The History of Drogheda, with its Environs (vol. 1)

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. Battle of Clontarf, 1014

   Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

   In 1014, at Clontarf, Brian Boroihme achieved a great victory over the Danes at the age of eighty, but was killed at the close of the engagement by a flying party of the enemy, ending Danish dominance in Ireland.

   Read the passage

   extreinity of the North Bull, a long strip of insulated sandy ground, partly green, which extends thence towards the hill of Howth; and off the Sheds of Clon* tarf, so called from wooden buildings that had been there used for curing fish, is a profitable oyster-bank The history of Clontarf, situated as it was, in the centre of the ancient denomination of Moynealta, connects itself with the highest legends of the bardic age, wherein it is alleged, that Partholanus, one of the earliest invaders of Ireland, closed his adventurous life on this then barren shore; other authorities, however, assign Howth as the place where he and all his followers fell victims to the plague. It subsequently obtained the Irish name of Clontarf, i. e. the plain of the bull, from the fanciful appearance of the large sand bank above alluded to in front of it, and which still retains that appellation in the English tongue. In 550, a church was founded here, and dedicated to St Congal, the abbot, foimder also of the noble monastery of Bangor, and of other religious houses ; and in 1014, Brian Boroihme, the justly celebrated monarch of Ireland, in the eightieth year of his age, here achieved that victory over the Danes before alluded to. The glories of the triumph were, how-r ever, deeply darkened, by the fall of this good old king, the most splendid ornament of the O'Brien race, the lawgiver and the hero, the Alfred and Epaminondas of his country. At the close of the engagement, he was sacrificed by a flying party of the enemy to the manes of their fallen comrades. In

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2. Trial, Persecution and Execution of Archbishop Oliver Plunkett

   near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1679–1681

   Oliver Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh, was falsely accused of treasonable correspondence with the French Court and of plotting an invasion via Carlingford. Seized in December 1679 and transmitted to London, he was tried, convicted despite lack of real evidence, and executed at Tyburn on 1 July 1681, his body quartered and buried at St. Giles in the Fields before his head was later brought back.

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   The name of Doctor Plunkett suggests too much of historic interest, to be passed over without a brief notice of his piety and sufferings. Descended from one of the noblest families in Ireland, he received his education in the Ludovician College at Rome, where he graduated as a Doctor of Divinity; in 16G9 he was promoted by Pope Clement the 9th to the see of Armagh, and, Ireland being then under the wise and tolerant administration of Lord Berkley, Doctor Plunkett was enabled to effectuate his pious labours, and to diffuse through his province a spirit of Christian love and mutual forbearance. He is accordingly characterized by Bishop Burnett, as " a wise and sober man, who was for living quietly and in due submission to the government." The innocence and sanctity of his life were not, however, sufficient to shield him from the malevolence of enemies, by whose artifices he was accused of holding a treasonable correspondence with the French Court, and they had even the unblushing hardihood to affirm, that 20,000 Frenchmen were, at his instance, to land at Carlingford, where tliey were to be joined by the Prelate himself, at the head of 70,000 more. Under this incredible charge he was seized in December, 1679, and transmitted to London in 1680,

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3. Grace O'Malley abducts the heir of Howth, c.1575

   Howth · townland · Dublin · 1575

   Returning from her visit to Queen Elizabeth around 1575, Grace O'Malley (Grana Weal) landed at Howth and found the castle gates closed at dinner time. Offended by this breach of hospitality, she carried off the young heir of the house to her ship and her own castle in Mayo, only releasing him after his father agreed the gates would never again be shut at that hour.

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   Lord, in the celebrated Geraldine rebellion, planted his artillery on this promontory, and from its commanding height, cannonaded the vessels that were sent with English forces to subdue him. About the year 1575, occurred the traditional incident, which associates the name of Grace O'Mailley (better known as Grana Weal) with this plaxje. Eetuming from her visit to Queen Elizabeth, she debarked on this shore, and, proceeding to the castle, found it closed at dinner time, a dereliction of Irish hospitality, which she considered so flagrant, that, without further notice, she carried off the young heir of the house, conveyed him to her ship, and hence a prisoner to her own castle in the county Mayo ; nor was he restored, until his father entered into an express stipulation, that his gates should never again be shut at such an hour. A painting in one of the castle chambers is supposed to represent this domestic event In 1580, Lord Grey landed atHowth as Viceroy of Ireland, as did in 1593, Sir William Russell, youngest son of the Earl of Bedford, whereupon, say the Chronicles, " the Lord of Howth claimed him and his suite as his guests for that evening." Sir William was met on the following day, on his approach to Dublin, by the Council and Corporation, who conducted him, amidst the acclamations of the people, to the castle. There, however, he refused to accept the sword, until he received, imder the hands of the Council, a fiiU account of the state of the kingdom. In 1599, Lord Mount-

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4. Murder of Archbishop John Allen at Artane, 1533

   Artaine · parish · Dublin · 1533

   In 1533, fleeing Lord Thomas Fitzgerald's rebellion, Archbishop John Allen was driven ashore near Artane, sought shelter there, was discovered, dragged from his bed, and inhumanly murdered.

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   estate of the family of Hollywood, or " de Sacro Bosco," having been purchased in the fourteenth century by Robert de Hollywood, then one of the Remembrancers, and afterwards a Baron of the Exchequer. In 1533, John Allen, Archbishop of Dublin, when intending to fly from the resentment of Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, then in rebellion against his king, took boat from Dublin, but, his little bark having been driven on tlie adjacent shore, he sought shelter in Artane, where, being discovered, he was dragged from his bed, and inhumanly murdered. This ill-fated prelate was the pupil of Wolsey, and trained up by him in political intrigue. He had served his ambitious patron as judge in his legatine court, with an assiduity and attention, neither upright nor honourable, and, though accused of misdemeanor, and dismissed from this office, he was still protected by the Cardinal, and proved his useful and active agent in the suppression of monasteries. The jealousy of Gardiner, however, effected his removal to Ireland, where his adoption of his patron's prejudices against the Geraldines led to his destruction. On the breaking out of the civil war of 1641, the castle of Artane was taken by Luke Netterville, at the head of a body of royalists, and garrisoned thereupon for the king. The church was a picturesque ruin, and long the burial-place of the Hollywood family ; a great proportion of its walls has, however, been sacrilegiously appropriated to the construction of a modern edifice. The

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5. Murder of Sir John de Courcy, Lord of Ratheny, 1208

   Raheny · townland · Dublin · 1208–1211

   Sir John de Courcy, illegitimate son of the famous de Courcy and lord of Ratheny and Kill-Barrock, was murdered in 1208 by Walter and Hugh de Lacy who suspected him of spying against them to the king. The resulting confusions forced the king to come to Ireland in person and banish the de Lacys in 1211.

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   tricts, depopulated villages, and desecrated churches. In the beginning of the thirteenth century, Sir John de Courcy, an illegitimate son of the before mentioned Sir John, was lord of Ratheny and Kill-Barrock This was the individual whom Walter de Lacy, lord of Meath, and Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, caused to be murdered in 1208, suspecting him to be a spy over their actions, and to have made grievous complaints against them to the king; on account of which such confusions occurred, as obliged the monarch to come over in person to teland, and, for the restoration of peace, to banish the De Lacys, inl21L

   Passing Violet-hiU, the railway, emerging from the long and deep' cutting, runs over a low embankment to the brook of Ratheny, whence a short cutting passes it, under a road (leading from that village to Coolock), at which point is a station-house ; hence the line traverses a level or gently undulated country, now in shallow cuttings, again on low embankments, skirting the sea, and affording frequent beautiful vistas of coast scenery. In this section, at the right, immediately on the shore, stand the ruins of the church of

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6. Danish Destruction of the Abbey with 260 Killed

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 849–917

   In 849 the Drogheda monastery was consumed by Danish hostility, destroying an attached oratory in which 260 people seeking shelter perished. In 917 the Danes plundered the edifice again and murdered its Abbot Indrech Indracta.

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   house, and was through life pre-eminently styled " of Drogheda" (a speaking testimony to the antiquity of the name), having theretofore become a Columban monk in the sacred island of lona, died in honoured sanctity its Abbot. In 773, according to the same Annals, died Albraid Mac Foidmit, Abbot of this monastery, as did its superior Domteach in 788, and its abbot, Cormac Mac Connell, in 838. In 849, this house was consumed by the hostility of the Danes, at which time an oratory or penitentiary seemed to be annexed to it, which, as the Annals of the Four Masters relate, was utterly consumed on this occasion, with 260 persons then seeking shelter therein; while in 917, the same sacrilegious tyrants plundered this edifice, and murdered the Abbot Indrech Indracta. It is to be remarked, that in the above notices, Drogheda is called Treoit, each name derived from the Irish term for a bridge, and thus suggesting the high antiquity of a bridge here, as at least of popular belief when those Annals were compiled. In 1152, according to many authorities. Cardinal Paparo held in this house a session of the celebrated Synod, in which, as the Legate of Pope Eugene the Third, he distributed the four Archiepiscopal palls to Armagh, Dublin, Cashel, and Tuam. In the first then sat Gelasius, in the second Gregory, in the third Donatus, and in the last Edanus; and these were the first Archbishops of Ireland, and to whom suflfragan Bishops were duly assigned. The Cardinal also, on this occasion, transacted other mat-

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   As the companion tells it

   Coming up now is Drogheda, a town the road passes through. The monastery here was consumed by Danish hostility in 849. An oratory or penitentiary annexed to the house was utterly consumed, and 260 people who had sought shelter inside perished in the flames. The Annals of the Four Masters record this. In 917 the Danes came back, plundered the edifice again, and murdered its Abbot, Indrech Indracta. The annals call Drogheda by the name Treoit, derived from the Irish term for a bridge, suggesting that a bridge here was ancient, or at least that people believed so when the annals were compiled. The monastery had known distinguished abbots before the Danish attacks. Albraid Mac Foidmit died as abbot in 773, Domteach in 788, and Cormac Mac Connell in 838. In 1152 Cardinal Paparo, legate of Pope Eugene the Third, held a session of a celebrated synod in this house, distributing four archiepiscopal palls to Armagh, Dublin, Cashel, and Tuam. Gelasius sat in Armagh, Gregory in Dublin, Donatus in Cashel, and Edanus in Tuam. These were the first Archbishops of Ireland, and suffragan bishops were assigned to them.

7. Battle of the Bridge of Evora at Howth

   Howth · townland · Dublin

   Sir Armoricus Tristram and Sir John de Courcy landed at Howth and defeated the inhabitants at the bridge of Evora on the north side of Howth, opposite Ireland's Eye. Sir Armoricus lost seven relatives but won the lordship of Howth and the name St. Lawrence in honour of the saint's feast day of the battle.

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   At the earliest period of the Christian era, a iDattle was fought here between Conall Ceamach, one of the Knights of the Red Branch, and the King of Leinster, in which the latter was slain. Immediately, afterwards, when Ireland was the sanctuary and refuge of those who fled from Roman tyranny, Howth was the residence of the celebrated Crimthan, who, according to the Irish annals, crossed the sea to stay the march of Roman oppression and vindicate the rights of the expatriated wanderers. The chronicles of this coimtry deservedly extol his achievements on this occasion. In 819, the Danes devastated this district, and their descendants are, in history, supposed to have been found there by the first English invaders, when Sir Armoricus Tristram and Sir John de Courcy, before mentioned, at the head of a chosen band, landed at Howth, and there encountering the inhabitants, defeated them in a signal engagement at the bridge of Evora, the mountain stream that falls into the sea at the north side of Howth, opposite "Ireland's Eye." Sir Armoricus lost seven relatives on this occasion, but acquired the lordship of Howth and the designation of St. Lawrence, in honour of the day of the battle, being the festival of that saint. The sword, with which he fought, is still triumphantly exhibited, amongst the relics at the castle of his noble descendant. In 1348, the remarkable pestilence, that devastated Ireland, first broke out at Howth and Dalkey, it almost depopulated Dublin and Drogheda;

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8. 1641 proclamation against rebels of Clontarf, Raheny and Kill-Barrock

   Kilbarrack · parish · Dublin · 1641

   A 1641 Castle proclamation declared that inhabitants of Clontarf, Ratheny, and Kill-barrock had risen in rebellion, robbing subjects and mustering in arms both on land and sea. Soldiers were ordered to cut them off, burn their houses and goods, and destroy or seize their boats.

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   frequenting the bay of Dublin. Its architectural appearance is not imposing, only exhibiting some circular and pointed arches, without any visible remains of a steeple or belfry ; the vistas and sections of prospect, however, as framed by the arches and win* dows of the ruins, aflford a series of views, which cannot fell to gratify the observer. This chapel, more anciently called Mone, originally belonged to the monastery of the Blessed Virgin. In the thirteenth century, the manor and lands were held by the Tuite family, by the tenure of rendering a pair of furred gloves to the king ; subject to which service, they afterwards passed to the lords of Howth. In 1641, a special proclamation issued from the Castle, announcing, that " divers of the inhabitants of Clontarf, Ratheny, and Kill-barrock, had declared themselves rebels, and that, having robbed and spoiled some of his Majesty's good subjects, they had assembled thereabouts in arms in great numbers, mustering and training of their rebellious multitudes, as well at land as at sea. It was, therefore, ordered, that a party of soldiers should be sent out, to endeavour to cut them oflf, and to burn and spoil their houses and goods, and further, to cause their boats and vessels there to be brought up " to the new crane at Dublin, and to burn or sink such as they could not so bring up.

   The railway next passes, on what may be considered a level, to a station, near the bathing and fishery town of

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9. Brian Boru's body rests overnight at Swords after Clontarf

   Swords · town · Dublin · 1014

   After the Battle of Clontarf, the bodies of Brian Boru and his son Murrough were carried in procession to Swords, where they were deposited for the first night amidst prayers and chanting, before proceeding to Duleek and then Armagh.

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   According to the Annals of the Four Masters, one of the companions of Heremon raised a fortress here, called the High Rath of Swords. In 512, a church was founded here by Columb-kille, or at least dedicated to him, and to which that saint gave a valuable missal. Soon after the battle of Clontarf, the bodies of Brien Boroihme and his son Murrough, were conveyed in solemn procession hither, where they were deposited for the first night, amidst the prayers and chauntings of the fraternity ; the funeral proceeded on the following day to Duleek, whence the monks of that establishment conducted the bodies to their sepulchral destination at Armagh. Swords was afterwards the seat of a rural bishopric, and still gives name to a deanery. On the foundation of the collegiate establishment of St. Patrick's, in Dublin, Swords was constituted a prebend of that church, and the manor was vested in the See of Dublin, in whose favour King John granted an eight day fair, and King James the First a weekly market in the town. In 1336, the celebrated WiUiam of Wykeham held the prebend of Swords (styled in the "Eepertorium Viride," the "golden prebend"), together with eleven benefices in England ; he was afterwards

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10. King William's Regalia Preserved by Drogheda Corporation

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1665–1690

    Following the Battle of the Boyne, King William gave the Drogheda Corporation a mace, sword, and halbert, along with silver cups and a chalice from earlier benefactors, all preserved as civic relics.

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    other courts that are held there. It has also a handsome assembly-room for the meetings of the Corporation ; over the chimney-piece of this apartment is a fine painting of the Battle of the Boyne. Amongst the relics imtil lately exhibited here, were two kettle-drums, that had been found on the field of the battle of the Boyne, painted in lively colours with the royal arms of the doomed monarch, and his titles. They were beat for him at the battle, and, by the deep stains in the parchment, the drummer appears to have only resigned them with his life, when King William presented them, to be kept in the Town- HaU, which then stood near the site of the present bridge, but was removed to make way for that structure. That old Tholsel, thus here referred to, was a low unshapely building, with a balcony in front where the merchants assembled ; while the lower apartments were used as a prison, and the upper for public offices. It is much to be regretted, that the truly interesting kettle-drums have very recently disappeared, but the other regalia and valuables, consisting of the mace, sword, and a halbert, which King William also gave, as mentioned in the Corporate History; and with them also a large silver cup, and a large silver chalice, marked " ex dono prasnobilis Henrici Com. Drogheda, 1665;" a silver cup, with the arms of Drogheda, and marked " the gift of Thomas Perceval, 1672;" and another silver cup to match, marked as the gift of Thomas Willis, are all yet preserved in the custody of the present Corpo-

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    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you're in a town that once held relics of the Battle of the Boyne. Two kettle-drums found on the battlefield were kept here, painted with the royal arms and titles of James. They were beaten for him at the battle, and the deep stains in the parchment suggest the drummer gave them up only with his life. King William presented them to be kept in the old Town Hall, which stood near the site of the present bridge before it was removed to make way for that structure. That old building, called the Tholsel, was low and unshapely, with a balcony where merchants gathered, a prison below, and public offices above. Sadly, the kettle-drums have recently disappeared. But other regalia remain in the custody of the Corporation: a mace, a sword, and a halbert, all given by King William himself. Alongside them are silver pieces from earlier benefactors. A large silver chalice bears the inscription 'ex dono praenobilis Henrici Com. Drogheda, 1665.' A silver cup carries the arms of Drogheda, marked as the gift of Thomas Perceval, 1672, and a matching cup is marked as the gift of Thomas Willis. The Corporation's assembly-room still holds a fine painting of the Battle of the Boyne over its chimney-piece.

11. Silken Thomas defeats royal forces at Clontarf, 1534

    Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1534

    In 1534 Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, styled the Silken Lord, defeated at Clontarf the first detachment of royal forces sent against him during his rebellion.

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    Lord Deputy on the marches or borders of the Pale, near Balcock, slain several of his suite, and imprisoned himself, the king directed, that the manors of said Thomas, and amongst them the manor of Clontarf, should be sequestered ; the interdict was, however, taken off, when he had exculpated himsell' from any participation in the offence. In 1534, Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, styled the Silken Lord, here defeated the first detachment of the royal forces that was sent against him. The inhabitants of Clontarf, at this time, enjoyed a remarkable license to fish with their boats, within the liberty and bounds of Carlingford, without any payment, as of tithes or other profits, to the Crown or to the Vicar of Carlingford. On the suppression of the splendid establishment at Kilmainham, its last Prior, Sir John Rawson, who had been, at different periods. Lord Treasurer of Ireland, was, in 1541, on surrendering the possessions of his house to the Crown, created Viscount Clontarf, in right of which dignity he sat in the Parliament of that year. The Bang's letter, on this occasion, to his Irish Deputy, Sir Anthony Saint Leger, is of record. It is dated at Windsor, and expresses satisfaction at the peaceful state of the land; approves of the Deputy's administration; advises him of a remittance of £200 in "harp-groats;" hopes that future expenses may be reduced ; approves of his design to construct and repair towers against O'Connor and the Tooles ; gives directions concerning a Parliament to be summoned forth-

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12. Dalkey's seven fortified castles as commercial emporium

    Dalkey · townland · Dublin

    Dalkey was once the principal emporium for the commerce of Ireland and was defended from mountain freebooters and sea pirates by seven strongly fortified and well-manned castles, with the Archbishop of Dublin serving as admiral of the port.

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    (an ancient and long transmitted inheritance of the Fitzwilliam family, where, in 1565, Sir Henry Sydney, after landing at Dalkey, sojourned with Thomas Fitzwilliam, on the day previous to his solemn entry as Viceroy into Dublin, and which, in 1665, was the seat of the Earl of Tyrconnel, on whose forfeiture, it was granted to the Corporation), Booterstown, Frescati (once the favourite residence of the unfortunate Lord Edward Fitzgerald), the Black Rock, Monkstown, with a new church of grotesque and miscellaneous architecture (this latter locality was once the country seat of the revolutionary General, Edmimd Ludlow, and the scene of sundry state transactions during the Commonwealth), Kingstown, with its noble harbour and pier, whence King George the Fourth re-embarked in 1821, and from which to Dublin the first specimen of a railway in Ireland, was opened in 1834; Bullock (at the foot of whose oldcastle, Thomas of Lancaster, the king's son, in 1402, landed, as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as did the Earl of Sussex in 1559, in the same capacity) ; and lastly, Dalkey, once the principal emporium for the commerce of Ireland, and as such, defended from the freebooters of the mountains, and the pirates of the sea, by seven strongly fortified and wellmanned castles ; while to the Archbishop of Dubhn and his successors, was committed, the diBce of admiral, or water-bailiff, within the manor and port. In 1414, Sir John Talbot, Lord Furnival, afterwards the rendwned Earl of Shrewsbury, landed at this

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13. Bloody Battle on the Bridge Between Louth and Meath Sides

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1400–1412

    Rivalry over the market and pontage exemptions caused jealousies between the inhabitants of Drogheda's Louth and Meath sides, escalating into violent conflict. On one occasion, the bridge became the scene of a sanguinary engagement in which blood was shed and many lives lost.

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    These Corporations continued distinct to the time of Henry the Fourth, that on the Louth side having its Mayor, and this on the Meath its seneschal, while each had several bailiJffs and burgesses. During this interval the principal market had been at the Meath side, near the Mill-mount, and there vessels preferred to anchor, by reason of their being exempt at that side from the pontage which was levied at the north quay; the inhabitants of the former had, consequently, the monopoly of the merchandize imported, on the sale of which at the other, they insisted upon increased prices, and hence arose jealousies, animosities, and contentions, that put the inhabitants of both places in arms against each other. In their contests blood was often shed and many lives lost, especially upon one occasion, when the bridge became the scene of a sanguinary engagement between the conflicting parties. At length Father Philip Bennet, a monk of the Dominican Friary, having invited the dissentients to hear his sermon in the collegiate church of St. Peter, assumed as his text the words of the 133rd psalm, "behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," then appeahng to the congregation, " will ye be united to the body of Christ," one of them (William Symcock), exclaimed as in the name of all, " we will," and it was thereupon agreed, as the sincerest and most effective bond of peace, to transmit their joint supplicatory wishes to the king, for his royal sanction to consolidate the two bodies. This

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    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Drogheda, a town that was once two rival towns split by the river. Up to the time of Henry the Fourth, the Louth side had its mayor and the Meath side its seneschal, each with its own bailiffs and burgesses. The main market sat on the Meath side near the Mill-mount, and ships preferred to anchor there because that side was exempt from the pontage levied at the north quay. The Louth side held the monopoly on imported goods, selling them on at the Meath side at increased prices. Jealousies and animosities grew until the inhabitants of both sides took up arms against each other. Blood was often shed and many lives lost, especially on one occasion when the bridge became the scene of a sanguinary engagement between the two parties. Peace came at last through Father Philip Bennet, a monk of the Dominican Friary, who invited the warring sides to hear his sermon in the collegiate church of St. Peter. His text was the 133rd psalm: behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. He appealed to the congregation, asking will ye be united to the body of Christ. William Symcock exclaimed as in the name of all, we will. It was agreed to send their joint wishes to the king for royal sanction to consolidate the two bodies.

14. De Courcy musters forces at Raheny before Ulster campaign

    Raheny · townland · Dublin · 1182

    John de Courcy assembled his followers at Raheny in 1182 before marching north to conquer Ulster, defying the Lord Deputy's prohibition. He was aided by Sir Armoricus St. Lawrence and inspired by Merlin's prophecy of a knight destined to conquer Ulster.

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    and here, in the vicinity of Ms sworn comrade, Sir Armoricus St. Lawrence, ancestor of the lords of Howth, in the very view of those mountains of Moume, which overlooked his future possessions, this rugged soldier assembled round him the fiery spirits whom Fitz Adelm's vice-royalty had almost frighted from their allegiance. He won their wiUing aid, by the promise of settlements for themselves in the imexplored regions of the North, while even the chivalrous St. Lawrence proffered his men-atarms for the extension of his friend's possessions and power. In vain did the invidious Lord Deputy, by an arbitrary order, forbid De Courcy to prosecute the reahzation of the royal grant ; the prohibition was slighted. Having strengthened his resources, by marrying the daughter of Gotred, King of Man, he proceeded from Katheny, in the summer of 1182, at the head of his adventurous party, with all the bearing of chivalry, and glittering in polished armour, his white charger curvetting under him, while he inflamed yet more the hopes of his associates, by the peculiarly exciting suggestion of Merlin's then current prophecy, that a knight in such accoutrements was destined to be the conqueror of . Ulster. The annals of the North, during his visitation, are the records of successful carnage ; and the unwearied perseverance with which he overran that fine province, weU evinces, how difficult it is to sheath the sword, when familiarized with victory ; throughout it, his course was traced by ruined dis-

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15. Execution Green outside Sunday's-Gate since Desmond's Beheading

    Drogheda · town · Louth

    A green outside Sunday's-gate in Drogheda served as the site for executing criminals from a period even earlier than the beheading of the Earl of Desmond. Peter-street was used as the location for public pillories.

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    tenance of such prisoners, and at their own risk and cost to transmit them from one place to another. K this arrangement should be eflfectuated, a bridewell for the temporary detention of prisoners would be sufficient for Drogheda, and a saving of at least £200 per annum would be effected. It may be here remarked, that a green, outside Simda/s-gate, was, from a period even more remote than the beheading of the Earl of Desmond, the place for the execution of criminals, while Peter-street was the scene of pubhe pillories.

    The Barracks. — In Fair-street iare infantry barracks, with an hospital for twenty patients attached, the parade ground is large, but the house small. There are also barracks at Eichmond Fort, erected about the year 1808, on a high precipitous bank^ that rises abruptly from the river Boyne, and is connected with the Mill-mount by a raised causeway ; in the fort are two nine-pounders, on a moveable platform, and its natural strength is further aided by palisades. From the Mill-mount, and yet more from the platform of the Martello tower that crowns its summit, is the most imposing view of the town, river, and surroimding country ; from no other point, indeed, could a bird's eye estimate of Drogheda, its improvements and importance, be so well attained.

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    As the companion tells it

    You are passing through Drogheda, in Louth. There was a green outside Sunday's-gate here that served as the place for executing criminals, from a period even more remote than the beheading of the Earl of Desmond. Peter-street was the scene of public pillories, where offenders were put on display. The town had its military side too. There were infantry barracks in Fair-street, with a hospital for 20 patients attached, and more barracks at Richmond Fort, erected about 1808, on a high bank rising from the river Boyne. The fort held two nine-pounders on a moveable platform, and its natural strength was aided by palisades. From the Mill-mount, and more so from the Martello tower on its summit, came the finest view of Drogheda, the river, and the surrounding country. As the book says, from no other point could a bird's eye estimate of Drogheda, its improvements and importance, be so well attained.

16. Murderer Nicholas Burgess seeks sanctuary at St Mary's, confesses to Ardee killing

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1387

    In 1387, Nicholas Burgess fled to the sanctuary of St. Mary's Church and confessed before the town coroners to the murder of Thomas Melaghlin at Ardee, then abjured the land with Dundalk assigned as his port of departure.

    Read the passage

    In 1376, when King Edward the Third directed the remarkable summons, hereafter more particularly alluded to in the General History, whereby he required representatives of the clergy, counties, and boroughs of Ireland, to attend a Parliament to be held at Westminster, the Bishop of Meath sent " Master Bartholomew Dullard," rector of this church, as the representative of his Lordship and his clergy, to advise the Crown on the state of Ireland, but reserving any power of taxing the said diocese. In 1387, Nicholas Burgess fled to the sanctuary of this church, and there, before the coroners of this town, confessed himself guilty of the murder of Thomas Melaghlin at Ardee, and duly abjured the land, whereupon Dundalk was assigned as the port whence he should depart. In 1393, King Eichard the Second granted the advowson of this church, and of the chapel of St. Nicholas, which was then thereto annexed, to the Prior and Convent of Lanthony(a). There were three other chapelries at this time, also annexed to this religious house, respectively dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, St. Catherine, and St. Patrick, as is proved by a donation of bells presented to each of them by William Symcock and Agnes his wife, about the year 1412. One of the

    (a) Rot. Claus. 18 Ric. XL in Cane. Hib.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 77

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Drogheda, this town carries a story from 1387. Nicholas Burgess fled to the sanctuary of St. Mary's Church here. Before the coroners of the town, he confessed himself guilty of the murder of Thomas Melaghlin at Ardee. He then duly abjured the land, and Dundalk was assigned as the port whence he should depart. The same church had a part in the life of the town before that. In 1376, when King Edward the Third directed a summons requiring representatives of the clergy, counties, and boroughs of Ireland to attend a Parliament at Westminster, the Bishop of Meath sent Master Bartholomew Dullard, rector of this church, as his representative, to advise the Crown on the state of Ireland, while reserving any power of taxing the diocese. Later, in 1393, King Richard the Second granted the advowson of this church, and of the chapel of St. Nicholas annexed to it, to the Prior and Convent of Lanthony.

17. Portrane residence of Stella, Swift's companion

    Portrane · street · Dublin · 1712

    In 1712, Portrane was the residence of the ill-fated Stella, the celebrated companion of Jonathan Swift.

    Read the passage

    dowment for the establishment of Christ Church, by Sitric, the Danish King of Dublin, and his grant was, after the English invasion, confirmed thereto by Earl Strongbow. Pope Clement, however, appears to have granted it to the See of Dublin, when the canons of Christ Church compromised their title, on condition of receiving one hundred rabbits yearly out of the warren of Portrane ; this adjustment was further ratified by the sub-prior, in 1204, soon after which, John Comyn, Archbishop of Dublin, appropriated its rectory to the nunnery of Grace Dieu, on whose dissolution, it passed to successive lay patentees. In 1712, Portrane was the residence of the illfated Stella. Soon afterwards, Eyre Evans, Esq.,M. P. for the coimty of Limerick, settled here, to whose descendant, in 1775, the Irish Parliament granted £500, towards the construction of a pier and quay here, to facilitate the defence of this coast from the daring smugglers that then infested it It was accordingly erected, but is now ruinous and unfrequented.

    At a short distance beyond Dunabate, the highroad from Turvey to Portrane is carried over the railway, by one of the class of bridges adopted on this line, a semi-elliptic arch, tending to an hyperbolic curve in the centre, and rising nearly vertically at the springings from the abutments; the ring stones, coping, and string course being chiefly drawn from the quarry at Milverton, hereafter mentioned ; hence, on a level, it reaches

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 38

18. The Liffey frozen solid in 1338 with sports and fires upon the ice

    near River Liffey · river · Dublin · 1338

    In 1338 the Liffey was so frozen over that athletic sports were fearlessly exercised upon it and even fires were kindled for culinary purposes on the ice, an extraordinary event tied to the river at Dublin.

    Read the passage

    bis grant was, with large additions and manorial rights, confirmed by Henry the Second in 1 172, and by Prince John in 1 1 86. The vigilance of the superiors of this house, and of those of Thomaa Court and Kilmainham, and that of the Archbishops of Dublin, in reference to St. Sepulchre's, precluded the extension of the city for centuries. In 1338, the LiflFey was so frozen over, that athletic sports were fearlessly exercised hereabout, and even fires kindled for culinary purposes upon it. The abbot of St Mary's had then a limited right of fishery, and of customs of fish on the river, as well as a liberty of having hake nets on the North Strand. The citizens were subsequently permitted to exercise in feats of tilting and archery over this tract, and wagers of battle, or single combat, were, under the chivalrous sanction of the times, decided upon it In 1530j Sir William Skeffington having landed as Lord Deputy, at the head of this strand, with the Bishop oi Meath and the Earl of Kildare, was met on the beach, by the Mayor and citizens of Dublin, who escorted him in procession into the city. No part of the harbour was then embanked, and the Liffey, the Tolka, and the Dodder, with the currents of the tide, flowed uncontrolled and undirected over the whole intermediate grounds. Previous to 1697, old St Michan's parish included all of Dublin, north of the Liffey. Mary's parish was then carved out of it, and included the tract at present under consideration. In 1716, the Corporation of Dublin had

    d2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 23

19. Alleged Plot for French Landing at Carlingford

    Carlingford · town · Louth · 1679

    As part of the false accusations against Archbishop Plunkett, his enemies claimed that 20,000 Frenchmen were to land at Carlingford at his instance, to be joined by the Prelate himself at the head of 70,000 more men.

    Read the passage

    The name of Doctor Plunkett suggests too much of historic interest, to be passed over without a brief notice of his piety and sufferings. Descended from one of the noblest families in Ireland, he received his education in the Ludovician College at Rome, where he graduated as a Doctor of Divinity; in 16G9 he was promoted by Pope Clement the 9th to the see of Armagh, and, Ireland being then under the wise and tolerant administration of Lord Berkley, Doctor Plunkett was enabled to effectuate his pious labours, and to diffuse through his province a spirit of Christian love and mutual forbearance. He is accordingly characterized by Bishop Burnett, as " a wise and sober man, who was for living quietly and in due submission to the government." The innocence and sanctity of his life were not, however, sufficient to shield him from the malevolence of enemies, by whose artifices he was accused of holding a treasonable correspondence with the French Court, and they had even the unblushing hardihood to affirm, that 20,000 Frenchmen were, at his instance, to land at Carlingford, where tliey were to be joined by the Prelate himself, at the head of 70,000 more. Under this incredible charge he was seized in December, 1679, and transmitted to London in 1680,

    54 MODEBN STATISTICS.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 84

20. Drogheda's Old Gaol on James's-Street

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1818

    The old prison of Drogheda stood on the Meath side of the town in James's-street, with underground cells where debtors were not separated from felons and extortion and smuggled liquor were rife. It was demolished in 1818 and its materials sold to help fund the new gaol.

    Read the passage

    The OaoL — The old prison of this town was built by the Corporation, and partly supported at their expense. It stood at the Meath side of the town in James's-street, on the south side. In it the cells were under ground ; the debtors were not separated from the felons ; no table of fees controlled extortion ; and, being in line with the street, the admission of spirituous liquors was practicable and frequent; yet, with all these abuses, it existed untU. 1818, when it was taken down, and the materials, together with the ground upon which it stood, were sold, and the produce applied to the erection of the present gaol. This edifice stands on a rising groimd, at the north side of the town, where the road issues to Termonfeckin. It is of a square form, surroimded by two walls, and having four yards for felons and misdemeanants, and one for debtors. The interior contains an hospital room, a small chapel, where divine service is duly celebrated according to the necessities and creeds of the inmates, and sixteen cells, six of which are furnished with a small bedstead that admits but one prisoner, the remaining ten accommodate from two to three persons each. It affords but imperfect classification, and, although frequent complaints have been made of the deficiency of inspection, the neglect of education, the absence of a

    f2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 91

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, the old gaol once stood on the Meath side of the town in James's Street. The Corporation built it and partly maintained it at their expense. The cells were underground, and debtors were not separated from felons. There was no table of fees to control extortion, and because the building stood in line with the street, spirituous liquors found their way in with practicable ease and alarming frequency. With all these abuses, it persisted until 1818, when it was taken down. The materials and the ground upon which it stood were sold, and the proceeds applied to the erection of the present gaol, which stands on rising ground at the north side of the town where the road issues to Termonfeckin. The new building is square in form, surrounded by two walls, with four yards for felons and misdemeanants and one for debtors. Inside are a hospital room, a small chapel, and sixteen cells, six furnished with a single bedstead and the remaining ten accommodating two to three persons each.

21. Drogheda Surrenders to William III after the Battle of the Boyne

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1690

    On 12 July 1690, following the Battle of the Boyne, the town of Drogheda surrendered to King William III, who then appointed William Elwood as Mayor along with new Aldermen and Sheriffs to restore the ancient corporate privileges.

    Read the passage

    At an Assembly of the 6th of July, 1688, " consideration being had of the great benefit the poor may have and receive yearly, if the commons on both sides of the town be set to a rent, reserving a competent proportion thereof for the exercising the foot and horse, and for grazing of horses coming with goods to the market ;" a committee was then appointed to consider the best way for setting same, and to report thereon. On the 12th of July, 1690, the town having surrendered to King William, after the battle of the Boyne, he appointed William Elwood Mayor of this town, and Henry Earl of Drogheda, Sir William Tichbume, Jonas Elwood, and fifteen others. Aldermen, and constituted Robert Orson and Henry Ogle, Sheriffs of same, " to exercise and enjoy all the ancient privileges and jurisdictions of their charter, whereof they were illegally deprived, and particularly to oversee the markets, and regulate the prices of things, which are now exorbitant." This

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 151

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are in a town that surrendered to King William on the 12th of July, 1690, after the Battle of the Boyne. William then appointed William Elwood as Mayor, along with Henry Earl of Drogheda, Sir William Tichborne, Jonas Elwood, and fifteen others as Aldermen. He also made Robert Orson and Henry Ogle Sheriffs. Their task was, in the words of the record, to exercise and enjoy all the ancient privileges and jurisdictions of their charter, whereof they were illegally deprived, and particularly to oversee the markets, and regulate the prices of things, which are now exorbitant. So Drogheda's old corporation was restored by William after the battle, its officials set back into place to bring order to a town that had been through a war.

22. Father Philip Bennet's Sermon Reconciles the Two Boroughs

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1412

    A Dominican friar, Father Philip Bennet, invited the feuding townspeople to hear his sermon in the collegiate church of St. Peter, preaching on unity from Psalm 133. William Symcock responded on behalf of all, leading to the agreement to petition the king to unite the two boroughs.

    Read the passage

    These Corporations continued distinct to the time of Henry the Fourth, that on the Louth side having its Mayor, and this on the Meath its seneschal, while each had several bailiJffs and burgesses. During this interval the principal market had been at the Meath side, near the Mill-mount, and there vessels preferred to anchor, by reason of their being exempt at that side from the pontage which was levied at the north quay; the inhabitants of the former had, consequently, the monopoly of the merchandize imported, on the sale of which at the other, they insisted upon increased prices, and hence arose jealousies, animosities, and contentions, that put the inhabitants of both places in arms against each other. In their contests blood was often shed and many lives lost, especially upon one occasion, when the bridge became the scene of a sanguinary engagement between the conflicting parties. At length Father Philip Bennet, a monk of the Dominican Friary, having invited the dissentients to hear his sermon in the collegiate church of St. Peter, assumed as his text the words of the 133rd psalm, "behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," then appeahng to the congregation, " will ye be united to the body of Christ," one of them (William Symcock), exclaimed as in the name of all, " we will," and it was thereupon agreed, as the sincerest and most effective bond of peace, to transmit their joint supplicatory wishes to the king, for his royal sanction to consolidate the two bodies. This

    CORPORATE HISTORY. l7l

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 138

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are passing through a town that was once two. In the time of Henry the Fourth, the Louth side had its Mayor and the Meath side its seneschal, each with its own bailiffs and burgesses. The principal market stood on the Meath side near the Mill-mount, where vessels preferred to anchor because that side was exempt from the pontage levied at the north quay. The Louth side held the monopoly on imported merchandise, and when goods were sold on the Meath side they insisted on increased prices. Jealousies and animosities followed, and the two sides took up arms against each other. Blood was often shed, and many lives were lost, especially on one occasion when the bridge became the scene of a sanguinary engagement. At length Father Philip Bennet, a monk of the Dominican Friary, invited the disputants to hear his sermon in the collegiate church of St. Peter. He took as his text the words of the 133rd Psalm: "behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Appealing to the congregation, he asked, "will ye be united to the body of Christ?" William Symcock exclaimed, as in the name of all, "we will." It was thereupon agreed, as the sincerest bond of peace, to send their joint supplication to the king for royal sanction to consolidate the two bodies.

23. Prior of Holmpatrick assaulted and imprisoned at Ballough, 1393

    Holmpatrick · street · Dublin · 1393

    According to a Chancery roll, in 1393 sundry malefactors assaulted the Prior of Holmpatrick, expelled him from his monastery, imprisoned him at Ballough, and forcibly occupied the priory for a considerable time.

    Read the passage

    Henry de Loundres, Archbishop of Dublin, from which period Skerries may be considered to date its origin as a town. In 1375, a grant was made to the Corporation of Dublin, of the customs and duties of all kinds of merchandize brought for sale, as well coming as going by land or sea between Skerries and Arklow ; and, in the same year, the King commanded the Prior of Holmpatrick to arrest and imprison all men-at-arms or archers, of the suite of WiUiam de Windesore, Chief Governor of Ireland, if seeking to embark thence. It appears on a Chancery roll, that in 1393, sundry malefactors assaulted the aforesaid prior, expelled him from his monastery, imprisoned him at Ballough, and held occupation, by force of arms, of the priory for a considerable time. In 1488, the prior was one of those who took the oath of allegiance before Sir Richard Edgecombe, and in 1496, on his petition to the King, stating, that the island of Lambay had on its shores various havens and creeks, in which pirates were accustomed to shelter, and that the said prior and his convent were seised in right of their house of a little island called Mellock, near Skerry, from which, when the tide was out, a dry way was open to Lambay, and that, if a fortified harbour and wall were constructed upon this, it would be of great benefit, granted license to them to construct same accordingly, and further gave to them in frankalmoigne, all customs and duties on things imported thdre, to the annual amount of twenty maxks sterling for ever. In 1516, the Corporation of Dublin

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 45

24. Second Viscount Moore buried at St Peter's after death at Portlester

    Portlester · townland · Meath · 1643

    The second Viscount Moore, who defended Drogheda and was killed by a cannon shot at Portlester in Meath, was buried at St Peter's church in 1643. His widow fainted at the sight and died three days later, being buried beside him.

    Read the passage

    In 1634, the historian, Nicholas Barnard, was appointed by the Crown to the Deanery of St.Phelan of Kilmore, with this vicarage annexed, and a clause of union pro hdc vice ; and at the close of the same year Primate Hampton was buried in this church. In 1635, Doctor Henry Leslie, who had been the chaplain and devoted adherent of Charles the First, was here consecrated Bishop of Down and Connor ; and in 1638, Doctor Synge received similar consecration to the See of Cloyne, from the hands of the great Archbishop Ussher, within this church. In 1643, the second Viscount Moore, whose gallantry in defending the town is particularly noticed hereafter, and who was killed by a cannon shot at Portlester in Meath, was buried in this church, the sight of which afterwards so affected his widow, that she fell in a[^faint from her horse, and a mortification ensuing, she was in three days after laid beside her beloved consort. The visitation of Cromwell in September, 1649, irretrievably injured this edifice, it having been then blown up, involving in its ruin, a part of the garrison, and many of the most respectable inhabitants, who had fled thither for refuge. Previous to that event, this church yielded to none in extent or magnificence, while its precincts, as before shown, comprised several chapels and oratories, erected and dedicated by the piety of former individuals. Of one of the stained glass windows, that then ornamented it, the following notice occurs in Guillim's " Displaye of Heraldrie" (published in 1638). " He beareth ar-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 63

25. St. Lawrence's Gate: Surviving Medieval Fortification of Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth

    St. Lawrence's gate presents two perfect round towers of four stories, connected by a portcullis and retaining wall, offering ample testimony to the strength of Drogheda's medieval fortifications, unlike the vanished Catherine's and Fair-gate.

    Read the passage

    The gates, that guarded the approaches to the town at the north side, were, in the succession of the circuit. West-gate, composed of two towers and a portcullis between (adjoining which, on the town wall, was a turret, that, in 1668, was granted by the Corporation to Alderman Towers); Fair-gate, so called from its having been the direct entrance to that part of the town where fairs were commonly held ; Sunda/s, denominated from Sunday's friary, which it immediately abutted, and of which, traces still exist in its vicinity (this was likewise popularly called the Cow-gate, and was a square castle, having near it also two towers, the Tooting and Boulter's tower, while another, immediately over it, was, in 1664, demised by the Corporation to the Guild of Smiths for their hall, at a rent of five shillings, for sixty-one years) ; St. Lawrence's gate, and Catherine's, the latter having been erected on the edge of the river. Nearly upon the site of the first, the fine house of Mr. Carty, the present Mayor, has been erected ; a fragment of Sunday's gate is the gable of a forge; Catherine's and Fair-gate are no longer identified, even through a name ; but St. Lawrence's bears ample inferential testimony to the beauty and strength of its coeval fortifications. It presents two perfect round towers, of four stories, connected by a portcullis and a retaining wall to their summits, as in the annexed engraving. This structure, and the street that leads from it to the Tholsel, are by some supposed to derive their name from the nineteenth

    y /yy //"//.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Drogheda, you are near St. Lawrence's Gate, the strongest surviving piece of the town's medieval walls. This gate still presents two perfect round towers of four stories, connected by a portcullis and a retaining wall rising to their summits. It bears what the old record calls ample testimony to the beauty and strength of Drogheda's fortifications. Several gates once guarded the northern approaches. West-gate had two towers and a portcullis, with a turret on the town wall granted in 1668 to Alderman Towers. Fair-gate took its name from being the direct entrance to where fairs were held. Sunday's gate, also called the Cow-gate, abutted Sunday's friary and was a square castle with towers nearby, one of which was demised in 1664 to the Guild of Smiths for their hall at five shillings for sixty-one years. Catherine's gate stood on the edge of the river. Most are gone now. Catherine's and Fair-gate are no longer identified even through a name. A fragment of Sunday's gate survives as the gable of a forge. But St. Lawrence's still stands.

26. Jewish Cemetery at Ballybough

    near Ballybough · townland · Dublin

    In the centre of the village of Ballybough stands a Jewish cemetery of about a rood of ground, enclosed with a high wall and thinly planted with trees and shrubs, containing headstones with Hebrew inscriptions.

    Read the passage

    (i e. the town of huts), along the shore, now exhibits only a few insignificant houses, some of which, however, present, in their pointed roofs, evidences of ancient villas, but, situated as they are, on the banks of an area, that, under the action of the tide, was alternately a pool of muddy brine, or a surface of oozy strand, it hitherto ofiered little inducement for such improvements as will now, most probably, soon enhance the natural beauties of its situation. In the centre of this village is a Jewish cemetery, containing about a rood of ground, enclosed with a high wall, and thinly planted with trees and shrubs, among which are a few headstones with Hebrew inscriptions. There is also a flour mill at the head of the village, with good stores, and suitable machinery, and having a good mill race and weir, subject, however, to the ordinary inconvenience of such a river supply — ^in summer scanty, in winter superabundant. There is a record in relation to this locaUty, that, in 1313, John Decer, then a private citizen, but who had been a Mayor of Dublin, built a bridge, extending hence to " the causeway of the mill pool of Clontarf, which before was a dangerous

    (a) Of the various localities alluded to in this Memoir, so far as the Railway runs through the county of Dublin, more extended notices, than could be considered here relevant, will be found in the " History of the County of Dublin.''

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Ballybough, in what was once called the town of huts, there stands a Jewish cemetery in the centre of the village. It holds about a rood of ground, enclosed by a high wall, and is thinly planted with trees and shrubs. Among them are a few headstones with Hebrew inscriptions. The village itself sits along the shore, where the tide once turned the ground into a pool of muddy brine or a surface of oozy strand. Only a few insignificant houses remain, though some still show pointed roofs, evidence of ancient villas. At the head of the village there is also a flour mill, with good stores and suitable machinery, and a good mill race and weir. The water supply runs as such supplies do: scanty in summer, superabundant in winter. There is a record that in 1313, John Decer, then a private citizen but formerly a Mayor of Dublin, built a bridge from here to what the record calls "the causeway of the mill pool of Clontarf," which before was a dangerous crossing.

27. Sir Arthur Aston's residence during Cromwell's siege

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649–1690

    Tradition states that the Governor Sir Arthur Aston resided in an old house at the corner of Patrick's-well-lane during Cromwell's siege of Drogheda, and that King James slept there the night before the Battle of the Boyne.

    Read the passage

    been erected in 1583 by Nicholas Elcock; but its present appearance does not seem to verify so remote an origin. Tradition however states, that here, during the siege by Cromwell, the unfortimate Governor, Sir Arthur Aston, resided; and that King James was entertained, and slept here, on the night before the battle of the Boyne. — About midway on the ascent of Peter-street, at the right hand side, is another ancient dwelling, originally constructed of wooden beams in the bird-cage fashion, but now plaistered over. It consisted of two stories, the upper projecting over the lower, and the oaken door-frame had an inscription, referring the date of its erection to 1626, at which time the houses of Drogheda appear to have been all of this character. At the north side of West-street, is a similar specimen of this style; and a curious edifice of a later age, with the double pointed roof, appears in Dyerstreet, near the Distillery. — But the finest survivor of this class was, under apprehension of danger, taken down about fifteen years since by order of the Corporation. It occupied the angle formed by the junction of Lawrence-street and Shop-street, the principal front being in the latter, and was composed chiefly of oak, also from Mellefont Park. It exhibited three stories, each successively projecting beyond that below; the attic was composed of a strong square oak frame, with oak quadrants and semicircles within it, the interstices being filled with plaister ; the drawing-room floor was of a more finished character, consisting of pannehng or wains-

    104 ANCIENT STATISTICS.

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    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Drogheda, there is an old house at the corner of Patrick's-well-lane. Tradition says that during the siege by Cromwell, the Governor Sir Arthur Aston resided there. The same tradition says King James was entertained and slept there on the night before the Battle of the Boyne. The book dates the house to 1583, built by Nicholas Elcock, though its appearance did not seem to verify so remote an origin. About midway on the ascent of Peter-street, at the right hand side, there is another ancient dwelling. It was originally constructed of wooden beams in the bird-cage fashion, but is now plastered over. It had two stories, the upper projecting over the lower. The oaken door-frame bore an inscription referring its erection to 1626, at which time the houses of Drogheda appear to have been all of this character. At the north side of West-street is a similar specimen of this style, and a curious edifice of a later age with a double pointed roof appears in Dyer-street, near the Distillery. But the finest survivor of this class was taken down about fifteen years since by order of the Corporation, under apprehension of danger. It occupied the angle formed by the junction of Lawrence-street and Shop-street, the principal front being in Shop-street. It was composed chiefly of oak, also from Mellefont Park. It had three stories, each successively projecting beyond that below. The attic was a strong square oak frame, with oak quadrants and semicircles within it, the gaps filled with plaster. The drawing-room floor was of a more finished character, consisting of panelling or wainscot.

28. Battle at Howth between Conall Cearnach and King of Leinster

    Howth · townland · Dublin

    At the earliest period of the Christian era, a battle was fought at Howth between Conall Cearnach, a Knight of the Red Branch, and the King of Leinster, in which the latter was slain.

    Read the passage

    At the earliest period of the Christian era, a iDattle was fought here between Conall Ceamach, one of the Knights of the Red Branch, and the King of Leinster, in which the latter was slain. Immediately, afterwards, when Ireland was the sanctuary and refuge of those who fled from Roman tyranny, Howth was the residence of the celebrated Crimthan, who, according to the Irish annals, crossed the sea to stay the march of Roman oppression and vindicate the rights of the expatriated wanderers. The chronicles of this coimtry deservedly extol his achievements on this occasion. In 819, the Danes devastated this district, and their descendants are, in history, supposed to have been found there by the first English invaders, when Sir Armoricus Tristram and Sir John de Courcy, before mentioned, at the head of a chosen band, landed at Howth, and there encountering the inhabitants, defeated them in a signal engagement at the bridge of Evora, the mountain stream that falls into the sea at the north side of Howth, opposite "Ireland's Eye." Sir Armoricus lost seven relatives on this occasion, but acquired the lordship of Howth and the designation of St. Lawrence, in honour of the day of the battle, being the festival of that saint. The sword, with which he fought, is still triumphantly exhibited, amongst the relics at the castle of his noble descendant. In 1348, the remarkable pestilence, that devastated Ireland, first broke out at Howth and Dalkey, it almost depopulated Dublin and Drogheda;

    DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA RAILWAY. IxXXV

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 32

29. Cromwell's Battery at Bevrack Mount Bombards St. Mary's

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

    About 400 yards eastward of St. Mary's churchyard stood the Bevrack mount, later levelled by a farmer for agricultural use. From this position Cromwell battered St. Mary's church and the town of Drogheda during his siege.

    Read the passage

    A narrow path runs under the walls of this graveyard at the outer side, overlooking a picturesque valley called the Dale, that lies between the Ifaul and Balbriggan roads, but is now nearly filled with miserable huts. At its head is a celebrated spring called Patrick's Well, while, through the bottom of the little glen, flows a small stream, that, after supplying James's-street brewery, falls into the Boyne. About 400 yards eastward was the Bevrack mount (recently levelled by a farmer for agricultural uses), whence Cromwell battered St. Mar/s and the town. A little behind the church, on the western descent to this valley, a pretty view is had of a portion of the town at the gorge of the Dale, with the church in the left foreground.

    VOL. I. E

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, about 400 yards east of St. Mary's churchyard once stood the Bevrack mount, where Cromwell set up his artillery in 1649. From that position he battered St. Mary's church and the town itself during the siege. A farmer has since levelled the mount for agricultural use, so there's nothing left to see. The ground around St. Mary's drops down into a small valley called the Dale, through which runs a stream that feeds James's Street brewery before falling into the Boyne. At the head of that glen is a spring known as Patrick's Well.

30. First Irish army of the Pale assembles at Swords, 1641

    Swords · town · Dublin · 1641

    In 1641, the first Irish army of the Pale assembled at Swords, preparatory to the commencement of the civil war that soon afterwards desolated Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Bishop of Winchester. In 1484, Doctor Walton, Archbishop of Dublin, having voluntarily reeigned his dignity, only reserved to himself for a maintenance, the manor of Swords, during his life, which reservation was confirmed to him by Act of Jparliament in the following year. In 1585, Swords, as a borough, sent its first members to Parliament, and continued so to do until the Union. Here, in 1641, the first Irish army of the Pale assembled, preparatory to the commencement of that civil war, which immediately afterwards desolated Ireland. In 1642, John Taylor (an ancestor of the very ancient line still represented and resident at Swords), and George Blackney, Esqrs., the sitting members of Parliament for this borough, were expelled from the House by the Puritan party, on account of their attachment to the king's cause. At the time of the Union, the fixed compensation for the Irish boroughs was, in this case (it being of the class called potwalloping boroughs, and not private property), vested in trustees, for the purpose of educating and apprenticing the children of the humbler classes, without any religious distinction ; and a handsome and commodious free school was erected in the town, at an expense of about £2000. This town still enjoys the privilege of five yearly fairs. There are, within the parish, several extensive corn mills, and it is embellished with numerous seats and villas. Of these may be particularized, Brackenstown, where is a noble rath, commanding a most extensive view;

    g2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 37

31. Grant to build pier at Portrane against smugglers

    Portrane · street · Dublin · 1775

    In 1775, the Irish Parliament granted £500 towards the construction of a pier and quay at Portrane to help defend the coast from daring smugglers who then infested it; the pier was built but is now ruinous and unfrequented.

    Read the passage

    dowment for the establishment of Christ Church, by Sitric, the Danish King of Dublin, and his grant was, after the English invasion, confirmed thereto by Earl Strongbow. Pope Clement, however, appears to have granted it to the See of Dublin, when the canons of Christ Church compromised their title, on condition of receiving one hundred rabbits yearly out of the warren of Portrane ; this adjustment was further ratified by the sub-prior, in 1204, soon after which, John Comyn, Archbishop of Dublin, appropriated its rectory to the nunnery of Grace Dieu, on whose dissolution, it passed to successive lay patentees. In 1712, Portrane was the residence of the illfated Stella. Soon afterwards, Eyre Evans, Esq.,M. P. for the coimty of Limerick, settled here, to whose descendant, in 1775, the Irish Parliament granted £500, towards the construction of a pier and quay here, to facilitate the defence of this coast from the daring smugglers that then infested it It was accordingly erected, but is now ruinous and unfrequented.

    At a short distance beyond Dunabate, the highroad from Turvey to Portrane is carried over the railway, by one of the class of bridges adopted on this line, a semi-elliptic arch, tending to an hyperbolic curve in the centre, and rising nearly vertically at the springings from the abutments; the ring stones, coping, and string course being chiefly drawn from the quarry at Milverton, hereafter mentioned ; hence, on a level, it reaches

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 38

32. Mayor granted right to wear sword like Mayor of London

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1469–1470

    By statute of Edward IV, a patent was granted allowing Drogheda's Mayor to wear a sword and receive an annual pension, in recognition of the Corporation's services against O'Reilly and in the wars under the Earl of Worcester.

    Read the passage

    By Statute of 8 Edw. IV. c. 58, it was conceded, that a patent should pass from the King, granting that the Mayor of this town for the time being might wear a sword as the Mayor of London did, with an annual pension of £20 out of the fee farm of the town, to maintain his dignity in regard of the services of the Corporation against O'Reilly, and in the wars under the Earl of Worcester, deputy of George Duke of Clarence. A patent of the 12th of July, 1469, in the same year, issued accordingly to that effect, and was confirmed by a subsequent charter of 19th of February, 1470. Another Statute, of the reign of the same monarch, confirmed to the Corporation in 1469 all the patents gmnted by his predecessors, while an unprinted Act of Resumption of 1480, although it resumes all castles, manors, jfranchises, &c., granted by King Edward, by his father, or by Henry the Sixth, contains a special saving of the rights of the Corporation of Drogheda ; and in another unprinted Act of 1483, estabUshing a market at Maynooth and free warren on its manor, a similar saving is inserted. By an Act of 1487, it was provided, that the lands of Barnatty, in the shire of Louth, should thenceforward be reputed and taken as part and parcel of the franchises of Drogheda, and utterly discharged of the said shire

    n2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 142

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Drogheda, in Louth. In 1469, Edward IV granted the town's Mayor the right to wear a sword, just as the Mayor of London did, along with an annual pension of £20 drawn from the fee farm of the town. The patent was issued on the 12th of July, 1469, and confirmed by charter on the 19th of February, 1470. This was given in recognition of the Corporation's services against O'Reilly and in the wars fought under the Earl of Worcester, who was deputy to George, Duke of Clarence. Later statutes continued to protect Drogheda's rights. An Act of Resumption in 1480 took back castles, manors, and franchises granted by Edward IV, his father, and Henry the Sixth, but made a special saving of the rights of the Corporation of Drogheda. A similar saving appears in an Act of 1483. Then in 1487, the lands of Barnatty in Louth were made part of the franchises of Drogheda, and discharged from the shire.

33. Thomas Carty Sworn as First Reformed Mayor of Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1842

    Thomas Carty, a Catholic merchant, was nominated and unanimously elected as the first Mayor of Drogheda under the Reformed Municipal Act, sworn in at the Crown Court with the gold chain of office transferred from outgoing Mayor Fogarty.

    Read the passage

    " His worship the Mayor elect was then conducted to the Crown Court, where the oath of allegiance, identical with that taken by the Council, and the oath of office, were administered by the Town Clerk, Joseph Holmes, Esq., before Mr. Mayor Fogarty, who, at the conclusion, took the gold chain of office from his neck and placed it upon that of his worship, Thomas Carty, Esq., as Mayor of the town of Drogheda. The performance of this ceremony was the signal for one univeral shout of acclamation, such as was never before heard in Drogheda on the occasion of the inauguration of a corporate chief magistrate, — the shout was renewed, and again and again reechoed by the thousands who thronged the avenues leading to the Tholsel. So densely were the galleries and every inch of the Court crowded, that it was with the greatest difficulty the Mayor and Council were able to return to the Assembly-room. On their arrival there the Mayor took his seat as

    President About two o'clock the Assembly

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 161

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are in a town where, in 1842, Thomas Carty became its first Mayor under the Reformed Municipal Act. Carty was a Catholic merchant, nominated and unanimously elected. The ceremony took place at the Crown Court. The oath of allegiance and the oath of office were administered by the Town Clerk, Joseph Holmes, before the outgoing Mayor Fogarty. When the oaths were done, Fogarty took the gold chain of office from his own neck and placed it upon Thomas Carty as Mayor of the town of Drogheda. That act set off a shout of acclamation such as had never before been heard in Drogheda at the inauguration of a corporate chief magistrate. The shout was renewed, and again and again re-echoed by the thousands who thronged the avenues leading to the Tholsel. The galleries and every inch of the Court were so densely crowded that the Mayor and Council had the greatest difficulty returning to the Assembly-room, where the Mayor took his seat as President. About two o'clock the Assembly continued.

34. 1380 pestilence and warfare reduce Drogheda burgesses

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1380

    By 1380 plague and constant warfare with the Scots and native septs had so weakened Drogheda's burgesses that King Richard II granted them customs and duties to repair their walls and fortifications.

    Read the passage

    Justiciary and officers to seize into his hands, the estates and castles which he had granted, and which were left unfortified, and to apply the profits thereof to strengthen and defend them, for the safety of his dominions. In 1380, the calamity of pestilence, and the superadded infliction of incessant warfare with the Scots and native septs, had so reduced the burgesses of Drogheda, that King Richard the Second then conferred upon them certain customs and duties for the repair of their walls and fortifications, and for the general improvement of the town. In 1385, another murage charter was granted to the Mayor and Commonalty of Drogheda on the Louth side ; and others in subsequent years, as more particularly mentioned in the section on the Corporate History.

    The walls of Drogheda extended in their circumference, including the breadth of the river, somewhat more than a mile and a half, and enclosed an area of about sixty-four acres of the old Irish measure, their general height being from twenty to twenty-two feet, and their thickness from four to six, diminishing towards the summit, so as to allow a space of about two feet, with embrasures, for the soldiery to act from. In latter times, probably after the invention of gunpowder, this space was augmented by an addition of three or four feet, supported by columns of stone, and elliptic arches, on and through which, a passage led roimd the town, with doorways through the gates, castles, and turrets. The banks of the river

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Drogheda, you're passing through a town that was nearly broken in 1380. Plague had struck, and on top of it, incessant warfare with the Scots and the native septs had so reduced the burgesses that King Richard the Second granted them certain customs and duties, so they could repair their walls and fortifications and try to rebuild the town. The walls themselves were formidable, running better than a mile and a half around, with the river's breadth counted in, and enclosing about 64 acres by the old Irish measure. They stood 20 to 22 feet high, and 4 to 6 feet thick, narrowing toward the top to leave a walkway of about 2 feet for soldiers to fight from. In later years, probably after gunpowder came in, that space was widened by another 3 or 4 feet, held up with stone columns and elliptic arches, and a passage ran right around the town through the gates, castles, and turrets. Another murage charter came to the Mayor and Commonalty on the Louth side in 1385, and more in the years after.

35. 1829 Anti-Emancipation Resolution by Drogheda Corporation

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1829

    The Drogheda Corporation resolved to prevent the increase of Popery and recommend admitting certain persons to freedom of the body, in reaction against the proposed Catholic Emancipation. This was regretted as typical of the sectarian spirit of corporate bodies in Ireland at the time.

    Read the passage

    Peter's parish for 99 years, at the yearly rent of £3 5^. for the use and purpose of supporting and keeping thereon a charity school or chapel, as is therein mentioned In 1808, they passed a Resolution " that the town wall and gates of the town do of right belong to this Corporation, and that the chief magistrate shall not part with the right or possession of same to any person whatever without a special order of the Corporate Assembly." In 1809, they ordered that the gate-customs should be available as a fund to widen the bridge ; in 1810, sanctioned the appropriation of a place at the Mayoralty House, called the Change, for the purpose of a sitting-room for the inhabitants and merchants; and in 1814, resolved " that the bridge of the town was in such a state of danger, from one of the buttresses and other parts thereof, having failed, that it was necessary it should be pulled down and a new one erected; that application should be made for a Parliamentary aid, and in the meantime a certain toll upon horses, cattle, cows, and carriages, passing or repassing the bridge, ought to be established and continued until such sum as the Corporation might be able to borrow on the security thereof could be repaid with interest." It is to be regretted that in the spirit, then too general amongst corporate bodies in Ireland, that of Drogheda came to a resolution on the 29th of April, 1 829, that they felt it their duty, in order to prevent the increase of Popery in this country, and to check the dangerous consequences to their religion and

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 159

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Drogheda, this is a town whose Corporation was active across many years. In 1808 they declared that the town wall and gates of right belonged to the Corporation, and that the chief magistrate should not part with them without a special order of the Corporate Assembly. In 1809 they ordered gate-customs to fund widening the bridge. In 1810 they sanctioned a place at the Mayoralty House, called the Change, as a sitting-room for inhabitants and merchants. In 1814 they found the bridge so dangerous, a buttress and other parts having failed, that it must be pulled down and a new one built. They sought Parliamentary aid, and in the meantime set a toll on horses, cattle, cows, and carriages passing or repassing the bridge, to continue until the Corporation could repay what they borrowed on the security of that toll. It is to be regretted, the historian writes, that in the spirit then too general amongst corporate bodies in Ireland, Drogheda's Corporation passed a resolution on the 29th of April, 1829. They declared they felt it their duty to prevent the increase of Popery in this country, and to check the dangerous consequences to their religion. This was in reaction against the proposed Catholic Emancipation, and the resolution recommended admitting certain persons to freedom of the body. The historian regretted it as typical of the sectarian spirit of corporate bodies in Ireland at the time.

36. Archbishop Richard Fitz Ralph denounces dissenters at Drogheda, 1349

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1349

    In 1349, Richard Fitz Ralph, Archbishop of Armagh residing in Drogheda, publicly denounced all who disowned his ecclesiastical authority, causing many offenders to repair to the town and seek forgiveness.

    Read the passage

    Meath, who had claimed, an exemption from metropoKtan visitation, and ineffectually prosecuted their suit in that behalf at the Court of Rome. The right, however, was upon this occasion fully established, although primatial pre-eminence continued to be warmly contested long afterwards, and, in 1349, threatened such consequences of insubordination, that Richard Fitz Ralph, then Archbishop of Armagh, and residing in Drogheda, publicly denounced all who disowned his ecclesiastical authority, whereupon many of the offenders repaired hither, and with public humility acknowledging their error, obtained forgiveness. Even the Prior of the noble Hospital of Kilmainham, who had been active in his resistance, being stricken with remorse in his last sickness, sent special proctors to offer his duty fend submission, but died before their return. In 1404, Doctor John Colton, who had been previously Lord Justice and Lord Chancellor of Lreland, afterwards advanced to the Primacy by the provision of the Pope, and an ambassador from Richard the Second to the Court of Rome, was interred here, having, shortly before his death, resigned his archbishopric.

    Within the church, that then existed in the parish, as particularly stated hereafter, was delivered that wholesome exhortation of brotherly love and Christian benevolence, which, in the instance of this town, united two theretofore jealous and weak corporations, into one industrious and influential community. The Boyne water had been the demarca-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Drogheda, this is the town where, in 1349, a quarrel over church authority came to a head. The bishops of Meath had claimed exemption from the primate's visitation, and had pursued their suit at the Court of Rome without success. The right was established on this occasion, but primatial pre-eminence continued to be warmly contested long afterwards. In 1349 the consequences of insubordination threatened such disorder that Richard Fitz Ralph, then Archbishop of Armagh and residing in Drogheda, publicly denounced all who disowned his ecclesiastical authority. Many of the offenders repaired hither and, with public humility, acknowledged their error and obtained forgiveness. Even the Prior of the noble Hospital of Kilmainham, who had been active in his resistance, was stricken with remorse in his last sickness. He sent special proctors to offer his duty and submission, but died before their return. In 1404 Doctor John Colton, who had been Lord Justice and Lord Chancellor of Ireland and an ambassador from Richard the Second to the Court of Rome, was interred here, having resigned his archbishopric shortly before his death.

37. Cromwell reputedly held council of war in old Drogheda house

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649–1689

    In an old timber house near Kirke's hotel, formerly belonging to the Dromgooles, popular tradition holds that Cromwell held a council of war in the drawing-room, and it is more confidently asserted that Recorder Henry Dowdal addressed King James II there in April 1689.

    Read the passage

    main here ; one a large house, with extensive bay, or rather oriel windows, adjoining Kirke's hotel, formerly belonged to the Dromgooles, and is still inhabited by a connexion of that family ; the doors, ceilings, beams, staircase, and balusters are of fine old oak, carved ; and the walls are over-panneled and wainscotted with the same material, and hung with curious oak-framed paintings. The drawingroom floor consists of one large room, and a smaller opening into it by a narrow folding door, through a screen of oak; bay windows project from each into the street: the chimney-pieces are very antique ; over that in the large room is a drawing of Mellefont Abbey, from whose once extensive woods the timber of this edifice was taken ; and in the small is suspended a large wooden-framed oblong mirror : a glass chandelier, a marble slabbed table, and several portraits of the former proprietors, are amongst the heirlooms that still attach to the freehold. In this drawing-room, according to popular tradition, Cromwell held a council of war ; and here, it is with more confidence asserted, Henry Dowdal, Recorder of Drogheda, dehvered the memorable address to King James the Second, in April, 1689- The garden attached to this house, when in the possession of the Dromgooles of that period, extended almost to Patrick's-well-lane. — ^Not far from this, and in the same street, at the corner of Patrick's-well-lane, is another old edifice, which an inscription on a small mural slab indicates to have

    DOMESTIC ARCHITECTUEE, ETC. 103

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, there is an old timber house near Kirke's hotel that once belonged to the Dromgooles, and is still lived in by a connexion of that family. The doors, ceilings, beams, staircase, and balusters are all fine old carved oak. The walls are over-paneled and wainscotted with the same material, and hung with curious oak-framed paintings. The drawing room floor is one large room, with a smaller room opening into it through a narrow folding door and a screen of oak. Bay windows project from each into the street. The chimney-pieces are very antique. Over the one in the large room hangs a drawing of Mellefont Abbey, from whose once extensive woods the timber of this house was taken. In the small room is a large wooden-framed oblong mirror, a glass chandelier, a marble slabbed table, and several portraits of the former proprietors, all heirlooms that still attach to the freehold. It is in this drawing room that popular tradition says Cromwell held a council of war. And here, with more confidence, it is asserted that Henry Dowdal, Recorder of Drogheda, delivered the memorable address to King James the Second in April 1689. The garden attached to this house, when in the possession of the Dromgooles of that period, extended almost to Patrick's-well-lane.

38. Cromwell's visit to Chief Baron Bysse at Brackenstown

    Brackenstown · townland · Dublin · 1649–1650

    At Brackenstown, near Swords, stands a noble rath commanding an extensive view, and a mansion which two centuries earlier was the residence of Chief Baron Bysse, whom Cromwell is said to have visited during his military expedition through Ireland.

    Read the passage

    and a spacious mansion, wHch, two centuries since, was the residence of Chief Baron Bysse, whom Cromwell is said to have visited during his military expedition through Ireland. Kobert Molesworth, of Brackenstown, was subsequently attainted in the Parliament of James the Second, but was ennobled by George the First, with the title of Viscount Molesworih. Balheary house, the seat of Mr. Baker, is also worthy of notice for its tastefully planted demesne, and some fine pieces of interesting tapestry preserved in the saloon.

    From the point of the line, where this enchanting panorama first breaks upon the eye, the embankment, havingfixed its footing on Ealcreagh-point,run8 over Corballis' strand, completing, in its whole extent over the estuary, a line of 2,067 yards ; a pleasing view of the wooded demesne of Newbridge here opens on the left, which will be soon much improved, by the reclaiming of the intermediate strand, a work which is actually in progress, and rendered of easy accomplishment, by the erection of a sluice-gate in the railway embankment. On the sea shore, at right, appears the hamlet of Corballis, which was, with the adjoining lands, before the civil wars of the seventeenth century, successively the estate of the Bamewalls and Nettervilles. A short deep cutting from this point, brings the railway into the little village of

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 37

39. Sir Henry Sidney lands at Skerries fleeing Dublin plague, 1575

    Skerries · town · Dublin · 1575

    In 1575, a great plague having broken out in Dublin, Sir Henry Sidney landed at Skerries as Lord Deputy of Ireland, as did Sir Oliver St. John in 1616.

    Read the passage

    obtained a grant of the customs of all boats pljdng between the Nanny water and Arklow Head ; and in 1 532, at a hosting which the King commanded to be held on the hill of Owenstown, the Prior of Holmpatrick was summoned to attend in right of the manor of Hacketstown. This priory was on6 of the earliest Irish rehgious houses suppressed in 1537, previous to the general dissolution. In the Parliament of the second year of Elizabeth, Thomas Fitz Williams, of Holmpatrick, was one of the knights of the shire representing the county of Dublin, while his father-in-law, the celebrated Chief- Baron Finglas, then resident at Westpalstown, was the other. In 1575, a great plague haviQg broken out in Dublin, Sir Henry Sidney landed at Skerries as Lord Deputy of Ireland, as did Sir Oliver St. John in 1616, while in 1578, Sir Thomas Fitz William, of Baggot's-rath and Merrion, had a grant of the monastery of Holmpatrick, with its possessions, therein fully detailed, including one watermill, one windmill upon Chanon-hill, four islands by the haven of Skerries, certain premises in the hamlet of Bamageera, two messuages, six cottages, 144a., and the customs of the farmers thereof in the town of Milverton ; 135a. with similar customs in Hacketstown ; the rectory and church of Holmpatrick, with all tithes and profits thereto belonging; the custom and poundage of all wares and merchandize on the quay of Skerries, wrecks of the sea, all customs of the tithe fish, the customs of the farmers of the messuages and cottages in the town or village of Sker-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 46

40. William Symcock, Merchant and Mayor, Dies 1420

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1387–1420

    William Symcock, an eminent merchant and Seneschal of Drogheda who exported corn, flour, wine and beer to various parts of Europe, was elected first Mayor after the 1412 union and was recorded to have honourably governed the town. He died on 18 February 1420, greatly lamented.

    Read the passage

    he is said " to have honourably governed the place, to the content of them all. He died on the 18th of February, 1420, greatly lamented." His daughter, another Agnes, intermarried with Alexander Taylor of Swords, who acquired in her right property in this town, which is, after the lapse of centuries, still enjoyed by his descendant Mr. Taylor, of Swords House].

    In 1413, the king granted that each future Mayor of the united bodies should be exclusive Escheator within the town(a), and on the 12th of September, 1414, the charter of 1402 received a further royal confirmation, while by another of the 10th of November, immediately following. King Henry the Fifth yet more strongly ratified all former gifts, grants, liberties, franchises, and quittances, with a renewal of the customs and tolls. In 1417, by reason of the heavy expenses incurred by the Corporation in doing state service in the suite of Sir John Talbot, of Halomshire, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, they were released from all debts, arrears of farm rent, and amerciaments. In the following year, however, Thomas Walsh, Mayor, and Peter Mesburgh, and William English, Sheriffs of this town, were impleaded before the Barons of the Exchequer, for certain arrears of the farm rent then due by them, but in 1419, received from Henry the Fifth a more distinct and effective pardon of all escapes, contempts, and fines,

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 139

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda, the town you are passing through, holds the story of William Symcock, an eminent merchant and Seneschal who exported corn, flour, wine, and beer to various parts of Europe. After the union of 1412, he was elected the first Mayor of the town. He is said "to have honourably governed the place, to the content of them all." He died on the 18th of February, 1420, greatly lamented. His daughter, another Agnes, married Alexander Taylor of Swords, who acquired property in this town through her. After centuries, it is still enjoyed by his descendant, Mister Taylor of Swords House. In 1413, the king granted that each future Mayor should be exclusive Escheator within the town. On the 12th of September, 1414, the charter of 1402 received further royal confirmation. By another charter on the 10th of November immediately following, King Henry the Fifth more strongly ratified all former gifts, grants, liberties, franchises, and quittances, with renewal of customs and tolls. In 1417, the Corporation was released from all debts and arrears of farm rent, owing to heavy expenses incurred doing state service in the suite of Sir John Talbot of Halomshire, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The following year, Thomas Walsh, Mayor, and Peter Mesburgh and William English, Sheriffs, were impleaded before the Barons of the Exchequer for arrears of farm rent. In 1419, they received from Henry the Fifth a more distinct pardon of all escapes, contempts, and fines.

41. Battle at Ferney during John de Courcy's Ulster expedition

    Farney · barony · Monaghan · 1177–1200

    Giraldus Cambrensis records that John de Courcy fought a battle at Ferney during his expedition into Ulster, where he was utterly discomfited owing to the narrowness of the way.

    Read the passage

    they heard the Enghsh were about to besiege Dub lin, obstructed " all the narrow and wooded ways about the city," whereupon, the invaders decUned all these avenues, and, passing through the mountains of Glendalough, arrived in safety before the walls of Dublin. In a subsequent passage, speaking of the expedition of John de Courcy into Ulster, he narrates, that he fought a battle at Ferney, where, by reason of the narrowness of the way (arctum viae transitum), he was utterly discomfited. Yet, no distinct description as of existing roads, and much less of vehicles, is found in his works. There is a patent, however, on record, as of the date of 1350, which defines various roads as then existing in the county Wexford, and which were thereby declared to be the respective boimdaries of a district granted by Walter Marshal Earl of Pembroke, to the abbey of Tintern. In 1376, the Dean and Chapter of Cashel were, by a special royal Ucense, exempted from attending at Carlow (then the seat of the Irish government, the Courts, and the Royal Treasury), " on account of the difficulties and obstructions of the intermediate roads." The Bishop of Kerry had a similar indulgence in the time of Richard the Second, dispensing with his personal attendance at a Parliament held in Dublin in 1404. At the close of the reign of that unfortunate monarch, when he made his second visit to Ireland, a contemporaneous Metrical History of the expedition states, that, when he would have marched from Kilkenny into the

    XXXll INTKODUCTORY MEMOIR OF THE

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 18

42. Castle of Artane taken by Netterville, 1641

    Artaine · parish · Dublin · 1641

    On the outbreak of the civil war of 1641, the castle of Artane was taken by Luke Netterville at the head of a body of royalists and garrisoned for the king.

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    estate of the family of Hollywood, or " de Sacro Bosco," having been purchased in the fourteenth century by Robert de Hollywood, then one of the Remembrancers, and afterwards a Baron of the Exchequer. In 1533, John Allen, Archbishop of Dublin, when intending to fly from the resentment of Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, then in rebellion against his king, took boat from Dublin, but, his little bark having been driven on tlie adjacent shore, he sought shelter in Artane, where, being discovered, he was dragged from his bed, and inhumanly murdered. This ill-fated prelate was the pupil of Wolsey, and trained up by him in political intrigue. He had served his ambitious patron as judge in his legatine court, with an assiduity and attention, neither upright nor honourable, and, though accused of misdemeanor, and dismissed from this office, he was still protected by the Cardinal, and proved his useful and active agent in the suppression of monasteries. The jealousy of Gardiner, however, effected his removal to Ireland, where his adoption of his patron's prejudices against the Geraldines led to his destruction. On the breaking out of the civil war of 1641, the castle of Artane was taken by Luke Netterville, at the head of a body of royalists, and garrisoned thereupon for the king. The church was a picturesque ruin, and long the burial-place of the Hollywood family ; a great proportion of its walls has, however, been sacrilegiously appropriated to the construction of a modern edifice. The

    DUBLIN AND DBOGHEDA RAILWAY. Ixxiii

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 28

43. Charter empowers Mayor to erect gallows and execute felons

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1539

    An enrolled charter of 1539 made the Mayor and Recorder of Drogheda justices of gaol delivery within the town, with power to erect a gallows and execute judgment on felons, and to build a prison.

    Read the passage

    Another charter, enrolled in 1539, provided that the Mayor and Recorder should be guardians of the peace for the King within the town and franchises by land, sea, and fresh water ; and should also be justices of the peace, with power to hold inquisitions of felonies and other crimes, and to have the assize of weights and measures. This instrument also prescribed, that neither the King's Coroner, Escheator, or Sherifi*, should have jurisdiction in the town ; that the Corporation might build a prison ; that the Mayor and Recorder should be justices of gaol delivery within the town, with power to erect a gallows, and execute judgment on felons ; and lastly, it confirmed all former grants and dona-

    (a) Vice-Treasurer's Office.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 142

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Drogheda now, in Louth. Back in 1539 a charter was enrolled here that gave the Mayor and Recorder real power over life and death. They were made justices of gaol delivery within the town, with authority to erect a gallows and execute judgment on felons. The same charter named them guardians of the peace for the King by land, sea, and fresh water, and let the Corporation build a prison. It also shut the King's Coroner, Escheator, and Sheriff out of the town entirely. So at that date Drogheda ran its own justice from arrest to hanging, answerable to no royal officers inside its walls.

44. Drogheda Flax Mill Built on Site of St. Mary de Urso Cemetery

    Drogheda · town · Louth

    The Drogheda Flax Mill was constructed upon ground that had anciently been the cemetery of the religious house of St. Mary de Urso, with views over the Boyne and Oldbridge from its gable windows.

    Read the passage

    the character of the manufacture, however, declined, in consequence of certain traders mixing the cotton in the warps with the linen, from which, and other causes generally affecting the trade, the sales of linen declined, and the hand-loom weaving suffered proportionably. In evidence, however, given to Parliament in 1836, the average of hnen annually manufactured at Drogheda, was calculated at 30,000 pieces, a large proportion of which was consigned to the Dublin market. This revival of the trade may be attributed to the operations of the flax mills recently established in this town. The first of these opened was the Drogheda Flax Mill^ for the manufacture of linen yam from tow and flax, for the supply of the weavers; its engine, of 75 horse power, cost £3000, and its funnel, cistern, and gas reservoir are worthy of the works. This mill moves 7652 spindles, and gives present employment to about 250 persons. It stands upon the ground anciently the cemetery of the religious house of St. Mary de Urso, and from its gable windows commands delightful views of Drogheda, the windings of theBoyne, and Oldbridge. Near this, higher up the Boyne, is the Mell Flax Mill, worked by two engines, each of 25 horse power, which move 5000 spindles, consume five tons of flax weekly, producing nearly £100 worth of yarn; this employs about 200 hands daily, and is situated in an open and healthy situation, commanding views equally extensive with the last. A third, StMary^s Flax Mill, at the Meath side of the river, is also worked by two

    74 MODERN STATISTICS.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 94

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this was a town where linen had long roots but the trade had declined, partly because traders mixed cotton into the linen warps. A revival came in the 1830s through new flax mills. In evidence given to Parliament in 1836, the average of linen manufactured at Drogheda was calculated at 30,000 pieces a year, much of it consigned to the Dublin market. The Drogheda Flax Mill was the first of these mills to open, making linen yarn from tow and flax to supply the weavers. Its engine, 75 horse power, cost £3000, and it moved 7652 spindles, giving employment to about 250 persons. It stands upon ground that was anciently the cemetery of the religious house of St. Mary de Urso, and from its gable windows you could see delightful views of Drogheda, the windings of the Boyne, and Oldbridge. Nearby, higher up the Boyne, the Mell Flax Mill worked two engines of 25 horse power each, moving 5000 spindles, consuming five tons of flax weekly and employing about 200 hands. A third, St. Mary's Flax Mill, sat on the Meath side of the river.

45. Earl of Desmond executed and buried at Drogheda Dominican Friary

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1467–1570

    The unfortunate Earl of Desmond, executed in Drogheda in 1467, was first interred at the Dominican Friary. Accounts differ as to whether his remains were later moved to Christ Church Dublin in 1570 or, per the Four Masters, carried to Tralee for burial in the family vault.

    Read the passage

    In 1399, this house had a royal confirmation of its possessions, and in the same year. Pope Boniface the Ninth granted indulgences, on certain festivals, to all who visited its church, or the chapel of the Virgin Mary contiguous thereto, and the same Pontiff renewed this indulgence in 1401; while in 1400, King Henry the Fourth confirmed in perpetuity, the annual pension, which, as before mentioned, had been assigned for the Dominicans of this house, as well as those of Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Limerick. In 1412, the dissensions that had so long, and so unhappily, existed between the towns-people at both sides of the river, were ^'econciled, by the advocacy of Philip Bennet, a friar of this house, as more particularly set forth hereafter. In 1467, the unfortunate Earl of Desmond, who was executed in

    (a) Moore's History of Ireland, vol. iii. pp. 127-8.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 118

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this is the town where the unfortunate Earl of Desmond was executed in 1467 and first laid to rest at the Dominican Friary. The friary itself had a long history before that: a royal confirmation of its possessions in 1399, papal indulgences from Boniface the Ninth for visitors on certain festivals, and King Henry the Fourth confirming an annual pension in perpetuity in 1400. In 1412, a friar of the house named Philip Bennet helped reconcile divisions between the townspeople on both sides of the river. After Desmond's execution, accounts differ about what became of his remains. Some say they were moved to Christ Church Dublin in 1570, while the Four Masters hold they were carried to Tralee for burial in the family vault.

46. Election of First Mayor under the Reformed Municipal Corporation

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1842

    On 1 November 1842, Drogheda's Reformed Corporation held its first mayoral election, with vast crowds thronging the Tholsel and surrounding streets to witness the historic event marking the end of the old chartered corporation.

    Read the passage

    " Tuesday, the first of November, being the day fixed upon by the municipal Act for the election and swearing in of the first Mayor of the Reformed Corporation of Drogheda, the Tholsel and the different streets in its vicinity, were crowded almost to suffocation by persons anxious to witness the novel event.

    " About 12 o'clock, noon, the Aldermen and members of the Council met in the Assembly Room, and having read and subscribed the oath of allegiance prescribed by the Catholic Relief Bill, for Roman Catholics taking office, they proceeded to the densely crowded Crown Court, where the outgoing Mayor, attired in his robes of office, awaited them to administer the oath; a ceremony which was immediately performed. The several members of the Council returned to the Assembly Room, followed by a large number of the burgesses and commonalty, when Alderman Teman moved a resolution that Alderman Ennis should take the chair. This having been unanimously carried, Alderman Ternan again rose

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 160

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this is the town where the first mayor under the reformed corporation was elected on the first of November 1842. Crowds packed the Tholsel and the surrounding streets, almost to suffocation, as people gathered to witness what the source calls this novel event. Around noon, the aldermen and council members met in the Assembly Room and took the oath of allegiance prescribed by the Catholic Relief Bill for Roman Catholics taking office. They then proceeded to the densely crowded Crown Court, where the outgoing mayor in his robes administered the oath. The council returned to the Assembly Room, followed by burgesses and commonalty, and Alderman Ternan moved that Alderman Ennis take the chair, carried unanimously. It marked the end of the old chartered corporation and the beginning of a new civic order in Drogheda.

47. Foundation of the High Rath of Swords

    Swords · town · Dublin · 512

    According to the Annals of the Four Masters, a companion of Heremon raised a fortress here called the High Rath of Swords. In 512, a church was founded or dedicated here by Columb-kille, who gave it a valuable missal.

    Read the passage

    According to the Annals of the Four Masters, one of the companions of Heremon raised a fortress here, called the High Rath of Swords. In 512, a church was founded here by Columb-kille, or at least dedicated to him, and to which that saint gave a valuable missal. Soon after the battle of Clontarf, the bodies of Brien Boroihme and his son Murrough, were conveyed in solemn procession hither, where they were deposited for the first night, amidst the prayers and chauntings of the fraternity ; the funeral proceeded on the following day to Duleek, whence the monks of that establishment conducted the bodies to their sepulchral destination at Armagh. Swords was afterwards the seat of a rural bishopric, and still gives name to a deanery. On the foundation of the collegiate establishment of St. Patrick's, in Dublin, Swords was constituted a prebend of that church, and the manor was vested in the See of Dublin, in whose favour King John granted an eight day fair, and King James the First a weekly market in the town. In 1336, the celebrated WiUiam of Wykeham held the prebend of Swords (styled in the "Eepertorium Viride," the "golden prebend"), together with eleven benefices in England ; he was afterwards

    DUBLIN AND DBOGHEDA RAILWAY. XClX

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 37

48. King William reputedly slept at Howth Castle, 1690

    Howth · townland · Dublin · 1690

    King William is said to have slept at Howth Castle in 1690, and the chamber of his slumber is still identified and maintained.

    Read the passage

    joy, as Lord Deputy for the prosecution of the war m Ulster, and Sir Greorge Carew, as Lord President of Munster, landed here, and spent the night of their arrival in the castle of Howth. In 1641, when the Lords of the Pale proposed to establish a naval armament for the security of the coasts of Ireland, and to institute an order of knighthood for its chief officers, to whom houses were to be assigned in every province, with suitable equipments for each, Howth was the station assigned for those of the province of Leinster. In 1662, the great Duke of Ormond, having returned from his retirement in France, landed here as Lord Lieutenant over the country, in whose affairs he had so long taken an important and active interest. In 1690, King William is said to have slept here, and the chamber of the royal slumber is still identified and maintained in the order of the occasion. About the year 1754, a lead mine was discovered here, which promised to be productive ; and in 1807, was laid the first stone of the pier before alluded to, where, in 1821, King George the Fourth landed on the occasion of his visit to Ireland. Immediately off Howth lies the little island, denominated

    Ireland's eye.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 32

49. O'Neill's 1541 submission to clear woods near English frontiers, including Greencastle and Mourne

    Greencastle · townland · Down · 1541

    When O'Neill submitted to English rule in 1541 he agreed to cut down thickets and woods between his country and the English frontiers; provisions were also made to keep paths cut and plain about Green-Castle and Mourne to bridle the Irishry.

    Read the passage

    access, ingress and egress, might be afforded to the Lord Deputy. It was also provided, that about Green-Castle and Mourne, " paths and ways should be cut and kept plain, as may help to bridle the Irishry of these parts, and to give passage into every quarter and comer of their country, if they would hereafter use themselves otherwise than appertaineth."

    It may be here remarked, that, although by the common law of England, every parish was bound to keep its roads in repair, yet was it not until 1555 that, by an Act of the second and third years of the reign of Philip and Mary, statutable provisions were made for the mending of highways in that country; the same being, as the preamble of the Act states, " now both very noisome and tedious to travel in, and dangerous to all passengers and carriages." In Ireland, within a few years afterwards. Sir Henry Sidney speaks in terms of marked satisfaction of " the open highway" from Drogheda to Dundalk, and thence to Newry, and " the well-manured lands" through which it passed. His successor in the Viceroyalty, Arthur Lord Grey, Baron of Wilton, is said to have introduced the first coach into this country, being within a short interval after a similar vehicle had been seen in England. In 1596, the celebrated Edmund Spencer, in his able " View of the State of Ireland," suggests, amongst other improvements which that country required, "that order should be takenfor the cutting and opening of all places through woods,

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 21

50. Papists barred from Drogheda Corporation freedom, 1656

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1656

    A vote of the Drogheda Assembly in 1656 declared that no Papist should be admitted free of the Corporation, reflecting the sectarian policies imposed after the Cromwellian conquest.

    Read the passage

    On the 5th of October, 1649, was held the first assembly after the storming by Cromwell, when Messrs. Nicholas Simpson, John Martin, Bartholomew Drew, William Thompson, and John Medcalfe, were sworn aldermen, and Captain Francis Graham, Jonas Elwood, Shakerly Drew, Oliver Parry, Roger Rawlinson, James Thomas, John Dowdal, Richard Hewson, Nicholas Phelps, Richard Power, Thomas Dixon, Richard Wilson, Gabriel Meade, William Vaughan, George Talbot, James Devoe, and John Stokes, were all sworn^ free burgesses, each paying 13^. 4rf., and John Fallrough was admitted a free burgess, paying a fine of forty shillings. A vote of Assembly was passed in 1656, that no Papist should be admitted free of this Corporation ; while in 1657 it was resolved, that aU Protestants, who had faithfully adhered to the interest of the Commonwealth, and been theretofore admitted and sworn free-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 146

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Drogheda now. After Cromwell stormed the town in 1649, the first assembly was held on the 5th of October, when new aldermen and free burgesses were sworn in, each paying 13 shillings and 4 pence. Then in 1656 the assembly passed a vote that no Papist should be admitted free of this Corporation. The next year, 1657, they resolved that all Protestants who had faithfully adhered to the interest of the Commonwealth and been previously admitted and sworn free could remain. So the sectarian exclusion was formal and deliberate, part of the settlement imposed after the conquest.

51. Proclamation at Lusk market place for 1641 general meeting

    Lusk · town · Dublin · 1641

    In 1641, Luke Netterville and others caused proclamation to be made in the market place of Lusk for the holding of the general and important meeting that afterwards took place at Swords.

    Read the passage

    assaults of enemies. So early as the year 1 178, the Pope confirmed Lusk, with its church and appurtenances, to the See of Dublin, a donation which Prince John and Pope Innocent the Third subsequently ratified. A nunnery, for ladies of the order of Aroasia, then existed here, but was subsequently translated to Grace Dieu by Archbishop Comyn, who thereupon filled it withAugustinian cannonesses, whom he amply endowed. In 1513, Edmund, fourth brother of Sir Bartholomew Dillon, being then, and theretofore. Prior of Lusk, was created Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. In 1641, Luke Netterville and others caused proclamation to be made, in the market place of Lusk, for the holding of that general and important meeting, which afterwards took place at Swords. In a century afterwards, Doctor Steame, the learned Bishop of Clogher, bequeathed his paternal estate of Ballogh in this parish, together with his freehold in Lusk (subject to a chiefry of £6, and an annuity of £20 for ever, to Mercer's alms-house in Dublin), to the use of Doctor Steevens's hospital.

    RUSH,

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 40

52. Richard de Tuyt fights at the battle of Faughart

    Faughart · parish · Louth · 1318

    Sir Richard de Tuyt was among the warriors who fought at the hard-fought field of Faughart in 1318, part of the campaign against Edward Bruce.

    Read the passage

    was one of those who embarked from this port on the expedition to Scotland in aid of Edward the Second; in 1317, he was requested to continue his exertions for the defence of Ireland; in 1318, was one of the warriors who fought at the hardly contested field of Faughart, as hereafter mentioned ; in 1323, he was commanded to resist and pursue Soger de Mortimer, in the event of his taking refuge in that country; in the following year was summoned to the defence of the dutchy of Aquitaine, and in 1325, sat as a peer in Parliament. He had acquired the manor of Killeen, and other possessions, which passed, with the heiress of his first marriage, to Sir Christopher Plunkett, the ancestor of the noble famiUes of Fingal and Dunsany. Sir Richard's second wife was a daughter of the house of Ormond, and by her he had John his eldest son, and other children. This John de Tuyt was commanded to attend a hosting for the defence of the marches, in 1327; in 1333, he sat in a ParUament at DubUn, and in 1335, was knighted. His eldest son and heir, Richard, acquired not only the inheritance of his father, but also the manors which had been settled on the eldest son of the first Richard, whose male line had failed about this time. An inquisition, taken on his decease, enumerates his possessions as comprising the manors of Clonduff, Killeen, Spen, Pynnagh, Williamstown, Castlecorr, Killallon, and Trim, with the townlands of Castletown, Robertstown, CorbaUy, Tybritt, Hamondstown, Hughstown, be-

    CASTLES, FORTS, ETC. 95

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog

53. Richard II's road-clearing expedition from Kilkenny into Leinster

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1399

    A contemporaneous Metrical History states that Richard II, marching from Kilkenny into the kingdom of Leinster, ordered 2500 country people to clear a passage because the woods were so dangerous that no roads existed.

    Read the passage

    kingdom of Leinster, he commanded 2500 of the country people to clear a passage, *' for there were then no roads, neither could any person, however he might be furnished with bold and valiant men, find a passage, the woods were so dangerous." It will be, however, observed, that all these notices refer to localities without the English Pale. In 1428, Sir John Sutton, when Viceroy of Ireland, made a successful expedition against the O'Byrnes, on which occasion the Sheriff of the coimty of Dublin was ordered to provide for his use on the journey, one himdred carts of victuals ; " bigas," being the word used in the record, and which, in its ordinary and derivative application, expresses vehicles drawn by two horses. In the reign of Henry the Seventh, when Sir Richard Edgecombe was sent to Ireland, to receive the homage of the misguided Irishry who had espoused the cause of Lambert Simnel, he fixed his stations almost exclusively at the sea-ports of the Eastern coast ; it is, however, worthy of notice, that, on the 23rd of July (1488), " about eight of the bell, he went to the Earl of Kildare, to a place called All Hallows, without Dublin, and there had long communication with him and his council, and on that day, at after dinner, the said Sir Richard rode to Drogheda, twenty-four miles thence ;" no small test, as it would seem, to the facilities of this way, which, even then, was obviously a mediimi of paramount intercourse.

    Finglas, who was Chief Baron of the Irish Ex-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 18

54. Sir Henry Tichborne buried at St Mary's for defending the town

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1667

    In 1667, Sir Henry Tichbourne, who died at Bewly, was buried at St. Mary's Church; the chronicler Borlase noted the church owed a rite to his ashes for his vigilant defense that had preserved both church and town.

    Read the passage

    Acts passed in the Parliament of Drogheda in 1468, confirmed a grant of chief rents to this house. At the close of the sixteenth century, Lord Viscount Moore had a royal grant of the rectory and tithes of this church, the fee of which was confirmed to him and his descendants, by patents of 1612, 1619, and 1640. In Ussher's Visitation Book of 1622, this vicarage is stated to have been taxed at £6 I3s. 4flJ., but to be then of the value of twenty nobles sterling ; Lord Moore impropriator and patron, Mr. Robert Burton incumbent. This Return describes the church as large, and both it and the chancel in indifferent repair, and adds, " there is neither house nor glebe, save only room for a house." The circumstances attending Cromwell's siege of the town, as particularly affecting this church, are detailed in the General History at that period. In 1667, Sir Henry Tichbume, having died at Bewly, was buried in this church, " which," observes Borlase, " owed a rite to his ashes, who, with so much vigilance and excellent conduct, had preserved it and the town." In 1669, the Corporation demised to Bartholomew Doyle, part of the possessions of this house, including a pigeon-house, orchard, and 100 acres of meadow outside St. James's gate, at the annual rent of fifty-five shilUngs; and in 1677, demised other portions thereof to Arthur Ley. In June, 1690, King James the Second, while in Dublin, presented Doctor Patrick Cusack to the rectory of Duleek, with the vicarage of St. Mary of Drogheda, and all its

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 77

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are near St Mary's Church, where Sir Henry Tichborne was buried in 1667. He had died at Bewly, and the chronicler Borlase noted that the church owed a rite to his ashes, since with much vigilance and excellent conduct he had preserved both it and the town. The church had a longer history too. Parliament confirmed grants to it back in 1468, and Lord Viscount Moore held its rectory and tithes by royal grant at the close of the sixteenth century, with patents confirming the fee in 1612, 1619, and 1640. An inspection in 1622 found it large but in indifferent repair, with neither house nor glebe, only room for a house. Cromwell's siege later affected it directly. After Tichborne's burial the Corporation leased out parts of its lands, including a pigeon-house, orchard and 100 acres of meadow outside St James's gate, for 55 shillings a year in 1669, and further portions to Arthur Ley in 1677. King James the Second presented Doctor Patrick Cusack to the vicarage in June 1690.

55. Sir Richard Edgecombe received at Malahide, 1488

    Malahide · town · Dublin · 1488

    In 1488, Sir Richard Edgecombe, sent to take oaths of allegiance from Simnel supporters, landed at Malahide, was received and entertained by a Talbot gentlewoman, and was afterwards fetched to Dublin by the Bishop of Meath and others.

    Read the passage

    the couniy Louth, in 1329. In 1475, King Edward confirmed the title of the Talbot family here ; and in 1488, Sir Richard Edgecombe, when he came to take oaths of allegiance from those, who had espoused the cause of Simnel in Ireland, landed at Malahide, " and there a gentlewoman called Talbot received him, and made him right good cheer;" and the same day at afternoon, the Bishop of Meath and others came to Malahide aforesaid, well accompanied, and fetched the said Sir Kichard to Dublin, and at his coming, the Mayor and substance of the city received him at the Black Friars' Gate, at which Black Friars the said Sir Richard was lodged. In 1639, Lord Strafford sought to wrest from Richard Talbot, then the inheritor of Malahide, the admiralty of its port, and other his valuable franchises ; but, on his pleading the ancient charters under which his family had so long inherited, the Court gave judgment against the Crown, and Strafford's designs were on this occasion frustrated. In 1649, John Talbot, the son and heir of said Richard, having, in the wars of 1641, embraced that side, to which misguided loyalty and iU requited enthusiasm had hurried the gallant and respectable gentry of Ireland, shared with them the consequences of one ruinous national attainder. He was outlawed, and his castle of Malahide, with five hundred acres of land, was, about this year, granted to Miles Corbet, the regicide, soon after which, it is believed that Oliver Cromwell took up his abode for a short time

    XCVl mXRODUCTORY MEMOIR OF THE

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 36

56. Skirmish with the O'Tooles at Glenmalure

    near Glenmalur · valley · Wicklow · 1537

    Lord Grey described cutting passes into O'Toole territory in county Wicklow, advancing from Powerscourt toward the stronghold of Glanmolaur where his men bickered with the O'Tooles and certain were slain on both sides.

    Read the passage

    there, and in like maimer in the county of Famey." At the same time, Lord Grey reported, that the chieftain of Ely-0'Carrol (King s county) was " contented and agreed, that the Lord Deputy should cut at his pleasure, any passes in the said country of Ely-0'Carrol, after what sort and fashion the said Deputy should think good ; and that said chieftain was contented and agreed, to make one good and sufficient way through his country, for his Highnesses army and ordinance to pass without any let, on his own proper costs and charges." Of the O'Toole's territories (in the coimty Wicklow), Lord Grey writes : " I repaired, the 29th of May, to the Castle of Powerscourt, and from thence removed into the country of the O'Tooles, from one strong pass to another, cutting the woods, as was thought best by the gentlemen and commons of the country, most for the annoyance of the said Tooles so coming to their stronghold of Glanmolaur, where they bickered with my men, at which time there were certain slain of both parties. Notwithstanding, at that time, I caused two passes to be cut through, for the defence of my men, whereas, before my coming thither, I think there was never Deputy with carts there." This nobleman's services herein were, indeed, universally acknowledged in the State Papers of the period. When O'Neill submitted himself to English rule in 1541, he covenanted to cut down all the thickets, groves, and woods, growing between his coimtry and the English frontiers, so that free

    c2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 21

57. Thomas Brodigan honoured for founding the Dublin & Drogheda Railway

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1836

    Thomas Brodigan of Pilton House devised the plan and prospectus for the Dublin and Drogheda Railway. In January 1836 the inhabitants of Drogheda voted him thanks, and in October the Corporation granted him the freedom of the town in a gold box for his role in securing the Act.

    Read the passage

    (a) Mr. Thomas Brodigan, of Pilton House, the gentleman here aUuded to, received a vote of thanks from the inhabitants ofDrogheda, in January, 1836, for originating this important measure, as one, " to whose activity, inteUigence, and ability," in the words of their resolution, " we are indebted for its present state of advancement;" and in the October following, the Corporation of that town unanimously voted him the freedom of their Body, which was presented in a gold box, with an address, testifying their high estimation of his private character, " as well as of the zeal and ability which he uniformly evinced in promoting works of public utility, and more especially in the unwearied assiduity with which he had laboured to procure, and finaUy succeeded in obtaining, an Act for establishing a railroad from Dublin to Drogheda, a work which originated in the suggestions of his active and intelligent mind, and from which are anticipated the happiest results to the trade and prosperity of the town."

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this is the town that honoured Thomas Brodigan of Pilton House for devising the plan and prospectus of the Dublin and Drogheda Railway. In January 1836 the inhabitants voted him thanks, crediting his "activity, intelligence, and ability" for the project's advancement. In October the Corporation unanimously granted him the freedom of the town in a gold box, testifying to his private character and his unwearied efforts in finally obtaining an Act for the railway. They called it a work that originated in the suggestions of his "active and intelligent mind," from which they anticipated the happiest results to the trade and prosperity of the town.

58. William III encamped at Balbriggan after the Boyne

    Balbriggan · town · Dublin · 1690

    On the 3rd of July, 1690, King William encamped at Balbriggan after the Battle of the Boyne.

    Read the passage

    The fee of Balbriggan, which, before the civil wars of the seventeenth century, was vested in the Barnewall family, afterwards passed to Richard, the celebrated Earl of Tyrconnell, on whose attainder, and after subsequent mesne assignments, it was, in the commencement of the eighteenth century, purchased by Mr. Alexander Hamilton of Erenagh and Ballybrenagh, in the county Down, from whom it has lineally descended to the present proprietor. On the 3rd of July, 1690, King Wilham encamped here after the battle of the Boyne. In 1795, Earl

    l\.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 49

59. Ludlow's residence and Commonwealth transactions at Monkstown

    Monkstown · townland · Dublin

    Monkstown was once the country seat of the revolutionary General Edmund Ludlow, and the scene of sundry state transactions during the Commonwealth period.

    Read the passage

    (an ancient and long transmitted inheritance of the Fitzwilliam family, where, in 1565, Sir Henry Sydney, after landing at Dalkey, sojourned with Thomas Fitzwilliam, on the day previous to his solemn entry as Viceroy into Dublin, and which, in 1665, was the seat of the Earl of Tyrconnel, on whose forfeiture, it was granted to the Corporation), Booterstown, Frescati (once the favourite residence of the unfortunate Lord Edward Fitzgerald), the Black Rock, Monkstown, with a new church of grotesque and miscellaneous architecture (this latter locality was once the country seat of the revolutionary General, Edmimd Ludlow, and the scene of sundry state transactions during the Commonwealth), Kingstown, with its noble harbour and pier, whence King George the Fourth re-embarked in 1821, and from which to Dublin the first specimen of a railway in Ireland, was opened in 1834; Bullock (at the foot of whose oldcastle, Thomas of Lancaster, the king's son, in 1402, landed, as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as did the Earl of Sussex in 1559, in the same capacity) ; and lastly, Dalkey, once the principal emporium for the commerce of Ireland, and as such, defended from the freebooters of the mountains, and the pirates of the sea, by seven strongly fortified and wellmanned castles ; while to the Archbishop of Dubhn and his successors, was committed, the diBce of admiral, or water-bailiff, within the manor and port. In 1414, Sir John Talbot, Lord Furnival, afterwards the rendwned Earl of Shrewsbury, landed at this

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 26

60. De Lacy forfeiture at Balrothery for supporting Edward Bruce

    Balrothery · townland · Dublin · 1300–1318

    Sir Hugh de Lacy, who held part of Balrothery, forfeited his land to the Crown before 1318 for espousing the cause of Edward Bruce and his adherents; the land was then granted to Richard de Isdall.

    Read the passage

    In 1200, the Archbishop of Dublin gave the church of Balrothery, with its dependent chapehies, to the religious house of Kilbixy, while, in five years afterwards, King John, by charter, granted to the commonalty of the counties of Dublin and Meath, commonage of turbary in the bogs of Garristown, Balrothery, &c., to hold to them and their successors, in perpetual alms ; which right was actually so enjoyed for upwards of two hundred years, when they complained to the king that the trust was abused, by some exercising the right in improper places, or in an injurious mode. Previous to the year 1318, Sir Hugh de Lacy was seised of part of Balrothery, which became forfeited to the Crown, on his espousing the cause of Edward Bruce and his adherents, and was thereupon granted to Bichard de Isdall in fee. At the close of the fourteenth century, Robert Bumell, an ancestor of that ancient family, which afterwards settled at Balgriffin, held in fee half the barony of Balrothery ; in the sixteenth, the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem had also some landed possessions within the parish, this place being then accounted amongst " the walled and good towns" of the county. In the following century, Peter Bamewall was seised by inheritance of the manor of Balrothery ; and in 1641, the right of holding three annual fairs, and a weekly market, was conceded to this town. In the same year, as related more particularly in the General History of Drogheda, the forces intended for its relief mutinied here on their m^-ch. In 1 666, Knockingen, 135a.;

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 48