BALLYNAKILL, a parish, in the barony of BALLYNAHINCH,
county of GALWAY, and province of CONNAUGHT,
4 miles (N.) from Clifden; containing 7183
inhabitants. This parish is situated on the bay of the
same name on the western coast, and comprehends
within its limits Claggin bay, and one side of Killery
harbour, with the islands of Ilane-a-green or Crump,
Innisbruin, Bradilan, and Freachillan; it comprises
5142 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.
The male inhabitants are principally employed in agriciilture,
and occasionally in the herring fishery; and the
females in spinning woollen yarn and knitting stockings.
During the famine that prevailed on this part of the
coast in 1831, the inhabitants of this parish were reduced
to the greatest distress, and 1500 families must
have perished but for the prompt relief afforded. At
Derry-Inver, within the bay of Ballynakill, a small pier
has been erected by Government, which has proved very
useful for trade and the fisheries, and has contributed
much to the improvement of the surrounding district.
The entrance to Claggin bay is easy, the ground clean
and good, and the shelter tolerable, with depth of water
sufficient for any ship. On the south side the Board of
Fisheries has constructed a small pier opposite to the
anchorage ground, which has been found to be very
beneficial. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the
diocese of Tuam, with the rectories and vicarages of
Omey or Umma, Moyrus, and Ballindoon, and the six
vicarages of Ennisboffin, Killanin, Arranmore, Arranbeg,
Ennismain, and Ennishere, episcopally united in 1667,
forming altogether the union of Ballynakill, in the
patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to
£64. 12. 3|., and of the whole union to £270. 6. llf.
The church of the union is situated in the parish of
Omey, and was built by aid of a gift of £600 from the
late Board of First Fruits, in 1812. The glebe-house
was built by aid of a gift of £33/ and a loan of £75
from the same Board, in 1816: the glebe, which is also
situated in the parish of Omey, comprises 40 acres. In
the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or
district, comprising also Ennisboffin, and containing
three chapels, situated respectively at Ballynakill, Coilmore,
and Ennisboffin; and in this parish divine service
is also performed at a house in Tully. There is a school
at Tully under the Tuam Diocesan and the Dublin
Ladies' Irish Societies, in which 13 boys and 7 girls are
instructed; and there are three pay schools, situated
respectively at Tully, Ballynakill, and Rossroe, in which
are about 80 children.