Deece Lower
Barony in County Meath, Ireland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Deece Lower or Lower Deece (/ˈdiːs/; Irish: Déise Íochtarach) is a historical barony in central County Meath, Ireland.[1]
Deece Lower
Déise Íochtarach (Irish) | |
|---|---|
Postbox, Drumree | |
 Barony map of County Meath, 1900; Deece Lower is in the middle, coloured green. | |
  Deece Lower | |
| Coordinates: 53°32′N 6°40′W | |
| Sovereign state | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | Meath |
| Area | |
• Total | 81.0 km2 (31.3 sq mi) |
Baronies were mainly cadastral rather than administrative units. They acquired modest local taxation and spending functions in the 19th century before being superseded by the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898.[2]
History
The barony of Deece existed before 1542 in the Lordship of Meath; it took its name from the Déisi Becc ('little Déisi'), a medieval vassal kingdom of the Kingdom of Mide. The Déisi Becc were ruled by the Ó Dubháin (O'Duane) of Knowth and the Ua Maoil Lughdhach (O'Molluwey?) of Brú na Bóinne. [3][4] Deece was divided into Lower (northern) and Upper (southern) halves by 1807.[5]
Geography
Deece Lower is in the middle of the county, to the southeast of the River Boyne; the countryside between Trim and Dunshaughlin.[6]