MOYLOUGH

MOYLOUGH, a parish, in the barony of DEMIFORE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S.) from Oldcastle, on the great road from Dublin to Sligo; containing 2401 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Inny, which rises here and falls into Lough Sheelin; and comprises 6937 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Agriculture has but little improved: there is scarcely any bog; limestone abounds, and several quarries are extensively worked.

The principal seats are Beltrasna, the residence of James O'Reilly, Esq.; and Upper Crossdrum, of W. Smith Harman, Esq. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Loughcrew.

The tithes amount to £184. 12. 3 ¾.

In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union of Oldcastle: the chapel is a handsome building, in the later English style, and is embellished with a painting over the altar; it was erected at an expense of £1000. A Lancasterian school was founded by James O'Reilly, Esq., at whose expense the building was erected: there is also a private school, in which are about 40 boys and 20 girls. Some of the foundations of the old church, which anciently belonged to the abbey of Fore, are discernible; and there are remains of an ancient castle, of which no historical details are extant.