Officers and Members of the Old Carlow Society 1979/80 President " Carpenter, Patrick, Barrack Street, Ellis, J. J. & Mrs., 17 Burnaby Park, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Patrick Carlow. Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Lennon, Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin. Carroll, Mr. Noel, 23 Phibsboro Road, Ellis, William, Burrin Street, Carlow. Dublin 7. Fenlon, Mrs. M., "Riverville", Life Vice Presidents Chmelar, Edward, Rathnapish, Carlow. Montgomery Street, Carlow. Very Rev. P. MacSuibhne, M.A., St. Coen, G. & Mrs., Braganza, Athy Road, Fennell, Mrs. Eileen, Chapelstown, Patrick's College, Carlow; Mrs. M. Carlow. Carlow. O'Neill, Wilton Gardens, Cork; Mr. Liam Collins, Seim, "Feonacach", Killeshin, Fitzell, Malcolm & Valerie, "Yellow D. Bergin, Editor, "Nationalist & Carlow. Lion", Burrin Street, Carlow. Leinster Times", Carlow; Mr. Alec Connolly, Mrs. T., Ballyfoyle, Mageney, FitzGerald, Mrs. D., Shinrone, Offaly. Burns, College Street, Carlow. Co. Kildare. FitzMaurice, Mrs. B., Laurel Lodge, Conroy, Miss Molly, Castle Street, Carlow. Chairman Foley, Joseph, Sycamore Road, Miss M. T. Kelly. Carlow. Cocoran, Mrs. B., 132 J.K.L. Avenue, Rathnapish, Carlow. Carlow. Governey, Francis, Pollerton, Carlow. Vice-Chairman Grecol, John L., Cleveland, Ohio, 44101, Mr. A. Burns. Corrigan, Thomas & Mrs., Knockfield, Castledermot, Co. Kildare. U.S.A. Crombie, B. & Mrs., Pembroke, Carlow. Hade, Miss P., Castle Street, Carlow. Secretary Halpin, John, Mullawn, Tullow, Co. Mr. Sean O'Leary. Crowe, Austin, "Sleibhte", 125 Newtown Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Carlow. Cullen, Miss Mary, Tullow Road, Carlow. Harding, Rev. B., St. John's, Kilkenny. Treasurer Harvey, Mrs. P., Mill Park House, Mr. James Westman. Cullen, Sr. Nessa, Clochar na Trochaire, Ceatharloch. Kilbride, Co. Carlow. Haughney, Eamonn, Pollerton Road, Editor Cunnane, Rev. James, P.P., V.F., Our Carlow. Mr. Hugh Dolan. Lady of the Taper Church, Cardigan, Scmth Wales. Hawkes, Miss S., Castle Street, Carlow. Healy, Pat, Pollerton Castle, Carlow. Committee Curry, Kevin,· 1 Parlos Park, Oakpark, Healy, R., College Street, Carlow. Miss I. MacLeod, Mrs. B. FitzMaurice, Tralee. Hodges, C. G., 48 Queen Victoria Road, Mrs. M. Fenlon, Mrs. B. Crombie, Mrs. Darling, Mrs. R., Ballylinan, Laois. Claremount, Cape, S. Africa. E. Fennell, Messrs. T. Smyth, E. Mc­ Deane, Miss M., St. Killian's Crescent, Hogan, Mr. S., Rathrush, Rathoe, Co. Donald, R. James, J. Halpin, K. Ken- Carlow. Carlow. nedy. Dempsey, R. & Mrs., Braganza, Carlow. Dolan, Hugh, 35 Oakley Park, Tullow Holden, Michael & Mrs., Tullow Street, Delegates to Arts Council Road, Carlow. Carlow. Holton, Sr. Ann, Clochar na Trochaire, Mr. Brendan Kealy, Miss Iona MacLeod. Doogue, Mr. M., Hillcrest, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow. Ceatharloch. Delegates to the Historical Advisory Dooley, Gerard, 14 St. Killian's Crescent, Hosey, W., Hanover, Carlow. Committee of Carlow Co. Council Carlow. Hughes, Edward, Graignamanagh, Co. Mr. H. Dolan, Mr. A. Burns. Dooley, Miss M., Athy Road, Carlow. Kilkenny. Dooley, Padraig, 14 St. Killian's Cres­ Hughes, Mrs.. Jos., Kildrenagh, Members cent, Carlow. Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow. Agar, J. R. and Mrs., 13 Larkfield, Dooley, Miss Teresa, 14 St. Killian's Hyland, Mrs. Sadie, "Genazzano", Kil- Rathnapish, Carlow. Crescent, Carlow. leshin Road, Carlow. Alcock, Noel, 46 Staunton Avenue, Dowling O'Carroll, Mrs. L., Cloneen, James, Mrs. E., Montgomery Street, Governey Park, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Crettyard. Carlow. Behan, Mrs. C. Station Road, Carlow. Doyle, Mrs. B., St. Joseph's Road, James, Miss Margaret, Montgomery Bolton, Liam, Keelogue, Killeshin, Carlow. Street, Carlow. Carlow. Doyle, Mrs. C., Sycamore Road, James, T. R., 82 Green Road, Carlow. Brennan, Miss Mary, Kennedy Street, Rathnapish, Carlow. Mrs. A. Jones, Montgomery St., Co. Carlow. Carlow. Doyle, Jas. & Mrs., Ballickmoyler Road, Jordan, Mrs. M., St. Mary's Park, Brennan, Michael & Mrs., 2 Burrin Carlow. Carlow. Road, New Oak Estate, Carlow. Doyle, Mrs. M., 98 Maher Road, Kealy, Brendan, B.A., H.D.E., Brooks, Mr. & Mrs. W., Highfield, Governey Park, Graiguecullen. Maryboro' Street, GraiguecuIIen, Dublin Road, Carlow. Doyle, James, 98 Maher Road, Governey Carlow. Brophy, Edwam, Rathnapish, Carlow. Park, Graiguecullen. Kelly, Miss M. T., The Stream, Burns, Alex, College Street, Carlow. Doyle, Misses M. & D., "lnnisfree", Sta­ Castledermot Road, Carlow. Burns, Mr. & Mrs. C., "Malasha", Kil- tion Road, Carlow. Kehoe, T., Dublin St., Carlow. leshin Road, Carlow. Doyle, Miss Nellie, Granby Row, Carlow. Kehoe, M, Carlow Lodge Hotel. Byrne, Mrs., Little Barrack Street, Doyle, Mrs. M., "Sunny Cedars", Kil­ Kelly, Michael & Mrs., Burrin Street, Carlow. leshin Road, Carlow. Carlow. Canavan, Mrs. M., St. Joseph's Road, Doyle, Peadar, Everton, Carlow. Kelly, Mrs. Rutland, Carlow. Carlow. Doyle, Thomas, BougK, Rathvilly, Co. Kennedy, Mr. & Mrs. E., Kyleballyhue, Carbery, D. & Mrs., Green Road, Carlow. Carlow. Carlow. Carlos, Mr. L. N., 39 Sandfield Gardens, Duggan, W. L. & Mrs., College Street, Kennedy, Kevin & Mrs., 6 Oakley Park, Blackrock, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Carlow. Graiguecullen, Carlow. Editorial ONCE AGAIN Carloviana is published and hopes to make a con­ tribution to the knowledge of local history. Within its pages are articles on saints and scientists, villages and schools, elections CARLO VIANA and charters. The contents are diverse and there is an article dealing with events Volume 2. No. 28 in almost every century. New Series. 1980 Journal of Old Carlow Society Year by year we are reminded of how small the world is Editor: Hugh Dolan. becoming. In 1979 elections were held to the European Parlia­ Printedby 'Nationalist' Carlow ment. Manufacturing and retail firms with their headquarters abroad have established bases in Carlow. The days of living in isolation have long since passed. The question of where l<'Cal history fits into these developments could be asked. Surely we should be looking to the future, not to the past. It is precisely because the pace of change is so rapid that modern man often feels disorientated and lost. Local history can restore a sense of belonging; it can give a feeling of security, of continuity. The Old Carlow Sociaety by means of lectures, out­ ings and a fine museum increases an awareness of our sur­ roundings. The more these surroundings change the more impor­ tant the work of the society. To be interested in the past is not the same as living in the past. A voluntary society can only achieve so much and so it is gratifying to notice the interest in local history that public bodies are displaying. Carlow County Council makes an annual subven­ tion to the Old Carlow Society's Museum and helps to lessen the financial headaches of the committee. The County Carlow Library has been steadily adding to its collection of books, CONTENTS periodicals and documents relating to the history of County Medieval Carlow: Some Carlow. Other voluntary organisations are complementing the Documents••....•••.•......•••.•• 4 work of the public bodies. An Taisce and Conradh na Gaeilge spring immediately to mind. 'O Native Music beyond Comparing' ...................... 6 Carlow Town and County Carloviana provides a permanent record for the research of of Old ............................ 9 writers interested in local history. Articles are always welcome. Parnells Last Fight .......... 11 Old photographs are also of great interest to readers. All con­ tributors to the journal deserve thanks. Rev. Samuel Haughton ...... 12 The Celtic Connection in Carlow ....................... 16 Despite inflationthe cost of the hournal remains at fifty pence. This has been made possible by the generosity of sponsors whose The Castle at names appear in the Journal. Leighlinbridge......••••••..... 17 St. Joseph's Academy, Mhuine Bheag ................. 19 In its own modest way, Carloviana has been assisting in the preservation·of a record of Carlow's history. Hopefully it can con­ Tyndall of l.eighlin........... 23 tinue to do so. Secretary's Report............ 28 The Carmelites and l.eighlinbridge....••........•.• 30 On the cover is an engraving of the rath at Lsighlinbridge, Co. Carlow, 1820. It was engraved by J. Grieg from a drawing by Geo. Petrie, for the Excursions Through Ireland. 3 Medieval Carlow: Some Documents ·------------Tommy Clarke---------------- AFTER the Norman conquest and on the two shillings,and if on a third offence, he their acquisitions, whether by gift or sale, death of Dermott McMurrough in 11 71, shall have incurred a like judgment, he or mortgage, without my consent, saving Strongbow became Lord of Leinster (with shall pay half a mark, and the hundred the services which are therefore due, ex­ the exception of county Dublin, which the courts shall be held weekly. cept to religious men. It shall be lawful for King, Henry II, retained) by his marriage ITEM 5: No burgess shall be drawn the said burgesses outside my enclosures to Eva, Dermott's daughter. Strongbow into any suit by misnomers. to have common of my woods. died in April 1176 leaving as his heir his ITEM 6: It shall be lawful for the said 'ITEM 9: No burgess shall be compel­ daughter, Isabel. On her father's death burgesses to distrain their debtors, by led to lend his chattels, unless security be Isabel was made a ward of the king in such distress as shall be found in the town first given him of resoring them at a cer­ England and remained under the royal of Catherlagh, or if it happens that the tain day; and if any burgess shall be of patronage until 1189 when she married plea shall be of live-stock