EIRKE, a parish, partly in the barony of Upper Ossory, Queen’s county, but chiefly in that of Galmoy, county of Kilkenny, and province of Leinster, 8¼ miles (S.W.) from Durrow, on the road from Rathdowney (Co. Laois) to Johnstown (Co. Kilkenny); containing 5565 inhabitants and comprising 15,750 statute acres as applotted under the tithe act, valued at £10,370. 6s. per annum.
About 2000 acres are bog. Two fairs are held at Bawn for cattle and horses; and here is a constabulary police station. Livally is the seat of ??? Fitzgerald, Esq.,
The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the crown; the tithes amount to £692.6s.1¾d . The glebe house was built by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £800 from the late Board of First Fruits; the Glebe comprises 15a 25p. The church is a plain building erected in 1823, towards which the late Board lent £650.
In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also those of Fartagh and Glashare, and containing three chapels; two in Eirke and one in Fartagh; to the chapel at Moninamuck, in this parish Lord Courtown gave an acre of land and £50 towards the expense of its erection, it is in contemplation to re build the other. The parochial school is aided by the rector, and has a house and an acre of land rent free: about 50 boys and girls are taught in it. There are also nine private schools, in which are about 500 children.
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©Dr. Jane Lyons 2001-2005
