ARDMORE

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

"ARDMORE, a parish in the barony of Decies-within-Drum, in the county of Waterford, province of Munster, Ireland, 5 miles to the S.W. of Dungarvan. It is situated on a bay on the coast of St. George's Channel, a little to the north of Ardmore Head. It has a fine beach, and is frequented as a bathing-place. At an early period a bishopric was founded here by St. Declan, a native of Ireland. It existed till the English invasion, and was incorporated with the see of Lismore about 1170. The district is partly mountainous, but between the hills and the sea there is some good land. Copper and lead have been obtained, and some iron ore of excellent quality. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Cashel, Emly, Waterford, and Lismore, value with that of Ballymacart £254, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is modern. Near it are remains of the ancient one, which appears to have been a handsome building. There is a round tower ninety feet in height, in the churchyard. St. Declan's dormitory, a small structure near the church, is much venerated. On Ardmore Head is St. Declan's Well, and on the beach his stone. There are several caverns on the coast, the largest of which is that called the "parlour," near Ardmore Head. Ardmore is the seat of coastguard and police stations."

"RAMHEAD, a promontory on the coast of Waterford, Ireland, 1 mile S.E. of Ardmore. It is situated at the northern end of Youghal Bay."

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