MAGHERAFELT

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

"MAGHERAFELT, a parish, post, and market town in the barony of Loughinsholin, county Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland. The parish is nearly 5 miles long, and its greatest breadth is 3, containing the towns of Castle-Dawson and Magherafelt, both of which are stations on the Cookstown branch of the Belfast and Northern Counties railway. The soil is mostly good. The river Moyola intersects the parish in the N., and the road from Coleraine to Armagh crosses the interior. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Armagh, value £644, in the patronage of the primate. The church, which is situated in the town, is a neat building erected in 1664. It received some additions in 1718 and 1790. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to another at Wood's chapel. There are also Presbyterian and Wesleyan Methodist meeting-houses. The demesne of Castle-Dawson is an attractive feature. Farm Hill and Millbrook are other seats. The town is situated on the road from Coleraine to Armagh, and on the banks of the river Moyola. It consists of four main thoroughfares diverging from a large square, mostly containing well-built houses, and presents a cleanly appearance. There are a market-house, court-house, bridewell, and police office. General sessions are held twice a year, and petty sessions once a fortnight. There are likewise two branch banks in the town, and among several charity schools is one endowed by Rainey. The proprietors of the town are the Saltern' Company of London. The greater part of the inhabitants are employed in the manufacture of linen and muslin, and, besides the miscellaneous trade, bleaching, tanning, brewing, &c., is carried on to some extent. The Magherafelt Poor-law Union lies wholly within the county of Londonderry, and contains 25 electoral divisions. There is a dispensary. Thursday is market day. A grain market is held on Wednesday, and a linen market on the second Thursday in every month, and fairs are held on August 25th, October 29th, and December 29th."

"CASTLE-DAWSON, (or Dawson's Bridge), a village or small market town, in the parishes of Magherafelt and Ballyscullion, barony of Loughinsholin, in the county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles to the N.E. of Magherafelt, and 118 miles from Dublin. It is a station on the Corkstown branch of the Belfast and Northern Counties railway. The village is pleasantly seated in a fertile and cultivated country on the banks of the river Mayola, which falls into Lough Neagh about 3 miles below the village. The river is crossed by a handsome stone bridge of one arch, erected by the Dawsons. The village consists of two principal streets with many well-built houses. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the manufacture of linen, checks, and ginghams, and the corn and provision trades. Coarse earthenware and bricks are made, and there are large corn-mills. The village contains the parish church of Ballyscullion, a chapel for Presbyterians, and a National school. There are a police-station and a market house. Petty sessions are held fortnightly. Near the village is Mayola Park, the beautiful seat of the Right Hon. George R. Dawson, which extends to the shore of Lough Neagh, and is crossed by a fine ancient avenue 3 miles long. A handsome obelisk in honour of the Dawson family stands on a hill near the village. It was set up by the Earl of Bristol. There are several other residences of the gentry in the vicinity. Saturday is the market day. Fairs for cattle, sheep, pigs, &c., are held on the last Saturday of every month.

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