CAHERA, or CAHARAGH, a parish

CAHERA, or CAHARAGH, a parish, in the Western Division of the barony of WEST CARBERY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 4 miles (N.) from Skibbereen; containing 6999 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the roads from Skibbereen and Dunmanway, which meet at Dromore, near its centre, and proceed northward to Bantry; and is intersected by the river Ilen, on which, near Dromore, are some beautiful cascades. It contains 27,380 statute acres, of which 17,284 are arable, 5211 pasture, 155 woodland, and the remainder waste or bog; 20,054 acres are applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £7227 per annum. The surface is uneven, but in many places very productive, although it consists chiefly of small fields interspersed among rocks, and is cultivated by spade labour; and although the roads are excellent, the farmers continue to carry manure to their land on the backs of horses. The principal seats are Mount Music, the residence of the Rev. R. F. Webb, the rector; Gurtnascree, of A. O'Driscoll, Esq.; Woodville, of T. Wood, Esq.; and that occupied by the Rev. D. Dore, P. P.

The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Cork, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £650. The church is a small, neat, cruciform edifice, without tower, spire, or bell: it was built in 1829, at an expense of £650 given by the late Board of First Fruits. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. In the R. C. divisions this is the head of a union or district, comprising the parish of Cahera and part of Abbeystrowry: there are two chapels, one a large and handsome building at Killeenagh, on a lofty eminence near the church; the other, a small plain edifice at Dromore. The male and female parochial schools are supported by the Cork Diocesan Association, aided by the rector and Mr. Newman; and near the chapel at Killeenlagh is a school, containing about 100 boys and 70 girls. There are also a private school, in which are about 90 boys and 60 girls, and a Sunday school. Near Lisnagle are the ruins of a strong castle, once the residence of McCarthy, King of Cork. The ruins of the old church also remain, which the people here call the Abbey of Cahir.