KILCOO

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

"KILCOO, a parish in the barony of Upper Iveagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, containing Newcastle, its post town. It is 6 miles long and the same broad, and lies on Dundrum Bay. The surface includes part of the Mourne mountains and the Slieve Donard, which attains an altitude of 2,449 feet. The road from Newry to Downpatrick traverses the interior. The living is a rectory united to Kilkeel, in the diocese of Down. The tower was added to the church by the late Board of First Fruits in 1812. There are a Roman Catholic chapel and seven day schools."

"BRYANSFORD, a village in the parish of Kilcoo, and barony of Upper Iveagh, in the county of Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles to the S. of Castlewellan. It is seated near the coast of Dundrum Bay, and contains the parish church of Kilcoo. Annual fairs are held here on Ascension Day and the 3rd June."

"NEWCASTLE, a small seaport in the parish of Kilcoo, in the barony of Iveagh, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 10 miles S.S.W. of Downpatrick, and 2 S.E. of Bryansford. It is situated on Dundrum Bay among the Mourne mountains. From its situation and its excellent accommodation for bathing, Newcastle has within the last half century sprung from an insignificant village to a thriving town. The castle, which gave name to the place, was erected in the time of Elizabeth, but was removed, and its site is now occupied by the principal inn. Fairs are held in July and August."

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