Richhill

EDITED EXTRACTS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY GAZETTEER OF IRELAND, PUBLISHED IN 1846

RICHHILL, a small market and post town in the parish of Kilmore, barony of West Oneilland, County Armagh.

It stands on the road from Armagh to Belfast, 3 miles south-south-east of Loughgall, 4 east-north-east of Armagh, 4½ north by west of Markethill, 5 west-north-west of Tandragee, 5 west-south-west of Portadown, 26 south-west of Belfast.

The Castle, Richhill (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

It stands on high ground, in the midst of a beautifully undulated and richly wooded country; and it both possesses an interesting appearance in itself, and acquires warmth and picturesqueness, from the close embrace of the demesne of RICHHILL, the residence of the Richardson family, proprietors of the town and the circumjacent estate.

The demesne is well enclosed and profusely wooded; and its mansion stands in full view of the street, and is a castellated pile of apparently the same date as that of Lurgan.

Richardson arms (Image: Timothy Ferres, 2021)

Within 2 miles of the town stands CASTLE DILLON, the seat of Sir Thomas Molyneux, Bart, in a demesne abounding with stately forest trees and embellished with a fine sheet of water, and an obelisk 60 feet high, erected by the Rt Hon Sir Capel Molyneux, in commemoration of Irish legislative independence obtained in 1782 by the volunteers of Ireland; the same baronet also erected a column to commemorate the foundation of the order of the Knights of St Patrick.

Adjoining Castle Dillon is HOCKLEY LODGE, the seat of the Hon Henry Caulfeild, brother of Lord Charlemont, an elegant modern residence containing some stately apartments and an extensive and valuable library.

Main Street, Richhill (Image: William Alfred Green)

The town is airy and neat; and has an excellent market-house, a Methodist meeting-house, a Presbyterian meeting-house, an Independent meeting-house, and a Quakers' meeting-house.

Fairs are held on Shrove Tuesday, July 26th, and October 15th.

Area of the town, 28 acres.

Population in 1831, 937; in 1841, 752.

Houses, 147.

First published in April, 2021.