Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

DON
of Grange, which belonged to the abbey of Derry, exist
on the banks of the Foyle. At Kildollagh are some
large artificial caves, formed of loose stones, with flag-
stones over them covered with earth; they are about a
quarter of a mile long, and contain several apartments;
there is a less perfect one at Gortmaglen.—See DUNA-
MANAGH.
DONAGHENDRIE.—See DONAGHENRY.
DONAGHMORE, a parish, in the barony of RA-
PHOE, county of DONEGAL, and province of ULSTER;
containing, with the post-town of Castlefin, 13,257
inhabitants. It is situated on the river Finn, and com-
prises, according to the Ordnance survey, 46,378 statute
acres, of which 45,630 are applotted under the tithe act,
and valued at £14,331 per annum, and 330 are water.
More than one-third is mountainous and uninhabited;
and, with the exception of a small portion of woodland,
roads, and water, the remainder is good arable and
pasture land. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in
the diocese of Derry, and in the patronage of the
Lighten family. The tithes amount, to £1440. The
glebe-house is a comfortable residence; the glebe com-
prises 750 acres. The church, situated near Castlefin,
is a plain old edifice, towards the repairs of which the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted
£273: there is also a chapel of ease opened for divine
service in 1S33. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with
that of the Established Church; there are three chapels,
situated respectively at Crossroads, Castlefin, and Ses-
saghoneel. The Presbyterians have three places of
worship, two in connection with the Synod of Ulster,
namely, one at Donaghmore of the first class, and the
other at Raws; and one belonging to the Seceding
Synod. There are eight schools, in which about 300
boys and 250 girls are instructed; and nine pay schools,
in which are 620 boys and 220 girls, and 10 Sunday
schools, with six classes of adults established by one of
the curates, who instructs 180 males and 80 females.—
See CASTLEFIN.
DONAGHMORE; a parish, in the barony of UPPER
IVEAGH, county of DOWN, and province of ULSTER, 5¼
miles (N. by E.) from Newry; containing 4463 inhabit-
ants. It is situated on the great road from Dublin to
Belfast, and comprises, according to the Ordnance sur-
vey, 8396¼- statute acres; there are 110 acres of wood-
land, 499 of bog, 16 of waste, and 48 of water; the rest
is arable and pasture land, generally good and in a high
state of cultivation. Many of the inhabitants are em-
ployed in the weaving of linen for the merchants of
Banbridge. Fairs are held on the first Friday in every
month for cattle, sheep, and pigs, at Sheepbridge, which
consists of only two houses, on the Newry road. Drum-
mantine, the seat of the late Arthur Innis, Esq.; Beech
Hill, of E. Curteis, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev.
M. J. Mee, are the principal residences in the parish.
The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Droraore, and
in the patronage of the Lord-Primate, to whom the
rectory is appropriate: the tithes amount to £451. of
which £251 is payable to the Lord-Primate, and £200 to
the incumbent. The glebe-house, which is large and
handsome, was erected in 1786, on a good glebe of 36
Irish acres, comprehending the townland of Tullagh,
or Tullynacross. The church was built at the sole
expense of Primate Boulter, in 1741: it is.a small
handsome edifice in good repair, with a lofty tower
468
DON
ornamented with buttresses, pinnacles, and finials, which
was erected, in 1828, by voluntary contributions. The
R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Esta-
blished Church: a handsome chapel is now being
built at Barr, and there is a small one at Ballyblaw.
A meeting-house for Presbyterians, in connection with
the Synod of Ulster, stands on the borders of this
parish and that of Newry; and at the Rock is a large
meeting-house for Seceders. There is a parochial school
on the glebe, built in 1818, and principally supported
by the vicar, who gives the master one acre of land
rent-free; also a school at Derrycraw, built and sup-
ported by Trevor Corry, Esq.; and there are five private
chools. In the churchyard is a remarkable old cross;
beneath it is the entrance to an artificial cave, which
extends a considerable distance, the sides being formed
of loose stones, covered over with large flat, stones:
near the centre is a cross or transept, forming two dis-
tinct chambers; the cave is about 3 feet wide, 5 feet
high, and 62 feet long, and, at the cross, nearly 30 feet
broad. The Dowagh, or Danes’ Cast, passes through
the western extremity of the parish, and in some places
forms the boundary between it and Drumbanagher, and
between the counties of Armagh and Down.
DONAGHMORE, or DUNAGHMORE, a parish,
in the barony of LOWER NAVAN, county of MEATH,
and province of LEINSTEK, 1½| mile (N.) from Navan;
containing 2132 inhabitants. An abbey is said to have
been founded here by St. Patrick, who placed St. Justin
over it: its remote antiquity is corroborated by its
round tower, which rises from a projecting plinth to a
height of 70 feet, being 60 feet in circumference near
the base; a portion of the stone roof remains, and the
doorway on the east side is six feet from the ground; it
is remarkable, in having on the key-stone of the entrance,
a sculptured representation of Christ suffering on the
cross. The parish is situated at the junction of the
rivers Blackwater and Boyne, and comprises 3824
statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land
is generally good and under tillage; there is neither bog
nor waste. Black Castle is the handsome residence of
Richard Ruxton Fitzherbert, Esq.; the mansion is a
spacious and modern structure, situated on the banks
of the Boyne, which flows within sight of it; the de-
mesne is extensive and well planted. Ratholdren Castle,
the seat of the late — Cusack, Esq.; and Nevinstown,
of Smith White, Esq.; are also within the parish. It
is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the
union of Navan: the tithes amount to £280 and there
are about 8½ acres of glebe, valued at £17 per aim. In
the R. C. divisions also it is part of the union or district
of Navan. At Flower Hill there is a school-house built
partly by Government, and partly by subscription, at an
expense of £250: it is supported by annual donations
from the Earl of Essex, Earl Ludlow, R. R. Fitzherbert,
Esq., and the rector; about 40 boys and 30 girls are
taught in it. Here are the ruins of a small church,
with a high circular-headed arch, supporting part of a
belfry.
DONAGHMORE, a parish, in the barony of RA-
TOATH, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER,
9 miles (N. N. W.) from Dublin; containing 207 inhabit-
ants, exclusively of the townland of Robertstown, which
was omitted at the general census of l831,and in 1834,
contained 63 inhabitants. The parish is situated on