DRUMGATH

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

"DRUMGATH, a parish in the barony of Upper Iveagh, in the county of Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 4 miles N.W. of Hilltown. Rathfriland is its post town. It lies on the road from Downpatrick to Newry. The surface is hilly and broken. The parish includes part of the western skirts of the Mourne mountains and Lough Drum. The river Bann traverses the interior. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Dromore, value £298, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is at Rathfriland. It is a plain building, erected in 1818 by subscription and a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. There are three Roman Catholic chapels, one Methodist, two Presbyterian, and one Quaker meeting-house. There are also four day schools, three of which are severally assisted by the National Board, the London Hibernian Society, and the Ladies' Hibernian Society. An old burial-ground, with traces of the ancient church, exists."

"RATHFRYLAND, a post and market town in the parishes of Drumballyroney and Drumgath, barony of Upper Iveagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 72 miles N. of Dublin, 21 W. of Downpatrick, and 9 S.W. of Castlewellan. It is situated at the crossing of the roads from Newry to Downpatrick, Warrenpoint to Dromore, and Kilkeel to Bainbridge. It consists of a square and five streets diverging from the same. The houses are substantially built. It has a good general trade, and is paved and lighted with gas. It contains, besides a dispensary and police station, the parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, and Presbyterian, Wesleyan, and Friends' meeting-houses. Petty sessions are held fortnightly. The hill upon the site of which the town stands is crowned by the remains of an ancient seat of the Magennises. Wednesday is market day. Fairs are held in January, February, July, and November."

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