RENVILLE, a village, in the parish of ORANMORE,
barony of DUNKELLIN, county of GALWAY, and province
of CONNAUGHT, 1 mile (W. by S.) from Oranmore, on
the road to Ardfry and the bay of Galway; containing
207 inhabitants. Within Renville Point is New Harbour
(sometimes called Renville), which is a place of
refuge in severe weather for vessels trading to Galway.
In gales of wind, when it is dangerous to lie in the Galway
roads, many vessels run for this harbour, where
they are sheltered from every wind, and at low water
lie in a bed of soft clayey mud: there is 19 feet
of water at high spring tides. A small pier has been
constructed, which, if extended about 40 yards further,
would be of great utility. The village, which is a station
of the constabulary police, is much frequented in the
summer by families from Galway and other parts of the
county for the benefit of sea-bathing, for which there is
every facility. The beautiful demesnes of Renville, the
seat of Philip Lynch Athy, Esq., and Ardfry, of Lord
Wallscourt, also afford great attractions to visitors.
Some fine specimens of lead-ore, black marble, and gypsum
have been found on the estate of Renville, on which
also is an old castle in good preservation.