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Sample Extract
Ballinrobe
BALLINROBE, a market and post-town, and a parish, in
the barony of KILMAINE, county of MAYO, and province of
CONNAUGHT, 14 miles (S. by E.) from Castlebar, and 116½
miles (W. by N.) from Dublin; containing 8923 inhabitants,
of which number, 2604 are in the town. A monastery for
friars of the order of St. Augustine was founded here some
time prior to 1337, in which year it is mentioned in the
registry of the Dominican friary of Athenry, under the
name of the monastery de Roba. The town is situated on the
river Robe, from which it derives its name, and on the
road from Hollymount to Cong; it consists of one principal
street, from which two others diverge, and, in 1831,
contained 441 houses, of which nearly all are well built
and slated, and several are of handsome appearance. There
are barracks for cavalry and infantry; the former adapted
to the accommodation of S officers and 106
non-commissioned officers and privates, with stabling for
84 horses; the latter for 6 officers and 96
non-commissioned officers and men, with an hospital for 20
patients. A considerable trade is carried on in corn and
large quantities of wheat and potatoes, the latter of
excellent quality, are sold in the town. There are a large
flour-mill, an extensive brewery and malting
establishment, and a tanyard, all in full operation. The
market is on Monday, and is well supplied with corn and
provisions; and fairs are held on Whit-Tuesday and the 5th
of December, chiefly for sheep and cattle. A chief
constabulary police station has been established here.
There is a patent for a manorial court, but none is held;
petty sessions are held every Monday, and general sessions
take place in June and December. The courthouse is a neat
building well adapted to the purpose, and affording also
accommodation for the market. The bridewell contains four
cells, three day-rooms, and two airing-yards, with other
requisite accommodation.
The parish, which is situated on the loughs Mask and
Carra, comprises 13,504 statute acres, as applotted under
the tithe act, of which 7290 are arable, 3888 pasture, 324
woodland, 1120 bog, and 882 acres wasteland. The land
under cultivation has been greatly impoverished by burning
and other defective modes of management, and the pastures
might be much improved by draining; the system of
agriculture, however, is gradually improving. The
plantations are mostly on rushy land; and of the waste,
about 400 acres are a limestone rock. Limestone of very
good quality is quarried for building and for agricultural
purposes. The surrounding scenery, particularly towards
Lough Mask, is very pleasing; the mountains of Joyce's
country, rising in the distance on the west side of the
lake, and the east side being embellished with numerous
handsome demesnes. Among the gentlemen's seats are
Curramore, the residence of Jeffrey Martin, Esq.,
pleasantly situated on Lough Mask; and on the same lake,
Cuslough House, formerly the seat of Lord Tyrawley, and
now of R. Livesey Esq.; and Creagh, that of J. Cuff, Esq.
On Lough Carra is Lakeview, the residence of Mrs. Blake.
Robe Villa is the seat of Courtney Kenny, Esq., in the
demesne of which, and on the bank of the river, are the
remains of the abbey; Lavally House, of R. Fair, Esq.;
Springvale, of Henry Joseph Blake, Esq.; and China Castle,
the residence of J. Gildea, Esq. The living is a rectory
and vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam, and in the patronage
of the Archbishop; the tithes amount to £480. The church,
a neat plain building, was repaired in 1815, towards which
the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £300; and
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £251
for its further repair. The glebe-house, a handsome
residence, was built by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan
of £1050 from the late Board; the glebe comprises 10
acres. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the
Established Church the chapel, a large slated building
with a lofty square tower, was erected in 1815 by
subscription, towards which the late Lord Tyrawley gave
£50 and one acre of land. There is a place of worship for
Baptists. Two schools in the town are aided by donations
from C. N. Knox, Esq., and afford instruction to about 200
children; and there are seven private pay schools in the
parish, in which are about 320 children, and a Sunday
school. There is also a dispensary. Numerous remains of
ancient forts may be traced; and on the grounds of Mr.
Clendinning and Mr. Rycroft are chalybeate Springs. |
Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of 1837 is the standard reference work
on places in Ireland in the early nineteenth century. It is organized
around civil parishes and generally gives details on the geography and
history of the area treated, as well as listing the local gentry and
describing any churches in the district.