ATHBOY

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

"ATHBOY, a parish and market town with a vicarage in the barony of Lune, in the county of Meath, province of Leinster, Ireland, containing the villages of Castleton and Athboy-Commons, 7 miles to the N.W. of Trim, and 34 miles to the N.W. of Dublin. It is situated on a stream bearing the same name, which, after a course of 15 miles from Crossakeel where it rises joins the Boyne not far from Trim. The district is fertile and the land chiefly laid down as pasture. Limestone is obtained in abundance. Athboy was formerly a municipal and parliamentary borough. It received a charter from Henry IV. in 1407, which was confirmed and extended by Henry VI., Henry VII., and James I. The borough returned two members to the Irish parliament from the second year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth till the Union, when it was disfranchised, the representatives of the Earl of Darnley, to whom the manor belonged, and to whom it gives the title of viscount, receiving the compensation of £15,000. Here is a chief police station, and petty sessions for the county are held once a fortnight. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Meath, of the value, with the vicarage of Garly, and the rectories of Moyagher, Rathmore and Keldalky, of £432, in the patronage of the crown, the primate, and the Bishop of Meath alternately. The church is a modern edifice, with an ancient tower. There are several schools and a dispensary. Almshouses for twelve widows were founded by the Earl of Darnley. Each inmate receives five guineas per annum. Remains are to be seen of the old church of a Carmelite monastery, which was established here soon after 1300. At Frayne two castles formerly stood, of which there are extensive ruins. Remains of another castle are at Causetown. The principal residences are Athboy Lodge, the seat of Sir F. Hopkins, Bart., Frayne, Ballyfallon, Mitchelstown, &c. The market day is Thursday. Fairs are held on the 28th January, the 4th May, the 4th August, and the 7th November."

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