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Dromaragh,
a parish in bar. Lower Iveagh, co. Down, prov. Ulster; the old church of which
about 3 miles S.S.W. of Anahilt, lay in ruins since 1641, till some years ago,
when its walls which out-braved the injuries of time, were repaired and the
place rendered fit for service; it is a vicarage in dioc. of Dromore.
Near
the church a good slate quarry was found on the estate of Lord Hillsborough.
In
this parish is an artificial cave, about 6 miles S.E. of Dromore, sit. on a
rising ground, something higher than the adjacent lands. The entrance is of a
quadrilateral form, each side measuring about 3 feet in length, and descending
about the same number of feet from the surface to the lower part of the
aperture. This place cannot be entered but by creeping into it, but afterwards,
it is so high, that a man can stand almost erect in it; it runs in a direct line
32 yards from N. to S., is in most places 6 feet broad; the floor is sandy and
tolerably level, but covered with water, intensely cold and exceeding limpid,
for the space of 15 yards. In the cave on the W. side from the entrance, a
chamber branches off 8 yards long and 2 broad, the workmanship of which is more
regular and better finished than that of the long entry.
Information kindly donated by
Patrick McKenney |
