KILLESHIN

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

"KILLESHIN, a parish in the barony of Slievemargy, Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, 14 miles E. of Ballinakill. Carlow is its post town. The parish is 6 miles long, and the same broad. It contains the town of Graigue and the village of Sleaty-Graigue. The surface, which lies partly along the river Barrow, is mountainous, including part of the Slievemargy mountains. The soil is good. The living is a rectory and vic, in the diocese of Leighlin, value £365, in the patronage of the crown and bishop, alternately. The church was built in 1826 by the aid of the late Board of First Fruits. Here are three united Roman Catholic chapels and nine day schools. Among the residences are Olderrig, Everton, and Moorfield. The Cut of Killeshin is a remarkable mountain pass, about 3 miles from Carlow. Near this spot are the remains of a church and a Danish rath."

"GRAIGUE, a small town in the parish of Killeshin, barony of Slievemargy, Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, half a mile from Carlow, of which it is a suburb. It is situated on the right bank of the Carrow, which is here crossed by Wellington bridge. It contains the parish church, a Roman Catholic chapel, schools, tanneries, and a distillery."

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