Kilcoursey
Kilcoursey (Irish: Cill Chuairsí) is a barony in County Offaly (formerly King's County), Republic of Ireland.
Kilcoursey
Cill Chuairsí (Irish) | |
---|---|
Baronies of County Offaly. Kilcoursey is shaded orange. | |
Sovereign state | Republic of Ireland |
County | Offaly |
Area | |
• Total | 78 km2 (30.12 sq mi) |
Etymology
The name Kilcoursey is from Kilcoursey Castle (also called Lehinch Castle; near Clara), which is named for Kilcoursey townland (Irish Cill Chuairsí, "Cuairseach's church").[1]
Location
Kilcoursey barony is located in north County Offaly, south of the Gageborough River.
History
The Ó Sionnaigh (later Fox) O'Catharniagh (O'Carney) clan were chiefs in Kilcoursey, referred to as Muinter Tadgain, which also included Clonlonan barony in Westmeath. Ó Cearnaigh (Kearney), princes of Tethbae (Westmeath), are of this branch. The Mac Amhlaigh (MacAuley) sept are also cited as holding a portion of this barony.[2]
List of settlements
Below is a list of settlements in Kilcoursey barony: