A topographical dictionary of Ireland : comprising the several counties; cities; boroughs; corporate, market and post towns; parishes; and villages, with historical and statistical descriptions embellished with engravings of the arms of the cities, bishopricks, corporate towns, and boroughs ; and of the seals of the several municipal corporations .. (vol. 2)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read it as the scan has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too. The passages are read off photographs of the page by machine, so a word here and there comes out wrong; they are kept as the reading produced them, so you can check any of them against the scan.

1. Danes defeated at Roscrea fair, 942

   Roscrea · town · Tipperary · 942

   In 942, Danes from Limerick and the west approached Roscrea at the time of its great fair, which was frequented by merchants from all parts of the kingdom and foreign parts. The people, apprised of their design, marched out and defeated them in an obstinate conflict, killing more than 4000 Danes and their leader.

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   ROSCREA, a market and post town, a parish, and the head of a union, partly in the baronies of Clon- MSK and Ballybritt, King's county, and province of Leinsteu, but chiefly in the barony of Ikerrin, county of Tipperary, and province of Munster, 35 miles (N. E.) from Limerick, and 59 (S. W.) from Dublin, on the coach-road to Limerick ; containing 964" inhabitants, of whom 5275 are in the town. This place, the name of which, signifying a marshy situation, was descriptive of its early state, appears to have arisen from the foundation of a monastery here by St. Cronan, who flourished about the year 620, and was interred in the church. The establishment, which was for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine, and was amply endowed, soon became the seat of a small surrounding diocese ; and the town had become a place of importance prior to the close of the ninth century. In 942, the Danes from Limerick and the west approached this place at the time of its great fair, which was frequented by merchants from all parts of the kingdom, and even from foreign parts ; but the people, being apprised of their design, marched out of the town to meet them, and after an obstinate conflict, in which more than 4000 of the Danes were slain, entirely defeated them and killed their leader. The town was destroyed by fire in 1133 and 1 147 ; was plundered by the inhabitants of the district of Cashel in 1153 ; and in the year following was again destroyed by fire. During this century the ancient see of Roscrea was united to that of Killaloe, since which period there is no further notice of the abbey. In 1213, King John, with the consent of the Bishop of Killaloe, proprietor of the manor of Roscrea by the union of the sees, built a strong castle here to defend the town and neighbourhood against the incursions of Moriertach O'Brien, who had committed great devastations in this part of the country. The manor was, in 12S0, given to Edward I. by Matthew Hogan, Bishop of Killaloe, with the assent of his dean and chapter, in exchange for other lands in the county of Dublin : and in the following

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   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 262

2. Danes defeated at Tara, 980

   Tara · parish · Meath · 980

   In 980 the Danes suffered a signal defeat at Tara, which materially contributed to their final expulsion from Ireland a few years afterwards, after which they could only infest the country by predatory incursions.

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   which was afterwards removeil to Scotland and used for a similar purpose, until it was taken by Edward I. as a trophy of his victory over that people, and plated in Westminster abbey, where it is still preserved. The hill of Taragh was also selected by St. Patrick as a convenient spot from which to promulgate the doctrines of Christianity, which rapidly extended to every part of Ireland. In 980, the Danes sustained a signal defeat here, which contributed materially to their final expulsion from the country a few years afterwards, from which period they could only infest it by predatory incursions. Roderic, the last native monarch of all Ireland, assembled his forces at Taragh while preparing to besiege the English in Dublin ; but after the English settlement it was no longer a place of note, except for the assembling of the military within the English pale. In 1539 O'Nial, at the head of the northern Irish, after ravaging the surrounding country, reviewed his forces here with great parade ; and during the disturbances of 179s, a numerous body of insurgents was defeated on the hill, by a party of about 400 fencibles and yeomanry. It seems very doubtful, notsvithstanding the name, whether any building of stone ever existed ; the only traces of fortification are earthworks of considerable extent and of various forms, chiefly circular intrenchments, within which habitations of light materials appear to have been formed.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 316

3. Danes destroy Rathlin monastery and martyr St. Feradach

   near Rathlin Island · island or archipelago · Antrim · 790–973

   Danish pirates first ravaged Rathlin Island in 790, destroying the monastery, which was restored. The Danes returned in 973, again destroying the monastery and martyring the abbot, St. Feradach, after which no further notice of the establishment occurs.

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   RATHLIN, an island and parish, in the union of Ballycastle, barony of Carey, county of Antrim, and province of Ulster, 65 miles (N.) from Ballycastle ; containing 1010 inhabitants. This island, which is situated off the northern coast of Antrim, nearly opposite to the town of Ballycastle, in lat. 54° 36' (N.) and Ion. 9° 15' (W.), and which is regarded as the Ricnia of Pliny and the Richia of Ptolemy, has received various appellations from different writers. By the Irish historians it is called Recarn, or Recrain ,- by Buchanan, Raclinda ; by Mackenzie, Rachri ; by Ware, Raghiui ; and Raghery by Hamilton, who derives that name from Ragh Erin, signifying the " fort of Erin." Its present name, which has been adopted by all modern writers, is but a slight modification of that given to it by Ware. St. Comgall, is said to have landed in this island with the intention of founding a cell, but was expelled by a band of soldiers. In the sixth century, however, a church was founded here, probably by St. Columba, who is said to have placed it under the superintendence of St. Colman. But the foundation of this religious establishment is by some writers attributed to Lugard Laither, who was abbot about the year 590, and by others to St. Legene, abbot of Hy, by whom it was repaired about the year 630. In 790, a body of Danish pirates, in their first descent upon the coast, laid waste the whole island, and destroyed the monastery, which was soon afterwards restored : it was again destroyed in 973, by the Danes, who martyred the abbot, St. Feradach ; since which time no subsequent notice of it occurs. King John granted the island to Alan of Galloway, in Scotland ; and Robert Bruce, when driven from Scotland by the success of Baliol, his competitor for the crown, took refuge here, where he fortified himself in a castle, of which a fragment still remaining bears his name. In 1558, the Earl of Sussex, then lorddeputy, attacked the Scots who had taken possession of the island, and expelled them with great slaughter ; and so much did the place suffer from the repeated ravages of the English and Scots, that it is stated, in a manuscript history of the country, to have been totally uninhabited in 1580.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 250

4. Danes' fortification at Cahirdaniel

   Caherdaniel · townland · Kerry

   At Cahirdaniel are the remains of a large fortification consisting of a rampart seven feet high constructed of large stones, attributed to the Danes. A similar fortification exists at Moneij Fluch.

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   The ruins of Aghamore or Derrijnane Abbey, founded in the seventh century by the monks of St. Finbarr, Cork, for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine, stand on a peninsula which becomes insulated at spring tides, and has therefore acquired the name of " Abbey Island. " A portion of the walls has been washed away by the violence of the waves, but the remains are still considerable, and the eastern window nearly entire. Here is the family vault of the O'Connells. At Coode are the ruins of the old church ; and on a hill about a mile from it is a curious hermitage, hewn out of the solid rock, and said to have belonged to St. Crohane, the patron saint of the parish. At Cahirdaniel are the remains of a large fortification, consisting of a rampart seven feet high, constructed of large stones, and attributed to the Danes ; and at Moneij Fluch are those of a similar one. But one of the most remarkable ancient structures in Ireland is Staigue Fort, which is generally considered to be unique. It stands on a low hill nearly in the centre of an amphitheatre of barren mountains, open from the south to the bay of Kenmare, from which it is about a mile and a half distant. The building, ■which is nearly of a circular form, is constructed of the ordinary stone of the country, but bears no mark whatever of a tool, having been evidently erected before masonry became a regular art. The only entrance is by a doorway barely five feet high, through a wall upwards of 13 feet thick, which opens into an area of about 90 feet in diameter. The circumference is divided into a series of compartments of steps, or seats, ascending to the top of the surrounding wall, in the form of the letter X, and in two of these compartments are entrances to cells constructed in the centre of the wall. The average height of the wall on the outside is 18 feet, battering as it rises by a curve, which produces a very singular effect : the wall also batters on the inside, so as to be reduced from about 13 feet at the bottom to 7 at the top. On the outside the stones are small, and the joints are so filled with splinters of stone as not to 42

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 17

5. Danes totally defeated at Tara in 980

   Tara · parish · Meath · 980

   After the assassination of Turgesius by Melaghlin, King of Meath, the surviving Danes struggled for more than a century before being totally defeated at Tara in 980. Despite this defeat, they continued to launch predatory incursions that destroyed monasteries and towns.

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   The Eblani, whose territory also extended over Dublin and Kildare, are mentioned by Ptolemy as being settled in this county. According to the native divisions the district formed part of one of the five kingdoms into ■which Ireland was partitioned, and was known by the name of Mithe, Methe, Media or Midia ; perhaps from its central situation. Other writers, however, derive its name from the Irish Mlaith or Magh, a " plain," or "level country," a derivation indicative of its natural character. It was afterwards divided into two parts ; Oireamhoin, or " the eastern country," which comprehended the portion now known by the name of Meath ; and Eireamhoiii, or " the western country," comprehending the present counties of Westmeath and Longford, ■with parts of Cavan, Kildare, and the King's county. The prince of East Meath was O'Nial, hereditary chieftain of Caelman or Clancolman, who is distinguished in the native annals by the name of the Southern O'Nial. The district surrounding the hill of Taragh was originally called Magh-Breagh. On this hill, styled also "Teamor, from Teaghmor, " the great house," was held the general assembly of the states of the kingdom, which met triennially, from a very early period to the end of the sixth century. Here was preserved the Labheireg, or " stone of destiny," on which the monarchs of Ireland were placed at their inauguration, and which, after having been removed to Scotland, was carried away by Edward I., among the other trophies of his victory, tt) Westminster, where it still remains. From this hill, which St. Patrick chose as the most appropriate place for promulgating the object of his mission, the Christian religion spread itself rapidly over every part of the island ; and the numerous religious institutions founded by that apostle and his immediate disciples throughout the surrounding districts, attest the rapid progress and permanence of the new doctrine. This part of Ireland suffered severely by the invasions of the Danes. In 838, Turgesius, king of that nation, sailed up the Boyne ; and after making the country the scene of unexampled devastation, in which the persons and property of the Christian clergy were principal objects of persecution, he fixed here his seat of government. The erection of the raths scattered over the county is attributed to him and his followers ; one of them, of peculiar extent and strength, in the immediate neighbourhood of Taragh, is said to have been his chief place of residence. After his assassination by Melaghlin, King of Meath, the Danes who escaped a similar fate, after a continued struggle for more than a century, were totally defeated at Taragh in 980. Yet the frequent destruction of monasteries and towns recorded in the annals of the religious houses, afford melancholy proof that, though unable to regain their former dominion, this ferocious and warlike people were powerful enough to disturb the tranquillity of the country by their frequent predatory incursions.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 148

6. Danganmore castle and Comerford barony palatine title

   Danganmore · townland · Kilkenny

   At Danganmore are the remains of another castle, which formerly gave the title of baron palatine to the family of Comerford, dependents of the Earl of Ormonde.

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   chapels belonging to the union of Ballyhale. Here are the remains of an ancient round tower, and of a castle and abbey, the latter containing the cemetery of the Castlemorris family, whose scat, surrounded by a wellplanted demesne of about 400 plantation acres, is in the vicinity. The ruins of the castle consist chiefly of the keep, which attests its former magnitude j and at Danganmore are the remains of another castle, which formerly gave the title of baron palatine to the family of Comerford, dependents of the Earl of Ormonde. On the summit of an elevation in the vicinity, called the King's mountain, are four great natural ridges, one of red argillite and the rest of breccia ; from this elevation a most extensive view is obtained of the rich and cultivated plain towards Kells and Kilkenny, embracing also part of the county of Waterford.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 206

7. Danish camp at Ventry Haven

   Ventry · townland · Kerry

   A Danish camp called Caher Trunt was located on the shores of Ventry Haven, with another Danish camp at Rathanane in the same vicinity. These sites reflected the Danish military presence in the region.

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   The VESTIGES of ANTIQUITY Scattered over the county are very numerous, though the most common are merely the traces of the military struggles of which it has been the scene. It had formerly three of the ancient round towers, of which the one that stood near the cathedral oi Ardfert fell in 1771 ; of another, at Aghadue about 20 feet remain ; and the third is still standing nearly entire at Rattoo. Stuigiif fort, in the parish of Kilcrohane, is an extraordinary circular building of the most remote date : there is another stone fort with seats around it, about three miles distant, but in ruins, from the inferior solidity of its workmanship ; and a similar inclosure is to be seen in Iveragh, on the opposite side of the river to Cahirciveen. Perhaps of a remoter age are the Ogham inscriptions near the church of Kilmelchedor, not far from Sraerwick harbour ; where there is another inscription in a running character of various ancient letters. At Ballysteeny is likewise a stone with an Ogham inscription ; and, in the ruined church of Aghadoe, another. Among the most curious of the ancient fortifications is the circular inclosure at Caherdonnel, which is attributed to the Danes ; and on the mountain of Cahirconree, or " the fortress of King Con," is a circle of massive stones, also piled in the manner of a Danish intrenchment. There is a Danish camp, called Caher Truiit, on the shores of Ventry haven ; and another at Rathanaiie, in the same vicinity. Clee Riiadh, or the Red Ditch, is a singular line of defence, commencing at a place called Caher Carbery, near Kerry Head, and carried eastward to the Cashen river, beyond which it re-appears ; proceeding over Knockanure mountain, it enters Limerick county, where all traces of it are lost. It is conjectured to have been a line of demarcation between the principalities of Thomond and Desmond. The most curious of the minor remains of the more remote ages is the bronze instrument, resembling a kettle-drum, found at Muckross, and now deposited in Charlemont House, Dubhn. Eighteen Religious Houses are said to have anciently existed in this county ; and there are remains of those of Aghamore or Derrynanc, Ardfert, Ballinaskellig, Innisfallen, Irrelagh or Muckross, Killagh or de Bello Loco (in the parish of Kilcoleman), Lislaghtin, O'Dorney or Kjnrie Eleison, and Rattoo or Rathtoy. There are also the ruins of the ancient cathedrals of Ardfert and Aghadoe ; a ruined religious building, called Monaster in Oriel, in the parish of Kilgarvan ; chapels or cells, built entirely of stone with arched roofs, on Skellig and Blasquet Islands, from the former of which the abbey of Ballinaskellig was removed to the main land ; a curious church and cell, dedicated to St. Finian, on an island in Lough Currane, in the parish of Dromod ; a stone-roofed cell at Fane, in the parish of Ventry ; one also at Kelmelchedor j one near Gallerus, at the 15

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 11

8. Danish colony of Waterford maintained independence

   Waterford · city · Waterford

   The Danish colony at Waterford strictly avoided intimate connexion with the native inhabitants and preserved its ancient customs, manners, and character unchanged up to the time of the English settlement. The inhabitants maintained an independent and sovereign authority and were the terror of a vast extent of country.

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   The original foundation of the city is by some writers referred to the year l.")5 ; but its antiquity as a place of any importance cannot be traced beyond the year 853, when it is said to have been built by the Danes or Ostmen, under their leader, Sitiricus or Sitric. The city, for that period, was a place of great strength, surrounded with walls ; and the scattered notices of the colony which are still preserved, shew that the inhabitants maintained among themselves an independent and sovereign authority, and that they were for a long time the terror, if not the absolute masters, of a vast extent of country. Up to the time of the English settlement, the colony strictly avoided all intimate connexion with the native inhabitants of the country, and preserved all its ancient customs, manners, and character, unchanged. In S93 it is recorded that Patrick, son of Ivor or Imar, King of the Danes of Waterford, was slain ; and in 937, that the Danes of Waterford wasted all the county of Meath. According to the annals of Tigernach, Imar, King of Waterford, laid waste the county of Kildare ; and in 995 succeeded AnlaDTc in the occupation of Dublin : he died in the year 1000, and was succeeded, in 1003, by his son Reginald, who built the celebrated 4 M

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 376

9. Danish Destruction of Louth Abbey

   Louth · town · Louth · 830–965

   The monastery at Louth was pillaged by the Danes in 830 and the abbey destroyed by them in 839, with many brethren killed. In 965, while held by the Danes, the abbey was plundered by Muirceartagh, son of Donell, King of Ireland, who slew many of the invaders.

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   whom 718 are in the town. This place, called anciently Ktwckfir^us, and also (luain-Cftinn, was celebrated for an abbey founded by St. Patrick, over which he placed St. Mocteus or Mochtalugh, a Briton, who died at a very advanced age in 534. The monastery became an extensive seat of learning under the superintendence of St. Mocteus and his successors ; and it is said that 100 bishops and 300 presbyters, all eminent for learning and piety, were educated in this school. St. Dichull, who became abbot about the commencement of the Hth century, and several of his successors, were styled indifferently abbots or bishops ; and the monastery continued to flourish till 830, when it was pillaged by the Danes, by whom the abbey was destroyed in 839, and many of the brethren killed. In 96s, while in the possession of the Danes, the abbey was plundered by Muirceartagh, son of Donell, King of Ireland, who slew many of these invaders ; and in 1043, this place and the adjacent country were plundered by Andatus O'Ruairc, who was himself soon after slain. In 10*5, the town, with all its churches, was destroyed by fire ; and in 1133 and 1148 the abbey experienced a similar calamity, from which it never seems to have recovered. Donchad O'Kervaill, Prince of Orgial, and Edan OCoellaidhe. Bishop of Clogher, who had recently (in 1148) founded the abbey of Knock, jointly erected a priory for Canons Regular, which was subsequently made a sanctuary by Iklalachy, Archbishop of Armagh : the prior sat as a baron in parliament. The town was destroyed by fire in Ilo'^, 1160, and 1166, when it was also plundered ; and in 1'24'2, a grand chapter of the order was held in the priory of Louth by the Archbishop of Armagh, at which were assembled all the abbots and priors of the Canons Regular in the kingdom. Edward Bruce and other leaders of the Scottish army were entertained here, in 1315, by the prior, who was afterwards pardoned by Edward II. on payment of a fine of £40; and in 1488, the prior, who had been concerned in the insurrection of Lambert Simnel, received the king's pardon. John Wile, who had alienated a considerable portion of the revenues of the establishment, and who was prior at the time of the Dissolution, voluntarily resigned his office into the king's hands, and received a pension of £l6. 13. 4. for the remainder of his life; the priory, with all its revenues, was granted in the 33rd of Henry VIII. to Sir Oliver Plunkett, ancestor of the present proprietor.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 114

10. Danish fleet plunders Kildare and carries off shrines

    Kildare · town · Kildare · 836

    In 836 a Danish fleet of thirty ships arrived in the river Liffey and another in the Boyne. Making an irruption into the country, they destroyed the town of Kildare with fire and sword, plundered churches and abbeys within the territories of Magh-Liffe and Magh-Breagh, and carried away the shrines of St. Bridget and St. Conlaeth.

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    of oaks," or from Kilt-dara, "the cell or church of the oaks," on account of the situation of the first Christian church founded here among trees of that kind. The source of its ancient importance appears to have been the foundation of a monastery by St. Bridget, the daughter of a native Irish chieftain, who in the fifth century is said to have received the veil from the hands of St. Patrick. This monastery, which was both for monks and nuns under the same roof, and had only one church, soon caused other habitations to be erected on the spot, which, on its being subsequently made the seat of an episcopal see, became a town of importance. It is recorded that, in 638, Aed Dubh, or Black Hugh, King of Leinster, resigned his authority, and took the habit of the Augustine order in this monastery, of which he afterwards became abbot and bishop. The town and monastery were consumed by fire in 770, and again about four years after ; and in 830 they suffered greatly from the depredation of Ceallaeh Mac Brann, who slew many of the clergy in their own house. Farannan, abbot of Armagh, attended by a retinue of his clergj', visited the abbey in 835 ; and during his stay, Fethlemid, at the head of an armed force, seized the church and carried off the clergy prisoners. In the following year, a Danish fleet of thirty ships arrived in the river Liffey, and another also in the Boyne, and, making an irruption into the country, not only plundered every church and abbey within the territories of Magh-Liffe and Magh-Breagh, but also destroyed the town with fire and sword, and carried away the shrines of St. Bridget and St. Conlaeth.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 20

11. Danish fort at Danesfield, Moycullen

    Moycullen · town · Galway

    A fine Danish fort at Danesfield in the parish of Moycullen gives its name to the estate on which it stands. The parish is bounded on the east by Lough Corrib.

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    and Dec. Sth. The principal seats are CurcuUen, Danesfield, Drimcong, and Knockbane. The living is a rectory and perpetual cure, in the diocese of Tuam ; the rectory forms part of the wardenship of Galway, and the perpetual curacy part of the union of Kilcummin. The tithe rent-charge is £100, of which £75 are payable to the warden of Galway, and the remainder to the perpetual curate. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is in the diocese of Galway, partly in the district of Spiddal, and partly a district in itself : the chapel is a neat building. The late Rev. Francis Blake, P.P., left £500 for erecting a school-house, to which sum the Board of National Education added £200 ; a very good building has accordingly been erected ; and another school- house has been recently erected at the other end of this extensive parish. A fine Danish fort at Danesfield gives name to the estate on which it stands ; and there are ruins of two old castles, which have obtained celebrity from being selected by Lady Morgan as the scene of one of her novels : they may be seen from a great distance. Roderic O'Flaherty, a learned Irish historian and antiquary, was born here in 1630.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 179

12. Danish fortress at Castletown, Kilcornan (1041)

    Castletown · townland · Limerick · 1041

    The Danes established one of their chief stations in this part of Ireland at Kilcornan, erecting a very strong fortress near the present village of Castletown in 1041. The Danish chieftain, having embraced Christianity, built a church near the fort of Moige.

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    KILCORNAN, a parish, in the union of Rathkf.ale, barony of Kenry, county of Limerick, and province of MuNSTER, 1 mile (W.) from Pallas-Kenry ; on the river Shannon, and the lower road to Askeaton ; containing 3856 inhabitants. This place was one of the chief stations, in this part of Ireland, of the Danes, who in 1041 erected a very strong fortress near the present village of Castletown ; and the Danish chieftain, having soon afterwards embraced the Christian faith, built a church near the fort of Moige. In 1 164 another castle was erected, which eventually fell into the hands of the O'Donovans, by whom it was given up to the English ; it afterwards became part of the possessions of the Earl of Desmond, on who.*e rebellion in the reign of Elizabeth it was forfeited, together with the manor, and was granted to Sir Hardress Waller, ancestor of the present proprietor. In the war of the 17th century, it was garrisoned for the king, but was taken the year following by the Irish under the command of General Purcell, who kept possession of it till its surrender to Ireton, by whom it was garrisoned for Cromwell. The parish comprises 9346 statute acres : towards the Shannon the lands are fertile and under good cultivation, but towards the south much encumbered with stones scattered in every direction, and with portions of rock rising above the surface ; they are, notwithstanding, well fenced and drained, and the whole forms one of the most fertile and best cultivated districts in the south of Ireland. The principal seats are, Castletown, the elegant residence of the Waller family, beautifully situated in a richly wooded demesne of 200 Irish acres, sloping gently to the river ; Holly Park, the ancient residence of the Taylor family, now the property of Sir Vere Edmoud de Vere, Bart. ; Summerville, the ancient seat of Lord Charleville ; Castle 39

    Grey ; Stonehall ; and Bushy Island. There are many large and substantial farmhouses, and several very neat cottages.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 16

13. Danish forts and Druidical altar in Monkstown parish

    Monkstown · townland · Cork

    Numerous Danish forts or raths are scattered over the parish of Monkstown. On an elevated situation stands a circle of large upright stones partly sunk in the earth, supposed to be the remains of a Druidical altar.

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    tions, collected in Ireland and England by Gcrrard Callaghan, Esq., M. P. for Cork, and the Rev. A. G. H. Iloliingsworth : the first Protestant church erected since the Reformation. Lord Longford and Lord De Vesci gave the endowment ; Gerrard Callaghan, Esq., M. P. for Cork, first commenced the subscription, and gave the groun<l for the church ; Robert Shaw, Esq., of Monkstown, gave the glebe in perpetuity. A. G. H. HoUingsworth, the first Protestant incumbent ; William Hill of Cork, architect. The church completed March, 1832. Robert Shaw and Wm. Andrews, churchwardens." In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is annexed to West Passage and part of Carrigaline, the parishioners attending the chapel at Shanbally. The parochial and infants' schools are in Passage ; they were founded by subscription in 1836, on land presented by W. Parker, Esq., to be held so long as they shall continue scriptural schools : the parochial school-house is very handsome. A parochial library has been established for the use of the poor, and an Indigent Room-Keepers' Society has been formed ; both are supported by subscriptions. There is a bequest of £10 per annum, made by Airs. Andrews, to the church, to commence after the decease of her husband. Within the demesne of Monkstown Castle, on the side of the glen, are the ruins of a small chapel, which was the last retreat of a few monks from the abbey of St. Mary, Bath : it was subsequently repaired and appropriated by the Archdeacon family, as a domestic chapel. Numerous Danish forts, or raths, are scattered over the parish ; and on an elevated situation is a circle of large stones, partly sunk in the earth, and placed upright, supposed to be the remains of a Druidical altar. Crystals of Irish diamond, very clear and transparent, are occasionally found here; and there is a chalybeate spring.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 171

14. Danish forts in Kildarton district, Armagh

    near Kildarton · parish · Armagh

    Several Danish forts are found within the district parish of Kildarton. The district also includes Lowry's Lough, close to the church, which supplies the city of Armagh with water.

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    KILDARTON, a district parish, in the poor-law union of Armagh, county of Armagh, and province of Ulster, 2 miles (K.) from the city of Armagh. This district has been formed from the parishes of Armagh, Mullaghbrack, and Loughgall, and comprises 487.'> statute acres, all arable land ; it lies on the road from Armagh to Hamilton'sBawn and Tanderagee, and includes Lowry's lough, which is on the borders of the three baronies of Armagh, O'Neilland West, and Lower Fews. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in handloom linen-weaving, which branch of industry is carried on in most of the farm and cotters' houses. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, and in the patronage of the Incumbents of the parishes of Armagh, Mullaghbrack, and Loughgall, by turns. The church, a plain structure in the early English style, was built in 1841, at a cost of £950, whereof £233 were from the funds of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and the remainder from private sources ; it affords accommodation for 350 persons. The Presbyterians have a small place of worship ; and eight schools are supported by his Grace the Lord Primate and the Church Education Society. There are several Danish forts within this district. Lowry's lough, which is close to the church, supplies the city of Armagh with water.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 21

15. Danish foundation of Waterford city

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 800–900

    In the ninth century the Danes, under a leader named Sitric, conquered the maritime district around Waterford harbour and founded the city of Waterford as their chief station. They never fully amalgamated with the native population.

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    In the ninth century, the population of this territory was augmented by the Danes, who, under a leader named Sitric, conquered and retained the maritime district bordering on the harbour of Waterford, then nearly insulated, and forming the present barony of Gaultier, " the land of the Gauls, or Foreigners." They founded the city of Waterford, which they made their chief station ; and though they never became amalgamated with

    W ATE

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 373

16. Danish kings and early cathedral of Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1096

    The Danes of Waterford embraced Christianity in 1096 and elected Malchus, a Benedictine monk from Winchester, as their bishop. Malchus assisted in erecting a cathedral dedicated to the Holy Trinity, now called Christ Church. A Danish-era mint also existed, evidenced by a silver coin inscribed 'Wadter.'

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    tower known by his name, corruptly called Reynold's, and now the Ring Tower. This tower was erected in 1003, and is said to be the oldest in Ireland : in 1171 it was held as a fortress by Strongbow ; in 1463 a mint was estabhshed in it by Edward IV. ; and recently, in 1S19, it was rebuilt and formed into a police barrack. Another Imar of Waterford is recorded to have been slain, in 10'2'2, by the King of Ossory, and to have been succeeded by a second Reginald, styled by the Irish O'Hiver, who in the same year was killed by Sitric II. In 1038, Cumana, King of the Danes of Waterford, was killed by the people of Upper Ossory, or, as is otherwise stated, by the treachery of his own subjects ; and in the same year the city was burnt by Dermot Mac-mel Membo, King of Leinster. It was also burnt in 1087, by the people of Dublin. The Danes of the place having, in 1096, embraced the Christian religion, and elected Malchus, a Benedictine monk who had been for some time at Winchester, for their bishop ; sent a letter to Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, to request his consecration, which was granted ; and Malchus, on his return, assisted in the erection of a cathedral, which was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and is now called Christ Church. It appears that, about this time, there was a mint, a silver coin having been found with the inscription " Wadter" on the reverse, and attributed to one of the Danish kings.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 377

17. Danish pots discovered in Lough Ramor

    near Lough Ramor · lake or lakes · Cavan

    Many curiously shaped brazen pots, supposed to be Danish, were discovered in Lough Ramor a few years before publication. Some are held by the Marquess of Headfort at Headfort House near Kells.

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    within the last few years, has been greatly improved by its noble proprietor, the Marquess of Headfort. The market is on Thursday; and fairs are held on Jan. 24th, March 7th, April 2nd, May 11th, July 9th, Aug. 22nd, Sept. 23rd, Nov. 21st, and Dec. 20th. Here are an extensive malting and brewing establishment, and a constabulary police station; petty-sessions are held once a fortnight, and a manorial court monthly for the recovery of debts under 405. The present parochial church, situated in the town, is a new and handsome structure in the Gothic style, with a fine spire surmounted by a gilt cross. A church had been built here by a loan of £2000 from the late Board of First Fruits in 1818, but soon after its completion a storm blew down the steeple, which, falling on the roof, completely destroyed the edifice ; and on Christmas night, 1832, the church by which it was replaced was entirely consumed by an accidental fire. Adjoining the town, and on the north side of the lake, is Virginia Park, a cottage residence of the Marquess of Headfort : the scenery of the park is extremely diversified, and its walks and drives are very beautiful ;'-the plantations are a highly ornamental feature in the landscape. Lough Ramor contains several small islands, recently planted by his lordship, who has established an annual boat-race on the lough and gives as a prize a cup of the value of 30 guineas. Many curiously shaped brazen pots, supposed to be Danish, were discovered in the lake a few years since, some of which are in the possession of the Marquess, at Headfort House, near Kells.

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    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 371

18. Danish rath of Garrycastle

    Garrycastle · townland · Offaly

    Within the parish are remains of a Danish rath called Garrycastle. The passage also notes the ruins of Streamstown Castle and an ancient church called All Saints near which is a holy well.

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    the impropriator and the vicar. The gk-be-house was rebuilt in ISOO, and has been enlarged by the pre>^ent incumbent, at an expense of £664. 12. ; the glebe comprises 97^ acres, valued at £173. 18. per annum. The church, a handsome structure in the later English style, with a tower surmounted by a well-proportioned spire, and in very good repair, was erected in 1829, at an expense of £2030 British, advanced on loan by the late Board of First Fruits. In the Roman Catholic divisions this parisli is in the diocese of Ardagh, and the head of a union called Banagher, comprising also the parish ot Gallen; the chapel at Banagher is a large plain edifice, and there is also a chapel in Gallen. Within the parish are, the royal free school at Cuba House, near Banagher, iL-liich see ; and a dispensary. There are some remains of the Danish rath called Garrycastle ; also the ruins of Streamstown Castle ; and of an ancient church called All Saints, near which is a holy well.

    RHEBAN, Kildare. — See Churchtown.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 258

19. Danish rath on the Barrow at Tankardstown

    Tankardstown · townland · Kildare

    On the margin of the river Barrow within Tankardstown parish is a Danish rath, an earthen fortification attributed to the Danes.

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    TANKARDSTOWN, a parish, in the union of Athy, partly in the barony of Ballyadams, Queen's county, and partly in the barony of Narragh and Rheban East, but chiefly in that of Kilkea andMooNE, county of Kildare, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.) from Athy, on the road to Carlow ; containing 1914inhabitants. It is situated on the river Barrow, and comprises 7909 statute acres : within its limits are some quarries of limestone. The state of agriculture is progressively improving, and the Barrow navigation affords great facility for the conveyance of produce to Waterford. The seats are, Kilmoroney, an improved and handsome residence ; Farm Hill ; and Leinster Lodge. The parish is in the diocese of Dublin, and is a rectory and vicarage, forming part of the ecclesiastical union of Athy ; the tithe rent-charge is £244. 9. 6. In the Roman Catholic divisions, also, Tankardstown is part of the union of Athy. On the margin of the Barrow is a Danish rath.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 316

20. Danish raths and castle ruins at Moylough

    Moylough · town · Galway

    The parish of Moylough contains several Danish raths and the ruins of an ancient castle, marking early settlement and fortification in the area.

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    First Fruits contributed a gift of £"200 and a loan of £500, is a handsome residence ; and the glebe comprises 15§ acres, valued at £18. 15. per annum. The gross revenue of the benefice, including glebe and tithe, is £1086. S. The church, a neat edifice with a tower, was erected in 1808, the Board of First Fruits advancing a loan of £200. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a union, called sometimes Aghiart, and comprising also the parishes of Aghiart and Killascobe : there are three chapels, of which two are in this parish ; one in the village of INIoylough, a handsome edifice, occupying a site given by Mr. Bellew, who also gave £300 towards its erection ; the other in the demesne of Mount Bellew, an elegant edifice with a lofty tower, built by the late Mr. Bellew. There are some Danish raths, and the ruins of an ancient castle.

    IMOYLOUGH, a parish, in the poor-law union of Oldcastle, barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.) from Oldcastle, and on the great road from Dublin to Sligo ; containing '2*69 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Inny, which rises here and falls into Lough Sheelin ; and comprises 7457 statute acres. Agriculture has but little improved: there is scarcely any bog; limestone abounds, and several quarries are extensively worked. The parish is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Loughcrew : the tithe rentcharge is £138. 9. In the Roman Cathohc divisions the parish is part of the union of Oldcastle : the chapel is a handsome building in the later English style, and is embellished with a painting over the altar ; it was erected at an expense of £1000. Some of the foundations of the church, which belonged to the abbey of Fore, are still discernible ; and there are remains of an ancient castle, of which no historical details are extant.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 182

21. Danish raths and mineral springs in Templecarn parish

    Templecarn · parish · Donegal

    Several Danish raths and mineral springs are found within the parish of Templecarn, attesting to early settlement and natural resources in the area.

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    glebe comprises 141 acres of good land valued at £176. 16. per annum. The church, situated at Pettigoe, has been lately rebuilt at a cost of £2059 ; towards its erection the Ecclesiastical Commissioners gave £1525, and Mrs. Leslie (the proprietor of the estate), the rector, and the Protestant parishioners contributed the remainder. A subscription, also, has been raised to build a chapel of ease about four miles from the town. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish, called sometimes Pettigoe, is the head of a district comprising also the parish of Belleek. There are two chapels in this parish ; one at Pettigoe, a large and well-built edifice ; and one about four miles from the town, on the Strabane road : there is also a chapel in the parish of Belleek. In the town is a place of worship for Presbyterians ; and near it, though within the verge of the adjoining parish, are two for Wesleyan Methodists. Not far from the glebehouse are the ruins of an ancient castle, said to have been the residence of the first Protestant bishop of Clogher ; it was battered by Ireton in the parliamentary war, from the neighbouring hill, on which are still traces of the works thrown up by that officer. There are also several Danish raths, and mineral springs, in the parish.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 321

22. Danish raths and weapons found in Lake Lavey, 1832

    Lavey · townland · Cavan · 1832

    In the parish of Lavay (Lavey), County Cavan, there are some Danish raths. Several heads of battle-axes and brazen spears were discovered on an artificial island while draining Lake Lavey in 1832.

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    LAVAY, or Lowey, a parish, in the barony of Upper Loughtee, union and county of Cavan, and province of Ulster, 4 miles (E. by S.) from Cavan, on the road to Virginia ; containing 5931 inhabitants. It comprises 10,679 statute acres, of which '6^ are water. The land is highly cultivated ; there are some large tracts of bogs, affording an abundant supply of fuel. The parish is a vicarage, in the diocese of Kilmore, and in the patronage of the Bishop : the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Westmeath. The tithe rentcharge is £289. 13. 9., of which £115. 6. 3. are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar. The church, a very neat edifice, was erected in 1822, by aid of a gift of £900 from the Board of First Fruits, and has been repaired by a grant of £152 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. There is no glebe-house ; the glebe consists of 220 acres. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and contains the Upper chapel, built in 1820, and the Lower chapel, recently built, at an expense of nearly £2000, on a site given by Major G. Burrowes. Here are some Danish raths ; and several heads of battle-axes and brazen spears were discovered on an artificial island while draining Lake Lavey in 1832.

    LEA

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 64

23. Danish ravages at Birr in 841 and 842

    Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 841–1154

    Birr suffered much from the ravages of the Danes in 841 and 842. In 1154, O'Hedersgool, King of Cathluighe, was killed at the church-door, underscoring the place's turbulent early medieval history.

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    PARSONSTOWN, or Birr, a market and post-town, a parish, and the head of a union, in the barony of Bal- LYBRiTT, King's county, and province of Leinster, 18 miles (S. W.) from Tullamore, and 60 (W. S. W.) from Dublin, on the road from Tullamore to Roscrea ; containing 9567 inhabitants, of whom 6336 are in the town. The place derived its name of Birr from the abbey of Biorra, founded here by St. Brendan Luaigneus ; or from Bior, the Irish term for the bank or margin of a river. It constituted part of the ancient district of Ely O'Carrol in Ormond, in Munster ; and did not form any portion of the King's county as at first erected into shire ground in the reign of Philip and Mary, being annexed to it under an inquisition of the 2nd of James I. The castle of Birr was considered to be the chief seat of the O Carrols, chieftains of the sept. A great battle was fought in the vicinity, in 241, between Cormac, son of Conn of the Hundred Battles, and the people of Munster : the place suffered much from the ravages of the Danes in 841 and 842 ,•« and in 1154, O'Hedersgool, King of Cathluighe, was killed at the church-door.

    Soon after the English invasion, Henry II. granted this district to Philip de Worcester and Theobald Fitzwalter, subsequently to which he sold it to De Braosa and others : it was afterwards transferred to Hugh de Hose or Hussey, in which family it continued till the time of James I. In 1533, Gerald, Earl of Kildare, then lorddeputy, laid siege to the castle, in support of Ferganainim O'Carrol, his son-in-law ; but soon raised the siege, in consequence of a wound received from one of the garrison. Lord Grey, when lord-deputy, took the castle in 1537; and one of the charges against him, which led to his execution, was, that he had sanctioned the outrages committed by Fcrganainim O'Carrol. This chieftain eventually surrendered his territory to Edward VI., who restored it to him with the addition of the dignity of Baron of Ely during life. In the proceedings under the commission for the plantation of Ely O'Carrol, in

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 228

24. Danish town foundations at Tipperaghney

    near Tybroughney · street · Kilkenny

    Remains of the foundations of a town of supposed Danish origin exist at Tipperaghney, evidenced by a tombstone sculptured with Danish characters. A large conical mound encircled by a spacious fosse, with a considerable area on its summit, is also located here.

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    TIPPERAGIINEY, or Tyburoughny, a parish, in the union of Carrick-on-Suir, barony of Iverk, county of Kilkenny, and province of Leinster, 2| miles (E. S. E.) from Carrick-on-Suir, on the road to Waterford ; containing 278 inhabitants. This place is supposed to have been of som^ importance in ancient times, and to have been at one period thickly inhabited. According to Archdall, St. Dominick, or Modomnoc, flourished here about the middle of the sixth century ; and the ruins of the church bear evidence of its remote antiquity. Here are remains of the foundations of a town, supposed to be of Danish origin, a tombstone still existing being sculptured with Danish characters ; also a mound of a conical form, encircled by a spacious fosse, and presenting a considerable area on its summit. The castle of Tipperaghney is a stately edifice, supposed by some to have been erected by John, Earl of Morton, while at Waterford, but by others attributed to the Walshes, once proprietors of the entire parish. The parish is situated on the northern bank of the Suir, and comprises about 1147 statute acres; a large stone on its western border marks the boundary between the county of Kilkenny, in the province of Leinster, and that of Tipperary, in Munster. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, forming part of the union of Fiddown : the tithe rent-charge is £67- 10. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is part of the district of Templeorum.

    TIPPER.\RY (County of), an inland county of the province of Munster, bounded on the east by the King's and Queen's counties, and that of Kilkenny ; on the south, by that of Waterford ; on the west, by those

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 335

25. Dargle, Waterfall and Lough Bray near Powerscourt

    Powerscourt · parish · Wicklow

    The Dargle, a waterfall, and Lough Bray near Powerscourt are listed among the most celebrated natural features of County Wicklow.

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    The present residences of the nobility and gentry are very numerous, and render the county the most richly adorned and the most peaceable in the island ; the chief are noticed in the parishes or places in which they are respectively situated. The farmhouses of the principal tenants in the northern and eastern parts are built in a style of superior accommodation, with roomy and convenient offices ; those in the southern and western parts were mostly destroyed in the year 1798, and have been rebuilt in an improved mode, with slated roofs. In the vicinity of gentlemen's demesnes are many pretty cottages, and those of the north-eastern part of the county generally have an appearance of superior comfort ; but the habitations of the lower tenants and cottiers are for the most part extremely wretched, being roughly formed of sods or stones supporting a thatched roof not impervious to the weather. The squalid misery of these in parts of the mountain districts is extreme ; in some places even the roof is of sods taken from the mountain side. The character of the peasantry is the same as in the country generally ; with regard to their language, it is remarkable that, while the Irish is often spoken in the contiguous counties, it is never heard here, and scarcely a peasant even of the wildest districts understands it. Natural curiosities of a minor character, such as mineral springs, are very few ; but those of the highest order, exhibited in the mountains and glens, their fantastic rocks and picturesque waterfalls, present a greater variety of sublime features than any tract of equal extent in the island. The most celebrated spots are, the waterfall of Poul-a-Phuca, near Blessiugton ; Luggelaw, included in the modern parish of Calary ; the Vale of the Avonmore and the Meeting of the Waters, below Rathdrum ; the Vale of Ovoca, with its contiguous seats and demesnes, extending by Castle-Mac-Adam towards Arklow; the Glen of the Downs, near Delgany; the Scalp, near Enniskerry ; the recesses of Glendalough ; the Devil's Glen, that of Dunran, and those of Kiltimon and Ballyvolan, in the parish of Killeskey; the Dargle, the Waterfall, and Lough Bray, near Powers- 674

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 406

26. Dartfield quarry black polished stone

    Dartfield · townland · Galway

    In the parish of Kilrickill, County Galway, are several good stone-quarries. One at Dartfield produces a black stone which takes a high polish; limestone is also procured in the parish.

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    KILRICKILL, a parish, in the union of Loughrea, barony of Leitrim, county of Galway, and province of Connavght, 4 miles (E. by N.) from Loughrea, on the road to Ballinasloe ; containing 1737 inhabitants. A nunnery is said to have been founded by St. Patrick for his sister, St. Richella, at Kilbought, at which place the AVhaley family subsequently founded a monastery for the third order of Franciscans. The parish comprises ;'>947t statute acres. Here are some good stone-quarries ; one of them, at Dartfield, ])rodutes a black stone which takes a high polish : limestone is also procured ; and there is a small quantity of bog, which has been much reduced by injudicious cutting. There is a constabulary police station in the village, and a manorial court is held once every three weeks. Kilrickill is a vicarage, in the diocese of Clonfert, forming part of the union of Loughrea ; the rectory is appropriate to the deanery, and the prebends of Droghta and Ballynoulter in the cathedral of Clonfert. The tithe rent-charge is £76. I7. 6., of which £'2'2. 10. are payable to the dean, £'20. 1'2. 6. to the prebendary of Droghta, £18. 15. to the prebendary of Ballynoulter, and the remainder to the vicar. In the Roman Catholic divisions Kilrickill is the head of a district, comprising this parish and Killalaghton, in each of which is a chapel. At Kilbought are the remains uf an ancient chapel, said to have belonged to the Franciscan friary ; the burial-ground has been inclosed, and planted with yew-trees. The castle of Wallscourt gave the title of Baron to the family of Blake.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 52

27. David O'Buge, Carmelite philosopher, native of Kildare

    Kildare · town · Kildare · 1300–1350

    David O'Buge, distinguished in the early 14th century as a philosopher, rhetorician, and divine, was a native of Kildare town. He was provincial of the Carmelites in Ireland and was interred in the monastery of that order at Kildare.

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    formerly a circle of large stones, of which no traces remain ; but there are numerous earthworks, most of which appear to have been sepulchral. On this plain, Richard Marshal, Earl of Pembroke and Earl Palatine of Leinster, who had been invited by De Burgo, De Lacy, and other lords to negotiate a truce, was betrayed by Geoffrey de Marisco, his attendant, into the power of his enemies, and put to death, in 1234. David O'Buge, who, in the early part of the 14th century, was eminently distinguished as a philosopher, rhetorician, and divine, was a native of the town; he was provincial of the Carmelites in Ireland, and was interred in the monastery of that order at this place, of which he had been a friar. Kildare gives the inferior titles of Earl and Marquess to the Duke of Leinster.

    KILDARTON, a district parish, in the poor-law union of Armagh, county of Armagh, and province of Ulster, 2 miles (K.) from the city of Armagh. This district has been formed from the parishes of Armagh, Mullaghbrack, and Loughgall, and comprises 487.'> statute acres, all arable land ; it lies on the road from Armagh to Hamilton'sBawn and Tanderagee, and includes Lowry's lough, which is on the borders of the three baronies of Armagh, O'Neilland West, and Lower Fews. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in handloom linen-weaving, which branch of industry is carried on in most of the farm and cotters' houses. The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, and in the patronage of the Incumbents of the parishes of Armagh, Mullaghbrack, and Loughgall, by turns. The church, a plain structure in the early English style, was built in 1841, at a cost of £950, whereof £233 were from the funds of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and the remainder from private sources ; it affords accommodation for 350 persons. The Presbyterians have a small place of worship ; and eight schools are supported by his Grace the Lord Primate and the Church Education Society. There are several Danish forts within this district. Lowry's lough, which is close to the church, supplies the city of Armagh with water.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 21

28. Davidstown mansion and Hughstown hill, Killelan

    Davidstown · townland · Kildare

    Davidstown in the parish of Killelan is a handsome mansion situated in an extensive and finely planted demesne, above which rises Hughstown hill.

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    KILLELAN, a parish, in the union of Baltinglass, barony of Kilkea and Moone, county of Kildare, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.) from Castledermot, and on the confines of the county of Wicklow and Dublin; containing 1764 inhabitants. It comprises 737 8f statute acres : the greater portion of the land is good, and the system of agriculture improved ; a considerable tract of bog has been brought into cultivation by R. Archbold, Esq. ; and there is little waste or unprofitable land. The surface is varied, and the scenery in some parts picturesque. Davidstown, in the parish, is a handsome mansion, situated in an extensive and finely planted demesne, above which rises Hughstown hill. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin, consisting of the seven denominations of Bolton, Simonstown, Newtown, Commonstown, Collin, Colerake, and Hughstown, and formerly constituting part of the union of Timolin, from which it has been separated and formed into a distinct benefice, in the patronage of Sir R. Steele, Bart., in whom the rectory is impropriate. The tithe rent-charge is £247. 10., two-thirds payable to the impropriator, and one-third to the vicar : there is neither glebe-house nor glebe. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Castledermot. There are some slight remains of the old church, and also of an hospital formerly belonging to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, consisting of a square tower.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 38

29. Dean Swift's Draper's Hill within Gosford demesne

    near Markethill · town · Armagh

    Dean Swift in his writings notices a favourite spot near Markethill which he named Draper's Hill, located within Lord Gosford's demesne. This literary association connects the landscape to one of Ireland's most famous authors.

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    MARKETHILL, a market and post town, partly in the parish of Mcllaghbrack, and partly in the district of KiLCLUNEY, barony of Lower Fews, union and county of Armagh, and province of Ulster, ji miles (E.) from Armagh, on the coach-road to Newry, and 60 miles (N.byW.) from Dublin; containing 14<24 inhabitants, and comprising 310 houses. It consists of one principal street from which two others diverge, and is situated in the midst of a fertile country ; the demesne and splendid castle of Gosford, the property of Viscount Gosford, adding greatly to its beauty. Two miles to the south-west is the Vicar's Cairn, or Carricktole, commanding a most extensive view. Dean Swift in his writings notices a favourite spot here, which he named Draper's Hill ; it is within Lord Gosford's demesne. This is a thriving town, having more than doubled its inhabitants and houses within the last fifteen years : it has an excellent market on Friday, and a fair on the third Friday in each month for cattle and pigs ; and a neat market- house, built by Lord Gosford, was completed in 1H46. Petty-sessions are held every Friday, and quarter-sessions for the county alternately with Ballybot, in a newly erected court-house, at the rear of which is a bridewell containing three cells, a dayroom, and yards. The staff of the Armagh militia is at this town ; among their muniments is deposited the stand of colours taken by them from the French at Ballynamuck, in 1798. There are large meeting-houses for Presbyterians, and one for Wesleyan Methodists ; also a dispensary. — See Mullaghbrack. MARLFIELD.— See Abbey.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 138

30. Dean Swift's frequent visits to Woodlands in Santry

    Santry · townland · Dublin

    Woodlands, a seat in the parish of Santry, was built by Dean Jackson, a contemporary of Dean Swift. Swift was a frequent inmate at Woodlands, making the house a notable literary association in the area.

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    village was burnt, and great devastation committed in the parish by a detachment from the parliamentarian forces stationed at Dublin, which had been sent against a party of royalists here. The parish comprises 4726 statute acres : the land is of good quality, chiefly in meadow and pasture ; that which is under tillage is fertile, and the system of agriculture is improving. Nearly adjoining the village is Santry House, the seat of Sir Compton Domville, Bart., proprietor of the parish, a stately mansion of brick, containing many spacious apartments ornamented with numerous family portraits, a collection of historical and scriptural paintings by the best masters, and many other valuable specimens of the fine arts : the demesne, comprising more than 140 acres, is tastefully laid out in gardens and pleasure-grounds, richly embellished with timber and commanding some beautiful scenery and some extensive mountain and sea views. There are numerous other seats and villas in the parish, the principal of which are, Belcamp House, a handsome mansion, situated in finely disposed grounds and commanding some rich views ; Woodlands, built by Dean Jackson, contemporary with Dean Swift, who was a frequent inmate here ; Belcamp, an elegant villa beautifully situated ; Santry Lodge ; Belcamp ; Woodford ; Woodlawn ; and Collinstown. The village is pleasantly situated on the road to Swords ; it contains 25 houses, neatly built, and derives much interest from the demesne of Santry House : near it is a station of the city police. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Dublin, and in the patronage of the Crown, in which one-half of the rectorial tithes is impropriate ; the other half is annexed to the vicarage. The tithe rent-charge is £346. 10., of which £150 are payable to the Crown, and the remainder to the vicar. The glebe-house was built on a glebe of one acre in 1828, at an expense of £1300, towards which the late Board of First Fruits contributed £200 and a loan of £600 ; the remainder was defrayed by the Rev. Dennis Browne, the incumbent. The church, towards the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £264, is a plain neat edifice, built in 1709, and contains the tombs of many members of the Barry and Domville families, successive proprietors of the estate. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the union of Clontarf; there is a chapel at Ballyman. The charter school here under the Incorporated Society has been endowed with land by R. H. L. Gardener ; the house, towards which Primate Boulter contributed £400, is a spacious building, situated on the road to Drogheda : in this school about 30 children are clothed, maintained, and educated, and when of proper age apprenticed.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 271

31. Death of the Earl of Desmond near Tralee

    Tralee · town · Kerry

    The Earl of Desmond was slain by a party of common soldiers in a wretched hovel in a wood where he had taken refuge, a few miles east of Tralee. His death terminated the protracted war of extermination across the province.

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    In 1579, a party of Spaniards and a few native insurgents having landed with Saunders, the Pope's nuncio, at Smerwick, in this county. Sir John of Desmond, the earl's brother, to ingratiate himself with them, procured the murder, at Tralee, of Henry Danvers, an English gentleman, and the two provincial judges sent there to execute justice in the queen's name, together with all their attendants. This transaction completed the determination of the government totally to abohsh all the Earl of Desmond's powers of exclusive jurisdiction, which his subsequent rebellion gave an opportunity to effect. The earl's wavering and indecisive conduct, in which he was encouraged by the Lord of Kerry, brought a protracted war of extermination on the whole province ; and, his defection proving every day more certain, he was at length proclaimed a traitor, and his country entered with fire and sword. The Earl of Ormonde and Sir Warham St. Leger wasted his lands, slew numbers of his* men, burned his towns, and took his castles (putting both Spaniards and natives to the sword) as far, with the aid of the lord-justice, as the mountains of Slievelogher. They then ravaged and destroyed the district of Corkaguiney from Tralee to Dingle, slaying many of the people. While this desultory warfare was proceeding, additional forces, with military stores for the insurgents, landed at Smerwick from Spain ; but these troops, after a long siege, surrendered at discretion, and were barbarously murdered, together with all who had joined them. Captain Zouch was then appointed, with 450 men, to govern the county and pursue the insurgents, which he did with the utmost rigour ; but the English army being soon reduced to an insignificant force, the war again revived with all its horrors ; and it was terminated only by the death of the earl, who was slain by a party of common soldiers in a wretched hovel in a wood, where he had taken refuge, a few miles east of Tralee. Sir John Perrot shortly after gave the government of the palatinate to the queen's sheriff, and the Lord of Kerry, who had submitted and received pardon from the queen.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 6

32. De Burgo possessions pass to English crown via Clarence marriage

    Roscommon · town · Roscommon · 1366–1558

    The possessions of the de Burgos became vested in the English crown through the marriage of the daughter and heir of William, the last earl of Ulster of this name, with the Duke of Clarence. Native septs then resumed almost entire possession of Roscommon until the reign of Elizabeth.

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    Roscommon was included in the grant of Connaught made by Henry III. to Richard de Burgo or Bourke, with the e.xception of five cantreds reserved to the crown adjacent to the castle of Athlone ; Edward I., in the 13th year of his reign, granted to Thomas de Clare and Geoffry de Conobyll " the king's waste lands in Connaught, in the region of Roscoman. " That the de Burgos held possessions here, also appears from Richard de Burgo assembling his forces at Roscommon, to oppose Edward Bruce; he was joined by Felim O'Conor, and the united forces took their route by Athlone. The latter chieftain, however, subsequently taking part with Bruce, encountered the Anglo-Normans at Athenry, on which occasion the power of the O'Conor sept received an irrecoverable shock. The possessions of the de Burgos became vested in the English crown, through the marriage of the daughter and heir of William, the last earl of Ulster of this name, with the Duke of Clarence ; but the native septs appear to have resumed almost entire possession of Roscommon until the reign of Elizabeth. The O'Conors of Roscommon were divided into the families of O Conor Ruadh or Roe, "the Red," and O'Conor Dhunne or Don, "the dark or brown," from two rival chieftains thus distinguished by the colour of their hair, who were generally at war with one another ; the chief seat of one was Ballynafad Castle, and of the other that of Ballintobber. In 156.5, Connaught was subdivided according to its present arrangement by Sir Henry Sidney, lord-deputy, when the country acquired its existing limits. The country of the Mac Dermots was named the barony of Boyle : that of O'Conor Don formed the barony of Ballintobber ; that of O'Conor Roe, the barony of Roscommon ; and that of the O'Kellys, the barony of Athlone and the half barony of Moycarnon. The principal castles were, those of Athlone, Roscommon, and St. John (the last in ruins), all belonging to the Queen ; and that of Ballintobber, belonging to O'Conor Don.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 258

33. Decayed castle and village of Lea

    Lea · townland · Laois

    The only claim to antiquity for the Portarlington area attaches to the decayed castle and village of Lea in the neighbourhood. The town of Portarlington itself arose only after the grant to Lord Arlington in the reign of Charles II.

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    borough, market, and post town, in the union of Molnt- MELLICK, partly iu the parish of Clonehouke, barony of Ui'i-ER Philipstown, King's county, but chiefly in the parish of Lea, barony of Portnehinch, Queen's county, and province of Leinster, 95 miles (N. E.) from Maryborough, and 34i (W. s. \V.) from nhabitants, of whom ^866 are in the town. This place, anciently named Coltodry, or Cooletetoodra, corrupted into Cooletooder, as it is still sometimes called, derives its present appellation of Arlington from Lord Arlington, to whom, with a large extent of country, it was granted in the reign of Charles n. ; and its prefix Port from a small landing-place on the river Barrow, on which it is situated. Its only claim to antiquity attaches to the decayed castle and village of Lea, in the neighbourhood, the town having arisen only since the grant above named, which included a charter of incorporation constituting it a borough, though then only in its infancy. Lord Arlington subsequently disposed of his interest in the town to Sir Patrick Trant, upon whose attainder, as a follower of James IL, the possessions became forfeited to the crown, and were granted by William IlL to General Rouvigny, one of his companions in arms, whom he created Earl of Gahvay. The earl settled here a colony of French and Flemish Protestant refugees ; and though the estates were taken from him by the English act of resumption, yet the interest which the new settlers had acquired by lease was secured to them by act of parliament in 170^!, and they were made partakers of the rights and privileges of the borough. The estates, which had been sold to the London Hollow Sword-blade Company, passed from them to the Dawson family, now earls of Portarlington, by purchase ; since which time the town has attained a very considerable degree of prosperity. The French language continued to be spoken among the refugees for a considerable time ; but at present they are scarcely to be distinguished from the other inhabitants, except where their names afford evidence of their foreign extraction.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 231

34. Decayed cotton mills near Clane

    Clane · town · Kildare · 1790–1800

    Several attempts were made near the close of the eighteenth century to establish the cotton manufacture in County Kildare, and some mills were built near Clane. These mills all fell to decay, along with similar ventures at other places.

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    Several attempts were made near the close of the last century to establish the cotton manufacture, and some mills were built near Clane, Leixhp, and other places,

    H

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 20

35. Decayed cotton mills near Leixlip

    Leixlip · town · Kildare · 1790–1800

    Attempts to establish cotton manufacturing near the close of the eighteenth century included mills built near Leixlip, but these ventures all fell to decay along with similar efforts at Clane and other places.

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    Several attempts were made near the close of the last century to establish the cotton manufacture, and some mills were built near Clane, Leixhp, and other places,

    H

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 20

36. Decayed ecclesiastical building at Mullinahone

    Mullinahone · town · Tipperary

    An old decayed ecclesiastical building is noted at Mullinahone, along with numerous decayed parish churches across the county. These form part of the extensive religious antiquities surviving in Tipperary.

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    The most numerous remains of antiquity are the raths or earthworks of various kinds, scattered over the surface of the county. There are also many little mounds, called Clogh Breagh, or " Stones of Sorrow," said to have been formed by passengers casting a stone each on a spot where any person had met with a violent death. Within the limits of the county are two ancient round towers, in good preservation ; one on the Rock of Cashel, and the other at Roscrea. In a small bog near Cullen have been found an amazing number of valuable relics, of a very remote period of antiquity : they include utensils of brass ; ingots, plates, plain pieces, and numerous ornaments, of gold ; a quantity of arrow and spear heads ; gold cups, tubes, rings, and chains ; brass spears of very extraordinary form ; and other articles of a similar kind. The number of religious houses is stated to have been 40 ; and there are still remains of those of Ardfinnan and Athassel, the Dominican and Franciscan houses at Cashel, and the houses of Clonmel, Corbally, Fethard, Holy Cross, Hore Abbey, Lorragh (where are the remains of three religious edifices), Monaincha, Roscrea, Thurles, and Kilcooly. There are also an old decayed ecclesiastical building at Mullinahone, and numerous decayed parish churches. But the ruins that claim pre-eminent notice are those on the Rock of Cashel, described in the account of that city, u-h'ich see. Remains of ancient castles are to be met with in every part. The most remarkable are those of Nenagh Round, Ardfinnan, Cahir, Lismalin, Grestown, Gralla near Killenaule, Mealiffe, and Drumban in the parish of Mealiffe ; two at Roscrea ; and two at Thurles ; besides which may be particularly noticed the old castellated mansion in the town of Carrick-on- Suir ; Carrick Castle, formerly the seat of the Earl of Carrick ; and Killaghy Castle. Burnt Court is a very fine specimen of an ancient fortified mansion, and there are some remains of another at Thurles. The chief modern mansions of the nobility and gentry are noticed in their respective parishes. The celebrated natural caves near Mitchelstown, lately discovered, are in the parish of Templetenny, in this county, under which head a detailed description of them is given.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 342

37. Decayed weaving industry and market houses at Tintern

    Tintern · townland · Wexford

    Linens, diapers, checks, and woollens were formerly wrought at Tintern, where the weaving and spinning business was so extensive that a yarn-market and a general-market house were erected. Both buildings have since fallen into decay, though many weavers remained in the neighbourhood.

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    Much coarse woollen-cloth was formerly manufactured throughout the county, but almost wholly for domestic use. Cotton-works were erected at St. John's, near Enniscorthy, upwards of thirty years since, but were only carried on for two or three years : at the latter place were also some iron-works. Linens, diapers, checks, and woollens were wrought at Tintern, where the weaving and spinning business was carried on to such an extent that a yarn-market and a general-market house were erected for the accommodation of the buyers and sellers ; but both these buildings have fallen into decay, though there are still many weavers in the neighbourhood. The vicinity of the county to the great Nymph Bank renders its fisheries an important object of consideration. In addition to the supply of deep-sea fish derivable from this source, the inhabitants along the whole coast are mainly employed in fishing : there are also numerous residents at every creek that affords shelter for a few boats, who derive their subsistence from partly their little farms on shore, but mostly from the sea. A valuable fishing-ground lies near the shore, adjacent to the Saltee Islands ; but the want of a harbour adequate to the reception and shelter of a good description of craft, prevents the fishery from being followed, except in open boats. There are two small harbours, one at Fethard, and the other at CrossFarnogue at the eastern extremity of Ballyteigue bay, which, inadequate as they are, enable the fishermen to go out in the summer season ; but the want of a good harbour prevejits them from partaking much in the profits of the cod and herring fishery, which is chiefly carried on in the winter. Shell-fish are caught in great abundance along the shore. The oysters are much esteemed by some for their size and flavour, but they do not maintain that character in the Dublin market : the lobsters are also reckoned to be of a superior kind. Salmon, white-trout, eels, and the pearl-

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 396

38. De Courcey castle at Kilbrittain, garrisoned 1642

    near Kilbrittain · street · Cork · 1200–1642

    A castle was built at Kilbrittain in the 13th century by De Courcey, who was dispossessed by M'Carty Reagh; some remains survive. In 1642 the place was taken and garrisoned by the men of Bandon.

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    KILBRITAIN, a parish, in the union of Bandon, East division of the barony of East Carbery, county of Cork, and province of Munster, 6 miles (s. by E.) from Bandon, on the road from that place to Timoleague ; containing 1652 inhabitants. A castle was built here in the 13th century by De Courcey, who was dispossessed by M'Carty Reagh ; there arc still some remains. In 164'2 this place was taken and garrisoned by the men of Bandon. The parish, which lies on the eastern side of a small bay, comprises 4/51 statute acres, two-thirds of which are under tillage ; the remainder forms the demesne of Kilbritain House. The land is generally very good, but indiflerently cvdtivated ; sand brought from the shore of the bay is the principal manure. Here is a slate-quarry ; also some extensive flour-mills, and a fulling-mill on a small river which falls into the bay. Many of the people are occupied in fishing, and some are engaged in weaving cotton cords and coarse cloth. Besides Kilbritain House, here are Borleigh and Mill House. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Cork, forming the corps of the prebend of Kilbritain in the cathedral of St. Finbarr, Cork, and in the patronage of the Bishop : the tithe rent-charge is £307. 10. The church is in ruins, but divine service is regularly performed in the school-house at Kilshanahane. The glebe consists of 5 acres ; there is no glebe-house. In the Roman Catholic divisions this parish forms part of the district of Rathclarin. Parochial schools were built by subscription in IS'29.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 16

39. De Courcy castles at Ringrone and Kinsale entrance

    Ringrone · townland · Cork · 1170–1300

    After the conquest of Ireland, the territory around Ringrone was granted to John de Courcy, who erected a strong castle at Duncearma near the Old Head of Kinsale and another opposite the town of Kinsale. The castle at Duncearma served as the baronial residence of his descendants for many generations, while the other housed a garrison protecting the port and ferry.

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    RIN'GRONE, or Ringoran, a parish, partly in the barony and liberties of Kinsale, and partly in the Eastern division of the barony of East Carbery, but chiefly in the barony of Courcies, union of Kinsale, county of Cork, and province of Munster, 2^ niiles (S. W.) from Kinsale, from which it is separated by the river Bandon ; containing 5135 inhabitants. This place, from the peculiarity of its situation, projecting far into the sea on the south, and on the east and north completely commanding the entrance of the celebrated and ancient harbour of " Cean Sailah," now Kinsale, has from a very early period been distinguished as a place of importance. On the conquest of Ireland, the surrounding territory was granted to John de Courcy, afterwards Earl of Ulster, who erected a strong castle at Duncearma, near the Old Head of Kinsale, and another opposite to the town of Kinsale. The former of these castles was for many generations the baronial residence of his descendants ; and the latter was occupied by a formidable garrison, for the protection of the port and the ferry leading to it. Near the fortress, which, during the occupation of Kinsale by the Spaniards in 1600, and also during the war of the Revolution, was an object of severe contest, was a royal dock-yard, where the whole of the king's ships on this station, employed in the war as convoys, were refitted and repaired.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 258

40. De Courcy's castle at Newry destroyed by Bruce, 1318

    near Newry · town · Down · 1318

    Sir John de Courcy secured the strategically important pass between Ulster and Leinster with a castle at Newry. This castle was destroyed by Bruce during the Scottish retreat after their defeat at Dundalk in 1318.

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    Lignn ; it was also named Na-Yiir, and at a still later period. The Newry s. The charter of Mac Loughlin was renewed and enlarged by Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, in 1237, and the head of the house was made a mitred abbot, with episcopal jurisdiction within the precincts of the lordship. When Sir John de Courcy took possessicra of this district, he secured the pass (justly considered as very important, being the only road through the mountains between Ulster and Leinster,) by a castle, which was destroyed by Bruce, on the retreat of the Scotch after their defeat at Dundalk in 1318. After several changes of masters, during which the place was frequently in the possession of the O'Nials, chieftains of Ulster, a second castle was built in 1480, which was demolished by Shane O'Nial, who then held a strong castle at Feedom, now Fathom. Marshal Bagnal restored the castle, rebuilt the town, and peopled it with Protestant settlers; for which James I., in 1613, had granted the entire lordship, together with the manors of Mourne, Greencastle, and Carlingford, in fee to him and his heirs for ever. At the breaking out of the civil war in 1641, Sir Con Magennis took the town and castle, destroyed the church, and slew many of the inhabitants. It was shortly after recovered by Lord Conway, who however did not hold it long, as O'Nial surprised it by night, and regained possession. In 1 64'2, Munroe invested the town, and took it by storm. After the Restoration, Newry recovered from the sufferings inflicted on it, and continued to flourish till 1689, when it was burned by the Duke of Berwick in his retreat from Duke Schomberg : the castle and six houses only remained.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 207

41. Deepening the Ford channel under 1816 act

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1816

    Through the exertions of the Chamber of Commerce, an act was obtained in 1816 for improving the port and harbour. The Ford channel was deepened to 21 feet at high water of ordinary spring tides, at an expense of £21,901, partly funded by government.

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    The numerous and peculiar advantages which Waterford enjoys for the extension of its commerce, are still but beginning to be fully known and appreciated. The river Suir is navigable for ships of very large burthen, having sufficient depth of water to allow vessels of 800 tons to discharge their cargoes opposite to the Customhouse. About two miles below the city is an island called the Little Island, in the form of an equilateral triangle ; and in the King's channel, which embraces two sides of this island, is the greatest depth of water, but from its position it requires particular winds to work through it, and it is also rendered dangerous by a sunken rock, called the Golden Rock. In the other channel, which is designated the Ford, and which is both the shorter and more direct passage, there was formerly a depth of only two feet at low water. This great disadvantage naturally attracted the attention of mercantile and nautical men; and in 1816, through the exertions of the Chamber of Commerce, an act was obtained for deepening, cleansing, and otherwise improving the port and harbour, for supplying ships with ballast, and for regulating the pilots. Under this act the management is vested in 24 commissioners, 12 of whom are nominated by the Chamber of Commerce, 7 by the Corporation of the city, and 5 by the Commercial Association of Clonmel. Agreeably with its provisions, arrangements were speedily made for deepening the channel of the Ford, and this was so effectually accomplished that there is ^^"^ "f "'^ ^^'"''" now at high water of ordi- missioners.

    nary spring tides a depth of 21 feet. The expense of 640

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 383

42. Defeat of General Monroe at Lisnegarvey

    near Lisburn · town · Antrim · 1648–1650

    On December 6, 1648, General Monroe and his Scottish forces were defeated on the plains of Lisnegarvey by Colonel Venables and Sir Charles Coote. The castle was later surrendered to Venables in 1650.

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    of horse, the insurgent army commanded by Sir Phclim O'Nial, Sir Conn Magennis, and General IMiinkct, on their march to Carrickfergus, advanced to attack the town. Sir Arthur Tyringham, however, arriving with a small reinforcement, and being aided by Sir George Rawdou, repulsed the columns of the enemy as they successively ad\anced to the assault, and, by a galling fire from the streets, committed great slaughter among them. At nightfall, further reinforcements arrived from Carrickfergus and Belfast ; and the insurgents, despairing of success, set fire to the town, which in a few hours was reduced to ashes ; a sanguinary conflict being maintained in the burning town till nearly midnight, when the insurgents w'ere finally put to flight, leaving behind them a number of slain equal to three times the entire number of the garrison, of whom only from '20 to 30 were killed. In 1644, General Monroe made an attempt to obtain possession of the town, but was frustrated by the vigilance and resolution of the garrison ; and on the 6th of December, 1648, that general, with the Scottish forces under his command, was signally defeated on the plains of " Lisnegarvey," by Colonel Venables and Sir Charles Coote, two of Cromwell's commanders ; to the former of whom the castle was surrendered in 1650. On the landing of the Duke of Schomberg, near Bangor, in 16S9, a considerable body of forces in the interest of James II. assembled at this place ; but they afterwards abandoned it without any attempt for its defence, and William III. passed through the town shortly before the battle of the Boyne. Charles II., to reward the fidelity of the inhabitants to his father and to himself, had erected the church of Lishurn into a cathedral for the united dioceses of Down and Connor, and had granted the townsmen the privilege of sending two representatives to the Irish parliament ; but what more especially contributed to the improvement and commercial importance of the town was the settlement here, after the revocation of the edict of Nantz, of many Huguenot families, who introduced the manufacture of linen, and brought with them improved machinery from Holland. The skill and industry of these foreigners were liberally encouraged by the government, which granted large sums of money for the erection of suitable buildings for carrying on the manufactures, &c. ; and, by giving an example to others engaged in the same trade, the new settlers soon raised the quality of the manufactures to a degree of excellence previously unknown. In 170", the town and castle were burned to the ground ; the latter has never been rebuilt, but the present town soon arose from the ruins of the former, and gradually increased in extent. It has been greatly improved at various times, especially within the last few years by the spirited exertions of the agent of the Marquess of Hertford, who is owner in ■fee of the whole town, and of a considerable part of the surrounding country ; and Lisburn is now one of the handsomest inland towns in Ulster.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 81

43. Defence of Thomond Bridge and Treaty of Limerick (1691)

    Thomond Bridge · street · Limerick · 1691

    During the second siege of Limerick, 600 Irish soldiers were slain or drowned defending Thomond Bridge when the gates were closed too speedily upon them. The celebrated Treaty of Limerick was ratified on October 1st, said to have been signed on a large stone near Thomond-bridge within sight of both armies.

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    The accession of James II. caused an alteration in the religious ascendancy of the corporation ; and after the battle of the Boyne, the Earl of Tyrconnel established his viceregal court in the city. Soon after this, it was invested by King William in person, at the head of '20,000 veterans. The siege, undertaken at a late period of the season, was rendered particularly harassing by the formidable obstacles opposed to the besiegers by the fortifications and natural defences of the town, the abundance of its munitions of war, and the circumstance of the flower of the Irish army being assembled in and around it, under General Boiseleau, the Duke of Berwick, and other distinguished leaders, who were enabled to obtain supplies of every kind from Connaught, and by sea, where the French fleet rode undisturbed. The operations of the English army were also greatly cheeked by the loss of its battering train, which had been intercepted and destroyed by General Sarsfield, in a gallant attack, within twelve miles of William's camp. A breach having been at length effected, the besiegers thrice penetrated into the town, and as often were beaten back, until, after a desperate contest of four hours, in which they lost I7OO men, they were obliged to retire ; William himself being compelled to raise the siege, and withdraw towards Clonmel. In the August following, William's army, now commanded by General de Ginkell, again invested the town ; and the garrison having been abundantly supplied, and in expectation of succour from France, the siege was protracted and sanguinary. One of the most serious conflicts at this period was that in which 600 Irish were slain, 1.50 drowned, and above 100 taken prisoners, in the defence of Thomond-bridge, the gates having been closed upon them too speedily, by which their retreat was cut off. Operations were at length terminated by the celebrated treaty of Limerick, ratified on Oct. 1st, and said to have been signed on a large stone near Thomond-bridge, within sight of both armies. Two days after, the French fleet arrived on the coast, and on the 14th entered the Shannon, with a reinforcement of troops and 30,000 stand of arms and ammunition. Both parties now made strenuous exertions to retain the Irish soldiers in their service : 3000 were prevailed upon to enter into that of the victorious monarch ; but the remainder, amounting to upwards of 19,000 men, embarked for France, and formed the foundation of the Irish brigade, afterwards so celebrated in the wars of Europe.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 77

44. Defenders attack Kilfinane and Bruff, 1793

    Kilfinane · town · Limerick · 1793

    In 1793, the Defenders made a simultaneous attack on the towns of Kilfinane and Bruff. They were repulsed from Kilfinane by the inhabitants and Palatine yeomanry, but seized Bruff before being driven out by the army with loss of life.

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    But the pause was of short duration. A new association appeared in 1793, under the name of Defenders, who had so well matured their plans that they made a simultaneous attack upon the towns of Kilfinane and Bruff ; and though repulsed from the former by the spirited resistance of the inhabitants, supported by the Palatine yeomanry, they succeeded in gaining possession of the latter. But they were shortly driven out of it, with some loss of life, by a detachment of the army against which they had ventured to make a stand. In 1803, a project was conceived of seizing the city of Limerick, as a means of co-operating with the in^^urgcnts in Dublin under Emmet ; but on learning that preparations were in progress to oppose them, the men dispersed. Symptoms of disturbance again showed themselves in 1809 ; and in 181.5 the spirit of discontent broke out in an insurrection of peculiar violence, which raged during that and the greater part of the succeeding year, but was ultimately subdued by the operation of the Insurrection act. In 1817, a general failure of the crops occasioned a very distressing famine, which, though relieved by issues of public money and liberal contributions of benevolent individuals, entailed on the districts most visited by the dearth a frightful scourge of contagious disease.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 73

45. Defenders' attacks on Kilfinane repelled in 1793

    Kilfinane · town · Limerick · 1793

    In 1793, attacks on Kilfinane by the Defenders were repelled twice, and the assailants were ultimately defeated by the Palatines and other inhabitants under Charles Silver Oliver.

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    KILFINANE, a market-town and parish, in the union of Kilmallock, barony of Costlea, county of Limerick, and province of Munster, 5 miles (E. byS.) from Kilmallock, on the road from that place to Mitchelstown; containing 43,56 inhabitants, of whom 1782 are in the town. The town is situated in the midst of a group of mountains, by which it is surrounded on all sides but the north, where it opens upon the rich vale of Kilmallock. It consists of two principal and several smaller streets, containing 308 houses, many of which are large and well built, and have been recently erected by the Misses Gascoigne, coheiresses of the late R. Oliver Gascoigne, Esq., to whom the property belongs, and who have also built and furnished an hotel, flagg'^d the foot-paths, and made other improvements, which will in a little time change the aspect of the district for the better. Many Palatine families were brought hither from Rathkcale, about 1740, by the Right Hon. Silver Oliver. In 1793, the attacks made on the town by the Defenders were repelled twice, and the assailants were ultimately defeated by the Palatines and other inhabitants, under Charles Silver Oliver, Esq. ; at a later period, also, when an attack from the disaffected was anticipated', the respectable inhabitants armed themselves in defence 60

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 24

46. Defenders seize Bruff before army drives them out, 1793

    Bruff · town · Limerick · 1793

    The Defenders succeeded in gaining possession of Bruff in their 1793 attack, but were shortly driven out with some loss of life by a detachment of the army against which they had ventured to make a stand.

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    But the pause was of short duration. A new association appeared in 1793, under the name of Defenders, who had so well matured their plans that they made a simultaneous attack upon the towns of Kilfinane and Bruff ; and though repulsed from the former by the spirited resistance of the inhabitants, supported by the Palatine yeomanry, they succeeded in gaining possession of the latter. But they were shortly driven out of it, with some loss of life, by a detachment of the army against which they had ventured to make a stand. In 1803, a project was conceived of seizing the city of Limerick, as a means of co-operating with the in^^urgcnts in Dublin under Emmet ; but on learning that preparations were in progress to oppose them, the men dispersed. Symptoms of disturbance again showed themselves in 1809 ; and in 181.5 the spirit of discontent broke out in an insurrection of peculiar violence, which raged during that and the greater part of the succeeding year, but was ultimately subdued by the operation of the Insurrection act. In 1817, a general failure of the crops occasioned a very distressing famine, which, though relieved by issues of public money and liberal contributions of benevolent individuals, entailed on the districts most visited by the dearth a frightful scourge of contagious disease.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 73

47. De Lacy castle at Clonard

    Clonard · town · Meath

    The Norman nobleman De Lacy built a castle at Clonard, one of several fortifications he erected in County Meath after the English arrival.

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    The county also retains many remains of its military structures, of which the most celebrated in the records of remote antiquity is Taragh, already noticed. Whatever may have been its ancient splendour, as set forth in the poetry of the native bards and in the chronicles of annalists, little now is discoverable corresponding with their highly wrought descriptions. Considerable remains of circular earthworks still exist ; but of the palaces, and places of scientific study, said to have been situated here, there are no traces. The oldest fortress upon record erected after the arrival of the English was that of A'e//s, built by De Lacy, but of which there are now no vestiges : the same nobleman built the castles of Clonard, Killeen, and Delvin ; and the erection of Trim Castle is attributable by some to him, though it is more generally thought to have been

    MEAT

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 149

48. De Lacy castle at Killeen

    Killeen · townland · Meath

    De Lacy built a castle at Killeen, part of his network of fortifications across County Meath. The site also housed a commandery of Knights Hospitallers and a house of Regular Canons with a nunnery.

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    The county also retains many remains of its military structures, of which the most celebrated in the records of remote antiquity is Taragh, already noticed. Whatever may have been its ancient splendour, as set forth in the poetry of the native bards and in the chronicles of annalists, little now is discoverable corresponding with their highly wrought descriptions. Considerable remains of circular earthworks still exist ; but of the palaces, and places of scientific study, said to have been situated here, there are no traces. The oldest fortress upon record erected after the arrival of the English was that of A'e//s, built by De Lacy, but of which there are now no vestiges : the same nobleman built the castles of Clonard, Killeen, and Delvin ; and the erection of Trim Castle is attributable by some to him, though it is more generally thought to have been

    MEAT

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 149

49. De Lacy fortress at Kells, oldest post-Norman castle, now vanished

    Kells · town · Meath

    The oldest fortress erected after the arrival of the English was built at Kells by De Lacy, but no vestiges of it remained by the 1830s.

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    The county also retains many remains of its military structures, of which the most celebrated in the records of remote antiquity is Taragh, already noticed. Whatever may have been its ancient splendour, as set forth in the poetry of the native bards and in the chronicles of annalists, little now is discoverable corresponding with their highly wrought descriptions. Considerable remains of circular earthworks still exist ; but of the palaces, and places of scientific study, said to have been situated here, there are no traces. The oldest fortress upon record erected after the arrival of the English was that of A'e//s, built by De Lacy, but of which there are now no vestiges : the same nobleman built the castles of Clonard, Killeen, and Delvin ; and the erection of Trim Castle is attributable by some to him, though it is more generally thought to have been

    MEAT

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 149

50. De Lacy renews Newry abbey charter, 1237

    near Newry · town · Down · 1237

    Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, renewed and enlarged the abbey charter at Newry in 1237, making the head of the house a mitred abbot with episcopal jurisdiction within the lordship's precincts.

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    Lignn ; it was also named Na-Yiir, and at a still later period. The Newry s. The charter of Mac Loughlin was renewed and enlarged by Hugh de Lacy, Earl of Ulster, in 1237, and the head of the house was made a mitred abbot, with episcopal jurisdiction within the precincts of the lordship. When Sir John de Courcy took possessicra of this district, he secured the pass (justly considered as very important, being the only road through the mountains between Ulster and Leinster,) by a castle, which was destroyed by Bruce, on the retreat of the Scotch after their defeat at Dundalk in 1318. After several changes of masters, during which the place was frequently in the possession of the O'Nials, chieftains of Ulster, a second castle was built in 1480, which was demolished by Shane O'Nial, who then held a strong castle at Feedom, now Fathom. Marshal Bagnal restored the castle, rebuilt the town, and peopled it with Protestant settlers; for which James I., in 1613, had granted the entire lordship, together with the manors of Mourne, Greencastle, and Carlingford, in fee to him and his heirs for ever. At the breaking out of the civil war in 1641, Sir Con Magennis took the town and castle, destroyed the church, and slew many of the inhabitants. It was shortly after recovered by Lord Conway, who however did not hold it long, as O'Nial surprised it by night, and regained possession. In 1 64'2, Munroe invested the town, and took it by storm. After the Restoration, Newry recovered from the sufferings inflicted on it, and continued to flourish till 1689, when it was burned by the Duke of Berwick in his retreat from Duke Schomberg : the castle and six houses only remained.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 207

51. Delvan glen and waterfall at Naul

    Naul · town · Dublin

    The winding Delvan rivulet flows through a romantic glen bordered with rocks of various sizes and broken into caves, separating the counties of Dublin and Meath. After forming a waterfall of the same name as the glen, it falls into the Irish Sea at the village of Knockingin.

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    NAUL, formerly called The Naule, a parish, in the union and barony of Balrothery, county of Dublin, and province of Leinster, 14 miles (N.) from Dublin, on the road to Drogheda, by Ballyboghill ; containing 756 inhabitants, of whom 217 are in the village. The parish comprises 2627^ statute acres, of which two-thirds are arable, nearly one-third pasture, and about 40 acres woodland. 'The ancient castle, sometimes called the Castle of Roches, is supposed to have been built by the family of De Geneville, from which it passed to the Cruises j and, having passed through various hands since 1641, it has become the property of Colonel Tennison, of Castle Tennison, in the county of Roscommon. It is boldly situated on a rocky precipice on the brow of a chain of hills, commanding a fine view of the vale of Roches, above which it towers at a height of upwards of 1 50 feet. Through this vale, which is a romantic tract, bordered in many places with rocks of various size and form, and broken into caves, flows the winding Delvan rivulet, which separates the counties of Dubhn and Meath, and, after forming a waterfall of the same name as the glen, falls into the Irish Sea at the village of Knockingiu. A fine view of this picturesque glen is obtained from Westown Hou.se, a respectable mansion of antiquated character, apparently erected early in the last century, and standing in a highly improved demesne, embellished with some fine old timber, at a short distance from the village : in the demesne is a rath, which has been thickly planted. Reynoldstown is the only other seat in the parish. By an act of the 1st of George I., £2000 were granted to Arthur Mervyn to enable him to complete the mills at Naul, by the addition of granaries.

    Agriculture is not in a forward state : the principal crops are wheat, oats, and potatoes ; limestone is raised for manure from quarries in the parish. In 1824, after several previous trials, a trial for coal was made by boring to the depth of 160 feet, but without success. There is a station of the constabulary police in the

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 195

52. Denny Street built on site of Desmond's castle, Tralee

    Tralee · town · Kerry

    A new street named Denny Street was formed on the site of the ancient castle of the Earl of Desmond in Tralee. At its western extremity is the entrance to the castle demesne, improved and opened to the public as a promenade.

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    The TOWN, which, with the surrounding district, is the property of Sir Edward Denny, contains 1569 bouses : it is situated near the foot of a range of mountains, and about a mile and a half from the bay of the same name, on a site so low as to be occasionally flooded when high spring tides meet the mountain torrents. It consists of an irregular main street, upwards of a mile long, having several streets branching from it on each side : the streets are kept in repair by county presentments, and are partially paved and flagged. A proposal made to procure the inhabitants a full supply of water, under the provisions of the act of the 9th of George IV., c. 82, was rejected by a public meeting convened in 1832; and the town is now provided with water from pumps fitted up by subscription during the prevalence of the cholera. In 1840 the town was placed under the act, as far as regards lighting and cleansing. It has been much improved within the last few years by the erection of several good houses, and the formation of a new street named Denny-street, on the site of the ancient castle of the Earl of Desmond, at the western extremity of which is the entrance to the castle demesne, which has been lately much improved and forms a delightful promenade open to the public. The building of the county club and news room is in this street, and there are two other reading and news rooms, called the Chamber of Commerce and the Constitutional Club. The barracks, at Ballymullen, about half a mile from the town, and capable of accommodating 1* officers, 456 non-commissioned officers and privates, and 6 horses, with an hospital for 30 patients, form a substantial building, erected in 1810 at an expense of £20,000; they stand in an inclosed area of about IS^ acres. Near the barracks is a flour-mill ; also the distillery of Messrs. Newell and Grant, which manufactured upwards of 70,000 gallons of whisky annually, until the temperance movement caused the concern to close altogether. Branches of the Bank of Ireland, the National Bank, and the Provincial Bank have been established. In the excise arrangements, the town gives name to, and is the head of, a district which comprises the towns of Rathkeale and Newcastle in the county of Limerick, and those of Listowel, Tralee, Killarney, Dingle, &c., in the county of Kerry. The markets, which are held on Tuesday and Saturday, are abundantly supplied with meat and vegetables, and with fish from the bays of Dingle and Tralee ; there are no regular market-places, and the dealings are consequently carried on in the public streets, to the great inconvenience of the inhabitants : the provost used to act as clerk-of-the-market, in examining the weights and measures, and in correcting abuses and deciding disputes ; market jurors are sworn at quarter- sessions. The town has a large retail trade. Fairs are held on May 3rd, Aug. 4th and 5th, Oct. 9th and 10th, Nov. 7th and 8th, and Dec. 13th.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 349

53. Derham or Derane Abbey near Roscommon

    Roscommon · town · Roscommon

    Two miles north-east of Roscommon town are the remains of the abbey of Derham or Derane, said to have been granted to monks from the abbey of Roscommon by O'Conor at an early period, though the date of its foundation is unknown. The ruins occupy the summit of a barren hill and include the mutilated remains of a large, highly enriched window, with an extensive adjoining cemetery still in use.

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    There are some remains of the Dominican Friary, consisting of the church, 137 feet in length, and 23 in width, with a northern transept, in which is an aisle separated by four pointed arches, resting on massive round pillars : over the principal entrance is a very beautiful window, with an enriched architrave decorated with pinnacles. The windows in the choir and other parts are lancet-shaped, and much mutilated ; under an arch on the north side of the choir is a tomb with a mutilated effigy, said to be that of O'Conor, and on the base are four warlike figures in high relief, representing ancient gallowglasses. Fragments of sculptured stones are scattered over the whole area, which, notwithstanding the shallowness of the soil, is still used as a burialplace. The ruins of the Castle, on the north side of the town, have a grand and imposing appearance, as seen from various points of view ; they occupy a quadrangular area, 2*23 feet in length, and 173 feet in breadth. Each angle is defended by a round tower ; two similar towers project from the eastern side to defend the gateway entrance, and on the western side is a square gateway tower of smaller dimensions. The lower stories of the towers are strongly groined ; the upper are of more airy character, with spacious windows of handsome design, and appear to have been connected with a rectangular edifice in the inner court, which contained the state apartments. The whole is surrounded with outer walls, defended at the angles with low round towers. Two miles to the north-east of the towu are the remains of the abbey of Derlian or Derane, said to have been granted to a party of monks from the abbey of Roscommon by O'Conor, at an early period, but the date of its foundation is unknown : they occupy the summit of a barren hill, but present few interesting details, except the mutilated remains of a large window, which appears to have been very highly enriched ; adjoining is an extensive cemetery, still in use. Roscommon gives the title of Earl to the family of Dillon.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 262

54. Dermod Mac Murrough carries off Kildare abbess, 1135

    Kildare · town · Kildare · 1135

    In 1135 the abbess of the Kildare monastery was forcibly taken from her cloister by Dermod Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, who compelled her to marry one of his followers. On this occasion not less than 170 inhabitants of the town and inmates of the abbey were slaughtered.

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    From this period till the commencement of the 11th century, the annals of Kildare present only a continued series of Danish rapine and massacre ; and scarcely had the ravages of these invaders ceased, when the town was plundered by the people of Hyfaolan. It was either wholly or in part destroyed by fire in 1038, 1040, 10*1, 1088, and 1089; and, in 1135, the abbess of the monastery was forcibly taken from her cloister by Dermod Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, who compelled her to marry one of his followers ; on which occasion not less than 170 inhabitants of the town and inmates of the abbey were slaughtered. Till the time of the English invasion, the town and monastery were continually exposed to depredation by fire and sword ; but shortly after that event, one of the English adventurers who had obtained possession of this territory erected a castle for its defence. In 1'220, the sacred fire, which had been maintained here from the time of St. Bridget, was extinguished by Henry de Londres, archbishop of Dublin ; it was, however, soon afterwards rekindled, and continued to burn till the Reformation. In 1260, a monastery was founded by William de Vescy, for Grey friars, which was completed by Gerald Fitzmaurice. Lord Offaly ; the same William also founded a convent for Carmelite friars in 1'290; and in 1294, Calbhach O'Connor of Offaly took the town and castle by force, and destroyed all the rolls of the Earl of Kildare. A parliament was held here in 1309, or the beginning of the following year; and in 1316, the castle and town were granted to John Fitzgerald, who was at that time created Earl of Kildare ; but in the wars during the reign of Elizabeth, the town was reduced to a state of entire ruin and depopulation. In 1641, the castle was garrisoned by the Earl of Castlehaven, but in 164"

    K I L— D A

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 20

55. Dermod Macmurrough plunders Kells monastery 1175

    Kells · town · Meath · 1175–1176

    The monastery at Kells was plundered in 1175 by Dermod Macmurrough at the head of a party of English. In the following year Hugh de Lacy bestowed ample grants of land on it, earning recognition as its second founder.

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    KELLS, a market and post town, a parish, the head of a union, and formerly a parliamentary borough, in f^ the barony of Kells, county of JIeath, and province of Leinster, S miles (\V. N. W.) from Navan, and 31 (X. W.) from Dublin, on the coach-road to Enniskillen ; containing "643 inhabitants, of whom 4'205 are in the town. This place, formerly called Kenlis, is of remote antiquity, and appears to have acquired at a very early period a considerable degree of importance. A monastery for Canons Regular was founded here about the year 550, by St. Columb, on a site granted, it is said, by INPKervaill, King of Ireland ; and notwithstanding its repeated disasters by conflagration and the ravages of the Danes, it seems to have been the head of a small surrounding diocese, which subsequently merged into that of Meath. The monastery was restored, in 806, by Cellach, abbot of lona, who had taken refuge here from the Norwegians ; but it appears to have been never free from disasters of various kinds till after the arrival of the English. In 1 15'J, the memorable synod of the Irish clergy, at which Cardinal Paparo distributed the four palls to the archbishops, was assembled here; in 1156, the town, with all its sacred edifices, was destroyed by fire. The monastery, after its restoration, was plundered in 117^, by Dermod Macmurrough, at the head of a party of English ; but in the year following, Hugh de Lacy bestowed on it such ample grants of land as to entitle him to be regarded as its second founder. In 1 1'6, the town was plundered by some of the native septs, and about the same time a castle was erected for its defence against the O'Nials. Walter, son of Hugh de Lacy, in the reign of Richard I. founded a monastery for Crouched friars, and granted the inhabitants a charter confirming all their privileges, which he made equal to those of the men of Bristol. In addition to its castle the town was strengthened with mural fortifications, rendered necessary from its situation on the frontier ; and it was considered one of the most important places in the county. Richard II., in 1388, confirmed the charter of the burgesses granted by Walter de Lacy, and from this period till the time of Henry VI. the town ranked with Trim and Athboy as one of the principal boroughs in Meath ; but by repeated wars, and the subsequent dissolution of its richly-endowed religious establishments, it materially declined in importance.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 3

56. Dermod O'Cahan at the Battle of Bannockburn

    near Limavady · town · Derry · 1314

    Dermod O'Cahan was summoned by Edward II to join his expedition against Scotland, but instead was found fighting in the ranks of the Scottish king at the battle of Bannockburn. This episode illustrates the esteem in which the O'Cahan chieftains were held.

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    NEWTOW^N-LIMAVADY, a market and post town (formerly a parliamentary borough), and the head of a union, in the parish of Drumachose, barony of Ke- NAUGHT, county of Londonderry, and province of Ulster, 12|- miles (E. N. E.) from the city of Londonderry, and 131 (N. byW.) from Dublin, on the road from Londonderry to Coleraine ; containing 3101 inhabitants. The district in which the town stands was anciently the territory of the O'Cahans or O'Canes, the head of a powerful and warlike sept, whose castle on the brow of a romantic glen was called Lemaraddij, or " the Dog's Leap." The estimation in which these chieftains were formerly held, ajipcars from the fact that Dermod O'Cahan was summoned by Edward II. to attend him with his forces on his disastrous expedition against Scotland : he went, but, instead of joining the army of the invader, was found in the ranks of the Scottish king at the battle of Bannockburn. After the general forfeiture of Ulster, in 1608, arising out of the attainder of the earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnel, Sir Thomas Philips, surveyor of the forfeited estates, obtained a grant of 1000 acres in this district, where he erected a castle and a bawn upon the eastern bank of the Roe, on a spot near the site on which a town named Ballyclose, now a suburb of Newtown-Limavady, previously existed. The town took its name Newtown from the circumstance of its modern erection ; and, to distinguish it from several others, acquired the adjunct of Limavady from its contiguity to O'Cahan's castle. It increased rapidly under the fostering care of its founder, who, in 1610, brought hither 25 English families ; and in 1613 the town obtained a charter, which is stated to have been granted on the petition of the inhabitants, and for the better plantation of Ulster. By this charter, the inhabitants were incorporated under the name of "the Provost, 12 Burgesses, and Commonalty,"' and a court of record was created, of which the provost was to be judge ; he was also to be clerk-of-the-market, and collector of the tolls and customs, which he retained for his own use. It likewise conferred a licence for holding a market on Monday, and a fair on July 1st (to which three others were added a few years afterwards) ; granted 300 acres of land for a common, and 375 for the maintenance of a free school to be erected at Limavady ; and the right of sending two members to parliament. A discretionary power of electing freemen was given to the provost and burgesses by the same charter.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 213

57. Derry abbey and town destroyed by fire and Danish massacre

    near Derry · city · Derry · 783–812

    The abbey and town of Derry were destroyed by fire in 783 and again in 812, when according to the Annals of Munster the Danes heightened the horrors by massacring clergy and students.

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    LONDONDERRY, a city and port, and the head of a union, partly in the parish of Glendkrmot, but chiefly in the parish of Temple- ■ MORE, county of Londonderry (of which it is the ' chief town), and province of L'lster, 69J miles (N. W. by W.) from Belfast, and 11 Si (X. N. \V.) from Dublin; containing 15,1.50 inhabitants. It was originally and is still popularly called Derry, from the Irish Doire, which signifies literally " a place of oaks," but is likewise used to express " a thick wood." By the ancient Irish it was also designated Doire-Calsaicli, or Derry- Calgach, " the oak wood of Calgach ;" and Adamnan, abbot of lona in the 7th century, in the life of his predecessor, St. ColumbkiU, invariably calls it Robonlum Calgagi. About the end of the 10th century, the name Derry-Calgach gave place to Dernj-Columbhdl, from an abbey for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine founded here by that saint ; but when the place grew into importance above every other Derry, the distinguishing epithet was rejected : the English prefix, London, was imposed in I6l3, on the incorporation of the Irish Society by charter of James I., and was for a long time retained by the colonists, but has likewise fallen into popular disuse. The city appears to be indebted for its origin to the abbey founded by St. ColumbkiU. according to the best authorities in 546, and said to have been the first of the religious houses instituted by that saint ; but the exact period of its foundation, and its early history, are involved in much obscurity. In 7S3 and 812 the abbey and the town were destroyed by fire ; at the latter period, according to the Annals of Munster, the Danes heightened the horrors of the conflagration by a massacre of the clerg>- and students. The place must have been speedily restored, as, in 851, the Danes

    Seal.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 97

58. Derry bog in Shillelagh, principal bog south of Lugnaquilla

    Shillelagh · town · Wicklow

    In the barony of Shillelagh lies a tract several miles in length called the Derry bog, the principal bog of its kind south of Lugnaquilla. It forms a notable feature of the wild central region of the Wicklow mountains.

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    Of the vast extent of bog and mountain, the greater portion forms the wild region in the centre. The mountainous and uncultivated lands of the entire range, as estimated by the surveying engineer who examined the district with a view of developing its capabilities, comprise 3'29,967 acres, of which 97.190 are black bog, and the remainder a moory soil commonly producing coarse sedgy grass or heath, interspersed in many parts with tracts of pasture land on some of which large numbers of sheep and young cattle are fed, while other tracts, now unproductive, might be brought into a state of profitable cultivation by draining and manuring. The bogs on the outskirts of the mountains are in some places becoming exhausted by the constant digging for turf ; the barony of Newcastle is beginning to apprehend a deficiency of that valuable article, in the marsh extending along the coast northward from Wicklow. The peat of this tract, from its maritime situation, is found to he impregnated with salt, which gives its slight flame a blue colour. To make it fit for use, it is necessary to reduce it to a soft mud and spread it upon the surface, in which state it is divided into lumps of convenient size, which, when dry, are carried home at the approach of winter ; its superior durability compensates for the greater trouble in preparing it than in digging for that of the mountains. In the barony of Shillelagh is a tract several miles in length, called the Derry bog, the principal of the kind south of Lugnaquilla. The ordinary fuel is every where peat, though much coal is imported to Bray, Wicklow, and Arklow, from Whitehaven, for the gentry and farmers of the surrounding districts.

    Wicklow is not less remarkable for the variety and importance of its minerals than for the wild and picturesque beauties of its scenery ; it comprises the greater portion of the south-eastern mountain chain of Ireland, composed of formations of granite, mica-slate, quartz- 672

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 405

59. Derry Cathedral built on site of 1164 church destroyed by Docwra

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1164–1633

    The cathedral serving as Templemore parish church was completed in 1633, replacing an earlier church erected in 1164 that had been destroyed by Sir Henry Docwra. The Corporation of the City of London defrayed the £4000 building cost. The structure is in the later English style with a tower and octagonal spire.

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    The CATHEDRAL, which also serves as the parish church of Templemore, was completed in 1633 ; the former one, erected in 1164, having been destroyed by Sir Henry Docwra. The cost of the building, amounting to £4000, was defrayed by the corporation of the city of London. It is principally in the later English style, with various decorations since added, which do not harmonize with its prevailing character ; and consists of a nave and aisles, separated by stone pillars and arches, with a tower at the west end surmounted by an elegant octagonal spire terminating in a cross and spear : on the cast gable is a cross springing from the central battlement. The entire structure is 240 feet long, and 66 feet broad ; the height of the tower and spire is '2'28 feet, from the churchyard. In 1778, the Earl of Bristol, then Bishop of Derry, completed a new spire of hewn stone, svith open ornamented windows, and the old tower was raised 21 feet; but in ISO'2, owing to the dilapidated state of the tower, the spire was taken down and soon after rebuilt from a fund of £400, half of which was contributed by the Irish Society and half by Bishop Knox and the citizens. The society also contributed a sum for the embellishment of the cathedral in 1SI9 ; and in IS'i'i the old roof of lead was replaced by a slate roof. A new organ was erected in IHIQ by subscription, to which Bishop Knox contributed £100, and Dean Gough and the corporation £50 each. On the north of the tonimunion-table is a handsome monument of Italian marble, by Behnes, erected in 1834 to the memory of Bishop Knox, at an expense of £500, raised by subscription : on an elevated plinth is an inscribed tablet, above which is represented a tomb surmounted by a mitre, on the right of which is a fulllength figure of Religion, and on the left one of Charity with a babe on her arm and two children of different ages standing at her knees. There are various other tablets, one of which, to the memory of the father of the Rev. William Hamilton, D.D., is inscribed with an epitaph by that distinguished naturalist. The Bishop's Palace, built about the year I76I, during the prelacy of Bishop Barnard, is a substantial and commodious building, occupying the site of the Augustinian convent ; it was almost rebuilt by the Earl of Bristol, when bishop, and, after the damage which it sustained by being occupied as a barrack in ISO'a, was repaired by Bishop Knox. The gardens in the rear comprise nearly two acres, and extend to the city wall : having at the above period been appropriated as a parade, that designation is still applied to the adjacent part of the wall. The Deanery, a large unadorned edifice of brick, was built in lb33 by the Rev. T. B. Gough, the present dean, at an expense of £3421. 16., to be reimbursed by his successor.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 105

60. Derry Cathedral Construction and Robbery

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1164–1196

    Flathbert O'Brolkan, Abbot of Derry, built the cathedral in 1164 with the assistance of Mac Loughlin, King of Ireland. In 1196, the altar was robbed by M'Crenaght of 314 cups, which were recovered three days later.

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    see first existed at Ardsrath, where St. Eugene, the first bishop, died about the end of the 6th century ; it was subsequently removed to Maghera, whence it was transferred to Derry. It is called Darrich in the old Roman provincial, and Doire Chohiim chille, or " Columbkill's Oak Grove," by ancient writers. The town is now called Londonderry, from a colony of settlers from London, (in the reign of James I.) by whom the present cathedral was built ; but the bishopric retains its ancient name of Derry. The see was constituted at Derry in 1158, by a decree of the Synod of Brigth Thaigh, at which assisted Christian, Bishop of Lisraore, the pope's legate, and twenty-five other bishops ; and Flathbert O'BroIcan, Abbot of Derry, was promoted to the episcopal throne. In 1164, with the assistance of Mac Loughlin, King of Ireland, he built the cathedral ; the altar was robbed in 1196, by M'^Crenaght, of 314 cups, which were esteemed the best in Ireland, but they were recovered the third day after, and the robber executed. German, or Gervase, O'Cherballen, who succeeded to the bishopric in 1230, took the church of Ardsrath and many others in Tyrone from the Bishop of Clogher, and forcibly annexed part of the bishopric of Raphoe to his diocese. In 1310, Edward II. directed the bishop of Connor to inquire whether the king or any other person would be prejudiced by allowing Richard de Burgo to retain in fee the city of Derry, which the bishop, with the consent of the chapter, had conveyed to him. Prior to 1608, the bishop had one-third of the tithes of each parish ; a lay person, called an Erenach, who was the bishop's farmer, had another third ; and the remaining third was allowed for the incumbent : but Bishop Montgomery gave the bishop's share to the incumbents of parishes, on the grant by James I. of the termon or Erenach lands, amounting to 6534 acres, to the see in exchange. By an inquisition in 1622, the bishop was found to be entitled to fish for salmon on the Monday after the 4th of June, within the great net-fishery belonging to the London Society ; also to half the tithe of salmon, &c., caught in the Bann and Lough Foyle. Bishop Hopkins, who died in 1690, was at great expense in beautifying the cathedral, and furnishing it with 266 ^

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 104