MUNCASTER, a parish in ALLERDALE ward above Dai-went, county of CUMBERLAND, 1 mile (E. by N.) from Ravenglass, containing, with the township of Birkby, 555 inhabitants. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Richmond, and diocese of Chester, endowed with £1000 royal bounty, and £1200 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of Lord Muncaster. The church is dedicated to St. Michael. This place, anciently written Meol-castre, derives its name from a castle, the ancient residence of the Penningtons, lords of the manor, situated at Esk-meol, near the mouth of the river Esk, the principal tower ofwhich is retained in the modern mansion, which was neatly built by the late Lord Muncaster. Richard Brockbank, in 1696, left £160 towards the establishment of a school for the children of those who should contribute to the building of a school-room, which has been further endowed with £100, by Sir William Pennington, Bart., and some smaller sums by others; the annual income, about £12, is paid to the master, who receives also trifling quarterages from the children, of whom from forty to fifty are instructed. This parish includes the market town of Ravenglass, which See. Muncaster gives the title of baron to the ancient and noble family of Penningtou, an Irish peerage, without a seat in the House of Lords.