KILLARD

KILLARD, a parish, in the barony of IBRICKANE, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, 7 miles (N. W.) from Kilrush, on the road from Kilkee to Miltown-Malbay; containing 5619 inhabitants. This parish, which is on the western coast, and includes the cliff of Baltard, comprises 8824 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: there is a large quantity of reclaimable bog and rocky land; the system of agriculture is improving. Slate and flag quarries exist here. Very fine salmon is caught in Dunbeg river; and the banks of Baltard, about three leagues from the shore, afford turbot, cod, haddock, doree, mackerel, whiting, and other fish, in great abundance and perfection. The coast being very precipitous and the surf great, the fishermen use canoes of wicker work covered with pitched canvas. Baltard House is the residence of the Rev. M. Comyn, P.P.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of Lord Castlecoote and in R. Stackpoole, Esq. The tithes amount to £208. 19. 9., of which £85. 14. 2. is payable to the representatives of Lord Castlecoote, £13. 4. 7. to R. Stackpoole, Esq., and the remainder to the vicar. The church is a modern building near Dunbeg. In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Kilkee, and has a chapel at Dunbeg. A parochial school has been established under the patronage of the incumbent and Mr. Straight, the latter of whom gave the school-house and a piece of ground rent-free; there is also a school partly supported by the parish priest. In these schools are about 70, and in four private schools about 340, children. On the summit of Baltard cliff are the ruins of a signal tower; and on the south-western side of Dunbeg bay are the ruins of Dunmore castle; and there are some remains of the old church.—See DUNBEG.