KILLARNEY

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

"KILLARNEY, a parish and market town in the barony of Magunihy, county Kerry, Ireland, 12 miles N. of Kenmare, and 186 from Dublin, by the Killarney branch of the Great Southern and Western railway, on which it is a station. The parish, which is of large extent, contains, besides the town of Killarney, the village of Cloghreen, with Muckross Abbey on the lower lake of Killarney, under Mangerton mountain. The town contained in 1861 a population of 5,187. It is said to have derived its origin from the iron smelting works in its neighbourhood, and from the copper mines of Ross and Muckross. Its present prosperity is principally owing to its contiguity to the celebrated lakes of its name. It consists of two principal streets, with several smaller streets branching from them. At the S. end of the main street is the best part of the town, called Kenmare-place, near which is the entrance to the estate of Lord Kenmare, by whom the streets have been paved, and the town otherwise improved. The appearance of the town is neat, and in summer presents a very animated appearance, being thronged with tourists, who come to visit the lakes. The principal buildings are the court-house, with a bridewell attached, a market-house, theatre, fever hospital, dispensary, reading-rooms, nunnery, two banks, savings-bank, police station, almshouse, and union workhouse. It is a polling place for the county elections, and quarter sessions are held in the town; also petty sessions every Tuesday. Races are occasionally held in the vicinity of the town, and regattas take place on the lake. A stag hunt is frequent in the mountains of Glena, which abound with native red-deer. Balls are given in the old court-house during the season, to which illustrious strangers are invited. The scenery around is delightful, affording magnificent views of mountain and glen. Commerce does not flourish to any great degree, but there is a thriving local trade. Tanning, for which the neighbouring oak woods are favourable, is slightly carried on. Linen is made in the neighbourhood and sold at the market, and there are two breweries and a snuff manufactory, also large flour mills. A variety of ornamental articles are made for visitors to carry away as souvenirs, from the arbutus tree, which grows here wild as in Italy. The Poor-law Union contains twelve electoral divisions in the county of Kerry. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, value with the vicarage of Kilcummin, £500. The church contains several mural tablets of ancient date. There are also a place of worship for Dissenters, and two Roman Catholic chapels. In the town is a first-class classical school. The population comprises 5,052 Roman Catholics, 120 Established Church, 4 Presbyterians, and 11 Methodists. Quarries of limestone and slate are worked to a great extent; lead and copper ores are also obtained in great quantities. There is a considerable extent of bog, which is used for fuel. The chief seats of the surrounding gentry are, Kenmare House, of the Earl of Kenmare; Muckross, of Mr. Herbert; Flesk Castle, Castle Lough, Flesk Priory, Courtayne Castle, &c. About two miles from the town is an old rath called the Druids Circle. Market day is Saturday. Fairs are held on the 4th July, 8th August, 7th October, 11th November, and 28th December."

"CLOGHEREEN, a village in the parish of Killarney, in the barony of Magunihy, in the county of Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland. It stands near Mucross Abbey, at the foot of the Mangerton Mountain, near Killarney and the Turk lake and waterfall. It affords good hotel accommodation and conveyance for visitors to the lakes. The dispensary and the Poor-law Union house are situated in the village."

"DARBY'S GARDEN, a small island lying in the Lower Lake of Killarney, in the parish of Killarney, county of Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland, near Glenagh-point."

"DERRYCUNIHY, a mountain glen between the baronies of Magunihy and Dunkerrin, in the parish of Killarney, county of Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland, on the S. of the lake of Killarney. A picturesque waterfall adds much to the beauty of the spot."

"DEVIL'S ISLAND, in Turk lough, in the parish of Killarney, barony of Magonihy, in the county of Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland. It is situated near Killarney, and is little more than a barren rock."

"DUCK ISLAND, in the parish of Killarney, and in the Upper Lake of Killarney, in the county of Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland."

"GLENA, in the parish of Killarney, it is a mountain vale, and several objects deriving their name from it, along the W. side of the lower lake of Killarney, county Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland. The bay which is at the head of the lake commands views of the whole of the exquisite scenery of Killarney, and salmon, perch, and trout are taken there in great abundance. Glena Cottage, the residence of Lord Kenmare, has a room fitted up entirely for the entertainment of tourists. The scenery is extremely beautiful."

"HOLY ISLAND, a small island lying in the channel which joins the upper and middle lakes of Killarney, in the parish of Killarney, county Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland."

"MOUSE ISLAND, an islet in the lower lake of Killarney, in the parish of Killarney, county Kerry, Ireland."

"MUCKRUSS or MUCROSS ABBEY, a demesne, in the parish of Killarney, county Kerry, Ireland. The mansion is a modern edifice, situated on a point between the Middle and Lower lakes of Killarney, and takes its name from the Franciscan abbey founded here in 1340 by the McCarthys, the ruins of which are still very imposing,--the abbey church, now overgrown with ivy, and parts of the refectory, dormitory, and cloisters, which are raised on 22 arches."

"RONAN, an islet in the upper lake of Killarney, in the parish of Killarney, county Kerry, Ireland."

"ROSS, an islet in the lower lake of Killarney, in the parish of Killarney, county Kerry, Ireland. It now belongs to Lord Kenmare, having once been possessed by the O'Donoghues, who built a castle on it, which was taken and dismantled by the parliamentary General Ludlow in 1652. It is chiefly valuable for its lead and copper mines, and commands views of the lakes of Killarney."

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