AGHABOLOGUE, a parish, in the barony of EAST-MUSKERRY,
county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER,
5 miles (E. N. E.) from Macroom; containing 5054
inhabitants. It comprises 18,130 statute acres, as applotted
under the tithe act, and valued at £6712 per
annum. Its surface is very uneven and soil various: in
the western and northern parts are several lofty hills,
of which Knockgaun and Knockroer are the highest.
On part of its eastern boundary, near the Dripsey, the
soil is very productive; and the lands around Ahavrin
are in a high state of cultivation. The state of agriculture
has been much improved by the exertions of Capt.
Crooke, Mr. Colthurst, and other proprietors, who have
introduced a practical system of irrigation and draining,
and the culture of green crops. The glen of Mullinassig
abounds with beautiful and romantic scenery;
both its sides are richly adorned with wood, and at its
head, deeply seated amid towering rocks, is a little mill,
below which the river forms a fine cascade, and a little
lower falls into a beautiful lake. Numerous large and
elegant houses are scattered over the parish; the principal
are Clonmoyle, the seat of C. Colthurst, Esq.;
Ahavrin House, of Capt. T. E. Crooke, Leeds, of F.
Woodley, Esq.; Cooper's Ville, of W. Warsop Cooper,
Esq.; Deelis, of R. Fuller Harriett, Esq.5 Mountrivers, of
N. Whiting, Esq.; Kilberehert, of R. B. Crooke, Esq.;
the Cottage, of J. Pyne, Esq.; Rock Ville, of T. Radley,
Esq.; Ahavrin Cottage, of the Rev. I. Smith; and Carrigadrohid,
of the Rev. Pierce Green, P.P. The small demesne
of Ahavrin is well planted; and on an isolated rock
at its southern extremity stands a picturesque castellated
tower, surmounted by a light and graceful turret. The
living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cloyne,
and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to
£750. 0. 5½. The church is a small dilapidated structure,
and is about to be rebuilt by the Ecclesiastical
Commissioners. There is no glebe-house; but adjoining
the churchyard is a glebe of five acres, and another
glebe of thirty acres was purchased at Ahavrin by the
late Board of First Fruits, subject to an annual rental,
which being too high, the rector never took possession
of it. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of
a union or district, which comprises also the parish of
Magourney and a moiety of Aghinagh, and contains two
chapels, situated at Aghabologue and Magourney: the
former is a large and handsome edifice, in the pointed
style of architecture, with a broad, flat, castellated bell
turret. The parochial school for boys and girls is built
on the glebe adjoining the church, and is endowed by
the rector with the entire plot of glebe: there are also
two hedge schools in the parish. Near the church is
a celebrated well, dedicated to St. Olan. In the churchyard
is St. Olan's Cap, a square stone, six feet,high,
inscribed with a number of Ogham characters, perfect
and legible, with several others on the base covered by
the soil; and close to the doorway leading into the
church is a large ancient square font of grey marble,
curiously moulded at the corners.