KILLAHA

KILLAHA, a parish, in the barony of MAGONIHY, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 5 miles (S. E. by E.) from Killarney, on the road from that place to Macroom; containing 2567 inhabitants. It comprises 38,049 ½ statute acres, of which 34,483 are applotted under the tithe act, and is situated on the river Flesk, which runs through a wild glen called Glenflesk, which is richly wooded, with large rocks projecting from its sides, and is much visited by lovers of romantic scenery. Filadowne, the most picturesque part of the glen, is said to have been the retreat of a celebrated outlaw, named Owen, and a table rock which is situated midway on the declivity, and inaccessible without a ladder, is still called Labig Owen, or "Owen's Bed." The retired and picturesque lake called Lough Guttane or Kittane, nearly six miles in circumference, lies in a hollow formed by the rocky and precipitous sides of the mountains of Mangerton and Crohane, between which also extends the rugged glen of Kippoch; it discharges its superfluous waters by a small river which runs into the Flesk, and affords great attraction to anglers by the excellence and abundance of its trout. Slate quarries are worked at Filadowne and Annamore. Here is a constabulary police station. Killaha is the residence of J. McCarty, Esq.; Brewsterfield, the property of the Rev. B. Herbert; and Corriglass, the property of H. A. Herbert, Esq.

The parish is in the diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Donoughmore and H. A. Herbert, Esq., and the vicarage forms part of the union of Kilgarvan. The tithes amount to £220, of which £90 is payable to the Earl of Donoughmore, £10 to H. A. Herbert, Esq., and £120 to the vicar. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Glenflesk, which also includes that part of Aghadoe which is eastward from Killarney, and has a chapel at Rusheen and another at Barraduff. There is a public school, in which about 140 children are educated, also two private schools, in which are about 110 children. Near the upper entrance to the glen, standing conspicuously on an eminence, are the ruins of Killaha castle, formerly the residence of the O'Donoghues of the Glens; and at a short distance are the ivy-clad remains of the old church.