KILMEGAN

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

"KILMEGAN, a parish in the baronies of Upper Iveagh, Kinelarty, and Lecale, county Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, containing the town of Castlewellan and the village of Dundrum-the former is its post town. The parish is 6 miles long by 4 broad. The surface is mountainous, ascending from Dundrum Bay to a considerable height on the Slievecroob mountains, the highest summit being 1,755 feet above the sea. The living is a rectory united to Kilkeel, in the diocese of Down. There are Presbyterian and Wesleyan meeting-houses, three Roman Catholic chapels, and nine or ten day schools. Castlewellan is the demesne of Earl Annesley."

"CASTLEWELLAN, a small market town in the parish of Kilmegan, barony of Upper Iveagh, in the county of Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 11 miles to the S.W. of Downpatrick, and 82 miles from Dublin. It is situated in a sheltered spot among hills, and is a well-built and thriving town. A large number of the inhabitants are employed in the extensive bleach-ground, the linen and flax manufactory, and the yarn spinning mills. The first bleach-ground was established here in 1749. The town has a police station and a market-house. A new church was erected in 1854, at the expense of the Earl of Annesley. There are chapels belonging to the Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Wesleyan Methodists, a National school, and a school connected with the Church Educational Society. Castlewellan Lodge, the pleasant seat of the Earl of Annesley, is situated at the foot of Slieve-na-lat. This place gives the title of baron to that nobleman. Other seats are Wood Lawn, Ansbro' Cottage, and Wood Lodge. In the vicinity is Tullymore Park, the seat of the Earl of Roden. Monday is the market day. Fairs axe held on the second Monday in each month."

"DUNDRUM, a village and post town, in the parish of Kilmegan, barony of Upper Lecale, in the county of Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 7 miles S.W. of Downpatrick. It stands on Dundrum Bay, and is a coastguard station. The town, which has been much improved by the exertions of the Marquis of Downshire, is one of the principal fishing stations in the United Kingdom, and has become a favourite bathing-place. On the shore stand the ruins of the castle built by Sir John de Courcy, and held by the Knights Templars. After its destruction by Cromwell, the site came into the possession of its present owner, the Marquis of Downshire. Dundrum Bay extends from Dullisk Cove to St. John's Point, which has a lighthouse; the bay is dangerous to get out of, owing to the heavy sea caused by the meeting of the tides, and the sudden gusts from the neighbouring Mourne mountains. Near the Cow and Calf rocks, opposite the Tyrella watch-house, is the spot on which the Great Britain went ashore in September, 1846. She was bound for New York with a valuable cargo and near 200 passengers. A contrivance for preventing the sea from breaking over her having been constructed she was got off the following summer, but little injured. Dundrum House is the neighbouring seat. Bishop Smith was born here. Fairs are held on the 12th May and 10th October."

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