-
- Saint Patrick's Church in Stradbally
Parish of Stradbally
The town which gives its name to the modern parish or union, was
formerly known as Stradbally-Leix (i.e., Stradbaile-Laoighisi, "the
street-town of Leix"). It is found so named by the Four Masters in
A.D. 1596, and it continued to be called so, down to the
commencement of the present century. This town is located in the old
parish of Oughaval, i.e., Uachongbhail, or Nuachongbhail, as it is
more correctly given, in O'Clery's Calendar at 15th of May. This
name (pr. Oohongwal) signifies "a new habitation." St. Colman-mac-ua-Laoigse,
a disciple of St. Columba, founded a monastery here about the middle
of the seventh century; this Saint's feast was observed on the 15th
of May, at which date he is entered in the Martyrologies of Tallaght
and Donegal; in the latter it is given thus:- "Colman Mac ua
Laoighse, of Tulach MacComhghaill, at Druimnitogha, i.e., at
Nuachongbhail in Laoighse, of Leinster. He was of the race of
Laoighsach LeannMor, son of Conall Cearnach."
In the life of St. Columba it is related that St. Columban of
Oughaval, when leaving Iona, where he had lived some years in his
youth under the spiritual care of St. Columba, full of anxious
affection at his departure, he exclaimed:
"O Saint of God! How can I live in my own country and confess my
sins to thee?"
-
- Columba answered him:
-
- "Go to the holy man whom I see every Sunday night, standing with
the angels before the tribunal of Christ."
-
- The holy youth asked who was that saint. St. Columba answered:
-
- "Saint, indeed he is, and comely, and of your own kindred, with
florid complexion and bright eyes, and a few grey hairs now
beginning to appear."
-
- The young man answered:
-
- "I know no such person in my country except St. Fintan of
Clonenagh."
-
- Adamnan relates also the following regarding the Vision of Holy
Angels who carried off to Heaven the soul of the Saintly Bishop
Colman Mac Ua Laoigshe:- Another time while the brothers were
dressing in the morning and about to go to their different duties in
the monastery, the Saint (Columbkille) bade them rest that day and
prepare for the holy sacrifice, ordering also better fare for
dinner, such as was given on Sunday. "I must," said he, "though
unworthy, celebrate today the holy mysteries of the Eucharist out of
respect for the soul which last night went up to heaven beyond the
sky and stars, borne thither by choirs of holy angels." The
brethren, in obedience to his command, rested that day, and after
preparing for the sacred rites, they accompanied the saint to the
church in their white robes as on festivals. And when they were
singing the usual prayer in which St. Martin's name is commemorated,
the Saint, turning to the chaunters, said: "You must pray to-day for
Saint Colman, Bishop." Then all the brethren present understood that
Colman, a Leinster Bishop, the dear, friend of Columba had passed to
the Lord. A short time after, some persons who came from the
province of Leinster, told how the bishop died the very night it was
revealed to the saint.
-
- At January 19th, a Saint Fachtna, Bishop of Nuachongbhail, is
calendared. The Mart. Tal. styles him "Fachtna Eps. on Uachongbhail,
Reidbaircend." As several places throughout the country bear the
name of Nuachongbhail, it is impossible to decide to which of them
this saint belongs. Cuimin of Connor, who, according to Colgan,
flourished about the year 656, thus refers to a Saint Fachtna in his
metrical poem-
-
- Fachtna the generous and steadfast,
- loved To instruct the crowds in concert,
-
- * He never spoke that which was mean, Nor ought but what was
pleasing to his Lord."
-
- * Another reading has it, "loved to instruct all with candles."
-
- The site of the ancient Monastery was subsequently occupied by
the parochial Church of Oughaval, the ruins of which may still be
seen in a grave-yard, about half-a-mile distant from Stradbally to
the south-east, and immediately to the right of the road leading to
Carlow.
-
- The Anth. Hib., Sept. 1794, states "that the old Parish Church
of Ochmhills," (this is one of the various forms in which the name
of this place appears) "was converted by the late Pole Cosby, lord
of the soil, into a family burying-place."
- 'The Cosby family continue to have their burial-place here
still. The wall on the south side of the ruin and running west of
the family vault, appears to be coeval with the monument wall raised
over it. The part of the north wall to the west of the vault appears
to be of some antiquity, and has on the outside of the north-western
extremity a square tower apparently of equal age, attached to it.
The part of the tower that stood on the north wall, is destroyed.
There are some quadrangular openings on the portion remaining. The
north wall towards the vault is nearly pulled down; its length from
north to western extremity, is 24 feet. The monument walls of the
vault stand at the east end of the ruin, have a stone roof, and, on
the west end, a high circular arch.- (Ord. Surv. Papers) Father
O'Hanlon,- whom Stradbally has the privilege of claiming as one of
her distinguished sons,- gives a detailed description and an
illustration of this place (Lives of Irish SS. Vol. 1, p. 330). He
gives expression to his just indignation at the mischief wrought, in
their ignorance, by the Poor-law guardians of the district, "by the
removal of the very ancient and interesting cashel, once faced on
the outside with lichen-crusted and large lime-stones, and breasted
on the interior by a 'wide supporting mound of earth. While
enlarging the boundaries, or while extending gravelled walks, or
planting yew and cypress trees for ornament within, it would have
been possible to serve every useful purpose and to have added
greatly to picturesque effect, had the historic cashel,- possibly
constructed in part by the hands of St. Colman in the sixth
century,- been suffered to remain. In the absence of commissioners
for the preservation of our ancient monuments, our local Boards
should learn not to perpetrate what Cobbett called 'improvements for
the worse.'
- Not alone the peasantry, but the gentry, of Ireland have yet to
learn and feel regarding the irreparable mischief of destroying
sacred and ancient monuments, "which should be so greatly prized as
relics and evidences of the past."- (Id. 332, note).
-
- FRANCISCAN MONASTERY
-
- A Convent of Minorites was founded at Stradbally in Leix by
O'More. I take it to be the same mentioned by Pisanus under the name
of Luasia.- (Ware). Archdall writes that "in the 12th century the
Lord O'Mora founded the Monastery of Mon-au-bealing, or, as more
generally called, Stradbally, for Conventual Franciscans." This date
is a mistake, as the Franciscan Order was not instituted until the
13th century. The writer in the Anth. Hib., Sept. 1794, states that
some remains of the monastery were still visible, and the modern
house which has been built on the site still retains the name of The
Abbey. About the middle of the 16th century, the town consisted of
the Monastery before-mentioned, a castle appertaining to the O'Mores,
with several messuages and cottages, all situated in the ancient
parish of Ochmhills. The Monastery and castle stood side by side,
adjoining the bridge. Portions of the walls of both were standing up
to seventy years ago; they were thrown down by Sir Anthony Weldon
when building the present out-offices. A vault yet remains; it has a
groined top, the arch of which appears to have been turned upon
wattles. Just outside the town, to the north, is a hill called
Knocknabraher, "the friar's hill," which, no doubt, formed part of
the possessions of the monastery.
-
- August 18th, 1592, the Queen being seized of this friary, and
all its appurtenances, and also of a mill with a mill-race in
Stradbally, and of the several castles, messuages, cottages,
gardens, and orchards, with 345 acres of land in the townlands of
Stradbally, Ballynowlan, Kylrorye, Ballerereader, Loghill Parck,
Ballecolman, Ballemadock, Kilmarter, the Grange of Garremadock,
Clonvenoak, Ballenvicar, Kylmogoo, Moyannoghe, Correill, Racreaghen,
Clodust, Noghmald, Shanmollen, Ballemachtaubs, and Derebrock, all in
the Queen's County; the same were granted to Francis Cosby and his
heirs and assigns, to hold as of the Castle of Maryborough, in
capite, by knight's service or the 20th part of a knight's fee, and
at the annual rent of £17 6s. 3d. Irish money; they to find yearly
nine English horsemen (Chief Remembrancer). 4th Dec., 1609, a new
grant of these lands was made to Richard, son of Alexander Cosby,
together with the townland or lordship of Timahoe.- (Auditor
General).
-
- Francis Cosby, whose memory is held in execration as the chief
instigator and perpetrator of the massacre of Mullaghmast (see Vol.
II., pp. 229, 316), came to Ireland in the reign of Queen Mary, and
was, by Patent dated 10th Sept., 1558, appointed General of the
Kerne of Leix, in which district he obtained extensive grants of the
forfeited lands of the O'Mores. O'Sullevan Beare, in his Catholic
History of Ireland, relates that "Francis Cosby, Governor of Leix,
and his son Alexander, raged with merciless fury against the
Catholics of every class.……He mostly resided at Stradbally, where in
front of his house there grew a great wide-spreading tree. Upon this
he was accustomed to hang not only men, to whom no crime was
imputed, but also women and even children. He used to experience
unspeakable delight-at the same time that their mothers were being
thus strangled,- in putting their children also to death by hanging
them by means of the long hair of the mothers. When this tree
happened to have no dead bodies of the Catholics attached to it, it
is related that he used to apostrophize it thus - "My tree, you
appear to be very sad; nor do I wonder at it, as you are too long
bare. But I shall soon relieve your sadness. I shall soon adorn your
branches with dead bodies."
-
- What is related in the foregoing passage, writes O'Donovan (Ord.
Survey Papers), is still vividly remembered in the country; a part
of the stock of the sallow-tree, upon which Francis was accustomed
to hang the people, as yet (1838) remains, it is said, between the
present Mr. Cosby's house and the town of Stradbally, at the spot
where Francis's residence stood.
-
- The following is the text of this passage:-
-
- "Franciscus Cosbius Lisiae praefectus, et ejus filius Alexander,
omne genus Catholicorum immanč bacchantur. Is provinciales Maisum
Castrum (Mullaghmast) causā conventuum habendorum, deque rerum
administratione agendi convocat. Convocatos cohortibus armatis
improviso circumvenit et ex O'Morrae familia centum octoginta viros
inopinantes et nihil adversi timentes uno momento temporis jugulabat.
Stradbaliae plerumque commorabatur. Ubi prae foribus domūs ejus
arbor altitudine magna creverat, patulis ramis diffusa. Ex ea non
modo viros sed etiam foeminas atque pueros solitus erat ulla sine
culpā suspendere. Cum ex arbore faeminae laqueo strangulatae
dimittebantur, et simul ex foeminarum longo crine infantes liberi
pendebant, animo capiebat incredibilem voluptatem. Arborem
Catholicorum honminum suspensis cadaveribus vacuam ita solitus
alloqui fertur. Magna mihi videris, arbor mea, effecta tristitiā nec
mirum; diu jam agis orba. Ego te cito moerore levabo: tuos ramos
brevi corporibus ornabo." - (Hist. Cath. tom ii.., cap. vi.)
-
- Francis Cosby was killed, with Sir Peter Carew and many others,
by the Irish, then in revolt, at Glenmalure, in 1580, he being then
over 70 years of age. He left three sons: Henry, who died in
England; Arnold, executed in 1590, for having killed Lord Bourke of
Castleconnell; and Alexander, who succeeded his father. This
Alexander married Dorcas Sydney, a relative of Sir Henry Sydney,
Lord Deputy, and had by her Francis and Richard. Francis married
Helena Harpole of Shrule, by whom he had a son, William, who died
young; when Richard succeeded to the estate, and became leader of
the kernes.(Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, II., 164.)
-
- At the year 1596, the Four Masters relate the following:-
-
- "Owny, son of Rory Oge, son of Rury Caech, son of Connell
O'More, was at this time a gentleman (skilled) in the arts of war;
and Leix was totally ravaged by him, both its crops, corn, and
dwellings, so that there was nothing in the territory outside the
lock of a gate, or a bawn, which was not in his power. He slew a
gentleman of the English, who was (seated) at Stradbally-Leix, who
possessed a large portion of the territory by authority of the
sovereign, namely (Alexander) Cosby, the son of Master Franns." Mr.
Hardiman has given the following account of the conflict between
Owney O'More and the Cosbys at the bridge of Stradbally, from an
original MS., which belonged to the late Admiral Cosby:- " In the
year 1596, Owney MacRory O'More, chieftain of Leix, demanded a
passage for his men over Stradbally bridge, and the request, being
considered as a formal challenge to fight, was refused.
-
- On the 19th of May, Cosby, hearing that the O'Mores were on the
march, headed his kerne, and proceeded to defend the bridge, taking
with him his eldest son, Francis, who was married a year before to
Helena Harpole of Shrule, by whom he had a son, William, born but
nine weeks before this fatal battle of the bridge. Dorcas Sydney
(for she would never allow herself to be called Cosby), and her
daughter-in-law, placed themselves at a window of the abbey to see
the fight, and for some time beheld their husbands bravely
maintaining their ground. At length Alexander Cosby, as he was
pressing forward, was shot, and dropped down dead. Upon this his
kerne, with melancholy outcries, began to give way; and Francis
Cosby, the son, apprehensive of being abandoned, endeavoured to save
himself by leaping over the bridge, but the moment he cleared the
battlements he also was shot, and fell dead into the river."
-
- An Inquisition taken at Maryborough, the 17th August, 1596,
finds that Francis Cosby, late of Stradbally, was seized in fee of
the site, circuit, etc., of the Monastery of Stradbally, with a
water-mill in the same town, and 1380 acres of land in the townland
of Stradbally, Ballynowlane, Kilroury, Ballyreder, Loughell-park,
Ballycolman, Ballymadok, Kilmarten, le Graunge, Garrymadok,
Cloneveok, Ballyvicar, Kylmogho, Moyanagh, Corryell, Rathcrehin,
Cloduff, Noghwale, Ballaghmor, Shenemollan,- 15 acres belonging to
Edward Brereton excepted,- and Ballymacmanus, and the Castle of
Dirrybrock, all which are held of the present Queen, in capite, by
military service. The aforesaid Francis was slain by the rebels, and
died after his father Alexander, who was likewise slain at
Stradbally, the 19th of May, 1596. William Cosby is the son and heir
of the said Francis, and the aforesaid William was aged 9 weeks at
the time of the death of the aforesaid Francis. Dorcas Cosby, alias
Sydney, was widow of the said Alexander Cosby; and Helen Hartpole,
alias Cosby, was widow of the said Francis Cosby.
-
- The writer in the Anthologia Hib., Sept. 1794, states that "the
Castle (of Stradbally) was surrounded with a fosse, but pulled down
by the Cosbys, and a fortified house built in its place, which also
is now no more. In 1771 Cosby, the late Lord Sidney, began a noble
house, a little without the town, and south-west of the site of the
ancient castle, but lived only to finish the offices and one wing.
-
- The demesne is highly ornamented, and the estate belongs now to
Admiral Cosby. The town is a manor, to which appertains a court
baron and a court leet. About a mile west of the town is a Charter
School for 50 children, and, about half-a-mile to the east is
Brockley Park, the beautiful seat of the Right Hon, the Earl of
Roden, built in 1768, under the direction of Ducart, an Italian
architect, on the site of a former one, burnt down, and is situated
on the lands anciently called Derrybrock (hence, perhaps, the name
Brockley Park.-Editor), and appertained to the monastery before
mentioned."
-
- An Inquisition, taken at Maryborough, 17 June, 1566, finds that
"Rory O'More was appointed Captain of Leyse, and, upon certain
controversy depending betwixt him and his brother Patrick O'More,
the said Patrick for his maintenance did procure a great number of
the Connors to come to the County of Leyse, aforesaid, and was
spoiling of the same; and the said Rory, resisting them in the
defence of the country, was slain by his said brother and the
Connors, in a place within the said country called Killnesperokye.
-
- Said Rory was Captain of Leyse aforesaid at the time of his
death, and he had no more lands in possession in right of his
Captainship as O'More, but only the town of Stradbally, with the
appurtenances, being unto him every year worth £100.
-
- The said Rory had at the time of his death, in his own seizin,
of his own proper inheritance, and not as captain, these towns
following, that is to say, Derrybroke, and the great wood with the
appurtenances, Derryloghcomer both the Cullenaghs, viz., Cullenagh
and Cullenaghmore, Disert Enos, Carrigneparke, Ballynockan,
Graignehoyn, and the whole parish of Tulloryne, which land was unto
him worth three score and ten marks, lawful money of Ireland.
-
- The said Rory O'More was possessed, at the time of his death, of
all the lands in Swyng, that is to say, the temporalities of Timahoe,
otherwise called Farren Priory, Moynerath, Killegan, Ballenegall,
Derrign-Roye, Dromnyne, Moyane, Rathkrehyn and Garrymading, but what
estate he had therein the jury know not. The said Rory had, at the
time of his death, the use and profits of the Abbey or Monastery of
Stradbally aforesaid, and of the Abbey of Leyse, with their
appurtenances, by suffrance from the Prince.
-
- The said Rory had also, at the time of his death, in mortgage,
and in his own possession, the towns following, that is to say,
Ballyadam in mortgage with the said Rory from Conyll McRossyn for
threescore kyne, Ballentobrid with the said Rory's father, Conyll
McMallaghlen, from Fargananym O'Kelly for threescore kyne more, and
Ballytarsneye from the said Fargananym, for twenty kyne, and
Kilclery from Fargananym O'Kelly aforesaid, for sixteen marks, and
also twenty acres in Ballecaslanegalen from Conyll McRory McNeyle
for forty marks.
-
- The said Rory had the fourth part of Colt from Gilpatrick
O'Doran, in mortgage, for twenty kyne. The said Rory's father had
Ballefenan from Gilpatrick McGillegyn and Donogh liagh McGilleyn for
forty marks, and Kyltybriny from David McArt O'More for forty-two
kyne, and Clone in Clenmalyre also from Nyell O'Dowlin for
threescore kyne, and Killenye from Macgilpatricke, that now is, for
ninescore marks, Tully from Fargananyme O'Kelly aforesaid, in
mortgage with the said Rory for ten marks and-a-half, Kilcronane
from Nyell McRossye McNeyle for twenty kyne, and Graignesmotan and
Dowghill from Gilpatrick McRosyne McNeyle for thirty kyne. The said
Rory's father had also from Caroll McTeig, Vicar of Galen, Graig in
Galen for twenty kyne. The said Rory had, of Lysagh McNeyle,
Bollenehenybanye for forty marks, and Dysert-Galen and Bollebeg from
Rory McLeysye for forty kyne.
-
- Further, the said Rory's father had Knockardgorrye from Karoll
McNeyll for forty kyne. The said Rory had Kilmarony in mortgage for
six marks and two milch kyne from Mohertagh McOnhyn McKedy, and
Moyn-rath for forty marks from Dermod McDavid, and Kilneshian from
the Rothes of Kilkenny for fourscore kyne. The said Rory's father
had in mortgage, Moyany from James McTeig, and Kilgeysyn from Neill
Mc. He also had Ballentley from Kedagh McFerishe, the moyety or
halfyndell of Bellarony from Rory McOnsye. The said Rory's father
had Clonheyn in mortgage from Malaghlin O'More's sons, and for what,
the jury know not; all which mortgages, as well gotten by himself as
by his said father Conell McMalaghlin, the said Rory had at the time
of his death in quiet possession.
-
- The said lands were annexed unto the Crown by Act of
Parliament.- (Inquis. Lagen., Com. Reginae.)
-
- The jurors on this occasion, as we learn from the Patent Rolls,
Morrin, No. 62, Elizab., were, John Thomas, of Ballyadam, Mathew
Skelton, alias Lynt, Melmory McEdmonde, John de Barre, Fargananym
O'Kelly, Mortagh Oge, Keadagh McPiers, Edmond O'Doran, Donogh
O'Doran, Teige McDonogh, Donall McEdmond, and Morogh McKarroll.
-
- The Franciscans clung to their ancient foundation at Stradbally
long after its legal suppression and the forfeiture of its temporal
possessions. In the Aphorismical Discovery is found the following
passage in reference to this place:-
-
- "Edmond Roe Butler, son to Lord Mountgarrett, after taking the
Castle of Cullenagh (See Abbeyleix), next morning turned home
himself, and commands a party of the said two companies, and the
horse, to Stradbally, where none did inhabit except two poor friars,
Father Paul Geoghegan and Father James Geoghegan, living most
beggarly in that despoiled town, and two poor country tenants that
belonged and depended on them, and who lived within the monastery
mure or bawn; the friars never suspecting to receive any violence
from such people, all natives, bred and born Catholics, nor once
dreaming that they would use the least inconvenience or mischief to
any of that function or condition. But far deceived; for all that
belonged to both friar and other, was snatched away by this party;
neither regarded friar or other in their pursuit, embezzled the most
part by scattering them into several parts, and though these poor
men did pay any country charges accruing on their tenantship
(notwithstanding its immunity by both civil and canon law), after
General Neill's departure from those parts, they must ransom some of
their said goods that did not appear, by four months' contributions
unto this crew, but what belonged unto the friars was never
restored; they thought it a lawful prey, as siding and obeying my
Lord Nuncio's censures.
-
- The Commander-in-chief of this party was one Patrick Money,
appointed Lieutenant of foot and Governor of the said demolished
Cullenagh. The friars exhibiting complaint unto Edmond Roe Butler
against this Money, as chief commander, and the very man in whose
possessions were such goods as were carried from the friars, and
especially some hogs, who granted his orders for the restoring of
them, which is: 'Patrick Money - Understanding that Tiege Gaffney
has taken some hogs belonging to the friars of Stradbally, which
upon sight hereof must be restored.
-
- This 24th of April, 1649. Edmond Butler.' The friars were
nothing the better of this, though severally complained unto the
said Edmond of the non-compliance of this party to their high
prejudice. Neither yet those unchristian and inhuman Tories
satisfied, but next morning, after the said thievish robbery, came
like enemies unto the said Stradbally to garrison the monastery,
which they did in disrespect of religion, packed the friars into one
and the poorest cottage in all their proper monastery, consumed all
they had for their proper relief and sustenance, made the Abbey a
stew-house; the said Butler hereof certified, did never redress the
same, rather augmented their grief with fresh supplies of untoward
people, belonging to Edward Loftus, brother-in-law to Francis Cosby,
antagonist of the said friars; this was the service of this Edmond
Butler, and thus these poor friars, for the space of seven or eight
weeks, until their own robbery and misdemeanor did cause them
voluntarily to desert the place, and turn to their ancient trade of
thievery."-Aphor. Disc. Pt. 3, p. 31.)
-
- A similar scene of violence towards this community is recorded
by the same writer (I., p. 253.) General Preston is there described
as sending Colonel Wall thither from Ballinakill with 1,500 foot
soldiers, and 5 or 6 troops of horse, having "been informed that
these poor friars there inhabiting, did obey the Lord Nuncio and
clergy congregation's excommunications, thought himself not so
secure until assured of that monastery by the exile or reduceinent
of the said friars; the troops of that party having arrived in a
hostile manner at Stradbally, ran upon the said friars' geese, being
all their cattle, and killed them all to the number of 24 or 30." He
then describes the violence used towards the friars, and the plunder
and forcible seizure of their house. At a Chapter of the Friars
Minors, held at Dublin in 1729, amongst the Guardians then elected
was one for the Convent of Stradbally; Father Anthony Higgin,
Licentiate in Theology. He had previously, in 1717, been appointed
Guardian at Kildare.
-
- The chapel which preceded the present one, stood on nearly the
same site. It was a very humble, thatched structure. In a Return of
the year 1731 (See Vol. I. p. 268), it is stated the Mass-house of
Stradbally was built about the year 1721. This entry must refer to
the chapel named, which was maliciously burned in 1794 by the
Orangemen on the 12th of July. Captain T. Cosby granted a lease of
the present site to Dean Dowling, and in 1798 permitted a cross to
be placed upon it. Dean Dowling, Rev. Dr. Magee, and Rev. Edward
Foley lie interred within this chapel, the monumental inscriptions
to whom are the following:-
-
- D.O.M.
-
- "To the memory of the Very Revd. Patrick Dowling, P.P.,
of Stradbally, and V.G. of the Diocese of Kildare and
Leighlin, who uniting in his character the utmost simplicity
and purity of manners with the most endearing social virtue,
discharged for 53 years his pastoral duties with great
fidelity, and departed to a better life on the 29th of
November, 1826. This monument has been raised and
consecrated by the love of his parishioners, and the respect
of his friends of different religious persuasions. A.D.
1827. May he rest in peace." Ora Pro anima admodum Revd.
Joannis Magee, D.D.,P., qui aetatis suae anno 69 Die 15
Octobris 1881 in Domino obiit. Ingenio et doctrina
perillustris, cunctis affabilis, Deo patriaeque obsequens,
ejus muneribus sacris prope ad ultimum patienter pieque
functus est. Requiescat in pace." "Pray for the soul of the
Revd. Ed. Foley, C.C. of Stradbally, whose ashes rest here
after a short but well spent life. He died April 3rd, 1865,
in the 41st year of his age, and 17th of his priesthood.
This monument has been erected to his memory by the people
of Stradbally' in testimony of their affection and esteem.
Sweet Jesus, have mercy on him. Amen."
-
- A Convent of the Presentation Order was established at
Stradbally during the incumbency of Rev. G. Hume. The Sisters,
besides attending to their duty proper, of the education of the
poor, have undertaken the management of an extensive Orphanage, the
inmates of which are, for the most part, children who have been
rescued out of the hands of those who would have robbed them of
their Faith. At Rosconnell grave-yard, Parish of Ballyragget, a
grave is marked by a stone having the following inscription :
-
- "Here lie the remains of the Rev. James Walsh, who lived for
eight years in the Parish of Stradbaliy. Died the 18th June, 1817,
aged 58 years."
-
- Source: Rev. M Comerford
"Collections relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin", vol
3 (1886)
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