ADARE

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

"ADARE, a parish in the barony of Coshma, Kenry, and Upper Connello, in the county of Limerick, and province of Munster, Ireland, 10 miles to the S.W. of Limerick, and 129 miles from Dublin. Its name signifies the "ford of the oaks". A castle and a church appear to have existed here in the reign of Henry II. In 1279, John Fitzgerald, first Earl of Kildare, founded and endowed a monastery here, for the redemption of Christian captives. After the Dissolution, Queen Elizabeth granted it, with other religious houses, to Sir Henry Wallop, Knt. It is now called the Black Abbey; and the remains of the church, consisting of the tower, nave, and part of the choir, have been fitted up as a Roman Catholic chapel. Within the demesne of Adore Manor are extensive and interesting remains of another abbey, including the nave, choir, and south transept of the church, with a square tower rising from the intersection. The cloisters are nearly perfect, and ground them are the principal offices and domestic buildings. In the enclosure there is a very fine old yew-tree. A Franciscan abbey was also founded, by Thomas, seventh Earl of Kildare, the remains of which are on the south aide of the river, close to the bridge, and now used as the parochial church. Part of the offices have been converted into a schoolhouse by the Countess of Dunraven. Adore was a corporate town before the year 1810. The castle was built by the O'Donovans, rebuilt and fortified by the Earls of Kildare, and was forfeited to the crown by Gerald, one of the earls, who supported Perkin Warbeck. The castle was frequently besieged during the 16th century, and in 1657 it was dismantled, by the orders of Cromwell; the walls are of great strength, and the remains extensive, and they were put in good repair by the late Earl of Dunraven. The town is situated on the western bank of the river Maigue, which is broad and, by means of a short canal, navigable up to the town. The river is crossed by a fine bridge of fourteen arches, which was erected by the fifth Earl of Kildare. Two quays have been constructed at the expense of the Earl of Dun raven. The appearance of the place has been much improved by the removal of some of the old houses, and the erection of better ones. A post office has been established, and a police station; and petty sessions are held once a fortnight. Fairs are held twice a-year for the sale of farming stock. The land is good, and well cultivated; about two-fifths are arable, the rest is meadow and pasture land. There is no bog nor waste land. There is an abundance of valuable limestone, black, grey, and porphyritic. The surrounding scenery, is fine, and adorned with many handsome seats. The principal of these is Adare Manor, the residence of the Earl of Dunraven, a descendant of "Con of the Hundred Battles". It is on the west bank of the river, commanding a fine view of the castle and abbeys. It is built of limestone, found on the estate. The earl takes from Adare his title of viscount and baron. At a little distance is Currah, the seat of Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart., in the midst of a fertile and well wooded estate. About the year 1740, a number of German Protestants, called Palatines, settled in this parish. They still remain a distinct body, and are the principal occupants of the farm-houses, with their gardens and orchards. The living is a vicarage, value £284, in the diocese of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, and in the gift of the Earl of Dunraven. There is a parochial school, supported by the Countess of Dunraven; the fever hospital and dispensary are now converted into a monastery."

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