Isaac Weld
Published: 2012-02-08
Total Pages: 710
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1832 Excerpt: ... At the distance of two miles and a half from Tulsk, to the north-west, lie Rath Croghan and Rclickua Riagh, places, which, as already mentioned under the head of Croghan, in the barony of Boyle, are remarkable for caves and ancient burial grounds, as well as for some rude remains, connected by tradition with the history of the kings of Connaught. The country in t/ie vicinity of Tulsk is reputed to afford some of the richest pastures in this fertile part of Ireland; not limited, however, to the barony of Roscommon, but extending into those adjoining. The farms, as already observed, are considerable; from three hundred acres, Irish, a quantity of land very commonly held by a single individual, up to one thousand acres and more. The best feeding lands lie high and dry, and both sheep and bullocks are fed by principally the latter. These large grazing farms are commonly bounded by high walls of stone, in some instances built dry and loosely; in others wholly cemented with mortar, or partially strengthened therewith. Sometimes the traces of ancient hawthorn hedges, marked by insulated bushes in even lines, but at very remote intervals, afford proof that in former times the subdivisions of the land were more numerous; but according to the modern system, the cattle are allowed to take an extensive range; it is believed that they thrive in proportion to this liberty, and vast herds may be observed together, spread over the hills, where scarcely a tree or even a bush is to be seen. Habitations are few; their paucity affording a remarkable contrast to the numbers which are invariably found in the districts which arc devoted principally to tillage. Yet after mounting upon some of the bleak and dreary hills, where an extensive prospect is opened for miles around, many ...