KILGARRIFF

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

"KILGARRIFF, (or Kilgariffe), a parish in the baronies of East Carbery, Ibane, and Barryroe, county Cork, province of Munster, Ireland. It contains the post town Clonakilty. The parish is 3½ miles long by 1 mile broad. It is situated at the head of Clonakilty Bay. The greater part of the surface consists of good arable land, with some bog and broken upland. The coast is varied, and exhibits many interesting features. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ross, value with two others, £335, in the patronage of the crown. The church, situated in Clonakilty, was erected in 1818, partly by means of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Templeomanus. The Wesleyans have a meeting-house. There are Sunday and several day schools. Kilgariff House is one of the many residences which adorn this locality. Blue slate is quarried, and there are indications of copper.

"CAPPEEN, a hamlet in the barony of Carbery West, in the county of Cork, province of Munster, Ireland, 11 miles to the N.W. of Bandon."

"CLONAKILTY, a post and market town, in the parish of Kilgarriff, in the barony of East Carbery, in the county of Cork, province of Munster, Ireland, 30 miles on the road from Cork to Skibbereen. It is situated at the head of Clonakilty or Sandy Bay, and was anciently called Clouncallow and Tough M'Gilti. It was formerly a borough, founded by Sir Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, and returned two members to the Irish parliament before the Union. During the insurrection of 1641, when a detachment under Lord Forbes was entirely cut up by the Irish, it was greatly devastated, and never again rose to its ancient importance; yet as late as the close of the 16th century, the linen trade here was the most important in the district. A sand bar, spanning the entrance of the bay, renders it accessible for small craft only. The Foilagh rivulet passes through the town, and is crossed in two places by bridges. The town contains the parish church, which wits rebuilt in 1818, and to which transepts were added in 1861, several schools, three chapels, a bridewell, shirehall, dispensary, bank, linen-hall, brewery, market-house, barracks, public library, newsroom, and chief police station. Petty sessions are held in the town by the county magistrate. A seneschal court is also held for the recovery of miner debts. Bishop Collins was born here. About a mile to the N. of the town is an interesting Druidical temple. Friday is market day for poultry and yarn. Fairs are held on the 5th April, 30th June, 10th, October, 12th November, and on the first Monday in each month."

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