Artrea (LDY)

"ARTREA, (or Ardtrea), a parish partly in the barony of Loughinsholin, in the county of Londonderry, and partly in the barony of Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles to the S.E. of Magherafell. It is situated on the western shores of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg, near the foot of the lofty mountain of Slieve Gullion, and is intersected by the river Ballinderry. It comprises the chapelries of Moneymore and Goodschapel; the former being a town of considerable importance. The Drapers' and Salters' Companies hold large estates in the parish. Many conflicts took place here during the rebellion in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It was also the scene of some of the transactions in the civil war in the reign of Charles I. In 1688 a battle was fought near Ardtrea Bridge, between the forces of James II., and those of William III., in which the latter, headed by Lord Blayney, obtained the victory. The country is for the most part fertile and well cultivated, with considerable tracts of bog. There is abundance of limestone and good building stone. Linen weaving and bleaching form a large part of the occupations of the people. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Armagh and Clogher, value £732, in the patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The church, which stands near the site of a former one, was built in 1830. It is in the perpendicular style of architecture. The district church is Woodschapel. The Presbyterians have two chapels here, and there are several schools. The chief residences are: Spring Hill, the seat of W. Lenox Conyngham, Esq.; Ardtrea House, seat of the Rev. Dr. Bailie; Lake View, and Warwick Lodge. The parish has an area of 20,963 acres, of which about 2,400 are covered with water. " 

Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868