Name: The history of Sligo : town and county
Author: Terence O'Rorke

Grangebeg old church dilapidated by Captain King

Grangebeg · townland · Kildare

The remains of Grangebeg old church were said to have been greatly dilapidated by the late Captain King, who used the materials for fencing. An old map in the State Paper Office also shows a castle or large house on the townland.

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In Grangebeg there is a kistraen, or "giant's grave," bounded by large stones, and measuring twenty-one feet by ten, interior measurement. There is no local tradition concerning the age or object of this structure. As often happens in similar megalithic remains, there is in one end of the enclosure a rude door formed by two large stones, set up as jambs on each side of an open about two feet wide. 0' Donovan states, that in an old map in the State Paper Office a castle or large house is shown on this townland, the structure, no doubt, having the same destination as that in Grangemore. The remains of Grangebeg old church are said to have been greatly dilapidated by the late Captain King, who used the materials for fencing.
Near Donaghintraine are Ballykillcaish and Dunnycoffie, or Dunycoy, the former having its name from a family named Mac- Gillichais, that once owned it ; and Dunnycoffie, from old occupants named O'Coffey. In 1G17 James I. granted to Owen M' James M'Sweeny, of Dunnycoffie, half of the " castle, town, and lands" of Dunnycoffie; half of the "town, lands, and quarter" of Ballymacgillicais ; and half of the " castle, town, and lands " of Donaghintraine; and to three other MacSweenys the remaining halves of these various possessions.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 219

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in Grangebeg, the old church is mostly gone. A Captain King, now late, is said to have taken the building apart for its stone and used the materials for fencing. An old map held in the State Paper Office also shows a castle or large house once standing here. Before any of that, there was a megalithic structure in the ground, what they called a giant's grave, walled with large stones and measuring 21 feet by 10 inside, with a rough doorway at one end made from two upright stones set as jambs around a 2-foot gap. Nobody round here remembered how old it was or what it was for.

Grange on the Donegal–Sligo thoroughfare, populous in 1659

Grange · town · Sligo · 1659

Grange was described as always a place of some importance because it stood directly on the thoroughfare between Donegal and Sligo. At the census of 1659 it was the most populous spot in the district except Bradcullen.

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Grange was always a place of some importance, as it stood right in the thoroughfare between Donegal and Sligo. It was the most populous spot in the district, except Bradcullen, at the taking of the census of 1659. As has been stated, Grange belonged, according to law, to the abbey of Boyle, down to the dissolution of monasteries ; though long before that time the O'Harts, as assigns of the O'Connors, had got into possession of it, and thus obtained for it the name of Grange Muinter Hart. The place throve under the O'Harts, for we read in the inquisition of 1604, that " a new castle and seven cottages were built by Hugh O'Hart, in the town of Grange, in O'Connor Sligo's country." This was the castle referred to in the survey of 1633, where, in describing Grange, it is said, " There is an old castle built upon it ;" for there is nothing to show that the place ever had any other castle, except that for which it was indebted to Hugh O'Hart. It is a pleasure to add, that the O'Harts, or as they now call themselves, the Harts, are still numerous in and near Grange, and, if they are no longer the lords and rulers of the district, that they occupy highly respectable positions in it, both as shopkeepers and farmers.
The Thomas Soden who obtained Grange, being a persona grata to the Usurpers, was the Titulado of the district, under the Commonw^ealth. Having thus got possession, he kept so firm a grip of the property, that the shock of the Restoration was not able to relax the hold, so that he transmitted Grange as well as the island of Dernish (dair-inis, oak island,) to his descendants, who, as thorough-^Daced Cromwellians, have since occupied a prominent position in the county, and have had a share of the good things going, some of them being magistrates, some high sheriffs, and one (Thomas Soden) provost of Sligo for several years.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 27

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Grange now, on the road between Donegal and Sligo. It was always a place of some importance because it stood right on that thoroughfare, and at the census of 1659 it was the most populous spot in the district except Bradcullen. The place belonged to the abbey of Boyle until the dissolution of the monasteries, but long before that the O'Harts had got into possession of it, and gave it the name Grange Muinter Hart. An inquisition of 1604 records that Hugh O'Hart built a new castle and seven cottages there, in O'Connor Sligo's country, and the survey of 1633 calls it an old castle, the only one the place ever had. The O'Harts, now the Harts, were still numerous in and near Grange, working as shopkeepers and farmers. Under the Commonwealth a man called Thomas Soden obtained Grange and held it so firmly that even the Restoration did not shake his grip. He passed it and the island of Dernish to his descendants, who went on to serve as magistrates, high sheriffs, and one of them, Thomas Soden, as provost of Sligo for several years.

Housing improvements in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo

The material well-being of County Sligo has advanced significantly, with mud cabins nearly disappearing from both the county and the town. The old stone houses that housed both family and cattle together are now rarely found, as animals are kept in separate steadings.

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The MATERIAL WELL-BEING of the county is in a much more advanced state than it ever was before. The mass of the people are now very differently housed, fed, and clothed from what they used to be in times past. Mud cabins, so common formerly in the county, and not uncommon even in the town, have nearly disappeared ; and stone houses, consisting of one apartment for the family and the cattle of the family, are hardly to be found — animals being now kept in some kind of separate steading. A like change for the better has taken place in the people's

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 319

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, there's a change the author of its history noticed here. Mud cabins were once common across the county and not unusual even in the town itself, but they have nearly disappeared. Stone houses have replaced them, and the older kind, where a family shared one apartment with their cattle, is hardly to be found anymore. Animals are now kept in some kind of separate steading, and the people are housed, fed, and clothed very differently from times past.

Kerry bishop's parish changes and priest's appeal to Rome

Kerry · county · Kerry · 1824–1825

In evidence before the House of Lords committees of 1824 and 1825, Daniel O'Connell described a Bishop of Kerry who subdivided parishes without consultation. A priest named Mr. Moriarty appealed to Rome and successfully overturned the changes.

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** Have you known it occur where the boundary of the parish has been altered ? — Yes, I have ; a bishop of Kerry thought it right to alter the parishes by subdividing them ; and a Mr. Moriarty, a priest in Kerry, a very near relation of mine, appealed to Rome, and appealed successfully, and he compares his bishop to Bonaparte; he said he wanted to Bonaparte his diocese." — The evidence taken before the Select Committees of Lords and Commons, in 1824 and 182^, on the State of Ireland, pages 274, 275.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 58

As the companion tells it

As you travel through Kerry, this is the county where, in 1824 and 1825, Daniel O'Connell told the House of Lords committees about a Bishop of Kerry who subdivided parishes on his own authority. A priest named Mr. Moriarty, a near relation of O'Connell's, appealed to Rome and won. Moriarty compared his bishop to Bonaparte, saying he wanted to, in his words, "Bonaparte his diocese."

Kilmorgan old church ruins

Kilmorgan · townland · Sligo

The walls of Kilmorgan old church, which gave its name to the parish, still stand in fair preservation except for the western gable. The structure measures about sixty feet by twenty-four feet and contains a lancet window in the eastern gable and a two-light window near the east end of the south wall.

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The walls of the church, which has given name to the parish, still exist, and in fair preservation, the western gable being the only part that has disappeared. The structure measures about sixty feet in length, and twenty-four in breadth, exterior measurement, and contains only two windows, one a lancet in the eastern gable, and the other a small two light open near the east end of the south sidewall.
The graveyard attached to the ruin is used in common by Catholics and Protestants. The oldest tombstone is that of Cornet Edward Hill, who died in 1716, having been drowned while crossing a rivulet as he was riding home from a dinner party. A range of substantial, well sculptured, stones cover the remains of several members of the Duke family.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 97

Kilturra old church and graveyard

Kilturra · townland · Sligo · 1761–1771

The old church at Kilturra, of little size, is now a mere heap of rubbish. Some thought it was a Franciscan monastery but there is no basis for this. The adjoining graveyard is small and little used; the oldest epitaph dates from 1771, erected by Doctor Thomas Irwin over his father who died in 1761.

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The old church, whicb was of little size, is now a mere heap of rubbish. Some think the structure was a Franciscan monastery, but there is no ground whatever for such an opinion. The adjoining graveyard is a small one, and little used of late. The oldest epitaph in the place is inscribed on a headstone erected, in 1771, by Doctor Thomas Irwin, over his father, who died in 1761. The next oldest headstone bears an inscription, which would be the better of some development or explanation — it being uncertain, with the actual words, over whom the stone is erected.*
Near Mr. Cooke's cottage is a well dedicated to Saint Attracta, which is popularly called, like her other wells, Toberaraght. On the edge are two crosses — one a good sized Latin cross, inscribed in relief, on a limestone flag, and the other a Celtic cross, incised on a curious block of red sandstone. As one would expect, from Mr. Cooke's artistic and archaeological tastes, both the well and the crosses are singularly well cared.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 103

Limestone boulder field near Kilmorgan old church

Kilmorgan · townland · Sligo

An area of several acres near Kilmorgan old church is covered with limestone boulders strewn as thickly as grains of pepper. This remarkable geological feature contributes to the old-world character of the landscape.

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duces grass more or less rich in proportion to this depth. There is little tillage, so little that it is hardly noticed beside the great scopes of grazing land which meet the eye wherever it turns. There are some spots that wear an old world look — Doo Hill, topped with a grass-covered earn, 30 feet high, and 120 feet in circumference at the base ; Knockminagh circular rath, bearing on its eastern edge a mysterious standing stone, of a triangular form, six feet wide at the base, and six feet high from base to apex ; and an area of several acres, near Kilmorgan old church, covered with limestone boulders, strewn as^ thick as grains of pepper thrown out of a castor. All the higher parts of the parish are bleak, there being no trees, and the fences being generally stone walls, or banks of dry earth, without those hawthorn hedges, which, of themselves, give^an air of cultivation wherever they are found.
The demesne of Newpark is on a lower level than the rest of the parish, and produces good timber, and in considerable abundance. It is well walled, with a good belt of trees running all round inside the wall, as well as clumps and single trees through the grounds. The house, which is a square four-story structure, rises on a gentle knoll, and commands a good view of the Sligo mountains, and of the whole barony of Tirerrill ; and, though built about one hundred years ago, it looks now particularly bright and fresh, from its having been lately re-roofed and, in many other respects, restored and embellished. The present owner is Mr. Robert Duke, who is highly esteemed for many amiable and many valuable qualities.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 97

Lord Chief Justice delivers Sligo Castle to Calvagh O'Donnell

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1561

The Lord Chief Justice of Ireland crossed the Erne to besiege Sligo Castle and, finding O'Donnell's flag flying from the tower, delivered the keys of the tower to Calvagh O'Donnell.

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28. The Lord Chief Justice of Ireland proceeded across the Erne
to lay siege to the castle of Sligo, and finding O'Donnell's flag flying from the battlements of the tower, he delivered the keys of the tower to Calvagh O'Donnell. — (Four Masters, 1561.)

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, the town holds a moment from 1561. The Lord Chief Justice of Ireland crossed the Erne to besiege the castle of Sligo. Finding O'Donnell's flag flying from the battlements of the tower, he delivered the keys of the tower to Calvagh O'Donnell.

Lough Gill overlooked in Phillips' poetic survey of Ireland

near Lough Gill · lake or lakes · Kerry

The author observes that Charles Phillips, in his poem 'The Emerald Isle,' dwelt on Killarney's scenery but strangely failed to mention Lough Gill and the other charming environs of his native Sligo, which could have furnished worthy poetic subjects.

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" The Emerald Isle," though the first, is probably the best of Phillips' productions. It passes in review all the great men that Ireland has produced, and paints their characteristic traits in clear and striking colours. The author sketches here and there very happily the natural beauties of the country, dwelling through several pages on the scenery and surroundings of Killarney. It is strange that he fails to notice Lough Gill and the other charming environs of his native town, which might furnish him with more than one subject for a pendant not unworthy of his picture of Killarney.
" Recollections of Curran and some of his Contemporaries," is a work of considerable merit. The late Dr. Madden, in his " United Irishmen,"* goes so far as to say, " Curran and his Contemporaries" "is the best book yet written of the best of Irishmen."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 281

As the companion tells it

This is Lough Gill you're passing near, in Sligo. Charles Phillips, a poet from this town, wrote "The Emerald Isle," reviewing Ireland's great men and sketching the country's natural beauties. He dwelt for several pages on the scenery of Killarney. Yet strangely, he failed to notice this lake and the other charming environs of his native Sligo, which might have furnished him with "a pendant not unworthy of his picture of Killarney."

Mac William Burke attacks Sligo Castle and breaks gate tower (1471)

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1471

Mac William Burke led a great army into Lower Connaught and attacked Sligo Castle. Donnell, son of Owen, took refuge inside, but Burke broke down the tower of the gate, and peace was subsequently made.

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naught, and they attacked the castle of Sligo. Donnell, son of Owen, went into the castle, but Mac William Burke broke down the tower of the gate, and they made peace. — (Four Masters, 1471.)
16. The castle of Sligo was taken by Mac William Burke from

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 157

As the companion tells it

Sligo town ahead. In 1471 Mac William Burke led a great army into Lower Connaught and attacked the castle here. Donnell, son of Owen, took refuge inside, but Burke broke down the tower of the gate, and peace was subsequently made.

Mayo of the Saxons monastery identified near Claremorris

Mayo Abbey · ecclesiastical site · Mayo · 1547

Thomas O'Fihely, abbot of the monastery of St. Augustine of Mayo, was appointed to Achonry in 1547 and held the abbacy by dispensation with his bishoprick. The monastery is identified by Rev. Denis Murphy as Mayo of the Saxons, near Claremorris, distinct from the Cistercian foundation at Monaster-Xenagh, Co. Limerick.

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Of this ecclesiastic, John Ribton Garstin, F.S.A., M.R.I. A., writes in a paper, read before the Royal Irish Academy, on December 8th, 1884, and printed in its Proceedings, January 1886, p. 426, " Bishop Filay, who, according to Ware, was a native of Cork, was a professed member of the order of St. Augustine, Rector of Delgany, diocese of Dublin, and Abbot ''Monasterii Sti. Augustini, Mageonen," when, 15th Jan., 1547, the Pope appointed him to the see of Achonry — a fact not known to Ware, Harris, or Cotton, but which Dr. Brady's researches brought to light. He was allowed to retain his monastery of Mageo — which, as neither Brady nor Comerford identifies it, I may note, on the authority of the Rev. Denis Murphy, S.J., M.R.I. A., was Mayo of the Saxons, near Claremorris, and not to be confounded with the Cistercian foundation *'de Magio," or Monaster-Xenagh, Co. Limerick."
106 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror

McDonogh convents across Sligo

Ballindoon · street · Sligo

The McDonogh family were responsible for founding or restoring convents at Ballindoon, Ballymote, Cloonymeghan, and Sligo. These religious houses were central to the family's enduring patronage of the church in County Sligo.

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TheMcDonoghs have deserved as well of the church as of the country. To them religion is indebted for the convents of Ballindoon, Ballymote, Cloonymeghan, and Sligo — this last, though not originally built by them, being, when burned down in 1410, rebuilt and restored by Dermot McDonogh. These convents, as well as the abbey of Ballysadare, were rarely, if ever, without McDonoghs among their inmates ; while the secular clergy was recruited largely from members of the family, including Thomas MacMorrissy McDonogh, who died bishop of Achonry in 1398, and, very probably, Michael McDonogh, bishop of Kilmore, who died, and was buried at Lisbon in 1746, and several Parish Priests and Curates of the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin.
While speaking of the eminent ecclesiastics of the McDonogh family, we must not forget Manus McDonogh, of whom the Annals of Loch Ce, under the year 1504, contains this very laudatory obituary notice: " Manus, son of Brian McDonogh, i.e. J abbot of the monastery of the Trinity on Loch Ce, a man who was the preserving shrine and casket of the bounty and prowess of Erinn, and the man, who of all that had come down from Tomaltach-na-Cairge, had given and presented most to poets and musicians, and to men of every craft, died at Cill Diubhdhuin (Killadoon), et sepultus est in Trinity Island on Loch Ce; and this death of McDonogh 's son is a decapitating blow to the learned of Erinn."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 124

Rathcarrick fort converted to lawn tennis ground

Rathcarrick · townland · Sligo

Rathcarrick, in the parish of Killaspugbrone, is described as an exceptionally large rath. Mr. Walker has converted the site into a lawn tennis ground, illustrating a nineteenth-century reuse of an ancient fort.

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that of Shannon (Sean Dun), in the parish of Calry, the diameter of which must be more than four hundred feet. Another exceptionally large rath is that of Eathcarrick, in the parish of Killaspugbrone, which Mr. AValker has converted into a lawn tennis ground.
The word ''gran," or " grania," enters into the names of a few county Sligo forts, as Rathgran, in the townland of Rathgran, and parish of Killoran ; Kathgran, in Markrea demesne, and parish of Ballysadare ; and Ballygrania, in the townland of the same name, in the same parish.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 250

As the companion tells it

Close to Rathcarrick, somewhere around here, there was once an exceptionally large rath. A Mr. Walker has converted the old fort site into a lawn tennis ground, which is quite a thing to do with an ancient earthwork. It is one of the bigger forts in Sligo, compared in size to the rath of Shannon in the parish of Calry, whose diameter is more than 400 feet.

Rev. P. A. O'Rorke, native of Kilmacteige

Cloonacool · townland · Sligo · 1846

Rev. Patrick A. O'Rorke, a distinguished priest who served as pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, was born in 1846 and was a native of Kilmacteige or Cloonacool, County Sligo. He spent seven years at Maynooth College before emigrating and was ordained in 1872.

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* The late Rev. Patrick A. O'Korke, of Scranton, United States, was a native of Kilmacteige or Cloonacool, and his numerous friends and admirers in these parishes will be glad to have here the following obituary notice of that distinguished priest, which appeared in the Scranton Truth of July 30th,
1884 :—

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 81

Saint Attracta's healing tradition in Coolavin

Coolavin · electoral division · Sligo

A tradition holds that Saint Attracta cured a desperately ill woman whom all local doctors had given up on. For twelve hundred years, the people of Coolavin and adjoining districts have revered Attracta as one of the most favoured of saints.

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There is a tradition in the neighbourhood that Attracta was remarkable for her faculty of curing the sick. It is told,for instance, that she restored to health a woman who had tried in vain every other means of cure. Hearing of this person, the saint visited her, and learning from her that all the doctors, or such as passed for doctors in those days, had given her up, she undertook and effected her recovery. It does not appear from the tradition whether this faculty of the saint was counted a supernatural gift or a natural talent, for some of the country people believe that the cure was brought about by means of certain herbs, of which the saint alone knew the efficacy ; but this view plainly savours of modern times, and is, no doubt, an addition to the primitive conviction that the saint's proceedings were miraculous. However this may be, it is true to-day, as it has been continuously for the last twelve hundred years, that every man, woman, and child of Coolavin and the adjoining districts regards and reveres Attracta as one of the most favoured and privileged of all the saints and servants of God.
With respect to the succession of Parish Priests: — In the Register of 1704 David Henery is given as Parish Priest ; and it is there stated that he was then fifty years of age, that he was ordained at Cregan, county Gal way, in 1697, by Teige Keohy, Bishop of Clonfert, and that he had for sureties of his good behaviour, as required by the Registration Act, Doctor Francis McLea, Kilteenane, and Phelim Gara, of the same place.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 203

Saint Patrick tradition at Dromard

Dromard · townland · Sligo

Tradition holds that Saint Patrick passed through Dromard on his way from the Moy to Killaspugbrone and may have established a church there. Tuberpatrick well near the graveyard supports this tradition. The crowded cemetery contains a fragment of an old church and the vault of the Crofton family.

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"Saint Patrick passed through Dromard on his way from the Moy to Killaspugbrone, and there is some tradition that he established a church in the place. The well called Tuberpatrick, near the graveyard, goes to countenance this tradition. In the graveyard there is a small fragment of an old church, but whether it was dedicated to Saint Patrick or not, no one can tell. The cemetery is crowded, and contains the vault of the Cr often s.
Archdall, quoting Bishop Pococke's Journal, is of opinion that there was an abbey at Ballinley, now Ballinleg, and adds, " We know nothing further of it." Nor does anybody else ; unless, what is very likely, that it was at Ballinley, which is near Buninna, the Cistercians resided before passing to Boyle, and that they thus gave rise to the tradition of an abbey being once in the place. Father Walsh, however, is of opinion that the Ballinley, of Archdall, is the place now called Rosslea, in the parish of Easkey, but he gives no authority for the opinion, nor could he give any, the opinion being quite untenable.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 216

Sir William Taaffe received Ballymote estate by royal grant

Ballymote · town · Sligo

Sir William Taaffe received the Ballymote property by royal grant from James I, long before Brian Mac Donogh was born. Brian Mac Donogh, who was of Collooney rather than Ballymote, never owned any part of that estate.

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to the Tirerrill^ Mac Donoghs ; that he was not " of Ballymote," but of ^Collooney ; and that, so far from his carrying the Ballymote property into the Taaffe family, Sir William Taaffe had received the property ^by royal grant from James I. long before Brian Mac Donogh was born, while Brian himself never owned a foot of that great estate.
Messrs. Beranger and Bigari visited Ballymote in their famous Tour, in 1779, and have left on record the following remarks on the place : — " Ballymote, a small village, inhabited mostly by weavers. Drew the castle and abbey, and dined there, and went to lodge for the night at the village of Tubbercorry, in which poor place Mr. Bigari and I were surprised to find an elegant supper served up by the care of Colonel Irwin."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 92

Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway opens

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1882

The Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway opened on 7 November 1882, carrying passengers to Sligo from the North. Together with the Midland line it completed Sligo's rail connectivity from all directions.

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While these roads are so beneficial to the inhabitants of the county by opening up communications, they are hardly less serviceable to the tourist, now that they are in connexion with all parts of Ireland through the Midland Great Western Railway opened to Sligo on the 3rd December, 1862, and the Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway, opened on the 7th November, 1882. The latter line carries passengers to Sligo from the North, while the Midland G reat Western takes them, mediately or immediately, from the three other provinces.
In their arrangements the chairman and directors of the Midland company never lose sight of the interests and comforts of tourists. If the stations of their line were intended for the special convenience of this important class of passengers, they could not be more favourably situated than they are at present, standing, as they do, close to the most interesting scenes and sights of the county.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 304

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that became a railway crossroads. The Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway opened on the 7th of November 1882, bringing passengers to Sligo from the North. Before that, the Midland Great Western Railway had reached the town on the 3rd of December 1862, connecting it to the three other provinces. Together the two lines completed Sligo's rail links from every direction. The book notes that the stations stood close to the most interesting scenes and sights of the county, as though placed for the special convenience of tourists.

St Aidan of Cloonoghill in Corran

Cloonoghill · townland · Roscommon · 557–569

St. Aidan, founder of Monasteredan, is described in the Tribes and Customs of Hy Fiachrach as 'of Cloonoghill in Corran.' He settled in the diocese of Achonry and remonstrated with St. Cormac for entering the diocese, showing his authoritative connection to the area.

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When grown up Aidan settled in the diocese of Achonry. In the Tribes and Customs of Hy Fiachrach * he is described as " of Cloonoghill in Corran," and in Colgan's Life of St. Cormac,t we find him remonstrating^ somewhat authoritatively with that saint for coming at all into the diocese. It is clearly then to this Aidan, thus connected with Achonry, that the diocese is indebted for Monasteredan, which is within a few miles of Cloonoghill ; for Killedan, which is in the county Mayo, but in the diocese of Achonry; and, no doubt, for the first church of Cloonoghill, which may, in the beginning, have been called after him, though losing the name through time, in consequence of the saint removing from the place.
Within a few yards of Monasteredan new church, took place, on the 22nd March, 1880, the tragedy in which two countrymen, named Corcoran and Flannery, on the one side, and Sergeant Armstrong, on the other, lost their lives in mutual conflict. Corcoran and Flannery were shot dead, by the police party, in the fields on the edge of the roadway, where two cairns, six or seven feet high, and eight feet from one another, mark now the fatal spot. Constable Hayes, one of the police under the command of the sergeant, was saved partly by his own presence of mind, and partly by the heroism of a country girl named Mary Bermingham.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 206

St. Kevin's hermitage at Glendalough

Glendalough · electoral division · Wicklow

The author mentions St. Kevin of Glendalough as an example of an anchoret who lived in extreme austerity, being cooped up in the hollow of a tree, comparing his condition to other early solitaries.

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" Cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd," as anchorets must be in such narrow cells, they would still be more at ease there than St. Coemgen or Kevin, of Glendalough, cooped up in the hollow of a tree ; than Saint Pacomius, on his ledge of rock ; than Saint Simon Stylites on his pillar ; than Saint Macarius in his morass : than St. Benedict in the cave of Subiaco; and than thousands of other solitaries in Egypt and Gaul, who were sometimes mistaken, amid rocks and jungles, for wild animals.
However, it is much more likely that the structures of Ardnasbrack and Caronagh are sepulchres, though, if so, there is nothing to show, at least conclusively, whose graves they are. In treating of megalithic remains of this class, Irish archasologists commonly take them to be pre-historic, an opinion for which no proof is adduced, and which seems a mere guess. One is then free to hold, as the writer does, that such monuments date from historic times, and some of them even from a time sufficiently modern ; and with regard to the two under consideration, there is considerable ground for thinking that they come from the year 1389, and stand over the remains of members of the O'Healy family, a powerful family of the district, who were slain on the spot by the O'Rorkes and O'Connors, as is thus recorded in the Four Masters sub anno : — " Owen O'Rorke, and the sons of Cathal Oge (O'Connor), went to Caislen-an-Uabhair (Castleore), where they were met by the cavalry of Muinter Healy. These were defeated, and Manus O'Healy and others

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 129

Superstitious sea stones at Saint Attracta's well

Killaraght · townland · Sligo

Rounded or oval sea stones found at Saint Attracta's well in Killaraght are considered relics of a widely-extended superstition. These stones were historically manipulated to clear oneself of charges or invoke vengeance.

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petrce, and again lapides. The rounded or oval sea stones found at Saint Attracta's well in Killaraght, in the graveyard of Inismurray, in the burying-place of Killerry, on the so-called "altar" in Toomour, and in several other places through the county, are no doubt relics of this widely-extended superstition.
The exact nature of the practices connected with these stones is not known, but judging from what is told of the " Malediction Stones " of Inismurray, it would appear that the stones were manipulated for the purpose either of clearing oneself of a charge, or of fixing one on others, and invoking vengeance for it. It is only a year or two ago that an angry islander of Inismurray, who fancied himself wronged by a person with whom he had some dealing, went to the priests of the parish, and asked them for leave to " turn the stones" on the supposed wrong-doer. In the Bollandist life of St. Kevin of Glendalough (See O'Hanlon, Part 61, p. 41,) there is an account of a man who stole an animal belonging to St. Lugid,^ and of whom it is said, '* Accessit ad signa sacra ut juraret;" and the writer cannot help thinking that the signa sacra in question are no other than the seventeen sea stones which, after the multitudinous accidents of fourteen or fifteen hundred years, may be still seen, safe and undisturbed, on the "altar" of Toomour, the superstitious veneration of the people serving as their safeguard all this time.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 311

Taaffe estates sold under penal laws

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1753

The Taaffe family's Ballymote estates were claimed by a Protestant relation under penal legislation preventing Catholics from inheriting land. After legal proceedings, the estates were sold by Act of Parliament to John Petty Fitzmaurice, with Lord Taaffe receiving £25,000. The Taaffes left Ireland to avoid further pressure from the penal laws.

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* " Nicholas, therefore, on the death of Theobald, last Earl of Carlingford, took possession of the family estates in Ireland and Germany, not presuming that a Protestant relation of his would ever dispute them by relying on the cruel Act of Parliament which prevented a Papist from inheriting land whenever it was claimed by a Protestant relation of the Testator. However, Robert Sutton, lineally descended from the only sister of Francis, Earl of Carlingford, claimed the said lands and premises. The law proceedings that ensued were ended by an agreement that the estate should be sold, and that one-third of the produce should go to Viscount Taaffe, and two- thirds to Robert Sutton. The agreement was rendered effectual by an Act of Parliament (15 George II. 49), and in 1753, pursuant to the said Act, the said estates were sold and conveyed to John Petty Fitzmaurice (afterwards Earl of Shelburne), and £25,000 was secured by bond to Lord Taaffe in satisfaction of his claims. He still entertained the hope of getting the permission to hold land at some future period, and Lord Fitzmaurice promised to give back the estates at the same price whenever Lord Taaffe would be allowed to hold them. The Earl of Shelburne, to Lord Taaffe's misfortune, died in 1761, and he was acquainted by Lady Shelburne, that she, the guardian of her children's proi)erty, did not consider herself bound by whatever private promise her late lord had made, but considered her son William to be the rightful owner of Lord Taaffe's estates in Ireland." — Memoirs of the Family oj Taaffe. By Lord Lewis Taaffe. — Lord Lewis was the father of the present Prime Minister of Austria.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 88

Templeboy church and St. Baithin dedication

Templeboy · parish · Sligo

Templeboy church was a substantial fabric sixty-two feet long and twenty-four feet wide, with its interior occasionally used as a place of burial. Tombstones with nearly illegible inscriptions bear dates including 1733, 1741, 1761, and 1765. A well dedicated to St. Molaisse stands near the church.

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The church was a good sized fabric, being sixty-two feet long, and twenty-four wide, exterior measurement. The interior is occasionally used as a place of burial. There are some tombstones with inscriptions, which are nearly illegible, the dates 1733, 1741, 1761, and 1765 being almost the only portions decipherable. A well dedicated to St. Molaisse is near the church.
The priory of Aughris, or Eachros, stood on the summit of the singularly bold headland or bluff of Aughris, where, however, there is now no trace of the structure. Harris, AUemande, and Father Walsh make St. Molaisse the founder, and in this are supported by the tradition of Tireragh, which is clear and positive on the point. O'Donovan, in a note to his Four Masters, under the year 1380, thinks it probable that Donnell O'Dowd, who died that year, was the founder of the priory ; but there is no ground for this opinion, if there be question of the original foundation ; though it may be true, and is likely enough, that Donnell repaired or re-edified the establishment. From Aughris St. Molaisse spread religion over the greater part of Tireragh, notably over the parishes of Templeboy, Killglasse, Kilmacshalgan, and Dromard ; and from it, too, he carried the faith and ordinances of the Gospal to the island of Innismurray, and thence to the mainland on the coast of Carbury.*

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 220

As the companion tells it

As you pass through the parish of Templeboy in Sligo, there was once a substantial church here, sixty-two feet long and twenty-four feet wide. The interior was occasionally used as a place of burial, and some tombstones still stand with inscriptions so worn they are nearly illegible. The dates 1733, 1741, 1761, and 1765 are almost the only parts that can still be made out. A well dedicated to St. Molaisse stands near the church. St. Molaisse is credited with spreading religion across this part of Tireragh, and Templeboy was one of the parishes he is said to have influenced. He is also linked to the priory of Aughris, on a bold headland to the west, where tradition holds he founded the original establishment, though no trace of that structure now remains. Donnell O'Dowd, who died in 1380, may have repaired or rebuilt the priory, but the original foundation is attributed to St. Molaisse himself.

Templehouse Castle absent from 1307 Templar inventory

near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1307

A state inventory of the possessions of the Irish Templars, drawn up in 1307 (the year of their suppression), details Templar property across Irish counties with great accuracy but makes no mention of Templehouse Castle or any county Sligo property. This omission is cited as evidence that the Templars had nothing to do with the property.

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This, though a negative argument, is a very strong one. Auother negative argument of great weight is the following, that in a state inventory of the possessions of the Irish Templars, drawn up in 1307, the first year of Edward II., the year of their suppression, while the property of the Knights in the other counties of Ireland is detailed with great accuracy, there is not a word of Templehouse Castle, or the county Sligo property, an omission which seems to prove, that those religious had nothing to do with the property. This important paper is in the British Museum,|| and may be seen in print in the Kilkenny Archceological Journal.^
But we are not confined to negative arguments, for the old name of Templehouse lake establishes positively the writer's contention. The name of the lake in the patent granting the property to William Crofton,^'* is Lough Elly — manifestly an

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 38

Templemore church ruins and priest burials

Templemore · town · Tipperary · 1782–1836

The ruins of Templemore church are extensive, justifying the name 'big church,' and stand on a hilltop visible for a great distance. Several priests including Fathers Bryan Kelly, Darby Brennan, and Canon James Hester are buried in the adjoining graveyard.

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is extensive, and proves the church to have deserved its popular name of Templemore, or big church, while its position on the summit of a hill, visible for a great distance all round, must have added much to its impressiveness. Hard by the walls is the foundation of an old building, which the people name Teach na GalliagJia dhu, House of the Nuns, which would go to show that there was formerly a nunnery on the spot. Within a hundred yards or so of the graveyard is a holy well, known as Tober Muneen — words which, according to the neighbours, signify Monica's well. These several indications point to a primitive establishment, that followed the rule of St. Augustine, which Templemore may have been before it became a parish church. It is said that a smaller and older church was erected in the adjoining townland of Drumdoney. The etymology of Drumdoney — Dorsum dominicce, or Ridge of the church — would bear out the tradition.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 137

The Gap and Lough Talt: wild mountain glen

near Lough Talt · lake or lakes · Sligo

The Gap is a wild glen between two mountain spurs at the borders of Sligo and Mayo, with a winding road revealing picturesque mountain views. Lough Talt, about a mile long and half a mile wide, appears suddenly midway through the passage, its sombre end shaded by Crummus and its bright end teeming with fine trout.

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The wild glen called The Gap, is under many respects as interesting a spot as there is in the parish. The whole valley is commonly called The Gap, but the name applies more particularly to a short stretch between two spurs of the mountain, which rise vis-a-vis at the coniines of the two counties, and contain between them the public highway. The road through the Glen is winding, and at every turn the traveller comes upon new and magnificent combinations of the picturesque, formed chiefly by the ever varying aspects of the mountain elevations — some, naked rock, some, clothed with rich heath, and one, the towering Crwmmits, green and grassy for the entire height of the 1,300 feet to which it rises. About midway in the passage across the range. Lough Talt comes suddenly in view, and with the exception of two tiny islets, forms an unbroken sheet of water of about a mile long, and half a mile wide, one end looking sombre, owing to the shadow thrown on it by Crummus, the " alt " that gives the lake its name, while the other end, which is out of the shadow, scintillates in brightness ; this difference telling, it is said, on the trout with which the lake teems; those that frequent the region of the shadow, being unsightly to the eye and insipid to the taste, while the form and flavour of the others are all that an epicure could desire.
Though there are no groves or continuous plantations in the Gap, there are growing in all directions a good number of single or isolated trees, planted, it is said, by the Robinsons ;* and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 78

Toomour church, holy well and name etymology

Toomour · townland · Sligo

Toomour is identified with Kellasenig in the 1307 Taxation Roll, possibly the church founded by St. Patrick and later associated with Bishop Lugid. The name Toomour (Tuaim Fobhair) means 'Hollow of the Spring,' derived from a holy well near the church, also known as King's-town Well.

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No one can give any information as to the origin of the name Toomour, but, it may be taken as certain, that it comes frooi the holy well near the church; for Toomour, that is Tuaim Fobhair, signifies the Hollow of the Spring, the F being aspirated, and in consequence, losing its sound. (Joyce's Irish Names of Places ; First Series, p. 20.)
And the present English name of the spring — Kings-town Well — is as great a puzzle as the Irish one ; but a little reflection

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 112

Uninscribed graves of three priests in Buninadden church

near Bunnanaddan · population centre · Sligo · 1881

Canon James MacDermot, who died in 1881, is buried outside the rails of the high altar in the Buninadden parish church alongside Canon Henry and Father Browne. All three lie in uninscribed graves with no memorial of any kind, despite being men who deserved better treatment.

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This amiable and accomplished ecclesiastic died in 1881, and is buried outside the rails of the high altar in the parish church of Buninadden, by the side of his predecessors, Canon Henry and Father Browne. It is matter of regret to have to add, that all three lie in uninscribed graves, and that there is no memorial of any kind, within or without the church, to preserve the memory of men who deserved very different treatment.
Very Reverend Canon Owen Stenson succeeded Canon MacDermot, in 1881, as Parish Priest of Buninadden, and is the actual incumbent.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 105

William Fenton's conversion to Protestantism 1737

Kilmacshalgan · parish · Sligo · 1737

In 1737, William Fenton, an inhabitant of the parishes of Kilmacshalgan and Templeboy, renounced the Roman Catholic Church and was received into the Church of Ireland by order of the Protestant Bishop of Killala and Achonry. It is uncertain whether he is the ancestor of the Fenton family of Easky.

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Jt is not known whether there are at present in the parishes of Kilmacshalgan and Templeboy any descendants of the William Fenton who joined the Protestant Church in 1737, as we learn from the followiog certificate of the then Protestant bishop : — " Mordecai, by Divine Providence Lord Bishop of Killalla and Achonry, greeting — We do hereby certifie that William Fenton, now an inhabitant of the parish of Kilmacshalgan and Templeboy, hath renounced the errors of the church of Rome, and that he was by our order received into the communion of the church on Suoday, the 24th day of April last, and that the said William Fenton is a Protestant, and doth
412 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 223

Armstrong canal project linking south Sligo via lakes

Cloonacleigha · townland · Sligo

John Armstrong proposed a canal to connect the southern parts of County Sligo with the town of Sligo, running through the lakes of Cloonacleigha and Templehouse. The project was rendered obsolete by the advent of railways.

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In his day, the late Mr. John Armstrong was one of the most active magistrates and country gentlemen of the county, as well as one of the most intelligent. It is said, that he had formed an ingenious plan for connecting the more southern parts of the county with the town of Sligo, by means of a canal, which was to run through the lakes of Cloonacleigha and Templehouse, but this, like so many other projects of the kind, ventilated in pre-railway days, was disposed of by the formation of railroads.
A little beyond Templehouse, and on the right as you go to

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 62

Ballintogher: strategic pass of Tirerrill

Ballintogher · town · Sligo

Ballintogher ('town of the causeway') lies in the parish of Killerry near the gap of Slieve da En, the chief pass between Tirerrill and Carbury. Cashaloer fort and Ballintogher castle (Rathmaree) were both constructed to guard this strategic pass.

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Ballintogher — the town of the causeway — lies in the parish of Killerry, and is, on the whole, about as historic a spot as any other in Tirerrill. Its situation near the gap of Slieve da En, which is the chief pass between Tirerrill and Carbury, gives it importance ; and it was to guard this pass, that Cashaloer fort, in the remote past, and Ballintogher castle, or Rathmaree, in later times, were constructed. Ballintogher was one of the first places occupied by the English on their coming to Connaught, and was formed by them into, a *' borough," which seems to have been a "specially organized form of the township;'' for

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 173

Cloghan Araght in Lough Gara

near Lough Gara · lake or lakes · Roscommon

Cloghan Araght, a monument in Lough Gara, is listed among the lasting memorials of Saint Attracta, preserving her name in the landscape of the region.

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Few Irish saints have left after them such vivid traditions, and so many lasting memorials as Attracta; for to this day her life forms much of the folk-lore of the people of Coolavin ; while the names of places, and other objects, such as Killaraght (the church of Attracta) in Coolavin ; Kiilaraght in the parish of Kilmacteige ; * Killaraght, near Bal, in the diocese of Tuam ; f Toberaraght (the well of Attracta), in the parish of Killaraght; Toberaraght, in the parish of Kilturra ; Toberaraght, near Tubbercurry, in the parish of Achonry ; Toberaraght, in the parish of Drumrat ; Toberaraght, in the parish of Kilbeagh ; Cloghan Araght, in Lough Gara ; and the Christian name of Attracta, or Atty, so prevalent throughout the diocese of Achonry, are memorials which will transmit the name to future times, as they have preserved it undimmed up to the present.
With her mark thus clearly and extensively impressed on the face of the country, it is not a little disappointing that we know not for certain the exact time at which she lived, nor the family or part of the country to which she belonged originally. If we could put faith in a statement of the old life given by Colgan,J we should find little difficulty in fixing the date, as the author of that composition asserts, that she was a contemporary of Saint Patrick,§ and that she received the veil of religion from his hands ; but as the same writer makes her contemporary with Saint Nathy, who lived in the sixth century, and with Keannfaelaid, King of Connaught, who reigned in the seventh century; it is clear we cannot trust, on a point of chronology, an author who falls into such errors and contradictions in the dates of important events. In the absence of other

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 197

Dr. Hugh M'Dermott's letters from Coolavin, 1801–1802

Coolavin · electoral division · Sligo · 1801–1802

Dr. Hugh M'Dermott, son of Myles MacDermott, was described as an 'inflexible patriot' and 'the source of liberality and knowledge.' In letters written in 1801 and 1802, some from Coolavin and some from Booterstown, he engaged in a controversy between Rev. Dr. O'Conor and historian Francis Plowden, proving himself a man of talent, culture, conscience, and honour.

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His son, Dr. Hugh M'Dermott, was universally respected, and was described by those who knew him best as an " inflexible patriot," and ''the source of liberality and knowledge.''^ Much against his will he was mixed up in the controversy that took place between Rev. Dr. O'Conor and the historian, Mr. Francis Plowden ; and in letters of his on this occasion written in 1801 and 1802, some from Coolavin and some from Booterstown, he proves himself a man of talent and culture as v/ell as of conscience and honour. At the great Catholic Con-
* King James' Army List. + Annals of the Four Masters.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 193

James Niper of Tubbercurry attainted 1689

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1689–1721

James Niper of Tobercory (Tubbercurry) was listed among persons attainted by James II's Parliament of 1689. In his will dated 1 June 1721 he held interests in the townlands of Carrowkeele, Castlewillen, and Kathscanlon near Tubbercurry.

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The James Niper, gent., of the county Sligo, that figures on the list of the persons attainted by James the Second's Parliament of 1689, was, no doubt, a son of Archy. In his will, which is dated 1st June, 1721, he signs himself James Neper, of Tobercory, and by it he nominates his nephew, Henry Meredith^ of Sessucomon; James Neper, of Tobercory; and Charles Meredith, of Mollane, his executors; and Joshua Cooper, oi Marcrue (Markree), as " overseer of his will and testament."
From this will w^e learn that he either owned, or had some other beneficial interest in the townlands of Carrowkeele and Castlewillen, and in 16 acres of Kathscanlon, near Tubbercurry.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 66

St. Dachonna's church at Assylin (Eas Dachonna)

Assylin · waterfall · Roscommon

St. Dachonna's church was located at the place now called Assylin, to the north of Boyle, anciently known as Eas Dachonna. Colgan erroneously placed this church in County Galway, but it was correctly identifiable as Assylin north of Boyle.

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Whatever room for doubt there may be with regard to her parentage and native place there can he none as to her characteristic virtue. It was that love of the neighbour which is the fulfilment of the law ; and the moment she reached a place of safety, and was free to act, she devoted herself to the practice of this beneficent virtue. Soon after her arrival in the neighbourhood of Boyle, she desired to fix herself near Drumconnel — now commonly called Drum — where, it is said, her uterine brother, Conal, had a church ; but Conal regarding this intended settlement as a kind of encroachment on his own religious house, got St. Dachonna, of Eas Dachonna, now Assylin, to dissuade Attracta from the project, which that saint succeeded in doing, but not before she told him that his church and that of Conal would soon suffer great loss of revenue from the erection of a new monastery between them. Colgan erroneously places those churches of Dachonna and Conal, as well as the new monastery, in the county Galway, and tries hard to make good his contention ; but had he better knowledge of the county Roscommon ho would have seen that St. Conal's church was the church of Drumconnel, to the south of Boyle ; St. Dachonna's church, that of the place now called Assylin, to the north of Boyle, anciently called Eas Dachonna ; and the new monastery, the Cistercian abbey of Boyle, whose site lies exactly between these two churches. It was after this, Attracta chose for her abode Greagraighe, for so Coolavin was then called, the name still surviving somewhat in the denominations of Greggans and Gregaduf. The spot which she selected was a great thoroughfare at the time, and she selected it precisely because it afforded most scope for her comprehensive charity.f In the times she lived, travel-
* Acta Sanctorum, p. 753 in Vita S. Cormaci.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 199

Book of Ballymote compiled in Ballymote Castle

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1391

An entry in the Book of Ballymote at folio 62 proves the manuscript was written in the castle of Ballymote, not the Franciscan monastery, as some had assumed. The monastery hardly existed in 1391, when the book was compiled.

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Some people are under the impression that the Book of Ballymote was compiled in ^ the Franciscan monastery of Ballymote; but this is a mistake ; for the following entry, at folio 62, proves it was written in the castle : — "And it is that Torlogh og, son of Hugh, that is King of Connaught, at writing this part of the book, in the house of Tomaltagh (a tig Thomaltaig), son of Teig, son of Tomaltagh, son of Muirgheasa, son of Donogh, son of Tomaltagh, son of Conor, son of Dermod."
The monastery hardly existed in 1391 ; and of this the absence of all preference to it in the Book of Ballymote is a strong proof The style, too, would point to the fifteenth century as the period of its erection. The Pope's bust and tiara sculptured over the door of the western gable, may have contained the date, but, if so, it is now illegible. The writer searched the Wadding MSS. in the house of the Franciscans, on Merchant's Quay, Dublin, but found they contain no reference whatever to Ballymote.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 91

Sale of Ballymote estate bargained at Annaghmore

Annaghmore · townland · Sligo · 1833

In 1833, Lord Orkney's Ballymote property passed by sale to Sir Robert Gore Booth. The bargain was reportedly struck over the dinner table at Annaghmore, where Major O'Hara acted as intermediary between the earl and the baronet.

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After this the business declined, and it was nearly extinct in 1833, when the property passed by sale from Lord Orkney, to Sir Robert Gore Booth, the bargain, it is said, being struck over the dinner table at Annaghmore, where the host, Major O'Hara, played the part of the mutual friend at the fair, and " split the difference " between the earl and the baronet.
The population of Ballymote and its outskirts is pretty mixed at present in regard both to race and creed. Up to the beginning of the seventeenth century it was almost exclusively Celtic; and with the exception of George Goodman, Queen Elizabeth's constable of the castle, and perhaps a retainer or two, who may have come over with him, the following list of inhabitants of Ballymote, to whom James I. granted a general pardon, in 1603, may be taken practically for a list of all the adult male inhabitants of the place: — Hugh Boy O'Connor, gent.;Thadeas Boy McDonnell Chrone, gent.; Cormac Mergach McDonnell Chrome, horseman; Gilleduffe McRory, horseman; Conogher Grany, kerne; Donnell Oge McDonnell Chrome, kerne ; Rory McHugh Boy, gent. ; Gillepatrick Cam McEward, rymer; Donald McEward, rymer; Geolfry McEward, rymer ; Moilmoy McEward, rymer ; Conogher McDonnough Reogh, labourer ; Donald Cam O'Coman, labourer ; Mark McDonnell, student ; Donatus McSheaffne Morrey, kerne ; Thadeus Oge McRory, kerne ; Brian Buy O'Clabby, pyper ;

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 89

Bingham's fort between Lough Arrow and Lough Key

near Lough Arrow · lake or lakes · Sligo · 1590–1599

Near the close of the sixteenth century, Sir Richard Bingham erected a great fort between Lough Arrow and Lough Key (Lough Ce) to check the incursions of the O'Rorkes into the district. This was seen as proof of the long-continued power of the O'Rorkes in the area.

Read the passage

There is a curious addition to the legend. It is handed down, that while the enraged chief was approaching, the bell of the place took of itself to ringing, in order to sound an alarm, but on the man in charge turning to it in anger, and telling it to cease its cackle lest its noise should spoil the whole business, and attract O'Rorke to the spot, it took the reproof in serious part, and became itself so frightened at the common danger, that it got immediately tongue-tied, and never after uttered another note. A striking proof of the long continued power of the O'Rorkes in this district may be found in the legend mentioned, when coupled with the historical fact, that Sir Richard Bingham, near the close of the sixteenth century, built his great fort between Lough Arrow and Lough Ce, to stop the irruptions of the O'Rorkes.f
The valley between the Curlews and Bricklieve mountains, lying partly in the parish of Aghanagh, and partly in the parish of Toomour, deserves more attention than it has hitherto

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 166

Dr. William Armstrong dies of fever, Collooney, 1875

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1875

Dr. William Armstrong, Medical Officer of the Collooney Dispensary District, died of malignant fever caught while attending a patient. He was buried in the graveyard attached to the Protestant church of Collooney, with an epitaph erected by friends.

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* Doctor William Armstrong is buried in the graveyard attached to tha Protestant church of Collooney, and the following epitaph is inscribed on his tomb : — "William Armstrong, Medical Officer of the Collooney Dispensary District, died on Friday, April 16th, 1875, of fever, taken in the faithful and fearless discharge of his duty, aged 36 years. This monument is erected to his beloved memory by many friends, who knew him and loved him well."
452 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror

Father Flannelly inducted into Easky parish, 1831

Easky · town · Sligo · 1831

Rev. Patrick Flannelly was inducted into the parish of Easky on 24th July 1831 by Rev. Mr. Gildea, who had been temporary administrator since the death of Father Devins in January 1831. Flannelly had acquired a reputation for brilliant talents at Maynooth College.

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Patrick Flannelly, as we learn from his own memorandum in the Parochial Register : " July 24, being the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, in the year of our Lord 1831, I have been inducted into the parish by the Rev. Mr. Gildea, who was my predecessor. Rev. Mr. Gildea was temporary administrator of the parish since the lamented death of the celebrated Divin, who departed this life on the 19th January, 1831."
Father Flannelly came on the mission after acquiring a reputation for great and brilliant talents in Maynooth College, where he took rank with the late Dr. O'Hanlon, Prefect of the Dunboyne Establishment, and the late Right Rev. Dr. Delany, Bishop of Cork, both giants in their day. Even on the mission, it was admitted, that he retained his great powers of mind, though he put them forth less frequently than he might.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 225

As the companion tells it

Coming through Easky now, in County Sligo. On the 24th of July 1831, Father Patrick Flannelly was inducted into this parish by the Reverend Mr. Gildea, who had served as temporary administrator since the death of Father Devins on the 19th of January that same year. Flannelly's own memorandum in the Parochial Register records the day, the ninth Sunday after Pentecost. He came to Easky with a reputation for great and brilliant talents from Maynooth College, where he had ranked alongside men described as giants in their day, Dr. O'Hanlon, Prefect of the Dunboyne Establishment, and Dr. Delany, Bishop of Cork. Even here on the mission, it was admitted that he retained his great powers of mind, though he put them forth less frequently than he might.

New Ballinafad church built by Father Quinn

Ballinafad · townland · Sligo · 1860–1876

Father Andrew Quinn, Administrator of Aghanagh from 1860 to 1876, built a substantial stone church at Ballinafad costing about £1,600. Parishioners supplied stones, lime, and sand free of charge, reducing the total cost. It replaced the old thatched chapel as the place of public worship.

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Kev. Mr. Henry falling into ill health, Rev. Andrew Qainn was appointed Administrator of Aghanagh in 1860, where he remained till 1876, when he was transferred to Riverstown, on the demise of Father Owen Feeney. Wliile in Aghanagh Father Quinn built the substantial and commodious church of Ballinafad, which cost about £1,600, and must have cost a good deal more only that the parishioners had provided, free of charge, stones, lime, and sand.
Before the erection of this church the place of public worship was the old thatched chapel, built in 1760 by Father Michael Reynolds of Ballindoon, as the following curious inscription on a slab which formed the altar stone of the chapel, and which still exists, informs us : — " This house was built in the year 1760 by Father Michael Reynolds of Ballindoon at his own expense, for his own abode, and shelter of the faithful." If not the first, this old building was one of the first, chapels put up in the county since the Penal days ; and the words of the inscription, " for his own abode," would imply that the priest resided in it, which he did, no doubt, for the purpose of evading the persecuting laws still in force, on the old principle that " a man's house is his castle."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 169

Perceval family as benevolent landlords at Templehouse

near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo

The Perceval family lived at Templehouse and were regarded as liberal-minded landlords. Alexander Perceval (d. 1866) took the welfare of his tenants and labourers to heart, while his wife fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and paid doctors to attend the sick on the estate.

Read the passage

The Colonel's son, Mr. Alexander Perceval,* from the day he took possession of the property, to the day of his death, on the 8th of May, 1866, practised the virtues of his father, with others of his own, so that those who knew him best, and saw how he took to heart the welfare of his tenants and labourers, could have only one wish, namely, that all other country gentlemen would go and do likewise. Mrs. Perceval was a wife worthy of such a husband, and seconded zealously his efforts to make the people about them happy. She not only fed the hungry and clothed the naked, but, by her charity to the sick, which she often carried to the leogth of feeing doctors to attend them, she benefited numbers, more than one of whom survives to thank her under God for the blessings of life and health.
No member of the family excited a heartier regard than the late Mr. Alexander Perceval. Had his lot been cast in happier times he would have been the idol of the people ; and even as it was, though diversity of interests brought himself and his tenants into legal conflict, the trouble passed off without diminution of friendliness on either side. As a country gentleman there was hardly anything wanting to him, being attentive to his public and private duties, fond of field sports, frank and genial with his equals, kind and sympathetic towards inferiors,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 37

Second Giant's Grave with large displaced flags

Gortakeeran · townland · Sligo

Two or three hundred yards down the slope from the first Giant's Grave in Gortakeeran, nearer the river, is another in a very ruined state. Its displaced covering flags are among the largest in the county, one measuring eleven by six feet and another twelve by eight feet.

Read the passage

Two or three hundred yards lower down the slope, and nearer to the river, is another Giant's Grave, but in a very ruined state.
The covering flags which still remain, but off their supports, are among the largest of the kind in the county — one being

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 32

Sligo convent burned 1410 and rebuilt by Dermot McDonogh

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1410

The Sligo convent, though not originally built by the McDonoghs, was burned down in 1410 and subsequently rebuilt and restored by Dermot McDonogh. This was part of the family's extensive patronage of religious houses.

Read the passage

TheMcDonoghs have deserved as well of the church as of the country. To them religion is indebted for the convents of Ballindoon, Ballymote, Cloonymeghan, and Sligo — this last, though not originally built by them, being, when burned down in 1410, rebuilt and restored by Dermot McDonogh. These convents, as well as the abbey of Ballysadare, were rarely, if ever, without McDonoghs among their inmates ; while the secular clergy was recruited largely from members of the family, including Thomas MacMorrissy McDonogh, who died bishop of Achonry in 1398, and, very probably, Michael McDonogh, bishop of Kilmore, who died, and was buried at Lisbon in 1746, and several Parish Priests and Curates of the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin.
While speaking of the eminent ecclesiastics of the McDonogh family, we must not forget Manus McDonogh, of whom the Annals of Loch Ce, under the year 1504, contains this very laudatory obituary notice: " Manus, son of Brian McDonogh, i.e. J abbot of the monastery of the Trinity on Loch Ce, a man who was the preserving shrine and casket of the bounty and prowess of Erinn, and the man, who of all that had come down from Tomaltach-na-Cairge, had given and presented most to poets and musicians, and to men of every craft, died at Cill Diubhdhuin (Killadoon), et sepultus est in Trinity Island on Loch Ce; and this death of McDonogh 's son is a decapitating blow to the learned of Erinn."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 124

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is the town whose convent burned down in 1410 and was rebuilt and restored by Dermot McDonogh. The McDonogh family were great patrons of religion in the county, founding convents at Ballindoon, Ballymote, and Cloonymeghan as well. The Sligo convent, though not originally built by them, was restored through Dermot's patronage after the fire. These convents and the abbey of Ballysadare were rarely without McDonoghs among their inmates, and the secular clergy drew heavily from the family. Thomas MacMorrissy McDonogh died bishop of Achonry in 1398, and Michael McDonogh, bishop of Kilmore, died and was buried at Lisbon in 1746. The Annals of Loch Ce also record Manus McDonogh, abbot of the monastery of the Trinity on Loch Ce, who died in 1504. The annals call him "the preserving shrine and casket of the bounty and prowess of Erinn," the man who of all descended from Tomaltach-na-Cairge had given most to poets, musicians, and men of every craft. His death, the annals say, was "a decapitating blow to the learned of Erinn."

Srath-an-fherainn and termon of Ballysadare abbey

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

The writer identifies Srath-an-fherainn (alias Srahantearmainn) as part of the termon of Ballysadare abbey, lying in the present parish of Ballysadare along with Aenach Tireoilella. The parish also includes the old parochial districts of Enagh in Tirerrill and Esdara in Leyney.

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If it be objected that the spot called Srath-an-fherain in Eoderick O'Connor's translation of Keating's History, is given as Srahantearmainn in Archdeacon Lynches Latin rendering of the same work, it may be answered that Srahantearmainn is an alias of Srath-an-fherainn, the sraih being a part of the termon of Ballysadare abbey. From all this, then, it follows that both Aenach Tireoilella and Srath-an-fherain lie in the present parish of Ballysadare, which includes the old parochial district of Enagh in Tirerrill, as well as the parochial district of Easdara in Leyney.
In the same note, under the year 1397, O'Donovan asserts that the cairn of Heapstown was raised over OilioU, from whom Tirerrill has its name, and, in proof of his assertion, refers to Part III., chap. 79, of O'Flaherty's Ogygia. In turning, however, to the passage indicated, the reader will look in vain for the expected proof, as O'Flaherty says nothing on the subject. Nor does there appear to be any proof forthcoming. What probably induced some persons to connect the cairn with Oilioll, if others besides O'Donovan have done so, was its old name, Oillthrialla; but though there is some resemblance in the first part of this name with Oilioll, the addition of Thrialla would go to show that the full name refers to a different person.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 131

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here lies Srath-an-fherainn, also known as Srahantearmainn. The name appears in two different translations of Keating's History — O'Connor's version gives one spelling, Archdeacon Lynch's Latin rendering gives the other, but they are the same place. It formed part of the termon of Ballysadare abbey. Along with Aenach Tireoilella, it falls within the present parish of Ballysadare, which also takes in the old parochial districts of Enagh in Tirerrill and Esdara in Leyney.

1704 Catholic clergy registration in Kilglass and Castleconor

Kilglass · townland · Sligo · 1704

At the 1704 registration of clergy under the penal laws, Rev. Manus Beolan served as Parish Priest of Kilglass and Rev. Daniel Culkin as Parish Priest of Castleconor.

Read the passage

The Parish Priest of Kilglass, at the Registration of the clergy in 1704, was Rev. Manus Beolan, or Boland; and the latest Parish Priests are Rev. Edward Lavelle and Rev. Patrick Irwin,
The Parish Priest of Castleconor, in 1704, was Rev. Daniel Culkin ; the latest Parish Priests being Fathers Patrick Duffy, John Barins, and John M. O'Hara.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 229

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Kilglass, in 1704, the registration of clergy under the penal laws recorded Rev. Manus Beolan, also called Boland, as Parish Priest of Kilglass. The same register listed Rev. Daniel Culkin as Parish Priest of Castleconor.

Alexander Perceval's support for Ballinacarrow chapel

Ballynacarrow · population centre · Sligo

Alexander Perceval of Templehouse, like his father before him, took a lively interest in seeing Ballinacarrow chapel become a neat and commodious place of worship. This was cited as evidence of his freedom from bigotry.

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Of what has been stated of Mr. Perceval's freedom from bigotry, it would be easy, if this were the place, to adduce many proofs, but it will be enough to observe here, that he, like his father, evinced a lively interest to see Ballinacarrow chapel a neat and commodious place of worship, and that one of his last acts was to grant the writer of these lines a most eligible school site, on a long lease, and at a nominal rent. To the Parish Priest, then, and the parishioners of Kilvarnet, this was a special reason why they should feel deeply the death of Mr, Perceval, even apart from the general reasons which moved the rest of the community, and in which they shared to the full.
For instance, it was well-known that Mr. Perceval was the fondest of fathers, and the most attached of husbands, and everyone was saddened at finding him taken away so early from his infant and only child, and from his young and devoted wife. Indeed, this premature and melancholy separation of Mr. and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 37

Assassination of Teige O'Connor in Sligo Castle

Sligo · town · Sligo

Teige O'Connor was assassinated in the castle of Sligo by Donnell O'Connor with his own hand. This is cited as an example of the heinous private crimes that occurred in medieval Sligo.

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We read of many heinous crimes of a private kind that happened in these times, such as the assassination of Teige O'Connor in the castle of Sligo by Donnell O'Connor, with his own hand (see Vol. L, p. 100), and the sacrilegious murder and robbery in the abbey of Drumcliff (seeYol.I.,p.501),but the crying
576 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 314

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you're in a town where medieval private crimes ran dark. The records tell of Teige O'Connor, assassinated in the castle of Sligo by Donnell O'Connor, killed, the book says, by his own hand.

Ballintogher Manor grants from Taaffe to Wenman

Ballintogher · town · Sligo · 1617–1633

In 1617 Ballintogher was granted to Sir William Taaffe, who in 1620 created it the Manor of Ballintogher. About 1630 Sir Thomas Wenman purchased the lands; the 1633 Survey describes nineteen quarters paying the King £15 per annum and ten groats homage.

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we learn from the Four Masters, under the year 1266, that the *' borough of Bal an tachair was burned that year by Flann Roe OTlynn, and many of the English of the town were slain by him." On the expulsion of the English in the fourteenth century, the O'Rorkes took possession of the place, and held it down to the time of Elizabeth, who, in a letter, dated 26th Jan. 1567, directed the Lords Justices of Ireland to examine the complaint made by Sir Donnell O'Connor against O'Wrarch (O'Rorke) for " deteyning from him the Castell of Bayleintochair." This letter produced no effect at the time, for it was ten years later, that is, in 1577, that O'Connor Sligo, with Sir Nicholas Malby and an army of both English and Irish took the place. Falling next into the hands of the MacDonoghs, it escheated soon to the Queen by their dying without heirs, general or special. In 1617 the town of Ballintogher with various adjoining lands was granted to Sir William Taaffe ; and in a new patent, passed by that sagacious man in 1620, the lands conveyed by the grant were created the Manor of Ballintogher. About 1630 they were purchased by Sir Thomas Wenman ; and the Survey of 1633 describes them as the *' inheritance of Sir Thomas Wenman, Knight, lately purchased from the Lord Viscount Taaffe, whose father obtained letters patent from King James for the whole Lordship of Ballintogher, containing nineteen quarters, all which Sir Thomas Wenman had bought two years past. It pays the King £15 sterling per annum, and ten groats homage." The denominations of the quarters are Gortlaunan, Tobbernany, Altbellada, Crossbeoy, Drommore, Casheloer, Tirtooicke, Raghian, Levalley, Rathnaree, Drumconrie, Corney, Kiltecranan, Ravelvoine, Lishcrossan, Carrownadallar, Aghrish, Dromcalrey, and Carownagh.
As a part of the O'Connor Sligo estate this property was granted in 1687 by Charles II. to the Earl of Strafford and Sir Thomas Radcliffe, and passed, from their representatives, by purchase, to Rev. Doctor John Leslie, one of those bellicose ecclesiastics that we sometimes find coming to the front in

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 174

Ballymote Castle remains of the Red Earl

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1310

Ballymote Castle in County Sligo is cited as one of two surviving examples of the Red Earl's grand castle-building works, alongside a castle at Inishowen in Donegal. The noble remains were still visible at the time of writing.

Read the passage

ence for an idea of the features and qualities of a building which had so prominent a place in connexion with the leading events of the province for close on four hundred years. We learn from the Annals of the Four Masters that it had towers and battlements, but we are left in the dark as to the size of the structure, the area it covered, and its other characteristics. That, however, it was a solid and imposing building, we may infer, with great probability, from the circumstances of those who had to do with its erection, and with its restoration. As Maurice Fitzgerald, the original founder, had abundant resources, both as a private man and as Lord Deputy, and knew besides the great importance of the situation, he would be sure to erect a fortress worthy of himself and of the place ; while — to pass over other restorers — the Red Earl, who restored or re-erected the building in 1310, was second to no Englishman that ever set foot in Ireland for the magnitude and magnificence of his undertakings and works, as may be seen even to-day in the noble remains of two of his castles, one at Inishowen in Donegal, and the other at Ballymote in our own county.
The difficulty, always found in taking the castle by force, supplies another proof of its great strength. The place must have been exceptionally strong which withstood successfully several sieges, and which bafEed, for a good part of two years, all the efforts of Hugh Oge O'Donnell, and was captured in the end by that able, accomplished, and powerful chief, only by means of great cannon sent to him from France for the special purpose of attacking it; there being no ordnance in Ireland capable of breaching it or battering it down.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 156

Ballymote Catholic parish church built 1857 by Canon Tighe

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1857

The fine Gothic Catholic parish church in Ballymote dates from 1857 and was built by Canon Tighe, who personally quested most of the money across England, Scotland, and Ireland. Interior decorations and a tower bell were later added by Canon James McDermot.

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The fine Gothic building, which forms the Catholic parish church, dates from 1857, and was built by the late lamented Canon Tighe, who quested himself, through England, Scotland, and Ireland, most of the money which it cost. It needed all the Canon's well-known zeal and energy to undertake so weighty a work at that time, when everybody else was dejected by the gloomy prospect before the country; but being one of those men, who once they put the hand to the plough, never look back, he kept his eye steadily fixed upon the goal, and pushing on without pause or respite, had the happiness of seeing what may, with almost literal propriety, be termed the exclusive work of his own hands, substantially finished and devoted by consecration to its sublime functions, thus enabling him to say, with Solomon, " Building, I have built a house for thy dwelling, to be thy most firm throne for ever." The Canon's brothers, the late Alderman James Tighe, of Sligo, and Mr. Edward Tighe, of Mullaghcor, have put up, in the church, a handsome memorial altar in his honour ; but, while this altar is an appropriate and touching fraternal tribute to a beloved brother, the church
HISTORY OF SLIGO. 173^

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 90

Ballysumaghan parish name from O'Summaghan family

Ballysumaghan · townland · Sligo

Ballysumaghan, called Drumdoney in the 1633 Survey and Dromdrayne in an Exchequer inquisition of James I, takes its present name from the O'Summaghan family, anglicised as Somers, who were formerly numerous in the district. Several are named in James I's Pardon of Sir Donogh O'Connor.

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The adjoining parish on the south is Ballysummaghan, which is called Drumdoney in the Survey of 1633, and is mentioned in an Exchequer inquisition of the 15th of James I. with the alias of Dromdrayne — the ridge of the blackthorn. The present name comes from persons of the name of O'Summaghan, anglicised Somers, who were formerly very numerous in the district. Several of them are named in James the First's Pardon of Sir Donogh O'Connor and the other inhabitants of the county Sligo ; and in the Survey of 1633, Knocknagee, in this parish, is set down as " the inheritance of Donogh O'Connor, Esq., mortgaged to Andrew Crean, Esq. He leases it to his son John, who sets it to Thomas O'Summaghan and John Darragh O'Laghna, fosterers." Dunally, Bloomfield, and Castle Neynoe are in this parish ; the last named place contains an imposing castellated house.
Some ruins of an old parish church are at Kiltycloghan,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 132

Banada cemetery and Gallagher migration to Lima

Banada · townland · Sligo · 1827

Banada was the chief burying place of the parish, with tombstones bearing names including O'Donnell, Gallaher, McCarrick, McManus, Mullarky, and McGinn. A tombstone for Patt Gallagher of Barratoher, who died in 1827, was erected by his son John, a resident of Lima, Peru, who was later assassinated there.

Read the passage

* A tombstone over a member of the Gallagher family bears this inscription : —
** Sacred to the memory of

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 79

Bishop O'Hedran formerly abbot of Assaroe monastery

Assaroe · waterfall · Donegal

Nicholas O'Hedran (or O'Hedian), who ruled the diocese of Achonry for about twenty-five years and died in 1373, served as abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Assaroe before his appointment as bishop by papal provision.

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Nicholas O'Hedran. — In his edition of the Annals of Boyle (Vol. II., p. 309), D'Alton gives the name as O'Hedian. He succeeded by provision of the Pope, was restored to the temporalities of the see by the King, ruled the diocese for about twenty-five years, and died in 1373. Before his appointment he was abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Assaroe. -^
William Andrew. — An English Dominican friar, a Doctor

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 52

As the companion tells it

Right here at Assaroe is where Nicholas O'Hedran was abbot of the Cistercian monastery before he became bishop. He was appointed to the diocese of Achonry by papal provision and restored to the temporalities of the see by the King. He ruled that diocese for about 25 years and died in 1373. D'Alton, in his edition of the Annals of Boyle, gives the name as O'Hedian.

Bob Lyons, attorney of Mullaghmore

Mullaghmore · town · Sligo

An attorney named Bob Lyons lived at Mullaghmore for much of the late eighteenth century. He was known for combining legal work with generous hospitality and famously helped the struggling young lawyer John Philpot Curran transform his fortunes.

Read the passage

An attorney named Lyons — Bob Lyons, as he was commonly called — who lived at Mullaghmore for the greater part of the last century, deserves a word of notice. He was so busily employed in his day, both as a lawyer and a host, that when Charles Phillips became acquainted with him in the second
522 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 284

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Mullaghmore, in Sligo. An attorney named Bob Lyons lived here for much of the 1700s, and he was known both as a lawyer and as a host, kept busy enough that the writer says he deserves a word of notice. Charles Phillips was among those who became acquainted with him here.

Church of Ahamlish belonging to priory of Aughris

Ahamlish · parish · Sligo · 1584

A 1584 Exchequer inquisition found that the vicarage of the church of Ahamlish (Aghumlys), in the barony of Carbury, with one quarter of glebe land and one small island in the high sea, belonged to the priory of Aughris. This linked Ahamlish ecclesiastically to both Aughris and Inishmurray.

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jury find that " the priory of Acheras, alias Kylraaltin, in the barony of Tireragh, is the property of the Queen, and that the vicarage of the church of Ahamlish (Aghumlys), in the barony of Carbury, with one quarter of glebe land, and one small island situate in the high sea, belong to the aforesaid priory."*
In the Indenture of Composition between Sir John Perrot and the Sligo chiefs, it is stated that there is in the barony of Carbury a quantity of land called the " Benan, 4 quarters, belonging to her Msiiesty in right of the abbey of Aghrosse;" and in several public instruments of a later date, as in King Charles the Second's grant in 1666 to Lord William Strafiford and Thomas Radcliffe ; and in the Tripartite Indenture between Lord Strafford, Joshua Wilson, and Dr. Leslie, the rectories of Aughris and Ahamlish are always conjoined and disposed of together. From what has been said, then, it appears sufficiently certain that the Muredach and Molaise of Inismurray came from Tireragh, and not, as some would have it, from Devenish ; and now, to go a step further, it is probable that these two names belong to one and the same person — Muredach having the second name of Molaise, as Fechin had the second name of Moecca ; as Carthagus had the second name of Mochuda; and as other old Irish saints had similar second names. The incidence, in the Martyrologies, of the festival of Muredach and that of Molaise on one and the same day, the 12th of August, goes far to establish this probability ; and the identity of the saints would explain a fact, otherwise rather unaccountable, namely, the neglect by the islanders, of Muredach, of whom they never think or speak, though, apparently, the founder of their monastic establishment, and therefore their natural patron, while they are always talking of, and magnifying, Molaise, who can have no such claims on their remembrance, unless he is Muredach, honoured by them under the name of Molaise. Whether, however, they are two

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 18

As the companion tells it

As you pass through the parish of Ahamlish in Sligo, you are travelling through land that was tied to one of the county's medieval priories. In 1584, an Exchequer inquisition found that the vicarage of the church of Ahamlish, in the barony of Carbury, belonged to the priory of Aughris, over in Tireragh. The jury recorded that the priory itself was the property of the Queen, and that Ahamlish came with one quarter of glebe land and one small island situate in the high sea. That island linked this parish ecclesiastically not only to Aughris but to Inishmurray, the monastic settlement off the coast. The connection proved durable. In later grants and indentures, including a 1666 grant from King Charles the Second to Lord William Strafford and Thomas Radcliffe, the rectories of Aughris and Ahamlish were always conjoined and disposed of together. The author of the source book goes further, arguing that the saints Muredach and Molaise of Inishmurray likely came from Tireragh rather than Devenish, and may in fact be one and the same person. Both names share a festival day, the 12th of August. This would explain why the islanders neglect Muredach, though he appears to be the founder of their monastery, while always honouring Molaise. If they are the same figure under two names, the islanders are simply remembering their patron in the name they know him by.

Cloonacleigha cave and Cloonoghill church

Cloonoghill · townland · Roscommon

A cave near the old church of Cloonoghill was covered with great flags, and the name Cloonacleigha (recess of the stones) likely derives from these flags. Lewis's Topographical Dictionary erroneously confuses Cloonoghill with Cloonymeaghan, though one was a parish church and the other a Dominican convent.

Read the passage

the west of the old church of Cloonoghill ; and it is equally probable that the actual name of Cloonacleigha, or recess of the stones, comes from the great flags with which the cave was covered.
While the Gazetteer of Ireland confounds Cloonoghill with Cloonacoole, Lewis' Topographical Dictionary is equally at fault in supposing it identical with Cloonymeaghan,* though one was a parish church, and the other a Dominican convent.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 101

Collooney Meeting against Municipal Reform Bill, 1836

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1836

A public meeting at Collooney in 1836 passed resolutions disapproving of Lord Lyndhurst's Municipal Reform Bill. Speeches by Mr. William Kelly and Rev. Dr. Durkan were noted for their independent and patriotic tone, and four resolutions were moved by local figures including Rev. Mr. Durkan and Henry Meredith.

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1. Collooney Meeting — Disapprobation of Lord Lyndhurst's Municipal Eeform Bill. On this head the Editor remarks: "We have been informed that the speeches delivered by Mr. William Kelly and the Rev. Dr. Durkan were distinguished for their independent and patriotic tone. Resolutions, four in number, were moved and seconded by — (1) Rev. Mr. Durkan, Mr. Henry Meredith ; (2) William Kelly, Esq., Mr. John Hart ; (3) Mr. Patrick Qainn, Mr. Patrick Milmore; (4) Mr. Michael McDonnell, Mr. John Gillooly."
2. Sligo Municipal Reform Meeting, held in Chapel Field. Martin Madden, Esq., in chair; Mr. Charles O'Connor, Sec.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 298

Cut-stone bridge over the Arrow near Cooper Hill

Cooper Hill · man-made feature · Meath

A solid and ornamental cut-stone bridge spans the river Arrow or Uncion near the Cooper Hill mansion. Despite the extraordinary difficulties of erection posed by the site, the structure was completed at enormous expense, which locals claimed equalled the cost of the mansion itself.

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A solid, as well as ornamental, cut stone bridge spans the river Arrow or Uncion, near the mansion. This structure, considering its finished material, and the extraordinary difficulties of erection offered by the nature of the site, involved enormous outlay, though it could hardly be as expensive as the people of the neighbourhood say ; for they tell, that it cost as much as Cooper Hill House itself.
Though there seems to be no documentary proof, there can

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 135

Disturbances at Gurteen chapel

Gorteen · town · Sligo

Amidst a period of broader political and economic unrest, Sligo largely avoided serious crime. However, the author notes 'disagreeable doings' that took place inside the chapel at Gurteen.

Read the passage

If let alone and unprovoked, the people of Sligo, without distinction of creed, are inclined to live on friendly terms with one another. In this respect Sligo compares favourably with many other districts. When several districts were disturbed by the doings of the Whiteboys in the latter years of the last century, of the Molly Maguires in 1845, and of the Fenians in 1867, Sligo was as tranquil as if nothing unusual were happening elsewhere. The attitude of the people during the last seven or eight eventful years is highly creditable to them, for though they may have wished well, like others, to the political and economic movements in progress, they took care to avoid the outrages which brought discredit on other places. Except the deplorable tragedy of Monasteredan, and the disagreeable doings in the chapel of Gurteen, and one or two other regrettable occurrences, there was no serious crime in the neighbourhood. This, no doubt, may be due, in some measure, to the moderation of those who had control of the police, and, in large
584 HISTORY OF SLIOO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 318

The history of Sligo : town and county

The stories, best first

Grangebeg old church dilapidated by Captain King

Grange on the Donegal–Sligo thoroughfare, populous in 1659

Housing improvements in Sligo

Kerry bishop's parish changes and priest's appeal to Rome

Kilmorgan old church ruins

Kilturra old church and graveyard

Limestone boulder field near Kilmorgan old church

Lord Chief Justice delivers Sligo Castle to Calvagh O'Donnell

Lough Gill overlooked in Phillips' poetic survey of Ireland

Mac William Burke attacks Sligo Castle and breaks gate tower (1471)

Mayo of the Saxons monastery identified near Claremorris

McDonogh convents across Sligo

Rathcarrick fort converted to lawn tennis ground

Rev. P. A. O'Rorke, native of Kilmacteige

Saint Attracta's healing tradition in Coolavin

Saint Patrick tradition at Dromard

Sir William Taaffe received Ballymote estate by royal grant

Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway opens

St Aidan of Cloonoghill in Corran

St. Kevin's hermitage at Glendalough

Superstitious sea stones at Saint Attracta's well

Taaffe estates sold under penal laws

Templeboy church and St. Baithin dedication

Templehouse Castle absent from 1307 Templar inventory

Templemore church ruins and priest burials

The Gap and Lough Talt: wild mountain glen

Toomour church, holy well and name etymology

Uninscribed graves of three priests in Buninadden church

William Fenton's conversion to Protestantism 1737

Armstrong canal project linking south Sligo via lakes

Ballintogher: strategic pass of Tirerrill

Cloghan Araght in Lough Gara

Dr. Hugh M'Dermott's letters from Coolavin, 1801–1802

James Niper of Tubbercurry attainted 1689

St. Dachonna's church at Assylin (Eas Dachonna)

Book of Ballymote compiled in Ballymote Castle

Sale of Ballymote estate bargained at Annaghmore

Bingham's fort between Lough Arrow and Lough Key

Dr. William Armstrong dies of fever, Collooney, 1875

Father Flannelly inducted into Easky parish, 1831

New Ballinafad church built by Father Quinn

Perceval family as benevolent landlords at Templehouse

Second Giant's Grave with large displaced flags

Sligo convent burned 1410 and rebuilt by Dermot McDonogh

Srath-an-fherainn and termon of Ballysadare abbey

1704 Catholic clergy registration in Kilglass and Castleconor

Alexander Perceval's support for Ballinacarrow chapel

Assassination of Teige O'Connor in Sligo Castle

Ballintogher Manor grants from Taaffe to Wenman

Ballymote Castle remains of the Red Earl

Ballymote Catholic parish church built 1857 by Canon Tighe

Ballysumaghan parish name from O'Summaghan family

Banada cemetery and Gallagher migration to Lima

Bishop O'Hedran formerly abbot of Assaroe monastery

Bob Lyons, attorney of Mullaghmore

Church of Ahamlish belonging to priory of Aughris

Cloonacleigha cave and Cloonoghill church

Collooney Meeting against Municipal Reform Bill, 1836

Cut-stone bridge over the Arrow near Cooper Hill

Disturbances at Gurteen chapel