KIRKBY-IRELETH, a parish in the hundred of
LONSDALE, north of the sands, county palatine of LANCASTER,
4 miles (N. W. by W.) from Ulverstone, comprising
the market-town and chapelry of Broughton in
Furness, the chapelries of Dunnerdale, Seathwaite,
and Woodland with Heathwaite, and the townships of
Low Quarter, and Middle Quarter, and containing 2947
inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage, in
the archdeaconry of Richmond, and diocese of Chester,
rated in the king's books at £5. 6. 8., endowed with
£200 private benefaction, £400 royal bounty, and
£ 1200 parliamentary grant, and in the peculiar jurisdiction
and patronage of the Dean and Chapter of York.
The church, dedicated to St. Cuthbert, contains several
ancient monuments, and the windows exhibit some
beautiful specimens of stained glass. Here are extensive
quarries of a dark blue slate of excellent quality,
with which vessels are laden at the mouth of the river
Duddon, which, after separating this parish from that
of Millom in Cumberland, empties itself into the Irish
sea. There is- a small bequest by Samuel Wilson, in
1769, towards the support of a schoolmaster.