Name: History of the Diocese of Meath (vol. 2)
Author: John Healy (1841–1918)

Swift describes attending Bishop on his first journey to Trim

Trim · town · Meath · 1720–1721

In a letter defending himself to his bishop, Jonathan Swift recalls attending him on his first journey to Trim after arriving in the diocese, as part of his claim to have shown proper respect.

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I had the less apprehension of any hard dealing from your lordship, because I have been more than ordinary officious in my respects to you, from your first coming over. I waited on you as soon as I knew of your landing. I attended on you on your first journey to Trim. I lent you a useful book relating to your diocese ; and repeated my visits, till I saw you never intended to return them. And I could have no design to serve myself, having nothing to hope or fear from you. I cannot help it, if I am called of a different party from your lordship's, but that circumstance is of no consequence with me, who respect good men of all parties alike.
I have already nominated a person to be my curate, and did humbly recommend him to your lordship to be ordained, which must be done by some other bishop, since you are pleased, as I am told, to refuse it, and I am apt to think you will be of opinion that, when I have a lawful curate, I shall not be under the necessity of a personal appearance, from which I hold myself excused by another station. If I shall prove to be mistaken, I declare my appearance will be extremely against my inclinations. However, I hope that in such a case, your lordship will please to remember in the midst of your resentments that you are to speak to a clergyman, and not to a footman.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 29

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Trim, this is the town where Jonathan Swift once attended his bishop on a first journey into the diocese. Swift himself recalled the moment in a letter defending his conduct, listing it among the respects he had shown from the bishop's first arrival. He said he waited on the bishop as soon as he knew of the landing, attended him on that first journey to Trim, lent him a useful book relating to the diocese, and repeated his visits until he saw they would never be returned. The letter goes on to a quarrel over Swift's nomination of a curate, which the bishop refused to ordain. Swift wrote that having a lawful curate would excuse him from personal appearance, and that if he were mistaken, his appearance would be extremely against his inclinations. He asked the bishop to remember, in the midst of his resentments, that he was speaking to a clergyman and not to a footman. The words are Swift's own, from a letter preserved in the history of the Diocese of Meath.

Archdeacon Stopford meets Maria Edgeworth at Ardbraccan

Ardbraccan · townland · Meath

Doctor Brooke recalls twice meeting Maria Edgeworth at the bishop's house of Ardbraccan, along with Edward A. Stopford, Archdeacon of the diocese, a learned and mechanically skilled clergyman who built steam carriages and bound his own books.

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At the bishop's house of Ardbraccan I twice met Miss Maria Edgeworth, my father's and my grandfather's friend, and here, too, I met his clergy, the most remarkable of whom was Edward A. Stopford, his second son, and the archdeacon of the diocese. He, indeed, was no common man ; possessing an intellect keen even to subtility, and capable of meeting and solving almost any intellectual difficulty; he yet exhibited in his manner and address the kindness and simplicity of a Christian gentleman, and was ever accessible for counsel,
MIDDLE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY 183

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, at the bishop's house of Ardbraccan, Doctor Brooke twice met Maria Edgeworth, his father's and grandfather's friend. He also met Edward A. Stopford there, the archdeacon of the diocese, a man of intellect, in Brooke's words, "keen even to subtility," who could solve almost any intellectual difficulty, yet showed the kindness and simplicity of a Christian gentleman.

Bishop Charles Dickenson dies at Ardbraccan palace

Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1840–1842

Charles Dickenson, Bishop of Meath, died at his palace of Ardbraccan on 11 July 1842 in his fiftieth year, having been consecrated only in December 1840. He was a supporter of National Education and had prepared a charge on Tractarianism before his death.

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July nth, 1842, at his palace, Ardbraccan, in his fiftieth year, the Right Honourable and Right Reverend Charles Dickenson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Meath, and a Privy Councillor, Doctor Dickenson's appointment to the See of Meath was one of the latest made by the Whig Government in Ireland. It was the spontaneous and unsolicited act of Lords Fortescue and Morpeth, and was applauded by men of all parties. The Irish papers most opposed to him in politics congratulated the ministers on having made so good a selection. The letters subsequently collected, and published under the title of " The Bishop," were addressed to Doctor Dickenson at the time of his appointment. They were, as they professed to be, the production of a layman, but the materials were supplied by one of the highest authorities in the church. The Bishop of Meath was a zealous advocate of National Education, and every measure calculated to promote the genuine principles of both civil and religious freedom. He took a lively interest in the Oxford Tract controversy. He prepared, just before his death, a charge in which he traced the coincidence between the Tractarians and the Transcendentalists. It was to have been delivered on the very day he died.
The vacancy caused by the early demise of Bishop Dickenson was filled by the appointment of Edward Adderly Stopford, LL.D., Archdeacon of Armagh. The following account of him is given by the Reverend Doctor Brooke, in his Recollections of the Irish Church. He says :

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 94

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ardbraccan, a bishop died before he could deliver the words he had written. Charles Dickenson was Bishop of Meath and a Privy Councillor. He died at his palace here on the 11th of July, 1842, in his fiftieth year. He had been consecrated only in December of 1840, so his time in the see was short. His appointment was one of the last made by the Whig Government in Ireland. It was the spontaneous and unsolicited act of Lords Fortescue and Morpeth, and it was applauded by men of all parties. Irish papers most opposed to him in politics congratulated the ministers on having made so good a selection. Letters addressed to him at the time of his appointment were collected and published under the title "The Bishop." They were the work of a layman, but the materials were supplied by one of the highest authorities in the church. Dickenson was a zealous advocate of National Education and of every measure calculated to promote civil and religious freedom. He took a lively interest in the Oxford Tract controversy. Just before his death he prepared a charge tracing the coincidence between the Tractarians and the Transcendentalists. It was to have been delivered on the very day he died. The vacancy left by his early death was filled by Edward Adderly Stopford, Archdeacon of Armagh.

Bishop Plunkett denounces the 1798 rebellion at Drogheda

Drogheda · town · Louth · 1798

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, Doctor Plunkett, speaking at Drogheda on 27 May 1798, told the people that the rebellion was a criminal insurrection connected with principles hostile to religion and Irish Catholics' reputation for loyalty.

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This fact gave to the rebellion of 1798 an aspect different from that of other insurrections. It took from it the religious character, and caused the Roman Catholic bishops and clergy to look upon the movement with a considerable amount of suspicion. In 1641 a special envoy from Rome came to direct the insurgents in their enterprise. In 1798, on the contrary, the movement was to some extent denounced by the rulers of the Roman Catholic Church. A few of the ordinary priests, no doubt, were carried away with the tide of popular opinion, some others were deterred by fear from expressing themselves publicly in condemnation of the insurrection, but several of the bishops delivered themselves very clearly on the subject. Doctor Plunkett, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, speaking at Drogheda on the twenty-seventh of May, told the people that the rebellion was a criminal insurrection, " connected with principles hostile to religion, and to our reputation for loyalty, in the cause of which Irish Catholics had so often suffered before." The day following, at Duleek, he assigned as the causes of the rebellion, " the credulity of the lower classes, the decay of Christian piety, and the prevalence of the impious principles that are disturbing a great part of the Continent." At Ratoath, a few days later, he " reprobated in the most pointed terms the rebellion, as contrary to the doctrine and practice of Jesus Christ, of Saint Paul, of the primitive Christians, to the admired conduct of the Irish Catholics of the last century, as supported on French principles, hostile to the Catholic religion." l
These warnings came too late as far as Meath was

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 55

As the companion tells it

As you come through Drogheda, in 1798 this was where Doctor Plunkett, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, stood before the people on the 27th of May and called the rebellion a criminal insurrection. He said it was, in his words, "connected with principles hostile to religion, and to our reputation for loyalty, in the cause of which Irish Catholics had so often suffered before." The rebellion of 1798 lacked the religious character that earlier risings had carried. In 1641, a special envoy from Rome had come to direct the insurgents. In 1798, by contrast, the movement was denounced to some extent by the rulers of the Roman Catholic Church. The bishops and clergy looked on it with suspicion. A few ordinary priests were carried away with the tide of popular opinion, and some were deterred by fear from speaking against it, but several bishops made themselves very clear. The day after Drogheda, at Duleek, Plunkett gave the causes of the rebellion as the credulity of the lower classes, the decay of Christian piety, and the prevalence of impious principles disturbing a great part of the Continent. A few days later at Ratoath, he reprobated the rebellion in the most pointed terms, calling it contrary to the doctrine and practice of Jesus Christ, of Saint Paul, and of the primitive Christians, and to the admired conduct of the Irish Catholics of the last century. He called it supported on French principles, hostile to the Catholic religion. These warnings came too late as far as Meath was concerned.

Earl of Cavan's dispute over Kilbeggan parish presentation

Kilbeggan · town · Westmeath · 1691

The Earl of Cavan wrote an insolent letter to Bishop Dopping in 1691 asserting his right to appoint the chaplain of Kilbeggan parish, naming Griffith over the previously placed Harvey, and threatening to keep his appointee in place by force if opposed.

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I onely wrote to you in Civility to lett you know whoe I have appointed my Chaplin of Kilbeggan Parish, for that my father, being non compos ments appointed none of Harvie in his life time, and Oliver Lambert presumptiously putt in Harvie, and I with power now in my Pattent from the former Kings of England putts in Griffith, and if you please to oblidge me in granting him a Licence you may ; if not, I make bould to tell you I will keepe Griffith in posson of the place — turne him out you, if you can, for I will uphould him as farr as the Law will allow me agst them that will oppose him, for it is my right to prsent a ministr as it is for me to receive my Rents out of my Estate. I suppose you would keepe in Harvey upon your freind Olivr Lamberts acco*, being your ould acquaintance, but I assure your Lordshipp you will finde that
1 am not the man that has beene reprsented to you and other noted men in this Kingdome, when occation shall offer I am onely to prsent a minis tr to you, and if you wont except of him I can put in afterwards whome I please, and soe assure your selfe for truth from

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 4

As the companion tells it

As the road brings you through Kilbeggan, this town was the site of a sharp dispute in 1691. The Earl of Cavan wrote to Bishop Dopping claiming his right to appoint the chaplain of Kilbeggan parish. He said his father, being non compos mentis, had appointed no one, and that Oliver Lambert had presumptuously put in a man called Harvey. Now the Earl, citing power in his patent from the former kings of England, put in Griffith instead. He told the bishop he was writing only in civility to let him know, and that if the bishop pleased to grant Griffith a licence he might, but if not, the Earl would keep Griffith in possession of the place. His words were: turne him out you, if you can. He said he would uphold Griffith as far as the law allowed against anyone who opposed him, for it was his right to present a minister as it was to receive his rents. He accused the bishop of keeping Harvey in for his old acquaintance Oliver Lambert.

Fashionable Congregation Indifferent at Tyrrelspass

Tyrrellspass · town · Westmeath · 1748–1759

Wesley preached at Tyrrelspass to a congregation including many persons of fortune, but noted that despite speaking plainly, the words seemed to fly over the fashionable crowd who arrived in post chaises.

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he mentions it as something unusual. " I preached," he says, " at Clara to a vast number of well-behaved people, although some of them came in their coaches, and were (I was informed) of the best quality in the country. How few of these would have returned empty if they had heard the word of God, not out of curiosity merely, but from a real desire to do His will." At another time, he says, " I preached at Tyrrelspass with a peculiar blessing from God, though many persons of fortune were in the congregation. But the poor and the rich are His." And once more, again with regard to Tyrrelspass, he says, " Preached at 8 and 12 (there being no service in the church). A heap of fine gay people came in their post chaises to the evening preaching. I spoke very plainly, but the words seemed to fly over them. Gallic cared for none of these things."
This inattentive and indecent behaviour at church seems to have arisen from a spirit of infidelity which was then fashionable, and which was accompanied by a loose kind of living. Wesley speaks of cursing, swearing, and drinking, as " fashionable wickedness." Swift tells us that the so-called free-thinkers were to be found amongst those in the country who were " oppressing their tenants, tyrannizing over the neighbourhood, cheating the vicar, talking nonsense, and getting drunk at the sessions." He thinks that nothing was gained by the " frequent custom of preaching against atheism, deism, free thinking, and the like, as young divines are particularly fond of doing, especially when they exercise their talent in churches frequented by persons of quality," for, first of all, " persons under those imputations are generally no great frequenters of churches," and even if they did come, they would not be convinced, for " reasoning will never make a

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 26

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through Tyrrelspass in Westmeath, this is where John Wesley preached more than once between 1748 and 1759. He described one occasion as having "a peculiar blessing from God, though many persons of fortune were in the congregation." On another visit he preached at 8 and at 12, there being no service in the church. A crowd of fine, fashionable people arrived in their post chaises for the evening preaching. Wesley said, "I spoke very plainly, but the words seemed to fly over them. Gallic cared for none of these things." The inattentive behaviour reflected a fashionable spirit of infidelity at the time, accompanied by loose living. Wesley described cursing, swearing, and drinking as "fashionable wickedness." Swift wrote that so-called free-thinkers in the country could be found oppressing their tenants, cheating the vicar, and getting drunk at the sessions. He thought preaching against atheism and deism did little good, since those under such imputations were generally no great churchgoers, and even if they came, reasoning would never convince them.

Kells plundered and burnt

Kells · town · Meath

The monastic site of Kells was plundered on multiple occasions and burnt, reflecting the turbulent early medieval history of the settlement.

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Kells, founded by Columba, i., 32, 33 ; book of, i., 37, 54; crosses, i., 40; round tower, i., 40 ; metal work, i., 40 ; crozier, i., 41 ; plundered, i., 52, 66, 21 1 ; burnt, i., 66 ; bishopric of, i., 53, 61, 82; synod of, i., 59;
archdeacon of, i.. 61, 87. 124, 130,

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 151

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kells in Meath, you are in a place founded by Columba. It had a round tower, crosses, and its famous book. The records note it was plundered on several occasions and burnt.

Kells Temperance Meeting of 1788

Kells · town · Meath · 1788

Following a Dublin temperance meeting in 1787, the movement spread to Meath where a meeting was held in Kells in 1788, passing resolutions against the destructive practice of spirit drinking and pledging to discountenance drunkenness.

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Resolved. — That we highly approve of the resolutions entered into on the 2nd of April last by our brethren of the metropolis and that we will to the utmost of our power promote their patriotic intention, by the most spirited exertion to prevent the destructive practice of spirit drinking, so fatally prevalent among the lower ranks of society.
Resolved. — That as we are sensible of the influence which example has on the minds of the common people, we will in every instance discountenance the horrid vice of drunkenness, as well by punishing those who vend spirituous liquors illegally, as by refusing employment and protection to every person who shall continue in the practice of intoxication ; and we have the strongest persuasion that our brethren of the neighbouring parishes will, upon due consideration, see the indispensible necessity of adopting these or similar resolutions, for the purpose of establishing civilization and good order among their poorer fellow creatures, who only want instruction and encouragement to become good and useful members of society, relying on the wisdom and humanity of an enlightened legislature for further assistance in promoting the real happiness of this country, by destroying the principal source of idleness and immorality. *3

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 28

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Kells in Meath. In 1788, this town held a temperance meeting that followed one in Dublin the year before. Those gathered passed resolutions against what they called "the destructive practice of spirit drinking," which they said was "so fatally prevalent among the lower ranks of society." They approved of resolutions entered into by their brethren of the metropolis on the 2nd of April, and pledged to promote the same patriotic intention. They resolved to discountenance what they called "the horrid vice of drunkenness," both by punishing those who sold spirituous liquors illegally and by refusing employment and protection to anyone who continued in the practice of intoxication. They expressed their strongest persuasion that neighbouring parishes would see the necessity of adopting similar resolutions, to establish civilization and good order among their poorer fellow creatures, who only wanted instruction and encouragement to become good and useful members of society. They relied on the wisdom and humanity of an enlightened legislature for further assistance in promoting the real happiness of this country, by destroying the principal source of idleness and immorality.

Kilmore plate transferred to Wilson's Hospital

Kilmore · townland · Westmeath · 1698–1900

When the church of Kilmore was closed, its 1698 communion plate was placed on loan to the Warden of Wilson's Hospital for use in the institution's chapel, though the original vessels there were later stolen.

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When the church of Kilmore was closed, the plate was sent for custody to the Representative Church Body, and was by them entrusted on loan to the Warden of Wilson's Hospital, for use in the chapel of that institution. It consists of a chalice and paten, both of which bear the same inscription, " Parish of Kilmore, June ye 6th, 1698." There have been added, round the inside of the base of the chalice, and on the under side of the paten, the words, " In usum Ecclesiae Wilson's Hospital. Hill Wilson White, S.T.D., Custos A.S. MDCCCC." The warden informs me that " the handsome silver Communion vessels belonging to the chapel of Wilson's Hospital were stolen some forty years ago." Wilson's Hospital also possesses a modern paten, which is thus described : "It has rim chased with oak leaves between four Maltese crosses. The centre is depressed, and bears the Sacred Monogram I.H.S. It is supported on an hexagonal stem, divided into two portions by embossed knob, and rests upon a hexagonal foot." It has the inscription, " A.M.D. Hanc Patinam fieri fecit H. W. White, S.T.D., Custos, in usum Ecclesiae Wilson's Hospital. A.S. MDCCCXCI." There is also a silver and glass cruet flagon, inscribed, " A.M.D.G. In usum Ecclesiae Wilson's Hospital. D.D. H. W. W. MDCCCXCI."
There are a chalice and paten at Trim, which are interesting on account of having been presented to the parish by Bishop Dopping. They both have the inscription, "The Gift of Anthony J., Bp. of Meath, To ye Church of Trymm 1696." It will be remembered that the bishop was rector of Trim. This arrangement was first made under Bishop Montgomery, but the rectory was not finally appropriated by letters patent until 1648, when it was so granted to Bishop Dopping. Lord Drogheda makes sarcastic reference to this fact in r the extraordinary letter which has been already

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 137

Moyglare incumbent's failed efforts to maintain a Protestant school

Moyglare · townland · Meath · 1793–1799

The incumbent of Moyglare described offering seven pounds a year but being unable to secure a Protestant schoolmaster, having previously funded a Sunday school teacher who died, and later paying a Roman Catholic master who left due to lack of support from his own community.

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Some of the replies throw a curious light on the qualifications expected in a schoolmaster, and the emolument which was considered to be a sufficient remuneration for his services. The Incumbent of Balroddan writes that he would like to get " a man of good parts and moral character, and fully capable to perform the duties of his station." He offers the noble salary of twenty pounds a year, on condition that the schoolmaster fulfils also the duties of parish clerk, and seems to be surprised that after all this generosity he was unable to find anyone to come up to his high standard. His neighbour of Moyglare, however, goes one better than this. He says, " I have not a Protestant schoolmaster, nor could I procure one, though I offered seven pounds a year, a sum I pay to a master of the school in my own parish in the Diocese of Tuam, where I have established a Sunday school. I mention these circumstances as presumptions of my having the same good disposition towards the parishioners of Moyglare, which I carried into effect for some time by paying the Protestant schoolmaster. I had then, besides the usual forty shillings a year, a penny a head for every child of the parish without distinction he taught on Sunday mornings, and the number who attended him was about twenty ; but this continued only a few months, for he died about six years since, and I found the same impracticable ever since. For a time I paid a Roman Catholic master for teaching the Church of his persuasion those fundamental principles of religion in which Christians of all sects are agreed, but he did not receive the encouragement he expected from his people, and therefore left them."
Besides the instruction given in the parochial schools, which was evidently intended for all classes —

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 75

Mullingar's sovereign invites Wesley to preach, 1750

Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1750–1771

On 9 July 1750 Wesley stopped an hour at Mullingar, where the sovereign of the town expressed a strong desire for him to preach, though Wesley had little hope of doing good since only he would be permitted to preach there. For many years no Methodist preacher could appear in the town.

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For some reason or other, the Methodists were for a long time kept out of Mullingar. On July gth, 1750, Wesley notes in his Journal. " In our way we stopped an hour at Mullingar. The sovereign of the town came to the inn, and expressed much desire that I should preach, but I had little hopes of doing good by preaching in a place where I could preach but once, and where none except myself would be suffered to preach at all." After a time, however, the obstacle, whatever it was, was removed, and in 1767 he tells us : ' We went on to Molingar, where for many years no Methodist preacher could appear." But even then the Mullingar people seem to have been ^somewhat
84 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 40

Swift's Non-Residence at Laracor Parish

Laracor · townland · Meath · 1700–1745

Jonathan Swift was appointed to the livings of Laracor, Agher, and Rathbeggan in 1700 but delayed taking up residence and frequently absented himself for long periods thereafter. He always employed a curate so the parish was not neglected, despite his own extended absences in England and Dublin.

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Jonathan Swift was appointed to the livings of Laracor, Agher, and Rathbeggan in February, 1700. He had already had a parish in the north of Ireland, but he held it only for a short time, and it is doubtful if he ever resided in it, so that we may assume that, whatever knowledge he possessed of an Irish country clergyman's life was derived from his experience as incumbent of a small parish in the Diocese of Meath. After his appointment he was in no hurry to take up the duty, but continued to live in Dublin, officiating as chaplain to Lord Berkeley, and in the following year he accompanied that nobleman to England. It was only in September, 1701, that he went into residence. From time to time he did not hesitate to absent himself for long periods. In 1702 he was for six months in England, and in 1708 he went away again, not returning for a year and eight months. After his appointment to the Deanery of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, he only

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 22

Thomas Wallis, Vicar of Athboy, acts as Swift's proxy

Athboy · town · Meath · 1721

When Bishop Evans held a visitation, Jonathan Swift wrote to Thomas Wallis, Vicar of Athboy, who had agreed to act as his proxy at the visitation, only for the bishop to refuse to receive the proxy.

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lordship was removed by death. Two years later, Evans held another visitation, and on that occasion Swift wrote the following letter to the Reverend Thomas Wallis, Vicar of Athboy, who had agreed to act as his proxy : —
Dublin, May 18, 1721. SIR,

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 30

Well-Behaved Gentry Congregation at Clara

Clara · town · Offaly · 1748–1759

Wesley preached at Clara to a large number of well-behaved people, some of whom arrived in coaches and were reportedly of the best quality in the country.

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he mentions it as something unusual. " I preached," he says, " at Clara to a vast number of well-behaved people, although some of them came in their coaches, and were (I was informed) of the best quality in the country. How few of these would have returned empty if they had heard the word of God, not out of curiosity merely, but from a real desire to do His will." At another time, he says, " I preached at Tyrrelspass with a peculiar blessing from God, though many persons of fortune were in the congregation. But the poor and the rich are His." And once more, again with regard to Tyrrelspass, he says, " Preached at 8 and 12 (there being no service in the church). A heap of fine gay people came in their post chaises to the evening preaching. I spoke very plainly, but the words seemed to fly over them. Gallic cared for none of these things."
This inattentive and indecent behaviour at church seems to have arisen from a spirit of infidelity which was then fashionable, and which was accompanied by a loose kind of living. Wesley speaks of cursing, swearing, and drinking, as " fashionable wickedness." Swift tells us that the so-called free-thinkers were to be found amongst those in the country who were " oppressing their tenants, tyrannizing over the neighbourhood, cheating the vicar, talking nonsense, and getting drunk at the sessions." He thinks that nothing was gained by the " frequent custom of preaching against atheism, deism, free thinking, and the like, as young divines are particularly fond of doing, especially when they exercise their talent in churches frequented by persons of quality," for, first of all, " persons under those imputations are generally no great frequenters of churches," and even if they did come, they would not be convinced, for " reasoning will never make a

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 26

Tisaran alms dishes commemorate a near-drowning

Tisaran · parish · Offaly · 1905

Two brass alms dishes were presented to Tisaran church in 1905 by a young lady in the parish as a thank offering after she had a narrow escape from drowning.

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A chalice and paten at Tisaran dates from 1735. Two brass alms dishes were lately presented to this church, bearing the inscription, " A Thankoffering for God's protecting Care, the 2nd July, 1905." They were presented by a young lady in the parish who had a narrow escape from drowning.
Ardbraccan has been for many centuries the residence of the Bishops of Meath. Naturally, therefore, the handsome and valuable Communion vessels were episcopal gifts. A chalice and paten were presented by Bishop Maule in 1744, and a flagon, chalice, paten, and alms dish were given by Bishop Henry Maxwell in 1782.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 139

Athboy alms houses misused as a shop

Athboy · town · Meath · 1797–1799

Alms houses built by Lord Darnley in Athboy were described as wretchedly built and unfinished, yet inhabited, with a grocer's shop operating in one under a licence board despite being called alms houses.

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the principal, and refused to pay the interest any longer. Some time after this, another of the Tandys, thinking his relation's conduct disgraceful to the family name, left £1,500 to replace this money, but he committed the same error in not naming trustees, of which advantage was taken by Tandy of Johnsbrook, in my parish, who refused to pay principal or interest. Such are the accounts I have received of these transactions. Within these two years there have been some houses called alms houses, erected in this town by Lord Darnley. They are wretchedly built, and have been in an unfinished state for some time. They are, however inhabited, and there is a grocer's shop kept in one of them, with a licence board over the door, though they are called alms houses ! ! ! "
Putting all these extracts together, we can form a fairly accurate picture of church life in Meath at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It is evident that things were at the lowest possible ebb. The beneficed clergy non-resident, and the duty performed by curates whose emoluments were altogether insufficient for the position in which they were placed. The churches dilapidated and unsightly. The services few and slovenly. The psalmody left to the efforts of incompetent parish clerks. One cannot help wondering how the Church ever survived. We have already seen how, more than once, she was brought low by attacks from without. We see at this time how she was abased by those of her own house. Twenty years later, when Bishop O'Beirne was near his end, all this was altered. Thanks to his energy and enthusiasm, the old abuses were to a great extent swept away, and in the Providence of God he was spared long enough to see with his own eyes the reward of his labours.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala

Bishop O'Beirne's 1807 survey of non-residence across Meath benefices

Meath · county · Meath · 1807

In a 1807 report to the government, Bishop O'Beirne recorded that of the ninety-two benefices in the Diocese of Meath, only forty-five had resident incumbents while forty-seven were non-resident, illustrating the scale of clerical absenteeism across the diocese's parishes.

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His efforts at enforcing residence met with considerable opposition from the parties interested, and his success at first was small, on account of the imperfection of the law ; the higher courts in several cases having reversed the decisions by which he had enforced this duty. In 1807 he presented a report to the government, and in it we find that out of the ninetytwo benefices in Meath at that time, only forty-five had resident incumbents, while forty-seven — that is, more than half — were non-resident. He adds the note : ' There are at present instances in this diocese of great encouragement to refractoriness in this essential point of discipline, taken from some late decisions of the Court of Delegates, to which there lies an appeal from the sentence of the Consist orial Court." l
The difficulties which were thus presented did not deter the bishop from pursuing his purpose. As the law was shown to be ineffectual, he strenuously urged the necessity for new legislation, and with some success, for shortly after this an Act was passed by Parliament for enforcing residence, which to some extent remedied the evil. By the year 1820 the number of non-resident incumbents in Meath was reduced to twenty-two, some of whom held sinecure parishes. At the same time the residents had increased to seventynine, the number of benefices having increased in the

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 69

As the companion tells it

As you travel through Meath, you are passing through a diocese that Bishop O'Beirne surveyed in 1807 for the government. He found that of the 92 benefices in Meath, only 45 had resident incumbents, while 47 were non-resident, meaning more than half had no clergy living among their people. He had tried to enforce residence himself, but the higher courts reversed his decisions, and he noted "great encouragement to refractoriness" from recent rulings of the Court of Delegates. The law was weak, so he pressed Parliament for new legislation, and an Act was passed for enforcing residence. By 1820 the number of non-resident incumbents in Meath had fallen to 22, some holding sinecure parishes, while resident incumbents had risen to 79 as the number of benefices themselves increased.

Bishop Plunkett reprobates rebellion at Ratoath

Ratoath · town · Meath · 1798

A few days after speaking at Duleek, Bishop Plunkett addressed the people at Ratoath, condemning the rebellion in the most pointed terms as contrary to Christian doctrine and supported on hostile French principles.

Read the passage

This fact gave to the rebellion of 1798 an aspect different from that of other insurrections. It took from it the religious character, and caused the Roman Catholic bishops and clergy to look upon the movement with a considerable amount of suspicion. In 1641 a special envoy from Rome came to direct the insurgents in their enterprise. In 1798, on the contrary, the movement was to some extent denounced by the rulers of the Roman Catholic Church. A few of the ordinary priests, no doubt, were carried away with the tide of popular opinion, some others were deterred by fear from expressing themselves publicly in condemnation of the insurrection, but several of the bishops delivered themselves very clearly on the subject. Doctor Plunkett, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, speaking at Drogheda on the twenty-seventh of May, told the people that the rebellion was a criminal insurrection, " connected with principles hostile to religion, and to our reputation for loyalty, in the cause of which Irish Catholics had so often suffered before." The day following, at Duleek, he assigned as the causes of the rebellion, " the credulity of the lower classes, the decay of Christian piety, and the prevalence of the impious principles that are disturbing a great part of the Continent." At Ratoath, a few days later, he " reprobated in the most pointed terms the rebellion, as contrary to the doctrine and practice of Jesus Christ, of Saint Paul, of the primitive Christians, to the admired conduct of the Irish Catholics of the last century, as supported on French principles, hostile to the Catholic religion." l
These warnings came too late as far as Meath was

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 55

Bishop Plunkett's address at Duleek on causes of rebellion

Duleek · town · Meath · 1798

The day after his Drogheda speech, Bishop Plunkett spoke at Duleek and assigned the causes of the 1798 rebellion to the credulity of the lower classes, decay of Christian piety, and impious principles disturbing the Continent.

Read the passage

This fact gave to the rebellion of 1798 an aspect different from that of other insurrections. It took from it the religious character, and caused the Roman Catholic bishops and clergy to look upon the movement with a considerable amount of suspicion. In 1641 a special envoy from Rome came to direct the insurgents in their enterprise. In 1798, on the contrary, the movement was to some extent denounced by the rulers of the Roman Catholic Church. A few of the ordinary priests, no doubt, were carried away with the tide of popular opinion, some others were deterred by fear from expressing themselves publicly in condemnation of the insurrection, but several of the bishops delivered themselves very clearly on the subject. Doctor Plunkett, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Meath, speaking at Drogheda on the twenty-seventh of May, told the people that the rebellion was a criminal insurrection, " connected with principles hostile to religion, and to our reputation for loyalty, in the cause of which Irish Catholics had so often suffered before." The day following, at Duleek, he assigned as the causes of the rebellion, " the credulity of the lower classes, the decay of Christian piety, and the prevalence of the impious principles that are disturbing a great part of the Continent." At Ratoath, a few days later, he " reprobated in the most pointed terms the rebellion, as contrary to the doctrine and practice of Jesus Christ, of Saint Paul, of the primitive Christians, to the admired conduct of the Irish Catholics of the last century, as supported on French principles, hostile to the Catholic religion." l
These warnings came too late as far as Meath was

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 55

Bishop Singer Leads Prayer Revival at Ardbraccan Palace

Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1858–1860

During the religious revival of the late 1850s, Bishop Singer established a prayer-meeting at his Palace at Ardbraccan, held on Friday afternoons and again in the evening. This marked his personal leadership in the movement felt across the Diocese of Meath.

Read the passage

Towards the close of the fifties there occurred in the north of Ireland a remarkable religious movement, known as the " Great Revival." It was attended with great excitement and many extravagances. As far as can be ascertained none of these extravagant developments reached the Diocese of Meath, but the wave of religious fervour was felt, and alike among clergy and laity there was an earnestness and devotion that spoke of a real work of God. Bishop Singer himself took the lead in the movement, and established a prayer-meeting at his Palace at Ardbraccan on Friday afternoons, and again at seven in the evening. Others of the clergy followed the lead that was thus given. Archdeacon Stopford had meetings in his own house, as well as special services in the church. The bishop's son, the Reverend Aemelius Singer, had a weekly prayer-meeting at Stackallen. Similar meetings were held by the Reverend Henry Brougham at Moynalty, the Reverend Frederick Trench at Newtown, and by many other clergymen in the Diocese of Meath.
Bishop Singer died on the nineteenth of July, 1866, in the eightieth year of his age, and in the fourteenth year of his episcopate. On the twentieth of the

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 100

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Bishop Singer led a religious revival from his Palace at Ardbraccan. In the late 1850s, a movement known as the Great Revival swept through the north of Ireland with great excitement and many extravagances. None of those extravagances reached the Diocese of Meath, but the wave of religious fervour was felt among clergy and laity alike. Bishop Singer himself took the lead, establishing prayer-meetings at his Palace on Friday afternoons and again at seven in the evening. Other clergy followed: Archdeacon Stopford held meetings in his own house and special services in the church. The bishop's son, the Reverend Aemelius Singer, had a weekly prayer-meeting at Stackallen. Similar meetings were held by the Reverend Henry Brougham at Moynalty, the Reverend Frederick Trench at Newtown, and many other clergymen across the diocese. Bishop Singer died on the 19th of July 1866, in the 80th year of his age and the 14th year of his episcopate.

Fore Abbey and its romantic story

Fore · townland · Westmeath

Fore was founded by St Fechin and later became site of a Benedictine abbey with a romantic legend attached to it.

Read the passage

Fore, foundation of, i., 44 ; bishopric, i., 53 ; Benedictine abbey, i., 104 ; romantic story, i., 105 ; rural deanery, i., 243 ; tithes, i., 265 ; clergy, ii., 317.
Forgney, i., 3, 15; ii., 154, 264, 332.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 151

Gaulstown church built by Robert Rochfort in Castlelost parish

Gaulstown · townland · Kilkenny · 1695–1707

Robert Rochfort, son of an executed Cromwellian officer, purchased property near Castlelost and built a beautiful church at his demesne in Gaulstown, wainscoted, painted, seated and flagged at his own charge, and endowed the parish.

Read the passage

Another example may be taken from the Parish of Castlelost. Prime Iron Rochfort was, as his Christian names suggest, a Puritan soldier. He was a lieutenant colonel in Cromwell's army, but was executed for killing one Major Turner in a duel which he fought in 1652. His son, Robert Rochfort, purchased property in the neighbourhood of Castlelost, which continues to be in possession of his family to the present day. He was a man eminent in his time, having been speaker of the Irish House of Commons in 1695, and Chief Baron of the Exchequer in 1707. He took a great interest in Castlelost parish, and built, in his own demesne at Gaulstown, " a very beautiful church, wainscoted, painted, seated, and flagged, and furnished with all necessaries in the most decent manner, all
* Butler, Trim Castle.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 19

Lord Plunket elected Bishop of Meath

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1876

William Conyngham Plunket was elected Bishop of Meath in 1876 after several rounds of voting at the diocesan synod, receiving an overwhelming majority of lay and clerical votes. He was consecrated at Armagh on 10 December 1876.

Read the passage

We have already seen that the surmises of this letter were realized. Lord Plunket was elected to the bishopric, and was consecrated at Armagh on Sunday, the tenth of December, 1876. On the afternoon of the same day the bishop wrote again to his mother :
I cannot help writing one line to say that the consecration has taken place, and I am now Bishop of Meath. If I have any qualifications to fit me for the high office upon which in God's Providence I have been called upon to enter, let me say that I owe it all, under God, to what I first learned from you, and therefore you shall be the first to hear of the result from your affectionate first-born son.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 117

Methodism swells church attendance in Oldcastle

Oldcastle · town · Meath · 1740–1780

In Oldcastle, when the Methodist society was first established, congregation numbers in the church increased so much that the building could not accommodate the crowds that assembled every Sunday.

Read the passage

But if some of the clergy encouraged the preachers, there is no doubt, that many others opposed them. Nor need we wonder at this, for if in some places Methodism was found to be a help to the Church, in many other places it was distinctly antagonistic. In Oldcastle, when the Society was first established there, the congregation in church increased so much that the building was unable to accommodate the crowd that assembled Sabbath after Sabbath. In other places it was the same, and if all members of the society had been faithful followers of the founder, there would have been a similar experience in every case. Unfortunately, the tendency which at length led the Methodists to separate from the Church was already making its influence felt, and relations consequently often became somewhat strained. In Athlone, at one time, the Methodists in a body left the church, and it was only by the personal influence of John Wesley himself that they were induced to return. He urged that if only for the sake of the other worshippers, who sadly needed a good example, the Methodists should not absent themselves from the parish church. But he pointed out also that the spiritual loss to themselves was equally great, for the meetings of the society were never intended to be a substitute for the ordinary services of the sanctuary. Writing in 1767, when the Methodists of Athlone had been brought to a better mind, he says : ' I was among those that both feared and loved God ; but to this day they have not recovered the loss which they sustained when they left off going to church. It is true that they have long been convinced of their mistake, yet the fruit of it still remains ; so that there
86 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 41

Michael Tisdall of Charlesfort Leads Temperance Effort

near Charlesfort · sub-townland · Meath · 1788

Mr. Michael Tisdall of Charlesfort led the Meath temperance movement, and the Kells vestry later passed a resolution thanking him for his services in suppressing drunkenness and disorderly practices.

Read the passage

The Kells vestry, at a subsequent meeting, passed a resolution of thanks to him " for his charitable good services in suppressing drunkenness and all other disorderly practices," from which we may conclude that the organization, though it seems to have been short lived, was enabled in some measure to accomplish the object for which it was formed.
As to the bishops, we have little information as to how they performed their duties, but as we have seen, they were supposed to have been more active than they had been in former times. Swift, as is well known, had not a very exalted opinion of the episcopal bench. He is particularly hard on Bishop Evans, and if his account is to be trusted — a somewhat doubtful point, when an enemy is concerned — that prelate was unfair and tyrannical to those who were of a different party from himself. It would appear that some unpleasantness arose between them at one of the first visitations which the bishop held, and in the following year Swift refused to attend the visitation, sending a proxy instead. Bishop Evans refused to receive his proxy, and thereupon Swift sent him the following letter :—

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 28

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Charlesfort, a man named Michael Tisdall led the temperance movement in Meath. The Kells vestry later passed a resolution thanking him, in their words, "for his charitable good services in suppressing drunkenness and all other disorderly practices." The organization seems to have been short lived, but it did accomplish something of what it set out to do.

Navan endowed school run by deputy, later called an abused trust

Navan · town · Meath · 1799–1849

At Navan School, master Rev. Mr. Preston did not personally keep the school but employed a deputy, Rev. Mr. Toomey; the bishop questioned the legality, and fifty years later Royal Commissioners condemned the endowment as an abused trust.

Read the passage

It was reported of Navan School that " Rev. Mr. Preston, master of the school, does not keep school himself, but employs Rev. Mr. Toomey." Thereupon the bishop makes the note : "To enquire of Dr. Duigenan as to the legality of giving the endowed school to a person who neither keeps a school nor lives in the house, but employs a deputy. If an abuse, what steps must be taken to remedy it ? To enquire who are the trustees, and who are the visitors ? If he has taken out a licence from my court, or holds in any manner under me ? " It does not appear what was the result of all these enquiries, but if he effected any reformation, it must have been short-lived, for fifty years later the Royal Commissioners reported that 11 this endowment presented one of the most remarkable instances of an abused trust."
With regard to the ordinary parish schools, O'Beirne endeavoured to insist that every clergyman should establish a school in his parish. At the visitation he admonished the various rectors and vicars that they must each have a parish schoolmaster. To urge that there were no Protestant children in the parish was not accepted as a sufficient excuse. The Incumbent of Moymet, for instance, gave this as his reason for not having a parochial school. His parish was a sinecure, for he had no church, and not a solitary Protestant parishioner. The bishop, however, insisted that he should fulfil his duty in this way all the same. " If a Protestant schoolmaster cannot be got for forty shillings, he must give more, or teach school himself. He is sworn to get a master, or to teach himself." One cannot help asking, what kind of teacher did the incumbent expect to get for two pounds a year ?

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 75

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Navan, there's a story about its endowed school that stretches over half a century. In 1799 it was reported that the master, Rev. Mr. Preston, did not keep the school himself but employed a deputy, Rev. Mr. Toomey. The bishop at the time wanted to know whether it was even legal to hand an endowed school to someone who neither taught nor lived in the house, and asked who the trustees and visitors were. It doesn't appear what came of those enquiries. Whatever reform may have followed was short-lived, because by 1849 the Royal Commissioners reported that this endowment presented one of the most remarkable instances of an abused trust. The school had been left to run through a deputy while the man holding the position drew whatever benefit it carried, and the whole arrangement stood as an example of a trust gone wrong.

Protestant Orphan Society founded, with a local precursor at Athboy

Athboy · town · Meath · 1844

The Meath Protestant Orphan Society was established in 1844 under Bishop Stopford; before this, a small local society already existed at Athboy caring for orphans. The wider societies adopted a boarding-out system for close on a thousand orphans over time.

Read the passage

It was about this time that the Protestant Orphan Society was founded. The Westmeath Society was established in the year 1840, in the last year of the episcopate of Bishop Alexander. The Meath Society dates . from 1844, and was established under the auspices of Bishop Stopford. Before this time the Dublin Society undertook the care of orphans sent up from the Diocese of Meath, and there was, besides, a small local society at Athboy. As in other similar societies through the country, the boarding-out system was adopted, and with the happiest results. Close on a thousand orphans have from time to time been cared for, and with few exceptions have been in every way a credit to the institution that befriended them. We have, in the present day, a multiplicity of organizations that were not thought of when the the Protestant Orphan Society was founded, but for economy of management and efficiency of administration it is still without a rival.
The resources of the Orphan Society were soon taxed to the utmost, for times of great destitution and suffering were at hand. It is true that Meath to a large extent escaped the horrors of famine, which were so terrible in other parts of the country, but she had her share in the pestilence by which so many children were left fatherless, and without any provision for their sustenance. Then, too, began that process of depopulation by emigration which has continued without intermission to the present day, and gives to

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 94

Ratoath plate and the century-long Bolton incumbency

Ratoath · town · Meath · 1693–1761

The chalice and paten of Ratoath, dated 1693, were gifted by Kathern and Dorcas Bolton, whose family lived at Lagore and held the rectory for nearly a hundred years across three successive Boltons.

Read the passage

The chalice and paten of Ratoath date from 1693. Both have the same inscription, " The Gift of Kathern and Dorcas Bolton to the Parish Church of Ratoath on Easter Sunday 1693." The Boltons lived at that time at Lagore, and for close on a hundred years the rectory was held by members of this family. Henry Bolton was appointed in 1677 ; he was succeeded in 1688 by Doctor John Bolton, who resigned in 1720, and was followed by Richard Bolton, who continued in the incumbency until his death in 1761. The three incumbencies thus fall short by six years of the century. The flagon was presented during the last of these three incumbencies, and was " The Gift of Mrs. Sarai Norman to the Church of Ratoath, A.D. 1743." A member of the Norman family, Thomas Lee Norman, succeeded to the rectory in 1761, being presented by
APPENDIX 26l

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 137

Restoration of Bishop Montgomery's tomb at Ardbraccan churchyard

Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1743–1798

Bishop Maule restored the ruined tomb of Bishop Montgomery in the churchyard of Ardbraccan, which also contained the burials of Montgomery's wife and daughter marked with quaint figures and initials. Maule himself, and later Bishops Pococke and O'Beirne, were buried in the same tomb.

Read the passage

Among the many good deeds of Bishop Maule, it deserves to be mentioned that he restored the tomb of Bishop Montgomery in the churchyard of Ardbraccan. A Latin inscription records how it had fallen down and become ruinous, either from the effects of time, or more probably from the evil deed of sacrilegious hands, and that it was restored, lest the memory of the righteous should be blotted out. In the same tomb were buried Montgomery's wife and daughter, and three quaint figures may still be seen with the initials, G.M., S.M., and I.M. Maule himself was buried in the same tomb, and at a later period Bishops Pococke and O'Beirne were also laid to rest there beside their predecessors.
It may be noted, too, that Maule took some interest in history, and had at one time the intention of writing a History of the Church of Ireland. 5 He wrote to Archbishop King on the subject, and that prelate replied in a letter which discusses the subject, admitting that such a work was very much needed, but stating that the difficulties in the way were so great that he had no hopes of ever seeing it accomplished. He says that

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 50

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ardbraccan, the old churchyard holds a tomb that has seen a good deal of history. Bishop Montgomery was buried there, and in time the tomb had fallen into ruin. A Latin inscription records that it collapsed either from age or from sacrilegious hands. Bishop Maule had it restored, as the inscription says, "lest the memory of the righteous should be blotted out." Montgomery's wife and daughter lie in the same tomb, and three quaint figures can still be seen bearing the initials G.M., S.M., and I.M. Maule himself was buried there too, and later Bishops Pococke and O'Beirne were laid to rest beside their predecessors. Maule also had ambitions beyond the churchyard. He once planned to write a history of the Church of Ireland and wrote to Archbishop King about it. King replied that the work was badly needed but the difficulties were so great he had no hope of seeing it done.

Stafford Lightburne ordained curate of Laracor

Laracor · townland · Meath · 1719

Despite Swift's threats to find another bishop to ordain his nominated curate, Stafford Lightburne was in fact ordained in Meath that same year for the curacy of Laracor, showing the bishop was not as unreasonable as Swift suggested.

Read the passage

It does not say much for the ecclesiastical discipline of those days to find that Swift could threaten his diocesan that if he refused to ordain the curate that he nominated, he would be able to find another bishop willing to do so. As a matter of fact, however, the question did not arise, for we find that this same year Stafford Lightburne was ordained in Meath for the curacy of Laracor ; so that the bishop cannot have been as unreasonable as Swift represents him to be. But this concession on the part of the bishop did not mend matters, for the enmity continued until his
»« Mant.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 30

Tithe collection disturbances especially severe in Westmeath

Westmeath · county · Westmeath · 1799

Tithes farmed out to Roman Catholic collectors for profit proved a frequent source of disturbance and sometimes bloodshed, a problem noted as being especially acute in Westmeath.

Read the passage

Where the income was derived from tithes, and this was the case in most parishes, it was gathered from an unwilling people, and was sometimes farmed out to Roman Catholic collectors, who agreed to pay the incumbent a fixed sum, making whatever profit they could for themselves. A more objectionable method could scarcely have been devised, and it proved a cause of frequent disturbance, sometimes ending in bloodshed. This was specially the case in Westmeath.
The church services were reduced to the fewest possible. The Holy Communion was administered mostly once in three months — in some places not so often. In the larger churches however, there was a

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 74

Vicar of Athboy excuses non-residence during rebellion

Athboy · town · Meath · 1798–1799

The Vicar of Athboy explained to the bishop that he had only recently taken the parish and fled during the outbreak of rebellion, along with other Protestant families. He also held office as vicar choral of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, at the same time.

Read the passage

It will be seen from these extracts that the bishop had no easy task before him when he undertook the reorganization of the See of Meath. In the replies to his questions, several of the clergy try to excuse their non-residence. Some throw the blame on the late rebellion. The Vicar of Athboy, for example, says : " It is not quite two years since I got this parish. As soon as I could hire a house I came to reside. This was at the eve of the rebellion. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion most of the Protestant families fled. I did so too. The illness and death of a near relative obliged me to be absent for a considerable time this summer, but I purpose carrying your lordship's intentions into execution, and discharging my own
* Papers relating to the State of the Church of Ireland, 1820 (Blue Book).

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 70

Ardnurcher plate stolen by burglars

Ardnurcher · townland · Westmeath

Some years before writing, the silver plate belonging to Ardnurcher parish was stolen by burglars who broke open the church, and was likely melted down, meaning it can never be recovered.

Read the passage

' The Gift of Brabazon Newcomen to ye Church of Kilbegan, 1717. Enlarged by ye Parish 1750." Next comes the chalice, which is " The Gift of Brabazon Newcomen, Esq., to the Church of Kilbeggan, 1723." There is also a flagon, " The Gift of Lieut. Col. Lambart to the Church of Kilbeggan, 1754 ; " and an alms dish, " The Gift of Charles Lambart to the Parish of Killbeggan, 1768." It will be noticed that in many of the inscriptions that have been quoted, the spelling of the names of parishes is peculiar. One would have thought that in the case of Kilbeggan there would be little room for variation, but we find that the name is spelled in three different ways on these vessels. The parish of Ardnurcher, in the same union, has only plated vessels, formerly belonging to Lynally. Some years ago the silver belonging to this parish was stolen by burglars, who broke open the church. The probability is that it was melted down by them, and therefore can never be recovered.
In the parish of Rynagh (Banagher) there is an interesting chalice and paten, both of which bear the inscription, " Ex Dono piissimee Anae Baronissae de Louth Ecclesiae Parochiali de Reynah Diocesi Medensi. Anno 1719." There is also a large silver paten, dated 1815.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 138

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ardnurcher, the parish once had its own silver communion plate, but that is all gone now. Some years before this was written, burglars broke open the church here and stole the silver. The likelihood is that they melted it down, so it can never be recovered. What the parish has now are only plated vessels, and those formerly belonged to Lynally. So the silver that was here, whatever it looked like, whoever gave it, is lost.

Bishop Ralph Lambert's fatal accident stepping from his coach

Trim · town · Meath · 1727–1732

Ralph Lambert, translated to Meath in 1727, died five years later after treading on his gown while stepping out of his coach at his own door, breaking his arm and never recovering from the shock.

Read the passage

was translated to Deny in 1727. Ralph Lambert next succeeded. He was, like most of the bishops of that day, an Englishman, and had come over to Ireland as chaplain to the Earl of Wharton. In 1717 he was raised to the episcopate as Bishop of Dromore, and in 1727 was translated to Meath. He met his death five years later by accident. He trod on his gown as he was stepping out of his coach at his own door, and fell, breaking his arm. He lingered for a little while, but never recovered from the shock.
If Dean Swift is to be believed, all these appointments were made from political motives. He says, that " from the highest prelate to the lowest vicar, there were hardly ten clergymen throughout the whole kingdom, for more than nineteen years preceding 1733, who had not been either preferred entirely upon account of their declared affection to the Hanover line, or higher promoted as the due reward of the same merit." This is, let us hope, somewhat of an exaggeration. At the same time there was, no doubt, a good deal of truth in the assertion, and it must have had a most deleterious effect on the efficiency of the Church. Yet we can scarcely say that the time was not one of progress. In spite of non-residence, pluralities and carelessness, the work of God seems to have been carried on, and men were learning to realize more vividly their responsibilities as members of the Church. Often, no doubt, the cure of souls was left to some poor curate, while the rich incumbent spent his life elsewhere ; but, perhaps the parishes were after all better off under the care of these simpleminded and poor but devoted men, than they would have been had the rectors themselves performed the duty which was so repugnant to their own tastes.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 20

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Trim, you are in the town where Bishop Ralph Lambert met his end. He was an Englishman who came to Ireland as chaplain to the Earl of Wharton, was made Bishop of Dromore in 1717, and was translated to Meath in 1727. Five years later, stepping out of his coach at his own door, he trod on his gown, fell, and broke his arm. He lingered for a little while but never recovered from the shock. Dean Swift claimed that appointments in those days were made from political motives, saying that from the highest prelate to the lowest vicar, there were hardly ten clergymen throughout the kingdom for more than nineteen years preceding 1733 who had not been preferred or promoted on account of their declared affection to the Hanover line. The author hopes this is somewhat of an exaggeration, though there was no doubt a good deal of truth in it.

Bishop Simon Rochfort moves the see from Clonard to Newtown

Newtown · townland · Meath · 1194–1224

Simon Rochfort, the first Englishman preferred to the See of Meath, was consecrated in 1194 and changed the Episcopal seat from Clonard to Newtown near Trim.

Read the passage

1194. Simon Rochfort was the first Englishman preferred to the See. He was consecrated in 1194, and died in 1224. He changed the Episcopal seat from Clonard to Newtown near Trim.
1224. Deodatus, elected by the clergy of Meath, but, according to some, died, before his consecration, in 1226.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

Seventy-two new glebe-houses built across Meath diocese

Meath · county · Meath · 1798–1823

Bishop O'Beirne pressed for proper clerical residences and succeeded in procuring the erection of seventy-two new glebe-houses throughout the Diocese of Meath, enabling him to insist that clergy actually reside in their parishes.

Read the passage

bishop kept urging the necessity of having a proper residence for the clergyman in every parish, until at length he had procured the erection of no less than seventy-two new houses in the diocese. When a house had been built in a parish, it became possible for the bishop to insist that the clergyman should occupy it. As long as the parishes were without glebe-houses, the constant excuse of the non-resident was that he could get no house in his parish in which it was possible for him to dwell.
He was equally successful in the matter of churches. The large number of fifty-seven — that is, considerably more than one-half of the total number of churches — were erected during his episcopate. The architectural designs of these buildings left much to be desired. They are, indeed, it must be confessed, hopelessly uninteresting and featureless. We cannot help regretting that in some cases the old churches were not preserved. But while we may thus have misgivings from the aesthetic point of view, we cannot but admit that practically it was a great boon to the Church to have these plain and barn-like, but sound and serviceable, buildings for the celebration of public worship, instead of the ruinous structures with which she had to be contented for so long. There is a tablet in Kilshine Church, which commemorates the building of that edifice, and sets forth the work which the bishop accomplished in the diocese. It is as follows : —

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 80

As the companion tells it

As you travel through Meath, this is the diocese where Bishop O'Beirne, between 1798 and 1823, pressed for proper clerical residences until he had procured the erection of 72 new glebe-houses. Once a house stood in a parish, he could insist the clergyman occupy it. Before that, the constant excuse of the non-resident was that he could get no house in his parish in which it was possible to dwell. He was equally successful with churches. 57 new churches, considerably more than one-half of the total number, went up during his episcopate. Their architectural designs left much to be desired, described in the record as

T. P. Cairnes's memorial dwellings for working classes in Drogheda

Drogheda · town · Louth

T. P. Cairnes, financial secretary of the diocese and noted for his liberality, left an enduring memorial in his own town of Drogheda through dwellings he provided for the working classes.

Read the passage

For the third time now since disestablishment, the Diocese of Meath was called on to elect a bishop. It accordingly met on the twenty-sixth of April, 1894. Just on the eve of the Synod the diocese sustained another great loss in the death of Mr. T. P. Cairnes, who had filled the office of financial secretary from the time of the re-organization of the Church. As a financier he had few equals in Ireland, and was one of the most trusted advisers of the Representative Church Body. To the Diocese of Meath he gave his very best energies and ability, and he had the satisfaction of seeing her finances placed on a sound basis, and their reliability abundantly proved, before his death. We have already seen something of his liberality, but it was shown, not merely in large gifts, such as that which has been noticed, but in the help which he constantly gave to poor and struggling parishes, where he knew that the people had difficulty in keeping up their assessments. In his own town of Drogheda he has left an enduring memorial in the dwellings provided by his liberality for the working classes. When the Synod assembled for the election of a bishop, the first business done was to pass the following resolution :
That we, the Synod of the Diocese of Meath, desire to express in the strongest manner our very deep sense of the irreparable loss which our diocese has sustained in the death of its Honorary Financial Secretary, Thomas Plunket Cairnes, Esq., who, for a period of twenty-four years conducted the financial affairs of the diocese with consummate ability and unwearied assiduity. We also desire to make mention of the munificent liberality which from the very first characterized all our late Honorary Secretary's dealings with the diocese. We feel that his loss is not confined to the Diocese of Meath,

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 125

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Drogheda, you are in the town where T. P. Cairnes left an enduring memorial in dwellings he provided for the working classes. He died just before the Diocese of Meath met to elect a bishop on the 26th of April, 1894. For 24 years he had served as honorary financial secretary of the diocese, and the Synod's first act was to mourn his loss, calling it irreparable. He was regarded as a financier with few equals in Ireland, one of the most trusted advisers of the Representative Church Body. His liberality showed itself not only in large gifts but in steady help to poor and struggling parishes that had trouble keeping up their assessments. The dwellings he built here in his own town stand as the memorial the record speaks of.

Trim plate given by Bishop Dopping

Trim · town · Meath · 1696

The chalice and paten at Trim, dated 1696, were presented by Bishop Anthony Dopping, who held the rectory of Trim as bishop under an arrangement finalized by letters patent in 1648.

Read the passage

There are a chalice and paten at Trim, which are interesting on account of having been presented to the parish by Bishop Dopping. They both have the inscription, "The Gift of Anthony J., Bp. of Meath, To ye Church of Trymm 1696." It will be remembered that the bishop was rector of Trim. This arrangement was first made under Bishop Montgomery, but the rectory was not finally appropriated by letters patent until 1648, when it was so granted to Bishop Dopping. Lord Drogheda makes sarcastic reference to this fact in r the extraordinary letter which has been already
262 APPENDIX

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 137

Missing church plate recorded at Ratoath, Clonmellon, Duleek and Slane

Duleek · town · Meath · 1825–1827

Comparison with an 1825 inventory shows losses of church plate at several parishes: a collecting plate missing at Ratoath, a chalice missing at Clonmellon, the original cup and chalice replaced by poor electroplate at Duleek in 1827, and two silver cups vanished at Slane.

Read the passage

Some plate has been lost, it is to be feared, through the carelessness of the custodians. We have already referred to the cases of Ardnurcher and Wrilson's Hospital. In Ratoath they had two silver collecting plates in 1825 ; there is only one at present. At Clonmellon a chalice is missing which was there in 1825. In Duleek, the " cup, chalice, and paten in good order," which were there in 1825, have disappeared, and their place is taken by poor electroplate, acquired in 1827. ^n Slane they had two silver cups in 1825, and both of them seem to have disappeared. These are the only cases of loss that I can trace ; and, when we remember that such valuable possessions were often left to the care of sextons, we can only wonder that the loss has been so small.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 140

Slane attacked by Danes and later Franciscan/Capuchin abbeys

Slane · townland · Meath

Slane, where St. Patrick preached, was attacked by Danes and later wasted; it became home to a Franciscan abbey and later a Capuchin abbey, with a college established there.

Read the passage

Slane, St. Patrick at, i., 5,7; church i., 9, 14 ; attacked by Danes, i., 50 bishopric, i., 53 ; wasted, i., 66, 211 rectory, i., 216; rural deanery, i. 75, 243 ; Franciscan abbey, i., 112 Capuchin abbey, i., 237 ; college, i. 245 ; strolling pigs, ii., 60 ; incumbent, ii., 131 ; glebe, ii., 153 ; plate, ii., 268 ; Clergy, ii., 288.
Smith, Moor, ii., 140.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 152

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is Slane, where Saint Patrick once preached. The place was attacked by Danes and later wasted, but it went on to hold a Franciscan abbey and then a Capuchin abbey, with a college established there too.

Archbishop King contrasts his reforms in Derry with Meath

near Derry · city · Derry · 1691–1697

Archbishop King of Derry compared his own diocese's improved condition of churches, conformity and clergy with that of Meath under Bishop Dopping. He claimed that in five or six years he had put Derry in a better state than Dopping had achieved in Meath in fifteen years.

Read the passage

it was put in a better posture' by the methods I took, than Meath was in fifteen by the bishop's ; and that he might judge by that which of the two were best.
From this we may gather that Dopping was of a particularly amiable disposition, slow to censure — perhaps too slow — and ready to let things pass rather than speak an angry word. With such a disposition, we are not surprised to learn that when he was first raised to the episcopate his old parishioners in Dublin presented him with a piece of plate as a token of their esteem. Such a presentation meant more then than it would now, for the act was not then as usual as it has since become. King seems to suggest that he lacked force of character. The recorded incidents of his life do not give us such an idea of him. On the contrary, he appears as a courageous man, who stood his ground and did not desert his post during all the troubles of the Revolution. Judging by the records he has left, we would say that he was energetic in the administration of his diocese. Very possibly his case was of that kind which so often happens in this world : in the weakness of his declining years the strength of his years of vigour was forgotten. It was rather unfair for a comparatively young man like King to compare himself with one whose life was drawing to a close, and the infirmities of whose age were to a great extent caused by the sufferings that he had endured in defence of the Church.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 16

Archdeacon Stopford establishes a National School in Kells

Kells · town · Meath

Archdeacon Stopford, a warm supporter of the National Board, established a National School in his own parish of Kells, though he was unable to persuade many other clergy to follow his example.

Read the passage

Such was the state of the controversy when Doctor Singer became Bishop of Meath. Archdeacon Stopford was at this time, in many ways, the leading clergyman in the diocese, and was, like his father the bishop, a warm supporter of the National Board. He had established a National School in his own parish of Kells, but he had not been able to induce many of the clergy to follow his example. For the most part the parish schoolmasters combined with their duties those of parish clerk, and in this double capacity received salaries which seldom exceeded twenty pounds a year. The schools were small, and there was no scheme of efficient inspection. In 1856 he put forth a proposal

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 97

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kells in Meath, there is the story of Archdeacon Stopford, who was in many ways the leading clergyman in the diocese. Like his father the bishop, he was a warm supporter of the National Board, and he established a National School in his own parish of Kells. He could not induce many of the clergy to follow his example. Most parish schoolmasters also served as parish clerk, and in that double capacity received salaries that seldom exceeded 20 pounds a year. The schools were small, and there was no scheme of efficient inspection.

Bishop William Silk buried at Killeen, tomb still visible

Killeen · townland · Meath · 1434–1450

William Silk, Rector of Killeen, was appointed Bishop of Meath in 1434, died at Ardbraccan in 1450, and was buried at Killeen, where his tomb may still be seen in the ruined church.

Read the passage

1434. William Silk, Rector of Killeen, was appointed by the General Council of Basil in 1434. He died at Ardbraccan in 1450, and was buried at Killeen, where his tomb may still be seen in the ruined church.
1450. Edmund Ouldhall, A Carmelite of Norwich, succeeded in 1450. He died, and was buried at Ardbraccan in

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

Church of Kells and its ancient steeple

Kells · town · Meath · 1778–1783

The Church of Kells (St. Columba) was built in 1778, incorporating a steeple that survives from the pre-Reformation building. A wooden spire added to the steeple blew down in a storm, and the present spire was erected by Lord Bective in 1783.

Read the passage

IN the oldest records these parishes are said to have been united " time out of mind." With the exception of Kells, however, none of the churches seem to have been used since the time of the Reformation. The Rector of this Union, up to the time of disestablishment, held also the Archdeaconry of Meath. Balrathboyne was separated from the Union and formed into a perpetual curacy in 1844, but was reunited to Kells in 1892. The Church of Kells (St. Columba) was built in 1778. The steeple, which stands separate from the church, is part of the pre- Reformation building. When the church was rebuilt, a spire was put on this steeple, which seems to have been of wood, and was blown down in a storm. The present spire was erected by Lord Bective in 1783. The Church of Balrathboyne (St. Baithen) was built in 1844, on a new site in Charlesfort demesne. An iron church was erected at Balrath Burry by the late Mr. Nicholson, and was licensed for public worship in 1877.
ii — Helias.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 149

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kells in Meath, you are going by the Church of St. Columba, built in 1778. Its steeple stands separate from the church and is older, surviving from the pre-Reformation building that once stood here. When the new church went up, a wooden spire was fitted onto that old steeple, but it blew down in a storm. The spire you see now was erected by Lord Bective in 1783. These parishes were united in the oldest records, said to have been joined together time out of mind, though none of the churches except Kells seem to have been used since the Reformation.

Killucan's ruined chapels and depleted Protestant population

Killucan · town · Westmeath · 1693

The large parish of Killucan had a non-resident incumbent living in Dublin, six ruined chapels of ease scattered through the parish, and was described as 'mightily waste' with only fifteen Protestant families remaining after the recent troubles.

Read the passage

A few extracts may be given as illustrations of the condition of the several parishes, choice being made of the more important centres. Of Mullingar the bishop tells that it was formerly worth twenty-five pounds per annum, but that the income was then not more than seven pounds. The church and chancel were repaired, but the vicar resided at Galtrim, which parish he also held, and only gave the Mullingar people a service once a fortnight. The large parish of Killucan had a non-resident incumbent, who spent his time in Dublin. His curate lived in the parish, and " preaches as often as his age and infirmities permit." The church and chancel were in very bad repair, and six chapels of ease, which were situated in different parts of the parish, were all in ruin. That part of the country had suffered much in the recent troubles, and was " mightily waste at present, not having above fifteen Protestant families in it." In Duleek, and indeed in a great many other parishes, they had service only once a fortnight. " This church," we are told, " was anciently a cathedral church, and the seat of a bishop, but was reduced to the head of a rural deanery by Cardinal Paparo in the year 1152 ; afterwards
1 Bishop Dopping's Report is in Marsh's Library. There is also a transcript in the Record Office, Dublin.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 10

Laracor chalice gifted during Dean Swift's incumbency

Laracor · townland · Meath · 1723

Laracor church, united with Galtrim, has a chalice inscribed as a gift from Carrot Wesley in 1723, presented during the incumbency of Dean Jonathan Swift.

Read the passage

Galtrim Church has a paten with the inscription, " Golthrim Church, 1686." Reference has already been made to the curious cocoanut chalice which, in 1733, belonged to this parish. It may, perhaps, be assumed that it fell out of use in 1766, for in that year a silver chalice, st'll in use, was presented, " The Gift of Mrs. Warren, senr., to the Church of Galtrim." Laracor, with which Galtrim is united, has two chalices and a paten of eighteenth century silver. One of the chalices has the inscription, " The Gift of Carrot Wesley, Esqr., To ye Church of Larracor, 1723." This, as will be noted, was presented to the parish during the incumbency of Dean Swift.
The chalice and paten of Ratoath date from 1693. Both have the same inscription, " The Gift of Kathern and Dorcas Bolton to the Parish Church of Ratoath on Easter Sunday 1693." The Boltons lived at that time at Lagore, and for close on a hundred years the rectory was held by members of this family. Henry Bolton was appointed in 1677 ; he was succeeded in 1688 by Doctor John Bolton, who resigned in 1720, and was followed by Richard Bolton, who continued in the incumbency until his death in 1761. The three incumbencies thus fall short by six years of the century. The flagon was presented during the last of these three incumbencies, and was " The Gift of Mrs. Sarai Norman to the Church of Ratoath, A.D. 1743." A member of the Norman family, Thomas Lee Norman, succeeded to the rectory in 1761, being presented by

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 137

Navan's abbey and 1641 troubles

Navan · town · Meath · 1641

Navan had an abbey and its district was wasted; the town experienced troubles in 1641 and later had a Mass house used for Protestant service.

Read the passage

Navan, abbey of, i., 95 ; district wasted; i., 211,212; church, i., 244 ; ii., 154, tithes, i., 265 ; troubles in 1641, i., 272, 273 ; appointment of Cromwellian preachers, i., 297 ; Mass house used for service, ii., 14 ; glebe ii., 47 ; stocks, ii., 58 ; opposition to R. C. bishop, ii., 77 ; rector, ii., 131 ; school, ii., 143, 235 ; diocesan conference at, ii., 199 ; synod, ii., 203, 210; clergy, ii., 312.
Nelson, Mr., curate of Tara, ii., 106, 137.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 152

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Navan in Meath. This town had an abbey, and its district was wasted in the troubles of 1641. After that, Cromwellian preachers were appointed here, and a Mass house came to be used for Protestant service.

O'Beirne appointed Rector of Templemichael, Co. Longford

Templemichael · street · Longford · 1791

In 1791 O'Beirne returned to Ireland to become Rector of Templemichael, the parish in which the town of Longford is situated. This was his native county, and his brother is said to have served as the Roman Catholic priest of the same parish during his incumbency.

Read the passage

O'Beirne came to Ireland once more in 1791, when he was appointed Rector of Templemichael, in which parish the town of Longford is situated. This was his native county, and it is even said that his brother was Roman Catholic priest of the parish during the time that he held the incumbency.
On the appointment of Lord Fitzwilliam to the viceroyalty in 1795, O'Beirne once more became secretary and first chaplain to the Lord Lieutenant, and almost immediately afterwards he was promoted to the bishopric of Ossory, from which he was translated in 1798 to the bishopric of Meath. At the same time he was appointed a member of the Privy Council. He now devoted himself to the affairs of our diocese with wonderful energy and conspicuous success. He did not, however, give up politics altogether. He became a strong advocate for the Union, and when a petition was presented from residents in the County Meath who objected to that measure, he drew up a " Protest," which was signed by many owners of property in the district, and was specially commended by the bishop to his clergy, because " they above all others, are interested in the success of the measure." It is at once an able and temperate exposition of the reasons which led O'Beirne and many others at that time to wish that the union of the two countries should be accomplished. It is as follows :

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 66

As the companion tells it

Along here is Templemichael, the parish where the town of Longford sits. In 1791 O'Beirne came back to Ireland to take up the rectorship of this parish. It was his native county, and it is said that during his time here his brother served as the Roman Catholic priest of the same parish. Four years later, in 1795, the appointment of Lord Fitzwilliam to the viceroyalty took O'Beirne away again. He became secretary and first chaplain to the Lord Lieutenant, and was then promoted to the bishopric of Ossory. In 1798 he was translated to the bishopric of Meath and appointed to the Privy Council. He gave himself to the affairs of the diocese with what the record calls wonderful energy and conspicuous success. He did not leave politics behind. He became a strong advocate for the Union, and when residents in County Meath objected to that measure, he drew up a Protest signed by many owners of property in the district. The bishop commended it to his clergy, because they above all others, are interested in the success of the measure.

Reichel elected Bishop of Meath after contested synod votes

near Saint Patrick's Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1883

After Plunket's translation to Dublin in 1884, the diocesan synod met repeatedly to elect a successor, facing procedural objections until the bench of bishops chose Dean Charles Parsons Reichel over Canon Bell; he was consecrated in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, in September 1883.

Read the passage

were to make their choice. This objection was upheld by the Court of the General Synod, and accordingly the Synod had to meet again, which it did on the fifteenth of June. Again it was found impossible to obtain a two-thirds majority for any one candidate, but on this occasion only the names of Dean Reichel and Canon Bell were placed on the select list, and from these two the bishops were asked to make a choice. The prelates met on the nineteenth of August, and elected Dean Reichel, who was accordingly consecrated in Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, on the twentyninth of the following September.
The new bishop was son of a Moravian clergyman, and was born in 1816. He was educated partly in the University of Berlin, and partly in Trinity College, Dublin. In the latter place he had a distinguished career, and soon became the best classical scholar of his class. He had some thoughts of reading for a fellowship, but relinquished the idea, and took Holy Orders, being ordained for the curacy of Saint Mary's Church, in Dublin. There he continued for four years, until, in 1850, he was appointed Professor of Latin in Queen's College, Belfast. In 1864 he entered the Diocese of Meath, being appointed to the Vicarage of Mullingar. From that he passed, in 1875, to the Incumbency of Trim, becoming at the same time Archdeacon of Meath. In 1878 he was appointed Professor of Ecclesiastical History in Trinity College, an office which he held along with his incumbency, and in 1882 he became Dean of Clonmacnoise. He was also Canon of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, being the first representative canon for Meath. Thus he had been for more than twenty years associated with the diocese before he was called on to undertake the responsible office of its bishop.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 122

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Saint Patrick's Cathedral, in September 1883, Dean Charles Parsons Reichel was consecrated Bishop of Meath after a long and contested election. The diocesan synod met repeatedly to choose a successor, but kept failing to reach a two-thirds majority for any one candidate. After the Court of the General Synod upheld a procedural objection, the synod met again on the 15th of June, and this time only two names went forward to the bench of bishops: Dean Reichel and Canon Bell. The bishops met on the 19th of August and chose Reichel. He was the son of a Moravian clergyman, born in 1816, educated partly at the University of Berlin and partly at Trinity College Dublin, where he was the best classical scholar of his class. He was ordained for the curacy of Saint Mary's Church in Dublin, served there four years, then became Professor of Latin at Queen's College Belfast in 1850. He entered the Diocese of Meath in 1864 as Vicar of Mullingar, moved to Trim in 1875 as Archdeacon of Meath, and became Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Trinity in 1878. He was also the first representative canon for Meath at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. So he had been associated with the diocese for more than twenty years before he was called to be its bishop.

Vicar of Oldcastle relies on schoolmaster for catechism instruction

Oldcastle · town · Meath · 1799

The Vicar of Oldcastle described paying a schoolmaster to teach children the Church Catechism and bring them to church, leaving explanation to the clergyman himself, noting the difficulty of finding properly qualified teachers.

Read the passage

Protestant and Roman Catholic alike — O'Beirne insisted on the duty of each clergyman himself giving religious instruction to the children of his own people. The replies given under this head are some of them curious and interesting. The Vicar of Oldcastle says, " I have a schoolmaster and pay him a salary. He teaches the children to say the Church Catechism, and brings them to the church, and leaves to the clergyman to explain it. It is no easy matter to get these sort properly qualified." The rector of Newtown Fertullagh goes more into detail. He says, " With respect to the public religious instruction of the children of the parish, I am obliged to acknowledge some neglect. I have certainly too remissly insisted, and their parents perhaps have been too backward in sending them to church for that purpose. During one summer only out of three did I regularly succeed in bringing a few of them together on Sundays, after the celebration of Divine service, when my examination was such as appeared to myself best calculated to discover what they knew, and to suggest to them what they knew not. I have since thought that the printed explanation by Stopford would prove an important help to them, and have procured a sufficient number of them, of which I have not yet made use. I must, however, in extenuation, observe that the children who attend me were not neglected by their parents, but had been properly instructed in the Church Catechism ; that the number of those in the parish who are of age to profit or to need this mode of instruction is extremely small ; and that the church of an adjacent parish, from its proximity to the most populous part of mine, is habitually resorted to by many of my parishioners." The neighbouring parish here referred to is doubtless Clonfadforan. The rector there says ; " The children

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 76

Well-Preserved Stocks Acquired at Dunshaughlin

Dunshaughlin · town · Meath

A much more perfect specimen of stocks, still capable of use, had lately been purchased by the Rector of Dunshaughlin, having formerly belonged to the village before passing to a neighbouring farmer.

Read the passage

The churchwardens and vestrymen concerned themselves with many subjects that are now considered to be altogether beyond their province. They provided the stocks, and seem to have had the power of inflicting that penalty, which they awarded to suchoffences as playing ball against the church walls,s and it was their favourite remedy against the tramp nuisance. Portion of the stocks of Navan is still to be seen outside the court-house, a quaint reminder of an obsolete mode of punishment ; and a much more perfect specimen, quite capable of being still used, has lately been purchased by the Rev. Hamlet McClenaghan, Rector of Dunshaughlin. Formerly it had belonged to the village, and had passed into the possession of a neighbouring farmer.
The treatment of vagrants and beggars must have

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 27

As the companion tells it

As you come through Dunshaughlin here in Meath, this was a place where the old village stocks once stood. Churchwardens provided stocks and used them to punish offences like playing ball against the church walls, and as their favourite remedy against the tramp nuisance. A much more perfect specimen, still quite capable of being used, was lately purchased by the Reverend Hamlet McClenaghan, the Rector of Dunshaughlin. It had formerly belonged to the village and had passed into the possession of a neighbouring farmer before he acquired it.

Balroddan incumbent offers generous salary for schoolmaster

Balrothery · townland · Dublin · 1799

The Incumbent of Balroddan sought a schoolmaster of good character and offered a salary of twenty pounds a year combined with parish clerk duties, yet was unable to find a suitable candidate.

Read the passage

Some of the replies throw a curious light on the qualifications expected in a schoolmaster, and the emolument which was considered to be a sufficient remuneration for his services. The Incumbent of Balroddan writes that he would like to get " a man of good parts and moral character, and fully capable to perform the duties of his station." He offers the noble salary of twenty pounds a year, on condition that the schoolmaster fulfils also the duties of parish clerk, and seems to be surprised that after all this generosity he was unable to find anyone to come up to his high standard. His neighbour of Moyglare, however, goes one better than this. He says, " I have not a Protestant schoolmaster, nor could I procure one, though I offered seven pounds a year, a sum I pay to a master of the school in my own parish in the Diocese of Tuam, where I have established a Sunday school. I mention these circumstances as presumptions of my having the same good disposition towards the parishioners of Moyglare, which I carried into effect for some time by paying the Protestant schoolmaster. I had then, besides the usual forty shillings a year, a penny a head for every child of the parish without distinction he taught on Sunday mornings, and the number who attended him was about twenty ; but this continued only a few months, for he died about six years since, and I found the same impracticable ever since. For a time I paid a Roman Catholic master for teaching the Church of his persuasion those fundamental principles of religion in which Christians of all sects are agreed, but he did not receive the encouragement he expected from his people, and therefore left them."
Besides the instruction given in the parochial schools, which was evidently intended for all classes —

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 75

Banagher's Royal School founded by Charles I

Banagher · town · Offaly · 1630–1733

A free school had been established at Banagher by King Charles the First with an endowment of 285 acres, though by the time of the report the schoolmaster, James Cunningham, was serving as an army chaplain at Gibraltar and employed a local substitute.

Read the passage

where thirty boys and girls are taught to read and write, and four of the boys are clothed by Dr. St. George. There is likewise a spinning school of twenty girls, encouraged by the Commissioners of the Linen Manufactory. Henry St. George Esqr., has given a house for the schoolmaster." At Banagher the Royal School was already in existence, and the work of teaching carried on, though the master was nonresident. The following is the account of it : " There was a free school appointed to be kept in the town of Banagher by King Charles the First, and an endowment of 285 acres of land granted by him for the school. The schoolmaster is James Cunningham, who is at present at Gibraltar, a chaplain in the army. He employs the incumbent as a substitute, and allows him £20 per annum annually." In the smaller parishes the only provision for education seems to have been the catechising of the children at certain seasons of the year. A few entries will give some idea of the amount of instruction that was given. In Moynalty, the incumbent catechized the children every Sunday in the afternoon for five months in the year. In Stackallen, the children were catechized every Sunday during Lent ; and in Kilberry, on every holy day during the summer season. Very much the same information is given about other parishes, though in many cases no mention is made of the subject. All this does not tell us much about the state of education. It shows, however, that the duty was not altogether neglected, and we may fairly conclude that in most parishes, if not in all, there was some provision made for catechizing the children.
An attempt had evidently been made, and with some success, to form unions, so that small adjoining parishes might be worked by the one incumbent.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 21

Bishop Evans bequeaths episcopal house at Ardbraccan

Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1715–1724

Bishop John Evans, translated from Bangor and disapproved of by Archbishop King, proved a munificent benefactor of Meath diocese, leaving part of his estate for building an episcopal house at Ardbraccan and part for purchasing glebes and impropriate tithes for the diocese.

Read the passage

The next bishop in order was John Evans, who was translated from the See of Bangor. Archbishop King did not approve of this appointment, for in reference to it he says : " What signifies the interest of a diocese to the advantage of a friend that is to be preferred ? " He had the reputation of being a political partizan. He, however, proved in the end a munificent benefactor of the Diocese of Meath. By his will he left part of his estate " for building, if not built by himself, according to his intention, an episcopal house at Ardbraccan ; " and part " for purchasing glebes and impropfiiate tithes for the benefit and endowment of the several churches in the Diocese of Meath, in the sole donation of the bishops of that See." 9 This latter portion of the bequest, having been secured to the diocese at the time of disestablishment as a " private endowment," has enabled a sum of £2,304 ys. 5d. to be spent on the repurchase of glebes, and now provides, besides, a yearly income of £536 8s. nd., part of which is appropriated to certain parishes, and part is at the disposal of the bishop.
Bishop Evans died in 1724, and was succeeded by Henry Dowries, who was translated from Elphin. He, however, did not remain long in Meath, for he

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 20

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here in Ardbraccan, Bishop John Evans left provision for an episcopal house. Evans came to Meath from Bangor, and Archbishop King did not approve of the appointment, remarking, "What signifies the interest of a diocese to the advantage of a friend that is to be preferred?" Evans had a reputation as a political partisan, but he proved a munificent benefactor of the diocese. By his will he left part of his estate for building an episcopal house at Ardbraccan, and part for purchasing glebes and impropriate tithes for the benefit of churches in Meath. That latter bequest, secured to the diocese at disestablishment as a private endowment, enabled £2,304 to be spent on repurchasing glebes and still provides a yearly income of £536. Evans died in 1724.

Bishops of Meath stripped of ancient precedence in 1885

Meath · county · Meath · 1885

While the diocese was vacant, the Bench of Bishops determined that the Bishop of Meath would lose the ancient precedence and title 'Most Reverend' that had ranked him next to the archbishops, aligning Meath's precedence with other bishops by date of consecration.

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While the diocese was still vacant, the Bench of Bishops met, and by a unanimous vote determined that Meath should be deprived of the precedence which had been accorded to her in former times. The Bishop of Meath always ranked next to the archbishops, and was styled " Most Reverend," whereas the other bishops were styled " Right Reverend." This distinction was observed in the Irish Church Act of 1869, but in 1885 a new rule of precedence was issued from Dublin Castle which directed that in future " all Archbishops of the Protestant Episcopalian Church in Ireland, and all Roman Catholic Archbishops in Ireland," were to take rank according to the dates
232 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 122

As the companion tells it

As you travel through Meath, this is the county whose bishop once held a singular rank. For centuries the Bishop of Meath stood next after the archbishops and bore the title Most Reverend, while other bishops were only Right Reverend. The distinction was still recognised in the Irish Church Act of 1869. But while the diocese sat vacant, the Bench of Bishops met and unanimously voted to strip Meath of that old precedence. In 1885 a new rule issued from Dublin Castle directed that all archbishops in Ireland take rank according to their dates of consecration, and Meath's bishop fell into line with the rest.

Cusack bequest funds apprenticeships in Athboy

Athboy · town · Meath

A Mr. Cusack bequeathed £10 per annum for apprenticing two boys yearly in Athboy, paid regularly by the governors of Stephen's Hospital, Dublin, to which Cusack had left a handsome estate near the town.

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The following account of the charities of Athboy is worth reproducing : — " I know of no charitable foundation except a bequest of £10 per annum by a Mr. Cusack, for apprenticing children, viz., two boys yearly. This money is regularly paid by the governors of Stephen's Hospital, Dublin. To that hospital Mr. Cusack left a handsome estate near the town of Athboy several years ago. One of the Bligh family bequeathed £1,500, the interest of which was to be distributed amongst the poor of the parish. The poor received this interest for some time, but as the money was not willed to trustees, the agent, one of the Tandys, kept

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 77

Dublin parishioners honour Bishop Dopping with plate

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1679–1697

When Anthony Dopping was first raised to the episcopate, his former parishioners in Dublin presented him with a piece of plate as a token of their esteem. Such a presentation was unusual at the time and signified genuine affection for him.

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From this we may gather that Dopping was of a particularly amiable disposition, slow to censure — perhaps too slow — and ready to let things pass rather than speak an angry word. With such a disposition, we are not surprised to learn that when he was first raised to the episcopate his old parishioners in Dublin presented him with a piece of plate as a token of their esteem. Such a presentation meant more then than it would now, for the act was not then as usual as it has since become. King seems to suggest that he lacked force of character. The recorded incidents of his life do not give us such an idea of him. On the contrary, he appears as a courageous man, who stood his ground and did not desert his post during all the troubles of the Revolution. Judging by the records he has left, we would say that he was energetic in the administration of his diocese. Very possibly his case was of that kind which so often happens in this world : in the weakness of his declining years the strength of his years of vigour was forgotten. It was rather unfair for a comparatively young man like King to compare himself with one whose life was drawing to a close, and the infirmities of whose age were to a great extent caused by the sufferings that he had endured in defence of the Church.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 16

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, this is the city where Anthony Dopping once served as a parish priest before being raised to the episcopate. When that promotion came, his old parishioners here presented him with a piece of plate as a token of their esteem. Such a gift meant more then than it would now, for the act was not then as usual as it has since become, and it speaks to a genuine affection for the man. He was, by all accounts, of a particularly amiable disposition, slow to censure, perhaps too slow, ready to let things pass rather than speak an angry word. A man called King suggested he lacked force of character, but the recorded incidents of his life do not give that impression. He stood his ground and did not desert his post during all the troubles of the Revolution. He was energetic in the administration of his diocese, and the infirmities of his later years were to a great extent caused by the sufferings he had endured in defence of the Church. It was rather unfair, the author notes, for a comparatively young man like King to compare himself with one whose life was drawing to a close.

Flight of parson and people from Athboy

Athboy · town · Meath · 1798

In Athboy and several other places, both parson and people found it necessary to leave their homes and seek safety until better times during the rebellion.

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and the interior of the church destroyed. In the neighbouring parish of Knockmark, the rebels broke into the clergyman's house, and burned the parish registers, together with the Bible and Prayer Book, and caused the parish clerk to fly for his life. In Dunboyne the parson's house was ruined, "' by the vengeance of the rebels on it," and the parish clerk was " cruelly murdered." The glebe-house of Agher was attacked on two separate occasions. In Galtrim, the parish clerk had to leave, for, " being a loyal Protestant, his life was in danger." In Kilmore and Kilbrew, the curates had to fly in order to save their lives. In Athboy and several other places, both parson and people found it necessary to leave their homes, and seek safety until the coming of better times.2
In Westmeath, things were very much the same. Threatening letters were sent ; clergy were attacked ; Protestant families had to seek safety in flight. The chaplain of Wilson's Hospital, Mr. Radcliff, was actually wounded, and was only saved from the fury of the rebels by the intercession of the parish priest.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 57

Henry Goldsmith, brother of the poet, curate at Kilkenny West

Kilkenny West · townland · Westmeath · 1768

The 1768 visitation return for the Diocese of Meath lists Henry Goldsmith, brother of the poet Oliver Goldsmith, as Curate of Kilkenny West.

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was translated from Dromore in 1766, and continued to be Bishop of Meath until his death, which occurred in 1798. Of this long episcopate we have comparatively little record. The visitations were held regularly every year, but the returns contain merely a list of the clergy, without any particulars. An exception can perhaps be made for the return of 1768, which gives us a little more information. From it we learn that non-residence, which has so often been noticed as one of the evils of the Church, had again become exceedingly prevalent, and that no less than forty-nine parishes in the diocese were without a resident clergyman. There were seventy-one churches in repair. Among the clergy appears the name of Henry Goldsmith as Curate of Kilkenny West. He was the brother of the poet. It was by Bishop Maxwell that the house at Ardbraccan was completed. Doctor Beaufort, in his Memoir of a Map of Ireland, says of it that it is " near the town of Navan, erected by the present bishop, in a style of superior elegance, and yet with such simplicity as does equal honour to his lordship's taste and liberality."
The arrangements for the housing of the clergy were not as satisfactory as that of the bishop, for according to this same work of Doctor Beaufort, there were only twenty-nine glebe houses in the whole diocese. Beaufort's own parish, Navan, was one of those without a residence for the clergyman, and he has to be counted also among the pluralists and non-residents, as he was Incumbent of Collon, in the Diocese of Armagh, where he usually had his abode.

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 53

John Lever, Rector of Tullamore, brother of novelist Charles Lever

Tullamore · town · Offaly

John Lever, Rector of Tullamore, was remembered as a lively and thoughtful evangelical preacher, brother to the novelist Charles Lever, sharing much of his fraternal genius in manner and speech.

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Among those whom we all had to grieve for, was the late John Lever, Rector of Tullamore. He was brother to Charles Lever — the Lorrequer of light literature — and had much of the fraternal genius ; short in stature, and ruddy in complexion like King David ; he had quick sparkling eyes, and a protruding forehead actually knobbed with bumps of intellectuality. Like his brother, whom I also knew well, he was animated in manner and rapid in speech ; he was as a
184 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 95

History of the Diocese of Meath (vol. 2)

The stories, best first

Swift describes attending Bishop on his first journey to Trim

Archdeacon Stopford meets Maria Edgeworth at Ardbraccan

Bishop Charles Dickenson dies at Ardbraccan palace

Bishop Plunkett denounces the 1798 rebellion at Drogheda

Earl of Cavan's dispute over Kilbeggan parish presentation

Fashionable Congregation Indifferent at Tyrrelspass

Kells plundered and burnt

Kells Temperance Meeting of 1788

Kilmore plate transferred to Wilson's Hospital

Moyglare incumbent's failed efforts to maintain a Protestant school

Mullingar's sovereign invites Wesley to preach, 1750

Swift's Non-Residence at Laracor Parish

Thomas Wallis, Vicar of Athboy, acts as Swift's proxy

Well-Behaved Gentry Congregation at Clara

Tisaran alms dishes commemorate a near-drowning

Athboy alms houses misused as a shop

Bishop O'Beirne's 1807 survey of non-residence across Meath benefices

Bishop Plunkett reprobates rebellion at Ratoath

Bishop Plunkett's address at Duleek on causes of rebellion

Bishop Singer Leads Prayer Revival at Ardbraccan Palace

Fore Abbey and its romantic story

Gaulstown church built by Robert Rochfort in Castlelost parish

Lord Plunket elected Bishop of Meath

Methodism swells church attendance in Oldcastle

Michael Tisdall of Charlesfort Leads Temperance Effort

Navan endowed school run by deputy, later called an abused trust

Protestant Orphan Society founded, with a local precursor at Athboy

Ratoath plate and the century-long Bolton incumbency

Restoration of Bishop Montgomery's tomb at Ardbraccan churchyard

Stafford Lightburne ordained curate of Laracor

Tithe collection disturbances especially severe in Westmeath

Vicar of Athboy excuses non-residence during rebellion

Ardnurcher plate stolen by burglars

Bishop Ralph Lambert's fatal accident stepping from his coach

Bishop Simon Rochfort moves the see from Clonard to Newtown

Seventy-two new glebe-houses built across Meath diocese

T. P. Cairnes's memorial dwellings for working classes in Drogheda

Trim plate given by Bishop Dopping

Missing church plate recorded at Ratoath, Clonmellon, Duleek and Slane

Slane attacked by Danes and later Franciscan/Capuchin abbeys

Archbishop King contrasts his reforms in Derry with Meath

Archdeacon Stopford establishes a National School in Kells

Bishop William Silk buried at Killeen, tomb still visible

Church of Kells and its ancient steeple

Killucan's ruined chapels and depleted Protestant population

Laracor chalice gifted during Dean Swift's incumbency

Navan's abbey and 1641 troubles

O'Beirne appointed Rector of Templemichael, Co. Longford

Reichel elected Bishop of Meath after contested synod votes

Vicar of Oldcastle relies on schoolmaster for catechism instruction

Well-Preserved Stocks Acquired at Dunshaughlin

Balroddan incumbent offers generous salary for schoolmaster

Banagher's Royal School founded by Charles I

Bishop Evans bequeaths episcopal house at Ardbraccan

Bishops of Meath stripped of ancient precedence in 1885

Cusack bequest funds apprenticeships in Athboy

Dublin parishioners honour Bishop Dopping with plate

Flight of parson and people from Athboy

Henry Goldsmith, brother of the poet, curate at Kilkenny West

John Lever, Rector of Tullamore, brother of novelist Charles Lever