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. Bilberry Rock geological section above Waterford

   Waterford · city · Waterford

   The face of Bilberry Rock, over the river Suir above Waterford city, presents an interesting geological section containing veins of quartz with micaceous iron-ore, scaly graphite, red ochre, sulphate of barytes, oxyde of titanium, bituminous shale, and arsenieurate of iron.

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   tained in the parish of Kilculliheen, all the lands on the opposite bank of the river in the parishes of Kilbarry and Killoteran, and the town of Passage ; comprehending together 96S3 statute acres, of which several hundred acres are occupied by the city aud suburbs. The rural districts present no great peculiarity of character : the northern part chiefly consists of high grounds, commanding fine views of the city ; and on the opposite side, especially on the banks of the river above the city, are some elevated lands, except near the course of John's river, where is an extensive level of marshy land. The prevailing substratum is argillaceous schistus, with silicious breccia near the summits of the hills, over which red sandstone frequently occurs : sienite and hornblende are found at Kilronan ; talcous slate near Knockhouse ; lydian stone on the road to Annestown ; hornstone and jasper, alternating with flinty slate, in the same neighbourhood ; and serpentine, resting on a blueish-black quartzose rock, at Knockhouse. The face of Bilberry rock, over the river Suir, above the city, presents a very interesting section, in which, in addition to the above-named minerals, are veins of quartz, comprising a considerable quantity of micaceous iron-ore and scalygraphite, both passing into oxyde of iron and jasper, and in some places forming, with the quartz, a beautiful jaspery iron-stone ; brown crystallised quartz, with minute crystals of chlorite ; red ochre in abundance ; sulphate of barytes ; oxyde of titanium ; bituminous shale ; talcous slate ; and arsenieurate of iron. The principal gentlemen's seats in the vicinity are. New Park, the residence of the late Rt. Hon. Sir John Newport, Bart., who represented this city in parliament for a series of years ; Belmont House, of Sir Henry W^inston Barron ; Mullinabro' ; May Park ; Belmont ; Mount Pleasant ; Ballinamona ; Killaspy ; Bellevue ; Bishop's Hall ; Faithlegg House ; Woodstown, of Lord Carew ; Woodstown, of the Earl of Huntingdon ; Summerfield ; Harbour View; Droniona ; Grantstown ; and Blenheim Lodge.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 386

2. Binevenagh mountain panorama over Lough Foyle

   near Binevenagh · mountain or mountain range · Derry

   Binevenagh rises 1,260 feet above sea level at the southern boundary of the parish, commanding a prospect embracing Iona and the Western Isles of Scotland. On the Lough Foyle side it presents a bold and almost precipitous elevation.

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   The PARISH, which contains 13,137 statute acres, including '28 under water, is situated at tlie northern extremity of the county, having Lough Foylc on the west aud the Northern Ocean on the north ; the river Roe forms part of its southern boundary. The soil of the upland portion consists of clay aud bog, and in the lowlands is a mixture of sand and bog : three-fourths of the surface consist of mountain and barren land. The border to the sea is a fine strand, extending in its entire length from west to east upwards of 10 miles in an unbroken line, and backed in many parts by a range of basaltic cliffs, or by the sandy tract forming the great rabbit-warren of MagiUigan. In the south the land rises into the lofty mountain of Benyevenagh, whose summit, 1'260 feet above the level of the sea, and on the southern boundary of the parish, commands a most extended range of prospect, embracing the celebrated island of lona and others of the Western Isles of Scotland : on the side towards Lough Foyle the mountain rises with a bold and almost precipitous elevation. The vicinity of the ocean gives the air a mild and genial temperature, which is increased by the shelter afforded by this mountain against the eastern blast. The measurement of the celebrated base hne for the Ordnance survey of Ireland was commenced in this parish, and carried on through its entire length.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 312

3. Binevenagh summit and fallen strata terraces

   near Binevenagh · mountain or mountain range · Derry

   The summit of Benyevenagh, near the mouth of the Roe, offers a grand prospect. Huge masses of fallen strata form successive terraces descending to sandy flats bounded by Lough Foyle and the ocean.

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   part of Ireland, is from the summit of Benyevenagh, near the mouth of the Roe, from which mountain the huge masses of fallen strata form successive terraces descending to the sandy flats bounded by Lough Foyle and the ocean.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 93

4. Bingham marches to Ballinrobe and Ballintubber to suppress de Burgo revolt

   Ballintober · townland · Mayo · 1586

   After the de Burgos revolted again, Sir Richard Bingham proceeded to Ballinrobe where he hanged their hostages, then marched to Ballintubber and sent his forces into the woods and mountains, forcing the insurgents to submit and driving away 4000-5000 cattle.

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   which he proceeded to Ballinrobe, where, having uselessly spent several days iu endeavouring to bring them liack to their duty, he hanged their hostages. He then marched to Ballintubber, and sent out his kerne and foot-soldiers into the woods and mountains with such success, that he forced the insurgents to submit in a few weeks, and drove away a booty of between 4000 and 5000 head of cattle ; after which, he defeated a body of '.JOOO Scots that had landed near Sligo to give them assistance. A third journey was made into Connaught in 1589, by Sir Wm. Fitzwilliams, lord-deputy, who then received the submissions of O'Flaherty, William the blind Abbot, and others of INIayo and Tyrconnell.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 145

5. Birr castle, chief seat of the O'Carrols

   Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 1533–1537

   The castle of Birr was considered the chief seat of the O'Carrols, chieftains of the sept. It was besieged by Gerald, Earl of Kildare, in 1533, and taken by Lord Grey in 1537, events tied to the political struggles over Ely O'Carrol.

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   PARSONSTOWN, or Birr, a market and post-town, a parish, and the head of a union, in the barony of Bal- LYBRiTT, King's county, and province of Leinster, 18 miles (S. W.) from Tullamore, and 60 (W. S. W.) from Dublin, on the road from Tullamore to Roscrea ; containing 9567 inhabitants, of whom 6336 are in the town. The place derived its name of Birr from the abbey of Biorra, founded here by St. Brendan Luaigneus ; or from Bior, the Irish term for the bank or margin of a river. It constituted part of the ancient district of Ely O'Carrol in Ormond, in Munster ; and did not form any portion of the King's county as at first erected into shire ground in the reign of Philip and Mary, being annexed to it under an inquisition of the 2nd of James I. The castle of Birr was considered to be the chief seat of the O Carrols, chieftains of the sept. A great battle was fought in the vicinity, in 241, between Cormac, son of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and the people of Munster : the place suffered much from the ravages of the Danes in 841 and 842 ,•« and in 1154, O'Hedersgool, King of Cathluighe, was killed at the church-door.

   Soon after the English invasion, Henry II. granted this district to Philip de Worcester and Theobald Fitzwalter, subsequently to which he sold it to De Braosa and others : it was afterwards transferred to Hugh de Hose or Hussey, in which family it continued till the time of James I. In 1533, Gerald, Earl of Kildare, then lorddeputy, laid siege to the castle, in support of Ferganainim O'Carrol, his son-in-law ; but soon raised the siege, in consequence of a wound received from one of the garrison. Lord Grey, when lord-deputy, took the castle in 1537; and one of the charges against him, which led to his execution, was, that he had sanctioned the outrages committed by Fcrganainim O'Carrol. This chieftain eventually surrendered his territory to Edward VI., who restored it to him with the addition of the dignity of Baron of Ely during life. In the proceedings under the commission for the plantation of Ely O'Carrol, in

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 228

6. Birr church erected 1815 with steeple 100 feet high

   Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 1628–1815

   The church at Birr, erected in 1815 by a loan of £5,000 from the Board of First Fruits and £3,000 raised by assessment, is a stone edifice in the pointed style with a steeple 100 feet high. The walls and steeple of the old church also still stand, bearing a sculpture of the arms of Sir L. Parsons who died in 1628.

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   was built in 1826, by aid of a gift of £300 and a loan of £500 from the Board of First Fruits ; the glebe comprises 25 acres, rent free. The church, erected in 1S15, by a loan of £5000 from the Board, and £3000 raised by assessment, is a stone edifice in the pointed style of architecture, with a steeple 100 feet high. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish, which is still called Birr, is part of the bishop's mensal, and the head of a district . comprising also the parish of Longhkeen. Each of the parishes has a chapel : that at Birr is a splendid edifice in the later English style, having two minarets and a steeple 150 feet high, with a fine bell; it is the cathedral of the diocese. There are three other places of worship ; one for the Society of Friends, one for Wesleyans, and one for Presbyterians : that of the Wesleyans, erected in IS'20, is a handsome building with a well-executed pediment of hewn stone. The walls and steeple of the old church are still standing ; on the latter is a sculpture in stone of the arms of Sir L. Parsons, who died in 1628, impaled with those of his lady, Anne Malham. The union workhouse, on a site of 6f acres purchased for £415. 16., was completed in 1841 at a cost of £6900, and is constructed for 800 inmates.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 228

7. Birr granted to Lawrence Parsons under James I

   Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 1620

   In 1620, Birr and its appendages were assigned to Lawrence Parsons, brother of Sir William Parsons, the surveyor-general. The grant described the place as a castle, fort, village, and lands, indicating it was already of some importance. In the same year, Parsons obtained a licence for a market and fairs.

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   the reign of James I., Birr and its appendages were assigned to Lawrence Parsons, brother of Sir WiMiam Parsons, the surveyor-general, in 16'20 ; and, as in the grant the place is described as the castle, fort, village, and lands of Birr, it must have been of some importance. In the same year the new proprietor obtained a licence to hold a market on Tuesday, and two fairs ; and, seven years after, a licence for a Saturday market and two additional fairs. The assizes for the county used to be held here at that period.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 228

8. Birthplace of Baron M'Clelland and Bishop Dickson

   near Seapatrick · population centre · Down

   The late Baron M'Clelland was born in the parish of Seapatrick, as was his contemporary Dr. Dickson, Bishop of Down and Connor. Both are notable figures associated with this place on the river Bann.

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   The living is a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Dromore, and in the patronage of the Bishop and the Crown ; the rectory till lately formed part of the union of Aghaderg and of the corps of the deanery of Dromore. The tithe rent-charge is nearly £300. The glebehouse is a commodious old building ; the glebe comprises 1 1 If statute acres, valued at £155. 5. per annum. The church, a small building on the eastern shore of the Bann, was erected in 1698 upon the site of the ancient edifice, which had been destroyed in the war of 1641 ; being incapable of accommodating one-sixth of the population, a large church has been built near Banbridge, under the provisions of an order in council obtained in 1S34, at a cost exceeding £3000, of which £1500 were given by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, nearly £1000 by the Marquess of Downshire (who also gave the site), and the remainder was raised by voluntary contributions. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Tullylish. Near Banbridge is a meeting-house for Presbyterians in connexion with the Remonstrant Synod : here are also a meeting-house in connexion with the General Assembly, built in 1830; one until recently in connexion with the Seceding Synod; and a chapel each for the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists. The parochial schools, with residences for the master and mistress, situated on the glebe, are endowed with an acre of land, and supported by subscriptions. Near Banbridge is a large male and female schoolhouse, comprising a centre and wings, the former the residence of the master and mistress, and the latter the schools ; it was built by subscription, to which the Marquess of Downshire contributed £90, and is endowed with an acre and a half of land and £50 per annum. There are also schools at Ballydown, Ballylough, and Banbridge. At Tullyconnaught is a large school, founded and endowed by Miss M. Mulligan by will dated 1S24, and built in 1829 at a cost of £150; it is in connexion with the Board of National Education. On the Dromore road was a chalybeate spring, similar in its properties to the waters of Aix-la-Chapelle, and efficacious in scurvy ; it has been recently filled up. The late Baron M'^Clelland was born here ; as was also his contemporary. Dr. Dickson, Bishop of Down and Connor.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 275

9. Birthplace of harper Carolan at Nobber (1670)

   Nobber · town · Meath · 1670

   Nobber is the birthplace of the celebrated Irish harper Carolan, described as the last of the native bards, born in 1670. He became blind at an early age from smallpox.

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   It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, appropriate to the see, and comprising, with the parish of Loughbraccan, the perpetual cure of Nobber, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithe rent-charge is £360. 9-, the whole payable to the Bishop : the income of the perpetual curate arises from £55. 7- paid by the bishop, and from the glebe, which comprises 40 acres, valued at £70 per annum. The glebe-house was erected in 17B9, by a gift of £150 from the Board of First Fruits. The church is a plain structure, built in 1*71 by parish cess. In the Roman Catholic divisions Nobber is the head of a district, comprising this parish and that of Cruisetown, in each of which is a chapel ; that of Nobber is a neat and appropriate edifice, of modern erection, faced with hewn stone. Considerable remains of a religious foundation, supposed to have belonged to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, are in the churchyard ; as is also a monument of the Cruise family, of the date I6l9, erected to the memory of Gerald Cruise, of Brittas, and Margaret Pluukett, his wife. Near the town is a very large circular Danish fort, the summit of which commands an extensive prospect. Nobber is the birth-place of the celebrated Irish harper, Carolan, the last of the native bards, who was born in I67O, and became blind at a very early period of his life from the effects of the small pox.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 216

10. Bishop Bedell buried at Kilmore, 1641

    Kilmore · townland · Cavan · 1641

    Bishop Bedell, whose death was caused or hastened by hardships endured while held by insurgents in 1641, is buried in Kilmore churchyard. His former captors attended his funeral with great respect, and Bishop Cumberland was later interred in the same vault.

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    The LIVING of Kilmore is a vicarage, united by royal authority, at an unknown date, to the vicarage of Ballintemple and the rectory and vicarage of Keadue, together forming the union and the corps of the deanery of Kilmore, in the patronage of the Crown ; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Westraeath. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is f'^G'i. 10., of which £95. 18. are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar; the aggregate tithe of the benefice of the dean is £632. 13. The glebe-house is an old building. The glebe here comprises '27 0| acres of profitable land, and 265 of bog ; there is also, in the parish of Ballinteraple, a glebe of 103^ acres, besides which arc 436^ acres of profitable land and 47 acres of bog belonging to the deanery, though not in any of the parishes within the union. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church ; there are two chapels, situated respectively at Ballinagh and Drumcor, the latter built in 1 809, at an expense of £150. In the churchyard are interred the remains of Bishop Bedell, whose death was occasioned or accelerated by the severities he endured while in the hands of the insurgents in 1641. In such esteem was this exemplary prelate held, even by those who had hastened his decease, that they attended his funeral obsequies with the most unbounded demonstrations of respect and sorrow. In the same vault was interred Bishop Cumberland. On Trinity Island are the remains of an abbey ; and on a small island in Killekeeu lake are the ruins of the castle of Cloughoughter, in which Bishop Bedell was confined.

    KILMORE, a parish, in the union of Downp.\trick, partly in the barony of Kinelarty, but chiefly in that of Upper Castlereagh, county of Down, and province of Ulster, 4 miles (E.byS.) from Ballinahinch, and on the road from Downpatrick to Belfast ; containing 6277 inhabitants, of whom 134 are in the village. It comprises 1 '2,854 statute acres, of which 6387 1 are in 149

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 47

11. Bishop Courcy's burial and tower at Timoleague

    Timoleague · town · Cork · 1518

    Edmund Courcy, Bishop of Ross, was buried at Timoleague in 1518. He had built the square tower, now a conspicuous ornament, and also the dormitory and library of the abbey.

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    to the south more than 12 yards long, and on the south of the nave is an open arcade, extending round one side of the transept, and supported by seven irregular arches resting on cylindrical and square pillars without capitals. The windows are varied in their style and elevation : the east window is composed of three lofty lights, divided by stone mullions ; the south window of the transept is also of three lancet-shaped lights, and the great west window of two. On the east side of the south transept is an oratory with light and elegant window's, and those of the nave are pointed, square-headed, obtuse, and ogee. The division or screen between the nave and choir is by a lofty arch, on which rests a small light square tower, 68 feet high ; and beneath this tower is a narrow and curious passage similar to those leading to the rood-loft in English cathedrals. The dormitories, refectory, and other domestic edifices are remaining. During the reign of Mary, the monks retook possession of this abbey ; and iu 1603, the Roman Catholics again occupied it, and completely repaired it in every part. In 1518, Edmund Courcy, Bishop of Ross, was buried here ; he had built the scjuare tower, now so conspicuous an ornament, and also the dormitory and library. Timoleague was for several centuries the burial-place of the powerful families of Mac Carty Reagh, de Courcy, O'Cullan, O'Hea, and others. The castle belonging to Sir Roger Shaughnessy was besieged and burned in 1642, by Lord Forbes, who then set sail for the Shannon ; it was again taken from the Irish, in 1643, by Col. Myn.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 333

12. Bishop Forster's widows' asylum in Raphoe

    Raphoe · town · Donegal

    Bishop Forster founded an asylum for four poor clergymen's widows at Raphoe, endowing it with lands producing £50 per annum to each. The house, situated in the town, was purchased by the founder during his lifetime.

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    lands in the western part of the county, comprising from 5000 to 6000 acres, of which 1400 are profitable, and the remainder bog and mountain, producing together an annual income of £550 : the school-house was rebuilt in 1737, and enlarged in 1S30, and is a spacious and handsome building ; attached to it is a valuable library containing more than 3000 volumes, founded by Bishop Forster and Dr. Hall for the use of the clergy of the diocese. Of three other public schools, the parochial school is partly supported by annual donations from Colonel Robertson's fund, and a female working school is supported by the dean. An asylum for four poor clergymen's widows was founded by Bishop Forster, who endowed it with lands now producing to each £50 per annum ; the house, which is well adapted for the purpose, was purchased by the founder during his lifetime, and is situated in the town. There is also a dispensary.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 245

13. Bishop Maurice erects Augustinian priory at Kilmacduagh

    Kilmacduagh · townland · Galway · 1283

    In 1283, Bishop Maurice built a monastery for Augustinian canons on the original foundation site near Kilmacduagh cathedral. The monastery survived until the Reformation, when it was granted to the Earl of Clanrickarde.

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    KILMACDUAGH, a parish, and the seat of a diocese, in the union of Gort, barony of Kiltahta.v, county of Galway, and province of CoNNAUfJUT, at the junction of the roads from Ennis to Galway and Ballinasloe ; containing, with part of the post-town of Gort, 4149 inhabitants. This ske was founded by St. Colman, son of Duach, of the noble family of Hy Fiacrii of Connaught, distinguished from other Colmans, his contemporaries, by the appellation of Mac Duach, and who, after seven years' strict seclusion, about the year 6'20 fixed his residence at this place, where he built a monastery and church, called after him Killmac- Duach, whence the diocese has taken its name. The establishment was amply endowed by Guair, then king of Connaught, and by his successors. Mac Duach presided over the diocese till his death : of his successors previously to the arrival of the English, there occurs the name of one only, ludicct, who died in 814. Maurice, bishop of this see, who died in 1283, erected on the site of the original foundation, at a short distance from the present cathedral church, a monastery for Augustmian canons, which subsisted till the Reformation, when it was granted to the Earl of Clanrickarde. Stephen Keroian, who was consecrated in 1573, was translated to the see of Clonfert in 158'2, from which time this see remained vacant till 1587, when Roland Linch succeeded to the prelacy ; and he being, in leO'i, translated to the see of Clonfert, obtained permission to hold this diocese with it in cummendam, since which period the two sees continued to be held together till the recent death of the Right Rev. Dr. BuImu, when both were annexed to the see of Killaloe, and the temporalities vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, under the provisions of the Church Temporalities' act of the 3rd and 4th of William IV.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 41

14. Bishop of Ferns defied superiors from his castle

    Ferns · townland · Wexford · 1349

    John Esmond, Bishop of Ferns, having been deprived of his episcopal dignity by the pope in 1349, maintained himself in his castle of Ferns in defiance of his superiors. The sheriff declared himself unable to execute the king's writ against him.

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    In the meantime, however, in consequence of these changes and the non-residente of the great English lords, the county fell into a state of such confusion, that, in the beginning of the fourteenth century, a great part of it was seized by one of the Kavanaghs, who assumed the title of Mac Murrough, declared himself king of Leinster, and maintained possession of a large portion of Carlow and Wexford by means of his alliance with the O Tooles and Byrnes, the chieftains of Wicklow. Nor did the county suffer merely from the efforts of the natives to regain their ancient dominion. John Esmond, Bishop of Ferns, having been deprived of his 654

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 392

15. Bishop of Ferns routed assailants in sortie

    Ferns · townland · Wexford · 1360

    The successor to Bishop Esmond was equally warlike; when his castle was assaulted by Irish septs around 1360, he made a sortie in person at the head of his servants and retainers and routed the assailants with considerable slaughter.

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    episcopal dignity by the pope in the year 1349, maintained himself in his castle of Ferns, in defiance of the power of his superiors. The sheriff declared himself unable to execute the king's writ against him, and he was at length with difficulty brought to enter into articles to keep the peace. His immediate successor was equally warlike, for, when his castle was assaulted by some Irish septs about the year 1360, he made a sortie in person at the head of his servants and retainers, and routed the assailants with considerable slaughter. During the minority of George, great grandson of John, Earl of Shrewsbury, it was enacted by parliament, in 14*4, that Gilbert Talbot, Esq., might exercise and enjoy the liberty of the county of Wexford, with cognizance of all pleas and jurisdictions royal, under the name of Seneschal of the Liberty of Wexford, with power to appoint all officers established of old within that liberty. Earl George afterwards enjoyed it, until 1537, when an act was passed vesting in the crown this and the other possessions of the great absentee lords of Ireland, and the separate jurisdiction of the liberty was thereby terminated. During its existence, the county returned two sets of representatives to the Irish parliament ; two members being sent for the liberty, in which the return was made by the lord's seneschal ; and two for the Cross, or Church lands within the county, over which was a sheriff appointed by the king, to whom the writs were addressed.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 392

16. Bishop Patrick Magonail erects episcopal palaces, 1360

    Raphoe · town · Donegal · 1360

    In 1360, Patrick Magonail erected episcopal palaces in three manors belonging to the see of Raphoe. This was one of the few major medieval building events recorded for the diocese.

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    The See appears to have originated during the abbacy of St. Eunaii, who converted the church of the monastery into a cathedral and became the first bishop, but at what date cannot be precisely ascertained; nor is any thing more recorded of his successors prior to the English invasion than the mere names of one or two prelates, of whom the last, Aengus, died in 957. Gilbert O'Laran, who was consecrated in 1 160, was a subscribing witness to a charter of confirmation granted by Maurice M'Loughlin, King of Ireland, to the abbey of Newry, and is in that deed described as Bishop of Tirconnel, from the name of the territory in which the church of Raphoe is situated. During the prelacy of Carbiac O'Scoba, who succeeded in 1266, part of the diocese was forcibly taken away by German OCherballen, Bishop of Derry, and added to that see ; in 1360, Patrick Magonail erected episcopal palaces in three manors belonging to the see of Raphoe. The last Roman Catholic bishop, previously to the Reformation, was Donut Magonail, who assisted at the Council of Trent in 1563 ; and the first Protestant bishop was George Montgomery, a native of Scotland, who had been dean of Norwich and chaplain of James I., and was consecrated to this see in 1605. Robert Huntingdon, celebrated for his extensive attainments in oriental literature, and his assiduity in collecting, during VZ years' residence at Aleppo, a valuable series of oriental manuscripts, of which many are in the Bodleian library at Oxford, and who had, while provost of Dublin University, been instrumental in printing the Old Testament in the Irish language, was appointed Bishop of Raphoe in 1701, but lived only 1'2 days after his consecration. John Pooley, who succeeded in 170'i, repaired the palace, and enlarged the cathedral by the addition of a north and south transept, rendering it perfectly cruciform. From 1605 the see was held as a separate diocese till the passing of the Church Temporalities' act of the 3rd of William IV., by which it was enacted that, on the next avoidance, it should be united to the see of ■ Derry ; which union, on the decease of the late fC. Bisset, D.D., in 1835, was carried into effect, and the temporalities became vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 245

17. Bishop's Cave near Dunmore

    Dunmore · townland · Waterford

    An immense sea cave called the Bishop's Cave, over 100 feet long and 24 wide, lies more than 50 yards from the sea but is approachable by boat at high water. Several other caves exist nearby at Rathmoylan, Ballamacaw, and Brownstown Head.

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    Chalybeate springs are particularly numerous in the barony of Gaultier ; the most efficacious are that at Monamintra, and that near the " Fairy Bush." The Clonmel spa, on the Waterford side of the Suir, is a strong chalybeate ; and the others of the same nature at all noted are, some very strongly impregnated between Dungarvan and Youghal ; that of Two-mile-bridge ; that of Ballygallane, between Lismore and Cappoquin ; one between Knockmeledown and Lismore ; and one at Kilmeaden. Tiie vitriolic spas are those at Modeligo and Cross, the latter in the parish of Kill St. Nicholas. Among the natural curiosities may be noticed the numerous caverns, the largest of which are on the sea-coast. In the little bay of Dunmore is a small fissure : some distance westward is an immense hole called the Bishop's cave, upwards of 100 feet long and 24 wide ; and though mare than SO yards from the sea, it is approachable in a boat at high water. There are several more caves in this neighbourhood, as at Rathmoylan and Ballamacaw, and in Brownstown Head. Vol. II.— 633

    w A T !•:

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 376

18. Bishop's-gate built 1788 commemorating the siege

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1788

    Of the city's gates, only Bishop's-gate and Ship-quay gate are embellished. Bishop's-gate was built by subscription in 1788, being the centenary in commemoration of the siege of Derry.

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    feet high, and contains about 200 acres. The ancient portion of the city occupies the higher grounds, and is surrounded by massive walls completed iu I6I7, at the expense of the society ; they form a parallelogram nearly a mile in circumference, and iu the centre is a square called the Diamond, from which four principal streets radiate at right angles towards the principal gates. Since the Union the city has considerably increased, particularly on the north along the shore of the river, where several warehouses, stores, and merchants' residences have been erected : on the west is also a considerable suburb, in which, within the last fifteen years, some new streets have been formed ; and on the eastern bank of the river is another, called Waterside. The walls, which are well built and in a complete state of repair, are nearly 1800 yards in circuit, '24 feet high, and of sufficient thickness to form an agreeable promenade on the top. The four original gates have been rebuilt on an enlarged and more elegant plan, and two more added ; but the only two that are embellished are Bishop's-gate and Ship-quay gate, the former built by subscription in 17^8, being the centenary in commemoration of the siege. In 16'28 the Irish Society were ordered to erect guard and sentinel houses, of which two are yet remaming : of the several bastions, the north-western was demolished in 18'24, to make room for the erection of a butter-market; and in IS'26 the central western bastion was appropriated to the reception of a public testimonial in honour of the celebrated George Walker. A few guns are preserved in their proper positions, but the greater number are used as posts for fastening cables and protecting the corners of streets. The houses are chiefly built of brick : the entire number in the city and suburbs, in 1841, was '2409. The city is watched, paved, cleansed, and lighted with gas, under the superintendence of commissioners of general police, consisting of the mayor and twelve inhabitants chosen by ballot : the gas-works were erected in 18'29, at an expense of £7000, raised in shares of £11. Water is conveyed to the town across the bridge by pipes, from a reservoir on Brae Head, beyond the Waterside, in the parish of Glendermot, or Clondermot ; the works were constructed by the corporation under an act of the 40th of George III., at a total expense of £13,500, and iron pipes have been laid down within the last few years.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 101

19. Bishop's Gate, New Ross

    New Ross · town · Wexford

    One of the five town gates of New Ross, the Bishop's Gate, is still standing and retains evidence of former magnificence, including a portcullis and a delicately groined roof. Priory (South) Gate and Three-Bullet Gate have been recently taken down.

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    The vestiges of ancient buildings or monuments are but few. The walls of a convent of Minorites, founded by Sir John Devereux on the site of the house of Crutched Friars destroyed by the people, were pulled down in 1732, with the exception of a large red pillar supposed to have been erected in commemoration of the sanguinary act of the townsmen : in a garden on its site were found some sepulchral stones sc\ilptured with crosses, and bearing inscriptions in Norman French. The walls of the chancel and transepts of the old parish church, commonly called Christ Church, and which was originally the conventual church of St. Saviour, are in a state of tolerable preservation, affording a good specimen of the style of the 13th century. One of the five town gates is still standing : it is called the Bishop's gate, and retains proofs of former magnificence ; it had a portcullis, and the roof of the archway is very delicately groined : Priory or South gate and the Three-Bullet gate have been lately taken down. The only other remains of the walls are, a small fragment near the site of the South gate, and part of an oval tower near the site of the Three-Bullet gate. About a mile from the town, within the bounds of its liberties, but exempt from its ancient corporate jurisdiction, is a square tower or keep of moderate dimensions, the remains of Mountgarret Castle, from which a branch of the noble family of Butler derives its title. In the town were standing, within the memory of some of the present inhabitants, the ruins of a fortress called Mulgrave Castle, from which the family of Phipps derives the title of Baron Mulgrave of New Ross. The town itself gives the title of Earl to the Parsons family.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 264

20. Bishop's Palace at Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford

    The Bishop's Palace stands on the south side of the open space surrounding Waterford Cathedral. It is a handsome hewn-stone building with a fine Doric portico facing the Mall and rustic-work detailing facing the churchyard.

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    for a consistory court. The present church, which is parochial, was erected under the authority of a committee appointed by the corporation, and superintended by the dean and chapter, at the expense of £5397, defrayed by a grant from the corporation, the tithes of Cahir bequeathed by Bishop Gore for the repairs of churches in this diocese and in that of Lismore, the produce of the sale of pews, and private subscription. It is a handsome structure, partly built with the materials of the old church, in the modern style of architecture, with a lofty and much ornamented steeple rising from the west end ; the whole length is 1*0 feet, and the breadth .58 feet. The western entrance has on one side the consistorial court, and on the other the vestry, and above these are apartments for a library ; between the entrance and the body of the church is a spacious vestibule, in which are preserved some of the monuments of the old cathedral. That portion of the building which may be called the church is 90 feet long and 40 feet high, and consists of a nave and aisles, separated by ranges of columns supporting galleries. In 1815, an accidental fire materially injured the building, and destroyed the organ; but it was restored in 1818 at a very great e.vpense, towards which £2000 were granted by the Board of First Fruits. Among the monuments in the vestibule are, one to the Fitzgerald family, erected in 1770; a very neat monument to Mrs. Susannah Mason, erected in 1752; and one to Bishop Foy : among those of more modern erection is a tablet to the memory of Bishop Stock, who died in 1813. In the churchyard are two remarkably ancient monuments ; one to James Rice, mayor in 1469; the other bearing the figure of a man in armour, but without date or inscription. James Rice, about the year 1482, built a chapel 22 feet square against the north side of the cathedral, and dedicated it to St. James the Elder and St. Catherine ; this, with another chapel to the east of it, and the chapter-house, was taken down about 60 years since, in order to enlarge the churchyard. The bishop's palace is situated on the south side of the open space that surrounds the cathedral, and is a handsome building of hewn stone : the front towards the Mall is ornamented with a fine Doric portico and enriched cornice ; the other, facing the churchyard, has the doorway, window cases, and quoins in rustic work. The Deanery-house, and also a building for the accommodation of clergymen's widows, called the Widows' Apartments, are situated in the same space.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 386

21. Bishop's Palace built on site of Augustinian convent, Derry

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1761–1803

    The Bishop's Palace was built around 1761 during Bishop Barnard's prelacy on the site of an Augustinian convent. It was almost rebuilt by the Earl of Bristol and later repaired by Bishop Knox after being damaged when occupied as a barrack in 1803. Its gardens extend to the city wall.

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    The CATHEDRAL, which also serves as the parish church of Templemore, was completed in 1633 ; the former one, erected in 1164, having been destroyed by Sir Henry Docwra. The cost of the building, amounting to £4000, was defrayed by the corporation of the city of London. It is principally in the later English style, with various decorations since added, which do not harmonize with its prevailing character ; and consists of a nave and aisles, separated by stone pillars and arches, with a tower at the west end surmounted by an elegant octagonal spire terminating in a cross and spear : on the cast gable is a cross springing from the central battlement. The entire structure is 240 feet long, and 66 feet broad ; the height of the tower and spire is '2'28 feet, from the churchyard. In 1778, the Earl of Bristol, then Bishop of Derry, completed a new spire of hewn stone, svith open ornamented windows, and the old tower was raised 21 feet; but in ISO'2, owing to the dilapidated state of the tower, the spire was taken down and soon after rebuilt from a fund of £400, half of which was contributed by the Irish Society and half by Bishop Knox and the citizens. The society also contributed a sum for the embellishment of the cathedral in 1SI9 ; and in IS'i'i the old roof of lead was replaced by a slate roof. A new organ was erected in IHIQ by subscription, to which Bishop Knox contributed £100, and Dean Gough and the corporation £50 each. On the north of the tonimunion-table is a handsome monument of Italian marble, by Behnes, erected in 1834 to the memory of Bishop Knox, at an expense of £500, raised by subscription : on an elevated plinth is an inscribed tablet, above which is represented a tomb surmounted by a mitre, on the right of which is a fulllength figure of Religion, and on the left one of Charity with a babe on her arm and two children of different ages standing at her knees. There are various other tablets, one of which, to the memory of the father of the Rev. William Hamilton, D.D., is inscribed with an epitaph by that distinguished naturalist. The Bishop's Palace, built about the year I76I, during the prelacy of Bishop Barnard, is a substantial and commodious building, occupying the site of the Augustinian convent ; it was almost rebuilt by the Earl of Bristol, when bishop, and, after the damage which it sustained by being occupied as a barrack in ISO'a, was repaired by Bishop Knox. The gardens in the rear comprise nearly two acres, and extend to the city wall : having at the above period been appropriated as a parade, that designation is still applied to the adjacent part of the wall. The Deanery, a large unadorned edifice of brick, was built in lb33 by the Rev. T. B. Gough, the present dean, at an expense of £3421. 16., to be reimbursed by his successor.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 105

22. Bishop Street Gaol

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1819–1824

    The gaol in Bishop Street, Derry, was erected between 1819 and 1824 by Messrs. Henry, Mullins, and M'Mahon. Built on the radiating plan, it contained 179 single cells and introduced the silent system in 1835.

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    The Corporation Hall, in the centre of the Diamond, and on the site of the original town-house built by the Irish Society in 16'2'2, was erected by the corporation in 169'2, and, till 1825, when it was rebuilt by the corporation, was called the Market-house or Kxchange: the south front, in which is the principal entrance, is circular. The upper story contains a common-council room, an assembly-room, and an ante-chamber. On the ground floor, which was formerly open for the sale of meal and potatoes, but was closed in 1S25, is a news-room established by the corporation in that year. The Court-house, completed in 1817 at an expense of £30,479. 15., including the purchase of the site and furniture, is a handsome building of white sandstone, chiefly from the neighbourhood of Dungivcn, ornamented with Portland stone, and erected from a design by Mr. John Bowden. It measures 126 feet by 66, and exhibits a facade judiciously broken by a tetrastyle portico of the enriched Ionic order, modelled from that of the temple of Erectheus at Athens : over the jjediment are the royal arms ; and the wings are surmounted by statues of Justice and Peace sculptured in Portland stone by the late Edward Smith. The principal apartments are the crown and record courts, the mayor's public and private offices, the offices of the recorder, treasurer, and clerks of the crown and peace, the judges' room, and the grand-jury room : in addition to the assizes, sessions, and mayor's court, the county and other meetings are held in it. The Gaol, situated in Bishop-street, beyond the gate, was erected between the years 1819 and 1824, by Messrs. Henry, Mullins, and M'Mahon, at an expense of £33,718, late currency : the front, which is partly coated with cement and partly built of Dungivcn stone, extends 242 feet ; and the depth of the entire building, including the yards, is 400 feet. It is built on the radiatinc plan ; the governor's house,

    2M

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 104

23. Black Battery and the breach of the Siege of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Some remains of the celebrated Black Battery survived in Limerick, close to the breach that was defended heroically against William's army during the Siege of Limerick. This site is a key landmark of the city's military history.

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    Limerick anciently contained two Augustinian monasteries, one of Regular Canons, and the other of hermits : the Regular Canons had another house in the contiguous parish of Mungrett, which was destroyed by the Danes in IIO7. In 1227, a Dominican friary was founded in the city by Donogh Carbragh O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, which became a place of great magnificence, and was the burial-place of various prelates and other eminent men: part of the walls still exists, and the cemetery formed the garden of the late Presentation convent. There were also a Franciscan convent, founded by William Fion de Burgo ; a house of canonesses of the order of St. Augustine, founded in 1 17 1, by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick ; and a house of the Knights Templars ; but no remains of these buildings are now discernible. The military antiquities consist of the ruins of the fortress called King John's Castle, at the end of Thomond-bridge, comprehending the great gateway, defended by two massive round towers, and the outer walls, having similar defences, and presenting a fine relic of the military architecture of that remote period ; of dilapidated portions of the walls and towers of the citadel nearly contiguous, in which the Castle barracks have been erected ; of various portions of the town walls ; and of some of the outworks, especially a fort on the King's Island, north of the Old Town. There are also some remains of the celebrated Black Battery, close to which was the breach defended so heroically against William's army. In the rural parishes of the ancient hberties are the ruins of several forts.

    LISB

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 79

24. Black Castle ruins at Leighlinbridge

    Leighlinbridge · town · Carlow

    At the foot of the bridge on the eastern bank of the river stand the ruins of Black Castle, an ivy-covered oblong tower about 50 feet high forming the north-western angle of a quadrangular inclosure. A round tower with walls ten feet thick stands at the south-eastern angle, and remnants of a monastery with loop-hole windows and a stone doorway survive at the south end of the west wall.

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    equal parts, and contains 375 houses. In the excise arrangements the town is within the district of Kilkenny. The market is on Monday and Saturday, and is amply su])plied with corn and butter ; fairs are held on Easter- Monday, May 14th, Sept. 25th, and Dec. 27th. There is a constabulary police station. The parish church of Wells, and a Roman Catholic chapel, are in that portion of the town which lies on the Wells side of the river ; and there is also a national school. About a mile distant is a celebrated spa, much resorted to. At the foot of the bridge, and on the eastern bank of the river, are the ruins of Black Castle, consisting of an oblong tower about 50 feet high, completely capped with ivy ; one of the floors resting on an arch is still remaining, and there is a flight of steps leading to the summit. The tower appears to have formed the north-western angle of a quadrangular inclosure, 315 feet in length and 234 feet wide, surrounded by a wall seven feet thick, with a fosse on the outside; part of the wall is standing on the west side, and at the south-eastern angle of the inclosure are the ruins of a round tower, the walls of which are ten feet in thickness. At the south end of the west wall of the quadrangle was the monastery, of which an old building with loop-hole windows, and a stone doorway, are supposed to be the only remaining portion ; adjoining, and within the inclosure, was a cemetery, now converted into a garden. In the neighbourhood of the town was the abbey of Achadfinglass, founded by St. Fintan, who died in the 6th century ; it was plundered by the Danes in 864, and there are no remains, even the precise site being unknown.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 68

25. Black Castle ruins on rocky sea projection at Wicklow

    Wicklow · town · Wicklow

    A small fragment of the walls of an ancient castle called the Black Castle survives on a rocky projection overhanging the sea at Wicklow. The masonry is so excellent that it appears to be a portion of the natural rock.

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    On a rocky projection overhanging the sea, may still be seen a small fragment of the walls of the ancient castle, the masonry of which is so excellent that it appears to be a portion of the natural rock : it is called the Black Castle. There are also some remains of a Franciscan convent, founded by the Byrnes and O'Tooles in the reigu of Henry HI., near the entrance of the town from the Dublin and Wexford road ; they are inclosed in the grounds of the parish priest, for which a nominal rent is charged. In the grounds are a number of remarkably fine old yew-trees. 676

    WOOD

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 407

26. Black Cattle castle erected at Leighlin-Bridge 1181

    Leighlinbridge · town · Carlow · 1181

    Hugh de Lacy granted the lands of Leighlin to John de Clahul (or de Claville), who in 1181 erected a strong castle or fortress called the Black Cattle, one of the earliest English defences in Ireland.

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    LEIGHLIN-BRIDGE, a market and post town, partly in the parish of Augha, barony of Idrone-East, but chiefly in that of Wells, barony of Idrone-West, union and county of Carlow, and province of Lein- STER, 6 miles (S.) from Carlow, and 45 (S. S. W.) from Dublin, on the coach-road to Cork; containing 1748 inhabitants. This place derives its name from a bridge over the river Barrow, which connects the two parts of the town on the opposite banks with each other and is in a line with the road leading to Old Leighlin, in contradistinction to which place, previously to the erection of the bridge, this town was generally called New Leighlin. The lands were granted by Hugh de Lacy to John de Clahul, or de Claville, who in 1181 erected a strong castle or fortress, called the Black Cattle, which was one of the earliest defences of the English in Ireland. Towards the close of the reign of Henry III., a Carmelite monastery was founded near the castle, on the eastern bank of the Barrow, by a member of the Carew family, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The bridge, of nine arches, was built in 1320 by Maurice Jakis, a canon of the cathedral of Kildare, to facilitate the intercourse between the religious houses of Old and New Leighlin. As the English settlement here became more insecure, the monastery was much exposed to the hostile attacks of the native Irish; and in 1371, Ed^'ard III. granted ten marks annually for the repair and rebuilding of the house, which grant was renewed six years afterwards. In 1378, Richard II., in consideration of the expense and labour of supporting the house and the bridge against the king's enemies, bestowed on the prior an annual pension of 20 marks out of the rents of the town of Newcastle of Lyons ; he confirmed the gift in 1394, and it was also ratified by Henry IV. and Henry V., the latter monarch ordering that all arrears then due should be paid. In 1408, Gerald, fifth earl of Kildare, built another fortress here, which he called White Castle ; and after the Dissolution the monastery was also converted into a fort, and occupied as a military station by Sir Edward Bellingham, Marshal of the English army and Lord-Deputy of Ireland. This fort was taken in 1577 by Rory Oge O'More, dynast of Leix, who destroyed the town by fire ; and in 1649 it surrendered to the parliamentarians under Col. Hewson, soon after which the main army under Ireton, on their march to Carlow, laid waste the neighbouring country.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 67

27. Black Cave basaltic cavern north of Larne

    near Larne · town · Antrim

    A cavern called the Black Cave lies on the sea side about a mile north of Larne, passing under the projecting base of a huge rock. It is 60 feet long, open at both ends, and its sides are formed of large basaltic columns.

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    The parish comprises 2210 statute acres of good arable and pasture land ; the system of agriculture is slowly improving, and there is neither waste laud nor bog. Limestone abounds, and is quarried both for building •and agricultural purposes ; at Ballycraigey, about a mile to the north of the town, is a quarry of felspar, worked occasionally for building ; and at Bankhead a fine stratum of coal has been discovered, but is not worked. The principal seats are, Gardenmore, an elegant villa; and the Curraan. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Connor, and in the patronage of the Dean; the tithe rent-charge is £102, of which £92. 16. 8. are payable to the curate, who receives also £23. S. from Primate Boulter's fund. The glebe-house was built in 1824, by a gift of £450 and a loan of £50 from the Board of First Fruits ; the glebe comprises 3^: acres. The church, previously to its alteration in 1S19, had some interesting details of ancient architecture. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Carrickfergus and Larue ; a chapel was erected here in 1832 by subscription. There are places of worship for Presbyterians in connexion with the General Assembly, and with the Presbytery of Antrim ; also for Wesleyan Methodists. A dispensary is supported by subscription. The workhouse of the union, ou a site of 5^ acres purchased for £477, "as completed in 1S42, at a cost of £4989, and is constructed to contain 400 paupers. There are some remains of the ancient castle of Olderfleet, on the promontory of Curraan. On the sea side, about a mile north of the town, is a cavern called the Black Cave, passing under the projecting base of a huge rock ; the length of the cave, which is open at both ends, is 60 feet, and its height from 3 to 30 feet ; the sides are formed of basaltic columns of large dimensions. On the shore of the lough, near Larne, are some singular petrifactions of a blue colour, apparently the result of a spring issuing from a bank at high-water mark. In a short road leading from the east to the north of the town is a chalybeate spring, at present little used.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 64

28. Blackstairs commons dispute and Kavanagh inclosure

    Blackstairs Mountain · mountain or mountain range · Wexford · 1633–1844

    Commons on Blackstairs and White Mountain were claimed by local tenantry until Mr. Kavanagh of Borris inclosed a great portion and built houses there around 1633. A protracted lawsuit ended in July 1844 with a verdict for the tenantry, and the inclosures were thrown down.

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    KILLAN, or Kill.^inne, a parish, in the union of Enniscorthy, barony of Bantry, county of Wexford, and province of Leinster, 6 miles (W. by N.) from Enniscorthy, and on the high road from New Ross to Newtownbarry ; containing 3193 inhabitants. This parish comprises 11,424 statute acres; the lands are principally under tillage, the soil is light, and the system of agriculture improving. There is no waste land, except on the higher part of the mountain of Blackstairs, which bounds the parish on the west, separating the counties of Wexford and Carlow, and is cultivated to a considerable height from its base. Some commons extending over the higher parts of Blackstairs and White Mountain, in this parish and that of Templeudigau, were for a series of years considered to belong to the tenantry of the adjoining lands ; but about 1633, Mr. Kavanagh, of Borris, disputing their right, inclosed a great portion of the district, and built substantial houses in it : this led to a protracted lawsuit, which was finally terminated at the assizes of Wexford in July, 1S44, by a verdict against Mr. Kavanagh, establishing the right of the tenantry to the commonage : the inclosures and buildings have since been thrown down. At Woodbrook is a slate-quarry, which has been worked occasionally for private purposes. Lime for manure is drawn from kilns at Gores-bridge, in the county of Kilkenny, a distance of 13 Irish miles; also from kilns at Ballyane, near New Ross, distant nine miles. The principal seats are the Grange and Woodbrook. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Ferns, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithe rent-charge is £35*. 18. The church, a handsome edifice in the early English style, with some later details, was erected in 1832, at an expense of £1270, towards which a loan of £1200 was granted by the late Board of First Fruits ; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners recently granted £116 for its repair. The late Board also gave £100 towards the erection of the glebe-house, an elegant modern villa, pleasantly situated in a plantation of beech and fir' and commanding a fine view of the White and Black' stairs mountains : the glebe comprises 37 acres. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 33

29. Blackwater expands near Kells

    Kells · town · Meath

    The Blackwater river opens out into a fine expanse of water near Kells. This is noted among the scenic features of the county.

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    proportion of mould previously untouched. In the undulating districts, the soil is a light earth, upon a stiff clay bottom ; a vein of limestone-gravel of irregular depth is frequently discovered beneath, but otherwise an impervious substratum of ochreous clay runs to a considerable depth. In the northern part, the soil on the hills is generally a dry gravelly clay, from V2 to IS inches deep, but in the intervening valleys there is a deep rich loam. The herbage of the hills is remarkable for fattening sheep, and that of the low lands equally noted for feeding cattle. The district stretching along the shore is composed of a very light soil, chiefly of sand, with little vegetative power, and yielding little but bent grass. The quantity of bog in Meath is small in proportion to that of the general surface, and very unequally distributed. Lough Sheelin forms a small part of the county boundary towards Cavan ; Church Island, in that lake, belongs to Meath. The Blackwater opens out into a fine expanse of water near Kells.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 149

30. Blackwater river runs underground near Shrule

    Shrule · town · Mayo

    The Blackwater, also called the Shrule, forms the boundary between Mayo and Galway for a short distance and has an underground course for three miles near Shrule before reappearing and falling into Lough Corrib.

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    No RIVERS of any importance rise in the county or pass through it. The May, which separates it from Sligo, after receiving the waters of Loughs Cullen and Conn, flows in a broad stream by Ballina into the bajj of Killala. The bar has deep water after great floods, but is dangerous from its liability to shift. A few years since, it was passed by vessels drawing 14 feet water ; it is now often fordable in dry summers : sloops, however, ascend to within a mile of Ballina. It has been proposed to form a lock at Belleek Castle, by which vessels of heavy burthen might come up to the town, if a passage were cut through the limestone ledges that obstruct the navigation. The Blackwater, also called the Shrule, which for a short distance forms the boundary between Mayo and Galway, has an underground course for three miles near Shrule ; after its re-appearance it falls into Lough Corrib. The Aile, which is navigable for boats of six feet draught for a distance of five miles from Lough Mask, also disappears for some time, after having sunk under a stratum of limestone. The Castlebar river is navigable from Lough Conn for the distance of four miles : the Lung, which flows into Lough Carra, admits boats from the lake, which ascend the river about three miles. The other rivers are little more than mountain streams : the principal are, the Oicenmore, falling into Blacksod bay, and remarkable for the quantity of water it sometimes carries from the mountains ; the Deel ; the Robe ; the Erriv ; and the Carnamart.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 147

31. Blackwater river scenery called 'the Irish Rhine'

    Cappoquin · town · Waterford

    The lovely scenery of the river Blackwater earned it the name 'the Irish Rhine' from the tourist Inglis. A small steamer ascended the river daily as far as Cappoquin, rendering the scenery accessible to visitors.

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    The harbour is safe and commodious, and at spring tides is accessible to vessels of 500 tons' burthen. Ships of any burthen may ride afloat off the town, when inside, as there is a depth of four fathoms at low water ; but there is a bar across the entrance, extending about a mile to the south, on which are only five feet at low water, and thirteen feet at high water of neap tides : the sea is consequently rough when the wind blows on the shore or against ,the tide. The quays are extensive and in good repair ; and on one of them is the custom-house, a building well adapted to its purpose ; but Youghal being only a creek to Cork, most of the large vessels discharge at the latter port. Here is a coast-guard station consisting of one officer and seven men under a resident inspecting commander, forming the head of the district of Youghal, which extends from Ballyvoile Head to Bally- William Cove eastward, a distance of 54 miles of maritime boundary, comprising the subordinate stations of Helwick Head, Ardmore, Knockadoon, and Ballycotton. In 1844 the fishery district possessed 586 registered craft for fishing, giving employment to 2864 men and boys. The market is daily, but the principal market is on Saturday, which is large and well supplied, particularly with fish, meat, and vegetables ; and fairs, all of which are toll free, are held on the first Thursday of each month, Ascension-day, and the 18th of October. There are two convenient market places for butchers'- meat, and another for fish. The Bank of Ireland, and the Provincial Bank, have each a branch in the town, and transact considerable business. A mail-coach to Cork from Waterford passes through the town every evening, and another to the latter city is despatched every morning ; a second daily mail to Dublin, via Fermoy, has been recently established, as also a second daily mail to Cork; besides which there are several stagecoaches every day to Cork ; and public cars to Ardmore, Dungarvan, and Clonmel, on the plan introduced by Mr. Bianconi. The lovely scenery of the river Blackwater, which procured for it from the tourist Inglis the name of " the Irish Rhine," is now rendered accessible by means of a small steamer that ascends the river daily as far as Cappoquin. The question of rendering the Blackwater yet further navigable, even up to Fermoy and Mallow, has been often canvassed ; a joint-stock company is now in process of formation under the patron-

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 412

32. Blayney fortress site on hill north of Monaghan

    Monaghan · town · Monaghan

    A small earthen mound on the hill north of Monaghan town marked the site of a fortress built by Sir Edward Blayney for the town's protection. Sir John Davies noted it served both as garrison and gaol.

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    A large house in the Diamond is said to occupy the site of an ancient castle ; and in the rear of it are some old walls, said to be the remains of the abbey : the cemetery attached appears to have been very extensive. In levelling the ground in front of the old gaol, human bones and a skull of unusually large size were discovered. On the summit of the hill to the north of the town, and near the site of the new gaol, was a small mound of earth, marking the site of the fortress built by Sir Edward Blayney for the protection of the town, and noticed by Sir John Davies as serving both for a garrison and a gaol. Several silver coins have been found, among which were a curious coin of one of the Henrys, and a larger coin of James I., which is in good preservation ; and in a meadow near the river was dug up, some years since, an ancient brass spur, similar to those in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin. On the townland of Lisard, about two miles to the southwest of the town, is a perfect fort, with a rampart and fosse ; it is situated on an eminence commanding the surrounding country.

    MONAMINTRA, an ancient parish, in the union of Waterford, barony of Gaultier, county of Waterford, and province of Munster, 4 miles (S. S. E.) from Waterford j containing 100 inhabitants, and comprising 357 statute acres. — See the article on Monemointer, or Ballycloghy.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 164

33. Bleach-green at Carnmeen

    near Carnmeen · townland · Down

    One of the most complete and extensive bleach-greens in the country is located at Carnmeen near Newry. It represents the thriving linen industry of the area.

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    Newry is much more a commercial than a manufacturing town, but has nevertheless some thriving factories and other works. There are two iron-foundries, each on an extensive scale, for hght castings : the manufacture of flint-glass is carried on largely ; there are also manufactories of cordage, and of spades, shovels, and other kinds of ironmongery. One of the most complete and extensive bleach-greens in the country is at Carnmeen; and at Bessbrook is a mill for spinning, erected in 1846, at a cost of £3.5,000. The Newry flour-mills, worked by water, consume 900 tons of wheat annually ; and there are several others in the immediate vicinity, the produce of which is mostly shipped to Liverpool. An oatmeal-mill grinds 17,000 barrels of grain annually, which are wholly purchased for Liverpool and Manchester ; and in the neighbourhood are others equally extensive. Ship-building is carried on with spirit.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 208

34. Bleach-green at Milltown, Magheralin

    Milltown · townland · Down

    At Milltown in the parish of Magheralin, a bleach-green annually finished upwards of 10,000 pieces for the English market.

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    churchyard ; it was founded by St. Colman, or Mocholmoc, who died in 699. The ancient palace of the bishops of Dromore was close to the village, on the site now occupied by the parochial school ; the last prelate who resided in it was Bishop Marley. The parish contains, according to the Ordnance survey, 8293^ statute acres, of which 486;^ are in the county of Armagh, and the remainder in the county of Down. The lands are all in tillage, with the exception of a portion of meadow : the system of agriculture is improved. Here are extensive quarries of limestone, and several kilns, from which lime is sent into the counties of Antrim, Armagh, and Down ; this being the western termination of the great limestone formation that rises near the Giant's Causeway. There are also good quarries of basalt much used in building, which dresses easily under the tool ; and coal and freestone are found in the parish, but neither has been extensively worked. A new line of road has been formed hence to Lurgan, a distance of 25 miles, and an excavation made through the village. An extensive establishment at Springfield, for the manufacture of cambrics, affords employment for 250 persons ; and at Milltown, a bleach-green annually finishes upwards of 10,000 pieces for the English market. The principal seats are Grace Hall, Druinnabreze, Newforge, Springfield, Edenmore, and Kircassock.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 129

35. Bleach-greens at Turlough

    Turlough · townland · Mayo

    Two extensive bleach-greens near Westport and another at Turlough serve the linen trade, where cloth is generally sold grey and sent elsewhere to be bleached. The linen is chiefly manufactured in the cabins of the poor.

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    Linen is extensively manufactured, chiefly in the cabins of the poor, many of which, particularly in the mountainous districts, are furnished with a loom : the cloth is generally sold grey, and sent elsewhere to be bleached, although there are two extensive bleach- greens near Westport, and another at Turlough. At Ballyclare is a very extensive manufactory of linens, nnions, diapers, and sheetings : friezes, flannels, and woollen stockings, are made in all parts ; the chief markets for the sale of them are Castlebar and Westport. A manufacture of straw-plat for hats and bonnets has been introduced. Kelp is made on all parts of the coast. The increasing demand for grain, chiefly oats for Liverpool, aided by the establishment of corn-buyers in the sea- ports, has given ri«e to a considerable export trade, for which Killala, Ballina, Newport, and Westport are the chief marts.

    Along the whole coast are remarkably fine fishing banks : the principal, extending between Innisbofin and Achill, is abundantly supplied with all kinds of whitefish, particularly mackerel, gurnet, and herrings. North of Achill Head is a sand-bank stretching to Blacksod bay, affording turbot and other flat-fish in the greatest abundance. Beyond this, lies the Inniskealing bank, extending eight leagues to sea ; it is usually fished from May to August. The great Siin-Jish bank, so called from being frequented by the sun-fish or basking shark during spring, is about thirty miles off the coast, and is supposed to be a ridge of elevated submarine land extending from the Blasquets, in Kerry, to Erris Head.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 147

36. Blennerville port limitation for Tralee shipping

    Blennerville · electoral division · Kerry

    Shallowness of the river at Tralee prevented vessels exceeding 50 or 60 tons from approaching nearer than Blennerville, about one and a half miles distant. Very large vessels still had to lie at the Samphire Islands off Fenit Point, about five miles away.

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    barloy being mostly purchased for home consumption. Butter is also exported, but not to its former extent. Coal and timber are the chief articles imported. The gross estimated value of the exports in a recent year was £4'2,315, of which £40,07'2 were for corn, meal, and flour : the gross value of the imports for the same period was £7-70, of which £4'295 were for coal, slates, iron, &e. The improvements in the trade, commerce, and general appearance of Tralee have been very considerable of late years. Until recently, much inconvenience arose from the extreme shallowness of the water in the river, which prevented the approach of vessels excecdiug .50 or 60 tons nearer than Blennerville, about 1^ mile distant, and still obliges very large vessels to lie at the Samphire Islands, off Fcnit Point, a distance of about five miles. To remedy this defect in some measure, a local act of the 9th of George IV., c. 118, was procured, creating a corporate board of commissioners for the purpose of constructing a navigable canal adequate to bring up vessels of a tolerable size to the town. The canal, which is just completed, commences at Croompane-Rockard, near the west end of the town, where is a basin 400 feet by 1.50, on the north side of which is a quay faced with hewn stone ; the canal proceeds thence to the Blackrock, beyond Blennerville, and is 74 feet wide and 15 feet deep : the estimated expense was £^4,000. Vessels of 150 tons' burthen are enabled to discbarge at the quay. The canal commissioners are empowered to impose certain dues on the imports and exports, and on vessels coming into the port. The town is the head station of the coast-guard district, and residence of the inspecting commander ; the district comprises the stations of Castlcgregory, Kilfinura, Ballyheigue, the Cashen river, and Beale. Tralee is also a chief police station.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 350

37. Blessed Well of Maryborough: devotional spring

    Portlaoise · municipal district · Laois

    A copious spring bursts from the Ridge near Maryborough, known as the Blessed Well of Maryborough. It is much resorted to by the peasantry, who perform devotional ceremonies called 'stations' around it.

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    The SURFACE of the county is generally either flat, or gently undulating with small hills, exhibiting a pleasing variety rather than picturesque effect. The inequality is mostly caused by the escars, ridges of which traverse several parts ; they are mostly formed of rounded nodules of limestone, calcareous sandstone, and coal-shale, the parent rocks of which are found in the county or close to its confines. The principal of these escars, called the Ridge, rises near Athlone, and, thence proceeding across the King's county, enters the Queen's at Mountmellick, and proceeds to Rathleague through the extremity of Maryborough, forming in this county an unbroken line about 6 miles long, varying in height from 12 to 45 feet, being generally broad at the base and narrowing upwards to the width of a few feet : to the north of Maryborough, a road is carried along its summit ; south of the town, it is planted. Near the same place a very copious spring bursts from it, termed the Blessed well of Maryborough, and much resorted to by the peasanty, who perform devotional ceremonies, called stations, around it. Beyond Rathleague the escars maintain a south-eastern course, and are broken and interrupted ; but they soon resume a regular ridge-like form, and divide into two branches, one southwards to the Doon of Clopoke, the other eastwards to Stradbally, again forming an unbroken line of more than six miles.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 235

38. Blindwell estate of the Kirwan family with fortress ruins

    Blindwell · townland · Galway

    The Blindwell estate in Kilconly parish has been held by the Kirwan (O'Quirivawn) family for many centuries. Within the demesne are ruins of a fortress with a keep enclosed by four strong walls and corner turrets, featuring a well-preserved Norman-style entrance arch.

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    KILCONLY, a parish, in the union of Tu am, barony of Dunmore, county of Galway, and province of Connaught, 55 miles (N. W.) from Tuam, on the road from that place to Castlebar ; containing 3070 inhabitants. The parish comprises 9677^ statute acres ; the land is good, with the exception of a large tract of rcclaimable bog, and limestone of tolerable quality is abundant. There are meal and flour mills on a large scale. Milburn is a constabulary police station, and petty-sessions are held at the station-house every Friday. The principal seats are Castlegrove, Ironpool, Rockwell, Newborough, Belmont, Ashgrove, and Blindwell. The lastmentioned estate has been in the possession of the Kirwan, or O'Quirivawn, family for many centuries : in 1822, part of the laud suddenly sank, and the abyss was filled with water. Within the demesne are the ruins of a fortress, consisting of a keep, inclosed within four strong walls, with a turret at each corner ; the entrance arch is in the Norman style, and in good preservation. The parish is in the diocese of Tuam ; the rectory is appropriate to the vicars-choral of the cathedral, and the vicarage forms part of the union of Tuam, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithe rentcharge is £108. 8., which is equally divided between the \icars- choral and the incumbent. The church is a neat building, erected in 1831, by a gift of £600 from the Board of First Fruits. In the Roman Catholic divisions Kilconly is united to Kilbannon ; a large chapel was lately erected.

    F2

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 16

39. Block-house formerly stood at Passage East pier

    Passage East · townland · Waterford

    A block-house mounted with several great guns, under the command of the governor of Duncannon Fort about a league distant on the Wexford side, formerly stood where the old pier or mole now is at Passage East. It guarded the river approach to Waterford.

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    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

40. Bloody battle near Fore between O'Brien brothers, 1153

    Fore · townland · Westmeath · 1153

    In 1153, the northern part of Westmeath became the scene of contention between two sons of Dermod O'Brien, who fought a bloody battle near Fore. Turlogh emerged victorious, took his brother prisoner, and put out his eyes.

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    This county formed part of the kingdom of Meath when the island was divided into five provincial dynasties, and was then known by the name of Eircamhoin, or " the Western Division." The provincial assemblies were held at the hill of Usueagh, supposed by some to be the Laberus noticed by Ptolemy as <me of the inland cities of Ireland. In 1153, the northern part of the county became the scene of contention between two sons of Dermod O'Brien, who terminated their strife by a bloody battle fought near Fore, in which Turlogh, obtaining the victory, became master of his brother's person and put out his eyes. The principal Irish families during this period were those of Mac Geoghegan (chieftains of Moycashel), O'Mulbrenan or Brenan, O'Coffy, O'Mullady, O'Malone, O'Daly, O'Higgins, Magawly, Magan, O'Shannagh (afterwards changed to Fox), O'Finilan, and O'Cuishin. The annals of the religious houses prove that this county suffered much during the period in which the island was exposed to the predatory incursions of the Danes ; the town and abbey of Fore alone having been burnt nine times in the 10th and 11th centuries, either by the Danes or by the bordering Irish chieftains. After the settlement of the English in Leinster, the county formed part of the palatinate of Hugh de Lacy, who allotted it in large tracts to his principal followers, the most remarkable of whom were Petit, Tuite, Hussey, D' Alton, Delamare, Dillon, Nugent, Hope, Ware, Naugle, Ledewich, Geneville, Dardis, Gaynor, and Constantine. Subsequently, the families of Darcy, Johnes, Tyrrel, Fitzgerald, Owen, and Piers settled here at various periods previous to the Reformation. The ancient Irish, however, were not at once exterminated by the new settlers : they made several at-

    WEST

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 389

41. Blosom's-gate and surviving town wall at Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · town · Limerick

    On the south-west of Kilmallock stands Blosom's-gate, through which the Charleville road passes, still in good preservation. From it the ancient wall continues nearly perfect for about a quarter of a mile.

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    The TOWN is pleasingly situated on the western bank of a small stream called the Lubach, and its walls inclosed a spacious quadrilateral area, in which were several castellated mansions inhabited by wealthy families. The mansions were all built of hewn stone, and communicated by noble castellated gateways with tlie streets of the city inhabited by the trading and commercial classes, of which only the foundations can now be traced. Considerable portions of the walls are still remaining ; but of the ancient mansions and castles not more than two have been preserved, one belonging to the Earl of Buckinghamshire, and the other to the family of Godsall. In the centre of the present town is the noble castle with its gateway, through which structure the road, now diverted to the east, formerly passed, and in which the Earl of Castlehaven deposited his military stores ; it is still in good preservation, and was subsequently used by the corporation, whose property it was, as an armoury and citadel. On the south-west is Blosom's-gate, through which the Charleville road passes ; it, also, is in good preservation, and from it is continued the ancient wall, nearly perfect, for about a quarter of a mile. Till lately the town had remained in such a state of decay as to present only the appearance of a rural village ; but since 181 6, several good houses of stone have been erected in the principal street, which is now a handsome thoroughfare, inhabited by respectable tradesmen. The town consists of 251 houses : the streets are at present neither paved nor lighted ; the inhabitants are supplied with water chiefly from the Lubach. The property is much divided, probably from its great eligibility as a place of residence at an early period ; the principal proprietors are the Earls of Buckinghamshire, Sandwich, Kenmare, Ranfurly, and Cork, Lord Lisle, Sir Leonard Holmes, and the INlaunsell family. Close to the town are very extensive flour-mills, the property of

    K I L— M A

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 43

42. Blue-coat hospital near Limerick cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1717–1772

    The Blue-coat hospital, situated near the cathedral in St. Mary's parish, was founded in 1717 by the Rev. J. Moore, who bequeathed property in Dublin for its support. Mrs. Craven bequeathed houses in Limerick in 1724 for the same purpose. After falling into decay it was revived in 1772.

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    St. Mary's parish is a rectory entire, united from time immemorial to the rectories and vicarages of St. Nicholas aud Cappagh, and the rectories of Cahirnarry, Bruree, and Mungrett, constituting the corps of the deanery ; it is in the patronage of the Crown. The cathedral is considered to be the church of this parish, and of that of St. Nicholas. The Blue-coat hospital, situated near the cathedral, was founded in 1717, by the Rev. J. Moore, who bequeathed some property in Dublin for its support; about the same time the corporation aided it by an annual grant of £'20, and in 17'24 Mrs. Craven bequeathed several houses in Limerick for the same purpose. After having fallen into decay, it was revived in 177'2 by the bishop and dean, the latter of whom has the management of it. It supports 15 boys, who wear a uniform of blue and yellow. St. Nicholas's parish, a rectory and vicarage, united to St. Mary's, contains 1888 statute acres : the tithe rentcharge is £16'2. 14. The church was destroyed in the siege of 1651, since which time service has been performed in the cathedral. A school for the education of '20 boys and '20 girls is maintained under a bequest of Dr. Jeremiah Hall, in 1698, for children of poor Protestant parents in St. Mary's and St. Nicholas's parishes. St. Munchin's parish, situated partly in the King's Island, partly in the ancient North liberties, and partly in the county of Clare, contains 4584 statute acres : the living is a rectory, united from time immemorial to the rectory and vicarage of Killonchan, and the rectory of Drehidtarsna, the three parishes constituting the corps of the prebend of St. Munchin in the cathedral of St. Mary, Limerick, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is £207. 14., and of all the parishes in the union £349. 1'2. The church, which stands on the north side of the city, is inclosed on the north by the old town- wall, along which is an elevated terrace commanding a fine view over the Shannon : it was rebuilt in 18'27, at an expense of £1460, of which £900 were a loan from the Board of First Fruits; and is a handsome edifice, with a lofty square tower embattled, and crowned with pinnacles. This church is said to have been founded by St. Munrhin, and was the cathedral until the building of St. Mary's. A school for boys, and another for girls, of this and the adjoining parishes, were founded by a bequest of Mrs. Viiliers in 18)9. St. Laurence's parish is a rectory entire, till lately in the patronage of the Corporation : it is of small extent, having no church, and the tithe rent-charge is only £18. 15. The three parishes of St. Mary, St. Munchin, and St. Nicholas, form the English Town. St. Johns parish is a vicarage, in the patronage of the Earl of Limerick. The vicar derives his income from an assessment on the houses, which originally produced £160 per annum ; but owing to the removal of the principal inhabitants it sunk to about £50, and has been augmented by a grant of £'25 per annum from Primate Boulter's fund. There is a glebe-house, erected by a

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 79

43. Blue-Coat School for Girls erected by Mrs. Mason 1740

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1740

    The Blue-Coat School for Girls in Waterford was erected in 1740 by Mrs. Mary Mason at a cost of £750. It was a plain building with the arms of the Mason family in front, originally designed for clothing and instructing 30 girls.

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    The Blue-Cuat School for Girls was erected in 1740, at an expense of £750, by Mrs. Mary Mason ; it is a plain building, with the arms of the Mason family in front. The foundation was originally designed for clothing and instructing 30 girls till of age to be put out to service, the expense being defrayed by an annuity of £60 paid by trustees, to whom the Mason family bequeathed £900 for that purpose. In 17S4, Counsellor Alcock left £1000 to this charity, the interest of which sum is expended in apprenticing the most deserving of the children. An endowed school in the parish of St. Olaie is under the patronage of trustees, who give a schoolhouse and residence for the master, who is also lecturer of St. Olave's and receives for both appointments, as alreacly observed, a salary of £100 per annum. A scliool at Newtown, near the city, was established in 1798, for the education of children belonging to the Svciety of Friends of the province of Munster ; the average number of both sexes is about 50, and the usual course of instruction comprehends an English education, with the Latin and French languages. The school-house is large and commodious ; there is an extensive playground, and the premises are well adapted to the purpose. There are numerous Roman Catholic schools, the principal of which is the college of ^.'Z. John, in Manorstreet, erected by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Power, for the education of young men for the ministry ; attached to it is a lay school for boarders and day scholars. The building is plain, but spacious and commodious, and adjoining it are extensive gardens and pleasure-grounds. The greater number of the clergy of the united dioceses of Waterford and Lismore go through their courses of humanity and theology hcre"^ previously to entering Maynooth ; several complete the whole course of their studies in this establishment. Of the other schools, the prmcipal are those established in 1803, by the Rev. Edmund Rice, in connexion with the society called the Order ol

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 387

44. Blue-Coat School founded by Bishop Foy

    near Barronstrand Street · street · Waterford · 1707

    The Blue-Coat School in Waterford was founded by Bishop Foy, who died in 1707, for the gratuitous instruction of 50 boys. The school-house was erected at the corner of Barron-Strand-street and later moved to Grantstown, with estates eventually comprising 1400 acres.

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    The Blue-Co.vt School was founded for the gratuitous instruction of boys by Bishop Foy, who died in 1707. After making several legacies, among which was one of £'20 to the poor of Waterford, and another of as much of the sum of £800 expended on the episcopal palace as might be recovered from his successor in the see, for apprenticing Protestant children, the bishop bequeathed his property for the establishment of a school for instruction in reading, writing, and the principles of the Protestant religion. He fixed the number of children at 50, the salary of the master at £40, and that of the catechist at £10, with liberty to increase the number of children and the amount of salary in proportion. The appointment of the master and catechist was vested in the bishop for the time being ; that of the children in the mayor, three of the aldermen, and the sheriffs, subject to the approval of the bishop. The executors erected a handsome school-house at the corner of Barron-Strand-street, on land granted them by the corporation, and, with the remainder of the funds, purchased lands then of the yearly value of £191 : the endowment was, on the death of the bishop's sister, aug- 645

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 387

45. Blue-Coat School relocated to Grantstown

    Grantstown · townland · Waterford

    The Blue-Coat School was established on the lands of Grantstown near Waterford in a recently erected house, subsequently enlarged for the purpose. The estates of the charity eventually consisted of 1400 acres of land.

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    mcnted with £48 per annum ; the number of boys wan increased to 75, the salary of the master to £60, and that of the catechist to £15. An act of parliament was subsequently obtained by the Rev. Nathaniel France, the only surviving executor, for perpetuating and regulating the charity, and the endowment was vested in him for life, and after his decease in the bishop, dean, and mayor of Waterford for the time being ; the act also provided that the excess of income, after payment of the salaries, £5 to a collector, and the expenses of keeping the school-house in repair, should be applied to the clothing of the children, and, if any surplus then remained, to apprenticing the boys. In IbOS a second act was obtained, by which the trustees were enabled to sell the school-house in Barron-Strand-street, and to erect another on a more convenient site ; to raise the salary of the master to £100, and that of the usher to £50. The funds having increased by the determination of leases and the accumulation of savings to the amount of £4900, the trustees resolved to board and lodge the masters, children, and servants of the institution in the school-house. The school was soon afterwards established on the lands of Grantstown, in the vicinity, in a recently erected house, which, by numerous additions to the original building, has been rendered sufficiently commodious for the purpose. The estates of the charity consist of 1400 acres of land, with two or three plots of ground in the city.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 387

46. Blue-coat school replaced after a century

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1720–1820

    A blue-coat school connected to the Presbyterian meeting-house in Derry had existed for upwards of a century before being replaced in 1820 by a new school. The new school educated about 100 boys and 96 girls who paid one penny weekly each.

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    In connexion with the Presbyterian meeting-house is a school established in 1820, in lieu of a blue-coat school which had existed upwards of a century ; there are at present about 100 boys and 96 girls, who pay one penny each weekly. The boys' school is further supported by a subscription of £10 per annum from the congregation, and an annual grant of £20 by the Irish Society ; and the girls' school by subscriptions among the ladies, aided by £10 per annum late currency from the Irish Society. The schoolrooms were built and enlarged by subscription at an expense of £450. St. Columh's School, founded in 1813 under the auspices of the Roman Catholic bishop and clergy, but for some time suspended from a difference which arose between the prelate and one of his curates, was finally established in 1825 : the building, including the erection of a lofty inclosure, cost nearly £1000. It is in connexion with the National Board of Education, who grant £30 per annum for its support, which is further aided by £10 per annum from the Irish Society, and an annual collection in the Roman Catholic chapel amounting to £30; 143 boys and 166 girls are instructed. The London Ladies' Society School, in Fountain-street, was established in 1822 ; attached to it is a small library for the use of the poor. Guyn's Charitable Institution was founded by IMr. John Gwyn, a merchant of the city, who died in 1829; and was endowed by him with a bequest of £41,757, producing at present £1882 per annum, for boarding, clothing, and educating as many poor boys as the funds may admit of. This excellent school, which is under the management of 21 trustees, was opened on the 1st of April, 1833, in a hired house formerly the City hotel : the trustees subsequently purchased 10 statute acres of ground at the rear of the infirmary, where they have erected handsome premises capable of accommodating 200 pupils, at an estimated expense of £6000. There are at present nearly 100 boys in the school. A Sunday- School Union was formed in 1832, by which the hberties have been divided into six districts, each under the superintendence of one or two members ; the number of schools in the parish at present in connexion with the union is 16, attended by 162 teachers, and the number of pupils on the books is 1726.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 105

47. Bodies of Brian Boru and Murrough rested in Swords Abbey

    Swords · town · Dublin · 1014

    After the battle of Clontarf, the bodies of Brian Boroimhe and his son Murrough were deposited for one night in the abbey of Swords while being conveyed to Armagh for burial.

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    rose to such a magnitude, that it had several additional places of worship, among which were chapels dedicated to St. Finan and St. Bridget, near the latter of which was an ancient cross, called " Pardon Crosse." Swords was repeatedly plundered and burnt by the Danes ; and about the year 103.5 it suffered in a similar manner from an attack by Conor O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, who was killed in the engagement, to revenge which his brother ravaged the whole district of Fingal with fire and sword. Notwithstanding these repeated injuries, it still retained the character of a place of much importance : for when the bodies of Brian Boroimhe and his son Murrough, who had fallen in the arms of victory at the famous battle of Clontarf, were being conveyed to their final place of interment at Armagh, they were deposited for one night during the journey in the abbey of this town. On the foundation of the collegiate establishment of St. Patrick's, Dublin, by Archbishop Comyn in 1190, Swords was constituted a prebend of that church : it is noticed by Archbishop Alan, in his Repertorium I'iride, as "the Golden Prebend, similar to that of Sarum in England ;" and in the same work is registered as giving name to one of the rural deaneries in the northern part of the diocese. King John granted to Comyn the privilege of holding a fair here for eight days after the feast of St. Columbkill. The place was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth in 1578. James I., in 1603, granted to the Archbishop of Dublin a confirmation of the privileges of the town, together with a weekly market on Monday ; in this document the place is called the " Archbishop's manor of Swords." A grant of two additional fairs was made in 1699. On the breaking out of the war in 1641, the Irish army of the pale assembled for the first time at Swords ; and on the 10th of the following January they were driven from it with the loss of 200 men, by Sir Chas. Coote, with scarcely any loss on his side except that of Sir Lorenzo Carey, a son of Lord Falkland, who was slain in the action.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 306

48. Bog of Allen: vast dreary morass across northern Kildare

    near Bog of Allen · bog · Kildare

    The Bog of Allen comprises more than 50,000 acres in northern Kildare, with a flat dreary surface relieved by verdant elevations called "islands." Despite the name, it refers not to a single morass but to several bog tracts often separated by high ridges of dry land.

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    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

49. Bog overflow submerges land near Ballygriffin (1786)

    Ballygriffin · townland · Tipperary · 1786

    In 1786, one of the smaller bogs of County Tipperary overflowed, submerging lands in its path as it advanced toward the River Suir at Ballygriffin. This event illustrates the unstable nature of bogland in the county.

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    so unequally distributed that the peasantry ia many parts suffer much from the want of fuel ; in the neighbourhood of Cahir, the women and children are chiefly employed in collecting every thing of a combustible nature from the ditches and roads. In 1786, one of the smaller bogs of the county overflowed, and submerged some lands in its progress to the Suir at Ballygriffin.

    The MINERAL PRODUCTIONS are various and important. The plain country forms part of the great limestone field of Ireland. The Roscrea and Devil's-Bit mountains, which are a continuation of the Slieve-Bloom chain, consist of sandstone in mass, whose covering every where assumes the form of conglomerate. The Keeper and Bilboa mountains, in which this range terminates, consist of a nucleus of clay-slate surrounded by sandstone, except on the north, near the village of Silvermines, where the clay-slate comes immediately in contact with the limestone of the flat district, extending nearly to Lough Derg : the surrounding sandstone in some parts forms a red coarse conglomerate similar to that of Lyons and Donabate, near Dublin, and is quarried for mill-stones. The Galtees, with the subordinate ridge of Slieve-na-muck, consist wholly of sandstone, the upper part of which forms strata from one to two feet thick, gradually curving in the form of the summit: the sandstone of Slieve-na-muck is in horizontal strata, which yield excellent flags. The Knockmeledoicn and MonavuUagh mountains, ranging along the southern boundary of the county, are likewise composed of clayslate, with sandstone at the base and horizontal strata of the same formation on their summits. The Siievena-inan group is of analogous structure, consisting of a nucleus of clay-slate surrounded and surmounted by sandstone, which is connected with the sandstone-hills stretching by Nine-mile-house towards Carrickon-Suir and Thomastown. The clay-slate to the east of Slievena-man, extending towards Kilmoganny, yields good slates, particularly in the quarries of Inchinagloch, or the Ormond quarries.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 340

50. Boon Glady rath at Maghera — treble-walled fortification

    near Maghera · town · Derry

    About three miles from the town of Maghera is Boon Glady, a very large and perfect rath giving its name to a townland, encompassed with treble walls and a trench. Several other raths and forts exist in the parish, and numerous bronze and brass celts, swords, spear-heads and ornaments have been found.

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    The ruins of the old church are highly interesting, and some portions bear marks of very remote antiquity : over the west entrance is a representation of the Crucifixion, rudely sculptured in high relief, with ten of the Apostles ; and in the churchyard are the tomb and pillar of Leuri, the patron saint, whose grave was opened some years since, when a silver crucifix was found in it, which was carefully replaced. About three miles from the town is Boon Gladi/, a very large and perfect rath, which gives name to one of the townlands ; it is encompassed with treble walls aud a trench. There are several other raths and forts in the parish. Numerous celts, swords, spear- heads, and ornaments of bronze and brass, have been found in the parish and vicinity, and are in the possession of the rector. Some remains exist of ancient iron-w'orks, established at Druraconready in the reign of Charles I., and destroyed

    in 1641 ; they consist of the foundations of the buildings, and heaps of half-smelted ore and charcoal.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 125

51. Borough privileges and decline of Old Leighlin town

    Oldleighlin · parish · Carlow · 1201–1600

    Bishop Harlewin granted the inhabitants of Old Leighlin their burgage-houses with franchises enjoyed by Bristol. Edward II in 1310 gave customs to build a defensive tower against the native Irish, but successive hostilities reduced the town to an insignificant village of only 33 houses.

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    The TOWN appears to have derived all its importance and all its privileges from the see. Bishop Harlewin, who governed from 1201 till 1216, granUd the inhabitants their burgage-houses, with all franchises enjoyed by Bristol, at a yearly rent of 12 J. out of every burgage ; which grant was confirmed by his successor; and in 1310, Edward II. gave to Ade Le Bretowu certain customs to build a tower for the defence of the town, and to maintain three men-at-arms and two hobblers to protect the inhabitants from the attacks of the native Irish. During the prelacy of Richard Rocomb, who succeeded in 1399, there were 86 burgesses in the town, but it was so frequently plundered and desolated by successive hostilities, that it was reduced to an insignificant village. The inhabitants received a charter of incorporation from James II., in the 4th of his reign, the preamble of which recites that the town had been a free borough, and returned two members to the Irish parliament, which it continued to do till the Union, when it was disfranchised, and the £15,000 awarded as compensation were paid to the late Board of First Fruits, to be applied in promoting the residence of the clergy. Since the Union the corporation has become extinct ; there are only 33 houses in the village.

    The DIOCESE of Leighlin is the smallest of the five which till lately constituted the ecclesiastical province of Dublin. Nothing particularly worthy of notice recorded of the successors St. Laserian till the time Donat, who was made j^hop in 1158, and after whose death the prelates were invariably appointed Arms of the uncient f^^,^ ^^^f, English clergy.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 67

52. Boyce Almshouses at southern entrance of Tallow

    Tallow · town · Waterford

    Almshouses were erected under the will of John Boyce, Esq., for six aged couples each receiving £10 per annum. The neat buildings stand at the southern entrance of the town of Tallow.

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    by the parishioners to the Rev. H. Brougham, their rector, who died in 1S31. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Estabhshed Church : the chapel is a handsome cruciform edifice, with a tower of hewn stone ; the interior is neatly arranged ; the high altar is of elegant design, and over a small altar of marble is a monument to the Rev. Denis O'Donnell, late P. P., with emblematic sculpture beautifully executed, representing Religion and Charity. A convent of the order of the Presentation was erected in 1S36, at an expense of £1500, on a site of two acres presented by the Duke of Devonshire ; the Rev D. O'Donnell had bequeathed £1000 towards the erection of the buildings, and the Rev. E. Condon, under whose superintendence they were completed, supplied the remainder. Almshouses have been erected under the will of John Boyce, Esq., who endowed them for the reception of six aged couples, to each of whom he assigned £10 per annum : the buildings, which are very neat and well adapted to the purpose, are situated at the southern entrance of the town. Near the Roman Catholic chapel are also almshouses for widows, erected, and endowed with £30 per annum, by a bequest of the Rev. D. O'Donnell. There are a dispensary and a fever hospital, to which the Duke of Devonshire liberally contributes ; and a house of recovery has been erected with funds charged on the estate of the late Mr. Boyce, who bequeathed £50 per annum to be apphed in promoting the convalescence of the patients. To the west of Tallowbridge, but within the parish of Lismore, is the ancient castle of Lisfinny, built by the Earl of Desmond, now converted into a handsome residence ; and on the confines of the parish, bordering on the county of Cork, are some vestiges of the castle of Kilniacow, which also belonged to that family.

    TALLOWBRIDGE, a village, in the parish of Lismore and MocoLLOP, union of Lismore, barony of CosHMORE and Coshbride, county of Waterford, and province of Munster ; containing 46 houses, and 258 inhabitants. — See Tallow.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 310

53. Boyle water navigable from Lough Key below Knockvicar

    near Lough Key · lake or lakes · Roscommon

    The Gam river, or Boyle water, emerged from Lough Key and became navigable for small craft, but below Knockvicar bridge and the upper lough of Oakford it dwindled into a mere stream carrying all the waters from Lough Gara and Lough Key.

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    enters Loxigh Gara ; and the Gam river, or Boyle water, which, on emerging!; from Lough Kea, beionics navigable for small craft, but below Knockvicar bridge, and below the upper lough of Oakford, dwindles into a mere stream which, in ordinary seasons, could scarcely be supposed to afford the only channel for all the waters which pour from Lough Gara and Lough Kea. Besides this last tributary, the Shannon receives from Roscommon the powerful stream of Arignu ; the I'iorUh from Lough Skean and Meelagh ; and a large stream from under Carnadoe bridge, discharged from a chain of small lakes in the interior, the lowest and largest of which is about three miles in length. Plans have been proposed for extending a branch of the Shannon and Royal Canal navigations, to the town of Roscommon ; but their execution has not been undertaken. The Roads are numerous and highly important, as the lines of communication between Dublin and every part of Connanght pass through this county. The old lines of road are crooked, and in many parts very hilly, but generally well made, though wet in winter in consequence of the drains and watercourses not being properly attended to. A line has recently been opened from Tarmonbarry to Luug bridge, another from Roscommon to Richmond Harbour and Ruskey, and a third from Lanesborough to Strokestown. All the roads are kept in order by grand jury presentments ; there are no toll gates in the county.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 260

54. Boyne Obelisk commemorating the Battle of the Boyne

    Tullyallen · town · Louth · 1736

    A stately stone obelisk on a rock rising abruptly from the river Boyne, about two miles from Drogheda, commemorates the Battle of the Boyne with inscriptions on its pedestal. It was erected by subscription in the reign of George II, with the first stone laid by Lionel, Duke of Dorset, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in 1736.

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    are in the county of Louth, including a detached portion of 953 acres called Newtown-Stalaba, and 84 in the tideway of the Boyne. The land is wholly under tillage, the soil fertile, and the system of agriculture improved ; the scenery on the banks of the Boyne is pleasingly varied. On a rock rising abruptly from the river, about two miles from Drogheda, is a stately obelisk of stone, commemorating the battle of the Boyne by inscriptions on the faces of the pedestal : it was erected by subscription in the reign of George 11.; the first stone being laid by Lionel, Duke of Dorset, lord-lieutenant of Ireland, in 1736. The principal seats are, Townley Hall, a handsome mansion of hewn stone, situated in a highly improved demesne of 500 acres, and containing a choice collection of paintings ; Newtown ; and Green Hills. The village contains about 40 houses ; the weaving of coarse linen is carried on for the Drogheda market, and a constabulary police force is stationed here.

    The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, comprising also the parish of Mellifont, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda, in whom the rectory is impropriate : the stipend of the curate is £84. 6., of which £36. 18. 6. are paid by the impropriator, the remainder by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from Primate Boulter's augmentation fund. The glebehouse, towards which the late Board of First Fruits contributed £450 and a loan of £50, was built in 1816 ; the glebe comprises 10 acres, valued at £8. 6. per annum. The church, towards the erection of which the same Board contributed £800, in 1817, is a neat edifice, and has been repaired at an expense of £217 by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a district, comprising also the parish of Mellifont ; there are two chapels, one in the village, and one at Newtown-Drogheda. Near the obelisk is a picturesque valley called King William's Glen, in which that monarch encamped his forces, previously to his crossing the river and obtaining the victory of the Boyne.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 358

55. Brabazon Park seat in Kilconduff

    Kilconduff · parish · Mayo

    Brabazon Park is the principal seat of the parish of Kilconduff and the residence of Sir W. Brabazon, Bart.

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    KILCONDUFF, a parish, in the union of Swm- FORD, barony of Gallen, county of Mayo, and province of CoNNAUGHT ; Containing, with the post-town of Swinford, 707'2 inhabitants. It comprises 16,5'2'2| statute acres : the greater part is in tillage, but there are large tracts of bog and mountain laud ; flagstones are abundant. Pearls are found in the river Moy, and there are chalybeate and sulphureous springs. The principal seat is Brabazon Park, the residence of Sir W. Brabazon, Bart. The parish is in the diocese of Achonry : the rectory is impropriate in W. S. Bourke, Esq. ; the vicarage was united episcopally, in 1S0.5, to those of Kilbeagh and INIeelick, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is £^74. U., which is equally divided between the impropriator and the vicar; and of the entire vicarial union, £'S0'2. 17. The church, in Swinford, is a plain building, erected in 1810, when the late Board of First Fruits gave £600, and recently repaired by a grant of £'209 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The glebe-house was built in 1819, by a gift of £400 and a loan of like amount from the same Board ; and has a glebe of 13 acres. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a district, comprising also Meelick, and containing a chapel in each. Some of the ruins of Kilconduff and Kinaff churches still exist. — See Swinford.

    KILCONER AN, a parish, in the union of Loughrea, partly in the baronies of Athenry and Loughrea, but chiefly in that of Dunkellin, county of Gal-way, and province of Co.nnavght, 3 miles (X. W. by N.) from Loughrea, on the road from that place to Galway ; containing 1552 inhabitants. It comprises 5478 statute 35

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 16

56. Brackenstown: residence of Chief Baron Bysse, visited by Cromwell

    Brackenstown · townland · Dublin · 1649–1653

    Brackenstown is a spacious mansion in a tastefully laid-out demesne containing a cemetery erected by the present proprietor's father. It was the residence of Chief Baron Bysse, whom Cromwell visited during his military expedition to Ireland.

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    The parish comprises 96*4^ statute acres. The soil is good, and the system of agriculture rapidly improving : there are several extensive corn-mills within the parish, and it is embellished with numerous seats and villas. Brackenstown is a spacious mansion, situated in a demesne laid out with much taste, in which is a cemetery erected by the present proprietor's father, whose remains are interred there : this place was the residence of the Chief Baron Bysse in the time of Cromwell, who paid him a visit here during his military expedition to Ireland. Balheary House is a large square structure with several apartments of ample dimensions; in the saloon and dining-room are some fine pieces of tapestry, formerly the property of the Earl of Ormonde. The surrounding demesne, through which flow the small rivers of Fieldstown and Knocksedan, is well laid out, and commands a view of Howth and the Dublin mountains, with the town and environs of Swords, which, with its church, round tower, ruins of the monastery, and other interesting objects, presents a varied and picturesque scene in the foreground. Among other seats are, Seafield, Little Lissenhall, Newport, Swords House, Prospect Point, Cremona, and Mantua.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 306

57. Brandon Bay and the Magharees

    Brandon Bay · bay · Kerry

    Brandon Bay lies between Magharee Head and Brandon Head on the eastern side of the mountain. The Magharees, or Seven Hog Islands, separate Brandon Bay from Tralee Bay.

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    calogue, and on its northern side, that of Sncem ; and along the northern shore is a succession of small islands, the principal of which are Rossmorc, Ilansherky, Cappanacoss, and Dunkerron. The next bay is that of Ballinaskellig, near the entrance of which are the Hog Islands ; and towards the west are the Skellig Islands, which, like the other principal islands here noticed, are described under a separate head. Beyond these lies Puffin Island (see Killemlagh), and beyond Puffin is Valencia Island, forming a harbour by the channel that separates it from the main land ; this harbour has an entrance at each end, and is considered one of the safest and most commodious on the western coast. Between Valencia Island and the Blas(|uets is Dingle bay, an extensive opening with steep shores on each side, in which a ship may anchor in any part above a mile from the shore ; it contains the harbours of Ventry, Dingle, and Castlcmaine. Dunmore Head, the most western point of Ireland, forms the northern extremity of Dingle bay ; the natives call it Tig-vourney-Geeranc, or Mary Gerane's house. Otf this headland are the Blasquet or Ferriter's Islands, between the largest of which and the main land is a deep sound with a rapid current. Beyond Dunmore Head is Smerwick bay, the whole of which was originally bog, now invaded by the sea. Pursuing eastward the north coast of the peninsula of Corkaguiuey, between Magharee Head and Brandon Head, lies Brandon bay, on the eastern side of the mountain of that name. The Magharees, or Seven Hog Islands, lie at the extremity of a peninsula which separates Brandon from Tralee bay. Between Fenit Island (behind which is the inlet called Barra harbour) and Kerry Head is Balhjheigne bay, in which there is no shelter ; and from an error in laying down the latitude of Loop Head in the charts, it has often been fatally mistaken for the mouth of the Shannon. The only harbour in Kerry within the Shannon is that of Tarbert : off its mouth is the island of the same name.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 9

58. Brass coin or medal found at Foxford, 1835

    Foxford · town · Mayo · 1835

    A brass coin or medal was discovered in a garden at Foxford in 1835. It depicts a bishop and a church with a defaced motto, and on the reverse bears the words 'Floreat Her' with a crown, a harp, and a pope at his devotions.

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    TOVVMORE, or Tuymoue, a parish, in the union of SwiNFORD, barony of Gallen, county of Mayo, and province of Connaugiit, on the new mail-coach road from Swinford to Ballina, and on the river Moy ; con taining, with the market and post town of Foxford, 3~44 inhabitants. This parish comprises 6" 87^ statute acres ; there are extensive mountainous and rocky tracts, and it is for the most part surrounded by a chain of high mountains, rendering it remarkably salubrious. Ironworks were formerly carried on, but when the fuel failed they were abandoned ; and here are very superior quarries of flagstone, which is used for roofing houses. The river is particularly beautiful, receiving in its serpentine course the waters of other streams, and is- discharged into the sea at Ballina. The gentlemen's seats are Dove Hall, Carrick, and Clongec. The parish is a vicarage, in the diocese of Achonry, forming part of the union of Strade or Templemore ; the rectory is impropriate in W. J. Bourke, Esq., and the tithe rent- charge is £I,t6. 12., equally divided between the impropriator and the vicar. The church, which is one of two in the uni(m, is a plain building in the town of Foxford, erected in 1801 by parochial assessment, at an expense of about £400; a tower and gallery were added to it in 1826, by aid of a loan of £300 from the late Board of First Fruits. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is a separate benefice ; the chapel is a large slated building, at Foxford. Here is an old burial-ground, with the ruins of a church and the remains of an ancient monument, on which is an inscription now illegible ; it is held in great veneration by the country people. In a garden at Foxford, a brass coin or medal was found in 1835 ; it represents a bishop and a church, with a defaced motto, and on the reverse are the words " Floreat Her," with a crown and a harp, and a pope at his devotions, looking up to the crown.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 347

59. Brass coins of James I found at Curragh estate

    Curragh · townland · Limerick · 1603–1625

    Numerous brass coins from the reign of James I have been dug up on the Curragh estate in Loughill parish, indicating early seventeenth-century activity at the site.

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    the diocese of Limerick, forming part of the union and corps of the precentorship of the cathedral of Limerick : the tithe rent-charge is £71. 5- ; there is a glebe of 16 acres, but no glebe-house. The church, a small neat edifice in the early English style, with a square tower, was built in 1812, on a new site, by a loan of £800 from the Board of First Fruits, in 1812; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners recently granted £116 for its repair. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Glin ; the chapel is a large plain edifice. About half a mile from the village are the ruins of the old church ; and near the shore was a very strong castle, said to have been the property of the bishop of the diocese, which was taken down by the late Mr. Hewson, who built a garden wall with the materials. On the demesne of Woodcliffe is a piece of ground called the Field of Sculls, where more than 100 skeletons have been found ; and on the Curragh estate have been dug up numerous brass coins of the reign of James I.

    LOUGHIN-ISLAND, a parish, in the union of DowNPATRiCK, barony of Kinelarty, county of Down, and province of Ulster, on the road from Newry to Downpatrick ; containing, with the post-town of Clough and the villages of Seaforde and Anadorn {ichich see), 6.'J71 inhabitants. The parish comprises 12,485|- statute acres, of which 124f are water; about one-half of the land is of the richest quality, and of the remainder, with the exception of a small proportion of waste and bog, the greater part is tolerably fertile. The linen manufacture was established here in IS 15 by Mr. Cromie, of Draper Hill ; and upwards of 30,000 webs are now annually made from mill-spun yarn, by which employment is afforded to not less than 2000 persons. The principal seats are, Seaforde House, the splendid mansion and demesne of the Forde family, noticed in the article on Seaforde ; Ardilea, a handsome residence near Clough ; and Draper Hill, about halfway between Ballynahinch and CastlewiUiam.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 112

60. Bray Head projects into the sea south of Bray

    near Bray Head · promontory · Wicklow

    Bray Head is described as a vast mass with a remarkable broken outline, 870 feet high, projecting into the sea to the south of the town of Bray. It forms a distinctive coastal promontory.

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    To the east of the mountain range, and at the northern extremity of the county, rise two conical mountains called the Great and Little Sugar-loaf, the former 1651, and the latter 1 120, feet above the sea; and Bray Head, a vast mass with a remarkable broken outline, 870 feet high, which projects into the sea to the south of the town of Bray. From the Little Sugar-loaf commences a mountain range of secondary elevation, cultivated in some parts to the very summit, and extending in a direction south by west to the rugged heights of Carrickmacreilly, near Glanealy : thence sweeping eastward, it joins the heights that, to the south of Wicklow, form the elevated promontory of Wicklow Head. Between this range and the more elevated mountain chain is a cheerless table-land, watered by the Vartrey river, and formerly entirely overspread with bogs and rocks, which yet occupy great portions of it, though cultivation has made considerable advances near the lines of road by which it is now intersected. The most conspicuous of the secondary range are the Downs mountain, Dunran, and the mountains above Glanealy. Encircled by these mountains from Bray Head to Wicklow Head, and extending to the coast between those promontories, lies a tract distinguished for its fertility and beauty, which justly entitle it to be called the garden of the county. At an elevation greatly below that of the sheltering range, it is diversified by extensive swells and fertile vales enriched in every direction with fine seats, neat villages, and thriving plantations. These open on the east to the sea, towards which the surface gradually declines, until it reaches a flat tract of boggy marsh, extending along the shore from Wicklow to near Greystones, and protected from the sea only by a broad bank of sand and gravel called the Murrough, presenting at the back a beautiful smooth sward. The streams of the plain or vale find their way through the bank to the sea at Wicklow and at a place called the Breaches, where the sea is making considerable encroachments. From this shore the view of the amphitheatre of mountains is extremely grand, particularly to those sailing along the coast through the channel betv^een the land and the range of dangerous banks running parallel with it at some miles' distance. The encircling range displays some of the most splendid of the picturesque scenes of the county, in the Glen of the Downs, Hermitage, Dunran, and the Devil's Glen ; and to the north, the celebrated valley of the Dargle intersects the elevated grounds between the Sugar-loaf mountain and the confines of Dublin county. The peaked cone of the Sugar-loaf appears prominent in every prospect on this side of the county, and commands views of great scope and grandeur, extending northwards to the mountains of Morne in the county of Down, and eastward to those of North W^ales.

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