Parish of Abbeyleix

Source: Rev M Comerford "Collections relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin" Vol. 3 (1886)

ABBEYLEIX derives its name-which is a translation of the older Irish name, Mainistir Laoighise-from the Cistercian Abbey, entitled De lege Dei, founded here in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in 1183, by Corcheger or Conor O'More, dynast of Leix, who peopled it with monks from the Abbey of Baltinglass. (Ware.) The founder was interred within its precincts. A house for religious is said to have been established here as early as the year 600. (Pembridge, Ware, Coenob. Cist.) The town, which sprung up around the abbey from which it took its name, soon became a place of importance in the territory of Leix, and the residence of the O'More,* its dynast or prince. Sir Charles Coote, Stat. Survey, p. 64, says: -" The Abbey of Leix was originally founded in the year 600, but was- of little note, in consequence of various wars that wasted the country, till 1183, when it was refounded. It sebsequently became an Abbey of the first consequence. St. Canice occasionally resided there and was a colleague with several monks of reputed learning and piety."

* The princely family of O'More was descended from Lughdaidh Laighis, a famous warrior in the latter end of the first century, who was grandson of Conall Cearnach, or Conall the Victorious, chief of the Red-branch Knights of Ulster. The people of Munster having made war on Cnchorb, King of Leinster, and conquered that province as far as the hill of Maistean (now Mullaghmast), Cuchorb appointed Lugbdaidh Laighis commander-in-chief of his forces; both armies fought two great battles about the year 90-one at Athroan (now Athy), and the other at Cain Thine onMagh Riada (now the Heath of Maryborough), in both of which, after great slaughter on both sides, the troops of Leinster were victorious, and drove the Munstermen from Maistean across the Barbha (Barrow), and pursued them as far as Beallach More, near Borris-in-Ossory. Cuchorb being thus reinstated in his kingdom, chiefly through the valour of his General Lughdaidh Laighis, conferred on him an extensive territory, to which he gave the name of Leoigbise, now Anglicised Leix. Lughdaidh Laighis and his descendants held high honours and privileges under the Kings of Leinster, being hereditary marshals and treasurers of that province. The chief commander of the king's gallowglasses was always appointed to collect the tributes of the Princes of Leix. Lughdaidh Laighis, having been of the Irain race, or Clanna Rory of Ulster, his descendants in after times took the name of O'Mordha or O'More. Their territory of Leix comprised the present baronies of Maryborough, Cullenagh, Ballyadams, Stradbally, and part of Portnahinch, all in the Queen's County, together with Athy, and the adjoining conntry, now part of the baronies of Narragh and Rheban. Their chief for. trees was Dunamase. Like other independent princes they coined their own money. In June, 1786, some peasants dug up in a field, near Ballylinan, an earthen urn, containing a great number of silver coins. These were probably coined between the years A.D. 862 and 870. The inscription on one shows it to be of tbe O'Mores of Leix-" O'Lugltis king"-On tbe reverse "Dunagh. mogh-riada"-i.e., Dnnamase. Otbers belonged to the O'Conors Faly. Some of tbese coins are now preserved in the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin. (For detailed descriptions see Transuctions, .R.I..A. vol. i. A.D. 1787). The valiant deeds of the O'Mores, in conjunction with their allies, the O'Conors Faly, which from the time of Henry II. were chiefly directed against the invaders of their country, would be enough to make up a history of considerable length; they rose in arms nineteen times successively, and members of this family were amongst the most distinguished of the Irish chiefs in the wars of Elizabeth; nor did the English ever reckon themselves secure, even within the Pale, until these Irish enemies were removed in the reign of Philip and Mary. Drury writing to Burghley, 27th Oct., 1578, says: "I bear still in mind your lordship's opinion concerning the reforming of these two counties, and the rooting out of these O'Conors and O'Mores, the continual gall of these parts." (Cal. State Rapers.) "The Plantation of Leix was not finally effected till the reign of James I., when numbers of the O'Mores and other septs of the distnct were deported to Kerry, Clare, and Conuaught. One of these exiles writing in June, 1610, (MS., R.I.A.) records that the banishment and extirpation of all the survivors, men, women, and children, of Leix, was then finished; and that the Governor and Sheriff of Leix had been occupied during a week, in destroying the-people, seizing their cattle and all they possessed in their own land; and Cat an order had been made to hang everyone of them found there."- Gilbert.

"1185. Circa hoc tempus Cowkaggrig de Omoardha, principalis de Clanmelaghlen in Basca, fundavit, et dedicavit monasterium de Lege Dei in Lease Carraghain in Lagenia."- (Dowling's Annals.)
"AD. 1421. MacGilla Patrick (Fitzpatrick), and the son of Libned a Frene, one of the English, set out with twelve score soldiers on a predatory excursion into Leix, and did not halt until they reached the Monastery of Leix; but O'Conor FaIy happened to come in contact with them in that country, and attacked M'Gilla Patrick and the English, and defeated and slaughtered them, and his people obtained great spoils of the armour, arms, and accoutrements of the English. O'Conor then returned home, but he was attacked by a dangerous disease, whereupon he retired among the friars of the Monastery of Killeigh, and took the habit of a friar. O'Conor was (only) a month among the friars when he died after a well spent life."-(Annals of Ireland). Henry of Marlborough thus relates this event: - The seventh of May, A.D. 1421, a great slaughter was made near the Abbey (Leix) by O'More (a mistake for O'Conor). Amongst the retinue of the Earl of Ormonde, then Lord Lieutenant, twenty-seven of the English were cut off, the chief of whom were Purcell and Grant; ten persons of superior rank were made prisoners, and two hundred other men were saved by flying to this Monastery."
"A.D. 1447. The Monastery of Laoghis was founded in honour of St. Francis by O'More, who selected a burial-place for himself and his descendants in it." (Four Masters) As the Abbey was founded long previously, this passage must refer either to an endowment bestowed by O'More, or the building by him of some considerable addition to it. No portion of the building now remains, but its site is pointed out in the demesne of Lord De Vesci, near the present gardens, and adjoining the site of Old Abbeyleix. Within the present century the then Lord De Vesci caused the old town to be entirely razed, and laid out the present town on a more eligible site-(Lewis's Topog. Dict.) Close to the locality of the former Abbey was the burial-place of the O'Mores above referred to. Two box tombs still remain. On one is a full-size recumbent effigy in armour, with an inscription around the margin in Gothic lettering: -

Malachias O'Mora, lassie princeps Requiescat in pace. Amen
M0000LXXX VI."
(Malachy O'More, Prince of Leix. May he rest in peace. Amen. 1486.)

The other tomb has a floreated cross on top, and a similar inscription: -

"Sic jacet Johannas 'O'More. An. Dom. 1502.cujus animae propitietur Dominus. Amen."
(Here lieth John O'More, Anno Domini 1502. To whose soul may the Lord be merciful. Amen.)

An ancient Baptismal font, circular in form, and composed of granite, remains beside these tombs. That an extensive burial-ground existed here is evidenced by the large quantities of human bones found in it. Some few years ago a complete skeleton of a man was discovered, which proved on measurement to be somewhat over seven feet in length.

By an inquisition taken on Wednesday, next before the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, and fifth year of Edward VI, the Abbot was found seized of a church and other buildings; also of 400 acres, English measure, of arable and pasture land; two parcels of wood, called the Two Parks, containing 12 acres; 300 acres of moor and marsh in the townland of Abbeyleix; 100 acres of arable land and 9 of wood, called Dromnaclowe; 6 acres of moor and marsh in Clonkene; 100 acres of arable and pasture in Ralyshe; 100 acres of arable and pasture in Ravele or Rathevoyle; 10 acres of arable and pasture, and 2 of underwood, called the half of Clownecore; 11 acres of underwood, called Clone John; 2 acres of underwood, called Dyrrelaen; 1½ acres of underwood, called Clonghill; and 40 acres of moor and marsh in Cloghok; the whole of the value, besides reprises, of £21 4s. 9d; the Rectories of Abbeyleix and Leawhill, appropriated to the said Abbot and his predecessors, were found to be of the annual value, besides reprises, of £10. And the Abbot, on the Monday next before the Feast of St. Catherine, in same year was seized also of 12 acres of arable land, called Knockbracke, or Kyltebreny, in the parish of Tuadewy, of the annual value, besides reprises, of 6s; and 10 acres of arabic and pasture in Rahenconoghoe Duff; called Gullardleghe, lying on the river Guelle, of the annual value, besides reprises, of 5s. -(Auditor General.)

On the last day of February, 5th year of the reign of Elizabeth, this Abbey, with 20 acres of arable land, in the towns of Leix, Clonekine, Ralyse, Ramoyle, and Cioghoge, in this (Queen's) County, were granted to Thomas, Earl of Ormond, at the yearly rent of £6 16s. 8d, for 37 years, to commence from the date, and afterwards, at the rent of £10 5s. The lands belonging to this Abbey were estimated at 820 acres. -(Chief Remembrancer.)

February 3rd, 6th Edward VI. Surrender made by William Cantwell of the Abbey or Religious House called the Abbey of Leyse, a church, and other edifices within the site of said Abbey, 40 acres, arable and pasture, 2 parcels of wood called the Parks, 112 acres in the townland of the abbey of Leyse; Dromaclawe, 100 acres, and 9 acres of wood in the town of Clonekea (Cionkene?) 100 in Ralish, 100 acres in Ranele, and 6 acres wood in Lysbege, lying in length from Aghnegawke to Curraghnycranykan, 2 miles, and in breadth, from the water of the river of the Weyre (Nore?) to Loghnemege, 1 mile; Clonecore, 110 acres arabic; Cloghne John wood, 111 acres; Dyrrelean wood, 100 acres; Cloghenahill wood, 10l½ acres; which he held by patent for 21 years. (Pat. Rolls, Morrin, 205.)
1580. John, the son of the Earl of Desmond, was at this time a roving and wandering plunderer…After his victory, he carried off his prey in triumph to the fast and solitary woods of Bealach-mor-Muighe-dala, (Ballaghmore, a townland containing the ruins of a castle, close to which the present road from Mountrath to Roscrea passes. -O'Donovan.) There he was joined by the sons of MacGillapatrick, the son of O'Carroil, and a great number of evil-doers and plunderers; and they all set out for Slieve Bloom, and thither all the men of Offaly and Leix who were able to bear arms, came to join them. The manner in which John, the son of James, lived on this mountain, was worthy of a true plunderer; for he slept but upon couches of stone or earth; he drank but of the pure, cold streams (and that) from the palms of his hands or his shoes; and his only cooking utensils were the long twigs of the forest, for dressing the flesh-meat, carried away from his enemies. From this abode he proceeded to plunder the Butlers and Ossory. He afterwards went to Leix, and burned and plundered Abbey-Leix, upon the son of the Earl of Ormond, namely, upon Pierce, the son of James, son of Pierce Roe. He also plundered Port-Laoighise, (Maryborough), after having slain some of the guards of the town. In short, he plundered seven castles in Leix in the course of that day. (Four Masters.)

The town of Abbeyleix was the scene of the martyrdom of three Franciscan priests, in the reign of Elizabeth. The sub-joined details are taken from Synopsis Prov. Hiberniae, p. 86; and Bruodin's, Passio Martyrum, quoted by Brenan (Hist., vol.2, p. 128); John O'Mulloy, Cornelius Dogherty, and Calfrid Ferrall, three Franciscans, had distinguished themselves about the year 1588, and at length became the doomed victims of their enemies. These apostolical men had spent upwards of eight years in traversing the mountainous parts of the Province of Leinster, abiding particularly in those unfrequented districts of the counties of Wicklow, Carlow, and Wexford, to which the people had been driven in great multitudes for shelter. They proceeded from mountain to mountain, offering the Divine Mysteries, encouraging the dying, and administering the sacraments. Their journeyings had been generally performed at night, and, as the Acts of their Order state, their bed was the rock of the mountain, while their usual amount of earthly comfort consisted of nakedness, cold and hunger. In defiance of the danger by which they were encompassed, these holy men clung, with the affection of fathers, to their afflicted countrymen; they shared in their sufferings, partook of their sorrows, and never departed from them until they had at length fallen a sacrifice to their enemies. Whilst pursuing their journey through a remote district of the Queen's County, they were overtaken by a party of cavalry, bound hand and foot, and carried amidst the insults of a brutal soldiery to the garrison of Abbeyleix. Here they were flogged and put to the rack; having endured this torture for a length of time, they were ultimately strangled, disembowelled and quartered, and thus, with the spirit of Christian martyrs, did they generously lay down their lives, in support of the religion of their country and their fathers.

The chapel of the Penal times belonging to the district of Abbeyleix was at the Red Hill. It was maliciously destroyed under the following circumstances: -In the direction of Rosconnell, and just outside the bounds of the parish of Ballinakill, there is a holy well, called Lady's well, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, to which the faithful resorted on the Patron day, the 15th of August. It happened on one of these occasions that a party of young aristocrats, conducted by Baron Knapton, son to Earl De Vesci, came here to amuse themselves with the spectacle. After a while, not content with looking on, they attempted some wanton interference with the females engaged in making their thurrus or pilgrimage round the holy well. This naturally aroused the indignation of the men, who interposed to protect them. The haughty young nobleman thought by mentioning who he was that he would awe the poor peasantry into subjection, but such was not the case, and so, after some rough usage, he and his companions were compelled to beat a retreat. They threatened in revenge to burn down the adjoining chapel of Ballyouskill, but having been foiled in their purpose; they carried it into effect by burning the chapel at Red Hill, instead. Some time after, and perhaps in reparation for the chapel that had been thus destroyed, Lord De Vesci gave a site and help towards the ejection of the chapel in Old Abbeyleix, which was afterwards abandoned in consequence of the change in the position of the town, where a new one was built at the commencement of the present century. The present venerable pastor added the tower and spire, and also built the fine Church at Ballyroan. A community of nuns, of the Order of St. Brigid, was established at Abbeyleix, in 1857, which has a branch house at Ballyroan, in the same parish.

Within the Church of Abbeyleix three priests are interred.

1. The Rev. Michael Kehoe, the first Parish Priest, who died on the 29th of June, 1838.
2. The Rev. Patrick Cass, the inscription on whose tomb states that he died on the 17th of September, 1858, in the 32nd year of his age, and 7th of his priestly office. "A faithful dispenser of the Mysteries of God, and regardless of himself in the absorbing sense of the obligation of the Priest, he broke down a vigorous constitution and shortened his earthly career by the laborious and zealous discharge of his sacred duties. Born at Redhill in this parish, his last wish was that his remains would be interred here."
3. The Rev. Michael Keys, who died on the 15th of May, 1847, in the 32nd year of his age, and 4th of his Ministry.
   

In a Return to an inquiry into the state of Popery in Ireland, made by order of the Irish House of Lords, in 1766 and signed John Cartin (Protestant), curate, it is stated: -" If individuals were recited, I'm of opinion the Papists would exceed 30 to 1 in this parish (Abbeyleix). Priests: Patrick Lawler, reputed friar; Garrett Keating, Popish Priest; Dillon, assistant to said Keating."

BALLYROAN

The Rectory and Vicarage of Ballyroan are included in the ancient Taxations, inserted in Vol. 1, p. 239. No ruins of church or castle are found here, still it appears from authority,
-MS. T.C.D., -that there was a castle here formerly. In English, the words are: "Conall, the son of David O'More, King of Leix, re-erected the castle of Dunamase after having taken it from the English, and built the castle of Baile-atha-inroine, and replanted with his own people every part of his territory, in despite of the English and the Irish." In the village of Ballyroan, to the left as you come in from Abbeyleix, is seen a large moat where it is very likely the castle stood. (O'Donovan.)
In the same neighbourhood, at Tullore, is the site of an ancient church, which heretofore gave name to a parish. Here are interred the Rev. John M'Mahon, formerly curate of Mountrath, who died Feb. 7th, 1859. Aged 39 years; and the Rev. Luke Mooney, who died September 6th, 1840, aged 40 years. Another tomb is also deserving of notice-it is that of John Mulcahy, doctor in medicine, who died in 1704, aged 97, and is here interred in his native soil. The inscription is a lengthened one, in Latin; the stone is broken, and the fragments misplaced, so that it was a task of much difficulty to obtain it in full; it is as follows: -

"Exuviae Joannis Mulcahy peritissimi in medicina doctoris, qui, Gallia, Italiaque quondam peragratus, in hoc tandem ejus natali solo, aetatis suae anno 97, ac Christi Redemptoris anno 1704, ex hac vita migravit. Hunc tumulum ac versicula filius ejus Nicolaus incidendum, curavit.

"Hoc jacet in busto Phoebi celebratus Alumnus,
Quo sospes multis sospite vita fuit;
Quique aliis toties Lethi ferale veneuuin,
Abstulit, heu! Lethi vulnere victus fuit.
Hic tamen integrum condi, ne crede viator,
Sola sub hoc tumulo pulvis et ossa manent;
Parteque meliore vigens nunc mortuus ille
Exorat precibus. Lector adauge precis.

Joanne Comerford, uxoris ejusdem, Epitaphium

Sociamque thori Joannam meminisci juvabit,
Quae pariter sacro hoc marmore clausa jacet;
Unus amor vivis, Defunctis una voluntas,
Esse simul. Cinerem jam cinis optat idem.
Et vos Christiani similique Numine junxit
Vera fides, animis vota precesque date.

Obiit illa, anno aetatis suae 72, ac Christi Redemptoris, 1715."

In the district of Ballyroan, too, is the scene of the Battle of Bearna na g Cleti, or "the Pass of Plumes." In this engagement, Owny MacRory O'More gave a signal defeat to the English, under the Earl of Essex, on May the 16th, 1599. The heat of the engagement, and its final issue, took place at the Pass of Cashel-as we learn from an interesting paper, identifying the scene of this action, read before the R.I.A. on the 15th of May, 1874, by the Rev. John O'Hanlon. The following is the account of this event, given by O'Sullivan Beare :-Tandiu per tot regios imperatores et exercitus, re infeliciter gesta, statuunt Angli summis viribus Catholicos extinguere. In quam rem Robertus Essexiae Comes, qui tunc temporis omnium Anglorum primus fama rerum gestarum habebatur, auctoritate nulli secundus Iberniae Prorex, et exercitus regii Imperator creatur. Qui Londino profectus sub finem Martii mensis, anno 1599 (ut docet Camdenus), Dublinam appulit. Ubi ex iis, qui nuper ex Anglia venerant, et in Ibernia fuerant,comparato, quam maxime portuit, exercitu, in Onellum facturus expeditionem videbatur, et ita in illum Onellum sese parabat, et etiam O'Donnellus O'Nello laturus opem. At ille praeter omnium spem in Momonias ire contendit septem millia peditum, et equites nongentos ductitans. Cui in Lagenia per iter angustum exercitum ducenti factus obvius Huon Omorra cum quingentis peditibus ultimum agmen fundit, aliquot milites, atque duces occidit, spolia, et inter cetera multos plumeos apices capit. Unde locus hodie dicitur Transitus Plumarum,. (Hist. Cath. Iber. tom. 3, lib. 5, c. 9.)

By an Inquisition taken at Maryborough, 14th of August, 12th of Elizabeth, it appears that Gingkene Hedrington, late of Ballyroan, died seized of the said town and castle of Ballyroan, and the towns and villages of Balligegill, Ballyroan, Clonecullane, Kilcrobyue, Ballimolicie, Ballinlogie, and Raghin-nymroge, all which containeth the number of 484 acres. The said Gingkene died seized of the rectory and parsonage of Ballyroan aforesaid, with all its rights. He held the aforesaid castle, houses, etc., of the lady Queen, as of her castle and manor of Maryborough, by the service of the 20th part of a knight's fee, and which was evicted and taken from the rebels the Moores, late called Leix, and now parcel of her crown and inheritance, as by authority and effect of an Act of Parliament, etc., at large appeareth. The said Gingkene and his heirs males are bound to pay yearly into the hands of the sub-treasurer or general receiver of Ireland, for and to the use of the said lady Queen, her heirs and successors for all the said premises, the sum of £11 7s. 2d. Irish, and also he and his heirs male forever, shall give on custom plough day, yearly, to the use of the castle of Maryborough, for every plough that is then ploughing on the ground. He and his heirs male are bound to have, keep and maintain continually upon the said castle, lands, and all the aforesaid premises, three horsemen, natives of England, both of name and blood, for the better inhabiting and preserving the premises; and they shall have good and sufficient horses and harness and, upon lawful warning, give attendance with most part of their household and family, in their defensible array, with three days' victuals, to attend for the defence of the said country. The said Gingkene Hedrington was slain by certain rebels of the Moores, and died the 12th of July in the year aforesaid. Davie Hedrington is the son and heir of the said Gingkene, and is of the age of 22 years and. above. -Inquis. Lagen.

KILFOELAN

Archdall in the Monasticon Hibernicum quotes Colgan, (AA, SS. p. 104) for the statement that a Church was founded here in the time of St. Patrick of which St. Foillan, surnamed the Leper, son of Aengus, King of Munster, was Abbot. The site of this Monastery, which was unknown to Archdall, is situate about a mile-and-half N. of Ballyroan, and a mile E. of the highroad leading from Ballyroan to Dunamase. A mound still marks the spot where the Monastery is supposed to have stood, and where there was, heretofore, a burial-ground, now disused. The feast of Saint Faelan is marked in our Records at the 20th of June. "Faelani amlabhair i Sraith Eret in Albain;" The Feast of Faelan the Leper, of Sraith Eret in Scotland. (Mart. Tallaght.) "Faolan Balbh, (i.e. the Stammerer, or the mute,) of Rath Erann in Scotland, and of Cill Fhaelain in Leix, in Leinster." (Mart. Donegal.) In the Feilire of Aengus he is alluded to as "Foelan with that victory, that splendid mute; "upon which the gloss in Leabhar Breac remarks-" i.e. Foelan, son of OEngus, son of Natfraich, of Rath Erenn in Scotland and of Cell Foelain in Leix." There are reasons for doubting that the Saint of Killfoelan in Leix, or Kilwheian, as it is locally called, is identical with the great St. Foilan, Abbot in Scotland-See his Life at 9th January, Lives of Irish S,S., by Fr. O'Hanlon.

KILVAHAN

In a small townland, of the same name, adjoining Cullenagh, to the N., is the old burial-ground of Kilvahan; it is situated on an eminence and is surrounded by a circular fosse. O'Conor, of the Ord. Survey Staff, conjectured that the name might be in Irish Cill Meatoin, or "the Church of Meathon." This is the old Catholic burial-ground about which Sir Jonah Barrington, in his Personal Sketches, relates an anecdote of having, when a boy, in order to disprove a suspicion of cowardice that had become attached to him, and to win a wager, gone thither on All Hallow Eve and brought away a dead man's bone. The story is told in that graceful but unreliable writer's usual amusing style. The Barringtons were settled at Cullenagh from the time of Elizabeth. Their residence stood at Cullenaghmore. Sir Jonah thus refers to it: "That old mansion, the Great House, as it was called, exhibited altogether an uncouth mass, warring with every ru1e of symmetry in architecture. The original Castle had been demolished, and its materials converted to a much worse purpose; the front of the edifice which succeeded it was particularly ungraceful-a Saracen's head, our crest, in coloured brick work being its only ornament, whilst some of the rooms inside were wainscoted with brown oak, others with red deal, and some not at all. The walls of the large hall were decked, as is customary, with fishing-rods, fire-arms, stags' horns, foxes' brushes, powder flasks, shot pouches, nets, and dogs' collars; here and there relieved by the extended skin of a kite or a king-fisher, nailed up in the vanity of their destroyers; that of a monstrous eagle, which impressed itself indelibly on my mind, surmounted the chimney-piece, accompanied by a card announcing the name of its slaughterer-Alexander Barrington-who, not being a rich relation, was subsequently entertained in the Great House two years, as a compliment for his present. A large parlour on each side of the hall, the only embellishments of which were some old portraits, and a multiplicity of hunting, shooting, and racing prints, with red tape nailed round them by way of frames, completed the reception-rooms."

The old Castle of Cullenagh above referred to had its share in the stirring scenes of the Confederate war. The writer of the Aphorismical Discovery relates the following: "Ormond now gathering the Leinster army into a body, did send unto Lieut.General Purcell that he may have the Irish army therein readiness, Inchiquin's army to march into Leinster, by a peremptory day; Castlehaven is appointed Chief Commander of the Leinster forces, until his Excellency came into the field. Great is the preparation by thundering proclamations and untired posts to and fro. Edmond Roe Butler Mountgarret's son and heir, as precursor to his brother-in-law, Castlehaven, came with two foot companies and a troop of horse to Cullenagh Castle, already demolished by General O'Neill's party of Maryborough garrison, and now manned with 7 or 8 men, idle boys or tories (though depending on the garrison aforesaid), he assails the broken wall, an easy task; the defendants well behaved themselves, to the prejudice of the assailants, but thinking them to be more numerous, as being night time, got an honourable quarter, lives, arms, bag and baggage, marched away to Maryborough, leaving that old, demolished cask of a ruined castle without as much as one stool of furniture to sit upon, to the said brave warrior, the said Butler."

SUCCESSION OF PASTORS

Abbeyleix formed one parish with Ballinakill until the year 1824; on the death of Rev. Roger Molony in that year,
REV. MICHAEL KEHOE was appointed Parish Priest of the newly formed parish of AbbeyLeix; he died on the 29th of June, 1838; and had for his successor
The REV. THOMAS NOLAN, the present [1886] venerable pastor, the Patriarch of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin

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