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Union of Kilrush,
Killard, Kilfieragh, Moyferta, and Kilballyhone
VIII. State
of Religious Establishment, Tythes, &c.
The following
account of the state of the religious establishment in this union, taken
chiefly from public documents, exhibits a striking elucidation of the
imperfect and inadequate footing upon which the Protestant church stands
here, as well as in many other parts of Ireland at this day, from the
operation of that great evil, the impropriation of tythes, with the former
subduction of the ancient mensal lands of the national clergy.
Glebe
The glebe of Kilrush contains 3A. 2R. 25P. On this small spot the present
incumbent has erected an excellent glebe house and offices. The glebe
of Kilfieragh contains 3A. 2R. 35P. Tradition says that it was once much
larger, and some remains of adjacent boundaries would seem to corroborate
the opinion. Killard and Moyarta have no glebe. The glebe of Killballyhone
contains 3A. 0R. 20P.
Advowson
The vicarage of Kilrush is in the gift of the Bishop of Killaloe: the
rectory, (a sinecure) in that of the Marquis of Thomand. Kilfieragh is
a rectory, in the gift of the bishop, who also presents to the vicarage
of Killard. George William Stackpole, Esq. is the proprietor of two-thirds
of the tythes of his own estate in this parish, and also those of some
other lands. The Rev. Richard Studdert also owns the tythes of his own
estate. Moyarta is a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of Killaloe;
but the vicar has a right to the rectorial and vicarial tythes on the
townlands of Querin, Tullarue, Rathanesky, Clarefield, Newtown, Tarmon,
and some other lands. In this parish, or that of Kilballyhone, are some
townlands, two-thirds of the tythes of which are annexed to the prebend
of Tomgrany, in this diocese, from which these lands are distant upwards
of 50 miles. Killballyhone is a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of
Killaloe; but the vicar has a right both to rectorial and vicarial tythes,
on the townlands of Kilclogher and Kilbaha. These five parishes are at
present episcopally united.
The corps
of the prebend of Inniscattery or Kilrush, consists of the vicarge of
Kilrush, and all the tythes of the parishes of Killard, Kilfieragh, Moyarta,
and Kilballyhone, except the vicarages of the last four parishes; and
it is said that this corps cannot be legally divided.
Tythes
Wheat, oats, rape, hemp, flax, potatoes, meadow, orchards, brood mares,
milch cows, sheep, pigs, geese, and hens are tytheable, though tythes
are not exacted on all these articles. The lay impropriations of the greater
part of the western parishes belong to Lord Castlecoote, although these
lands were all forfeited to the crown by Lord Clare.
Churches
There are but two parish churches here, one at Kilrush, and the other
Kilfieragh. The former is about to be rebuilt; it is one of the most ancient
churches in Ireland, and much too small for its present congregation.
The church of Kilfieragh is said to have been preserved from dilapidation
by the Macdonell family, whose original residence is near it. It is now
in good order, and as Kilkea is becoming a place of great resort for sea
bathing, the congregations in summer are often very large.
Chapels
The roman Catholic chapels are five, viz. at Kilrush, Dunbeg, Lissdeen,
Moyarta, and Kilballyhone. Most of these have been rebuilt and slated
since the year 1799. A Methodist meeting house has been lately erected
in Kilrush.
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