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Thomas Bradshaws Directory of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor 1820

 

  
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Warrenpoint and Rosstrevor
 

AT about a mile from the end of Newry, is Greenwood Park, the property of Ross Thompson, jun. Esq. The view of Fathom, on the opposite side, is extremely fine. Green Island is the next object that meets the eye, where there are very ancient salt works, the property of Mr. Hugh Campbell. After passing this place, the observer may perceive, within the compass of five hundred yards, two provinces, Ulster and Leinster, and three counties, Down, Armagh and Louth.

Approaching nearer to Mount hall, the prospect exhibits a picturesque view of Narrowwater castle and ferry. This castle was built by the Duke of Ormond, and has been converted into a salt work, at present the property of Messrs. St. Lawrence Smyth and Co.
Warrenpoint is, comparatively speaking, a new village. About sixty years ago. it had only one house, which stood near the sea shore, at a distance from the road, and which belonged to Mr. Christopher Aiken. At present it has a very considerable number, and is improving every year. There are many very comfortable lodging houses in and around the village. The quay is very convenient, and is capable of receiving vessels of large burden. The windmill, built by Mr. Robert Turner, is a very valuable concern; the machinery, (a large proportion of which is of cast metal,) having been constructed on the most approved plan.

There was originally a very extensive rabbit warren at Warrenpoint, from which circumstance the village has received its name.
Near the village stands the new Presbyterian meeting-house, lately erected on the site of the old one, on a very convenient plan.
On passing through Warrenpoint towards the shore, the prospect becomes extremely beautiful and grand. The bay, expanding to the view, forms a noble basin, where a thousand ships may ride in perfect safety, bounded on the right and left by the lofty, over-hanging mountain of Carlingford, whose base magnificently cuts the water, in a straight line of great extent, and by the finely wooded mountain of Rosstrevor. In the horizon, the light-house and block house, and the vessels passing the bar, present to the eye a very pleasing termination to the prospect.

Immediately to the right, and on the other side of the water, at Omeath, an elegant house, in the cottage style, lately built by James Bell, Esq. appears in view. At Seaview, there is a row of neat houses, well situated for the accommodation of bathers. The prospects from this place, and from thence round to the quay of Rosstrevor, is extremely fine. The former place commands a view of the whole bay, the quay of Rosstrevor, and the adjoining wood, together with the entire vale, diversified with beau- tiful plantations, elegant cottages, and magnificent seats.

The seat of Francis Carleton, Esq. late collector of Newry, at present called Green Park, is plesantly situated on the left hand, at a considerable distance from the road. The original house was built by James Moore, Esq. father of Christopher Moore, Esq. of Newry. It was occupied for a time, first by Mr. Strong, and afterwards by Mr. Broomfield. Collector Carleton having added an entire new front, has made the house a very fine mansion. The adjoining grounds have been laid out with very good taste.

Rostrevor.

The village of Rosstrevor is situated at the north east extremity of the bay of Carlingford, at the foot of that extensive range of mountains which stretches along the shores of Mourne. It was anciently the seat of the Trevor family, and is admirably suited as a residence for persons in delicate health.

The building now occupied as a barrack, was erected by the father of C. Moore, Esq. Major Ross having purchased the concern, added wings to it, and made it his place of residence.

A little further up the hill, stands the Roman Catholic chapel, a neat house, built about twenty years ago, but lately very much improved by the Rev. Mr. Gilmour. At the upper end of the village, there is a very neat school-house, lately built by Mrs, Dawson and Miss Balfour, who have established a school for the education of female children, twenty of whom receive instruction, gratis,

At about half a mile from the village, stand the ruins of the old church of Kilbroney. There is an ancient stone cross at this place, which is regarded by the peasantry with peculiar veneration. At a little distance there is a well also, at the foot of a gigantic ash, which is resorted to by great multitudes of persons, on particular occasions. Many families in the vicinity, continue to bury their dead within and around the ruins.

Kilbroney is the residence of Robert Martin, Esq. whose house commands a pleasant view of the extensive vale below, of part of the bay, and of the mountain of Carlingford. Mr. Martin has bleach mills at this place, which are well situated, and supplied with an excellent head of water.

A little lower down is Mr. Black's paper mill and dwelling house. They were originally built by John Darley, Esq. and intended as an establishment for the bleaching of linen cloth. At the quay are considerable salt works, now wrought by Mr. James Reilly. The quay was formed, about seventy five years ago by Mr. John Martin, whose name was engraved on a stone built into the wall of the pier, but the characters are now effaced.

On the shelving bank beneath the road, stands the Wood house, the residence of the Hon. and Rev. Edmund Knox, Dean of Down. The grounds are tastefully adorned with a great variety of trees and shrubs, suited to the situation, which, in the season, appear in great beauty and perfection.

After having passed from under the waving canopy of spreading oak, and ascended a gentle eminence, the bay once more presents its spreading bosom to the spectator's eye. To the right, Warrenpoint and the beautiful seats between Seaview and Rosstrevor, form a very charming prospect, while on the left is seen (finely contrasted) a tremendous, precipice of the adjoining mountain, " rude, barren, and bare." No words can paint the splendour of the scene, viewed in a calm summer evening, when all the varied glow that invests the western sky, and all the tints which surround the setting sun, purple, gold, and blue, are pictured on the unruffled bosom of the bay.

A very delightful scene is also exhibited from the shore at Seaview, in the fine evenings in summer and autumn, when the full moon, rising over the bay, in tranquil majesty, sheds a stream of light along the watery way. The bay, almost encircled by mountains or high hills, has something the appearance of a vast amphitheatre, where the boats and ships, passing through the illumined expanse, are contemplated by the light of the lunar lamp, whose beams are beautifully reflected from the trembling waters.

The massive ruins of Greencastle stand upon a gut or inlet of the sea, a few miles below Rosstrevor. This castle was fortified by the Burghs, Earls of Ulster, and Lords of Connaught, and was reputed in ancient times, a place of considerable strength. It was rendered famous by two marriages of illustrious persons, which were celebrated within, its walls, in 1312 one of Maurice Fitz-Thomas and Catherine, daughter to the Earl of Ulster, and the other of Thomas Fitz-John, and another daughter of the same nobleman. It was destroyed by the Irish in 1343, but was soon after repaired and rendered stronger than before.

It appears by a record of the first of Henry IV. that both Greencastle and the castle of Carlingford were, governed by one constable, the better to secure a communication between the English settlers in the counties of Louth and Down. Stephen Gernon was constable of both castles at that time, and had a yearly salary of £20 for Greencastle, and £5 for Carlingford. About the end of the 15th century, it was considered to be of so much importance to the crown that none but Englishmen by birth were eligible to the office of constable.

It had a garrison in the rebellion of 1641, which served to check the progress of the insurgents in the adjacent districts. It appears from ancient records, that it had been the residence of the Bagnal family at an early period.

Rosstrevor has improved very much of late years, and contains at present several handsome houses. Topsyturvy, built by William Maguire, Esq. naturally attracts the observation of strangers, from the singularity of its appearance. It stands on the side of a steep hill, from which there is a pleasant prospect. There is no uniformity whatever in the building ; and the kitchen is situated in the upper story.

Mrs. Dawson, relict of the late Dean Dawson, a few years ago, erected a house on a very novel plan, which, from its situation, promises to be a charming residence. Mr. Martin has also lately built a very good house in the street leading to the quay. Admiral Fortescue's house, built by Mrs. Maguire, stands in a most delightful situation. Smithson Corry, Esq. has lately fitted up a lodge in a very elegant style. Captain Wright and others have also added, by their improvements, to the beauty of the place.

A handsome church has lately been erected in Rosstrevor, which has contributed much to the beautiful appearance of the village.
On the 26th of January, 1819, a Savings Bank was instituted in Warrenpoint, for the purpose of affording to the industrious poor, a safe place of deposit for their savings. The office is open every Tuesday from 12 till 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Sums so low as 10d. at one time, and not exceeding £50 in one year, will be received from any individual. The Marquis of Downshire is patron of the institution. The vice patrons are the Earl of Annesley, Viscount Killmorey, Viscount Glerawley, the Bishop of Dromore, and the Bishop of Down. There are nine trustees, a treasurer, and a committee, composed of eighteen of the most respectable gentlemen in the neighbourhood, who meet at stated times, to inspect the accounts and regulate the business of the institution.

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