Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society (vol. 5)

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. Nocturnal meetings in the town of Rathangan involving O'Connor's men

   Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1574

   Deponents described entering Rathangan town, supping in an alehouse, and staying in a chamber beyond the bridge, before meeting the Earl at the castle the next morning regarding a stolen hawk.

   Read the passage

   Hubert macThomas, a follower of O’Connor, deposed that at Whitsuntide of 1574 he was with Kedagh O’Connor, who had with him twenty horses, part of the booty which he had taken from the Berminghams’ Country (Barony of Carbury), and passing hard by a ford called “ Belathlyne,” near Rathangan, the Earl, who was riding abroad, seeing Kedagh, sent his servant, James O’Hickey, to inquire who they were. On his return the Earl went to meet Kedagh, and had a long conference with him. That about a year before Kedagh took a hawk of Henry Colley’s, of Carbury Castle, and sent it by deponent to the Earl at Rathangan. The night before he delivered the hawk he slept in the house of Connor O’Herron, at Logliballywhogan, near Rathangan. Towards next evening he went to Rathangan, and in a lane leading to it he met Kedagh with Felim O’Connor and James O’Hickey, the Earl’s man. All four then entered Rathangan ; Kedagh and Felim supped in an alehouse in the town, and deponent and O’Hickey went to the latter’s chamber beyond the bridge in Rathangan. In the morning they went together to the Earl at the Castle, and as they entered the gate O’Hickey turned to him and said, “ Say the hawk is from Morice mac Walter1 out of Shillelagh,” and then left him. After some time O’Hickey returned and said the Earl’s instructions were that the hawk should be handed over to Thomas Enos, his falconer.2

   The above, and much more, evidence was investigated by the Recorder of London (William Fleetwood) and other officials ; but it was found to be so exaggerated and distorted that the Earl was released, though not before he had been kept a prisoner for two years.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 103

2. O'More Dismantles Athy and Woodstock Castles

   Woodstock Castle · castle · Kildare · 1535

   After the fall of Maynooth Castle in March 1535, O'More, who held Athy and Woodstock, evacuated and dismantled these two castles to prevent them being occupied by Crown forces.

   Read the passage

   After the fall of Maynooth Castle, through treachery, in March, 1535, O’More, who held Athy and Woodstock, appears to have found it expedient to evacuate and dismantle these two castles, with the idea of preventing them from being occupied by the forces of the Crown; but, owing to their important positions, the latter caused them to be repaired, as is proved by the following extracts from the State Papers. The first extract is from a letter written by Lord Leonard Grey, the Lord Deputy, to Thomas Cromwell, the

   1 The account of “the Silken Thomas’s ” rebellion is given on pages 87-97

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 182

   As the companion tells it

   Right beside the road here is Woodstock Castle, in County Kildare. In March 1535, after Maynooth Castle fell through treachery, O'More, who held both this castle and Athy, evacuated and dismantled them to stop Crown forces moving in. But because of their important positions, the Crown had them repaired anyway, as Lord Deputy Leonard Grey reported to Thomas Cromwell.

3. Pole Cosby's Father Rebuilds Esker House

   Esker · townland · Laois · 1722–1729

   Pole Cosby's father took Esker from Colonel Freeman in 1722 and resolved to make it his retirement home instead of Stradbally or Ballymaddock. From 1725 he began major improvements including new avenues, buildings, and river works, spending about £1100 over two and a half years.

   Read the passage

   My father ever resolved, when he sho’d marry me, to quit Stradbally & Ballymaddock was the place he did resolve to retire to, but from ye time he took Esker from Coll. Freeman in 1722 he resolved that Esker should be that place, and so in Autum 1725 before Coz. Pigot Sands quitted it, he began to improve and made the avenue, ditches, hedges and trees, and Spring 1726 he began to build there, he pulled down 2 rooms of ye old house, broke out lights backwards to ye old house & built ye Parlour Hall and drawing roome in ye front, he new floored and wescotted and new sashed and glased the whole house, built the seller vaults and rooms over them, built all new the wall garden scullery, lather, dary, Brew house, giling room and coach houses, Enclosed all the court and yard with walls, new painted ye whole house put up marble chimneypieces, Built the wall on the N.W. side of the Paddock, stubed a vast dale of the land, scoured the whole river as far as it run through Esker land, made a vast number of new drains and scoured up all the old, Built many pair of stone peers and set up gates & did many more improvemts I cant recollect, all wh cost him about £1100, he did not do this all in one year but from Autum 1726 to May 1729 y* was in two years and a half’s time, he finished all his work very well and good and compleat work it was. My F: before he left Ireland when he was goeing to Holland made a Will which my mother had, and I read it and saw it after his death, but it was lost and what became of it I never co'd hear, but by this will he left all his personal estate to my mother and so Esker being only a lease of years it was my mothers, and my fathers debts when he dyed were, including his funeral expenses, £2078 1. 8. but indeed I was bound with him for £1180, but then I could make his effects to go as far as they co’d to pay first his Bond debts, his effects, besides what the interest of Esker was worth, came to £428. 8. 6. so that would pay off y® Bonds y* I joined with in not half, so y* there remained for me of the Bond debts £551. 16. 6. then there were his own debts including his funeral charges £898. 1. 3d. and not a farthing to pay them except ye interest of Esker, and so my mother wo’d have a deed between she and I, y* I should have Esker and all my Fathers effects except ye coach chariot chairs and as many of the coach and saddle horses as she pleased, ye furniture of her roome and some other furniture and all the tea plate and a pr of plated candlesticks, and y* I should take on me my fathers debts and

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 129

4. St Patrick's Footprints on a Boulder at Knockpatrick

   Knockpatrick · townland · Clare

   Knockpatrick boasts a church site founded by St Patrick, with a nearby well and, in the burial-ground, a granite boulder bearing the impressions of the Saint's two feet and the end of his staff.

   Read the passage

   Here in the fifth century St. Patrick founded a church and blessed a Well : the latter still exists, and a disused unenclosed churchyard is situated at the back of the stables ; both will be again mentioned further on. This corner of the county is rich in Patrician landmarks, as Narraghmore was founded by St. Patrick ; so was Glassealy, with its St. Patrick’s Well and Footmarks; and Knockpatrick also boasts of a church site founded by the Saint, and close to it his Well, also a granite boulder in the burial-ground, bearing the impressions of his two feet and the end of his staff.

   Only once is this place mentioned in the “ Annals of the Four Masters ” ; the entry occurs under the year a.d. 976, and states that the Danes of Dublin gained a victory over the Leinstermen at Biothlann, in which were slain Augaire mac Toole, King of Leinster ; Murray mac Rian, lord of Hy Kinsellagh ; and Conghalacli mac Flann, lord of Lea and Morett (in the Queen’s County portion of Offaly). Though O’Donovan identifies “ Biothlann ” with our Belan, yet it is just as probable (and more likely) that the battle was fought at Belin in the Parish of Lea, Queen’s County, at which there is a ford in the river Barrow, just over 12 miles, as the crow flies, to the northwest of our Belan.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 158

5. Tithe Troubles at Lisnevagh

   Lisnevagh · townland · Carlow

   During the tithe troubles, Roman Catholic landholder Philip Germaine at Lisnevagh had his cattle driven away by friends to avoid seizure by the sheriff for unpaid tithes, though he reportedly lost more than he would have by simply paying.

   Read the passage

   At the time of the tithe troubles a Mr. Philip Germaine, a Roman Catholic, held Lisnevagh. To avoid having cattle seized by the sheriff for tithe, he allowed his stock to be driven away by friends, so that nothing might be found on which to levy. It was said, however, that he was never able to get back all his herd, and that he would have been much less out of pocket if he had paid what was demanded in the first instance.

   Humewood used to belong to the Ormonde estate. It was then known as Butler’s Wood. The Humes got it on lease from the Butlers, and after some time bought out the headrent, and became the absolute owners of the property, and then

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 210

6. Wake-song of Kilbawn recalling Oonah's ghost at the moat

   Turnerstown · townland · Kildare · 1835

   A wake-song once favoured in the locality, recorded in the Dublin Penny Journal of 1835, describes a shadow that flits across the moor at moonlight and sits at the moat until midnight, feared by locals as Oonah's restless shade.

   Read the passage

   “ On moonlight nights the shadow flits Across the furry moor,

   And at the moat in silence sits Until the midnight hour.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 71

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Turnerstown, a wake-song once told of a shadow that flits across the moor on moonlight nights and sits at the moat in silence until the midnight hour. Locals knew it as Oonah's restless shade, and the song was favoured around here before it found its way into the Dublin Penny Journal in 1835.

7. Wedding of Pole Cosby at Bow Street, Dublin

   Bow Street · street · Dublin · 1727

   Pole Cosby married Miss Mary Dodwell on 9 February 1727 at 9 o'clock at night at her mother Mrs Bridges's house in Bow Street, Dublin, in a costly private ceremony with elaborate wedding attire and gifts.

   Read the passage

   My Father went up to Parliment sooner than he designed because the match for me with Miss Dodwell was Brought about again in July by ye mains of one Capt. Solomon White, & before the Election everything was in a manner made up, & only waited for my Fathers going up to Dublin to Fix & settle things possatively with her Mother Mrs. Bridges, which he did in a very short time so y* I was by my Father ordered to go up on ye 14th Nov1’ 1727 to pay my court. My Father for these 2 years past had often proposed matches to me but I wo’d not hearken to any one at all, and told others he employed to speak to me yt I would never Marry any at all while he lived, unless it was Miss Dodwell & that I was possatively resolved on it, which I was & this was it y* made him bring about the Match with Miss Dodwell again. When I got to Dublin I took handsome lodgings in Caple Street by myself, my Father took a house ready furnished at £10 a Month in Abby street and then my Mother & sister and the family came up & match went on a pace and when all affairs was finished, all things ready, I was marryed on Friday the 9th day of February 1727 at 9 a clock at night to Miss Mary Dodwell at her Mother Mrs Bridges’s house in Bow Street. It was deemed but a private Wedding ’tho it cost my wife £400 for her expenses and £500. for mine. Against my wedding I only got 2 servants in very handsome yallow liveries. The morning after I was marryed I made my wife a present of a single stone dimond ring which cost me £ 4

   dimond stay buckles, which cost £115, a dimond Hoop ring

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 121

   As the companion tells it

   On this street in Dublin, in a house belonging to Mrs Bridges, Pole Cosby married Miss Mary Dodwell on Friday the 9th of February 1727, at 9 o'clock at night. The match had first been brought about in July by Captain Solomon White, and Pole's father went to Dublin to settle things positively with Mrs Bridges. For 2 years before that, his father had proposed various matches, but Pole would listen to none of them. He told others he would never marry anyone at all while his father lived, unless it was Miss Dodwell, and that he was positively resolved on it. That resolve was what made his father bring the match about again. Pole was ordered to Dublin on the 14th of November 1727 to pay his court. He took lodgings in Caple Street. His father took a furnished house at 10 pounds a month in Abby Street, and then his mother, his sister, and the family came up. The match went on apace. When all affairs were finished and everything ready, the wedding went ahead. It was deemed a private wedding, though it cost his wife 400 pounds for her expenses and 500 pounds for his. Against the wedding he only hired 2 servants in handsome yellow liveries. The morning after he was married, he gave his wife a single stone diamond ring costing 4 pounds, diamond stay buckles costing 115 pounds, and a diamond hoop ring.

8. Ancient granite font in Clondalkin churchyard

   near Clondalkin · town · Dublin

   A very ancient font in the churchyard at Clondalkin, probably of Celtic origin, is made from a rudely shaped granite boulder, similar to fonts at Clane, Tallaght, and Kilnamanagh. It appears to have been pierced to allow liquid to drain rather than having a cover.

   Read the passage

   The very ancient font in the churchyard at Clondalkin is probably of Celtic origin. Like the ancient fonts of Clane, Tallaght,1 and Kilnamanagh, it is of great size, and is formed out of a granite boulder, very rudely shaped. It does not appear to have had a cover, probably because it was pierced to allow the sacramental element to run off. Besides the font, there are in the churchyard portions of two rude granite crosses.

   St. Ferfugillus, who died in 789, was the first Bishop of Clondalkin. In 879 Cathal, Abbot and Bishop, died.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 5

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Clondalkin, the churchyard holds a very ancient font, probably of Celtic origin. It is a large granite boulder, rudely shaped, like the old fonts at Clane, Tallaght, and Kilnamanagh. It seems to have been pierced so the sacramental water could drain away, rather than having had a cover. There are also fragments of two rough granite crosses in the churchyard. Clondalkin's first bishop, St. Ferfugillus, died in 789, and Cathal, abbot and bishop, died in 879.

9. Archbishop Hoadly's Chimney-Piece at Tallaght Palace

   near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 1729–1746

   Archbishop Hoadly erected a chimney-piece in the dining-room of Tallaght Palace bearing his crest, coat-of-arms and a dated inscription of 1729. Hoadly was later promoted to Armagh, died at Rathfarnham in 1746, and was buried at Tallaght though no tomb marks the spot.

   Read the passage

   Archbishop Hoadly erected in the dining-room of the palace a chimney-piece bearing his crest : “ Upon a terrestrial orb or, a dove, wings expanded, holding an olive-branch in the beak, proper”; and his coat-of-arms (viz.: Quarterly, azure and or, in the first quarter a pelican of the second vulning herself, proper), impaling that of the See of Dublin. The date (1729) is cut on the chimney-piece, as well as the following inscription : “ IOHANNES HOADLY HANC DOMVM REFECIT.”

   Archbishop Hoadly, whose brother Benjamin was Bishop of Winchester, was promoted to the Archbishopric of Armagh in 1742, and, dying at Rathfarnham in 1746, he was buried at Tallaght, where his wife and her mother had been previously interred. No tomb, however, exists to their memory.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 20

10. Baltinglass Racecourse and Lord Aldborough's Escape

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1792

    An old racecourse near Carr's Rock had racing as far back as 1792. Lord Aldborough, seeing he could not win, once jumped his horse out of the field onto the road and went home.

    Read the passage

    From Carr’s Rock may be seen the old racecourse, where racing was in full swing as far back as 1792. It is related that Lord Aldborough once, seeing his chance of winning was hopeless, jumped his horse out of the field on to the road, and went home.

    Among the paupers in the workhouse there have been at least two centenarians. One was a man of the name of Death, who went into the Union and died there after being an inmate for a short time only. There is at the present time an old woman there named Mary Lodge who has reached the age of 112.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 209

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass, over near Carr's Rock lies an old racecourse where racing was in full swing as far back as 1792. Lord Aldborough once rode there and, seeing his chance of winning was hopeless, jumped his horse out of the field onto the road and went home.

11. Charity distributed at father's funeral in Stradbally

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1729

    At the funeral at Stradbally, 100 poor people were served bread and ale at the door along with great quantities of victuals and plenty of wine distributed within the house.

    Read the passage

    St. Patricks church of Stradbally, the house below was all hung in Black and Scutchons hung close quite round every room, lierse and six horses with all proper orniments every creature y* came y* had the least tolerable appearance had scarfes and gloves, 100 poor were served at the door with bread and ale and great quantatyes of victuals of all sorts within, with plenty of wine.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

12. Death and burial of uncle Pole at Clonanagh

    Clonenagh · townland · Laois · 1727

    Uncle Pole died suddenly at his house in Queen Street on 10 March 1727 aged 47, and was buried at Clonanagh in a handsome funeral. He is described as a hospitable, generous man whose improvements greatly benefited the poor.

    Read the passage

    March the lOtli 1727, my uncle Pole dyed suddenly at his house in Queen street and my Cos desired I wo’d go down with him to see his Father buryed at Clonanagli which I did, & was an adviser at ye funerall which was very handsome. My uncle Pole 47 years old the day he dyed. He was a tall & lusty Bodyed man, full large Face & a very honest good humoured countenance, he was a plain man & alhvays effected it in his dress & behaviour, & very honest just man and vertuous not given to any vice & lead a very harmless life, very good natural parts, very Hospitable and spent much in improvement wh ye Poor benefited by, he was very affect to his friends & relations, and would have been quite another sort of man had he not been too much governed by his wife who had not ye best of judgments & not half his sense. His improvements were great grand and expensive and his designs were elegant as the gardens show. He built a fine large park, his estate was very large not less than £3000 per an, but what between his improving at Ballyfin & his wifes going constantly every winter to Dublin, he dyed worth no ready money so that his younger children had but his personal estate more than w* was settled on them at marriage, that was Mrs Sarah £2000, Mrs Mary £P200, Mrs Betty £800, Mrs Anne £800 and Master William £800.

    Towards the latter end of March 1728 I did accompany my sister home & returned to Dublin in a few days, and now I began to buy chairs, tables, beds and all sorts of household stuff for Stradbally & by the 30th of April we had bought a good deal & so my wife & I left Dublin for Stradbally, we lay the first night Kilcullenbridge, and ye 1st of May 1728 I brought her to Stradbally, we were met at the Bounds of ye County by a great many gentlemen and others and Longdancers. And great joy there was, bonfires &c. my bringing home my wife, we lived this

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 122

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Clonenagh, somewhere around here, Uncle Pole was laid to rest in 1727. He died suddenly on the 10th of March that year, at his house in Queen Street. He was 47 years old the day he died. The writer of the journal went down with his cousin to see his father buried here, and acted as an adviser at the funeral, which was a very handsome affair. The journal describes Uncle Pole as a tall and lusty-bodied man, with a full large face and a very honest, good-humoured countenance. He was a plain man and always affected it in his dress and behaviour. He was a very honest, just man, and virtuous, not given to any vice, and led a very harmless life. He had very good natural parts, was very hospitable, and spent much in improvement, with the poor benefiting by it. He was very affectionate to his friends and relations, and would have been quite another sort of man had he not been too much governed by his wife, who had not the best of judgments and not half his sense. His improvements were great, grand, and expensive, and his designs were elegant, as the gardens show. He built a fine large park. His estate was very large, not less than 3000 pounds per annum. But what between his improving at Ballyfin and his wife going constantly every winter to Dublin, he died worth no ready money. His younger children had but his personal estate, beyond what was settled on them at marriage: Mrs Sarah 2000 pounds, Mrs Mary 200 pounds, Mrs Betty 800 pounds, Mrs Anne 800 pounds, and Master William 800 pounds.

13. Demolition of Earl of Kildare's tomb at Christ Church Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1677–1705

    The tomb of Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare, who died in 1513 and erected it in the Lady Chapel of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin in 1503, was demolished between 1677 and 1705 by the Dean of Christ Church during alterations to the cathedral buildings.

    Read the passage

    Another instance is that of the tomb of Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare (who died in 1513), erected by him in the Lady Chapel of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, in 1503, and which was demolished between the years 1677 and 1705 by the Very Rev. William Moreton, Dean of Christ Church (and afterwards Bishop of Kildare), when he was making some alterations in the Cathedral buildings.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 299

    As the companion tells it

    Right here at Christ Church Cathedral stood the tomb of Gerald, the eighth Earl of Kildare. He erected it in the Lady Chapel in 1503, ten years before his death in 1513. Between 1677 and 1705, Dean William Moreton demolished the tomb while making alterations to the cathedral buildings. He later became Bishop of Kildare.

14. Detailed Building Works at Esker House

    Esker · townland · Laois · 1726–1729

    Pole Cosby's father undertook extensive construction at Esker, including new rooms, cellars, gardens, a brewhouse, coach houses, and walled courtyards, alongside land drainage and river scouring works. The improvements were completed to a high standard between 1726 and 1729.

    Read the passage

    My father ever resolved, when he sho’d marry me, to quit Stradbally & Ballymaddock was the place he did resolve to retire to, but from ye time he took Esker from Coll. Freeman in 1722 he resolved that Esker should be that place, and so in Autum 1725 before Coz. Pigot Sands quitted it, he began to improve and made the avenue, ditches, hedges and trees, and Spring 1726 he began to build there, he pulled down 2 rooms of ye old house, broke out lights backwards to ye old house & built ye Parlour Hall and drawing roome in ye front, he new floored and wescotted and new sashed and glased the whole house, built the seller vaults and rooms over them, built all new the wall garden scullery, lather, dary, Brew house, giling room and coach houses, Enclosed all the court and yard with walls, new painted ye whole house put up marble chimneypieces, Built the wall on the N.W. side of the Paddock, stubed a vast dale of the land, scoured the whole river as far as it run through Esker land, made a vast number of new drains and scoured up all the old, Built many pair of stone peers and set up gates & did many more improvemts I cant recollect, all wh cost him about £1100, he did not do this all in one year but from Autum 1726 to May 1729 y* was in two years and a half’s time, he finished all his work very well and good and compleat work it was. My F: before he left Ireland when he was goeing to Holland made a Will which my mother had, and I read it and saw it after his death, but it was lost and what became of it I never co'd hear, but by this will he left all his personal estate to my mother and so Esker being only a lease of years it was my mothers, and my fathers debts when he dyed were, including his funeral expenses, £2078 1. 8. but indeed I was bound with him for £1180, but then I could make his effects to go as far as they co’d to pay first his Bond debts, his effects, besides what the interest of Esker was worth, came to £428. 8. 6. so that would pay off y® Bonds y* I joined with in not half, so y* there remained for me of the Bond debts £551. 16. 6. then there were his own debts including his funeral charges £898. 1. 3d. and not a farthing to pay them except ye interest of Esker, and so my mother wo’d have a deed between she and I, y* I should have Esker and all my Fathers effects except ye coach chariot chairs and as many of the coach and saddle horses as she pleased, ye furniture of her roome and some other furniture and all the tea plate and a pr of plated candlesticks, and y* I should take on me my fathers debts and

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 129

15. Disused burial ground and ancient church founded by St. Patrick at Belan

    Belan · townland · Kildare

    At the back of the former haggard at Belan lies a disused, unenclosed burial-ground where the foundations of a nave and chancel of a church, originally founded by St. Patrick, can be traced, along with fragments of an octagonal granite font.

    Read the passage

    At the back of what was the haggard lies a disused and unenclosed burial-ground, hardly recognizable from the surrounding meadow-land. Of the church, originally founded by St. Patrick, the foundations of a nave and chancel alone can be traced. Under a white-thorn in the centre of them lie portions of an octagonal granite font consisting of the base (28 inches across and 10 inches thick), the shaft (11 inches high and 18 inches in diameter), and the bowl (15 inches high and 82 inches across). The latter a few years ago was entire, but is now shattered into four pieces; the perforation passes through the middle of all three portions. Though rough stones mark interments, there is only one head-stone which bears an inscription : it reads : —

    Here Lieth The Body of John Harriss Who Departed This Life May The 22th 1714. Aged 40 Years <2 — ,

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 160

16. Earl Thomas FitzGerald's burial at the Grey Abbey, Kildare

    Kildare · town · Kildare · 1328–1329

    The Earl of Kildare's Red Book records that Lord Thomas FitzGerald, who built the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Friars Minors of Kildare, died at Maynooth Castle in 1328 and was buried before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin there; his son Richard died at Rathangan in 1329 without male issue.

    Read the passage

    Kildare, which are too numerous to specify. ... He (the Earl) died at his Castle at Maynooth on the 9 th of April in the year of our Lord MCCCXXVIII, and was buried before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin.

    “Item. — To his right, his son Bichard, who succeeded him in the Earldom, lies in front of the Altar of St. John; he died at Bathangan in the year of our Lord MCCCXXIX, without male issue.”

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kildare, you are near the Grey Abbey where Lord Thomas FitzGerald was buried before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin on the 9th of April 1328. He died at his castle at Maynooth. His son Richard succeeded him in the earldom and lies to his right, in front of the Altar of St. John. Richard died at Rathangan in 1329, without male issue.

17. Eustace Street Named for Lord Chancellor's Dublin House

    Eustace Street · street · Dublin

    Sir Maurice Eustace's Dublin residence stood in Damask Street, which came to be known as Eustace Street in his honour, running from Dame Street to Wellington Quay.

    Read the passage

    The Sir Maurice Eustace, Kt., Lord Chancellor of Ireland at this time, when in the country lived at Harristown, between Kilcullen Bridge and Ballymore-Eustace ; and when he resided in Dublin, he dwelt in his house in Damask Street, now known in consequence as Eustace Street, which leads from Dame Street to Wellington Quay.

    He was the son of John Eustace, of Harristown, a younger son of William Eustace, of Castlemartin, in the County Kildare.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 264

    As the companion tells it

    Along here is Eustace Street, named for Sir Maurice Eustace, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. When he resided in Dublin he dwelt in his house in Damask Street, which became known as Eustace Street in his honour. The street leads from Dame Street to Wellington Quay. Sir Maurice was the son of John Eustace of Harristown, himself a younger son of William Eustace of Castlemartin in County Kildare.

18. Feudal Tenant Dues Owed at Kilkea Manor, 1590

    Kilkea · parish · Kildare · 1590

    A 1590 lease from Henry, Earl of Kildare, to Walter Archbold of Timolin for lands at Molleghmast in the Lordship of Kilkea details the extensive labour services and customary payments owed by the tenant, including plough days, carts, hooks for harvest, muttons, capons, and armed attendance on the Earl.

    Read the passage

    “ also yeelding and painge one custom plowe for one daie uppon everie husbandman or tennaunts plowe that shall manure or in habitt uppon the premisses in wheate seede yerelie during the said tearme, and the like in oate seede yearlie. Also yeeldinge and painge uppon everie plowe as aforsaid one cart to drawe hey, one cart to drawe corne, one cart to drawe turff, and one cart to drawe wodd, to serve the Manner house of Kilkae, for one daie yerelie during the said terme. And also yeeldinge and painge one custom hooke to ripp in harvist, and one weeding hooke or workman uppon everie tennaunts house that shalbe

    356

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

19. FitzGeralds acquire Manors of Woodstock and Athy

    Woodstock Castle · castle · Kildare · 1250–1316

    The manors of Woodstock and Athy came into the possession of the FitzGerald family in the second half of the thirteenth century through the marriage of Thomas FitzGerald to Rohesia, daughter of Sir Richard de St. Michael, Baron of Rheban. Their son John, the infant of the ape legend, later became Earl of Kildare in 1316.

    Read the passage

    The manors of Woodstock and Athy came into the possession of the FitzGerald family during the second half of the thirteenth century, on the marriage of Thomas FitzGerald, third son of Maurice, Baron of Offaly, with Rohesia, daughter of Sir Richard de St. Michael, Baron of Rheban.

    The issue of this marriage was an only son John, the infant referred to in the ballad, who (thanks to the ape) lived to reach man’s estate; and in 1816 was created Earl of Kildare in recognition of his great services to the Crown during the Bruce invasion of Ireland.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 181

    As the companion tells it

    Woodstock Castle is right here. The manors of Woodstock and Athy came to the FitzGerald family in the second half of the thirteenth century, through the marriage of Thomas FitzGerald, third son of Maurice, Baron of Offaly, to Rohesia, daughter of Sir Richard de St. Michael, Baron of Rheban. Their only son John was the infant from the ape legend, who lived to reach man's estate and was created Earl of Kildare in 1316 for his services to the Crown during the Bruce invasion of Ireland.

20. Forty-Five Hanged in Dublin for Treason

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1581

    In the aftermath of the 1580-81 rebellion, forty-five persons were executed in Dublin on charges of treason, as recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters.

    Read the passage

    “ The age of Christ 1581. Forty-five persons were hanged in Dublin for crimes of treason.”

    1 He was Sir John FitzGerald, of Mogeely, County Cork, son of James, 14th Earl of Desmond. He was slain in the rebellion near Aherlow, in August, 1582.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 258

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you're moving through a city where, in 1581, forty-five people were hanged for treason, recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters as the aftermath of rebellion.

21. Gold ring found by plough near Hogthorne

    Rathcoole · town · Dublin · 1387

    In 1387 John, son of Gilbert Lawless, and his servant found a gold ring worth forty pounds in a field near Hogthorne between Rathcoole and Tassagart, concealed it, but were later pardoned.

    Read the passage

    “ a.d. 1387. On the Saturday before the festival of St. Patrick, in this year, John, the son of Gilbert Lawless, and his servant, John Brown, turned out of the earth by the plough, in a field near Hogthorne, between the villages of Rathcoole and Tassagard, a ring of pure gold, of the value or estimation of forty pounds sterling, which they secreted ; but, the concealment being discovered, they were presented for the same, and on being asked what they had to offer by way of defence in respect of the said ring, and why they should not make satisfaction to the King for the value of the same, they pleaded that His Majesty, out of his especial grace, had pardoned the transgression and also the concealment ” (King, p. 129).

    The Scurlocks appear to have been the chief family in Rathcoole from the year 1470 onward ; and the first of the family we find mention of is Thomas Scurlock, who in that year resided at Rathcredan Castle, which was situate close to the present village. After the suppression of the Abbey of St. Thomas in Dublin, some of its property passed to the Scurlocks, as an inquisition, 6th Edward VI., finds “that Nicholas Scurlock, of Rathcredan, holds a messuage in Thomas Street, near ye said house by fealty.” In the ms. Description of Ireland, in 1598, we find Scurlock, of Rathcredan, in the list of “ men of name in this Countie.” This was Martin Scurlock, who died in 1599, and was succeeded by his son, Patrick, an infant. The Castle of Rathcredan was of great strength ; and when “ Austin Cooper ” visited Rathcoole in 1780, he found some remains of it, and

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 43

    As the companion tells it

    Just along this road near Rathcoole, back in 1387, a man named John, son of Gilbert Lawless, and his servant John Brown were ploughing a field near Hogthorne, between Rathcoole and Tassagart, when the plough turned a ring of pure gold out of the earth. It was worth forty pounds sterling, a very large sum at the time. They hid the ring, but the concealment was discovered and they were brought to answer for it. They pleaded that the King had already pardoned both the transgression and the concealment, out of his especial grace. Later on, Rathcoole itself was closely tied to the Scurlock family. Thomas Scurlock lived at Rathcredan Castle near the village from 1470, and after the Abbey of St. Thomas in Dublin was suppressed, some of its property passed to the Scurlocks. Nicholas Scurlock held a messuage in Thomas Street by fealty. Martin Scurlock was listed among the men of name in the county in 1598, and died in 1599, leaving an infant son, Patrick. The castle of Rathcredan was of great strength, and when Austin Cooper visited Rathcoole in 1780, he found some remains of it still standing.

22. John Hewetson's burial and monument in Kildare Cathedral Abbey

    Kildare · town · Kildare · 1656–1658

    John Hewetson, High Sheriff of Kildare in 1656 and owner of 'both abbeys', died in 1658 and was interred, per his wish, in the Church of the Abbey of Kildare, where a monument erected by his wife Christian can still be seen. The full inscription is transcribed line for line.

    Read the passage

    Here : vnderneath : Lyeth : the : body : of : Iohn : Hewetfon : efq : he : waf : born : att : fettrington : in : Yorkefhire : anD : dyed : the : 2 : day : of : febru : 1658 aoed : 45 : yeares : thif : monument : waf : erected : af : a memoriall : of : him : by : Chriftian : hif : wif : by : whom : he : had : iffue : one : fonno [sic] : and : two : daughterf : the : yo^ unger : dyed : the : yere : of : her : age : and : if : inter = ed : by : her : f[athe]r.

    The last line is cut on the projecting frame of the mural slab, and a chip occurs in the word “ father.” The age of the daughter is omitted. The son was Col. Thomas Hewetson, of Grange, Co. Kildare ; and the daughters Dorothy and Elinor, the latter being buried in her father’s tomb.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 27

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Kildare town, you're near the cathedral abbey where John Hewetson chose to be buried. He was High Sheriff of Kildare in 1656 and owned both abbeys. Born at Settrington in Yorkshire, he died on 2 February 1658, aged 45. His wife Christian erected the monument as a memorial, and it can still be seen. They had one son, Col. Thomas Hewetson of Grange, and two daughters, Dorothy and Elinor. Elinor was buried in her father's tomb. The inscription on the mural slab is cut at the edge where it names him as father, and the age of the daughter who died young is missing.

23. Legal dispute over the Lordship of Timahoe, 1734

    Timahoe · townland · Laois · 1734

    Colonel Murray served ejectments on the tenants of Timahoe, leading to a Queen's County jury trial in November 1734 over whether Colonel Samuel Freeman had the right to make leases of the Lordship of Timahoe, involving disputed testimony about the death date of trustee Dennis Dougan.

    Read the passage

    Col. Murray had served me & all the tenants of Timahoe with Ejectments before I came over from England & so Michaelmas term ye 12th of Novr. 1734 it was tried by a Qs. County jury of 12 men whether Col. Samuel Freeman had a right to make leases of ye Lordship of Timahoe, & first they got some poor Knights of ye Post that swore y* Dennis Dougan, Trustee in Honora Keivins & Col. freemans Settlement survived John Sprainger the other trustee in sd Settlement, but the witnesses did not swear at all possatively to the day of Dr. Dougan s death, but that he died they thought in March 1721, they thought it was the Beginning of March, we produced a

    The Rock of Dunamase.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 198

24. Longevity of Baltinglass Union Inhabitants

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow

    A headstone at Baltinglass records the ages of former inhabitants averaging over a century, and at the time of writing a woman named Mary Lodge, aged 114, lived in the union along with several others over ninety.

    Read the passage

    This place was known as De Valle Salutis, and its inhabitants have reason to rejoice in its salubrity. There is a headstone at the end of the eastern portion of the aisle where the ages of the former inhabitants recorded thereon show their longevity, the average being over a century. In the union here we have at present a woman named Mary Lodge, whose age is 114, and and there are also in it several well over ninety.

    The Church of Ireland place of worship that we have here is of recent construction. It has a very sweet-toned bell, which is reputed to have been found in the bed of the River Liffey, and to have belonged to a church at Blessington. The Roman Catholic Church will repay a visit. The foundations were laid in 1846, by the Rev. Daniel Lalor, p.p. It was open for public worship about 1854, and additions and improvements were made by the late Very Rev. Denis Kane, p.p., v.g., the late Rev. Arnold Wall, p.p., and by our present pastor, the Rev. Thomas O’Neill. It has recently been most tastefully decorated in oils by Messrs. Harper and Foley.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 221

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass, you are in a place once known as De Valle Salutis, whose inhabitants had reason to rejoice in its salubrity. A headstone at the end of the eastern portion of the aisle records the ages of former inhabitants, and the average runs over a century. At the time of writing, a woman named Mary Lodge, aged 114, lived in the union here, and several others were well over ninety. The Church of Ireland place of worship is of recent construction, with a sweet-toned bell reputed to have been found in the bed of the River Liffey and to have belonged to a church at Blessington. The Roman Catholic Church foundations were laid in 1846 by the Rev. Daniel Lalor, and it opened for public worship around 1854. Additions and improvements were made by the Very Rev. Denis Kane, the Rev. Arnold Wall, and the Rev. Thomas O'Neill, and it was recently decorated in oils by Messrs. Harper and Foley.

25. Manor of Clondalkin returned as 'waste' in 1326

    near Clondalkin · town · Dublin · 1326

    Despite its proximity to Dublin, Clondalkin remained exposed to Irish raids from the Dublin mountains; part of the manor was officially returned as 'waste, being among the Irishry' reflecting the unsettled state of the area.

    Read the passage

    Notwithstanding its close proximity to Dublin, Clondalkin long continued exposed to the depredations of the Irish, who descended from the Dublin mountains to ravage and plunder. It gives us a strange picture of the state of Ireland when we read that in 1826 part of the manor of Clondalkin was returned as “ waste, being among the Irishry.” Two hundred years later, Archbishop Brown, writing from his country house at Tallaght, close by, complained of the Tooles as his mortal enemies, daily oppressing his “ poor tenants.” And in 1578 they made an incursion into Tallaght, and slew a nephew and

    ClT.nNmAT ¥TO P,T=TTTT?r'l

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clondalkin, despite sitting close to Dublin, this place stayed exposed to raids from the Dublin mountains for a long time. In 1326 part of the manor here was officially returned as "waste, being among the Irishry." Two hundred years later, Archbishop Brown, writing from his country house at Tallaght close by, complained of the Tooles as his mortal enemies, daily oppressing his poor tenants. In 1578 they made an incursion into Tallaght and slew a nephew.

26. Monasteroris Franciscan Abbey founded 1325 by Sir John de Bermingham

    Monasteroris · townland · Offaly · 1325

    The excursion party drove to Monasteroris, a Franciscan Abbey founded in 1325 by Sir John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth, as part of their tour of Bermingham family sites.

    Read the passage

    The route, taken on cars, included the Bermingham Castles of Carbury and Carrick; and Trinity Well the source of the Boyne; the ancient territory of Totmoy (now the baronies of Coolestown and Warrenstown) in the King’s County was then entered, and Edenderry reached ; here the Colley Castle was inspected, and after luncheon in Barr’s Hotel the party drove to Monasteroris, a Franciscan Abbey founded in 1325 by Sir John de Bermingham, Earl of Louth ; then the party proceeded on to the Bermingham Castle of Kinnafad, and so back into the County Kildare to Grange Castle, also a Bermingham stronghold; after which Rahan, the residence of Mr. Charles Colley-Palmer, was reached ; and after being most hospitably entertained to tea* by their host and hostess, the party continued their journey, and arrived at Ballyboggan Abbey, just over the borders in the County Meath; after inspecting these ruins, a start was made for the Moy valley railway station, to catch the evening train back to Dublin, which should have been reached by 9.5 p.m., hut was considerably later owing to a faildown the line delaying the running of the train.

    * Our member, Mr. Ambrose More O’Ferrall, had most kindly invited the party to tea ; but the organizers of the excursion were not able to arrange it so as to be able to accept his hospitality.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 237

27. Murder of William Rauf at Rodetoun near Baltinglass Abbey, 1297

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1297

    In 1297 William le Long, a clerk, slew William Rauf of Balihethe and was received by Thomas Swyft, a monk of Baltinglass, at Rodetoun; William was outlawed for the crime.

    Read the passage

    1297. William le Long, a clerk, slew William Rauf, of Balihethe, and is received by Thomas Swyft, monk of Balkynglas at Rodetoun. William outlawed. Thomas Swyft says he ought not to answer before William is convicted. He is permitted to go by mainprise.

    1297. Philip, son of Hugh Culhuly, shot William, son of Ralph, in Edwyneston, with an arrow, whereof he died. Donnell nPTalewy, monk, of Balkinglas, Nicholas Grym, Matthew O’Kelly, brother John le Webbe, Keeper of the Grange of Taghnogheran (Tinoran, Co Wicklow), William le Long, clerk, John le Caretterof Walsheton, Matthew Barown, John Danyel, and Robert Matwode, aided him. Donnell m‘Talewy and brother John appear elsewhere ; the rest outlawed.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 249

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass, you are near where a murder was recorded in 1297. William le Long, a clerk, slew William Rauf of Balihethe, and was received at Rodetoun by Thomas Swyft, a monk of Baltinglass Abbey. William le Long was outlawed for the killing. Thomas Swyft argued he ought not to answer before William was convicted, and he was permitted to go by mainprise. That same year another violent death touched the abbey's monks: Philip, son of Hugh Culhuly, shot William, son of Ralph, with an arrow at Edwyneston, whereof he died, and Donnell m'Talewy, another monk of Balkinglas, was among those who aided him.

28. Nunnery tradition and human bones at Coolmine Castle

    Coolmine · townland · Dublin

    Local tradition held that the chapel of Simon Tallaght at Coolmine was once the site of a nunnery; this was supported when human bones, believed by a medical man to be female, were found near the castle ruins about six years before the writing.

    Read the passage

    northern slope of a hill, lay the ancient village of Coolmine. A chapel known as Simon Tallaght was in existence here at the beginning of the 14th century, and local tradition tells that in former times it was the site of a nunnery. As early as the 18th century the lands were in possession of Richard, son of Lord Maurice Bermingham, who sold his interest to James Bermingliam, whose son Peter conveyed them in 1803 to Peter Hacket. In 1326 Coolmine became the property of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the tenants’ interest being vested in Geoffrey Crump, and the landlords’ interest in Elena le Petit and John Hacket. Eeagli McHugh, after his attack on Saggart in 1580, burned Coolmine. At the beginning of the 17th century the Castle and 250 acres were held by John Lock of the Athgoe family, from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, at a yearly rent of £2. The history of this castle was doubtless full of stirring events, and vicissitudes of capture and recapture ; but at the present time its ruins merely consist of a column of masonry 30 feet high, which appears to have been a buttress on the west side of this once great stronghold. The lands are now in the possession of R. Kennedy, Esq., h.m.l., County Kildare ; and the herd informed the writer that about six years ago, when erecting a hay barn about 100 yards to the east of the Castle, human bones were found, which in the opinion of a medical man were those of females. This would go to prove the old tradition about a nunnery being once here.

    NED

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 49

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, on the northern slope of a hill, lay the ancient village of Coolmine. A chapel known as Simon Tallaght existed here at the beginning of the 14th century, and local tradition held that in former times it was the site of a nunnery. That tradition found support in a more recent discovery. About six years before this was written, a herd working for the current landowner, R. Kennedy of County Kildare, was erecting a hay barn roughly 100 yards to the east of the castle ruins. Human bones turned up in the ground. A medical man examined them and gave the opinion that they were the bones of females, which would go to prove the old tradition about a nunnery being once here. The castle itself has a long and violent history. In 1326 Coolmine became the property of St. Patrick's Cathedral. In 1580, Feagh McHugh, after his attack on Saggart, burned Coolmine. At the beginning of the 17th century the castle and 250 acres were held by John Lock of the Athgoe family from St. Patrick's Cathedral, at a yearly rent of 2 pounds. The lands passed through the Bermingham family and later to Peter Hacket in 1803. Today the ruins consist only of a column of masonry 30 feet high, which appears to have been a buttress on the west side of what was once a great stronghold.

29. Old Bawn, decaying 17th-century mansion built by Archbishop Bulkeley

    near Old Bawn · minor feature · Wexford · 1905

    Sir Arthur Vicars described Old Bawn, a fast-decaying seventeenth-century mansion of many gables built by Archbishop Bulkeley, noted for its plaster work and carved oak staircase, though the floors were dangerously rotten.

    Read the passage

    A short drive brought the company to Old Bawn, where Sir Arthur Vicars gave a description of this fast-decaying old seventeenth-century mansion of many gables, built by Archbishop Bulkeley. The curious interior, with the fine plaster work and the carved oak staircase, was visited with some trepidation on the part of the members, owing to the very rotten condition of the floors in the house.

    Light refreshments were provided here for those who wished for them ; and many seized the opportunity of sketching and photographing the picturesque old house, until it was time to move on to the next and final place to be visited — -Drimnagh Castle, three miles off.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 87

30. Proclamation of King George II at Maryborough

    Maryborough · townland · Laois · 1727

    Following the death of King George I in June 1727, Pole Cosby and his father travelled to Maryborough for the proclamation of King George II. This event marked the dissolution of the previous Parliament.

    Read the passage

    vast deal of evergreens and over trees & made it very pretty and tho but a trivial sort of improvement there came vast numbers of People a great way to see it, it being a kind of improvement that was entirely new in this Country, it was in 1725 y* I made ye wall on ye S.E. side of the river and the canal facing diagonally ye Vault down to the Avenue Bridge, & made and planted the Island of the Hermitage, it was in 1728 y* I planted the Grove behind the Hermitage that is north W & in 1729 I planted the firs and elms from Mt Pleasant to that Grove & it was in 1784 y4 1 planted the Yew Circular seat at the end of the firs next to said Grove, When my father gave me y* spot to improve in Jan. 1724 the first thing I did was to turn ye road into ye land (which was on ye top of ye bank on the S.E. side of the Great hedge) to the N.W. side of the said hedge (that is ye paved road on the back of Mt. Pleasant) and then I made the Crab Quick hedge and the ditch, the first that I ever made In 1785 I made the Bowlin Alley & planted the yews there. King George the 1st dyed the 11th of June 1727 by which the Parliment was dissolved, my Father & I went soon after we heard it to Maryborough to the Proclaiming King George ye Second our present King. My father was Knight of the Shire for the Queens County long before he went to Spain and while he was abroad though he was not here to make interest still he was chose again and was chose allways after. When Queen Anne dyed the county agreed that my F : & Pilchard Warburton of Garryhinch Esq. son of my Great Uncle Warburton sho’d stand for the County, but one day a great many of the gentlemen of the County beeing met to talk of y* affair, Dick Warbn not careing for expense or trouble (& Ephraim Dawson being ambitious) told Ephraim that he sho’d stand for ye county if he might come in for Portarlington & so it was agreed, but it is affirmed y* Dawson firmly promised y* for ever a Warburton & a Sands sho’d for ever represent ye Burrough of Portarlington, thus it was Dawson got to be IG : of the Shire and by his cunning management having it allways in vew, he had by making freeholders & other ways & his Scotch insinuating way got a very great interest in this County though he was quite a new comer into this County and a mean very mean Upstart, for his father kept an ale house ye sign of the Cock in Belfast. But when the King died he wrote to my Father seeking him to joyn him in setting up for the Knights of the Shire. My father gave him no answer for some time though he himself was most Violently bent to join him yes ! often in a few days resolved on it, but my uncle Pole, Col. Robt. Pigot and others & Dick Warburton himself all set on my Father to quit Dawson & join Dick

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 120

31. Rathangan Castle fortified during Silken Thomas rebellion

    Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1534–1765

    During the 1534 rebellion of Silken Thomas, Rathangan Castle was strongly fortified and garrisoned. It was recommended for speedy capture along with Maynooth, the Bridge of Athy, Carlow, Lea and Portlester. The castle was eventually demolished around 1765.

    Read the passage

    In the year 1584 the Rebellion of the Silken Thomas, afterwards 10th Earl of Kildare, took place. Rathangan Castle was at this time strongly fortified and garrisoned ; as related further on, this Castle was finally demolished about the year 1765. John Alen, Master of the Rolls, wrote to Thomas Cromwell (the Lord Privy Seal), on the 16th February, 1535, that if the Silken Thomas was only deprived of his Castles his followers would forsake him ; and so strongly recommends the speedy capture of his Castles of Maynootli, Rathangan, and the Bridge of Athy ; Carlow ; Lea, in the Queen’s County ; and Portlester, in the County Meath.2

    Shortly after the fall, through treachery, of Maynooth Castle in March 1535, Rathangan Castle was carried hy assault. But not long after it appears to have been recaptured by the Silken Thomas through a wile. Stanihurst’s account of this transaction

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

32. Redmond oge FitzGerald granted lease of Rathangan Castle

    Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1540–1551

    Redmond oge FitzGerald was Constable of Rathangan Castle in 1540 and later received a Crown lease in 1551 for the castle, houses, offices, arable and pasture land, and ten cottages in the town of Rathangan, with obligations to maintain the house with slate, thatch and mud wall.

    Read the passage

    “ Redmonde Oge fytzgerald of Rahangan, gent., of the Castell of Rahangan with the howses and offyces belonging to the same, eight messuages cc acres arrabell land cclx acres pasture, thre acres underwood, certayne pasture and turbarie, and ten cottages in the towne of Rahangan ; one messuage cxl acres and xciv acres of land waast in the towne of Kylmoney ; lx acres arrabell callyd Borequyll (Boherkill) parcell of the towne of Kylmoney aforsayd, two messuages lxxx acres arrabell land in the towne of Demestregh (now Drumsru) and ffrehollyn (Feighcullen) ; and lxxxv acres arrabell land in the towne of Clondoleston (Conlanstown) parcells of the Manor of Rahangan in the County of Kildare.

    ‘ ‘ Maynteninge the sayd howse of Rahangan wyth sklate thatchinge and mud wall making home hye (? thorn hedges) onlye durynge the sayd terme of twenty one yeres, and doinge all maner of reparacyons and buyldings, and bering all other chargs whatsoever they be.”

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 101

33. Rotheram family maintained in a cabin on the Stradbally estate

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1680–1692

    John Rotheram, a spendthrift cousin of the Cosby family, lived with Pole Cosby's grandfather at Stradbally for many years while his wife and two daughters lived in a cabin on the land, mostly maintained out of the Cosby household.

    Read the passage

    had a wife and 2 daughters who lived in a cabbin on the land and were mostly maintained out of my Grandfather’s house. He made a Will wh for the curiosaty sake I kept, he bequeathed wt he never had not. He died the 10th of Feb: 1692. Anne his eldest daughter marryed and Never had children. Jane ye youngest daughter a sad Idle wandering sort of woman might have been maintained Comfortable, wo’d she have abided in one place but as she w’d not no one took any Notice of her, but was a miserable terrible object of Charity, and in 1725 when I found she was so Near a relation to my F as 2nd Cousin I had great Compassion for her and endeavoured to get my Father to build her a little, very little House and allow her something weekly, but he w’d not for he said that he was sure she w’d not live in it a week, but would wander as she had done all her life, so all I c’d do for her was to cloath her from top to toe and told her I would give her 5d p. week, and soon after June 1725 my Father fell ill of ye gout, so soon as he took to his bed I knew it w’d be a long fit, I fixed on a spot just beyond ye East end of the church, and in about 3 weeks time built a little House 12 feet long and 9 feet Wide with a chimney and gleased window, neatly plastered and Whitewashed within and without and all as neat and clever as it co’cl be, ye whole with some timber I stole from my Father cost me £1. 17. As soon as my Father was up and rode out he saw ye white chimney and could not imagine wt it was and made all haste round ye church to see it and I did happen to be there when he knocked at ye door to know whose it was, so I came out and told him }e whole, and he was in as great delight as co’d be, and so contributed 8d p. week to keep her which with my 5d. was 18d. and I paid it her every fry day night and here she lived very happyly to what she ever had Done. She lived in this house till 1726 when I brought her to my Hermitage, for for want of constant fires it used to be Damp, and I added a closet to it for her to retire to when we used to go there to Drink a Bottle of wine or tea, and then we always found a fire there and found it dry and warm, she had all necessary furniture there and most extream pretty it was, and she was happy there for ye 13d p. week was only for to find herself in Victuals for I found her in cloaths and used to give her many things beside. She died of ye Palsey the 15th day of X1’ 1730 by wh I saved at least £5 p. an.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

34. St Bridget's Handprint on a Stone Near Kilranelagh

    Kilranelagh · townland · Wicklow

    Tradition holds that St Bridget left the impression of her hand on a stone while stooping to drink from a well near Kilranelagh.

    Read the passage

    Everyone says that the name of the townland “ Spinans ” is a form of the words “ Spy Nuns.” It is said in the neighbourhood that in Oliver Cromwell’s time some nuns took flight from Baltinglass for Kilranelagh, but were seen by soldiers from Kadeen Mountain ; and according to the story these men came down and massacred the nuns. A thorn-bush is pointed out as the spot where the Mother Superior was killed, with one of the Sisters, and is known as “Ony’s Bush,” “ Ony ” being thought to be an abbreviated form of “ Honoria.” A large stone which stands upright at a distance of a few hundred yards from Ony’s Bush is called “ the headstone.” There is a round hole in it three or four feet above the ground. Some think that in pagan times men were put with their heads in this hole while being beheaded ; some think that some more recent tragedy was enacted there ; perhaps some of the nuns may have met their death there. Until comparatively lately it was a venerated spot, and votive rags were tied on a bush beside the headstone ; and a few years ago I was able to see a few threads round a twig : and by this time probably all trace of these votive rags is gone. St. Bridget is supposed to have left the impression of her hand on a stone when stooping to drink from a well.

    Beyond Kilranelagh there is a circle of druidical stones standing upright almost like tombstones. Near these there used^to be an underground passage ; the mouth of it was filled up, as it was dangerous for cattle. “ Byrne of the Grove” told me that his father went to his farm there when he was ten years old : that might have been eighty years ago ; and at that time a party went down this passage until they were afraid to go any further.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 215

35. St. David replaces St. Patrick as patron in Naas

    Naas · town · Kildare

    With the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, the original Celtic patron saint of Naas, St. Patrick, was replaced by St. David as the town's patron saint, reflecting a broader pattern of substitution of native saints by Anglo-Norman patrons.

    Read the passage

    In a large number of instances the local patron saint has been forgotten, and the blessed well is neglected, covered over, or run dry (from drainage operations). In a few cases, on the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, the Celtic saint was ignored and he was substituted by a foreigner; two cases in point are — St. David replaces St. Patrick in Naas, and St. James replaces St. Diarmaid in Castledermot. In old times when the Baron had a grant from the Crown of a seven-day fair in his manor, the Pattern Day in the locality was usually selected for the date of the fair to commence on.

    Within the last fifty years or so, the clergy have had to suppress Patterns, owing to the bad characters that were drawn to the locality, and also on account of the drinking and factionfighting that followed, often leading to loss of life. The Pattern at Sunday’s Well, Kineagh, near Castledermot, held on WTiit Sunday, and the Toberara Pattern near Athy, held on St. John’s Day, were both suppressed owing to loss of life in faction-fights that took place at them.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 294

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Naas, you are in a town whose patron saint was swapped. When the Anglo-Normans arrived, St. Patrick, the original Celtic patron of Naas, was replaced by St. David. The same thing happened at Castledermot, where St. James replaced St. Diarmaid. It was part of a broader pattern: the old Celtic saints were ignored and foreigners put in their place. In old times, the Pattern Day, the saint's feast day, was often chosen as the start date for a fair granted by the Crown. But within the last 50 years or so, the clergy had to suppress Patterns altogether. They drew bad characters, and the drinking and faction fighting that followed often led to loss of life. At Sunday's Well near Castledermot and at Toberara near Athy, patterns were suppressed after people died in faction fights.

36. St. James replaces St. Diarmaid as patron in Castledermot

    Castledermot · town · Kildare

    At Castledermot, the Anglo-Normans substituted the native saint, St. Diarmaid, with St. James as the parish patron saint, following a pattern seen elsewhere in the county.

    Read the passage

    In a large number of instances the local patron saint has been forgotten, and the blessed well is neglected, covered over, or run dry (from drainage operations). In a few cases, on the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, the Celtic saint was ignored and he was substituted by a foreigner; two cases in point are — St. David replaces St. Patrick in Naas, and St. James replaces St. Diarmaid in Castledermot. In old times when the Baron had a grant from the Crown of a seven-day fair in his manor, the Pattern Day in the locality was usually selected for the date of the fair to commence on.

    Within the last fifty years or so, the clergy have had to suppress Patterns, owing to the bad characters that were drawn to the locality, and also on account of the drinking and factionfighting that followed, often leading to loss of life. The Pattern at Sunday’s Well, Kineagh, near Castledermot, held on WTiit Sunday, and the Toberara Pattern near Athy, held on St. John’s Day, were both suppressed owing to loss of life in faction-fights that took place at them.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 294

37. St. Maelruain founds religious establishment at Tallaght in 769

    near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 769

    The Annals of the Four Masters record the founding of the religious establishment at Tallaght by St. Maelruain in the year 769.

    Read the passage

    In the year 769 “ The Annals of the Four Masters ” record “ the first erection of Tamhlacht-Mailruain.” This refers to the religious establishment founded here by a St. Maelruain, of

    Joyce’s Irish Names of Places Explained.’

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 13

38. St Patrick Founds Church and Blesses Well at Belan

    Belan · townland · Kildare · 400–499

    According to tradition, St Patrick founded a church at Belan in the fifth century and blessed a well there. The well still exists, and a disused unenclosed churchyard is situated at the back of the stables of Belan House.

    Read the passage

    Here in the fifth century St. Patrick founded a church and blessed a Well : the latter still exists, and a disused unenclosed churchyard is situated at the back of the stables ; both will be again mentioned further on. This corner of the county is rich in Patrician landmarks, as Narraghmore was founded by St. Patrick ; so was Glassealy, with its St. Patrick’s Well and Footmarks; and Knockpatrick also boasts of a church site founded by the Saint, and close to it his Well, also a granite boulder in the burial-ground, bearing the impressions of his two feet and the end of his staff.

    Only once is this place mentioned in the “ Annals of the Four Masters ” ; the entry occurs under the year a.d. 976, and states that the Danes of Dublin gained a victory over the Leinstermen at Biothlann, in which were slain Augaire mac Toole, King of Leinster ; Murray mac Rian, lord of Hy Kinsellagh ; and Conghalacli mac Flann, lord of Lea and Morett (in the Queen’s County portion of Offaly). Though O’Donovan identifies “ Biothlann ” with our Belan, yet it is just as probable (and more likely) that the battle was fought at Belin in the Parish of Lea, Queen’s County, at which there is a ford in the river Barrow, just over 12 miles, as the crow flies, to the northwest of our Belan.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 158

39. Woodstock Castle stones quarried for Athy Town Hall

    Woodstock Castle · castle · Kildare

    The interior of Woodstock Castle was used as a quarry to supply stones for building the Town Hall and other buildings in Athy, destroying the vaulted lower story. Sculptured stones bearing the FitzGerald arms were removed to Carton and later to Kilkea Castle.

    Read the passage

    Many years ago the interior of the castle was used as a quarry for supplying stones used in the erection of the Town Hall and other buildings in Athy, so that the vaulted lower story does not now exist ; at that time some sculptured stones bearing the FitzGerald arms, which served as chimney-pieces, &c., were removed to Carton, from whence they were lately transferred to Kilkea Castle as a more suitable place of custody.

    The name Woodstock is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and may have been applied to the Castle on its erection by its original possessors, the De St. Michael family.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 185

    As the companion tells it

    Right here at Woodstock Castle in Kildare, the interior was used as a quarry many years ago, supplying stones for the Town Hall and other buildings in Athy. The vaulted lower story was destroyed in the process. Sculptured stones bearing the FitzGerald arms, which had served as chimney-pieces, were removed to Carton and later transferred to Kilkea Castle as a more suitable place of custody. The castle was built by the De St. Michael family, and the name Woodstock is Anglo-Saxon in origin.

40. Ale house origins of Ephraim Dawson's family in Belfast

    near Belfast · city · Antrim

    The text notes disparagingly that the politically ambitious Ephraim Dawson, who rose to prominence in Queen's County politics, came from humble origins as his father kept an ale house called the sign of the Cock in Belfast.

    Read the passage

    vast deal of evergreens and over trees & made it very pretty and tho but a trivial sort of improvement there came vast numbers of People a great way to see it, it being a kind of improvement that was entirely new in this Country, it was in 1725 y* I made ye wall on ye S.E. side of the river and the canal facing diagonally ye Vault down to the Avenue Bridge, & made and planted the Island of the Hermitage, it was in 1728 y* I planted the Grove behind the Hermitage that is north W & in 1729 I planted the firs and elms from Mt Pleasant to that Grove & it was in 1784 y4 1 planted the Yew Circular seat at the end of the firs next to said Grove, When my father gave me y* spot to improve in Jan. 1724 the first thing I did was to turn ye road into ye land (which was on ye top of ye bank on the S.E. side of the Great hedge) to the N.W. side of the said hedge (that is ye paved road on the back of Mt. Pleasant) and then I made the Crab Quick hedge and the ditch, the first that I ever made In 1785 I made the Bowlin Alley & planted the yews there. King George the 1st dyed the 11th of June 1727 by which the Parliment was dissolved, my Father & I went soon after we heard it to Maryborough to the Proclaiming King George ye Second our present King. My father was Knight of the Shire for the Queens County long before he went to Spain and while he was abroad though he was not here to make interest still he was chose again and was chose allways after. When Queen Anne dyed the county agreed that my F : & Pilchard Warburton of Garryhinch Esq. son of my Great Uncle Warburton sho’d stand for the County, but one day a great many of the gentlemen of the County beeing met to talk of y* affair, Dick Warbn not careing for expense or trouble (& Ephraim Dawson being ambitious) told Ephraim that he sho’d stand for ye county if he might come in for Portarlington & so it was agreed, but it is affirmed y* Dawson firmly promised y* for ever a Warburton & a Sands sho’d for ever represent ye Burrough of Portarlington, thus it was Dawson got to be IG : of the Shire and by his cunning management having it allways in vew, he had by making freeholders & other ways & his Scotch insinuating way got a very great interest in this County though he was quite a new comer into this County and a mean very mean Upstart, for his father kept an ale house ye sign of the Cock in Belfast. But when the King died he wrote to my Father seeking him to joyn him in setting up for the Knights of the Shire. My father gave him no answer for some time though he himself was most Violently bent to join him yes ! often in a few days resolved on it, but my uncle Pole, Col. Robt. Pigot and others & Dick Warburton himself all set on my Father to quit Dawson & join Dick

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

41. Archbishop Fowler's improvements and the old market cross of Tallaght

    near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 1778–1905

    Archbishop Fowler surrounded the demesne with a wall and built a bath-house incorporating stones from the old market cross of Tallaght, which had stood in the town from time immemorial. The remnants were said to lie by the Friar's Walk in the Dominican Monastery garden, though the author failed to find them in 1905.

    Read the passage

    Archbishop .Robert Fowler (above mentioned) expended a large sum of money in repairs to the palace. He also built a bath-house, in the wall of which he utilized part of the old market cross of Tallaght, which had, from time immemorial, stood in the middle of the town. These portions of the cross are now lying by the side of the “ Friar’s Walk” in the garden of the Dominican Monastery, which now occupies the site of the palace. Such is Mr. Handcock’s statement in his “ History of Tallaght”; but I completely failed to discover them, when, in company with Brother John Bennett, of the Dominicans, who has been at the monastery for thirty-five years, I searched for them in September, 1905. 1

    In 1821 an Act of Parliament was passed divesting the Archbishop of Dublin of Tallaght as a palace, and placing the mensal lands attached to it in the same circumstances as other See lands. The Act stated that the buildings and offices were then in such a state of decay as to be unfit for habitation ; that a country residence for the Archbishop was unnecessary; and that the income of the See was inadequate to support the expense of the two establishments. The Archbishop was, therefore, empowered to lease or sell the premises.2

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 21

42. Archdeacon Hewetson funds schoolhouse for Ballyshannon's poor children

    Ballyshannon · town · Donegal · 1718

    In 1718 the Ballyshannon Vestry book records that Archdeacon Michael Hewetson offered to erect a schoolhouse for poor children out of his good will to the parish and town; the offer was accepted and a site chosen in the churchyard.

    Read the passage

    But he lived many years longer. An entry in the old Vestry book of Ballyshannon, made in 1718, recites that “ the Rev. Mr. Archdeacon Michael Hewetson out of bis good will to the parish, and town of Ballyshannon in particular, is willing and desirous to erect a schoolhouse for the instruction of poor children, &c.” Further on there is a record that the offer was accepted, and a site in the churchyard selected ; and the schoolhouse was subsequently built.

    Letters of administration of the effects of Archdeacon Michael Hewetson, described as of Ballyshannon, were granted on 10th March, 1724, to his niece, Cassandra Cope, alias Palmer, wife of Erasmus Cope of Dublin, goldsmith, a daughter, as it would appear, of the Archdeacon’s sister, Deborah Hewetson, who was married in 1668 to Edmond Palmer of Dublin. The exact date of the Archdeacon’s death has not been ascertained; but it must have occurred some time between 1718 and March, 1724.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 142

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Ballyshannon, there is a piece of its past from 1718. That year the vestry book records that Archdeacon Michael Hewetson, out of his goodwill to the parish and the town, offered to erect a schoolhouse for the instruction of poor children. The offer was accepted, a site in the churchyard was chosen, and the schoolhouse was built. Hewetson himself lived at Ballyshannon, and his death came sometime between that year and March 1724, when letters of administration for his effects were granted to his niece, Cassandra Cope of Dublin. The vestry book calls him a man willing and desirous to help, and the schoolhouse stood as the proof of it.

43. Baltinglass Abbey buildings and possessions at suppression

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1538

    At the suppression, Abbot John Galbally was seised of the site and precincts of Baltinglass Abbey, comprising a castle, hall, dormitory, chamber, kitchen, barn, garden, orchard, messuages, gardens, land, pasture, wood, and a water-mill with mill-race in Baltinglass.

    Read the passage

    The Jurors on their oaths say that on the 8th day of March, 1538, John Galbally was Abbot of the Abbey, Monastery, or house of Monks of the religious Order of Cistercians, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of Baltinglas alias Balkinglas, in the County of Kildare,1 commonly called the Abbey of Baltinglas ; that at a Parliament held in Dublin before the Deputy, Lord Leonard Grey, on the 15th of October, 1537, it was enacted that the sites and possessions of the Abbeys should be taken into the King’s hands ; and that the said Abbot, John Galbally, was in right of his late monastery seised of the site and precincts of the said late Abbey, which consisted of a Castle, a Hall, a dormitory with two cellars under it, a chamber with a vault below it, a kitchen, a barn, a garden, and an orchard, all within the precincts of the said Abbey ; also 24 messuages, 24 gardens, 96 acres of land, 16 acres of pasture, and 100 acres of wood ; a water-mill with a mill-race, and their appurtenances in Baltinglass. He was also seised of : —

    21 acres in Grang-godlen alias Godlin’s

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 254

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Baltinglass in County Wicklow, you're passing through the site of a Cistercian abbey dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1538, Abbot John Galbally held this monastery. A parliament in Dublin before Lord Leonard Grey had enacted on the 15th of October 1537 that the sites and possessions of abbeys should be taken into the King's hands. The jurors recorded that the abbey precincts contained a castle, a hall, a dormitory with two cellars beneath it, a chamber with a vault below, a kitchen, a barn, a garden, and an orchard. Beyond the walls, the abbot held 24 messuages, 24 gardens, 96 acres of land, 16 acres of pasture, and 100 acres of wood, plus a water-mill with its mill-race. All of this lay in Baltinglass on the 8th of March 1538, the day the jurors made their finding.

44. Baltinglass Made a Corporate Borough Town

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1668

    In 1668 Charles II directed that Baltinglass, described as an ancient village, be made a corporate town governed by a Sovereign, with plans for a new parish church, bridge over the Slaney, market and schoolhouse funded by Lord Chancellor Sir Maurice Eustace.

    Read the passage

    For the encouragement of that good work, we direct that Baltinglass, which is an ancient village, shall be made into a corporate town and be henceforth governed by a Sovereign. Cornet Pinsent shall be the first Sovereign, and shall have the usual powers ; and the Sovereign and Burgesses may, whenever a Parliament is held in Ireland, send two Burgesses thereto. In addition to the Court Leet and Court Baron now appurtenant to the Manor of Baltinglass, there shall be a Court of Record there, wherein the Seneschal appointed by the Lord Chancellor, or his heirs, shall hear all pleas not over £10 in value which shall arise in the Manor. The Sheriff of the County and the Clerk of the Market shall not interfere with the Manor, and all fines levied therein shall go to the relief of the poor therein and to the repair of highways leading thereto.”3

    The Sir Maurice Eustace, Kt., Lord Chancellor of Ireland at this time, when in the country lived at Harristown, between Kilcullen Bridge and Ballymore-Eustace ; and when he resided in Dublin, he dwelt in his house in Damask Street, now known in consequence as Eustace Street, which leads from Dame Street to Wellington Quay.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 264

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass in Wicklow, you are passing through a place Charles II set apart in 1668. He directed that this ancient village be made a corporate town, governed by a Sovereign. Cornet Pinsent was to be the first, with the usual powers, and the Sovereign and Burgesses could send two Burgesses to any Irish Parliament. The charter added a Court of Record to the existing Court Leet and Court Baron of the manor, where the Seneschal appointed by the Lord Chancellor heard all pleas not over £10. The sheriff and the clerk of the market were not to interfere with the manor, and fines went to the relief of the poor and the repair of highways. The Lord Chancellor at the time was Sir Maurice Eustace. When in the country he lived at Harristown, between Kilcullen Bridge and Ballymore-Eustace, and when in Dublin he dwelt in Damask Street, now known as Eustace Street, which leads from Dame Street to Wellington Quay.

45. Baltinglass Town and Villages Burnt Again by Rebels

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1593–1594

    During the later wars around the 36th year of Elizabeth's reign, the small habitation begun by Sir Henry Harrington at Baltinglass Abbey was again dispersed, and the town and several villages were burnt by rebels and utterly wasted.

    Read the passage

    “ And alsoe the said jurors uppon their oathe saie that the said Abbay and lands thereof were afterwards grannted by the said late Queene unto the said Sr Henrie Harington in fee farme att the yearlie rent of nine pounds seven shillings eightpence Ir: ; and that in the beginning of the last warres which were about the six and thirtieth of the said Queene’s raigne, the small habitacion, a litle before begun in the said Abbaie and lands by the said Sr Henrie was againe dispersed and the towne and severall villages thereof burnt by the rebells and utterlie wasted, and soe continued untill Maie last was twelvemonth, untill which tyme neither the said Sr Henrie his servants nor ministers during the last warres receaved anie profitt or benefit anie thing neere the value to countervaile the rent or ferme aforesaid.

    The Sir Henry Harrington, Kt., here mentioned had been appointed Seneschal and Chief Buler over the country of the O’Byrnes and O’Tooles in the County Wicklow in 1578. In 1581 he was granted by the Crown the sites and possessions of the religious houses, in the County Kildare, at New Abbey of Kilcullen, Tully, Timolin, and St. John’s of Castledermot. The grant to him of Baltinglass was dated the 26th November, 1587.1

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 261

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Baltinglass, a town in Wicklow with a ruined past. Sir Henry Harrington had been appointed Seneschal over the country of the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles in County Wicklow in 1578, and the Crown granted him Baltinglass on the 26th of November 1587 at a yearly rent of nine pounds seven shillings and eightpence Irish. He had begun a small habitation there by the old abbey. But in the wars around the 36th year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, that habitation was dispersed, and the town and several villages were burnt by the rebels and utterly wasted. The jurors who recorded it said the desolation continued until May the year before their report, and that during the wars Harrington's servants and ministers received no profit near the value to countervail the rent. The land lay empty. Harrington had also been granted the religious houses of New Abbey of Kilcullen, Tully, Timolin, and St. John's of Castledermot in County Kildare back in 1581, but here at Baltinglass nothing returned for years.

46. Building of the bridge at Frank Cosby's house near Stradbally

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1734–1735

    In 1734, using a Grand Jury grant of £20 plus his own money, the writer built a handsome bridge near his seat by Mr. Frank Cosby's house, including levelling a hill, at a total personal cost far exceeding the grant.

    Read the passage

    Lent Assizes 1788 the Grand Jury gave me <£20. to build a Bridge at Mr. Frank Cosbys bouse, wh. was full sufficient to build a convenient Bridge for ye use of the traveller, but it being so near my seat I bad a mind to have it somew* Handsome, & in june 1734 1 began it & made it passable before winter & levilled ye Hill (a great piece of work) & afterwards the finishing of the whole Bridge levelling & all stood me (besides the £20 the county gave me) in £41 3. so yt the whole cost £61. 3. the same Lent Assizes ye Grand jury gave me £15 to widen the 2 Bridges of Stradbally which were but 9i wide in ye clear & Little or no Battlemts so yt they were exceeding dangerous & beside the two Bridges were not strait to one another and mighty sharp pinches to ye crown of each Bridge, so that it was mighty terrible to be either in a wheel carriage or horse back and also the Bridges wall all assquew to the town, & so made ye Bridge answer the street as well as it cold, I added to ye south west side & at the south east end a great Breadth & Brought it in a point to the N.W. end & so on the N.E. side at ye N.W. end I added ye same Breath as I did on ye other side at the other end, so by this mains I Brought it much straiter than it otherwise wokl be to ye town with the £15 the county gave me and £3. 10 of my own I allmost finished the S.E. side summer 1734, & so Lent Assizes 1735 ye Grand Jury gave me £25 more to finish the other side & to widen the Little Bridge over ye mill course, & with a £10 more of my own I compleatly finished ye Bridge & built 4 pillars one on each side at each end, & so the whole expense of the town Bridges was £53. 10 sterling.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 198

47. Colonel John Bland Purchases and Builds Blandsfort

    Blandsfort · electoral division · Laois · 1714–1723

    Colonel John Bland, a north country man who had commanded a regiment of Horse in Spain, used the £10,000 he received for selling his regiment to purchase the estate of Blandsfort in 1714. He then began building the house and making improvements there before his death in 1723.

    Read the passage

    Col1. John Bland of Blandsfort died in Autum 1723, he had a regiment of Horse in Spain, but when K. Geo. came to the Crown they gave him leave and obliged him to sell, they showed him yt favour because he was an admirable good officer and had served very long, he was judged not well affected to the House of Hanonver, y* they wo’d not continue him in the Army. With the money he got for his Regiment (£10000) he purchased the estate of Blandsfort in 1714 and then began the house and improvements of Blandsfort, he was a north country man, his Father lived in Lisburne and was a good substantial man and a Cooper by trade, and his son John had a Universaty education at the Colledge of Dublin and did design him for a Minister but he chose the Army & began with a brown Musket, and rose by his own merit to a Regiment of Horse, he was a very polite, wellbred man, had read a good deal and well versed in books and knew mankind very well, he was a sensible and cunning artful man, a very complycent fecetious joking old man, very Religious and mighty sober, and he was very infirm by ye wounds he got in Spain, he was universally loved by all parties, beloved and liked, he knew how to please very well, his fortunes he left to his next brother Humphry Bland Lieutenant Col1, to the King's own Regiment of Horse in England, but in 1737 he got a

    254

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 161

48. Colonel Robert Pigot of Disert Dies, Sells Reversion of Estate

    Dysart · townland · Laois · 1730

    Colonel Robert Pigot of Disert (Dysart) died in March 1730. Some years before his death he sold the reversion of his estate at Disert to his relation Emanuel Pigot for £6000, and was noted for his generosity to poor relations in his will.

    Read the passage

    Col. Robert Pigot of Disert Dyed in March 1730, he was greatgreat grandson to Sir Robert Pigot who came over in Q. Eliz. reign, he marryed an English lady Judith Burgoine of a very antient Baronet’s family in Warwickshire, he had no children by her, four or five years before he dyed he sold the reversion of his estate of Disert to Emanuel Pigot his relation for £6000, £4000 in hand and £2000 at his death as he should bequeath it, he was a most Violent man in his friendshyps and enemitys and also violent in his principles, he never was moderate, my Father and he never had a difference, for if he said Black was white my father wo’d not contradict him and so their was a lasting and great friendship between them from their infancys, Col. Pigot was a diverting companion and very agreeable when he pleased, had seen a good deal of the world, a man of no learning nor knowledge in books, very affectionate and good to his poor relations, for he left all he Had to leave I believe £3000 amongst his sisters nephews and nieces.

    April 1730 my wife and I went up to Dublin to be brought to bed there and Wednesday the 8th day of July 1730 she was brought to bed of my daughter Sarah Cosby in King street Dublin, almost over against St. Pauls Church, and on Friday the 18th day of July 1730 she was Baptized where born, her two Grandmothers were her Godmothers, my sister was Proxy for my Mother Cosby and my great uncle Thomas Lestrange of Moystown in the Kings County Esquire eldest Brother to my Grandmother Elizabeth Cosby and John Digby of Landenstown in ye county of Killdare were Godfathers, the next day the 19th I went to Connaught to look after my wife’s Estate wh all lay on my hands except my fourth part of the Rosses in the county of Mayo which I sold to Roger Palmer of Palmerstown in the county

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 164

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Colonel Robert Pigot of Disert died in March 1730. He was the great-great grandson of Sir Robert Pigot, who came over in Queen Elizabeth's reign. He married an English lady, Judith Burgoine, of a very ancient baronet's family in Warwickshire, but they had no children. Four or five years before he died, he sold the reversion of his estate at Disert to his relation Emanuel Pigot for 6000 pounds. 4000 pounds was paid in hand and 2000 pounds at his death, as he should bequeath it. He was described as a most violent man in his friendships and enmities, and violent in his principles. He never was moderate. The writer's father and he never had a difference, for if he said black was white, his father would not contradict him, and so there was a lasting and great friendship between them from their infancies. Colonel Pigot was a diverting companion and very agreeable when he pleased. He had seen a good deal of the world, but was a man of no learning nor knowledge in books. He was very affectionate and good to his poor relations, for he left all he had to leave, believed to be 3000 pounds, amongst his sisters, nephews, and nieces. After his death, in April 1730, the writer and his wife went up to Dublin, and on Wednesday the 8th of July 1730 she was brought to bed of a daughter, Sarah Cosby, in King Street Dublin, almost opposite St. Paul's Church. On Friday the 18th of July the child was baptised where she was born. Her two grandmothers were her godmothers. The writer's sister was proxy for his mother Cosby, and his great uncle Thomas Lestrange of Moystown in the King's County, eldest brother to his grandmother Elizabeth Cosby, and John Digby of Landenstown in the county of Kildare, were godfathers. The next day, the 19th, the writer went to Connaught to look after his wife's estate.

49. Countess of Kildare outlawed for role in 1641 Rebellion

    Athy · town · Kildare · 1641–1664

    Elizabeth Nugent, Countess of Kildare, was implicated in the Rebellion of 1641 and was outlawed the following year; she died around 1664, having earlier been granted the Manors of Woodstock, Athy, Graney, and Kilkea.

    Read the passage

    In 1641 the Countess was implicated in the Rebellion, for which she was outlawed in the following year. Her death appears to have taken place in 1664. Archbishop Paul Cullen wrote in 1859 that he had met with an old manuscript in Rome, in which it was stated that on the 16th of December, 1664, two strings of pearls, one containing 106, the other 110 pearls, were presented to the Church of Loreto by Elizabeth Nugent, Countess of Kildare. They were brought to Italy by Richard Arclidekin, the author of a famous treatise on theology, and sent by him to Loreto, where they were presented by Robert Buckley, the English Penitentiary in that town.

    [ Vide “ The Earls of Kildare and their Ancestors.”]

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 36

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athy, you are in one of the manors once held by Elizabeth Nugent, Countess of Kildare. She was implicated in the Rebellion of 1641 and outlawed the following year. Her death appears to have taken place in 1664. Archbishop Paul Cullen wrote in 1859 that he had found an old manuscript in Rome stating that on the 16th of December 1664, two strings of pearls, one of 106 and the other of 110 pearls, were presented to the Church of Loreto by Elizabeth Nugent, Countess of Kildare. They were brought to Italy by Richard Arclidekin, author of a famous treatise on theology, and presented at Loreto by Robert Buckley, the English Penitentiary in that town.

50. Destruction of Ballitore's famed trees during the rebellion

    Ballitore · town · Kildare · 1798

    Much of the beauty of Ballitore was lost when its handsome trees were cut down to supply timber for rebuilding burned houses; only the taste and prudence of the Shackletons, who bought some, saved a few stately beeches at the approaches to the village.

    Read the passage

    The loss of human life and disorganization of society were not the only ill effects of the rebellion. Much of the beauty of the village of Ballitore was destroyed. The handsome trees which had been its boast were cut to supply timber for rebuilding the houses that had been burned; the rest were sold; and it was only the taste and prudence of the Shackletons, who bought them, that saved a few stately beeches at the approaches of the village.

    To add to other miseries, cultivation had been neglected, and this, together with the waste of war, brought about a scarcity of food. Crowds of hungry children surrounded the

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 270

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Ballitore in Kildare, you are passing through a place that lost much of its beauty in the 1798 rebellion. The handsome trees that had been the village's boast were cut down for timber to rebuild houses that had been burned. The rest were sold off. Only the taste and prudence of the Shackletons, who bought some of them, saved a few stately beeches at the approaches to the village. The rebellion also left cultivation neglected, and the waste of war brought scarcity of food, with crowds of hungry children left in its wake.

51. Dr. Thomas Molyneux visits Belan garden in 1709

    Belan · townland · Kildare · 1709

    Dr. Thomas Molyneux, on a tour from Dublin to Kilkenny, visited Belan in 1709 and described a handsome improved garden on the banks of the Greese, cut into canals and fish-ponds and sheltered by well-grown trees.

    Read the passage

    “Friday, 25 Nov. Left Knockbegg (in the Queen’s County, near Carlow), and arrived in one hour and a half by Kilkea to Bealin, Mr. Stratford’s, in the County Kildare. Here is a very handsome improved garden of greens, grass, and gravel, very pleasantly situated on the banks of a small river (the Greese), which is very prettily cutt into canals and fish-ponds, and well sheltered by well-grown trees. From Bealan by .... [blank]1 ... to Naramore, Mr. Keating’s, is four miles thro’ the finest open sheep walk campaign countrey that ever I saw, excellent land, but all unenclosed and under sheep. From Narramore two hours and a half brought us by Mr. Nixon’s to Kildare thro’ a sheep walk and corn countrey. At Kildare we lay Saturday ye 26th.”2

    Edward Stratford was twice married, viz.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 160

52. Father's fatal illness begins at Litter, Kings County

    Litter · parish · Cork · 1729

    Pole Cosby's father fell ill after dancing and later dining outdoors on an island in a lough near Litter, Kings County, in May 1729, catching a cold that developed into severe gout and led ultimately to his death.

    Read the passage

    relations and accordingly about the 10 of May he and my sister set out and went to cousin Henry Malones, at Litter in the Kings County, where he stay about 8 days, then he went to Col. Humphrey Minchins at Bushellstown in said county where he was very ill, he fell ill at Coz. Malones at Litter, he got cold two ways as was supposed, one was y* after dancing county dances while he was in a heat, went lay down on a bed and fell asleep and had no covering on him or curtin drawn and so got cold, the other way was yt a very great company went from Litter and carried cold meat Wine & musick to an Island in a Lough and that while they were at dinner there my Father got cold, for after those two things he had a short cough and got touches of the gout in hands and feet, before he left Litter at Coz. Minchins he was so bad and in such pain that he was obliged to keep his bed, but was somewhat better on Wednesday the 21st of May 1729 he was so well that he thought he sho’d be able to go home next day and so set out a Thursday and went about half a mile but was not able to go any further for y® least jolt of the chaise gave him excessive pain, so he turned back again to Coz Minchins and took to his bed and was in great pain with ye gout in his hands and feet, and was in a way that he never used to be in, ye gout very hot and uneasy, a friday they thought him much better and its being only the gout as they thought, they had no kind of apprehensions of his death, a Saturday he was very bad and grew weaker and weaker and to their great amazement found him near his end, he was speechless but sensible for some hours before he died, at a little after 10 a clock at night on Whitsunday eve, Saturday night ye 24th of May 1729 y* he dyed, just after he dyed there was a great chrack in his head, and immediately out of his ear flowed a great quantaty of thick watery stuff, my father had had the gout ever since he was 89 years old and it every year grew severer and severer, it was in 1711 that he was first seased with it in Holland and by 1720 he used to have 2, 3 fits in a year for 6 weeks 2 months and longer each fit wo’d last, he was very decrepit and all the joynts of his fingers were vastly large and knotted and his hands were a terrible spectacle, all his joynts were too large and some of his fingers contracted and distorted, as well all ye joynts of his body knotty and large and very large lumps growing out, in 1721 when he went to Holland with me and he advised with the Great the renowned and truly famous Professour Bourhave, who advised him to drink no wines but Benish and Moselle wines, not to eat any but white meats and not much of them but more of puddings and such like victuals and garden stuff and small soups, and my father said that Bourhave told him that if y* wo’d not do he

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 124

53. Feagh McHugh burns Coolmine after Saggart attack, 1580

    Coolmine · townland · Dublin · 1580

    Following his attack on Saggart in 1580, Feagh McHugh O'Byrne also burned the ancient village of Coolmine, located about a mile southwest of Saggart high on a hillside.

    Read the passage

    northern slope of a hill, lay the ancient village of Coolmine. A chapel known as Simon Tallaght was in existence here at the beginning of the 14th century, and local tradition tells that in former times it was the site of a nunnery. As early as the 18th century the lands were in possession of Richard, son of Lord Maurice Bermingham, who sold his interest to James Bermingliam, whose son Peter conveyed them in 1803 to Peter Hacket. In 1326 Coolmine became the property of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the tenants’ interest being vested in Geoffrey Crump, and the landlords’ interest in Elena le Petit and John Hacket. Eeagli McHugh, after his attack on Saggart in 1580, burned Coolmine. At the beginning of the 17th century the Castle and 250 acres were held by John Lock of the Athgoe family, from St. Patrick’s Cathedral, at a yearly rent of £2. The history of this castle was doubtless full of stirring events, and vicissitudes of capture and recapture ; but at the present time its ruins merely consist of a column of masonry 30 feet high, which appears to have been a buttress on the west side of this once great stronghold. The lands are now in the possession of R. Kennedy, Esq., h.m.l., County Kildare ; and the herd informed the writer that about six years ago, when erecting a hay barn about 100 yards to the east of the Castle, human bones were found, which in the opinion of a medical man were those of females. This would go to prove the old tradition about a nunnery being once here.

    NED

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 49

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, on the northern slope of a hill, lay the ancient village of Coolmine. A chapel called Simon Tallaght stood here at the beginning of the 14th century, and local tradition held that a nunnery once occupied the site. In 1580, after his attack on Saggart, Feagh McHugh O'Byrne burned Coolmine. By 1326 the lands had become the property of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and at the beginning of the 17th century the castle and 250 acres were held by John Lock of the Athgoe family at a yearly rent of £2. The castle's history was, in the source's words, "full of stirring events, and vicissitudes of capture and recapture," but by the time of writing only a column of masonry 30 feet high remained, a buttress on the west side. A herd told the writer that about six years earlier, while erecting a hay barn roughly 100 yards east of the castle, human bones were uncovered. A medical man judged them to be those of females, which the writer took as proof of the old nunnery tradition.

54. Grant of Baltinglass Manor after Monastery Suppression

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1537–1587

    After the suppression of the monastery in 1537, its possessions including the Castle and Manor of Baltinglass were granted in 1541 to Thomas Eustace, later Viscount Baltinglass. A Parliament was later held at Baltinglass which passed the Statute of Baltinglass forfeiting inheritance for treason.

    Read the passage

    After the suppression of the monastery in 15B7, its extensive possessions, including the Castle and Manor of Baltinglass, were granted in 1541 to Thomas Eustace, Lord Kilcullen, whom Henry VIII created Viscount Baltinglass. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth a Parliament was held here in which was passed an Act rendering every kind of inheritance forfeitable for high treason: it was emphatically called the Statute of Baltinglass. James, the third Viscount Baltinglass, and his four brothers, having joined in the great Desmond insurrection, were convicted of high treason, and their estates, being confiscated under the Statute, were granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Henry Harrington. The five brothers escaped to Spain, where they entered the Spanish army, served with distinction, and died there. The Manor is now the property of Major H. W. Mitchell of Ballynure. The Castle, with the town and other considerable property, was in the possession of the Earl of Aldborough until 1852, when a large portion of it was sold in the Encumbered Estates Court, and portions of the estate, some large, some small, passed into many hands.

    In the year 1831 Baltinglass and Stratford-on- Slaney contained 4,110 inhabitants, of which number 1,670 were in the town of Baltinglass, and 2,410 in Stratford-on-Slaney. At present the population of Baltinglass is about 1,000; that of

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 216

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass, you're in a town shaped by what happened after the monastery was suppressed in 1537. Its extensive possessions, including the castle and manor, were granted in 1541 to Thomas Eustace, Lord Kilcullen, whom Henry VIII created Viscount Baltinglass. In Queen Elizabeth's reign a Parliament was held here which passed an Act rendering every kind of inheritance forfeitable for high treason, known as the Statute of Baltinglass. James, the third Viscount, and his four brothers joined the Desmond insurrection, were convicted of high treason, and their estates were confiscated under that very statute and granted by Elizabeth to Sir Henry Harrington. The five brothers escaped to Spain, entered the Spanish army, served with distinction, and died there. The castle and town were held by the Earl of Aldborough until 1852, when much was sold in the Encumbered Estates Court and passed into many hands. In 1831 the town held 1,670 of the 4,110 people living here and at Stratford-on-Slaney.

55. Grant of Stradbally Abbey to Francis Cosby in 1563

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1563

    Thomas Jacob's lease of Stradbally Abbey did not run its full term, as by February 1563 it and 1,400 acres of neighbouring lands were granted to Francis Cosby, an officer under the Crown whose descendants still held them at time of writing.

    Read the passage

    Thomas Jacob does not appear to have held Stradbally Abbey for the full period of his lease, as in February, 1563, it and 1,400 acres of the neighbouring lands were granted to an officer under the Crown, Francis Cosby, whose direct descendants are still in possession of them.

    The illustration on the opposite page shows the original house built by the family, which was destroyed by fire (it is said by the O’Mores) ; the present mansion was built on a different site in 1772 by Dudley Alexander Cosby, Lord Sydney of Leix and Baron of Stradbally, and in 1866 it was greatly enlarged and added to by the present owner, Colonel Robert G. Cosby, d.l.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 199

56. Israel Mitchell's failed woollen manufactory at Stradbally

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1697–1714

    Around 1697-98, Israel Mitchell, a Dublin shearman and clothier, settled at Stradbally and promised to establish a woollen manufactory, but instead only opened a small shop selling his own leftover goods before abandoning the venture entirely.

    Read the passage

    It was about 1697 or 1698 that Mr. Israel Mitchell came to settle and live at Stradbally, he was a Shearman and Cloatliier in Dublin and kept a sort of a stuff and cloth shop in Meath street, and used to come down (at first by chance) to buy wooll for his trade, and at last became acquainted with my father, and after some time they came to an agreement for some holdings in this town, and he promised to my Fr y* he would set up the woollen manufactory and wt not, but all he did towards it (which was nothing) he built that which is ye porch at Mr. Higgins for a shop and brought down all his own goods that he co’d not sell, and made the Porch his shop and when he had sold all that he at first brought down then he kept no more shop but shut it up and so ended the woollen manufactury that he talked and promised so much to my Father, It was about the year 1714 that the said Israel Mitchell built at the Abby, a great part of which he did pull down to build his dwelling house.

    1717. There was a little low Hassel Scrub with some few oak and ash behind, which is west of the gardens called Augnecalleigh, and my Father cut it close to the ground, then marked out the walls, stubbed and levelled them and planted them, and 1718 he made ye walk from ye garden to ye wood, and he made some handsome ditches and planted them very well.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 59

57. Lady Byrne, widow of Sir Gregory Byrne of Killone, entertains Cosby in Darmstadt

    Killone · townland · Laois

    At Darmstadt the travelling party received great civilities and kindness from Lady Byrne, widow of Sir Gregory Byrne of Killone in Queen's County, who had remarried an Irish gentleman serving as colonel of the guards to the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt.

    Read the passage

    Heretic, as they often called me, & told me I would be inf all ably damned, but when we did not talk of religion they wrere very fond. At Ratisbonne theres a Scotch Benedictine monestary where all the monks of it (which were about 20 at that time) are Scotchmen. The Lord Abbot of it was vastly polite a very fine Reverend old Gentleman, a man of great knowledge & good breeding, he said not one word to us of our religion, entertained us very sumptuously & elegantly & lives so, he sent his chariot his Gentleman & 2 pages to attend us but we wo’d not have them, but one day he deputed one of his monks a very agreeable young Scotch gentleman to wait on us & show us all the curiosaties of the town & behaved in all respects with the utmost civil aty. At Munich we met with one Talbot an Irish priest who was very civil and obligeing & doing all in his power to show us all the curiosatyes of the place. We met with several Irish priests who were joyful to see a countryman. At Darmstat we received vast civilatyes & were entertained with the utmost affection & Kindness by my Lady Byrne, widdow of Sir Gregory Byrne of Killone in the Queens County, she was married to one Warren an Irish Popish gentleman of ye county of Carlow, who was Col. of the Gaurds to the Prince of Hesse-Darmstat & she and he lived together in a very handsome way at Darmstat & did entertain us very handsomely for all the time we stay’d in Darmstat.

    As I said before, we arrived (from our tour) in Leyden the 8th of Septr. 1723, & Colledges began as usual on the 17th of Sept, this year I took only 8 Colledges Proffessour Vitreavius on Grotius de jure Belli ac Pacis at 10 o’clock, Proffessour Sculten on the institutes of the Civil Law at 11 o’clock, and Proffessour Gravelande’s Privatissimum Colledge on his experimental philosophy. A Privatissimum Colledge is a Colledge that a professor gives at the most only to 8 studients, or he will give it to one or 2 or any number to 8, provided he is paid 320 Gilders, there were 8 of us that took a privatissimum from him so that I paid him 40 Gilders being my share of the 320 Gil: Mr. Wills & I

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Killone, the place a travelling party abroad would come back to, in a way. The story comes from Darmstadt, far from this ground, but the woman at the heart of it belonged to Killone in Queen's County. The party travelling through Germany received what the writer called vast civilities and were entertained with the utmost affection and kindness by Lady Byrne. She was the widow of Sir Gregory Byrne of Killone in the Queen's County. She had married again, to one Warren, an Irish Catholic gentleman of the county of Carlow, who served as colonel of the guards to the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt. She and her husband lived together in a very handsome way at Darmstadt and entertained the party handsomely for all the time they stayed there. The writer gives no further detail of what passed in that house, only that the welcome was warm and generous and lasted the whole of their time in Darmstadt. Killone is where Lady Byrne came from before that second marriage took her to a German court. The land around here is what Sir Gregory Byrne held, and what she left behind when she married Warren of Carlow and went to live among the guards of the Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt.

58. O'More's Prior Destruction of Woodstock Manor House

    Woodstock Castle · castle · Kildare · 1535–1536

    Before the Crown's forces re-fortified it, O'More had prostrated the piles at the bridge's end, razed the bridge entirely, and broken the doors, windows and battlements of Woodstock Manor House, believing the King would never rebuild it.

    Read the passage

    “ At his coming thider, expecting that certen others of tharmy, shuld have foloid, according thappointment for his defence in thexecuting of the said acte, and perceiveng that soche cumpany, as was appointed to folowe him, cam not, was inforced to patice (parley) with O’More, upon certen condicions, to suffer the same to be builded, so as, the same finished, he should have the judgement of certen persons upon his (O’More’s) demaunde thereunto, which he clavmed, bothe by the gift of the Baron of Beban (Sir Matthew de St. Michael), and of that traitour Thomas Fitz-Geralde (i.e. the Silken Thomas). Albeit, he, having the possession of the said traitour, upon the atchiveng of Mainoth, prostrated the piles at the bridges end, the bridge all rased, and the doores, windowes, and bartilments of the said Manour (house) brake, thinking utterlie the King would have builded the same no moore ; and that he therebie having possession thereof, never so litle, nor never so wrongfullie, yet woll count and kepe it for his awne, not surrendering nothing without the power of the swerde, as the nature of all Irishmen semblablie is to do.”2

    One of the results of the Silken Thomas’s Rebellion was the forfeiture to the Crown of all the family estates, which, however, were restored, along with the titles, to Gerald, the Wizard Earl, in 1554, by Queen Mary.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 182

    As the companion tells it

    Right here at Woodstock Castle in Kildare, around 1535 to 1536, O'More tore apart Woodstock Manor House. He had gained possession of it after the fall of Maynooth, claiming it by the gift of Sir Matthew de St. Michael and of Silken Thomas, Thomas FitzGerald, whose rebellion had thrown the country into chaos. O'More prostrated the piles at the bridge's end, razed the bridge entirely, and broke the doors, windows and battlements of the manor house. He was thinking, as the record puts it, that the King would have built the same no more. The Crown's man had arrived expecting supporting troops to follow, but they never came, and he was forced to parley with O'More on conditions to allow the place to be rebuilt. O'More, the record says, would count and keep it for his own, not surrendering anything without the power of the sword. One result of Silken Thomas's rebellion was the forfeiture of all the family estates to the Crown. They were later restored to Gerald, the Wizard Earl, in 1554 by Queen Mary.

59. Order to relieve Monasterevin if found in distress

    Monasterevin · town · Kildare · 1648

    The same 1648 instructions ordered Colonel Gibson to relieve Monasterevin with corn and cattle if the town was found to be in distress during his campaign.

    Read the passage

    “ When you are nearest to Monasterevin, if you finde the same in distresse, you are to relieve the same with corne and cattell soe far as you may.

    “ You are to tarry abroad in that country as long as possibly you can gett provisions for your men. And to this purpose you are to doe any other thing, for his Majesties’ service, that you in your judgment shall thinke fitt, dureing your being abroad.” 1

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 105

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near Monasterevin now. Back in 1648, Colonel Gibson was ordered to relieve this town with corn and cattle if he found it in distress during his campaign. The instructions told him to stay out in the country as long as he could get provisions for his men, and to do whatever he judged fit for His Majesty's service.

60. Patrick Hewetson's charitable bequests to Clane parish poor

    Clane · town · Kildare · 1770–1783

    In his will Patrick Hewetson desired to be buried in the Parish Church of Clane and bequeathed £20 to the poor of the Parish of Clane, along with numerous other charitable bequests to Dublin parishes and individuals.

    Read the passage

    of Armagh, Doctor Charles Jackson, then Bishop <if Kildare, ancl Thomas Dairy mple, Attorney-at-Law, executors thereof. This will was supplemented by three codicils, dated respectively the 29tli September, 1781, the 19th October, and the 30th October, 1782, in which he substituted for the trustees n aided in his will Henry White aiid Moses Cahill, and probate was granted to the latter as surviving executor on the 7th April, 1783. He desired to be buried decently, but privately;' in the Parish Church of Clane “ after his deathf” and ordered hi$ ' body to be kept five days before it was buried, and cut open some short time before being put into the coffin. He bequeathed to the poor of the Parish of Clane the sum of £20; to the daughter of his late housekeeper, Mblly (Mary) Ennis, £500, whom he ordered to be educated in th&principles of the Protestant religion, and to marry a ft’ofeetant with the Consent of two of his executors. He gave to the Governors of the Hibernian Society for the use and maintenance of the orphans and children of soldiers of St. Paul’s Parish, Dublin, £50 ; to the poor hoys and girls of St. John’s, Fishamble Street, £50 ; to the poor hoys and girls of Stc Patrick’s (St. Nicholas Without), £50; and to the poor hoys and girls of St., Mary’s, £50. He bequeathed to Thonihs Dalrymple, Esquire, Attorney-at-Law, and his daughter Jane, £30; to Rose Morris, his washerwoman, £5 ; to John Cahill, then living in the County of Westmeath, £50 ; to Moses Cahill, of Clane, ^£10; to Miss Mary Hallam, an annuity of £10, and also the sum of £100 ; to 'Mr. Benjamin Hallam, of Capel Street, £15 ; to his washerwoman, Mary Tenerin, £10 ; to, his faithful servant, Robert Christian, £40, over and above waives due1 to him for his faithful services, and also all his Woollen clothing pid plain unruffled shirts; to the poor of tile Parish of Glasnevin, £l0 ; to his esteemed friend, Henry White, Gentleman, £30 ; to Lady William za Graham, £10; to Mrs. Jane Gaven, £20 ; to Mrs. Frances Pentland, wife of Henry Pentland, Gentleman, £20 ; to Mi’Sfe Anne Cahill, daughter of Moses Cahill, £20 ; to Hewetson Cahill, of Allen, Gentleman, £20. To the said Moses Cahill he left his largest silver cup, with the Hewetson Arms, marked containing two quarts ; also to Margaret Kearns of £20 ; to Mrs. Sibella Booker, £10 ; to Mr. George Booker, £10 ; and to Ann Kean, his servant, £p. He devised to the use of his sister Grizzel Aylmer, otherwise Hewetson, during her life (and then to the use of John Aylmer in case he survived his wife Grizzel), all Iris real estate of and in the town and lands of Betaghstown, Kildare, and Drumcora, in the Parish of Annagh, County Cavan. After his sister’s decease the same

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 31