\ I ~ 1 J '""I

Parnell's Final Defeat

Mother Agatha O'Brien

Education in Carlow

The German Smyths of Carlow County

Good law's Hole

Coonogue Evictions

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1995/96 NO. 43 I.S.S.N. 0790.0813 CONTENTS

v...... c .. ,.. 71 PRINTED BY NEWARK, CARLOW ~

TRUTH Mother Agatha O'Brien ______2

"Quid est veritas?" asked Pilate and ''would not stay for an The 'German Smyths answer'', according to Bacon and, indeed, it is difficult to blame him of County Carlow ______10 as the answer seems to vary. It seems, in general, to depend on power - "all power is a trust - that we are accountable for its exercise, - that, from the people and for the people, all springs and all must Place Names ------13 exist" so saith Disraeli. This would indicate that the wielders of power - Kings, Presidents, Ministers and Bishops - should be aware of, and Coonogue Evictions ______14 bow to the wishes of the populace. We are at present awaiting the arrival of President Bill Clinton in Ireland: the hope is that his presence will add to the Peace Michael Molloy T.D. ______17 Process. If it does not engender some movement in it and bring it to life, there will be grave disappointment, certainly, in both North and Wykeham House ______17 South: likely in Britain too, and will he bring "some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow. Dropping from the veils of the morning Education in Carlow in the to where the cricket sings" as was Yeats' wish for lnnisfree. Go gcumdheadh Dia e, Early Nineteenth Century _____ 18 Tomas MacGabhann Eagarthoir. Carlow Miscenany ______20

Patron: Printing in Carlow ______22 Dr. Laurence Ryan, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin The White Friars and the Honorary Life Members: Alec Burns, Bethany House, Carlow White Castle of Leighlin _____ 24 Miss Iona McLeod, 19 Braganza, Carlow

Chairman: Martin Nevin "The Darkest Day" ______26 Vice Chairman: Kevin Kennedy Secretary: Miss Rose Murphy From the Chair------27 Treasurer: Patrick O'Neill Journal Editor: Thomas Smyth Parnell's Last Fight ------28 Committee: Mrs. Margaret Byrne Minchin Thomas Byrne Goodlaw's Hole ______32 Thomas Clarke Dermot McKenna Brendan Nolan Michael Brennan Secretary's Report ______Seamus Murphy Miss Anna Kearney 34 ~ Mrs. Ellen O'Neill Myles Kavanagh James Shannon Thomas McDonald The Black Mist ______35 Miss Mary Kearney ~ ------l Members of COVER PICTURE The Old Carlow Society ______38

The latest example of Rock Art in County Carlow has been dis- i------­ covered at Dranagh, near St. Mullins by Mr. Michael Clarke of Glynn. Reproduction in whole or in part of any article This brings to ten the number of Rock Art examples which have been herein is forbidden without the written consent of identified in County Carlow. Photo: w. Ellis the author and the Society. MOTHER AGATHA O'BRIEN. ( 1 822-1854) by Sean O'Neill The Story of a Remarkable Carlow Nun. Margaret O'Brien was born Patrick's in 1829 under the special on September 22nd, 1822, to Sean O'Neill fonnerly of Tullow care of Dr. Fitzgerald (a notable John O'Brien, a cooper, and Street, Carlow is a great grand nephew cleric who spent a term in prison Elsie Costello of Marlboro St. of Mother Agatha O'Brien. rather than pay tithes). Graiguecullen. Her elder sister, Bishop Nolan had received Ellen, born March 24th, 1818, is a bequest of £3,000 from Mother Agatha O'Brien died on July mentioned in the Sligo Mercy Michael Nolan who had a delft Convent records as being the 8th, 1854, in the Mercy Hospital, shop in Carlow. Michael's fourth daughter of John Chicago; she was 32 years old. The brother, John, also donated O'Brien;Margaret, born four and 1854 cholera epidemic was particularly £3,000 and their sister gave an a half years later, could have severe in Chicago; it is recorded that the almost equal amount. This been the sixth or seventh child. death rate was about 60 a day, there generous endowment was put After Elsie's death.when the was no effective treatment or defense to use without delay. Bishop children were still young, John against contagion. Two younger nuns, Nolan told Mother Catherine, "I O'Brien married Julia Doyle and Sisters Bernard Hughes and Louisa will take the whole responsibility started a second family. O'Connor also died on July 8th; three upon myself. The house we Despite what must have been days later Sister Veronica Hickey died. have prepared is not exactly very difficult conditions (the what we would wish but we will Although funerals were in procession on earning capacity of a soon build. The interest on Graiguecullen cooper in the the streets the people lined the route as Michael Nolan's money will 1830's was very limited) the the nuns coffins, followed by the forlorn enable the Sisters to com­ girls received a creditable community, were carried to the cemetery. mence at once their labours upbringing and were enabled to among the poor and sick. I am acquire a sound education in College and an assembly of the not rich but I promise 'that my the Presentation Convent, clergy and townspeople. "They spiritual children will not want Tullow St. This entailed main­ were conducted to the College, for necessities. As a small taining the girls at home until the great hall of which was donation and a proof of my their late teens; not to be brilliantly illuminated. The · affection I will give them the expected by girls of their back­ students, of course, had a grounds, the convent and, while ground in the Carlow of the holiday and welcomed their I live, one hundred pounds a time. As well as being pre­ guests with deafening cheers year which, if they do not need sentable and intelligent it was a and clapping". They were for themselves, they can bestow matter of comment that they offered a choice of dinner at upon the poor. This little gift is to both had fine singing voices. In Braganza House, the College or be a secret though because,if 1837 the Bishop · of Kildare & the Presentation Convent. They known, it might prevent the Leighlin, Dr. Edward Nolan, pre­ elected to go to the Convent. benefaction of others". Six vailed on Mother Catherine Late in the evening Dr. Nolan months later, in October 1837, McAuley, who had founded the brought them to the house Dr. Nolan died. On his deathbed Mercy Order of nuns in Dublin in which was to be their temporary he commended the Sisters to 1831 , to establish a convent in convent. The nuns immediately the care of his friend, Fr. James Carlow with the main object of arranged an altar on which the Maher. opening a secondary school for Bishop celebrated Mass the fol­ This first branch of the "children of the middle class". lowing morning, April 11th, the Mercy Order, under Frances , On Monday April 10th, 1837, feast day of St. Leo the Great Warde, flourished beyond any Mother Catherine, with six (the Pope who is credited with expectation. The revival of nuns, including Sister Francis saving Rome in 452 by appeas­ religious institutions after .. Xavier Warde (from Mountrath), ing Attula the Hun. Mother emancipation appears to have Superior-designate, arrived in Catherine was well acquainted tapped a well-spring of religious Carlow on Purcell's mail coach. with the Carlow clergy. Three of fervour in young girls through­ They were met outside the town her nephews: James, ·Robert out the country such that the by Bishop Nolan, Dr. Andrew and William McAuley, who were summit of their ambition was to Fitzgerald, President of Carlow orphans, were placed in St. join a convent. Fr. Maher in his 2 riposte to the introduction of a sisters undertook all the menial imagined however that she Nunneries Visitation Bill before tasks of day to day mainte­ would be the first Mercy nun in the Westminster parliament nance; they ate separately and the United States to receive the could claim, "My two sisters and behaved respectfully to the religious habit and.at age 24,be as many as fourteen of my choir sisters and pupils. appointed Superior of the nieces together with a large Although arduous this life Sisters of Mercy in Chicago. number of near relations have, offered very worthwhile com­ One year after Margaret's entry in obedience to the call of pensations. These woman had Dr. Michael O'Connor, newly Heaven, selected the religious the solace of the daily religious consecrated Bishop of life". exercises, congenial company, Pittsburg, called to St. Leo's on The influx into St. Leo's and the assurance that in his way back to America from was so great that in a very short sickness and old age they Rome, his object being to time new foundations from would be well cared for. recruit young nuns for a mission Carlow could be established in On November 16th, 1840, to his diocese. Of the 23 Naas, Wexford, Westport, Ellen entered on her novitiate volunteers (apparently the Pittsbrug, Tuam, Cheadle, New and, still a novice, she left whole complement of the convent) Zealand, and Gort. In turn these Carlow with Mother Paul Cullen seven were chosen. Mother affiliants of Carlow sent founda­ and Sister Gertrude O'Brien on Francis Xavier Warde, the tions to Arkansas, September 6th, 1842, to Superior, then aged 32, was to Cappoquin,Dungarvan, New establish a new foundation in be in charge. The others were Ross, Sligo, Ballinrobe, Westport. She made her religious Sister Josephine Cullen (28) Australia, Ballina, Enniskillen, profession on October 2nd, sister of Mother Paul Cullen, Chicago and Swinford. All this 1842, in the presence of Doctor Westport; (first cousins of Dr. within ten years. There were McHale, Archbishop of Tuam, Paul Cullen, Archbishop of many other foundations sent taking the names Mary Dublin and Ireland's first cardinal) from the Baggot St. Mother Magdalen. After five years in Sist~r Elisabeth Strange (24) house during this period. In Westport during which it was and her sister Aloysia (22), a 1866 there were over 200 con­ recognized that she possessed novice; first cousins of Cardinal vents staffed by more than 3000 abilities greatly above her Wiseman, Archbishop of Mercy sisters. station she was promoted to Westminster, Sister Philomena Ellen O'Brien entered St. choir-sister in 1847 and chosen Reid (23), a novice, Sister Leo's as a lay sister on July for the recently founded mission Veronica McDarby, a lay-sister 19th, 1840. Postulants who in Sligo. In 1847 the famine and Margaret O'Brien (21 ), still aspired to become choir sisters was reaching its greatest extent a postulant. Without delay they and who expected to enter fully particularly in the western set out by the mail coach, on into the Order's activities as counties. In the face of the November 2nd, 1843, for Dublin teachers, nurses or welfare widespread misery many horror stopping overnight with their workers were expected to bring stricken sisters found the · colleagues in Naas and arriving a dowry which, in the 1840s, situation unendurable and had at the Mother House in Baggot was about £500 . These well to be withdrawn. Mother de St. the next day. On the follow­ educated young ladies had Sales McDonnell and Sister ing day they engaged a hackney middle or upper-class back­ Magdalen persevered and to Dunlaoghaire and crossed to grounds. Lay-sisters were eventually the convent was Liverpool on the mail-boat. The generally drawn from a lower firmly established. Sister record of their progress in the social level. Applicants were Magdalen devoted her life of convent annals is closely expected to declare a vocation, service to the destitute and the detailed as if, aware that they to be reasonably literate, in sick amongst whom she was were part of what was to them a good health, and adjudged affectionately known as Mrs. momentous undertaking, the conformable to the milieu of a Mag. Dillon. She died on April nuns kept a diary of their journeys. .. convent. A dowry was not 14th., 1889, aged 71. On arrival in Liverpool on required. The distinction Margaret O'Brien was November 6th, the Sisters went between choir-sister and lay­ accepted as a lay-sister in St. directly to the Mercy Convent of sister was analogous to the Leo's on November 4th, 1842. St.Ethelburga founded the relationship between "the Her aptitude and pleasing previous year from Baggot Family" and their servants in personality attracted early Street. Only three steamships the Big House of the time. Lay- attention; it was hardly to be then plied the Liverpool - New 3 York route and Bishop women travelling first class and the journey; for the first few O'Connor considered them so the nuns had the ladies nights they slept on boards dangerous - one of them "The staterooms to themselves. supported by barrels. In the new Atlantic" had just been reported Except for high winds for the year of 1844 they set about lost at sea. His choice was the first three days the weather for fixing up classrooms in the "Queen of the West" a three the time of year was relatively basement and in a short time masted sailing vessel of about quiet and the sisters could they had 500 students. While 500 tons which happened to be occupy their time helping to on the road the Sisters wore in Liverpool dock awaiting fair care for the sick among the secular dress and now they winds. After four days the wind second-class and steerage resumed their habits and set fair and on Thursday, passengers. Some of the men caused comment when they November 10th, 1843, having set up the "Atlantic Social and ventured out under the surprised said their goodbyes to Thomas Literary Association of the Good gaze of citizens of Pittsburg. Cullen, brother of Cardinal Ship Queen of the West" which They were referred to as the Cullen and other relatives of had Bishop O'Connor as Bishop's Ladies. On February the Cullens and Mahers the president. The association 22nd, 1844, Margaret entered missionaries set sail. met in the evenings for disserta­ on her novitiate as a choir sister, Just before leaving Bishop tions on Hterature and cultural taking the names Mary Agatha, O'Connor wrote to Cardinal matters generally in which the the first of the Mercy Order to Cullen from ''The Queen of the sisters joined. After four weeks receive the religious habit in the West": and two days they arrived in United States. The ceremony "I have just taken leave of New York harbour on December was held in the convent chapel your brother and friends and we 10th, to find the city under with Bishop O'Connor officiat­ are sailing, or rather being several inches of snow. ing. Bishop O'Connor was also tugged, on board the liner They were taken by sleigh present when Sister Agatha "Queen of the West': the same to the Academy of the Sacred made her profession in vessel being - at least the Heart on Houston St., a school Pittsburg Cathedral on May 5th, Captain says she is - the very just opened by the Madames of 1846. When the Pittsburg best vessel that ever was built. the Sacred Heart where they venture was established Dr. I send these few lines ashore were received by Dr. John William Quarter petitioned lest you should imagine that I Hughes, Archbishop of New Mother Francis Xavier to under­ was unmindful of or ungrateful York and William Quarter, take a mission to Chicago. On for your kindness. I have on Bishop Elect of Chicago. On September 18th, 1846, Mother board with me Fr. Wilson, who December 18th, Josephine Francis set out herself bringing persevered like a man, eight Cullen, Elizabeth Strange, with her Sister Agatha, two students and seven nuns - in all Veronica McDarby and novices and two postulants. seventeen persons. I cannot Margaret O'Brien started on the The novices were Sister tell you how much J feel indebted 400 mile joumey to Pittsbur:gh. Gertrude McGuire (first to yourself and to all your From New York they travelled Superior of Galena Convent, friends in Ireland. I have not on the newly opened Amboy who died there in 1848 from room or time for many words and Camden Railway (at 15 T.B.) and Sister Vincent McGirr, but as far as one big word can m.p.h.) and continued by stage­ later to be Mother Superior in do it I assure you that I .am coach over the Allegheny Chicago. The postulants were most sincerely grateful. mountains through Carlisle, Eliza Corbett who died also Mrs. Warde is head of the nun Bedford, Stoyestown, Ligonier from T.B. in January 1851 - she mission, I have to thank your and Greensberg, to arrive in was professed on her death bed uncle, James Maher for my Pittsburg on the evening of as Sister Josephine, and Eve success in this matter". December 20th. The journey Schmidt who died of typhoid in In deference to the through the mountain passes in Galena in 1849. Sister Vincent

Bishop's wish the sisters travelled the darkness of winter took McGirr was the only one to ~ in secular dress. They wore nearly sixty hours travelling day survive the travail of the early black cashmere dresses and and night with only brie.f stops at days. She succeeded Mother their hair was folded back in stages to change horses. Their Agatha as Superior in Chicago bands under white tulle caps house on the corner of Penn St. and died in 1900. trimmed with white ribbon. and Strawberry Alley offered lit­ Again a fairly detailed Happily there were no other tle comfort after the hardship of account of the nuns' itinerary is 4 ordered to withdraw to Detroit. On August 15th, 1812, the party set out; 54 soldiers, 12 militia men and 27 women and children. They were attacked by about 400 Potawatomie Indians under 26 English regulars. All the militiamen, two women and 12 children were killed and scalped. The remainder, includ­ ing Heald and his wife, were captured and afterwards ran­ somed. The war ended on Christmas Eve 1814 with the signing of a Treaty between the U.S. and Gt.Britain at Ghent, Belgium. In 1816 a new Fort DLD BARRACKS OF FORT DEARBORN AND LAKE HOUSE Dearborn was erected allowing the territory to be reopened for available. They started the 500 gift of good common sense". settlement. However in 1832 mile journey by steamboat up There were possibly some the tribes again went to war led the Ohio River to Beaver and reservations expressed regard­ by Black Hawk, chief of the thence by stage-coach to ing her youth and background Sauk. But this last stand ended Cleveland, Ohio. From which he answered by stat­ more a chase than a war as the Cleveland they took the steamer, ing, 'This woman is capable of braves, fleeing before the U.S. 'Oregon', across Lake Erie to ruling a nation and why should cavalry, kept trying to surrender. Detroit intending to continue the the Order be deprived of the The government decided on trip the long way around by services she could render it as firm action. In September 1833 water through Lake Huron into Superior because her father a grand council was held in Lake Michigan. However, due to was a poor man in Ireland". Chicago at which, on confusion in bookings, they had The Chicago the nuns saw was September 26th, seventy seven to disembark at Detroit. They a village sinking in mud perched chiefs signed a treaty providing discovered that they could two feet above the shoreline of for the surrender of their Illinois shorten the journey by several Lake Michigan. The inhabitants lands in return for re-settlement days by taking the stage-coach numbered about 15,000, many on the plains west of the · to St.Joseph and the steamer of them transients; trappers, Mississipi and an agreed annuity from there directly to Chicago. prospectors, cattlemen and to be paid in kind; the transfer Due to their early arrival. there migrant workers. was to be completed by 1835. was no welcoming party on the The settlement had grown On the day set for their depar­ Chicago shore when they were up around Fort Dearborn, built ture the Indians staged an awe­ landed from the 'Sam Warde' by the U.S. army in 1804 and some demonstration. More than steamer on September 23rd, intended to protect the trade a thousand warriors in war 1846; they had to make their routes to the west and south. paint, carrying tomahawks and way on foot to Bishop Quarter's Trade rivalry and the interest of clubs, assembled outside the house. It was one day after England in the Great Lakes Council House. The whooping Sister Agatha's 24th. birthday. region led to the declaration of column moved towards the Although she was the war by the U.S. Congress on town centre brandishing their youngest of the professed June 12th, 1812. English agents weapons at every house on the nuns in Pittsburg her appoint­ in Canada had armed some of way while the white inhabitants ment as Superior of the the Indian tribes in the Chicago could only peer helplessly from • Chicago community was area who began attacking behind barricaded doors and strongly recommended by homesteads and settlements. windows. Finally the noise Bishop O'Connor who had The garrison in Fort Dearborn subsided, the sham battle was come to know her well on the was unable to deal with the over and the Indians filed voyage from Liverpool and had situation and the Commandant, dejectedly away to the west. It commented on her ''particular Captain Nathan Heald, was was said that it would have 5

- -"'--'--"--'-' ~------'---. '"' ,,,,,,,,,..,.w...... ,-..,,.,..,-...... ~-"«,._@>..~',.'{,: been easy for the Indians to have massacred the entire population. Credit for their restraint went to Saughanash, an Indian leader of unusual attributes. Born in Detroit in 1780, the son of an Irish colonel and a Potawatomie girl, he was educated by the Jesuits who taught him English and French. In recognition of his role as peacemaker CHICAGO IN 1838, by Francis Cast/eneau. Earliest known contemporary view of Chicago. he was permitted to ment. This service echoed from losing her friend and remain in Chicago but chose to Mother Catherine McAuley's counsellor Mother Agatha was follow the tribes. early concern for the plight of immediately faced with an The successful removal of working girls in Dublin - her first unexpected difficutty. There the natives ended the threat of motivation in bringing together a was a tacit agreement that title further violence and also it religious community. Night to their buildings on a 17 acre would appear that the pioneer­ classes and adult convert site would be held by the ing Sisters did not have to classes were begun and in community but in the climate of contend with the extreme anti­ accordance with the Order's harmonious co-operation exist- Catholic prejudice that was rule visits were organized "to ing between Mother Agatha and experienced in the 1840's in the sick in their homes, the des- the Bishop the necessity for some Eastern cities, notably titute in the almhouse, and the legal formalities did not seem Boston and Philadelphia. With prisoners in jail". At the end of urgent and the deeds had not single minded zeal the Sisters the first year the community had been transferred. Father Walter began work. Bishop Quarter grown to eleven and pupil Quarter, the Bishop's brother, handed over his house at numbers exceeded 200. Early was appointed interim Madison and Michigan in 1847, at the suggestion of administrator of the Diocese Avenues and on October 12th, Bishop Quarter, Mother Agatha and, fortunately for Mother 1846, within three weeks of wrote to the Society of the Agatha, being fully aware of the their arrival, a parochial school Propagation of Faith in Lyons, situation, he had the deeds for girls.called St. Marys, was France, requesting financial executed in the community's opened with 50 pupils enrolled. help for the Chicago mission. name. The succeeding Bishop, On the same day a tee paying The Society responded promptly Dr. James Oliver Van der Velde, girls secondary school was sending a sum of $4000 and was a very reactionary prelate. opened to accept day pupils (surprisingly) three oil paintings. It seemed incomprehensible to and boarders. This was named Mother Agatha and the Bishops him that young Irish girls, simply St. Xavier's Academy in honour collaborated in the erection of a by donning a medieval garb of Frances Warde's patron. The substantial three-storey building could undergo a metamorphosis Academy was granted a state at 131 Wabash Avenue to be that would transform them into charter on February 27th, 1847, the new convent. They also high-power executives handling with the power to award had the old convent building important land deals, managing baccalaureate degrees. Shortly refurbished and a new storey hospitals, administering a range after the opening of the added. These developments, of schools, and even signing Academy a free school for boys, made possible by the French medical degrees for graduate St Joseph's, was started on donation, greatly eased the doctors. It was obvious to him Madison St. The income from accommodation problem. During that they should be at home t the Academy helped to support 1847 also two orphanages and minding the babies and boiling the free schools. By 1847 a parochial school in Galena the potatoes. young working girls were were opened but whife these Mother Agatha ignored his offered boarding in the convent projects were still being demand that the deeds should and assistance was given in advanced Bishop Quarter died be conveyed to him forthwith finding them suitable employ- suddenly in April 1848. Apart and when he persisted she 6

~----~----~ _J threatened to withdraw the virulent diseases were endemic unchecked, there being no Mercy Sisters from Chicago. yet the special location was quarantine regulations. More (This was the 26 year old seen to outweigh all the dis­ than 1000 were infected of Mother Superior standing up to advantages. Chicago was the which 314 died, 30 on August the Bishop). On April 23rd, natural gateway to the west 1st alone. On the same date· 1849, Mother Agatha made the where more than half the north the Sisters opened Chicago's long journey to Pittsburg to American continent awaited first orphanage, St. Mary's, and plead for assurance that the development. Land values installed 33 girls in the old convents property rights would rose enormously; William Butler Cumberland Hotel rented for 1 be safeguarded; in this she had Ogden, Chicago's first mayor, the purpose. A priest's house the support of Bishop O'Connor bought a tract of land in 1844 was taken over as a boys' I and Frances Warde. On inves­ for $8,000 and sold it eight orphanage, St. Joseph's; 13 tigation it was found that the years later for $3,000,000. To were admitted on opening. Arhcbishop of Baltimore, who solve the very serious health With the progress of the epidemic had jurisdiction over the See of problem it was decided to raise the number of orphans grew Chicago, had approved the the city 6 to 12 feet above exist­ daily, also it was obvious that a Sister's rights to the property ing levels. One of the first lifting proper general hospital was before Bishop Van derVelde's qperations, in 1855, under the essential and overdue. The appointment. This arrangement direction of George Mortimer only medical treatment available was recognized by the Illinois Pullman (afterwards famous for was "in makeshift hospitals or legislature. Mother Agatha his railway carriages) was the sheds used for emergencies won and established an raising of an entire block of four which failed and filled the peo­ important precedent but the storey buildings 6' without ple generally with a dread of situation must have been causing interruption to business hospital". uneasy and unpleasant. She in any of the shops in the block. In 1849 two prominent returned to Chicago on August Six thousand jacks were operated doctors: Nathan Smith Davis 7th. 1849 but this Bishop was by 600 men. Pullman also lifted and Daniel Brainard formed the not one she could turn to for the five-storey Tremont Hotel intent ion of opening a hospital support and advice. (In 1853 six feet using 1,200 jacks and which would also provide after an acrimonious conflict 500 men while meals were clinical instruction for medical with the faculty members of the being served as usual. Some students. · Lake House, once University of St. Xavier, Bishop buildings were shifted to new the leading hotel but now a Van der Velde felt compelled to sites; a visitor saw nine houses boarding house was chosen as resign the bishopric). in one day being wheeled out of the location; the landlady agree­ In 1851 Mother Agatha the business district. ing to see to catering and wrote to Mother Frances Xavier Conditions improved greatly in general maintenance for a Warde in Pittsburg: the 1860s with the provision of weekly fee of two dollars fifty "Although e.verything here is a pure water supply and ade­ per patient. The medical students plain it is incredible the good quate drains and sewers, the were to attend to the nursing that is being done. You can optimism of the pioneers was duties. In November 1850 scarcely imagine the amount of amply justified. Chicago went twelve beds were made avail­ labour which our dear Sisters on to become the second city in able but very shortly the students go through. Yet all is peace and the U.S., superseded in this lack of nursing skills became unity." position only recently by Los apparent. The doctors were Chicago may have been Angeles: it is still the biggest familiar with the work of the pre-eminent as a commercial food distribution centre in the nursing Sisters in the east and centre but in 1849 it was a world. The Sears Tower at pleaded with Mother Agatha to disaster area as far as sanitation 1454 feet confirms that building undertake the work in Lake was concerned. With a popula­ difficulties were overcome. (cf. House. At first Mother Agatha tion, now about 20,000, living Empire State Building 1250 ft. objected explaining that "the 11 on a rat infested swamp two Eiffel Tower 1050 ft.) Sisters could not be spared as feet above waterline, epidemics In the summer of 1849 schoolwork was increasing and were common. Effective cholera was brought to Chicago the Sisters had recentlyunder­ drainage was impossible; on the steamer 'John Drew' taken the care of orphans, as dysentery, typhus, small-pox, which arrived with six already an incredible number had been cholera, ship's fever and other dead. The disease spread left homeless by the ravages of 7 cholera and small-pox". She to the water encouraged vermin December 3rd in the same year. also pointed out that the Sisters and the frequent overflow of the In her memory it was called were not trained for hospital Chicago river flooded the St.Agatha's Seminary. work. However, aware of the ground floor. The Sisters' quarters The Sisters had reason to dire need of medical care, she on the top floor were most be thankful for Mother Agatha's soon relented and by December uncomfortable: "They slept in a astuteness in securing their 1850 the Sisters were nursing hallway or all in a single room. property when, in 1863, Bishop at Illinois General Hospital of The snow drifted in through James Duggan, Dr. Van der the Lake (as it was called) and chinks in the walls. Their first Velde's successor, decided sud­ receiving training from the occupation in the morning was denly to sell the hospital and doctors. The Sisters had to to brush away the snow or during orphanage buildings. The walk more than a mile each rainy weather they were kept dismayed sisters were informed morning and evening from the busy keeping things dry". Two that, as the new owner was convent to the Lake House; in brick buildings were under con­ claiming immediate possession, that winter the ice sometimes struction as orphanages for the they had only two days to clear allowed them to take a short-cut nuns on V\/abash Avenue and the buildings. The orphans across the frozen Chicago river. Van Buren St. near the convent. were moved to St. Mary's This wearisome commuting It was decided to move the schooJ but finding accommoda­ lasted for three months until on hospital to one of these build­ tion for the 100 hospital patients February 21st, 1851, the doctors ings. In May 1853, the new could have been a major problem formally transferred control of building being unfinished and but for Mother Agatha's the hospital to the Mercy Order. the lease on Lake House having determination to have legal The doctors wished to be free of expired, the patients were protection for the community's administration concerns to con­ moved to temporary accommo­ property. The Sisters had full centrate on their medical work dation in Tippecanoe Hall. In control of St.Agatha's Seminary and the teaching clinics. They October, 1853, 50 beds were where there were now 65 agreed to supply their medical fitted-up in the new hospital and boarders enrolled. The girls and surgical services free of 'Mercy Hospital and Orphan were taken to St.Francis charge and to pay the rent on Asylum', as described in the Xaviers Academy and the the house for the duration of the 1852 charter, were now housed building was converted contract. On February 22nd, in adjacent buildings. overnight into a hospital. 1851, four Sisters left the But Bishop Van der Velde, "Several vehicles, principally convent to take charge of the not to be caught a second time, express wagons, were hired to hospital; Sister Vincent McGirr had stolen a march on Mother remove to St. Agatha's (the music teacher in the Agatha by having the deeds of Seminary, the same day that Academy) who was to be the the new buildings recorded in the pupils left it, the sick, the Superior, Sister de Chantel the name of the diocese. This, blind,the lame, the bed-ridden Grogan, Sister Patricia Reardon Mother Agatha felt, was high­ old people. Some .had to be and Sister Anne Donohue, who handed and unfair as both placed on stretchers, others died of cholera the following institutions were supported propped up with pillows in year. The nuns soon increased almost entirely by the Academy wagons. Bedding, furniture, the number of beds to 50 and a fees. For her next venture, everything the Sisters had state charter, in the name of the which was to be a second fee­ purchased was taken away - a Mercy Order, was issued on paying secondary school and mournful scene. The wagons, June 21st, 1851, under the title nuns rest home, she laid her with their living freight of suffer­ 'Mercy Hospital and Orphan plans carefully. She gave $600 ing humanity, at last reached St. Asylum'. The first hospital to her friend, Mrs. Crowley, for Agatha's which was henceforth report for the year to February the purchase of a large site on known as Mercy Hospital." - 1852 lists 220 patients, 26 the outskirts of the city on behalf And so it has remained for the of whom died, 178 were dis­ of the community. (The place past 130 years. -f charged and 16 remained was called Carville because it Bishop Duggan held the into the following year. was where the street cars were same views of woman's role as Lake House, an old build­ parked). The building.which his predecessor but his abnormal ing situated on the edge of Lake was substantial, was erected behaviour was clearly due to a Michigan, was by no means ·during 1854, but Mother Agatha mental disorder which eventually ideal for the purpose. Proximity was not there to see it open on caused him to be confined to a 8 Sisters of Charity Home in St. missionaries, so far from home, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Louis for the last thirty years of so steadfast in their faith as to his life. offer their lives almost casually - Sister Betty Smith, R.S.M., In June 1854 a train something beyond heroism. Provincial Administrator, Chicago. arrived carrying Norwegian In her very few quiet Sister Joy Clough, R.S.M., Chicago immigrants bound for moments Mother Agatha wrote Author of "The History of Mercy Hospital~ Wisconsin, Seven were already poetry and in lines written in Sister Kathleen Mealy, R.S.M., Pittsburg, dead from cholera and twenty 1852 she expresses her fulfil­ Author of "The Life of Frances Warde". sick passengers were brought ment in her life and how she Sister M.Oliver, Convent of Mercy, to the hospital. On the 1st of found fortitude in the face of Westport, Co.Mayo July there were 242 deaths and suffering and death. ii Sister M.Bonaventure, Convent of Mercy, ' the rate continued at about 60 a Sligo. day so that "the death carts were continually on the streets My God and My All. Sister Patricia llling, R.S.M. and the thoroughfares were Sister of Mercy Archives crowded with hearses". Mother Whilst Thou, 0 My God, art my Fr.Desmond McCarthy P.P. Agatha and her companions help and defender were among the victims. No cares can o'erwhelm, nor Mrs.Lily Cullen Mother Agatha is remem­ bered by her contemporaries terrors appal. Mr.Bob Reilly, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A. as "of medium height, her The wiles and the snares of this world will but render Next year, on September complexion a dark olive and 23rd, 1996, Chicago Convent of More lively my hope in my God her beautiful eyes most Mercy will celebrate the expressive". She obviously and my all. 150th.anniversary of its foun­ had a presence, an easy air of dation. Even after this lapse authority - Very noticeable when Yes my refuge, Thou art in of time the present Chicago she entered a schoolroom. Her sorrows and dangers community is very conscious managerial skill was summed­ My strength when I suffer, my of the debt owing to five young up in the comment: "She had hope when I fall. Irish girls who through their exceptional experience and My comfort and joy in this land endurance and unflagging zeai those who were trained by her of the stranger created a lasting monument to declared that any one in doubt faith and charity in a wilderness. My treasure, my glory, my God or difficulty got a clear decision The Sisters of Mercy, or explanation when they asked and my all. regional Community of Chicago, . it." have recently established an The marvellous achieve­ To Thee dearest Lord will I turn Agatha O'Brien Ministry Fund. ment of a small group of. Irish without ceasing "Created out of our surplus nuns - in Mother Agatha's Though griefs may oppress and earnings and others' donations, phrase the "incredible good': sorrows befall. the Fund Supports work among was dearly bought. In those I'll love Thee till death, my poor the poor as we/I as creative early days of the Mercy Order spirit releasing, responses to the many needs of the mortality rate was 25 per people in contemporary society. cent, remarkable high for young Secures me to Jesus, my God We named it in honour of Mother women in their twenties. A and my all. Agatha because it was under commentator in 1866 notes that her direction that the Sisters of of the several hundred Mercy And when Thou demandest the Mercy began in Chicago; a/I our nuns then professed only 12 life thou hast given, ministries ultimately trace back # attained 50 years. Mother With joy shall I answer thy to her coming and courage - and Catherine writes in a letter to merciful call, that of her companions". The Mercy Hospital now • Carlow "death ... with which I am And quit Thee on earth but to so familiarised that the tomb find Thee in heaven caters for 550 beds and St.Francis Xavier Academy never seems to be closed in my My portion forever, my God regard." (now renamed Mother McAuley and my all. But there was no despon­ High School) is the largest girls dency or lack of resolution school in the U.S. with an enroll­ among those dedicated young ment of 2,000. 9 11 The German" Smyths of Carlow County by M. Gregg Smyth

An Ancient Tale that the Smyth family had When I was a boy my been in continuous occu­ grandfather, Lewis Carr pancy of the Smyth house Smith [1887 - 1980] , told at Sheean, Myshall parish, me that a long time ago the Carlow county since the Smiths were Germans. 1500s . Arthur Smyth said This story always intrigued the Smyth family came to me. My grandfather had Carlow county before emigrated from Nova Cromwell, that is before Scotia, Canada to the 1650. Thus, Sam Smyth's United States in 1918. His and Arthur Smyth's stories g reat-g reat-g randfather, seem consistent. Arthur William Ashmore Smyth Smyth and John and [1776 - 1864] , a stonemason Patrick Smyth said the by trade, had emigrated from original Smyths were Carlow county, Ireland to Gregg Smith in millrace below weir at Sir Peter Carew's mill, "German" builders. Arthur Nova Scotia in 1818 circa 1569, on the Burrin River approximately 200 yds. Smyth also said the original accompanied by his wife, below the Milltown Bridge over the Burrin. Smyths came to Carlow Photo taken July, 1995. Elizabeth Fairclough, and county to build corn mills. their nine children Thus there are three basic Note Concerning the Author A parenthetical note. The clues. First, one line of Smyths in first generation of Smyth children Carlow county were originally born in North America adopted Continuing an ancient inclination the "Germans". Second, the the more common "i" spelling of author of this article, M. Gregg "German" Smyths came to Carlow the family surname. Smith, is a retired real estate devel­ county before Cromwell and Three years ago I began to oper who lives in Salem, Oregon, perhaps in the 1500s. Third, the do research on my grandfather's USA. Prior to becoming a developer "German" Smyths were builders, tale about our "German" paternal Smith was Administrator of the State perhaps builders of corn mills. ancestors. I first talked with one of Oregon's housing finance and What information exists which of my grandfather's nephews in might validate these bits of oral development agency. Nova Scotia , Max Smith, [born history? 1903] . Max Smith confirmed my grandfather's story ,that a long ancestors were "Germans". The Sir Peter Carew time ago the Smyths in Ireland following Smyths told me the There is an interesting parallel were "Germans". Max said he same "German" story: Sam Smyth between the Smyth family oral heard the "German" story from of Sheean; Arthur Smyth of history and the activities of Sir Dan Smith [1856 - 1942] , the son Nurney and his sister Irene Peter Carew in Carlow county of Henry Smyth [1812 - 1896]. Bilawich, nee Smyth, of Manitoba, between 1568 - 1575. Sir Peter Henry was the youngest son of Canada; May Daly, nee Smyth, of was an English lord from ,Devon. William Ashmore Smyth. Henry's the Ridge; the brothers Richard His Norman ancestors Robert Fitz christening on 9 February 1812 is Smyth of Bennekerry and George Stephen and Raymond le Gros recorded in a surviving Church of Smyth of Grange Kilkenny; the obtained grants to the barony of Ireland Fenagh parish register. brothers John and Patrick Smyth !drone and other lands in Ireland I have visited Ireland three of Carlow town. There are probably from Henry II and John in the late times since 1992 seeking more other Carlow county Smyths who 12th and early 13th centuries. also know the "German" story. information on my family history. However, the Carew- descendants f As I talked with people whose of Fitz Stephen and le Gros were surname is "Smyth" in Carlow and The Clues driven from ldrone by the Kilkenny Counties or Smyths who Several clues have emerged Kavanaghs sometime between emigrated from Carlow County as to who the original "German" 1394 and 1435. several of them said they had Smyths were. Sam Smyth said Sir Peter Carew, who was a heard the story that their his grandfather, Samuel, told him favourite of English King Henry 10 build mills. Sam Smyth said the original Smyth family was "German" and that the Smyths had been in continuous occupancy of the Smyth cottage at Sheean since the ISOO's. If the original "German" Smyths were procured by Sir Peter Carew to build a mill I between 1568 and 1575, where I was the mill? I The Burrin River separates i the townlands of Sheean and i I Milltown. Sam Smyth's cottage in 1 Sheean townland. The townland I of Milltown, across the Burrin ~ ~ River, was obviously named for I t the existence of a mill. When I t asked Sam Smyth about any I ancient mill ruins in the area he I took me to a substantial stone ruin I in the Burrin River within view of I I his cottage. The ruin, 200 yards I below the Milltown bridge.is most ~ ~ easily reached through Lily t Sir Peter Carew ii From the Royal Collection at Hampton Court Fitzgerald's pasture on the t t~ the VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, imply that Sir Peter was Milltown side of the Burrin River. reasserted his ancient family unsuccessful in obtaining skilled A 1580 map of the barony of I claim to the barony of ldrone in English builders and was forced to ldrone clearly shows a mill with a 1568. He framed a bill of suit employ other nationalities? large water wheel in the Burrin I[ which was, "prosecuted illegally Sir Peter Carew died in 1575 River at the exact spot of the ruin. and based on invalid claims" (' ) in Ross, Wexford county. In a tribute Furthermore, the same 1580 map names the then-existing forest on I@ Nonetheless Sir Peter used his to Sir Peter by his agent John :::: influence with Queen Elizabeth to Vowell, alias Hooker, published in the Milltown side of the Burrin have the lawsuit heard not in the Mclean's biography of Sir Peter, River as "Caroswoode" or courts, but by the Lord Deputy of Hooker wrote: Carew's Wood. It seems reason­ Ireland and Council, who ruled in ". . . concerning buildings, able, then, for us to call the mill ruin "Sir Peter Carew's Mill." his favor. his advice was ready and his skill There are several interesting good; and wherein he took such The Smyth house at Sheean letters in the biography of Sir pleasure, that he did not only sits on the first level ground up Peter Carew edited by John bestow great masses of money from the damp meadow bordering the Burrin River adjacent to the Maclean. therein of his own, as in the mak­ In a letter dated 23 February ing of houses, building of ships, mill site. This meadow is still 1568 from Sir Peter Carew to Sir for erecting of mills, and many referred to locally as "the Mill Moor." William Cecil, Principal Secretary other like; but would also edge, to Queen Elizabeth, Sir Peter procure, and cause others to do 4 The Builders wrote that he intended to employ the like." ( ) "all sortes of Englyshe artyficers" Here then is a reference to It seems plausible that Sir Peter Carew procured skilled f (builders) to develop the barony of Sir Peter Carew's passion for 2 builders around 1569 to construct ldrone.( ) A year later, on 28 building, including building mills, a mill on the Burrin River. Sir March 1568, Sir Peter wrote Sir and procuring people to do such • William Cecil again but this time construction work for him. Peter may have procured skilled he said only that he would be mill builders directly from Europe, employing "all sortes of artyficers." The Mill possibly from Germany. Until the 3 late middle ages both England ( ) Sir Peter had dropped the Arthur Smyth said the original word English when discussing "German" Smyth family came to and Ireland were largely pastoral countries. In all areas requiring "artyficers." Does this omission Carlow county before Cromwell to 11 special technical skill it was the of ldrone. Furthermore, Sir Peter "Messerschmidt." A Church of practice to rely upon foreign work­ and John Hooker entered and Ireland reading minister by the men down to the middle of the departed from Ireland by way of name of Arthur Bladesmith was 17th.century. "Even in masonry Waterford, 30 miles down the recorded in the Diocese of and carpentry , when work of a Barrow River from the barony of Leighlin at the time of the Royal superior kind was required, as ldrone. In both cities Sir Peter Visitation of 1615, nearly· a half well as in drainage and engineer­ may have encountered and century after the presumed arrival 12 ing, the practice was to send recruited destitute, skilled Flemish of "German" Smyths ( ). abroad, not only for the master­ builders to construct a mill and Bladesmith is a direct English builder or engineer, but tor the other structures for him in the translation of the German name workmen and principal materials. barony of !drone. The Flemings Messerschmidt. Is this a connec­ Thus, when Sir Thomas Gresham were experts at mill construction. tion to the "German" Smyths? We built the Royal Exchange in 1566, In fact, the Flemings were the first can't say. he brought from Flanders the to introduce into England "water­ Germans, Flemings, Dutch? 8 requisite masons and carpenters driven com-mills" ( ). We will probably never know with to execute it under Henryke, their Sam Smyth's cottage at certainty who the original 5 master-builder." ( ) Sheean may offer a clue as to the "German" Smyths of Carlow county origin of the original "German" were or what their name was. The "Germans" Smyth builders. The house was What we can say is that it seems While it is possible that Sir renovated twenty years ago. The plausible that one line of the Peter Carew obtained skilled renovation work revealed non­ Carlow county Smyths are builders directly from what is now Irish construction techniques in descended from "German" Germany, there is another possibility, the walls and foundation of the builders who built a mill for Sir and one I find more likely. original cottage. According to an Peter Carew on the Burrin River In July 1567, the year before expert in Belgium who was shown sometime around or after 1569. Sir Peter Carew obtained control a sketch of the techniques used to The heritage of Sir Peter Carew's of the barony of ldrone, large construct the Smyth cottage at Mill, and its "German" builders, numbers of Flemish Protestant Sheean, the techniques appear to remain in Carlow county to this (Huguenot) refugees entered be similar to those used in day. Ireland seeking to escape religious medieval cottages in the Belgian persecution in the Low Countries (6) province of Limburg. However, The Flemjngs were a west many questions remain and this Footnotes: germanic people who spoke a preliminary assessment is not dialect of Netherlands Dutch. In conclusive. 1. Margaretta Pringle Childs.Sir Peter Carew of the late 16th century when Sir Still, when I talked with the Mohun's Ottery, Ph.D. thesis, Johns Hopkins Peter Carew was active in the Belgian expert on the telephone I University, Baltimore, 1940, page 256. barony of ldrone the Flemings noted that Limburg was bordered 2. John Maclean, The Life and Times of Sir were called "dutch" or "dutch­ by the Netherlands on the north men." The term "dutch" may, in and Germany on the West. I Peter Carew Kt., Bell & Daldy, London, later centuries, have been taken asked the expert what kind of 1857, page 212. to mean "German." Irene people lived in Limburg. She 3. Ibid., page 213. Bilawich, nee Smyth, formerly of replied that it was a Flemish 4. Ibid., page 116.

The Ridge, Carlow county.recalls region but as for the Netherlands 5. Samuel Smiles.The Huguenots.John Murray, that as a small child her mother and Germany, "We are all the London, 1868, pages 461 & 462. told her that she was descended same people." 6. Calendar of the State Papers Relating to from "Dutch Huguenots." It is not known what the When the Flemish refugees original name of the "German" Ireland, of the Reigns of Henry VIII., Edward entered Ireland in 1567 and Smyths of Carlow county might VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. 1509 - 1573, State perhaps for some time there after, have been since "many of the Paper Department of Her Majesty's Public they "settled in Dublin, Waterford, (Flemish) foreigners adopted Record Office, London, 1860, page 340. 9 f Limerick, Belfast and other towns" names of English sound"( ). 7. Smiles, page 125.

(7) There is speculation amo~g those 8. Smiles, page 451.

In ~ 568 Sir Peter Carew and Carlow county Smyths who feel 9. Smiles, page 109. his agent John Hooker spent they descend from "Germans" 10. Association for the Preservation of the several months in Dublin pursuing that the original family name was the lawsuit to reclaim the barony "Schmidt" or possibly Memorials of the Dead, Ireland, Journal for the Year 1899, pages 178 &179. 12 OLD PLACE NAMES REMEMBERED By Annie C. Byrne

CLOSH-CLAIS:- Located in the County Museum. St. Crone, a 5th Askea area of Carlow it means OLD NAMES, OLD PLACES - century recluse, daughter of water-channel, hole or cutting. WHO REMEMBERS? Sedna MacErca, great grandson The stream that ran across the WHO FORGETS? of Niall of the Nine Hostages, is road to Askea Bridge, near believed to have lived in the area, I have a habit - a bad one I am told - Carlow Motors.is probably where where there was also a church or of referring to local places by their the name came from. old names, and I am met with temple one time. The name puzzled looks on the faces of my changed in 1914 to Haymarket. CLOSH PUMP was on the corner family and friends. Here I recall a The Town Hall car park where a of Brownshill Road and Tullow few of these places. weekly market is now held every Road, where thepeople met every Monday is called BUTTERFIELD day to get their water and have THE MILKING FIELDS were MARKET. their "chats". used by people who owned cows and grazed them there. They paid COALMARKET & WATER LANE GRANGE HOUSE was across a fee to the landowner, Major is now Kennedy Street. the road and was the home of the Browne Clayton. Part of St. Reddy family. Nearby, a sandpit, Killian's Crescent, Springdale and POTATO MARKET still retains its owned by the Reddys, was the New Oak Estate are built on these own name. main supplier of materials used to fields. repair many a road around Carlow Many old buildings, old streets, and Killeshin in years gone by. BALLVFULLARD,now called old names, are gone from Carlow During the 1920's the military put Pollerton, derived from the family Town and County. I hope the a curfew on Carlow Town. One named Pollard. memories of these are never night, near Askea Bridge, a young wiped from Carlow peoples man named Owen Rice, was THE CUTTINGS & THE TWELVE minds. Encourage your children returning to his home, minding his HOUSES were on the left hand and grandchildren to listen to our own business, when he was shot side under Pollerton Bridge. A stories and read as much as they and fatally wounded by the Black handball alley, famous for its can about our heritage. Let them and Tans. Why? Because he was matches, and a dancing board visit our Museum and join the Old out after curfew. gave great entertainment to the Carlow Society. Keep alive in the local people during the long summer minds of the younger generation THE ROPE WALK where Peter days and nights. There were no the old names and the old places Jones lived, was between Reddys T.V.'s or radios in those days but because tomorrow "they" will and St. Killian's Crescent. At one that didn't stop people enjoying belong to "the older·: time there was a Rope Factory in themselves. Hopefully, another day will this area. come, when more memories of THE YELLOW LOCH was a pond old Carlow that are gone but not THE PLOTS were owned by formed by the Askea Stream and forgotten, will come to be printed. many people including Whelans, is now part of the grounds of the If anyone has old stories Closh and Nannie Nolan, Tullow Presentation College, Askea. of Carlow I would like to hear from Street. They are now part of St. them - particularly old places, no Killian's Crescent. TEMPLECRONEY is the site of longer existing or that have the present Town Hall and Carlow changed beyond recognition. 13

@ August, 1839 saw a sad episode in County Carlow history when the tenants and families of 41 holdings in Coonogue were evicted by a large force of police and soldiers. They had committed no crime but were thrown on the roadside because their landlord, Lord Courtown,wanted to "devise means to render his estate profitable to those who held the largest farms". · It's estimated that about 1000 men - police and soldiers were involved. To this day a stone platform can be seen on the side of Knockroe mountain, where cannons were positioned during the operation. This brief account of the events has been complied by r WILLIAM ELLIS from newspapers of the time. f COONOGUE EVICTIONS 1839

The Carlow Sentinel - the army assembled at Borris on and the 7th Fusiliers covered the voice of the landlord class - Tuesday August 6, 1839 to carry rear, and were so disposed to carried a detailed - if biased - out the evictions; "350 rank and command the ditches. and crags report on August 10, 1839. It sent file of the 7th Fusiliers, 100 men of on the line of march". its reporter to "give an outline of the 84th regiment, and 2 troops of The Sentinel goes on to say the proceedings to prevent the the Scots Greys, all under the that "the force moved off at 7 misrepresentation of a factious command of a Colonel o'clock accompanied by the press". Farquarson, marched into town sheriff and the resident magistrate". It appears that some weeks and established their headquarters You would think it was a picnic previously a sub-sheriff and a in Borris House - which in the outing, the way the paper force of 40 police attempted to absence of Lady H.Kavanagh and described the march to carry out the evictions but were family was fitted out for their Coonogue, "the morning was frustrated by a large crowd. accommodation ... " hazy but when the sunshine Lord Courtown had leased the ''A force of 160 police were dispelled the clouds which capped 500 acres of land to a middleman also assembled, and as Borris · the mountain, the scene was not who in turn sub-divided it into hold­ had not sufficient accommodation only picturesque as well, and the ings, varying in size from 1 to 30 for upwards of 700 men, some view over the fertile valley was acres. The middle man's lease were billeted on farmers in the magnificent.... " had expired, and Lord Courtown, neighbourhood... " "The uniform movement of a when he became the immediate The Sentinel in its issue of dense mass of men, traversing landlord again, gave the small­ August 17, makes a derisory districts in which military were not holders notice of his intention to reference to a rival newspaper's seen since 1798, was well repossess the land, "and he estimate of 5,000 government calculated to impress every would allow them to remain until forces taking part, saying that its reflecting mind with the desolating they could accommodate them­ own figure was the ''truth". effects of revolutionary reform and selves elsewhere". At 5 o' clock on the morning political agitation, as well as with When we remember that this of Wednesday August 7 1839, the the perfidy of those designing was pre-famine Ireland, with a troops were under arms and knaves who have convulsed society population of over 8 millions, the were disposed of as follows, to effect the prostration of the majority of whom were only existing mounted police and two of the aristocracy... " on small plots of land, the Scots Greys formed the advance "On the way to Coonogue no Coonogue tenants had nowhere guard under command of Chief human being was to be seen, Constable Cox, next came the except the odd old. woman and to go. ' When the first attempted evic­ constabulary, under sub-Inspector some children who came to their tions failed, the authorities called Greene, doors attracted by the sight of the on the government for military "About 100 paces behind military. .. " assistance. came Colonel Farquarson and the "When the troops arrived near The Sentinel gives a list of the Scots Greys - while Major Steuart Scollogh Gap, it was evident that

14 there was a large number of men gathered in the mountains, and would have challenged the law again, as they had on the previous occasion, it the force had been of the same strength. .. " ''A respectable man who lives in the vicinity told us that the I f locals had provided themselves I!

with 'a cart-load of manufactured i\ pikes, and ash saplings tor I' Scullogue Gap, between counties Carlow and Wexford was defended by cannon ! handles', as he saw them carted placed on the side of Knockroe. As Knockroe overlooks Coonogue, the cannon were I through Rathanna in open day. .. " probably used to protect the "eviction army". Photo shows John Doran,Knockroe; Martin Nevin.Chairman Old Carlow Society; Tommy Clarke,0.C.S.; and John I ''The force reached the land Rice.Hillview Museum looking at one of the platforms on which the cannon were I about 9.30 a.m., the troops placed, still to be seen at Knockroe. (Inset) Raymond Doran who located the site in l occupied a position on the left, November, 1994. Photo: W.Ellis. and police an the right... " and broken bye-road overlooking him the next day, and that he "A party of police accompanied Scollagh Gap, where in 1798, would obtain peaceful posses­ the sheriff and his assistants, who General Asgill defeated the rebels sion tor the sheriff.. " were provided with crowbars ... " on their retreat into County This proposal was rejected to The first house to be Wexford after burning the satisfaction of The Sentinel approached was owned by a man Castlecomer... " which commented: "had the priest named Redm.ond. It was a woman It is extraordinary.the way the obtained the consent of the civil who met the crowbar party, and tirade in the paper continues, it authorities, they would magnify despite her "appalling cries", "the makes no mention of the unfortu­ their power with the peasantry, work of demolition was soon com- nate people who were left without their misguided tools, and on the pleted...... " shelter, which must have been a other hand, it would be set forth, It appears that very few men very large number when 31 with all the vivid colouring of the were at home, probably all were in homes had been destroyed. radical press, that the mighty the mountains preparing to do The paper treats in a pejorative magical influence of the priest­ battle with the 'law', if the odds manner the fact that Bishop Haly hood was exercised to protect the had not been so great. of Kildare and Leighlin and 30 peace, and in inducing the people "House after house belonging priests were in Borris on the to obey the law, by giving posses­ to the rebellious tenantry were Tuesday at a conference, and sion to the sheriff - whereas in quickly laid in ruins" - "the military that a "proposition made by one of truth the priests chuckled with and constabulary reserve shifting their reverences 'that a chief delight when the sheriffs first their position, to be in view of the constable only would accompany attempt was a failure ... " sheriff during his progress ... " The Kilkenny Journal of August 14, 1839 carried a report of the ''At 3 o' clock the sheriff had Coonogue evictions which had appeared in The Pilot. taken possession of 41 hold­ TURNING OUT OF THE FORTY FAMILIES ings out of which 31 were lev­ (Correspondent of The Pilot) elled to the ground, the remaining Carlow, Thursday morning - so much misery in a district tenants were allowed to re­ "Yesterday will long be amongst a community who had occupy their houses, having remembered in the county as a been on the previous day in a ottered peaceable possession at day of sorrow and tribulation to state of happiness and peace first and not being distinguished hundreds, and one which is likely which kings might envy .... " as leaders in the rebellious crusade to be productive of crimes and · "I would most willingly be • against the rights of the land­ outrage which the lovers of spared the task of recital of events lord ... " the county must' shudder to calculated to wound the tenderest The Sentinel continues its contemplate .... " feelings of the heart, and to excite report in like vein:- ''At 4 o'clock "I confess that I could hardly our sympathies so as to forget the work was completed and the believe it was possible to spread what sound judgement should whole force descended a rugged 15

&'::.~%w.• ®l dictate. I shall therefore confine myself to plain detail of facts, without drawing conclusions or appealing to the passion of readers .... " "I am informed that not a shilling rent was due. The 41 houses involved were of a comfortable condition and not one , ;~ ~ ~ ~, i of them could be called a Ruin of one of the houses of a "comfortable condition"at Coonogue. Photo: w.Ellis. miserable cabin. Tenants offered me declared that he was so she died on the spot... " increased rents if allowed to hardened that he did not think that "Previous to this melancholy remain ... " all the misfortune, it would be occurrence, this county had been "Besides the military and possible to witness could move exceedingly tranquil. At the last police there were about 10 sheriffs his heart, but when obliged to assizes there was not a capital bailiffs and between 30 and 40 drag out an old woman, nearly conviction, and not more than 5 or levellers armed with crow-bars, one hundred years old and leave 6 insignificant cases to be picks, axes and spades ... " her lying on a heap of stones prosecuted by the crown ... ". "An old bailiff called "The outside her door, he thought his "I fear the same will not be Sniper", describing the scene to heart would break, for he believed told at the next assizes".

The following letter from Rev. John Walsh, C.C .. Borris Appeared in the Dublin Evening Post, and was reprinted in The Kilkenny Journal August 21st, 1839. Editor, "Dublin Evening Post" holder on the town/and; he holds their neighbours houses. There Borris, August 12, 1839 20 acres and is left in possession, are 380 acres in the town/and I suppose because he voted for which was let in small farms of 32 Sir - A most distressing scene the Tories. acres, the largest, to 1 acre with a took place in this neighbourhood There is another man holding right of commonage on Blackstair on Wednesday last. No less than 9 acres, left in possession also but mountain. Having but small farms 40 families were ejected on that all the tenants, 40 in number, were they improved them so much that day out of their houses in turned to the road with their fami­ Jess than £30 per acre did not Coonogue by their landlord,Lord lies. Some of them slept out in the cover their expenses, and now Courtown. fields that night and others of when it is in such a state of I cannot account for the whole­ them went into out-offices for the improvement and fit to let in larger sale ejectment of the tenantry for they night, as the dwelling houses farms, they are to be turned to the were a most industrious people; were all thrown down as they got roads, the reward of their industry. they and their fore-fathers have possession of them; but they were There was a great .display of cultivated these lands for 100 threatened to be punished as military and police force that day, years, and have, by their labour severely as the law will allow, if I suppose in all about a thou­ and industry improved the land so found on the land. sand men. No people could con­ much, that the rent will now be Lord Courtown's drivers went duct themselves better than those double the amount it would be, if through the tenants of Ballybrack ejected, there was no breach of left in the unreclaimed state it was and Knockmore belonging to the peace whatever. They are 40 years ago. Lord Courtown, commanding about getting up a memorial to the Their rents have been paid up them to attend at Coonogue to House of Commons asking for to last November, and the half throw down the houses, these an investigation into the course of years rent that became due last people are circumstanced just the persecution exercised against 'II May, they offered to Captain as the people of Coogogue were them,and for relief until such time Owen, Lord Courtown's agent, but 12 months ago, they hold their as they can get relief under the he refused taking it, saying he land from a middle-man, whose Poor Law Act, for there is no Yo would no longer leave them in the lease will expire on the death of a alternative left for them but to go land. very old man, and on account of into the workhouse, as soon as They offered to pay any rent, the precarious tenure they have the Poor Law is in operation in a half year's in advance, but noth­ of their lands, they were afraid to their district. ing would satisfy the landlords but disobey this unnatural command. his land. Their was only one free- They accordingly pulled down 16 ' MICHAEL MOLLOY M.P. by Michael Purcell

Years later Molloy Councillors G. J. Kelly, P. Comerford, acquired Hendersons Drapery A native of Straboe, Co. Carlow, T. Murphy, Padraig MacGamhna, establishment 22 - 26 Tullow where for generations his family were D. Fenlon N.T., G. Jackson, .. Street, presently Tullow Street connected with the farming industry, M. Clarke, P. Jones, J. Bolger, 1 House Arcade. He established Michael Molloy came to Carlow town N.P. Roche and P. Timmons in the Ceatharloch Hosiery Factory as a young boy to serve his time to attendance (Chairman Mr. Duggan which employed a large number the drapery trade in Matt Byrnes, was absent due to the death of of girls. Castle Street. his uncle Rev. Canon Duggan ' For over 30 years P.P.), Nicholas Roche proposed a Michael Molloy was a member of Michael Molloy always vote of condolence to Mrs. Molloy Carlow Urban Council and claimed that he was elected M.P. stating that Mr.Molloy had left served as chairman of that body without ever soliciting a vote from them with an example in his from 1904 - 1913. He was .also a ar;iy person. His name was not private and public life which it member of the Board of mentioned as a possible aspirant would be well for the present Guardians and Carlow County before the convention, however, and succeeding generations Council. He served on the he was unanimously elected. The to follow. Magisterial Bench in Carlow; it favourites for the position had ~ was noted that "his sense of been Lord Justice O'Connor, Mr. justice was always tempered G.J. Murphy J.P., Tullow, and Wykeham House with mercy". The outstanding Mr.Pierce O'Mahony, Grangecon. event of his public career was his Mr. Molloy's subsequent election as M.P. for County Parliamentary career was Carlow. remarkable. He was a strong On January 3rd 191 O a supporter of the National move­ convention was held in Carlow to ment and he fought for the rights select a successor to Walter of tenant farmers against the MacMurrough Kavanagh who hated system of landlordism and Once a dower house of the Bagenals, it is beautifully ornamental had resigned his position as in time became an unobtrusive and proud. It stands out most strikingly Parliamentary representative in member of almost every public on the route between Leighlinbridge December 1909. Kavanagh was and Bagenalstown. Argueably the old­ body in the county. est house in the area, being late elected in 1908 to succeed John It was said that Michael Elizabethian or early Jacobian style, it ,Hammond as M.P. Kavanagh MoTioy owed his success to hard adds beauty to one of the river Barrow's most magnificent reaches. Its gor­ resigned after he had strongly work "He was most hethodical geous windows inset in walls of cut opposed the inequality of Lloyd and punctuality was with him a stone are stately and dignified. Once Georges 1909 Budget which owned by Lady French, she named it cult". His private life was an after a famous ancestor, William of Kavanagh claimed had imposed example in the observance of Wykeham, Archbishop of Winchester an extra two million pounds taxa­ Christian principles. Michael and Lord Privy Seal to Edward 111. And according to the late Edward Byrne tion on Ireland. The Budget had Molloy died at his residence he founded a college in Oxford, and provided for increased estate 'Greenbank' [now Seven Oaks Winchester College, the motto of which duties, stamp and tobacco duties. is "Manners maketh the man•. Of the Hotel] on Tuesday 12th. January family Richard Chenevixs Trent was In particular Kavanagh had 1926 aged 84. Bishop Foley Archbishop of Dublin and Dean of opposed the extra 3/9d (20p) tax presided at the Office and Westminister. He penned "French on Words", a history of the origins of the on a gallon of Irish Whiskey stat­ Requiem Mass. Molloys drapery English language. A noted Polylinguist, • ing that the extra tax would fall establishment passed to Michael he was proficient in fifteen languages. chiefly on the pot still distillery When he died in 1882 he was buried in Molloy's nephew, Thomas Nolan. the abbey at Westminister along side which made its whiskey from Urban Council records of the grave of the unknown soldier. home grown barley. "Why didn't the time show that at their weekly The French and Chapman families who lived here included among Lloyd George put a tax on beer?", meeting with John Brennan, Vice their cousins that famous adventurer, Kavanagh asked. Chairman, presiding and Lawrence of Arabia. 17

:·m~M™: EDUCATION IN CARLOW IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY byDermotMcKenna Parochial School Returns-1824. educational societies e,g Kildare An idea of the social environ­ Throughout the town, and county of Place, that the teachers were ment of that time can he gained Carlow, schools, and colleges are immoral, badly qualified, and used from the following quotation from a familiar part of the landscape. As books that were debasing. the Parochial Returns "the chief such they are often taken for granted. obstacle to the education of the The School Teachers: Irish Peasantry, at least in this part However in the past the situation Character, and Status - r of the country, is their poverty. They would have been very different. The diocese decided that have neither food nor raiment tor because these allegations were so the greater part, and even it they Doctrine was set up, and took over serious, they would have to vigorously had, they have not the means of the running of the Sunday Schools. refute them. Sworn statements by paying a small pittance to the Together with the Brigidine Nuns the parish priests upheld their good Master or of buying a book". who were established in Tullow in character with the exception of two The returns also provide a 1807, and the Patrician Brothers teachers. The parish priest of valuable guide to the educational the following year, they would Dunleckney states "these school facilities in the early nineteenth spend approximately four hours masters are all moral men, and of century. Under Bishop O'Keeffe every sunday, and holy days quiet, inoffensive habits. But in (1752-1787), and J.K.L (1819- providing religious instruction. most instances we are struck by 1834), many improvements had A similar pattern prevailed their squalid appearance - the been made. These returns owe throughout the Diocese eg effect of their poverty. In tact it can their origin to a decision by Sir "Sunday School is held in the not be otherwise, since we see Robert Peel, the Chief Secretary in Chapel of Carlow on each Sunday them labouring among a few 1816 to place the entire control of from 1pm - 2pm at which 568 ragged children, often in a miser­ the allocation of the new grants for female (children) and 600 males able hovel tor six months, and education in the hands of the attend. They are taught by 59 receive, as a recompense, the sum Kildare Place Society. This Society females, and 70 young men, who of two three or tour pounds, and allowed no doctrinal teaching with a few exceptions, are members that sometimes even with the except reading of Scripture without of a religious confraternity, and greatest difficulty, with this sum, note or comment. The Catholic well-educated." J.K.L. Returns p they have to clothe, and support Bishops protested at Peel's deci­ 440. All the teachers worked in · themselves, and pay the rent of sion. They expected that a voluntary capacity, and many also their School-house" Returns 530. Parliamentary enquiry would be taught in the day schools. Another allegation was the held, and would change the Chief use of immoral texts in schools. Dr Secretary's decision. Instead a Day Schools. Doyle requested every parish Royal Commission was set up. The returns of 1824 indicate priest to investigate this thoroughly. One of Its decisions was to establish that there were 503 Catholic day He discovered only one "that was a the National School system in 1831. schools with almost 600 teachers. novel brought to the School by a In order to provide the necessary Eleven of these were Free pupil." " I discovered that there was information, the Commission Schools, maintained by the priests. one, and that was in the town of required the clergy to make a The remaining 492 were pay Ballynaki/1: it was brought to the return on all the schools in their schools, supported by the modest school by a child, the son of a parishes. J.K.L instructed all the contributions of the people. These Protestant parent who had come to priests in his diocese to make an pay schools are identical with the reside in Ballynakill from the additional copy for retention by hedge schools of the penal era. Diocese of Ossory some short time him. The establishment disliked them before" First report - 1825 - because they were independent, Appendix p 778. Sunday Schools. and taught Catholic doctrine. 'The In 1777, under the guidance most prominent feature in these Professional Qualifications. ~ of Bishop O'Keeffe, his curate in schools is the miserable accommo­ Their professional qualifi­ Tullow, and later his coadjutor, Dr dation they afford the pupils (the cations were also questioned. The r Delaney organised Sunday Schools being conducted in the parochial returns refµte this also. f Schools in the parish. Their course teacher's dwelling-house), and the Out of 262 male teachers only five of study. included singing hymns, trifling remuneration th(! teachers' are found to teach less than the "3 learning prayers, and the receive tor their trouble" - Returns R's". All five are elderly. Arithmetic Catechism, and reading the lives of p232. was highly thought of as a subject the saints. Eleven years later a In order to discredit Catholic by parents. The number of female new Confraternity of the Christian schools, it was alleged by the teachers is much smaller - 96. 18 l!,

Over half taught the ''3 R's" , and Chapel Lane in Carlow. "Opened in A Protestant school in - also Music, Drawing, and French. " 1813, teaches every day of the Tullow Street, run by Mr Jenkins. Ann Doyle between 20, and 23 week, Sundays excepted, through has an average attendance of only years, manners, and qualifications the year, vacations on three weeks 4! It is thought that the school will_ that entitle her to a rank in society in Summer, and a fortnight at close!" far superior to that of a Mistress Christmas excepted. The Master There are a number of in a country school. She was has a salary of 30 guineas per unusual schools mentioned in the educated by the Nuns of Carlow annum with three guineas county. In the parish of Leighlin two Convent". Returns p 584. She allowance house rent. The assistant separate schools function in the taught at Englishtown,Rathvilly. Master has £12 per annum. The aisle of St. Lazerian's Cathedral. ~ One might ask what university School consists of two rooms, one John Dalton receives £40 per or teacher training college did they above, the other below". annum for teaching 55 males, and attend. The vast majority received Free schools were also set 30 females. On the other hand Mrs • their training in the hedge schools. up by members of religious orders. .Armstrong receives no income at Sometimes it was a family tradition. These include the Brigidine all. She has 3 males, and 27 However any teacher thought to be Sisters, and the Patrician Brothers females on her rolls. In Rathoe of little use soon discovered that he in Tullow. Also the Presentation James Tallon teaches the ''3R's" as had no pupils. They simply moved Sisters who opened a school in well as Bookkeeping, Geometry, to another school. Chapel Lane, in Carlow in 1812. Trigonometry, and Surveying for £15 a "held throughout the year, vacations year. Working Conditions. excepted, which is five weeks in In the parish of Kiltennel, The teachers worked under the Summer, and at Christmas, and Borris, Darby McDonald teaches the most appalling conditions. They and·Easter one week each. The 80 pupils for £7. Because his often taught in buildings that were children were instructed in salary is so small, he is forced to very inadeguate, and were very Reading, Writing, and Figures. go to the parents of his pupils for poorly paid. Needle-work - plain, and fancy, his meals.The school is described "John Murphy, (and assistant Peter Spinning, Knitting and Plaiting was· as a "miserable hovel". Corcoran). No fixed salary or taught. The Mistress has five In Kilcarrig, Bagenalstown, gratuities except from the scholars, assistants who are members of Catherine Byrne holds a school for expects about £3 for the present the Convent. There are two school eight pupils in a small bedroom of a year; rate Reading 3s 3d, Writing rooms fitted up with desks, and thatched house. She receives £3 - 5s, and 11s 4 112d per quarter for forms, one for beginners, and the £4 from the scholars. Mathematics. Many of the scholars other for those who are more The school house in pay nothing" - Returns p 523. advanced". Returns. Ardristan is an old ditch! The master Female teachers fare equally badly is a Mr. Pat Byrne who receives an eg:- Carlow Schools. income of £4. He has 38 pupils on "Miss Anne Synott, and Miss According to the Returns his rolls. His returns are unique Bridget Kenny - Moral, and religious there were 16 Catholic, and 13 because the pupils are mentioned women. Teach Spelling, Reading, Protestant schools in Carlow town. by name! Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, with Some still survive eg., St.Patrick's various kinds pt Needlework. College, and the Presentation Conclusions. Annual income about £3 13s 9d College. The 1824 returns show paid by the Patron" - Returns p John Garrett's School is that the people of Carlow, in spite 207. remarkable "Opened November of their poverty, made a tremendous Schools often had to close 1815; Teaches English, the effort to educate their children. The during the winter months as the Mathematical Sciences, the numerous educational institutions buildings were unsuitable for such Practical Arts, the Mathematical of Carlow today, including the purposes at that time of year. The Branches of Natural Philosophy. thriving Regional Technical teachers would then stay with local He has 56 pupils on his roll - 37 College.indicate that education is farmers, and in return would provide Catholics, and 19 Protestants. List still highly prized! instruction at a reduced rate. of subjects available include Special collections were held in the History, Algebra, Astronomy, References. chapels to maintain the schools, Navigation, Gunnery, and 1. "Schools of Kildare, and Leighlin and to pay the teachers. In Catholic Surveying. Another unusual ' 1775-1835" - Mon M.Brennan free schools conditions were very School is run by Daniel Molloy on (M.H.Gill & Son Ltd. 1935) different. These existed mostly in the Pollerton Road. It only opened • 2. "Early Schools in Tullow Parish"­ towns where the poor would find it in 1824, and is held everyday of the Fr P.J. Brophy (Carloviana 1961) impossible to pay for an education. week. The School is in an old 3. "Hedge Schools of Carlow" - malt house, and has an average They were maintained by the Hugh Clifton (Carloviana 1960) priests, and the wealthier sections attendance of 16 R.Cs. None can 4. Ms Carmel Flahavan, and staff of of the Catholic community. Eg read, but needs another eighteen Carlow County Library. Michael Wholohan's School in months to teach everyone. 19

•• • --.,._._,,,v..w,...... _-..,...,_,_,.,_,"""""'-'»»..~ - ---~ ' ~;:;: ~ ::i':: :,; :,..',';.,""'i;:'::.,.'% :,., - ---- This photo shows a stone, inscribed "Kilkenny Streer, in& rear wall of Peadar Doyle's Supermarket, MaryborotJ Graiguecullen, Carlow. Mr. Martin Nevin exammmg some of the ruins of Poulmonty Castle in St. Mullins parish. It was a Kavanagh Castle. Bishop Comerford in his Collections of Kildare and Leigh/in (1886) comments that the castle must have been destroyed by powder as portions of the walls lie at a distance from the site of the main building. These CARLOW MISC can still be seen at the site today. Photo: W.Ellis Compiled by Williar

The reason why the "Nine Stones" are situated on the highest point of the road across the crest of Mount Leinster is lost in antiquity. A number of explanations have been put forward. The burial places of nine ancient chieftians. The place where nine rebels were killed. A legend recorded by an Irish Tourist Board survey in 1945 says St. Moling travel­ ling on the road one day met a man who had a bag on his back. The Saint being hungry asked the man if he had bread in the bag (which he had), but the man replied it was stones. St.Moling replied; "If its stones may they be turned into bread; if bread may they be turned into stones". Triple Bullaun Stone at Clonmore, Co.Carlow. A Bullaun The man unburdened himself and the stones are there still! hollow scooped out in which ingredients were pounded. in (St.Moling Legend courtesy Tommy Clarke's Research). pestle is used. Photo: WEI/is •• illserted in the balough Street, F-1oor ot me summer house at Ballykealey House, Ballon - photographed c1985. The floor was made of coloured pebbles with the diamond shapes outlined with horses' teeth, Note date, 1820. Photo: W.E//is Photo: Francis Morris

SCELLANY

'iliam Ellis

laun Stone is a natural stone in situ, with a This fragment of a pole on the side of a derelict building in Maryborough ed. in much the same way as a mortar and Street, Graiguecullen is said to be the last pole in Carlow town on which cables for electricity generated �t Milford were carried. PRINTING IN CARLOW. Part Two. 1826 to 1849 Continued from page 14 of Carloviana No.42, 1994/95. by Brian w. Keogh

1826 "Seven Letters to the late Rev. Mr. Nolan, Carlow College", by An Old Woman, Lahee, Dublin Street, 12mo. 28 pages. 1826 "Address of the Rev. Fred. S. Tench to the Roman Catholic Inhabitants of Athy, Ki/berry'', C. Lahee, Dublin Street, 12mo. 20 pages [R. I.A.] 1827 "Report of the Meeting of the Reformation Society, Carlow and the Discussion on the 18th and 19th October'', Charles Lahee, 8vo. 54 pages [A.I.A.] 1827 "The Protestant Religion is that which was taught by Christ and His Apostles" A Sermon, The Rev. Robert Fishburne, Charles Lahee, Dublin Street, 8vo. 32 pages [A.I.A.] 1827 Four Editions of the above were printed in this year. [4th ed., University Library, Cambridge]. 1828 "Report of the Meeting of the Reformation Society, Carlow and the Discussion on the 18th and 19th October'~ Charles Lahee, 8vo. 54 pages, Second Edition. 1828 3rd January to 24th January 1835. ''The Carlow Morning Post", No. 1058, Vol. XI. 4pp, 4 cols. Monday and Thursday, price 5 pence. Sole proprietor, Richard Price, Dublin Street. [This paper circulated largely through counties Carlow, Wicklow, Kildare and Laois where it is not known if other papers were printed] 1830 "The Carlow Sentine/"weekly, Saturday, October [Sell's Diet. of Worlds Press] 1831 "The Carlow Sentinel", 7th January, No. IX to 1900. [British Museum Newspaper Library] 1832 "The CarlowStandard"January and 19th April, No's XI to XIII,, 4 pages, 5 cols, Monday and Thursday, for the Proprietor at Burren Street. [The British Museum Newspaper Library] 1832 "Speech of Mr. Connor Against Rack Rents", 12mo, 32 pages E.Massey. 1832 "County Kildare; Lent Assizes, 1832, A Schedule of Sums Applied For, for Public Works" 8vo. 54 pages, S. Price, at the "Morning Posf' Office, Dublin Street. [R.1.A.] 1833 "Address of the Grand Jurors and Magistrates of the Queen's County to The Marquis of Anglsey, On the Subject of the Late Commission", Office of the "Carlow Morr,ing Post", 12mo. 18 pages. [A.I.A.] 1834 "Charity Fairs Reformed, not Appolished". A Letter Addressed to the Rev. J. Beresford Johnston, In Reply to his "Thoughts On Chanty Fairs", The Rev. J. George B. Dawson. J.Lahee, Dublin Street, Svo. 4 pages. [A.I.A.] 1835 "To the Members of the Established Church in the Parish of Tullow", The Rev. Beresford Johnston, 8vo. , 4 pages, J. Lahee. [R. I. A.] 1835 "County of Carlow. At A General Assizes, held 25th March, Presentments", 8vo. 40 pages, The Sentinel Office. 1835 "County of Carlow. At A General Assize Held 7th July, Presentments", 8vo. 38 ,pages, The Sentinel Office. 1836 "County of Carlow Assizes, held 16th March, Presentments" 8vo. 44 pages, The Sentinel Office. 1836 "County of Carlow, Presentments", 8vo. 44 pages, The Sentinel Office. [R.I.A.] 1836 "The Harp and the Musical and Poetical Genius of Ireland", with the Translation into Latin and French Verse of "Campbell's Exile of Erin"The Rev. Dr. Cummins, 8vo. 20pages, William Price. [National Library] 1836 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 5th July, Presentments'~ 8vo. 42 pages, The Sentinel Office, Tullow Street. 1837 "County of Carlow, Assizes, 20th March 1837, Presentments", 8vo. 46 pages, The Sentinel Office, Tullow Street. 1837 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 4th July, Presentments", 8vo. 40 pages, printed by J. Lahee, Printer to the Worshipful the Grand Jury. 1838 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 20th March, Presentments", 8vo. 42 pages, printed by John Lahee, Printer to the Worshipful the Grand Jury. 1838 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 10th July, Presentments", 8vo 42 pages, John Lahee. 1839 The "New Commercial Directory", Kinder, Kilkenny, lists the following Printers for County Carlow, · Patrick Bolger, 54, Dublin Street, John Lahee, Dublin Street, and William Price.Brown Street. 1839 "The Leinster Reformer'', 12th October to 17th July 1841, The Leinster Reformer, No.1, folio, 4 pages of 6 cols each, weekly at 4 pence. Pnnted for Proprietor at 130, Tullow Street.Carlow. [British Museum Newspaper Library] 22 1839 "The Leinster Independent", Vol. IV, 12th January, not numbered, folio, 4 pages, 5 cols each, weekly, 5 pence. Printed and Published for the Proprietor, every Saturday morning at the offices at Carlow, Maryborough and Tullamore. Note. No numbers were issued from 4th May 1839 to 7th October 1839, according to John A. MacDonnell, the Printer, the proprietor, Mr. Bolger having gone to London to give evidence before a Parliamentary committee. [British Museum Newspaper Library] 1839 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 19th March, Presentments", 8vo. 44 pages, John Lahee. 1839 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 9th July, Presentments", 8vo. 48 pages, John Lahee. 1840 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 9th March, Presentments", 8vo. 47 pages, John Lahee. ~ 1841 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 22nd July, Presentments", 8vo. 78 pages, The Sentinel Office. 1841 ''A Compendious Analysis of the Rules of French Poetry" by E. M. Mulhall, 12mo. O'Daly's Sale Catalogue, No.21, item 475 1842 "Paddy the Politician, or the Tithe Cant, A Comedy"by Tensutus Phil O'Waggery, Note: the author's real name is thought to have been James Martin, 36 pages, price 6 pence, Leinster Independent Office. [A.I.A.] 1842 "County of Carlow, Assizes held 16th March 1842, Presentments", 8vo. 70 pages, Sentinel Office. 1842 "County of Carlow, Assizes, held 4th July, Presentments", 8vo. 74 pages, Sentinel Office. 1842 "County of Carlow, Assizes, Spring, Presentments" 8vo. 70 pages, Sentinel Office. 1843 ''An Answer to Mr. Flanagan's Extravagant Assertion respecting the Round Towers of Ireland" by Matthew Delaney, 4to. 16 pages, Patrick Daly. [Lough Fea Library] 1843 "County of Carlow Presentments Granted at a General Assizes, 11th March", 8vo. 66 pages, Sentinel Office. 1844 "County of Carlow Presentments Granted at a General Assizes, 20th March", 8vo. 66 pages, Sentinel Office. 1844 "County of Carlow Presentments Granted at a General Assizes, 9th July', 8vo. 66 pages, Sentinel Office. 1845 "County of Carlow Presentments Granted at a General Assizes, 24th March", 8vo. 70 pages, Sentinel Office. 1845 "County of Cariow Presentments Granted at a General Assizes, 8th July", 8vo. 72 pages, Sentinel Office. 1846 "County of Carlow Presentments Granted at a General Assizes, 11th March", 8vo. 72 pages, Sentinel Office. 1846 "County of Carlow, Assizes, Applications tor Public Works approved of at the several Extraordinary Presentment Sessions, April 1846" 8vo. 12 pages, Sentinel Office. 1846 "County of Carlow, Assizes, Presentments granted at General Assizes, 7th July 1846", 8vo. 68 pages, Sentinel Offices. 1846 ''A Playground tor the Working Classes and a Time to Play", A Verse, by Robert Anderson, author of "The Premier", 8vo. [D. J. O'Donoghue's "Poets of Ireland'] 1846 Slater's Directory, lists the following Printers at Carlow, Thomas H Carroll, Francis Xavier Kavanagh, John Lahee and Richard Price. [Slater's Directory] 18t17 "County of Carlow, Presentments granted at a General Assizes, 15th March", 8vo 80 pages, Sentlnel Office. 1847 "County opt Carlow, Extraordinary Presentment Sessions, 1846 and 1847, Presentments Passed", 8vo 46 pages, Sentinel (?ffice. 1847 "County of Carlow, Presentments granted at General Assizes, 30th July", 8vo. 70 pages, Sentinel Office. 1848 "County of Carlow, Sums granted at a special Presentment Sessions, 4th February", 8vo 8 pages, Sentinel Office. 1848 "County of Carlow, Presentments granted at a General Assizes, 10th March'; 8vo. 80 pages, Sentinel Office. 1848 "County of Carlow, Presentments granted at a General Assizes, 28th June·: 8vo. 86 pages, Sentinel Office. 1848 "County of Carlow, Schedule of Sums applied tor and Applications tor Public Works, Summer Assizes, 1848", 8vo. 74 pages, Sentinel Office. [A.I.A.] 1848 "County of Carlow, Abstracts of Presentments, July 1848", 8vo. 74 pages, Sentinel Office. [A.I.A.] 1849 "County of Carlow, Abstracts of Presentments, Spring Assizes", 8vo. 90 pages, Sentinel Office. 1849 "Punch's Weekly Budget Of Fun" A Periodical, No. 11, large 8vo 8 pages. 1849 "Minutes of a Meeting of Circuit Stewards and others in Portadown, 6th June", Large folio, 4 pages, Thomas William Kenny, 132, Tullow Street, Carlow. 1849 "County of Carlow, Presentments granted at a General Assizes, 15th March", 8vo. 90 pages, Sentinel Office. 1849 "County of Carlow, Presentments granted at a General Assizes, -16th July', 8vo. 108 pages, Sentinel Office. 1849 "The Third Report of the Carlow Ladies Association tor bettering the Condition of the Female Peasantry", 18mo. 14 pages, 5. Price at the "Morning Posf' Office, Dublin Street [A.I.A.]

Part Three of Printing In Carlow will continue in the next issue starting with the year 1850. 23 The White Friars and the White Castle of Leighlin by Myles Kavanagh

Saint Simon Stock as a report was an error as Meiler was confiscated by the Crown under young man went on pilgrimage to not dead, so Ralph Kelly was the Act of Absentees and a report the Holy Land where he met some appointed Archbishop of Cashel to the King about this time, primitive Carmelites, then a in 1346. recommends that farming primitive group and joined them. Edward Ill ordered Kelly men of substance be sent Later they returned to Europe and to raise ten marks to help in the thither to inhabit the country, for Simon went to Aylesford, Kent, war against Art Kavanagh in instance "at the bridge of Leigh/in, England. In 1254 he was elected 1539. The Carmelites in Leighlin which is a good place to build a superior general of the Order at were reimbursed by the government town; there is a house of friars London. He founded houses in for maintaining armed men within there which will help to the purpose". various parts of England , Spain their close to protect them against The extent for the friary and Ireland. He died in 1265. the Irish who had destroyed the was also made on January 6, 1541 . The first Carmelite bridge at Leighlin "to prevent the It runs "Inquiry into the extent of monastery in Ireland was in transit of the King's faithful people': the House of Carmelite Friars at Leighlin and it appears to have The bridge at Leighlin was built in Leighlinbridge 6th. Jan., 1541." been founded during the life of St. 1320 by Maurice Jakis. Jurors, John Dark of Simon Stock towards the end of On the 3rd. of December, Leighlinbridge,Conold Kinsalagh, Henry Ills reign (1216-1272), and 1371 King Edward Ill granted to Walter Brennaghe, Moritay during the Carew era in Leighlin. the prior of the monastery the sum O'Doran, true and lawful men. The ldrone passed into the of ten marks yearly for the repair­ Jurors say that "There are no hands of the Carews in 1245. This ing and rebuilding of the house. A superfluous buildings remaining; monastery of the White Friars was renewal of the grant of ten marks all that are standing are neces­ founded by one of the Carews per annum was made in 1377. sary for the farmer". Within the near the Black Castle. on the east Following the example of his pre­ site, a cemetery with a small garden bank of the river Barrow. The decessor Richard ll on coming to containing- establishment was dedicated to the throne, in consideration of the the Virgin Mary, and successive great labour burden, and expense 1 acre, worth Gs 8d. sovereigns appear to have which the prior of the Carmelite Demesne Lands. favoured and fostered the founda­ Monastery at Leighlin sustained in 23 acres arable (g.m);(16d) 30s 8d. tion, so that the religious element supporting their house and the 2 acres pasturage (g.m) 2s 8d. gradually overshadowed the martial bridge contiguous thereto against An eel weir; Gs 8d. character and aspect of the place. the King's enemies, granted on The earliest reference to their 13th. March 1378 the prior there Customs. presence in Leighlin is in 1271 of an annual pension of twenty 5 Cottages in the when the order was granted marks out ollhe rents of the town Demesne Lands; each cottage "simple protection for five years". of Newcastle of Lyons. It looks as gives 3 boondays, 1 horse for In 1303 the community received a though it was not always paid up grain using grain to the lord's small plot of land from friendly as the grant was confirmed by the barn, 1 weeding day, 1 horse for neighbours John Cheflyn and same King on the 20th.February, drawing wood to the lord's house William Bohyt. In 1318 the 1394 and by his successor Henry at Christmas, and at Christmas General Chapter of the IV and his son and successor each brings to the friary one cart Carmelites confirmed Fr. William Henry V on his accession to the of wood. The value of these of Leighlin, who had been Prior of throne, confirmed the grant and customs is set off against the cost Leighlin as Provincial of the Irish ordered that all the arrears then of repairing the cottages. Total of Carmelites. due should be discharged. the extent 46s 8d. The Death of the Bishop In 1503 Donald de Castro The goods. and chattels of Leighlin Meiler Power was of Leighlin (or Castlelyons) was came into the possession of reported to the Papal Court at appointed professor in the stadium James, Earl of Ormond, who was Avignon in 1344. Pope Clement of Toulouse for one year. In 1509 to account for all the goods. VI appointed Ralph Kelly Bishop Fr. William Carew (possible of the The royal patronage, of Leighlin. He was an Irish Leighlin Carew family) was however terminated with the Carmelite and Procurator General Provincial of Ireland. accession of Henry VIII (1509- of the Order at the time. The In 1537 ldrone was 1547). The Act for the suppression 24 of abbies and religious houses Edward VI, finds that the Priar any other will made by me before was passed in 1537 and the was also seized of 4 acres of this date to be null, void and of Carmelite Monastery at arable land near Clowes orchard, none effect. Leighlinbridge was amongst the in this county, annual value, First I will and desire first to suffer in 1843. By an besides reprises 16d. that my funeral expenses be as Inquisition taken on the Friday This did not end the moderate as decency will admit, next after the feast of the conception Carmelite Apostolate in Leighlin. secondly that all my seNants of the Blessed Virgin, in the 34th The friars had, however, to go into wages and monies I borrowed of King Henry VIII, William, the hiding. On the 20th July 1606 the from them (John and Bridget Priar was found seized of a site of the Black Castle and the Dowling) from time to time be church and belfry, dormitory hall, White Castle(The White Friars paid, and any debt fairly and two chambers, and a kitchen.with Monastery) was granted to honestly contracted by me be paid a cemetery and a garden, contain­ George Tuchett - "with all its mes­ out of my effects. Thirdly I will and ing one acre: also twenty four suages, cottages, lands, customs, bequeath to my nephew Bernard acres of pasture and an ee~-weir and heritaments, spiritual and O'Reilly, if Jiving, one shilling english in Leighlin, of the annual value temporal". and no more. Fourthly I will and besides reprizes of two pounds F. Calahora writing in bequeath to Andrew Farrell for his six shilling and eight pence. The 1766 states that the friary in tender, charitable and constant Friars moved 200 yds to settle still Leighlinbridge was restored in attention to me at all times the in the vicinity of the castle.The 1730. The Monastery occupied by entire of wearing cloths, linen, place having fallen into the King's the Carmelites in 1730 was the woollen and hats, boots and hands was converted into a fort by Old National School in shoes, having asked and obtained Sir Edward Bellingham, the Lord Leighlinbridge. This building was leave of my Superior so to do. Deputy under Edward VI (1548- built in 1729 and was opened as a Fifthly I will and bequeath all and 1553) and the goodly Barrow as it school in 1826 and as a National every property I am now, or at the flowed under the walls of the School in 1833. The first post­ time of my demese I may be transmuted monastery "reflected Reformation notice comes from possessed of to all that and these, not cowls and friars' frocks but the Provincial Chapter of 1741 my freehold lease of White Abbey, matchlocks and ron skull caps". and states that Fr. Michael held from Thomas Kelly Esq. and Bellingham introduced Lovelock was Priar there. the plots of ground on which my several regulations for the better On April 24th.1775 Mr house and offices stand, I leave management of the military affairs John Hoyne "a Romish clergyman and bequeath to Mr. John Francis of the Kingdom and in order to of Gowran" died at Leighlinbridge. McCorck now living with me on insure the prompt execution of He may have been of the the premises, and to Mr. Myles important concerns, established Carmelites. Prendergast of Frexmartlet near stables of horses at various Edward Murphy, born in Moate Ganogue, together with all plaGes, among the rest of Carlow on June 25th, 1791 was my stock of horses, young and Leighlinbridge. At the period of its received into the Order on June old, and cows, young and old, rehabiliment by Bellingham the 26th, 1818, his sponsor being furniture of every denomination. site of the monastery and fortress Fr.Patrick Malin. He was pro­ Sixthly my house of belonged to Thomas the 10th Earl fessed in Seville on June 26th, Fresmarthes near Moate I leave of Ormonde. Referring to Sir 1819, Patrick Berry and Richard and bequeath to Mr. Myles Edward Bellingham in the Phelan being his sponsors. Prendergast proper resident beginning of the reign of Edward Thomas O'Keefe of Kilkenny was therein together with the chapel VI Hooker writes "He kept sundrie professed on the same day. and acre of ground in the lease of stables of horses; one at Leigh/in". The following will of Fr. 999 years specified. Lastly I leave It happened that upon one occa­ Patrick O'Farrell made June 16th, and bequeath my title to that sion he sent for the Earl of 1817, contains a reference to house and land near Desmond, who refused to come to Leighlinbridge and is very inter­ Leighlinbridge to Mr. Michael him. Bellingham ordered an esting to read. Colemannow residing therein with escort, and rode to Leighlin. In "In the name of God. the land adjoining and to Mr. that house he had a stable of Amen. I, Patrick O'Farrelf of White Myles Prendergast of Moate. twenty or thirty horses and Abbey near Kildare, being Given with my hand and seal in there he furnished himself and all advanced in years with disorders · New Abbey near Kildare this 6th his men with horses and other and weak of body, but of strong, day of June, 1817. Executors "furniture", proceeded to Munster sound and disposing mind and Patrick Colgan, Charles Moore and took the Earl prisoner. body, do make this my last Will Higgins both of Kildare. An Inquisition, 3rd. and Testament, declaring all and Witnesses D. Murphy, Joshua 25 Norman, Lawrence Kelly". Mendicants and Friars from using In the Chapter of 1823 in the public highway). The Darkest Day the Dublin Friary Patrick Berry Up to 1543 the friars were By Lily Mc Gettrick was elected Prior and William buried in the cemetery of their Scorching blight had stalked our land Britton and Richard Whelan were own monastery. Since that date Piercing with poisonous fangs, appointed conventuals of the friars were buried in the grave­ The precious potato crop, Leighlinbridge. yard near the Parish Church. Sole sustenance of nine million souls, John Spratt in his notes The Following description is Their elixir of life, their daily bread Without which they were desolate. covering the period 1816-1821 taken from Lewis's Topographical states the following about Dictionary written in 1837. A land abounding in milk and corn Leighlinbridge:- "Leighlinbridge: '}\t the foot of the bridge Had not food for it's starving poor, No crumbs to allay their hunger pangs Michael Coleman aged 60 pro­ are the ruins of Black Castle, While landlords barns were brimming o'er. fessed Crevebane. In the district consisting of an oblong tower, of this Convent live two young about 50ft high, completely What anguish when with bailiff's blows men Maguiness is one and the capped with ivy; one of the floors They were driven from their cabin homes. Aimlessly, they wandered other George Brophy both about resting on an arch is still remain­ Seeking some ramshackle hovel. 30, professed in Lisbon". ing and there is a flight of steps Some collapsing on the way. The small community lasted leading the summit; it appears to Ditches were their wayside graves. until about 1826 when the have formed the north western Some in desperation queued monastery was closed. The angle of a quadrangular enclosure For the much maligned pauper's soup Kildare and Leighlin Diocesan 315 feet in length and 234 feet To keep the flicker of life alive, Archives indicate that wide surrounded by a wall seven The souperism stigma they cast aside. For to survive they must take the soup. Leighlinbridge was suppressed by feet thick, with a fosse on the out­ They had no choice those hapless souls, Bishop Dr. Doyle in 1826 after a side; part of the wall is standing Emaciated, some slaved all day series of disorders of an indeter­ on the westside, and at the south­ Building roads and digging holes With bleeding hands and blistered backs minate nature. eastern angle are the remains of a They laboured to fill the gaping mouths An old memorial head circular tower, the walls of which Of their starving little ones. stone found in the graveyard near are ten feet in thickness. At the the Parish Church was damaged south end of the west wall of the How they must have dreamed Of a kishful of flower ;ictatoes and has been replaced in the east quadrangle was the ancient And a glowing turf fire wall of Leighlinbridge Church. monastery, of which an old build­ And happy laughing faces. This new stone was blessed by Fr. ing with loop-hole windows and a Just a mirage, an empty dream For the poor, there was no relief Peter O'Dwyer O.C. on the 20th stone doorway are supposed to The workhouse was their last resort. Nov. 1987. The following is a be the only remammg All pride gone, they approached translation of the inscriptions portion;adjoining it and within the It's grim doors. contained on the headstone - closure was a cemetery, now con­ To be parted from their dear ones. "They will be just in eternal verted into a garden". The pain of parting was worse than memory, In this tomb lie the hunger's pang remains of the Reverend Friars The Priors of Leighlinbridge~ Little children from their parents dragged Were crammed in squalid wards, Augustin Gormacon and Thomas 1315 Adam Devoid of love they pined and died. Murphy of the Carmelite Order". 1318 William No one mourned these poor mites. "Here also lieth the 1375 Alan remains of Rev. Wm. McGinnis 1503 William de Castro No funeral rites no mothers tears. A mass grave consumed their feeble frames. son to Wm. McGinnis of 1543 William Quick disposal, no headstone, no name, Leighlinbridge who departed this 1741 Fr. William Lovelock No record of their ghastly fate. life 25th Oct. 1832 age 35 years" 1769 Raymond Burk Men and women by the score Erected by the Rev. Prior 1819 Fr. William Kinsella Were doomed likewise to pauper's graves. Fr. Michael Coleman of the order 1823 Fr. Patrick Berry They were Ireland's nameless race, and Prior of the Convent Of 1832 Michael Coleman Victims of our darkest day, Leighlinbridge. Just one uninscribed cross Marked the place where three ,thousand lay. Local tradition tells us that References: The Irish Carrnelites - Fr, P. O'Dwyer O.Carm. Their trauma has taken it's toll the last of the Community (3 in all) The Story of Leighlin Castle. It has wounded our nation's soul. walked back to the Mother House Comerford, Diocese of Leighlin. And left us a diminished race. The Oxford Book of Saints. in Kildare town, through the fields We must mourn our famine dead. Alan Doran, local historian of Seskin and Coolnakisha and Only thus shall we be healed, that they buried the Sacred We are their kith and kin. Vessels in a field in Seskin. (The Too long have they laid in oblivion, Our beloved hapless ones. law of this time prohibited ~ 26 FROM THE CHAIR All things bright and not so beautiful etly dropped from most hymn books since the 1920's is indicative of embarassment and censorship on some­ As she put pen to paper in the drawing room of ones part. Burgage House in 1848, Mrs Cecil Alexander could A member of the Irish hierarchy Bishop scarcely have anticipated the controversy generated by Thomas Flynn took the view that the hymn reflected a the wording of her rhymn, 147 years later. Wife of the different age but he did not agree that it should be Anglican Bishop of Dublin Mrs. Alexander wrote the banned. Dr. Flynn's more moderate assessment may be hymn "For Children" during a stay at the home of her based at least on his knowledge of the actual situation in relations, the Vigors of Burgage, Leighlinbridge. The Ireland which it reflected. The words of the hymn were poem more commonly known as ''All things bright and undoubtedly influenced by the context in which it was beautiful" set to a melody, probably by George Joseph, written. Mrs. Alexander could not have failed to be became internationally famous. inspired by the beauties of nature but the aftermath of The second verse of the hymn said to have the great hunger and the vista of death and suffering been inspired by the scenic beauty of Mount Leinster had inspired an outlook of fatalism and predestination. and the river Barrow goes: In the writers opinion there is no doubt whatev­ er that the words truly and openly reflected the attitude The purple headed mountain, and teaching of the Churches in Ireland in those days. The river running by, Impoverished people were told to be content The sunset, and the morning with their lot that they could look forward to their reward That brightens up the sky in the next life. Chorus The fifth verse of the hymn which gave rise to All things bright and beautiful, the recent controversy reads: All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The rich man in his castle. The Lord God made them all. The poor man at his gate. God made them high and lowly, 1. Each little flower that opens, 4. The tall trees in the greenwood, And ordered their estate. Each little bird that sings, The meadows for our play, He made their glowing colours, The rushes by the water, The Catholic Bishop of Leeds was reported He made their tiny wings. To gather eve,y day. as condemning the hymn as wicked and dreadful at a 3. The cold wind in the winter, 6. He gave us eyes to see them, conference of the Catholic Men's Society at Hosforth in The pleasant summer sun, And lips that we might tell September. The ripe fruits in the garden, How great is God almighty, "Words in the hymn lay all the blame for the He made them everyone. Who has made all things well. social problems at God's door, and take away the incentive to bring about change on the part of individu­ I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our als and society wholly contrary to the Old Testament readers, sponsors and members a happy Christmas and Gospel teachings" according to Bishop Konstant. and a prosperous 1996. The fact that this particular verse has been qui- Martin Nevin

LECTURES 1995/96 October 18th. Cuim: the contrast between Arigna and Castlecomer Dr Michael Conry (Teagasc)

November 15th. The famine in Carlow Teddy Brophy (Principal of Holy Family School, Askea)

December 13th. Marriage customs in ancient Ireland Freddy Kavanagh (Heritage Park, Wexford)

January 17th. Carlow newspapers of the nineteenth century Patrick O'Neill

March 20th. The Quiet Revolution: changes in rural technology over the past hundred years in Ireland Dr. Aidan O'Sullivan (Curator Irish Agriculture Museum Wexford) All lectures are held in the Dr. O'Brien Centre, Dublin Road, car/ow at 8.00 p.m. 27 PARNELl!S FINAL DEFEAT by Enda Scott

Parnell's last by-election who lived a few miles from Carlow and his final defeat was at the This article is an extended version of town, was the High Sheriffof Garlow, famous Carlow by-election of 7 July and he set Wednesday July 1 as the 1891. After the divorce of Katherine a pro;ect carried out For History in the closing date for nominations and O'Shea by her husband, Captain Leaving Certificate. Enda Scott is a Tuesday July 7 as polling day. O'Shea, and the naming of Parnell native of Tinryland, a former student Parnell arrived at the train on the divorce petition, it was not of the PresentationCollege, Carlow station on Sunday June 28. He was clear what effect all of this would met by Mr Kettle and a large crowd and is now studying at UCO. have on Parnell's standing in and a band. There was an allegation Ireland. The first test of this was at later thut Mr. Governey had got his North Kilkenny by-election. This been nominated by Parnell for the workers to go to the station in was the famous election where constituency of Carlow for the support and that they had caused a Parnell had lime thrown in his eyes by-election in 1887. He was fracas. He denied this. In the after­ in the square at Castlecomer. He unopposed. His death caused noon supporters and bands came continued to canvass in this elec­ the by-election in Carlow and into the town from Tullow, Borris tion with a large white bandage this was to be Parnell's last and other outlying areas. A public round his head. The election was great fight. meeting was held in the Town Hall held on 22 December 1890 and the Parnell was expected to and it was attended by John Anti-Parnellite candidate, Sir John arrive in Carlow in the last week of Redmond MP. Later that day Pope Hennessy received 2527 June and it was rumoured that another public meeting was held in votes to 1362 votes for Vincent Dwyer Grey would be asked to Haymarket. Scully who stood for Parnell.1 This stand for him. A hint that the contest On Tuesday 30 June the defeat was one of the first signs of would be difficult was seen by a Anti-Parnellites held their conven­ the damage done to Parnell's popu­ report in the local papers that a tion in the Town Hall to chose their larity by the O'Shea case. It also woman was seen in the town teach­ candidate. Many priests attended pointed to the important future role ing little boys how to boo Parnell. and several had seats on the the clergy were going to play in any On Sunday 28 June the funeral of platform. Among the priests present election which involved Parnell. The The O'Gorman Mahon took place to were: Fr Kavanagh, Fr Byrne and only district in which Parnell got a Glasnevin cemetery. An incident between Parnell and Tim Healy was Fr Garry of Carlow.' Tim Healy had majority was in Kilmanagh where arrived in Carlow that morning on the Parish Priest, Nicholas Murphy, only averted by the intervention of some onlookers and Healy had to the train. The meeting was attended supported him. Murphy's behaviour by Mr.Conlon, a director of The was described by his Bishop as a rush to his car and leave quickly. Carlow was the constituency Nationalist. Mr.Nolan of Ballon "studied deliberate and treacherous 5 2 where Parnell and others felt victory proposed, and Mr Michael Molloy contempt of ecclesiastical policy." seconded the nomination of John However, undaunted, could be achieved because of the Hammond for the election. His Parnell proceeded on to Sligo North high number of Protestant and selection caused great surprise in to contest the by-election there landlords in the county. Parnell had the town. In his speech Hammond which was held on 2 April 1891. It already shown his influence in said he hoped that Carlow would was another crushing defeat as the Carlow by having the old, irreverent defeat Parnellism. As the meeting Anti-Parnellite candidate, Collery, and unpredictable.The O'Gorman­ ended there was some rows defeated the Parnellite candidate, Mahon elected there in 1887. between Parnellites and Anti­ Wynne, by 3216 votes to 2493 The population of the Parnellites but nothing serious votes.3 constituency was 40,936 in 1891, occurred. Hammond had a business Soon after his defeat in but out of those only 7016 had the at 8 & 9 Tullow St (now owned by Kilkenny the sitting MP for Carlow, right to vote. One of the unknown Shaw's) and was later to become the colourful, The O'Gorman­ quantities in the election was the the first Chairman of Carlow Co. Mahon, died in June 1891. His Unionist vote. Would they exercise Council. death was announced in their vote at all or would they vote The Not many peoplewere willing Carlow Sentinel on 20 June. It for the Parnellite candidate?. It was to stand for Parnell. At a meeting in described him as the estimated that they controlled about "nominal the Land League Rooms in Dublin He was, it 1OOO votes. The Carlow Sentinel member for Carlow." shortly after the death of The went on, urged them to abstainand allow the "only known in Carlow by O'Gorman-Mahon the impossibility and it revealed that he had Nationalists to fight it out between name". of finding a candidate wasdiscussed. never visited the town. It suggested them. There was some thinking A.J.Kettle, an old Land Leaguer, that the people of Carlow heard far before the close of nominations that who was present, finally declared, more about him since he died than they would run a candidate of their "If no one else can be found, I will they did while he was alive. He had own. John Alexander of Milford, 28 stand, but this must not cost me a "and was now married in accor­ taking place the two sections mixed penny stamp." On Wednesday 1 dance with the law of the church to freely together. However, Tim Healy July the convention of the Anti­ which she and Mr Parnell took no part in this socialising and Parnellites took place also in the belonged." To some of Parnell's continued to read his paper. When Town Hall. The press was not supporters the divorce case was someone asked him a question he allowed to attend but the report was like the Pigott forgaries. They said he would not waste one word that the selection of Andrew Kettle thought that it was completely on Parnell; he continued "Politically was unanimous. Michael Governey, untrue. My father remembers his he is not only dead but in a state of a Town Commissioner, proposed grandfather, an old man in the early decomposition." The nomination Mr Kettle and he was seconded by 1950's, arguing that the whole process was very peaceful but the P. Keogh who was the County Parnell/O'Shea episode was police were aware that this would Coroner. Mr.Kettle said that he untrue. "They make up lies about be a torrid election and the newly hoped the campaign would be the decent man," he used to say. appointed County Inspector was in conducted in a peaceful way with When news came through of charge of security. no "blackthorns or lime dust." Parnell's marriage many saw it, not Parnell, Kettle and his Mr.Governey was apparently asked as an act of reparation but as a supporters went to Hacketstown to stand but refused. Others who public admission of guilt. Many of and were greeted by both friendly were asked to stand were Parnell's followers now withdrew and hostile crowds on the way. Mr.Patrick Hanlon of Grangeford, their support, the most notable of Hacketstown was seen as pro William Ward of Bagenalstown and these was Edmund Dwyer Gray, a Parnell and he got a friendly Mr. John Whelan. It shows the great former MP for Carlow, who was a reception and the town was difficulty Parnell had in finding a director of The Freeman's Journal. decorated with banners and candidate. He sought to turn his newspaper evergreens. The Hacketstown Andy Kettle was then 58 against Parnell. As far as the Anti­ supporters were then invited to years old. He had been born in Parnellites were concerned, the accompany Parnell to Rathvilly 1833 in Swords, Co Dublin on a 30 marriage put their victory in Carlow which was strongly anti-Parnell. As acre farm which was rented from beyond doubt. they entered Rathvilly they were the Russell-Cruise estate. He mar­ On Wednesday, July 1 Mr. met by a crowd which began hoot­ ried Margaret Mccourt, and when Parnell, Mr. Kettle and some of their ing and banging kettle, pots and his father-in-law died he bought his friends were the first to lodge their trays and calling "Kitty! Kitty!"When farm and it was here he raised his nomination papers. About an hour Parnell's party was returning to family. He was a long-standing later, Mr. Hammond and his supporters Carlow they were attacked by friend of Parnell and had been in jail arrived. The nominations were women and children and Mr.Bolger, with him in Kilmainham. He stood in received at the Courthouse in the a Poor Law Guardian, was struck. the 1873 election for Cork and was Grand Jury Room. At one o'clock At a meeting in Tullow defeated by 154 votes. He helped Mr. Alexander announced the which was chaired by the Parnell at the North Kilkenny by­ nominations. Several nomination Administrator, Rev. T O'Neill, Tim election. He was the father of Tom papers were handed in for each Healy MP spoke and on the Kettle, first Professor of Economics candidate. The first nomination platform was M.J.Kenny MP, Dr. at'UCD, who was killed at the Battle paper for Mr. Kettle was signed by Tanner MP, Mr.Pinkerton MP and of Ginchy in 1916. Canon Bernard O'Neill PP Mr Kilbride MP. In his speech Healy On the morning of Bagenalstown and seconded by Mr. mocked Parnell by saying that Thursday 25 June Parnell and James Flood of Borris. Among the Parnell had said that he would have Katherine O'Shea were married at other people who nominated Mr. liked to have taken his wife to the Registry Office at Steyning in Kettle were: Michael Governey, Carlow but that she was a bad Sussex. The newly married couple Michael O'Reilly, Michael Donogue, sailor. If she was a bad sailor she spent the day by the sea at John Whelan (The Plough), Joseph was a worse pilot, he continued, Shoreham. The following Sunday, O'Brien, John P. Clowry, Robert and he was afraid she had got a three days after his wedding, Kennedy and William H Maxwell. bad captain. Parnell was in Carlow where he Mr. Hammond's first nomination On Wednesday night, July threw himself vigorously into the paper signed by Dr. Lynch, Bishop 1, at a meeting in Carlow Mr. campaign. His recent marriage of Kildare and Leighlin, and by Condon MP predicted that the proved to be a very bad political Dr.Comerford, Coadjutor Bishop. Parnellite candidate would be beaten move as the Catholic Church Mr. Hammond was accompanied to by 1000 votes. increased its opposition to Parnell. the Courthouse by Fr. Kavanagh, It proved to be a very bitter As the Catholic Church saw it, it Administrator of the Cathedral. election campaign. Tim Healy, could not advocate support for a Other people to nominate Parnell's adversary, linked Parnell candidate who supported a man Mr.Hammond were: Michael Molloy, and Katherine O'Shea with some who- was married to a divorcee. James Ryan, James McGrath, sexual allusions. At a meeting in Pierce Mahony MP bravely argued Edward Murphy, Laurence Mccaul, Carlow he declared, "He tells us he at a meeting in Carlow on Friday 3 Patrick J Conlon (The Nationalist), is now enjoying greater happiness that if Parnell had committed a fault Thomas Byrne, and Thomas than he knew in all his life." He went he had done his best to remedy it Keogh. While the nominations were on to say in another speech that a 29 Parnellite in the crowd shouted at them but to no effect. Stones were Reverend Dr. Lynch, having intimated him "Why can't you leave her then thrown and one participant fell to me that my action in nominating (Katherine O'Shea) alone? " Healy with a head wound. The Anti­ Mr. Kettle was wrong, and as D.r replied, "Why couldn't Parnell leave Parnellites were finally driven away Lynch is better informed on these her alone?" and Parnell's supporters followed matters than I could be, I beg to Many of the Anti-Parnellite them for a short while and jeered apologise for the action I have meetings were chaired by the them. They then returned to their taken. n Administrator of Carlow Cathedral, cars and continued their journey. It is signed "B.O'Neill PP Fr. Kavanagh. At a meeting in However as they approached Bagenalstown. July 9, 1891." Rathvilly the local priest, Fr. Phelan, Carlow women and children came Fr O'Neill apparently had urged people at Mass that morning out banging pots, kettles and pans tried to prevent the curates in the that the people coming to the meet­ and Parnell's supporters got down town from supporting Hammond. ing in the afternoon should bring from their cars and tried to take the Dr.Lynch wrote a letter to Fr. Patrick with them a light stick and should items from them. Norris, one of the curates, dated give any trouble makers a warm There is evidence of at June 23 and it stated:- reception. The Nationalist and least one priest who supported "Dear Fr Norris, Leinster Times when reporting Anti­ Parnell. He was Fr. Bernard O'Neill I have written to Fr. O'Neill Parnellite meetings detail again and PP of Bagenalstown. He went even to refrain from all opposition directly again the large number of priests as far as to nominate A.J.Kettle for or indirectly, privately or publicly, to who were present. On the day of the election and he accompanied the Federation candidate, .(Mr Parnell's wedding the Catholic Parnell on a canvass of Hammond) and to permit his curate Bishops agreed a statement Bagenalstown. A Parnellite meeting or any priest with their approval, to condemning Parnell. It said, "... he was held outside the church in the attend meetings and in every way is wholly unworthy of the confidence town. As the meeting ended there to promote the cause as passed by of Catholics and we therefore feel was some trouble as some of the Bishops in this unhappy crisis. 'fl bound on this occasion to call on Hammond's supporters surrounded Another example of the our people to repudiate his leader­ Patrick O'Brien MP. However they role of the Catholic Church in this ship." did not come to blows. In a later election is provided in the reminis­ On Sunday July 5 the rival meeting in Bagenalstown of the cences of Ramsay Colles who was parties came to blows after Anti-Parnellites Tim Healy declared Presiding Officer at Clonegal for the 1o.ooam Mass in Ballinabranagh. that there would be no contest in election. He relates how he heard a When the Parnellites came to the Carlow but for what he called "Kitty young priest in the town of Carlow village they found the Anti­ o Parnell". A voice from the crowd say "You must either vote for this Parnellites holding a meeting and a called, "Don't mind Kitty, Mr.Healy, - (holding out a crucifix) and fracas ensued. Dr. l-lackett, a supporter we are tired of that, confine yourself Hammond, or vote for the Devil and 9 of Parnell from Kilkenny, was struck in to political affairs." While Mr.Healy Parnell. · The Parnellite MP, Mr. the eye with a stone and had to be was speaking a man in the crowd Leamy, declared that he heard a attended by "three surgeons" to started ringing a bell to drown out priest in Carlow after reading a letter e)((tract glass from his eye. He Healy's voice. A priest made a rush from the Bishops condemning left in the evening to go to Dublin to at him, pushed him violently, and Parnell then going on to suggest 6 get further attention. Mr. Conway, snatched the bell out of his hand. that the people who had come into another Parnellite, suffered the loss On Monday 29 Parnell addressed a the town to support Parnell were in of his silk hat according to the meeting at Glynn and while he was a hurry to get the election over to go report in The Carlow Sentinel. Also speaking a crowd of Anti-Parnellites back up to the North for the Orange on this day the Parnellites held a behind a wall began to interrupt celebrations on 12 July and to burn meeting in Tullow while the Anti­ him. One of them made some refer­ Catholic chapels. Parnellites convened in Carlow. ence to the divorce case and he The Carlow by-election The Anti-Parnellite meeting was in was then set upon by Rev. Patrick was the only one of the three elections Potato Market and Fr. Kavanagh Ryan who gave him a blow with his that Parnell thought he could win was the Chairman. On the road fist. On the following night, Tuesday because of the large number of between the two towns the rival 30 June, in Carlow Michael landlords and Protestants in the groups met on their journeys and Governey spoke for Parnell at a constituency. This confidence soon the Parnellites shouted "Hail to the meeting in Carlow town. changed because Parnell had not Chief" while the Anti-Parnellites Meanwhile, Fr. O'Neill in thought about the high percentage hooted "Kitty/Kitty!" and stuck out Bagenalstown was getting in trouble of tenant farmers whq also could their tongues. In the evening they with the Bishop for his support of vote. These farmers were mainly met again on the return journey Parnell. Dr. Lynch, who had Catholic so they followed the advice about four miles from Tullow and nominated Mr. Hammond was of their church. One of the local sticks and branches were used in not pleased and he forced Fr. newspapers, The Nationalist and the altercation. Some members got O'Neill to withdraw his support. Leinster Times, was also probably out of their cars and ran toward the The following letter from him influential in this area. Again and opposition. Parnell followed his appeared in The Nationalist: again this paper printed stories supporters and tried to restrain "My Bishop, the Most 30 about how Parnell was run out of names on the register in the Borris Leaguer, Kettle, had his election various villages in the county. All of District and 964 of those voted. expenses paid by John Redmond Hammond's meetings were said to Parnell expected to get half of and his friends. Kettle later admitted be enthusiastic affairs while them. In Bagenalstown Fr.O'Neill that some Carlow businessmen Parnell's were painted as dismal voted early and he protested at the decided not to press him for pay­ with few attending. Editorials were presence of Fr.Norris in the polling ment. printed almost on a weekly basis booth. Fr O'Connell PP Old Leighlin In conclusion, the Carlow denouncing Parnell. Indeed one of was also present at one of the by-election showed that there could the directors of the paper, polling stations. Mr. Parnell visited be no way back for Parnell. The P.J.Conlon, is mentioned as attending the polling stations and was power of the Catholic Church and several of the Anti-Parnellite meet­ accompanied by Fr. O'Neill. A man the press had turned the people ings. at one of the booths attempted to against him. Parnell and his candidate, The Anti-Parnellites found strike Parnell with a stick but A.J.Kettle, had been mocked and a new way to drown out Parnell's Parnell wrestled the stick from him. vilified on the streets of Carlow. and Kettle's speeches. Kettle was At the same time Patrick O'Brien Parnell's greatest quality, his the most unfortunately named MP rushed up and struck the man a mystique, was gone. No longer candidate in the history of Irish blow. There was a slight altercation did people stand in awe of him. politics. The Anti-Parnellites decid­ in the town between Parnellites Carlow was his Waterloo. In three ed on the method of beating kettles, from Leighlinbridge and Anti­ months, on the 7 October 1891, he pots and tin cans to disrupt Parnellites from Old Leighlin. There was dead and the crowds, wearing Parnellite meetings. While Parnell were 1238 on the register in the the famous ivy leaf, lined the streets tried to discuss his Land Bill and Bagenalstown District and 101 O of Dublin as his body was carried to Home Rule his opponents devoted voted. Glasnevin.12 most of their time to insulting The count was held in Parnell and his candidate. Kettle's Carlow Court House in the Grand name provided an inexhaustible Jury Room on Wednesday, 8 July. FOOTNOTES: source of inspiration. He was At half past one the result was '· Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801- described as "ParneU's utensil." The announced and it was a crushing 1922, 8 M Wa\'Ker (ed), Royal lrish Academy, most bitter Anti-Parnellite, Tim defeat for Parnell's candidate. The Dublin, 1978, p. 143. Healy said, "When we are done total number of votes polled was '-The Parnell Split 1890-91, Frank Callanan, with all these old pots and kettles, 5423 out of a potential of 7016. 11 Cork University Press, 1992, p.68. 'Walker, p. 143. we will send them across to There were 129 spoiled papers and '· Priests from a big number of parishes in the Brighton as a wedding present." there was a dispute as to their validity. Diocese attended this meeting. People who supported Parnell had Seventy-six of these were for '·Molloy late became an MP. old kettles shaken in their faces and Hammond and 38 for Kettle with the '· The Carlow Sentinel, Saturday, June 4. sometimes left outside their houses. others for neither candidate. '· The Nationalist and Leinster Times, 11Ju/y, 1891. There is evidence to suggest that Hammond received 3,755 votes to '-The Carlow Sentinel, 11July, 1891. '· Carloviana, 1980, p.10. the Catholic Church tried to influence Kettle's 1,539, giving an Anti­ "· A question was later asked in the House of in a direct manner the way people Parnellite majority of 2,216. In his Commons in regard to the Carlow election and it · voted. In the polling booths there victory speech Mr. Hammond said was revealed that 829 of the voters declared would be at least one priest acting "God Bless the true and brave themselves illiterate and that in ten of the seven­ as Personating Agent. Before priests of the county of Carlow". He teen polling booths priests acted as personating polling day people were told to tell then adjourned to Tynan's Hotel. agents. "· In the General Election of 1885 the total vote the Presiding Officer that they were Parnell also spoke and vowed to was 5629 out of a register of 6835. No in 1891 the illiterate; they would therefore have continue the fight. Mr.Kettle spoke total vote was 5423 out of a register of 7016. to declare aloud who they voted for. and said he was glad that the "· John Hammond died in 1910 and is buried just In this way the priest would know election was conducted with "such inside the front gate of Killeshin Church. for whom they voted. 10 good humour on both sides with the The election day was exception of one or two regrettable Tuesday, 7 July. The polling districts incidents." He and Mr. Kettle went BIBLIOGRAPHY: were Bagenalstown, Borris, Carlow, to the station to catch the 4 o'clock Callanan, Frank. The Parnell Split, 1890-91, Cork University Press. 1992. Fenagh, Hacketstown, Myshall, train and there was great excitement Gwynn, Denis. The O'Gorman-Mahon, Duellist, Tullow, Rathvilly and Clonegal. and cheering and things became so Adventurer, Politician, Jarrolds Publisher, London. There were seventeen polling sta­ overwrought that the police had to 1934. tions. The poll opened at 8.00 am. be called. The margin of defeat was Kettle, L.J. (ed). The Material for Victory (Being One man was arrested on a charge greater than in the other two by­ the Memoirs of Andrew J.Kettle), C.J.Fallon Ltd. of impersonation in Carlow during elections and this was in the area Dublin. 1958. the morning. The conservative vote where Parnell thought he could win. The Carlow Sentinel The Nationalist & Leinster Times cast. was higher than anticipated This result could leave little doubt Walker, B.M.(Ed). Parliamentary Election Results and went fairly solid for Parnell. In that Parnell was being rejected by in Ireland, 1801-1922. Royal Irish Academy, Borris Frs.O'Donnell, Doyle and the electors and everyone knew Dublin. 1978. Mooney stood at the polling stations what would happen in the next for Hammond. There were 1254 General Election. The old Land 31 Goodlaw's Hole by Michael]. Wall

In the comer of a field in Knockfield townsland Graney, at the intersection of the roads to Rathvilly and Castledermot (via Coltstown), there was a depression or hole, now levelled in, known locally as Goodlaw's Hole. At this spot and adjacent to it an incident occurred during the tithe wars of 1837. It was reported in the Carlow Sentinel as follows: "On Tuesday last, a Protestant named John Goodlaw who resides in Carlow, proceeded to the residence of Mr. Browne, in Graney to serve a sub­ poena for the non-payment of tithes. On arriving at the house, he found Browne in his kitchen, and down. One of them placed his knee However , the fact is the car was after duly serving the notice, he left on his breast, and in his exertion to pursued - and they threatened to the place to return home. Browne's force a knife into his mouth to cut murder the carman for daring to servant men followed him through out his tongue, he dislocated the jaw. move the body off the road. The the yard and commenced blowing a The other ruffian nearly put out his young woman succeeded in per­ horn which was immediately eyes with a blunt instrument, and suading the remorseless wretches answered by others on adjoining after giving him a blow of a stone on not to disturb him, and she arrived hills. Goodlaw turned around and the skull, they left him for dead on in Carlow at about 7 O'clock and left found about twenty men following the road. In this condition the unfor­ the unfortunate man at the infirmary. him with pitch-forks, stones and tunate man lay covered with blood Shortly after, Charles H. Tuckey bludgeons. Seeing no hope of from 1 until 3 o'clock in open day Esq. R.M. took his deposition, and escape, he begged for mercy, and within a few perches of a house, notwithstanding the care, humane implored them to let him speak one and only a short distance from where attention and medical assistance of word to Browne. They led him back several men were at work, and Dr. Rawson, we fear that human aid to the house, upon which a servant­ who witnessed the scene, but who will prove unavailable, from the maid told them to take him away instead of protecting him, cheered nature of the wounds inflicted on his and immediately shut the door. At the murderers at every blow given head and body; his face presents a this period there were about forty their unhappy victim. horrid spectacle, the nose being men on the spot variously armed. At this period Dr. Rawson, of nearly severed with a knife. They led their unfortunate victim this town, accompanied by a ser­ On Wednesday night last, W. through the fields towards the turn­ vant, while driving through the turn­ Pinchin Esq.C.C. of police accom­ pike gate at Graney where it was pike, saw the body of a man cov­ panied by Head Constable Saville proposed by one of the party to ered in blood lying on the road, but and twenty five men proceeded to commence the work of slaughter - such was the mangled condition of the town land of Graney and arrested whereupon he received a blow of a the unfortunate, a considerable twelve men on suspicion of being pitchfork from behind, which laid time elapsed before he could concerned in the attempt to murder him prostrate.and they followed up recognise him. Just at this moment, the unfortunate Goodlaw and with their blows until they supposed he a horse and car came up, in which subsequently threatening to take was dead. The cowardly savages were the daughter and servant of a the life of Mr. Walker's servant man, then took him up and threw him in a man named Walker from for removing the victim. The parties mangled condition over a high wall Clogrennane. Dr.Rawson knowing were committed to gaol, under a into a pool of water; after which the the party to be Protestant had warrant granted by Charles H. crowd dispersed, but adopted the Goodlaw placed in the car and cov­ Tuckey Esq. R.M. and after some precaution of setting two ruffians to ered with straw, and gave instruc­ enquiry on Thursday, the parties watch him. The unfortunate man tions to bring him without delay to were remanded for further exami­ crept out of the water, and stagger­ the county infirmary, after which the nation. Reporting on the same ing to the turnpike gate, where he Doctor drove into this town incident, the Irish Independent gave craved for admission in vain, the {Carlow). Here it may be supposed the following account: door being shut in his face. Here he that the savage animosity of the ruf­ ''4 fellow named Good/aw, a was overtaken by the ferocious fians would cease, under the sup­ notorious character who distin­ villains, who were watching his position that Goodlaw was dead. guished himself on many occasions motions, and again knocked him 32 before the Magistrate at petty they brought me back to the house Carlow; I was also somMimes sessions in the capacity of informer and a servant girl of the name of employed by him in his trade as a etc. as also at the summer election Ellen Martin came out of the kitchen malster; I sometimes write for Mr. of 1835 by stabbing several persons and desired them not to let the wit­ Humphreys, the auctioneer and am with a long knife, when the orange ness see what they were going to not a process server". rabble made an attack on the do with me and so carry me away; James Kealy, examined by people, has taken upon himself the they did carry me to the road and Mr. Curran, stated that: "/ was ser­ new occupation of tithe bailiff. His there one of them, a boy whom I vant boy to Michael Browne on debut as such was made on had seen in Browne's kitchen read December last: I saw John Wednesday last at Graney. Whither the same copy of the writ which I Good/aw the last witness at my he had proceeded for the purpose had served on Browne and one of masters house; he came with some of serving a writ upon Mr. Michael the party immediately knocked me papers; he was followed by Edward Browne, a Protestant gentleman, as down with a blow of a large stick on Walsh, John Darby, Pat Doyle, Pat taken out by, we believe by the far the side of the head; they then Kane and some others who brought famed Rev. Captain Whitty. His kicked me on the head and sides him down to the road, and beat him character was so generally known and after rendering me nearly there: I saw them beating him there throughout the country, and the insensible, threw me over a low wall but not further on". object of his visit ascertained by on the side of the road into a pool of Cross examined by Mr. some of the peasantry, they com­ water on the other side of the wall Murphy: "I was taken up but I did menced shouting at him as he (Goodlaw's Hole); there was ice on nothing; I was let out and have passed. His conduct became so the water and I was nearly up to my been living with Mr. Judge in Athy violent that he challenged them to middle; I crawled out of the water since; I did not tell John Good/aw combat, and presented a pistol, and over the wall onto the road, anything about Patrick Kehoe or when some of the people closed on when the same party attacked me any of the men; I did not speak to him, knocked the pistol out of his again; I endeavoured to get into the him about the men who were hand and gave him a sound drub­ turnpike house, but the people shut there". bing. He has sworn against several the door against me, and I then was Dr. Rawson examined by Mr. persons and they have been com­ again knocked down and beat most Clarke stated that: "/ was coming mitted upon this information, but we cruelly with sticks; at length, I was from Duckett's Grove on the 5th of are rather of opinion that from the able to get up and, without my hat, December last and near knowledge of his character pos­ which was knocked off; endeav­ Castledermot I saw a man lying on sessed by every man in Carlow and oured to crawl along the road, and the road; I thought he was dead; I the neighbourhood it will be no easy had got to some distance, the blood lifted him up and found him in a matter to find a jury to yield credit to gushing out of my nose, ears and most dreadful state, his nose nearly his evidence against them." mouth, when two of the party over­ cut off; his eyes and mouth bleed­ · The case of the the Queen took me at a stream where I had ing and his eyes closed: he was versus Edward Walsh, John Darby, stopped to get a little water, and covered with blood and sludge; I did Edward Doyle, Patrick Kane, John one of them knocked me down and not think he would live many min­ Coogan, and Patrick Kehoe, the knelt on my stomach and endeav­ utes. I, however, got him revived a ·prisoners being indicted for a mali­ oured to force a knife into my little and sent him in a cart to cious assault on John Goodlaw on mouth, and the other of them with Carlow; he was in the infirmary near the 5th of December 1837 at his thumb, endeavoured to force a month and I thought him in great Turnpike Graney, Co. Kildare., was out my eyes, and they cried out that danger for a long time; that man heard in June 1838 before Judge they would cut out my tongue and was the witness John Good/aw''. Johnson in Carlow court. force out my eyes and they cut me Several police constables For the prosecution: desperately with the knife across were then examined who provided Messrs. Tickrell, Clarke, the nose, and after some time beat­ a search after the prisoners and Curran and Walker. ing and kicking me they left me for that they did not find them. For the defence: dead; I just heard the sound of the The prisoners were called as wit­ Mr.Murphy. feet going away; I believe / Jay there nesses and after a charge and John Goodlaw appearing as about two hours when Dr. Rawson some deliberation, the jury found a witness stated that: "On the 5th of of Carlow came up in his gig and verdict of guilty against Darby and December 1837 1 was employed put me in a car and sent me to the Kehoe and acquitted the others. by Mr. Butler attorney to serve a infirmary at Carlow; I was confined Judge Johnson called the Stbpoena on Mr. Browne. I went to near a month". convicted men up and passed Browne's house, and entered the The witness here identified· judgement on them saying that the kilchen, where I served Browne and John Darby and Patrick Kehoe as atrocity of the case exceeded Browne told me I should not go two of the party ano said he knew anything he had ever heard or home the way I came. Immediately their persons the moment he saw experienced. He sentenced Darby I quitted the house and heard a them; he did not know their names and Kehoe to be transported for horn blow, and looking behind me I until told; "/ lodged information seven years. &llllt four or five men following me before Mr. Tuckey in Carlow". This trial excited the most tlho seized me and cried out "here Cross examined by Mr. intense interest and lasted for is the villain who is serving litigats"; Murphy: "I was clerk to Mr. Smith in several hours. 33 Secretarys Report

The 49th Annual General Meeting at the he Old and the Formley steamers of the Glade Shipping Carlow Society was held in the Dr. O'Brien Centre on Company that disappeared with their crews without the 26th April 1995. trace in 1917 on their return voyage from Liverpool to In his opening address the chairman Mr. Martin Waterford. Nevin described the various events the society was Mr. Brian Kehoe gave a lecture on the involved in during the year. He reminded the members Palatines and Mr. Rory Murphy lectured on the 'Battle present that 1996 would be the 50th anniversary of the of the Pound', a reference to the anti-tithe war of 1831. founding of the Old Carlow Society. He asked for suit­ To end the season Mr. Seamus Murphy gave a able ideas to mark the occasion. talk on Askea parish and the adjoining townslands illus­ The anniversary which is being commemorated trated by very fine maps of the area. both at local and national level this year is the 150th The annual outing took place on Sunday 2nd anniversary of the Great Famine of 1845. Mr. Nevin July 1995. The tour took in Callan, Mullinahone, also spoke of the launch of a book "Come Capture a Ballingarry, Kilcooley, Tulloroan and Kilkenny City. Dr. Castle", featured research which the late Mr.Victor Tom McGrath.St. Patrick's College conducted the tour Hadden 'who was a founder member of the Old Carlow and gave an account of the historical events associat­ Society' did on the castles of the county. ed with each area. He thanked the officers and members for their The plaque erected to the memory of the lead­ commitment during the year and he hoped that anyone ers of the 'Young Ireland' movement which was sculpt­ with interest in local history would join the society. The ed by Messrs. Hughes monumental works of Carlow treasurer, Mr. Pat O'Neill, presented the audited finan­ attracted great attention. cial statements which show a sound financial state. A visit to the birthplace of Charles Kickham was The officers elected were as follows:­ included in the town as was a tour of the Lory Meagher Chairman: Mr. Martin Nevin; Vice Chairman: Mr. Kevin Heritage Centre which was officially opened in 1994 by Kennedy; Hon. Secretary: Ms. Rose Murphy; Hon. the President of Ireland, Mrs. Mary Robinson. Treasurer: Mr. Pat O'Neill; Editor Carloviana: Mr National Heritage day was held on Sunday Thomas Smyth. 10th September and the Old Carlow Society held an Committee members elected appear on anoth­ open day in the County Museum. There was also a er page. As part of the winter lectures Ms. Mary Doyle slide show at intervals which was highly praised by the and Ms. Mary Curran from Bagenalstown showed a visitors. number of interesting slides entitled 'Bagenalstown I should like to thank the officers for their assis­ past and present'. tance during t_he year and the sponsors of Carloviana Mr. Tom King, County Librarian gave a talk on who enable the Old Carlow Society to produce the jour­ books and maps of Carlow which are in the county nal. The Nationalist and Leinster Times have given library. Some of them were on display and were of great every assistance to the society since its foundation and interest to his listeners. is very much appreciated and acknowledged. Mr. Richard McElvee spoke on the Connebeg Rose Murphy

Extract taken from a lecture given by Brother Leo Slattery1

Patrician Brothers1 Tullow

November 301 1930: Roscat near Tullow gets its name from a battle The following verse is descriptive of the terrible fought there in olden times. (Ros, a wood; Cath, a encounter: battle). The stream running through it is called Clais­ a-gorp, meaning "The stream of the corpses". The Alas, how few of the tried and true bridge crossing this stream is called Aw-marav, which Reached Ulster's mountains hoary; means "Ford of the dead". And many weep for those who sleep, Fergus Fairghe, King of South Leinster, or Hy­ On that that field so rough and gory. Cinsella defeated the people of Ulster in battle at Ardristen (Ath Breistne) in the beginning of the first Nationalist and Leinster Times, 6/12/1930. Research, W. Ellis. century. Lady Well, Tullow was held in great veneration an annual fair. Date was changed and this annual fair up tQ 150 years ago (Bro. Leo Slattery lecture, 1930) commonly called the "Slobbery Fair'', was held on it was most likely used by St. Fortchern. October 29. Abuses were the cause of the special day (September 8) being discontinued. Traders began to Nationalist and Leinster Times, 15/11/1930 Research, W. Ellis come to the spot to sell their wares, it developed into 34 THE BLACK MIST byAlanDoran

Big Dan Walsh's mother conditions of the homes they recounted that their whole family In Leighlinbridge in the nineteen would have to visit. The whole (who were Nolan's of Rathornan) twenties a woman of one hundred area of Shankill, Wells, got out and broke and tilled the Tinnagarney and the Royal Oak years old named Mrs. Kavanagh, had pond field. They had to work with were in a terrible state with peo­ feacs. They sowed it with oats clear recollections of the Great ple sick and dying and not a and this saved them in Black '47. Famine. She remembered the people, priest, minister or doctor could be But they were lucky they had a mostly women,digging over the old got. But who should turn up but a few fields and managed to hold potato ground searching for the few strange kind of travelling man on to all the oats in spite of all the small potatoes that might have who was.what was known as a demands. She said that most of escaped the blight. They were all very "Poor Scholar". He could have the families that died of the been an unfrocked minister or a hunger, or had to go to America hungry people. She remembered also silenced priest. He wore a long or some other part of the world, the same people gleaning the corn­ black frock coat and had a cleri­ were people with very· little land fields gathering the ears of corn which cal collar. He said he had a cure just an acre or maybe even less. fell during the harvesting, even the for many ills including the cholera This, to the best of my memory is single grains were taken up by the if it was not gone too far. So he what those old ladies told the children and put into their mother's started out visiting the people. people, it was just the simple But he never set foot in any apron. truth. house nor did his shadow ever There is no evidence in darken a door. He told the people the parish records to show that burial ground there. Tradition in the houses to bring the sick in there was a famine, nothing is on tells us that the disused village their beds to the bedroom win­ record of cholera funerals, or pound which adjoined dow and in the case of a two special places of burial for the Ballyknockan graveyard was storey house he demanded a victims. In my youth I have not used as a burial place during the ladder of some kind to get up out­ spoken to any person who Famine. This tradition is side. The windows had to be admitted that any relative of strengthened by the fact that a opened and he prayed in at theirs was buried in any place considerable amount of human them. He then produced a stick outside the known dedicated bones were found during the lay­ about four feet long, he cut a cleft places of burial. Yet we have a ing of pipes in the 1950's. They in the end of it and put a magic ·1ane on the east side of the vil­ were reinterred just inside the potion in the cleft. He then poked lage which is called the Gholar south wall of the graveyard. This this long stick in through the win­ Lane and a field off it known as discovery at Ballyknockan makes dow saying to the person "Open the Gholar field, in which the it almost certain that there were thy eternal bake and take this cholera victims were supposed to interments in the Gholar field. It morsal from my holy stick". He be interred. But the elderly peo­ would appear then, that the normal claimed to have cured a lot of ple were always vague when system had completely broken people during his stay. He went asked what part of the field was down. as suddenly as he came and was used, this leaves doubt about the The conditions give some never heard of again. field. But the Gholar lane leads substance to the story told to me There is one place near into fields where there was a by a wonderful old man from Leighlinbridge which can be mass path years ago. There Wells who was born well back indicated as a Board of Works were three stiles which made into the last century, and after a job or a Grand Jury job which access easy for the pedestrian. life of hard work, for little reward, was commenced in the fall of By using this path one could walk he had earned the right to poke 1845. Thomas Fitzsimons, con­ from Leighlinbridge to fun at life. It is true in every word tractor was to cut down two hills Dunleckney Church in less than as it was told to me. and fill two hollows also to under­ half an hour. For the poor who There were very few doc­ pin the walls and build buttresses carried their dead on their shoul­ tors or men of 'the cloth' at that at and near Rathvinden and ders it was the shortest route to time who risked their lives to Ballyknockan, between Jacob ou·nleckney, one of the largest attend the sick, most of them Nolan's gate at Rathvinden and cemeteries in the county. Many dodged out of it through fear of Leighlinbridge. The whole job families from Leighlin had their the cholera and the miserable was to cost £60. But even at the 35 rate of pay that time it was no tradition of field burials. They ing and their children could not hardly possible to do all of the had a new graveyard surround­ be presented at school. They work which can be seen to this ing the Church which was little had lived on potatoes. In most day for £60. The Board of Works more than twenty years old at the cases they had neither win­ must have used it as a famine time of the famine. In that district dows or chimneys in their relief scheme. This work included in the townland of Rathornan, wretched hovels. It seemed as the widening of the bridge which John Paul O'Connor was born. if the very laws of the land spans Rathvinden river, building He became a well loved teaching conspired to squeeze them out of retaining walls and raising the Brother of the Patrician Order in existence. There was tax on the road to fill the ravine, all done by Galway. During the famine he heartstone and glass. Then the manual labour. High up in the embarked on a scheme of corre­ very elements turned against wall bounding Rathvinden House spondence with past pupils them. In July 1845 a heavy fog the viewer can still see the mark abroad which raised wonderful came down and obscured the of a built up door, it was a 'stony aid for the people of the west of sun for many days after which gate' which opened in on a path Ireland. He was befriended by the the potatoes drooped in horrible to Rathvinden House. It was great quaker family, the Bewleys blight. This dark fog presaged moved down to the southeast of Dublin who were renowned for the evil that was to come. The comer of the field, much nearer their charity. greatest human disaster in to Leighlinbridge and placed in a In Old Leighiin the grave­ Eurqpean history up to that time. position facing down into the yard is very old but quite big. A story told to me by an village. It could be seen from the There is no history of complete elderly man in 1930's mentions foot of the bridge. It had a point­ exclusion of any famine victims this fog. He said he was sent out ed arch and chamfered jambs, it here, although there were some to work for a farming family in was called the monks gate by hot disputes over burials. Monmore at about twelve or many elderly people, but it had My grandfather who lived thirteen years of age. He was nothing to do with the monastery. in Old Leighlin told the story of a frightened on the first night of his It was a monument to the famine woman who walked from a mile sojourn there. The father and years. Alas it is long since gone. beyond Leighlinbridge to contest mother of the man who hired him It is said that human a burial place on the day a man were old but still able to move bones were unearthed in a field who was her cousin was to be about. He looked at and listened across the road from Killenane buried in the ground she claimed. to everything. But he could not graveyard. The position there She came early in the morning, understand that while the old must have been the same as that lay on the grave all day and people moved about there was a of Ballyknockan graveyard. They defied the grave diggers, kicking wizened old man sitting deep in were both very small and were and screeching like the Banshee. on the hob close to the fire, who filled out by family plots at the Because of the gender of the looked out at him without blink­ tfme of the famine. The greater protester they could not decently ing. Nobody spoke in to him so part of the Ballyknockan grave­ drag her off. They had to open a the boy thought he was a ghost yard remains undisturbed, clut­ grave in another part of the or a fairy man. He thought that tered with tombstones and mark­ cemetery. he was the only one who could ing stones by the hundred, crop­ The popular newspapers see the old man. Then they all ping up in the most unexpected of the day were controlled and knelt down to say the rosary. The places. Every inch of it must edited by a strange type of people. father gave it out with plenty of have been marked out by fami­ They cheered at the healthy cattle, trimmings but when he fell silent, lies at the time of the famine. The sheep, and pig markets in the the little man in on the hob spoke Cholera was a dreaded and high­ cities of England, and sneered at out with a squeaky voice. "Now ly contagious disease, nobody their own Dublin and other markets we'll have a few 'Pater Avrs' that wanted any contact with it, and and there were enough people God keeps the terrible black mist when a grave was opened for a around to applaud it and when form coming down on the praites victim that grave was not to be one looks through old ledgers of and that the fowls of the air won't opened again for years. the years before the famine, it swoop down and gobble up the Leighlinbridge seems to have can be sensed that a great num­ little crops in the field". And away been hit badly by the disease. ber of people never came to buy went another bo~t of prayers This should the strange circum­ anything that cost more than a again. But the boy didn't mind, he stances peculiar to our area halfpenny. They lived on the was so relieved to discover that alone. I have not heard of periphery of society [n appalling the old man was of this world. cholera fields or lanes in any conditions. They had not a And when a mug of buttermilk other district. decent stitch of clothes or and stirabout was passed into In Ballinabranna there is footwear to go to mass or meet- him he lost all fear. He said the 36 old man could have been around was known to be haunted. But to SOCIETY MEMBER in 1798 not to talk of the famine get back to the case of the black­ times. leg, nobody now knows what the APPOINTED TO In the 1930's most of the doctor did in the form of ritual HERITAGE COUNCIL local stories that one could dig up but the climax of it was that they were exaggerated tales which had to climb up into the chimney The Minister for Arts seemed to have their origin in breast and fasten with an iron stock stories from cities and spike a part of the leg of an ani­ Culture and The Gaeltacht has large towns. It was as if the mal which had died of the dis­ appointed Michael Conry, Oak tellers wished to forget the awful ease. And then as it blackened Park and Old Carlow Society mem­ reality of something that had and dried with the heat and ber to the Heritage Council, a happened less than a century smoke, the blackleg went and statutory body whose function is to before. was never known on that farm propose policies and priorities for Many strange rituals and again. Neither did their potatoes the identification, protection, customs died with the famine. blacken in the great blight which preservation and enhancement of For instance the keeners were soon followed. The descendants the national heritage. never heard again. An old man claimed that this was due to the whose people were from affinity of the two diseases. Michael Conry received his Ballinabranna told me that his This story is true and the early education in his native grandmother walked all the way skeletal remains of that leg was Roscommon. Following studies at to Paulstown to keen for Medlar in that chimney well into this cen­ U.C.U. and U.C.D. he was the blacksmith, a man who made tury. The old lady who told of this conferred with an Honours Degree pikes for the men of 1798. was one who spent her child­ in Agriculture in 1958. He was Those things had been hood days with her grandparents awarded his M.Sc.(lst class Hons.) forbidden almost two hundred in the house where it happened. by the University of Ghent years before 1845, yet no one In almost every church (Belgium,) in 1967 and was took great notice of the precept. there are plaques to the memory But after the famine things of pastors who have passed conferred with his Ph.D. by Trinity changed and by the turn of the away. Some are so eulogised College Dublin in 1970. Dr. Conry century they held only a shadow that I am sure some of the poor was elected a Fellow of the of their place in Irish life. Which men would be uneasy could they Institute of Soil Scientists in 1992. brings me to the story of the family return to read them. But plaques He is Principal Research Officer at who in the early 1840's suffered to curates are very rare. On the the Oak Park Research Centre the scourge of an acute infec- east wall of our church there is a where he has worked on soil - tious disease in their cattle, plaque to the Rev.John Dempsey survey, soil pedology and crop called blackleg, which was fatal. who was curate in Carlow parish They were given a cure in the in the years of the famine. He agronomy. He has published over , form of an ancient phiseogach died in 1855 as curate of 120 papers on various subjects, which must have been fron:1 pre Leighlin. including 40 scientific papers on Christian times. The man who What makes it unique is soils, forestry and crop~husbandry, gave it to them was a relative that it was erected by the together with 6 major publications whose name was legendary for people of Carlow in grateful (books) on the soils in a number of his skill with animal disease. The remembrance of him and his counties in Ireland. He is a past­ man was nicknamed the doctor work amongst the poor. There is President of the Irish Tillage and and people were in awe of him, something very moving about Land Use society. some said he wasn't right. He this memorial to a young priest had a modest amount of land, he who gave his youth to the poor Dr. Conry has devoted never worked too hard and yet and could not be forgotten by the most of his extra-curricular lived the life of a gentleman, kept good people of the. parish. The activities to researching the work of late hours, went to the horse Chapel yard is now cemented the granite stone-cutters in Co. races and played cards in circles over but as you stand in front of Carlow and to a study of culm (i.e. where big money was at stake. the plaque to read you are stand­ slack from the coalmines),including The secret was that he rarely lost ing on his grave. The plaque is the industrial archaeology of its use and in fact he boasted that the now one hundred and forty years as a domestic and industrial fuel. only time he lost was when he and please God it will remain He has published a number of played with the devil under the there as long as the old church 'ash tree'. This tree was unusual stands. articles on these subjects. as it did not grow on the hedge The society wishes him but well out on the roadside, and ~ well in his new appointment. 37 Members of the Old Carlow Society 1995/96

Alcock, Noel, 46 Staunton Ave, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Ellis, William, 12 Radharc Oisin, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Alexander, John, Milford House, Milford, Co. Carlow. Fennell, Mrs. Eileen, Chapelstown, Carlow. Aughney, Fr. John, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. Fitzgerald, George, Hillcrest, Hanover, Carlow. Bagenal, J.S. Leaside, Hertingfordbury, Hertford, Herts. Fitzgibbon, James, 12 Rosmeen Gardens, Sandycove, Baragry, Margaret, 8 Larkfield, Carlow. Co. Dublin Barron, David, Dun Barron, Sycamore Road.Carlow. Fitzgibbon, John, Lenaboy, Coast Road, Malahide, Co. Dublin. Bayliss, Mrs Pat, Site GA Comp 13, R.R.5., Vernon B.C. , Fitzmaurice, Mrs. Sarah, Laurel Lodge, Carlow. Canada VIT 6L8. Flood, Mrs. Mary, Knock, Ballymurphy, Co. Carlow. Begley, Michael, A.LB. , 36/37 Tullow St., Carlow. Flynn, Miss Bridget, Burrin Street, Carlow. Boyce M.J., Braganza, Carlow. Geoghegan, Thomas, Ballinacarrig, Carlow. Brady, Matthew & Breda, Beann Ard, Borris, Co. Carlow. Glancy, Christopher, 16 Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Brennan, Michael & Joan, 2 Burrin Road, Carlow. Co. Carlow. Brennan, Mrs P., Kilcoltrim, Borris, Co. Carlow. Governey, Francis, Pollerton Big, Carlow. Brooks, Walter, Highfield Bungalow, Dublin Road, Carlow. Grant, Mrs. Margeret, Clonegal, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Butler, Tom & Mrs., 141 Leytonstone Road, Stratford, London Grant, Mrs. Nora, Clonegal, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. E1SLH.1. Grecol, John, 4273 Metropolitan Drive, S.W.Cleveland, Byrne, Mrs. Annie, Little Barrack Street, Carlow. Ohio,44135-1839, USA. Byrne, Rev. Gerald, Ballyconnell, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Harding, Rev. Brian, St. John's, Kilkenny. Byrne, Larry, Bahanna, St. Mullins, Co. Carlow. Haughney, Eamon, Pollerton Road, Carlow. Byrne, Margaret, 16 Sutton Grove, Sutton, Dublin 13. Healy, Pat, Pollerton Castle, Carlow. Byrne, Dr. Joan, 33 Eaton Square, Terenure, Dublin 6. Hennessy, Nora, Cois Abhainn, Borris, Co. Carlow. Byrne, Thomas, Coolnakisha, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. Hennessy, Mrs. Anna, Ballyheighlea, Borris, Co. Carlow. Byrne-Minchin, Mrs. Margaret, Coolnacuppogue, Carries, Herriott, Miss Kathleen, Kilree Street, Bagenaistown, Bagenaistown, Co. Carlow. Co. Carlow. Carbery, Dan & Attracta, Glencarrig, Green Road, Carlow. Higgins, Miss Noreen, 15 Monacuragh, Carlow. Clarke, Thomas, S7 St. Clare's Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Hogan, Seamus, Rathrush, Rathoe, Co. Carlow. Coen, Mrs. S., Kilkenny Road, Carlow. Holden, Michael, 30 Hanover Road, Carlow. Collins, J.C., Kileshin, Carlow. Hosey, William, Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Comerford, Patrick, Bahana, St. Mullins, Co. Carlow. Hughes, Mrs. Betty, Ballinabranna, Milford, Co. Carlow. Connolly, Alice, Maganey, Co. Kildare. Jones, Patrick, Staplestown Road, Carlow. Conry, Michael, Avila, Tullow Road, Carlow. Jordon, Andrew, Myshall, Co. Carlow. Considine, Mary Lou, Harbour Square 624, 51 ON Street S.W, Jordon, Mrs. Mary, 9 Roncalli Place, Carlow. Washington D.C. 20024, USA. Kavanagh, Myles, 1O Royal Oak Road, Bagenalstown, Coogan, John, Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Co. Carlow. · Corcoran, Mrs. B., 132 JKL Avenue, Carlow. Kearney, Anna, Apartment 7, Cathedral Close, Carlow. Coughlan, Miss Daisy, 104 Montgomery St.,Carlow. Kearney, Mary, Apartment 7, Cathedral Close, Carlow. Crombie, Mrs. Veronica, Pembroke, Carlow. Kearney, Simon, Kilnock, Ballon, Co. Carlow. Cuddy, Patrick, 21 ldrone Park, Tullow Road, Carlow. Kearney, J, 9 Chapel Road, Swinton, Lanes M27 OHF., England Cummins, Mrs. B., Dublin Road, Carlow. Kehoe, Thomas, Dublin Street, Carlow. Cunnane, Very Rev. Canon James.Our Lady of the Teper Church, Kelly, Mrs. Mary, Burren Street, Carlow. Cardigan, Wales. Kelly, Ned, 118 St. Clare's Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Dalton, Mrs. Eileen, Carries, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Kennedy, Edward, Kyle Park, Carlow. Dalton, Mrs. Brigid, Goolin, Borris, Co. Carlow. Kennedy, Kevin, 6 Oakley Park, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Dalton, Mrs. Bridget, Ballinvalley, Borris, Co. Cariow. Kenny, Peter, John J. Duggan & Co., College St., Carlow. Daly, Mrs. Ann, 10 Shelton Grove, Terenure, Dublin 6. Keogh, John, 56 Dublin Road, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Darcy, Christie, Tullow Street, Carlow. King, Sean, 6 The Glade, Oak Park Road, Carlow. Darcy, Mary.Tullow Street, Carlow. Kinsella, Patrick, 1520 Columbus Ave., Burlingame, Denietfe, Michael, 40 Oakley Park, Cariow. California 94010, USA. Deym, Bernhard Graf Von, Fenagh House, Fenagh, Co. Carlow. Lennon, Mrs. M., Tullow Street, Carlow. Dillon, Larry & Joan, Rutland, Palatine, Carlow. Lennon, Seamus, 2 Pembroke, Carlow. Dobbs, Thomas, Aclare, Myshall, Co. Carlow. Maddock, Patrick & Jane, 173 Fr. Maher Road, Graiguecullen, Dolan, Hugh, 35 Oakley Park, Tullow Road, Carlow. Carlow. Doogue, Martin, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. Maguire, Mrs Eileen, 34 Dublin Road, Carlow. Dooley, Mrs. Mary, 14 St. Killians Cresent, Carlow. Maher, Donal, John J. Duggan, College St., Carlow. Dooley, Anthony, Mortarstown, Carlow. Mc. Donald, Edward, Clonmore, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow. Dowling, John, Linkardstown, Carlow. Mc. Donald, Thomas & Anne, Harristown, Co. Carlow. Doyle, Miss Nellie, Granby Row, Carlow. Mc. Donnell, Mrs. Carmel, Barnagree, Tullow Road, Carlow. Doyle, Patrick M., Newtown, Borris, Co. Carlow. Mc. Evoy, Rev. John, St. Patricks College, Carlow. Doyle, Peader & lta, Manure, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Mc. Kenna, Fay & Mary, Maryville, Granby Row, Carlow. Doyle. Martin, Ave De Flanders, Wexford. McAssey, Mr~. Mary, 118 St. Clare's Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Duggan, Sr. Carmel, St. Ursula's, Sandyford, Co. Dublin. McDarby, Mrs. Kathleen, 3 Larkfield, Carlow. Dunne, Mrs. Rita, 43 Riverside, Carlow. McDarby, Miss Kathleen, 3 Larkfleld, Carlow. Dunny, William, Sherwood, Braganza, Carlow. McDonald, James T., 341 Avila St., San Francisco, Dwyer, Edward J., 39 Dillmont Drive, Smithtown, N.Y. 11787. California 94123, USA. 38 McDonnell, Rev. Thomas, St. Patricks College, Carlow. O'Neill, Sean, 30 Kill Abbey, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. McKenna, Rev. Dermot, 20 Sherwood, Carlow. O'Shea, Rev. Philip, P.P., Myshall, Co. Carlow. McNally, Richard, 9516 Lansford Drive, Cincinnati, Oliver, Mrs. Agnes, Carraig Rua, Kilkenny Road, Carlow. OH 45242-6104, USA. Oliver, Richard, 1024 Fox River Drive, De Pere, Wisconsin 54115, USA. Mealy, Fonsie, The Square, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. Rathusky, Mrs. Mary, Montgomery Street, Carlow. Moore, Mrs. Annie, 14 Montgomery Street, Carlow. Reddy, Seamus, 191 Sleatty Street, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Moore, Mrs. Fran, Don ore, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Reddy, Mrs. Angela, 1 Tullow Road, Carlow. Moore, John, 13 Kingston Crescent, Dundrum, Dublin 16. Redmond, Mrs. C., Silverdale, Crossneen, Carlow. Moran, James, Burrin Street, Carlow. Redmond, Thomas J., Hewoood, Oak Park, Carlow. Morris, Francis & Hope, Ballykealy, Ballon, Co. Carlow. Rice, Mrs. Mena, Main Street, Borris, Co. Carlow. Murphy, Moses & Mary, Slievedurda, Borris, Co. Carlow. Rooney, Patrick, Ballyellen, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny. Murphy, Miss Nora, 1 O Woodlawns, Borris, Co. Carlow. Scott, John F., Green Trees, Tinryland, Co. Carlow. Murphy, Miss Rose, 38 Kennedy Street, Carlow. Scully, C.C., 68 Princes Gardens, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent, England Murphy, Simon, Ballybeg, Borris, Co. Carlow. Sannon, James, Lorien, Scotland, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow. Murphy, Seam us & Terry, Pollerton Little, Carlow. Shaughnessy, Miss Breda, Railway Terrace, Borris, Co. Carlow. Murphy, James & Eileen, Drumphea, Garryhill, Co. Carlow. Sheehan, Richard, Dunleckney, Bagenaistown, Co. Carlow. Murray, Mrs. Madge, 25 Dublin Street, Carlow. Sheehan, Eileen, 119 Upperfield Road, Welwyn Garden City, Nevin, Martin, Carlow Road, Leghlinbridge, Co. Carlow. AL? 3LR, Herts, England. Nolan, Breda, Station Road, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Siter, Val, 40 College Gardens, Granby Row, Carlow. Nolan, Brendan & Vicky, 38 Burrin Street, Carlow. Smyth, Mary, 9 Hanover Court, Kennedy Avenue, Carlow. Nolan, Mrs. Kathleen, 32 Kernanstown, Bennekerry, Carlow. Smyth, Thomas, 9 Hanover Court, Kennedy Avenue, Carlow. Nolan, Liam, Newstown, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Swayne, Msgr. Sean, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. Nolan, John T., 22 East Court Street, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. Thomas, Peter, The Hermitage, Carlow. Nolan, Patrick, Shee Alms House, Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny. Walsh, Colm, Tinnahinch, Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. o Connor, Mrs. Eileen, Rosemount, Borris, Co. Carlow. Walshe, Patrick, Green Drake Inn, Borris, Co. Carlow. O'Connell, Miss Maureen, Lacken House, Borris, Co. Carlow. Walshe, Mrs. Bridie, Glass House, Borris, Co. Carlow. O'Dea, Patrick & Mary, Cill Bharra, Killeshin Road, Carlow.­ Whalen, Joseph, 3633 7th Avenue, W#27, Olympia, O'Hare, Patrick & Maire, Glenamoy, Leghlinbridge, Co. Carlow. Washington 98602, USA. O'Leary, Mrs. Eileen, Arus na Greine, Montgomery Street, Carlow. Whelen, Sean & Delma, 4 Montgomery Street, Carlow. O'Neill, Mrs Ellen, Broomvilla, Ardattin, Co. Carlow. Wynne, Dr. John, 2230 Jefferson Ave., West Vancouver, B.C., O'Neill, Miss Mary, 167 Colclough Avenue, Craiguecullen, Carlow. Canada. V7V 2A8 O'Neill, Maurice, Kilmurry, Ballon, Co. Carlow. Wynne, Anthony E., 376 McKendry Drive, Menlo Park, O'Neill, Patrick, 21 Bullock Park, Carlow. California 94025, USA.

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DEANE'S NEWSAGENT FOLEY'S PUB BARRACK STREET, CARLOW KENNEDY STREET, CARLOW Tel: 0503/43081 Prop: Kieran Foley

NEWARK T.A.HARNEY & CO. Printers - Designers - Stationers Chartered Accountants CLOGRENNANE, CARLOW N0.2 PRESENTATION PLACE, CARLOW Tel: 0503/43883. Fax: 0503/43886 Tel: 0503/32552 (3 lines). Fax: 0503/31134 SPONSORS MACS SOTHERN AUCTIONEERS LTD. Menswear, Dress Hire Auctioneers, Valuers, Insurance Brokers, 6, TULLOW ST, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31555 37 DUBLIN ST., CARLOW. Phone 0503/31218. Fax 0503/43765 . he best in Menswear District Office: Irish Nationwide Building Society Prescription Specialists FLY ONTO MAIRIN HOLOHAN O'CONNOR'S GREEN DRAKE INN, BORRIS CORLESS'f, 44 DUBLIN ST., CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31734 Lounge and Restaurant - Lunches and Evening Meals For all your Medical and Optical requirements Weddings and Parties catered for CARLOW ROWING CLUB IRISH PERMANENT BUILDING SOCIETY FOUNDED 1859 122/3 TULLOW STREET, CARLOW Youth of Carlow/Graiguecullen Phone:0503/43025,43690 always welcome Seamus Walker - Manager Carlow EDUCATIONAL BUILDING SOCIETY FIRST NATIONAL BUILDING SOCIETY 3, BURRIN ARCADE, CARLOW MARKET CROSS, CARLOW Phone:0503/42203,42579 Phone:0503/42925,42629 Michael Garvan - Branch Manager Con O'Neill - Branch Manager JOHN BRENNAN & CO. LTD. MULLARKEY INSURANCES BACON CURERS, CARLOW COURT PLACE, CARLOW Phone:0503/31710 Phone:0503/42295,42920 Ask tor Brennan's Pork Sausages General Insurance - Life and Pensions - Investment Bonds JONES BUSINESS SYSTEMS GIFTS GALORE FROM Mitsubishi Fax Machines, Amstrad and GILLESPI ES Apricot Computers Sales and Service KENNEDY AVENUE, CARLOW BURRIN STREET, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/32595 Phone:0503/31647,42451 CARLOW PRINTING CO. LTD. DEVOY'S GARAGE LTD. STRAWHALL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE,' CARLOW TULLOW ROAD, CARLOW For all your Printing Requirements. Phone: 0503/31512 Opel Dealers, Oil Distributors Directors: Aileen and Barry Duggan Phone:0503/31303

THOMAS M. BYRNE & SON KNOCKBEG COLLEGE, CARLOW Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL FOR BOYS 18, DUBLIN STREET, CARLOW Phone:0503/31853,31030,31008. Fax: 41608 Phone:0503/42127 ~b .,AAA•-,V...... , CARLOW SERVICE STATION ...... GREEN LANE. Phone: 0503/ 42861. Proprietors: F. and B. Mulvey. COURT PLACE, CARLOW Open Hours: Mon--Sat., 7 a.m.-midnight. Sun., 8 a.m.-midnight. Phone: 0503/31665. Fax:0503/42118 Cigarettes, Sweets, Cones, Minerals, Groceries.

A CC BANK O'CONNORS NEWSAGENTS A.C.C. HOUSE, GREEN LANE, CARLOW Papers, Magazines, Cards, Toys Phone:0503/31045,31603 THE RITZ, TULLOW STREET, CARLOW

TRUSTEE SAVINGS BANK SHEEHY MOTORS 55, TULLOW ST., CARLOW GREEN LANE, CARLOW Phone:0503/32253 Dealers for Volkswagen and Audi Cars John Lidierth - Branch Manager Phone:0503/31047,31288 JAMES DEMPSEY HARDWARE LTD. CLELAND$ SUPERMARKET 87, TULLOW STREET, CARLOW CARLOW, PORTLAOISE, PORTARLINGTON, ABBEYLEIX, Phone:0503/41644,41048 TULLAMORE, RATHDOWNEY, MOUNTMELLICK, MOUNTRATH, For all your Building Supplies and General Hardware NEWBRIDGE. REDD Y'S F. ROBINSON & SONS Bar, Lounge and Restaurant - 67, TULLOW STREET, CARLOW Buyers and Sellers of high-class new and secondhand Furniture Phone: 0503/42224. Lunches from 12.30. and Floor Coverings - Fitted Carpets a speciality. Licensed Restaurant from 5.30. Parties catered for. BURRIN STREET, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31652 ALCOCKS LAMBERT$ Traditional Pub and Lounge Newspapers, Weekly Magazines, Periodicals, GRAIGUECULLEN BRIDGE Fancy Goods and Stationery Worth The Visit. Est. 1827. DUBLIN STREET, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31921

QUINNSWORTH SUPERMARKET BYRNE'S ELECTRICAL T. V. Sales and Rental, Video and_ Hi-Fi KENNEDY AVENUE, CARLOW KENNEDY STREET, CARLOW. PHONE: 0503/31770 Phone:0503/43216 HACKETSTOWN. Phone: 0508/71124 CARLOW CURTAIN CENTRE CROTTYS Specialists in Covering Eiderdowns, Upholstery, Loose Covers, BAKERIES, CARLOW Pelmets, Curtains, Bedspreads. High Class Bakers of Fancy Breads and Catherine Tunstead, 10 MONTGOMERY ST., CARLOW. Tel: 0503/43483 Confectionery SPONSORS

Carlow's leading Department BOOKS & THINGS HIGH ST., BAGENALSTOWN. Phone: 0503/22164 , r ;, Store School Books, new and secondhand, Stationery, Greeting Cards ·~ TULLOW STREET. CARLOW and Toys, Photocopying Service, Local History Books. ii R. HEALY & SON A.I.B. Funeral Directors 36-37 TULLOW STREET, CARLOW POLLERTON CASTLE AND COLLEGE STREET Serving Carlow since late 1880s. 31286 Phone 31868 Branch Manager: Michael Begley. Manager: Barry Hickey

ULSTER BANK LIMITED. GAELSCOIL EOGHAIN Ui THUAIRISC HANOVER PLACE, CARLOW BOTHAR POLLERTON. Guthan 0503/31634 Tel. 0503/43034 Oideachas Lan-Ghaelach do phaisti bunscoile Branch Manager. Derek Harte;- Assistant Manager, Harry O'Reardon FOLEY'S JON'S Lounge Bar MEDICAL HALL LTD. LENNON'S REAL ESTATE HOUSE, 66 TULLOW ST., CARLOW 121. TULLOW STREET, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31575

WINDOW FASHIONS (Carlow) LTD. NORMAN D. SIXSMITH & LAMP SHOP Agricultural and General Engineer Soft Furnishings & Lighting Specialists 4 CASTLE ST., CARLOW. Phone: 0503/42554 DUBUN ROAD, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31593

BANK OF IRELAND LEIX PHARMACY POTATO MARKET GOVERNEY SQUARE, CARLOW. Invest in your future - Save with Bank of Ireland today Manager: Ken Wilson Phone:0503/31341 OGLESBY AND BUTLER LTD. O'BRIEN TRAVEL LTD. INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, DUBLIN ROAD, CARLOW DUBLIN STREET, CARLOW Manufacturers of Portasol Soldering Irons and Equipment Phone: 0503/31613. Telex: 33006. Phone:0503/43333 Specialists in Air and Sea Travel

JACK McDONALD IRISH NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY New and Used Tractors 73 BURRIN STREET, CARLOW CROSSNEEN, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31455 Phone:0503/43377,43574

DAN MORRISSEY LTD. O'CONNORS NEWSAGENTS BENNEKERRY 31464, GRANGEFORD 46629, CLONMELSH 46142 Papers, Magazines, Cards, Toys Readymix Concrete * Concrete Products * Ground Limestone * Rockford Tiles THE RITZ, TULLOW STREET, CARLOW

DARCY'S DOWLING CHEMICAL SYSTEMS Furniture and Carpets LINKARDSTOWN, CARLOW 33-35 TULLOW STREET. CARLOW Tel. 0503/46103/46233. Fax 0503/46272

RACEY BYRNE'S THE PLOUGH THE NATIONALIST & LEINSTER TIMES TULLOW STREET, CARLOW Newspaper Publishers, Typesetting and Office Stationery Sport, craic agus ceoil Live music every weekend TULLOW STREET, CARLOW THE IRISHMAN'S BANK OF IRELAND (Prop: J. J. Hargaden) COURT PLACE COURT PLACE, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31171. Invest in your future - Save with Bank of Ireland today Wines and Spirits. High-Class Lounges and Bars Manager: Eamonn Delaney

JAMES JONES LTD. PEADAR & ETTA DOYLE 30 TULLOW STREET Newsagents Top value in Irish made footwear always available at keenest prices CARLOW SHOPPING CENTRE. Tel. (0503) 30169 I BOSCO'$ RATHCROGUE HOUSE, CARLOW \ 132 TULLOW STREET, CARLOW. Phone: 0503/31093 THE ACACIA ROOMS RESTAURANT ! Quality Meat, Fish and Poultry. Open Seven Nights 5-Midnight. Also Nite Bite Menu 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. l We are the specialists. Don't settle for less' SUNDAY LUNCH 12.30- 3 p.m. R. J. SMYTH & CO. O'DWYER'S PHARMACY I CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS I TULLOW STREET, CARLOW i Hanover Court, Kennedy Ave., Carlow Phone:0503/31467 Tel: 0503/42362/32113 Fax: 0503/41846 Clothing of Traditional Quality and BERNARD JENNINGS, F.A.0.1. Fashionable Look Ophthalmic Optician HANLEY'S 3 DUBLIN STREET, CARLOW. HOUSE for MEN Phone:0503/43808 CARLOW ~!

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