ENNISKERRY, or MUTTON ISLAND

Samuel Lewis

A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland

1837

ENNISKERRY, or MUTTON ISLAND, in the parish of KILMURRY, barony of IBRICKANE, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, ½ a mile from the shore, on the western coast: the population is returned with the parish. It lies off that part of the coast which, from its rocky and dangerous character, is called the Malbay; and contains about 210 statute acres of excellent land for feeding oxen and sheep, particularly the latter; hence the name "Mutton island," from the fine flavour of the mutton. On its shores are some curious natural caves, formerly used by smugglers for storing contraband goods. Here are an old signal tower and the ruins of an ancient structure, said to have been an abbey, founded at a very early period by St. Senan of Inniscattery: the ancient name of the island was Inniscaorach.

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