Kilbride, County Westmeath (civil parish)

Kilbride is a civil parish in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is located in the barony of Moygoish.

Location and Size:

Kilbride civil parish is situated in the north-west of County Westmeath. It covers a significant area, bounded by other civil parishes within Westmeath. Detailed boundary descriptions are available in historical mapping resources.

Townlands:

The civil parish comprises a number of townlands. These smaller land divisions are the fundamental units of land administration in Ireland and provide detailed geographic reference points. A comprehensive list of townlands within Kilbride can typically be found in sources such as the Placenames Database of Ireland.

Historical Significance:

Kilbride, like many Irish civil parishes, has roots in the medieval ecclesiastical parish system. While its original function was primarily religious, the civil parish later became an important administrative unit for census taking, land valuation, and other governmental purposes. The boundaries of civil parishes and ecclesiastical parishes often overlap, but they are not always identical. Further research into historical records, such as Griffith's Valuation, can provide insights into land ownership and occupation during the 19th century.

Related Parishes and Baronies:

Kilbride is located within the barony of Moygoish. It is bordered by neighboring civil parishes, including, but not limited to, those in surrounding baronys. Understanding the relationship between Kilbride and these adjacent entities is crucial for comprehensive local historical and genealogical research.