Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

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tacked masses. Coral, jasper, chalcedony, opal, agate,
and cornelian, are sometimes found in small masses on
the shores, and are called in the neighbourhood Malin
pebbles; some of them are of considerable value, and
are set in seals, rings, necklaces, and other ornaments.
Here is the lough or harbour of Strabregagh, which
separates the parish from those of Donagh and Clon-
many: it is unfit for vessels that draw much water,
though small vessels can find shelter any where along
the Runevad Point, and is often mistaken for Lough
Swilly, which has caused many shipwrecks. The coast
on each side of the entrance is very rocky, and the tides
rapid. From Strabregagh to Coolort, and from Malin
to Glengad, it presents a series.of picturesque precipices,
among which is Malin Head, the most northern point
of the mainland of Ireland, being in N. Lat. 55° 20’ 40”,
and W. Lon. 7° 24’. Eight miles east of the Head,
and five from the shore, is the island of Ennistrahul, on
which is a light-house, exhibiting a bright revolving
light, visible only once in two minutes. To the east of the
Head, and a mile and a half from the shore, are several
small isles, called the Garve Islands. In the townland
of Ballyhillian, at Malin Head, there is an admiralty
signal tower; and at Malin Head and Glengad are
coast-guard stations. Strabregagh abounds with salmon,
and seals are sometimes found in it. At Portmore, near
Slieve Ban, a pier and harbour are being constructed, at
the expense of Capt. Hart, to whom the property of
Malin Head belongs. The principal seats are Malin
Hall, the residence of J. Harvey, jun., Esq., situated in a
beautiful demesne embellished with flourishing planta-
tions, which, are highly ornamental in this bleak and
exposed district; Rockville, of the Rev. J. Canning;
and Goorey Lodge, of J. Harvey, sen,, Esq.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese
of Derry, and in the patronage of the Marquess of
Donegal: the tithes amount to £555; the glebe com-
prises 370 acres, of which 110 are barren. The church
is at Malin, and was built in 1827, by aid of a loan of
£200 from the late Board of First Fruits, and a gift of
£100 each from Bishop Knox and Mr. Harvey, of Malin
Hall: it is a neat plain building, with a handsome square
tower. In the R. C. divisions part of this parish is
united to part of Culdaff, forming the union or district
of Cloncha; the remaining portions of the two parishes
are also united and form the district of Culdaff. There
are chapels at Lag and Aughacloy, in the former dis-
trict, and at Bogan in the latter, all in this parish.
At Goorey is a large Presbyterian meeting-house
connected with the Synod of Ulster, of the third
class. The parochial schools, which are in the town
of Malin, are principally supported by the Harvey
family. There is a female working school at Malin,
also schools at Keenagh and Tully, both built on
the estate of Mr. Harvey, of Malin Hall, who is
the principal landed proprietor in the parish; and
one near Malin Head. In these schools about 400
boys and 230 girls are educated; and there are
also five private schools, in which are about 190
children, and three Sunday schools. At Larachrill
are ten upright and two prostrate stones, about six
feet high, so disposed as to form part of a druidical
circle of 60 feet in diameter. At Umgal is shewn
what is called Ossian’s grave, and near it are places
bearing the names of many of the events record-
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ed in his poems. There are likewise traces of a monas-
tery, and several churches or cells, whose names are
unknown. Both history and tradition mention a con-
ventual church at Malin, of which the only vestiges are
a heap of stones. Pilgrimages are still performed to
this place, which terminate by bathing in a small hollow
in the rocks at Malin Head, which is filled at every tide
and is reputed to possess the power of curing diseases.
The old church of Cloncha, which has been disused since
1827 and is falling into ruin, appears to have been an
abbey or priory. Near it is a stone pillar, 18 feet high,
which was apparently the shaft of a cross, and is orna-
mented with scrolls and emblems; the upper part is
broken off, and lies at some, distance. At Ballyahillon is
a natural cave in the rocks, of considerable extent: it
is here known as “Hell’s hole,” and is the subject of
many extraordinary tales.—See MALIN.
CLONCLARE, or CLOONCLARE, a parish, partly
in the barony of ROSSCLOGHER, but chiefly in that of
DROMAHAIRE, county of LEITRIM, and province of
CONNAUGHT; containing, with part of the post-town of
Manorhamilton, 9128 inhabitants. This parish is situ-
ated on the road from Enniskillen to Sligo, and com-
prises 33,241 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe
act, besides a great extent of waste land, much of which
is reclaimable, and a large quantity of bog. Coal exists,
but is not worked; and there is abundance of limestone,
some of which is used for building.- Large veins of iron
ore of the best quality exist in the mountains of Doon
and Glenfarne, which also furnish freestone equal to
that of Portland. There is a bleach-green at Glenboy.
Glenfarne Hall, the residence of C. H. Tottenham, Esq.,
is situated in a very extensive demesne on Lough Mac-
Nean, which communicates with Lough Erne. The
other seats are Hollymount, the residence of Simon
Armstrong, Esq.; Glenboy, of Lewis Algeo, Esq.; and
Fortland Cottage, of G. Gledstanes, Esq.
The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Kilmore,
united from time immemorial to the vicarages of Clon-
logher and Killasnett, together forming the union of
Manorhamilton, in the patronage of the Bishop, to whom
the rectory is appropriate. The tithes amount to £300,
of which £200 is paid to the bishop, and £100 to the
vicar; and the gross tithes of the benefice amount to
£421. 6. 8, The church is a plain building with a hand-
some spire, erected in 1804, and for its repair the Ec-
clesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £115.
The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Esta-
blished Church, and is also called Glenfarne; there are
two chapels, one at Glenfarne, the other in the town of
Manorhamilton; a third is in course of erection at
Kilticlogher. At Manorhamilton are two places of wor-
ship for Methodists. There are six schools in the parish;
that at Manorhamilton is supported by a bequest, in
1819, from the late James John Masterson, Esq., of
£26. 6. 6. per annum. In these schools about 170 boys
and 230 girls receive instruction, and 14 boys and 25
girls are taught in a private school.—See MANORHA-
MILTON and KILTICLOGHER.
CLONCURRY, a parish, partly in the barony of
EAST OPHALY, but chiefly in that of IKEATHY and
OUGHTERANY, county of KILDARE, and province of
LEINSTER, 4 miles (W. N. W.) from Kilcock; contain-
ing 2299 inhabitants. A Carmelite friary, dedicated to
the Blessed Virgin, was founded here by John Roche,