title: Kilcoursey
text: # Kilcoursey
  
  Kilcoursey (Irish: Cill Chuairsí) is a barony in County Offaly (formerly King's County), Ireland.
  
  ## Etymology
  
  The name Kilcoursey is from Kilcoursey Castle (also called Lehinch Castle; near Clara), which is named for Kilcoursey townland (Irish Cill Chuairsí, "Cuairseach's church").
  
  ## Location
  
  Kilcoursey barony is located in north County Offaly, south of the Gageborough River.
  
  ## History
  
  The Ó Sionnaigh (later Fox) O'Catharniagh (O'Carney) clan were chiefs in Kilcoursey, referred to as Muinter Tadgain, which also included Clonlonan barony in Westmeath. Ó Cearnaigh (Kearney), princes of Tethbae (Westmeath), are of this branch. The Mac Amhlaigh (MacAuley) sept are also cited as holding a portion of this barony.
  
  ## List of settlements
  
  Below is a list of settlements in Kilcoursey barony:
  
  * Clara
  * Horseleap (western part)
  