Irby

IRBY, a township, in the parishes of Thurstaston and Woodchurch, union, and Lower division of the hundred, of Wirrall, S. division of the county of Chester, 5 miles (N. by W.) from Parkgate; containing 133 inhabitants. The manor was given to the convent of St. Werburgh in 1093, and continued in the possession of that establishment until the Dissolution, when it was granted to the Dean and Chapter of the new diocese of Chester, from whom it was soon afterwards obtained by the Cotton family, who sold it. The estate subsequently passed to the Harpurs and Leighs, and, by purchase, to the family of Glegg. The township comprises 744 acres, of which about one-half is the property of John Ralph Shaw, Esq., of Arrowe Hall. Irby Hall is a large fabric of timber and plaster, standing upon the boundary of the two parishes, and surrounded with ash-trees of great age and size. There are a few good houses in the village, which has a neat and respectable appearance.