TYRRELL'S-PASS, a post-town, partly in the parish
of CLONFAD, but chiefly in that of NEWTOWN,
barony of FARTULLAGH, county of WESTMEATH, and
province of LEINSTER, 19½ miles (E.) from Athlone, and
40 (S. W.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road to Athlone;
containing 537 inhabitants. This town takes its
name from having been for many centuries the residence
of the family of Tyrrell, of whose castle near the
town there are still some remains. It is situated at the
meeting of three roads, and consists of one long street,
containing 82 houses, most of which are well built and
roofed with slate; the inhabitants are supplied with
water from a well in the centre of the market area, enclosed
at the expense of the Countess of Belvidere, who
is proprietor of the town. To the east rises the high
hill of Gnewbaune, near the base of which is Tou, the
pleasant seat of H. Pilkington, Esq.; and in the environs
are several handsome seals and pleasing villas.
The cotton manufacture was formerly carried on here to
a very considerable extent, but is at present discontinued.
Fairs are held on the 17th of May and Dec.,
chiefly for cattle, and are numerously attended; the
market, formerly held by patent, is discontinued. The
parish church of Clonfad, a handsome structure in the
later English style, with a well-proportioned spire, is
situated in the town; and there is also a place of worship
for Wesleyan Methodists, built by the Countess of
Belvidere. A savings' bank, a charitable loan fund, and
a dispensary, have been established; and there is a
ladies' charitable association under the patronage of the
Countess of Belvidere, which has been highly beneficial
to the poor.