Franciscan Friary. The friars of the order of St. Francis were brought into this town A.D. 1261,P and Patrick Scanlain, who was then primate, built a house for them two years after ;9 though Wadding, the Franciscan, as quoted by Allemande, assures us, that it was founded in the year 1291, by O'Donnell." Michael, the divinity lecturer, was elected archbishop in 1303."

A.D. 1353. Gormlagh, the daughter of J. O'Donnell, and formerly wife of Donald O'Neil, prince of Ulster, dying on the 14th of April, was buried in this monastery.t

The Franciscans of the strict observance began to reform this friary in 1518," but it was not then perfected. In 1580, Walter M'Cuard was guardian," and in 1583, Solomon M'Conny was guardian, in whose time the reformation was completed.* Clonfeakle. St. Lugud, or Lugaid,42 the son of Tailchan,

PAnn. Ulton. War. Mss. vol. 34. Allemande. War. Bishops, p. 71. King, p. 309. "War. Mss. vol. xxxiv. *King, p. 309. *Id.

bably lies the secret of this preference. This MacDonnell was chief of O'Neill's gallowglasses, and the building of the house being his work, it is likely that his choice, or the will of O'Neill, whose family was always attached to the Franciscans, turned the scale in their favour."

41 At 1266, the " Annalists" record "Maelpatrick O'Scannail, primate of Armagh, brought the friars minor to Armagh, and afterwards cut a broad and deep trench around the church." In 1357, the guardian of this house appealed to the Pope at Avignon against the acts of the primate, Richard Fitz-Ralph. In 1442, Nimeas O'Lochlen received from the primate permission to preach indulgences throughout Ireland. In 1450, primate Mey sojourned in this house. In 1455, the diocese was laid under an interdict, but a relaxation was granted by the primate, in favour of McCrener, the guardian. In 1518, the convent was obtained for the Franciscans of the strict observance. In 1565, the convent was destroyed, and the friars retired to places of security. They were discovered by one Donald, and the consequence was that friars Roger M'Congail, Conatius Macuarta, and Fergal Bardeus, were stripped and flogged through the principal streets.

On the 3rd July, 1620, the pseudo-primate, Hampton, received a patent in which the site and precinct of the Franciscan monastery was granted to the see. The ruins of the building may yet be traced within the demesne.

The author makes no mention of the church dedicated to St. Columba, which stood in Armagh. Dr. Reeves gives the following particulars connected with it. The "Annals of Ulster," at 1010, state that "Donadhach, of the church of Columcille, in Armagh, fell asleep in Christ." The "Four Masters," at 1152, record the death of "Ferghall Ha Fercubhais, lecturer of Armagh for a time, and of the regles (or abbey church) of Columkille, in Armagh, for a time. In 1614, temple Columkilly is mentioned as in the street called Bore-netrian-Sassenach, and a northern limit of the premises of St. Peter and St. Paul's abbey. In Bogue's map of 1760, the site of St. Columba's church is laid down as due north of the meetinghouse, at the opposite side of Abbey-street.

42 The St. Lugaid referred to in the text is mentioned in "Adamnan's Life of St. Columba," as residing, at the time of that saint's death, in the monastery of Cluain finchoil, "meadow of the white-hazel." Colgan identified this place with Cluainfiacul, Clonfcakle. But Clonfeakle is called in the "Annals" Cluain-fiachna. meadow or plain of St. Fiachna. Jocelin calls this church Cluain-facail in his "Life of St. Patrick;" but in the taxation of 1306, and in the registries of the archbishops Sweteman, Swayne, Mey, Octavianan, and Dowdall it is called by various forms of the name Cluain-Fiachna. The 66 Annals of the Four Masters,"

was abbot of Cluainefiacul, that is, the church of the Tooth, so named from a tooth of St. Patrick which was said to have been preserved here. St. Lugud was a very aged man in the year 580.y

Clonfeakle is now a parish church, about five miles from Armagh,z

Kilmore. St. Mochtee, who afterwards built Louth, founded Kilmoreaedhain, in the territory of Huadmeth; the church is dedicated to St. Aedan."

Kilmore is now a parish church, three miles east of Armagh.b

Kilslere. Wadding, the Franciscan, calls this Killare, and says it was the principal monastery belonging to the third order of Franciscans in Ireland. Thomas Ornay, was made perpetual commissary of it in the year 1457.

Killevy. At the foot of the mountain of Slieu Gullen,43 in the barony of Orior.

44

St. Darerca, otherwise called Monenna, sister to St. Patrick, was abbess of Kilsleve, or Belsleibhe; she died A.D. 517, or 518, and her feast is held on the 6th of July. Others say,

Tr. Th. p. 8. Act. SS. p. 453. Usher, p. 496. Liber visit. a Act. SS. p. 731. Lib. visit. Allemande. a Usher, p. 526. Act. SS. p. 190, 606, 718.

b

at 1003, record the death of "Eochaidh da Flannagain, airchinneach of the Lisaeidheadh of Ardmacha, and of Cluan-Fiachna, the most distinguished historian of the Irish." And at 1069, the death of Aedh, son of Dubhghall, vice-abbot of Cluan-Fiachna. It is also mentioned at 1252. The ancient parish church stood in the townland of Tullydowey, in a curve of the river Blackwater, on the Tyrone side.

43 This mountain took its name from Cuilean, an artificer, who lived in the reign of Conchobbar Mac Nessa, King of Ulster, and by whom the celebrated Cuchellain was fostered.

Colgan, in his "Life of St. Darerca" (22nd March), remarks that Ussher (De Primordiis Ecclesiar. Britannar, p. 705-6), confounds the St. Darerca who was St. Patrick's sister, with St. Darerca, otherwise St. Moninna, abbess of Kilsleve. The former is honoured on the 22nd March, the latter on the 6th of July. St. Mon inna, according to the ancient Life, written by Conchubhranus, and used by Ussher, founded seven churches in Scotland: one called Chilnecase, in Galloway; another on the summit of the mountain of Dundenenal, in Landonia; the third on the mountains of Dunbreten; the fourth at the Castle of Strivelin; the fifth at Dun-Eden, now Edinburgh; the sixth on the mountain of Dun-Pelder; and the seventh at Lanfortin, near Dundee, where she died. The ruins of the church at Killevy are still visible. The "Four Masters" have the following entries regard. ing this establishment: In A. D. 654 "Coincenn, of Cill-Sleibhthe, died." A.D. 921, Dinbhleter, of Cill-Sleibhthe, priest of Ard-Macha was martyred by the foreigners of Snamh-Aighneach" (now Carlingford Lough). "A.D. 1029, DonnChadh Na Donnegain, Lord of Fearninhagh; and Cinaedh, son of Angeirrce, Lord of Cenailli, mutually fell by each other at Cill-Sleibhe." "A.D. 1146, a great wind-storm occurred on the 3rd day of December, which caused a great destruction of woods throughout Ireland; it prostrated sixty trees at Doire-Choluim-Chille, and killed and smothered many persons in the Church: it also killed other people at Cill-Sleibhe." "A. D. 1150, Cailleach. of Cill-Sleibhe, a pious good senior died, after good penance, at an advanced age.”

that this nunnery was built by St. Monenna about the year 630, after she had quitted Faugher, in the county of Louth. St. Conchenna, sister to St. Lugad of Clonfeacle, was abbess of this nunnery; she died A.D. 654.1

Kilsleve is now a parish church in the diocess of Armagh,g Inquisition 4th November, 3rd King James, finds, that Alicia Nigen M'Donchey O'Hanlon was the last prioress, and 10th March, 34th King Henry VIII. she was seized of the townlands and the tithes of Agheyelloge, alias Aghyloge, Ballytolloche, Clonynlym, alias Clonelome, Ballylurgakeill, Aghetidy and Aghedemoyll, alias Aghadavell; also of the tithes of the twelve townlands of Camlogh (Dromeherime and Tollyvonney only excepted); also of the four townlands of the Moyry, the four townlands of Faddum; also the six townlands of Cohill; the seven townlands of Killin; and the townlands or places known by the name of Ballinageragh, Ballinlat, Ballynedowlargoegh, Carrickbraddagh, Dromenty, Teucrome, Carricksticken, Clogh O'Cominslawnohill, Corregillereen, Moyfanner, Mauclawne, Latebrigett, Aghadonoman, Ballekeill, Charchill, Leballimore, Corickegallyogh, the two Sturgans, Lisliagh, Aghnuckshane, and Carigedilane. All the said lands were in this county, and of the annual value besides reprises, of 40s. Irish money.

Stradhailloyse. Wadding says, that it is in the diocess of Armagh, and that a monastery for conventual franciscans was founded there, A.D., 1282, and that a provincial chapter of the order was held therein in the year 1315.i

Tahellen.45 In Hy-meith-tirek St. Patrick founded Tegtalain, and made St. Killian bishop of it; his feast is held on May 27th.m This church was burnt A.D. 670."

Usher. Act. SS. p. 606.

Visitation Book. Wadding, quoled by Allemande. Now the barony of Orior. Tr. Th. p. 184. m Act. SS. p. 331. Tr. Th. 633. 45 Teg-Talain, or Tigh-Talain, i.e. domus Talani, derives its name from S. Tellanus, son of Legan, son of Colgan, chief of that region, or from S. Tolanus, son of Donnchadh. The " Martyrology of Donegal" mentions, under the 27th May, Cillin, Bishop of Tigh-Talain in Oirghialla.'

COUNTY OF CARLOW,1

1 From the period of the Norman invasion to the days of Henry the Eighth, Carlow was, in a military point of view, perhaps, the most important county in Ireland. Through its rich valleys lay the main road which connected the English settlements in Munster with the seat of the Government in Dublin. The bridge at Leighlin, in the centre of the county, was the only passage across the river Barrow, enabling the Norman colony around the capital to communicate with the counties of Kil

kenny, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Kerry : even Wexford in those days could not be approached through any other route, so terrible were the fastnesses of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, and so warlike were the tribes of the O'Tooles and the O'Byrnes that inhabited them. Hence many of the early records speak of Carlow as the key of the English pale, and a letter from the Parliament of Ireland to Henry the Sixth, in 1435, informs us that, in addition to the castles of the towns of Carlow and Tullow, there were in the fourteenth century no fewer than one hundred and forty eight smaller castles in this county, all " well bataylled and inhabyted."

Nevertheless, matters were not always so cheering for the new colonists. The survivors of the Mac Murrough race had been allowed to retain the greater part of the barony of Idrone, and when the Kavanagh, who towards the middle of the thirteenth century appropriated to himself the greater parts of the counties of Carlow and Wexford, assumed the name of Mac Murrogh, he easily rallied all the branches of that family under his standard, whilst he at the same time strengthened himself by a close alliance with the O'Byrnes and the O'Tooles. From that day he was in reality the King of the greater part of Leinster, and it was only by his toleration that the colonists could enjoy even a comparative calm. He entrenched himself in the hills around Leighlin, and thence commanded the passage of the Barrow at Leighlin Bridge, and it is curious to find that from the days of Edward the Third to the end of the reign of Henry the Eighth, theM Murrough received a yearly stipend of eighty marks from the King's Exchequer, this sum being in fact so much black mail" levied by him for permission to the English settlers to journey on in peace towards Leighlin-bridge. A curious statement of grievances, forwarded by the Parliament of Ireland in 1421 to King Henry the Fifth, proves that the Kavanaghs had become even less loyal than the other rebels, and prays his Majesty to induce the Pope to proclaim "a crusade against the said Irish enemies" (See this important document in Sir W. Betham's "Origin of the Constitution of England," &c., p. 337). We need not add that no such crusade was ever proclaimed by the Holy See, and the imperilled colonists were left alone to struggle with the native chieftains.

We have entered into these details that the reader may understand why so few religious houses were established in this county by the early Anglo-Norman families. It was particularly rich, however, in its religious foundations of an earlier date, although most of these are passed over in silence by Archdall. The limits of a note will not permit us to treat of this subject as we would wish. Suffice it for the present to mention Kellistown, where the modern church occupies the site of an old church supposed to have been erected by St. Patrick, and which in later times bore the name of this great apostle. There was a Round Tower where the steeple now stands; and about half a mile distant St. Patrick's Well may still be seen. In the same neighbourhood is the townland of Kyle, formerly called Killenora, i.e.," the Venerable Church," where the ruins of the old church still remain, measuring thirty-nine feet in length and eighteen in breadth. Nurney in Irish Urnaighe, and marked on the old map of Mercator as Urney, was formerly a famous place of pilgrimage. The name itself implies that it was specially devoted to prayer. O'Curry writes: " Urnaighe" in this instance, and on all other occasions, when applied to a church as its name, is the same as Cill-nahurnaighe, "cella orationis,' or "the church of prayer. Within the modern churchyard are the remnant of a rude stone cross. and outside the enclosure to the north is a perfect cross six feet in height. There were formerly three stone crosses at Nurney.

Kiltinnel, also pronounced Kintinnel, is a corruption of the Irish word KiltSinchill, ie., " Ecclesia Sinchelli." In Kiltennel are the ruins of an ancient church 16 yards long and 7 yards broad. It has a plain slab, with the inscription: "Underneath lieth the body of Mr. Edmond Byrne, jun., who departed this life December 3, 1768, aged 33 years. Also the body of Mr. Edmond Byrne, of Spawhill, his father, who departed this life June the 16th, 1770, aged 72 years. Re. quiescant in pace." The more modern chapel, now also in ruin, was 9 yards long and 15 feet broad, and was built in the beginning of the last century. In a recess at north-east corner is placed a stone with armorial bearings, and the motto: "In Domino confido," and the inscription: "Captain Edmond Byrne

Achad Finglass2 was also called Achad Arglass, near Leighlin, on the east of the river Barrow, in the barony of Idrone. There was an abbey founded here, of which St. Fintan was abbot; he died on the 17th of February, long before the end.

erected this chapel, and Doctor Edmond Byrne, Archbishop of Dublin, consecrated the same, 1709.' There is a well in the townland called Tobermodalowan, the Irish Tober-Modalamhan, about a quarter of a mile from the old church.

Ballyellen, i.e. Baile-Ailin, retains a portion of the old church. The length was 18 yards, and the breadth 8 yards. Inside the church is a tombstone with the inscription: 'Dionysius O'Ryan de Bally-ellen Generosus et uxor......... fieri fecerunt 4 Die Octobris, A. D. 1625."

66

Lorum. On the map of Mercator it is marked Glorum, Seward calls it Lowran, and tradition says there was a church and Round Tower here. St. Molaise's day was formerly celebrated here. His well lies about a hundred perches to the east of the church.

In Donore townland is the site of a church called "Kilmolappogue," and within 30 perches of it a well of the same saint. (See Annals of Four Masters," at 1041). It is, perhaps, the place marked on Mercator's map Kilmalogue; and the well in some of the Ordnance papers is written St. Malaugh's well.

Clonagoose, i.e., in Irish, Cluain-nag-cluash. On Mercator's map it is marked Clongash. There are still the ruins of an old church there, and Lady-well lies 120 yards to S. E. of the church. The patron day was held on the last Sunday in June. No mention is made of any of these ancient churches by Archdall.

It is still more surprising that he makes no mention of the town of Carlow, which gave name to the present county. It was known in ancient times as Catharlach, and in the Irish preface to "Keating's History" it is called Ceatharlach. It is generally supposed to mean Cathair-lach, i.e. "The Castle of the River." Mr. Curry, however, translates it "The Quatriple Lough," as taking its name from four lakes. It is situated at the junction of the Burrin with the Barrow, and it is thought that much of the district was formerly covered with water.

Many details regarding the civil history of the town may be seen in Ryan's "History of Carlow." I shall only add that in the additions to Gough's "Camden," mention is made of the "ruins of a fine abbey, founded about the year 634," as still extant in the town of Carlow. Some ruins of an old abbey may still be seen a few perches from the Castle, and it is traditionally known as St. Mary's Abbey. Near Oak Park there was a small Franciscan friary, founded by the Cooke family, the former proprietors of the estate. Browne Hill and Viewmount also occupy the site of a venerable religious establishment called St. Kieran's Abbey.

Achadh-Finglais has been identified by the Ordnance Survey with Agha, which is situated about two miles from Leighlin-bridge. The word Achadh, which means a plain, is pronounced Augha precisely as Agha is called by the Irish-speaking population. At Agha may still be seen the ruins of a church which dates from the earliest period of our Christian era. It is thus described in the Ordnance Survey Letters: "Its length inside is 45 feet, and its breadth is 15. At the height of 5 feet from the ground begins a window on the east gable, which is 3 feet 8 inches broad at the bottom, has a semicircular arch of chiselled granite stones at top, to the spring of which the window is 3 feet high. The height of the arch, 3 feet, being added to this, makes the whole height (of the window) 8 feet. The sides as well as the arch are built with chiselled granite stones." There is another window in the south side-wall, with "a rectilineallypointed arch."

"The door is on the west gable; 3 feet 6 inches wide; 6 feet 3 inches in height; the breadth at top is 3 feet 5 inches. The side walls, which seem to retain their original height, rise about II feet 9 inches."

Subsequently it is added, regarding this church: "It is referable to as early a period as history places an establishment at Achadh-Finglais." At the south