•  Kilmeadan, County Waterford

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In 1837, Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland described Kilmeadan like this:

KILMEADEN, a parish, in the barony of MIDDLETHIRD, county of WATERFORD, and province of MUNSTER, 5 ½ miles (W. N. W.) from Waterford, on the river Suir; containing 2621 inhabitants, and comprising 8976 statute acres. Kilmeaden Castle, which from an early period was a chief seat of the Poers, was defended by one of them against Cromwell, but was taken and destroyed by his troops, and the unfortunate proprietor instantly hung on an adjoining tree. ...

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The estate was divided among soldiers of the republican army, who transferred their shares to a gentleman named Ottrington, by whom several families from Ulster were settled on the. property. The tomb of this John Ottrington is in the churchyard, having been erected by his grand-daughter, Elizabeth, Viscountess Doneraile, through whom the estates were inherited by the present Viscount. At Fair Brook is an extensive paper-manufactory, affording employment to about 140 persons; and at Pouldrew is a large corn-mill and stores: the river Suir is here navigable for vessels of considerable burden. There is a constabulary police station at the village, and near it is a chalybeate spring. The principal seat is Mount Congreve, the property of J. Congreve, Esq. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Waterford, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is appropriate to the deanery, precentorship, chancellorship, and treasurership of the cathedral of Waterford. The tithes amount to £396. 4. 3., of which £226. 4. 3. is divided among the appropriators, and £170 is paid to the vicar. There is a glebe-house, for the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits, in 1807, gave £100 and lent £380; and a glebe of 11a. 22p. is attached to the vicarage and one of 15a. to the rectory. The church is a plain building of great antiquity. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and contains a chapel. The parochial school is aided by an annual donation from Viscount Doneraile, and another school is aided by Mrs. Christmas; they afford instruction to about 200 children; and there are also two private schools, in which about 140 children are educated.

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