Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/124

Rh OLNAFIBTH. Ill OMBEESLEY. OLNAFIETH, an ancient par. in the Shetland Islands, coast of Scotland, now joined to Belting. OLNEY, or OULNEY, a par., post and market town, in the hund. of Newport, co. Bucks, fi miles N. of Newport-Pagnoll, and 9 from the Wolverton station on the London and North- Western line of railway. It is situated in a valley on the northern bank of the river Ouse, which is here crossed by a stone bridge of five large arches, and two smaller flood arches. The town consists principally of one long street, with the market- place in the centre. Tho houses, which have been rebuilt since the destructive fire of 1786, are chiefly of stone, and tiled. The lace manufacture was formerly carried on here to a considerable extent, but has latterly decayed. The inhabitants are now principally employed in agricultural pursuits, and a few in making worsted hose. This place was once the residence of Cowper, the poet, previous to 1786, at which period he removed to Weston Underwood. His house is going fast to decay. Tho par., which lies in the most northern part of the county, comprises the hmlt. of Warrington. The land is level, and subject to winter floods. Tho living is a vic. in the dioc. of Oxford, val. 148. Tho church, dedicated to SS. Peter and Paul, is an ancient structure, with a lofty spired tower, which was partially rebuilt in 1807, and contains a good peal of bells. In the church- yard was formerly a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with a chantry founded by Lord Basset. The living was once held by Browne, the author of " Pisca- tory Eclogues," while Scott, the commentator, and John Newton, wore curates. The latter, with Cowper, com- posed the " Olnoy Hymns." The parochial charities produce about 112 per annum, out of which 66 is realised by the Causeway estate. There are British, National, and infant schools; also twelve almshouses, which were erected and endowed by the Misses Smith, belonging to the Society of Friends. Tho Baptists, Independents, and the Society of Friends, have each a place of worship. Courts loot and baron are held under the Earl of Dartmouth, who is lord of the manor, at the Bull inn annually. Market day is Thursday. Fairs are held on Easter Monday, cherry fair Juno 29th, and a pleasure fair October 1 3th. OLNEY, a hmlt. in the par. of Barby, co. North- ampton, 6 miles N.W. of Davcntry. OLRICK, a par. in the co. of Caithness, Scotland. It comprises the vil. of Castletown. It extends in length about 5 miles from N. to S., with an extreme breadth of 3 miles. It is bounded on the N. by Dunnet Bay, and on the other sides by the pars, of Dunnet, Bower, and Thurso. The surface is generally level, but rises towards the S., where it becomes hilly, affording excellent sheep-walks. The soil of the arable lands lying towards the sea is rich and fertile. Oats are extensively cultivated. The principal hills are Durran and Olrick. From the latter there is a fino prospect, with traces of a watchtower on its summit. The parish contains the loch of Durran, which is nearly 3 miles in circumference. Along the coast, which is rugged and shelving, though not hold, are some sandy links. To the E. is Castle Hill Bay, where is a commodious harbour, and near it another bay called Murkle, which might easily be made an excellent harbour at no great expense. Tho village of Olrick is about 16 miles N.W. of Wick, and 3 S.E. of Thurso. It is situated on Dunnet Bay. A portion of the inha- bitants are engaged in the sandstone, limestone, slate, and flagstone quarries, with which this district abounds, and others in the fisheries. There was formerly a nunnery at Murkle, connected with St. Columba's church. This par. is in the presb. of Caithness, and synod o! Sutherland and Caithness. The minister has a stipend of 218. Tho parish church was erected in 1841. There are also a Free church, parochial school and library, anc otner schools. Tho principal mansions are Murklo (a seat of the late Earl of Caithness), Ratter, Olrick, ant Castle Hill, this last so called from an old castle, of which scarcely a vestige is discernible. Picts' houses occur in various parts of the parish. OLVESTON, a par. in the lower div. of Langley iund., co. Gloucester, 9 miles N. of Bristol, its post village, which is chiefly agricultural, is situated on the river Severn, and on the high road from Sodhury to Aust Passage. The par. comprises the tythgs. of Upper Tockington and Cote, also the hmlts. of Ingst and Judgway. Tho soil is of a light loamy nature, with a subsoil of limestone, and interspersed with red marl, sand and black clay. An Act for enclosing waste lands was passed in 1841. Tho impropriate tithes belong to m the dioc. of Gloucester and Bristol, val. 799, in the ratron. of the Dean and Chapter of Bristol. The
 * own, and 7J N.W. of Yate railway station. The
 * he Dean and Chapter of Bristol. The living is a vie.*
 * hurch, dedicated to St. Helen, is an ancient structure,

with a square embattled and pinnacled tower containing a clock and six bells. The interior of the church con- tains an ancient brass to Walter Dennis Knighton, a former lord of the manor. The church was restored and enlarged in 1840. The parochial charities produce about 25 per annum. There is an endowed National school. The Wesleyans, Reformed Wesleyans, antx Society of Friends, have each a place of worship. Robert Cann Lippincott, Esq., is lord of the manor. An annual cattle fair is hold at Tockington on the 9th May and 6th December. OMAGH, a bar. in the co. of Tyrone, prov. of Ulster, Ireland. Its boundaries are co. Donegal, the bars, of Strabano, Dungannon, Clogher, and co. Fermanagh. It is 31 miles long, and its greatest breadth is 12 miles. It contains the towns of Omagh, Castlederg, and Drum- quin, the pars, of Clougherucy, Dromoro, Drumragh, Kilskeery, East and West Longfield, Skirts of Urney and Ardstraw, Termonamongan, and parts of Cappagh, Donacavey, Magheracross, and Termonmaguirk. OMAGH, a post and market town, and the chief town of co. Tyrone, in the par. of Drumragh, in the bar. of Omagh, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 109 miles from.Dublin. It is a station on the Londonderry and Enniskillen rail- way. It is situated on the river Strule, where the Camowen and Drumragh join their waters, and on the road from Enniskillen to Coleraine. The principal street, which ascends a sharp declivity, is a well-edificed thoroughfare, crossed at one extremity by two other streets. It contains the parish church of Drumragh, erected in 1777 by the Morvyns, a Roman Catholic chapel, and several meeting-houses belonging to Pro- testant Dissenters, also charity and National schools. The principal public buildings are the market-houses, court-house, county gaol, poprhouse, infirmary, two banks, fever hospital, &c. It is an assize and sessions town, and the headquarters of the N.W. military dis- trict, also the site of a chief police station. One weekly newspaper, the Tyrone Constitution, is published on Fri- day. The leather trade is carried on to some extent, and a brisk business is done in corn. Tho town was burnt in 1689 by James II., and in 1743 the greater part of the place was again destroyed by fire arising from accident. A religious establishment is said to have been founded here at the close of tho 8th century, the site of which was given to Sir H. Piers at tho suppression. In 1498 O'Nial surrendered the town to tho Earl of Kildaro, and in 1609 it came to Lord Castlehaven, and subse- quently to the Mervyns, from whom it was wrested in 1641 by Phelim O'Nial. Market day is Saturday. Fairs are held once a month. OMBERSLEY, a par. in the lower div. of the hund. of Oswaldslow, co. Worcester, i miles S.W. of Droit- wich, its post town and railway station, and 6 N. of Worcester. Tho village, which is extensive, is situated on the river Severn, and is wholly agricultural. Om- bersley had formerly a market, under grant from Edward in. to Evesham Abbey, but the privilege has long been disused. The manor came from tho Mores to Archbishop Sandys, in whoso family it still remains. The Worcestershire hounds meet in the neighbourhood. The land, which is extremely fertile, is partly in hop- grounds, and the scenery varied. Courts baron and courts of survey, with view of frankpledge, are held twice a year. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of Worcester,