Knocknagore

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Cnoc na nGabhar 'hill of the goats'

The name Knocknagore first appears, on Petty's barony map of c.1657, as Knocknegare). There is a 1663 citation as Knocknegann, after which -gore became standard as the final syllable. Since other anglicized names such as Donegal, Dún na nGall, do not spell the nasalization of g, it seems best to accept the suggestion of an informant to the Ordnance Survey (OSNB 1834) that this was 'in English Goats Hill' (Irish Cnoc na nGabhar). Possibly the earlier name was Ballydownedrenny held by Sir Art Magennis in 1609, although if this is to be identified with Drumendowne near Glenloughan in the parish of Aghaderg (Inq. Ult. (Down) xliv; CPR Jas I 305a) it would more likely be a name for part of Drummiller. In that case another possible early name among Sir Art's lands would be Downemoyle (see Drummiller).