BURRISHOOLE

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

"BURRISHOOLE, a parish in the barony of Burrishoole, in the county of Mayo, province of Connaught, Ireland, containing the village of Newport, which is 10 miles to the W. of Castlebar. It is situated in a mountainous and boggy country, on the N. coast of Clew Bay, and includes several small islands, some of which are inhabited, and two loughs, Lough Feagh and Lough Furnace. The Burrishoole river, the outlet of the lakes, has a good salmon fishery. This parish was the site of a Dominican monastery, founded about 1486 by Richard de Bourke, of which there are some ruins. A castle also was erected here, which was the seat of the O'Malleys. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Tuam, Killala, and Achonry, value £328, in the patronage of the bishop of the diocese Besides the parish church, there are chapels belonging to the Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Wesleyan Methodists. There are both national and parochial schools. Newport House is the seat of Sir R. O'Donnell, Bart. The other residences are Melcomb, Burrishoole, Treenlong and Roigh. In the parish are remains of furnaces connected with the iron-works formerly carried on here."

"ABBEYVILLE, near Burrishoole Abbey in the parish of Burrishoole, in the barony of Burrishoole, and in the county of Mayo, Ireland. Here was formerly a Dominican abbey, founded by the De Bourkes in 1486, some ruins of which still remain; near here also is Grace O'Malley's Castle."

"MOLYRANY, a hamlet in the parish and barony of Burrishoole, county Mayo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 8 miles N.W. of Newportpratt. It is on the N. side of Clew Bay, and contains a police office and a National school."

"NEWPORT-PRATT, a post-office and market village in the parish and barony of Burrishoole, county Mayo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 10 miles W.N.W. of Castlebar, and 176 from Dublin. It is situated on the Newport river and the road from Castlebar to Achill and Belmullet. It is much resorted to in the summer for the country around, and for the excellence of its bathing. It contains the parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, courthouse, police station, dispensary, and a good hotel. The quays are commodious and extensive. Newport House is the seat of Sir R. O'Donnell, Bart., the proprietor of the place. The Newport Poor-law Union contains 10 electoral divisions in county Mayo. Grana Uile's castle, Rochfleet, and Carrickaneady are objects of interest in the vicinity. Thursday is market day. Fairs are held on the 8th June, 1st August, 11th November, and 20th December."

"SLIEVEMORE, a hamlet in the parish of Burrishoole, county Mayo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 22 miles W.N.W. of Newport. It is situated in Achill Island, and is a station of the Protestant mission. Slievemore Hill, near the hamlet, has an altitude of 2,217 feet."

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