KILRICKILL

KILRICKILL, a parish, partly in the barony of LOUGHREA, but chiefly in that of ATHENRY, county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT, 4 miles (E. by N.) from Loughrea, on the road to Ballinasloe; containing 2003 inhabitants. A nunnery is said to have been founded by St. Patrick for his sister, St. Richella, at Kilbought, at which place the Whaley family founded a monastery for the third order of Franciscans, of which there are some remains.

The parish comprises 4580 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Here are some good stone quarries; one at Dartfield produces a black stone which takes a high polish. Limestone is also procured; and there is a small quantity of bog, which has been much reduced by injudicious cutting. Dartfield is the seat of R. Blake, Esq., J.P. There is a constabulary police station in the village, and a manorial court is held once every three weeks. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Clonfert, forming part of the union of Loughrea: the rectory is appropriate to the deanery and the prebends of Droghta and Ballynoulter in the cathedral of Clonfert.

The tithes amount to £102. 10., of which £30 is payable to the dean, £27. 10. to the prebendary of Droghta, £25 to the prebendary of Ballynoulter, and £20 to the vicar.

In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising this parish and Killalaghton, in each of which is a chapel. Here is a school in which about 100 children are instructed. At Kilbought are the remains of an ancient chapel, said to have belonged to the Franciscan friary; the burial-ground has been recently enclosed and planted with yew trees. The castle of Wallscourt gave the title of baron to the family of Blake.