Hide
ABBEY
hide
Hide
In 1868, the parish of Abbey contained the following places:"ABBEY, (or Corcomroe Abbey), a parish in the barony of Burren, in the county of Clare, and province of Munster, Ireland, 2 miles S. of the town of Burren, and extending along the shores of Burren harbour in the bay of Galway. The living is an impropriate rectory. This parish receives its name from an abbey of the Cistercian order, founded, some say, in 1194, by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick; others, by his son, Donough Carbrac O'Brien, in 1200. It was called Corcomroe, which signifies "of the fruitful rock;" also, Gounomonagh, or "glen of the monks." The abbey was dedicated to the Virgin, and at one time it was connected with the abbey of Suir, in Tipperary; at a later time with the abbey of Furness, in Lancashire. It had a cell annexed to it in the adjoining barony. Among the ruins of the abbey, which are extensive, the chief object of admiration at present is a lofty pointed arch. Another object of interest is the fine tomb of the King of Thomond who fell in battle near this spot in 1267. The land along the coast is very fertile; but in the interior the ground is hilly and unproductive. There are valuable limestone quarries, and a profitable trade is carried on in seaweed, which is abundant, and is sold as manure. Another source of employment and profit is the great oyster-bed, called the "Red Bank," established some years ago by Mr. Bindon. Finvarra is the principal seat in the parish.
"BEAGH, a village in the parish of Abbey, barony of Burren, in the county of Clare, province of Munster, Ireland, 13 miles to the N. of Corrofin."
"BURREN, a village in the parish of Abbey, and barony of Burren, in the county of Clare, province of Munster, Ireland, 22 miles to the N. of Ennis, and about 130 miles from Dublin. It is seated on the coast of Galway Bay, on a small harbour, and carries on a thriving coasting trade. The oysters obtained near this place are of excellent quality."
[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018