Clare County Library | Clare
History |
The History and Topography of the County of Clare by James Frost |
Killilagh Parish As to the derivation of the name of this parish, no satisfactory conjecture can be offered. In the Calendars of the Irish Saints no name like that of Oighleach can be discovered. The holy wells, which usually throw some light on the subject give none, the only one in the parish being dedicated to St. Breccan of Arran, at Toomullen. The church of Killilagh is in good preservation. [45] In the townland of Toomullen is a church of greater antiquity, and in better condition. At Oughtdarra are found the remains of another ancient church, very much ruined. The castles of the parish are five, namely, Doonnagore belonging in 1580 to Sir Daniel O’Brien of Dough; Knockfin, Doonmacfelim, and Ballynalacken, owned by Teige MacMurrogh O’Brien; and Toomullen, the property of Conor MacClancy. Many erections of a more ancient date are found in the parish, to wit, the lioses and cahers used by the inhabitants as places of residence. These are the lios of Knockalassa, in the townland of Aughiskabeg; a lios in Aughnavinna; Cahirreagh, in the middle of a bog in the townland of Caherkinallia; a fort in the townland of Coogyulla called Tonebaun; a caher in the townland of Cahermaclancy the ancient home of the MacClancys brehons of Thomond; a caher at Doonmacfelim, a doon on the summit of a small hill at Doonagore now quite demolished; a caher at Glashabeg, and a fort at Glashamore. On the townland of Cahermacrusheen there stands a cromlech. |