OLD COURT
In the townland of Clonpierce, adjoining
Ballylynan, an
extensive ruin exists, called in the neighbourhood, the Abbey of Shanecourt, or
Old Court. Beyond a passing reference in the Annals of the family of Grace, as a
monastery stated to have been built by the O'Mores, nothing is recorded of an
abbey having stood here. It is curious that all traditions of what this building
really was, have disappeared from the minds of the natives. It was an Episcopal
Residence of the Bishops of Leighlin, as is shown by a passage from the Report
made, in 1612, by Dr. Ram, Protestant Bishop, and given in Vol. "p.244: -
"The Incroachers of the manor of Shanecourt alias Woodstock,
in the Queen's County, are Sir Richard Greame of Ballylehan, Knight, and Piers
Ovington of Amorstowne, Esq., who have, the one on the one side, and the other
of the other side, so encroached upon the sayd manor, that, whereas it consisted
of eight score acres arable land, in the fift yere of Edward the first as by the
Excheator then beinge, his accompts appeareth in the King's rowles, and so much
hath bin in possession with the Bishop of Leighlin his tennaunt within fiftie
years last past; they have left with the house but one acre of land. If I hoped
that theis lands could be recovered in lawe by any reasonable charge," &c. The
Bishop of Leighlin having a residence here, will account for the fact of his
having usually held the rectory of Killabban.
CLONAGH
Due east of Old Court, at a distance of about half a mile, and
with distinct traces of a roadway connecting both places, there is a
burial-ground, now disused, in the townland of Clonagh. Sir Charles Coote makes
the following reference to this place in his Statistical Survey of the Queen's
County :-" There was formerly a monastery at Clonagh; a fine steeple was erected
here, and was pulled down by the barbarian who tenanted the ground, for the sake
of the limestone of which it was built. The ruins of the monastery are yet to be
seen, with the vestige of a curious arch," This, O'Donovan remarks, is shown as
a large church on the old map of Leix and Offaly. At the present time there is
nothing to indicate the former existence of buildings at this place.
Source: Irish Midlands Ancestry http://www.irishmidlandsancestry.com/index.html
CASTLETOWN
|
 |
Castletown Church - Church of Ireland |
 |
The present Protestant church stands on an ancient church site
Local tradition avers that Father Bryan Moore, the then P.P., celebrated mass
here on the day on which was fought the Battle of the Boyne. There is also a
tradition of a priest having been drowned by accident, in the adjoining river.
Some Catholics are still interred in the burial-ground attached to this church.
A remarkable mound, probably a Tumulus, stands at a few paces' distance from the
church.
Photos by M. Brennan & W. Muldowney
CRETTYARD
Crettyard (Crochta Ard in Irish) is a hamlet in County Laois,
Ireland. It is situated on the border with County Kilkenny, near Newtown, at the
junction of the N78 national primary route and the R431 regional road.
SHRUEL
SHRUEL, a parish, in the barony of SLIEVEMARGUE, QUEEN'S county,
and province of LEINSTER, 2 1/4 miles (N.) from Carlow; containing 183
inhabitants. This parish is situated on the river Barrow, which here separates
it from the counties of Carlow and Kildare; it comprises 784 statute acres, as
applotted under the tithe act. The castle was built in the reign of Elizabeth,
soon after the reduction of Leix to English government, by Sir Robert Hartpoole,
constable of Carlow castle, and governor of the Queen's county; his extensive
possessions have since passed through female heirs into other families. The
castle, once of some importance, is a massive pile, situated on the banks of the
Barrow: it is now the residence of Hasting Herring Cooper, Esq. Hollymount, the
seat of Wm. Fishbourne, Esq., is also in this parish. It is a rectory, in the
diocese of Leighlin, forming part of the union of Slatey: the tithes amount to
£46.3.1. In the R.C. divisions it is held with part of Killabin.
