BECAN, or BEKAN, a parish, in the barony of COSTELLO, county of MAYO, and province of CONNAUGHT, 4 miles (W.by N.) from Ballyhaunis; containing 5659 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Claremorris to Frenchpark, and is principally under tillage, with the exception of a few grazing farms. Becan is the residence of J.Bourke, Esq., and Ballenville, of J. Crean, Esq.

The river Robe has its source within the limits of the parish. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam, and is part of the union of Kiltullagh: the tithes amount to £127.8.51/4. The R.C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church: the chapel is a plain thatched building. At Brackloon is a school of about 60 boys and 50 girls; and there are five private schools in the parish, in which are about 300 boys and 100 girls. There are some ruins of the old church, with a burial-place annexed, which is still used.

KNOCK or KNOCKDRUMCALRY, a parish, in the barony of Costello, county of Mayo, and province of Connaught, 5 miles (E. )from Clare, on the road from Claremorris to Swinford; containing 3036 inhabitants. It is generally under an improving system of tillage; there is a great quantity of bog.

The principal seats are Ballyhoole, the residence of T.Rutledge, Esq.; and Aden, of A. O Malley, Esq. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Tuam, forming part of the union of Kiltullagh; the tithes amount to £37. 13. 10

In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Aughamore, in each of which is a chapel. There are six private schools, in which about 230 children are taught.