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SWA
county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (E.)
from Kanturk, near the road to Mallow; containing
268 inhabitants. Knockninoss, in this parish, was, in
1647, the scene of a desperate battle between the forces
of Lord Inchiquin and those of Lord Taafe. The
former having taken the field with 4000 foot and
1900 horse, on Nov. 13th, encountered the Irish army,
consisting of 7464 foot and 1076 horse, posted on
the hill of Knockninoss. The English forces charged
up the ascent, but the Irish stood their ground, and
at first forced their assailants before them, some of
the highlanders of Sir Alexander Mac Donell’s or Mac
Allisdrum’s corps even driving part of them a consider-
able distance, and capturing their artillery and carriages;
but Lord Inchiquin having found means to detach a
party of horse round, so as to gain the summit of the
hill, the right wing, commanded by Lord Taafe, and a
great part of the main body fled; the left, commanded
by Mac Allisdrum stood its ground, but was at length
forced to yield, both the leader and his men giving up
their swords: but Lord Inchiquin having ordered that
no quarter should be given, the whole were put to the
sword, making the total number slain of the Irish army
no less than 4000.
The parish, which consists only of the townlands of
Subulter and Knockninoss, or Knocknanuss, comprises
382¼ statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and
valued at £522 per annum. The land is of good quality
and chiefly in tillage: it is wholly occupied by John
Leahy, Esq., of Subulter House. Limestone is found and
burnt for manure. For all civil purposes, and for the
performance of clerical duties, it is considered to form
part of Kilbrin. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Cloyne,
forming the corps of the prebend of Subulter, in the
cathedral of St. Colman, Cloyne: the tithes amount to
£63. 6. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union
or district of Kilbrin. There is a school of about 60
children, gratuitously instructed by Miss Leahy.
SUMMERHILL, a post-town, in the parish of LA-
RACOR, barony of LOWER MOYFENRAGH, county of
MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (S. by E.)
from Trim, and 17 (W. N. W.) from Dublin, by Dun-
boyne; containing 49 houses and 331 inhabitants. This
town, which has a neat appearance, is pleasantly situ-
ated on the road from Dublin to Trim, by Kilcock, and
also on that by Dunboyne, which latter is the nearer by
three miles. It is a chief constabulary police station;
petty sessions are held on alternate Tuesdays, and fairs
on April 30th, June 9th, Sept. 32nd, and Nov. 25th.
Here is a Presbyterian meeting-house, and contiguous
to the town is Summerhill House, the seat of Lord
Langford, situated in a noble demesne.
SUTTONS, county of WEXFORD.—See KILMO-
KEA.
SWANLINBAR, a post-town, in the parish of KIN-
AWLEY, barony of TULLAGHAGH, county of CAVAN, and
province of ULSTER, 8 miles (N.W.) from Ballyconnell,
to which it has a penny-post; containing 398 inha-
bitants. This town is supposed to have derived its
origin from a rich iron mine in the neighbouring moun-
tain of Cuilcagh, which was worked at a remote period to
a very considerable extent. The ore was smelted into
pig iron in furnaces about half a mile distant, and
manufactured into bars at some works erected upon a
powerful mountain stream which flows through the vil-
582
SWI
lage: these works were continued till all the timber of
the mountains was consumed in smelting the ore, when
they were necessarily abandoned. In 1786 a consider-
able part of the town was destroyed by an accidental
fire, which consumed 22 houses. It now contains 79
houses, and is situated on the old road from Ballycon-
nell to Enniskillen, and surrounded by the wild moun-
tains of the barony: it is chiefly distinguished for its
mineral waters, which are strongly impregnated with
sulphur, earth, sea salt and fossil alkali, and in their
medicinal effect are both alterative and diaphoretick
and are esteemed highly efficacious as a restorative
from debility. From April to September it is the resort
of numbers of the gentry of the surrounding district.
The spa is situated in an enclosure tastefully laid out
in pleasant walks and embellished with thriving planta-
tions. Contiguous to the well is a handsome pump-
room, in which the visiters usually take breakfast, and
on re-assembling an excellent dinner is provided. The
surrounding mountains afford ample scope for the re-
searches of the mineralogist, and contain several natural
and artificial caves; on the neighbouring townlands of
Lurgan and Coolagh are strong indications of coal. A
few linens are manufactured in the vicinity, besides other
articles of clothing for the inhabitants. Fairs are held
annually on Feb. 2nd, March 30th, May 18th, June
29th, July 27th, Aug. l8th, Sept. 3rd and 29th, Oct.
26th, and Dec. 1st and 29th. A chief constabulary po-
lice station has been established; and petty sessions
are held on alternate Wednesdays. On the summit of
the mountain of Cuilcagh, is a fine spring of excellent
water: on this mountain, which is intimately associated
with much of the legendary history of the district,
the Maguires anciently invested their chiefs with
supreme command over the adjacent country of Fer-
managh.
SWATTERAGH, a village, in the parish of MAGH-
ERA, barony of LOUGHINSHOLIN, county of LONDON-
DERRY, and province of ULSTER, 3½ miles (N.) from
Maghera, on the road to Coleraine, and on the river
Clady; containing 204 inhabitants and comprising 50
houses, which, with the exception of one, are small and
indifferently built. Here is a small corn-mill, the water
from which, after passing under the bridge, divides, and
making a curious circuit, forms an extensive island.
The country around is barren and badly cultivated, be-
ing esteemed the worst part of the Mercers’ Company’s
estate; but a change may be expected, as the leases
have lately fallen into their own hands. In the village
is a meeting-house for Presbyterians in connection with
the Synod of Ulster, of the third class; also a large
and handsome school-house, chiefly supported by the
rector and his lady.
SWINFORD, a market and post-town, in the parish
of KILCONDUFF, barony of GALLEN, county of MAYO,
and province of CONNAUGHT, 15 miles (S. E. by S.) from
Ballina, and 140 (W. N. W.) from Dublin, on the road
from Foxford to Ballaghadireen; containing 813 inha-
bitants. This improving town, which consists of one
principal and two smaller streets, comprises 150 houses,
nearly all of which are slated. The market is on Tues-
day, for provisions; and there is a good market-
house, in which petty sessions are held every Wednes-
day. Fairs take place on May 20th, July 2nd, Aug.
18th, Oct. 29th, and Dec. 18th: this is a chief con-