CASTLE ISLAND

In 1868, the parish of Castle Island contained the following places:

"CASTLE ISLAND, a parish in the barony of Trughanacmy, in the county of Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland, 11 miles to the S.E. of Tralee, and 180 miles from Dublin. It is situated on the banks of the river Maine, which rises not far from the village, and is crossed here by several bridges. The district is hilly and boggy, but a considerable part of the surface is under cultivation. This parish was the site of a fortress named the " Castle of the Island of Kerry," which was erected about 1230 by Geoffrey de Marisco, and was given by Queen Elizabeth to the Herbert family. Castle-Island, now a mere village, was formerly a market town and the county town of Kerry. It consists chiefly of one long street, and contains a market-house, court-house, and police station. There is a small bridewell. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Limerick, Ardfert, and Aghadoe, value £554, in the patronage of the proprietors of the Seignory of Castle-Island. The church is partly old and partly rebuilt. There is a spacious chapel for Roman Catholics, and a dispensary. Parkmoor is the principal residence. Fairs are held hereon the first Monday in January and February, the 17th March, the 20th April, Easter Monday, the 20th May, the 24th June, the 1st August, and 1st October."

"SCARTAGLIN, a village in the parish of Castle Island, barony of Trughanacmy, county Kerry, province of Munster, Ireland, 4 miles S.E. of Castleisland. It is situated on the banks of the Brown Flesk river, which is here crossed by a bridge. There is a Roman Catholic chapel and a school. Fairs are held on 17th January, 17th May, 18th August, 10th October, and 16th December."

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