The Diocese of Meath: Ancient and Modern (vol. 2)

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. Massacre at Castlepollard fair, 1831

   Castlepollard · town · Westmeath · 1831

   At a fair in Castlepollard in May 1831 a minor disturbance led to the Riot Act being read; the Orange police force then fired on the crowd, killing eleven men and wounding several others, most of them inoffensive bystanders.

   Read the passage

   lii^ time to raise our country from bondage, and make her once more a nation — Father Burke took an earnest, honest, and most efficient part. He was a man of vast abilities, of marvellous memory, of indomitable courage; and, as he was a genuine, practical patriot, he had wonderful influence over the masses of his countrymen. Hence he was the terror of the despots of his day ; and he taught his people never to crouch or cringe, never to bend the knee to the brazen calves that expected slavish worship from the poor but honest children of labor. The numerous exertions and sacrifices he made in the popular struggles of Ireland are so fresh in the memories of the people, that it would be superfluous to insert them here. We shall, therefore, confine ourselves to one characteristic reply, which illustrates his honesty, ability, hatred of tyranny, and devotion to his people — viz., his trenchant and indignant letter regarding the massacre of Castlepollard. The circumstances were briefly these. There was a fair held at Castlepollard in the month of May, 1831 ; some little disturbance took place ; the Riot Act was read, and the police, then an Orange force, were ordered to fire on the people. Eleven men were shot, several were wounded, and most of these were inoffensive people who were attending to their business. Popular indignation was very great at such a wanton sacrifice of life, and none took this barbarous outrage more poignantly to heart than the zealous pastor, Father Burke. In the Registry of Deaths kept in this and the neighbouring parishes, we find some of the victims indentified. Thus in the Registry of Fore we discover the following entry :

   "1831. May 23rd, died Patt M'Cormack of Binn (Ben of Fore). This man was shot at the fair of Castlepollard by smno one of the Peelers who fired at the people. He was a very inoffensive man. Requiescat in pace"

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

2. Massacre of Catholics at Island Magee

   near Island Magee · parish · Antrim · 1641

   A footnote recounts the massacre of 3,000 inoffensive Catholics on Island Magee in November 1641, who were slaughtered in their beds and on the sea-shore by Puritan soldiers from Carrickfergus. This is presented as the true 'Popish massacre' in contrast to Puritan propaganda claims.

   Read the passage

   * The so-called Popish massacre of 1641 is one of the many calumnies with which Puritan writers have sought to blacken the memory of the men who wore driven from their homes by the confiscations of James and of Cromwell, There was, indeed, a Popish massacre early in November. 1641, but it was the murder of 3,000 inoffensive Catholics on Island Magee, who were slaughtered in their beds and on the sea-shore by the Puritan soldiery of Carrickfergus. In fact, the inhuman massacres perpetrated on the Catholics of Ireland by such monsters as Coote, Munro, St. Leger, Inehiquin, Grenville and Cromwell, not to mention others, rendered it necessary to represent the Irish in the most odious light/ to hold them up to the horror and execration of mankind, in order that the savage barbarities of the Puritans might be read as merely legitimate acts of retaliation. Clarendon estimates the number of Protestant victim at 40,000 or 50,000 ; Sir John Temple swells the number to 150,000 ; while a writer named May has raised the iirnire to 200,000. The Rev. Dr. Warner, an English clergyman, calculates the number, making every allowance for the reprisals of civil war, at 4,028. A Commission was issued by the Lords Justices, in 1644, for the purpose (inter alia) of inquiring what murders were committed by the rebels. The result was that numbers presented themselves, and every idle story was written down and invested with all the gravity of history. As .an illustration of the species of evidence, Dr. Maxwell, afterwards Protestant bishop of Kilmore, gave testimony that Protestant ghosts were seen " by day and night, walking upon the river at Portadown ; sometimes brandishing their naked swords, sometimes singing psalms, and at other times shrieking in a most fearful and hi manner. '—Borlase's History of the //Y.s7< .//• fn'/linn, A]>]> 'iiiiix, p. 392. Hence Dr. Warner (p. 296) honestly admits, " it is easy enough to demonstrate the falsehood of the relation of every Protestant historian of this rebellion."

   The learned Dr. Lhigard, who studied this question closely, has left on.

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

3. Father Burke's Letter on the Eleven Killed at Castlepollard

   Castlepollard · town · Westmeath · 1831

   Father J. Burke, P.P. of Castlepollard, refused to assist a government census official, citing that eleven of his parishioners had been shot dead on the last 'shooting day.' He described their pallid countenances, distorted limbs and bodies smarting with blood from their hearts, refusing to forget them.

   Read the passage

   " I have been favoured with two copies of your circular on the census of the population. I suppose the parish priest of Newtownbarry received one or two more. I would wish to know what obligation the priests of Ireland owe, either to you or the Government, that we should assist your travelling servants and look over then1 work. If you want clerical bailiffs, call on those whom you pay, and who have nothing else to do. With respect to us, we have neither time nor inclination to give you gratuitous services, no more than we should be inclined to disgrace ourselves by receiving your pay. You want the census of my parish. All the information I can give you is, that its population was reduced, on the last shooting day, eleven in number, and that we have laws which forbid me to characterise that deed as it deserves. The Goverment, which is supported at an enormous expense for the purpose, or under the pretence (which you know is the same thing) of protecting each man's rights inviolable, calls upon me to help to number the rest of my flock, without alluding, in the smallest degree, to those eleven whom I have lost. Does this Government think I could so soon forget them, or that I can ever forget them ? — or that from my memory can be eifaced the impression which their pallid countenances, distorted by expiring agonies, their stiffened limbs, their bodies smarting with the tepid current that gushed from their hearts, has stamped on my mind 1 Sir, send your Orange messengers and enumerators to those to whom they are welcome. But let them not be annoying my little place by their unwelcome presence. I am too much aftected by the loss of my parishioners, whom I regarded more than I do you, or any one belonging to or connected with the Irish Government, to turn my attention to this display, that is so worthy of the men who take the adorers of Jupiter, Mars, and Pluto, for their

   403 DEAXERY OF MULLINGAR — CASTLEPOLLAKD.

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

4. Ghostly apparitions at Portadown

   near Portadown · town · Armagh · 1641–1644

   Testimony given by Dr. Maxwell, later Protestant bishop of Kilmore, claimed that ghosts of Protestant victims were seen walking on the river at Portadown, brandishing swords, singing psalms, and shrieking. This supernatural claim was used as evidence during inquiries into the 1641 killings.

   Read the passage

   * The so-called Popish massacre of 1641 is one of the many calumnies with which Puritan writers have sought to blacken the memory of the men who wore driven from their homes by the confiscations of James and of Cromwell, There was, indeed, a Popish massacre early in November. 1641, but it was the murder of 3,000 inoffensive Catholics on Island Magee, who were slaughtered in their beds and on the sea-shore by the Puritan soldiery of Carrickfergus. In fact, the inhuman massacres perpetrated on the Catholics of Ireland by such monsters as Coote, Munro, St. Leger, Inehiquin, Grenville and Cromwell, not to mention others, rendered it necessary to represent the Irish in the most odious light/ to hold them up to the horror and execration of mankind, in order that the savage barbarities of the Puritans might be read as merely legitimate acts of retaliation. Clarendon estimates the number of Protestant victim at 40,000 or 50,000 ; Sir John Temple swells the number to 150,000 ; while a writer named May has raised the iirnire to 200,000. The Rev. Dr. Warner, an English clergyman, calculates the number, making every allowance for the reprisals of civil war, at 4,028. A Commission was issued by the Lords Justices, in 1644, for the purpose (inter alia) of inquiring what murders were committed by the rebels. The result was that numbers presented themselves, and every idle story was written down and invested with all the gravity of history. As .an illustration of the species of evidence, Dr. Maxwell, afterwards Protestant bishop of Kilmore, gave testimony that Protestant ghosts were seen " by day and night, walking upon the river at Portadown ; sometimes brandishing their naked swords, sometimes singing psalms, and at other times shrieking in a most fearful and hi manner. '—Borlase's History of the //Y.s7< .//• fn'/linn, A]>]> 'iiiiix, p. 392. Hence Dr. Warner (p. 296) honestly admits, " it is easy enough to demonstrate the falsehood of the relation of every Protestant historian of this rebellion."

   The learned Dr. Lhigard, who studied this question closely, has left on.

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

5. Oliver Plunket born at Loughcrew castle

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1629–1681

   On rising ground near the old church of Loughcrew stood the castle of the Plunkets, where the Martyr Primate of Ireland, Oliver Plunket, was born in 1629; he was executed for the Catholic faith at Tyburn in 1681.

   Read the passage

   Loughcrew. — The old church was used for Protestant service, but is now deserted. There are considerable remains manifesting its ancient beauty and decoration. On a rising ground, convenient to the old church, stood the castle of the Plunkets of Loughcrew, and here was born, in the year 1629, the saintly Oliver Plunket,* the Martyr Primate of Ireland, who suffered death for the Catholic faith at Tyburn in the year 1681. The patron saint of •arish was St. Kieran.

   •lr of Dr. <> '••/, liy Dr. Moran, a most valuabli

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala

6. Priest-hunter Lowe of Newtown persecutes Father Dillon

   Ardnurcher · townland · Westmeath · 1683–1704

   Father James Dillon of Ardnorcher suffered severe persecution from priest-hunter Lowe of Newtown, who used deceitful devices to catch priests administering sacraments, including bribing a man to feign sickness so the priest could be caught in the act; the man died before the priest's arrival. Dillon was later arrested at Mass, bound with ropes, and marched to Mullingar gaol.

   Read the passage

   According to the traditions of the people, this Father Dillon was a confessor who suffered much for the faith. He lived in times when the priest was at the mercy of the common informer, and when betraying his whereabouts and leading to his arrest were deemed by Parliament an honourable service. The law guaranteed protection to the registering priests of 1704, but the law had no scruple in breaking faith, when it found that all its machinations to entrap these men into the oath of abjuration proved a signal failure. Of the Fathers and Guardians of the Irish Church of that day very few met with more unrelenting persecution than Father Dillon of Ardnorcher. This was owing, amongst other causes, to the persevering activity of a priest-hunter, named Lowe of Newtown, who pursued him with the scent of the blood-hound. There are very dark stories handed down respecting the low devices which this vile informer and priest-hound adopted to find out the haunts and hiding places of the Catholic clergy, and the lonely places where, at day-break, they ventured to perform the sacred ceremonies. On one occasion he bribed a woman to induce her husband to feign sickness, had himself concealed in the house in order to see the priest administer the Sacrament, and thus have evidence against him. The unfortunate man consented, took to his bed, sent for the priest, but, by a terrible retribution, when the priest arrived the man was dead. On another occasion he arrested Father James Dillon as he was celebrating Mass, had him tied with ropes, and in this plight marched him into the gaol of Mullingar. Father Dillon took ill, and for some time his life was despaired of ; and to this circumstance he was chiefly indebted for his subsequent liberation.

   The year of Father Dillon's death is unknown to me, but I was told he was buried in the church-yard of Kilbride.

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 27

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, Father James Dillon of Ardnorcher lived and suffered. The people's traditions call him a confessor who suffered much for the faith. He lived in times when a priest was at the mercy of the common informer, when betraying his whereabouts and leading to his arrest were deemed by Parliament an honourable service. Of the Fathers and Guardians of the Irish Church of that day, very few met with more unrelenting persecution than Father Dillon. Much of this owed to the persevering activity of a priest-hunter named Lowe of Newtown, who pursued him with what the source calls the scent of the blood-hound. There are dark stories handed down about the low devices this informer adopted to find the haunts and hiding places of the Catholic clergy, and the lonely places where, at daybreak, they ventured to perform the sacred ceremonies. On one occasion Lowe bribed a woman to induce her husband to feign sickness. He had himself concealed in the house in order to see the priest administer the Sacrament and thus have evidence against him. The unfortunate man consented, took to his bed, sent for the priest, but by a terrible retribution, when the priest arrived the man was dead. On another occasion Lowe arrested Father James Dillon as he was celebrating Mass, had him tied with ropes, and in this plight marched him into the gaol of Mullingar. Father Dillon took ill, and for some time his life was despaired of. To this circumstance he was chiefly indebted for his subsequent liberation. The year of his death is unknown, but he was told to be buried in the churchyard of Kilbride.

7. Burning of the miraculous image of Mary at Trim, 1538

   Trim · town · Meath · 1538

   In 1538 the miraculous image of Mary at Trim, long honoured by the Irish people, was burned by the Saxons during the Reformation, and the gifts of pilgrims were carried away by Archbishop Browne of Dublin.

   Read the passage

   " ' 1538. — The most miraculous image of Mary, which was at Trim, and which the Irish people all honoured for a long time before that — which used to heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and every disease in like manner, was burned by the Saxons.'

   "About this time (1538), says Ware, among other images whereunto pilgrimages were designed, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was burnt, then kept at Trim, in the Abbey of the Canons Regular, and the gifts of the pilgrims were taken away from thence. Whatever scruple Brown, the reforming Archbishop of Dublin, had about ' plucking down the idol of Trim,' he had none whatever about carrying off the ' gifts of the pilgrims.' The fanaticism of these church robbers, and their open sacrilege, shocked the faithful, and stirred up the Catholic feeling in those whose hearts had been hitherto cold or lukewarm. The image of Mary was, indeed, sacrificed to the fury and avarice of the Reformation ; but devotion to her was the more inflamed, and horror of the iconoclasts the more intensified. The last abbot of St. Mary's was the Rev. Geoffry Dardice ; and on the 15th of May, 1539, the Commissioners of Kfiiry VIII., armed with supreme power, arrived at the gates of the monastery, and demanded its unconditional surrender in the name of the King. There was no alternative — resistance, of course, would be useless ; and hence, on that memorable day the last abbot of St. Mary's, and his sorrowful community,

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Trim in Meath. In 1538, the miraculous image of Mary kept here in the Abbey of the Canons Regular was burned by the Saxons. The Irish people had honoured it for a long time. It was said to heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and every disease. Ware records that the gifts of the pilgrims were taken away too, and Archbishop Browne of Dublin, whatever scruple he had about "plucking down the idol of Trim," had none about carrying off those gifts. The sacrilege shocked the faithful and stirred Catholic feeling in those whose hearts had been cold or lukewarm. Devotion to Mary was inflamed rather than extinguished. The last abbot of St Mary's was the Reverend Geoffry Dardice. On the 15th of May, 1539, the Commissioners of Henry the Eighth arrived at the gates of the monastery and demanded its unconditional surrender in the name of the King. Resistance would have been useless, and so the last abbot and his sorrowful community gave way.

8. Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, Executed in Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1584

   Dr. Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, suffered incredible tortures before being executed in Dublin on 6 May 1584, one of many Irish Catholic bishops martyred under Elizabeth's persecution.

   Read the passage

   The Irish bishops were, of course, principally singled out for vengeance, and those who escaped the savage grasp of Elizabeth's priest-catchers, were necessitated to ilee in disguise to the Continent, or to take refuge in the unfrequented woods and caves of the country. Many members of the hierarchy fell victims to the intolerance of the times, and nobly sealed with their blood their heroic devotion to duty.* Dr. Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, after suffering incredible tortures, was executed in Dublin, on the 6th of May, 1584. Dr. Murtagh O'Brien, Bishop of Emly, after grievous sufferings, died in gaol in 1585. Dr. Thomas O'Herlihy, Bishop of Ross, suffered innumerable trials for the faith, for three years and seven months, in the Tower of London, and at length died in 1580. Dr. Richard Creagh, Archbishop of Armagh, after eighteen years' imprisonment in a dark dungeon, in odium jidei, was at length poisoned in the Tower of London, in the year 1585. Dr. Patrick O'Hely, Bishop of Mayo, after dreadful torture, was hanged from a tree, on the 22nd of August, 1578. Dr. Redmond O'Gallagher, Bishop of Deny, was mangled by a band of soldiers, as he was attending the sick, in the year 1601, in the seventieth year of his age. Dr. Edmund Magauran, Archbishop of Armagh, was pierced to death by the lances of the soldiers, in 1594, near Armagh, as he was administering the last sacraments. Thus our glorious bishops, by their constancy and fortitude, encouraged clergy and laity to die for the faith. The Regulars and Seculars were worthy of

   * Brennan's Ecclesiastical History ; Dr. Moran's Archbishops of Dublin; Collections, edited by Dr. M'Carthy ; Irish Histories, — passim. Numbers •of priests were also put to death, as can be seen in our Ecclesiastical Histories.

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 5

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, you are in the city where Dr. Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, was executed on the 6th of May, 1584. He had suffered incredible tortures before his death. He was one of many Irish bishops singled out under Elizabeth's persecution. Those who escaped the priest-catchers fled in disguise to the Continent or hid in woods and caves. Dr. Murtagh O'Brien, Bishop of Emly, died in gaol in 1585 after grievous sufferings. Dr. Thomas O'Herlihy, Bishop of Ross, spent three years and seven months in the Tower of London and died in 1580. Dr. Richard Creagh, Archbishop of Armagh, was imprisoned for 18 years in a dark dungeon and then poisoned in the Tower of London in 1585. Dr. Patrick O'Hely, Bishop of Mayo, was hanged from a tree on the 22nd of August, 1578, after dreadful torture. Dr. Redmond O'Gallagher, Bishop of Derry, was mangled by soldiers as he attended the sick in 1601, in his 70th year. Dr. Edmund Magauran, Archbishop of Armagh, was pierced to death by lances near Armagh in 1594 as he administered the last sacraments. These bishops, the record says, by their constancy and fortitude, encouraged clergy and laity to die for the faith.

9. Father Barnwall's disguises and arrest near Ardbraccan

   Navan · town · Meath · 1737

   Father Barnwall celebrated Mass at ditches and hid in barns and stables to evade priest-hunters, sometimes disguising himself in a woman's cloak. He was eventually arrested, marched to Navan and lodged in the bridewell before being sent to Dublin Castle, from which he never returned.

   Read the passage

   in which Father Barnwall dwelt for several days. It sometimes happened, too, when dwelling in the cabins of the poor, that in order to take exercise, and, at the same time, escape the watchful eyes of his enemies, he roamed through the lonely unfrequented fields, with a woman's cloak around him, and the hood over his head. Such were some of the many stratagems the Irish priests were obliged to adopt in the days of persecution, in order to preserve the faith ; and in the worst of times they never flinched, or deserted the people. A volume might be written on the trying scenes through which the intrepid Father Barnwall passed in those dismal times. But his reward was near at hand — the martyr's crown was soon to recompense him for years of labour and of suffering. The venerable priest was now beyond eighty years of age, though still erect and on the roll of active service. Arrested by priest-hunters, he pleaded guilty to the charge of having celebrated Mass. There was a yell of joy at his capture, and now at length there seemed no possibility of escape. He was clad in a long frieze coat, wore an old hat, had his breviary in one hand and a staff in the other, and in this plight, surrounded by his enemies, he AV;IS inarched in triumph to Navan, and lodged in the bridewell. After a fortnight's confinement, he was sent a prisoner to Dublin Castle,* whence he never returned to his faithful sorrowing people. The traditions of the parish are most specific in representing him as having been put to death for the faith, but whether in England, as some say, or in Dublin, there is no authentic account. Whether he died violently or by slow torturing imprisonment, he is equally entitled to the distinction of having been one of the mar-

   O

   Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 20

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Navan, and in 1737 it was where an old priest's long road ended. Father Barnwall had spent years evading priest-hunters around Ardbraccan, celebrating Mass at ditches, hiding in barns and stables, sometimes roaming the lonely fields in a woman's cloak with the hood over his head to escape watchful eyes. He was over eighty years of age, still erect and on the roll of active service. When they arrested him he pleaded guilty to the charge of having celebrated Mass, and there was a yell of joy at his capture. He was clad in a long frieze coat, wore an old hat, had his breviary in one hand and a staff in the other, and in that plight he was marched in triumph to Navan and lodged in the bridewell. After a fortnight's confinement he was sent a prisoner to Dublin Castle, whence he never returned to his faithful sorrowing people. The traditions of the parish say he was put to death for the faith, though whether in England or in Dublin there is no authentic account. Whether he died violently or by slow imprisonment, he earned the distinction of having been one of the martyrs of those dismal times.

10. Cromwell's Butcheries at Drogheda, Wexford and Callan

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

    Cromwell landed in Ireland in 1649 and carried out merciless butcheries in Drogheda, Wexford, Callan, and wherever his troopers marched, described as surpassing the barbarities of Tamerlane or Nadir Shah.

    Read the passage

    3. CromWell landed in Ireland on the 14th of Ari 1649, and commenced rigorously to carry out the wishes of the Parliament — viz., to uproot the Catholic religion and to exterminate the people. He was a hideous monster,* and his merciless butcheries in Drogheda, Wexford, C 'a I Ian, and wherever his troopers marched, surpassed in fiendish atrocity the most savage barbarities of Tamerlane, the Taitar, or, more recently, of Nadir Shah. Referring the reader to the various Histories of Ireland in which evidences accumulate of Cromwell's barbarity, and of the terrible misery he inflicted on the country, we confine ourselves to a few extracts from contemporary writers. Father Dominick de Rosario O'Daly thus describes the Cromwellians and their progress through Ireland rf-

    " That raging mass, besprinkled with the monarch's blood, burst upon the land of my love. The butcher, the buffoon, and the hired cut-throat, each led his band ; and the very dregs of English cities and towns were invested with centurion authority. Then came hideous woes, as though would lash us with a triple scourge — discord, famine, and pestilence. AVell

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming into Drogheda. In August 1649, Cromwell landed in Ireland and set about carrying out the Parliament's wishes, to uproot the Catholic religion and to exterminate the people. The book calls him a hideous monster. His merciless butcheries here in Drogheda, in Wexford, in Callan, and wherever his troopers marched, surpassed in fiendish atrocity the most savage barbarities of Tamerlane the Tatar, or, more recently, of Nadir Shah. A contemporary writer, Father Dominick de Rosario O'Daly, described the Cromwellians and their progress through Ireland in his own words. He wrote of a raging mass, besprinkled with the monarch's blood, bursting upon the land of his love. He wrote that the butcher, the buffoon, and the hired cut-throat, each led his band, and that the very dregs of English cities and towns were invested with centurion authority. Then came hideous woes, as though a triple scourge would lash the country, discord, famine, and pestilence.

11. Kilrue and the curse on Tara

    Kilrue · townland · Meath · 554

    A fugitive criminal who fled for sanctuary to the monastery of St. Ruan at Kilrue was dragged forcibly to Tara and put to death; in response the abbot and monks pronounced a curse on Tara's walls, after which, the annalists say, no king ever sat again at Tara.

    Read the passage

    "A.D. 554. — In the reign of this monarch (King Diarmid), the ancient Hall or Court of Tara, in which, for so many centuries, the Triennial Councils of the nation had been held, saw, for the last time, her kings and nobles assembled within her precincts ; and the cause of the desertion of this long-honoured seat of legislation shows to what an enormous height the power of the ecclesiastical order had then risen. Somefogitive criminal, who had fled for sanctuary to the monastery of St. Ruan, having been dragged forcibly from thence to Tara. and there put to death, the holy abbot and his monks cried aloud against the sacrilegious violation, and, proceeding in solemn procession to the palace, pronounced a curse upon its walls. * From that day,' say the annalists, ' no king ever sat again at Tara ;' and a poet who wrote about that period, while mourning evidently over the fall of this seat of grandeur, ventures but to say, ' It is not with my will that Teamor is deserted.' A striking memorial of the Church's triumph on the occasion was preserved in the name of distinction given to the monastery, which was ever after, in memory of this malediction, called 'The Monastery of the Curses of Ireland.' "

    * V ':«.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

12. Mageoghegan shoots his own horses to foil priest-hunters

    Mullingar · town · Westmeath

    During the Mullingar assizes, a Protestant demanded Mageoghegan's two prized horses under the penal statute for a nominal £10. Rather than surrender them, Mageoghegan shot his own horses in the street, foiling the informer and later travelled to Mullingar drawn by oxen instead.

    Read the passage

    Mageoghegan was fall of family pride,, and turned out on special occasions in all the panoply and style of his ancestors. He dressed with great neatness, had always his pistols about him, and had his carriage drawn by two of the most beautiful and high-blooded horses in the county. On one occasion, while the assizes were being held in Mullingar, and the town, filled with military, a low Protestant met him in the streets on his arrival, and, in accordance with the penal statute, offered him £10 for his two horses (£5 for each), and demanded possession. Only for the circumstances of the times, the fellow would not dare to cross Mageoghegan's path ; but the law was peremptory on the point, and the soldiers were there in numbers to enforce it if necessary. Mageoghegan, without a moment's hesitation, got out of his carriage, and, taking out a pair of pistols, shot his two horses, and thus foiled the robber of his prey. There was no one that didn't laugh at the circumstance, and that didn't applaud the coolness of the act. After this, on similar occasions, Mageoghegan made his entry to Mullingar with a pair of oxen drawing his carriage, and thus baffled the priest-hunters, the informers, and the whole rank and file of corruption who were ready to avail themselves of infamous laws to rob and degrade their Catholic neighbours.

    * The family of Lowe succeeded the Mageoghegans of Xewtown, after their estates had been confiscated. These Lowes signalized themselves, generation after generation, by their rabid hostility to the Catholic Church and their cowardly persecution of the clergy. One of these, named Barry Lowe, arrested a priest while celebrating Mass in a ditch, at a place called Sureen, near Kilbeggan, had him handcuffed in his vestments, and brought

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

13. Massacre and sacrilege at Cashel by Inchiquin

    Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 1647–1648

    Inchiquin's forces massacred clergy and people at Cashel, an atrocity so notorious that Rinuccini invoked it in his letters urging the Confederates not to make peace with Inchiquin, whose hands were 'still red with the blood of the clergy and people of Cashel'.

    Read the passage

    policy of Rinuccmi and the military genius of Owen Roe O'lS'eill could alone have saved Ireland at this crisis ; but, strange to say, or rather, melancholy to record, these two heroic men were greater objects of hatred to the dastardly Palesmen than even the savage Puritans, who had sworn to uproot Popery, and who finally imbrued their hands in the blood of their King. Another year passed, and with it another election took place, when the Onnandists succeeded in packing the Supreme Council with their adherents. For the purpose of having Orrnond restored t<> the viceroyalty of Ireland, peace was now about to be proclaimed with the notorious Inchiquin, whose hands were still red with the blood of the clergy and people <>!' ( 'ashel, and whose massacres and sacrileges filled Europe witk horror. Hearing of this, Rinuccini indignantly wrote :*

    "What! are you now going to bestow on Inchiqnin those monies which, if properly allocated, would send (J'XciU'.s army into the South, and utterly destroy those bandits who, l>»-ing disregarded by the Parliament, are driven by necessity to court your friendship 1 Europe is shocked at the atrocities of this man ; and will you parley with him when you ought to avm^e your brethren, sacrilegiously murdered and plundered by his brigands ? Cessations and truces have been the ruin of the conn!/-// ; and are you to make terms with a man who, if he were not driven out by the famishing state of his troops, would not dare. to take the field? Let me supplicate you to do »>///< ///it/if n-nrthy of yourselves and the Confederacy. You have an army ready to march — send it into Munster, and leave me free to inform the Holy Father that you have restored religion, and rescued the peasantry from the cruel and exorbitant taxation imposed by a man on whose sincerity you can place no reliance. I will attend your summons, but before I come I have thought it well to put you in possession, of my sentiments."

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cashel, in 1647, Inchiquin's forces massacred the clergy and the people here. His hands were "still red with the blood of the clergy and people of Cashel," and his massacres and sacrileges filled Europe with horror. The year after, the Ormondists packed the Supreme Council with their adherents. For the purpose of having Ormond restored to the viceroyalty of Ireland, peace was about to be proclaimed with Inchiquin. Rinuccini heard of this and wrote indignantly. He asked whether they were now going to bestow on Inchiquin those monies which, if properly allocated, would send O'Neill's army into the South and destroy those bandits who, disregarded by the Parliament, were driven by necessity to court their friendship. He said Europe was shocked at the atrocities of this man, and asked whether they would parley with him when they ought to avenge their brethren, sacrilegiously murdered and plundered by his brigands. He said cessations and truces had been the ruin of the country, and that they were making terms with a man who, if he were not driven out by the famishing state of his troops, would not dare take the field. He urged them to send an army into Munster, to restore religion and rescue the peasantry from the cruel and exorbitant taxation imposed by a man on whose sincerity they could place no reliance.

14. Rev. Denis Walsh's fasting pilgrimage for O'Connell's funeral

    near Glasnevin Cemetery · graveyard cemetery burial ground · Dublin · 1847

    On the morning of O'Connell's funeral, Father Denis Walsh travelled fasting to Dublin to celebrate Mass in the Cathedral where the Tribune's remains lay, then walked the entire procession to Glasnevin Cemetery without breaking his fast until ten that night.

    Read the passage

    * The morning of O'Connell's funeral, Father WaL-.li went to Dublin fasting, in order to celebrate Mass in the Cathedral Chmvh, where the remains of the mighty Tribune reposed in death. The writer of this well remembers the circumstance, for, then a student on vacation, he accompanied him, and spent most of that day alongside of him. Before Mass was over, the funeral took place, and poor Father Walsh, after his thanksgiving, without waiting for breakfast, hurried off, in order to take his place in the sad procession. He walked all the day, couldn't be prevailed upon to retire for refreshment, and, after the interment in Glasnevin Cemetery, wa.s just in time to meet the late train to Drogheda. His <nvn vehicle met him at the terminus, and at the hour of ten o'clock Father Walsh broke his fast for the first time. He used to say afterwards that that mortification was due, at least, to the memory of Daniel O'Connell. Father Walsh was a genuine patriot, and few were more rwidy t<» make sacrifices for his country. He had a big heart, was charitable beyond his means, and Protestants as well as Catholics respected and reverenced him. His memory will live for generations to come in the union of Kusnaree, identified with piety, charity, zeal, and every virtue that ennobles humanity. To this day his very name draws tears from those of his flock who knew him. The "memory of Uie just man sliall I

    NOTE 1. — There was a church called Lann-Madduhh, situated between Kossnaree, or Ros-na-righ, the ancient "Wood of tl'.i- Kings," and the Boyne. The ancient name of Ros-na-righ was Ross-Fin' Lui!. Bramiain, from Brannan the Poet. In the life of St. Finian it is stated

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Glasnevin Cemetery, on the morning of Daniel O'Connell's funeral in 1847, Father Denis Walsh arrived in Dublin fasting, so that he could celebrate Mass in the Cathedral Church where the remains of the mighty Tribune lay in death. The writer of the account was then a student on vacation, and he accompanied Father Walsh and spent most of that day alongside him. Before Mass was over, the funeral procession began. Father Walsh, after his thanksgiving, did not wait for breakfast. He hurried off to take his place in the sad procession. He walked all the day and could not be prevailed upon to stop for refreshment. After the interment here in Glasnevin Cemetery, he was just in time to meet the late train to Drogheda. His own vehicle met him at the terminus, and at the hour of ten o'clock that night Father Walsh broke his fast for the first time. He used to say afterwards that that mortification was due, at least, to the memory of Daniel O'Connell. Father Walsh was a genuine patriot, and few were more ready to make sacrifices for his country. He had a big heart, was charitable beyond his means, and Protestants as well as Catholics respected and reverenced him. His memory lived on in the union of Rosnaree, identified with piety, charity, zeal, and every virtue that ennobles humanity. To this day his very name drew tears from those of his flock who knew him.

15. Suppression and surrender of St. Mary's Abbey, Trim, 1539

    Trim · town · Meath · 1539

    On 15 May 1539 the Commissioners of Henry VIII arrived at St. Mary's Abbey in Trim and demanded its unconditional surrender. The last abbot, Rev. Geoffry Dardice, and his community were forced to sign their expulsion and depart, and the abbey's valuables were seized.

    Read the passage

    "About this time (1538), says Ware, among other images whereunto pilgrimages were designed, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was burnt, then kept at Trim, in the Abbey of the Canons Regular, and the gifts of the pilgrims were taken away from thence. Whatever scruple Brown, the reforming Archbishop of Dublin, had about ' plucking down the idol of Trim,' he had none whatever about carrying off the ' gifts of the pilgrims.' The fanaticism of these church robbers, and their open sacrilege, shocked the faithful, and stirred up the Catholic feeling in those whose hearts had been hitherto cold or lukewarm. The image of Mary was, indeed, sacrificed to the fury and avarice of the Reformation ; but devotion to her was the more inflamed, and horror of the iconoclasts the more intensified. The last abbot of St. Mary's was the Rev. Geoffry Dardice ; and on the 15th of May, 1539, the Commissioners of Kfiiry VIII., armed with supreme power, arrived at the gates of the monastery, and demanded its unconditional surrender in the name of the King. There was no alternative — resistance, of course, would be useless ; and hence, on that memorable day the last abbot of St. Mary's, and his sorrowful community,

    DEANERY OF TRIM — TRIM. 393

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, you are near the site of St. Mary's Abbey, a house of the Canons Regular. Around 1538, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary kept there was burnt. It had drawn pilgrims, and their gifts were taken away. Brown, the reforming Archbishop of Dublin, had scruples about what the source calls plucking down the idol of Trim, but none about carrying off the gifts of the pilgrims. This open sacrilege shocked the faithful and stirred Catholic feeling in those whose hearts had been cold or lukewarm. Devotion to Mary was inflamed, and horror of the iconoclasts intensified. The last abbot of St. Mary's was the Rev. Geoffry Dardice. On the 15th of May, 1539, the Commissioners of Henry VIII, armed with supreme power, arrived at the gates of the monastery and demanded its unconditional surrender in the name of the King. There was no alternative. Resistance would be useless. On that day the last abbot and his sorrowful community were forced to sign their expulsion and depart.

16. Thirteen years' imprisonment of Bishop Walsh in a subterraneous Dublin dungeon

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1565–1572

    After his arrest, Dr. Walsh was re-imprisoned in a subterraneous, damp and lightless dungeon in Dublin, where he suffered for thirteen years with the constancy of a martyr until his captors connived at his escape around Christmas 1572.

    Read the passage

    religion. He adds that Dr. Walsh protested in open court, in presence of all the people, against the new doctrines, as irreconcilable with conscience, and opposed to God's word ; that he would never be present at such services, or hold communion with those who adopted them ; and concludes by observing that Dr. Walsh "is one of great credit amongst his countrymen, and upon whom (as touching causes of religion) they wholly depend." In a word, the agents of the Reformation admitted that Dr. Walsh, by his learning and influence, was one of the most formidable antagonists to the Queen's novelties, and hence, that for the diffusion of Protestantism, and the uprooting of ancient worship, he ought to be put out of the way. Queen Elizabeth never spared a foe. She hated the Catholic Church with a fiendish hatred ; she resolved to extirpate it from her dominions, and she sacrificed all persons, without distinction of age or sex, who dared to disobey her edicts. In the pride and plenitude of her power, she passed laws against the Mass, the invocation of saints, the venerable authority of the Holy See ; she welcomed the right 'of private judgment in order to abrogate ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but she took care to punish with fine, imprisonment, and death, all who presumed to judge otherwise than as she judged herself. Dr. Walsh, of course, knew well what he had to expect for opposing such a fanatic ; but he resolved, like St. Thomas of Canterbury, even at the peril of his life, to vindicate principle, to resist all lay encroachment on Church authority, and to guard his flock, as he was bound^ against the snares laid for their ruin. As a punishment for his loyalty to God, and fidelity to his sacred trust, he was arrested in the Queen's name, and re-conducted to his former prison, which was a " subterraneous dungeon, damp and noisome — not a ray of light penetrating thither."* Here for thirteen years he suffered with the constancy of a martyr, until his persecutors, at length vanquished by his firmness, •connived at his escape. Dr. Moran, from authentic, as

    * Archbishops of Dublin, p. 131.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through Dublin, you pass near the place where Dr. Walsh was held for thirteen years in a subterraneous dungeon. He had protested in open court, in the presence of all the people, against the new doctrines of the Reformation, calling them irreconcilable with conscience and opposed to God's word. He declared he would never be present at such services or hold communion with those who adopted them. The agents of the Reformation admitted he was one of great credit amongst his countrymen, and upon whom, as touching causes of religion, they wholly depended. They saw him as one of the most formidable antagonists to the Queen's novelties, and judged that for the uprooting of ancient worship he ought to be put out of the way. Queen Elizabeth never spared a foe. She passed laws against the Mass, the invocation of saints, and the authority of the Holy See. She punished with fine, imprisonment, and death all who presumed to judge otherwise than she judged herself. Dr. Walsh knew what to expect, but he resolved to vindicate principle, to resist all lay encroachment on Church authority, and to guard his flock against the snares laid for their ruin. He was arrested in the Queen's name and returned to his former prison, described as a subterraneous dungeon, damp and noisome, with not a ray of light penetrating thither. From 1565 to 1572, for thirteen years, he suffered with the constancy of a martyr. His persecutors, at length vanquished by his firmness, connived at his escape around Christmas 1572. Dr. Moran recorded this from authentic sources.

17. Yeoman Officer Shoots Peasant near Gernonstown

    Gernonstown · townland · Meath · 1798

    While Father Mulligan read his office in a field near the old church of Gernonstown, an officer of a passing yeomanry troop shot a peasant entering a neighbour's house. The priest heard the dying man's confession and prevented soldiers from riding over the body, then rebuked the Catholic gentleman who commanded the corps.

    Read the passage

    was reading his office, on a Sunday evening, in a field attached to the parochial residence, which was then near the old church of Gernonstown, or Garlandstown. He heard a shot fired, and a cry of agony, and he hastened to the road- side, which was only a few perches distant. On reaching this, he found that a troop of yeomanry was passing by, and that one of the body, an officer, had fired at a poor peasant, who was entering a neighbour's house. Father Mulligan instantly put on his stole, and commenced hearing the confession of the dying peasant. One of the officers endeavoured to ride over the wounded man ; but Father Mulligan put his arm round his penitent, saying to the officer, "Sir, if you trample upon this poor man, you shall also trample upon me." The soldiers stood looking on, the confession was heard, absolution was given, and the poor peasant i-xpired in the arms of the priest. The wife and children of the murdered man now cried aloud most piteously, and the neighbours gathered to convey the corpse to the home, now desolate, which the inoffensive victim had

    so recently left. Father Mulligan now stood up, and seeing Mr. T ,

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 24

18. Edmund Magauran, Archbishop of Armagh, Killed Near Armagh Administering Last Rites

    near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1594

    Dr. Edmund Magauran, Archbishop of Armagh, was pierced to death by soldiers' lances near Armagh in 1594 while administering the last sacraments to the dying, becoming one of the martyred bishops of the Elizabethan persecution.

    Read the passage

    The Irish bishops were, of course, principally singled out for vengeance, and those who escaped the savage grasp of Elizabeth's priest-catchers, were necessitated to ilee in disguise to the Continent, or to take refuge in the unfrequented woods and caves of the country. Many members of the hierarchy fell victims to the intolerance of the times, and nobly sealed with their blood their heroic devotion to duty.* Dr. Dermot O'Hurley, Archbishop of Cashel, after suffering incredible tortures, was executed in Dublin, on the 6th of May, 1584. Dr. Murtagh O'Brien, Bishop of Emly, after grievous sufferings, died in gaol in 1585. Dr. Thomas O'Herlihy, Bishop of Ross, suffered innumerable trials for the faith, for three years and seven months, in the Tower of London, and at length died in 1580. Dr. Richard Creagh, Archbishop of Armagh, after eighteen years' imprisonment in a dark dungeon, in odium jidei, was at length poisoned in the Tower of London, in the year 1585. Dr. Patrick O'Hely, Bishop of Mayo, after dreadful torture, was hanged from a tree, on the 22nd of August, 1578. Dr. Redmond O'Gallagher, Bishop of Deny, was mangled by a band of soldiers, as he was attending the sick, in the year 1601, in the seventieth year of his age. Dr. Edmund Magauran, Archbishop of Armagh, was pierced to death by the lances of the soldiers, in 1594, near Armagh, as he was administering the last sacraments. Thus our glorious bishops, by their constancy and fortitude, encouraged clergy and laity to die for the faith. The Regulars and Seculars were worthy of

    * Brennan's Ecclesiastical History ; Dr. Moran's Archbishops of Dublin; Collections, edited by Dr. M'Carthy ; Irish Histories, — passim. Numbers •of priests were also put to death, as can be seen in our Ecclesiastical Histories.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 5

19. Slaughter of the Confederate army at Dunganstown Hill

    Bestfield or Dunganstown · townland · Carlow · 1647

    On 8 August 1647 near Drumlargan, at Dunganstown Hill, the Confederate army under General Preston was cut to pieces and slaughtered without quarter by Parliamentarian forces under Colonel Jones, a defeat blamed on Preston's imprudence and incapacity.

    Read the passage

    Dnimlargan. — The old church has been torn down ; only a fragment of one of the walls is standing. The church-yard has been lately, with laudable zeal, enclosed. In this neighbourhood, at Dunganstown hill, on the 8th of August, 1647, the Confederate army, under General Preston, was cut to pieces and slaughtered, without quarter, by the Parliamentarian forces under Colonel Jones. The Irish owed their defeat to the imprudence and incapacity of their commander.

    Gallow. — The old church has been torn down and uprooted. In the cemetery (inter alios) rest Rev. James McEver, late pastor of this parish, and Rev. Mr. Cassidy.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

20. The miraculous image of the Virgin at Trim

    Trim · town · Meath

    A celebrated image of the Blessed Virgin at St. Mary's Abbey, Trim was venerated throughout Ireland and attracted pilgrimages from all parts of the country, with parliaments even funding perpetual wax lights before it. Many miracles were attributed to it, including healing the blind, deaf and lame.

    Read the passage

    " ' 1538. — The most miraculous image of Mary, which was at Trim, and which the Irish people all honoured for a long time before that — which used to heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and every disease in like manner, was burned by the Saxons.'

    "About this time (1538), says Ware, among other images whereunto pilgrimages were designed, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was burnt, then kept at Trim, in the Abbey of the Canons Regular, and the gifts of the pilgrims were taken away from thence. Whatever scruple Brown, the reforming Archbishop of Dublin, had about ' plucking down the idol of Trim,' he had none whatever about carrying off the ' gifts of the pilgrims.' The fanaticism of these church robbers, and their open sacrilege, shocked the faithful, and stirred up the Catholic feeling in those whose hearts had been hitherto cold or lukewarm. The image of Mary was, indeed, sacrificed to the fury and avarice of the Reformation ; but devotion to her was the more inflamed, and horror of the iconoclasts the more intensified. The last abbot of St. Mary's was the Rev. Geoffry Dardice ; and on the 15th of May, 1539, the Commissioners of Kfiiry VIII., armed with supreme power, arrived at the gates of the monastery, and demanded its unconditional surrender in the name of the King. There was no alternative — resistance, of course, would be useless ; and hence, on that memorable day the last abbot of St. Mary's, and his sorrowful community,

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim in Meath, you are on the road past what was once one of the most celebrated pilgrimage sites in Ireland. St. Mary's Abbey held an image of the Blessed Virgin that the Irish people had honoured for a long time. It was said to heal the blind, the deaf, the lame, and every disease. Pilgrims came from all parts of the country, and parliaments funded perpetual wax lights to burn before it. The statue was kept in the Abbey of the Canons Regular. In 1538, the image was burned. Ware records that among other images whereunto pilgrimages were designed, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was burnt at Trim, and the gifts of the pilgrims were taken away. Brown, the reforming Archbishop of Dublin, had some scruple about what the source calls "plucking down the idol of Trim," but none at all about carrying off the gifts of the pilgrims. The fanaticism of these church robbers and their open sacrilege shocked the faithful, and stirred up Catholic feeling in those whose hearts had been cold or lukewarm. Devotion to Mary was inflamed, and horror of the iconoclasts intensified. The last abbot of St. Mary's was the Reverend Geoffry Dardice. On the 15th of May, 1539, the Commissioners of Henry VIII arrived at the gates of the monastery and demanded its unconditional surrender in the name of the King. There was no alternative. Resistance would have been useless. On that day the last abbot and his sorrowful community gave way.

21. Battle of Benburb

    Benburb · townland · Tyrone · 1646

    On 4 June 1646 General Owen Roe O'Neill, leading the northern Confederate army, defeated General Munro and the Covenanters with fearful slaughter at Benburb, a victory that should have taught the Palesmen self-reliance.

    Read the passage

    Omitting reference to many circumstances which occurred after his arrival — and, amongst others, to the great battle of Benburb, on the 4th of June, liitii, when d.-neral Owen Roe O'Neiil, at the head of the northern Confederate army, defeated General Munro and the Covenant'

    THE BISHOPS OF MEATH — CATHOLIC CONFEDERATION. 49

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

22. Priest prosecuted under penal law for mixed marriage in Mullingar

    Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1745–1765

    Fr. James Barnwall performed a marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant girl, an offence punishable by death under penal law, and was prosecuted by the Protestant Rector Rev. Mr. Ross, but saved by the intervention of Lord Belvedere.

    Read the passage

    dred guineas towards the building, and roofed it at his own expense. Hence it happened that the Catholic chapel of Mullingar was the only slated edifice of the kind at that period between Dublin and Galway. Lord Belvedere manifested his friendship for Father Barnwall on one trying occasion. It appears the priest performed a marriage ceremony between a Catholic and a Protestant girl (probably a recent convert) : the punishment of this legal offence was death (see Scully's Penal Laws, p. 17). The Rev. Mr. Ross, Protestant Rector of Mullingar, prosecuted Father Barnwall, and would have had him victimised only for the active interference of Lord Belvedere, who, being a Peer of the realm and a member of the Privy Council (Archdall's Lodge, vol. iii., p. 29), had, of course, great influence at the time. The Rev. James Barnwall, or his namesake, Rev. Barnabas (I don't know which), was killed by a fall from his horse, on his way home from Dysart, the residence of a Catholic branch of the Nugent family, and a large stone on the roadside marked the place of his death.

    The present fine spacious Cathedral of Mullingar was solemnly dedicated on the 15th of August, the patron day of the parish, in the year 1836. There are two priests interred* in it — viz., Rev. Peter Carbery, a native of the parish, and Rev. J. M'Laughlin, who died while curate in Mullingar. Over the former is a slab with the following inscription :

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

23. The fatal robbery at Bishop Geoghegan's house in Ballybeg

    Ballybeg · townland · Westmeath · 1778

    A gang of highwaymen plotted to rob Bishop Eugene Geoghegan at his home on the townland of Ballybeg. A ruffian named Mick Allard, half-drunk and chosen by lot, tried to force his way through the window, and the bishop, attempting only to frighten him, accidentally shot and killed him with an old rusty gun.

    Read the passage

    adverting to consequences, never imagining the gun. would fire, in ord'-r to frighten the robber, put his linger on the r, and pulled it. The charge went oft', the robber reeled, his companions ran away, and Allard fell from the window to the ground, a corpse. Dr. Geoghcgan never recovered this accident. He fretted and pined away at the thought of having been instrumental in sending a soul to hell. Fortified by the Sacraments, he departed this life on the 26th of May, 1778, and was buried with his friends in the old church of Kilcumreragh. A headstone has the following inscription :

    Here lyeth the body

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere near here in Ballybeg, a fatal robbery played out in 1778. A gang of highwaymen plotted to rob Bishop Eugene Geoghegan. They chose a half-drunk ruffian named Mick Allard by lot, and he tried to force his way through the window. The bishop aimed an old rusty gun only to frighten him, but the charge went off. Allard reeled, his companions fled, and he fell from the window dead. The bishop never recovered. He fretted and pined away at the thought of having sent a soul to hell, and died on 26 May, 1778, buried with his friends in the old church of Kilcumreragh.

24. Tradition of Father Barnwall's martyrdom in England

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1737

    A tradition holds that after imprisonment, Father Barnwall was shipped into exile, and when the ship reached an English port he was pointed out to a mob as a priest from Ireland, dragged from the ship and hanged in the streets.

    Read the passage

    * The late William Forde, Esq., Town Clerk to the Corporation of Dublin, who was born in this parish, told the writer that Father Barnwall was arrested about the year 1737, was conveyed a prisoner to Dublin, and was put to death for the faith. There is a tradition in some parts of the diocese, that after suffering for some time in prison, he was shipped ofT in exile to the Continent, ana the ship having entered some port in England, Father Barnwall was pointed out to the mob as a l'< t from

    Ireland, was dm^ged from the ship, and hung in the streets. All accounts concur that he suffered martyrdom for the faith.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 20

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in Ardbraccan, there is a tradition about Father Barnwall. He was arrested about 1737 and conveyed a prisoner to Dublin. According to the tradition in parts of the diocese, after suffering in prison he was shipped into exile, but when the vessel reached a port in England he was pointed out to a mob as a priest from Ireland, dragged from the ship, and hanged in the streets. All accounts concur that he suffered martyrdom for the faith.

25. Victim of Castlepollard massacre recorded in Fore parish register

    Fore · townland · Westmeath · 1831

    The parish death registry of Fore records that Patt M'Cormack of Binn, an inoffensive man, was shot by one of the police at the fair of Castlepollard on 23 May 1831.

    Read the passage

    "1831. May 23rd, died Patt M'Cormack of Binn (Ben of Fore). This man was shot at the fair of Castlepollard by smno one of the Peelers who fired at the people. He was a very inoffensive man. Requiescat in pace"

    In the Registry of Mayne :

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

26. Battle and royal deposition events at Rathconnell

    Rathconnell · townland · Westmeath · 798–1642

    A battle was fought at Rathconnell in 798; in 1159 Murtagh O'Loghlin led an army there from the North and deposed Dermot O'Melaghlin, granting the Kingdom of Meath to his brother Donnagh; in 1642 Preston was defeated there by Sir Richard Grenville.

    Read the passage

    Rathconnell, RubJia-Chonnaill, or Rochonnell. A battle was fought here in 798; in 1159, Murtagh O'Loghlin led an army here from the North, deposed Dermot O'Melaghlin, and gave the Kingdom of Meath, from the Shannon to the Sea, to his brother Donnagh. In 1642, Preston was defeated here by Sir Richard Grenville.

    Of the pastors of Rathconnell before the Reformation, we find (Pat. 3, Henry IV.) James Symond was Vicar here.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Rathconnell, three events stand out in the records. A battle was fought here in 798. In 1159, Murtagh O'Loghlin led an army from the North, deposed Dermot O'Melaghlin, and gave the Kingdom of Meath, from the Shannon to the Sea, to his brother Donnagh. In 1642, Preston was defeated here by Sir Richard Grenville.

27. Dean Swift and Stella at Laracor

    Laracor · townland · Meath

    The celebrated Dr. Jonathan Swift, later Dean of St. Patrick's, resided at Laracor along with Esther Johnson, alias Stella, and the neighbourhood still abounds with anecdotes about them.

    Read the passage

    In Laracor parish are the ruins of Dangan Castle, which for many years was the residence of the Wt-llrsley family, and which, to an admirer of English rule, has attractions for its connexion with the memories of the Duke of Wellington, the Manjuis of Wellesley, Lord Maryborough, and Lord Cowley. In Laracor resided the celebrated Dr. Jonathan Swift, afterwards Dean of St. Patrick's, and Esther Johnson, alias Stella, about whom the neighbourhood still abounds with anecdotes.

    DEANERY OF TRIM — SUMMERHILL. 387

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

28. Death and funeral procession of Fr. Richard Ennis

    Jordanstown · townland · Meath · 1854

    Father Richard Ennis died of malignant typhus fever on 21 October 1854 at Blacklyon while visiting a friend, and the whole county followed his remains from Painstown to Jordanstown where he was buried, provoking intense grief throughout the diocese.

    Read the passage

    Ireland. His charity for the poor, his love of country, filled too large a space in his heart for apathy or indifference, when an effort could be made to save from extermination or exile the remnant of the people. He was one of the founders of the Tenant League, and was conspicuous amongst his brethren in the formation and sustainment of an Irish independent party in Parliament, whose principles and policy were just measures for the country, and not places or pensions for the few. He was one of the most trusted friends of Frederick Lucas, and that great man took counsel with Father Ennis on all the leading questions which affected Ireland. At the memorable election of 1852, Father Ennis seconded the nomination of Lucas in a speech remarkably telling and effective, and he availed himself of every occasion to mark his appreciation of the distinguished services and matchless ability of the Editor of the Tablet. As a politician, Father Ennis exercised wonderful influence throughout the County Meath. In all debates or differences of opinion, he was the umpire — his decision was regarded as final. Extremely modest, retiring, and unassuming — averse to occupy any position of prominence or notoriety — yet, when appealed to, his priestly form arose, with courage, firmness, and decision, his strong common sense expressed prudence and wisdom, and he was sure to carry conviction into the minds of all. But the day came at last when the great patriot-priest was to leave us for ever. On the 2 1st of October, 1854, he died of a malignant typhus fever, at the house of his devoted friend, the Rev. Thomas Lynch, Pastor of Blacklyon, whither he drove, a fortnight previously, to assist at the solemn office of an old acquaintance. There was intense grief throughout the diocese, and the whole county may be said to have followed his remains from Painstown to Jordanstown, union of Rathmolyon, where all that was mortal of Father Ennis was left in the cold clay. Alas ! alas ! there is a blank ever since in the diocese of Meath. He was the model and guide of the priesthood, the sure and saintly counsellor to whom clergy and laity looked up for political instruction and direction.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Jordanstown, Father Richard Ennis was buried in 1854. His charity for the poor and love of country filled his heart. He was one of the founders of the Tenant League, and worked to build an Irish independent party in Parliament that stood for just measures for the country, not places or pensions for the few. He was a trusted friend of Frederick Lucas, the editor of the Tablet. At the election of 1852, Father Ennis seconded the nomination of Lucas in a speech remarkably telling and effective. Lucas took counsel with him on all the leading questions affecting Ireland. As a politician, Father Ennis exercised wonderful influence throughout County Meath. In all debates or differences of opinion, he was the umpire, and his decision was regarded as final. He was extremely modest, retiring, and unassuming, averse to prominence or notoriety. Yet when appealed to, his priestly form arose with courage, firmness, and decision, his strong common sense expressed prudence and wisdom, and he was sure to carry conviction into the minds of all. On the 21st of October, 1854, he died of malignant typhus fever at the house of his devoted friend, the Reverend Thomas Lynch, Pastor of Blacklyon. He had driven there a fortnight previously to assist at the solemn office of an old acquaintance. There was intense grief throughout the diocese. The whole county may be said to have followed his remains from Painstown to Jordanstown, where all that was mortal of Father Ennis was laid in the cold clay. There has been a blank ever since in the diocese of Meath. He was the model and guide of the priesthood, the saintly counsellor to whom clergy and laity looked for political instruction and direction.

29. False accusation against Father Meighan at Trim in 1798

    Trim · town · Meath · 1798

    In 1798 a Protestant girl falsely informed the garrison at Trim that arms were hidden in one of Father Meighan's chapels with his knowledge. Yeomanry ransacked the chapel and tore up the altar but found nothing; Meighan was arrested and marched to Trim, but when asked to identify him the girl pointed to a different priest, exposing the fabrication.

    Read the passage

    The Rev. Richard Meighan succeeded. In 1798 a Protestant girl gave information to the garrison at Trim that arms and ammunition were concealed in one of Father Meighan's chapels, with his full knowledge and appro tion. A troop of yeomanry was sent to explore, who ransacked the chapel, tore up the altar, but of course found nothing. Father Meighan was arrested, marched a prisoner into Trim, and, as there were other priests conveyed thither on siinil.ir accusations, a rod was placed in the girl's hand to identify Father Meighan. She pointed to a

    DEANERY OF TRIM — MOYNALVY. 373

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Trim in County Meath. Back in 1798 this town was the setting for a false accusation against Father Richard Meighan. A Protestant girl told the garrison that arms were hidden in one of his chapels with his full knowledge. Yeomanry ransacked the chapel and tore up the altar but found nothing. Father Meighan was arrested and marched into Trim as a prisoner. When the girl was handed a rod to identify him, she pointed to a different priest, and the fabrication fell apart.

30. Father Callaghan hunted by priest-catchers of Kells

    Dulane · townland · Meath

    Father Callaghan suffered greatly from priest-catchers who watched and pursued him; after performing a mixed marriage contrary to penal law, a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he was bailed by a Protestant neighbour and escaped penalty.

    Read the passage

    Rev. Father Callaghan succeeded. This pastor suffered much from the priest-catchers of Kells, who closely watched him and frequently pursued him. On one occasion for performing a mixed marriage, contrary to the penal statute, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was advised to surrender himself to a Mr. Woodward, a Protestant in this neighbourhood, did so, was bailed by Woodward, and through his influence escaped the penalty. Father Callaghan died about the middle of the last century, and was buried in the church-yard of Dulane.

    Rev. Christopher Chevers succeeded, and was translated elsewhere.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 20

31. Father Denis Walsh dies of cholera serving his flock at Rosnaree

    Rosnaree · street · Limerick · 1836–1849

    Rev. Denis Walsh, beloved pastor of Rosnaree and Donore, died a 'martyr's death' after catching cholera while ministering to his people during the famine years, and was buried at the chapel of Rosnaree with a memorial erected by grateful parishioners.

    Read the passage

    as curate in Fore, Kilskyre and other places, he was appointed to the union of Rosnaree. The life of this holy, humble, charitable priest was a model for imitation. Always at his post — scrupulously zealous, genial and unreserved in his intercourse with his brethren — a father and a friend to the poor — single-minded, simple-hearted, selfsacrificing — a genuine patriot, ever ready to forward the cause of his country,* and to co-operate in wholesome agitation— no wonder he was idolised by his flock, venerated by all who admire virtue and patriotism, and, now that'he has rested from his labors, embalmed in the grateful memories and affection of the people. During the dread famine years, his house would be surrounded every moming by his poor people, asking for relief ; and so long as he commanded a shilling they never appealed in vain. He died, as he ambitioned, a martyr's death, having caught cholera in the discharge of his sacred duties. The wildest sorrow was exhibited by his bereaved and afflicted people. Hia brother priests lamented the departure of such a warm-hearted sterling friend. He was buried with all

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 19

32. Lord Netterville's secret Mass-watching house on the moat of Dowth

    Dowth · townland · Meath

    John, the sixth Viscount Netterville, had a house built on the moat of Dowth so he could kneel at its window during Mass in the old chapel below, with a servant hoisting a flag at each stage of the ceremony to evade the penal laws; the house was later mostly demolished by an antiquarian society.

    Read the passage

    The Very Rev. Thomas Netterville was a member of the Dominican community in Drogheda in 1756, was then aged thirty-five, and in the eighteenth year of his religious profession. — (Hib. Dom. p. 204.) ]!•• was afterwards Father Provincial of the order in Ireland, and was a very eminent man. One of these Fathers — I don't know which — sleeps in Dowth. John, the sixth Viscount, was born in 1744, and died in 182o. — (Archdall's Lodge's Peerage, vol. iv., p. 217 ; Burke's Peerage). He bequeathed sixty acres of land for the support of six aged women and six orphan boys, and also fora school. — (Lewis's Topographical Dictionary, at Dowth.) He had a house erected on the moat of Dowth, for the purpose of pitying therein, and usually knelt at the window of this house while the Holy Sacrifice was being offered, on Sunday mornings, in the old chapel of Dowth. He had his servant properly instructed to hoist a flag in the distain-f at the various stages of the sacred ceremonies, viz. — at the first Gospel, at the Elevation, at the Domine non sum Difjnus, at the Communion, and Benediction ; and was thus enabled to keep pace with the devotions, and evade the law. This house, which has been for the most part taken down by an antiquarian society a few years ago, has been facetiously, but incorrectly, described by Dr. Wilde, in his Boyne and Blacka- -it, /• (p. 204), as Lord Netterville's tea-house, and referred to as a proof of his eccentricity.

    DEANERY OF KELLS — GRANGEGEITH OR RATHKENNY. 307

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 21

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dowth, John, the sixth Viscount Netterville, had a house built on the moat so he could kneel at its window while Mass was being celebrated in the old chapel below. He was born in 1744, and he bequeathed sixty acres of land for the support of six aged women and six orphan boys, and for a school. On Sunday mornings, when the Holy Sacrifice was being offered in the old chapel of Dowth, he would kneel at the window of this house on the moat. His servant had been properly instructed to hoist a flag at the various stages of the sacred ceremonies: at the first Gospel, at the Elevation, at the "Domine non sum dignus," at the Communion, and at Benediction. By this means he kept pace with the devotions and evaded the law. The house has since been for the most part taken down by an antiquarian society. Dr. Wilde, in his Boyne and Blackwater, called it Lord Netterville's tea-house and referred to it as proof of his eccentricity, though that description was facetious and incorrect. A Dominican Father of the Netterville family, Thomas Netterville, was a member of the community in Drogheda in 1756, then aged thirty-five and in the eighteenth year of his religious profession. He afterwards became Father Provincial of the order in Ireland. One of these Fathers sleeps in Dowth.

33. Tyrrell's defence at Tyrrellspass against Barnwall, 1597

    Tyrrellspass · town · Westmeath · 1597

    Tyrrellspass derives its name from Captain Richard Tyrrell's successful defence there in 1597 against Lord Trimbleston's son Barnwall, whose force of 1,000 men was annihilated by Tyrrell's 400, with only one survivor escaping to report the disaster in Mullingar.

    Read the passage

    f Tyrrelspass derives its name from the successful defence of this place, made in the year 1597, in the wars of Hugh O'Neill, Prince of Tyrone, with Queen Elizabeth, by Captain Richard Tyrrell against Barnwall, Lord Trimbli^t on's son. The latter had 1,000 men under him, and the former with 400 so completely annihilated the English army, that only one survived to announce in Mullingar the sad tale of disaster. Had there been a few more Captain Tyrrells at that period, possessed of the same military skill, and animated with the same spirit, they would have freed this country from the yoke of England. However, it must be remembered tlieie were two antagonistic nations in Ireland then — Hiberuia Anglicana

    422 DE AX::LY OF : MI — CASTLETOWX-GEOGHEGAN.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Tyrrellspass, you are travelling a place named for Captain Richard Tyrrell, who made a successful defence here in 1597, in the wars of Hugh O'Neill against Queen Elizabeth. Barnwall, son of Lord Trimbleston, came against him with 1,000 men. Tyrrell had only 400, yet he so completely annihilated that force that a single survivor lived to carry the tale of disaster to Mullingar.

34. Yeomanry's Attempt to Burn Kilbeggan Chapel During Mass in 1798

    Kilbeggan · town · Westmeath · 1798

    In 1798, Captain Berry's local Yeomanry asked Captain Thatcher of the Northumberland Fencibles for permission to set fire to the Kilbeggan chapel while the people were at Mass, and rode up with drawn swords for that purpose, but Thatcher refused until the congregation had left, and the chapel was ultimately spared.

    Read the passage

    " A detachment of Northumberland Fencibles, under a Captain Thatcher, was stationed in Kilbeggan in '98. There was also a local corps of Yeomanry, under Captain Berry, stationed here at the same time. The latter asked permission of Captain Thatcher to set fire to the chapel whilst the people were at Mass. They rode up to the chapel with drawn swords for that purpose, but Thatcher would not consent until the congregation had left. The chapel was ultimately spared.t

    u When Lord Cornwallis was passing through Kilbeggan, the chapel was taken possession of by his men, who burned the pews ; and at their departure, a large plaster figure of the Redeemer ivas found icith a deep cut, as if by a sabre, across tJie throat. It remained in that state till the old chapel was removed to make place for the present one, about 1803.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 28

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Kilbeggan now. In 1798, the Northumberland Fencibles under Captain Thatcher were stationed here, alongside a local Yeomanry corps led by Captain Berry. Berry's men asked Thatcher for permission to burn the chapel while the people were inside at Mass. They rode up with drawn swords for that purpose, but Thatcher refused to allow it until the congregation had left, and the chapel was spared. Later, when Lord Cornwallis passed through Kilbeggan, his men took possession of the chapel and burned the pews. When they departed, a large plaster figure of the Redeemer was found with a deep cut across the throat, as if made by a sabre. It stayed that way until the old chapel was replaced by the present one, around 1803.

35. Archbishop of Tuam returns to Dublin seeking an Irish grave

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1662

    The aged and infirm Archbishop of Tuam sailed from France and landed secretly in Dublin around 1662, hoping to die and be buried in Irish soil, but was discovered by Peter Walsh and pressured over the Remonstrance.

    Read the passage

    mentarians, he was cast into prison, and then driven into exile, where he remained for about ten years. Worn down at length with age and infirmities, he longed to return to the shrine of St. Jarlath, to revisit his longwidowed Church, and to rest, after his labors, in an Irish grave. He was then, as Walsh tells us, " very aged, infirm, and sickly, and looked upon as not able to live one year longer." He sailed from France, and landed in Dublin, in October or November, 1662, at a time when Ormond was in the country, without having asked or obtained permission to return from any minister of the Crown. He hoped to reach his diocese, and take shelter amongst his people, now in his old days, without attracting the attention of the authorities, or their spies ; but in this he calculated in vain. No sooner had he landed than the bloodhounds of Ormond were on his trail, and, soon after his arrival, Peter Walsh discovered his hiding-place. " How dare you come back," said the false friar, " without the leave of my lord Ormond ? You signed the Jamestown decree against him — go now and ask his pardon : and, as a pledge of your future good conduct and loyalty, sign this Remonstrance." The Archbishop refused to comply, and remarked that he ventured home from France to die, and be buried in an Irish grave. He therefore made a melancholy request that the Lord Lieutenant would be pleased to connive at his return " for so short a time as he had to drag a miserable life, and end it by a death more welcome, which he daily expected." Walsh was puzzled : he felt conscious that the presence in Ireland of such an Archbishop, at such a time, would stimulate others to resist the Remonstrance, and thus completely baffle the deep-laid plots and plans of himself and his master. To get him out of the way, Walsh advised him to start speedily from Dublin, and accordingly, on the following day, the aged prelate was carried in a litter, on his way to Connaught."*

    Dr. Eugene Sweeny, Bishop of Kilmore, was then a

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 8

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin lies ahead. In October or November of 1662, the aged Archbishop of Tuam landed secretly in this city, sailed from France, hoping to reach his diocese and take shelter among his people. He had spent about ten years in exile, cast into prison and driven out by the Parliamentarians. He longed to return to the shrine of St. Jarlath, to revisit his long widowed Church, and to rest in an Irish grave. Walsh tells us he was very aged, infirm, and sickly, and looked upon as not able to live one year longer. Ormond was in the country at the time, and the Archbishop had not asked or obtained permission to return from any minister of the Crown. He hoped to slip in without attracting the attention of the authorities or their spies, but in this he calculated in vain. No sooner had he landed than the bloodhounds of Ormond were on his trail, and soon after his arrival, Peter Walsh discovered his hiding-place. Walsh said to him, how dare you come back without the leave of my lord Ormond, you signed the Jamestown decree against him, go now and ask his pardon, and as a pledge of your future good conduct and loyalty, sign this Remonstrance. The Archbishop refused. He said he ventured home from France to die, and be buried in an Irish grave. He made a melancholy request that the Lord Lieutenant would connive at his return for so short a time as he had to drag a miserable life, and end it by a death more welcome, which he daily expected. Walsh was puzzled. He felt conscious that the presence of such an Archbishop would stimulate others to resist the Remonstrance and baffle the plans of himself and his master. To get him out of the way, Walsh advised him to start speedily from Dublin, and on the following day, the aged prelate was carried in a litter on his way to Connaught.

36. Ardnurcher/Horseleap named from de Lacy's horseback leap

    Ardnurcher or Horseleap · parish · Westmeath · 1192

    The place called Ardnurcher, or Horseleap, derives its name from tradition that Sir Hugh de Lacy leaped on horseback over the drawbridge to escape pursuit. The Four Masters record a castle built here in 1192.

    Read the passage

    Ardnurcher, or Ath-an-urcJiair, has been called also Horseleap, and the tradition of the place is, that it derives this name from the fact of Sir Hugh de Lacy having leaped on horseback over the drawbridge, making his escape from pursuit. The Four Masters record the erection of a castle here in the year 1192. The old church of Ardnurcher was levelled in the seventeenth century, and a Protestant house of worship was erected on the site. In the graveyard rest Rev. Mr. Sheeran, formerly pastor of Tubbi-r, Rev. Kedagh Dempsey, Rev. Patrick Fallen, and many other ecclesiastics whose names are not now remembered. Over Rev. Mr. Dempsey is a stone, with the following :

    " Pray for the soul of the

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 27

37. Confederate meeting on the Hill of Tara

    near Tara · hill or hills · Meath · 1641

    A week after the Crofty meeting, the Pale lords and insurgent leaders met on the Hill of Tara, marking the origin of the Catholic Confederacy of 1641.

    Read the passage

    "M'Mahon, Captains Byrne and Fox, the insurgent leaders, escorted by a troop of cavalry and a guard of musketeers. Gormanston, as spokesman of the Palesmen, demanded " for what reason they came armed into the Pale ?" O'More replied that " the ground of their coming thither, and taking up arms, was for the freedom and liberty of their consciences, the maintenance of his Majesty's prerogative, in which they understood he was abridged, and the making the subjects of this . kingdom as free as those of England." Lord Gormanston answered — " Seeing these be your true ends, we will likewise join with you therein." A week subsequently they met on the Hill of Tara, and this was the origin of the confederacy of 1641, misnamed " the great Popish rebellion." '* It was, in fact, a combination amonofst the Catholics of Ireland to defend their

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

38. Desecration of graves at St. Mary's Abbey, Trim

    Trim · town · Meath

    After the abbey's destruction, the tombs of the dead within the old church at Trim, including bishops and abbots, were ruthlessly torn up, the plough passed through consecrated graves, and the site was converted to pasturage.

    Read the passage

    levelled, and almost every trace has been swept away. Sacrilege has not even stopped here — for the very sleep of death has been invaded ; the tombs of the dead have been ruthlessly torn up ; the plough has passed through the consecrated graves ; every vestige of sepulture has been obliterated, and the field has been converted into pasturage. Assuredly, if a horde of Goths or Vandals passed over a Christian country, they could not have left after them more traces of their barbarism. But let us turn to a more agreeable topic. Upwards of three hundred years have elapsed since the suppression and confiscation of St. Mary's Abbey, and at length a successor is arising, in the shape of a magnificent convent, destined, we hope, to a sphere of usefulness in no way inferior to that of its venerable predecessor. The late lamented pastor of Trim, Very Rev. John O'Connell, commenced this good work a few years ago, saw it considerably advanced, but was called away from the scene of his labours before his undertaking was completed. Hence, on the Coadjutor-elect of Meath, the Most Rev. Dr. Nulty, who is P.P. of Trim, a sacred duty now devolves of carrying out the noble project of his predecessor ; and for this purpose his lordship has arranged that the proceeds of admission to the cermony of his consecration, which is to take place in Navan on Sunday next, the 23rd of October, be applied to the completion of this praiseworthy object. The works at the new convent will, therefore, soon be resumed, and in a little time, St. Mary's abbey will once more be in Trim."

    In the chapel of Trim a marble slab on the wall has the following inscription :

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, this is where St. Mary's Abbey once stood. After its suppression and confiscation, the destruction went beyond merely levelling the buildings. The tombs of the dead were ruthlessly torn up, the plough passed through the consecrated graves, and every trace of burial was obliterated. The field was then turned into pasture. The writer of this record said that if a horde of Goths or Vandals had passed over a Christian country, they could not have left more traces of barbarism behind them. Upwards of 300 years after the suppression, a successor was arising in the shape of a new convent. The late pastor of Trim, Very Reverend John O'Connell, commenced the work a few years before and saw it considerably advanced, but he died before it was finished. The Most Reverend Dr. Nulty, Coadjutor-elect of Meath and parish priest of Trim, took on the duty of carrying it forward. He arranged that proceeds from admission to his consecration ceremony, held in Navan on Sunday the 23rd of October, would go toward completing the convent. The writer hoped that St. Mary's Abbey would once more be in Trim.

39. Founding of St. Mary's Abbey, Trim by St. Patrick

    Trim · town · Meath · 432

    St. Mary's Abbey of Trim was founded by St. Patrick around 432 AD on a site granted by Fethlemid, son of the Monarch of Ireland, near a ford over the Boyne called 'Ath-Truim', from which Trim takes its name. St. Loman became the first bishop of an episcopal See established here, said to be the most ancient in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    " Amongst the many monasteries which once ornamented Ireland, and from which the blessings of religious education were diffused throughout the land, we may point with pride to St. Mary's Abbey of Trim. Here, too, the naked were clad, the hungry were fed, and the door of hospitality was open to the traveller and the stranger. This monastery was founded by St. Patrick, about the year 432, on a site granted by Fethlemid, son of Laogaire, Monarch of Ireland, and convenient to a ford over the Boyne called ' Ath-Truim,' ' the Pass or Ford of the Elder Trees,' from which the venerable town of Trim derives its name. An episcopal See, supposed to have been the most ancient in Ireland, was established here by St. Patrick, over which presided, as first bishop, St. Loman, followed for centuries by a succession of learned and saintly prelates, some of whose names, calendered in our martyrologies, are reverenced still as patron saints of Erin. St. Mary's Abbey outlived the long disastrous wars of the Danes, and the coming of the English ; but, like most of our ancient monasteries inside the Pale, it pined away, and was allowed gradually to die out. After the Anglo-Norman invasion Trim became one of the principal strongholds of the Pale, and parliaments were frequently held in its castles and monastic halls. In the thirteenth century St. Mary's Abbey was re-built on a style of great magnificence, for Augustinian Canons, by the family of Lacy, and from this period to the so-called Reformation we find it frequented and patronised by the leading Anglo-Irish families of the day. In course of time, by bequest and by purchase, the temporalities of this abbey were considerably augmented, and thus the worthy canons were enabled to dispense charity to the indigent

    392 DEAXERY OF TRIM — TRIM.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, you are moving through a town whose name comes from a ford over the Boyne, called Ath-Truim, the Pass or Ford of the Elder Trees. On a site near that ford, granted by Fethlemid, son of Laogaire, Monarch of Ireland, St. Patrick founded St. Mary's Abbey around the year 432. The monastery clothed the naked, fed the hungry, and kept its door open to the traveller and the stranger. St. Patrick also established an episcopal See here, said to be the most ancient in Ireland. St. Loman presided as its first bishop, and for centuries a succession of learned and saintly prelates followed him. Some of their names, calendered in the martyrologies, are reverenced still as patron saints of Erin. St. Mary's Abbey outlived the long disastrous wars of the Danes and the coming of the English. But like most of the ancient monasteries inside the Pale, it pined away and was allowed gradually to die out. After the Anglo-Norman invasion, Trim became one of the principal strongholds of the Pale, and parliaments were frequently held in its castles and monastic halls. In the thirteenth century the abbey was rebuilt in a style of great magnificence for Augustinian Canons by the family of Lacy. From that period to the so-called Reformation, it was frequented and patronised by the leading Anglo-Irish families of the day. By bequest and by purchase, the abbey's temporalities grew, and the canons were enabled to dispense charity to the indigent.

40. James II slept at Donore church before the Boyne

    Donore · town · Meath · 1690

    Tradition holds that James II spent the night in the old church of Donore before the Battle of the Boyne, and from the grave-yard watched the Irish sacrifices made in his cause.

    Read the passage

    Rev. William Coke, Vicar of Donore, obtained leave to absent himself for two years, and to remain in the University of Oxford. (Rot. Pat de anno 9 Henry V.) James II. is said to have slept in the old church of Donore the night before the battle of the Boyne, and, from the grave-yard witnessed the heroic sacrifices made by the infatuated Irish for his worthless family.

    Pastors since 1G90.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 19

41. Public penance of Rev. Patrick Smyth at Girley chapel

    Girley · townland · Meath · 1792

    After a long dispute over the parish of Kells, Rev. Patrick Smith entered the chapel of Girley during the Visitation of 1792 and, on bended knees before the bishop, clergy and congregation, read a public declaration retracting his claims and seeking absolution.

    Read the passage

    * The Rev. Mr. Smith gave Dr. Plunket a considerable amount of trouble. He appealed to the Primate, and the Primate decided against him. He appealed to Rome, and Rome confirmed the decision of Dr. Plunket. He was mixed up with a party in Kells who openly defied the authority of the bishop, and who closed the chapel doors against the parish priest. At length poor Smith repented, and on the 21st of June, 1792, he entered the chapel of Girley, during the Visitation, and on bended knees, opposite the altar, in presence of the bishop, the priests, and the congregation, read, most penitently, the following declaration : —

    ' ' Whereas, the Sacred Congregation has, by a solemn decree, dated at Rome the 22nd day of March, 1792, sanctioned by his Holiness the 28th, day of April following, decided the controversy subsisting this time past between the Right Rev. Dr. Plunket and me, relative to the parish of Kells, &c., and therein declared my pretensions to said living to be null and void, and confirmed the proceedings and sentence of the said Ri»ht Hon. Prelate against me in that cause. In obedience to the tenor and purport of said decree, I freely and willingly appear on this public occasion to profess my dutiful obedience to my bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Plunket, to retract everything improper I may haye said or published concerning the bishop and the clergy of this diocese, and in particular such assertions of mine, as intimated that my bishop was the cause of the appeal of certain parishioners of Ardbraccan against me ; and 1 do hereby make

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 17

42. Castle Chapel destroyed by Cromwellian soldiers

    Moorechurch · townland · Meath · 1649–1650

    A chapel dedicated to St. Peter in the parish of Mora or Moorechurch was later known as 'Castle Chapel.' It was dismantled by Cromwell's soldiers as they marched to Drogheda.

    Read the passage

    There was a chapel here, in the parish of Mora or Moorechurch, dedicated to St. Peter.* This sanctuary was subsequently called " Castle Chapel," which the soldiers of Cromwell in their march to Drogheda dismantled. There is a vault here, in which mass was celebrated in the days of persecution ; it served also a hiding place for the clergy. About the year 1854, the walls of the old church were torn down, the tombstones were uprooted and broken ; and all were carried away for building purposes. I am at a loss to conceive why the clergy or gentry of this neighbourhood tolerated such wanton desecration of the dead. Why was not this Vandal prosecuted and held up to public indignation, for defacing our ancient monuments and dishonouring the dead ? If a bough were lopped off a tree — if a hare or pheasant were captured, by a poor hungry peasant, the rights of property would be invoked, the game laws quickly set in motion, and a 'magisterial rebuke, followed by pains and penalties, administered to the unhappy delinquent ; but the dead may be insulted, their bones exhumed, and their monuments broken, without exciting the indignation or moving to action the very class who, in a healthy state of society, would be the protectors of the people, the guardians and avengers of the honor of tJieir country.

    Pastors since 1690.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 19

43. Constantine Molloy Defends Mass-Goers from Orange Troopers at Ballyduff and Mucklow

    Ballyduff · townland · Offaly · 1798

    In 1798, Orange troopers made a pastime of closing chapel doors and threatening worshippers, expelling people from the chapel of Ballyduff and pursuing them to Mucklow. Constantine Molloy and a chosen band stood guard at the chapel doors, threatening to shoot any Orangeman who dared interrupt the sacred ceremonies.

    Read the passage

    aged seventy-five years. He was one of the yeomanry in 1798, and did good service in protecting the people from the oppression and persecution of the Orange troopers. It was a favourite pastime with these fanatics to close the chapel doors, to forbid the Mass, and to threaten the lives of such as would dare to worship God according to the old way. They expelled the people from the chapel of Ballydutf, and followed them to Mucklow, whither they went to assist at the Holy Sacrifice. Mr. Molloy, and a chosen band, formed themselves into a body-guard for the protection of religion, and having taken their stand at the chapeldoors,threatened toshoot any Orangeman who would dare to interrupt the sacred ceremonies. There are many interesting anecdotes respecting his courage and bravery in these trying times, and the wholesome fear with which he inspired the cowardly bigots of his day.

    Kilcruttin. — This old church is uprooted. There is a tomb here with the following inscription :

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 28

44. Cromwell's tradition at the old church of Taghmon

    Taghmon · townland · Westmeath

    There is a local tradition that Cromwell, while besieging the Castle of Taghmon, slept one night in the old church, during which the Nugent family made their escape from the castle and thus avoided massacre.

    Read the passage

    * There is a tradition here that Cromwell, when besieging the Castle of Taghmon, slept for a night in the old church. The Nugents, it is said, made their escape, during the night from the Castle, and thus escaped being massacred.

    f Tuliberaquill signifies Topalrt a choUl. There were many wells in the parish, such as St. John's well near I.'alln iiiincll ; TuliW-Aillean or St. Aillian's well ; Tubber- Pat rick, near Kilmalish. There was an old church and grave-yard at Crosherdree.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

45. Dangan Castle and its Wellesley associations

    Dangan · townland · Meath

    In Laracor parish stand the ruins of Dangan Castle, for many years the residence of the Wellesley family, connected in memory with the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Wellesley, Lord Maryborough, and Lord Cowley.

    Read the passage

    In Laracor parish are the ruins of Dangan Castle, which for many years was the residence of the Wt-llrsley family, and which, to an admirer of English rule, has attractions for its connexion with the memories of the Duke of Wellington, the Manjuis of Wellesley, Lord Maryborough, and Lord Cowley. In Laracor resided the celebrated Dr. Jonathan Swift, afterwards Dean of St. Patrick's, and Esther Johnson, alias Stella, about whom the neighbourhood still abounds with anecdotes.

    DEANERY OF TRIM — SUMMERHILL. 387

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 25

46. Dominicans flee Mullingar after the Battle of the Boyne

    Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1690–1733

    After the Battle of the Boyne and the Williamite victory, the Dominican friars of Mullingar were persecuted, dispersed or transported, and later regrouped at Killenough before eventually returning to build a convent in Mullingar.

    Read the passage

    After the battle of the Boyne and the success of the Williamites, the regular Orders were hunted with unrelenting hate, and in a short time were either transported or dispersed throughout the country. The Dominicans of Mullingar, who had, even in the worst of times, lingered in the neighbourhood of their ancient home, were obliged now to bow to the storm, and seek safety in flight. In course of time they re-assembled, and built a house for themselves at Killenough, County Westmeath, and here they continued till the year 1733, when Dr. Egan, Bishop of Meath, appointed Rev. Thomas Heyland, one of the community, to officiate in Mullingar. A respectable old inhabitant, named Mr. Mathew Casey, mindful of past services, built a convent for them in Mullingar at his own expense, and invited them, now that the worst was over, to return. From this time to the close of the eighteenth century they discharged parochial duty in Mullingar, and very frequently in the neighbouring parishes. In 1756, when Dr. Burke was compiling his Hibernia Dominicana, the convent of Mullingar comprised the following :

    Rev. Laurence Fitzgerald, Prior, aged 36, and in the IGtliof his religious profession.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

47. Fr Robert Plunket's Six Years Hiding in Caverns During Cromwellian Persecution

    Kilbride · townland · Cavan · 1650–1660

    During Cromwell's persecution, Rev. Robert Plunket, Pastor of Kilbride, never abandoned his flock; for six years he dwelt by day in caverns and rocks and by night offered Mass to the scattered congregation.

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    " I propose to you (as Coadjutor of Kilmore) a person renowned for his learning and piety, who during the persecution of Cromwell never abandoned the sheep entrusted to his charge. For 6 years he dwelt by day in the caverns and rocks, and by

    * Memoir of Dr. Oliver PluaTcet, by Dr. Moran, p. 3.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 21

48. Inchiquin's pillage of Carrick

    Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1648

    Rinuccini reminded the Confederate assembly that a month before, Inchiquin had pillaged the town of Carrick and slain its Catholic inhabitants, excusing the atrocity by claiming he could not restrain his soldiers.

    Read the passage

    recollect that a month ago he pillaged the town of Carrick, and slew the inhabitants, vJho u'ere Catholics, palliating the atrocity by asserting he could not restrain his soldiers. Remember, too, that he has driven the Catholic clergy out of the cathedral of Callan, and introduced those who do not profess your religion. Talk not of your inability to carry war into his quarters. The army under Jones has been worn out watching O'Neill during the summer, and does not amount to more than 3,000 men. Preston, with the troops recently levied in Leinster, ought to be able to meet him. Inchiquin has not more than 3,000 in Munster ; they are naked and hungry, and you fear him iclien ''Hght.to despise him. In Conuaught and Ulster the Scotch are able to do little more than commit robberies for their sustenance. At the present moment Owen O'Neill has an army of more than 6,000 men. He is ready to act against Inchiquin in the South, and I will supply moneys to pay his troops, and thus rid you of these scruples with which the ravages of his soldiers have so long afflicted you. / exhort you to union of heart and purpose ; and remember that your rulers of England hare nerer treated you, Catholics, with respect, except wlien you stood in a united and formidable league"

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

49. Mick Allard, the ruffian from the hill of Rathconrath

    Rathconrath · townland · Westmeath · 1778

    The man chosen by lot to break into Bishop Geoghegan's house was a notorious ruffian named Mick Allard (pronounced Ollard), who came from the hill of Rathconrath. He was made half-drunk to encourage him to force the window before being fatally shot.

    Read the passage

    turned to his home at Ballybeg. A gang of highwaymen who then infested the country resolved to break into his house, rob him, and, in case of resistance, take his life. Everything favoured their plans, for the curate, on the bishop's return, got leave of absence to visit his friends, and no one slept in the house unless Dr. Geoghegan and an aged housekeeper. On the night fixed for the robbery, the leader of the gang, who had arranged all details, but who resolved not to be present, was drinking in a house at Rathconrath, several miles distant, and in order to have witnesses to prove an alibi, should the vengeance of the law or the wrath of the people descend on him, he took out his watch, and said ominously to those around him, " Mind, it is now twelve o'clock." He next mounted his horse and rode off to see how fared it with his associates. In the meantime the robbers met, and, having blackened their faces, cast lots to decide who would break through the window and open the house to the rest. The lot fell on a notorious ruffian named Mick Allard (pronounced by the people Ollard), from the hill of Rathconrath, County Westmeath, whom they set half drunk in order to encourage him. A stone flung through the window, which hit the post of the bed on which Dr. Geoghegan was sleeping, awoke him ; and, when he rose to ascertain the cause, he saw a robber with a hatchet in his hand attempting to force his way through the window. When the bishop asked him what brought him there, the ruffian, who was supported on the shoulders of his companions, averted his face, took more drink, and continued to force himself through the window. The bishop remonstrated with him, threatened, but all to no purpose. Now, in the room there was an old rusty gun, which Dr. Geoghegan had in his hands that day while walking through his little farm, and in which there was an old charge which he endeavoured frequently, but in vain, to fire off. When remonstrance failed with the robber, the bishop took the old gun in his hands and presented it at the intruder. More drink was now supplied to Allard, and he persevered, hatchet in hand, forcing himself in the window. Dr. Geoghegan, never

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 11

50. Miraculous Image of the Virgin Mary Burned at Trim

    Trim · town · Meath · 1537–1538

    The famous miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary kept at the Abbey of Canons Regular in Trim, venerated for healing the blind, deaf and lame, was burned by Reformation agents. Pilgrims from all parts of Ireland had periodically resorted to this image before its destruction.

    Read the passage

    " About this time, amongst the famous images whereunto pilgrimages were made, the statue of the Blessed Virgin was burned, then kept at Trim, in the abbey of the canons regular, and tJie gifts of the pilgrims were taken away from thence. The image of Christ crucified, in the Abbey of Ballybogan, and St. Patrick's Staff, in the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity at Dublin . . . underwent the like fate."

    In the Annals of Loch C£, preserved in Trinity College, Dublin, we have a more detailed account of the iconoclasm of the Reformers rf*

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, this town was once home to a famous statue of the Blessed Virgin, kept in the abbey of the canons regular here. Pilgrims came from all parts of Ireland to venerate it. Around 1537 to 1538, Reformation agents burned the statue and carried off the pilgrims' gifts. The same fate befell an image of Christ crucified in the Abbey of Ballybogan and St. Patrick's Staff in the cathedral church of the Holy Trinity in Dublin.

51. Nugent Disguised as Gardener in Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1651

    Nugent worked disguised as gardener for the greatest heretic in Waterford and as a porter carrying burdens, planning to flee to Dungarvan and Youghal if discovered.

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    " I pass freely through the city, acting as the gardener of the greatest heretic in the place: I work also as a porter in carrying burdens. Should God grant me a continuance of this happy tranquillity, I will remain here ; if, however, I am recognized, I shall, if possible, go on to Dungarvan and Youghal, and so make the circuit of Ireland, until freed from the toils of this life.

    " Father Gregory is at a distance of about fifteen or twenty miles from me, but as he is well known in the city, and weighed down with years, he cannot come to me ; neither can I go to him, on account of the great scarcity of priests here, all the clergy having been banished from the city. I pray you to present my love to each of our Fathers ; I would write to many of them, were it not that the letter-carrier is on the point of starting. I beseech you to be mindful of me in your prayers ; and when you hear of my death write to Flanders, where the holy Sacrifice will be offered for me."

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 7

52. Priest hiding-places on Benn of Fore and Lough Lene islands

    Fore · townland · Westmeath

    During the era of persecution, clergy hid on the Benn of Fore and in the islands of Lough Lene, with Mass celebrated at daybreak and its location constantly changed to evade priest-hunters.

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    There are many interesting traditions amongst the people regarding the hiding-places of the clergy on the Benn of Fore and in the islands of Lough Lene, during the days of persecution. In those dismal times, Mass used to be celebrated at break of day, and the place of sacrifice used to be constantly changed, in order to baffle the priest-hunter. When, however, days of comparative toleration set in, the Catholics erected a chapel at Fore, and another in the parish of Kilpatrick. At the visitation of Dr. Plunket, July 1st, 1788, he found in operation " four schools and one chapel, improved by the addition of a gallery." The old chapels made way for the present handsome village churches of Collinstown and Fore, which have been tastefully ornamented by the present pastor, and where an organ and efficient choir, amongst other uses, necessarily exercise a refining effect on the tastes and Catholic feelings of a primitive people. In the chaj >< • I * >f Fore sleeps the Rev. Thomas Fagan, a native of this parish. He studied in Navan and Maynooth, and was ordained in 1822. He officiated as curate, amongst other places, in Nobber and Dunboyne, and died, after a long illness, on the 8th of November, 183G. The Rev. William Farrelly is also buried here. He was born in this neighbourhood, studied in Navan and Maynooth, and was ordained ' in 1849. After having officiated as curate in Eglish, Moyvore, Castletown-Geoghegan, and Delvin, his health gave way, and he sank into a pivnmtnn- grave. He departed on the 3rd of December, 18G2. Here, ;ils<>, rests the Rev. Patrick Martin. He \va-< 1> >rn in this neighbourhood, studied at Navan and All-Hallows, and

    .DEANERY OF MULLINGAR — FORE OR COLLINSTOWN. 431

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

53. Priests Banished to Inishbofin and Tortured by Garrison

    near Inishbofin · parish · Galway · 1650–1660

    Dr. Lynch records that among the priests who remained in Ireland after the appointed expulsion date, some were executed while others were banished to the remote island of Inishbofin and handed over to the garrison, who tortured them with great cruelty.

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    " Edicts were issued commanding all priests to depart from Ireland before a certain day, and prohibiting them, under penalty of death, to remain beyond that time. All who harboured them were to forfeit all their property, to expiate that act of hospitality. As the wolf, in the fable, was ready to make a friendly alliance with the sheep, if they would drive away the dogs, as they could then slaughter the poor flock without resistance, so these men banished the priests from the Catholics, that the latter, when deprived of their pastors, might fall more easy victims to the proselytising attempts of heretical teachers. Of the priests who did remain in the country after the appointed day, some were executed, others wasted away their lives in the tedious and loathsome horrors of a dungeon, others are still barred up in prisons ; some were banished to the remote island of Inisbofin, and delivered in charge to the garrison, who tortured them with great cruelty ; many were banished to the West Indies, where they were sold as sla and condemned to work in twisting tobacco, and other slave

    * Morisoa, Thrtnodla, p. 27, quoted in Dr. Homo's Hutorical Sketch, p. 98. t Vol. iii., p. 199.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 7

54. Priest's remains secretly disinterred from Birmingham and reburied at Castlepollard

    Castlepollard · town · Westmeath · 1829

    After Rev. Edward Gargan died in Birmingham, his devoted parishioners had his remains secretly disinterred at great personal risk and conveyed back to Castlepollard, where he was buried with honour near the altar where he had ministered.

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    the parish of Duleek, of an ancient and respectable family, studied in Navan and Maynooth, and officiated for some years as curate under the venerable Dr. Plunket, in the parish of Navan. He took ill at Martinstown, then the parochial residence of Castlepollard, went to England, died in Birmingham, and was interred there ; but some of his faithful parishioners, anxious to have him, in death, repose near that altar where he had faithfully ministered, and amongst the flock who loved and reverenced him, had his remains disinterred, at the peril of their lives, and secretly conveyed to Castlepollard, where he was buried with honor and celebration. His memory is still fresh in the pious recollections of the people of Navan, who have his name inscribed on the " List of the Dead," as one of their deceased priests, and amongst his parishioners the name of Father Gargan shall descend to posterity, embalmed in the remembrances of a warm-hearted and grateful people. Peace to the soul of this holy, gentle, self-sacrificing pastor. A slab in the chapel of Castlepollard has the folio wing inscription:

    " Pitate et zelo pro salute animarum insignitus

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 26

55. Secret Mass cave at Knockisland during Penal times

    Knockisland · townland · Meath

    During the enforcement of the penal laws, Mass was celebrated in a cave at Knockisland near Duleek, where the flock met their pastor at daybreak on Sundays; the site also served as a clergy retreat and base for administering sacraments at night.

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    During the rigorous enforcement of the penal laws, the sacred mysteries used to be celebrated in a sort of cave, at Rnockisland, a short distance from Duleek ; and here the flock met their pastor at day-break on Sunday mornings. This place answered also as a retreat for the clergy by day ; and at night they attended sick calls, and administered the sacraments of penance and baptism. At length, with the first dawn of toleration, the Catholics of Duleek erected a thatched sheeling, which answered the purposes of a chapel, in the neighbourhood of the underground retreat, and this humble temple was at intervals repaired and decorated in proportion to the then limited means of the worshippers. The present spacious church was erected in 1812, through the exertions of the pastor, Rev. John Kearney, and is a very creditable specimen of the parish churches of this century. Another has been erected at Bellewstown Hill ; and the parishoners have been at all times willing, when called upon, to make sacrifices for the decorum and decency of public worship.

    Parish Priests of Duleek.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 18

56. St Cearnach and the Sacred Miosach of Dulane

    Dulane · townland · Meath

    St. Cearnach founded Dulane and was a bishop and scholar who compiled the Chronicon Magnum. He bequeathed a sacred Calendar called the Misach to the O'Donnell and O'Neill septs, which was carried in a shrine into battle to inspire courage.

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    2. Dulane, or Tuilen, was founded by St. Cearnach, in the end of the fifth, or beginning of the sixth century. — (See Diocese of Meath, pp. 133, 134.) This eminent man was born of the royal race of Orgial. He was maternal grandson of Loarn, the first Irish chief of Scotland, and was first cousin to Murchertach, monarch of Ireland. He was a bishop, and was abbot of Dulane and of Drumleena, on the western shores of Lough Foyle. He was not only a holy man, but a celebrated scholar, and he was one of the compilers of the Chronicon Magnum, which was a purification of the old Pagan Laws of Ireland, and the adoption of such as were applicable to a Christian country. He .had two brothers, Ronan and Erecan, who are catalogued amongst the saints of Erin. He was held in great respect in ancient times, and he bequeathed to the septs of O'Dounell and O'Neill a Misach, or Calendar, which in memory of him, was held in such veneration that when these warlike tribes marched to battle, they usually had the Miosack of St. Cearnach carried in a shrine, to stimulate their clansmen to deeds of bravery. For additional particulars see Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History, vol. i., pp. 594, 595 ; 0' Curry's Lectures, p. 600.

    4. Castletown-Kilpatrick.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 20

57. Strafford's Commissions of Inquiry confiscate Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo

    Roscommon · town · Roscommon · 1634–1637

    Under Lord Deputy Strafford and Sir Gerard Lowther, the counties of Roscommon, Mayo, and Sligo were confiscated to the Crown via corrupt "Commissions of Inquiry after Defective Titles," with jurors who refused to comply being pilloried, mutilated, and branded.

    Read the passage

    ford, the Lord Deputy ,was the principal a^cnt in this business, and under him worked an efficient staff of subordinates, conspicuous amongst whom was Sir Gerard Lowther, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. They commenced with Connaught, and in a short time, the entire counties of Roscommon, Mayo, and Sligo, were confiscated to the Crown. The Record of the House of Commons tells how these miscreants acted towards the honest, conscientious jurors who, through a sense of duty, refused to rind for the Lord-Deputy :

    " They were censured in the Castle chamber in grea fines ; sometimes pilloried, with loss of ears, and bored through thr t<//i///ir', and sometimes marked in the forehead with a hot iron, and other infamous punishments" — Commons Journals, vol. i., p. 307.

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 6

58. Three Irish bishops hanged by Cromwellians

    near Clogher · town · Tyrone · 1650–1651

    During the Cromwellian period three bishops were executed: Dr. Heber M'Mahon of Clogher by Sir Charles Coote, Dr. Terence O'Brien of Emly by General Ireton, and Dr. Boetius Egan of Ross by the Puritan Cavalry.

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    In the year 1649, there were four archbishops and twenty-three bishops in Ireland; during a portion of Cromwell's reign there was only one — viz., Dr. Swiney, of Kiimore — who was unable to seek safety by flight, in consequence of age and infirmity; and in 1G66, as we have seen, only six survived. Three of our bishops were hanged by the Cromwellians — viz., Dr. Heber M'Mahon, of Ciogher, by Sir Charles Coote ; Dr. Terence O'Brien, of Emiy, by General Ireton ; and Dr. Boetius Egan, of Ross, by the Puritan Cavalry.

    Seven died in Ireland, and repose in Irish graves — viz., Dr. Fleming of Dublin, Dr. Roth of Ossory, Dr. Dease of Meath, Dr. O'Mallony of Killaloe, Dr. Egan of Elphin, Dr. Connell of Ardfert, and Dr. Mageoghegan of Meath.*

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 8

59. Yeoman Captain Warns Priest Against Saying Mass

    Dunshaughlin · town · Meath · 1798

    A militia captain confronted Father Mulligan, warning him not to attempt his 'Popish superstitions.' The priest defied him and offered Mass anyway, and the captain, seeing many of his corps were Catholics, backed down.

    Read the passage

    who was captain of a corps of yeomanry, or militia. The captain met him, and said, " Priest. I warn you, on your peril, not to attempt your Popish superstitions." Father Mulligan replied, "Sir, I know you not, and I fear you not ; but 1 warn you not to attempt to prevent me." The priest offered Mass, and the captain, acting on the principle that discretion is the better part of valour, thought it wiser and safer to let him alone. I1 appears many of the corps were Catholics, and the captain was anything but popular.

    On another occasion, during the same eventful year, rather Mulligan

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dunshaughlin in Meath, this is where a militia captain once confronted Father Mulligan in 1798. The captain warned the priest, on his peril, not to attempt what he called his Popish superstitions. Father Mulligan replied that he knew the captain not and feared him not, and warned him not to attempt to prevent him. The priest offered Mass anyway. The captain thought it wiser to let him alone, seeing that many of his own corps were Catholics and he was anything but popular among them.

60. Alexius Stafford killed at the Battle of Aughrim

    Aughrim · parish · Galway · 1691

    Dr. Alexius Stafford, chaplain to King James's Royal Regiment of Irish Foot Guards, was killed at Aughrim while animating the regiment with a Crucifix in hand, his death causing panic among the soldiers.

    Read the passage

    liament, and Preacher to the King's Inns ; also Chaplain to King James's Royal Regiment of Irish Foot Guards. He was subsequently killed at Aughrim, while animating the regiment, Crucifix in hand, and his death created a panic amongst the men.*

    4. It is said that Dr. Tyrrell celebrated Mass in the old church of Duleek, over the grave of Dr. Cusack, his predecessor, on the eventful morning of the battle of the Boyne, and that after the defeat of King James's army he accompanied it in its retreat. He seems to have suffered much during the Williamite wars, and to have clung to the last to the fallen fortunes of James II. His sufferings and death are thus alluded to in a letter, dated Paris, 28th of October, 1692, which was addressed by Dr. James Lynch, Archbishop of Tuam, to the Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda :-f*

    Internet Archive dioceseofmeathan02cogaiala, Chapter 9

    As the companion tells it

    You're passing through the parish of Aughrim, where one of the bloodiest battles on Irish soil was fought in 1691. Dr. Alexius Stafford served as chaplain to King James's Royal Regiment of Irish Foot Guards, and he went into the fighting here holding a Crucifix, urging the men on. He was killed in the battle, and his death created a panic among the soldiers. The loss of their chaplain at the front line broke something in the regiment's nerve.