RATHCORE

RATHCORE, a parish, partly in the barony of UPPER DEECE, but chiefly in that of LOWER MOYFENRAGH, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (S. W.) from Summerhill, on the road to Edenderry; containing, with the post-town of Enfield (which is separately described), 3455 inhabitants, of which number, 73 are in the village of Rathcore. This parish, which is situated on the Royal Canal and on the road from Dublin to Athlone, is bounded on the south by the river Blackwater, which here separates it from the county of Kildare. It comprises 14,303 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is of good quality and the greater portion of it under tillage; the system of agriculture is improved, there is no waste land, and but a very moderate portion of bog: there is a quarry of good limestone at Newcastle.

The principal seats are Johnstown, the residence of J. H. Rorke, Esq.; Rahinstown, of R. G. Bomford, Esq.; Ryndville, of R. Rynd, Esq.; Newcastle, of C. Lennon, Esq.; and Ballinderry, the property of the Hon. R. T. Rowley, and the residence of Thomas Murphy, Esq.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is appropriate to the see.

The tithes amount to £807. 13. 10., of which £438. 9. 2 ½. is payable to the bishop, and £369. 4. 7 ½. to the vicar. There is a good glebe-house, and the glebe comprises 41 acres, valued at £62. 2. per annum.

In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Rathmolion; the chapel is a spacious and handsome edifice, situated at Kilcorney, on the estate of Lord Decies. A school-house is now being erected near the church, from funds chiefly supplied by the vicar and by John Bridges, Esq., of London; there are four private schools, in which are about 180 children.