DONAGHMORE

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

"DONAGHMORE, a parish and post town in the barony of Middle Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles N.W. of Dungannon, on the road from thence to Omagh. It is a station on the Portadown, Dungannon, and Omagh Junction railway. The parish contains the villages of Castlecaulfield and Donaghy. The surface is mountainous and boggy. The living is a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Armagh, value 11,160, in the patronage of the archbishop. The church is situated at Castlecaulfield, and is a commodious building. It was erected in 1688. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Pomeroy. There are three meeting-houses for Presbyterians, a parochial school, and seven other schools. The village is a neatly-built and thriving place. It was founded about a century ago under the auspices of A. Mackenzie. Here are extensive brick-fields, bleach grounds, and a brewery. Linen weaving gives employment to many of the inhabitants. The principal seats are Fort Edward, Springfield, Annaginnea, Beech Valley, and some others. Mullagruen was built by the Rev. G. Walker, the rector and defender of Londonderry. St. Patrick is said to have founded an abbey here with St. Columb at its head. It was subsequently possessed by the Culdees, and is mentioned in an inquisition of 33 Henry VIII. A large stone cross now standing in the town is the only vestige remaining of this abbey. Fairs are held on the first Tuesday of every month."

"CASTLE CAULFIELD, a village in the parish of Donaghmore, barony of Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles to the W. of Dungannon. It is seated in a pleasant district, and was the site of a castle founded in the reign of James I. by Sir Toby Caulfield, afterwards Lord Charlemont, to whom the estate of the O'Donellies was granted. The castle was afterwards enlarged, and was burnt down in 1641. The ruins are very picturesque. Limestone and coal are found in the district. The pursuits of the inhabitants are chiefly agricultural. The village contains the parish church of Donaghmore, a handsome edifice in the Grecian style. Here is a monument to the Rev. G. Walker, who took so distinguished a part in the defence of Londonderry against James II. in 1688-89, and fell at the battle of the Boyne in 1690. There are a chapel for Presbyterians and a parochial school. Castle Caulfield is the seat of Lord Charlemont. Cattle fairs are held in the village once in each month."

"DONAGHY, a village in the parish of Donaghmore, in the barony of Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles N.W. of Stewartstown. It stands on the road from Dungannon to Doneraile. Fairs are held on the 10th July and 26th August."

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