EIRKE, a parish, partly in the barony of UPPER-OSSORY,
QUEEN'S county, but chiefly in that of GALELPMOY,
county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER,
8¼ miles (S. W.) from Durrow, on the road from Rathdowney
to Johnstown; containing 5565 inhabitants,
and comprising 15,750 statute acres, as applotted under
the tithe act, valued at £10,370. 6. per annum. About
2000 acres are bog. Two fairs are held at Bawn for
cattle and horses; and here is a constabulary police
station. Livally is the seat of - Fitzgerald, Esq. The
living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory,
and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount
to £692. 6. 1¾. The glebe-house was built by aid of a
gift of £100 and a loan of £800 from the late Board of
First Fruits; the glebe comprises 15a. 25p. The
church is a plain building, erected in 1823, towards
which the late Board lent £650. In the R. C. divisions
the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising
also those of Fartagh and Glashane, and containing three
chapels, two in Eirke and one in Fartagh; to the chapel
at Moninamuck, in this parish, Lord Courtown gave an
acre of land and £50 towards the expense of its erection;
it is in contemplation to rebuild, the other. The
parochial school is aided by the rector, and has a house
and an acre of land rent-free: about 50 boys and 50 girls
are taught in it. There are also nine private schools,
in which are about 500 children.