AHOGHILL

In 1868, the parish of Ahoghill contained the following places:

"AHOGHILL, a parish in the baronies of Upper_and_Lower Toome, Lower Antrim, and Kilconway, in the county of Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles to the S.W. of Ballymena. Its old name was Maghrahoghill. From the remains of forts, many barrows, and bones, found here, it is believed to have been, in remote times, the scene of many severe conflicts. It is situated on the rivers Bann and Maine, the former of which has a northerly course, from Lough Neagh; and the latter a southerly course, and falls into that lake. Portglenone, formerly a part of this parish, was made a separate parish in 1825. The villages of Carnearny, Cullybrackey, Galgorm, and Gracehill, are still included in it. The parish, which extends over an area of 35,288 acres, has a great variety of soil. Part is hilly, and the valley of the Maine picturesque. There are extensive bogs. The linen manufacture is carried on, and employs moat of the workpeople. Bleachfields are established on the Maine. A linen market is held once a month. Cattle fairs take place on the 4th June, the 26th August, the 12th October, and the 5th December. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Down, Connor, and Dromore, value £968, in the patronage of the crown. Galgorm Castle, built by Dr. Colville, is the seat of the Earl of Mountcashel. There are several other seats in the parish and neighbourhood. Serious outrages were committed here, in 1771, by the "Steel Men," and volunteers were organised to resist them.

"BALLYKENNEDY, (or Gracehill), a village in the parish of Ahoghill and barony of Lower Toome, in the county of Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles to the S.W. of Ballymena. It is seated on the west bank of the river Main. It is a Moravian settlement, founded in 1746, by John Kennick, and held under the O'Neills. There is a neat chapel, a savings-bank, and a burial-place. The river is crossed by a four-arched bridge.

"CARNEARNEY, a hamlet in the parish of Ahoghill, barony of Lower Toome, in the county of Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, not far from Ballymena. It is seated near the river Bann."

"CULLYBRACKEY, a post village in the parish of Ahoghill, barony of Lower Toome, in the county of Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 4 miles N.W. of Ballymena. It is an improving place, situated on the river Maine. There are bleach-grounds and dye-works."

"GALGORM, a village in the parish of Ahoghill, barony of Lower Toome, county Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles W. of Ballymena on the road from Portglenone. It is situated on the banks of the river Maine, near Galgorm Castle, the seat of Earl Mountcashel."

"GRACEHILL, (or Ballykennedy), a post-office village and a Moravian colony, in the parish of Ahoghill, in the barony of Lower Toome, county Antrim, province of Ulster, Ireland, 2 miles N.W. of Ballymena. It is situated on the river Main, which is crossed by a bridge. It was founded in 1746, and contains a church, savings-bank, a sisters' house, brethren's house, and boarding school. The inhabitants are under Moravian discipline, both civilly and ecclesiastically, the police being under the direction of the elders and ministers.

"PORTGLENONE, a small port and market town, partly in the parish of Ahoghill, county Antrim, and partly in that of Tamlaght O'Crilly, county Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, 4 miles N.W. of Ahogill, and 96 N. of Dublin. It is situated on the river Bann, and on the road from Randalstown to Kilrea. The town consists of one principal street, formed of very tolerably built houses. A bridge spans the Bann. There is a police station, where petty sessions are held. A fair trade is done in carrying on the river, and a little linen weaving. Fairs are held on the first Tuesday in each month and on the 25th May."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018