SEAGOE

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

"SEAGOE, a parish in the barony of East O'Neilland, county Armagh, province of Ulster, Ireland. It contains part of Portadown, its post town. The surface extends along the banks of the river Bann; not far from Lough Neagh. The soil is chiefly arable. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Dromore, value £900, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was built by means of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. The parish is united to Moyntagh in the Roman Catholic arrangement. Seagoe House is the seat of Archdeacon Saurin, and Carrick that of Colonel Blacker. The trade of the district is principally in butter and linen. There are traces of an earthwork near the demesne of Carrick, and tradition points out this spot as the scene of the defeat of the O'Nials by Blacar the Dane. Numerous warlike implements have been found here. Stone suitable for lithographic purposes is obtained."

"PORTADOWN, a small post and market town in the parishes of Seagoe and Drumcree, baronies of East_and_West O'Neilland, county Armagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, 10 miles N. of Armagh, and 82 from Dublin. It is a station on the Portadown and Omagh junction railway. It is situated on the banks of the river Bann, which is here spanned by a bridge, and on the road from Armagh to Belfast. The town is a busy place. The surrounding district is well cultivated, and has numerous villa residences. It contains the parish church, two chapels, a market-house, two branch banks, several schools, and a dispensary, which last is within the Lurgan Poor-law Union. Small vessels can approach the town by way of the river, and the Newry canal passes at a short distance. A considerable cotton and linen trade is carried on. Here is a chief police station, and petty sessions are held at intervals. This town was the site of a stronghold of the M'Canns, and was founded by the Obyn family by gift of Charles I. The Duke of Manchester is the present proprietor. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on Easter and Whit Mondays, and on the 3rd Saturday in every month."

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