RUSKEY, or ROOSKEY, a market and post-town, partly in that portion of the parish of MOHILL which is in the barony and county of LONGFORD, in the province of LEINSTER, and partly in that portion of it which is in the barony of MOHILL and county of LEITRIM, but chiefly in the parish of TARMONBARRY, barony of BALLINTOBBER, county of ROSCOMMON, and province of CONNAUGHT, 7 miles (N. by W.) from Longford, and 66m (W. N. W.) from Dublin, on the road to Sligo: the population is returned with the respective parishes.
This place is situated on the river Shannon, over which is a bridge of nine arches connecting the counties of Leitrim and Longford (which here unite) with the county of Roscommon. It participates in the general trade of the river, and has a market on Wednesday, which is well attended.
The fairs, which are now discontinued, were formerly among the principal that were held on the Leitrim side of the river. A constabulary police force is stationed here, and petty sessions are held on alternate Thursdays.
The parish church of Tarmonbarry is situated in the town, and there is a R. C. chapel for the union or district of Ruskey.