SHRUEL, a parish, in the barony of SLIEVEMARGUE,
QUEEN'S county, and province of LEINSTER, 2¼ miles
(N.) from Carlow; containing 183 inhabitants. This
parish is situated on the river Barrow, which here separates
it from the counties of Carlow and Kildare; it comprises
784 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.
The castle was built in the reign of Elizabeth, soon after
the reduction of Leix to English government, by Sir
Robert Hartpoole, constable of Carlow castle, and governor
of the Queen's county; his extensive possessions
have since passed through female heirs into other families.
The castle, once of some importance, is a massive
pile, situated on the banks of the Barrow: it is now the
residence of Hasting Herring Cooper, Esq. Hollymount,
the seat of Wm. Fishbourne, Esq., is also in this parish.
It is a rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, forming
part of the union of Slatey: the tithes amount to
£46. 3. 1. In the R. C. divisions it is held with part of
Killabin.