KILCULLEN

In 1868, the parish of Kilcullen contained the following places:

"KILCULLEN, a parish in the barony of Kilcullen, county Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, containing the greater part of the post town Kilcullen-Bridge, and the whole of the village of Old Kilcullen. The parish is 5 miles long by 3 broad. It lies within the valley of the Liffey. The living is a curacy in the diocese of Dublin, value £375, in the patronage of the Chancellor of Christ Church. Tho church was built in 1815, partly by means of a gift from the late' Board of First Fruits. There are two Roman Catholic chapels, a Sunday and several day schools. Castle Martin and Halverstown are the principal residences. The hamlet of Old Kilcullen was formerly a walled market town and a place of some importance, but fell into rapid decay on the building of the village of Kilcullen-Bridge [which see]. It is now interesting as containing several monuments of antiquity. A monastery was founded here by St. Patrick in the 5th century. The town was sacked by the Danes in 1037. The wall was thrown round it in 1319 by the Fitz Eustaces and the Fitz Martins, who also founded an abbey in 1460. It was granted to Spencer the poet. "The town was occupied by the parliamentarians in 1647, and General Dundas defeated the rebels here in 1798. There are remains of a round tower and a cross near the abbey."

"KILCULLEN-BRIDGE, a post and market town in the parishes of Carnalway and Kilcullen, baronies of South Naas and Kilcullen, county Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles N.E. of Old Kilcullen, and 26 from Dublin. It is situated on the river Liffey, and the road from Dublin to Carlow. The bridge was erected in 1319 by Maurice Jakis. There are a fever hospital, dispensary within the Naas Poor-law Union, and a police station. Petty sessions are held occasionally. Saturday is market day. Fairs are held on the 2nd February, 25th March, 22nd June, 8th September, 2nd October, and 8th December."

"NEW ABBEY, an ancient seat in the parish and barony of Kilcullen, county Kildare, Ireland, 8 miles E. by S. of Kildare. The remains of this once magnificent mansion, which was given by Queen Elizabeth to the poet Spenser, stand on the river Liffey, near Kilcullen Bridge, occupying the site of a Franciscan monastery founded in 1460 by Sir R. Eustace."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018