ORANMORE

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

"ORANMORE, a parish and post town in the baronies of Galway and Dunkellin, county Galway, province of Connaught, Ireland, 6 miles E. of Galway, and 127 from Dublin. It is a station on the -Midland Great Western railway. The parish is 9 miles long, and its greatest breadth is 4½ miles. The surface lies on Galway Bay, in the vicinity of Lough Corrib. It is boggy, with a good proportion of fertile soil. The roads from Galway to Dublin and Limerick, and from Tuam to Gort and Ennis, traverse the interior. The villages of Renville and Newtown-Butler are within the parochial limits. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Tuam, value £225, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was erected in 1834. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Ballynacourty. There are several day schools in the parish. The town is situated at the head of Oranmore Bay. It is a petty sessions town and police station. The houses are small, and the streets irregularly laid out, but, from its being situated on a great thoroughfare, the place is generally busy. Oran Castle is a seat occupying the site of an ancient castle, built by the Clanricardes, and was held by the rebels in 1643. Wallscourt is the seat of Lord Wallscourt. The Browne family of Castlemacgarret take title of baron from this place. A round tower is seen at Murrough. Fairs are held on the 23rd May and 20th October."

"GLANROE, a village in the parish of Oranmore, in the barony and county of Galway, province of Connaught, Ireland, near Galway."

"MENLOUGH, (or Menlo), a village in the parish of Oranmore, in the barony of Galway, county Galway, province of Connaught, Ireland, 2 miles N. W. of Galway. It is situated on the left side of the river Corrib. Menlough Castle is the seat of Sir Thomas Blake, M.P. Near the village a quarry of black marble is worked.

"MONEYMORE, a hamlet in the parish of Oranmore, in the barony of Dunkellin, county Galway, province of Connaught, Ireland, 2 miles E.S.E. of Oranmore."

"ORANBEG, a village in the parish of Oranmore, barony of Dunkellin, county Galway, province of Connaught, Ireland, 1 mile N.E. of Oranmore. It is situated on the road to Athenry."

"RENVILLE, a village in the parish of Oranmore, barony of Dunkellin, county Galway, province of Connaught, Ireland, 1 mile S.W. of Oranmore. It is situated on Galway Bay, and is traversed by the road from Oranmore to Ardfry. There are a small pier and a police station. This place is a resort for sea-bathing. An old castle is still standing in Renville demesne. In the vicinity are quarries of black marble, and lead ore is found."

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