DONAGHENRY

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

"DONAGHENRY, a parish in the barony of Middle Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland. Stewartstown is its post town. It includes the market town of Stewartstown, part of Coal Island and Lough Roughan. The surface is hilly, but the soil good. The parish was given by James I. to Sir A. Stewart, who built a castle for its defence near Stewartstown. The forces of James II. encamped on the shores of Lake Ardpatrick, while on their route to Derry. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Armagh, value £481, in the patronage of Robert King, Esq. The church, situated in Stewartstown, was built in 1694 and enlarged in 1822. There is a chapel-of-ease at Coal Island. The parish contains two Roman Catholic chapels, united to that of Ballyclog; also Presbyterian and Methodist meeting-houses, and several schools. The principal seats are Donaghenry House and Anketell Lodge. Lime and building stone are abundant. At Annahone are some extensive coal-mines, now abandoned. Here are ruins of a large castle, founded by Lord-Deputy Sidney, temp. Elizabeth. It was occupied by the Earl of Tyrone, and again in 1641 by Sir Phelim O'Nial. In the vicinity are extensive Druidical remains."

"COAL-ISLAND, a postal village in the parishes of Donaghenry and Tullyniskan, in the barony of Dungannon, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles on the road from Armagh to Stewartstown. Coal is worked, and a short canal facilitates its conveyance to the river Blackwater. There is a good trade in iron goods, bricks, pottery, linen, and grain."

"STEWARTSTOWN, a small post and market town in the parish of Donaghenry, barony of Dungannon, county Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland, 25 miles E. of Omagh, and 104 from Dublin. It is situated on the road from Armagh to Coleraine, 3 miles from Lough Neagh. The town contains many well-built houses. Here are the market house, parish church, Roman Catholic chapel, Presbyterian and Wesleyan meeting-houses, National school, dispensary, and a police station. Petty sessions are held at intervals. Stewart's Hall, about 2 miles distant, is the seat of Earl Castlestewart. In this parish are the remains of a castle, built by Sir A. Stewart, to whom the place was granted by James I. Wednesday is market day. Fairs are held on the first Wednesday in each month (old style)."

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