What follows is an extract from "The Placenames of the Decies".
This book was written by Rev. P.Power and printed in London by
David Nutt, 57-59, Long Acre in 1907.
Like its sister Parish of UPPERTHIRD which contains seven parishes and portions of three
others, extends along the south bank of the Suir from a mile or
so east of Portlaw as far west as the environs of Clonmel. It
is not a region particularly rich in local nomenclature, though
a few of its names are both philogically and historically important.
Its own name, Uachtar Tíre ("Upper Country"), the barony
owes both to its physical character (portion of it is a plateau)
and to its geographical relation to its sister barony of Middlethird.
Upperthird was, in old Irish times, the tribal lands of the O'Flanagans,
and became, after the 12th century, part of Paoracha (Power's
Country).
Of the parishes mentioned above this website will deal with the
parishes of Rathgormack, Mothel, Dysert and Kilsheelan.
It will also deal with the few townlands of Rathgormack and Kilsheelan
that fall into the neighbouring barony of Glenaheiry. This is
by far the smallest barony of Co. Waterford. The name (Gleann
na hUidhre) itself is apparently of great antiquity and not easy
of explanation; it seems to signify- "Glen of the Dun (Place
or Cow?)" Analogy of "Leabhar na hUidhre" suggests
"Cow" as the word qualified by "dun." At any
rate the name communicates itself to the river - Abhainn na hUidhre
(The Nire) - which bisects the barony.
These Pages have been written and maintained by Keith Kennedy.
Disclaimer: This website is of my own undertaking and does not represent any of the beliefs or ideas of any one from Rathgormack. If I offend anyone in these pages it is purely by accident and not by intent.
