CLONFAD

"CLONFAD, (or Clonfadforan), a parish in the barony of Fortallagh, in the county of West Meath, province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles to the W. of Rochfortbridge. Tyrell's Pass is its post town. The surface is flat, and there are limestone and marble quarries. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Meath, value £153, in the patronage of the bishop. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Milltown. The Wesleyans have a meetinghouse, and there are three day schools. The chief residences are Calverstown, Newcastle, Templeoran, and Guildford.

"TYRRELLSPASS, a post-office village in the parishes of Newtown and Clonfad, barony of Fartullagh, county Westmeath, province of Leinster, Ireland. It is situated near Gallows Bill, and contains Clonfad church, a chapel, a school, savings-bank, police station, barracks, and a dispensary. The chief residences are Toor Hall and Cornahir. This village was anciently a market town. Some of the inhabitants are employed in the manufacture of cotton. Here are the remains of Tyrrell's Castle, erected to secure the passage to the town. Fairs are held on 17th May and 17th December."

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