He was reputedly of royal stock, the son of Cas, king of Munster, and an uncle of St Munchin, patron of the diocese of Limerick.

The Caonraí were a Celtic tribe who occupied this part of Limerick in the remote past, who gave their name to the barony of Kenry.

In the eighteenth century their estates passed by inheritance to the Hartstonge Baronets, and ultimately to the Pery family who acquired the title Earl of Limerick.

[citation needed] There have been a few interesting finds in the area, including the Shannongrove Collar which was found at a depth of 12 feet in a bog on lands granted to Phineas Bury during Cromwellian plantations.

[citation needed] In 1922 the Salesians of Don Bosco bought land from George Caulefield and set up an agricultural college.