CASTLE-BELLINGHAM, a post-town

CASTLE-BELLINGHAM, a post-town, in the parish of GERNONSTOWN, barony of ARDEE, county of LOUTH, and province of LEINSTER, 6 miles (S. S. E.) from Dundalk, and 34 (N. by W.) from Dublin; containing 115 houses and 611 inhabitants. This town, which is situated on the river Glyde, and on the mail coach road from Dublin to Belfast, takes its name from a castle belonging to the Bellingham family, which was burnt by the forces of James II. in their retreat before the army of King William, previously to the battle of the Boyne. The neighbourhood is embellished with several handsome seats, of which those of Lady Bellingham, Miss Bellingham, Major Sweeny, and Mrs. Filgate are the chief. An extensive brewery, in which the celebrated Castle-Bellingham ale is made, and a large malt-house, both belonging to J. Woolsey, Esq., give employment to about 70 persons. Fairs are held on Easter-Tuesday and Oct. 10th, for cattle, linen, &c. Here is a constabulary police station. The parish church, remarkable for its neatness, is situated in the town, and contains a fine font and some handsome monuments. There is a school supported by subscriptions; and a dispensary. Near the church, and at the entrance to the castle demesne, some neat cottages in the Elizabethan style have been erected for four widows, and endowed with £64 per ann., in 1826, by Sir W. Bellingham, Bart. There are some remains of the ancient castle near the river; and in a small bog adjoining, several perfect heads, with part of the horns, of the elk or moose deer have been found.—See GERNONSTOWN and GREENMOUNT.