ARDCARN

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

"ARDCARN, a parish in the barony of Boyle, in the county of Roscommon, province of Connaught, Ireland, 4 miles to the E. of Boyle. It is situated on the southern shore of Lough Key, and the river Shannon flows along part of its eastern boundary. An abbey existed here in the 6th century, which was given by Queen Elizabeth to Trinity College, Dublin. This parish had also a nunnery of the Benedictine order, a cell to the abbey of Kilcreunata in Galway, and a Franciscan monastery. The soil is fertile, and the district well wooded. There is abundance of good limestone and freestone. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Kilmore, Ardagh, and Elphin, value with the rectory of Killukin and other livings, £446, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was originally a part of the old nunnery. Rockingham House, a noble mansion in the Ionic style of architecture, situated on the shore of Lough Key, and surrounded by beautiful grounds and woods, was the seat of the Viscount Lorton. Oakport a Gothic mansion on the Boyle river, is the seat of the Molloys. Knockvicar and Mount Francis are the other seats. Petty sessions are held weekly at Cootehall, formerly called O'Molloy's-hall. There are two dispensaries and a free school. The parish extends over an area of 19,100 acres, of which 1,160 acres are covered by the waters of the lough.

"CROSSNA, a village in the parish of Ardcarn, barony of Boyle, in the county of Roscommon, province of Connaught, Ireland, 3 miles S.W. of Keadue. It occupies an elevated position not far from Lough Key. There is a Roman Catholic chapel."

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