FORKILL

In 1868, the parish of Forkill contained the following places:

"FORKHILL, a parish and post town in the baronies of Upper and Lower Orior, county Armagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, 6 miles S.W. of Newry. The surface is of an extremely picturesque character, rising to a height of 1,895 feet. On Slieve Gullim cairn there is some bog, and the soil is generally poor. The living is a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Armagh, value £661, in the patronage of the primate. The church was erected in 1767, and is a plain building. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Meigh. There is a Methodist meeting-house and ten day schools. Forkhill was constituted a parish in 1771, and was formed out of the parishes of Loughgilly and Killevy. Forkhill House and Lodge are the principal residences. The town is situated on the Dundalk and Markethill road. It contains barracks, police station, and a dispensary within the Newry Poor-law Union. By a will of Richard Jackson, late of Forkhill Lodge, a very considerable property is dedicated towards the religious education of poor children of the parish. Near the cairn on Slieve Gullim is a cave, supposed to be an ancient tomb. Here also stood the dirt of Carrick-Brand. Fairs are held on the 1st May, 1st August, 29th September, and 8th December."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018