KILMANAHEEN

In 1868, the parish of Kilmanaheen contained the following places:

"KILMANAHEEN, a parish in the barony of Corcomroe, county Clare, province of Munster, Ireland, containing its post town, Ennistimon, and the village of Lehinch. The parish is 3½ miles long by 3 broad. The surface lies along the E. side of Liscanor Bay. The Oyna rivulet waters the interior. It consists principally of low hills affording good pasturage, but easily converted into arable. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Kilfenora, value with two others, £141, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was erected by a loan from the late Board of First Fruits in 1829. The Roman Catholic chapel is at Ennistimon. There are several day schools in the union. Ennistimon House is the principal residence of the neighbourhood. There are ruins of an old church, and of the castles of Dough and Ennistimon, also several Danish raths."

"ENNISTYMON, a post and market town in the parish of Kilmanaheen, barony of Corcomroe, county Clare, province of Munster, Ireland, 15 miles N.W. of Ennis, and 154 from Dublin. It is pleasantly situated on the river Ennistymon, which is here crossed by a bridge. Under the town is a ridge of rock, causing a fine waterfall. Quarter and petty sessions are held in the town, which is a chief police station. The parish church is a handsome cruciform structure, built in 1830; there are also a Roman Catholic chapel, Christian Brothers' school, National girls' school, courthouse, bridewell and dispensary. Ennistymon House is an ancient seat of the O'Briens, and contains some family portraits. At a distance of 2 miles is Lahinch, a favourite sea-side retreat, with racecourse. Ennistymon Poor-law Union embraces 20 electoral divisions in Clare, with 21 guardians. The poorhouse has room for 800. An abbey is alleged to have stood here, over which St. Luchtighern presided. The ruins of an old church are seen to the E. of the town. An inferior class of coal has been worked here. This town gives name to a Roman Catholic parish in the diocese of Killaloe. There was formerly a brisk trade in worsted goods, but the market has declined. There are cars running every day to Ennis, Lisdoon-Varna, and Milltown Mallbay. Fairs are held the 25th March, 25th May, 2nd July, 22nd August, 29th September, 19th November, and 17th December."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018