KILLURSA, a parish, in the barony of CLARE,
county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT; containing,
with part of the post-town of Headford, 4612
inhabitants. It is situated on Lough Comb, and contains
a great quantity of bog and limestone. The
principal seats are Ower, the residence of J. Burke,
Esq.; Clarren, of J. Brown, Esq.; and Carnacrow, of
W. Skerrett, Esq. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the
diocese of Tuam, forming part of the union of Headford,
the tithes amount to £211. 10. lO½. In the
R. C. divisions also it forms part of the union or district
of Headford, and has a chapel, which was built
in 1770 at an expense of £350. About 230 children
are educated in three public schools, two of which are
entirely supported by R. Mansergh St. George, Esq.,
and the rector, and to the other J. Burke, Esq., has
given half an acre of land rent-free; and about 280
in six private schools. Sir George Leonard Staunton,
Bart., secretary to the British embassy to China, in
1793, of which he published an account, was a native of
this place. Some battle-axes and javelins were found
here a few years since.