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. Knockmark church plate held on loan by Eglish, 1819

   Knockmark · townland · Meath · 1819

   The chalice and paten formerly belonging to the disused church of Knockmark, inscribed 1819, are now held on loan by the parish of Eglish.

   Read the passage

   The church of Eglish has an old paten, which bears on the back the date 1559. On the front it has the inscription : "Ye Church at Eglish, 1775." There is no hall-mark. The curate in charge informs me that he has shown it to a friend who is somewhat of an expert, and that he thinks that it was very probably made in the year 1559, and given to Eglish in 1775. If this surmise be correct, it is the oldest dated piece of plate that we possess. The same church has a flagon which is somewhat remarkable. It is nine inches high, like a tankard, with a lid attached by a hinge, and a handle at one side. The bottom is of oak. The rural dean remarks, "It is doubtful if this is an ecclesiastical vessel at all. It is like an old pewter pot in shape." Very probably it was not originally intended for church use, for in those old days they frequently employed vessels that we would not now consider suitable for the service of 'the Holy Communion. The chalice and paten formerly belonging to the disused church of Knockmark are held on loan by this parish. The chalice is inscribed : " This Chalice and Stand belong to the Parish Church of Knockmark, 1819." The paten has, " This Stand and Chalice belong to the Parish Church of Knockmark 1819." The peculiar use of the word " stand " is worthy of notice.

   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

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   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Knockmark, there was once a church whose silver has outlived it. The church here fell out of use, but its chalice and paten survived, and are now held on loan by the parish of Eglish. Both pieces are inscribed 1819, and each one calls itself and its companion a stand, the chalice reading: "This Chalice and Stand belong to the Parish Church of Knockmark, 1819." The paten says the same in reverse. That peculiar word, stand, for what we might call a paten, is something the record itself flags as worthy of notice.

2. Shannon Bridge church built by Captain Charles Dunne

   Shannonbridge · town · Offaly · 1877

   The Church of Shannon Bridge, in the Parish of Clonmacnoise, was built by Captain Charles Dunne, with some help from parishioners, and consecrated in 1877.

   Read the passage

   that cannot be tabulated. y The Kingdom of Heaven does not come with observation, and hence the historian can give no account of how sinners have been led to Christ, and saints have been strengthened, and believers have been built up in their most holy faith. These are things that are known to the great Master in Heaven, and to Him alone. All we can do is to tell about material things — the building of churches, the collection of funds, the perfection of organization, and the like. But things like these, though not in themselves spiritual, are not without their significance, and may be taken as outward signs of that which is inward and spiritual. Those who love the house of God sufficiently to give of their substance for its support, are more likely to be true worshippers of Him to whom the House belongs than those who never make any sacrifice or practice any self-denial for the sake of their religion. With these thoughts then in our minds, we may take a retrospect of the past thirty-seven years, and record what has been accomplished in that time. And first, with regard to the church fabrics. Some churches, we know, have been closed, and some dismantled. It has always been with regret that such a course has been taken, and in some cases churches that are really not required for the districts in which they are placed have been preserved and used for occasional services. On the other hand, no less than nine new churches have been built. These are : — the Church of Foyran, built by subscription, and consecrated in 1876 ; the Church of Shannon Bridge, in the Parish of Clonmacnoise, built by Captain Charles Dunne, with some help from the parishioners and others, and consecrated in 1877 ; the Chapel of Moydrum, built by Lord Castlemaine, and consecrated in 1879 ; the Church of Moyliscar, built by Mrs. Tottenham, consecrated in

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3. Tyrrellspass visited by Wesley and site of Methodist chapel

   Tyrrellspass · town · Westmeath

   Tyrrellspass was visited by John Wesley and later had a Methodist chapel established there, connected to the nearby parish of Clonfadforan.

   Read the passage

   Tyrrelspass, Wesley at, ii., 56, 81, 83 ; Methodist chapel ; ii., 174 ; see Clonfadforan.

   358

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 152

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Tyrrellspass in Westmeath, there is a Methodist chapel here. John Wesley visited this place, recorded in the History of the Diocese of Meath. The chapel is noted in connection with the nearby parish of Clonfadforan.

4. Chapel of Moydrum built by Lord Castlemaine

   Moydrum · townland · Westmeath · 1879

   The Chapel of Moydrum was built by Lord Castlemaine and consecrated in 1879, one of the new churches erected in the diocese.

   Read the passage

   that cannot be tabulated. y The Kingdom of Heaven does not come with observation, and hence the historian can give no account of how sinners have been led to Christ, and saints have been strengthened, and believers have been built up in their most holy faith. These are things that are known to the great Master in Heaven, and to Him alone. All we can do is to tell about material things — the building of churches, the collection of funds, the perfection of organization, and the like. But things like these, though not in themselves spiritual, are not without their significance, and may be taken as outward signs of that which is inward and spiritual. Those who love the house of God sufficiently to give of their substance for its support, are more likely to be true worshippers of Him to whom the House belongs than those who never make any sacrifice or practice any self-denial for the sake of their religion. With these thoughts then in our minds, we may take a retrospect of the past thirty-seven years, and record what has been accomplished in that time. And first, with regard to the church fabrics. Some churches, we know, have been closed, and some dismantled. It has always been with regret that such a course has been taken, and in some cases churches that are really not required for the districts in which they are placed have been preserved and used for occasional services. On the other hand, no less than nine new churches have been built. These are : — the Church of Foyran, built by subscription, and consecrated in 1876 ; the Church of Shannon Bridge, in the Parish of Clonmacnoise, built by Captain Charles Dunne, with some help from the parishioners and others, and consecrated in 1877 ; the Chapel of Moydrum, built by Lord Castlemaine, and consecrated in 1879 ; the Church of Moyliscar, built by Mrs. Tottenham, consecrated in

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   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 130

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Moydrum, Lord Castlemaine built a chapel that was consecrated in 1879. It was one of nine new churches raised in the Diocese of Meath over a span of thirty-seven years, a period when some older churches were closed or dismantled. The book that records this says of such building that it may be taken as an outward sign of that which is inward and spiritual, though the historian can give no account of how sinners have been led to Christ or believers built up in their faith. Those are things known to the great Master in Heaven alone.

5. Church of Burrow built by Otway Fortescue Toler

   Burrow · street · Dublin · 1881

   The Church of Burrow was built by the Honourable Otway Fortescue Toler and consecrated in 1881, one of the new diocesan churches.

   Read the passage

   1880 ; The Church "of Burrow, built by the Honourable Otway Fortescue Toler, consecrated in 1881 ; the Church of Syddan, built by funds bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Ball, and consecrated in the same year ; the Church of Lynally, built by the bequest of Captain Howard Bury, and the gift of his wife Lady Emily Bury, consecrated in 1887 ; the Church of Donaghpatrick, built by Mr. Thomas Gerrard, and his sisters, Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Johnston, consecrated in 1897 ; and the Church of Skryne, built by Sir John Dillon, Bart., with some help from the parishioners, and consecrated in 1904. These are for the most part buildings of great beauty — some of them small, but all of them adequate for the wants of the districts in which they are placed.

   As to the other churches, it would be impossible now to record how much has been done in the way of restoration, and merely to enumerate the buildings which have been renewed would be to give a list which would include almost every church in the diocese. The old square pews, which were at once unsightly and inconvenient, have so completely disappeared, that many in the rising generation can have no idea of the arrangements that were to be found nearly everywhere in the days of their elders.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 130

6. Church of Donaghpatrick built by the Gerrard family

   Donaghpatrick · townland · Meath · 1897

   The Church of Donaghpatrick was built by Mr. Thomas Gerrard and his sisters, Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Johnston, and was consecrated in 1897.

   Read the passage

   1880 ; The Church "of Burrow, built by the Honourable Otway Fortescue Toler, consecrated in 1881 ; the Church of Syddan, built by funds bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Ball, and consecrated in the same year ; the Church of Lynally, built by the bequest of Captain Howard Bury, and the gift of his wife Lady Emily Bury, consecrated in 1887 ; the Church of Donaghpatrick, built by Mr. Thomas Gerrard, and his sisters, Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Johnston, consecrated in 1897 ; and the Church of Skryne, built by Sir John Dillon, Bart., with some help from the parishioners, and consecrated in 1904. These are for the most part buildings of great beauty — some of them small, but all of them adequate for the wants of the districts in which they are placed.

   As to the other churches, it would be impossible now to record how much has been done in the way of restoration, and merely to enumerate the buildings which have been renewed would be to give a list which would include almost every church in the diocese. The old square pews, which were at once unsightly and inconvenient, have so completely disappeared, that many in the rising generation can have no idea of the arrangements that were to be found nearly everywhere in the days of their elders.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 130

7. Church of Lynally built by bequest of Captain Howard Bury

   Lynally · parish · Offaly · 1887

   The Church of Lynally was built by the bequest of Captain Howard Bury and the gift of his wife Lady Emily Bury, and was consecrated in 1887.

   Read the passage

   1880 ; The Church "of Burrow, built by the Honourable Otway Fortescue Toler, consecrated in 1881 ; the Church of Syddan, built by funds bequeathed by Miss Elizabeth Ball, and consecrated in the same year ; the Church of Lynally, built by the bequest of Captain Howard Bury, and the gift of his wife Lady Emily Bury, consecrated in 1887 ; the Church of Donaghpatrick, built by Mr. Thomas Gerrard, and his sisters, Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Johnston, consecrated in 1897 ; and the Church of Skryne, built by Sir John Dillon, Bart., with some help from the parishioners, and consecrated in 1904. These are for the most part buildings of great beauty — some of them small, but all of them adequate for the wants of the districts in which they are placed.

   As to the other churches, it would be impossible now to record how much has been done in the way of restoration, and merely to enumerate the buildings which have been renewed would be to give a list which would include almost every church in the diocese. The old square pews, which were at once unsightly and inconvenient, have so completely disappeared, that many in the rising generation can have no idea of the arrangements that were to be found nearly everywhere in the days of their elders.

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 130

8. Loughcrew chalice dedicated by vicar Ric Dudell

   Loughcrew · townland · Meath · 1683

   The old chalice of Loughcrew bears an inscription dedicating it in the vicar's name in County Meath, dated 1683.

   Read the passage

   The old chalice of Loughcrew has already been noticed. It bears the inscription " Die In Usum Eccliae De Loughcrew in Com Miden Dicavit Ric Dudell Vic. Anno Dom 1683. The same parish has an old silver paten, and three plated chalices, two of them dated 1843 ; the third without date.

   The parish of Almoritia has some beautiful and valuable plate. The oldest is the chalice and paten, which are inscribed, " The Gift of L. M. E. to the Parish of Rathcondra, 1691." The flagon has " The

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9. Reverend T. G. Caulfield's endowment of Ballyloughloe glebe lands

   Ballyloughloe · parish · Westmeath

   The Reverend T. G. Caulfield, Rector of Ballyloughloe, endowed that parish with glebe lands valued at fifty pounds a year through his liberality.

   Read the passage

   take up work in England under the London Jews' Society. In the succession of Deans — Brownlow, Reichel, Swift, Dowse, and Craig — we have men, all of whom worked well, and were highly esteemed for their work's sake. Mention should also be made of the Reverend T. G. Caulfield, Rector of Ballyloughloe, by whose liberality that parish is endowed with glebe lands which are valued at fifty pounds a year ; the Reverend John Westrop Brady, long a member of the Council ; the Reverend Francis Hopkins, Rector of Trim ; the Reverend Duncan Brownlow, Rector of Donaghpatrick, who succeeded Mr. Harvey as secretary of the Church Choral Union, and was, besides, secretary of the Meath Protestant Orphan Society ; the Reverend Frederick W. Wetherell, Rector of Rathmolyon ; the Reverend J. H. Davidson, of Dunshaughlin, and many others. Nor can we omit to mention one who has been recently called away, the Reverend Maxwell Coote, Rector of Killoughey. He was at the time of his death the " father " of the diocese, and had spent the most of his ministerial life in Meath. He was remarkable for his liberality, and during his lifetime subscribed regularly to many poor parishes in his own immediate neighbourhood. By his will he left £2,000 for the endowment of his own parish of Killoughey, £1,000 to Tullamore, and £1,000 to Bally boy. The residue of his estate, which it is expected will reach something close on £30,000, he left to the poor parishes of the diocese of Meath, being the largest benefaction which the diocese has received since the time of disestablishment.

   Looking back on these years, we may now ask, what is the progress that has been made ? But when we come to answer this question, we become conscious of the fact that the real tokens of progress are of a kind

   Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 129

10. New church built at Foyran, consecrated 1876

    Foyran · townland · Westmeath · 1876

    The Church of Foyran was built by subscription and consecrated in 1876, one of nine new churches erected in the diocese of Meath during this period.

    Read the passage

    that cannot be tabulated. y The Kingdom of Heaven does not come with observation, and hence the historian can give no account of how sinners have been led to Christ, and saints have been strengthened, and believers have been built up in their most holy faith. These are things that are known to the great Master in Heaven, and to Him alone. All we can do is to tell about material things — the building of churches, the collection of funds, the perfection of organization, and the like. But things like these, though not in themselves spiritual, are not without their significance, and may be taken as outward signs of that which is inward and spiritual. Those who love the house of God sufficiently to give of their substance for its support, are more likely to be true worshippers of Him to whom the House belongs than those who never make any sacrifice or practice any self-denial for the sake of their religion. With these thoughts then in our minds, we may take a retrospect of the past thirty-seven years, and record what has been accomplished in that time. And first, with regard to the church fabrics. Some churches, we know, have been closed, and some dismantled. It has always been with regret that such a course has been taken, and in some cases churches that are really not required for the districts in which they are placed have been preserved and used for occasional services. On the other hand, no less than nine new churches have been built. These are : — the Church of Foyran, built by subscription, and consecrated in 1876 ; the Church of Shannon Bridge, in the Parish of Clonmacnoise, built by Captain Charles Dunne, with some help from the parishioners and others, and consecrated in 1877 ; the Chapel of Moydrum, built by Lord Castlemaine, and consecrated in 1879 ; the Church of Moyliscar, built by Mrs. Tottenham, consecrated in

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    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 130

11. Tullamore omitted despite its later importance

    Tullamore · town · Offaly · 1732–1733

    The report makes no mention of Tullamore, which was not yet the important town it would later become, though a chapel of ease had existed there under the parish of Durrow.

    Read the passage

    Our Report makes no mention of the now important

    1 MS. in Record Office, Dublin.

    Internet Archive historyofdiocese02healiala, Chapter 21