County Tyrone

CHARLEMONT a market and garrison town (formerly aparlimentary borough) and a district parish in the barony and county of Armagh, divided from Moy and by the Blackwater river, over which is a neat stone bride of five arches, built about 1766. The castle here was built in 1602, by Charles Lord Mountjoy (afterwards Earl of Devonshire), to guard the pass over the Blackwater, and who called it after his own christian name and title. It was taken by the parlimentary forces under the command of Sir Charles Coate; and on the 13th April, 1664, the castle, town and fort,were sold by William the Viscount Charlemont to Charles II for L500. In 1690 the garrison was besieged by Colonel Callemotte, a French officer (under Marshal Schamberg), from the adjacent height of Legar hill, where the intrenchments are still visible. From that period, until 1832, the governorship was held either by the Lords Charlemont, or some old and highly distinguished officer; and in August of that year, the office was abolished, and the lands became vested in the commissioners of woods and forest, and the castle is now the ordance depot for the north of Ireland.

The town is well situated for trade. It participates with Moy in the linen manufacture and in this branch there are some respectable establishments.

Previous ot the Union Charlemont was a borough, and sent two memberships to the Irish parliament, having been incorporated in the eleventh year of James I, and the municipal power vested in a portrieve and twelve burgesses. The borough was disfanchised by the Union, and the corporation was dissolved by the late municipal net. Among the distinguished men, who represented Charlemont, were Henry Grattan; one of the Sheridans, and the present Lord Plunket.

A new church was erected in 1833, on ground given by Lord Charemont; it is a handsome structure, resembling in front one of the grand altars of York Minster.

On Keenagham hill, east of the town a neat Roman Catholic chapel is being erected.

The celebrated and pious John Wesley frequently preached in Charlemont, and occasionally in the fort. The charter conferred the right of holding markets and fairs, but they have fallen into disuse. The population of the town, in 1841, was 485.

POST OFFICE
Charlemont square, Moy, Thomas J WILFORD,Post Master
Letters from DUBLIN and the SOUTH of IRELAND, also from ENGLAND and SCOTLAND, arrive every morning at a quarter past five, and are despatched every evening at seven---Letters from COLERAINE arrive every evening at seven, and are despatched every morning at quarter past five.