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ABBEY, a parish and village, in the barony of BURREN, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER; containing, with the post-town of Burren, 2493 inhabitants, of which number, 128 are in the village. This place, which is situated on the shores of the harbour of Burren in the bay of Galway, and on the road from Galway to Ennistymon, derives its name from an ancient Cistertian abbey founded here, either by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, in 1194, or by his son Donough Carbrac O'Brien, in the year 1200. This establishment, designated the abbey of Corcomroe, Corcomruadh, or De Petra fertili, and called also Gounamonagh, or "the Glen of the Monks," is said to have been a sumptuous edifice, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and dependent on or connected with the abbey of Suire, or Innislaunaght, in the county of Tipperary: it was afterwards made subject to the celebrated abbey of Furness, in Lancashire, and had a cell annexed to it in Kilshanny, in the adjoining barony of Corcomroe. The remains are extensive, forming an interesting object as seen from the road, and presenting evident traces of its former splendour: a fine pointed arch is still tolerably perfect, and is particularly admired for the beauty of its proportions; and there are some remains of the stately tomb of the King of Thomond, who was killed in a battle fought near this place, in 1267. The parish extends along the southern shore of the bay, on the confines of the county of Galway, and comprises 5545 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The greater portion is under tillage; the land along the coast produces good crops of wheat, but that in the interior is hilly and unproductive, adapted only for grazing; the system of agriculture has been greatly improved through the exertions of Burton Bindon, Esq., and Messrs. Hynes and Moran. There are some limestone quarries of excellent quality, and sea manure is found in abundance on the shore. The principal seats are Finvarra House, the residence of -- Skerret, Esq.; and Curranroe, of Burton Bindon, Esq. The small port of New Quay is situated about a quarter of a mile to the north of the village of Burren; a constant intercourse is kept up with Galway, on the opposite side of the bay, and a considerable trade in corn and fish is carried on; the boats employed in the Galway bay fishery rendezvous here, and more than 100 of them have at one time taken shelter in stormy weather. The port affords great facilities for commerce, as vessels of considerable burden can approach at any time of the tide: the coast is well adapted for sea bathing. The great oyster bed, called the Red Bank, to the east of Burren, and said to be one of the most extensive on the Irish coast, was established some years since by Mr. Bindon, and is now in great celebrity: it is stocked with young oysters, chiefly from Connemara, and more than 150 persons, chiefly women and children, are regularly employed. A considerable trade is also carried on in sea-weed with the farmers of the interior, which has been greatly increased since the construction of a new line of road from this place leading through the parishes of Kinvarra and Killeny, in the county of Galway, and of Kilkeady and Inchicronan, in the county of Clare. The harbour of New Quay, or Burren, called also Curranroe, is one of the several inlets of the bay of Galway: it lies to the south of Aughnish Point, and extends four miles up to Curranroe Bridge. The late Fishery Board built a small quay in the narrow part of the channel, at the village of New Quay (so called from the construction of this quay, about eight years since), a little to the east of an older one, of which there are still some remains: vessels of 100 tons' burden can come close up to it and deliver their cargoes. A court is held at Burren by the seneschal of the manor, about once in six weeks, for the recovery of small debts. The parish is in the diocese of Kilfenora, and is a rectory, partly without provision for the cure of souls: the tithes, with the exception of those of the townlands of Aughnish, Finvarra, Behagh, and Kilmacrane, which are annexed to the parish of Kilcorney, are impropriate in Pierse Creagh, Esq., and amount to £120. In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Ought-manna; the chapel is situated in the village of Behagh, and it is intended to establish a school connected with it. There is a pay school, in which are about 30 boys and 15 girls. On the summit of Rosraly mountain is a well springing from the solid rock; it is dedicated to St. Patrick, and produces water of the purest quality, which is conveyed by pipes to the road side at the foot of the mountain.-- See BURREN.
ABBEYDORNEY, a village, in the parish of O'DORNEY, barony of CLANMAURICE, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 7 1/2 miles (N. N. E.) from Tralee; containing 338 inhabitants. This place, which is situated at the intersection of the old and new roads from Tralee to Listowel, takes its name from the ancient abbey of Kirie Eleyson, or O'Dorney, founded here in 1154 by some person unknown, for Cistertian monks, who were brought from the abbey of Magio, in the county of Limerick; the abbot was a lord in parliament. The remains are situated a little to the north of the village, but retain few vestiges of its original character. The village, which consists mostly of thatched houses, is a constabulary police station; a penny post from Tralee has been established, and a manorial court is held occasionally. The R. C. parochial chapel, built here in 1826, at an expense of £600, is a spacious and handsome edifice fronted with stone, in the later English style, and embellished with a fine altar-piece and painting. Near the village is a flour-mill.-- See O'DORNEY.
ABBEYFEALE, a parish, in the Glenquin Division of the barony of UPPER CONNELLO, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 10 miles (W. by S.) from Newcastle, on the mail coach road from Limerick to Tralee; containing 4242 inhabitants, of which number, 607 are in the village. This place obviously derives its name from a Cistertian abbey founded here, in 1188, by Brien O'Brien, and from its situation on the river Feale: the abbey, in 1209, became a cell to that of Monasternanagh, or Nenay, in the barony of Pubblebrien. The village, situated in a wild mountainous district, was almost inaccessible, but since the construction of the new lines of road, great alterations have taken place; great improvement in the condition of the people has resulted from the facilities thus afforded of taking their little produce to market; and the inhabitants are now industriously and profitably employed. Here is a large and commodious hotel, and some respectable houses, but the greater number are thatched cabins. The village has a penny post dependent on Newcastle, and is a constabulary police station. Fairs are held on the 29th of June and Sept. 24th, chiefly for cattle, sheep, and pigs. The parish comprises 17,659 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which 1620 acres are arable, 12,800 pasture, and about 3500 waste land and bog: a considerable portion of the waste land is gradually being brought into cultivation, and the system of agriculture is steadily improving. From long previous neglect, the lands in many parts have become marshy and cold, and in some places are covered to the depth of several feet with a loose turbary, which, in the total absence of timber, affords excellent fuel, of which great quantities are sent to Newcastle, whence limestone is brought in return and is burnt with coal of indifferent quality procured here for that purpose only. The farms have generally large dairies, and a considerable quantity of butter is sent to Cork and Limerick. On the great line of road from Limerick to Tralee is Wellesley bridge, a handsome structure, about a mile and a half to the west of the village; and at the same distance to the east is Goulburn bridge. The new line of road leading through the heart of the mountains from Abbeyfeale to Glin, a distance of 12 miles, was opened after the spring assizes of 1836, previously to which there was scarcely any possibility of access to this secluded district, which for that reason was, in the year 1822, selected as their head-quarters by the Rockites, who dated their proclamations "From our camp at Abbeyfeale." The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Limerick, and in the patronage of Lord Southwell, during whose legal incapacity the Crown presents; the rectory is impropriate in Richard Ellis and Thomas G. Bateman, Esqrs. The tithes amount to £320, payable to the impropriators; the clerical duties of the parish are performed by the curate of an adjoining parish, who is paid by Lord Southwell. The church, a small edifice in the early English style, with a lofty square tower, was erected near the village in 1812, for which the late Board of First Fruits gave £800. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel, situated in the village, was erected on the site of the ancient monastery, a small portion of which is incorporated with it. There are four pay schools, in which are about 100 boys and 50 girls. On the bank of the river, one mile from the village, are the ruins of Purt Castle, built by a branch of the Geraldine family, to command the pass of the Feale; it is strongly built, and occupies a bold situation.
ABBEYGORMAGAN, a parish, partly in the barony of LEITRIM, but chiefly in that of LONGFORD, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 8 1/2 miles (W. by N.) from Eyrecourt, on the road from Banagher to Tralee; containing 2858 inhabitants. This place, called also "Monaster O'Gormagan," or "de Via Nova," derives its name from a monastery founded here for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, by O'Gormagan, head of that sept, which at the dissolution was granted by Hen. VIII. to Ulick, first Earl of Clanricarde. The parish comprises 8865 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: about one-third is arable. Brooklawn is the seat of T. Blake, Esq. It is in the diocese of Clonfert; the rectory is partly appropriate to the set, the deanery, and the archdeaconry, and to the prebends of Fenore, Kilquaine and Kilteskill, in the cathedral church of St. Brandon, Clonfert, and partly united with the vicarage, which forms a portion of the union of Kiltormer. The tithes amount to £218. 15. 4 1/2., of which £23. 1. 6 1/2. is payable to the bishop, £4. 12. 3 3/4. to the dean, £13.16.11. to the archdeacon, £50. 15. 4 1/2. to the prebendary of Fenore, £8. 6. 1 3/4. to the prebendary of Kilquaine, £10. 3. 1. to the prebendary of Kilteskill, and £108 to the incumbent. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Killoran, in each of which there is a chapel: that for this parish is situated at Mullagh. There are two private pay schools, in which are about 100 boys and 46 girls.
ABBEY-JERPOINT, a parish (anciently a corporate town), in the barony of KNOCKTOPHER, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 1 1/2 mile (W. S. W.) from Thomastown; containing 367 inhabitants. This place is situated on the river Nore, and derives its name from an abbey founded here, in 1180, by Donogh O'Donoghoe, King of Ossory, for monks of the Cistertian order, whom he removed from a distant part of Ossory. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and was amply endowed by the royal founder, who was interred here in 1185; and its possessions were subsequently confirmed by John, Lord of Ireland. In 1202, Felix O'Dullany, Bishop of Ossory, was interred here, at whose tomb many miracles are said to have been wrought; and the abbey became a favourite place of sepulture with all the great families in the surrounding country. The abbot was a lord in parliament, but in 1395 obtained exemption from his attendance, on the plea that his house was subject to the abbey of Baltinglass, the abbot of which performed the parliamentary duties. The abbey continued to flourish till its dissolution in the 31st of Hen. VIII., when it was surrendered into the king's hands by Oliver Grace, the last abbot; and its possessions were subsequently granted by Philip and Mary to James, Earl of Ormonde, and his heirs male, to be held in capite at an annual rent of £49. 3. 9. The present ruins are very extensive, and display some fine specimens of the later Norman passing into the early English style of architecture, but are rapidly falling to decay through neglect and wanton injury: the most perfect portion is a well-proportioned, square, embattled tower. The parish is in the diocese of Ossory, and is a vicarage and one of the eighteen denominations, or reputed parishes, that constitute the union of Burn-church: the tithes amount to £70. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Thomas-town.
ABBEYKNOCKMOY, a parish, in the barony of TYAQUIN, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 7 miles (S. E.) from Tuam, on the road from Newtownbellew to Galway; containing 2866 inhabitants. This place derives its name from the abbey of Knockmoy, called by some writers Cnoc Mugha, signifying in the Irish language "the Hill of Slaughter," and by others Monasterium de Colle Victoriae. It was founded here, in 1189, by Cathol O'Connor, surnamed Croove-Dearg, or "the Red Hand," King of Connaught, in fulfilment of a vow made by him previously to a battle with the English forces under Almeric de St. Lawrence, in which he obtained the victory; and was occupied by Cistertian monks from the abbey of Boyle. In 1620, its site and extensive possessions were granted by Jas. I. to Valentine Blake, Esq., and are now the property of Francis Blake Forster, Esq., of Ashfield. Near the summit of Knockroe hill is a subterraneous river, or stream, which was discovered some years since by the late Mr. Browne, of Moyne; and an opening having been made, it now supplies the neighbourhood with water: near the top of this hill are several limestone caverns. There are about 500 acres of bog in the parish. The gentlemen's seats are Moyne, the residence of M. J. Browne, Esq., a handsome mansion pleasantly situated in a fine demesne; Newtown, of Jas. Kelly, Esq.; and the Abbey, belonging to F. B. Forster, Esq. The intended railway from Dublin to the western coast is proposed to terminate here, with branches to Galway, Tuam, and the county of Mayo. Fairs are held on June 24th, Aug. 21st, and Nov. 1st. There is a constabulary police station at Moyne; and petty sessions are also held there. The parish is in the diocese of Tuam, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the union of Killereran: the tithes amount to £220, In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Monivae, and containing a chapel in each, situated at Abbey and Rye Hill; the former is a neat edifice with a steeple, recently erected on an eminence. At Briarsfield is a school, in which 70 boys and 43 girls are instructed. There are some very interesting remains of the ancient abbey, which show it to have been extensive in its dimensions and elegant in its design: several capitals of pillars beautifully sculptured lie scattered about the churchyard; the chancel is vaulted with stone, and on the north wall is the tomb of the founder, ornamented with some rude paintings in fresco, which, from some inscriptions on the walls, still legible, appear to be the work of the 13th century; they are partly defaced, and are rapidly going to decay.
ABBEYLARAGH, a parish, in the barony of GRANARD, county of LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 6 1/2 miles (N. W. by W.) from Castlepollard, on the road from Granard to Dublin; containing 3112 inhabitants, of which number, 316 are in the village. The monastery of Lerha, at this place, is said to have been founded by St. Patrick, who appointed St. Guasacht its first abbot: it was refounded for monks of the Cistertian order, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, in 1205, by Lord Richard Tuit, who settled here soon after the first invasion of Ireland by the English, and being killed by the fall of a tower at Athlone, was interred here in 1211. The parish is divided into two nearly equal parts by that of Granard, which intersects it from north to south; the eastern division is situated on Lough Keinaile, and the western on Lough Gownagh; both together comprise 5715 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The lands are chiefly under tillage; the principal crops are wheat and oats; and there are large tracts of bog and abundance of limestone. The gentlemen's seats are Newgrove, the residence of R. J. Hinds, Esq.; Fernsboro', of A. Burrowes, Esq., situated in a finely planted demesne; and Kilrea, of H. Dopping, Esq., pleasantly seated on Lough Gownagh. The village, in 1831, contained 66 houses: a market and fairs are about to be established here by Capt. Ball, to whom the fee simple partly belongs, and who is making great improvements. Here is a station of the constabulary police. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ardagh, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Westmeath and Messrs. Armstrong. The tithes amount to £260, of which £110 is payable to the Marquess of Westmeath, £45 to Messrs. Armstrong, and £105 to the vicar. The church, a neat plain edifice, was erected about thirty years since; and divine service is performed twice in the week in two school-houses, respectively situated at the extremities of the parish. There is a glebe-house, with four acres of glebe. In the R. C. divisions the western portion of the parish is included in the union or district of Columbkill; and to the eastern is united the northern part of the parish of Granard; the chapel in the village is a large and well-built edifice. There are two schools, in which 37 boys and 40 girls receive gratuitous education; and three pay schools, in which are 98 boys and 65 girls. Of the ancient monastery, a fine arch supporting one side of the conventual church, several smaller arches (all of which, except one, are blocked up), and a winding staircase still entire, are the only remaining portions.
ABBEYLEIX, a market and post-town, and a parish, partly in the barony of FASSADINING, county of KILKENNY, and partly in the barony of MARYBOROUGH-WEST, but chiefly in that of CULLINAGH, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 7 miles (S. S. E.) from Maryborough, and 47 1/2 miles (S. W.) from Dublin; containing 5990 inhabitants, of which number 1009 are in the town. This place, called also Clonkyne Leix, or De Lege Dei, was the site of a monastery founded about the year 600, but of which there is no further account till the year 1183, when it was refounded and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin by Conogher or Corcheger O'More, who placed in it, monks of the Cistertian order from Baltin-glass, in the county of Wicklow, and was himself interred within its precincts. It maintained a high degree of reputation; and the town adjoining it, which took its name from the abbey, gradually rose to be the principal place in the territory of Leix, now Queen's county. In the 5th of Elizabeth, the abbey and some of its possessions, which were large, were granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormonde, and now form part of the estate of Viscount De Vesci. The town is situated on the mail road from Dublin, through Athy, to Cashel, and contains about 140 houses, of which the greater number are neatly built: the late Lord De Vesci caused the old town to be entirely rased, and laid out the present on a more eligible site. There are two woollen manufactories; a large worsted-mill and factory has been recently established near the town, which affords employment to about 200 persons in combing, weaving, and spinning yarn; and on the river Nore, which passes near the town, is a boulting-mill. The market is on Saturday; and fairs are held on Jan. 26th, March 17th, May 5th, July 20th, Sept. 20th, and Nov. 4th. The market-house is a good building. The quarter sessions for the county are held in the town in June and December; petty sessions are held every Saturday; a court is also held by the seneschal of the manor; and here is a chief constabulary police station. The sessions-house is a commodious building, and a new bridewell has been erected. The parish comprises 11,974 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: there are about 400 acres of bog and 300 of woodland; the soil is in general light and sandy, and the system of agriculture is improving. Limestone of very good quality abounds, and is quarried for building and for burning into lime; there is also a curious freestone quarry, and excellent potters' clay is found here. The gentlemen's seats are Abbey Leix, the residence of Viscount de Vesci, a spacious and handsome mansion, pleasantly situated in a demesne of about 1135 statute acres, embellished with thriving plantations and with timber of stately growth; Bellview, of W. Bell, Esq.; Thornberry, of Capt. Croker; Farmley, of -- Roe, Esq.; Rathmoyle House, of E. B. Handcock, Esq.; and Oatlands, of J. Ferguson, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of Viscount De Vesci, who is impropriator of the rectory. The tithes amount to £507. 13. 10 1/4., of which £338. 9. 2 3/4. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. The parish church, recently erected, is a very handsome building, in the later English style, with a vaulted roof of stone and an elegant spire: the old church, which has an endowment by Lord De Vesci, is not generally used. The glebe-house was built in 1810, for which the late Board of First Fruits gave £400; the glebe comprises 5 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish is partly in the diocese of Ossory, but chiefly in that of Leighlin; the former in the union or district of Ballyragget, and the latter the head of a district, comprising also the parish of Ballyroan, and containing a chapel in each. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. There are a parochial and an infants' school, a work school for girls, and another aided by subscription, together affording instruction to nearly 300 children: a school-house was erected for the parochial school by Lord de Vesci, at an expense of £250: there are also two pay schools. An almshouse for poor widows is maintained by Lady De Vesci; and a dispensary and an infirmary are supported in the usual way. The tomb of Malachi O'More, with an inscription, is in the gardens of Lord De Vesci, near the site of the old abbey. There is a fine chalybeate spring in the parish.
ABBEYMAHON, a parish, in the barony of IBANE and BARRYROE, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 1 1/2 mile (E. S. E.) from Timoleague; containing 3563 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the northwest side of Courtmacsherry bay, on the south coast: it formerly constituted part of the parish of Lislee, from which it was separated on the erection of an abbey by some Cistertian monks, which stood close to the shore, and was endowed by Lord Barry with 18 ploughlands, but was not entirely completed at the general suppression of monasteries, when its possessions were seized by the Crown and granted to the Boyle family, and are still the property of the Earl of Shannon. The parish comprises 3475 statute acres: the land is in general good, and under an improving system of tillage: there is a considerable extent of bog, which supplies plenty of fuel. The ordinary manures are sand and sea wrack afforded by the shore of the bay, in collecting which, during the season, numerous persons find employment. The living is an impropriate cure, in the diocese of Ross, and in the patronage of the Earl of Shannon, in whom the rectory is wholly impropriate, and who allows the curate a voluntary stipend; the tithes having merged into the rent, the parish is now considered tithe-free. There is no church; but divine service is regularly performed in a private house licensed by the bishop. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also Lislee, Kilsillagh, and Donoghmore, and containing two chapels, situated respectively at Abbeymahon and Lislee. The parochial schools are principally supported by the Cork Diocesan Association; the school-house was given by C. Leslie, Esq. There are also a Sunday school and a hedge school. The ruins of the abbey consist of the walls of the church, which are tolerably entire, and a square tower mantled with ivy.
ABBEYSHRULE, or ABBEYSHRUEL, a parish, in the barony of ABBEYSHRULE, county of LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 1 1/2 mile (S. W.) from Colehill, on the road from Longford to Moyvore; containing 1233 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Inney, which divides it into two parts, connected by a stone bridge of ten arches; and derives its name from the monastery of Shrowl, or Shruel, founded here prior to the tenth century, and refounded for monks of the Cistertian order and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, by O'Ferrall, according to Sir James Ware's conjecture, about the year 1150 or 1152. The monastery subsisted till the dissolution, when it was granted to James, Earl of Roscommon; and, in 1569, it was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Robert Dillon, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. In the village is a large flour-mill, also a station of the constabulary police, and a fair is held on the first Wednesday after Trinity. The Royal Canal passes through it, and at a short distance is carried over the river Inney by a handsome aqueduct. The parish comprises 1390 statute acres, a small portion of which is bog, but scarcely sufficient to supply the inhabitants with fuel: on the confines of the county there is a quarry of black stone. It is in the diocese of Ardagh, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the union of Tashinny: the tithes amount to £87. 13. 10 1/2. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Carrickedmond, or Teighshinod; the chapel is situated in the village. There are two schools aided by grants from the Countess of Rosse, the rector, and the Ardagh Association, which afford instruction to 45 boys and 45 girls; and a pay school of 20 boys and 20 girls. Some remains of the ancient abbey yet exist; and there is a large square tower, to which is attached an extensive cemetery.
ABBEYSIDE, a village and suburb of the borough of DUNGARVAN, in the barony of DECIES-without-DRUM, county of WATERFORD, and province of MUNSTER, containing 1859 inhabitants. This place derives its name from the remains of an ancient abbey, which is described in the article on Dungarvan; it is situated on an inlet of the bay, and is included within the electoral boundary of the borough of Dungarvan. The R. C. chapel for the district of East Dungarvan is situated here.
ABBEYSLUNAGH.-- See INNISLONNAGH.
ABBEYSTROWRY, a parish, in the Eastern Division of the barony of WEST CARBERY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER; containing, with part of the market and post-town of Skibbereen, 5570 inhabitants. This parish is situated near the southern coast, on the road from Cork to Baltimore, and is intersected by the river Ilen. It contains 9362 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; and is said to derive its name from a religious house, the ruins of which are situated close to the northern bank of the Ilen, one mile west from Skibbereen, but of the origin of which no particulars are on record. About one-third is waste land or bog, the former consisting of rocky elevations which in some parts afford tolerable pasturage; the bog is only of small extent, and peat is becoming somewhat scarce. Generally the system of agriculture is not much improved: the heavy old wooden plough is still used. The substratum is entirely of the schistus formation: there are quarries of excellent slate at Derrygoole, but not much worked; and throughout the parish is found clay-slate for building and repairing the roads. There are numerous large and handsome residences: the principal are Hollybrook, the seat of R. Becher, Esq.; Lakelands, of T. J. Hungerford, Esq.; Coronea, of Mrs. Marmion; Gortnamucalla, of H. Newman, Esq.; Carriganare, of Mrs. Evans; Laghartydawley, of A. McCarthy, Esq.; Mill House, of J. Clark, Esq.; Clover Hill, of J. Sweetnam, Esq.; Weston, of D. H. Clarke, Esq.; the glebe-house, the residence of the Rev. R. B. Townsend; Abbeyville, the seat of G. Brenham, Esq.; and Rossfort, of J. Ross, Esq.; The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ross, and in the patronage of J. S. Townsend, Esq., the impropriator of the rectory: the tithes amount to £647, of which £200 is payable to the impropriator, £20 to the vicar (under an appropriation grant of the late Earl of Shannon), and the remainder to the lessees of Col. Townsend. The church, situated in the town of Skibbereen, is a large edifice, in the early English style of architecture, with a lofty square tower at the east end: it was built on a new site in 1827, at an expense of £1200, of which £900 was given by the late Board of First Fruits; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £180 for its repair. The glebe-house, near the town, was built in 1824, by aid of a gift of £450 and a loan of £50 from the same Board, on a glebe of fifteen acres purchased by the Board and subject to a rent of £13. 7. per annum. In the R. C. divisions this parish is united to those of Creagh and Tullagh, under the denomination of the union of Skibbereen: the chapel in that town is a spacious and handsome structure, in the Grecian style, with an elegant altar; there is also a chapel in the parish of Tullagh. The male and female parochial schools are situated near the church, and were built in 1825, at the expense of the vicar. An infants' school was built in 1835, and is supported by subscription; and there is a Sunday school for both sexes, under the superintendence of the vicar.-- See SKIBBEREEN.
ABINGTON, a parish, partly in the barony of OWNEY-ARRA, county of TIPPERARY, partly in the county of the city of LIMERICK, and partly in the barony of CLANWILLIAM, but chiefly in that of OWNEY-BEG, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 7 miles (E. by S.) from Limerick; containing 7564 inhabitants. This place, anciently called Wotheney or Woney, attained considerable importance at a very early period, and was celebrated for a Cistertian abbey founded, according to some, in 1189, and to others, in 1205, and provided with monks from the abbey of Savignac, in France, by Theobald Fitz-Walter, Lord of Carrick, and ancestor of the Butlers, Earls of Ormonde, who was interred here in 1206. To this abbey King John made extensive grants of land in the kingdom of Limerick, with the advowsons of several parishes; and the abbot sat as a spiritual peer in the Irish House of Lords. The abbey, with all its possessions, was granted by Elizabeth, in the 5th year of her reign, to Capt.Walshe, who erected a handsome modern house near the ancient buildings; but in the war of 1641 these estates were forfeited to the Crown. There are only some small fragments remaining, situated near the present church, and also a portion of the mansion of the Walshe family; but neither are adequate to afford any idea of their original character. The parish comprises about 32,200 statute acres, of which 12,920 are in the county of Tipperary, 708 are in the liberties of the city of Limerick, and the remainder are in the county of Limerick: of its entire extent, 10,317 statute acres are applotted under the tithe act. Towards its north-eastern boundary it includes a large portion of the Sliebh Phelim mountains, which rise to a considerable height, in many parts affording good pasturage for numerous herds of young cattle and flocks of sheep. The fields are generally well fenced, and the lands are in a good state of cultivation. There are some excellent meadows, mostly attached to the dairy farms; and the farm-houses are comfortable and of neat appearance. The seats are the Glebe-House, the residence of the Very Rev. Thos. P. Le Fanu, Dean of Emly; Borroe Ville, of Dr. Wilkins; Maddebuoy House, of Capt. Wickham; Balovarane, of T. Holland, Esq.; Ash Row, of T. Evans, Esq.; Farnane, of Mrs. Costello; Lillypot, of Mrs. Bradshaw; Castle Comfort, of the Rev. T. O'Brien Costello; and the Deer-Park, the property of Lord Carbery. Fairs are held on May 29th and Aug. 31st; besides which there are fairs at Murroe on April 29th and Oct. 27th. Petty sessions are held every alternate Tuesday; and here is a station of the constabulary police. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Emly, with the rectory and vicarage of Tuough united, by act of council in 1776, together forming the union of Abington, in the patronage of the Archbishop of Cashel: the tithes amount to £650, and of the entire benefice, to £900. The church is a neat small edifice, without tower or spire. The glebe-house is situated on a glebe of 20 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a district, comprising also Clonkeen and a small portion of Doone. The chapel at Murroe is a large and handsome edifice, built in 1811, and enlarged in 1836: there is another old chapel at Borroe. The parochial schools are chiefly supported by the rector; there is another school of about 60 boys and 60 girls, also three pay schools. Two handsome school-houses have been erected at Kisikerk.
ACHILL, a parish, in the barony of BURRISHOOLE, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 14 miles (W.) from Newport-Pratt; containing 5277 inhabitants. This district comprehends the islands of Achill and Achillbeg, and the peninsula of Coraan Achill. The island of Achill, which is the largest off the Irish coast, is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, and is separated from the mainland by a narrow sound, of which the southern part, at a place called Pollyranney, is fordable at low water. It is bounded on the north by Blacksod and on the south by Clew bays, and is 16 miles in length and about 7 miles in breadth, forming a line of coast about 80 miles in circuit, and comprising 46,401 statute acres, chiefly the property of Sir Richard A. O'Donnell, Bart., and partly belonging to the Marquess of Sligo. The western side is mostly a precipitous range of cliffs, but the eastern is in every part well sheltered. Achill Head, a bold promontory, is situated on the southwestern extremity of the island, in lat. 53° 58' 30" (N.), and lon. 10° 12' 20" (W.); and at the northern extremity is Saddle Head, at the entrance of Blacksod bay. Between this and the smaller island of Achillbeg, which is described under its own head, is a channel called Achill Hole, where vessels drawing ten or twelve feet of water may ride in safety in all states of the weather. The peninsula of Coraan Achill, also called the Hook of Achill, lies to the east of the island, and is connected with the mainland by the narrow isthmus of Pollyranney; a powerful tide runs in the sound at the narrows called the Bull's Mouth. The surface is very elevated, rising into lofty eminences, of which the highest is the hill of Coraan, 2254 feet above the level of the sea. There is but little arable land, which is chiefly in the valleys and near the shore. In addition to the mountains of Coraan and Slievemore is Menal Hill, on which is a precipice rising abruptly from the sea to the height of 700 feet. Till within the last fifteen years there were no roads in this retired district; the Sound is about a mile across, and a house has been built and a ferry boat established, for the accommodation of travellers. There are several good and safe harbours; and the Fishery Board built a landing pier at this place. Keel is a coastguard station, and is one of the six that constitute the district of Newport; and at Dugarth there is another, which is one of the six included in the district of Belmullet. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Tuam, and in the patronage of the Archbishop: the tithes amount to £100. There is neither church, glebe-house, nor glebe: divine service is performed at the house of the Achill mission, at Dugarth, twice every Sunday, in the English and Irish languages. In the R. C. divisions this forms a separate and distinct parish: there are two places of worship, one at Kildavenet and the other at Dookenella, but no regular chapel has been built. There are schools at Dugarth, Slievemore, Keel, and Cashel, in which about 380 children receive instruction; also two pay schools, in which are 80 boys and 6 girls. There are remains of old churches, with burial-grounds attached, at Kildurnet and Slievemore; and at the former place are also the remains of an ancient castle, which originally belonged to Grace O'Malley.
ACHILLBEG, an island, in the parish of ACHILL, barony of BURRISHOOLE, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 22 miles (W.) from Newport-Pratt: the population is returned with the parish. This island is situated on the western coast, and on the north side of the entrance of Clew bay; it is separated from the larger island of Achill by a narrow sound, which in some parts is fordable and almost dry at low water. The western shore is very wild, and, in consequence of the swells running to a great height, is unapproachable even in the calmest weather. It comprises about 200 statute acres, the property of Sir Richard A. O'Donnell, Bart.; a small portion of the land is arable, and the remainder is rocky pasture. A coast-guard station has been established here, and is one of the six stations constituting the district of Westport.
ACHONRY, a parish and the head of a diocese, in the barony of LENEY, county of SLIGO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 6 miles (W. S. W.) from Ballymote; containing 15,481 inhabitants. This place, anciently called Achad, Achad-Conair, and Achad-Chaoin, was granted about 530, by the chief of the territory of Luigny, to St. Finian, Bishop of Clonard, who founded an abbey here and placed over it his disciple St. Nathy, who was afterwards made Bishop of Achonry. In 1798, the French invaders marched from Castlebar through Tubbercurry, where a slight skirmish took place. The parish is situated on the river Moy, and on the roads from Boyle to Ballina and from Sligo to Swinford; and comprises 40,500 statute acres, of which, 19,827 are applotted under the tithe act: about 24,300 acres are arable and pasture land, and 16,200 are mountain and bog, much of which the peasantry are reclaiming. The land is generally good, and the system of husbandry is improving: there are quarries of excellent limestone and granite. The principal seats are Chaffpool, the property of J. Armstrong, Esq.; Muckalta, of Jones Irwin, Esq.; Achonry, of T. Rice, Esq.; Roadstown, of D. O'Connor, Esq.; Corsalla, of D. O'Connor, Esq.; Doornon, of H. Gray, Esq.; and Carrounaleck, of J. Gray, Esq. Petty sessions are held at Tubbercurry every Thursday. There are also weekly markets at that place and Bellaghy; and several fairs are held there and at Bellaghy and Curry, which see. The DIOCESE is one of the six constituting the ecclesiastical province of Tuam: it comprehends a large portion of the county of Sligo and part of that of Mayo, and extends about 35 miles in length and 27 in breadth, comprising by estimation a superficial area of 207,650 plantation acres, of which 113,950 are in Sligo, and 93,700 in Mayo. From about the commencement of the 17th century it was held with the see of Killala, as one bishoprick, till 1833, when they were both annexed, under the provisions of the Church Temporalities' Act (3rd of Wm. IV.), to the archiepiscopal see of Tuam. The chapter consists of a dean, precentor, archdeacon, and the three prebendaries of Ballysodere, Killaraght, and Kilmovee: there are neither minor canons nor vicars choral. The cathedral, dedicated to St. Nathy, and called the cathedral church of St. Crumnathy, Achonry, is parochial: it is kept in good repair by an assessment on the parishioners, but in future the expenses will be defrayed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; there is no economy fund. The diocese comprehends 25 parishes, of which three are consolidated rectories and vicarages, two appropriate rectories, and the remainder are vicarages of which the rectories are impropriate: the number of benefices is thirteen, all of which, with the dignities and prebends, are in the patronage of the Archbishop of Tuam, except the deanery, which is in the gift of the Crown; there is one perpetual cure dependent on the deanery and in the patronage of the Dean; the number of churches is eleven, and of glebe-houses, six. The see lands comprise 11,784 acres, of which 8391 are profitable land; and the glebe lands of the benefices consist of 187 1/4 Irish acres. The gross annual revenue of the diocese payable to the bishop is, on an average, £1481. 6. 9 1/2.; and the entire tithes amount to £7354. 0. 5. per annum, of which £4549. 9. 11 1/2. is payable to the clergy, and the remainder to lay impropriators. In the R. C. divisions this diocese includes also the parishes of Kilgarvan and Attymass (which in the Protestant church form part of the adjoining diocese of Killala), and, as originally founded, continues a distinct bishoprick, suffragan to that of Tuam, and comprising 19 parochial unions or parishes, containing 35 chapels, which are served by 19 parish priests and 18 curates or coadjutors. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Achonry, with the rectory and vicarage of Cloonoghill and the rectories of Killoran and Kilvarnet united, together constituting the corps of the deanery of Achonry, which is in the patronage of the Crown. The tithes amount to £646. 3. 1.; and the gross revenue of the deanery, or union, is £920 per annum, out of which the dean allows an annual stipend of £75 to the perpetual curate of Tubbercurry. The church is a plain edifice with a tower and spire, for rebuilding which the late Board of First Fruits, in 1822, granted a loan of £1066. The glebe house was built by a gift of £100 and a loan of £1500 from the same Board: the glebe comprises 20 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms the benefice of the dean, and is divided into three portions, called the Upper, Middle, and Lower Divisions; the first is Curry, in which there are two chapels, one at that place and the other at Moylough; the second is Cloonacool, in which also are two chapels, one there and the other at Tubbercurry; and the third is Mullinabriny, which has one chapel. There are schools for both sexes at Chaffpool, Tubbercurry, Achonry, and Carrowmore: the first is partly supported by J. Armstrong, Esq., who also gave the school-house. The ruins of the old church are situated near the present edifice: there are also ruins of the abbey of Court, founded by O'Hara for Franciscan friars of the third order; of an old church and burial-place at Kilcummen; and of an ancient fortified residence at Castlelough. There is a mineral spring at Ballincurry.
ACTON, a parish, in the barony of LOWER ORIOR, county of ARMAGH, and province of ULSTER, 3 miles (S. S. E.) from Tanderagee, on the old road from Newry to that place; containing 3843 inhabitants, of which number, 257 are in the village. The village was originally founded by Sir Toby Pointz, who, for his military services, obtained a grant of 500 acres of land, part of the forfeited estates of the O'Hanlons, and erected a bawn 100 feet square, a house of brick and lime for his own residence, and 24 cottages for so many English settlers, and called the place Acton, after his own native village in England. It consists of one main street, and at present contains about 50 houses indifferently built. Under the authority of an order of council, in 1789, nineteen townlands were severed from the parish of Ballymore, and erected into the parish of Acton, which comprises 4395 statute acres, and is intersected by the Newry canal. The improved system of agriculture has been extensively introduced, the lands are well drained and fenced, and the bogs have been all drained and brought into cultivation by the proprietor, Col. Close. The weaving of linen cloth, diapers, checks, and calicoes is extensively carried on by the small farmers and cottiers in the parish. The principal gentlemen's seats are Acton House, the residence of R. Conway Dobbs, Esq.; and Drominargoole, of D. Lucas, Esq. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, and in the patronage of the Prebendary of Ballymore in the cathedral church of St. Patrick, Armagh: the income arises from a fixed stipend of £50 per annum, payable by the rector or prebendary of Ballymore, and an augmentation of £25 per annum from Primate Boulter's fund. The church, erected at Pointz Pass in 1789, is a neat edifice, in the early English style. The glebe-house, situated about half a mile from the church, is a handsome residence; and the glebe comprises 21 acres of good land. In the R. C. divisions this parish is in the union or district of Ballymore: the chapel is a small building, situated at Pointz Pass. There are two places of worship for Presbyterians in connection with the Seceding Synod, situated respectively at Tanniokee and Carrickbrack, or Tyrone's Ditches, the latter of the first class. There are four schools, of which two are aided by annual donations from Col. Close and the Rev. Mr. Darby, and in which are about 220 boys and 160 girls; also a private pay school of about 30 boys and 30 girls. The remains of a church built by Sir Toby Pointz, in 1684, under the chancel of which he lies interred, are situated in the midst of a wood, and have a very interesting appearance; a tablet is still preserved, with an inscription to his memory.
ADAM'S ISLE, an islet in the parish of CASTLEHAVEN, Eastern Division of the barony of WEST CARBERY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER. It is situated in the harbour of Castlehaven, off Shillenragga Head.
ADAMSTOWN, or MURNEVAN, a parish, in the barony of BANTRY, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 6 miles (E. N. E.) from New Ross, on the road from that place, by way of Old Ross, to Enniscorthy; containing 1857 inhabitants. It comprises 7941 statute acres: the surface is diversified with gentle elevations, contrasting strikingly with the rocky hill of Carrigburn in the vicinity; the land is chiefly under an improving system of tillage; limestone for manure is brought from New Ross. Merton, the seat of T. Annesley Whitney, Esq., is in this parish. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Ferns, to which part of Inch, called Newbawn, has been united time immemorially, together constituting the corps of the archdeaconry of Ferns, in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes of the parish amount to £410. 13. 1., and of the benefice, to £770. 17. 9. The church, towards the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits gave £500, in 1805, is a neat edifice, in the later English style, with a square embattled tower; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £259 for its repair. There are two glebes, containing 13 acres, of which 10 acres are held under the Earl of Rathdown, at a rental of £6, which is paid to the master of the parochial school; and on this portion are situated the church, glebe-house, and school premises. The glebe-house was built by Archdeacon Barton, in 1803, by aid of a gift of £100 from the same Board. The parish is within the R. C. union or district of Newbawn: the chapel is a spacious and handsome edifice, with a tower 56 feet high, built by local subscription, and is one of the largest in the diocese. A parochial school-house, in which about 60 boys and 20 girls are taught, with apartments for the master, was lately built at the expense of the Earl of Rathdown and Archdeacon Barton. There are also two private pay schools, in which are about 70 children; and a Sunday school, under the superintendence of the Protestant clergyman. Here are the remains of a castle, built in 1556 by Nicholas Devereux and his wife Katherine, as appears by a Latin inscription on a shield over the gateway, which is also charged with the armorial bearings of that family: they consist of a square tower in the centre of a quadrangle surrounded by a high wall flanked with turrets at the angles. In the ancient burial- ground is a Roman cross, supposed to be of considerable antiquity.
ADARE, a post-town and parish (anciently a corporate town), partly in the barony of KENRY, and partly in the Eastern Division of UPPER CONNELLO, but chiefly in the barony of COSHMA, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 8 miles (S. W.) from Limerick, and 102 miles (S. W. by W.) from Dublin; containing 4913 inhabitants, of which number, 776 are in the town. The early history of this place, of which the name signifies "the ford of the oaks," is involved in great obscurity. On the arrival of the English, in the reign of Hen. II., it appears to have been distinguished as having a castle and a church. In the following century it became the property of the Fitzgeralds, of whom John, first Earl of Kildare, founded a monastery here in 1279, which he dedicated to the Holy Trinity and amply endowed, for the redemption of Christian captives. This establishment, which is now called the Black Abbey, and is situated in the town, continued to flourish till the dissolution, when, with the other religious houses subsequently founded here, it was granted by Elizabeth, in the 37th of her reign, to Sir Henry Wallop, Knt., to be held for ever in fealty, in free and common socage, at a yearly rent of £26. 17. 8., on condition of his maintaining two able horsemen on the premises. The remains consist of the tower, nave, and part of the choir of the church, which were fitted up in 1811 for a R. C. chapel by the present Earl of Dunraven; the tower, which is embattled, is in a very perfect state, and is one of the most massive in the South of Ireland; the prevailing style of architecture is the early English, which has been tolerably well preserved in its restoration. There are several extensive ruins on the north side, probably the remains of the domestic buildings. Another abbey was founded here, the remains of which, situated within the demesne of Adare Castle, on the bank of the river, are very extensive and highly interesting: they consist of the nave, choir, and south transept of the church, which, with the exception of the roof, are tolerably entire. From the intersection rises a beautiful slender square tower; in the choir are several stalls, niches, fonts and stoups of elegant design; and on the east side of the transept, in which also are niches and fonts, are two chantry chapels, or oratories, and also one on the west side. The cloisters are nearly in a perfect state, and round them are arranged the principal offices, the refectory, and various other domestic buildings; in the centre of the enclosure is a stately and venerable yew tree, but inferior in growth to that at Muckross. The prevailing style of architecture is the later English, of which these remains display some very elegant details. A Franciscan abbey was also founded on the south side of the river, by Thomas, seventh Earl of Kildare, who married Joan, daughter of the Earl of Desmond. The remains, situated close to the bridge, consist of the lofty and slender square tower, the nave, and part of the choir of the conventual church, fitted up by the Earl of Dunraven as the parochial church; the cloisters on the north side, which are perfect, having been restored by the earl (who has erected adjoining them a splendid mausoleum for his family), and in which, and over the doorway, are several shields with the arms of Kildare and Desmond alternately; the refectory, and part of the domestic buildings, which have been recently restored and appropriated as a school-house by the Countess of Dunraven: the prevailing style is the later English, which has been carefully preserved throughout. Some time prior to the year 1310 the town appears, from ancient records, to have been incorporated, as in that year a grant of murage and customs was made by Edw. II. to "the bailiffs and good men of the town of Adare;" and in 1376 Edw. III. issued a writ to the sheriff of the county and all officers connected with the subsidies, &c., prohibiting them under heavy penalties from demanding from the provost or commonalty of Adare any services or customs, until the town, which had been then recently burned and destroyed by the "Irish enemy," should be fully rebuilt and inhabited. The castle was originally erected by the O'Donovans, rebuilt by the second Earl of Kildare in 1326, and enlarged and fortified by several of his successors. When Turlough O'Brien was ravaging this part of the country, he burned the castle, which was soon afterwards repaired by Thomas, Earl of Kildare. Gerald, a subsequent earl, having countenanced the second attempt of Perkin Warbeck, was accused of treasonable practices, and the castle and all his possessions were forfeited to the Crown; but he was restored to his estate by favour of Henry, Prince of Wales, who made him his deputy-governor of Ireland. In 1519, the earl set out from this castle on his route to London, to meet the accusations of Cardinal Wolsey; and having vindicated his innocence was, on his return to Ireland, appointed lord-deputy, and ordered to secure the person of his nephew, the Earl of Desmond, who had departed from his allegiance and joined Francis I. of France, and was taking refuge in the castle of Askeaton. The lord-deputy, on his arrival at the castle of this place, finding that the earl had retired to his strong holds, returned to Dublin; and for this neglect, in connection with other charges, he was sent to the Tower of London, where he died in confinement; and on the rebellion of his son, better known by the appellation of Silken Thomas, this castle and the family estates again escheated to the crown. During the wars in the reign of Elizabeth the castle was frequently attacked by the English forces without success; but in the summer of 1578 it was taken, after a siege of eleven days, and in the following year was garrisoned by a powerful body of English troops, under the command of Captain Carew. Sir John Desmond soon after assaulted it, but was repulsed with great loss by the garrison, and compelled to seek protection from his friend and kinsman, the Knight of Glin. In 1581 the castle was again besieged by the Earls of Desmond and Kerry, with a numerous and powerful army, who succeeded in reducing the garrison, and put every man to the sword. Upon this occasion the English forces, under Col. Zouch, marched from Cork to the relief of the garrison, but arriving too late, they attacked the confederate earls, whom they defeated with great slaughter, and retook the castle. It was again besieged in 1600, when the garrison suffered greatly, being without food for many days, and obtaining a supply of water only by excavating a subterraneous passage to the bed of the river. In 1641 the castle was seized by the insurgents and held for some time, till they were at last driven out by the Earl of Castlehaven; in 1657 it was dismantled by Cromwell's orders. The remains are of considerable extent, and the walls of great strength, but notwithstanding the efforts of its noble proprietor to preserve this interesting relic of antiquity, it is rapidly falling into decay. This was the scene of much confusion and many atrocities during the prevalence of Whiteboyism in 1786, and of Defenderism in 1793; and also under the system of the Rockites many persons were destroyed near the place, on the chapel of which were posted notices, signed, "John Rock, R. C. B., Commander-in-chief of the army in Ireland." The ancient town of Adare was situated on the eastern bank of the river Mague, near the castle and the ancient parish church, which are now within the demesne of the Earl of Dunraven, and about half a mile distant from the present town, which is situated on the western bank of the river, over which is a fine bridge of fourteen arches. The bridge is quite level, and, though narrow, is generally admired; it was built by the fifth Earl of Kildare, and is still in a good state of preservation. The river is here broad, and from several artificial weirs appears like a succession of lakes, but beyond the bridge it becomes very shallow. The present town has the appearance of an old village whose growth has been gradual: it contains 114 houses, many of which are old and badly built; several houses have been taken down already, and others will be also removed as the leases fall in, under the improvements intended by the proprietor, Lord Dunraven, which have been already commenced by the erection of an hotel, post-office, and several other substantial houses. The mail coach from Limerick to Tralee passes daily through it. A constabulary police force has been established here; petty sessions are held fortnightly; and fairs are held on Jan. 20th, Feb. 21st, March 27th, April 27th, May 27th, Sept. 15th, Oct. 14th, and Dec. 15th, for the sale of farming stock and implements, which are well attended. The parish comprises 10,202 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land is every where fertile, and is under an improved system of cultivation: about two-fifths are in tillage, and the remainder is rich meadow and pasture land; there is neither bog nor waste land. Black, grey, and porphyritic limestone of good quality abounds; the black is most esteemed for building, and the grey for agricultural purposes. The Maigue is navigable up to the town by means of a short canal, and there are two quays, one at the termination of the canal in the town, the other about a mile down the river, both constructed at the expense of Lord Dunraven. The surrounding scenery is finely diversified and embellished with handsome seats and highly ornamented demesnes. The principal seat is Adare Castle, the property and residence of the Earl of Dunraven: of this noble edifice, the centre and north wing only are completed; the style of architecture is that of the more enriched period of the later English, and when finished it will be one of the most splendid mansions in the country. It is built of hewn limestone found upon the estate, and is situated on the western bank of the river, in a very extensive and finely wooded demesne, commanding a beautiful view of the interesting remains of the ancient castle and of the several abbeys; and near the house still stands the venerable ash tree under which the family papers, with other things of value, were hastily hidden by Lord Dunraven's ancestor, on the approach of a party of marauders during the Revolution of 1688. Not far distant is Currah, the elegant residence of Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart., in the centre of a wide, fertile, and undulating demesne, enriched with luxuriant woods and plantations, and embellished with a picturesque lake: the mansion is of hewn limestone, with a front of beautiful design commanding the lake; there are three entrances to the park, of which the lodge at that from Adare is the most handsome. Sir Aubrey is author of "Julian the Apostate" and other minor poems. Near Currah is Currah Bridge, the neat residence of G. Fosbery, Esq.; and within the parish is Tuagh House, the residence of the Rev. S. B. Leonard. The farm-houses, generally small, have gardens and orchards attached, and are mostly occupied by Palatines, originally German Protestants, who settled here about the year 1740, since which time they have greatly increased in numbers, but continue a distinct body. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Limerick, and in the patronage of John Croker, Esq.; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Dunraven. The tithes amount to £808. 5. 5., of which £506. 8. 6. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. The church, part of the Franciscan abbey, has been already noticed: there is neither glebe nor glebe-house. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also Drehidtarsna and Clounshire, and parts of two other parishes; the chapel is part of the ancient abbey of the Holy Trinity, previously noticed. The refectory of the Franciscan abbey, adjoining the church, was restored and fitted up for a school by the Countess of Dunraven, in 1815; it is a spacious apartment lighted by fifteen windows, each of which is of a design different from the rest; and, in 1825, the countess built a good residence for the master and mistress, in the same style as the refectory, with a garden attached. There are 300 children in the school, which is wholly supported by the countess. The parochial school, in which are about 80 boys and 50 girls, is supported by Lord Dunraven; and there is a private pay school of about 30 boys and 6 girls. A fever hospital and dispensary, with a house adjoining for a resident physician, has been recently erected by his lordship, and is supported in the customary manner. Adare gives the titles of Baron and Viscount to the ancient Irish family of Quin, Earls of Dunraven and Mountearl; the present Earl constantly resides here.
ADDERGOOLE, a parish, in the barony of TYRAWLEY, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 5 miles (S. by E.) from Crossmolina; containing 6725 inhabitants. This parish is situated on Lough Conn, by which it is bounded on the north, and on the road from Crossmolina to Castlebar: it contains within its limits the greater portion of the stupendous mountain of Nephin, which rises to a height of 2640 feet above the level of the sea. The land generally is under an improved system of tillage; there are large tracts of bog and mountain, which have been reclaimed to a great extent; and limestone abounds in the parish. Castle Hill is the seat of Major Cormick; Woodpark, beautifully situated on Lough Conn, of J. Anderson, Esq.; and Carrowkeel, of W. Bourke, Esq. A fair is held at Laherdane on the 29th of June, and at Ballagheen on the 24th of June. The parish is in the diocese of Killala; the rectory is partly appropriate to the precentorship, and partly to the vicars choral, of the cathedral of Christchurch, Dublin; the vicarage forms part of the union of Crossmolina. The tithes amount to £250, of which £13. 10. is payable to the precentor, £111. 10. to the vicars choral, and £125 to the vicar. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel is at Laherdane. There are two public schools, in which are about 130 boys and 30 girls; and six hedge schools, in which are about 160 boys and 70 girls. There are some remains of an old abbey at Addergoole, and also at Bofinan; and near Castle Hill are vestiges of an ancient castle.
ADNITH, or ATHNETT, a parish, in the barony of ELIOGARTY, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 4 1/4 miles (S. by E.) from Templemore, on the river Suir, and on the road from Thurles to Templemore and Rathdowney; containing 253 inhabitants. It comprises 826 statute acres, and in the Down survey and county books is not noticed as a parish, but as forming a part of the parish of Rahelty, which was part of the possessions of the abbey of Woney. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Cashel, and forms part of the union of Thurles; the rectory is impropriate in Edward Taylor, Esq. The tithes amount to £72, of which £39 is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions also it is part of the union or district of Thurles.
ADREGOOLE, or ADDERGOOLE, a parish, in the barony of DONMORE, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 4 miles (W.) from Dunmore, on the river Clare, and on the road from Dunmore to Castlebar; containing 2842 inhabitants. A constabulary police force has been stationed here; and petty sessions are held every alternate week. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam, and forms part of the union of Tuam; the rectory is appropriate partly to the deanery and partly to the archdeaconry of Tuam. The tithes amount to £137. 8. 2 1/2., of which £103. 1. 1 1/2. is payable to the dean and archdeacon, and £34. 7. 1. to the incumbent. At Kilconly there is a chapel of ease. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also that of Liskeevy; the chapel, a large slated building recently erected, is situated at Milltown. There are three pay schools, in which are about 170 boys and 60 girls.
AFFANE, a parish, in the barony of DECIES-without-DRUM, county of WATERFORD, and province of MUNSTER, 4 miles (E. by S.) from Lismore, on the mail road from Waterford, through Youghal, to Cork; containing 1879 inhabitants. This place, called anciently Arthmean, or Aghmean, was, in 1564, the scene of a battle between the Earls of Desmond and Ormonde, in which the Earl of Ormonde was defeated with the loss of 280 of his men. It is chiefly distinguished as containing Dromana, which was for a long time the chief seat of the Fitz-geralds of the Decies, who were descendants of James, the seventh Earl of Desmond, and one of whom, in 1569, was created "Baron of Dromany and Viscount Desses," which titles became extinct at his decease. His nephew and second successor in the estate entertained at this place the celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, who introduced here a fine species of cherry, which has continued to flourish in the neighbourhood to the present day, and is still in high estimation. The old castle having been burnt down in a period of hostility, the present mansion was erected on its site, and is now the property of H. Villiers Stuart, Esq., a descendant of the original possessors. The parish is bounded on the south-west by the river Blackwater, which is here navigable; it comprises 7530 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is in general fertile. The mansion of Mr. Stuart overhangs the Blackwater, which winds round the base of a precipitous ascent clothed with thriving plantations, and with its hanging gardens presents a picturesque and interesting feature. The other seats are Belleville Park, the residence of S. Poer, Esq., pleasantly situated amidst thriving plantations; Richmond, of Major Alcock; Mountrivers, of the Rev. G. Gumbleton, the vicar; Affane, of S. Power, Esq.; and Derriheen, of C. Maunsell, Esq. Fairs are held on May 14th, Aug. 12th, and Nov. 22nd. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Lismore, to which the vicarage of Aglish was episcopally united in 1817, forming the union of Affane, in the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire, in whom the rectory is impropriate. The tithes amount to £369. 4. 7., payable in moieties to the impropriator and the vicar; and the gross amount of tithe for the whole benefice is £344. 12. 3 1/2. The church is a neat building, for the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £500, in 1819. There is no glebe-house; the glebe contains only 2 roods and 20 perches. In the R. C. divisions this parish is one of the two which form the union of Modeligo; the chapel is at Boharavaughera. A school of 250 boys and 80 girls, at Carrageen, is aided by a legacy of £20 per annum from the late Mr. Magner.
AGHA, or AUGHA, a parish, in the barony of IDRONE EAST, county of CARLOW, and province of LEINSTER, comprising part of the market and post-town of Leighlin-bridge, and containing 1739 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the east side of the river Barrow, which is navigable to Waterford, and on the road from Carlow to Kilkenny. An abbey, called Achad-finglass, was founded here at a very early period by St. Fintan, and in 864, in which year it was plundered by the Danes, had risen into some note; its site is now unknown. The parish contains 4028 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and is wholly under cultivation; the system of agriculture is improving. Limestone for burning is procured within its limits. The principal seats are Rathwade, the residence of B.B. Newton, Esq., and Steuart Lodge, of W. R. Steuart, Esq. Fairs for the sale of live stock are held on Easter-Monday, May 14th, Sept. 23rd, and Dec. 27th; and there are two at Orchard on Whit-Tuesday and Oct. 2nd. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, and forms part of the union of Dunleckney; the rectory is impropriate in A. Weldon, Esq. The tithes amount to £415. 7. 8 1/4., of which £276. 18. 5 1/2. is payable to the impropriator, and £128. 9. 2 3/4. to the vicar. The church is in ruins. In the R. C. divisions it is partly in the union or district of Dunleckney, and partly in that of Old Leighlin: the chapel, situated at Newtown, is a handsome edifice lately erected. There are two schools for boys and girls; one situated at Leighlin-bridge, and the other, a large and handsome edifice lately built, near the R. C. chapel; they afford instruction to 120 boys and 230 girls. There is also a private pay school, in which are about 20 children; and a dispensary.-- See LEIGHLIN-BRIDGE.
AGHABOE, or AUGHAVOE, a parish, in the barony of UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, on the road from Dublin to Roscrea; containing, with the post-town of Burros-in-Ossory, 6196 inhabitants. This place, originally called Achadh-Bho, and signifying in the Irish language "the field of an ox," derived that name from the fertility of its soil and the luxuriance of its pastures. It was celebrated at a very early period as the residence of St. Canice, who, in the 6th century, founded a monastery here for the cultivation of literature and religious discipline; and so great was his reputation for learning and sanctity, that a town was soon formed around it for the reception of his numerous disciples. The town soon afterwards became the seat of a diocese, comprehending the district of Ossory, and the church of the monastery was made the cathedral of the see of Aghaboe. This see continued, under a succession of bishops, to retain its episcopal distinction till near the close of the 12th century, when Felix O'Dullany, the last bishop, was compelled, by the submission of Donchad, Prince of Ossory, to Hen. II., to remove the seat of his diocese to Kilkenny. The parish comprises 17,311 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The rich and extensive vale in which it is seated lies between the mountains of Cullahill, on the south-east, and the Slieve Bloom range on the north-west, which separates the Queen's from the King's county. The soil is generally fertile, and in a tract of about 40 acres behind the church, said to have been the site of the ancient town, and afterwards of the abbey gardens, it is remarkably rich: the system of agriculture is improving, and there is a considerable tract of bog, but not sufficient to provide fuel for the use of the inhabitants. The substratum is limestone, of which there are several quarries; at Knockaruadh is found a brown slate; and at Carrig and Carrigeen are some rocks of granite. The gentlemen's seats are Ballybrophy, the residence of T. White, Esq.; Old Park, of -- Roe, Esq.; Middlemount, of Capt. Moss; Carrick, of -- Pilkington, Esq.; and Cuffsborough, of J. Palmer, Esq. Fairs are held at Burros eight times in the year; and petty sessions are held every alternate week there and at Cuffsborough. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the Rev. Thomas Carr; the rectory constitutes part of the corps of the deanery of St. Canice, Kilkenny, in the patronage of the Crown. The tithes amount to £789. 4. 7 1/2., of which £526. 3. 1. is payable to the dean, and the remainder to the vicar. The parish church appears to be the chancel of the old cathedral, the west end having an arch of red grit-stone, now filled up with masonry; and there are foundations of walls, clearly indicating a continuance of the building towards the west; it was enlarged, or partly rebuilt, about 1818, for which purpose the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £500. Divine service is also performed in the courthouse of Burros. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £1350 from the same Board, in 1820; there are two glebes in the parish, comprising together 185 acres, which belong to the vicarage. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, which comprises also the parishes of Killermagh and Boardwell, and parts of those of Kildellig and Coolkerry, and contains four chapels, three of which are at Knockrea, Ballincolla, and Burros-in-Ossory, in this parish. There are two schools, in which are about 80 boys and 50 girls, and of which one at Cuffsborough is principally supported by Jas. Grattan, Esq.; and there also eight private schools, in which are about 230 boys and 160 girls; and a Sunday school. At the distance of a few yards from the parish church are the remains of the Dominican abbey church; and at Lismore are the remains of an ancient oratory of stone, supposed to have been attached to a residence of the Fitzpatricks; adjoining it is an old burying-ground. To the north of the church is a large artificial mount, surrounded by a fosse and encircled with a wall near the summit; and at some distance from it is an ancient fortification, called the "rath of Lara," or the "moat of Monacoghlan." At Gurtneleahie is an ancient square castle; and at Ballygihin are the remains of an ancient fortress, of which there were formerly many others in the parish.-- See BURROS-IN-OSSORY.
AGHABOG, a parish, in the barony of DARTRY, county of MONAGHAN, and province of ULSTER, 1 mile (W.) from Newbliss, on the road from Clones to Ballybay; containing 7442 inhabitants. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 11,543 1/2 statute acres, of which 222 1/2 are covered with water, and 10,484 are arable and pasture land, applotted under the tithe act; there are also from 16 to 20 acres of woodland, and about 243 of bog. The soil is a rich but shallow loam on a deep, stiff, and retentive clay, which renders it wet unless drained and manured with lime and marl, but it produces naturally an abundant herbage: the inhabitants are nearly all engaged in the linen manufacture. Within the limits of the parish are five lakes, of which that near Leysborough demesne is the largest. Drumbrain is the neat residence of T. Phillips, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Clogher, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £331. 3. 3. The church is a plain edifice, built in 1775, for which purpose the late Board of First Fruits gave £390. There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of 40 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union of Killeevan: the chapel is a neat modern building, situated on the townland of Lathnamard. At Drumkeen there is a Presbyterian meeting-house, in connection with the Seceding Synod, and of the second class. There are seven public and two private schools in the parish. James Woodwright, Esq., of Gola, bequeathed £10 per ann. for the poor.
AGHABOLOGUE, a parish, in the barony of EAST MUSKERRY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 5 miles (E. N. E.) from Macroom; containing 5054 inhabitants. It comprises 18,130 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £6712 per annum. Its surface is very uneven and soil various: in the western and northern parts are several lofty hills, of which Knockgaun and Knockroer are the highest. On part of its eastern boundary, near the Dripsey, the soil is very productive; and the lands around Ahavrin are in a high state of cultivation. The state of agriculture has been much improved by the exertions of Capt. Crooke, Mr. Colthurst, and other proprietors, who have introduced a practical system of irrigation and draining, and the culture of green crops. The glen of Mullinassig abounds with beautiful and romantic scenery; both its sides are richly adorned with wood, and at its head, deeply seated amid towering rocks, is a little mill, below which the river forms a fine cascade, and a little lower falls into a beautiful lake. Numerous large and elegant houses are scattered over the parish: the principal are Clonmoyle, the seat of C. Colthurst, Esq.; Ahavrin House, of Capt, T. E. Crooke; Leeds, of F. Woodley, Esq.; Cooper's Ville, of W. Warsop Cooper, Esq.; Deelis, of R. Fuller Harnett, Esq.; Mountrivers, of N. Whiting, Esq.; Kilberehert, of R. B. Crooke, Esq.; the Cottage, of J. Pyne, Esq.; Rock Ville, of T. Radley, Esq.; Ahavrin Cottage, of the Rev. I. Smith; and Carrigadrohid, of the Rev. Pierce Green, P.P. The small demesne of Ahavrin is well planted; and on an isolated rock at its southern extremity stands a picturesque castellated tower, surmounted by a light and graceful turret. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cloyne, and in the. patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £750. 0. 5 1/2. The church is a small dilapidated structure, and is about to be rebuilt by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. There is no glebe-house; but adjoining the churchyard is a glebe of five acres, and another glebe of thirty acres was purchased at Ahavrin by the late Board of First Fruits, subject to an annual rental, which being too high, the rector never took possession of it. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, which comprises also the parish of Magourney and a moiety of Aghinagh, and contains two chapels, situated at Aghabologue and Magourney: the former is a large and handsome edifice, in the pointed style of architecture, with a broad, flat, castellated bell turret. The parochial school for boys and girls is built on the glebe adjoining the church, and is endowed by the rector with the entire plot of glebe: there are also two hedge schools in the parish. Near the church is a celebrated well, dedicated to St. Olan. In the churchyard is St. Olan's Cap, a square stone, six feet high, inscribed with a number of Ogham characters, perfect and legible, with several others on the base covered by the soil; and close to the doorway leading into the church is a large ancient square font of grey marble, curiously moulded at the corners.
AGHACREW, or AUGHACREW, a parish, in the barony of KILNEMANAGH, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 7 miles (N. N. E.) from Tipperary, on the new line of road from that place to Nenagh; containing 390 inhabitants. It comprises only 364 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; and contains High Park, the residence of the Rev. John Hunt. It is in the diocese of Cashel, and the rectory is wholly appropriate to the Archbishop's mensal: the tithes amount to £40. 10. 4. There is no church: the Protestant inhabitants attend divine service at Toam, about three miles distant.
AGHACROSS.-- See AHACROSS.
AGHADA, or AHADA, a parish, partly in the barony of BARRYMORE, but chiefly in that of IMOKILLY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 4 miles (S. W. by W.) from Cloyne; containing 2512 inhabitants. This parish, which includes the small fishing village of Whitegate, is situated on the south side of Cork harbour, and on the road from Cloyne to Carlisle Fort. The village of Aghada occupies an elevated site, and contains the parish church and R. C. chapel. The village of Whitegate is a small fishing port, where several boats are employed in raising sand from the harbour, which is used for manure. On the north side of the parish a neat small pier has been constructed by subscription, where a steam-boat from Cork or Cove calls every Tuesday during the summer, and where coal and sand are occasionally landed. About 50 females are employed in platting Tuscan straw for exportation, and a few in platting the crested dog's tail, or "traneen," grass found here. The parish comprises 2331 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the greater part is under tillage, and nearly the whole of the remainder is pasture; there is very little waste land or bog. At Whitegate are two quarries of stone used for building. There are several handsome houses within its limits: the principal are Aghada House, the residence of J. Roche, Esq.; Whitegate House, of Mrs. Blakeney Fitzgerald; Careystown, of Mrs. Atkin; Hadwell Lodge, of J. Penrose, Esq.; Hadwell, of the Rev. Dr. Austen; Maryland House, of J. Haynes, Esq.; Rathcourcy, of J. Smith, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev. J. Gore. There is a coast-guard station at East Ferry. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cloyne; it was united in the reign of Chas. II. to the rectories and vicarages of Corkbeg, Rostellan, Inch, and Kilteskin or Titeskin, which, from the time of Bishop Crow, in the reign of Anne, were held in commendam by the Bishop of Cloyne, till the death of Dr. Brinkley in 1835, when they were disunited by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and made separate benefices, in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £292. 15. 6. The church, a neat structure, situated on an eminence above the harbour of Cove, was erected in 1812. The glebe-house adjoins it, and for its erection the late Board of First Fruits, in 1814, granted a loan of £1000 and a gift of £100: the glebe comprises 20 acres of profitable land. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms the head of a union or district, also called Saleen, which comprises the parishes of Aghada, Rostellan, Corkbeg, Inch, and Garranekenefeck, and contains three chapels, situated respectively in Aghada, Rostellan, and Inch; the first is a small plain edifice, built by the late John Roche, Esq., who, in 1818, founded a school. The parochial school at Farcet was founded by the late Bishop Brinkley, who endowed it with two acres of land from the glebe, and is further supported by the Marchioness of Thomond. A school at Whitegate Hill was founded in 1827, for 50 boys, by the late R. U. Fitzgerald, Esq., who endowed it with £500; and female and infants' schools have been built and are supported by his widow, Mrs. Blakeney Fitzgerald. In these schools about 100 boys and 50 girls receive instruction: there are also two private schools, in which are about 50 boys and 40 girls. In the village of Aghada are the picturesque ruins of the old church.
AGHADE, a parish, in the barony of FORTH, county of CARLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 2 3/4 miles (S.) from Tullow, on the river Slaney, and on the road from Tullow to Newtownbarry; containing 368 inhabitants. It comprises 1614 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is partly arable and partly pasture; a great portion of the latter is marshy, but might be improved by draining; the state of agriculture is very good. There are quarries of limestone and of a fine species of granite for building. Ballykealy is the residence of J. J. Lecky, Esq. The living is an impropriate curacy, endowed with two-thirds of the entire tithes, to which the vicarage of Ballon was recently united, and in the diocese of Leighlin and patronage of the Bishop; the remainder of the tithes are impropriate in Lord Downes. It was episcopally united, in 1710, to the rectory of Gilbertstown and the vicarages of Ardristin and Ballon, which union was dissolved in 1830, and divided into three distinct benefices. The tithes amount to £135, of which £45 is payable to the impropriator and £90 to the incumbent; and the entire tithes of the benefice amount to £170. The church, which is pleasantly situated on rising ground above a small stream, is a plain old building in indifferent repair, and is about to be newly roofed, for which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £591. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Ballon and Ratoe, or district of Gilbertstown. There is a school, in which 57 boys are taught.
AGHADERG, or AGHADERRICK, a parish, partly in the barony of LOWER but chiefly in that of UPPER IVEAGH, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER, on the road from Newry to Belfast; containing, with the towns of Loughbrickland and Scarvagh, 8981 inhabitants. This place formed part of the grant made by Queen Elizabeth, in 1585, to Sir Marmaduke Whitchurch, who built a castle on the shore of Loughbrickland, which was dismantled by Cromwell's army, and remained in ruins till 1812, when it was taken down and a dwelling-house erected on its site. In 1690 William III. encamped here with his army from the 14th to the 25th of June, on his march to the Boyne: vestiges of the camp may still be traced, and Dutch coins are frequently found in the neighbourhood. The parish, according to the Ordnance survey, comprises 13,919 statute acres, of which 119 1/4 are covered with water, and 11,772 are applotted under the tithe act; of waste and bog there is one acre to every twenty of arable land, and the pasture land is in the proportion of one to every five acres in tillage. The land is extremely fertile, and under a highly improved system of tillage: the bog is very valuable, being estimated at 32 guineas per acre. Great quantities of clay-slate are raised here for mending the roads and for building purposes; and slate quarries have been formerly worked, but are now discontinued. The Newry Canal, in its progress to Lough Neagh, forms the western boundary of the parish and the county. There are two lakes; Loughbrickland, which forms the summit level of the canal, is skirted on its western shore by the road from Dublin to Belfast; Loughadian, near the western boundary of the parish, is rendered highly picturesque by the beautiful grounds and rich plantations of Union Lodge, the seat of W. Fivey, Esq. Among the other gentlemen's seats are Scarvagh House, the handsome residence of J. Lushington Reilly, Esq.; Loughbrickland-House, of N. C. Whyte, Esq.; Lisnagrade, of E. H. Trevor, Esq.; and Woodville House, of R. Boardman, Esq. The manufacture of linen is carried on to a considerable extent, many persons being employed at their own houses in weaving damask, diapers, drills, shirtings, and sheetings, for the Banbridge manufacturers. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Dromore, and in the patronage of the bishop; the rectory is united, by charter of the 7th of Jas. I., to the rectories of Seapatrick, Drumballyroney, and Tullylish, and part of those of Drumgooland and Magherally, together constituting the corps of the deanery of Dromore, in the patronage of the Crown. The tithes amount to £746. 14. 3., of which £497. 16. 2. is payable to the dean, and £248. 18. 1. to the vicar. The gross annual value of the deanery, as returned by the Commissioners on Ecclesiastical Revenues, is £1483. 19. The church is a large handsome edifice, in the early English style, erected in 1688, and a lofty square tower surmounted by an octagonal spire of hewn stone was added to it, for which the late Board of First Fruits, in 1821, granted a loan of £500. The glebe-house is a handsome residence; the Board, in 1801, gave £100 towards its erection, and also purchased a glebe of 24 acres for the vicar. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and is the benefice of the Vicar-general; there are two chapels, one in Loughbrickland, a large and handsome edifice, and a smaller at Lisnagead. There are three places of worship for Presbyterians, one near the lake in connection with the Synod of Ulster, another at Glascar with the Seceding Synod, and a third at Scarvagh, all of the first class; one for Covenanters near Scarvagh, and one for Primitive Methodists at Lough-brickland. There are two public schools, in which are about 100 boys and 70 girls; and eleven private pay schools, in which are about 400 boys and 290 girls'. Some remains of an ancient church exist in the townland of Drumsallagh; and about half a mile to the south-west of Lough-brickland are three upright stones, called "the three sisters of Greenan," apparently the remains of an ancient cromlech: they are situated on a gentle eminence, and near them is a fourth lying in a ditch. In 1826, a canoe formed out of a solid piece of oak was found in Meenan bog; and in a small earthwork near it were found several gold ornaments, earthen pots, and other relics of antiquity. At Drummillar is a vast cairn of loose stones, 60 feet high and 226 feet in circumference.-- See LOUGHBRICKLAND and SCARVAGH.
AGHADOE, a parish, in the barony of MAGONIHY, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER; containing, with part of the town of Killarney, 4796 inhabitants. This place was formerly the head of a bishop's see, merged from time immemorial into that of Ardfert, which, with Limerick, forms the bishoprick of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe. The annals of Innisfallen state that a son of O'Donoghue was buried in an abbey founded here by him, which was standing in 1231. The only traces of its ancient dignity are the ruins of its cathedral, and the archdeaconry of Aghadoe, of which it still forms the corps. The parish is situated chiefly on the road from Killarney to Milltown and Tralee, and partly on that from Killarney to Cork: it comprehends within its limits the Island of Innisfallen, and part of the lakes of Killarney, and comprises 17,720 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The lands consist of a ridge of shaly rock hounding and overlooking the lake; and of a flat spreading towards the north into a wide expanse of wet bog, with shoals of gravel. On the expiration of the lease of this manor, held under its proprietor, Lord Headley, in 1826, his lordship took the estate under his own management; the farms, previously consisting of small portions of land held under middlemen by cottier tenants, were surveyed and improved upon an arrangement adapted to the mutual benefit of landlord and tenant, and let on leases of 21 years in portions varying from 100 to 200 acres, with stipulated allowances for building comfortable farm-houses, making fences and drains, and drawing the requisite quantities of lime for the improvement of the soil. Several miles of new road have been constructed, and extensive plantations made solely at his lordship's expense. The hovels formerly occupied by the cottier tenants have been superseded by good farm-houses built of stone and roofed with slate; attached to each are orchards and gardens, and the whole face of the district presents an appearance of improvement. Lord Headley has a pattern farm of considerable extent adjoining his demesne, and has erected a splendid villa in the Italian style of architecture, commanding an interesting and extensive view over the great Lower Lake of Killarney; the approach is by a small but elegant bridge across a ravine, leading from the entrance gate and lodge, which are both in a corresponding style of architecture. The plantations of Aghadoe House comprise about 100 acres, extending along the hill overlooking the lake. [For Lord Headley's other improvements see the articles on Castleisland and Glanbegh.] Grena, the seat of John O'Connell, Esq., is pleasantly situated on the river Laune, near its outlet from the lake: this river is considered capable of being made navigable from Castle-maine bay to the lake. The other seats are Lakeville, the residence of James O'Connell, Esq., so called from its proximity to the Lower Lake; Fossa Cottage, of W. B. Harding, Lord Headley's agent; Lakelands, at present unoccupied; Gurtroe, of S. Riordan, Esq.; Prospect Hall, of the Hon. T. Browne, brother of the Earl of Kenmare, commanding a fine view of the lake and its numerous islands; and, on the opposite side of the lake, Tomies, the seat of D. J. O'Sullivan, Esq. Near the town of Killarney, but within the limits of this parish, are the extensive flour-mills of Messrs. Galway and Leahy, worked by the small river Dinagh. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe, forming the corps of the archdeaconry of Aghadoe, in the patronage of the Bishop, and partly impropriate in the Earl of Donoughmore and H. Herbert, Esq., of Muckross. The tithes, including those of "the five plough-lands of Killarney," amount to £552. 4. 7 1/2., of which £447. 4. 7 1/2. is payable to the archdeacon, and of the remainder, £55 is payable to the lessee of Lord Donoughmore, and £50 to H. Herbert, Esq., as abbot of Innisfallen. A glebe of 10 3/4 acres, and one-third of the tithes of the "Church Quarter" in the parish of Kilgarvan, with tithes in Tuosist amounting to £15. 6. 11 1/2. late currency, belong also to the archdeacon. There is at present neither church nor glebe-house: the ancient and much used burial-ground adjoining the ruins of the cathedral of Aghadoe has been enlarged by the addition of a slip of ground given by Lord Headley. It is in contemplation to erect a church on a site to the west of the ancient cathedral, presented by Lord Headley, who has also contributed £100 towards a subscription now in progress for this purpose, and at present amounting to about £700, to which the archdeacon, who has appointed a curate, subscribed £100, and the Countess of Rosse, £50. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the unions or districts of Killarney, Killorglin, and Glenflesk; the chapel for the portion of the parish in the district of Killarney is at Fossa, to the north of the lake, adjoining the plantations of Lord Headley; and at Barraduff is also a chapel for that part of the parish which is in the district of Glenflesk. In that part of the town of Killarney which is within this parish is a convent for nuns of the order of the Presentation, in which is a school of nearly 400 girls, who are gratuitously instructed by the ladies of the convent, and to the support of which the Earl of Kenmare contributes £100 per annum. There is also a school supported partly by an annual donation of £5 from his lordship, and by subscription. The venerable remains of the ancient cathedral are situated on the summit of a range of low hills, sloping gradually towards the northern shore of the great Lower Lake. Near them are the ruins of an ancient round tower, of which about 20 feet are yet standing; and at a short distance are those of an ancient castle, usually called "the Pulpit."
AGHADOWN.-- See AUGHADOWN.
AGHADOWY, or AGHADOEY, a parish, in the half-barony of COLERAINE, county of LONDONDERRY, and province of ULSTER, 6 miles (S. by W.) from Coleraine, on the road from that place to Dungannon; containing 7634 inhabitants. This parish, which is bounded on the north-east by the river Bann, is 10 3/4 miles in length from north-west to south-east; and 4 1/2 miles in breadth from north-east to south-west; and, with the extra-parochial grange or liberty of Agivey, which is locally within its limits, and has since the Reformation been attached to it, comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 18,115 3/4 statute acres, of which 1727 3/4 are in Agivey, 119 1/2 are covered with water, and 16,290 are applotted under the tithe act. Its western extremity is mountainous and barren, but eastward towards the river the soil is fertile; the lands are generally in a high state of cultivation, particularly in the neighbourhood of Keeley, Ballybrittan, Rushbrook, Flowerfield, and Mullamore; in the valley where the Agivey and Aghadowy waters meet, the soil is very rich. Previously to the year 1828, no wheat was grown in this parish; but since that period the system of agriculture has been greatly improved, and, in 1832, Mr. James Hernphill introduced the cultivation of mangel-wurzel and turnips, which has been attended with complete success. There are considerable tracts of bog, but they will soon be exhausted by the large quantities annually consumed in the bleach-greens; and in the western or mountainous parts are large tracts of land which, from the depth of the soil, might easily be brought into cultivation. Ironstone is found in several parts, but is more particularly plentiful in the townland of Bovagh. The greater portion of the parish formed part of the lands granted, in 1609, by Jas. I. to the Irish Society, and is now held under the Ironmongers' Company, of London, by whom, on the expiration of the present leases, the lands will be let, as far as may be practicable, on the English principle: the Mercers' Company, the Bishop of Derry, and the Rev. T. Richardson are also proprietors. There are numerous gentlemen's seats, of which the principal are Rushbrook, the residence of J. Knox, Esq.; Landmore, of Geo. Dunbar, Esq.; Flowerfield, of J. Hunter, Esq.; Flowerfield, of Mrs. Hemphill; Keeley, of Andrew Orr, Esq.; Ballydivitt, of T. Bennett, Esq.; Mullamore, of A. Barklie, Esq.; Moneycarrie, of J. McCleery, Esq.; Meath Park, of J. Wilson, Esq.; Bovagh, of R. Hezlett, Esq.; and Killeague, of Mrs. Wilson. Previously to 1730 the parish was for the greater part unenclosed and uncultivated; but three streams of water which intersect it attracted the attention of some spirited individuals engaged in the linen trade, which at that time was coming into notice, and had obtained the sanction of some legislative enactments for its encouragement and support. Of these, the first that settled here with a view to the introduction of that trade were Mr. J. Orr, of Ballybrittan, and Mr. J. Blair of Ballydivitt, who, in 1744, established some bleach-greens; since that time the number has greatly increased, and there are at present not less than eleven in the parish, of which ten are in full operation. The quantity of linen bleached and finished here, in 1833, amounted to 126,000 pieces, almost exclusively for the English market; they are chiefly purchased in the brown state in the markets of Coleraine, Ballymoney, Strabane, and Londonderry, and are generally known in England as "Coleraines," by which name all linens of a similar kind, wherever made, are now called, from the early celebrity which that town acquired for linens of a certain width and quality. In addition to the bleaching and finishing, Messrs. A. and G. Barklie have recently introduced the manufacture of linens, and have already 800 looms employed. Coarse kinds of earthenware, bricks, and water pipes, are manufactured in considerable quantities; and when the navigation of the river Bann is opened, there is every probability that this place will increase in importance. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Derry, constituting the corps of the prebend of Aghadowy in the cathedral church of that see, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £500. The church, situated in a fertile vale near the centre of the parish, and rebuilt in 1797, is a small neat edifice with a handsome tower, formerly surmounted by a lofty octagonal spire, erected at the expense of the late Earl of Bristol (when bishop of Derry), but which was destroyed by lightning in 1826; the tower, being but slightly injured, was afterwards embattled and crowned with pinnacles: the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £183 for the repair of the church. The late Board of First Fruits granted £100 towards the erection of a glebe-house, in 1789; and in 1794 the present house, called Blackheath, was built by the late Sir Harvey Brace, Bart., as a glebe-house for the parish. It is a handsome residence; over the mantel-piece in the drawing-room is an elegant sculpture, representing Socrates discovering his pupil Alcibiades in the haunts of dissipation, which was brought from Italy by Lord Bristol, and presented to Sir H. Bruce. The glebe lands comprise 403 statute acres, exclusively of a glebe of 121 acres in Agivey; and the gross value of the prebend, as returned by His Majesty's Commissioners on Ecclesiastical Revenues, is £880 per annum. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Killowen, or Coleraine, and contains a small chapel at Mullaghinch. There are places of worship for Presbyterians of the Synod of Ulster (of the first class), Seceders in connection with the Associate Synod (of the second class), and Covenanters, situated respectively at Aghadowy, Ringsend, Ballylintagh, and Killeague. There are five schools, situated respectively at Mullaghinch, Droghead, Collins, Drumstaple, and Killeague, supported by the Ironmongers' Company; two free schools at Gorran and Callyrammer, and two schools situated at Blackheath and Ballynakelly, of which the former, for females only, is supported by the rector's lady, and the latter is aided by an annual donation from Mr. Knox. About 530 boys and 350 girls are taught in these schools; and there is a private school of about 16 boys and 20 girls. A religious establishment was founded here, in the 7th century, by St. Goarcus, as a cell to the priory or abbey founded by him at Agivey, the latter of which became a grange to the abbey of St. Mary-de-la-Fouta, or Mecasquin, in 1172. A very splendid lachrymatory or double patera of pure gold, of exquisite workmanship and in good preservation, was found at Mullaghinch in 1832, and is now in the possession of Alexander Barklie, Esq. In the townland of Crevilla is a large druidical altar, called by the country people the "Grey Stane;" and on the mountains above Rushbrook is a copious chalybeate spring, powerfully impregnated with iron and sulphur held in solution by carbonic acid gas.
AGHAGALLEN, or AUGHAGALLON, a parish, in the Upper half-barony of MASSAREENE, county of ANTRIM, and province of ULSTER, 2 miles (N. W. by N.) from Moira, on the road from that place to Antrim; containing 3574 inhabitants. It is bounded on the west by Lough Neagh, and comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 7885 statute acres, of which 2415 acres are in the lough: the land is chiefly under an improved system of tillage; there are about 300 acres of bog, but no waste. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in weaving linen and cotton, and some in spinning. The parish is intersected by the Lagan canal from Lough Neagh to Belfast. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Connor, and is part of the union of Magheramesk; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Hertford. The tithes amount to £66. 10., of which £26. 10. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. The church has long been in ruins. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, called also the union of Ballinderry, which comprises the parishes of Aghagallen, Aghalee, Ballinderry, and Magheramesk, and contains two chapels, one of which is in this parish. The parochial school is principally supported by the vicar; and there are three private schools and a Sunday school.
AGHAGOWER.-- See AUGHAGOWER.
AGHALEE, or AGHANALEE, a parish, in the Upper half-barony of MASSAREENE, county of ANTRIM, and province of ULSTER, 1 mile (N. by W.) from Moira, on the road from that place to Antrim; containing 1411 inhabitants. This place obtained the name of Soldiers'-town from its having had, during the war in 1641, a barrack in the village, in which were quartered two troops of horse and foot belonging to the royal army. The parish is bounded on the west by Lough Neagh, and comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 2499 1/2 statute acres: the land is fertile and in a very high state of cultivation; there is neither bog nor waste land. Limestone abounds, and great quantities are shipped off by the Lagan canal from Lough Neagh to Belfast. Broommount House is the property and residence of Stafford Gorman, Esq. Many of the working class are employed at their own houses in weaving linen and cotton for the manufacturers of Belfast. The parish is in the diocese of Dromore; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Hertford; the vicarage forms part of the union of Magheramesk. The tithes amount to £100. 16., of which £21. 16. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. The church of the union, situated here, is a small plain edifice in substantial repair. The glebe-house, about half a mile from the church, was built in 1826; and the glebe contains 13a., 3r., 9p., valued at £12. 8. 6. per annum. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Aghagallen, or Ballinderry. The parochial school, near the church, is principally supported by the vicar; and there are two other public and two private schools. A finely wrought and flexible piece of gold, shaped like a gorget, was found near this place a few years since.
AGHALOO.-- See AUGHALOO.
AGHALURCHER, a parish, partly in the barony of CLOGHER, county of TYRONE, but chiefly in that of MAGHERASTEPHENA, county of FERMANAGH, and province of ULSTER, on the mail coach road from Cavan to Enniskillen; containing, with the towns of Maguire's-bridge and Lisnaskea, 15,218 inhabitants. This parish is situated on Lough Erne, and is 17 miles in length (extending from the island of Cordillar, near Crumcastle, to Ballaghlough, within two miles of Clogher), and 5 miles in breadth. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 47,015 3/4 statute acres (including 3157 1/4 covered with water), of which 4708 1/4 are in Tyrone, and 42,307 1/2 in Fermanagh, and of which also, about one-fourth are pasturable mountain and bog. The system of agriculture is greatly improved, and the crops and stock are generally productive and of good quality; the peasantry, in addition to their agricultural pursuits, are employed in spinning and weaving, and are generally industrious and in comfortable circumstances. Limestone and limestone gravel abound, and there are some good quarries of freestone and of mill-stone. Slushill quarry is considered one of the best in the North of Ireland, and produces freestone of excellent quality. The only river of note is Maguire's river, which runs nearly the whole length of the parish; it is navigable, and abounds with pike, perch, trout, and eels. There are two bridges over this river, one at Maguire's-bridge (which is a flourishing market-town), and one at Ballindanaford, between that place and Lough Erne, a substantial structure of seven large arches, on the great line of road. Lough Erne, in which are seven islands included within this parish, abounds with salmon, pike, eels, perch, and bream; it is navigable from Belleek, and affords a facility of supplying the barracks of Belturbet with turf from this place. The principal seats are Cole-Brooke, the residence of Sir A. B. Brooke, Bart.; Drumgoon, of R. Graham, Esq.; Curragh, of Capt. Chartres; Nutfield, of Lady Brooke; Shebrag, of H. Gresson, Esq.; and Holybrook, of H. Leslie, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Clogher, and in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin: the tithes amount to £831. The church, a plain building at Coletrain, for the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits, in 1762, gave £200, was, by an act of the 7th of Geo. III. (1767), constituted the parish church: the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £142 for its repair. There is also a chapel of ease at Lisnaskea. The glebe-house, with a glebe comprising 518 statute acres, of which two-thirds are arable land, and one-third moor and bog, is situated within a mile and a half from the church; there is also another glebe, which is from 5 to 6 miles distant from either the church or chapel. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; there are two chapels, one at Maguire's-bridge, and the other called the Moate Chapel, near Lisnaskea. There are also places of worship for Presbyterians and Primitive Wesleyan Methodists at Maguire's-bridge; the former is in connection with the Synod of Ulster, and of the third class. There are seven public schools, affording also instruction to about 440 boys and 200 girls; also six Sunday schools, and ten private schools, in which latter are about 300 boys and 160 girls. Within two miles of Lisnaskea are the venerable ruins of the ancient church of Aghalurcher, said to have been built towards the close of the 9th century, and dedicated to St. Ronan. There are some remains of an old castle on the townland of Aheter, within a mile of Five-mile-town, on the Cole-Brooke estate, in which the insurgents are said to have sustained a siege in the last rebellion of the Maguires. There are two old castles in Largy deer-park; and one in the town of Brookboro', in the parish of Aghaveagh, all of which belonged to the Maguire family; and on Naan, an island in Lough Erne, are the remains of a very extensive castle, which in remote times was a formidable strong hold, surrounded on all sides by water of the lake more than a mile in breadth. There are numerous sulphureous and chalybeate springs in the parish.-- See MAGUIRE'S-BRIDGE and LISNASKEA.
AGHAMACART.-- See AUGHAMACART.
AGHAMORE.-- See AGHAVOWER.
AGHANAGH.-- See AUGHANAGH.
AGHANCON, a parish, partly in the barony of CLONLISK, but chiefly in that of BALLYBRITT, KING'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 3 1/2 miles (N.) from Roscrea, on the road from Parsonstown to Mountrath; containing 1378 inhabitants. It comprises 3000 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is mostly poor, and the state of agriculture is not much improved; there is some bog, and gritstone used for building is found. The principal seats are Leap Castle, the residence of H. Darby, Esq.; and Summer Hill, of F. Freeman, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £150. The church is a neat edifice in good repair: it was built in 1786, at the joint expense of Dr. Pery, then Bishop of Limerick, and Jonathan Darby, Esq., with the aid of a gift of £390 from the late Board of First Fruits. The glebe-house was built by the late incumbent, and has been much improved and enlarged at the expense of the Rev. R. M. Kennedy, the present incumbent; the glebe comprises 15 acres. The parochial school, in which 22 boys and 17 girls are at present taught, is supported by Mr. Darby; the school-house is a good slated building near the church. There are also two private pay schools, in which are about 50 boys and 30 girls. The ruins of Ballybrit castle yet exist; and on the townland of Garryhill is a mineral spring.
AGHANLOO, or AGHANLOE, a parish, in the barony of KENAUGHT, county of LONDONDERRY, and province of ULSTER, 2 miles (N.) from NewtownLimavady; containing 2159 inhabitants. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 82511 statute acres, of which 50 3/4 acres are under water. On the plantation of Ulster in the reign of Jas. I., the lands of this parish and several others were allotted to the Haberdashers' Company, of London, who selected this as the head of their territory, and built a bawn and castle for its defence, in 1619, which was called Bally Castle, or "the Castle of the Town," and placed under the custody of Sir Robt. McLellan, who had a garrison of 80 able men and arms for its protection. In the war of 1641 the castle was besieged by the insurgents, headed by Capt. O. Hagan, but was bravely defended by Capt. Philips, its governor, till May in the following year, when it was relieved by the united Derry and Strabane troops, under the command of Col. Mervyn, and the assailants put to flight; but in the contentions which afterwards ensued it was destroyed, and has ever since been in ruins. The lands are of variable quality; in the district bordering on the Roe the soil is fertile, being principally composed of gravel, with a mixture of clay, and produces abundant crops of wheat, oats, &c.; towards the mountains it is a stiff marl, with a substratum of white limestone, and produces excellent crops of flax and oats. The mountain of Benyevenagh, consisting entirely of basalt, and rising to the height of 1260 feet above the level of Lough Foyle, which washes its base, affords excellent pasturage, and is cultivated on the western side nearly to its summit. Limestone abounds, and is found ranging immediately under the basalt throughout the whole length of the parish. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Deny, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £315. The church, a small neat edifice in the early English style, was erected in 1836, by aid of a grant from the late Board of First Fruits; it has a lofty square tower crowned with pinnacles, and is situated about a quarter of a mile to the south of the ruins of the old church. Divine service is also performed in two school-houses, in distant parts of the parish, alternately once every Sunday, in summer, and twice in winter. The glebe-house, nearly adjoining the church, is a handsome residence; the glebe comprises 32a. 1r. 19p. of excellent land. In the R. C. divisions the parish is included partly in the union or district of Magilligan, and partly in that of Newtown-Limavady. There are schools at Lisnagrib, Stradragh, and Ballycarton, in which are about 140 boys and 90 girls; and there is also a private school of about 11 boys and 7 girls. The parochial school, supported by the rector, is at present discontinued, in consequence of the erection of a new school-house now in progress at the expense of the Marquess of Waterford. A portion of the south wall of the old church is still remaining; it was destroyed by the insurgents in 1641, and was rebuilt from the produce of forfeited impropriations, by order of Wm. III. The Rev. G. V. Sampson, author of a "Map and Memoir of the County of Derry," was rector of this parish, and his statistical survey is dated from the glebe of Aghanloo.
AGHARNEY.-- See AHARNEY.
AGHAVALLIN, or AGHAVALAH, a parish, in the barony of IRAGHTICONNOR, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 4 1/2 miles (W. S. W.) from Tarbert; island containing, with the town of Ballylongford and the of Carrigue, 5688 inhabitants. This place anciently belonged to the O'Connors of Kerry, whose principal seat, Castle Carrig-a-foile, signifying in the Irish language "the rock of the chasm," was situated on the south-west side of the inlet between the main land and the small island of Carrigue, which is encircled by the river Shannon. This castle was defended on the land side by a double wall flanked with circular and square bastions, which are still remaining, and was fortified against Queen Elizabeth by O'Connor, who placed in it a garrison under the command of Julio, an Italian officer. The castle, with the entire barony, excepting only one estate, was forfeited by the O'Connors of Kerry, in 1666, and conferred by the act of settlement upon the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The parish is situated on the river Shannon, and within a mile and a half of the high road from Tralee to Limerick, and comprises 15,152 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. About one-third of it is good arable land, rather more than one-third of a coarser quality, and the remainder is mountain pasture and bog. Limestone for manure is brought from Askeaton by turf boats returning from Limerick; and sea manure is also extensively used. A species of brown stone of good quality is quarried for building. The principal seats are Kiletton, the residence of W. Hickey, Esq.; Litter, of G. Wren, Esq.; Rusheen, of F. Crosbie, Esq.; Rushy Park, the property of Godfrey Leonard, Esq., at present occupied by Terence O'Connor, Esq.; Ahanogran, the seat of J. O'Connor, Esq.; and Asdee, of Barry Collins, Esq. A steam-boat passes daily from Kilrush to Tarbert and Limerick, and vessels of 30 tons enter the creek for potatoes and turf, in which a considerable traffic is carried on. Dredging for oysters off the island of Carrigue, and fishing, employ several persons in the season. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe, to which those of Liseltin, Killehenny, Galey, Murhir, Kilnaughten, Disert, Finuge, Listowel, and Knockanure are united, constituting the union of Aghavallin, in the patronage of Anthony Stoughton, Esq., in whom the rectory is impropriate. The tithes amount to £304. 12. 2., of which £152. 6. 1. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar: the gross amount of tithes of the union payable to the incumbent is £774. 17. 11. The church, having been condemned, is about to be rebuilt by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. There are churches at Liseltin, Kilnaughten, and Listowel. There are several glebes in the union, but all in the possession of the impropriator. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of the union or district of Ballylongford, also called Tarbert, which comprises the parishes of Aghavallin and Kilnaughten: a chapel has been recently erected at Asdee, as a chapel of ease to that at Ballylongford; and there is also a chapel at Tarbert, in the parish of Kilnaughten. A large and commodious school-house has been erected at Ballylongford: but the Protestant children of the parish attend a school at Sallow Glin, the demesne of Mr. Sandes, on the border of the adjoining parish; there are six pay schools.-- See BALLYLONGFORD and CARRIGUE.
AGHAVOWER, or AGHAMORE, a parish, in the barony of COSTELLO, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 4 1/2 miles (N.) from Ballyhaunis, on the road from that place to Swinford; containing 7062 inhabitants. St. Patrick is said to have erected a monastery here, for his disciple St. Loarn. The surface of the parish is varied with several small lakes; the lands are chiefly under tillage; there is a considerable quantity of bog, also a quarry of black marble. The gentlemen's seats are Cooge, the residence of James Dillon, Esq.; Annach, of Thomas Tyrrell, Esq.; and Oahil, of James McDonnell, Esq. Fairs are held at Ballinacostello on June 3rd, Aug. 8th, Oct. 19th, and Dec. 18th. The parish is in the diocese of Tuam, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the union of Kiltullagh: the tithes amount to £158. 4. 10. The ancient church is in ruins, but the cemetery is still used. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the district of Knock; the chapel is an old thatched building. There are seven pay schools, in which are about 550 children. At Cloonfallagh there is a mineral spring.
AGHER, a parish, in the barony of UPPER DEECE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/2 miles (S. S. W.) from Summerhill; containing 360 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Summerhill to Edenderry, and from the latter town to Dunboyne, and contains 1900 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Its surface gently undulates, and the soil consists of loam of different qualities: about one-third of the land is under tillage, and the remainder, with the exception of about 100 acres of bog, half of which is cut away and partly planted, is good grazing land. There are quarries of limestone; the Royal Canal passes near the southern extremity of the parish. Agher House, the residence of J. P. Winter, Esq., occupies a beautiful situation in a demesne of about 650 statute acres, containing some fine timber: the gardens are extensive and well laid out; and the neat appearance of the cottages on the estate manifests the proprietor's regard for the comforts of the peasantry. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £80. The church is a neat edifice, erected by voluntary contributions and a parochial rate, in 1804: it contains a window painted by Gervaise, representing Paul preaching at Athens, from the cartoons of Raphael, which was formerly in the private chapel at Dangan, in the adjoining parish, when that place was the seat of the Wellesley family. There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of 12 1/2 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Laracor, or Summerhill: the chapel is situated on the townland of Agher, on ground given by the family of Winter. The parochial school for both sexes is aided by annual donations from Mr. Winter and the rector, and there is a private pay school; also a dispensary.
AGHERN, or AHERN, a parish, in the barony of KINNATALOON, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 5 miles (E.) from Rathcormac; containing 1367 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the river Bride, over which is a bridge of three arches of stone, and on the mail car road from Rathcormac to Castle Martyr, and the direct road from Cork to Tullow. A castle was erected here, in 1389, by one of the Fitzgeralds, to command the pass of the river, on which was an ancient ford at that time of great importance: it was of great strength, and was powerfully garrisoned by the Earl of Desmond against the forces of Elizabeth. At no great distance were the castles of Duneen and Conna, both founded by the Fitzgeralds for the defence of other passes of the Bride, of which there are some picturesque remains. The parish comprises 3480 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2296 per ann.: 2855 acres are arable and pasture land; 425 are coarse land and bog, but capable of being improved; and 200 consist of waste and mountain. The soil is in general fertile, particularly in the Vale of the Bride, where the substratum is limestone; the land is principally under tillage, and the system of agriculture is rapidly improving under the exertions of Spotswood Bowles, Esq., and the Hon. and Rev. L. Tonson. Ahern House, the residence of Mr. Bowles, is pleasantly situated near the picturesque ruins of the ancient castle, and the grounds comprise some interesting and beautiful scenery. There is a constabulary police station; and petty sessions are held on the first Thursday in each month. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cloyne; the rectory united from time immemorial to that of Ballynoe, and in the patronage of the Crown; and the vicarage episcopally united for many years to the entire rectory of Britway, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £370. 18. 5 1/2., which is equally divided between the rector and the vicar; and the gross tithes of the union, payable to the incumbent, amount to £456. 17. 4 1/2. The church, situated near the bridge, at the extremity of the parish, is a neat edifice, built in 1817, for which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £500. The Board also granted a gift and loan, each of £300, for the erection of the glebe-house, in 1822: the glebe comprises seven acres of profitable land. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Knockmourne, also called Ballynoe. The parochial school, in which are about 20 boys and 20 girls, is endowed with an acre of land by the Duke of Devonshire; there are also a Sunday school and two hedge schools, in which latter are about 80 boys and 40 girls.
AGHERTON, or BALLYAGHRAN, a parish, in the liberties of COLERAINE, county of LONDONDERRY, and province of ULSTER, 3 miles (N. N. W.) from Coleraine; containing, with the town of Portstewart, 2746 inhabitants. This parish occupies the whole of the promontory between the Bann and the Atlantic, comprising, according to the Ordnance survey, 3896 3/4 statute acres, of which 3709