Castletown Arra Civil Parish, Tipperary County, IRELAND

Castlelough, the seat of Anthony Parker, Esq., is finely situated in a richly cultivated demesne of 640 acres, embellished with timber of stately growth and with young and thriving plantations; the deer park is extensive and well-stocked. The other seats within the parish are Lansdowne, the residence of Mrs. Parker, and those of G. Watson and ??? Kent, Esqs., at Garry-Kennedy.

A constabulary police force has been stationed here; and fairs, chiefly for cattle, sheep, and pigs, are held at Portroe on March 22nd, May 14th, July 23rd, and Nov. 11th.

The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killaloe, episcopally united, in 1781, to the rectories and vicarages of Youghal-Arra and Burgess-Beg, forming the union of Castletown-Arra, in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £304 12s. 3 ¾ d., and the whole benefice to £997 16s.11 ¼ d. The church, of an ancient structure of simple style, is pleasingly situated on the margin of Lough Derg. The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £250 and a loan of £550 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1820. The glebe comprises 3 acres, and there are other glebe-lands in the union, comprising together 4a.3r., making in the whole 7a.3r.

The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established church: the chapel is at Portroe.

A parochial school, in which about 50 boys and 30 girls are instructed, is supported by the rector; and there is a pay school, in which are about 120 boys and 70 girls.

The old castle from which this place derived its name was formerly the residence of the Parkers, but is now in ruins; the demesne skirts the Shannon for a considerable distance, commanding some beautiful and extensive views.

1830's-40's Maps of Tipperary

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