible suffering in 1822. Months of heavy rain beginning at the close of the previous year caused the total failure of the potato crop, and there was great mortality among cattle too. Along the coast the peasantry survived chiefly on seaweed and shellfish picked up on the shore, and the flax crop had already failed the year before, adding to the calamity. An eyewitness described Sligo in May 1822 in words from the source: "It would be impossible for you to conceive or me to describe the state of the poor among us." They wrote of cabins holding perhaps ten or fifteen squalid inhabitants who had fasted forty-eight hours, of children crying, mothers weeping, and fathers with no work and no strength to do it. The prospects for another year were gloomy because the ground remained unplanted for want of seed potatoes, and the people were anxiously awaiting an importation through a bounty offered by Government.

Cutter The Glance foundered on Lough Gill, four drowned (1876)

near Lough Gill · lake or lakes · Kerry · 1876

During a regatta on Lough Gill in 1876, a small cutter named The Glance foundered in a heavy squall and her crew of four were drowned. The boat was later raised from one of the deepest parts of the lake.

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In 1876, during a regatta on Lough Gill, a very serious accident occurred ; a small cutter named " The Glance " foundered during a heavy squall, and her crew — four in number — were drowned. Although it had gone down in one of the deepest parts of the lake the boat was raised. Shortly afterwards " The Glance " was racing at Eosses Point, when a sudden squall nearly swamped the yacht ; one of her crew — all amateurs save the grim old helmsman— said it was madness to proceed ; and the sailor ejecting a stream of tobacco-juice from his mouth, coincided in this opinion, giving utterance to the remark — since appropriated by others — " that it was better to be a coward for five minutes than a corpse all one's life."
Some of the racing-cups are here noticed : — The "Ladies' Cup " is of antique design, is hand-made, and holds about nine gills. It is a fine piece of Irish embossed work, in sterling silver.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 198

As the companion tells it

Up ahead you're passing near Lough Gill, the lake where a regatta turned deadly in 1876. A small cutter called The Glance foundered in a heavy squall during the races, and all four of her crew were drowned. She went down in one of the deepest parts of the lake, but the boat was later raised. She was back racing shortly afterwards at Rosses Point, where another sudden squall nearly swamped her. One of the amateur crew called it madness to go on. The old helmsman spat a stream of tobacco juice over the side and agreed, saying it was "better to be a coward for five minutes than a corpse all one's life." The Ladies' Cup raced for here is a piece of antique Irish embossed silver, handmade, holding about nine gills.

Failed public baths and washhouses in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1847–1867

From 1847 onwards, multiple attempts to erect Public Baths and Washhouses in Sligo failed despite Lord Palmerston allocating a plot of ground. Dr. James Tucker started baths on a small scale in 1866 but they proved a failure due to inconvenient situation.

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In January, 1847, the Council decided on the erection of Public Baths and Washhouses ; the resolution, however, was not carried out. Again, in October, 1856, the Act (9 & 10 Vict.) for promoting the voluntary establishment of these useful institutions was adopted, and after inquiry as to the working of the Act in other boroughs, it was determined, in November, 1856, that an application should be made for the loan of £900, for erection of baths in Sligo. This resolution, together with those previously passed, remained a dead letter, though supported by the lively interest taken in the town by Lord Palmerston, who had allocated a plot of ground for the proposed purpose.
In 1866 Dr. James Tucker was himself so certain of the success of the projected plan, that he started baths on a small scale, but they proved a failure — chiefly owing to the inconvenient situation in which they had been placed. The project was again brought forward in 1867, when a petition was forwvarded to Government, praying for a grant of £2000 for the purpose of carrying out the Sanitary Act, as well as to erect

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 91

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that tried for twenty years to give itself public baths and washhouses, and never quite managed it. In January 1847 the Council decided to erect them, but the resolution was not carried out. In October 1856 the Act for promoting the voluntary establishment of these institutions was adopted, and the following month it was determined to apply for a loan of £900 for the purpose. That resolution, like the earlier one, remained a dead letter, though Lord Palmerston took a lively interest and had allocated a plot of ground. In 1866 Dr. James Tucker started baths on a small scale himself, but they proved a failure, chiefly owing to the inconvenient situation in which they had been placed. The project was brought forward once more in 1867, when a petition was sent to Government praying for a grant of £2000 to carry out the Sanitary Act and to erect the baths.

Fever devastates Tubbercurry and Tubberscanavan

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1847–1849

Tubbercurry, Tubberscanavan, and other villages suffered severely from the fever epidemic alongside the broader cholera crisis in the region.

Read the passage

Tubbercurry, Tubberscanavan, and other villages suffered severely from the malady ; whilst the reports from the townland of Dunfore, on the Lissadell Estate, were simply appalling: one person stated in the public press that on the roadside he saw four coffins, in some of which the corpses had lain for two or three days, as nobody would bury them.
In Sligo the Abbey burial-ground remained closed for about six months — during which period the ornamental railings in front of it were erected — when the Mayor was solicited as a special favour to grant leave for the interment of a well-known citizen ; this being done, the local magistrates acted subsequently on the opinion tliat all families having burial-places in the Abbey should have permission to inter there as soon as the epidemic had quite disappeared : a magistrate's order, however, had to be produced. The place once opened, applications from all sides poured in, and the result was a reversion to the old state of things.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 40

Great frost and skating on Lough Gill in 1881

near Lough Gill · lake or lakes · Kerry · 1881

A severe frost in late January 1881 produced a beautiful stretch of black ice on Lough Gill extending from Ardowen to Church Island. Skaters travelled over the ice to Hollywell, Doonee, and Bunowna, and had a storm not broken the upper lake surface the entire area to Shriff would have become a vast skating rink.

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Owing to very severe winters being of rare occurrence in Sligo, skating is an amusement seldom to be enjoyed in perfection. Although the surface of Lough Gill may have been frequently ice-bound, yet only a few instances have been authenticated, i. e. in 1435 (when the cold was so severe that " the people were enabled to travel over all the lakes and rivers of Ireland on the ice"), in 1688, 1855, and 1881. In the end of January of the latter year there was a frost which, in severity, had not been equalled for twenty-six years previously. There was a beautiful stretch of black ice extending from Ardowen to Church Island ; and had not the surface of the upper portion of the lake been broken up by a violent storm, its entire area, extending to Shriff, would have been converted into a gigantic skating rink for the inhabitants of Sligo, The scene was one likely to be long remembered by those who skated to Hollywell, Doonee, and Bunowna, over the smooth surface of the ice-bound lake, its wooded slopes looking beautiful in their frosty mantle. The mortality amongst the feathered tribe was great, and it was many years before the woods again resounded, as of yore, with the sweet song of thrush and blackbird.
In the summer season there is an invasion of bathers — commonly termed " sea-pikes " — from the inland parts of the county and neighbouring districts, to the seaside villages. On Coney Island they sometimes amount, it is stated, to 400 in number. By the better classes, Mullaghmore, Rosses Point, and Enniscrone are greatly frequented. In his " Journey throughout Ireland," in 1834, Inglis thus alludes to the custom of summer-migration : — " I was surprised to meet every few hundred j^ards on the road (t. e. from Boyle to Sligo) carts heavily laden with country-people, many of them of the lowest order, and with different articles of furniture piled up, or

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 207

As the companion tells it

You are coming up on Lough Gill. Severe winters are rare in Sligo, and skating here is an amusement seldom enjoyed in perfection. The lake has been ice-bound from time to time, but only a few instances are authenticated. In 1435 the cold was so severe that, as the record says, the people were enabled to travel over all the lakes and rivers of Ireland on the ice. The frost returned in 1688, again in 1855, and then in 1881. At the end of January 1881 a frost came that had not been equalled for 26 years before. A beautiful stretch of black ice extended from Ardowen to Church Island. Had the surface of the upper portion of the lake not been broken up by a violent storm, its entire area, extending to Shriff, would have been converted into a gigantic skating rink for the inhabitants of Sligo. Those who were there skated to Hollywell, Doonee, and Bunowna, over the smooth surface of the ice-bound lake, its wooded slopes looking beautiful in their frosty mantle. The scene was one likely to be long remembered. The mortality among the feathered tribe was great. It was many years before the woods again resounded, as of old, with the sweet song of thrush and blackbird.

Lady Morgan records Sligo peasant's account of Threshers and tithes

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1806

In 1806, Lady Morgan described meeting a Sligo peasant who reported that Threshers had barred a priest out of his chapel to force him to lower his dues, threatening to attend Protestant church if he did not comply.

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In 1806 Lady Morgan, then Miss Owenson, thus describes an interview she had with a Sligo peasant relative to the dispute about tithes. " He was going to Sligo for some grains for a sick cow, not being able, he said, to procure any at Ballina, whence he had just come. As Ballina and its neighbourhood had been the head-quarters of the Threshers, I made some inquiries lelative to their operations. ' Why,' replied he, ' they are busy enough at present with the tithe- proctors ; and they have barred a priest out of his chapel in the hope of making him lower his dues, threatening to go to church if he does not, not being able to pay both priest and minister, since the proctors have raised the tithes and the priest his dues. For my own part church or mass is all one to me.'"
In former times the clergymen of the Irish Church, as by law established, derived the principal part of their income from tithes, which were in the last century generally taken in kind — from wheat, barley, oats, flax, wool, hay, &c. The usual mode of collecting tithes at the commencement of this century was by an agent, called a proctor, who, immediately before harvest, estimated the quantity of coru, hay, or flax, which he supposed then to be on the ground, and — charging the market price — ascertained the amount to be paid by the owner. In some cases the incumbent let his tithe as he might a farm, and the money was collected from the occupier ; but very frequently the lessee re-let the tithe to another, and the former was then styled the middle proctor. In Sligo it was customary previous to harvest to call a sale, at which the tithe was disposed of to any person who chose to buy it ; but in this manner it would sell for little, did not the temptation of a promissory-note at six months induce persons to bid. According to Cobbett's Parliamentanj Debates there were 146 actions respecting tithe tried in the year 1807 at the Quarter Sessions in the County Sligo.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 163

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Ballina and its neighbourhood were the headquarters of the Threshers, according to Lady Morgan, then Miss Owenson, writing in 1806. She had met a Sligo peasant who had come from Ballina seeking grains for a sick cow, unable to procure any there. When she asked him about the Threshers' activities, he told her they were busy enough with the tithe proctors. They had even barred a priest out of his chapel, hoping to make him lower his dues, threatening to go to church if he did not. The peasant said they could not pay both priest and minister, since the proctors had raised the tithes and the priest his dues. For his own part, he said, church or mass was all one to him. The dispute she was describing was over tithes, the payments that clergymen of the established Irish Church drew from crops and produce. At this time tithes were usually collected by an agent called a proctor, who estimated the quantity of corn, hay, or flax on the ground before harvest and charged the market price. In Sligo it was customary to hold a sale before harvest, disposing of the tithe to whoever would buy it, aided by the temptation of a promissory note at six months. According to Cobbett's Parliamentary Debates, there were 146 actions respecting tithe tried in 1807 at the Quarter Sessions in County Sligo.

Lady Morgan's 1807 visit to holy well near Longford House

Longford · town · Longford · 1807

In 1807, Lady Morgan described visiting a holy well near Longford House, where a stone bath was fed by a sacred spring. A path was worn by pilgrims' knees, and an altar shaded by an oak tree bore a wooden crucifix and votive offerings.

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Lady Morgan describes a visit to a holy well in the year 1807 : — When returning on foot to Longford House, which was little more than half a mile across a field-path, a partial view of a holy well tempted her to a little pilgrimage aside. She directed her steps therefore to a gleu, terminated by a little circular spot. In the centre of this stood a round stoue-bath which received its tributary waters from the adjoining sacred spring. A path was traced round the holy well, as if worn by " holy knees," and a small bowl was suspended over it by a chain. At some little distance from the bath and well stood a simple altar shaded by a spreading oak, from whose trunk was hung a wooden crucifix, and on whose branches were thrown the votive offerings of those whose " faith had made them whole ; " the names of the pious convalescents were carved on its bark.
A peasant always approaches a holy well on the north side, and moves from east to west in imitation of the diurnal motion of the sun ; a corpse should be carried to its last resting place, a bride approach her husband, and the glass circulate around the festive board in the same manner, such being the right or lucky way, and the opposite being the wrong or unlucky way. At

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 181

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Longford, Lady Morgan came this way in 1807. She was walking back to Longford House, little more than half a mile across a field, when a holy well drew her aside. In a glen she found a round stone bath fed by a sacred spring, with a path worn into the ground, as she wrote, by “holy knees.” A bowl hung over the well by a chain, and nearby stood a simple altar shaded by a spreading oak. From its trunk hung a wooden crucifix, and on its branches lay votive offerings from those whose “faith had made them whole,” their names carved into the bark. She noted that a peasant always approaches a holy well from the north and moves east to west, following the sun's path, the same direction a corpse is carried to its last resting place, a bride approaches her husband, and a glass circulates around the festive board.

Linen-hall and weaving trade at Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo

The Cootes erected a market-house at Collooney before selling their property, originally used as a linen-hall. About fifty weavers found constant employment in the village at the height of the linen manufacture, which followed the same rise and fall as elsewhere in the county.

Read the passage

About the same period that the Ballymote linen trade was started, similar arrangements, but on a smaller scale, were made by Mr. O'Hara, Mr. Knox, and Mr. Wynne, who built houses, procured looms, and encouraged the weaving trade. The present market-house at Collooney was erected by the Cootes before the sale of their property ; it was originally used as a linen-hall, and at the height of the prosperity of the manufacture about fifty weavers found constant employment in the village. The rise and fall of this industry, however, had the same history here as elsewhere in the county. The linen trade took root in most of the country villages ; at one period there were nearly forty looms in full work in the village of Ballysadare ; it afforded more or less occupation throughout the county, and the description of this industry, given by the Bev. James Neligan in 1815, as carried on by his parishioners, is applicable to the entire district : — " The weavers are scattered throughout the villages, having in general a small holding of land, which they cultivate in the same manner as other tenants, and at their leisure times weave pieces for the country people or for themselves. There are good markets for these linens at Sligo and Ballina, where they are sold green, and many of them bought by bleachers in the neighbourhood, who after bleaching them, send them to Dublin or some foreign market." Thus, weaving and spinning were almost universally practised, the latter occupation being that of the women and children, and while the females were engaged in preparing the flax and spinning the yarn, the men were weaving. Yery little land was given with the houses, as it was thought that weaving
PORT or SLIGO, TRADE AND MANUFACTURE. 245

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 123

Lord Palmerston's improvements at Cliffoney and Mullaghmore

Cliffony · town · Sligo

Lord Palmerston, who died in 1865, owned a wild bleak district near Cliffoney with numerous small cottiers under middlemen. He reduced rents by about one-third, abolished the rundale system of farming, sent tenants to America paying their passage, and spent a large portion of the Cliffoney rental building the harbour of Mullaghmore and improving the estate.

Read the passage

He spent a large portion of the Cliffoney rental in building the harbour of Mullaghmore, improving the estate by drainage, roads, planting, &c.
Wakefield remarks that " the estate of Mr. O'Hara, member for the county, was held by original title to the soil," in contradistinction to the other proprietors, who derived theirs by grants from the Crown ; but although Mr. O'Hara, in one respect, held his property " by original title to the soil," yet his ancestor, in Elizabeth's time, had prudently taken a grant of it from the (Jrown on English tenure.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 149

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Cliffony, this was part of Lord Palmerston's estate. He spent a large portion of the Cliffoney rental building the harbour at Mullaghmore, and he improved the land here through drainage, roads, and planting.

Lynch defeats O'Hara in Sligo county election

Sligo · town · Sligo

After the death of a sitting member, the Sligo county representation was contested by Charles K. O'Hara, jun., and Nicholas Lynch. Despite O'Hara seemingly having a clear majority of promises, Lynch won with 1,545 votes to O'Hara's 980, illustrating the unpredictability of the ballot.

Read the passage

On bis decease, the representation was contested by diaries K. O'Hara, jun., and Nicbolas Lynch, and with the following result :— Lynch, 1545 ; O'Hara, 980. Mr. O'Hara had seemingly every prospect of success ; if promises were to be relied on, he had a clear majority ; but as the old classic orator said, " the ballot is dear to the people, for it covers men's faces and conceals their thoughts ; it gives them the opportunity of doing what they like, and promising all that they are asked." A celebrated English wit remarks that the ballot would bring to pass that which David said only in his wrath, and make all men liars.
On the Redistribution of Seats the county was divided into two districts. North Sligo consisted of the Barony of Carbury, the Barony of Tireragh, and the parishes of Ballysadare and Killoran, in the Barony of Leyny ; the remainder of the county formed the electoral division of South Sligo.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 22

As the companion tells it

As you come through Sligo town, you're passing through a place where a notable county election once played out. After the sitting member died, the seat was contested by Charles K. O'Hara, jun., and Nicholas Lynch. O'Hara seemed to have every prospect of success, with what looked like a clear majority of promises behind him. But Lynch won with 1,545 votes to O'Hara's 980, and later the county was divided into two electoral districts, North and South Sligo. As the source says, the ballot "covers men's faces and conceals their thoughts," giving people the chance to do as they like and promise all they are asked.

Opening of the Midland Great Western Railway to Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1856–1862

After multiple failed canal and railway proposals dating back to 1825, the Midland Great Western Railway line to Sligo was finally commenced, with construction to begin simultaneously at Sligo and Longford. A great number of English navvies were employed, astonishing the natives by their work rate.

Read the passage

Within this century no event occurred of greater importance to the interests of Sligo than the opening of the Midland Great Western Eailway to the town. A great many abortive attempts had been previously made to obtain speedy direct communication with Dublin, and elsewhere. In 1825, a memorial was presented to the Lord Lieutenant, from the gentry of Sligo, praying that a canal might be formed to connect Lough Erne with Lough Allen, and that again with Lough Gill, and thence to the sea. In 1839, the merchants of Sligo petitioned the Lords of the Treasury in favour of a caual to connect Lough Allen with Lough Gill, and Lough Gill with the sea ; and in
p 2

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 106

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is the town where the Midland Great Western Railway finally arrived after decades of failed proposals. Back in 1825, the gentry of Sligo petitioned the Lord Lieutenant for a canal linking Lough Erne to Lough Allen, then to Lough Gill and the sea. The merchants tried again in 1839, petitioning the Lords of the Treasury for a canal from Lough Allen to Lough Gill and on to the sea. Construction of the railway finally began simultaneously at Sligo and Longford, with a great number of English navvies employed, astonishing the locals by their work rate. The source calls it the most important event for Sligo within that century.

Pauperism and beggary in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1822–1849

Following the 1822 famine, Sligo's streets were crowded with beggars, prompting the establishment of the Mendicity Institution. The nuisance of mendicancy persisted, noted by Carlyle in 1849 during his Irish journey.

Read the passage

A Mendicity Institution for benefit of the destitute poor of Sligo was founded after the labours of the Relief Committee, appointed to alleviate the condition of sufferers during the famine of 1822, had drawn to a close. The local newspaper, in the commencement of the year 1823, drew attention to an evil which, though familiar, yet did not appear to have excited that exertion to meet it that its paramount importance seemed to demand, i. e. the increased and alarming state of pauperism then existing in Sligo. The streets were literally crowded with beggars of every description, from the sturdy mendicant to the little urchin pickpocket, the annoyance of whose studied and varied wailings was absolutely intolerable.^ It was suggested that some commodious building should be appropriated for the purpose of establishing proper and profitable employment for these paupers, the majority of whom were well able to work.
All the preliminary steps having been taken, a public meeting in furtherance of the project was held, subscriptions were raised, and for many years no association of similar kind surpassed it in efficiency. It continued until the establishment of the poor-law system.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 80

As the companion tells it

Sligo, the town you're passing through, saw its streets filled with beggars after the famine of 1822. The local newspaper at the start of 1823 drew attention to what it called the increased and alarming state of pauperism. The streets were literally crowded with beggars of every description, from the sturdy mendicant to the little urchin pickpocket. A Mendicity Institution was founded to give proper and profitable employment to these paupers, most of whom were well able to work. Subscriptions were raised, a public meeting held, and for many years no association of similar kind surpassed it in efficiency. It carried on until the poor-law system came in. The nuisance of mendicancy persisted, though. Carlyle noted it during his Irish journey in 1849, still finding beggary on these streets well over twenty years after the institution was set up to cure it.

Silent streets of Sligo during cholera epidemic

Sligo · town · Sligo

During the cholera epidemic the streets of Sligo were deserted and eerily silent, with only footsteps of those seeking medical aid and the rumble of hearses breaking the quiet. A contemporary recalled that not a voice was heard, birds ceased to sing, and grass grew in the streets.

Read the passage

the remains of those of somewhat better social position ; whilst the air was impregnated with the odour emitted by tar-barrels burning at the corners of the streets. A person who well remembers these terrible scenes states that not a voice was to be heard in the streets; the birds appeared to have ceased to sing, and the sparrows to chirp : indeed the absence of the feathered tribe was most remarkable.^ The streets were deserted, and before the termination of the epidemic they were almost as green as the fields.
Up to the close of September cholera lingered on in the town, but so early as the beginning of the month seven skilfid medical practitioners and physicians had succumbed, and at the close of the visitation eleven medical men in all were stated to have fallen victims to it. So great were the ravages that a native of the place who was quartered in India at the time, saAV there a newspaper paragraph with the heading "Sligo is no more."

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 35

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, the town carries the memory of a cholera epidemic that emptied these streets. Tar-barrels burned at the corners, and the air hung thick with their smoke. A person who lived through it said that not a voice was to be heard in the streets. The birds appeared to have ceased to sing, and the sparrows to chirp. The absence of the feathered tribe was most remarkable. The streets were deserted, and before the epidemic ended they were almost as green as the fields. Cholera lingered in the town up to the close of September. By the beginning of that month, seven medical practitioners and physicians had already succumbed. By the close of the visitation, eleven medical men in all were stated to have fallen victims to it. The ravages were so great that a native of the place, then quartered in India, saw there a newspaper paragraph with the heading "Sligo is no more."

Sligo butter market decline against continental competition

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1868–1890

Sligo's butter trade averaged about 30,000 casks annually for years before 1868, but farmers failed to modernise and lost ground to Danish competitors. By the 1890s Sligo butter was nearly excluded from English markets where it had once sold readily.

Read the passage

The production and export of butter had been one of the staple industries of Sligo ; in common, however, with those of other districts, tlie Sligo andLeitrim farmers have not kept pace with the improvements of the times, and they can now obtain only a secondary place in the Scotch and English markets, and are unable to compete, either in quality or cost, with tlieir continental rivals, the produce of Danish dairies bringing regularly a much higher price. In short, Sligo butter is now almost excluded from tlie English markets, where in former years it found a ready sale, plainly showing the necessity that exists for alterations in the manner of its production.
The butter-market returns a slight profit ; but the cornmarket is worked at a loss.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 120

As the companion tells it

As you come through Sligo, this was once a butter town. For years before 1868 the trade averaged about 30,000 casks annually, but the farmers here did not keep pace with the improvements of the times, and the produce of Danish dairies began bringing regularly a much higher price. By the 1890s Sligo butter was almost excluded from the English markets where it had once found a ready sale. The butter market still returns a slight profit, though the corn market is worked at a loss.

Sligo Workhouse and Fever Hospital construction

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1841–1848

The Sligo Union Workhouse, completed in 1841 at a cost of £13,250, was built on very low ground liable to flooding. A Fever Hospital was added in 1848 at a further cost of £2,800, responding to the health crisis of the famine years.

Read the passage

The Workhouse, which was not completed until 1841, is built on very low ground, liable to floods. The edifice cost £13,250, and the Fever Hospital was erected in 1848 at a further expenditure of £2800.
The number in the Workhouse, from being at first only a few hundred, rose gradually from the year 1846 to 1849, in consequence of the great famine, till the Union- Workhouse — originally designed to house 1710 inmates — was no longer able to accommodate all who sought admission, and it was found necessaxy to provide three auxiliary houses, viz. one at Ballincar, another at the Charterhouse, and a third near the site now occupied by the artisans' dwellings.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 81

As the companion tells it

Sligo's workhouse was completed in 1841, built on very low ground liable to floods, at a cost of 13,250 pounds. A Fever Hospital followed in 1848, at a further 2,800 pounds. From 1846 to 1849, during the great famine, the numbers inside rose from a few hundred until the building, designed for 1,710 inmates, could no longer hold everyone who sought admission. Three auxiliary houses had to be provided: one at Ballincar, another at the Charterhouse, and a third near the site now occupied by the artisans' dwellings.

Unprecedented potato tithe claimed at Emlaghfad

Emlaghfad · townland · Sligo · 1813–1822

From 1813, the Rector of Emlaghfad litigated against a wealthy parishioner over tithes, eventually claiming tithe on potatoes—previously unheard of in Sligo. A public meeting was called and a petition sent to the House of Commons in 1822.

Read the passage

was called, a subscription raised, a committee appointed, and a memorial forwarded to the Viceroy. On the 15th May, 1822, Mr. Cooper " presented a petition to the House of Commons from the County Sligo, complaining of the claims recently set up for tithe upon potatoes, no such claim having ever before been asserted in that quarter of the country."
In the year 1815 any persons who bought tithe-corn or oats were visited by disguised gangs of men by night, the corn and oats threshed, and the proceeds carried off. The cause of these disturbances was finally to a great extent rectified by the composition of tithes, 4 Greorge IV. c. 99.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 164

William Draper bequest for Protestant maid-servants at St. John's

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1719–1892

William Draper of Sligo, buried in St. John's churchyard, left by his will dated 1719 a perpetual bequest paying £6 each to three Protestant maid-servants of the Church of England who served three years in good repute. The bequest was still being administered in the author's time, with qualification being residence within the Union of St. John's.

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William Draper, of Sligo, who is buried in the churchyard of St. John's, in his will, dated December 3rd, 1719, ordered his executors and their representatives for ever to " pay unto three Protestant maid-servants of the Church of England as by law established, tliat shall live three years a-piece in their service in good repute and without spot or blemish, the sum of £6 sterling to each of them as portion at the end of their said three years' service, and continue for ever to the like Protestant maidservants, to be paid them by the like payment at the end of their said three years' service, such Protestant maid-servants to be avouched by their masters and mistresses before the minister of the Parish of St. John's aforesaid, and of my under-named executors." This bequest is still regularly administered, the qualification being residence within the Union of St. John's.
138 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 67

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo town, you are near St. John's, where William Draper is buried in the churchyard. In his will, dated the 3rd of December 1719, he ordered his executors and their representatives for ever to pay £6 sterling each to three Protestant maid-servants of the Church of England who lived three years in service in good repute and "without spot or blemish." Each maid had to be avouched by her master and mistress before the minister of the parish of St. John's. The bequest was still being regularly administered in the author's time, with the only qualification being residence within the Union of St. John's.

Charter School used as famine workhouse and hospital

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1846–1848

The Sligo Charter School was discontinued in 1833 and replaced by a day-school closed in 1843. During the famine of 1846–8 the building was used as a workhouse and hospital, then as a barrack, and later as a boarding and day-school.

Read the passage

The number to be admitted at any one time was limited to 80 ; the Charter School was discontinued in 1833, and replaced by a day-school, which was finally closed in 1843. The building was subsequently utilized during the famine of 1846-8 as a workhouse and hospital, was afterwards used as a barrack, and is now occupied as a boarding and day-school.
In 1780 the Rev. James Neligan and the Rev. Peter Bermingham had each a school in Ardnaree, but one kept by the Rev. J. Armstrong in the town of Sligo was the best known.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 210

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Sligo town, where the old Charter School stood. It was discontinued in 1833 and replaced by a day-school that closed in 1843. During the famine of 1846 to 1848 the building was used as a workhouse and hospital, then afterwards as a barrack, and later as a boarding and day-school.

French abandon advance on Sligo after Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1798

After encountering unexpected resistance at Collooney, the French forces abandoned their plan to advance on Sligo town and instead marched towards Dromahair. This marked a turning point in the 1798 military actions in County Sligo.

Read the passage

Completely checked by the resistance which they had so unexpectedly encountered, the French abandoned the idea of advancing on Sligo, and leaving Collooney, marched towards Drumahaire.^
About three o'clock in the afternoon on the day of the battle at Collooney, some country people entered the town of Sligo and announced that the troops had been beaten, and the French were advancing; on which intelligence many Protestant women together with some few men embarked in the ships ; those, however, who were capable of bearing arms, to the number of about three hundred, resolved to defend the town, and were joined by a number of Methodists, headed by their preacher, Albert Blest. The troops who had remained behind under command of Colonel Sparrow occupied the most advantageous posts in the approaches leading to the town, and they continued under arms all night.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 11

Sea-bathing tradition at Sligo Bay

near Sligo Bay · bay · Sligo

Families of all classes in the Sligo area migrated annually to the seaside for health, hiring rooms in cabins and cottages at the lower end of Sligo on the Bay for as little as 1s. 6d. per week, bringing their own beds, meal, potatoes, and turf. An observer noted meeting upwards of twenty carts laden with women, children, and boys on the road to Boyle, all headed for sea-bathing.

Read the passage

attached to the carts ; and I learned with some astonishment that all these individuals were on their way to sea-bathing. This is a universal practice over these parts of Ireland. A few weeks passed at the seaside is looked upon to be absolutely necessary for the preservation of health ; and persons of all classes migrate thither with their families. In my way to Boyle, I met upwards of twenty carts laden with women, children, and boys. One may ask how the people afford this annual expense ? But there are numerous cabins and cottages at the lower end of Sligo, on the Bay, in which a room is hired at Is. 6d. per week ; this is almost the whole expense, for all carry with them — besides their beds and an iron pot — a quantity of meal, some sacks of potatoes, and even turf if there be room for it."
The hot-air bath, or what would now be designated the Turkish -bath— itself but a degenerate imitation of the luxurious

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 208

Ancient Sligo–Ballyshannon road and its rerouting

Carney · town · Sligo · 1700–1800

The old Sligo–Ballyshannon road followed the path used by northern invaders. It originally crossed the strand from Court Castle to Kintogher, then was rerouted via Rathcormick, Old Tullyhill, Shannon, Carney, Cashelgarrison and Grange. About 1800 the line was altered to run via Drumcliff Bridge, Milltown and Mullaghnaneane.

Read the passage

The road from Sligo to Ballyshannon probably occupies the track or path by whicli the northern invaders made their incursions on Sligo. The old milestones on it are similar to those on the Tireragh line before mentioned. This road, in ancient times, crossed the strand from the Castle of Court to Kintogher, but it was subsequently brought round by Rathcormick, Old Tullyhil], and Shannon. The road passed originally through the village of Carney to the cross-roads at Cashelgari'on, and thence to Grrange ; but about the commencement of the present century this line was altered, and taken from Drumcliff Bridge by Milltown and Mullaghnaneane. There are also in many parts of the county old roads which were evidently laid out at a very early period and with a fine disregard of gradients, as they seemed to pass over the highest and steepest hills that could be found ; possibly many of these liad been early horsepaths, or tracks merely widened and then stoned or paved ; some of them are still in use.
When carriages or wheeled vehicles came to be more generally employed, the road to Boyle over the mountains was found to be too steep, and the road from Sligo to Ballydrihed by Cloverhill was made. It would seem to have passed thence through Bally sadare, Colloouey, and Knockbeg old village ; by Heathfield and Earlsfield to Ballymote ; from this it most likely took the old direction by Battlefield over the Curlews to Boyle. Sign-boards bearing peculiar inscriptions invited the wayfarer within the precincts of roadside inns ; one of these, situated in the village of Ballinafad, at the foot of the Curlew Mountains, bore the invitation : —

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 99

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Carney, a town the old Sligo to Ballyshannon road passed through. That road probably occupies the track or path by which the northern invaders made their incursions on Sligo. The old milestones on it are similar to those on the Tireragh line. In ancient times this road crossed the strand from the Castle of Court to Kintogher, but it was subsequently brought round by Rathcormick, Old Tullyhill, and Shannon. The road passed originally through the village of Carney to the cross-roads at Cashelgarrison, and thence to Grange. About the commencement of the present century, this line was altered, and taken from Drumcliff Bridge by Milltown and Mullaghnaneane. There are also in many parts of the county old roads which were evidently laid out at a very early period and with a fine disregard of gradients, as they seemed to pass over the highest and steepest hills that could be found. Possibly many of these had been early horse paths, or tracks merely widened and then stoned or paved. Some of them are still in use. When carriages or wheeled vehicles came to be more generally employed, the road to Boyle over the mountains was found to be too steep, and the road from Sligo to Ballydrihed by Cloverhill was made. It passed through Ballysadare, Collooney, and Knockbeg old village, by Heathfield and Earlsfield to Ballymote, and most likely took the old direction by Battlefield over the Curlews to Boyle.

Barytes mining at Gleniff and Glencar

Gleniff · townland · Sligo · 1858–1870

Continuous deposits of barytes were found in the carboniferous limestone between Gleniff and Glencar. The lode towards Glencar was first worked on the mountain top in 1858 by a Mr. Williams, who transported ore on donkeys' backs round the cliff to Gleniff and then carted it to Mullaghmore for shipment to Liverpool.

Read the passage

In tlie carboniferous limestone formation between Grieniff and Glencar on the one side, andGrlenade in the county Leitrim on the other, are found continuous deposits of barytes, chemioally known as sulj)hate of barium. The lodes on the nortli side towards Glenade have only recently been discovered, and are now in process of exploration. That towards Glencar — which is apparently a true fissure-vein varying from six feet to a foot and even less in thickness — can be traced on the surface to within a short distance of the cliff in Glencar ; it was first worked on the top of the mountain in 1858 by a Mr. Williams, who had the ore transported on donkeys' backs round the spur of the cliff to Gleniff, whence it was carted to Mullaglimore and shipped there in the raw state for Liverpool. Mr. Williams not being able to come to terms with the owners of the mineral rights, abandoned the working, which so far had been a mere scratching of the surface. In 1870 the working of the lode was taken up by Mr. Folliott Barton, who began at the top of the cliff in Gleniff, on Sir Robert Gore-Booth's property. The ore was thence brought down to the valley by small buckets carrying two stone weight each ; the buckets were then hooked on to an endless wire-rope, and moved by the weight of the full buckets round inclined drums at either end. The vertical height of the terminal stage at the mouth of the workings, above the lower terminal platform, wliere the buckets were taken off, emptied, and hooked on again on tlie other side of the drum, was about 1000 feet. The ore was removed to a wash-trough situated a couple of miles down the glen, and from thence to a small Water-mill near the mouth of the Bunduff river, where it was ground by the wet process used in making china, lavigated, bleached with sulphuric acid, and packed in barrels or bags for shipment from Mullaglimore. From 1875 to 1888 the working of the mine was discontinued. In the latter year Sir Henry Gore-Booth and Mr. George Tottenham took it up, and have

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 125

Cholera checks emigration from Sligo port, 1832

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1832–1834

From January to April 1832, thirteen vessels left Sligo port with 4086 emigrants, but no further departures are recorded as emigration was checked by the outbreak of cholera. In 1834 the current set in again, with thirty vessels advertised to start from the port during the summer season.

Read the passage

From January to April, 1832, thirteen vessels left the port with 4086 emigrants, but no further departures are recorded, emigration being checked by the outbreak of cholera. In 1834, however, the current set in again in full force, and in Ajjril there were no less than thirty vessels advertised to start from the ]'0rt during the summer season. From 1st January to 1st May, 1835, 750 persons had left; six vessels sailed from the quay during one week in the month of June, 1836 ; whilst, in 1838, the total number of emigrants that left was 1284, in eleven ships, of wliioh the average tonnage was but about 200 tons ! The tide of emigration was directed to the British possessions in America, no vessel having cleared out for the United States, la 1839 the exodus continued, and in 1840 Sir Robert Grore Booth fitted out a ship for a number of his tenants on the townland of Bullygilgan. In the year 1845, from January to July, 2142 emigrants left the port. From "Sligo and the outposts" — which probably comprised Ballina — a Return of Emigration for the period, commencing in 1847 and ending in 1850, is as follows: — 1146 emigrants sailed for the United States in the year 1847, and 11 ,904 for Britisli America ; in 1848 the numbers were 747 and 2331, respectively; 1665 emigrants sailed for the

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 41

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo town, you are on a stretch of coast that once sent thousands across the Atlantic. In the first four months of 1832, 13 vessels left this port carrying 4086 emigrants. Then cholera broke out, and the departures stopped. No further departures are recorded after April of that year. The port stayed quiet, but in 1834 the current set in again in full force. That spring, 30 vessels were advertised to start from the port during the summer season. The flow continued in the years after. From January to May 1835, 750 people had left. In one week of June 1836, six vessels sailed from the quay. In 1838, 1284 emigrants departed on 11 ships, the average tonnage only about 200 tons. The tide was directed to British possessions in America, with no vessel clearing for the United States. In 1840, Sir Robert Gore Booth fitted out a ship for tenants from the townland of Bullygilgan. From January to July 1845, 2142 emigrants left the port.

Father Mathew administers temperance pledge to 10,000 at Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1840

In September 1840, Father Theobald Mathew visited Collooney where vast numbers from across County Sligo gathered. He was estimated to have administered the temperance pledge to 10,000 people, part of his crusade against intemperance that saved thousands from penury and disgrace.

Read the passage

of the carriage very cordially, and just as cordially with the master's coachman, a disciple of temperance, as at least half Ireland is at present." In September, 1840, Father Mathew visited Collooney, and vast numbers from all parts of the county were present ; it was estimated that he there administered the pledge to 10,000 people. The local paper of the day thus alludes to him : — *' To speak of the incalculable benefits produced by his exertions is altogether unnecessary ; thousands have been saved from penury and disgrace ; thousands too reclaimed from a life of profligacy by abstinence from ardent-spirits. . . . An improvement in the habits of the people in this respect we cannot doubt will be accomplished by increased moral restraint and a consequent decrease of crime and violence."
In his various addresses to the people in the town of Sligo, Father Mathew exhorted them to avoid all political and religious disputes, to cultivate a spirit of good will, of Christian charity to their neighbours of every persuasion, and to avoid all secret societies. There was a moral sublimity deeply impressive in the spectacle of so many thousand human beings influenced by one man, and on their knees repeating after him the words of the temperance pledge. No correct estimate can be formed of the numbers who enrolled themselves, but, adds an eye-witness, " from all that could be learnt it exceeded sixty thousand." The silver medals and temperance-pledge cards distributed by Father Mathew when in Sligo are, many of them, still treasured by the people.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 169

Fire set to A. Irwin's haggard at Willowbrook, 1797

Willowbrook · townland · Sligo · 1797

Armed attackers set fire to the haggard of Mr. A. Irwin of Willowbrook during the nocturnal campaign of burning and intimidation around Sligo in May 1797. The assailants were reportedly expected to continue burning 'without mercy or distinction.'

Read the passage

" jS[ow to inform you of the situation of this country at present, and the immediate prospect before us. . . . They began a few days ago by burning the haggards of Mr. Thomas Jones of Mount Edward, a few miles below Sligo ; a few nights after they burned the house of Mr. Henry at Knocknarea ; a few nights after stripped Mr. "Wynne's gatehouse of the lead, which they took for bullets ; and the night before last, set fire to the haggard of Mr. A. Irwin of Willowbrook. It is thought they will burn on without mercy or distinction. There is a total stop to trade ; no circulation of money ; no demand for cattle — the graziers afraid to buy, they are in such dread of houghing."
In November, 1799, the " cattle markets were very bad, and the crops in a dismal way." In March of the following year provisions of all kinds were very scarce and amazingly high in price ; starvation among the poor was dreaded.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 162

As the companion tells it

As you approach Sligo, you're coming into country that saw a wave of destruction in 1797. Agrarian agitators moved through properties around the town over successive nights. They burned the haggards of Mr. Thomas Jones of Mount Edward, a few miles below Sligo, then the house of Mr. Henry at Knocknarea. Next they stripped Mr. Wynne's gatehouse of its lead, which they took for bullets. The following night they set fire to the haggard of Mr. A. Irwin of Willowbrook. An observer wrote that there was "a total stop to trade; no circulation of money; no demand for cattle." The graziers were afraid to buy, in dread of having their animals houghed. It was thought the attackers would "burn on without mercy or distinction."

Lake dwelling discovered at Ballygawley Lake

Ballygawley · town · Sligo

Ballygawley Lake, styled Lough Cas in the 1809–1818 survey, sits at the foot of the Slieve-da-en range. When the water level was reduced by drainage, the site of a lake dwelling was revealed.

Read the passage

Ballygawley, or Ballydawley Lake — styled Lough Cas in the survey of 1809-1818 — picturesquely situated at the foot of the Slieve-da-en range of mountains, is embosomed in wood which may be viewed as now representing the primeval mantle that had formerly covered the neighbouring slopes. Some years ago the level of the water was considerably reduced by drainage, and the site of a Lake Dwelling was discovered.
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

Night watch system of Sligo town under Vestry of St. John's

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1766–1859

From approximately 1766 to 1800, the watching and lighting of Sligo town was managed by the Vestry of St. John's. In January 1785, the watchmen were discontinued but shortly re-appointed. The night-watch system remained notoriously poor; as late as 1856, aged watchmen patrolled with lanterns and hooked poles, and by 1859 only eight elderly men were appointed to protect the town.

Read the passage

From circa 1766 to 1800 the watching and lighting of the town devolved on the Vestry of St. John's ; on the 4th January, 1785, the Vestry resolved that " the watchmen of this town shall be discontinued from the present day." Shortly afterwards, however, they were re-appointed. The system of night- watching was always very bad : even so late as 1856 the watchmen went about — lantern in hand — calling the hours, and carrying a pole to which a hook was attached. They were dressed in great coats and " sou-wester " hats. In 1859 there were but " eight watchmen appointed to protect the lives and properties of the inhabitants of the town during the silent hours of the night." They were nearly all old men, who on most occasions moved off from the vicinity of a row, instead of grappling with the ringleaders. This state of affairs only terminated when the watching of the town was intrusted to the lioyal Irish Constabulary. Shortly before the abolition of the watchmen, one of their number was remonstrated with for not arresting a disturber of

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 50

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, the town once kept its own night watch under the Vestry of St. John's, from about 1766 to 1800. In January 1785 the Vestry resolved that "the watchmen of this town shall be discontinued from the present day," though they were re-appointed shortly afterwards. The system was always very bad. Even in 1856 the watchmen went about with lantern in hand, calling the hours, carrying a pole with a hook attached, dressed in great coats and sou-wester hats. By 1859 there were but eight watchmen appointed to protect the lives and properties of the inhabitants during the silent hours of the night. They were nearly all old men, who on most occasions moved off from the vicinity of a row instead of grappling with the ringleaders. This only ended when the watching of the town was entrusted to the Royal Irish Constabulary. Shortly before the abolition of the watchmen, one of their number was remonstrated with for not arresting a disturber of the peace.

Reform Bill of 1832 sweeps away old Sligo Corporation government

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1832

The Reform Bill of 1832 abolished the old corporation government of Sligo, which had consisted of a Provost and twelve burgesses controlled by the Wynne family since 1722. The new reformed register recorded 418 voters for the borough, compared with 695 on the county register.

Read the passage

Thus, prior to the Eeform Bill of 1832, the Members for the Borough of Sligo were, from the year 1722, returned by the Wynne family. The old government of the Provost and twelve burgesses having been swept away by the Eeform Bill, the number of voters on the new and reformed register is stated to have been 418,^^ as compared with 695 on the county
^ " Mr. Wynne is the patron of the Borough; he is the person that received compensation at the time of the Union." — Corporatmi Inquiry, 1833.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 24

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Sligo town. In 1832, the Reform Bill swept away the old corporation government here, a Provost and twelve burgesses who had been controlled by the Wynne family since 1722. The Wynnes had returned the members for the borough all that time. After reform, the new register listed 418 voters for the borough, against 695 on the county register.

Reward offered for stolen Sligo freeholder registry book (1778)

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1778

A reward of 155 guineas was offered after someone secured or destroyed the Registry Book containing the list of forty-shilling freeholders of County Sligo. Owen Wynne, Joshua Cooper, and others guaranteed sums to discover the perpetrator of this attack on electors' privileges.

Read the passage

" A HuNDKED AND FiFTT-FivE GUINEAS Rewaed. — We, the undernamed, taking into our most serious consideration the atrocious attack that has been lately made on the Privileges of many of the electors of the County of Sligo by some person or persons having secured or destroyed the Registey Book containing a List of the forty-shilling Freeholders of said County, and being desirous of making manifest our just abhorrence of such an infamous transaction and of doing everything in our power that may tend towards discovering the Axjthoe or Axjthoes of such secretion or destruction, do hereby promise and engage, respectively, to pay such sum as is annexed to each of our names, to any person who is able to throw such light on the above abominable business, as may bring to open and public conviction the perpetrator or perpetrators of the same." — July 2, 17 78. The list is headed by 0. Wynne, candidate, for £56 17s. Qd., Joshua Cooper and 0. Wynne for £22 15s. each; whilst the following gentlemen respectively guaranteed £5 13s. 2d. : Henry Hughes, Arthur Cooper, W. H. Cooper, Arthur Cooper, jun., Folliott Wynne, John Martin, Robert Lyons, Phil. Burne, Robert Hillas, Hyac. O'Rorke, Hen. Griffith, Wm. Gibson, sen., Robert Bolton.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 18

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is a town with an odd episode from 1778. Someone had taken or destroyed the Registry Book, the volume that held the list of forty-shilling freeholders of County Sligo. That book mattered because it recorded who had the right to vote, so losing it was an attack on electors' privileges. In response, a reward of 155 guineas was posted on July 2, 1778. The notice called it an atrocious and infamous transaction, and promised payment to anyone who could bring the perpetrator to open and public conviction. Owen Wynne, a candidate, guaranteed 56 pounds, 17 shillings and sixpence. Joshua Cooper and Owen Wynne each guaranteed 22 pounds and 15 shillings. A further group each put up 5 pounds, 13 shillings and twopence: Henry Hughes, Arthur Cooper, W. H. Cooper, Arthur Cooper the younger, Folliott Wynne, John Martin, Robert Lyons, Phil Burne, Robert Hillas, Hyacinth O'Rorke, Henry Griffith, William Gibson senior, and Robert Bolton. We do not know if anyone ever collected the reward, or whether the book was recovered.

Sligo town theatre from 1750

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1750

Sligo town had a theatre from at least 1750, originally located near the quay and later moved to the vicinity of the Linen-Hall. Visiting companies from the Theatre Royal, Crow-street, Dublin, sometimes stayed for several months.

Read the passage

When a trip to Dublin was a rare event it naturally required more attention to provide local amusements, and Sligo, from, if not before, the year 1750, contained a theatre. The original building was near the quay ; it was subsequently moved to the vicinity of the Linen-Hall. *' His Majesty's servants from the Theatre Royal, Crow-street," occasionally visited Sligo, even during the Dublin season, showing that in those days the townsfolk appreciated the drama, for in some instances the company remained during several months.
Mr. Owenson, father of the afterwards well-known Lady Morgan, was frequently before the Sligo public, and was, in his day, celebrated for his personification of Irish characters, and (says Sir Jonah Barrington) never did an actor exist 80 perfectly calculated to personify that singular class of people. " In what might be termed the middle class of Paddies, no man ever combined the look and the manner with such feeling as Owenson ... he sang well . . . but he was, like most of his profession, careless about his concerns, and he grew old without growing rich." His daughter, Sidney Owenson (Lady Morgan), lived for some time at the residence of the Crofton family. Her writings, however unattractive now, were popular in their day, and she made Longford House and its inhabitants, the subject of some of her novels.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 202

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that had a theatre from at least 1750. The original building stood near the quay, and was later moved to the vicinity of the Linen-Hall. Visiting companies from the Theatre Royal, Crow Street, Dublin, came to Sligo, sometimes during the Dublin season itself, and on occasion stayed for several months. A man called Owenson, father of the writer later known as Lady Morgan, performed frequently before the Sligo public. He was celebrated for his personification of Irish characters. Sir Jonah Barrington said no actor existed so perfectly calculated to personify that singular class of people, and that in the middle class of Paddies no man combined the look and the manner with such feeling. Owenson sang well, but like most of his profession was careless about his concerns, and grew old without growing rich. His daughter Sidney lived for some time with the Crofton family at Longford House, and made the house and its inhabitants the subject of some of her novels. Her writings were popular in their day, though less attractive now.

Terrific storm and tidal wave hits Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1884

On January 26, 1884, a terrific storm and a tidal wave struck Sligo, causing nearly £2000 in damage to sea walls, roads, and footpaths. The low-lying parts of the town were inundated, bridges were carried away, and entire woods were levelled in the country.

Read the passage

the pool were driven ashore; in 1834, 1839, and 19th January, 1875 ; whilst the storm of 2nd November, 1881, was as violent as the memorable hurricane of 1839. On the 26th January, 1884, a terrific storm burst over Sligo and its neighbom-hood, joined to which a tidal wave was propelled by a south-westerly wind with great force into the bay and harbour. Damage to a large amouut was effected in the port ; nearly £2000 of public money was spent in repairing sea walls, roads, and footpaths, which had been swept away in the immediate vicinity of the town, where all the low-lying portions were inundated. In the country much damage was done, bridges were carried away, roads cut, and some of them, through the falling of timber, rendered impassable. In places entire woods were levelled. In January, 1886, there was another storm, but not of such terrific violence.
In 1802 the principal plantings in the county were at Markree, Annaghmore, Hazlewood, and Templehouse; owners of other places had done something in the same line, but on a minor scale. Premiums for good plantations were given by the Dublin Society. Mr. Wynne obtained a prize for one in 1787, and Mr. O'Hara for one in 1798, both having succeeded well. It will thus be seen that timber was scarce. Mr. Wynne then sold "Irish firs" at 50.s. the ton (the price in 1886 was 12s.), and small timber, for common use, from one to two or three shillings. Mr. Cooper sold timber at Union Wood at the same price, and small timber for hurdles and roofing at bulk prices.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 141

As the companion tells it

As you come through Sligo, this is a town that has taken its share of punishment from the sea. Sligo sits on the coast, and the bay and harbour have drawn storms again and again over the years. There had been bad ones before, in 1834, 1839, and January 1875, and a violent storm in November 1881 that was compared to the memorable hurricane of 1839. But on the 26th of January, 1884, a terrific storm burst over Sligo and its neighbourhood. Joined to it came a tidal wave, propelled by a south-westerly wind with great force into the bay and harbour. Damage was done to a large amount in the port. Nearly £2000 of public money was spent afterwards repairing sea walls, roads, and footpaths that had been swept away in the immediate vicinity of the town. All the low-lying portions of the town were inundated. Out in the country, bridges were carried away, roads were cut, and some were rendered impassable by fallen timber. In places, entire woods were levelled. Two years later, in January 1886, there was another storm, but not of such terrific violence.

Unfinished famine road on Coney Island

Inishmulclohy or Coney Island · townland · Sligo · 1845–1850

During the year of the famine a road intended to encircle Coney Island was commenced but never completed. It remains as a tangible reminder of famine-era public works on the island.

Read the passage

sive and magnificent prospect. Tradition points to the earliest settlement in the island having been at the locality styled Pollnamaddow. In comparatively recent times the " seat of empire " was removed to the centre of the island, to a sheltered hollow styled Shanbally {i.e. old village), where the plough still turns up quantities of charcoal, the pavements of " streets," or the foundations of houses. About 150 years ago the inhabitants, following as usual the channel of trade, emigrated to the eastern shore, where the village now exists. During the year of the famine a road, which was originally intended to go round the island, was commenced, but never completed.
At low water, during spring tides, the rocky ledge from the lighthouse to the island is so far uncovered as to enable communication to be carried on dryshod between it and the land. It is probably somewhere in this locality that the galleon of the Spanish Armada was wrecked, after having been repaired in Sligo ; for it is stated that antique silver ornaments, «S;c., of sixteenth centuiy workmanship were to be seen in houses at Bosses Point and on Coney Island. Numerous wrecks also have occurred on the island.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 112

As the companion tells it

Close to Inishmulclohy or Coney Island, somewhere around here, a road was begun during the famine years, meant to go all the way round the island. It was never finished. What remains is a visible reminder of the public works carried out in that desperate time. The island itself has a long history of settlement and movement. Its earliest settlement was at a place called Pollnamaddow. Later the centre of the island, a sheltered hollow called Shanbally, meaning old village, became home, where the plough still turns up charcoal and the foundations of old houses. About 150 years ago the inhabitants moved to the eastern shore, where the village stands now. At low water during spring tides, a rocky ledge from the lighthouse to the island is uncovered enough to cross dryshod. It is probably somewhere in this locality that a galleon of the Spanish Armada was wrecked after being repaired in Sligo, for antique silver ornaments of sixteenth century workmanship were to be seen in houses at Bosses Point and on Coney Island.

Wine cargo wrecked on Sligo coast, 1312

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1312

In 1312, twenty tuns of wine washed ashore on the Sligo coast from a wrecked vessel, suggesting that trade with the Continent was already considerable at that early date. The incident is one of the earliest documentary indications of the port's foreign commerce.

Read the passage

From very early times the port of Sligo appears to have been the scene of busy foreign traffic. Camden, when writing his Britannia, states : — " Hereabouts [i.e. in the County Sligo) Ptolemy places the city of Nagnata, but I have not been able to discover it. . . . The place which Ptolemy points at is now called the Bay of Sligo, a creeky road for ships just under the town, whicli is the chief port in this county, and is adorned with a castle." In 1312 twenty tuns of wine washed ashore on the coast from a wrecked vessel would seem to denote that trade with the Continent was even then considerable. The deed of conveyance of " ye cokket of Sligo" bears date 1430 and 1449, whilst again, a few years later, another concession was granted by Patent, 31 Henry VI. In 1544 Lord Fitzwilliam Bourke petitioned *' to have in fee-farm the cockets of Sligo, Portevade, and Leighborne, with all other creeks and havens, wliich his ancestors had, and whereof the King never had profit, as they were kept from his Highness by usurpation."
In 1566 Sir Henry Sidney stated that Sligo " hath been a great town, full of merchants' houses ; " and the " Four Masters " record the death of several members of the O'Creau family, who, from the 14th to the 17th century, appear to have been the " Merchant Princes " of Sligo.*

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 114

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you're travelling through what was, even in the early 1300s, a port with busy foreign trade. In 1312, twenty tuns of wine washed ashore on this coast from a wrecked vessel, one of the earliest documentary signs of Sligo's commerce with the Continent. Camden, writing his Britannia, described the Bay of Sligo as a "creeky road for ships just under the town," the chief port in the county, adorned with a castle. By 1566, Sir Henry Sidney would say Sligo "hath been a great town, full of merchants' houses." The Four Masters record the O'Crean family as the "Merchant Princes" of Sligo from the 14th to the 17th century. That wrecked cargo of wine on these shores tells us trade here was already considerable long before those later records.

Agitation in Sligo after O'Connell's imprisonment

Sligo · town · Sligo

After the imprisonment of O'Connell, the town of Sligo was greatly agitated. The editor of the Sligo Journal had a newspaper dispute with the editor of the Champion, leading to a projected duel that ended in fiasco when constabulary were notified.

Read the passage

After the imprisonment of O'Connell the town of Sligo seems to have been greatly agitated. The editor of the iSligo Journal had a newspaper dispute with the editor of the Chatnpion. The constabulary were notified of the projected meeting, and the affair ended in a fiasco, which may be said to have formed a fitting conclusion to duelling in Sligo ; although so late as the
322 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 161

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that was greatly agitated after the imprisonment of O'Connell. The editor of the Sligo Journal fell into a newspaper dispute with the editor of the Champion. A duel was planned, but the constabulary were notified and the whole affair ended in fiasco, bringing duelling in Sligo to a fitting close.

Anti-Reform meeting at Sligo Court House

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1832

A very important demonstration was held in the Sligo Court House on 11th January 1832. Though designated an Anti-Reform meeting, speakers on both sides of the Reform question were allowed a hearing.

Read the passage

On O'Connell's visit to Sligo, during the Summer Assizes of 1828, he was entertained at a public banquet in "the new Catholic Free-School," and about one hundred and thirty sat down to dinner. The Catholic Emancipation question was warmly taken up in Sligo, Roman Catholic and Protestant meetings being of frequent occurrence. In the year 1829 the mob broke the windows of almost every Protestant householder in Sligo. In 1831 Reform and anti-Reform meetings were held in the town ; and the throwing open of the Borough to popular representation was naturally opposed most strenuously by Mr. Wynne. A very important demonstration was held in the Court House, 11th January, 1832 ; although designated an Anti-Reform meeting, yet speakers on both sides were allowed a hearing.
So early as 1828, when Reform was on the tajns, Mr. John Martin had been nominated by the moderate Liberals to contest the representation of the borough with Mr. Wynne. He was not considered by some to be a politician of sufficiently advanced type, and as such O'Connell objected to him, concluding his speech thus : — " My hostility to Mr. Martin is by no means personal ; on the contrary, he is a gentleman for whom I entertain personal regard." However, the time for the contest drew on, and no candidate more pleasing to O'Connell was obtained. At the hustings the electors were reminded of the time when a bundle of rushes or even a horse-load of brooms could not enter the town without paying toll; and their worthy ex-Provost had been compelled to appear one night at an entertainment in very shabby lower-garments, because the smart new attire intended for the occasion had been detained at the toll-gate for want of the bearer being provided with the sum of two-pence needful to

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 25

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that was at the heart of the reform struggle in the years around 1832. Daniel O'Connell visited here during the Summer Assizes of 1828 and was entertained at a public banquet in the new Catholic Free-School, where about 130 sat down to dinner. Catholic Emancipation was warmly taken up in Sligo, with Roman Catholic and Protestant meetings of frequent occurrence, though tensions ran high. In 1829 the mob broke the windows of almost every Protestant householder in the town. Reform and anti-Reform meetings were held in 1831, and the throwing open of the Borough to popular representation was opposed most strenuously by Mr. Wynne. Then on the 11th of January 1832 a very important demonstration was held in the Court House. Though designated an Anti-Reform meeting, speakers on both sides were allowed a hearing. John Martin had been nominated by the moderate Liberals as early as 1828 to contest the representation of the borough with Mr. Wynne, but O'Connell objected to him as not a politician of sufficiently advanced type, while conceding,

Ball-yard declared a nuisance in Stephen Street, Sligo

Stephen Street · street · Sligo · 1762

In 1762 the Provost and Burgesses of Sligo declared the ball-yard in Stephen Street, kept by Robert Clark, glazier, to be a common nuisance creating idleness, drunkenness, and disorders. They ordered its removal from the Corporation.

Read the passage

" Borough of Sligo to Wit. — At a Meeting and Assembly of the Provost and free Burgesses of the said Borough, held the 29th day of September, 1762. Whekeas, it appears to us, this day, by the oath of James Gibson, that the ball-yard in Stephen-street, kept by Robert Clark, glazier, is a place which creates idleness, drunkeness, and disorders within the Corporation, and is a grievous nuisance to the industrious and sober inhabitants therein. Therefore we the Provost and Burgesses do present the said ball-yai'd to be a common nuisance, and do order that the same may be removed.
" Edward Martin, Provost ^

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 50

As the companion tells it

Along here on Stephen Street, there was once a ball-yard. In 1762, the Provost and Burgesses of Sligo declared it a common nuisance. It was kept by Robert Clark, a glazier, and James Gibson swore that it created idleness, drunkenness, and disorders within the Corporation. They called it a grievous nuisance to the industrious and sober inhabitants, and ordered that it be removed.

Barley in Tireragh used for illicit distillation

Tireragh · barony · Sligo

Along the sea coast in Tireragh, the lighter soil produced considerable quantities of barley, which was consumed in illicit distillation. Up to 90 percent of prisoners at the assizes were committed for this offence.

Read the passage

During the continental struggle the lands in Sligo were mostly under tillage, the rough pastures supporting cows, horses, and sheep. The crops were principally potatoes, oats, and flax ; comparatively little wheat or barley being grown, except along the sea coast — chiefly in Tireragh — where the soil being lighter, considerable quantities of barley were raised, and consumed in illicit distillation ; in some of the calendars of prisoners for trial at the assizes, fully 90 per cent, were committed for that offence.
Good ground set for 40s. to 50.9. per acre ; indifferent ground at 205'. ; whilst con-acre in good soil brought £8 Ss. for a crop of potatoes ; from 5 to 6 guineas for oats ; and 4 guineas, the tliird year, for oats or flax. The sods were generally turned up, dried, then burnt upon the ridges, and tlie ashes spread, the land after these crops being suffered to lie waste for several years, and coat itself with natural grasses ; with the exception of the gentry, few laid down their land with grass-seed ; but the backwardness of

Internet Archive historyofsligoco00wood, Chapter 144

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

The stories, best first

Kelp-burning industry on the Tireragh coast

Lack of a morgue in Sligo

Mob breaks Protestant householders' windows in Sligo

Peasantry blocked roads to prevent voters reaching Sligo, 1822

Sligo Abbey burial-ground closed during epidemic

Sligo Town Hall built from Reproductive Loan Fund

Victoria Bridge foundation stone laid in Sligo

Decline of the 1775 Killala Bay and River Moy fishery

Exclusive dealing intimidations in Sligo town, 1829

Guide pillars marking route to Coney Island across strand

Lady Morgan describes Sunday cake-dance in Tireragh

Skirmish at Tubbercurry during French advance

Yarn exports from Sligo port

Aged Crofton defends Longford house from rebels

Judge Keogh unseats Major Knox at Carrick-on-Shannon

Penannular gold object found on Collooney-Enniskillen railway cutting

Protestant prisoners marched across mountains, returned for want of food

1830 contested Sligo county election with mob unrest

1848 Sligo election: Townley unseated for bribery

Ancient cross at St. Attracta's well, Kilturra

Barytes mine and steam-mill at Ballintrillick

Beranger's 1779 tour sketching Lough Gill from the Sligo–Enniskillen road

Celebrated battle of 504 in the defile of the Curlew Mountains

Coast peasantry survive on seaweed and shellfish, 1822

Cutter The Glance foundered on Lough Gill, four drowned (1876)

Failed public baths and washhouses in Sligo

Fever devastates Tubbercurry and Tubberscanavan

Great frost and skating on Lough Gill in 1881

Lady Morgan records Sligo peasant's account of Threshers and tithes

Lady Morgan's 1807 visit to holy well near Longford House

Linen-hall and weaving trade at Collooney

Lord Palmerston's improvements at Cliffoney and Mullaghmore

Lynch defeats O'Hara in Sligo county election

Opening of the Midland Great Western Railway to Sligo

Pauperism and beggary in Sligo

Silent streets of Sligo during cholera epidemic

Sligo butter market decline against continental competition

Sligo Workhouse and Fever Hospital construction

Unprecedented potato tithe claimed at Emlaghfad

William Draper bequest for Protestant maid-servants at St. John's

Charter School used as famine workhouse and hospital

French abandon advance on Sligo after Collooney

Sea-bathing tradition at Sligo Bay

Ancient Sligo–Ballyshannon road and its rerouting

Barytes mining at Gleniff and Glencar

Cholera checks emigration from Sligo port, 1832

Father Mathew administers temperance pledge to 10,000 at Collooney

Fire set to A. Irwin's haggard at Willowbrook, 1797

Lake dwelling discovered at Ballygawley Lake

Night watch system of Sligo town under Vestry of St. John's

Reform Bill of 1832 sweeps away old Sligo Corporation government

Reward offered for stolen Sligo freeholder registry book (1778)

Sligo town theatre from 1750

Terrific storm and tidal wave hits Sligo

Unfinished famine road on Coney Island

Wine cargo wrecked on Sligo coast, 1312

Agitation in Sligo after O'Connell's imprisonment

Anti-Reform meeting at Sligo Court House

Ball-yard declared a nuisance in Stephen Street, Sligo

Barley in Tireragh used for illicit distillation