BALLYMACORMICK, a parish, partly in the barony
of ARDAGH, but chiefly in that of MOYDOW, county of
LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 1½ mile (S.)from
Longford; containing 3935 inhabitants. This parish,
which is situated on the road from Longford to Ballymahon,
comprises 9641 statute acres, of which more
than 3000 are bog and waste land: the cultivable lands
are chiefly in tillage. On the lands of Mullaghavorneen
coal is said to exist, but the vein has never been explored;
and limestone and sandstone are found in all
directions lying very near the surface. The Royal Canal
runs through the parish, affording a facility of communication
with Dublin. The only gentleman's seat is
Rockspring House, the residence of W. Coates, Esq.
It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ardagh,
and is part, of the union of Templemichael: the tithes
amount to £200. The church, a neat building with a
square tower, situated nearly in the centre of the parish,
was erected in 1826, by a gift of £900 from the late
Board of First Fruits. The glebe comprises 34a. lr. l0p.
valued at £70. 12. 6. per annum. In the R. C. divisions
it is included in the union or district of Templemichael,
the chapel of which is situated at Shrand. The parochial
school is supported by local subscriptions and an annual
grant from the Ardagh Diocesan Society, and there are
three other schools, altogether affording instruction to
170 boys and 170 girls; there are also nine private
schools, in which are about 280 boys and 140 girls.,
and a Sunday school. There are some remains of the
old church; and on the lands of Ballinamore are the
ruins of an old church and of an ancient fortress.