Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 2.djvu/424

Rh , KILD ARRACK. 41G KILDRESS. chapels and several day schools. The town of Kildaro is the Beat of a diocese, and was once a parliamentary borough. Its name, Kill-dam, signifies " the church of the oak." It is said to have been founded in the 6th century, and was constantly ravaged by the Danes and by the kings of Leinster. It was taken afterwards by the English, who built a strong castle, improved the place, and held a parliament here in 1339. It was chartered by James II., and was governed by a sovereign, two portreeves, &e., but is now under the jurisdiction of the county magistrates. It is a police station, and petty sessions are held once a fortnight. The town consists of one principal street, with several branching thorough- fares. Its commanding position and numerous ancient buildings at first sight impresses the stranger with a feeling of its importance, but on closer inspection we find it a poor place, without trade, accommodation, or beauty. One of the most conspicuous features of the town is its round tower, which is in a very perfect state, and is 132 feet in height. The addition of a modern embattled summit by no means adds to the interest of this venerable object. The cathedral, which stands at a short distance from the tower, seems to have been origin- ally founded at a remote period. It was restored in the 13th century by Bishop Ralph, and was repaired in the time of Henry VII., but is now in a ruinous condition. The choir is used as the parish church, and contains the family tombs of the earls of Kildare and the dukes of Leinster. In the churchyard arc the remains of an ancient stone cross, and near the pillar tower are the vestiges of a small chapel, ascribed to St. Bridget, and called the " fire-house." A Roman Catholic chapel, a chapel attached to a Carmelite friary, and another con- nected with the Presentation convent, are the other places of worship. The public buildings arc the market- house, county infirmary, built by the Duke of Leinster, National schools, school under the dean and chapter, and turf club-house. The Curragh of Kildare is among the finest commons in Europe. Races are held on it four times a year. The town is the property of the Duke of Leinster, to whom it gives title of marquis. Thursday is market day. Fairs are held on the 12th May, 29th June, 19th September, 29th October, and 21st December. The diocese of Kildare is now joined to that of Dublin. It includes 43 benefices. The chapter consists of a dean, archdeacon, eight prebendaries, precentor, chancellor, treasurer, and four canons. The Roman Catholic dio- cese takes with it that of Leighlin, and comprises 46 parishes, Carlow being the episcopal seat. KILDARRACK, a vil. in the par. of Kirkcowan, co. "VVigton, Scotland, 8 miles N.E. of Glcnluce. KILDAVIN, a par. in the bar. of Forth, co. Wexford, prov. of Leinster, Ireland, 4 miles S.W. of Wexford, its post town. It is 3 miles long by 2 broad. The surface includes part of the Forth mountains in the N., and is traversed by the road from Wexford to Baldwinstown. The living is a rect. in the dioc. of Ferns, but forms part of the benefice of St. Patrick's, Wexford. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to those of Rath- macncc and Killeen. Johnstown is the chief residence. Rathlannan Castle is in the parish. KILDAVIN, a vil. in the par. of Barragh, bar. of St. Mullins Upper, co. Oarlow, prov. of Leinster, Ire- land, 2 miles S.W. of Clonegall. It is situated on the Derry rivulet. Limestone pebble is obtained in largo quantities. KILDEAN, a hmlt. in the par. and co. of Stirling, Scotland. It is situated near the bridge by which the English crossed the Forth at the battle of Stirling. KILDELLIG, a par. in the bar. of Clarmallagh, Queen's County, prov. of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles N. of Hathdowuey, its post town. It is 2 miles long by 1 mile broad. The soil is generally good. The living is a rect. in the dioc. of Ossory, in the patron, of the bishop. There is a day-school. Near the village is the site of a monastery which was destroyed by the Danes in 885. KILDEMOCK, a par. in the bar. of Ardee, co. Louth, prov. of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles S.E. of Ardee, its post town. It is 3 miles long by 2 broad. The surface is tame, consisting of a fair soi), and is crossed by the road from Ardee to Dublin. The living is a rect. in the dioc. of Armagh, val. with Ardee, 898, in the patron, of the primate. Drakestown is the chief residence. KILDERRY, a par. in the bar. of Gowran, co. Kil- kenny, prov. of Leinster, Ireland, 4 miles N.E. of Kilkenny, its post town. It is 2| miles long by 1J mile broad. The living is a rect. and vie. in the dioc. of Ossory, val. 120, in the patron, of the bishop. KILDIMO, a par. and scat of a post-office in the bar. of Kenry, co. Limerick, prov. of Munsler, Ireland, 4 miles N.W. of Adare. It is 3 miles long by 2 broad. The surface consists of good land, and lies along the W. bank of the river JIaig. It is traversed by the road from Limerick to Askeaton. The living is a perpet. cur. in the dioO. of Limerick, val. 115, in the patron, of the Archdeacon of Limerick. The church was erected in 1725. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Ardcanny. There are six day schools. Bollane House is the neighbouring residence. There are remains of a Knights Templars' house, built by the O'Donovaus in 1290 ; also of Cullan Castle, founded early in the 16th century by the Fitzgcralds. KILDOLLAGII, or KILDALLOCK, a par. in the bar. of Upper Dunluce, N.E. liberties of Coleraine, cos. Antrim and Londonderry, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles S.E. of Ooleraine, its post town. It is near 2 miles square. The soil is productive, and is drained towards the river Bann. The living is a rect. in the dioe. of Connor, val. 55, in the patron, of the bishop. There are Sunday and day schools. KILDONAN, a par. in co. Sutherland, Scotland, con- taining the post village of Helmsdalc. It is about. 25 miles long, and its extreme breadth is 16. The par. is bounded by the co. of Caithness, the ocean, and the pars, of Clyne, Loth, Farr, and Reay. The surface is generally mountainous. The best arable land is found in the Strath of Kildonan and the valley of the river Hclmsdale. Several small Lakes, abounding with fish, and numerous burns, diversify the interior. The latter give name to the straths High, Frigh, Tilney, and Beg. This par. is in the presb. of Dornoch, and synod of Sutherland and Caithness. The minister has a stipend of 158. The church has been lately built at Helmsdale, where there is also a Free church. In the village are three public schools, besides several schools about the parish. The district is subject to destructive floods. There are several Pictish forts, tumuli, and cairns at Suinalhugh. At this last named spot the Danish in- vaders Suenus and Aulver Roster fought in the 12th century. Sheep breeding is extensively carried on, and game is abundant. KILDONAN CASTLE, in the Isle of Arran, C3. Bute, Scotland. It is situated on the S. side of the island, opposite Pladda lighthouse, and is now in ruins. KILDORRERY, a par. in the bars, of Condons, Clan- gibbon, and Fermoy, co. Cork, prov. of Slunster, Ireland, 23 miles N. of Cork, and 135 from Dublin. Mallow is its post town. It is 3 miles long and 1 mile broad. The: surface forms a peninsula between the river Funcheon and a small stream falling into that river. It is crossed by the road from Mitchelstown to Mallow, and consists of a fertile soil. The living is a vie. in the diuc. of Cloyne, val. with Nathlash, 209, in the patron, of tho, bishop. Tho Roman Catholic chapel is united to those of Molagga. Fairs are held in tho village on the 1st May, 27th June, 3rd September, and 27th November for horses. KILDRESS, a par. in the bar. of Upper Duiiganiuin, co. Tyrone, prov. of Ulster, Ireland, 3 miles N.W. uf Cookstown, its post town. It is 8 miles long by 6 broad. The surface in the W. aud midland districts is moun- tainous and moorish, the best land being found in the K. The living is a roct. in tho dioc. of Armagh, val ' tho patron, of the primate. The church was built in 1818. The Roman Catholic chapel is united to that of Duna- more. There is also a Presbyterian meeting-house, and two or three day schools. Oaklands is the principal rri-