ATHNEASY

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

"ATHNEASY, (or Athnassey), a parish in the baronies of Cochlea and Small County, in the county of Limerick, province of Munster, Ireland, 3 miles to the N.E. of Kilmallock. It is situated in a fertile district, partly arable and partly meadow land. The living is a rectory in the union of Kilmallock, in the diocese of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe. The church, of which scarcely any traces are left, was dedicated to St. Athanasius, and was probably erected in the 7th century. There are some trifling remains of castles and religious houses, one of the latter being called Adam's Church. Martinstown is the principal seat.

"BALLINVANA, a parish, in the barony of COSTLEA, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S. E.) from Kilmallock, on the road to Knocklong; containing 2710 inhabitants. In ecclesiastical concerns this place is not known as a parish, but is considered as forming part of the parishes of Emly Grenan, Kilbreedy, and Athnassey, and is annexed to the union of Kilmallock. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union of Athnassey. On the summit of a gentle eminence are the ruins of Fauntstown castle, erected by the Faunt family in the reign of Jas. I.; and not far distant are the remains of an old church, near which is a holy well, much frequented on the 25th of March, the patron day: close to the well is an ash tree, of which the branches are weighed down by the numerous offerings placed on them by the votaries."

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