The Parish of Clontuskert is situated in the East Galway countryside to the south of Ballinasloe. To the east it is bordered by the river Suck and to the west by the parish of Aughrim. The boundary to the north meets Ballinasloe parish while the parishes of Lawrencetown and Kiltormer define its southern limits. It straddles the main roads to Portumna and Killimor.

 Clontuskert is one of the oldest parishes in the diocese of Clonfert.  There are two churches in the parish - St. Augustine’s Catholic Church and St. Matthew’s Church of Ireland.

 The Augustinian Priory of St. Mary represents Clontuskert’s main claim to fame. Built on the original 805 a.d. monastic foundation of St. Baodan in the 12th and 13th centuries, it survived as a monastic settlement until the early part of the 17th century.

 In the early years of the 19th century, the Grand Canal was cut through the eastern side of the parish. Its route is still clearly visible, despite the fact that it is no longer in use. Vegetation crowds the dried out channel. However, the remains of the bridge over the canal at Lismany and the aqueduct under which Ballinure River flows, are impressive relics of its former glory.

 In 1854, Alan Pollok arrived from Scotland and established one of the most advanced commercial farms in Europe. Initially his enterprise thrived but in the early years of the 20th century, decline set in and the Pollok family left the area. Almost nothing remains of the Pollok mansion and farmyard.