ARDPATRICK, formerly a parish

ARDPATRICK, formerly a parish, now forming part of the parish of KILQUANE, in the barony of COSTLEA, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 4 ½ miles (S. E.) from Kilmallock; containing, with Kilquane and the parish of Particles, 2735 inhabitants. An abbey is said to have been founded here by St. Patrick, of which circumstance, though no historical record exists, there is yet sufficient evidence that a religious foundation was established here in the earliest ages of Christianity. By an inquisition of the 39th of Elizabeth, it was found that the hill of Ardpatrick was anciently granted to the corbeship founded in the church of Ardpatrick, a small sum out of the proceeds being paid annually to the bishop; and that the office of corbe had from time immemorial been continued by succession in the sept of the Langanes, by one of whom it was then held. Near the confines of this townland is Sunville, the ancient residence of the Godsall family.

In the ecclesiastical divisions it is unknown as a parish, and in ancient records was supposed to be part of that of Donoughmore, in the county of Clare, forming a portion of the estate belonging to the see, and held under lease from the Bishop of Limerick; but for many years it has been united to the parish of Kilquane. The tithes amount to £33. 13. 10. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Kilfinnan; a large and handsome chapel has been lately erected at the foot of Ardpatrick hill. On the summit of this hill are the ruins of the ancient monastery; and near the north-west angle are the remains of an ancient round tower, the greater portion of which fell down a few years since. Gold ore has been found here, also the fossil remains of an elk, or moose deer, which are now in the possession of G. Russell, Esq., of Charleville.— See KILQUANE.