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CLONMANY, or CLUINMANAGH, a parish, in the barony of ENNISHOWEN, county of DONEGAL, and province of ULSTER, 5 miles (W. by N.) from Carne; containing 6450 inhabitants. According to Archdall, a very rich monastery existed here, built by St. Columb in the 6th century, of which there is now no trace, but the festival of that saint is observed on the 9th of June. The parish, which is bounded on the north by the Atlantic ocean, comprises 23 divisions, called quarter lands, and, according to the Ordnance survey, 23,376 statute acres, two-thirds of which are irreclaimable mountain land, and 127 1/4 are water. The shore forms a semicircle of nearly nine miles, and abounds with sea-weed, which is used as manure. The mountains, of which the largest is Raghtin, rising to an elevation of 1656 feet above the level of the sea, are chiefly composed of whinstone and clay-slate, and near the pass to Desertegney a valuable deposit of limestone has been recently discovered. In the mountain of Ardagh are veins of lead ore, which have not yet been worked. The land is not generally favourable for cultivation. There are three corn-mills. Fairs are held on Jan. 1st, March 24th, June 29th, and Oct. 10th, for horses, cattle, sheep, flax, yarn, &c. Within its limits are the rivers Clonmany and Ballyhallon: the former has its rise in Meendoran lough, and the latter from a small spring in the western part of the parish; they contain trout and eels, and in autumn, salmon. Within the parish also is Dunaff Head, between which and Fanet Point, in the parish of Clondevadock, is the entrance to Lough Swilly. On Dunree Point an artillery station was erected in 1812, in which a small garrison is still maintained. At Rockstown is a coast-guard station, and at Strand, or Clonmany, one for the constabulary police. The principal seats are Dresden, the residence of T. L. Metcalfe, Esq.; Glen House, of M. Doherty, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev. Mr. Molloy.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Derry, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Donegal: the tithes amount to £400. The glebe-house, which is on a glebe of five acres, was built in 1819, by aid of a gift of £100, and a loan of £675, from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe at Cherbury comprises 365 acres, of which 300 are uncultivated. The church is a neat structure, with a low square tower: it is situated in the vale of Tallaght, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £368. 4. 3. for its repair. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and has a large and well-built chapel. The parochial school is aided by an annual donation from the incumbent; and at Garryduff is a very large and handsome school-house, built in 1835. There is a school at Urras, aided by an annual donation from Mrs. Merrick, in which are educated 35 boys and 17 girls; and there are four pay schools, in which are 170 boys and 30 girls. On the north-east of the parish are the ruins of a castle, called Carrick-a-Brakey, consisting of a circular tower, 25 feet high and 8 feet in diameter, and a square building, 30 feet high and 10 feet in diameter. A mile south-east of this is another castle, called in Irish Caislean na Stucah; it stands on a pyramidal rock, insulated by spring tides, the top of which is 80 perches above the level of the sea, and is inaccessible except by long ladders. Tradition states that, it was built by Phelemy Brasselah O'Doherty. At Magheramore is a very perfect cromlech, consisting of a table stone of above 20 tons, supported by three upright pillars: it is called Fion McCuil's finger stone. Among the natural curiosities is a chink in a rock at Tallaght, under which is a cavern: and at Leenan Head is a beautiful cave, 70 yards long and 5 or 6 broad, excavated by the sea, through which boats can pass; besides a waterfall dashing over a perpendicular rock 50 feet high, and several caves. Here are also some chalybeate springs; and on the lofty mountains eagles still build their nests, and are very destructive, particularly in the lambing season.
CLONMEEN, or CLOONMEEN, a parish, in the barony of DUHALLOW, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 2 miles (S. S. E.) from Kanturk; containing 5344 inhabitants. A monastery for Augustine Friars was founded here by the O'Callaghans, ancestors of Lord Lismore; and a castle existed here, which was destroyed in the war of 1641. On the 26th of July, 1652, a body of the parliamentary forces under Lord Broghill, having during the night repulsed the cavalry of Lord Muskerry, who was endeavouring with his Irish forces to advance to the relief of Limerick, crossed the Blackwater, about half a mile east of Bantyre bridge, came up with Lord Muskerry's troops, posted on the elevated ground of Knockbrack or Knockiclashy, and made so resolute an attack that they were routed with great slaughter. After the Restoration, Sir Richard Kyrle settled here, erected iron-works, cut down woods, and considerably improved the neighbourhood; and when the French threatened to invade Ireland, in 1666, Sir Richard offered to raise a troop of 60 horse. The parish is situated on both sides of the river Blackwater, and on the new Bogra road from Kanturk to Cork: the new Government, road to King-William's-Town and Castle Island passes through that part of Clonmeen which lies to the north of the Blackwater. It comprises 20,815 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued for the county cess at £7632 per annum. The land consists partly of reclaimable mountain pasture and bog, and partly of arable land, which latter produces wheat of a superior quality. Culm exists at Drumcummer, but is not worked; and there is a valuable limestone quarry near Rosskeen bridge. Gurtmore rock, on the south side of the Blackwater, rises to a considerable height, and contains several large caverns. The seats are Gurtmore House, the residence of the Rev. P. Townsend, and Gurtmore, of E. Foote, Esq.
The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Cloyne, and with part of the rectory is episcopally united to the vicarage of Rosskeen, forming the union of Clonmeen, in the patronage of the Bishop; the other portion of the rectory is appropriate to the economy estate of the cathedral of St. Colman, Cloyne. The tithes amount to £415. 9. 3.; and the gross value of the tithes of the benefice is £369. 4. 7 1/2. The church is an old dilapidated building, without a tower, and was the burial-place of the O'Callaghans: it has been recently condemned, and it is expected that a new one will shortly be erected. In the R. C. divisions that portion of the parish lying north of the Blackwater forms part of the union or district of Castle-Magner; the remainder is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Kilcorney, and containing two chapels, one in each parish; the chapel of Clonmeen, at Bantyre Cross, is a large edifice lately built, and adjoining it is a commodious house, erected by the late Rev. Myles Bourke, parish priest, who bequeathed it for the benefit of his successors. A parochial school has been recently built and is supported by subscription; and there are several private schools, in which are about 250 children. On one of the Gurtmore rocks, on the south side of the Blackwater, stand the remains of the castle of Clonmeen, near which several cannon balls have been lately discovered.
CLONMEL, county of Cork. -- See GREAT ISLAND and COVE.
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It is situated on the banks of the river Suir, in a beautiful and fertile valley bounded by picturesque mountains, and on one of the two main roads from Dublin to Cork, and that from Waterford to Limerick. With the exception of that portion which is built on islands in the river, it is wholly on the northern or Tipperary side of the Suir, and is connected with the Waterford portion by three bridges of stone. The principal street is spacious, and extends from east to west, under different names, for more than a mile in a direction nearly parallel with the river; the total number of houses, in 1831, was 1532. The town is lighted with gas from works erected, in 1824, by Messrs. Barton and Robinson, of London, who sold them, before they were completed, for about £8000 to the British Gas-Light Company of London, under whom they are now held on lease. The provisions of the act of the 9th of George IV., for lighting and watching towns in Ireland, have been adopted here: the inhabitants are amply supplied with water by public pumps in the various streets. Several newspapers are published, and there are four news-rooms, one of which is a handsome building lately erected at the eastern end of the town, and called the County Club House. At the eastern entrance into the town are extensive barracks for artillery, cavalry, and infantry; behind them, on an elevated and healthy spot, is a small military hospital, capable of receiving 40 patients.
In 1667, the plan of Sir Peter Pett for introducing the woollen manufacture into Ireland was carried into effect by the Duke of Ormonde, then Lord-Lieutenant; and, in order to provide a sufficient number of workmen, 500 families of the Walloons were invited over from Canterbury to settle here. The manufacture continued to flourish for some time, but at length fell into decay, in consequence of the prohibitory statutes passed by the English parliament soon after the Revolution, and is at present nearly extinct. A factory for weaving cotton has been established by Mr. Malcomson, which at present affords employment to 150 girls; he has also an extensive cotton-factory at Portlaw, in the county of Waterford. A very extensive trade is carried on in grain and other agricultural produce of the district, principally with the Liverpool and Manchester markets; great quantities of bacon are also cured and sent to London and the channel ports. There are two very large ale and porter breweries in the town; and at Marlfield, about a mile distant, is a distillery for whiskey upon a very extensive scale. The Excise duties collected within this district, in 1835, amounted to £75,520. 16. The only mineral production in the neighbourhood which forms an article of commerce is slate, of good quality, found at Glenpatrick and worked by the Irish Mining Company. Though not a sea-port, the town, from its situation at the head of the Suir navigation, is the medium through which the corn and provision export trade is carried on between the southern and eastern portions of this large county and England. There are generally about 120 lighters, of from 20 to 50 tons burden, employed in the trade of this place; and several hundred carriers are engaged during winter on the roads communicating with Clonmel and the principal towns within 40 miles round: a considerable portion of the trade of Waterford also passes through the town. In the year ending April 30th, 1832, not less than 230,543 cwt. of flour, 28,678 barrels of wheat, 19,445 barrels of oats, 3878 barrels of barley, 21,559 cwt. of butter, 2769 cwt. of lard, and 63,751 flitches of bacon, besides smaller quantities not enumerated, were sent for exportation. The navigation of the Suir was formerly very imperfect: in 1765, a parliamentary grant was obtained to form a towing-path, by which the passage of the boats has been greatly accelerated. The river is still in many places so shallow that, in dry seasons, the navigation is much impeded. An act has recently been obtained for its improvement; and it is proposed to form a railroad between Carrick, where a basin is intended to be formed, and Limerick, thereby opening a communication between the Suir and the Shannon. There is a salmon fishery in the river, the quays of which are spacious and commodious, extending from the central bridge along the north side. The Bank of Ireland, the Provincial Bank, the Agricultural and Commercial Bank, and the National Bank of Ireland, have branch establishments here. The market days, under the charter of the 6th of Jas. I., are Tuesday and Saturday; and fairs are held on May 5th and Nov. 5th, and also on the first Wednesday in every month (except May and November), for the sale of cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs, and on the preceding day for pigs only. The butter market is a spacious building, provided with suitable offices for the inspector and others; all butter, whether for home consumption or exportation must be weighed and duly entered: there are also convenient shambles and a large potatoe market. The post is daily; the revenue of which, for 1835, was about £3000. The royal mail and day car establishment, under the direction of its proprietor, Mr. Bianconi (to whose enterprising exertions the south of Ireland is so much indebted for the establishment of public cars), is in this town. A chief constabulary police station has been established here.
The corporation is of great antiquity, and probably exists by prescription. Numerous charters have at various times been granted since the reign of Edw. I.; that under which the borough is now governed was granted in the 6th of Jas. I. (1608), and, under the title of "The Mayor, Bailiffs, Free Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Town or Borough of Clonmel," ordains that the corporation shall consist of a mayor, two bailiffs, twenty free burgesses (including the mayor and bailiffs), and a commonalty, with a recorder, chamberlain, town-clerk, and other officers. The freedom was formerly obtained by nomination of a burgess to the common council, a majority of whom decided on the admission; but at present the rights of birth, extending only to the eldest son, apprenticeship to a freeman within the borough, and marriage with a freeman's daughter, are recognised as titles to it. The borough returned two members to the Irish Parliament till the Union, since which time it has sent one to the Imperial Parliament. The elective franchise was vested in the freemen at large, amounting, in the year 1832, to 94 in number; but by the act of the 2nd of Wm. IV., cap. 88, it has extended to the £10 householders: the number of voters registered at the close of 1835 was 805; the mayor is the returning officer. The electoral boundary, under the act of the 2nd and 3rd of Wm. IV., cap. 89, is confined to the town, including Long Island on the south and a space on the north side of the river for buildings contemplated in that quarter, and comprises an area of 361 statute acres, the limits of which are minutely described in the Appendix. The jurisdiction of the corporation extends over a large rural district comprising about 4800 statute acres, of which 3800 are in the county of Waterford, and 1000 in Tipperary: the mayor and recorder are justices of the peace. The Tholsel court, for determining pleas to any amount within the town and liberties, in which the cause of action must arise or the defendant reside, is held every Wednesday, before the mayor and bailiffs. The mayor's court, in which he presides, is held every Wednesday, for the recovery of debts not exceeding 10s. late currency; and the mayor and bailiffs hold a court leet twice in the year. Petty sessions are held every alternate Friday. The elections for parliamentary representatives, and the assizes and quarter sessions for the county of Tipperary are held here, the last in April and October. The old court-house, which was built after a design by Sir Christopher Wren, was some years since converted into shops; the new courthouse is a light and handsome structure. The county gaol is a large stone building; but prior to the erection of the house of correction, which was completed in the year 1834, it was too small for the number of prisoners generally confined in it; it is now adapted to their classification, contains schools for both sexes and a tread-mill, which is applied to the raising of water for the supply of the prison.
The parish extends beyond the Suir a considerable distance into the county of Waterford, and comprises 8907 statute acres, of which 5922 are applotted under the tithe act. The principal seats are Knocklofty, that of the Earl of Donoughmore; Kilmanahan Castle, of Lieut.-Col. Nuttall Greene; Marlfield, of J. Bagwell, Esq.; Barn, of S. Moore, Esq.; Woodrooff, of W. Perry, Esq.; Rathronan, of Major-Gen. Sir H. Gough, K.C.B.; Kiltinane Castle, of R. Cooke,Esq.; Darling Hill, of the Hon. Baron Pennefather; and Newtown-Anner, of Lady Osborne: there are also many other handsome residences. The views from the demesnes of Knock-lofty and Kilmanahan Castle abound with interest and variety, and are not surpassed by any in this part of the country. At Kiltinane Castle a very rapid stream issuing from a rock forms a remarkable natural curiosity. The living is an entire rectory, in the diocese of Lismore, and in the gift of the Corporation: the tithes amount to £300. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £650 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1810; the glebe, dispersed in small parcels in the town and suburbs, comprises 2a. 1r. 2p. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, with a handsome octangular embattled tower, 84 feet high, at the eastern extremity of the south side; it was formerly a good specimen of the early English style of architecture, but on its repair, in 1805, it was modernised and retains but little of its original character; a grant of £1019.12. was made by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for its repair. In the chancel is a beautiful monument, by Taylor of York, to the memory of Mary, wife of J. Bagwell, Esq., and recording also the death of that gentleman and his eldest son, the late Rt. Hon. Wm. Bagwell, uncle of the present proprietor of Marlfield. There is also a monument erected by the parishioners, in the year 1795, as a tribute of respect to the memory of Dr. J. Moore, who was rector of this parish for 66 years. In the porch are slabs with inscriptions and armorial bearings of the noble family of Hutchinson, Lord Donoughmore, and in one of the shields are impaled the arms of Moore, of Barn. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and is the benefice of the vicar-general of the united dioceses of Waterford and Lismore, and contains two chapels, one in Irishtown, and the other a large and neat modern building in Johnston-street; also a Franciscan friary in Warren-street, lately rebuilt, and a Presentation convent situated beyond the western bridge. There are places of worship for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Munster, the Society of Friends, Baptists, Unitarians, and Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists. The grammar school was founded in 1685, by R. and S. Moore, Esqrs., ancestors of the Mount-Cashel family, who endowed it with the lands of Lissenure and Clonbough, in the county of Tipperary, producing a rental of £369, for the gratuitous instruction of the sons of freemen in Latin. The old school-house having fallen into decay, a large and substantial building has been erected within the last few years at the western extremity of the town, on a site granted at a nominal rent by the late Col. Bagwell, and at an expense of nearly £5000, of which £4000 was advanced out of the consolidated fund, for the repayment of which £240 per annum is appropriated from the proceeds of the endowment: there are at present, including boarders, about 90 boys in the school. A parochial school for boys is partly supported by a joint bequest from Dr. Ladyman and Mrs. Pomeroy, amounting to £7 per annum, late currency, and £2 per annum from the rector; and there are a parochial school for girls and an infants' school, both supported by voluntary contributions: a handsome and commodious building has been lately erected for these schools, containing three school-rooms, each capable of accommodating 100 scholars. Two schools for girls are superintended by two ladies, who teach the children gratuitously; a school for boys is supported by collections at the R. C. chapels, which are partly appropriated in paying the master's salary, and partly in providing clothing for the children; and there are Sunday schools in connection with the Established Church and the Presbyterian and Methodists' congregations. The number of children in attendance daily is, on an average, 580; and in the private pay schools are about 650 children.
The fever hospital and dispensary adjacent to it, both handsome and commodious buildings on the north side of the town, are liberally supported. The house of industry for the county of Tipperary, for the reception and support of 50 male and 50 female aged and infirm poor persons of good character, and for the restraint of male and female vagrants, is an extensive building in an airy situation at the foot of the western bridge, opened in 1811: it is supported by grand jury presentments, and is under the government of a corporation by act of parliament; it has a department for orphan children, who, when of proper age, are apprenticed to different trades; the receipts last year were £1543. 5., and the expenditure, £1335. 16. A district lunatic asylum for the county of Tipperary was opened in 1835: the building is capable of accommodating 60 patients, and was erected at an expense, including the purchase of land, furniture, &c, of £16,588. A savings' bank has been established; and there are also a mendicity society and a clothing society, the latter established in 1833. A society has lately been formed for the maintenance and education of the orphan children of Protestant parents, and within the first year, 33 were so provided for. Several charitable bequests to a considerable amount have been left to the parish by different individuals. Of the town walls, which encompassed only what is now the central part of the town, on the northern bank of the river, there are only very imperfect remains; the entrance was by four principal gates, of which only the west gate, which has been lately very substantially repaired and forms an ornament to the town, is now standing; and of the various towers by which they were defended, there are three remaining near the churchyard. Near the western end of the town are the ruins of the church of St. Stephen, and in the southern suburb are those of the church of St. Nicholas. Some trifling remains of the ancient castle may still be traced in what is now the office of the Tipperary Free Press. In the neighbourhood are the ruins of several castles, and traces of encampments or Danish forts; at Gurteen is a cairn or druids' altar; and near Oakland is a holy well, called St. Patrick's well; also the ruins of an ancient chapel, in which are several large stones bearing inscriptions. About half a mile to the south-east is a chalybeate spring, resorted to medicinally; and near the south suburb is another of similar kind, but not much used. The Rev. Laurence Sterne was born here in 1713; and Bonaventura Baro, or Baron, who wrote numerous works during a long residence at Rome, where he died in 1696, was also born here. Clonmel gives the titles of Earl and Viscount to the family of Scott; the father of the present Earl was the Rt. Hon. John Scott, the celebrated chief justice of the King's Bench in Ireland, who was created Baron Earlsfort in 1784, and was advanced to the Viscounty of Clonmel in 1789, and to the earldom in 1793.
CLONMELLON, a market and post-town, in the parish of KILLUA, barony of DELVIN, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER 4 3/4 miles (W. N. W.) from Athboy, on the road to Oldcastle; containing 960 inhabitants. This is a neat little town, consisting of 183 houses, the market is on Tuesday: and fairs are held on Jan. 28th, May 2nd, July 25th, and Sept. 29th. Petty sessions are held once a fortnight, and here is a station of the constabulary police. The parish church, dedicated to St. Lucy, and situated close to the town, is a good building, with a spire. The parochial school, which is under the National Board, but was built by Sir T. Chapman, is also here; and there is a dispensary. -- See Killua.
CLONMETHAN, a parish, in the barony of NETHER-CROSS, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (E.) from Ashbourne; containing 677 inhabitants. A great quantity of corn is grown in this parish, and it contains a limestone quarry. A cattle fair is held in the demesne of Fieldstown on Whit-Monday. The principal seats are the glebe-house, the residence of the Rev. T. Radcliff, from which is a fine view of the surrounding country; Fieldstown, the seat of P. Bourne, Esq.; Brown's Cross, of W. L. Galbraith, Esq.; and Wyanstown, of R. Rooney, Esq. The parish is in the diocese of Dublin, and with the vicarages of Ballyboghill, Ballymadun, Palmerstown, and Westpalstown, perpetually united to it by act of council in 1675, constitutes the prebend of Clonmethan in the cathedral of St. Patrick, and in the patronage of the Archbishop: the tithes amount to £270. The glebe-house was erected in 1817, by aid of a gift of £100, and a loan of £1350, from the late Board: there is a glebe of 35 acres in this parish, and one of 19 acres and 2 roods in Ballymadun; and the gross revenue of the prebend, according to the report of the Commissioners of Ecclesiastical Inquiry, is £638. A neat church was erected in 1818, by £250 parish cess, and a loan of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £175. 4. 11. towards its repair. The mother church of Clonmethan was dedicated to St. Mary, and the chapel of Fieldstown, which was dedicated to St. Catharine, was subordinate to it. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Rollestown, and has a chapel at Old Town, which was erected in 1827, by subscription, and cost nearly £300. Here is a private school, in which are 50 children; and at Old Town is a dispensary.
CLONMINES, an ancient disfranchised parliamentary borough, and a parish, in the barony of SHELBURNE, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, on the high road from Wexford to Duncannon and Fethard, near the upper extremity of a small bay, 5 miles (N. E. by N.) from Fethard; containing 360 inhabitants. This parish comprises 1359 statute acres, and is the property of A. Annesley, Esq., of Blechingdon Park, in the county of Oxford. The town, which was of great antiquity but is now only distinguished by its ruins, occupied an area of about 20 acres, and was surrounded by a vallum and fosse. According to Mr. Fraser it had, in the time of the Danes, a mint for coining silver, which was found on the opposite side of the Scar, at a place called Barry's-town, in the parish of Bannow. A convent for Eremites of the order of St. Augustine was founded here at a very early period by the family of Kavanagh or Cavenagh, which was considerably enlarged and beautified by Nicholas Fitz-Nicholas, in 1385, and was subsequently occupied by friars of the order of St. Dominick. A castle was also built by one of the family of Roger de Sutton, who accompanied Fitz-Stephen to Ireland, which has been converted into a farm-house, and is now in the occupation of Mr. Richard Sutton, a descendant of the founder, whose family is now the only one residing within the limits of the ancient town. Ships formerly came up to the town, but the port has been blocked up by a shifting bar at the entrance. The borough seems to have been held of the king in free burgage: several inquisitions post mortem, in the reigns of Jas. I. and Chas. I., mention the seisin of certain persons in burgages, but contain no allusion to a corporation or charter, which it appears the borough never had. It returned two members to the Irish parliament prior to the Union, when the £15,000 awarded as compensation for the abolition of its franchise was granted to Chas., Marquess of Ely, and Chas. Tottenham, of Ballycurry, in the county of Wicklow, Esq. This is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Ferns, and forms part of the union of Tintern; the tithes, amounting to £80, are impropriate in Caesar Colclough, Esq. In the R. C. divisions also it is in the union or district of Tintern. A parochial school-house was built by Mr. Annesley, by whom the school and a dispensary are supported. The ruins of the ancient town are very interesting: they are commonly called "Clonmines Castles," and consist chiefly of the tower and walls of the parish church, and a fragment of the wall which enclosed the monastery, with one of the flanking towers. Embosomed in trees, and forming a strikingly picturesque feature in these ruins, is a small chapel surmounted by two turrets leading by spiral staircases within to a parapet: it is said to have been built by a person that had risen from the humble station of a cowherd to great opulence, over the remains of his mother, and was endowed by him with a stipend for a priest to say masses for her soul; it is still called the Cowboy's Chapel.
CLONMORE, a parish, in the barony of RATHVILLY, county of CARLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/2 miles (S. S. W.) from Hacketstown, on the road from Tullow to Hacketstown and Tinahely; containing .2244 inhabitants. It comprises 26,210 statute acres, of which about 2430 are covered with heath and furze, 130 are woodland, and 1500 bog, and of the remainder, one-fifth is arable and the rest a kind of pasture and meadow: of its entire surface, 5855 acres are applotted under the tithe act. There are some indications of agricultural improvement, although a considerable quantity of unprofitable land might be reclaimed and brought under tillage. Clonmore Lodge is the residence of Lieut.-Col. Whelan; Castle View, of the Rev. R. A. Martin; and the glebe-house, of the Hon. and Rev. Archdeacon Stopford. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, and constitutes the corps of the archdeaconry of Leighlin, in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £304. 12. 3 3/4. The glebe-house was built about 1812, by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £450 from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises ten acres. The church, a plain decent edifice, was built about the same period, by aid of a gift of £600 from the Board. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Clonmore, Liscoleman, and Mullinacuffe, and parts of those of Haroldstown, Aghold, Crecrim, and Fennagh: the chapel at Clonmore is a plain slated building, not in very good repair; and there are two others in the union, situated at Knockballastine and Kilquiggan, in the parishes of Liscoleman and Aghold. There are a parochial and a national school, affording instruction to about 180 children, including several sent hither from the Foundling Hospital in Dublin. At a short distance from the church are the venerable ruins of the castle, the origin of which, though not satisfactorily ascertained, is with some degree of probability attributed to the Earl of Ormonde, to whom the place was granted in the reign of Hen. VIII., although the castle of Clonmore is recorded to have been taken by the English in 1332. The ruins form three sides of a quadrangle, 170 feet square, of which the fourth has been demolished; at the angles are towers, and the whole was surrounded by a deep fosse, now filled up; several cabins have been built within the walls. Clonmore gives the inferior title of Baron to the Earl of Wicklow.
CLONMORE, a parish, in the barony of IVERK, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/2 miles (S. S. E.) from Piltown, on the mail coach road from Limerick to Waterford; containing 702 inhabitants. Agriculture is in an improved state, and there is no waste land; the bog on the estate of Cloncunny has been drained and reclaimed by its proprietor, Henry H. Briscoe, Esq. Limestone is quarried for manure and for building and repairing the roads; town manure and culm are brought by the river Suir. The principal seats are Silverspring, the residence of D. Osborne, Esq.. and Cloncunny, of Henry H. Briscoe, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, united to those of Ballytarsney, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £173. 3. 7., and of the whole benefice, to £254. 18. 3. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £400, and a loan of £386, from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1817: the glebe comprises 11a. 19p. The church was erected by aid of a gift of £900 from the late Board, in 1818; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £151. 11. 8. towards its repair. In the R. C. divisions this parish is in the union or district of Moncoin. A well at Greagavine was formerly much resorted to by pilgrims on Ascension-day; the water was said to cure ague by immersion. There are some slight remains of an old church. Part of the ancient residence of the bishops of Ossory is still remaining.
CLONMORE, a parish, in the barony of FERRARD, county of LOUTH, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/2 miles (E. by N.) from Dunleer; containing 769 inhabitants, of which number, 74 are in the hamlet. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 1905 statute acres, two-thirds of which are under tillage. The land is of superior quality and highly cultivated, producing excellent crops of wheat and barley; the farms and farm-houses are of a superior description. There is a constabulary police station in the hamlet. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Armagh, and in the patronage of the Lord-Primate. The tithes amount to £170. The glebe-house, which is a handsome building, was erected in 1782, on a glebe of 17 acres. The church is a small but handsome edifice, built in 1794, at the sole expense of Primate Robinson. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Dysart, and has a chapel at Wyanstown. There is a parochial school, established and supported by the rector, in which about 20 children are educated. Here are the ruins of a castle, said to have been the residence of the De Verduns, also the walls of an ancient church, where a patron is held annually on the 9th of June, in honour of St. Columbkill, the reputed founder.
CLONMORE, county of Tipperary. -- See KILLAVENOGH.
CLONMORE, a parish, partly in the barony of SHELMALIER, but chiefly in that of BANTRY, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (S. S. W.) from Enniscorthy; containing 1371 inhabitants. This place, anciently called Cluain dicholla gairbhir, is of great antiquity; St. Maidoc having founded a monastery here in the 6th century, for canons of the order of St. Augustine, which, in 740, was burnt. In 832 it was plundered by the Danes, and in 833 they burnt the abbey on Christmas night, killed many of the monks, and carried others into captivity. Dermot Mac Moilnambo, Lord of Kennselach, plundered and destroyed Clonmore in 1040, and in 1041 it met a similar fate from Donogh, the son of Bryan. It is situated on the river Slaney, which is navigable for flat-bottomed lighters to Enniscorthy. The parish comprises 6987 statute acres of arable and pasture land. Good building stone is abundant in different places. Wilton, the residence of H. Alcock, Esq., occupies the site of one of the ancient castles of the Furlongs, and is being remodelled, in the castellated style, considerably enlarged, and faced with fine white granite from Mount Leinster: in the park is a fine sheet of water, abounding with wild fowl, which has lately been much enlarged and rendered ornamental. The other seats are Macmine Castle, the residence of Pierce Newton King, Esq., an ancient castellated mansion on the banks of the Slaney; Merton, the property of T. A. Whitney, Esq.; Kilgibbon, of H. Alcock, Esq.; Birmount, a deserted mansion of the Leeson family; Clonmore, the seat of W. Woodcock, Esq.; and Birmount Cottage, the neat residence of J. Gethings, Esq. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ferns, and is part of the union of St. Mary, Enniscorthy; the rectory is appropriate to the see. The tithes amount, to £458. 18. 7 1/2., of which £305. 19. 1. is payable to the bishop, and £152. 19. 6 1/2. to the vicar. A neat church, in the later English style of architecture, with an embattled tower, was erected at Bree, in the year 1827, on a site given by H. Alcock, Esq., by aid of a grant from the late Board of First Fruits; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £128. 2. 4. towards its repair. It forms a perpetual curacy, with a stipend of £100, in the patronage of the Rector of Enniscorthy. In the R. C. divisions, part of the parish is in the union or district of Davidstown, also called Clough; and the remainder is the head of a district, called Bree, comprising the greater portion of the parishes of Clonmore and Ballyheogue, in each of which is a chapel; that of Clonmore is situated at Bree. A parochial school was established about five years since, to which the bishop subscribes £10 per annum; about 12 children are educated in it, and about 100 in three pay schools. There is also a Sunday school, under the superintendence of the perpetual curate. Some vestiges of the old church still exist in the burial-ground; and on a hill are the remains of a cromlech, in a state of tolerable preservation. At Dononore, on Mr. Alcock's estate, is a waterfall, formed by the river Boro; and near it is an ancient rath or fort.
CLONMULSH, a parish, in the barony and county of CARLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 4 1/2 miles (S.) from Carlow, on the road to Bagnalstown; containing 711 inhabitants. It comprises 3102 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2458 per annum. Garryhundon, the seat of Sir R. Butler, Bart., is situated on the townland of that name, which, by an inquisition of Jas. I., in 1607, was found to be in the possession of Theobald, Lord Butler; and by a similar inquisition, in 1623, the townlands of Ballybar and Clonmulsh are recorded to have been held by Peter Carew, Baron of Idrone. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £330.15. 3/4 The church is a small plain building, situated near the road. In the R. C. divisions this parish is in the union or district of Leighlin-Bridge. On the townland of Powerstown there is a school, in which about 30 children are taught, aided by an annual donation of £6 late currency from the rector.
CLONMULT, a parish, partly in the baronies of IMOKILLY, and KINNATALOON, but chiefly in that of BARRYMORE, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 5 1/2 miles (S. W.) from Tallow, on the road to Castle-Martyr; containing 1128 inhabitants. It comprises 3850 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2491 per annum. The surface is generally mountainous and wild, and agriculture is in an imperfect state. The village contains about 20 cabins. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cloyne, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £225. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Castle-Martyr, and has a chapel in the village of Clonmult. There is a private school of about 20 children.
CLONNEARL, a village, in the parish and barony of KILTARTAN, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 2 1/2 miles (W.) from Gort; containing 203 inhabitants.
CLONODONNELL, a parish, in the barony and county of LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (W.) from Longford, on the road to Strokestown; the population is returned with the parish of Killashee. It contains 1889 acres of arable and pasture land, and 3372 of bog. Good limestone is found, much of which is burnt in the vicinity of Richmond harbour, which place has a penny post to Longford, and a distillery manufacturing 80,000 gallons of whiskey annually, and employing about 70 men. The Royal Canal terminates there, and enters the Camlin, which joins the Shannon. The principal seats are Springfield, the residence of Capt. V. Skipton; and Rhynnmount, of W. D'Arcy, Esq. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ardagh, united, with part of the rectory, by act of council in 1781, to the rectory and vicarage of Killashee; the other portion of the rectory is appropriate to the see: the tithes amount to £77. 11. 2., of which £26. 6. 11. is payable to the archbishop of Tuam, and £51. 4. 3. to the vicar. There is a glebe of 19a. 2r. 25p. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union of Killashee (which see), and has a chapel at Richmond harbour, where a school is supported by the incumbent, who built the school-house on the glebe, and uses it as a lecture-room. On the island of Clondra are the remains of a very ancient church; and near it are the ruins of Clonleman castle.
CLONOE, a parish, in the barony of DUNGANNON, county of TYRONE, and province of ULSTER, 2 miles (S. by E.) from Stewartstown, on the road to Lurgan; containing 5555 inhabitants, and comprising, according to the Ordnance survey, 12,070 3/4 statute acres, of which 29 1/2 are part of the Blackwater, and 2940 3/4 are part of Lough Neagh (called Washing bay), by which the parish is bounded on the east. A large tract of marshy ground and bog extends from the shore of the lough to the Blackwater, and the remainder is good arable and pasture land. Near the north-western extremity of the parish are the extensive ruins of Mountjoy castle, built by the Earl of Mountjoy, when lord-deputy of Ireland, in 1601, to check the Earl of Tyrone. This castle, which was built of brick made on the spot, is situated on a gentle eminence close to the shore of the lake, and was thought of so much importance, on the plantation of Ulster, that Jas. I. made this place a corporate borough, and granted 300 acres of land for its support, and 300 acres more to maintain a garrison. In the war of 1641 it was taken by Turlogh O'Nial, who kept possession of it till his total defeat by Gen. Monroe, in 1643; it was dismantled by order of parliament in 1648, since which time it has been in ruins. The Earl of Tyrone built a strong castle on the shore of Lough Neagh, towards the close of the 16th century, and called it Fuith-na-gael, or the "Abomination of the Stranger;" but it was soon after taken by the English, and no traces of it remain.
The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Armagh, and in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin: the tithes amount to £461.10.9 1/4. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £200 and a loan of £550 from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises 78 acres. The church is a small ancient edifice; it was repaired in 1699, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £197. 6. for its further repair. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; there are two chapels, one at Clonoe and one at Mountjoy; the latter was built in 1835. The parochial school is aided by the rector; a manor school is supported by A. Annesley, Esq., lord of the manor, at whose expense a large and handsome school-house was erected; there is also a school at Aughamullan. In these schools are about 170 children; and there is a pay school, in which are about 70 children. The late Dr. E. Sill bequeathed his estate, called Barn Hill, at Stewartstown, together with all his real and personal property, to build and support an hospital in this parish, at Washing bay, near the influx of a stream called the "Holy River" into Lough Neagh; the funded property exceeded £3000, and the lands produce more than £100 per annum, but no hospital has yet been built.
CLONOGHILL. -- See CLOONOGHILL.
CLONOULTY, a parish, in the barony of KILNEMANAGH, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, near the river Suir, 6 miles (N. N. W.) from Cashel, on the high road from Tipperary to Thurles; containing 3600 inhabitants, and comprising 9720 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; about 80 acres are underwood, 480 bog, and the remainder are good arable and pasture land; the substratum is limestone. The gentlemen's seats are Cappamorrough, the residence of J. Green, Esq., and Woodford, of J. Murphy, Esq. Fairs are held on July 5th and Nov. 12th, and petty sessions every alternate week. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Cashel, and in the patronage of the Archbishop: the tithes amount to £461.10. 9 1/4. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £150 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1789: the glebe comprises 15a. 0r. 22p. The church is in bad repair, and application has been made to the Commissioners for the erection of another. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Clonoulty and Clogher, in the former of which are two chapels, situated respectively at Clonoulty and Rossmore. The parochial schools are supported by the incumbent; there is a school for R. C. children, for which a house was built at Clonoulty, at an expense of £114, by Mr. W. Reilly, of Cashel, who also contributes £10 per annum towards its support, and a school at Rossmore; about 230 children are instructed; and there is also a pay school, in which are about 30 children.
CLONPET, a parish, in the barony of CLANWILLIAM, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, situated in the heart of a mountainous district, 2 1/4 miles (S.) from Tipperary; containing 907 inhabitants. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Emly, and is part of the union of Lattin; the rectory is impropriate in William Moore, Esq.: the tithes amount to £92, of which £58 is payable to the impropriator, and £34 to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it also forms part of the union or district of Lattin. There is a small pay school of seven boys.
CLONPRIEST, a parish, in the barony of IMOKILLY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 2 1/2 miles (S. W.) from Youghal, on the road to Cork; containing 3417 inhabitants. It comprises 6935 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £6334 per annum. A large portion of the land lies very low, but forms a valuable marsh, on which a great number of cattle are fed; and the remainder is in tillage, and produces excellent crops. Several of the farm-houses are handsomely and substantially built, and there is an extensive tract of bog, which affords abundance of fuel. A large quantity of butter is made here for the Cork market. There are some quarries of limestone and brown building stone, also a quarry of slate, of very indifferent quality. The tide comes up the Fanisk to Inchiquin Castle, admitting large boats and lighters. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Cloyne, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £869. 2. 4 1/2., and the glebe comprises 30 acres. The church is a very old and inconvenient building, situated at one extremity of the parish, and inaccessible during a portion of the winter; it is in contemplation to erect another on a more eligible site. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Youghal; the chapel is at Gartrough or Yurtroe. There is a school, aided by an annual donation from Lord Ponsonby, in which about 140 children are instructed; also a private pay school, in which are about 80 children. On the bank of the river Fanisk are the ruins of Inchiquin Castle, now called Inchiquin Tower, consisting of a round tower 9 yards in diameter, of which the walls are more than 12 feet thick: it is the property of Lord Ponsonby, and was formerly the head of a barony called Inchicoigne; it is still the head of a manor, for which courts are held at Killeagh, in the adjoining parish of that name.
CLONROAD. -- See ENNIS.
CLONROCHE, a village, in the parish of CHAPPLE, barony of BANTRY, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, formerly called Stonepound, 6 miles (S. W.) from Enniscorthy on the road to New Ross: the population is returned with the parish. It is a thriving village; a reading and news-room, on a small scale, has been established and is supported by subscription. Here is a constabulary police station; fairs are held on Jan. 26th, Feb. 13th, March 13th, May 14th, July 14th, Sept. 25th, Oct. 24th, Nov. 24th, and Dec. 26th, chiefly for cattle; and petty sessions are held at irregular intervals. -- See Chapple.
CLONRUSH, a parish, in the barony of LEITRIM, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, situated on Lough Derg, 10 1/2 miles (S. by W.) from Portumna; containing 3084 inhabitants. It comprises 11,201 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2890 per annum: a great part is annually flooded by the Shannon, and it contains a large tract of poor marsh land. Iron mines exist in the mountains, and Lough Derg furnishes means of communication with Limerick and Dublin. At Tintrim is the seat of J. Burke, Esq., on which is a chalybeate spring; and beautifully situated on the banks of the Shannon is Meelick, the ancient seat of the Burke family, but now uninhabited. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, and is part of the union of Inniscalthra; the rectory is appropriate to the economy fund of the cathedral of Killaloe: the tithes amount to £130, of which £70 is payable to the economy fund and £60 to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Clonrush and Inniscalthra, in each of which is a chapel. There are two public schools, one at Furness and one at Dromane.
CLONSAST, or CLONCAST, also called CLONBOLLOGUE, a parish, in the barony of COLLESTOWN, KING’S county, and province of LEINSTER, 6 1/4 miles (N. E. by E.) from Portarlington; containing 3914 inhabitants, and comprising about 25,000 statute acres, of which about 14,000 are cultivable, the remainder bog. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, united in 1796, by act of council, to the vicarage of Ballynakill, forming the union of Clonsast, in the alternate patronage of the Duke of Leinster and the Bishop: the tithes amount to £628. 12. 3 1/2., and of the union to £694. 3. 0 3/4. The church is a plain building, to the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £243. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, called Clonbollogue, comprising this parish and parts of those of Geashill and Ballynakill, in which are chapels at Clonbollogue and Brackna, and the Island chapel. The parochial school is aided by an annual donation from the incumbent; and there is a school at Clonbollogue. In these schools about 250 children are educated; there are also four private schools, in which are about 110 children.
CLONSHAMBOE, a parish, in the barony of IKEATHY and OUGHTERANY, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, 3 1/2 miles (S. S. W.) from Kilcock, on the road to Naas; containing 297 inhabitants. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Kildare, and is part of the union of Clane; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of Lord Falconberg: the tithes amount to £98.12. 6 1/2., of which £30. 8. 9 1/2. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Kilcock.
CLONSHIRE. -- See CLOUNSHIRE.
CLONSILLAGH, a parish, in the barony of CASTLEKNOCK, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, 7 miles (N. W.) from Dublin; containing 954 inhabitants, and comprising 2943 statute acres, the whole of which is arable land. There are limestone quarries in the parish, and an extensive flour-mill on the Liffey, erected on the site of a very ancient one, called "the Devil's Mill," from its having been erected, according to tradition, in one night. The Royal Canal passes through the parish. Woodlands, formerly called Luttrell's Town, and the seat of the Earls of Carhampton, is now the property and residence of Col. T. White. The demesne includes above 648 statute acres, exceedingly picturesque; the mansion is a noble building, in the castellated style, and is said to contain a room in which king John slept: that monarch granted the estate to the Luttrell family. In a glen, a stream, which is supplied from a beautiful lake in the park, of 20 acres, rolls over a rocky bed and forms a cascade about 30 feet high. The other seats are Coolmine, the residence of A. Fitzpatrick, Esq.; Clonsillagh, of R. H. French, Esq.; Broomfield, of the Rev. S. Thompson; Clonsillagh, of Ignatius Callaghan, Esq.; Hansfield, of T. Willan, Esq.; and Phibblestown, of Capt. H. Reid, R. N. The parish formerly belonged to the priory of Malvern, in Worcestershire. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin, and is part of the union of Castleknock: the tithes amount to £240. The church is a small neat building. In the R. C. divisions it also forms part of the union or district of Castleknock, and has a neat chapel at Porterstown, built by the late L. White, Esq., who also built a school-house, with apartments for the master and mistress: the school is supported by subscription, and there is one on the lower road, near the Liffey; they afford instruction to about 90 children.
CLONSKEA, anciently CLONSKEAGH, a small village, in that part of the parish of ST. MARY, DONNYBROOK, which is in the half-barony of RATHDOWN, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, 2 miles (S.) from the Post-Office, Dublin, on the road to Enniskerry, by way of Roebuck; the population is included in the return for the parish. It contains a dye stuff factory and iron-works; and is within the jurisdiction of the city of Dublin court of requests. Clonskea Castlegh, the handsome residence of G. Thompson, Esq., affords fine views of the city and bay of Dublin, with the adjacent mountains; it was built by H. Jackson, who acted a prominent part in the disturbances of 1798. On digging in front of the mansion, a few years since, a layer of muscle shells, about three feet thick, and imbedded in clay, was found about eight feet below the surface. The other seats are Rich View, the residence of M. Powell, Esq., and Virge Mount, of the Rev. J. C. Crosthwaite.
CLONTARF, a parish, in the barony of COOLOCK, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, on the northern shore of Dublin bay, 2 1/2 miles (E. N. E.) from the Post-Office, Dublin; containing 3314 inhabitants, of which number, 1309 are in the village. Clontarf stands in a very richly wooded and finely cultivated country, and is distinguished in Irish history as the scene of a sanguinary battle, which put a final period to the Danish power in Ireland. But although this memorable battle takes its distinguishing name from this parish, it is probable, from the numbers of human bones discovered in excavating the ground for streets on the north side of Dublin, and at Knockbrush Hill near Fin-glass, that the scene of action embraced a much more extended tract of country. On the first invasion of Ireland by the English, O'Brian and O'Carrol, who came to the assistance of Roderic, the last king of all Ireland, at the siege of Dublin, took post in this vicinity. The principal lands in the parish appear to have been vested in a religious house founded here in 550, and erected into a commandery of Knights Templars in the reign of Hen. II., which, on the suppression of that order, became a preceptory of Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, and was one of the chief appendages of the grand priory of Kilmainham. Sir J. Rawson, the last prior, after the surrender of this house and its revenues, was created, by Hen. VIII., Viscount Clontarf, with a pension of 500 marks per annum. Since that period, the possessions of the establishment, after passing through various hands, were erected into a manor and conferred by the Crown on Admiral Vernon, whose descendant, J. E. Venables Vernon, Esq., is the present proprietor. This place was burned in 1641, by the parliamentarian general, Sir C. Coote, on the 15th of December.
The present village is of considerable extent, and is much frequented for sea-bathing by visitors from the north of Dublin; and the scenery in many parts is highly interesting. It was formerly a fishing town of some importance, and along the water's edge are still many wooden buildings, called the Clontarf sheds, formerly used for the purpose of curing the fish taken here. Several neat lodging-houses have been erected and numerous pleasant villas and ornamented cottages have been built in detached situations. Near the strand was formerly the Royal Marine charter school; the buildings now belong to Mr. Brierly, who has erected large hot and cold sea-water baths. Opposite to Dollymount is an extensive causeway stretching into the sea, erected by the Ballast Board to deepen the channel between Poolbeg, or the south wall lighthouse and the north wall light. From this causeway is a long strip of sandy ground, called the North Bull, which is partly green, extending towards the hill of Howth, and surrounded on all sides by the sea; and off the sheds is a profitable oyster bank. - The parish comprises 1039 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £5283 per annum. On the shore is the shaft of a lead mine, which has been opened at different times since the reign of Jas. I., and although it afforded a considerable quantity of rich ore, both of the common sulphate and cubicular kinds, the operations have invariably been unsuccessful from the influx of sea water. The Drogheda, or Grand Northern Trunk railway from Dublin to Drogheda will, when completed, pass through this parish; and there is a constabulary police station. Clontarf Castle, the seat of J. E. V. Vernon, Esq., was one of the most ancient castles within the English pale, and is supposed to have been erected either by Hugh de Lacy or by Adam de Frepo, one of his knights, to whom he granted the lordship; the old castle was taken down in 1835, and a handsome mansion in the later English style, with a tower of Norman character, is now in progress of erection, from a design by Mr. W. Morrison. There are many handsome seats and pleasant villas: the principal are Furry Park, the residence of T. Bushe, Esq.; Sybil Hill, of J. Barlow, Esq.; Clontarf House, of Mrs. Col-vill; Elm View, of W. C. Colvill, Esq., formerly the seat of Lords Shannon and Southwell; Verville, of C. A. Nicholson, Esq., Convent House, of the Hon. Arthur Moore, second justice of the court of common pleas; Dollymount, of T. and L. Crosthwaite, Esqrs.; Prospect, of R. Warren, Esq.; Bellgrove, of R. Simpson, Esq.; Beachfield, of J. Tudor, Esq.; Clontarf, of B. Mitford, Esq.; Ivy House, of R. Ellis, Esq.; Danesfield, of J. Campbell, Esq.; Seafield House, of T. Gresham, Esq.; Merchamp, of E. Shaw, Esq.; Thornhill, of H. O'Reilly, Esq.; Bay View, of F. L'Estrange, Esq.; Baymount House, of J. Keily, Esq., formerly for some years the residence of Dr. Trail, Bishop of Down and Connor; Bedford Lodge, of W. I. Moore, Esq.; Rose Vale, of Sir E. Stanley, Knt.; Strandville, of Alderman Tyndall; Strandville House, of W. Minchiner, Esq.; Merville, of R. Peter, Esq.; Moira Lodge, of W. Taylor, Esq.; Fort View, of S. Morris, Esq.; Sea View, of Capt. Dundas; and Crab-lake, of W. Leckie, Esq.
The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £220. By a clause in the act of Explanation in 1680, the tithes and altarages were settled on the incumbent and his successors, at a rent of £6. 2. 6 1/4. per ann. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, occupies the site of the ancient monastery, and was rebuilt in 1609: it is a small neat edifice, with an elevation above the western entrance perforated for a bell, and contains several ancient monuments in good preservation. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Artane, Clontarf, Clonturk, Coolock, Glasnevin, Killester, Raheny, and Santry; there are chapels at Clontarf, Coolock, Ballyman near Santry, and at Annesley bridge. Clontarf chapel was built after a design by P. Byrne and Son, on a site near the sheds, presented by Mr. Vernon; and M. Carey, Esq., bequeathed £1000 towards its erection. It is a spacious and elegant structure, in the later style of English architecture, 152 feet in length and 63 feet 6 inches in breadth, and forms a striking ornament to the place. In the village is a Carmelite monastery, consisting of five laymen, who carry on their respective trades as a means of supporting the institution; among these is an extensive bakery, which supplies the neighbourhood and part of Dublin with excellent bread; attached to the establishment is a neat chapel. There was formerly a nunnery, the inmates of which removed to Cabragh about 12 years since, and the house is now occupied by the Hon. Judge Moore. In the old chapel is a male and female school, supported by the interest of accumulated receipts at charity sermons, amounting to £700, and of a bequest of £500 by M. Carey, Esq.: the average number of children is about 100. The parochial school, to which Mr. Vernon has given a house rent-free, is supported by subscription; an almshouse for 12 widows is supported by Sunday collections and charity sermons; and a loan fund was established in 1835. In making some alterations at Elm View, silver coins of Hen. II. and brass coins of Jas. I. were found; and at Danesfield a Danish sword was dug up in the garden, in 1830.
CLONTEAD, or CLOUNTADE, a parish, in the barony of KINSALE, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 2 miles (N. W.) from Kinsale, on the mail coach road to Cork; containing 1337 inhabitants. Knock-Robbin, in this parish, was the scene of a repulse of part of the Spanish army in 1601; and during the war of 1641, the royal forces were frequently encamped here. The parish extends from the western termination of Oyster haven, in a southerly direction, till it meets the River Bandon at White Castle cove: it is intersected by the little river Belgooley, and bounded on the south by the Bandon river. It contains 1727 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £946 per ann.; and was anciently part of the possessions of Tracton abbey. The land is generally good and in an excellent state of cultivation, being chiefly under tillage, and producing abundant crops of wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes: the manure used is principally sea sand, which is brought in barges from the bay of Kinsale to the village of Brownsmills. There are some good dairy farms. At Mullanadee is a flour-mill, called the Kinsale mill, which produces 8000 barrels of flour annually. The gentlemen's seats are Palacetown, the residence of S. P.Townsend, Esq., and Knock-Robbin, of Captain E. Bolton. It is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Cork, and is part of the union of Tracton; the rectory is entirely impropriate in the Earl of Shannon. The tithes amount to £73. 17. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Ballyfeard and Kilmonogue; the chapel is a large plain edifice, built on an eminence. A school is supported by Mr. Townsend; and there is a small pay school. Near the new road are the ruins of the church; and about two miles from Kinsale are the remains of an old circular fort defended by a rampart and fosse, called Liscrally, which gives name to the surrounding lands: it contains subterraneous passages, which extend all round the mound.
CLONTIBRET, a parish, in the barony of CREMORNE, county of MONAGHAN, and province of ULSTER, on the confines of the county of Armagh, 6 miles (N. by W.) from Castle-Blayney, on the road to Monaghan; containing 15,941 inhabitants, and comprising, according to the Ordnance survey, 26,553 1/4 statute acres, of which 334 are part of Mucknoe lake, 198 3/4 are in small loughs, 3920 bog, and the remainder, with the exception of a small portion of rough rocky pasture, good arable land, and all under tillage. Agriculture is improving; and the bog affords abundance of good fuel. Grauwacke slate is found in abundance, and is quarried for building and for repairing the roads. A mine of antimony was discovered on Lord Middleton's property, and was worked for some time, but not paying, it was discontinued. A lead mine has been recently opened in Carriganure, on the estate of E. Lucas, Esq. M.P., of Castleshane; and lead ore is also found in the townland of Killicrum. Millmount, the handsome residence of A. Swanzy, Esq.. and Rockfield House, of H. Swanzy, Esq., are within the parish. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Clogher, constituting the corps of the archdeaconry of Clogher, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £800; and the gross revenue of the dignity, including tithes, glebe, and lands, is returned at £852. The glebe-house was erected in 1752, by aid of a gift of £100 from the late Board of First Fruits; the glebe comprises 40 acres, besides which the lands of the archdeaconry, called the "Archdeacons Hill," situated in the parish of Clogher, contain 9a. 2r. 12p., let on lease at a rent of £16. 16. per annum. The church is a plain old structure, with an ancient square tower surmounted by a spire; it is in a very dilapidated condition, and it is in contemplation to erect a new church. Divine service is also occasionally performed in a school-house at the southern extremity of the parish. In the R. C. divisions, part of the parish is included in the union or district of Mucknoe or Macrey, and the remainder forms a district of itself; the chapel is at Anyallow. There is a place of worship for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Ulster, and also one in connection with the Seceding Synod on the confines of the parish; and there is also a place of worship for Primitive Wesleyan Methodists. There are parochial and other schools aided by private subscription; in which about 520 children are instructed; and there are two pay schools, in which are about 120 children. There is a dispensary at Castleshane, close to the parish, in the benefits of which it partakes. Charitable donations to the amount of £500, and £15 per ann., have been bequeathed by various benefactors for the relief of the poor. Much pine or fir, with the roots frequently upright, and the mark of fire on them, and much black and grey oak, are found in the boggy lands. In Cornero wood, on the shore of Mucknoe lake, are the ruins of an ancient castle.
CLONTUBRID, a parish, in the barony of CRANAGH, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 1 1/2 mile (N. W.) from Freshford, on the road to Durrow; containing 157 inhabitants. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and is part of the union of Freshford; the rectory is appropriate to the economy estate of the cathedral of St. Canice, Kilkenny. The tithes are included with those of Balleen. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Lisdowney, and has a small chapel. Here is a singular cell, supposed to have been a hermitage, built over a spring called Tubbrid na Draoith, or "the druids' well:" it measures seven feet by two feet six inches, and is raised a little above the ground and entered by a pointed arch.
CLONTURK. or DRUMCONDRA, a parish, in the barony of COOLOCK, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, 1 mile (N.) from Dublin, on the roads to Howth, Malahide, and Swords; containing 2713 inhabitants. The river Tolka bounds the parish on the south, a woollen mill on which was washed away in 1834 by a flood, but was rebuilt in 1836; there is also a brass foundry. The city police have a station on the strand. There are many beautiful seats, the chief of which is Marino, that of the Earl of Charlemont; it is entered from the Strand road, near Fair View, by an elegant semicircular gateway of hewn granite, which attracted the notice of his late Majesty, Geo. IV., who pronounced it to be the most perfect structure of the kind in his dominions. The demesne contains above 100 acres, and is well wooded. The mansion, which contains some elegant apartments, is of plain and unpretending exterior; but this want of embellishment is fully compensated by the Temple or Casino. This fine imitation of Grecian architecture crowns the summit of a gentle eminence in the centre of the demesne. It rises from a square platform, ascended on the north and south sides by broad flights of marble steps. Contiguous to the Casino, which was erected by the late Lord Charlemont, from a design by Sir W. Chambers, is an extensive pleasure ground surrounding a small but beautiful sheet of water, supplied from a copious fountain gushing from a rock-work grotto. The other residences are Belvidere House, that of Sir J. C. Coghill, Bart.; Drumcondra House, of Gen. Sir Guy Campbell, K.C.B., in whose grounds are the remains of an ancient building; Drumcondra Castle, of R. Williams, Esq.; Hampton Lodge, of Mrs. A. Williams; High Park, of G. Gray, Esq.; Hartfield, of P. Twigg, Esq.; Donnycarney, of Abel Labertouche, Esq.; Richmond Castle, of A. Williams, Esq.; Annadale, of W. Hone, Esq.; Union Lodge, of J. English, Esq.; Well Park, of W. Kirwan, Esq.; Woodbine Lodge, of H. Yeo, Esq.; Richmond House, of P. Birch, Esq.; Tokay Lodge, of M. Kerr, Esq.; Mary Ville, of J. J. Finn, Esq.; Rose-mount, of W. Butler, Esq.; and Sally Park, of W. Mathews, Esq. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Dublin, and in the patronage of the Corporation of Dublin, in which the rectory is impropriate. The church is a small plain building, erected in the early part of the last century by the Coghill family, and was repaired and decorated by the corporation in 1833, at an expense of £500. On its north side is a large tomb, erected to the memory of Marmaduke Coghill, Chancellor of the Exchequer for Ireland, on which reclines his effigy in his official robes, with figures of Minerva and Religion below. On the south side of the churchyard are interred the remains of F. Grose, Esq., the distinguished antiquary, who died in Dublin, in May 1791; and T. Furlong, a native poet, was buried here in 1827. In the R. C. divisions the parish is in the union or district of Clontarf, and has a chapel near Annesley bridge. The parochial school is in the village of Drumcondra; and an infants' school was established in 1829, at Philipsburgh strand; there is also a girls' school at the Richmond convent. This nunnery is of the Presentation order, and is surrounded with grounds tastefully laid out, and has a chapel annexed. In the village of Drumcondra is an asylum for poor women, called the Retreat. Annesley bridge, and the causeway connected with it, were erected by act of parliament in 1796 and 1797. at an expense of about £6000: they cross a portion of ground overflowed by the tide, at the confluence of the Tolka with the Liffey. Higher up, on the left, the Tolka is crossed by the old bridge of Ballybough. Philipsburgh strand extends from one bridge to the other. To the east of Annesley bridge is a cluster of buildings, called Fair View; and beyond them, between the Malahide and Howth roads, is Marino Crescent, consisting of large handsome houses, with an enclosed lawn in front, which extends to the road bounding the strand; it commands fine views, and is very convenient for sea-bathing.
CLONTUSKERT, or CLONTHUSKERT, a parish, partly in the barony of Longford, but chiefly in that of Clonmacnoon, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 5 miles (N. N. W.) from Eyrecourt, on the road to Ballinasloe; containing 4002 inhabitants, and comprising 11,837 statute acres. Boadan, or Broadan, founded a monastery here for Augustinian canons, in the early part of the 9th century, and was the first abbot; at the suppression it was granted to Richard, Earl of Clanricarde. Gurteemona is the seat of J. Blake, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Clonfert, and, with the greater portion of the rectory united, is part of the union of Clonfert: the other portion of the rectory is appropriate to the see: the tithes amount to £304. 12. 3 3/4., of which £46. 3. 1. is payable to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and £258. 9. 2 3/4. to the incumbent. The glebe-house was built in 1820, by aid of a gift of £250, and a loan of £450 from the same Board. The church, which is at Glanlahan, is a very neat building, with a spire of hewn stone; it was erected in 1818, by aid of a gift of £900 from the late Board of First Fruits. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and has a chapel. There is a school at Glanlahan, aided by annual donations from the Earl of Clancarty and the rector: and at Bonla is another school: together they instruct about 270 boys and 180 girls, besides whom, about 100 children are taught in three hedge schools. The ruins of the abbey are in good preservation: the gateway is still perfect, and the east window is very fine; and there are several ancient inscriptions, still very legible, the principal of which are those of the O'Kellys.
CLONTUSKERT, or CLONTHUSKERT, a parish, in the barony of Ballintobber, county of ROSCOMMON, and province of CONNAUGHT, on the river Shannon, and at the head of Lough Ree, by which it is bounded on the east and south, 1 3/4 mile (N. W.) from Lanesborough; containing 2975 inhabitants. This parish is also called Cloonturskan; within its limits are extensive tracts of bog. The abbey is said to have been founded by St. Faithleg, for Augustinian canons; and, at the dissolution, a lease of its possessions was granted for 21 years to Fryall O'Farrell, at the yearly rent of £11. 9. 8. Very little of the buildings remains, but the cemetery, which is still used, contains the tombs of several families of distinction. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Elphin, and is part of the union of Clonfinlogh; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of Lord Kingsland. The tithes amount to £229. 18. 3 3/4., of which £186. 7. 4 3/4. is payable to the impropriators, and the remainder to the incumbent. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Kilgeffin or Kilbride. Here are three pay schools, in which about 160 children are educated.
CLONYNE, or CLONEEN, a parish, partly in the barony of Slievardagh, but chiefly in that of MIDDLETHIRD, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 4 miles (E.) from Fethard; containing 1680 inhabitants, and comprising 12,078 statute acres. Fairs are held on May 30th, June 29th, and Nov. 1st. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cashel, and is part of the union of Fethard: the tithes amount to £300. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, including the parishes of Clonyne and Drangan, in each of which is a chapel. There is a school in which are about 130 children.
CLOON, or CLONE, a parish and village, partly in the barony of Carrigallen, but chiefly in that of MOHILL, county of LEITRIM, and province of CONNAUGHT, 3 miles (E. N. E.) from Mohill; containing 19,589 inhabitants. An abbey was founded here about the year 570, by St. Fraech or Froech, which was then called Cluain-cholluing, and the site of it Cluain-Conmacne, in the territory of Muntereoluis, now part of the county of Leitrim; it was subsequently dedicated to its founder, and was formerly of very great repute; it afterwards took the name of Clone, and became a parish church. The land is chiefly under tillage; limestone is quarried for agricultural and other uses. Lead ore has been found near Aughavas, but has not been worked to any extent. The principal seats are, Rhynn, the residence of Lord Clements, pleasantly situated on the well-planted shore of Rhynn lake, an extensive sheet of water abounding with fish; Lakefield, of Duke Crofton, Esq.; Drumdarkin, of G. B. West, Esq.; and Brook Lawn, of Mrs. O'Brien. The village is a constabulary police station, and fairs are held on Feb. 12th, April 5th, May 26th, June 13th, July 10th, Aug. 26th, Sept. 29th, Nov. 2nd, and Dec. 20th; they are well attended, and are among the principal in the county for cattle. Petty sessions are held every alternate Wednesday. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ardagh, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £1009. 18. 8. The glebe-house is not in a habitable state: the glebe, in five separate portions, comprises 323 acres. The church, a plain edifice in the early English style, was erected by aid of a loan of £1500 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1821; the former church had several portions of the old abbey incorporated with it; but it has been entirely removed to make room for the present structure. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms three parochial unions or districts, the chapels of which are situated respectively at Cloon, Aughavas, and Gortlitera. There are six public schools, one of which is supported by the rector, and two by S. White, Esq. In these schools about 340 boys and 200 girls are instructed; and there are 25 pay schools, in which are about 1440 children; and two Sunday schools. There is a loan fund, with a capital of £300. At Rhynn are the remains of an old castle, built by the Reynolds family, near which Lord Clements has erected a handsome residence; and there are two chalybeate springs in the parish.
CLOONAFF, or CLONCRAFF, a parish, in the barony and county of ROSCOMMON, and province of CONNAUGHT, 5 miles (N. N. E.) from Strokestown, on the shore of Lough Baffin; containing 2524 inhabitants, and comprising 9471 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The lands are principally under tillage, producing good crops, and there is a proportionate quantity of bog, affording a sufficient supply of fuel. Moss Hill, the seat of Capt. Conry, is pleasantly situated; and there are three lakes in the parish. The rectory and vicarage form part of the union of Aughrim, in the diocese of Elphin: the tithes amount to £100. The ancient parish church was part of a monastery said to have been founded by St. Patrick, and which was in existence in the 12th century. The R. C. parish is coextensive with that of the Established Church; there are two chapels, one in the townland of Cloonaff, and one in that of Drummamullan. There is a school of about 120 children aided by £2. 2. per ann. from Mrs. Conry.
CLOONOGHILL, a parish, in the barony of CORRAN, county of SLIGO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 3 1/2 miles (W. S. W.) from Ballymote, on the road from Boyle to Ballina; containing 2241 inhabitants. This place was formerly called Clonymeaghan, and was the seat of a Dominican monastery, founded about 1488, by the sept of Mac Donogh, which afterwards became a cell to that of Sligo: at the dissolution its possessions were granted to Richard Kyndelinshe. The parish contains 4551 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally good, and there is not much bog. Limestone quarries are worked here. Fairs are held at Buninadan on Jan. 14th, June 2nd, Aug. 6th, Sept. 10th, Oct. 7th, and Nov. 27th. The principal seats are Ballinaclough, the residence of J. West, Esq.; Grayfort, of J. Rea, Esq.; Roadstown, of D. O'Connor, Esq.; Drumrahan, of J. Taffe, Esq.; and Old Rock, of J. Trumble, Esq. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Achonry; the rectory is partly impropriate in J. Baker, Esq., and partly, with the vicarage, forms a portion of the union and corps of the deanery of Achonry. The tithes amount to £170 per annum, of which £90 is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the dean. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, called Buninadan, comprising the parishes of Cloonoghill, Kilturra, and Killowshalway; and containing two chapels, of which that of Cloonoghill, at Buninadan, is a large slated building. There is a school at Ballinaclough, under the patronage of J. West, Esq., in which are about 110 children; and there is also a hedge school of about 50 children. On the banks of the river are the remains of an old castle, built by the Mac Donoghs; and on the lands of Church Hill is a large cromlech, consisting of a horizontal and three upright stones.
CLOUGH, a post-town, in the parish of Loughin-Island, barony of KINELEARTY, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER, 5 miles (S. W.) from Downpatrick, on the road to Newry, and 68 3/4 miles (N. by E.) from Dublin; containing 309 inhabitants. Here is a constabulary police station, and fairs are held on May 27th, July 5th, Oct. 21st, Nov. 22nd, and Dec. 23rd. In the vicinity are Seaforde House, the splendid mansion of M. Forde Esq.; Mount Panther, the beautiful seat of J. Reed Allen, Esq.; and Ardilea, that of the Rev. W. Annesley. Here is a large Presbyterian meeting-house in connection with the Synod of Ulster, but it has been closed several years. -- See Loughin-Island.
CLOUGH, a village, in the parish of Castlecomer, barony of FASSADINING, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 1 mile (N. N. E.) from Castlecomer on the road to Athy; containing 116 houses and 582 inhabitants, who are chiefly employed in the neighbouring collieries. It is a constabulary police station; and the R. C. chapel of the district of Clough, which comprises parts of the parishes of Castlecomer and Rathaspeck, is situated here.
CLOUGH, county of Longford. -- See KILCOMMICK.
CLOUGH, county of Wexford. -- See LESKINFERE.
CLOUGHENRY. -- See CLOGHERNEY.
CLOUGHMILLS, a village, in the parish of Killagan, barony of KILCONWAY, county of ANTRIM, and province of ULSTER, 8 miles (S. E. by E.) from Bally-money, on the road to Ballymena; containing 15 houses and 101 inhabitants.
CLOUNAGH, a parish, in the barony of LOWER CONNELLO EAST, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 2 miles (W.) from Rathkeale; containing 648 inhabitants. It comprises 2313 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2434 per annum. About one-third of the land is under tillage, and the remainder, with the exception of a few acres of rough and marshy ground, is fine pasture and meadow land. The soil is fertile, producing abundant crops. The substratum is limestone, which is quarried for agricultural and other purposes. Waterfield, a good old mansion, is the residence of J. Creagh, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Limerick, and forms part of the corps of the chancellorship in Limerick cathedral: the tithes amount to £138. 9.. 2 1/2. There is no glebe-house, and only one acre of glebe. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, called Coolcappa, comprising the parishes of Clounagh, Dundonnell, Dunmoylan, Kilbroderan, and Kilcoleman; the chapel, a large plain building, is at Coolcappa, in this parish. There is a pay school of about 30 children. Some remains of the old church exist; and not far distant are the beautiful ruins of Lisnacille Castle, built by the Mac Sheehys about 1445.
CLOUNCORAGH. -- See COLEMAN'S-WELL.
CLOUNCREW, or CLUINCINNO, a parish, in the barony of UPPER CONNELLO EAST, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (N. E.) from Drumcolloher, on the road to Ballyegran; containing 270 inhabitants. It comprises 1663 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, part of which is under tillage, producing good crops, and the remainder pasture and meadow. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Limerick, and is held in commendam by the bishop: the tithes amount to £72. There is neither church, chapel, glebe-house, nor glebe. The Protestant parishioners attend the parish church of Kilmeedy. In the R. C. divisions it is united to Drumcolloher. On the bank of the river are some remains of the old church, which was destroyed in the war of 1641.
CLOUNEY, or CLONEY, a parish, in the barony of CORCOMROE, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (E. by S.) from Ennistymon, on the road to Ennis; containing 3371 inhabitants. This parish comprises 9741 statute acres, which are mostly in tillage; the land is good and the system of agriculture gradually improving; there is a considerable quantity of bog. It is in the diocese of Kilfenora; the rectory is part of the union and corps of the deanery of Kilfenora, and the vicarage forms part of the union of Kiltoraght. The tithes amount to £160, of which two-thirds are payable to the rector and the remainder to the vicar. Divine service is performed in the glebe-house of Kiltoraght. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Ennistymon, and contains a chapel at Tierlahan, near Kilthomas, in which a school is held; and there are also two private schools, in which altogether are about 250 children.
CLOUNSHIRE, or CLONSHERE, a parish, in the barony of LOWER CONNELLO EAST, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, on the road from Limerick to Rathkeale, 1 1/2 mile (W.) from Adare; containing 542 inhabitants, and comprising 1124 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, about half of which is under cultivation, and the remainder is cold, dry, strong pasture. Limestone abounds. Here are two flour-mills, worked by excellent machinery, the produce of which is chiefly sent to Limerick. Clounshire House, the residence of J. Dickson, Esq., is pleasantly situated amid flourishing plantations. The rectory and vicarage form part of the union of Rathkeale and corps of the chancellorship in the cathedral of Limerick: the tithes amount to £90: there is a glebe of seven acres of good land. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the district of Adare. The parochial schools, in which are 60 boys and 30 girls, were built and are supported by J. Dick-son, Esq. The ruins of the ancient castle of Gurran Buidhe form a conspicuous object; and the ruins of Clounshire, or Clonshere, castle are in the valley, near the mill. Some remains of the old church also exist, and in the churchyard are the shafts of two very ancient crosses.
CLOYDAGH, or CLODY, also called CLOGRENNAN, a parish, partly in the barony of Slieumargy, Queen's county, and partly in the barony of Carlow, but chiefly in that of Idrone West, county of Carlow, and province of Leinster, on the river Barrow, which is navigable to Waterford, 2 miles (S. W. by S.) from Carlow on the road to Leighlin-Bridge; containing 1422 inhabitants, and comprising 4737 statute acres, of which 290 are woodland, and 324 bog; the remainder is arable and pasture; 3764 acres are applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £3774 per annum. The state of agriculture is very good. Limestone abounds, and is applied both as manure and for building: there are limekilns on a large scale, the produce of which is chiefly conveyed into the counties of Wicklow and Wexford. Coal also abounds, and is worked extensively. Sessions are held quarterly at Milford. Here are extensive corn-mills and malt-kilns, in which about 100 persons are employed. The principal seats are Clogrennan Castle, the residence of Col. Rochfort; Milford, of J. Alexander, Esq.; Font-hill, of W. Fishbourne, Esq.; and Lenham Lodge, of Capt. Butler. Clogrennan was formerly an estate of the Dukes of Ormonde, and gave the title of baron in the Irish peerage to the Earls of Arran. The castle was taken by Sir P. Carew, in 1568, from Sir E. Butler, who was then in rebellion: in 1642 it was besieged by the Irish, but was relieved by Col: Sir P. Wemys; and here the Marquess of Ormonde mustered his forces prior to the battle of Rathmines. The ruins, overgrown with ivy and forming a remarkably picturesque object, yet exist, together with the remains of an old church, near the present house, which is approached through one of its gateways. The grounds, which are very beautiful, are bordered on the west by the mountains of the Queen's county, the sides of which are clothed with wood to a considerable height, and on the east by the course of the Barrow, adorned by several well-wooded islets. On Bawn-Ree, Jas. II. encamped after his defeat at the battle of the Boyne. Some curious relics of antiquity, including brazen swords and arrow-heads, were found in a ford across the Barrow, about 1 1/4 mile distant, in 1819. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in Col. Bruen and W. Fishbourne, Esq. The tithes amount to £276. 18. 5 1/2., of which £92. 6. 1. is payable to the vicar, and the remainder to the lay impropriators. The glebe-house was built by a gift of £400 and a loan of £360 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1813; the glebe comprises six acres, subject to a rent of £4. 4. per acre. The church, a plain neat edifice in good repair, was built by aid of a gift of £500 from the same Board in 1803, and to the repairs of it the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently made a grant of £167. 5. 11. In the R. C. divisions this parish is in the union or district of Old Leighlin, and has a chapel. Besides the parochial school, there is one in the chapel-yard at Ballinabranna; the number of children in these schools is about 150; and in a hedge school are taught about 90 children. The ruins of the old church are in the demesne of Clogrennan; the cemetery is still used.
CLOYNE, a market and post-town, a parish, and the seat of a diocese, in the barony of IMOKILLY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 14 miles (E. by S.) from Cork, and 126 (S. W. by S.) from Dublin, on the road from Midleton to the sea; containing 6410 inhabitants, of which number, 2227 are in the town. It originated in the foundation of the see of Cloyne by St. Colman, who died in 604. In 707, an abbey was erected on the west side of the cathedral, which was plundered in 978 by the people of Ossory, and again, in 1089, by Dermot, the son of Fiordhealbhach O'Brien. The town is pleasantly situated in a level or slightly undulating plain, and is well sheltered by rising grounds and plantations, which give great amenity to the climate. It comprises two streets intersecting each other at right angles, and contains 330 houses, most of which are small and irregularly built. The bishop's palace is a large edifice, built by Bishop Crow, in 1718, and enlarged by several of the succeeding prelates. The grounds are well arranged, and near the house is a noble terrace, extending the whole length of the garden. The palace and demesne were leased, in 1836, by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, to H. Allen, Esq., for 999 years, at a rent of £450 per annum, a fine of £2000, and £1300 for the timber: Mr. Allen intends to take down all the old part of the palace. The only manufacture is that of brogues and hats, which employs about 100 persons. The market is held on Thursday, and is well attended by buyers from Cove and Cork. Fairs are held on Feb. 24th, Easter and Whit-Tuesdays, Aug. 1st, Sept. 12th, and Dec. 5th, for the sale of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and implements of husbandry. It is a constabulary police station. The bishop, who is lord of the manor, appoints a seneschal, who holds a court-leet annually, and a manor court once in three weeks. Petty sessions are held every second Wednesday. The parish comprises 10,324 acres, of which 9552 are subject to tithe; the remainder consists of the bishop's lands, or those belonging to an ancient hospital, upon which part of the town is built. The soil is good, particularly in the valley, where it rests on a substratum of limestone. At Carrigacrump is a quarry of fine marble, somewhat similar to the Italian dove-coloured marble; it is the property of Col. Hooden. The parish is intersected by that of Kilmahon, which entirely separates from it the village and ploughland of Ballycotton, forming the extreme western point of the coast. in Ballycotton bay. Besides the Episcopal palace, the principal seats are Kilboy House, the residence of F. Rowland, Esq.; Kilcrone, of J. Hanning, Esq.; Barnabrow, of J. R. Wilkinson, Esq; the Residentiary-house, of the Rev. W. Welland; Cloyne House, the seat of H. Allen, Esq.; the residence of the Rev. Dr. Hingston, Vicar-General of the diocese; Jamesbrook Hall, of R. W. G. Adams, Esq.; and Ballyhane, of T. Gaggin, Esq. Not far from the town are Rostellan, the seat of the Marquess of Thomond, and Castle-Mary, of the Rev. R. Longfield.
CLUIN. -- See CLONEAMERY.
COACHFORD. -See MAGOURNEY.
COAGH, a village, in that part of the parish of TAMLAGHT which is in the barony of DUNGANNON, county of TYRONE, and province of ULSTER, 3 miles (S. by E.) from Moneymore; containing 393 inhabitants. This place formed part of the estate granted to the Hon. Andrew Stewart by Jas. I., in 1612, and confirmed by Chas. I. in 1630. A battle took place here at the ford of the river, in 1641, when the chapel of Tamlaght was destroyed by the parliamentarians; and, in 1688, Jas. II. crossed the river at this place, on his march to the siege of Derry. The village, which in 1831 consisted of 76 well-built houses, is pleasantly situated on the road from Magherafelt to Stewartstown, in a fertile vale, about two miles from Lough Neagh, and on the river Coagh or Ballinderry, over which is an ancient narrow bridge of stone of six arches. It is the property of William Lenox Conyngham, Esq., in whose family the estate has remained since the year 1663; and was erected about the year 1728, by George Conyngham, Esq., who obtained for it a charter for a market and four fairs, which have been changed to a market held on the first Friday in every month, for the sale of linens and provisions, and to 12 fairs held on the second Friday in every month, for horses, cattle, and agricultural produce. The market-house, a spacious and commodious building, was erected in 1828, by the present proprietor, who also built a good school-house and supports a school for male and female children. The linen market is very considerable; and the fairs, which are toll-free, are numerously attended. It is a constabulary police station, and has a penny post to Moneymore. There is a place of worship for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Ulster. -- See Tamlaght.
COAL ISLAND, a post-town, partly in the parishes of DONOGHENRY and CLONOE, but chiefly in that of TULLYNISKAN, barony of DUNGANNON, county of TYRONE, and province of ULSTER, 3 miles (N. E.) from Dungannon: the population is returned with the respective parishes. This flourishing trading village is situated in the centre of the Tyrone coal field, on the roads from Dungannon to Ballinderry, and from Lurgan to Stewartstown: it comprises 184 houses, which are generally well built with stone and covered with slate, and has a sub-post-office to Dungannon. The coal district extends from Mullaghmoyle, on the north, to Dungannon on the south, a distance of six miles, with an average breadth of two. Great difficulty is found in working it, owing to the softness of the bed on which it rests, and the dangerous state of the roof, unless expensively propped. At present the mining operations are confined to Drumglass, in the neighbourhood of Dungannon, and the vicinity of Coal Island: the collieries at the latter place are on a small scale, and principally worked by manual labour, but are moderately profitable. Coal Island originated in the formation of the Tyrone canal, which was begun by Government in 1744, and was intended to intersect the entire coal field of Tyrone, but was not carried beyond this place. The canal is not more than three miles in length from the river Blackwater, which it joins near Lough Neagh, to Coal Island, but it has been commenced and partially completed in several places westward; bridges have been erected over the line; an aqueduct of three large arches was to have conveyed it over the Terren; and a rail-road was to have connected it with some of the minor collieries, for which purpose a viaduct, here called "the Dry Hurry," was thrown over the Cooks-town road, two miles from Dungannon. All these edifices are of hewn freestone, handsomely finished and in good preservation; but in many places the canal is filled up and cultivated, so that in a few years the line will not be traceable. This is now a place of considerable trade, and has 35 large lighters, or barges, which frequently make coasting voyages to Dublin, and sometimes across the channel to Scotland. Extensive ironworks, forges, and plating-mills were erected here in 1831, and there are others at Oghran and New Mills for the manufacture of spades, edge-tools, &c. Here is also an extensive establishment for the manufacture of fire-bricks and crucibles, commenced in 1834 by two gentlemen from Stourbridge, in Worcestershire. Most of the manufactured articles are sent to London or Liverpool. Near this is a pottery, and there is also a flour-mill, where 2000 tons of wheat are annually ground for the Belfast market. Bleach-greens have been established at Derryvale, Terren Hill, and New Mills, where 20,000 pieces of linen are annually finished for the English market. Several warehouses, granaries, yards, and other conveniences for carrying on an extensive trade are placed round a small but convenient basin, and in the village and its vicinity are the residences of several wealthy merchants. The exports are coal, spades, shovels, fire-bricks, fire-clay, crucibles, earthenware, linen cloth, wheat, oats, flour, &c.: the imports are timber, deals, iron, salt, slates, glass, &c. The village being in three parishes, has three churches within two miles of it, and a district church is about to be erected for its use. The R. C. chapel for the parish of Donoghenry is not far distant.
COGLANSTOWN. -- See TULLY.
COLE-HILL, a post-town, in the parish of Teighshinod, barony of MOYDOW, county of LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 12 1/2 miles (W. by N.) from Mullingar, and 51 miles (W. by N.) from Dublin: the population is returned with the parish. It is situated on the road from Dublin to Ballymahon, and has a sub-post-office to the latter town and to Ballinacargy.
COLEMAN, or COCKMAN, a parish, in the barony of MIDDLETHIRD, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 2 miles (S. W.) from Fethard; containing 561 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Fethard to Clonmel, and contains 2663 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cashel, forming part of the union of St. John, and of the corps of the deanery of Cashel: the tithes amount to £140. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the district of Clerihan.
COLEMAN'S WELL, or CLOUNCORAGH, a parish, in the barony of UPPER CONNELLO EAST, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 2 miles (N. N. W.) from Charleville, on the road to Ballingarry; containing 821 inhabitants. This parish comprises 4506 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. It is watered by the river Maigue, which here forms a boundary between the counties of Cork and Limerick. The land in every part is moderately good, and in the neighbourhood of Foxall and Drewscourt, where it is well farmed and planted, it is very fertile; the meadow land is considered equal to any in the county. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Limerick, and held in commendam by the Bishop, or, according to some writers, forms part of the mensal of the see: the tithes amount to £110. 0. 10. The church has long since fallen into decay, and the Protestant parishioners attend divine service in the parish church of Bruree. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Bruree, which is also called Rock-hill, and contains a chapel. The water of St. Colman's well is reputed to possess great efficacy, and is held in high veneration by the peasantry of the surrounding country who assemble here in great numbers on the anniversary of the saint, and at other times.
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A conspiracy of the natives having been formed to seize the place, in 1615, military stores were sent hither from London; and by a vote of the common council, a citadel was built for its defence in the following year; it was a strong fortress, commanding the ferry, and was kept in repair and well garrisoned by the Irish Society, till the erection of the bridge in 1716. The bridge, which was wholly of wood, was so much injured by floods that it fell in 1739; and in 1743 a new bridge was built, with pillars and buttresses of stone, towards the erection of which the Irish Society gave the timber and £2050 in money; in 1806 it was widened, at the expense of the county, by transverse beams supporting a foot-path of four feet on each side. The growth of the place was exceedingly slow, and so little had its trade advanced that, in 1633, the customs of the port, for the half year ending on Lady-day in that year, amounted only to £18. 9. 8 1/2. On the breaking out of the war in 1641, the town was attacked by a body of 1000 insurgents, but was vigorously defended by the garrison and inhabitants, amounting to 200, who defeated the assailants. It was taken by Gen. Monk for the parliament, in 1648, but was afterwards given up to Sir C. Coote. On the advance of the forces of Jas. II. into the north, in order to repress the Protestant party, Mount-Alexander, Rawdon, and other leaders, stationed themselves with a force of about 4000 men at Coleraine, which they fortified and kept possession of with a view to prevent the Irish from passing the Bann. They were here joined by Lord Blaney with his party from Armagh; and though for a time they repulsed the enemy, yet the Irish, after a successful skirmish, passed the river in boats, and the party stationed here finding the place no longer tenable, fled by various routes to Derry, in order to take possession of it, before the Irish should cut them off from their last place of refuge. The subsequent history of the town consists of little more than a succession of disputes in the corporation, and between that body and the Irish Society, relative to their respective rights, privileges, and possessions: the Society enclosed the quay and made the port duty free, in 174l.
The town, which is the second in the county in importance, and is rapidly increasing, is situated on the east bank of the river Bann, about three miles from its influx into the sea, and is connected by a handsome bridge with the village of Killowen, or Waterside, a considerable suburb on the opposite bank of the river. It is large and handsomely built, consisting of five principal streets, a spacious square called the Diamond, and several smaller streets; the houses in the Diamond, New-row, Church-street, and Bridge-street, are large and well-built, especially those of later erection; in the Diamond and in Church-street are some ancient houses of timber cage-work, said to have been framed in London and sent over by the Irish Society to be erected here. A Board of Commissioners has been appointed under the act of the 9th of Geo. IV., for lighting and cleansing the town, which is paved at the expense of the county; and the inhabitants are supplied with excellent water from numerous springs at the outlets of the town and from pumps. It is a Very great thoroughfare, and is the principal passage over the river Bann, connecting the counties of Antrim and Derry, and opening a communication with all the ports on the north and northwestern coasts. The neighbourhood is remarkable for the pleasing diversity of its scenery, enlivened by the fine stream of the Bann, and embellished with the grounds of some handsome seats. On the west side of the river, immediately below Killowen, is Jackson Hall, the residence of Mrs. Maxwell, an elegant mansion situated in extensive grounds tastefully laid out; and there are various others, among which are Down Hill, built by the Earl of Bristol, when Bishop of Derry, and now the property and residence of Sir James R. Bruce, Bart.; Somerset, the residence of the Rev. Thomas Richardson; Knockintern, of Hugh Lyle, Esq.; Ballysally, of W. Galt, Esq.; Castleroe, of Lieut.-Col. Cairnes; Mill-burn House, of Stewart C. Bruce, Esq.; Cromore, of J. M. Cromore, Esq.; and Ballyness, of Capt. Hannay. The air is extremely salubrious, and during the prevalence of typhus fever in 1817, and of the cholera in 1832, the number of deaths in proportion to the population was very small. The town is abundantly supplied with all the necessaries and luxuries of life at a moderate charge, which renders it desirable as a place of residence for persons of limited income. There is a public library, supported by annual subscriptions of a guinea; also a subscription news-room, and an amateur concert, which is held weekly.
This place has long been celebrated for its trade in the finer linens, known as "Coleraines," but at what time it was first established here is not precisely known. The first bleach-green ever known in this part of the country was established at Ballybrittan, by Mr. John Orr, in 1734, for the bleaching of fine 7-8th and 4-4th linens. That gentleman having succeeded in establishing a very lucrative trade, other bleach-greens were soon afterwards formed at Gortin, Ballydivitt, Macosquin, Drumcroom, Mullamore, Keeley, Aghadowey, Rusbrook, Collans, Mullycarrie, Island Effrick, Castle Roe, Greenfield, and other places. The quantity now bleached annually exceeds 200,000 pieces; they are of the finest quality, and four-fifths of them are sent to the English markets. These linens are woven at the farm-houses throughout the country; the webs, when finished, are brought to market in the brown state, and sold to the bleachers, who assemble on their stands every Saturday from 10 till 11 o'clock, during which hour more than 1000 webs are generally purchased. This is one of the very few towns of which the market has not been materially injured by the recent changes that have taken place in the linen trade. The bleachers of the neighbourhood also attend the markets of Ballymoney, Dungannon, Fintona, Stewartstown, Armagh, Newtown-Stewart, Strabane, and Derry, for the purchase of brown webs; but the best markets in Ireland for these goods are Coleraine and Ballymoney. At Mullamore is a large establishment for the preparation of warps and yarn for linen webs, commenced in 1832, by Alexander Barklie, Esq.; there are at present more than 800 looms in constant operation; the weaving is not done on the premises, but is given out as task work to men who weave it at their own houses. The only manufactures carried on are those of linen, cotton, hard and soft soap, bleaching salts, leather, and paper. A brewery and malt-house was originally established by Messrs I. and C. Galt, in 1770, and after passing through various hands was purchased by Messrs. O'Kane and Mitchell, the present proprietors, who annually consume 200 tons of malt in the production of 2000 barrels of strong and common ale.
The town, from its situation on the river Bann, only four miles from the Atlantic, enjoys important advantages for commerce, but at present its trade is limited. Its chief imports are timber, iron, barilla, ashes, coal, and salt; and its exports are linen cloth, pork, butter, salmon, wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, and whiskey, and since the construction of the harbour of Portrush, there has been a considerable trade in live stock, poultry, eggs, and fruit. The number of vessels trading annually to the port, including the outer harbour of Portrush, is about 160, having an aggregate burden of about 13,000 tons. From the 1st of September, 1831, to the 31st of August, 1832, 36,888 sacks (or 5533 tons 4 cwt.), of grain and 3491 pigs were shipped from this place. During the following year, the quantity of grain decreased to 27,132 sacks, the cause of which may be attributed to the establishment of markets at Garvagh, Bushmills, and Ballymoney; the number of pigs shipped during the latter period increased to 6340, notwithstanding the establishment of those markets. The quantity of butter exported varies considerably; since the passing of the recent act it has decreased from 11,000 to 9000 firkins, from the same cause. The port immediately adjoins the town; the entrance to the river is obstructed by a bar of shifting sand, over which vessels drawing more than five feet of water at neap tides, or nine feet at spring tides, cannot pass; the current of the tide runs past the mouth of the river, and the rise in Lough Foyle is nearly twice as great as in the Bann. During winter the navigation of the river is in a manner stopped, the spring tides occurring too early and too late, before and after daylight,and a heavy swell of the sea generally setting in from October till April. To remedy this inconvenience, a new harbour was constructed at Portrush, about 4 1/2 miles distant from the town, at an expense of £16,225. 17. 11., raised under an act of parliament in shares of £100 each: the entrance is 27 feet deep at low water of spring tides, and vessels drawing 17 feet can enter and ride in perfect safety. A steam-boat, built for this station, commenced plying between Portrush and Liverpool in August 1835; and another has since been established from the port to Glasgow, each of which makes a passage every week. There is a custom-house with the usual officers; and there are bonding stores and a timber-yard. An extensive and lucrative salmon fishery is carried on at Crannagh, on the Bann, under lease from the Irish Society; there is but one season during the year, beginning in May and ending on the 12th of August. The quantity taken is generally about 190 tons the whole of which is packed in ice and conveyed by smacks and steam-boats to Liverpool and other distant markets, where they are in high estimation for their size and flavour. There is also another salmon fishery on the Bann, at a part called the Cutts, where the river makes a rapid fall of 12 feet over a ledge of rocks which the fish cannot ascend, except when there is a strong fresh in the river, and where a weir has been placed to intercept them; about 80 tons are annually taken here; both stations belong to the same Company. There is also an eel fishery, which commences in September, when the fish are returning from Lough Neagh and the rivers, to the sea; they are taken by means of pales and wattling, constructed so as to converge in the direction of the current, and having a net attached; this fishery is worth £800 per annum. Great quantities of eels are taken and sold fresh in the neighbouring markets, or salted for winter use.
The market is on Saturday, and is well supplied with provisions of all kinds. The grain market was first established in 1819, since which time it has rapidly increased: it is held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and on an average 3000 tons of grain, principally oats, are annually sold, of which the greater part is sent to Liverpool, and some to London, Bristol, and Glasgow. An additional market for pork and butter is held on Wednesday. The market-place is situated on the eastern side of the town, on ground belonging to the corporation, by whom it was built at an expense of £2744, and to whom belong the tolls, customs, pickage, and stallage, amounting to about £300 per annum: it is commodiously fitted up, with separate apartments for the sale of butter, pork, and meal, sheds for tallow, hides, and flax, stores and offices for provision merchants, keepers' houses and every accommodation; and was opened on the 25th of March, 1830. There are fairs on the 12th of May, 5th of July, and 1st of November; the principal is on the 12th of May, for black cattle, horses, and sheep. A branch of the Northern Banking Company, one of the Belfast Banking Company, and one of the Provincial Bank of Ireland have been established here.
The inhabitants received a charter of incorporation from Jas. I., in 1613, by which the government was vested in a portreeve, free burgesses, and commonalty, and by another charter granted in the same year, which latter is the governing charter, in a mayor, recorder, chamberlain, coroner, twelve aldermen (including the mayor), and 24 principal burgesses, assisted by a town-clerk, prothonotary, serjeants-at-mace, and other officers. The mayor is elected by the common council from the body of aldermen, on the 1st of October, and is sworn into office on the 25th of March following. The aldermen are elected from the burgesses, and the burgesses from the freemen, though in general the burgess is made a freeman to qualify him for election: the freedom is obtained only by gift of the corporation. The mayor, recorder, and four of the senior aldermen are justices of the peace within the borough and liberties; and the county magistrates, of whom, by virtue of his office, the mayor is always senior and sits on the right hand of the judge at the assizes, have concurrent jurisdiction. The corporation hold courts of record for the recovery of debts and the determination of pleas to any amount within the town and liberties, of which, according to their charter, the jurisdiction extends to the distance of three miles in every direction from the centre of the town; they are also empowered to hold courts of session for the borough, but do not exercise that privilege. Previously to the Union, the borough returned two members to the Irish parliament; the right of election was vested in the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses alone, but by the decision of a parliamentary committee it was declared to be vested also in the freemen. Since the Union it has returned one member to the Imperial parliament; and since the passing of the act of the 2nd of William IV., cap. 88, the right of election is in the corporation, freemen, and £10 householders. A new boundary has been drawn round the borough, the details of which are minutely described in the Appendix. The number of electors is 214, of whom 26 are burgesses and freemen, whose rights are reserved for life, 184 £10 householders, and 4 occupiers of houses and lands of the yearly value of £10; of these, 185 polled at the late election for the borough, in 1835: the mayor is the returning officer. The quarter sessions for the county are held here in April and October; the assistant barrister presides with the magistrates, for the trial of offences against persons and property, and alone in civil actions not exceeding £20. By the original grant each of the twelve proprietors of the county was empowered to hold a manorial court, but the business of these courts is generally transferred to the quarter sessions. Petty sessions are held on alternate Thursdays. The town-hall is situated in the centre of the square called the Diamond; it was originally erected in 1743, and has been more than once enlarged, and is now undergoing a thorough repair at the expense of the corporation: it is a lofty square building surmounted by a cupola, in which a clock was placed in 1830, at the expense of the Marquess of Waterford: the hall contains courts for the quarter sessions, apartments for transacting the corporation business and the election of members, a newsroom, library, ballast-office, and a savings' bank.
The borough comprises, independently of several others within its liberties, the parishes of Coleraine and Killowen (described under its own head), the former comprising the town on the eastern side, and the latter the suburb of that name on the western side, of the Bann. The parish contains, according to the Ordnance survey, 4846 1/4 statute acres. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Connor, and in the patronage of the Irish Society: the tithes amount to £450: the glebe-house was built by aid of a loan of £692 and a gift of £92, in 1828, from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises 45 acres. The church, a large plain edifice, was erected in the year 1614, by the Irish Society, and in 1684 a south aisle was added to it, at the expense of the corporation; a very handsome spire was built at the expense of the Society in 1719, but it stood for a short time only. The church contains many ancient and some very elegant monuments, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £282. 19. 6. towards its repair. In the R. C. divisions this place is partly in the diocese of Connor, and partly in that of Derry, and forms part of the union or district of Killowen or Coleraine; the chapel is a spacious and handsome edifice, situated at Killowen. There are two places of worship for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Ulster, one of the first class, and one of the second class; one for Seceders, of the first class, and one each for Independents and Methodists. A school for the gratuitous instruction of 130 boys and 130 girls was founded and endowed, in 1705, by the Irish Society, but from mismanagement it fell into disuse about the year 1739, and was altogether discontinued till 1820, when a new school, with houses for the master and mistress, was built by the Society, who, in 1828, transferred their interest in it to trustees chosen from the most respectable inhabitants of the town, since which time it has been productive of the greatest benefit; the salaries of the master and mistress are paid by the Society. There is a very excellent female work school, where the children are taught sewing and other domestic accomplishments, which is supported by Miss Ripping-ham, by whom it was established many years since; there are also, at Killowen, a school which was founded and endowed by the late Mr. Kyle, and a parochial school held in the old church and supported by the Clothworkers' Company. There are also four other schools, two of which, situated respectively at Gateside and Ballyclaber, are under the National Board; and seven pay and four Sunday schools. A dispensary is supported in the usual way. A loan fund was established in 1764, for lending two guineas each to industrious workmen, to be repaid by monthly instalments of 3s. 6d.; out of this establishment arose a poor-house fund, which was laid out in fitting up a house for the reception of old and decayed inhabitants: it was supported by subscription and the earnings of the inmates, who were employed in the spinning of cotton. This establishment was discontinued in the year 1790, and the house was given to a few poor aged persons, who occupied it rent-free till 1803, when a portion of it was fitted up as a private dwelling, and the rent paid to the actuary of the loan fund. It was subsequently rebuilt, at an expense of £800, by the Marquess of Waterford, who presented it to the town, and in 1830 it was opened for the reception of the poor, who are maintained and clothed by subscription and annual donations from the Marquess of Waterford and the Irish Society, and a bequest of £20 per annum by the late Griffin Curtis, Esq. The house will accommodate 40 persons. A mendicity society was also formed here in 1825; the committee, who are subscribers of £1. 1. per annum, meet every Tuesday, when claims for relief are examined, and two members appointed to administer relief to the poor at their own dwellings. The priory of St. John, or Kil-Eoin, from which the suburb on the western side of the Bann, now Killowen; took its name, has altogether disappeared; a part of that establishment formed the old parish church, on the site of which another was subsequently erected, the remains of which have been converted into a schoolroom. Not far distant was the monastery for Canons Regular, founded by Carbreus in 540, and the site of the castle which was built on the ruins is now occupied by Jackson Hall. In sinking for foundations in the part of the town of Coleraine which occupies the site of the ancient abbey of St. Mary, stone coffins, human bones, and other relics of antiquity, together with foundations of some of the conventual buildings, are frequently discovered. One mile south of the town is Mount Sandel, one of the largest and most perfect raths in the kingdom; it is 200 feet high, surrounded by a deep dry fosse, and encircled near its summit by a magnificent terrace; in the centre is a deep oblong cavity, called the Giant's Grave, formed apparently for the purpose of concealment. There is also a very high and perfect rath a little west of the Cranagh; another close to the church of Killowen; and a very curious fort near Ballysally. This place has been celebrated from the earliest annals of Irish history, and has produced many eminent lawyers, senators, and divines: among the latter was Dr. John Vesey, born here in March, 1632, and successively Archdeacon of Armagh, Dean of Cork, Bishop of Limerick, and Archbishop of Tuam. From this last dignity he was driven by the harsh conduct of Lord Tyrconnell, and remained in London in great poverty till he was restored to his see, on the accession of William III.; he was three times after his restoration made Lord-Justice of Ireland, and died in 1716, aged 84. John Abernethy, an eminent Presbyterian divine, was born here in 1680. Coleraine has given title to many noblemen; the last was that of" baron to the family of Hanger.
COLLIGAN, a parish, in the barony of DECIES-WITHOUT-DRUM, county of WATERFORD, and province of MUNSTER, 3 1/2 miles (N. N. W.) from Dungarvan; containing 1009 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Dungarvan to Clonmel, and contains 3679 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The high grounds are well planted, and here is a neat house and grounds, which is the occasional residence of Walter McGwire, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Lismore, and in the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire, in whom the rectory is impropriate: the tithes amount to £135, of which £90 is paid to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Kilgobinet, and contains a chapel. Here is a cavern of considerable extent in the limestone rock.
COLLINSTOWN, a market-town, in the parish of ST. FEIGHAN OF FORE, barony of DEMIFORE, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. E.) from Castle-Pollard; containing 145 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Dublin to Granard, and on the southern bank of Lough Lane, and contains 25 houses, of which nine are slated. The market is held on Saturday, in a market-house in the centre of the town; and fairs are held on May 8th and Oct. 30th. It is a constabulary police station, and petty sessions are held every Saturday. Near the market-house is a R. C. chapel. The vicinity is diversified with hills and woodlands, and embellished with the scenery of the lake and the seats and demesnes of Barbavilla, Drumcree, and Ralphsdale. -- See Feighan of Fore (St.).
COLLON, a post-town and parish, partly in the barony of LOWER SLANE, county of MEATH, but chiefly in that of FERRARD, county of LOUTH, and province of LEINSTER, 6 miles (W. N. W.) from Drogheda, on the road to Ardee, and 28 (N. by W.) from Dublin; containing 3217 inhabitants, of which number, 1153 are in the town. This place formerly belonged to the celebrated abbey of Mellifont, and was confirmed to the abbot by Hen. II., at the close of the 12th century. The town has a remarkably neat appearance, and consists of two streets intersecting near the church, and contains 215 houses, of which the greater number are slated. It owes its present prosperity to its proprietors, the Fosters, who established a cotton-manufactory here, which for some time employed more than 600 looms. Linen was previously made here, and its manufacture has been resumed, but the cotton manufacture has entirely ceased. There is a bleach-green, employing more than 50 persons, with a steam-engine of 10-horse power; also a flax-mill, and in the town and its vicinity are three corn-mills, worked by steam and water power. It is a chief constabulary police station. On the 20th of Sept., 1229, Hen. II. granted to the abbot and convent of Mellifont a market on Tuesday in their town of Collon: there is a market-house and an open area at the north end of the town for holding a market, but, except for butchers' meat, none has been held lately. Fairs are held on May 10th, June 29th, Oct. 20th, and Nov. 24th. Petty sessions are held every alternate Thursday.
The parish contains about 8600 statute acres, which are mostly under tillage; there is no waste or bog, but 513 acres of woodland. Here is Oriel Temple, the seat of Viscount Ferrard, whose predecessor was the Rt. Hon. John Foster, the last speaker of the Irish House of Commons, who, in 1821, was created Lord Oriel: it is distinguished by the beauty of its surrounding grounds, and the richness of its extensive plantations. The demesne contains about 1000 acres: in it is a grotto, of which the interior is lined with shells, stained glass, coloured stones, &c, said to be the work of Lady Ferrard; there is also a beautiful rustic cottage. The house contains some good pictures, among which is a full-length portrait of the first Lord Oriel, by Sir Thos. Lawrence. In the vicinity of the town is a nursery of forest trees, consisting of seven acres, which is the property of Lord Ferrard. About a mile from it is Mount Oriel, from which there is an extensive and magnificent view, including the Bay of Carlingford and the grand chain of the Mourne mountains. Belpatrick mountain, which, according to the Ordnance survey, rises 789 feet above the level of the sea, is also within the parish.
The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Armagh, united by act of council, in 1769, to the rectory and vicarage of Mosstown, and in 1782 the rectory of Dromin was added to the union, which is in the patronage of the Lord-Primate and Viscount Ferrard, in the latter of whom the rectory is impropriate, and by whom the land is let tithe-free. About 1769, the late Chief Baron Foster gave a glebe of ten acres, and built the glebe-house, on condition that an augmentation of £50 should be granted from Primate Boulter's fund, and that he should have the patronage of the endowed vicarage two turns out of three. The living was subsequently augmented by the impropriate tithes of Moss-town, which were purchased for the purpose by the Trustees of Primate Boulter's fund, and now produce £248. 14. 11. Besides the glebe at Collon, there is one of three acres at Mosstown, and another at Dromin of nearly 10 acres; and the gross tithes of the benefice amount to £453. 4. 6. The church, an elegant structure of hewn limestone, in the ancient style of English architecture, was built in 1813, during the incumbency of Dr. Beaufort, author of the "Ecclesiastical Map and Memoir of Ireland:" the cost was about £8000, of which £3800 was a gift and £700 a loan from the late Board of First Fruits; the members of the Foster family contributed bountifully towards its erection; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £368. 6. 9. for its repair. The interior is 90 feet by 40, the ceiling beautifully groined, and it has five windows on the south side, besides a large east window over the altar. All the side windows are of stained glass, the gift of the present Baron Foster; the east window is in course of preparation, being the gift of the impropriator. Under the church is the burial-place of that family, and in it is a marble monument to the memory of Catherine Letitia Foster, widow of William, Lord Bishop of Clogher, which was erected by her daughter, the Countess de Salis. The ecclesiastical duties of Collon were formerly performed by a monk from Mellifont abbey. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel is a neat structure. There is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. A male and female school, under the trustees of Erasmus Smith's charity, is aided by a donation from Lord Ferrard; and there are two others aided by the vicar. Besides these, there are an infants' school, supported by Mrs. Green, and two private schools. At Belpatrick is a school principally supported by Edward and James Singleton, Esqrs. There is also a dispensary in the town.
COLLOONEY, a post-town, in that part of the parish of BALLYSADERE which is in the barony of TIRAGHRILL, county of SLIGO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 5 1/4 miles (S.) from Sligo, on the road to Dublin, and 98 3/4 (N. W.) from Dublin; containing 553 inhabitants. It consists of one long street, containing 90 houses, of which 13 are slated, and the remainder thatched. At Carricknagatt the French, after quitting Castlebar, were attacked on the 5th of Sept., 1798, by Col. Vereker, with a detachment of the city of Limerick militia, some yeomanry, and the 24th light dragoons; but after a smart action of about an hour and a half, the Colonel was nearly surrounded, and obliged to retreat, with the loss of his artillery, to Sligo, whence he withdrew to Ballyshannon. The assault was sufficient, as it is supposed, to deter the French from attacking Sligo, and they marched to Dromahaire. The market is on Thursday; and fairs were formerly held on May 3rd, June 1st, Aug. 9th, Sept. 5th, Nov. 21st, and Dec. 16th, but that of Nov. 21st is the only one now held. Here are a large bleaching establishment and an oatmeal-mill. Near the town are Onnachmore, the residence of C. R. O'Hara, Esq.; and Camp Hill, of A. Kelly, Esq. In the town are the parish church and a R. C. chapel, a linen-hall, a dispensary, and two schools. It is a station of the constabulary police. -- See Ballysadere.
COLLUMBKILL, a parish, in the barony of GOWRAN, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 1 1/2 mile (N. E.) from Thomastown; containing 779 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the road from Thomastown to Greig, and contains 7113 statute acres. Kilmurry is the seat of Lord Chief Justice Bushe. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and is part of the union of Thomastown: the tithes amount to £278. In the R. C. divisions also it forms part of the union or district of Thomastown; the chapel is at Murg. There are two private schools in which are about 60 boys and 50 girls.
COLMOLYN, or CULMULLEN, a parish, in the barony of UPPER DEECE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 3 1/4 miles (W. by S.) from Dunshaughlin; containing 934 inhabitants, of which number, 51 are in the hamlet. This parish is situated on the cross road from Kilcock to Warrenstown, and contains 2091 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Colmolyn House is the elegant residence of A. J. Dopping, Esq. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Knockmark; the rectory is impropriate in the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin The tithes amount to £280, one-half of which is payable to the Provost and Fellows, the other to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Dunshaughlin, and has a large and handsome chapel. There is a school of 18 boys and 5 girls, for which Mr. Dopping allows a house and garden rent-free. Near Colmolyn House are the remains of an ancient church, and on the eastern side of the parish is an extensive rath.
COLPE, or COLPE-cum-MORNINGTON, a parish, in the barony of DULEEK, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/4 miles (E. by S.) from Drogheda; containing 1970 inhabitants, of which number, 71 are in the hamlet. This parish is situated on the eastern coast, at the mouth of the river Boyne. It is said to have derived its name from Colpa, one of the sons of Milesius, who is stated to have been drowned at the mouth of the Boyne, while attempting to land for the invasion of the country. Here St. Patrick landed when on his way to Taragh, then the seat of the kings of Ireland. In 1182, Hugh de Lacy founded an abbey for Augustinian canons, and made it dependent on the abbey of Lanthony, in Monmouthshire, afterwards translated to the vicinity of Gloucester. In 1300, Roger, the prior, was attached and fined 20s. for stopping some Dominican friars in Drogheda, and robbing them of the body of Roger Wetherell, and a bier and pall. At the suppression, this abbey, besides other possessions, had the tithes of Weisle's Farm, in Mornington, which place was the original seat of the family of Wellesley, the head of which has successively been created Earl of Mornington and Marquess Wellesley, and which includes among its members, at present, the Marquess Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, and Lords Cowley and Maryborough. No part of the abbey now exists, but a chapel to the south of its site is the burial-place of the Bellew family. The parish contains 4793 statute acres, principally under tillage, and of moderately good quality; there is no bog or waste land. At Pilltown are some quarries containing indications of copper, and in which some fossils have been found. The branch of the great northern road through Balbriggan runs through the parish, which will also be intersected by the Dublin and Drogheda Grand Northern Trunk railway. The principal seats are, Bettystown, the residence of R. Shepheard, Esq.; Eastham, of F. Anderson, Esq., Pilltown, of T. Brodigan, Esq.; Mornington House, of G. F. Blackburne, Esq.; Beabeg, of H. Smith, Esq.; Mornington, of Burton Tandy, Esq.; Beamore, of J. Cooper, Esq.; Farm Hill, of W. Walsh, Esq.; Triton Lodge, of C. Segrave, Esq.; and Cowslip Lodge, the property of G. H. Pentland, Esq.
The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by episcopal authority, in 1826, to the vicarage of Kilsharvan, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda; the rectory is partly impropriate in W. Dutton Pollard, Esq., of Castle-Pollard, and partly appropriate to the vicarage of St. Peter's, Drogheda, as part of the tithes were purchased by the late Board of First Fruits as an endowment for that vicarage. The tithes amount to £165, the whole of which is payable to the impropriators: the union is also called Mariners' town, and the gross value of the benefice, including tithes and glebe, is £81. 4. 6. The glebe-house was erected about twenty years since by J. Brabazon, Esq., who presented it to the parish, with £1000 to pay the rent to the heirs after his decease. He also granted a glebe, comprising 10 acres of profitable land, which, with the glebe-house, is valued at £35 per annum; and there is a glebe of 3 1/2 acres at Kilsharvan, valued at £12 per annum. The church is a neat structure in good repair, built in 1809, by aid of a gift of £600 from the late Board of First Fruits. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of St. Mary, Drogheda; and there is a small chapel at Mornington, in which is a school of about 20 children. There is also a pay school at Beamore, of about 30 children. On the beach at the mouth of the Boyne, which is a level strand, is an ancient building, called the "Maiden Tower," with a small obelisk near it, called the "Lady's finger;" it serves as a landmark for vessels bound to Drogheda. From the records of the corporation of Dublin, it appears to have been erected in the reign of Elizabeth, and was probably so called in compliment to Her Majesty. At the Maiden Tower is a pool called the Long Reach, which extends a quarter of a mile inland, where vessels may lie at low water. A little north of the church is an ancient rath, where Colpa is said to have been interred; and the church of Rath-Colpa is alluded to in the ancient Irish records. The mouth of the Boyne, anciently called "Inver-Colpa," was frequented by foreign merchants at a remote period; and some are of opinion that St. Patrick, on escaping from his captivity, here found a vessel to convey him to the continent.
COLRY. -- See CALRY.
COLUMBKILL. -- See CULLUMKILL.
COMBER, or CUMBER, a post-town and parish, partly in the barony of UPPER, but chiefly in that of LOWER CASTLEREAGH, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER, 14 miles (N. by W.) from Downpatrick, and 91 (N. by E.) from Dublin; containing 8276 inhabitants, of which number, 1377 are in the town. St. Patrick founded an abbey here, of which nothing is now known. Brien Catha Dun, from whom the O'Nials of Clandeboy descended, and who fell by the sword of Sir John de Courcey, about 1201, also founded an abbey to the honour of the Blessed Virgin, and supplied it with monks of the Cistertian order from the abbey of Albalanda, in Carmarthenshire. John O'Mullegan was the last abbot, and voluntarily resigned the abbacy in 1543. The site and lands were granted, in the 3rd of Jas. I., to Sir James Hamilton, afterwards Lord Clandeboy, whose successors used the greater part of the materials in erecting a mansion near the town, called Mount Alexander, which is now a heap of ruins, and the parish church occupies the site of the abbey. This place derives its name from the river on which it is situated, and which flows into Strangford Lough, on the east side of the parish. The town, which is tolerably well built, forms three streets and a large square, on the road from Belfast to Downpatrick. Messrs. Andrews and Sons have an extensive bleach-green here, where 20,000 pieces of linen are finished annually, principally for the London market; they have also large flour-mills and corn stores. There are two distilleries; one of them, which is the property of Messrs Millar & Co., is among the oldest in the North of Ireland, having been erected in 1765. The tide from Strangford Lough flows to within half a mile of the town, and at a trifling expense might be made very beneficial to it. Great advantages would also result from the erection of a pier near Comber water foot; vessels of 200 tons might then come in with every tide. Coal is at present brought up in small lighters, but the principal fuel is peat; there is a very extensive bog, called Moneyreagh, or the Royal Bog, from which great quantities are sent to Belfast and other places. Fairs are held on Jan. 5th, the second Monday in April, June 19th, and Oct. 28th, principally for farming horses and cattle. Here is a constabulary police station. A manorial court is held here every third Thursday, for the manor of Comber, or Mount Alexander, which has jurisdiction in debts not exceeding £2 over 30 townlands in the parish of Comber, Barnemagarry, in the parish of Kilmud, and Ballycloghan, in that of Saintfield. There is also a court for the recovery of debts not exceeding £20 late currency.
The parish, which includes the ancient parish of BalIyricard, comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 17,420 statute acres, of which 16,134 are in Lower Castlereagh; about 20 are common, 117 water, and 150 or 200 bog; the remainder is arable and pasture land, of which three-fourths are under tillage. Agriculture is in a very improved state, and the soil is very productive. There are some good quarries of freestone, equal in fineness and durability to the Portland stone; and coal has been found in three places, but no mines have been opened. There are several gentlemen's seats, the principal of which are Ballybeen, the residence of J. Birch, Esq.; Ballyalloly, at present unoccupied; Killynether House, the residence of T. McLeroth, Esq.; and Maxwell Court, of J. Cairns, Esq. The living is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Down, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Londonderry, in whom the rectory is impropriate. The parish is tithe-free, with the exception of the townlands of Ballyanwood, Ballycreely, and Ballyhenry, the tithes of which are paid to the Marquess of Londonderry, who pays the curate's stipend. A glebe-house was built in 1738, towards the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits gave £100: the glebe consists of eleven acres. The church is a small ancient building, in the later style of English architecture, and contains some neat marble monuments, particularly those to the memory of the Rev. Robert Mortimer, Capt. Chetwynd, Lieut. Unet, and Ensign Sparks, of the York fencible infantry, who fell in the battle of Saintfield, during the disturbances of 1798, -- and of the Rev. Messrs. Birch, father and son, the former of whom died in 1827, the latter in 1830, whose monument was erected by the subscriptions of 520 of their parishioners. Some fragments of the abbey are incorporated in its walls. There are a meeting-house at Comber for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Ulster, of the first class; another at Moneyreagh, connected with the Remonstrant Synod, of the same class; and a third at Gransha, connected with the Seceding Synod, of the second class: there is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. The parochial school, in which about 100 boys and 70 girls are taught, was built in 1813, at the joint expense of the Marchioness of Londonderry and the trustees of Erasmus Smith's charity; the building is kept in repair by the Marchioness, who, in 1832, erected a house for the master. There are also national schools at Ballymaglaff, Tullygiven, and Ballystockart More than 300 children are educated in these schools, besides which, 740 are taught in 12 private schools. A house of industry was founded in 1824, by the Marquess of Londonderry, who subscribes £25 annually towards its support: it affords an asylum for 12 of the aged poor, and also distributes meal, potatoes, &c, to 60 families at their own dwellings. There is a large druidical altar in Ballygraphan, the table stone of which, now lying on the ground, measures 19 feet by 6 and is 4 feet thick: the five upright stones are in an adjoining hedge-row. Numerous forts and raths are scattered over the parish.
COMER. -- See CASTLECOMER.
COMMER. -- See KILMACREAN.
CONABURY, a village, in the parish of CASTROPETRE, barony of COOLESTOWN, KING’S county, and province of LEINSTER, adjoining the town of Edenderry, and containing 24 houses and 143 inhabitants. This village is situated on the road from Dublin to Tullamore, and is divided into Upper and Lower Conabury.
CONEY ISLAND, county of Clare. -- See INNISDADROM.
CONEY ISLAND, an island, in the parish of KILLASPICBROWN, barony of CARBERY, county of SLIGO, and province of CONNAUGHT: the population is returned with the parish. This island, which is situated in the bay of Sligo, was anciently called Inishmulcloghy, and is enumerated among the territories settled on the Earl of Strafford and Sir Thomas Radcliffe in 1663. It is at present the property of J. Meredith, Esq., and near it is a small island called Church island, on which are the ruins of the ancient parish church of Killaspicbrown, nearly covered with sand.
CONFOY, a parish, in the barony of NORTH SALT, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, 1 1/2 mile (N. W.) from Leixlip; on the road from Dublin to Maynooth; containing 165 inhabitants. It is intersected by the Royal Canal, and had formerly a town and a castle of some importance, which are noticed by Camden. Of the latter there are some considerable remains, consisting of a massive square tower of five stages, with turrets at the north and west angles; that at the north angle contains a winding staircase opening through pointed arches into each story; both are lighted by loopholes; the principal entrance was under a semicircular archway. In the war of 1688 the castle is said to have been strongly garrisoned, and to have sustained an attack. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin, forming part of the union of Leixlip, with which the amount of its tithes is returned. In the R. C. divisions also it is part of the union or district of Leixlip.
CONG, a post-town and parish, partly in the barony of ROSS, county of GALWAY, but chiefly in that of KILMAINE, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 19 miles (S.) from Castlebar, and 121 (W.) from Dublin; containing 8378 inhabitants. This place, though now only an inconsiderable village, was formerly a town of some importance, and the ancient residence of the kings of Connaught. A monastery, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, was founded here by St. Fechan, who died in 664; though by some writers its foundation is ascribed to Donald, son of Aed, nephew of Amirach, King of Ireland, who is said to have made St. Fechan its first abbot. Little further is recorded of its history till 1134, when a great part of the town was burnt and the abbey plundered by the people of Munster. Roderic O'Connor, the last native king of all Ireland, spent the last 15 years of his life in seclusion within this monastery, where he died on the 29th of November, 1198, in the 82nd year of his age; he was interred at Clonmacnois. In 1201 the town and monastery were plundered by William de Burgo, who repeated his ravages in 1204; and in 1310, the town was plundered by Hugh Breifneach. The family of De Burgo afterwards became munificent benefactors to the abbey, to which they gave ample endowments in land, and it continued to flourish till the dissolution. Queen Elizabeth granted part of its possessions to the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin; and Jas. I. granted a lease of the abbey to Sir John King, Knt., ancestor of the present Earl of Kingston.
The town is situated on an island formed by the several openings of a subterraneous river that flows from Lough Mask into Lough Corrib; the principal of these openings rises in a great body from a depth of 73 feet, forming a powerful eddy which turns two large mills, and the approaches are over three bridges. It consists of two streets of small houses, of which the greater number are thatched, and has a sub-post-office to Ballinrobe. There are two large mills, the property Mr. John Thompson, erected about 40 years since, and each grinding on an average 300 tons of wheat annually. Fairs are held at Funshinough in May and September; and petty sessions are held every Saturday alternately for Mayo and Galway.
The parish comprises 17,622 acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which about 240 are woodland, 480 mountain and bog, and, with the exception of about one-fifth, which is waste, the remainder is good arable and pasture land, chiefly under tillage, and producing excellent crops; that which is in pasture, lying upon a substratum of limestone, feeds a large number of sheep and goats. Limestone is everywhere found, rising in many places above the surface; and there are quarries of the finest description of building stone, which is sent to most parts of the adjacent counties, for which Lough Corrib, navigable for 20 miles to Galway for boats of 10 tons' burden, affords a facility of conveyance. The. gentlemen's seats are Strand-Hill, the residence of T. Elwood, Esq.; Garracloone, of R. Blake, Esq.; Ballymagibbon, of J. Fynn, Esq.; Blake Hill, of Mrs. Blake; Ashford, of Lord Oranmore; Royal Rock, of the Rev. M. Waldron; Houndswood, of Martin D'Arcy, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev. E. L. Moore. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam, and in the patronage of the Archbishop: the rectory is partly impropriate in Sir R. A. O'Donel, Bart., as representative of the abbot of Cong, and partly appropriate to the prebend of Killabegs in the cathedral of Tuam. The tithes amount to £489. 4. 1/2., of which £18. 9. 2 3/4. is payable to the prebendary, and the remainder to the incumbent: the impropriate tithes are not under composition. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £400 and a loan of £380 from the same Board, in 1817: the glebe comprises 25 1/2 acres. The church, a neat edifice with a small square tower, and in good repair, was erected by aid of a loan of £640 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1811. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel is a handsome edifice, in the later English style, with a square tower surmounted with a cross. The parochial school is under the Tuam Diocesan Society, aided by an annual donation from the incumbent; a school at Ballymagibbon is supported by John Fynn, Esq.; one at Funshinough is aided by Martin D'Arcy, Esq.; and there is a national school at Carrokeel. About 430 children are instructed in these schools; and there are also four pay schools, in which are about 150 children; and a dispensary. There is an ancient cross in the centre of the town, and the ruins of several churches are still to be seen here. Spars of various colours are found, and the neighbourhood abounds with natural curiosities. Lough Mask, which is on much higher ground than Lough Corrib, discharges its superfluous waters into the latter by subterraneous channels, which, from the openings in the limestone, may in several places be seen flowing at a great depth below the surface. The most remarkable of these openings is the Pigeon Hole, which is of great depth; a descent to it is formed by 68 steps, and at the bottom the water rushes with great violence and noise till it is again lost in the dark recesses of the cavern, which extends to a considerable distance; in the middle of the stream is a small eel weir. There are several other caverns in the limestone range, of which Kelly's Cave and the Lady's Buttery have their roofs fantastically encrusted. In Lough Corrib is the island of Innisduras, containing 29 acres and about 20 inhabitants. Near the glebe-house are the ruins of four druidical circles.
CONNA, or CONNOUGH, a village, in the parish of KNOCKMOURNE, barony of KINNATALOON, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 4 3/4 miles (N. W.) from Tallow: the population is returned with the parish. This place, which is situated on the river Bride, is a constabulary police station, and has fairs on May 12th, June 20th, October 3rd, and Nov. 21st. The R. C. chapel is situated here. Conna castle is said to have been built by one of the Earls of Desmond, and was taken by storm, in 1645, by the Earl of Castlehaven. In 1653 it was burnt, and Avis, Joanna, and Jane German, daughters of Edward German, perished in the flames, as appears by a monument with an inscription recording this calamity in Knockmourne church. The castle, of which only a high square tower remains, stood on an isolated limestone rock on the south side of the river Bride. Excellent salmon and trout are caught in this river.
CONNAUGHT (OLD), a parish, in the half-barony of RATHDOWN, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER; containing, with part of the town of Bray, 1947 inhabitants. This parish, which is commonly called Old Conna or Connagh, is situated on the mail coach road from Dublin to Bray and Newtown-Mount-Kennedy. Besides the village of Old Connaught, it contains Little Bray, which forms the northern portion of the town of Bray, within the manor of which this parish is included. It is bounded on the east by the sea, and on the south by the Dargle river, over which there is a bridge that connects the counties of Wicklow and Dublin, and near which is a common of about 14 acres, that is used as a race-course. The parish, most of which belongs to Miss Roberts, contains 4050 statute acres, and is remarkable for salubrity of climate, beauty of sea and mountain prospect, and convenience of seabathing. The land is chiefly laid out in villas and ornamental plantations, and the part that is under tillage is occupied by substantial farmers. From its proximity to the sea, the Wicklow mountains, and the metropolis, with other natural advantages, this is a favourite place of residence. The principal seats are Old Connaught, the residence of the Rt. Hon. Lord Plunket; Palermo, of the Rev. Sir S. S. Hutchinson, Bart.; Cork Abbey, of the Hon. Col. Wingfield; Woodbrook, of Sir J. Rib-ton, Bart.; Old Connagh Hill, of Miss Roberts; Thorn-hill, of F. Leigh, Esq.; Jubilee, of Miss Ryan; Oaklawn, of W. Garde, Esq.; Ravenswell, of I. Weld, Esq.; Beauchamp, of Capt. Lovelace Stamer; Woodlawn, of W. Magan, Esq.; Moatfield Cottage, of Capt. C. Johnstone; Bray Lodge, of W. C. W. Newberry, Esq.; Crinlin Lodge, of J. Cahill, Esq.; and Wilfort, of Messrs. Toole. At the entrance to Little Bray, through which the coaches from Dublin to Wexford pass, are three handsome houses, occupied by the physician to the dispensary, the Rev. W. Purcell, and Mrs Galway. The village of Old Connaught is small and pleasant, having a nourishing plantation of horse chestnut trees in its centre: it contains several neat cottages, and the handsome residence of R. Morrison, Esq. the architect.
It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin, and forms part of the union of Bray: the tithes amount to £240. Prior to 1728, the rectorial tithes formed part of the Archbishop of Dublin's mensal, but in that year, the tithes of this parish and of several others were annexed to their respective incumbencies having cure of souls. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Kingstown, and has a chapel at Crinkin. There are two schools, one for boys, aided by a collection at the church, and the other for girls, supported by voluntary subscriptions, in which are educated 100 girls and 87 boys. The poor enjoy a share of the rents of an estate in the county of Longford, bequeathed by F. Adair, Esq., to the unions of Delgany and Bray, and the parish of Powerscourt. In the grounds of Moatfield, or Wilfort, is an old rath; and in those of Ballyman are the ruins of a church, in a curiously detached churchyard. The ruins of the parish church also form a picturesque object.
CONNELL (GREAT), a parish, in the barony of CONNELL, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, containing, with the post-town of Newbridge, 1911 inhabitants. In 1202, a priory was founded here, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin and St. David, by Meyler Fitz Henry, who placed in it Regular Canons from the monastery of Lanthony, in Monmouthshire. It subsisted till the Reformation, when it was granted to Edward Randolfe, with reversion to Sir Edw. Butler; it was re-granted in the 3rd of Elizabeth to Sir Nicholas White, and is now the property of Thos. Eyre Powell, Esq. The parish is situated on the mail coach road from Dublin to Limerick, and comprises 4738 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2337 per annum. The land is chiefly under tillage, and the improved system of agriculture is making gradual progress. At Athgarvan ford, on the Liffey, are the extensive boulting-mills of Messrs. Tuthill and Reeves, in which 15,000 bags of flour are made annually. The principal seats are, Great Connell Lodge, the property of T. E. Powell, Esq., but occupied by E. Butler, Esq.; Rosetown, the seat of E. Bateman, Esq.; and Hillsborough, of G. Higgins, Esq. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Kildare, to which that of Ladytown is annexed, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in T. E. Powell, Esq. The tithes amount to £171. 5. 2. The church is a small plain edifice, erected about 50 years since; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently made a grant of £187 towards its repair. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising Great and Old Connell, Killishy, and Morristown-Biller, with parts of Carnalloway and Kill: the chapel is near Newbridge, which see. There are three private and two pay schools, in which about 60 boys and 60 girls are educated; and a national school is about to be erected. The remains of the priory consist chiefly of the east gable of the church, with a great extent of ruinous walls, and many fragments of masonry, among which is the mutilated tomb of Prior Wellesley, Bishop of Kildare. Over the gateway, on one side, is a small sculpture of the Crucifixion, and on the other, Our Saviour crowned with thorns, and a mitred ecclesiastic; and on another fragment is the figure of St. Peter, bearing the keys. It is said that, within the memory of persons still living, a round tower, 75 feet high, was destroyed during the minority of the present proprietor's father.
CONNELL (OLD), a parish, in the barony of CONNELL, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, 4 1/2 miles (S. W.) from Naas; containing 958 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the mail coach road from Dublin to Limerick, comprises 2900 acres, as applotted under the tithe act, which are chiefly under tillage, The improved system of agriculture has been introduced, and the practice of drilling generally adopted; fuel is plentifully supplied from an extensive bog in the immediate neighbourhood. Morristown-Lattin, the ancient family seat of Patrick Lattin, Esq., the translator of Voltaire's Henriade into English verse, whose family has been settled here since the reign of John, is situated in a very retired demesne, ornamented with a profusion of stately timber, chiefly fine oak, ash, elm, and beech of uncommon size. Old Connell House is the seat of E. J. Odium, Esq.; within the demesne is a fine Danish rath. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, forming part of the union of Morristown-Biller; the tithes amount to £140. The church was built by a gift of £900 and a loan of £300 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1828. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Newbridge: the chapel is at Two-mile-house. There is also a small neat chapel, with a spire, belonging to a Dominican friary on the bank of the Liffey, in which only three brethren reside. There are two hedge schools, in which are about 60 boys and 30 girls. In the gardens of Old Connell House are some ruins of the ancient church.
CONNELLS, a village, in the parish of KILMACDUAGH, barony of KILTARTAN, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 3 miles (W.) from Gort, on the road to Ennis; containing 12 houses and 87 inhabitants.
CONNOR, a parish, and the head of a diocese, in the barony of LOWER ANTRIM, county of ANTRIM, and province of ULSTER, 4 miles (S. S. E.) from Ballymena; containing 8682 inhabitants, of which number, 289 are in the village. A religious establishment was founded here at an early period, of which little beyond the names of some of its abbots is now known. It was made the head of the diocese of Connor, and the first bishop was Aengus Macnisius, commonly called St. Macnise, who died soon after the commencement of the sixth century: he is said to have been a disciple of St. Olcan, who was one of St. Patrick's pupils. Connor appears anciently to have been called Dailnaraigh, from its cathedral being in the territory of Dalaradia. In 1124, Malachy O'Morgair was consecrated bishop. At this time, according to St. Bernard, the inhabitants of the diocese were very uncivilised; but by a few years' residence among them, St. Malachy wrought as great a change in their morals as was effected by St. Patrick in the fifth century. By the solicitations of John, Bishop of Connor, Pope Eugene IV. was prevailed upon, in 1442, to unite the bishopricks of Down and Connor, the former being then vacant by the deprivation of John Cely. This union had been approved by letters patent of Hen. IV., in 1438, when the bishops of the two sees were desirous that the survivor should have both; but when it was effected the union was strongly opposed by John Prene, Archbishop of Armagh, who wished the pope to appoint William Bassett, a Benedictine monk, to the bishoprick of Down. The union has, however, continued without interruption since that period, and the subsequent history of the diocese of Connor is included in that of Down and Connor. By the Church Temporalities Act (3rd of Wm. IV.) the see of Dromore is to be united with Down and Connor, on the death or translation of either of the bishops; and the title of the united sees is to be the Bishoprick of Down, Connor, and Dromore.
The diocese is one of the ten which constitute the ecclesiastical province of Armagh: it comprehends parts of the counties of Down and Londonderry, and the greater part of that of Antrim, containing an estimated superficies of 395,500 acres of which 3700 are in Down, 9400 in Londonderry, and 382,400 in Antrim. The cathedral establishment appears to have been refounded by patents of the 7th of Jas. 1. (1610), which ordained that the church should be called the church of St. Saviour, Connor, and that the chapter should consist of a dean, archdeacon, chancellor, precentor, and treasurer, and the four prebendaries of Connor, Cairn-Castle, Rasharkin, and Kilroot. There are no canons or vicars choral, and neither the dignitaries nor prebendaries have any ecclesiastical duties to perform in respect of their offices. Chas. II., by letters patent in 1663, constituted the church of Lisburn the cathedral for the united dioceses, both the old cathedrals being then in ruins; but, in 1790, an act was passed for the restoration of Down cathedral at Downpatrick. Lisburn church, however, is still used as the cathedral for the bishoprick of Connor: there is no economy fund connected with it, but the building is in a good and sound state, and has hitherto been kept in repair by the parishioners. The extent of see lands is 6411 profitable acres, and the gross yearly income of the bishoprick, on an average of three years ending Dec. 31st, 1831, amounted to £3065. 3. 4 3/4. The consistorial court is the same as for that of Down, and is held at Lisburn, where the records of the united dioceses are preserved. The diocesan school, which was originally established at Carrickfergus, was removed to Ballymena in 1829, when a consolidation was made of part of the diocese of Armagh and the whole of that of Connor, under the act of the 3rd of Geo. IV.; and an acre of land was given by William Adair, Esq., on which the school-house was erected, in 1830, at an expense of £900. The master, who is allowed to receive boarders, is nominated alternately by the Archbishop of Armagh and the Bishop of Down and Connor: the emoluments, which are small, are contributed by the bishops and beneficed clergy of both dioceses. The number of parishes in the diocese is 72, exclusively of 6 without cure of souls; they are included in 47 benefices, of which, 2 are in the patronage of the Crown, 1 in that of the Lord-Primate, 21 in that of the Bishop, and 15 in lay patronage; the remainder are perpetual or district curacies, in the gift of the respective incumbents of benefices out of which they were formed. The number of churches is 57, besides eight other places of worship, and of glebe-houses, 30.
In the R. C. divisions this diocese is united as in the Established Church, forming the bishoprick of Down and Connor, in which are 21 parochial unions or districts, containing 45 chapels served by 31 clergymen, 21 of whom are parish priests, and 10 coadjutors or curates. The cathedral is an elegant edifice in the town of Belfast, and is used as one of the parochial chapels. Belfast is also the residence of the R. C. Bishop.
The village consists of about 50 houses, and contains a dispensary. Fairs are held on Feb. 1st, May 2nd, Aug. 2nd, and Oct. 28th. The parish, which is situated on the river Glenwherry, comprises, with Kells, according to the Ordnance Survey, 17,135 3/4 statute acres, about one third of which is arable, one-half pasture, and one-sixth bog. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Connor, united, with part of the rectory, by charter of the 7th of Jas. I., to the rectories of Killagan and Killyglen, and the vicarage of Solar, which constitute the union and corps of the prebend of Connor in the cathedral of St. Saviour, at Lisburn, in the patronage of the Bishop; the remainder of the rectory is impropriate in Viscount Ferrard. The tithes of the parish amount to £151, of which £86 is payable to the impropriator, and £65 to the vicar; and the gross tithes of the benefice amount to £279. 12. The glebe-house was built by a gift of £400 and a loan of £400, in 1820, from the late Board of First Fruits; the glebe comprises 40 acres, valued at £40 per annum. The church was erected by aid of a gift, in 1815, from the same Board. In the R. C. divisions this parish is united with those of Drummaul and Antrim, forming the union or district of Drummaul; there is a chapel in each. There are two places of worship for Presbyterians, the largest of which is in connection with the Synod of Ulster, and of the first class. There are national schools at Tannybrack, in which are 47 boys and 14 girls, and at Tamnaghmore, of 80 boys and 54 girls; two schools, in which are about 200 children, are partly maintained by Lord Ferrard, who subscribes £15. 15. annually; and there are several private pay schools, and some Sunday schools. In the vicinity is an artificial mount with outworks.
CONRAGH, or CONRY, a parish, in the barony of RATHCONRATH, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (E.) from Ballymore, on the road from Mullingar to Athlone, containing 930 inhabitants. The land is principally under tillage, and there is much bog and limestone. Here are Charleville, the seat of C. Kelly, Esq., and Tozerstown, of W. T. Dillon, Esq. At Loughnavally is a police station, and a patron or fair is held there on the 15th of August. This is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Churchtown; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Downshire. The tithes amount to £65, of which £40 is paid to the impropriator, and the remainder to the incumbent. In the R. C. divisions also the parish forms part of the union or district of Churchtown, and has a chapel at Loughnavally. There is a pay school at Carna, in which are about 25 children. There are the remains of an old church at Conragh, and of old castles at Tozerstown and Cronghill. On the celebrated hill of Knockusneach are two large rocks, said to have been St. Patrick's bed; and some of the Irish kings resided in the neighbourhood.
CONVOY, a parish and village, in the barony of RAPHOE, county of DONEGAL, and province of ULSTER, 3 miles (W. S. W.) from Raphoe; containing 5380 inhabitants, of which number, 356 are in the village. It is situated on the river Dale, and on the road from Stranorlar to Raphoe, from which latter parish it was separated in 1825, and formed into a distinct parish, comprising, according to the Ordnance survey, 20,082 statute acres. At its north-western extremity is the mountain of Cark, 1198 feet above the level of the sea. The village consists of one long street, comprising 73 houses; and has fairs on May 17th, Oct. 26th, and Nov. 3rd. The village of Cornagillagh is also in this parish. Convoy House is the residence of R. Montgomery, Esq. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Raphoe, and in the gift of the Dean of Raphoe: the curate's income consists of £75 paid by the dean, and £25 from Primate Boulter's augmentation fund. The church is a handsome structure, in the ancient English style of architecture, and was erected by aid of a gift of £420, and a loan of £300, from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1822. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Raphoe, and has a large plain chapel near the village. There is a meeting-house for Presbyterians, in connection with the Synod of Ulster, of the second class; also one for Covenanters. The parochial school is aided by a grant from Col. Robertson's fund; and there are seven other public schools in the parish, in all of which more than 500 children are taught; also four Sunday schools.
CONWALL, a parish, partly in the barony of RAPHOE, but chiefly in that of KILMACRENAN, county of DONEGAL, and province of ULSTER; containing, with the post-town of Letterkenny, 12,978 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the road from Lifford to Dunfanaghy, and contains, according to the Ordnance survey, 45,270 statute acres, of which 32,715 are in the barony of Kilmacrenan; there is much waste land and bog. Among the seats are Ballymacool, the residence of J. Boyd, Esq.; and Gortlee, of J. Cochran, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Raphoe, and in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The tithes amount to £800. The glebe-house was built in 1816, by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £1500 from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises 868 acres, of which 328 are arable. The church, to the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £273. 11. 7., is a small plain structure with a spire, in the town of Letterkenny. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the district of Aughnish, and has chapels at Letterkenny and Glen-Swilly. There are two Presbyterian meeting-houses in Letterkenny, one in connection with the Synod of Ulster, of the first class, the other is connected with the Seceding Synod, and is of the second class. There are also places of worship for Covenanters and Methodists. The parish school is aided by £12 per annum from the late Col. Robertson's school fund, and an annual donation from the rector; and there are a Presbyterian free school and eight other public schools in the parish, in all of which about 850 children are taught; also eight Sunday schools. An abbey existed here so early as the 6th century, and continued at least till the 13th. There are still some ruins of the old parish church. -- See Letterkenny.
COOKSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of RATHOATH, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 12 miles (N. N. W.) from Dublin; containing 98 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the confines of the county of Dublin, and on the road from Ratoath, and contains 1947 statute acres. It is in the diocese of Meath, and is held as a chapelry with the union of Ratoath: the rectory is impropriate in Mr. James Kennedy and Mr. Abraham Sandys. The tithes amount to £68. 1. 3., of which £47. 15. is payable to the impropriators, and £20. 6. 3. to the incumbent. In the R. C. divisions also it forms part of the district of Ratoath.
COOKSTOWN, a market and post-town, in that part of the parish of DERRYLORAN which is in the barony of DUNGANNON, county of TYRONE, and province of ULSTER, 20 miles (E. N. E.) from Omagh, and 86 1/2 (N. N. W.) from Dublin, by the mail road, but only 79 by the direct road; containing 2883 inhabitants. This place derives its name from its founder, Allan Cook, who had a lease for years renewable under the see of Armagh, upon whose land the old town was built, about the year 1609. It is situated on the mail coach road from Dungannon to Coleraine, and consists of one wide street more than a mile and a quarter long, with another street intersecting it at right angles, containing 570 houses, many of which are large, well built with stone, and slated. The present town was built about the year 1750, by Mr. Stewart, its then proprietor, and is advantageously situated in a fine and fertile district, which is well wooded and watered, and abundantly supplied with limestone. A patent for a market and fairs was granted to Allan Cook, Aug. 3rd, 1628. The market is on Tuesday for grain, and on Saturday for linen cloth, flax, yarn, cattle, pigs, and provisions. Fairs are held on the first Saturday in every month, for general farming stock. The market-place consists chiefly of merchants' stores and shops. At Greenvale is a large establishment for bleaching, dyeing, and finishing linens for the English markets; there are others at Wellbrook and at Ardtrea, besides two large ones at Tullylaggan. A constabulary police force has been stationed in the town. A manorial court for the primate's manor of Ardtrea is held here once a month, for the recovery of debts under £5: its jurisdiction extends into the parishes of Lissan, Derryloran, Kildress, Desertcreight, Arboe, Ardtrea, Clonoe, Ballyclog, Tamlaght, Ballinderry, and Donoghenry. Petty sessions are held on alternate Fridays. Close adjoining the town is Killymoon, the residence of W. Stewart, Esq., proprietor of the town and of the land immediately adjacent; it was built from a design by Mr. Nash, in the pure Saxon style, and is situated in an extensive demesne, containing some uncommonly fine timber. Not far distant are Loughry, the residence of J. Lindesay, Esq., and Lissan, the seat of Sir T. Staples, Bart. The former is in a demesne of about 200 acres, finely wooded, and watered by the river Loughry: the estate was granted, in 1604, by Jas. I. to Sir Robert Lyndesay, his chief harbinger, and has ever since been the residence of the senior branch of that ancient family, which is among the claimants of the earldom of Craufurd and Lyndesay. The other seats in the vicinity are Oak-lands, the residence of Capt. Richardson; the glebe-house, of the Rev. C. Bardin, D. D.; and Greenvale, of T. Adair, Esq.; besides several other handsome houses in and near the town. The parish church of Derryloran, in the southern part of the town, is a large and handsome cruciform edifice, built of hewn freestone from a design by Mr. Nash, in the early English style of architecture: it has a tower and lofty octagonal spire, and the interior is fitted up in the Saxon style. Near the centre of the town is a large and handsome Presbyterian meeting-house, in connection with the Synod of Ulster, and also one in connection with the Associate Synod, each of which is of the first class and has a manse for the clergyman. A second meeting-house in connection with the Synod of Ulster was built in 1835, and there are places of worship for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, and, at a short distance from the town, a large R. C. chapel. An infants' school was established in 1834, by Mrs. Hassard and other ladies, for which a house is now being built; and a parochial school-house is also being erected, on land given by Mr. Stewart: near the town are several other schools. Here are also a news-room and a dispensary. Close to the town are the ruins of the old church of Derryloran, and not far distant are two large forts, one circular, the other square. In Killymoon demesne are the ruins of an old meeting-house; at Drum-craw is the site of a church, and at Loughry a fine cromlech. -- See Derryloran.
COOLAGHMORE, a parish, in the barony of KELLS, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. S. E.) from Callan, on the road to Clonmel; containing 1417 inhabitants. This parish comprises 5332 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £4196 per annum. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and forms part of the union of Callan: the tithes amount to £383. 10. per annum. In the R. C. divisions also it forms part of the union or district of Callan, and has a chapel at Coolagh.
COOLANEY, a small market-town, in the parish of KILLORAN, barony of LINEY, county of SLIGO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 4 miles (W.) from Collooney; containing 326 inhabitants. This place is situated on the road from Sligo to Tubbercurry; it contains about 70 houses, and has a penny post to Collooney. Here are a dispensary and a Baptist meeting-house; and it is a station of the constabulary police. In the centre of the village is the court-house, where petty sessions are held on alternate Wednesdays. The market is on Friday, and fairs are held on the 29th of May and 5th of December: it is in contemplation to erect a market-house. -- See Killoran.
COOLBANAGHER, or COOLBENGER, a parish, in the barony of PORTNEHINCH, QUEEN’S county, and province of LEINSTER; containing, with the parish of Ardea, or Ardrea, the post-town of Emo, and part of that of Mountmellick, 7456 inhabitants. It comprises 8623 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The soil is generally fertile, and there is a considerable tract of waste land, which is mostly exhausted bog, also a large tract of valuable bog; the system of agriculture is daily improving. Limestone abounds, and is quarried for building, repairing the roads, and burning into lime for manure. The principal seats are Emo Park, the residence of the Earl of Portarlington; Woodbrook, of Major Chetwood; Lauragh, of the Rev. Sir Erasmus Dixon Borrowes, Bart.; Knightstown, of Joseph Kermis, Esq.; and Shane Castle, of Thomas Kemmis, Esq. From a desire to introduce manufactures and trade into this part of the country, for the employment of the population, Mr. Kemmis has established, on his estate at Shane, an iron-foundry and manufactory. The Dublin Grand Canal passes through the parish to Mountmellick; also a tributary stream which, running northward, falls into the Barrow at Portnehinch bridge. Petty sessions are held at Lauragh.
The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, episcopally united, in 1804, to the rectory of Ardea or Ardrea, together forming the union of Coolbanagher, in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £276. 18. 5 1/2. per annum. The extent of the union, as applotted under the tithe act, is 15,763 statute acres; and the tithes for the whole amount to £536. 6. 1 3/4. per annum. The glebe-house, in Ardea, is a handsome residence, built in 1790: the glebe comprises 26 1/2 acres. The church, also in Ardea, is a handsome edifice, erected at the expense of the late Lord Portarlington, on the summit of an eminence not far from the southern extremity of the union. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Portarlington; the chapel, at Emo, is a very neat edifice. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. The parochial school is at Moret, and there are about six other schools at that and other places in the parish: a spacious slated building was erected for one under the trustees of Erasmus Smith's charity, at an expense of £500, chiefly defrayed by I. C. Chetwood, Esq.; and the school at Emo is endowed with 20 acres of land by the Hon. Lionel Dawson. There are about 700 children in these schools. The ruins of the ancient church are still visible, and also those of the castle of Moret, in the vicinity of which are the venerable remains of Shane Castle, formerly called "Sion" or "Shehan Castle," which was the head of a manor, when in the possession of Sir Robert Preston, in 1397, but it has shared the fate of the other castles of Leix. During the parliamentary war it was seized by the insurgents, in 1641; taken from them the year following by Sir Charles Coote, retaken by Owen Roe O'Nial in 1646, and finally surrendered, in 1650, to Cols. Hewson and Reynolds, who demolished the outworks, and left nothing but the present building remaining. It is situated on a high conical hill, and was fitted up in the last century by Dean Coote, who converted it into a very pleasant residence. -- See Emo and Mountmellick.
COOLBOY, or CASTLE-BOY, a village, in the new district parish of SHILLELAGH, barony of SHILLELAGH, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/4 miles (S.) from Tinahely; containing 105 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Carnew to Rathdrum, and has eight fairs, which are held on the last Wednesday in January, first Wednesday (O. S.) in March, the last Wednesday in April, the first Wednesday (O. S.) in June, the last Wednesday in July, Sept., and Oct., and the Wednesday in Ember week. Adjoining the village is Coolboy House, a respectable mansion, the residence of John Chamney, Esq.
COOLCAPPAGH -- See KILBRODERAN.
COOLCASHIN, a parish, in the barony of GALMOY, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 3 1/2 miles (N. W.) from Freshford; containing 564 inhabitants. This parish comprises 2792 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2793 per annum. It is in the diocese of Ossory, and the vicarage forms part of the union of Freshford, and the corps of the prebend of Aghoure in the cathedral church of St. Canice, Kilkenny; the rectory is appropriate to the dean and chapter. The tithes amount to £164. 10., of which £109. 13. 4. is payable to the appropriators, and £54. 16. 8. to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Lisdowney; the chapel is at Whitegate.
COOLCOR, a parish, in the barony of LOWER PHILIPSTOWN, KING’S county, and province of LEINSTER, 6 miles (W.) from Edenderry, on the road to Philipstown: the population is returned with the parish of Ballyburley. It was formerly a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, but is now united and consolidated with Ballyburley, which see.
COOLCRAHEEN, or COOLCRAGHIN, a parish, in the barony of FASSADINING, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (N. N. E.) from Freshford; containing 668 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the road from Kilkenny to Castle-Durrow, and contains 2768 statute acres, mostly under tillage. Limestone is abundant, and is used for building and burning for manure. Foulksrath Castle is of some antiquity, but has been converted into a comfortable dwelling by T. Wright, Esq., an eminent agriculturist and grazier. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and is part of the union of Odogh: the tithes amount to £200. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the unions or districts of Conahy and Muckalee. The ruins of Inchmore castle, opposite Inchmore island in the Nore, are in this parish: it consisted of a strong square keep of considerable antiquity, united to a splendid mansion in the Elizabethan style, and was erected by Robert Grace, baron of Courtstown, and member of parliament for the county of Kilkenny, who died about the year 1640.
COOLE, a parish, forming a detached portion of the barony of KINNATALOON, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S. E.) from Fermoy; containing 338 inhabitants. This parish, which is nearly surrounded by Castle-Lyons, is situated on the road from Fermoy to Tallow, and comprises 1200 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £1265 per annum; about 20 acres are woodland, 900 arable, and the remainder pasture; there is no bog or waste land. The higher grounds are finely wooded, and visible from a considerable distance. Coole Abbey is a large and handsome mansion, the residence of H. H. Peard, Esq., situated in an extensive and well-planted demesne; near it is High Park, the residence of the Rev. J. W. Edgar. The parish is in the diocese of Cloyne, and the rectory forms the corps of the prebend of Coole, in the cathedral of Cloyne, in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £150. There is no church, but divine service is regularly performed in Coole Abbey mansion. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Castle-Lyons, and has a small plain chapel at Coolagaun. In the demesne of Coole Abbey are some ruins of the ancient abbey, which gave name to the parish. It was founded in 1296, by the Barry family, by whom it was given to the Knights Templars, and was formerly the summer residence of the bishops of Cloyne. Near these ruins are some beautiful arches belonging to the old church, which are covered with evergreens. On the more elevated part of the demesne are some vestiges of the ancient castle of Coole, formerly belonging to the Earls of Desmond. In 1642 this fortress was surrendered to Condon of Ballydorgan, an insurgent leader, on his promising a safe conduct to the garrison, which consisted of thirty of Lord Barrymore's troopers; but they were all killed except one.
COOLE, a village, in the parish of MAYNE, barony of DEMIFORE, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (W.) from Castle-Pollard; containing 341 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Castle-Pollard to Granard, and near the shore of Lough Derveragh, and comprises about 70 houses. Two small fairs are held on the 20th of May and November. -- See Mayne.
COOLEAGH, a parish, in the barony of SLIEVARDAGH, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S.) from Killenaule, on the road to Fethard; containing 714 inhabitants. It comprises 2486 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cashel, forming part of the union of Killenaule: the tithes amount to £150.
COOLGRANEY, a village, in that part of the parish of INCH which is in the barony of GOREY, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. S. W.) from Arklow, on the road to Gorey; containing 274 inhabitants. Fairs for cattle and pigs are held on Jan. 24th, May 11th, June 11th, Aug. 3rd, Oct. 15th, and Dec. 10th. Here is a station of the constabulary police force, also a dispensary. The vicinity was the scene of the last pitched battle between the insurgent and royalist forces during the disturbances of 1798. -- See Inch.
COOLINE, a parish, in the barony of ORRERY and KILMORE, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 1 1/2 mile (S. W.) from Charleville; containing 455 inhabitants. This small parish is situated on the road from Charleville to Liscarrol, and contains 1130 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £1539 per annum for the county cess. The land, which is extremely rich, is partly in pasture, and the portion under tillage produces excellent crops; the system of agriculture is slowly improving. A stratum of limestone gravel extends into the parish, and is chiefly used for repairing the roads; and there are indications of culm at Milltown. The principal seats are Cooline House, the residence of R. Weldon, Esq.; and Milltown Castle, of G. Bruce, Esq., a handsome castellated mansion in the later English style. It is in the diocese of Cloyne, and is a rectory, constituting the corps of the prebend of Cooline in the cathedral of Cloyne, in the gift of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £70. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Ballyhea. The ruins of the church still remain in the ancient burial-ground.
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