ROSCOMMON TOWNS

Samuel Lewis

1837

Roscommon is partly in the diocese of Clonfert, partly in that of Tuam, but chiefly in that of Elphin. For purposes of civil jurisdiction it is divided into the baronies of Athlone, Ballintobber, Ballymoe, Boyle, Moycarnon, and Roscommon. It contains the corporate, market and assize-town of Roscommon; the corporate and market-towns of Boyle and Tulsk; the market and post-towns of Castlerea, Elphin, Frenchpark and Strokestown; the post-towns of Athleague and Mount-Talbot; nearly the whole of the important and flourishing market and post-town of Ballinasloe; and parts of the towns of Athlone, Jamestown, Lanesborough and Carrick-on-Shannon: the largest villages are Lough Glyn, Ruskey (each of which has a penny post), Knockcroghery, Tarmonbarry, and Castle Plunket. It sent eight members to the Irish parliament, two for the county at large, and two for each of the boroughs of Roscommon, Boyle, and Tulsk; but since the union the two returned for the county are its only representatives. The elections take place at Roscommon.

The constituency, as registered up to the beginning of the year 1837, consists of 405 freeholders of £50, 201 of £20, and 1287 of £10; 9 leaseholders of £20 and 96 of £10; making in the whole 1998 electors. The county is included in the Connaught circuit; the assizes are held at Roscommon, where the court-house and county gaol are situated. There are also court-houses and bridewells at Athlone, Boyle, Castlerea and Strokestown. For the convenience of holding the general sessions of the peace, the county is divided into the districts of Athlone and Boyle, the former of which comprises the baronies of Athlone, Ballymoe, and Moycarnon, and the parishes of Kilbride, Roscommon, Kilteevan, Kilgeffin, and Clontuskert; the latter comprises the remainder of the county.

The sessions for the former are held at Athlone and Roscommon; and for the latter at Boyle, Castlerea, and Strokestown. For the purpose of holding petty sessions it is divided into the eighteen districts of Clogher, Belanagare, Croghan, French-park, Boyle, Roscommon, Athlone, Ballydangan, Tobberpatrick, Four-Mile-house, Rahara, Rooskey, Keadue, Ballintobber, Kilmore, Lanesborough, Elphin, and Mount-Talbot, with a small exempt district in the vicinity of Tulsk. The local government is vested in the lieutenant, 10 deputy-lieutenants, and 90 other magistrates, together with the usual county officers, including three coroners. There are 54 constabulary stations, having in the whole a force of 1 stipendiary magistrate, 1 sub-inspector, 6 chief officers, 66 sub-constables, 250 men and 8 horses. The total amount of Grand Jury presentments for the year 1835 was £27,378. 6. 5., of which £1130. 13. 2 ½. was for the roads, bridges, &c., of the county at large; £7058. 9. l ½. for those of the baronies; £8575. 11. 4 ½. for public buildings, charities, officers' salaries and incidents; £5759. 11. 1 ½. for the police; and £4854. 1. 7. for repayment of advances made by Government.

The district lunatic asylum for the whole of the province of Connaught is at Ballinasloe. The county infirmary is at Roscommon; and there are dispensaries at Athlone, Athleague, Ballagh, Boyle, Castlerea, Croghan, Elphin, French-park, Keadue, Lecarrow, Loughlin, Strokestown, and Tulsk, supported by Grand Jury presentments and private subscriptions in equal proportions. In military arrangements the county is included in the western district, that part of Athlone within it being the headquarters of the district, which, besides Roscommon, extends over the counties of Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Galway (except the town of Mountshannon), Longford, Westmeath, and King's county, with the barony of Lower Ormond in the county of Tipperary, not including the town of Nenagh. The county contains three barrack stations; two at Athlone for artillery and infantry, and one at Roscommon for infantry, affording, in the whole, accommodation for 30 officers and 521 men.

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