GIRLEY, a parish, in the barony of UPPER-KELLS,
county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 2½ miles
(N.) from Athboy, on the road from Mullingar to Navan;
containing 1480 inhabitants. This parish comprises
4637 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act:
about two-thirds are grass land of excellent quality, and
the remainder under good cultivation, with the exception
of a considerable tract of bog extending into the
neighbouring parish of Burry; there are some thriving
plantations. The principal seats are Drewstown, the
residence of F. McVeigh, Esq., a handsome house in a
highly improved demesne; Johnsbrook, of J. Tandy,
Esq., pleasantly situated in grounds tastefully embellished;
and Triermore, of T. Rotheram, Esq. It is a
vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the
union of Athboy; the rectory is impropriate in Dominick
O'Reilly, Esq. The tithes amount to £207. 1. 7., onehalf
payable to the impropriator and the other to the
vicar; there is no glebe-house; the glebe comprises 1½
acre. In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or
district of Kells; the chapel at Fordstown is a handsome
modern building, erected in 1800. About 60 children
are taught in a private school, of which the schoolhouse
is occupied rent-free. There are some remains of
the ancient parish church.