DROMORE

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

"DROMORE, a parish, market and post town, and seat of a diocese, in the barony of Lower Iveagh (lower part), in the county of Down, province of Ulster, Ireland, 19 miles N.W. of Downpatrick, and 84 from Dublin. At Dromore Road is a station on the Irish North-Western railway. The parish is traversed by the river Lagan, and the road from Dublin to Belfast. It was desolated by the Danes in the 10th century. In 1641 it was nearly destroyed by the insurgents, and in 1688 was the scene of a sharp action between some of the followers of James II. and the Protestants William III. passed through the town when marching to the Boyne. In the 14th century two English judges, Sir John Holt and Sir Robert Belknapp, who had declared Richard II. to be a traitor and above the law, were condemned to death, but were afterwards sentenced to banishment to the "village of Dromore in Ireland."-The town, nominally a city, stands on the Lagan, which is here crossed by two bridges, on one of which is a memorial to Bishop Percy. Its position is on the rise of a hill, hence its name from Druim-mor, the "great ridge." It chiefly consists of five divergent streets from a central square. It contains barracks, a police station, Masonic lodge, dispensary in the Bambridge Poor-law Union, hospital for clergymen's widows, in land revenue office, mechanics' institute, sheriff's-office, stamp-office, sessions and market houses. The principal staple of the town is the manufacture of linen. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Dromore, value £680, in the patronage of the bishop. The cathedral church stands near the town, on the banks of the Lagan; it was restored and considerably altered in 1808, having been burnt in 1641. Within its walls lies Jeremy Taylor, its founder, and other bishops of the see. Here are Roman Catholic and Unitarian chapels, two Presbyterian, three Methodist, and two Covenanters' meeting-houses; twelve Sunday, nine or ten National, and several day schools. The principal seats are Gillhall, Islanderry House, Clanmurry, Altafort, Quilly House, and The Villa. An abbey is said to have been founded here by St. Colman, which became the cathedral of the bishopric. It is also alleged that a Franciscan friary existed. To the N.E. of the town is a large Danish rath, and just without its limits is a medicinal spring. The diocese of Dromore is united to Down and Connor. It comprises a large portion of the county of Down, and parts of Armagh and Antrim. Its area is 155,850 acres, including 27 churches, 45 Presbyterian meeting-houses, 34 Roman Catholic chapels, 19 Protestant meeting-houses, and the liberty of Newry, which contains the Roman Catholic chapter. A dean, archdeacon, chancellor, precentor, treasurer, prebendary, and registrar constitute the chapter of Dromore. Market day is Saturday, and Wednesday for corn. Fairs are held on the first Saturday in March, August, and October, the 12th May, and the Saturday before Christmas Day."

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