NEWTOWN-FORBES

Samuel Lewis

A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland

1837

NEWTOWN-FORBES, a post-town, in the parish of CLONGESH, barony and county of LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 2 ½ miles (N. W.) from Longford, and 61 (W. N. W.) from Dublin, on the road from Longford to Carrick-on-Shannon; containing 537 inhabitants. It derives its name from the family of the Earl of Granard, whose seat, Castle Forbes, is situated here. The estate was granted by James I., in 1619, to Sir Arthur Forbes, an ancestor of that nobleman, and was created a manor, with the privileges of a market and fair. The proprietor built a strong mansion here, which, in 1641, sustained a severe siege by 500 insurgents, and was defended by Sir Arthur's widow, aided by her tenantry, to the last extremity. The village, which is pleasingly situated, comprises about 90 houses, and contains the parochial church, the R. C. chapel, and a meeting-house for Wesleyan Methodists. It is a station of the constabulary police; and petty sessions are held on alternate Tuesdays. The market and fairs have been long discontinued.

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