Clare Genealogy: Bassett's Directory, 1875-6: Part 3: Killaloe, Ballina and Bird-Hill Description

Part 3: Killaloe, Ballina and Bird-Hill: Description

(Population 1,677)

Killaloe is a very ancient town and parish, in the barony of Tulla and County of Clare?12 miles north of Limerick and 112 S.W. from Dublin. It is beautifully situated on the western bank of the Shannon, which river is crossed by an ancient bridge of 13 arches, diving the Counties of Clare and Tipperary. It is the seat of a Diocese, and was erected into an Episcopal See in the fifth century, and in the twelfth century was incorporated with the ancient Bishopric of Roscrea. The Cathedral of St. Flannan is a very venerable and large cruciform structure, the central tower being square and fine east windows. The other places of worship are the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Flannan, a small Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, and a large Roman Catholic Chapel at Ballina. The Limerick, Castleconnell and Killaloe Railway Co. have a station for passengers and goods at Ballina. The Grand Canal Co. have a station at Killaloe, and convey goods to and from Limerick, Portumna, Shannon Harbour, Athlone and Dublin, by their steamers. Killaloe has long been famous for the beauty of its Lake and Mountain Scenery; its salmon and trout fishing has also earned wide-spread celebrity, and it is much frequented by sportsmen. Killaloe is also celebrated for its antiquities; in the immediate vicinity are the remains of buildings, ancient and venerable, many of them dating so far back as the fourth century. Within a short distance of the town are the historic remains of "Kincora," once the residence of "Brian Boru," and at Ballina are the ruins of "Friars' Castle," restored at the sole expense of the late Earl of Dunraven, of Adare Manor. Near the town are the extensive quarries of the Killaloe Slate Company (Limited) which afford employment to a large number of people, and under the energetic management of the present superintendent, Captain Hickie, and Mr. Williams, the secretary, are making rapid progress. The Marble Works are situated on the banks of the Shannon, some few hundred yards south of Killaloe, and are conducted under the personal superintendence of the proprietor, Mr. E. B. Cunnah; the motive power is water, and the machinery very massive; a large number of hands are employed, and here may be seen rough blocks of marble, from the purest Italian to the to the plainest Irish, worked through every process until turned out either into the finest chimney piece or monumental work. Mr. Cunnah has also established a Woollen Factory adjoining the Marble Works, where home-spun frize and tweeds, blankets and flannels are manufactured.

Bird-hill is a small post village, 3 miles from Killaloe. It is a station on the Great Southern and Western Railway, and also the Limerick, Castleconnell and Killaloe Railway.