History of the Diocese of Meath (vol. 2)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Kilbeggan plate from the Newcomen and Lambart families

   Kilbeggan · town · Westmeath · 1717–1768

   The handsome heavy silver plate of Kilbeggan church includes a 1717 paten gift from Brabazon Newcomen, enlarged in 1750, plus later gifts of chalice, flagon, and alms dish from the Newcomen and Lambart families through the 1760s.

   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

2. Large communicant numbers at Delvin and Drumcree churches

   Drumcree · townland · Westmeath · 1751

   Moore Booker reported that his congregation and number of communicants had increased greatly due to Methodist influence, with over fifty communicants at Delvin Church on Christmas Day and seventy at Drumcree the day before he wrote, including six Roman Catholics.

   Read the passage

   Then comes his letter to the bishop. In it he asks for advice in relation to his behaviour to the people called Methodists, who were increasing in and about his parish. He says that he had given them no countenance until he had enquired into their tenets, their lives, and their conversation, and that he had found them very strongly attached to the doctrines of the Established Church ; that they professed no singularities, except in a zeal for faith, purity, and devotion, that rises to enthusiasm, and all this accompanied with a scrupulous exactness in their moral conduct. He then speaks of the increase in his congregations, and especially in the number of communicants, and tells how the Methodists were asking for more frequent Communions, which he was giving them, both at his own church and at the church of Drumcree. Incidentally he mentions that the number of communicants on Christmas Day in Delvin Church was above fifty, and that on the day before he wrote his letter to the bishop, he had seventy communicants at Drumcree. Among these seventy, he says, there were six Papists, and he tells us how, " it was not a little affecting to see the poor creatures open their mouths for the bread to be put into them, as they had been used." In conclusion, he expresses the opinion that the clergy should treat the Methodists with all gentleness and indulgence. "If we can but reclaim them," he says, " from their enthusiasm, and prevail on the more rational members of the society — for such they have among them — to lead them into a more intelligible manner of expressing themselves

   88 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF Ml- A TH

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 42

3. Loughcrew glebe reduced to a wretched cabin

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1799

   The incumbent of Loughcrew, who also held a benefice in Armagh diocese, described the glebe land exchanged from Mr. Naper's (Button's) avenue for twenty acres, with only a wretched thatched cabin unfit for residence remaining on the site.

   Read the passage

   it undisturbed from the beginning. There is no house on the present glebe, except a very wretched thatched cabin, unfit and incapable of being made fit for the residence of a family. I am informed it had been inhabited by the incumbent formerly. I do not reside in that cabin, nor have I been able to procure any residence in that union since I became possessed of it, which is little more than a year, though I have used my best endeavours for that purpose."

   The glebe-house of Killucan was transformed into a barrack, and a Hessian regiment was quartered there. The rector resided in Tuam, in a parish which he had in that diocese. He kept as curate a Mr. O'Burne, who lived in Kinnegad, " availing myself of the protection of the military quartered there." The literary attainments of this clergyman must have been very small, for the bishop's note book has the reminder : "To speak to him privately about the ortography of his answers." It will be- noted that the bishop himself spells the word " ortography " in a way which, though at one time counted correct, was already obsolete in his days.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala

4. Mullingar parish income collapse and absentee vicar

   Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1693

   The parish of Mullingar had formerly been worth twenty-five pounds a year but by 1693 yielded only seven, with the vicar residing at Galtrim and providing service only once a fortnight.

   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

5. Mullingar's monasteries and town burning

   Mullingar · town · Westmeath

   Mullingar hosted an Augustinian monastery, a Trinitarian priory, and a Dominican monastery; the town was later burned, and Capuchins were noted there along with Wesley's visit.

   Read the passage

   Mullingar, Augustinian monastery, i., 95 ; Trinitarian priory, i., 104; Dominican monastery, i., in; income of parish, i., 122 ; rectory, i., 217 ; abbey near, i., 238 ; rural deanery, i., 243 ; incumbent, i., 248 ; Capuchins at, i., 259 ; vicar robbed, i., 275 ; town burned, i., 289 ; state of parish, ii., 13 ; church, ii., 37, 154, 163 ; services, ii., 41 ; Wesley at, ii., 81, 83 ; glebe, ii., 153 ; confirmation at, ii., 163 ; Presbyterian and Methodist Chapels, ii., 174 ; synod, ii., 203, 209 ; plate, ii., 266 ; clergy, ii., 321.

   Mulloy, Coote Charles, ii., 184.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 152

6. O'Beirne's last confirmation tour reaches Mullingar

   Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1821

   In 1821 Bishop O'Beirne, on his last confirmation tour, arrived in Mullingar intending to consecrate the church, but circumstances prevented this so he licensed the church instead and preached on Confirmation.

   Read the passage

   The Lord Bishop of Meath, attended by the Rev. Mr. Pakenham as chaplain, arrived in Mullingar on Saturday last in order to consecrate the church ; but unhappily some circumstance occurred which prevented its accomplishment. However, his Lordship, anxious for the accommodation of the parishioners, has licensed the church, until an opportunity shall occur, when he will perform the ceremony as he had originally intended. He preached on Sunday on the subject of Confirmation. To show the hallowed respect which every member of the Protestant Church should feel for her ordinances, the Bishop of Meath has ventured, almost at the risk of his life, to journey from one end of the diocese to the other, to perform the ceremony of Confirmation.

   Bishop O'Beirne died at Ardbraccan on the I7th of February, 1823. A tablet erected to his memory in the Parish Church very fittingly recounts the progress of the diocese during his episcopate as the most appropriate record of his life. It reads as follows : —

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 85

7. O'Beirne's Trafalgar Thanksgiving sermon preached at Kells

   Kells · town · Meath · 1805–1906

   Bishop O'Beirne preached a sermon in Kells Church on the Thanksgiving Day for the Battle of Trafalgar, warning against irreligion and superstition; a century later it was repeated in the same church before a large congregation.

   Read the passage

   The sermon to which reference is made was preached in Kells Church on the Thanksgiving Day for the battle

   10 Cogan.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 63

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Kells in Meath, this is where Bishop O'Beirne preached a sermon in the church on Thanksgiving Day for the Battle of Trafalgar, warning against irreligion and superstition. A century later, in 1906, the same sermon was repeated in that church before a large congregation.

8. Plunket's letter praising Ardbraccan palace

   Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1876

   While considering the bishopric, Lord Plunket wrote to his mother describing the palace at Ardbraccan as a fine and comfortable house only two hours by rail from Dublin, and noted the diocese's convenient, compact character.

   Read the passage

   The Meath Diocese is the only one (with the exception of the Archbishopric of Dublin) which I could well undertake to think of just now. The Diocese of Meath, strangely enough, has its centre (so far as practical convenience is concerned) outside of it. Its synods and councils and boards of nomination are all held in Dublin, and it would therefore be quite possible, and indeed most convenient (were I appointed), that I should reside a great part of the year in Dublin. Then again the palace at Ardbraccan (a very fine and comfortable house) is only two hours rail from Dublin. The diocese is in good working order, and is compact, so that the labour of superintendence would not be excessive, and the clergy and laity, so far as I can learn, are as a whole not of a troublesome or fratricidal disposition ! Altogether, if I am to allow myself to be nominated for a bishopric at all, I don't know any diocese for which I should more wish to be elected. *

   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 :

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 117

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here is the palace at Ardbraccan, the house Lord Plunket described to his mother in 1876 when he was weighing up the bishopric of Meath. He called it "a very fine and comfortable house" and pointed out it was only two hours by rail from Dublin. He liked that the diocese was compact and in good working order, so the labour of superintendence would not be excessive, and he found the clergy and laity not of a troublesome or fratricidal disposition. He told his mother he didn't know any diocese for which he should more wish to be elected. His surmises were realised. He was elected to the bishopric and consecrated at Armagh on Sunday the tenth of December 1876, and that same afternoon he wrote to his mother again.

9. Purchase and later sale of Ardbraccan palace and demesne

   Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1876–1884

   The palace and demesne at Ardbraccan were purchased for the diocese for £10,325 as the bishop's residence. When Plunket was translated to Dublin, the house was deemed unsuitable for the reduced income of the See and was sold at a loss; the glebe-house of Ardbraccan was then bought and renamed Bishopscourt as the new episcopal residence.

   Read the passage

   At the same time the palace and demesne at Ardbraccan were purchased for £10,325 . It was intended to make an effort towards raising this sum as soon as the endowment of the bishopric was completed. In the meantime the bishop was charged four and a quarter per cent, on this purchase money as rent. Bishop Plunket took up his residence at the palace, but when he was translated to Dublin, it was felt that the house was unsuitable to the reduced income of the See, and eventually it was sold at a price less by £1,825 tnan that at which it had been purchased. The glebe-house of Ardbraccan was then bought from the parish, and at present, under the name of Bishopscourt, forms the episcopal residence.

   With so many calls on the liberality of the churchmen

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 119

   As the companion tells it

   Close to Ardbraccan, the palace and its demesne were bought for the diocese in 1876 for £10,325, intended as the bishop's residence. Bishop Plunket moved in, but when he was translated to Dublin, the house was judged unsuitable for the See's reduced income. It was sold at a loss of £1,825. The glebe-house of Ardbraccan was then purchased from the parish and renamed Bishopscourt, which became the new episcopal residence.

10. Rebel skirmishes across Meath and Westmeath

    Moynalty · townland · Meath · 1798

    Beyond the battle of Tara, engagements occurred at Wilkinstown, Moynalty, Kilbeggan, Bunbrusna, and Wilson's Hospital during the 1798 Rebellion.

    Read the passage

    Several skirmishes took place in different parts of the diocese. In addition to the battle of Tara, there were engagements at Wilkinstown, Moynalty, Kilbeggan, Bunbrusna, and Wilson's Hospital. When the rebels had been defeated in Wexford, some of them, under the leadership of a Roman Catholic priest named Kearns, made their way into Meath. They were dispersed by the troops which encountered them at Clonard, and they then spread themselves over the country, when they were hunted down by twos and threes. Their reverend leader was taken among the rest, and was executed by martial law at Edenderry.

    After the rebellion was actually crushed, there

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 57

11. Rector of Ratoath concealed his residence in England

    Ratoath · town · Meath · 1799

    The bishop noted that the Rector of Ratoath falsely claimed to perform occasional duty while concealing that he was in fact residing in England.

    Read the passage

    In some cases, the clergy tried to hide from the bishop the fact that they were non-resident. Of the Rector of Rat oath he writes : " His manner of answering my query respecting his terrier deserves animadversion, as does indeed the whole style of his answers, and particularly his asserting that he performs occasional duty, and concealing from me that he was residing in England." And concerning Ballyboy, he writes : " What does Mr. Kimmis mean by saying that he generally resides in his glebe house ? He must have a resident curate for each church, unless he chooses to do the duty of one of them constantly in a constant residence, and not occasionally, as he now appears to do."

    These are just a few typical examples of the difficulties with which the bishop had to deal in this matter of non-residence. The abuse was of long

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 71

12. Swift's Improvements to Laracor Benefice

    Laracor · townland · Meath · 1700–1745

    Swift made considerable improvements to the dwelling house at Laracor and purchased additional lands, all bequeathed free of charge to his successors. He also acquired the tithes of Effernock, near Trim, adding them to the benefice's income.

    Read the passage

    The parish of Laracor benefited considerably from the dean's liberality. He made considerable improvements in the dwelling house, and by purchase he added greatly to the lands, all of which he left to his successors free of any charge. He also acquired the tithes of what he calls the " parish " of Effernock, a district in the neighbourhood of Trim, and bequeathed it as an addition to the income of the benefice. At the time of disestablishment, unfortunately, no claim was made for these tithes as a " private endowment," for if this had been done there is little doubt but that the

    GLIMPSES OF CHURCH LIFE 51

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala

13. Synod of Kells consolidates the Diocese of Meath

    Kells · town · Meath · 1152

    At the Synod of Kells in 1152, the various small dioceses in the district were consolidated and formed into one whole Diocese of Meath, marking the starting point for tracing the succession of bishops.

    Read the passage

    AT the Synod of Kells, as we have already seen, the various small dioceses in the district were consolidated, and formed into one whole Diocese of Meath. This may, therefore, be taken as the proper time from which to trace the succession of bishops.

    1152. Eleutherius O'Meehan held the See of Clonard at the time of the Synod of Kells. He died in 1174.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kells, this is where the Synod of Kells met in 1152. The various small dioceses in the district were consolidated and formed into one whole Diocese of Meath. Eleutherius O'Meehan held the See of Clonard at the time of the Synod, and he died in 1174.

14. Trim's endowment from a Cromwellian debenturer

    Trim · town · Meath · 1700–1710

    Trim became the best endowed parish in the Diocese of Meath through lands of Dunleivers, containing 222 acres 36 perches, bequeathed to Doctor John Crookshanke, Vicar of Trim, by an unknown Cromwellian debenturer.

    Read the passage

    The names of these benefactors who came to the help of the Church, and assisted in repairing her breaches, have been for the most part lost in oblivion. At the present time Trim is the best endowed parish in the Diocese of Meath. The endowment dates from about this period, when the lands of Dunleivers, containing 222 acres 36 perches, were bequeathed to Doctor John Crookshanke, Vicar of Trim, with succession to the vicars of Trim for ever, by a Cromwellian " debenturer," whose name remains unknown, though the fruit of his deeds is still being reaped. 4 An equivalent for this property was claimed at the time of disestablishment as a private endowment, and has been secured to the parish.

    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

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, in Meath, you are in what became the best endowed parish in the Diocese of Meath. The endowment took hold around the start of the 1700s, when lands called Dunleivers, 222 acres and 36 perches, were bequeathed to Doctor John Crookshanke, Vicar of Trim. The donor was a Cromwellian debenturer, and his name has never been found, though the passage in the records calls the fruit of his deeds still being reaped. The gift carried succession to the vicars of Trim for ever, and an equivalent for the property was later claimed at disestablishment as a private endowment and secured to the parish.

15. Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels across Meath diocese towns

    Oldcastle · town · Meath · 1834

    By the 1830s Wesleyan chapels existed in Kingscourt, Clara, Banagher, Mullingar, Athlone, Tullamore, Tyrrelspass, and Kilkenny West, while Primitive Methodists had chapels at Oldcastle, Athlone, Tullamore, and Clara, with Baptists at Clara, Banagher, Athlone, and Rahue.

    Read the passage

    The total population of the Diocese of Meath in 1834 was 104,059. Of these, 25,626 were church people, 77,562 were Roman Catholics, 672 were Presbyterians, and other dissenting bodies numbered 199. The Presbyterians had churches in Enniskeen, Laracor, and Mullingar. There were Quaker meeting houses in Moate and Tullamore. The other Dissenters nearly all attended church service, and most of them, especially the Methodists — both Primitive and Wesleyan — called themselves church people. The Primitive Methodist meeting-house in the parish of Clara was made use of by the incumbent at Christmas and Easter for the administration of the Holy Communion to remote parishioners. There were Wesleyan chapels in Kingscourt, Clara, Banagher, Mullingar, Athlone, Tullamore, Tyrrelspass, and Kilkenny West. The Primitive Methodists had chapels at Oldcastle, Athlone, Tullamore, and Clara. The Baptists had chapels at Clara, Banagher, Athlone, and Rahue (in the parish of Ardnurcher) .

    Among the Acts of Parliament which were passed affecting the church, the most important was the Church Temporalities Act, which became law in 1833.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 91

16. Ardbraccan as episcopal residence of Meath bishops

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1744–1782

    Ardbraccan was for many centuries the residence of the Bishops of Meath, and its handsome communion vessels were accordingly gifts of successive bishops, including Bishop Maule in 1744 and Bishop Henry Maxwell in 1782.

    Read the passage

    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.

    Agher has a chalice presented by Hercules Langford

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 139

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Ardbraccan, this was the residence of the Bishops of Meath for many centuries. The communion vessels here were episcopal gifts. Bishop Maule presented a chalice and paten in 1744. Then in 1782, Bishop Henry Maxwell gave a flagon, chalice, paten, and alms dish.

17. Bishop Fitzgerald's consecration at Clonfert criticised

    Clonfert (Butson) · townland · Galway · 1690–1697

    When Bishop Fitzgerald was consecrated to the see of Clonfert, Archbishop Marsh of Cashel recorded in his diary that he wanted no part in bringing an unworthy man to the Church. Fitzgerald was later considered as a potential candidate for Meath, a prospect many feared would prove disastrous.

    Read the passage

    UPON the death of Bishop Dopping, there was considerable anxiety in the minds of those who had the welfare of the Church at heart as to the appointment of his successor. Those were days in which political motives counted for much, and when the men who had strong interest at court could generally obtain any position that they desired ; but the suitability of the candidate was often one of the last things that was considered. The name of Bishop Fitzgerald of Clonfert was very freely mentioned, and many were of opinion that if he were translated to Meath it would prove disastrous to the diocese. We have few particulars about him, but we know that he was not highly thought of by his contemporaries. When he was consecrated to Clonfert, Archbishop Marsh of Cashel wrote in his diary, " In which consecration I have had no hand ; the Lord's Name be praised for it ! nor may I ever be concerned in bringing unworthy men to the Church."1 He was, besides, an old man, and had not the energy for managing a diocese like Meath at such a time, even if he had been otherwise suitable.

    Bishop King of Derry, who was in many ways the leading churchman of the time, was very much exercised about the appointment, and spoke of Bishop Fitzgerald as " the weakest of the order, and having no qualification to recommend him." He also

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 17

18. Kilmainhamwood parish found forgotten and derelict

    Kilmainhamwood · townland · Meath · 1732–1800

    The parish of Kilmainham Wood had apparently been forgotten for generations, appearing in no earlier records; it remained without proper provision for clergy because its Roman Catholic impropriator, Lord Beaulie, took the tithes but paid for no vicar, a situation still unresolved as late as 1800.

    Read the passage

    There are a few items of incidental information scattered here and there through the Report which are some of them interesting. Speaking of Kilmainham Wood, we are told : " The parish has been but of late upon the books, nor have I been able to find any mention of it in any books or rolls which have come to my hands." It seems extraordinary that a parish should have become, as this seems to imply, in a sense derelict. No mention of the parish is made by Ussher, so that we may conclude that in his day it had been already forgotten ; and the neglect continued until comparatively recent times. In 1790 the bishop consulted his chancellor as to how he should deal with the case. The impropriator, Lord Beaulie, was a

    46 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 21

19. Lightbourne family connection to Trim parish

    Trim · town · Meath

    The Lightbourne family, long connected with the Parish of Trim, donated a chalice and paten to St. Patrick's Church, and one family member served as curate to Dean Swift at Laracor.

    Read the passage

    quoted. There is a second chalice, " The Gift of Mrs Mary Lightbourne and Mrs. Jane Lloyd to St. Patrick's Church of Trymm ; " and a second paten, " The Gift of Mrs. Mary Lightbourne and Mrs. Jane Lightbourne to St. Patrick's Church of Trymm." The Lightbournes were long connected with the Parish of Trim, and one of the family became curate to Dean Swift at Laracor. The rest of the Trim plate was presented by Dean Butler. It consists of a flagon and two alms dishes. The flagon was presented in 1855, ^d commemorates that Dean Butler had then been Vicar of Trim for thirty-five years ; the alms dishes were presented, one at Whitsuntide, 1855, and the other at Easter, 1859.

    The Parish of Raddonstown has a chalice and paten, presented to the church in 1697, by Mr. William Connalle. The silver chalice and paten belonging to Moyglare, in the same union, is modern.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 137

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Trim in Meath. The Lightbourne family was long tied to this parish, and two of them, Mary Lightbourne and Jane Lloyd, gave a chalice and a paten to St. Patrick's Church here. The inscriptions record them as gifts to St. Patrick's Church of Trymm. Another Lightbourne went on to serve as curate to Dean Swift at Laracor. The rest of the church plate came later from Dean Butler, a flagon in 1855 and two alms dishes in 1855 and 1859, but the Lightbourne gifts are the older pieces with a family story behind them.

20. Mervyn Archdall's tombstone preserved at Slane

    Slane · townland · Meath · 1786–1908

    Mervyn Archdall, antiquary and author of the Monasticon Hibernicum, entered the Diocese of Meath as Incumbent of Slane in 1786 and spent many years there until his death; his tombstone at Slane was still preserved at the time of writing.

    Read the passage

    He was not only a traveller but an antiquary, and was of great assistance to Mervyn Archdall in the preparation of his Monasticon, supplying him with some of his materials, and making suggestions as to the form the work should take. Archdall had been domestic chaplain to the Bishop while in the See of Ossory, and it is a curious coincidence that while the present Bishop of Down, Doctor Crozier, was Bishop of Ossory, he had for domestic chaplain a member of the same family, and a namesake of the famous author, the Reverend Mervyn Archdall Clare. In 1786 Mervyn Archdall entered the Diocese of Meath as Incumbent of Slane, and in that parish spent many years, until his death. His tombstone at Slane is still preserved.

    The following curious description of Bishop Pococke is given by a Mr. Cunningham, and is quoted in M ant's History of the Church of Ireland. It not only tells us something about the bishop, but also of the methods of travelling, and of the state affected by bishops, in those days.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Slane, Mervyn Archdall's tombstone is still preserved. He was an antiquary and the author of the Monasticon Hibernicum, and he came here in 1786 as Incumbent of Slane. He had previously served as domestic chaplain to the Bishop in the See of Ossory. He spent many years in this parish until his death, and his tombstone remains at Slane.

21. Parish clerk flees Galtrim

    Galtrim · townland · Meath · 1798

    In Galtrim, the parish clerk had to leave because, being a loyal Protestant, his life was in danger during the rebellion.

    Read the passage

    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

22. Reichel's career path through Mullingar and Trim

    Trim · town · Meath · 1864–1883

    Bishop Reichel entered the Diocese of Meath in 1864 as Vicar of Mullingar, moved to the Incumbency of Trim in 1875 becoming Archdeacon of Meath, and later became Dean of Clonmacnoise in 1882 before his election as bishop.

    Read the passage

    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.

    The memory of Bishop Reichel is still so fresh in the

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 122

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Trim, this is where Bishop Reichel's path through the Diocese of Meath brought him in 1875. He had entered the diocese eleven years earlier as Vicar of Mullingar, and when he moved to the Incumbency of Trim he also became Archdeacon of Meath. 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. Before coming to Meath he had served a curacy at Saint Mary's Church in Dublin and then spent fourteen years as Professor of Latin at Queen's College Belfast from 1850. While incumbent here in Trim he took on a second role in 1878 as Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Trinity College, holding both posts together. In 1882 he became Dean of Clonmacnoise, and he was also the first representative canon for Meath at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. By the time he was called to be bishop, he had been associated with the diocese for more than twenty years.

23. Bishop Hugh de Taghmon buried at Mullingar

    Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1281

    Hugh de Taghmon, made Lord High Treasurer of Ireland by King Henry III, died in 1281 and was buried at Mullingar.

    Read the passage

    1250. Geoffrey Cusack is not generally counted among the Bishops of Meath, as there was a long continued contest about the election. It seems clear, however, that he was actually consecrated, and held the See for some time. 5*V{ 1255. Hugh de Taghmon, " a pious man of a venerable life," was the rival of Geoffrey Cusack. As late as r255 he is spoken of as " bishop elect," and sometime after this was consecrated. He was made Lord High Treasurer of Ireland by King Henry III. He died in i28r, and was buried at Mullingar.

    1287. Thomas St. Leger was elected in 1282, but was not consecrated until 1287, when he was raised to the episcopate at Kilkenny, John de Sandfort, Archbishop of Dublin, and Roger, Bishop of Ossory, being consecrated the same day. He died in 1320.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

24. Kells Church Re-opened with Choral Festival

    Kells · town · Meath · 1868

    After renovation, the church at Kells was re-opened on 5 August 1868 with the first festival held under the auspices of the newly formed Meath Church Choral Association.

    Read the passage

    The time was one of great anxiety and of no little foreboding. It was, however, a good omen that in the midst of all their troubles the churchmen of Meath, so far from being disheartened as to the future, were actually inaugurating a new organization, which was to have for its object the improvement of church music. It was in the week before the Church Bill was introduced that the first annual meeting was held of the Meath Church Choral Association. The first Choral Festival had been held in Athboy in December, 1867. After it, the Choral Association was formed, and the first festival under its auspices was held at Kells, when the church was re-opened after renovation, on the fifth of August, 1868. The following extract from the report will be read with interest :

    At the end of the first year since the Meath Church Choral

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 105

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kells, there is a church here that was re-opened on the 5th of August, 1868, after renovation, with a choral festival. It was the first festival held under the newly formed Meath Church Choral Association. That association had its roots in an earlier choral festival at Athboy in December 1867, after which the association was formed. The Kells festival came at a time described as one of great anxiety and foreboding, in the week before the Church Bill was introduced. Yet the churchmen of Meath were not disheartened. They were inaugurating a new organization aimed at improving church music, which they saw as a good omen amid their troubles.

25. Miss Bolton of Bective bequeaths funds for poor parishes

    Bective · townland · Meath

    Miss Bolton of Bective left money and property yielding a yearly income of over £200 for the benefit of poor parishes in the diocese, one of two large bequests made around this time.

    Read the passage

    About this time two large bequests were left to the diocese for the benefit of poor parishes. Mr. Morgan, of Navan, left a sum which yields about £350 per annum, and Miss Bolton, of Bective, left money and property which gives a yearly income of over £200. Mr. T. P. Cairnes, the financial secretary of the diocese, added to these bequests a sum of £2,829, yielding £101 per annum, and drew up a scheme by which, from these three funds, the income of every parish not exceeding £200 in value was increased by ten per cent.

    During the whole of Doctor Reichel's episcopacy he was more or less in feeble health. He had frequent attacks of gout, and every winter seemed to bring with it severe bronchitis or pneumonia. Towards the end, these attacks increased in intensity, and in 1894 he passed away in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His friend, Canon MacDonnell, of Peterborough, wrote of him :

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 124

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Miss Bolton of Bective left money and property that gives a yearly income of over £200 for the benefit of poor parishes in the diocese. It was one of two large bequests made around this time. Mr. Morgan of Navan left a sum yielding about £350 per annum, and Mr. T. P. Cairnes, the financial secretary of the diocese, added £2,829 yielding £101 per annum. Cairnes drew up a scheme by which the income of every parish not exceeding £200 in value was increased by ten per cent.

26. Moydrum domestic chapel built by Lord Castlemaine and consecrated

    Moydrum · townland · Westmeath · 1878

    A church was built at Moydrum at the sole expense of Lord Castlemaine as a domestic chapel, but it was widely attended by local church people as well as his household; it was consecrated in 1878.

    Read the passage

    The Council are happy to report that the work of church building and church restoration, to which they invited special attention last year, still progresses with unabated zeal. Three new churches are being built at the present time : one at Durrow, at the sole expense of the Honourable Otway Toler ; one at Moyliscar, at the sole expense of Mrs. Tottenham ; and one at Syddan, from a bequest left by the late Miss Ball. At Moydrum, a church has been built, at the sole expense of Lord Castlemaine, as a domestic chapel, but largely attended by the church people of the surrounding district, as well as by members of his lordship's household. Moydrum church was consecrated during the present year.

    The work thus begun has been steadily continued until the present time, and it may now be said that there is scarcely a church in the diocese which has not been renovated and beautified since disestablishment— a fact which may be taken as a gratifying indication that that event, from which so many disasters were anticipated, has not in any way robbed the Church of its life and viguor.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 120

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Moydrum, a church was built at the sole expense of Lord Castlemaine as a domestic chapel, though it was largely attended by church people of the surrounding district as well as by members of his household. It was consecrated in 1878. The report that records this notes that church building and restoration across the diocese had been progressing with unabated zeal, and that scarcely a church in the diocese had not been renovated and beautified since disestablishment.

27. Athlone parish church report shows prosperity amid tithe unrest

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1826

    The 1826 rural dean's return for the Parish of Athlone describes a well-organized parish with a new church under construction, growing congregation numbers, a well-run parochial school, and active pastoral administration, presented as typical of the diocese at the time.

    Read the passage

    New church building, not yet fit for divine service. For the Communion there is a cup and chalice,1 two plates, one patten, a knife and spoon, all silver. Two table cloths and two napkins, one Bible, and three Prayer Books (the Bible in good order, the Prayer Books in indifferent order) belong to the church. The churchyard is well enclosed. No dead body has been buried in church, or within twelve feet of walls, during last year. Divine service is regularly performed on the Lord's Day at noon and at seven o'clock in the afternoon, and on every festival and holiday throughout the year, and on every day in Passion Week. The minister and congregation are punctual to the appointed hour. The average number of congregation at present 300. The place used for divine service being too small to contain the entire number of Protestants in the parish, it is supposed when the church is finished the average number may amount to 600. The Sacrament is administered on the first Sunday of every month, and on Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, and Whitsunday. The number of communicants on Christmas Day last was 402 ; on Sundays from 40 to 60. The number of congregation increasing. The number of communicants doubled within the last four years. The congregation are generally furnished with Prayer Books. The number of families of the Established Church are increasing very much. The children are catechized every Sunday, from two to three o'clock, by the master, and on every Friday, by the incumbent, at the school. They are also catechized every Sunday at the Sunday School. The glebe-house and offices are in excellent repair. The present incumbent has just expended £600 in building a new range of offices. The glebehouse is furnished and occupied by incumbent. A terrier has been taken but not lodged. Cornelius Gallery has just been appointed parish clerk ; he is well qualified. He is schoolmaster also, is well qualified, discharges his duty regularly, and attends church and the Sacrament constantly. The number of children attending him from 100 to 120 in summer ; in winter, from 70 to 90, some of whom pay from one penny to two-pence per week. The late William Handcock, Esq., left £20 per annum for the endowment of a Protestant

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athlone, this was a parish that in 1826 its dean held up as a model for the diocese. A new church was going up, not yet fit for service, so worship carried on in a place too small for the crowd. The average Sunday congregation ran to 300, and the dean expected 600 once the church was finished. Communicants had doubled in four years: 402 took the sacrament on Christmas Day alone. The parish school was run by Cornelius Gallery, newly appointed parish clerk, who taught 100 to 120 children in summer and 70 to 90 in winter. Some families paid a penny or two a week. The glebe house was in excellent repair, the incumbent having just spent £600 on new offices. The late William Handcock had left £20 a year for the endowment of a Protestant school. This picture of order and growth was offered as typical of how things stood across the diocese at the time.

28. Attacks on the glebe-house of Agher

    Agher · townland · Meath · 1798

    The glebe-house of Agher was attacked on two separate occasions during the disturbances of the 1798 Rebellion.

    Read the passage

    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

29. Dopping proposes parish unions in east Meath in 1694

    Julianstown · town · Meath · 1694

    Bishop Dopping wrote to Lord Drogheda proposing that Julianstown be given to Thomas Langdale, that Ardcath and Timoole be joined to Duleek, and that Moorechurch and Clonalvey be joined to Stamullen, to create workable, better-maintained parishes in eastern County Meath.

    Read the passage

    that Julianstown should be given to Mr. Thomas Langdale, if he were appointed by the Lords Justices to Ballygarth, that Ardcath and Timoole should be joined to Duleek, " which will make a competent maintenance for a resident incumbent," and that Moorechurch and Clonalvey should be joined to Stamullen. There was a Mr. Brown at that time incumbent of Clonalvey, but the bishop thought that he might be dispossessed, as he was already a good deal of a pluralist. He says "Mr. Brown by this means will grow as fat in purse as he is in body, but he must part with some things that he has, that he may not grow too bulky, and if it were left to me, I could soon resolve what they should be." The bishop concludes his letter by saying : " My Lord, it is now in your power to provide for the clamorous necessity of that side of the country, and to prevent their complaints for the future ; and if something be not done at this time, the blame will lie at your lordship's door and not at mine."

    This request seemed reasonable enough ; it, however drew forth an extraordinary reply from Lord Drogheda :

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 6

30. Enniskeen church left bare and neglected

    Enniskeen · parish · Meath · 1732–1733

    Despite being an important parish with over a hundred families, Enniskeen's church was reported as spacious but entirely bare, its pulpit removed, no reading desk, only one seat, and a dirty earthen floor, apparently neglected due to its remote position on the diocese's edge.

    Read the passage

    The record is not quite so good in every case. Enniskeen was then, as now, an important parish. It had fifty-two families of church people, and fiftyfour families of " Protestant dissenters." The church is thus described : " The church is roofed, the walls and timber good. It is slated, but in some places stripped by the winds to which 'tis much exposed. 'Tis very spacious, but intirely naked. There was a pulpit, but taken down by some former curate as being too small. No reading desk. Only one seat, and the whole floor of the church a dirty earthen floor." The bishop was himself in receipt of the tithes of this parish, and we might have expected that he would have seen that it was kept in decent order, but it was situated on the confines of the diocese, and apparently

    " STATE OF MEATH UNDER BISHOP ELLIS 39

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 21

31. First Meath Choral Festival Held at Athboy

    Athboy · town · Meath · 1867

    The first annual Choral Festival organised in connection with the founding of the Meath Church Choral Association was held in Athboy in December 1867, prior to formal establishment of the Association.

    Read the passage

    The time was one of great anxiety and of no little foreboding. It was, however, a good omen that in the midst of all their troubles the churchmen of Meath, so far from being disheartened as to the future, were actually inaugurating a new organization, which was to have for its object the improvement of church music. It was in the week before the Church Bill was introduced that the first annual meeting was held of the Meath Church Choral Association. The first Choral Festival had been held in Athboy in December, 1867. After it, the Choral Association was formed, and the first festival under its auspices was held at Kells, when the church was re-opened after renovation, on the fifth of August, 1868. The following extract from the report will be read with interest :

    At the end of the first year since the Meath Church Choral

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 105

32. George Montgomery's tomb at Ardbraccan

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1620

    Bishop George Montgomery died in London in 1620 but was brought for burial to Ardbraccan, where his tomb could still be seen at the time of writing.

    Read the passage

    1611. George Montgomery, Dean of Norwich and Chaplain to King James I., was consecrated to the Bishoprics of Derry, Raphoe, and Clogher in 1605. He was translated to Meath in 1611, the See having been some time vacant after the death of Roger Dod. He continued at the same time to hold the See of Clogher. He died in London in 1620, but was brought for burial to Ardbraccan, where his tomb may still be seen.

    1621. James Ussher, Chancellor of St. Patrick's and Professor of Divinity in Trinity College, was consecrated in St. Peter's, Drogheda, in 1621. He was translated to the Archbishopric of Armagh in 1624.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 142

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Ardbraccan is the tomb of George Montgomery. He was Dean of Norwich and chaplain to King James the First, consecrated bishop of Derry, Raphoe, and Clogher in 1605. He was translated to Meath in 1611, after the see had been vacant since the death of Roger Dod, while still holding the see of Clogher. He died in London in 1620, but was brought back for burial here. His tomb could still be seen at the time of writing.

33. Henry Dodwell dispossessed as Vicar of Athlone at Restoration

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1661

    Henry Dodwell, one of Cromwell's preachers and Vicar of Athlone, appears to have been dispossessed at the Restoration, with John Stevens appointed to the Vicarage of Athlone and Rectory of Ballyloughloe in 1661.

    Read the passage

    There is a somewhat similar chalice at Athlone, which has the inscription, " Ex dono Mariae Dodwell, unoris Henrici Dodwell, S.T.D." ; and on the base, " For Saint Mary's Church of Athlone," with the words added, " Renovatus a Robert Handcock, D.D., 1815." Here again the same explanation is possible, that the base is of greater age than the cup. The Doctor Henry Dodwell here commemorated was one of Cromwell's preachers, and his name will be found in the list already given. But at the Restoration he seems to have been dispossessed, for we find that in 1661 John Stevens was appointed to the Vicarage of Athlone and Rectory of Ballyloughloe, and three years later paid first fruits for these two parishes, as well as for the parishes of Kilcleagh, Drumraney, Gallen, and Rynagh. He was, it may be noted in passing, father to the founder of Stevens' Hospital, in Dublin. This raises a question as to the position which Dodwell held. Although one of Cromwell's preachers, his degree shows that he must have been in Holy Orders, and, therefore, might have continued in the incumbency, as did many others. Possibly he may have died about the time of the Restoration, as it is not without significance that the chalice is presented not by him, but by his wife.

    There is besides at Athlone a paten, probably also of the seventeenth century. It has no inscription. The other plate is interesting, though not so old. The flagon is large, and seems to have had at one time somewhat hard usage. The lower part is much crushed, and the lid, which was originally attached by a hinge, appears to have been taken off roughly with a chisel. The hall-marks are not legible. The inscription reads : " The gift of Henry St. George, brother to Arthur St. George, Esq., to the Parish and Parish Church of St. Mary, Athlone, Anno 1702, The Revd. Edward Wallen being Rector." There is also a large flat paten, of the same date, with the inscription : " Ex dono Francisci Lambert ad usum Ecclesiae St. Mariae, Athlone, 22 Junij 1702." Athlone also possesses a large heavy alms dish, with the inscription :

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 134

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athlone, you are in a town where Henry Dodwell once served as Vicar. He was one of Cromwell's preachers, a Doctor of Divinity, and his wife Maria gave a chalice to Saint Mary's Church here, inscribed with their names. At the Restoration he seems to have been dispossessed, because in 1661 John Stevens was appointed to the Vicarage of Athlone and the Rectory of Ballyloughloe. Stevens paid first fruits three years later for those parishes and several others, and he was father to the founder of Stevens' Hospital in Dublin. Dodwell's degree means he must have been in Holy Orders, and many in his position kept their incumbencies, so his loss of the vicarage raises a question about what happened to him. It is possible he died around the time of the Restoration, since the chalice was presented by his wife rather than by him. The base of that chalice may be older than the cup, and it was renovated in 1815 by Robert Handcock.

34. James Ussher consecrated at St. Peter's, Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1621

    James Ussher was consecrated Bishop of Meath in St. Peter's church, Drogheda, in 1621, before later becoming Archbishop of Armagh.

    Read the passage

    1621. James Ussher, Chancellor of St. Patrick's and Professor of Divinity in Trinity College, was consecrated in St. Peter's, Drogheda, in 1621. He was translated to the Archbishopric of Armagh in 1624.

    1625. Anthony Martin, Dean of Waterford, Fellow of Trinity College, was consecrated in Dublin in 1625. On the usurpation of Cromwell, he left Meath, and took up his residence in Trinity College, where he died of the plague in 1650. He was buried in the College Chapel.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 142

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you're in the town where James Ussher was consecrated Bishop of Meath in St. Peter's Church in 1621. He was Chancellor of St. Patrick's and Professor of Divinity in Trinity College at the time. Three years later, in 1624, he was translated to the Archbishopric of Armagh.

35. Kilshine Church rebuilt after a century in ruin

    Kilshine · parish · Meath · 1815

    Kilshine Church lay in ruin for over a century until it was rebuilt and restored through the efforts of Bishop O'Beirne, with John Pollock of Mountainstown completing the work in 1815 aided by a grant from the Board of First Fruits.

    Read the passage

    The rebuilding and restoring of this Parish Church,

    After it had laid in ruin for upwards of a century,

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 80

36. Moymet parish had no church and no Protestant parishioners

    Moymet · townland · Meath · 1799

    The incumbent of Moymet argued he needed no parochial school since he had no church and not a single Protestant parishioner, but the bishop still insisted he provide a schoolmaster or teach himself.

    Read the passage

    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 ?

    144 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 75

37. New church built at Charlesfort demesne for Balrathboyne

    near Charlesfort · sub-townland · Meath · 1844

    The Church of Balrathboyne (St. Baithen) was built in 1844 on a new site within Charlesfort demesne, after the parish was separated from the Union of Kells and formed into a perpetual curacy.

    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

    Near here, somewhere about Charlesfort, the Church of Balrathboyne, dedicated to St. Baithen, was built in 1844 on a new site within the demesne. Balrathboyne had been united with Kells "time out of mind," but in 1844 it was separated from the Union of Kells and formed into a perpetual curacy. It was reunited to Kells in 1892.

38. Nobber's decline into a 'barbarous' backcountry parish

    Nobber · town · Meath · 1732–1733

    Once one of the important towns of County Meath, Nobber had fallen into decay by the 18th century; the report notes the parish had no glebe and was situated in a barbarous part of the country unsuitable for a resident clergyman without help.

    Read the passage

    Primate has lands in it belonging to his see, whereby a curate or vicar may be furnished with glebe, which is absolutely necessary in this parish, being situated in a barbarous part of the country, and no tolerable accommodation to be had otherwise for a resident clergyman.

    Navan was then, as now, without a glebe house and the incumbent was forced to procure a dwelling for himself as best he could. We are told that " the incumbent resided at first in the town of Navan, but since has removed to lodging in the country, which gives offence."

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 21

39. Vicar of Trivett's curate lived in Gorges' house until rebellion

    Trevet · townland · Meath · 1798–1799

    The Vicar of Trivett reported his licensed curate had lived in Mr. Gorges' house until the rebellion, and claimed no complaints had been received, which the bishop dismissed as insufficient evidence of diligence.

    Read the passage

    office. The Vicar of Trivett reports : "I have a licenced curate. He informs me that till the late rebellion he lived in Mr. Gorges' house. I never received any complaints from the parishioners of his neglecting his duty." The bishop's note is : " He only concludes that the curate did his duty because the parishioners made no complaints, and because the curate tells him so/' and he directs that the incumbent be specially cited to appear at the adjourned visitation. In the case of the parish of Moyglare, too, the bishop says : " What cause had he to call on his parishioners for the character of his curate ? This curate has preferred a complaint against him. A suit must be enquired into."

    It was new to the Diocese of Meath to have at its head such a vigorous ruler. The extracts given above will give some idea of the difficulty of the work that lay before him, and of the determination with which he took up the arduous task. He was met in many cases with passive resistance. Some of the clergy did not answer his queries ; others absented themselves from the visitation. These were soon made to feel that the new bishop was a man with whom they could not trifle. An adjourned visitation was held, to which they were cited, and if they still proved contumacious, proceedings were at once taken against them. The immediate effect was salutary in every way, although it was only after some years of unyielding perseverance that the full effect of the bishop's reforms was made manifest. We are not surprised to find that the church fabrics reflected in their dilapidation and decay the unsoundness of the whole body. There was scarcely a church in the whole diocese that did not require rebuilding or renovation. O'Beirne took this matter also in hand, and we will see later on that never, in the whole history

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 73

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Trevet, there's a story from the late 1790s about a vicar and his curate. The Vicar of Trivett reported that he had a licensed curate who, until the rebellion, had lived in Mr. Gorges' house. He said he had never received any complaints from the parishioners about the curate neglecting his duty. The bishop was not satisfied. He noted that the vicar only concluded the curate did his duty because nobody complained and because the curate told him so. The bishop directed that the incumbent be specially cited to appear at the adjourned visitation. This was part of a wider effort by a new bishop, O'Beirne, who took firm hold of the Diocese of Meath. He met passive resistance from clergy who ignored his queries or skipped visitations, but he made them feel they could not trifle with him. Church fabrics across the diocese reflected the broader decay, with scarcely a church that did not require rebuilding or renovation.

40. Wesley preaches to well-behaved crowds in Clara

    Clara · town · Offaly · 1740–1790

    John Wesley preached in Clara to a vast number of well-behaved people, according to his Journal, one of several Methodist strongholds in the western Diocese of Meath.

    Read the passage

    It was principally in the western portions of the diocese that the Methodists established their societies. The following places are all mentioned in John Wesley's Journal as localities that had been visited by that great evangelist : Tullamore, Clara, Moate, Athlone, Tyrrelspass, Ballyboy, Frankford, Ferbane, Mullingar, and Drumcree. To some of these places he only paid a passing visit, but in most of them he established societies, many of which continue to the present day. He seems to have had large congregations wherever he went. In Tullamore, he says that " most of the inhabitants of the town " came to the preaching, and even at five o'clock in the morning " abundance of them " came back again to hear him once more. In Clara he preached to " a vast number of well-behaved people." In Moate he had only a handful of listeners, but they were very enthusiastic, and he pays the place the compliment of saying that it was " the pleasantest town that I have seen in Ireland." But it was at

    1 The information in this chapter is mostly derived from John Wesley's Journal.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 38

41. Westmeath Choral Union's First Festival at Mullingar

    Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 1868

    The Westmeath Church Choral Union, formed on similar lines to the Meath association, held its first festival in Mullingar on Tuesday 15 December, with choirs trained by Reverend Doctor Reichel and Reverend R. T. Bevan.

    Read the passage

    As noted in this report, the Westmeath Church Choral Union dates from practically the same time. It was established on the same lines as that in Meath, and held its first festival in Mullingar on Tuesday, the fifteenth of December. The Westmeath choirs were trained by the Reverend Doctor Reichel, who afterwards became bishop of the diocese, and the Reverend R. T. Bevan, Rector of Street, in the Diocese of Ardagh. What progress has been made in the meantime may be judged from the fact, that at this festival there was no anthem, and that the whole service was rendered in unison.

    Thus there was no tone of faltering or of discouragement. The wealth of the Church might be taken away, but its welfare was assured, when its children were prepared to go forth with singing to undertake the serious task which lay before them.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 106

42. Bishop Alexander Petit dies at Ardbraccan, buried at Trim

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1386–1400

    Alexander Petit, or De Balscot, translated to Meath in 1386 at the request of the clergy of the diocese, died at Ardbraccan in 1400 and was buried at Trim.

    Read the passage

    1386. Alexander Petit, or De Balscot, became Bishop of Ossory in 1371, and was translated to Meath in 1386, at the request of the clergy of the diocese. He died at Ardbraccan in 1400, and was buried at Trim.

    1402. Robert Mountain, Rector of Kildalkey, was appointed Bishop of Meath by the Pope's provision. There was some delay in his consecration, as King Henry IV. wished to promote his own confessor, Robert Mascal. Mountain, however, was consecrated in 1402, and sat until his death in 1412.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Bishop Alexander Petit, also called De Balscot, died in 1400. He had been translated to Meath in 1386 at the request of the clergy of the diocese, having previously served as Bishop of Ossory since 1371. He was buried at Trim.

43. Bishop William Sherwood buried at Newtown

    Newtown · townland · Meath · 1460–1482

    William Sherwood, appointed Bishop of Meath by the Pope in 1460 and later Lord Chancellor of Ireland, died at Dublin in 1482 and was buried at Newtown.

    Read the passage

    1460. He was for a time Deputy to the Lord Lieutenant, and afterwards Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He died at Dublin in 1482, and was buried at Newtown.

    1483. John Payn succeeded in 1483, and died at Dublin in 1506. In 1496 he was appointed Master of the Rolls.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

44. Castlelost parish loses out on tithe claim after disestablishment

    Castlelost · townland · Westmeath · 1868–1902

    Because no one was aware of Rochfort's benefaction to Castlelost, no claim for it as a private endowment was made in time after disestablishment, and the parish could only obtain £646 8s. 8d. from the General Synod of 1902 as a special act of grace.

    Read the passage

    at his own charge." He also endowed the parish. In acquiring the property he had become " impropriator " of the rectory, and was therefore owner of the tithes, but he conveyed them to the bishop of the diocese for the use of the perpetual curate.s The parishioners in this case were not so fortunate as those of Trim, for when the church was disendowed no one seems to have been aware of this benefaction, and it was assumed that the tithes of the parish had been handed down to it from pre-reformation times. Consequently, no claim was made until many years after the time laid down in the Irish Church Act, and even after the extension of that time which had been made by the Representative Church Body. In the meantime, the balance of the amount awarded to the the church in lieu of private endowments had been applied to other purposes, as it was not expected that any other claims could be made. Under these circumstances the parish could only obtain a sum of £646 8s. 8d., which still remained unappropriated, and which was voted as a special act of grace by the General Synod of 1902. If the claim had been made in time, an income of about two hundred pounds a year would have been secured to the parish.

    Under Queen Anne the Diocese of Meath, in common with the rest of the Church, was enriched by the remission of the old papal imposts of " first-fruits " and " twentieth parts." The former was applied to the purchase of glebes and the building of houses, and the latter was granted to the individual clergymen by whom they would have been payable. It was Doctor Swift, then vicar of Laracor, and afterwards famous as Dean of Saint Patrick's, who conducted the negotiations which led to these benefits being granted

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Castlelost, and it lost out badly after the Irish Church disestablishment. A man named Rochfort had endowed this parish at his own charge and conveyed its tithes to the bishop for the use of the perpetual curate. But when the church was disendowed, no one seems to have been aware of this benefaction. People assumed the tithes had been handed down from pre-reformation times, so no claim was made within the time laid down in the Irish Church Act, or even after the extension granted by the Representative Church Body. By then, the balance awarded in lieu of private endowments had been applied to other purposes. All the parish could obtain was £646 8s. 8d. that still remained unappropriated, voted as a special act of grace by the General Synod of 1902. If the claim had been made in time, an income of about 200 pounds a year would have been secured to the parish.

45. Church Choral Union founded by Curate of Trim

    Trim · town · Meath

    The Reverend Alfred T. Harvey was instrumental in founding the Church Choral Union while serving as Curate of Trim, later arranging annual Choral Festivals as its secretary.

    Read the passage

    intimate friends were aware of the extent of his powers. He was appointed Archdeacon of Meath by Bishop Plunket in 1882, and became Rector of Trim in 1892. The Reverend Alfred T. Harvey was best known in connection with the Church Choral Union, which he was instrumental in founding when serving as Curate of Trim. In later years he acted as secretary of the Union, and arranged for the Choral Festivals which were held every year. He was also Diocesan Secretary for Meath of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and was Secretary of the Diocesan Committee of Missions and Charities. To the regret of all his friends he was carried away by a painful disease at a comparatively early age.

    The Diocesan Report for 1897, commenting on these three deaths, says :

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 128

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Trim in Meath. The Reverend Alfred T. Harvey was curate of this town when he was instrumental in founding the Church Choral Union, the work he became best known for. In later years he acted as its secretary and arranged the Choral Festivals held every year. He was appointed Archdeacon of Meath by Bishop Plunket in 1882, and became Rector of Trim in 1892. He also served as Diocesan Secretary for Meath of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and as Secretary of the Diocesan Committee of Missions and Charities. To the regret of all his friends he was carried away by a painful disease at a comparatively early age.

46. Durrow chalice dated to 1632-33 with altered initials

    Durrow · parish · Offaly · 1632–1633

    A chalice in the parish of Durrow, dated by hall-marks to 1632 or 1633, bears initials B.T. crudely cut over earlier engraved initials F.G., suggesting a later owner obliterated the original donor's mark.

    Read the passage

    There is in the parish of Durrow a chalice, which, from the hall-marks, appears to be of the date 1632 or 1633. The Rev. S. de C. Williams writes concerning it, " It has the letters B.T. rather coarsely but deeply cut on it, almost obliterating some letters finely engraved, which look like F.G. From a comparison between the two inscriptions, it only requires a slight effort of the imagination to think of B.T. as a vulgar upstart, who thought he could take the place of a man of culture and refinement by seeking to obliterate his initials by putting his own over them. Beneath this double pair of initials are the letters C.M., engraved in the same way as the letters, which I think are F.G. The silver in this chalice is still fairly thick, but the hall-mark was stamped so deeply in it on the

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 135

47. Kells chalice and paten made 1663, gift of Archdeacon Ambrose Jones

    Kells · town · Meath · 1663–1678

    A chalice and paten in Kells, dated by Dublin hall-mark to 1663, were given by Archdeacon Ambrose Jones, a former Cromwellian preacher who managed to retain his living after the Restoration and later became Bishop of Kildare in 1667.

    Read the passage

    In Kells there is a chalice and paten which, according to the Dublin hall-mark, were made in 1663. The chalice has the inscription on the cup, " Hoc Poculum Pertinet Ad Ecclesiam Parochialem Sancti Columbae de Kells 1665," and on the base, " Donum Ambrosij lones S.T.D. Archdiaconi Midensis." The paten has " Ecclesiae de Kells 1665." There is also a large paten or alms dish — it would be large for the former, but small for the latter — with the inscription, " Ecclesia de Kells, A.D. 1671." Archdeacon Ambrose Jones, who seems to have been the donor of all three, was one of Cromwell's preachers, but managed to adapt himself to the varying opinions of the time, and so held possession of the living after the Restoration. He became Bishop of Kildare in 1667, but does not seem to have vacated Kells until 1678, when he was succeeded by another of the same family, William Jones. Kells has also a very handsome flagon, which, with a second chalice and paten, were presented by Archdeacon Lewis. On the flagon is engraved " I.H.S. In Usum Ecclesiae Xti Apud

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 136

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kells in Meath, the parish church here holds communion plate with a story tied to the years after Cromwell. A chalice and paten were made in 1663, marked in Dublin, and bear inscriptions showing they belonged to the parish church of Saint Columba of Kells. The donor was Archdeacon Ambrose Jones, one of Cromwell's preachers who managed to adapt himself to the changing times and held onto his living after the Restoration. He became Bishop of Kildare in 1667 but did not leave Kells until 1678, when another of the same family, William Jones, succeeded him. A large alms dish dated 1671 was also his gift. The Latin on the chalice reads, "Hoc Poculum Pertinet Ad Ecclesiam Parochialem Sancti Columbae de Kells 1665." Kells also has a handsome flagon and a second chalice and paten presented by Archdeacon Lewis.

48. New church built at Durrow by Otway Toler

    Durrow · town · Laois · 1877–1878

    A new church was built at Durrow at the sole expense of the Honourable Otway Toler, as part of a wave of church building and restoration across the diocese following disestablishment.

    Read the passage

    The Council are happy to report that the work of church building and church restoration, to which they invited special attention last year, still progresses with unabated zeal. Three new churches are being built at the present time : one at Durrow, at the sole expense of the Honourable Otway Toler ; one at Moyliscar, at the sole expense of Mrs. Tottenham ; and one at Syddan, from a bequest left by the late Miss Ball. At Moydrum, a church has been built, at the sole expense of Lord Castlemaine, as a domestic chapel, but largely attended by the church people of the surrounding district, as well as by members of his lordship's household. Moydrum church was consecrated during the present year.

    The work thus begun has been steadily continued until the present time, and it may now be said that there is scarcely a church in the diocese which has not been renovated and beautified since disestablishment— a fact which may be taken as a gratifying indication that that event, from which so many disasters were anticipated, has not in any way robbed the Church of its life and viguor.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 120

49. Ardbraccan episcopal house completed near Navan

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath · 1766–1798

    Bishop Maxwell completed the episcopal house at Ardbraccan, described by Doctor Beaufort as being near the town of Navan and erected in a style of superior elegance and simplicity.

    Read the passage

    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

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Bishop Maxwell completed the episcopal house at Ardbraccan. He was translated from Dromore in 1766 and served as Bishop of Meath until his death in 1798. Doctor Beaufort, in his Memoir of a Map of Ireland, described the house as 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. Maxwell's long episcopate left little record beyond yearly visitations that listed clergy without much detail. The return of 1768 tells us non-residence had become exceedingly prevalent, with 49 parishes in the diocese lacking a resident clergyman. There were 71 churches in repair. Among the clergy appears Henry Goldsmith, brother of the poet, as Curate of Kilkenny West. Housing for the clergy was far less satisfactory than the bishop's own. According to Beaufort, there were only 29 glebe houses in the whole diocese. Beaufort's own parish, Navan, had no residence for the clergyman. He was also a pluralist and non-resident, serving as Incumbent of Collon in the Diocese of Armagh, where he usually lived.

50. Athlone chalice from Dodwell family, renovated 1815

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1815

    A chalice at Athlone bears the inscription noting it was given by Maria Dodwell, wife of Henry Dodwell, a Cromwellian preacher, and was renovated by Robert Handcock in 1815 for St Mary's Church.

    Read the passage

    There is a somewhat similar chalice at Athlone, which has the inscription, " Ex dono Mariae Dodwell, unoris Henrici Dodwell, S.T.D." ; and on the base, " For Saint Mary's Church of Athlone," with the words added, " Renovatus a Robert Handcock, D.D., 1815." Here again the same explanation is possible, that the base is of greater age than the cup. The Doctor Henry Dodwell here commemorated was one of Cromwell's preachers, and his name will be found in the list already given. But at the Restoration he seems to have been dispossessed, for we find that in 1661 John Stevens was appointed to the Vicarage of Athlone and Rectory of Ballyloughloe, and three years later paid first fruits for these two parishes, as well as for the parishes of Kilcleagh, Drumraney, Gallen, and Rynagh. He was, it may be noted in passing, father to the founder of Stevens' Hospital, in Dublin. This raises a question as to the position which Dodwell held. Although one of Cromwell's preachers, his degree shows that he must have been in Holy Orders, and, therefore, might have continued in the incumbency, as did many others. Possibly he may have died about the time of the Restoration, as it is not without significance that the chalice is presented not by him, but by his wife.

    There is besides at Athlone a paten, probably also of the seventeenth century. It has no inscription. The other plate is interesting, though not so old. The flagon is large, and seems to have had at one time somewhat hard usage. The lower part is much crushed, and the lid, which was originally attached by a hinge, appears to have been taken off roughly with a chisel. The hall-marks are not legible. The inscription reads : " The gift of Henry St. George, brother to Arthur St. George, Esq., to the Parish and Parish Church of St. Mary, Athlone, Anno 1702, The Revd. Edward Wallen being Rector." There is also a large flat paten, of the same date, with the inscription : " Ex dono Francisci Lambert ad usum Ecclesiae St. Mariae, Athlone, 22 Junij 1702." Athlone also possesses a large heavy alms dish, with the inscription :

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 134

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athlone in Westmeath, you're in a town that holds a chalice with a story reaching back to Cromwell's time. The chalice bears the inscription that it was given by Maria Dodwell, wife of Henry Dodwell, who was one of Cromwell's preachers. The base reads,

51. Bishop Richard de la Corner consecrated at St Peter's, Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1232–1250

    Richard de la Corner, or Nangle, a canon of St Patrick's Dublin, was consecrated Bishop of Meath in St Peter's, Drogheda, in 1232, and died in 1250.

    Read the passage

    1232. Richard de la Corner, or Nangle, a canon of St. Patrick's, Dublin, was consecrated in St. Peter's, Drogheda, in 1232. He died in 1250.

    1250. Geoffrey Cusack is not generally counted among the Bishops of Meath, as there was a long continued contest about the election. It seems clear, however, that he was actually consecrated, and held the See for some time. 5*V{ 1255. Hugh de Taghmon, " a pious man of a venerable life," was the rival of Geoffrey Cusack. As late as r255 he is spoken of as " bishop elect," and sometime after this was consecrated. He was made Lord High Treasurer of Ireland by King Henry III. He died in i28r, and was buried at Mullingar.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 141

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this is where Richard de la Corner, also known as Nangle, was consecrated Bishop of Meath in 1232. He had been a canon of St Patrick's in Dublin before his elevation. The consecration took place in St Peter's church here in Drogheda. He served as bishop until his death in 1250.

52. Butcher Memorial Fund founded

    Meath · county · Meath · 1876

    Following Bishop Butcher's death, a fund was raised to commemorate his service as Bishop of Meath and Regius Professor of Divinity. About £2,500 was subscribed, and instead of a professorship, exhibitions were founded for divinity students.

    Read the passage

    That with a view to perpetuate the memory of the late Right Honourable and Most Reverend Samuel Butcher, D.D., Lord Bishop of Meath, and to commemorate the services he conferred on the Church of Ireland, as Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin, and subsequently as Bishop of Meath, and to mark a sense of the loss sustained by his death, a fund be formed to be called " The Butcher Memorial Fund," to be applied in founding a professorship in connection with the divinity school of the Church of Ireland, to be called " The Butcher Memorial Professorship."

    That contributions to this fund be invited, first from the members of the Church of Ireland in the Diocese of Meath ; secondly from the members of the Church of Ireland at large ; thirdly, from all such as knew and valued the worth of the late Bishop of Meath, and that the members of the Diocesan Council be appointed to carry the foregoing resolution into effect.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 116

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through Meath, this county holds the memory of Bishop Samuel Butcher, who served as Regius Professor of Divinity at Trinity College Dublin and then as Bishop of Meath. After his death in 1876, a memorial fund was raised to commemorate his service to the Church of Ireland. About £2,500 was subscribed, and though the original plan was to found a professorship in the divinity school, the money went instead to exhibitions for divinity students. The fund drew contributions first from the Church of Ireland members in the Diocese of Meath, then from the wider church, and finally from all who knew and valued the late bishop.

53. Curates flee Kilmore and Kilbrew

    Kilbrew · townland · Meath · 1798

    In Kilmore and Kilbrew, the curates had to flee to save their lives during the 1798 Rebellion.

    Read the passage

    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

54. Diocesan Synod Delegates Meet at Navan and Mullingar

    Navan · town · Meath · 1869

    Following the passage of the Irish Church Act, delegates from the eastern portion of the Diocese of Meath met at Navan on 22 November 1869, and those from the western portion met at Mullingar two days later, to organise the Church's future governance.

    Read the passage

    The next move, therefore, was to elect representatives to this "General Convention," which was to transact business such as is now ordinarily transacted by the General Synod, besides drawing up a code of laws by which the Church was to be governed under its altered circumstances. Once more a meeting of the parishioners was held in every parish to appoint delegates, but on this occasion it was left optional to elect two laymen for every clergyman, a privilege which was embraced in nearly every instance. On the result of these elections the Diocesan Synod of Meath met for the first time — though this meeting is not ordinarily counted among the number of Meath synods. The delegates from the eastern portion of the diocese met at Navan on Monday the twenty-second of November, 1869, and those from the western portion, at Mullingar, on the following Wednesday.

    2O4 HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF MEATH

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 108

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Navan, you are in a town where, on the 22nd of November 1869, delegates from the eastern portion of the Diocese of Meath gathered to shape the Church's future. The Irish Church Act had altered the Church's circumstances, and parishes across the diocese had elected representatives to attend a General Convention, which would transact business and draw up a code of laws by which the Church was to be governed. It was left optional to elect two laymen for every clergyman, a privilege embraced in nearly every instance. The delegates from the eastern part of the diocese met here in Navan on a Monday, while those from the western portion met at Mullingar the following Wednesday. This was the first meeting of the Diocesan Synod of Meath, though it is not ordinarily counted among the number of Meath synods.

55. Henry Leslie buried in Christ Church Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1661

    Bishop Henry Leslie died in Dublin in 1661, shortly after his translation to Meath, and was buried in Christ Church Cathedral.

    Read the passage

    1660. Henry Leslie, Dean of Down and Treasurer of St. Patrick's, was consecrated Bishop of Down and Connor in 1635. He was translated to Meath in 1660, the See having then been vacant for ten years. He only survived his translation until the next year, when he died in Dublin, and was buried in Christ Church Cathedral.

    1661. Henry Jones, Dean of Kilmore, was consecrated Bishop of Clogher in 1645, and was translated to Meath in 1661. He died in Dublin in 1681, and was buried in St. Andrew's Church.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 142

    As the companion tells it

    Bishop Henry Leslie lies buried here in Christ Church Cathedral. He had been Dean of Down and Treasurer of St. Patrick's, then was consecrated Bishop of Down and Connor in 1635. In 1660 he was translated to Meath, a See that had stood vacant for ten years. He survived only until the next year, dying in Dublin in 1661.

56. Kilbrew attacked by rebels

    Kilbrew · townland · Meath

    The parish of Kilbrew was attacked by rebel forces, part of the wider unrest recorded in the diocesan history.

    Read the passage

    Kilmore, parish, i., 215 ; tithes, i., 264 ; attacked by rebels, ii., 107 ; glebe, ii., 153 ; clergy, ii., 306.

    Kilnegarenagh, i., 265 ; ii., 266, 330.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala

57. Navan congregation repairs the old Mass house for services

    Navan · town · Meath · 1693

    At Navan, lacking a functioning parish church, the Protestant congregation repaired the former Mass house and held their services there, per the 1693 visitation.

    Read the passage

    Of course, there are some reports more favourable than these, but it is hard to find one in which the record is altogether satisfactory. In Trim the church was in good repair, and the services constantly maintained, but the chancel was in ruin. In Kells, on the other hand, the chancel was in repair, and the body 01 the church in ruin. In several cases we are told that the services were regularly conducted, though both church and chancel were in ruin. For the most part no information is given as to where the parishioners assembled. Sometimes, however, we are told that they met in the porch, as in the case of Duleek just quoted. In Kentstown also, the porch was able to accommodate the few parishioners who came to church. In other places, we learn that they met in private houses. This was the usage at Rathmolyon, Kilberry, Moynalty, and a few other places. At Stackallen they made use of the private chapel of Mr. Serjeant Osburn. At Navan they repaired the Mass house, and held their service there. No general effort seems to have been made as yet to rebuild the churches.

    Bishop Dopping sums up these several reports by telling us that the diocese contained one hundred and ninety-seven parish churches and one hundred and six chapels of ease, but only forty-three churches in all

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Navan, this town had no working parish church in 1693, when Bishop Dopping made his visitation of the Diocese of Meath. The Protestant congregation here repaired the old Mass house and held their services in it, since their own church was not fit for use. Across the diocese the picture was much the same. Dopping counted 197 parish churches and 116 chapels of ease, but only 43 churches in all that were in usable condition. In some parishes people gathered in porches or private houses, and no general effort had yet been made to rebuild.

58. Reverend Charles Bayly, Vicar of Trim

    Trim · town · Meath

    Charles Bayly, who died as Vicar of Trim, was remembered as a popular and cultured clergyman with more literary refinement than most evangelical ministers of his day.

    Read the passage

    preacher thoughtfully evangelical, using no manuscript or note, and his discourses were solid, grave, and teaching, and such as one would not expect to hear from one so particularly lively in manner. Joseph Daly, Rector of Ferbane, was a remarkable minister ; he has been greeted at the clerical meetings, when the clergy sat together over their Bibles, as the " Diocesan Concordance." A Latin Father has said, Bonus textuarius, bonus theologus, and this could well apply to Daly, for his extemporary sermons were full of Scripture, not only accurately quoted, but also the chapter and verse faithfully rendered, a wonderful act of a powerful abstract memory. One more I must speak of, a loved friend, the Reverend Charles Bayly, who died as Vicar of Trim ; he was a singularly popular man with clergy as well as laity, and perhaps had more culture and reading than most evangelical ministers — the weak point in the body being more or less an inclination to ignore literature and despise art, forgetting that these are the good Lord's gifts to refine and adorn our poor fallen nature, and, like His common bestowments of music and of sunlight, to refresh and cheer us in our pilgrimage along the wastes of life.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 95

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, this was the parish of the Reverend Charles Bayly, who died as its vicar. He was a singularly popular man with both clergy and laity, and perhaps had more culture and reading than most evangelical ministers of his day. The author notes that the weak point among such ministers was an inclination to ignore literature and despise art, forgetting that these are the good Lord's gifts to refine and adorn our poor fallen nature, and, like His common bestowments of music and of sunlight, to refresh and cheer us in our pilgrimage along the wastes of life. Bayly stood apart from that tendency, a clergyman remembered as much for his cultivated mind as for his evangelical faith.

59. Suspension of the Deanery of Clonmacnoise

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1847–1882

    The Deanery of Clonmacnoise was suspended by act of Council on 20 May 1847, but a memorial from the bishop led to its restoration before the year's close, though the emoluments were transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

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    The only ecclesiastical event which we have to chronicle in this period is the suspension of the Deanery of Clonmacnoise, which was decreed by act of Council on the twentieth of May, 1847. A memorial was immediately presented by the bishop, praying that such suspension should be removed, and in answer to this petition the Council acceded to the request, restoring the dignity before the close of the same year. But the emoluments of the office were no longer paid to the dean. They were transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and the deanery continued to be an unpaid office until the year 1882, when the synod, on the recommendation of the diocesan council, agreed to award a salary of £100 a year to the holder of that dignity.

    Doctor Brooke, whose Recollections have been already quoted, gives some interesting details about several of the clergy who served under Bishop Stopford. The extract is somewhat long, but it will be interesting to the reader :

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 94

60. Trim church in good repair but chancel ruined

    Trim · town · Meath · 1693

    In Trim the church itself was in good repair with services constantly maintained, though the chancel had fallen into ruin, as recorded in Bishop Dopping's 1693 visitation.

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    Of course, there are some reports more favourable than these, but it is hard to find one in which the record is altogether satisfactory. In Trim the church was in good repair, and the services constantly maintained, but the chancel was in ruin. In Kells, on the other hand, the chancel was in repair, and the body 01 the church in ruin. In several cases we are told that the services were regularly conducted, though both church and chancel were in ruin. For the most part no information is given as to where the parishioners assembled. Sometimes, however, we are told that they met in the porch, as in the case of Duleek just quoted. In Kentstown also, the porch was able to accommodate the few parishioners who came to church. In other places, we learn that they met in private houses. This was the usage at Rathmolyon, Kilberry, Moynalty, and a few other places. At Stackallen they made use of the private chapel of Mr. Serjeant Osburn. At Navan they repaired the Mass house, and held their service there. No general effort seems to have been made as yet to rebuild the churches.

    Bishop Dopping sums up these several reports by telling us that the diocese contained one hundred and ninety-seven parish churches and one hundred and six chapels of ease, but only forty-three churches in all

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, there is a church here that Bishop Dopping recorded in his 1693 visitation. The church itself was in good repair, and the services were constantly maintained, but the chancel had fallen into ruin. Dopping found a mixed picture across the Diocese of Meath. In Kells, the situation was reversed: the chancel was in repair, but the body of the church was in ruin. In several places, services were regularly conducted even though both church and chancel were in ruin. Often no record was kept of where the parishioners actually gathered. Some met in the porch, as at Duleek and Kentstown. Others met in private houses, as at Rathmolyon, Kilberry, and Moynalty. At Stackallen, they used the private chapel of Mr. Serjeant Osburn. At Navan, they repaired the Mass house and held their services there. Dopping summed up the reports by stating that the diocese contained 197 parish churches and 106 chapels of ease, but only 43 churches in all were in sufficient repair.