KILLYLEAGH

killyleagh, a small seaport and market town of county down, ireland, in the east parliamentary division, on the western shore of strangford lough. pop. (1901), 1410. linen manufacture is the principal industry, and agricultural produce is exported. killyleagh was an important stronghold in early times, and the modern castle preserves the towers of the old building. sir john de courcy erected this among many other fortresses in the neighbourhood; it was besieged by shane o'neill (1567), destroyed by monk (1648), and subsequently rebuilt. the town was incorporated by james i., and returned two members to the irish parliament.