KEALAVOLLEN

KEALAVOLLEN, or KILLAVULLANE, a village, in the parish of MONANIMY, barony of FERMOY, county of CORK, and province of MUNSTER, 2 ½ miles (S.W.) from Castletownroche, on the river Blackwater, and at the intersection of the road from Mallow to Fermoy by that from Doneraile to Cork: the population is returned with the parish. This place is picturesquely situated at the foot of the range called the Nagle mountains, from the name of the family that for several centuries possessed this district, and whose descendants still reside in the neighbourhood. The Blackwater is here crossed by a neat stone bridge of three arches, at the south end of which is an immense rock overhanging the river, the base of which has been worn away by the action of the water, and is perforated so as to form a low and narrow cavern of considerable extent, resembling a subterraneous passage. The road from the bridge winds round the steep rock, and branches off towards the east through a romantic mountain pass on the old road to Fermoy. The village, which consists of several comfortable houses, is the property of James Henessy, Esq., by whom its vicinity has been extensively planted, and whose mansion, Ballymackmoy House, stands on the summit of the rock before mentioned, and commands an extensive view of the surrounding scenery, which is here of the most picturesque and diversified character. The air is very salubrious, and the river affords excellent salmon and trout fishing. Here are the R. C. chapel of the district, a station of the constabulary police, and the neat residence of the Rev. G. Spaight, rector of Monanimy; and in the immediate vicinity is a large boulting-mill, lately discontinued.