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. Ancient tombstone and Danish artefacts at Kilmainham cemetery

   Kilmainham · townland · Dublin · 1014–1787

   The cemetery adjoining the Royal Hospital at Kilmainham was anciently the burial-place of the original monastery, then of the Knights Templars and Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. An ancient granite tombstone nine feet tall, supposedly memorialising Irish princes who fell at the battle of Clontarf, yielded Danish coins and a sword when re-erected about fifty years earlier.

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   original monastery, subst-qucntly of the Knights Templars and the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and still used by the inhabitants of Dublin. In it is an ancient tombstone of one entire block of coarse granite, nine feet above the surface of the ground, supposed to be a memorial of some of the Irish princes that fell in the battle of Clontarf. About 50 years since, having fallen down, it was again erected, when many Danish coins were found, and also a sword of the same period ; the sword was placed by the master of the hospital in the hall leading to his apartments, where it still remains.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 43

2. Ancient town remains exposed by storm at Portrush, 1827

   near Portrush · town · Antrim · 1827

   After a violent storm in 1827 swept away sand hills near Portrush, the remains of an ancient town were exposed, showing house foundations containing domestic utensils, moose-deer's horns, brass spear-heads, and other military weapons. Some of the sand hills were of recent formation, as cultivated soil could be traced beneath them.

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   Close to the town is a beautiful and extensive strand, and at its southern extremity is a range of cliffs of white limestone, in which are several caves. Near it are some hills formed wholly of sand drifted by the northern winds ; some of these are of recent formation, as the rich vegetable soil, bearing evident marks of cultivation, can be traced beneath them. After a violent storm in 18'27, which swept away some of the sand, the remains of an ancient town w^e exposed to view, shewing the foundations of the houses, in which were found domestic utensils, moose-deer's horns, spearheads of brass, and other military weapons. In the immediate neighbourhood is a rock in which are imbedded large and perfect specimens of the cornu ammonis : various other species of fossils are frequently discovered. A new line of road from this place to Portstewart passes along the cliffs close to the shore ; a road along the cliffs from Portrush to Bushmills will be continued to Ballycastle ; and a railroad to Coleraine is in contemplation.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 231

3. Ancient tumuli and burial finds on Rathlin

   near Rathlin Island · island or archipelago · Antrim

   Small tumuli near the centre of Rathlin Island yielded a stone coffin, an earthen vessel, and numerous human bones. Brazen swords, spear-heads, and a large fibula found on the adjacent plain were deposited in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin.

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   gross income of the benefice £91. 9- The church, towards the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits contributed £H00, is a neat edifice with a square tower, erected in 1815. The Roman Catholic chapel is a plain building. There are some slight remains of the ruined fortress called Bruce's Castle, of the original foundation of which nothing is upon record. Almost in the centre of the island are some small tumuli ; in one of these was a stone coffin, near which were an earthen vessel, and a considerable number of human bones j and on the plain where the tumuli are placed have been found brazen swords, spear-heads, and a large fibula, which are deposited in the museum of Trinity College, Dublin. Not far from the Black Rock, on the south of Church bay, are four remarkable caverns, which, though penetrating a basaltic mass and at a point remote from any calcareous formation, have calcareous stalactites depending from the roof, which by their continual dropping have deposited an incrustation, about an inch in thickness, on the floor beneath.

   RATHLIN O'BEIRNE.— See Glencollumbkille. RATHLINE.— See Rathcline. RATHLOGAN, an ancient parish, in the union of Kilkenny, barony of Galmoy, county of Kilkenny, and province of Leinster, on the confines of the county of Tipperary ; containing 218 inhabitants, and comprising 485 statute acres.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 251

4. Ancient water pipes discovered at Moneymore

   Moneymore · townland · Derry

   When the high street and hills at Moneymore were lowered some years prior to writing, several old water-pipes described by Pynnar were discovered. The wood crumbled to dust but iron hoops survived; more pipes were found in a field adjoining the spring, confirming Pynnar's account.

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   MONEYMORE, a market and post town, partly in the parish of Desertlyn, but chiefly in that of Ardtrea, union of Magherafelt, barony of Loughin- SHOLiN, county of Londonderry, and province of Ulster, 24 miles (S.) from Coleraine, and 91 (N.) from Dublin, on the road to Coleraine ; containing 942 inhabitants. This place, which is one of the oldest posttowns in the country, is noticed by Pynnar, in his Survey of Ireland, as consisting of an ancient castle, which he describes as a fine building, and of six good houses of stone and lime ; the whole supplied with water conveyed by pipes to the castle, and to each of the houses, from a well near the limestone-quarry at Spring Hill. Cormick O'Hagan, a follower of Sir Phelim O'Nial, took the castle by stratagem in 1641 ; and it remained for a long time in the possession of the insurgents, by whom it was subsequently dismantled. Sir Phelim, some time after, rendezvoused his troops at this place, whence he marched to plunder the house of Lissan, then the property and residence of Sir Thomas Staples. The castle, which was one of the most perfect in Ireland, was taken down about the year 1*60, to afford room for a small public-house ; and only some portions of the walls are at present remaining. In lowering the high street and the hills some years since, several of the old water-pipes were discovered; the wood crumbled into dust, but the iron hoops were in a tolerably perfect state : some more of the pipes were found in trenching a field adjoining the spring, proving the accuracy of Pynnar's statement.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 168

5. Ancient yew found in bogs at Magilligan

   near Tamlaght-ard or Magilligan · parish · Derry

   Fossil yew is found in the bogs at Magilligan, alongside pine in all the county's bogs and fossil oak and fir in the mosses, evidencing the ancient abundance of timber before the woods were wholly demolished.

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   Of manures, lime, which can be procured in almost every part of the county, is in most extensive use, that of Desertmartin being esteemed the best ; the cr)ntiguous marl is also used, especially at Cruintballyguillen, or the Leek. In the maritime districts, and from six to ten miles inland, a favourite manure is sea-shells brought by boats from islands in Lough Foyle : the shells are chiefly oyster, muscle, and cockle ; from 30 to 60 barrels are spread on an acre. Shelly sand is also gathered from the coast, and from the shores of the Bann : trenching and throwing the mould on an unturned ridge, and the burning of peat for the ashes, are likewise practised. The breeds of cattle of every kind are much improved by judicious crossing. Derry not being a sheep-feeding county, the attention of the farmers has been less turned to this species of stock ; yet some of the gentry have large flocks. Pigs are to be found in almost every house and cottage ; they are usually slaughtered at home, and the carcasses sent to market for the supply of the provision-merchants of Belfast, Londonderry, and C'oleraine. Of the horses, one breed is the active, hardy, mountain garran, of a bay or sorrel colour, and slight make : the Scottish Highland horses are likewise in great request, and, together with a cross with the sinewy draught-horse, are in common use. A cross with the blood-horse has also been introduced. My roe is famous for good cattle. All the improved agricultural implements are in general use ; the advances made in every department of rural economy have been considerably promoted by the exertions of the North-West Farming Society, which holds its meetings in Londonderry and receives an annual donation of ten guineas from the Irish Society of London. Among wild-fowl, one species is very remarkable, the barnacle, which frequents Lough Foyle in great numbers, and is much esteemed for the sweetness of its flesh, as at Wexford and Strangford, though elsewhere rank and unsavoury : the difference here arises from its feeding on the fiiciis saccharintis. The ancient abundance of timber is evinced both by tradition and public documents ; also by the abundance of pine found in all the bogs, of yew at Magilligan, and of fossil oak and fir in the mosses, even in the most exposed situations : but the woods have been wholly demolished by the policy of clearing the country, the lavish waste of fuel, the destruction made by exporting staves (once the staple of the county), and the demand for charcoal for smelting lead and iron. Coal, chiefly from Lancashire, is the principal fuel of the respectable classes in Londonderry and its vicinity ; English, Scotch, and Ballycastle coals are used at Coleraine. But almost the universal fuel of the county is turf; in the fertile and thickly inhabited districts many Vol. II.— '257

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 95

6. Anglesey's roads through outlaw country

   Newport · town · Tipperary · 1828–1830

   Two cross-roads commenced in 1828 under the Marquess of Anglesey were designed to open communication into mountains that had long been the asylum of outlaws and robbers. One connected Newport and Thurles (completed 1830), the other ran from Nenagh to Tipperary.

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   The roads of common construction are generally in good order, especially the mail-coach roads. Two lines of cross road deserve especial notice ; they are called Anglesey's roads, from having been commenced in 1828 under the immediate order of the Marquess of Anglesey, then lord-lieutenant : one, connecting the towns of Newport and Thurles, was completed in 1S30, at an expense of £9857 i the other, from Nenagh to Tipperary, was more recently finished, at an expense of about £17,200. The great object of their construction was, to open a communication into the mountains through which they extend, and which had been for many years the asylum of outlaws and of robbers ; they also afford the means of agricultural improvement to the district, by the introduction of lime from the quarries. A new line has been opened from Mitchelstown to Tipperary ; another, from Lismore to Mitchelstown, through the Knockmeledown range ; and a third, being an extension of the Mitchelstown line, from Tipperary by Dundrum, in the direction of Thurles. Great facilities of intercourse throughout the country are afforded by the exertions of Mr. Bianconi, an intelligent Italian settled at Clonmel, who first established a communication between Clonmel and Cahir by a jaunting car in 1815, and now has depots of cars and horses in every post-town in the county ; in all the counties of Munster except Clare, and of Connaught except Sligo ; and in the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, King's, Queen's, Longford, Westmeath, and Wexford, in Leinster. There are 84 cars, 816 horses, and 469 men, constantly engaged ; some of the cars carry the cross mails. 588

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 342

7. Annalong rock-cut dock for fishing vessels

   near Annalong · village · Down

   Annalong was the only creek along twelve miles of coast bounding the parish of Kilkeel in County Down. A small dock for fishing vessels had been excavated out of a rock there.

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   KILKEEL, a post-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the barony of Morne, county of Down, and province of Ulster, 15 miles (S. E.) from Newry, and 65f (N. N. E.) from Dublin ; containing 16,^69 inhabitants, of whom 1 146 are in the town. This parish comprises 47,SS'2f statute acres, of which about 11,000 are arable and 1^2,000 pasture ; the remainder consists of part of the Morne mountains. The only creek in the twelve miles of coast that bounds the parish is Annalong, where a small dock for fishing-vessels has been excavated out of a rock. There are coast-guard stations at Annalong, Cranfield, and the Lee Stone, all in the district of Newcastle ; also a constabulary polite station. Fairs are held on Feb. Sth. May 3rd, Aug. '2nd, and Dec. 8th ; and a manorial court is held in the sessions- house at Kilkeel, once in three weeks, for the

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 29

8. Anthony Carroll burns Nenagh in retreat, 1688

   Nenagh · town · Tipperary · 1688–1689

   During the war of 1688, Nenagh fell into the hands of Anthony Carroll, an active leader under Sarsfield, who made it the centre of his operations. He burned the town in his retreat when forced out by General Leveson.

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   NENAGH, a market and post town, a parish, and the head of a union, partly in the barony of IJpper Or- MOND, but chiefly in that of Lower Ormond, county of Tipperary, and province of Munster, 19 miles (N. E.) from Limerick, and 75 (S. W.) from Dublin, on the road between these cities ; containing 9540 inhabitants, of whom 86 IS are in the town, which is the largest (except one) as to population, that does not return a member to parliament. This was one of the ancient manors of the Butlers, by whom the old castle, now in ruins, is supposed to have been erected. In 1200, an hospital was founded here for Augustinian canons, who were to admit into it the sick and infirm : it was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, whence it was usually called Teacheon, Tyone, or St. John's house ; and was endowed by Theobald Walter, the first Butler of Ireland, with lands for the maintenance of thirteen beds for strangers. After the dissolution of religious houses, the building and its possessions were granted by Elizabeth, in the fifth year of her reign, to Oliver Grace. In the reign of Henry III., a member of the Butler or of the Kennedy family established a Franciscan friary, which was one of the richest foundations belonging to that order in the kingdom ; it was finally leased by Elizabeth to Robert Collum for a term of years. In 1550, O'CarroU burned both the town and the friary, but the garrison saved the castle. In 1641, the place was taken by the Irish under Owen Roe O'Nial, from whom it was afterwards wrested by Lord Inchiquin. Ireton, in his march against Limerick in 1651, invested the town, and compelled the garrison to surrender at discretion. In the war of 1688, it fell into the hands of Anthony Carroll, an active leader under Sarsfield, who made it the centre of his operations, until compelled to abandon it on the approach of a force under General Leveson, when he burned the town in his retreat.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 198

9. Antique stone pillar in burial-ground south of Bantry

   Bantry · town · Cork

   At a place called Newtown, south of Bantry, there is a very antique stone pillar in a burial-ground with rude sculpture of men in armour and other curious devices.

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   is remaining, and is used by the Roman Catholics as a burial-place. Within the demesne of Xewtou-n, about half a mile to the north- west of Bantry, are the remains of a fortification raised by Ireton during the parliamentary war : it consists of a quadrilateral area, and was defended by angular bastions and surrounded by a fosse, but the walls and towers have long been demolished, and the cannon was at the same time thrown into a very deep well ; the moat still remains entire. Not far from this spot is the beautiful cascade of Donnemark ; and at another place, called Neu-town, to the south of Bantry, is a very antique stone pillar in a burial-ground, with some rude sculpture of men in armour, and other curious devices. Danish forts are numerously scattered over the parish ; and, in 1834, more than 3000 silver coins, chiefly pence, groats, and half-groats, of the reigns of the earlier Edwards and Henrys, and of Alexander, King of Scotland, were found. At Carriganass are the ruins of the castle built by O'SulIivan Bere, and garrisoned by Daniel O'SuUivan against the forces of Ehzabeth ; it surrendered, after the capture of Dunboy Fort, to Sir George Carew, and at present consists of a lofty square tower on a precipitous rock rising from the banks of the river Auvane, and some extensive outworks. On the same river, near its influx into the bay, are the ruined gables of the castle of Hindisart, the stronghold of Sir Owen O'SulIivan, which was taken by Ireton in the parliamentary war, and by his orders demolished. Near Carriganass are the extensive and ivy-clad ruins of the old church of Kilmacomogue, and not far from the town those of the old church of Bantry, from the floor of which rise some lofty poplars. There are several chalybeate springs, the most esteemed of which is near the old abbey of Bantry ; and in the vicinity of lake Capanabool is a cromlech surrounded by nine upright stones. — See Bantry and Whiddy Island.

   Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 43

10. Antiquities of Kilheny parish, Clare

    Killeany · townland · Clare

    Within the parish of Kilheny (or Killeany) in the barony of Burren, County Clare, are ruins of a chapel with a still-used burial-ground, five forts called Cahers made of huge limestone blocks with underground apartments, a cromlech, and a deep cave called Paul Ilva over 150 feet deep with a subterranean stream.

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    KILHENY, or Killeany, a parish, in the union of Ennistymon, barony of Burren, county of Clare, and province of Munster, about 11 miles (S. W.) from Burren, and near the road from Ballyvaughan to Ballyaliue bay ; containing 520 inhabitants. It is the estate of the Creagh family, by patent of Charles II.; and comprises 3306| statute acres, consisting chiefly of rocky mountain pasture, but containing some very rich grazing farms, from which large droves of cattle are sent to Cork and Liverpool. About two feet below the surface is a stratum of excellent limestone, causing great productiveness in the soil, which, on the townland ot Ballyconroe South, has been known to yield nine crops in succession without manuring. Kilhcuy is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Kilfenora, forming part of the union of Kilcorney and the corps of the chancellorship of the cathedral of Kilfenora : the tithe rent-charge is £18. 15. In the Roman Cathohc divisions the parish forms part of the district of Tuoclea, or Arranview, and has a small chapel at Toumavara. Within the limits of Kilheny are the ruins of a chapel, 66

    the burial-ground of which is still used ; five forts, called Cahers, composed of huge blocks of limestone, with underground apartments ; a cromlech ; and a cave called Paul Ilva, more than 150 feet in depth, at the bottom of which is seen a subterraneous stream, which, after a course of about two miles, appears above ground near the old parish church.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 28

11. Antiquities of Kilmacshalgan: cromlechs, old church, forts

    Kilmacshalgan · parish · Sligo

    Kilmacshalgan parish contains remains of an old church with a burial-place attached, two cromlechs, and some forts. These antiquities point to early Christian and pre-Christian activity in the area.

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    KILMACSHALGAN, a parish, in the barony of Tyreragh, union and county of Sligo, and province of CoN.VAiGHT, 16 miles (W. byS.) from Sligo; containing, with the post-town of Dromore-West, 387'2 inhabitants. It comprises 26,008^ statute acres, the greater portion of which is reclaimable mountain land and bog ; the cultivated part is chiefly under tillage ; and there are quarries of limestone, freestone, and slate. The principal seats are Dromore House, Fare M'^Fare, Belville, and Marino Cottage. Petty-sessions are held fortnightly on Thursdays at Comcall, where there is a spa. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Killala, with that of Templeboy episcopally united, and in the patronage of the Bishop ; the rectory is impropriate in Colonel Knox Gore. The tithe rent-charge of the parish is £300, payable in equal parts to the impropriator and the vicar ; and the tithe of the whole vicarial union is £30*. 10. : there is a glebe-house, and the glebe comprises nine acres. The church is a neat edifice with a square tower, for the erection of which the Board of First Fruits lent £1300, in ISW. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and has a large chapel. There are some remains of the church, with a burial-place attached ; two cromlechs ; and some forts.

    KILMACTALWAY, a parish, in the union of South Dublin, barony of Newcastle, county of Dublin, and province of Leinster, 7 miles (W. S. W.) from Dublin ; containing 437 inhabitants. The parish comprises 'i49'2i statute acres. The chief seats are. Castle Bagot, a spacious mansion in a well-wooded demesne of about .500 statute acres ; and Ballybane. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin, and in the patronage of the Archbishop, forming the corps of the prebend of Kilmactalway in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, and held with the union of Clondalkin : the tithe rent-charge is £138. 9. 3. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is part of the district of Lucan.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 43

12. Antiquities of Newcastle village

    Newcastle · town · Wicklow

    Near the north end of Newcastle village are the vestiges of a strong building believed to have been the gaol and courthouse. Nearby are the remains of two other castles, and a large sewer was discovered containing cannon balls and skeletons.

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    was the centre of the eastern or maritime portion of the Byrnes' Country, and part of the Ranelagh, a district that, for more than two ceuturies, has given the title of viscount to the family of Jones. It takes its name from the castle built at a very early period after the English settlement, to protect the colony here from the molestations of the septs of the O'Tooles and the Byrnes, by whom part of the county of Wicklow was then possessed. The place became a principal military station and the chief town of the English on the eastern side of this tract of country, long before the erection of the town of Wicklow into a borough, or of the county into shire ground. In old records it is called Novum Caslrum M'^Kijiie^an ; and in a grant of tolls for repairing the walls of the city of Emly, made in the 31st of Edward I., a similar grant to this town for three years, and for the same purpose, is quoted. In 1308 the castle was repaired by Piers Gaveston, the unfortunate favourite of Edward II., when lord-lieutenant of Ireland. That the English held this castle and manor for a long time after by a very precarious tenure, appears from the fact that one of the clauses of the articles of submission made by Byrne to Thomas of Lancaster, lord-lieutenant in the reign of Henry IV., was a covenant that the king should quietly enjoy the manor of Newcastle ; and in an official document in the reign of Elizabeth, several of its townlands are described as being the inheritance of Pheagh and Phelim ISIac Teige Hugh Byrne, the latter of whom was then the senior chieftain of the Ranelagh sept of the Byrnes, and in that character was present at the parliament held in Dublin in 1585. The manor was vested in the crown in the reign of Charles I., and after the Restoration was parcelled out among several patentees under the Act of Settlement. Cromwell is said to have besieged the castle in his march upon We.xford. In the reign of Charles II. Newcastle was a large town, consisting of several streets, all of which were burned in one night by an incursion of the Irish from the mountains, under Pheagh O'Toole. A large portion of the castle is still to be seen on an artificial moated mount. Near the north end of the village are the vestiges of a strong building, said to have been the gaol and courthouse, and near it are the remains of two other castles ; a large sewer was also lately discovered, in which were found many cannon balls and skeletons.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 203

13. Antiquity at bottom of Smerwick harbour

    Smerwick Harbour · harbour · Kerry

    An antiquity at the bottom of Smerwick harbour is described as very perfect and curious. The nature of the structure is not elaborated but it is listed among notable antiquities of the county.

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    bottom of Smerwick harbour, which is very perfect and curious ; Mac Ida's chapel, near Ballyhelgue j and an anchorite's cell in the solid rock near Kilcrohane clxurch. Ruined parochial churches are scattered over the entire county ; but their features are generally very simple. The old (mlks still remaining in a more or less perfect state are those of Ardea, Barra, Ballybeggan, Ballybunnian, Ballycarbcry, Ballyheigue, Ballymalus, Ballinaskellig, Beale, Cappanacoss, Carrigafoyle, Castlcdruin, Castleficry, Castleisland, Castlelough, Castlesybil, Clonmellane, Doon, Dunkerrou, Dunloh, Fenit, Gallerus, Killaha, Kilmurry, Lick, Listowel, Littur, Molahiffe, Pallis, Rathanane, and Ross ; which, as well as the modern castles and seats, are noticed in the articles on the parishes in which they arc situated.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 11

14. Anti-Union magistrates' meeting dispersed at Birr, 1799

    Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 1799

    In 1799, a meeting of magistrates convened at Birr to petition against the legislative union was dispersed by the high sheriff and a body of artillery with three cannon. The sheriff and military commander were brought before the Commons but received a vote of thanks instead of punishment.

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    On the breaking out of the war of 1641, William Parsons was made governor of Ely O'Carrol and Birr Castle, which latter he garrisoned with his own tenantry. The next year, an engagement took place between the garrison and the sept of the OCarrols ; and in the same year, 164'2, the castle was besieged by the Irish, but was relieved by Sir Charles Cootc, who threw into it a supply of ammunition and provisions. This action was deemed so important that it procured for Sir Charles the dignity of Earl of Mountrath. But the following year the place fell into the hands of General Preston, commander of the forces of the confederate Catholics in Leinster, who kept possession of it until it was taken by Ircton in 1650 ; and a subsequent attempt by the Marquess of Clanricarde, to recover it for the king, was baffled by the approach of Colonel Axtell. At the time of the Restoration, it seems that the place was of some commercial importance, from the number of brass tokens then coined for the convenience of trade. In the war of 16S8, the castle was again besieged by Colonels Grace and Oxburgh, and surrendered on terms which afterwards were made grounds of accusation against Sir Laurence Parsons, the governor; he was found guilty of high treason, but received a pardon after several reprieves. At this period. Birr is mentioned by Sir William Petty as sending two members to parliament. In 1689, the Roman Catholic clergymen took possession of the church, tithes, and glebe, which they held till the battle of the Boyne. In 1690, the castle was besieged by General Sarsfield, the Duke of Berwick, and Lord Galway ; but the siege was raised by Sir John Lanier for King William. A meeting of delegates from several volunteer corps was held here in 1781, and again in \'82, at which strong resolutions were passed relative to the great questions which then absorbed public attention. In 1799, a meeting of magistrates, convened to petition against the legislative union, was dispersed by the high sheri6F and a body of artillery with three pieces of cannon ; for which that functionary, and the commander of the military, were brought to the bar of the house of commons on the motion of Sir Laurence Parsons, when, instead of punishment, they received a vote of thanks for their conduct.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 228

15. Apprentice boys shut gates of Londonderry, Dec 1688

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1688–1835

    The shutting of the gates by the apprentice boys on Dec. 7th, 1688, and the opening of them on Aug. 12th following, are annually commemorated in Londonderry. The ceremony was modified after 1835 when an act declared such commemoration illegal, leading to three distinct apprentice boys' clubs.

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    In addition to the Ecclesiastical buildings already recorded, here was a Franciscan Mendicant friary of unknown foundation, with a churchyard containing about three acres, the site of which is occupied by Abbeystreet and others ; the foundations were discovered a few years ago by some workmen, but no vestiges of any of the buildings are now remaining. The only religious house preserved on the erection of the new city was the church of St. Augustine, which was repaired, and used prior to the erection of the present cathedral, after which it was known as " the Little church ;" its site is now occupied by the bishop's garden. A small square tower was built by O'Dogherty for ODonoll, in the 15th or I6th century ; but no vestige of it can now be traced. Near the Roman Catholic chapel, outside the walls, are St. Columb's If'elts, originally three in number, and called by separate names, but of which one is dried up ; the water, though considered in remote parts of the island a specific for diseases of the eye, is here held in little repute. In the centre of St. Columb's-lane, adjacent to the wells, is .S^ Columb's Stone, on each side of which are two oval hollows artificially formed, concerning which various legends are related ; the water deposited by rain in these hollows is believed to possess a miraculous power in curing various diseases. The shutting of the gates by the apprentice boys on Dec. 7th, 1688 (O. S.), and the opening of them on Aug. l'2th following, are annually commemorated, but the ceremony has been somewhat modified since ISS^, in which year an act was passed declaring such a commemoration illegal ; they have led to the establishment of three distinct clubs of apprentice boys, under ditferent denominations. George Farquhar, the dramatic poet, was born here in 16*8; and the Rev. William Hamilton, D.D., author of " Letters concerning the Northern Coast of the County of Antrim," and other productions on natural history, who was assassinated at tlie house of Dr. Waller, at Sharon, on March 2nd, 1797, was also a native of the place. Londonderry gives the titles of Earl and !Marquess to the family of Stewart.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 106

16. Approach to Westport with views of Croagh Patrick

    near Croagh Patrick · mountain or mountain range · Mayo

    The approach from Castlebar to Westport is described as singularly beautiful, enriched with the plantations of the Marquess of Sligo and commanding fine views of Croagh Patrick mountain, the ranges of Achill and Erris, and Clew Bay with its innumerable picturesque islands.

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    WESTPORT, a sea-port, market, and post town, and the head of a union, in the parish of Aughaval, barony of Murrisk, county of Mayo, and province of CoNNAiGHT, S| miles (W.) from Castlebar, and at the termination of the road from Dublin; containing 4912 inhabitants. This town is situated at the south-eastern e.xtremity of Clew bay, and at the mouth of a small river which falls into that portion of the bay constituting the harbour of Westport. It is of modern date ; and consists of three principal streets, and a Mall of large and handsome houses on both sides of the river, the banks of which are planted with trees and afford a pleasing promenade. The total number of houses is "80, and most of them are well built, and roofed with slate ; a spacious and handsome hotel, considered one of the best provincial hotels in Ireland, has been erected and splendidly furnished at the expense of the Marquess of Sligo, who assigns it rent-free to the landlord. The approach from Castlebar is singularly beautiful, being enriched with the plantations of the marquess, and commanding a fine view of the mountain of Croaghpatrick; the lofty ranges of Achill and Erris, terminating in the stupendous mountain of Nephin ; and Clew bay, studded with innumerable picturesque islands. Westport House, the elegant mansion of his lordship, who is proprietor of the town, and to which is an entrance from the Mall, is a handsome and spacious structure of hewn freestone, situated on the margin of a small lake in the demesne, which is also embellished with the windings of the W^estport river and its two picturesque waterfalls ; the grounds command some beautiful views of the bay, with the islands and shipping. Near the town are also Murrisk Abbey, Marino, Trafalgar Lodge, New Brighton Lodge, Old Head, Boathaven, and Mount Browne.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 390

17. Arbutus, yew and holly in Killarney's natural woods

    Killarney · town · Kerry

    The arbutus is the most remarkable plant peculiar to Kerry, found only on the ridge separating it from Cork. Together with yew and holly, it gives a perpetual verdure to the natural woods of Killarney.

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    Iron is found plentifully in the southern baronies, where there were two manufactories of it, one at Killamey, the other at Blackstones, but both have been long since discontinued from want of fuel. Lead-ore is found in many parts. Copper of a golden colour was raised at Muckross, and when the mines were worked, grey cobalt and cobalt-bloom were found in considerable quantities ; purple copper at Ardfert ; and marcasites of copper in Glanerought. The marble of Tralee has spots like that of Kilkenny, but larger, and fuller of sparry substance; it takes a high polish. Marble of inferior quality is found in several other parts. In some of the islands in the bay of Kenmare is a variegated marble of red and white, interspersed with yellow, green, and purple spots. A grey marble in Cappanacoss Island was formerly extensively worked by Sir William Petty. Near Castleisland is found the Lapis Hibernicus auctoTiim, or " Irish slate ;" its taste is sour, and it abounds with common green copperas, for extracting which works were erected at Tralee, but were relinquished for want of a market. Pipe-clay, potters'-clay, fullers'-earth, brown ochre, and rotten-stone, like tripoli, are met with in various places. Very fine amethysts have been found in the cliffs near Kerry Head ; and sulphur appears on the north of Cashen river, near Ballybunnian. A kind of whetstone used for razors is found near the Devil's Punch-Bowl. Fossil shells are to be met with in most places where there is limestone ; they are chiefly of the cockle kind, and generally consist of lumps of sparry matter, the shell being wholly decomposed, and only the shape remaining. Coraloids are also discernible. Of the plants peculiar to this county, or only found on the ridge that separates it from the county of Cork, the most remarkable is the arbutus, which, with the yew and holly, gives a perpetual verdure to the natural woods of Killarney. The prostrate juniper occurs on the shore near Derriquin, on the Kenmare estuary. Saxifrages in numerous varieties descend from the summit of the Reeks to the sea-shore ; and those plants tliat luxuriate in a moist climate are more numerous and diversified in Kerry, than in any other county in Ireland : such are of the orders Musci, Hcpaticce, and Lichetics, and of these, several new species have been added to the British list.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 11

18. Archbishop's castle at Tallaght built by de Bicknor

    near Tallaght · town · Dublin · 1324–1331

    Archbishop Alexander de Bicknor built a castle at Tallaght as his residence, obtaining a remission of money in 1324 for its erection costs. In 1331, O'Toole of Imail plundered the castle and demesne, slew many of the archbishop's people, and defeated Sir Philip Britt.

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    TALLAGHT, a post-town and a parish, in the South Dublin union, barony of Uppercross, county of Dublin, and province of Leinster, 05 miles (S. W. by W.) from Dublin, on the road to Blessington ; containing 4921 inhabitants, of whom 348 are in the town. The name, which is also written Tavelagh, Tauelagh, Tamlact, and Taimlacbt, signifies a "place of burial, ' and is derived from a large cemetery attached to the church, which popular tradition states to be the place in which the whole race of Partholan, who formed a settlement in Ireland a. m. 1956, were interred after their destruction by a plague. An abbey was founded in the eighth century, of which St. Mtelruane was first abbot ; but no record remains concerning it after the year 1 1'25. A castle was built here by Alexander de Bicknor, Archbishop of Dublin, as his residence, and continued to be the seat of his successors until a late period; in 13'24, he obtained a remission of money in consideration of his expenses in its erection. In 1331, O'Toole, the chieftain of Imail, at the head of a numerous band, plundered the castle and demesne, slew many of the archbishop's people, and defeated Sir Philip Britt and a body of Dublin men who had been sent against him. A very large mansion-house was subsequently erected, to which was attached an extensive and well-stocked garden, laid out in the Dutch style, and a demesne of upwards of 200 acres. Dr. Fowler, who died in 1S03, was the last archbishop who resided here. Lord John G. Beresford, who was translated to the see of Dublin in 1619, obtained an act of parlia-

    TALL

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 309

19. Archbishop Singe's act for Tuam clergy dues

    Tuam · town · Galway · 1716

    Edward Singe, who became archbishop of Tuam in 1716, obtained an act in the first parliament after his succession settling the quarta pars of officiating clergy dues upon rectors, vicars, and curates within his see who personally discharged their cures.

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    the see of Mayo, and in I2o'2 that of Enaghdune on petition of Florence Mac Fliu to Henry III. j Enaghdune was, notwithstanding, frequently held separately, but, ixfter many contests, became finally part of the see of Tuam in \-l2l. Edward Singe, who became archbishop in 1716, obtained an act in the first meeting of parliament after his succession, by which the rjuartu pars of the dues of the officiating clergy was settled upon such rectors, vicars, and curates, within his see, as should personally discharge their respective cures. Dr. Hort, who was translated to the archbishopric in l"-*^, was permitted to retain the see of Ardagh in the province of Armagh, which he held in comiiuiidum, in lieu of the see of Kilfenora, which had been previously held with Tuam ; and his successors ever after continued to hold it. The archbishops of Tuam were, therefore, as bishops of Ardagh, suffragan to the Lord-Primate of all Ireland.

    The late ^-Irchbishopric or Eci.lesiaslical PTovince of Tuam comprehended the six dioceses of Tuam, Elphin, Clonfert, Kilmatduagh, Killala, and Achonry ; comprising an estimated superficies of '2,356,750 acres ; and, with the exception of the county of Leitrim and small portions of the counties of Sligo, Roscommon, and Galway, including the whole of the civil province of Connaught, and a small part of King's county in the province of Leinster. Under the provisions of the Church Temporalities act, the sees of Tuam, Killala, and Achonry were united ; those of Clonfert and Kilmacduagh were also united, and fixed to be held with Killaloe ; the diocese of Elphin being held with Kilmore and Ardagh. Consequently, only two bishops latterly presided over the subordinate dioceses of the province, and were suffragan to the last Archbishop of Tuam, who died in 1839. Under the same act all archiepiscopal jurisdiction ceased on the avoidance of the archbishopric ; Tuam, with the united diocese of Killala and Achonry, is now one bishopric, and, with the other dioceses of the province of Tuam, is suffragan to the Archbishop of Armagh.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 355

20. Archbishop's palace and round tower at Swords

    Swords · town · Dublin

    The principal antiquities at Swords are an ancient round tower and the ruins of the archbishop's palace, a fortified structure within embattled walls flanked by towers. The enclosed area has been converted into a garden.

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    The principal relics of antiquity still in existence are the ancient round tower and the archbishop's palace : the latter was a fortified structure in the centre of a court surrounded by embattled walls flanked with towers ; these walls compose the whole of the existing remains, the inclosed area having been converted into a garden. The only evidence of the former existence of a nunnery founded here at an unknown period, is the record of a pension granted by parliament, in 1474, to the prioress and her successors. To the south of the town, near the sea-shore, are the ruins of Seatown Castle, once a chief scat of the Russell family : about a mile from the town, in the same direction, is Drynam, built by the Russells in 16'Z7. Lissenhall, an ancient seat in the vicinity of Swords, belonged to the de Lacey family in the reign of Edward 1. ; Sir Wm. Fitzwilliam resided in it for some time, when he was lord deputy of Ireland. Near Brackenstown House is a high rath, which commauds a fine view of all the surrounding district : near Seafield is an old burial-ground, called Ballymadrouch.

    SYDDAN, a parish, in the union of Ardee, barony of Lower Slane, county of Me.\th, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S. E.) from Nobber, and on the coach-road from Dublin to Londonderry ; containing 1357 inhabitants. This parish formed part of the possessions of the abbey of St. Thomas, Dublin ; the tithes and advowson were granted in the '2nd of Elizabeth to Thomas Manners. It comprises 5l63f statute acres, nearly equally divided between pasture and tillage ; the soil is of good quality, and agriculture improving; some of the pasture land is particularly fine. liime and marl, found in the low grounds at a small depth beneath the surface, form the chief manure ; there is no bog. Coarse 541

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 307

21. Ardagh, a Franciscan monastery with surviving ruins

    Ardagh · parish · Longford

    Ardagh was a monastic institution belonging to the Franciscans. Ruins of the abbey still remain in the area.

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    The REMAINS of remote .\NTiauiTY are very few in number. A large rath, usually called the Moat of Granard, stands at one end of the main street of that town ; another, called Lisardowlin, situated near the road from Longford to Edgeworthstown, is by the people of this country generally believed to be the centre of Ireland. Monastic institutions were numerous, and for the most part held in great veneration, and well endowed. Abbeyshrule belonged to the Canons Regular ; Ardagh, to the Franciscans ; and Lerha or Laragh, to the Cistercians : the wealthy abbey of Longford was founded by the O'Farrels ; there were also abbeys or priories at Moydow, Clone, Clonebrone, Dcrg, Druimchei, and Killinmore, besides those on the islands of Innismorey, Innisbofin, Inniscloran, and All Saints. Ruins of all the above still remain ; but of the priories at Ballynasaggard, Kilglass, and St. Johnstown, no vestiges of the

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 107

22. Ardbraccan fine white limestone quarries

    Ardbraccan · townland · Meath

    At Ardbraccan, limestone of a fine white grain was quarried and worked into tombstones and door-cases sent to a great distance. The horizontal beds were of considerable thickness, and the stone took a high polish assuming a grey tinge when finished.

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    part of the county except the west, and from the number of timber-trees planted as hedge-rows, the country in general has a very furnished appearance, much resembling the county of Worcester or Hereford in England. Oak timber is scarce ; but beech, elm, ash, poplar, sycamore, and alder are so abundant that, after supplying the local demand, much is sent to other counties : there are several nurseries of considerable extent, and many osieries of from two to ten acres each, the produce of which is mostly worked at home, and the remainder bought by the Dublin basket-makers. The quantity of waste and unprofitable ground in the county is extremely small. Commons are in general attached to the corporate towns for the use of the inhabitants. In consequence of the small quantity of bog compared with the extent and population of the county, fuel is extremely scarce, and the poor suffer much from the want of it. Some large proprietors, in order to relieve their tenants, and to prevent depredations upon their fences and plantations, are particularly careful to have their ditches sown with French furze. The deficiency of fuel is also supplied by the importation of coal, chiefly from Drogheda, by the Boyne navigation. In the neighbourhood of that town, and along the line of navigation, the labourer often stipulates for a ton of coal in part payment ; and, when near bogs, the turf is sometimes drawn home for him by his employer. Geologically, the county forms part of the great limestone field of Ireland, that mineral constituting its general substratum, except in its northern part, where the clay-slate formation is found ; in the western, where basalt is found mixed with the clay-slate, in some places rising in bare rocks, in others scattered over the surface in detached masses ; and on the line of sea-coast, which is formed of transition rock. At Ardbraccan the limestone is of a fine white grain, capable of being worked into any form. The beds lie horizontally, and are of considerable thickness ; the stone is susceptible of a high polish, assuming a grey tinge when finished, though appearing white under the chisel : tombstones and doorcases made of it are sent to a great distance. The seam of rock extends to the Blackwater, but the quarries opened in other parts do not afford blocks of such scantling as at Ardbraccan. The works are also much impeded by the difficulty of keeping the quarries free from water. In Slane barony is a fine quarry of vitrescent stone, which makes excellent flagstones, but does not take a high polish. It has been conjectured that coal exists in the same barony, in consequence Of the appearances that exhibit themselves where the edges of mineral strata are laid open by the washing away of the surface soil ; but the position of the layers presents an obstacle that has hitherto prevented the search from being prosecuted with any prospect of success. A vein of copper has been found near the banks of the Boyne, the analysis of which gave 21 parts of copper from 120 of ore ; but from the difficulty of keeping the workings clear of water, it has not been profitably explored. At Knock, in Morgallion barony, is an argillaceous clay containing a portion of iron, and adapted for the coarser kinds of earthenware ; and there is a vein of potters'- clay, of superior quality, at Dunshaughlm. Petrifactions are found in the caverns and fissures of the limestone districts, and some very brilliant spars and crystals in the Nanny water, particularly near the Diamond rock.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 149

23. Ard Castle ruins in Ard Bay

    Ard Bay · bay · Galway

    The ruins of Ard Castle stand in Ard Bay. No further historical detail is given in the passage.

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    In this parish are quarries of green marble. The principal is in the mountain Barrnonarane (one of the Twelve Pins), where, to the extent of three miles, the surface appears to be entirely composed of this marble ; another quarry has been opened at Lessoughtcr, and at each of the quarries blocks of 15, 18, and 10 tons' weight are raised. A little to the south of the green marble is a large tract of white marble, lately discovered, of which a few blocks have been raised, extremely large, and sufficiently white for general purposes ; a mass 11 feet in length and proportionally broad has been excavated. The distance is only five miles from the Barrnonarane quarry to the shipping pier in Roundstone bay, and an excellent road has been made. A new line of road formed by government, as a continuation of the Oughterard road to Clifden, was lately opened, the expense of which was soon repaid by the increased duties of excisable commodities consumed in the district. The river of Ballinahinch, which runs from the lake of the same name into Roundstone bay, could be made navigable at a moderate expense, and thus open a communication of more than six miles of still water, as several other lakes require only a very narrovv cut to unite them. Situated amidst bold and picturesque mountains, among which the Twelve Pins rise majestically from the borders of the lake of Ballinahinch, is the seat of the Martin family ; Benboun, one of the Twelve Pins, rises ■239.5 feet above the sea. The parish is a rectory in the diocese of Tuam, forming part of the union of Ballynakill: the tithe rent-charge is £38. 1. 6. Divine service is celebrated, twice every Sunday and once on festivals, in a private house in the southern part of the parish. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church ; there are two chapels, besides which, service is performed in a private house at Roundstone. In Ard hay are the ruins of Ard Castle; on a small island in the centre of the lake of Ballinahinch are the ruins of the castle before mentioned; and at 368

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 185

24. Ardea Castle ruins and O'Sullivan seat

    Ardea · townland · Kerry

    The ancient castle of Ardea, now in ruins, occupies a bold romantic situation on a lofty cliff overlooking Kenmare bay and was once the seat of the O'Sullivans, whose descendants still exist in the district.

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    TUOSIST, or KiLMACALOGUE, a parish, in the poorlaw union of Kenmare, barony of Glanerolgh, county of Kerry, and province of Monster, 1'2 miles (S. \V.) from Kenmare, and on the bay of that name ; containing 7485 inhabitants. This parish is considered to be one of the wildest and most irreclaimable districts in the county. It is separated on the south-east from the county of Cork by a range of lofty and almost impassable mountains, and extends for about nine miles along the southern shore of the great estuary or bay of Kenmare, an inlet of which, called Ardgroom H'arbour, forms its boundary on the south-west. A road is in progress through the parish to Castletown-Berehaven, in the county of Cork. The ancient castle of Ardea, now in ruins, occupies a bold and romantic situation on a lofty cliff overlooking the bay ; it was once the seat of the O'Sullivans, some of whose descendants still exist in this district. In 160'2 a Spanish ship landed supplies of money and ammunition at this castle, which event encouraged some of the native Irish to assemble in the mountains ; but they were soon dispersed by Lord Barry, Sir G. Thornton, and Sir C. Wilmot.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 361

25. Ardfinnan: castle erected by order of Prince John

    Ardfinnan · town · Tipperary

    Prince John ordered the erection of castles at Ardfinnan and Tipperary to secure the southern part of the county under English authority. This was part of the ongoing Anglo-Norman consolidation of Tipperary.

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    The first English army that penetrated into this part of the island was led in person by Henry \\., who, in 1 172, advanced from Waterford, and on the banks of the Suir received the submissions of the surrounding chieftains of the south ; but on his return these submissions were for the most part retracted, and hostilities with the English commenced by the march of Earl Strongbow with an army to Cashel. Here he reviewed his troops ; and having received information of the strength and posture of the enemy, he sent to Dublin, for the aid of the Ostmen forces enlisted in the English service there. When this auxiliary force had advanced as far as Thurles, it was suddenly attacked by O'Brien of Thomond so successfully, that the four principal leaders and 400 men were slain ; upon which, Strongbow made a precipitate retreat to Waterford. Afterwards Prince John, to secure the southern part of the county in subjection to the English authority, ordered the erection of castles at Ardfinnan and Tipperary. The next ereat struggle originated in an attempt made by Daniel O'Brien, of Thomond, to dispossess the English of this tract of country ; he levied a considerable force, and the contending parties having met at Thurles, a battle ensued in which the English were discomfited. But 582

    this did not put an end to the contest ; the English still continued to ravage the territories of O'Brien, and to increase the number of their castles, which they gradually extended towards the Shannon.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 335

26. Ardgonnell Castle built by the O'Nials

    Ardgonnell · townland · Armagh

    Ardgonnell Castle, whose ruins also exist, was built by the O'Nials. Its last occupant was Sir Phelim O'Nial, the first commander of the Irish at the breaking out of the war of 1641.

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    ing in the Elizabethan style : both are entirely supported by the bishop's trustees. Midway between Middletown and Keady are the ruins of tlie ancient castle of Crifcairn, of which the western portion only remains : the walls are 9 feet thick and about 66 feet high, and there are the remains of some arches that appear to have been turned on wattle or basket work. Several traditions respecting this castle prevail among the peasantry. Ardgonnell Castle, the ruins of which also exist, was built by the O'Nials, and its last occupant was Sir Phelim O'Nial, the first commander of the Irish at the breaking out of the war of 1641.

    MIDLETON, a market ^-.^^^V^ and post town, a parish, and (A^^j^^ " the head of a union, in the ^ ""

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 152

27. Ardintenant, Rossbrin and Black Castle of O'Mahony

    Ardintenant · townland · Cork

    On the shore of Roaring Water Bay are the castles of Ardintenant and Rossbrin, and opposite Ardintenant on an island are the remains of Black Castle. All of these fortresses were erected by the O'Mahony sept.

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    county of Cork, and i)roviucc of Mu.nster, 11^ miles (\V. S. W.) from Skibbereen, on the road to Crookhaven ; containing, with several inhabited islands in Roaring- Water bay, 17,314 inhabitants, of whom 452 are in the village. This district is exceedingly wild and uncultivated ; and appears, in the earlier periods of Irish history, to have been regarded as of very great importance from its numerous defiles and strongholds amidst its rocks ; and, in later times, from the erection of several castles by the various native septs, which on account of their situation and strength would appear to have been impregnable. The castles of Dunbeacon and Dunmanus, on Dunmanus bay, were built by the sept of O'Mahony ; the former to protect the boundary and pass between their territories and those of the O'Donovans. At Lemcon, in tire south of the parish, are the remains of a castle which was taken, in 1602, by the Lord-President of Monster, on his return to Cork after the siege of Dunboy ; to the east of these, on the shore of Roaring- Water bay, are the castles of Ardintenant and Rossbrin ; and opposite to the former, on an island about a mile from the shore, are the remains of Black Castle, which gave name to the island. All of these fortresses were erected by the sept of O'Mahony. At Liscaha are also the remains of a very extensive fort surrounded by a double rampart and fosse, which gives name to that district (the term signifying " the Battle Fort ") and where a sanguinary battle is said to have taken place between the Irish and the Danes, in which the latter were defeated with great slaughter. At Ratrovane is a similar fort, surrounded by a mound of earth, and strengthened with a massive stone wall, firmly built without mortar : close to this fort some curious crypts have been discovered.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 285

28. Ardmore promontory and bay

    Ardmore · town · Waterford

    Ardmore Bay has in part a flat shore and is sheltered on the west by the bold and high promontory of Ardmore. To the west of the promontory lies Ardigna Head, forming the eastern boundary of Whiting Bay.

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    inclose. From the bay of Waterford to that of Diinparvan there is no shelter for vessels of any description ; the shore is rocky and precipitous, and affords only precarious retreats for the boats of fishermen in a few coves. The rocks along this line appear to have been violently separated, the beds being heaped together in the greatest confusion. Contiguous to the coast, in the parish of Icane, are the islands of Icane, which are small masses of rock separated from the main land, and partially covered with coarse grass. Whiting Head (near Bonmahon bay, a small inlet formed by the mouth of the Bonmahon river) is high and steep ; and to the westward of it is the square island rock of Templebric, about 100 feet high, on which numbers of seafowl breed. Clonea bay is an extensive sweep of coast, presenting at low water a vast sandy strand ; the next great break in the line of coast, which here assumes a south-western direction, is the harbour of Diingurvan. From Helwick Head to Mine Head the coast inclines southward about a league distance, and is high and rocky, inclosing Muggort's bay. From Mine Head it runs more directly westward into Ardmore bay, which has in part a flat shore and is sheltered on the west by the bold and high promontory of Ardmore, to the west of which is a point called Ardigna Head, forming the eastern boundary of Whiting bay, inclosed on the west by Cabin Point. The low point called Black Ball, about half a league further, forms the eastern boundary of the entrance to Youghal harbour, and is the western extremity of the coast of this county.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 374

29. Ardnaglass castle: O'Dowds, Mac Swineys, Cromwell

    Ardnaglass · townland · Sligo

    The old castle of Ardnaglass was originally the residence of the O'Dowds, a family of great note, and was subsequently in the possession of the Mac Swineys. It is now the property of J. Jones, whose ancestor came over with Oliver Cromwell.

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    The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Killala, and in the patronage of the Lord Primate and the Archbishop of Dublin, who must present a fellow or e.\-fellow of Trinity College; the tithe rent-charge is £360. The glebe-house was built in 1807 by the then incumbent, at a cost of £6S0 ; the glebe comprises '21 acres, valued at £5'2. 10. per annum. The church is a neat building with a square tower, erected in 1819, near the ruins of the former, by aid of a loan of £r200 from the Board of First Fruits : the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £180 for its repair. The Roman Catholic parish was, till recently, co-extensive with that of the Established Church, but the quarterlaiids of Ross and Portavude have been annexed to the district of Dromard ; it contains a chapel. Tradition reports that once there were seven churches within the parish, and that an establishment existed for religious instruction ; appearances yet remain of the foundations of many buildings. The old castle of Ardnaglass, of which there are considerable remains, was originally the residence of the O'Dowds, a family of great note, and was subsequently in the possession of the Mac Swineys ; it is now the property of J. Junes, Esq., whose ancestor came over with Oliver Cromwell. At Skreen is a very fine well, having over it a monument inscribed, " Eugenius M'Donnuil, vicarius hiijus vile, M.F.F. 1.591 :"' it is in excellent preservation.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 285

30. Ardtully Castle reduced by Cromwell

    Ardtully · townland · Kerry

    At Ardtully in the parish of Kilgarvan stand the remains of an ancient castle whose thick surviving walls suggest great strength. The castle was reduced by Cromwell during the civil wars.

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    The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ardfert, united to that of Killaha, together constituting the union of Kilgarvan, in the patronage of the Bishop ; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Donoughmore. The tithe rent charge of the parish is £166. 3., payable in equal portions to the impropriator and the vicar ; the gross vicarial rent-charge of the union is £173. 1. 6. The church is a neat building, situated about a mile from the village, and for the erection of which the Board of First Fruits, in 181.5, gave £600; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £1'25 for its repair. The glebe-house, a substantial mansion was built in 1S18, when the Board granted £400 as a gift and £280 as a loan for that purpose : the glebes here comprise 2 1 acres, subject to a rent of £'2'. 13. ; and there is another glebe of about 7h acres, the property of the vicar, besides one of 6 acres, which, with one-third of the tithes of the " church quarter," belongs to the Archdeacon of Aghadoe. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church ; the chapel is in the village, and adjoining it are the ruins of the old church. The parochial school, near the church, is supported by the incumbent and other subscribers. At Ardtully are the remains of an ancient castle, which, from the thickness of the fragments of wall that remain, must have been of great strength ; it was reduced by Cromwell during the civil wars. On one side of the river Roughty, which here separates a limestone soil from one of grit, a large limestone rock is seated on a bed of grit-stone ; while a large rock of grit appears on the limestone, on the other side of the river. Near a small brook in the mouutain- 63

    ous district is a rock, which, from numerous impressions like those of human feet, bears the name of " the Fairy Rock. '

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 27

31. Argial conquered by John de Courcy, 1183

    Louth · town · Louth · 1183–1210

    Argial was conquered by John de Courcy in 1183. The part within the limits of the present county of Louth, one of those erected by King John in 1210, was peopled with English settlers and remained subject to English jurisdiction.

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    It appears from Ptolemy that the present couaty formed, in his time, part of the territory of the Voluntii, which extended southward to that of the Eblani. Louth was subsequently included in the independent sovereignty of Orgial, or Argial, called by the English Oriel or Uriel, constituting a large part of the province of Meath, and including also the counties of Armagh and Monaghan. This county is stated to have formed the subordinate territory of Conal Muirthemne, called also Hy Conal and Machmre-Conal, in which were the smaller districts of Fera Arda, or Fatharta, the present barony of Ferrard ; Hy Segan, or Hy Seanghain, that of Ardee ; Fera Lorg, Lorgan, or Lurgin, that of Lower Dundalk ; Hy Mac Uais, the country of the Mac Scanlans, that uf Upper Dundalk ; and Ludha, or Lugha, that of Louth, which was the country of the O'Carrols, chiefs of Argial. The last celebrated head of this race was Donchad O'Carrol, King of Argial, who founded the two great abbeys of Mellifont and Louth, and was likewise a prince of considerable prowess. Argial was conquered by John de Courcy, in 1183 ; and that part of it which is included within the limits of the present county of Louth (one of those erected by King John in 1210) being immediately peopled with English settlers, it continued ever after to be subject to the English jurisdiction. Thus, the ancient Argial was divided into Irish Argial and English Uriel. The latter, from its situation, being much exposed to the incursions of the native chiefs, numerous castles were erected for its defence ; but nevertheless, in the reign of Edward II., it was ravaged by the Scots under Edward Bruce, who, however, received their final overthrow from Sir John Birmingham in this county.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 114

32. Arigna coal and iron district

    near Arigna · population centre · Roscommon

    The northern mountainous district of Roscommon on the confines of Lough Allen forms the celebrated coal and iron district of Arigna. It is a portion of the coal district of County Leitrim, with two important divisions, one wholly and the other chiefly in the northern end of Roscommon.

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    iiplicarante. The calp beds are generally succeeded bj' strata ot' black limestone of a crystalline structure, susceptible of a high polish ; but in the northern parts of the county, the limestone of the lower beds, even where they come in contact with the sandstone, are of a lightgrey colour, and of a crystalline texture and susceptible of polish. Silicious sandstone appears in several parts !>/ the county rising up from beneath the limestone bed and forming isolated hills, and likewise composing the long ridge of Slievebawn, where it appears on the summit in large broken masses. Of similar composition is the hill of Ballyfermoile, and at Belanagare the sandstone is to be seen at the surface in very thin flags, which are used in the vicinity for roofing houses. In the more western part of the county, beyond Castlerea, sandstone appears in various places, and limestone is comparatively rare. But by far the most interesting part of Roscommon, in reference to its geological formation, is the northern mountainous district on the confines of Lough Allen, forming the celebrated coal and iron district of Arigna.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 260

33. Arigna iron works near Lough Allen

    near Arigna · population centre · Roscommon · 1825–1826

    Iron works near Lough Allen were restored and produced 230 tons of iron between Nov. 1825 and May 1826 before the furnace choked. After a chancery decree, Mr. Flattery recommenced operations, producing 18 tons of castings daily and employing 560 men, until the works eventually fell into decay.

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    same year ; the works were restored, the coal and iron mines reopened, and 230 tons of iron were manufactured between Nov. 1825 and May 1826, at an expense of £8. 4. per ton, when the furnace became choked. In consequence, the smehing was discontinued, and the works were suffered to fall into decay, until after the decision in chancery, when Mr. Flattery, in whose favour the decree had been made, recommenced the works, which were for a time in full operation, producing 18 tons of castings daily, and affording employment to 560 men : the metal wrought is said to have been equal to the best Swedish iron. Fine castings of every description were made here and shipped for Dublin, where there was a great demand for them. In connexion with these works were the collieries of Rover and Aughabehy, belonging to the old proprietors ; and a new pit, in which the coal is of superior quality, and the seam thicker than any previously discovered, was opened at Gubberother by Mr. Flattery. The same spirited individual erected a building for the manufacture of bar, rod, and sheet iron. The value of these works to the manufacturing industry of the country was much diminished by the want of good roads through this mountainous district. The works, now deserted, are near the shore of Lough Allen and 9 miles from Carrick-on- Shannon, south of the Arigna river, where the royalties chiefly belong to Mr. Tennison, though one is held under the see of Tuam. There are coal-mines on both sides of the mountain ridge ; the most important is that of Aughabehy, more distant than any from the iron-works. The ironstone of the neighbourhood is of the greatest variety, richness, and abundance ; and the limestone used as a flux is of the best quality.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 260

34. Arklow rocks display greenstone columns on the coast

    Arklow · town · Wicklow

    Arklow rocks on the coast, south of the mouth of the Ovoca, present ill-defined columns of greenstone with four, five, or six sides. The northern part of the hill consists generally of greenstone, with a basalt-like variety on the north-western side.

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    extending down the Avonniore and Ovoca, and the varieties they display are very numerous. Tlio varieties of olay-slate, which are here all cjuartzose, abound in contemporaneous veins of pure quartz more or less metalliferous : the western extremity and the brow of Croghan Kinshela mountain consist of granite, with broad veins of quartz towards the east, succeeded by alternations of granite and clay-slate, terminating in interstratiBcations of clay-slate and greenstone, beyond which is found only the clay-slate, traversed by veins of quartz, sometimes metalliferous. Beds of granular felspar in the prevailing clay-slate arc worked for building on the right bank of the Avonmore, north-west of Ratlidrum. Bordering on the Derry or Aughrim river, and likewise near the Ovoca in its course from Newbridge, are numerous beds of greenstone. Arklow rocks, on the coast, south of the mouth of the Ovoca, present illdefined columns of greenstone, with four, five, or six sides : the northern part of the hill consists in general of greenstone ; on the north-western side is a variety of the character of basalt. Quartz-rock forms a prominent naked ridge on Coollattin hill, in Shillelagh ; and constitutes also a very extensive mountain range from the banks of the Avonmore above Rathdrum to those of the Vartrey, comprising the high naked ridge of Carrickmacreilly and the picturesque rock of Cronroe. In the northern extremity of the county it forms the Great and Little Sugar-loaf, Bray Head, and a great part of the neighbouring hills.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 405

35. Armagh militia colours captured at Ballynamuck, 1798

    near Markethill · town · Armagh · 1798

    The staff of the Armagh militia was stationed at Markethill, where among their muniments was deposited a stand of colours taken from the French at the Battle of Ballynamuck in 1798. This trophy commemorated the militia's role in suppressing the United Irish rebellion.

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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

36. Artificial caves at Ballywilliam

    Ballywilliam · townland · Derry

    The parish contains five forts and several artificial caves. One of the caves at Ballywilliam is notable for containing five apartments.

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    The LIVING is a rectory, in the diocese of Derry, and in the patronage of the Bishop, hut the advowson is claimed by the Irish Society ; the tithe rent-charge is £450. The glebe-house was built about 80 years since at an expense of £738. 9. ; the glebes comprise 250 Cunningham acres, valued at £250 per annum. The church, a very spacious structure, was new-roofed and repaired in 1826, at an expense of £500; and has since been enlarged, at a cost of £200. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Killowen or Coleraine : there are places of worship for Presbyterians at Englishtown and Crossgare ; also one for Covenanters at Ringrash. The small remains of the monastery founded by St. Comgal were taken down, to build a wall round the burial-ground : among them was a very ancient stone cross, having four compartments, in each of which were three of the Apostles sculptured in high relief, and profusely ornamented with scrolls and wreaths ; it was removed from its socket, and now forms a gate-pillar in the wall. There was also an ancient font, to which, previously to the removal of the cross, the people resorted in great numbers. Several stone and bronze celts have been found chiefly in the bogs ; also fossilized tubs of butter, one of which, weighing 22 lb., is preserved at Drumcroon. There are five forts, and several artificial caves, one of which, at Ballywilliam, contains five apartments. There are also several strong chalybeate springs in the parish, of which those at Drumcroon and Greenfield contain iron, sulphur, and magnesia in solution, with a considerable portion of carbonic-acid gas.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 122

37. Artificial mount burial of Counsellor Ash at Moone

    Moone · townland · Kildare

    At Moone, County Kildare, an artificial mount contains the remains of Counsellor Ash, interred there by his own desire. The mount has since been planted and enclosed with a wall.

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    forming part of the union of Timolin ; the rectory is appropriate to the economy fund of the cathedral of St. Patrick, Dublin. The tithe rent-charge is £283. 10., of which £189 are payable to the economy fund, and the remainder to the vicar. In the Roman Catholic divisions Moone is part of the district of Castledermot ; the chapel is a large cruciform structure, in the village. There are remains of an ancient castle, supposed to have been built by one of the first English adventurers, on the bank of the river, above which, one tower yet standing forms a conspicuous object. Little of the history of this castle is known. It received considerable injury during the disturbances of 1798 ; but part of the building is preserved in a habitable condition. Near the ruins of the Franciscan monastery is a very curious stone cross ; and at a short distance is an artificial mount, in which Counsellor Ash was interred by his own desire, and which has since been planted, and inclosed with a wall.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 171

38. Artificial underground cave discovered at Tyrella

    near Tyrella · parish · Down · 1832

    A cave was discovered in 1832 within the demesne of Tyrella House, near the parish church. It was artificially constructed of uncemented stones covered with flagstones, extending 43 yards and dividing into three chambers of 60, 45, and 24 feet respectively.

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    TYRELLA, a parish, in the union of Downpatrick, barony of Legale, county of Down, and province of Ulster, 4 miles (S. S. E.) from Clough, and 6 (s. \V.) from Downpatrick ; containing 1079 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the bay of Dundrum, by which it is bounded on the south ; and comprises 1999^ statute acres, the whole of which, with the exception of a few acres of sand-hills along the shore, is land of good quality and in a state of profitable cultivation. The system of agriculture is improved ; and the crops of wheat, barley, oats, flax, and potatoes, are abundant, the lands being much enriched by the facility of obtaining sea sand and weed for manure. Tyrella House, the handsome residence of the Montgomery family, is beautifully situated in a richly planted demesne of 300 acres, commanding extensive views over the bay, with the noble range of the Morne mountains in the background, and containing within its limits the parish church. Off the coast is a rocky shoal extending one mile from the shore, at the extremity of which is a rock called the Cow and Calf, seldom covered by the sea. The parish is a rectory, in the diocese of Down, till lately forming part of the union and corps of the deanery of Down: the tithe rent-charge is £1'23. 1'2. After the separation of the rectory from the deanery, in 1S39, a handsome church of cut granite was erected on the site of the old edifice ; it was opened for divine service in September, 1S4'2. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is the head of a district, comprising also the parish of Ballykinlar and part of Loughinisland ; there are chapels at Ballykinlar and Drumaroda. In the demesne of Tyrella House, and near the church, a cave was discovered in 1S32, artificially constructed of uncemented stones, and covered with flagstones, above which the earth is thickly heaped ; it is 43 yards long, 2^ feet wide, and about .5 feet high, dividing into three chambers, 60, 45, and 24 feet in length respectively, the last extending its width to six feet.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 364

39. Asbestos discovered at Bloomfield near Enniscorthy

    Bloomfield · street · Wexford · 1825–1830

    About ten years before writing, fine specimens of asbestos were discovered while quarrying for stone at Bloomfield near Enniscorthy. These were the only specimens of asbestos known to exist within the county.

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    A lead-mine was discovered at Caim, and wrought for several years : the works were lately resumed. At Clonmines the remains of an ancient mine are still to be traced ; and galena has been found here, partly adhering to quartz and rhomboidal ironstone, and partly thrown on shore after storms by which portions of the cliff had been torn away. The old heaps in the neighbourhood are supposed to be the remains of the silvermines said to have been worked by the ancient Ostmen. At Kerlogue, near Wexford, is a small vein of copperore, of the malachite or carbonated green copper-ore species. Specimens of plun)bago were foimd, about twelve years since, at Greenfield, near Enniscorthy ; and in quarrying for stone at Bloomfield, in the same neighbourhood, about ten years ago, some fine specimens of asbestos wei-e discovered, the only ones known to exist within the county. The horns and bones of the moose-deer have been found in the alluvial districts both on the east and south, where there is marl. About ten years since, a perfect fossil skeletcm of the Cervus Megaceros, or gigantic horned deer of Ireland, was found at Ballyhuskard, near the bog of Itty, exceeding in its dimensions the fossil deer in the Dublin museum.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 396

40. Askeaton's extensive flour-mills and river navigation

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick

    Askeaton was a site of very extensive flour-mills and the River Deel was navigable as far as the town, making it a key node in the county's flour export trade to London, Liverpool, and the Clyde.

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    The manufactures and commerce, except an inconsiderable supply of coarse frieze, coarse linen, and flannel for domestic use, and a manufacture of linen and cotton checks at Glin, centre in the city of Limerick, under the head of which they are described. There are bleach-greens, principally for home sale, at Newcastle, Castle-Connell, and Lingland ; and paper-mills at Ballygooley, Anacotty, and Rossbryn, the two latter in the ancient liberties of the city ; also very extensive flour-mills at Askeaton, Cahirass, Rathkeale, Croom, Corbally, Kilmallock, and Sunville, whence great quantities of flour are shipped for London, Liverpool, and the Clyde. The exports are butter, grain, flour, and salted provisions ; the whole of which are either shipped at Limerick, or sent to Dublin by the canal, but the great outlet is by the Shannon. This noble river, of which some account is given under the head of the county of Cavan, forms the northern boundary of the county. Below the pool of Limerick it expands into a wide estuary, and after a course of about 1/ miles, mingles its waters with those of the Fergus, forming an arm of the sea several miles wide, interspersed with islands of very various character, and discharging itself into the Atlantic between Loop Head and Kerry Head, about 60 miles from Limerick. All the rivers of the interior are branches of the Shannon ; they are the Maig or Mague, the Commogue, the Daun or Morning Star, the Deel, and the ' Mulcairne. The Deel is navigable to Askeaton, and the Maig to the parish of Adare. On the south-west the county is bounded for some distance by the Feale river, flowing by Abbeyfeale ; and on the south-east for about three miles by the Funchcon. Except the short canal above Limerick, made in 17.59, to facilitate the navigation of the Shannon, there is no artificial navigation within the county.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 74

41. Assassination of Hugh de Lacy at Durrow

    Durrow · parish · Offaly · 1186

    Hugh de Lacy was assassinated at Dermagh or Durrow in the King's County by one of his own dependants. On his death, Meath descended to his son Walter.

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    Gilbert Fitz-Thomas, Kells. From these grants, and from their first possessors having been created barons by the lord of the palatinate, who exercised the rights of sovereignty, the divisions were called baronies, which term ultimately became the general name for the great divisions of counties. The new occupants were not permitted to enjoy undisturbed the possessions thus acquired. Roderic O'Conor, King of Ireland, at the head of a large army, suddenly entered Mcath, and laid siege to Trim, which was saved only by the rapid approach of Raymond le Gros, then celebrating his marriage with Strongbow's sister in Wexford. The county also suffered about the same time from the incursions of the Irish of Ulster, and from an invasion of Melaghlin, King of Meath, who took and demolished Slane Castle, after its governor, Richard Fleming, had been killed in its defence. On the death of Hugh de Lacy, who was assassinated at Dermagh or Durrow, in the King's county, by one of his own dependants, Meath descended to his son Walter.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 148

42. Athea village and constabulary station

    Athea · town · Limerick

    Athea, also called Temple-Athea, is the only village in the parish of Rath. It is small but picturesquely situated and serves as a station of the constabulary police.

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    a substratum of limestone, and produces excellent crops under a judicious system of cultivation ; the meadows and pastures are extremely rich ; great numbers of sheep are fed on them annually, and the mountain districts aflford pasturage for numerous herds of cattle. There are not more than 300 acres of waste land, and much of the rougher kind is daily being brought into cultivation. The mountain range extends from the village of Ardagh to the confines of the county west of Athea, where it joins the county of Kerry, a distance of more than 10 miles ; the general formation is silicious grit and indurated clay or clunch, resting on a limestone base. Throughout the entire range are five several strata of coal, varying from 12 to 40 inches in thickness; but the two upper strata, not more than 16 inches thick, have only yet been worked, and that in a very inefficient manner : all the strata dip very rapidly. Nodules of ironstone are found in the rivulets, and also imbedded in the clunch; limestone is abundant, and no district in Ireland seems better adapted than this for the establishment of iron-works. Flag-stones of very large size are quarried in the mountains, and numerous escars are found almost exclusively of limestone. The principal seats are, Glenville, the residence of a branch of the Massey family ; and Cahermoyle, of W. S. O'Brien, Esq. : the woods around these seats are extensive and luxuriant, and are interesting from their situation in a fertile valley destitute of all timber but what is on the demesnes ; the plantations of Glenville are very extensive, reaching to the summit of the mountain. Athea, or Temple-Athea, is the only village in the parish ; it is very small, but picturesquely situated, and is a station of the constabulary police.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 252

43. Athgoe Park: early castle, Colmanstown keep, old burial-place

    Athgoe · townland · Dublin

    Athgoe Park in the parish of Newcastle (County Dublin) includes a castle erected at a very early period. Within its grounds stand the tower or keep of Colmanstown and an old burial-place, marking the area's antiquity.

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    The parish comprises 4282 statute acres : agriculture is in a high state of improvement ; the principal crops are wheat, oats, and potatoes. There are good quarries, the stone of which is used for building, and repairing the roads. The Grand Canal passes through the parish, as does also the line of the Dublin and Cashel rail-road. Part of the demesne of Lyons, the splendid seat of the Right Hon. Lord Cloncurry, is in the parish : the other seats are, Athgoe Park, one part of which is a castle erected at a very early period, and in the grounds of which are the tower or keep of Colmanstown, and an old burial-place ; Newcastle House ; Newcastle ; Peamount ; and Colganstown, the property of the corporation of Dublin. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin, and was made the corps of the archdeaconry of Glendalough by an act of the Sth of Edward IV. (1467) ; it is in the patronage of the Archbishop. The tithe rent-charge is £187. 10. A small plot of ground in Myler's Alley, Dublin, measuring Ir. 24/)., on which some houses stand that arc let on lease at £18. 9. per annum, belongs to the archdeaconry : the gross annual value of the dignity, before the passing of the Rentcharge act, was £418. 9. There are an excellent glebehouse, and a glebe of 16 acres, to which 2a. 3r. 17p. were added on the inclosure of the common. The church was erected about the 15th century, and is chiefly remarkable for its fine eastern window, which is greatly admired, and was removed to it in 17-4, when the building underwent a thorough repair ; the ivy which covers the walls contributes to its picturesque appearance. It was new-roofed and thoroughly repaired in 1835 and 1837, by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The church has an annual economy fund of £3. 8. 10. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Saggard ; a neat chapel with a belfry was erected in 1813, at a cost of about £1500. In the village are the ruins of three castles.

    NEWCASTLE, a market and post town, a parish, and the head of a union, partly in the barony of Shanid, 38-

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 201

44. Athlunkard Bridge linking Limerick and Killaloe

    Athlunkard Bridge · bridge · Limerick · 1830

    Athlunkard Bridge, consisting of five large elliptic arches, crosses the Shannon about a mile from the city of Limerick. It was erected in 1830 with loans and grants from the Board of Works and the Clare grand jury, forming a communication between Limerick and Killaloe.

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    is called the Abbey river. This part of the city, the houses of which are chiefly built in the Flemish fashion, is said to resemble Rouen, in Normandy : but, since the erection of the New Town, it has been deserted by the more wealthy inhabitants, and exhibits a dirty and neglected appearance. The Irish Town is also very ancient, being allotted to the native inhabitants so early as the reign of King John ; here the streets are wider, and the houses more modern. Both these parts were strongly fortified. The suburb called Thomond-gate, situated on the county of Clare side of the river, at the end of Thomond-bridge, was formerly the only entrance to the ancient city, and was protected by a strong castle i it is now of considerable extent : close to the foot of the bridge is the stone on which the treaty of Limerick was signed. Newtown-Pm/, built wholly within the last 60 years, on elevated ground parallel with the course of the river, below the union of its two branches, on a site formerly called the South Prior's Land, which became the property of the Pery family about 17*0, is one of the handsomest modern towns in Ireland : a very fine square was lately erected in it. There are six bridges. The late Thomond Bridge, leading from King John's Castle in the English Town to Thomond-gate, on the county of Clare side, was the most ancient : it was built in 1210, and subsequently widened, and consisted of 14 unequal arches, which were originally turned on wicker work, the marks of which were even recently apparent in the cement ; its roadway was perfectly level. The structure was taken down, and replaced by a new bridge the foundation stone of which was laid in 1836, and the whole opened in 1S43, at an expense of £1 1,000, whereof £9000 were obtained by loan from the Board of Works. IVdleslerj-Bridge, erected in 18'27, and consisting of five large and elegant elliptic arches, crosses the Shannon from the New Town to the northern, or county of Clare, shore. Its roadway is level, and its parapet formed of a massive open balustrade ; on the city side is a swing-bridge over a lock through which vessels pass to the upper basin and quays. The late bridge called the New Bridge, crossing the Abbey river, and connecting the New Town with the English Town, was built in 1761, but was so steep and inconvenient that it was recently resolved to remove it ; and the light and hand.«ome structure of three arches which now replaces it was commenced in 1845, and opened on the 26th of February, 1846 : of the cost, £1800, the grand juries of the county and city gave f.'iOO, and the corporation the remainder. Baal's- Bridge, higher up on the same branch of the river, is a beautiful structure of a single arch, built in 1831 to replace an ancient bridge of the same name, which consisted of four arches with a range of houses on one of its sides. On the same branch of the Shannon is Park-Bridge, an old lofty structure of five irregular arches. Athlunkard- Bridge, consisting of five large elliptic arches, crosses the Shannon about a mile from the city ; it was erected in 1830 by means of a loan of £9000 from the Board of Works, £6000 from the consolidated fund, and a grant of £1000 from the grand jury of the county of Clare ; it forms a communication between Limerick and Killaloe.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 77

45. Athy and the Barrow banks: fertile cultivated lands

    Athy · town · Kildare

    The lands around Athy and along the banks of the Barrow extending to the borders of County Carlow are described as particularly fertile and well cultivated, among the best in the county.

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    The SOIL varies but little, as compared with that of some adjoining counties. The prevailing is deep and mellow, in some parts inclining to clay, but principally a rich loam, varying from 10 to 16 inches in depth, and resting on a hard and compact substratum, in some places impervious to water ; when first turned up it is cold and arid, but when mellowed by the influence of the atmosphere, it becomes fertile. In some parts the upper, or surface, soil rests on a substratum of limestone-gravel ; in others, on limestone, or clay-slate. In general the county is fertile and well cultivated, particularly around Athy, and thence along the banks of the Barrow, extending to the borders of the county of Carlow. The districts around the towns of Kildare, Naas, Kill, and Clane are also fertile, well fenced, and tolerably well cultivated ; but in wet seasons much water remains on the surface, shewing the want of a good system of drainage, which is much neglected. Agriculture is systematically practised in some parts, especially by the noblemen and resident gentlemen, and their example is beginning to produce its beneficial effects among the small farmers. Wheat is cultivated generally, and the quality is remarkably good ; the barley is also bright and sound ; the oats are good, clean, and heavy, except in a few low, cold, and clayey situations. Potatoes are extensively grown, and in great varieties of sorts, large quantities being sent to Dublin ; turnips and mangel-wurzel are cultivated by a great number of the wealthy farmers, clover and vetches by nearly all; and rape is grown extensively around Monastereven.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 20

46. Attack on Clayton's fortified mansion near Mallow, 1642

    Mallow · town · Cork · 1642

    On 15 February 1642 a party of insurgents attacked the fortified mansion of Mr. Clayton near Mallow. The garrison of only 24 men killed 200 attackers before the mansion was taken and the defenders put to the sword.

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    On the 11th of February, 164'2, the insurgent forces under Lord Mountgarret entered the town, on which occasion Captain Jephson entrusted the strong castle of Mallow to the custody of Arthur Bcttesworth, with a garrison of "200 men, an abundant supply of arms and ammunition, and three pieces of ordnance. Castle Garr was defended by Lieutenant Richard Williamson, who, after sustaining repeated assaults, in which he lost most of his men and several breaches had been made, agreed to surrender upon honourable terms. After he had left the fortress, finding that the insurgents were not inclined to observe the terms of capitulation, Lieutenant Williamson seized a sword, and, with the rest of his party, resolutely fought his way through their ranks, and retired into Mallow Castle, which had been maintained with better success by Bettesworth. The insurgents during their stay at this place, chose as their commander Garret Barry, who had served under the King of Spain ; and on the 15th of Febrnary, a party of them attacked the fortified mansion of Mr. Clayton, in the immediate vicinity, but did not succeed in taking it till after a sanguinary conflict in which 200 of their number were killed and many wounded by the garrison, which consisted only of '24 men, whom, on taking the place, they put to the sword.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 133

47. Audeleys Castle ruins near Strangford

    near Strangford · population centre · Down

    The ruins of Audeleys Castle stand on a hill commanding a view of Strangford Lough as far as Newtown. The castle is supposed to have been erected by one of the Audeleys who settled in County Down under John De Courcy.

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    Ulster, 6 miles (N. E.) from Downpatrick, and 79f (N. N. E.) from Dublin ; containing 571 inhabitants. In the year 1400, the constable of Dublin city, with divers others, fought a great sea battle here against the Scotch, in which many of the English were slain. Strangford is situated on the western side of the channel which forms the entrance of the lough to which the town gives name ; it is a very small place, having only 130 houses, but contains a chapel of ease to the parish church of Ballyculter, a Roman Catholic chapel, and a Wesleyan Methodist meeting-house. Here is also a small quay for the convenience of the fishing-boats, and of the passengers crossing the strait to Portaferry. It has a sub-post office in connexion with Downpatrick and Portaferry ; and is a constabulary police station : fairs are held on Aug. 12th and Nov. Sth. The trade is chiefly in the export of grain, provisions, and live stock, and the import of coal, iron, bark, and timber : the gross estimated value of the exports from Strangford and other places on the lough, in a recent year, amounted to £79,633, whereof £59,221 were for corn, meal, and flour, and £17,062 other provisions; and the gross estimated value of the imports for the same period was £20,498, whereof £9850 were coal, £1933 iron, &c., and the remainder various other articles. Near the place are the remains of two castles called Walsh'stown and Audeleys : the former has been converted into a handsome dwelling-house ; the latter, still in ruins, is on a hill which commands a view of the lough as far as Newtown, and is supposed to have been erected by one of the Audeleys, who settled in this county under John De Courcy. Close to the village, and on the edge of the lough, is Old Court, the beautiful residence of Lord de Ros. Near the village also, and in the parish of Ballyculter, is a large structure now called Strangford Park ; it was formerly one of the Protestant charter schools, but on the abandonment of these schools by the government, the building and lands reverted to Lord de Ros, the proprietor of the soil.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 301

48. Augustinian abbey and walls of Navan

    Navan · town · Meath · 1190

    Navan arose as an early English borough under the patronage of the Nangles, who founded an Augustinian abbey there in the late 12th century. The town was subsequently walled by Hugh de Lacy and became of significant military importance.

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    NAVAN, an ancient incorporated market and post town (formerly a parliamentary borough), a parish, and the head of a union, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Liunster, 7 miles (N. N. E.) from Trim, and 23 (N. by \V.) from Dublin, on the road to Enniskillen ; containing 6834 inhabitants, of whom 498" are in the town, which extends into the parish of Donaghmore, as also into the parish of Athlumney, barony of Skreen, and contains altogether 5628 inhabitants. This was one of the first boroughs established by the English in the palatinate of Meath, and appears to have arisen under the patronage of the family of the Nangles, barons of Navan, who, towards the close of the l'2th century, founded here an abbey for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine. The town is said to have been walled round by Hugh de Lacy, and to have attained such importance that, in the reign of Edward IV., the inhabitants received from that monarch a charter of incorporation, which was confirmed, with additional privileges, by Henry VH., in the 9th year of his reign. In the time of Henry VIII. it had become of so much military consequence, that an act was passed, in the 34th of that reign, providing that every ploughland in INIeath and Westmeath, liable to subsidy, should be charged for four years with the payment of 3s. 4(;. towards building the walls of Navan. In 16*23, the inhabitants received from James I. a new charter, confirming all previous grants, and incorporating them under the designation of the " Portreeve, Burgesses, and Freemen of the Town or Borough of Navan:" this charter was confirmed, after his restoration, by Charles II., who also granted four fairs.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 196

49. Augustinian abbey founded at Kilrush, Co. Kildare

    Kilrush · townland · Kildare · 1200–1300

    An Augustinian canon abbey was founded in Kilrush, County Kildare, at the beginning of the thirteenth century by William le Mareschal, Earl of Pembroke. The abbey remained in existence until the Reformation.

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    KILRUSH, a parish, in the barony of West Ophaly, county of Kildahe, and province of Leinster, 6 miles (S. W.) from Kilcullcn, on the road to Athy ; containing 577 inhabitants. An abbey for Augustinian canons was founded here at the commencement of the thirteenth century by WiHiam le Mareschal, Earl of Pembroke, and subsisted till the Reformation. In 164'2, the Earl of Ormonde, returning from the relief of the royal fortresses in Kildare, was opposed on the high grounds of Kilrush and BuUhill, by Lord Mountgarrett and other Roman Catholic leaders, whom he entirely defeated on a neighbouring eminence since called Battlemount. This victory was considered so important that the English honse of commons voted him £500 for the purchase of a jewel, and petitioned the king to create him a Knight of the Garter. The parish comprises 4076| statute acres. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Kildare, forming part of the union of Ballysonan ; the tithe rent-charge is £166. 3. In the Roman Catholic divisions Kilrush is part of the district of Sancroft.

    KILRUSH, a parish, in the barony of Cranagh, union and county of Kilkenny, and province of Leinster, 1 mile (W.) from Freshford, on the road to Johnstown ; containing about 754 inhabitants. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, forming part of the union of Aghoure. In the Roman Catholic divisions Kilrush is part of the district of Urlingford. In civil arrangements it is reckoned part of the parish of Clomantagh.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 55

50. Augustinian chapel in St. George's-street, formerly a theatre

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1824

    The Augustinian friars in Limerick purchased a building in St. George's-street in 1824 that had been built as a theatre. The boxes and galleries are still preserved as congregational seating, and the altar is enriched with an Ascension painting by Collopy.

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    In the Roman Catholic arrangements the ancient county of the city is divided into the parishes or districts of St. Mary, St. John, St. IMichael, St. Patrick, and St. Lelia. St. Mary's parish comprises the whole of the King's Island, the English Town, and the Little or Sluice Island ; thus embracing the whole of the Protestant parish of St. Mary, parts of St. Munchin's and St. Nicholas's, and the e.xtra-parochial district of St. Francis. The chapel is a large plain cruciform edifice, built in 1749, on the Sluice Island; the altar exhibits three styles of architecture finely combined, and has a good copy of Michael Angelo's picture of the Crucifixion. A female school established in this parish, some years since, by the religious sisterhood of St. Clare, was adopted, after the departure of that body from Limerick, by the sisterhood of the Presentation convent ; and on the breaking up of that establishment in 1S36, the National Board of Education granted £40 towards its support, and it was placed under the charge of the Rev. Dr. Hanrahan, P.P. It is still held in the convent, under the superintendence of two of the lay-sisters of St. Clare ; affords instruction to 400 children ; and is supported by subscriptions and charity sermons. St. John's parish comprises the Protestant parish of St. Laurence, and that part of St. Michael's known by the name of the Assembly Mall; this is the bishop's parish, and the church is therefore called the cathedral. It is a large cruciform building, erected in 1753 ; the altar, which is very splendid, has a picture of the Crucifixion by Collopy, a native artist. St. Michael's parish is coterminous with the Protestant parish of the same name, with the exception of the Assembly Mall. The chapel, situated near the cornmarket, was built in 17*9, and was then surrounded by open fields . it was considerably enlarged in 1805, and is now the largest and finest in the city ; it can accommodate 2500 persons. In this parish are three orders of friars. The Dominicans have their house and chapel in Glentworth-street ; the latter, a large edifice in the early Gothic style, built in 1815, is enriched with a painting of the Crucifixion : the community consists of a prior and four friars. The Augustinians, whose community consists of a prior and two friars, have their house and chapel in St. George's-street : the chapel was built for a theatre, and was purchased by the friars in 1824 ; the boxes and galleries are still preserved as seats for the congregation. It is lighted from the dome : the altar, supported by Corinthian pillars, is enriched with a picture of the Ascension by Collopy. The Franciscans, whose community consists of a prior and two friars, have their house and chapel near Wellesley-bridge : the latter is a large edifice in the Gothic style, comprising a centre and wings, with a handsome gallery ; the altar is very fine, and has a splendid painting of the Madona. Tlie brothers of the Christian Schools, six in number, have a school in this parish and another in St. John's, in which about 600 children are educated ; the funds are raised by collections made every Saturday throughout the city by the brethren. A female school, established by the late Rev. Dr. Hogan, P.P., in 1822, was 238

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 79

51. Augustinian convent at Seaubotha, founded 6th century

    Templeshanbo · parish · Wexford · 500–600

    According to Ware, a convent of the Order of St. Augustine was founded at Seaubotha, with Colman O'Fiachrah as patron in the 6th century. Remains of a religious house survive in the churchyard of Templeshanbo.

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    The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Ferns, consolidated in 1724, and constituting the corps of the precentorship in the cathedral of Ferns, and in the patronage of the Bishop : the tithe rent-charge is £900, and there is a glebe of 26 acres ; the glebe-house is a handsome mansion, erected in 1829. The church, a neat edifice in the later English style, with an embattled tower crowned with crocketed pinnacles, was built in 1815, at an expense of £1 150, of which £1000 were a loan from the Board of First Fruits ; it was enlarged in 1826, by aid of a loan of £300 from the same Board, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £352 for its further improvement. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish is partly in the district of Newtownbarry, but chiefly in that of Ballindaggin ; and contains six chapels, of which those of Marshalstown and Castledockril are in the former, and those of Ballindaggin, Caim, Newtown, and Kiltcaly, in the latter, district. A school on Erasmus Smith's foundation was established in 1815, when a school-house was built by the trustees ; and, in 1829, a wing containing a schoolroom for girls was added by the rector. The lands of Whelagore are charged with the payment of £10 (late currency) per annum to the poor of the parish. According to Ware, a convent of the order of St. Augustine was founded at Seaubotha, of which Colman O'Fiachrah was patron in the 6th century ; in the churchyard are remains of a religious house.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 327

52. Augustinian hospital founded at Nenagh, 1200

    Nenagh · town · Tipperary · 1200–1563

    An hospital for Augustinian canons was founded at Nenagh in 1200, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and endowed by Theobald Walter, the first Butler of Ireland, with lands for thirteen beds for strangers. After the dissolution, Elizabeth granted it to Oliver Grace.

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    NENAGH, a market and post town, a parish, and the head of a union, partly in the barony of IJpper Or- MOND, but chiefly in that of Lower Ormond, county of Tipperary, and province of Munster, 19 miles (N. E.) from Limerick, and 75 (S. W.) from Dublin, on the road between these cities ; containing 9540 inhabitants, of whom 86 IS are in the town, which is the largest (except one) as to population, that does not return a member to parliament. This was one of the ancient manors of the Butlers, by whom the old castle, now in ruins, is supposed to have been erected. In 1200, an hospital was founded here for Augustinian canons, who were to admit into it the sick and infirm : it was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, whence it was usually called Teacheon, Tyone, or St. John's house ; and was endowed by Theobald Walter, the first Butler of Ireland, with lands for the maintenance of thirteen beds for strangers. After the dissolution of religious houses, the building and its possessions were granted by Elizabeth, in the fifth year of her reign, to Oliver Grace. In the reign of Henry III., a member of the Butler or of the Kennedy family established a Franciscan friary, which was one of the richest foundations belonging to that order in the kingdom ; it was finally leased by Elizabeth to Robert Collum for a term of years. In 1550, O'CarroU burned both the town and the friary, but the garrison saved the castle. In 1641, the place was taken by the Irish under Owen Roe O'Nial, from whom it was afterwards wrested by Lord Inchiquin. Ireton, in his march against Limerick in 1651, invested the town, and compelled the garrison to surrender at discretion. In the war of 1688, it fell into the hands of Anthony Carroll, an active leader under Sarsfield, who made it the centre of his operations, until compelled to abandon it on the approach of a force under General Leveson, when he burned the town in his retreat.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 198

53. Augustinian house at Mungret destroyed by Danes

    Mungret · town · Limerick · 1107

    The Regular Canons of St. Augustine had a house in the contiguous parish of Mungret, which was destroyed by the Danes in 1107. This is one of the ancient monastic sites associated with Limerick's early ecclesiastical history.

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    Limerick anciently contained two Augustinian monasteries, one of Regular Canons, and the other of hermits : the Regular Canons had another house in the contiguous parish of Mungrett, which was destroyed by the Danes in IIO7. In 1227, a Dominican friary was founded in the city by Donogh Carbragh O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, which became a place of great magnificence, and was the burial-place of various prelates and other eminent men: part of the walls still exists, and the cemetery formed the garden of the late Presentation convent. There were also a Franciscan convent, founded by William Fion de Burgo ; a house of canonesses of the order of St. Augustine, founded in 1 17 1, by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick ; and a house of the Knights Templars ; but no remains of these buildings are now discernible. The military antiquities consist of the ruins of the fortress called King John's Castle, at the end of Thomond-bridge, comprehending the great gateway, defended by two massive round towers, and the outer walls, having similar defences, and presenting a fine relic of the military architecture of that remote period ; of dilapidated portions of the walls and towers of the citadel nearly contiguous, in which the Castle barracks have been erected ; of various portions of the town walls ; and of some of the outworks, especially a fort on the King's Island, north of the Old Town. There are also some remains of the celebrated Black Battery, close to which was the breach defended so heroically against William's army. In the rural parishes of the ancient hberties are the ruins of several forts.

    LISB

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 79

54. Augustinian monastery of St Kieran at Seir-Kieran, ruins extant

    Seirkieran · parish · Offaly

    A later monastery dedicated to St Kieran was founded at Seir-Kieran for Canons Regular of the order of St Augustine, the ruins of which were still visible in the 1830s. At the Dissolution its possessions were granted to Sir William Taafe and by him assigned to James, Earl of Roscommon.

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    Kieran the elder, who in the earliest period of the Christian church, founded u monastery licre, and is said also to have made it the seat of a small bishopric. So early (lid he exercise his mission, that he has been styled the father of the Irish saints. This establishment was repeatedly plundered by the Danes and other freebooters ; aud in 1().">2 the see of Seir-Kieran was removed to Aghaboe, and thence finally to Kilkenny. To this see the manor anciently belonged, and it was recovered to the bishops by trial of single combat in r284. In succeeding ages a monastery, dedicated to St. Kieran, was founded for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine, the ruins of which are still to be seen : the possessions of this monastery, at the Dissolution, were granted to Sir William Taafe, and by him assigned to James, Earl of Roscommon. The parish comprises SS-^.t statute acres, of which 16'2 are woodland, 64 bog aud waste, the remainder being arable aud pasture: limestone is found, and agriculture is improving. The seats are Oakely Park and Grange House. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Ossory, and in the patronage of the Bishop ; the rectory is impropriate. The tithe rent-charge is £1'20. 3., of which £63. *. are payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar, who has an augmentation from Primate Boulter's fund, making his income £100 per annum: the glebe comprises I'-i acres ; the glebe -house was built by a gift of £450 and a loan of £88, in 1814, from the late Board of First Fruits. The church stands on the site of the monastery ; it was rebuilt lately, at a cost of £608, of which £540 were from the funds of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The Roman Catholic parish is coextensive with that of the Established Church, and contains two chapels, one at Clareen, and the other at Fancraft, both plain buildings in good repair. Ruins exist of the old fort of Ballybritt, once a place of some importance, and from which the barony derived its name : at Drumoyle are the remains of a village. Here is the holy well of St. Kieran.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 276

55. Augustinian monastery remains at Abbey House, Tipperary

    Tipperary · town · Tipperary

    Remains of the Augustinian monastery survive on the lawn in front of a classical school, consisting chiefly of an arched gateway. The school building is called Abbey House from this circumstance. A chalybeate spring in the adjoining hills is much frequented during summer.

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    advanced a loan of £2800 ; the Ecclesiastical Commiusioners recently granted £1'27 for its repair. The Roman Catholic parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church : there is a chapel in the town ; also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists, a dispensary, and a fever hospital. The union workhouse, on a site of six acres held at a rent of £25. 4., and for which the occupying tenant received £150 compensation, was completed in 1840 at a cost of £6240, and is constructed for 700 inmates. On the lawn in front of a classical school are some remains of the Augustiniari monastery, consisting chiefly of an arched gateway, from which circumstance the school building is called Abbey House. There is a chalybeate spring in the adjoining hills, much frequented during summer.

    TIPPERKEVIN, a parish, in the union of Naas, barony of South Naas, county of Kildare, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (W. S. W.) from Blessington ; containing 744 inhabitants. This parish comprises 3751 statute acres, of a light gravelly soil; the state of agriculture is gradually improving, and a great number of calves are fattened here for the Dublin market. Slate exists, but is not at present worked. The parish is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin, constituting the corps of the prebend of Tipperkevin in the cathedral of St. Patrick, Dublin, in the patronage of the Archbishop : the tithe rent-charge is £88. 7. 6., and there is a glebe of 80 acres. The church is a neat edifice in the later English style, erected in 1830 by aid of a grant of £900 from the Board of First Fruits ; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £164 for its repair. In the Roman Catholic divisions the parish forms part of the district of Ballymore-Eustace. At Barretts-town are the ruined castle of that name, and an ancient burial-ground ; and at Slieve Ruagh. Dawdingstown, and Bishop's Hill, are moats or raths.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 343

56. Augustinian nunnery and Templar remains at Graney

    Graney · parish · Kildare

    At Graney are the ruins of an Augustinian nunnery and a gateway with other remains of a monastic building said to have belonged to the Knights Templars, still shown to visitors.

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    There were many celebrated and richly endowed monastic institutions in the county. At Athy was one for Crouched friars and another for Dominicans. Castledermot possessed a priory for Regular Canons, a house of Crouched friars, and a Franciscan abbey, the ruins of which last still serve to attest its former magnificence. The ruins of another Franciscan abbey are to be seen at Clane, where was also a house for Regular Canons. At Graney are the ruins of an Augustinian nunnery ; and a gateway and some other remains of a monastic building, said to have belonged to the Knights Templars, are still shewn there. The ruins of Great Connell Abbey are on the banks of the Liffey, near Newbridge. In Kildare was a nunnery and abbey united, founded by St. Bridget, and of which the ruins are still pointed out ; also an abbey of Grey friars, situated south of the town, and a house of Carmelites or White friars. At Old Kilcullen is a monastery as old as the time of St. Patrick, which in 11 15 was elevated to the dignity of an episcopal see ; but it does not appear that it long retained that rank. Near the ruins of the old church are the remains of two crosses, one of which still retains some very curious specimens of ancient sculpture. Maynooth had a convent of Black nuns, and a college of priests founded by the Earl of Kildare ; the abbey of Killossy has been converted into the parish church, and is remarkable for the singularity of the architecture of its steeple tower ; the monastery of Kilrush was surrounded by a broad ditch faced with masonry ten feet high ; the abbey of Monastereven has been converted into the residence of the Moore family, the representative of which is the Marquess of Drogheda. At Moone was a Franciscan friary, the brotherhood of which retained possession of it subsequently to the Reformation : here is a fragment of a very old cross, one of the most curious in Ireland, covered with numerous grotesque figures. In Naas were three religious establishments ; namely, a convent of Augustiniaus, another of Dominicans, and one for friars Eremites of the order of St. Augustine. Some remains

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 20

57. Augustinian nunnery of St. Bridget at Molough

    Molough · parish · Tipperary

    A monastery for Augustinian nuns dedicated to St. Bridget stood in the parish of Molough (Moylagh) on the river Suir. On the general suppression of religious houses the property was granted to Sir Henry Radcliffe. Slight remains of the church survive.

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    MULLOGH, orMoYLAGH, a parish, in the union of Clogheen, barony of Iffa and Offa West, county of TiPi'ERARY, and province of Munster, 6 miles (S. W.) from Clonmel ; containing 703 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the river Suir, and comprises iG'io statute acres, was the site of a monastery founded for nuns of the order of St. Augustine and dedicated to St. Bridget, which, on the general suppression of religious houses, was granted to Sir Henry Radcliffe. Keuihvorth is the only seat in the parish. An annual fair is held by consent at the village of Newcastle. The parish, for all ecclesiastical purposes, forms part of the vicarage of Newcastle, in the diocese of Lismore ; the whole of the tithe rent-charge is impropriate in H. P. Gard, Esq., under a patent of James I. There are some slight remains of the church.

    MULLOGIINONEY.— See Newcuapel.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 187

58. Augustinian priory at Rathkeale founded 1289

    Rathkeale · town · Limerick · 1289

    Rathkeale was the site of a priory of Augustinian canons of the order of Aroasia, founded and endowed with twelve marks annually by Gilbert Harvey in 1289. Eleanor Purcell, a descendant of Harvey, further endowed it and caused it to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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    RATHKEALE, properly Rakele, a market and post town, a parish, and the head of a union, in the barony of Lower Connello, county of Limerick, and province of Munster, 14 miles (S. W. by W.) from Limerick, and 108 (S. W.) from Dubhn ; containing 8293 inhabitants, of whom 4201 are in the town. It was a place of importance at a very early period, being the site of a priory of Augustinian canons of the order of Aroasia, founded, and endowed with twelve marks annually, by Gilbert Harvey in 1289, and further endowed by Eleanor Purcell, a descendant of Harvey, who also caused it to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The town and neighbouring district formed part of the possessions of the earls of Desmond, who had three strong castles in the town, one of which was intended to guard the passage of the Deel. After the battle of Monasteruenagh, fought in 1579 between Sir Nich. Malby and Sir John Desmond, the latter fled to this place, whither he was pursued, and whence he was forced to retreat to Askeaton, where he was again defeated by Sir Geo. Carew. On the landing of the Spaniards at Smerwick, in 1580, the queen's forces, commanded by the Lord- Deputy Grey, the Earl of Ormonde, and others, assembled here ; and ou the lord-

    HATH

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 250

59. Augustinian priory founded by Tirdelvac O'Conor

    Tuam · town · Galway

    Prior to 1150, Tirdelvac O'Conor, King of Ireland, founded a priory for Augustinian Canons in Tuam, dedicating it to St. John the Baptist. This was one of several major ecclesiastical foundations in the town.

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    supposed to have died in 540 ; and long after his death his bones were discovered, and deposited in a silver shrine, which was placed in a church or chapel called Temple-ne- Serin, or " the Church of the Shrine." Prior to the year 1150, Tirdelvac O'Conor, King of Ireland, founded a priory for Augustinian Canons, which he dedicated to St. John the Baptist; and in II6I Roderic O'Conor, then king, erected a strong castle of stone here, which obtained the appellation of " the wonderful castle." The town was shortly after destroyed by an accidental fire, but was soon restored, as in HI'S a great synod was convened here by Bishop Catholicus O'Dubhai, at which three churches were consecrated. An abbey for Praemonstratensian canons was founded either in the reign of John or early in that of Henry III., by one of the family of De Burgo, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity. In 1'244 the town, with all its churches, was destroyed by fire. In 1952, when Henry III. confirmed to Florence Mac Flin the Pope's bull for annexing the bishopric of Enaghdune to the see of Tuam, it was on condition that he should have a portion of land within the town for the erection of a castle, in exchange for other land of equal value. The same king by letterspatent granted to the Archbishop of Tuam a fair on the ^Sth of December and the seven following days. In 1356, the place was plundered and burnt by Charles Oge, son of William de Burgo.

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 354

60. Avondale, seat of Sir John Parnell

    Avondale · townland · Wicklow

    Avondale, situated in a finely planted demesne, was the favourite residence of Sir John Parnell, Bart., chancellor of the Irish exchequer. Colonel Hayes, a former proprietor, authored a work on 'Judicious Planting,' the principles of which are exemplified in the demesne's plantations.

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    The arable lands amount to 10,536 statute acres; 10,7'37 acres are in pasture; and the .remainder are mountain land : the butter made here is of very superior quality, and in high request in the Dublin market. Fuel is scarce, as there is very little bog. The eastern parts of the parish, and more particularly those along the rivers Avonmore and Avonbeg, are thickly studded with residences of the gentry and wealthy farmers. One of the most remarkable is Avondale, situated in a finely planted demesne, and which was the favourite residence of Sir John Parnell, Bart., chancellor of the Irish exchequer : Colonel Hayes, a former proprietor, was author of a work on "Judicious Planting," the principles of which are beautifully exemplified in the plantations of this demesne. Ballinacor, the residence of the Kemmis family, is surrounded by extensive plantations, and commands a fine view of the wild glen of Glenmalur : Kingston, the seat of the King family, is a commodious house in the midst of beautifully disposed grounds, commanding views of Castle Howard and the Meeting of the Waters ; Cassino is a pretty villa, and the Meeting a neat ornamental cottage, at the celebrated Meeting of the Waters, on a rustic seat in the lawn of which Moore is said to have composed the beautiful melody that bears this name. Besides these, are Corballis Castle, Ballyteigue, and Prospect, all commanding extended views of the adjacent country.

    The LIVING is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese

    Internet Archive topographicaldic02inlewi, Chapter 248