A history of the city of Dublin

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. Priests' Secret Mass-Houses in High-street

   High Street · street · Dublin · 1603–1625

   During the reign of James I, certain back-rooms in the houses of Nicholas Queitrot, Carye, and the widow O'Hagan in High-street were noted as places where priests resorted to celebrate Mass in defiance of penal restrictions.

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   Among " the places of most publicke note whereunto the priests did resort to Masse in Dublin," particularized in a document of the reign of James I., we find noticed certain backrooms in the houses of Nicholas Queitrot, Carye, and the widow O'Hagan, in the High-street.

   In 1647, the Countess of Roscommon, Sir Patrick Wemys, founder of the family of Danesfort, and Sir Thady Duff, were resident in High-street, and copper tokens are extant issued by the following inhabitants of this locality : —

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb

2. Public Whipping of William Gowran in Fishamble-Street

   Fishamble Street · street · Dublin · 1634

   The Irish House of Commons in 1634 ordered William Gowran, who had affronted a member, to be handed to the Sheriffs of Dublin and publicly whipped in Fishamble-street, the location of his offence.

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   learned writer ofthe same name, died suddenly as he was walking through Fishamble-street in 1632. The Irish House of Commons, in 1634, ordered one William Gowran, who had affi'onted one of their members, to be carried presently to the Sheriffs of Dublin, who were required to cause him to be presently whipped in Fishamble-street, where the offence was committed.

   " In August, 1649," says a local writer ofthe seventeenth century, " Oliver Cromwell came with his army into Ireland, and brought over with him one Netterville, a Romish priest, supposed to be a Jesuit, who at his first coming to Dublin obtained a billet to quarter on Matthew Nulty, merchant tailor, then living in Fishamble-street, near the Conduit, where-on the piUory then stood, signed by Oliver's own hand. Nulty, wanting convenience in his then dwelling-house, fiirnished a room in an empty house of his next adjoining for Mr. Netterville ; where he had not lodged many days but Nathaniel Foulks (captain of the city militia, who lived at the Horseshoe in Castle-street) came to Nulty, and challenged him for entertaining a priest who daily said mass in his house. Nulty (being surprised at this news) declared it was more than he knew ; and therefore he speedily acquainted Netterville with what the captain said, whereto he replied, ' I am so, and my Lord General knows it ; and tell all the to^vn of it, and that I am here, and will say mass every day.' This Netterville was Oliver Cromwell's great companion, and dined frequently with him. He was ofthe family of Lord Netterville of Ireland, a great scholar, and delighted much in music."

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 27

   As the companion tells it

   Along here in 1634, William Gowran was publicly whipped in Fishamble-street for affronting a member of the Irish House of Commons. The Commons ordered him to be carried to the Sheriffs of Dublin, who were required to have him whipped on this street, where the offence was committed. A learned writer of the Gowran name had died suddenly walking through Fishamble-street two years earlier, in 1632. The pillory stood near the Conduit here, a fact worth noting since this street carried its share of public punishment and spectacle.

3. Burial of David La Touche under Monument at Delgany Church

   near Delgany · town · Wicklow · 1785

   David La Touche, son of David Digges La Touche, was buried in Delgany Church under a magnificent monument executed by Irish sculptor Noah Hickey.

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   David Digges La Touche left two sons, David and James Digges La Touche, The former, distinguished for his benevolence and philanthropy, was buried in Delgany Church, under a magnificent monument executed by Noah Hickey, an Irish sculptor. A silver medal, struck in commemoration of him, is also extant, bearing his portrait, inscribed " David Digges La Touche, Esq., Belview ;" the obverse presents figures of Justice, AVisdom, and Plenty, with the legend, " Qui bene parta melius dispensavit. Nat. 1704; ob. 1785." Belview, county of Wicklow, above alluded to, was the seat of David Digges La Touche, who, having purchased it from Dean Corbet in 1 753, changed its old name of Ballydonough into Bellevue, and erected the mansion-house, upon which he and his son expended thirty thousand pounds. When Charles Lucas commenced his crusade against the Board of Aldermen, he found an active colleague in James Digges La Touche, who aided him both by his writings and personal exertions. They, however, became opposed to each other in consequence of both desiring to fill the vacancy which occurred in the representation of Dublin in 1745. After the parliamentary condemnation of Lucas, La Touche was elected member for the city in opposition to the Court candidate ; the Government, incensed

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 14

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Delgany in Wicklow, this is where David La Touche was laid to rest in the church, beneath a magnificent monument carved by the Irish sculptor Noah Hickey. He was the son of David Digges La Touche, and was remembered for his benevolence and philanthropy. Born in 1704 and dead by 1785, he was commemorated with a silver medal bearing his portrait, inscribed "David Digges La Touche, Esq., Belview." The reverse of the medal shows figures of Justice, Wisdom, and Plenty, with the Latin legend "Qui bene parta melius dispensavit" — he who distributed well what was well earned. His family's seat was Belview, here in county Wicklow, originally called Ballydonough until his father purchased it from Dean Corbet, renamed it, and built a mansion on which father and son together expended thirty thousand pounds. His brother James took a different path, joining Charles Lucas's crusade against the Board of Aldermen, though the two fell out over a vacancy in Dublin's representation in 1745.

4. Nave roof and south wall of Christ Church collapse in 1562

   Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1562

   The roof and south wall of the nave of Christ Church Cathedral fell in 1562, an event that damaged surrounding arches and windows and left lasting structural displacement visible in the building's architecture centuries later.

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   The architectural features of the edifice are noticed as follows by Thomas Bell in his prize essay on Gothic Architecture : " The original structure appears to have been in the Saxon style, or rather to combine a mixture of the circular and pointed Gothic arches together. The transepts still retain much of their original state, and exhibit some beautiful specimens of the zig-zag ornament. It is not, however, pure Saxon, for the pointed arch is intimately combined with it, not only in the windows of the transepts, but also in two or three beautiful pointed arches, richly ornamented with chevron mouldings, which are still apparent in the lateral aisles that lead to the choir. One of the arches, in the north aisle of the choir, leading to St. Mary's Chapel, appears to have given way — probably occasioned by the shock the whole building must have sustained, when the roof and south wall of the nave fell, in the year 1562. The arched Avindow over it has also suffered by the shock ; for the central pillar is evidently displaced, and has lost its perpendicularity. To prevent the arch at the entrance of this aisle from falling in, the space has been filled up with solid masonry, leaving a smaller arched entrance beneath it. Over this smaller arch a

   CHRIST CHURCH. ' 129

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb

   As the companion tells it

   Right here at Christ Church Cathedral, the building still carries the marks of a disaster from 1562, when the roof and south wall of the nave fell. The shock damaged an arch in the north aisle of the choir, leading to St. Mary's Chapel, and the arched window above it lost its perpendicularity as the central pillar was displaced. To stop the arch at the entrance of that aisle from falling in, the space was filled with solid masonry, leaving only a smaller arched entrance beneath it. Thomas Bell, in his prize essay on Gothic architecture, noted that the original structure combined circular and pointed Gothic arches together, and that the transepts still retain much of their original state, with zig-zag ornament and chevron mouldings visible in the lateral aisles leading to the choir. The damage from 1562 remained visible for centuries after, a lasting displacement you can still read in the stonework.

5. Discovery of Bishop Donogh's body with mitre

   Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1074

   Bishop Donogh, founder of Christ Church, was buried at the right hand of the altar in 1074; when the choir was repaired some years later his body was found there with an exquisitely-worked mitre.

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   and was buried at the right- luind side of its altar; on repairing the choir some years since, his body was found there Avith his mitre, which was an exquisite work of art.

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 45

   As the companion tells it

   Christ Church Cathedral is right here. Bishop Donogh founded this church and was buried at the right side of the altar in 1074. When the choir was repaired some years later his body was found there, still with his mitre, which the record calls "an exquisite work of art."

6. Murrain among cattle delays Christ Church rebuilding plans

   Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1638

   Archbishop Laud wrote in 1638 expressing sorrow that a great dearth of cattle and sheep, along with a murrain among cattle, prevented the planned rebuilding of Christ Church from beginning that year, remarking that such disease was 'no good sign'.

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   Christ Church being at this period in a very bad condition, the Government appears to have contemplated the erection of a new cathedral ; a design subsequently abandoned ; and on the 10th of April, 1638, Strafford, writing to the Archbishop of Canterbury, observes : — "For the building of Christ Church, now that his Majesty and your Lordship approve of the way, I trust to show you I neither sleep nor forget it." And Laud, in the succeeding INIay, writes: — " I shall be verv glad to hear that Christ Church goes on, but sorry withal for that which you write after, that there is such a great dearth of cattle and sheep amongst you, that it cannot begin this year ; and a murrain amongst cattle is no good sign."

   In 1639-41 anew charter was petitioned for, proposing to increase the Vicars Choral to ten, of Avhom four were to be priests ; and requesting power to distribute their property among them according to the dignities which they held. This scheme, however, does not appear to have been prosecuted.

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 53

   As the companion tells it

   Christ Church Cathedral is right here. In 1638 the cathedral was in very bad condition and the government planned to build a new one. Strafford wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury that he intended to push the project forward, but Laud replied in May that he was sorry a great dearth of cattle and sheep, along with a murrain among cattle, meant the work could not begin that year. He added that such disease was, in his words, "no good sign."

7. Violent tempest destroys great eastern window of Christ Church, 1461

   Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1461

   According to the annals, a violent tempest struck Christ Church Cathedral in 1461, destroying the old great eastern window and causing considerable damage to the building.

   Read the passage

   was very "palpable, and would sufficiently account for any deviation from the centre, in this extensive and ancient pile, which the unstable soil still sustains. The great eastern window is circularly arched, and seems to have been erected about the same period when that of the nave was rebuilt. Perhaps it might be put up something earlier, as we find in the annals that the old one was destroyed by a violent tempest, Avhich did considerable damage to the church in 1461. The side windows of the choir are formed of pointed arches, of a dimension considerably larger than the clerestory Avindow in the nave. They are irregular in point of size, compared with each other, and apparently were built two or three centuries later than the former, though, from their external appearance, they are evidently in a very inferior style of workmanship. The external appearance of the building is heavy and uninteresting. The only beautiful parts about it are the Saxon door, and windows of the tmnsepts before described, and the Gothic shafts which support the external arches of the clerestory windows ; but the old stone work round these windows is so totally decayed, being of a soft, sandy nature, that little idea can be formed of its original appearance. In order to give a more exact idea of the extent of this ancient pile, I subjoin the foUoAving dimensions : —

   Feet. In. Length of nave, from the west wall to the door

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 58

   As the companion tells it

   Christ Church Cathedral is right here. In 1461, a violent tempest destroyed the old great eastern window of this church and did considerable damage to the building. The eastern window you can see now is circularly arched and was put up sometime after that storm, perhaps around the same period the nave window was rebuilt. The side windows of the choir are pointed arches, built two or three centuries later, though the source calls their workmanship very inferior. The old stonework around the clerestory windows has decayed so totally, being of a soft sandy nature, that little idea can be formed of its original appearance.

8. Public whipping route from Newgate to College Green or James Street

   near College Green · street · Dublin

   The general punishment for petty offences in the last century was a public whipping carried out from Newgate either to College-green or to the Toll-house in James'-street.

   Read the passage

   The general punishment for petty offences in the last century was a whipping from Newgate either to College-green or to the Toll-house in James'-street, Ci'iminals do not appear

   272 HISTORY OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN.

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 117

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere about College Green, this was one of the endpoints for a punishment carried out in the last century. Petty offenders were whipped from Newgate, either to here or to the Toll-house in James Street. It was the general punishment for petty offences at the time.

9. Sudden Death of Sir James Ware in Fishamble-Street

   Fishamble Street · street · Dublin · 1632

   Sir James Ware, Auditor-General and father of the learned antiquarian of the same name, died suddenly while walking through Fishamble-street in 1632.

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   Strafford's administration Annesley was tried by a council of war, and condemned to death, for an unguarded expression uttered in the presence chamber of the Castle. The King's letter, in 1636, infonns us that "it had been held fit to cause his study door to be sealed up by the Committee, who have the cognizance of that business ; and it is likewise conceived that the view and perusal of his papers may be of use." He remained a close prisoner in the Castle until a royal pardon was granted to him in 1637. His son Arthm', born in Fishamble-street in 1614, and baptized in St. John's Church, became a member of the Oxford Parliament in 1643, was deputed as Commissioner into Ulster in 1645, under the great seal of England, and was the chief of the party to whom the Marquis of Ormond surrendered Dublin in 1647. In 1670 he was chosen President of the new Coimcil of State, having had a considerable share in bringing about the Restoration, for which, in 1661, he was rewarded with the title of Earl of Anglesey. So great was liis influence at that time that he was said to have declined the post of Prime Minister of England. He sat in judgment on the regicides, and was one of the three Commissioners appointed to report concerning the settlement of Ireland : after which, in 1673, he was advanced to the great office of Lord Privy Seal, and died in 1686. Several of his writings are extant ; but his history of the affairs of Ireland diu-ing his own times is supposed to have been destroyed, as it revealed unpleasant facts, Anglesey, through life, having been noted for boldly expressing his manly and liberal sentiments. He was the first nobleman in Great Britain who formed a large library, which, although intended to remain in his family, was sold by auction soon after his death. This sale was rendered remarkable by the discovery in the Earl's collection of his autograph note in a copy of the " Eikon Basilike," asserting that book to be the composition of Dr. Gauden, a statement which has caused much literary disputation. Sir James Ware, Auditor-General, and father of the

   Internet Archive historyofcityofd01gilb, Chapter 27

   As the companion tells it

   Along here in 1632, Sir James Ware, Auditor-General and father of the learned antiquarian of the same name, died suddenly while walking through Fishamble Street. The street had other notable residents too. Arthur Annesley was born here in 1614 and baptized in St. John's Church. He went on to become a member of the Oxford Parliament in 1643, was deputed as Commissioner into Ulster in 1645 under the great seal of England, and was chief of the party to whom the Marquis of Ormond surrendered Dublin in 1647. In 1661 he was rewarded with the title of Earl of Anglesey for his share in bringing about the Restoration. He was chosen President of the new Council of State in 1670, and advanced to Lord Privy Seal in 1673. He died in 1686. He was the first nobleman in Great Britain to form a large library, which was sold by auction soon after his death. That sale became remarkable when his autograph note was discovered in a copy of the Eikon Basilike, asserting that book to be the work of Dr. Gauden, a statement that has caused much literary disputation.