CLOGH,
or CLOUGH, a village, in the parish of DUNAGHY,
barony of KILCOWWAY, county of ANTRIM,
and province of ULSTER, 6 miles (N. W. by N.) from Broughshane
; containing 121 inhabitants.
This place
is situated at the junction of several roads, on the acclivity of a
hill near the Ravel water river, and comprises 20 houses. It
is the head of the manor of Old Stone, and contains the
manorial court-house, in which the court was formerly held once in three
weeks; but the court leet only is now held there. The court-room is
large and of good proportions ; adjoining it is a jury-room, and underneath
are two rooms for debtors, against whom decrees have been issued out
of the manor court : it is maintained by the barony. On a high rock
which overlooks the village and surrounding country to a considerable
distance formerly stood a castle, of which the principal remains are
part of a gateway of great strength. Within it there appears to have
been a draw well, and beyond it a fosse, which divides the surface of
the rock into two equal parts : the foundations of various buildings
may yet be perceived. It is stated by tradition to have belonged originally
to the Mac Quillans, until taken from them by the Mac Donnells,
the result of a great battle fought on the mountain of Ora or
Slievenahera. At an early period a nunnery is also said to have
stood on this rock. Fairs are held on Feb. 8th, April 4th, May 27th,
Aug. 5th, Nov. 8th, and Dec. 9th, chiefly for the sale of cattle, and
a great number of ponies are brought to them from the highlands of Scotland.
