Lewis 1837

BALLYCONNELL, a market and post-town, in the parish of TOMREGAN, barony of TULLAGHAGH, county of CAVAN, and province of ULSTER, 12½ miles (N, W. by W.) from Cavan, and 68 miles (N. W. by W.) from Dublin; containing 453 inhabitants. This place had its origin in the English settlement in the time of Jas. I., when Capt. Culme and Walter Talbot received 1500 acres, on which, at the time of Pynnar’s survey in 1619, was a strong bawn 100 feet square and 12 feet high, with two flanking towers and a strong castle, three stories high, the whole occupying a site well adapted for the defence of the surrounding country. The town is situated on the road from Belturbet to Swanlinbar, and consists of two streets, together containing about 80 houses. The market is on Friday, and is well supplied with corn and provisions; and fairs are held on Jan. 3rd, Feb. 13th, March 17th, April 18th, May 16th, June 24th, July 29th, Aug. 29th, Sept. 26th, Oct. 25th, and Dec. 3rd, chiefly for cattle, pigs, and corn. It is a constabulary police station; the Easter and October sessions for the county are held here, and petty sessions every alternate Monday. The court-house is a handsome stone building; and attached to it is a bridewell containing three cells, with separate day-rooms and airingyards for male and female prisoners. Here is the parish church, which has been lately repaired by a grant of £106 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. A schoolhouse has been built at an expense of £227, defrayed partly by the incumbent, partly by the proprietor of the Ballyconnell estate, and partly by Government. Ballyconnell House, the residence of J. Enery, Esq., is beautifully situated in a fine demesne on the Woodford river, which winds through the extensive and well-wooded grounds in its course to Lake Annagh and Lough Erne, the house was erected in 1764, by the late G. Montgomery, Esq., on the site of the castle of Ballyconnell, which was entirely destroyed by an accidental fire. There is a chalybeate spring in the demesne.