The Parish of Dungarvan

The parish is divided by the inlet on which the town is situated into East and West Dungarvan, of which the former comprises the more ancient parishes of Abbeyside and Ballinrode or Nugent's. On the south-east side of the channel the sea has made great encroachments. Limestone and large masses of conglomerate, or pudding-stone, are found in abundance; of the former, considerable quantities are sent in boats from Ballinacourty to Bonmahon, Stradbally, and other places along the coast. The finest view is obtained from the summit of Cushcam, on the north-east, from which are seen the castle of Clonea, the ruins of a church, and a widely extended strand, beyond which are the improvements of Clonkoskoran, and in the distance the town of Dungarvan, with its various towers as if rising from the sea.

In the neighbourhood are Ballinacourty, the residence of R. Longan, Esq., commanding a fine view of the harbour and of the bay; Bay View, of R. B. H. Low, Esq.; Duckspool, of J. M. Galwey, Esq.; Tournore, of B. Boate, Esq.; Moonrudh, of the Rev. S. Dickson, vicar of the parish, a modern edifice; and the Hermitage, of W. H. Barron, Esq.; all situated on the south-eastern side of the harbour, and commanding fine marine views. On the opposite side of the bay is the marine villa of the Rt. Hon. H. Villiers Stuart, lieutenant of the county. Clonkoskoran, the seat of Lady Nugent Humble, is beautifully situated among thriving plantations, near the mail coach road from Dungarvan to Waterford, about two miles from the town; Springmount, to the west of the town, is the pleasant residence of T. E. Keily, Esq.; and in the same direction is Coolnagower, the residence of W. Giles, Esq.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Lismore, and in the patronage of the Duke of Devonshire, in whom the rectory is impropriate: the tithes amount to £1337. 12. 3., of which £891.14.10. is payable to the impropriator, and £445. 17. 5. to the vicar. The glebe comprises about 13 acres and a few houses and gardens in the town. The church is a handsome structure of hewn stone, with a tower, erected in 1831 by a loan of £800 from the late Board of First Fruits, and occupies a site commanding a fine view over the harbour and the bay. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is divided into West and East Dungarvan.

In the former is the new R. C. chapel, dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin: it occupies a commanding site on the south side of the town, given by the Duke of Devonshire, who has also at various times contributed nearly £1500 towards its erection; the remainder of the expense was defrayed by a collection made in London by the Rev. P. Fogarty, and divers other contributions. It is in the later English style of architecture: the roof is finely groined and supported on ranges of lofty and well-proportioned columns; the building is lighted by 14 windows of ample dimensions, and it is intended to open a large east window of stained glass; at the west end will be erected a lofty tower, under which will be the principal entrance, and over it a place has been reserved for an organ; the altar is elaborately grand: this large and handsome chapel has been erected from the designs and under the superintendence of George Payne, Esq., architect, of Cork. In the East division there are two chapels, one at Abbeyside, the other at Ballinroad.