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. Extensive liberties granted to Drogheda under 1229 charter

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1229

   The 1229 charter for Drogheda ex parte Uriel granted extensive privileges including soc and sac, exemption from tolls, the right to elect their own provosts, a fishery in the water of Drogheda, and the right to build along the bank of the Boyne.

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   the Assizes, before the King's Justices, by the Common Council, to keep the pleas of the Crown, and " to see that the provosts of the borough justly and lawfully treated as well the poor as the rich of the borough;" that none might exact pledges from them unless with their own consent ; " that they should have their fishery in the water of Drogheda, as they had ever had, and used to have it, in the times of the king's predecessors;" that no stranger should export victuals thence without their license; that no merchant should sell cloth in the borough by retail, nor wine on draught; and "that they might improve in making buildings on the bank of the Boyne, as far as the stream of the water, and elsewhere within their bounds." This charter also confirmed to them all liberties and free customs used in the time of the king's predecessors, to have and to hold the borough, with its appurtenances, and the water of Drogheda in fee farm, of the Crown, by a rent of sixty marks payable half yearly. The witnesses to this instrument are Hubert de Burgo, Earl of Kent, Justice of England ; Stephen de Segrave, and others. [The last named individual was a remarkable instance of the instability of a courtier's honours ; he alternately enjoyed the favour and experienced the displeasure of King Henry the Third. In his youth, from a priest he became a soldier, and though of low birth, by his diligence acquired so much wealth and honour, that he was soon accounted among the chief men of the kingdom, was appointed

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 130

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Drogheda, the town carries the marks of a 1229 charter that granted its people extensive liberties. They could keep the pleas of the Crown, elect their own provosts, and hold their fishery in the water of Drogheda as they always had. No stranger could export victuals without their license, and no merchant could sell cloth by retail or wine on draught in the borough. The charter let them build along the bank of the Boyne, as far as the stream, and confirmed all liberties and free customs from the time of the king's predecessors. The borough and its water were held in fee farm from the Crown for a rent of 60 marks, paid half yearly. The witnesses included Hubert de Burgo, Earl of Kent, and Stephen de Segrave, a man who rose from low birth and the priesthood to become a soldier and one of the chief men of the kingdom.

2. First royal charter grants Bristol law to burgesses of Drogheda bridge

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1213

   In 1213 King John, by first royal charter, granted the burgesses of the bridge of Drogheda and their heirs forever the law of Bristol with all liberties and customs, usable both in England and Ireland.

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   been attached by his *• burgage" in Drogheda, for plundering a ship of Leytown, but who afterwards sued out a pardon, was thereupon restored to his said "burgage"(a). In 1210, however, when King John made his second visit to Ireland, and sojourned in Drogheda, he disseised De Lacy of his posses- 8ions(i); whereupon, and having erected, as before mentioned, the two counties of Meath and Louth, he took both boroughs to his especial protection, and, in three years afterwards, he, by their first royal charter, " granted, and confirmed, to our burgesses of the bridge of Drogheda, and their heirs, for ever, that they might have and enjoy the law of Bristol, with all hberties and customs appertaining thereto, and that they might use the same as well in England as in Ireland, as others hold and enjoy the same throughout the land(c). That this charter contemplated both boroughs, seems confirmed by the distinction drawn in a patent of 1216, whereby Nicholas, son and heir of Bertram de Verdon, had seisin of " Ponte Ferrardi" (i. e. Drogheda at the Ferrard side of the bridge), the king retaining to himself the borough " Villa ips^* de Ponte."

   By the Great Charter for Ireland, bearing date in 1216, it was, amongst other things, provided, that cities, towns, boroughs, and ports, should enjoy all their liberties and free customs, a form of confirma-

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 128

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Drogheda, you are in a town that King John himself visited in 1210. He stayed here, and took both boroughs under his especial protection. Three years later, in 1213, he granted Drogheda its first royal charter. By it, he "granted and confirmed to our burgesses of the bridge of Drogheda, and their heirs, for ever, that they might have and enjoy the law of Bristol, with all liberties and customs appertaining thereto," and that they might use the same in England as well as in Ireland. A patent of 1216 drew a distinction between the two sides of the bridge. Nicholas, son and heir of Bertram de Verdon, received seisin of the Ferrard side, while the king retained the borough of the bridge to himself. That same year, the Great Charter for Ireland confirmed that cities, towns, boroughs, and ports should enjoy all their liberties and free customs.

3. Founding of Dominican Friary by Archbishop Netterville

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1224–1271

   The Dominican Friary in Drogheda was founded about 1224 by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh, who died in 1227 and was reputedly interred there, as was his successor Patrick O'Scanlan in 1271.

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   This house was founded about the year 1224, by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh, who, dying in 1227, was, according to some authorities, here interred, as was, with less of historic doubt, his successor, Patrick O'Scanlan, in 1271. In 1246, Pope Innocent the Fourth ordered the Prior of this house, and the Warden of the Franciscans of Dundalk, to cite, and summon to Rome, a certain person who had been irregularly elected to the Archdeaconry of Armagh, and also those who had so elected him ; and in 1261, Pope Urban directed a Bull to the Bishop of Dromore, requiring him to instruct the Prior of this house, to oppose any encroachments attempted to be made on the liberties ecclesiastical, by the king's Justiciaries and Bailiffs. In 1290, a Greneral Chapter of the Order in Ireland, was held in this friary, another in 1303, and a third in 1347- In 1300, Walter, son of Hugh, having made his escape from Carrickfergus gaol, took sanctuary in this

   122 ANCIENT STATISTICS.

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   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Drogheda, you are near the site of a Dominican friary founded about 1224 by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh. He died in 1227 and was, according to some authorities, buried within its walls. His successor, Patrick O'Scanlan, was interred there too in 1271, with less historic doubt. The friary's Prior was a figure of some standing. In 1246, Pope Innocent the Fourth ordered him, along with the Warden of the Franciscans of Dundalk, to summon to Rome a man irregularly elected to the Archdeaconry of Armagh and those who had elected him. In 1261, Pope Urban directed the Bishop of Dromore to have the Prior oppose any encroachments on ecclesiastical liberties by the king's Justiciaries and Bailiffs. General Chapters of the Dominican Order in Ireland were held here in 1290, 1303, and 1347. In 1300, Walter, son of Hugh, having escaped from Carrickfergus gaol, took sanctuary in this house.

4. Howth designated naval station for Leinster knighthood order, 1641

   Howth · townland · Dublin · 1641

   In 1641 when the Lords of the Pale proposed a naval armament and an order of knighthood for coastal defence, Howth was assigned as the station for the knights of the province of Leinster.

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   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

5. James II Restores Charter, Naming Drogheda a County Borough

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1687

   On 5 November 1687, King James II granted a new charter after quo warranto proceedings, declaring Drogheda and its liberties a distinct county and incorporating it under the Mayor, Sheriffs, Burgesses, and Commons of the town.

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   In 1686, an information, in the nature of a quo warranto^ was brought against this and other Corporations, and on their default in appearing thereto, and in fact agreeing to surrender, as they did by vote of assembly, their franchises were seised to the use of the Crown; when on the 5th of November, 1687, King James granted a new charter, and thereby, after reciting the judgment in quo warranto, he willed and ordained that this town, and its liberties, should constitute a borough, and be a distinct county, according to the extent of its ancient boundaries, and incorporated under the name of the Mayor, Sheriflfs. Burgesses, and Commons, of the town of Drogheda, with the usual powers and privileges to acquire lands, sue and be sued, have a common seal, and make by-laws ; that there should be for the future one Mayor, two Sheriflfs, twenty-four Aldermen, and thirty-two burgesses ; while he, by said charter, nominated as the first and immediate Mayor, Sheriflfs, &c. : Ignatius Peppard, Mayor; Christopher Dowdall and James Kelshaw, Sheriflfs : Jenico Lord Gormanston, Thomas Peppard, Senior, Thomas Peppard Fitz Greorge, Thomas Bellew, William Baron, Nicholas D' Arcy of Platten, Christopher Cheevers, Hugh Gemon, John Moore, Christopher Peppard Fitz George, Christopher Peppard Fitz Ignatius, William Peppard, Bartholomew Gemon, Patrick Plunkett, Andrew Moore, Thomas Percival, Luke Conly, John

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 150

   As the companion tells it

   You're coming through Drogheda, a town in Louth whose charter was overturned and remade in the space of two years. In 1686 a quo warranto action was brought against this and other corporations, and rather than contest it, the assembly voted to surrender their franchises to the Crown. On the 5th of November 1687, King James II granted a new charter, declaring Drogheda and its liberties a borough and a distinct county, incorporated under the Mayor, Sheriffs, Burgesses, and Commons of the town. The charter named Ignatius Peppard as the first Mayor, Christopher Dowdall and James Kelshaw as Sheriffs, and a long roll of aldermen including Jenico Lord Gormanston, Thomas Peppard, Thomas Bellew, Nicholas D'Arcy of Platten, and Patrick Plunkett.

6. King William landing at Carrickfergus met by Duke Schomberg

   Carrickfergus · townland · Antrim · 1690

   King William landed at Carrickfergus and was met by Duke Schomberg, in whose carriage he departed, before continuing his campaign marches on horseback.

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   King William, on his landing at Carrickfergus, was met by Duke Schomberg, in whose carriage he departed thence ; but his Majesty was not disposed to continue the indulgence of such a luxury, and his marches hence were on horseback. After the battle of the Bojme, however, Colonel Bellinghai^ describes his taking his coach at Duleek. The road between Dundalk and Newry was defined by

   DUBLIN AND DKOGHBDA RAILWAY. xliii

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 22

7. Marriage Publications by Civic Authorities at Drogheda

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1656–1658

   The parish register of St. Peter's Church, covering 1654 to 1704, records marriages published by the mayor or justices of the peace, such as Thomas Rees and Catherine Branstone married by the mayor Samuel Stanbridge in 1656.

   Read the passage

   The register of this church extends through six volumes. The first and most interesting comprises the interval from 1654 to 1704. At its commencement occur several notices oi persons "three several Sundays, at the close of the morning service in Drogheda, published, and afterwards married," by the mayor or some justice of the peace; as, Thomas Rees and Catherine Branstone, by the worshipful Samuel Stanbridge, mayor, in 1656; Nicholas Urell and Judith Glome, by Joseph Trale, minister of God's word, as approved of by the aforesaid worshipful Samuel Stanbridge ; Patrick St. Laurence, and Jane Plunket, by Justice Fingall, on the 10th of September, 1658." The burials succeed in order, and lastly baptisms; in the latter the hour of birth is usually given, as " about eight o'clock in the morning," " betwixt eight and nine of the clock." Some of the burial entries are worth notice, as in 1672, " Christopher, the son of John Griswith, a Papist, was buried." — " Courcy, an aged poor man, died out of the poorhouse and was buried the same day." — " Corporal Baily of Armagh, died at the inn the sign of the Ship, and was buried 7th January." — " William Clarke,

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 70

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Drogheda, the old parish register of St. Peter's Church still survives, its first volume running from 1654 to 1704. In the years 1656 to 1658, several marriages were published three several Sundays at the close of the morning service in Drogheda, and afterwards married by the mayor or a justice of the peace. Thomas Rees and Catherine Branstone were married by the worshipful Samuel Stanbridge, mayor, in 1656. Nicholas Urell and Judith Glome were married by Joseph Trale, minister of God's word, as approved by the same Mayor Stanbridge. Patrick St. Laurence and Jane Plunket were married by Justice Fingall on the 10th of September, 1658. The register goes on to record burials and baptisms, with baptisms usually giving the hour of birth. Among the burials, Christopher, the son of John Griswith, a Papist, was buried in 1672. Courcy, an aged poor man, died out of the poorhouse and was buried the same day. Corporal Baily of Armagh died at the inn at the sign of the Ship and was buried the 7th of January.

8. Ruined ivy-covered church at Killester

   Killester · parish · Dublin

   The ruined church of Killester, enclosed by and enclosing elder trees, is thickly invested with ivy; it and its tithes belonged from the time of the English invasion to the Priors of Christ Church, Dublin, who leased it to the White family.

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   enclosing, and enclosed with elder trees, and thickly invested with ivy. This chapel, with the tithes and lands of Killester, was, at the time of the English invasion, and continued long after to be, of the possessions of the Priors of Christ Church, Dublin, who leased it to the White family, one of whom, Richard White, was, in 1373, summoned to a Great Council, as lord of Killester ; from them it passed to the lords of Howth ; accordingly, in 1593, Sir Nicholas, the twenty-first lord, brought to a hosting at Tara, six archers on horseback for Howth, and one for Killester ; in his line the fee still continues. The manor house is a pleasing specimen of the style of such architecture ; it is at present occupied by General Luscomb, and is also close to the line. At the opposite side is the demesne and house of Furry Park, formerly the seat of the Earl of Shannon, the descendant of the celebrated Sir Richard Boyle. The cutting thence is through deep and fine mould, well guarded from shps, by dwarf retaining walls, and by the ample inclination given to the upper cuttings, over which nature is again asserting her dominion, and clothing them with verdure and variedj vegetation. At one point here, a beautifid occupation

   Ixxiv INTRODUCTORY M£MOIR OF THE

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 29

9. Sir Henry Sidney praises the open highway from Drogheda to Dundalk

   Dundalk · town · Louth · 1560–1580

   Sir Henry Sidney speaks approvingly of 'the open highway' running from Drogheda to Dundalk and thence to Newry, passing through well-manured lands, indicating the route's development by the mid-16th century.

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   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,

   DUBLIN AND DROGHEDA RAILWAY. XXXVll

   Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 21

10. Viceregal landing of Edmund de Mortimer at Howth, 1380

    Howth · townland · Dublin · 1380

    Edmund de Mortimer, Earl of March and Ulster, landed at Howth in 1380 as Viceroy of Ireland.

    Read the passage

    in the former alone, from August to Cliristmas, 14,000 persons perished. In 1380, Edmimd de Mortimer, Earl of March and Ulster, landed here as Viceroy of Ireland, and in 1427, Chief Baron Cornwalsh sailed hence to advise the King on the state of Ireland, being allowed 6s. 8rf. per day for his expenses while employed upon that mission. In 1449, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of Edward the Fourth, landed at Howth as Lord Lieutenant, and his government of Ireland was a short but cheering interval(a). In 1451, Sir Christopher, the fourteenth Baron of Howth, was empowered by Act of Parliament to search for a mine within his lordship, as well for tin as for lead ore, and to receive the profits thereof to his own use, during the term of three years, subject to the annual rent of 6s. Srf., if it should be found. Sir Nicholas St. Lawrence, the sixteenth Lord of Howth, was steadily attached to the House of Lancaster, and, during the political convulsion that shook Ireland from its allegiance, in the cause of Lambert Simnel, was one of those who zealously maintained King Henry's title and interest ; accordingly, when the rebellion raised on that account was quelled, the King presented to this nobleman, as a tribute for his loyalty and services, 300 pieces of gold, with a patent confirmatory of all his inheritance. Sir Nicholas dying in 1526, was interred in the abbey here. In 1534, "the Silken

    (a) See History of Drogheda, voL ii. pp. 148-9.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 32

11. 1285 mutual defence pact between Irish boroughs including Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1285

    In 1285 the Mayor and citizens of Cork entered into a mutual protection agreement with the boroughs of Dublin, Waterford, Drogheda (both Louth and Meath sides) and Limerick, pledging mutual assistance and financial contribution if any borough's liberties were infringed, with disputes to be settled annually at Kilkenny.

    Read the passage

    In reference to the year 1285, a passage occurs in the very venerable document entitled the "Domesday Book of Develyn Cittie," in the ancient Chartulary of that Corporation, which bears a peculiar interest in the history of this and other Irish borough towns, and may be translated as follows: "To all persons who shall see or hear these presents, the Mayor and citizens of Cork send greeting in the Lord. Know ye, that we in common council, by consent and assent, and of our voluntary will, have granted for us and our successors, to the Mayor and citizens of Dublin, the Mayor and citizens of Waterford, the Mayor and citizens of Drogheda on the side of Louth; the Mayor and citizens of Limerick, and the seneschal and burgesses of Drogheda on the side of Meath; that if it shaU happen, which heaven forbid, that any person by whatsoever authority, shall attempt or presume to impugn, infringe, or lessen the liberties granted to them, Dublin, Waterford, Drogheda, &c., by charters from the illustrious Kings of England, in whatsoever manner, in whatsoever places or times, or before whatsoever persons ecclesiastical or secular ; by reason whereof, for their defence or protection, expenses, charges, and labours shall of

    (a) Rot. WalliaB in Tur. Lond.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 133

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are travelling a town that in 1285 stood at the centre of a remarkable mutual defence pact among Ireland's leading boroughs. The Mayor and citizens of Cork drew up the agreement, recorded in the ancient Chartulary of their corporation, binding themselves to Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, and both sides of Drogheda itself, Louth and Meath. The pledge was this: if anyone, by any authority, attempted to impugn, infringe, or lessen the liberties granted to these towns by charters from the Kings of England, all would share the expenses, charges, and labours of defence. Any disputes between the boroughs were to be settled annually at Kilkenny. The document survives in what the source calls the Domesday Book of Develyn Cittie.

12. 1609 charter grants Drogheda fishery rights to Maiden Tower

    Maiden Tower · man-made feature · Meath · 1609

    Letters patent of 1609 granted the Corporation of Drogheda all wrecks of the sea within the port and the fishery of the Boyne from the town franchises to the deep sea beyond Maiden Tower.

    Read the passage

    the franchises, except merchants of the town and county ; and further granted to the Corporation all wrecks of the sea happening within the port, and all the water of the Boyne, and the fishery and fisheries thereof, within and on each side of the same water, fi^om the bounds of the franchises of the town on the west, to the deep sea beyond Maiden Tower at the east ; and that all freemen of the town should be exempt from customs or poundage within the town and franchises. It also sanctioned the subdivision of the several guilds according to trades, each to have a hall, to choose a master and two wardens, to make by-laws, all to be governed by the Mayor. It likewise recognized and assured to the Corporation and freemen exemption from toll, lastage, pontage, passage, and stallage through all the sea-ports by land and water within the towns of Ardee, Dundalk, and all the king's lordships and jurisdictions; confirmed the right of taking fines, forfeitures, duties, and customs, and applying same in repairing the bridge, quay, tower, and pavement ; and authorized the holding of two fairs on the festivals of St. Barnaby and St. Luke and the five days next ensuing each, rent free, with a confirmation of all their estates and franchises as held under former charters, or by prescription.

    On the 11th of March following, a Royal letter issued, whereby, after reciting that various corporations, and amongst them Drogheda, had, as directed, sent over agents to the king to receive a

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 144

13. Drogheda Dominican Friary falls into decay from war depredations

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1468

    Due to poverty caused by continual raids from 'English rebels and Irish enemies', the Dominican abbey in Drogheda fell into ruin. In 1468 a Parliament held in the town granted the Prior and Convent an annuity of twenty marks for its repair.

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    Drogheda, was first interred here, but, according to some authorities, his monument and remains were removed to Christ Church, Dublin, in 1570, by order of Sir Henry Sydney, when he visited this town and friary. According to the Four Masters, however, his body was carried to Tralee, where it was buried with honour and great solemnity, in the family vault. In consequence of the poverty of the country, occasioned by the incessant depredations of " English rebels and Irish enemies," this abbey fell into decay; and, in tlie Parliament held in this town in 1468, in consideration of its then ruinous state, and because the alms of the public were totally insufficient for its support, an Act was passed, granting to the Prior and C9nvent an annuity of twenty marks, payable out of the fee farm of the city of Dublin, fijr the necessary repair and better support of this house. In sixteen years afterwards, in a General Chapter of the Order held at Rome, a license was granted to Maurice Morral, Prior Provincial, to reform this fiiary.

    Consequent upon the dissolution, an inquisition was taken in 1543, when Peter Lewis, the last Prior, was found seised of the site of this house, containing one acre and a half, annual value, besides reprises, tenpence ; also of a messuage and park near Duleek gate, containing one acre, value 6s. 8d. ; a garden in Fair-street, value 2d. ; a close called the Culver-house park, near Eothe's land, value 5s,; sundry other messuages and closes in Drogheda; five acres of meadow and three of pasture, with a close called the

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 118

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Drogheda now. The Dominican friary here fell into ruin in the 1400s, brought low by what the records call the incessant depredations of "English rebels and Irish enemies." The country was poor and the alms of the public were not enough to keep the house standing. So in 1468, a Parliament held in this town passed an Act granting the Prior and Convent an annuity of 20 marks, payable out of the fee farm of the city of Dublin, for the necessary repair and better support of the house. Sixteen years later, a General Chapter of the Order held at Rome gave license to Maurice Morral, Prior Provincial, to reform the friary. After the dissolution, an inquisition in 1543 found Peter Lewis, the last Prior, still holding the site of the house, 1 acre and a half, valued at tenpence, along with a messuage and park near Duleek gate, a garden in Fair-street, and sundry other closes and messuages in the town.

14. Drogheda ex parte Uriel declared a free borough in 1229

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1229

    On 20 September 1229 King Henry III granted the burgesses of Drogheda on the Louth side that the town be a free borough forever, subject to a fixed farm rent of sixty marks, with a guild merchant and other liberties, superseding the arbitrary tenure of villeinage.

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    On the 20th of September, 1229, by a more express declaration of the privileges that were implied by the Patent of 1213, the king granted to his burgesses of Drogheda, that his town of Drogheda at the Louth side, should be a free borough for ever (that is, should be exempt for evermore from the varying and arbitrary tenure of villeinage, and be subjected to but one fixed farm rent, herein defined as sixty marks per annum, and to be chargeable on the borough collectively, as a substitute for the military service arising out of the knight's fees in rural districts); that they should have a guild merchant, with hanse and other liberties and fi:ee customs; that none but those of the guild should make merchandize within the borough, imless by the wiU of the burgesses; that they and their heirs should have

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 129

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Drogheda, the town on the Louth side of the river. On the 20th of September 1229, King Henry the Third declared that his town of Drogheda should be a free borough forever, freeing the burgesses from the varying and arbitrary tenure of villeinage. In its place they paid one fixed farm rent of 60 marks a year, charged on the borough collectively, instead of the military service that came with knight's fees in rural districts. They were granted a guild merchant with hanse and other liberties, and none but those of the guild could make merchandise within the borough unless the burgesses allowed it. The king's declaration made explicit the privileges implied by an earlier patent of 1213.

15. Heron of Dublin dies of cholera, buried at St Peter's

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1832

    Among the sepulchral records at St. Peter's graveyard, Thomas Heron, of the General Post Office, Dublin, is recorded as having died of cholera in 1832, marking the disease's impact.

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    Heron, Thomas, Esq., of the General Post Office, Dublin, died in 1832, of cholera.

    Hyde, Captain William, of the 72nd E^iment of Highlanders, son of John Hjde, Esq., of Montague-square, London, died 1829, aged 28.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, St. Peter's graveyard holds the record of Thomas Heron, of the General Post Office in Dublin, who died here of cholera in 1832. That entry alone marks how far the disease reached in that year.

16. John Talbot restored to Malahide estates after Restoration

    Malahide · town · Dublin · 1660

    After the Restoration, by the Act of Explanation, John Talbot of Malahide was restored to all his lands and estates as they had been held in 1641.

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    here. Corbet continued its resident proprietor for an interval of seven years, during whicli lie was Chief Baron of the Irish Court of Exchequer, and is characterized as, in other respects, " a man of very tender conscience, and of an holy life and conversation, and that as well in his greatest prosperity as in his adversity " After the Restoration, Corbet, having been outlawed, took shipping for the continent from this port; he was, however, subsequently taken and executed as a regicide at Tyburn, while, by the Act of Explanation, John Talbot of Malahide was restored to all his lands and estates, as same had been held in 1641. From Malahide the railway is carried boldly over another estuary, a mile and a quarter in width, by means of an embankment taken from the deep cuttings of its previous course ; the depth of sea, through which it here passes, is nine feet at low water, a great proportion of the estuary being then dry ; the water is, however, subject to rise twenty feet at spring tides, leaving the general height of the rail above high water mark at eight feet; the sides of the embankment are protected by a strong stone slope facing, which extends with a gentle inchnation for a considerable distance into the sea, and is yet further fortified with groins and breakwaters. On the inner side, the slope of the pavement is not so elongated, but the work is there also defended from the influence of ebbing tides, by strong stone pitching. This embankment is divided in the centre, to permit the ebb and flow of the

    p^mnj

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 36

17. Sir Christopher of Howth granted right to mine tin and lead, 1451

    Howth · townland · Dublin · 1451

    In 1451 Sir Christopher, fourteenth Baron of Howth, was empowered by Act of Parliament to search for tin and lead ore within his lordship and keep the profits for three years, subject to an annual rent.

    Read the passage

    in the former alone, from August to Cliristmas, 14,000 persons perished. In 1380, Edmimd de Mortimer, Earl of March and Ulster, landed here as Viceroy of Ireland, and in 1427, Chief Baron Cornwalsh sailed hence to advise the King on the state of Ireland, being allowed 6s. 8rf. per day for his expenses while employed upon that mission. In 1449, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of Edward the Fourth, landed at Howth as Lord Lieutenant, and his government of Ireland was a short but cheering interval(a). In 1451, Sir Christopher, the fourteenth Baron of Howth, was empowered by Act of Parliament to search for a mine within his lordship, as well for tin as for lead ore, and to receive the profits thereof to his own use, during the term of three years, subject to the annual rent of 6s. Srf., if it should be found. Sir Nicholas St. Lawrence, the sixteenth Lord of Howth, was steadily attached to the House of Lancaster, and, during the political convulsion that shook Ireland from its allegiance, in the cause of Lambert Simnel, was one of those who zealously maintained King Henry's title and interest ; accordingly, when the rebellion raised on that account was quelled, the King presented to this nobleman, as a tribute for his loyalty and services, 300 pieces of gold, with a patent confirmatory of all his inheritance. Sir Nicholas dying in 1526, was interred in the abbey here. In 1534, "the Silken

    (a) See History of Drogheda, voL ii. pp. 148-9.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 32

18. Stephen de Nevin's plundering of a ship of Leytown

    Drogheda · town · Louth

    Stephen de Nevin, a burgess of Drogheda, was attached by his 'burgage' in the town for plundering a ship of Leytown, but after suing out a pardon he was restored to his burgage.

    Read the passage

    been attached by his *• burgage" in Drogheda, for plundering a ship of Leytown, but who afterwards sued out a pardon, was thereupon restored to his said "burgage"(a). In 1210, however, when King John made his second visit to Ireland, and sojourned in Drogheda, he disseised De Lacy of his posses- 8ions(i); whereupon, and having erected, as before mentioned, the two counties of Meath and Louth, he took both boroughs to his especial protection, and, in three years afterwards, he, by their first royal charter, " granted, and confirmed, to our burgesses of the bridge of Drogheda, and their heirs, for ever, that they might have and enjoy the law of Bristol, with all hberties and customs appertaining thereto, and that they might use the same as well in England as in Ireland, as others hold and enjoy the same throughout the land(c). That this charter contemplated both boroughs, seems confirmed by the distinction drawn in a patent of 1216, whereby Nicholas, son and heir of Bertram de Verdon, had seisin of " Ponte Ferrardi" (i. e. Drogheda at the Ferrard side of the bridge), the king retaining to himself the borough " Villa ips^* de Ponte."

    By the Great Charter for Ireland, bearing date in 1216, it was, amongst other things, provided, that cities, towns, boroughs, and ports, should enjoy all their liberties and free customs, a form of confirma-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 128

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you're in a town with an old tale of crime and mercy. Stephen de Nevin was a burgess here, a man who held a burgage in the town. He plundered a ship of Leytown, and for that he was attached by his burgage, meaning he lost his holding in the borough. But he sued out a pardon, and on the strength of that pardon he was restored to his burgage. The record gives no further detail of the ship, what it carried, or when exactly this happened, only that the law took his property and then gave it back. A man of standing in the town turned pirate, paid his debt on paper, and kept his place among the burgesses.

19. 1247 charter grants free borough status to Drogheda ex parte Mediae

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1247

    On 16 June 1247 the Drogheda borough on the Meath side received a charter as a free borough, with rights including annual election of seneschal and provosts, a fishery, an annual fair at the Assumption, and exemption from wager of battle.

    Read the passage

    In 1244, the good men of Drogheda were, by a royal mandate to the King's Treasurer, relieved from payment of arrears of the chief rent of their town, and of accruing gales for some prospective years, in consequence of the services rendered by them in some military expeditions against the Irishry(a). In this same year the king ordered his Justiciary to cause equal weights and measures to be used throughout Ireland, he the Justiciary having first convoked a council of all the discreet burgesses of that land(6). On the I6th of June, 1247, the members of the borough at the Meath side received a similar charter, as a free borough, to that granted as before mentioned, in 1229, to the borough on the Louth side; and withal, a privilege, that they might annually elect their seneschal and provosts; that they should have their fishery in the water of Drogheda as before; that none should award attachments within their franchises, except the Provosts or Coroners; none be impleaded of any tenement unless by writ of right; that none should exact toll or custom from said burgesses; that they should have their burgages and their acres, with their appurtenances, within

    (a) Rot Pat 28 Hen. III. in Tur. Lond. {b) Rot Claus. in Tiir. Lond.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 131

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda sits along this road, and back in 1244 the good men of the town earned royal favour for their service in military expeditions against the Irishry, winning relief from arrears of their chief rent. The king that same year ordered equal weights and measures used throughout Ireland. On 16 June 1247 the borough on the Meath side received a charter as a free borough, matching one granted in 1229 to the Louth side of the town. The charter let the burgesses annually elect their seneschal and provosts, keep their fishery in the water of Drogheda, and hold that no one could make attachments within their franchises except the provosts or coroners. No burgess could be impleaded of any tenement except by writ of right, and no one could exact toll or custom from them. They held their burgages and their acres with all appurtenances.

20. 1808 resolution to preserve Drogheda's fortification remains

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1808

    Because of unjustifiable dilapidations against the surviving traces of Drogheda's massive fortifications, the town Assembly passed a resolution in 1808 intended for their preservation.

    Read the passage

    ments for the repairs of these walls and ramparts, especially in 1676. Taylor and Skinner's map of 1778, also preserved in the Tholsel, is extremely interesting on this branch of the subject ; upon it appear then existing, Fair gate and West gate, each at the termination of the respective streets from which they derive their names: Dublin gate, at the end of James's-street, where the stream, that runs through the Dale, falls perpendicularly into the Boyne. This map also otherwise suggests curious observations on the state of the town at that period. Fair-street appears only built upon at the south side, the north being chiefly laid out in gardens ; Dyer-street closes in the market-place, and the quay extends no farther, but gardens run from the south side of Weststreet, beyond Stockwell-lane, to the water's edge. A fine limestone quarry appears open at St James's, beyond which is marked Cromwell's mount; St. Mary's church west of this, and near it the barracks on Mill-mount. It only remains to add, that, in consequence of the unjustifiable dilapidations, that were directed against the surviving traces of Drogheda's once massive fortifications, the Assembly, in 1808, passed a resolution intended for their preservation, and which is embodied in the section on the Corporate History.

    CASTLES, FOBTS, ETC.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Drogheda, in County Louth. This town once had massive fortifications, and you can still see surviving traces of them. A map from 1778 by Taylor and Skinner, preserved in the Tholsel, showed Fair gate and West gate, each at the end of the streets they were named for, and Dublin gate where a stream falls into the Boyne. That map marked Cromwell's mount and the barracks on Mill-mount as well. But by 1808 the town Assembly had seen enough damage done to what remained of the old walls and ramparts. They called the dilapidations against the surviving traces unjustifiable, and passed a resolution intended for their preservation. The record says that resolution is embodied in the section on the Corporate History. Before 1808 there had been efforts to repair these walls, going back at least to 1676. The 1778 map also gives a picture of the town at that period, with Fair Street built only on the south side and gardens on the north, and gardens running from West Street to the water's edge.

21. Ancient battle on the road of Cuailgne near Drogheda

    Collon · town · Louth · 200–300

    The Annals of Tigernach record a battle fought in the early third century on 'the road of Cuailgnia' (anglicised Collon), situated near Drogheda, illustrating the antiquity of routes through the region.

    Read the passage

    The commerce, noticed by Tacitus, may well be supposed to have induced the formation of roads and causeways ; accordingly, the Annals of Tigernach (written in the eleventh century) record a battle fought in the beginning of the third, " on the road of Cuallgnia," (anglice CoUon), which was situated in the vicinity of Drogheda, also " the battle of the recess of the road," " the battle of the comer of the causeway;" and other domestic legends say, that four grand highways issued from the celebrated hill of Usneach in the coimty Westmeath, to the different quarters of the country. In a fragment extant of the BrehonLaws, a locality (Tuam- Drecan) is defined as being " at the meeting of the three roads ;" and in that curious topographical tract, the Dinn-seanchus, embodied in the Book of Lecan, five principal roads of Ireland are described as converging at the royal hill of Tara, one of these, Slighe Cualann, led from Wicklow through Dublin and Ratoath ; another, Slighe Mor, divided Ireland nearly equally, approaching Tara by the way of Trim ; a third, Slighe Muodhluachra, came from Drogheda through Duleek ; and of these roads some traces are said to be still discoverable. A highly ancient causeway, upwards of twenty feet in width, is yet pointed out, from Inis Caorach, on the north side of the Shannon, to the mainland, and another across

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 15

22. Ancient roads converging at Tara

    Tara · parish · Meath

    The Dinn-seanchus describes five principal roads of Ireland converging at the royal hill of Tara, including Slighe Muodhluachra which ran from Drogheda through Duleek.

    Read the passage

    The commerce, noticed by Tacitus, may well be supposed to have induced the formation of roads and causeways ; accordingly, the Annals of Tigernach (written in the eleventh century) record a battle fought in the beginning of the third, " on the road of Cuallgnia," (anglice CoUon), which was situated in the vicinity of Drogheda, also " the battle of the recess of the road," " the battle of the comer of the causeway;" and other domestic legends say, that four grand highways issued from the celebrated hill of Usneach in the coimty Westmeath, to the different quarters of the country. In a fragment extant of the BrehonLaws, a locality (Tuam- Drecan) is defined as being " at the meeting of the three roads ;" and in that curious topographical tract, the Dinn-seanchus, embodied in the Book of Lecan, five principal roads of Ireland are described as converging at the royal hill of Tara, one of these, Slighe Cualann, led from Wicklow through Dublin and Ratoath ; another, Slighe Mor, divided Ireland nearly equally, approaching Tara by the way of Trim ; a third, Slighe Muodhluachra, came from Drogheda through Duleek ; and of these roads some traces are said to be still discoverable. A highly ancient causeway, upwards of twenty feet in width, is yet pointed out, from Inis Caorach, on the north side of the Shannon, to the mainland, and another across

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 15

23. Killester archer sent to hosting at Tara, 1593

    Killester · parish · Dublin · 1593

    In 1593 Sir Nicholas, twenty-first lord of Howth, brought to a hosting at Tara six archers on horseback for Howth and one for Killester, the fee remaining in that family line.

    Read the passage

    enclosing, and enclosed with elder trees, and thickly invested with ivy. This chapel, with the tithes and lands of Killester, was, at the time of the English invasion, and continued long after to be, of the possessions of the Priors of Christ Church, Dublin, who leased it to the White family, one of whom, Richard White, was, in 1373, summoned to a Great Council, as lord of Killester ; from them it passed to the lords of Howth ; accordingly, in 1593, Sir Nicholas, the twenty-first lord, brought to a hosting at Tara, six archers on horseback for Howth, and one for Killester ; in his line the fee still continues. The manor house is a pleasing specimen of the style of such architecture ; it is at present occupied by General Luscomb, and is also close to the line. At the opposite side is the demesne and house of Furry Park, formerly the seat of the Earl of Shannon, the descendant of the celebrated Sir Richard Boyle. The cutting thence is through deep and fine mould, well guarded from shps, by dwarf retaining walls, and by the ample inclination given to the upper cuttings, over which nature is again asserting her dominion, and clothing them with verdure and variedj vegetation. At one point here, a beautifid occupation

    Ixxiv INTRODUCTORY M£MOIR OF THE

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 29

24. Monuments to Alderman Francis Leigh and family at St Peter's

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1773–1779

    A white marble slab at St. Peter's Church commemorates Alderman Francis Leigh, who represented Drogheda in Parliament for over thirty years and died in 1778, along with his wife and daughter.

    Read the passage

    Although this church was the burial place of so many prelates, and in more modem times of so many members of the illustrious house of Moore, not a monument exists to commemorate their obits ; there are others, however, as follow. At left of the communion table is a white marble slab, to the memory of Alderman Francis Leigh, who represented the town in Parhament for upwards of thirty years, died 1778; to his wife Anne Leigh, otherwise Bingham, died 1773; and their daughter, Anna Maria, died 1779. Near it is another mural monument to the Eight Honorable Henry Singleton, who in early life was Recorder of this town, afterwards successively Prime Serjeant, Lord Chief Justice, and lastly Master of the Rolls, and died in 1760; this memorial was erected by his nephew Sydenham Singleton, Esq. At the opposite side of the communion table

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 71

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, there is a white marble slab at St. Peter's Church remembering Alderman Francis Leigh, who represented this town in Parliament for upwards of thirty years and died in 1778. The same slab honours his wife Anne, otherwise Bingham, who died in 1773, and their daughter Anna Maria, who died in 1779. The book notes that though St. Peter's was the burial place of many prelates and members of the illustrious house of Moore, no monument exists to commemorate their obits. The Leigh slab is one of the few that do survive.

25. Sir Moyses Hill appointed Governor of Olderfleet Castle

    near Larne · town · Antrim

    Sir Moyses Hill served under Lord Mountjoy and was appointed Governor of Olderfleet Castle, an important fortress guarding the harbour of Larne from Scottish invasion.

    Read the passage

    acres of meadow near Bebeck, annual value, besides reprises, 3^. 4rf.; all which premises, together with the Mary, were subsequently in the same year granted to Gerald Aylmer, in capite^ for ever, at the yearly rent of 3^. 6d. His descendant, James Aylmer of Dullardston, in 1581, conveyed same, with other premises, to trustees, and so continued seised thereof, to the close of that century, the premises being held in capite by knight's service. Early in the seventeenth century this friary and its appurtenances passed, by mesne assignment, to Sir Moyses Hill, who was found seised thereof in 1624. [It may be mentioned of this individual, who was the ancestor of the present Marquess of Downshire, that he arrived in this country in the year 1573, one of the officers imder the Earl of Essex, when that ill-fated nobleman was chosen to suppress the rebellion of O'Neill in Ulster. After the misfortunes and death of that nobleman, Sir Moyses served under his son, Robert Earl of Essex, who, in 1598, was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Ireland, and sent with a considerable army to prosecute the war; and, on Essex's subsequent return, in 1599, to England, Sir Moyses continued in the army under Lord Mountjoy, by whom he was appointed Governor of Olderfleet Castle, a very important fortress in those times, as guarding the harbour of Lame from the invasion of the Scots. When Sir John Chichester was slain by the M'Donnels, Sir Moyses narrowly escaped an am-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 120

26. Uniting of St John's and St Stephen's poor-houses, Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1660

    In 1660, the Drogheda Assembly directed the uniting of St. John's and St. Stephen's poor-houses for the more convenient support of the town's poor.

    Read the passage

    aforesaid. It was likewise then ordered, that the Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, should consider of the best way to have the next fair proclaimed in this town and the neighbouring towns, and that for the first fair all persons resorting or coming to the same, with any cattle, or other goods, or wares, should be custom free. In 1660, the Assembly directed the uniting of St. John's and St. Stephen's poor-houses, for the more convenient support of the poor belonging to the same. In 1661, there was a proclamation issued for all Corporations to renew their charters, but Drogheda does not appear to have, in any manner, acted upon this order. In this latter year, the Irish House of Lords humbly thanked his Majesty, for his prudent care in securing cities and corporate towns in the hands of Protestants, and supplicated that same should be continued in the hands only of such as are in communion with the Church of England, and give testimony of their loyalty and fidelity to his Majesty, provided such regulation should not operate to the exclusion of any Protestant foreigners, who might be willing to inhabit in any of said cities or towns corporate, they taking the oath of allegiance and supremacy.

    In 1662, the Assembly entered into a resolution, that a Common Council of twenty-four, two from each fraternity, should in future, at General Assembly, represent their commons, and, that none should be chosen thereon, except persons inhabiting within the Corporation. In 1663, the Mayor was directed

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 147

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you're in a town that once had two poor-houses, St. John's and St. Stephen's. In 1660 the Assembly directed that they be united, for what the record calls the more convenient support of the poor belonging to the same. The Mayor, aldermen, and sheriffs were the governing body behind this, the same Assembly that dealt with matters like fair proclamations and the renewal of corporate charters in the years around it. The decision was practical: two separate poor-houses combined into one, so the town's poor could be supported more effectively. That is all the record tells us about it.

27. 1253 charter confirms and extends Drogheda Louth-side liberties

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1253

    On 12 September 1253 King Henry III, by charter tested at Clarendon, confirmed the 1229 charter to the burgesses of Drogheda on the Louth side, granting further privileges including limits on Templar and Hospitaller exemptions and rules for merchant strangers and shipwrecked wine cargoes.

    Read the passage

    their boundaries, as before well and freely granted to them ; " that they might marry amongst themselves, their sons, and daughters, and widows, without seeking license therefor from their feudal lords;" that they should be exempt from arrest except in cases of felony ; that none should use wager of battle, but might clear himself by twenty-four lawful men of said borough ; that they should be quit of wreck of the sea in all the king's lands and dominions; " that none shall oppose the progress of commerce or trade to said borough, by sea or land, but permit it to come and go without any impediment" This also established an annual fair on the vigil of the Assumption and seven following days, and a market on every Wednesday; and that this borough should be held at the annual rent of forty marks. Witnesses, Richard Earl of Cornwall, John Fitz- Geofl&y, Justice of Ireland, and others. On the 12th September, 1253, King Henry the Third, by charter tested at Clarendon, confirmed the aforesaid charter of 1229 to the burgesses of Drogheda on the Louth side, with all their liberties as they had hitherto used them, ** in the times of our predecessors. Kings of England, and our own," giving them, also, the same privileges as to marrying among themselves as was given to the Meath Corporation. It further granted, that no Sheriff or other ministers should intermeddle in attachments or summonses, within the franchises, except its own coroners and provosts; that the Templars or Hospitallers should not have

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 131

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Drogheda, you're passing through a town whose liberties were confirmed by King Henry III on 12 September 1253, by a charter tested at Clarendon. He confirmed the earlier charter of 1229 to the burgesses of Drogheda on the Louth side, with all their liberties as they had used them, in the words of the source, "in the times of our predecessors, Kings of England, and our own." The burgesses could marry among themselves, their sons, daughters, and widows, without seeking license from their feudal lords, the same privilege given to the Meath Corporation. They were exempt from arrest except in felony cases, and none could use wager of battle but might clear himself by 24 lawful men of the borough. They were quit of wreck of the sea across all the king's lands, and no one was to impede commerce or trade to the borough by sea or land. An annual fair was set for the vigil of the Assumption and seven days following, with a market every Wednesday, the whole borough held at an annual rent of 40 marks. No sheriff or other ministers were to intermeddle within the franchises, except the town's own coroners and provosts.

28. Drogheda addressed first on 1300 Scottish war subsidy

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1300

    In 1300, seeking a subsidy to suppress the Scottish rebellion, the King's Justiciary went first to Drogheda before Ross, Waterford and other towns, and the Mayor, Bailiffs and Commons of Drogheda on both sides of the river assessed themselves at 260 marks.

    Read the passage

    purpose elected, with full powers to act for all ; and likewise the commons of cities and boroughs by two or three (meaning by the commons, all who enjoyed the privileges and bore the charges of the town). But the Justiciary determined, as the record states, first to address the several cities and boroughs on the business of the subsidy, and for this purpose went in the earliest instance to Drogheda, then to Ross, Waterford, and the other cities and towns of the kingdom, the names of all which are entered on the roll, with the different sums granted as subsidy in his journey. The Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commons of Drogheda, at each side of the river, assessed themselves in 260 marks, 200 of which was to be levied on the town at the Louth, and 60 on that at the Meath side(a). In 1301, the Bailiffs and good men of Drogheda were required to supply one vessel towards the transports to be collected at Dublin for the service of the Scottish war. On the 24th of June, 1305, King Edward the First, on inspeximus of the aforesaid charters of 1229 and 1253, confirmed same by charter dated at Lewes. In this patent, the words of incorporation are for the first time used ; it is granted to the burgesses and their successors. Witnesses the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, and others : and this was itself inspected and confirmed by Edward the Second, on the 11th July,

    (a) Roll 28 Edw. I. in Offic. Ch. Eem. Hih.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 134

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this is a town with a record going back to 1300, when the King's Justiciary came here first seeking a subsidy to suppress the Scottish rebellion. He went to Drogheda before Ross, Waterford, and the other towns of the kingdom. The Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commons of Drogheda, on both sides of the river, assessed themselves at 260 marks. 200 marks was to be levied on the Louth side of the town, and 60 on the Meath side. The next year, 1301, the Bailiffs and good men of Drogheda were required to supply one vessel for transports gathered at Dublin for the Scottish war. On the 24th of June, 1305, King Edward the First confirmed the town's charters of 1229 and 1253 by a new charter dated at Lewes. In that charter, the words of incorporation were used for the first time, granted to the burgesses and their successors. Edward the Second later inspected and confirmed it on the 11th of July.

29. St Saviour's ruined church leased for use of the Jesuits

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1687

    In 1687 the Corporation appointed by James the Second leased the ruinous St. Saviour's Church, its churchyard, and the Bridewell on St. Saviour's quay to a trustee for 99 years for the use of the Jesuits.

    Read the passage

    church," a waste plot of ground here, adjoining said church, and other premises. In the year 1664, Alderman Jonas Eiwood had a lease of part of the possessions of this house, for 61 years, at the yearly rent of " forty shillings to the Corporation, and a barrel of good wheat to the poor;" some of these premises, however, it was found necessary to pull down at the time of the erection of the present bridge, in 1722. Another portion was leased, in 1674, to Hugh Fowkes, for a like term of 61 years, and in 1687, the Corporation, appointed by James the Second, leased " a ruinous church on St. Saviour's quay, called St. Saviour's Church, together with the churchyard, and the house commonly called the Bridewell," to a trustee, for 99 years, for the use of the Jesuits. Other parts of the property of this house were demised for 61 years to Patrick Delahoyde; and lastly, in 1745, Mr. Charles Caldwell had a lease for 61 years of " St. Saviour's Church, and also the site, circuit, and precinct of the said ruined church of St. Saviour, excepting the vault or cellar under the same, being the inheritance of the Right Honorable the Earl of Drogheda."

    St Sunday^ s Friary was situated near St. Sunday's G ate, as a lateral portion of the nave, exhibited in the view of the Dominican Friary, yet remains to testify. Its site was, on the dissolution, granted to the Dowdal family, and, accordingly, by inquisition of 1589, it was found that George, brother of

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 121

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Drogheda, you are near St. Saviour's, a church that stood in ruin on St. Saviour's quay. In 1687, the Corporation appointed by James the Second leased "a ruinous church on St. Saviour's quay, called St. Saviour's Church, together with the churchyard, and the house commonly called the Bridewell" to a trustee for 99 years, for the use of the Jesuits. The site had seen earlier leases too: in 1664, Alderman Jonas Eiwood took part of the property for 61 years, paying forty shillings to the Corporation and a barrel of good wheat to the poor. In 1674, Hugh Fowkes took another portion for the same term. Later, in 1745, Charles Caldwell leased the ruined church and its precinct for 61 years, excepting a vault beneath it that belonged to the Earl of Drogheda.

30. 1228 license to fund construction of Drogheda bridge

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1228

    On 12 April 1228 the king granted the people of Drogheda license to take certain customs for one year to aid in making or better constructing the bridge, evidencing the existence of a prior bridge at the town.

    Read the passage

    tion, which long after continued to be preserved, at the commencement of the Acts of each succeeding session. In two years afterwards, Henry the Third ordered his Justiciary to obtain another aid from the cities, boroughs, and demesnes of the Crown in Ireland, after which the levying such talliages became frequent. In 1220, the king granted another royal patent(a) for fairs here, and in the same year, Walter de Lacy had afresh confirmation(J) of his late father's possessions here, which were all upon the Meath side of the river, reserving the castle and borough to the Crown ; while the patent provided, that De Lacy should have the talliage and aid of the town, as far as appertained to the castle, and should pay a certain reserved farm rent for his lands at Drogheda. In 1225, it was commanded by royal mandate, that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in that port with their merchandize, without paying tolls or customs ; and, in the following year, the burgesses of this town were, with the citizens of Limerick, reimbursed for certain payments and advances which they had made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy. On the 12th of April, 1228, the king granted to his good men of Drogheda, without any distinction (as should be the case for a work of mutual advantage), license to take, during one year only, certain customs therein speci-

    (a) Rot. Pat. 5 Henry III. in Tur. Lond. (J) Rot Claus. 4 Henry XXL in Tur. Lond. l2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 129

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Drogheda now, a town on the river Boyne in Louth. Back in 1228, on the 12th of April, King Henry the Third granted what he called his "good men of Drogheda" license to collect certain customs for one year, to help make or better construct the bridge here. The grant was made, the record says, "without any distinction, as should be the case for a work of mutual advantage." The wording tells us there was already a bridge at the town, and that it needed work. This was a town the Crown kept a close eye on. A few years earlier, in 1225, a royal mandate had commanded that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in the port with their merchandise, without paying tolls or customs. The year before the bridge grant, the burgesses here were reimbursed, alongside the citizens of Limerick, for payments they had made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy. Walter de Lacy held lands on the Meath side of the river, while the castle and borough were reserved to the Crown. So the bridge mattered: it joined two halves of a divided town.

31. 1275 customs grant on wool and skins affecting Drogheda's magnates

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1275–1282

    Following the 1275 grant of customs on wool and skins to the Crown by the English Parliament, Irish magnates with possessions in port towns including Drogheda, such as Roger de Mortimer and Theobald de Verdon, certified their assent to similar customs being levied in their Irish ports.

    Read the passage

    lords thereof, at that time, were also Magnates or Barons of Ireland, in right of extensive possessions in that country, and to those magnates belonged Wexford, Arklow, Wicklow, Drogheda, Dundalk, Carlingford,and many other of the principal sea ports and mercantile towns, Ijdng within peculiar liberties, where such customs would become payable. In consequence of this, as a necessary preUminary, the king obtained the written sealed certificates of " certain Magnates of Ireland," as he calls them, and amongst them of Roger de Mortimer, Theobald de Verdon, &c., certifying that they had made the grant already mentioned, in the English Parhament, and that on this second occasion they granted, that King Edward should have, in all their ports in Ireland, the same customs on wools and skins thereout exported; saving, however, to themselves, the forfeiture of all such merchandize as passed through their fees or hberties without paying these customs to the king, and so that in all their ports, where the king's writs had not currency, two of the more discreet and faithful men of those parts should be elected, and ^should be sworn to arrest such merchandize, until, &c.(a) Roger de Mortimer having intermarried with the grand-daughter, and Theobald de Verdon with the great grand-daughter of the respective coheiresses of Hugh de Lacy, and thereby acquired the rights of that family in Drogheda between them, their assent became of especial importance to the king. In 1282,

    (a) Pine Roll in Turr. Lond. 3 Edw. I.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 132

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Drogheda now. In 1275, the English Parliament granted the Crown customs on wool and skins, and King Edward then sought the same right in Irish ports. Drogheda mattered because its lords, Roger de Mortimer and Theobald de Verdon, were among the magnates whose written assent the king needed. Each had married into the descendants of Hugh de Lacy's coheiresses, and between them they held the Lacy family's rights in Drogheda. They sealed certificates confirming the grant they had already made in the English Parliament, and on this second occasion granted that King Edward should have, in all their ports in Ireland, the same customs on wools and skins exported there. They kept one thing for themselves: if merchandise passed through their fees or liberties without paying the customs to the king, the forfeiture was theirs. In ports where the king's writs did not run, two discreet and faithful men of those parts were to be elected and sworn to arrest such merchandise until the customs were paid. By 1282, their assent had become of especial importance to the king.

32. Dispute over Drogheda borough lands granted to Beaubec Priory

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1340

    Land from the borough of Drogheda was granted in frankalmoigne without royal license to the religious house of Beaubec in Normandy, who assigned it to the Prior of Lanthony near Gloucester. The Prior was impleaded but proved the land was not part of the borough commons and the conveyance predated the Statute of Mortmain, so the king ordered restoration to the Church.

    Read the passage

    of the borough, and granted them in frankalmoigne, and without the royal license, to the religious house of Beaubec in Normandy, who assigned them to the Prior of Lanthony near Gloucester, who was, therefore, impleaded for the restoration thereof; the Prior, however, defended his right, and satisfactorily proved that the land in question was not of the commons of Drogheda (suggesting thereby, as was the fact, that the commons were inahenable), and also that the conveyance preceded the Statute of Mortmain, and the king commanded his Escheator (Roger D'Arcy), who had seized the premises, to restore them to the Church(a).

    The first operations of a legislative nature, that were sought to be adopted in Ireland, in cities, boroughs, and towns corporate, were required by the mandate of King John in 1204. On the 10th of February in that year, he issued his writs to the Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons, and clergy, as also to the Earls, Barons, Justices, Sheriffs, Knights, citizens, merchants, burgesses, and fi:eeholders of Irelaud, and, after notifying the conduct of the King of France, who was at war with him, and sought to

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 127

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you're in a town whose borough lands were at the centre of a legal fight back around 1340. Land here was granted in frankalmoigne, without royal license, to the religious house of Beaubec in Normandy, who passed it on to the Prior of Lanthony near Gloucester. The Prior was taken to court and ordered to give it back, but he proved the land was not part of the commons of Drogheda, and that the grant had happened before the Statute of Mortmain applied. So the king told his Escheator, Roger D'Arcy, who had seized the property, to restore it to the Church.

33. Drogheda relieved of chief rent arrears for military service, 1244

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1244

    In 1244 the burgesses of Drogheda were relieved by royal mandate from payment of arrears of chief rent and future gales, in consideration of services rendered in military expeditions against the native Irish.

    Read the passage

    In 1244, the good men of Drogheda were, by a royal mandate to the King's Treasurer, relieved from payment of arrears of the chief rent of their town, and of accruing gales for some prospective years, in consequence of the services rendered by them in some military expeditions against the Irishry(a). In this same year the king ordered his Justiciary to cause equal weights and measures to be used throughout Ireland, he the Justiciary having first convoked a council of all the discreet burgesses of that land(6). On the I6th of June, 1247, the members of the borough at the Meath side received a similar charter, as a free borough, to that granted as before mentioned, in 1229, to the borough on the Louth side; and withal, a privilege, that they might annually elect their seneschal and provosts; that they should have their fishery in the water of Drogheda as before; that none should award attachments within their franchises, except the Provosts or Coroners; none be impleaded of any tenement unless by writ of right; that none should exact toll or custom from said burgesses; that they should have their burgages and their acres, with their appurtenances, within

    (a) Rot Pat 28 Hen. III. in Tur. Lond. {b) Rot Claus. in Tiir. Lond.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 131

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Drogheda now, a town on the Boyne with a story going back to 1244. That year, the good men of Drogheda were relieved by royal mandate from paying the arrears of their town's chief rent, and from accruing gales for years ahead, because of the service they rendered in military expeditions against the Irishry. The king's treasurer was ordered to see it done. In that same year, the king told his justiciary to have equal weights and measures used throughout Ireland, after calling together a council of the discreet burgesses of the land. Three years on, in 1247, the members of the borough on the Meath side received their own charter as a free borough, matching the one granted to the Louth side back in 1229. They could elect their seneschal and provosts each year, hold their fishery in the water of Drogheda, and answer only to their own provosts and coroners for attachments within their franchises.

34. Franciscan Friary site later built over by Custom House

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1270

    The Grey or Franciscan Friary in Drogheda, of which no vestige remains, stood on the northern bank of the river close to where the custom-house now stands, with Alderman Leigh's mansion later erected on its ruins.

    Read the passage

    was found seised in tail male of sundry messuages in Drogheda ; one in Lawrence-street ; one in Bowstreet ; four in St Peter's-street ; one in Sunday'sstreet ; two in St. John's-street ; three acres of meadow within the bog near Beaubec ; one messuage outside St. James's-gate ; one orchard outside St. Lawrence's gate ; one messuage near the town-hall; one garden on the big hill ; one little croft outside Duleek gate ; one messuage in West-street ; one in Fair-street ; one other messuage and an acre, parcel of the possessions of this house ; while of the remaining parcels, so granted to Walter Dowdal, his son and heir, George Dowdal, had livery in July, 1641. The author of the Hibernia Dominicana speaks of this house of his order, as in his time exhibiting very considerable traces of its former magnificence. The Grey or Franciscan Friary, — No vestige of this religious house can be now seen. It was, however, situated close to the river on its northern bank, about the site on which the custom-house and collector's house now stand, the mansion of Alderman Leigh, long the representative of Drogheda in Parhament, having been intermediately erected on the ruins. Its foundation, by some attributed to D'Arcy of Platten, by others to one of the Plunkett family, is by Wadding alleged to have taken place in the year 1270, and it is of record, that in 1293, the king granted the sum of 35 marks to be paid annually to the Franciscans of this house, and a similar sum to the establishments of their order in Dublin, Water-

    ABBEYS, FBIABIES/ItC. 129

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Drogheda, there's a Franciscan friary that once stood on the northern bank of the river, near where the custom house now stands. No vestige of it remains today. Alderman Leigh's mansion was later built on its ruins. Wadding placed its foundation in 1270, though some attributed it to D'Arcy of Platten and others to one of the Plunkett family. In 1293 the king granted 35 marks annually to the Franciscans of this house, and a similar sum to their houses in Dublin and Waterford. The author of the Hibernia Dominicana noted that in his time it still showed considerable traces of its former magnificence.

35. Henry II grants Portmarnock to the Abbey of the Blessed Virgin

    Portmarnock · town · Dublin · 1189

    Henry the Second, during his stay in Dublin, granted the denomination of Portmarnock to the abbey of the Blessed Virgin in Dublin, an endowment confirmed by the Pope in 1189.

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    whence, proceeding on a level, a lovely extent of sequestered rural scenery opens at either side, the village and church of Portmarnock being in more immediate contiguity. Henry the Second, duringhis sojourn in Dubhn, granted this denomination to the abbey of the Blessed Virgin in Dublin, which endowment was confirmed by the Pope in 1189. The shore hence under Carrick-hill is of a character, that has acquired for it the appellation of the velvet strand; nor is it less remarkable for the beautiful views it affords, and the countless varieties of shells to be found all over it. On the grange of Portmarnock, at left of the line, is an ancient fort, about thirty-six feet in diameter; and hereabouts, a view may be caught of the handsome chapel of Kinsaly, and the

    DUBLIN AND DBOGHBDA RAILWAY. XCl

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 33

36. King John establishes fair at Drogheda in 1205

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1205

    By royal mandate to Meiler Fitz Henry, Lord Justice of Ireland, King John ordered that fairs be established at Dublin, Drogheda, Waterford and Limerick, with the Drogheda fair to be held on the feast of St John the Baptist for eight days with toll and custom.

    Read the passage

    disinherit him of his dominions, he states, that the people of England had liberally, and in consideration of his urgency, granted him an effectual aid of men and money for service in Normandy, and, therefore, " as such an emergency has never hitherto occurred, nor is ever likely to occur again, we," says his Majesty, " entreat you, not as of custom, but from your love for us, and regard for our person and honour, to make an effectual aid for us in this our necessity, of which our Justiciary of Ireland, and our delegates, will acquaint you"(a). This recognition of burgesses being summoned to vote supplies to the Crown, at a period so early, is both curious and important. That the parties comphed with the king's request, is proved by the fact of his royal expression of thanks, as for the aid so granted to him, having been transmitted to Ireland, by writ of the first of September following(ft); and, from the almost contemporaneous documents herein set forth, there can be little doubt, that Drogheda was of the tributary boroughs upon this occasion. In a mandate of 1205, from King John to Meiler Fitz Henry, then Lord Justice of Ireland, that monarch declared his royal pleasure, that fairs should be established at Dublin, Drogheda, Waterford, and Limerick; that at Drogheda to be held on the festival of St. John the Baptist, and to continue for eight days, with toll and custom thereto belonging ; and the king directed his said Deputy to

    (a) Rot. Chart, in Tur. Lond. (b) Rot. Pat. in Tur. Lond.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 127

37. Lord Grey lands at Howth as Viceroy, 1580

    Howth · townland · Dublin · 1580

    Lord Grey landed at Howth in 1580 in his capacity as Viceroy of Ireland.

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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-

    DUBLIN AND DBOOHEDA RAILWAY. IxXXvii

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 32

38. Neglected ancient font fragment at St Peter's sexton's house

    Drogheda · town · Louth

    In the yard of the sexton's house lies neglected the fragment of a magnificent limestone font, formerly a conspicuous feature of St. Peter's Church, believed to be the work of a native sculptor and comparable to fonts at Mellifont and St. Doulagh's.

    Read the passage

    Embedded in the wall, at the north-east comer of this cemetery, is a very old monument, to Edmmid Goulding of Peristown, and to ElizabethFleming, second daughter of the Baron of Slane. Near it is another monument to one of the Cadell family, but the dates are not at present traceable ; also one to Nicholas Darditz, formerly of Drogheda, who died in February, 1516, William Darditz his son, and Matilda Netterville his wife ; several other monuments of great antiquity are inserted in the same wall, especially one about ten feet high, representing two skeletons, extending the whole length of the stone, but all are so buried in mortar or clay, that their inscriptions, where at all visible, are extremely apocryphal. The state of the whole churchyard betrays equal neglect and disregard of its sacred purpose, and many of the tombstones are so incrusted with clay, or overrun with weeds, that it is impossible to trace them, without sacrilegious trespass on the soil. In the yard of the sexton's house, neglected and unknown, lies the fi^gment of a magnificent font, that formerly occupied a conspicuous place in this church, a very beautiful specimen of ancient art, and, being composed of limestone, the produce of the neigh-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 74

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, in the yard of the sexton's house at St. Peter's, there lies neglected and unknown a fragment of a magnificent font. It once occupied a conspicuous place in the church, a beautiful specimen of ancient art, composed of limestone from the neighbourhood. It is believed to be the work of a native sculptor and comparable to fonts at Mellifont and St. Doulagh's.

39. Ancient causeway near Inis Caorach on the Shannon

    Mutton Island · townland · Clare

    A highly ancient causeway over twenty feet wide is still pointed out from Inis Caorach on the north side of the Shannon to the mainland, evidence of early engineered roadways.

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    The commerce, noticed by Tacitus, may well be supposed to have induced the formation of roads and causeways ; accordingly, the Annals of Tigernach (written in the eleventh century) record a battle fought in the beginning of the third, " on the road of Cuallgnia," (anglice CoUon), which was situated in the vicinity of Drogheda, also " the battle of the recess of the road," " the battle of the comer of the causeway;" and other domestic legends say, that four grand highways issued from the celebrated hill of Usneach in the coimty Westmeath, to the different quarters of the country. In a fragment extant of the BrehonLaws, a locality (Tuam- Drecan) is defined as being " at the meeting of the three roads ;" and in that curious topographical tract, the Dinn-seanchus, embodied in the Book of Lecan, five principal roads of Ireland are described as converging at the royal hill of Tara, one of these, Slighe Cualann, led from Wicklow through Dublin and Ratoath ; another, Slighe Mor, divided Ireland nearly equally, approaching Tara by the way of Trim ; a third, Slighe Muodhluachra, came from Drogheda through Duleek ; and of these roads some traces are said to be still discoverable. A highly ancient causeway, upwards of twenty feet in width, is yet pointed out, from Inis Caorach, on the north side of the Shannon, to the mainland, and another across

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 15

40. Ancient Font from Killineer Chapel of Ease

    Killineer · townland · Louth

    St. Peter's Roman Catholic Chapel contains in its porch a beautiful ancient font said to have formerly belonged to the chapel of ease for Drogheda that once existed at Killineer.

    Read the passage

    St Peter's Roman Catholic Chapel is a spacious and handsome structure, erected after a design of the late Francis Johnstone, Esq., at an expense exceeding £12,000, raised by subscription. It has a handsome gateway and collonade fronting to Weststreet, and in the porch is a beautiful ancient font, which, it is said, formerly belonged to the chapel of ease for Drogheda, then existing at EoUineer. The interior of this edifice is extremely handsome. The parish is co-extensive with that of the Estabhshed Church, and is a mensal benefice of the CathoHc Primate. Within this chapel, inunediately before the altar, are interred his Grace's three last predecessors. Doctors Kichard O'Reilly in 1818, Patrick Curtis, in 1832, and Thomas Kelly, in 1835.

    St. Marys Roman Catholic Chapel is a large and commodious place of worship, with a neat front of cut stone ; the ground was purchased by Michael Duff, Esq., who also contributed largely towards the expenses of its erection, it was finished and consecrated in 1 825. Within it, elevated against a side wall, is a handsome monument to the memory of the Reverend Michael CoUon, who had been the Roman Catholic pastor hereof, and died in 1837. The old parish chapel was founded by the Reverend James

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 83

41. Drogheda required to supply a vessel for Scottish war, 1301

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1301

    In 1301 the Bailiffs and good men of Drogheda were required to supply one vessel towards the transports collected at Dublin for the service of the Scottish war.

    Read the passage

    purpose elected, with full powers to act for all ; and likewise the commons of cities and boroughs by two or three (meaning by the commons, all who enjoyed the privileges and bore the charges of the town). But the Justiciary determined, as the record states, first to address the several cities and boroughs on the business of the subsidy, and for this purpose went in the earliest instance to Drogheda, then to Ross, Waterford, and the other cities and towns of the kingdom, the names of all which are entered on the roll, with the different sums granted as subsidy in his journey. The Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commons of Drogheda, at each side of the river, assessed themselves in 260 marks, 200 of which was to be levied on the town at the Louth, and 60 on that at the Meath side(a). In 1301, the Bailiffs and good men of Drogheda were required to supply one vessel towards the transports to be collected at Dublin for the service of the Scottish war. On the 24th of June, 1305, King Edward the First, on inspeximus of the aforesaid charters of 1229 and 1253, confirmed same by charter dated at Lewes. In this patent, the words of incorporation are for the first time used ; it is granted to the burgesses and their successors. Witnesses the Bishop of Durham, the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield, and others : and this was itself inspected and confirmed by Edward the Second, on the 11th July,

    (a) Roll 28 Edw. I. in Offic. Ch. Eem. Hih.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 134

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Drogheda, the town the road brings you through. In 1301 the bailiffs and good men of Drogheda were required to supply one vessel towards the transports to be collected at Dublin for the service of the Scottish war. The town straddled the river, and not long before that it had been assessed for a subsidy of 260 marks, 200 levied on the Louth side and 60 on the Meath side. The Justiciary had come to Drogheda first among all the cities and boroughs to address the business of that subsidy, before going on to Ross, Waterford, and the other towns of the kingdom. In June 1305 King Edward the First confirmed the town's earlier charters of 1229 and 1253 by a new charter dated at Lewes, where for the first time the words of incorporation were used, granted to the burgesses and their successors. That charter was itself inspected and confirmed by Edward the Second on the 11th of July.

42. Highway from Ardbraccan through Slane and Mellifont into Drogheda

    Mellifont · townland · Louth

    Among the notable highways noted within the Pale around the time of Henry VIII was one running from Ardbraccan through Slane and Mellifont into Drogheda.

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    Ardbraccan, through Slane and Mellefont, into Drogheda. These lines of intercourse were, however, few, even within the Pale, and in a despatch from Lord Leonard Grey to Lord Crumwell, in 1537, it is written : " A Friday we set forward from Majniooth to the Castle of Dangan, which was distant but five miles or thereabouts, and all marsh ground betwixt, so that we must have made the way thither with fagots and hurdles, and came within half a mile of the said Castle of Dangan by two of the clock at afternoon the same Friday, and there encamped in the field." ** The season approaches," writes the same Viceroy, in October, to Henry the Eighth, " when Englishmen cannot well travel to do service in Ireland ;" when, to facilitate such service, it was recommended, " that castles and piles for defence should be made on the passes and streights of the country." How much they were required in the districts without the Pale, is suggested by Lord Deputy St. Leger, in a letter of state to Lord Crumwell. "Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Waterford," he writes, " being distant from the four shires that are obedient to the king's laws, the Justices for the administration thereof, could not conveniently repair to the said other three shires." In 1538, Lord Leonard Grey acquaints Henry the Eighth : " Sythens my last letters addressed unto your Highness, I have cut divers passes, and made such smooth ways, into your Grace's country of Offaley, for carriage of horsemen and footmen, that the like was never seen

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 20

43. Killineer Lands Sold to Pay for Drogheda Bridge

    Killineer · townland · Louth · 1738

    In 1738 the lands of Killineer, part of the Corporate property, were sold off to defray the town's debt incurred in 1723 for the building of the bridge.

    Read the passage

    In 1738 the lands of KiUineer, part of the Corporate property, were sold to defray the town's debt for building the bridge, as incurred in 1723 : and in the same year, the Corporation granted to Sir Thomas Taylor, Baronet, a lease of a garden and orchard without St. Lawrence's gate, north of the way thence to Green Hills, commonly known by the name of the White House, with a park called Tracy's Park, wherein was formerly a water-mill; together with the water-course, mill, park, and millpond. The Assembly in 1744 ordered, that goods coming into town for the use and consumption of private gentlemen in their families, should not pay custom; and in 1756 they leased to Elizabeth, widow of Alderman William Shepheard, " the buildings and garden late in the possession of the Marshal of Drogheda, as his prison or Marshalsea for debtors," for a term of sixty-one years. In 1761 occurred the mandamus case at the suit of Ralph Eccleston and Joseph Appleyard against this Corporation; but which it appears sufficient here to refer to, and to state that the applicants were ulti-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 156

44. King John's 1204 mandate seeking aid from Irish boroughs

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1204

    King John issued writs to Irish clergy, nobles and burgesses seeking an aid of men and money for his war in Normandy, and Drogheda is understood to have been among the tributary boroughs that complied.

    Read the passage

    disinherit him of his dominions, he states, that the people of England had liberally, and in consideration of his urgency, granted him an effectual aid of men and money for service in Normandy, and, therefore, " as such an emergency has never hitherto occurred, nor is ever likely to occur again, we," says his Majesty, " entreat you, not as of custom, but from your love for us, and regard for our person and honour, to make an effectual aid for us in this our necessity, of which our Justiciary of Ireland, and our delegates, will acquaint you"(a). This recognition of burgesses being summoned to vote supplies to the Crown, at a period so early, is both curious and important. That the parties comphed with the king's request, is proved by the fact of his royal expression of thanks, as for the aid so granted to him, having been transmitted to Ireland, by writ of the first of September following(ft); and, from the almost contemporaneous documents herein set forth, there can be little doubt, that Drogheda was of the tributary boroughs upon this occasion. In a mandate of 1205, from King John to Meiler Fitz Henry, then Lord Justice of Ireland, that monarch declared his royal pleasure, that fairs should be established at Dublin, Drogheda, Waterford, and Limerick; that at Drogheda to be held on the festival of St. John the Baptist, and to continue for eight days, with toll and custom thereto belonging ; and the king directed his said Deputy to

    (a) Rot. Chart, in Tur. Lond. (b) Rot. Pat. in Tur. Lond.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 127

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you're in a town that answered a king's call in 1204. King John, facing the threat of losing his lands in Normandy, wrote to the clergy, nobles, and burgesses of Ireland asking for men and money. He told them the people of England had already granted him aid, and asked them to do the same, not as a custom but out of love for him. His words were, "we entreat you, not as of custom, but from your love for us, and regard for our person and honour, to make an effectual aid for us in this our necessity." The burgesses were summoned to vote supplies to the Crown at a time when that was still a rare thing, and the book calls that both curious and important. The boroughs complied, because John sent thanks back to Ireland by writ on the first of September that same year. There is little doubt that Drogheda was among the tributary boroughs that contributed. The next year, 1205, John ordered that a fair be established here, to run for eight days from the festival of St. John the Baptist, with toll and custom attached. So this town gave aid to a king, and the king gave it a fair in return.

45. Monument to Sergeant John Ball at St Peter's Church

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1813

    A monument erected at the expense of the Corporation commemorates Sergeant John Ball, who died in 1813, situated at the opposite side of the communion table in St. Peter's Church.

    Read the passage

    is a monument, erected at the expense of the corporation, to the late Sergeant John Ball, who died in 1813; near it another to the Reverend JohnMagee, son of a former Archbishop of Dublin, and who had been vicar of this parish. On the gallery walls are mural slabs to Doctor Tobias Pullen, Bishop of Dromore, who died in 1712; to Ellish Walker, S. T. P. died 1701; to the Rev. William Godley, prebendary of Mullabrack, county Armagh, died 1779; .another to John Grodley, Esq., (son of said Rev. WilHam), died 1806; a white marble monument to the Ogles; another to the wife of Judge Jebb, died 1833; to Captain Hyde, died 1820, &c.

    The sepulchral records of the graveyard may be thus alphabetically arranged:

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 72

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, St. Peter's Church holds a monument to Sergeant John Ball, who died in 1813. The Corporation paid for it, and it stands at the opposite side of the communion table. Nearby is another monument to the Reverend John Magee, son of a former Archbishop of Dublin, who had been vicar of the parish. The gallery walls carry mural slabs to others as well, including Doctor Tobias Pullen, Bishop of Dromore, who died in 1712, and Ellish Walker, who died in 1701.

46. Stone causeway constructed to Clonmacnoise

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1170

    A stone causeway is alleged to have been constructed to Clonmacnoise in 1170, with several bridges and mills recorded as erected there around the same period according to native Annals.

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    Lougli Gara in Connauglit. This species of communication was constructed of stones and huge blocks of timber, fixed firmly over fordable places, and extending in irregular succession from bank to bank. Tigemach mentions a battle fought at the road of the two fords," in 587, another " at the road of the rock," in 726, and relates the formation of the road (toghar) of Athlone in 1001, by the co-operation of O'Melaghlin, King of Meath, and O'Conor, King of Connaught ; a stone causeway is also alleged to have been constructed thence to Clonmacnoise in 1170, and several bridges and mills are, in the native Annals, stated to be erected at the latter period. That the ancient Irish used chariots or cars for travelling, is expressly stated in the very early Annals of Tigernach, and in other Irish chronicles, as those of the Four Masters, of Inisfallen, &c. Indeed, in the intercourse that existed between this country and Britain, more especially at the time of the Roman occupation of the latter kingdom, it would be difficult to imagine, that the Irish, if they had not cars of their own invention, could have failed to introduce them thence. That the Britons went to the field of battle in chariots, is too well known to require illustration, and Diodorus Siculus extends their use to the ordinary purposes of travelling. So frequent were they in Britain, that Csesar alleges, Cassibelaunus, after he had dismissed in despair all his other forces, retained no fewer than four thousand of these war chariots about his person ; and

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 16

47. 1225 mandate for free trade at Drogheda port

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1225

    By royal mandate in 1225 it was commanded that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in the port with their merchandize, without paying tolls or customs.

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    tion, which long after continued to be preserved, at the commencement of the Acts of each succeeding session. In two years afterwards, Henry the Third ordered his Justiciary to obtain another aid from the cities, boroughs, and demesnes of the Crown in Ireland, after which the levying such talliages became frequent. In 1220, the king granted another royal patent(a) for fairs here, and in the same year, Walter de Lacy had afresh confirmation(J) of his late father's possessions here, which were all upon the Meath side of the river, reserving the castle and borough to the Crown ; while the patent provided, that De Lacy should have the talliage and aid of the town, as far as appertained to the castle, and should pay a certain reserved farm rent for his lands at Drogheda. In 1225, it was commanded by royal mandate, that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in that port with their merchandize, without paying tolls or customs ; and, in the following year, the burgesses of this town were, with the citizens of Limerick, reimbursed for certain payments and advances which they had made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy. On the 12th of April, 1228, the king granted to his good men of Drogheda, without any distinction (as should be the case for a work of mutual advantage), license to take, during one year only, certain customs therein speci-

    (a) Rot. Pat. 5 Henry III. in Tur. Lond. (J) Rot Claus. 4 Henry XXL in Tur. Lond. l2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 129

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda lies ahead along the road, a town whose port Henry the Third kept under close royal management. In 1225, a royal mandate commanded that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in that port with their merchandize, without paying tolls or customs. This came five years after the king granted a patent for fairs here, and after Walter de Lacy received fresh confirmation of his late father's possessions on the Meath side of the river, with the castle and borough reserved to the Crown. The following year, the burgesses of this town were reimbursed, alongside the citizens of Limerick, for payments they had made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy. In 1228, the king granted his good men of Drogheda, without any distinction, license to take certain customs for one year only, as the material says, "as should be the case for a work of mutual advantage."

48. 1283 aid sought from Drogheda for Welsh insurrection

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1283

    On the occasion of the insurrection of the Welsh, Edward I sought the usual financial aid from citizens, burgesses, merchants and commons of Irish cities and boroughs, including Drogheda.

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    on the occasion of the insurrection of the Welch, the usual aid was sought by Edward the First, from the citizens, burgesses, merchants, and commons of all cities, boroughs, and mercantile towns in Ireland, including, of course, Drogheda(a).

    In reference to the year 1285, a passage occurs in the very venerable document entitled the "Domesday Book of Develyn Cittie," in the ancient Chartulary of that Corporation, which bears a peculiar interest in the history of this and other Irish borough towns, and may be translated as follows: "To all persons who shall see or hear these presents, the Mayor and citizens of Cork send greeting in the Lord. Know ye, that we in common council, by consent and assent, and of our voluntary will, have granted for us and our successors, to the Mayor and citizens of Dublin, the Mayor and citizens of Waterford, the Mayor and citizens of Drogheda on the side of Louth; the Mayor and citizens of Limerick, and the seneschal and burgesses of Drogheda on the side of Meath; that if it shaU happen, which heaven forbid, that any person by whatsoever authority, shall attempt or presume to impugn, infringe, or lessen the liberties granted to them, Dublin, Waterford, Drogheda, &c., by charters from the illustrious Kings of England, in whatsoever manner, in whatsoever places or times, or before whatsoever persons ecclesiastical or secular ; by reason whereof, for their defence or protection, expenses, charges, and labours shall of

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 133

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Drogheda now, in County Louth. Back in 1283, when the Welsh rose in insurrection, Edward the First sought the usual financial aid from the citizens, burgesses, merchants, and commons of all the cities, boroughs, and mercantile towns in Ireland, including Drogheda. Two years later, in 1285, the Mayor and citizens of Cork sent a remarkable message, recorded in the document known as the Domesday Book of Develyn Cittie, held in the ancient Chartulary of that Corporation. They declared that in common council, by consent and voluntary will, they had granted to the mayors and citizens of Dublin, Waterford, Drogheda on the side of Louth, and Limerick, and to the seneschal and burgesses of Drogheda on the side of Meath, a mutual pledge. If any person, by whatsoever authority, should attempt to impugn, infringe, or lessen the liberties granted to these towns by charters from the Kings of England, they would stand together, bearing the expenses, charges, and labours of their own defence.

49. Drogheda burgesses reimbursed for war against Hugh de Lacy

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1226

    In 1226 the burgesses of Drogheda, along with the citizens of Limerick, were reimbursed for payments and advances made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy.

    Read the passage

    tion, which long after continued to be preserved, at the commencement of the Acts of each succeeding session. In two years afterwards, Henry the Third ordered his Justiciary to obtain another aid from the cities, boroughs, and demesnes of the Crown in Ireland, after which the levying such talliages became frequent. In 1220, the king granted another royal patent(a) for fairs here, and in the same year, Walter de Lacy had afresh confirmation(J) of his late father's possessions here, which were all upon the Meath side of the river, reserving the castle and borough to the Crown ; while the patent provided, that De Lacy should have the talliage and aid of the town, as far as appertained to the castle, and should pay a certain reserved farm rent for his lands at Drogheda. In 1225, it was commanded by royal mandate, that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in that port with their merchandize, without paying tolls or customs ; and, in the following year, the burgesses of this town were, with the citizens of Limerick, reimbursed for certain payments and advances which they had made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy. On the 12th of April, 1228, the king granted to his good men of Drogheda, without any distinction (as should be the case for a work of mutual advantage), license to take, during one year only, certain customs therein speci-

    (a) Rot. Pat. 5 Henry III. in Tur. Lond. (J) Rot Claus. 4 Henry XXL in Tur. Lond. l2

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 129

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda sits on a river, with a castle and borough that the Crown kept for itself while the de Lacy family held lands on the Meath side. In 1220 Walter de Lacy got fresh confirmation of his late father's possessions here, and the king granted another patent for fairs in the same year. A few years later, in 1225, a royal mandate commanded that the men of Drogheda should have free ingress and egress in the port with their merchandise, without paying tolls or customs. The following year, 1226, the burgesses of this town were reimbursed, along with the citizens of Limerick, for certain payments and advances they had made in support of the war against Hugh de Lacy. Henry the Third's justiciary had been ordering aids from cities, boroughs, and demesne lands of the Crown in Ireland, and such talliages had become frequent. The burgesses had borne part of that burden in the campaign against Hugh de Lacy, and the crown now paid them back. In 1228 the king granted his good men of Drogheda license to take certain customs for one year only, a work, he said, of mutual advantage.

50. Ancient fort on the grange of Portmarnock

    Portmarnock · town · Dublin

    On the grange of Portmarnock, at the left of the railway line, stands an ancient fort about thirty-six feet in diameter.

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    whence, proceeding on a level, a lovely extent of sequestered rural scenery opens at either side, the village and church of Portmarnock being in more immediate contiguity. Henry the Second, duringhis sojourn in Dubhn, granted this denomination to the abbey of the Blessed Virgin in Dublin, which endowment was confirmed by the Pope in 1189. The shore hence under Carrick-hill is of a character, that has acquired for it the appellation of the velvet strand; nor is it less remarkable for the beautiful views it affords, and the countless varieties of shells to be found all over it. On the grange of Portmarnock, at left of the line, is an ancient fort, about thirty-six feet in diameter; and hereabouts, a view may be caught of the handsome chapel of Kinsaly, and the

    DUBLIN AND DBOGHBDA RAILWAY. XCl

    Internet Archive historydrogheda00dalgoog, Chapter 33