KILLESANDRA

KILLESANDRA, a market and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of TULLOGHONOHO, county of CAVAN, and province of ULSTER, 9 miles (W.) from Cavan, and 64 (N. W.) from Dublin, on the road to Ballinamore; containing, with the district parishes of Arvagh and Scrabby, 14,532 inhabitants, of which number 1137 are in the town. This town, which is situated near the river Croghan and contains about 200 houses, is neatly built, and has a cheerful and thriving appearance. The linen manufacture, which is carried on extensively in the neighbourhood, has contributed greatly to its prosperity, and, upon an average, coarse linens are sold in its market to the amount of £1500 weekly. The market is on Wednesday, and is abundantly supplied with provisions; and fairs are held on Jan. 28th, March 28th, May 9th, June 22nd, July 15th, the second Wednesday in August (O. S.), Sept. 28th, and Nov. 8th. The market-house is a very neat and well-arranged building. A chief constabulary police force is stationed in the town; a manorial court is held occasionally, and petty sessions every alternate Thursday.

The parish comprises, according to the Ordnance survey (including a detached portion of 323 ½ acres), 22,241 statute acres; 500 are woodland, and 1212 water, of which latter 74 are in Lough Oughtee. The surface is boldly undulating, and, in the southern part, rises into mountainous elevations, above which Bruce Hill is pre-eminent; and not far from the town is the steep mountain of Corhill. The lands are chiefly under tillage; the soil is tolerably fertile, but the system of agriculture is very indifferent; there is a large extent of bog. Freestone is quarried for building, and in several parts are indications of coal, but no attempt has been yet made to work it. The river Croghan, in the lower part of the parish, winds through a delightful tract of country into the magnificent lakes of Killesandra. Adjoining the town is Castle Hamilton, the seat of R. H. Southwell, Esq., a spacious mansion surrounded by an extensive and highly embellished demesne.

The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Kilmore, and in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin: the tithes amount to £660. The parochial church is a very ancient structure, but in a state of dilapidation. The glebe-house has a glebe of 500 acres attached to it. There is a chapel of ease at Derrylane.

The R. C. parish is co-extensive with the ancient parish of Killesandra; there are two chapels, situated in the town and at Corronee; there is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists in the town. About 630 children are taught in seven public schools, of which two are supported by Lord Farnham; and there are four private schools, in which are about 230 children. Mrs. Jackson bequeathed £10 per annum to be divided by the rector among ten poor housekeepers. There are numerous raths in the parish. Dr. Hales, author of a work on chronology, and other scientific works, was rector of this parish.