EMLY

In 1868, the parish of Emly contained the following places:

"EMLY, a parish, post and market town, and nominal city, in the barony of Clanwilliam, county Tipperary, province of Munster, Ireland, 8 miles W. of Tipperary. The soil is generally of excellent quality, and the road from Cashel to Charleville passes through the interior. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Emly, value £132, in the patronage of the bishop. The cathedral serves as the parish church. It is a handsome building in the later English style, erected in 1827 out of the Cathedral Economy Fund. There are a Roman Catholic chapel and two hedge-schools. The town, though now but a mere village, was the Imlagh and one of the three chief cities, of Ptolemy. It has a police station. The see of Emly is said to have been founded by St. Ailbe, who also founded an abbey in the 6th century, and from whom descended the kings of Munster. In 1568 the see was incorporated with Cashel, and in 1833 these two were united to Waterford and Lismore. It contains 46 parishes, 13 churches, 31 Roman Catholic chapels, and 70 day schools. The Roman Catholic diocese is also incorporated with Cashel. Near the church is a rough stone cross and well, dedicated to St. Ailbe, who died on the 12th September, 527, and on each anniversary of the day numbers of the peasantry throng to pay homage to these relics. An ancient canoe was discovered in this neighbourhood, and other relics have been found in the bogs. Fairs are held on the 21st May and 22nd September."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018