Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 1.djvu/95

Rh ARDFIELD. 85 ALDINGTON. the N. of Tralee, and 198 miles from Dublin. It is sitiuited in a fertile district on the coast of Ballyheiguc bay, a little to the north of the range of hills called the Stacks mountains. It is a very ancient place, and the seat of one of the oldest bishoprics in the island. A monastery was founded hero in the 6th century_, by St. Brendan, previous to -which a bishopric is said to have existed. The town and the monastery were destroyed by fire in 1089. The monastery suffered a similar calamity in 1151, at the hands of Cormac O'Culen, and again in 1179. A Franciscan monastery was estab- lished in the middle of the 13th century, by Thomas, Lord of Kerry, which hiramo famous for the miracles wrought in it, and for the tombs of its founder and other lords. In 1599 the town was taken by the royal forces. The castle which had been erected in 1312, by Nicholas Fitzrnaurice, was taken by Sir C. Wilmot, in 1GOO. This castle, after being rebuilt in 1637, was destroyed with the cathedral in 1641. Ard- fert is a borough by prescription, and returned two members to the Irish parliament till the Union, when it was disfranchised. The corporation is now merely nominal, and the place a decayed village. Petty sessions wore formerly held once a fortnight, but are transferred to Abbeydorney. The living is a rect. in the dioc. of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, val. 101, in the patron, of the crown. The parish church is a portion of the ancient cathedral. The diocese of Ardfert has been from time immemorial incorporated with that of Aghadoe, and both are now united with the see of Limerick. The ruins of the cathedral stand on a hill north of the town. The east window is very elegant ; in a niche beside it is the figure of a bishop, readily believed to be that of St. Brendan. There is another effigy in the choir. Several Norman archways still remain. A round tower stood near the cathedral, but fell about 1780. In the grounds of the Earl of Glandore are the ruins of the Franciscan abbey. It was a cruciform building, and the remains are exten- sive and interesting. They include the nave and choir, a tower, a chapel, and part of the cloisters. In a recess under the south wall is an altar tomb of the last Earl and Countess of Glandoro. There are several ancient monuments. Ardfert Abbey is the principal seat, and has been the residence of the Crosbies from the reign of " Queen Elizabeth. It is situated in a fine park, which contains the beautiful ruins of the monastery. Other seats are Tulrid, Sackvillo House, and Barra. Eahanane Castle, the ruins of which arc near the town, was the episcopal residence. The creek or harbour of Barra is within this parish. The market is no longer held. Fairs are held on Whit-Monday, and the 9th July. ARDFIELD, a par. in the bar. of Ibane and Barryroe, in the co. of Cork, prov. of Munster, Ireland, 4 miles to the S. of Clonakilty. It occupies the south-eastern part of the peninsula, between the bays of Clonakilty and Eoss. The soil is good, and well cultivated. Copper ore has been found. The living is a vie. in the dioc. of Cork, Cloyno, and Ross, val. 96, pat. the bishop. The church is a ruin, and stands on the highest ground in the parish. Near Dunny (,'ove is a ruined castle. ARDFINNAN, a par. in the bar. of Iffa and Offa West, in the co. of Tippcrary, prov. of Munster, Ire- land, 5 miles to the S.E. of Cahir. It is situated on the river Suir, between the Galtee mountains on the N.W. and the Knockmealdown mountains 011 the S. A bridge of fourteen arches crosses the Suir here. The name of the parish signifies the " Hill of Finian." A monastery was founded here by St. Finian, the leper, before the 7th century. It was burnt by the English in 1178. King John erected a castle in this place, the ruins of which now form a picturesque object on a rock near the river. The district is fertile, and has some limestone quarries. The living is a rect. in the dioc. of Cashel, Emly, Waterford, and Lismore, val. with the rect. of Rochestoun and the vie. of Neddans, 289, in the patron, of the bishop. There is a police station in the village, and petty sessions are held once a fortnight. Fail's take place on the 2nd February, the 17th May, and the 19th November. ARDGAY, a vil. in the par. of Kincardine, in the co. of Ross, Scotland. It is situated near Bonar Bridge, and has daily public conveyance to Tain. ARDGLASS, a par. and seaport in the bar. of Lecale, in the co. of Down, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 6 miles to the S.E. of Downpatrick, the terminus of the Belfast and County Down railway, and 103 miles from Dublin. It is pleasantly situated on the coast of the Irish Channel, near a conical bill called tho Ward of Ardglass, which rises to tho west of the town. This hill and the Ward of Ardtolo on tho opposite side of the town are well- known sea-marks. It was formerly a place of importance, and had several castles. In the reign of Henry IV. a London trading company was established here ; and in the reign of Henry VI. the town was governed by a mayor, and had a port-admiral. It is now one of tho most frequented watering-places in the north of Ireland. It is also an important fishing-place, and centre of tho fisheries on this part of the coast. The port is subordi- nate to that of Newry. There is an excellent harbour, with a pier, and storehouses for corn, &c. A light- house, erected on the pier, has been washed away by the sea, and tho pier is in a dilapidated condition. From three to four hundred vessels may be seen in tho harbour during the fishing season. It is capable of admitting vessels of 500 tons at all times. A coast- guard station is fixed here, and also a police station. The living is an impropriate rect. The several castles of which there are remains, are called Jordan's Castle, Cow'd, Margaret's, John's, and King's castles, and the Tower. Jordan's Castle is in the centre of the town, and takes its name from its heroic owner and defender, Simon Jordan, who held out for three years, during the insurrection of Tyrone, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Near tho town, on the north-east, are re- mains of the old church of Ardtole. The walls are of great thickness. There is a cavern on the north-oast side of tho hay. Tho view from Ardglass Ward hill embraces Dundrum Bay, and the Mourne hills beyond it, the Isle of Man, and tho coast of Ayrshire. An octagon tower is erected on this hill, which serves as a look-out for the coastguard. The principal seat ia Ardglass Castle, tho residence of A. De Vere Beau- clerk, Esq. It comprises part of a range of buildings called tho New Works, which are of unknown age, adjoining the harbour, and extending in length 250 feet. It is in the castellated style, and was built by Lord Lecale. King's Castle is converted into a mansion, and is the residence of G. G. Beauclerk, Esq. Good rubble- stone is quarried near the shore. Ardglass gave the title of earl to tho Cromwells, and subsequently that of viscount to the Barringtons. ARDGOUR, or ARDGAUR, a district in the extreme north of the mainland of Argyleshire, Scotland. In 1829 a church was erected here by order of the Parliamentary Commissioners. See BALLACHULISH. ARDGROOM, a vil. in the par. of Tuosist, and bar. of Glenaroght, in tho co. of Kerry, prov. of Munster, Ire- land, 14 miles to tho S.W. of Kenmare. It is situated on the southern bank of the river Kenmare, and has a small and safe harbour. ARDINGLEY, a par. in the hund. of Butting-hill, rape of Lewes, in tho co. of Sussex, 3 miles to the N.E. of Cuckfiold. It lies near the Brighton railway, and comprises the hmlt. of Hapstcd. The living is a rect.* in the dioc. of Chichester, val. 498, in the patron, of J. F. W. Peyton, Esq. The church contains two brasses and several monuments of tho Culpcppers, and monu- ments of tho Wakchursts. Wake-hurst Place, a little to the north of the village, is a noble mansion, forming three sides of a quadrangle, and is the scat of the Pcy- tons. ARDINGTON, a par. in the hund. of Wantage, in the co. of Berks, 2 miles to the E. of Wantage. It is situated on the Roman way called Iknield Street, and tho Wilts and Berks canal. 'The Great Western railway passes near the village, and has a station at Wantage- road, about 2 miles to tho N.E. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of Oxford, in the patron, of Christ Church