LOUTH

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

"LOUTH, a parish and post town in the baronies of Louth and Ardee, county Louth, province of Leinster, Ireland, 7 miles S.S.W. of Dundalk, and 49 from Dublin. The parish is 6 miles long and about 4 broad. The surface consists generally of good land, and is watered by the rivers Glyde and Fane. Lake Ross lies towards the W. The roads from Ardee to Castle-Blaney, and from Dundalk to Carrickmacross, pass through the interior. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Armagh, value £1,638, in the patronage of the crown and bishop alternately. The church was built at the expense of the parish towards the commencement of the present century. There are three Roman Catholic chapels, two National and several private day schools. Stephenstoun, Glydemains, and Glydefarm are the principal residences. The town is a very ancient place, standing on the bank of the river Glyde. It is a petty sessions town, containing a police station and a dispensary within the Dundalk Poor-law Union. Here are remains of an abbey said to have been built by St. Patrick in 534, and destroyed by the Danes. In 1148 it was made a priory for canons regular by Edan, Bishop of Clogher, and a chapter was held here in 1242. When Edward Bruce invaded Ireland, in 1315, he visited this town, and was entertained at the priory. Henry VIII. handed the possessions of the monastery over to the Plunkets, who take from it the title of baron. Among other remains of forts are those of Mount Ash and Castle Ring."

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