1st January 1837
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A snapshot of pre-famine local history, as described in the "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland" by Samuel Lewis, 1837.

ADDERGOOLE, a parish, in the barony of TYRAWLEY, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 5 miles (S. by E.) from Crossmolina; containing 6725 inhabitants.

This parish is situated on Lough Conn, by which it is bounded on the north, and on the road from Crossmolina to Castlebar: it contains within its limits the greater portion of the stupendous mountain of Nephin, which rises to a height of 2640 feet above the level of the sea.

The land generally is under an improved system of tillage; there are large tracts of bog and mountain, which have been reclaimed to a great extent; and limestone abounds in the parish.

  • Castle Hill is the seat of Major Cormick;
  • Woodpark, beautifully situated on Lough Conn, of J. Anderson, Esq.; and
  • Carrowkeel, of W. Bourke, Esq.

A fair is held at Laherdane on the 29th of June, and at Ballagheen on the 24th of June.

The parish is in the diocese of Killala; the rectory is partly appropriate to the precentorship, and partly to the vicars choral, of the cathedral of Christchurch, Dublin; the vicarage forms part of the union of Crossmolina.

  • The tithes amount to £250, of which £13. 10. is payable to the precentor, £111. 10. to the vicars choral, and £125 to the vicar.

The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel is at Laherdane.

There are two public schools, in which are about 130 boys and 30 girls; and six hedge schools, in which are about 160 boys and 70 girls.

There are some remains of an old abbey at Addergoole, and also at Bofinan; and near Castle Hill are vestiges of an ancient castle.

SOURCE: A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland by Samuel Lewis (pub 1837)

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