CLARAN-BRIDGE, a village

CLARAN-BRIDGE, a village, in the parish of STRADBALLY, barony of DUNKELLIN, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 3 ½ miles (S.) from Oranmore, on the mail coach road from Galway to Gort; containing, in 1836, 450 inhabitants. A patent was granted in 1820 for a market, which is held on Tuesday, principally for oats and wheat. Fairs, chiefly for pigs and horses, are held on the first Thursday after the 11th of Feb., May, Aug., and Nov. The inlet of Ballinacourty runs up to the bridge at this place, and great benefit would result from the erection of a small pier, considerable quantities of sea-weed being landed here for manure, and peat for fuel. The village is the property of T. N. Redington, Esq., whose mansion of Kilcornan, in the vicinity, is about to be partially rebuilt, with additions. In the demesne are the ruins of an ancient castle, stated to have been the residence of Norah Burke, a cruel chieftainess of the Clanricarde family. Near it is Kilcolgan Castle, the seat of M. St. George, Esq. At the eastern entrance to the village are the R. C. chapel and the monastery of St. Patrick, built by the present proprietor's grandfather and father, who endowed the monastery with seven acres of land, on condition that the monks should gratuitously educate the poor children on the Kilcornan estate. The late C. Redington, Esq., also gave the site, and his widow is about to erect a house for the Sisters of Charity, at the northern entrance to the village.—See STRADBALLY.

Search Topographical Dictionary of Ireland »