ASKEATON

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

"ASKEATON, a parish and market town in the barony of Lower Connello, in the county of Limerick, province of Munster, Ireland, 16 miles to the S.W. of Limerick by road, or 20 miles by the Limerick and Foynes railway, on which it is a station, and 135 miles from Dublin. It is situated in a pleasant country, on the river Deel, near its junction with the Shannon. This place was founded by the Fitzgeralds, Earls of Desmond, and became an important place at an early period. They had a fine castle here, which, after holding out the longest against the royal forces, was captured in 1580 by Sir George Carew, part of it being blown up by the garrison on retiring. In 1420, a Franciscan monastery was established here by James, Earl of Desmond, which was one of the most magnificent ecclesiastical edifices in the island. Under a charter granted by James I., in 1613, Askeaton was incorporated, and from that time till the Union, the borough returned two representatives to the Irish parliament. Of the £15,000 which was awarded on the ceasing of this privilege, £13,700 was paid to the Earl of Carrick and Lord Massey. Askeaton is no longer a corporation. It is a police-station, and has a court of petty sessions once a fortnight. The district is hilly, and the lands under cultivation. Good limestone is quarried in abundance, and copper ore is found, but no mine is opened. There is a salmon fishery on the Deel, and a small export trade in grain and flour. The river is navigable, and has convenient quays. The town is built on both sides of the Deel, which is crossed by an old bridge of five arches. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, value with the rectory of Lismakeery, and the vicarage of Iverus, £391, in the patronage of Sir M. Blackiston, Bart., to whom the manor belongs. The church which is in decay, was part of an establishment of the Knights Templars, founded here at the close of the 13th century. Not far from the church, westward, are the ruins of the ancient castle occupying the summit of a rock in the river, and near them the large and graceful banqueting-house, in a state of nearly perfect preservation. The extensive and beautiful remains of the abbey, which was built of the grey marble of the district, are on the east side of the Deel, close to the river. The cloisters surround a quadrangle, and are well preserved. A thorn-tree of venerable age grows in the quadrangle. Coins, bracelets, chalices, and other relics have been found in the neighbourhood. There are many seats of the gentry near Askeaton; among them are Inchirourk More, Shannon View, Castle Hewson, &c. The market day is Tuesday. Fairs are held on the 30th July and the 9th October, for the sale of cattle &c."

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