CARRIGUE, or CARRIG, an island

CARRIGUE, or CARRIG, an island, in the parish of AGHAVALLIN, barony of IRAGHTICONNOR, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 1 ½ mile (N. W.) from Ballylongford: the population is included in the return for the parish. This small island is situated in the river Shannon, nearly opposite to the island of Inniscattery, but on the Kerry side, and is about a mile and a half in circumference, containing 120 statute acres, of which 100 are arable; it belongs to Trinity College, Dublin, and is farmed by the Rev. S. B. Lennard, of Adare, and in a high state of cultivation. It is pleasantly situated for bathing, and abounds with a variety of water-fowl. There are a battery and bombproof barrack for 20 men; and it is a station of the coast- guard. The north shore is the only place where ships of heavy burden can ride in safety; the south, west, and east being very shallow at low water: and about a mile from the northern part of the island is a shoal, which has only a boat passage at ebb tide. Here is an extensive ruin, which was formerly a monastery, subject to the O'Connors, from whom the barony is named, and who owned the castle of Carrigafoyle, known as "the impregnable castle," from its long resistance to the attacks of Cromwell; it was one of the last taken by him, and the 12 people found in it were hanged. Off the island is an excellent oyster bed, also a good plaice and mullet fishery.