Loughrea (barony)

Loughrea Baile Locha Riach (Irish)
Barony
Lough Rea
Barony map of County Galway, 1900; Loughrea is in the south, coloured light green.
Loughrea
Coordinates: 53°10′N8°38′W / 53.16°N 8.63°W / 53.16; -8.63
Sovereign state	Ireland
Province	Connacht
County	Galway
Area
• Total	260.6 km2 (100.6 sq mi)

Loughrea (Irish : Baile Locha Riach, occasionally spelled Loughreagh) is a historical barony in northern County Galway, Ireland. ^[1]

Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. ^[2]

History

Loughrea barony, along with Leitrim barony, formed the kingdom of Conmhaícne Mheáin Maigh (Conmaic's people of the middle plain; Maenmoy), ruled by the O'Naughton and O'Mullaly until the 13th century. Part of Loughrea barony was ruled by Uí Fiachrach Aidhne. ^[3]

Loughrea barony was created before 1574. ^[4]

Geography

Loughrea barony is in southern County Galway, running from Loughrea town and its lake south to the Slieve Aughty Mountains. ^[5] The toponym 'Loughrea' is from Irish meaning "speckled lake." ^[6]

List of settlements

Settlements within the historical barony of Loughrea include: ^[7]

• Ardrahan
• Derrybrien
• Killeenadeema
• Loughrea

References

1. "Virtual Treasury". Virtual Treasury.
2. General Register Office of Ireland (1904). "Alphabetical index to the baronies of Ireland". Census of Ireland 1901: General topographical index. Command papers. Vol. Cd. 2071. HMSO. pp. 966–978.
3. "The Baronies of Ireland - History". 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019.
4. "Loughrea Barony | Landed Estates | University of Galway". landedestates.ie.
5. "Loughrea". www.townlands.ie.
6. "People and Places of Galway". places.webworld.org.
7. "Sub-units of: Baile Locha Riach/Loughrea". logainm.ie.