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OME
parish, two shafts were sunk from which about 60 tons
of very rich ore were raised. Coal has also been found,
and there is every probability that, when good roads
shall have been opened throughout the district, and its
natural advantages fully developed, it will be found rich
in agricultural produce and in mineral wealth. The
scenery in many parts is boldly and impressively ma-
jestic, and in others beautifully picturesque and roman-
tic. On the High island, which comprises about 50
acres, and which is of very dangerous access except in
very fine weather, are the remains of an ancient reli-
gious house; the stone cells of the monks are still in a
perfect state. The entrance to the bay of Clifden is
obstructed by many shoals and rocks; at the distance
of five miles to the south of that island are the Carriga-
rone rocks, always above water. The inlet, a little
farther up, divides into two branches, of which the
southern or Ardbear has a bar of one fathom at the
entrance, but within has deep water; the upper part
is rocky and has a good salmon fishery at its head;
the northern branch runs up to Clifden and is dry at
low water, but the tide rises 12 feet at the quay. Leav-
ing Clifden, there is a channel for small vessels on the
north of Carrigarone, between Rualie and Tarbert island;
and between Tarbert island and Kingstown is a bar,
passable only by small vessels at high water. The
sound between Ennisturk and the mainland is called
Kingstown, and forms a good harbour for small vessels,
but is difficult of access from the rocks at its mouth.
Streamstown bay or river is an inlet navigable for five
miles, but almost dry at low water: the channel at
Omey island forms a natural harbour at each end.
From this place to Aghris Point, in lat. 53° 32’ 45”
(N.), and lon. 10° 8’ 30” (W.), the coast to Cleg-
gan bay is a low granite shore with rocks in the
offing, outside of which are the small isles of Cruagh,
High, and Friars; between these and the main land
is deep water, but with several rocks and breakers.
This district, which is regarded as the Irish High-
lands, was the strong hold of the celebrated Grana-
Uile, or Grace O’Malley, whose heroic exploits by
sea procured for her the honour of an interview with
Queen Elizabeth. The parish is the nearest point of
land in Europe to the continent of America.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese
of Tuam, forming part of the union of Ballynakill: the
tithes amount to £50. 15. 4½. The glebe-house, a very
comfortable residence, situated in the town of Clifden,
was built in 1823, at an expense of £507, of which
£415 was a gift, and £92 a loan, from the late Board
of First Fruits, which also granted £554 for the erection
of the church, also in the town of Clifden, and which
serves for the whole union. The glebe comprises 40
acres, valued at £40 per annum. In the R. C. divisions
the parish is the head of a union, called Clifden, com-
prising also the parish of Ballindoon, and containing
three chapels, two in this parish and one in Ballindoon.
About 30 children are taught in the parochial school,
under the Tuam Diocesan Society, to which Mr. D’Arcy
has given a house and two acres of land; and there are
five private schools, in which are about 200 children,
and a dispensary. At Errislaneen are the ruins of a
church, and within a mile of the town are evident
traces of a Druidical station; there are chalybeate
springs at Clifden and Kingstown.
450
ORA
OMULLOD.—See CLONLEA.
ONOUGHT, a village, in the parish and island of
ARRANMORE, barony of ARRAN, county of GALWAY,
and province of CONNAUGHT: the population is re-
turned with the parish. It is situated at the western
extremity of the island, which is the principal of the
group called the Inlands of Arran, at the entrance of the
bay of Galway, The inhabitants subsist chiefly by fish-
ing. Near the village are the ruins of seven churches
and of a monastery of the Augustinian order.
OOLLA, or ULLOE, a parish, in the barony of
COONAGH, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUN-
STER, 7½ miles (N. W.) from Tipperary, on the new line
of road to Limerick; containing 2735 inhabitants, of
which number, 192 are in the village. James, Earl of
Kildare, Deputy Governor of Ireland, in 1497, took Bal-
lyneety castle, and destroyed the fortress. In 1691,
Gen. Sarsfield surprised this castle in the night, blew it
up, and destroyed all the cannon destined for the siege
of Limerick, together with the ammunition, stores, &c.,
which had been brought hither, at an enormous ex-
pense, by Wm, III.) who afterwards partially repaired
the castle. The parish is situated on the borders of
the counties of Tipperary and Limerick: the land is
tolerably good, and is chiefly meadow and pasture, about
a fifth only being under tillage. The substratum is
limestone of very superior quality, though not in
much use for manure. The village consists of 35 houses,
mostly small, but well built; it has much improved
since the formation of the new road: there is a consta-
bulary police station. Newtown-Ellard is the ancient
seat of the Lloyd family; and Castle Lloyd is the
handsome residence of T. Lloyd, Esq. The living is a
vicarage, in the diocese of Emly, and in the patronage
of the Crown, during the legal incapacity of the Earl of
Kenmare; the rectory is impropriate in Edw. Deane
Freeman, Esq. There are two excellent glebes, com-
prising together 35¾ acres. The parishioners attend the
church of Cullen, the curate of which performs the oc-
casional duties of the parish: divine service is also
performed in Castle Lloyd, and in the spacious paro-
chial school-house, which is principally supported by
the Lloyd family and others, and in which are about 50
children. Near it stands the R. C. chapel, a large old
edifice. The remains of Ballyneety castle present a stately
heap of ruins, with here and there a wall nearly entire.
The ruins of the church, and of Oolla castle, stand
close to the R. C. chapel. In 1825, some large and
perfect antlers of the elk were discovered; and, in 1828,
a brazen trumpet, and spear and arrow heads of bronze
were found, which are now in the museum of Trinity
College, Dublin.
ORAN, a parish, in the half-barony of BALLYMOE,
county of ROSCOMMON, and province of CONNAUGHT,
5¼ miles (N. W.) from Roscommon, on the road to
Castlerea, and on the river Suck; containing 1560 in-
habitants. This place was anciently called Huaran-
Hichlahack, and is of great antiquity. St. Patrick is
said to have founded a church here, of which St. Cethe-
cus was bishop; this prelate was interred here. The
old cemetery, adjacent to the high road, is still a favou-
rite place of burial, and the reputation of its sanctity
attracts many pilgrims. The parish comprises 4859¼
statute acres of good land, chiefly under tillage, there
being neither waste nor bog: the soil rests on lime-