Rathaspic c1968 All images by William
Muldowney.
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Source: Rev M Comerford "Collections relating to the Dioceses of
Kildare and Leighlin" Vol. 3 (1886)
RATHASPICK
This parish is partly in the union of Ballyadams; other portions
being in the Parish of Doonane and in that of Clough, Diocese of Ossory.
The name signifies "the Bishop's Rath." In the Martyrology of Tallaght,
on the 16th of February, 'is registered, Oengus Epa. Ratha nae Espuc,
i.e., "Oengus, Bishop of Rathaspick." In the Martyrology of Donegal,
too, at the same date, we find the entry: "Aedh Glas, Bishop of
Rath-na-n-Epscop." Besides the Rathaspick with which we are at present
concerned, there are at least two other places of the same name, one in
Co. Westmeath, and the other in Co. Wexford. With which of these
localities the saints venerated on the 16th of February were identified
it is impossible to establish for certain. Colgan inclines to the belief
that Oengus was an Ossory saint, which would go far towards identifying
him with the present district. As to Aedh Gins, Colgan and the
Bollandists notice him and his six brothers, all bishops, it is said;
their names were Diermit, Foebarchus, MacLasrius, Manchinus, Tarchellus,
and Tinnius: All these are stated to have been venerated at
Rath-na-Nespoo, and are ranked amongst the disciples of St.
Patrick.-(See O'Hanlon's Lives of Irish S,S. at date.) "The monastic
ruins of Rathaspic,-the Bishop's fort,-on the estate of Sir William
Grace, Bart.," writes Brewer, "formerly presented an interesting object.
Its ivy-mantled walls, high belfry, and large east window, were
conspicuous in the scenery. From the materials of these ruins the
adjoining church has been lately erected. In the topographical
collections of Sheffield Grace, a faithful representation of these very
ancient ruins, as they appeared previous to 1813, is preserved. Their
Gothic simplicity, and apparent antiquity, with the broken outline of
the monastery walls, present a happy subject for the pencil. The
monastery was apparently on a small and humble scale, and was probably
only a cell subordinate to the more considerable establishment of Old
Court, situated in the townland of Clonpierce, about two miles from
hence. To the family of O'More the foundation of both is ascribed. At
the distance of about 150 yards are the remains of a Rath. This probably
is. the feature which enters into the name of the place. Under the site
of the buildings connected with -the former church, three vaulted
chambers continued, until 1813, in perfect preservation; in one of which
was a well of remarkably fine spring water. In these vaults were found,
some years back, two cumbrous door-keys, with curiously constructed
wards and handles, together with an ill-shaped drinking vessel and some
coins. In the adjoining fields have been also found many pieces of
ancient coin, a short dagger or sword of brass, and a pin, five inches
long, with a chased brooch of brass, adorned with yellow stones. About a
quarter of a mile north of the church is Mill-town Castle or
Ballyvuilling, consisting of a square tower and some other remains of a
fortified mansion, with a modern dwelling-house annexed." In Gough's
Camden it is remarked that "at Milltown have been found many brass rings
and heads of halberts, tokens of the engagement of Ballylehane." The
Grace family, the descendants of Raymond le Gros, have been settled at
Shanganagh,-re-named from them, Gracefield,-since the 17th century.-(See
chapter on Aries). Amongst the P.Ps. registered in 1704, as then in the
Queen's County, we meet with John Brady, residing at Shanganagh, in the
Barony of Ballyadams, aged 28, P.P. of Tankardstown, ordained in 1697 at
Cork, by John Baptist Sleyne, Bishop of Cork, and he had as sureties,
Richard Keating of Shanganagh-more, Farmer, and Edward Keating of the
same, Farmer. It appears probable that Fr. Brady acted as chaplain to
the Grace family, and that he entered himself as P.P. of Tankardstown to
evade the terms of the penal Law, which forbade any but P.Ps. to remain
in the country.
SUCCESSION OF PASTORS
KEDAGH MOORE, as we learn from the Registry of 1704, then aged 59,
was appointed in 1680 to the united parishes of Ballyadams, Fonstown,
TulIy, Clopoke, Tecolme, and Rathaspick; he was ordained in 1674, at
Kilkenny, by Dr. James Phelan, Bishop of Ossory; he resided at Corbally;
and he had as sureties, Henry Toole, of Luggacurren, Gent., and Theobald
Denn of Killabban, Gent. Roger Moore, who is buried at Clopoke,
and Bryan Moore, buried at Arles, are stated to have been brothers of
Kedagh. Fr. Moore died in 1709, aged 64, and was succeeded by GERALD
BYRNE. The MS. of Garrett Byrne, already referred to, gives the
following particulars with reference to this priest. He was one of the
eight sons of Garrett Byrne of Luggacurren, who died, 10th of March,
1722, at the age of 96. Fr. Byrne was parish priest of Stradbally,
Timahoe, Ballyadams, Doonane, and the districts belonging to them, for
15 years, and died in Luggacurren on the 24th of July, 1724, at the age
of 57 years. Ho served as a dragoon under King James, and fought in all
the memorable battles against King William, until discharged at
Limerick, and was the first priest ordained in Ireland after the
conditions thereof. He is buried at Clopoke. MOORE is the name of the
next P.P. of Ballyadams of whom we have an account. The Returns of 1731
(See Vol. I., p. 268) state that in Tullomoy there was one priest, name
not given, who said Mass in a private house. In Dean Skelton's List of
1733 (Vol. 1., p. 274,) Moor, junr., is given as PP. of Clopoke.
This may have been the Rev. William Moore, P.P. of (name obliterated)
who died on the 19th of April, 1766, aged 66, and is interred at Arles.
JOHN BRENNAN is named as RP. of Tullomoy and Ballyquillane, in a
Return of 1766 (See Appendix). The time when this pastor died has
not been ascertained. He was living in March, 1770, as we learn from a
letter of Dr. Keeffe of that date (Vol. II., p. 251). The line of
succession for some time after the demise of Fr. Brennan is uncertain. A
Father Dooley is supposed to have succeeded Fr. Brennan. It is also
stated that Rev. James O'Neill, who became P.R of Maryborough in 1789,
had charge of the parish of Ballyadams for some -time previous. Rev.
Win. Travers, P.P. of Baltinglass, from which place he had to fly in
1798, ended his days in this parish.
REV. JAMES BYRNE, Parish Priest of his native parish, Luggacurren,
Ballyadams, and Wolfhill, died on the 7th of February, 1816, and is
interred at Clopoke;-(Note by his grand-nephew, the late Rev. James
Kilbride, P.P. of Clonmore).
REV. MAURICE HART succeeded. He presided over the parish for 29
years, and died in 1844. His remains lie interred in the chapel of
Ballyadams.
REV. EDWARD FENLON was the succeeding P.P. He died on the 7th of
April, 1874, aged 74, and is interred at Ballyadams.
REV. THOMAS KEHOE, the present pastor, succeeded, having been
translated from the parish of Clonbullogue.
Source: Rev M Comerford "Collections relating to the Dioceses of
Kildare and Leighlin" Vol. 3 (1886)
