A-Z of Laois in 1837
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OFFERLANE, A parish, in the barony of UPPER OSSARY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 31/2 miles (S. W.) from Mountrath, on the road to Roscrea, and on that from Dublin to Limerick; containing 9915 inhabitants. This parish, also called De Foralain, is situated on the river Nore, and comprises 53,131 statute acres, (of which 36,987 are applotted under the tithe act) 311 being woodland, 8,000 brown mountain and bog, 4000 green mountain and moor, 16,820 arable, and 24,000 pasture, comprehending an extensive range of the Slieve Bloom mountains, stretching from east to west about seven miles in length, by about two miles in breadth, the greater part of the land in this extent being too rugged and barren to admit of cultivation. Gritstone is in great abundance, and there is a quarry for a fine stone similar to that of Portland: there are also limestone quarries and a slate quarry. Petty sessions take place on alternate Fridays at Castletown and Cooleraine; and fairs are held at Castletown on June 29th, and at Rushall on the first Monday in every month. Police stations have been established at Castletown, Cooleraine, and Cartown. There are extensive flour and oatmeal mills at Cooleraine and Castletown, which manufacture at least 25,000 barrels annually. The principal seats are Roundwood, the residence of W. Hamilton, Esq.; Westfield Farm, of J. R. Price, Esq.; Laca, of J. Pim, Esq.; Cartown, of Col. Price; Coolnagour, of J. C. Seymour, Esq.; Shanderry, of A. P. Jessop, Esq.; Cooleraine House, of T. Palmer, Esq.; Donore, of W. Despard, Esq.; Moorefield, of R. Senior, Esq.; Peafield, of R. Belton, Esq.; Springhill, of Capt. J. Knipe; Monderhilt, of R. Walpole, Esq.; Larch Hill, of Rev. J. Bourke; Laurel Hill, of __ Bradish, Esq.; Altavilla, of Mrs. Watson; Derrynaseera, of A. Graves, Esq.; and Castleview, P. Mansergh, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is appropriate to the dean and chapter of St. Canice, Kilkenny. The tithes amount to £900, of which £600 is payable to the dean and chapter, and the remainder to the vicar. The old church, situated at Annatrim, is in so bad condition as long to have been condemned as unsafe for use; a new building is about to be erected near it, by subscription and by a grant from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The glebe-house was never finished; it stands on a glebe of 254 acres, of which 120 are bog and mountain. The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; it is also called Underwoods, and contains four chapels, one at Cormorass, one at Rushall, one at Castletown, and one at Killinure. About 350 children are educated in four public schools, of which the parochial school at Cooleraine is aided by an annual donation from the Dean of Ossory, who gave the school-house and an acre of land; a national school at Castletown is aided by annual donations from the Ladies Fitzpatrick, who built the school-house, and another school is aided by the Dean of Ossory; there are also four private schools, in which are about 290 children; and two Sunday schools. There is a dispensary at Cooleraine. Ruins exist of the old monastery of Monderhilt, of which St. Laserian was abbot about the year 600, and of a church at Churchtown, near Castletown; there are also remains of the castles of Sharahane and Castletown, and the ruins of a castle at Rushall. Several raths are in the parish. - See Castletown.

PORTARLINGTON, a borough market, and post-town, partly in the parish of CLONEHORKE, barony of UPPER PHILIPSTOWN, KING's county, but chiefly in the parish of LEA, barony of PORTHEHINCH, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 9 1/2 miles (N.E.) from Maryborough, and 341/2 (W.S.W.) from Dublin; containing 3091 inhabitants. This place, anciently named Coltodry, or Cooletetoodra, corrupted into Cooletooder, as it is still sometimes called, derives its present appellation from Lord Arlington, to whom, with a large extent of country, it was granted in the reign of Chas. II.; and its prefix from a small landing-place on the river Barrow, on which it is situated. Its only claim to antiquity attaches to the decayed castle and village of Lea, in the neighbourhood, the town of Portarlington having arisen only since the grant above named, included a charter of incorporation constituting it a borough, though then only in its infancy. Lord Arlington subsequently disposed of his interest in the town to Sir Patrick Trant, upon whose attainder, as a follower of Jas. II., the possessions became forfeited to the Crown and were granted by Wm. III. to Gen. Rouvigny, one of his companions in arms, whom he created Earl of Galway. The Earl settled here a colony of French and Flemish Protestant refugees, and though the estates were taken from him by the English act of resumption, yet the interest which the new settlers had acquired by lease was secured to them by act of parliament in 1702, and they were made partakers of the rights and privileges of the borough. The estates which had been sold to the London Hollow Sword-blade Company, passed from them to the Dawson family, now Earls of Portarlington, by purchase, since which time the town has attained a very considerable degree of prosperity. The French language continued to be spoken among the refugees for a considerable time; but at present they are scarcely to be distinguished from the other inhabitants, except where their names afford evidence of their foreign extraction.

The town is pleasantly situated on the river Barrow, by which it is divided into two portions, and which, in an easterly direction, makes a sweep round that portion which is in Queen's county, forming a tongue of land on which is a large square with a market-house in the centre. It consists principally of one main street, which forms part of the Dublin road by Monastereven, and enters the market-place on the south, and being continued at a right angle from the market-place on the west, is carried by a bridge over the river through that part which is in King's county; and at the western extremity of the town branches off on the north-west, forming the road to Clonegown, and on the south-west to Mountmellick. A short street on the north side of the square leads over another bridge into the road to Rathangan and Edenderry, and on the east of the square are various ranges of building. The streets are well formed, the roadway being made and repaired with broken stone, and the footpaths partly flagged and partly paved; the inhabitants are amply supplied with water from pumps, which are very numerous; the houses are well built, and the external appearance of the town is superior to any of the same size in the county; the whole number of houses is 485. It is principally inhabited by private families, as a pleasant place of residence, and as affording, from the number and high reputation of its scholastic establishments, great facilities for public education. Above the Tholsel, or Town-house, are three rooms, the largest of which is occasionally appropriated as an assembly-room; a reading-room is well supported by subscription. There is a small manufactory for tobacco, and another for soap and candles; the only trade is merely what is requisite for the supply of its numerous respectable inhabitants. A branch of the Dublin Grand Canal from Monastereven to Mountmellick passes close to the town. There are two markets, one on Wednesday by charter, and the other on Saturday by custom; they are well supplied with butchers' meat and provisions, and occasionally with fish. Fairs, four of which are by charter and four of recent appointment by act of parliament, are held annually on Jan. 5th, March 1st., Easter-Monday, May 22nd, July 4th, Sept 1st, Oct. 12th, and Nov. 23rd, for cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. A chief constabulary police station has been established here in the Queen's county part of the town, and a station also on the King's county side.

By charter of incorporation granted by Chas. II., in 1667, the government of the borough is vested in a sovereign, twelve burgesses, two portreeves, and as many freemen as the burgesses may choose to nominate. The sovereign is elected annually from among the burgesses; and a recorder, who may be either a burgess or not, is appointed by the Earl of Portarlington; the appointment of freemen has been for some time discontinued, and there is at present only one. The borough by its charter was empowered to return two members to the Irish parliament, which it continued to do from the year 1692 till the period of the Union; since which time it has returned one member to the Imperial parliament. The right of election, formerly vested in the corporation, was by the act of the 2nd of Wm. IV., cap 88, extended to the £10 householders; and as the ancient limits of the borough were but very imperfectly defined and had little relation to the elective franchise, a new boundary has been drawn round the town, comprehending an area of 933 statute acres, of which the limits are minutely detailed in the Appendix. The number of electors registered up to June 1836 was 202, of whom 189 were £10 householders and 13 resident freemen or burgesses: the sovereign is the returning officer; and he is also a justice of the peace within the precincts of the borough. The lord of the manor has power to appoint a seneschal, and to hold courts leet and baron; and also court of record, the former for the recovery of debts not exceeding 40s., and the latter for the determination of all pleas or actions wherein the debt or damage does not exceed the value of £200. There being no prison within the manor, all decrees or executions issuing from these courts are directed against the goods of the defendant; an appeal from the decision of these courts lies to the judge of assize on the circuit. The courts are held in a suite of rooms, well adapted to the purpose, above the market-house. Petty sessions are held every Wednesday in the market-house, at which six magistrates frequently attend.

Two churches were built in the town at the time of the settlement, dedicated respectively to St. Michael and St. Paul, in the reign of Wm. III., and endowed severally with a rent-charge of £40 late currency reserved upon lands let in perpetuity; St. Paul's was a appropriated to the French and Flemish settlers, and St. Michael's to the use of English Protestants in the town; in consequence of this arrangement the former of these is called the French church, and the latter the English. The income of the French church was augmented with £50 per ann. by parliament many years since; and the late Board of First Fruits increased the stipend of the minister of the English church to £100 per annum. It is in the diocese of Kildare, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The English church, situated on the eastern side of the square, has a handsome spire; the French church is in the street leading westward to the river, and till within the last twenty years divine service was performed in the French language. In the R.C. divisions Portarlington is the head of a union or district, called Portarlington, Emo and Killinard, and comprising parts of the parishes of Clonehorke and Coolbanagher, and the parish of Lea, with the exception of the townland of Inchcoolley. Chapels are respectively situated at Portarlington, Emo and Killinard: that in Portarlington having been found too small for the increasing congregation, a new chapel is now being erected near the old one, and, when finished, will be a handsome edifice in the pointed style; the principal front will consist of a tower, with pinnacles at each angle and surmounted with a fine spire, 140 feet high. There is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. Two free schools, one for boys and the other for girls, maintained by grants made by the Earl of Galway, are kept in a house that was once a boarding school for young gentlemen; there are also two schools supported by subscription and aided by the Board of National Education, in which are about 160 children of both sexes; and a Sunday school, commenced many years since by some ladies of the town, and carried on by gratuitous teachers. A mendicity institution, with a fund of about £300 per ann., raised by subscription, has done much towards the diminishing the pressure of extreme poverty in the town. A savings' bank, opened a few years since, has now a capital of deposits from the poorer classes, amounting to £6100. A loan fund, which commenced with a capital of £100, is operating very beneficially: Col. Armstrong, and Chidley Coote and Maunsell Dames, Esqrs., have taken an active part in its formation. A dispensary is supported in the usual manner. About a mile to the south of the town is Spire Hill, so called from the erection of an obelisk on it by the late Viscount Carlow, for the purpose of giving employment to the poor in a season of scarcity: the flatness of the surrounding country renders it visible at a great distance; the sides of the hill are richly wooded, and it has winding walks through the plantations to the summit. The more remarkable seats in the vicinity are Woodbrook, the residence of Major Chetwood; Indiaville, of Capt. C. L. Sandes; Lawnsdoun, of Lieut.-Col. Robt. Moore; Rathleix, of Jas. Dunne, Esq.; Doolagh, of M. Dames, Esq.; Garryhinch, of Chas. Joly, Esq.; Huntingdon, of Capt. C. Coote; Labergerie, of J. D. Clarke, Esq.; Barrow-Bank, of J.W. Johnstone, Esq.; Annamore, of Capt. Chas. Hendrick; Clonehurk, of H. Warburton, Esq.; and Benfield, of L. Dunne, Esq. A Chalybeate spring in Mr. Shrewcraft's grounds is said to be efficacious in scorbutic cases; its chief component parts are nitre and sulphur. Portarlington gives the title of Earl to the Dawson family.

RATHASPECK, a parish, partly in the barony of BALLYADAMS, but chiefly in that of SLIEVEMARIGUE, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (N. E.) from Castlecomer, on the road to Athy; containing 4032 inhabitants. This place derives its name, which signifies "the Bishop's Fort," from a rath near the old church. Here was anciently a small religious establishment, probably a cell to that on the townland of Clonpierce, about two miles distant: the foundation of both is attributed to the O' Mores. The parish is bounded on the south and the south- west by the county of Kilkenny, and contains 8097 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Here are the extensive coal mines of Doonane, worked by a company; they are drained by a steam engine, and supply stone coal to all parts of the surrounding country, which is principally conveyed by carriers. There are about five other works in the same range: the shafts are first sunk through clay, then succeeds a hard green rock, and next slaty strata, in contact with which is the coal: it is worked on either side by regular gangs, each member having a specific duty; the number of each gang is about thirty, and when the pit is double worked there are sixty; each crew works ten hours, but they are particularly observant of every kind of holiday. Gracefield is the seat of Mrs. Kavanagh; Corbally House, of the Rev. W. Pasley; and Inch, of W. Conner, Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £300. The church was built, in 1814, by aid of a gift of £220 from the late Board of First Fruits, and for its repair the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £253. In the R. C. divisions the parish is partly in the union or district of Mayo and Doonane, and partly in that of Ballyadams; it contains two chapels, one at Doonane, and the other at Wolfhill belonging to the union of Ballyadams. The parochial school, at Mullaghmore, is supported by £23 per annum from the incumbent; and there is a school at Gracefield, supported by Mrs. Kavanagh. In five private schools about 200 boys and 130 girls are taught; and there are two Sunday schools. The present church of Rathaspeck was erected out of the ruins of the ancient religious buildings, under the site of which there were formerly three vaulted chambers, in one of which was a well of the purest water. A tract of about 4 acres, contiguous to the church, has long been remarkable for the quantity of human bones found in it, which circumstance is traditionally accounted for by the ravages of a plague. About a quarter of a mile north of the church is Miltown castle, or Ballyvuilling, consisting of a square tower and some other remains of a fortified mansion of unknown antiquity, with a modern dwelling-house annexed: the surrounding fosses are now occupied by stagnant fish-ponds. Numerous relics of antiquity have been found, including ancient Anglo-Irish coins, a short sword of brass, and a brooch; and at Miltown castle spear-heads and other curiosities have been discovered.

RATHDOWNEY, a post-town and parish, in the barony of UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 15 miles (S.W.) from Maryborough, and 561/4 ( S. W.) from Dublin, on the road to Templemore; containing 6654 inhabitants, of which number, 1214 are in the town. The town in 1831, contained 211 houses, which are in general indifferently built and of neglected appearance; the streets are ill paved, and the place has few indications of prosperity. There are an extensive brewery and boulting-mill. Fairs are held on Jan. 27th, April 1st, May 6th, July 10th, Sept. 12th, Nov. 1st, and Dec. 15th; and a patent was obtained in the reign of Geo. III. for a weekly market and three additional fairs, none of which are held: fairs are held at Errill on Jan. 14th and March 11th. Petty sessions are held in the town every Saturday, and a constabulary police force is stationed at Errill and Lavally. The parish comprises 13,406 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land, of which about one-third is in pasture, and the remainder under tillage, is of very excellent quality, and the system of agriculture improved; there is but very little bog and no waste land; limestone abounds and is quarried for building and burning. The principal seats are Harristown, the residence of M. H. Drought, Esq.; Beckfield, of T. Roe, Esq.; Johnstown Glebe, of the Rev. M. Monck; and Lackland, of the Rev. R. Young: and in the vicinity of town, though not within the parish, are Ballybrophy, the residence of S. White, Esq.; Old Park, of Robt. White, Esq.; Middlemount, of Robt. Roe, Esq.; Grantstown, of _ Vicars, Esq.; Kilbredy, of Jas. Drought, Esq.; Belmount, of J. Roe, Esq.; Levally, of R. Fitzgerald, Esq.; Knockfin, of Capt. Mosse; and Erkendale, of W. Owen, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, episcopally united, in 1816, to the rectories of Glashare and Kildellig, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory appropriate to the dean and chapter of the cathedral of Kilkenny. The tithes amount to £750, of which £500 is payable to the dean and chapter and the remainder to the vicar: the glebe-house, towards which the late Board of First Fruits granted a gift of £100 and a loan of £1200, in 1814, and on which the present rector laid out £400 more, making the whole cost £1700, is a handsome residence; and the glebe comprises 267 acres: the gross income of the benefice is £950. The church, towards the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £1000, in 1815, is a handsome edifice in the later English style, with a well proportioned spire. In the R. C. divisions the parish is in the union or district of Grogan, comprising this and the parishes of Donamore, Skeirke, Coolkerry, and Rathsaran, and containing three chapels, situated at Rathdowney ( a spacious plain building,) Grogan and Killismista.

There is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists. There is a parochial school at Rathdowney, and a school at Castle-Fleming; the latter is supported by R. H. Stubber, Esq., and divine service is performed in the school-house every Sunday evening during the summer months: there are national schools for both sexes at Rathdowney and Errill; about 200 children receive instruction in all these schools. There are also six private schools, in which are about 450 children, a Sunday school, and two dispensaries, one in the town and the other at Errill. At Ballagh, Clonbyrne, and Castle-Fleming are the ruins of ancient castles; at Cloneve, near Harristown, are trifling remains of an old church and burial-place; and at Errill, those of a church and monastery, and the remains of a very ancient cross. Ledwich, the antiquarian, who was for many years curate of this parish, published an account of the antiquities of it and of the adjoining parish of Aghaboe.

RATHSARAN, a parish, in the barony of the UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 2 3/4 miles (W.) from Rathdowney, on the road from Dublin to Thurles; containing 868 inhabitants. This parish is bounded on the west by the county of Tipperary, and comprises 2065 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £130, and the glebe comprises 114 acres. The glebe-house was erected by aid of a gift of £250, and a loan of £550, in 1820, from the late Board of First Fruits. The church was built in 1797, by aid of a gift of £500 from the same Board. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Rathdowney, and contains a chapel. The parochial school, in which are about 50 children, is aided by a contribution from the rector, and a grant of £8 per annum from the Society of Discountenancing Vice.

ROSCONNELL, a parish, partly in the barony of FASSADINING, county of KILKENNY, but chiefly in that of UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 1 3/4 mile (S. by W.) from Ballynakill, on the road to Durrow; containing 795 inhabitants, and comprising 1942 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Ossory, forming part of the union of Attanagh: the tithes amount to £143.1.6 1/2. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Ballyragget. About 30 children are educated in a private school.

ROSENALLIS, or OREGAN, a parish, in the barony of TINNEHINCH, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, on the road from Emo to Birr, through Clonaslee; containing, with the greater part of the post-town of Mount-Mellick (which is separately described), 8463 inhabitants. The parish is said to have derived its name from Rossa Failgea, eldest son of Cathavir O'More. The north-eastern extremity of the Slieve Bloom mountains is included in it. The Barrow rises in Tinnehinch hill, and after receiving the tributary stream of the Owenass, or Onas, quits the parish near Mount-Mellick. The soil is cold, but capable of great improvement by the application of lime, which is much used, as is also a compost of clay, bog mould and the refuse of the farm-yard. In the Slieve Bloom mountains are quarries of a soft white sandstone, which hardens when exposed to the air, and is susceptible of a high polish; it is in great demand throughout the country for chimney-pieces and hearth-stones; a coarser kind is used for flagging. Another peculiarity of these mountains is the fertility of their northern side, which is interspersed with neat farm-houses and cultivated enclosures to its summit, while its southern side is mostly a heathy waste. Iron ore was formerly raised, but is not now. There is a large tract of bog in this district, affording an abundant supply of fuel. Tillage is more attended to than grazing: there are but few flocks of sheep. The chief crops are potatoes, wheat barley and oats. Near Mount-Mellick are three public nurseries. Besides the fairs which are held in the last-named town, there is one at Tinnehinch on Oct. 29th solely for pigs. Comfortable farm-houses are thickly scattered through the parish, and there are several good mansions, of which the principal are Capard, the residence of John Pigott, Esq., situated on the side of a hill commanding an extensive view of the adjacent country, with the towns of Mount-Mellick, Maryborough, Portarlington, Mountrath, and Monastereven; Rynn of Mrs. Croasdaile; Summergrove, of J. Sabatier, Esq.; and the Glebe, of the Rev. Geo. Kemmis. The manufacture of woollen cloths, stuffs and cottons is carried on chiefly in Mount-Mellick and its vicinity; there are also breweries and distilleries. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Kildare: the rectory is impropriate in Gen. Dunne; the vicarage, united with those of Castlebrack, Kilmanman, and Rerymore, is in the patronage of Thos. Kemmis, Esq. The tithes amount to £398.15.4 3/4., of which £265.16.111/4. is payable to the impropriator, and £132.18.51/2. to the vicar; the parishes of the union constitute the barony of Tinnehinch, and the tithes of the benefice amount to £336.3.3 1/2. The glebe-house at Camira, is a commodious building on an elevated piece of ground near the village of Rosenallis, and has a glebe of 180 acres annexed to it, besides which there are 356 acres of glebe, including mountain land, in the other parishes of the union. The church, at Rosenallis, is a neat building, and has been lately thoroughly repaired by means of a grant of £578 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners: there is a chapel of ease at Mount-Mellick. In the R.C. divisions Rosenallis is the head of a union or district, comprising parts of the parishes of Rosenallis, Castlebrack and Rerymore; the other part of the parish is in the district of Mount-Mellick. In the R. C. divisions Rosenallis is the head of a union or district , comprising parts of the parishes of Rosenallis, Castlebrack, and Rerymore; the other part of the parish is in the district of Mount-Mellick; there are chapels at Capard and Mount - Mellick. The Society of Friends have an enclosed burial-ground near the village. Besides the schools at Mount-Mellick, there are two in Rosenallis, one of which is a national school. At Rosenallis is a station of the constabulary police. Within the grounds of Cappard are several raths, and brass coins of Jas. II. were dug up near the mansion a few years since. A remarkable togher or bog-pass, in the neighbourhood, is pointed out as the place where an engagement took place between parties of King William's and King James's forces, in which the latter were defeated.

SHRUEL, a parish, in the barony of SLIEVEMARGUE, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/4 miles (N.) from Carlow; containing 183 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the river Barrow, which here separates it from the counties of Carlow and Kildare; it comprises 784 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The castle was built in the reign of Elizabeth, soon after the reduction of Leix to English government, by Sir Robert Hartpoole, constable of Carlow castle, and governor of the Queen's county; his extensive possessions have since passed through female heirs into other families. The castle, once of some importance, is a massive pile, situated on the banks of the Barrow: it is now the residence of Hasting Herring Cooper, Esq. Hollymount, the seat of Wm. Fishbourne, Esq., is also in this parish. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, forming part of the union of Slatey: the tithes amount to £46.3.1. In the R.C. divisions it is held with part of Killabin.

SKEIRKE, a parish in the barony of UPPER OSSORY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 1 3/4 miles (S.S.W.) from Burros-in-Ossory, on the road to Templemore; containing 911 inhabitants. This parish comprises 1922 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally of good quality, and the greater portion is under tillage; the system of agriculture is improved, and there is neither waste land nor bog. The principal seats are Ballymellish, the residence of B. Thacker, Esq.; Skeirke Cottage, of R. Steele, Esq.; and the residence of the Rev. T. S. Monk. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the Crown; the rectory is impropriate in the corporation of Kilkenny. The tithes amount to £135, of which £90 is payable to the impropriators, and the remainder to the vicar; the glebe comprises 188 3/4 acres. The church, towards the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £500, in 1831, is a small neat edifice. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Rathdowney. About 90 children are taught in a public school, partly supported by the incumbent; and there is a private school, in which are about 60 children. There are some Druidical remains, situated on a high hill, and consisting of a circular area enclosed with a stone rampart, and surrounded with a fosse; in the centre of the area is a pyramidal stone, about six feet high, with fragments of several others; towards the eastern side are the remains of a cromlech, and towards the north is a high mound with a flat summit. There are also some ruins of the ancient castle of Garran.

SLATEY, SLEATY, or SLETTY, a parish, in the barony of SLIEVEMARGUE, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 1 1/4 mile (N.N.W.) from Carlow; containing 189 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the river Barrow, comprises 656 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £728 per annum. Knockbeg is the residence of W. Carruthers, Esq.; and here is also that of Gerald Byrne, Esq. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, united to that of Shruel, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £60, and the gross value of the benefice is £106.3.1. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Killeshin. Here is a hedge school of 10 boys and 4 girls. St. Fiech is said to have founded a church and bishoprick here, in the fifth century, the latter of which was afterwards transferred to Leighlin; in the churchyard are two stone crosses of remote antiquity; and there are ruins of a small church called Slieb-teach, or "The House near the Mountains," which is said to have been originally a place of great importance.

STRABOE, a parish, in the barony of MARYBOROUGH EAST, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 2 3/4 miles (S.E.) from Mountmellick, on the road from Portarlington to Maryborough; containing 2176 inhabitants. The parish, which is situated near the river Onas, and watered by one of its tributary streams, comprises 5335 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally productive, and limestone of good quality is quarried for agricultural and other uses. The principal seats are Shara House, the residence of T. Kemmis, Esq.; Eyne House, of Capt. R. Lavers; Staboe, of the Rev. T. Kemmis; Derry, of J. Baldwin, Esq.; and Knocknagrove, of M. Dillon, Esq.: at Shara is a foundry, and there is a constabulary police station at the Heath. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, forming part of the union of Maryborough; the rectory is impropriate in - Lewis, Esq. The tithes amount to £300, of which £200 is payable to the impropriator, and £100 to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Maryborough; there are some remains of the ancient parish church, and a well held in much esteem, near which are the walls of a castellated mansion, erected on the site of the ancient castle of Morett, one of the fortresses originally built by Lord Mortimer, and held for many ages by the Fitzgeralds against the O'Mores. The present remains have a stack of chimneys on each side-wall and gable, with a turret at one of the angles; but the interior is wholly destroyed. About 200 yards to the south, beyond a rivulet that runs through a small valley, is a building apparently an ancient chapel. Shara castle, in this parish, called formerly Lion, or Shelaw castle, was, in 1397, the head of a manor belonging to Sir Robt. Preston; it was besieged and taken by the insurgents in the war of 1641, and in the following year surrendered to Sir Chas. Coote, from whom it was retaken by Owen Roe O'Nial in 1646 and finally surrendered, in 1650, to Cols. Reynolds and Hewson, by whom it was demolished; the few remains that existed were wholly removed some few years since.

STRADBALLY, a market and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of STRADBALLY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (E.) from Maryborough, and 38 (S.W. by W.) from Dublin, on the road to Cork; containing 2392 inhabitants, of which number, 1799 are in the town. This place, anciently called "Mon-au-Bealing", was the site of a Franciscan monastery founded in the 12th century by the chief of the O'Mores, which, in 1592, was granted with all its possessions, comprising several castles, to Francis Cosbye and his heirs, to hold as of the Castle of Maryborough, in capite, by knight's service, at a yearly rent of £17.6.3., and to provide nine English horsemen. This grant was, in 1609, confirmed and renewed by Jas. Ist to Richard, son of Alexander Cosbye, together with the manor and lordship of Timahoe. The town is one of the most pleasant in the county: it is situated on the banks of a small river which flows into the Barrow, in a vale surrounded by lofty hills, and in a district richly embellished with cultivated demesnes. The principal street is spacious: the number of houses, in 1831, was 306, mostly well built: the river is crossed by a bridge of three arches. The southern branch of the Grand Canal passes along the eastern side of the barony into the vale of the Barrow, opening a communication with Dublin and the towns on that river, but there are no manufactures, nor is any trade carried on, excepting that arising from the produce of two flour-mills on the stream that runs through the town. The market is on Saturday; and there are fairs on May 6th, July 10th, Aug. 21st, Sept. 14th, and Nov. 21st. A chief constabulary police force is stationed in the town; general sessions of the peace are held here twice in the year, and petty sessions on alternate Fridays. The court-house is a neat building, and attached to it is a small bridewell, containing three cells, two day-rooms and an airing yard. There is a dispensary, and also a savings' bank.

The parish comprises 1373 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is good, and much of it in demesne; the system of agriculture is improved, and very excellent limestone is procured, which is used for building and other purposes. The vicinity is beautifully varied. Stradbally Hall, the residence of T. P. Cosby, Esq., is a handsome mansion adjoining the town, and situated in a highly embellished demesne, within the limits of which was formerly the ancient castle of the O'Mores. Brockley Park, formerly occupied by the Earl of Roden, and now the residence and property of W. D. Farrer, Esq., is pleasantly situated on the opposite side of the town. In the vicinity are also Ballykilcavan, the seat and improved demesne of Sir Edw. Welsh, Bart.; Kellyville, the residence of Thos. B. Kelly, Esq.; Timogue, of Thos. Budds, Esq.; Ballymanus of M. Dunne Esq.; Moyanna, of J. Lyons, Esq.; Vicarstown, of Jas. Grattan, Esq.; Rahinduffe, of Mrs. Baldwin; Derry, of John Baldwin, Esq.; Lohihoa, of R. Dexter, Esq.; Clopook, of Mrs. Mahon; and Esker, of T. Bailey, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Leighlin, united by act of council, in 1774, to the vicarage of Moyanna, and in the patronage of T. P. Cosby, Esq.: the rectory is impropriate in the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin. The tithes amount to £208.14.2., of which £139.9.7. is payable to the impropriators, and the remainder to the vicar. The glebe-house is a good residence, and the glebe comprises 12 acres; the gross tithes of the benefice amount to £207.13.9. The church, a handsome building in the town, was erected in 1764 by subscription; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £321 for its repair. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Moyanna, Corclone, Timogue, Fossey, and Kilcolmanbrook: the chapel in the town is a spacious edifice, and a handsome chapel has been lately erected at Timahoe in the Gothic style, capable of accommodating 4000 persons. About 80 children are taught in the national school, which is wholly supported by Mrs. Cosby; and there are several private schools. There was formerly a charter school, for which a building was erected at an expense of £3000, of which sum £300 was a gift from the late Poole Cosby, Esq. A battle is said to have been fought at Stradbally bridge between the first settlers of the Cosby family and a native sept, in which the leaders on both sides were killed. Near the town are the ruins of an old church, the walls of which are about six feet thick and of considerable height: under one end is the mausoleum of the Cosby family. Four miles to the south is the Dun of Clopoke, an isolated rock, in which are various singular cavities; it has a level summit, formerly encompassed with a rampart of stone, and was a fort of the O'Mores; the ascent is steep and rugged; it is now remarkable only for the romantic views which is commands along the range of hills in its vicinity and the rich pastures of Timogue.

TANKARDSTOWN, a parish, partly in the barony of BALLYADAMS, QUEEN's county, and partly in that of KILKEA and MOONE, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S.) from Athy, on the road to Carlow; containing 1918 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Barrow, and comprises 8938 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £4056 per ann.: within its limits are some quarries of limestone. The state of agriculture is progressively improving, and the Barrow navigation affords great facility for the conveyance of its produce to Waterford. The seats are Kilmoroney, the improved and handsome residence of the Very Rev. Dean Trench; Farm Hill, of Geo. Evans, Esq.; and Leinster Lodge, of J. Perrin, Esq. The parish is in the diocese of Dublin, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the union of Athy: the tithes amount to £325.19.4. In the R. C. divisions also it is part of the union of Athy. About 120 children are educated in a school under the National Board; and there is a private school, in which are about 30 children. On the margin of the Barrow is a Danish rath.

TECOLME, a parish, in the barony of BALLYADAMS, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (S.W.) from Athy, on the road from Stradbally to Carlow; containing 228 inhabitants. It is in the diocese of Leighlin; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of Thos. Fitzgerald, Esq.; the vicarage forms the corps of the prebend of Telcome, in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £100.7.8 3/4., of which £66.18.6. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Ballyadams.

TIMOGUE, a parish, in the barony of STRADBALLY, QUEEN'S county, and province of the LEINSTER, 1 1/2 mile (S. by W.) from Stradbally, on the road to Ballynakill; containing 300 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Landsdowne: the tithes amount to £158.19.9. The church is a neat structure. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Stradbally. There is a national school under the patronage of the Marquess, also a school partly supported by subscription.

TULLOWMOY, a parish, partly in the barony of BALLYADAMS, and partly in that of STRADBALLY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 4 miles (S. by E.) from Stradbally, on the road to Castlecomer; containing 1527 inhabitants, and comprising 5913 statute acres as applotted under the tithe act. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £300. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Ballyadams, and has a neat chapel. About 30 children are educated in a national school.

VICARSTOWN, a village, in the parish of MOYANNA, barony of STRADBALLY, QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, on a branch of the Grand Canal from Monastereven to Athy; containing 14 houses and 77 inhabitants. It is a constabulary police station.

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