DUNGIVEN

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

"DUNGIVEN, a parish, post, and market town in the barony of Keenaght, in the county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 16 miles S.E. of Londonderry, and 132 from Dublin. The surface is extremely wild and mountainous, rising 153 feet above sea level at Benbradagh. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Derry, value £232, in the patronage of the Lessee of the Skinners' Company, to which a large portion of the parish belongs. The church is a handsome cruciform structure, built in 1817, chiefly by means of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. There are two (united) Roman Catholic chapels, a Presbyterian meeting-house, four Sunday, and ten daily schools. The town is situated at the point where the Owenreagh and Owenbeg empty themselves into the river Roe, which is here crossed by a well-built stone bridge. It consists of one long street crossed by another, and contains a police station, market-house, dispensary, within the Newtownlimavaddy Poor-law Union. Petty sessions are held monthly, and a manor court every Thursday. Pellipar is the seat of R. Ogilby, Esq. On the summit of a rocky eminence on the river's bank are the picturesque ruins of an Augustinian abbey, founded in 1100, by Domnach O'Cahan. Within the abbey walls is a fine tomb, supposed to cover the remains of O'Cahan. The parish subsequently came into the possession of the Skinners' Company, who built a castle here, remains of which are still visible near the town. There are numerous ancient earthworks throughout the parish, also the basement of a round tower, and a perpendicular stone, said to be commemorative of a religious meeting held here, and attended by St. Columbkill, in 590. Spear heads, coins, &c., have been discovered. A very fine description of crystal is found among some of the mountains. Basaltic rock and good building stone are obtainable. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on the 25th May and October, and on the second Tuesday in every other month."

"BOVIEL, a hamlet in the parish of Dungiven, barony of Keenaght, in the county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles to the S.E. of Dungiven."

"CARN, a village in the parish of Dungiven, barony of Keenaght, in the county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland."

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