LISMORE TOWN CHARTER

By charter of James I., granted in 1613 to Sir Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, the town, with the circumjacent lands within a mile and a half round the parish church, was made a free borough; and the corporation was directed to consist of a portreeve, free burgesses and commonalty. The charter also invested the corporation with the privilege of returning two members to the Irish parliament, which they continued to exercise till the Union, when the borough was disfranchised, and the £15,000 awarded as compensation was paid to the trustees under the will of the late Earl of Cork and Burlington, whose seneschal was the returning officer. Whether the officers of the corporation, nominated in the charter, were ever regularly chosen, cannot be ascertained; but it appears that few municipal functions were exercised, except by the seneschal of the manor, who still holds his court, at which debts not exceeding £10 are recoverable every third week; but since the Union the corporation has become virtually extinct. Petty sessions are held on alternate Wednesdays: the sessions-house is a spacious building, and there is also a bridewell.

The soil is in general fertile, and the lands alternately arable and pasture, with very little waste, except roads and river, and a small quantity of bog; the system of agriculture is improved. Limestone abounds in the southern parts of the parish, and towards the north is found in strata of great depth. Slate of good quality for roofing is quarried on the north side of the Black-water and at Glenribben, and there are several other quarries, of which one near the bridge of Lismore has been worked for a long time; there is slate also on the side of Knockmeledown; and coarse clay slate; silicious rock, conglomerate, and sandstone are found in various parts.

Iron, copper, and lead ores are frequently discovered, and have formerly been worked, but discontinued for want of fuel; a lead mine was discovered in 1836, a little below Cappoquin, near the navigable part of the Blackwater, on the estate of Mr. Usher, but it is not yet worked. The scenery abounds with features of grandeur and beauty; on the north, towards the county of Tipperary, the parish is bounded by a mountainous ridge, of which the highest point is the conical summit of Knockmeledown, 2700 feet above the level of the sea, commanding a magnificent and extensive prospect, embracing the rock of Cashel and its cathedral church; and the ocean, with the bays of Youghal and Dungarvan.

On the summit of this mountain, Mr. Eccles, a writer on electricity, was buried in 1781, at his own request. Some very rich scenery is also observable on the roads to Clogheen and Cappoquin, about two miles distant; in various places deep ravines intersect the range of hills, and the whole of the adjoining district presents features of interest and variety.

The principal seats are Tourin, the residence of Sir Richard Musgrave, Bart., composed partly of an ancient castle, and commanding an extensive and picturesque view; Ballysaggartmore, of Arthur Keily, Esq., in an ample and tastefully planted demesne near the river, also commanding some fine views; Flower Hill, of B. Drew, Esq., a beautiful residence in the cottage style, surrounded by richly diversified scenery; Fort William, of J. Gumbleton, Esq., a handsome demesne on the opposite side of the Blackwater, in which a new house is now being erected by the proprietor; Glencairne, of Gervaise Bushe, Esq., a handsome residence beautifully situated; Ballygally, the occasional residence of G. Holmes Jackson, Esq.; Glanbeg, of G. Bennett Jackson, Esq.; Tourtain, of T. Foley, Esq.; Ballyinn, of P. Foley, Esq.; Ballyrafter, of M. Quinlan, Esq., M. D.; and Salterbridge, of A. Chearnley, Esq., beautifully situated in thriving plantations. At Ballyinn are some flour-mills.

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