Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

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formerly covered by every tide, but which has been re-
claimed by an extensive embankment stretching from
Conswater westward to the river Lagan, opposite to the
quays of Belfast, and thence on the shore of that river
to Ormeau, the splendid residence of the Marquess
of Donegal. The town, which in 1831 contained 257
houses, forms an appendage to Belfast, from which it is
separated only by the river Lagan, which here separates
the counties of Down and Antrim, and over which is
a stone bridge of 21 arches: it is irregularly built, but
has been greatly improved by the formation of several
new streets; and a handsome bridge of five arches,
about 400 yards above the long bridge, and opening a
more direct communication with the southern part of
Belfast, has been lately erected under an act obtained
in 1831, at an expense of £6000, raised in transfer-
able shares of £25 each. The first manufacture esta-
blished here was that of glass; and since the first
glass-house was built, in 1776, two other extensive
establishments have been erected, though at present
only one is in operation. A pottery upon a very large
scale was soon afterwards established; and previously
to the removal of the duty on salt, there were two ex-
tensive works for the manufacture of that article from
rock salt brought from England, for exportation, which
are now discontinued. The Lagan foundry, for the
manufacture of steam-engines and other machinery on
the most improved principles, affords employment to
140 persons: and in 1832 the first patent machine for
making paper ever introduced into Ireland was made at
these works. A very extensive rope-yard and sail-cloth
manufactory, affording employment to 130 persons, are
carried on; and two large vitriol works, of which one,
established in 1799, was the second erected in the king-
dom, are in full operation for supplying the bleachers,
dyers, and calico printers in the neighbourhood. There
are also extensive starch-manufactories, and meal and
flour-mills driven by steam and water; and two large
mills for spinning linen yarn were erected in 1834,
and employ more than 300 persons. The manufacture
of calico and muslin is carried on upon a very exten-
sive scale, affording employment to several hundred
persons. Here is a constabulary police station. This
place was erected into a parish by an act of the 12th
of Geo. III., and comprises 575 statute acres, which
are exempt from tithes; about 28 ½ acres are under
water, and the remainder are arable and pasture. The
living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Down,
and in the patronage of the Rector of Knockbreda: it
is endowed with the tithes of Ballynafeigh, an adjoining
townland, amounting to £50, which is augmented from
Primate Boulter’s fund. The church, a neat building,
was erected in 1826 by aid of a grant of £800 from the late
Board of First Fruits and by subscription. In the R. C.
divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of
Belfast, in the diocese of Connor; the chapel was built
in 1829. There are places of worship for Presbyterians
in connection with the Synod of Ulster and the Seceding
Synod, and for Covenanters and Wesleyan Methodists.
There are five schools in which about 298 boys and 182
girls are instructed; also three pay schools, in which
are about 90 boys and 50 girls.
BALLYMACART, a parish, in the barony of DECIES-
within-DRUM, county of WATERFORD, and province of
MUNSTER, 6 miles (S. S. E.) from Dungarvan; contain-
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ing 984 inhabitants. This parish, also called AgLishvenan,
is situated on the shore of St. George’s channel, and
comprises 2966 statute acres, as applotted under the
tithe act. On the south-east is the cape or promontory
of Mine Head, forming the northern point of the entrance
to Ardmore bay. Here is Glenanne Cottage, the marine
villa of H. Winston Barron, Esq. It is a vicarage, in
the diocese of Lismore, united to that of Ardmore; the
rectory is impropriate in the Duke of Devonshire. The
tithes amount to £124, of which £82. 13. 4. is payable
to the impropriator, and £41. 6. 8. to the vicar. In the
R. C. divisions also it forms part of the union or dis-
trict of Ardmore: the chapel is a large building. At
Mount Barron there is a school under the patronage of
H. W. Barron, Esq., who gave the school-house and
four acres of land: it is attended by about 200 boys
and 54 girls.
BALLYMACARTHY, a village, in the parish of
KILMALODA, Eastern Division of the barony of EAST
CARBERY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER,
3 miles (E.) from Clonakilty; containing 167 inhabit-
ants. During the disturbances of 1798 this place was
the scene of an obstinate engagement between a party
of the insurgent forces and some companies of the West-
meath militia, which would have terminated in the defeat
of the latter, but for the arrival of the Caithness legion
From Bandon, which came very opportunely to their
aid. The village is situated on the road from Bandon
to Clonakilty, and consists of 32 houses, some of which
are large and well built: the new road connecting these
two towns here crosses the old line. Close adjoining
are the extensive mills of Messrs. Swete and Co., in
which more than 8000 barrels of wheat are annually
ground into flour for the supply of the neighbouring
towns.—See KILMALODA.
BALLYMACELLIGOTT, a parish, in the barony of
TRUGHENACKMY, county of KERRY, and province of
MUNSTER, 4 ¾ miles (S. E.) from Tralee; containing
3535 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on
the high roads leading from Tralee to Castle-Island and
Killarney, comprises 11,552 statute acres, as applotted
under the tithe act: about 2300 acres are bog and
coarse mountain pasture, which, from the abundance of
limestone and turf, might be easily reclaimed. The
great limestone quarry of Ballymacelligott is situated on
the estate of A. Blennerhassett, Esq., of Ballyseedy,
and about half-way on the old road from Tralee to
Castle-Island. A quarry was first opened here in 1811,
for building the barracks at Tralee, but was afterwards
discontinued; and near that spot is the present quarry,
which was first opened to procure materials for enlarging
Ballyseedy House, since which time it has been con-
stantly worked and the stone used for the county gaol
and the new court-house at Tralee, and latterly for the
ship canal from Tralee to Blennerville, and affords con-
stant employment to about 30 men. Stones of the
largest size required for public works are detached with
great facility by wedges, on account of the regularity of
the strata, and the produce of the quarry being of very
superior quality, is in general request for the ornamental
parts of public buildings: the average quantity raised
weekly is about 50 tons. Several curious caverns are
formed in the strata by a stream forcing its subterrane-
ous course for nearly two miles, and, when explored by
torch light, exhibit many beautiful and highly grotesque