Parish of Emo

Source: Rev. M.Comerford "Collections relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin" (1883)

In 1875, the district, now comprised in the parish of Emo, was detached from Portarlington and formed into a distinct parish. It includes the greater part of the Parish of Coolbanagher, a large portion of that of Lea and also that of Ardea.

COOLBANAGHER

This name appears in some of our Annalists as CuilBeannchoir, i.e., "the angle or coroner of the pinnacles," (Joyce); it is also sometimes styled Whitechurch. Coolbanagher is situated in the plain of Magh Reicheat, one of those stated to have been cleared by Irial Faidh, son of Eremon, who died A.M. 3520. Keating places this plain in Leix, but, in the Preface to the Felire-Aenguis, it is, correctly, stated to be a plain in Offaly, containing the Church of Coolbanagher. This name is now anglicised Morett, and is in the barony of Portnahinch adjoining the Great Heath of Maryborough. Lugech, a Bishop, and one of our early Irish Saints, is said to have been connected with this locality. At October 6th, the Martyrology of Donegal sets down "Lughaidh, son of Lucht, son of Anrodhan, son of Maeltuile, son of Aithcleach, son of Ferb; and Medhbh, daughter of Garbhan, son of Brocan, was his mother. He was Bishop of Cuil-Beannchair, on the brink of Loch-Erne, or of Cuil Beannchoir in Ui-Failghe." The Felire of Aenguis, at the same day, refers to this Saint as Lugdach & the gentle; and the gloss in the Leabhar Breac adds:- " Lugdach, i.e., of Daire na Fland in Eoganacht Chaisil, i.e., Lugdach, bishop in Cluain Aithchein in Leix, (Clonkene?) or in Cuil Bennchair in Offaly, et quod verum est, and moreover the same bishop Lugdach is in Cuil Bennchoir in Lurg on the brink of Lough Erne," etc. Coolbanagher is, however, chiefly famous as being the place where St. Aenguis, surnamed the Cele De, or servant of God, conceived the idea of his celebrated religious Poem called from him the Felire Aenguis, or Festology of St. Aenguis. In the Introduction to this Poem we are informed that, when retiring from Disert-Enos, the Saint visited Coolbanagher, and that, one day, whilst engaged in prayer there, he noticed a certain grave, and angels from heaven constantly descending upon it and ascending from it. Aenguis asked the priest of the Church who it was that lay buried in that grave; the priest replied that it was a poor old man who formerly had lived at the place. "What good did he do?" said Aenguis. "I saw no particular good by him," said the priest, "but that his customary practice was to recount and invoke the Saints of the world as far as he could remember them, at his going to bed and getting up, according to the custom of the old devotees." "Ah! my God," said Aenguis, "he who would make a metrical composition in praise of the Saints should doubtless have a high reward, when so much has been vouchsafed to the efforts of this old devotee." And Aenguis then commenced his poem on the spot. He subsequently continued it at Clonenagh and Tallaght. (O'Curry's Lecture p. 365.) Further reference to the writings of St. Aenguis are given in Chapter on Mountrath.

An old castle still stands at Coolbanagher; it was one of the dependencies of Dunamase. After the expulsion of the Irish tribes from the Queen's County, it came into possession of Robert Hartpole of Carlow. An Inquisition taken at Maryborough, 22 May, 1632, finds that Robert Hartpole of Catherlagh, being seized of these lands, etc., disposed of them by deed before his death, in 1579. His son and heir, William, died without male heir. George Hartpole of Monksgrange, was found, by Inquisition, taken at Maryborough, 12th Sept., 1627, to be seized in fee of the town and lands of Coolbanagher, etc., etc. The said George, without licence from the King, alienated these possessions to Richard Talbot de Malahide, Henry Cheevers of Monkstown, Stephen Luttrell of Luttrellstown, and James and George Hovendon of Ballefoile, for a term of 1000 years. In the Carew Calendar, dating A.D. 1596, the following are named as the principal gentlemen of the Queen's County:-

"Cosby of Stradbally, Cosby at Castle-Dirihy, Harpoole of Coolbanagher - he is Constable of Catherlagh Castle, Bowan of Bally-Adams, Edward Brereton of Laghtiog, Pigotts of Dysart, John Barrington of Cowlniagh (Cullenagh), the Earl of Kildare at Moyrit and Tymog, Hoventon at Tankardstown, Hetherington at Tully, Sir Thomas Colclough of Ballyknockan, Loftus of Tymohoe, Whitney of Shyan, Hugh Boy ClanDonnell of TinneKilleh, Edmund McDonnell of Rahen, Terence O'Dempsey of Ballybrittas."

Cuilbaonchoir is one of the parochial Churches in Dr. MacGeoghegan's list. (See Vol. I., p. 258.) The old church of Coolbanagher yet remains, in a ruinous state, in a graveyard still used. There are two divisions in this church yet visible - most probably the nave and choir. A wall appears to have separated both, but a large pointed doorway afforded a communication. The nave on the outside measures 32 feet in length, by 22 in breadth. The outside wall of the choir measures 28 feet in length, by 16 in breadth. A narrow door, now stopped up with masonry, appears beneath an overshadowing mass of ivy, in the western gable; and a door seems to have been subsequently opened, in the southern side wall, probably when the former one had been closed. A splayed window opened on either side of the nave. A splayed and ruinous east window formerly lighted the choir, the sides of which are now nearly level with the ground. The building is apparently of great antiquity. There are no tombs in the graveyard of any historical or antiquarian interest. (See note I. E. Record for Oct., 1868, p. 7.)
In a Return, dated Nov. 26, 1731, it is stated that "in Coolbanagher parish there is only one mass-house and one priest." (See Vol. I., p. 267.)

MORETT

At the year 976, - but more correctly 978, according to O'Donovan, the Four Masters record the death in battle of the lord of Lea and Morett :- "A.D. 976. The battle of Bithlann (Belan) was gained over the Leinstermen by the foreigners of Ath-cliath (the Danes of Dublin), wherein were slain Augaire, son of Tuathal, King of Leinster; Muireadhach, son of Rian, lord of Ui-Ceinnsealaigh; and Conghalach, son of Flann, lord of Leighe and Rechet (Lea and Morett), with many others along with them." Morett was in the district of Clann-Maoilughra, now Clanmaleire, the territory of the O'Dempseys. The Castle of Morett still exists in ruins; it might more properly be styled a castellated mansion; one of those fortified residences belonging to the 16th and 17th centuries, erected in disturbed times, when it was necessary to provide for defence. It is built upon a slight elevation, and has a stack of chimneys in each wall and gable end. Nothing now remains but the outer walls. A. turret, supported by consoles, is at one angle. This, along with many other adjacent districts, came into the possession of Gerald, Earl of Kildare, by grants of Edward VI., and of Philip and Mary. The Act, 3 and 4 Phil. and Mary, by which the Crown seized upon the territories of Leix, Offaly, Clanmaleire, etc., expressly reserves the rights of the Earl of Kildare: "Provided always that this act or anything conteyned, shall not in any wise be prejudicial or hurtful to any letters pattents made and graunted unto Gerald, now earl of Kildare, and to his heyres, by our said soveraign lady the Queen; or by her Highness late brother King Edward the sixt, of any honours, mannours, lands, tenements, preheminences, dignities, privileges, jurisdictions, and other hereditaments whatsoever within this realm of Ireland, but that the said Gerald earl of Kildare, and his heyres, shall and may enjoy and hold all and singular the said honours, etc., etc., as if this act had not been made, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding." In 1585, this Gerald assigned his lands of Morett, Timogue, etc., containing 2,745 acres to Gerald FitzGerald his natural son. This Gerald appears to have been base by nature as well as by birth. By treachery he compassed the death of O'Kelly, Chief of Farran O'Ceallagh, as detailed in the chapter on Ballyadams; in consequence of which, O'More, to avenge O'Kelly, slew FitzGerald and burned his castle. This is referred to on the FitzGerald monument in the (now) Protestant church of Timogue:- " In this vault and ground lie the remains of Gerald FitzGerald of Morett, Esq., and of his wife, a daughter of John Bowen of Ballyadams, Esq. He was murthered, and his castle burned there in the reign of Queen Elizabeth," etc. This monument gives the succession from father to son, as follows:- 1. Gerald Fitzgerald of Timogue, his only son, married to a daughter of O'Dempsey, Lord of Glanmaleire. This Gerald was one of the Confederate Catholics in 1641, and forfeited his possessions in consequence. 2. FitzGerald of Morett, married to a daughter of John Pigot. 3. FitzGerald of Morett, married to a daughter of Henry Gilbert of Kilminchy. 4. Thomas FitzGerald of Morett, married to a daughter of Sir Gregory Byrne, Bart. In February, 1660, these lands were granted to Robert FitzGerald, grandfather of James, Duke of Leinster, at the yearly rent of £36 6s. About 200 yards from Morett Castle, to the south, are the remains of an old building, probably a church; between it and the castle runs a small river, which here has its source, and falls into the Barrow, opposite the Fort of Dunrally, where it divides the parishes of Lea from Moyanna. This stream is referred to in Excheq. Rolls, No. 12, Edw. VI., as Aquam de Glaishemarrow, and is stated to form the northern boundary of Leyse. In Sir W. Petty's Survey, 1657, it is called the river Glashaevaragh. (Antiquities of Kilenny (and Kilteale, by Rev. J. O'Hanlon, M.R.I.A.) A fine engraving of Morett Castle is given in Grose's Antiquities, Vol. I, Plate 72. The list of Dr. MacGeoghegan has "the chapel of St. Brigid of Morett" - Capella Stae. Brigidae de Moyrgath. A virgin Saint, named Findsech, was venerated on the 13th October; the Feliré Aenguis at that date has "Fair Findsech's feast," the commentator on which, in the Leabhar Breac adds, "i.e. a virgin, and Ernaide (Nurney) is the name of her town in Sliab Guairi in Gailenga. Or in Dal Araide, is Findsech's church. Or in Mag Rechet in Leix." (Morett.)

The old parochial church of Ardea was, most probably, situated within the present Emo Park demesne. At the rere of the gardens there is still to be seen a curiously-sculptured baptismal font, octagonal in shape, with interlacings and angels carved on the sides, and pierced in the centre. This font appears to belong to the 13th century. In the Taxation, temp. Henry VIII., the Vicarage of Ardea is valued, "ultra omnes allocationes et deductiones," at £10 3s. 0½ d. (See Vol. 1, p. 238.)

EMO

The List of Dr. MacGeoghegan has the chapel of St. John the Baptist of Emo - "Capella Sti. Joannis Baptistae de Imo."

This appears to have been regarded as a place of safe abode for the persecuted clergy in the time of Queen Anne. In the Registry of 1704, we find the pastor of the parish, Rev. John Donnelly, residing here, and also the Rev. John MacAllin, registered as P.P. of the district of Killeny, now incorporated in the parish of Maryborough. The handsome parish church of Emo, the site of which was a gift from Lord Portarlington, was erected during the pastorate of the Very Rev. T. O'Connell, but chiefly through the zealous exertions of the Rev. William Hooney, then resident curate. The bell-tower was completed by the Rev. John Phelan, P.P. Father Hooney died, to the great grief of his many friends, on the 3rd of May, 1872, and was interred in his native parish of Suncroft. The Altar of the Sacred Heart, at Emo, and another under the same invocation, at Suncroft, have been erected to his memory. The commodious parochial house, and land attached to it have been granted by the Earl of Portarlington at a nominal rent. In the burial-ground hard-by, the Rev. James Murray lies interred; the inscription over his grave records that he was Parish Priest of this parish for 18 years, and that he died on the 18th of May, 1823, aged 80.

A monument to the memory of Aline, late Countess of Portarlington, has been erected in this church by her husband, the present Earl. It is a recumbent effigy in Carrara marble, by the eminent sculptor, Boehm, and is reputed to be one of his best works. This lady became a convert to Catholicity in 1867, from which time to the period of her death, she resided chiefly at Emo Park, edifying all by the earnestness with which she devoted herself to her own sanctification, to works of charity, and to the promotion of the beauty of God's worship. Her lamented death took place on the 15th of January, 1874. The following account of her obsequies is extracted from a more detailed report published at the time:-

"The funeral of the Countess of Portarlington took place on Monday. It was a spectacle of melancholy impressiveness which will be long remembered by those who assisted at it. The chamber of death at Emo Court was the scene of many affecting passages that bore testimony to the love and regard in which the deceased was held. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. It is questionable whether there survive her, in the house to which she belonged and the circle in which she moved, hearts more sorely stricken than among the poor whose best friend she was on earth. If the unanimity of woe be token of its truth, then, indeed, the lamentation of this day is attested by its extent. When the funeral procession set out from what might well be called the House of Anguish, and the thousands, gathered in silent waiting abroad, beheld the coffin with its terrible suggestiveness of death and loss, borne forth, a great sob as from one bosom burst forth, and rough men, covering their faces, wept bitter tears. The mansion itself, a fine Ionic structure, stood stark and dismal in the monotony of closed shutters and the grey light of a lowering winter day. A shadow seemed to be upon the pile - the shadow of that dread minister whose equal shaft falls alike upon the regal turret and the cottage roof. The contagion of sorrow was universal. People spoke little, and that with bated breath. First in the procession marched the children of the schools, boys and girls wearing mourning emblems, many a fresh young face wet with traces of a feeling beyond their thoughtless years. The coffin was borne upon the shoulders of the tenantry, who loved so well and with such just cause the gentle lady it was their piteous office to bear to her grave. The coffin-bearers were continually relieved along the way by others, who thus sought a last opportunity to honour her whose kindly hand and gracious smile were not yet as things that had been, but memories all the more fresh and poignant that their relics were being borne to the grave. After the chief mourners and personal friends of the deceased, came the servants and employès of the Portarlington establishment, a weeping throng, whose grief even if there were in it an element of selfishness, was, perhaps, the most touching sight in all the scene of sorrow. Last came the people, who loved the dead lady, and the poor, who were her friends. The way to the church lay through the finest portion of the demesne, which stretched away on every hand, a picturesque landscape even in its winter nakedness. The day was still, as if the day itself was lifeless. Not a breath stirred the bare arms of the gaunt gigantic forest trees grouped by the path. Not a voice of nature rose from the frequent thickets. Only the lingering damps of the season dripped like tears from the foliage; and one affected by the spectacle, could well indulge the pathetic fancy which credits things inanimate with the gift of grieving for the woes of mortals. Some distance from Emo Church, the procession was met by the clergy, who thence headed it to the sacred building. A cross-bearer and acolytes preceded the priests, who, to the number of sixty, walked two and two; the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Most Rev. Dr. Walshe, accompanied by his chaplains, followed. The clergy chanted the Miserere as the procession entered the church, under the sabled hatchment placed above the entrance, and the coffin was deposited on the catafalque erected before the sanctuary. The interior of the handsome edifice, which will stand among the lasting memorials of the piety of the Countess and the liberality of her noble husband, was effectively arranged for the ceremony. The funeral rites were performed with the full majesty of observance which the Catholic Church prescribes. The mournful music of the Office was sung with marvelous effect; and as the Psalm of sorrow swelled in mingled cadence of anguish and supplication, many among the hearers sobbed aloud with fresh ecstasy of grief, nor could the most indifferent listen unmoved to the wonderful pathos of the strain. The Rev. Father Carbery, S.J., pronounced the funeral oration. His eloquent and moving address was heard throughout with an intensity of attention, interrupted only by its Effects upon a sympathetic audience. He dwelt upon the beauty of the life whose earthly termination they had assembled to mourn and to honour. The Apostle teaches us that the dead still speaketh, and there was resistless eloquence in the hallowed bier which contained all that remained to the world of the noble lady departed. Everything around spoke of her. The church in which they were assembled was itself a perpetuation in her death of the mission of her life. The tenement which her pure spirit had abandoned for a while, spoke not of earth but of heaven; not of the glory of human things, but of the greatness of faith. Cold must be the faith of him whose soul the knowledge of a life so spent failed to raise to a level far above the concerns of this existence. Be it what it will, death is a wholesome monitor. To the worldling it cries, 'You have not here a lasting home.' And when it marks for its victim one who, gifted with all the world holds most desirable, then does the lesson of Solomon appeal to the heart; we realize, the 'vanity of vanities,' and feel that 'all is vanity.' The dead was lost to them for evermore on earth, but amid their poignant affliction came the comforting thought that, when death had come to her, it was as the angel to Peter in his narrow prison, and said 'Come quickly,' and his bonds fell off and he was free. Her death was bright and joyful, because her soul bad robed itself in charity that needed only the presence of its Divine Spouse to be transformed into glory. For those who lead a life like hers, the function of death was to perfect and not to destroy. Long since had she given herself to Christ. But while her mind was sweetly and steadfastly fixed upon the sanctification of her soul, she never forgot what she owed to society and her high position. Every natural endowment she cultivated, to honour Him who gave it to her. Grace invigorated and ennobled her. She was not less an ornament to her sphere, because she gave herself to the study of the science of the Saints. When all things smiled upon her, and her parents witnessed with joy and delight the budding of all fair promise in their child, she had, even then, given herself to God. Grace grew with her years. The light of Life broke upon her early - distant indeed at first, like the twinkling of a star, but shining clearer and more distinct till it led her through the dark ways, the sorrows and trials of the world, to the sanctuary, to her God. The Rev Preacher depicted in impressive language the good deeds which made lustrous the life of the deceased lady, her fostering care of the poor, her gentle kindness which flooded with bounties the haunts of poverty, far and wide, and smote with real grief for her loss the hearts of many. God had taken her to Himself. God's Will was irrevocable. He did all things for the best, and she, His child, received His all-wise behest with trustful resignation. The last articulate words she uttered were, 'Not my will, O Lord, but Thine, be done.' Her ashes would repose in a spot of her own selection. Over her dust would blossom green memories. Her name would live a treasure to generations yet unborn; she would be remembered in years yet distant as the glory of her illustrious race. The Rev. Preacher concluded his address by forcibly recommending to his audience the lesson of a life which was spent in God's service, and was now enjoying its eternal reward in Heaven. The procession then re-formed, and the coffin was borne to the grave which was opened in front of the Church. The Countess had chosen the spot herself, that her last sleep might be before the Tabernacle. Here was laid to rest all that was mortal of one of whose benignant spirit it may be hopefully said-

"Its mansion is above the smoke and stir of this dim spot which men call earth."

BALLYADAN

In the townland of Rathronshin, are the ruins of an old Church surrounded by a grave-yard, named Ballyadan; this would appear to be the Capella quoe dictur Teampull-micandamna, of Dr. MacGeoghegan's list. (See Vol. I., p. 259.) Portions of the four walls of this Church are still standing; it measures about 32 feet in length by 16 in width. The door was in the west gable; a portion of the stone casing still remains. A small lancet, Gothic-headed window, 3 feet long by 6 inches wide, on the outside, is in the east end, and two similar but somewhat smaller windows are opposite to each other in the north and south walls; these windows have lime-stone mouldings. The inscription on the tombs range from 1750. Charles O'Dempsey, called Cahir-na-Coppul, is said to be interred here, but his grave is not known. The Cistercian Abbey, founded by the O'Dempseys at Ros-Glas, now Monasterevan, had large possessions in this locality; and it appears highly probable that the Church of Ballyadan was dependent upon, and was served by the community of that abbey.

TINNAKILL CASTLE

In the Parish of Coolbanagher are still to be seen the remains of this castle of the MacDonnells. The subjoined particulars are collected from An Account of the McDonnell of Tinnekill Castle, by J. H. Smith, Esq., and Sir Erasmus Burrowes, Bart., (Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Nos. 5, 6); and from Notes to the Four Masters, by O'Donovan, ad annos 1570, 1579 :- The Castle of Tennekill, (Teach-na-Coille, i.e., the House of the Wood), was built circa 1450; it is remarkable for its skilful design, groined ceiling, and finished execution. A few patriarchs of the forest yet remain, venerable companions of the old keep. On the 7th of May, 1578, an agreement was entered into by Sir Henry Sydney, Lord Deputy, on the part of the Queen, and the three septs of Clandonnells of Leinster, viz., Turlogh Oge MacAlexander, of Wicklow, Mulmurry MacEdmund, of Rahin (in the Queen's County), and Hugh Boy MacCallogh (or Calvagh), of Tinnekill. It was agreed that "in respect of the auncient and contynuall fydelytie, loyaltye, and true service of the Captaynes, gent, and septs of the said Clan donilles, alwayes borne and done towards her Magestie and her most worthy progenitors, and hencforth to be contynued, doth covenant and graunte that there shall be henceforth payd yerely out of her Magestie's Exchequer, a yearly pencone of three hundredth pounds, unto handes of the said three chiefe captaynes in lieu and recompense of all dead payes, blake mail, and such like advantage as they or any of them were wont to receive. Provyded that henceforth none of the said Captaynes, etc., shall use weapon or armour in serving of any other than her Majestie," etc. An Inquisition finds Hugh Boy, abovementioned, as possessed of the town and castle of Tennekill, etc., and bound "to keepe and mainteyne 12 able galloglas on said castle and lands, sufficiently armed for the better inhabiting and preserving of the premises; upon sufficient warning to attend upon the Governor of Ireland or his Deputy, and to go upon any Irishman bordering upon the said County of Leix." This Hugh Boy died on the 18th of June, 1570, and was succeeded by his son and namesake. A Memorial presented to the Earl of Essex in 1599 by the Irish Council, represents that the head of the Queen's County MacDonnells was then in rebellion with the O'Mores. About this time the castles of Rahin and Derry were forfeited, and given to Sir R. Greame. Hugh Boy, the second, died on the 31st of August, 1618, lord of the manor of Tinnekill and Ballycrassel, etc., and was succeeded by his son Fergus. Fergus died in 1637, and was succeeded by his son James. This James got a patent of his estates of Tinnekill, including 30 townlands, but was obliged to agree that his sons and servants should use English dress and language, and he and they, and all the males under his control between the ages of 16 and 60, should present themselves every year before the Constable of Maryborough, and get their names inscribed. This James was a conspicuous figure in the Queen's County in 1641, when, at the age of 24, he was a Colonel of the Confederate Catholics. On the 8th of February in that year, the Lords Justices proclaimed a reward of £400, and a free pardon, for his head. His possessions were then confiscated. It appears by an Inquisition, taken in 1679, that his widow was allowed a dower, but the estate was never restored. This James had a cousin, also named James, son of Edmund MacDonnell, who also lived at Tinnekill, and was a Captain of the Confederate Catholics in 1641.

SUCCESSION OF PASTORS

The list of the Pastors who had the charge of this district up to the year 1875, 'will be found in the Chapter on Portarlington. On the death of the Very Rev. Terence O'Connell in that year, the REV. JOHN PHELAN was appointed Administrator of the newly-created Parish of Emo, and, subsequently, Parish Priest. On the translation of Father Phelan to the Parish of Rathvilly, in February, 1885,

THE REV. THOMAS KELLY received his appointment as Pastor of Emo.

Back to List

Site Hosted by Dotser

A-Z of Laois - About Laois - Community History - Famous People - Photographs - Maps - 19th Century Laois