Lewis Topographical Dictionary - OSi Online Shop

KIL
KILCORMUCK, a parish, partly in the barony of
GOREY, but chiefly in that of BALLAGHKEEN, county of
WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 2 miles (N. N.W.)
from Oulart, on the roads from Enniscorthy and Ferns
to the sea; containing 2500 inhabitants. The Wexford
insurrection of 1798 first broke out in this parish, under
the direction of the Rev. John Murphy, priest of Bou-
lavogue, who, on the burning of the chapel at that
place, collected his forces from the surrounding district,
and advanced to Oulart Hill, where he encamped. The
parish comprises 9660 statute acres, (exclusive of 52
acres of roads,) chiefly under tillage: the soil is fertile,
and the system of agriculture has been greatly improved
under the auspices of the North Wexford Agricultural
Association. Marl, which is found in the parish, and
lime brought from a considerable distance, are used for
manure. Oulart Hill, at the southern extremity of the
parish, is cultivated nearly to the summit, but the
absorbent nature of the soil scarcely repays the expense
of tillage. There are two small bogs, containing about
20 acres; good building stone is found; and slate
has been lately discovered. Extensive plantations have
been made at Mount George by Mr. Lee, and at Garry-
duff by Mr. Goodison. At Dranagh are several neat
cottages with gardens attached, and the peasantry of
this district generally exhibit in their persons and
dwellings an appearance of neatness and comfort.
Spinning and weaving are carried on by them at their
own dwellings. Fairs are held at Harrow on March 21st,
June 24th, Sept. 30th, and Dec. 1st. The living is a
rectory, in the diocese of Ferns, and in the patronage of
the Bishop: the tithes amount to £526.3.1. The
church, a neat structure, was rebuilt in 1766, by aid of a
gift of £200, and was enlarged and modernised in 1831,
by a loan of £600 from the late Board of First Fruits.
The glebe-house was built at an expense of £1800, of
which the Board gave £100, in 1815. Near the church
is a glebe of 22½ acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish
is partly in the district of Monageer, and partly in that
of Oulart: the chapel is at Boulavogue. About 40
children are educated in a school chiefly maintained by
the rector,under whose superintendence a Sunday school
is held in the church. A school is also held in the R. C.
chapel, in which, and in two private schools, about 130
children are educated.
KILCORNAN, a parish, in the barony of KENRY,
county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 1 mile
(W.) from Pallas-Kenry, on the river Shannon and the
lower road to Askeaton; containing 3840 inhabitants.
This place was one of the chief stations, in this part of
Ireland, of the Danes, who in 1041 erected a very strong
fortress near the present village of Castletown, and the
Danish chieftain having soon afterwards embraced the
Christian faith, built a church near the fort of Moige.
In 1164 another castle was erected, which soon after
fell into the hands of the O’Donovans, by whom it was
given up to the English; it afterwards became part of
the possessions of the Earl of Desmond, on whose
rebellion in the reign of Elizabeth it was forfeited, toge-
ther with the manor, and was granted to Sir Hardress
Waller, ancestor of the present proprietor. In the war
of 1641 it was garrisoned for the king, but was taken the
year following by the Irish under the command of Gen.
Purcell, who kept possession of it till its surrender to
Ireton, by whom it was garrisoned for Cromwell. The pa-
72
KIL
rish comprises 9637 statute acres, as applotted under the
tithe act; the lands towards the Shannon are fertile and
under good cultivation, but towards the south are much
encumbered with stones scattered in every direction,
and with portions of rock rising above the surface;
they are, notwithstanding, well fenced and drained, and
together form one of the most fertile and best-cultivated
districts in the South of Ireland. The principal seats
are Castletown, the elegant residence of J. Waller, Esq.,
beautifully situated in a richly wooded demesne of 200
Irish acres, sloping gently to the river; Holly Park, the
ancient residence of the Taylor family, now the property
of Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart.; Summerville, the ancient
seat of Lord Charleville, now occupied by an agent;
Castle Grey, of G. Langford, Esq.; Stonehall, of E.
Langford, Esq.; and Bushy Island, of P. Low, Esq.
There are also many large and substantial farm-houses,
and several very neat cottages. The living is a rectory,
in the diocese of Limerick, and in the patronage of J.
Waller, Esq.: the tithes amount to £646. 3. 1. The
church, a spacious and handsome edifice with a lofty
embattled tower, was built entirely of hewn marble in
1832, at an expense of £1500, of which £800 was a
loan from the late Board of First Fruits, and the remain-
der a gift from J. Waller, Esq., who also undertook to
repay the loan. The glebe-house is a very handsome
and commodious residence, and the glebe comprises 60
acres of profitable land. In the R. C. divisions this
parish is the head of a union or district called Stonehall
and Cappagh, comprising also the parishes of Cappagh
and Nantinan; the old chapel is in the village of Stone-
hall, and a handsome chapel of hewn marble was built
at Boherbuie, in 1832, at the expense of J. Waller, Esq.
About 120 children are taught in the two public schools
of this parish, one of which is supported by Mr. Waller;
and there are two private schools, in which are about
170 children. Of the castle built by the Danes nothing
is now remaining, and of that subsequently erected the
vestiges are very slight. In the south-western part of the
parish are some fragments of the castle of Carrigonan;
and on the new line of road, near Holly Park, are the
interesting ruins of the old church or priory of Killeen.
Not far from Carrigonan are the remains of the small
church, of Cillenalotor, 12 feet long and 8 feet wide,
lighted by one narrow lancet window in the east gable,
and having a very low pointed entrance on the west.
Near Stonehall are some very small but interesting
lakes, on the shores of which are vestiges of ancient
buildings.
KILCORNAN, or KILCORAN, a parish, in the
barony of CLANWILLIAM, county of TIPFERARY, and
province of MUNSTER, 5-§ miles (W.N.W.) from Tippe-
rary; containing 153 inhabitants. It is a rectory, in
the diocese of Emly, forming part of the union of Drum-
keen and corps of the archdeaconry of Emly: the
tithes amount to £52. 10.
KILCORNEY, a parish, in the barony of BURREN,
county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, eight
miles (N. N. E.) from Curofin, near the road from Kil-
fenora to Ballyvaughan; containing 335 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of
Kilfenora, united from time immemorial to the rectories
and vicarages of Kilheny and Oughtmanna, which to-
gether constitute the union of Kilcorney and corps of
the chancellorship of Kilfenora, in the gift of the Bishop: