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Belclare
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Corofin |
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BELCLARE, a parish, in the barony of CLARE, County Galway,
6km (S.W.) from Tuam, on the road to
Headford.
A monastery of Franciscan
friars was founded here in 1291, and at an early period had
acquired very ample possessions, but little more of its
history is recorded. |
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The celebrated hill of Knockman, or Knockma, from which is
an extensive and delightful view, is situated in the parish;
and there are several extensive tracts of bog, and a
flour-mill. The gentlemen's seats are Thomastown, the
residence of Capt. Kirwan, and New-Garden, of
Roderick
O'Connor, Esq. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam,
and, with a portion of the rectory, forms part of the union
of Tuam; the other portion of the rectory is appropriate to
the deanery of Tuam. In the R. C. divisions it is the head
of a union or district, called Clare-Tuam, comprising the
parishes of Belclare, Kilmoylan, and Kilmacrean, and
containing two chapels, situated respectively in Belclare
and Kilmacrean. A school for Protestant females was wholly
supported by Mrs. Kirwan, of
Castle Hackett.
Knockma
Hill
Knockma the great 'Hill of Maeve' is situated 5
miles/8kmwest of Tuam. Maeve the legendary Queen of Connacht
is reputed to be buried in the Cairns on the summit of the
hill from which one of the greatest panoramic views in
Ireland may be obtained. Tradition also points to Knockma as
the home of fairy legend. For here Finvarra, King of
Connacht fairies, is reputed to have held his court. This
partially wooded hill contains examples of the famous Burren
flora, the Spring Gentian and the Purple Helleborine to name
but two species. |
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