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HILLSBOROUGH

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

"HILLSBOROUGH, a parish, post and market town, in the barony of Lower Iveagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 18 miles N.W. of Downpatrick, and 89 from Dublin. The parish is 5½m miles long by 2½ broad. The surface is varied, and the soil good and well cultivated. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Down, value £835, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is a cruciform structure, erected in 1774 by the late Marquis of Downshire. It has a fine organ, rich stained glass, and contains a monument to Archdeacon Leslie. There are also a chapel-of-ease, Roman Catholic chapel, Presbyterian, Moravian, and Society of Friends meeting-houses in the parish. There are charity, National, and Sunday schools, also several others. Hillborough Castle is the seat of the Marquis of Downshire, to whom the place gives title of earl. The town was formerly a parliamentary borough called Crumlin. It is situated within a short distance of the Lagan canal, and has a station on the Banbridge branch of the Ulster and Portadown and Armagh Junction railway. It is a chief police station and a general and petty sessions town. It contains a market-house, sessions-house, police station, gas-works, stamp-office, savings-bank, brewery, distillery, dispensary, and fever hospital. The head-quarters of the South Down militia are here. The Maze racecourse is just on the outskirts of the town. The linen trade is carried on vigorously. Hillsborough was founded by Sir A. Hill in the time of Charles I., and constituted a parliamentary borough by charter of Charles II. The corporation consists of a sovereign, 12 burgesses, &c. The town is much indebted to its late owner, the Marquis of Down, for numerous improvements. Courts leet and baron are held here. The castle, which was built in the time of Charles I., was a place of great strength, and a royal garrison. William III. encamped beneath its walls at the Revolution. Wednesday is market day. Fairs are held on the 19th February, 20th May, 19th August, and 18th November."

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