Lewis's Topographical Dictionary - Waterford County

Kilbarrymeaden, a parish, in the southern part of the barony of Upperthird, union and county of Waterford, and province of Munster, 4 miles (S.E.) from Kilmacthomas; containing 3360 inhabitants. It comprises 6264 statute acres: the surface is generally naked and uncultivated, and includes about 300 acres of bog; but the mineral productions are valuable, the Irish Mining Company raising a large quantity of superior copper-ore; and lead-ore was formerly obtained from the strand at Kilmurrin. Several neat houses have been built for the miners.

Dunbratten is supposed to have been the spot first occupied by the Anglo-Norman invaders, under Raymond le Gros, who here repulsed with great slaughter the Danes of Waterford and the inhabitants of the surrounding country, who attacked his intrenchments, part of which still exist. There is a small fishing-station at Dunbratten, with about 25 boats. Much limestone is imported from Dungarvan, and the erection of a pier would be a great benefit. The principal seats are Gardenmorris and Georges-town.

The parish is in the diocese of Lismore: the rectory is united to part of the rectories of Kilburn and Kilmeaden, together forming the corps of the precentorship in the cathedral of Waterford, in the patronage of the Bishop; the vicarage forms a separate benefice, in the gift of the Bishop. The tithe rent-charge of the parish id £225, of which £150 are payable to the precentor, and £75 to the vicar; the entire revenue of the precentorship, before the passing of the rent-charge act, was £345.17.3 There is now no church in the parish.

The Roman Catholic parish is  co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and has a chapel. About 180 children are educated in two public schools, which are held in a house built by Lady Osborne, who also contributes towards their support; and a third school is under the Church Education Society. Here is a well dedicated to St. Baramedan, who founded the church; and at Kilmurren was a church founded by his sister, Murina, of which the ruins are still visible. Near Dunbratten is an image of St. Baramedan, rudely carved out of rock, and much resorted to by the pleasantry.