Athlone South
Baile Átha Luain Theas (Irish) | |
---|---|
Sovereign state | Ireland |
Province | Connacht |
County | Roscommon |
Area | |
• Total | 322.37 km2 (124.47 sq mi) |
Athlone South (Irish: Baile Átha Luain Theas[1]), also called South Athlone,[2] is a barony in County Roscommon, Ireland.[3][4] Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units.[5] They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.[6][7]
Athlone South is named after Athlone town; it contains the western portion of the town, west of the River Shannon, although part of it (seven townlands) has been transferred to County Westmeath.[8]
Athlone South is located in the south of County Roscommon, bounded by the River Shannon and Lough Ree to the east and the River Suck to the west.[9]
It was originally a single barony with Athlone North; they were separated by 1868.[10][11]
Athlone barony was anciently ruled by the Ó Ceallaigh (O'Kellys), princes of Uí Maine. The Ó Fallúin (O'Fallons) were also a powerful family.[12] It was created from the early medieval cantred of Tyrmany (Tír Maine), and by 1585 it was known as O'Kelly's Country.[13] By the 18th and 19th centuries, it was the seat of the Kellys, Mitchells and Cootes.[14][15][16]
Below is a list of settlements in Athlone South: