Dowry

Clare

Dowry

DOWRY or DOWRIE a parish, in the barony of BUNRATTY, county of CLARE, and province of MUNSTER, 1.25 miles (E.) from Ennis, on the road from Clare to Spancel hill ; containing 2099 inhabitants.

It comprises 3684 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and consists chiefly of arable and pasture land of second and third rate quality : there are about 800 acres of bog, and a considerable portion of limestone crag. Sea-weed and sand brought up the river Fergus are much used for manure.

The seats are Moriesk, the finely wooded demesne of the Rt. Hon. Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci ; Well-Park, that of the Rt. Rev. Dr. McMahon, R. C. Bishop of Killaloe ; Castle Fergus, of W. Smith Blood, Esq., and Tuoreem, of W. O'Connell, Esq.

The parish is in the diocese of Killaloe ; the rectory is part of the union of Ogashin, and the vicarage that of Quinn : the tithes amount to £217. 11s. 6.25d., of which, £102. 9s. 3d., is payable to the rector, £92. 6s. 1 3/4d., to the vicar, and £23. 1s. 6.50d., to the prebendary of Tullagh.

In the R. C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Kilraghtis : the chapel is a small thatched building, but a new and very handsome structure is about to be erected on another site.

A school supported by Mr. Howley having been lately discontinued, it is in contemplation to establish another on a more general plan.