Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/497

SLIGO. 485 SLINDON. near Lough Easky, also asbestos in the neighbourhood of Leitrim, and amethysts near Ballymote. The cli- mate is generally temperate and healthy, but variable, and the influence of the Atlantic is felt in frequent rains, often accompanied by high winds. The .soil is generally good, and well suited for agriculture. In the district to the N.E. of Sligo mossy and sandy soils pre- vail, and the sea at this point was making serious inroads upon the land, and had covered several hundred acres of fertile ground, when tbe late Lord Palmerston, part of whose Irish property lies along the coast, and some other landowners succeeded in stopping the encroach- ments. Approaching the town of Sligo the soil is loss mossy, deeper, and richer, and the plain lying to the S. of the town, and resting on a subsoil of limestone or calcareous gravel, is the best land in the county. Di- versified occasionally with bog and peat, it extends us far as the Curlew and Braughlieve mountains, along the sides of which are dreary moorlands. In most parts of this district a substratum called lac-leigh, or grey flag, is found, which is singularly retentive of water, and does not allow it to pass through. It lies about 9 to 12 inches below the surface, and on being broken up and mixed with the surrounding earth acts as a fertiliser, and no longer interferes with the drainage. From this central plain, stretching across to Mayo, is a gently undulating country, the inner part abounding in moor and deep moss. The occupations of the people are chiefly agricultural, and large districts are laid out in tillage, but grazing also is extensively practised. The total number of acres under crop in 1865 was 96,075, being an increase of 16,963 acres since 1848 ; and 221,140 acres, exclusive of clover and meadow, were in grazing land. In 1841 there were 7,360 acres under plantation of oak, beech, elm, ash, fir, mixed timber, and fruit. The fisheries on the coast are of considerable importance, and trout, salmon, and other fish are taken in tho rivers. The oysters are large in size, but well flavoured, being chiefly procured from the beds at Lissadill. Coarse woollens and linens are manufactured to a small extent. The reli- gion of the people is principally Roman Catholic, 1 1 2,436, or 90 per cent, of tho entire population, having, in 1861, been of that persuasion, while 10,438, or 8-4 per cent., belonged to the Established Church, and 1,971, or 1-6 per cent., were of other Christian denominations, of whom 931 were Presbyterians, and 778 were Methodists. The county is divided for civil purposes into 6 baronies Carbury, Coolavin, Corran, Leyney, Tireragh, and Tirerril, and contains 41 parishes. It returns 3 members to parliament, 2 for the county, tho constituency in 1861 having been 3,181, and 1 for the borough, constituency 379. It belongs to the Connaught circuit. Sligo is the only town in the county with a population, in 1861, over 2,000, and is the assize town. Markets are held there, and also at Aclare, Ballymoto, Bollaghy, Easky, and Tobereurry. The county infirmary, county gaol, and the district lunatic asylum for this county and Lei- trim are at Sligo. Quarter sessions are held here, and also at Easky and Ballymote. Petty sessions are held at 14 places. The local government is vested in the lieutenant of the county and custos rotulorum, tho sheriffs, 14 deputy lieutenants, and about 88 magistrates. Tho county belongs to the northern, or Dublin military district, and there are barracks at Sligo. In the neighbourhood of Sligo are many Druidical remains, and at a place called Lug-na-Clough, or tho Giant's Grave, many immense stones stand perpendicularly in a strange and unaccount- able manner, forming fart of a circle similar to that at Sumehenge on Salisbury Plain, in England. SLIGO, a seaport, municipal and parliamentary borough, and chief town of co. Sligo, prov. of Con- naught, Ireland, is situated near the mouth of the river Garroguc, and is 131 miles from Dublin by road, or llil by mil. It is tho terminus of a branch line of tho Midland Great Western railway from Mullingar, ami steamers ply regularly between it and Glasgow. 'I I town, which was the property for tho most ]nrt of the late Lord Palmerston, and of tho Right ll<>n. Julm Wynne, of Hazlewood, P.C., lies principally on the S., or left bank of the river Garrogue, which is hero crossed by two bridges, and is navigable from Lough Gill. Tho houses are irregularly but well built. The streets are lighted with gas and paved, but in the older parts of the town they are narrow and ill suited for trade. Tho most important public building is the parish church of St. John, an ancient cruciform struc- ture in the later style of English architecture, with a square tower at the W. end. It has lately been en- larged and improved. Calry parish church, standing on a hill at the E. end of the town, is a Gothic building of recent erection, with a tower and spire. The Roman Catholic church of the parish of St. John is large. There is also a friary attached to the Dominican convent, and there are Presbyterian, Independent, and two Methodist meeting-houses. The now building for National schools is appropriate. There are besides schools under Eras- mus Smith's charity, and the Incorporated Society, with parochial and other schools. The other public buildings are the county court house, gaol, infirmary and fever hospital, tho union workhouse, district lunatic asylum, the custom-house, butter market, linen hall, consta- bulary barrack, and a new office of the Ulster bank. There is a small business done in linens, and there are flour mills, some small breweries, and a distillery. Tho salmon fishery in tho river is important ; the limits of the district are Coonamore Point and Mullaghmore, and the close season is from 19th August to 4th February in each year, for both tidal and fresh-water fishing. The port is under the control of the Town and Harbour Commissioners, who are elected for life. They have improved the harbour vessels of large draught, how- ever, are obliged to anchor in the pool, which is safe and easily gained. Tho chief imports are coals, timber, iron, and salt, and the exports are butter, meal, flour, and corn. The assizes for the county are held in the town, and also quarter and petty sessions. Four newspapers nve published weekly. The religion of the townspeoplo is principally liomun Catholic. In 1861 there were 8,392 persons of that religion, 1,630 members of tho Established Church, 288 Presbyterians, 231 Methodists, 122 Independents, and 30 of other religious persuasions, or unspecified. Tho borough returns one member to parliament, and had a constituency in 1865 of 379. It is governed by a mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors, elected from 3 wards. Sligo is tho seat of a Poor-law Union, comprising 29 electoral divisions. Tuesday And Saturday are market days. Fail's are held on 27th March, 4th July, llth August, and 10th October. SLIGUFF, a par. in the bar. of Idrone East, co. Cm-low, prov. of Leinster, Ireland, 13 miles N.E. of Borris. It is situated on tho river Barrow, and is crossed by the road from Goresbridgo to Bagenalstown. Tho living is a vie. in the dioc. of Leigblin, val. with Lorum, 352, in tho patron, of the bishop. Tho church has long been in ruins. In this parish are ruins of Ballyloughlin Castle, formerly a seat of the Cavanaghs. Fairs are held on 12th February and 1st November. SLIMBRIDGE, or SLYMBRIDGE, a par. in the upper div. of Berkeley hund., co. Gloucester, 4 miles N.W. of Dursley. Stonehouso is its post town. Tho parish, which is of large extent, is bounded on the N. by the river Severn, and is intersected by the Gloucester and Berkeley canal and tho Gloucester and Bristol rail- road. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agricul- ture. The manufacture of iron was formerly carried on, but has been discontinued, and tho site of tho works is now occupied by a saw-mill. Tho living is a rect. in the dioc. of Gloucester and Bristol, val. 601, in the patron, of Magdalen College, Oxford. The church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, has a lofty spire. Tho paro- chial charities produce about 5 per annum. There is a place of worship for Independents. SLINDON, a tnshp. in the par. of Eccleshall, N. div. of Pirehill hund., co. Stafford, 3 miles N. of Eccleshall, near tho North- Western railway. SLINDON, a par. in the hund. of Aldwick, rape of Chichester, co. Sussex, 3J miles N.W. of Arundel, its post town, and 73 from London. The village, which is