Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

MYS
Maure, or of the Clear Spring, founded in 1172 by Der-
mod M c Cormac M c Carthy, King of Desmond, for Cis-
tertian monks; the foundations of the buildings, and
the burial-ground, may be traced at Carrigiliky. The
parish forms an obtuse peninsula between Castlehaven
and the harbour of Glandore, having the main ocean to
the south; it comprises 3319 statute acres, as applotted
under the tithe act, and valued at £3333 per annum.
The surface is very uneven, but the land in general is
fertile, producing excellent crops of corn, flax, and
potatoes; the more elevated parts, however, afford only
scanty pasturage for cattle; there is very little waste or
bog: near the centre of the parish are some interesting
lakes. Agriculture is much improving, particularly
near Brade and Myross Wood, the rector having intro-
duced the most improved implements. The soil is
generally shallow, resting upon a substratum of schist,
in some places rising into hills of considerable elevation.
Considerable efforts are now being made to work the
slate more efficiently: many of the inhabitants are en-
gaged in the fishery. A fair for cattle is held on Holy
Thursday. Myross Wood,, the demesne of F. H. Cop-
pinger, Esq., is very large, extending northward to the
Leap, and affording the best woodland in the barony;
Clantaffe is the residence of R. Townsend, Esq.; Bunla-
han, of Major Powell; Brade, of the Rev. E. P. Thomp-
son; Union Hall, of Capt. Somerville; Ballincolla, of
Capt. Lyster; and Rock Cottage, of J. French, Esq.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of
Ross, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes
amount to £500. The church is a very handsome cru-
ciform edifice, with a tower: it occupies a gentle,
eminence, near the western termination of Glandore
harbour, having been erected on that new site in 1827,
at a cost of £900, a gift from the late Board of First
Fruits, at which time this living was separated from
those of Kilmacabea and Kilfaughnabeg: the present
situation was adopted from its contiguity to the village
of Union Hall. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms
part of the union or district of Castlehaven, or Castle-
Townsend: the chapel, near Union Hall, is a large plain
edifice, erected in 1830. The parochial schools, which
are aided by the incumbent, who also supports a Sun-
day school, are situated in Union-Hall, as also is a
national school for females; and about 170 children are
educated in three private schools. On a lofty eminence,
above the wood of Myross, are the remains of the church
of the union, which was left to fall to decay in 1827: it
occupied the site of the abbey De Fonte Vivo, or “the clear
spring,” being near the sea shore, on the south-western
side of the parish. On the haven, opposite to Castle-
Townsend, are the ruins of Rahene castle, which in
former times protected this ferry; and about a mile to
the east are fragments of Castle Ire, on a bold and com-
manding eminence. At Rock cottage, now the residence
of J. French, Esq., Dean Swift wrote his poem of “Car-
beriae Rupes.”
MYSHALL, a parish, partly in the barony of
IDRONE EAST, but chiefly in that of FORTH, county of
CARLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 8 miles (E. S. E.)
from Leighlin-bridge, on the road from Newtown-Barry
to Bagnalstown, and on the north side of the river
Burren; containing 2874 inhabitants, of which number,
123 are in the village. The parish comprises 9220
statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and
VOL. II.—417
NAA
valued at £4744 per annum. There is a great deal of
waste mountain land, and much bog; but agriculture
is improving. There are quarries which yield stone for
building. The village consists of 19 houses; it has a
penny post to Leighlin-Bridge, and is a constabulary
police station; petty sessions are held on alternate
Wednesdays, and road sessions four times in the year.
Fairs are held on May 10th and Sept. 14th, for cattle,
sheep and pigs. Myshall Lodge is the residence of J,
Brody, Esq.; and Holly-brook, of A. Bloomfield Feltus,
Esq. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the dio-
cese of Leighlin, and in the patronage of the Bishop:
the tithes amount to £400. There are six statute acres
of glebe, on which stands the glebe-house. The church
is a plain building, towards the repairs of which, the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted
£203; it was built in 1811, by aid of a gift of £800
from the late Board of First Fruits. In the R. C. divi-
sions the parish is the head of a union or district,
comprising the parishes of Myshall and Fennagh, in
each of which is a chapel; that of Myshall is a neat
building, kept in excellent order. There is a school at
Shangarry, of which the house, a good stone building,
was erected at an expense of £200, partly by govern-
ment and partly by subscription; and one at Myshall,
in which are about 150 children. There is also a pri-
vate school of about 130 children. The ruins of the
old church, overgrown with ivy, are situated on the
townland of Myshall, and have a burial-ground an-
nexed; there is also a burial-ground on the town-
land of Ballaghmore. At Knockrimah is a chalybeate
spa.
N
NAAS, an incorporated
market, post, and assize
town (formerly a parlia-
mentary borough), and a
parish, partly in the barony
of SOUTH SALT, but chiefly
in that of NORTH NAAS,
county of KILDARE, and
province of LEINSTER, 17¾
miles (N. B. by N.) from
Athy, and 15¾ (S.W.) from
Dublin, on the great south-
ern road to Cork; contain-
ing 4777 inhabitants, of which number, 3808 are ia
the town. This place, which is of very great anti-
quity, was at a very early period the residence of the
Kings of Leinster; and after the invasion of Ireland
by the English, was granted by John, Earl of Morton,
to William Fitzmaurice, together with the adjacent
territory and various important privileges, with a
market and a very extensive jurisdiction in all pleas
except those of the crown. It was soon after sur-
rounded with a wall and strongly fortified; several
castles were erected and many houses built; and from
its central situation within the English pale, it rapidly
rose into importance. A priory was founded here in
the 12th century by the Baron of Naas, for Canons
Regular of the order of St. Augustine, and dedicated to
3 H