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. Rathangan proposed for English plantation

   Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1537

   In 1537 a memorial for winning Leinster proposed planting English younger gentlemen at the Manor of Rathangan, with the barony of Offaly, following its forfeiture by the 10th Earl of Kildare.

   Read the passage

   In 1537 in a document forwarded by the Council of Ireland to the King, entitled “A Memorial for winning Leinster,” it was suggested that “ certein gentilmen of Inglande, younger brethern of good discresion, which have litle or nothing to dispende theire, to thintent that they shall truste to nothing elliswliere, but to such lands as the Kyng shall appoynte therein here, and every of them to chose such men to com with them, as will tarie and inhabite with theim ” ; among other places recommended to be so planted was “ the Maner of Rathangan, with the barony of Ofayly,” lately forfeited by the 10th Earl of Kildare.4 In the same year Robert Cowley, Clerk of the Crown,

   1 State Papers of Henry VIII, p. 264.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun

2. Rathcoole described as clay huts in 1777

   Rathcoole · town · Dublin · 1777

   Campbell's Philosophical Survey of 1777 describes Rathcoole as mostly composed of clay huts awkwardly built and irregularly arranged, contrasting poorly with nearby white villas.

   Read the passage

   “ The first village I passed through, about seven miles from Dublin, Rathcoole I think they call it, was mostly composed of clay huts, which are sometimes, you know, both warm and neat ; but these were so awkwardly built, and so irregularly arranged, that even Wales would have been ashamed of them. It hurt me to see them so near the capita], where the landscape was so prettily chequered by abundance of little white villas, spangling the country all round, and rendering it upon the whole very delightful.”

   Philip Luckmore, in his tour, 1779, gives a similar account, but says that “ there was a very good inn kept by Mr. Leedom.”

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 45

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Rathcoole, about seven miles from Dublin. In 1777 a traveller described it as mostly clay huts, so awkwardly built and so irregularly arranged that, as he put it, even Wales would have been ashamed of them. It hurt him to see them so near the capital, where little white villas spangled the country all round. Two years later another traveller gave a similar account but noted there was a very good inn kept by Mr. Leedom.

3. Rathcoole granted pasture and turbary rights in Slievethoul, 1240

   Rathcoole · town · Dublin · 1240

   In 1240 Lucas, Archbishop of Dublin, granted the burgesses of Rathcoole common of pasture and turbary in the mountain of Slescol (Slievethoul) along with his men of Newcastle near Lyons, at 4 shillings per annum, showing the town was incorporated and ruled by a portreeve at this early period.

   Read the passage

   Ill the thirteenth century the town of Rathcoole and adjoining lands formed a manor in the possession of the Metropolitan See; and in 1240 it is recorded that “Lucas, Archbishop of Dublin, grants to the burgess of Rathcoole common of pasture and turbary in the mountain of Slescol (Slievethoul, i.e., Tuatlial’s, or Toole’s Mountain) with his men of Newcastle, near Lyons, at 4s. per annum. ” It will thus be seen that the town was incorporated at this early period, and was ruled by a portreeve. After the death of Archbishop Fulk de Saunford in 1271 the See was vacant for some years, and the profits were received by Edward, Prince of Wales. During this time the chief rents from the Manor of Rathcoole were paid by one Mildiric, and Joseph Aubrav.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 42

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Rathcoole, it's worth knowing this was already an incorporated town by 1240. In that year Lucas, Archbishop of Dublin, granted the burgesses of Rathcoole common pasture and turbary rights on the mountain of Slescol, now Slievethoul, alongside his men of Newcastle near Lyons, at 4 shillings per annum. The town was ruled by a portreeve, and the manor belonged to the Metropolitan See. After Archbishop Fulk de Saunford died in 1271, the See sat vacant for some years, and the profits went to Edward, Prince of Wales. During that vacancy, the chief rents from the Manor of Rathcoole were paid by one Mildiric and Joseph Aubrav.

4. Rebuilding and beautifying of Stradbally church

   Stradbally · town · Laois · 1718–1728

   In 1718 Pole Cosby's father built a gallery at the west end of the church with five pews divided by household role, and in 1728 he ceiled and beautified the church, which had previously been more ruinous than a barn.

   Read the passage

   away did plant hedge and ditch a great deal all over ye demeisne, it was in the year 1718 y* he built a Gallery at the west end of the church in which he had 5 pews ye middle for himself, and ye two on ye east for his maidservants and the 2 on the north side for his menservants, & in 1728 he mostly at his own expense compassed ceiled the church and did greatly beauty fie it to what it was in 1716 for it was then more wilde and naked and Ruinous than any Barn. It was about this time that he set the customs of ye fairs and markets of Stradbally for £12 per an which before he used to get but £5 and £6 per anm for. It was in Aprill 1722 that he took a lease from Col Samuel Freeman of Esker Coolnebacca at 9s. 4d. per acre, and set it to Coz. Pigot Sands for 5 years at £ 0 . 12. 0. he was to have it for 21 years if he or I did not go to live there, in Novr. 1724 my Father proposed to make a settlement to declare the uses of the fine and recovery which we levyed last Trinity term, he was for tyeing me up to a certain joynture, I think £400. per annum for my wife and £4000. for my younger children, wh wo’d have been very Bad for me, so would not give my consent or come into it on any acct for which I did suffer his most heavy displeasure for some months, but my mother was on my side & kept up my spirits or I had given way, and she acted by the advice of her brother William Pole. He made this year many proposals of marriage to great fortunes but none Bore, for some I wo’d not have and some wo’d not have me, so that my Fr. and I to my great sorrow had many disagreements which I did not lay so much to his humour or fancy as to my uncle Loftus’s who was my Fathers great favorite and who never cared or loved me much. It was in this year 1724 y* my Father Compelled me to joyn with him in selling the reversion of the inheritance of Garryglas part of ye lordship of Timahoe, I refused it for some months till at last his anger rose to y* Height that I feared his turning me out of doors & not giveing me a maintenance, and so was forced utterly against my own consent and my Mothers to sell it to James Wills Esq. before mentioned. He also gave me this year for a present maintenance ye farm of Rosnemullan wh was but £58 per annum, this was but a little and poor maintenance for me though I had the run of his kitchen, ye keeping of a man-servant and 2 horses, but however was pretty well satisfied because his estate at this time was not much risen and he paid £7 per cent, for £7500. Anno 1725, there were severall leases out, Ballymaddock, &c. the interest of which he purchased from Basil rose this year from £180 to £680, I said before that what John Weaver held he paid my Grandfather but £80 per annum for it, but some time after he took the lease from my Grand-

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 116

5. Ruin of Punchestown House

   Punchestown · townland · Kildare · 1900

   Of Punchestown House not one stone remains standing upon another; an old farmer named Comfrey of Cradockstown, still alive in 1900, remembered seeing its walls standing before they were levelled and the materials sold for building.

   Read the passage

   THE largest of the eight Long Stones1 in the County Kildare is the one at Punchestown, which is 19^ feet in height above ground, and 11 feet in circumference ; like all the others, it is of granite. On the opposite side of the Wool-pack Road, within view, and a quarter of a mile to the west of it, on the Cradockstown townland, is another granite monolith. The only tradition the peasantry have about them is that they were hurled from the Hill of Allen, seven miles off, by the giant Finn Mac Coole ; one account says it was due to a trial of strength between Finn and a companion ; and the smaller boulder they call “the Gossoon’s Stone ” ; the other account says that they were “fired” by Finn in this direction, as his wife was at Punchestown at the time ! The great lean on the Punchestown stone was caused by an attempt, it is said, of one of the Viscounts Allen to remove it to his mansion at Punchestown, for which purpose he yoked fourteen couples of plough-oxen by chains to the boulder, and tried to drag it from the ground — -an attempt which fortunately failed. Of Punchestown House not one stone now stands on another, though an old farmer named Comfrey, of Cradockstown (strong and hearty in 1900), remembers to have seen the walls standing ; they were eventually levelled, and the materials sold for building purposes.

   In 1573, on the 1st October, a Deed of Exchange was made between Gerald, Earl of Kildare, and “ John fitz Gerald, alias Williams, of Thomastown, Gent.,” whereby the Earl obtained Thomastown, County Kildare, in lieu of “ Ponceston and Nonesland, with their appurtenancies.”2

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 23

6. Thomas Eustace captured in a bog and executed

   Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1581

   Thomas Eustace, brother of Lord Baltinglass, was captured by Laurence Sutton in a bog in 1581 and subsequently executed for his part in the rebellion.

   Read the passage

   Thomas Eustace, captured by Laurence Sutton in a bog in 1581, and executed.

   Walter Eustace, apprehended in 1583, by Brian owre mac Brian Kavanagh, of Clonmullen, County Wexford, for which act he received a pardon for his disloyalty.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 256

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through Baltinglass now. Thomas Eustace, brother of Lord Baltinglass, was captured by Laurence Sutton in a bog in 1581 and executed for his part in the rebellion.

7. Trinity Well, the source of the Boyne

   Trinity Well · well · Limerick · 1907

   The 1907 Carbury excursion visited Trinity Well, noted as the source of the River Boyne, during the tour of the north-western Kildare district and adjoining territory of Totmoy.

   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

8. Ugly face plaster covering on Athy house wall

   Athy · town · Kildare · 1810

   A plaster covering of an ugly face on the wall of the old Duke Street house in Athy was the target of local boys throwing mud at it a century earlier, so it was eventually covered up to stop the annoyance.

   Read the passage

   A projection on the wall between the windows (about 12 x 8 x 6 in.) has given rise to much comment. It is the plaster covering of an ugly face, at which Athy boys used to throw mud a hundred years ago, and so it was covered up to stop the annoyance.

   T. Beard.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 37

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Athy, there is an old house on Duke Street with a curious feature on its wall between the windows. A plaster covering shaped like an ugly face once sat there, about 12 by 8 by 6 inches. Local boys used to throw mud at it, and so it was covered up to stop the annoyance.

9. Baltinglass Borough Charter and Corporation

   Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1663–1832

   The town was incorporated by Charter of Charles II in 1663 as the Borough of Baltinglass, with a sovereign, twelve burgesses, a recorder, town clerk, sergeant-at-mace and clerk of the market. The Corporation nearly became extinct, with the last election in 1832.

   Read the passage

   The town was incorporated by Charter of Charles II in the fifteenth year of his reign (1663), under the designation of the “ Sovereign, Burgesses, and Free Commons of the Borough of Baltinglass.” This body consisted of a sovereign, twelve burgesses, a recorder, town clerk, a sergeant-at-mace, and a clerk of the market. The sovereign was elected annually by and from the burgesses on the Monday next after the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and sworn into office on the Monday after Michaelmas Day; he had power to appoint a deputy from among the resident burgesses by consent of the majority of that body. The sovereign or deputy was a justice of the peace during his year of office within the borough. The sovereign was also coroner. The power of appointing the recorder and town clerk during pleasure was vested by charter in Sir Maurice Eustace, his heirs and assigns. The freedom of the borough was obtained only by gift of the Corporation ; the freemen were exempted from serving on juries without the limits of the borough, which, according to the charter, extended beyond the town, and comprised 300 acres lying to the west and south sides. The Corporation had nearly become extinct. The last election was in 1832, when ten burgesses were chosen.

   The cotton and calico printing works at Stratford-on-Slaney were very extensive. They were established in 1792 by On* and Co., who failed in the thirties, and were succeeded by Messrs. Greenham, who worked in conjunction with their mill at Inchaquire up to 1852.1 They employed over 1,000 hands ; the average number of pieces printed and finished weekly was about 12,000.

   Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 217

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Baltinglass in Wicklow, you are passing through a town that was incorporated by charter of Charles the Second in 1663, the fifteenth year of his reign. It was styled the Sovereign, Burgesses, and Free Commons of the Borough of Baltinglass. The Corporation had a sovereign, twelve burgesses, a recorder, a town clerk, a sergeant-at-mace, and a clerk of the market. The sovereign was elected each year by and from the burgesses on the Monday after the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, and sworn in on the Monday after Michaelmas Day. He could appoint a deputy from among the resident burgesses with the consent of the majority. The sovereign or deputy served as a justice of the peace within the borough for his year of office, and the sovereign was also coroner. The power of appointing the recorder and town clerk rested by charter with Sir Maurice Eustace, his heirs and assigns. Freedom of the borough came only by gift of the Corporation. Freemen were exempt from jury service beyond the borough limits, which extended past the town and comprised 300 acres to the west and south. The Corporation nearly became extinct. The last election was in 1832, when ten burgesses were chosen.

10. 1540 Crown survey describes Rathangan Castle as border defence

    Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1540

    A Crown valuation of 1540 described the chief house of the Manor of Rathangan as a castle surrounded by stone walls, situated on the borders of Offaly where O'Connor and his adherents dwelt, and considered very necessary for defence of the King's subjects.

    Read the passage

    “The chief house of the Manor of Rathangan is certain Castle surrounded by stone walls sufficiently repaired, situate in the confines of the English land in Ireland on the borders of the country of Offaly where O’Connor with his adherents dwell, and very necessary for the protection and defence of the subjects of the lord the King in these parts.

    “ And there are there 60 acres of arable land of the demesne lands, whereof each acre is worth yearly 12d, 60s.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 110

11. 1550 Fiant leases Manor of Stradbally to Thomas Jacob

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1550

    A Fiant of Edward VI in 1550 records a lease of the Manor of Stradbally, the lands of Nowaghwale (Oughaval) and Stradbally, to Thomas Jacob, including a ruined house and part of the church with thatched houses called the late Friary of Stradbally, forfeited from GillaPatrick O'More.

    Read the passage

    In 1550 a Fiant of Edward VI (No. 699) records a lease for twenty-one years to a faithful servant of the Crown, Thomas Jacob, of “the Manor of Stradbally, the lands of Nowaghwale (Oughaval), Stradbally, on the other side of the bridge of Stradbally ; a ruined house, part of the church, with certain thatched houses therein, called the late Friary of Stradbally, the lands and other appurtenances belonging to the said house,” &c., parcels of the possessions of (Gilla) Patrick O’More attainted.

    [In this same year Denis O’Byrne, chaplain, was presented to the Vicarage of St. Columban ( alias Column)1 of Oughaval, or St. Patrick of Stradbally],

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 199

12. Ancient wooden bog-butter vessel found near Borrisokane

    Borrisokane · town · Tipperary · 1906

    A man named Ryan discovered an ancient wooden vessel or trough while cutting turf in the Feigh Bog near Borrisokane in July 1906. It is said to have contained bog-butter, and a triangular piece was cut from its side by a stroke of the slane.

    Read the passage

    The illustrations on the opposite page show the shape of this vessel, or trough, which was discovered by a man named Ryan while cutting turf in the Feigh Bog near Borrisokane, County Tipperary, in the month of July, 1906. It is said to have contained “ bog-butter.” The triangular piece out of the side of the vessel was caused by a stroke of “ the slane.”

    The following are the measurements : —

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 299

13. Austin Cooper's 1779 description of the Palace of Tallaght

    near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 1779

    Antiquary Austin Cooper visited the Palace of Tallaght in 1779 and described it as a poor, patchwork building void of order, with a nearby square castle he believed was part of the old monastery.

    Read the passage

    “The Archiepiscopal Palace of the See of Dublin, for a thing of its kind, is the poorest I ever saw. It is a large piece of patchwork, so void of either order or regularity that it is past describing. Adjoining it is a long ran^e of stables, &c., at the end of which is a square castle.” VVhat to call it°(the castle) I am at a loss. I should imagine it to be a part ot the old monastery that formerly stood here. It commands more antiquity in its appearance than the palace, as it has some of the Dotluc taste in it, which I could not see in the other. 1 went into a coach-house adjoining this, and saw in it a very large arch, stopped up, so that some

    1 Handcock’s “History of Tallaght,” p. 14.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 19

14. Baltinglass Becomes a Manor with Market and Fairs

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1617

    Around 1617 the Baltinglass Abbey lands passed to Sir Charles Wilmot and were created into the Manor of Baltinglass, complete with a Court-Baron, Court-Leet, a Thursday market and two annual fairs.

    Read the passage

    Sir William Harrington, according to the Inquisitions,2 3 died without male issue, on the 10th March, 1626, in England. Some years previously, however, he had parted with the Baltinglass Abbey possessions, and they passed into the hands of Sir Charles Wilmot, Kt., by a grant of James I, about the year 1617. At the same time the lands were created into a Manor, by the name of the Manor of Baltinglass, with a Court-Baron and Court- Leet, and the institution of a Thursday market and two fairs — one on the Feast of the Ascension (a movable Feast), and the other on the Feast of St. Luke (18th October).

    Sir Charles Wilmot was President of Connaught, and created Viscount Wilmot of Athlone in 1620.® For a fourth time since the Reformation the County Wicklow portion of the Abbey lands now underwent a change of owners, as they were granted by Sir Charles to Sir James Carroll, Kt., of Dublin.4

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 262

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Baltinglass here in County Wicklow. Around 1617 the old Baltinglass Abbey lands passed to Sir Charles Wilmot by a grant of James the First, and were created into the Manor of Baltinglass, complete with a Court-Baron and Court-Leet. A weekly market was established on Thursdays, and two annual fairs, one on the Feast of the Ascension and the other on the Feast of Saint Luke on the 18th of October. Sir Charles Wilmot was President of Connaught and was created Viscount Wilmot of Athlone in 1620. These abbey lands had changed hands four times since the Reformation, and Sir Charles granted them on to Sir James Carroll of Dublin.

15. Death of Betty Pole

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1734

    On the day the Cosby family arrived home at Stradbally, Betty Pole, third daughter of the author's uncle, died of an imposthume (abscess) in her stomach.

    Read the passage

    called to us & told us the tide was too high which saved us all or we should infallably been lost as we were afterwards told. Saturday ye 31st of Aug1 we were obliged to stay at Bangor not only to recover our fategue but also because ye storm (which was very great) wo’d not let us cross the Ferry hut Sunday ye 1st of 7ber, with difficulty & danger we got over & got to Glangavenny yt night, the next day Monday ve 2nd of 7ber we got to Hollyhead and there was a Packet Boat ready, but ye wind was contrary so that the boat did not sail till Fryday the 6th of Septr, and ye wind not for ’em so that I was not for going in y1 boat, but before ye boat had got out one mile the wind turned one point fairer, & so I was set on to go, & so I was forced to consent & so made a smoak & so the Boat came too and off we went in a Bad little Boat, ye sea very high & indeed with great danger we got into ye Carteret Packet Boat, ye wind but very Bad for us & ye Boat very leaky so y1 they pumped at least one hour in 8 hours, but however it pleased God that (’tho it was so leaky a ship & so very high and bad a wind) & we landed safe in Dublin about 2 o’clock in the afternoon Saturday the 7th day of September. On Monday ye 9th of Septr. we went to Shrowland from Dublin, & on Thursday the 12th of Sept. 1734 we arrived at Stradbally to indeed our great joy. On this day the 12th of Septr. Coz. Betty Pole third daughter of my uncle Pole died of an imposthume in her stomach. We were not alone in our rejoy cing to come to Stradbally for our tenants labourors and poor were greatly rejoyced. My House and gardens ’tho I was absent but one year was much out of order, so y1 I had a good deal of work to do.

    (To be continued .)

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 181

16. Drimnagh Castle's unique surviving moat

    Drimnagh Castle · castle · Dublin · 1905

    Sir Arthur Vicars read a paper on Drimnagh Castle, noting that it is, so far as known, the only residence in Ireland that retains its ancient moat with water still in it as in olden times. The Society was entertained to tea there by Mr. and Mrs. Hatch.

    Read the passage

    which, so far as is known, is the only residence in Ireland that retains its ancient moat with the water still in it as in olden times.

    All those present were subsequently entertained to tea by Mr. and Mrs. Hatch, after which the company dispersed, some driving to Kingsbridge Station, two and a half miles distant, to catch their respective trains, and the rest returning to Dublin.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 87

    As the companion tells it

    Right here at Drimnagh Castle is, so far as is known, the only residence in Ireland that retains its ancient moat with the water still in it. In 1905 Sir Arthur Vicars read a paper here making that claim, and Mr. and Mrs. Hatch entertained the Society to tea afterwards.

17. Eccentricities of the last Lords Aldborough at Stratford Lodge

    Stratford Lodge · townland · Wicklow

    Queer tales are told of the extravagance and peculiarities of the last two Lords Aldborough and their doings at Belan House and Stratford Lodge, which made them unpleasant neighbours.

    Read the passage

    Queer tales are told of the extravagance and peculiarities of the last two Lords Aldborough, and their doings in Belan House, which certainly cannot have made them pleasant neighbours. Mr. E. P. O’Kelly has given us examples of their eccentricities at Stratford Lodge, in the 4th Volume of our Journal (pp. 274-7).

    Belan House from the South-West in 1781.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 160

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here at Stratford Lodge, queer tales are told of the extravagance and peculiarities of the last two Lords Aldborough. Their doings in Belan House and at this lodge certainly cannot have made them pleasant neighbours.

18. Enclosure and rededication of St. Booden's Well, 1902

    Lackan · townland · Wicklow · 1902

    About 1902, Father Thomas Heffernan, Parish Priest of Boystown, had the neglected well enclosed with a bathing area and rededicated it to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the old Pattern Day tradition having been largely forgotten.

    Read the passage

    About the year 1902, the Parish Priest of Boystown, Father Thomas Heffernan, finding the well much neglected and easy of access to cattle, had it enclosed, and a place for bathers attached. At the same time it was dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16th July). The old “Pattern Day” appears to have been forgotten, as is so often the case with the wells of the lesser-known Celtic saints on this side of Ireland.

    azotes.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 140

19. Founding of the Franciscan Monastery of Stradbally

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1447–1464

    The Franciscan Monastery of Stradbally in Leix was founded in 1447 by an O'More chief, possibly Kedagh O'More, Lord of Leix, who died of plague in 1464.

    Read the passage

    The Franciscan Monastery of Stradbally in Leix was founded in 1447 by an O’More, Chief of his name ; he was possibly Kedagh O’More, Lord of Leix, who died of the plague in 1464.

    After the Reformation Rory “ caech ” (the one-eyed), son of Connell, son of Melaghlin O’More, chief of his name, was granted by Henry VIII the sites and precincts of the Abbeys or Monasteries of Stradbally and Abbeyleix (founded for the Cistercian Order by Cucogry O’More in 1183).

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 199

20. Garrison placed at Baltinglass against O'Byrnes

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1324

    In 1324 Thomas FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Kildare, received a grant from the Crown for expenses of placing a garrison at Baltinglass and Dunlavin to resist the inroads of the O'Byrnes of Ranelagh.

    Read the passage

    In 1324 Thomas FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Kildare, received a grant from the Crown of ^020 in payment of his expenses for placing a garrison at Baltinglass and at Dunlavin, to resist the inroads of the O’Byrnes of Ranelagh.3

    Some time previous to the year 1345 the Abbot Graianus recovered against Gilbert le Palmer and Joan his wife a carucate of land at New Grange, parcel of the possessions of the Abbey which had been leased to one John de Valle.4

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 250

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass in Wicklow, this town was once a defensive point. In 1324 Thomas FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Kildare, received a grant from the Crown to cover the cost of placing a garrison here and at Dunlavin, to resist the inroads of the O'Byrnes of Ranelagh.

21. Improvement of Coinglass renamed Mountpleasant

    Mountpleasant · street · Galway · 1724

    In January 1724, Pole Cosby began improving the lands of Coinglass, which he renamed Mountpleasant because the old name was disliked, building walks and a vault on the riverbank.

    Read the passage

    like some and some did not like me, so no wife did I get this winter, but before I left town I saw Miss Mary Dowdall, liked her, and my Father made proposals but the match broke off for she being an heiress and not of age co’d not sell her Estate to turn it into money to pay the debts on the estate, and my Father would not hearken to it, beside the Estate was so distant (be said) and dispersed & not devided that one co’d not be sure whether it wo’d turn out as it was given in, and so 6 weeks before my Father & family left Dublin I came down to Stradbally to improve. The first year I came from Holland I had no one busyness to devert me, sporting of all sorts I did not care for, though for 4 months I had Judge Parnells beagles and used to go a hunting sometimes, my sisters conversation and company was my chief leisure when I was not engaged in company abroad and at home. My Father and us all was this summer 1724 very fond of the Fort, and he permitted me to make some alterations and improvements there, which were I made several Meander winding Walks in ye Wood on each side ye avenue, I widened and sunk the fosse round the fort to 9 foot which was before not 18 inches deed [deep] nor 5 feet wide and I made a Path walk quite round on ye inside next the water and another on ye outside, removed many rude bushes which stood in the way, made a long ditch to bring a running stream into ye Fosse, for before the Fosse was supplied with no water but what rain water fell in and w* oozed out of the banks. I made a draw- Bridge for before there was only a plank lay across. I got a stable built and plastered all the houses and whitewashed them both within side and out and made all might pretty & neat to what it ever was before and we all used to go and lye there sometimes a week, sometimes a month sometimes shorter and sometimes longer and often we wo’d jant there and invite some of our neighbours with us only to dine there, I used to be often there by myself for some nights and would sometimes have a single Gentleman along with mo and thus we used to do for this and the succeeding summers only summer 1727 by the Kings death there was to he a new Parliment, and our time was so taken up in parlimentaring that we did not go there above onst 1737 (sic), I not having any amusement I beged my Father to give me Coinglass to turn into what form I pleased, which he consented to, and so on the lltli of January 1724 I began to improve at Coinglass which I named Mountpleasant, for Coinglass ye old name We did not like, and before I sloped I made all the Walke Built ye Vault on the bank of the river and finished it inside & outside compleatly and prettyly & did in those months make all ye walks all over Mountpleasant, planted

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    Along here is where Pole Cosby set to work in January 1724, improving the lands of Coinglass. He asked his father for the place so he could shape it as he pleased, and his father agreed. Cosby renamed it Mountpleasant, because as he put it, "Coinglass ye old name We did not like." Before he finished, he laid out all the walks across the grounds, built a vault on the bank of the river, and completed it inside and out. He spent those months making every walk through Mountpleasant and planting throughout. The renaming was part of a larger ambition to turn the land into something of his own design, and the walks and vault were the first marks of that transformation.

22. King John's 1207 land grant to Dermot MacGillamocholmog

    Newcastle · town · Dublin · 1207

    In 1207 King John granted Dermot MacGillamocholmog a burgage in Dublin and fifteen carucates of land in the vale of Dublin to hold by service of one knight and payment of two otter skins annually, along with the lands of Lymerhin (now Newcastle).

    Read the passage

    This territory was ruled by the Irish chieftains, Mac- Gillamocholmog (meaning ‘ the son of the servant of Saint Mocholmog ’), one of whom we find allied with the Anglo- Normans at the time of the invasion, and assisting Miles de Cogan to repel an attack made by the Danes and Norwegians, under Asculph MacTorcall, on the City of Dublin. In the year 1207 King John granted to Dermot MacGillamocliolmog a burgage in Dublin, and fifteen carucates of land in the vale of Dublin (i.e., in Fingal) to hold by the service of one knight, and two otter skins to be paid annually into the Exchequer ; he also

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 41

23. Lord Deputy's Letter on Re-edifying Athy and Woodstock

    Kilmainham · townland · Dublin · 1536

    Lord Leonard Grey, the Lord Deputy, wrote from Kilmainham on 24 June 1536 describing his plans to re-edify and fortify the Castle and Bridge of Athy, and the Manor House of Woodstock, having secretly journeyed there under pretence of another purpose.

    Read the passage

    “ McGyllPatryk is at warre with O’More, making grete parties on either side. Nevertheless, the matier is so handled, that they bothe sue to me to receyve ther pledges, and take up the matter betwixte them, wiche I woll not yet do, for whiles they twayne be at this discencion, with thadvise of the Counsail, vytailles, cariage, lyme, masons, and other necessaries bee provyded ; and we intend to re-edifie and fortyfye the Castle and Bridge of Athye, and the Manor (house) of Woodstocke. And tomorrue, the Chief Justice (Gerald Aylmer), and the Master of the Holies (John Alen) with me, I begyn my voyage, not as thoughe I intended any suche purpose, but make my jorney to parle with O’Chonor, and from thins suddenly I woll departe on Thursday to my intended purpose, wiche I woll perfecte, God willing, and by the tyme that be doon, I must departe to Kilkenne to sit in the Parliament.”1

    The second extract is from a letter, dated at Dublin the 17th July, 1586, from Thomas Alen (Clerk of the Hanaper, brother of Sir John, Master of the Rolls), later on of Kilteel, in the County Kildare, to the Lord Privy Seal, which commences thus : —

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 182

24. Mary Leadbeater's philanthropic friendship with Mrs Trench

    Ballitore · town · Kildare

    Mary Leadbeater formed a long friendship with Mrs R. Trench, mother of Archbishop Trench, and assisted her for many years in improving the condition of the tenantry on her estate near Ballitore.

    Read the passage

    An acquaintance made by accident with Mrs. R. Trench (mother of Archbishop Trench), then Melisina St. George, ripened into a long and affectionate friendship, and for many years she assisted her in improving the condition of the tenantry on her estate in the neighbourhood of Ballitore. For nearly ten years Mary Leadbeater kept up a correspondence with the poet Crabbe, whose letters and those of Mrs. R. Trench were published, together with Burke’s correspondence with her father, Richard Shackleton. In Crabbe’s first letter to her, dated Trowbridge, 1st December, 1816, he says : “ Mary Leadbeater! Yes, indeed, I do well remember you ; not Leadbeater then, hut a pretty, demure lass, standing a timid auditor while her own verses were read by a kind friend, but a keen judge, Edmund Burke.”

    The Bonham family were neighbours and friends, and Mary Leadbeater gives a charming account of Mrs. Bonham about the year 1819 : “ Margaret Bonham appears to value life and all its comforts only as it gives her power to do good. Disregarding weather, she walks about in pattens, or rides on horseback, with

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 267

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Ballitore in Kildare. In this town lived Mary Leadbeater, who by accident made the acquaintance of Mrs. R. Trench, mother of Archbishop Trench, then known as Melisina St. George. That meeting ripened into a long and affectionate friendship, and for many years Mary assisted Mrs. Trench in improving the condition of the tenantry on her estate near Ballitore. For nearly ten years Mary also kept up a correspondence with the poet Crabbe. In his first letter to her, dated Trowbridge, 1st December, 1816, he wrote: "Mary Leadbeater! Yes, indeed, I do well remember you; not Leadbeater then, but a pretty, demure lass, standing a timid auditor while her own verses were read by a kind friend, but a keen judge, Edmund Burke." The Bonham family were neighbours and friends here too, and around 1819 Mary described Mrs. Bonham as one who valued life's comforts only as they gave her power to do good.

25. Mrs Mercer's Alms House for Poor Girls, Rathcoole

    Rathcoole · town · Dublin · 1744–1800

    A school endowed by Mrs Mary Mercer for fifty poor girls was established in Rathcoole in the mid-eighteenth century, closed around 1800; Austin Cooper visiting in 1780 recorded the inscription on its gates.

    Read the passage

    village in 1780, says ' “ It was a handsome house, and on the gates was the following inscription — ‘Mrs. Mercer’s Alms House for Poor Girls, 1744.’ ” The present medical officer’s residence, which adjoins the Church on the west side, was up to the year 1856 used as the vicarage ; and the Rev. W. J. Thornhill, Prebendary of Tassagard, was the first clergyman to reside in the present Rectory, at the west end of the town.

    Saggart.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 47

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Rathcoole, there was once a school here endowed by Mrs Mary Mercer for fifty poor girls. Austin Cooper visited the village in 1780 and called it

26. Rathangan named for slain chieftain Flaithiusa

    Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 801

    The ancient rath near the Protestant church at Rathangan gives the place its name, meaning 'Imgan's Rath or Fort'. It is likely the site where Flaithiusa, son of Cinaedh, lord of Ui Failghe, was slain in 801 according to the Annals of the Four Masters.

    Read the passage

    “ The age of Christ 801. Flaithiusa, son of Cinaedh, lord of Ui Failghe, was slain at Rath Imghain.”

    In ancient times Rathangan lay in the territory of Offaly whose sept or clan, after the adoption of surnames about the eleventh century, was known as that of O’Connor (Faly). At the end of the twelfth century, on the division of that part of the country conquered by the Anglo-Normans, Rathangan fell to the share of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth, the common ancestor of the Geraldines of Munster and of Leinster.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 88

27. Repair and improvement of Stradbally mansion

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1714–1716

    From late 1714 over about eighteen months, Cosby's father rebuilt and improved Stradbally house, adding an avenue, bridges, a drawing-room, back stairs, a brew house, walled garden, kitchen garden and orchard.

    Read the passage

    in Ireland. He chose the latter, and so gave his commission to my Uncle Thomas and got a Majoraty in Brigadier Yeseys new regiment in Ireland. This was all he ever got for the great dangers he run by sea, seiges, long marches, and many engagements and battles, and many fategues of a hot scorching climate. At about the end of five months he left London and came over to Ireland to his new post and now by his long absence from his own home, and liveing in a manner as an exile in a parsimonious way, and by lands encreasing in value and leases falling and thereby his estate riteing, he was in considerable circumstances, and so resolved to repair and refit his mansion House of Stradbally, in order to bring home his familly and spend his days at home, and so the latter end of 1714, he began to improve Stradbally, he made ye avenue that is, planted the trees, he built the Bridges going to it, added the Drawingroom to the big house next to the Big parlour, he winscoted the second floor entirely, floored the garret, built the Back stairs to the big house, built and finished the road to the Big house, made the big stairs, winscoted and floored the little Parlour and finished in a plain way the second floor of the little house, built a Brew house, walled the garden at the N: E: end of the house, also the Partarre, he laid out the new kitchen garden and planted it all with the choicest fruits, and planted the orchard at the N: W: side of the garden, he did all this and a good dail more in about 18 months time, and in Aprill 1716 he came over to York to bring us over, and on the 30th of Aprill 1716, we left York and arrived in Dublin the 7th of May 1716 and at Stradbally the 13th. At this time my Fathers rent roll of the Ldsps of Stradbally and Timahoe was £1100 per annum and the debts on the estate were £3450 at 428. per cent per annum, yt was £276. per annum y1 he paid interest. The Church at Stradbally at this time was in a most dolefull ruinous condition and my father mostly at his own expense put it in a much better way than it was. When my Grandfather Alexander Cosby dyed the town of Stradbally was no town, no nor even a village, for there were (as before told) but two stone houses in it and those but about six feet high, and a few mud and wattled walled cabins. It was about the year 1698 that William Dod (who was my grandfathers Buttler) built the house that is two stories high on the south east corner of the Market House. In 1700 Mr. Israel Mitchell built the house which Mr. Higgins now (1737) lives in.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 58

28. Secret elopement marriage near Mountrath at a Quaker's house

    Mountrath · town · Laois · 1730

    William Welldone and Elizabeth Westenra secretly eloped from Rathleigh, unknown to anyone, and were married that same night beyond Mountrath at the house of a Quaker named Chanders.

    Read the passage

    Celia my G: F: Cosby’s 6th Daughter was Born the 30th of May 1687, she was called after her Godmother Celia Weldon alias Kidder alias Loftus a Welsh Neice of my Grandfathers. She was marryed to Robert Welldone of Roscomrow in the King’s Co ; Esquire, at their first Marrying she lived in the town of Stradbally for 4 or 5 years, after y1 they always lived at Roscomrow she had by him 15 children, but those yt lived were William the first child and eldest son, Katherine Elizabeth, Celia and Ann. William the eldest son on the 15th of October 1730 marryed Miss Elizabeth Westenra 2nd sister to Warner Westenra Esq. They made ye Match between themselves so yc not a soul knew of it, and he & she went off togather from Rathleigh unknown to anyone on ye 15th of October 1730 and were marryed that night beyond Mountrath at one Chanders a Quakers. They have a good Many children.

    Katherine ye Eldest Daughter marryed 1736 one Sterlin not worth a groat, she was, one would have thought, wise enough not to have thrown herself to wretchedly away. Elizabeth the second daughter threw herself away much worse for she marryed a shoemaker one Fell.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 278

29. Site of Chapel and Burial Ground at Kilkea Upper

    Kilkea Upper · townland · Kildare

    A mile southwest of Kilkea Castle, on the townland of Kilkea Upper, foundations of an oblong chapel building can be traced in a field called Ballylaygin, a site used only for burial of unbaptised or stillborn children, with no headstones present.

    Read the passage

    The Sites of Two Chapels near Kilkea Castle. — A mile to the south-west of the Castle, on the townland of Kilkea Upper, is the site of a chapel ; the foundations of an oblong building can be traced in the middle of the field, where a large white-thorn tree stands ; no headstones exist, and the place is only used for the interment of unbaptised or stillborn children. The field in which the chapel stood is known as “ Ballylaygin ” ; the upper portion is called “ Clochar ” (in which is a stone quarry) ; formerly a ditch divided the two fields.

    NOTES.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 77

30. Widening and straightening the dangerous bridges of Stradbally town

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1734–1735

    The two town bridges of Stradbally were only nine feet wide with little or no battlements, dangerous for wheeled carriages and riders, and misaligned with the street; the writer used Grand Jury grants in 1734-35 plus his own money to widen and straighten them and add four pillars.

    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

31. Archbishop Bulkeley's Death at Tallaght Palace, 1650

    near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 1650

    Archbishop Launcelot Bulkeley lived and died at the Palace at Tallaght on 8th September 1650, aged 81, and was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral. It is considered improbable that he ever actually resided at Old Bawn, though he had a part in its building.

    Read the passage

    As mentioned before, Mr. Elrington Ball assumes that the builder was Archdeacon William Bulkeley, son of the Archbishop. It is known that the Archbishop lived and died at the Palace at Tallaght on 8th September, 1650, aged 81 ; and, therefore, it is improbable that he ever resided at Old Bawn, though he doubtless had a part in its building, even supposing that his son was chiefly responsible for the work.

    Archbishop Launcelot Bulkeley was the sixth son of Sir Richard Bulkeley, of Beaumaris and of Cheadle. He entered Oxford at the age of 18, was ordained Deacon 1593, and Priest 1594. Being made Archdeacon of Dublin, in 1619 he was promoted to the Archiepiscopal See, and took the degree of d.d. in Trinity College in 1621. He died, as before said, at Tallaght, in 1650, and was buried in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 154

32. Bell of the Church of Ireland Baltinglass Found in the Liffey

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow

    The Church of Ireland place of worship in Baltinglass has 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.

    Read the passage

    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.

    “ Glory to God in the highest.”

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 221

33. Bleach-Greens and Linen Manufacture at Baltinglass

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow

    Up to 1840 there were two bleach-greens in Baltinglass, one at White Hall and one where the railway station now stands, reflecting a period when linen, woollen, and diaper manufacture was extensively carried on in the town.

    Read the passage

    Stratford-on-Slaney about 200. In the year 1820 there were two breweries in Baltinglass ; but they had disappeared before 1830. One was owned by a William Jackson, who was known by the name of Dandy Jackson ; he always wore solid gold buttons on his coat and knee-breeches. Up to 1840 there were two bleach-greens : one at White Hall, the other where the railway station is now built. The manufacture of linen, woollens, and diaper was before that time extensively carried on.

    A market and fairs were granted in 1617 to Sir Thomas Wilmot by James I. Charles II, in 1663, granted by charter a market to be held on Friday ; and two fairs, for three days each, to be held in May and September, to Sir Maurice Eustace, with tolls thereof. Until 1829 the tolls were collected by the Corporation, but were then discontinued.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 217

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Baltinglass in Wicklow, this was once a busy manufacturing town. Up to 1840 there were two bleach-greens here, one at White Hall and the other where the railway station now stands. Before that time the manufacture of linen, woollens, and diaper was extensively carried on. In 1820 there were two breweries in the town, but they had disappeared by 1830. One was owned by William Jackson, known as Dandy Jackson, who always wore solid gold buttons on his coat and knee-breeches. The town's markets and fairs go back further. In 1617 James the First granted a market and fairs to Sir Thomas Wilmot. In 1663 Charles the Second granted by charter a Friday market and two fairs, each lasting three days in May and September, to Sir Maurice Eustace, with the tolls. The Corporation collected those tolls until 1829, when they were discontinued.

34. Landing at Parkgate amid smallpox scare

    near Parkgate · street · Cork · 1710

    The children travelled from Dublin to Parkgate near Chester but avoided lodging there overnight due to smallpox in the area, instead staying at Liverpool before continuing their journey to meet their parents at Manchester.

    Read the passage

    street in Dublin, and my sister Betty and I continued at Portarlington till my F: & M: quitted London July 1710 and went to live at York in ye north of England, when they ordered William Lewis of Tullygore in the county Killdare their Agent to send us three over to York to them and accordingly Mr. Lewis sent us and Henery Holdbrook my nurse’s husband with us to take care of us. Mr. Lewis provided all necessarys and saw us on ships board in Dublin harbour and wre landed in two days at Parkgate near Chester in England, ye day we landed we went to Liverpool (the smallpox being at Parkgate) and lay there one night, the next day we traveled (I before Harry, my sister Sarah behind him, and sister Betty behind the guide) to Warrington and the next day to Manchester where my F: & M: met us. We stayd there about a week to rest us and till my F: & M: had settled my two sisters at a very great boarding school in Manchester kept by one Mrs. Hyde and there they fixed my two sisters, and went to York and carryed me with them, they lodged in the Pavement and I went to a reading school just by. They stayed there but one year and then went to lodge in Peter Gate near Boden Bar and I went to a reading school there for about half a year, then my F: was obliged to come over to Ireland to be elected K1 of the shire for the Q. County and my M: and I came as far as Manchester with him where we stayed for half a year or more with my sisters till he returned, all the while we were at Manchester I went to school to the Colledge, when my father returned we went back to York (and left my sisters behind at Mrs. Hydes) we lodged in the same place as we did before. In about 2 or 8 months after we got to York my father put me to a Lattin and French School one Charles Daubus at Brotherton 20 miles from York and 3 from Pontfrat a very pleasant and large village on the river Air, Mr. Daubus was Minister of the Parish and a man of great learning, and kept but 8 boys at £12 per annum a piece and taught both french and Latin and dyeted washed and lodged for y*, here it was I had the smallpox in June 1712. I must tell how my father when he heard of the good fame of this school and resolved to place me there, he came to Mr. Daubus’ and greed with him for me, and told him the day he would

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 56

35. Belgard deer-park established at Ballinascorney

    Ballinascorney · electoral division · Dublin

    Part of the Belgard estate lands at Ballinascorney, near the valley of Glenasmoel, was walled in as a deer-park stocked with deer, and a hunting-lodge called Dillon Lodge was built there.

    Read the passage

    The eldest son of this marriage was Henry Dillon, who married a Miss Moore, and in due time succeeded to the Belgard estate. Portion of the Belgard estate consisted of the lands of Ballinascorney, near to the valley of Glenasmoel ; and either in Henry Dillon’s time or that of his father part of these lands was walled in as a deer-park (afterwards known as Belgard deerpark), and stocked with deer ; and a hunting-lodge was built which bore the name of Dillon Lodge. Henry Dillon left issue two sons, Thomas and John, and a daughter, Catherine, who married Mr. Dominick Trant.

    Thomas and John Dillon successively enjoyed the Belgard estate, but they both died without issue ; and on the death of John Dillon, the property passed to the Trant family, through their sister Catherine.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 10

36. Building boom of stone houses in Stradbally town in the early 18th century

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1700–1730

    Between roughly 1700 and 1730, numerous stone houses were built in Stradbally by various individuals including Mr. Biddolph, James Kelly, Moses Wodger, Nicholas Skerret, William Dod, Thomas Costigan, and Mr. Israel Mitchell, replacing earlier structures.

    Read the passage

    1725, so that when my Father purchased from Basil in 1720 he only had Basils profit yt was £100 per annum till his lease to Weaver did expire in May 1725, and then my Father now let all the lands for £680 per an. so y* for 5 years my Father did not get by £180 per annum so much as he pd for the loan of the £4000 he Borrowed to pay for the purchase of it. The lease of Knocknecarroll & Knocknebrahan which was let to Denis Delany Father to the Bevd. Doctor Patrick Delany for 81 years at £28 per an. did expire and my Father let it to Dr. Delany, for his Frs and Mrs lives, at £65 per an. and he obliged himself to lay out £200 in building a dry wall round the land, which he did, and at least £100 more on the premisses Aughemaddock was out of lease this year which was set for £80 per an. my Father let it anew for £81 per an. and Garrymaddock & Bahinahone were out of lease this year ; Bichard Cosby Cousen German to my grandfather held them for many years and paid for the first 81 years £40 and for the last 21 years £60, and my Father now let them to severall tenants for £220 per annum. There were some few more leases out, which in proportion rose considerably, so that by all those leases d roping my Fathers rent roll was £2000 per annum and from May 1726 he gave me the rents of Knocknecarroll & Knocknebraliar which was £65 per an. so that I had £7 per an. more than I did use to have. My Father this, and ye 2 former years built some very good stone Houses in Stradbally as Mr. Biddolphs, and James Kellys, and it was in ye year 1719 that he built Moses Wodgers, it was in ye year 1728 that he built Nicholas Skerrets. Mr. Wm. Dodd's house was built about 1700, Thomas Costigans about 1717, Mr. Joseph Patridge, Tanner in Maryborough Built 2 very good large stone houses on his land of lease of lives renuable for ever, in 1722 and 28 Mr. Israel Mitchell built all the houses from Partriges to the land going to y® abbey from the year 1719 to the year 1728, Thomas Costigan built houses on each side of his own in 1729, Arthur Boberts senior built his long low stone house about 1798, Mr. Mitchell built Mr. Higgins’s about 1799, Wm. Dod built two small stone houses above Wm. Hardys, about

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 117

37. Decaying Jacobean Oak Staircase at Old Bawn

    near Old Bawn · minor feature · Wexford

    Old Bawn House contains what is described as the finest surviving specimen of a carved oak staircase in the Jacobean style in the country, rising in a square with massive balusters and high newels. Owing to the ruin of the house, the staircase is decaying, with droppers sinking onto the newels beneath.

    Read the passage

    I come now to what is really the finest feature of the house, and that is the staircase, which must have formed part of the original internal fittings of the house. It is the best specimen I know of in this country of a carved oak staircase in the Jacobean style. It rises in the form of a square, and has massive oak square balusters, with high newels and droppers. The whole has been actually painted in oak-grained paint, and many, no doubt, are ignorant of the fact that the staircase is all oak.

    Owing to the ruin into which the house is fast falling, the staircase is quickly going to decay, and in some places the droppers of the flights above have sunk to such a degree that they are resting on the newels beneath.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 153

38. Giant's Grave at Haroldstown, Co. Carlow

    Haroldstown · townland · Carlow

    A good example of a giant's grave, a pagan sepulchral monument formed of rows of rough slabs with a stepped roof, is found at Haroldstown near Acawn Bridge over the Derreen River between Rathvilly and Tullow.

    Read the passage

    The cromlech consists of a chamber, whose sides are composed of unhammered slabs or boulders, on the tops of which one great roofing stone is supported. The giant’s grave is a long, narrow chamber, the sides of which are also formed of rows of rough slabs or boulders, set up on edge, one end of the chamber being much higher than the other, so that several large slabs which form the roof rise gradually, step-fashion, from one end to the other. A good example of a giant’s grave is to be seen at Haroldstown, close to Acawn Bridge, over the Derreen River, between Rathvilly and Tullow, in the County Carlow.

    The cromlech and giant’s grave are sometimes discovered almost entirely covered with earth, and resemble a small moat. In addition to being a place of sepulture, it is the opinion of antiquaries who have studied the subject, that at the cromlech weird rites were performed, and sacrifices were offered up to the gods of the pagan Irish.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 222

39. Household Building Expansion at Stradbally

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1729

    To accommodate his large family, Pole Cosby built additional rooms at Stradbally including a bedchamber for his sister, servants' quarters, a scullery, storeroom, washhouse, dairy and laundry room in the summer following his mother's move there.

    Read the passage

    w* pleased her I consented to, and so a deed was got drawn by Mr. James Wills in Dublin & executed I think in July 1729. Long before this I had resolved that 'tho I did not get one doit by my F: I would pay every indevidual debt he owed, and before this I had paid a Good deal and gave out everywhere y* to whomsoever he owed anything they might come to me and I wo’d pay them, and so I did as fast as I co’d get money. His own debts altogether were, exclusive of the Bonds I joined him in, £898. 1. 8. his effects £928. 3. 6. which I apply to discharge so much of the Bond debts of £1180. and the remainder which is £554. 16. 6d. took on myself to pay without thinking it any Merit because I was bound as well as he for it, but his own Personal proper debt of £898. 1. 8. I paid wholely out of my own pocket, and had no reason but affection to his memory for paying nor coM not (any more than the Pope) be obliged to pay it, but so Good a Father as he was who left me a large and Plentifull estate wh he brought to be that, for if he had been as other men, I might not have been this day worth £500. per ann; wh* co’d I do less in Gratitude to him only 1 will suppose as a benefactor than give him some (By paying his debts) of what he had made himself, but my duty and affection to him as my Father if there had been no other consideration wo’d have obliged me to pay his debts y* he might not be reflected on by any souls being a sufferer by him. My Mother I knew (on his death) had rather live with me than keep house, and so I did persuade her to come and live with me in July 1729 and all the furniture of Esker was brought here so y* Stradbally was over furnish, for we had a good deal of our own before, my Mother kept her own Black coach and six, and Coachman, and Postilion and footman, and one maide but in 1732 she laid down her Coach, discharged Coachman and Postilion and took another maide my sister kept a man and a maid, and I slioed all the horses, and my mother gave me £150 per an. for all. We wanted roome much having so large a familly especially an appartment for my sister, so I this summer built her Bedchamber dressing roome and closet at ye back of my Mothers room. [I pulled this appartment down Jan. 1767.] I also Built this summer a Scullery and store roome, and over them, rooms for the maidservants and I made 6 rooms below in ye shed behind the big house for menservants, and I did floor them with boards, plaster and glaze them and they are mighty tite rooms. I also this year built ye Wash house and a new Dary and over them a long landry room. This summer my Mother in law Mrs. Bridges, Bro. and sisr Kenny, Bro. and sisr Browne came from Dublin and stay with us some time 3 weeks.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 130

40. Population Decline of Baltinglass and Stratford-on-Slaney

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1831–1907

    In 1831 Baltinglass and Stratford-on-Slaney together had 4,110 inhabitants, but by the time of writing Baltinglass's population had fallen to about 1,000 and Stratford-on-Slaney's to about 200, reflecting significant depopulation.

    Read the passage

    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

    1 Paper read at meeting of the Kildare Archaeological Society in Baltinglass on Wednesday, the 11th September, 1907,

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 216

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Baltinglass in Wicklow. In 1831 this town had 1,670 inhabitants, and nearby Stratford-on-Slaney had 2,410 between them 4,110 people. By the time of writing, Baltinglass had fallen to about 1,000 and Stratford to about 200.

41. Saying: 'To go to Saggart to stack blackberries'

    Saggart · town · Dublin

    A very old local saying, 'To go to Saggart to stack blackberries,' arose from the abundance of blackberry plants growing in quantity near the hills of Saggart.

    Read the passage

    Other owners of property here were the Hancocks, Sir Andrew Savage, and Sir Henry ffolliott, and at a later period Sir William Parsons, while the town contained two castles. At the time of the rebellion of 1641 Saggart was pillaged and burned by Sir Thomas Armstrong, who had with him a party of 200 horse. In the succeeding centuries there is little to record save that in 1682 Thomas Hen was given the right to hold three fairs yearly and a weekly market — a privilege retained in 1705 by John Hen, and in 1741 by Philip Hen. About this time the greater portion of the lands of Saggart passed into the possession of Hean Swift, and were bequeathed by him at his death in 1745 for the purpose of endowing St. Patrick’s Hospital for lunatics. The patent of incorporation of this institution bears date 8th August, 1746. The remains of his Castle are still to he seen in the village at a short distance to the south of the Swiftbrook Paper Mills. In the hills near Saggart are abundant traces of pre-historic days ; and if one makes the ascent of Slievethoul, a large moat may be seen, 76 feet in circumference and 10 feet high. To the west lies Lynch Park, where there are stone circles. Near the village are two pillar-stones, and at Baheen another, and at Crooksling, near Brittas, a rath. A very old saying in this locality is “ To go to Saggart to stack blackberries.” This arose from the fact that the plant which bears this fruit is found in large quantities near the neighbouring hills.

    About a mile to the south-west of Saggart, high up on the

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 49

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Saggart, a town the road passes through. There is an old local saying, "To go to Saggart to stack blackberries." It comes from the blackberry plants growing in large quantities near the hills around the town. Back in 1641, during the rebellion, Sir Thomas Armstrong pillaged and burned Saggart with a party of 200 horse. The town once had two castles, and other property owners here included the Hancocks, Sir Andrew Savage, and Sir Henry ffolliott, and later Sir William Parsons. In 1682 Thomas Hen was given the right to hold three fairs yearly and a weekly market, a privilege kept by John Hen in 1705 and by Philip Hen in 1741. Around that time most of the lands of Saggart passed to Hean Swift, who bequeathed them at his death in 1745 to endow St. Patrick's Hospital for lunatics. The patent of incorporation is dated 8 August 1746. His castle remains can still be seen in the village, a short distance south of the Swiftbrook Paper Mills. The hills near Saggart have traces of prehistoric days. On Slievethoul there is a large moat, 76 feet in circumference and 10 feet high. To the west, Lynch Park has stone circles. Near the village are two pillar-stones, and at Baheen another, and at Crooksling near Brittas, a rath.

42. 1906 Removal of Ivy Reveals Blocked Windows at Woodstock Castle

    Woodstock Castle · castle · Kildare · 1906

    In 1906 a very large growth of ivy was removed from the castle walls at Woodstock, exposing mullioned windows that had previously been hidden and partially built up at some distant period; the blocking masonry was removed, revealing walls forty feet high broad enough for an ass and cart.

    Read the passage

    In 1906 a very large growth of ivy was removed from the castle walls, exposing mullioned windows previously hid by it; these, it was then noticed, had been at some distant period partially built up ; the masonry which blocked up the windows was removed. The walls are some forty feet high, and broad enough at the top for an ass and car to be driven along them ; they are paved with broad flags for throwing off the rain-water.

    1 Lease in the possession of the Duke of Leinster.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 184

    As the companion tells it

    Woodstock Castle is right here. In 1906 a great mass of ivy was stripped from these walls, and mullioned windows came to light, ones that had been partially built up long before. That blocking masonry was cleared away. The walls stand about 40 feet high, and broad enough at the top for an ass and cart to be driven along them, paved with broad flags to throw off the rain.

43. Aenach Carman Identified with the Curragh of Kildare

    Knockaulin · street · Kildare

    Goddard H. Orpen's paper argues that the ancient Leinster assembly site of Aenach Carman, previously identified with Wexford, was actually held on the Curragh of Kildare, possibly near the Hill of Knockaulin, with Dun Garmain identified as the famous Aillenn or Knockaulin.

    Read the passage

    “ And, secondly, I have produced a mass of evidence, of various cogency indeed, but all tending to show that Aenach Garmain was held on Guirrecli Life , the Curragh of Kildare ; that Dun Garmain, a residence of the Leinster kings, perhaps specially occupied in connexion with the fair, is to be looked for on or in the immediate neighbourhood of the Curragh, and in all probability is none other than the famous Aillenn or Knoekaulin.

    I

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 77

    As the companion tells it

    Along here is the hill of Knockaulin in Kildare. Orpen argued that the great Leinster assembly, Aenach Carman, was held not in Wexford but on the Curragh of Kildare, near this hill. He identified Dun Garmain, a residence of the Leinster kings, with the famous Aillenn or Knockaulin itself.

44. Baltinglass Estate Sold in Encumbered Estates Court, 1852

    Baltinglass · town · Wicklow · 1852

    The Castle, town, and property of Baltinglass remained with the Earl of Aldborough until 1852, when much of it was sold in the Encumbered Estates Court and passed into many hands.

    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 come through the town of Baltinglass, you're passing through a place with a long and turbulent history. After the local monastery was suppressed, its lands, including the Castle and Manor of Baltinglass, were granted in 1541 to Thomas Eustace, whom Henry VIII created Viscount Baltinglass. In Queen Elizabeth's reign, a Parliament held here passed an Act making every kind of inheritance forfeitable for high treason, known as the Statute of Baltinglass. James, the third Viscount, and his four brothers joined the great Desmond insurrection, were convicted of high treason, and lost their estates under that very statute. Queen Elizabeth granted the confiscated lands to Sir Henry Harrington. The five brothers escaped to Spain, joined the Spanish army, served with distinction, and died there. The Castle, town, and considerable property later belonged to the Earl of Aldborough until 1852, when a large portion was sold in the Encumbered Estates Court and the estate passed into many hands. In 1831, the town of Baltinglass had 1,670 inhabitants. Today the population is about 1,000.

45. Baptism at St. Patrick's Church, Stradbally

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1732

    The author's daughter was born on Easter Sunday, 9th April 1732, at Stradbally, and baptised on 14th May 1732 in St. Patrick's Church, Stradbally, by the Revd. James Higgins, with notable godparents including the Earl of Cavan.

    Read the passage

    June 1781 my Wife and I went in a one Horse Chaise to Conought this was the 8th time that I went there, and the first time y* ever my wife was there, I carried her through Athlone and we went on her estate and lay one night at a tenants house of hers & went to see Coz. Ormsby of Rookwood and stayed there 8 nights, we went near Castle Ray to Mr. Caspar Wills’s at Clounogh and stayed there 2 or 3 nights and then returned to Athlone & stayed there 2 nights to transact some Business with our tenants & so came home and my wife soon after proved with child and was brought to bed of a daughter on Ester Sunday the 9th of Aprill 1732 at Stradbally in Q.C. & on the 14th of May 1732 she was Baptized in St. Patricks Church Stradbally by y6 Revd. James Higgins, her Grandmother Cosby and her aunt Meredeth Godmothers, my Aunt Celia Welldon proxy for my sister, the Rt. Hon. Richard Earl of Cavan and the Revd. Arthur Ormsby of Ballygrenan Godfathers, and Brother Meredeth Proxy for Coz. Ormsby.

    In 1733 ye 29th February my wife was very ill. Now by 1733 all my affairs were pretty well settled. I had sold or set all my wifes estate, I had set Esker for 3 years sure to one Gale of Cuthervegle, I had paid of a good deal of debts so that I had nothing to trouble me only to sit down quiet and live saveingly and Pay of debts, and it was the opinion of my Mother and wife and I yt we co’d live pleasantly in some large town of England

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 171

46. Bardic poem recounts O'Byrne raid consuming Rathangan

    Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1560–1579

    An Irish bardic poem describing the exploits of Hugh mac Shane O'Byrne during a hostile incursion into the Pale records that Rathangan was consumed by fire and that Kilmoney and other nearby townlands were plundered.

    Read the passage

    We heard a news which raised your fame,

    Rath Iomdhain (Rathangan) you consumed.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 109

47. Brewer's description of Tallaght Palace before demolition

    near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 1800–1825

    Brewer's 'Beauties of Ireland' described the palace at Tallaght as a spacious but plain grey-stone building, detailing its hall, dining-room, drawing-room and library shortly before its demolition. The account also notes fine views of Montpelier Hill from its windows.

    Read the passage

    “The present structure is a spacious, but long and narrow, building, composed of the grey stone of the country, and is destitute of pretensions to architectural beauty.

    ‘ ‘ The interior contains many apartments of ample proportions, but none that are highly embellished. The hall, into which the visitor is conducted by a flight of stone steps, measures 21 feet square, and is lighted by two tiers of windows. The dining-room is 25 feet in length, by 21 in width, and (the chimney-piece) is ornamented with the Archiepiscopal Arms, impaled with a shield : — Quarterly, charged in the first quarter with a pigeon ( recte , pelican). The date is 1729, and above is the crest— a hawk (recte, a dove), perched on a round ball. Underneath the coat-of-arms is the following inscription

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 20

48. Capture of Tullow Castle in 1650

    Tullow · town · Carlow · 1650

    Tullow Castle, commanded by Colonel Butler, was taken in 1650 by Colonels Reynolds and Hewson.

    Read the passage

    In 1650 Tullow Castle, commanded by Colonel Butler, was taken by Colonels Reynolds and Hewson.

    When the monasteries were suppressed, it is said a quantity of valuables were thrown down a well at Tullow ; and in a lease of land where this is supposed to have taken place, a clause was inserted reserving to the landlord anything of that sort which might ever be found on the property.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 211

49. Clonmore Castle Ruin

    Clonmore · townland · Carlow · 1903

    Clonmore Castle is described as one of the finest ruins in the area, comparable to the large ruins the Society inspected in 1903 when Portarlington was visited.

    Read the passage

    Clonmore Castle is one of the finest ruins within reach. It is equal to either of the large ruins the Society inspected in 1903, when Portarlington was visited.

    In the churchyard there is a tombstone to the memory of a priest who died under peculiar circumstances. He left Knockatomcoyle one evening in company with a Protestant named Strahan, with whom he was engaged in heated controversy on some question of religious belief. Next morning the priest wras found lying dead by the roadside, and, as Strahan was the last man known to have been with him, he was arrested and committed for trial at Wicklow. Before the trial took place, however, the spirit of the priest appeared to his brother and told him that Strahan had no hand, act, or part in his death. He said he had been thrown by his horse, his hat struck down over his face, and that he lay conscious, but unable to move. While in this precarious position, a passer-by looked at him, and then went on, saying, “ A live man never found a dead man.” If this man had helped him, “ he had been all right,” as my informant told me ; but getting no assistance, he died. This story being told by the poor priest’s own brother, Strahan was acquitted.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 211

50. Dated 1685 Plaster Chimney-piece Depicting Builders of Jerusalem

    near Old Bawn · minor feature · Wexford · 1685

    The dining-room at Old Bawn House has a quaint plaster chimney-piece in high relief bearing the date 1685, probably the year the house was built. It depicts workmen with tools and weapons, suggesting a Scriptural reference to the building of the walls of Jerusalem.

    Read the passage

    The Hall contains a chimney-piece, reaching to the ceiling, which at first sight one would suppose to be of carved oak, but a closer inspection shows that it is moulded plaster, painted ; the centre panel above contains the arms of Archbishop Bulkeley. This would point to the house having been built by the Archbishop, although Mr. Elrington Ball, in his History of the County Dublin, maintains that the house was built by the Archbishop’s son, Archdeacon William Bulkeley. It may have been that the Archdeacon put up his father’s arms as being the original purchaser of the property. The principal room to the left is now the only one in any state of repair. It was the dining-room, and is panelled throughout in oak-grained pine, with long panels — a style prevalent about the early part of the eighteenth century. The chief feature of interest in this room is the quaint, if not unique, plaster chimney-piece, in high relief, which bears the date 1685 — probably the year in which the house was built. Numbers of workmen are represented as busily engaged, with ladders, spades, trowels, hods, and other building implements, while some are carrying stones. It has been remarked that everyone holds a sword, spear, or dagger in one hand, while working with the other. This would suggest a reference to the 4th chapter of Neliemiah, and to represent the building of the walls of Jerusalem. It seems quite natural that Archbishop Bulkeley, or his son, the Archdeacon, should have chosen such a Scriptural subject to adorn the walls of the house.

    I come now to what is really the finest feature of the house, and that is the staircase, which must have formed part of the original internal fittings of the house. It is the best specimen I know of in this country of a carved oak staircase in the Jacobean style. It rises in the form of a square, and has massive oak square balusters, with high newels and droppers. The whole has been actually painted in oak-grained paint, and many, no doubt, are ignorant of the fact that the staircase is all oak.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 153

51. Deanery of St. Patrick's endowed with Clondalkin Church and Dean's Rath

    near Clondalkin · town · Dublin

    Archbishop Henry of London, on founding the Deanery of St. Patrick's, assigned the Church of Clondalkin and a portion of bog called the Dean's Rath (later corrupted into Dane's Rath) for its support. William FitzGuy, then holding the prebend of Clondalkin, was appointed first Dean.

    Read the passage

    When Archbishop Henry, of London, founded and endowed the Deanery of St. Patrick’s, he assigned the Church of Clondalkin for its support, and also a portion of bog called the Dean’s Rath (corrupted into Dane’s Rath).

    William FitzGuy, who at that time held the prebend of .Clondalkin, was appointed the first Dean.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clondalkin, this church was tied to the founding of the Deanery of St. Patrick's. Archbishop Henry of London assigned the Church of Clondalkin and a portion of bog called the Dean's Rath, later corrupted into Dane's Rath, for its support. William FitzGuy, then holding the prebend of Clondalkin, was appointed first Dean.

52. Death of Richard, 3rd Earl of Kildare, at Rathangan, 1331

    Rathangan · townland · Kildare · 1331

    Richard, 3rd Earl of Kildare, died young on 7th July, 1331, reportedly at Rathangan, and was buried near his father in the Grey Abbey at Kildare.

    Read the passage

    According to “ The Earl of Kildare’s Red Book,” Richard, 3rd Earl of Kildare, died young on the 7th July, 1331. His death is said to have taken place at Rathangan, and he was buried near his father in the Grey Abbey at Kildare.

    In 1338 Friar John Clyn, in his Annals of Ireland, states that : —

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 90

53. Estate survey meeting of coheirs at Athlone

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1728–1729

    In November 1728 Pole Cosby travelled to Athlone where four coheirs met to have the family estate surveyed and valued, a process completed within ten days, followed by land division in March 1728/9.

    Read the passage

    summer till the latter end of September with my Father, only in August we went to Dublin for 14 days to pay a visit to my Mother in law Mrs. Bridges, we had not gone to winter in Dublin this winter only we had not sufficient furniture to live at Stradbally, for my (father?) left Stradbally ye 8th day of October, 1728 to live at Esker and left us w1 he did not want & that was mostly the best he had at Stradbally. When I had left my wife in Dublin I came home again that I might be at Stradbally when my Father quitted it, & I did stay by myself near 3 months to settle things as well as I could & to get some alterations and conveniencys made & then I w7ent to Dublin & stay about 5 weeks & we bought many things for our new house and bought a very handsome Chariot-berlin which cost us £84. 17. 9, and my wife & I left Dublin the 11th of Feb. 1728 and arrived at Stradbally & began housekeeping the 12 of Feb. 1728, all our neighbours came to see us and we went to see them and were happy. I forgot to tell that in Novr. 1728 I went to Athlone where I met Bro. Kenny, Bro. Browne and Cos Digby. We 4 coheirs met to get the estate surveyed and valued which we did in 10 days time. Brother Browne called on me at Stradbally and We went to Athlone in my chaise together, and brother Kenny came from Athlone in my chaise to Stradbally, and stayed with me some days, my Father entertained him at Esker, and he gave me a promise he wo’d as soon as he heard my wife and I w7ere come to Stradbally in the spring, he wo’d bring sister Kenny witli him which he did and left her here w7ith my wife while he and I went again to Athlone to get the estate devided which w7e got done in March 1728. My share which was drawn by lot was the following lands, viz. Milltowndodw7ell, Cornadrum, Killinwoolagh, the small third of Ballyglass in parish of Disart in the Barony of Athlone & County of Rosscommon, Gurtnahoughty in the parish and Barony of Killion & County of Gallaway, a fourth part of Ballykereen &c. in the county of W7estmeath, a fourth part of ye Rosses in ye county Mayo and the Globe tavern on Cork Hill Dublin, as soon as the lands were devided Brother Kenny & I returned to Stradbally and he stayed a good while w7ith us on condition we would go with him to Newfort, his seat in the county of Waxford, but w7e were hindered for 14 days.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 123

    As the companion tells it

    As you come into Athlone, you're passing through a town where a family estate was carved up among four coheirs in the winter of 1728. In November of that year, Pole Cosby came here with Brother Browne in his chaise and met Brother Kenny and Cos Digby. The four of them were coheirs, and they had the estate surveyed and valued, a piece of work they finished in 10 days. Cosby then went back to Stradbally, and in March 1728 the same group returned to Athlone to divide the lands. Each coheir drew his share by lot. Cosby's portion included Milltowndodwell, Cornadrum, Killinwoolagh, a third of Ballyglass in the parish of Disart in the barony of Athlone and county of Roscommon, Gurtnahoughty in the parish and barony of Killion in county Galway, a fourth part of Ballykereen in county Westmeath, a fourth part of the Rosses in county Mayo, and the Globe tavern on Cork Hill in Dublin. Once the lands were divided, Brother Kenny and Cosby returned to Stradbally together.

54. Excursion to Clondalkin, Belgard, Tallaght, Old Bawn and Drimnagh

    near Clondalkin · town · Dublin · 1905

    The 1905 Summer Excursion Meeting of the County Kildare Archaeological Society visited Clondalkin, Belgard Castle, Tallaght, Old Bawn, and Drimnagh Castle. Papers were read on the history of each site, including the ancient Celtic font, crosses and Round Tower at Clondalkin.

    Read the passage

    Here Canon Sherlock read a paper on the history of Clondalkin and the district, after which the huge, ancient Celtic font and crosses in the churchyard were inspected, and the Bound Tower close by, which is a very fine specimen of these ancient towers. The church, being comparatively modern, called for little attention.

    The next place on the programme was Belgard Castle. The family being away, the interior was not shown ; but the outside and grounds were inspected, and all present admired the splendid distant view of Dublin from the elevated situation. Sir Edmund Bewley, who at one time resided here, gave a short account of Belgard to those assembled in the grounds.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 87

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Clondalkin. In 1905 the County Kildare Archaeological Society stopped here on their summer excursion, and Canon Sherlock read a paper on the history of the place. They inspected a huge ancient Celtic font and crosses in the churchyard, and the Round Tower close by, which they called a very fine specimen of these ancient towers. The church itself was comparatively modern and called for little attention. From here the party moved on to Belgard Castle, where the family was away so the interior was not shown, but they inspected the outside and grounds and admired the splendid distant view of Dublin from the elevated situation.

55. Execution of Maurice fitz John Eustace of Castlemartin

    Castlemartin · townland · Kildare · 1580

    Maurice fitz John Eustace of Castlemartin was executed on 1st December 1580 for his involvement in the Baltinglass rebellion.

    Read the passage

    Maurice fitz John Eustace, of Castlemartin, executed 1st December, 1580.

    John fitz James Eustace, of Newland, near Naas. He was pardoned, and died in 1612.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 256

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Castlemartin, Maurice fitz John Eustace was executed on the 1st of December 1580, for his part in the Baltinglass rebellion. The record names him as of Castlemartin, and notes that a relative, John fitz James Eustace of Newland near Naas, was pardoned and died in 1612.

56. Great improvements and park at Ballyfin

    Ballyfin · townland · Laois

    Uncle Pole's improvements at Ballyfin were described as great, grand and expensive, with elegant garden designs and a fine large park built, though his spending left little ready money at his death.

    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

57. Hewetson family settles at Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal

    Ballyshannon · town · Donegal · 1663–1665

    Michael Hewetson, son of the Treasurer of Christ Church, settled at Ballyshannon in the parish of Kilbarron, County Donegal, where he was assessed for a house with two hearths in 1663 and 1665. He later became land agent for Lord Folliott's Donegal and Fermanagh estates.

    Read the passage

    A branch of the Hewetson family was, for a long time, connected with this locality. The Kev. Christopher Hewetson’s grandfather and namesake, Treasurer of Christ Church, had by his second marriage three sons, one of whom — Michael by name — settled in the County Donegal, and took up his residence at Ballyshannon. In the Hearth Money Roll of the County Donegal for 1665, as also in an earlier Roll undated, but probably compiled in 1663, Michael Hewetson of Ballyshannon was assessed, in the Parish of Kilbarron, for a house with two hearths. On the 18th May, 1658, letters of administration of the goods of the Rev. Christopher Hewetson, deceased — the Treasurer of Christ Church — with his will annexed, were granted to his children, Christopher Hewetson, of Tliomastown, County Kilkenny, gent., Michael Hewetson, of Ballyshannon, County Donegal, gent., and Rebecca Foster (Forster), of Baltrea, in the County Dublin, widow. Rebecca had been the wife of the Rev. Richard Forster, of Baltrea, who died in 1657, son of Sir Christopher Forster, Mayor of Dublin. Michael Hewetson, of Ballyshannon, was for some years the land agent of Thomas, Lord Folliott of Ballyshannon, over his Donegal and Fermanagh estates ; but disputes as to accounts arose between them and formed the subject of a Chancery bill, filed by Lord Folliott against Michael Hewetson, on the 25th November, 1667, and a bill filed by Hewetson against Lord Folliott, on the 3rd November, 1685.

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 141

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up along Ballyshannon now. Michael Hewetson, a son of the Treasurer of Christ Church in Dublin, settled here in the parish of Kilbarron. The Hearth Money Rolls show he was assessed for a house with two hearths in 1663 and again in 1665. His father, the Reverend Christopher Hewetson, had died by 1658, when letters of administration were granted to Michael and his two siblings, Christopher of Thomastown in County Kilkenny and Rebecca, a widow of Baltrea in County Dublin. Michael became land agent for Thomas, Lord Folliott of Ballyshannon, managing his estates across Donegal and Fermanagh. That working relationship broke down into disputes over accounts. Lord Folliott filed a Chancery bill against Hewetson on the 25th of November, 1667. Hewetson answered with his own bill against Lord Folliott on the 3rd of November, 1685. So this town was where a Dublin church family's branch took root, and where the business of managing a lord's land turned to lawsuits.

58. Increase in customs revenue from Stradbally fairs and markets

    Stradbally · town · Laois · 1720–1725

    Around 1722, Pole Cosby's father set the customs of the fairs and markets of Stradbally for £12 per annum, an increase from the previous £5-6 per annum he had received for them.

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    away did plant hedge and ditch a great deal all over ye demeisne, it was in the year 1718 y* he built a Gallery at the west end of the church in which he had 5 pews ye middle for himself, and ye two on ye east for his maidservants and the 2 on the north side for his menservants, & in 1728 he mostly at his own expense compassed ceiled the church and did greatly beauty fie it to what it was in 1716 for it was then more wilde and naked and Ruinous than any Barn. It was about this time that he set the customs of ye fairs and markets of Stradbally for £12 per an which before he used to get but £5 and £6 per anm for. It was in Aprill 1722 that he took a lease from Col Samuel Freeman of Esker Coolnebacca at 9s. 4d. per acre, and set it to Coz. Pigot Sands for 5 years at £ 0 . 12. 0. he was to have it for 21 years if he or I did not go to live there, in Novr. 1724 my Father proposed to make a settlement to declare the uses of the fine and recovery which we levyed last Trinity term, he was for tyeing me up to a certain joynture, I think £400. per annum for my wife and £4000. for my younger children, wh wo’d have been very Bad for me, so would not give my consent or come into it on any acct for which I did suffer his most heavy displeasure for some months, but my mother was on my side & kept up my spirits or I had given way, and she acted by the advice of her brother William Pole. He made this year many proposals of marriage to great fortunes but none Bore, for some I wo’d not have and some wo’d not have me, so that my Fr. and I to my great sorrow had many disagreements which I did not lay so much to his humour or fancy as to my uncle Loftus’s who was my Fathers great favorite and who never cared or loved me much. It was in this year 1724 y* my Father Compelled me to joyn with him in selling the reversion of the inheritance of Garryglas part of ye lordship of Timahoe, I refused it for some months till at last his anger rose to y* Height that I feared his turning me out of doors & not giveing me a maintenance, and so was forced utterly against my own consent and my Mothers to sell it to James Wills Esq. before mentioned. He also gave me this year for a present maintenance ye farm of Rosnemullan wh was but £58 per annum, this was but a little and poor maintenance for me though I had the run of his kitchen, ye keeping of a man-servant and 2 horses, but however was pretty well satisfied because his estate at this time was not much risen and he paid £7 per cent, for £7500. Anno 1725, there were severall leases out, Ballymaddock, &c. the interest of which he purchased from Basil rose this year from £180 to £680, I said before that what John Weaver held he paid my Grandfather but £80 per annum for it, but some time after he took the lease from my Grand-

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 116

59. Lodging at Dunlavin to drink the waters of Donard

    Dunlavin · town · Wicklow · 1718

    In 1718 the family went to Dunlavin for a month or six weeks to drink the waters of Donard as a treatment for the father's severe gout, though he later found it had done him no good.

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    In the year 1718 my Father and M and sister went for a month or six weeks to Dunlavin to lodge there, to drink the waters of Donard, for his gout which now began to be very severe. It first seized him in Scotland in the year 1711 and every year grew worse and worse. He at first thought ye Donard waters did him a good deal of good but after he found it had done him none. In summer 1719 he, my Mother and sister went to Dublin to Parliament, they were in town three months and came home with many fine things to what they had before.

    From the time my Father came from England he lived very handsomely, more so than anyone in this county except my Uncle Pole, he kept his coach and chariot and six mares and four servants in Livery besides his Butler, and other outservants, as steward, gardner, etc., he kept a very plentifull house and table, his allowance was, 12 beefs a year, 40 muttons, 26 barrels of wheat for bread, 60 barrels of Mault, 2 hogsheads of wine, pork, veal, lambs, Wilde and tame fouls, and all other things in proportion. He continued in this method and never encreased or

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 60

60. Margaret Bonham's charitable visits to the poor near Ballitore

    Ballitore · town · Kildare · 1819

    Mary Leadbeater described Mrs Margaret Bonham of Ballitore around 1819 riding out in all weathers, accompanied by a servant, to inspect and assist the poor of the neighbourhood.

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    The Bonham family were neighbours and friends, and Mary Leadbeater gives a charming account of Mrs. Bonham about the year 1819 : “ Margaret Bonham appears to value life and all its comforts only as it gives her power to do good. Disregarding weather, she walks about in pattens, or rides on horseback, with

    Internet Archive journalofcountyk05coun, Chapter 267

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up is Ballitore in Kildare. Around 1819, Mary Leadbeater wrote of her neighbour Mrs Margaret Bonham here. Margaret Bonham, she said, valued life and all its comforts only as it gave her power to do good. Disregarding weather, she walked about in pattens or rode on horseback, with a servant, visiting the poor of the neighbourhood.