A-Z of Offaly in 1837
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King's
County
Locations: A-B | E-K | L-N | P-W
C-D
Below is a list of links to the locations on this page
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Cadamstown
Castle-Jordan
Castletown-Ely
Castropetre
Charlestown
Clara
Cloghan
Clonana
Clonbulloge
Clonehorke
Cloneygowan
Clonmacnois
Clonsast
Conabury
Coolcor
Crinkle
Croghan
Cullenwayne
Donaney
Drumcullin
Dunkerrin
Durrow
CADAMSTOWN, a village, in the parish of LETTERLUNA, barony of BALLYBRITT, KING's county, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.E.) from Kinnitty, on the road from Parsonstown to Clonaslie; containing 18 houses and 108 inhabitants. Here is an extensive boulting-mill and malting establishment.
CASTLE-JORDAN or GUNGEDAH, a parish, partly in the barony of UPPER MOYFENRAGH, county of Meath, and partly in the barony of COOLESTOWN, but chiefly in that of WARRENSTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 3¼miles (S.W.) from Kinnegad; containing 3967 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the road from Trim to Philipstown, and on the river Boyne, which separates it from the county of Kildare. There is a very large extent of bog; and gritstone used for building is procured from some quarries in the parish. The gentlemen's seats are Kildangan, the residence or E. Haughton Esq.; and Tubberdaly of J. Downing Nesbitt, Esq. The living is an impropriate cure, in the diocese of Meath, united by diocesan authority to that of Ballyboggan; the rectory is wholly impropriate in the heirs of the late Sir Duke Gifford, to whom the tithes, amounting to £380, are payable. The annual income of the curate is £100 late currency, of which £30 is paid by the impropriates and £70 by the Trustees of Primate Boulter's augmentation fund. The church, which is in the county of Meath, was built in 1826, at an expense of £664. 12. 1., defrayed by aid of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. In the R.C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, also called Boughilnebracnay, comprising Castle-Jordan and Ballyboggan, and containing two chapels. There are five private schools, in which about 190 children are educated. Here are the ruins of a castle, formerly occupied by the Giffords.
CASTLETOWN-ELY, a parish, in the barony of CLONLISK, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 1 mile (S.E.) from Moneygall; containing 391 inhabitants. It is situated on the confines of the county of Tipperary, and comprises 1563 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which about 150 acres are bog. Bushenstown, the residence of G. Minchin, Esq., is situated in a large demesne highly enriched with fine timber, and ornamented with varied and picturesque scenery; some hills rise boldly to the south-west of the demesne, and within it is a modern round tower, which forms a conspicuous land-mark. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, and is part of the union of Dunkerrin: the tithes amount to £122.15.10. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union of Moneygall or Dunkerrin. There are two pay schools, in which are about 40 boys and 40 girls. There are some remains of the old parish church.
CASTROPETRE, or MONASTERORIS, a parish, in the barony of COOLESTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER; containing, with the market and post-town of Edenderry and the village of Conabury, 4009 inhabitants. This parish derived its name, Monasteroris, from Sir John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth, who founded an abbey here, in 1325, for conventual Franciscans, which was called, from his Irish name, Monasterferoris, or the monastery of Mac Feoris. In 1511, Cahir O'Connor, Lord of Offaley, was slain near his monastery by his own countrymen; and in 1521, the abbey was held for a considerable time against the Earl of Surrey, then lord-lieutenant, who afterwards took and kept possession of it. At the general suppression it was granted to Nicholas Herbert, who died in 1581, possessed of the abbey and townland of Monasteroris. The parish is situated on the line of the Grand Canal, and at the source of the river Boyne, and is bounded on the northwest, north, and east by the bog of Allen, through which the navigation to Tullamore is cut. It contains 8401 acres, as applotted under the tithe act, exclusively some limestone quarries, and a vein of silver and lead ore, which has been worked twice, but relinquished on account of its poverty. The chief seats are Leitrim House, the residence of W. Purefoy Lumm, Esq.; Monasteroris House, of the Rev. W. G. Wakeley; and Lummville, the property of Mr. Lumm, but occupied by a respectable farmer. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Kildare, and in the patronage of the Crown; the rectory constitutes the corps of the prebend amount to £415.7.8½., of which £276.18.5½. is paid to the prebendary, and the remainder to the vicar. The church is at Edenderry, and is a plain but neat edifice; to the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently made a grant of £374.2.9. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. In the R.C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, also called Edenderry and Killane, comprising the parishes of Castropetre, Ballymacwilliam, Ballyburley, and Croghan, and parts of those of Ballynakill and Castle-Jordan; and containing three chapels, situated at Edenderry, Rhode, and Kranghan. There are also places of worship for the Society of Friends and Primitive Methodists. Here are two schools, aided by subscriptions from the rector, the Marchioness of Downshire, and Mrs. Murray, in which are 30 boys and 47 girls; and about 100 boys and 60 girls are taught in five private schools. A few remains of the abbey of Monasteroris is a celebrated rath, with a vault in the centre, in which were found, some years since, several relics, and some ancient coins, in high preservation. It was defended by strong ramparts, and was very difficult of access. There is a chalybeate spring in the parish. - See Edenderry.
CHARLESTOWN, a village, in the parish of KILBRIDE - LANGAN, barony of KiILCOURSEY, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, adjoining the town of Clara: the population is returned with the parish. This place is situated on the road from Farbane to Kilbeggan, and was formerly the seat of an extensive linen trade, for the management of which a linen-hall was established. The village consists of about 40 houses, and had a patent for two annual fairs and a linen market weekly on Monday. Adjoining it is the castle of Kilcoursey, once a place of great strength, which gave name to the barony. In the vicinity are also Cloghatana, the old residence of the Fox family; Ballynamintan and Marshbrook, the ancient seats of the Mars family; and Kilfylan, the residence of an ancient branch of the De Berminghams.
CLARA, a market and post-town, and ecclesiastical district in the barony of KILCOURSEY, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 6 miles (N.N.W.) from Tullamore, and 48½ miles (W. by S.) from Dublin; containing 7743 inhabitants, of which number, 1149 are in the town. This place is situated on the river Brosna, near the Grand Canal, and on the road from Tullamore to Athlone. The town contains 228 houses, most of which are neatly built, and the inhabitants are amply supplied with timber, fuel, and water. It had formerly a considerable trade, and an extensive market for grain; not less than eleven distilleries were conducted with success; but since the completion of the canal it has been deprived of most of its trade. The weaving of cotton and linen employees about 260 persons; the manufacture of tobacco, soap, and candles, is carried on; there are a brewery, a tanyard, and four corn and flour-mills, the produce of two being exclusively for the English market; also an extensive bleach-green. The market is on Wednesday, and is amply supplied with grain; and fairs are held on Jan 6th, Feb 1st, March 25th, May 12th, June 29th, July 25th, Sept 26th and 27th, and Nov. 1st, for cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs. It is a constabulary police station; and petty sessions are held every Wednesday. The gentlemen's seats are Clara House, the residence of Edw. Cox, Esq., proprietor of the town; Woodfield, of A. Fuller, Esq.; and Kilclare, of John Armstrong, Esq.
The district, which forms part of the union of Ardnorcher, comprises the parishes of Kilmanaghan and Kilbride-Langan, forming the perpetual curacy of Clara, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Incumbent of Ardnorcher. The church, a handsome edifice, was built about 60 years since; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £212 for its repair. The glebe-house was built in 1812, by aid of a gift of $450 and a loan of £50 from the late Board of First Fruits. The income of the perpetual curate is £92.6.11. per annum, arising from 10 acres of glebe, a stipend of £55.7.8½. per annum paid by the incumbent of Ardnorcher, and £18 per annum from Primate Boulter's augmentation fund. In the R.C. divisions the district forms part of the unions of Kilmanaghan and Clara; the latter also comprising the parishes of Ardnorcher and Kilbride-Langan, and containing two chapels, one at Horseleap, and the other at Clara, where preparations are in progress for erecting, in a handsome style, St. Bridget's Abbey, as a new R.C. church, on an eminence overhanging the town. There are places of worship for Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists, and one for Baptists; also a dispensary. About two miles north from Clara is the extensive bog of Kilmaleady, which in 1821 burst its bounds and flowed for nearly a mile and a half down an adjoining valley. Its further progress was arrested by judicious measures, but not till after it had covered about 150 acres, of which 60 to 80 were buried under a superincumbent stratum of bog from six to ten feet in depth.
CLOGHAN, a village and post-town, in the parish of GALLEN, barony of GARRYCASTLE, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 4½ miles (N. E.) from Banagher, and 60 (S.W. by W.) from Dublin; containing 460 inhabitants. This place, which is situated on the road from Ferbane to Banagher, and near the river Shannon and the grand canal, contains 84 dwellings, which are chiefly thatched and neatly whitewashed cottages. Fairs are held on Jan. 1st, May 16th, and Oct. 29th; and a constabulary police force is stationed in the village. Numerous ruined castles of the O'Coghlan sept are scattered over the surrounding country, of which the most remarkable is that of Streamstown, near Castle-Iver, where are also some boulting-mills; and about a mile from the village was the ancient manorial mansion of the family -See GALLEN.
CLONANA, a village, in the parish of GALLEN, barony of GARRYCASTLE, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 1½ miles (N. W.) from Clogher; containing 79 dwellings and 385 inhabitants. It is situated near the river Shannon: the surrounding scenery is pleasingly varied, and the old castle of Clonana, now the residence of - Molony, Esq., forms a romantic feature in the landscape. It is a quadrangular structure, built on a rock on the road side between the river Brosna and the canal, and is in a state of excellent preservation.
CLONBULLOGE, or PUREFOY'S PLACE, a village, in the parish of CLONSAST, barony of COOLESTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 5½ miles (S. by W.) from Edenderry: the population is returned with the parish. This village is situated on the small river Barrow, and is surrounded by the bog of Allen; it consists only a few small and indifferent dwellings, the larger houses having been burned in the disturbances of 1798, during which period it was the only place in this part of the country that suffered from actual violence. Fairs are held on July 11th and Oct. 29th; and a constabulary police force is stationed here. The parish church, which was built about the year 1670, is situated in the village, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £243.8. for its repair - See CLONSAST.
CLONEHORKE, a parish, in the barony of UPPER PHILIPSTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER; containing, with part of the borough and market-town of Portarlington, 2988 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the left bank of the river Barrow, and on the road from Portarlington to Mount-Mellick. It is a rectory, in - he diocese of Kildare, entirely appropriate to the rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, entirely appropriate to the rector of Geashill, of which parish it is considered to form part. There is a church, or chapel of ease, for the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £213.9. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Portarlington.
CLONEYGOWN, a village, in the parish of BALLYKEANE, barony of UPPER PHILIPSTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 3½ miles (N.W.) from Portarlington; containing 158 inhabitants. This small village is situated on the road from Portarlington to Tullamore; it consists of about 30 tenements, and has a constabulary police station. Here are the mansion and demesne of Cloneygown, the seat of William Newcombe, Esq.
CLONMACNOIS, or CLUANMACNOIS, a parish, in the barony of GARRYCASTLE, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 8 miles (S. by W.) from Athlone; containing, with the town of Shannon-Bridge, 4446 inhabitants. This place, also called "Seven Churches," is conspicuously distinguished in the earlier periods of Irish ecclesiastical history for the number and opulence of its religious establishments, its schools for instruction in the liberal arts, and the veneration in which it was held as a place of sepulture for the royal families of Ireland. It was originally called Druim Tipraid, but from its schools, which were attended by the children of the neighbouring princes, it obtained the appellation of Cluain- Mac- Nois, signifying in the Irish language the "Retreat of the Sons of the Noble." St. Keiran, or Kiaran, the younger, founded an abbey here, in 548, on ground given by Dermod Mac Cervail, King of Ireland, which obtained the episcopal authority usually attached to such establishments. In 1199, this place was attacked by the forces of William de Burgo, Fitz-Andelm, and several of the Irish chieftains; in 1200, it was plundered by the English under Miler Fitz-Henry, and in 1201 was completely sacked by the same assailants. The churches, the town, and the cathedral suffered the greatest violence and depredation; the vestments of the priests, the books, the chalices, the plate, and the provisions and cattle of the monks, were carried off and their grounds laid waste. The abbey was again plundered by William de Burgo, in 1204, and in the year following the town was partly destroyed by an accidental fire. A castle was erected here by the English in 1214, and in 1227 the town was three times set on fire by the son of Donnell Bregagh O'Melaghlin. The see continued to flourish under a regular succession of prelates till the time of Elizabeth, when the English garrison of Athlone plundered the cathedral destroyed the altars, and mutilated and defaced the ornaments with which it was decorated. On the death of Peter Wall, the last bishop, in 1568, the see was united to that of Meath by act of parliaments, and at present this place ranks only as a parish, the very name of the ancient diocese having merged in that of Meath.
The parish formed part of the county of Westmeath until 1688, when, through the influence of the bishop of Meath, it was separated from the barony of Clonlonan, in that county. It is situated on the cast bank of the river Shannon; nearly two-thirds of the surface are bog, part of it being a continuation of the bog of Allen; there are many hills, the upper portions of which afford tolerable pasture; on the banks of the river is some good meadow land; and the valleys, which are mostly in tillage, afford excellent crops of corn, although the soil is rather light, and in some parts sandy. Nearly in the centre is a lake of about 90 acres, called Clonfanlagh, encompassed on the north and east by hills, and on the opposite sides by an extensive bog, and abounding with pike and perch. The substratum is limestone, which is quarried both for building and for agricultural purposes. The river Shannon is navigable hence to Limerick and Athlone. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £264.2.2., payable to the incumbent. The present income of the deanery arises solely from the lands of Kilgavin, comprising three cartrons, in this parish, let on lease at the annual rent of £36.18.5½., and an annual renewal fine of equal amount. The church is one of the ancient structures that were built around the cathedral, and contains some very singular and interesting old monuments; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £220 towards its repair. In the R. C. divisions the parish is in the diocese of Ardagh, and is partly a distinct benefice, called Seven Churches, and partly united to Lemanaghan. There are two chapels, one at Shannon-Bridge and one at Clonfanlagh. The parochial school is aided by an annual donation from the vicar; there is also a school at Shannon-Bridge, under the patronage of the parish priest, and one at Clonlyon supported by subscription. In these schools about 80 boys and 50 girls are instructed; and there are about 200 children in the several pay schools. The ecclesiastical ruins are very extensive: the most conspicuous objects are the ruined gables of the numerous small churches that surround the cathedral, and two of those round towers that are found almost exclusively near the sites of the earliest religious establishments. The cathedral is said to have been built by the O'Melaghlins, princes of Meath; and within the cemetery, comprising about two Irish acres, were ten dependent churches, built by the kings and petty princes of the circumjacent territories, one of which, Temple-Doulin, has been restored, and is now the parish church. A nunnery was founded here at a very early period, but was destroyed by fire in 1180, and one circular arch is all that remains of it. About a furlong from the ruins of the cathedral are the remains of the episcopal palace, a strong but rude castle surrounded by a moat and counterscarp. The cemetery was a favourite place of sepulture with the neighbouring chieftains, many of whom were buried here, and many ancient inscriptions in Irish, Hebrew, and Latin, have been discovered among the ruins. It is still venerated as a place of internment throughout the neighbouring country; and the 9th of September is kept as a patron day, in honour of St. Kieran, when from 3000 to 4000 persons annually assemble here and remain for two days; huts and booths are erected for their accommodation, and such is the veneration in which the place is held, that many persons come from distant parts of the country, and even from the county of Donegal - See SHANNON-BR
CLONSAST, or CLONCAST, also called CLONBOLLOGUE, a parish, in the barony of COOLESTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 6¼ miles (N. E. by E.) from Portarlington; containing 3914 inhabitants, and comprising about 25,000 statute acres, of which about 14,000 are cultivable, the remainder bog. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, united in 1796, by act of council, to the vicarage of Ballynakill, forming the union of Clonsast, in the alternate patronage of the Duke of Leinster and the Bishop: the tithes amount of £628.12.3½., and of the union to £694.3.0 ¾. The church is a plain building, to the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £243. In the R.C divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, called Clonbollogue, comprising this parish and parts of those of Geashill and Ballynakill, in which are chapels at Clonbollogue and Brackna, and the Island chapel. The parochial school is aided by an annual donation from the incumbent; and there is a school at Clonbollogue. In these schools about 250 children are educated; there are also four private schools, in which are about 110 children.
CONABURY, a village, in the parish of CASTROPETRE, barony of COOLESTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, adjoining the town of Edenderry, and containing 24 houses and 143 inhabitants. This village is situated on the road from Dublin to Tullamore, and is divided into Upper and Lower Conabury.
COOLCOR, a parish, in the barony of LOWER PHILIPSTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 6 miles (W.) from Edenderry, on the road to Philipstown: the population is returned with the parish of Ballyburley. It was formerly a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, but is now united and consolidated with Ballyburley, which see.
CRINKLE, a village, in the parish of BIRR, barony of BALLYBRITT, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER; containing 86 houses and 531 inhabitants. It immediately adjoins the post-town of Parsonstown, and is situated on the road thence to Roscrea.
CROGHAN, a parish, in the barony of LOWER PHILIPSTOWN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (N.) from Philipstown; containing 842 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Edenderry to Tyrrel's-Pass; the surface is flat and overspread with bogs. The only eminence is Croghan Hill, on the confines of the county of Westmeath, which is celebrated by Spenser, in his Fairy queen; it is clothed with verdure, and forms a striking object in so flat a district. The land is principally in pasture and appropriated to the feeding of store sheep and cattle; and part of the female population are employed in spinning worsted. Near it is Clonerle, the beautiful seat of W. Magan, Esq., the demesne of which embellished with rich plantations. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Kildare, and is sequestrated in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners: the tithes amount to £82, payable to the Commissioners and the occasional duties of the parish are performed by the vicar of the adjoining parish of Kilclonfert. There is neither church nor glebe-house. A school is supported by local subscriptions, affording instruction to about 160 boys and 130 girls. At the base of Croghan Hill are the remains of the church, which was formerly a chapel belonging to the ancestors of Lord Tullamore, on who estate it is situated.
CULLENWAYNE, a parish, in the barony of CLONLISK, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, containing, with the post-town of Moneygall, 1653 inhabitants, of which number, 379 are in the town. This parish is situated on the road from Dublin to Limerick, and contains 3550 statute acres, of which about 1100 are reclaimable bog. The principal residences are Rathenney House, that of Maunsell Andrews, Esq., situated in a handsome demesne; Green Hills, of the Rev. W. Minchin; Silver, of Mrs. Smith; and Rathenney Cottage, of J. Andrews, Esq. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, and is part of the union of Templeharry: the tithes amount to £227.9.10¼. In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Dunkerrin; the chapel is at Moneygall. The parochial school is aided by the incumbent and other contributors; a school in the village is supported by the parish priest, and there are two others. There is also a private school in which are about 30 boys and 10 girls.
DONANEY, or DONENY, a parish, partly in the barony of UPPER PHILIPSTOWN, KING's county, but chiefly in that of WEST OPHALY, county of KILDARE, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. W. by S.) from Kildare, on the road to Athy: containing 676 inhabitants. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Kildare, and is part of the union of Lackagh; the rectory is appropriate to the bishop. The tithes amount to £130.18., of which £87.5. is payable to the bishop, and £43.12.8. to the vicar. There are three acres of glebe. In the R. C divisions it forms part of the union or district of Monasterevan. About 70 boys and 30 girls are educated in a private school. There are some remains of an ancient church: also the ruins of a castle, and a large mansion-house now gone to decay, which was once occupied by the family of Browne.
DRUMCULLIN, a parish, in the barony of EGLISH, or FIRCALL, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (S. W. by S.) from Frankford, on the road to Parsonstown; containing 3113 inhabitants. At a very early period, a religious establishment existed here of which St. Barrindeus was abbot about the year 590. Nearly one-half of the parish is bog, but the land near Droughtville is considered some of the best pasture ground in the barony. A spacious lake covers an extensive flat at the foot of a range of thickly planted hills. Contiguous to it is a castle, which can at pleasure be insulated by its waters: it was reduced to its present state of ruin by Cromwell's forces. There are limestone quarries near, in which the fossil remains are abundant and nearly perfect. There are two fairs at Killion; and petty sessions are held at Thomastown every second Thursday. The seats are Droughtville, the principal residence of the Drought family, in a demesne comprising peculiar groups of conical hills, which form a picturesque and pleasing scene; Thomastown, of Capt. Bennett; Dove Grove, of J. Berry, Esq; Dove Hill, of Holmes, Esq.; Clonbela, of - Moloy, Esq.; and Killion, of R. Cassiday, Esq. The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Downshire, and the vicarage forms part of the union of Fircall. The tithes amount to £228.18.5., of which £147.13.10. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar: there is a glebe of 216a.3r.6p., valued at £180.1. per annum. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Eglish; the chapel, situated at Rath, is a large plain building. There is a school at Killion, which has a house and an acre of land, rent-free, from Mr. Cassiday, and in which are about 40 boys and 25 girls: Mrs. Holmes maintains one at Dove Hill: there are also four pay schools one of which at Thomastown, has a house rent-free from Mr. Bennett, and in which about 130 children are educated. Adjoining Droughtville, are the remains of the old church of Drumcullin, having a fine entrance arch of curious workmanship. Near Pallis Inn, in this vicinity, are the ruins of a castle; and, towards Frankford, are four other fortified places in a similar state of decay. The plains around are supposed to have been the scene of different sanguinary encounters as within a spade's depth, vast quantities of human bones have been found: each surrounding height has vestiges of ancient fortifications; and on a very strong rath, which commands the whole district, there is an entire fort, most difficult of access, defended by a regular and double course of works, still in good preservation: this rath, being now planted, presents a very striking appearance. At Ballincar is a spa, of the same nature as that of Castleconnell, near Limerick; the water is of a yellow hue, and famous for healing scorbutic ulcers: another spa of the same kind is at Clonbela.
DUNKERRIN, a parish, in the barony of CLONLISK, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER 4½ miles (S. W. by W.) from Roscrea, on the main road from Dublin to Limerick; containing 2177 inhabitants, of which number, 127 are in the village. This parish is situated on the confines of the county of Tipperary, by which it is bounded on the east, and comprises 6515 statute acres; of which a considerable portion is bog and waste mountain land. Fairs are held on May 9th, Nov. 3rd, and Dec. 21st; and petty sessions at Shinrone every Tuesday. The village is on the estate of the Rolleston family, whose seat, Franckfort Castle, is contiguous; it is an ancient structure, defended by a regular fortification and fosse. Busherstown is the seat of G. Minchin, Esq.; Newgrove, of Westropp Smith, Esq.; Lisduff, of W. Smith, Esq.; Clyduffe, of T. Spunner, Esq.; Annegrove, of the Rev. W. Minchin; and the Glebe-house, of the Rev. Dr. Hawkins, Dean of Clonfert. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, forming the head of the union of Dunkerrin, Castletown-Ely, Rathnaveoge, and Finglass, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The tithes amount to £496.15.4 ¾., and of the entire benefice to £923. 1. 6. There is a glebe-house, with three glebes in the union, comprising altogether 86a.2r.30p. The church is a handsome modern structure, erected in 1818, by aid of a loan of £1200 from the late Board of First Fruits. In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising Dunkerrin, Cullenwayne, and Castletown-Ely, in which are chapels at Dunkerrin and Barna. About 80 children are educated in three private schools. Near Dunkerrin is the old castle of Rathnaveoge, and Ballynakill castle, formerly the residence of the Minchin family.
DURROW, a parish, partly in the barony of MOYCASHEL, county of WESTMEATH, but chiefly in the of BALLYCOWAN, KING's county, and province of LEINSTER, 2 ¾ miles (N.) from Tullamore, on the road to Kilbeggan; containing 5192 inhabitants. This parish, which is also called Dervagh, was distinguished at a very early period for its sumptuous monastery, founded by St. Columb, in 546, and also for an abbey of Augustine Canons, which was subsequently founded and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Columb. The latter establishment, which had been endowed with the town of Durrow, by Aed McBrenaynn, King of Teaffia, who died in 585, was plundered in 832, by Fethlemid, son of Crimthan, who slew the monks and burned the town; and after having been repeatedly destroyed by fire, was, in 1175, plundered by the English, who laid waste the adjacent country. In 1186, Hugh de Lacy, while superintending the erection of a castle on the ruins of the monastery founded by St. Columb, was killed by one of the labourers, who, indignant at the profanation of the sacred spot, struck off his head with an axe while he was stooping down to give directions. In 1227, Simon Clifford built here the castle of Rahan O'Swaney, and also granted an annuity of 40s. to the abbey, which continued to flourish till the dissolution, when it was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Nicholas Herbert, who made it his residence, and from whose family (which took the name of Stepney) it passed to that of the Early of Norbury, its present proprietor. The parish comprises 688 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The soil is fertile, and the system of agriculture improving; there is only a small portion of bog, and the only waste land consists of sand hills. Limestone abounds and is quarried extensively for agricultural and other uses. The principal seats are Durrow Abbey, that of the Earl of Norbury, situated in an ample and highly improved demesne, in which his lordship is erecting a spacious mansion in the ancient style; Kilclare, of John Armstrong, Esq.; Coolrain, of R. B. Slater, Esq.; Ballynamona, of R. Belton, Esq., and Rostella, of Dr. Naghten. The linen manufacture was carried on here; and there was an extensive bleach-green, the property of Mr. Armstrong, in which about 50 persons were employed. The river Brosna, which bounds the parish on the north and east, and the Silver river, which bounds it on the south and west, afford facilities for trade; on the latter a flourishing distillery has been lately established. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Earl of Norbury, in whom and in H. Kemmis and J. Armstrong, Esqrs, the rectory is impropriate. The tithes amount to £223.14.1½., of which £146.0.7½ is payable to Lord Norbury, £60.8.10. to Mr. Kemmis, and £17.4.8. to Mr. Armstrong; the stipend of the perpetual curate is £80, payable by Lord Norbury. The glebe-house is a neat residence, and the glebe comprises 25 acres, subject to a rent of £17.10. The church, a venerable and ancient structure, was repaired in 1802, by a gift of £450, and a loan of £50 from the late Board of First Fruits, and contains monuments to the Stepney and Armstrong families. In the churchyard is an ancient cross curiously sculptured with scriptural devices, which is supposed to have been brought from Scotland by St. Columb; it is of a different kind of stone to any in the neighbourhood. In the R.C. divisions the parish is in the union of Tullamore; the chapel is a very handsome edifice, in the later English style. There are three private schools, in which are about 200 children. Near the church is a holy well, dedicated to St. Columb. There are the remains of several towers, and also a large rath in the parish.
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