Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

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families. Baths have been constructed by the Dublin
and Kingstown Railway Company, on the side of the
railway embankment, which passes along the sea-shore
close to the village, and to these access is obtained by a
handsome foot bridge from the high ground. An elegant
bridge has been built over the railway, which passes
close under Seapoint House, affording the inmates a
facility of access to a boat pier on the opposite side. In
the centre of the village is a large block of granite, on
which are the remains of an ancient cross; to this spot,
which is the southern extremity of the city of Dublin,
the lord mayor, -with the civic authorities, proceeds
when perambulating the boundaries of his jurisdic-
tion. The twopenny post has three deliveries daily
from the metropolis; and in addition to the con-
stant railway communication with the city, numerous
cars are stationed here, plying in all directions. There
is an Episcopal chapel in Carysfort avenue; it was
formerly a dissenting place of worship, but was pur-
chased a few years since, and endowed with £1000 from
a fund bequeathed by Lord Powerscourt; the chaplain
is appointed by the trustees. In the R. C. divisions this
place forms part of the union of Booterstown; the cha-
pel, situated in the village, was built in 1822, by sub-
scription, at an expense of £750. A nunnery of Car-
melite sisters was established in 1822, consisting of a
superior, 20 professed nuns, and three lay sisters; the
ladies of this convent support a school for the gratuitous
instruction of 120 girls, who are also clothed annually at
Christmas. A school for boys was built in 1822, by
subscription, and is supported by collections at charity
sermons; and a girls’ school was erected in 1827, chiefly
at the expense of the Rev. J. McCormick, R. C. clergy-
man, by whom it is partly supported. A savings’ bank
has been established.—See MONKSTOWN.
BLACKROCK, a village, in the parish of HAGGARDS-
TOWN, barony of UPPER DUNDALK, county of LOUTH,
and province of LEINSTER, 2 miles (E.) from Dundalk;
containing 434 inhabitants. This place is situated on
the bay of Dundalk, and contains about 80 houses, which
are neatly built. The beach is smooth and soft, and
peculiarly adapted to sea-bathing; and, if due accom-
modation were provided for visiters, it might become a
watering-place of general attraction. It is at present
much frequented, during the summer season, by the
farmers of the inland counties, both for the purposes of
bathing and drinking the sea-water. Alexander Shekel-
ton, Esq., of Dundalk, has a beautiful marine villa here.
—See HAGGARDSTOWN.
BLACKWATER, a village, in the parish of KIL-
CROHANE, barony of DUNKERRON, county of KERRY,
and province of MUNSTER, 6 miles (W.) from Kenmare,
on the road from that place to Sneem: the population is
returned with the parish. This small village is roman-
tically situated on the west bank of a river of the
same name, that issues from Lough Brinn, situated
among the mountains, and after separating the parishes
of Kilcrohane and Templenoe, flows into the estuary of
Kenmare river. The banks of the Blackwater are richly
clothed with wood on each side, and are so steep and
lofty that the bridge across is upwards of sixty feet
above the water. The river immediately beneath and
above the bridge is confined in a narrow channel, and
rushes over rocks in numerous cascades, while below it
expands to a considerable breadth, and forms a deep
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basin, in which vessels may lie in safety. The bridge
of two narrow and lofty arches, the salmon-leap beneath,
and the richly wooded banks on each side, form a
highly picturesque and interesting scene. This place
is a favourite resort for salmon fly-fishing, permission
for which is always granted by the proprietor on
a proper application; but there is no accommodation
for the angler nearer than Kenmare, where, however,
there is a very good and commodious hotel. At the
mouth of the Blackwater is a salmon fishery, where
more than 100 fine fish are sometimes taken at a haul:
it is chiefly the property of the Rev. Denis Mahony, of
Dromore Castle. Fairs are held here in July and De-
cember; and petty sessions for the Blackwater district
are held monthly, at Clover Field, in the adjoining parish
of Templenoe.—See KILCROHANE.
BLACKWATER, a village, partly in the parish of
BALLYVALDEN, and partly in that of KILLELY or KIL-
LILA, barony of BALLAGHKEEN, county of WEXFORD,
and province of LEINSTER, 7 miles (N. E. by N.) from
Wexford; containing 58 houses and 255 inhabitants.
It is situated on the old coast road from Wexfovd to
Dublin, about a mile from the shore of St. George’s
channel; there is also a direct road hence to Ermiscor-
thy, about eight miles distant. Fairs are held on March
25th, May 12th, June 1st, Aug. 10th, and Nov. 10th.
It is a station both of the constabulary police and the
coast-guard: the latter, which is one of the eight com-
prised in the district of Gorey, has a detachment at
Curracloe. The R, C. chapel of the district is situated
in the village.
BLACKWATERTOWN, a post-town, in that part
of the parish of CLONFEACLE which is in the barony of
ARMAGH, county of ARMAGH, and province of ULSTER,
5 miles (N. N. W.) from Armagh, and 70 (N. N. W.) from
Dublin 5 containing 103 houses and 528 inhabitants.
This place is situated on the old road from Armagh to
Dungannon, and on the river Blackwater, from which it
takes its name; it is connected by a stone bridge of
three arches with the old village of Clonfeacle, now
forming part of the town. During the rebellion of the
Earl of Tyrone, in the reign of Elizabeth, an English
garrison was placed here to check the incursions of that
chieftain, who, under a plea of some’ injuries done to his
party by the English, in 1595, attacked and expelled the
garrison, and obtained possession of the fortress, which
he afterwards destroyed and abandoned on the approach
of Sir John Norris. In 1596 the Earl covenanted to
rebuild it, and to supply an English garrison to be then
stationed in it with all necessaries, as one of the condi-
tions upon which peace was granted to him by the
queen. In the following year the English forces, under
Lord-Deputy Borough, assaulted the place and easily took
possession; but the insurgents soon reappeared, and
commenced an attack; and though the further progress
of the war was prevented by the death of the general,
yet a strong English garrison was stationed here as a
frontier post. Tyrone was once more compelled to agree
to repair the fort and bridge, and to supply the garrison;
but he shortly after attacked the former with the greatest
vigour; and as the works were weak and imperfect, the
assailants were repulsed only by the determined valour
of the garrison. The earl afterwards attempted to reduce
it by famine; and the besieged were driven to the last
extremities, when Sir Henry Bagnall, with the English