Iffa and Offa West
Encyclopedia
Iffa and Offa West is one of the baronies
of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Cahir
. It is one of 14 baronies in the traditional county of Tipperary between Clanwilliam
to the north-west (whose chief town is Tipperary
), Middle Third
to the north-east (whose chief town is Cashel
) and Iffa and Offa East
to the east (whose chief town is Clonmel
). The area is currently under the jurisdiction of South Tipperary County Council
. The entire barony lies within the geographic remit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
.
invasion as subdivisions of counties and were used for administration. While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they have been administratively obsolete since 1898. However, they continue to be used in land registration and specification such as in planning permissions. In many cases, a barony corresponds to an earlier Gaelic
túath which had submitted to the Crown.
of Uíbh Eoghain and Uíbh Fhathaidh. Following the conquest of Ireland by the Normans
, much of the territory was, by royal grant, handed over to the victorious barons.
Cahir Abbey was in existence by c.1200 when the prior is listed as a witness to one of the documents contained in the register of the hospital of St. John's Dublin. In this, a grant to the hospital by Geoffrey de Camville, the prior John is described as first prior (Primo - Priore) of "Kaherdunesche", which suggests that the priory was a relatively recent foundation at this time. It is the same Geoffrey de Camville who is credited with the foundation of the priory in Cahir. Geoffrey was Baron of both Cahir and Fedamore in Co. Limerick.
Having no male heir (the only child of Geoffrey and Felicia being a daughter, Felicia de Camville), the titles to the baronies lapsed.
The next time that a "Baron Cahir
" is mentioned is in the mid 16th century when a barony is created for a member of the Butler family - Thomas Butler, 1st Baron Cahir
. He was a direct descendant of the Ormond branch of the Butler family, from James, the 3rd Earl. It was his father, the 2nd Earl, who had built Cahir Castle
in 1375 to guard a strategic crossing point of the River Suir
.
Ardfinnan Castle
was built by order of King John
around 1186 to guard another crossing of the River Suir
. A bridge was started soon after the castle was completed.
was split into North
and South Riding
s in 1836, Iffa and Offa West was allocated to the south riding. However, the neighbouring barony of Kilnamanagh was split into Upper and Lower half-baronies, being allocated to the north and south ridings respectively.
valley where the river makes a 90o turn to the east. The Knockmealdown Mountains
rise abruptly to the south, forming the border with County Waterford
before they trail off to the lesser peaks of the Kilworth Mountains further west at the Cork
border. To the northwest lie the Galtee Mountains
- Ireland's highest inland mountain range. The summit of Galtymore forms the demarkation with County Limerick
.
, Ballyporeen
, Burncourt, Clogheen
, Grange, Husseystown
(not to be confused with an Ecclesiastical parish).
Barony (Ireland)
In Ireland, a barony is a historical subdivision of a county. They were created, like the counties, in the centuries after the Norman invasion, and were analogous to the hundreds into which the counties of England were divided. In early use they were also called cantreds...
of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Cahir
Cahir
Cahir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. The town is best known for its castle and the Swiss Cottage. It is in the barony of Iffa and Offa West.-Location and access:...
. It is one of 14 baronies in the traditional county of Tipperary between Clanwilliam
Clanwilliam (County Tipperary)
Clanwilliam is one of the baronies of Ireland, a historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Tipperary. It is one of 14 baronies in the old county of Tipperary between Kilnamanagh Lower to the north , Iffa and Offa West to the south and Middle Third to the east .It is...
to the north-west (whose chief town is Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
), Middle Third
Middle Third (South Tipperary)
Middle Third is one of the baronies of Ireland, a historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Cashel. It is one of 14 baronies in the old county of Tipperary between Eliogarty to the north , Iffa and Offa East to the south , Clanwilliam to the west and...
to the north-east (whose chief town is Cashel
Cashel, County Tipperary
Cashel is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 2936 at the 2006 census. The town gives its name to the ecclesiastical province of Cashel. Additionally, the cathedra of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly was originally in the town prior to the English Reformation....
) and Iffa and Offa East
Iffa and Offa East
Iffa and Offa East is one of the baronies of Ireland, an historical geographical unit of land. Its chief town is Clonmel...
to the east (whose chief town is Clonmel
Clonmel
Clonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
). The area is currently under the jurisdiction of South Tipperary County Council
South Tipperary County Council
South Tipperary County Council is the local authority which is responsible for the county of South Tipperary in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment...
. The entire barony lies within the geographic remit of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore
The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore is a Roman Catholic diocese in southern Ireland. It is one of six suffragan dioceses in the ecclesiastical province of Cashel and is subject to the Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly. The diocese is in the secular province of the same name - Munster...
.
Legal context
Baronies were created after the NormanNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
invasion as subdivisions of counties and were used for administration. While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they have been administratively obsolete since 1898. However, they continue to be used in land registration and specification such as in planning permissions. In many cases, a barony corresponds to an earlier Gaelic
Gaels
The Gaels or Goidels are speakers of one of the Goidelic Celtic languages: Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx. Goidelic speech originated in Ireland and subsequently spread to western and northern Scotland and the Isle of Man....
túath which had submitted to the Crown.
History
As the name suggests, in medieval times the territory of the barony (and it's neighbour to the east) was controlled by the Gaelic clansClan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
of Uíbh Eoghain and Uíbh Fhathaidh. Following the conquest of Ireland by the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
, much of the territory was, by royal grant, handed over to the victorious barons.
Feudal history
William de Camville (born about 1142, from Leicestershire, England, died about 1208) married Albreda Marmion (born about 1150) about 1164 when she was just 14 years old. She was the daughter of Geoffrey Marmion. They had a son, Geoffrey de Camville who was born about 1182, in Leicestershire, England. Geoffrey married Felicia (who was born about 1190) about 1206 when she was just 16 years old.http://www.geneajourney.com/camvil.html Geoffrey de Camvillle history He enters Irish records some time prior to his marriage.Cahir Abbey was in existence by c.1200 when the prior is listed as a witness to one of the documents contained in the register of the hospital of St. John's Dublin. In this, a grant to the hospital by Geoffrey de Camville, the prior John is described as first prior (Primo - Priore) of "Kaherdunesche", which suggests that the priory was a relatively recent foundation at this time. It is the same Geoffrey de Camville who is credited with the foundation of the priory in Cahir. Geoffrey was Baron of both Cahir and Fedamore in Co. Limerick.
Having no male heir (the only child of Geoffrey and Felicia being a daughter, Felicia de Camville), the titles to the baronies lapsed.
The next time that a "Baron Cahir
Baron Cahir
Baron Cahir is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1542 for Thomas Butler who was a descendant of James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond. Descendants later became Viscounts Cahir and Earls Glenarm. Cahir is a town in the barony of Iffa and Offa West, South Tipperary...
" is mentioned is in the mid 16th century when a barony is created for a member of the Butler family - Thomas Butler, 1st Baron Cahir
Thomas Butler, 1st Baron Cahir
Thomas Butler, 1st Baron Cahir was the son of Thomas Butler of Cahir and Catherine Power. He was elevated to the peerage of Ireland, 10 November 1543, by the title of Baron of Caher. He married Eleanor Butler, fifth daughter of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond...
. He was a direct descendant of the Ormond branch of the Butler family, from James, the 3rd Earl. It was his father, the 2nd Earl, who had built Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle
Cahir Castle , one of the largest castles in Ireland, is sited on an island in the river Suir. It was built in 1142 by Conor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond...
in 1375 to guard a strategic crossing point of the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
.
Ardfinnan Castle
Ardfinnan Castle
Ardfinnan Castle, is a castle which was built circa 1186 to guard the river crossing in Ardfinnan in South Tipperary, Ireland. It is situated on the River Suir, seven miles west of Clonmel...
was built by order of King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
around 1186 to guard another crossing of the River Suir
River Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
. A bridge was started soon after the castle was completed.
Modern times
When County TipperaryCounty Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
was split into North
North Tipperary
North Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-West Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 48% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
and South Riding
South Tipperary
South Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 52% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
s in 1836, Iffa and Offa West was allocated to the south riding. However, the neighbouring barony of Kilnamanagh was split into Upper and Lower half-baronies, being allocated to the north and south ridings respectively.
Features
The barony is set in that part of the SuirRiver Suir
The River Suir is a river in Ireland that flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Waterford after a distance of .Popular with anglers, it holds plentiful reserves of brown trout...
valley where the river makes a 90o turn to the east. The Knockmealdown Mountains
Knockmealdown Mountains
The Knockmealdown Mountains are a mountain range located on the border of counties South Tipperary and Waterford in Ireland, running east and west between the two counties. The highest peak of the range is Knockmealdown, situated in County Waterford...
rise abruptly to the south, forming the border with County Waterford
County Waterford
*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
before they trail off to the lesser peaks of the Kilworth Mountains further west at the Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
border. To the northwest lie the Galtee Mountains
Galtee Mountains
The Galtee Mountains or Galty Mountains are a mountain range in Munster, located in Ireland's Golden Vale across parts of counties Limerick, South Tipperary and Cork. The name "Galtee" is thought to be a corruption of the Irish "Sléibhte na gCoillte" - "Mountains of the Forests" in English,...
- Ireland's highest inland mountain range. The summit of Galtymore forms the demarkation with County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
.
Towns, villages and townlands of the barony
BallyloobyBallylooby
Ballylooby , is a village in the barony of Iffa and Offa West, South Tipperary in Ireland. It is also a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore.- Location :...
, Ballyporeen
Ballyporeen
Ballyporeen is a village in South Tipperary, Ireland. The latest census of 2006 recorded the population of Ballyporeen at 304 with an additional 573 in its rural hinterland.-Location:...
, Burncourt, Clogheen
Clogheen, County Tipperary
Clogheen is a village in South Tipperary, Ireland. The latest census of 2006 recorded the population of Clogheen at 509.-Location:It lies in the Galtee-Vee Valley with the Galtee Mountains to the north and the Knockmealdowns in close proximity to the south. The River Tar which is a tributary of...
, Grange, Husseystown
Husseystown
Husseystown is a townland in the barony of Iffa and Offa West, South Tipperary in Ireland. It is located in the Civil Parish of Caher....
Civil parishes of the barony
This table lists an historical geographical sub-division of the barony known as the civil parishCivil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
(not to be confused with an Ecclesiastical parish).
| Name in Irish | Name in English |
|---|---|
| Ard Fhíonáin | Ardfinnan Ardfinnan Ardfinnan is a small village in the barony of Iffa and Offa West, South Tipperary in Ireland. It is situated on the River Suir and R665 regional road. The parish of Ardfinnan is made up of three areas: Ardfinnan, Ballybacon, and Grange. The village is located 14 kilometres from the town of Clonmel... |
| Baile an Mhoirtéalaigh | Mortlestown |
| Baile an Róistigh | Rochestown |
| Baile Uí Bhéacáin | Ballybacon |
| An Caisleán Nua | Newcastle |
| An Chathair | Cahir |
| Deargráth | Derrygrath |
| Maigh Locha | Molough |
| An Neadán | Neddans |
| Seanraithin | Shanrahan |
| An Teampall Geal | Whitechurch |
| Teampall Toinne | Templetenny |
| Tiobraid | Tubbrid |
| Tulach Artáin | Tullaghorton |
| Tulaigh Mhaoláin | Tullaghmelan |