AGHALURCHER

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

"AGHALURCHER, a parish in the barony of Magherastephana, in the county of Fermanagh, and Clogher, in the county of Tyrone, province of Ulster, Ireland. It is situated on Lough Earne, and the river Colebrook, and includes the towns of Maguire's-bridge and Lisnaskea, extending seventeen miles in length and five miles in breadth. About one-fourth part of the land consists of mountain and bog, with pasture. The rest is moderately, fertile, and well cultivated. Good freestone is obtained at Slushill quarry, and there is abundance of limestone and millstone. Farming, spinning, and weaving, employ the inhabitants. The river, which flows through nearly the whole length of the parish, is navigable, and contains pike, perch, trout, and eels in abundance. It is crossed by two bridges, one at the town of Maguire's-bridge, the other, of seven arches, at Balindanaford. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Armagh and Clogher, value £522, in the patronage of the provost and fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The old church is in ruins. It was erected in the 9th century, and was dedicated to St. Ronan. Colebrooke is the seat of Sir A. B. Brooke, Bart. The Presbyterians and Primitive Methodists have chapels here, and the Roman Catholics have two. There are remains of several ancient castles, which belonged to the Maguires."

"LISNASKEA, a small post and market town in the parish of Aghalurcher, in the barony of Magherastephana, county Fermanagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, 10 miles S.E. of Enniskillen, and 92 from Dublin. It is a station on the Irish North-Western railway. It is situated near Lough Erne, on the road from Enniskillen to Belfast. It contains the parish church, two Roman Catholic chapels, a savings-bank, Leslie's school, and a market-house; also a dispensary, fever hospital, and union poorhouse. The Poor-law Union of Lisnaskea comprises 14 electoral divisions in county Fermanagh. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on the Monday before Easter, 13th April, Monday after Ascension Day, 1st June, and 10th October."

"MAGUIRESBRIDGE, a small post and market town in the parish of Aghalurcher, in the barony of Magherastephana, county Fermanagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, 8 miles S.E. of Enniskillen, and 101 from Dublin. It is a station on the Dundalk, Enniskillen, and Londonderry section of the Irish North-Western railway. The town stands on the banks of the river Colebrook, or Maguire, which is here crossed by a bridge,-hence the name of the town,-also on the road from Enniskillen to Clones. It presents a neat and cheerful appearance, and contains the parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, Presbyterian' and Wesleyan meeting-houses, schools, &c. There is also a police station and a dispensary joined to that of Lisnaskea. Wednesday is market day. Fairs are held on the 1st Wednesday in every month, 3rd Wednesday in May, 17th January, 5th July, and 2nd October."

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