Parishes

Crecora Parish

The origin of the name Crecora is generally thought to to have been derived from one of the following Gaelic roots - Craobh Chúmhra meaning fragrant branch or Craobh Chomhra the branch of the bier or coffin. There is a legend supporting both of these ; that a giant or chieftain fleeing from his enemies brought the body of his slain mother as far as the height where the graveyard now is before burying her. He marked the site of her grave with a branch of Whitethorn.
This subsequently gave its name to the surrounding district as the place of the branch of the coffin, or because of its profuse foliage, the sweet smelling branch. Others contend that the name is derived from Cré órdha meaning Golden Soil.

ManisterParish

The name Manister comes from the Irish An Mhainister meaning 'the abbey'. It derives its name from the foundation of a monastery in the middle of the 12th Century. Monasteranenagh Cistercian Abbey derives its name from Manister an Aonaigh, the monastery of the fair, after a fair that was held here in ancient times.
The monastic lands, which belonged to Monasteranenagh, were to form the parish of Manister, much as it is in area and boundaries today. The ruins are quite extensive and are in good repair. The main window frame of the church is still intact. The roof collapsed in 1874. The tower fell in 1806. Only walls and gables remain of the church.

Colleen Bawn Story
The Colleen Bawn grew up in her uncle's house in Manister. Her real name was Eileen Hanley. She was lured away by Lieutenant John Scanlan of the Royal Navy. A mock marriage took place in 1819. Soon after, she was drowned in the Shannon River in Glin. Scanlan and Stephen O'Sullivan, a Glin man, were hanged for her murder.