Belturbet Co Cavan

BELTURBET (co. Cavan, Ulster, I. Dublin 77 m. N W b N. Pop. of Pa. 2746. Of To. 2010. Fairs, Ash-Wed. ; Whit.-Tu. ; June 12; July 21: Sep. 4; and 1st Thur. O. S. in Nov). A town, partly in the parish of Armagh, and partly in that of Drumlane, and in the barony of Loughtee, lower half. It is situated upon the river Erne, and is a regular military station, and a well-built town. The living is a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Kilmore and archdiocese of Armagh ; valued in K. B. 30/.; and by commutation of tithes, 384/. 4s. 71/2d. Belturbet parish is otherwise called Anna, or Annagh, and possesses a church, parsonage, and two acres of glebe. The town is well situated for trade, the river and lake being navigable to Belleek. Here are the ruins of an abbey, a curious ancient fortification, and an old castle (1). 

Between 1725 and 1793 Catholics and those married to Catholics could not vote. In 1760 John Wesley passed through and noted “a town in which there is neither Papist nor Presbyterian; but, to supply that defect there are, Sabbath-breakers, drunkards, and common swearers in abundance”. The town retains much of its original lay-out. The main street leads to the square or 'diamond' where all of the town's important buildings are situated. The town has its own festival, Belturbet Festival of the Erne which also includes the Lady Of the Erne competition. The festival attracts large crowds for the last week in July and boasts one of the largest fancy dress parties in Ireland (2).

Belturbet Co Cavan, Ireland c1890

Read more about Belturbet and Co Cavan

(1). Google Books. Volume 1 of A Topographical Dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland, John Gorton. [Online] Chapman and Hall, 1833 .

(2) Belturbet. Wikipedia. [Online]

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