DESERTMORE

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

"DESERTMORE, a parish in the barony of East Muskerry, in the county of Cork, province of Munster, Ireland, 8 miles W.S.W. of Cork. Ballincollig is its post town. It is situated on the river Bride, and on the road from Cork to Inchygeelagh. The surface is rather hilly, with a small proportion of bog. The soil is rich in the neighbourhood of the river. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Cork, value £320, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is a plain building erected in 1814 by the late Board of First Fruits. This parish is included in the Ovens union in the Roman Catholic arrangement. There is a parochial school, supported by the rector. Slickstown is the principal residence. On the banks of the river stood a convent, dedicated to St. Bridget, in which St. Cyra is said to have been abbess, but of its foundation nothing is recorded. There are remains of a monastery and Kilcrea Castle, both founded by McCarthy. The latter was taken by Cromwell in 1641."

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