BALLINVANA, a parish

Samuel Lewis

A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland

1837

BALLINVANA, a parish, in the barony of COSTLEA, county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER, 3 miles (S .E.) from Kilmallock, on the road to Knocklong; containing 2710 inhabitants. In ecclesiastical concerns this place is not known as a parish, but is considered as forming part of the parishes of Emly Grenan, Kilbreedy, and Athnassey, and is annexed to the union of Kilmallock. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union of Athnassey. On the summit of a gentle eminence are the ruins of Fauntstown castle, erected by the Faunt family in the reign of James I.; and not far distant are the remains of an old church, near which is a holy well, much frequented on the 25th of March, the patron day: close to the well is an ash tree, of which the branches are weighed down by the numerous offerings placed on them by the votaries.

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