MARGARET-ST, or RAVEN, a parish, in the
barony of SHELMALIER, county of WEXFORD, and province
of LEINSTER, 5½ miles (N. E.) from Wexford, on
the coast road to Gorey; containing 920 inhabitants.
It comprises 1807 statute acres, as applotted under the
tithe act; sea weed is generally used for manure, and
turf is obtained on the shore at low water. The
southern part of the parish consists of a range of sand
hills, extending nearly two miles from north to south,
and terminating in the headland called Raven Point,
which forms the northern side of the entrance to Wexford
harbour: the bar of the latter commences at
this point. Inside the sand hills is an extensive cockle
bed, and westward of this is the small island called
Breast. At Curracloe is a station of the coast guard,
forming part of the district of Gorey: the fishery off
the coast here affords employment to some of the inhabitants.
It is stated that for £300 a canal could be cut
from Curracloe, which is occasionally resorted to for
sea-bathing, to the north-east point of Wexford harbour,
and thus afford a direct communication by water
between the town of Wexford and the coast. At Kilmacoe
is the seat of Cadwallader Waddy, Esq. The parish
is in the diocese of Ferns, and is a rectory, forming
part of the union of Ardcolme; the tithes amount to
£37. 17. 4. In the R. C. divisions it is included in the
union or district of Castlebridge, and has a chapel at
Kilmacoe. About 30 children are educated in a private
school. The ancient church, which stood near the shore,
was washed away many years since; it is supposed
that the sea has encroached nearly a quarter of a mile
upon this coast within the last half century. There was
an old castle at Curracloe, which was taken down a few
years since.