extends, in a kind of oblong figure, from the public road to
a remote point of the lake, a distance of nearly two English
miles. The soil, like most others in this district, is, by
nature, soft and spewy, the redundant water proceeding,
in some instances, from deep springs, which have been sub-
verted by drains coming at their source, and by minor
drains communicating between the main channels and the
lake, for all of which there is a good fall from the elevated
lands to the Lough beneath them : and besides these deeper
and larger drains, shallow surface drains have been execu-
ted and proved useful in carrying off the surface water ; and
if the proprietor will try the effect of manuring the lands,
thus dried by draining, with a compost of old clay, &c.
strongly impregnated with lime, we are deeply deceived if it
will not warm, enrich, and advance this soil from ten to
twenty per cent, beyond the present measure of its pro-
ductive power.
We were very much surprised to see, not only black store
cattle, which are hardy and have good hide (and will there-
fore thrive on cold spewy soils) but also sheep (the tenderest
of all stock) on the lands of Derrybrusk, and apparently
doing well. As dry limestone soils are, however, well
known to be the best adapted to the health and improve-
ment of these latter, we think this ought to operate as an
additional inducement to Mr. Deering to try the lime com-
post that we have just mentioned, in the benefit of which
his crops also would largely participate, as a very small
experiment in the first instance would satisfactorily prove
to him.
There is evident proof of a mineral tendency in the sub-
strata of these lands, from the fact of a gentle chalybeate
infusion being perceptible in the springs with which the
soil abounds; one of which (a healthful water in common
SEATS, ETC. 407
use) we tasted at its source, and found it evidently impreg-
nated with iron.
Limestone and freestone of good quality, are brought
here from the neighbouring country, but are not indigenous
to these lands ; nor does any river with falls for mills pass
through them, so that they appear to have been intended by
nature, rather for pastoral than for commercial purposes,
although certainly Lough Erne at their base, would furnish
useful facilities for the conveyance of manufactured goods to
market, if such goods were there.
Derrybrusk is distant about four miles from Enniskillen,
which is the post town to it.
BELLEVUE.
Bellevue, the seat of Captain Knox, stands within a short
distance of the mail coach road communicating between
Ballyshannon and Dublin, within two miles of Enniskillen,
which is the post town to it.
The approach is by a superb avenue, which commands a
most interesting view of Lough Erne, and Lisgoole Abbey
on the distant shore ; and from the nobly elevated site upon
which the house stands, the varied scenery of the Lough, in
the opposite direction, is distinctly seen.
To the excellent mansion house, offices, and gardens, forty
Irish acres of demesne are appended, and unite with the
various improvements on its proud platform, to constitute
Bellevue a most gentlemanly residence in this fine neigh-
bourhood.
LISGOOLE ABBEY.
This seat (which derives its name from the site of an
ancient abbey on which the house stands, and from those
called " the abbey lands," formerly connected with it) is the
residence of Michael Jones, Esq. It comprehends a good
family edifice modernised ; and 400 Irish plantation acres of
a soil peculiarly adapted to the growth of vegetable plants,
and producing ash and other timber of the first quality.
408 COUNTY OF FERMANAGH,
It stands on the eastern shore of Lough Erne, within a
few miles of Enniskillen, the capital of the county ; and in
addition to this fine sheet of water, which washes the base of
Lisgoole lawn, the new canal proposed to be opened from
hence to Lough Neagh, is expected to form a junction with
Lough Erne at this place, within view of the lawn of this
beautifully secluded seat of antiquity, which will derive a
new feature of crystalline beauty and interest, from this
long and anxiously expected " meeting of the waters"
There is no fall adapted to the movement of machinery,
on that slender arm of the Lough, which sweeps round the
lawn of Lisgoole Abbey ; nor could we learn that any indi-
cations of minerals applicable to trade had been discovered
here but the truth is, we believe, they were never sought
for ! This would not surprise us if the old monks of
the abbey were now living there; as they would find
plenty of people to supply them with the necessaries of
life without taking thought for the morrow. But in these
modern days, in which a certain proportion of the popula-
tion are every thing but eating each other (and the trade in
strangulation and dead bodies now earned on, is at least
equal to the crime of Anthropophagy) this inattention to the
resources of the soil, and their application to the improve-
ment of the country and the employment of the people, is a
singular oversight on the part of intelligent gentlemen,
whose whole stake is in the soil of Ireland, and who are
perfectly capable of perceiving the end to which a total loss
of trade would conduct that country.
The soil of Lisgoole Abbey being thus maintained in that
virgin state in which the monks left it, is now chiefly dis-
tinguishable for its pastoral uses, its picturesque connection
with Lough Erne, and those reminiscences of the venerable
of our ancient institutions, with which its history is so
intimately connected.
The elegantly planted lawns of Bellevue, Castle Coole,
and Killyhavlin, beyond the lake, are in full prospect, and
unite with this charming water to constitute the picturesque
SEATS, ETC. 409
of this most interesting scene, which is situated within a
mile and a half of a new line of road, now opening between
Enniskillen and Sligo, by Florence Court ; and the town of
Euniskillen, from which the Abbey is about four miles
distant, is the post town to it.
RIVERSDALE.
This seat of Edward Archdale, Esq., is a constituent of
the see lands of Clogher, which, according to our informa-
tion, has been for two centuries in possession of the Archdale
family. It embraces an excellent new built mansion house,
at a due distance from the road, and on a good site for
commanding prospect. The home view is ornamentally
planted. The lawn extensive and handsomely improved.
There is an excellent flour mill and corn mill, on a river
which passes through these lands ; and nearly 200 acres of a
good vegetable and corn soil. This seat commands an inter-
esting view of the distant mountains, and is situated near
the principal road communicating between Enniskillen and
the towns of Pettigo and Donegal, at the distance of about
four Irish miles from Enniskillen, which is the post town
to it.
No minerals applicable to trade are known to exist here ;
consequently the mills already noticed, and that proportion
of the produce of the soil which is sent to market, constitute
the whole of its commercial history.
CROCKNACRIEVE.
This is the seat and fee farm of John Johnston, Esq., and
comprehends a nice new built house on the summit of a
noble elevation, standing above a demesne of about 100
Irish plantation acres, beautifully dressed and planted. It
is situated on the post and circuit road (communicating by
the town of Trillick on General Archdale's property) between
Omagh and Enniskillen, the capitals of two counties. And
at the rear of the concern, another main road communicates
410 COUNTY OF FERMANAGH,
between Enniskillen and Deny, (by Strabane) through
Irvinestown and Drumquin.
The soil is well adapted to the growth of wheat and other
corn crops ; and trees and vegetable plants of all classes, are
said to thrive extremely well here.
Enniskillen, from which this seat is distant about five
English miles, is the post town to it.
JAMESTOWN.
This is the seat of George Lendrum, Esq., and compre-
hends a neat mansion house, and about 200 acres of a light
dry soil ornamentally planted. It is said to constitute a
wholesome walk for sheep and young black cattle; and
though dry, to be favourable to the growth of trees.
It stands on that called the circuit road, noticed in our
last description (so called because the judges and lawyers
passed over it in the Autumn of 1830, in their progress from
Omagh to Enniskillen) and is distant from the latter town,
which is the post town to it, about six Irish miles.
ROSSFAD.
This is the ancient name of a town land, held as a fee
farm by Major Richardson and over the crystal bosom of
Lough Erne, upon whose shore it stands, it commands a
very fine view of the elegantly planted seat of the Marquis
of Ely, beyond the water.
It is a small but interesting feature of improvement in
the general scenery of the Lough, and had the level lawn
which sustains the house, in a position horizontal with the
lake, provided a lofty mount as a site for the mansion house,
with gradually sloping banks towards Lough Erne, upon
one side, and the public road communicating between En-
niskillen and Castle Archdale upon the other; then Rossfad,
(proudly elevated above the fine land and water scene which
surrounds it) would have been a still more distinguished
feature of beauty and improvement on that interesting line
of road, which forms an outline to the scenery of the Lough,
SEATS, ETC. 411
in your progress from Enniskillen to Ballyshannon, by
Castle Archdale and Pettigo.
Situated however as it is, the view from the spacious level
lawn to the Lough, and to the scenery on the distant shore,
is open, calm and interesting ; deriving the tranquillizing
power of its chaste and unimpassioned attractions, chiefly
from the influence of natare. In the family property of
Major Richardson, (situated in another section of the region
of this Lough) there is a large tract of mountain which has
never been explored. Should this be found to contain clays
and minerals applicable to trade ; on the event of capital
being embarked here, these mountains may yet become an
appendage of great value to that property, of which they
now form a partially neglected feature.
No river with falls for the movement of machinery passes
through the lands of Rossfad ; nor have mineral treasures of
any kind been sought for, or found, in these properties, that
we could hear of.
Enniskillen, from which this seat is about five English
miles distant, is the post town to it.
GRAAN-HOUSE.
Graan-house is a respectable feature of the Fermanagh
estate, of General Archdale ; and is the seat of Adam Nixon,
Esq., clerk of the peace for the county of Fermanagh ; and
we believe for that of Tyrone also, but are not quite certain
as to this latter county.
It stands on a proudly elevated lawn of thirty-four Irish
acres, apparently well cultivated, and embellished with use-
ful and ornamental trees. It commands a pleasing prospect
of Castle Coole (the seat of the Earl of Belmore) and of
Patora, a school splendidly endowed, and standing on a
noble elevation above the town of Enniskillen. Also a
glimpse of that Lough which is the glory of Fermanagh, and
which (though the spot that is seen is but as a speck in the
ocean) communicates a ray of beauty and brightness to this
little scene.
412 COUNTY OF FERMANAGH,
Graan-house constitutes an interesting retreat from the
noise and bustle of Enniskillen, the seat of office more par-
ticularly on the evenings of those solemn days, when the
books are open and the judgment sits ; and when the " Thrust
Outs, Demurrers, and Daily Orators," of the law, having
no hope in this life, repair with broken hearts to the taverns
of the town, to drown the last surviving remnant of their
reason and their fortunes, in those seas of burning fluid, that
are known in these countries by the name of "Scotland
and Ireland's blue ruin"
This comfortable and well circumstanced retreat, may be
regarded as a pretty fair specimen of the numerous respectable
homesteads of the yeomen of Fermanagh, that are scattered
over the face of all the principal estates in that county. It
is distant from Enniskillen, which is the post town to it,
about two miles.
. HOLLYBROOK.
This is the seat of Andrew Nixon, Esq. (brother to the
gentleman last noticed) and is a respectable feature of
improvement on the Lisnaskea estate, the property of
Colonel Creighton. The dwelling house (which is a very
comfortable edifice, and with its various appendages,
another good specimen of the respectability of the tenantry
of this county) stands near the public road which forms a
boundary to it, on the summit of a lawn that descends in a
glacis to the river of Lisnaskea, which sweeps round it.
This river, though by no means a water of high distinction
in the geography of the county, Mr. Nixon observes, con-
tains an abundant supply of water and falls of ample force
for the accommodation of mills. It derives its name from
the village of Lisnaskea, through which it passes in its
descent from the mountains; and though not a water of
high pretensions to fame (as we have just observed) is never-
theless deserving of notice, in an estimate of the facilities
for future trade which this county possesses.
Hollybrook stands on the old road which opens a commu-
SEATS, ETC. 413
nication between Enniskillen and Cavan, ten Irish miles
from the former, and fifteen from the latter ; and Lisnaskea,
in its immediate neighbourhood, is the post town to it.
CURRAGH.
This is a cottage beauty, situated on the old road noticed
in our last description. It is the seat of Wm. Chartres,
Esq., and stands on a demesne of forty Irish acres, planted,
improved, and beautified by a fine prospect of the neighbour-
ing country. It is distant from Enniskillen, about seven
English miles, and four from Lisnaskea, which is the post
town to it.
FORPHY HOUSE.
This is a neat new villa, comprehending a handsome
edifice, and seventeen acres of an ornamentally planted farm,
commanding an extensive prospect of the distant mountains.
It is the seat of Henry Leslie, Esq., and is a pretty feature
of improvement on the Leslie estate, situated near the old
road noticed in our last description. Lisnaskea, in its
immediate neighbourhood, is the post town to it.
KILLYHLAVIN COTTAGE.
This is the denomination of an extensive cottage farm of
3 or 400 acres, held under the Earl of Belmore, by Richard
Deane, Esq., his Lordship's agent.
It stands in the immediate neighbourhood of Enniskillen,
on the margin of a lake, which contributes to the pictu-
resque of this cottage scene, when inspected on the spot ;
but the effect of this water upon the home view would have
been much greater, if the cottage instead of standing upon
a low site near the margin of the lake, had been erected on
the summit of a tract of open and elevated land under which
it now lies buried and concealed from public view.
With a more elevated site for a new and handsome edifice
in the cottage style, with plantations suited to the geography
of the laud and water ; the superior lustre of the lake, when
414 COUNTY OF FERMANAGH,
viewed from this proud position through a vista in its wood,
in connection with the beauty of the surrounding country,
which it would then enjoy, and of which it is now totally
deprived ; altogether united, would add a hundred a-year to
the value of this place, if it were to be disposed of when thus
finished, to a man of taste and fortune ; and one thousand
pounds at most, would accomplish all that we have now
mentioned.
Enniskillen, in its immediate neighbourhood, is, of course,
the post town to this farm.
LISBOFIN.
This is the seat of Charles Fausset, Esq., and by virtue of
his valuable improvements, has been made a very respect-
able feature of the Archdale property; in the honour of
whose family a proof of high confidence has been here exhi-
bited, by the liberal sum expended in permanent improve-
ments on a lease of three lives or thirty-one years ; which
though a just and generous tenure, will, in all probability,
leave behind it, buildings and plantations of still consider-
able value.
Lisbofin comprehends a handsome new edifice in the villa
style, standing on the summit of a gentle elevation over a
farm of 100 acres, which commands the prospect of an open
landscape extending to that lofty elevation which is known
by the name of Knockninny, to the lofty lands beyond
Lough Me Naine, to the Tophet mountain beyond Ennis-
killen, to the summit of Brucehill beyond Cavan, (20 miles
distant) and in its own neighbourhood, to the fine planta-
tions of Florence Court ; and various other improvements by
which the scenery is enriched.
The soil is grassy, and well adapted to the growth of
vegetable plants, and to a run for store cattle; to which
latter use it is chiefly appropriated.
The distance from hence to Enniskillen, which is the post
town to this seat, is four Irish miles.
SEATS, ETC. 415
MAGHERAMENA.
This is the seat and part of the estate of Robert Johnston,
Esq. K. C. It stands in the immediate vicinity of Lough
Erne, on a line of road which communicates between Ennis-
killen and Ballyshannon, by the villages of Pettigo and Bel-
leek ; and although situated on a plain, it commands an
open prospect of the lake, the river of Castle Archdale, and
of a grand mountain outline, by which a large tract of coun-
try is bounded on the distant shore. Nevertheless the
tame level on which the house stands is unfavourable to
artificial embellishment, and the chief value of this plain
unadorned property, is found in its good lime-stone soil, and
in certain facilities for trade which it obviously possesses.
Magheramena estate embraces a tract of about 400 Irish
acres, of which upwards of 100 are appended to the house,
in the character of a demesne and home farm. The uplands
are composed of a dry lime-stone soil, producing good com
crops, and constituting a sound and nutritive sheep walk ;
and there is a sufficiency of turbary attached to the concern
for present consumption ; but the decline of this useful soil
for fuel is now perceptible ; and in another century, it is
probable coal will be much wanted in this and other districts,
to supply the deficiency of the rapidly disappearing peat.
We could not learn that any minerals have yet been found
or sought for in these lands ; but that they are well circum-
stanced for trade, if capital should be embarked in manufac-
tures on the shores of Lough Erne ; and equally so for the
conveyance of agricultural produce and live stock to the
English market, may be inferred from their close connection
with this Lough, and from their proximity to the port of
Ballyshannon.
This property is distant from Enniskillen twenty-three
Irish miles ; from Pettigo about seven ; from Belleek two,
and from Ballyshannon, in the county of Donegal, which is
the post town to it, five Irish miles.
416 COUNTY OF FERMANAGH,
THE ROCKFELT PROPERTY.
The Rockfelt property (if we may so denominate it, as it
pays a small chief rent to the lord of the soil) comprehends,
according to our information, upwards of 400 Irish acres, let
by modern leases in the farm way at about forty shillings per
acre, (a rent by no means uncommon in the middle system,
once so eminently prosperous in Ireland) and for farms of
twenty or thirty acres, with a comfortable dwelling house,
&c. from two to three guineas per acre. These, however,
(if we can depend upon the best information we were able
to collect) are far higher rents than are paid by any portion
of the tenantry of Fermanagh to the lords of the soil for
lands held in the farm way; and may therefore be justly
regarded as an exception to the general practice of the
county, the leading estates of Lord Belmore, Lord Ennis-
killen, General Archdale, and Sir Henry Brooke, not being
let out at more than from a pound to thirty shillings per
acre, in the farm way. These being the general rents of a
county, chiefly dependent upon its agriculture for support,
we hence infer that to a people destitute of manufactures,
forty shillings per acre must be felt as a grinding rent, in
the present low state of the markets ; and that hence the
Rockfelt tenants, if their history were accurately known,
would, in many instances, be found grappling with great
difficulties, and forming a striking exception to the enjoy-
ment of that decency and plenty, by which a great majority
of the tenants in this county are so happily distinguished.
Whether the information that we received upon this subject
is correct, we can only infer from the rents just noticed ; as
we know nothing more of the private circumstances of the
people.
These lands are situated, for the most part, in that inter-
esting section of Fermanagh, which opens a communication
between Enniskillen and Ballyshannon, in full view of the
finest scenery of Lough Erne ; and if the beauties of nature
could mitigate the severities of the middle system, these
SEATS, ETC. 417
poor people would find a sweet and interSurjsa counterpoise
to their hardships, in the liberality with which the Author of
nature has dispensed his favours to this place.
To these favours, some pretty cottages have been added
(at high rents) by the hand of art, among which that of
Gabbolusk, the residence of a Mr. Groham, a respectable
tenant on this property, is not the least distinguished by its
neatness and beauty on that road.
In the same section of the county (but not on this pro-
perty) there is a cottage freehold, immediately 011 the road-
side, so remarkable for its characteristic coziness (if we may
be allowed to introduce a colloquial phrase into print) that
we cannot overlook it. The cottage (neatly thatched, and
separated from the road by a lawn of perhaps two English
acres, inclosed by a low stone wall) stands upon a farm of
forty acres, held for ever, subject to a small chief rent, by
Mr. William Graham. The neatly cropped garden and
fences, and every other feature of this place obvious to view,
is so indicative of comfort, and so exactly what the home-
stead of a yeoman should be, that in passing and re-passing
through that section of the county, we several times stopped
to take a taste of its cottage comforts ; and we recollect to
have once drank a glass of very good home made wine there.
These are the kind of habitations that do credit to a
county and its landlords ; and to the honour of Fermanagh
be it said, that they are both numerous and respectable upon
all the principal estates.
PROSPECT HILL.
This is the seat of Captain Maguire, a magistrate for the
counties of Fermanagh and Leitrim; and is appropriately
called Prospect-hill, as it stands on a pleasing elevation,
which commands a view of the Benaghlin mountain over
Florence-court, together with an extensive tract of the
plains of Cavan and Fermanagh. It comprehends a com-
fortable mansion house and forty Irish acres of demesne,
2 E
418 COUNTY OF FERMANAGH,
held bythis gentleman, from his brother Dr. John Maguire,
who is the lord of the soil.
The low lands in this southern section of Fermanagh (as
in parts near the centre of the county, already noticed) are
soft and spewy ; but in the elevated tracts, there is a sub-
stratum of lime-stone or lime-stone gravel, which renders
them more favourable to the growth and perfection of grain
crops, and may therefore be considered as a redeeming qua-
lity in that section of the soil.
Captain Maguire's personal property is situated in the
county of Leitrim, and embraces a considerable tract of
mountain land near Manorhamilton, and a similar one near
the town of Ballinamore ; but as neither of these tracts have
been surveyed by mining engineers, he knows nothing of
their subterraneous resources. The prevalence however of
divers valuable minerals in other mountain districts in this
county, and the well known liberality of nature to Leitrim,
in the department of mineral wealth, furnish a reasonable
presumption that Captain Maguire's mountains are not
without some portion of her hidden treasures.
Prospect-hill stands on a county road, which opens a
communication between Swanlinbar and Belturbet, in the
county of Cavan, nine miles south of Enniskillen, and one
from Swanlinbar, which is the post town to it.
SWANLINBAR.
We visited this pretty little village in the county of Cavan,
because it is situated on the borders of Fermanagh ; in the
neighbourhood of what some would term " a fine sporting
country," in the region of the mountains. It contains a