BALLINGARRY, a parish, in the barony of COSTLEA,
county of LIMERICK, and province of MUNSTER,
3 miles (E. N. E.) from Kilfinnan, on the road to Galbally;
containing 2497 inhabitants. The land is generally
good, and some recent improvements in tillage
have been introduced by Mr. Gabbet, who has an excellent
farm managed upon the most approved principles
of modern agriculture. The surface is varied, and
there are some hills of considerable elevation, of which
the Black mountain and Slieve-Reagh are the principal,
stretching westward towards Kilfinnan, and every where
affording excellent pasture for numerous herds of young
cattle and flocks of sheep. Near Grierston, on the
border of the parish, is a very extensive and valuable
bog; in the midst of it rises a copious stream flowing
southward towards Mitchelstown, and also another
flowing northward and forming part of the Daun. Fairs
are held at Ballinvreena, also on the border of the parish,
on April 21st, June 21st, Aug. 31st, and Nov.
19th, for horses, cattle, and pigs. There are several
large and handsome houses, the principal of which are
Annagurra, the residence of Thos. T. Adams, Esq., and
Grierston, the fine old family mansion of the Masseys.
It is a rectory, in the diocese of Emly, and forms part
of the union and corps of the prebend of Killenellick
in the cathedral church of Emly: the tithes amount to
£250. The church is a ruin situated on a gentle elevation,
and forming a conspicuous object. The glebe comprises
six plantation acres. The R. C. parish is co-extensive
with that of the Established Church; the chapel
is a large modern edifice in the village of Glenbrohane.
There are two pay schools, in which are about 160 children.