A topographical dictionary of Ireland : comprising the several counties; cities; boroughs; corporate, market and post towns; parishes; and villages, with historical and statistical descriptions embellished with engravings of the arms of the cities, bishopricks, corporate towns, and boroughs ; and of the seals of the several municipal corporations .. (vol. 2)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read it as the scan has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too. The passages are read off photographs of the page by machine, so a word here and there comes out wrong; they are kept as the reading produced them, so you can check any of them against the scan.

1. Elk antlers and bronze artifacts found at Oolla

   Oola · town · Limerick · 1825–1828

   In 1825, large perfect antlers of the elk were discovered at Oolla. In 1828, a brazen trumpet and bronze spear and arrow heads were found, now held in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   forms the occasional duties of the parish : divine service is also performed in Castle Lloyd, and in the spacious parochial school, which is supported by the Lloyd family and others. Near it stands the Roman Catholic chapel, a large old edifice. The remains of Ballyneety Castle present a stately heap of ruins, with here and there a wall nearly entire ; the ruins of the church, and of Oolla Castle, stand close to the Roman Chapel chapel. In IS'25, some large and perfect antlers of the elk were discovered; and, in IS'28, a brazen trumpet, and spear and arrow heads of bronze, were found, which are now in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 224

2. Elk horns from a bog presented to Charles I

   near Lough Iron · lake or lakes · Westmeath · 1640–1642

   A pair of elk's horns found in a bog in County Westmeath were presented to Charles I shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. Stags' horns in an advanced state of decomposition were also discovered near the shores of Lough Iron.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   The county, geologically, is wholly included within the great limestone plain of Ireland, of which it forms the most elevated portion. The uniformity of its structure is broken only at Woate and Ballymahon, in each of which places an isolated protuberant mass of sandstone rises from beneath the general substratum. The predominating colour of the limestone is a blueish-grey of various degrees of intensity ; it is often tinged with black, and sometimes passes into deep black, particularly in those parts in which it is interstratified with beds of clay-slate, ralp, or swinestone, or where it abounds with lydian stone. The black limestone in the latter case is a hard compact rock, recjuiring much fuel for burning it, and is by no means serviceable for agricultural purposes. The structure of the limestone varies from the perfectly compact to the conjointly compact and foliated, and even to the granulary fohated : beds of the last kind are quarried and wrought for various purposes in the northern baronies. Copper, lead, coal, and yellow and dove-coloured marble, have been found in small quantities, but not so as to induce searches for the parent bed. A pair of elk's horns, found in a bog, were presented to Charles I. shortly before the commencement of the civil war; stags' horns in a state of great decomposition have been found near the shores of Lough Iron.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 390

3. Elk horns of large dimensions found at Killesk

   Killesk · townland · Wexford

   Elks' horns of very large dimensions have been found in the parish of Killesk in the barony of Ballaghkeen, Wexford, indicating the presence of great elk in the area.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   KILLESK, a parish, in the union of Enniscorthy, barony of Ballaghkeen, county of Wexfouu, and province of Lkinster, 2 miles (s.) from Oulart, (jn the road from that place to Wexford; containing 1266 inhabitants. This parish comprises 403"^ statute acres, and contains abundance of limestone-gravel and marl ; the system of agriculture is improving. It is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Ferns, forming part of the union of Castle-Ellis ; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Portsmouth. The tithe rent-charge is £123. 1. 8., of which £65. 1". 8. are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the curate. In the Roman Catholic divisions Killesk forms part of the liberties of Oulart and Castlebridge. Elks' horns of very large dimensions have been found.

   KILLESK, a parish, in the barony of Shelbur.ne, union of New Ross, county of Wexford, and province ofLEiNSTER, 7 miles (S. E.) from New Ross; containing 1067 inhabitants, and 2820 statute acres. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Ferns, and patronage of Lord Templemore, granted in 1702, in augmentation of the impropriate curacies of Dunbrody, St. James, and Rathroe : the tithe rent-charge is £234. 5. 6., and there is a glebe of about two acres. In the Roman Cathohc divisions it forms part of the district of Suttons. Here are some remains of a castle said to have been built by Hervey de Monteraarisco.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 38

4. Elliptic excavation in Carrick demesne

   Carrick · townland · Armagh

   In the sheep-walk of the Carrick demesne, on the summit of a low ridge, is a curious elliptic excavation about 80 yards in circumference, sloping gradually inwards on all sides with great regularity. Its purpose or origin is not identified.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   courts are held, in Kernan, for the estate of the Duke of Manchester ; Carrowbrack, for that of Colonel Blacker ; and Derry, for that of Lord Lurgan : the respective seneschals hold their courts every three weeks, for the recovery of debts under 40s., and courts leet are held once in the year. The principal gentlemen's seats are, Seagoe House, the residence of the Venerable Archdeacon Saurin 3 Killicomaine ; and Carrick, of the Blacker family, a large edifice built in 169'2, but much improved since : its gardens and pleasure-grounds retain many specimens of the taste of that age. In the sheep-walk of the demesne, on the summit of a low ridge or knoll, is a curious excavation of an elliptic form, about 80 yards in circumference, sloping gradually inwards on all sides with great regularity ; in the demesne generally are numerous fine old oaks, and well-grown beech and ash.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 274

5. Embankment at Coonagh Point on the Shannon

   Coonagh Point · point · Limerick

   A large tract of land on the north side of the River Shannon was enclosed by an embankment extending three miles down from the quay to below Coonagh Point. This was done as part of efforts to reclaim waste land near the port of Limerick.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   design by Mr. Rhodes, who, in 1S33, had been appointed by government to survey the port, with a view to provide a safe harbour for shipping. He proposed, by constructing a dam or weir across the Shannon at Kelly'squay, to convert that part of the river above into floating-docks, to be formed by excavating and levelling the bed of the river along the present quay-walls ; and to build a new line of quays on which bonded warehouses, and store-houses for grain, &c., might be erected ; also a dock-yard on the north side of the river, with two slips or inclined planes, and a graving-dock ; and on the south side another graving-dock. His plan also embraced a line of embankments on each side for reclaiming considerable tracts of waste land, the water to be discharged by tide sluices through the embankments. The total amount required to carry these projects into execution was estimated at £82,756. 10., of which £40,000 have been already granted ; but Mr. Rhodes' plan for the construction of the weir across the river, and for converting the entire port into a floating-dock, has been relinquished, in consequence of the difficulty of securing the proper and effectual drainage of the city itself, as well as the low grounds above it. A large tract of land, however, has been inclosed by an embankment at the north side of the river extending from the quay three miles down to and below Coonagh Point.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 78

6. Embankment by J.E. Redmond extending quay to Fisherrow

   Maudlintown · street · Wexford

   An embankment raised by J. E. Redmond extended Wexford's quay south-west in a direct line to the end of Fisherrow, opening communication with the surrounding country by a road to the rock of Maudlintown where it joined the Killinick road.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   the wooden bridge at Londonderry ; its length was 15*1 feet. The collection of the tolls and care of the bridge were committed to a corporation, consisting of the shareholders who contributed towards its erection, and some ex ojficio members. In consequence of its decayed state the corporation had it repaired, or rather re-constructed, at an expense of £6000, of which £4000 were raised by a mortgage of the tolls, which let, in I83'2, for £700 per annum. The structure now has two causeways projecting from the opposite side of the river, and of the respective lengths of 650 and ISS feet; the roadway of the bridge over the intervening space of 733 feet is of timber, supported on '23 sets of piers of the same material, with a drawbridge to permit the passage of vessels with masts. A quay extends for nearly half a mile from the bridge, having a general breadth of 60 feet, except near its middle, called the Crescent, where it widens to 80 feet. On the opposite shore is the Ballast-quay, so called from being formed by the ballast deposited there by the shipping : it serves as a breakwater for the protection of the vessels moored on the side towards the town. The former of these two quays has received a considerable extension to the southwest by an embankment raised by J. E. Redmond, Esq., which carries it on in a direct line to the end of Fishersrow, whence a communication with that part of the country is opened by a road in the same direction to the rock of Maudlintowu, where it forms a junction with the Killinick road.

   A branch of the Bank of Ireland occupies a very neat structure faced with granite, forming the north-western angle of the Crescent ; the Provincial Bank has an establishment on the quay ; and there is a branch of the National Bank. A building, with an exterior corresponding with that of the bank, has been erected on the Crescent-quay, for reading-rooms and a library ; and on the same quay is a building for the accommodation of 661

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 399

7. Eminent learned natives of Waterford

   Waterford · city · Waterford · 1200–1644

   Waterford city produced several notable scholars and churchmen, including Gotofield, a learned Dominican friar of the 13th century; Peter White, a celebrated classical teacher under Elizabeth; and Luke Wadding, a Franciscan friar who compiled the annals of his order.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   Among eminent natives may be noticed Gotofield, a learned Dominican friar of the 13th century ; William of Waterford, author of a polemical work, published in 1433 ; Peter White, a celebrated classical teacher, and author of several publications, in the reign of Elizabeth ; Nicholas Quemerford, D. D., cotemporary with the above, and author of "Answers to certain Questions propounded by the citizens of Waterford," and other works ; Peter Lumbard, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh, and a learned writer, who died in 162.5 or 1626; Peter Wadding, a learned Jesuit, highly esteemed for his piety, who died in 1644 ; John Hartrey, a Cistertian monk, who wrote the history of his order iti Ireland ; and Luke Wadding, a Franciscan friar, born in I.tSS, who also compiled the annals of his own order. Waterford gives the title of Marquess to the family of De la Poer Beresford.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 389

8. Emmett's conspiracy to seize Limerick (1803)

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1803

   In 1803, a design was formed by those engaged in Emmett's conspiracy to take Limerick by surprise, conducted with such secrecy that it was unknown to the military commandant until the evening before the intended attack. Prompt and decisive measures prevented the apprehended danger.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   After the termination of the American war, the improvement and extension of the city were renewed with unexampled spirit : and although contested elections, and alarms of insurrection in the neighbouring districts, at times disturbed its tranquillity, they never retarded its improvement. During the French invasion in 179S, the city militia distinguished itself by the stand it made at Collooney under Colonel Verekcr, who in consequence received the thanks of parliament. In 1S03, a design was formed by those engaged in Emmett's conspiracy to take the city by surprise ; and the plan was conducted with so much secrecy that it was unknown to the military commandant in Limerick until the evening preceding the intended day of attack ; but the prompt and decisive measures adopted prevented the apprehended danger. In 1S'21, symptoms of insubordination in the liberties led to a proclamation declaring the county of the city to be in a state of disturbance, and to require an extraordinary establishment of police, which was accordingly sent. In the winter of 1833, the town suffered severely by storms and high tides.

   The CITY of Limerick, situated in an extensive plain watered by the Shannon, is composed of three portions, the English Town, the Irish Town, and Newtown-Pery ; the whole containing 5866 houses. The EiiglUI, Town, the oldest, occupies the southern end of the King's Island, a tract formed by the Shannon, here divided into two streams of which the narrower and more rapid

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 77

9. Encampment and castles at Kyle (Clonfertmulloe)

   Kyle · townland · Laois

   The parish of Kyle, or Clonfertmulloe, in Queen's county, contains the remains of an encampment, of the church, and of Ballaghmore and Cloneurse Castles. Charleville, a seat of the White family, is situated in a handsome demesne within the parish.

   Read the passage

   Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

   KYLE, or Clonfertmulloe, a parish, in the union of RoscREA, barony of Clandonagh, Queen's county, and province of Leinster, if mile (N. W.) from Burros-iu-Ossory, on the road to Roscrea ; containing 1888 inhabitants. It comprises 71-16 statute acres. Agriculture is improving ; there is little bog, but a considerable quantity of mountain laud. Charleville, a seat, the property of the White family, is situated in a handsome demesne. The parish is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, forming part of the union of Roscrea; the tithe rent-charge is £84. 16. 8. In the Roman Catholic divisions Kyle is part of the district of Roscrea, and contains a chapel. There is a public school of '20 children, to which Sir C. Coote, Bart., and the Rev. W. Roe contribute. Here are the remains of an encampment ; of the church ; and of Ballaghmore and Cloneurse Castles.

   KYLE. — See Kilpatrick, county of Wexford.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 62

10. English army encamps at Knockrobin hill before Kinsale siege

    Knockrobin · townland · Cork · 1601

    On 17 October 1601 the English army advanced to the hill of Knockrobin, within a mile of Kinsale, and commenced the siege that rendered the place celebrated in Irish annals. This positioned the royal forces for their protracted investment of the Spanish-held town.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In l601,a Spanish fleet bringing assistance to the Irish insurgents entered the harbour, and landed its troops, on the '23rd of September. Immediately after the departure of the fleet, these forces, under the command of Don Juan D'Aquila, took possession of the town, which on their landing had been abandoned by the garrison, consisting at that time of only one company. The English army advanced on the 17th of October to the hill of Knock-Robbin, within a mile of the town, and commenced that memorable siege which has rendered this place so celebrated in the Irish annals. The castle of Rincurran, situated on the river, having been seized by the enemy as an advantageous post for annoying the English shipping, after sustaining for some days a severe cannonade, surrendered to the Lord- Deputy Mountjoy. The forces of the English were every day advancing, when, on intelligence that the northern army under ONial was in full march to join the Spaniards, it was resolved to divide the royal army, leaving one part under Lord Mountjoy to continue the siege of Kinsale, while the other, under Sir (leorge Carew, Lord President of Munster, marched against ONial. Sir George, after a harassing and fruitless expedition, was compelled to return to Kinsale. In the mean time, the English received a reinforcement of 1000 men from England under the Earl of Thomond ; 2000 infantry, with some cavalry, were also landed at Waterford, and 2000 infantry with a supply of military stores at Cork. Castle-ni-park, a fortress on the opposite side of the river, was attacked by the English, and compelled to surrender ; but on summoning the town they were answered that " it was held for Christ and the King of Spain, and should be maintained against all their enemies." The northern army under ONial had now encamped within si.v miles of the town, cutting off all communication with Cork ; and was approaching the English lines, when the Lord-Deputy, leaving Sir G. Carew to carry on the siege, marched against the insurgents with 1'200 infantry and 400 horse, and routed them with great slaughter. All the Spaniards that had joined the insurgents from Castlehaven were either killed on the spot or taken prisoners ; the enemy had on this occasion 1'200 killed and 800 wounded, while, on the part of the English, one cornet only and a few privates were wounded. The Spanish commander, Don Juan, mistaking the vollies fired by the royal army in honour of their victory, for signals of the approach of the Irish forces, sallied out from the town to meet them ; but perceiving his error, immediately retired, and on the arrival of the English before the gates, entered into terms of capitulation and surrendered the town, just at the time when the King of Spain was preparing to send large reinforcements, and to carry on the war with in- VoL. II.— 193

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 59

11. English bleaching establishment near Keady, c.1750

    near Keady · town · Armagh · 1750

    Around 1750, enterprising Englishmen formed a large bleaching establishment in the Keady area, laying the foundation of the linen trade. Previously the surrounding country had been little better than an uncultivated heath. The trade declined after the original parties retired but revived rapidly from 1826 onward.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    attracted the attention of some enterprising Englishmen, who formed a large bleaching establishment here about the year 1750, and laid the foundation of the linen trade ; previously to which, the whole of the surrounding country had been little better than an uncultivated heath. After the retirement of tlie parties who originally introduced the trade, it began to decline ; but in 1826, the Messrs. Sadler, of Leeds, erected a very extensive establishment at Dundrum, and were the first who attempted to make hnen from mill-spun yarn, and who carried on the manufacture of fine linen in this neighbourhood. Since that period, the increase of the trade has been very rapid. There are some large mills for spinning flax at New Holland and Darkley, in which upwards of 700 persons (principally young females) are constantly employed : an extensive manufactory for fine linen has been established at Ballier, affording employment to 2500 persons ; another for sheeting at Dundrum i and bleach-greens at Anvale, Greenmount, Dundrum, Ballier, Millview, Darkley, and Linenvale, where about 235,000 pieces of linen are annually finished, principally for the English market. Within the parish are three lakes, called Clay, TuUynavad, and Aughnagurgan, the waters of which are dammed up at a great expense by the proprietors, and an abundant supply is secured throughout the year. The town consists of 250 houses, many of them well built. The market is on Friday, for linen-yarn and general provisions ; and fairs for live stock are held on the second Friday of every month. Here is a constabulary police station ; a manor court is held monthly for the recovery of debts under £2, and petty-sessions in the court-house every Friday. The court-house and the market-place are comraodiously arranged.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 1

12. English-built castles across Wicklow

    Wicklow · town · Wicklow

    Several English-built castles survive as ruins in Wicklow, including the Black Castle at Wicklow, Newcastle, Dunganstown, Bray, Old Court near Fassaroe, Kindlestown and Rathdown near Delgany, Carnew, Arklow, Kiltimon, and others.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The VESTIGES of remote antiquity are comparatively few. Near Enniskerry is a small cromlech, and another is to be seen on the summit of Lugnaquilla. Raths are numerous : there are a Druidical circle and a cromlech in Donoughmore ; a cromlech at Baltinglass ; and a curiously sculptured stone at Old Court, near Bray. Besides Glendalough, a collection of monastic ruins of peculiar antiquarian interest, there were eleven religious establishments ; those of which any remains exist are at Rathdrum, Baltinglass, and Wicklow. Ruins of churches are to be seen on Slieve Gadoe near Donard, at Kilcoole, Killeskey, Kilmacanogue, Aghold, Kilbride near Arklow, Killadreeny, Kilpipe, and Templemicbael ; besides slight vestiges of several others, all situated in ancient burial-places. The native septs do not appear to have erected any strong fortresses ; those of which remains exist were built by the English, and serve now to mark the districts in which they secured a permanent footing. The most remarkable are, the Black Castle at Wicklow, Newcastle, Dunganstown, Bray, Old Court near Fassaroe, Kindlestown and Rathdown near Delgany, Carnew, Arklow, Kiltimon, Ballivolan in the parish of Killeskey, Kilcommon and Knockrath near Rathdrum, Grange near Baltinglass, and Castle-Kevin near Annamoe.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 406

13. English mail service shifted from Dún Mór to Waterford, 1837

    Dunmore East · town · Waterford · 1837

    The English mails were changed from Dún Mór to Waterford, causing a great saving of time. The first mail passed up on 24 June 1837.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The CITY of Waterford is beautifully situated on the southern bank of the Suir, about 16 miles from its influx into the sea. It extends principally along the margin of the river, having an elevation very little above highwater mark, except at the western extemity, where it occupies some high and precipitous eminences, and at the eastern extremity, where are some more gentle elevations. On the south, bordering on the stream called John's river, which here falls into the Suir, is a large tract of level marshy land stretching towards Tramore. Near the western extremity of the city, and connecting it with the small suburb of Ferrybank in the county of Kilkenny, is a bridge of wood, 832 feet in length and 40 in breadth, supported on stone abutments and 40 sets of piers of oak. This bridge was undertaken by a company incorporated in 1793, who subscribed £30,000 in shares of £100 each ; and was erected by Mr. Cox, a native of Boston, at an expense so much below the estimated cost that £90 only were paid on each share of £100, which now sells for £170: it was begun April 30th, 1793, and opened January 18th, 1794. The company have a sinking fund for the repair or rebuilding of the bridge if necessary, and the tolls are let for about £4000 per annum. Over John's river, which skirts the city on the east and south-east, are two ancient bridges, called respectively John's bridge and William-street bridge ; and also one of modern erection, called Catherine's bridge, from the ancient abbey of St. Catherine, near which it is situated. Upon the opposite side of the Suir are some lofty hills, from which the city is seen to great advantage, having in front the river, and the splendid quay extending from the bridge to the mouth of John's river, one mile in length, with scarcely any interruption, and forming a remarkably fine promenade. The quay was enlarged in 1705, by throwing down the city walls on this side, with one of the gates, which, with the great ditch, formerly divided it into two portions. The houses lining the quay, though irregular in their style of architecture, form a range of buildings of lofty and imposing appearance, among which the tower erected by Reginald the Dane, and now occupied as a police barrack, is a conspicuous object. In front of the buildings are a broad flagged footway and a macadamised carriage road ; the part along the margin of the river is separated from these, and forms the promenade. At the east end of the city is the Mall, from which a spacious street has been opened, forming the principal western entrance on the Cork road. The streets, with the exception of King-street, in a line parallel with the quay from the west end to the centre of the city, and of the line from its termination to John's bridge, are generally short, narrow, and irregular in their direction: the number of houses, in 1841, was 3150. The English mails have been changed from Dunmore to Waterford, causing a great saving of time ; the first passed up on June 24th, 1837. The city is lighted with gas by a company of 400 shareholders, who expended £14,000 in the construction of works ; but from some defect in the old act of parliament under the provisions of which the public lighting of the city was vested in the corporation, it cannot be lighted more than seven months in the year : the amount of the rates collected for this purpose is about £640 per annum. On the south-western side of the city are barracks for artillery, capable of accommodating 129 officers and

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 381

14. English refuge in Reginald's Tower during Waterford insurrection

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1170

    When Danish inhabitants of Waterford killed the English in the city, a few survivors took refuge in Reginald's Tower and defended it so successfully that the insurgents yielded the city to them on unfavourable conditions.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Ossory, Strongbo\' suddenly found himself shut up here, in equal dread of an attack from without and of an insurreetion within. From this distress, however, he was speedily relieved by Raymond Le Gros, who arrived from England with a fleet of twenty ships, having on board 20 knights, 100 horsemen, and 300 archers and other infantry ; and uniting his forces with those of Strongbow, the whole marched to Wexford, leaving Purcell governor of the city. But Purcell attempting to follow them in a boat on the Suir, was intercepted and slain by the Danish inhabitants, who also put to death all the English in the city, except a few who took refuge in Reginald's Tower, which they defended with so much resolution and success that the insurgents yielded up the city to them on conditions little favourable to themselves. In 1 177, soon after the arrival of FitzAndelm, as chief governor, in Ireland, an assembly of the Irish clergy was held in this city, in which the brief lately granted by Pope Alexander and the bull of Pope Adrian, granting to Henry II. the sovereignty of Ireland (under the authority of which the first act of that monarch was the appointment of Augustine to the vacant bishopric of "Waterford, the office of consecration being performed by the archbishop of Cashel), were solemnly promulgated, and the English sovereign's title to the dominion of Ireland was declared in form, with dreadful denunciations against any who should impeach the grant made by the pope, or resist the sovereign authority of that monarch. In 1179, Robert le Poer, governor of Waterford, was associated with Hugh de Lacy in the government of the English settlements ; and subsequently received a grant of the entire county of Waterford, with the reservation of the city and the cantred of the Ostmen.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 378

15. Enniscorthy Castle, English settlers' military structure

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford

    Enniscorthy Castle is described as one of the noblest and earliest military structures of the English settlers. It stands as a significant feudal building in the county.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Two miles north-west of the town is Carrifiq Caslle, seated on the pinnacle of a rock over the Slaney : two miles from Wexford is also the castle of Barnloun ; and that of Fenis is worthy of note both in an historical and architectural point of view. One of the noblest and earliest military structures of the English settlers is Enniscorthy Ciistle. Another of these feudal structures ia at Mtickmine ; Brown's Castle, on a projecting point over the river Slaney, about two miles from Enniscorthy, is in ruins. At a short distance from Dunbrody Abbey is a curious old fortress, called Cuistan-na-Dlahie, or " Buttermilk Castle ;" and in the same neighbourhood are the rnins of Killesk, Knockagh, and Kithile Castles. Of Ballijkeroge or Sutton's Castle, so called from its founder, Roger de Sutton, considerable ruins still exist ; and in the same district are a castle at Stokestowii, another at Aldertown, a third at I'riest's Haggard, and two in the Great Island. On the summit of Moiintgarrett, a lofty hill that overlooks the town of New Ross, are the ruins of an ancient castle, from which a branch of the Butler family derives the title of Viscount. On the peninsula of Hook are the remains of Slade Castle and Houseland Castle ; and on its extreme point is the old fort Hook Tower, which has recently been converted into a lighthouse. Duncormuck or Croscorinuck Castle, on the inlet of Bannow, owes its erection to the English settlers under de Montmorency. There are the remains, more or less perfect, of nearly sixty of these ancient castles or towers, most of which are situated in the baronies of Forth and Bargy : the principal, not already enumerated, are, Johnstown Caslle, near Wexford, now incorporated with the modern castellated mansion of H. R. G. Morgan, Esq. ; Rathma<knee, in the same neighbourhood, which was inhabited by the Knox family within the last SO years ; Bargtj, which gave name to the barony, also incorporated with some comparatively modern additions ; Butlerstown, Lingstoicn, Ballycogley, and Cloest, in the barony of Forth ; and Ballyhealy, Balb/ttigiie, Baldwinstown, Coothnlt, and Dane's Castle, in that of Bargy. Not far from Duncormuck Castle is Strongbow's Fort, on the head of Bagenbon, where are yet visible the remains of strong intrenchments, attributed to that leader, though it is more probable that they were thrown up by the party under Fitz-Stephen, who landed there two years before, as Strongbow's debarkation took place in the county of Waterford. Duncannon Fvrt, on the eastern bank of Waterford harbour, is modern in comparison with those hitherto noticed.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 397

16. Enniscorthy preserves ancient name Corteigh

    Enniscorthy · townland · Wexford

    The name Enniscorthy is thought to preserve Corteigh, one of the ancient designations for the maritime country that became County Wexford. The name signifies 'the maritime country.'

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    all signifying "the maritime country." The first of these appears to be preserved in the designation of Enniscorthy; the second, it is thought, gave the family name to the chief Mac Murrough or Mac Murchad ; and from the third came the denomination of Leinster, which, in the productions of the Irish, Danish, and Latin writers towards the close of the middle ages, is mostly confined to Wexford. This and the adjoining county of Wicklow were also distinguished by the name of Dalmuchscrd, or " the maritime counties." Weisford, from which its present name is formed, was given to its chief town by the Danes, who, after devastating the country by predatory incursions, made the town of Wexford the centre of a permanent settlement. In later times, a popular designation of this district was, according to Camden, County Reogh, or "the rough county ;" and the northern part was included in Ily Kinselagh, the peculiar territory of the Mac Mcii- ROUCHS, afterwards known by the name of Kavanagh. A principal seat of the royal family of Leinster was at Ferns, in this territory, the favourite place of residence of the last king, Dermod Mac Murrough. Hither he conveyed Dervorghal, wife of O'Rourk, Prince of Breffny, whom he carried off from her husband ; and after he had been driven out of the country, by Roderic, King of Ireland, and had engaged the assistance of some English leaders to reinstate him in his authority, he returned to this part to await in the privacy of the abbey the arrival of his new allies.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 391

17. Enniscrone village developed by Robert Orme

    near Inishcrone · town · Sligo

    Robert Orme, Esq., built a handsome lodge at Enniscrone on the bay of Killala and enabled his tenants to erect comfortable slated houses, forming a considerable village with a letter receiving-house, market, coast-guard station, and constabulary police station.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    KILGLASS, a parish, in the union of Ballina, barony Tyreragh, county of Sligo, and province of Connaught, 8 miles (N. N. E.) from Ballina, and on the bay of Killala ; containing 4941 inhabitants. Many of the peasantry who assembled here in 1798 were killed in an attack made by the cavalry. The parish comprises 12,884|- statute acres, chiefly under tillage, with a considerable quantity of bog : among the seats are, Carrowned ; Ohil, a handsome house lately built ; and Kinnaird. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Killala, forming part of the union of Castle-Connor ; the rectory is appropriate to the bishopric, the deanery, and the precentorship of Killala. The tithe rent-charge is £357, of which £175. 10. are now payable to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, £3 to the dean, £3 to the precentor, and £175. 10. to the vicar. The church is a neat building with a spire, erected in 1829, by aid of a gift of £900 from the late Board of First Fruits. There is a glebe of 17 Irish acres, but no glebe-house. The Roman Catholic parish is co-estensive with that of the Established Church, and contains a chapel, built in 1S25, at an expense of £600. Of several public schools, one is endowed with a bequest of £400 from the late Rev. J. Valentine, which sum has accumulated to £2000 : the school- house is a good stone building, and cost £215. At Enniscrone, in this parish, the property of Robert Orme, Esq., a very handsome lodge was lately built by that gentleman, who has enabled his tenants there to erect comfortable slated houses, which now form a considerable village, having a receiving-house for letters, and a market ; it is also a coast-guard station belonging to the Sligo district, and a constabulary police station. Petty-sessions are held there on alternate Saturdays, and fairs on June 15th and Sept. 18th; a fair is also held at Quiguboy on July 20th. At PuUogheany creek, on the east side of the bay of Killala. small vessels land kelp, &c., in summer : it has tolerably good shelter in most winds, behind the breakwater. Near this creek

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 27

18. Environs of Newtown-Limavady: vale of Myroe and Benyevenagh

    near Myroe · population centre · Derry

    The environs of Newtown-Limavady are described as extremely beautiful, with the rich vale of Myroe extending to Lough Foyle to the north-west, the lofty range of Benyevenagh to the east, and Donald's Hill and Benbradagh to the south, beneath which lies the vale of the Roe with its villas, mills, bleach-greens, and oak-woods of Roe Park.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    monstrant Synod : near the church is a meeting-house of the Wesleyan Methodists ; and a new Presbyterian meeting-house has been recently erected ; also a new Roman Catholic chapel, the old one at Roe mills having been taken down. The union workhouse, on a site of seven acres purchased for £708. 15., was completed in 1841 at a cost of £5982, and is constructed to contain 500 inmates. Of the castle built by Sir Thomas Philips nothing now remains : the site is pointed out as being in the grounds and gardens of the Lodge, at the northwestern extremity of the main street. The environs of the town are extremely beautiful : to the north-west is the rich vale of Myroe, extending to the shores of Lough Foyle ; to the east and north-east, the lofty range of Benyevenagh ; and to the south, the summits of Donald's Hill and Benbradagh, beneath which is spread out the vale of the Roe, with its numerous villas, mills, and bleach-greens, and the rich foliage of the oak-woods and the plantations of Roe Park.

    NEWTOWN-MOUNT-BELLEW, county of Galway. — See MoYLOUGH.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 213

19. Episcopal chapel built 1836 in Kingstown

    near Dún Laoghaire · town · Dublin · 1836

    An Episcopal chapel was built by subscription in 1836 in Kingstown, following a donation of £1,000 late currency for its endowment. The noble structure was capable of accommodating 1,600 persons.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    A savings' bank has been opened, and a market-place and court-house erected. Kingstown is the head of a coast-guard district, comprising the stations of Dalkey, Bray, Graystones, Five-mile Point, and Wicklow Head, and including a force of 5 officers and 38 men, under an inspecting commander resident here. There is also a constabulary police force, under a resident sub inspector. Petty-sessions are held every Monday ; a court at which the Commissioners of Public Works preside, or a deputed magistrate, is held on Tuesday, to try harbour offences ; and the seneschal of the Glasnevin and Grangegorman manorial court sits on alternate Fridays, for the recovery of debts to any amount within this district. An Episcopal chapel was built by subscription in 1836, in pursuance of a donation of £1000 late currency for its endowment. This is a noble structure as to size, being capable of accommodating I6OO persons : it con-

    KING

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 58

20. Episcopal chapel of Blind Asylum erected 1834

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1834

    An Episcopal chapel connected with the Blind Asylum was erected in St. Michael's parish in 1834, funded by subscriptions exceeding £5000 raised in England and Ireland by the Venerable Edward N. Hoare, Archdeacon of Ardfert and Dean of Achonry, who served as first chaplain and trustee.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The present county of the city, agreeably with the provisions of the Municipal Corporations' act, comprises the parish of St. Mary, and part of the parishes of Killeely, St. John, St. Laurence, St. Michael, St. Munchin, St. Nicholas, and St. Patrick: the area is '2618 statute acres. Killeely and St. Patrick's are separately described. The living of St. Michael's is a rectory, united, from time immemorial, to the rectory of Kildimo and the rectory of Ardagh, the three parishes constituting the union of St. Michael and the corps of the archdeaconry of Limerick, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is £67. 10. per annum : the gross income of the archdeaconry, including the rent of a small glebe, before the passing of the Rent-charge act was £6'20. 17. 8. per annum. The church was destroyed in the siege of 1651 and no parish church existed until very recently, when one was completed agreeably with an act of parliament passed in 1843. There is a chapel of ease, called St. George's, built aud endowed in 17S9 by the Pery family : it is a plain commodious edifice ; its east window, which is very lofty, formerly belonged to the old Franciscan abbey. The minister is appointed by the Earl of Limerick. An Episcopal chapel, in connexion with the Blind Asylum, was erected in this parish, in 1834, by subscriptions exceeding £5000, raised in England and Ireland by the personal exertions of the Venerable Edward N. Hoare, Archdeacon of Ardfert, now Dean of Achonry, who was the first chaplain and is one of the trustees. St. George's parochial schools are in connexion with the Kildare-place Society, but are chiefly supported by voluntary subscriptions and the sale of needlework; they afford instruction to 214 children. There are also schools in connexion with the London Hibernian Society, and the Wesleyan Methodists : very large schools for males and females have just been erected from a bequest by Mrs. Viiliers. The Limerick Academy, in Cecil-street, founded and conducted by Messrs. Brice and Brown, was opened in 1 836. It consists of a commodious house for the accommodation of resident pupils, •237

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 79

21. Episcopal palace at Ardbraccan

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath

    The diocese contains 100 churches, six other episcopal places of worship, and 89 glebe-houses. The episcopal palace is located near Navan within the parish of Ardbraccan.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    the sea to the river Shannon, 80 miles in length and W in breadth ; and comprising an estimated superficies of 663,600 acres, of which 750 are in Kildare, 4300 in Longford, 9400 in Cavan, 10'2,000 in King's county, 3'24,400 in Meath, and 222,750 in Westmeath. The lands belonging to the see comprise 29,269 statute acres, of which 20,266 are profitable land; and the gross revenue of the bishop, on an average of three years, ending Dec. 1st, 1831, amounted to £5220. 10. The bishop was anciently elected, and the affairs of the diocese are still transacted, by a synod, consisting of an archdeacon and all the beneficed clergy of the diocese ; the common seal is annually deposited in the hands of one of the members by vote of the majority. There is also a dean of Clonmacnois, collated by the bishop. The consistorial court is held at Navan, and consists of a vicar-general, two surrogates, a registrar, deputyregistrar, a proctor-of-ofiice, and three other proctors ; the registrar is keeper of the records, which are preserved in the court-house of Navan, and of which the earliest is dated 1712. The total number of parishes in the diocese is 220, comprised in 105 benefices, of which 47 are unions of two or more parishes, and 58 single parishes ; of these benefices, 24 are in the patronage of the Crown, 22 in lay patronage, and the remainder in that of the Bishop or Licumbents. The total number of churches is 100, and there are six other episcopal places of worship, and 89 glebe-houses. The episcopal palace is near Navan, in the parish of Ardbraccan.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 150

22. Episcopal palace of Raphoe burnt, November 1839

    Raphoe · town · Donegal · 1839

    The Episcopal palace at Raphoe, originally a strong castle and a handsome castellated building in tastefully disposed grounds, was destroyed by an accidental fire on November 17th, 1839. Only the outer walls and offices remain.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    1392 acres of profitable land, consisting of the town parks ; and the gross annual revenue, on an average of three years ending on January 1st, 1832, amounted to £5787. 8. The revenue received by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, in 1844, was £6337. The chapter consists of a dean, archdeacon, and the four prebendaries of Drumholm, Killymard, Inver, and Clondehorky. The consistorial court is held at Raphoe, and consists of a vicar-general, a surrogate, a registrar, deputy-registrar, and two proctors. The registrar is keeper of the records, which are of modern date ; all prior to 1691 are supposed to have been destroyed when the castle was taken by Cromwell, or when it was plundered and burned by the soldiers of James II. The total number of parishes is 34 (of which 5 are district parishes), comprehended in 34 single benefices, including 5 perpetual curacies ; of these benefices, 5 are in the patronage of the Crown, 15 in that of the Bishop, '2 in the patronage of incumbents, and the remainder in lay patronage : there are 34 churches, and 28 glebe-houses. The cathedral, which is also the parochial church of Raphoe, and to the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners recently granted £1005, is a plain, ancient, cruciform structure, with a square tower added to it by Bishop Forster in 1737, as appears by that date on a stone over the door : there is no economy fund. The Episcopal palace, originally a strong castle, stood in the immediate vicinity of the town, and was a very handsome and spacious castellated building, in tastefully disposed grounds: it was burnt on November 17th, 1839, by an accidental fire, caused, as is supposed, by embers falling from a grate in an upper chamber, during uight ; no part of the building now remains, with the exception of the outer walls and offices. The demesne, and part of the mensal lands, are let on lease by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The deanery-house which is also the glebe-house of the parish, was built in 1739, at an expense of £1680, and has been subsequently enlarged and improved from their own funds by various successive incumbents ; it is pleasantly situated about a mile from the town. In the Roman Catholic divisions the diocese is co-extensive with that of the Protestant see ; it comprehends 24 benefices, containing 36 chapels, which are served by 50 clergymen, of whom "24 are parish priests and 26 are coadjutors or curates. The bishop's parishes are Conwal and Aughnish ; the cathedral is at Letterkenny, where is also the bishop's residence.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 245

23. Erra village on the Shannon and Slievebawn mountain

    Erra · townland · Roscommon

    The village of Erra sits on the river Shannon, nearly surrounded by an extensive bog. The mountain of Slievebawn on the western side of the parish yields surface specimens of coal and iron-ore, and Mount Dillon forms a conspicuous landscape feature.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    LISSONUFFY, a parish, in the union, barony, and county of Rosco.mmon, and province of Connaught, 3i miles (S. E.) from Strokestown, on the road to Lanesborough ; containing 483'2 inhabitants. It comprises 11,655^ statute acres j the land is chiefly in tillage, and tolerably well cultivated. The village of Erra is situated on the river Shannon (by which the parish is bounded on the east), and is nearly surrounded by an extensive tract of bog. Stone is found in the parish, peculiarly adapted for millstones, of which a considerable number are made for supplying the adjoining counties i and specimens of coal and iron-ore are found on the surface of the mountain of Slievebawn, on the western side of the parish, but no attempt has been 250

    made to discover any veins. Mount Dillon, a seat on an isolated hill, forms a conspicuous object in the scenery. Lissonuffy is in the diocese of Elphin ; the rectory forms part of the corps of the prebend of Kilgoghhn in the cathedral of Elphin, and the vicarage part of the union of Bumlin : the tithe rent-charge is £193. 17-, of which £80. 6. are payable to the rector, and the remainder to the vicar. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a district, called Carraghroe, which comprises the parishes of Lissonuffy and Clonfinlogh, and part of Bumlin, and contains two chapels, one at Carraghroe in this parish, the other at Caranaskagh in Clonfinlogh ; that of Carraghroe is a very neat edifice, of recent erection. There are some remains of the church, the burial-ground attached to which is still used ; also the ruins of an ancient abbey, containing a beautiful pointed window and doorway, and some monuments to the O'Conor family.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 89

24. Errill church, monastery ruins and ancient cross

    Errill · townland · Laois

    At Errill in the Rathdowney parish stand the ruins of a church and monastery along with the remains of a very ancient cross. These surviving features mark Errill as a significant early ecclesiastical site.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, episcopally united, in 1816, to the rectories of Glashare and Kildellig, and in the patronage of the Bishop ; the rectory is appropriate to the dean and chapter of the cathedral of Kilkenny. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is £562. 10., two-thirds payable to the dean and chapter and the remainder to the vicar. The glebehouse, towards which the late Board of First Fruits granted £100 and a loan of £1200, in 1814, and on which the present rector laid out £400 more, making the whole_ cost £1700, is a handsome residence; and the glebe comprises 267 acres. The gross income of the benefice, before the passing of the Rent-charge act, was £950. The church, towards the erection of which the late Board granted a loan of £1000, in 1815, is in the later English style, with a well proportioned spire. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is in the district of Grogan, comprising this and the parishes of Coolkerry and Rathsaran, and containing two chapels, situated at Rathdowney (a spacious plain building) and Grogan. There is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. In a school at Castle-Fleming divine service is performed every Sunday evening during the summer months. There are two dispensaries, one in the town, and the other at Errill. At Ballagh, Clonbyrne, and Castle-Fleming are the ruins of castles : at Cloneve, near Harristown, are trifling remains of an old church and burial-place ; and at Errill, those of a church and monastery, and the remains of a very ancient cross. Ledwich, the antiquary, who was for 454

    many years curate of this parish, published an account of the antiquities of it and of the adjoining parish of Aghaboe.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 247

25. Erris travel before 1798: horsemen needed rope guides

    Erris · barony · Mayo

    Before 1798, no road existed through Erris in Mayo; travel was on foot only, and a horseman required six or eight guides to cast and haul his horse over every swamp with ropes. The journey from Ballina to the coast took at least three days.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The greater part of the county to the west of the lakes was nearly destitute of roads previously to 1798. No way existed of travelling through Erris but on foot ; or if a horseman attempted the journey, he required the aid of six or eight guides on foot to cast the horse at every swamp, fasten his legs, and haul him over by ropes. The journey from Ballina to the coast could not be accomplished in less than three days, and, if the rivers were swollen, required a much longer time : the expense for guides, in money and refreshments, was more than that now required for a carriage and posthorses from Castlebar to the Mullet, a distance of 56 miles, which may be performed in a day. A carriage road has been made along the banks of the Owenmore : one branch proceeds from Castlebar, another from Crossmolina ; the former is level and well laid out, the latter labours under the defects of the old country system. After passing the mountains, a new line

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 147

26. Esker ridges in the bog districts of Mayo

    Mayo · parish · Mayo

    In the boggy districts of Mayo, ridges of limestone-gravel called escars stretch for up to three miles, rising 30 to 60 feet high. They spontaneously produce many varieties of trees, though seldom of any size.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The SOIL in the champaign country is chiefly a darkbrown sandy and gravelly loam, on a limestone bottom ; in some parts it is light and moory. In the districts in which bog prevails are ridges of limestone-gravel, called escars, iu some places three miles long, | of a mile broad at the base, and from 30 to 60 feet high : they spontaneously produce many varieties of trees, which, however, seldom attain any size, in consequence of their exposure when young to the cattle. The rocky pastures in which oak and hazel brushwood grow spontaneously are excellent for fattening. The tendency to produce rich grass also shows itself in many parts of the mountainous regions. On passing the junction between the primary and secondary rocks, a striking improvement in .the appearance of the verdure is observable ; some of these secondary hills contain limestone, and the water is so strongly impregnated with this mineral, that calcareous depositions are found in large quantities. The sand along the shores of Broadhaven and Blacksod bay is mostly silicious ; yet with a slight manuring of «ea-weed, it produces excellent barley and potatoes. In these districts the inhabitants are much annoyed by the drifting sand, which is reduced to such a degree of comminution, as to penetrate even into the works of watches. Marly gravel, the substratum of all the hills, was observed, when removed for the purpose of covering roads, to change the growth of the spot it fell on from heath to grass ; the discovery of which quality led to its liberal use in reclaiming the summits of hills, and moory tracts, hitherto nearly unprofitable.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 146

27. Esmonde family castellated mansion at Clonegal

    Clonegall · town · Carlow

    The town of Clonegal contains an old castellated mansion belonging to the Esmonde family. The town also serves as a constabulary police station in the parish of Moyacomb.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    MOYACOMB, or Clonegal, a parish, partly in the union and barony of Shillelagh, county of Wicklow, partly in that of Scarawalsh, county of Wexford, but chiefly in that of St. Mullins, county of Carlow, and province of Leinster, on the road from Tullow to Newtownbarry, and on the river Derry ; containing, with the post-town of Clonegal and the village of Johnstown (both separately described), 4933 inhabitants. It comprises 17,434i statute acres, of which 5678 are in Wicklow, 5810 in Wexford, and the remainder in Carlow. The portion in the county of Wexford includes the estate of Abbeydown, containing 280 plantation acres, which has been tithe-free from time immemorial and is considered extra-parochial. The soil is various, and there are some patches of bog : the state of agriculture is gradually improving. A slate-quarry has been opened on Gibbet hill, near Johnstown. Several fairs held at Clonegal are mentioned under that head ; the town is also a station of the constabulary police, and contains an old castellated mansion of the Esmonde family. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Ferns, and in the patronage of the La Touche family: the tithe rentcharge is £637. 10.; there is neither glebe nor glebehouse. The church, close to the town of Clonegal is a good building erected in 1819, for which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £1300 ; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners recently granted £186 for its repair. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is chiefly in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, and, together with the parish of Barragh, constitutes the district of Clonegal, containing the chapels of Clonegal and Kildavin. There is a meeting-house for Methodists at Clonegal. At Abbeytown are the remains of an ancient religious house, of which no account is extant.

    MOYAGHER, a parish, in the union of Kells, barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N. E.) from Athboy, and on the road

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 177

28. Extensive ancient woods at Oak Mount and Lisnabrinny

    Lisnabrinny · townland · Cork

    In the parish of Kilmeen, Cork, extensive remains of ancient woods survive at Oak Mount and Lisnabrinny, and large plantations have been formed round the glebe-house.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    KILMEEN, a parish, partly in the barony of Ibane and Barryroe, but chiefly in the Western division of the barony of East Carberv, union of Dunmanway, county of Cork, and province of Munster, 5 miles (N. W.) from Clonakilty, on the road to Dunmanway ; containing 3736 inhabitants. It comprises S667 statute acres, of which 53'24 are arable, 140S pasture, S64 bog, 80 woodland, and the remainder rough pasture and waste land. The surface is uneven, and the soil light but productive ; about half of the land has been brought into tillage under the old system since new roads were opened in 1S'30. At Oak Mount and Lisnabrinny are extensive remains of ancient woods ; and large plantations have been formed round the glebe-house. There is a constabulary police station at Ballygurteen, where cattle-fairs are held on June '24th, July 'loth, Nov. 1st, and Dec. "2 1st. The principal seats are Bennett's Grove, Oak Mount, and Lisnabrinny. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Ross, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithe rent-charge is £56'2. 10. The glebehouse was erected in 1790, by the then incumbent, with the aid of a gift of £100 from the Board of First Fruits ; 141

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 44

29. Extensive flour-mills at Cloonagh near Westport

    Cloonagh · townland · Mayo

    Two very extensive flour-mills at Cloonagh, within two miles of the Westport quay, were propelled by considerable water-power throughout the year. All the mills in the area were in full operation.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In the town is an extensive distillery established in 1S26, producing annually about 60,000 gallons of whisky and consuming 29,000 bushels of grain ; a brewery belonging to the same proprietor, and established by his father in 1800, has very much declined since the reduction of the duty on spirits, but is still considerable. In these concerns about 150 men are regularly employed. Another brewery, with a malting concern, has been established by Messr.s. Graham, who have two salt-works and three corn-stores on the quay, and a tannery in the town ; affording together employment to 30 persons, and to double that number during the winter. The Manor flour and oatmeal mills were built in ISOS, and are set in motion by two waterwheels equal in power to 30 horses. At Cloonagh, within two miles of the quay, are two very extensive flour-mills propelled by a considerable water-power throughout the year ; there is also a corn and flourmill near the quay : all are in full operation. At Belclare is a cotton-factory, with 26 looms, affording employment to 30 men and a considerable number of

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 390

30. Extensive mining works at Ringabella

    Ringabella · townland · Cork

    At Ringabella very extensive mining works were conducted by an English company of miners, employing upwards of 400 persons. The ore raised was reported to be of very good quality.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The parish comprises 6097 statute acres. The land is very good, and chiefly in dairy-farms ; about onefourth is arable, producing wheat and potatoes : the manure is principally sea-sand, which is brought in boats manned with three 'men each to Menane bridge, on Ringabella creek ; where also sea-coal, the fuel mostly used, is landed. Near Tracton is a small bog. At Ahnacarriga, the property of the Earl of Shannon, are valuable lead-mines, worked some years since, but now discontinued. At Ringabella are very extensive works, conducted by an English company of miners, and employing upwards of £400 persons ; the ore raised is very good. Not f; r from the church are rocks of excellent slate, but the quarries are very indifferently worked. The creek is navigable for hookers up to Menane bridge, about three miles from the sea ; it is very intricate on account of the serpentine course it takes, but not dangerous. A canal has been contemplated, to commence at the bridge and to continue through the valley to Belgooley, about ten miles, which would be very beueficial, as great quantities of manure are obliged now to be carried overland. The gentlemen's seats are Ringabella, Gurtnagrenane, Broomley, and Fountainstown.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 347

31. Extensive ruins of Ballycullen castle

    Ballycullen · townland · Clare

    Within the parish of Kilfinaghty, County Clare, the ruins of Ballycullen castle are described as extensive, with some vestiges of the outworks still visible.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    KILFINAGHTY, a parish, in the union of Li.me- RicK, barony of Lower Bunratty, county of Clare, and province of Munster ; on the river Ougarnee, and on the old road from Limerick to Ennis ; containing, with the greater part of the post-town of Six-milebridge, 3801 inhabitants. It comprises 81091 statute acres, including a large portion of coarse mountain pasture and bog ; the remainder is in general of good quality and chiefly under tillage. Slate exists, but is not worked. The gentlemen's seats are Castle Crine, Mount Ivers, Castle Lake, Springfield, and Mount Ivers Lodge. Kilfinaghty is in the diocese of Killaloe : the rectory forms part of the union of Omullod, and the vicarage is united to those of Kilmurrynegaul, Tomfinlough, Finogh, Clonloghan, Kilconry, and Bunratty, constituting the union of Kilfinaghty, in the gift of the Bishop. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is £133. 6. 6., of which £64. 0. 6. are payable to the rector, and the remainder to the vicar, who receives the entire tithe of the townland of Ballysheenmore, containing ISO plantation acres; the entire tithe of the vicarial union is £'247. 1". The church of the union is at Six-mile-bridge, and the glebe-house in the parish of Bunratty; the glebe consists of Iji acres. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Six-mile-bridge, where the chapel is situated. At Ballysheen are the ruins of an ancient church, with several tombs of very early date ; and within the limits of the parish are the remains of the old castles of Cappa, Castle Crine, Mountcashel, and Ballycullen : those of the last are extensive, and some vestiges of the outworks are still visible ; those of Mountcashel stand on an eminence near a lake, which thence takes its name. — See Six-mile-briege.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 24

32. Extensive ruins of Roscommon Castle

    Roscommon · town · Roscommon · 1268–1566

    Roscommon Castle survives in extensive ruins and is among the most remarkable castles of the county. Its history includes repeated capture and recapture between the English and the native Irish.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The most numerous class of antiquities is the raths, which abound in the northern and middle baronies, though less frequent in the south. No less than 470 are marked on the grand jury map of the county ; and the people generally regard them with veneration, deeming it unlucky to disturb or cultivate them. At Jamestown are two, remarkable for being situated so close to each other that the encircling trenches join ; there is a still more curious circular fortification at Lough Glynn, and at Oran are the remains of an ancient round tower. The monastic remains are also various and interesting : Archdall enumerates 50 religious establishments of various kinds ; and there are still interesting and picturesque ruins of Boyle Abbey ; of that at Clonshanvill ; of Trinity Abbey, on the shore of Lough Kea ; of the priory of Inchmacneerin, an island in the same lake ; of Tulsk Abbey ; of the Dominican convent at Roscommon; of Dcrane Abbey, two miles north-east from Roscommon ; and of Clontuskert Abbey, in the same vicinity. There are also a large old church and other ecclesiastical ruins at St. John's. Several remains of small castles are scattered through the county, undeserving of particular notice. The following are most remarkable : the old castle of Lough Glynn j the fortress on Castle Island, in Lough Kea, anciently belonging to Mac Dermct ; Ballynafad Castle, the ancient seat of O'Conor Roe ; the extensive ruins of Roscommon Castle ; those of Ballintobber Castle, belonging anciently to O'Conor Don ; the old keep of Athlone Castle ; the ruined fortress and fortified isthmus of St. John's; and the old castle of Ballinasloe. Old Coote Hall, in the parish of Tumna, presents curious remains of fortification in a tower and ruined walls ; and at Belanagare, Kilmore, and near Athleague, are ruined mansions, conspicuous by their tall ornamented chimneys and high gables. Among the other antiquities may be noticed the old bridge of Athlone, the inscription on which states it to have been built 4S3

    Rose

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 260

33. Extensive woods and plantations of King's County

    Killeigh · town · Offaly

    The county features principal woods at Killeigh, Charleville, and Castle-Bernard, along with extensive plantations and ornamental timber at several named estates. The timber is noted for being large and excellent, with ash fetching high prices in Dublin.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Evident marks exist at the present day, to prove that the whole surface of the county was once an uninterrupted forest : the alder is indigenous, and a small patch of the ancient forest still remains in the demesne of Droughtville. The borders of the county near Tipperary are well wooded, and have a beautiful appearance ; but the principal woods are those of Killeigh, Charleville, and Castle-Bernard : there are likewise very extensive plantations and much ornamental timber around Woodville, Droughtville, Mountpleasant, Leap, Goldengrove, Doone, Moystown, Geashill, Newtown, and Clara. The timber is large and excellent : the ash from this part bears the highest price in Dublin ; oak, birch, and lime also thrive well. Much planting has been effected on the borders of the bogs, and on the islands and derries interspersed through them, some of which are ancient stands of timber. Trees are also found growing within a few feet of the ancient timber, which is now several feet under the surface. The bogs, which cover so large a portion of the land, supply a never-failing quantity of fuel : their elevation renders them easily reclaimable, and the quantities of limestone and gravel found in the escars and derries with which they are interspersed afford great facilities for bringing them into a state of tillage.

    The level portions of the county form part of the great field of floetz limestone. Its structure varies from the perfectly compact to the conjointly compact and foliated, and even granularly foliated. Beds of the last kind are quarried for various purposes near Tullamore ; the stone is of a greyish white, and of a large granular texture. The Slieve-Bloom mountains consist of a nucleus of clay-slate surrounded by sandstone ; the sandstone appears to sweep round the clay-stone nucleus, following the sinuosities and curvatures formed by its surface, with a dip that conforms to the declivity. Quarries are formed all round the mountains : in some the strata are from one to three feet in thickness ; 186

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 58

34. Extraordinary caverns explored at Killeagh, 1826

    Killeagh · town · Cork · 1826

    Extraordinary caverns within the parish of Killeagh were explored in 1826 by Sir A. de Capell Brooke. A rock of red-clay formation rising like a pyramid and nearly covered with moss and plants is also noted.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The LIVING is a rectory entire, within the diocese of Cloyne, and in the patronage of the Crown : the tithe rent-charge is £"30. 18. The church is a plain building with a square tower, at the extremity of the town ; for the erection of which, a loan of £375 was granted by the Board of First Fruits in 1811. There is a spacious glebehouse, for the erection of which the Board, in 1809, gave £100 and lent £1000 ; the remainder of the cost of £1940 being supplied by the rector : the glebe comprises 16 acres. In the Roman Catholic divisions this parish is the head of a district, comprising also the parishes of Dangandonovan and Ardagh, and part of Clonpriest ; and containing two chapels, one at Killeagh, and the other at Inch, in Ardagh. There are two public schools, in which about 80 children are taught, and for one of which Sir A. de Capell Brooke erected a handsome school-house ; also a Sunday school, and a dispensary. A castle, said to have been built by the Carews, formerly existed here, and was charged, in 1364, with an annuity to William Skiddy, mayor of Cork. Within the parish is a rock of red-clay formation, rising like a pyramid, and nearly covered with moss and plants ; and some extraordinary caverns were explored in 1826 by Sir A. de Capell Brooke.

    KILLEAGH, county of Meath. — See Killagh.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 38

35. Fahagh ruins, refuge of the Fitzgeralds

    Stradbally · town · Waterford

    On the estate of Fahagh near Stradbally, Waterford, are the remains of an ancient building which derives interest from having been the place of refuge of the Fitzgeralds.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Lismore, episcopally united, in 1*99, to the vicarages of Ballylaneen and Clonea, and in the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire, in whom the rectory is impropriate : the tithe rent-charge of the parish is £596. 8., of which £375 are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the incumbent ; the gross tithe of the benefice of the vicar is £495. IS. The glebe in Clonea consists of two acres ; there is no glebe-house. The church is a neat structure with a tower and spire, built in 1786 by aid of £500 from the Board of First Fruits ; a gallery was added in 1830 : the churchyard is well planted, and adorned by the ruins of the ancient abbey of Stradbally, which, being overgrown with ivy, have a very picturesque appearance. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a district, comprising the parishes of Stradbally and Ballylaneen, and containing three chapels, two of which are in this parish, at Stradbally and Fahagh, the latter built principally at the expense of the late James Barron, Esq. The late Rev. P. Wall, P.P., left upwards of £100 to be distributed in clothing and other charities. On the estate of Fahagh are the remains of an ancient building which derives

    STR A

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 301

36. Fahan: stone-roofed hermitage cell

    Fahan · townland · Kerry

    At a place called Fane or Fahan near Ventry is a small cell or hermitage with a pointed roof of stone. It is one of the early Christian antiquities of the area.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    is coarse mountain land and bog. The harbour is spacious, and is considered to be a dependency on the port of Dingle, being separated from it only by a narrow peninsula, concerning which there is a tradition that it was the last ground possessed by the Danes in Ireland, which is somewhat corroborated by a statement given by Hanmer in his Chronicle from the "Book of Howth," that a great battle was fought here between the Irish and the Danes. The harbour is exposed to the gales from the south-east. On its western point, called Cahir Trant, is an ancient Danish intrenchment, and at Rathlanane are the remains of an old castle of the Knight of Kerry : at a place called Fane, or Fahan, is a small cell or hermitage with a pointed roof of stone. There is a coast-guard station at East Coumtra, belonging to the Dingle district. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe, and in the patronage of the family of Crosbie : the tithe rent-charge is £80, and the glebe, which is in three portions, contains 4a. 2r. 2z>p. A church and a parsonage have been lately built. In the Roman Catholic divisions this parish forms part of the district of Dingle, and has a chapel in the village. Ventry gives the title of Baron to the family of Mullins.

    VICARSTOWN, a village, in the parish of MoY- AN'NA, union of Athy, barony of Stradbally, Queen's county, and province of Leinster, on a branch of the Grand Canal, from Monastereven to Athy ; containing about 14 houses and 77 inhabitants. It is a constabulary police station.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 371

37. Failed navigable canal from Malahide to Fieldstown

    Malahide · town · Dublin · 1788

    In 1788, Colonel Talbot procured an act to construct a navigable canal at his own expense from Malahide through Swords to Fieldstown, though the undertaking was ultimately unsuccessful.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The TOWN is situated on a shallow inlet of the Irish Sea, between Lambay Island, to the north, and Ireland's Eye and the promontory of Howth, to the south; it has a pleasing and sequestered character, and contains 107 houses, many of them handsome cottages, chiefly occupied by visiters during the bathing-season, and in some instances by permanent residents. Since the opening of the Drogheda railway, which passes through the town, buildings have been erected of a better description, and an excellent hotel has been opened. In the centre is a well of excellent water, arched over, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The trade, never very extensive, received a great check from the privileges granted to the port of Dublin in the I6th century. 'The cotton manufacture was introduced here on an extensive scale in the last century by Colonel Talbot, father of the present proprietor ; but, though the Irish parliament granted £'iOOO for the completion of the requisite machinery, it was ultimately abandoned. The same gentleman, in 1788, procured an act for the construction of a navigable canal at his own expense, for the conveyance of the imports of this place, through Swords to Fieldstown, for the supply of the surrounding districts, to which they were at that time sent wholly by land-carriage ; but this undertaking was also unsuccessful. The principal trade at present is the exportation of meal and flour, and the importation of coal from Whitehaven and Scotland, of which, on the average, about 15,000 tons are annually imported. There is a small silk-factory ; and the inhabitants derive some advantages from the fishery off the coast, and from an exclusive property in a bed of oysters, which are sent to Dublin in considerable quantities, and are much esteemed. The inlet of Malaliide is 4 miles north from Howth, and extends four miles up the country ; it is dry at low water, but at high water, vessels drawing not more than 10 or 11 feet may enter the creek and lie afloat in the channel. At the entrance is a bar, having only one foot at low water, and the channel is divided by a gravel bank called Muldowney ; both the channels are narrow and tortuous, and are of dangerous navigation without the assistance of a pilot. The town is one of the nine coast-guard stations constituting the district of Swords, and also a constabulary police station.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 133

38. Fairs at Windmill Hill and the Faithe

    Wexford · town · Wexford

    Fairs were held on Whit-Monday and June 29th on Windmill Hill, and on August 24th in the Faithe area of Wexford. Additional fairs were held in the town on several dates through the year.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    is the principal passage to the haven's mouth, there are only six feet of water at the ebb of spring tides ; and as the rise of springs is but six feet, and at neaps from three to four, vessels of every size larger than fishingboats must ride outside exposed to the danger of shipwreck before there is a sufficient depth of water to float them in. The navigation, too, of the interior of the harbour, a distance of five miles, is both intricate and shallow. Several expedients have been suggested by Sir John Rennie in a report on the subject, for the diminution of those impediments to the safe navigation of the haven ; but none of them have been yet acted upon. Notwithstanding these formidable obstacles the commerce is considerable : there are 1 10 registered vessels, of the aggregate burthen of 8000 tons, and navigated by 600 seamen, belonging to the port ; chiefly engaged in the British and coasting trade. The port is deemed a great nursery for seamen, as there is always a large proportion of apprentices in the merchants' service here. There are two steamers on the Wexford and Liverpool station, one of which sails every week in winter and twice a week in summer, carrying live cattle, provisions, merchandise, and passengers. The shipping interests have been materially promoted by the construction of a patent-slip and ship-building yard, by Mr. Redmond, at the southern extremity of his new embankment ; the vessels belonging to the port were previously built at Milford and Liverpool. The trade with the interior of the country is carried on chiefly by the Slaney, which is navigable to Enniscorthy. The principal market is on Saturday ; there is one for poultry, butter, eggs, and small wares, on Wednesday : meat, fish, and vegetables are exposed for sale daily. The shambles occupy one side of a street leading from the quay ; the butter-market is held underneath the Court of Conscience, the corn and potato market in a square named the corn-market : poultry is vended in the public street. Fairs are held on Whit-Monday and the ^gth of June, on the Windmill Hill ; on the 24th of Aug., in the Faithe ; and on the Saturday before Shrovetide, March I'th, May 1st, Sept. 29th, and Nov. 1st, in the town.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 399

39. Fairy Mount and underground river at Lough-Glynn

    Loughglinn · town · Roscommon

    North-east of Lough-Glynn is the high sandstone hill of Fairy Mount. Two miles west of the village are furloughs including Feigh, covering 200 acres, and the river Gara runs underground for about a mile in this vicinity.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    and ridges bounded by bogs, forming altogether a wild tract, one half bog and the other inferior land, under an unimproved system of agriculture. The Gara rises in the parish, as docs a branch of the river Suck. To the north-east of Lough-Glynn is the high sandstone hill of Fairy Mount ; and two miles west of the village are some furloughs, presenting a considerable extent of water in winter, but dry in summer, of which Feigh is the principal, containing 200 acres and celebrated for the numbers of wild-fowl that resort thither. The river Gara runs underground for about a mile in this vicinity. The manufacture of felt-hats is carried on. A manor court is held monthly in the parish, and petty-sessions and fairs are held at Frenchpark ; there are also fairs at Lough-Glynn. Lough-Glynn House, with its lake and fine hanging woods, is the seat of Viscount Dillon ; it is a large massive building, with angular bay-windows, and has a noble appearance, from its situation on the northern bank of the lake, which is about an Irish mile long, having smooth green banks sloping to the water's edge or banks overspread with trees, and a wooded island : on the opposite side of the lake are two ashtrees of remarkable growth. About five miles west is Lough-Erritt, a highly improved seat, beautifully situated in an extensively planted demesne, at the head of a lake of the same name, which covers upwards of 360 statute acres and contains very fine fish.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 318

40. Fairy Rock with foot impressions near Kilgarvan

    Kilgarvan · townland · Kerry

    Near Kilgarvan are transposed limestone and sandstone rocks and a Fairy Rock covered with impressions of feet, notable natural curiosities of County Kerry.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    little below high- water mark out of a clear white sand : though covered twice a day by the tide, there is no variation in it. Near Dowlas Head are several large natural caves, one of which is of magnificent dimensions, and in calm weather may be entered for 100 yards in a boat ; the reverberation of the human voice in the interior sounds like a speaking-trumpet. At Minegahane, near the Cashen, the sea breaking into the cavities of the shore produces a loud sound like the discharge of artillery ; the noise generally precedes a change of weather, and not unfrequently occurs on the approach of a storm. A columnar cliff, called by the country people the Devil's Castle, stands to the north of Lick Castle, in the mouth of the Shannon, and is inaccessible e.vcept to the sea-fowl. The whole shore hereabouts presents a succession of romantic caverns, extending from Ballybunnian to Kilconly Point. But the great natural curiosities of this county are those of Killarney and its vicinity, described in the account of that place; besides which may be enumerated the transposed limestone and sandstone rocks, and the Fairy Hock covered with impressions of feet, both near Kilgarvan ; Lough Quintan, with its floating islands, in the parish of Tuosist ; and the caves and subterranean stream in the parish of Ratass. Kerry gives the inferior titles of Baron and Earl to the Marquess of Lansdowne, who also enjoys the titles of Viscount Clanmaurice and Baron of Lixnaw and Dunkerron, in the peerage of Ireland, all derived from districts in this county.

    KESH, a village, in the parish of Magheracul- MO.NEY, union of Lowtherstown, barony of Lurg, county of Fermanagh, and province of Ulster, 12 miles (N. by \V.) from Enniskillen, and 93 miles (N. W. by N.) from Dublin, on the road from Enniskillen to Donegal ; containing 54 houses, and 24S inhabitants. It has a sub-post office ; is a constabulary police station ; and has fairs on Jan. 2Sth, March 'ZSth, June 1st, July ■JSth, Sept. 2Sth, and Nov. 'ilst.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 12

41. Falls of Doonass on the Shannon

    Doonass · townland · Clare

    The Falls of Doonass on the Shannon create a grand spectacle as the 300-yard-wide river pours its water over large masses of rock extending a quarter mile. A navigation branch was built to avoid the falls.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, episcopally united from time immemorial to the vicarage of Killokcnnedy, together forming the union of Kiltonanlea, or Doonass, in the patronage of the Bishop : the tithe rent-charge of the parish is £256. 3., and the entire tithe of the benefice £333. 19. The glebe-house was erected in 1804, when £597 were lent and £200 given by the late Board of First Fruits for that purpose ; the glebe comprises 6 acres. The church, at Clonlara, is a neat building, erected in 1782, with a square tower surmounted by pinnacles ; for the erection of the tower and gallery the same Board granted £300, in 1829. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Doonass, which also comprises parts of the parishes of Killaloe and Killokcnnedy : the parochial chapel at Clonlara. erected in 1815, is a large and well-built structure ; and there is a chapel at Trugh, in the parish of Killaloe. Within the limits of the parish are the ruined castles of Rhinnuagh, Newtown, and Coolistigne ; and several ancient raths or forts. The " Falls of Doonass," on the Shannon, as seen from Doonass demesne, have a striking and highly picturesque effect : the river, which above the falls is 300 yards wide and 40 feet deep, here pours its vast volume of water over large masses of rock extending upwards of a quarter of a mile along its course, and producing a succession of falls forming a grand and interesting spectacle.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 57

42. Falls of Killaloe and navigation canal through bishop's demesne

    Killaloe · town · Clare

    Below the bridge the Shannon's navigation is interrupted by a ridge of rocks over which water rushes with great noise, creating a strikingly romantic appearance with the cathedral rising above. The Board of Inland Navigation constructed a canal through the bishop's demesne to avoid the falls and erected the Ponsonby Arms hotel for visitors to Lough Derg.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The TOWN is pleasantly situated on a rising ground on the western bank of the Shannon, near the noted falls of Killaloe, and about a mile from Lough Derg ; and is connected with the county of Tipperary by an ancient bridge of nineteen arches. It consists of one square, with a principal and several smaller streets, and contains about 300 houses. There is a small infantry barrack. A flourishing trade in stuffs, camlets, and serges was formerly carried on, and two well-supplied markets were held weekly ; but both the manufacture and the narkets have been discontinued. Above and below the bridge are numerous eel-weirs, which produce a strong current in the river ; and there is also a salmon-fishery. In the vicinity are some very extensive slate-quarries, from which, on an average, about 8000 tons are annually raised for the supply of the surrounding country to a great distance. A mill, with machinery driven by water, has been erected at an expense of £6000, for cutting and polishing stone and marble, and working them into mantel- pieces, flags, slabs, and other articles, in which about 100 men are employed, for whose residence near the works there are some handsome slated cottages. A spirit of cheerful industry and of enterprise seems to promise much for the increasing prosperity of the town. Close to the mill is a yard for boat-building, belonging to the Shannon Steam-Navigation Company, whose head-quarters are at this place and who have established a regular communication by steam-packets, for goods and passengers, up the Shannon, through Lough Derg to Portumna, Athlone, and Banagher, and from Banagher by canalboats to Dublin. The company afford employment to a great number of persons in the construction and repair of docks and warehouses. About a quarter of a mile from the village of O'Brien's-Bridge is the pierhead, where the steam-boats transfer their cargoes and passengers to a packet-boat, which is towed at a rapid rate to Limerick, between which place and Dublin boats ply daily ; the trip to Portumna and ■Williamstown is beautifully picturesque. Below the bridge the navigation of the Shannon is interrupted by a ridge of rocks, over which the water rushes with great noise ; and the appearance of the town at this place, with the waters of Lough Derg in the distance, and the venerable cathedral rising above the bridge and backed by a fine mountain range, is strikingly romantic. To remedy this obstruction of the navigation, the Board of Inland Navigation constructed a canal through the bishop's demesne, avoiding the rocks, and joining the river beyond the falls ; it also erected an hotel, called the Ponsonby Arms, for the accommodation of families visiting Lough Derg and its neighbourhood. The lake is about thirty miles in length, and abounds with beautiful and interesting scenery, more especially in that part which is near the town ; the shores are embellished ■with several handsome mansions, embosomed in luxuriant woods and plantations, and with several ancient and venerable castles. Pike, perch, trout, and various other fish are taken in abundance ; among them is found the Gallaroo trout. Fairs are held on April 5th, May 24th, Sept. 3rd, and Oct. 20th ; and petty-sessions once a fortnight. A constabulary police force is stationed in the town.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 33

43. Famine in Mayo from potato crop failure relieved by English contributions

    Mayo · parish · Mayo · 1822

    Two years after the Ribbonmen disturbances, Mayo suffered famine due to failure of the potato crop. The horrors were much relieved by prompt and liberal contributions forwarded from every part of England through a committee sitting in London.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    by nocturnal depredations, but were finally suppressed by the power of the law. Two years afterwards Mayo suffered from famine, owing to a failure of the potatocrop i but the horrors of so dreadful a visitation were much relieved by the prompt and liberal contributions which were forwarded on the first intimation of the extent of the calamity, from every part of England, through a committee sitting in London.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 145

44. Farming implements and fire-bricks manufactured at Coal-Island

    near Coal Island · town · Tyrone

    Spades, shovels, other farming implements, crucibles, chemical vessels, and fire-bricks are manufactured very extensively at Coal-Island, alongside large flour-mills.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The linen manufacture has long been the staple of the county ; and though it has declined considerably, large quantities are annually manufactured and bleached, principally for the English market. Bleach-greens were numerous in every part, but nearly two-thirds of them are unemployed, or converted to other purposes : the linens are all carried in a brown state to the towns of Oraagh, Dunganuou, Cookstown, Ballygawley, Fintona, and Strabane, and sold in the markets there. The wool of the county, and all that is brought into it, is made up into cloth, blankets, and druggets. The farmers, who are in general linen-weavers, consume the greater part of the cloth and blankets ; the druggets are worn by the poorer class of women : the cloth is generally yard wide, and of very good quality. The people are all expert at dyeing for domestic purposes ; they dye various colours, but blue is the favourite. Druggets of two parts wool and one linen are much esteemed. An economical practice of the wool-spinners is worthy of notice : the root of the common fern is replete during summer with an oily glutinous substance, an excellent substitute for oil or butter ; and as wool cannot be manufactured without the aid of some substance of this nature, a pound of wool requiring a quarter of a pound of butter, the common people supply the want of it by cutting the fern root into small pieces, bruising it in a mortar, and pressing out the juice through a cloth. Spades, shovels, and other farming implements, crucibles and other chymical vessels, and fire-bricks, are manufactured very extensively at Coal-Island. Tanning is carried on in several places, as is also the manufacture of tobacco, soap, and candles. There is a good ale brewery at Donuugbmore ; distilleries are worked in various parts, large flour-mills at Caledon and Coal- Island, plating-mills at Leckpatrick, Fintona, and Newmills, and scutch-mills in most parts.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 367

45. Faughanvale slack with waterfalls

    Faughanvale · townland · Derry

    Faughanvale is a secluded vale or 'slack' in the mountainous region of County Londonderry noted for its good waterfalls. These slacks contain charming spots of fertile soil and romantic scenery amid wild surroundings.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In shape the county approaches to an equilateral triangle : its greatest length is from the point of Magilligan, at the mouth of Lough Foyle, nearly southward, to the vicinity of Coagh, a distance of 32i miles. Although by no means distinguished for picturesque beauty, its surface presents many varieties of form, from the flat alluvial lands along its rivers to the wildest MOUNTAINS. The latter form its central portion, extending in various chains, covered chiefly with heath, from near the sea-coast to the southern hmit. Sauel mountain, in the south, attains an elevation of 2236 feet: Slieve-Gallion rises to the height of 1730 feet; Ciirntdsher, near the source of the Roe, 1521 feet; Donald's Hill, east of the same river, 1315 feet; Benijevoiash, forming the termination of that range towards the sea, 1260 feet ; and Legnraitnoii, between the Roe and the Faughan, 1289 feet. Even in these wild regions there are secluded vales, called by the inhabitants " slacks," in which are often found charming spots of fertile soil and romantic scenery. The principal of these are, Faughanvak, where are some good waterfalls ; Muff-glen, w-hK-h, with the beautiful glen of the Ness, affords mountain passes from the Foyle to the Faughan ; Laughermore, between the Roe and the Faughan, which commands various fine prospects, and has in its vicinity numerous traces of ancient forests ; Lissane, with some deep romantic glens ; Fvcini, between the higher parts of the Roe and the Faughan, into which several other glens open, the most beautiful being Fin-glen ; tbe neighbouring slacks of Mmeijniceny and Carnloghir ; that of Balh/ness, leading into the wild district of Glenullen ; that of Dunmore, between Coleraine and Newtown-Liniavadv ; and that of Druwma-Gullion, to the north. The most extensive and diversified view in this

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 92

46. Faughart religious house and St. Bridget's stone

    Faughart · parish · Louth

    Faughart, north of Dundalk, is both a camp site and the location of a religious house. Its vestiges consist of St. Bridget's stone and pillar, surviving relics of the ancient foundation.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Ballinahatncy, near Duiuialk ; circles and a cromlech on Killin hill ; a fine cromlech at Ballymuscanlan ; and a large cairn on Carrick-Brant. At Uullrighan has heen discovered a curious artificial cave ; and near Killin hill is the extraordinary tort called Faiths iia ain eighe, or " the one night's work." The most ancient mounds appear to be the ordinary tumuli, such as are seen between Dundalk and Drogheda ; in which latter vicinity is a very celebrated structure, at Grange. Next in date are those encompassed with a deep trench, and generally met with in the neighbourhood of some old castle or place of note ; such as those of Castle Guard at Ardee, Greencastle near Castle-Bcllingham, and at Killany. Some mounts have a square redoubt, or other works, attached to the main encircling trench ; as at Castletown. Besides those above mentioned, the places where camps of different kinds occur are, near Ballinahatncy plain; Mount Albani, about two miles from Dundalk : Rosskiigh, near Carrick-Brant, on the banks of the Dundugan river ; Mount Ash, near Louth ; a Danish fort, near Dunlecr ; another at Castletown, near Dundalk ; a round fort at Louth ; Castle Ring, near the same place ; Faughart, to the north of Dundalk ; Mount Bagnal ; and a Danish fort near Castle-Bellingham. A fine round tower is still standing at Monasterboice, and part of another at Dromiskin. The number of religious houses that existed in the county is no less than '23 : there are still remains of those of Carlingford, where the ruined buildings are very interesting ; Faughart, where the vestiges consist of St. Bridget's stone and pillar ; Mellifont, the abbey of which place was very sumptuous; and Monasterboice, where are two crosses, one of which, called St. Boyne's, is among the largest, most ancient, and richly decorated in Ireland. Of the numerous ancient castles, there are remains of those of Haynstown (three miles from Dundalk), Miltown, Killincoole, Darver, Carlingford, Castle- Roche, Dungooly, Rood's-town, Baling (near the northern shore of Dundalk bay), Dunmahan, Glass- Pistol (near Termoufechan), Clonniore, Rath (three miles from Carlingford), Ardee, Termoufechan, Ballrighan (two miles west of Dundalk), and Castletown. All of these, together with the chief modern mansions of the nobility and gentry, are particularly described in their respective parishes. A great number of ornaments of pure gold, swords, spears, axes of bronze, and other relics of antiquity, have been found in various places ; and in the summer of 1835 a very large head ornament and fibula of pure gold were found near Monasterboice.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 114

47. Feeny slack opening into Fin-glen

    Feeny · townland · Derry

    Feeny lies between the higher parts of the Rivers Roe and Faughan, with several other glens opening into it. The most beautiful of these glens is Fin-glen, making Feeny a notable scenic vale in the county's interior.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    In shape the county approaches to an equilateral triangle : its greatest length is from the point of Magilligan, at the mouth of Lough Foyle, nearly southward, to the vicinity of Coagh, a distance of 32i miles. Although by no means distinguished for picturesque beauty, its surface presents many varieties of form, from the flat alluvial lands along its rivers to the wildest MOUNTAINS. The latter form its central portion, extending in various chains, covered chiefly with heath, from near the sea-coast to the southern hmit. Sauel mountain, in the south, attains an elevation of 2236 feet: Slieve-Gallion rises to the height of 1730 feet; Ciirntdsher, near the source of the Roe, 1521 feet; Donald's Hill, east of the same river, 1315 feet; Benijevoiash, forming the termination of that range towards the sea, 1260 feet ; and Legnraitnoii, between the Roe and the Faughan, 1289 feet. Even in these wild regions there are secluded vales, called by the inhabitants " slacks," in which are often found charming spots of fertile soil and romantic scenery. The principal of these are, Faughanvak, where are some good waterfalls ; Muff-glen, w-hK-h, with the beautiful glen of the Ness, affords mountain passes from the Foyle to the Faughan ; Laughermore, between the Roe and the Faughan, which commands various fine prospects, and has in its vicinity numerous traces of ancient forests ; Lissane, with some deep romantic glens ; Fvcini, between the higher parts of the Roe and the Faughan, into which several other glens open, the most beautiful being Fin-glen ; tbe neighbouring slacks of Mmeijniceny and Carnloghir ; that of Balh/ness, leading into the wild district of Glenullen ; that of Dunmore, between Coleraine and Newtown-Liniavadv ; and that of Druwma-Gullion, to the north. The most extensive and diversified view in this

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 92

48. Ferns: ancient episcopal town

    Ferns · townland · Wexford

    Ferns is described as the ancient episcopal town of County Wexford, situated within the diocese of Ferns which covers almost the entire county. It is listed among the notable towns of the county.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The county, with the exception of parts of two parishes, which are in the diocese of Dublin, is entirely within the diocese of Ferns. For civii, purposes it is divided into the baronies of Ballaghkeen, Bantry, Bargy, Forth, Gorey, Scarawalsh, Shelburne, and Shelmalier East and West. It contains the ancient episcopal town of Ferns ; the borough and market towns of Wexford and New Ross ; the market and post towns of Gorey, Enniscorthy, Newtownbarry ; the disfranchised borough of Fethard ; and the post-towns of Arthurstown, Broadway, Clonegal, Camolin, and Taghmon, the last of which was anciently a borough, as were also Clonmines and Bannow. The minor posts are Ballycarney, Banuow, Bridgetown, Duncaunon, Kyle, and Oulart. It sent eighteen members to the Irish parliament, two being for the county at large, and two for each of the boroughs of Wexford, New Ross, Gorey, Enniscorthy, Taghmon, Fethard, Clonmines, and Banuow ; but since the Union its representatives in the Imperial parliament have been, two sent by the county, and one for each of the boroughs of Wexford and New Ross. The county members are elected at Wexford. The shire is included in the Leinster circuit : the assizes are held at Wexford ; general sessions of the peace are held twice in the year at each of the towns of Gorey, Wexford, Enniscorthy, and New Ross ; and petty-sessions are held, at various intervals, at each of the above towns and at Newtownbarry, Burkestown, Clonroche, Duncormuck, Killinick, Oulart, and Taghmon. The county gaol is at Wexford, and there are bridewells at New Ross, Gorey, and Enniscorthy. The local government is vested in a lieutenant, 16 deputylieutenants, and til other magistrates. The number of constabulary police stations is 43. The district lunatic 635

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 393

49. Ferns: seat of Leinster kings and Dermod Mac Murrough

    Ferns · townland · Wexford

    Ferns was a principal seat of the royal family of Leinster and the favourite residence of the last king, Dermod Mac Murrough. He conveyed Dervorghal, wife of O'Rourk, there and later awaited his English allies in the privacy of the abbey.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    all signifying "the maritime country." The first of these appears to be preserved in the designation of Enniscorthy; the second, it is thought, gave the family name to the chief Mac Murrough or Mac Murchad ; and from the third came the denomination of Leinster, which, in the productions of the Irish, Danish, and Latin writers towards the close of the middle ages, is mostly confined to Wexford. This and the adjoining county of Wicklow were also distinguished by the name of Dalmuchscrd, or " the maritime counties." Weisford, from which its present name is formed, was given to its chief town by the Danes, who, after devastating the country by predatory incursions, made the town of Wexford the centre of a permanent settlement. In later times, a popular designation of this district was, according to Camden, County Reogh, or "the rough county ;" and the northern part was included in Ily Kinselagh, the peculiar territory of the Mac Mcii- ROUCHS, afterwards known by the name of Kavanagh. A principal seat of the royal family of Leinster was at Ferns, in this territory, the favourite place of residence of the last king, Dermod Mac Murrough. Hither he conveyed Dervorghal, wife of O'Rourk, Prince of Breffny, whom he carried off from her husband ; and after he had been driven out of the country, by Roderic, King of Ireland, and had engaged the assistance of some English leaders to reinstate him in his authority, he returned to this part to await in the privacy of the abbey the arrival of his new allies.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 391

50. Ferral's failed attempt to retake Passage from Cromwell's army

    Passage East · townland · Waterford

    During the Cromwellian siege of nearby Waterford, the governor Ferral led forces from Passage to attempt its recovery but was repulsed by a large body of Cromwell's army. Passage occupied a strategically narrow strip of low land between the river Suir and a lofty hill.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Waterford ; the serious inconvenience this produced to the besieged caused Ferral, the governor, to attempt the recovery of the place, but his forces were repulsed by a large body of Cromwell's army. In 1663, the Duke of Ormonde was made governor of the port and town of Passage for life. The town contains 11 '2 houses, and is situated on a narrow piece of low land between the river Suir and a lofty precipitous hill ; it is a constabulary police station, and the parish church stands on the summit of a hill here. A block-house mounted with several great gutis, and commonly under the command of the governor of Duncannon Fort, about a league distant, on the Wexford side of the river, formerly stood where the old pier or mole now is. The river affords commodious shelter -.nd anchorage to vessels of large burthen, and the town is now progressively improving. Here is a Roman Catholic chapel, situated in part of the parish of Crook ; also a school.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 229

51. Ferry-Carrigg Castle on the Slaney

    Ferrycarrig · townland · Wexford

    The ancient castle of Ferry-Carrigg stands romantically on a rocky eminence on the Tickillen side of the River Slaney, near a handsome bridge of American oak. It is noted in connection with the parish of Carrigg.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    TIBOHINE, Roscommon. — See Taughboyne. TICKILLEN, a parish, in the barony of Shelma- LiER, union and county of Wexford, and province of Leinster, 85 miles (N. W.) from Wexford, near the mail-road to Enniscorthy ; containing 1160 inhabitants. It is principally situated on the north-eastern bank of the Slaney, but there is a small detached portion on the northern extremity of the estuary of that river. The principal portion is skirted by the mail-road, and is connected with the south-western bank of the river by a handsome bridge of American oak, which, together with the ancient castle of Ferry-Carrigg, romantically situated on a rocky eminence on the Tickillen side of the river, is noticed in the article on the parish of Carrigg. Tickillen comprises 2866f statute acres, of which the detached portion contains 748 : within the limits of the latter is part of the village of Castlebridge. The land is mostly in tillage, the soil in general fertile, and the state of agriculture has been of late years much improved. The seats are, Percy Lodge, pleasantly situated near the banks of the river ; Killowu, built in the cottage style ; Newtown Lodge ; and Moat Park. The parish is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ferns, separated by act of council in 1829 from the union of Ardcolrae (with the exception of the small detached portion, which is still attached to that union) and, with the adjoining parish of Kilpatrick, formed into a distinct benefice ; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Portsmouth. The tithe rent-charge of the larger portion amounts to £92. 11., of which £4". U. are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar ; and that of the smaller portion to £44, of which £21. 10. are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the incumbent of Ardcolme union. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Crossabeg. Within the demesne of Percy Lodge is a glebe, comprising three acres ; also the ruins of the church, with a cemetery attached. At the north-western extremity of the parish are the remains of Deeps Castle, said to have been granted by Cromwell to one of his standard-bearers named Randle, whose family subsequently entertained James II. on his way to Waterford, when he was retiring to France after the battle of the Boyne.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 332

52. Fertile hills near southern margin of Bog of Allen

    Dunmurry · parish · Kildare

    Near the southern extremity of the Bog of Allen are several named hills — Grange Allen, Cheelow, Dunmurry, Red-hills, and Knocknagylogh — which are generally fertile and cultivated to the summit.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The general surface is rather level. In the barony of West Ophaly, however, are several gently rising hills, and others occur towards the eastern boundary of the county : the greatest elevation of the plain country is around Naas. Both of the baronies of Naas, and their vicinity, present an appearance of great fertility, which is also exhibited generally throughout the eastern and southern, and a portion of the western parts of the county ; but towards the north and north-west are vast tracts of the Bog of Allen, comprising more than 50,000 acres, having a flat dreary surface, relieved here and there by verdant elevations, called " islands." Near the southern extremity of this immense bog are the hills of Grange Allen, Cheelow, Dunmurry, Redhills, and Knocknagylogh, generally fertile, and cultivated to the summit. There are also small hills in the vicinity of Timolin and Moone ; others stretching from Killan, by Kilrush, Davidstown, Calverstown, and Thomastown, and terminating in the hills of Old Kilcullen and Ballysax ; and small detached elevations near Arthurstown, Lyons, Longtown, ^c.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 19

53. Fertile lands at Strabane

    near Strabane · town · Tyrone

    The lands around Strabane are described as dry and fertile, maintained in a high state of cultivation. This contrasts with the cold, shallow mountain soils found in the northern and western districts of the county.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Tlie climate is very variable. The prevalence of westerly winds occasions a constant humidity of the atmosphere, which is a frequent cause of rheumatism and paralysis ; but the county is improving greatly in this respect ; disease is much more uncommon than it was formerly, and those who are well fed and dothed are as free from sickness as the similar class in any other part of the country. In the mountain districts to the north, the soil is cold and shallow, seldom exceeding six inches in depth : in some parts the subsoil is a tenacious clay, rendering the surface wet and spongy ; in others it is a compact bog, equally tenacious of moisture, and therefore equally injurious by retaining the surface water. Yet even amidst the elevated cold and moory districts in the north and west, some spots of excellent land appear, well cultivated and highly productive. At Strabane the lands are of a dry and fertile description, and also in a high state of cultivation ; near Urney are some meadow lands of the richest quality. The eastern parts are a deep alluvial soil based upon limestone, adequate also to produce excellent crops. The vale of the Blackwater is exceedingly picturesque, and also of the greatest fertility.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 366

54. Fertile land vein from Glaslough through Clones to Fermanagh

    Glaslough · town · Monaghan

    A vein of peculiarly excellent land runs from Glaslough by Tyhallon, Monaghan, Scotstown, and Clones into Fermanagh at Corren. The central district between the Slievebeagh and Crieve mountains is described as the most fertile part of the county.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The undulating surface of the county produces a great variety of soil. The low lands of the north are generally wet and moory, particularly near the foot of the mountains ; yet even in this district are some exceptions, for amid the very poorest tracts several gentle elevations of limestone are found, and in the valleys are extensive deposits of marl. The moory soil is every where reclaimable ; though the subsoil is stiff and the shallow and mossy loam on its surface imbibes the moisture like a sponge, so that after a fall of rain it is nearly impassable for cattle, and a few dry days harden the surface so as to render it nearly impenetrable to a plough. This character pervades the greater portion of the barony of Trough. The central district, comprehending the depressed land between the Slievebeagh and Crieve mountains, is far superior to any other part of the county in point of fertility ; it is interspersed with beautiful lakes, is well watered with streams, has a sufficiency of bog, and in richness and natural capability may vie with some of the best improved lands in the north of Ireland. A vein of peculiarly excellent land runs from Glaslough, by Tyhallon, Monaghan, Scotstown, and Clones, into Fermanagh at Corren. The southern extremity of the county consists for the most part of a rich and highly productive soil, based on a substratum of limestone ; and, in some places, a deep loam highly improvable by calcareous manure. The soil in the intermediate district varies much in quality, and is disposed very irregularly ; even in several parts of the same field it is seen sometimes to vary extremely, being deep and argillaceous at one spot, a gravelly grit at another, exhibiting at a third a stiff clay, and at a fourth a party-coloured mixture of red and greenish gravel : yet, in general character, it approximates nearly to that of the northern part. The western side of the county is a rich but shallow loam, in its natural state spongy, wet, and overspread with rushes, but capable of a high degree of improvement by manuring.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 160

55. Fethard harbour and Bagenbon Head

    Fethard · town · Wexford

    Farther westward along the Wexford coast is Bagenbon Head, and near it the small dry harbour of Fethard. These landmarks characterize the southern coastline of the county.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    forming a floating-dock. Wexford harbour is large and capacious ; but its entrance is obstructed by a bar, and the navigation is in other respects dangerous. The Tuscar Rock hes about seven miles south-east of Greenore Point : it is marked by a revolving light of three faces, two bright, the third a deep red ; a bell, also, rings in foggy weather. In the northern part of We.Kford harbour are the islands of Beg Erin, or Little Ireland, and Great Island, both inhabited : the former is of very small extent, but ancient fame ; the latter contains about .SO acres. On doubling Carnsore Point, the Saltee Islands, two in number, the Larger and the Smaller, present themselves off the southern coast. A late return from the resident incumbent of the adjoining parish on the main land, states that these islands are considered to form part of the county of Tipperary. The larger is a mile long and half a mile broad, but not more than one-third of it consists of arable land ; the lesser is about a mile in circuit ; both are high, and contain some rocky pasture. From the lesser island to the main land is a ridge of rocks called St. Patrick's bridge, extremely dangerous, having not more than from 7 to 10 feet of water above them at low tide. Farther westward is Bagenbon Head, and near it the small dry harbour of Fethard. What was formerly called "Slade Island " is connected with Bannow by a narrow isthmus of sand. The extreme south-west point of the county is marked by a lighthouse at Hook Head, 140 feet high, with a steady fixed light. On doubling this point the navigator finds himself within the grand and safe estuary of Waterford harbour, into which the united streams of the Suir, Barrow, and Nore are received.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 393

56. Fever hospital built by Lord Kingston

    Mitchelstown · town · Cork

    A fever hospital with a dispensary was built in an airy situation south-east of Mitchelstown at the expense of Lord Kingston, containing four wards and 13 beds. A loan fund of £569, part of a London famine relief fund, was appropriated for the relief of the poor of the town and neighbourhood.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    £1^0, with a house and garden ; and the inmates, who must be members of the Established Church, receive each £40 per annum, and have a house and garden between every two. The buildings consist of 16 dwellinghouses, with a chapel in the centre of the range, beneath which is the vault of the Kingston family. The Fever Hospital, to which a dispensary is added, was built, in an airy and healthful situation to the south-east of the town, at the expense of Lord Kingston, in IS'ZS ; it contains four wards, and 13 beds. A portion of the residue of a fund collected in London for the relief of the poor during the famine in Ireland, amounting to £569, was borrowed at '2^ per cent, from the loan committee of Cork, and is appropriated as a Loan Fund for the relief of the poor of the town and neighbourhood.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 154

57. Fine ash-trees at Glaslough

    Glaslough · town · Monaghan

    Glaslough was noted for having some of the finest ash-trees in Ireland. The location also had a large linen factory recently built, extensive tanning operations, and potters' clay wrought into glazed earthenware.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Of the extensive forests mentioned by early writers, no vestiges can be traced, except in the stunted underwood so frequent at the foot of the hills, and the numerous trunks of forest-trees, found deeply imbedded in almost every bog. The mountains and hills present no remains of timber, and the only woods now found in the county are those belonging to the mansions and demesnes of the nobility and gentry. Those of Dawson Grove and Anketell Grove are more especially worthy of notice. At Glaslough are some of the finest ash-trees in Ireland ; near Monaghan are several remarkably large beech-trees, and some few venerable oaks are to be seen in different parts : so that Monaghan may be said to produce timber nearly sufficient for its own consumption. Sycamore is in much repute for the shafts of bleach-mills, round which the webs of cloth are rolled and beetled ; it never splinters during the operation of the machinery, whereas when other timber is used for the same purpose, it must be cased with horse skins, which do not last long. In the moory bottoms at the foot of hills, groves of sallow and osier are planted, which thrive vigorously ; and the wicker-work made of the twigs, yields a return which forms no inconsiderable portion of the rent. Fuel is procured in the greatest abundance from the numerous bogs, which are so dispersed in every part that the carriage adds but little to the expense.

    Geologically, the county forms part of the northern extremity of the great limestone field of Ireland ; and, except in some districts, the rock is well distributed and lies very advantageously for working. The hmestone is of great variety and of excellent quality ; at Glenmore it is raised in large blocks, and, when polished, exhibits all the varieties of fine marble. Freestone of beautiful and valuable quality is found in various parts. Part of Slievebeagh is formed of a white sandstone e.\tensivelv 344

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 161

58. Fine cromlech at Ballymascanlan

    Ballymascanlan · townland · Louth

    A fine cromlech stands at Ballymascanlan, one of several prehistoric stone monuments recorded in the county of Louth.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Ballinahatncy, near Duiuialk ; circles and a cromlech on Killin hill ; a fine cromlech at Ballymuscanlan ; and a large cairn on Carrick-Brant. At Uullrighan has heen discovered a curious artificial cave ; and near Killin hill is the extraordinary tort called Faiths iia ain eighe, or " the one night's work." The most ancient mounds appear to be the ordinary tumuli, such as are seen between Dundalk and Drogheda ; in which latter vicinity is a very celebrated structure, at Grange. Next in date are those encompassed with a deep trench, and generally met with in the neighbourhood of some old castle or place of note ; such as those of Castle Guard at Ardee, Greencastle near Castle-Bcllingham, and at Killany. Some mounts have a square redoubt, or other works, attached to the main encircling trench ; as at Castletown. Besides those above mentioned, the places where camps of different kinds occur are, near Ballinahatncy plain; Mount Albani, about two miles from Dundalk : Rosskiigh, near Carrick-Brant, on the banks of the Dundugan river ; Mount Ash, near Louth ; a Danish fort, near Dunlecr ; another at Castletown, near Dundalk ; a round fort at Louth ; Castle Ring, near the same place ; Faughart, to the north of Dundalk ; Mount Bagnal ; and a Danish fort near Castle-Bellingham. A fine round tower is still standing at Monasterboice, and part of another at Dromiskin. The number of religious houses that existed in the county is no less than '23 : there are still remains of those of Carlingford, where the ruined buildings are very interesting ; Faughart, where the vestiges consist of St. Bridget's stone and pillar ; Mellifont, the abbey of which place was very sumptuous; and Monasterboice, where are two crosses, one of which, called St. Boyne's, is among the largest, most ancient, and richly decorated in Ireland. Of the numerous ancient castles, there are remains of those of Haynstown (three miles from Dundalk), Miltown, Killincoole, Darver, Carlingford, Castle- Roche, Dungooly, Rood's-town, Baling (near the northern shore of Dundalk bay), Dunmahan, Glass- Pistol (near Termoufechan), Clonniore, Rath (three miles from Carlingford), Ardee, Termoufechan, Ballrighan (two miles west of Dundalk), and Castletown. All of these, together with the chief modern mansions of the nobility and gentry, are particularly described in their respective parishes. A great number of ornaments of pure gold, swords, spears, axes of bronze, and other relics of antiquity, have been found in various places ; and in the summer of 1835 a very large head ornament and fibula of pure gold were found near Monasterboice.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 114

59. Fine linen fabrics of Coleraine

    near Coleraine · town · Derry

    The fabric made in Coleraine is the finest in the region, and all webs of the same texture, wherever manufactured, are called Coleraines. The commerce of the county centres in Londonderry and the town of Coleraine.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    The staple manufacture is that of linen, of which the raw material is grown here, chiefly from American and Riga seed, though partly from Dutch, which is most esteemed. The flax is spun by the rural population, and the weavers themselves are husbandmen ; so that during seed-time and harvest the loom is abandoned. The flax is generally spun from three to four hanks in the pound weight, and the tow yarn is made into sacking for home use ; the coarser yarn is mostly carried to Londonderry to be exported to Liverpool for Manchester, and to Scotland, the finer being disposed of at Coleraine, Newtown, &c. The fabric made in Coleraine is the finest, and all webs of the same texture, wherever manufactured, are called Coleraines. The fabrics of_ Londonderry are of two kinds ; one only twenty-seven inches wide, and called Derry wrappers ; the other thirty-two inches wide, and made of fine yarn. Considerable quantities of linen are exported 25b

    LOND

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 96

60. Fingal colony in Meath: 9th-century settlers and distinct customs

    Ratoath · town · Meath · 800–899

    A colony called the Fingael or Fingal settled in the 9th century on the plains stretching from near Maynooth by Ratoath and Duleek to the banks of the Boyne. Their descendants remained a distinct race until recently, retaining peculiar habits and customs.

    Read the passage

    Read off the scanned page by machine, so a word here and there is misread. Kept as the reading produced it, not corrected.

    Until of late years, the houses of the proprietors, and of the cultivators of the soil, e.xhibited a more marked disparity than could be seen in any other part of Ireland. The tenements of the working farmers who hold from 20 to 100 acres presented an appearance of great wretchedness, and the cabins of the labourers or cottiers were still more deficient of comfort ; but this characteristic, though not entirely removed, has been considerably diminished by the improvement made in the dwellings. The lower classes suffer much from the want of fuel, which, as already remarked, is very scarce in many parts, and the low rates of wages prevent the possibility of providing a stock of sea-coal to meet the exigencies of winter. Yet the peasantry in general are endowed with a disposition so n-ell inclined to look on the bright points of the prospect before them, that, under the depressing difficulties through which they have to struggle during life, they enjoy every momentary festivity with delight and animation. The English language is spoken throughout every part of the county. The peasantry in some of the districts possess an originality no where else found in Ireland, particularly in the plains stretching from the boundary of Kildare near Maynooth, by Ratoath, Duleek, and to the banks of the Boyne, where a colony called the Fingael or Fingal settled in the 9th century, whose descendants till recently remained a distinct race, retaining many of the peculiar habits, manners, and customs of their forefathers.

    At Castlekieran is a remarkably fine spring, the origin of which tradition attributes to the miraculous powers of St. Kieran ; it is much frequented on the first Sunday in August, by persons seeking a remedy for various diseases. At Summerhill is a chalybeate spa, but not of much strength or medicinal efficacy. The waters of the mineral springs of Kikriew and Xobber are said to be serviceable in obstinate cutaneous complaints. At Knock is another chalybeate spring, 327

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 150