Moville (Lower
Taken from A Topographical Dictionary by Samuel Lewis
Moville (Lower), a parish, in the barony of Ennisowen, county of
Donegal, and province of Ulster, 17 miles (N.N.E.) from Londonderry;
containing 5785 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the western
shore of Lough Foyle, and bounded on the north by the Atlantic ocean;
it comprises, according to the Ordnance survey, including a detached
portion, 15,950.5 statue acres. Prior to 1788 it formed part of
the parish of Moville (anciently called Mobhuile), when it was separated
from the southern or upper division of the old parish. The land
is in general of inferior quality, and a large portion of the parish
consists of rocky barren mountain, from which circumstance, and
that of the population being partly employed in fishing, agriculture
is in a backward state; but in the neighbourhood of Moville the
land has been brought into a good state of cultivation and well
planted, and is embellished with several handsome residences, which,
together with the principal features of the scenery, are noticed
in the article of that town; and to the west of Greencastle a slope
of cultivated land ascends toward the neighbouring mountains.
The coast of this parish extends from the town of Moville to Glenagivney,
including the headlands of Shrove and Ennishowen; nearly the whole
line consists of rocky cliffs of a bold and romantic character and
between Shrove Point and the point of Magilligan, on the opposite
coast of Londonderry, is the entrance to Lough Foyle, a capacious
harbour, where the largest ships may ride in safety in all kinds
of weather. Two light-houses are now in course of erection at Shrove
Head by the Ballast Board, in consequence of the numerous shipwrecks
that have taken place on the sand banks called "the Tons",
near the entrance of the lough. Close on the shore of Lough Foyle,
and nearly adjoining the church are the magnificent ruins of Greencastle,
built by Sir Caher O'Dogherty in the 15th Century: it stands on
a boldly prominent rock near the entrance of the lough, and, from
the great strength and extent of the building, which covers the
whole surface of the rock (100 yards long and 56 broad), flanked
by octagonal and square towers, inaccessible from the sea, and strongly
fortified towards the land, was rendered almost impregnable; it
was, notwithstanding, said to have been the first castle abandoned
by O'Dogherty, and seized upon by the English, and was afterwards
granted to Sir Arthur Chichester. The walls are in some places twelve
feet thick, and several of them are still in a good state of preservation;
the eastern portion of one of the towers has fallen and lies in
an unbroken mass on the ground. The eligibility of this situation
in commanding the entrance to Lough Foyle induced the Government,
on the apprehension of an invasion, to erect a fortress, nearly
adjoining the castle, consisting of a tower, battery and magazine,
with accommodation for 4 officers and 42 men, and, together with
another battery on the opposite side of the harbour, mounting 26
guns: the establishment now consists only of a master gunner and
five artillery men.
A court for the manor of Greencastle is held monthly, for the recovery
of debts under 40s. late currency. Here are stations of the constabulary
and revenue police, and of the tide-waiters and pilots of the port
of Londonderry; and at Greencastle and Port-kennigo are stations
of the coast-guard, included in the district of Carn. The living
is a rectory, in the diocese of Derry, and in the patronage of the
Bishop: the tithes amount to £553. 17s. per annum. The church
is a small but neat edifice, built in 1782, in the early English
style, with a tower at the east front; it stands on a rocky eminence
near the shore of Lough Foyle. In the R.C. divisions the parish
is united with Upper Moville; there are chapels at Ballybrack and
Ballynacree. Near the church is the parochial school, chiefly supported
by the rector; at Moville is a female school; and at Glenagivney,
Moville, and Gallaghdaff are national schools; in these collectively
about 260 children are instructed: there are also two private schools,
in which are about 80 children; and three Sunday schools. Near Greencastle
are some extensive ruins, called Capel Moule, having the appearance
of a military edifice, and supposed to have formerly belonged to
the Knights Templars; and on a detached rock, about a mile distant,
are the ruins of Kilblaney church; previously to 1620 Kilblaney
formed a separate parish. Near Ennishowen Head is an extensive natural
cave, often visited in the summer season.
Back
|
