EMLAGHFAD

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

"EMLAGHFAD, (or Emlyfad), a parish in the barony of Corran, county Sligo, province of Connaught, Ireland. It is situated on the road from Boyle to Coolaney, and contains its post town, Ballymote. The surface is pleasantly hilly, and the soil fertile. The Awinmore flows through the parish. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Achonry, value with four others, £562, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is a handsome building in the early English style, erected at Ballymote at the expense of the Earl of Orkney, the Bishop of Killala, E. S. Cooper, Esq., and a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. There are Roman Catholic chapels here, and at Kilmorgan, Tumore, and Drumrat. There are Presbyterian and Methodist meeting-houses in the parish, and seven day schools, three assisted by the National Board, and one by the Roman Catholic clergy. Earlsfield and Temple House are the principal residences. An abbey is alleged to have been founded here by St. Columb. There are ruins of a castle, built in 1300 by Richard de Burgh, second Earl of Ulster; also remains of an old church, and of a lodge of the Knights Templars.

"ABBEYVILLE, near Ballymote, in the parish of Emlaghfad, barony of Corran and county of Sligo, Ireland, 12 miles S. of Sligo. Here was a Franciscan friary, founded by the M'Donoghs. It was here the Irish Psalter of Ballymote was written."

"BALLYMOTE, a market town in the parish of Emlaghfad, and barony of Corran, in the county of Sligo, province of Connaught, Ireland, 12 miles to the S. of Sligo, and 123 miles from Dublin. A fortress of great strength was founded here by Richard de Burge, one of the Earls of Ulster, in 1300, which is supposed to have given origin to the town. This castle fell into the hands of the Irish in 1641, who held it about eleven years, when it was captured by the English under Ireton and Sir C. Coote. A Franciscan friary also existed here, founded by the MacDonoghs. The town, which consists chiefly of one street, is situated in a pleasant and cultivated district. Linen weaving is carried on, but to a much smaller extent than formerly. The places of worship are the parish church of Emlaghfad, and chapels belonging to the Roman Catholics and Wesleyans. There is a court-house, in which quarter and petty sessions are held, a police-station, a bridewell, and a dispensary. The principal residence is Earlsfield the seat of Sir R. Booth, proprietor of the town. Temple House, a mansion in a fine wooded park on the banks of a small lake, is in the vicinity. There are ruins of the castle, enclosing a square of 150 feet, of the friary, and of an ancient house of the Knights Hospitallers. The Irish Psalter called the "Psalter of Ballymote," was written at this friary. Friday is the market day. Fairs are held on the last Monday in January, the 11th May, the first Monday in June and November (old style), the 3rd September, and the second Monday in December (old style)."

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