Collections relating to the dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin (vol. 3)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Fr. Patrick Maher interred at Graigue chapel

   Graigue · townland · Laois · 1874–1879

   Rev. Patrick Maher succeeded as P.P. after Very Rev. James Maher's death in 1874, and after a short pastorate of five years, died on 24th July 1879. He is interred beside his predecessor in the chapel of Graigue.

   Read the passage

   Rev. Patrick Maher. After a short pastorate of five years, Fr. Maher died on the 24th of July, 1879, and lies interred beside his predecessor in the chapel of Graigue.

   The Rey. Daniel Byrne, the present worthy P.P., succeeded.

   Internet Archive collectionsrelat03come, Chapter 251

2. Mass-house built at Ballon after 1714

   Ballon · town · Carlow · 1714–1731

   A 1731 Parliamentary Return records that a Mass-house had been built at Ballon since the first year of the reign of George I (1714).

   Read the passage

   A Parliamentary Return made in 1731, ( See Vol. I. /p. 268) states that there was then “ A Mass-house at Ballon, built since the 1st year of the reign of George 1st.” (1714.)

   Kellistown.

   Internet Archive collectionsrelat03come, Chapter 104

3. Rath near Aughavanna Barracks at Ballygobban

   Ballygobban · townland · Wicklow

   At Ballygobban there is a remarkable rath located near the extensive building known as Aughavanna Barracks.

   Read the passage

   At Ballygobban, there is a remarkable Rath, near the extensive building known as Aughavanna Barracks.

   240

   Internet Archive collectionsrelat03come, Chapter 227

4. Goresbridge separated from Graig parish, 1822

   Goresbridge · town · Kilkenny · 1822

   The parochial register records that around 1822 Goresbridge was taken from the parish of Graig and, together with Paulstown, made into a separate parish.

   Read the passage

   1822 — About this time Goresbridge was taken from this parish, and, with Paulstown, made a separate parish.”

   “Nov., 1824. — The parish declared vacant from Revd. Mr. Broughall’s long absence on the Continent.”

   Internet Archive collectionsrelat03come, Chapter 220

5. Ruins of castle at Clowater

   Clowater · townland · Carlow

   On the lands of Clowater are the ruins of a castle, as recorded by Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary.

   Read the passage

   This inscription runs around the margin, and in the centre is the monogram, £ Jff 5?- An ancient octagonal Baptismal font remains within the ruins. According to local tradition a priest named Shortell lies buried here ; this may be the Michael Shortell named in the Return of 1766 ( See Appendix), as P.P. of Aghadoe. On the lands of Clowater are the ruins of a castle. — {Lewis, Top. Bid.)

   Fenagh.

   Internet Archive collectionsrelat03come, Chapter 91

6. Second Butler-built castle at Paulstown

   Paulstown · town · Kilkenny

   There is another castle in the townland of Paulstown, said to have been built by the same family as the Castlekelly castle.

   Read the passage

   rectory of Kilmacahill, lately belonging to the dissolved Preceptory or Commandery of Killerge, in Co. Carlow, to hold for ever by the services thereout due and of right accustomed. — (Morrin). Father William Walsh, P.P, of this parish early in the 18th century, is said to have been buried here, and the place of his grave is pointed out as that afterwards occupied by the tower of the now demolished church. In the townland of Castlekelly in this parish, is pointed out the site of a castle, called Caislean Ui Cheallaigh , from which the townland took its name. There is another castle in the townland of Paulstown, said to have been built by the same family. (O' Donovan). On the bounds of Graigue-wood and Kellymount townlands is the site of an old and now disused burial-ground. A mountain stream runs beside the graveyard, and has worn for itself a channel about 20 feet deep. It was encroaching upon the graves ; in consequence of which, the people of the surrounding district contributed means by which a wall, protecting the burial-ground from the river, has been built. A memorial of this has been raised, surmounted by a Gothic cross, and underneath are inscriptions ; that on one side is : “ Enclosed by ratepayers of the townland on the north and south sides, in the year of our Lord 1872. Michael Carroll, guardian, Martin Treacy, contractor.” The inscription on the other side is as follows : — “ Graigue Abbey of Grey Friars, established in vii century, and under St. Gobbain. Enclosed under Peter Burchall, Esq., County Surveyor, 1872.” A startling record this, when it is remembered that the Order of Grey Friars was not instituted until some six centuries subsequent to the period named ! One of our early Irish monasteries may have stood here, but if so, there does not appear to be any record of it. A very ancient building certainly stood here, of which the foundations are still visible ; the walls were about four feet thick, and formed of field-stones, without cement or mortar. Traces of what appears to have been an ancient mill have been found in the adjoining river. The portion of the buildings popularly supposed to have been the Abbey, stood on the other side of the cemetery. IJp to a few years ago much of the walls remained ; but at present there is little more than a mound of rubbish to indicate the site. An adjoining piece of ground is called the white field, and the local explanation of this is that it was so named from the white habits worn by the monks — • an explanation, by the way, inconsistent with the statement that this was a Franciscan community.

   Internet Archive collectionsrelat03come, Chapter 306