BELANAGARE, a village, in the parish of KILCORKEY,
barony of BALLINTOBBER, county of ROSCOMMON,
and province of CONNAUGHT, 2 miles (S. by E.) from
Frenchpark: the population is returned with the parish.
This place is situated on the mail coach road from
Longford to Ballina, and consists of about 30 houses,
of which several are neatly built. It was formerly the
residence of the O'Conor Don, who has lately removed
to a new lodge in the immediate neighbourhood, since
which the village has been neglected and is falling into
decay. The old mansion, now in ruins, was an irregular
building with numerous gables and tall chimneys, and
is surrounded with stately trees. The surrounding
scenery is interesting, and the roads leading to the
village are shaded by trees growing in the hedge-rows.
Fairs are held on Jan. 6th, and the first Wednesdays in
March, Aug. and Nov.; the January fair is noted for
young horses and pigs. Petty sessions are held here
irregularly. The R. C. parochial chapel is situated
in the village, and was built by the late O'Conor Don,
in 1819; the roof is covered with sandstone slate found
in the neighbourhood. A large school is held in the
chapel. See Kilcorkey.