***ORIGINAL SPELLING HAS BEEN RETAINED***
On Monday se’nnight, this grand ploughing match took place at Raphoe, for the premiums offered by the North-West Society. Thirty-eight ploughs, the property of the Noblemen, Gentlemen and Farmers of the north-west district, were brought into competition, in a large and beautiful field belonging to the Lord Bishop of Raphoe. The day was tolerably favourable, considering the season, and the assemblage was truly interesting; an immense crowd of persons, as respectable in appearance as in conduct, witnessed a scene calculated to afford pleasure to every lover of his country. – Of the above number, 21 ploughs belonged to the Marquis of Abercorn, the Bishop of Raphoe, and other Gentlemen, and 17 to the farmers of the neighbourhood.
After a mature and careful deliberation, the premiums were thus arranged:
Mr. James McElhinny, of Prospect, in the parish of Donagheady [Co. Tyrone] – a Silver Cup
William Rippy, a ploughman of the Lord Bishop of Raphoe – an Iron Plough, a Silver Medal, and £2
Mr. Robert Walker, of Dundrane, parish of Upper Fahan [Co. Donegal] – £5
Mr. James Patchell, Ardlough, parish of Glendermott [Co. Londonderry] – £2
Mr. William Inch, Inchany, parish of Urney [Co. Tyrone] – £2
Mr. Christopher Tate, of Kilfennan, parish of Glendermott [Co. Londonderry] – £2
Mr. John Woods, of Sion, parish of Urney [Co. Tyrone]- - £2
Mr. Wm. Wilson, of Kilross, parish of Stranorlar [Co. Donegal] – £2
Mr. John Osborne, Altaghaderry, parish of Killea [Co. Donegal] – £2
Hugh Irwin, an interesting boy of 15, from the neighbourhood of Newtownlimavady [Co. Londonderry], distinguished himself highly on this occasion. – His judgement and precision astonished the whole assemblage, among whom the regret was very general, that his plough having been classed with those of the Nobility and Gentry, he was entitled to no premium. – Strabane Post
Further Raphoe Parish records can be viewed here:
Raphoe Parish Records, Co. Donegal
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