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Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

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ISL<br />

mand of Daniel Moel M c Carty Reagh. In 1584, the<br />

island, having escheated to the Crown, was granted by-<br />

Queen Elizabeth to the Bishop of Ross. After the<br />

battle of Clonakilty, in 1642, 600 of the Irish forces<br />

fled towards this island as a place of refuge; but the<br />

tide setting in at the time, they were all drowned before<br />

they could reach it. An extensive strand surrounds<br />

the base of the island, which is dry at low water; it<br />

comprises more than 1000 acres of rich alluvial soil,<br />

which might be reclaimed from the sea and brought into<br />

profitable cultivation. The parish contains 2502 statute<br />

acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is fertile<br />

and in a state of high cultivation; it is principally<br />

under tillage, with some rich pasture; the system of<br />

agriculture is improved, and there is neither waste land<br />

nor bog. Sea manure is obtained in abundance, and is<br />

brought in by sand boats and lighters daily. The prin-<br />

cipal seats are Island House, that of T. Hungerford,<br />

Esq., pleasantly situated in a retired and sheltered part<br />

of the island; and Dunowen, of Geo. Sandes, Esq.,<br />

occupying an interesting site on the mainland. The<br />

living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ross, formerly<br />

united to those of Kilgarriffe, Castleventry, Kilkerran-<br />

more, Ardfert, and Desart, from which it was severed in<br />

1829, and now solely constitutes the prebend of Island<br />

in the cathedral of Ross, with which are held the vicar-<br />

ages of Kilgarriffe and Desart, and in the patronage of the<br />

Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in the representa-<br />

tives of F. Townsend, Esq. The tithes of the prebend<br />

amount to £260, and of the benefices held with it, to<br />

£250. In the R. C. divisions the parish is partly in<br />

the union of Clonakilty, and partly in that of Rathbarry.<br />

Near Dunmore is a rich vein of lead ore, containing<br />

nearly 15 per cent. of pure silver; it is close upon the<br />

shore, but has not been worked with perseverance. On<br />

an elevated site in the north-western part of the<br />

island are the ruins of the old church.<br />

ISLAND BRIDGE, a village, in the parish of ST.<br />

JAMES, barony of NEWCASTLE, county of DUBLIN, and<br />

province of LEINSTER, on the southern bank of the<br />

Liffey; the population is returned with the parish. A<br />

beautiful bridge crosses the Liffey at this place: it<br />

consists of one elliptical arch, 104 feet 10 inches in<br />

span, the key-stone of which is 24 feet above high water<br />

mark. The first stone was laid, in 1791, by Sarah,<br />

Countess of Westmoreland, after whom it is named Sarah<br />

Bridge. Here are very extensive artillery barracks, with<br />

an hospital, but it is intended to remove the artillery to<br />

the buildings of the Foundling Hospital, when the in-<br />

stitution shall have been closed after the children now<br />

maintained in it are provided for elsewhere. Print-<br />

works were established in 1786, which have been greatly<br />

enlarged by the present proprietor, W. Henry, Esq.,<br />

who has a handsome residence near them: they are<br />

on the banks of the Liffey, and furnish employment<br />

for between 500 and 600 persons. Here is also an<br />

extensive flour-mill belonging to Messrs. Manders and<br />

Co. Near the village is a spring, called St. John’s<br />

well, at which a kind of festival of considerable anti-<br />

quity is held on St. John’s eve. It is much frequented<br />

by the working classes from the metropolis, for whom<br />

tents are pitched and the usual entertainments of patron<br />

days provided.<br />

ISLANDEADY, or ISLANDINE, also called<br />

ISLANDEDIN, a parish, partly in the barony of<br />

27<br />

ISL<br />

BURRISHOOLE, but chiefly in that of CARRA, county of<br />

MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 3¼ miles (W. N. W.)<br />

from Castlebar, on the road to Westport; containing<br />

8564 inhabitants. It comprises about 25,920 statute<br />

acres, of which 23,936 are applotted under the tithe act,<br />

and valued at £6154 per annum. There is much bog<br />

and mountain, and a lake 4 miles long, in which are<br />

two islands crowned with luxuriant woods. Here is<br />

abundance of fine limestone, which is quarried for<br />

building, and formerly large iron-works existed, of which<br />

great quantities of the scoria still remain. The prin-<br />

cipal seats are Mucknagh, the residence of M. Rowland,<br />

Esq.; Green Hill, of J. Bourke, Esq.; Woodville, of<br />

T. Bourke, Esq.; Cloonane, of J. O’Malley, Esq.; and<br />

Rahens, of H. J. H. Browne, Esq., which was occupied<br />

by the French in 1798. Near this seat is a monument,<br />

86 feet high, erected by the late Dodwell Browne,<br />

Esq., in memory of his wife; also a very ancient wind-<br />

mill. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam,<br />

forming part of the union of Castlebar: the tithes<br />

amount to £240. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with<br />

that of the Established Church, and has a chapel at<br />

Glen island, built in 1820 at an expense of £150, and<br />

one in Islandeady, which cost £300. There are a public<br />

and five private schools. The old church is in ruins.<br />

ISLAND-ICANE, a parish, in the barony of MID-<br />

DLETHIRD, county of WATERFORD, and province of<br />

MUNSTER, 8 miles (S. S. W.) from Waterford, on the<br />

south-eastern coast, containing 1139 inhabitants. Off<br />

the coast are several rocks partially covered with grass,<br />

called the Isles of Icane. Further to the west a range<br />

of basaltic rocks of columnar structure projects into the<br />

sea, having a bold and picturesque appearance. Lead<br />

has been extensively obtained, here, and there are indi-<br />

cations of other metals. At Ballyscanlan is a lake of<br />

about -20 acres. On the verge of the parish, close to the<br />

picturesque ruins of the castle of Don Isle, is Dunhill<br />

Lodge, the residence of W. Power, Esq. It is a rectory,<br />

in the diocese of Waterford, forming part of the union<br />

of Kilbride; the tithes amount to £164. 3. 2. In the<br />

R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of<br />

Dunhill, and contains a chapel. Here is a private school<br />

of about 100 children.<br />

ISLAND MAGEE, otherwise ISLAND MAGUY, a<br />

parish, in the barony of LOWER BELFAST, county of<br />

ANTRIM, and province of ULSTER, 6 miles (N. E. by E.)<br />

from Carrickfergus; containing 2610 inhabitants. Ed-<br />

ward Bruce landed on this island in 1315; and Sir<br />

Moyses Hill, ancestor of the Marquess of Downshire,<br />

took refuge in a cave here when pursued by the Mac<br />

Donells, who had slain Sir John Chichester. In 1642 all<br />

the R. C. inhabitants were killed by some Scottish soldiers<br />

under Munro, on their march to Carrickfergus. The<br />

parish forms a peninsula between Larne Lough and the<br />

North Sea, and the Isle of Muck or March lies near<br />

the coast. According to the Ordnance survey it com-<br />

prises 7036¼ statute acres of excellent land in a high<br />

state of cultivation, which produces wheat and beans<br />

of the finest quality. Coal is supposed to exist, and<br />

basalt used for building and for repairing the roads is<br />

abundant. Spinning and the weaving of linen cloth and<br />

calico are carried on in various parts of the parish, and<br />

some of the inhabitants are employed in fishing. There is<br />

a pier at Portmuck, from which much limestone is shipped.<br />

There are coast-guard stations at Portmuck and Black-<br />

E2

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