KILBRIDE

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

"KILBRIDE, a parish in the barony of Ballycowan, King's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, containing the town of Tullamore, its post town. The parish is 4½ miles long by 3 broad. The surface consists of a second-rate soil, with some bog. It is traversed by the Grand canal and by the rivers Silver and Clodagh. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Meath, value £125, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is a Gothic edifice erected near Tullamore in 1818. The Roman Catholic chapel is a commodious building united to that of Durrow. There are meetinghouses for Wesleyans and Quakers, also 20 day schools. Charleville is the residence of the Earl of Charleville. There are castle ruins at Aharne, Atighinanagh, Ballesillenury, and Shrahikane, also ruins of a castle built by Sir Jasper Herbert in 1226. There are several chalybeate springs."

"BALLYCOWAN, a village in the barony of that name, King's County, in the province of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles from Tullamore. The Grand canal passes through it."

"CHARLESTOWN, a village in the parish of Kilbride-Langan, barony of Kilcursey, in King's County, province of Leinster, Ireland. It was formerly a town, but is now only a village. It is situated in the vale of the Brosna, within a short distance of Clara and Kilcursey Castle. Fairs are held on the 20th April, and 20th October."

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