A history of the County Dublin; the people, parishes and antiquities from the earliest times to the close of the eighteenth century

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. Delany burns his marriage settlement after wife's death

   Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 1741

   On the morning after his first wife's funeral, Delany committed the extraordinary act of burning his marriage settlement at Delville, believing it useless. His step-daughter, who had found the document among her mother's papers, was made a party to the act.

   Read the passage

   At Delville, to which this history now returns, an event occurred in the winter of 1741 that made a great change in the life of Delany — the death of his first wife, who appears to have never enjoyed good health. She had several children by her first husband, Richard Tenison, including a daughter who married Robert Rochfort, afterwards Earl of Belvidere ; but she was survived by only one child, an unmarried daughter of eighteen years of age. In his first wife Delany said that he lost a friend that was as his own soul ; but he has left no clue to the terms on which he lived with his step-daughter. On the morning after his first wife's funeral he committed an act of extraordinary folly in burning his marriage settlement (that it was done in the belief that the settlement was useless can hardly be doubted in view of Delany's repeated afiirmations), and to this act he made his step-daughter, who had found the settlement in a sealed envelope amongst her mother's papers, a party. Whether she saw reason to resent his conduct on that or any other occasion is not certain ; but in a will which she made four months later she does not name him, and mentions those with whom he was afterwards engaged in litigation in terms of aflection.''*

   At the opening of the year 1743 the death of Delany's stepdaughter was announced, coupled with a statement that her estate of two thousand pounds a year devolved to Delany for his life, and three mouths later Delany was on the road to London to propose for his second wife, the famous Mary Granville, grand-niece of the first Earl of Bath, and niece of Baron Lansdown, of the Granville family. As a girl she had been married to a Cornish gentleman called Pendarves, but she had been for nearly twenty years a widow.

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 78

2. William III's army encamped at Finglas after the Boyne, thanksgiving held at St Patrick's

   Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1690

   King William, diverging from the direct road to Dublin, encamped with his army at Finglas for three days after the Battle of the Boyne, and thanksgiving was offered at St Patrick's Cathedral while he rode there in great splendour.

   Read the passage

   of the Boyne with his army encamped in their midst. As he had advanced by the road through Swords, where he had lain on the nights of Thursday and Friday, William diverged from the direct road to Dublin in coming to Finglas, and his doing so was no doubt attributable to knowledge of Ormonde's encampment there forty years before. During the following three days the inhabitants of Finglas witnessed all the panoply of war, and especially on the first, when thanksgiving was offered in St. Patrick's Cathedral. " This day being Sunday," wrote from the camp at Finglas one who had seen foreign Courts, "his Majesty rode in great splendour to the cathedral, where all services of the church were solemnly performed ; the Bishop of Meath and the Bishop of Limerick Avero there, and Doctor King, an excellent man and a great sufferer, preached much to the purpose ; the old mayor and alderman did the honours of the city, and great were the acclamations of the people as our king, who looked and appeared this day better than ever 1 saw him, returned by the castle ; he rode in to see the castle, but did not aliglit." Three days later, on Wednesday morning, William broke up the camp at Finglas, and in order "to look towards Munster," moved with his army to Crumlin, as related in the history of that place.'

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 62

3. Owen O'Neill's scorched-earth march through Castleknock

   Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1647

   In autumn 1647 Owen O'Neill, ravaging the Pale, visited Castleknock and went on to Drogheda, destroying haggards of corn until the countryside seemed to be on fire, prompting a fruitless pursuit by Colonel Michael Jones.

   Read the passage

   Five years later, in the autumn of 1647, while ravaging the Pale, Owen O'Neill visited Castleknock. Thence he went to Drogheda, destroying as he advanced " the goodliest haggards of corn that ever were seen in those parts," until the country seemed to be on fire. As soon as he heard of O'Neill's arrival near Dublin, Colonel Michael Jones, who was then commanding for the Parliament in Dublin, set out against him, and drew a large force to Castleknock, but he found only O'Neill's rearguard, and as all provender had been destroyed, he could not proceed further, and was obliged to return to Dublin.'*

   While advancing from Kilkenny against the Parliament force in Dublin, in the summer of 1649, Ormonde halted at Castleknock, whence some of his horse advanced to the Phoenix House, and encountered a detachment sent out by Colonel Michael Jones from Oxmantown Green, where his horse lay behind ramparts. After " bickering on both sides," Ormonde drew his main force to Finglas, and he encamped there that evening ; but he placed garrisons in the

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 17

4. Deadly snowballing of Sir James Carroll at Newry

   near Newry · town · Down

   Sir James Carroll, an official of Irish birth, faced bitter opposition to his advancement and his life was often endangered by ill-paid soldiers, who on one occasion at Newry snowballed him in a deadly manner.

   Read the passage

   In Dr. Chaloner's time, about the year 1610, there appears at Finglas, probably as an inhabitant of the court, Sir James Carroll, the principal official of the Treasury, and sometime mayor of Dublin. As a man of Irish birth his advancement to such a position was bitterly opposed, and his life was often in danger from the ill-paid soldiers, who on one occasion at Newry snowballed him in a deadly manner ; but he overcame every obstacle, and by making himself indispensable he not only gained high office, but also was accepted as the husband of a daughter of Sir Arthur Savage, then governor of Connaught, and previously commander of the English force at the siege of Amiens.-

   Before that time there had been erected to the south-west of Finglas, at Finglaswood, a house, the ruins of which are still to be seen. From the ruins it is evident that the house was recast and additions made to it on three occasion? The turret, which is shown in the illustrations, dates probably from the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It contains a spiral staircase, and is provided with two shot-holes commanding the main doorway and the approach to it. The doorway is round-headed and the stonework is neatly chiselled, but with that exception no distinctive architectural feature remains.^ In its original design the house marked the transition from defence to comfort, and is described in the . Commonwealth surveys as a stone

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 55

5. Death of St. Mobhi from plague at Glasnevin

   Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 544

   St. Mobhi, known as clairinech or the flat-faced, died at Glasnevin on October 12, 544. He is believed to have perished of plague, having foretold its coming and sent away his fifty students beforehand.

   Read the passage

   The church at Glasnevin, which is a building of the early eighteenth century, presents no feature of interest, and little infoi'mation is to be obtained as to the ecclesiastical history of the parish. The death of St. Mobhi, who was known as clairinech or the flatfaced, is recorded to have occurred on October 12, 544. It is believed that he perished of plague, as he had foretold that it was about to come, and had sent away the students, who are said to have numbered fifty, from Glasnevin, Of his successors as abbot there are recorded the names of Cialtrog, who died in 741 ; Elpin, who died in 753 ; and Maeltuile, son of Fethghnach, who died in 882.= After the Anglo-Norman invasion the church was assigned, together with the lands of Glasnevin, to the priory of the Holy Trinity. It appears in the ecclesiastical taxation of the thirteenth century as value for thirty shillings ; and some fifty years later it is mentioned as one of the churches belonging to the priory over which the archdeacon of Dublin established his right of visitation. Towards the close of the fifteenth century the wills of the inhabitants sliow devotion to the church. Geoifrey Fox's first wife desires to be buried iu tlie nave, before the image of St. Mary, and leaves twelve pence to buy a cope for the priest ; Nicholas Barrett leaves twelve pence towards w^orks then being executed in the chancel ; and Geoffrey Fox's second wife desires to be buried in the nave, and leaves two shillings towards the works and a towel for the use of the clergy.^

   After the suppression of the priory and constitution of the cathedral establishment of Christ Church the church was served by a curate or vicar. In 1572 the curate is mentioned as entitled to the

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 83

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, at Glasnevin, St. Mobhi died on October 12, 544. He was known as clairinech, the flat-faced. He is believed to have perished of plague, the same plague he had foretold was about to come. Before it arrived, he sent away his students from Glasnevin. They are said to have numbered fifty. Of his successors as abbot, the record gives three names. Cialtrog died in 741. Elpin died in 753. Maeltuile, son of Fethghnach, died in 882. After the Anglo-Norman invasion, the church and the lands of Glasnevin were assigned to the priory of the Holy Trinity. In the thirteenth-century ecclesiastical taxation it was valued at thirty shillings. Some fifty years later it appears as one of the churches belonging to the priory over which the archdeacon of Dublin established his right of visitation. Towards the close of the fifteenth century, the wills of the inhabitants show devotion to the church. Geoffrey Fox's first wife desired to be buried in the nave, before the image of St. Mary, and left twelve pence to buy a cope for the priest. Nicholas Barrett left twelve pence towards works then being executed in the chancel. Geoffrey Fox's second wife desired to be buried in the nave, and left two shillings towards the works and a towel for the use of the clergy.

6. Monk storms Castleknock Castle

   Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1642

   During the 1641 rebellion Castleknock Castle was held by Irish forces, and Monk is credited with its capture in June 1642 after a stubborn defence. Contemporary accounts describe the killing of eighty rebels besides those hanged.

   Read the passage

   For many months after the rebellion Castleknock appears to have been in the possession of the Irish forces. In May, 1642, an order was issued that seventy musketeers with two sergeants and three corporals, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Bringhurst, should be sent there,^ but this force was found inadequate, and to Monk, while marching in June to join Ormonde at Athlone, the capture of the Castleknock stronghold is attributed.' That the defence was stubborn may be gathered from the statement that Monk " killed eighty rebels besides those that were hanged," and, notwithstanding their defeat, the Irish continued to occupy the surrounding country. In the following November portion of a convoy coming from Trim to Dublin was taken by the Irish at Castleknock, and some of the soldiers in charge of the cars were carried to a camp not far off and there shot."

   Five years later, in the autumn of 1647, while ravaging the Pale, Owen O'Neill visited Castleknock. Thence he went to Drogheda, destroying as he advanced " the goodliest haggards of corn that ever were seen in those parts," until the country seemed to be on fire. As soon as he heard of O'Neill's arrival near Dublin, Colonel Michael Jones, who was then commanding for the Parliament in Dublin, set out against him, and drew a large force to Castleknock, but he found only O'Neill's rearguard, and as all provender had been destroyed, he could not proceed further, and was obliged to return to Dublin.'*

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 17

7. News of Rathmines rout and Cromwell's march to Drogheda reaches Finglas

   Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1649

   The inhabitants of Finglas learned of the rout of Ormonde's army at Rathmines, and a few weeks later heard of Cromwell's army passing close by on its way to Drogheda, which fell in the notorious 1649 siege.

   Read the passage

   the king that the enemy's horse was mutinovis and flocking to him ; but before many more days elapsed the inhabitants of Finglas learned of the rout of his army at Rathmines, and a few weeks later heard of Cromwell's army passing close by on its way to Drogheda.'

   When the Commonwealth was established, the court, which was valued at a hundred and fifty pounds, was described as a house built of stone, having attached to it a malt-house, kiln, and five tenements, as well as a garden, an orchard, and thirty acres of land.- It was then held under a lease from the Archbishop of Dublin by Dr. Luke Chaloner's widow ; she was Chaloner's second wife and had been married no less than three times since his death, her husband then being Sir Robert Kennedy, of whom there has been notice in connexion with Esker Parish.^ Not far off was Sir Edward Bagshawe's house, also held under the Archbishop of Dublin, and described as of a like value and built of stone ; to it there was attached a malt-house and stable, as well as a garden, an orchard, a plantation, and eighty acres of land. The buildings were roofed with slate, but are said to have been out of repair. To the west of these premises lay the remains of £b house built of stone, to which a garden, an orchard, and fifty acres of land were attached, and which is said to have been the property of Sir Robert King, the ancestor of the Earls of Kingston. It was probably of the court, or of this house, that Colonel Arthur Hill was an occupant.

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 57

8. Government forces storm insurgent-held Finglas at Christmas 1641

   Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1641

   Just before Christmas 1641, five hundred foot under Colonel Lawrence Crawford descended on Finglas to find the insurgents well armed; reinforcements under Sir Charles Coote from Santry were needed before the insurgents were put to flight.

   Read the passage

   of five hundred foot, under the command of Colonel Lawrence Crawford, descended from Dublin on Finglas, they found the insurgents well supplied with ammunition. Although aided by a party of horse, commanded by Ormonde, they could not themselves overcome the resistance, and it was not until a thousand foot and two troops of horse, under the command of Sir Charles Coote, arrived from Santry, whither they had been simultaneously despatched, that the insurgents were put to flight.'

   Some depositions relating to Finglas at that time tell of a charge of complicity in the Rebellion made against a Protestant residing at Jamestown in consequence of a conversation in the village inn, which was then owned by John England. Other depositions impute much pillage to the insurgents, including Luke Netterville's chief lieutenant. Captain Laurence Rowan, who was a friar, the Longs of Abbotstown, and Freinds of Dunsink ; and they tell also of the Sufferings of Edward Capper, who lost his life ; William Baily, who was driven from his mill at Finglas Bridge ; and Robert Benison, who was despoiled of his cows, which were of an English breed, as well as his horses and cars. After the dispersion of Luke Netterville's force, Finglas did not for a long time recover its serenity. Several houses in it are said to have been burned by the English army, and in the years that followed the clash of arms was often heard there. In the winter of 1646 the lands of Cruiserath are mentioned as raided by the confederate army ; and in the summer of 1647 the village was occupied by English cavalry, who intercepted while there a number of horse that had been raided from Oxmantown Green. -

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 56

9. Murder of eight soldiers seeking shelter in Mulhuddart church after the Boyne

   Mulhuddart · parish · Dublin · 1690

   After the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, eight soldiers were murdered while seeking shelter in Mulhuddart church. By this time the church was in a ruinous state, and only two Protestant families remained in the parish.

   Read the passage

   As appears from an inquisition taken at the time of the dissolution of St. Patrick's Cathedral in the sixteenth century, the prebend of Mulhuddart had assigned to it in Mulhuddart parish the tithes from the townlands of Belgree, Buzzardstown, Kilmartin, Paslickstown, and Tyrrellstown, and the prebend of Castleknock had assigned to it the tithes from the hamlets of Bay, Belgree, Goddamendy, Hollywoodrath, Huntstown, and Mooretown, as well as the small tithes from Damastown, Kilmartin, Macetown, and Powerstown. In regard to the parish the prebendary of Mulhuddart had no responsibility beyond keeping the chancel of the church in repair, and the provision of a curate rested with the vicar of Castleknock, to whose stipend a contribution of twenty-six shillings and eightpence a year was made by the prebendary. The church was returned in 1615 as being in good repair, and although Archbishop Bulkeley states in 1630 that both the chancel and nave were in ruins, the church remained probably partly roofed until the close of the seventeenth century. In 1643, as has been mentioned, Lord Cavan found shelter in it, and after the Battle of the Boyne, in 1690, eight soldiers were murdered while seeking shelter in it. In the last decade of that century the Protestant families numbered two, those of Mr. Proby and Mr. Whitshed, who was an uncle of the chief justice of that name."

   1 Berry's "Statutes, Edw. IV," p. 677, and "Wills," passim; Manuscript Collection of Monck Mason in the possession of the author.

   Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 29

10. Silken Thomas Rebellion Battle at Ballybough Bridge

    near Ballybough · townland · Dublin · 1534–1535

    During the rebellion of Silken Thomas, an engagement took place between the insurgents and the forces of the Crown at Ballybough Bridge, resulting in a great slaughter of Englishmen there and at Clontarf. The lands remained thinly inhabited afterward, likely due to the effects of this fighting.

    Read the passage

    William Leclie and Agnes, the widow of Richard Young, was returned as containing a hundred and fifty acres under crops, and five under grass, with two messuages ; and Drishoge, Avhieh was leased to William Walsh, was returned as containing fifty-four acres under crops, eight acres under grass, and ten acres under copse. It is evident that the lands were then very thinly inhabited, and probably they felt still the effects of the rebeUion of vSilken Thomas, during which an engagement had taken place between the insurgents and the forces of the Crown at Ballybough Bridge, resulting in a great slaughter of Englishmen there and at Clontarf.^

    By the Crown, Clonturk and Donnycarney were granted, together with the other possessions of the Priory of All Saints, to the Corporation of Dublin, and they were leased by the Corporation to middlemen, including, in 1540, Nicholas Stanyhurst, and in 1558 John Chaloner. Subsequently the lands were divided, Clonturk being leased to the owners of Drumcondra, and Donnycarney to the recorder, James Stanyhurst. The recorder's tenure was but short ; and in 1570 Donnycarney was leased direct to the occupier, Christopher Hetherington, who was bound, amongst other obligations, to supply the mayor every Christmas with " a good and sufficient brawn," and to till the land " well and truly" in order that, " for lack of good and diligent tillage, the tithe shall not be diminished."-

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 89

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Ballybough, an engagement took place during the rebellion of Silken Thomas, between 1534 and 1535. The insurgents clashed with the forces of the Crown at Ballybough Bridge, and the result was a great slaughter of Englishmen there and at Clontarf. The effects lingered. When the lands were surveyed afterward, they were very thinly inhabited, probably still feeling the impact of that fighting. Later, the Crown granted Clonturk and Donnycarney, along with other possessions of the Priory of All Saints, to the Corporation of Dublin. The Corporation leased them to middlemen, including Nicholas Stanyhurst in 1540 and John Chaloner in 1558. The lands were then divided, Clonturk going to the owners of Drumcondra and Donnycarney to the recorder, James Stanyhurst. His tenure was short. In 1570 Donnycarney was leased directly to the occupier, Christopher Hetherington, who was bound to supply the mayor every Christmas with a good and sufficient brawn, and to till the land well and truly, so that the tithe would not be diminished.

11. St. Patrick's Curse and the Sleeping Prince

    Castleknock · street · Dublin

    Tradition relates that St. Patrick cursed a prince holding the fort of Cnucha for sleeping while he preached, and that the prince still rests beneath the mote at Castleknock in the posture that aroused the saint's wrath. An attempt to explore the cave beneath was abandoned when labourers feared the prince might be roused.

    Read the passage

    ' In regard to a tradition that St. Patrick visited Castleknock, Mr. Charles M'Neill writes to me that he believes the Cnucha which St. Patrick is said to have visited was near Lough Erne, and that he is of opinion that it is identical with the place now called MuUyknock near Enniskillen. Tradition relates that St. Patrick cursed the prince that held the fort of Cnucha for sleeping while he preached, and it has been said that the prince rests beneath the mote at Castleknock in the posture which aroused St. Patrick's wrath. An attempt to explore the cave failed, owing to the labourers being afraid that the prince might be aroused. Cj. "Dublin Penny Journal," 1834-35, p. 23(1 ; " Journal lioy. Soc. Ant., Irel.," xiii, 305.

    -Hogan's " Onomasticon," p. 204.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 8

12. Archers bring pestilence upon Finglas by cutting sacred trees

    Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1171–1172

    While Henry the Second was in Ireland, archers quartered at Finglas cut down ancient trees, including yew and ash, said to have been planted by St. Canice, in the churchyard, and were believed to have brought divine displeasure upon the town in the form of pestilence.

    Read the passage

    When the Anglo-Norman invaders seized Dublin, Finglas was known as a town belonging to the Archbishop of Dublin, and trees, which surrounded the church and which were said to have been planted by St. Canice and his successors, seem to have been the only relics of the abbey. The town was probably protected by the stockade against which Miles de Cogan led his forces when he made the sally against Rory O'Conor, as mentioned under Castleknock ; and while Henry the Second was in Ireland, it afforded quarters for several troops of archers, who are said to have brought upon it divine displeasure in the form of pestilence by cutting down the trees, which included yew and ash, in the churchyard. -

    Under the Anglo-Norman settlement the lands belonging to Finglas abbey, like those of Tallaght and Clondalkin, were confirmed to the Archbishop of Dublin, and the manor in which they were comprised became the most valuable of the manors owned by him near Dublin, excepting that of Swords. When elected to the see of Dublin in 1228, Archbishop Luke found in Finglas an episcopal residence, of which he made immediate use ; and during his time the town is mentioned as a borough with nineteen burgesses, amongst whom members of the

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 51

13. Edward Bruce Takes Castleknock and Holds the Baron for Ransom

    Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1317

    In 1317, Edward Bruce marched toward Dublin and entered Castleknock, capturing the baron and his wife and holding them prisoner until a ransom was paid, before withdrawing shortly after towards the Salmon Leap.

    Read the passage

    According to a laconic record it was on the eve of the feast of St. Matthew, in the year 1317, that Edward Bruce made his way with his host towards Dublin and came to Castleknock. There he entered the castle, and made the baron and his wife prisoners until a ransom was paid. But his stay at Castleknock was but brief, as the record states that immediately after St. Matthew's Day he retired towards the Salmon Leap.^

    'Plea Roll, 84, m. 16d.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 11

14. Ormonde's army encamped at Finglas before the Battle of Rathmines

    Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1649

    In summer 1649, before the Battle of Rathmines, Ormonde lay with his army at Finglas for over a month expecting Dublin to fall, while the besieged city suffered vanishing provisions and anticipated a sharp storm.

    Read the passage

    It was at Finglas that in the summer of 1649, before the battle of Rathmines, Ormonde lay with his army for more than a month, expecting each day that Dublin would fall before him. As one of the besieged wrote, the town was pressed by him very closely, and a " sharp storm" was anticipated. Provisions were vanishing, neither flesh nor fish being procurable, and fortifications were but then being raised. On the eve of his departure for Rathmines Ormonde wrote to

    1 Gilbert's " History of the Confederation." i, xxxiv ; " A True and Good Kelation," Eoyal Irish Academy Tracts, xv, 39 ; Egmont Manuscripts, i, 158, 160.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 56

15. Rebellion Fighting and Death of Francis Eccles Near Drumcondra

    near Drumcondra · townland · Dublin · 1642

    During the 1641 rebellion, Drumcondra was occupied by insurgent forces under Luke Netterville, and a Dublin patrol was ambushed there by some five hundred men. The inhabitants suffered greatly; Francis Eccles fled with his wife into Dublin, where he died from the hardships he had undergone.

    Read the passage

    During the rebellion Drumcondra as well as Finglas was occupied by the forces under Luke Netterville. At the close of the month of January, 1642, a patrol from Dublin was induced, by a man whom they met, to cross the Tolka in the hope of capturing at Drumcondra a small body of insurgents, but found themselves confronted by about five hundred men, from whom they escaped with difficulty ; and a few days later reinforcements were said to be Hocking to Drumcondra from Droghcda. The inhabitants suHcrcd all the horrors of war. Francis Ecclcs, with his wife Tabitha, was forced to flee into Dublin, where he died from the hardships that he had undergone, and Jolm Bathe's widow, who was residing in a house near Clonturk Church, was obliged to send her cattle to Balgriffiu to save tliem from being

    raided. -

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 92

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Drumcondra was occupied by insurgent forces under Luke Netterville during the rebellion of 1641. At the close of January 1642, a patrol from Dublin was lured across the Tolka by a man they met, hoping to capture a small body of insurgents, but they found themselves confronted by about 500 men and escaped with difficulty. A few days later, reinforcements were said to be flocking here from Drogheda. The inhabitants suffered all the horrors of war. Francis Eccles and his wife Tabitha were forced to flee into Dublin, where he died from the hardships he had undergone. John Bathe's widow, living in a house near Clonturk Church, had to send her cattle to Balgriffin to save them from being raided.

16. St Columba's miracle of the moved cells at Glasnevin

    Glasnevin · townland · Dublin

    According to tradition, St Columba forded the river to attend nocturn one winter's evening at St Mobhi's monastery at Glasnevin. Through his faith, the monks' cells were found miraculously moved across the river to a site near the church.

    Read the passage

    St. Columba on his fording the river to attend nocturn one winter's evening. " God is able to take the hardship from us," exclaimed in his turn St. Columba, with such faith, that when service was over the cells were found to have been moved across the river to a site near the church. As appears from the obits of oiher holy men connected with Glasnevin, the abbey founded by St. Mobhi existed for many generations after his time, and the special veneration paid to it as the place of St. Mobhi's sepulture is shown in a resolution of Colman, son of Luachan, to sleep upon St, Mobhi's tomb, and to offer prayer near it three times. ^

    "When the Anglo-Norman settlement took place, the lands of Glasnevin, together with the church, appear as the property of the Priory of the Holy Trinity, which owed its possession of them to the Archbishop of Dublin, to whom they had fallen in common with the lands of the other religious houses of Celtic foundation in his diocese. In the early part of the thirteenth century Glasnevin gave its name to a family, one of whose members, William of Glasnevin, granted in 1230, with his wife, Juliana, lauds at Kinsaly to the Priory of the Holy Trinity ; and at the close of that century Glasnevin is described as a grange, value in regard to both spiritualities and temporalities for seven marks.'^

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 72

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is the site of St Mobhi's monastery at Glasnevin, where a miracle is recorded from the time of St Columba. One winter's evening, Columba forded the river to attend nocturn, the night service. "God is able to take the hardship from us," he declared, and when the service was over, the monks' cells had been moved across the river to a site near the church. The abbey founded by St Mobhi stood for many generations after his time, and was venerated as the place of his burial. A holy man named Colman, son of Luachan, resolved to sleep upon St Mobhi's tomb and to offer prayer near it three times. Under the Anglo-Norman settlement the lands and church passed to the Priory of the Holy Trinity, through the Archbishop of Dublin. In the early thirteenth century a local family took the name Glasnevin, and William of Glasnevin and his wife Juliana granted lands at Kinsaly to the Priory in 1230. By the close of that century Glasnevin was described as a grange valued at seven marks.

17. Battle of Clontarf concluded in the Clonliffe district

    Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

    The great struggle between the Irish and the Norsemen that gave its name to the Battle of Clontarf was actually determined in the Clonliffe district, with Clontarf itself only witnessing its close.

    Read the passage

    Interest in this part of St. George's Parish centres in its repre.senting a district known from very ancient times as Clonlifie, a name said by some to mean the meadow of herbs, by others the meadow of the Liffey. As Mr. Westropp has shown in " King Brian, the Hero of Clontarf," it was in this district that the great struggle between the Irish and the Norsemen was determined, and, although giving name to the battle, Clontarf saw only its close. But the district comes also into notice in connexion with the foundation of St. Mary's Abbey, the site of which was within it. An ancient legend tells us that the owner, one of the chieftains called MacGillamocholmog, was blind, and that one day while engaged in deeds of charity there lie had his sight restored on eating an apple, which had been borne by a bough that had sprung supernaturally out of his seat. Afterwards two other apples appeared, and these, according to the legend, he gave to his wife and to Mallaghlin, King of Mcath, who were also blind, and their sight was similarly restored. Thereupon Maliaghliu desired MacGillamocholmog to sell him Clonliffe, and on his doing so

    154 SOUTHERN FINGAL.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 87

18. Delany's death at Bath and burial at Glasnevin

    Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 1768

    Weighed down by decades of litigation over his first wife's estate, Delany retired to Bath and died there in 1768, his body being conveyed to Glasnevin for interment. A stone in Glasnevin churchyard records his death at the age of 84.

    Read the passage

    Delville and his London house, which were all that he had to bequeath, would realize the amount which he had settled upon his second wife. To his will he appended a solemn declaration that he was innocent of the crime of spoliation in regard to his stop-daughter, with a prayer that his "enemies, persecutors, and slanderers" might be forgiven, and that their hearts might be turned. In the following spring, on May 6, 1768, his death took place at Bath, whence his body {was conveyed to Glasnevin for interment.^

    When Mrs. Delany came to Delville in 1744, Mrs. Barber's second son, Rupert Barber, who was a portrait-painter, was living in a house adjoining the grounds. He was known in his day as a painter of miniatures in enamel, but is now remembered from portraits executed by him in crayon of Swift. Whatever the original connexion between Delany and the Barbers may have been, it had been strengthened by young Rupert Barber's marriage to a niece of Delany, and some months after her arrival, Mrs. Delany mentioned that a nephew of Delany, who acted as his steward, was about to marry a niece of Mrs. Barber. In Mrs. Delany's letters there is frequent reference to " the Barber race," especially to Mrs. Barber, who resided not far from Delville, and who was in very bad health. After years of suffering she died in the summer of 1755, being apparently survived by her husband, who is mentioned by Mrs. Delany a few months before as not caring a pin for his family, and spending his time drinking claret and smoking.-

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 80

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Glasnevin, a stone in the churchyard records the death of Delany at the age of 84. He died at Bath on May 6, 1768, and his body was conveyed here for interment. He had been weighed down by decades of litigation over his first wife's estate. When he made his will, Delville and his London house were all he had to bequeath, and they would realize the amount he had settled on his second wife. To the will he appended a solemn declaration that he was innocent of the crime of spoliation in regard to his step-daughter, with a prayer that his "enemies, persecutors, and slanderers" might be forgiven, and that their hearts might be turned. His life at Delville had been bound up with the Barber family. Rupert Barber, Mrs. Barber's second son, was a portrait painter living in a house adjoining the grounds. He was known in his day for miniatures in enamel, but is now remembered for crayon portraits of Swift. The connection between Delany and the Barbers was strengthened by Rupert Barber's marriage to a niece of Delany, and a nephew of Delany, who acted as his steward, was about to marry a niece of Mrs. Barber. Mrs. Barber, who lived not far from Delville and was in poor health, died in the summer of 1755. Her husband apparently survived her. Mrs. Delany had described him months before as not caring a pin for his family, spending his time drinking claret and smoking.

19. Fatal collapse of Flood's house at Mulhuddart

    Mulhuddart · parish · Dublin · 1761

    On a winter's night in 1761 the gable-end of Mr. Flood's house at Mulhuddart suddenly gave way, killing Mrs. Flood and her daughter. The family was not extinguished, however, and members of it continued as residents afterward.

    Read the passage

    Amongst the residents in the eighteenth century the owners of Buzzardstown are prominent. In the first half of the century the family of Pioyne, and in the second half the family of Flood, were in possession. On a winter's night in 1761 it is recorded that " the gable-end of Mr. Flood's house at Mulhuddart suddenly gave way, whereby Mrs. Flood and her daughter were killed " ; but the family was not extmguished, and members of it appear subsequently as residents.-

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 28

20. Insurgents seize Colonel Hill's house at Finglas and melt roof lead into bullets

    Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1641

    After the outbreak of the 1641 Rebellion, Luke Netterville seized Colonel Arthur Hill's house at Finglas and used lead stripped from the roof to make bullets for the insurgent army.

    Read the passage

    After the outbreak of the Rebellion in October, 1641, Colonel Arthur Hill's house was seized by Luke Netterville, one of the chief leaders of the insurgents' army, and a well-known figure in Dublin from the scarlet waistcoat and blue plush coat trimmed with fur, which he always affected. Under his orders the lead on the roof was used to make bullets ; and when a few days before Christmas a force

    1 Gilbert's " History of the Confederation," i, xxxiv ; Ormonde Manuscripts, N.S. ii, 109 ; Lodge's " Peerage,^' ii, 323.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 56

21. Lord Charlemont Robbed Three Times at Marino

    near Marino · townland · Dublin · 1774–1790

    Despite its rural charm, Marino was isolated enough from Dublin life that Lord Charlemont was robbed while walking in his own grounds on three separate occasions in 1774, 1787, and 1790.

    Read the passage

    Tourists in the closing years of the eighteenth century dwell on the rural beauty of the approaches to Marino, especially Summer Hill; and the isolation of Marino from the life of Dublin is evident from the fact that Charlemont was robbed while walking in his grounds no less than three times — in 1774, in 1787, and in 1790 — and that lead to a weight of fifteen hundred pounds was in 1789 carried oli' by robbers from the roof of the casino or the temple. Charlemont was not the only one who sullered from such outrages. In 1779 a fellow of Trinity College was knocked ofi" his horse and robbed by " pinking dinders " near Marino ; and in 1787 turnpike gates, which then stood near to it, were carried away.'-

    To a house on the site of Drumcondra Castle there came as a resident, about the year 1780, Sir Edward Newenham, one of the members of the county of Dublin, and a most prominent public man. He succeeded there his aunt, Mrs. O'Callaghan, a lady of great wealth, who had died in the year 1779 ; and afterwards the house had a number of owners before it passed to the trustees of St. Joseph's Asylum for the Blind. About the year 1778 Drumcondra House was leased by the Countess of Charleville to Alexander Kirkpatrick, a leading Dublin citizen, and in the nineteenth century it had as one of its occupants Lord Edward FitzGerald's son-in-law. Sir Guy Campbell ; and afterwards passed to the trustees of All Hallows College. Amongst other houses prominent in the close of the eighteenth century and opening of the nineteenth century there may be mentioned High Park, the residence of Thomas Ball, a master in chancery ; Hartfield, and Sion Hill.'

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Marino, tourists in the closing years of the eighteenth century dwelled on the rural beauty of the approaches, especially Summer Hill. But the isolation of Marino from the life of Dublin showed itself in what happened to Lord Charlemont. He was robbed while walking in his own grounds no less than three times, in 1774, in 1787, and in 1790. And in 1789, robbers carried off lead to a weight of fifteen hundred pounds from the roof of the casino or the temple. Charlemont was not the only one who suffered from such outrages. In 1779 a fellow of Trinity College was knocked off his horse and robbed near Marino by what the record calls pinking dinders. And in 1787 turnpike gates, which then stood near to it, were carried away. So what looked like a rural retreat was in truth lonely enough that a man could be set upon on his own land, three separate times over sixteen years, and even the roof of his temple stripped for its lead. The roads around here had their own dangers too. A scholar riding home could be pulled from his horse, and the turnpike gates themselves could vanish in the night.

22. Smugglers Clash with Revenue Officers at Ballybough Bridge

    near Ballybough · townland · Dublin · 1735

    In the winter of 1735, Ballybough Bridge was the scene of a conflict between smugglers and revenue officers, indicating the thin population and lawless character of the surrounding district at that time.

    Read the passage

    It is difficult to picture the neighbourhood of the strand, so different is it to-day, but some idea of the thin population of the district may be gathered from the fact that in the winter of 1735 Ballybough Bridge was the scene of a conflict between smugglers and revenue officers, and ten years later Drumcondra was the place chosen for the execution of four robbers, who were brought to the gallows directly after their sentence in the court of the king's bench. The only indication of industry was the existence of a bleach-green near Belvedere, which probably owed its origin to Marmaduke Coghill, and, as possibly an outcome of it, a factory for printing linen by copperplate was established at Drumcondra in the middle of the century. It was then visited by Mrs. Delany, who was much impressed by the work, and purchased chintz curtains with a design of boys climbing

    ' Chichester House Sales ; Inscription on Monument ; Return of Members of Parliament; Letters to Southwell, Brit. Mus. Add. MSS., 21, 122-3; Wake's Letters in Christ Church, Oxford, 17l'0, July G, August 3; Trinity College Library Press, A. 7. 4 (130) ; Prerogative Will.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 95

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Ballybough Bridge was the scene of a clash in the winter of 1735, when smugglers met revenue officers in open conflict. The fact that smugglers could operate so boldly tells you something about the district at the time. The population was thin, and the land around the strand was emptier than it is now, hard as that is to picture today. Ten years later, Drumcondra was chosen for the execution of four robbers, brought straight from the king's bench court to the gallows. The only sign of industry nearby was a bleach-green near Belvedere, probably started by Marmaduke Coghill, and a factory for printing linen by copperplate that was set up at Drumcondra around the middle of the century. Mrs. Delany visited that factory and was impressed enough to buy chintz curtains with a design of boys climbing.

23. Soldiers ambushed near Dunsoghly castle garrison

    Dunsoghly · street · Dublin · 1642

    During the Rebellion, Dunsoghly castle was garrisoned by the government but surrounded by the enemy. Six or seven soldiers seeking food nearby were surprised and only two or three escaped alive.

    Read the passage

    But, as one of " the cbiefest places built " in the county of Dublin, Dunsoghly castle was before long garrisoned by the government, and a few months later, on March 9, 1642, Ormond, while in command of an expeditionary force, dated a letter from it. The garrison was, however, surrounded by the enemy, and o)i April 30, six or seven of the soldiers, while seeking food in the neighbourhood, were surprised, and only two or three escaped alive. The castle was then strongly fortified, and ramparts, as described by the President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, were thrown up. During the eventful years that followed, Sir Henry Tichborne can have seen but little of Dunsoghly. Immediately after leaving it, in the autumn of 1641, he was sent to Drogheda as its governor ; in the spring of 1643 he was appointed a lord justice ; in the winter of 1644 he was taken prisoner by the forces of the parliament when returning from a mission to the king ; and in the spring of 1647 he was fighting under Colonel Michael Jones on Dangan Hill. In his apology, as his letter to his wife may be called, he shows that his life was one of ceaseless activity against the Irish army, whether serving in the ranks of the king or the parliament ; and his skill, heroism, and rapidity as a military commander, and his policy and integrity as a statesman, have found a panegyrist in Philip Skelton, who considered Sir Henry Tichborne's apology comparable to Caesar's Commentaries.'

    When the Restoration came, Sir Henry Tichborne was found still in possession of Dunsoghly, and was returned afterwards for some , years as the occupant of the premises, which were described as a castle, dwelling-house, barn, stable, and offices with an old orchard, and a garden plot, and were rated as containing five chimneys or ten hearths. But his death, which took place in 1667, occurred at Beaulieu, near Drogheda, which he had been granted in recognition of his services to the Restoration, and Dunsoghly was then the residence of one John Avery, who in 1672 acted as a churchwarden of the parish. -

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 44

24. The Cauldron's Miraculous Fiery Vengeance

    near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1185

    Hugh Tyrrell allegedly carried off a cauldron from the monastery at Armagh while accompanying Philip de Worcester, but was forced to return it after everything it touched was miraculously destroyed by fire.

    Read the passage

    Ten years later, in 1185, Hugh Tyrrell is said to have had a quarrel with Hugh de Lacy, and appears in attendance on Philip de Worcester, by whose appointment as procurator Hugh de Lacy had been superseded as justiciar. At that time it is related that while at Armagh with Philip de Worcester Hugh Tyrrell carried off from the monastery there a cauldron which he was forced to return owing to the miraculous destruction by fire of everything with which it came in contact.- But there is proof that he was a benefactor rather than a spoiler of religious houses in a grant made by him of a great part of the lands now comprised in the Phcenix Park to the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem at Kilmainham.^ In that grant he was joined by a son called Roger, who was the king's bailiff' of Louth and owner of lands in the county of Tipperary, but Roger appears to have predeceased his father, who was succeeded at Castleknock by a son called Richard.

    At the close of the thirteenth century Castleknock was known as " the land of peace," and throughout that century its history was one of uninterrupted prosperity. During that period four of Hugh Tyrrell's descendants held sway at Castleknock. The first, his son Richard, second baron of Castleknock, enjoyed for a time high favour with his sovereign. In the autumn of IIDT he was with Riciiard the First at Dieppe,"* and in the early years of John's reign he was granted a cantred in Connaught, and succeeded his brother as bailiff" of Louth. In the spring of 120G and in the autumn of 1207 he was with John in England, but before the latter visit he had undertaken to give security

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 9

25. Criminals in Sanctuary Watched at St Mary's Abbey

    near Ballybough · townland · Dublin · 1510

    In 1510 the city of Dublin had officers stationed at Ballybough who were employed by the coroner to watch criminals who had sought sanctuary in St. Mary's Abbey, illustrating tensions over jurisdiction between the city and the abbey.

    Read the passage

    To the Abbey of St. Mary the lands of Ballybough and Drislioge, which adjoined such of the abbey's possessions as are now comprised in St. George's Parish, belonged. At the beginning of the fourteenth century these lands began to be much traversed on the construction at Ballybough of a bridge over the Tolka, one of many public works that medifEval Dublin owed to the public spirit and munificence of a mayor called John Decer. Soon after its construction tliis bridge was carried away by a great flood, but another was built, and " the record of the riding of the franchises of Dublin " relates that at the close of the fifteenth cencury the city fathers were wont to ride on the city side of the Tolka until they came " by the gate of Ballybough " to this bridge, where they crossed the river and pursued their way along the foreshore to Clontarf. In 1376 an inhabitant of Ballybough, John Stoad, was made the subject of one of the attempts of the city authorities to exercise jurisdiction over the possessions of St. Mary's Abbey; and in 1510 the city had officers at Ballybough, who were employed by the coroner to watch some criminals who had sought sanctuary in St. Mary's Abbey.'-

    To the Priory of the Holy Trinity the lands of Drumcondra, on which St. Joseph's Asylum for the Blind now stands, belonged. These lands were in medincval times within the manor of Glasnevin, and service had to be rendered there by the Drumcondra tenants, as appears from a lease of the town of Drumcondra, witli " the farms appertaining" and the tithes, made in 1483, to a husbandman called John Heylot and his wife Katherine.''

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 89

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, close to Ballybough, the land once belonged to the Abbey of St. Mary. At the start of the 1300s a bridge was built over the Tolka, one of many public works that Dublin owed to a mayor called John Decer. Soon after it was built, a great flood carried the bridge away, but another went up in its place. By the close of the 1400s, the city fathers would ride along the city side of the Tolka until they came by the gate of Ballybough to this bridge, where they crossed the river and made their way along the foreshore to Clontarf. The land around here was part of the possessions of St. Mary's Abbey, and the city authorities repeatedly tried to extend their jurisdiction over it. In 1376 a Ballybough inhabitant, John Stoad, was made the subject of one such attempt. Then in 1510 the city placed officers here at Ballybough. They were employed by the coroner to watch criminals who had sought sanctuary in St. Mary's Abbey. The criminals had fled to the abbey for protection, and the city wanted men posted to keep an eye on them. It was a struggle over who held authority, the city on one side and the abbey on the other, played out through these watched men and the ground they stood on.

26. Fear of Waking the Sleeping Prince

    Castleknock · street · Dublin

    An attempted exploration of the cave beneath Castleknock's mote failed because the labourers were too afraid that the legendary sleeping prince might be aroused from his supernatural slumber.

    Read the passage

    ' In regard to a tradition that St. Patrick visited Castleknock, Mr. Charles M'Neill writes to me that he believes the Cnucha which St. Patrick is said to have visited was near Lough Erne, and that he is of opinion that it is identical with the place now called MuUyknock near Enniskillen. Tradition relates that St. Patrick cursed the prince that held the fort of Cnucha for sleeping while he preached, and it has been said that the prince rests beneath the mote at Castleknock in the posture which aroused St. Patrick's wrath. An attempt to explore the cave failed, owing to the labourers being afraid that the prince might be aroused. Cj. "Dublin Penny Journal," 1834-35, p. 23(1 ; " Journal lioy. Soc. Ant., Irel.," xiii, 305.

    -Hogan's " Onomasticon," p. 204.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 8

27. Battle between Dublin citizens and O'Tooles at Salcock's Wood

    Cabragh · street · Dublin

    Salcock's Wood, near the modern Cabragh Road, is said to have been the scene of an engagement between the citizens of Dublin and the O'Tooles as the latter returned from a raid into Fingal.

    Read the passage

    In the part of the lands which concern this history, where the modern Cabragh Road runs, there was in medi.neval times a wood known as Salcock's Wood. It is said to have been the scene of an engagement between the citizens of Dublin and the O'Tooles, who were returning from a foray into Fingal ; and at a later period it provided a feeding-ground for swine, as well as valuable timber, and was carefully fenced and guarded. It is recorded that in 1-198, on the feast of the Ascension, the ditch was broken down, and eight cows put into the wood, without leave, by an inhabitant of Little Cabragh, and that about the same time two ash trees were cut down by the wife of Donald Swinard. Fifty years later the priory covenanted to give one of its tenants eight oak trees and four ash trees from the wood for building purposes ; and in the lease of Much Cabragh to John Parker it was provided that he should be allowed to carry away annually six cart-loads of timber from the wood, and to keep forty swine in it, as well as to hunt, hawk, and fisli there and elsewhere in the lordship of Grangegorman. He was also permitted to have six cart-loads of furze, which appears to have grown in large quantities between Grangegorman village and (Jlasnevin. At that time the chief land-marks in the parish were the road to Cabragh, now known as Manor Street, Prussia Street, and Old Cabragh Road, and the road to Ash town, now known as Aughrim Street and Blackhorse Lane. On the road to Cabragh, near a place known as rotten row, a headless cross was to be seen ; and on the road to Ashtown, a place known as the long mile's-end marked the traveller's progress.^

    After the constitution of the cathedral establishment of Christ Church, Grangegorman manor appears as the residence of the Right Hon. Francis Agard, who at the time of his death was the virtual ruler of Ireland. Beside the manor and farm of Grange-

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 85

28. Charges of misappropriation of materials by Stephen de Fulebourne at Dunbro

    Dunbro · street · Dublin · 1284

    During his residence at Dunbro in 1284, Stephen de Fulebourne was accused by enemies of taking timber, stone and other materials from the town and castle of Dublin for building a town at Dunbro, and later of removing marble fittings from Dublin castle's hall to beautify his own residence.

    Read the passage

    To Dunbro reference occurs in some of the charges made against him. During the summer of 1284, when he was resident at Dunbro, his enemies reported that, for the purpose of building a town there, he had taken prisage out of timber, stone, and other things in the town and castle of Dublin ; and that he was responsible for sending corn to the king from Dunbro and Swords, which was so bad that it was returned. Not long afterwards his enemies became even bolder, and alleged that he had removed marble fittings from the hall of the castle at Dublin to beautify his own at Dunbro, and that the town of Dublin had a claim against him in respect of locks and timber which he had also carried off. At the same time they returned to their charges about the corn, and said that he had endeavoured to cast the blame upon the sailors who had brought it to England, and had imprisoned and fined them for allowing the corn to be injured, although he was aware that it was unsound before it was delivered to them. Two ogive-shaped stones, which were found at Dunbro some eighty years ago, were probably relics of a chapel erected there by him ; and a field at Dunbro, which bears the name of " the priest's paddock," was possibly given by him for the endowment of the chapel.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 35

29. Convoy soldiers shot near Castleknock

    Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1642

    In November 1642 the Irish captured part of a convoy travelling from Trim to Dublin near Castleknock, and some of the soldiers guarding the cars were carried to a nearby camp and shot.

    Read the passage

    For many months after the rebellion Castleknock appears to have been in the possession of the Irish forces. In May, 1642, an order was issued that seventy musketeers with two sergeants and three corporals, under the command of Lieutenant Thomas Bringhurst, should be sent there,^ but this force was found inadequate, and to Monk, while marching in June to join Ormonde at Athlone, the capture of the Castleknock stronghold is attributed.' That the defence was stubborn may be gathered from the statement that Monk " killed eighty rebels besides those that were hanged," and, notwithstanding their defeat, the Irish continued to occupy the surrounding country. In the following November portion of a convoy coming from Trim to Dublin was taken by the Irish at Castleknock, and some of the soldiers in charge of the cars were carried to a camp not far off and there shot."

    Five years later, in the autumn of 1647, while ravaging the Pale, Owen O'Neill visited Castleknock. Thence he went to Drogheda, destroying as he advanced " the goodliest haggards of corn that ever were seen in those parts," until the country seemed to be on fire. As soon as he heard of O'Neill's arrival near Dublin, Colonel Michael Jones, who was then commanding for the Parliament in Dublin, set out against him, and drew a large force to Castleknock, but he found only O'Neill's rearguard, and as all provender had been destroyed, he could not proceed further, and was obliged to return to Dublin.'*

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 17

30. Famine prices in besieged Dublin reported from Pelletstown

    Pelletstown · townland · Dublin · 1642–1643

    Robert Bysse, high sheriff of Dublin county and resident of Pelletstown, wrote in February 1642 describing famine prices for food in Dublin during the rebellion, and made his will the following January while musing on the uncertain end of men in a realm of misery.

    Read the passage

    At Pelletstown several disused mills are mentioned in the Commonwealth survey, and after the Restoration John Conncl appears as an inhabitant in a house rated for four hearths. He held also the lands of Ashtown on which the castle or " house of Ashtown," now the Under Secretary's Lodge, stood. It was then rated as containing three chimneys. At the time of the rebellion Pelletstown had been the residence of Robert Bysse, who was then high sheriff of Dublin county. A letter addressed by him a few months later, in February, 1642, to his brother, who had taken refuge in England, is still extant, and gives a minute account of events in Dublin.- In it Robert Bysse urges his brother, who was second remembrancer of the court of exchequer, to return, and suggests that he might make an honest penny by importing provisions. Excepting salt beef, he says that every kind of food was at famine price : fresh meat was especially dear ; rabbits were four shillings a pair ; hens were two shillings a piece ; eggs were a penny ; and milk was two pence a quart. Two years later, in January, 1643, while " pondering the momentary and uncertain end of men in this realm of misery," Robert Bysse made his will,^ and did not live many weeks after its execution.

    DURING THR EIGHTEENTH CENTURY AND AFTER.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Pelletstown was the residence of Robert Bysse, high sheriff of Dublin county, at the time of the rebellion. In February 1642 he wrote to his brother, who had taken refuge in England, urging him to return. His brother was second remembrancer of the court of exchequer, and Bysse suggested he might make an honest penny by importing provisions. Every kind of food was at famine price, he said, except salt beef. Fresh meat was especially dear. Rabbits were four shillings a pair, hens two shillings a piece, eggs a penny, milk two pence a quart. The following January, 1643, while, in his own words, "pondering the momentary and uncertain end of men in this realm of misery," Robert Bysse made his will. He did not live many weeks after its execution. The Commonwealth survey would later note disused mills here, and after the Restoration John Conncl held a house rated for four hearths, along with the lands of Ashtown, where the castle stood, rated at three chimneys.

31. Holy well frequented at Mulhuddart on Lady Day

    Mulhuddart · parish · Dublin

    A well lying south of Mulhuddart church was much frequented on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, locally called Lady Day. Shortly before Austin Cooper's visit it had been covered with a building by a Dublin convent, with inscriptions and emblems placed on its walls.

    Read the passage

    south-west corner, was no longer intact. At that time a well, which lies to the south of the church, was much frequented on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, which was called locally Lady Day. A few years before Austin Cooper's visit it had been covered with a building by a Dublin convent, and inscriptions and emblems which still remain had been placed on the walls of the chamber.^

    Of the early history of Mulhuddart church nothing is known. As mentioned in the ecclesiastical history of Castleknock, the prebend

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 29

32. Houses burned and confederate raid on Cruiserath during rebellion aftermath

    Cruiserath · street · Dublin · 1646

    After Netterville's force was dispersed, several houses in Finglas were burned by the English army, and in the winter of 1646 the lands of Cruiserath were raided by the confederate army.

    Read the passage

    Some depositions relating to Finglas at that time tell of a charge of complicity in the Rebellion made against a Protestant residing at Jamestown in consequence of a conversation in the village inn, which was then owned by John England. Other depositions impute much pillage to the insurgents, including Luke Netterville's chief lieutenant. Captain Laurence Rowan, who was a friar, the Longs of Abbotstown, and Freinds of Dunsink ; and they tell also of the Sufferings of Edward Capper, who lost his life ; William Baily, who was driven from his mill at Finglas Bridge ; and Robert Benison, who was despoiled of his cows, which were of an English breed, as well as his horses and cars. After the dispersion of Luke Netterville's force, Finglas did not for a long time recover its serenity. Several houses in it are said to have been burned by the English army, and in the years that followed the clash of arms was often heard there. In the winter of 1646 the lands of Cruiserath are mentioned as raided by the confederate army ; and in the summer of 1647 the village was occupied by English cavalry, who intercepted while there a number of horse that had been raided from Oxmantown Green. -

    It was at Finglas that in the summer of 1649, before the battle of Rathmines, Ormonde lay with his army for more than a month, expecting each day that Dublin would fall before him. As one of the besieged wrote, the town was pressed by him very closely, and a " sharp storm" was anticipated. Provisions were vanishing, neither flesh nor fish being procurable, and fortifications were but then being raised. On the eve of his departure for Rathmines Ormonde wrote to

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 56

33. Rebel forces encamp at Glasnevin, 1642

    Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 1642

    After the outbreak of rebellion, in February 1642 a force of a thousand insurgent horse and foot under Colonels Hugh Byrne and Lisagh Moore camped at Glasnevin and made a night raid on Oxmantown, retiring without harming the inhabitants.

    Read the passage

    there by his son, John Wycombe, who married a daughter of James Preston, of Ballymadmi, a member of Lord Gormanston's family. He was hcensed in 1G13 with one of the Ussher family to keep taverns in Dublin, and died in 1624 at Glasnevin.' After the rebellion, in February, 1642, a force of the insurgents, numbering a thousand horse and foot, under the command of Colonels Hugh Byrne and Lisagh Moore, lay at Glasnevin, and descended one night on Oxmantown, from which they retired without injuring the inhabitants or even awakening them.- From the Commonwealth surveys it appears that the owners of Drumcondra had acquired a fee-farm interest in Clonmel and the other lands leased to them in the previous century, and that the remaining lands in the parish were held from Christ Church by Alderman Daniel Hutchinson, under the denominations of Draycott's farm, Wycombe's farm, Gough's farm, Forster's farm, and the Seven farms. After the Restoration, in 1664, the householders of the parish are returned as numbering ten, their houses being rated for only one chimney each ; but in 1667 the householders are stated to have increased to twenty-four, and three houses were rated for two hearths and an oven each, and three for two hearths each. For the former three Alderman Hutchinson was rated, but in the case of the latter three William Cooper, John Griffin, and John Allen are returned as the occupants.^

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 73

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in February 1642, a force of a thousand insurgent horse and foot under Colonels Hugh Byrne and Lisagh Moore made their camp. The rebellion had broken out, and this was their position on the outskirts of Dublin. From Glasnevin they descended one night on Oxmantown, but retired without injuring the inhabitants or even awakening them.

34. Rebellion terror drives Tichborne from Dunsoghly

    Dunsoghly · street · Dublin · 1641

    Sir Henry Tichborne describes fleeing Dunsoghly Castle with his family on the outbreak of the 1641 Rebellion, after scattering a party of rogues lurking about his house. He and his household abandoned their home amid general terror as Protestants fled the country.

    Read the passage

    Owing to James Plunkett's impecuniosity, Dunsoghly became the residence of its mortgagee, Sir Henry Tichborne, who was a foremost figure in Ireland at the time of the Rebellion, and tilled for about a year the office of a lord justice. He was a younger son of the first baronet of the line associated with one of the most remarkable trials of modern times, and he had been knighted in 1623 by James the First in his ancestral home in Hampshire. Before then he had made acquaintance as an officer in the army with Ireland, where he appears first in connexion with Ulster, as governor of Lifibrd and a commissioner for the Londonderry Plantation, and subsequently as a resident in Dublin and its vicinity. At the time the RebeUion broke out he was living with his family in Dunsoghly castle, and in a letter addressed to his wife some years later, he thus describes his experience:—" The 23rd of October, 1041, as you may remember, I was living at Dunsoghly, within four miles of Dublin ; and upon the general terror which was in the country, when all English and Protestants forsook their habitation and fled from the face of that horrid Rebellion, I thought it not safe to remain alone behind them, but when in the evening of the next day I luid scattered a parly of rogues that lay lurking about my house, I retired with you and my family the same night to Dublin."

    ' Funeral ICntiies ; Archbishop P.ulkcloy's Report, p. ir,5; Aflanis'sj- History of Sautry,'' passim ; Depositioiib, 1041, in Triuity College Library, xxxii, 7.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball

35. Violent Assault by Tyrrell on the Deuswell Brothers

    Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1300–1310

    A member of the Tyrrell family assaulted the Deuswell brothers at their home near Castleknock, attacking a manservant and pursuing them to their mother's house, where he threw stones until neighbours raised a hue and cry and intervened.

    Read the passage

    At the beginning of the fourteenth century contention arose between two members of the Deuswell family and a brother of the sixth baron of Castleknock, and led to a trial for assault. According to the finding of the jury, which resulted in the commitment of Tyrrell to gaol, Tyrrell descended upon the Deuswells, who were brothers, while they were sitting in a garden, and assaulted a manservant and attempted to attack one of them. At last in self-defence, the latter drew a dagger and chased Tyrrell away. But having gone to his brother's castle and armed himself, Tyrrell mounted a horse and returned to the house of the Deuswells' mother, in which they had taken refuge. As they had shut the gate, Tyrrell could not get in, but having alighted from his horse he began to throw stones, and would have done " much evil," if the neighbours, amongst whom " hue and cry " had been raised, had not come to the rescue and prevented him.^

    At the close of the fourteenth century the religious houses and several of the families mentioned at the close of the previous century remained in possession of their lands. The de la Feldes were still

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 11

36. The Uncanny Sheltered Window of Castleknock

    Castleknock · street · Dublin

    Richard Stanyhurst records a strange wonder at Castleknock: an unglazed, open window where a candle would burn perfectly steady no matter how fiercely the wind blew outside, a phenomenon said to be testable at any time.

    Read the passage

    The Burnells, the owners of the second moiety of the Castlcknock estate, had their chief seat at Balgriffin, but during the later part of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century members of the family appear to have sometimes used Castleknock as a residence. Amongst the adherents of Silken Thomas, the head of the Burnell house at that time, John Burnell, was prominent, and after the suppression of the rebellion he was attainted. But one of his relations, another John Burnell, was granted by the Crown a lease of Castleknock castle, and for the next forty or fifty years passed there the life of a gentleman of the Pale, and is included amongst those to whom in the reign of Elizabeth the duty of mustering the militia was entrusted.^ In his time Stanyhurst, in writing of the strange and wonderful places of Ireland, says that " there is in Castleknock, a village not far from Dublin, a window not glazed nor latticed but open, and let the weather be stormy, the wind bluster boisterously on every side of the house, yet place a candle there and it will burn as quietly as if no puff of wind blew ; this may be tried at this day, who so shall be willing to put it in practice." '■*

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 14

37. Deposition alleges Rebellion-era despoliation at Salcock's Wood farm

    Cabragh · street · Dublin · 1641–1645

    When the 1641 rebellion broke out, a large farm at Salcock's Wood held by Richard Mason, with livestock including thirty-nine cows and nine horses, was despoiled. In a deposition made four years later he implicated named neighbours in the act.

    Read the passage

    Agard left three daughters, and after the death of Harrington, which occurred in 1613, Grangegorman appears to have passed to the representatives of Agard's eldest daughter, who married one of her own kinsmen. About the year 1630, when the Lord Ranelagh of that day was negotiating for its purchase, the manor was in the market, but at the time of the rebellion of 1641 it was still in the possession of the Agard family, then represented by John Agard. In the Commonwealth surveys it is returned as containing five hundred acres under crops and three hundred under grass, with an old stone -house which was valued at no more than forty pounds. When the rebellion broke out a large farm at Salcock's Wood was in the possession of one Richard Mason, whose live-stock included thirty-nine cows and nine horses. Of these he was despoiled, and in a deposition made four years later he laboured to implicate in that act Henry Segrave of Little Cabragh and one Clarke of the Bay in Mulhuddart parish. -

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball

38. Lead Stripped from the Casino Roof by Robbers

    near Marino · townland · Dublin · 1789

    In 1789, a large quantity of lead weighing fifteen hundred pounds was stolen by robbers from the roof of either the casino or the temple at Marino, illustrating the vulnerability of the estate to crime.

    Read the passage

    Tourists in the closing years of the eighteenth century dwell on the rural beauty of the approaches to Marino, especially Summer Hill; and the isolation of Marino from the life of Dublin is evident from the fact that Charlemont was robbed while walking in his grounds no less than three times — in 1774, in 1787, and in 1790 — and that lead to a weight of fifteen hundred pounds was in 1789 carried oli' by robbers from the roof of the casino or the temple. Charlemont was not the only one who sullered from such outrages. In 1779 a fellow of Trinity College was knocked ofi" his horse and robbed by " pinking dinders " near Marino ; and in 1787 turnpike gates, which then stood near to it, were carried away.'-

    To a house on the site of Drumcondra Castle there came as a resident, about the year 1780, Sir Edward Newenham, one of the members of the county of Dublin, and a most prominent public man. He succeeded there his aunt, Mrs. O'Callaghan, a lady of great wealth, who had died in the year 1779 ; and afterwards the house had a number of owners before it passed to the trustees of St. Joseph's Asylum for the Blind. About the year 1778 Drumcondra House was leased by the Countess of Charleville to Alexander Kirkpatrick, a leading Dublin citizen, and in the nineteenth century it had as one of its occupants Lord Edward FitzGerald's son-in-law. Sir Guy Campbell ; and afterwards passed to the trustees of All Hallows College. Amongst other houses prominent in the close of the eighteenth century and opening of the nineteenth century there may be mentioned High Park, the residence of Thomas Ball, a master in chancery ; Hartfield, and Sion Hill.'

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Marino, in 1789, robbers carried off fifteen hundred pounds of lead from the roof of the casino or the temple. But that was only one incident in a place that was surprisingly vulnerable to crime, despite the rural beauty that tourists admired in the closing years of the eighteenth century, especially along Summer Hill. Marino's isolation from the life of Dublin showed itself in more ways than one. Charlemont was robbed while walking in his own grounds no fewer than three times, in 1774, in 1787, and again in 1790. And he was not the only one who suffered from such outrages. In 1779 a fellow of Trinity College was knocked off his horse and robbed near Marino by what the record calls "pinking dinders." In 1787 the turnpike gates that stood near Marino were carried away altogether. Not far from here, to a house on the site of Drumcondra Castle, there came as a resident about the year 1780 Sir Edward Newenham, one of the members of the county of Dublin and a most prominent public man. He succeeded there his aunt, Mrs. O'Callaghan, a lady of great wealth, who had died in 1779. Afterwards the house had a number of owners before it passed to the trustees of St. Joseph's Asylum for the Blind. About 1778 Drumcondra House was leased by the Countess of Charleville to Alexander Kirkpatrick, a leading Dublin citizen. In the nineteenth century it had as one of its occupants Lord Edward FitzGerald's son-in-law, Sir Guy Campbell, and afterwards passed to the trustees of All Hallows College. Other houses prominent at the close of the eighteenth century and the opening of the nineteenth included High Park, the residence of Thomas Ball, a master in chancery, along with Hartfield and Sion Hill.

39. Tomb inscription warns of mortality at Dunsoghly chapel

    Dunsoghly · street · Dublin · 1675

    A worn calp slab in the north wall of the Dunsoghly chapel bears a grim Latin memento mori inscription with a skull and crossed bones, reminding viewers that as they now are, so once were the Plunketts and so shall all become.

    Read the passage

    The chapel, which is twenty-six feet long by fifteen feet three inches wide, is entered from the west, where the ground has evidently risen considerably. The doorway, which is pointed, with neat, shallow mouldings, has a bold hood, with angular bands. The north corbel of the hood has a rough, flat, human face, and another face projects on the keystone. Above the keystone is a moulded frame of red sandstone, which held once a slab of white marble, bearing the words, "Johannes Plunkett de Dunsoghlia, Miles, Capitalis quondam Justiciarius Regii in Hibernia Banci, hoc struxit Sacellum." In the south wall there were two windows ; the head of the eastern one shows that it had two plain, chamfered, oblong lights, divided by a shaft. In the north wall is set a rude calp slab, greatly worn, with two arched spaces. One of these, that on the right, is now broken, but bore the words, "Ut vos sic fuimus quondam, ut nos sic eritis tandem et cito pede," with a skull at the head, and crossed bones at the foot. The space on the left bore the inscription, "In hoc tumulo tumulantur ossa Plunketorum Dunsoghlia, quorum haeres Nicholaus Pluiiket et uxor ejus Elizabetha Fissher hunc fieri fecerunt Ano 1675."'

    At the south-west corner of the ruins there is a largo modern tomb-house having three Gothic doors, with cleverly designed, and cut, capitular corbels. Further to the south of the ruins thei-e is another large modern mausoleum with elaborate pilasters, renaissance doorway, white marble friezes, and Ionic and composite capitals. The oldest tablet faces the west, being over the principal door, with the remains of a white marble cornice with triglyphs, hour-glasses, and angels. It bears arms of a griflin segreant impaling to the dexter a lion rampant and to the sinister an uprooted tree ; the crest is an eagle's or grifliu's head couped issuing from a wreath; tiie motto: " Regalis et fortis

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 49

40. Traditions of James II resting at Finglaswood House after the Boyne

    Finglaswood · townland · Dublin · 1690

    By tradition, Finglaswood House has been designated, among many other sites, as a resting place of James II during his flight from the Battle of the Boyne, though such rest is more likely to have occurred in Dublin Castle.

    Read the passage

    Although a writer with local connexions has tried to secure for a house near Finglas Bridge the distinction of having been William's abode,- it is probable that he occupied while at Finglas a movable wooden house which had been designed for his use in Ireland by Sir Christopher Wren. By tradition Fiuglaswood House has also been designated, amongst many others, as a resting place of James in his flight from the Boyne ; and ramparts in the village have been associated with the name of William. But such hours of rest as James secured on the night after the Boyne are known to have been spent in Dublin Castle ; and the ramparts are hardly such as would have had a hasty origin, the southern one, which is nincty-thrco feet long by twelve feet wide, having a stone face, now propped by later buttresses, and the one to the north having at its western end a vaulted chamber.

    During the reign of William there appears at Ballygall as tenant of Squire Ball, one of the chief justices, Sir John Hely, who died at

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Finglaswood, tradition says James the Second rested at Finglaswood House on his flight from the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. The house is one of many sites given that claim over the years. But the hours of rest James actually secured that night after the Boyne are known to have been spent in Dublin Castle, so the tradition here is unlikely to hold. There are also ramparts in the village associated with the name of William, though they hardly seem to have had a hasty origin. The southern rampart is 93 feet long by 12 feet wide, with a stone face now propped by later buttresses, and the one to the north has a vaulted chamber at its western end. A writer with local connections also tried to claim a house near Finglas Bridge as William's abode, but it is more probable he occupied a movable wooden house designed for his use in Ireland by Sir Christopher Wren.

41. Veneration of St Mobhi's tomb at Glasnevin

    Glasnevin · townland · Dublin

    The abbey founded by St Mobhi at Glasnevin was venerated for generations as the place of his burial, so much so that Colman, son of Luachan, resolved to sleep upon St Mobhi's tomb and pray near it three times.

    Read the passage

    St. Columba on his fording the river to attend nocturn one winter's evening. " God is able to take the hardship from us," exclaimed in his turn St. Columba, with such faith, that when service was over the cells were found to have been moved across the river to a site near the church. As appears from the obits of oiher holy men connected with Glasnevin, the abbey founded by St. Mobhi existed for many generations after his time, and the special veneration paid to it as the place of St. Mobhi's sepulture is shown in a resolution of Colman, son of Luachan, to sleep upon St, Mobhi's tomb, and to offer prayer near it three times. ^

    "When the Anglo-Norman settlement took place, the lands of Glasnevin, together with the church, appear as the property of the Priory of the Holy Trinity, which owed its possession of them to the Archbishop of Dublin, to whom they had fallen in common with the lands of the other religious houses of Celtic foundation in his diocese. In the early part of the thirteenth century Glasnevin gave its name to a family, one of whose members, William of Glasnevin, granted in 1230, with his wife, Juliana, lauds at Kinsaly to the Priory of the Holy Trinity ; and at the close of that century Glasnevin is described as a grange, value in regard to both spiritualities and temporalities for seven marks.'^

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 72

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Glasnevin, St. Mobhi founded an abbey that lasted for many generations after his death. People venerated it as the place of his burial. One winter's evening, St. Columba forded the river there to attend nocturn, and when the service was over, the cells had been moved across the river to a site near the church. The special regard for St. Mobhi's tomb is shown in a resolution of Colman, son of Luachan, to sleep upon the tomb and to offer prayer near it three times. When the Anglo-Norman settlement took place, the lands of Glasnevin and the church became the property of the Priory of the Holy Trinity, through the Archbishop of Dublin. In 1230, William of Glasnevin and his wife Juliana granted lands at Kinsaly to that priory. By the close of the thirteenth century, Glasnevin was described as a grange, valued at seven marks in both spiritualities and temporalities.

42. Violent levy on John de Fulebourne's goods at Dunbro manor

    Dunbro · street · Dublin · 1291

    In 1291 John de Fulebourne complained that his uncle's successor as treasurer descended on the manor of Dunbro out of ill-will and cupidity, seizing his corn from the fields, wagons and granary, as well as his oxen, cows and sheep.

    Read the passage

    After the death of Stephen de Fulebourne, his nephew, John de Fulebourne, who had been a government official, succeeded to Dunbro, where, according to his own account, he suffered much persecution from enemies of his uncle. In 1291 he complained that his uncle's successor as treasurer descended on the manor, and, moved by ill-will and cupidity, made a levy on his corn, as well in the fields as on waggons and in the granary, and on his live stock, which included oxen, cows, and sheep. Before 1317 Walter de Islip, the ecclesiastical pluralist mentioned as owner of Merrion, had acquired the manor, and he was succeeded by Sir Elias de Ashbourne, the militant judge mentioned in connexion with the lands of Killinniny and Simonscourt, who in 1340 was paying to the Crown a rent of two marks for the manor. Subsequently Sir Elias's son, Thomas de Ashbourne, is mentioned as holding it ; and afterwards the Crown granted custody of the manor successively to John Serjeant and John Charnell, who in 1422 was paying a rent of fifty-seven shillings for the manor and the lands of Huntstown, in Santry parish, which were estimated to contain together, besides the messuages, more than two carucates of land.'

    'Patent Rolls of Ireland, pp. 1, 24, 227; Sweetman's "Calendar," passim; Adams's " History of Santry," pp. 46, 47 ; Pipe EoU, 12-14 Edw. III.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 35

43. Death of the Eighth Baron by Plague

    Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1370

    Robert, eighth baron of Castleknock, died in 1370, reportedly of the plague, which was also blamed for the deaths of his wife Scholastica, widow of Adam, Lord of Howth, and his son and heir, leaving Castleknock to pass to his sisters.

    Read the passage

    His son Robert, eighth baron of Castleknock, had but a short reign, as his father's death took place subsequent to the year 1364, and his own occurred in 1370. As he received knighthood, he saw probably much military service, and after he succeeded to Castleknock he took paTt in negotiations at Carbury with the Berminghams, by whom he was treacherously seized, and for a time imprisoned. His death is said to have been due to the plague, to which are also attributed the death of his wife Scholastica, the widow of Adam, Lord of Howth, and that of his son and heir ; and as he left no other issue, Castleknock passed to his sisters, of whom he had two.-

    At the beginning of the fourteenth century contention arose between two members of the Deuswell family and a brother of the sixth baron of Castleknock, and led to a trial for assault. According to the finding of the jury, which resulted in the commitment of Tyrrell to gaol, Tyrrell descended upon the Deuswells, who were brothers, while they were sitting in a garden, and assaulted a manservant and attempted to attack one of them. At last in self-defence, the latter drew a dagger and chased Tyrrell away. But having gone to his brother's castle and armed himself, Tyrrell mounted a horse and returned to the house of the Deuswells' mother, in which they had taken refuge. As they had shut the gate, Tyrrell could not get in, but having alighted from his horse he began to throw stones, and would have done " much evil," if the neighbours, amongst whom " hue and cry " had been raised, had not come to the rescue and prevented him.^

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 11

44. Catherine Owen's Deathbed Oath at Cappoge Castle

    Cappoge · townland · Dublin · 1506

    In February 1506, Catherine Owen, widow of the last male Woodlock, lay on a sick bed in the tower-chamber of Cappoge castle and swore by her soul that she had made no other enfeoffment of her lands, securing them by charter to her daughter.

    Read the passage

    But at the beginning of the sixteenth century Cappoge had passed from the Woodlocks, owing to the extinction of their male line. In the year 1506, in the month of February, Catherine Owen, the widow of the last male representative of the Woodlock family, is found on a sick bed in the tower-chamber of Cappoge castle securing by charter her property to her daughter Rose Woodlock, and " swearing by her soul, and by the way her soul was about to travel," that she had no knowledge of any other enfeoffment of her lands. Her daughter, whom she bound to provide for seven years " an honest priest " to pray for her and her parents in Castleknock church, was then married to Robert Bathe ; but she had been previously married to a member of the Dillon family, and in the middle of the sixteenth century Cappoge came into the possession of her grandson by her first marriage. At the close of that century the Dillons of Cappoge are included amongst the men of name in Dublin county ; and they sent two or three mounted archers in respect of Cappoge to the hostings of their time. Bartholomew Dillon, Rose Woodlock's grandson, was twice married : to a daughter of his kinsman, Sir Bartholomew Dillon, and to a daughter of Edward, Lord Howth. He was succeeded by his son Nicholas, who married Katherine Rochfort ; and Nicholas was succeeded on his death in 1577 by his son Bartholomew, who was then a child.- While Robert Bathe was in occupation of Cappoge castle, in the year 1538, one of his tenants, Robert Legath, made his will,^ and provided carefully for the payment of rent due to Robert Bathe, whom he styles "his master." He desired that he should be buried in

    'Calendar of Christ Church Deeds and Fiants, passim; State Papers, Irel., 1509-73, p. 382; Archdall's " Monasticon," passim; Exchequer Inquisition, Eliz., no. 157 ; Trinity College Library MS., F. 1. 18, p. 177.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 14

45. Execution of Four Robbers at Drumcondra

    near Drumcondra · townland · Dublin · 1745

    Ten years after the 1735 smuggling clash, Drumcondra was chosen as the place of execution for four robbers, who were brought to the gallows directly after their sentence in the court of the king's bench.

    Read the passage

    It is difficult to picture the neighbourhood of the strand, so different is it to-day, but some idea of the thin population of the district may be gathered from the fact that in the winter of 1735 Ballybough Bridge was the scene of a conflict between smugglers and revenue officers, and ten years later Drumcondra was the place chosen for the execution of four robbers, who were brought to the gallows directly after their sentence in the court of the king's bench. The only indication of industry was the existence of a bleach-green near Belvedere, which probably owed its origin to Marmaduke Coghill, and, as possibly an outcome of it, a factory for printing linen by copperplate was established at Drumcondra in the middle of the century. It was then visited by Mrs. Delany, who was much impressed by the work, and purchased chintz curtains with a design of boys climbing

    ' Chichester House Sales ; Inscription on Monument ; Return of Members of Parliament; Letters to Southwell, Brit. Mus. Add. MSS., 21, 122-3; Wake's Letters in Christ Church, Oxford, 17l'0, July G, August 3; Trinity College Library Press, A. 7. 4 (130) ; Prerogative Will.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 95

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Drumcondra, four robbers met their end in 1745. They were brought straight to the gallows from the court of the king's bench, their execution carried out here immediately after sentencing. This was a thinly populated district at the time. Ten years earlier, in 1735, Ballybough Bridge had been the scene of a clash between smugglers and revenue officers, and the choice of Drumcondra for an execution says something about how quiet the area still was. The only sign of industry nearby was a bleach-green by Belvedere, likely started by Marmaduke Coghill, and a factory for printing linen by copperplate was set up at Drumcondra around the middle of the century. Mrs. Delany visited that factory and bought chintz curtains with a design of boys climbing.

46. Funeral procession of Viscount Mountgarret's daughter to Mulhuddart

    Mulhuddart · parish · Dublin · 1635

    The wife of a member of the Confederation, daughter of Viscount Mountgarret, died in 1635. Her body was carried with funeral rites from Merchants' Quay to St. Michan's Church and then to Mulhuddart church for burial.

    Read the passage

    History, was regarded by many with suspicion, and looked upon as a creature of the Duke of Ormonde, whose borough of Callan he had previously represented. His connexion with the Confederation was due to the influence of the president of the supreme council, Viscount Mountgarret, whose daughter he had married. She had died some years before, in the summer of 1635, and the record of her death states that her body was brought " with funeral proceedings and rites " from her husband's house on Merchants' Quay to St. Michan's Church in Dublin, and thence "to the church of Mulhuddart in the county of Dublin to her grave.'"

    During the period of lire and sword, between 164;1 and 1649, the parish of Mulhuddart was overrun by the contending armies and laid waste. A year and a half after the rebellion, in April, 1643, a party of horse sent out from Dublin by Ormonde had a skirmish there with some of the Irish forces, and in the following July the Earl of Cavan was encamped there with a large number of troops for several days. He was in great need of equipment and provisions, and addressed more than one urgent appeal for them to Ormonde from Mulhuddart church, in which he appears to have taken up his quarters. Four years later, in the autumn of 1647, Owen Roe O'Neill passed through the parish on his devastating march, and in the following year Mulhuddart was garrisoned with seventy-two men and seven non-commissioned officers under the command of Sir Francis Willoughby, with John Dradshaw as lieutenant and Thomas Barnes as ensign. -

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 27

47. Monument to Colonel Robert Bridges with skull and hour-glass imagery at Finglas

    Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1675–1717

    A mural monument to Colonel Robert Bridges at Finglas church, erected in 1717, features children holding trumpets, one resting a foot upon a skull with the word 'resurgent' on a banner, and the other upon an hour-glass while weeping.

    Read the passage

    summit ; standing on the left a child holds a trumpet with the word " resurgent " on the banner, and rests its foot upon a skull, and on the right a child holds also a trumpet, and rests its foot upon an hour-glass, while weeping. Above a crest there is wreathed a long ribbon with the initials of Colonel Bridges, his wife, and four of his sons.'

    At the close of William's reign a recreation green for Finglas was projected, and the vestry consented to the site of the village pound, which stood upon a hill, being levelled and planted with trees for the purpose. The projector, who was one of the brewers, Philip Prossor, appears to have been a great improver, but the vestry did not allow the pound to be transferred to a new site, on "the big green " near Cardiff's Bridge, until he contributed to the poor fund and covenanted that the recreation ground should be always open to the public and not enclosed. In his design Prossor had in view no doubt the May sports for which Finglas was celebrated throughout the eighteenth century, and which enjoyed in the reign of " good" Queen Anne much popularity. In " The Smock Kace at Finglas," a poet of that time tells how at the bagpipes' sound, the visitors from Dublin — the butcher's wife, the apprentice, and the sempstress — deserted the village inn, and flocked with the rustics to the green, to see a race for the fair sex, in which Oonah, the pride of the mill, won not only a smock but also a husband in Felim, than whom

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 64

48. Ormonde's forces skirmish near Phoenix House and Oxmantown Green

    Castleknock · street · Dublin · 1649

    In summer 1649, while advancing on Dublin, Ormonde halted at Castleknock and sent horse to the Phoenix House, where they encountered a Parliamentary detachment from Oxmantown Green, resulting in bickering on both sides before Ormonde withdrew to Finglas.

    Read the passage

    While advancing from Kilkenny against the Parliament force in Dublin, in the summer of 1649, Ormonde halted at Castleknock, whence some of his horse advanced to the Phoenix House, and encountered a detachment sent out by Colonel Michael Jones from Oxmantown Green, where his horse lay behind ramparts. After " bickering on both sides," Ormonde drew his main force to Finglas, and he encamped there that evening ; but he placed garrisons in the

    1 Carte Papers, iii, 202.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 17

49. Skirmish and Encampment at Mulhuddart during the 1640s wars

    Mulhuddart · parish · Dublin · 1643

    During the rebellion years 1641-49 the parish of Mulhuddart was overrun by contending armies. In April 1643 Ormonde's horse skirmished with Irish forces there, and in July the Earl of Cavan encamped with troops for several days, using the church as quarters.

    Read the passage

    During the period of lire and sword, between 164;1 and 1649, the parish of Mulhuddart was overrun by the contending armies and laid waste. A year and a half after the rebellion, in April, 1643, a party of horse sent out from Dublin by Ormonde had a skirmish there with some of the Irish forces, and in the following July the Earl of Cavan was encamped there with a large number of troops for several days. He was in great need of equipment and provisions, and addressed more than one urgent appeal for them to Ormonde from Mulhuddart church, in which he appears to have taken up his quarters. Four years later, in the autumn of 1647, Owen Roe O'Neill passed through the parish on his devastating march, and in the following year Mulhuddart was garrisoned with seventy-two men and seven non-commissioned officers under the command of Sir Francis Willoughby, with John Dradshaw as lieutenant and Thomas Barnes as ensign. -

    The Commonwealth surveys show that no building of importance escaped destruction. • Of the Bellings' house only the walls remained, and of one that had stood on the lands of Damastown and of the church a similar record had to be made. On Powerstown, which had belonged to William Freeme, Paslickstown, Buzzardstowu, and Cruiserath houses are mentioned, but they were small and roofed with thatch. At the time of the Restoration the inhabitants of full age in the parish numbered twenty-nine persons of English and a hundred

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 27

50. Tickell's death and memorial in Glasnevin church

    Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 1740

    Thomas Tickell, friend of Addison and secretary to the lords justices, died in 1740 at Bath and was buried in Glasnevin churchyard. A tablet in the church commemorates him and his wife Clotilda Eustace.

    Read the passage

    - " Orrery Papers," i, 160-171 ; O'Keelle's " Kecollections," i, 2P2. A tablet in Glasnevin Church bears this inscription :— " Sacred to the memory of Thomas Tickell, Esq,, who was born in 1686 at Bridekirk, in Cumberland ; he married in 1726 Clotilda Eustace; died in 1740 at Bath, and was buried in this churchyard ; he was for some time under secretary in England, and afterwards for many years secretary to the lords justices in Ireland, but his highest honour was that of having been the friend of Addison : the said Clotilda Eustace was the dauphter and one of the co-heiresses of Sir Maurice Eustace, of Harristown. in the County of Kildare ; she died in July, 1792, in the 9L'nd year of her Bge, and was buried

    in this churchyard."

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 77

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in Glasnevin, Thomas Tickell lies buried in the churchyard. He was born in 1686 at Bridekirk in Cumberland, married Clotilda Eustace in 1726, and died in 1740 at Bath. He served as under secretary in England and then for many years as secretary to the lords justices in Ireland, but the tablet in the church calls his highest honour the friendship of Addison. His wife Clotilda, daughter and co-heiress of Sir Maurice Eustace of Harristown in County Kildare, died in July 1792 in her 92nd year and was buried in the same churchyard.

51. Death and burial of a Finglas judge in Christ Church Cathedral

    Cabragh · street · Dublin · 1610

    A poor but honourably-served judge from the Cabragh farm-house denied being wealthy despite receiving a knighthood, and died in 1610, his body being interred among those in Christ Church Cathedral.

    Read the passage

    From his " poor farm-house of the Cabiagh " in the spring of 160i he indited a letter indignantly denying a report of his being a man of wealth, and claiming that during a public service of thirty-two years he had run his course without •' top or top-gallant, his faculty having been his revenue, and his frugality his thrift." He implied that his state was one of poverty rather than of wealth ; but he found it sufficiently good to support the honour of knighthood, which four months later was conferred upon him. His death took place in 1610, and his body is amongst those interred in Christ Church Cathedral. He married one of the Cusacks, of Lismullen, and left two sons and two daughters, through one of whom he became an ancestor of the Earl of Charleville of the Moore creation.'

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 54

52. Robbery of John Bathe's Household Goods at Drumcondra

    near Drumcondra · townland · Dublin · 1550–1586

    While living at Drumcondra Castle, both John Bathe and his father the chief baron were victims of theft by dishonest persons. John Bathe's losses included coverlets, a feather-bed, a carpet, a coat, a tin bath, a couch, and a linen coverlet.

    Read the passage

    was married twice : first, to Elenor, daughter of Jenico, third Viscount Gormanstown, who is commemorated with him on the tablet ; and, secoiidFy, to Janet, daughter of Patrick Finghis, of Westpalstown. In the acquisition of property he displayed remarkable ability. Within the immediate neighbourhood of Drumcondra he appears as tenant for the lands of Clonmel and the lord's meadow in Glasnevin manor, and for the lands of Clonturk and Ballybough ; and further a-field, at Balgriffin and Chapelizod, he obtained old possessions of his mother's family, the Burnells. Although holding office under Elizabeth, he has been claimed as a devoted son of the Roman Catholic Church ; and his children professed in later life that faith. While living at Drumcondra both he and his father were the victims of dishonest persons ; in his father's case the loss was no more than a candlestick worth four shillings, but in his own case the loss included two coloured coverlets worth forty shillings, a feather-bed, a carpet and a coat worth ten shillings each, a tin bath and a couch worth five shillings each, and a linen coverlet worth three shillings.^

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 90

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, at Drumcondra Castle, John Bathe made his home in the middle of the sixteenth century. He was a man of property and position. He held lands at Clonmel and the lord's meadow in Glasnevin manor, at Clonturk and Ballybough nearby, and further out at Balgriffin and Chapelizod. He served in office under Queen Elizabeth, yet he has been called a devoted son of the Roman Catholic Church, and his children professed that faith in later life. He was married twice. His first wife was Elenor, daughter of Jenico, the third Viscount Gormanstown. His second was Janet, daughter of Patrick Finghis of Westpalstown. But what marks this place in the records is a quieter matter. While living here, both he and his father fell victim to thieves. His father lost nothing more than a candlestick worth four shillings. John's own losses were heavier. Two coloured coverlets worth forty shillings were taken, a feather-bed, a carpet and a coat worth ten shillings each, a tin bath and a couch worth five shillings each, and a linen coverlet worth three shillings.

53. Burial of Richard Bellings near his wife at Mulhuddart

    Mulhuddart · parish · Dublin · 1677

    Richard Bellings, who had joined the king's friends and remained abroad during the Commonwealth, died in Dublin in September 1677. His body was carried to Mulhuddart for interment near his wife, and his enclosed tomb was well known fifty years later though unmarked by inscription.

    Read the passage

    Sir Henry Bellings had died before the establishment of the Commonwealth, and had been succeeded by his son Richard, who had joined the king's friends in Ireland, and was one of the last to leave this country. During the Commonwealth he remained abroad, where he was prominent in royalist cu'cles ; and after the Restoration he returned to Ireland. He appears to have resided in Dublin, whence after his death in September, 1677, his body was carried to Mulhuddart to be interred near his wife. His tomb, which was enclosed by a wall, was well known fifty years later, but no inscription was visible upon it. His eldest son, Sir Richard Bellings, who was secretary to the queen of Charles the Second, was then residing in England ; but his second son, Henry Bellings, was residing at the Bay in Mulhuddart parish. In the April following his father's death he contemplated, however, " a voyage to England," and made his will in consideration " of the mutability of life, and of the accidents that might happen."'

    After the death of WiUiam Proby, which occurred in or about 1687, his eldest son the Rev. Charles Proby succeeded to Damastown, and was appointed, as has been already mentioned, vicar of Castleknock, and also vicar of Loughcrew, in the county of Meath. He married a niece of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, who held then the see of Dublin ; and as the archbishop had an inveterate dislike to matrimony, the course of his love did not run smoothly. "This evening betwixt eight and nine of the clock at night," writes the archbishop on September 10, 1665, "my niece Grace Marsh not having the fear of God before her eyes, stole out of my house at

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 28

54. Sir Frederick Falkiner's tragic death at Naples

    Abbotstown · townland · Dublin · 1824

    Sir Frederick Falkiner of Abbotstown, a Dublin county MP and opponent of the Union, suffered financial embarrassments in his later years and died in tragic circumstances at Naples in 1824.

    Read the passage

    of 1807, when he was defeated at the poll, he continued to represent the county of Dublin, and in the autumn of 1812 he was again returned to parliament as member for the borough of Carlow. Two months later he was created a baronet. His popularity at that time was evinced by the presentation to him of the freedom of Dublin, and in the address presented to him on that occasion allusion is made to the very distinguished manner in which he had supported the true interest of the Empire. But his patriotism had led him to raise a regiment, the Eegent's county Dublin regiment of foot, of which he was the honorary colonel, and had involved him in financial difficulties. His embarrassments clouded his later days, which were passed at Naples, where in 1824 his death took place in tragic circumstances. Sir Frederick Falkiner, who married a daughter of Sackville Gardiner, but left no heir, is recorded to have been of prepossessing appearance, and to have possessed elegant manners ; he is said to have been also most agreeable in society, and to have excelled in sport.

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Abbotstown was the seat of Sir Frederick Falkiner, a county Dublin MP who opposed the Union. He represented the county until he was defeated at the poll in 1807, then returned to parliament in the autumn of 1812 as member for the borough of Carlow. Two months later he was created a baronet, and his popularity was marked by the presentation to him of the freedom of Dublin. His patriotism led him to raise a regiment, the Regent's county Dublin regiment of foot, of which he was honorary colonel, but it involved him in financial difficulties. Those embarrassments clouded his later days, which he passed at Naples, where in 1824 his death took place in tragic circumstances. He married a daughter of Sackville Gardiner but left no heir. He is recorded to have been of prepossessing appearance, to have possessed elegant manners, and to have excelled in sport.

55. Sir Henry Tichborne captured by parliamentary forces

    Dunsoghly · street · Dublin · 1644

    Sir Henry Tichborne, formerly resident of Dunsoghly, was taken prisoner by parliamentary forces in the winter of 1644 while returning from a mission to the king, reflecting the turbulence of the Confederate wars period.

    Read the passage

    But, as one of " the cbiefest places built " in the county of Dublin, Dunsoghly castle was before long garrisoned by the government, and a few months later, on March 9, 1642, Ormond, while in command of an expeditionary force, dated a letter from it. The garrison was, however, surrounded by the enemy, and o)i April 30, six or seven of the soldiers, while seeking food in the neighbourhood, were surprised, and only two or three escaped alive. The castle was then strongly fortified, and ramparts, as described by the President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, were thrown up. During the eventful years that followed, Sir Henry Tichborne can have seen but little of Dunsoghly. Immediately after leaving it, in the autumn of 1641, he was sent to Drogheda as its governor ; in the spring of 1643 he was appointed a lord justice ; in the winter of 1644 he was taken prisoner by the forces of the parliament when returning from a mission to the king ; and in the spring of 1647 he was fighting under Colonel Michael Jones on Dangan Hill. In his apology, as his letter to his wife may be called, he shows that his life was one of ceaseless activity against the Irish army, whether serving in the ranks of the king or the parliament ; and his skill, heroism, and rapidity as a military commander, and his policy and integrity as a statesman, have found a panegyrist in Philip Skelton, who considered Sir Henry Tichborne's apology comparable to Caesar's Commentaries.'

    When the Restoration came, Sir Henry Tichborne was found still in possession of Dunsoghly, and was returned afterwards for some , years as the occupant of the premises, which were described as a castle, dwelling-house, barn, stable, and offices with an old orchard, and a garden plot, and were rated as containing five chimneys or ten hearths. But his death, which took place in 1667, occurred at Beaulieu, near Drogheda, which he had been granted in recognition of his services to the Restoration, and Dunsoghly was then the residence of one John Avery, who in 1672 acted as a churchwarden of the parish. -

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 44

56. Trinity College Fellow Attacked by 'Pinking Dinders' Near Marino

    near Marino · townland · Dublin · 1779

    In 1779, a fellow of Trinity College was knocked off his horse and robbed near Marino by assailants described as 'pinking dinders,' another instance of the crime plaguing the area despite its genteel reputation.

    Read the passage

    Tourists in the closing years of the eighteenth century dwell on the rural beauty of the approaches to Marino, especially Summer Hill; and the isolation of Marino from the life of Dublin is evident from the fact that Charlemont was robbed while walking in his grounds no less than three times — in 1774, in 1787, and in 1790 — and that lead to a weight of fifteen hundred pounds was in 1789 carried oli' by robbers from the roof of the casino or the temple. Charlemont was not the only one who sullered from such outrages. In 1779 a fellow of Trinity College was knocked ofi" his horse and robbed by " pinking dinders " near Marino ; and in 1787 turnpike gates, which then stood near to it, were carried away.'-

    To a house on the site of Drumcondra Castle there came as a resident, about the year 1780, Sir Edward Newenham, one of the members of the county of Dublin, and a most prominent public man. He succeeded there his aunt, Mrs. O'Callaghan, a lady of great wealth, who had died in the year 1779 ; and afterwards the house had a number of owners before it passed to the trustees of St. Joseph's Asylum for the Blind. About the year 1778 Drumcondra House was leased by the Countess of Charleville to Alexander Kirkpatrick, a leading Dublin citizen, and in the nineteenth century it had as one of its occupants Lord Edward FitzGerald's son-in-law. Sir Guy Campbell ; and afterwards passed to the trustees of All Hallows College. Amongst other houses prominent in the close of the eighteenth century and opening of the nineteenth century there may be mentioned High Park, the residence of Thomas Ball, a master in chancery ; Hartfield, and Sion Hill.'

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1779, a fellow of Trinity College was knocked off his horse and robbed by men described as "pinking dinders." It was not an isolated incident. Despite the rural beauty that tourists praised in the approaches to Marino, especially Summer Hill, the area was plagued by crime. Charlemont himself was robbed while walking in his own grounds three times — in 1774, 1787, and 1790. In 1789, robbers carried off lead weighing fifteen hundred pounds from the roof of his casino or temple. The turnpike gates that stood near Marino were carried away in 1787. The isolation of Marino from the life of Dublin made it an easy target, and these attacks happened repeatedly despite the area's genteel reputation.

57. Vandals strip the archbishop's court at Finglas

    Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1320

    After Alexander de Bicknor's death, a complaint records that evil-doers broke the stone walls of the episcopal residence known as the court at Finglas and carried off leaden gutters, iron window bars, and door clamps and bolts.

    Read the passage

    During the period that Alexander de Bicknor held the see of Dublin, from 1317 to 1319, there is evidence that the episcopal residence at Finglas, which was known as the court, was a substantial mansion. In a complaint made the year after his death it is mentioned that its stone walls had been broken by evil-doers, and that leaden gutters from its roofs, iron bars from its windows, and clamps and bolts from its doors had been carried off by them, borne of the buildings are said to have been roofed with tiles, and the kitchen and brew-house were provided with furnaces and vessels of brass and lead. In addition the complaint shows that the demesne contained a deer-park and a warren, in which pheasants and partridges, as well as hares and rabbits, were preserved. Upon the demesne lands the most approved

    1

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 52

58. Premature death of Denis Daly at Cabragh

    Cabragh · street · Dublin · 1791

    Denis Daly, father of the first Lord Dunsandle and a noted speaker in Grattan's parliament, resided at Cabragh and died prematurely in 1791.

    Read the passage

    Stubbs, who died in 1799 while serving as an officer in the Nethercross Yeomanry. 1 At Little Cabragh, on his death, in 1777, Neill Segrave was succeeded by his eldest son, John Segrave, and thence the remains of the latter, who was colonel of a volunteer corps, were removed six years later for interment in St. James's churchyard, "with all the military honour of war." Their place at Cabragh was then taken by the Right Hon. Denis Daly, the first Lord Dunsandle's father, who in Grattan's parliament had few rivals as a speaker ; and after Daly's premature death in 1791, the celebrated John Toler, Earl of Norbury, chief justice of the common pleas, appears in possession of the Segrave house.-

    Before then Finglas had lost its popularity as a place of residence, and early in the next century an English traveller says that its name was seldom mentioned. But the May sports rivalled at that time Donnybrook Fair as an attraction for the populace, and although in 1788 they were in danger of extinction, they survived for over fifty years, their continuance being due to the efforts of the celebrated pamphleteer, Watty Cox, aided by two local heroes, Barnett Shew and Bryan Maguire, a noted fire-eater.^

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 66

59. Elaborate mural monument erected at Finglas to William and Thomas Flower

    Finglas · parish · Dublin · 1700

    After Captain Thomas Flower's death in 1700, an elaborate Corinthian mural monument with cherub-faced corbels and a gilt-flamed urn was erected at Finglas church to the memory of him and his uncle Sir William Flower.

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    After his death, which occurred in 1700, in accordance with his uncle's and his own wishes, an elaborate mural monument was erected at Finglas to their memory. It is of the Corinthian order, having pillars resting on corbels with cherubs' faces, and a rounded pediment surmounted by an urn from which a gilt flame issues, and which has on cither side the figure of a child. These children are not very skilfully sculptured, but the faces on the corbels are well cut and realistic.^ Some years later there was erected another mural monument of a similar design to the memory of Colonel Eobert Bridges. It has five urns on the

    MONDJIENT TO COLOXEL H. BrIUOES,

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball, Chapter 64

60. Death of Sir Robert Booth at Belvedere

    Drishoge · townland · Dublin · 1681

    Sir Robert Booth, chief justice of the king's bench and resident of Belvedere House at Drishoge, died there in 1681 shortly after his elevation to that office, following ill health that had kept him from work for two years.

    Read the passage

    chief justiceship of the king's bench becoming again vacant, he was appointed to it. His reputation was then so high that his transfer to the English bench was considered not improbable, but his health had necessitated two years' absence from work, and very soon after his elevation to the king's bench, in the year 1681, his death occurred.'

    At Belvedere Sir Robert Booth, who left four daughters and no son, was succeeded by Sir John Coghill, judge of the prerogative court, and one of the masters in chancery. He was the head of an old Yorkshire family, seated at Coghill Hall, near Knarcsborough. and had come to Ireland after the Restoration in the train of his compatriot, Archbishop Bramhall. His father, as well as more remote members of his family, had received legal training, and after some years' study at Oxford and in Gray's Inn, he had himself been called to the bar just before he came to Ireland. After his arrival in Ireland Sir John Coghill, who received his knighthood from Lord Clarendon, married one of the Cramer family, who were allied to the Stcarnes, and he left on his death, in 1G90, several children, who will be subsequently noticed. -

    Internet Archive historyofcountyd06ball