ARDAMINE, a parish

ARDAMINE, a parish, in the barony of BALLAGHKEEN, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 3 ¾ miles (S. S. E.) from Gorey; containing 1535 inhabitants. This parish is situated near the coast of the Irish sea, and comprises 4078 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the soil is generally a strong marl favourable to the growth of wheat, and the system of agriculture is improving. A fishery in the bay of Ardamine promises to become very valuable when the harbour of Courtown, which is now in progress, shall be completed. Ardamine, the seat of J. Goddard Richards, Esq., is beautifully situated at a short distance from the sea; and the grounds have been recently embellished with thriving plantations and other improvements. Owenavarra Cottage, the residence of Mrs. Richards, sen., is also in the parish. The living is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Ferns, with that of Killenagh episcopally united, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in H. K. G. Morgan, Esq. The tithes amount to £190, payable to the impropriator, who allows £23. 1. 6 ½. per ann. for the performance of the clerical duties of both parishes to which has been lately added an annual grant of £25 from Primate Boulter's fund. The church is situated on the confines of both parishes; there is neither glebe nor glebe-house.

In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, also called River chapel, comprising the parishes of Ardamine and Donaghmore, in each of which is a chapel: that in this parish, with a comfortable residence for the clergyman adjoining it, was erected by subscription, together with a school- house for boys superintended by him, and another for girls under the patronage of Mrs. Richards. There is also a Sunday school, besides two private pay schools in which are about 30 children. Near the demesne of Ardemine is a large high tumulus, called the "Moat of Ardemine," considered to be one of the most perfect of its kind in Ireland: it is traditionally said to mark the burial-place of a Danish chief.