ROSCREA

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

"ROSCREA, a parish, post, and market town, chiefly in the barony of IKERRIN, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER but partly in the baronies of Clonlisk and Ballybritt, King's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, 44 miles N.W. of Limerick, and 75 S.W. of Dublin. It has a station on the Great Southern and Western railway at the point where the Parsonstown branch turns off. The parish, which is very extensive, consists chiefly of fertile soil. The town is built on a small stream falling into the Brosna river. It consists of a number of streets, built without any attempt at order, and many of them poor. There is a brisk retail traffic, but the original staple of the town, that of woollen goods, is now extinct. There are several large grain mills, two breweries, tanneries, a savings-bank, and a police station. Petty sessions are held weekly. The Midland Counties Advertiser is published in the town. The Castle of Roscrea was built by King John, and is now used as a military barracks. In 620 St. Cronan made this town an episcopal see, and remains of the cathedral near the old church are still standing. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Killaloe. The church, which was erected in 1812, near the site of an ancient abbey, is a Gothic structure. There are a Roman Catholic chapel and Methodist and Friends' meeting-houses. There are three public schools, and several private establishments. Among the charities are a hospital and a dispensary. Numerous seats surround the locality. A great victory over the Danes was gained here, who thought to surprise the inhabitants, but were defeated, and left 4,000 dead. Saturday and Thursday are market days. Fairs are held on 25th March, 7th May, 21st June, 8th August, 9th October, and 29th November."

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