This ancient geographical division of land is in turn divided into eight civil parishes.

Baronies were created after the Norman invasion of Ireland as divisions of counties and were used the administration of justice and the raising of revenue.

The narrow waters of Lough Cullaunyheeda separates the barony from its neighbour, Bunratty Upper.

[1] The barony contains the civil parishes of Clonlea, Killaloe, Killokennedy, Killurin, Kilseily, Kiltonanlea, O'Brien's Bridge, and Ogonnelloe.

The main settlements are Killaloe, O'Brien's Bridge, Kilkishen, Kilbane, O'Callaghan’s Mills, Broadford, Cloonlara and Bridgetown.