Kilmacrenan (barony)

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Kilmacrenan (Irish: Cill Mhic Réanáin), sometimes spelled Kilmacrennan, is a barony in County Donegal, Ireland. It is named after Kilmacrenan village. Located in the north of the county, it lies west and north of Lough Swilly. The barony covers about 1,264 square kilometers (312,410 acres), making it the largest barony in Ireland by land area. Baronies are old land divisions that were mainly used for taxation and local spending in the 19th century and were replaced by modern local government rules in 1898. Kilmacrenan was established as a barony by 1672 and was the ancient homeland of several families, including the O’Donnell kings of Tyrconnell, O’Breislein (O’Breslin), Mac Sweeney, O’Begley, O’Friel, O’Kernaghan of Clondavaddog, McCoy of Mevagh, and O’Toner of Tullyfern; Clann Chinnfhaelaidh is in the eastern part. There are several towns and villages within the barony.