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ARMAGH-BREAGUE, a district parish, partly in the barony of ARMAGH, and partly in the barony of LOWER FEWS, county of ARMAGH, and province of ULSTER, 7 miles (S.) from Armagh, on the road from Keady to Newtown-Hamilton; containing 3632 inhabitants. It was formed into a parish under the provisions of an act of the 7th and 8th of Geo. III., cap. 43, by taking three townlands from the parish of Lisnadill, and three from that of Keady, the former principally heath and mountain, and the latter tithe-free; and comprises 9113 statute acres, of which 5000 are arable, and the remainder waste and bog. The mountains abound with clay-slate; and there are also indications of lead and copper ores, but no attempt has yet been made to work either. About two miles from the village is Mountain Lodge, the residence of Hugh Garmany, Esq. At Linen Vale there is an extensive bleach-green, where 20,000 pieces of linen are annually finished for the English markets. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the weaving of linen and in agricultural pursuits. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, and in the alternate patronage of the Rectors of Armagh and Keady, the former of whom contributes £60 and the latter £40 per annum as a stipend for the curate; there is neither glebe-house nor glebe. The church, situated on the summit of one of the Fews mountains, is a small neat edifice, in the early English style; it was built in 1831, at an expense of £600, a gift from the late Board of First Fruits. In the R. C. divisions this parish is one of three that form the union or district of Lisnadill or Ballymacnab, and contains a small chapel at Granemore. In the parochial school are 80 boys and 40 girls; the master has a house and three roods of land rent-free. The schoolroom, a large and commodious building, was erected by subscription in 1826. There are also a Sunday school for gratuitous instruction, and a hedge school. Lough Aughnagurgan, the source of the river Callan, is in this district; and on the summit of one of the mountains stands the South Meridian Arch belonging to the observatory of Armagh.

ARTAGH.-- See TAUGHBOYNE.

ARTANE, otherwise ARTAINE, a parish, in the barony of COOLOCK, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/2 miles (N.) from the Post-office, Dublin; containing 583 inhabitants. The village is situated on the road from Dublin to Malahide, and has a penny post. Artane castle was long the property of the Donellans of Ravensdale, and is said to have been the scene of the death of John Alen or Alan, Archbishop of Dublin who, in endeavouring to escape from the vengeance of the house of Kildare, which he had provoked by his adherence to the will and measures of Cardinal Wolsey, was shipwrecked near Clontarf; and being made prisoner by some followers of that family, was brought before Lord Thos. Fitzgerald, then posted here with the insurgent army, whom he earnestly entreated to spare his life; but, either failing in his supplications, or from the willful misconstruction of a contemptuous expression by Fitzgerald into a sentence of death on the part of those around him, as variously alleged by different writers, he was instantly slain in the great hall of the castle, on the 28th of July, 1534. On the breaking out of hostilities in 1641, it was taken by Luke Netterville, one of the R. C. leaders, at the head of a body of royalists, and garrisoned. The parish comprises 946 statute acres, of which about 20, including roads, are untitheable and of no value. The old castle was pulled down in 1825, and on its site and with its materials was erected, by the late Matthew Boyle, Esq., uncle of the present proprietor, M. Callaghan, Esq., a handsome house, which commands a splendid view of the islands of Lambay and Ireland's Eye, the hill of Howth, and the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The other seats are Elm Park, the residence of T. Hutton, Esq.; Thorndale, of D. H. Sherrard, Esq.; Woodville, of J. Cornwall, Esq.; Artaine House, of T. Alley, Esq.; Mount Dillon, of H. Cooper, Esq.; Kilmore House, of H. Hutton, Esq.; Belfield, of Capt. Cottinghatn; Artaine Cottage, of J. Cusack, Esq.; Pozzodigotto, of Mrs. Atkinson; and Stella Lodge, of M. Curwen, Esq. In its ecclesiastical concerns this is a chapelry, in the diocese of Dublin, and one of three which, with the rectory of Finglas and the curacy of St. Werburgh's, Dublin, constitute the corps of the chancellorship in the cathedral church of St. Patrick, Dublin, which is in the patronage of the Archbishop. The church is a picturesque ruin, partly covered with ivy: in the burial-ground is a tombstone to the Hollywood family, to which the manor belonged for many ages, and of which John Hollywood, a distinguished mathematician and philosopher of the 13th century, was a member. In the R. C. divisions it is in the union or district of Clontarf, Coolock, and Santry. A neat school-house for boys and girls, with apartments for the master and mistress, was built near the old church by the late M. Boyle, Esq., in 1832, at an expense of more than £600, of which £150 was repaid by the National Board, which contributes £25 per annum towards the support of the school, and, in 1833, Mr. Boyle bequeathed £10 per annum for the same purpose: the number of boys on the books is 116, and of girls, 107.

ARTHURSTOWN, or KING'S-BAY, a post-town, in the parish of ST. JAMES, barony of SHELBURNE, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 9 1/4 miles (S.E. by S.) from New Ross, and 80 (S. by W.) from Dublin; containing 170 inhabitants. This place is situated on Waterford harbour, three miles below the junction of the rivers Barrow, Suir, and Nore, and derives its origin and name from its proprietor, Arthur, first and present Lord Templemore, whose seat is here, and by whom it has been mostly built within the last few years. The trade consists principally in the importation of coal and culm from South Wales, and slates from Bangor; and the exportation to Waterford of corn, pigs, butter, eggs, honey, and poultry. It has a commodious quay, with a gravelly strand open to Waterford harbour; and a pier of millstone grit found in the quarries here, 306 feet in length, and originally intended for the accommodation of the boats employed in the fishery, has been constructed at an expense of £3000, of which £700 was granted by the late Fishery Board, and the remainder was defrayed by Lord Templemore. Vessels of 100 tons' burden can come up close to the pier, but the entrance has lately become partially choked with an accumulation of mud, which requires speedy removal, and the adoption of some plan calculated to prevent a recurrence of the obstruction. The bay is subject to a heavy sea during the prevalence of south, south-west, and northwest winds. This place is a chief constabulary police station, and a station of the coast-guard. There is a dispensary, and a fever hospital was also built, but the Grand Jury, on application being made for its support, deemed it unnecessary.-- See JAMES (ST.)

ARTRAMONT, or ARDTRAMONT, a parish, in the barony of SHELMALIER, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (N.) from Wexford; containing 661 inhabitants. It is situated on the northwestern side of the estuary of the Slaney, and comprises 2384 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which 129 are woodland. A kind of red sandstone adapted for building is quarried in the parish. The surrounding scenery is pleasingly diversified, and in some parts highly picturesque. Artramont, the elegant seat of G. le Hunte, Esq., is beautifully situated on an eminence surrounded by a fine plantation, and commanding an extensive view of Wexford harbour and the country adjacent: the demesne is separated from the parish of Tickillen, on the north, by a romantic glen called Eden Vale, the steep sides of which are covered from the water's edge to their summits with young and thriving plantations; and from one point of view are seen three picturesque cascades, formed by the precipitation of the little river Sow from a rocky height of 50 or 60 feet. St. Edmond's, the residence of J. Lane, Esq., is also in the parish. The parish is in the diocese of Ferns, and is a rectory, forming part of the union of Ardcolme: the tithes amount to £184. 12. 3 3/4. The church has long been in ruins. In the R. C. divisions it is in the union or district of Crossabeg, where the chapel is situated. A school for children of both sexes was established in 1818; the school-house, a handsome building in the rustic style, was erected at the expense of Sir Francis le Hunte, by whom the school is chiefly supported; it affords accommodation, including a girls' work-room, for about 100 children; the master has apartments and two acres of land, with £20 per annum, and six tons of coal yearly. Within the demesne are the ruins of Artramont castle; and there are also vestiges of a Danish fort, with a square moat, in the parish.

ARTREA-- See ARDTREA.

ARVAGH, a market and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of TULLOGHONOHO, county of CAVAN, and province of ULSTER, 10 3/4 miles (S. W.) from Cavan, and, by way of that town, 66 miles (N. W. by W.) from Dublin; containing 4580 inhabitants, of which number, 422 are in the town. This parish is situated on the road from Killesandra to Scrabby, near the point of junction of the three counties of Cavan, Leitrim, and Longford, and was formed by the disunion of thirty townlands from the parish of Killesandra. Near the town is the lake of Scraba, one of the sources of the river Erne, which, with the lakes through which it runs, is commonly called in its entire extent Lough Erne. The market is on Friday, and is well supplied with provisions: the market-house, situated in the centre of the town, was built by the Earl of Gosford, to whom the town belongs. Fairs are held on Jan. 28th, March 25th, April 1st, May 2nd, June 8th, Aug. 8th Sept. 23rd, Nov. 1st, and Dec. 23rd. Here is a station of the constabulary police. The living is a perpetual cure, in the diocese of Kilmore, and in the patronage of the Vicar of Killesandra: the perpetual curate has a fixed income of £75 per annum late currency, of which £50 is paid by the incumbent of Killesandra, and £25 from the funds of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The church was built by aid of a gift of £900 and a loan of £100, in 1819, from the late Board of First Fruits. The glebe-house is small but conveniently built; and the glebe comprises 21 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish remains included in the union or district of Killesandra, and has a chapel, situated at Corronee. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan methodists. There are two public schools, one in the town and the other at Corronary, and other private and Sunday schools in the parish.

ASHBOURNE, a post-town, in the parish of KILLEGLAND, barony of RATOATH, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 12 1/2 miles (S. by E.) from Drogheda, and 10 1/4 (N. by W.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road to Londonderry and Belfast; containing 60 houses and 473 inhabitants. It is a constabulary police station, and has fairs on Jan. 6th, April 16th, May 21st, July 29th, and Oct. 31st. Here is a R. C. chapel, a neat modern building; and a dispensary is principally supported by the rector and curate, assisted by some of the parishioners.-- See KILLEGLAND.

ASHFIELD, a parish, in the barony of TULLAGH-GARVEY, county of CAVAN, and province of ULSTER, 1/2 a mile (S. W.) from Cootehill, on the road to Belturbet; containing 3013 inhabitants. It formerly constituted part of the parish of Killersherdiny, from which it was separated in 1799; and comprises 4426 acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at about £4006 per annum. The land is in general good, and there is very little waste; the system of agriculture is slowly improving. The manufacture of linen for broad sheeting is carried on to a considerable extent. Ashfield Lodge, the seat of Col. Clements, is beautifully situated on an eminence within view of the church, beneath which swiftly flows the Cootehill river, a tributary to Lough Erne, and is surrounded with extensive plantations. Fort Henry, formerly a seat of the Clements family, is now that of the Rev. J. Thompson. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Kilmore, and in the patronage of the Vicar of Killersherdiny, with which parish the tithes are included and are payable to the vicar: the perpetual curate has a fixed annual income of £100, of which £50 is payable by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The church is a handsome edifice, with a lofty spire, occupying a very elevated site; it was built by aid of a gift of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1795, and, in 1818, the Board also granted £500, of which one half was a gift and the other a loan. The glebe-house was built by a gift of £450 and a loan of £50 from the same Board, in 1812; the glebe comprises 20 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Killersherdiny: the chapel is situated at Drummurry. Besides the parochial school, there is one at Doohurrick under the patronage of Mrs. Clements; also three private pay schools.

ASHFORD, a village and post-town, in the parish of RATHNEW, barony of NEWCASTLE, county of WICKLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (W. N. W.) from Wicklow, and 21 3/4 (S. by E.) from Dublin: the population is returned with the parish. This place, which is situated on the south side of the river Vartrey, and on the mail coach road from Dublin, consists of several neat cottages, and is pleasantly situated in the centre of a rich agricultural district; it has a small but well-conducted posting-house and hotel. Fairs are held on April 27th, June 24th, Sept. 8th, and Dec. 16th.-- See RATHNEW.

ASHFORD.-- See KILLEEDY.

 

ASSEY, or ATHSY, a parish, in the barony of LOWER DEECE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (S.) from Navan, on the river Boyne; containing 108 inhabitants. The land, though not rich, is tolerably productive; a considerable portion is under tillage, and the remainder is good grazing land. Bellinter, the seat of the Rev. J. Preston, is situated in a well-wooded demesne of more than 800 acres, stretching into the adjoining parish of Balsoon. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, to which the rectory of Balsoon was united by diocesan authority in 1826, together forming the union of Assey, in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £62. 15. 4 1/2., and the gross amount of tithes of the benefice is £132. There is neither church nor glebe-house in the union, the occasional duties of which are performed by the incumbent of Kilmessan, who receives £24 per annum, besides the glebe, which consists of three acres, valued at £6 per annum. The Commissioners of Ecclesiastical Inquiry, in 1831, have recommended that the two parishes be formed into one, to be called the parish of Athsy, and that a church and glebe-house for a resident minister be erected. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Dunsany and Kilmessan.

ATHASSEL, a parish, in the barony of CLANWILLIAM, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 3 1/2 miles (W.) from Cashel; containing, with the parish of Relickmurry, 5498 inhabitants. This place, which is situated on the river Suir, was distinguished for its priory, founded towards the close of the 12th century by William Fitz Aldelm de Burgho, for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine, and dedicated to St. Edmund the King and Martyr. In 1319 the town was set on fire by Lord John, brother of Lord Maurice Fitz-Thomas; and, in 1329, Bryan O'Brien burned it to the ground: there are still some slight traces of its site. The priory, which was amply endowed, and of which the abbot sat in parliament, continued to nourish till the reign of Edw. VI., when it was dissolved; and in that of Philip and Mary it was, with other possessions, granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormonde. The remains are extensive and highly interesting, and shew the buildings to have been distinguished for elegance and magnificence, and equal, if not superior, to any monastic structure in the kingdom. In this monastery was interred Richard de Burgho, second Earl of Ulster, called, from his complexion, the Red, who, after giving a splendid entertainment to the nobles and his friends at Kilkenny, in 1326, retired hither and soon after died. Castle Park, the seat of R. Creaghe, Esq., is a spacious and well-built mansion, pleasantly situated in a richly planted demesne, in which are some remains of an ancient castle; Ballycarron, the seat of T. Butler, Esq., is situated in an extensive and finely planted demesne; Golden Hills is the castellated residence of H. White, Esq.; and Springmount, that of J. White, Esq. Suir Castle, the residence of J. Robbins, Esq., is situated on the banks of the Suir, and within the demesne are the ruins of a castle with a square tower. The other seats are Gaulty View, the residence of F. Massey, Esq.; Ballyslatteen, of R. Butler, Esq.; and Hymenstown, of R. Scully, Esq. The parish is in the diocese of Cashel, and is a rectory, forming part of the union of Relickmurry: the tithes, including those of the parish of Relickmurry, amount to £550. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Golden.

ATHBOY, a market and post-town, and a parish (formerly a borough), in the barony of LUNE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (N. W.) from Trim, and 28 (N. W. by W.) from Dublin; containing 5317 inhabitants, of which number, 1959 are in the town. This place derives its name, signifying in the Irish language "the yellow ford," from its situation on a stream which falls into the river Boyne near Trim. The town, in 1831, contained 346 houses, and is at present a place of very little trade: the road from Oldcastle to Dublin runs through it; there is a very large flour-mill. The market is on Thursday, and is well supplied with corn and provisions. The principal fairs are held on the Thursday before Jan. 28th, May 4th, Aug. 4th, and Nov. 7th, and there are others on March 3rd and 10th, June 22nd and 30th. and Sept. 22nd and 29th, but they are very inconsiderable. Here is a chief station of the constabulary police. In the 9th of Hen. IV. (1407), a charter was granted on petition from the provost and commonalty, which, after setting forth that the town had been from time immemorial an ancient borough, confirmed all existing privileges, and granted a guild mercatory, freedom from tolls and customs throughout the king's dominions, and other immunities. Hen VI., in 1446, gave a confirmatory charter, by which additional customs were also conferred for a term of 60 years. These charters were also confirmed in the 9th of Hen. VII.; and in the 9th of Jas. I. (1612), on a surrender of the corporation property, a charter of inspection and confirmation was granted, under which the corporation was entitled "the Provost, Free Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Town of Athboy." This charter vested the right of electing the provost in the burgesses and freemen, and the burgesses and all inferior officers in the corporation at large; it ordained that the provost should be a justice of the peace, and prohibited all other justices from acting within the borough, which comprised an extent of one mile beyond the town in every direction: it also granted a court of record, with jurisdiction to the amount of £10. From the second of Elizabeth the borough returned two representatives to the Irish parliament, who were exclusively elected by the members of the corporation; but it was disfranchised at the Union, when the £15,000 compensation money for the loss of this privilege was awarded to the trustees under the will of John, then late Earl of Darnley, to be applied to the trusts of the will. The corporation then fell into disuse, and is now extinct. By patent granted in 1694 to Thomas Bligh, Esq., "the town's lands and commons," and several other denominations of land, were erected into a manor, and power was given to him and his heirs to hold a court leet twice in the year, and a court baron every three weeks, or not so often, before a seneschal; but no manor court has been held, or seneschal appointed, since the beginning of the present century. Petty sessions are held every alternate Thursday by the county magistrates. The parish extends five Irish miles in length and four in breadth: the land is mostly of very good quality, and is principally under grass; there is an abundance of limestone, used both for building and manure. The principal seats are Ballyfallon, the residence of J. Martley, Esq.; Mitchelstown, of F. Hopkins, Esq.; Athboy Lodge, of J. Noble, Esq.; Frayne, of W. Hopkins, Esq.; Grenanstown, of P. Barnewall, Esq.; Frankville, of F. Welsh, Esq.; Dance's Court, of H. Biddulph Warner, Esq.; and Causestown, of -- Thunder, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, to which the rectory and vicarage of Girly, and the rectories of Moyagher, Rathmore, and Kildalky were united by act of council in 1678, now forming the union of Athboy, in the patronage of the Crown, the Lord-Primate, and the Bishop of Meath: the rectory is appropriate to the Lord-Primate. The tithes of this parish amount to £560, of which £360 is paid to the lord-primate, and £200 to the vicar; and the tithes of the entire union are £486. 3. 4 1/2. The church has an ancient tower, but the body of the building is somewhat modern; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £102 for its repair. The glebe-house, situated near the town, was built in 1818, at an expense of £1700, principally defrayed by a gift of £100 and a loan of £1050 from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises six acres in Athboy and 1 1/2 in Girly, valued at £2 per acre. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Athboy and Rathmore: the chapel is now in course of re-erection, and when completed will be a handsome and commodious edifice in the ancient style of architecture, with a steeple 90 feet high; it will be lighted by five windows of considerable dimensions on each side, and three at each end, and will have three entrances in front. The parochial school, held in the market-house, is supported under the patronage of the Earl of Darnley: and there is an infants' school. At Frayne is a school for boys and girls under the patronage of Lady Chapman, of Killua Castle. About 150 boys and 90 girls are instructed in these schools; and in the other private pay schools there are 112 boys and 54 girls. There is a dispensary; and three alms-houses were founded by the late Earl of Darnley, containing apartments for twelve poor widows, who have each an annual allowance of £5. 5., with a garden and ten kishes of turf: about 43 poor out-pensioners also receive weekly allowances from his lordship's successor. A monastery of Carmelite friars was founded here early in the 14th century, which, with its possessions, was granted in the 34th of Hen. VIII. to Thomas Casey. There are some picturesque remains of the ancient church, and at Frayne are considerable ruins of two ancient castles, and of a third at Causestown. This town confers the inferior title of Viscount on the Earl of Darnley.

ATHEA, or TEMPLE-ATTEA.-- See RATHRONAN.

ATHENEASY.-- See ATHNASSY.

 

ATHGLASSON, a village, in the parish of KIL-SKYRE, barony of UPPER KELLS, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER; containing 19 houses and 114 inhabitants.

ATHLACCA, or ATHLATRICHE, a parish, in the barony of COSHMA, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S. W. by W.) from Bruff; containing 1381 inhabitants. The place was anciently the residence of the powerful family of De Lacy, who were proprietors of the surrounding territory, and had two very strong castles, one near the present village, and the other at Tullerbuoy, now Castle Ivers. In 1691, a sanguinary battle was fought here between the Irish adherents of Jas. II. and a force of militia and dragoons commanded by Capt. O'Dell on the part of Wm. III., in which the latter were defeated with great slaughter. The parish is situated on the road from Croom to Kilmallock, and is intersected by a beautiful little river called the Morning Star, which falls into the Maigue about a mile below the village. It comprises 5453 1/2 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is very fertile, resting on a substratum of limestone, and around Rathcannon it is exceedingly productive. About one-half is under tillage; the remainder is rich meadow and pasture land, on which a great number of cattle are fed; there is not an acre of waste land or turbary. A great want of timber prevails throughout this district; scarcely a tree or shrub, or even a hedge-row is to be seen, except around the houses of the principal inhabitants. Castle Ivers, the residence of R. Ivers, Esq., is about a mile from the village, and is pleasantly situated in a well-planted demesne. A constabulary police force has been stationed in the village. The parish is in the diocese of Limerick, and is a rectory, united to Dromin: the tithes amount to £306. 12. 7 1/2. The church, built by aid of a loan of £560 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1813, was burnt by the Rockites in 1822; and the present church, a small but neat edifice, with a tower and lofty spire, was erected in the following year by a cess levied on the parish. The glebe-house, built by aid of a gift of £400 and a loan of £360 from the Board, in the same year, is a handsome residence situated on a glebe of 14 acres, the whole of which is tastefully laid out. In the R. C. divisions the parish also forms part of the union or district of Dromin, and has a chapel. A school of about 60 boys and 20 girls is aided by the Rev. J. O'Regan, P.P. Adjoining Castle Ivers are the ruins of Tullerbuoy castle; and near the village are those of Old Court, also the ancient residence of the De Lacy family. On the summit of a fertile eminence are the extensive remains of the castle of Rathcannon, built by the O'Casey family in the 16th century, on the site of a very ancient fortress. Near Castle Ivers are the ruins of Kilbroney church, built on a gentle eminence by the Knights Templars, in 1289, in view of their extensive manor of Ross-Temple. In the churchyard are some ancient and very curious tombs of the De Lacy family, who were great benefactors to the church and parish, and presented a valuable service of communion plate. Near the castle of Rathcannon a very perfect specimen of the elk or moose deer was discovered by Archdeacon Maunsell, who presented it to the Royal Society of Dublin: the body, from the nose to the tail, is 11 feet in length; the antlers measure 12 feet from tip to tip, and the highest point is 10 feet from the ground.

ATHLEAGUE, a post-town and parish, partly in the barony of KILLIAN, county of GALWAY, but chiefly in that of ATHLONE, county of ROSCOMMON, and in the province of Connaught, 4 1/2 miles (S. W.) from Roscommon, and 79 1/4 (W.) from Dublin; containing 5361 inhabitants, of which number, 488 are in the town. This parish is situated on the river Suck, and on the road from Roscommon to Mount-Talbot and Loughrea: it contains 7601 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the state of agriculture is improving. There are large tracts of bog, now being reclaimed, but not on an extensive scale; more than half of the Galway portion of the parish consists of this species of land. Limestone and freestone of excellent quality abound; and mines of iron were formerly worked, but were discontinued from the scarcity of fuel. Over the Suck is a long winding causeway bridge of ten arches carried from one islet to another, and forming a communication between the two counties; from one end of it the houses stretch along the right bank of the river, with a street or road ascending a hill at right angles; the number of houses in the town, in 1831, was 84. The principal seats in the parish are Rookwood, the handsome residence of E. Kelly, Esq.; Castle Kelly, the seat of D. H. Kelly, Esq., originally built as a castle in the 14th century, and of which the modem portion is castellated and part of the ancient structure still remains; Fortwilliam, the seats of N. J. Ffrench, Esq.; Curramore, of Christopher Balfe, Esq.; and Thornfield, of J. Mahon, Esq. Near the river are some large insulated mills. Fairs are held on July 11th and Sept. 24th. The living is a vicarage, with the vicarages of Fuerty and Kilbegnet episcopally united in 1809, in the diocese of Elphin, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the rectory is impropriate in the Incorporated Society for Protestant Charter Schools, by deed of request from Lord Ranelagh. The tithes amount to £226. 3. 1., of which £90. 9. 2 1/2. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar: the gross amount of tithes in the union payable to the incumbent is £288. There are two churches in the union: that of Athleague, formerly a domestic chapel of the family of Lystre, is an old building in bad repair. The glebe-house was built by a gift of £400 and a loan of £214 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1815: the glebe annexed to it comprises 23 acres, besides 20 acres in the parish of Fuerty. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church: the chapel is situated in the town, and is in bad repair. The parochial school is supported by subscription; and there are several hedge schools, on the books of which are 290 boys and 130 girls. Between Castle Kelly and Rookwood is a rath, in which stood an abbey of Grey friars, where Maylesa O'Hanayn, abbot of Roscommon, died in 1266: and near it was a cell in which, according to tradition, four bishops were interred. In 1819, some labourers digging for gravel under a bog that had been cut away, on the estate of Castle Kelly, found a gold fibula weighing 17 1/2 oz., now in the possession of the Very Rev. H. R. Dawson, Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin. A chalybeate spring issues from the hill of Mount-Mary.

ATHLONE, a borough, market and post-town, and an important military station, partly in the barony of BRAWNEY, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, and partly in the barony of ATHLONE, county of ROSCOMMON, and province of Connaught, 12 miles (N. E. by E.) from Ballinasloe, 15 1/4 (S.E.by S.) from Roscommon, and 59 1/2 (W.) from Dublin; containing 11,406 inhabitants. This place derives its name from the words Ath Luain, signifying in the Irish language "the ford of the moon," of which, previously to the introduction of Christianity, the ancient inhabitants were worshippers; or, according to some, from Ath-Luan, in reference to the rapids at the bridge over the Shannon. After the erection of a town at this ford it obtained the name of Bail-ath-Luain, or "the town of the ford of the moon," by which, now contracted into Blahluin, it is generally called by the Irish inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The town is situated on the river Shannon, by which it is divided into two parts, and on the great western road from Dublin to Galway through Ballinasloe. An abbey for Cistertian monks, dedicated to St. Peter, was founded, according to Ware, in 1216, on the western or Connaught side of the Shannon, to which in that year King John gave certain lands in exchange for the site on which was erected the Castle of Athlone, besides one-tenth part of the expenses of the castle, which afterwards become one of the principal military stations in the country. The castle was progressively increased in strength, and so important was it regarded by the English monarchs, that when Hen. III. granted the dominion of Ireland to his son Prince Edward, this town was expressly reserved with other principal cities; and when the same monarch granted the whole of Connaught to Richard de Burgo, he retained for himself five cantreds contiguous to the castle. In this reign another monastery was founded on the eastern side of the Shannon, by Cathal Croibh-Dearg O'Connor, Prince of Connaught, and completed by Sir Henry Dillon, who was interred in it in 1244. In the reign of Elizabeth this place was greatly improved, the fortifications were strengthened, and the castle was for some time occupied by the Earl of Essex. The castle became the seat of the presidency of Connaught, and when the insurrection broke out in 1641, it was occupied by Viscount Ranelagh, then lord-president, with the usual ward of a royal castle. Independently of its several defences, the town was strong in itself, being built of stone; and the inhabitants having given assurances of their determination to defend it against all enemies, the president entrusted it entirely to their custody; but in a few weeks they secretly formed a design of enabling the insurgents to seize the president and his family, and to surprise the castle. For this purpose they admitted Sir James Dillon's forces within the walls on the night of Saturday, in the hope of surprising Lord Ranelagh on his way to church in the English town on the following day; but by some mistake in the appointed signal the design miscarried. The Irish forces laid close siege to the castle for twenty-two weeks, when it was relieved by some troops sent from Dublin by the Duke of Ormonde, who strengthened the garrison; but with this reinforcement the president effected nothing more than an unimportant defeat of the Connaught men near Ballintobber. During the president's absence on this expedition, the insurgents of Westmeath under Sir James Dillon attacked the English town in such numbers that the garrison were compelled to abandon the walls, but they defended the houses till Captain St. George, making a sally from the castle, compelled the assailants to withdraw. By occupying the pass of Ballykeran, however, Dillon's forces cut off all communication with the metropolis, and reduced the town to a state of extreme distress for want of supplies, which an entire troop had to cut its way through his forces to Dublin to solicit. At length, all hope of assistance being extinct, the president negotiated with the enemy for a safe conduct for his wife and family to Trim, which was honourably granted; and so forcibly did Lady Ranelagh, at Dublin, urge the necessities of the deserted English in this town, that a convoy was sent to bring the inhabitants away. This convoy, which consisted of 1100 foot and a few horse, summoned from the garrisons around Dublin, under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, arrived at Athlone in the latter part of February, 1642, and found the English there so much reduced in numbers as scarcely to muster more than 450 men, and many of these so wasted by famine and disease, as to be unable to march. They fought their way home through the pass of Rochonell, and the custody of the castle was assumed by Viscount Dillon of Costelloe. After the victories obtained by Cromwell, the castle was taken on a second attack by Sir Charles Coote for the parliament; and during the fury of the war the town was burned; though restored, it never recovered its former strength or appearance; and in the reign of Charles II. the eastern portion of it was destroyed by an accidental fire. During the war of the Revolution, the town was held for James II. by Col. Richard Grace, an experienced officer, and a garrison, consisting of three regiments of foot, with nine troops of dragoons and two troops of horse in and around it. Immediately after the battle of the Boyne, Lieutenant-General Douglas was sent by William III. to assault the town. Colonel Grace, doubtful of his ability to defend the whole, burnt the eastern portion of it, and breaking down some of the arches of the bridge, fortified himself in the other part; and Douglas, after battering the castle for eight days without success, withdrew his forces in the middle of the night. Towards the midsummer of 1691, the main body of William's army was led to the assault by De Ginkell, who first made himself master of the eastern portion of the town, of which, after the retreat of Douglas, the Irish had taken possession, and had fortified it with additional works. From the 20th till the 30th of June, a destructive cannonade was kept up across the river by both parties from batteries successively erected; during this period, after expending 12,000 cannon balls, many tons of stone shot, 600 shells, and more than 50 tons of powder, De Ginkell destroyed not only the castle but every house on the Roscommon side of the river. New works, however, were constantly thrown up by the garrison, assisted by the Irish army under St. Ruth, which had encamped at a short distance for the especial defence of the bridge, the passage of which was perseveringly contested with frequent destructive losses to William's army. On the last day of the siege a council of war was held, when it was resolved to storm the town, and the ringing of the bell of St. Mary's church was appointed as a signal for crossing the river. This was accordingly effected the same evening by the army in three divisions, and such was the simultaneous velocity of their movements, that after half an hour's sanguinary conflict the assailants became masters of the town, which was immediately evacuated by the garrison. A detachment, which had been sent by St. Ruth to oppose them, was repulsed by the victorious army, who turned the guns of the garrison against them; and St. Ruth, on their taking possession of the place, decamped with his forces to Aughrim, fifteen miles distant. During this siege the loss of the defenders amounted to 1200; and their brave commander, Col. Grace, who had been chamberlain to James II., while Duke of York, and one of his most faithful adherents, was killed in the action. The English, on taking possession of the town, immediately directed their attention to its restoration and to the repair of its fortifications and works; and it soon became one of the principal military depots for arms, stores, and ammunition. On the 27th of October, 1697, the castle was, during one of the severest storms ever known here, struck by the electric fluid, which set fire to the magazine, in which were 260 barrels of gunpowder, 10,000 hand grenades charged, and a great quantity of match and other combustible stores, the whole of which exploded with so violent a concussion that all the houses in the town, except a few cottages without the gates, were shattered or destroyed: the loss of life, however, was comparatively small, only 7 persons being killed and 36 wounded. The town, though at present the largest on the Shannon next to Limerick, still retains much of its character as a military station. On the Leinster side, one of the principal entrances near the river is through a gateway in one of the old square towers; and the ancient walls, though in a great measure concealed by buildings, extend for a considerable distance in that direction. On the Connaught side there are scarcely any traces of the walls or gates; but in this quarter are situated all the present military defences of the place. These consist principally of the castle, which forms a tete du pont, and of advanced forts and redoubts on the outside of the town to defend the main approaches along the great road from Galway by Ballinasloe, the most important line of communication with that part of the country which is most exposed to invasion. A short canal on this side of the river enables boats navigating the Shannon to avoid the rapids at the bridge of Athlone, and adds materially to the strength of the works: it is crossed by three bridges, one of which is falling into decay, and of which two are defended by palisades, those of the third having been taken down to facilitate the passing of the mail coaches. The bogs along the river are a sufficient protection to the town on the south side. The oldest of the works is a tower of decagonal form, which, from the massive structure of the walls, was probably the keep of the ancient castle, though having a new exterior; it is situated on a lofty mound supported on the side next the river by a stupendous wall, but overlooked on the opposite side by the houses in the upper part of the town. The platform on which this tower, now used as a barrack, is situated, is bounded on the side next the lower town by dwellings for the officers, and walls of imposing appearance; and on the others by modern works mounted with cannon, commanding not only the approach on the Connaught side of the river but also the bridge itself; and the strong circular towers at irregular intervals, with the carefully fortified entrance, give to the whole place a very formidable appearance. To the north of the castle are the barracks, calculated for the accommodation of 267 artillery, 592 infantry, and 187 horses; a pontoon establishment is also attached, and there are two magazines, an extensive ordnance depot, and an hospital. The buildings occupy an elevated situation on the banks of the river, and comprise an area of about 15 statute acres, including spacious squares for exercise; besides the barracks for the men, there are within the enclosure detached houses for the officers of the different departments, store-houses, and an armoury. The armoury, a detached building, usually contains 15,000 stand of arms, including the muskets of eight regiments of militia of the central counties; and the hospital is situated on the high ground a short distance from the river, and is calculated for the reception of 96 patients. This place is the head-quarters of the western district, and the residence of the major-general and staff of the district. The town is divided into two nearly equal portions by the river Shannon, over which is a bridge erected in the reign of Elizabeth, which, though 100 yards in length, is only twelve feet wide; the passage, therefore, is often attended with difficulty, and on market-days and at the fairs with danger; it is further obstructed by the traffick of three flour-mills, one at each end and the other on the bridge; the narrowness of the arches, which are ten in number, and the width of the piers between them, prevent the free course of the water, and in time of floods cause an inundation on the shores of Lough Ree. On the south side are various sculptured tablets inserted in a wall, about nine feet broad, rising above the parapet and surmounted by a pediment ornamented with mouldings; their various inscriptions afford a curious history of its erection. It is in contemplation to build a new bridge by a loan from Government, which, on the recommendation of the Shannon Navigation Committee, it is expected, will be granted for the improvement of that river from Lough Allen to Limerick. The total number of houses within the limits of the town is 1027, of which 546 are slated and the remainder thatched; they are built chiefly of limestone, though bricks of excellent quality are made in great quantities a little below the town. A regatta is annually held on Lough Ree in August, and continues for four days; and races take place occasionally at Ballykeran. About a mile and a half from Athlone, on the Leinster side of the Shannon, is Moydrum Castle, the handsome residence of Viscount Castlemaine, a solid castellated mansion with square turrets at each angle, beautifully situated on the edge of a small lake, and surrounded by an extensive and richly wooded demesne. The other gentlemen's seats near the town, and also on the same side of the river, are the Cottage, the seat of W. Cooke, Esq.; the Retreat, of F. E. Moony, Esq. 5 the moorings, of Capt. James Caulfield, R. N; Spring Park, of P. Cusack, Esq.; Lissevolan, of H. Malone, Esq.; Auburn, of W. F. Brace, Esq.; Bonahenley, of S. Longworth, Esq.; and Creggan Castle, the property of F. Longworth, Esq. On the Connaught side are Shamrock Lodge, the seat of J. Robinson, Esq.; and Handsfield, of A. Robinson, Esq. At Burnbrook are some corn-mills with a good residence, belonging to E. Burne, Esq. The manufacture of felt hats was formerly carried on here to a great extent, but only a few are now made for the supply of the immediate neighbourhood. There are two extensive distilleries, each producing from 40,000 to 50,000 gallons of whiskey annually; two tanneries, two soap and candle manufactories, two public breweries on a large scale, and several corn-mills. The amount of excise duties collected within the district, in 1835, was £37,927. 3. 10. A communication by steam-boat between this place and Limerick has been lately established, and passage boats meet the steamers at Shannon harbour and proceed to Dublin by the grand canal. The market is held on Tuesday and Saturday, of which the latter is the principal, when sheep, swine, and great quantities of grain are exposed for sale: it is held in an open space under the wall supporting the castle mound, but the principal meat market is at the shambles near the river, and is abundantly supplied with provisions of all kinds; fish is procured in the lake and the river Shannon, and salt-water fish is brought from Galway. The fairs, to which is attached a court of pie poudre, are on the Monday after Epiphany, March 10th, Holy Thursday, and Aug. 24th, each by the charters ordained to last three days. A branch of the Provincial Bank of Ireland has been established here for the last eight years; and there is a constabulary police station. The town was incorporated by charter dated Dec. 16th, 4th of Jas. I. (1606), which was seized by Jas. II. on a judgment of forfeiture obtained in the court of exchequer, and a new charter was granted in the 3rd of that monarch's reign; but the judgment being subsequently declared void, the former has since been and still is the governing charter, and the latter has not been acted upon since the accession of Wm. III. Other charters confirming and extending the privileges of the corporation were granted on the 16th of Jas. I. and 17th of Chas. II.; and the "New Rules " made by the lord-lieutenant and privy council, in the 25th of Chas. II., provided that the appointment of the sovereign, recorder, and town-clerk should be subject to their approval. The style of the corporation is "The Sovereign, Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Freemen of the Town of Athlone;" and the officers are a sovereign, two bailiffs, thirteen burgesses (including the constable of the castle, Viscount Castlemaine), a recorder, town-clerk, serjeant-at-mace, and billet-master; and there is a select body called the common council. The sovereign is elected by the common council from among the burgesses, annually on the 29th of June, and has the privilege of appointing a vice-sovereign with the approbation of the bailiffs and a majority of the burgesses; the bailiffs are elected from the freemen by the common council, on the same day as the sovereign, and are ex officio members of the council; the burgesses are elected for life from among the free men, and the freemen also for life, by the common council, of which body, according to the practice of the corporation, twelve must be present to constitute an election; the recorder and town-clerk (who is also deputy-recorder) are appointed by the common council; and the serjeant-at-mace and billet-master, of whom the former acts as constable in the borough, are appointed by the sovereign. The common council are unlimited in number, but usually consist of not more than twenty persons, including the sovereign and vice-sovereign and two bailiffs; they hold their office for life, and vacancies are filled up by themselves from among the burgesses and freemen. The borough sent two representatives to the Irish parliament prior to the Union, since which period it has sent one to the imperial parliament. The right of election was formerly vested in the burgesses and freemen, amounting, in April 1831, to 71; but by the act of the 2nd of Wm. IV., cap. 88, the non-resident freemen, except within seven miles, have been disfranchised, and the privilege has been extended to the £10 householders. The limits of the borough comprehend under the charter a circle of a mile and a half radius from the centre of the bridge, but, as regards electoral purposes, were diminished by the late enactments and now include only the town and a very small surrounding district, comprising 485 statute acres; they are minutely described in the Appendix. The number of voters registered at the last general election amounted to 274, of whom 179 polled: the sovereign is the returning officer. The sovereign or vice-sovereign and the recorder are justices of the peace within the borough, having exclusive jurisdiction under the charter; the sovereign is also coroner, escheator, and clerk of the market. The civil court of the borough, which has jurisdiction in pleas not exceeding £5 late currency, was held under the sovereign every third Thursday, but has been discontinued for more than fourteen years. The sovereign, or his deputy, sits thrice a week to hear complaints on matters arising within the borough. Quarter sessions for the Athlone division of the county of Roscommon are held here in March and October, and at Roscommon in June and December. The portion of the borough on the Westmeath side of the river is in the Moat division of that county, where the quarter sessions are held regularly four times a year. Petty sessions for the adjacent rural districts are held within the limits of the borough on both sides of the river, on alternate Saturdays, at which the county magistrates respectively preside. By letters patent in the 27th of Chas. II. the half-quarter of land of Athlone, otherwise Beallagh, with the manor, castle, &c., was granted to Richard, Lord Ranelagh, with power to hold courts leet and baron, which courts are not now held; but the seneschal of the manor of Twyford, who holds his courts at Moat, claims jurisdiction over that part of the borough which is in the county of Westmeath. The court-house, or Tholsel, was built in 1703: it was partly occupied as a guard-room, and partly for holding the sovereign's court,but has been taken down. There is a borough prison, to which, from its unfitness, offenders are only committed for a few hours prior to their removal; and within the corporation district is a prison belonging to the county of Roscommon, to which the sovereign commits offenders. The town comprises the parishes of St. Peter and St. Mary, the former in the western and the latter in the eastern portion. The living of St. Peter's is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Elphin, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The church, which is situated on the site of the ancient monastery of St. Peter, was built in 1804, by aid of a gift of £500, and a loan of £300, from the late Board of First Fruits, and has been recently repaired by a grant of £344 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The glebe-house was built at the same time by a loan of £312 and a gift of £100 from the same Board; the glebe comprises six acres, in three lots near the church. The living of St. Mary's is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithes amount to £304. 12. 3 1/2. The rectory was granted by Chas. I., in 1636, to Richard Linguard, together with a portion of the tithes of the parish of Ratoath, in the county of Meath, for the augmentation of the vicarage, which was then stated to be worth only £40 per annum; these tithes now amount to £100. The church was rebuilt in 1826, by a grant of £2300 from the late Board of First Fruits: it is a neat edifice, with a square embattled tower; the tower of the old church is still standing, and contains the bell which gave the signal for William's army to cross the river at the siege of Athlone. The glebe-house was built in 1812, by a gift of £100 and a loan of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, and has been lately enlarged and beautified, the incumbent having received permission from the bishop to expend £600 upon it, to be repaid to him or his heirs; the glebe comprises eight acres. In the R. C. divisions the parish of St. Peter is united with that of Drum, and contains three chapels, besides a small religious house of the Augustinian order, now falling into decay; and the R. C. parish of St. Mary is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, but in the diocese of Ardagh, and contains a spacious chapel, erected in 1794, and also a chapel attached to a religious house of the Franciscan order, rebuilt in 1825. There are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists. "The Ranelagh school" was founded pursuant to a grant, in 1708, by Richard, Lord Ranelagh, of the castle, manor, town, and lands of Athlone, with the customs, &c., belonging thereto, together with the lands of Clonarke, stated to contain 427 acres, and of Gortnanghan or Gortecorson, containing 43 acres, in trust for the erection, contingent on the death of his daughter, Lady Catherine Jones, without issue, of two schools at Athlone for 20 boys and 20 girls, and two at Roscommon, with chapels attached; and also for the payment of £20 per annum to the minister of Athlone. Lady Jones dying without issue in 1740, the estates were, about 20 years after, vested by act in the Incorporated Society for promoting charter schools; and a school for the maintenance, instruction, clothing, and apprenticing of boys was founded in the parish of St. Peter. The number of boys was limited to 40, with each of whom, on being apprenticed, a premium of £10 was paid; but from a considerable diminution of the income the school has been for some years declining, and there are now not more than 15 boys, with whom only £7 is paid as an apprentice fee. In the same parish also are a school for boys, another for girls, and a Sunday school. St. Mary's has also a parochial school for boys and girls, and a Sunday school. The abbey school, for the sons of Roman Catholics, is aided by subscriptions; and there is a school for boys and girls aided by a grant of £10 and a premium of £2 per ann. from the Baptist Society. The number of children on the books of these schools, excepting the Sunday schools, is 371, of whom 218 are boys and 153 girls; and in the different private pay schools about 550 children are taught. There is a dispensary in the parish of St. Peter, and another in that of St. Mary. Robert Sherwood bequeathed the interest of £50 to the poor; and William Handcock, Esq., ancestor of Lord Castlemaine, by deed in 1705, gave lands now producing a rental of £46. 2. 3. per annum, to be distributed by his representatives among the poor of both parishes on the recommendation of the ministers and churchwardens; he also bequeathed £20 per annum for the support of a schoolmaster, who must have taken the degree of A. B. The sum of £8 late currency, called the Dodwell grant, is annually distributed among a number of poor women; and £13 per annum, paid by a Mr. Evans, of Dublin, to the rector, is divided among old men. At Courson, about a mile from Athlone, in the parish of St. Mary, are some small vestiges of an ancient castle formerly belonging to the O'Briens; on opening the ground near the ruins, a gold chain was found some years since. At Cloonakilla, in the parish of St. Peter, are the remains of an old chapel; and at Cloonow, on the banks of the Shannon, about three miles below the town, is a more considerable ruin with a cemetery attached. There are numerous chalybeate springs in the neighbourhood. Athlone gave the title of Viscount to the Earl of Ranelagh, and at present gives that of Earl to the family of De Ginkell.

ATHLUMNEY, a parish, in the barony of SKREEN, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 1/4 of a mile (S. by E.) from Navan; containing 1148 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the river Boyne, by which it is separated from the parish of Navan, and over which are two bridges of stone; it is intersected by the roads leading respectively from Navan and Trim to Drogheda, and is skirted on the south by the mail coach road from Dublin to Enniskillen. An old castle, situated on the right bank of the river, was formerly the property of the Dowdell family, by whom it was destroyed, to prevent its falling into the hands of Cromwell. The remains consist of an extensive and irregular pile of building of an oblong form, with two projecting square towers apparently of more ancient foundation than the remainder, which, with its gabled windows, appears to be in the Elizabethan style. The parish comprises 2398 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land is of excellent quality and mostly under tillage; and limestone abounds and is quarried to a considerable extent. Athlumney, the seat of P. Ponsonby Metge, Esq., is beautifully situated on the banks of the Boyne, commanding some pleasing views, and the demesne is well planted and tastefully embellished. There are extensive flour and oatmeal-mills on the river, and a flax-mill in which upon the average 260 men are employed. The Boyne navigation from Navan to Drogheda passes through the parish. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of P. P. Metge, Esq., in whom the rectory is impropriate; the tithes amount to £270, of which £180 is payable to the impropriator, and £90 to the vicar. The church is in ruins, and there is neither glebe-house nor glebe: divine service is performed by the vicar, every Sunday evening, in a private house. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, called Johnstown, comprising the parishes of Athlumney, Kilcarn, Follistown, Gerrardstown and Staffordstown, and containing two chapels, situated at Johnstown and Walterstown; the chapel at Johnstown is a very old edifice, and it is in contemplation to rebuild it. There are two schools; one at Johnstown of 79 boys and 59 girls, and the other in Mr. Blundell's factory, towards the support of which that gentleman gives £18 per annum.

ATHNASSEY, or ATHENEASY, a parish, in the barony of COSTLEA, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (E. N. E.) from Kilmallock; containing 549 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Kilmallock to Hospital, and comprises 2799 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land is good; about one-half is under tillage, and the remainder is meadow, chiefly attached to dairy farms, except a small tract of very valuable bog, which is rapidly diminishing. Nearly in the centre of the parish is Martinstown, the residence of M. Walsh, Esq. The parish is in the diocese of Limerick, and is a rectory forming part of the union of Kilmallock belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Limerick; the tithes amount to £225. 11. 2 1/2., forming part of the economy fund of the cathedral; the glebe comprises 27 acres of profitable land. In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, also called Ballinvana, comprising the parishes of Athnassey, Bulgadine, Emly-Grenan, Kilbreedy-Major, and Ballinvana; the chapel, built in 1834, is near the verge of the Red bog. The only school is a pay school of about 15 boys and 12 girls. Some fragments of the old church are still remaining in the burial-ground attached to it: it is supposed to have been founded in the 7th century, and was dedicated to St. Athanasius, from which circumstance probably the parish may have derived its name. There are several traces of ancient military works within the parish, and several military weapons of rude workmanship have been found; also the ruins of a small religious house called Adam's Church, and fragments of castles or buildings at Fauntstown, Gormanstown, and Stephenson, near the first of which are a ruined chapel and a celebrated holy well.

ATHNETT.-- See ANHID.

ATHNOWEN (ST. MARY), or OVENS, a parish, partly in the barony of BARRETTS, but chiefly in that of EAST MUKERRY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 1 1/2 mile (W.) from Ballincollig; containing 1953 inhabitants. This parish, which is generally called Ovens, is situated on the south line of road from Cork to Macroom, and is bounded on the north by the river Lee, and intersected by the Bride. It comprises 4660 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £7594 per annum: the soil in the northern or hilly part is rather poor and stony, but in the vales extremely rich, lying on a substratum of limestone forming part of the great limestone district extending to Castlemore on the west, and to Blackrock on the east. The limestone is quarried to some extent for burning into lime for the supply of the hilly districts to the north and south for a a distance of several miles. The principal seats are Grange, the residence of J. Hawkes, Esq., which occupies the site of Grange abbey (said to have been founded by St. Cera, who died in 679), and includes part of the ancient walls; Sirmount, of G. Hawkes, Esq., which occupies an elevated site commanding an extensive prospect over a highly interesting and richly cultivated tract of country; Spring Mount, of S. McCarthy, Esq.; Clashenure, of Kyrle Allen, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev. W. Harvey. There are two boulting-mills on the river Bride; one at Killumney belonging to Mr. D. Donovan, jun.; and the other at Ovens, belonging to Messrs. R. Donovan and Sons. The petty sessions for the district are held every alternate week at Carroghally. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cork, united by diocesan authority, in 1785, to the prebend of Kilnaglory in the cathedral church of St. Finbarr, Cork: the tithes amount to £425. The church is a neat ancient structure, with a square tower crowned with pinnacles. There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of 20a. 2r. 17p. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district called Ovens, which includes also the parishes of Desertmore and Aglish, and the ploughlands of Millane and Killumney, in the parish of St. Finbarr, Cork: the chapel, erected in 1835, is a handsome edifice of hewn limestone, in the mixed Gothic and Grecian styles of architecture. The male and female parochial schools are supported principally at the expense of the rector. There is also a national school, in which are 140 children, under the patronage of the Roman Catholic clergy, for which a spacious school-room has been built near the chapel. A dispensary has been established for the relief of sick poor. Near the bridge of Ovens over the river Bride is the entrance to the celebrated limestone caves, which Smith, in his history of Cork, describes as 18 feet in height; but from the accumulation of rubbish they are now not more than three feet high, and are nearly filled with water. They branch off into several ramifications, and from the roofs of some of them depend stalactites of various forms: their dimensions have never been satisfactorily ascertained. There are some remains of the ancient castle, called Castle Inchy.

ATHY, an incorporated market and post-town, in the barony of WEST NAR-RAGH and RHEBAN, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, 17 3/4 miles (S. W. by S.) from Naas, and 32 (S. W.) from Dublin; containing 4494 inhabitants. This place derives its name from an ancient ford called Athelehac, or anciently Athle-gar, the "ford towards the west," which led from the territory of Leix to that of Calleagh or Caellan, and near which a great battle was fought between the people of Munster and those of Leix, under Lavisegh Cean Mordha, in the 3rd century. Donough O'Brien and his forces crossed the river Barrow at this ford, on their retreat from the battle of Clontarf. The town appears to have originated in the foundation of two monasteries, soon after the English invasion; one on the west bank of the Barrow, by Richard de St. Michael, Lord of Rheban, in 1253, for Crouched friars; and the other on the east bank, by the families of Boisle or Boyle and Hogan, some time in the 13th century, for Dominican or Preaching friars. It was frequently exposed to the assaults of the neighbouring septs, especially of the O'Kellys, whose territories, then called Caellan, are included in the modern county of Kildare. In 1308 the town was burnt by the Irish, and in 1315 was plundered by the Scots under Robert Bruce, who gained the battle of Ardscull, in which were killed, on the side of the English, Raymond le Gros and Sir William Prendergast, and on the side of the Scots, Sir Fergus Andressan and Sir Walter Murray, all of whom were buried in the Dominican monastery. In 1422, the Lord Justice of Ireland, considering Athy, from its situation on the Irish frontier, to be one of the keys of the Marches of Kildare, and necessary to be maintained for the defence of those parts, placed it in the custody of a military governor; and about the year 1506, a castle was built on the eastern side of the river, by Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare for the protection of the town, which being enlarged in 1575, by one of the family of White, has since obtained the name of White's Castle, and in 1648 was held by the Irish under O'Nial, but was taken in 1650 by the parliamentary forces under Cols. Hewson and Reynolds. The town is pleasantly situated on the river Barrow, and on the mail coach road from Dublin, through Cashel, to Cork; and the surrounding country is remarkably open and healthy. In 1831 it comprised 733 houses, and consists chiefly of one long street divided into two parts by the river, over which is a neat stone bridge of five arches, built in 1796. On the east side of the bridge the road from Monastereven to Carlow intersects the main street at right angles, forming, on the Carlow side, a neat square called the Market-square. The only trade is in corn, of which a very considerable quantity is sold in the market, for the supply of some extensive mills on the Barrow, and of the Dublin market, the proportion destined for which is sent thither by the Grand Canal in boats and barges; there is also a daily fly-boat, for the conveyance of passengers to the metropolis. Its situation in the midst of an exhaustless turbary, affording fuel at a low price, is advantageous for the establishment of manufactures; and its facility of communication by water with Dublin and other parts of the kingdom admirably adapts it for carrying on an extensive inland trade. The market is on Tuesday and Saturday, and, in addition to an ample supply of corn, is well furnished with meat, poultry, butter, and other provisions. Fairs are held on the 25th of April and July, under patent granted August 17th, 1756, by Geo. II.; also on March 17th, June 9th, Oct. 10th, and Dec. 11th, for cattle, sheep, and pigs. There is a chief station of the constabulary police, also a barrack capable of accommodating a troop of cavalry. The inhabitants were incorporated in 1613, at the instance of Sir Robert Digby, Knt., by a charter, in which the corporation is entitled "the Sovereign, Bailiffs, Free Burgesses, and Commonalty of the Borough of Athy." The officers of the corporation are a sovereign (who is a justice of the peace), 2 bailiffs, 12 free burgesses, a recorder, and several inferior officers. The sovereign and bailiffs are elected annually, on June 24th, by the sovereign, bailiffs, and burgesses, out of the body of burgesses, and are sworn into office on Sept. 29th; the burgesses are elected for life, out of the body of the freemen; the latter, in recent instances, have been nominated by the sovereign. The governing body consists of the sovereign, bailiffs, and burgesses: the recorder, treasurer, and inferior officers are appointed either by the sovereign or the governing body. The borough returned to the Irish parliament two members until the Union, when, of the £15,000 awarded as compensation for the abolition of the elective franchise, £13,800 was paid to the Duke of Leinster, as proprietor of the borough, and £1200 to Lord Ennismore. A court of record was held here until 1827, for determining pleas to any amount arising within the borough and its liberties, which extend half a mile in every direction from White's Tower. A curl court, for the recovery of debts under 40s., late currency, is held on the 1 st Monday in every month, at which the sovereign presides. The summer assizes for the county, and the Epiphany and Midsummer quarter sessions for the division, and also a weekly petty session on Tuesday, are held in the court-house, which is a neat and commodious building in the market-square. A court, called a "presenting court," is held annually in the month of October, to make presentments for the ensuing year; and a market jury of 12 persons is also chosen as inspectors of the markets, weights, and measures. The county gaol is situated outside the town, on the road to Carlow: it was completed in 1830, at an expense of £6000, of which £2000 was given by the Duke of Leinster, in addition to the site, and the remainder was paid by the county; it is a well-arranged building on the radiating principle, the governor's house being in the centre, and comprises 6 airing-yards, 6 day-rooms, 2 work-rooms, and 32 sleeping and 3 solitary cells, with a matron's room, 2 hospitals, and a chapel. The town comprises the greater part of the parishes of St. John and St. Michael, which, together with the rural parishes of Ardrie and Churchtown, constitute the vicarage of St. Nicholas, or Nicholastown, united by act of council, in 1804, to the rectory and vicarage of Tankardstown, in the diocese of Dublin, and in the alternate patronage of the Crown and the Archbishop; the tithes of the several parishes amount to £544.2. 6. The church of the union, a plain edifice, is in the parish of St. Michael; and a new church is about to be built on a site given by the Duke of Leinster. The glebe contains seven acres. In the R. C. divisions this town is the head of a union or district, comprising the same parishes as the Protestant union, together with that of Kilberry, and containing two chapels, one in St. Michael's and the other at Tankardstown; the former is a spacious and handsome edifice, built in 1796, principally by a donation from the late Maurice Keating, Esq., of Narraghmore, on an acre of land given by the Duke of Leinster, who also contributed towards its erection. There are places of worship for Calvinists and Wesleyan Methodists. The parochial school, in which 120 children are instructed, is held in a room behind the court-house. Contiguous to the R. C. chapel are two large schoolrooms, one for 400 boys, built in 1826 by voluntary subscription, aided by a donation of £100 from the Duke of Leinster, who also gave the site and erected a convenient residence for the parish priest, at a nominal rent; the other, capable of containing 100 girls, was built by a donation from the late Mrs. Dooley. Here is a dispensary; and a charitable association for relieving the aged and distressed, without regard to religious distinctions, is maintained by subscriptions, aided by annual donations of £50 from the Duke of Leinster, £30 from the Rev. F. S. Trench, and £5 from Lord Downes. There are several remains of antiquity; but of the ancient monasteries little is left besides a gateway on the Carlow road, which, when seen in connection with the plantations intervening between it and the river, forms a picturesque and interesting feature in the landscape. Near the entrance from the Dublin road is a modern building occupied by two Dominican friars, with a small domestic chapel, near which is the ancient burial-ground of St. Michael's. The remains of White's castle, which is situated close to the bridge, consist only of a massive square and embattled tower, now used as the police barrack. On the western bank of the river stand the remains of Woodstock castle: the date of its erection is unknown, but it is supposed to have been built, about 1290, by a descendant of the Earl of Pembroke, or more probably at a later period by Thomas Fitzgerald, seventh Earl of Kildare, who, on marrying Dorothea, daughter of Anthony O'Moore, of Leix, in 1424, received the manors of Woodstock and Rheban as her dower. The walls are very thick and in moderately good preservation, and the mullioned windows are much admired for the elegance of their execution; a fine arched gateway and part of the outer court yet remain. The castle was taken from the insurgents, in 1642, by the Marquess of Ormonde, who made it a halting-place for his troops; and, in 1647, Owen Roe O'Nial surprised it and put the garrison to the sword, but Lord Inchiquin compelled him soon afterwards to surrender both it and Athy. Rheban castle is on the west bank of the Barrow, above two miles from the town. In the 2nd century, Rheban was one of the inland towns, and is found in Ptolemy's map. The castle was built, or greatly enlarged, in the 13th century, by Richard de St. Michael, when it and an adjoining district named Dunamase were erected into a barony, of which he was created baron. The first English settlers strengthened and repaired this castle, as also the opposite one of Kilberry. Its name was formerly Raiba or Righban, "the habitation of the King," and though now in ruins, its massive walls, mullioned windows, and imposing position, show that it was intended to awe the surrounding country. In 1325, Rheban, Dunamase, and all their dependencies, were taken by O'Moore, whose descendant, Anthony O'Moore, gave it in dower to the Earl of Kildare, through whom it has descended to the Dukes of Leinster. About three miles from the town, on the Dublin road, and in a most commanding position, is a rude but very extensive ancient fortification constructed entirely of earth raised so high as to command all the adjacent country: it is called the Moat of Ardscull, and if not raised on the occasion of the battle, was probably the scene of it; it was enclosed and planted about ten years since by the Duke of Leinster, and is a conspicuous landmark.

ATTANAGH, a parish, partly in the barony of UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, but chiefly in that of FASSADINING, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 1 3/4 mile (E. S. E.) from Durrow; containing 750 inhabitants. This parish, formerly called Rathanna and Attier, is situated on the river Nore, and comprises 2445 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory; the rectory is united to that of Aharney, and in the patronage of the Crown; the vicarage is united by act of council to the vicarage of Aharney and the rectories of Kilmenan and Rossconnell, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £138. 9. 2 3/4., of which £92. 6. 1 3/4. is payable to the rector, and the remainder to the vicar; and the gross tithes payable to the vicar amount to £362. 11. 3 1/2. The tithes of the rectorial union amount to £318. 19. 5f. The church, a plain neat edifice, was erected by aid of a loan of £850 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1821. The glebe-house is situated on a glebe of 40 acres, on which also the church is built, and there is another glebe of 100 acres in Rossconnell. In the R. C. divisions this parish is one of the nine denominations that form the union or district of Ballyragget. The parochial school, in which are 25 children, is supported by the rector and vicar; and there is a private pay school.

ATTYMASS, a parish, in the barony of GALLEN, county of MAYO, and province of Connaught, 3 1/2 miles (N.) from Foxford; containing 3276 inhabitants. This parish is bounded on the south by the river Moy, and on the east by the Ox mountains. The lands are chiefly under tillage, but the system of agriculture is not in a very improved state; there are large tracts of waste land, which are chiefly irreclaimable bog and mountain. Freestone abounds, but limestone is rather scarce, being found only in some parts of the parish. The surface is interspersed with several lakes, which being surrounded with mountains have a beautifully picturesque appearance. Fairs are held at Bonnefinglass on May 24th, July 7th, Nov. 15th, and Dec. 15th. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Killala, and forms part of the union of Ardagh; the rectory is impropriate in Sir W. H. Palmer, Bart. The tithes amount to £180.7. 6., which is equally divided between the impropriator and the vicar. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel is a neat slated building. There are three hedge schools, in which are about 150 boys and 100 girls. On the edge of a lake at Kildermot is a picturesque ruin of an ancient convent.

AUBURN, a village, in the parish and barony of KILKENNY WESt, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 5 1/2 miles (N. E.) from Athlone: the population is returned with the parish. It is a very small place, but is celebrated as being the spot from which, from real life, Oliver Goldsmith drew his enchanting description of rural scenery in the "Deserted Village:" the house in which the poet resided is now in ruins; and the hawthorn tree, round which a wall was built to preserve it, has been carried away piecemeal as relics. Near the village is Lissoy, which is described in his tale of the "Vicar of Wakefield" as "the modest mansion," in which it is known he gave an accurate picture of his sister, and brother-in-law, Daniel Hodson, Esq., who resided there.-- See KILKENNY WEST.

AUGHA.-- See AGHA.

AUGHACREW.-- See AGHACREW.

AUGHADOWN, or AGHADOWN, a parish, in the East Division of the barony of WEST CARBERY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 1/4 miles (W. S. W.) from Skibbereen; containing, with several inhabited islands, 5419 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the north bank of the river Ilen, and comprises 7063 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £5400 per annum. Its surface is very uneven; in some parts, especially towards the north, it is rocky and unproductive; but near its southern boundary, towards the Hen, the land is good and produces excellent crops. About two-thirds of it are under cultivation; the remainder is rocky ground and bog, of which latter there is a considerable extent near Newcourt. The state of agriculture is not much improved; the old heavy wooden plough is still used, and some of the land is cultivated by spade labour; the fences are everywhere much neglected. Several good roads intersect the parish, one of which is a new line from Skibbereen to Crookhaven, likely to be of considerable advantage. The Ilen is navigable for vessels of 200 tons' burden nearly to its eastern extremity: a quay and storehouses have been constructed at Newcourt, but are entirely neglected, and the harbour is only frequented by a few sand boats, which discharge their cargoes there for the convenience of the farmers. The principal seats are Aughadown House, that of H. Becher, Esq., occupying an elevated site in the midst of flourishing plantations, and commanding a fine view of the western coast; Lake Marsh, of Hugh Lawton, Esq.; Whitehall, of S. Townsend, Esq.; Newcourt, of Becher "Fleming, Esq.; the glebe-house, the residence of the Rev. T. D. Moore; and Holly Hill, of the Rev. J. Coppinger, P.P. . Fairs for the sale of cattle, sheep, pigs, &c., are held on May 6th and Oct. 2nd. A manor court is held monthly by a seneschal appointed by Lord Carbery, for the recovery of debts under 40s.; and here is a constabulary police station. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ross, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is partly impropriate in Lord Audley and partly forms the corps of the archdeaconry of Ross. The tithes amount to £600, of which £300 is payable to the impropriator and appropriator, and £300 to the vicar. The church, situated on the margin of the river, is a small neat edifice with a square tower, and was built by aid of a loan of £500, in 1812, from the late Board of First Fruits. The glebe-house is handsome and commodious, and is situated on a glebe of 45 1/2 acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, which comprises also the parish of Kilcoe and part of Abbeystrowry, and contains two chapels, situated at Aughadown and Kilcoe, the former of which is a large and handsome edifice, occupying an elevated site near Currabeg. In addition to the parochial schools, there are schools at Whitehall and near Newcourt, also a pay school. In the demesne of Whitehall are the ruins of Kincoe or Kincolisky castle, built by the O'Driscols in 1495; and on the grounds of Lake View are some picturesque remains of an ecclesiastical edifice, called by the people of the neighbourhood the Abbey of Our Lady.

AUGHAGOWER, a parish, partly in the barony of MURRISK, but chiefly in that of BURRISHOOLE, county of MAYO, and province of Connaught, 4 miles (S. E. by S.) from Westport; containing 12,045 inhabitants. It is situated on the confines of the county of Galway, and on the road from Westport to Ballinrobe: the greater portion is mountain, about one-tenth only being under tillage; about 100 acres are woodland, and there are large tracts of bog. The system of agriculture is in a very rude and unimproved state, spade husbandry being still prevalent to a considerable extent. Lead mines have been opened in the mountains, which are the property of the Marquess of Sligo, but they are not worked at present; and there is a large quarry of slate of a very heavy quality, which is not now in operation. Mount Browne House, now the seat of J. Browne, Esq., was, during the disturbances of 1798, the seat of the Right Hon. Denis Browne, brother of the Marquess of Sligo, and was for some time in the possession of the insurgents. The linen manufacture is partially carried on, but is diminishing every year, and at present affords employment only to a small number of persons. Fairs are held on June 24th, July 21st, Aug. 6th, and Sept. 39th. The parish is in the diocese of Tuam; the rectory is appropriate to the archdeaconry, and also to the prebends of Faldown and Killabeggs in the cathedral of Tuam; the vicarage forms part of the union of Westport. The tithes amount to £450, of which £355 is payable to the vicar. The church, a modern edifice with a square tower, was erected at an expense of £1200. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church: the chapel is a small thatched building, and there is also a chapel at Erriff of similar character, both inadequate to the accommodation of their respective congregations. There are six schools, situated respectively at Ayle, Ardygommon, Cushinkeel, Aughagower, Triangle, and Lanmore, in which about 700 children are taught; and there is also a hedge school at Carranmore of 50 boys and 40 girls. The only antiquities are a round tower in the village, and the remains of an old castle at Doone. St. Patrick founded here the monastery of Achadfobhair, and placed St. Senach over it: it afterwards became the parish church.

AUGHALOO, or AUGHLOE, a parish, in the barony of DUNGANNON, county of TYRONE, and province of ULSTER; containing, with the post-town of Caledon, 10,140 inhabitants. This parish, which is the most easterly in the county, is bounded on the east by the river Blackwater, and is situated on the mail coach road from Armagh to Aughnacloy; it contains, according to the Ordnance survey, 19,583 3/4 statute acres, of which 140 are under water. The surface is pleasingly undulated and well planted and watered; the lands are in a high state of cultivation, the system of agriculture is greatly improved, and there is little waste land and only a small portion of bog. There are several gentlemen's seats, of which the principal are Caledon Hill, the seat of the Earl of Caledon; Crilly, of R. Pettigrew, Esq; Rahaghy, of N. Mayne, Esq.; and Drummond, or Cottage Hill, of H. Moore, Esq. It is in the diocese of Armagh, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the corps of the archdeaconry of Armagh and the union of Carrenteel; the tithes amount to £609. 4. 7. The church is situated in the town of Caledon. A perpetual curacy was founded here in 1807, by the archdeacon, who endowed it with £50 per annum and 26 1/2 acres of glebe; it has also an augmentation from Primate Boulter's fund, and is in the gift of the Archdeacon. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Aughaloo and Carrenteel; the chapel is at Caledon. There are three places of worship for Presbyterians, at Minterburn, Crillig, and Caledon, the last in connection with the Seceding Synod and of the second class: there is also an Independent meeting-house, but no regular service is performed in it. The parochial school is at Caledon; there are male and female schools at Ramakit, Curlough, Minterburn, and Dyan, built and chiefly supported by the Earl of Caledon; a school near the demesne was built and is supported by the Countess of Caledon, in which 40 girls are clothed and educated; and a school at Rahaghy is under the National Board. These schools afford instruction to about 580 boys and 370 girls; and there are also five private schools, in which are about 100 boys and 150 girls, and 14 Sunday schools. Close to a stream that separates the union of Carrenteel from the parish of Errigal-Kerogue is a sulphuric spring, resembling in its properties the Harrogate waters, but wanting their purgative quality: it has been enclosed in a small house erected over it by an individual who had received benefit from the use of the water. At Glenarb are the remains of a monastery with a burial-ground, and numerous stone crosses have been discovered.-- See CALEDON.

AUGHAMACARt, or AGHAMACARt, a parish, in the barony of UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 4 1/2 miles (W. S. W.) from Durrow; containing 2222 inhabitants. This place is situated on the confines of the county of Kilkenny, and on the road from Durrow to Johnstown and from Dublin to Cork. A priory of Augustine canons was founded here in 550 by O'Dempsey, under the invocation of St. Tighernach, which soon afterwards became the burial-place of the Fitzpatricks, princes of Ossory, who were its patrons. In the 43rd of Elizabeth it was granted to the descendants of that family, then barons of Upper Ossory, who erected a castle at Culla Hill, which now forms a picturesque ruin: the principal remains are a lofty rectangular tower very much broken, and fragments of various outer walls surrounded by a moat. The parish comprises 9135 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the lands are in general fertile and in a good state of cultivation; the system of agriculture is much improving; the waste land consists of mountain. The principal seats are Phillipsboro', the residence of Mrs. Phillips; Belmont, of J. Roe, Esq.; Edmundsbury, of Capt. Thompson; Old Town, of -- Delany, Esq.; and Lodgefield, of Lodge Phillips, Esq. Fairs are held at Culla Hill on May 27th and Oct. 2nd, of which the latter is a large sheep fair. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, with the vicarages of Cahir and Killeen united episcopally and by act of council, and in the patronage of Ladies G. and F. Fitzpatrick, in whom the rectory is impropriate; the tithes of the union amount to £466. 13. 4., of which £300 is payable to the impropriators, and the remainder to the vicar. The church is old but in tolerable repair. There is no glebe-house; the glebe comprises 29a 1r. 3p. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Durrow; the chapel is at Culla Hill. A Sunday school is supplied with books by the Sunday School Society of Dublin; and there are three pay schools, in which are about 100 boys and 86 girls. Of the ancient priory, only portions of the chapel walls and of the belfry remain, the latter having an arched doorway of good design. In the vicinity are the remains of an ancient castle, situated in the demesne of the La Touche family, at the foot of a hill on the margin of a spacious lake, and environed with woods; they consist of a large low round tower with walls of great thickness, surmounted with battlements and turrets, forming a picturesque object in the landscape.

AUGHANAGH, or AGHANAGH, a parish, in the barony of TIRAGHRILL, county of SLIGO, and province of Connaught, 5 miles (N. W.) from Boyle, on Lough Arrow, and on the road from Boyle to Sligo; containing 2393 inhabitants. It is bounded on the south by the Curlew mountains, and comprises 5412 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, with a considerable extent of mountain and bog. There are quarries of excellent limestone resembling marble, and much used for building. Hollybrook, the residence of J. Folliott, Esq., is beautifully situated on the shore of Lough Arrow; the grounds are well planted, and contribute in a pleasing manner to embellish the scenery of the lake. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Elphin, forming part of the union of Boyle: the tithes amount to £110. 15. 4 1/2., of which £62. 6. 1 1/2. is payable to the impropriators, and £48. 9. 3. to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it is included in the union or district of Riverstown: the chapel at Greyfort is a good slated building. At Currydora there is a school under the patronage of Wm. Phibbs, Esq.; and there is a private pay school in the parish. On the lands of Aughada are the remains of an abbey.

AUGHANUNCHON, or AGHANINSHON, a parish, in the barony of KILMACRENAN, county of DONEGAL, and province of ULSTER, 1 1/2 mile (N. E.) from Letterkenny; containing 1848 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on Lough Swilly, and on the road from Letterkenny to Ramelton, comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 401l 1/2 statute acres, including 184 1/4 acres of tideway. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Raphoe, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £147. The church is in a very dilapidated state. The glebe-house, a comfortable residence, was built in 1782, by aid of a gift of £100 from the late Board of First Fruits; the glebe comprises 300 acres. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Aughnish. The parochial school is supported by an endowment from Col. Robertson's fund, aided by the rector; and there are two other schools.

AUGHAVAL, or OUGHAVAL, a parish, in the barony of MURRISK, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT; containing, with the market and post-town of Westport, 13,921 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the bay of Westport, and on the road from Castlebar to Lewisburgh; it is partly bounded by the celebrated mountain of Croagh Patrick, and comprises 26,748 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £7017 per annum. The land is chiefly under tillage; the system of agriculture is improving; there are large tracts of bog, which, lying on an inclined plane, might be easily reclaimed and rendered productive. Limestone of good quality abounds and is quarried for building, for mending the roads, and for burning into lime. Lead mines were formerly worked, but are now disused; and in the mountain of Sheffrey a copper mine was opened, but has long been discontinued. The principal seats are Westport House, the mansion of the Marquess of Sligo; Murrisk Abbey, of J. Garvine, Esq.; Trafalgar Lodge, of C. Higgins, Esq.; Marino, of J. Cuff, Esq.; Holdhead, of the Rev. F. L. Rutledge; and Boathaven, of the Rev. J. D'Arcy Sirr. Besides the market at Westport, fairs are also held there and at Murrisk. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam, with the vicarages of Aughagower, Kilmaclasser, and Kilgavower united by act of council, constituting the union of Aughaval, otherwise Westport, in the patronage of the Archbishop; the rectory is appropriate to the archdeaconry of Tuam and prebend of Killabeggs. The tithes amount to £300, of which £225 is payable to the incumbent, and the remainder to the archdeacon and prebendary; and the tithes of the entire benefice amount to £884. 10. The church, an old building in the demesne of the Marquess of Sligo, was erected by aid of a gift of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1797, and was lately repaired by a grant of £166 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The glebe-house was built by a gift of £300 and a loan of £500 from the same Board, in 1815; the glebe comprises seven acres. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church: there are three chapels, one in Westport, which is spacious and ornamented with a handsome front; the other two are at Thornhill and Drummin, and are new slated buildings, but quite inadequate to the accommodation of their respective congregations. There are places of worship at Westport for Presbyterians and Wesleyan Methodists, the former in connection with the Synod of Ulster and of the third class. At Westport are four free schools and an infants' school, in which about 330 boys and 200 girls are taught; and there are also 17 private schools, in which are about 860 children. There are some remains of an ancient abbey at Murrisk, and in the parish are some chalybeate springs. A large patron is held annually at Murrisk on the 28th of August.-- See WESTPORT.

AUGHAVEA, or AGHAVEAGH, a parish, in the barony of MAGHERASTEPHENA, county of FERMANAGH, and province of ULSTER, on the road from Lisnaskea to Five-mile-town; containing, with the post-town of Brookborough, 6281 inhabitants. It comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, 17,142 statute acres, of which 10,096 are applotted under the tithe act. About 17 1/2 acres are water, and nearly one-fourth of the land is bog or mountain, the former affording good fuel, and the latter pasturage for cattle; there is no waste land but what may occur from neglect or from a bad system of cultivation. The greater portion of the land is under tillage, and the system of agriculture is improving. There are some excellent quarries of freestone, which is raised for building and for other uses. The principal seats are Nutfield, the residence of Lady Brook; Abbey Lodge, of J. Macartney, Esq.; Greenhill, of Major Irvine; Whitepark, of A. Bailey, Esq.; and Gola, of Major Dundas. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Clogher, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithes amount to £300; there are 14 townlands in the parish, the tithes of which are annexed to the old abbey of Lisdoune, in the possession of the Leonard family, and are not included in the applotment under the tithe act. The church is a plain edifice, erected by aid of a gift of £200 and a loan of £300 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1813; and divine service is also performed every Sunday in the school-house at Brookborough. The glebe-house is a handsome modern building; the glebe comprises 43 acres. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Aughalurcher, and has a chapel. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists at Brookborough, where is the parochial school, supported under the patronage of Sir A. H. Brooke, Bart. There are also five other schools in the parish.-- See BROOKBOROUGH.

AUGHAVILLER, or AGHAVILLER, a parish, in the barony of KNOCKTOPHER, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. W.) from Knocktopher, on the road from Kilkenny to Carrick-on Suir; containing 1887 inhabitants. The farm-houses, being well built and slated, present a neat and comfortable appearance; there is a good freestone quarry in the parish. Castle Morres, the splendid mansion of Harvey de Montmorency, Esq., occupies an elevated site, and has been recently much enlarged and improved. The estate confers the titles of Baron and Viscount Mountmorres in the peerage of Ireland, which are now held by a relation of the present proprietor. Three fairs, called "the fairs of Harvey," are held at Hugginstown. The parish is in the diocese of Ossory, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the union of Knocktopher: the tithes amount to £200. In the R. C. divisions also it is included within the union of Knocktopher, or Ballyhale: it contains two chapels, situated respectively at Newmarket and Hugginstown; in the former is held a Sunday school. Near Castle Morres, within a few yards of the site of the old church, is the lower part of an ancient round tower of breccia, measuring 50 feet in circumference above the base.

AUGHNISH, a village, in a detached portion of the parish of OUGHTMANNA, barony of BURREN, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, 5 miles (N. W.) from Burren; containing 46 houses and 304 inhabitants. This village, like others on this part of the coast, is frequented during the summer for sea-bathing; it is situated on the bay of Galway and near Aughnish Point, a headland on the north side of the harbour of New Quay, projecting into the bay from the peninsula formed by the parish of Duras, in the county of Galway, and forming the northern extremity of the county of Clare. On this point is a martello tower, and there is also one on Finvarra Point, to the south-west, in another detached portion of the parish.

 

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