Street is a civil parish located in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is situated in the north-western part of the county, within the historic barony of Moygoish.
Overview
As a civil parish, Street represents a historical administrative division of land in Ireland. While these divisions no longer serve a primary administrative function for local government, they remain relevant for historical research, land registration (particularly in the Registry of Deeds), and census enumeration.
The civil parish of Street encompasses a rural area and includes the small village also named Street. Its boundaries are based on older ecclesiastical divisions but were formalised as civil units, primarily for tax assessment and census purposes, especially during the 19th century.
Geography and Location
The parish is generally characterised by a rural landscape. It is bordered by other civil parishes within County Westmeath and potentially by neighbouring counties, reflecting its position within the broader geographical context of the midlands of Ireland.
Historical Context
Civil parishes like Street originated from the medieval church parishes and were formally defined and mapped during the Ordnance Survey of Ireland in the 19th century. They were crucial for the administration of the Poor Law system and the collection of tithes, before eventually being superseded by modern administrative units such as electoral divisions and local authority boundaries. Despite their reduced administrative role, they continue to be referenced in property deeds and genealogical records.