CARRICK

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

"CARRICK, (or Carrick-on-suir), a parish and market town in the barony of East Iffa and Offa, in the county of Tipperary, province of Munster, Ireland, 13 miles to the E. of Clonmel, and 112 miles to the S.W. of Dublin. It is situated on the border of Waterford, in a rich and highly cultivated district in the valley of the Suir, and is a station on the Waterford and Limerick railway. This parish was the site of a castle, founded soon after 1300 by the Butlers, who owned the district as well as Carrick-Beg on the opposite side of the Suir in Waterford. An Augustine priory was established here about 1200 by William de Cantell and his wife, which was given at the Dissolution to the Earl of Ormond. Another castle was built on its site. The town of Carrick-on-Suir has one main street parallel with the river, which runs E. and W., and is crossed by an old bridge of stone, connecting the town with Carrick-Beg. The principal business is the corn and provision trade. The woollen manufacture was once carried on here, but has gradually ceased. There is a good trade in timber, coal, and slate. The Suir was formerly not navigable above Fiddown, except for lighters; but at a considerable outlay improvements have been made, and vessels of 200 tons burthen now approach the town. A new townhall and a new courthouse have been erected. There are also a bridewell, barracks for infantry, and a police station. The Union poorhouse stands to the W. of the town. Quarter and petty sessions are held, the latter fortnightly. The living is a union of the rectory of Kilmurray, and vicarages of Carrick and Ardcullum, value £425 13s. 10d., with glebe-house and 8¾ acres of land, Irish. The parish church is dedicated to St. Nicholas. There are in the town a large and handsome Roman Catholic chapel, a monastery of the order of Christian Brotherhood, and a convent of the sisters of the order of the Presentation. Connected with these are large schools for boys and girls. Here are also a fever hospital and a dispensary. Carrick-on-Suir is the seat of a Poor-law Union. The castle, now partly in ruins, was long the seat of the Ormonds, and it was here that the great Duke of Ormond first received the tidings of the rebellion in 1641. The surrounding country is pre-eminent for its fertility, and the charm of its varied scenery. Among the seats of the gentry are Tinvane, the residence of H. W. Briscoe, Esq.; Deerpark Lodge, Glen Lodge, The Cottage, &c. Carrick gives the title of earl to a branch of the Butler family. Saturday is the market day. Fairs are held on the first Thursday of each month, and also on Whit-Tuesday, the 15th August, and the 10th October.

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