| THE BRENNAN FAMILY HISTORY of Co LAOIS |
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Mountrath (Parish of Mountrath) |
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Parish of Mountrath The ancient and proper name of this parish is Clonenagh. Formerly the now distinct Parishes of Raheen and Ballyfin were comprised in the united Parishes of Clonenagh and Clonagheen. CLONENAGHThis place - the name of which, Claineidhniach, signifies Latibulum hederosum, "the Ivied retreat," - is remarkable for the celebrated monastery which was founded here by St. Fintan, about the year 548. - (Lanigan). This saint was born about the year 525; the place of his nativity is doubtful, beyond the fact that it was named Cluain. This, Colgan, in one passage, supposes to be Cluain-mic-Trein, i.e., the present New Ross; but elsewhere, he states it to be Clonkeen in Leix, and this latter appears to be now the generally received opinion. The parents of this saint were named Gabhren and Findadh, the latter is conjectured by Colgan to have been a sister of St. Lewis of Coolbanagher. On the 17th of February the Feilire of Aengus records, "The Feast of Finntan, the prayerful, of vast Cluain-Ednich;" and the Gloss in the Leabhar Breac, and the Martyrology of Donegal, on the same day, add:- Fiontain, son of Gaibhreine, son of Corcran, son of Eochaidh, son of Bresal, son of Den.- Here he and (St.) Brigid meet (in their pedigrees), Abbot of Cluain-eidhniach in Laoighis (Leix). Great was the abstinence of this holy Fiontain, as is evidenced from this verse (of Aengus)-
A very ancient vellum book . . states that
Fiontain of Cluain-eidhniach, chief of the monks of Erin, in his manners
and life resembled Benedictus, head of the monks of Europe. St. Fintan received his early education from a
holy priest by whom he was baptized. Whilst yet a boy, he was visited by
St. Columbkille, who, on that occasion, foretold St. Fintan's future
distinguished career. When he arrived at man's estate, he entered the
Monastery of Tir-da-glass (now Terryglass, Co. Tipperary), where St.
Columba, son of Crimthain then presided over a famous school. Having
passed a novitiate here, he and two, some say three, companions, being
anxious to find a retired place where they might devote themselves to
the service of God, consulted St. Columba, and, accompanied by him, they
came to Clonenagh. Here, it is said, St. Fintan and his companions
passed a year, but, finding their solitude greatly broken in upon, they
determined to abandon the place, and directed their course to the Slieve
Bloom mountains, again accompanied by St. Columba; this saint, looking
back upon Clonenagh, saw a multitude of angels hovering over it. His
disciples seeing him sorrowful, asked the cause; the saint replied:
Because I see the place we have left filled with the angels of God, and
these angels unceasingly minister between it and heaven. One of us, he
added, should return and abide there for the future. Whereupon Fintan
said: Whomsoever, O Father, you direct to return, he will instantly
obey. Columba replied: Go you in peace to that spot, O holy youth, and
the Lord be with you. It has been divinely revealed that for you it
shall be the place of your resurrection. St. Fintan accordingly retraced
his steps to Clonenagh and established himself there; this was about the
year 548. Great numbers flocked to this place to serve God under the
guidance of our saint, amongst whom was St. Com-gall, afterwards the
founder of the famous Monastery of Bangor, who passed some years under
his direction.- (Ussher). The discipline observed at Clonenagh was very
rigorous; the fasting and abstinence were so severe that St. Canice of
Aghaboe and other holy men remonstrated with St. Fintan on the subject.
Yielding to their representations, he relaxed the rigour of his rule in
favour of his community, but, himself, adhered to his former mode of
life. An incident related in his Life respecting an application of a
holy bishop Brandubh, to be permitted to join his community - which has
been already given (see Agha, Parish of Bagnalstown), reveals the
austerity practised at Clonenagh. Finding his end approaching, St.
Fintan assembled his monks and named Fintan Maeldubh as his successor. ANNALS OF CLONENAGHA.D. 548. (circa) the monastery founded.
By some this Fintan is said to have been the
immediate successor of the great St. Fintan; but it is evident, that
this passage really refers to the first St. Fintan. The difference in
dates is no strong argument to the contrary, as in those old Annals the
chronology is frequently inaccurate, the apparent discrepancy in St.
Fintan being called in one place the son of Gabbren, and in another, the
son of Echach is explained by his being called the son of Gabbren, from
his immediate progenitor, and the son of Echach, from his
great-grandfather. This was a custom among the Irish, who distinguished
families by O or Hua, i.e. grandson or a descendant, and by Mac, i.e.
son or descendant. A.D. 625. St. Fintan Maeldubh, second Abbot of
Clonenagh, died on the 20th of October. A.D. 638. St. Fintan Munna, Abbot, died on the 21st October. The Mart, of Donegal has the following passage in reference to him:- "Munna, Bishop and Abbot of Clonenagh in Leix. Fionntain was another name for Munna. Tulchan was the name of his father. Two hundred and thirty was the number of the monks in his convent. And it was Mochua, son of Lonan, that cured him of the leprosy which he had from the beginning. He was of the race of Connall Gulban, son of Niall; Fedhelm, daughter of Maine, was his mother. It was of him this testimony was given:-
A very ancient book states that Munna, the son of Tulchan, was in his habits and life, like unto Job the patient." A.D. 639. St. Gobban, who founded the monastery of Old Leighlin, and afterwards resigned it to St. Laserian, retiring in 632 to Killamery in Ossory, died this year and was interred at Clonenagh. His feast was observed on the 6th of December. "Gobban's feast, a shout of thousands, with a train of great martyrdom, angelic wall, abbot of virginity, lucid descendant of Lane." (Feil. Aeng.) The Gloss in Leab. Br. and entry in Mart. Donegal state that 'in Clonenagh are Gobban's relics.'" The next Abbot was St. Aedhan, son of Concradh; he died on the 21st of November. A.D. 650. Mohsacra, Abbot of Clonenagh, and of Tigh-sacra (" Sacra's house," Saggard) in the vicinity of Tamlacht, (Tallaght) and of Fionn-mhagh in Fothart, (Query, Fenagh?) died on the 3rd of March (Mart. Donegal). Another Saint of the same name is calendared at 8th of January; this saint, who flourished at a later date, was, according to Fr. O'Hanlon, more probably the Abbot of Clonenagh. 685. Died, Ossein, Abbot of Clonenagh.- (Four Masters.) 767. St. Maelaithgen, Abbot of Clonenagh, died.- (Do.) His feast was observed on the 21st of October. Amongst the disciples of this saint, at Clonenagh, was the famous St. Aengus, surnamed the Culdee.* Another Aengus, who wrote the life of this saint in elegant metre, states that Aengus the Culdee studied from boyhood in the Monastery of Clonenagh. The Mart. Donegal, at the 11th of March, thus refers to St. Aengus: - "Aenghus-na-heblen, bishop, who is called Aenghus Celé-de. It is he that composed the Feiliré. He is of the race of Irial, son of Connall Cearnach; and it was at Cluain-eidhnech, on the bank of the Eoir (the Nore), in Laoighis, he was fostered; he read his psalms first, and he was afterwards buried, according to this verse, which is in the poem which begins-
St. Aengus retired from Clonenagh to a place in
the present parish of Maryborough, which from him, has since been called
Disert Aengus, or Enos, where he built himself a cell. See Chapter on
Parish of Maryborough. 838. The Danes destroyed this Abbey. - (M'Geoghegan.) * Dr. Todd - Introduction to Martyrology of
Donegal, thus describes the Feiliré, and the Martyrology of Tallaght:-
Feilire of Aengus Ceile De. "Four lines in rhyme are devoted to each day
of the year, and the author has imposed on himself the task of
introducing into those four lines the names of the saints commemorated
on that day. The copy of this work preserved in the library of the Royal
Irish Academy, and a still more perfect copy in the Bodleian Library,
Oxford, are accompanied by a copious interlinear gloss and scholia,
containing some very curious legends and traditions, which throw great
light on the ancient state of religion and of society in Ireland down to
the eleventh century."
Here begins the Martyrology of Aengus Mac
Oiblean and Maolruain. 866. The Abbot Laictene died. - (Id.)
1007. Tuathal O'Connor, successor of Fintan
(Abbot of Clonenagh), died .- (Id.)
Two other stones mark the graves of priests, bearing the following inscriptions: -
On the roadside, the well of St. Fintan is pointed out. It does not, it is said, occupy its original site, which was in the adjoining field; the owner of this field contrived to divert the spring to the place it occupies at present. An old tree, opposite the well, is popularly supposed to be connected with it. In some cavities in the trunk, water is said to be, at all times, found, to which healing properties are ascribed. The Monastery of Clonenagh ranked amongst the
distinguished seats of learning in the kingdom, in early Christian
times. It was called the Gallican school (Gael., i.e., a foreigner) from
the great number of foreigners who resorted thither, particularly from
Gaul (Brenan 1, p. 104.) Amongst the Lost Books of Erin is the Leabhar
Cluana-eidhniech, or Book of Clonenagh. This work, the compilation of
the monks of Clonenagh, was extant when Dr. Geoffry Keating wrote his
History of Ireland, early in the 17th century. He refers to it as
amongst the books "that are to be seen at this day," and he quotes many
passages from it in the course of his work. Father O'Hanlon gives
reasons for thinking that this precious historical treasure was at one
time preserved in the library of Ballyfin house, and consequently that
it may still exist. - (Lives of Irish, SS., 2. p. 591.) MOUNTRATH
This place, called also Moynrath, or the fort in the bog, became, in the beginning of the seventeenth century, the property of Sir Charles Coote, who, although the surrounding country was then in a wild state and overspread with woods, laid the foundation of the present town In 1628 Sir Charles obtained for the inhabitants a grant of two weekly markets and two fairs, and established a very extensive linen and fustian manufactory, which, in the year 1641, together with much of his other property here, was destroyed. His son Charles regained the castle and estate of Mountrath, with other large possessions, and, at the Restoration, was created Earl of Mountrath, which title, on the decease of Charles Henry, the 7th Earl, in 1802, became extinct. Newpark, adjoining the town, was the residence of the Earl of Mountrath. In 1831 the town contained 429 houses; iron was made and wrought here till the neighbouring woods were consumed for fuel. The Post Chaise Companion, published in 1805, states that "Near Mountrath is an extensive bank containing, or rather, formed of excellent iron ore, within a few feet of the surface; here an iron and metal foundry has been established and wrought some years since with great success; but at present, from the scarcity of charcoal, on the destruction of the neighbouring woods, the furnaces are seldom employed; it is much to be regretted that such a valuable manufacture should be discontinued on the above account, as the country abounds with bogs, and charred turf might probably be substituted in the place of charcoal for most purposes." Lewis (Top. Dict.), writing in 1836, says -
In the latter portion of the last, and the
beginning of the present century, Orangeism was rampant in the town of
Mountrath, and the Catholics were subjected to constant insults and acts
of violence from the dominant faction. In every lease granted on the.
Castlecoote estate, on which the town was built, a clause was inserted
prohibiting the letting, selling, or bestowal of ground for the purpose
of erecting a Catholic Church. In consequence of this prohibition, the
humble place of worship, used by the Catholics, stood upon a sand-bank,
beside a tributary of the river Nore, at a place called "The Brook,"
just outside the town. Some of the old inhabitants remember to see men
occupied in teeming water out of the chapel on Saturday evenings, in
order that the people might be enabled to assemble there for Mass next
day. About the year 1794, Dr. Delany, Bishop of the Diocese, who held
Mountrath as a mensal parish, determined, if possible, to build a church
for the parishioners. The Lord Castlecoote of the day was as much
opposed as his predecessors had been, to the erection of Catholic places
of worship. After commending the cause to Heaven by public devotions,
the bishop made application for a site to a Mr. Hawkesworth, agent to
Lord Castlecoote. This gentleman gave Dr. Delany a plot of ground, then
in his own possession, and shortly after, through his influence with the
proprietor, procured a lease for ever of it, as a site for a Catholic
church. * *The Annals of the Order of St. Brigid, from which some of the foregoing details have been taken, add - " It may not be out of place to say that Dr. Delany became intimate with this family; in her last illness, Mrs. Hawkesworth became a Catholic. In the presence of her daughters and her son, who was a Protestant clergyman, she requested of Mr. Hawkesworth to have the Parish Priest sent for. They were thunderstruck at her request, which, however, was complied with, and the priest had free access to her while she lived."On the 18th of April, 1809, the Convent of St. Brigid, at Mountrath, was founded, three sisters proceeding thither from the mother house at Tullow (Annals of Order). Soon after, the Monastery of St. Patrick was established. Both convent and monastery have now large communities, chiefly employed in carrying on the great work of Catholic education. At present the Sisters are engaged in erecting a fine imposing building for the accommodation of their numerous resident pupils. The church, erected by Dr. Delany, proved defective in the foundation; in consequence of this, the Rev. James Dunne, PP., came to the determination of building a new church. The work was begun soon after his appointment to the charge of the parish in 1857, and he had the consolation of seeing it completed before his death in 1867. The extraordinary exertions made by Brother John, of the Mountrath Monastery, mainly contributed to the success of the undertaking. This zealous religious travelled through a great portion of North America, Australia, New Zealand, and California, soliciting alms for the purpose; his exertions resulted in his being enabled to transmit the large sum of £4,000, over and above his expenses. The new church of Mountrath is one of the finest parochial churches in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. Several priests were interred in the former church; through the pious care of a recent pastor, the preservation of the inscribed tablets which marked their last resting places, has been secured by their being set in the wall of the new church. They are as follows:- "To the memory of the Very Rev. M. P. Malone,
Parish Priest for some time of Tinryland, afterwards of Mountrath,
Notary Apostolic and Penitentiary for the Diocese of Kildare and
Leighlin. He died in the fifty-third year of his age, on the 18th of
October, 1835. For twenty-two years he discharged with zeal,
disinterestedness, and ability, the arduous duties of his sacred
calling. In him the poor found a friend, the prodigal a forgiving
father, the afflicted a comforter, the oppressed an advocate, his
country an honest patriot, and religion a priest of true piety.
Requiescat in pace." "Subter reliquiae hujus parochae pastoris,
Thomae Nolan. Aeternae in spe vitae requiescunt. Decessit, aetat, an.
53, Sal. 1844. Amore Dei domûsque ejus decoris studio, nec non et
patriae, ardenter flagravit. Rectus, beneficus, hospitalis, perinde
sacerdotibus ac populo carus, morbo, quum fortiter laborasset diuque, in
fide et Domino efflavit vitam. Requiescat in pace." "I.H.S. Beneath are the remains of the Rev.
Edward Mulhall. Gifted with a rare genius, an accomplished linguist,
deeply versed in sacred and profane literature; eloquent, and adorned
with every moral virtue, he was ever held in peculiar esteem and
veneration. He began and completed his studies in Carlow College, where
he was retained as professor; the labour and study undermined his
constitution. Rome then attracted his devout mind, but a winter's
journey inflicted injuries on his health which he bore with Christian
resignation, till death set free his pure spirit on the 9th of
September, 1857, in the 45th year of his age, and the 22nd of his
priesthood. Lord have mercy on him. Amen." "To the memory of the Rev. John M'Mahon,
Catholic Curate of Mountrath, who died, Feb. 7th, 1850, aged 39 years.
His remains are deposited in Tullore. In his character high integrity
and energy, tenderness and truthfulness, the Christian's charity, and
the Apostle's zeal, were beautifully blended. Through his missionary
career of 13 years, he had been singularly loved and respected, and in
death was followed to the grave by sorrowing thousands. Well, indeed,
may the reverer of departed worth pause before this simple monument, and
pay the homage of the prayer- Maybe rest in peace. Amen." A painted window, and a massive marble altar of Our Lady, have been erected in this church as memorials of the affection and veneration of his flock for their former pastor, the Rev. James Dunne. Another gracefully designed marble altar has been lately raised as a memorial of the Rev. Andrew M'Donald, P.P.
SUCCESSION OF PASTORSREV. JAMES DWIGAN was appointed, in April, 1690, P.P. of the united Parishes of Clonenagh and Cloneheen. In the Registry of 1704, he is stated to reside at Downe, in the west division of the barony of Maryborough; was then aged about 50; was ordained in 1677, in Garriricken, by James Phelan, Bishop of Ossory, and his two sureties were Patrick Kinin, of Roskelton, Gent., and Henry Brereton, of Coppanarragh, Gent. Father Duigan died in 1712; this we learn from the epitaph of his successor, REV. EDMUND CORCORAN, who is stated to have been P.P. 35 years, and to have died on the 8th December, 1747. - (Buried at Cremogue). REV. DENIS LABOR was the succeeding Parish Priest; he died, March 26th, 1762, and is interred at Clonenagh. REV. JOHN LALOR succeeded; he died Feb. 15th, 1770, and was buried at Cremogue. THE VENERABLE LAURENCE COLLETON, Archdeacon of Leighlin, was the succeeding P.P. He died in September, 1788, and is buried at Clonenagh. Mountrath then became a mensal parish. Dr. Delany, the Bishop, partly resided there. The first Administrator of whom there is any tradition was named ROCHE; perhaps he is the priest of that name who became P.P. of Suncroft, County Kildare, in 1805. The next Administrator was FATHER DUANE, who died in 1808, by illness brought on in consequence of the attack made upon his house by the Orange-men. - Vide Supra. The next Administrator was FATHER MALONE, afterwards P.P. THE REV. FRANCIS Haly, afterwards Bishop of the Diocese, served as Administrator for ten years, and was succeeded by FATHER MALONE, appointed P. P. of Mountrath, on the division of the parish by Dr. Doyle, in 1820; he died in 1835, and was succeeded by THE REV. THOMAS NOLAN, who died in 1844. The next P.P. was the REV. PATRICK FITZPATRICK, who died September 16th, 1857. THE REV. JAMES DUNNE succeeded; he died March 29th, 1867. THE REV. MARTIN NOWLAN was the next P.P. in succession; he was translated to Newbridge in 1870, and was succeeded by THE Rev. ANDREW M'DONALD. Father M'Donald died in November, 1880, and was succeeded by THE REV. ANDREW PHELAN. In August, 1884, Father Phelan became P.P. of Maryborough, and Vicar-Forane. He was succeeded by THE REV. EDWARD BRENNAN, the present pastor.
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