ST. JAMES

In 1868, the parish of St James contained the following places:

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

"ST. JAMES, (and Dunbrody) a parish in the barony of Shelbourne, in the county of Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles N. of Arthurstown. It is situated on Waterford Harbour. A ferry maintains the traffic with Passage on the opposite shore. The living is an impropriate curacy in the diocese of Ferns, and is united to Rathroe, in the patronage and impropriation of Lord Templemore. In the Roman Catholic arrangement the parish is united to Horeswood. Dunbrody Abbey, dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, was founded in 1182 by Hervey de Montmorency. This abbey, with the church, forms one of the finest ruins in the country, the latter is in the early English style, and was partly founded by Herlewen, Bishop of Leighlin, whose remains were deposited there in 1217. Some years ago a large metal seal, supposed to be the abbey seal, was picked up here. Dunbrody Castle, occupying the site of the ancient castle, is the seat of Lord Templemore.

"ARTHURSTOWN, (or King's Bay), a village in the parish of St. James and Dunbrody, barony of Shelburne, in the county of Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 9 miles to the S. of New Ross. It is situated on Waterford harbour, a little below the confluence of the three rivers, Barrow, Suir, and Nore. It is a chief police and coastguard station. The place was chiefly built by Arthur, first Lord Temple more, its proprietor, from whom it takes its name. It is the port to Waterford, and has a convenient quay. The inhabitants are employed in fishing and the coasting trade, exporting corn, pigs, butter, &c., and importing coal and slates.

"BALLYHACK, a village in the parish of St. James, barony of Shelburne, in the county of Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 10 miles to the S. of Ross. It is seated on the east shore of Waterford harbour. The population consists chiefly of fishermen. Fairs are held six times in the year. A castle formerly stood here, of which some remains are still left."

"DUNCANNON, a village and post town in the parish of St. James and Dunbrody, barony of Shelburne, in the county of Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 4 miles N.W. of Fethard, on the road from thence to New Ross. It stands on a small indentation of Waterford Harbour, and has a fort, built by S. Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, commanding the entrance. It was surrendered to the English under General Preston, when held by Lord Esmond. James II. rested here after the battle of the Boyne, when retreating to France. There are two martello towers and two fixed lights. The town, which is rapidly increasing in importance, has an export trade in farm produce. An extensive oyster-bed has been discovered. There is a Roman Catholic chapel and schoolhouse. Duncannon gives title of viscount to Earl Bessborough."

"RAMSGRANGE, a village in the parish of St. James and Dunbrody, barony of Shelburne, county Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles from Duncannon, and 2 from Ballyhack. It is situated on the road from Ballyhack to Titern and Clonmines. There is a Roman Catholic chapel. Fairs are held on 17th March, 1st May, let November, and 20th December."

"DUNBRODY, formerly in the barony of Shelbourne, County Wexford."