Lewis Places 1837

Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary of Ireland is the first detailed study of its kind for Ireland. It was published in 1837, before the Famine (1845-50), so it is very important for historians and genealogists of the early nineteenth century. Lewis gives details about every parish, town and village in Ireland, including numbers of inhabitants, the economy, history, topography, religion and parish structures, administration and courts, schools, and much more. He also gives the names of the principal inhabitants (generally landlords, merchants and professionals).

The Meath entries are below in alphabetical order.

Full Dictionary available here A second copy here

County Meath Civil Parishes in 1837

Lewis Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837

Samuel Lewis published his two volume “Topographical Dictionary of Ireland” in 1837. The survey gave details on markets, large houses, population, schools and churches for all the parishes, towns, villages and hamlets throughout Ireland. The Meath Heritage and Genealogy Centre has extracted all the entries relating to county Meath. A draft copy of the material to be published was circulated among the gentlemen of each area for correction and additions.

The spellings of place names, people’s names etc. is that of Samuel Lewis. At around this time place names became more standardised as the Ordnance Survey began to map the country. The census of 1831 is used for population figures.

There have been a number of changes in the organisation of Catholic parishes since 1837.

As in all research it is advisable to check the original source. The book is available in larger libraries and has been re-published.

All moneys are given in pre-decimal coinage: Pounds (£), shillings (s) and pence (d). There were 20 shillings in a pound and 12 pence in a shilling.

Terms used

applotted: the land was valued in order to pay the Established State Church (Anglican) a tax called the “tithe”. The majority of the residents of the county were Roman Catholic who objected to paying this tax.

Borough: town which could elect members of parliament

Esq.: esquire i.e. gentleman.

glebe: land or house owned by the local Anglican church and used for the clergyman.

hedge school: outdoor school or school held in barn, usually paid for by the students themselves.

Hen: Henry, king of England.

Jas.: James, king of England.

living: how the local Anglican clergyman was paid – different forms: a rectory or vicarage.

parish: the term is used here as a civil parish which is different from a Roman Catholic church parish.

R.C.: Roman Catholic

seat: large house where gentleman resided.

tithe: tax paid by all land occupiers to the Established State Anglican Church.

AGHER, a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (s.s.w.) from Summerhill; containing 360 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Summerhill to Edenderry, and from the latter town to Dunboyne, and contains 1900 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Its surface gently undulates,  and the soil consists of loam of different qualities: about one-third of the land is under tillage, and the remainder, with the exception of about 100 acres of bog, half of which is cut away and partly planted, is good grazing land. There are quarries of limestone; the Royal canal passes near the southern extremity of the parish. Agher House, the residence of J.P. Winter, Esq., occupies a beautiful situation in a demesne of about 650 statute acres, containing some fine timber: the gardens are extensive and well laid out; and the neat appearance of the cottages on the estate manifests the proprietor’s regard for the comforts of the peasantry. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £80. The church is a neat edifice, erected by voluntary contributions and a parochial rate, in 1804: it contains a window painted by Gervaise, representing Paul preaching at Athens, from the cartoons of Raphael, which was formerly in the private chapel at Dangan, in the adjoining parish, when that place was the seat of the Wellesley family. There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of 12 ½ acres. In the R.C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Laracor, or Summerhill: the chapel is situated on the townland of Agher, on ground given by the family of Winter. The parochial school for both sexes is aided by annual donations from Mr. Winter and the rector, and there is a private pay school; also a dispensary.

ARDAGH, a parish, partly in the barony of Morgallion but chiefly in that of Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (E.S.E.) from Kingscourt; containing 2408 inhabitants. This parish, which is situated on the road from Drumconra to Kingscourt, and on the confines of the counties of Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan; comprises 3290 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which 2835 are arable, 324 are pasture, 112 are bog, and 19 woodland. Here are extensive quarries of limestone, of which a large quantity is sent into the county of Cavan to be burnt for manure. The living is a perpetual cure, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Bishop, to whom the rectory is appropriate; the tithes amount to £207.6. 5 ½., which is payable to the Bishop. The church is a plain edifice, built in 1805, for the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £125. There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of ten acres. In the R.C. divisions this parish is united to Drumconra:  the chapel, a plain building is situated at Ballinavoren. There are three hedge schools in the parish. On the townland of Cloughrea are the remains of an old castle; and at the northern extremity of the parish, but principally in the county of Monaghan, there is considerable lake, called Rahans.

ARDBRACCAN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath and province of Leinster, 2 ½  miles (w) from Navan; containing 3798 inhabitants.

This place derived its name, signifying, in the Irish language, “the Hill of Braccan”  from St. Braccan, who presided over a monastery here, and died in the year 650.

The establishment subsequently became the seat of a small bishoprick, which flourished under a series of prelates, many of whom are noticed as eminent ecclesiastics, till the twelfth century, when, with several other small bishopricks, it was included in the diocese of Meath. The monastery was frequently plundered and laid waste by the Danes, and repeatedly destroyed by fire, from the 9th  to the 12th century; and, in 1166, Moriertach, King of Ireland, granted to it in perpetuity a parcel of land at an annual rent of three ounces of gold. The village, which was anciently a place of some importance, especially during the existence of the see, appears to have declined since the period of the English invasion, and is no longer of any note. About one half of the parish is under tillage, two-fifths in pasture, and the remainder meadow land. The only remarkable elevation is Faughan Hill, the conical summit of which being well planted, is conspicuous over the surrounding flat districts; and on the western border of the parish is a chain of bogs.  Limestone is quarried for building; and at a place called White Quarry is found a particular kind of limestone, of which the bishop’s palace is built. Limestone, gravel and marl are also raised for manure.

The bishop’s palace, one of the most elegant ecclesiastical residences in Ireland, was erected by the late Bishop Maxwell: it is beautifully situated, and the grounds and gardens are tastefully laid out; the demesne is embellished with forest trees of stately growth, among which are some remarkably fine horse-chestnut trees;  and there are also two very beautiful cedars of Lebanon, planted by the late Bishop Pococke.

Oatland House, the residence and demesne of Blennerhasset  Thompson, Esq., is also within the parish; and Dormerstown Castle is an old fortified residence. The weaving of linen cloth is carried on to a small extent, and some cotton looms are also employed by the inhabitants.

The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1771, to the rectories of Liscarton and Rataine, the chapelry of Churchtown, and the vicarage of Martry, and by the same authority, in 1780, to the rectory of Clonmacduff, which six parishes constitute the union of Ardbraccan, in the patronage of the Crown. The tithes amount to £433.16. 10 ¾.:  the gross amount of tithes payable to the incumbent is £820. 15. 5 ¼. The church is a handsome edifice, erected in 1777, under the auspices of the late Bishop Maxwell. The glebe-house is situated about half a mile from the church: the glebe comprises 33 acres of profitable land.

The R.C. Union of district of Ardbraccan, called also Bohermein, includes the parishes of Ardbraccan, Martry, Rathboyne, and parts of the parishes of Moyagher and Liscarton: there are two chapels in Ardbraccan and one in Rathboyne.

The male and female parochial school is principally supported by the rector, and is aided by an annual donation from the Bishop of Meath; and there are two free schools at Boyerstown and Bohermein, supported by bequests from the late Rev. Mr. Branigan P.P., and by annual subscriptions from Earl Ludlow and the parishioners. In these schools are about 300 boys and 160 girls; and there are also two private schools, in which are about 60 children. Dr. Chetwood, formerly rector of this parish, left £500, and Dr. Sterne, Bishop of Clogher, left £30 per annum, for apprenticing the children of Protestant inhabitants of the diocese to Protestant masters and mistresses;  about 30 children are annually apprenticed from these funds. In the churchyard is a square tower  with a spire and vane forming a pleasing object. There is also a monument to Bishop Montgomery, who died in London, on 15th of January,1620, and was buried here, and on the south side of it is a small tablet to the memory of that celebrated traveller, Bishop Pococke, who presided over the see of Meath, and died in 1765.

ARDCATH, a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 6 ¾  miles (s. by w.) from Drogheda, on the road from Dublin to Drogheda; containing 1774 inhabitants. About one half is under an improved system of tillage, and the remainder is excellent pasture land; the principal corn crop is wheat. There are about 300 acres of bog, which is being gradually reclaimed and brought into cultivation. On the townland of Cloghan is a quarry of excellent slate, but it has not being worked for some years. The weaving of linen was formerly carried on to a considerable extent: about 200 looms are at present employed in weaving cotton for the Dublin and Drogheda manufacturers; and there are two oatmeal-mills, one worked by wind and the other by water. A fair is held on May 8th principally for cattle. The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda, and the vicarage forms part of the Union of Duleek. The tithes amount to £265 of which £195 is payable to the impropriator and £70 to the vicar. In the R.C. divisions  the parish is the head of a union or district which comprises also the parish of  Clonalvy: and part of Piercetown, and contains two chapels, situated respectively at Ardcath and Clonalvy, the former is a neat building, erected about 80 years since, and recently much enlarged; the additional part stands upon the glebe land, by permission of the vicar of Duleek. A school at Cloghantown, of 48 boys and 16 girls, is aided by a donation of £5 per annum from the Rev. M. Langan, P.P;  and there is an evening pay school at Yellowford. The Rev. John Leonard, late P.P., bequeathed the ground on which the residence of the R.C. clergyman is built, and fifteen additional acres of land, to be vested in the trustees for the use of all future pastors; £10 per annum for the joint use  of three parishes of the R.C. union, and one ton of oatmeal to be distributed annually in the same district. The ruins of the ancient church are extensive, but devoid of interesting details; the belfry remains, and a bell has been preserved in it from time immemorial, at the joint expense of the Protestant and R.C. inhabitants, and is used at funerals, and by the latter to assemble their congregations.

ARDMULCHAN, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½  miles (N. E.) from Navan; containing 1061 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the high road from Navan to Drogheda, and the new road  from Trim to Duleek runs through the southern part of it: its northern part is intersected by the Boyne navigation. It comprises 3347 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: about two-thirds are under tillage, and the remainder is good grazing land; there is no waste or bog.  Limestone abounds, and  there is a good quarry of stone for building. Ardmulchan House is the seat of R. Taaffe, Esq.;  and Hayes,  a handsome residence, of R. Bourke, Esq.

The parish is in the diocese of Meath, and the rectory is united to Painstown: the tithes amount to £253.16 10 ½. In the R.C. divisions also it is part of the union or district of Black Lion or Painstown. There is a free school for boys and girls at Hayes, under the patronage of R. Bourke Esq., who built the school-house, gave an acre of land rent-free, and allows £24 per ann. for its support; the girl’s school is principally supported by Mrs. Bourke.

ARDSALLAGH, a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (S.S.E.) from Navan; containing 289 inhabitants. It is bounded on the east by the river Boyne, and comprises 1032 statute acres, principally under tillage, as applotted  under  the tithe act, and has neither waste land nor bog: the prevailing substratum is lime-stone. The banks of the river are adorned with the mansion and demesne of Ardsallagh, the property of Earl Ludlow, whose ancestor, in 1755, was raised to the peerage of Ireland by the title of Baron Ludlow, of Ardsallagh, and in 1760 advanced to the dignities of Viscount Preston, of Ardsallagh, and Earl Ludlow. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Navan: the tithes amount to £150. In the R.C. divisions also it is included in the union or district of Navan. At Cannistown is a public school for boys and girls.

There are some remains of the walls of the old church, with a burial-ground attached. According to Archdall, St. Finian of Clonard founded a monastery here near the river, of which no vestiges can be traced.

ASHBOURNE, a post-town, in the parish of Killegland, barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster,  12 ½  miles (S. by E.) from Drogheda, and 10 ¼ (N. by W.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road to Londonderry and Belfast; containing 60 houses and 473 inhabitants. It is a constabulary police station, and has fairs on Jan. 6th, April 16th, May 21st, July 29th, and October 31st. Here is a R.C. chapel, a neat modern building;  and a dispensary is principally supported by the rector and curate, assisted by some of the parishioners. – See Killegland.

 ASSEY or ATHSY, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.) from Navan, on the river Boyne; containing 108 inhabitants. The land, though not rich, is tolerably productive; a considerable portion is under tillage, and the remainder is good grazing land. Of the ancient castle of Asigh, on the right bank of the Boyne, there remains only a square massive tower, commanding an extensive southern view of the hills of Taragh and Skryne: about 30 yards northward are the ruins of a small chapel.  Bellinter, the seat of the Rev. J. Preston, is situated in a well-wooded demesne of more than 800 acres, stretching into the adjoining parish of Balsoon. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, to which the rectory of Balsoon was united by diocesan authority in 1826, together forming the union of Assey, in the patronage of the Crown:  the tithes amount to £62.   15.  4 ½. and the gross amount of tithes of the benefice is £132. There is neither church nor glebe house in the union, and occasional duties of which are performed by the incumbent of Kilmessan, who receives £24 per annum beside the glebe, which consists of three acres, valued at £6 per annum. The commissioners of Ecclesiastical Inquiry, in 1831, have recommended that the two parishes be formed into one, to be called  the parish of Athsy, and that a church and glebe-house for a resident minister be erected. In the R.C. divisions this parish forms part of the Union or district of Dunsany and Kilmessan.

ATHBOY,  a market and post-town and a parish (formerly a borough), in the barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster 5 miles (N.W.) from Trim, and 28(N.W by W.) from Dublin; containing 5317 inhabitants, of which  number, 1959 are in the town. This place derives its name, signifying in the Irish ” the yellow ford”, from its situation  on a stream which falls  into the river Boyne near Trim. The town, in 1831, contained 346 houses, and is at present a place of very little trade: the road from Oldcastle to Dublin runs through it; there is a very large flour mill. The market is on Thursday, and is well supplied with corn and provisions. The principal fairs are held on the Thursday before January 28th, May 4th, Aug.4th, and Nov.7th, and there are others on March 3rd, and 10th, June 22nd, and 30th, and Sept.22nd and 29th, but they are very inconsiderable. Here is a chief station of the constabulary police.

In the 9th of Hen. IV.(1407), a charter was granted on petition from the provost and commonalty, which, after setting forth that the town had been from time immemorial an ancient borough, confirmed all existing privileges, and granted a guild mercatory, freedom from tolls and customs throughout the king’s dominions, and other immunities. Hen. VI., in 1466, gave a confirmatory charter, by which additional customs were also conferred for a term of 60 years. These charters were also confirmed in the 9th of Hen. VII.; and in the 9th  of Jas. I. (1612), on a surrender of the corporation property, a charter of inspection and confirmation was granted, under which the corporation was entitled ” the Provost, Free Burgesses, and commonalty of the Town of Athboy.”

This charter vested the right of electing the provost in the burgesses and freemen, and the burgesses  and all inferior officers in the corporation at large; it ordained that the provost should be a justice of the peace, and prohibited all other justices from acting  within the borough, which comprised an extent of one mile beyond  the town in every direction: it also granted a court of record, with jurisdiction to the amount of £10. From the second of Elizabeth the borough returned two representatives to the Irish parliament, who were exclusively elected by the members of the corporation; but was disfranchised at the Union, when the £15,000 compensation money for the loss of this privilege was awarded to the trustees under the will of John, then late Earl of Darnley, to be applied to the trusts of the will. The corporation then fell into disuse and is now extinct. By patent granted in 1694 to Thomas Bligh, Esq. “the town’s lands and commons”  and several other denominations of land, were erected into a manor, and power was given to him and his heirs to hold a court leet twice in the year, and a court baron every three weeks, or not so often, before a seneschal; but no manor court has been held, of seneschal appointed, since the beginning of the present century. Petty  sessions are held every alternate Thursday by the county magistrates.

The parish extends five Irish miles in length and four in breadth: the land is mostly of very good quality, and is principally under grass; there is an abundance of limestone, used both for building and manure. The principal seats are Ballyfallon, the residence of J. Martley, Esq.; Mitchelstown, of F. Hopkins, Esq.;  Athboy Lodge, of J. Noble Esq.; Frayne, of W. Hopkins, Esq.;  Grenanstown, of P. Barnwell, Esq.; Frankville, of F. Welsh, Esq.; Dance’s court, of H. Biddulph Warner Esq.;  and Causetown, of-Thunder, Esq.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, to which the rectory and vicarage of Girly, and the rectories of Moyagher, Rathmore, and Kildalky were united by act of council  in 1678, now forming the Union of Athboy, in the patronage of the Crown, the Lord-Primate, and the Bishop of Meath: the rectory is appropriate to the Lord-Primate. The tithes of this parish amount to £560, of which £360 is paid to the lord-primate, and £200 to the vicar; and the tithes of the entire Union are £486. 3. 4 ½. The church has an ancient tower, but the body of the building is somewhat modern; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £102 for its repair. The glebe-house, situated near the town, was built in 1818, at an expense of £1700, principally defrayed by a gift of £100 and a loan of £1050 from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises six acres in Athboy and 1 ½  in Girly, valued at £2 per acre. In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Athboy and Rathmore: the chapel is now in course of re-erection, and when completed will be a handsome and commodious edifice in the ancient style of architecture, with a steeple 90 feet high; it will be lighted by five windows of considerable dimensions on each side, and three at each end, and will have three entrances in front. The parochial school, held in the market-house, is supported under the patronage of the Earl of Darnley: and there is an infant’s school. At Frayne is a school for boys and girls under the patronage of Lady Chapman, of Killua Castle. About 150 boys and 90 girls are instructed in these schools;  and in the other private pay schools there are 112 boys and 54 girls. There is a dispensary; and three almshouses were founded by the late Earl of Darnley, containing apartments for twelve poor widows, who have each an annual allowance of £5. 5., with a garden and ten kishes of turf: about 43 poor out-pensioners also receive weekly allowances from his Lordship’s successor. A monastery of Carmelite friars was founded here early in the 14th century, which, with its possessions, was granted in the 34th  of Hen.  VIII to Thomas Casey. There are some picturesque remains of the ancient church, and at Frayne are considerable ruins of two ancient castles, and of a third at Causetown. This town confers the inferior title of Viscount on the Earl of Darnley.

ATHGLASSON, a village, in the parish of Kilskyre, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, containing 19 houses and 114 inhabitants.

ATHLUMNEY,  a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath,  and province of Leinster, ¼ of a mile (S. by E.) from Navan; containing 1148 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the river Boyne, by which it is separated from the parish of Navan, and over which are two bridges of stone; it is intersected by the roads leading respectively from Navan and Trim to Drogheda, and is skirted on the south by the mail coach road from Dublin to Enniskillen. An old castle, situated on the right bank of the river, was formerly the property of the Dowdell family, by whom it was destroyed, to prevent its falling into the hands of Cromwell. The remains consist of an extensive and irregular pile of building of an oblong form, with two projecting square towers apparently of more ancient foundation than the remainder, which, with its gabled windows appears to be in the Elizabethan style.

The parish comprises 2398 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land is of excellent quality and mostly under tillage; and limestone abounds and is quarried to a considerable extent. Athlumney, the seat of  P. Ponsonby Metge, Esq. is beautifully situated on  the banks of the Boyne, commanding some pleasing views, and that the demesne is well planted and tastefully embellished. There are extensive flour and oatmeal-mills on the river, and a flax-mill in which upon the average 260 men are employed. The Boyne navigation from Navan to Drogheda passes through the parish. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of P.P. Metge, Esq., in whom the rectory is impropriate; the tithes amount to £270 of which £180 is payable to the impropriate; and £90 to the vicar.

The church is in ruins, and there is neither glebe-house, nor glebe: divine service is performed by the vicar, every Sunday evening, in a private house. In the R.C. divisions  this parish is the head  of a union or district, called Johnstown, comprising the parishes of Athlumney, Kilcarn, Follistown, Gerrardstown and Staffordstown, and containing two chapels, situated at Johnstown and Walterstown; the chapel at Johnstown is a very old edifice, and it is in contemplation to rebuild it. There are two schools; one at Johnstown of 79 boys and 59 girls, and the other in Mr. Blundell’s factory, towards the support  of which that gentleman gives £18 per annum.

BALFEIGHAN, a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 mile (N) from Kilcock; containing 155 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Kilcock to Summerhill, and is one mile and a half in length and one mile in breadth.

Piercetown, the residence of T. Cullen, Esq., is within its limits; and the Royal Canal runs through the southern verge of the parish. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Raddonstown; the tithes amount to £87.13.9½. In the R.C. divisions it is part of the district of Batterstown. There are some remains of the old church.

BALGREE, a hamlet, in the parish of Kilskyre, barony of Upper Kells, County of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 12 houses and 77 inhabitants.

BALLINLOUGH, a village, in the parish of Kilskyre, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1mile (N) from Crossakeel; containing 117 inhabitants. It is situated on one of the roads from Kells to Oldcastle, and comprises about 20 houses, besides the R.C. chapel of the district.

BALLYBOGGAN, or DE-LAUDE-DEI, a parish, in the barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (S.W.) from Clonard, on the river Boyne, and on the road from Kinnegad to Edenderry; containing 1477 inhabitants. A priory for Augustine Canons was founded here in the 12th century by Jordan Comin, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity; it was consumed by fire in the beginning of 1446, and in the following year its prior died of the plague. In the 33rd of Hen. VIII. it was granted with various other possessions, to Sir William Bermingham, afterwards created Lord Carbrey, in capite, at an annual rent of £4.3.4; and the reversion was, in the 41st of Elizabeth, granted to Edward Fitzgerald and his heirs: there are some remains of the buildings on the north-west bank of the River Boyne. There is a small quantity of bog in the parish. New Park is the property of the Rev. J. Digby. A fair for cattle is held on the 25th of September. It is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Meath, episcopally united to that of Castlejordan; the rectory is impropriate in the Gifford family. The tithes amount to £220, the whole payable to the impropriator, who allows the perpetual curate £30 per annum. In the R.C. divisions the parish also forms part of the union or district of Castlejordan. There are two pay schools, in which are 80 boys and 11girls; and a dispensary.

BALLYGARTH, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.W.) from Balbriggan; containing 96 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the Nanny water, on the eastern coast, and is skirted on the west by the mail coach road from Dublin, by Balbriggan, to Drogheda. It comprises 810 statute acres, of which 758 are applotted under the tithe act: the lands are principally under grass, and the parish is remarkably well planted; the hedge-rows abound with thriving trees, and the scenery is generally pleasing. Ballygarth Castle, the seat of Lieut.-Col. T. Pepper, is picturesquely situated on the banks of the Nanny water; the demesne, which is well wooded, comprises 486 statute acres, and contains the ruins of the ancient parish church. Corballis House, the seat of J. Smith Taylor, Esq., is pleasantly situated in a demesne of 372 statute acres of fertile land. At the mouth of the Nanny water is a coast-guard station, which is one of the nine that constitute the district of Swords. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £62. There is neither church nor glebe-house; near the ruins of the old church are two acres of glebe, and there are other detached portions, amounting in the whole to four acres. In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Stamullen.

BALLYHOE, a hamlet, in the parish of Drumcondra, barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ½ miles(N) from Drumcondra; containing 8 houses and 52 inhabitants. It is situated on the old road from Drumcondra to Carrickmacross, and is a station of the constabulary police.

BALLYMAGARVEY, a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 6 miles (S) from Slane; containing 401 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the Nanny-water; the soil is fertile, the land in a high state of cultivation, and there are several flourishing plantations, which add to the pleasing character of the surrounding scenery. Ballymagarvey, the seat of Mrs. Osborne; Balrath, of Mrs. G. Tandy; Snugborough, of Lawrence Cruise Smyth, Esq., and Mullafin, the property of H. Smith, Esq., are in the parish. There is a flour and corn-mill. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Kentstown; the rectory is impropriate in the heirs of Sir Andrew Aylmer. The tithes amount to £140, of which £90 is payable to the impropriators, and £50 to the vicar. The glebe comprises 4 ¼ acres of profitable land, valued at £2.10. per acre. In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district called Blacklion, comprising the parishes of  Ballymagarvey, Painstown, Ardmulchan, Brownstown, Kentstown, and Tymole, and containing two chapels, at Blacklion and Yellow Furze; the former is a plain thatched building. There is a pay school, in which are about 20 children.

BALLYMAGLASSON, a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.byW.) from Dunshaughlin; containing 613 inhabitants.

This parish, which is situated on the road from Dublin to Summerhill, comprises 3381 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. Prior to the year 1824, it formed part of the union of Kilmore: the living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £193.16.10 ¾. The church, a neat edifice at a considerable distance from the high road, was built by aid of a gift of £600 from the late Board of First Fruits in 1800. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Batterstown, in the parish of Rathregan. Ballymaglasson House is the property and occasional residence of W. Murphy, Esq.

BALSOON, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 ½ miles (E.by N.) from Trim; containing 311 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the river Boyne, and on the road from Athboy, by Bective Bridge, to Dunshaughlin. The land is principally under tillage; the soil is fertile, and the system of agriculture is improved. Fairs are held at Bective Bridge, near the boundary of the parish. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Assey: the tithes amount to £69.4.7 ½. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Dunsany and Kilmessan, at which latter place is the chapel for this part of the union.

BATTERJOHN,  a hamlet, in the parish of Derrypatrick, barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 15 dwellings and 93 inhabitants.

BEAMORE, or BEMOOR,  a village, in the parish of Colpe, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ¼ miles (S) from Drogheda, on the road to Naule; containing 23 houses and 123 inhabitants.

BEAUMONT,  a village, in the parish of Kilsharvan, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (E) from Duleek; containing 77 inhabitants.  This village, which comprises only 12 houses, is situated on the road from Duleek to Laytown, and on the Nanny water, which is here crossed by a stone bridge.  Here is an extensive flour and oatmeal-mill, with six pairs of millstones and a steam-engine of 20-horse power, which has been recently erected and fitted up with the most improved machinery.  It is the property of J. McCann, Esq., whose residence adjoins the mill. – See Kilsharvan.

BECTIVE,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.W) from Navan; containing 671 inhabitants.  This parish, called also De Beatitudine, was granted by Chas. I. to Sir Richard Bolton, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, in 1639, and is now the property of his descendant, Richard Bolton Esq.  It derived considerable celebrity from a Cistercian monastery founded here, in 1146 or 1152, by Murchard O’Melaghlin, King of Meath, which was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and richly endowed: this establishment, of which the abbot was a lord in parliament, continued to flourish, and in 1195, by order of Matthew, Archbishop of Cashel, at that time apostolic legate, and John, Archbishop of Dublin, the body of Hugh de Lacy, which had been for a long time undiscovered, was interred here with great solemnity, but his head was placed in the abbey of St. Thomas, Dublin.  In the same year, the Bishop of Meath, and his Archdeacon, with the prior of the abbey of Duleek, were appointed by Pope Innocent III to decide a controversy between the monks of  this abbey and the canons of St. Thomas, Dublin, respecting their right to the body of De Lacy, which was decided in favour of the latter.   Hugh de Lacy, who was one of the English barons that accompanied Hen. II on his expedition for the invasion of Ireland, received from that monarch a grant of the entire territory of Meath, and was subsequently appointed chief governor of the country.  He erected numerous forts within his territory, encouraging and directing the workmen by his own presence, and often labouring in the trenches with his own hands.  One of these forts he was proceeding to erect at Durrow, in the King’s county, in 1186, on the site of an abbey, which profantation of one of their most ancient and venerable seats of devotion so incensed the native Irish  and inflamed their existing hatred, that whilst De Lacy was employed in the trenches, stopping to explain his orders, a workman drew out his battle-axe, which had been concealed under his long mantle, and at one blow smote off his head.  The abbey and its possessions, including the rectory of Bective, were surrendered in the 34th of Hen. VIII., and were subsequently granted to Alexander Fitton.

The parish which is situated on the river Boyne, and on the road from Trim to Navan, comprises 3726 statue acres, chiefly under tillage; the system of agriculture is improved, and there is neither waste land nor bog.  Limestone of very good quality is abundant, and which is the principal manure.  Bective House, the seat of R. Bolton Esq., is a handsome modern residence, pleasantly situated on the banks of the river Boyne.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath, and, being  abbey land, is wholly tithe-free: the rectory is impropriate in Mr. Bolton.  There is no church; the Protestant parishioners attend divine service in the neighbouring parishes of Kilmessan and Trim.

In the R.C. divisions it is included in the union or district of Navan; the chapel at Robinstown is a neat modern edifice.  There is a school near the R.C. chapel for which it is intended to build a new-school-room; and there is also a hedge school of 21 boys and 19 girls.  The ruins of the ancient abbey occupy a conspicuous site on the west bank of the river, and have a very picturesque appearance: the consist chiefly of a lofty square pile of building, the front of which is flanked by a square tower on each side; the walls and chimneys of the spacious hall, and part of the cloisters, are remaining; the latter present a beautiful range of pointed arches resting on clustered columns enriched the sculpture, and displaying some interesting details.  There are also some picturesque  remains of an ancient chapel in the vicinity.  Bective gives the inferior title of Earl to the Marquess of Headfort.

BECTIVE-BRIDGE, a village, in the parish of Balsoon, barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ¾ miles (E.N.E.) from Trim; containing 142 inhabitants. This place is situated on the road from Dunshaughlin to Athboy, and on the river Boyne, over which is a stone bridge connecting it with the parish of Bective, from which circumstance it has derived its name. It contains about 30 dwelling, and has two annual fairs; one on the 16th of May, principally for dry cows and young heifers, which is well attended, and the other on the 1st of November, chiefly for cattle and pigs.

BELLEWSTOWN,   a village, in the parish of Duleek, barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 mile (E) from Duleek; containing 13 houses and 77 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Duleek to Laytown, and on the Nanny water.. Races are held in June on the hill of Bellewstwon, and are well attended; the days vary, but on the last Thursday in the month the king’s cup is run for.  The view from this hill is very extensive, embracing the Carlingford and Mourne Mountains, and the bays of Dundalk and Carlingford. – See Duleek.

BETAGHSTOWN, or BETTYSTOWN, a village, in the parish of Colpe, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster,3 ½ miles (E.S.E.) from Drogheda; containing 214 inhabitants. This place is situated on the eastern coast, and contains 26 houses, chiefly thatched cabins; it is the property of R. Shepheard, Esq., whose seat is in the neighbour-hood. The coast is here a shallow strand, and, from the extent of fine sandy beach, the village has become a place of some resort for sea-bathing, and would be much more numerously frequented if suitable accommodations were provided. The surrounding scenery is pleasingly diversified, and in the immediate vicinity are many handsome private residences.

BOLIES,  a village, in the parish of Duleek, barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles  (S.W.) from Duleek, on the mail coach road from Dublin, through Duleek, to Belfast; containing 30 houses and 159 inhabitants

BRIDESWELL, a hamlet, in the parish of Kilcloan, barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 8 dwellings and 48 inhabitants.

BROWNSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (E.by.S) from Navan; containing 487 inhabitants. It is situated on the road from Navan, through Ashbourne, to Dublin, and comprises 864 statute acres  of arable and pasture land, with the exception of about 32 acres of waste and bog: the land is fertile and principally under tillage, and the system of agriculture is improving. There is a good limestone quarry; a valuable stratum of potters’ clay has been discovered; and there are strong indications of the existence of copper ore, but no attempt to work it has hitherto been made. The only seat is Brownstown House, the property and formerly the residence of the Somerville family, and now being put into a state of repair. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in Sir W. Meredyth Somerville, Bart: the tithes amount to £73. There is no church or chapel, only an ancient burial-ground: the clerical duties of the parish are performed by the incumbent of the adjoining parishes forming the union of Kentstown. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Blacklion. There are two hedge schools, in which are about 34 boys and 24 girls.

BURRY, a parish, in the barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ¾ mile (S.W.) from Kells; containing 1027 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the road from Mullingar to Kells and Drogheda, and comprises 3339 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The land, which is of great fertility, is almost equally divided between tillage and pasture, and the system of agriculture is in a highly improved state. There is a considerable tract of bog, which partly supplies the town of Kells with turf; and there are some quarries of limestone and greenstone.  Balrath, the seat of C.A. Nicholson, Esq., is a handsome residence, pleasantly situated in an extensive and well wooded demesne, with a park  well stocked with deer, and in which are some remains of the old church, with a burial ground attached.  The other seats are Springville, the residence of P. O’Reilly Esq.; and Berford of J. Dyas Esq.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Kells and corps of the archdeaconry of Meath: the tithes amount to £150.  The glebe comprises  of 2r 19p., valued at £1.10. per annum. In the R.C. divisions, also, it forms part of the union or district of Kells.  There are two daily pay schools, one at  Drumbarrow and the other at Scurlogstown, in which are about 100 boys and 60 girls.

CARLANSTOWN, a village in the parish of Kilbeg, barony of Lower Kells, County of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (N.E.) from Kells; containing 293 inhabitants.  It is  situated on the road from Bailieborough to Dublin, by Navan, and in 1833 comprised 53 houses.  Fairs are held on March 12th, May, 1st, Aug.  6th, and Nov. 19th; the last is for fat cattle, and is considered the largest and best of the kind in the county.  Sir H. Meredyth, Bart., the proprietor, intends making considerable improvements in the village.  The R.C. parochial chapel is situated here.  See Kilbeg.

CASTLE-JORDAN, or GUNGEDAH, a parish, partly in the barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and partly in the barony of Coolestown, but chiefly in  that of Warrenstown, King’s County and province of  Leinster, 3 ¼  miles (S.W.) from Kinnegad; containing 3967 inhabitants.  This parish is situated on the road from Trim to Philipstown, and on  the river Boyne, which separates it from the county of Kildare.  There is a very large extent of bog; and gritstone used for building is procured from some quarries in the parish.  The gentlemen’s seats are Kildangan, the residence of E. Haughton, Esq. and Tubberdaly of  J. Downing Nesbitt, Esq.  The living is an impropriate cure, in the diocese of Meath, united by diocesan authority to that of Ballyboggan; the rectory is wholly impropriate in the heirs of the late Sir Duke Gifford, to whom the tithes, amounting to £380, are payable.  The annual income of the curate is £100 late currency, of which £30 is paid by the impropriators and £70 by the Trustees of Primate Boulter’s augmentation fund.  The church, which is in the county of Meath, was built in 1826, at an expense of £664. 12. 1., defrayed by aid of a loan from the late Board of First Fruits.  There is neither glebe-house nor glebe.  In the R.C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, also called Boughilnebracnay, comprising Castle-Jordan and Ballyboggan, and containing two chapels.  There are five private schools, in which about 190 children are educated.  Here are the ruins of a castle, formerly occupied by the Giffords.

CASTLEKEIRAN, a village, in the parish of Loghan, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½  miles (W.N.W) from Kells; containing 24 houses and 162 inhabitants.

CASTLETOWN-KILPATRICK, a parish, in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.S.E.) from Nobber; containing 1211 inhabitants.  This parish is situated on the roads from Slane to Nobber, and from Kells to Ardee, and contains 3895 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The land is of very good quality; about three-fourths are in pasture, and there is no bog.  The principal seats are Rathhood, the residence of R. Cruise, Esq; Stephenstown, of H. Owens, Esq.; Headstown, of Lieut-Col. Gerrard; and Legga, of A. Kieran, Esq.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council to the rectories of Knock and Drakestown, and in the alternate patronage of  the Crown and the Bishop: the tithes of the parish amount to £278. 1. 2.; and the gross value of the benefice, including tithe and glebe, is £690. 8.7.  The church is a neat edifice, with a tower, and was rebuilt in  1823, at an expense of £467. 12. 4.  The glebe-house, which is close to the church, was erected in 1824, by aid of  a loan of £1107. 13. 10. from the late Board of First Fruits.  The glebe comprises 43 plantation acres, valued at £119.18.10. per annum; and there are also a glebe in Knock of 3 ½ acres, and one in Drakestown of 4 acres, together valued at £36 per annum.  In the R.C. divisions this parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Knock, Drakestown, Kilshine, and Clongill, and containing two chapels, one at Castletown and the other at Fletcherstown.  There is a school at Castletown-Cross, aided by the incumbent, in which are about 6 boys and 3 girls.

CASTLE-RICKARD,  a parish, partly in the barony of Carberry, county of Kildare, but chiefly in the barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of  Meath, and province of Leinster 4 ¾ miles (N.E.) from Clonard; containing 554 inhabitants.  This parish, which derives its name from an ancient castle, of which there are no remains, is situated on the river Boyne, and on the road from Edenderry to Trim.  The seats are Castle-Rickard, the residence of G. Lucas Nugent, Esq.; and Lion’s Den, of Godwin Swift, Esq.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage  of the Bishop: the tithes amount to £170.  The church is a plain edifice in good repair.  The glebe-house was built in 1790, by aid of a gift of  £100, from the late Board of First Fruits; and there are two glebes, comprising 10 acres.  In the R.C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Kildalkey.  There is a hedge school at Inchmore of about 50 boys and 40 girls.

         CHURCHTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.N.E.) from Trim; containing 448 inhabitants.  This parish is situated on the road from Ardbraccan to Trim, and on that from Athboy to Navan, and is separated from Clonmacduff by a small river: the land is principally under tillage, and has a substratum of limestone.  The principal seats are Philpotstown the residence of John T. Young, Esq.; and Churchtown, of Mrs. Kellet.  It is in the diocese of Meath, and is one of the six parishes which constitute the union of Ardbraccan; the rectory is impropriate in the representatives of Miss Reynell of Killynan.  The tithes amount to £53. 1. 6 ½. per ann., of which £43. 6. 11. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the incumbent.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is united to those of Clonmacduff, Moymet, Tullyhanogue, Rataine, and Kilcooly, called the union of Dunderry, or of Churchtown and Moymet, in each of which latter places are chapels; that of Churchtown is situated at Dunderry bridge.  There is a school at Dunderry, aided by annual donations from the Earl of Fingall and Earl Ludlow.  Some small remains of the old church exist, with a burial-ground attached.

CLONABRENY, or RUSSAGH,  a parish, in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ½  mile (W.by N.) from Crossakeel; containing 139 inhabitants.  This parish, which is situated on the road from Killesandra, by Athboy, to Dublin, contains 1668 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The lands are generally in a good state of cultivation, and the system of agriculture has of late been very much improved.  The gentlemen’s seats are Clonebrany, the residence of W. Blayney Wade, Esq; a handsome mansion in a highly cultivated and richly planted demesne of 615 statute acres; and Bobsville, the pleasant residence of Lieut.  Col. Battersby.  There  is a patent for a manorial court, but none is held.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Loughcrew: the tithes amount to £32.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Kilskyre.  There are some small remains of the old church, with a burial-ground.

CLONALVEY, a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 8 miles (S.) from Drogheda, on the road from Naul to Navan; containing 1055 inhabitants.  It comprises 4928 statute acres, of which 1661 are applotted under the tithe act:  the land is in a high state of cultivation, being almost equally divided between arable and pasture.  Part of the bog of Garristown is in this parish, but has been reclaimed; and there is a very good quarry of flag-stones near the ruins of the church.  About 50 cotton-looms are employed by the Dublin and Drogheda manufacturers.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Julianstown; the rectory is impropriate in the Rev. Mr. Beaufort.  The tithes amount to £155, of which £100 is payable to the impropriator, and £55 to the vicar.  There is a glebe of 20 acres, valued at £43. 15. 10 ½.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Ardcath; the chapel is a neat modern building.  There is a national school, aided by £5 per ann., from the parish priest, in which 50 boys and 30 girls are taught.  There are some remains of the old church, also of a large rath at Grange.

CLONARD, a post-town and parish, in the barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 11 ½ miles (W) from Kilcock, and 26 (W. by N.) from Dublin; containing 4353 inhabitants, of which number, 66 are in the town or village.  A religious establishment was founded here about the year 520, by St. Finian, and became the seat of a small diocese, to which before 1152, were added the bishopricks of Trim, Ardbraccan, Dunshaughlin, and Slane, and their common see was fixed at Clonard.  St. Finian, the first bishop, was tutor to St. Columbkill, and many other eminent scholars and saints; he died of the plague about 548.  On the death of Ethri O’Miadachain, in 1174, his successor, Eugene, substituted the title of Meath for that of Clonard; but the bishop’s see remained at the latter place till 1206, when Simon Rochfort, an Englishman, forsaking the old cathedral of Clonard, made the abbey at Newtown near Trim his Cathedral.  A great part of the abbey erected by St.  Finian was burnt in 764; and the abbey was destroyed and its clergy put to the sword by the Danes in 838.  In 939, Ceallachan, King of Cashel, assisted by the Danes of Waterford, plundered the abbey.  In 947, King Congalagh exempted the abbey from payment of cess, &c.  In 970, Donell, son of Murcha, pillaged and burnt Clonard.  Sitric, the son  Ablaoimh, with the Danes of Dublin, in 1016, pillaged and destroyed the abbey.  In 1045, the town, together with its churches, was wholly consumed, being thrice set on fire in one week.  In 1085, Engus O’Candelbain, prince of Hy Loegaire, while a monk in this abbey, was killed by Mac Coirthen O’Muobruain, Lord of Delbna.  The abbey was twice plundered in 1131, by the people of Carbrey and Teaffia.  In 1113, Connor, King of Munster, plundered Meath and forcibly carried off the riches of the whole province, which  had been lodged for safety in the abbey church.  In 1136, the inhabitants of the Brenny, now Leitrim and Cavan, plundered and sacked the town, maltreated Constantine O’Daly, then chief poet of Ireland, and took from the abbey a sword which had belonged to St. Finian.  The town and abbey were plundered and burnt by Mac Murcha and Earl Strongbow, in 1170, but both were rebuilt by the inhabitants; they were, however, again destroyed in 1175.  Besides the calamities above enumerated, the town and abbey were frequently burnt or pillaged in the 11th and 12th centuries.  About 1175, Walter, son of Hugh de Lacy, erected, probably on the ruins of the ancient abbey, an Augustinian monastery.  In 1200, the English of Clonard slew Mathghamhain, the son of Fitzpatrick O’Ciardha, who in revenge burnt the town.  Prior to the arrival of the English, O’Melaghlin, King of Meath, had founded a nunnery here, which afterwards became a cell to that of St. Bridget of Odder.  In the war of 1641, this place acquired considerable celebrity from the gallant defence of the castle of Tycroghan made by Lady Fitzgerald.  During the disturbances of 1798, a party of 3000 insurgents, under the command of William Aylmer, marched to this place, but met with so obstinate a resistance from Lieut Tyrrell with 27 yeomanry, in a fortified  house, that they were detained till succours arrived from Kinnegad and Mullingar, and were then obliged to retire.

This place, which was formerly called Cluainioraid, and more anciently Rossfinnchuill, is situated on the river Boyne, and on the mail coach road from Dublin to Galway.  The town, or village contains only 10 houses; it is a constabulary police station.  The parish comprises 10,584 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, nearly the whole of which is arable or pasture land; the soil is generally light and tolerably productive; besides bog, there are several hundred acres rendered useless for half the year by the overflowing of the Boyne and five small rivers which fall into it.  The Royal Canal enters the parish from the county of Kildare by a noble aqueduct over the Boyne, and after passing through it for four miles, enters Westmeath.  The great western road also enters from Kildare by Leinster bridge, which was erected in 1831, and is very handsome.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1782, to the vicarage of Killyon or Killeighlan, together forming the union of Clonard, in the patronage of the Bishop: the rectory is impropriate in Joseph Ash, Esq of Drogheda.  The tithes amount to £484. 12. 3 ¼, of which £323.1.6 ¼  is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar the gross value of the benefice, including tithes and glebe, is £327.13.10 ½.  The church, which stands about half a mile from the village, is in the early English style of architecture, with a lofty square tower, and was built on the site of the former edifice by aid of a loan of £400, in 1810, from the late Board of First Fruits.  The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £222.13.10 for its repair.  The glebe house near the church is large and convenient, and is situated on a very good glebe of 40 acres, valued at £120 per annum.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is partly in the union or district of Kinnegad and partly the head of a union or district called Longwood, and comprising part of Clonard, and the whole of Killyon, in which union are two chapels, one at Longwood, the other at Killyon; the chapel in the town of Clonard, which is a large plain edifice, belongs to the union of  Kinnegad.  The parochial school is aided by donations from Lord Sherborne and the rector, and a bequest by the late Lady Jane Loftus; and there is also a national school in which together are about 100 boys and 80 girls, and about 120 more are educated in three hedge schools.  Among the vestiges of antiquity is a rath near the church, with a very fine conical mound, the summit of which is crowned with a flourishing ash tree; and at the distance of 500 paces is a spacious square fort.  Many spears, celts, querns, and other relics have been dug up near the banks of the Blind river, in the neighbourhood of this rath and fort.  Near the former have been found great quantities of scorie and charcoal, being the refuse of ancient and  extensive iron works.  The castle of Tycroghan has been taken down, and in its materials used in the erection of modern houses on its site.  In the vicinity is part of the walls of an ancient friary, or church, in a burial ground.  In the church is a very old baptismal font, ornamented with figures in high relief.

CLONCAT,  a village, in the parish of Girley, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, containing 22 houses and 128 inhabitants.

CLONEE,  a post-town, in  the parish and barony of Dunboyne, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 7 miles (N.W.) from Dublin; containing 217 inhabitants.  It is situated on the road from Dublin to Navan, and on the confines of the county  of Dublin; and has a constabulary police station.   – See Dunboyne.

CLONGILL,  a parish, in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (N.W.) from Navan, on the road from Kells to Drogheda, contain 260 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 2225 statute acres, of which 1667 are applotted under the tithe act.  The farms are in general large, and several are occupied by the proprietors the lands are principally in pasture and of very excellent quality, and grazing is carried on extensively.  A stream called the Yellow river intersects the parish near Arch Hall, the seat of J. Paine Garnett, Esq. a handsome mansion pleasantly  situated in a well-wooded demesne, comprising about 350  statute acres.  It is  a rectory, in the diocese of  Meath, and is part of the union of  Kilshine; the tithes amount to £100.  The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £400 and a loan of £350 from the late Board of  First Fruits, in 1811; there are four glebes, comprising together 21 acres.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is part of the union or district of Castletown-Kilpatrick; the chapel is at Fletcherstown.  The parochial school, in which are about 20 boys and 20 girls, is supported by subscription.  Here is an ancient castle in a tolerably good state of preservation.

CLONMACDUFF, a parish in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N) from Trim; containing 716 inhabitants.  This parish, of which the name signifies “Mac Duffs Retreat” is situated on the road from Navan to Athboy.  The land is chiefly under tillage; and there is a considerable tract of bog, affording abundance of turf for fuel.  Meadstown is the residence of Christopher Barnwall, Esq.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Ardbraccan; the tithes amount to £136.5.4.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the district of Churchtown and Moymet.  At Dunderry is a small school, supported by subscription.

COLLON, a post-town and parish, partly in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath, but chiefly in that of Ferrard, county of Louth, and province of Leinster, 6 miles (W.N.W.) from Drogheda, on the road to Ardee, and 28 (N by W) from Dublin; containing 3217 inhabitants, of which number, 1153 are in the town.  This place formerly belonged to the celebrated abbey of Melifont, and was confirmed to the abbot by Hen. II; at the close of the 12th century.  The town has a remarkably neat appearance, and consists of two streets intersecting near the church, and contains 215 houses, of which the greater number are slated.  It owes its present prosperity to its proprietors, the Fosters, who established a cotton-manufactory here, which for some time employed more than 600 looms. Linen was previously made here, and its manufacture has been resumed, but the cotton manufacture has entirely ceased.  There is a bleach-green, employing more than 50 persons, with a steam-engine of 10-horse power; also a flax-mill, and in the town and its vicinity are three cornmills, worked by steam and water power.  It is a chief constabulary police station.  On the 20th of Sept; 1229, Hen. II. granted to the abbot and  convent of Mellifont a market on Tuesday in their town of Collon: there is a market-house and an open area at the north end of the town for holding a market, but, except for butchers meat, none has been held lately.  Fairs are held on May 10th, June 29th, Oct. 20th, and Nov. 24th.  Petty sessions are held every alternate Thursday.

The parish contains about 8600 statute acres, which are mostly under tillage; there is no waste or bog, but 513 acres of woodland.  Here is Oriel Temple, the seat of Viscount Ferrard, whose predecessor was the Rt. Hon. John Foster, the last speaker of the Irish House of Commons, who, in 1821, was created Lord Oriel; it is distinguished by the beauty of its surrounding grounds, and the richness of its extensive plantations.  The demesne contains about 1000 acres; in it is a grotto, of which the interior is lined with shells, stained glass, coloured stones, &c; said to be the work of Lady Ferrard; there is also a beautiful rustic cottage.  The house contains some good pictures, among extensive and magnificent  view, including the Bay of Carlingford and the grand chain of the Mourne mountains. Belpatrick mountain, which, according to the Ordance Survey, rises 789 feet above the level of the sea, is also within the parish.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Armagh, united by act of council, in 1769, to the rectory and vicarage of Mosstown, and in 1782 the rectory of Dromin was added to the union, which is in the patronage of the Lord-Primate and Viscount Ferrard, in the latter of whom the rectory is impropriate, and by the whom the land is let tithe-free.  About 1769, the late Chief Baron Foster gave a glebe of ten acres, and built the glebe-house, on condition that an augmentation of £50 should be granted from Primate Boulter’s fund, and that he should have the patronage of the endowed vicarage two turns out of three.  The living was subsequently augmented by the impropriate tithes of Mosstown, which were purchased for the purpose by the Trustees of Primate Boulter’s  fund, and now produce £248.14.11.  Besides the glebe at Collon, there is one of three acres at Mosstown, and another at Dromin of nearly 10 acres; and the gross tithes of the benefice amount to £453.4.6  The church, an elegant structure of hewn limestone, in the ancient style of English architecture, was built in 1813, during the incumbency of Dr.  Beaufort, author of the “Ecclesiastical Map and Memoir of Ireland”  the cost was about £8000, of which £3800 was a gift and £700 a loan from the late Board of  First Fruits; the members of the Foster family contributed bountifully towards its erection; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £368.6.9. for its repair.  The interior is 90 feet by 40, the ceiling beautifully groined, and it has five windows on the south side, besides a large east window over the alter. All the side windows are of stained glass, the gift of  the present Baron Foster; the east window is in course of preparation, being the gift of the impropriator.  Under the church is the burial-place of that family, and in it is a marble monument to the memory of Catherine Letitia Foster, widow of William, Lord Bishop of Clogher, which was erected by her daughter, the Countess de Salis.  The ecclesiastical duties of Collon were formerly performed by a monk from Mellifont abbey.  The R.C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church; the chapel is a neat structure.  There is also a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists.  A  male and female school, under the trustees of Erasmus Smith’s charity, is aided by a donation from Lord Ferrard; and there are two others aided by the vicar.  Besides these, there are an  infants school, supported by Mrs. Green, and two private schools.  At Belpatrick is a school principally supported by Edward and James Singleton, Esqrs.  There is also a dispensary in the town.

COLYMOLYN, OR CULLMULLEN,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ¼ miles (W. by S.) from Dunshaughlin; containing 934 inhabitants, of which number, 51 are in the hamlet.  This parish is situated on the cross road from Kilcock to Warrenstown, and contains 2091 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  Colmolyn  House is the elegant residence of A. J. Dopping Esq.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Knockmark; the rectory is impropriate in the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin.  The tithes amount to £280, one-half of which is payable to the Provost and Fellows, the other to the vicar.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Dunshaughlin, and has a large and handsome chapel.  There is a school of 18 boys and 5 girls, for which Mr. Dopping allows a house and garden rent-free. Near Colmolyn House are the remains of an ancient church, and on the eastern side of the parish is an extensive rath.

COLPE OR COLPE cum MORNINGTON, a parish, in the barony of Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¼  miles (E. by S.) from Drogheda; containing 1970 inhabitants, of which number, 71 are in the hamlet.  This parish is situated on the eastern coast, at the mouth of the river Boyne.  It is said to have derived its name from Colpa, one of the sons of Milesius, who is stated to have been drowned at the mouth of the Boyne, while attempting to land for the invasion of the country.  Here St. Patrick landed when on his way to Taragh, then the seat of the kings of Ireland.  In 1182, Hugh de Lacy founded an abbey for Augustian canons, and made it dependent on the abbey of Lanthony, in Monmouthshire, afterwards translated to the vicinity of Gloucester.  In 1300, Roger, the prior, was attached and fined 20s for stopping some Dominican friars in Drogheda, and robbing them of the body of Roger Wetherell, and a bier and pall.  At the suppression, this abbey, besides  other possessions had the tithes of Weisle’s Farm, in Mornington, which place was the original seat of the family of Wellesley, the head of which has successively been created Earl of Mornington and Marquess Wellesley, and which includes among its members, at present,  the Marquess Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, and Lords Cowley and Maryborough.  No part of the abbey now exists, but a chapel to the south of its site is the burial-place of the Bellew family.  The parish contains 4793 statute acres, principally under tillage, and of moderately good quality; there is no bog or waste land.  At Pilltown are some quarries containing indications of copper, and in which some fossils have been found.  The branch of the great northern road through Balbriggan runs through the parish, which will also be intersected by the Dublin and Drogheda Grand Northern Trunk railway.  The principal seats are, Bettystown, the residence of R. Shephard Esq., Eastham, of  F. Anderson, Esq., Pilltown, of T. Brodigan, Esq.; Mornington House, of G.F. Blackburne, Esq.; Beabeg, of H. Smith, Esq;  Mornington, of Burton Tandy, Esq.; Beamore, of J. Cooper, Esq.; Farm Hill, of W. Walsh, Esq.; Triton Lodge, of C. Seagrave, Esq,; and Cowslip Lodge the property of G.H. Pentland, Esq.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by episcopal authority, in 1826, to the vicarage of Kilsharvan, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda; the rectory is partly impropriate in W. Dutton Pollard, Esq; of Castle-Pollard, and partly impropriate to the vicarage of St. Peter’s Drogheda, as part of the tithes were purchased by the late Board of First Fruits as an endowment for that vicarage.  The tithes amount to £165, the whole of which is payable to the impropriators; the union is also called Mariners’ town, and the gross value of the benefice, including tithes and glebe, is £81.4.6.  The glebe-house was erected about twenty years since by J. Brabazon, Esq., who presented it to the parish, with £1000 to pay the rent to the heirs after his decease.  He also granted a glebe, comprising  10 acres of profitable land, which, with the glebe-house is valued at £35 per annum; and there is a glebe of 3 ½  acres at Kilsharvan, valued at £12 per annum.  The church is a neat structure in good repair, built in 1809, by aid of a gift of £600 from the late Board of First Fruits.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of St. Mary, Drogheda; and there is a small chapel at Mornington, in which is a school of about 20 children.  There is also a pay school at Beamore, of about 30 children.  On the beach at the mouth of the Boyne, which is a level strand, is an ancient building, called the “Maiden Tower”, with a small obelisk near it, called the “Lady’s  finger”; it serves as a landmark for vessels bound to Drogheda.  From the records of the corporation of Dublin, it appears to have been erected in the reign of Elizabeth, and was probably so called in compliment to Her Majesty.  At the Maiden Tower is a pool called  the Long Reach, which extends a quarter of a mile inland, where vessels may lie at low water.  A little north of the church is an ancient rath, where Colpa is said to  have been interred; and the church of Rath-Colpa is alluded to in the ancient Irish records.  The mouth of the Boyne, anciently called “Inver-Colpa”, was  frequented by foreign merchants at a remote period; and some are of opinion that St. Patrick, on escaping from his captivity, here found a vessel to convey him to the continent.

COOKSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Rathoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 12 miles (N.N.W.) from Dublin; containing 98 inhabitants.  This parish is situated on the confines of the county of  Dublin, and on the road from Ratoath, and contains 1947 statute acres.  It is in the diocese of Meath, and is held as a chapelry with the union of Ratoath; the rectory is impropriate in Mr. James Kennedy and Mr. Abraham Sandys.  The tithes amount to £68.1.3 of which £47.15 is payable to the impropriators and £20.6.3. to the incumbent.  In the R.C. divisions also it forms part of the district of Rathoath.

CORBALLIS,  a village, in the parish of Duleek, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (W) from Drogheda; containing 23 houses and 127 inhabitants.

CREEKSTOWN, OR CRIKSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 13 miles (NNW) from Dublin, on the road to Belfast; containing 209 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 1380 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £1399 per annum.  Sothern, the neat residence of  E.H.W. Roney, Esq; is situated here.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath and is part of the union of Ratoath: the tithes amount to £90.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Creekstown, Kilmoon, Kilbrew, Donaghmore, and Grenogue, and containing two chapels, one at Curraha and one at Donaghmore, both plain buildings and the former now being rebuilt.  About 30 children are taught in a school held in the chapel.  The parish formerly belonged to the Barnewall family, of whose ancient residence there are some remains, as there are also of the parish church.

CROSSAKEEL,  a post-town in the parish of Kilskyre, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (S.W. by S.) from Kells, and 36 miles (N.W.) from Dublin; containing 290 inhabitants.  This village is situated on the road from Kells to Oldcastle, and consists of about 60 houses; it has a sub-post-office to Kells.  Fairs are held on May 9th, Aug. 16th  and Dec. 15th.  A constabulary police force is stationed here; and petty sessions are held every alternate week.  The parochial church, a handsome structure with a lofty spire, and a dispensary, are situated in the village; and there is a school under the trustees of Erasmus Smith’s charity, and  a Sunday school.  See Kilskyre

CROSSPLATTEN,  a hamlet, in the parish of  Duleek, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2, miles (NE) from Duleek, on the road to Drogheda; containing 9 houses and 79 inhabitants.

CRUISETOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ¾ miles (S.W.) from Nobber, on the road to Kells; containing 427 inhabitants.  It comprises about 2430 statue acres, two-thirds of which are under tillage; there are some quarries of black stone. Cruisetown, formerly the property of the ancient family of Cruise, now belongs to Mr. Shaw, who contemplates building a new house here: in the demesne are two lakes.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the alternate patronage of the Crown and the Bishop: the tithes amount to £100.  Here is neither church, glebe-house nor glebe.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Nobber: the chapel is a plain building.  About 30 boys and 12 girls are educated at a hedge school at Altamont.  There are some small remains of the ancient church, with a burial-ground attached, in which are some very ancient monuments of the Cruise family.

CULLINSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S) form Duleek; containing 298 inhabitants.  This parish is situated on the confines of the county of Dublin, near the great north road from Dublin to Belfast, by Ashbourne; it is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate, and annexed to the union of Duleek.  In the R.C. divisions  also it forms part of the union or district of Duleek.  There is a hedge school, aided by local subscriptions, in which are about 30 children.

CURNASASE,  a village, in the parish of Duleen, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 21 thatched houses and 108 inhabitants.

CURRAGH,  a hamlet, in the parish of Duleen, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 78 inhabitants.

DALYSTOWN  a village in the parish of Trim, barony of Lower Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing about 20 houses and 118 inhabitants.

DANISTOWN  a parish in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster,   6 ½ miles (s.) from Slane; containing 145 inhabitants.  This parish is situated on the river Nannywater, and on the road from Navan, by Blacklion, to Duleek, comprising 1144 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the system of agriculture is improved; there is neither waste land nor bog.  It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Kentstown: the tithes amount to £80; the glebe comprises 1a.2r.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Blacklion; the chapel is a neat plain building.

DERRYPATRICK, OR DIRPATRICK  a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.E.) from Summerhill, on the road to Skryne; containing 435 inhabitants, of which number, 54 are in the hamlet: and comprising 1932 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in Mrs. Reynell; the clerical duties are discharged by the rector of Knockmark: the tithes amount to £107.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Kilmore.

DIAMORE, OR DIAMOR, a parish in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster,  1 ½ mile (W.) from Crossakeel, on the road from Oldcastle to Kells; containing 724 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 4207 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  At Diamor is a quarry of good limestone, chiefly used for building; and at Bellvue is the neat residence of John Daniell, Esq.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Loughcrew; the rectory is impropriate in E. Rotheram, of Hollymount, Esq.  The tithes amount to £140, payable in equal portions to the impropriator and the vicar.  In the R.C divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Kilskyre.  There is a private school, in which are about 20 boys and 20 girls.

DONAGHMORE,  a parish in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 9 miles (N.N.W.) from Dublin; containing 207 inhabitants, exclusively of the townland of Robertstown, which was omitted at the general census of 1831, and in 1834, contained 63 inhabitants.  The parish is situated on the road from Dublin to Ashbourne, and comprises 3296 acres.  It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Ratoath and is subject to a quit-rent of £29.12.: the tithes amount to £178.6.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Creekstown; the chapel is an ancient edifice, situated in the old burial-ground.  A private school is held in it, in which about 23 boys and 15 girls are taught.

DONAGHMORE, OR DUNAGHMORE,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ½  miles (N.) from Navan; containing 2132 inhabitants.  An abbey is said to have been founded here by St. Patrick, who placed St. Justin over it: its remote antiquity is corroborated by its round tower, which rises from a projecting plinth to a height of 70 feet, being 60 feet, in circumference  near the base; a portion of the stone roof remains, and the doorway on the east side  is 6 feet from the ground; it is remarkable, in having on the key-stone of the entrance, a sculptured representation of Christ suffering on the cross.  The parish is situated at the junction of the rivers Blackwater and Boyne, and  comprises 3824 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally good and under tillage; there is neither bog nor waste.  Black Castle is the handsome residence of Richard Ruxton Fitzherbert, Esq.; the mansion is a spacious and modern structure, situated on the banks of the Boyne, which flows within sight of it; the demesne is extensive and well planted. Ratholdren Castle, the seat of the late – Cusack, Esq.; and Nevinstown  of Smith White esq.; are also within the parish.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Navan: the tithes amount to £280  and there are about 8 ½ acres of glebe, valued at £17 per ann.  In the R.C. divisions also is part of the union or district of Navan.  At Flower Hill  there is a school-house built partly by Government, and partly by subscription, at an expense of £250: it is supported by annual donations from Earl of Essex, Earl  Ludlow, R.R. Fitzherbert, Esq., and the rector; about 40 boys and 30 girls are taught in it.  Here are the ruins of a small church with a high circular-headed arch, supporting part of a belfry.

DONNYCARNEY OR DONECARNEY,  a village, in the parish of Colpe, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2½ miles (E.) from Drogheda; containing 25 houses and 108 inhabitants.  This place is situated on the road from the sea, by way of Mornington, to Drogheda, and is said to have been the site of a nunnery, which at the suppression was granted to the Draycott family: the ruins are inconsiderable.

DONORE,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¼ miles (W.S.W.) from Drogheda, on the road to Navan; containing 1191 inhabitants, of which number, 124 are in the village.  This parish anciently formed part of the possessions of the abbey of Mellifont.  On July 1st, 1690, it was the position occupied by Jas II. during the battle of the Boyne, a detailed account of which  is given in the article on Drogheda.  The parish comprises 1954 acres: the ground under cultivation is naturally very productive, and there is neither waste land nor bog.  Abundance of limestone is procured from an old and well-worked quarry at Sheep-house, and is much used for building; it is of a handsome light colour.  By the canal passing by Oldbridge, from Drogheda to Navan, timber, slates, stone, and coal are brought to Donore, and corn taken back to Drogheda.  Old Bridge, the seat of H.B. Coddington, Esq., is situated in an extensive demesne, well planted, on the banks of the Boyne; a residence called Farm is also the property of this gentleman; and Stalleen is the property and occasional residence of William Sharman Crawford, Esq.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is partly impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda, but the greater part of the parish is tithe-free: the parishioners attend divine service at the churches of Duleek and Drogheda.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, also called Rosnaree, comprising the parishes of Donore and Knockcomon, in each of which is a chapel.  There is a school in which about 50 boys and 30 girls are taught.  The ruins of the church consist of a gable and part of a side wall.  In the lands of Old Bridge are several trenches and redoubts used at the battle of the Boyne; and at the foot of King William’s glen is an obelisk in commemoration of the battle.  Duke Schomberg is believed to have been buried within the gate of the grounds of H.B. Coddington, Esq.

DONOUGHPATRICK,  a parish, partly in the barony of Lower Navan, but chiefly in that of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.W.) from Navan; containing 931 inhabitants.  St. Patrick is said to have founded an abbey here, to which Conal Mac Neill was a great benefactor; it was frequently plundered and burnt by the Danes prior to its final destruction by them in 994.  The parish is situated on the road from Enniskillen to Drogheda, and on the river Blackwater: it comprises 3605 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The land is about half under tillage and half pasturage, and of superior quality: there are quarries of limestone and brownstone.  The gentlemen’s seats are Gibbstown, that of J.N. Gerrard, Esq., situated in a well-planted demesne of about 1270 statue acres, and Randlestown, the property of Col. Everard, but the residence of Henry Meredith, Esq.  The living vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united, by act of council, in 1801, to the rectory of Kilberry, and in the patronage of Col. Everard, in whom the rectory is impropriate.  The tithes amount to £280, of which £180 is payable to the impropriator, and £100 to the vicar; the gross value of the benefice, tithe and glebe inclusive, is £509. 9.2.  The glebe-house was erected in 1812, by aid of a gift of £200, and a loan of £600, from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises 18 acres, valued at £36 per annum.  The church is a neat edifice; the body was rebuilt in 1805, and attached to an ancient tower; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £104.3.7. for its repair.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Kilberry and Telltown.  The parochial school is aided by the incumbent, who has also given a house and garden, and in three private schools about 120 boys and 50 girls are educated.  A large Danish fort at Gibbstown was been planted.  A castle formerly existed here.

DOWTH,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.E.) from Slane, on the river Boyne; containing 362 inhabitants.  This parish, which comprises about 1600 statue acres, was a principal scene of the battle of the Boyne, and is the residence of the Netterville family; the head of which was ennobled by Jas.I., with the title of Viscount Netterville of Dowth.  The mansion called Dowth is in a demesne of more that 300 statue acres, in which is a large rath, also an extensive tumulus containing subterraneous passages in which a number of human and other bones have been found.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is partly impropriate in W.D. Pollard, Esq., and partly appropriate to the vicarage of St. Mary, Drogheda; the vicarage forms part of the union of Duleek.  The tithes amount to £92.6.2., and the glebe comprises 19 ½ acres, valued at £30 per annum.  The late Lord Netterville left 60 acres of land for the support of six aged women and six orphan boys: the castle built by Hugh de Lacy has been altered and repaired for their accommodation, and also for a school supported out of the same bequest.  A considerable part of the old church remains: it was the burial-place of the Netterville family, and contains a monument of the late lord.  Here is a cromlech, consisting of four large upright stones, with several others lying near.

DOWTHSTOWN OR DOUTHSTOWN, also called Downestown, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3½ miles (S. by E.) form Navan, on the river Boyne and the mail coach road from Dublin to Enniskillen; containing 283 inhabitants.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath forming part of the union of Skreen; the rectory is impropriate in P. Metge, Esq.  The tithes amount to £62, of which £41.6.8 is payable to the impropriator, and £20.13.4. to the vicar.  The Hon. Gen. Taylor has a seat in the cottage style in a demesne of about 590 statute acres, of which about 240 are plantations.

DRAKESTOWN,  a parish in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3¾ miles (S.) from Nobber, on the road from Navan to Kingscourt; containing 982 inhabitants.  It comprises 6582 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is mostly in pasture, the surrounding country being generally good grazing land.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and is part of the union of Castletown Kilpatrick: the tithes amount to £188.3.2., and there is a glebe of 4 acres, valued at £28 per annum.  The R.C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church.  About 40 boys are educated in a private school.

DROGHEDA,  a seaport, borough, and market town, and a county of itself, locally in the county of Louth, and province of Leinster, 57 miles (S by W.) from Belfast, and 23 (N.) from Dublin; containing 17,365 inhabitants, of which number, 15,138 are in the town.  This place is said to have derived its name Droighad Atha, in the Irish language signifying “a bridge”, from the erection of a bridge over the river Boyne, at a period prior to the English invasion; but no notice of any town of importance occurs till after that event.  At a very early period, a monastery was founded here for canons of the order of St. Augustine.  It was included in the original grant of Meath to Hugh de Lacy; but in 1220, when a new grant of that lordship was made to his son Walter, by Hen. III., the town and castle of Drogheda had become of so much importance, that the king retained them in his own possession, allowing to De Lacy £20 per ann. from the Exchequer, and the talliage of the town, as a compensation.  At that time the Boyne, which now intersects the town, formed the boundary between the counties of Meath and Louth, and the two portions of the town on its opposite banks constituted separate boroughs.  In 1229, Hen.III.,. by charter, gave to the town on the Louth side of the Boyne certain privileges and free customs similar to those of Dublin; and in 1247, the same  monarch invested the burgesses of the town on the Meath side with similar privileges and inmunities, and granted them a weekly market and an annual fair for six days.  A new charter was granted in 1253 to the burgesses of Drogheda in Louth, empowering them to elect a mayor, to exercise exclusive jurisdiction, and to hold an annual fair for 15 days: but the increase of the town was soon checked by the continued aggressions of the native inhabitants of the surrounding districts.  In the 7th and 24th of Edw. I., the town received grants of toll for murage; and in 1316, the king granted 300 marks for the repair of the walls and turrets.  In 1317, the burgesses of Drogheda in Meath obtained a new charter for a weekly market, with the grant of a piece of ground on which to hold the same, and the decision of all pleas except those of the crown.  Mandates were issued, in 1319 and 1320, by the king to his justiciary in Ireland, to protect the mayor and burgesses of the town in Louth in the enjoyment of their liberties, and to grant remission of their fee farm rent of 60 marks per ann., to enable them to extend their fortifications.  In 1375, a mayor of the staple was appointed for both towns; but the calamity of pestilence, added to that of almost incessant warfare with the scots and native septs, had so reduced the burgesses that, in 1380, Rich. II., granted to them certain customs’ duties for the repair of the fortifications and the general improvement of the town. 

This place, from an early period was, in municipal privileges and political consequence, always considered  as on an equality with the four royal cities of Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, and Cork; and of the numerous parliaments assembled by the lords-deputies, some of the most remarkable were held here.  Rich. II., on the 16th of March, 1394, in the hall of the Dominican priory received the submission of O’Nial, O’Hanlon, O’Donel, Mac Mahon, and other native chieftains of Ulster.  In 1407; the inhabitants united with those of Dublin in a predatory warfare against their common enemies, which they extended even to the coast of Scotland.  Hen.VI., towards the close of his reign, united the two boroughs into one body politic.  In 1437, part of the fee-farm rent was remitted by Hen.VI., on account of the devastation of the town and the injury of its trade by the king’s enemies.  The Earl of Ormonde, on being removed from the office of chief governor, in 1444, assembled the nobility and gentry of the English pale at this place; and so strong were the testimonies in his favour, that he was reinstated in his office.  A parliament was soon afterwards held here; another was also held in the 31st of Hen. IV., and, in 1467, a parliament assembled at Dublin was adjourned to this town, by which the Geraldines were attainted, and the Earl of Desmond appearing to justify himself, was instantly brought to the scaffold.  In 1474, when the fraternity of arms was established, the goods of the men of Drogheda and Dublin were exempted from the tax for its support; and by the statute passed in Lord Grey’s parliament, concerning the election of temporary chief governors, the mayors of Drogheda and Dublin were to have a voice in the council.  In an engagement which took place at Malpus Bridge, during this reign, the mayor of Drogheda, at the head of 500 archers and 200 men armed with pole-axes, assisted in the defeat of O’Reilly and his confederates, who had committed great ravages in the county of Louth; in reward of which valiant conduct, the mayors are allowed to have a sword of state borne before them.  In 1493,  Lord Gormanston held a parliament here, but the validity of its proceedings was disputed; and in the 10th of Hen. VII., Sir Edward Poynings assembled another in this town, of which the acts relating to the adoption of the English statutes and other important matters have been more celebrated than those of any other parliament prior to the last century.  In the succeeding reign, the importance of this place appears from the duties paid at the custom-house, which, in 1632, amounted to £1428.15.

In 1641, it was attacked by the northern Irish in great numbers under Sir Phelim O’Nial, when a body of 600 foot and 50 horse, sent from Dublin for the relief of the garrison, was defeated at Julianstown bridge, about three miles from the town.  Through Sir Henry Tichbourne, the governor, had an incompetent force, and the besieging army consisted of 20,000 yet from want of military skill, artillery, and ammunition, the latter were unable to form a regular encampment; and the siege was little more than a blockade.  The town, however, was reduced to great distress from want of supplies, but the numerous assaults of the enemy were vigorously repulsed, and great numbers of their men, and several of their bravest officers were killed in the sallies of the garrison; and on intelligence of the approach of the Earl of Ormonde with a considerable force, the commander of the insurgent army raised the siege and retired towards the north. When Ormonde advanced towards Dublin against the parliamentarian governors, Col. Jones sent most of his cavalry to Drogheda, with a view to cut off Ormonde’s supplies; but Lord Inchiquin coming immediately in pursuit of them, with a strong body of royalist cavalry, surprised and routed the party and laid siege to the town, which he soon obliged to surrender.  After the battle of Rathmines, Col. Jones besieged the garrison placed here by the royalists, but suddenly retired on the approach of the Marquess of Ormonde with 300 men.  The Marquess inspected and repaired the fortifications; and foreseeing the danger to which it would be exposed, committed the government of the town to Sir Arthur Aston, a gallant R.C. officer, with a garrison of 2000 foot and 300 horse, all chosen men and well supplied with ammunition and provisions.  Cromwell, on landing at Dublin in 1649, marched with 10,000 men against Drogheda, as the most important town for opening a passage into the northern provinces; and after a siege of two days, his artillery having made a sufficient breach in the walls, the assault was commenced by his troops, who were twice repulsed; but in the third attack, headed by himself, he gained possession of the town, and in order to impress upon the Irish such a dread of his name as might prevent all opposition, gave orders to put the whole garrison to the sword: this barbarous execution was continued for five successive days, the governor and all his officers being included the proscription, and even some ecclesiastics who were found within the town were butchered: a few of the garrison contrived to escape in disguise, and besides these only thirty were spared from the general massacre, who were instantly transported as slaves to Barbados.

In the war of the Revolution, this place was garrisoned by the forces of Jas. II., who had a magazine of military stores and ammunition here; and in the immediate vicinity was fought the celebrated battle of the Boyne.  On the 30th of June, 1690, King William’s army came within sight of the town and advanced in three columns towards the river.  King James’s camp extended westward from the town in two lines along its south bank.  As his army was marching into camp, William advanced within cannon range of the ford at Oldbridge, to reconnoitre, and dismounted; while Berwick, Tyrconnel, Sarsfield, and some other of James’s generals rode slowly along the opposite bank.  On remounting, a ball from a field-piece concealed by a hedge grazed the bank of the river and taking a slanting direction struck his right shoulder, tearing his coat and slightly lacerating the flesh; but through a report of his death was quickly spread, William sustained no other injury than a difficulty in using his sword arm.  A brisk cannonade was maintained from the opposite bank of the river till the approach of night; and on the following morning,  William’s right wing crossed the river at some fords below Slane, overpowering a regiment which had been stationed there to defend the passage and made their way over a very unfavourable country to a morass through which the infantry passed with great difficulty, while the cavalry found a firmer passage on the right.  The part of James’s army stationed near the morass, astonished at their intrepidity, fled towards Duleek, suffering great loss in their flight.  The central column of William’s army now attempted to cross the river; the Dutch guards, followed by the Huguenots, Enniskilleners, Brandenburghers, and English, plunged into the stream near Oldbridge, in front of the enemy’s lines and breastworks, checking the current by their numbers, and causing the water to rise so high that infantry were obliged to carry their muskets above their heads.  One squadron of the Brandenburghers was repulsed by General Hamilton’s horse,  and driven back through the river, and in their retreat threw the Huguenots into disorder; but the general’s cavalry wheeling through Oldbridge were cut down by the Dutch and Enniskilleners, with the exception of a small party which encountered the Duke of Schomberg while rallying the Huguenots, wounded and made him prisoner, on which the French Protestants fired into the midst of the party and unhappily killed the Duke.  The Rev. George Walker, who had so gallantly defended Londonderry, was also killed about the same time.  After the conflict had continued about an hour, the Irish army retreated to Donore, where James  had remained surrounded by his guards;  and William, who had crossed the river, about a mile above Drogheda, with his left wing, placed himself at the head of his army; and when the enemy had advanced from Donore, almost within musket shot of his infantry, he was seen sword in hand animating his squadrons and preparing to fall to their flank.  James troops, however, halted and again retreated to Donore, but there charged with such success that the English cavalry, although commanded by William, were repulsed.  The enemy was, however, bravely attacked by the Enniskilleners, supported by the Dutch, and ultimately by all the English army, and the battle was for some time maintained with equal bravery by both parties.  But the Irish infantry being at last, defeated, and the cavalry, after making a furious charge, routed, James and his troops retreated through the pass of Duleek.  In this important battle James lost 1500 men, and William’s army about one-third of that number.  On the following day, King William sent Brigadier La Mellonicre, with 1000 horse, a party of foot, and eight pieces of artillery, to summon Drogheda, which was defended by a garrison of 1300 men under Lord Iveagh, who, after a parley, accepted terms of capitulation, and marched out with their baggage, leaving behind them their arms, stores, and ammunition; and Col. Cutts’ regiment immediately took possession of the place and preserved it from violence.

The town is advantageously situated on the great north road from Dublin to Belfast, and on the river Boyne, which discharges itself into the Irish sea about three miles below, and by which it is divided into two unequal portions, of which the larger, on the north side, is connected with the smaller by a bridge of three arches, erected in 1722.  The streets are tolerably regular, and many of the houses are well built, especially those in the principal street, and on the quay, which extends along the north side of the river.  The total number of houses in 2860, of which 1300 only are assessed to the rates for lighting and watching the town; for the former, which is done by a gas company established a few years since, the whole assessment amounts to £316, and for the latter to £239, per annum.  The inhabitants are principally supplied with water from a well at the linen-hall; and the streets are paved and kept in repair, under the management of a committee, at the expense of the corporation, for which purpose about £230 is annually appropriated from the corporation funds.  Of the ancient walls, beyond which the present town extends, the most curious and perfect portion is the gate of St. Lawrence, forming a handsome approach.  A public reading and news-room has been fitted up in the Mayoralty-house, and a newspaper, called the Drogheda Journal, has been published since 1774.  In Fair-street are infantry barracks, with an hospital for 20 patients; and there are similar barracks at Milmount.  Adjoining the latter is Richmond Fort, erected about the year 1808, in which are two nine-pounders on a moveable platform, a guard-house forming the entrance to the barracks, was built in 1831, and the mount on which the fort stands was at the same time further strengthened with palisades.  The manufacture of coarse linen, calico, and stockings formerly carried on to a very great extent, has, together with hand-loom weaving, very much declined.  A very extensive mill for spinning flax has recently been erected by a company of proprietors, and is principally wrought by steam power.  The tanning of leather was formerly carried on very extensively, and is still considerable; and the manufacture  of soap and candles is also on a tolerably large scale.  There are two iron foundries, several salt works, an extensive distillery, and three large breweries of ale and table beer, one of which, in James-street, belonging to Mr. Cairnes, produces ale which is in great repute, and is exported to England and the West Indies; attached to it is a very extensive malting establishment.  There are several large flour and corn-mills, of which that belonging to Messrs. Smith and Smythe, with the adjoining stores, was erected at an expense of £20,000; the machinery is impelled by a steam-engine of 50-horse power, and is capable of grinding 40,000 barrels of wheat,  and 60,000 barrels of oats annually.

The port carries on a very extensive trade, chiefly with Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, and also a very considerable cross-channel trade; the principal exports are corn, flour, oatmeal, cattle, butter, and linen cloth; and the chief imports are timber, slates, coal, rock-salt, iron, bark, herrings and dried fish, with manufactured goods of all kinds.  According to the returns for the year ending Jan. 5th 1835, there were shipped from this port, 126,380 loads of meal, 42,500 bushels of wheat, 3000 barrels of peas, 37,000 sacks of flour, 2500 barrels of barley, 22,000 barrels of oats, 13,000 crates of eggs, 600 firkins of butter, 4100 cows, 12,000 sheep, 39,000 pigs, and 500 barrels of ale.  The number of vessels in the foreign trade that entered inwards, during that year, was 14 British and 3 foreign, and two British vessels cleared outwards.  In the trade with Great Britain and across the channel, 494 ships including steam-vessels, entered inwards, and 462 cleared outwards; and in the trade with various ports in Ireland, 42 vessels entered inwards and 23 cleared outwards.  The gross amount of the customs’ duties, during the year 1835, was £9476.19.3., and for 1836, £13,382.13.2.; that of the excise duties collected in the district, in 1835, was £75,007.19.3 ½.  The number of vessels registered as belonging to the port is 40, of an aggregate burden of 3763 tons.  A considerable trade is carried on with Liverpool, between which place, Glasgow, and this port, five steam-packets, of about 350 tons each, are constantly plying.  The harbour for the improvement of which the Commissioners of Public Works have granted £10,000, has been rendered much more commodious, and is in a state of progressive improvement; a breakwater is about to be formed and a lighthouse erected.  The river has been deepened four feet by a steam dredging vessel, calculated to raise 1000 tons hourly; it is navigable to the bridge for vessels of 200 tons’, and above it for lighters of 70 tons’, burden.  A patent slip is also in progress of construction, and a large iron-foundry for steam  machinery has been erected.  The value of these improvements may be correctly estimated from the fact that, within the last seven years the trade of the port has been more than doubled.  The inland trade is also greatly facilitated by the Boyne navigation to Navan, which is intended to extend to Lough Erne.  The Grand Northern Truck railway from Dublin, for which an act of parliament has been obtained, will enter the town at Pitcher Hill, in the parish of St. Mary.  The markets are on Thursday and Saturday; and fairs for cattle of every kind, and especially for horses of superior breed, are held annually on May12th, June 22nd, Aug. 26th, and Oct. 29th, by ancient charter; and by a recent patent also on March 10th, April 11th, Nov. 21st, and Dec. 19th, when large quantities of wool and various other articles of merchandise are exposed for sale.  The corn market is a very neat and commodious building, erected after a design by the late Mr. F. Johnston.  There are convenient shambles for butchers’ meat, and adjacent is a fish market.  The linen-hall is a spacious building of brick, containing five halls.

Besides the charters already noticed, many others were granted by different sovereigns.  The two boroughs continued till the reign of Hen. IV. to be separately governed by their respective charters, and each had its separate corporate officers, from which circumstances the merchants frequenting the town were burdened with the payment of tolls and customs to both corporations, dissensions and debates were daily springing up between the two bodies, and in their contests blood was often shed and many lives were lost.  To put an end to these evils, Hen. IV., by charter dated Nov. 1st, 1412, with the consent of the burgesses and commonalties, united both boroughs under one corporation, and erected the town, with the suburbs on both sides of the river, into a county of itself.  Under this, which is the governing charter, the style of the corporation is the “Mayor, Sheriffs, Burgesses, and Commons of the County of the Town of Drogheda,” and the government is vested in a mayor, two sheriffs, twenty-four aldermen (including the mayor), an indefinite number of common councilmen, a mayor of the staple, two coroners, recorder, town-clerk, sword-bearer, mace-bearer, water-bailiff, harbour-master, and subordinate officers.  The freedom of the town is acquired by birth, or servitude of seven years’ apprenticeship to a freeman of one of the seven trading guilds, and by special grace, or gift, of the corporation.  The trading guilds are each under the government of a master and two wardens annually elected, and have each a common hall.  The town sent members to the first Irish parliament ever held, and continued to return two members till the Union, since which time it has returned one member to the Imperial parliament.  The right of election was vested in the freemen and freeholders, of whom there were about 936 previously to the passing of the act of the 2nd of Wm. IV., cap. 88, which disqualified the non-resident freemen except within seven miles, and extended the elective franchise to the £10 householders, and to £20 and £10 leaseholders, for the respective terms of 14 and 20 years.  The borough is co-extensive with the county of the town, comprising an area of 5803 statute acres, of which, 844 are in a rural district in the parish of Ballymakenny, and the remainder in the parishes of St. Peter and St. Mary: the sheriffs are the returning officers.  The mayor, recorder, and two senior aldermen who have served the office of mayor, are justices of the peace under the charter, and there are five additional justices appointed under the act of the 7th Geo. IV.  The assizes for the county of the town are held twice in the year before the mayor and judges on the north-eastern circuit, and quarter sessions are held in Jan., April, June, and Oct., before the mayor and recorder.  Petty sessions are held in the Tholsel court every alternate week; a court of record for pleas to any amount is held before the mayor and sheriffs; and a court of conscience, for the recovery of debts not exceeding £1.3., is held every Tuesday and Friday before the mayor or his deputy.  A mayoralty-house is provided in the town, as a residence for the mayor during his year of office, but it is seldom occupied.  The Tholsel is a spacious and handsome building of hewn stone, well adapted to the holding of the assizes, quarter sessions, and other courts.  The gaol on the north side of the town was erected in 1818; it is neat and well-arranged building adapted to the classification of prisoners, and contains 6 wards, with day-rooms and airing-yards, apartments for debtors, and a chapel: the total expenditure, for 1835, was £379.11.11.  The amount of Grand Jury presentments for 1835 was £1988.4.5 ¼, of which £171.17.11 ½. was for the repair of roads, bridges, &c.; £1390.1.1 ¾.for public buildings, charities, officers’ salaries, and miscellaneous expenses; £8.18.6. for the police, and £417.6.10. for repayment of advances made by Government.

The town comprises the parishes of St. Peter, on the north of the river, in the diocese of Armagh, comprising 3523 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; and St. Mary, on the south side, and in the diocese of Meath, containing 1435 acres, as applotted; with the part of the parish of Ballymakenny.  The living of each is a vicarage, in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda, in whom the rectories are impropriate.  The tithes of St. Peter’s amount to £300, payable to the impropriator: the annual income of the incumbent  is £512.2.6. arising from certain lay tithes purchased by the late Board of First Fruits, minister’s money, payment by the corporation, and the rent of houses the tithes of St. Mary’s are £105, which £31.3.1. is payable to the impropriator, and £73.16.11. to the vicar, who also receives a stipend of £30 from Evans’s fund.  St. Peter’s church, which was rebuilt in 1753, is a handsome and substantial structure, in the Roman Doric style, with a tower surrounded by a spire, which wants a proportionate degree of elevation; it is the burial-place of the family of Moore, Marquesses of Drogheda, and contains also several handsome monuments to Lord Chief Justice Singleton, who resided in the town, John Ball, Esq., one of the king’s serjents, the Leigh and Ogle families, and others; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £463.2.3. towards its repair.  The glebe-house adjoins the churchyard; there is a glebe of four acres in Drogheda and one of 24 acres in Carlingford.  St. Mary’s church, a modern edifice, was erected in 1810, by a gift of £600 and a loan of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, and Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £175.5.7. towards its repair.  The glebe house, situated in the town, was purchased for the parish by the late Board in 1809, under the new acts, at a cost of £600, of which £461.10.9 ¼.was a gift, and £138.9.2 ¾. a loan: the glebe comprises five acres valued at £20 per annum.  The chapel of St. Mark, a handsome edifice, was erected as a chapel of ease to St. Peter’s church; the corporation contributed £300 towards the expense, £900 was given in 1829 by the late Board of First Fruits, and the remainder was raised by local subscription: it is endowed with the rectorial tithes of Innismot, in the county of Meath, amounting to £65, by the corporation, who have transferred the patronage to the Lord-Primate, who adds £50 per annum.  The R.C. parish of St. Peter is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and is the benefice of the Archbishop; the chapel is a handsome and spacious structure, erected at an expense of more than £12,000, raised by  subscription.  St. Mary’s is the head of a R.C. union, comprising also the parishes of Colpe and Kilsharvan, and containing two chapels, one at Drogheda, a large and handsome building, towards which Michael Duff, Esq., contributed between £4000 and £5000, and the other at Mornington, in the parish Colpe.  There are places of worship for Presbyterians and Wesleyan Methodists, the former in connection with, the Seceding Synod, and of the second class: the building was erected  in 1827, at an expense of £2000, towards which the corporation contributed £300.  Here are three friaries, dedicated respectively to St. Francis, St. Augustine, and St. Dominick; also two convents of nuns, one dedicated to St. Dominick, and the other to the Blessed Virgin and of the order of the Presentation, both devoted to religious instruction.  The Dominican or Sienna convent, beautifully situated in the environs, has a department for the instruction of young ladies, and a very elegant chapel.  St. Peter’s parochial school is supported by contributions, including an annual donation of £10.10. from the corporation, and £10 from the vicar.  In this parish are also one of the four classical schools under the trustees of Erasmus Smith’s charity, who grant to it £280 per ann.; five other schools, one of which is in connection with the Presentation convent, a private school, and three Sunday schools; in the day schools together are about 1000 children.  In the parish of St. Mary are a public school, in which are about 250, and a pay school of 70, children.  An institution for the widows of Protestant clergymen was founded and endowed by Primate Boulter; and an almshouse, called the poor house of St. John, was founded by a grant from the corporation; it is a neat brick building, containing 12 apartments.  An infirmary, with a dispensary, is supported by Grand Jury presentments and by corporation and parliamentary grants, at an annual cost of about £400; and a mendacity institution for which the corporation finds a house, is supported by voluntary contributions and the produce of the labour of its inmates.  There is also a saving’s bank. The amount of Grand Jury cess levied on the rural district of the county of the town is about £1080 per annum.  The religious foundations of this place were anciently very numerous, and of several there are still some remains.  On the north side of the river are those of the Augustinian priory, of which the steeple is standing; it is more generally called the old abbey, from its remote antiquity, having, it is supposed, been founded by St. Patrick, who it is said baptized his converts at a well within its precincts, which, previously to its late enclosure, bore his name; the old abbey experienced many injuries from its Irish and Danish assailants, but was rebuilt and endowed by the English in 1226.  On the road leading to Collon, near the town, is a stone called Clough Patrick, or St. Patrick’s stone, on which he prayed; in commemoration of which, the marks of his knees and staff were chiselled in the stone, and are yet to be traced.  The hospital of St. Mary was founded early in the 13th century, for sick and infirm persons, by Ursus de Swemele, and was afterwards occupied by Crouched friars of the order of St. Augustine. The priory of St. Lawrence, near the gate of that name, is said to have been founded by the mayor and burgesses.  The Dominican abbey, founded in 1224, by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh, afterwards became a house of great celebrity; it was proposed as the seat of an intended university, and after the dissolution was granted to Walter Dowdall and Edw. Becke.  The Grey friary was founded in the 13th century, either by the family of D’Arcy  or that of Plunkett, and was, in 1518, reformed by the Obersevantine friars, and on its dissolution granted to Gerald Aylmer.  The Augustine friary was founded in the reign of Edw. I., probably by the Brandon family; and there were two smaller foundations, known as the houses of St. James and St. Bennet.  On the opposite side of the river was the priory or hospital of St. John, for Crouched friars, a cell to the priory of Kilmainham, supposed to have been founded by Walter de Lacy, a great part of the revenue of which was, after the dissolution, granted by Edw. VI.. to James Sedgrave; and also the Carmelite friary, founded by the inhabitants, and which, with the houses of St. Mary, St. Lawerence, and the Augustinian friary, were at the dissolution, given to the corporation.  There was also a Francisan monastery, of which the founder and history are not known.  There are at present some remains of the old church of St. Mary, and of the Dominican abbey, in which was interred Patrick O’Scanlain, Archbishop of Armagh, in 1270.  The abbey was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, and its majestic remains consist of a square tower, in the battlement of which is a breach, said to have been made by Cromwell’s cannon.  It was enacted by the Irish parliament, in 1465, that a university, enjoying the same privileges and immunities as that of Oxford, should be established at this place, but the design was not carried into execution.  The Archbishops of Armagh formerly had a palace in the town for their accommodation while attending their parliamentary duties. Divers remains of earthworks, and traces of military operations, are still to be seen at several of the stations which were occupied by Cromwell during the parliamentary war.  William of Drogheda, a writer on civil law in the 14th century, and James Miles, author of two works on religion and one on music, and who died a member of the Franciscan monastery at Naples, in 1639, were natives of this place.  Drogheda gives the titles of Marquess, Earl, and Viscount, in the peerage of Ireland, to the family of Moore.

DRUMCONRA, OR DRUMCONTATH, a parish in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (W.S.W.) from Ardee, on the mail road from Dublin to Londonderry; containing 2967 inhabitants, of which number, 420 were in the village.  This place was the scene of an action, in 1539, between the English of the Pale and the northern Irish under O’Nial.  A considerable party of the latter, detached from the main army, had taken an advantageous position at Bellahoe, in order to oppose the passage of the river by the Lord-Deputy Grey and his forces, who were marching to attack the insurgents, but after an obstinate conflict, the English threw them into disorder; and their commander being killed, they retreated in dismay, and communicating the panic to the main body, the whole army of the Irish fled in every direction with so much precipitation, that 400 only of their forces fell in the pursuit.  This victory broke up the northern confederacy, which had been raised to oppose the progress of the Reformation in Ireland.  The parish comprises 7566 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: about 1500 are good grazing land, 300 bog, and the remainder, with the exception of a small quantity of waste land,  is under tillage; the soil is fertile, the system of agriculture improved, and the parish generally in a good state of cultivation.  There are several quarries of limestone and a good quarry of building stone near the village; and on the townland of Kellystown, near Bellahoe, is a quarry of white marble, which is not worked at present.  Aclare, the seat of H. Corbet Singleton, Esq., is pleasantly situated in a demesne comprising about 325 statue acres, one-fourth of which is under-wood.  Aclare Lodge is the neat residence of G. Moore Adams, Esq., and Newstone, the property of A. Forbes, Esq.  A large portion of the lake of Bellahoe, which is a mile and a half in length and half a mile in breadth, and in which are two picturesque islands, is within the limits of the parish.  The village is a constabulary police station, and has a penny post to Ardee.

The living is rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £507.13.10 ¼.; the glebe-house has seven acres of glebe attached to it.  The church, a plain neat structure, was erected in 1766.  The Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £261 for its repair.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also Ardagh and Loughbraccan.  The chapel, a spacious modern building, is situated near the village.  In the parochial school are about 20 boys and 20 girls; and there are two private schools, in which are about 50 boys and 30 girls.  Alderman W. Forbes bequeathed to the poor a rent-charge of £10 late currency, secured on the Newstone Estate.  Near the village is a large rath, commanding a very extensive view of the bay of Dundalk, with the several adjacent counties; it has been recently planted by H. C. Singleton, Esq., and forms a prominent and pleasing feature in the scenery of the place. 

DRUMLARGAN a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ¾ mile (S. by E.) from Summerhill, on the road to Kilcock and Dublin; containing, in 1831, 148 inhabitants, but the population has since decreased.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Raddonstown: the tithes amount to £36.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Summerhill.  There are remains of a rath, which seems to have connected the fortifications and religious houses surrounding Kilmore with the outposts of Lynch’s castle, at Summerhill,  the noble remains of which are yet standing in Lord Langford’s demesne.

DULEEK a parish and village, formerly a parliamentary borough, partly in the barony of Upper, but chiefly in that of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 ½  miles (S.S.W.) from Drogheda, on the Nannywater, and on the mail coach road from Dublin to Belfast; containing 4470 inhabitants, of which number, 1217 are in the village.  This place derived its name signifying, a “House of Stone”, from the foundation of a church here by St. Kiernan or Ciernan, who was baptized by St. Patrick in 450 and died in 488.  St. Patrick is also said to have founded an abbey at this place, over which he appointed St. Kiernan abbot; the establishment was for several ages the seat of a small surrounding diocese, which ultimately merged into that of Meath.  Its situation in a maritime district exposed it to the ravages of the Danes, by whom it was frequently plundered and sometimes destroyed.  It was plundered in 1171 by Milo de Cogan and his forces, who on the following day were attacked and repulsed with severe loss by the Ostmen of Dublin.  A priory for Canons Regular appears to have been founded here by one of the family of O’Kelly, a long time prior to the English invasion; and in 1182, a cell of the same order was established here by Hugh de Lacy, and made subject to the priory of Llanthony; the possessions of this priory were granted at the dissolution to Sir Gerald Moore, ancestor of the Drogheda family.  After the battle of the Boyne, Jas. II. retreated from Donore at the head of Sarsfield’s regiment, and was followed by his whole army, which poured through the pass of Duleek pursued by a party of English dragoons.  On reaching the open ground, they drew up in order of battle, and after cannonading their pursuers, effected their retreat in good order.  The village comprises 240 houses.  The manufacture of ticking, formerly extensive, is now very much diminished; there is and extensive corn and flour-mill in the town, and another at Beaumont, the latter recently erected and fitted up in a very complete manner with improved machinery.  On the hill of Bellewstown is a course where races are held the last week in June; they are generally well attended.  The market has been discontinued; but fairs are held on March 25th, May 3rd, June 24th, and Oct. 18th.  A penny post to Drogheda and Ashbourne has been established; there is also a chief constabulary police station.  The town was formerly governed by a portreeve and officers, annually elected under the charter of Walter de Lacy, which was confirmed by act of Edw. IV., in 1481, and by royal charter of Jas. II., 1686.  From this latter period it continued to send members to the Irish parliament till the Union, when it was disfranchised, and the corporation became extinct: the sum of £15,000, awarded as compensation for the loss of the elective privilege, was paid to the trustees of H. Bruen, Esq. Petty sessions are held every alternate week.

The parish comprises 14,343 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The land is good quality; about two-thirds are under tillage, and the eastern portion of the parish, including the hill of Bellewstown, is excellent grazing land.  Annexed to the town is a considerable tract of common.  Limestone is abundant, and is quarried both for building and for agricultural purposes.  Platten, the seat of R. Reeves, Esq., occupies the site of an ancient castle of the D’Arcy family; it is a spacious mansion, situated in a richly planted demesne.  Athcarne Castle, the seat of J. Gernon Esq., is pleasantly situated on the Nannywater; it formerly belonged to the De Bathe family, and is a perfect specimen of the Elizabethan castellated style; it is a massive pile of building, with a still more massive keep defended by quadrangular embattled towers, and the whole was formerly surrounded by a fosse: the present proprietor has made some additions and improvements.  The other seats are Annsbrook, that of H. Smith, Esq, and elegant mansion with a demesne tastefully embellished; Hiltown House, of Nicholas Boylan, Esq.; Thomastown of Evans Kettlewell, Esq.; Beaumont, of J. Mc Cann, Esq.; Wintergrass, of Lawrence Ball, Esq.; and Duleek House, situated in an extensive demesne, the property of the Marquess of Thomond.

The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath united in 1816 to the vicarages of Dowth, Ardcath, Tymole, and Knockcoman, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda, in whom the rectory is impropriate.  The tithes amount to £1092, the whole formerly payable to the impropriator, but on appeal to the Privy Council in 1833, £65 per ann. was made payable to the vicar: and the entire value of the benefice, tithe and glebe included, is £285.  There are four glebes in the union, comprising together 48 ½ acres, valued at £100.9. per ann.  The church, rebuilt in 1816 at an expense of £1500, is a handsome structure with a tower; in the porch is a marble statue of Judge Trotter, and in the churchyard a richly sculptured stone cross.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Cullinstown; the chapel is a handsome edifice in the later English style, with a school-room adjoining; and there is a chapel at Bellewstown hill, to which also a school-room is attached.  The parochial school is aided by the incumbent, and there are four other public schools, one of which has a remarkably neat school-house, erected by J. Mathews, Esq.; they afford instruction to about 300 children, and about 30 children are educated in a private school.  A dispensary is supported in the customary way.  There are considerable remains of the ancient abbey church, with a massive square tower surmounted at the angles with embattled turrets; it was very extensive, and contains many ancient tombs, among which is one of a bishop.  There are also some remains of the priory of St. Mary, on the Marquess of Thomond’s demesne, and also anciently an endowed hospital, of which there are no remains.  In the centre of the town and near Annsbrook are two handsome carved stone crosses bearing inscriptions, erected by the De Bathe family; and at Whitecross is another, elaborately carved.  Sir William D’Arcy, treasurer of Ireland in 1523, and author of a work on the Decay of Ireland and the causes of it, was born at Platten.

DULEEN  or Dublane, a parish, in the barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¼ miles (N.)  from Kells, on the road to Moynalty; containing 1503 inhabitants.  It comprises 4150 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally of good quality; and the system of agriculture is improved.  There is a sufficient quantity of bog for fuel, and there are quarries of limestone and freestone.  The gentlemen’s seats are Maprath, that of T. Taylor Rowley, Esq,; Williamston, of the Rev. G. Garnett.;  Willmount, of J. Radcliff, Esq.; and Oakley Park, of Capt. Graham.  It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Kells and corps of the archdeaconry of Meath: the tithes amount to £200; the glebe comprises 2a. 3r. 17p.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of union or district called Carnaross, comprising also the parish of Loghan, in each of which is a chapel; the chapel of Duleen is a neat edifice.  There is a private school, in which are about 50 children.  There are some ancient crosses in Kiern churchyard, said to have been placed there by a saint of that name, which are held in great veneration by the peasantry.

DUNMOE  a parish, in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (N.N.E.) from Navan, on the road to Slane; containing 112 inhabitants.  The castle was built by Hugh de Lacy, and in 1641 was surrendered by Capt. Power to the insurgents, in obedience to a forged order from the Lords-Justices.  It was partly rebuilt in the 17th century, and is an oblong massive pile, flanked with towers at the angles, now belonging to the D’Arcy family.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath; it is a rectory, forming part of the union of Stackallen, and the tithes amount to £81.10.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Slane.

DUNBOYNE,  a parish and village, (formerly and incorporated town), in the barony of Dunboyne, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, on the road from Dublin to Navan; containing, with the post-town of Clonee, 2419 inhabitants, of which number, 470 are in the village.  This place, which is on the confines of the county of Dublin, appears to have been an ancient borough.  In the reign of Hen. VI., a writ was issued, dated July 28th, 1423, ordering “the Provost and Commonalty of the town of Dunboyne to be at Trim with all their power for its defence”.  The town was burnt down in the disturbances of 1798; the present village contains 82 houses.  The manufacture of straw hats is carried on here,  and in the neighbourhood; and a fair, chiefly for horses and cattle, is held on July 9th, and is much frequented by the Dublin dealers.  The parish is principally grazing land; there are about 50 acres of common, and a bog of about 40 acres, called the “Moor of Meath”.  The gentlemen’s seats are Wood Park, that of Rev. J. Auchinleek; Roosk, of – Wilson, Esq.; Ballymacall, of H. Hamilton, Esq.; Hammond, of C. Hamilton, Esq.; Court Hill, of H. Greene, Esq.;  Sterling, of  R. Barker, Esq; Norman’s Grove, of J. Shanley, Esq.; and Priestown, of Rev J. Butler.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united in 1400 to the chapelry of Kilbride, and in the patronage of the Crown;  the rectory is impropriate in Miss E. Hamilton.  The tithes amount to £835.7.8., of which £535.7.8 is payable to the impropriator and £300 to the vicar; and the tithes of the union to £347.19.  The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £300, and a loan of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1814;  the glebe comprises three acres, subject to a rent £3 per acre.  The church is an ancient edifice, for the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £159.  The R.C. union is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and in each parish is a chapel.  About 40 children are taught in the public schools of the parish; and there are two private schools, in which are about 120 children.  A dispensary is supported in the village, and adjoining it are some remains of an ancient castle, which gives the title of Baron of Dunboyne to the family of Butler.

DUNSANY,  a parish, in the barony of Skryne, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¾ miles (N.W.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road from that place to Bective-bridge; containing 291 inhabitants.  It comprises 899 statue acres, and contains a constabulary police station.  The castle, which was erected in the 12th century, has been in the possession of the noble family of Plunkett at least since Sir Christopher Plunkett was created Lord Dunsany in 1461.  It is incorporated with the modern castle, which is a very handsome Gothic building, containing some fine paintings and sculptures, and surrounded by a well planted demesne of more than 400 statute acres, within which is an ancient church where many members of the family have been interred.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath, and is a rectory, forming part of the union of Taragh: the tithes amount to £60.  In the R.C. divisions it is united with Killeen, Kilmessan, Assey, Treebly, Balsoon, and Scurloghstown, in which union or district are chapels at Dunsany and Kilmessan.  About 200 children are educated in a school, for which Lord Dunsany allows a house and garden rent-free.

DUNSHAUGHLIN  a post-town and parish (formerly an incorporated town), in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 9 ¼ miles (S.S.E.) from Navan, and 3 ¾ (N.W.)  from Dublin, on the road to Enniskillen; containing 1548  inhabitants, of which number, 913 are in the town.  This place derives its name, signifying “Seachlan’s Hill,” and its origin, from St. Seachlan, nephew of St. Patrick, who founded a church or abbey here in the middle of the fifth century, which, after being sacked in 1026, and burnt in 1043, appears to have been destroyed by the sept of Hy Bruin in 1152.  The provost and commonalty of the town of Dunshaughelyn were, in 1423, ordered to be at Trim with all their power for its defence.  The parish comprises 7379 statue acres, of which about 200 are waste and bog, and the remainder arable and pasture land in nearly equal proportions.  The town contains about 160 houses: it has fairs on June 11th and Dec. 10th, a dispensary, and is a constabulary police station.  Petty sessions are held every fortnight and quarter sessions half-yearly in a neat court-house.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united to Rathregan, and in the patronage of the Crown.  The tithes amount to £296, of which £26 is payable to representatives of Col. Reynell, as lay impropriators of the townlands of Derks and Ballinlough: the gross value of the benefice is £436.  The glebe-house, in Rathregan, was built by aid of a loan of £562, in 1822, from the late Board of First Fruits; the glebe comprises 23 acres.  The church, which is the town, was built in 1813, by aid of a loan of £700 from the same Board.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is united with Colmolyn, in each of which is a chapel.  There are two public schools in which are about 100 children, and a private school of about 25.

EMLAGH, or IMLAGH, a parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.E. by E.) from Kells, on the road from Moynalty to Navan; containing 349 inhabitants; and comprising 2964 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The river Borora runs through the parish, and joins the Blackwater at Bloomsbury. Here is a large bog, which supplies the surrounding country with fuel. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Newtown: the tithes amount to £90. In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Stahalmock.

ENFIELD,  a post-town, in the parish of Rathcore, barony of Lower Moyfenragh, county of Meath,  and province of Leinster, 5 ½ miles (W) of Kilcock, and 20 miles (W) from Dublin, on the mail road to Kinnegad: the population is returned with the parish.  The Royal Canal passes close by the town, which comprises about 50 houses, the property of J.H. Rorke, esq. of Johnstown, in the immediate vicinity. Here is a station of  the constabulary police.

ENNISKEEN, a parish, partly in the baronies of Lower Kells and Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, but chiefly in the barony of Clonkee, county of Cavan, and province of Ulster, on the road from Carrickmacross to Bailieborough; containing with the post-town of  Kingscourt (which is described under its own head), 10,368 inhabitants. This place, anciently the principal seat of the Danes, was called Dunaree, and still retains that name; it is surrounded by Danish forts, and on the summits of the neighbouring hills great quantities of money and of ancient military weapons have been dug up at various times. The parish comprises 23,814 statute acres, of which about 500 are woodland, from 200 to 300 bog, and the remainder under tillage, the system of agriculture is greatly improved, and great quantities of bog and waste land have been reclaimed.  Limestone abounds; there are excellent quarries of every kind of building stone, and near the rock at Carrickleck is very superior freestone, which is extensively worked for flagstones and pillars of large dimensions. On the estate of Lord Gormanstown, in the Meath district, are coal, lead and iron ore, but none is raised at present; a coal mine and an alabaster quarry were formally worked, but have been discontinued. The principal seats are Cabra castle, the handsome residence and richly planted demesne of  Col. Pratt.; Corinsica, of J. Pratt, Esq.;  Northlands, of the Very Rev. Dean Adams; Newcastle, of  J. Smith, Esq.;  Woodford, of J. Armstrong, Esq.; Lisnaboe, of – Jackson, Esq.;  Plantation,  of – Irwin,  Esq.: Larchfield, of  W. Pratt, Esq.; and Cornakill, of –  Moore,  Esq.  An annual fair is held at Muff on the 21st of August, and there are several at Kingscourt, noticed in the account of that town, where petty sessions are also held.  The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Bishop, to whom the rectory is appropriate: the tithes amount to £900. The glebe-house is a neat residence, erected by a gift of £450 and a loan of £50 from the late Board of First Fruits, in 1831; the glebe comprises 28 ½  acres. The church, at Kingscourt, is a neat plain edifice, to the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £173.  The R. C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and is called Kingscourt; the chapel in that town is a spacious and handsome edifice, in the later English style, and there is also a chapel at Muff. There is a place of worship for Presbyterians in connection with the Synod of Ulster, of the third class, and one for Wesleyan Methodists. About 130 children are taught in the public schools, and there are 16 private schools, in which are about 960 children.  Between Bailieborough and Kingscourt, about two miles from the former, is a pool called  Lough-on-Leighaghs, or the “healing lake,” which is much resorted to by patients afflicted with scorbutic complaints; it is situated on the summit of a mountain, rising, according to the  Ordnance survey, 1116 feet above the level of the sea. On the lofty eminence, about a mile from the lake, is a remarkable cairn; and about two miles from Kingscourt, on the Dublin road, is the singularly beautiful and romantic glen of Cabra. There are ruins of Muff and Cabra castles, and some remains of the old bridge.

FENNOR, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and  province of Leinster, ½ a mile (S.) from Slane, on the river Boyne, and on the main road from Dublin to Londonderry; containing 225 inhabitants, and comprising 954 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The Boyne, which bounds the parish on the north, is here crossed by a good stone bridge. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in  Blaney T. Balfour, Esq., to whom the tithes, amounting to £104, are payable. In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Slane. There are some remains of the old church, near which are those of an ancient mansion.

FOLLISTOWN, or FONLISTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (S.E.) from Navan, near the road to Duleek; containing, with the parish of Staffordstown, 137 inhabitants. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in F. Murphy, Esq., of Kilcarn, to whom the tithes, amounting to £36 are payable. The clerical duties are performed gratuitously by the incumbent of Skreen.

FORDSTOWN,  a village, in the parish of Girley, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (N.) from Athboy, on the road to Kells; containing 14 houses and 157 inhabitants. Here is a constabulary  police station; also the R.C. chapel for the union or district of Girley, a handsome modern structure.

GALLOW,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of  Leinster, 3 miles (N. N. W.) from Kilcock, on the road to Trim; containing 640 inhabitants. About one-third of it is in tillage, and the remainder is good pasture. The principal seats are Gallow, the residence of W. Maher, Esq.; Clarkstown, of T. Potterton, Esq.; and Ferrans, of  I. North, Esq. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Raddonstown: the tithes amount to £129.4.7.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Laracor, or Summerhill. About 25 children are educated in a private school.

GALTRIM, or GAULTRIM,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.) from Summerhill, on the road to Navan; containing 716 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 3953 statute acres, of which about two-thirds are under tillage.  At Cloneymeath is a quarry of good building stone. Here is a constabulary police station. Galtrim House, a handsome residence in a well planted demesne, is the seat of  J. Fox, Esq., who is descended from  Magnus Nial, Monarch of Ireland, and is the representative of the Lords of  Kilcourcy, to whom Queen Elizabeth granted large possessions. This district was anciently a palatinate: the parish was granted by the Irish parliament, in 1543, to the priory of St Peter’s near Trim. The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of Thomas Hussey, Esq.; the rectory is impropriate in Joseph Ashe and George Fisher, Esqrs. The tithes amount to £176.12.3. of which £21.12.3. is payable to the impropriators and the remainder to the vicar: the great tithes of the townlands of Walterstown and Branganstown, amounting to £35, are payable to the incumbent of Kentstown. The glebe-house, which has a glebe of nine acres, was built by aid of a loan of £300 and a gift of £400, in 1815, from the late Board of First Fruits. The church, which is a neat edifice with a tower, was erected in 1800.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Kilmore, or Monalvey, and has a neat plain chapel at Boycetown-bridge.  About 70 children are educated in the parochial school, which is partly supported by the vicar and W. Disney, Esq.; and there is a small private school.

GERNONSTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¼ miles (W.) from Slane, on the road from Slane to Kingscourt; containing 925 inhabitants.  The parish comprises 2394 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is of good quality and is nearly equally divided between tillage and pasture.  The principal seats are Tankardstown, the residence of Mrs. Hopkins, situated in an extensive demesne surrounded by thriving plantations; and Rochestown of J. Blakeney, Esq. The mail coach road from Dublin to Londonderry skirts the parish on the east.  It is a rectory in the diocese of Meath, and part of the union of Stackallen:  the tithes amount to £230.15.4., and the glebe comprises 20 acres of profitable land.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Slane; the chapel at Rushwee is a small  plain building.  A R. C. school is about to be placed under the New Board of Education, and about 50 children are taught in a private school.

GIRLEY,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (N.) from Athboy, on the road from Mullingar to Navan; containing 1480 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 4637 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: about two-thirds are grass land of excellent quality, and the remainder under good cultivation, with the exception of a considerable tract of bog extending into the neighbouring parish of Burry; there are some thriving plantations.  The principal seats are Drewstown, the residence of F. McVeigh, Esq., a handsome house in a highly improved demesne; Johnsbrook, of J. Tandy, Esq., pleasantly situated in grounds tastefully embellished;  and Tiermore, of T. Rotheram, Esq.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Athboy; the rectory is impropriate in Dominick O’Reilly, Esq.  The tithes amount to £217.1.7., one-half payable to the impropriator and the other to the vicar; there is no glebe house; the glebe comprises 1 ½ acre.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Kells; the chapel at Fordstown is a handsome modern building, erected in 1800.  About 60 children are taught in a private school, of which the school house is occupied rent-free.  There are some remains of ancient parish church.

GRANGEGEETH,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (N.) from Slane; containing 1304 inhabitants.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda, but it is tithe-free, from having formed part of the possessions of the abbey of Mellifont.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising this parish and Monknewtown, in each of which is a chapel.  There is a national school, in which about 110 children are educated, and for which the school-house and an acre and a half of land were given by Sir J. Witchett; also a private school of about 120 children.

GREENOGUE,  a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 9 ½ miles (N.E.by N.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road to Londonderry and Belfast; containing 291 inhabitants, of which number, 195 are in the village, which in the reign of  Hen. VI. was one of the borough towns of Meath. By a clause in an enrolment, dated July 28th, 1423, ” The Provost and Commonalty of the town of  Grenoke are ordered to be at Trim, with all their power for its defence;” it consists of 36 houses.  The parish, which is on the confines of the county of  Dublin, comprises 1443 acres. It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Ratoath: the tithes amount to £90.5.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Creekstown. There are considerable remains of the old church.

HARDWOOD,   a village in the parish of Clonard, barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 16 houses and 67 inhabitants.

INCHMORE, a hamlet, in the parish of Castlerickard, barony of Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 10 houses and 72 inhabitants.  It is situated on the river Boyne, which is here crossed by a bridge.

INNISMOTT, a parish, in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.W.) from Ardee, on the road to Kingscourt, and on the river Dee; containing 405 inhabitants.  It comprises 1387 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The land is of good quality, based on limestone, and principally under tillage, with the exception of about 250 acres of marshy land, of which 50 form an osier bed. It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the gift of the Bishop; the rectory has been appropriated by the sheriffs of Drogheda as an endowment to St. Mark’s chapel, in that town.  The tithes amount to £80, of which £65 is payable to the incumbent of St. Mark’s, and the remainder to the vicar.  There is neither church, glebe-house, nor glebe.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Lobbinstown, or Syddan.

IRISHTOWN, a village, in the parish of Burry, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (S.W.) from Kells, on the road to Mullingar; containing 27 houses and 149 inhabitants.

JULIANSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.S.E.) from Drogheda, on the road to Dublin; containing 736 inhabitants.  This parish, which is situated upon the Nanny Water, and is bounded on the west by the Irish sea, extends 2 ½ miles in length; the road from Gormanstown to Drogheda passes through it.  There is a bridge over the Nanny Water, at which a battle was fought in 1641, between the royal army and the Irish, in which the former was defeated.  This engagement, although trifling in itself, had a very considerable effect in giving encouragement to the future operations of the insurgents, and in reducing the numbers of the king’s forces, whole regiments having deserted the royal standard and joined the native forces under O’Moore.  The parish comprises 2891 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally good and chiefly under tillage. There is no bog, but some good limestone quarries. The  principal seats are Ninch, the residence of Edward E. Doran, Esq.; Little Ninch, of John Francis Leland, Esq.; Smythstown, of Richard O’Callaghan, Esq.; Julianstown, of William Moore, Esq.; the glebe-house, of the Rev. William Vandeleur; and Rock Bellew, the property of E. Doran, Esq.  The village comprises about 30 houses, and has a penny post to Drogheda and Balbriggan, a dispensary, a constabulary police station, and petty sessions fortnightly.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by diocesan authority to the vicarages of Moorechurch, Stamullen, and Clonalvey, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda; the rectory is impropriate in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and Mr. Pollard.  The tithes amount to £250, of which £70 is payable to the vicar, and £180 to the impropriators, the latter sum being given as an augmentation to the vicarage of St. Peter’s  Drogheda.  The entire value of the benefice, tithe and glebe inclusive, is £407.5.6., exclusively of 10 acres attached to the glebe-house, which was built in 1816 by a gift of £400, and a loan of the same amount from the late Board of First Fruits.  The glebe comprises  11a.1r. 37p., and the glebes of the union amount to 49a. 1r. 27 ½p.  The church is a neat edifice, erected in 1770.  In the R.C. division the parish forms part of the union or district of Stamullen: on the townland of Demanistown is a chapel, a neat modern building  in the Gothic style.  The Protestant parochial school, situated near the church, is supported by the incumbent and other subscribers; and there is a school under the superintendence of the parish priest, the average number of children being about 70.

KELLS, an incorporated market and post-town, and a parish (formerly a parliamentary borough), in the barony of Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 8 miles (W. N. W.) from Navan, and 31 (N. W.) from Dublin, on the mail-coach road to Enniskillen; containing 6839 inhabitants, of which number, 4326 are in the town.  This place, formerly called Kenlis, is of remote antiquity, and appears to have acquired, at a very early period, a considerable degree of importance. A monastery for Canons Regular was founded here, about the year 550, by St. Columb, on a site granted, it is said, by McKervaill, King of Ireland; and notwithstanding its repeated disasters by conflagration and the ravages of the Danes, it appears to have been the head of a small surrounding diocese, which subsequently merged into that of Meath.  The monastery was restored, in 806, by Cellach, abbot of Iona, who had taken refuge here from the Nowegians; but it appears to have been never free from disasters of various kinds till after the arrival of the English.  In 1152, the memorable synod of the Irish clergy, at which Cardinal Paparo distributed the four palls to the Archbishops, was assembled here; and in 1156, the whole town, with all its sacred edifices, was destroyed by fire.  The monastery, after its restoration, was plundered in 1172, by Dermod Macmurrough, at the head of a party of English; but, in the year following, Hugh de Lacy bestowed on it such ample grants of land as to entitle him to be regarded as its second founder.  In 1176, the town was plundered by some of the native septs, and about the same time a castle was erected for its defence against the O’Nials.  Walter, son of Hugh de Lacy, in the reign of Richard I., founded a monastery for Crouched friars, and granted the inhabitants a charter confirming all their privileges, which he made equal to those of the men of Bristol.  In addition to its castle, the town was strengthened with mural fortifications, rendered necessary from its situation on the frontier, and was considered one of the most important places in the county.  Richard II., 1388, confirmed the charter of the burgesses granted by Walter de Lacy, and from this period till the time of Henry VI. the town ranked with Trim and Athboy as one of the principal boroughs in Meath; but by repeated wars, and the subsequent dissolution of its richly endowed religious establishments, it materially declined in importance.

It is pleasantly situated on the south-west bank of the river Blackwater, and in 1831 contained 734 houses, in general neatly built, though in some instances without much regularity.  The approaches from Dublin and Drogheda are finely embellished with lofty trees, and the general appearance of the town is cheerful and prepossessing.  A silk and cotton lace manufactory was established in 1824, and affords employment to about 100 females; the establishment has been patronised by her Majesty, Queen Adelaide, and three medals have been presented by the Dublin society to the proprietor; nearly the whole of the lace is sent to England.  There are a brewery and a tannery in the town, and a considerable retail trade is carried on.  The market is on Saturday, and is amply supplied with provisions of all kinds, oats, and meal, with yarn, coarse linens, and merchandise, and also with cattle, sheep, and hogs.  Fairs are held under the charter on the Thursday before Shrove-Tuesday, the day before Ascension-day, Sept. 9th, and Oct. 16th, and two new fairs are held on July 16th and Nov. 17th.  There is a chief constabulary police station.  Under various charters, of which the last was granted by Jas. II., confirming all existing privileges, the corporation consists of a sovereign (who is a justice of the peace), two provosts, 24 burgesses, a recorder, prothonotary and town-clerk, two serjeants-at-mace, and other officers.  The freedom is obtained only by favour.  The borough sent members to the Irish parliament from the 2nd of Elizabeth till the Union, when it was disfranchised, and the £15,000 awarded as compensation was paid to Thomas, Earl of Bective.  A court of record was held before the sovereign, with jurisdiction to the amount of 10 marks; but no proceedings  have issued from it since 1819.  The quarter sessions for the county are held here at  Easter and Michaelmas, and petty sessions every week, at which the sovereign presides with the county magistrates in all cases arising within the borough.  The sessions-house is a neat building, erected after a design by Mr. Johnston.  The bridewell, or house of correction, for the county is a spacious and well-arranged building, adapted to the classification of prisoners.  The parish comprises 8124 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The land is of very good quality; about three-fourths are meadow and pasture, and the remainder arable land in a good state of cultivation.  About a mile from the town is Headfort, the noble mansion of the Marquess of Headfort, beautifully situated in a well-planted demesne of more than 1200 statute acres, intersected by the river Blackwater, which within the grounds expands, into a fine lake.  On the north side of the town is the handsome residence of the Archdeacon of Meath; and within the parish are Rockfield, the seat of R. Rothwell, Esq.; Drumbarrow, of H. Woodward, Esq.; and Cannonstown, of J. Rothwell, Esq..  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united from time immemorial to the chapelry of Duleen and the rectories of Rathboyne and Burry, constituting the union of Kells and the corps of the archdeaconry of Meath, in the alternate patronage of the Bishop and the Crown.  The tithes of the parish amount to £553. 16. 6., and of the whole union to £1180. 16. 11.  The glebe and other lands belonging to the archdeaconry comprise 2170 ¼  statute acres, let on lease and producing £464. 11. 1 ½., with renewal fines of £259. 7. 8 ½., making the gross revenue of the archdeaconry £1904. 15. 9.  per annum, exclusively of the mensal lands, comprising 177 ½  acres occupied by him.  The church, to the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £104, is a spacious ancient structure, with a detached square tower on the north side, surmounted by a spire, and erected at the expense of Thomas, first Earl of Bective; on one of the faces of the tower are three busts sculptured in stone, representing a bishop and two other dignitaries, with an inscription recording the rebuilding of the church, in 1572, by Hugh Brady, Bishop of Meath: among others is a fine monument to Sir T. Taylor, first baronet of the Headfort family, and Anne, his wife.  Near the church are the remains of an ancient round tower, about 90 feet high, unroofed, and having the entrance on the north; and in the churchyard is an ancient cross, richly decorated.  In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of the union of district, comprising also Girley and Burry, and containing two chapels, situated at Kells and Girley.  The former is a spacious and handsome stone building, in the form of a T, with two towers, erected after a design by Mr. Johnston, in 1798, on ground given by the late Marquess of Headfort, who contributed liberally towards the building, and presented a painting of the Assumption, by Raphael, now over the altar.  About 110 children are taught in the public schools of the parish, of which the parochial school for boys is supported by the Archdeacon of Meath, and that for girls by the Marquess of Headfort.  A new national school upon a large scale is about to be built under the patronage of the Marquess; and there are eight private schools, in which are about 400 children, and a Sunday school.  A savings bank had been established, the deposits in which exceed £20,000.  A bequest of £90 late currency was made by a member of the Garnett family, and £1000 by the late Mr. Dempsey, the former secured on land, and the latter invested in the funds; the produce is annually divided among the poor.  Of  the ancient abbey, scarcely any traces are now visible; and of the priory founded by Walter de Lacy, nothing but the cemetery remains.  The  castle occupied the area which was formerly the market-place; and in a contiguous street is a beautiful stone cross, elaborately enriched with sculptured figures and devices, and said to have been raised from the prostrate situation in which it was found by Dean Swift.  There is a small stone-roofed cell, or chapel, called St. Columb Kill’s house, of very great antiquity, near which is a very fine well named after that saint; and at Bedford, a few miles distant, numerous fossil remains of  the moose-deer were found within an artificial enclosure in a bog, and wholly beneath the surface.  This place gives inferior title of Baron Kenlis to the Marquess of Headfort.

KENTSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (S.) from Slane, on the road from Dublin to Londonderry; containing 500 inhabitants. It comprises 2455 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the soil is good, and there is no waste land or bog.  Somerville, the seat of Sir Wm. Meredyth Somerville, Bart., a  fine mansion in an extensive demesne, has been recently enlarged and improved, and a handsome entrance lodge erected; the grounds are embellished with an expansion of the Nanny water.  At Somerville is a constabulary police station.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united, by act of council in 1751, to the rectory and vicarage of Danistown and the vicarage of Ballymagarvey, forming the union of Kentstown, in the patronage of the Crown and Lord Dunsany.  The tithes amount to £200, and the entire tithes of the benefice to £330.  The church is a neat edifice with a tower, erected about 80 years since, for the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners lately granted £134.  The glebe-house, which is near the church, was built by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £625 from the late Board of First Fruits.  The glebes of the union comprise 13 ¾  acres, valued at £39.3.11. per annum.  In the R.C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Blacklyon, of Ballymagarvey.  A school, in which about 12 girls are educated, was founded and is supported by Lady Maria Somerville.

KILBALIVER, a village, in the parish of Killoghconnoghan, barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 6 ¾ miles (W.) from Trim, on the road from Dublin to Mullingar; containing 29 houses and 183 inhabitants.  It is a constabulary police station, and has fairs on March 25th, May 12th, August 15th, and Nov. 1st.   The parish church, R.C. Chapel and school, and a dispensary, are in this village. -See  Killoghconnoghan.

KILBEG, or KILMAINHAMBEG, a parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N. by E.) from Kells, on the road to Nobber;  containing, with the parish of Robertstown, 1478 inhabitants.  This parish takes its name from a commandery of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, founded by Walter  de Lacy in the reign  of Rich. I., which was a cell to that of Kilmainham, near Dublin, but of which no vestige can be traced.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Newtown: the tithes amount to £180.  The glebe-house of the union in this parish.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Stahalmock; the chapel is in the village of Carlanstown.  About 150 children are taught in a school at Carlanstown, which is aided by Sir H. Meredyth, Bart., who also gave a house and an acre of land to the master.

KILBERRY, a parish, in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.) from Navan, on the road from that place to Kingscourt; containing 2002 inhabitants.  The land is of good quality; about two-thirds are meadow or pasture, and about 100 acres bog.  The parish is intersected by the Yellow River, on which is a corn-mill.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Donaghpatrick: the tithes amount to £335, and there is a glebe of 6 acres, valued at £18. 9. 2. per annum.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also Donaghpatrick and Teltown, and containing two chapels, situated at Kilberry and Oristown.  About 100 children are educated in a school to which Col. Everard gives a house and garden rent-free, and C. Smyth, Esq., subscribes £10 annually; and about 50 are taught in a private school.  A chantry of two priests, or chaplains, was formerly attached to the church of St. Mary, in this parish.

KILBREW, a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.E.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road from Ratoath to Drogheda; containing 351 inhabitants.  It comprises 3888 statute acres as applotted under the tithe act. Kilbrew House, formerly the property of the Gorges family, but now of W. Murphy, Esq., of Dublin, is a fine mansion, with an extensive and richly planted demesne.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath, and the rectory forms part of the union of Tryvett: the tithes amount to £179.10.  The church, which serves for the union, is a neat edifice built about the middle of the last century, and recently enlarged at an expense of £213, granted by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.  The glebe-house, for the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits gave £300, and granted a loan of £500, was built in 1817; the glebe comprises nearly 11 ½ acres, subject to a rent of £3.3. per acre.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Creekstown, of Curragha.

KILBRIDE, or CASTLECORR, a parish, partly in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, but chiefly in the barony of Clonmahon, county of Cavan, and province of Ulster, on the road from Mount-Nugent to Oldcastle; containing, with the post-town of Mount-Nugent, 4658 inhabitants.  It comprises 8777 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which about three-fifths are arable, a tenth bog, and the remainder pasture: limestone is abundant.  The principal seats are Bobsgrove, the residence of C. E. J. Nugent, Esq.; Roebuck, of W. Reilly, Esq.; and Castlecorr, of W. Webb, Esq.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, the presentation to which is in dispute between the Crown and Lord Dunsany: the tithes amount to £415. 9. 9.  The church was built in 1809, and has been recently repaired, for which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners granted £157.  The glebe-house is supposed to have been erected before the Reformation; the glebe comprises 22 acres.  In the R.C. divisions this parish forms part of the union or district of Killeagh and Kilbride, and has a chapel at Mount-Nugent.  About 70 children are educated in a public school, for which the house and an acre of land were given by Mr. Nugent; and about 350 children are taught in five private schools.- See Mount-Nugent.

KILBRIDE, a parish in the barony of Dunboyne, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 ½  miles (N. by E.) from Clonee, on the road from Dublin to Ratoath; containing 279 inhabitants.  It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Dunboyne, in which the tithes are included.  The church is in ruins.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Dunboyne and Kilbride, and has a small chapel.  There is a private school, in which are about 30 children.  On the lands of Ballintra are the remains of a Danish fort.

KILCARN, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (S.S.E.) from Navan, on the mail coach road from Dublin to Enniskillen; containing 546 inhabitants.  About two-thirds of it are under tillage; the soil is fertile, and the system of agriculture improving.  There are some considerable corn and flour-mills, the property of J. McCann, Esq., of Drogheda; and the river Boyne, on which the parish is situated, affords facility of conveyance.  The principal seats are Kilcarn House, the residence of F. Murphy, Esq.; Kilcarn Lodge, of W. Dillon, Esq.; and Upper Kilcarn, of Mrs Barry.  It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Skreen, or Skryne; the rectory is impropriate in C. Barry, Esq. The tithes amount to £127. 12. 2., the whole payable to the impropriator.  The church is in ruins.  In the R.C. divisions, it forms part of the union or district of Athlumney: the chapel, an old building, is to be converted into a school; and a chapel is about to be built adjoining the residence of the parish priest.

KILCLOAN, a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.E.) from Kilcock, on the road from Summerhill to Dunboyne; containing 321 inhabitants.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and forms part of the union of Raddonstown: the tithes amount to £110.15. 4 ½.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, called Batterstown, comprising Kilcloan, Raddonstown, Ballymaglasson, Rathregan, Balfeighan, and Moyglare, and containing three chapels; that of Kilcloan is a neat modern building.  About 70 children are educated in a private school, to which Gen. Vandeleur contributes £4 annually.  Here is Mullhussey  Castle, the property of F. Meath McVeigh, Esq.

KILCOOLEY, a parish, in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ½ mile (E.by N.) from Trim, on the road from that place to Navan; containing 196 inhabitants.  The land is principally under tillage, and there is some good pasturage, also limestone, which is quarried for building.  Here is a large flour-mill.  Rathnally, the seat of J. Thompson, Esq., is pleasantly situated in a well-planted demesne on the banks of the Boyne.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of  Drogheda, and the vicarage forms part of the union of Trim: the tithes amount to £108, of which £83. 1. 6½. is payable to the impropriator, and £24. 18. 5 ½.  to the vicar.  In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Churchtown.

KILDALKEY, a parish, in the barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S. by E.) from Athboy, on the road from that place to Kinnegad; containing 2931 inhabitants.  About half the parish is in tillage, and there are about 500 acres of bog, and a good limestone quarry.  The village contains 21 houses, and fairs are held there on Feb. 27th, May 14th, Aug. 9th, and Dec. 13th.  The principal seats are Carnisle, the residence of W. Allen, Esq.; Kildalkey house, of the Rev. J. O’Connell; Rathcormuck, of T. Potterton, Esq.; Ballinadrimny, of W. Thorogood, Esq.; Balatalion, of T. Potterton, Esq.; Woodtown West, of Miss Read; Clonbarron, of W. Nangle, Esq.; and Moyrath Castle, of H. Potterton, Esq.  This castle was built in 1219, by Lord Geoffry de Montemarisco, and was subsequently a seat of the Nugent family, but is now the property of Henry  Grattan, Esq.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath:  the rectory is impropriate in Joseph Ashe, Esq., and the vicarage forms part of the union of Athboy;  the tithes amount to £380, the whole of which is payable to the impropriator.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of  the union or district, comprising also the parishes of Killoghconnoghan and Castle-Rickhard, and containing two chapels, of which the chapel here is a neat modern building.  About 150 children are educated in two public schools, to one of which the Earl of Darnley gave an acre of land and £20 towards the erection of a school-house, and J. Stack Murphy, Esq., subscribed £20:  that gentleman has also contributed £30 towards the erection of a school at Carnisle.  The late Mr. Hodgens, of Dublin, bequeathed £1000 for the erection of almshouses, and £60 per annum for the inmates, who must be natives of this parish; but they have not yet been erected.

KILLAGH, or KILLAUGH, also called MOYMENE, a parish, in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½  miles (W.) form Oldcastle; containing 2221 inhabitants.  It is situated on Lough Shillin, and comprises 6283 statute acres, including about 160 of bog, and 50 of plantations.  Crossdrum is the residence of E. Rotherham, Esq.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £203. 1. 6¼.  The church is a neat edifice, built by aid of a gift of £500, in 1800, from the late Board of First Fruits, which in 1814 gave £450, and lent £50 for the erection of the glebe-house; the glebe comprises 20 acres.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also Kilbride, and containing a chapel at Moat, in this parish, and one at Dalysbridge in Kilbride.  About 150 children are educated in two private schools.

KILLALLON, a parish, in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (S.S.W.) from Crossakeel, on the road from Oldcastle to Athboy;  containing 1835 inhabitants.  It comprises 7336 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, about two-thirds of which are in tillage; the land is light, but all of it can be cultivated.  Lakefield is the seat of J. Battersby, Esq.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united in 1782 to the vicarage of Killua, and in the patronage of the  Bishop and the Marquess of  Drogheda:  the tithes of Killallon amount to £323. 1. 6 ½., and of the whole benefice to £368.1.6 ¼. The church of the union is at Clonmellon, in Killua;  it was built about fifty years since, towards which the late Sir. B. Chapman, Bart, contributed largely.  The glebe-house is in this parish, and was built in 1812, by aid of a gift of £100 and a loan of £750 from the late Board of First Fruits.  The glebe comprises 36 acres, valued at £54 per annum, but subject to a rent of £11, payable to the Earl of Fingall.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Clonmellon, and has a plain chapel.  About 100 children are educated in a private school.

KILLEARY, a parish, in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.E.by S.) from Nobber, on the road from Navan to Ardee; containing 2343 inhabitants. It comprises 7860 statute acres and includes, Parsonstown, the property of the Rev. A. Blackburne, a handsome residence in a demesne of above 600 statue acres.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Syddan; the rectory is in the patronage of the Crown and the Bishop.  The tithes amount to £323. 1. 6 ¼. of which £212. 6.1 ¾.  is payable to the rector and the remainder to the vicar, who has a glebe of  3a. 2r.16p.  In the R.C. division it is the head of a union or district called Lobinstown, comprising also the parishes of Syddan, Innismoth and Mitchellstown, and containing chapels at Lobinstown and Herronstown.  About 30 children are educated in a public and 160 in four private schools.

KILLEEN, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of  Leinster,  2 ¼  miles (N.by W.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road from Dublin to Athboy; containing 588 inhabitants.  An abbey is said to have been founded here in the 16th century by St. Endeus, and also a nunnery, of which his sister St. Fanchea was abbess.  The barony came into the family of Plunkett by the marriage of Sir Christopher Plunkett, in 1403, with the only daughter and heiress of Sir Lucas Cusac;  and Lucas, the tenth Lord, was created Earl of Fingall by Jas.1., in 1628.  The parish comprises 2972 statute acres;  about one-third is under tillage, and the remainder meadow and pasture of excellent quality;  the system of agriculture is greatly improved, and there is neither waste land nor bog; there are several quarries of black limestone.  Killeen Castle, the seat of the Earl of Fingall, was originally a stately structure, erected by Hugh de Lacy, in 1180, and had been enlarged and greatly improved after a design by Johnston, in which the style of its ancient architecture has been retained with fine effect;  the demesne comprises more than 840 statute acres, and is tastefully laid out and embellished.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath;  the rectory is impropriate in P.P. Metge, of Athlumney, Esq., and the vicarage forms part of the union of Taragh;  the tithes amount to £204, of which £136 is payable to the impropriator, and £68 to the vicar.  The church, near the castle, is a very interesting structure, erected by Sir Christopher Plunkett, who died in 1445; the east window is of lofty dimensions and of very elegant design.  Among the ancient monuments are those of the founder and his wife;   of  Robt. Cusack, who died in 1620; and of John Quatermas (who roofed the church) and his wife, dated 1507.  It formerly contained a chantry and a guild of the Blessed Virgin.  The glebe comprises 57 acres of good land.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Dunsany, or  Kilmessan.

KILLEGLAND, or KILLEYLAN, also called KILMEGLAN, a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 473 inhabitants, who are all in the post-town of Ashbourne, of which the parish principally consists.  It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Ratoath:  the tithes amount to £54.  In the R.C divisions also it is part of the union or district of Ratoath, and has a chapel at Ashbourne.  About 120 children are educated in  two public schools, one of which is principally supported by the rector.

KILLOGHCONNOGHAN, or KILACONNIGAN, a parish, in the barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster.  6 ¾  miles (W.) from Trim, on the road from Dublin to Mullingar; containing 2329 inhabitants.  It comprises about 4000 acres, of which about one-fourth is bog, much of which was planted by the late Earl of Darnley; the remainder is principally under tillage.  There is a good quarry of limestone, and at Inchmore is a corn-mill.  Fairs are held on March 25th, May 12th, Aug. 15th, and Nov. 1st.  The principal seats are Elm Grove, the residence of J. Browne, Esq.; Parkstown, of J. Campbell, Esq.;  and Kilmur, the property of A. Montgomery, Esq.  The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Meath, and in the gift of the Earl of Darnley, who is impropriator  of the rectory:  the tithes amount to £300, payable to the impropriator, who allows the perpetual curate £69.4.7 ½.  per annum.  The church is a neat structure, with a spire and steeple, and was erected in 1820, by aid of a gift of £200 from the Earl of Darnley, and a loan of £700 from the late Board of First Fruits.  The glebe-house was built by aid of a gift of £450 and a loan of £50 from the same Board, in 1822:  the glebe comprises 21 acres.  In the R.C.  divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Kildalkey, and has a handsome chapel, towards the erection of which the late Earl of Darnley gave £100, and half an acre of land on which it is built.  About 150 children are educated in a school supported by the Earl of Darnley, and the same number in three private schools.  There are some remains of a Franciscan friary and a castle at Donore, and of a castle at Carranstown.

KILLYON, a parish, in the barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N. by E.) from Clonard, on the road from Trim to Kinnegad and on the river Boyne;  containing 818 inhabitants.  It comprises of 2534 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act:  the land is generally fertile, and there is some meadow and pasture land of superior quality on the banks of the Boyne;  there are several patches of bog.  The Royal Canal passes through the southern part of the parish.  Killyon House is the property of the representatives of the late Lady Loftus, but is at present unoccupied.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is impropriate in Lady Loftus’ representatives, and the vicarage forms part of the union of Clonard.  The tithe amounts to £138.9.2 ½., of which £92.6.1 ¾. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Longwood, and has a chapel.  About 40 children are educated in a private school.  There are some remains of the old church.

KILMAINHAM-WOOD, a parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath,  and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.W.) from Nobber, on the road from Kells to Kingscourt; containing 1454 inhabitants, of which number, 147 are in the village, in which are 25 houses.  This parish is the property of Anthony Strong Hussey, Esq.:  there are some quarries of stone procured for building, a tuck and a corn-mill, and a few looms employed by  the inhabitants for their own use.  The village contains a constabulary police station and a dispensary;  a good fair for store cattle is held in it on May 5th.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the gift of A.S. Hussey, Esq., in whom the rectory is impropriate: the parish is tithe free, and the income of the vicar consists of a money payment from the impropriator, with an augmentation  from Primate Boulter’s fund.  There is neither glebe-house nor glebe.  The church is a plain building, erected in 1803, for the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £135.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is united with part of Bailieborough, or Moybologue, in the diocese of Kilmore, called the union or district of Moybologue or Tivorcher, in each of which is a chapel.  There is a private school of about 100 children

KILMESSAN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (N.W.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road to Bective-bridge;  containing 812 inhabitants, of which number, 146 are in the village, which contains 25 houses.  It comprises 3184 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  Swainstown, the seat of the Rev. Mr. Preston, is a handsome residence in an extensive and well-planted demesne.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united episcopally, in 1828, to the chapelry of Macetown, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda, in whom the rectory is impropriate.  The tithes amount to £225, of which £50 is payable to the improptiator, and the remainder to the vicar; and the gross value of the benefice, tithe and glebe inclusive, is £321.  There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of 12 ½  acres, valued at £28 per annum.  The church, which was built in 1731, is a neat structure, for the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £297.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Dunsany, and has a handsome chapel at Kilmessan.  Here is a public school, in which about 150 children are educated.

KILMOON, a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 ¾ miles (N.E.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road from Dublin to Belfast, by way of Ashbourne;  containing 825 inhabitants.  According to the Ordnance survey it comprises 1823 statute acres.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by episcopal authority, in 1826, to the rectory and vicarage of Piercetownlandy, which is in the gift of the Crown, but Kilmoon is in the patronage of the Lord-Primate.  The tithes amount £146, and of the entire benefice to £315.8.0.  There is a glebe-house near the church, on a glebe of 30 acres, valued at £45 per ann.; and a glebe at Piercetownlandy, let for £16 per annum.  The church, which is at the north-western extremity of the parish, is a plain building; it was erected in 1816 by a loan of £500 from the late Board of First Fruits, and has been lately repaired by a grant of £106 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Curragha or Creekstown.  There is a private school of about 20 children.

KILMORE, a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of  Leinster, ½ a mile (S.E.) from Summerhill, on the road from Dublin to Navan; containing 1266 inhabitants.  It comprises 4,000 acres, about one-third of which are arable, and the remainder pasture land, with about 16 acres of  ornamental plantations, and two nurseries.  The principal seats are Larch Hill, the residence of S.E. Watson, Esq., the grounds of  which are embellished with grottoes and temples;  and Philpotstown, the handsome residence of T. Walsh, Esq.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown:  the tithes amount to £330.13.4.  There is a glebe-house, which cost £1300, towards which the late Board of First Fruits, in 1813, gave £250 and lent £500: the glebe comprises 12 acres, and is beautifully laid out as a landscape garden.  The church is a small ancient building, and the churchyard is judiciously planted.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, called Moynalvey, containing Kilmore, Galtrim, Kiltale and Dirpatrick;  there are chapels at Kilmore and Galtrim, the former a large building in the village of Moynalvey, which was erected in 1834, by subscription, of which the greater part was contributed by members of the Established Church.  On the outside is a fine bust of Our Saviour, after Michael Angelo, presented by Miss Gregory.  Here is a school for all denominations, superintended and entirely supported by the rector,  Dr. Tighe Gregory, and containing about 30 children;  also a private school of about 60 children.  A dispensary, Dorcas institution, repository, and poor shop, have been founded by Dr. Gregory, who intends to erect dwellings for destitute widows  and orphans.  In the churchyard is a curious round stone, placed on a pillar by the present incumbent, by whom it was discovered.  The crucifixtion is represented on one of its sides, and the crown of thorns, bleeding heart, &c., on the other.  Dr. Gregory also found a flat stone, dated 1575, containing a representation of the crucifixtion, with a legible inscription in Latin, and a defaced one in Irish, and a request to pray for the soul of Roger Mac Mahon Guineff, or Guinness.  About 2 ½ miles north-west from the present are the ruins of an ancient church, and of a castle, called Arodstown; the remains of a church are also visible at Moynalvey, about a mile to the south of which cells, extending a considerable distance under ground, were discovered in 1834;  and near them is a tract still retaining the name of the “college”.  To the south of the parish, sepulchral remains have been discovered within a considerable embankment:  these ruins, between which are visible remains of fortified stations, encircle the parish;  and in the centre stands an ancient bush on a mount, known by the name of Killa-more, the “great hill”, and Seach-na-Killa-more, or the “bush of Kilmore”.  The number of these antiquities creates an opinion that Kilmore was formerly a place of religious importance.

KILSHARVAN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.) from Drogheda, on the road to the Naul;  containing 487 inhabitants, of which 169 are in the hamlet, which contains abut 30 houses.  It comprises 2061 statute acres, of which are about 40 are woodland and 100 waste: the land is moderately good quality, and is almost equally divided between pasture and tillage.  Here is plenty of limestone;  and  on the Nanny water are extensive bleach-works, the property of A. Armstrong, Esq., contiguous  to whose tastefully laid out grounds  are the picturesque ruins of the old church, the burial-ground of which is still used. The other principal seats are Mount Hanover, the residence of J. Mathews, Esq.; Cooper Hill, of J. Cooper, Esq.;  and Annagor, of P. Mathews, Esq.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Colpe;  the rectory is partly impropriate in G. Pepper, Esq., and partly impropriate to the vicarage. The tithes amount to £110, of which £74 is payable to the impropriator, and £36 to the vicar.  There is a glebe of 3 ½ acres, valued at £12 per annum.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or  district  of St. Mary’s, Drogheda.  A bequest of £10 per ann. was made by the late H. Smith Esq., to the poor of this parish and Colpe.

KILSHINE,  a parish, in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 7 miles (N. by W.) from Navan, on the road from Dublin to Kingscourt;  containing 654 inhabitants.  This parish was the scene of a skirmish during the disturbances of 1798.  It comprises 1369 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, three-fourths of which are under a good system of tillage;  there is some bog.  Petty sessions are held at George’s Cross every Monday.  Mountainstown House, the handsome residence of A.H.C.. Pollock, Esq., is situated in a fine demesne of 300 plantation acres.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by  act of council in 1809 to the rectory of Clongill, and in the patronage of the Crown and the Bishop, the former having one turn and the latter two.  Although the rectories are thus nominally united, they are held by two incumbents.  The tithes amount to £92.6.2., and the value of the benefice is £284 per annum.  The church, which is very neat structure with a spire, was rebuilt by a gift of £800 from the late board  of First Fruits, in 1815.  The glebe-house in Clongill, where there is a glebe of 21 acres, valued at £63 per annum, besides a glebe in this parish of 7 acres, valued at £21.  In the R.C divisions it forms part of the union or district of Castletown-Kilpatrick.  There is a national school, in which about 90 children are educated, and to which Sir W. Plunkett de Bathe, Bart., subscribes £15 per annum, besides allowing  a house and ground.

KILSKYRE,  or KILSKEER, a parish, in the  barony of Upper Kells, county of    Meath, and province of Leinster;  containing, with the post-town of Crossakeel and several villages, 4537 inhabitants.  An abbey was founded here at a very early period, which was destroyed by the Danes, but some of its ruins still exist.  The parish comprises about 11,340 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, which are chiefly under tillage.  There are abut 800 acres of bog and waste land, and abundance of limestone.  Near Bensfort extensive operations for draining the land are in progress.  The principal seats are Newgrove, the residence of  H. O’Reilly Esq., Miltown, of J. Kearney, Esq.; Silvan Park, of W. Keating, Esq., the glebe-house, of the Rev. C. Osborne; and Bolton, the property of Col. Battersby.  The village of Kilskyre, which is the property of W. Blayney Wade, Esq., comprises 29 neatly built houses and 156 inhabitants.  Petty sessions and fairs are held at Crossakeel.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £425.  There is a glebe-house, with a glebe of 22 acres.  The church, which is a handsome structure with a lofty spire, is built on an eminence at Crossakeel, and has been recently repaired by a grant of £137 from the Ecclesiastical commissioners.  In the R.C divisions this is the head of a union or district, comprising Kilskyre, Clonabreny and Diamor, and containing chapels at Kilskyre and Ballinlough, the latter of which is a neat edifice.  There is a school at Crossakeel on Eramus Smith’s foundation, in which 100 children are educated, and to which W. Blayney Wade, Esq., contributes £6 per annum, besides granting two acres of land, on which the school-house was erected at an expense of  £200, partly defrayed by Mr. Wade and partly by the trustees.  There are also two private schools, in which about 120 children are educated, and a Sunday school.  Viscount Killeen had given a site for a school-house at Kilskyre, and another is about to be established at Ballinlough.

KILTALE a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ¾ miles (W.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road from Summerhill to Skryne;  containing 405 inhabitants.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Knockmark; the rectory is impropriate in Lord Dunsany.  The tithes amount to £71.5., payable to the impropriator, who allows a stipend for the discharge of the clerical duties.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Kilmore.  About 40 children are educated in a private school.

KNOCK, or KNOUGH, a parish in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.S.E) from Nobber, on the road to Slane;  containing 499 inhabitants.  The place is said to have been the site of a priory founded in 1148 and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, by Donchad Hua Kervail, prince of the territory, and Edan Coollaidhe, Bishop of Clogher for Canons Regular of the order of St. Augustine;  but there are no vestiges of the establishment, nor have any particulars of its history been recorded.  The parish comprises 972 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act;  there is a considerable tract of bog, which extends into the adjoining parishes, but it is nearly exhausted.  Gravelmount, the property of the Rev. R. Longfield, and now in the occupation of J. O’Connor, Esq., is a spacious and handsome house;  the demesne comprises about 160 statute acres, and the grounds are tastefully laid out.  A manufacture of tiles, garden pots, and all kinds of coarse pottery is carried on at this place.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union or district of Castletown-Kilpatrick.  There are some very slight remains of an ancient church.

KNOCKCOMON, or KNOCKMOON, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (S.E.) from Slane, on the road from Navan to Drogheda, and on the river Boyne; containing 902 inhabitants.  It is a curacy, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Duleek;  the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda, to whom the tithes, amounting to £148.1.2½. are payable.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Donore, or Rosnaree, at which latter place there is a neat modern chapel, and another at the cross of Rathdrinath.  About 80 children are educated in two private schools, to one of which Sir J. Hawkins Whitshed Bart, allows a house and garden rent-free

KNOCKMARK, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (W. by N.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road to Trim;  containing 724 inhabitants.  It comprises 2776 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act;  and includes Warrenstown, the seat of J. Johnson, Esq.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1811, to the vicarage of Colmolyn and held with the impropriate  cures of Derry and Kiltale;  it is in the gift of the Crown.  The tithes amount to £200, and the entire benefice to £399.10.  The glebe-house was built in 1814, by a gift of £100 and a loan of £675, from the Board of First Fruits;  the glebe comprises 21 acres, valued at £42, and there is also a glebe of five acres in Colmolyn, valued at £10.10. per annum.  The church was built in 1811, by a loan of £900 from the same Board.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Dunshaughlin.  Here are two schools, in which about 50 children are educated.

LARACOR, a parish, in the barony of  Lower Moyfenrath, county of Meath, and province of  Leinster; containing, with the post-town of Summerhill, (which is separately described), 2418 inhabitants.  The parish comprises 7787 statute acres, of which two-thirds are under tillage;  the remainder, with the exception of some bog near Summerhill, is good pasturage.  The western part consists of limestone gravel, and the eastern of a strong clayey loam.  The principal seats are Rock Lodge, the residence of T. Disney, Esq.;  Freffans, of W. Battersby Esq.;  The glebe-house of the Rev. Blayney Irwine;  Spring Valley, of R. Butler Bryan, Esq.;  Braymount, of G.J. Murphy, Esq.;  Adamstown, the property of T. Disney, Esq.;  and Summerhill, the property of the Earl of Longford.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown;  the tithes amount to £415.7.8.  The glebe-house was built by a gift of £200 and a loan of £550 from the Board of the First Fruits, in 1813;  the glebe comprises 21 acres.  The church is an ancient edifice, which it is intended to rebuild;  it contains a handsome monument to the memory of Sir Colley Wellesley, Knt., this having being formerly the burial-place of the Wellesley as it still is of the Perceval family.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of union or district, called Summerhill, which includes the parishes of Laracor, Agher, Drumlargan, and Gallow; there is a chapel at Dangan, in Laracor, and another at Agher.  At Summerhill is a place of worship for Presbyterians, in connection with the Synod of Munster, the minister of which receives an annual grant of £53.10.8. royal bounty.  The parochial school is at Summerhill, and there is a school at Dangan, and another at Rocklodge, to which T. Disney, Esq., subscribes £15 annually: about 270 children are educated in these schools, and about 30 in two private schools.  Here are the ruins of Dangan castle, which was the ancient manorial seat of the Wellesleys, and in which the Duke of Wellington, the Marquess Wellesley, and Lords Maryborough and Cowley, were born.  It was a splendid residence, surrounded by a noble demesne, but was burnt some years since and is now the property of Major Burrowes.  Of Knightsbrook, formerly the handsome residence of the Perceval family, only  the offices remain.  This parish was for several years the benefice and residence of the Dr. Jonathan Swift, afterwards Dean of St. Patrick’s who was instituted to the living in 1699; and of Esther Johnson, known by the poetic name of Stella.

LISCARTIN, a parish, in the barony of  Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (N.W.) from Navan, on the river Blackwater and on the mail road from Dublin to Enniskillen;  containing 229 inhabitants.  It comprises 1188 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of good quality and chiefly in tillage.  Liscartin castle, supposed to have been originally a monastic building, was the birth place of the first Lord Cadogan, to which family it still belongs;  part of it now constitutes the residence of  T. Gerrard Esq., the proprietor of a large flour-mill in the vicinity;  the outworks of the castle were considerable, and a gateway still remains, about 60 yards distant from the main building.  Bachelor’s Lodge, the neat residence of John Wade Esq., is also in this parish.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Ardbraccan;  the tithes amount to £69.4.7 ½.  In the R.C divisions also it is part of the union or district of Ardbraccan, also called Bohermeen.

LISMULLEN, parish, in the barony of Skryne, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (S.S.E) from Navan, on the mail road from Dublin to Enniskillen;  containing 107 inhabitants.  A house for Augustinian nuns was founded here in 1240 by Alicia, sister of Richard de la Corner, bishop of Meath, which existed until the Reformation in the reign of Edw. VI., the buildings and part of the estates were granted to Thos. Cusack.  The parish comprises about 1920 statute acres of good land, about two-thirds of which are in tillage;  good gritstone is quarried here for building, and copper is supposed to exist but has not yet been worked.  Here is a station of the constabulary police.  Lismullen Park is the seat of Sir Chas. Drake Dillon, Bart., on whose ancestor, John Dillon and his heirs male, the dignity of a free baron of the Holy Roman Empire was conferred by the Emperor Joseph II., in 1782;  the demesne which comprises about 200 plantation acres, contains some fine old timber.  It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Skryne:  the tithes are included in the composition for Templecarn.  In the R.C. division also it forms part of the union or district of Skryne or Skreen.

LONGWOOD, a village, in the parish of Clonard, barony of Upper Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ½ miles (E.N.E) from Clonard, near the great western road from Dublin to Connaught;  containing 425 inhabitants.  It is situated on the river Blackwater, and comprises 83 houses.  Here is a station of the constabulary police, and petty sessions are held on alternate Tuesdays.  Fairs are held on Feb. 1st, Whit-Tuesday, July 12th, and Dec. 11th.  A lecture on alternate Wednesdays has been established here by the vicar of Clonard.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising part of the parish of Clonard and the entire of Killyon, and containing the chapels of Longwood and Killyon;  the former, situated near the village, is a large plain edifice.- See Clonard.

LOUGHBRACCAN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (E.) from Nobber, on the mail road from Dublin by Slane to Londonderry; containing 493 inhabitants.  It comprises 2074 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act;  the land, which is of good quality, is partly in tillage and partly in pasture.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely appropriate to the see: the tithes amount to £111.11.7 ¼.  For the performance of clerical duties it forms part of the union of Nobber;  and in the R.C divisions, part of  the union or district of Drumconra.  The ruins of the old church, which stand on the summit of a hill have a striking appearance.

LOUGHCREW,  a parish, in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (S.S.E.) from Oldcastle, on the road to Kells;  containing 1394 inhabitants.  It comprises 4968 ½  statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act;  there is no waste or unprofitable land, and the state of agriculture is improving, the drill system and a better description of stock having been lately introduced.  There are some quarries of good building stone, and at the hamlet of Millbrook are the mills and residence of W. Henry, Esq., Loughcrew House, the residence of Jas. L. W. Naper, Esq., is a magnificent structure in the Grecian Ionic style, erected from designs by Mr. Cockerell, of London;  it is faced entirely with hewn limestone, has a noble portico, and contains some good paintings from the old masters.  The mansion, the out-offices (which are of a superior order), and the improvements in the demesne, are stated to have cost upwards of £80,000.  The demesne comprises about 900 plantation acres, of which nearly 200 are planted;  the principal approach is by a lodge of elegant design, and the scenery is the vicinity is of a pleasing character.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1682, to the rectory of Moylough and the vicarage of Diamor, and by Episcopal authority, in 1815, to the rectory of Russagh or Clonabreny, together constituting the union of Loughcrew, in the patronage of the Crown:  the rectory is impropriate in E. Rotheram, of Crossdrum, Esq.  The tithes amount to £166.3.1., payable in equal portions to the improprietor and vicar;  and the entire tithes of the benefice to £369.13.10.  The glebe-house was built in 1821, at an expense of £1879, of which £1275 was granted as a loan by the late Board of First Fruits, £100 as a gift, and the remainder was defrayed by the incumbent.  The glebe comprises 40 plantation acres, valued at £50 British per annum, part of which is subject to a rent of £32.15.  The church is an ancient structure, for the repair of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have lately granted £181.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Oldcastle, and has a chapel at Loughcrew.  About 160 children are educated in three private schools, and a Sunday school is supported by Mrs. Naper:  some of the children attend the endowed school in the adjoining parish of Oldcastle.

MACETOWN: a parish in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4½ miles (N.E.) from Dunshaughlin, and near the road from Ratoath to Navan;  containing 419 inhabitants.  It comprises 1572¾ statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is of medium quality.  It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Kilmessan: the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda.  The tithes amount to £68, of which £58 is payable to the impropriator, and £10 to the incumbent.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Skryne.  Here are the ruins of an ancient castle.

MAHONSTOWN: a village, in the parish of Duleen, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and  province of Leinster, 2 miles (N.W.) from Kells; containing 32 houses and 182 inhabitants.

MAPERATH: a village, in the parish of Duleen, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles  (N.W.) from Kells; containing 157 inhabitants.  It is situated on the road from Kells to Moynalty, and comprises 31 houses.

MARTRY,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5¼ miles (N.W.) from Navan, on the road to Kells, and on the river Blackwater; containing 1128 inhabitants.  It comprises 3705 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act, the land being of medium quality and nearly equally divided between tillage and pasture; and it includes a portion of a large bog, which extends into three of the adjoining parishes: there are several quarries of stone.  Allanstown, the seat of W.H. Waller, Esq., is a handsome mansion, situated in a well-planted demesne of about 700 plantation acres, including a deerpark.  In the demesne is Faughan hill, the summit of which being planted, forms a conspicuous object as seen from the south-east through a vista in the wood.  The parish is in the diocese of Meath:  the rectory formerly belonged to the priory of the Knights of St. John at Kilmainham, and in 1615 was granted in fee to Patrick Barnwell;  it is now impropriate in Dominick Reilly, Esq., the vicarage forms part of the union of Ardbraccan.  The tithes amount to £178. 6. 8., of which £120 is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Ardbraccan, or Bohermean.  A small school for females is supported by Mrs. Waller.

MEATH  (Diocese of).  This diocese was originally formed by the union of several small sees, of which the principal  were Clonard, Duleek, Kells, Trim, Ardbraccan, Dunshaughlin, Slane and Foure, all of which, except Duleek and Kells, were consolidated at the celebrated synod held by Cardinal Paparo in 1152, and the episcopal  seat fixed at Clonard. The sees of Duleek and Kells were afterwards annexed; and the united diocese, which took its name from the ancient province of Meath, was placed under the superintendence of Idunan, who flourished towards the close of the 11th century.  The first prelate after the English invasion was Eugene, who was advanced to the see in 1174, and a short time before his death, in 1194 assumed the title of Bishop of Meath, which has ever since been retained.  Simon Rochfort, his immediate successor, founded an abbey for Augustinian canons at Newtown, near Trim, to which he removed  the episcopal see, where it  remained till the reign of Hen. VIII; and Thos. St. Leger, who was consecrated in 1287, extended the possessions and the privileges of the diocese.  Alexander de Balscot, who was consecrated in 1386, was appointed Lord High Treasurer of Ireland by Edw. III.,  and  filled many important stations under Rich. II.; his immediate successor, Edward Dantsey, was made Lord-Deputy to Sir. John de Grey, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.  John Pain, who was made bishop in 1483, preached the sermon and proclaimed the title of Lambert Simnel, at his coronation in Christ-church, Dublin, for which he received  a pardon in 1488; and on the arrival  of Sir Richard Edgecombe to settle the country after Simnel’s defeat, he attended that officer on his landing at Malahide, and was employed by him to proclaim the king’s pardon to all who should return to their allegiance.  In the reign of Hen.VIII., the episcopal seat was removed to the church of St. Mary’s abbey at Ballymore, near Lough  Seudy, in the county of Westmeath, but it appears to have remained  there for a short period only, and not to have been subsequently  established in any particular locality, nor has there for a long time either dean, chapter, or cathedral church.  In 1568, the see of Clonmacnois  was annexed to this diocese by act of parliament.  In 1621, the celebrated  James Ussher was consecrated  Bishop of Meath, which dignity he held till 1624, when he was translated to the archbishoprick  of Armagh.  The bishop of Meath ranks next to the four archbishops; the other bishops, excepting only the bishop of Kildare, take precedence according  to the date of their consecration.

The diocese is one of the ten which constitute the ecclesiastical province of Armagh, and comprehends part of the counties of Kildare, Longford, and Cavan, a large portion of King’s county, and the greater part of the counties of Meath and Westmeath; extending from the sea to the river Shannon, 80 miles in length and 20  in breadth; comprising an estimated superficies of 663,600 acres, of which 750 are in Kildare, 4300 in Longford, 9,400 in Cavan, 102,000 in King’s county, 324,400 in Meath, and 222,750 in Westmeath.  The lands belonging to the see comprise 29,269 statue acres, of  which 20,266 are profitable  land; and the gross revenue of the bishop, on an average of three years, ending Dec. 1st 1831, amounted to £5220.10.6.  The bishop was anciently elected, and the affairs of the diocese are still transacted, by a synod, consisting of an archdeacon and all the beneficed clergy of the diocese; the common seal is annually deposited in the hands of one of the members by vote of the majority; there is also a dean of Clonmacnois, collated by the bishop. The consistorial court is held in Navan, and consists of a vicar general, two surrogates, a registrar, deputy-registrar, a proctor of office, and three other proctors; the registrar is keeper of the records, which are preserved in the court-house of Navan, and of which the earliest is dated in 1712.  The total number of parishes in the diocese is 220, comprised in 105 benefices, of which 47 are unions of two or more parishes, and 58 single parishes; of these 24 are in the patronage of the crown, 22 in lay patronage, and the remainder in that of the bishop or incumbents.  The total number of churches is 100, and there are six other episcopal places of  worship, and 89 glebe-houses.  The episcopal palace is near Navan, in the parish of Ardbraccan.

In the R.C. divisions the diocese, with the exception of one parish in that of Kilmore, and a few in that of Ardagh, is nearly co-extensive with the Protestant diocese; and is one of the eight bishopricks suffragan to the archiepiscopal see of Armagh.  It comprises 64 parochial benefices or unions, and contains 156 chapels, which are served by 124  clergymen, of whom 64 are parish priests, and 60 coadjutors, or curates.  The parochial benefices of the bishop are Mullingar and Kells, in the former of which he resides.  The cathedral, at Mullingar, is a handsome and spacious edifice, in the later English style, and was consecrated Aug. 15th, 1836, by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Cantwell, assisted by the R.C. Archbishop of Tuam and the dignitaries and clergy of the diocese.

MEATH,  a maritime  county of the province of Leinster, bounded on the east by Dublin and the Irish Sea; on the north by Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan; on the west by Westmeath; and on the south by the King’s county, Kildare and Dublin.  It extends from 53º 23′ to 53º 55′ (N. Lat) and from 6º 13′ to 7º 19′ (W. Lon.) and comprises an area, according to the Ordinance Survey, of 567,127 statue acres, of which 561,527 are cultivated land, and 5,600 unimproved mountain and bog.  The population, in 1821, amounted to 159,183; and in 1831, to 176,826.

The Eblani, whose territory also extended over Dublin and Kildare, are mentioned by Ptolemy as being settled in this county.  According  to the native divisions it formed part of one of the five kingdoms into which Ireland was partitioned, and was known by the name into which Ireland was partitioned, and was known by the name of Mithe, Methe,  Media, or Midia, perhaps from its central situation.  Other writers, however, derive its name from the Irish Maith or Maigh, a “plain,” or “level country”, a derivation indicative of its natural character.  It was afterwards divided into two parts, Oireamhoin, or ” the eastern country,” which comprehended the portion now known by the name of Meath; and Eireamhoin, or “the western country”, comprehending the present counties of Westmeath and Longford, with parts of Cavan, Kildare, and the King’s county.  The prince of East Meath was O’Nial, hereditary chieftain of Caelman or Clancolman, who is distinguished in the native annals by the name of the southern O’Nial.  The district surrounding the Hill of Taragh was originally called Magh-Breagh. On this hill, called also Teamor, from Teaghmor, “the great house” was held the general assembly of the states of the kingdom, which met triennially from a very early period to the end of the sixth century.  Here was preserved the Labheireg, or “stone  of destiny,” on which the monarchs of Ireland were placed at their inauguration, and which, after having been removed to Scotland, was carried away by Edw. I., among the other trophies of his victory, to Westminister, where it still remains.  From this hill which  St. Patrick chose as the most appropriate place for promulgating the object of his mission, the Christian religion spread itself rapidly over every part of the island.  The numerous religious institutions founded by the apostle and his immediate disciples throughout the surrounding districts, attest the rapid progress and permanence of the new doctrine.  This part of Ireland suffered severely by the invasions of the Danes.  In 838, Turgesius king of that nation, sailed up the Boyne, and after making the country the scene of unexampled devastation, in which the persons and property of the Christian  clergy were principal objects of persecution, he fixed here his seat of government.  The erection of the numerous raths scattered over the county is attributed to him and his followers;  one of them, of peculiar extent  and strength, in the immediate neighbourhood of Taragh, is said to have been his chief place of residence.  After his assassination by Melaghlin, king of Meath, the Danes who escaped a similar fate, after a continued struggle for more than a century, were totally defeated at Taragh in 980.  Yet the frequent destruction of monasteries and towns recorded in the annals of the religious houses afford melancholy proof that, though unable to regain their former dominion, these ferocious and warlike people were powerful enough to disturb the tranquillity of the country by their frequent predatory incursions.

After the arrival of the English, Hen. II, granted to Hugh de Lacy the whole of the ancient kingdom of Meath, to hold by the service of 50 knights.  De Lacy shortly afterwards divided the greater portion of this princely grant among his principal followers, giving to Gilbert Nangle the territory of Morgallion; to Jocelyn, son of Gilbert, Navan, Ardbraccan, and their dependencies; to Adam Pheipo the district and manor of Skreen;  to Robert Misset, the lands of Lune; and to Gilbert Fitz-Thomas, Kells.  From these grants, and from their first possessors having been created barons by  the lord of the palatinate, who exercised the rights of sovereignty, the divisions were called baronies, which term ultimately became  the general for the great divisions of counties.  The new occupants were not  permitted  to enjoy undisturbed the possessions thus acquired.  Roderic O’Connor, King of Ireland, at the head of a large army, suddenly entered Meath, and laid siege to Trim, which was saved by the rapid approach of Raymond le Gros, then celebrating his marriage with Strongbow’s sister in Wexford.   The county also suffered about the same time from the incursions of the Irish of Ulster, and from an invasion of Melaghlin, King of Meath, who took and demolished Slane Castle, after its governor, Richard Fleming, had been killed in its defence. On the death of Hugh de Lacey, who was assassinated at Dermagh or Durrow, in the King’s county, by one of his own dependants, Meath descended to his son Walter.  King John spent some time in this county, during his abode in Ireland, and tradition says that he held a parliament at Trim, which is very doubtful, as there are no traces of its proceedings.  A tomb in which one of this king’s daughters  is said to have been interred was shewn in the abbey of Newtown, near Trim.  About the year 1220, Meath was almost  ruined by the private quarrels of Hugh, Earl of Ulster, and William Marshall.  Walter de Lacey having died in 1234 without male issue, his princely possessions descended to his two daughters, the wives of Geoffrey de Genville and Theobald Verdun.  In the reign of Henry VIII., the extensive church property in the county fell into the hands of the king on the dissolution of the monasteries; and towards the close of the same reign Con O’Nial, King or Prince  of Ulster, invaded Meath and pillaged and burned Navan in his progress; to prevent a recurrence of this calamity a cess of 3s. 4d. was laid on every ploughland  in the county, to be applied towards enclosing Navan with a wall.  In the 34th year of the same king’s reign, the division of the county  into Meath and Westmeath took place.  During the reign of Elizabeth the county was in a state of great wretchedness and destitution, as appears from the report made by Sir Henry Sidney, in 1576, in which he says “that, of the 224 parish churches then in the diocese, the walls of many had fallen; very few chancels were covered, and the windows and doors were spoiled.  Fifty-two of these churches, which had vicars endowed, were better maintained and served than the others, yet but badly: 52 of the residue, which belonged to particular lords, though in a better state, were far from well”.  In the year 1798 a large body of insurgents, who had posted themselves on the hill of Taragh, were routed with considerable loss by a detachment of the King’s troops and yeomanry. 

The county is partly in the diocese of Armagh, partly in that of Kilmore, but chiefly in that of  Meath.  For purposes of civil jurisdiction it is divided into the baronies of Upper Deece, Lower Deece, Demifore, Upper Duleek, Lower Duleek, Dunboyne, Upper Kells, Lower Kells, Lune, Morgallion, Upper Moyfenrath, Lower Moyfenrath, Upper Navan, Lower Navan, Ratoath, Skreen, Upper Slane, and Lower Slane.  It contains the disfranchised borough, market, assize, and post-town of Trim; the disfranchised borough of Duleek; the disfranchised boroughs, market, and post-towns, of Kells, Navan, and Athboy; the market and post-town of Slane; and the post-towns of Ashbourne, Clonard, Clonee, Crossakeel, Dunshaughlin, Enfield, Nobber, and Oldcastle.  The principal villages are Carlanstown, Dunboyne, Mornington, Ratoath, and Rathmolion.  The county sent 14 members to the Irish parliament, two for the county, and two for each of the boroughs of Athboy, Duleek, Kells, Navan, Ratoath, and Trim.  Since the Union its representation has been confined to the two members for the county: the election is held at Trim.  The constituency, as registered at the close of Hilary sessions, 1836, was 581 £50, 260 £20, and 781 £10 freeholders; and 48 £20 and 198 £10 leaseholders; making a total of 1868 registered electors.  It is included in the Home circuit: the assizes are held at Trim, in which town the county gaol and court-house are situated; and there are sessions-houses and bridewells at Navan, Kells, and Dunshaughlin.  The Easter and October general quarter sessions are held at the two latter towns, and the Hilary and Midsummer sessions at Trim and Navan.  The local government is vested in a lieutenant, 19 deputy-lieutenants, and 105 other magistrates, aided by the usual county officers, including two coroners.  The district lunatic asylum is in Dublin; the county infirmary at Navan; there are fever hospitals at Kells and Navan; and dispensaries at Crossakeel, Oldcastle, Clonard, Moynalty, Raddingstown, Kentstown, Stamullen, Trim, Maher, Duleek, Kells, Balliver, Julianstown, Athboy, Dunboyne, Slane, Agher, Kilmainham Wood, Drumconrath, Wilkinstown, Kilmore, and Skreen.  There are 46 constabulary police stations, having in the whole a force of an inspector, a paymaster, a stipendiary magistrate, 7 officers, 54 constables, 279 sub-constables, and 9 horses.  There are two coast-guard stations belonging to the Swords district; one at the mouth of the Boyne, the other on the Nanny water.  The amount of Grand Jury presentments for 1835 was £25,783. 4. 3 ½; of which £475.16.10 ½, was for the roads, bridges, &c; of the county at large £9475.17.2 ½  for the roads, and &c; of the several baronies; £7914.8.10 for public buildings, charities, officers salaries and incidents; £6280.5.11. ½, for the police, and £1636.15.5. for  repayment of advances from Government.  In the military arrangements the county is included in the eastern district, and contains three barrack stations, one for cavalry at Navan, and two for infantry at Trim and New Inn; affording in the whole accommodation for seven officers, 163 non-commissioned officers and men, and 50 horses.

From the level aspect which the general surface exhibits, the only considerable elevations being the hills of Loughcrew in the western extremity of the county, there is not much romantic scenery; yet many parts, particularly in the vicinity of the larger rivers, present prospects of tranquil beauty.  The small part of the county which borders on the sea, between the mouth of the Boyne and the Delvan, contributes as little to its scenic beauties as to its commercial advantage; the character of the line of coast being that of a shelving strand, with little depth of water and no opening adequate to admit large vessels.  The prevailing character of the soil is a deep rich loam, resting on a substratum of limestone, and the earth has been found, at the depth of four feet, in many places, equal in quality to that on the surface; so that when the farmer finds his fields beginning to be unproductive, he has only to plough somewhat deeper, and turn up a proportion of mould previously untouched.  In the undulating districts the soil is a light earth upon a stiff clay bottom, beneath which a vein of limestone gravel of  irregular depth is frequently discovered; but otherwise an impervious substratum of ochreous clay runs to a considerable depth.  In the northern part the soil on the hills is generally a dry gravelly clay, from 12 to 18 inches deep, but in the intervening valleys there is a deep rich loam.  The herbage of the hills is remarkable for fattening sheep, and that of the low lands equally noted for feeding cattle.  The district stretching along the shore is composed of a  very light soil chiefly of sand, with little vegetative power, and yielding little but bent grass.  The quantity of bog is small in proportion to that of the general surface, and very unequally distributed.  Lough Sheelin forms a small part of the county boundary towards Cavan; Church Island in that lake belongs to Meath.  The Blackwater opens out into a fine expanse of water near Kells.

Farms are of every size from 2 acres to 3000: the small holders generally keep their land in tillage, and even many of the largest farms have but little meadow or pasture: yet, there are many large grazing farms, and some of the proprietors consider pasturage to be the most profitable system of agriculture.  On the banks of the Boyne and Blackwater, the land is mostly in demesne or pasture; to the east to Navan, most of the land is under tillage, and toward the western border of the county it is nearly if not altogether so.  The farmers who hold from 50 to 100 acres are a very industrious class, working harder and faring little better than the common labourer.  In the treatment of the soil the general principle, arising from the great depth of vegetable mould, is, that the deepest ploughing is the best tillage: the turning up of fresh earth possessing vegetative powers hitherto dormant is deemed to act as powerfully as the application of manure on the surface.  This process, to be effective, must be done by degrees, not turning up the utmost depth to the surface at once, but penetrating deeper from year to year, so as to allow the new earth to be gradually and moderately blended with that already subjected to cultivation.  Instances have occurred of the luxuriance of the soil being so great, that the labour and expense employed upon the first few crops was useless, the plant running wholly into straw and lodging: the same richness produces an abundance of weeds, so that he who keeps his land most free, and at the same time friable and pulverised, is deemed the best farmer, and most of them proceed no farther in the improvement of their grounds.  A summer fallow is considered absolutely necessary, at stated periods, to eradicate weeds effectually, every attempt to cleanse the ground by green crops proving utterly inefficient.

The succession of crops for rich ground is potatoes for two seasons, followed by three crops of oats, and after a season’s fallow, wheat for one crop, again followed by three crops of oats and a fallow: when land has been exhausted by bad management, the fallow is resorted to every fourth year.  The crops commonly cultivated are, wheat, oats, barley, bere, rye, clover, flax, and potatoes.  Considerable benefit is though to arise from a change of seed even between neighbouring baronies; and the use of a pickle either of water saturated with salt, of chamber-lye, or of quicklime and water mixed thinly together, is universally deemed essential to the securing of the expected wheat crop.  Flax is generally sown in small patches for domestic use, but seldom cultivated largely for sale.  The crops less common are turnips, vetches, rape, peas (both grey and white), beans, cabbage, and a little chicory.  Turnips are only met with on the farms of gentlemen who unite tillage with grazing, and are sown mostly for feeding sheep.  The culture of vetches has been long partially practised, particularly in the neighbourhood of Drogheda, being chiefly used as winter-feeding for the working horses, for which purpose they are cut before the plant is quite ripe, and made up and given as hay.  Grey peas have also been sown for many years, throughout the county, upon poor gravelly soils and sometimes upon clay: they are invariably allowed to run to seed, and then pulled with a crooked stick, bound in sheaves, and housed when dry, to be either threshed  at leisure and the straw used as litter, or given to horses without being threshed, particularly in those parts where meadow is scarce.  The barony of Duleek is almost the only district, in which beans form part of the staple crop, and even there they are raised in small quantities only.  Cabbages, chiefly the large flat Dutch, are found to succeed well; but the expense of transplanting and the difficulty of protecting them from depredations have excited great prejudice against their general introduction.

The quantity of land applied to green crops and artificial grasses is comparatively small, in consequence of the vast tracts of natural grasses of the most productive kind; the depth and richness of the soil, and its tendency to moisture without being absolutely wet, causing it to throw up a sward of  nourishing verdure unequalled in other parts; hence it is that grazing is so generally followed.  All the old pastures produce natural grasses of the best kinds:  graziers seldom direct their attention to procuring artificial kinds, from an impression that after three years the land will revert to its natural coating, though covered with other kinds when laid down.  The dry warm gravelly soils spontaneously throw up a luxuriant herbage of white clover, and lands of a clayey nature, when drained and manured with limestone gravel, exhibit a similar tendency.  As cattle are considered to thrive best on grounds that produce the greatest variety of grasses, the main object of the farmer, when about to lay down land, is to procure the greatest variety of seeds of the best quality; others sow white and red clover mixed in equal quantities, without any hay-seed from an opinion that the land thus treated will throw up its natural grasses more luxuriantly the third or fourth year, than if sown with hay-seed.  The marshes of Rosmin and Emla, on the Borora, are the only wet lands of sufficient extent to claim special notice, though there are others of smaller size scattered through the county, which being mostly improved by draining, are chiefly applied to rearing young cattle.  Those of Rosmin and Emla are nearly in a state of nature, and are covered with water during winter from the overflowing of the river: in summer the throw up an immense crop of grass, which is greedily consumed by horses.  The land held by small farmers is badly fenced, but on the lands of the gentry and large farmers, the fences are formed of quicksets after the English method.  From ten to twelve years after being first made, the hedge is either cut down or plashed and laid. Wall fences are very rare, though stone-faced ditches are not uncommon.  The kinds of manure in most common use are stable dung, ditch scourings limestone gravel, marl, and lime.  Meadows are manured either immediately after being mown or during the frosts of winter.  Coal ashes are used as a top-dressing on clay meadows with good effect, as also are marl and limestone gravel.  Much attention is paid to the breed of black cattle both for the butcher and the dairy; the art of fattening cattle is an object of principal attention with most farmers.  Early in May the graziers open their pastures for the stock to be fattened;  for feeding is their principal object, as  land bears too high a rent to admit of its being applied  to raise stock: the cattle, after being bled, are turned out till they become fit for the butcher, when they are sent to the Dublin  market, or sold at the neighbouring fairs.  There are several graziers who fatten from 300 to 500 cows during the season, besides bullocks and sheep.  A few sheep, generally pets, are occasionally pastured among the neat cattle, but the practice is condemned as injuring the “proof” of the beast, because sheep devour the sweetest grass, and it is the ultimate object of the grazier to obtain a character for fattening proof beasts that will “do well,” a term applied  by butchers to animals possessing a considerable quantity of inward fat.  Beasts purchased in May are often fattened and sold before Christmas, otherwise they are fed during winter with turnips, potatoes, and hay.  Where distilleries are near, the bullocks are fattened on the potale and grains: these animals attain an uncommon degree of fatness, and are preferred by the butchers on account of their superior weight in proportion to their size; but their beef, though juicy, is not well-flavoured: it eats dry, and the fat melts before the fire or in the pickling tub.   There are a few dairies of considerable extent, but the butter made in them is held in little estimation.  Most of the farmers who occupy from 80 to 100 acres keep a few milch cows, the produce of which, after supplying the family, is sold; yet, from the want of nourishing green food in winter and spring, they cannot supply the market with milk and butter during the season they bear the highest price.  Where potale  can be procured, milk is plentiful but of inferior quality.  Few calves are reared on these farms: those that are brought up are fed on new milk for the first fortnight, and then on hay water, thick milk, and other substitutes.  The draught horses most prized are of a light, active, yet stout breed, being a cross between the saddle and wagon horse: the number kept for agricultural purposes is in the proportion of one to ten acres.  Most of the saddle horses are brought hither from Roscommon, Galway, and Sligo.  Little attention is paid to the breeding of sheep. Pigs are not so general as in most other counties.  Orchards and gardens are seen around some of the smaller farm-houses and cabins.  Bees are kept in large numbers is several districts, and poultry is most abundant and cheap.

Though the quantity of natural wood is very small, ground being considered too valuable for the purposes of grazing or tillage to be enclosed for woodland, yet the plantations about noblemen’s and gentlemen’s seats are very extensive.  The old woods around Bective, Lismullen, and Ardbraccan are very large and valuable: and from the numerous ornamental plantations throughout every part of the county except the west, and from the number of timber trees planted as hedge-rows, the county in general has a very furnished appearance, much resembling the county of Worcester or Hereford in England.  Oak timber is scarce;  but beech, elm, ash, poplar, sycamore, and alder are so  abundant that, after supplying the local demand, much is sent to other counties: there are several nurseries of considerable extent and many oiseries of from two to ten acres each, the produce of which is mostly worked at home and the remainder is bought by the Dublin basket-makers.  The quantity of waste ground in this county is extremely small.  Commons are in general  attached to the corporate towns for use of the inhabitants.  In consequence of the small quantity of bog compared with the extent and population of the county, fuel is extremely scarce, and the poor suffer much from the want of it.  Some large proprietors, in order to relieve their tenants and to prevent depredations upon their fences and plantations, are particularly careful to have their ditches sewn with French furze.  The deficiency of fuel is also supplied by the importation of coal, chiefly from Drogheda, by the Boyne navigation.  In the neighbourhood of that town, and along the line of navigation, the labourer often stipulates of a ton of coal in part payment, and when near bogs, the turf is sometimes drawn home for him by his employer.

The county forms part of the great limestone field of Ireland, that mineral constituting its general substratum, except in its northern part, where the clay-slate formation is found; in the western, where basalt is found mixed with the clay-slate, in some places rising in bare rocks, in others scattered over the surface in detached masses; and on the line of sea-coast, which is formed of transition rock.  At Ardbraccan the limestone is of a fine white grain, capable of being worked into any form.  The beds lie horizontally, and are of considerable thickness: the stone is susceptible of a high polish, assuming a grey tinge when finished, though appearing  white under the chisel: tombstones and door-cases made of it are sent to a great distance.  The seam of rock extends to the Blackwater, but the quarries opened in other parts do not afford blocks of such scantling as at Ardbraccan.  The works are also much impeded by the difficulty of keeping the quarries free from water.  In Slane barony there is a fine quarry of vitrescent stone, which makes excellent flag-stones, but does not take a high polish.  It has been conjectured that coal exists in the same barony, in consequence of the appearances that present themselves where the edges of mineral strata  are laid open by the washing away of the surface soil; but the position of the layers presents difficulties that have hitherto prevented the search from being prosecuted with any prospect of success.  A vein of copper has been found near the banks of the Boyne,  the analysis of which gave 21 parts of copper from 120 of ore; but the difficulty of keeping the workings clear of water has prevented it from being profitably explored.  At Knock, in Morgalion barony, is an argillaceous clay containing a portion of iron, and adapted for the coarser kinds of earthenware;  and there is a vein of potters clay, of superior quality, at Dunshaughlin.  Petrifactions are found in the caverns and fissures of the limestone districts, and some very brilliant spars and crystals in the Nanny water, particularly  near the Diamond rock.  Fossils of various kinds have also been discovered in the limestone caverns and in several of the small bogs.  The fossil remains of moose deer were discovered a few miles from Kells, imbedded in marl beneath a bog, within an enclosure of circular form, which is conjectured to have been used for entrapping the animals: the remains were very numerous.  Three heads of deer with uncommonly large horns were also found imbedded in the earth at Dardistown;  they are supposed to have belonged to animals of the moose deer kind.

The manufactures of the county are small and unimportant, except for domestic consumption.  The weaving of sacking and sheeting employs a good many hands, particularly on the borders of the county towards Drogheda; the yarn is mostly brought from the northern counties.  Near Navan is a mill for the manufacture of coarse paper; the straw plat and bonnet trade is carried on more or less in the principal towns; coarse pottery, bricks, flat and pan tiles &c., are made in and around Knock; there are tanneries in all the larger towns; flour -mills on a very large scale are numerous on the Boyne and Blackwater, where vast quantities of flour are annually manufactured; there are distilleries  and breweries in Navan and other places; cider is made, but of inferior quality.

The principal river is the Boyne, which, rising in the county of Kildare, enters that of Meath at Clonard, and flowing eastward divides it into two nearly equal parts, passing in its course, which is by no means rapid, through some very beautiful sylvan scenery.  Its estuary forms the harbour of Drogheda, above which town its navigation is carried on sometimes in the bed of the river, and sometimes by artificial cuts, to Slane, and hence up to Navan, which is 15 miles above Drogheda.  The Blackwater, next in size and importance, rises in Lough Ramor in Cavan, and flowing by Kells unites with the Boyne at Navan.  The Athboy, Knightsbrook, and Kilmessan are all tributaries to the Boyne, as is also the Mattock, which is the boundary between Louth and Meath; the Borora is tributary to the Blackwater; the Nanny water, rising near Navan, takes an eastern course through the romantic glen at Diamond rock, and thence to the sea; the Delvan, which separates the counties of Dublin and Meath, is a small and otherwise insignificant stream.

The most remarkable relics of antiquity of the earliest ages are two ancient round towers, one at Kells, and another in the churchyard of Donoughmore near Navan.  At New Grange, near Slane, is a very remarkable  tumulus, in which is an artificial cavern of some extent and singular construction.  Near Dowth are a Druidicial circle and the remains of a cromlech. Vestiges of Danish monuments are very numerous; the most remarkable is a rath near Taragh, supposed to have been the residence of the Danish king, Turgesius; the raths of Odder, Rameven and Ringlestown, are in the same neighbourhood: they have all been planted.  Six of the ancient instruments called corabasnas were found by persons digging in a park near Slane, in 1781: the corbasna was of a complex form, consisting of two circular plates of brass connected by a spiral wire, which produced a jingling noise when the plates were struck by the fingers; it was used for the purpose of keeping time.  Two splendid torques of pure gold were found near Taragh, in 1813, and are now  in the possession of the Duke of Sussex.  Bracelets or collars, being solid rings of pure gold of very ancient and rude workmanship, were found near Trimleston Castle, in 1833; the largest weighed 12 ounces avoirdupois.  The ruins of abbeys, priories, convents, and other monastic edifices, are numerous through every part of the county, and still more numerous  are the names  of others now only discoverable by some local name, or traceable in historic records.  The ruins of the old monastery of  Duleek, said to be the first monastic edifice built of stone and mortar in Ireland,  presents some curious and extraordinary traces of rude architecture.  At Bective are extensive and picturesque ruins of the wealthy abbey of that name; at Clonard was an abbey of Canons Regular, a convent, and also a cathedral, but nothing now remains except the font of the latter; at Colpe, Newtown, Slane, and Trim, were also abbeys of Canons  Regular, all now in ruins; at Kileen and Kilmainham Wood were commanderies of Knights Hospitallers; at Ratoath and Skreen were priories of the Augustinian Eremites; at Eirk, near Slane, was an hermitage; at Trim  a priory of  Crutched friars; on the Holy or Church island, in Lough Sheelin, was an abbey of Grey Friars;   Kilmainham-beg and Teltown belonged to the Dominicans; all have long since fallen into ruins.  The monasteries of which no ruins remain  are those of Ardbraccan, Ardceath, Ardmulchan, Ardsallagh, Athboy, Ballybogan, Beaumore near Colpe, Beaubeg, Calliagh, Cloonmanan, Disert-tola, Donaghmore, Donneycarney, near Colpe, Donoughpatrick, a priory of the Virgin Mary and the Magdalen Hospital at Duleek; abbeys at Dunshaughlin, and Indenen near Slane; a house of Regular Canons, an hospital of St. John the Baptist, and a chantry, all at Kells; a house of Regular Canons and a nunnery at Killeen; an abbey at Navan, on  the site of which the calvary barrack is now built; priories at Odder and Rosse, south of Taragh; an abbey of Regular Canons and a chantry at Skreen; a monastery of Grey Friars, on the site of which the sessions-house at Trim stands; a nunnery, a Greek church, and a chantry at Trim; Dominican friaries at Kilberry, Lismullen, and Dunshaughlin; beside several others now existing only in name.  Columbkill’s house, a stone-roofed cell, said to be one of the oldest stone built houses in Ireland, is still traceable at Kells; in which town there are also several stone crosses, one on particular of beautiful workmanship.  In the cemetery at Castlekieran, in which are the ruins of a small church, is also a very fine stone cross richly sculptured.

The country also retains many remains of its ancient military structures, of which the most celebrated in the records of remote antiquity is Taragh, already noticed.  Whatever may have been its ancient  splendour, as set forth in the poetry of the native bards and in the chronicles of annalists, little now is discoverable corresponding with their highly wrought descriptions.  Considerable remains of circular earthworks still exist, but of the palaces and  places of scientific study said to have been situated here, there are no traces.  The oldest fortress upon record erected after the arrival of the English was that of Kells, built by de Lacey, but of which there are now no vestiges: the same nobleman built the castles of Clonard, Killeen, and Delvin; and the erection of Trim castle is attributed by some to him, but it is more generally thought  to have been raised about the year 1220 by one of the Pypart family: its extent and strength, as indicated by its ruins even at the present day, prove that it was designed to be a position of primary importance for the defence of the palatinate, and from the date of its erection to the termination of the war of King William III., its destinies are interwoven  which many of the historical events of the times:  the ruins overhang the Boyne, presenting an aspect of much grandeur.  The other ancient castles of which the ruins are still considerable were those of Scurlogstown, Dunmoe, Athlumney, and Asigh.  Liscartin and Athcarne castles have been fitted up as residences; and several other ancient castles have been preserved by being converted into mansion-houses, among the finest of which is Slane, the property of Marquess Conyngham, and celebrated as being the abode of Geo. IV. during the greater part of his stay in Ireland in 1821.  Contiguous to it, but on the other side of the Boyne, is Beaupark the modern and elegant seat of Gustavus Lambert, Esq.: the two demesnes are so connected in their locality that each enjoys the full benefit of the scenic beauties peculiar to the other.  The modern mansions of the nobility and gentry are noticed in the description of the parishes in which they are respectively situated.   The residence of the gentry of small landed property and of the beneficed clergy are numerous and indicative of a high state of improvement. Until of late years the houses of the proprietors and of the cultivators of the soil exhibited a more marked disparity than could be seen in any other part of Ireland; the tenements of the working farmers who hold from 20 to 100 acres presented an appearance of great wretchedness, and the cabins of the labourers of cottiers were still more deficient of comfort; but this characteristic, though not entirely removed, has been considerably diminished by the improvement made in the dwellings.  The lower classes suffer much from the want of fuel, which, as already remarked, is very scarce in many parts, and the low rates of wages prevent the possibility of providing a stock of sea coal to meet the exigencies of winter.  Yet the peasantry in general are endowed with a disposition so well  inclined to look on the bright points of the prospect before them, that under the depressing difficulties though which they have to struggle during life, they enjoy every momentary festivity with delight and animation.  The English language is spoken throughout every part of the county, and the peasantry in some of the districts possess an originality nowhere else found in Ireland, particularly in the plains stretching from the boundary of Kildare near Maynooth,  by Ratoath, Duleek, and to the banks of the Boyne, where a colony called the Fingael or Fingal settled in the 9th century, whose descendants to this day remain a distinct  race, retaining many of the peculiar habits, manners, and customs of their forefathers.  At Castlekieran is a remarkably fine spring, the origin of which tradition attributes to the miraculous powers of St. Kieran: it is much frequented on the first Sunday in August by persons  seeking a remedy for various diseases.  At Summerhill is a chalbeate spa, but not of much strength or medicinal efficacy.   The waters of the mineral springs of Kilcriew and Nobber are said to be serviceable in obstinate  cutaneous  complaints.  At Knock is another chalybeate spring, formerly in much estimation from its successful use in cases arising from debility; but the opinion of its efficacy has been for some time declining, and it is now but seldom visited.  Meath gives the title of Earl to the Brabazon family.

MELLIFONT, a parish, partly in the barony of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and partly in that of Ferrard, county of Louth, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.W.) from Drogheda, near the road to Ardee, by way of Collon; containing, with the parish of Tullyallen, 3964 inhabitants.  This place derived its chief celebrity from the foundation of a monastery in 1142, by Donough McCorvoill or Carrol, Prince of Uriel, for Cistercian monks sent over by St. Bernard from his abbey of Clairvaux, and of which Christian O’Conarchy, the first abbot, was, in 1150, consecrated Bishop of Lismore.  In 1157 a great synod, at which the Archbishop of Armagh, then apostolic legate, and many princes and bishops were present, was held here for the consecration of the church, on which occasion, among numerous munificent benefactors, Devorghal, wife of Tiernan O’Rourk, Prince of Breffny, who afterwards died here in seclusion, presented 60 oz. of gold, a chalice of the same metal for the high altar, and furniture for nine other altars in the church.  The ample endowments of the abbey were confirmed by charter of Hen. II., and by King John, who augmented its possessions; and in 1347 and 1349, Edw. III. greatly extended its possessions and privileges; he granted to the abbot the power of life and death within his territories, and the liberty of acquiring a burgage holding in the town of Drogheda, for the residence of the abbots during the sittings of parliament and other great councils. In 1471 and 1472, parliament disannulled the grants, rent-charges, annuites, leases and alienations made by the late Abbot John.  In 1540, Richard Conter, the last abbot, resigned the monastery into the King’s hands and received  a pension of £40 per ann. for life.  After the dissolution, the monastery and its revenues, at that time valued at £315.19., were, on account of the difficulty of defending these possessions against the incursions of the native Irish, granted to Sir Gerald Moore, who converted the abbey into a baronial residence and place of defence.  Though situated so near the border of the English pale, the place maintained itself in security against all the attacks of the Irish, till, in the war of 1641, it was besieged by a strong body of the insurgents, when the garrison, consisting only of 15 horse and 22 foot, made a vigorous defence, in which they killed 120 of the enemy, and on their ammunition being exhausted, forced their way through the besiegers and retreated to Drogheda in safety, with the exception of 11 men who were intercepted and put to the sword.  The castle was plundered by the insurgents, who taking advantage of the absence of Lord Moore with his troop of 66 horsemen for the protection of Drogheda, desolated the palace and put the servants to death.  Mellifont continued for some time after to be the chief residence of the Moore family, till the Earl of Drogheda removed to Monastereven now Moore Abbey, in the county Kildare, since which time this once magnificent pile of building has become a heap of ruins.

The parish is situated in a beautiful small valley intersected by the Mattock rivulet, which flows into the Boyne;  the land is fertile and in good cultivation.  Near the ruins of the abbey is a large flour-mill, worked by water which flows under the ancient gateway, and turns four pairs of stones.  It is an impropriate curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, forming part of the union of Tullyallen; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda.  In the R.C. divisions it is also part of the union or district of Tullyallen.  The ruins of the ancient abbey, for which this parish is chiefly celebrated, consist principally of the lofty gateway leading into the area of the abbey grounds, and a massive square tower carried up on one side to a considerable height, and forming a strong protection against the frequent assaults to which the place was exposed; it is connected with the rock by a wall, affording entrance only through a low circular archway. Within  the area are the elegant remains of St. Bernard’s chapel, the splendid  doorway of which,  a highly enriched and deeply receding pointed arch in the most elaborate style of Norman embellishment, has been removed.  The interior of the chapel is plainly groined with arches springing from columns on the side walls with ornamented capitals and lighted with  an east window of two lights, enriched with delicate tracery, and with three windows of similar design on each side. The baptistry, an octagonal building of great beauty, has only four of the walls remaining, each resting on an arch of graceful form and richly moulded; the roof is wanting, but within are the corbels on the walls from which the arch sprung for its support; above the roof of this building was a reservoir of water, from which every part of the monastery was supplied.  There are also the foundations of a spacious quadrangular building, probably the cloisters; and near the summit of the hill is a large cemetery, with some remains of a church, apparently of a much later date; there are numerous fragments of richly sculptured pillars scattered over the site, and though these very interesting ruins afford  but an imperfect idea of the original grandeur of this celebrated monastery, they present in their details many  of the richest specimens of architectural embellishment to be found in any part of the country.

MILLBROOK:  a village, in the parish of Loughcrew, barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster.  1 mile (S.W.) from Oldcastle, on the road to Kells; containing 9 houses and 50 inhabitants.  Here are the mills and residence of W. Henry, Esq.

MITCHELSTOWN, OR STROKESTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath and province of Leinster, 2 ¾  (S.E.) from Nobber, on the road from Kells to Ardee, containing 303 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 738 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Syddan; the tithes amount at £46.3.1.; the glebe comprises 8 ½  acres, valued at £10.4.8. per annum.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Lobbinstown.  There are remains of an old church, and of a castle contiguous.

MONKNEWTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (E. by N.) from Slane, on the road to Drogheda; containing 700 inhabitants.  It is bounded on the south by the river Boyne, and on the north-east it is separated by the Mattock from the parish of Tulloghallen, in the county of Louth, of which, in the ecclesiastical divisions, it is considered to form a part.  The land is in general of excellent quality, and is nearly equally divided between tillage and pasture; the pasture land in the vicinity of New Grange, the residence of R. Maguire, Esq., is of the very best description.  On the river Mattock is an extensive flour-mill, partly propelled by steam; and the canal from Drogheda to Navan passes  through the southern part of the parish.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Grangegeeth: the chapel a neat structure, is near the ruins of the ancient church.  About 30 children are educated in a private school.  At New Grange is a  remarkable vestige of antiquity, consisting of a mound surrounded by a circle of upright stones, and in which is a vaulted cave in the form of a cross: it is fully described in the article on Slane.

MONKSTOWN, OR MOUNTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (S.E. by S.) from Navan; on the road to Duleek by Black-lion; containing 429 inhabitants.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in Mrs C. Reynell: the tithes amount to £151.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the union or district of Johnstown.  A national school at Watlerstown affords instruction to about 50 children.

MOORECHURCH,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N.W.) from Balbriggan, on the mail-coach road from Dublin to Belfast; containing 1009 inhabitants.  The parish comprises 4860 statue acres, of which 4562 ¼  are applotted under the tithe act; two-thirds of the land are arable, and one-third pasture, and about 56 acres are woods and plantations.  Agriculture has greatly improved; the land in the eastern part of the parish is of very superior quality, and noted for the neatness of the hedgerows.  Near Dardistown is a good flour and corn mill; and in the vicinity is a small tuck-mill.  The principal seats are Dardistown Castle, the residence of H. Osborne, Esq,; and Claristown, of Jas. Ennis, Esq.  The coast is here a broad shallow strand, in view of which are the Cargee rocks, off the Dublin coast, dry at half-tide, and on which a beacon is fixed.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Julianstown;  the rectory is impropriate in George Pepper, Esq.  The tithes amount to £550, of which £450 is payable to the impropriator, and £100 to the vicar; the glebe comprises 9 ½  acres, valued at £28.18.6. per annum.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Stamullen; there is a neat chapel at Sarsfieldstown; where also are remains of an ancient stone cross.  Ruins of the old church exist; and in the burial-ground is a tomb-stone to the memory of Jane Sarsfield, Dowager Baroness of Dunsany, who died in 1597.

MORNINGTON,  formerly a parish, now merged into Colpe, and called Colpe-cum-Mornington, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, on the southern bank of the river Boyne, and near the entrance of the harbour of Drogheda, 2 miles (E) from Drogheda; containing 265 inhabitants.  This place is enumerated among the possessions of the abbey of Colpe, at the dissolution, as “the farm of Weisley.”  It is now merely a fishing village, consisting of 42 houses, a bridge over a stream which empties itself into the Boyne, and a small R.C. chapel, belonging to the union of St. Mary’s, Drogheda. Here are the ruins of a church with a turret at the west end pierced for two bells.  On the coast are two very remarkable towers,  called “the Lady’s Finger” and ” the Maiden Tower;”  the former has rather the appearance of monumental  column with a square base, from which rises a round tapering shaft terminating in a cone above a band of masonry.  The latter is much higher, and no less remarkable for its slender proportions; it is surrounded by battlements, and supposed to have been erected in the reign of Elizabeth, as a beacon to the part of Drogheda.  Mornington gives the titles of Earl and Baron of Marquess Wellesley.

MOYAGHER,  a parish, in the barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.E.) from Athboy, on the road from Mullingar and Athlone  to Drogheda; containing 565 inhabitants, and comprising 1362 ¼ statue acres.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Athboy; the tithes are included in the composition for Rathmore.  In the R.C. divisions it forms part of the unions of Athboy and Ardbraccan.  There is a school under the patronage of Earl Darnley, Gen. Bligh, and others; the school-house is a neat building, in which about 220 children are taught.

MOYBOLOGUE:  a market and post-town, and a parish, partly in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, and partly in that of Castlerahan, but chiefly in that of Clonkee, county of Cavan, and province of Ulster, 11 ½ miles (N.W. by N.) from Kells, and 42 ¼ miles (N.W.) from Dublin; containing 10,480 inhabitants, of which number, 1085 are in the town.   This town is situated on the road from Cootehill to Kells, and consists of only one street, containing 165 houses.  The market is the largest in the county, and is on Monday.  Fairs are held on Feb. 17th, May 17th, June 15th, Aug. 14th, Oct. 14th and Nov 17th.  The Hilary and Midsummer general quarter sessions are held here: the court-house was enlarged and improved  in 1834.  The bridewell was built in that year, and contains five cells and two yards, with separate day-rooms and yards for female prisoners. A manorial court is held yearly; and here is a station of the constabulary police.

In the incumbent’s title this parish is denominated Moybologue, otherwise Baileborough: it was formed by act of council in 1778, by separating from the parish of Killan, now called Shercock, 29 townlands, including  the town of Baileborough, and uniting them to the parish of Moybologue.  It comprises 17,152 statue acres, as applotted under  the tithe act.  The land is generally of good quality: that part of the parish which is in the county of Meath is cultivated for all kinds of grain.  Several small bogs are scattered over its surface, which are diminishing in extent either by draining or digging for fuel.  There are some quarries of an inferior kind of stone, chiefly used for building, and about a mile from the town is an extensive bleach green, with a comfortable house and small demesne, the residence of W. Spear, Esq., Baileborough Castle, the seat of Sir. Wm. Young, Bart., is situated in a fine demesne, and occupies the site of an ancient fortress described in Pynnar’s Survey, under the head of Tonregie as a vaulted castle, with a bawn  90 feet square, and two flanking towers, attached to which were 1000 acres of land: this ancient castle remained standing till within a few years, when it was pulled down to make room for additions and improvements in the present house. Near the town also are Bexcourt, the seat of the Rev. E. Mahaffy; and the glebe house, the residence of the Rev. J. Gumley.  The living is a united rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Kilmore, and in the patronage of the Bishop.  The tithes amount to £553.1., of which £314.1. is payable by the Moybologue portion of the parish, and £239 by the townlands added to it.  The old church being  a dilapidated building, a new one is in course of erection.  The glebe-house was built by a gift of £100 and a loan of £900, in 1811, from the late board of First Fruits;. The glebe consists of two farms near the church, comprising 117 acres, and 43 acres of bog.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is partly in the union or district of Killan or Shercock, and partly in that of Kilmainham and Tivorcher: the chapel of the former is situated in the town of Baileborough;  and that of the latter, which is in the county and diocese of Meath and Tivorcher.  There are two meeting-houses for Presbyterians; one in connection with the Synod of  Ulster, of the third class; and the other in connection with the Seceding Synod, of the first class.  The Wesleyan Methodists have also a place of worship, in which divine service is performed every alternate Sunday.  The parochial school, at Lisnalea, is supported by the incumbent; and there are three other public schools, in which 180 boys and 110 girls are taught, and a school is in progress at Kellan.  There are 13 private schools in which are about 500 boys and 250 girls.  A dispensary was established in 1822.

MOYGLARE,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¼ miles (E) from Kilcock, on the road to Dunboyne; containing 417 inhabitants.  It comprises 4409 statue acres of good land, chiefly in pasture; and contains Moyglare, the seat of Chas. Cannon, Esq. a handsome mansion, situated in an extensive and well-planted demesne; and Moygaddy, of Thos. Cannon Esq.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of Henry Arabin, Esq., of Dublin: the tithes amount to £215.9.10. and the glebe comprises 4 ¾  acres, valued at £11.5. per annum. The glebe-house  was erected in 1815, by aid of a gift of £400, and a loan of £390, from the late Board of First Fruits.  The church is an ancient plain edifice.  In the R.C divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Batterstown, or  Kilcloon. Near the church are some remains of an ancient castle.

MOYLOUGH,  a parish in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S) from Oldcastle,  on the great road from Dublin to Sligo; containing 2401 inhabitants.  It is situated on the river Inny, which rises here and falls into Lough Sheelin; and comprises 6937 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  Agriculture has but little improved: there is scarcely any bog; limestone abounds, and several quarries are extensively worked.  The principal seats are Beltrasna, the residence of Jas. O’Reilly Esq., and Upper Crossdrum, of W. Smith Harman, Esq.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Loughcrew.  The tithes amount to £184. 12. 3 ¾.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union of Oldcastle: the chapel is a handsome building, in the later English style, and is embellished with a painting over the altar;  it was erected at an expense of £1,000.  A Lancasterian school was founded by Jas. O’Reilly, Esq., at whose expense the  building  was erected: there is also a private school, in which are about 40 boys and 20 girls.  Some of the foundations of the old church, which anciently belonged to the abbey of  Fore, are discernible; and there are remains of an ancient castle, of which no historical details are extant.

MOYMET,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (N.W.) from Trim, on the road to Kells and Navan; containing 634 inhabitants.  It comprises 3174 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act, consisting of arable and pasture land of good and middling quality. There is abundance  of limestone, used for building.  Lord Sherborne has lately constructed a good house here, with which part of an old castle is incorporated; it is the residence of J.G. Dawson, Esq., his lordship’s agent.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £230.15.4 ½.  The glebe-house was erected by aid of a gift of £400, and a loan of £400, in 1812, from the late board of First Fruits;  the glebe comprises 10 acres, valued at £15.15. per.  annum.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Moymet, Churchtown, Tullyhanogue, Rataine, Kilcooly, and Clonmacduff, in which union are two chapels, in Moymet and Churchtown.  About 90 children are educated in a school aided by annual donations from Lord Sherborne and the rector; the school-house was given by Rev. Mr. Tuite P.P.

MOYNALTY,  a post-town and parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ½ miles (N) from Kells, and 35 miles (N.W.) from Dublin, on the road from Baileborough to Dublin, by way of Navan and Kells, and on a branch of the river Blackwater; containing 5918 inhabitants, of which number, 220 are in the town.  During the disturbances of 1798, a battle took place at Petersville, in this parish, between a party of the insurgents and the king’s troops.  The parish comprises 12,131 statue acres, as applotted  under the tithe act; about one-third is good land, one-third middling, and the remainder indifferent; the land is principally under tillage, and the system of agriculture is improving; there is a small quantity of bog, and some extensive limestone quarries are worked both for manure and building.  The present village, which is of recent erection, was, till within the last few years, composed of cabins; it is now clean and well-built, and comprises 33 detached houses, noted for their neatness, with the church at  one of its extremities, and the R.C. chapel at the other: the improvement has been effected by J. Farrell Esq., the present proprietor, who has also, by extensive and judicious plantations, greatly benefited the surrounding country, and has erected some substantial farm-houses on his estate.  Petty sessions are held once a fortnight.  The principal seats are Moynalty Lodge, the residence of J. Farrell, Esq., Kingsfort, of R. Chaloner, Esq., Westland, of T. Barnes Esq., Cherry Mount of P. Smith Esq., Walterstown, of R. Kellett Esq., Petersville of T. Tucker Esq., Donover, of W. Garnett Esq., Shirk of R. Rathborne Esq., Westland Cottage of E. Kellett Esq., and the glebe-house, of the Rev. W. Kellett.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £550.  The glebe-house, a handsome building was erected in 1792, at an expense of £847  the glebe comprises 13 acres, valued at £26 per annum.  The church was built in 1819, by aid of a loan of £1,000 from the late Board of First Fruits.  The R.C. parish is co-extensive with that of the Established Church, and contains two chapels; that at Moynalty is a neat stone edifice, built in 1824, at an expense of £1,000; the other is a plain building  at Newcastle, built about 60 years since: both have paintings over the altars.  There are four public schools, of which the parochial  school is aided by the Rev. Mr. Farrelly, P.P.; and the others are national schools; in these about 370 children are educated.  There are also four private schools, in which are about 230 children; and a dispensary.  A castle formerly stood here, which was the residence of the Farnham  family, but no remains of it are now in existence.

NAVAN:  an incorporated market and post-town (formerly a parliamentary borough), and a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 7 miles ( N.N.E.) from Trim, and 23 (N. by W.) from Dublin, on the road to Enniskillen; containing 5292 inhabitants, of which number, 4416 are in the town.  It is one of the first boroughs established by the English in the palatinate of Meath, and appears to have arisen under the patronage of  the family of the Nangles, barons of Navan, who, towards the close of the 12th century, founded here an abbey for Canons regular of the order of St. Augustine.   The town is said to have been walled round by Hugh de Lacey, and to have attained such importance that, in the reign of Edw. IV., the inhabitants received from that monarch a charter of incorporation, which was confirmed, with additional privileges, by Hen VII., in the 9th year of his reign.  In the time of Hen VIII., it had become of so much military importance, that an act was passed, in the 34th year of that reign, providing that every ploughland in Meath and Westmeath, liable to subsidy, should be charged for four years with the payment of 3s. 4d. towards building the walls of Navan.  In 1623, the inhabitants received from Jas.I. a new charter, confirming all previous grants and incorporating them under the designation of the “Portreeve, Burgesses, and Freemen of the Town or Borough of Navan” which was confirmed after his restoration by Chas. II., who also granted them four fairs.

The town is situated in the centre of the county, and at the junction of the rivers Blackwater and Boyne; it consists of three principal streets, from which several smaller branch off in various directions, and contains about 850 houses, many of which are well built; altogether it has a neat, cheerful and thriving appearance.  The cavalry barracks, on the site of the ancient abbey, are adapted for four officers, and 52 non-commissioned officers and privates, with stabling for 50 horses. The chief trade is in provisions, which is extensively carried on with Drogheda, and seems to have been consequent on the opening of the Boyne navigation from that part of Navan, a line of 15 miles in extent; and its further extension inland, which has been attempted but not yet carried into effect, would contribute greatly to its increase and to the general prosperity of the neighbourhood.  There is also a considerable retail trade with the surrounding districts.  In the immediate vicinity of the town, and closely connected with its trade, though locally within the limits of the adjoining parish of Athlumney, and flax mills on the river Boyne, affording regular employment, on the average, to about 260 persons, and in the same parish, but close to the bridge of Navan, are some very extensive flour-mills, the property of Mr. Delany.  Of these mills, one has five pairs of stones used for grinding wheat only; and the other called the New Mill, which has been recently erected and fitted up with the most improved machinery, has ten pairs of stones,  of which six are used in grinding wheat, and four for oats; attached to these mills is a steam-engine of 30- horse power.  There are also some smaller mills in the town, chiefly for oatmeal; and a paper-mill  upon a small scale, chiefly for the coarser sorts of paper.  The distillery belonging to Mr. James Morgan is capable of producing 30,000 gallons of whiskey annually; and on the river Blackwater, and close to the town, was formerly a very extensive, with a mill and corn stores, employing a large number of persons, but the establishment has been for sometime discontinued, and the buildings are fast going to decay.  The manufacture of sacking, of which this place is the  principal seat, is extensively carried on: it is made of tow brought from the North of Ireland, and in the town are from 200 to 300 looms in constant operation, each producing annually of 40 pieces of 60 yards in length.  The market, which is the best attended in the county, is on Wednesday, and is abundantly supplied with corn, large numbers of bacon-hogs and porkers, and with coarse linen, yarn, frieze, and country merchandise. Fairs for store cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, are held on Easter and Trinity  Mondays, and on the second Monday in September, and the first Monday in December for beef, store bullocks, sheep, horses, and hogs.  A savings’ bank, in which are deposits to the amount of more than £5,000, and a chief constabulary police force, have been established in the town.

By the charters of Jas. I.,  and Chas.II., the corporation consists of a portreeve, twelve burgesses, and an indefinite number of freemen, assisted by a town-clerk, two serjeants-at-mace, and other officers. The portreeve, who is also justice of the peace, is annually elected on the 13th of September, by the corporation at large, and may appoint a deputy, who is also a justice of the peace; the burgesses, as vacancies occur, are chosen from the freeman, who are admitted only by favour of the corporation, by whom also the town-clerk and serjeants-at-mace are appointed.  The corporation continued to return two members to the Irish parliament till the Union, when the borough was disfranchised.  The borough court, formerly held before the portreeve or  his deputy, has issued no process since 1820, and has since fallen into total disuse; the borough officers exercise no municipal jurisdiction, and though a portreeve is annually chosen, the corporation  may be considered as virtually extinct.  General sessions are held twice in the year, and petty sessions, on alternate Mondays before the county magistrates and the portreeve, who acts also as a magistrate for the county.  The court-house or Tholsel, contains the requisite apartments for holding the courts, and a suite of assembly-rooms and  previously to the erection of the present bridewell  has separate wards and day-rooms, with airing-yards, for the classification of prisoners.

The parish comprises 3498¾ statue acres, of which 2802 are applotted under the tithe act. The land is of middling quality, and about two-thirds of it are under tillage, the system of agriculture is much improved, and there is very little waste land or bog. Limestone of good quality abounds, and is quarried  both for burning into lime and for building. The principal seats are Boyne Hill, the residence of Lieut. Col. T. Gerrard beautifully situated on the bank of the river; Belmont, of J. Goggan, Esq., and a handsome  residence  recently erected, near the road to Dublin, by L. Byron, Esq., M.D. commanding some pleasing views.  In the immediate vicinity of the town, though within the limits of Donaghmore parish, is Black Castle, the handsome seat of R.R. Fitzherbert, Esq., beautifully situated in a tastefully improved demesne.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in the 17th century, to the rectories of Ardsallagh and Donaghmore, and in the patronage of the Crown.  The tithes amount to £275: the glebe of the union comprises 15 ½ statue acres, valued at £23.15 per ann.; and the gross revenue of the benefice is £728.15.  The church, towards the repairs of which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £226, is a neat modern edifice, rebuilt, with the exception of the old tower, which is of elegant design, in 1818, at an expense of £1700, of which £600 was a gift and £1100 a loan from the late Board of First Fruits; it contains a handsome organ, presented to the parish by Mrs. Savage.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of  a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Donaghmnore, Ardsallagh, and Bective: the chapel is a handsome Grecian edifice, now in course of erection upon an extensive scale,; there is also a chapel at Bective.  Near the R.C. chapel is the convent of the Ladies of Loretto, a handsome edifice, attached to which are two school rooms, one in connection with the National Board, in which are 200 girls, who are gratuitously instructed by the sisters of the convent; and the other a private seminary for young ladies.  The Navan endowed school was founded by Alderman Preston, of Dublin, who by will bequeathed 800 plantation acres of land in Queen’s county, of which appropriated seven-sixteenth parts to this school, five to similar school at Ballyroan, and four-sixteenths to the Blue Coat school in Dublin; the course of education included an efficient preparation for the University, for which the charge must not exceed one guinea per quarter; the appointment of the master is vested in the Rev. Joseph Preston, of Bellinter.  There is also an extensive R.C. seminary for students intended for the priesthood or for any of the learned professions: the school is under the direction and superintendence of three R.C. clergymen; the premises are extensive,  and annexed to them is a private  chapel.  About 400 children are taught in the public schools, of the parish; and there are nine private schools, in which are about 450 children.  The county Infirmary is a plain building, not well adapted to its purpose; the fever hospital is of modern date, and contains ample accommodation of a superior kind.  There are also a charitable loan society entirely supported by Mrs. Fitzherbert and a society for the relief of the destitute sick poor.  At  the western extremity of the town is a large moat of considerable elevation, commanding from its summit a very extensive and interesting prospect.

NEWTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N. by E.) from Kells, on the road from Baileborough, by Navan, to Dublin; containing 217 inhabitants.  It is bounded on the west by a small river, which runs into the Blackwater at Bloomsbury; and it comprises 1010 ¾  statue acres of tolerably good land, chiefly in tillage. Newtown, formerly belonging to the Meredyth family, is now the residence of Mrs. Groves.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1802, to the rectories of Kilbeg, Emlagh, and Robertstown, together constituting the union of Newtown, every third presentation to which is in the Bishop, and the other two in the Crown.  The tithes amount to £66, and the gross value of the benefice, inclusively of the glebe, to £462.10.   The glebe-house was built in 1811, at an expense of £1384, of which £100 was a gift and £600 a loan from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises 20 acres, valued at £50 per annum.  The church of the union, an ancient edifice, is in Kilbeg.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Stahalmock.

NEWTOWN-CLONBUN, OR NEWTOWN-TRIM,   a parish, in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, adjacent to Trim;  containing 373 inhabitants.  The parish, which is also called St. Mary’s Newtown, is situated on the river Boyne, and comprises 971 ¾  statue acres of land, chiefly arable, and entirely the property of Sir Chas. Dillon, of Lismullen, Bart.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Trim: the tithes, amounting to £46.3.1., were purchased from the Ashe family by the late Board of First Fruits, as an augmentation to the vicarage of Trim.  In the R.C. divisions also it is included in the union or district of Trim.  About 80 children are educated in a private school.  Within the limits of the parish are some interesting remains of religious houses, described in the article on Trim

NEWTOWN- GIRLEY,  a village, in the parish of Girley, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (N.) from Athboy; containing 23 houses and 105 inhabitants.

NEWTOWN-PLATTEN,   a village, in the parish of Duleek, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath. And province of Leinster, 1 ½ miles (S.W.) from Drogheda, on the road to Navan; containing 21 houses and 116 inhabitants.

NOBBER,   a post-town and parish, in the barony of Morgallion, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 6 ½  miles (N. E. by N.) from Kells, and 31 (N.N.W.) from Dublin, on the road to Clones; containing 4445 inhabitants, of which number, 371 are in the town.  In the reign of Hen VI, this place ranked among the boroughs of Meath, and was considered to be the key of the county, so that, when it had been burnt by the Irish, it was judged expedient, on its restoration, to construct fortifications for its defence; for which purpose the inhabitants were licensed to summon all the labourers within the town and barony, for three days in every quarter of the year, for three years.  The town now consists of 62 houses; it has a sub-post-office  to Kells, and a patent for a market, which is not held, and a fair on April 25th, for every description of cattle and for pigs, which is well attended:  a constabulary police force is stationed here.  The parish comprises, together with that of Loughbraccan, 10,843 statue acres.  The land, which is principally under tillage, varies greatly in quality; in the southern part it is very superior, producing excellent crops of wheat, oats, and barley, with fine pasturage; there is a considerable quantity of bog in the north, and some marshy bog near the town: the system of agriculture is improving.  The lake of Whitewood, which is in the demesne of the same name, the seat of Rt. Hon. Viscount Gormanston, who has a large estate in the parish, is nearly an English mile in length  and is the source of the river Dee, which flows eastward through the parish and discharges itself into the Irish sea near Annagasson, in  the county of Louth. At Rockfield are three quarries near one another, one of which yields limestone, another grauwacke, and the third a black slaty stone; there are several other limestone quarries in the parish.   The principal seats are Whitewood, already noticed, standing conspicuously on an eminence, and of which the demesne contains about 150 acres, about 80 being planted, chiefly with young oak.  Brittas, the handsome villa of Thos. Bligh, Esq.; whose demesne, containing about 400 acres, is well planted; Julianstown, the residence of Simon Owens, Esq.; Rockfield, of John Hopkins, Esq.; Possextown, of Joseph F. Hopkins Esq., where there is an eminence called Cromwell’s Hill, on which it is  said a battle was fought; and Cellar, the neat residence of Rich. Ennis, Esq.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, appropriate to the see, and comprising with the parish of Loyghbraccan, the perpetual cure of Nobber, in the patronage of the Bishop; the tithes amount to £480.12.4., the whole of which is payable to the bishop: the income of the perpetual curate arises from £55.7.8 ¼.  paid by the bishop, and the glebe, which comprises 40 acres, valued at £70 per annum.  The glebe-house was erected in 1789, by a gift of £150 from the late Board of First Fruits.  The church is a plain neat structure, built in 1771 by parish cess.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising this parish and that of Cruisetown, in each of which there is a chapel; that of Nobber is a neat and appropriate edifice, of modern erection, faced with hewn stone.  There is a school in the town, principally for the children of the tenantry of Lord Gormanston, who allows the master 20 guineas per ann.: the average attendance is 120, of both sexes: the school-house is a neat building, erected at his lordship’s expense.  There  is also a hedge school at Possextown, in which are about 30 boys and 20 girls.  Considerable remains of a religious foundation, supposed to have belonged to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, are in the churchyard; as is also a monument of the Cruise family, of the date 1619, erected to the memory of General Cruise, of Brittas, and Margaret Plunkett, his wife.  Near the town is a very large circular Danish fort, the summit of which commands an extensive prospect.  Nobber is the birth-place of the celebrated Irish harper, Carolan, the last of the native bards, who was born in 1670, and became blind  at a very early period of his life from the effects of the small  pox.

ODDER,  a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 ½ miles (N.N.W.) from Dunshaughlin; comprising 1204 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  Towards the close of the twelfth century, a nunnery was founded here for Regular Cannonesses of the order of St. Augustine by the family of Barnwall, of which some remains still exist: several cells of nuns in Meath were annexed to this house.  It is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is entirely impropriate in the Misses Blundell: the tithes amount to £40.

OLDBRIDGE.  A village, in the parish of Donore, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (W.) from Drogheda, on the river Boyne; containing 22 houses and 107 inhabitants.  In the account of the possessions of the abbey of Mellifont, taken at the time of the suppression of the monasteries, are enumerated sixteen fishing corraghs at this place, producing an annual rental of £13.13.4.  It is celebrated as being the principal scene of the battle of the Boyne in 1690, for the details of which see the article on Drogheda.

OLDCASTLE,  a market and post-town, and a parish, in the barony of Demifore, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 20 miles (N.W.) from Trim, and 45¾ (N.W.) from Dublin, on the road to Killesandra; containing 4718 inhabitants, of which number, 1531 are in the [H41]town.  The name of this place is supposed to be derived from the ruins of a castle, of which, however, not a vestige can be traced.  The town occupies about 6 acres, and contains 241 houses.  The market-house, in the centre of the town, is a handsome oblong building, affording accommodations for the market below, and for the petty sessions above; here is a dispensary.  The largest market in the county is held here, every Monday, for yarn, particularly the finer kinds; and it is also plentifully supplied with pigs, meal, potatoes, butter, butchers’ meat, &c.  There are three principal fairs, on the 2nd Monday in June, Aug. 20th, and Oct. 28th; and some minor fairs have been lately established, for cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, yarn, butter, and wool.  Petty sessions are held on alternate Mondays.  The parish, also called Clolyne, comprises 7559 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and valued at £1.10 per acre.  Agriculture is in a prosperous state; about half the land is under tillage, and the other half is pasture; the supply of peat is abundant.  There are several fine quarries of limestone, which is carried to a great distance, in the county of Cavan, for burning into lime.  Extensive flour and oatmeal mills, at Millbrook, were erected, in 1777, by John Henry, Esq., on his estate, which consists of 200 acres; the establishment is conducted by his grandson, W. Henry, Esq.; they have the convenience of a sixty-horse power by water supplied from Lough Crew; the concern employs 50 hands: the mansion, on an eminence, commands extensive views of the surrounding, country; and here the river Inny takes its rise.  Newcastle is the residence of T. Battersby, Esq.; Millbrook House, of W. Henry, Esq.; and the glebe-house, of the Rev. N. J. Halpin.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of Lord Dunsany: previous to the demise of the late incumbent, it was united to the rectory of Castlecorr, otherwise Kilbride, but is now a separate benefice: the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Westmeath.  The tithes amount to £415.19.  11., of which £184. 16. 8½ is payable to the impropriator and the residue to the vicar.  The glebe-house was erected at an expense of £738, of which £277 was a gift, and £461 a loan from the late Board of First Fruits: the glebe comprises six acres, valued at £12 per ann., but subject to a small quit-rent.  The church is a plain substantial building, with a tower and spire, in very good repair; it was rebuilt by a loan of £1000 from the same Board, in 1816, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £284 for its repair: the spire was erected at the expense of J. L. W. Naper, Esq., of Loughcrew, lord of the manor.  In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also those of Loughcrew and Moylough, in which union are two chapels; that of Oldcastle is a large plain building, erected in 1815, at an expense of £2000, on a site given by J. L. W. Naper, Esq., who also contributed £1000 towards the building.  The altar-piece is by Craig, a native of this parish; it is copied from the original by Angelo, and represents the Taking down from the Cross.  There is a neat chapel for the Primitive Wesleyan Methodists, who are in strict communion with the Established Church.  Here is a large school upon the Lancasterian principle, established by the late Lawrence Gibson, Esq., a native of the parish, who realised a large fortune in London, which he left to endow a male and female school: the school-house is a very handsome building, erected at the cost of £6000, and capable of accommodating 1000 children; the average attendance being 800.  It stands upon an enclosed space, containing 2 acres, divided into gardens and shrubberies, and a play-ground: the land was the gift of J. L. W. Naper, Esq.: the annual income of this foundation, from debentures in the three and a half per cents, is £800.  There are also five private schools, in which are about 150 children; and a Sunday school.

PAINSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (S.W.) from Slane, on the road from Trim to Drogheda by Navan; containing 1184 inhabitants.  This parish is intersected, in the northern portion, by the river Boyne, and comprises 3342 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  The land is of good quality, nearly equally divided between tillage and pasture; and there is neither waste land nor bog.  Copper is supposed to exist here, but it has never been raised; and there are quarries of building stone.  Beauparc, the spacious and elegant mansion of Gustavus Lambert, Esq., is situated on very elevated ground, overlooking the river Boyne, and commanding a view of some richly varied scenery; the grounds are celebrated both for natural and artificial beauty; the demesne contains about 300 Irish acres.  Dollardstown, a spacious mansion, the property of Sir W. Meredyth Somerville, Bart., and formerly a seat of the Meredyth family, is now occupied by a farmer.  Seneschalstown, now leased to L. Kelly, Esq., is the property of the Aylmer family; Tersington is the seat of T. Russell, Esq.; and the glebe house is the residence of the Rev. G. Brabazon.  In 1546, licence was granted to the bishop and clergy of Meath to alienate for ever the advowson of Painstown, reserving to the bishop and his successors out of the rectory a yearly pension of £20: the living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1682, to the rectory of Ardmulchan, and in the patronage of the Crown and the Bishop, the former having one, the latter two turns.  The tithes amount to £276.18. 5½., and the entire value of the benefice is £563.9. 2¼.  The glebe-house is close to the church, and was built in 1810, at a cost of £1260, of which £100 was a gift, and £625 a loan, from the late Board of First Fruits, the residue having been supplied by the incumbent.  The glebe of the union comprises 23 acres, valued at £32.13. 10¼.  per ann., but subject to a rent of £27.13. 10¾.  The church is an old, but very neat edifice, with a handsome tower; in 1823, a gallery was erected at the west end, and the steeple was roofed and repaired, by aid of a loan of £400 from the same Board.  In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Blacklion, and has a chapel at Yellow Furze, a neat modern structure.  A school  at Yellow Furze, in which are about 30 boys and 12 girls, is aided by an annual donation from the R. C. clergyman.

PIERCETOWNLANDY, or Leckno, a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath,  and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.) from Duleek, on the new great north road from Dublin to Belfast by Ashbourne; containing 518 inhabitants, and comprising 2445¾ statute acres.  An abbey is said to have been founded here in 750, and some remains of an old church still exist.  Meadsbrook, the seat of Mrs. Madden, is within the limits of the parish.  It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Kilmoon: the tithes amount to £169.8.  In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Ardcath.

POTTERCHA, a village, in the parish of Kilyskyre, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster; containing 22 houses and 124 inhabitants.

RADDONSTOWN, or BALRODDAN, a parish, in the barony of Upper Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1¾ mile (N. E.) from Kilcock, on one of the roads to Maynooth; containing 651 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 1705½ statute acres of excellent land, about one-half of which is under tillage, and the remainder meadow and pasture; the system of agriculture is in an improved state, and there is no waste land; coal is found but is not worked.  The principal seats are Dollandstown, the residence of A. U. Gledstanes, Esq.; Newtown Prospect, of A. Coates, Esq.; Bridestream, of J. Coates, Esq.; Colgath, of Mrs. Tronson; and Raddonstown, of J. Morron, Esq.  The Royal Canal from Dublin passes the southern extremity of the parish.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united from time immemorial to the rectories of Balfeighan, Gallow, Drumlargan, and Kilcloan, and in the patronage of the Crown.  The tithes amount to £120, and the gross value of the benefice is £485.3. 7¼ per ann.: the glebe consists of half an acre near the church, which is an ancient plain edifice.  In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Batterstown: the chapel is a small edifice.  The late Rev. W. Tew bequeathed £200, of which he appropriated the interest to the payment of a schoolmaster and schoolmistress for the gratuitous instruction of children; also £50 for annual distribution among the poor: no school has been yet established, and the money is lodged with the Commissioners of charitable bequests.  There is a private school, in which are about 50 children, also a dispensary.  Near Raddonstown is a perfect Danish fort.

RATAINE, or RATHYNE, a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N. E.) from Trim, on the road from Bective-Bridge to Athboy; containing 370 inhabitants, and comprising 1576 statute acres of profitable land.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Ardbraccan, and subject to a crown rent of £6 per ann.: the tithes amount to £121.13.  In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Dunderry.

RATHBEGGAN, a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S. by E) from Dunshaughlin, on the mail road from Dublin to Enniskillen; containing 282 inhabitants.  It comprises 2901¼  statute acres of arable and pasture land of good quality, of which the proportions are nearly equal, and it contains some quarries of building stone.  Rathbeggan House is the seat of John Standish, Esq.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda, in whom the rectory is impropriate: the tithes amount to £161.18. 9., of which £18.9. 2. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar; the glebe, comprising 7½ acres, is valued at £15 per annum.  The glebe-house was built in 1817, by aid of a gift of £450, and a loan of £100, from the late Board of First Fruits.  The church is a neat modern edifice, towards the erection of which the same Board gave £800, in 1817.  In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Ratoath.

RATHBOYNE, a parish, partly in the barony of Lower Navan, but chiefly in that of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2½ miles (S. by E.) from Kells, on the road to Kilcock, and from Longford to Drogheda; containing 1271 inhabitants.  It comprises 3920¾ statute acres, nearly equally under grass and tillage; there is plenty of limestone.  Ballybeg is the seat of T. O’Reilly, Esq.; and Charlesfort, of C. A. Tisdall, Esq.  Mr. O’Reilly has nursery of 100 statute acres, affording employment to about 80 persons.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Kells: the tithes amount to £276.18. 5½.  In the R. C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Ardbraccan; the chapel at Cortown is a handsome modern building, with a school contiguous.  At Charlesfort is a school, the master of which is allowed £15 per ann., with a house and garden, and two tons of coal yearly, by C. A. Tisdall, Esq.; in these schools about 110 children are taught.

RATHCORE, a parish, partly in the barony of Upper Deece, but chiefly in that of Lower Moyfenragh,  county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (S. W.) form Summerhill, on the road to Edenderry; containing, with the post-town of Enfield (which is separately described), 3455 inhabitants, of which number, 73 are in the village of Rathcore.  This parish, which is situated on the Royal Canal and on the road from Dublin to Athlone, is bounded on the south by the river Blackwater, which here separates it from the county of Kildare.  It comprises 14,303 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is of good quality and the greater portion of it under tillage; the system of agriculture is improved, there is no waste land, and but a very moderate portion of bog: there is a quarry of good limestone at Newcastle.  The principal seats are Johnstown, the residence of J. H. Rorke, Esq.; Rahinstown, of R. G. Bomford, Esq.; Ryndville, of R. Rynd, Esq.; Newcastle, of C. Lennon, Esq., and Ballinderry, the property of the Hon. R. T. Rowley, and the residence of Thos. Murphy, Esq.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Bishop; the rectory is appropriate to the see.  The tithes amount to £807.13. 10., of which £438.9. 2½ is payable to the bishop, and £369.4. 7½ to the vicar.  There is a good glebe-house, and the glebe comprises 41 acres, valued at £62.2 per annum.  In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Rathmolion; the chapel is a spacious and handsome edifice, situated at Kilcorney, on the estate of Lord Decies.  A school-house is now being erected near the church, from funds chiefly supplied by the vicar and by John Bridges, Esq., of London; there are four private schools, in which are about 180 children.

RATHFEIGH, or RATHFAYGTH, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province or Leinster, 8 miles (S.) from Slane, on the mail road from Dublin by Slane to Londonderry; containing 385 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 2897 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is of indifferent quality and mostly in tillage.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Skyrne or Skreen: the tithes amount to £180, and there is a glebe of 2 acres, valued at £5.10 per annum.  In the R. C. divisions also it is part of the union or district of Skryne: there is a chapel at Rathfeigh.  About 40 children are educated in a private school.  The ruins of the church still remain.

RATHHENDRICK, a village, in that part of the parish of Loghan which is in the barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, containing 18 houses and 96 inhabitants.  

RATHKENNY, a parish, in the barony of Lower Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (N. W.) from Slane, on the road from Moynalty to Drogheda, and close by the mail coach road from Dublin to Londonderry; containing 1995 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 5430 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is of good quality; about two-thirds are arable and the rest pasture, except about 150 acres of bog.  From the hill of Mullaha a view of seven counties is obtained.  Here is a police station.  The seats are Mullaha, the residence of Brabazon Morris, Esq.; and Rathkenny House, of T. Hussey, Esq.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of T. Hussey, Esq.; the rectory is impropriate in the Marquess of Drogheda.  The tithes amount to £384.18. 6., of which £193. 2. 2½  is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar.  The church is a small modern structure.   In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Slane: a large chapel has just been built, the front of which is faced with hewn stone; it is a neat Gothic edifice.  Here is also a R. C. school, which it is in contemplation to place under the National Board.  About 40 boys and 20 girls are taught in a private school.   There are some remains of an ancient castle.

RATHMOLION, a parish, in the barony of Lower Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2½ miles (W. by N.) from Summerhill, on the road to Longwood; containing 2674 inhabitants, of which number, 208 are in the village.  The parish comprises 19,265 statute acres, mostly light and gravelly.  The village consists of 33 houses, and about half a mile from it is a constabulary police station: fairs are held on April 19th, June 30th, and Sept. 29th.  Tubbertinan, now the residence of Mrs. McEvoy, was formerly the seat of W. Nugent, Esq.  Rathmolion House is the residence of R. Fowler, Esq.   The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of W. Snell Magee, Esq.; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Darnley.  The tithes amount to £438.9.2., of which £230.15. 4½. is payable to the impropriator, and the remainder to the vicar.  The glebe-house was built in 1813, at a cost of £628, partly defrayed by a gift of £100 from the late Board of First Fruits, the remainder by the then incumbent: the glebe comprises 35 acres, valued at £43.15. per annum.  The church is a neat edifice, built in 1797, partly by private subscription and partly by parochial assessment, at an expense of £444; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £181 for its repair.  In the R. C. divisions the parish is the head of a union of district, comprising Rathmolion and Rathcore, in each of which is a chapel.  About 80 children are educated in the parochial school, situated in the village, which is aided by the Bishop of Ossory, the Earl of Darnley, the rector, and R. Fowler, Esq., who also supports a school at Cullenter, the school-house of which be built, and allows the master an acre of land.  There are also three private schools, in which are about 130 children.  A dispensary is supported partly by subscriptions and by the aid of R. Fowler, Esq.  At Castletown is an ancient Danish fort: and in the parish are the ruins of an old church.     

RATHMORE, a parish, in the barony of Lune, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1¾ mile (N.) from Athboy, on the road from Mullingar to Athlone and Drogheda; containing 1070 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 1977¾ statute acres, and land being generally very good.  Rathmore was formerly the seat of the Bligh family, of whom John Bligh, Esq., M. P., in 1721, acquired the title of Baron Clifton of Rathmore, in 1723, that of Viscount Darnley of Athboy, and in 1725, that of Earl of Darnley; some remains exist of the ancient castle, which was formerly part of the estate of Cruise and Plunket.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Athboy: the tithes, including those of Moyagher, amount to £184.12. 3½.   In the old church, of which there are considerable remains now forming a picturesque object, is a monumental tablet to the memory of Lieut. Gen. Thomas Bligh, general of horse at the battles of Dettingen, Val, Fontenay, and Melle, and Commander-in-Chief of the British troops at Cherbourg: he died in 1775, and was interred here.  There is also a monument erected to the memory of Sir Francis Hopkins, Bart.

RATHREGAN, a parish, in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (S. by W.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road from Dublin to Trim; containing 325 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 2481 statute acres of tolerably good land, mostly pasture.  Here is a constabulary police station, Parsonstown is the residence of the Hon. Major Stanhope.  It is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Dunshaughlin; the tithes amount to £120, and the glebe, consisting of 23 acres, is valued at £40 per annum.  The glebe-house of the union is within the parish; it was built in 1822 by aid of a loan of £562 from the late Board of First Fruits.  In the R. C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, called Batterstown, comprising the parishes of Rathregan, Ballymaglasson, Balfeaghan, Raddonstown, Kilcloon, and Moyglare; and containing three chapels.  There is a school in the vicinity of the chapel of Rathregan.

RATOATH, a parish (formerly a parliamentary borough), in the barony of Ratoath, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N. W.) form Ashbourne, and 11½ (N. W.) from Dublin; containing 1779 inhabitants, of which number, 552 are in the village.  This place, anciently called Rathtotoath, is supposed to have derived that name from a conspicuous mount near the church, on which Malachy, the first monarch of all Ireland, is said to have held a convention of the states.  In the reign of Hen. VI it was classed among the borough towns of Meath, and had attained such importance as to give its name to the hundred in which it is situated; it had also an abbey, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, and sent members to the Irish parliament, which it continued to do till the Union, when the borough was disfranchised.  The village contains 96 houses, but retains nothing of its former importance.  The manufacture of sacking and the weaving of linen are carried on to a small extent; and fairs, chiefly of cattle and pigs, are held on April 18th, June 1st, and Nov. 20th, for which, though authorised by patent, no toll has been lately demanded.  A constabulary police force is stationed here, and a manorial court was formerly held, but within the last few years has been discontinued.

The parish comprises 8207¾ statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is generally of good quality and in a state of profitable cultivation; rather more than half is under tillage, producing favourable crops; the remainder, with the exception of a moderate portion of bog, is in meadow and pasture.  Stone of good quality is quarried for building and for repairing the roads.  The principal seats are the Manor House, that of J. I. Corballis, Esq., pleasantly situated in the town; and Lagore, of M. Thunder, Esq., a handsome residence in a richly wooded demesne, abounding with stately timber.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is partly impropriate in T. L. Norman and J. I. Corballis, Esqrs., and the vicar of Athlone; and partly united to the vicarage, which by act of council in 1682, was united to the rectories and vicarages of Greenogue, Killeglan, Creekstown, and Donaghmore, and to the chapelry of Cookstown, together forming the union of Ratoath, in the alternate patronage of the Crown and the family of Norman.  The tithes amount to £515, of which £55 is payable to T. L. Norman, Esq., £62.10. to J. I. Corballis, Esq., £62.10. to the vicar of Athlone, and the remainder to the vicar of Ratoath: the glebe-house, situated close to the church, was built in 1813, at an expense of £2200, of which £100 was a gift and £900 a loan from the late Board of First Fruits, and the remainder was defrayed by the then incumbent; the glebe comprises 6½ acres, valued at £19.10. per ann.: the gross income of the whole benefice amounts to £788.7.3.per annum.  The church, towards the erection of which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of £800, in 1817, is a neat edifice in good repair.  In the R. C. divisions this parish is the head of a union, comprising also the parishes of Cookstown, Killeglan, and Rathbeggan; there are chapels at Ratoath and Killeglan.  About 240 children are taught in a parochial and a national school, of which the former is aided by a donation of £10 per ann. from the incumbent; there is also a dispensary.  The rath from which the parish takes its name has been planted; several old coins have been found near it.  There are no remains either of the abbey of St. Mary Magdalene, or of a chantry for three priests, which formerly existed here.

ROBERTSTOWN,  a parish, in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¾ miles (S.W.) from Nobber, on the road to Kells; containing 335 inhabitants.  This  parish comprises 1640 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is of good quality and chiefly in pasture. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Newtown: the tithes amount to £76.10.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Stabalmock.  About 90 children are educated in two private schools.

ROBINSTOWN,  a village, in the parish of Killskyre, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, containing 29 houses and 146 inhabitants.  Here is a station of the constabulary police.

RUSSAGH,  county of Meath.-  See Clonabreny.

SCURLOGSTOWN, or SCURLOCKSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 ½ mile (E. S. E.) from Trim, on the road to Dublin, and on the river Boyne: containing 328 inhabitants. This place derives its name from William de Scurlog, who erected a castle here about 1180: the ruins of this structure exhibit a square keep of large proportions and massive strength, with circular towers at the angles, and a few apertures for the admission of light.  The parish comprises 2484 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; the land is chiefly arable.  It is a curacy, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Trim: the rectory is impropriate in Joseph Ashe, Esq.  The tithes amount to £159.0.4 ½., of which £135.0.4 ½. is payable to the impropriator, and £24 to the curate.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Dunsany and Kilmessan.  There are fragments of an ancient church, consisting of two rude circular arches.

SCURLOGSTOWN, a village, in the parish of BURRY,  barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ½  miles (S.W.) from Kells, on the road to Clonmellon; containing 32 houses and 181 inhabitants.

SHALLON, a village, in the parish of Kilsharvan, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.) from Drogheda, on the road from Duleek to Nynch; containing 29 houses and 169 inhabitants.

SKREEN, or SKRYNE, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.) from Dunshaughlin, on the roads from Dublin to Navan and from Drogheda to Summerhill; containing 1279 inhabitants.  This parish was anciently called Scrinium Sancti Columba, and appears to have derived that name from the shrine of St. Columb having been brought from England into Ireland, in 875, and deposited in the Monastery here.  The Danes twice plundered this religious  establishment during the eleventh century, and it was likewise ravaged by the inhabitants of Teaffia in 1058 and in1152. On the settlement of Meath by Hugh de Lacy, this place became the property of Adam de Feypo, who erected a castle here; his family founded and endowed a friary for eremites of the order of St. Augustine.  In the reign of Rich. II., mention is made of the “Irish town of Skryne; ” in that of Hen. IV., notice is taken of its hundred court as a borough and of its burgage rents; and in the records of the 1st of Hen. VI., 1423, “the Provost and Commonalty of the town of Scryne are ordered to be at Trim with all their power for its defence”; though at present it is a place of but little consideration.  The Parish comprises 4235 statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the lands are nearly equally pasture and arable, and the soil is of the best quality.  Fairs are held on March 17th, June 20th, and Oct. 12th, for live stock, the last being a very large fair for sheep; all are well attended.  Corbalton Hall, the elegant and spacious mansion of Elias Crobally, Esq., stands in a remarkably well-wooded demesne of about 1000 acres.

The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1677, to the rectory of Rathfeigh, the vicarage of Dowthstown, the impropriation of Kilcarn, and the chapelries of Templecarne and Lismullen, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £280 and the gross value of the benefice is £660. 1.4.  The glebe-house, situated in this parish, was built in 1813, at a cost of £1754, of  which £100 was a gift and £900 a loan from the late Board of  First Fruits, the residue having been supplied by the then incumbent.  The glebes of the union comprises 26 acres, valued at £53.8.0. per annum.  The church of the union is in Templecarne; it was built about 1809, by a gift of £500 and a loan of £500 from the same Board, and has lately been repaired by aid of £116, from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district comprising this parish and those of Taragh, Rathfeigh, Lismullen, Templekiernan, and Macetown, and containing two chapels, at Skreen and Rathfeigh: the former is a handsome edifice, with a lofty steeple, opened in 1827; the interior is very neat, and has a painting over the altar: the building was erected by subscription, to which the principal contributors were E. Corbally and T. Maher (of Clonstown), Esqrs.  The parochial school is aided by an annual donation  from the rector, who gives a house and garden rent-free: a school  at Ross is aided by an annual gift from Earl Ludlow; and a third school by a legacy of £10 per ann.: in these schools about 180 children are taught.  A national school is in course of erection on part of the chapel-yard, the ground having been  given on a 999 years’ lease, at a nominal rent, by A. J. Dopping, Esq.; the building is spacious and well-constructed, and will include a residence for the master.  The old castle has been enlarged and modernised, and is now occupied by a farmer. On an eminence, and conspicuous at a great distance, are considerable remains of the ancient church or monastery, consisting of the tower and shell of the building with a burial-ground attached.  Skryne gave the title of Baron (now extinct) to the family of Feypo.

SLANE, a post-town and parish (formerly a parliamentary borough), in the barony of Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 6 ¾ miles (W.S.W.) from Drogheda, and 22 (N.by W.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road from Dublin to Londonderry, and on the river Boyne; containing 2516 inhabitants, of which number, 896 are in the town.  This place is of very high antiquity, and in the earliest ages of Christianity was the seat of a small diocese, of which St. Eirc, who had built himself a hermitage, was consecrated first Bishop by St. Patrick, and died in 514.  On the neighbouring hill an abbey for Canons Regular was founded at a very early period, into which the young Dagobert, king of Austrasia in France, who was banished from his own country when only seven years of age, was received in 653, and educated; he continued to reside in it 20 years, till recalled to France; and restored to his throne.  This establishment was many times plundered and the monks massacred by the Ostmen of Dublin, to whose ravages it was peculiarly exposed; in 1172 the town was sacked and burned by Dermod Mac Murrough and a party of the English; and it was again plundered by the English in 1175, from which period it seems to have continued in decay till the year 1512, when it was restored by Sir Christopher Fleming, Lord of Slane, who placed in it two friars, who then resided in the hermitage of St. Eirc.  On the settlement of the English in Meath, the town became the borough and in the reign of Hen. VI., ranked as one of the middle class.  The Fleming family having been engaged in the civil war of 1641, the estate escheated to the crown, and subsequently became the property of the Right Hon. William Conyngham, ancestor of the Marquess Conyngham.  The place is within four miles of Oldbridge, where the battle of the Boyne was fought; and the bridge of Slane had been on many occasions considered and defended as a pass of importance.  The town is pleasantly situated on the northern bank of the river, which is navigable from its estuary at Drogheda up to Navan: it consists of 143 houses, which are chiefly modern and of neat appearance, and the richness of the surrounding scenery renders it one of the most attractive places in the county.  The market had been discontinued: fairs for cattle and pigs are held on the 2nd of April, June, and Sept., and on Nov. 8th: petty sessions on alternative Fridays: and it is a chief constabulary police station. The parish comprises 5855 ½ statute acres, for the most part of indifferent quality: there is no bog, except in the vicinity of the town.  About 30 years since coalworks existed, but they proved unproductive, and were abandoned.  On the river, adjoining the town, are very extensive flour and corn-mills, the property of Blayney Townley Balfour, Esq., worked by seven pairs of stones; they have an excellent supply of water and are capable of grinding 1000 barrels of wheat weekly.  To the west of the town is Slane Castle, the seat of the Marquess Conyngham; it is a spacious and elegant structure, in the later English style of architecture, with embattled turrets and pinnacles, comprising part of the ancient castle of the Flemings: it is beautifully situated on an elevated site, on the steep banks of the Boyne, and surrounded by an extensive and richly wooded park of about 900 statue acres, through which that river winds: the interior of the castle is very handsome, particularly the circular room, which has a splendid groined ceiling, and is adorned with some good paintings, among which is a fine picture of the battle of the Boyne, and Sir Thos. Lawrence’s portrait of Geo. IV., in his robes, who visited the Marquess here in Aug. 1821.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £407.15.6.  The glebe-house was built in 1807, at an expense of £1046, British currency, which was defrayed partly by a gift of £100, partly by a loan of £500, from the late Board of First Fruits, and the residue by the then incumbent.  The glebe comprises 12 acres, and with some houses on it, is valued at £41 per annum.  The church is a neat edifice, with a handsome steeple, after a design by Johnston, erected in 1712; it was enlarged in 1830, by aid of a loan of £200 from the same Board, and has been recently repaired by a grant of £134 from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising the parishes of Slane, Geronstown, Rathkenny, Stackallen, Dunmoe, and Fennor, containing three chapels, one in Rathkenny, and two in this parish, of which one is a neat structure, situated in the town.  About 180 children are educated in the public schools, of which the parochial schools are under the trustees of Erasmus Smith’s charity; one for females is supported by the Dowager Marchioness Conyngham; and the other is a national school.  There is also a private school, in which are about 150 children. There are the ruins of a monastery and college on the hill of Slane; and of a hermitage in the Marquess Conyngham’s park.  In the vicinity of the town are the ancient mounts or tumuli of New Grange; the principal is a large mound of earth, 70 feet high and 300 feet in circumference at the top, covering an area of an Irish acre; it is irregular in its form, and was surrounded at the base by a circle of huge upright unhewn stones, several of which remain.  On removing part of the materials in 1699, a large stone was found covering the entrance to a gallery 62 feet long leading to a central arched cavern with three offsets, forming together in their ground plan a rude cross; the entrance to the gallery is only three feet wide and two feet high, at first decreasing in breadth, and farther on formed of large upright stones on each side, with others extending horizontally to form the roof, which is high enough to admit of approach in an upright position; the dome in the centre of the cross is of octagonal form and about 20 feet high, with a coved roof formed of courses of flat stones successively projecting; in the right branch of the cross is a large stone vase, within the excavated part of which are two circular cavities of less than a foot in diameter; several of the stones are sculptured with rude ornaments and devices.  When this cavern was first opened, two human skeletons were found entire, and also some horns and bones of deer.  Slane gives the inferior title of Viscount to the Marquess Conyngham.

SMITHSTOWN, a village, in the parish of Kilskyre, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 1 mile (N) from Crossakeel; containing 15 houses and 122 inhabitants.

SPRINGVILLE, a village, in the parish of Burry, barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 miles (S.W.) from Kells; containing 33 houses and 171 inhabitants.  Here is Springville, the seat of P.O’Reilly, Esq.

STACKALLEN,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (N.E.) from Navan, on the road to Slane, and on the navigable river Boyne; containing 837 inhabitants.  It comprises 2223 stature acres, as applotted under the tithe act.  Stackallen House is the handsome residence of Viscount Boyne, whose ancestor, Gustavus, first Viscount commanded a regiment in King William’s army in the battle of the Boyne: he was interred in the church of Stackallen in 1723, as have also been many other branches of the family.  The mansion is a spacious structure and stands in a fine well-planted demesne.  The living is a rectory in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council in 1800 to the rectories of Gernonstown and Dunmoe, and in the patronage of the Crown and the Bishop.  The tithes amount to £192; and the gross value of the benefice, tithes and glebe inclusive, is £551.10.4.  The glebe-house, closely adjoining the church, was built in 1815, at an expense of £1490, defrayed by a gift of £100 and a loan of £600 from the late Board of First Fruits, and the residue by the then incumbent.  The church is a neat plain edifice in good and permanent repair, built about 200 years since; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £280 for its repair.  The parochial school is aided by an annual donation from the incumbent; and a female school, in which the children are clothed, is supported by the Hon. Mrs. Hamilton; in these schools about 110 children are taught.

STAFFORDSTOWN, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (E.) from Navan, on the road to Dublin, by  Ashborne; the population is returned with the parish of  Follistown.  It comprises about 520 statue acres, mostly grazing land of excellent quality, and contains Staffordstown House, the property of the Rev. R. Butler, vicar of Trim.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in the Rev. R. Butler; the tithes amount to £40: the rector of Skreen performs the occasional duties, without any remuneration.  Here is an ancient burial-ground, in which some of the members of the Cusack family, the former owners of the Staffordstown property, are interred.

STAHALMOCK, or STAHOLMOY, a parish in the barony of Lower Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.S.W.) from Nobber, on the road from Kells to Ardee; containing 756 inhabitants, and comprising 1409 ¼ statute acres of good land.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, and in the patronage of the Crown: the tithes amount to £110, and there is a glebe of 21 acres, valued at £47 per annum.  In the R.C. divisions it is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Kilbeg, Newtown, Robertstown and Emlagh, and containing the chapels of Stahalmock and Carolanstown.

STALEEN, a hamlet, in the parish of Donore, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 ¼ miles (W.S.W.) from Drogheda, on the road to Navan; containing 20 houses and 88 inhabitants.  It is the property of Wm. Sharman Crawford, Esq., who has a house here in which he occasionally resides.

STAMULLEN,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 ¾ miles (S.by E.) from Drogheda, on the road by Balbriggan to Dublin; containing 1322 inhabitants.  This parish, which is situated on the eastern coast, comprises 4285 ¼ statue acres, as applotted under the tithe act: the land is chiefly under tillage, and in a state of profitable cultivation; limestone is quarried for agricultural and other uses, and there is a due proportion of bog.  The principal seats are Gormanston Castle, the residence of Viscount Gormanston, a spacious and lofty structure, with a domestic chapel attached, and situated in an extensive and richly embellished demesne; Harbourstown, of M. O’Farrell Caddell, Esq., a handsome modern mansion with a demesne comprising more than 400 acres tastefully laid out and well planted, and commanding extensive view from the summit of a tower within the grounds, which forms a conspicuous landmark to mariners; Stedalt, of W. Walsh, Esq., pleasantly situated in a demesne of 230 acres; and Delvin Lodge, of – Shaw, Esq., beautifully situated on the banks of the river Delvin, which here separates the parish from the county of Dublin.  The village is pleasantly situated, and in the immediate neighbourhood are numerous handsome cottages.  Off the coast are the Cargee rocks, which are dry half ebb, and on which a beacon is placed; the coast comprehending the shores of Meath and Louth, from this place to Carlingford lough, is for the greater part a broad shallow strand free from shoals or other obstructions.  Petty sessions are held for the district on alternate Wednesdays at Julianstown.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Julianstown; the rectory is impropriate in Capt. Geo. Pepper.  The tithes amount to £425, of which £350 is payable to the impropriator and £75 to the vicar; the glebe comprises about four acres, valued at £27. 19. per annum.  In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Julianstown, Ballygarth, and Moorechurch, in which are three chapels; the chapel in the village of Stamullen is a handsome modern edifice, with an altar of Sienna marble, the gift of Lord Gormanston, who also presented a fine painting of the Crucifixion for the altar-piece, and contributed largely towards the erection of the building.  About 90 children are instructed in two public schools, supported by Lord Gormanston and Mr. Caddell, and there is a dispensary.  There are some remains of the ancient church, the cemetery of which is the burial-place of the Preston family, ancestors of Viscount Gormanston, who takes his title from this estate.

SUMMERHILL, a post-town, in the parish of Laracor, barony of Lower Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 5 Miles (S. by E.) from Trim, and 17 (W.N.W.) from Dublin, by Dunboyne; containing 49 houses and 331 inhabitants.  This town, which has a neat appearance, is pleasantly situated on the road from Dublin to Trim, by Kilcock, and also on that by Dunboyne, which latter is the nearer by three miles.  It is a chief constabulary police station; petty sessions are held on alternate Tuesdays, and fairs on April 30th, June 9th, Sept. 22nd, and Nov. 25th.  Here is a Presbyterian meeting-house, and contiguous to the town is Summerhill House, the seat of Lord Langford, situated in a noble demesne.

SYDDAN, a parish, in the barony of Lower Slane, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 Miles (S.E.) from Nobber, on the mail coach road from Dublin to Londonderry; containing 1212 inhabitants.  This parish formed part of the possessions of the abbey of St. Thomas, Dublin; the tithes and advowson were granted in the 2nd of Eliz. to Thomas Manners, gent. It comprises 5061 ¾  statute acres, nearly equally divided between pasture and tillage; the soil is of quality and agriculture improving; some of the pasture land is particularly fine.  Lime and marl, found in the low grounds at a small depth  beneath the surface, form the chief manure; there is no bog.  Some coarse yarn is spun here, and coarse linen cloth is woven for the Drogheda market.  Petty sessions are held on alternate Mondays.  The gentlemen’s seats are Keiran House, the residence of J. Norris, Esq.; Moortown, of Gorges Henzill, Esq.; and Mentern, of A. Sallary. Esq., adjoining which is a corn-mill.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1734, to the vicarage of Killeary and the rectory of Mitchelstown, and in the patronage of the Crown and the Bishop; the rectory is impropriate in J. P. Eyton, Esq., of Holywell, in Wales.  The tithes amount to £336.18. 5 ½., of which £253.16. 11 ¼. is payable to the impropriator, and £83.1. 6 ¼ to the vicar; and gross value of the benefice, tithes and glebe inclusive, is £291.3.9.  The glebe-house is half a mile from the church and was built in 1788 at a cost of £484, of which £100 was a gift from the late Board of First Fruits, and the residue was defrayed by the then incumbent.  The glebe comprises 20 acres, valued at £30 per annum, and there are glebes  in each of the other parishes of the union.  The church was built in 1753; it is a neat edifice, and for its repairs the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £180.  In the R.C.  divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising this parish and those of Killeary and Innismott: there are three chapels in the union, two in Killeary and one in this parish at Newtown, with a school adjoining, in which about 100 children are taught; there is another school at Greenhill, in which are about 20 children.

TARAGH, TARAH, or TARA, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ½ miles (N. by W.) from Dunshaughlin; containing 688 inhabitants.  Taragh Hill, which was also named Teagh-mor, signifying “the Great House,” and frequently called also Temora, derived that appellation from its having been, to the end of the sixth century, the place where  was assembled the convocation of the states general of Ireland, held here every three years for the deliberation and decision of civil and ecclesiastical matters, and also for the election and investiture with supreme authority of one chief, who was appointed sovereign of all Ireland.  This triennial convocation of the provincial kings, priests, and bards is said to have been originally instituted by the great Ollamh Fodhla, one of the ancient monarchs, celebrated as a great legislator, in the traditional records of the kingdom.  Tuathal, a Milesian prince, is said to have convoked an assembly here after his victory over the Firbolgs, when he was recognised by the states as supreme monarch.  During the ceremony of inauguration, the monarchs were placed upon the Liafail, or “stone of destiny”,  which was afterwards removed to Scotland and used for a similar purpose, whence it was taken by Edw. I. as a trophy of his victory over that people, and placed in Westminster abbey, where it is still preserved.  The hill of Tarragh was also selected by St. Patrick as a convenient spot from which to promulgate the doctrines of Christianity, which rapidly extended to every part of Ireland.  In 980, the Danes sustained a signal defeat on this hill, which contributed materially to their final expulsion from the country a few years afterwards, from which period they continued to infest it chiefly by predatory incursions.  Roderic, the  last native monarch of all Ireland, assembled his forces here while preparing to besiege the English in Dublin; but after the English settlement it was no longer a place of note, except for the assembling of the military within the English pale.  In 1539, O’Nial, at the head of the northern Irish, after ravaging the surrounding country, reviewed his forces here with great parade, and during the disturbances of 1798  a numerous body of insurgents was defeated on the hill by a party of about 400 fencibles and yeomanry.  It seems very doubtful, notwithstanding the name, whether any building of stone ever existed here; the only traces of fortification are earthworks of considerable extent and of various forms, chiefly circular intrenchments, within which habitations of light materials appear to have been formed.

The parish, which is bounded on the west by the small river Skreen, comprises 2262 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which two-thirds are under tillage; the soil is fertile, the state of agriculture is improving, and there are quarries of lime and black stone used both for building and agricultural purposes.  Taragh Hall, the property of Mrs. Barlow, and the residence of P. Lynch, Esq., is a neat mansion; and Riverstown Castle, now in ruins, is the property and was formerly a residence of the Dillon family.  The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1680 to the vicarage of Killeen and the rectory of Dunsany, and in the patronage of the Crown.  The tithes amount to £200, and there is a glebe of 9 acres, valued at £22.10 per ann., and one in the parish of Killeen of 57 acres, valued at £171 per ann.: the gross annual value of the benefice, including the glebes, amounts to £521.10.  The glebe-house, in Killeen, was built in 1813 at an expense of £1712 British, of which £100 Irish was a gift, and £750 was a loan, from the late Board of First Fruits; the residue was defrayed by the present incumbent. The church, conspicuously situated on the hill of Taragh, nearly in the centre of the parish, is in excellent repair: it was erected in 1823 at a cost of £700 Irish, of which £500 was a loan from the late Board and the residue was raised by parochial assessment.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Skreen; the chapel is a neat structure.  In the parochial school, supported by subscriptions, aided by an annual donation from the incumbent, and in a school towards which – Smith, Esq., contributes £10 per ann., about 40 children are educated.  Taragh formerly gave the title of Baron to John Preston, of Bellinter, on whose death it became extinct.

TELTOWN, or KILLALTON,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Kells, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 ¾ miles (S.E.) from Kells, on the mail road from Dublin to Enniskillen; containing 1308 inhabitants.  This place, under the name of Taltion, is celebrated in traditional history for the periodical assemblage of vast numbers from all parts for the purposes of traffic, sports, and social intercourse; the custom is said to have been established or revived by King Tuathal.  It appears to have derived its name from St. Teallean, who founded the church called  Teachtelle, or “Teallean’s House”.  The parish which is situated on the river Blackwater and on the Carlanstown or Rosmin river, which joins the former at Bloomsbury, comprises 4060 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act; about one-third is in tillage, and the remainder, with the exception of 200 acres of bog of inferior quality, is excellent pasture and meadow land.  The seats are Bloomsbury, the residence of J. Barnwall, Esq.; Teltown, of Hamlet Garnett, Esq.; and Hurdlestown, of Mrs. Rothwell.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, entirely impropriate in Dominick O’Reilly, Esq., and the representatives of Jas. C. Vincent, Esq: the tithes amount to £217.17.2.  In the R.C. divisions, it is part of the union or district of Kilberry and Teltown and contains a chapel, situated at Oristown.  There are two R.C. schools, one of which, held at Oristown and aided by subscription, is partly free; the other is at Bloomsbury: in these schools, on an average, are about 160 children.  The old burial-ground remains.

TEMPLE-KIERAN, a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 4 miles (S.E.)  from Navan, near the mail-coach road from Dublin to Enniskillen; containing 393 inhabitants.  This parish comprises, with the chapelry of Lismullen, 1957 ¾ statute acres of good land. It is a chapelry, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Skreen: the tithes, including those of Lismullen, amount to £130.  The church is a neat modern structure, erected in 1811 by parochial assessment, and a loan of £461 from the late Board of First Fruits.  In the R.C. divisions also it is part of the union or district of Skreen.

TRIM, an incorporated market, assize, and post-town, (formerly a parliamentary borough), and a parish, partly in the barony of Upper Navan, but chiefly in that of Lower Moyfenragh, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 10 ½ miles (N. W.) from Kilcock, and 25 (N. W. by W.) from Dublin; containing 5926 inhabitants, of which number, 3282 are in the town.  This place formerly called Ath-Trym, is of very remote antiquity, and was celebrated for its abbey of Canons Regular, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.  The establishment became the seat of a small bishoprick, of which St. Loman, nephew of St. Patrick, was made the first bishop, of his successors, who were indifferently styled abbots or bishops no regular notice is preserved till the year 1152, when the diocese was united with several others to form the see of Meath.  In 1108 the town and monastery were burned by Conor O’Melaghlin, and more than 200 persons who had taken refuge in the church perished in the flames; in 1143 and 1155 also the town suffered from conflagration.  After the English invasion it was, with the whole of the territory of Meath, given by Hen. II. to Hugh de Lacy, who made it a free borough; and his son and successor, Walter de Lacy, in the reign of Rich. I., gave the burgesses a charter of incorporation, conferring privileges equal to those enjoyed by the citizens of Bristol.  As the head of the palatine lordship of the Lacys, the town became a place  of  importance, and a strong castle was erected here as a baronial residence for that family, who also refounded the monastery.  The defences of the castle were destroyed by the constable, Hugh Tyrrell, when Roderic O’Conor entered Meath during the absence of De Lacy, to prevent them from becoming serviceable to the enemy, but on his expulsion they were quickly restored.  In 1203 the town was again destroyed by fire.  The present castle was built in 1220, and soon afterwards, during the sanguinary feuds which then prevailed, it was attacked by William de Burgo, but was obstinately defended by the garrison, and the assailants repulsed.  When the palatinate of Meath was divided between the coheiresses of Walter de Lacy, the town was still the capital of one-half, and in 1330 it was invested with jurisdiction over the other.  In the reign of Edw. II., during Piers Gaveston’s vice-regency, Richard, Earl of Ulster, held his court here with a degree of ostentatious parade highly alarming to the chief governor, to whom his collected followers appeared as a well-appointed and formidable retinue.  Edward Bruce, in his retreat from Munster to the north of Ireland, halted for some days at Trim; and in 1393, Roger de Mortimer, Earl of March and Ulster, received a grant of tolls for the purpose of improving and fortifying the town as the capital of all Meath.  Rich. II., when last in Ireland, on receiving intelligence of the Earl of Hereford’s landing in England, committed the young lords Gloucester and Henry of Lancaster, afterwards Hen. V., prisoners to the castle of this place; and in 1407 a parliament convoked at Dublin was adjourned hither, to deliberate on the best means of repressing the aggressions of Art Mac Murrough.  On the accession of Hen. VI., a parliament was held here; and in the year 1425 the Earl of March and Ulster, then Lord-Lieutenant, died suddenly at this place, while preparing to repel the incursions of the native septs into his territories.  In 1447, a parliament was held here in which various reformatory and sumptuary laws were enacted; and in 1459 a mint was established in the town.  Richard, Duke of York, father of Edw. IV., while Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, resided for some time in this town, the palatine liberty of which was vested in him; and in the reign of Hen. VII., the townsmen favoured the imposition of Lambert Simnel, but were afterwards received into the king’s favour.  Parliaments were also held here in 1484, 1487, and 1491.  During the parliamentary war the town again became a place of military importance.  In 1642 it was in the hands of the confederate Roman Catholic forces, who were expelled; and in a subsequent skirmish to retain the place, Sir Chas. Coote, commander of the parliamentarian garrison, was killed by a ball supposed to have been from the musket of one of his own troopers.  Soon after this, four royal commissioners sat in the town to meet the agents of the confederate Catholics, and receive their remonstrance and petition for the redress of grievances.  After the massacre at Drogheda by Cromwell, in 1649, the town surrendered to that general, the garrison  disregarding the instructions given by the Marquess of Ormonde to destroy the place rather than suffer it to fall into his hands.

The town is pleasantly situated on the river Boyne, over which is an old bridge, and is still a place of considerable importance: it contains about 570 houses, many of which are neatly built, and from the remains of its stately castle and religious establishments has an appearance of venerable antiquity.  A handsome column of the Corinthian order was in 1817, erected here in commemoration of the principal military achievements of the Duke of Wellington, who for some time was representative of the borough and resided at Fosterstown, in the immediate vicinity; above the capital is a statue of His Grace.  There are barracks for infantry, adapted to the reception of 3 officers and 80 non-commissioned officers and privates.  The environs are pleasingly diversified, and abound with much interesting scenery.  The trade is inconsiderable, being chiefly for the supply of the immediate neighbourhood.  There are in the town a small flour-mill, a brewery, and a tannery; and on the river Boyne, about a mile to the west, are very extensive mills, called New Haggard Mills, the property of Mr. Nangle, producing annually about 40,000 barrels of flour and oatmeal.  The market is on Saturday, and the fairs on March 27th, May 8th, Wednesday after Trinity-Sunday, Oct. 1st, and Nov. 16th.  An extension of the navigable communication between Drogheda and Navan to this town has been long contemplated, but has not yet been carried into effect.

The charter of incorporation granted to the burgesses by Walter de Lacy was confirmed and extended by Edw. III., and Rich. II. granted to the corporation certain tolls for 20 years for the fortification of the town, in which “all the fideles of the county of Meath congregated.”  Hen. IV. and VI. confirmed the original charter; and Elizabeth, in the 13th of her reign, reciting and confirming all previous grants, conferred the charter under which the town is now governed.  By this charter the corporation consists of a portreeve and an indefinite number of burgesses and freemen, assisted by the recorder, town-clerk, two serjeants-at-mace and other officers.  The portreeve, who is a justice of the peace within the borough, is annually chosen from the burgesses on the 29th of June; the burgesses are generally chosen from the freemen by the corporation at large; and the freemen are admitted either as of right, which is confined to the sons and sons-in-law of freemen, or by favour of the corporation.  The charter conferred the elective franchise on the corporation, which first returned two members to the Irish parliament in the 2nd of Elizabeth, and continued to exercise the privilege till the Union, when the borough, which was then the property of the Wellesley family, was disfranchised.  The borough court, which had jurisdiction to an unlimited amount, has almost fallen into disuse; no action has been tried in it since 1831, and the corporation exercises no exclusive jurisdiction either civil or criminal.  Assizes for the county are held here; general sessions of the peace twice in the year here, and twice at Navan, and petty sessions on alternate Saturdays, before the county magistrates, with whom the portreeve also sits in cases arising within the borough.  The court-houses is a very neat and well-arranged building; and a new county goal was erected here in 1834, at an expense of £26,000.  It is on the radiating principle, and consists of five ranges of building for the reception of the different classes, each of which is divided into three stories, containing on the lower a dining-hall and work-room, and in each of the upper 12 sleeping-rooms or cells: between the ranges are airing-yards for the respective classes, who are employed in stone-breaking and in various handicraft trades in the centre is the governor’s house, a circular building, in the upper story of which is a chapel communicating with the five wards by a bridge leading from each.  The prison is capable of receiving 140 prisoners in separate cells; it has a treadmill with two wheels, hospitals for male and female patients, and a school in which adults attend for three hours every day.  This town is the head-quarters of the constabulary police for the county, and the residence of the inspecting magistrate.

The parish comprises 12,650 ¾ stature acres, of which 11,880 are applotted under the tithe act: the land is principally in tillage and of good quality; there is only a small portion of bog; the system of agriculture has lately improved, and that portion of the parish which is under tillage affords abundant crops.  The principal seats are Tullaghard, the residence of S. Winter, Esq.; New Haggard, of C. Nangle, Esq., Roristown of C. Drake, Esq., Boyne Lodge, of A. O’Reilly, Esq; Harcourt Lodge, of J. Lightburne, Esq.; Lodge Park, of  J.S. D’Arcy, Esq.; Foxbrook, of J. D’Arcy Fox, Esq., and Doolistown, of J. Fox, Esq.  The living is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by episcopal authority, in 1819, to the rectories of Newtown and Trubly, and to the curacies of Kilcooley, Tullaghanogue, and Scurlogstown, and in the patronage of the Bishop, to whom the rectory is appropriate: the tithes amount to £615, of which £430 is payable to the appropriator and £185 to the vicar.  The glebe-house was built in 1754; the glebe, which was given to the vicar by a Cromwellian debenturer, comprises 187 acres, valued at £300 per annum, and the gross value of the benefice is £647. 19. 2.  The church, with the exception of the tower, which is of great antiquity and partly covered with ivy, was rebuilt in 1803, at an expense of £733, raised by assessment and a gift from the bishop; in 1827 a gallery was added, at an expense of £350, a loan from the late Board of First Fruits, and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have recently granted £100 for its repair.  In the R.C. divisions  the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parishes of Trimblestown and Newtown-Clonbun or Trim; there are two chapels, one of which at Boardsmill, a neat modern edifice.  About 300 children are taught in two public schools, of which the parochial school is partly supported by the vicar: the school house was built by Lord Mornington, at an expense  of £1100.  There are also seven private schools, in which about 230 children; and a dispensary.  The remains of the castle are extensive and form a conspicuous and highly interesting object; the keep is a massive pile strengthened by four lofty square towers, which rise to a considerable height above the other parts of the building; and there are several round towers and other outworks extending to the river Boyne, which flows along their base, the whole occupying an area of about four acres.  The remains of  the ancient abbey, in which was preserved an image of the Virgin, that was burnt at the Reformation, consists principally of part of the tower called the Yellow Steeple, one-half of which was destroyed by Cromwell, against whom it was garrisoned and defended for a considerable time.  Here were formerly a convent of Grey Friars, dedicated to St. Bonaventure; a Dominican friary, founded in honour of the Blessed Virgin, in 1263, by Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Meath, in which general chapters of the order were frequently held; and a chantry in the parish church.  At Newtown-Clonbun or Trim, about half a mile from the town, on the banks of the Boyne, are extensive remains of other religious foundations, the principal of which are those of priory of Canons Regular of the order of St. Victor, founded by Simon de Rochfort, Bishop of Meath, about the year 1206; the prior was a lord of parliament, and there are still some remains of the fine old church.  Adjoining the bridge are the remains of a square tower, from which a regular range of building extends along the water’s edge to another tower, near which is the eastern gable of a small chapel with a fine window; and at a short distance is a neat circular turret: these are the remains of a house of Crouched friars, founded in the 13th century, to which the bishops of Meath were great benefactors.  In the parish church of Newtown-Clonbun is the tomb of Sir Lucas Dillion, ancestor of the Earls of Roscommon, and an able jurist in the reign of Elizabeth.

TRIMBLESTOWN, an ancient chapelry, in the parish of Trim, in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (W. N. W.) from Trim, on the road to Mullingar: the population is returned with the parish.  Within the limits of this chapelry stands an imposing pile, in the style of architecture prevalent in the 16th century, with square windows, embattled parapets, and ornamented towers, formerly the seat of Lord Trimlestown, contiguous to which is a small chapel, the burial-place of the Barnewall family.  It gives the title of Baron Trimlestown to that family.

TRUBLY, or TUBBERVILLE, a parish, in the barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (E.by N.) from Trim, on the river Boyne; containing 92 inhabitants.  This parish comprises 950 ¾  statute acres of land mostly under tillage, with some good pasture.  It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Trim; the tithes amount to £46.3.1.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Dunsany.  Here are remains of an old castle, formerly belonging to the Cusacks, in which Oliver Cromwell is said to have slept after the taking of Drogheda; it is now the property of the Hon. Gen. Taylor.

TRYVETT, or TREVET,  a parish, partly in the barony of Ratoath, but chiefly in that of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (N. N. E.) from Dunshauglin, on the road from Navan to Rathoath; containing 418  inhabitants.  This place was distinguished in the earliest ages of Christianity in Ireland by the foundation of a considerable monastery, the founder of which is unknown; though pillaged by the Danes in 917, destroyed by fire in 1145, and plundered by the men of Hy Briuin in 1152, it appears to have existed till the settlement of the English in Meath.  The ancient town was rebuilt soon afterwards by Hugh de Lacy, who placed here a colony of his English followers, and upon this occasion the monastery appears to have been superseded by the erection of a large church in honour of St. Patrick.  The town continued to flourish for many years, and acquired considerable importance; it  subsequently, however, fell into decay and is now only an obscure village.  The parish comprises 5669 ¼ statute acres, chiefly pasture; the soil is of excellent quality, and the arable land, under an improving system of agriculture, produces good crops.  Green Park is the residence of Cope Garnett, Esq.  The living is a rectory and vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, united by act of council, in 1678, to the rectory of Kilbrew, and in the patronage of the Crown; the tithes amount to £200. 5., and of the union to £379. 15.  The glebe-house is situated about a mile from the church, having been built in 1815, at an expense of £794 British, of which £461 was a loan and £277 a gift, from the late Board of First Fruits, the residue being defrayed by the incumbent.  The glebe, situated in the parish of Kilbrew, comprises 11a. 1r. 7p., subject to a rent of £31.  The church also is in Kilbrew, and was rebuilt and enlarged about 80 years since.  In the R.C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Skreen.

TULLYALLEN, or TULLOUGHALLEN, a parish, chiefly in the barony of Ferrard, county of Louth, but partly in that of Upper Slane, county of Meath, and in the province of Leinster, 2 ½ miles (N. W.) from Drogheda, on the road to Ardee: the village contains 181 inhabitants; the population of the remainder of the parish is returned with Mellifont.  The parish is situated on the river Boyne, by which it is bounded on the south and separated from the county of Drogheda: it comprises about 11,000 statute acres, of which, according to the Ordnance survey, 7344 are in the county of Louth, including a detached portion of 953 acres called Newtown-Stalaba, and 84 in the tideway of the Boyne.  The land is wholly under tillage, the soil fertile, and the system of agriculture improved.  The scenery on the banks of the Boyne is pleasingly varied.  On a rock rising abruptly from the river, about two miles from Drogheda, is a stately obelisk of stone, commemorating the battle of the Boyne by inscriptions on the faces of the pedestal: it was erected by subscription in the reign of Geo. II., and the first stone was laid by Lionel, Duke of Dorset, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, in 1736.  The principal seats are Townley Hall, the residence of B. Balfour, Esq., a handsome mansion of hewn stone, situated in a highly improved demesne of 500 acres, and containing a choice collection of paintings; Beaulieu, the earliest seat of the Plunkett family, who have been in possession of it at least since the period of the English invasion, Newtown, of F. Donagh, Esq.: and Green Hills, of St. George Smith, Esq. The village contains about 40 houses; the weaving of coarse linen is carried on for the Drogheda market, and a constabulary police force is stationed there.  The living is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Armagh, comprising the parishes of Mellifont and Tullyallen, and in the patronage of the Marquess of Drogheda, in which the rectory is impropriate: the stipend of the curste is £92.6.1¾. of which £36.18.5½. is paid by the impropriator, and £55.7.8¼. by the Eccesiastical Commissioners from Primate Boulter’s augmentation fund. The glebe-house, towards which the late Board of First Fruits contributed a gift of £450 and a loan of £50, was built in 1816; the glebe comprises 10 acres, valued at £8.6.8. per annum. The church, towards the erection of the same Board contributed the gift of £800, in 1817, is a neat edifice and has been recently repaired at the expense of £217, granted by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. In the R.C. divisions the parish is the head of a union or district, comprising also the parish of Mellifont; there are two chapels, one in the village, and one at Newtown-Drogheda. About 300 children are taught in four public schools, of which one at Townely Hall, is maintained by Mr. Balfour and another by the Misses Balfour. Near the obelisk is a picturesque valley called King William’s Glen, in which that monarch encamped his forces, previously to his crossing the river and obtaining the victory of the Boyne.

TULLYHANOGUE, OR TULLAGHANOGUE,  a parish, in the barony of Upper Navan, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2 miles (N.W.) from Trim, on the road to Athboy; containing 112 inhabitants.  It is the property of Lords Darnley and Sherborne, and comprises 1133 ¾ statue acres, nearly the whole of which, except for what is in the demesne, is arable and in a good state of cultivation.  The land is of good quality, and the system of agriculture has been greatly improved under the auspices of those noblemen, who have recently erected some very superior farm-houses on their estates.  Clifton Lodge, the seat of the Earl of Darnley, is a handsome mansion finely situated in an ample demesne, which was greatly improved by the late Lord.  It is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Trim; the rectory is impropriate in J. O’Reilly, Esq.  The tithes amount to £54.9.9. of which £29.11.3 ½. is payable to the impropriator, and £24.18.5 ½. To the perpetual curate.  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Moymet.

TYMOLE,  a parish, in the barony of Skreen, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 6 miles (S.by E.) from Slane, on the road from Skreen to Duleek and on the Nanny-Water; containing 74 inhabitants, and comprising 793 ½ statute acres.  It is a vicarage, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Duleek: the rectory is impropriate in G. A. Hamilton, of Balbriggan, Esq.  The tithes amount to £77, of which £32 is payable to the impropriator and the remainder to the incumbent.  The glebe comprises 6 acres, valued at £20.5  In the R.C. divisions it is part of the union or district of Blacklion.

WARRENSTOWN,  a village, in the parish of Knockmark, barony of Lower Deece, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 2½miles (W. by N.) from Dunshaughlin, on the road by St. John’s Well and Dunsany to Kilmessan and Navan; containing 13 houses and 97 inhabitants. Fairs are held on Jan 1st, April 28th June 27th, and Sept.20th, chiefly for cattle and pigs. Here is the seat of J. Johnson, Esq.

YELLOW-FURZE, a village, in the parish of Painstown, barony of Lower Duleek, county of Meath, and province of Leinster, 3 miles (S.) from Slane, on the road from Dublin by Stackallen bridge to Nobber; containing 28 houses and 146 inhabitants. Here is a chapel belonging to the R.C. union or district of Batterstown, a handsome modern building in the Gothic style.

Taken from “A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland” by Samuel Lewis. Published in 1837.