DUNAMON

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

"DUNAMON, a parish in the barony of Ballymoe, in the counties of Galway and Roscommon, province of Connaught, Ireland, 5 miles W. of Roscommon. Athleague is its post town. It is situated on the river Stick. The surface, which is boggy, is traversed by the road from Athleague to Ballymoe, and includes the hamlets of Carrowkeel and Newtown. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Elphin, value with Ballinakill and Kilcroan, £157, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is of ancient foundation. It was presented to the parish by the Caulfields, and there are tombs to that family within it. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Kilbeguet. There are two Sunday and three day schools. Donamon Castle is the manor-house and the seat of the Caulfields. Limestone suitable for building is quarried here.

"DONAMON, a parish, partly in the half-barony of BALLYMOE, county of ROSCOMMON, but chiefly in that which is in the county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 4½| miles (S.W. by W.) from Roscommon; containing 1114 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Suck, on the road from Castlerea to Athleague, and contains 2500 statute acres, of which, 600 or 700 are bog, and 1526 arable and pasture, as applotted under the tithe act, except 100 of woodland. Agriculture is generally good, and still improving. There are quarries of limestone, which is used for building. The river Suck is here very deep and navigable, except at the bridge. The "gentlemen's seats are Donamon Castle, the residence of St. George Caulfield, Esq.; and Emlaroy, of Oliver Armstrong, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Elphin, with those of Kilcroan and Ballinakill united, which three parishes form the union of Donamon, in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is partly impropriate in the Earl of Essex, and partly in St. George Caulfield, Esq. The tithes amount to £40. 2. 8., half of which is payable to the vicar, and half to the impropriators. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. The church is an ancient building, in good repair; it was formerly a chapel of the Caulfield family, but when the church of Oran was blown down, it was given to the parishioners. In the R, C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district, of Kilbegnet. About 130 boys and 80 girls are taught in three schools, two of which are aided by the incumbent, and one by Mr. Caulfield, who contributes £20 per annum; and there is also a Sunday school. The Caulfield family has bequeathed £8 per annum,late currency, towards the repairs of the church, in which are some handsome monuments to the memory of its various members."

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