CLONDUFF

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

"CLONDUFF, (or Clanduff), a parish in the barony of Upper Iveagh, in the county of Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles to the S. of Rathfriland. It contains 22,000 acres, of which about 9,000 are picturesque mountain, the principal heights being Eagle Mountain and Spelgy, rising out of the Mourne range. The interior is intersected by the roads from Rosstrevor to Rathfriland, and from Newly to Castle-Wellan and Downpatrick. The river Bann, which has its source in the Mourne ridge, and on whose banks the post town of Hilltown stands, passes through the whole length of the parish. In the mountainous district is a considerable extent of valuable bog. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Dromore value £189, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was built about 100 years ago, partly by the late Board of First Fruits and partly by the Earl of Hillsborough, ancestor of the Marquis of Downshire. There are two Roman Catholic chapels, two Presbyterian meeting-houses, and ten day schools. About 2 miles from Hilltown are some Druidical remains, and a kind of stone sarcophagus, alleged to have been the burial-place of Finn MacCoul. According to the legend Finn threw this stone from a mountain 4 miles distant, and his finger-marks impressed upon its sides are still pointed out.

"HILLTOWN, a post-office village in the parish of Clonduff, barony of Upper Iveagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles S.S.E. of Rathfryland. It is situated beneath the Eagle Mountain, near the banks of the river Bann. The Marquis of Downshire is the proprietor. It is a chief police station, and contains the parish church of Clonduff and two chapels. A market is held on Saturday, and fairs on the second Tuesday in every month."

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