Kilvellane

KILVOLANE, a parish, in the barony of OWNEY and ARRA, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, on the road from Thurles to Limerick; containing, with the post-town of Newport (which is separately described), 3802 inhabitants. It comprises 8568 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £7427 per annum. There were formerly large tracts of waste land, which, from the facility of procuring lime, have been partly reclaimed and are rapidly coming into cultivation. The system of agriculture is improved; there are large tracts of valuable bog, and several quarries of excellent limestone, which is procured and burnt for manure. Grit-stone of good quality for building is also extensively quarried; and copper mines of good ore were formerly worked with success, but have been discontinued. The scenery is finely diversified; the river Clare intersects the parish, affording advantageous sites for mills, and on the southeastern side forms a boundary between the counties of Tipperary and Limerick. Clare Glen, which is beautifully picturesque, has been recently planted. The principal seats are Barna, the residence of H. Lee, Esq., and Mount Philips, of W. Philips, Esq., the demesnes of which are richly embellished with stately oaks; Ballymakeogh, of W. Ryan, Esq.; Mount Rivers, of R. Phillips, Esq.; Bloomfield, of E. Scully, Esq.; Fox Hall, of J. O'Brien, Esq.; Clonsingle, of R. Young, Esq.; Derryleagh Castle, of G. Ryan, Esq.; Rose Hill, of H. Hawkshaw, Esq.; and Lacklands, of the Rev. Dr. Pennefather.

A. corn-mill and a tuck-mill have been erected on the river Clare, near Newport. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cashel, forming part of the union of Kilnerath, or St. John's, Newport; the tithes amount to £461. 10. 10. The church, towards the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £530, is a neat edifice, situated at Newport. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Newport, in which town is the chapel. The parochial school, in which about 120 children are taught, is endowed with 20 acres of land and is aided by subscriptions; and there are six private schools, in which are about 260 children. There are some remains of the ancient parochial church at Ballymakeogh; the cemetery is still used as a burial-ground.

from Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837.