Killare Parish
Map of County Westmeath: Parish Killare. Shows relationship between Mullingar, Killare and Ballymore.
Lewis, Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. London: 1837.
Details of Killare Parish In 1837
KILLARE, a parish, in the barony of RATHCONRATH, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, on the road from Mullingar to Athlone; containing, with part of the post-town of Ballymore, 3849 inhabitants. This place is supposed by Camden to have been the Laberus of Ptolemy, and is distinguished by a lofty and isolated hill, which bounds it on the north-west, called Knock-Usneach, and said to have been celebrated for the ancient provincial assemblies of the native Irish. A religious house was founded here at a very early period, and subsequently became the head of a small see, of which St. Aid is said to have been bishop in 588; of this establishment, and also of a castle founded by the family of the Geoghegans, there are still some slight remains. The parish comprises 6950 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is principally under tillage; the system of agriculture is improving, and there is a small portion of bog. The principal seat is Mosstown, the handsome residence of Theobald Featherston-H, Esq. Fairs and petty sessions are held at Ballymore. It is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Meath, annexed to the perpetual curacy of Ballymore, or St. Owen's of Loughseudy. The rectory is impropriate in Mrs. F. C. Reade: the tithes amount to £260. There is neither church, glebe-house, nor glebe. In the R. C. divisions it is also part of the union or district of Ballymore. There are four private schools, in which about 170 children are taught. In the village, which consists only of a few cabins, are the ruins of the old parish church, with a burial-ground; and opposite to it is a remarkably high mound, at the base of which is another ruin of very great antiquity, with a well dedicated to St. Bridget. In the centre of the parish is Clare Hill, on the summit of which are the remains of a castle and fortifications, said to have belonged to the family of De Lacy. Near Mosstown are the remains of the ancient castle of Killenbrack; and within that demesne, on a small mound, is a burial-place of the Judge family, of King's county.
Lewis, S. Topographical dictionary of Ireland. London: S. Lewis, 1837; 2: 126.
Townlands of the Parish of Killare.
Ardbrennan, BALLYMORE TOWNSHIP (portion), Ballinacor, Ballinaspick, Ballinive, Ballinkeeny, Ballinlavan, Ballyclogher, Ballydavid, Ballymacallen, Ballymacartan, Bessville, Bishopstown, Bracknahevla, Clare, Clinickilroe, Clonboy, Clonnamanagh, Clonnslynagh, Clonybane, Clonyveey, Clyglass, Duneel, Dungaghy, Gibstown, Keenoge, Killarecastle, Killarechurch, Killaroo, Killeenagh, Killeenagroagh, Killeenbane, Killeenboy, Killeenbrack, Lurgan, Maddadoo, Moranspark, Mosstown, Mosstown Demesne, Mullaghcloe, Pottiaghan Commons, Rackavra, Rathskeagh Lower, Rathskeagh Upper, Rowe, Taghnafearagh, Toorcoffey, Toorillon, Tullagh Upper.
Note: An extract from the 1854(?) Griffith’s Valuation for Killare Parish did not show a DAVIS in any townland. However, there was a Matthew CREEVY in the townland Clyglass… a relation of Margaret’s mother Ellen CREEVY?
Description of Ballymore in the Parish of Killare.
The 1824 Pigot’s Directory describes Ballymore, which is the main town in Killare Parish, and could have been where Margaret’s father John DAVIS worked as a shoe maker:
A Post and market town, 50 miles west of Dublin, 12 north east of Athlone, and 12 south west of Mullingar, is in the barony of Recondra, and county of Westmeath. The town now consists of one long street, of no very elegant appearance, but was formerly a place of considerable note, being one of the oldest post towns in Ireland. At present the only public building is the Catholic chapel. The neighbourhood is extremely pleasant, and the land very fertile. Population about 500.
Source: Pigot and Co.’s city of Dublin and Hibernian provincial directory. London: J Pigot & Co., 1824: 131. Note: There was no DAVIS mentioned as a shoemaker.
Rejoin the Story:
- Return to: Chapter 6: GHL's Wife: Elizabeth DAVIS.
- Or continue on to: Chapter 7: GHL's Children.