The gated entrance to the Priory ruins & graveyard.
The Augustinian Priory (Priory of the Cannons Regular of St. Augustine) which was founded by Myler FitzHenry in 1202 on lands at Great Connell (Barony of Connell) close to the Connell Ford crossing at the River Liffey & just two kilometres from the modern town of Newbridge (which was itself “founded” around 1698).
Apparently Myler FitzHenry was an illegitimate son of King Henry I & when he died his remains were interred in the Chapter house at Great Connell.
One section of stone walls & structure which was cleared of vegetation 2015.
The priory at Great Connell was dedicated to Our Lady & St. David however officially it was forbidden to admit Irishmen to profess as canons (monks) & as it was a sister monastery of a Welsh monastery in Llanthony it was from there the canons came to the Priory.
In later years those who were seen as “loyal Irish” may have been professed.
It is said that the priory & the community there held considerable political influence.
One section of stone walls & vegetation has returned 2023.
The only part of the priory which – to some extent – remains standing at this juncture is an area which it is understood to have been the “Lady Chapel”.
Sadly this remaining structure is in very poor condition, sections of the adjoining boundary wall have collapsed & this despite the fact that its “nominally” a “Protected Structure” references as RPS No. B23-08 – Ruins of Great Connell Abbey & Medieval Carved Stone (Abbey & Standing Stone?) per Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.
Some of the headstones & memorials to those buried within the graveyard.
It would be beneficial if the authorities were to have a geophysical survey carried out of the remaining ruins & surrounding fields to determine what (if any) physical remains of the priory & its associated settlement lie under the adjoining lands.
The walled structure now contains a graveyard with many of the grave headstones still standing. Details of burials in this site have been recorded by the County Kildare Archaeological Society (2008) & that record was added to by the Newbridge Local History Group (2017). These 124 records indicate that the first (recorded) burial took there was Revd. Nicholas Flood who died on 28th May 1817 & the last recorded burial was of Mary Donegan who died on 27th November 1930.
E. Bailey’s name carved into a tree – it’s dated 1916 – could the “W” & “D” be “War Department”?
The priory was considered a wealthy establishment in its day comprising of some 1260 acres (510 Ha), a priory church, a belfry, a mill along with many dwellings & outhouses. There are indications that there was a “village” or settlement in the vicinity of the Priory & possibly a “town wall”.
In 1458 the abbey was partially destroyed by the Irish.
Some of the stonework which has survived since 1202 – so 821 years – built to last!
St. Augustine’s Holy Well was located in an adjoining field (now Baroda Stud) & it was said that the water contained a cure for head ailments in general, but eye trouble in particular.
Some of the internal stone features in the graveyard which have survived since 1202.
The monastery survived Henry VIII’s Act of Confiscation in 1537 which resulted in the suppression & closure of monasteries in the UK & Ireland. The failure to supress the priory was due to the then Prior Walter Wellesley (Bishop of Kildare) having negotiated its continuance as a priory.
However this reprieve was short-lived. Bishop Wellesley died two years later in 1539 and the priory was eventually surrendered (closed) voluntarily by the last Prior Robert Wesley on the 23rd of April 1541, but only after he had negotiated pensions for the community.
While the Priory was dissolved it was still an imposing feature on the landscape in 1654. By the 1787 the monastery was in ruins with little left of the buildings other than two Gothic windows & some pillars.
It has been suggested that the masonry from the then crumbling Priory building (along with the remnants of Sarsfield’s castle in Roseberry) was used in a number of construction projects around Newbridge – including in the construction of the British Army Barracks circa 1813 / 1819.
The masonry was probably used as part of the foundations of the military barracks building & in the building of nearby Connellmore house.
Some of the internal stone features in the graveyard which have survived since 1202.
The tomb which included a relief sculpture of Bishop Wellesley was found on the site. It was restored and subsequently moved to Kildare Cathedral by the Kildare Archaeological Society in 1971 to better preserve the effigy.
The road commencing at Connellmore Cross, continues past the remaining Priory ruins and further south to the Connell Ford at Walshestown – local tradition suggests this was a possible route of the Slighe Dhála.
A view of Connell Ford.
Sources:
Desktop Survey of The Priory of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at Great Connell Conducted by Thomas A. Loughlin May-June 2004
Be careful what you feed our Swans – White Bread is not a healthy option!
Mute Swans Ringed CADA, CABX and one unringed swan on the River Liffey Newbridge
We are lucky to have many Mute Swans in our locality – in the Liffey Linear Park along the River Liffey, on the Lake in Lakeside Park, and slightly further afield in Pollardstown Fen and the Milltown feeder Canal.
Mute Swans On Liffey Newbridge
The mute swan is easily recognised, with its long s-shaped neck, orange bill and its pure size on the water. When it flies it rises from the water, and lifts into the air flying with its neck extended, making a distinctive “whistling” sound as it flies to its new feeding ground.
Mute Swan & 6 of her 8 Cygnets at Lakeside Newbridge
Many of the Swans on the Liffey & at Lakeside are there on a semi-permanent basis, some stay in their chosen location year-round, others move short distances, and the swans regularly seen on the Liffey in Newbridge have also been spotted in Naas, Sallins and in Tallaght.
Mute Swan @LiffeyLinearPark
It is noticeable that people often feed the Swans –unfortunately this is not necessarily a good thing– and despite people’s best intentions feeding Mute Swans white bread is a bad idea. The swan’s digestive system is not designed to metabolize refined flour, preservatives, yeast or refined sugar which are the ingredients of our common white bread. Yes, they will eat the bread thrown to them – and as a consequence they could become dependent on humans providing food rather than foraging for food in their natural environment. So, in summary bread is essentially “junk food” for Swans, and may contain high levels of salt which is toxic to birds and ducks. Bread is also quiet damaging to the water quality also as any uneaten bread can create algae, bacteria and attract rats.
Cygnet on Liffey Newbridge
If you watch a swan for a long enough period you will notice that they dip their head deep under the water – this is to reach the water weeds and aquatic vegetation which grow from the riverbed, these weeds and plants are a swan’s natural diet in the wild, although they will eat grass, and the occasional insect, molluscs, snails, small fish, even frogs and worms.
Mute Swan Feeding on Liffey Newbridge
Feeding bread to cygnets (young swans – which are often brown in colour) is even more problematic, and can have a negative effect on their development, growth and general health. Feeding swans and cygnets mouldy bread could result in the death of the animal.
A newly Born Cygnet from Swans Ringed CADP, CABZ Lakeside Newbridge
Swans will normally find enough food in the wild without us humans providing supplementary feeding. However, although it’s better not to feed these wild birds, very often it is a family activity on a visit to the riverside – so in if you must feed the swans you can occasionally feed the swans with a more suitable food type – fresh lettuce cut up into small pieces, or corn (off the cob), fresh peas, potatoes or even some grated carrot. Please throw the food into the water shallows, so that the swan does not have to exit the river or lake, and become a target for passing dogs or put children in danger.
Adult swans have a snorting or rumbling sound, but when alarmed or disturbed the swan can open its wings in a threatening manner and emit a loud hiss – designed to frighten a potential aversity, this activity is very noticeable if the swan has a nest in the locality.
Mute Swan Launching an Attack – some swans can show an agressive streak from time to time
Mute Swans can breed from the age of three, and build large nests from reeds, weeds and river vegetation – the nest can look like a small “mound”, a clutch can contain from 4-7 eggs.
Nesting Swans Ringed CADP, CABZ @ Lakeside Park
The swans in this locality are being monitored – as they are “Amber-listed” in Ireland – and this monitoring involves specially trained personnel placing a small yellow ring on the swans leg. If you see a swan with one of these yellow rings – and you can safely read the four-letter code, email the information to mute.swan.ring@gmail.com and you will – in return – receive a full history of the life of the swan, and where it was spotted and where it has lived since it was first ringed.
Where to find the Id Ring on a Mute Swan
Photos by Author
Taken Liffey Linear Park in Newbridge, Lakeside Park Newbridge.
Guard Stones are stone / concrete (in some places they can be manufactured from metal) sloped stones affixed to the exterior of a building – usually at corner points. Their purpose was to protect the stone wall from being hit and damaged by passing vehicles – in Newbridge’s case the horse drawn carts and vehicles which predated the modern car.
Full sized guard-stone at junction from Eyre Street to John Street
They were usually sloped towards the building, and the idea was that when turning into or out of a road or gateway if the wheel of a cart or carriage was too close to the wall (the wheels or wheel hub generally projected from the body of the cart or carriage) the wheel would mount the guard stone and the sloped stone would guide the wheel back to road level, thus reducing the probability of the cart / vehicle hitting the building wall, and damaging both the building and the horse drawn vehicle.
Truncated guard-stone at junction James’s Lane
Some of the remaining guard stones in Newbridge are now very low – although I suspect that this is due to wear and tear, damage to the stone, or prior attempts to remove the stone from its position in the road.
Truncated guard-stone at junction from Main Street @ Brophy Farrell
In some places, the Guard Stone was incorporated into the building structure – and these would often be decorated, however in Newbridge the Guard Stones were positioned just outside the base of the building.
Guard-stone at junction from Station Road and St. Joseph’s Avenue
These stones are probably no longer necessary where they once essential to protect buildings, (most modern car owners would tend to err on the safe side when entering narrow streets to prevent damage to their cars) therefore they should be considered part of our history and heritage and as such they really should be protected and preserved in the event that a building is being renovated or totally re-built.
Truncated guard-stone at junction from Eyre St and Anne St
If you spot any others in the town please let me know.
Truncated guard-stone at junction from Eyre St and Anne St
Full sized guard-stone at junction from Eyre Street to John Street
The French phrase for the guard stone is chasse-roue or “wheel chaser” which describes the action of the stone nicely.
For many years now we have been graced by the appearance of Swans on the Liffey in Newbridge, and it brought to mind the story of The Children of Lír which as I remember goes thus:
Swans In Flight Heading Up River on the Liffey
King Lír (who was “Lord of the Sea”) married Eva and they had four children, the first born were Aodh and Fionnula, later two more sons were born to Eva, Fiachra and Conn. Eva died soon after the birth of Fiachra and Conn, and sometime later Lír married again this time to Aoife, who may (or may not) have been Eva’s sister.
Swans Heading Up-River
Soon Aoife became jealous of the obvious love Lír had for his four children, and began to plot how to get rid of the children. No-one was willing to kill the children on her behalf, and she could not bring herself to kill the children. So, in time she brought them to a nearby lake, and encouraged them to swim in the waters, but as soon as the four children were in the lake she used her magic to transform the four children into Swans. She cursed them to roam the lakes and rivers of Ireland for 900 years – the first three hundred years would be spent on Lough Derravaragh (in modern day Westmeath), three hundred more on the Straits of Moyle (which run between Antrim and Scotland), and finally three hundred years on Atlantic coast island of Inishglora.
Swans on the River Liffey
Soon Lír went in search of his missing children, and came across the lake where four swans were singing mournfully – happily the Swans retained the ability to speak in human voices. Lír soon realised that these were his children, and they explained how they had been bewitched and changed from human form to Swans by their step-mother. When Lír realised that his children would live as Swans for 900 years, he himself cast a spell on Aoife transforming her and banished her into the eternal mist.
Swans on the Liffey
Lír visited his children every day, until they had to leave for Straits of Moyle where they suffered greatly due to the stormy weather in this area. However, another 300 years passed and they flew onwards for the lake on the island of Inishglora. By this time St. Patrick had come to Ireland.
Swans on the Liffey
Towards the end of their 900-year odyssey, it was on Inishglora they first heard a bell, and they followed the sound and were housed and protected by a Christian monk or Holy Man.
Swans on the Liffey
However one day the King of Connaught reached the island, as he wanted to capture the Swans as a wedding gift for his new wife, when he tried to take them from their new home, the bell sounded again and the four swans were returned to human form – first as young children, though they aged rapidly. The monk knowing that they were soon to die, baptised them, and buried them together nearby.
Swan On the Liffey
According to the Birdwatch Ireland Website there are three naturally occurring Swans in Ireland, and these are The Mute Swan, The Whooper Swan and Bewick’s Swan.
Swan On the Liffey
The Mute Swan (Eala bhalbh, Cygnus olor) is commonly seen in Ireland on lakes and rivers, they eat mainly water plants which they can easily reach with their long necks. A likely breeding site would be on the Wet Woodland island south of the bridge
The Whooper Swan (Eala Ghlaoch, Cygnus Cygnus) is a winter visitor (from Iceland) to wetlands eats mainly water plants, but can also be seen “grazing” on grass, stubble grain or even potatoes! Identified by a yellow and black bill, with the yellow projecting below the nostril.
Bewick’s Swan (Eala Berwick, Cygnus columbianus) are less common, again a winter visitor (from Siberia) and the smallest of the three swans most commonly seen in Ireland. Has a shorter neck, and a yellow and black bill. Mainly eats tubers, shoots & leaves.
I have noticed recently that many of the Swans are “ringed” which is a good development as they are being monitored. There are Swans also on the Lake in Pollardstown Fen.
Cosantóir Yarn Bombed in the Liffey Linear Park
Many countries have old traditions, stories or myth involving a “wicked” stepmother, as in the fairy tales of Snow White and Cinderella. This story of The Children of Lír, may be one of the reasons that here in Ireland we are protective of swans. There is a sculpture of a Swan – Cosantóir (protector) at the entrance to the Liffey Linear Park here in Newbridge.
Interestingly Queen Elizabeth has a prerogative over all swans in England and Wales, and here in Ireland they are a protected species.
The lyrics below are taken from The Centenary Commemorative Edition of Moore’s Irish Melodies, (with Symphonies and Accompaniments by Sir. John Stevenson and Sir. Henry Bishop) – originally published 1858, a rather large book containing words and sheet music for many of Thomas Moore’s best loved compositions. Moore lived from 28 May 1779 to 26 February 1852. The book has come down in our family from my grandmother who played the violin.
Great Connell Graveyard Overgrown with Church in Background
As children living on Great Connell Road we often explored the two old graveyards adjacent to Connellmore Cross Roads – in those days one would enter these old overgrown graveyards with some feeling of interpretation, and often as a “dare” – those were different times in Ireland – there was a silent respect, nay even a niggling fear of what would or could be waiting in a graveyard.
Great Connell Graveyard
The more famous of these is located within the surviving (although crumbling) ruins of Great Connell Priory (established in 1202 and finally suppressed in 1541) and is a “protected structure” (KD 023/16) #1.
There is larger graveyard alongside the “main” road – Great Connell Road – surrounding what is termed “Great Connell Church” which is somewhat more overgrown and difficult to navigate. #2
Great Connell Church Interior Doorway / Roof Damage
The official record published by Kildare County Council (Ref: K208) states that the graveyard is in the townland of Great Connell [Grid ref 281924(E), 214216(N)], and the RC parish of Newbridge. I was somewhat surprised to note that this graveyard is still officially “open”. #2
Great Connell Church Interior Chancel Area / Roof Damage
The denomination of the graveyard is recorded as Roman Catholic #2, although I am not sure that this is totally correct, as there are a mixture of Catholic and Protestant headstones located in this graveyard, and in his study of Great Connell Priory Thomas A. Loughlin suggests that “A Church of Ireland Church was built north of the site” in 1780 #1. Despite the visual evidence provided by the headstones, some of which are obviously Church of Ireland / Protestant and some Roman Catholic, I am open to correction on my surmising that the church was not exclusively Roman Catholic in this instance.
Great Connell Church Interior DoorwayGreat Connell Church Interior View of Window
Sadly, the church building itself is deteriorating at an exceptionally fast pace, the roof has now almost completely collapsed, the floor has been pulled up over the years, and only few of the floorboards remain, and the old inscriptions which once adorned the windows have faded considerably even in the few years since I last visited the graveyard.
Unfortunately, the County Council have not considered it prudent or necessary to include this old, although disused church, on the protected structures list for the county, and even now at this late stage the Council could rectify this and protect what remains of the structure, which could then be made safe and even restored.
Great Connell Church Interior Roof over Doorway
The graveyard is surrounded by a combination of an earthen bank and a rough coursed stone wall about three feet high (for younger readers that’s about one-metre-high), in my memory there was once a small pond just outside the walls on the Newbridge (eastern?) side of the cemetery – I remember collecting tadpoles there as a child – but it looks like the pond is long gone. The old gate is easily opened, there is also a stone style nearby allowing relatively easy access to the graveyard – however it is fairly uneven and overgrown underfoot so some visitors may not be able to progress very far into the graveyard.
There are a couple of well-worn paths, one leading to what remains of the ivy covered entrance to the old church which is located in the centre of the graveyard site, and another which leads to some of the easily accessible graves and around the other (eastern?) side of the old church. Many of the roof slates lie on the ground beside this wall of the church.
Great Connell Church with Railed Graves in the foreground
Unfortunately, there is ample evidence of some unwelcome visitors to this peaceful place – evidenced by litter, drink containers, and persons dumping their household rubbish inside the wall or along the earthen bank. So much for our Irish reputation for respecting graveyards – those buried there, regardless of religion / or none, should at least expect that their last resting place would not be disrespected by the few.
Great Connell Graveyard Overgrown
The graveyard is a most secluded spot, there are many mature trees within and on the boundary of the graveyard, as I mentioned previously it is extremely overgrown – to the point of being relatively inaccessible in parts because of the brambles, saplings and dense undergrowth. Those graves and headstones which are readily accessible are in many cases partially covered with ivy, mosses and lichens.
Great Connell Church & Graveyard
The Kildare County Council record states that the church and graveyard are clearly marked on the 1st edition OS 6″ map and the 1897-1913 OS 25″ map, and that most of the headstones are from the 19th and 20th century. #2
Great Connell Church Roof Collapsed
The graveyard although overgrown contains many old (and a few new) headstones which vary from single upright headstones set into the ground, cross-shaped memorials, with a selection of enclosed (kerbed) graves, some with attractive railings. Some “table” or bevelled stones set into the ground covering the whole grave some of which are inscribed. I wonder if there are any crypts or vaults in this graveyard – difficult to determine as it is considerably overgrown.
I wonder if there are any accessible records for those buried here – they would be a fascinating resource, or indeed is there any prospect of the community of the area and the town would, with permission from the Council, consider clearing some of the scrub and opening up the graveyard to those who have family members buried there, or indeed for those who have an interest in researching their family tree……
So I had a look at some of the epitaphs and inscriptions on the headstones – then as now most record the name, places and dates of birth or death, some with rank or profession, but each one a lasting memorial to an individual or individuals who were loved and cherished in life and remembered after their death.
It is probable that some of the families of those interred here have “died out”, or left the area, but there is ample evidence that some of the people commemorated here have descendents still living in Newbridge and the surrounding area.
Great Connell Graveyard, Frederic William Lee Morier
TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF / FREDERIC WILLIAM LEE MORIER / LIEUTENANT ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY / ELDEST SON / OF VICE ADMIRAL MORIER / AND FRANCES LEE HIS WIFE / HE WAS BORN / ON THE 7TH DAY OF AUGUST 1842 / AND DIED AT NEWBRIDGE / THE 7TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 1869 / “BEHOLD I TAKE AWAY THE DESIRE / OF THINE EYES WITH A STROKE” / EZ: XX1V.10 / I WAS DUMB AND OPENED NOT MY / MOUTH, BECAUSE THOU DIDS’T IT” / PS: XXX1X.9. / THIS STONE IS PLACED IN / REMEMBRANCE OF HER DEARLY / BELOVED SON BY HIS MOTHER.
Frederick was just 27 when he died in “Newbridge Barracks, Kildare, Ireland”, his father was (Admiral) William Robert Morier (1790 / 1864) and his mother was Frances (Fanny) Lee Bevan (1819 / 1903). It would appear that he had two sisters and two brothers, as far as I can determine he never married. #3
Great Connell Graveyard, Doctor Thomas Gethin Kerin Newbridge
ERECTED / IN / AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE / BY THE SORROWING / WIDOW OF / DOCTOR THOMAS GETHIN KERIN / IN NEWBRIDGE / WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE / 8th DECEMBER 1888, AGED 71 YEARS / NOT LOST TO MEMORY, NOT LOST TO LOVE / BUT GONE TO HIS FATHERS HOME ABOVE / BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHO DIE IN THE LORD.
Could one assume that his wife Sarah was buried here as well, however there is no memorial to Sarah that I could find. Thomas Gethin Kerin’s Will is however available. “On the 5th February 1889, Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Thomas Gethin Kerin formerly of Tramore County Waterford but late of Newbridge County Kildare M.D. who died 8 December 1888 at latter place were granted at the Principal Registry to Sarah Kerin of Newbridge the Widow” The Effects amounted to £172. #4
Great Connell Graveyard, William Kingston Young / Mary Jane Young / Trophina Evelyn Young
IN / LOVING MEMORY / OF / WILLIAM KINGSTON YOUNG L.P.S.I NEWBRIDGE / WHO DIED 24TH APRIL 1901 / AGED 41 YEARS / AND OF AN INFANT DAUGHTER / TROPHINA EVELYN WHO DIED 5th MAY 1889 / AGED 8 MONTHS / AND OF / MARY JANE WIFE OF / WILLIAM KINGSTON YOUNG / WHO DIED 15TH DECEMBER 1920 / AGED 60 YEARS / “JUST AS I AM WITHOUT ONE PLEA”
According to the 1901 census both William Kingston Young and his wife Mary Jane were born in Co. Cork, William was a Pharmaceutical Chemist. They had three other daughters and one son. #5
Great Connell Graveyard Margaret Matilda Hoyle Fisher
TO THE MEMORY OF / MARGARET HOYLE / THE BELOVED WIFE OF / HUGH WOOLCOMBE-BOYCE / 19th PRINCESS OF WALES OWN HUSSARS / WHO DIED MARCH 1887 / AGED 26 YEARS
This inscription led me to the following information – Margaret Matilda Hoyle Fisher (b. 1860 / d. March 1887 at Piercetown House, aged 26) married Captain Hugh Woollcombe-Boyce (b. 1861 / d. March 1890 at the age of 28) in May 1886. The couple had one daughter Margery Barbara Woollcombe-Boyce (b. Feb 1887 at Piercetown House, Newbridge) who was orphaned at the age of tree. #6
Great Connell Graveyard Eyre Powell’s railed grave
TO EYRE POWELL Esq. / BORN 10th AUG 1810 DIED 29th DEC 1871 AGED 61 YEARS / ALSO / TO THE MEMORY OF / GEORGE EYRE POWELL / MAJOR ROYAL DUBLIN MALITIA / BORN 15th MARCH 1813 DIED 4th JAN 1870 AGED 56 / AT LUGANO SWITZERLAND / AND TO THEIR SISTER / CHARLOTTE POWELL / WHO DIED 26 JUNE 1895.
The Leinster Express on 6th January 1872 reported that “On Monday morning last the remains of the late Eyre Powell arrived at Newbridge, from Dublin, by the eleven o’clock train for interment in the family burying place at Great Connell…… The coffin, which was of highly polished Irish oak, mounted with massive brass fittings, and bore upon it the inscription “Eyre Powell, died 29th December, 1871, aged 61 years,” was carried by the tenantry of the deceased gentleman.” #7
Eyre Powell, was selected to occupy the first chair of the Town Commission formed in 1865.
Great Connell Graveyard the Goff Family
IN / LOVING MEMORY / OF / ADA GOFF / WHO DIED 3RD JULY 1893 / AND OF ANNE JOHNSTON GOFF / WHO DIED 13TH JULY 1894 / DAUGHTERS OF / ROBERT J GOFF JP / PIERCETOWN HOUSE, NEWBRIDGE, / ALSO HIS SON / ALEXANDER GEORGE GOFF / WHO DIED 17TH NOVEMBER 1898 / ALSO THEIR BELOVED FATHER ROBERT JOHNSTON GOFF / WHO DIED 16TH APRIL 1907 / ALSO IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS SON / ROBERT WILLIAM GOFF / WHO DIED ON THE 13TH OF DECEMBER 1916 / AT FOLKESTONE KENT AND WAS BURIED THERE / THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I SHALL NOT WANT.
HIM THAT COMETH ONTO ME I WILL IN NO WISE CAST OUT / “NEARER MY GOD TO THEE”
The name Goff has been synonymous with Irish bloodstock sales and was founded by Robert J. Goff after he was appointed official auctioneer to the Turf Club in 1866. This site states that Robert died in 1907. #8
Ada Goff’s Will “On the 31st October 1893, Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Ada Goff late of Piercetown County Kildare Spinster who died 13 July 1883 at same place were granted at the Principal Registry to Robert Johnston Goff of Piercetown Esquire the Father” The Effects amounted to £1,346 10s. 3d. #9
Sources:
#1 Full title “The Priory of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at Great Connell” from a study by Mr. Thomas A. Loughlin and available at Desk Study Great Connell Priory
The turf fire was the main source of heating and cooking in this part of Ireland prior to the introduction of oil and electricity, and many families either owned turf banks or had traditional “turbary rights” in relation to certain areas of bog land – and thus held a right to cut / harvest turf from the bog land.
A view across the Bog
A view across the Bog
The bogs in this area around County Kildare probably took 10,000 or more years to form and have a wide variety and diverse range of plants including colourful wildflowers, bog cottons, heather’s, orchids, reeds and many more. Birdsong coming from the trees and the undergrowth on the Hawkfield Bog signified a healthy bird population, and a few frogs were observed hopping through the undergrowth.
The Poppy Blooms on the Bog
Clusters of reeds abound.
What surprised me was the lack of butterflies, and other than the occasional bumble bee among the heather’s and visiting the flowers along the roadside there was however little evidence of bees in the area. Birds of prey hovered overhead.
Wildlife on the Bog
Butterfly on the Bog
In the 1930’s the Turf Development Board (Bord um Forbairt Móna) commenced work developing the bogs, this development board eventually became Bord na Mona – who are now involved in conservation of some bog lands as well as developing modern sustainable method of generating energy such as harvesting the power of wind.1
Railway Bord na Móna Bog
Barnaran Bog
The Bogs have yielded more than a turf harvest over the years, and because the bog has the conditions required for excellent preservation of once living tissue – containers of butter, hidden valuables, an old dug-out canoe (which I remember seeing in the then museum in Bord na Móna many years ago) have been found in bogs around the country.
Wildflowers on the Bog
Wildflowers on the Bog
Of particular interest to anthropologists and historians – a number of ancient human remains have also been found – examples in the National Museum include Old Croghan Man dated to between around 400 BC and 200 BC 2 and Cashel Man who died in the Early Bronze Age around 2000BC.3
Turf Footings on the Bog
The nearby Bog of Allen is the largest raised peat bog in Ireland stretching over an area of 950 Sq. KM, 4 the bog we visited is located between Newbridge and Milltown, and can be accessed from a number of roads – which loop around the bog and provide vantage points from which the bog with its wonderful flora and fauna can be viewed. We followed local road L7039 off the “Milltown Road” (R416) in Hawkfield which leads to a bog land bordered by the townlands of Hawkfield, Baronstown, Clongownagh, Grangehiggin, Clongorey, Barrettstown, Tankardsgarden and Roseberry and can be followed all the way around back to the R4165.
Bog Cotton Fields Halkfield Bog
Bog Cotton Fields Halkfield Bog
The bogs can be severely damaged by fire, and this can have irreparable damage to the wildlife on the bogs – birds and larger animals such as the Fox can probably out-run fire, but smaller animals and insects such as frogs could succumb to the smoke and flames – therefore it is inadvisable to smoke or use exposed flame on or near the bog lands.
Fire on Roseberry / Mouds Bog
It was disappointing to see some evidence of dumping in the area, why would someone travel so far off the “beaten track” to dump an item like a battery which can be easily (and safely) recycled in your local hardware store….
Some dumping is evident
Remnants of Metal Drums
There is a wide variety of plants and wildlife visible along the sides of the road / path which loops around the bog.
Just five months ago I hadn’t a clue what a Yarn-Bomb was, however now that the ICA Kildare Federation and their knitting and crochet friends have “Yarn-Bombed” the Liffey Linear Park in Newbridge I can see how this form of “street art” has such an appeal.
The OED defines Yarn-Bombing as follows “The action or activity of covering objects or structures in public places with decorative knitted or crocheted material, as a form of street art. Also called guerrilla knitting. Yarn-bombing has become increasingly popular as a way to brighten up our surroundings.”
If you haven’t heard of this phenomenon yet – the best way I can describe a Yarn-Bomb is as a form of a temporary street art / public art where yarn(s) in any form (knitted, crochet, etc.), or in single strands were simply wrapped around trees, light standards and fixed features – as happened in the Liffey Linear Park just as the JuneFest began.
The most interesting thing about this phenomenon is that the Yarn-Bomb materials are temporalily attached to trees, or objects which are already in the public domain such as the Cosantóir (Protector – Swan Sculpture) at the Park entrance – and the result is most impressive.
When I first heard that the Linear Park was a possible candidate for Yarn-Bombing – in my innocence I thought that a few trees in the Linear Park would be yarn-bombed – little knowing the determination of the Yarn-Bombers to design a unique and individual piece of art for each and every tree between St. Conleth’s Bridge and the Watering Gates.
The Scots-Pine, Oaks and all other trees in this section of the park have been covered in a myriad of coloured yarns – Reds, Pinks, Oranges, Yellows, Browns, Greys, Greens, Blues, Violets, Blacks, Greys, White, Cream and many more…reflecting all the colours of the rainbow.
In the case of the Yarn-Bomb in the Liffey Linear Park, the Yarn-Bombers managed to decorate all the trees, lamp-standards, the boulders (seating) have even been covered in blankets of colour, the park seats, park railings – even the bollards have been yarn bombed. Then there is the bike, just suspended there high up in a tree.
Now I won’t even hazard a guess how many “knitting hours” went into the Linear Park Yarn Bomb, but believe me it was well worth it from the observer’s point of view, and those who gave of their time to knit, crochet and erect this piece of amazing public art must be rightly proud of their achievement.
Traditionally the town has in the past had a history in textiles and yarns – Irish Ropes manufactured ropes, twines, and Curragh Carpets manufactured carpets from wool, wool nylon and cotton yarns – and over the years this involved manufacturing processes of spinning and weaving in the town, Cill Dara Spinning also manufactured yarns here in Newbridge. Not to mention much of the raw materials could have been sourced from the sheep on the Curragh Plains…
A simple Google search shows that Yarn Bombing has taken many cities by storm – including New York, San Francisco, Paris, Alicante, Berlin, London, and there’s none better than the Yarn Bomb here in our beloved Droichead Nua / Newbridge.
I have heard a rumour that more Yarn Bombing is in the pipeline – word has spread that possible targets could be a Tank…. or possibly a Double Decker Bus….but why stop there? The world is their oyster as the saying goes, and these Yarn-Bombers do think big – very big!
In conclusion a sincere thanks to the folks who spent many (hopefully enjoyable) hours and weeks researching, measuring, designing and knitting all the wonderful pieces which have been assembled into a breath-taking display of Public Art here in Newbridge’s Liffey Linear Park.
Bravo!!
Taithí a dhéanann máistreacht. (Experience brings perfection.)
Situated in the Townland of Pollardstown, the parish of Newbridge, which is in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin [Grid Ref: 276710(E), 215580(N)] 1
The Church & Cemetery is within walking distance of the public car park which is provided for visitors to the nearby Pollardstown Fen (also well worth a visit) and I have visited this old Catholic Church ruin and cemetery on a few occasions over the past number of years. The cemetery is always well-kept, grass generally neatly mown, there is an air of obvious respect for those whose last resting place this is.
The cemetery is always well-kept (Pic. 2008)
In the grounds surrounded by the graveyard, the remains of an old stone church can be seen – the ruins probably held together by the ivy and vegetation which is growing through and over the surviving gable ends of the church.
The surrounding walls are covered in vegetation and lichens.
Access is via an old gate or alternatively via a stone “stile” built into the wall, the whole site is surrounded by a wall, for visitors it is important to note while it is reasonably level underfoot, there are some deep “trench” like dips in parts of the site.
Pollardstown Church West Gable (Pic. 2008)
Pollardstown Church West Gable increasingly being overgrown (Pic. 2016)
In some areas the surrounding walls and the other remnants of the church building are covered in vegetation and lichens, as are many of the older headstones & grave markers.
Pollardstown Headstones covered with lichens or mosses make them difficult to decipher.
In his article on Pollardstown Church James Durney notes that “Pollardstown was a lightsome and ambitious church of the thirteenth century, an architectural satellite of Kildare Cathedral” 2 headstones appear to date from 18th to the 20th century – the cemetery is currently closed.
Pollardstown Church East Gable (Pic.2005)
Pollardstown Church East Gable (Pic.2016)
The east and west gable walls survive, however there is little remaining of the north and south walls. Three windows remain in the Western gable, the centre window slightly higher than the ones to the side, where there were probably windows on the Eastern gable there is now a large aperture, both gables are now significantly overgrown and on my recent visit the increase in vegetation was noticeable.
Pollardstown Church Western Gable showing Cut Stone windows
The Church stood 34 feet long by 26 feet wide 4
Pollardstown Headstones covered with lichens or mosses make them difficult to decipher.
Many of the older headstones are leaning, some damaged or broken and while some are legible others covered with lichens or mosses make them difficult to decipher. One headstone which is succumbing to the undergrowth reads “ERECTED BY / MRS MARIA DUNNE / OF CALICKNOCK / IN MEMORY OF HER BELOVED / HUSBAND MR MICHAEL DUNNE / WHO DIED AUGUST 13 1872 / AGED 70 YEARS.
Wooden Cross alongside boundary wall
County Kildare Burial Grounds Survey notes that the site is recorded on the “Record of Monuments and Places – Ref. No. KD023-003001 and that “The site is of considerable archaeological, architectural and historic interest, attesting to the long-standing ecclesiastical presence in the area.1
As always, when visiting old ecclesiastical sites or cemeteries, due respect must be accorded to those interred there whether or not in marked graves.
I wrote a blog on the Curragh Military Cemetery recently, and had read a copy of James Durney’s “Far from the Short Grass – The story of Kildare Men in two world wars”, a most enjoyable read. This prompted me to check if there were any “war graves” in our local St. Conleth’s Cemetery in Kilbelin…..and indeed there are.
So a few days later when in St. Conleth’s Cemetery in Kilbelin I took a few moments to check out the WW1 memorial in the cemetery which was raised to the “Memory of those of the Parish of Newbridge who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919”. Well one thing led to another, and I noticed that there were a few headstones very similar to some of those erected in the Curragh Military Cemetery scattered through St. Conleth’s cemetery. This got me thinking – were there many other men or women from this parish or surrounding townlands who participated in the two “World Wars”?
In Ireland (then under British Rule) during WW1 men would enlist in the British Army (as they still do now), and be posted to troubled places in far-flung parts of the then “Empire” – indeed some 206,000 Irishmen served in the British Army during WW1 (#1). The situation was somewhat different during WW2 – 26 Counties having gained independence from Britain, yet some 100,000 Irishmen served in the British Army during WW2 (#1), despite the fact our political leaders had designated WW2 as “The Emergency” .
The fact that men from County Kildare fought in the First World War is not really surprising, back in the 1914 / 1918 era in addition to the Cavalry Barracks here in Newbridge, the British Army also had a major barracks in the Curragh Camp, and also in nearby towns of Naas and Kildare.
In more modern times the Irish Defence Forces maintain a presence only in the Curragh Camp, although the Department of Defence HQ is located in Newbridge – the former barracks in Newbridge (now primarily occupied by Bord na Móna, St. Conleth’s GAA Park and the Whitewater Shopping Ctr.), Naas (now primarily occupied by Áras Chill Dara), and Kildare (now semi-derelict, and may possibly be sold) were closed in the intervening period since independence. Because of this cluster of military barracks located just outside “the pale” there was somewhat of a tradition of Military Service which still exists today – particularly here in Newbridge and the Curragh.
The last remaining Barrack Gate, Droichead Nua / Newbridge
There remains very little of the Barracks in Newbridge, primarily the arch and wall on the Athgarvan Road, parts of the Bord na Móna site, some stable walls along Cutlery Road, and the Town Hall – formerly a Methodist church built within the barracks circa 1859 – the church was de-consecrated following the closure of the Barracks in the 1920’s and is currently being refurbished (Autumn 2015) and conserved by Kildare County Council – when this work is finished I understand that it will become a community resource.
Town Hall Refurbishment & Conservation (formerly a Methodist church built within the barracks circa 1859)
Having searched the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website, I found that there were 4 Commonwealth burials of the 1914 / 1918 war and 2 of the 1939 / 1945 war commemorated in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Kilbelin, Newbridge. The WW1 commonwealth graves were listed as T. Byrne, J. Conway, T. Hearne, and J.J. Mulrooney, The WW2 commonwealth graves were listed as T. P. O’Keeffe and J. B. Rogers.
WW1 Graves include:
17618 Private Terence Hearne.
Born in Rathfarnham, Terence served in 4th Battalion – Royal Irish Fusiliers and died on 11th October 1919, aged 34. #2 Terence was the son of Mrs. Anna Hearne of the Berwick Home Rathfarnham Co. Dublin. #3
WWI Memorial to Private T. Hearne in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge
29391 Private J. Conway.
Born Ireland, he served in the 12th Battalion – Royal Berkshire Regiment and died 7th March 1919. #4
WWI Memorial to Private J. Conway in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge
36696 Private T. Byrne.
He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and died on the 1st July 1919. #5
WW1 Memorial to Private T. Byrne in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge
282781 Serjeant John. J. Mulrooney.
He was born c.1880 in Templeogue and served in the 115th Siege Bty. – Royal Garrison Artillery #6. He died on 20th March 1919, aged 39. John J. was husband of Maud Mulrooney, of Little Fortfield, Templeogue, Co. Dublin. #7
WWI Memorial to Serjeant J. J. Mulrooney in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge
WWI Memorial:
In addition to these marked graves, there is a WWI Memorial stone in St. Conleth’s which commemorates 49 men from the Parish who died in the 1914 / 1918 war (not necessarily buried there).
“Memory of those of the Parish of Newbridge who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1919”
T. Ryan Royal Navy, E. B. Greer MCI Guards, F. ST Leger Greer MC, C. Donnelly, A. Murphy, T. Reilly, T. Riordan, W. Wilmoth, M. C. Cockburn RE, J. Deegan AVC, H. Gaffey Conn R, T. Duffy, W. Fitzpatrick Dorst R, C. Baker R. D. Fus, J. Connelly, W. Cooke DCM, J. Daly, T. Darcy, J. Donnelly, J. Foley, M. Donnelly, B. Morning, J. Maher, J. Murphy, P. Murphy, J. Mc Elligott R. D. Fus, M. O. Donohue, P. Reilly, E. Ryan, J. Brennan, J. Cook I. Guards, T. McDonnagh Kelly RIF, J. Garland S. Fus, T. Mapstone RMF, T. Carroll R Inng F, J. Byrne SR, A. Bragg RCA, J. Lowrey RFA, P. Martin, J. O’Toole, E. O Neill RAOC, G. Geraghty Hants R, E. Ryan Dorset R, M. Seery RI Rct, D. May Leinster R, J. Flynn DLI, R. H. Bond KRR, J. Donoghue RI Fus, J. Underwood.
WWII Graves include:
7040973 Serjeant Thomas Patrick O’Keefe.
Corps of Military Police / Died 30th August/1945 aged 41. #8 His headstone also bears the following inscription “We have lost / Heaven has gained / One of the best / This world contained / R.I.P.”
WW2 Memorial to Serjeant Thomas Patrick O’Keefe in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge
78843 Flight Lieutenant John Bryan Glostek Rogers.
John served in Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 24 Sqdn. and died 17th July 1942 aged 32. #9 The headstone (a family stone, not a CWGC headstone) to the memory of F/Lt John Rogers also commemorates his parents – In loving memory / of / John Thomas Rogers / 1866-1940 / also of Rose Lydia Rogers / dearly beloved wife of above / 1871-1957 / and FT/LT John Bryan Rogers RAFVR / killed July 17TH 1942 / dearly loved son of the above.
Memorial to Flight Lieutenant John Bryan Rogers in St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge
Finally my thanks to Ritchie Leonard Caretaker / Registrar in St. Conleth’s Cemetery (Kilbelin) for his help in finding a couple of the headstones which I was not able to locate.
While travelling to the Curragh a few days ago, it was early morning and the sun was rising, I stopped at the Curragh Military Cemetery – an old British Army Cemetery. The area is well maintained, with a few scattered trees and the cemetery is walled with stone. The site is an ideal one – nicely located on one of the many undulating hills on the Curragh of Kildare. What I would describe as a Lych-gate was erected at the entrance to the Cemetery and is dated VR 1869.
The Lych-gate entrance to the Curragh Military Cemetery dated VR 1869.
Lych-gates were / are a common feature in English cemeteries, basically it is a roofed gateway to a graveyard, formerly used at burials to shelter a coffin while awaiting the clergyman / clergywoman, the one at the Curragh Military Cemetery appears to have been built from limestone and granite and is well maintained and gated. There is a pedestrian entrance to the left of the lych-gate allowing access to the cemetery.
According to Matt McNamara’s Curragh Information Website it was on the 14th October 1869 that the Archbishop of Dublin, Richard Chenevix, Primate and Metropolitan of Ireland and Bishop of Glendalough and Kildare, issued the Act of Consecration for the burial-place of the military encampment of Her Majesty’s Forces stationed on the Curragh of Kildare. #2.
Military funerals continued at this location until c.1922 with all the ceremony that entailed. Military of all nations carry out these ceremonies very well – our Irish Military and the British Military are no exception to this. I can picture the a military cortege, possibly led by a Military Band, alternatively a lone Soldier may have marked the burial with his trumpet or bugle, in the background the sound of the deceased comrades discarging a volley of rifle shots. Funerals of family members of serving soldiers who died would have been buried here also.
The Sun rising over the Curragh Military Cemetery
The Curragh Military Cemetery is located on the Eastern side of the Curragh Camp – very near Donnelly’s Hollow on one of the roads between The Curragh Camp and Newbridge as one would head for Walshestown Crossroads. This cemetery served the British Army when they were located in the Curragh Camp – a military establishment which is still used by the Irish Army to this day. However I understand that the cemetery has not been used for burials since the establishment of the Free State in 1922.
Records suggest that some 103 graves exist in this quiet location, while they are termed “War Graves” these are the last resting place of soldiers who died locally in an Army Barracks or in the Military Hospital.
The majority of the Headstones which I could read were dedicated to men who served in the armed forces, some who served in far off countries, most seem to be from Britain (England/Scotland/Wales), although there are some who appear to have Irish addresses. These soldiers’ headstones are functional in that they give the man’s serial number, name, regiment, along with date of death, in some cases their age, and occasionally some additional script, their regimental insignia or crest is also on these graves.
An example of one of these reads as follows:
TO THE MEMORY OF / JOHN STEPHEN GANDEE / (LATE BANDMASTER) / 1 ST BN THE PRINCE OF WALES’S / NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT / WHO DIED 5TH DAY OF JANY / 1920 AGED 53 YEARS. ERECTED BY THE OFFICERS. WO S / NCOS & MEN OF THE REGT. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
John Stephen Gandee (Service Number 6758), appears to have been born in 1867 to William & Margaret Gandee – possibly in India, where he served in the British Army (as did his father William), and was “Mentioned in Despatches” receiving a medal in 1898 – India 1895 2 bars Tirah (2/10/1897-6/4/1898) & Punjab Frontier (10/6/1897-6/4/1898). He was back in the UK for the 1901 census, and married Constance Garfield Lucas in 1907. In 1913 he was Bandmaster of the North Staffs Regt in Buttevant. Source: Soldiers-killed Website
Other Headstones I selected are:
650937 SERJEANT / J. MILLIGAN / ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY / 29 TH MARCH 1917 AGE 21. TIME ROLLS ON / BUT MEMORIES LINGER.
I found some other information about this young man – James Milligan, served in the Royal Field Artillery 325th Bty. Born to William & Mary Milligan of Mid Murray, East Kilbride, Glasgow. James is also commemorated on the East Kilbride Old Parish Church Memorial. Source: The Scottish War Memorials Project
Some headstones appear to be dedicated to family members and one which I noticed was inscribed thus:
IN AFFECTIONATE REMBERANCE OF / CATHERINE / THE DEARLY BELOVED WIFE OF / PETER ROGAN. LATE SERGT MAJOR A.S.C / WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 8TH NOVEMBER 1896 / AGED 38 YEARS / AND OF THEIR INFANT BABE MARY JOSEPHINE / WHO DIED 11TH SEPTEMBER 1894 / AGED 2 DAYS. MOTHER AND SISTER OF / RT. REV. BISHOP PETER ROGAN C.B.E. / BISHOP OF NICIO/ R.I.P.
I found some other information about Catherine Rogan – she was born 1858, and was wife of Sergeant-Major Peter Rogan, Royal Army Service Corps. Source: Find a Grave Website
The photographs below show a selection of other memorials:
In relation to John Miller – he was the son of George and Kate Miller, of Maryland Point, Stratford, Essex; husband of Ellen Miller, of 3, Middlesex St., Holloway, London. Royal Field Artillery, transf. to (200438) 320th Home Service Coy. Labour Corps. Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
31509 GUNNER / J. MILLER / ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY / 30 TH OCTOBER 1917 AGE 33
IN / BELOVED MEMORY OF / MY HUSBAND / WILLIAM J. EVANS, D.C.M / QUARTER MASTER / 5TH LEINSTER REGIMENT. / DIED MAY 27TH 1916, / AGED 47 YEARS.
24746 PRIVATE / P. BYRNE / ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS / 6 TH FEBRUARY 1916 AGE 42
15143 PRIVATE / M. DALTON / ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS / 23 RD MAY 1916
Further information regarding 24746 Private Patrick Byrne – he was in the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Patrick was born in Dublin and that is where he enlisted. Source: Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Private Dalton was born 1887, he was in the 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Husband of Mrs. Anne Dalton, of Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow. Source: Find a Grave Website
Curragh Military Cemetery
Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal contains a very interesting account of the funeral of Cyril Alexander Gardner aged just 19 years of age who died accidentally while cleaning his captain’s revolver. Cyril was one of those buried in the Curragh Military Cemetery and was buried with full military honours. Read the full account at Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal
Curragh Military Cemetery
The cemetery is well maintained, and there is evidence that some family or other persons visit individual graves as floral tributes were evident at some graves, and the occasional poppy wreath. While there is evidence of damage to some of the headstones, the majority are in good condition – as befits a memorial ground where one respects the deceased.
May all who lie there Rest In Peace.
“You should respect death and respect the dead, not out of fear, but because it’s the proper human thing to do” (Tom Jokinen)
Sunrise on the Curragh
Credits (where not acknowledged in the text):
#1. Matt McNamara’s Curragh Information Website lists a transcription of the headstones in the Curragh Military Cemetery which was carried out by Mick Dolan in 2003, he also compiled a list of family members, women and children connected with those graves. This list is an invaluable aid to anyone tracing their family roots and is available at: Curragh Information Website
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