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BEL
principal astronomer in the observatory at Armagh;
J. Templeton, Esq., who left in manuscript the Botany
and Natural History of Ireland, now in preparation for
the press by his son; and J. Emerson Tennent, Esq.,
author of the History of Modern Greece, &c. Among
the distinguished persons who have resided here may be
mentioned the late Dr. R. Tennent, the philanthropist;
Dr. Abernethy, author of the Attributes; Edward Bunt-
ing, a celebrated professor of music and collector of
the ancient melodies of Ireland; Dr. J.L. Drummond,
author of various scientific treatises and botanical works;
Dr. Bruce, author of a life of Homer and other works;
and Dr. W. H. Drummond, author of various poetical,
religious, and political works. Belfast gives the titles
of Earl and Baron to the ancient family of Chichester,
Marquesses of Donegal.
BELGRIFFIN, or BALGRIFFIN, a parish, in the
barony of Coolock, county of Dublin, and province
of Leinster, 5 miles (N. E.) from Dublin; containing
259 inhabitants. This place formerly belonged to the
ancient family of the De Burgos, who held the manor
in the 14th century, and by whom the castle was
erected. It afterwards became the property of the
O’Neills and De Bathes, and the castle was for some
time the residence of Richard, Duke of Tyrconnel, Lord-
Deputy of Ireland under Jas. II. The parish is situated
on the turnpike road from Dublin to Malahide: the
lands are chiefly under tillage; the system of agricul-
ture is improving, and the parish generally is noted as
a corn district. Belgrifin Park, the seat of the Rev.
T. F. Walker, is pleasantly situated; the mansion is
built with the materials of the ancient castle, of which
there are now no remains. The other seats are Bell-
camp, the property of J. J. Baggot, Esq.; Clare
Grove, of General Cuppage; Airfield, of Alderman Sir
Edmund Nugent; and Sea View, of T. Franklyn, Esq.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of
Dublin; the rectory is united to that of Drumshallen
and to the half rectories of Kilcullen and Glasnevin,
together forming the corps of the precentorship in the
cathedral of Christ-Church, Dublin, in the patronage of
the Crown; and the vicarage is part of the union of
St. Doulogh’s, in the patronage of the Precentor. The
lands in this parish belonging to the precentor comprise
29a. 2r. 3p., let on lease for £3. 13. 4. per annum, and
an annual renewal fine of £18. 9. 2¾.; and the lands of
the union comprise altogether 680a. 3r. 21p., let on lease
for £95. 19. 5. per annum, and atmual renewal fines of
£114. 9. 2.; making the gross income of the precen-
torship, including the tithes, £484. 19. 6¾. per annum.
In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union
or district of Baldoyle and Howth. In 1580, Mr. John
s Bathe left a piece of land at Chapelizod for the support
of an hospital for four poor men of this parish. There
are some remains of the old church.
BELLAGAN, a village, in the parish of Carling-
ford, barony of Lower Dundalk, county of Louth,
and province of Leinster, 2½ miles (S.) from Carling-
ford; containing 155 inhabitants. It is situated on the
south-west side of the entrance into the bay of Car-
lingford, and consists of about 25 houses, which are
mostly inhabited by small farmers and agricultural la-
bourers.—See Carlingford.
BELLAGHY, a village and post-town, in the parish
of Ballyscullion, barony of Loughinsholin, county
Vol. I.—201
BEL
of Londonderry, and province of Ulster, 9½ miles
(S.) from Kilrea, and 100¼ (N.) from Dublin: the popu-
lation is returned with the parish. This place became
the head of a district granted in the reign of Jas. I.
to the Vintners’ Company, of London, who, in 1619,
founded the village, and erected a strong and spacious
castle, the custody of which they entrusted to Baptist
Jones, Esq., who had a well-armed garrison of 76 men
for its defence. In the war of 1641 the castle was be-
sieged and taken by a party of insurgents under the
command of one of the Mac Donnells, and in the follow-
ing year burned to the ground. It occupied a gentle
eminence on the north-west side of the village, but no
portion of it is remaining; the very site has been culti-
vated as gardens, and the only traces are some of the
arched cellars beneath the roots of some large trees.
The village is situated on the western shore of Lough
Beg, and on the roads leading respectively from Castle
Dawson to Portglenone and from Kilrea to Toome; it
consists of one long street intersected at right angles by
two shorter streets; the houses are generally small, but
well built; and the environs are remarkably pleasant,
and are embellished with gentlemen’s seats, of which
the principal near the village are Bellaghy Castle, the re-
sidence of J. Hill, Esq., and Bellaghy House, of H. B.
Hunter, Esq. Fairs are held on the first Monday in
every month, for the sale of cattle, sheep, and pigs, and
are well attended. A court for the Vintners’ manor is
held once every month, for the recovery of debts under
£2: its jurisdiction extends over the parishes of Bally-
scullion, Kilrea, Tamlaght-O’Crilly, Termoneeny, Magh-
era, Desertmartin, Kilcronaghan, Magherafelt, and
Killelagh. Adjoining the village is the parish church of
Ballyscullion, a large and handsome building; and at a
short distance is a small R.C. chapel. Here is also a
place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists; and a meeting-
house is now being built for Presbyterians in connection
with the Synod of Ulster. The parochial school for boys
and girls, a large and handsome building, was erected at
the joint expense of the Marquess of Lothian, Earl of
Clancarty, Lord Strafford, and the Hon. T. Pakenham,
G.C.B., proprietors of the estate by purchase from the
Vintners’ Company, who have also endowed it with
£5 per annum, and a like sum is granted by the rector:
and there is a school for girls, supported by subscrip-
tion, also a school built and supported by the Metho-
dists.—See Ballyscullion.
BELLAGHY, a village, in the parish of Achonry,
barony of Leney, county of Sligo, and province of
Connaught, 10 miles (S. W.) from Ballymote, on the
road to Swinford; containing 34 houses and 170 inha-
bitants. A market for provisions is held on Wednesday,
and a fair is held every month: the market-house is
situated in the centre of the village. Here is a station of
the constabulary police.—See Achonry.
BELLAIR, a hamlet, in the parish of Lemanaghan,
barony of Garrycastle, King’s county, and province
of Leinster, 6 miles from Clara; containing 81 inha-
bitants. The village, which is of modern origin, is
situated on the road from Clara to Moat, and was
founded by the family of Mullock: it has a neat and
orderly appearance; the houses are built of stone and
slated. Contiguous to it is the residence of Thos. H.
Mulock, Esq., sheltered by plantations raised with great
care. Mount Mulock, in the vicinity, is another seat of
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