KILCOE, a parish, in the Western Division of the
barony of WEST-CARBERY, county of CORK, and province
of MUNSTER, 5 miles (W.) from Skibbereen, on
the river Roaring Water, and the road to Rock Island;
containing 2316 inhabitants. It comprises 3232 statute
acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at
£2030 per annum. The surface is rocky and uneven,
and not more than one-third of the land is in cultivation;
the remainder consists of bare rocks of clay-slate,
intermixed with small tracts of bog; the land under
tillage is chiefly in small patches amidst the rocks, and
is generally cultivated by the spade; the manure is
brought to it on the backs of horses, and the produce
carried off in the same manner; some of the higher
grounds afford tolerable pasturage for young cattle. The
scenery is wild, and marked with features of rugged
grandeur; the glen, through which the river rushes
with furious impetuosity, forming numerous cataracts
in its progress to the bay to which it gives name,
abounds with young and thriving plantations, and is
finely contrasted with the sterility around it. In this
romantic glen is Roaring Water House, the residence of
J. O'Sullivan, Esq., who has erected mills, corn stores,
and quays on the banks of the river; and Greenmount,
of Capt. Long. Two manorial courts are held here
monthly, by the seneschals of the bishop of Ross and
Thos. Hungerford, Esq., respectively. The parish is in
the diocese of Ross; the rectory is partly impropriate in
Lord Riversdale, and partly constitutes a portion of the
archdeaconry of Ross; the vicarage is united with that
of Cape Clear, and in the patronage of the Bishop. The
tithes amount to £300, of which half is payable to the
impropriator and the archdeacon, and half to the vicar.
The church, a small edifice, for the erection of which
the late Board of First Fruits gave £600, is nearly in
the centre of the parish. There is neither glebe-house
nor glebe. In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the
union or district of Aghadown: the chapel is a large
edifice, situated near the Roaring Water. About 60
children are taught in the parochial school, and there is
a private school, in which are about 80 children. On a
point of land at the head of Roaring Water bay are
the extensive remains of Kilcoe castle, built by the
McCartys, lords of Clandermot, and consisting principally
of a large massive square tower, with a small turret;
and at no great distance, close to the shore, are
the ruins of the old parish church. Several swords and
spear-heads of bronze were found in 1825, by some
labourers quarrying stone; they were all in good preservation.