Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/247

POROUS. 235 PORTAFERRY. defended by numerous towers, and surrounded by a broad and deep moat. The entrance to the outer area, now laid out as public gardens, is through massive Norman towers on the E. and W. sides, and in front is the keep, a strong square structure with four towers, the largest being at the north-western angle. Many of tho rooms, which are very spacious, are vaulted with Btone. Previously to the destruction of the harbour, through tho retiring of the sea, this place was the prin- cipal station of the British navy, now removed to Portsmouth. Tho village, called by way of distinction Porchester Street, extends for about a mile on. the road to Fareham. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. The land, which was once forest, is now chiefly arable, except about 200 acres of downs. A Nelson column stands on a hill. The impropriate tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of 320, and the vicarial for one of 180, besides 11 acres of glebe. The living is a vie. in tho dioc. of Winchester, val. 223. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient and cruciform structure, with a low central tower containing three bells. The interior of the church contains numer- ous monuments, among which is one to Sir Thomas Cornwallis, groom-porter to Queen Elizabeth and James I. The chancel, which is small, has an E. window of three lights. The building was originally situated within the castle walls, and has been partially destroyed, but the W. front is still ia good preservation. The parochial charities produce about 12 per annum. There is a National school for both sexes, entirely supported by Thomas Thistlethwayte, Esq., who is lord of the manor. The Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have each a place of worship. PORGUS, a sandbank off Linney Head, co. Pembroke. It has from 5 to 10 fathoms water. PORINGLAND, GREAT or EAST, a par. in the hund. of Henstead, co. Norfolk, 4J miles S.E. of Nor- wich, and 5 S.E. of Swainsthorpe station on the Great Eastern railway. The village, which is small, is situated on the road from Norwich to Bungay. The tithes have been commuted for corn-rents under an Enclosure Act, and the glebe comprises 18 acres. The living is a rect.* in the dioc. of Norwich, val. .274. The church is an ancient structure, dedicated to All Saints. The register commences jn 1560. The parochial charities produce about 37 per annum. The Earl of Rosebery is lord of tho manor. PORINGLAND, LITTLE or WEST, a par. in the hund. of Henstead, co. Norfolk, 5* miles S. by E. of Norwich. It is a small village united to that of Great Poringland, and is wholly agricultural. The land is chiefly arable. The living is a rect.* annexed to that of Howe, in the dioc. of Norwich. The church of St. Michael has long since been demolished. PORKINGTON, LOWER and UPPER, tnshps. in the par. of Selattyn, co. Salop, 1 mile N. W. of Oswestry. PORLOCK, a par., post town, and small seaport, in the hund. of Carhampton, co. Somerset, 6 miles W. of Minehead, and 8 W. of Dunster. This place, which derives its name from the Saxon portlocan, " an enclosed harbour," is a decayed market town, situated among the clifls of Porlock Bay, in the Bristol Channel. The par. contains the hmlts. of Porlock Weir, West Porlock, Yearnor, and Bossington. It was once the seat of the Wrst Saxon kings, and was invaded by Danish pirates in 918. In 1052 it was burnt by Harold, the son of Godwin, who sailed here from Ireland with nine ships, and vestiges of whose camp are still remaining. The town comprises two streets, composed of straggling and small houses. A portion of the inhabitants are m the fisheries, and others in the coasting tia'i ' is of a sandy nature upon a subsoil of )i;ird stone. The surface is diversified by lofty bills, winding valleys, and deep glens. Coal and lime are largely imported from Wales. The living is a rect.* in the dioc. of Bath und Wells, val. 339, in the patron, of lord chancellor. Tho church, dedicated to St. i itius, is an .mcii-nt sti urturo 90 feet in length, with a wooden sj.irt'l tvcr containing a clock and five bells. VOL. III. The interior of the church contains a tomb and effigies of the Rogers family. The church has recently under- gone a complete restoration, including new roof, seats, &c. The parochial charities consist of a bequest by Henry Rogers, producing 18s. per month, which is dis- tributed among 12 poor persons who have not received parochial relief. There are a day and Sunday Church of England school. The Wesleyans have a place of worship. Ashby Combe is the principal residence. Colonel Blathwayt is lord of the manor. Fairs are held on the Thursdays prior to the 9th October, 12th May, and 12th November, chiefly for cattle and sheep ; the October fair being the largest. PORLOCK- WEIR, a hmlt. in the par. of Porlock, hund. of Carhampton, co. Somerset, lj mile W. of Porlock. PORLOCK, WEST, a hmlt. in the par. of Porlock, hund. of Carhampton, co. Somerset, 1 milo W. of Porlock. PORT, a par. in the bar. of Ferrard, co. Louth, prov. of Leinstcr, Ireland, 4 miles E. of Dunleer, its post town. The surface consists of a good soil, and is traversed by the road from Dunany to Drogheda, on which stands the village. It has a coast line of about 1 mile in extent. The living is a vie. in the dioc. of Armagh, val., with Rathdrummin, 248, in the patron, of the crown. There is a Roman Catholic chapel, also a day school. Seafield is the principal residence. PORT, a vil. in the par. of Inver, bar. of Bannagh, co. Donegal, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 5 miles W.S.W. of Mount Charles. It is situated on. the W. side of Inver- bay. Fairs are held on 14th March, 12th May, 26th June, 26th August, 5th November, and loth December. PORTACHUILLA, a vil. in the island of Clare, bar. of Murrisk, co. llayo, prov. of Connaught, Ireland. It is chiefly occupied by u'shermen. Ruins of a monastery formerly existed here. PORTACLOY, a harbour on the coast of co. Mayo, Ireland, 1 mile E. of Benwee, and 10 N. by W. of Belmullet. It is a coastguard station. PORTADOWN, a quoad sacra par. in the bar. of West O'Neilland, co. Armagh, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, containing part of the quoad civilia par. of Drumcree, and tho principal part of the town of Portadown (as under). The living is a perpet. cur. in tho dioc. of Armagh, and in tho patron, of the Incumbent of Drumcree. There is a church erected in 1826, also a Methodist meeting-house, and one or two day schools. PORTADOWN, a small post and market town in the pars, of Legoe and Drumcree, bars, of East and West O'Neilland, co. Armagh, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 10 miles N. of Armagh, and 82 from Dublin. It is a station on the Portadown and Omagh junction rail- way. It is situated on the banks of the river Bann, which is here spanned by a bridge, and on the road from Armagh to Belfast. The town is a busy place. The surrounding district is well cultivated, and has numerous villa residences. It contains the parish church, two chapels, a market-house, two branch banks, several schools, and a dispensary, which last is within the Lurgan Poor-law Union. Small vessels can approach the town by way of the river, and the Newry canal passes at a short distance. A considerable cotton and linen trade is carried on. Here is a chief police station, and petty sessions are held at intervals. This town was the site of a stronghold of the M'Canns, and was founded by the Obyn family by gift of Charles I. The Duke of Manchester is the present proprietor. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on Easter and Whit Mondays, and on the 3rd Saturday in every month. PORTAFERRY, a small post and market town and seitport in the par. of Ballyphilip, bar. of Ards, co. Down, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 8 miles N.E. of Downpatrick, and 103 from Dublin. It is situated on the narrow neck of Lough Strangford, at Strangford are the present proprietors of the town, into whose pos-