RAPHOE

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

"RAPHOE, a parish, post and market town in the barony of Raphoe, county Donegal, province of Ulster, Ireland, 137 miles from Dublin. The parish is 7 miles long, and its greatest breadth is 5 miles. The surface is mostly well cultivated, and is crossed by the road from Lifford to Letterkenny. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Raphoe, value £826, in the patronage of the crown. The church, which serves as the cathedral of the diocese, was founded by St. Unan in the 11th century. It is a cruciform structure, and has a tower, added at a later date. There is a Presbyterian meeting-house, also several day-schools, in the parish. The town is situated on the road from Strabane to Stranorlar, near Raphoe Hill, and consists chiefly of a market-place and three small streets diverging therefrom. It contains a chief police station and court-house, in which petty sessions are held at frequent intervals. Here are also the deanery, Forster's free school, Charles I.'s grammar schools (adjoining which is a library), Bishop Forster's almshouses for four clergymen's widows, and a dispensary. Raphoe appears to have originated in a large monastic establishment, founded by St. Columb, and was anciently called Rathboth. The monastery was restored early in the 8th century, and the diocese of Raphoe was then established. It is now annexed to Derry, and forms part of the ecclesiastical province of Armagh. The chapter consists of a dean, archdeacon, and four prebendaries. Ruins of the cattle, which was surrendered to Cromwell, and subsequently destroyed by the troops of James II., are still remaining. Greenhill is among the principal residences. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on 1st May, 22nd June, 27th August, and 4th November."

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