KILLEINY

KILLEINY, or KILLINEY, a parish, in the barony of CORKAGUINEY, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 12 ½ miles (W. by S.) from Tralee; containing 3344 inhabitants, of which number, 263 are in the village. It includes the low sandy peninsula of Magharee, which separates the bay of Tralee from that of Brandon. Off the northern extremity of the peninsula are the small isles called the Magharees, or "Seven Hogs," which abound with limestone, and where kelp is still made, but not to its former extent. To the west of Castle Gregory is a small lake, which might be easily drained, and an embankment or pier would be of great benefit.

The parish comprises 2261 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, besides a considerable tract of mountain and bog. The arable land, which is generally manured with sea-weed, is extremely fertile and particularly noted for producing wheat of a superior quality. Stone for building abounds, and limestone is found near the glebe.

The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £432. 18. 5. The church is a small plain structure, for the rebuilding of which the late Board of First Fruits gave £800, in 1812, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £159 for its repair. There is no glebe-house: the glebe is merged in the bishop's farm of Killeiny, but. the tenant pays £16 per ann. to the rector.

In the R. C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Castle Gregory, which comprises the parishes of Killeiny, North Cloghane, Strabally, and Ballyduff, and has chapels at Castle Gregory and North Cloghane. There are three private schools, in which about 130 children are educated, and an infants' school. The ruins of the old church adjoin the present edifice; and at Killeton are vestiges of an ancient burial-ground.—See CASTLE-GREGORY.