 Parts of the area fall within the Barrow and River Special Areas of Conservation.In the barony of Fassadinin, historically it was part of in the historic kingdom of Osraige ("Ossory") and was the territory of the Uí Duach (Idough) clan.The etymology of Castlecomer, in Irish language "Caisleán an Chomair", means "the Castle at the confluence of the Waters".