Community Magazine

June 2014 No. 326

EDITORIAL cils such as we have had in for the past 41 years. Le Chéile is the official publication of Clane A person recently mentioned to me Community Council. It comes out 10 times that when you visited Clane and saw the in the year -monthly except for July and Abbey Community Centre with the nicely August. We completed 40 years in January groomed lawn of the old Village Green to its 2014. In February we switched to publica- front, with the well kept floral display asso- tion on the Internet. Le Chéile may now be ciated with the Fr. John Sullivan Monument accessed on Clane Community Council’s and the architecturally graceful Abbey Tow- Website at www.clanecommunity.ie A few er, illuminated at night and crowned with a hard copies are supplied to Clane Library flag proclaiming “Clane Tidy Towns”, that each month. Following the publication of the message of community support and com- this, our June issue, we will be taking our mitment came across clearly. It must be usual break until September. We wish all remembered that this had been a roofless readers and contributors a very happy and ruin for over a hundred years and had been relaxing summer break. condemned for demolition. Add to this the We take this opportunity to remind purchase and development of the Stream readers that judging in the National Tidy Park, now the Children’s Playground, the Towns Competition commences on 1st June Liffey Walk, Heritage Signage, Tidy Towns, and continues until 31st August. We ask for Community Games, etc. The message is the co-operation of all in keeping the place clear -voluntary Community Councils, tidy and thereby helping the Tidy Towns which were originally inspired by Muintir na Committee in the great work they do for the Tíre, offer a way forward for the towns and area. We would recommend all members of villages of . Clane is not the only our community to take the opportunity to example; look also to places like view , where you will find not one and and so many others. speck of litter at any time of the day throughout the entire week! This extends to CALENDAR the entire area, estates and all, and not just the Main Street. That does not mean they are Thursday 12th June out there picking it up every day. They just Annual June Mass at the Abbey Cemetery don’t have to! on the Road. It is difficult to take in the fact that Monday 23rd June after 115 years all the Town Councils Monthly Meeting of Clane Community throughout the length and breath of the Council in the Abbey at 8pm. country have been abolished. This applies Wed. and Thurs. 26th and 27th June even to County Towns like . When pre- County Community Games in viously you walked the streets of Naas and Clongowes Wood College grounds. towns like it and observed the Town Hall Monday 30th June and other civic buildings, together with pub- Monthly Meeting of Clane Community lic parks, floral displays, etc., you were keenly aware of the civic pride which at- EDITOR’S DEADLINE tached to the locality and the works under- taken for it by the democratically elected The deadline for receipt of material for the authority. The people had a voice in deter- September issue of Le Chéile is mining the quality of the place where they Monday 25th August lived. All that is now gone and there is a To 142 Loughbollard please. sense of nervousness with regard to what the future may hold for such towns. In many Tel. 045-868474. cases the people are believed to be looking E-mail: [email protected] into setting up voluntary Community Coun- 2

Council in the Abbey Community Centre at of Matthew. The parables are interspersed 8pm. with a variety of modern music. Schwartz's songs incorporate a variety of musical styles, from pop to folk rock, gospel, and vaudeville. The London production of Godspell opened at the Roundhouse Thea- tre on 17 November 1971 and starred (among others) David Essex, Jeremy Irons Chairman : Ken Pierce and Marti Webb. 085-1474494 Godspell is a show for all ages and the So- Acting Chairman: Art McGauran ciety is excited to see how Director Arthur 087-6578560 McGauran and Choreographer Deirdre Vice-Chairman: Vinny O’Shaughnessy Browne interpret the script, which has at- 087-6276109 tracted its own share of controversy over the Treasurer : Anne Noonan years. Michael Fay can’t wait to start music 087-6897376 rehearsals given the range and style of music Secretary: Elaine Moore-O'Donohoe and the opportunities for both soloists and 087-2366585 chorus. Rehearsal and audition dates will be PRO: Sadie O'Reilly announced shortly. In the meantime, further 087-7916989 information can be obtained by emailing Committee Members: [email protected]. Therese Callery (Registrar), Michelle Flan- nery, Michele Kelly, Mel McGarr, Sadie O’Reilly PRO Contact us at any of the above numbers or by email to clanemusicalsocie- CLANE COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRI [email protected] EIREANN You can also follow Clane Musical Society on Facebook or on Twitter @ClaneMS. A Great nights entertainment had by all at our April Music session in Clane GAA. IT’S OFFICIAL! Clane Musical Society’s Many thanks to all musicians who attended. next musical production will be Godspell to It was great to see those from other areas and be staged in The Abbey, Clane, from the 3rd th branches. Also big thanks to the Clane GAA to the 8 November 2014. Following last for providing the lovely welcoming refresh- year’s highly acclaimed Little Shop of Hor- ments. We hope to hold our next one on Fri- rors the Society welcome back Director Ar- day May 30th. Again all welcome. thur McGauran and Choreographer Deirdre Browne and are delighted that the production Classes are finished now for this term and line will be completed by Michael Fay, Mu- times and dates of next term will be sent to sical Director. all members in due course. Seanós dancing Godspell, with music and lyrics by Stephen will continue to take place on Tuesday nights Schwartz and others and book by John- to end of June in Parish Centre Prosperous. Michael Tebelak opened off Broadway on Commencing at 8.30pm again all welcome. May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since. It includes the ever popular "Day by Kildare Fleadh Ceol was a great success and Day" and other great chorus numbers such as well done to all who took part especially the “Prepare Ye (the way of the Lord)”. A film younger members from Clane CCE as it was version of the musical was released in 1973, the first time taking part in the competitions set in modern New York, for most of them. Well done to all those who The structure of the musical is that of a se- got through to the Leinster Fleadh/Fleadh ries of parables, mostly based on the Gospel Laighean. Margaret Geraghy in Singing, 3

Ciara Geraghy with Groupa Coel/ well once again this year. The speakers were Ceili Band, Sean Waters & Mairead Swords all so informative, in particular Fr. Brian in Seanos dancing. Well done and best of Darcy. Also there were big congregations on luck at Fleagh Laigheann in Moate West- each night, so here’s to the next one. meath in July. A special word of thanks to On behalf of the Evergreens I would all our tutors for their help and encourage- like to thank C.M.S. for the complementary ment in preparation for the Fleadh. tickets to “Pygmalion”. This was wonderful- ly acted by these brilliant artists. C.M.S. keeps going from strength to strength all the A huge word of praise to the county board time and long may they continue to give committee/members who helped to make it a such enjoyment and pleasure; they are a great success from Wednesday right through wonderful bunch. to Sunday at closing session. It was five eve- Unfortunately I couldn’t go on the nings of entertainment well attended by all wonderful few days to Athlone with the Ev- branches and it is a certain that Music , song ergreens for this holiday. It was very much & dance is alive and well in Co Kildare. enjoyed by all who went. This is a most in- Congrats to all who helped out and a special teresting town on the broad majestic Shan- word of thanks to Catherine Burcheal of non with so much to offer -awe inspiring Clane CCE who did outstanding work all scenery, parks and gardens and of course the week including the control of the Raffle quintessential shopping. tickets. Well done Catherine. 1st Price went nd We are breaking up now for the Sum- to Mary Ryan /. 2 Prize mer and we are back in September when we to Lachlan, Cillian & Ross Behan C/O Breda hope to see some new faces and a céad mile Short. Well done to all. falte awaits you. We would like to thank everyone who helps us in any way both fi- To all our members have a great and safe nancially and otherwise and of course the Summer and get to as many sessions and lovely Fiona, who so willingly imparts her festivals you can and we will see you all in great knowledge and expertise in Art each September. week to all the bidding artists in the Ever- greens. So have a safe and happy Summer Chairperson / Margaret Gannon and enjoy the lovely weather, providing we 087-9136509 get it. Beir bua agus beannacht agus fé Vice chairperson/ Philip Blake coimirce Dé sibh go foil. 087-2518122 Maureen Spain (PRO)

THE EVERGREENS COMMUNITY GAMES

Well we are into the beautiful month of Community Games is another undertaking June, which is specially dedicated to the we have in the Clane & Rathcoffey area. Sacred Heart -the month in which we are Our Field and Track events are scheduled reminded of how much God loves us and of for Saturday 24th May, commencing our worth and dignity as human beings. The 1.30pm. at Scoil Mhuire Community School, Novena begins 19th June to 27th, which is by kind permission. The results should be the actual feast day. We are reminded of included in this edition of Le Chéile. This Pentecost too, 8th June: “Come Holy Spirit” will be the first time in very many years that and we reflect on the gift of the Holy Spirit we have not had the Games in the evening. It as promised by the risen Christ and how the generally proves very difficult to get a Satur- Spirit empowers us in prayer and reflection day or Sunday in May without 1st Commun- in our daily lives. It was truly uplifting to ions. We wish all those representing Clane experience that the Parish Novena did so & Rathcoffey in the County Finals sched-

4 uled for Clongowes on Wed. and Thurs. A Big Raffle will take place in Sept. and 25th and 26th June the best of luck. tickets will be on sale soon Great prizes with 1st €1000, 2nd. €300 and [ Note the Games had to be postponed until 3rd. €150 -plus numerous Saturday 31st because of bad weather and more. Tickets are €5 each or 3 for €10. ground conditions -see page 9] Big News is- "STRICTLY COME DANC- ING" will take place in Westgrove Hotel on CLANE TENNIS CLUB Sun. 26th. Oct. (Bank Holiday weekend). Clane United FC will be joining us in organ- The Summer days have arrived and Clane ising this big event and we will be on the Tennis Club is seeing plenty of activity both lookout for participants in the coming on and off the courts. months. All ages over 18 welcome and we Three teams are competing in the Dublin hope to have a few local "VIPS" taking part. Summer League and the men's team have Visit our website for all info and pho- won their first three matches and with two to gallery . Tel 0872745904. remaining hope to qualify for the play off and the two ladies teams are also doing CLANE TOASTMASTERS very well and hopefully will also reach the play off stage. Clane Toastmasters Meetings takes place on The Annual Business House Doubles Tour- the first and third Wed of each month. There nament will commence on Monday 7th. July will be a joint meeting of Clane and over 2 weeks with finals on Sat. 19th. We Maynooth Toastmaster clubs on Mon.9th invite all shops, pubs, boutiques, hardware, June at 7.45pm in the Glenroyal Hotel, pharmacies, hairdressers and all other busi- Maynooth. Consequently, there will be no ness's to enter teams and we will assist with Toastmasters Meeting in Clane on Wed.3rd players if required. June. Next meeting will be held on Team entry is only €50 - 2 Men and 2 La- Wed.18th.June in the Westgrove Hotel. dies, catering for all grades. Clane at 7.45pm. Tel. 087 2582103/087 6851317 closing date 4th. July. For further information, contact Maureen : Presentation and refreshments Sat. 19th. 087 2258020; Joseph; 086 8221589. 8p.m. Email [email protected] Men's Doubles continue every Monday from Maureen Giblin, 8p.m and new members are welcome. Tuesday Social Doubles continue to have a CLANE GOLF CLUB (Men’s club) great turnout and again we cater for all grades. Comm. 7.30p.m. The 9 hole Street League continues & the New Members are very welcome to partici- leading teams are: pate and see our great facilities. Call down Mainham – M.Cuddihy, J.Higgins, any Tuesday evening. B.Conlan, M. Kelleher, T.McGiff 177 Junior Tennis committee are preparing for Loughbollard- T.Brennan, J.Craughwell, Summer Camps and weekly J.Mahony, T.Murray, J. Kelly 168 coaching. Parents are welcome to come College Road- S.Carew, D.F.Coonan, J. along any time for information. Coonan, D.Mahony, J.Malone 164. Meanwhile our two Tus Workers are contin- uing looking after the KARE and Tennis Golfer of the Year: grounds and are making great improve- Michael Cuddihy 60 pts. ments . Seamus Carew 43 pts. We have two big Fund Raising Events com- Brian Conlan 41 pts. ing up. Diarmuid Coonan 40 pts.

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Eamonn Howlin 39 pts. Blackhall is a townland adjoining Clane on the south side of the . It had an Forthcoming events for June: eventful past with connections to almost  Street League ends on 8th June. every period in history. In the pre-historic  9 & 18 Hole Matchplay competitions times it was on the path of the ancient pro- progressing towards final stages. vincial road that linked Nás na Riogh the  Sunday 15th June Vice Captain’s capital of Leinster with Tara. This road ex- Prize- Dec Mahony, see time sheet. tended on an Esker for much of its course to th the Liffey at Clane. A feature of Blackhall  Week-end away on 13/14 Septem- today is the elevated ridge that extends ber to Mount Wolseley- all interested through the townland which marked the site please note that deposits are now due. of the pre-historic road. The road crossed the Liffey at the ancient ford between Clane Main Results for May: rd th and Blackhall. 3 & 4 May- J.B.McAndrew Cup- 1. Padraig Rooney (13) 41 pts. Placename The place name Blackhall dates from the 2. Michael Cuddihy (14) 40 pts. Norman period and comes from a ‘Hall House’ which was a category of a castle or 3. Ger Tyndall (19) 39 pts. stone house from that period. It is likely that

th the dark coloured stone that was used in the 10 May- Outing to Millicent construction and this building gave its name 1. Tommy Carew (9) 35 pts. to the townsland. Records also indicate that another medieval fortification referred to as 2. Seamus Carew (9) 34 pts. ‘Black Castle’ existed in Clane at this peri- od. It is likely the stone used in the construc- 3. Robbie Reilly (6) 34 pts. tion of both castles came from the same

th th quarry. 10 & 11 May 18 hole V Par- 1. Ted Murray (20) 4 up. Maurice FitzGerald The FitzGerald family are the earliest 2. Tom Bryan (27) 3 up. known landowners of Blackhall and they can

th th link their ownership back to Maurice Fitz- 17 & 18 May 18 hole Stableford- Gerald one of the original Norman adventur- 1. Aidan Donovan (Capt.) 43 pts. ers. He obtained a grant of an area encom- passing the Barony of Naas which included 2. Aiden O’Neill (17) 39 pts. Blackhall in 1172. His descendents contin-

rd th ued to hold the townsland throughout the 23 & 24 May 18 hole Stableford- medieval period until the mid 17th century. 1. Pa Connolly (15) 40 pts. Wars of the 1640s 2. Seamus Carew (9) 38 pts. Following the rebellion of 1641 many local landowners sided with the Confederate re- Eamonn Howlin bels including the FitzGeralds of Blackhall. In 1642 the Earl of Ormond who was the KNOW YOUR TOWNSLAND Kings representative in the country sent an Blackhall army into and they captured By Seamus Cullen and destroyed numerous Confederate cas- tles, including Blackhall. It is known that the Ancient road castle was rebuilt in 1654 as this was record-

6 ed in the civil survey which indicated that a of 1651 to 1654 in Scotland. He died follow- ‘castle in Blackhall was under reconstruc- ing an encounter with Cromwellian support- tion’. The survey also mentioned a corn mill ers in Scotland in 1654, aged 28. that was also in the process of been rebuilt. It was sited on the Blackhall side of the River Page and Wolfe Family Liffey close to Clane bridge and was pow- In the late 17th century Blackhall came into ered by the flow of water from a weir. Its the possession of Patrick Page. Following his location is shown on various 18th and 19th death the townsland passed to his son John century maps and in recent times was known whose sister Lydia married Richard Wolfe of as Slevins Mill. Fornaughts. Their son Thomas Wolfe, short- ly before 1732, obtained the lease of Black- In the survey of 1654 the estimated area of hall from his uncle John Page. This family Blackhall was 200 acres with the land de- link with Blackhall was to continue until the scribed as arable. The measure, however, 20th century used to determine an acre, was not the statute measurement used today. The value of the Blackhall House lands as they were let or worth to be let in A substantial two story over basement house 1640 was given as £50. The owner of the replaced the Castle at Blackhall as the princi- townsland at the time was William FitzGer- pal dwelling in the townland in the early 18th ald of Blackhall. Mention was also made of a century. It is not known for definite when the large area of common land that belonged to house was built but most historians point to the lands of Blackhall. A census from 1659, its construction during the lifetime of Thom- indicated that Blackhall had a population of as Wolfe who had acquired the estate in the 35, in which all the residents were described 1730s. The house consisted of a seven bay as Irish. The only individual named in the front, with the three centre bays being re- census was Anthony Sherlock who more cesses. It had a flat roof with what was re- than likely lived in Blackhall Castle. Despite ferred to as ‘a fantastic cupola sprouting the devastation of the Confederate Wars the from it’. Thomas Wolfe died in 1787 and his townsland was far from depopulated and had son Theobald succeeded to the lands. a moderately higher population than the 29 individuals recorded in the 1901 census. Margaret Lamport One of the more famous although largely Wogan’s of Blackhall forgotten individuals connected with Black- A branch of the Wogan family also had con- hall House was Margaret Lamport who was nections with Blackhall in the 17th century. a leading member of the Wolfe household Nicholas Wogan a member of the Wogans of staff in the early 1760’s. Margaret belonged Newhall lived in Blackhall for a short time to a shipping family from Drogheda where prior to his death in 1636. One of his sons her father Captain Lamport was skipper of a Edward had an outstanding military career ship that traded from the port. In the house- during the English Civil War in the 1640s. hold staff, Margaret held an important posi- He was born in Blackhall in 1626 and moved tion as a leading assistant and companion to to live with relatives in England. He initially the wife of Thomas Wolfe. Due to her reli- served under Cromwell but defected to the gious affiliation, her prominent position in side of King Charles. At the battle of Nasby the household staff was unusual at the time. in 1645 he is accredited with saving the The Wolfe family were members of the Es- Kings life. When the war ended in England, tablished Church and Margaret was a Catho- Wogan returned to Ireland to continue his lic. In 1762, Margaret married Peter Tone fight against Cromwell and successfully de- the son and heir of a local farmer from near- fended the fort of Duncannon in 1649. He by Bodenstown. They relocated to Dublin subsequently took part in Royalist uprisings where their eldest son Theobald

7 was born. Theobald Wolfe son and heir of local security affairs in the decade after the owner of Blackhall Estate was godfather 1798. Peter served as High Sheriff of the to the child who was given his godfathers county in 1805 and James served as a Major name. This was not unusual at the time as in the Kildare Militia. Peter’s second son Wolfe Tone himself in later years named two William chose an army career and obtained of his sons after their godfathers. Margaret the rank of Colonel. During the 1850s, he Lamport Tone died almost forgotten in took part in the Crimea War. Peter Wolfe Phibsborough in 1818 and was buried in the had eight children five boys and three girls. family plot in Bodenstown Churchyard. However, his daughter Helena was the only one of his offspring that ever married. John Wolfe Family and 1798 Wolfe was the last member of the family to In the turbulent period of the 1790s the reside in Blackhall and following his death Wolfe family were opponents of the United in 1870 the estate passed to his nephew Rob- Irishmen. On the night of the outbreak of the ert Rynd the eldest son of his sister Helena Rising in 1798, Theobald Wolfe was tipped Wolfe who had married Christopher Rynd of off by sympatric rebels of the danger and Mountarmstrong. The Rynd family were together with his family managed to escape prominent in the area and Christopher was from the house. They made their way to brother to Dr Francis Rynd who obtained Dublin before moving for a short time to fame as the Physician, who invented the hol- Cheltenham, England. According to the fam- low needle used in hypodermic syringes. The ily, an interesting incident occurred relating family link to Blackhall extending back sev- to the family pet a dog named ‘Tip’. The dog en generations came to an end in the first was left behind in the house when they fled decade of the 20th century when Robert Rynd in 1798 but mysteriously turned up at their sold the townland in 1907. English residence some weeks later. The story survived for many generations mainly due to the fact that there was an engraving of CLANE UNION OF PARISHES the dog in Blackhall House.

Rev Charles Wolfe (1791-1831) FÊTE Theobald Wolfe had eleven children and the youngest Charles was to become the most Sunday 8th June famous member of the family. He was born 1pm-6pm at Blackhall in 1791 and chose a career as a clergymen but his main call to fame was as a poet. In 1825 he published his only volume Hewetson School Grounds of verse, ‘Poetical Remains’ and it included MILLICENT, CLANE ‘The Burial of Sir John Moore after Cronna’. This verse became one of the most famous Fun Day poems from the period and was on the pri- mary school curriculum in Great Britain For all the Family throughout the 19th and 20th centuries and also in Ireland until Independence. Charles CRAFTS*PLANTS*BOOKS died of consumption in in 1823 at a CAKES*SWEETS*RAFFLES relatively young age of 31. HOTDOGS*ICE CREAM*RIDES TEAS*FACE PAINTING* DOG Wolfe Family in the 19th century Following the death of Theobald Wolfe in SHOWS*BOUNCY CASTLES 1799 the ownership of Blackhall passed to Entry €2 per Adult Children Free his senior surviving son Peter. Both Peter FREE PARKING AT MILLICENT GOLF CLUB and his younger brother James assisted in 8

Boys U12 100m 1. Eamonn Fitzgerald 2. Harry Younge 3. Harry O’Neill

Girls U12 100m 1. Amy O’Sullivan 2. A'ine Maguire 3. Rosemarie Ennis While, regretably, the Games had to be cancelled on the afternoon of Saturday 24th, Boys U14 100m due to weather and ground conditions, they 1. Sam Reilly went ahead in glorious sunshine the 2. Eoin Twohig following weekend on the morning of 3. Ollie Ogbogoh Saturday 31st May. Many thanks to all who helped, including the members of Clane Girls U14 100m Athletic Club. Thanks also to the Principal 1. Keelin White and Board of Management of Scoil Mhuire 2. Temi Eko-Davis Community School. 3. Robyn Donovan

The results were as follows:- Girls U16 100m 1. Lucy McCann Boys U8 60m

1. James McCormack Boys U16 100m 2. Aron Dempsey 1. Jason Devine 3. Oisín Coll 2. Iweanya Ogbogoh

Boys U8 80m Boys U10 200m 1. Tami Eko-Davis 1. Rhys Vaughan 2. James McCormack 2. Alex Quinn 3. Oisín Coll 3. Culann Healy

Girls U8 60m Girls U10 200m 1. Eimear Behan 1. Meabh Maguire 2. Lucy Dempsey 2. Phoenix Taaffe 3. Aoife Dolan 3. Roisín Carbury

Girls U8 80m Boys U12 600m 1. Lucy Dempsey 1. Eamon Fitzgerald 2. Eimear Behan 2. Harry O’Neill 3. Aoife Dolan 3. Eoghan Connelly

Boys U10 100m Girls U12 600m 1. Rhys Vaughan 1. Rebecca Travers 2. Alex Quinn 2. A'ine Maguire 3. Calann Healy 3. Claire Lynch

Girls U10 100m Boys U14 800m 1. Meabh Maguire 1. Sam Reilly 2. Phoenix Taaffe 2. Ollie Ogbogoh 3. Roisín Carbury 9

3. Eoin Twohig We congratulate them and wish them Girls U14 800m luck. 1. Ciara O’Beirne 2. Robyn Donovan 3. Jennifer Robinson “WHAT’S IN A NAME?”

Boys U16 1500m The implication is “Not very much.” Many 1. Jason Devine of our local place names belie the notion that 2. Hugo Travers place names can be uninteresting. Did you know, for example, that one of the longest Girls U16 1500m place names in Ireland is Newtown- 1. Lucy McCann moneenaluggagh, which lies to the north of Ballagh Cross, is one of the longest place Girls U14 Long Jump names in Ireland and is reputed to mean 1. Keelin White “little bog of the hollow” It has one letter 2. Robyn Donovan more than Newtownmountkennedy. 3. Kealy Mac Cabe Many of out older place names, Boys U14 Long Jump which were not recorded on maps, have dis- 1. James Keogh appeared. Some older readers will remember the “Locán”, once a small pond on the right Boys U12 Long Puck hand side about 300 yards out the 1. Eamon Fitzgerald Ballinagappa Road. “Coiseanna” referred to 2. Eoghan Connelly the Woods Centre area and the hill up from 3. Culann Healy it. It derives from Cois Eannaigh (beside the marsh). The “marsh” refers to what is now Girls U14 Long Puck known as Central Park Green. On Taylor’s 1. Rebecca Lynch Map of 1783 it was marked “Moneen 2. Aoibhinn Healy Bán” (the “white bog” or fen). Others in- clude:- Team Events Gollamochy, as in the Gollamochy Bridge, In the Boys U10 Gaelic Football the Clane which spans the stream at the bottom of the team beat Maynooth to win the County. hill before Clongowes. It is translated as “the fork in the Stream which enclosed a cattle They subsequently beat Baltinglas in the field or milking plain”. The fork was shown first round of Leinster and meet Skerries in the O.S. Map of 1838. (Now flowing in next Saturday. We wish them success. one straight line along the Clongowes boundary) It is only at this immediate loca- PRESENTATION OF M EDALS tion that the river is known as Gollamochy. At all other points it is named after the im- Medals won in the local Clane & Rathcoffey mediate land-owner. The older name for the Community Games will be presented in the river was “Abha doibhinín” or “little deep Abbey Community Centre on the evening of river”. (Map of 1650) Tuesday 10th June at 7.30pm. The winners will go on to represent the Clane & Aghapaudeen: (near Digby Bridge) Pau- Rathcoffey Area at the County level. The deen’s Field. County Games will be held in Clongowes Wood College on Wednesday and Thursday Ballynabooley: Báile na Buaile -the pas- 26th and 27th June. ture district or milking quarters.

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translation is controversial. When Comerford Ballynagappa: Báile na gCeapach the area published his History of the Diocese of Kil- of the tillage plots. The Map of 1650 desig- dare and Leighlin in 1883 he was guided by nates it “Cappock”. the Annals of the Four Masters (1616). An alternative is the Annals of Mac Firbis Betaghstown: Báile an Bhiatigh, the dis- (1643) in which reference is made to trict of the alms house. Under the Brehon “Cruachán Claonta”, a low slanted hill Laws alms houses were established at central which was located near the Liffey Bridge in locations where roads crossed. To each was Clane and which had huge superstitions at- attached a Ballynab… and a Ballynag… to tached to it and was known throughout the supply it. (From Archdeacon Sherlock). whole of Leinster, if not the entire country. It was twice vandalized over the centuries. Boherhole: Bóthar Coll the road of the Firstly, the Normans built their Motte over it hazel. so that only the low slanting tail protruded to Borabride: Bóthar Bridhe -Brigid’s Road, the west. Secondly, the land owner in the an older name for Nancy’s Lane (Map of 1980s got a JCB at it and trimmed off the tail 1650) which leads behind the Scouts’ Den to as well as the sides of the Motte all around. Butterstream and Loughanure. When the Coiseanna Apartments were being constructed the developer back-filled the Butterstream: Bóthar an tSruthain, the sides but in doing so covered in the holy road by the stream. well -a thermal spring- known as Sunday’s Well. See website as referred above. Capdoo: Ceapach Dubh, the tillage area with the dark soil -moory in places? Clonaugh: Cluain ach the meadow of the horse. Cappagh: Ceapagh, the tillage area -the original name of Meadow Court. Clongowes Wood: Coill Cluana Gabhann -the wood of the smith’s meadow. Carrigeen: Caraigín, the little rock -site of an ancient group of stones known as St. Crocán: A hill on the Capdoo Lane with a Brigid’s Table, Chair and Thimble. A further rushy area to its side. Irish name for a rush stone was said to bear the imprints of her species which hangs its head feet. These were known to older residents as Also a townsland on the Prosperous the Carrigeens (with the Gaelic pronuncia- Road, including the GAA and beyond, which tion of “cor” rather than the Anglicized “car” protrudes by a narrow projection down the and were situated on the flank of the old Woodbine Lane to the site of the Millenium quarry beside the road which originally led Cross but no further. The latter was unveiled to the weir on the Liffey. They were either in 1999 and was placed in an existing small buried or destroyed when the County Coun- stone base, known locally as the Wart Stone. cil operated a dump there in the ‘70s. Arch- The map of 1838 refers to it as the base of a deacon Sherlock regarded them as a Crom- stone cross. The word Crocán in this case lech, an ancient Stone Age burial site. We could translate as a “small cross” (such as located them on the maps of 1838 and Tay- the Saviour was crucified on). lor’s map of 1783. (See Le Chéile Feb. 2014 on the website). The Cool Mucks: Cúl na Mucos the place of the rose hips. The boundary ditch between Castlesize: Casán na Soilse, the ford The Elms and College Grove is a vertical where the light is hung. south facing bank of up to twelve feet in height formed by outflow from the melting Clane: Claonadh, the slant or slope. See ice. It catches the sun like the Strawberry Le Chéile March 2014 on the website. The Beds and was always covered in wild rosed. 11

Donadea: Dómhnach Déagh the church of God or of Caoide, disciple of St. Patrick.

Loughanure: Lough an Iúir, the lake of the yew tree.

Loughbollard: Lough Beallach Árd the lake of the high path (top of the esker). The lake was on the opposite side of the road and was drained away.

Mainham: Mainham has two possible origins: one is that it derives from the Irish word for a plain or open space as in Maynooth. The other is that it might have derived its name from St. Maighneamh of Kilainham.

Rathcoffey: Ráth Cobhthaigh, the fortified dwelling place of the Coffeys.

Rathmore: the large rath or fortified dwelling place.

Tobernamona: Tober na Móna, the marshy well. Was located in the ditch, now piped, inside the hedge by the playing field of Scoil Phadraig on the edge of the Prosper- ous Road.

Móneen Bán: Old name for Central Park . The white bog or fen (withered reeds and sedges). Old maps.

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