ACHONRY

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

"ACHONRY, a parish and the head of a diocese in the barony of Leyney, in county of Sligo, Ireland, 5 miles to the S.W. of Ballymote. An abbey was founded here in the 6th century by St. Finian, Bishop of Clonard to whom the place was granted about 530, by the chief of the territory of Luigny. His disciple, St. Nathy, or Dathy, whom he set over the abbey, was afterwards appointed Bishop of Achonry, or Luigny, as it is sometimes called in the ancient annals from the district in which Achonry is situated. In the year 1623, this bishopric was permanently united to that of Killala. The parish contains the villages of Tobercurry, Bellaghy, &c., besides several elegant seats. A large part of the surface is mountain and bog; the rest arable and pasture land. Limestone and granite are quarried here. The living is a rectory, value £614, in the diocese of Tuam, Killala, and Achonry, in the patronage of the crown. The church is a plain building with a tower and spire; the ruins of the old church are near it. Petty sessions are held at Tobercurry every week."

"BELLAGHY, a village in the parish of Achonry, and barony of Leyney, in the county of Sligo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 24 miles to the S.W. of Sligo. A police force is stationed here. A market is held on Wednesday, and fairs take place monthly."

"CORNALECK, a hamlet in the barony of Leyny, in the county of Sligo, Ireland, 6 miles S.W. of Coolaney."

"CORRONTUBBER, a village in the parish of Achonry, barony of Leney, in the county of Sligo, province of Connaught, Ireland."

"CURRY, a hamlet in the parish of Achonry, barony of Leyny, in the county of Sligo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 4 miles S. of Tobercurry its post town. The Roman Catholic parish, which bears its name, is in the diocese of Achonry. Fairs are held on Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, and the 9th August."

"TOBERCURRY, a small post and market town in the parish of Achonry, barony of Leyny, county Sligo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 19 miles S.W. of Sligo, and 132 miles from Dublin. It contains a church, chapel, police station, barracks, and a dispensary. Petty sessions are held here. The town is the head of a new Poor-law Union. Market-day is on Monday. Fairs are held on 28th January, 25th March, 22nd May, 27th June, 15th August, 4th October, and 29th November."

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