DUNAGHY,
a parish, in the barony of KILCONWAY, county of ANTRIM,
and province of ULSTER, 6 miles (N.W. by N.) from Broughshane;
containing 3451 inhabitants.
It comprises,
according to the Ordnance survey, 13,743 1/4 statute acres, of which
12,040 are applotted under the tithe act; about one-sixth is irreclaimable
mountain and bog, one-fourth rough mountain pasture, a twelfth pasture
of a better quality, and one half, arable land. Towards the east the
hills attain a mountainous elevation; the highest are those of Money
duff and Ballyboggy. A great portion of the summits of the
hills towards the north is unprofitable; but nearer their base they
afford good pasture to young cattle during the summer. Along the banks
of the Ravel and Altakeerag are considerable tracts or
low meadow land, subject to floods from the former river which pours
down with great rapidity. The females are employed in spinning, and
the males, in addition to their agricultural pursuits, in weaving coarse
linens and calico.
The living
is a rectory, in the diocese of
Connor, and in the patronage of
the Bishop. the tithes amount to £311. 18sh. 7 1/4d. The glebe-house
was built by aid of a gift of £350 and a loan of £450 from
the late Board of First Fruits in 1816; the glebe comprises 25 acres.
The church, a small edifice with an open belfry turret, occupies an
elevated site.
In the
R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district called
Glenravel, and comprises Dunaghy and Skerry,
in each of which is a chapel; the chapel for this parish, a neat edifice,
is at Glenravel, near the bridge over the Ravel.
There
is a place of worship in the village of Clough
for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Ulster, of the first
class.
There
are two public schools, in which are about 260 children, and three Sunday
schools.
There
are several Danish forts, of which the most remarkable are, one on the
hill of Dungonnell, two on Dunbought, and one nearly effaced
on Carnbeg, in levelling which were found an urn, a small statue,
a cross, and some silver coins. There are many sepulchral monuments
in the churchyard, among which those of the Crawford and Hamilton
families are the most remarkable. Corby Rock is a bold precipice
forming the termination of a hill; it is covered with ivy and washed
at its base by the Ravel.
