KILCOOLY

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

"KILCOOLY, a parish in the baronies of Crannagh, Eliogarty and Slievardagh, county Kilkenny and county Tipperary, provinces of Leinster and Munster, Ireland. Thurles is its post town. It is 6 miles long by 4 broad, and contains the village of New Birmingham. The surface is somewhat hilly, but the soil is good. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Cashel, value £395, in the patronage of the crown. The church was erected in 1829 by the late Board of First Fruits. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Buolick. There is a Methodist meeting-house in the parish, also National and one other day school. Kilcooly Abbey stands near the remains of an abbey founded by Donagh O'Brien in 1200. The dispensary is within the Ballnyonty and Kilcooly Poor-law Union. Fairs are held in April and October."

"NEW BIRMINGHAM, a village in the parish of Kilcooly, barony of Slieveardagh, in the county of Tipperary, province of Munster, Ireland, 12 miles to the N.E: of Cashel. It is situated in the neighbourhood of the Killenaule coal-mines, and was founded by Sir Vere Hunt, Bart. In the name given to the place the founder expressed his hope of its future manufacturing importance, which has not been realised. The markets and fairs, for which he obtained grants, have been some time disused. The village contains a Roman Catholic chapel, a spacious building in the perpendicular style.

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