Corkaree

Corkaree (

In the Medieval period the area of Corcaree formed part of the lands held by the Ó Dálaigh (Daly) bardic family. Máel Íosa Ua Dálaigh, died 1185, was described as "Chief poet of Ireland and Scotland," he was also lord (ard taoiseach) of the 'minor midland kingdom' of Corca Raidhe (Corcaree).^[3] The annals state that in 1185, Maelisa O'Daly, ollave (chief poet) of Ireland and Scotland, Lord of Corcaree and Corca-Adain, a man illustrious for his poetry, hospitality, and nobility, died while on a pilgrimage at Clonard.^[4]

Geography

Corkaree has an area of 26,996.9 acres (109.253 km²).^[2]

The barony contains two large lakes;

The River Inny, flows into Lough Derravaragh, then near the village of Ballinalack. The River Brosna, rises in Lough Owel^[5] and, like the Inny, is a tributary of the River Shannon.

The

This table lists an historical geographical sub-division of the barony known as the

• River Inny
  .
• Bunbrosna, a village on the N4 road.
• Crookedwood, a small village on the R394
• Knockdrin, an area north of Mullingar on the R394 road.
• Monilea, Taghmon
• Multyfarnham, a village on the River Gaine.
• Taughmon, a small village on the R394 road, not to be confused with Taghmon townland.

There are 77 townlands in the barony of Corkaree.^[2]

Places of interest

• neo-Gothic
  structure.
• friary
  founded in the 15th century.
• Wilson's Hospital School, founded in 1761 by Andrew Wilson as a school for young Protestant boys and also as a hospital for old men, some of whom were retired soldiers; now a co-educational boarding school.

References