DURROW

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

"DURROW, a parish, post and market town, partly in the barony of Galmoy, in the county of Killkenny, and partly in the barony of Clarmallagh, in Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, 12 miles S.E. of Maryborough. It is situated on the road from Athy to Cashel. The surface has some woodland and bog. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ossory, value £330, in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of St. Canice Cathedral. The church was erected in 1793. The Roman Catholic chapel is an elegant building, and is united to that of Aughmacart. The Wesleyans have a meeting-house, and there are National and Sunday schools. The town, which is pleasantly situated on the river Erkin, is neatly built, consisting of one principal street and a square. It contains the market-house, a malthouse, police station, barracks, mills, and a dispensary within the Abbeyleix Poor-law Union. Petty sessions are held fortnightly. Though the town is locally situated in Queen's County, it is civilly returned as belonging to Kilkenny, to which county it was transferred by an Act procured by the Earl of Ormond, in order to avoid the attacks of the Fitzpatricks. Castle Durrow is the seat of Viscount Ashbrooke, to whom the place gives the title of baron. Other seats are Dunmore, Moyne, &c. There are ruins of castles. Friday is market day. Fairs are held on the 2nd January, 4th March, 22nd May, 21st August, and 20th November."

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