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Though there is
but one family of Papists in Anahilt, yet in neighbouring Parish of
Dromarah there are great numbers, by computation, about 900 Souls of
that Persuasion. The old Parish Church of Dromarah, about 3 miles
S.S.W. of Anahilt, lay in ruins since the general Devastation of
Churches in 1641; but good parts of the walls out-braving the injuries
of time, were lately repaired, and the church rendered fit for service
in the last Festival of St. Matthew, when it was restored. Near
this Church a good slate Quarry was found on the estate of Lord
Hillsborough.
The Face of the Country hereabouts is rough, bleak and unimproved; yet produces
the necessaries of life sufficient to support a large number of inhabitants, who
have little other bread, corn, but oats, of which they make great quantities of
meal to supply not only themselves, but the neighbouring markets. They are
industrious people, and may be properly said “to
eat their bread in the sweat of their face”, the coarseness of the
land obliging them to great labour.
The coldness of the soil occasions their harvests to be late, yet by due care
and culture, it yields rye and great quantities of flax. The plenty of
cheap firing got out of bogs and mosses, throughout this whole County does not a
little contribute to the service of the linen trade.
Information kindly donated by
Patrick McKenney |
