In 1837, Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland described Brosna like this:
BROSNA, a parish, in the barony of TRUGHENACKMY, county of KERRY, and province of MUNSTER, 10 miles (N. by E.) from Castleisland; containing 2168 inhabitants. It is situated on the small river Clydagh, and on the confines of the counties of Limerick and Cork, and comprises 18,013 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £2180 per annum. ...
A large portion of the land consists of coarse mountain pasture and bog, the greater part of which might be reclaimed. A new line of road, about eight miles in length, is now in progress, at the expense of Colonel Drummond and C. Fairfield, Esq., extending from the bridge over the Clydagh (an arch of 60 feet span), on the new road from Listowel to Newmarket, and passing through this and the adjoining parish of Ballincuslane to the village of Ardnagrath, on the old mountain road from Castleisland to Millstreet. It is in contemplation to extend this road to Scortaglin, to form a junction with the new Government road from Castleisland to King-William's-town, by which the surrounding country will be greatly improved. This place was occasionally the head-quarters of the Whiteboys, during the disturbances of 1822; but since the opening of the road from Listowel to Newmarket, the neighbourhood has enjoyed perfect tranquillity.
In that part of the parish which borders on the counties of Limerick and Cork is a constabulary police station. The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe, and in the patronage of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £175. There is neither church nor glebe-house; the glebe comprises 2 ¼ acres. In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of the union or district of Brosna or Knocknagashel, which comprises also parts of the adjoining parishes of Castleisland and Ballincuslane; the chapel is a thatched but commodious building, and during the summer months a school is held in it, under the superintendence of the parish priest; there is also a chapel at Knocknagashel, in the parish of Castleisland. There are two private schools, in which about 120 children are educated. Some slight vestiges of the ancient parish church may still be traced in the burial-ground.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Brosna, in and County Kerry | Map and description, A Vision of Ireland through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofireland.org/place/27198
Date accessed: 20th September 2024
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