FINGAL AND ITS CHUECHES. 
 
F I M G A L. 
 'i'.CHuRCHES IN Use ^Churches in Ruins 
 
 1 
 
 f I ' f f T J 
 
FINGAL AND ITS CHURCHES: 
 
 a Ibietorical SFietcb/v- ' 
 
 ( FtBi;n9I5 
 
 THE FOUNDATION AND STRUGGLES Of' 
 CHUECH OF lEELAND 
 
 IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTY DUBLIN WHICH LIES TO THE 
 NORTH OF THE RRTIR TOLKA. 
 
 ROBERT WALSH, M.A., 
 
 Rtctor of Malahide, with Portinarnock, Diocese of Dublin. 
 
 DUBLIN : 
 
 WILLIAM McGEE, 18 NASSAU STREET. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 SIMPKIN, MAESHALL, AND CO., PATEKNOSTER ROW. 
 1888. 
 
Digitized by 
 
 the Internet Archive 
 
 
 in 2015 
 
 
 
 https://archive.org/details/fingalitschurcheOOwals 
 
TO 
 
 THE MEMBERS OF 
 
 Zbc ffingal Clerical Society, 
 
 IN 
 
 GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION 
 OF MANY HAPPY AND PROFITABLE MEETINGS 
 THROUGH PAST YEARS ; 
 AND IN 
 THE EARNEST HOPE 
 THAT MEETINGS AS HAPPY AND AS PROFITABLE 
 MAY BE GRANTED 
 THROUGH YEARS TO COME, 
 
 trble Iblstors 
 
 OF THE DISTRICT IN WHICH HE AND THEY MINISTER 
 IS DEDICATED BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 tN the early part of this year I read some papers 
 at meetings of the Fingal Clerical Society on 
 the past history of the Church in the district. Many 
 of those who heard the papers expressed a hope that 
 they should be printed. 
 
 Partly encouraged by these kindly critics of my 
 papers, and partly induced by an opinion, which I 
 have long entertained, that many members of the 
 Church of Ireland know too little of her past won- 
 derful history in their own neighbourhood, I have 
 expanded my papers into the story told in this 
 volume. My aim has been to write for the many 
 whose knowledge of the subject is limited, but who 
 may be interested in learning something more of 
 the leading facts of a history of fourteen hundred 
 years — not for the learned few, who will doubtless be 
 disappointed if they expect in this volume evidences 
 
Vlll 
 
 Preface. 
 
 of extensive antiquarian research or of profound anti- 
 quarian knowledge. With the above object mainly 
 in view, I have endeavoured to write, in as popular a 
 style and manner as I could, this historical sketch of 
 Fingal. 
 
 I have had much valuable help from old friends, 
 for which I cannot express myself too gratefully. 
 The Rev. Canon Twigg, Vicar of Swords, and the 
 Rev. G. T. Stokes, D.D., Professor of Ecclesiastical 
 History in the University of Dublin, have ungrudg- 
 ingly given me the benefit of their assistance. The 
 extensive local antiquarian knowledge of Canon 
 Twigg has been freely placed at my service ; and to 
 Professor Stokes I am indebted for many valuable 
 hints, and references to sources of information, 
 which, from his historical knowledge and research, 
 were of great use to me. 
 
 I have been very fortunate in the materials at my 
 disposal. Bishop Reeves has published a " Memoir 
 of the Church of St. Duilech," 1859. There was also 
 published by him " A Lecture on the Antiquities of 
 Swords," 1860. Both of these works are long since 
 out of print. Like every other work Bishop Reeves 
 has written, they abound in accurate information and 
 in antiquarian knowledge, and are full of interest. 
 I have not hesitated to quote largely from both. The 
 
Preface. 
 
 IX 
 
 late Kev. B. W. Adams published a " History and 
 Description of Santry and Clogbran Parishes," 1883. 
 This book must have cost its learned author much 
 time and labour. He has entered with great minute- 
 ness of detail into the past history of his two parishes. 
 I have obtained many useful hints from his book. 
 Mr. Henry Alexander Hamilton has published "A 
 Lecture upon the History of the Parish of Bal- 
 rothery," which he delivered at Balbriggan in 1876. 
 The long and intimate connection of Mr. Hamilton 
 and his family with Balrothery and Balbriggan has 
 given him peculiar opportunities of acquiring infor- 
 mation about these places, which he has put together 
 in a most attractive form in his learned and interest- 
 ing lecture. Some of this information was new to 
 me, and when I have made use of information thus 
 acquired, I have acknowledged it. I may add, that I 
 can make some claim myself, from past family con- 
 nection with Fingal, to some personal knowledge of 
 its history. 
 
 In addition to local sources of information, there 
 are now at hand sources of information which were 
 scarcely accessible a generation ago. The student 
 of Irish Church history has his path made very easy 
 for him in the many records of the past, carefully 
 printed and edited, which have been published under 
 
X 
 
 Preface. 
 
 the able editorship of such men as Bishop Reeves, 
 Dr. J. H. Todd, Dr. O'Donovan, Mr. Plenuessy, Mr. 
 Gilbert, Mr. Hardiman, and others. Instead of 
 having to work one's weary way through MSS. 
 scarcely legible, we now have, thanks to the learned 
 authors whom I have named, the original texts 
 clearly printed, learnedly annotated, and carefully in- 
 dexed. The following works of this kind have con- 
 tributed many facts to this History of Fingal : — The 
 " Annals of the Four Masters," " The Chartularies 
 of St. Mary's Abbey," " Chronicum Scotorum ;" such 
 publications of the Irish Archteological Society as 
 " The Charter and Grants to All Hallows Priory," 
 " The Book of Obits of Christ Church Cathedral," 
 " The Statute of Kilkenny," and others. Of the 
 same nature is " The Wars of the Gaedhil with the 
 Gaill," carefully translated and annotated by the late 
 Eev. J. H. Todd, which, with his learned work on 
 " The Life of St. Patrick," abound with information 
 respecting many localities in Ireland. Belonging to 
 a later date are the documents brought to light by 
 the discriminating researches of Miss Hickson in her 
 book entitled " Ireland in the Seventeenth Century," 
 of Mr. Prendergast, in his work on "The Crom- 
 wellian Settlement," and of others. From these 
 books, and others of the kind referred to in the text, 
 
Preface. 
 
 XI 
 
 I have collected many interesting contributions to 
 this History of Fingal. 
 
 Mr. Monck-Mason's " History of St. Patrick's 
 Cathedral," and Archdeacon Cotton's " Fasti Ecclesiae 
 HibernicsB," are full of information about all places 
 and persons connected with the subjects they re- 
 spectively deal with. I have been much indebted 
 to both for information. It is to be regretted that 
 Mr. Monck-Mason's MS. " History of Christ Church 
 Cathedral " is practically inaccessible. It may be 
 presumed that it would throw much light upon the 
 history of Fingal parishes connected with Christ 
 Church Cathedral, judging from the amount of light 
 which the " History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," by 
 the same author, throws upon the past story of 
 Fingal parishes connected with the latter cathedral. 
 I have also frequently obtained valuable help from 
 Mr. D' Alton's "History of the County Dublin;" 
 but, from the nature of the case, rather with respect 
 to secular than to ecclesiastical affairs. 
 
 In the case of local nomenclature, I have invariably 
 reproduced the spelling of the names of places as it 
 is given in the document from which I quote. For 
 this reason the names of many places in Fingal will 
 be found spelled in very different ways at different 
 times. This fact has an interest of its own, and is 
 
Xll 
 
 Preface. 
 
 sometimes a help in tracing the history and meaning 
 of a name. The meanings of the local names are 
 generally taken from two volumes entitled "Irish 
 Names of Places," by Mr. P. W. Joyce — volumes full 
 of interest and information for all who desire to 
 investigate that large part of the past history of Ire- 
 land which is buried in names. Occasionally Dr. 
 J. H. Todd, in his two books already referred to, 
 has given a somewhat different spelling or meaning 
 of a name from Dr. Joyce. Where this is so, I have 
 followed Dr. Todd. With regard to some names, 
 Mr. W. M. Hennessy, of the Public Kecord Office, 
 has most kindly lent me the aid of his knowledge 
 of the Irish language in suggesting the most pro- 
 bable meaning. 
 
 The difficulty of securing accuracy in the spelling or 
 signification of some Irish names of places has more 
 than once been brought home to me by the varieties 
 in both to be found in the writings of acknowledged 
 authorities on the subject. I must therefore claim 
 some fox'bearance in criticism if I do not always come 
 up to the standard in this matter of any given 
 authority. 
 
 The documents from which Appendices I., III., 
 IV., and VI. are taken, have never been before pub- 
 lished, as far as I am aware. They contain very 
 
Preface. 
 
 xiii 
 
 iuteresting informatiou about the parishes of Fingal 
 at the respective periods with which they deal. I 
 have commenced with the earliest known diocesan 
 parochial record, and have selected six characteristic 
 diocesan returns, prepared during a time when such 
 returns were few and far between, so as to enable 
 those interested in any particular parish, with the 
 help of the Index, to follow its history for them- 
 selves. Some pains have been taken with this Index, 
 so as to secure facility of reference. I have not 
 added any diocesan return of later date than that 
 given in Appendix VI., for this reason, that it would 
 be difficult to select from the immense number of 
 such documents any diocesan return of very special 
 interest. From the middle of the seventeenth century 
 visitation returns become numerous, and from the 
 close of the century they become regular. As they 
 become numerous and regular, they lose their indi- 
 vidual interest. 
 
 Appendices VII. and VIII. are my own work. 
 Appendix VII. was suggested to me by the perusal 
 of an interesting MS. account of some few of the 
 churches of Fingal in the year 1783, by Mr. Austin 
 Cooper, F.S.A,, of Abbeyville House, St. Doulagh's. 
 He lived about one hundred years ago, and when 
 I happened to visit some ruin which is now fast 
 
XIV 
 
 Preface. 
 
 disappearing, without any record left behind of 
 what the ruin was like in time past, I often enter- 
 tained the wish that Mr. Cooper had made a note 
 of its condition, in his own day, such as he 
 had made of Baldungan, Balrothery, Grace Dieu, 
 and Lusk. I have myself visited, from time to 
 time, all the ruins and .churches of Fingal. Any 
 interest attaching to the brief notices of them which 
 I give in Appendix VII. will, I suppose, belong rather 
 to the future than to this present time. Without 
 indulging in the lofty ambition that Macaulay's 
 New Zealander may one day take up my book with 
 interest, I still may cherish the humbler hope, that 
 some reader may possibly place his hand on a copy 
 of my book somewhere a hundred years hence, and 
 read with interest some of the accounts which it con- 
 tains of buildings whose place then may know them 
 no more. 
 
 With regard to Appendix VIII., I shall only 
 observe that the lists are as complete as I could 
 make them. There are not any complete lists in 
 existence of the clergy of any of the older parishes 
 of Fingal. There are extensive lists of some 
 parishes, but none are continuous. Indeed, the 
 story which I tell of Fingal shows how unlikely it 
 would be that such continuous records would now be 
 likely to exist. 
 
Preface. 
 
 XV 
 
 The woodcuts, except in the few cases where the 
 date shows it must have been otherwise, are from 
 drawings on the spot made during the past 
 summer by two artists, J. E. C. and N. H., who 
 were well qualified by their skill and taste to under- 
 take such a work, and to whose willing help I am 
 much indebted. 
 
 EGBERT WALSH. 
 
 St. Andrew's, Malahide, 
 November, 1887. 
 
1 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE CELTIC CHURCH FOUNDED IN FINGAL. 
 
 SECTION 1. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Fingal — Origin of Name — Extent of District — Previous Name 
 
 Ard-Cianachta— People Occadesi— Religion Druidism I — 4 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 St. Patrick at Malahide (Muldowney), Inlspatrick, Donny- 
 camey, and St. Margaret's — Columbkille and Colman at 
 Lambay — Nessan at Ireland*s Eye — Island Monasteries, 
 why ? — Canice at Finglas — Mobhi at Glasnevin — Congal 
 at Clontarf — Columbkille and Finan at Swords — Mac- 
 Cullin at Lusk— Lusk and Education— Grace Dieu — 
 Celtic Monasticism — Swords, Lusk, Finglas, Hollywood, 
 Garristown, Ireland's Eye, and their Dependencies 5 — 27 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 Oratories of SS. Movee and Fintan — S. Doulagh — St Doulagh's 
 Church, Balgriffin — Lambecher of Bremore — S. David — 
 Molagga — Domhnog — Welsh Settlers in Fingal . 28—37 
 
 A 2 
 
3iviii Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 THE DANES IN FINGAL. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 First Arrival of the Norsemen — Glasmore— Headquarters, first 
 Malahide, then Dublin — Danish Feuds— Battle of Clon- 
 tarf— Sitric— Anlaff— The Torquills . . . 38—46 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 Celts invade Fingal — Anarchy — The Difficulties under which 
 
 religious ministrations were performed . . 46— SS 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 The Irish Round Towers — Christian in origin — The Purposes 
 they served — Places of Refuge — Pjell-ringing — Round 
 Tower of Swords — Round Tower of Lusk — S. Cobban 
 Sacr — Characteristics of masonry .... 56—65 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 AVhat the Danes left to Fingal — Danish Dedications — Anta- 
 gonism between Dublin Danish and Fingal Celtic Churches 
 — Source of Danish Christianity explains this — Danes inter- 
 marry with the Celts — Decay of Celtic Church — Christ 
 Church Cathedral— Finglas, Swords, Lusk, still had Celtic 
 Clergy — Synod of Rathbreasil — Irish Diocesan System 
 founded — Fingal at first in Diocese of Glendalough 65 — ^i 
 
Contents, 
 
 XIX 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE ANGLO-NORMANS IN FINGAL. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Invasion — MacTurkill, last Norse King of Dublin— Mac- 
 Turkill Property in Fingal— Synod of In ispatrick— Irish 
 Parochial System founded— Earliest Parishes of Fingal — 
 Ruined Churches of Fingal — Lusk and Dependent 
 Chapels— Swords and Dependent Chapels— Glynshagh 
 Church— Tithes 73— S3 
 
 SECTION II, 
 
 Anglo-Norman Clergy appointed to Fingal Parishes — Celtic 
 Dedications changed — Fingal Parishes appropriated to 
 various monastic institutions— Settlement of Anglo-Nor- 
 man proprietors on confiscated lands of Fingal — The 
 Church a gainer thereby — Strange grant to the Priory of 
 All Hallows. Feudal Castles in Fingal — Balrothery and 
 Knights' Plots — Ecclesiastical Castles — The Saladin or 
 Papal Tenths 83—99 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 Condition of the Pale in thirteenth and fourteenth centuries 
 — St. Catherine's of Ficldstown — Natives to assume Eng- 
 lish names and manners — Native Clergy — ^John Kever- 
 nock — Feud for precedency between Armagh and Dublin 
 connected with Fingal— Portmarnock and St. Marnock — 
 Ballyboghill and the The Book of Armagh- 
 
 Archbishops of Armagh— A Foothold in Fingal , 99 — 115 
 
XX 
 
 Contents. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE REFORMATION IN FINGAL. 
 SECTION I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Condition of the Pale on introduction of the Reformation — 
 Murder of Archbishop Allen— First visible signs of the 
 Reformation — Form of the Beads— Suppression of Monas- 
 teries — Grace Dieu — All Hallows — Bible and Prayer Book 
 in Irish— Small clerical incomes in Fingal— Methods of 
 promoting Reformation Ii6 — 124 
 
 SECTION II. 
 State of the Pale throughout the sixteenth century— Irish- 
 speaking and Irish Clergy first encouraged in Fingal — 
 Inferior class of Clergy as a rule in Fingal during six- 
 teenth centuiy — Archbishop Bulkeley's Return — Grants 
 from the Crown to loyal Roman Catholics — The Vicar of 
 Donabate — Pluralities— Laymen misappropriating Church 
 Property 124— 136 
 
 SECTION III. 
 Rebellion of 1641 — Depositions edited by Miss Hickson — 
 Serious disturbances in Fingal — Wrecked vessels at 
 Skerries and Clontarf 136— 143 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 Cromwell comes to Ireland— In Fingal — His treatment of the 
 Talbots of Malahide — Malahide Church — Cross of Nether- 
 cross — The Cromwellian Settlement — Lord Trimleston — 
 Sir R. Talbot— Mrs. Hore — Parts of Fingal a desolation — 
 Sir W. Petty's Census — Destruction of Churches — Crom- 
 well and the Fingal Clergy — Archbishop Ussher and 
 Lambay 143—158 
 
 1 
 
Contents. 
 
 xxi 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Restoration — William III. in Fingal — Spiritual deadness 
 of the eighteenth century — Pluralities — Absentee Clergy 
 — Rev. F. Higgin— Dean Swift at Glasnevin — Archbishop 
 Marsh — Archbishop King — The Penal Laws. 158 — 166 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 Improvement commencing at the close of the eighteenth cen- 
 tury — Primary Education — Parochial Schools in Fingal, 
 at Santry, Finglas, Howth, Swords— Charter Schools at 
 Clontarf— At Santry — Parochial Schools become general 
 in Fingal early in the present century — Swords Borough 
 School— Swords Borough— Rebellion of 1798— The Tithe 
 War — Churches rebuilt this century— Parochial Patronage 
 in Fingal— Crown Patronage— Rev. John Gregg — Rev. 
 W. B. Kirwan — New churches at Balbriggan and 
 Kenure 166—186 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 The Irish Church Act, 1869— The Number of Clergy and of 
 
 Parishes in Fingal before it and since— Union of Parishes 
 
 Garristown Church — Raheny Church — Present condition 
 of Fingal Parishes— Provision for the ministry— Work 
 being done — The Future 187—194 
 
APPENDICES. 
 
 I. Extracts from the " Crede Mihi " relating to parishes 
 
 in Fingal, A.D. 1275 ... ... ... ... 195 
 
 II. Extracts from " The Ecclesiastical Taxation of Ire- 
 land" relating to parishes in Fingal, A.D. 1302-1306 198 
 
 III. Extracts from the " Repertorium Viride " relating to 
 
 parishes in Fingal, A.D. 1532 ... ... ... 200 
 
 IV. Extracts from " The Regal Visitation " relating to 
 
 parishes in Fingal, A.D. 1615 ... ... ... 208 
 
 V. Extracts from Archbishop Bulkeley's " Account of the 
 Diocese of Dublin " relating to parishes in Fingal, 
 
 A.D. 1630 ... ... ... ... ... 211 
 
 VI. Extracts from a Census, A.D. 1659, relating to parishes 
 
 in Fingal ... ... ... ... ... 218 
 
 VII. Brief History and Description of the churches in use 
 and in ruins, belonging to parishes in Fingal, 
 
 A.D. 1887 ... ... ... ... ... 221 
 
 VIII. Succession of the clergy of the churches or parishes in 
 
 Fingal down to the year 1887 ... ... ... 253 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 1. Map of Fingal {Frontispiece). PAGE 
 
 2. Church of St. Nessan, Ireland's Eye ... ... 9 
 
 3. Church of St. Canice, Finglas ... ... ... 12 
 
 4. Church of Killeek ... ... .,. ... 24 
 
 5. Church of St. Patrick, Donabate ... ... ... 26 
 
 6. Great Church of St. Margaret's, Dunshaughlln ... 27 
 
 7. Oratory of St. Fintan, Howth ... ... ... 29 
 
 8. Church of St. Doulagh ... ... ... ... 33 
 
 9. Abbey of Glasmore ... ... ... ... 41 
 
 10. Church of St. Columba, Round Tower, Norman Tower, 
 
 Swords ... ... ... ... ... 57 
 
 11. Church, Round Tower, Norman Tower, Lusk ... 63 
 
 12. Church of St. Patrick, Inispatrick (Exterior) ... ... 75 
 
 13. Church of St. Patrick, Inispatrick (Interior) ... ... 76 
 
 14. Howth Abbey ... ... ... ... ... 85 
 
 15. Church and Castle of Baldungan in 1783 ... ... 89 
 
 16. Church of St. Peter, and Castle, Balrothery, in 1783 ... 96 
 
 17. Church of St. Marnock ... ... ... ... 107 
 
 18. Church of Ballyboghill ... ... ... ... 112 
 
 19. Grace Dieu in 1783 ... ... ... ... 1 19 
 
 20. Church of St. David, and Castle, Kilsallaghan ... 140 
 
 21. Ancient Church of Malahide (Exterior) ... ... 145 
 
 22. Ancient Church of Malahide (Interior) ... ... 146 
 
 23. Cross of Nethercross ... ... ... ... 148 
 
 24. Parish Church of Portmarnock ... ... ... 155 
 
 25. Church of St. Andrew, Malahide ... ... ... 178 
 
 26. Parish Church of Raheny ... ... 189 
 
riNGAL AND ITS CHUECHES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE CELTIC CHURCH FOUNDED IN FINGAL. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 HIS history of the foundation and struggles 
 of the Irish Church in Fingal has limits 
 of a very natural kind placed to it. 
 Fingal was a distinctive name in com- 
 mon use long before the twelfth century, when first 
 the Diocese of Dublin was formed, and also long 
 before the time when King John first assigned its 
 boundaries to the county of Dublin. The name 
 continued in use long after these events. It was 
 familiarly given to the district so late as the year 
 1580. 
 
 For some centuries the district had a Christian 
 history of its own, affected of course by outside 
 influences, but chiefly worked out from within, and 
 in many respects confined to itself. 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Soon after the invasions of the Norsemen began, 
 the north and south of what is now the county Dublin 
 received the names of Fingal and Dubh-gall respec- 
 tively, the south of the county being called " Dubh 
 Gael," i.e., the territory of the black strangers, after 
 the Danes. This name disappeared in a short time 
 from the district which received it, but found a per- 
 manent resting-place in the village of Baldoyle, in 
 the north of the county, i.e., " Ball-dubh-Gael/' the 
 toivn of the black strangers. But the name Fingal — • 
 "Fine Gael," i.e., the territory of the strangers — 
 remained to the northern part of the county. Some 
 derive the word Fingal from "Feon Gael," i.e., the 
 territory of the ivhite strangers. Danes and Nor- 
 wegians took part in the invasions. The adventurers 
 were distinguished by their colour. The Danes were 
 dark-haired, the Norwegians, including the Swedes, 
 being a fairer race. Now, indeed, the name Fingal 
 only lingers in the title of an Irish nobleman, one of 
 whose ancestors had a prominent share in the history 
 of the district, and also in " The Fingal Clerical 
 Society," which so happily unites the clergy of Fingal 
 in kindly and useful association. 
 
 Fingal extends from the river Tolka at the south 
 to the river Delvin at the north, and is that part of 
 (what is now called) the county Dublin lying between 
 these two streams. It includes the three Rural 
 Deaneries of Finglas, Swords, and Garristown, and 
 the four baronies of Coolock, Nethercross, Balrothery 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 3 
 
 East, and Balrothery West, with a small tract to the 
 east of the barony of Castleknock. 
 
 Within this district there are now seventeen 
 parishes or parochial unions. But in the past it con- 
 tained no less than forty-eight distinct parishes, and 
 there are still visible, or it is possible to trace the 
 sites of, fifty-five churches or chapels in use or in 
 ruins, without counting ten parish churches which 
 now stand on sites difl^erent from those of their ruined 
 predecessors. Fingal, from Balscadden in the north 
 to Clontarf in the south, is nineteen miles long, and 
 from Rush in the east to Ballymadun in the west — 
 its greatest width — is thirteen miles wide. Its aver- 
 age width is little more than eight miles. Probably 
 there is not another rural district in Ireland which 
 includes within such comparatively confined limits so 
 many monuments of its past Christian history. The 
 story of how it came to pass that these monuments 
 were raised ought to be an interesting one. 
 
 When the first heralds of Christianity came to the 
 district we have described, they found it inhabited by 
 a tribe of Celts called the Bregenses. One Cian, who 
 flourished in the early part of the third century, was 
 the parent of a race called the Ciauachta, or "descend- 
 ants of Cian." Some of the race settled in Magh- 
 Breagh, or Bregia, a district about six miles wide, 
 running from the south of the county Louth from 
 Drumiskin in that county to the river Liflfey. 
 The southern part of Bregia, which extended from 
 
4 
 
 Fingal and its Chinches. 
 
 the river Delvin to the river LifFey, was, in conse- 
 quence of this settlement, called Ard-Cianachta. 
 The Celtic Ard-Cianachta was the earlier name of 
 the later Danish Finp^al. In the " Eepertorium 
 Viride " (see Appendix III. under the parishes named) 
 Archbishop Allen speaks of the parishes of Clon- 
 methan, Naul, and Westpalstown, as being within 
 " the lands of Occadesis." O'Donovan, in a note 
 to his edition of the " Annals of the Four Masters," 
 under the year 1017, explains that this was a later 
 name of the Celtic sept of Cianachta seated in Fingal 
 in Magh-Breagh. After the establishment of sur- 
 names the chief of the territory took the surname of 
 O'Cathasaigh, now Casey. The Annals speak of 
 " O'Cahasai, King of Bregh," and of" O'Casey, Lord 
 of Breagha." 
 
 The heathen religion of these Bregenses or Occa- 
 desi was of course, as elsewhere in Ireland, Druidism, 
 though no trace of Druidical history or worship 
 remains in the nomenclature of Fingal. Indeed, we 
 have no record of any organised opposition to the 
 first progress of Christianity in Fingal, such as might 
 naturally have been expected from the heads of a 
 great national religion, if any such had then existed. 
 Possibly the Bregenses and their chiefs had local 
 priests or magicians ; but the annalists, who chronicle 
 in such a matter-of-course sort of way the endless 
 Celtic feuds, are silent upon the subject of the Fingal 
 Druids and of their attitude towards Christianity. 
 
The Celtic Chtifch founded in Fingal. 5 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The first Christian missionary who came in contact 
 with the heathen population was St. Patrick himself, 
 and Malahide was the first part of Fingal to which he 
 came. Ahout the year 432 A.D. he began his work in 
 Ireland. He brought with him several pious and 
 learned companions. They landed, it is supposed, 
 somewhere on the coast of Wicklow. Meeting with 
 serious opposition from the pagans there, it was 
 thought better to embark once more in their vessel, 
 and to go northwards. By the time the voyagers had 
 reached the mouth of a river called Inbher (or Inver) 
 Domnainn, their provisions began to run short. 
 They stopped here to fish, but, catching nothing, pro- 
 ceeded to the island — henceforth named after the 
 saint — Inispatrick, off Skerries, where they landed 
 and stayed for a while. Dr. Todd, in his Life of St. 
 Patrick (page 405, note 5), identifies this Inbher 
 Domnainn with Malahide,"^ and considers that the 
 name is now disguised under Muldowney, at the 
 mouth of Malahide river. 
 
 As thei'e will be occasion to refer again to this an- 
 cient name of Malahide, it is well to insert here an 
 interesting explanation of it given by Dr. Joyce : ' 
 " The Firbolgs (who preceded the Celts), in their de- 
 scent on Ireland, divided themselves into three bodies 
 
 ' The Celtic name became corrupted into "Malahide," 
 Baile-atha-Id, i.t., the town of Id's ford. 
 ' See " Irish Names of Places," Series I., p. 98. 
 
6 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 under separate leaders, and landed at three different 
 places. The men of one of these hordes were called 
 Firdomnainn, or the men of the deep pits, and the 
 legendary histories say that they received this name 
 from the custom of digging deeply in cultivating the 
 soil. The place where this section landed was, for 
 many ages afterwards, called Inhlier-Domnainn, i.e., 
 the river mouth of the Domnanns, and it has heen 
 identified heyond all dispute with the little bay of 
 Malahide. The present vulgar name, Muldowney, is 
 merely a corruption of Maeil-Domnainn, in which 
 the word maeil, a whirlpool, is substituted for the 
 inbher of the ancient name. Thus this fugitive- 
 looking name preserves the memory of an 
 
 event otherwise forgotten, and affords a most 
 
 instructive illustration of the tenacity with which 
 loose fragments of language often retain the foot- 
 marks of former generations." 
 
 But to return to St. Patrick. He and his com- 
 panions after a while left Inispatrick, and sailed on 
 to Strangford, where the real work of his great 
 mission began. We have no evidence that he ever 
 again visited Fingal, though tradition has it that 
 he founded a church at Donnycarney, and having 
 preached at Finglas, uttered a prophecy that it would 
 one day be a great city. There is just this much 
 confirmation of the tradition, that one of the de- 
 pendent churches of Finglas is called Dovemachenor 
 {i.e., Donaghmore) (Appendix I.), afterwards St. 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 7 
 
 Margaret's, Dunshaughlin (Appendix III.)j and all 
 churches so called are stated in an ancient Life of 
 St. Patrick to have been founded by him, and on a 
 Sunday. (For authorities see " Ireland and the 
 Celtic Church," by G. T. Stokes, D.D., p. 83, Note 1.) 
 
 St. Patrick's footsteps were soon followed. Soon 
 a flourishing monastery was founded on Inis- 
 patrick, the Island of Patrick. The Danes afterwards 
 called the village on the neighbouring mainland 
 Holmpatrick, the Port of Patrick. The island mon- 
 astery became a place of note. One chief of the 
 Bregenses of Ard-Cianachta found there an asylum 
 from the cares of royalty. The Annals of Donegal 
 tell us that in the year 898 there died in Inispatrick 
 the " blessed Moel Finianus, the son of Flanagan, 
 who, from being chief of the Bregii, became a devout 
 monk and a holy man." This monastery had an im- 
 portant share in the later history of Fingal. 
 
 The other islands along the coast of Fingal also 
 received monastic settlements very early in the story 
 of Celtic Christianity. Among the many churches 
 founded by St. Columba in the middle of the sixth 
 century was one on Lambay Island. The island was 
 then called Rechru. Lambay or Lamb-Ey, i.e., 
 Lamb Island, was a Danish name, and given sub- 
 sequently. Bishop Beeves has extracted from an 
 ancient Life of St. Columba, preserved in a MS. of 
 the fourteenth century, and now in the care of the 
 Royal Irish Academy, this account of it: "Columb- 
 
8 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 kille (Columba) founded a church at Rechru in the 
 east of Bregia, and left Colman, the Deacon, in it." ^ 
 Colman's labours were crowned with success. The 
 church of Rechru became so important as to stamp 
 its name upon the neighbouring peninsula. The way to 
 Eechru was in time called Port-Rechru — Portrane — 
 i.e., the landing-place of, or for, Rechru. The church 
 was flourishing in the year 795. It was considered 
 of sufficient importance to be granted as part of the 
 endowment of the See of Dublin in 1184, and in 
 1337 there was issued a patent for the establishment 
 of a chauntry on the island. There is not now a 
 trace or tradition of where this church or chauntry 
 Btood. This fact, however, is not to be wondered at. 
 During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the island 
 was constantly infested by smugglers, pirates, and 
 French or Spanish enemies of the British Sovereign.* 
 Ireland's Eye, like Lambay, had a church founded 
 on it in the middle of the sixth century. Here the 
 holy Nessan founded a chapel, and spent his old age 
 in abstinence and prayer. The " Annals of the Four 
 Masters " tell us — " Nessan was a prince of the royal 
 family of Leinster, who had seven sons, all distin- 
 guished for sanctity and miracles, and all honoured 
 in the Irish Church as saints. In the martyrology of 
 .^ngus they are thus noticed at the Ides of March : 
 
 ' See " A Lecture on the Antiquities of Swords." By W. 
 Reeves, D.D., 1860, p. 2. 
 
 * See " History of the County Dublin." By J. DAlton, 
 pp. 435, 436. 
 
 1 
 
Th& Celtic Church founded in Fingal. g 
 
 South-iuest View, Church of St. Nessan, Ireland's Eye, 
 about A.D. 1825. 
 
 " The sons of Nessan of the island, i.e., Inis-Nessan in 
 Bregia ; called also in some of the authorities Inis 
 Faithlum, and now Ireland-Eye." As in the case of 
 Lambay, the Danes are responsible for this later 
 name. Inis-Nessan — the island of Nessan — was 
 changed to Ereann-Ey — corrupted to Ireland's Eye 
 — the island of Erea. As time went on, this church 
 of Nessan became the custodian of a celebrated MS. of 
 the Four Gospels, called " The Garland of Howth." 
 Archbishop Allen, in the " Liber Niger," says of it, 
 " that the book is held in so much esteem and vene- 
 ration that good men scarcely dare take an oath on it, 
 for fear of the judgement of God being immediately 
 
10 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 shown on those who should forswear themselves." 
 In 1179^ the church and land were granted towards 
 the endowment of the See of Dublin by Pope Alex- 
 ander III. From the Chartularies of St. Mary's 
 Abbey,^ we learn that in 1186 one Hernesius was 
 minister of the Church, and that it was endowed at 
 this time with the tithes of Kilbarrack, St. Mary's 
 Abbey having exchanged these for the tithes of Ka- 
 heny, which had up to this time belonged to the 
 church of Ireland's Eye. In 1235 the island church 
 was removed to Howth, where the prebendal abbey 
 was built, the ruins of which are now in the village. 
 
 But why did these early Christian communities 
 settle thus on lonely islands ? The congregations 
 attending their ministrations must have been very 
 small. The answer may probably be found partly 
 in the unsettled condition of the mainland, and 
 partly in the religious ideal of early Celtic Christian 
 life. The good monks chose their opportunities for 
 preaching the Gospel on the mainland — for they had 
 the evangelistic impulse strongly planted in them — 
 but with the impulse was combined their ideal of a 
 religious life as a ministerial community, to praise 
 God, and to spend their time in devotion, or to 
 chronicle events, and to copy the sacred books ; and 
 at first this ideal could be best realised, free from 
 distraction or interruption, on the Fingal islands. 
 
 ' See Ussher's Works, Vol. IV., p. 552. Ed. Elrington. 
 » Edited by J. T. Gilbert, Vol. I., p. 173. 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 1 1 
 
 There were not, however, wanting bolder spirits 
 for dealing with the more difficult work of winning 
 Fingal itself for Christ. Almost simultaneously at- 
 temi)ts to accomplish this object were made in five 
 different parts of the district. 
 
 Tradition has it that the Abbey of Finglas was 
 first founded by St. Patrick. It was dedicated to 
 St. Canice, otherwise called Cainnech or Kenny, 
 and was really probably founded by him. Canice, 
 who was born in 516, was a disciple of Finan (or 
 Finian), at the College of Clonard, and was a friend 
 of Columba. The Abbey of Finglas became at once 
 a thriving religious community, and the annals 
 preserve a long list of its abbots and bishops (see 
 Appendix VIII.), as well as of the abbots of its 
 dependent neighbour, Glasnevin, where an abbey 
 was founded by Mobi^ or Mobhi, who died in 544. 
 This monastery also became a school. We have a 
 description of this school in a Life of Columba. 
 When he went to study there, he found there were 
 fifty scholars, who lived in huts by the Tolka on 
 the west bank ; the church was on the east side of 
 the river. Both these places retain to this day their 
 good old Irish names : Finglas, i.e., Finn, pure ; 
 glaise, stream, namely, the streamlet which runs 
 through the village, and joins the Tolka at Finglas 
 
 ' He was called Mobi Claraineach, i.e., the flat-faced, pro- 
 bably because of injuries inflicted on his features by cancer. 
 See "Lecture on Swords and its Antiquities." By W. 
 Reeves, D.D., p. 3. 
 
12 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 bridge. The Tolka flows by Glasnevin, where, in 
 these far-off days, it was called glaise, stream ; 
 naeidken, of Naeidhe, or Glasuevin. 
 
 South-east View, Church of St. Canice, Finglas, A.D. 1887. 
 
 In 550 a church was founded in Clontarf, which, 
 presumably from its name — Cluain-tarbh — i.e., the 
 meadow of the bulls, like the neighbouring lands of 
 Drumcondra, or Clonturk — Cluian-tuirc — i.e., the 
 meadow of the boar, was then a rich pastoral district. 
 Congal, the abbot, and founder of Bangor monastery, 
 placed the church here. To him it was dedicated, 
 but the annals do not mention successors. Nor have 
 we information of its early life ; possibly it was killed 
 or stunted through its nearness to Danish Dublin. 
 But Clontarf must ever fill an honourable place in 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 13 
 
 the story of Fingal, as having been the scene of the 
 celebrated battle in 1014, which broke the Danish 
 power in Ireland, 
 
 Right in the heart of Fingal were the most ac- 
 tive and successful centres of early Celtic Christian 
 life — at Swords and at Lusk. It has been stated 
 that the Christian story of Fingal was chiefly worked 
 out from within. These five starting-points of it 
 illustrate this. The mission at Clontarf apparently 
 failed. Congal, its founder, was a stranger to the 
 district ; but the founders of the missions at Finglas, 
 Swords, and Lusk were connected with each other, 
 and two of them were children of the soil, being 
 members of the race of Cian. Canice, of Finglas, 
 was a disciple of Finan, and a friend of Columba, 
 both of whom belonged to Swords, and this Finan 
 was a kinsman of MacCullin, of Lusk, both of 
 whom were of the race of Cian. 
 
 The annals tell us that Swords owes its origin to 
 Ettan, the son of Uicce, who was one of Hemer's 
 chieftains ; but the Christian Church in Swords owes 
 its origin to Columba, Columba, or Columkille, was 
 born at Gartan, near Letterkenny, in Co. Donegal, 
 on December 7, A.D. 521. He belonged to the royal 
 family of Ireland, being a descendant of Niall of 
 the Nine Hostages, and like Canice he received his 
 education at the celebrated Celtic school of Clonard ;i 
 
 ' Clonard. — This school was founded by the learned 
 Finian, a disciple of St. David of Wales, who died in 601. 
 
14 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 but after a time he came south, and studied at the 
 school of Glasnevin. He was celebrated as a scribe, 
 as well as a famous evangelist. So fond of this 
 occupation of transcribing the Scriptures was he, 
 that, in 597, on the day before his death, he was oc- 
 cupied in copying a psalter. In the year 563 he left 
 Ii-eland to found his celebrated monastery at lona. 
 
 But before he started for lona he came to Swords. 
 What he did there is stated in the MS. Life of 
 him translated by Bishop Reeves :^ — " He founded a 
 church in the place where Sord is this day. He left 
 a learned man of his people there, namely, Finan 
 Lobhar (i.e., the leper; and he left the Gospel there 
 which his own hand had written. There also he dedi- 
 cated a well named Sord,^ i.e., pure ; and he conse- 
 crated a cross — for it was customary with him to make 
 crosses and polaire,^ and book satchells and church 
 furniture." Colgan, a Roman ecclesiastic, in his 
 
 Finian was specially devoted to the study and explanation 
 of the Holy Scriptures. His school soon became famous 
 throughout Christian Europe, and continued so for centuries. 
 Clonard was situated at the source of the river Boyne. For 
 a full account, see " Ireland and the Celtic Church," Stokes, 
 p. 103. 
 
 ^ Quoted from " Lecture on Swords and its Antiquities," 
 p. 2. 
 
 ^ Polaire. — The meaning of this word is not known. 
 Sord is derived from an old and obsolete Celtic word 
 meaning pure, of which the more modern synonym is glan. 
 Possibly polaire is likewise an old and obsolete Celtic word, 
 with which etymologists have not been as fortunate as with 
 Sord. 
 
 \ 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 1 5 
 
 " Trias Thaumaturga," copying this passage, substi- 
 tutes (as he plainly does) the word " missal " for 
 " gospel." Unfortunately Colgah's version is the one 
 most generally quoted. His variation has an evident 
 purpose — a purpose for which we have to be constantly 
 on the watch in the writings of Roman ecclesiastics, 
 as they seldom resist the temptation to make a 
 modification in ancient documents which would give 
 a Roman colouring to the distinctly un-Roman his- 
 tory of the early Celtic Christian Church. Nothing 
 would be more natural than for Columba to give a 
 MS. of the Gospels to the church he was founding 
 at Swords — for it would be the fruit of labour in 
 which he was constantly occupied. Nothing would 
 be more unnatural than that he should give a missal. 
 He probably never heard of the thing. The word 
 was scarcely, if at all, known to Columba's contempo- 
 raries. Bishop Reeves, in his account of Swords and its 
 antiquities, published in 1860, and now unfortunately 
 out of print, has translated some more of this MS. 
 Life of St. Columba, which very happily associates 
 Columba with his newly-founded church of Swords : 
 " One day that Columkille and Cainnech [or Canice, 
 who founded Finglas] were on the brink of the tide, 
 a great tempest raged over the sea, and Cainnech 
 answered. What saith the wave ? Columkille an- 
 swered, Thy people are in danger yonder on the 
 sea, and one of them has died, and the Lord will 
 bring him in unto us to-morrow to this bank on 
 
1 6 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 which we stand." Was the bank on which they 
 stood at Inbher Domnainn ? and were the people, 
 like St. Patrick before them, fishing in Malahide 
 Bay ? These questions must be left to conjecture. 
 
 But one more extract, and we have to leave St. 
 Columba : — " As Bridget was one day walking 
 through the Curragh of Life [i.e., the Curragh of 
 Kildare] , she viewed the beautiful shamrock-flower- 
 ing plain before her, whereupon she said in her mind, 
 that if to her belonged the power of the plain, she 
 would offer it to the Lord of Creation. This was 
 communicated to Columkille in his monastery at 
 Sord, whereupon he said with a loud voice : Well 
 hath it happened to the holy virgin, for it is the same 
 to her in the sight of God as if the land she offered 
 were in her own right." In due time Columba went 
 on his way to lona. Finan took up his work at 
 Swords, but he too, after a while, went elsewhere. 
 He is invariably called in the L-ish annals St. Finan 
 the Leper, of Sord and Clonmore, as Swords is in- 
 variably called Sord-Columcille. 
 
 In the lecture on Swords already referred to. Bishop 
 Reeves (p. 3) justly notices the remarkable circum- 
 stance that a leper and a victim of cancer should be 
 the venerated founders of Christian life in Glasnevin 
 and Swords. He says — " How strange that such 
 should be made saints ! But Christianity had long 
 before abolished the disabilities of the leper, and 
 with the fall of the Jewish ordinal arose the prospects 
 
TJie Celtic Church founded in Fint^al. 17 
 
 of the bodily sufferer. The Irish seem to have held 
 such ill veneration ; and we can prove that several of 
 the most honoured names in our native calendar are 
 men whose skin was the seat of a loathsome disease, 
 or whose features had been levelled by the ravages of 
 cancer. St. Finan belonged to the former class ; St. 
 Mobhi (of Glasnevin), styled Claraineach, to the 
 latter ; and in the great veneration which the ancient 
 Irish always entertained for extreme asceticism and 
 self-denial, their respect for those who sulfered by 
 the hand of God was not less when that compulsory 
 mortification was coupled with a holy life." 
 
 This commendable trait in the character of the 
 Irish peasantry is still common. The imbecile, 
 generally styled " an innocent/' is never allowed to 
 " want for a bit or sup " from the poorest household 
 in his native village. It is often touching to notice 
 the kindly forbearance shown to his eccentricities. 
 
 Though Swords in a few centuries became a place 
 of great importance, we have no authentic accounts 
 of it preserved between the seventh and the tenth 
 centuries, the existing annals of its neighbour 
 Lusk being much more complete and continuous 
 dm"ing these early days. MacCullin, a relative of 
 Finan of Swords, settled at Lusk ; he became its 
 founder and patron saint, and died there on Septem- 
 ber 6, A.D. 497. He is supposed to have been buried 
 in a " lusca " or cave at Lusk, hence its name. In 
 Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum" we read that "the 
 
 c 
 
1 8 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 blessed Colga, Abbot of Lusk, flourished about 694. 
 He, among the principal prelates of the kingdom, 
 subscribed to a certain synod convened in Ireland by 
 St. Adamnan in 695 or 696 and the annals contain 
 a long list (see Lusk, Appendix VIII.) of the worthies 
 of Lusk, more or less continuous from jNIacCullin's 
 time to the period of the English invasion. Here 
 one pious lord of the Bregenses met his death by 
 accident. When keeping St. MacCullin's festival at 
 Lusk in 795, Ailill, son of Fergus, lord of South 
 Bregia, was thrown from his horse and immediately 
 expired. And there were at Lusk clergy who did not 
 accept the Roman rule of celibacy, for two at least of 
 the abbots of Lusk were sons of those who had held 
 the office before them — Colga, son of Crummaol, who 
 died in 782, and Cormac, son of Conall, who died in 
 799. It is very possible that the gap in the succes- 
 sion of abbots and bishops from 965 to the time of 
 the Conquest is to be accounted for by a temporary 
 union with Swords. The succession of abbots and 
 bishops in Swords is very full ; during that time it 
 was rapidly becoming the more important place, and 
 the last-named Bishop of Lusk — Ailioll, who died in 
 965 — was also Bishop of Swords. 
 
 But Lusk was not only famous for its long roll of 
 the names of its reverend dignitaries, and for what 
 they did as missionaries. It was a great educational 
 establishment. The Alexandra College of these 
 good old times was a daughter of Lusk. Between 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 19 
 
 Swords and Lusk, near Corduff House, can still be 
 traced the ruins of Grace Dieu. It had originally 
 been part of the establishment of Lusk ; but Arch- 
 bishop Comyn, in furtherance of that policy of 
 Eomanising the Celtic Church which will be illus- 
 trated later on, removed the school in 1190 to 
 Grace Dieu, where it became henceforth filled with 
 " regular canonesses following the rule of St. Augus- 
 tine/' So famous and successful " a select seminary 
 for young ladies " was it, that when Henry VIII. 
 issued his orders for the suppression of the monas- 
 teries in Ireland, the Irish Lord Deputy and Council 
 interceded for Grace Dieu on the ground that " the 
 womenkind of the most part of the whole Englishry 
 of this land be brought up here in virtue, learn- 
 ing, and in the English tongue and behaviour/'^ The 
 intercession was in vain. Grace Dieu was suppressed, 
 and its good work was brought to a violent end. 
 Alison White, the last prioress, received a pension of 
 a£6 per annum, and surrendered all the property of 
 Grace Dieu in Dublin, Meath, Louth, and Kildare. 
 In the inquisition of 1541 she was found seised of 
 one curious possession, namely, a right to a flagon of 
 ale out of every brewing of ale at Lusk. Henry VIIL 
 granted to the Barnwall family the lands which Grace 
 Dieu had from time to time acquired in " Dongans- 
 town, Lusk, Palmerstown, Ballyboghill, Kilsallaghan, 
 Eob-boches-walls, Malahide, and Portmirnock." 
 
 ' See " Lectures on the History of Ireland," Second Series, 
 by A. G. Richey, p. 151. 
 
20 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Up to probably the ninth century there is nothing 
 to tell of the north and west of Fingal, except of the 
 neighbourhood of Balbriggan. What are now the 
 unions of Balrothery and of Clonmethan were in 
 these far-off days mostly great tracts of bog or of 
 forest, and doubtless had few inhabitants. The rich 
 flat pasture lands south must have supported a large 
 population. Where the people were, there most 
 naturally the early pioneers of Christ's Gospel 
 settled. 
 
 Before we follow their footsteps further, let us stop 
 for a little to recall the social condition of things 
 which accounted for their system of associating to- 
 gether in religious communities. The sentiment of 
 the Irish Church of to-day is rightly and entirely 
 opposed to the Roman monastic system. It is not, 
 we believe, consistent with the teaching of the Bible 
 about the true ideal of Christian life, and of the 
 claims of others on it, to shut up men and women 
 to live useless lives in monasteries and nunneries. 
 The truth is, there was little in common between 
 the early Irish Celtic and the later Roman monastic 
 systems except the name. The early Irish Church 
 was intensely monastic ; but it was also of an in- 
 tensely evangelistic and missionary spirit. It was 
 monastic that it might best be missionar3\ Its 
 enthusiasm sometimes degenerated into asceticism, 
 and where it did so, it ceased to be useful. There 
 was no other system possible to Columba, Canice, 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fiiigal. 21 
 
 Finan, and MacCullin but the monastic system. 
 They dare not have gone as individual missionaries 
 among the lawless savage Druids of Fingal. They 
 •were Celts preaching to Celts. They were not like 
 English missionaries going off to India or China or 
 Africa, where the name and greatness of England 
 generally secure respect for their lives and properties 
 on the part of the natives. These Celts carried their 
 lives in their hands, and, indeed, were sometimes 
 not afraid to fight for their lives. It was not until 
 the year 804 the Celtic monasteries were exempt 
 from military service. Canice, Fiuan, and Mac- 
 Cullin settled at Finglas, Swords, and Lusk, with 
 others like-minded. In each place the community 
 lived together in a village of rude huts, for mutual 
 protection and edification. As the community won 
 converts from the natives, these were added to its 
 ranks. 
 
 Its government was remarkable. On turning to 
 Appendix VIII., under Finglas, Swords, and Lusk, 
 it will be observed that the deaths of abbots, bishops, 
 scribes, are frequently chronicled. Occasionally the 
 same person is bishop and abbot ; occasionally he is 
 bishop and scribe, and very seldom the same person 
 is all three. The abbot ruled over the monastery 
 and managed its temporal affairs. The bishop only 
 filled a spiritual office, and bestowed holy orders for 
 the community ; he had no diocese, and no terri- 
 torial jurisdiction. When the abbot died, his powers 
 
22 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 passed to his co-arb or heir. The scribe was a most 
 important official in days when no printing-press 
 existed to multiply copies of the Scriptures. He 
 transcribed the MSS. of the community, the Psalms 
 and Gospels being the most frequently copied. The 
 penmanship and artistic taste of some of these Celtic 
 scribes were wonderful. Specimens, like the Book 
 of Kells, which are preserved in the Library, Trinity 
 College, Dublin, well repay examination. The scribes 
 also chronicled the history of their monastery. Here 
 is a suggestive record of a great scribe of Swords : — 
 " A.D. 1042, Eochecan, Erenach of Slane, and lec- 
 turer of Swords, a select scribe, died." It is to be 
 regretted that no literary remains of such as Eoche- 
 can and other scribes of Lusk and Swords have come 
 down to us — no carefully copied MS. of the Bible 
 and the like ; but we may not wonder that nothing 
 of the kind has survived the terrible vicissitudes of 
 these lawless times. The Erenach ^ was a kind of 
 monastic tenant. The lecturer — Ferleighin — was a 
 kind of Professor of Divinity. In their hours of ease 
 these monks played chess. 
 
 The stately monuments of the past which still 
 remain at Swords and Lusk would convey a very 
 false impression of the surroundings of these early 
 Celtic Christian communities. The round towers 
 were not yet built. Wattles, oaken planks, and mud 
 
 ' For more information on this subject, see Ussher's Works, 
 Vol. XI., pp. 419-445. 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 23 
 
 were most commonly the materials which formed the 
 huts^ or bothies, refectories, and churches of these 
 communities, and their ambulatories were vaulted by 
 the heavens. Dr. Petrie says, stone was sometimes 
 employed even in the case of these early communi- 
 ties. Of course, examples of this material would 
 alone survive. " Houses used for abbots and monks 
 are of a circular or oval form, having dome roofs 
 constructed without a knowledge of the principle of 
 the arch, and without cement, and all encompassed 
 by a broad wall. So, in the monastic establishment 
 of St. Molaise, at Inismurray, on the Bay of Sligo, 
 and of St. Brendan, at Inisglory, on the coast of 
 Erris, Mayo." These encompassing walls were some- 
 times fifteen feet high. Dr. Petrie thinks that these 
 date from the sixth century ; but he adds : " Most 
 probably, in their monastic houses and oratories, the 
 Irish continued the Scotic custom of building with 
 wood until the twelfth or thirteenth century." But, 
 as time went on, we may believe that the churches 
 of Finglas, Swords, and Lusk were built of stone. 
 The roofs of the smaller churches were also built of 
 stone, as in the case of St. Doulagh's. But the 
 larger churches were roofed with wood, covered with 
 reeds, straw, or oak shingles. This would account for 
 the frequent mention in the annals of burnings of 
 churches. Often the chancel roof was of stone, and 
 
 ^ For a very vivid description of these buildings see • ' Ire- 
 land and the Celtic Church," by Dr. G. T. Stokes, p. 185. 
 
24 Fijigal and its ClutrcJies. 
 
 the roof of the nave of the lighter materials. Of this 
 we probably have examples in the ruined churches 
 on St. Patrick's Island and Ireland's Eye. (See Ap- 
 pendix VII.) The windows Avere not glazed ; often 
 parchment was stretched across them. 
 
 All evidence would seem to prove that the early 
 Celtic Christianity in Fingal was the true leaven 
 Christ meant His religion to be. The rapid spread 
 of Christianity through the district aptly illustrates 
 His words when He said : " The kingdom of 
 
 Soxdh-ea&t View, Church of Kille el. , A.D. 1687. 
 
 heaven is like leaven," &c. We must entirely divest 
 our minds of all our territorial ecclesiastical ideas to 
 realize the state of things. Though churches have 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 25 
 
 been mentioned whose names we are accustomed to 
 associate with more or less extensive parochial 
 boundaries, there were no parishes in those days, 
 neither was there any Diocese of Dublin ; but there 
 were in Ard-Cianachta three little spots where the 
 leaven of Christ's Gospel was placed. All around, 
 except on three islands, was a lump yet to be 
 leavened. In time the j^east, fermenting at first in 
 Suords, spread to other spots we now know as Clogh- 
 ran, Killeek, Killossory, Douabate, Malahide, Ivin- 
 saley, Balgriffin, and Coolock. (See Appendices I, 
 and III.) First, some circumstance probably gave 
 opportunity to preach in these places — "a cottage 
 lecture," may be. It may be a monk from Swords 
 had bound up some wound got in a Celtic feud at the 
 ford of Id (Malahide). These fords were the scenes 
 of frequent tights. Or it may be a fever case was 
 lovingly and skilfully tended. The opening made, a 
 wattle chapel would in time grow up, then stone, 
 and then regular ministrations would be supplied 
 from the central brotherhood in Swords. There is 
 reason to believe that Clogliran and Donabate were 
 the earliest of the places named to be won. The 
 ruined little church of Donabate (see Appendix VII.) 
 is probably the earliest example we have remaining 
 in Fingal of a stone church of the Celtic period. 
 
 Then the other places were won, and by the time 
 of the English invasion chapels of some kind had 
 been built in each of them, which were dependent, 
 
 I 
 
26 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 for religious ministrations, on Swords. Cloghran, 
 Balgriffin, Donabate, and Coolock, soon after the 
 invasion, became strong enough to be independent 
 churches. 
 
 South-east View, St. Patrick's Church, Donabate, A.D. 1887. 
 
 In the same way the yeast, fermenting first in 
 Finglas, spread to St. Margaret's, Ward, and Artane 
 (see Appendices I. and III.), and these became depen- 
 dent chapels served from Finglas. 
 
 And thus also Lusk won Rush, Kenure, Whites- 
 town (see Appendices I. and III.), and cared for 
 them. Later on Lusk added Balrothery, Baldun- 
 gan, and Lambecher of Bremore to its charge. 
 
 There seems to be no existing evidence of how the 
 leaven spread to Clonmethan and Garristown, in the 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 27 
 
 South-west View, great Church of St. Margaret's, Dunshaughlin, 
 A.D. 1887. 
 
 north-west of Fingal. This we know (see Appen- 
 dix III.), that Grallagh was a chapel of Hollywood, 
 Palmerstown of Garristown, as was also Ballymadun. 
 Most probably Kilbarrack and Baldoyle became, in 
 the same way, dependent chapels on Ireland's Eye 
 before St. Nessan's Church was transmuted into St. 
 Mary's Abbey, Howth. 
 
 And so, preaching, teaching, multiplying copies of 
 the Scriptures, healing the sick and feeding the 
 hungry, the disciples and descendants of these sons 
 of Cian won their district for Christ, and in a few 
 centuries gave it the blessing of organized religious 
 life. It is a bright story ; it is a pity that the good 
 ■work was to be so marred, and for so long. 
 
28 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 There were some variations in this earl}^ Celtic 
 monastic system in Fingal, which should he noticed. 
 They were eminently characteristic of a perverted 
 enthusiasm sometimes displayed hy Celtic Chris- 
 tianity, and of its Eastern affinities. 
 
 Between Lusk and Balrother}^ there arc the 
 remains of a very small chapel or oratory called St. 
 Movee's Chapel. (See Appendix VII.) There were 
 many Movees or Mobhis among the Irish saints. 
 One of these was uncle to St. Doulagli or Duilech; 
 possibly this was the founder of the anchorite oratory 
 we speak of. He is stated to have died in the year 
 630. The oratory is too small to have been the 
 chapel of a community. Probably a succession of 
 recluses lived and prayed here. A curious legend of 
 the place is current in the neighbourhood, which 
 attests the sanctity of the patron, his well, and his 
 oratory. A former lord of the adjacent land cast a 
 covetous eye upon the fertile God's acre upon which 
 these were situate, and at length one day drove ia 
 his team upon the sacred sod. A voice, or an angel 
 from heaven, forbade the sacrilege, solemnly remind- 
 ing this Irish Ahab that the spot held the bones of 
 St. Movee, by whom the land had been consecrated 
 to God. " St. Movee, or St. Movo, the furrow shall 
 on go," was the scornful retort ; but hardly was it 
 uttered, when team, and plough, and owner dis- 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 29 
 
 appeared beneath the earth. The little lad who led 
 the horses alone escaped to tell the tale. The spot 
 is still pointed out about thirty paces from the south- 
 west corner of the ruins of the ancient oratory. 
 
 Another of these oratories on the Hill of Howth is 
 
 North-west View, St. Fintans Oratory, Howth, A.D. 1887. 
 
 dedicated to St. Fintan. (See St. Fintan's, Appen- 
 dix VII.) There are twelve saints at least named 
 Fintan in the Irish hagiography ; but it is probable 
 that the Fintan to whom this oratory was dedicated 
 was Abbot of Druimhing, near Dunshaughlin, Co. 
 Meath. It so happens that there is not any known 
 account of the foundation, building, or rebuilding of 
 either of these oratories of SS. Movee and Fintan. 
 
30 Fiiigal and its Churches. 
 
 That they were founded by, or at least in honour 
 of, those whose names they bear, is of course 
 probable. It is also probable that the prayer-cell 
 •was more than once rebuilt on the original site. 
 Possibly each successive erection was an improve- 
 ment on its predecessor ; but it would appear to be 
 unwise, with our present knowledge, or rather want 
 of it, to attempt to fix the date of the existing 
 oratory of St. Fintan. In his interesting book on 
 " Irish Antiquities" Mr. W. F. Wakeman (p. 125) 
 says the oratory is not of eai'lier date than Howth 
 Abbey ; while such skilled antiquarians as Dr, 
 Petrie, Miss Stokes, and Lord Dunraven evidently 
 think it well to be silent on the subject. 
 
 The recluses who from time to time ministered in 
 these retired spots sacred to SS. Movee and Fintan, 
 were free to go about. There was a third recluse's 
 home in Fingal, whose tenant could not do so. 
 It was situated at Balgriffin, and is now called 
 St. Doulagh's, or St. Duilech's, Church. Bishop 
 Eeeves, in 1859, published a memoir of it, which is 
 unhappily out of print. There is little known of 
 St. Doulagh personally, except his genealogy and 
 his character. By an ingenious investigation. Bishop 
 Eeeves arrives at the conclusion that St. Doulagh 
 flourished about the year 600. He was evidently a 
 man of great piety.-* This characteristic of him is 
 
 ' See " Memoir of the Church of St. Duilech," by W. 
 Keeves, D.D., pp. 4, 5. 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 31 
 
 commemorated in various ways and at various 
 periods. The " Feilire of ^ngus," a composition 
 of the ninth century, speaks of him as " Duilech 
 the beautiful, of Clochar." About 1171 Marian 
 O'Gorman, in a metrical calendar, calls him 
 " Duilech the devout, of Clochar," which place is 
 explained as " Clochar-Duiligh, by Faeldrum (now 
 Feltrim, i.e., ' Wolf-hill ') on the south, i.e., beside 
 Sord of Columcille." He erected a cell on the spot 
 where the church which bears his name now stands. 
 (For a description of it see Appendix VII.) He 
 became an enclosed' anchorite. He and his succes- 
 sors were built up in the chamber which was their 
 cell, and never left it until death released them ; 
 but even then the body remained, for it was buried 
 beneath the floor of the cell. The successor of the 
 dead-immured hermit daily said his prayers standing 
 over the place where the body of his predecessor 
 lay, while beside the grave he dug a grave for him- 
 self, and kept it always open to remind him whither 
 he was going. 
 
 Bishop Reeves in his memoir quotes a description 
 of the strange perverted life these enclosed ancho- 
 rites lived. It is from a Roman source of the twelfth 
 century. The Roman colouring of it may therefore 
 not apply to St. Doulagh : — " The abode of an in- 
 clusus should be built of stone, measuring twelve feet 
 in length, and as many in breadth. It should have 
 three windows, one facing the choir, through which 
 
32 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 he may receive the body of Christ ; another at the 
 opposite side, through which he may receive his 
 food ; and a third to admit hght, but which should 
 always be filled with glass or horn. The window 
 through which he receives his food should be secured 
 with a bolt, and have a glazed lattice, which can be 
 opened and closed, because no one should be able to 
 look in, except so far as the glass will allow, nor 
 should the recluse have a view out. He should be 
 provided with three articles, namely, a jar, a towel, 
 and a cup. After tierce, he is to lay the jar and cup 
 outside the window, and then close it. About noon 
 he is to come over and see if his dinner be there. 
 If it be, he is to sit down at the window and eat and 
 drink. AVhen he has done, whatever remains is to 
 be left outside for anyone who may choose to remove 
 it, and he is to take no thought for the morrow. 
 But if it should happen that he has nothing for his 
 dinner, he must not omit to return his accustomed 
 thanks to God, though he is to remain without food 
 until the following day. His garments are to be a 
 gown and a cap, which he is to wear waking and 
 sleeping."^ And then follows a number of details of 
 the recluse's life which, being manifestly later addi- 
 tions, need not be quoted here in connection with 
 St. Doulagh and his early successors. But in his 
 cell, as it at present exists, even still there can easily 
 be traced many features consistent with this descrip- 
 tion of the enclosed anchorite's life. 
 
 ' Page 10. 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 33 
 
 South-east Vieiv, Cliurch of St. Doulagh, A.D. 1887. 
 
 In the interesting church of St. Doulagh, ou 
 which we can now look — though the new part 
 only dates from 1864 — we have probably the oldest 
 existing Irish church used for worship. It went 
 through many vicissitudes since St. Doulagh's day. 
 For a time it was forgotten. In the Bull of Pope 
 
 D 
 
34 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Alexander III., coufirming Laurence O'Toole in 
 1179 in the Diocese of Dublin, there is no mention 
 of St. Doulagh's among all the many churches 
 enumerated. For a while the parish of Balgriffin 
 absorbed St. Doulagh's, when a Welsh settler named 
 Griffin built his castle and church in its neigh- 
 bourhood, and dedicated the latter to the Welsh 
 saint, Sampson, about the time of the English inva- 
 sion. About the year 1400 we find the advowson of 
 this church bestowed upon the Prior of the Church 
 of the Holy Trinity (Christ Church Cathedral). In 
 the " Repertorium Viride " (see Appendix III.) it 
 alone is mentioned; while in the '* Regal Visitation " 
 (see Appendix IV.) we find St. Doulagh's re-appear- 
 ing once more as the church and name of the parish, 
 and so it has since remained. 
 
 Another variation, of another kind, in the early 
 Fingal monastic system must also be noticed. It is 
 an exception to the otherwise prevailing rule that 
 Fingal Christianity developed from within. There 
 is in the north-east of Fingal, about one mile north 
 of the town of Balbriggan, a townland called Bre- 
 more. Close to the sea-shore at Bremore there still 
 exist some rude remains of the ancient chapel of Lam- 
 becher. (See Appendix VII.) There is a lengthy 
 account of it in Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum. '^^ Gir- 
 aldus Cambrensis,^ according to his wont, contributes 
 
 ' See " AA. SS. Hib.," p. 145, Jan. 20. 
 ^ See Giraldus Cambrensis, UoUs Series, torn. 3, p. 396. 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 35 
 
 much upon the subject which is miraculous, and 
 O'Hanlon, in his " Lives of Irish Saints," gives 
 some additional particulars. Though the sum-total 
 is a somewhat mixed collection of facts and fictions, 
 the following may probably be considered the true 
 story of this interesting church. A certain Molagga, 
 or Molaca, a holy man, had been hunted out of 
 Ireland by the Druids. He first sought refuge in 
 Scotland, and then went to Wales. In Wales he 
 went to Menevia, where the celebrated St. David, 
 the Cambrian patron saint, lived. He stayed there 
 for a while, and then resolved to go back once more 
 as a missionary to his pagan fellow-countrymen in 
 Ireland. When he was leaving Menevia, St. David 
 gave him a bell. Molagga returned to Ireland by Ath- 
 Cliath (afterwards Dublin), and then coasted along 
 the shores of Fingal until he came to Bremore, where 
 he settled. A chief of the Cianachta got ill ; Druid 
 priests tried their necromantic arts to cure him in 
 vain. But where they failed Molagga was successful. 
 In gratitude, the Fingallian chief assigned him the 
 land of Bremore, with an annual tribute for his sup- 
 port. Molagga erected a church there, and became 
 the evangelist and pastor of the neighbourhood. 
 But St. David had about the same time another 
 Irish visitor named Domhnog. Like Molagga, he, 
 too, resolved to go back to Ireland. Now, St. David 
 had a great number of bees at Menevia. When 
 Domhnog was about to leave the shores of Wales, all 
 
36 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 these bees swarmed about his vessel. He did not 
 think it right to take his patron's bees away, so he 
 returned with them to Menevia. Once more he 
 started for Ireland. Again the bees followed. 
 Again he returned with them. For the third time 
 he started, and for the third time the bees went off 
 ■with him ; so at last St. David said the bees were to 
 go with Domhnog. There is nothing miraculous in 
 this. It is only unusual ; but it is quite consistent 
 with the well-known persistent obstinacy with which 
 bees keep to a course on which they have decided. 
 Domhnog in due time reached Ireland with his 
 apiarian cargo, and settled with it in the Co. Kil- 
 kenny. He has been.credited with being the first 
 bee-man in Ireland. This is not so. Bees were 
 known in Ireland before his time. He probably 
 only brought an improved race of bees with him. 
 But Molagga was also fond of bees. So in some 
 way he obtained Domhnog's bees, and removed them 
 to Bremore, where they flourished. Hence Molagga's 
 church received the name of Lambecher of Bremore, 
 that is, with a curiously mixed derivation, Llan, the 
 Welsh for "church," and Beachaire, the Irish for "of 
 the Bee-man." After a time it would appear as if 
 Molagga left Bremore. In the parish of Temple- 
 molaga, situated in the north-east of Co. Cork, there 
 is a ruined monastery called Molagga's Bed (Leaba 
 Molagga), from a tradition that a square tomb be- 
 neath the south wall is his grave. He was born in 
 
The Celtic Church founded in Fingal. 37 
 
 Feramugra, now the barony of Fermoy, Co. Cork. 
 He died at Templemolaga on January 20th, in the 
 middle of the seventh century.^ 
 
 Thus the north-east corner of Fingal got its Chris- 
 tianity from Wales. Indeed, we find many Welsh- 
 men at an early period settled in Fingal. We have 
 already seen an example at Balgriffin. In 1169 we 
 read that Ryrd Gwyneth, son of a Welsh prince, 
 in right of his wife, was Lord of Cloghran. There 
 was evidently a Welsh settlement there. About the 
 year 1222 we find Roderick Makanan, the Welshman, 
 holding Cloghran. Again, the church at Kilsalla- 
 ghan was dedicated to St. David, which suggests some 
 kind of relation with Welsh Christianity. And it is 
 hard to account for the curious stone facings on the 
 ruins of the island church of Inispatrick (see Ap- 
 pendix VII.) on any other hypothesis than that they 
 were carried across the sea. Sea-carriage in those 
 early times was probably safer and simpler than 
 carriage by land, through the roadless wilds of cen- 
 tral Ireland. Nowhere within easy reach is such 
 stone now to be found. 
 
 ' See Lord Dunraven s work on Ancient Irish Architec- 
 ture, Vol. I., p. 62. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE DANES IN FINGAL. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 ITH the advent of the Danes, a story of 
 social anarchy, and of religious and 
 national feuds, commences. This con- 
 dition of things continued through nine 
 succeeding centuries to desolate the plains of Fingal. 
 The wonder is that during this long and terrible 
 period there was not a clean sweep made of Chris- 
 tianity out of the district. 
 
 It seems to be agreed that there were three phases 
 of the Danish invasions — the first for the sake of 
 plunder, lasting from 795 to, say, 850 ; the second 
 for the sake of settlement, from 850 to, say, 950 ; 
 the third was a period of political conquest, from 
 950 to the time of the English invasion. Now, each 
 of these periods is distinctly marked in the history 
 of Fingal. 
 
 These Northmen were born thieves. Let us not 
 be too hard upon them ; they knew no better. To a 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 
 
 39 
 
 Norseman to be a pirate was what a Norse gentleman 
 ought to be. It was the Norse ideal of the great aim 
 of life. Sir Walter Scott has won our sympathy for 
 the Highland gentleman and his dependants of some 
 few centuries ago, notwithstanding their loose notions 
 about " meum " and " tuum" in the matter of their 
 neighbours' cattle. But if his national hate of the 
 southron sanctified the spoiling of the Saxon goods 
 into a sort of religion, the Norseman — taking human 
 nature as it is — had even a better excuse for the in- 
 juries he inflicted on the Christian cause. Haliday, 
 in his " Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin," men- 
 tions that Denmark was filled by Saxons who had 
 escaped thither to avoid forced baptism by Charle- 
 magne. These worshippers of Thor and Frega could 
 scarcely be expected to be attracted to a religion 
 recommended by the peculiar methods Charlemagne 
 adopted of preaching the Gospel. It is told of 
 him, that in one day he had 4,500 Saxons beheaded 
 because they refused to be baptised. We cannot 
 wonder that those who fled from a religion thus 
 recommended carried with them a thorough hate of 
 Christian clergy and of Christian institutions. Nor 
 need we wonder that these Saxons infected their 
 Norwegian kinsmen with the same sentiments. Thus, 
 inspired by thirst for plunder and by hate of Chris- 
 tianity, the Scandinavian pirates approached the 
 defenceless shores of Fingal. 
 
40 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Dr. Todd (" Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gaill "i) 
 considers that 795 was about the year of their first ap- 
 pearance on the Irish coast, and that Rechru of Bregia 
 (Lambay) was among the first places they devastated. 
 The " Annals of the Four Masters " put the date two 
 years earlier. They tell that in 793 Inis Padraice or 
 Patrick was " burned by foreign plunderers, who 
 carried ofi" the shrine of Dochonna." The Christian 
 communities on these two islands and on Ireland's 
 Eye were again plundered in 798. Offering an easy 
 and attractive prey, they were the first parts of Fingal 
 attacked ; but soon the cruel raids extended over the 
 plains of Fingal. Here are some of the records : — 
 " 819. Edar (Howth) was plundered by the Danes, 
 who brought away thence many women in captivity." 
 " 824. The Danes burned Lusk." " 830. The 
 Danes plundered Duleek, Meath, and the tribe of 
 Cianachta, with all their churches." And in 836 
 the Ostmen entered the Lififey, and for the first time 
 took Ath-Cliath. This became henceforth their head- 
 quarters. In due time they founded here the city of 
 
 ' The " Wars of the Gaedhil (the Irish) with the Gaill " 
 (the strangers) is a record compiled about the time of Brian 
 Boru. It is a chronicle of bloodshed. Its opening sentence 
 is suggestive of the horror with which the Irish regarded the 
 Danes : — 
 
 ' ' There was an astonishing and awfully great oppression 
 all over Erinn throughout its breadth by powerful azure 
 Gentiles (Norwegians) and by fierce hard-hearted Danars 
 (Danes)." 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 41 
 
 Dublin. Baile-atba-cliath, i.e., " the town of the 
 ford of hurdles," was but a little village then, owing 
 its sole importance to the bridge of wicker hurdles 
 which spanned the Liffey. The waters of the stream 
 •were very dark there, possibly because of the peaty 
 soil, and when the Danish city began to rise, it was 
 called Dublin, Dubh-line, the dark water. 
 
 Before the Ostmen settled in Ath-Cliath, In- 
 bher-Domnainn (Malahide) was the chief centre for 
 their raiding expeditions into Fingal and Meath. 
 One sad monument of them remains to this day. 
 
 North-east View, Glasmore Abbey, A.D. 1887. 
 
 There is, about one mile and a-half to the north- 
 west of Swords, an interesting old ruin and well. 
 The ruin is called Glasmore Abbey. The well is 
 
42 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 called St, Cvonan's Well. The Abbey had been 
 founded by this saint about a century after Columba 
 founded Swords. The annals tell us, but with 
 some disregard to the points of the compass : — • 
 " Glasmore is a church near Swords in the south, 
 whither came the Northmen of Inbher-Domnainn, 
 and slew both Cronan and his entire fraternity in 
 one night. They did not let one escape. There 
 was the entire company crowned with martyrdom." 
 (Archdall's Monasticon, p. 631.) That fatal night 
 was probably February the 10th, for that is the date 
 given in the calendar for the martyrdom of St. 
 Cronan. 
 
 It is easy to see why the Danes were attracted to 
 Malahide. The estuary afforded a safe harbour for 
 their galleys, such as was oifered nowhere else in 
 Fingal. It was also a good centre for attack upon 
 the well-to-do ecclesiastical communities of Swords 
 and Lusk, not to speak of the smaller places like 
 Glasmore. In addition to the instances already 
 given, we find that in 825 Lusk was plundered by 
 the Danes. And again, in 854, " The Duirteach 
 (Penitentiary Lazaretto) of Lusk was burned by the 
 Northmen." 
 
 But as soon as the Danish relation to Ireland 
 altered, and when, in the ninth century, from being 
 plunderers they became settlers, it was natural they 
 should prefer to transfer their head-quarters to Dublin 
 from Malahide. Its much finer river was better suited 
 
The Dmies in Fingal. 43 
 
 for the permanent anchorage of a large fleet, and its 
 position provided a suitable site for a fortified town, 
 and for the seat of settled government and of mercantile 
 enterprise. But these Northmen had other difficul- 
 ties to contend with than Celtic foes, ere they settled 
 down in the land they had conquered. It was easy 
 enough to overcome the Celtic population of Fingal. 
 The Celts were a pastoral people. The Danes be- 
 came merchants ; but they were first, and chiefly, 
 pirates and soldiers. The Northmen had the far 
 more difficult task of agreeing among themselves as 
 to how they were to divide the spoils of Fingal. 
 They fought unitedly enough, like all robbers, for 
 the spoils ; but when they got them, the crucial 
 difficulty had to be solved. Who was to have what ? 
 And so at first, as Dr. Todd, in the " Wars of the 
 Gaedhil with the Gaill," points out, there was no dis- 
 tinction between the foreigners until the year 849. 
 Then they began to prey upon each other. The 
 Dubhghoill (the Danes) arrived at Ath-Cliath, and 
 made a great slaughter of the Finnghoill (the Nor- 
 wegians), who had settled there ; and then a series 
 of reprisals followed. " The Black-gentile Danars 
 endeavoured to drive the Fair-gentiles out of Erinn." 
 
 But these Northmen were too shrewd not to know 
 that they could never hold a conquered country if 
 they were not united. Apparently this internecine 
 conflict ceased within the century which saw it 
 commence. They had enough to do to defend 
 
44 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 themselves at times from the dispossessed race. The 
 conquered Celts plucked up courage. In the year 
 897 the annals tell us that the foreigners were " ex- 
 pelled from the fortress of Ath-Cliath by Cearbhall, 
 son of Muirigen, and leaving great numbers of their 
 ships behind, escaped half dead across the sea." 
 Many escaped to Ireland's Eye, where they were 
 besieged. Here a new trouble befell them ; they 
 were attacked by famine. A curious account of the 
 cause of this famine is given by Caradocus of Lhan- 
 carvau^: — " In the year 897 Ireland was destroyed 
 by strange worms, having two teeth, which consumed 
 all that was green in the land. These [continues he] 
 seem to have been locusts, a rare plague in these 
 countries, but often seen in Africa, Italy, and other 
 hot regions." Another account — under the year 897 
 — adds that " these devourers left neither corn nor 
 grass, nor food for man or beast, but consumed all 
 that was green in the land." Thus attacked by 
 sword and famine, the Northmen sought refuge in 
 Wales. 
 
 It would be wandering beyond the limits of this 
 story of Fingal to dwell farther on the transitory 
 check the power of the Danes received at the close 
 of the ninth century, except to notice that Fingal 
 shared in the temporary peace which followed it. If 
 it cannot be said that ** the land had rest forty 
 
 * See " History of Dublin," by Revs. J. Whitelaw and 
 Robert Walsh, Vol. I., p. 123. 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 
 
 45 
 
 years/' it had rest for something more than half 
 that time. Again the Northmen returned. In the 
 year 919, Citric, their leader, recovered Dublin, and 
 from that time until the English invasion they were 
 practically masters, not only of Dublin, but also of 
 Fingal. Fingal had the honour of being the scene 
 of the great battle which broke the Danish power in 
 the larger part of Ireland, but not in the Co. Dublin, 
 where their power re-asserted itself again soon after 
 the battle. On Good Friday, April 23, 1014, Brian 
 Boru won his glorious victory at Clontarf over the 
 Northmen. He was slain there, and the monks of 
 Swords carried his body to their church of St. 
 Columba, where it rested until arrangements were 
 made to carry it to Armagh for burial. Dr. Todd/ 
 Mr. Haliday,' Dr. Stokes, and others having described 
 this battle so fully, no attempt shall be made here 
 to do so. 
 
 A prince of Fingal, fifteen years after it, dealt the 
 Northmen another blow, for the annals tell us that 
 in 1029 "Amlafl", son of Sitric, Lord of the Danes, 
 was captured by Mahon O'Eiagain, Lord of Bregia, 
 and liberated on ransom." But Brian Boru's great 
 battle was not a decisive victory. Two years after 
 it, the annals mention that " Swords was burned by 
 Sitric, son of Amlalf, and the Danes of Dublin and 
 such successes as that of O'Riagain scarcely disturbed 
 
 ' " Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gaill." 
 * " Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin." 
 
45 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 the Danish settlement. This raid of Amlaif 's was 
 the last Danish raid we read of in Fingal. The 
 Danes remained, in reality, masters there. They 
 had learned some of the arts of peace, and they held 
 their ground as settlers. Thus Haliday mentions 
 that in 1038 Citric, King of the Danes, was living 
 on his town and lands of Portrane, and that all 
 Rathhenny and Baldoyle belonged to him ; and pre- 
 vious to the English invasion we find that a certain 
 Hamund Fitz-Torkaill, a Dane, was in possession of 
 Kinsaley, near Portmarnock, whose right to the pro- 
 perty Henry 11. afterwards recognised, on condition 
 that he paid two marks annually.^ These Fitz- 
 Torkaills, MacTorkills, or Torquills, as we shall see 
 later on, also owned Malahide and Ballyboghill. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 Though the plains of Fingal were freed from the 
 plundering raids of the Northmen once they became 
 settlers there, the Christian Church in Fingal 
 seemed to fare no better because of this. The spoil- 
 ing of her goods continued, only the spoilers were 
 no longer Northmen ; they were henceforth Celts. 
 When the Danes ceased to treat unhappy Fingal as 
 in the earlier centuries of their stay,they seem to 
 have taught their evil ways to the Celtic neighbours 
 
 1 "History of Co. Dublin," by J. D'Alton, p. 220. 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 47 
 
 of Fingal. It must have been a fearful i^lace to live 
 in for all who loved peace and a quiet life during the 
 eleventh and twelfth centuries. Here are some ex- 
 tracts from the "Annals of the Four Masters": — 
 " A.D. 1012, Maolechlain marched with great armies 
 into the Danish territories and burned the country as 
 far as Howth ; but Sitrince (Sitric) and Maolmordha 
 deprived them of one of their preys, and slew 200 
 of them, among whom were Flann, the son of 
 Maolechlain, and the son of Lircan, who was son of 
 Echtigheirn, Lord of Cenel Meachirir, and many 
 others. This was the defeat of Draighnen, in 
 memory of which the following rami was com- 
 posed : — 
 
 On a Monday set out on an expedition 
 The men of Meath with confident march. 
 The Danes we hear were bloody (on that day) 
 At Draighnen on the expedition." 
 
 This incursion of Celtic hordes may have been 
 with the object of punishing the Danes, and may 
 have been one of the preliminary uprisings of the 
 Celts against their Danish conquerors which cul- 
 minated in the great Battle of Clontarf. But here 
 follow records of Celtic plundering attacks on 
 Swords church and monastery : — " A.D. 993, Swords 
 of Columkille burned by Maolechlain." "A.D. 
 1020, Swords burned by Conor O'Maelachlann ; " 
 and again in A.D. 1031 : " A.D. 1048, Hugh, son 
 of Maolan O'Madhailt, Erenach of Swords, was killed 
 
48 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 in the middle of the church on Good Friday night." 
 About this time Ardbrackan, in Meath, was plundered 
 by Citric, " in revenge of which Conor O'Melaghlin 
 plundered and burned Swords of Columkille." 
 "A.D. 1067, Lusk was burned." " A.D. 1069, 
 Lusk and Swords burned." " A.D. 1089, Lusk was 
 burned by the men of Munster, and 180 persons 
 were burned in the stone church." " A.D. 1130, 
 Swords, with its churches and relics, burned." 
 " A.D. 1136, Mac Ciarain, Erenach of Swords, was 
 slain by the men of Farney." " A.D. 1150 and 
 1156, Swords burned." Now, some of this work of 
 devastation may have been by Danes ; but much of 
 it, from the names of the devastators, was plainly by 
 fellow-countrymen. On turning to Appendix VIII., 
 it will be seen that Swords and Lusk were, through 
 these two centuries, entii'ely officered by Celtic Bishops 
 and Abbots ; and if the heads of these institutions 
 were Celts, we may be certain the subordinates were 
 also. 
 
 In other words, the presence of the Northmen — 
 their common foes — seems to have pointed out in vain 
 the urgent need there was for Celtic union. The reli- 
 gious life and impulse, so noble and so strong up to 
 the eighth century, were now dead everywhere, save in 
 a few places. Long years of anarchy had helped to 
 kill them. Superstition and asceticism prevailed in 
 their stead. There are many instances of Fingal and 
 its Christian settlements being wasted by the Celts of 
 
Tlie Danes in Fingal. 
 
 49 
 
 other tribes in this century. Here are some of them 
 recorded by the annalists in that matter-of-course 
 sort of way our daily papers publish their column 
 with births, marriages, and deaths : " A.D. 1052, a 
 predatory excursion was made by the son of 
 Maelnambo into Fingal, and he burned the country 
 before him from Dublin to Albene (the river Delvin). 
 However, they did not take any kine until they had 
 fought great battles around the Dun, where many fell 
 on either side ; so that the Lord of the Danes, i.e., 
 Eachmhoicach, the son of Eandal, went over the sea, 
 and the son of Maelnambo seized on the sovereignty 
 of the Danes after him." But next year the Danes 
 were not an excuse for invading Fingal. " A.D. 
 1053, Donough, son of Brian and Conor O'Melaghlin, 
 marched with an army into Fingal, and the men of 
 Teffia, i.e., the foxes, took away captives from the 
 stone church of Lusk, and obtained from McMaoil- 
 nambo hostages, among whom was Mor, the daughter 
 of Congalach O'Conor. Dermot McMaoilnambo and 
 Giolla Padraic, Lord of Ossory, went into Meath, and 
 took away captives and great spoils in revenge of 
 Mor, the daughter of Congalach O'Conor, who went 
 to Conor O'Melaghlin in violation of the guarantee 
 of Giolla Padraic, and in revenge of the cattle spoil 
 which O'Melaghlin had taken from Leiuster." This 
 Mor, the daughter of Congal O'Conor, was a great 
 misfortune to Fingal. The same year she is again 
 connected with its troubles. " A.D. 1053, an army 
 
50 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 was led by the grandson of Brian, i.e., Donagh, and 
 by Conor O'Mailseochlain, into Fingal ; and the 
 men of Teffia, i.e., the foxes, brought many captives 
 from Doimhliag Lusca (the cathedral of Lusk), and 
 they carried off hostages from the son of Maelnambo, 
 together with Mor, the daughter of Congal O'Conor." 
 
 What a picture the annals paint of Celtic Home 
 Eule ! 
 
 The state of things in Fingal was just as bad in 
 the next century. " A.D. 1112, Donnell O'Lough- 
 lin made a plundering excursion into Fingal, i.e., 
 as far as Droichit Dublingaill, i.e., the bridge of 
 the black Dane." " A.D. 1131, Fingal was plun- 
 dered by Donnell, the son of Morogh O'Melaghlin." 
 "A.D, 1133, Conor, son of Morogh O'Melaghlin, 
 Koj'danna of Tara, was slain by Donogh, the son of 
 GioUa Macolmog, Roydanna of Leinster, and Donogh 
 himself was slain by the men of Meath, viz., by Hugh, 
 the son of Hugh, in a month after in revenge for the 
 death of Conor. Lusk, with its churches, people, and 
 treasure, was burned on the Fingallians by the same 
 party, in revenge for the son of Morogh^ i.e., Conor." 
 " A.D. 1162, Mortegh O'Loughlin led an army of 
 the men of the north of Ireland and of Meathians, 
 together with a battalion of Connacians, to Dublin 
 for the purpose of expelling the Danes, but returned 
 without battle or hostage, after, however, plundering 
 Fingal." 
 
 We wonder, as we think what a pandemonium of 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 51 
 
 godlessness and bloodshed these records reveal, that 
 any sign of the Christian religion was left in Fingal. 
 Finglas, indeed, as a Christianising influence and 
 centre, seems to have disappeared from Fingal story 
 during most of the eleventh century, and all of the 
 twelfth ; but Lusk and Swords were still centres of 
 Christian light, and still the little island monastery of 
 Holmpatrick had its saintly worthies, as this record 
 reminds us : "A.D. 1124, Maolcolain, the son of 
 Maolmaith O'Connagain, an illustrious priest, and the 
 sage of the wisdom and piety of the east of Ireland, 
 died in Inis-Pattraice, Dec. 23." 
 
 It is hard for us, at this distance of time, to form 
 a conception of the difficulties under which the in- 
 mates of Swords and Lusk continued their minis- 
 trations in the surrounding district. We have seen 
 that these two places were mother churches, with a 
 number of dependent chapels. This was their con- 
 dition up to the time of the English invasion. Week- 
 day after week-day, and Sunday after Sunday, it was 
 the duty of clergy from these centres to go north, 
 south, east, and west to visit the sick, to relieve the 
 distressed, and to hold divine service in the depend- 
 ent chapels. The life these clergy led must have 
 been very simple, their lot at times very hard. We 
 have already seen the kind of home they lived in ; 
 it was not very luxurious. Neither were they accus- 
 tomed to use the vestments of a later day. 
 
 The distinctive habits of the various ecclesiastical 
 
52 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 orders, we learn from Archdall's " Monasticon,'' 
 were all Roman introductions. His book gives illus- 
 trations of them. The Irish clerical tunic was a 
 long, loose garment with sleeves. Indeed, it is pro- 
 bable that even this garment was not overmuch 
 cared for ; it was necessary to pass an Irish canon 
 in the eighth century decreeing its use : " Every clerk, 
 from the door-keeper to the priest, who shall be 
 seen without his tunic . . . shall be separated 
 from the Church ;" but Irish ecclesiastics really wore 
 the same dress as the laity. Anyone curious to 
 learn Irish fashions down to the time of the English 
 domination, can find them in " Dress of the Ancient 
 Irish," J. C. Walker, Dublin, 1788. And so we may 
 picture the better clad of these clergy of Swords and 
 Lusk going about their work. The shirt called cota 
 was of woollen stuif dyed yellow. Spenser thinks 
 " their colour was to avoid the evil which comes of 
 much sweating." And Lord Bacon offers a sugges- 
 tion about it which implies that he thinks the laun- 
 dress was not overworked. He tells us — " The Irish 
 wear saffron-coloured shirts which remain long clean." 
 Over this shirt was the canabhas or fillead, a large 
 loose garment, often of skin, which covered all the 
 body. There was another garment sometimes used 
 called the cochal. It was a long cloak, with a large 
 hanging hood, fastened on the breast by a brooch — 
 Dealg Fallainne. The legs were protected by a closely- 
 fitting garment called truis or bracca, and the feet 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 53 
 
 by brogs or brogues made of dried skins with the 
 hair turned out, and fastened by leather thongs. 
 The head was protected by a conical cap, with the 
 cone hanging down, called barrad. But it is probable 
 that the humbler and poorer ecclesiastics were not 
 so comfortably clad as this list would imply. In 
 these primitive times the human constitution was 
 more inured to hardship than now, and such very 
 scant clothing was so much the rule, that the canon 
 already quoted decreed the penalty mentioned against 
 any clerk who was not careful to " cover the naked- 
 ness '' of his person. 
 
 But there was one more characteristic of Irish 
 clerical fashion specially worthy of note. In common 
 with his countrymen, the ecclesiastic wore his hair 
 in long locks — coluns or glibbs — hanging over his 
 shoulders. These were for many a day the objects of 
 the ridicule and contempt of the Norman conquerors. 
 But in the case of the Irish clergy there was added 
 this element in the distinctiveness of national fa- 
 shions, that the difference in the treatment of the 
 hair was a constant cause of antagonism between the 
 Irish and the Roman churches. From early times 
 it had been the custom of Christian monks, as a 
 distinctive mark of their calling, to shave a portion 
 of their heads. It was called the tonsure. The 
 Roman monks always shaved the hair from the top of 
 the head, leaving only a circle of close-cut hair to grow 
 round the base of the skull. This custom still 
 
54 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 prevails in the Eoman Catholic Church. The Irish 
 clergy only shaved or clipped the hair in front of the 
 head from ear to ear, allowing it to grow long behind, 
 and we have historical evidence that this was the ton- 
 sure of the following founders of the Christian Church 
 in Fingal — Finan, Columba, Canice, and Nessan.^ 
 
 Let us try to picture to ourselves a brother Thomas 
 setting off on a Sunday from Swords through the 
 roadless woods of Kilsallaghan, or on by the 
 marshy Palmerstown and Ballymadun for Garris- 
 town. After a weary trudge along some rough 
 track, his destination is reached ; a little congrega- 
 tion is gathered of rustics who cannot read, who 
 never saw a Bible MS. ; service is commenced, or it 
 may be a simple exhortation of the monk to his 
 hearers to be good Christians, or, perhaps, he is 
 catechizing a class of uncouth, shock-headed, half- 
 clad or unclad young savages. Suddenly a terrified 
 peasant rushes in, crying something which means 
 " The Philistines be upon thee," for some Mortagh 
 O'Loughlin, or Conor O'Melaghlin, with their savage 
 kerne, has made a raid from Meath or Uriel. In a 
 moment the congregation and the class are scat- 
 tered. They can easily hide themselves ; but the 
 monk has a poor chance of his life unless he runs 
 for it very promptly ; besides, he wishes to warn his 
 brethren in Lusk or Swords of their danger. And 
 
 ' See " Primer of Irish Church History," by R. King, p. 61. 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 
 
 55 
 
 now there is a race for it — a weary run. There 
 must be many, whose names are only to be found in 
 God's book, who, otherwise unknown, have fallen in 
 such a battle, and often, even when the monastery 
 was safely reached, it did not alford protection, for, as 
 we have seen, the annals tell how frequently these 
 Fingal monasteries were burned and robbed. 
 
 And if it were a call of duty in the direction of 
 Ibher Domnainn (Malahide), peril from another 
 source had to be met. As yet no brother Robartach 
 was there. Someone is dying near the coast, so 
 brother Thomas must come from Swords. The 
 fierce Dane is on the estuary. Brother Thomas 
 knows not how the day may end for him ; but the 
 Master's work must be done, so, with his life in his 
 hand, he comes to speak comfort and to pray with the 
 dying man. 
 
 In the frequent destructions of the monasteries 
 all records of such work must have disappeared ; but 
 this must have been the kind of battle the ministers 
 of Christ's Gospel had to fight, and the kind of 
 labour they had to undergo in building up their flock 
 in the faith. 
 
56 Filigal and its Churches. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 It is to the later period of the Danish settlement 
 in Ireland we probably owe the round towers. 
 Fingal contains two of the most perfect of these — 
 one at Swords, and one at Lusk. It is unnecessary 
 here to enter into any discussion as to the origin of 
 the round towers of Ireland. It is sufficient to re- 
 call the fact that there was some difference of opinion 
 upon the subject: opinion was to some extent di-vided, 
 as to whether they had a Christian or a Pagan origin. 
 The curious thing is, that the Irish annals give us 
 very little direct help in deciding the controversy. 
 They only tell us when a few of these towers were 
 erected.^ Local nomenclature does not give us any 
 help. No Irish locality derives its name from a 
 round tower, while "Rath^' (a fort), "Dun" (a 
 citadel), " Cashel " (a wall), "Cahir" (a city), en- 
 ter into a large number of Irish local names. 
 
 A perusal of the names of the parishes of Fingal, 
 with their explanations in Appendix VII., will show 
 what a handmaid to history is Irish local nomencla- 
 ture, and what a store of otherwise hidden informa- 
 tion about the past is often wrapped up in a name. 
 
 * Among the few is the tower of Tomgrany, Co. Clare. 
 In the " Chronicum Scotorum," edited by W. M. Hennessy, 
 we have this record : " A.D. 964, Corman O'Cillan died, by 
 whom the great Church of Tuairagreine (Tomgrany) and its 
 cloigtech (round tower) were constructed." 
 
58 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 But this only makes it the more remarkable that 
 we have at hand such scant means of learning about 
 the origin of these round towers. Lord Dunraven 
 has tabulated the allusions in the Irish annals to the 
 round towers. One hundred and eight round towers 
 are known to have existed. There are but sixty-two 
 allusions from all the Irish annals to these towers, 
 while many of these allusions are to the same tower. 
 There is no reference of any kind in the annals to 
 the towers of Swords and Lusk. 
 
 This is very remarkable, for the erection of each 
 of them must have been a great event in its day. 
 Bishop Eeeves, Dr. Petrie, Lord Dunraven, and Dr. 
 Stokes adduce strong reasons in proof of their Chris- 
 tian origin. In many of them we find decoration of 
 a distinctly Christian character. There is sculptured 
 over the doorway of a round tower at Antrim a 
 pierced cross within a circle ; and over the doorway of 
 Donoughmore tower, Co. Meath, there is an effigy of 
 the crucifixion carved. And it is certainly significant 
 that all the round towers are found close to churches. 
 Giraldus Cambrensis, who wrote shortly after the 
 English conquest, called them Ecclesiastical Towers. 
 The Irish name for a round tower is Cloictheach, 
 i.e., a bell-house. Dr. Petrie, in his work upon the 
 subject, thinks that round towers were common in 
 Ireland in the sixth and seventh centuries, but that 
 most of them date from the ninth and tenth cen- 
 turies, while three or four existing towers, which are 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 59 
 
 united to their churches, date from the thirteenth 
 century. He thinks that the purpose they were 
 meant to serve was three-fold — as a belfry, as a store 
 for books, sacred vessels, and other valuables of the 
 church or monastery, and also, as a place of refuge 
 in time of danger. 
 
 We can well believe that the towers of Swords and 
 Lusk were often used as stores for valuables, and as 
 places for refuge during the centuries of unrest we 
 have described, more especially when we remember 
 the frail nature of the structures of the churches and 
 monasteries at the time. Indeed, the condition of 
 Fingal at the probable time of the erection of the 
 towers of Swords and Lusk suggests the strong pro- 
 bability that considerations of safety for person and 
 for property were the chief reasons for their erection. 
 They must have been excellent as places of refuge, 
 though at times even a round tower failed to afford 
 protection, as this extract from the annals proves : 
 
 A.D. 948, the Cloictheach of Slane was burned 
 by the Danes with its full of relics and good 
 people, with Caoine-chair, reader of Slane, and 
 the crozier of the patron saint, and a bell, the 
 best of bells." On this subject of bells it may be 
 well to notice, that, in all probability, the bells 
 used in these Cloictheachs were hand-bells rung 
 from the summit. Lord Dunraven states ^ that 
 
 ' See "Irish Architecture," Vol. II., p. 166. 
 
6o Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 about the tenth century bell-ringing was practised in 
 two ways in Ireland — one, the signal bell of the 
 hand-ringer ; the other, the art of the carillon player, 
 which implied a knowledge of music, and tested the 
 players' talents. He gives some beautiful illustra- 
 tions, taken from various ancient sources, of this 
 method of ringing bells. The bells were fixed, and 
 without tongues — often a series of them tuned to 
 different notes. One or more bell-ringers, called 
 aistire, stood or sat underneath to strike with a 
 hammer. Now, this may explain a feature in the 
 bell-turrets of many of our more ancient Fingal ruins. 
 On the inside face of each of the triple-arched bell- 
 turrets of Malahide, Ballyboghill, and Hollywood, 
 there are steps ascending to the belfry, and on the 
 outside face of the bell-turret of Howth Abbey is a 
 well-protected flight of stairs, up which the bell- 
 ringers could easily walk. 
 
 We have not a few records already noticed, of 
 burnings of the " church of Columkille," and of *' the 
 stone church of Lusk ;" but not one word of allusion 
 is there in any record of round towers there ; yet 
 there they were almost certainly during many of the 
 Danish and Celtic raids already related. 
 
 Of our two round towers. Swords is probably the 
 older. Bishop Reeves thinks it was erected during 
 the ninth century, or early in the tenth century. 
 As in the case of the older towers, it has little orna- 
 ment about it. It stands alone. It is built of 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 
 
 6i 
 
 hammered stones, and it has quadrangular doorways. 
 Most of the towers have one doorway, about nine feet 
 from the ground. Through this doorway refugees 
 could gain admittance by a ladder, which they could 
 draw up after them in time of attack, and thus, in days 
 when artillery was unknown, be completely safe from 
 every method of assault but the one which proved 
 successful at Slane ; for it is quite conceivable that 
 an immense fire round the base of a tower could 
 practically roast all the inmates. But the tower of 
 Swords, like only a few others, has a second door 
 directly over the entrance doorway. Both doorways 
 are quadrangular. The lower or entrance doorway 
 is at present only a few feet from the ground. It is 
 6 feet high, 2 feet wide at the top, and 2 feet 2 
 inches at the bottom. The upper doorway is 20 feet 
 from the ground, 4 feet high, and 2 feet wide. 
 The total height of the tower is 75 feet. It is one 
 of those with the largest circumference, 55 feet, and 
 with the thickest walls, 4 feet 8 inches. Inside 
 of the walls are projecting stones to sustain four 
 floors. An enthusiastic antiquarian, who was Vicar 
 of Swords from 1682 to 1704, resolved to suggest to 
 succeeding generations that this tower had evidently 
 a Christian origin. He placed the cross on the apex 
 of the cone which still caps the tower. Under this 
 cone are four large openings directly facing the four 
 points of the compass. 
 
 Through the thousand years this tower has stood, 
 
62 ' Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 what vicissitudes it has witnessed ! It saw the cruel 
 Danes come often from Malahide or Dublin to slay 
 and carry away. It saw many a horde of Celtic 
 kerne — fellow-countrymen of its guardians — make 
 their unnatural raids on its people. It saw, in the 
 time yet to be described, haughty Norman ecclesi- 
 astics supplant the simple monks who succeeded 
 Columba, and supersede with their Roman erroi's 
 the pure faith of the Church of St. Patrick. It saw 
 many a deed of shame and injustice done in the 
 feuds of Norman adventurers over the spoils of con- 
 quest. It saw the old Church of St. Patrick reformed 
 from the Roman dogma and discipline which had 
 been imposed by Dane and Norman. It saw the 
 fierce struggles of Protestant and of Romanist for 
 supremacy ; and it saw, in the pretty town beneath 
 it, an example of one of the most corrupting political 
 systems which the wit of man ever devised. 
 
 There is much difficulty about fixing, even approxi- 
 mately, the date of the building of the round tower 
 at Lusk. It probably dates from Celtic times just 
 before the Conquest. The Norman square tower, 
 which is built into it at the north-east corner, pos- 
 sibly dates from a few centuries later. And it is 
 interesting now, as also in the case of Swords, to 
 look on the three examples of church architecture, 
 though separated by long intervals of time, standing 
 side by side — the modern church of this century, 
 the Norman tower, which once pertained to an 
 
The Danes in Fmgal. 63 
 
 abbey and monastic establishment, possibly six 
 hundred years old, and the Celtic round tower of a 
 period much earlier. This tower of Lusk is 100 
 
 feet high ; but its circumference is not nearly so 
 great as that of Swords. Like Swords, its entrance 
 doorway is now within a few feet of the ground ; but 
 possibly the ancient graveyard has grown many feet 
 up to it. It has no windows at the top. Whatever 
 may once have capped it, there is now only a metal 
 covering, with a slight incline from centre to circum- 
 ference protecting it. There are series of stones 
 let into the inside wall for supporting six floors. 
 
64 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Bishop Reeves calculated, that, on an emergency, 
 sixty people could have found refuge within its walls. 
 
 Though Irish annals have given us little help 
 towards finding out when and why and how the round 
 towers were built, Irish tradition — well befitting the 
 mystery of their origin — tells us of a semi-mythical 
 person who was their first builder and designer, and 
 that Fingal had the honour of being his home. At 
 Turvey, in the present parish of Donabate, this tra- 
 ditional person lived. Mr. E. O'Curry, in his Lec- 
 tures on " The Manners and Customs of the Ancient 
 Irish," records many a story of him, and Dr. Petrie 
 thinks such a person probably lived. His name was 
 St. Gobban Saer, i.e., St. Gobban the carpenter. 
 There seems not to have been very much of the saint 
 about him. Though the builder of many churches, 
 he rarely entered one, and he was, moreover, a grasp- 
 ing fellow. This trait in his character he possibly 
 inherited from a Danish father. We are told that 
 his father was not a native of the country, but be- 
 longed to a dark-haired foreign race. Having built 
 the towers of Antrim, Killala, and several others, he 
 grew so exorbitant in his charges, that some saints 
 who wanted him to build for them became angry 
 and struck him blind. Possibly his blindness, or 
 his excessive charges, accounted for his not having 
 built the towers of Swords and Lusk, though they 
 were within a few miles of his residence. One thing 
 is certain about the building of these towers — it waa 
 
The Danes in Fiiigal. 
 
 65 
 
 a special art which seems to have been lost. At- 
 tempts have been made to imitate them, but never 
 with success. Wherever a round tower has fallen, 
 external injury of some kind has been the cause : 
 the masonry never decays. In Harris's " History of 
 the Co. Down," it is recorded that about the year 
 1714 a round tower in Down was overthrown by a 
 great storm, but that, so excellent was its masonry, 
 " it lay at length and entire on the ground, like a 
 large gun, without breaking to pieces, so wonderfully 
 hard and binding was the cement used in the work." 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 Before we leave the period which connects the 
 Nortlimen with Fingal, it is worth noticing how very 
 slight was the mark they left behind them beyond 
 the recollection of their cruelty. Their memory is 
 preserved in a few names. Among some few fami- 
 lies in the district we find the Danish names of 
 Seaver, Seagrave, &c. The Danes changed the name 
 Inis-Patrick into Holmpatrick, Rechru into Lam- 
 bay, Inis-Nessan into Ireland's Eye, Edar into 
 Howth. Two other names which they have left us 
 possibly recall their internecine feuds. Baldoyle 
 (Bally-dubh-gael), the town of the black strangers, 
 and possibly Fingal (Feon-gael), the territory of 
 the fair strangers, remind us how the Danes and 
 
 F 
 
66 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Norwegians once forgot that they came of the same 
 stock. But they left us no churches, no institutions 
 which we can recall with gratitude. Any Christianity 
 they did leave behind was distinctly a misfortune to 
 Fingal. It helped to fasten the yoke of Kome upon 
 the Church of St. Patrick. 
 
 Within the new Danish city of Dublin all the 
 churches built by the Danes when they accepted 
 Christianity were dedicated to saints whose names 
 appear in the Roman and other Western martyr- 
 ologies — Audoen, James, Nicholas, Michael, Ca- 
 therine, Andrew, Mary le Dam, Werburg. One 
 Danish-Roman saint alone they remembered, Olaf. 
 Outside the Danish city Celtic dedications exclusively 
 prevailed — Patrick, Bridget, Kevin. And so it was 
 through Fingal : none but Celtic dedications pre- 
 vailed there before the Conquest (see Appendix VII.) 
 — Patrick, Columkille, MacCullin, Canice, Nessan, 
 Barroc, Mernock, and so on. 
 
 This subject of dedication is a small matter in 
 itself ; but it is one of the straws which shows the 
 direction of the theological winds of the period. 
 There was no community of sentiment between the 
 Danish Church of Dublin and the Celtic Church of 
 Fingal, even on the outskirts of the conqueror's city. 
 It is the natural tendency of the conqueror to despise 
 the conquered and their religion. The conquered can 
 scarcely be expected to indulge in enthusiastic ad- 
 miration of the religion of their conquerors. In 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 
 
 67 
 
 nothing has so-called Irish nationalism proved itself 
 more eccentric, than when, in the course of subse- 
 quent events, it accepted the religion of its English 
 conquerors, while it never ceased to hate the nation 
 which imported this religion. 
 
 During the third century of their occupation — the 
 period of political conquest — the Danes seem to have 
 left the Church in Fingal, which they previously 
 plundered, alone. We find the abbots and bishops of 
 Lusk and Swords, as well as the lesser ecclesiastics, 
 during the tenth and eleventh centuries, with Celtic 
 names similar to those of their predecessors before 
 the year 795. The truth is, the Danes despised the 
 native Church. They got their Christianity from 
 Rome through England. Mr. Haliday gives interest- 
 ing details of the process. Sitric, Danish King of 
 Dublin, was baptized and converted to Christianity 
 in England, and married the sister of King Athel- 
 stan there in 925. He died a heathen. Anlaff, his 
 successor, remained a pagan to his death. But 
 Sitric's son, Aulaff Cuaran, on visiting England in 
 943, was converted to Christianity and received at 
 baptism in the presence of King Edmund. This 
 Anlaff's religion decided the religion of his subjects. 
 A number of Anglo-Saxon monks followed him in 
 944 from Northumberland as missionaries to his 
 Irish-Danish subjects.^ Thus the source of their 
 
 ' See " Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin," Book II., 
 Chap. vi. 
 
68 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 conversion connected them with Rome rather than 
 with the Irish Church. Once the connection was 
 made, it was maintained, even in spite of social 
 influences, which have always heen very strong in 
 Ireland. 
 
 The religious influence of Irishwomen has always 
 been a wonderful and generally an invariable power 
 over their conquerors. Alas, that it should have to 
 be added it was too often a debasing power. We 
 all know that it was their Irish Eoman Catholic 
 wives who made Cromwell's Ironsides and other 
 English Protestant settlers, time after time, " Hiber- 
 nis ipsis Hiberniores." Could it have been that an 
 Ostman husband was not so amenable a spouse as 
 a husband of the later and more mixed English 
 race ? For Mr. Haliday notices that by the eleventh 
 century the Christianized Ostmen of Dublin so 
 frequently intermarried with the native race that it 
 became hard to say whether the Kings of Dublin 
 should be called Irish or Scandinavian. But the 
 Christianity of these Ostmen was generally little 
 more than a veneer. Their morality was extremely 
 lax, the marriage tie of the loosest nature. 
 
 Further, we must remember that the native Irish 
 Church had by this time fallen away sadly from the 
 spirituality and devotion which had won for Ireland 
 some centuries before the honoured title of " The 
 Island of Saints." Thus the influence for good of 
 the Irish Church must have been seriously curtailed. 
 
Tlie Danes in Fingal. 
 
 69 
 
 Many of these later Ostmen kings lived curious lives. 
 When the natural man controlled them, they plun- 
 dered their neighbours in just as thoroughgoing a 
 way as any of their Scandinavian forefathers ; but 
 conscience sometimes disturbed them, and the 
 (Roman) Church had taught the easy method of 
 quieting this inward monitor by giving grants of 
 land for religious purposes. In this way Sitric, 
 King of the Ostmen of Dublin, who is said to have 
 founded the Priory of the Holy Trinity (Christ 
 Church Cathedral) about the year 1038, in one of 
 these intervals of remorse, granted to this Prioi-y a 
 good slice of Fingal out of lands which he held in 
 Baldoyle, Lambay, and Portrane. 
 
 Through all these past centuries of Danish power 
 in Dublin, Swords had its own succession of bishops 
 (see Appendix VIII.) ; and during portion of them 
 Finglas and Lusk had their own bishops ; while the 
 Ostmen Bishops of Dublin went regularly to Canter- 
 bury for consecration. It must be admitted that the 
 Irish system had, in the course of time, led to many 
 abuses. Sufficient care was not always taken in the 
 selection of those who were consecrated bishops, or 
 ordained to the two inferior orders of the ministry, 
 and many evil consequences resulted. But apart 
 from tills, the difference of system necessarily created 
 considerable friction between the native and the 
 imported Churches. Two instances are on record 
 which show how great this friction became. 
 
70 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 The Pope of Rome was not slow to recognise what 
 useful allies the Danes were. In the year 1118 a 
 Synod was convened at Rathbreasil, Co. Westmeath. 
 It was the first occasion on which a Pope's Legate 
 was president of an Irish council. That legate was 
 Gilebert, Bishop of the Danish city of Limerick. 
 The Synod decreed that, exclusive of Dublin, which 
 was to remain subject to Canterbury, Ireland was to 
 be divided into twenty-four dioceses. The practical 
 effect of this was that a bishop would henceforth rule 
 over a definite district. In itself this was a wise 
 measure. All Fingal, and all the rest of the present 
 Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough, except the 
 Danish city of Dublin, were included in the one Diocese 
 of Glendalough, under one Bishop, who was seated 
 at Glendalough. Bishop Pieeves, in his " Analysis 
 of the United Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough," 
 tells us : — " The Diocese of Glendalough was defined 
 as extending from Grianoge (now Greenoge, on the 
 confines of Meath and Dublin) to beg-Erin (a small 
 island in Wexford Harbour), and from Naas to 
 Rechrann (Lambay), giving, in a rough way, by 
 well-known landmarks, the outline of a tract even 
 more extensive than the present union." 
 
 Now, at this time Swords had its own bishop, by 
 name Mackienan. Why should he yield allegiance 
 to Glendalough ? However, he died in 1136. It is 
 probable that the Bishop of Glendalough then became 
 supreme, for Mackienan was the last Bishop of 
 
The Danes in Fingal. 
 
 71 
 
 Swords. But Glendalougli (including, of course, 
 Fingal) was not willing to submit to Kome, as the 
 following incident, quoted from Mr. Haliday's 
 " Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin " (p. 141, &c.), 
 proves. A.D. 1151, Innocent III. learned that 
 " Master John Papiron, the Legate of the Roman 
 Church, found a Bishop dwelling in Dublin who at 
 that time exercised his episcopal office within the 
 walls. He found, in the same diocese, another church 
 in the mountains (Glandalough), which likewise had 
 the name of a city and had a certain chorepiscopus." 
 But the Legate delivered the palP to (Danish) Dublin, 
 " which was the best city,^^ but in reality chiefly 
 because its bishop was already in connection with 
 Rome ; and Papiron " appointed that that diocese in 
 which both cities ivere should be divided, that one 
 part thereof should fall to the metropolis, . . and this 
 he would immediately have carried into effect, had he 
 not been obstructed by the insolence of the Irish, who 
 were then powerful in that part of the country," and 
 whose insolence simply consisted in denying the 
 authority of the Bishop of Eome. 
 
 We will close this sketch of the Danes in 
 Fingal with one other instance of the antagonism 
 between the Danish and the native Churches. 
 The last incident recorded shows the sentiments 
 of the heads of the Church of Rome towards 
 
 ' The pall was a Roman ecclesiastical ornament distinctive 
 of an Archbishop. 
 
72 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 the native Church. This shows the sentiments 
 of the citizens of Danish Dublin. It is connected 
 •with the first bestowal by the Pope of a pall on 
 Dublin. lu the year 1121 Samuel O'Haingly, 
 Ostman Bishop of Dublin, died. He had been con- 
 Becrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The 
 clergy and citizens of Dublin elected one Gregory, 
 " a wise man," to fill the vacant see. They sent 
 him " to the Most Reverend and Most Religious Lord 
 Ralph, Archbishop of Canterbury," and with him a 
 letter praying for consecration, in which are the fol- 
 lowing suggestive observations : — " We have ever 
 voluntarily subjected our prelates to the control of 
 your predecessors, as remembering that it was from 
 that quarter our chief pastors originally received their 
 ecclesiastical dignity. Know you, however, for cer- 
 tain, that the Bishops of Ireland entertain towards us 
 the very greatest jealousy, and in particular that 
 Bishop who has his residence at Armagh, in con- 
 Bequence of our unwillingness to submit to their 
 ordination, and our preferring to continue always in 
 subjection to your authority." Gregory was therefore 
 consecrated Bishop of Dublin, and thirty-one years 
 after he received the Archbishop's pall already 
 alluded to. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE ANGLO-NORMA.NS IN FINGAL, 
 
 SECTION I. 
 HE English Conquest led to many and great 
 changes in the ecclesiastical organisation 
 of Fingal. The Danes had prepared the 
 way for thena. It would be beyond the 
 purpose of this sketch to repeat the familiar story of 
 that conquest. It is well just to bear in mind, how- 
 ever, that Fitzgislebert (Strongbow) landed in Water- 
 ford in 1170 ; that Dublin was taken from the Danes 
 the same year, after a sharp fight ; that Henry II. fol- 
 lowed Strongbow in 1171 ; and that by 1172 Dublin 
 was completely subjected to Anglo-Norman rule. 
 Fingal at once submitted to the new master. All 
 heart for fighting must have been taken out of its 
 people after four centuries of such a life as has been 
 described. The last Norse King of Dublin — Hamund 
 Mac Turkil — after his unsuccessful contest with the 
 Anglo-Normans, retired to Malahide. He owned 
 Baldoyle, Kinsally, Portmarnock, Malahide, and 
 
74 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Portrane ; ^ and some member of the Torquil family 
 owned Ballybogliill. He soon left Malabide, to return 
 with a Norwegian army, and to make another effort 
 to regain his lost kingdom. He was beaten, taken 
 prisoner, and beheaded. It seems that he might have 
 retained his property had he been content to stay in 
 peace, for Henry II. at first recognised Mac Turkil's 
 rights on condition of his paying annually two marks 
 to find lights for the holy rood in Christ Church 
 Cathedral f but soon after Mac Turkil's final defeat, 
 his lands of Kinsally were bestowed by the King on 
 St. Mary's Abbey. 
 
 Fingal at once became part of that district under 
 English power which afterwards received the name 
 of the Pale. However the Pale shrank or expanded 
 under the manifold vicissitudes of English rule, 
 Fingal nearly always remained a part of it. For 
 Fingal Christianity the change was only out of the 
 Danish frying-pan into the Norman fire. It was 
 five centuries more of bloodshed, misrule, and god- 
 lessness. 
 
 The Anglo-Normans were devoted children of the 
 Church of Piome. The only legal claim they could 
 make to Ireland was the right asserted by the Pope 
 to bestow it. In gratitude, as well as from policy, 
 they at once set to work to Romanise the Irish 
 Church. 
 
 ' See " Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin," p. 142 ; and 
 also " Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey," Vol. I., p. 130. 
 » " History of County Dublin," by J. D'Alton, p. 220. 
 
 ) 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 75 
 
 Fingal had unfortunately already helped to prepare 
 the way for them. In the " Annals of the Four 
 Masters " we read — " In 1148 a Synod was assembled 
 at Inis-Pattraice (Holmpatrick) by Maolmfedhoich na 
 Morgair (Malacby), Cowarb of Patrick (Archbishop of 
 Armagh). It consisted of fifteen bishops and five 
 
 NoHh-east View (exterior), Church of St. Patrick, A.D. 1887, 
 St. Patrick's Inland. 
 
 hundred priests. They sat for the purpose of estab- 
 lishing rules and morality for the laity ; and, with 
 the advice of the Synod, Malachy went the second 
 time to Rome to confer with the Cowarb of Peter 
 (the Pope)." The work this Synod really promoted 
 was the submission of the heretofore independent 
 Church of Ireland to the Church of Eome, of which 
 Malachy was a devoted adherent. ^ 
 
 ' See "Ireland and the Celtic Church," by G. T. Stokes, 
 D.D., pp. 339-347. 
 
75 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Malachy early in life came under the influence of 
 Gilebert, Roman Bishop of the Danish city of 
 Limerick. He had long deplored the decay of the 
 Irish Church. He was an unselfish enthusiast, a 
 man of strong character, of great tenacity of purpose, 
 
 South-west View (interior) ofClnmn ], Ch urch of St. Patrick, 
 A.D. 1887, St. Patrick's Island. 
 
 of saintly life. The Roman influence of Gilebert and 
 of a teacher named Malchus from the great Norman 
 monastery of Winchester, led him to look for reform 
 of the abuses he deplored, and for revival of godliness 
 through union with Rome and by her methods. 
 
 And now, as soon as the Anglo-Norman power 
 ■was supreme, these methods were at once applied to 
 Fingal. The most sweeping reform was the change 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. yy 
 
 from Celtic monasticism to the diocesan and paro- 
 chial system. Had this reform been carried out 
 solely with the object of promoting the spiritual 
 welfare of Fingal, it would have accomplished great 
 good. For effective effort and complete supervision, 
 the diocesan and parochial system, if faithfully 
 worked, is the best possible in the cure of souls. 
 The origin of the diocesan system has already been 
 described. The Celtic monastic system had long 
 survived its usefulness, and the circumstances of 
 primitive social life which gave it birth. It had 
 become effete, and it led to many abuses. But there 
 is too much reason to fear that the new system was 
 imposed with the calculating policy of a conqueror. 
 The characteristics of it which made it potent for 
 good equally made it potent for evil. 
 
 It is probable that the old Celtic system was per- 
 mitted to prevail in Fingal for only a few years after 
 the English Conquest. It would appear that the 
 Churches of Ireland and of England went through 
 somewhat similar processes in the adoption of the 
 parochial system, with a difference only in the time 
 of its adoption. England gave the system to Ireland 
 more than a century after she had herself accepted 
 it. Just as in the case of the Irish Celtic Church, 
 there are not any traces of the existence of parochial 
 clergy in the native British Church or in the Anglo- 
 Saxon Church during the two first centuries of its 
 life. The system of itinerancy then prevailed in 
 
78 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 England, with filial churches, subordinate to a 
 mother church. There were not localized parochial 
 clergy until after the middle of the eighth century. 
 The institution of parishes in England was a gradual 
 process ; it was not completed until the time of 
 Edward the Confessor (1042-1066).^ 
 
 The system had been adopted in the Danish city 
 of Dublin long before the English Conquest. The 
 time of its introduction into Fingal is probably 
 about the year 1179, the date of a bull of Pope 
 Alexander III. to Laurence O'Toole, Archbishop of 
 Dublin, in which the Pope — asserting the authority 
 he claimed as supreme and sovereign Pontiff — states 
 that he confirms to the Archbishop " the parochial 
 churches of St. Thomas, St. Nicholas, &c., in the 
 city of Dublin," thus speaking of the parochial 
 system as existing already in the city. 
 
 But when the Pope proceeds to confirm to the 
 Archbishop the country parts of the diocese, he 
 mentions in his bull not parochial churches, but 
 simply churches ; for the old system of filial 
 churches, dependent on a mother church, and with- 
 out territorial boundaries, existed still in Fingal. 
 
 Bishop Pieeves has translated this bull, and has 
 
 'For a very full treatment of this subject see "Horse 
 DecanicEE Rurales," by W. Dansey, Ed. 1844, Vol. I., Sec- 
 tion II., on Institution of Parishes and Parochial Clergy ; 
 and also " Constitutional History," by Bishop Stubbs, 
 Vol. I., Chapter on Ecclesiastical Aflfairs. 
 
The A nglo-Normans in Fingal. 79 
 
 identified most of the names mentioned in it.^ 
 What were henceforth to be " the parochial contents 
 of the Diocese of Dublin " are set forth at length. 
 It is only necessary here to give that part of the 
 bull relating to Fingal. 
 
 The Pope confirms to Archbishop O'Toole "the 
 churches, towns, and possessions of the church 
 committed to you, hereinafter named, to wit," 
 Lusca (Lusk, which extended to the northern 
 boundaries of the diocese and the county, including 
 Balrothery and Baldungan), with all that belongs to 
 it ; Sordum (Swords), with all its appurtenances 
 within and without ; Finglas, with all its appur- 
 tenances, saving moreover the half of Eechrannu 
 (Lambay), and the port of Rechrann (Portrane) ; 
 Eathchillin (Clonmethan), Glasnedin (Glasnevin), 
 with its mill ; Duncuanach (Drumcondra), Balen- 
 gore (near Coolock), Killesra (Killester), Cenannsale 
 (Kinsaley), Clochar (St. Doulagh's), Rathsalchan 
 (? Kilsallaghan), the island of the former sons of 
 Nessan (Ireland's Eye, including its chapel of Kil- 
 barrack). 
 
 This new parochial system in Fingal was, however, 
 modified by the former Celtic system. Most of 
 the dependent chapelries continued, but parochial 
 
 ' See " Analysis of the Dioceses of Dublin and Glenda- 
 lougli," 1869, pp. 3, 4. Archbishop Ussher has given a 
 very inaccurate account of this bull. See Vol. IV., p. 552, 
 of his works . 
 
8o Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 districts were assigned to them ; and most of these 
 parochial chapeh-ies were attached to a monastic 
 institution as their mother church, and were minis- 
 tered to hy vicars or curates. Thus Finglas, Swords, 
 and Lusli maintained their old supremacy, only they 
 became parishes with territorial boundaries, and 
 their dependents, in like manner, became parishes ; 
 and, as time went on, some of these dependent 
 parochial churches, like Balrothery, grew strong 
 enough to be independent. Some, in their turn, 
 became mothers, like Hollywood and Garristown. 
 
 A feature of Fingal is the extraordinary number of 
 its ruined churches, some of them within a mile of 
 each other, none more than two and a-half miles 
 apart, even in the most thinly-populated districts. 
 Their number is, in part, to be accounted for by 
 the ecclesiastical system now described. Most of 
 these churches, and the originals of most of the 
 churches at present in use, were built within a 
 comparatively short time after the Anglo-Norman 
 invasion. Few of them were built before it. 
 Among these few, as we have already seen, were 
 the original churches of Lusk, Swords, Finglas, 
 and some of their dependent chapels ; St. Doulagh's, 
 Glasnevin, Clontarf, Ireland's Eye, Donabate, Inis- 
 patrick, and Bremore. It is interesting to note in all 
 the existing ruins of the other parishes the common 
 architectural characteristics of the arched bell-turret 
 and chancels, said to be introductions from England. 
 
The. Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 8i 
 
 From early Anglo-Norman times the parochial 
 chapelries of Lusk were — Baldungan, Rush, Kuights- 
 town, Kenure, Holmpatrick, and all Balrothery, in- 
 cluding Bremore/ 
 
 We have a very perfect list of the parochial cha- 
 pelries of Swords. John Comyn, consecrated Arch- 
 bishop of Dublin in 1182, became one of the most 
 active and able promoters of the Anglo-Norman 
 interest. Swords was now rapidly becoming the 
 valuable benefice which soon obtained for it the 
 name of the golden prebend. The Archbishop pre- 
 sented it in 1190 to a namesake, who was probably 
 a relative. There exists a certificate of his, by which 
 it appears that he had " admitted Walter Comyn 
 to the parsonage of the churches of St, Columb and 
 St. Finian of Swords, with the appendant chapels 
 of Clogheran, Killechna (Killeek), Kilastra (Killos- 
 sory), Donaghbata (Donabate), Malachida (Mala- 
 bide), Kinsale, Ballygrifian (St. Doulagh's), and Cu- 
 locke."^ In a raid already noticed — 1130 — " Swords, 
 
 with its churches and relics, was burned ■." 
 
 There is mention here of churches ; these were 
 dependent chapels, not named, though included 
 in the Archbishop's nomination. In addition to 
 
 'See " History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," by W. M. 
 Mason, p. 33. 
 
 ■ Aaln's Register (fol. 7, ante tax. pag.), quoted in " His- 
 tory of St. Patrick's Cathedral," by W. Monck-Mason, 
 p. 49, Note h. 
 
 a 
 
82 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 St. Finan's/ there were St. Briget's and St. Ca- 
 therine's Chapels. They have entirely disappeared. 
 They remind us, that numerous as are the existing 
 ruins of Fingal, there were, besides these, many 
 other churches in the district, all traces of which 
 have disappeared. 
 
 An interesting example of this is the church of 
 Glynshagh, which once stood on the townland of 
 Middletown, in the present Parish of Santry.^ Pope 
 Clement III., in 1189, granted it to St. Mary's 
 Abbey. All trace of the church and churchyard has 
 disappeared since 1820. The late Di-. Adams, in his 
 History of Santry, records an act of vandalism by 
 the then owner of the neighbouring property. He 
 ploughed up the cemetery, and used the tomb-stones 
 to cover drains, &c. Some years after he did so, the 
 remains of a woman M'ere brought from Dublin to 
 be interred here beside her relatives. Her friends 
 found, to their horror, that the grave-yard was un- 
 distinguishable from the adjoining field, long called 
 " the bone-field," from the quantities of bones which 
 the ploughman turned up. 
 
 The perfect organisation created by the parochial 
 system enabled the Popes to obtain revenue from a 
 new source. Tithes were raised and paid soon after 
 
 * See " History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," by W. Monck- 
 Mason, p. 49, Notes d, e, f. 
 
 ' See "History of Santry and Cloghran," by Rev. B. W. 
 Adams, p. 64. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 83 
 
 the conquest. There is some controversy as to the 
 exact date. Their payment was enjoined in the 
 Synod of Cashel, A.D. 1172 ; but the "Annals of the 
 Four Masters," at A.D. 1224, state—" In the time 
 of Cathal Crovdearg (the red-handed) O'Conor, King 
 of Counaught, tithes were first legally paid in Ire- 
 land." Mr. Hardiman thinks that tithes were firmly 
 established within fifty years after the English 
 invasion.^ 
 
 SECTION IT. 
 
 There were many other methods adopted for An- 
 glo-Normanising the Irish Church in Fingal. 
 
 The new parishes were all officered by Norman 
 ecclesiastics. On looking to Appendix VIII., the 
 reader will be struck by the change from Celtic to 
 Norman names in the three parent parishes. Swords 
 became so "fat" a living that great men obtained 
 it. William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, and 
 Chancellor of England, held it with several English 
 benefices ; and Henry IV. nominated Brande, Car- 
 dinal of Placentia, to the parish. Lusk also became 
 a valuable benefice. Edward I. appointed James of 
 Spain, nephew of his Queen Eleanor, to it, and a 
 Pope's nuncio was appointed to it on another occasion. 
 
 * See " Statute of Kilkenny," edited by J. Hardiman, 
 an exhaustive note giving authorities, pp. 26-31. 
 
84 Fingal and Us Churches. 
 
 These men obtained the revenues, but did not trouble 
 themselves about the cure of souls. So great did 
 this scandal become, that, in 1431,' Archbishop Talbot 
 divided the endowments of Swords between a preben- 
 dary, a vicar, and St. Patrick's Cathedral, to prevent 
 it being sought " too zealously by Cardinals and 
 other minions of the Papal See." 
 
 Besides the substitution of Normans for natives in 
 Finglas, Swords, and Lusk, new parishes were cre- 
 ated for Norman clergy. Archbishop Comyn* had 
 built St. PatrickV Collegiate Church, about 1190, 
 on the site of an old parochial church. It was 
 shortly after made a cathedral. He appointed thir- 
 teen prebends to minister there. To five of these he 
 assigned parishes in Fingal for their maintenance. 
 
 'See "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," by W. M. 
 Mason, p. 49; also "Lecture on Swords and its Antiqiiities," 
 by W. Reeves, D.D., p. 9. 
 
 ^ Comyn was a very active promoter of the English and 
 Roman interest in church affairs. Among the records pre- 
 served in Christ Church Cathedral are the proceedings of a 
 Provincial Synod he summoned in 1186 with the object of con- 
 forming the simpler ritual of the Irish Church to those prevail- 
 ing in England. The Synod decreed that in celebrating the 
 Mass a wooden table, such as was heretofore customary in 
 Ireland, was no longer to be used, and that stone altars 
 were to be built. Water was to be mixed with the wine in 
 the Communion Service, and celibacy of the clergy was 
 enforced. 
 
 * See " Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicse," by H. Cotton, D.C.L., 
 Vol. II., p. 90, &c. ; also " History of St. Patrick's Cathe- 
 dral," by W. Monck-Mason, pp. 2, 48. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 85 
 
 South-w&st View, Howth Abbey, A.D. 1887. 
 
 These were all filled by Norman ecclesiastics. Fin- 
 glas, Swords, and Lusk were turned into prebends, 
 and Clonmetban and Howth were created for the 
 purpose. On turning to these two latter names, in 
 Appendix VIII., it will be seen that their earlier 
 clergy have Norman names. We find this to have 
 been the case also with Donabate and Balrothery, a 
 parish which appears at this period for the first time 
 in Fingal story. 
 
 The case of Howth is an example of another fea- 
 ture in the process of Romanising the Fingal Church. 
 The original prebend was Hirlandsie (Ireland's Eye). 
 These island monasteries had become inconvenient. 
 
86 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 The monastery on Holmpatrick, refounded in 1120, 
 probably after its destruction by the Danes, had been 
 transferred in 1220 to the mainland, where a paro- 
 chial chapel was built in its stead; so also with 
 Ireland's Eye. In 1285 the prebendal church was 
 removed from the island to Howth ; and the old 
 Celtic dedication to St. Nessan was changed to the 
 Roman dedication to the Virgin Mary, when the 
 abbey at Howth was built — a remarkable structure— 
 whose ruins are still in such good preservation. 
 Lusk is another example of this change of name. 
 The old church of St. MacCuUin had its name 
 changed to the Church of the Virgin Mary. 
 
 Another remarkable feature in the treatment of 
 Fingal by the conquerors was the way in which it 
 was parcelled out among religious foundations under 
 Anglo-Norman control. There was scarcely one 
 parish which escaped this fate at some time before 
 the Reformation. The " Crede Mihi " (Appendix 
 I.), and the " Repertorium Viride " (Appendix HI.), 
 contain striking illustration of this fact. From the 
 list in the " Crede Mihi " it is evident that nearly all 
 the Fingal parishes were in existence before the year 
 1275, as the only ones not mentioned in it are Kil- 
 lester, Donnycarney, Baldoyle, Chapelmidway, Gral- 
 lagh, Fieldstown, and Ballyboghill ; and we know 
 from other sources that most of these parishes were 
 already in being. 
 
 . The following Norman ecclesiastical foundations 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 87 
 
 all obtained, from time to time, grants of parishes, 
 tithes, and lands in FingaF: — 
 
 St. Patrick's Cathedral, as we have already seen. 
 
 The Priory of Holy Trinity was founded about 
 1038, by Sitric, son of Anlaf, Ostman King of 
 Dublin, who gave Donatus, the Bishop, lands on 
 which to build a church in honour of the Trinity. 
 This church became afterwards known, and is still 
 known, as Christ Church Cathedral. It obtained 
 the churches and parishes of Glasnevin, Raheny, 
 Holmpatrick, Balscadden, Balgriffin, St. Doulagh's, 
 Kinsaley, Killossory, Ballyboghill, Killester, and 
 Clonturk. 
 
 St. Mary's Abbey, Dublin, was founded by the 
 Danes immediately after their conversion to Chris- 
 tianity, about 948. At first it was a Benedictine 
 monastery ; but in 1189 it was given to the Cister- 
 cians. It obtained the churches and parishes of 
 Raheny, Kilbarrack, Ireland's Eye, Santry, Lusk, 
 Portmarnock, Ballyboghill, Donnycarney, and Holly- 
 
 * For more detailed accounts of these cathedrals and 
 monastic establishments, and of the bestowal on them of 
 Fingal parishes, see Archdall's " Monasticon ;" " History of 
 St. Patrick's Cathedral," by W. M. Mason, imder the 
 parishes named in connection with the cathedral ; " History 
 of Christ Church Cathedral," by Rev. E. Seymour ; "The 
 Charter and Grants to All Hallows," and " The Book of 
 Obits of Christ Church Cathedral," both published by the 
 Irish Archaeological Society ; and " The Cliartularies of 
 S,t. Mary's Abbey," edited by J. T. Gilbert. 
 
88 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 wood. We have ample materials for the history of 
 St. Mary's Abbey in its chartularies, which have 
 been collected and edited with great care by Mr. 
 J. T. Gilbert. 
 
 The Priory of All Hallows (Dublin), on the site of 
 which Trinity College was afterwards built, had been 
 founded in 1166, for Canons of the order of Aroasia, 
 by Dermod, King of Leinster, who seems to have 
 lived a life of alternate fits of burning, and, for pen- 
 ance, of building, churches. He bestowed Baldoyle 
 upon All Hallows. It afterwards got the church of 
 Clonturk. 
 
 The Priory of St. John the Baptist (Thomas 
 Street, Dublin), was founded as an hospital for the 
 sickj by Ailred de Palmer, about 1190, who bestowed 
 upon it his church of Palmerstown. 
 
 The Abbey of St. Thomas the Martyr (a Becket) 
 obtained Kilsallaghan parish. 
 
 It was not unnatural that Grace Diea should be 
 endowed out of the district in whose heart it was 
 situated; and so the educational nunnery obtained the 
 churches and parishes of Portrane, Ballymadun, 
 Westpalstown, and Baldungan. 
 
 But, besides these, several foundations, quite un- 
 connected with Dublin, were endowed from Fingal. 
 The nunnery of Grany, near Castledermot, Co. Kil- 
 dare, founded in 1200, obtained the parish of 
 Donabate. 
 
 Kilbixy, about one mile west of Tristernagh, Co. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 89 
 
 Westmeath, founded in 1192 as a monastic hospital 
 for the care of lepers, obtained the parishes and 
 churches of Balrothery, Baldungan, and Bremore. 
 
 The great Cistercian Abbey of Lanthony, Glou- 
 cestershire, got the churches and parishes of Coolock, 
 Naul, Hollywood, Grallagh, Garristown, and Bally- 
 madun. 
 
 The Knights Templars were founded in Jerusalem 
 about the year 1118, and were so called from their 
 original residence near the temple. They were a 
 
 South-west View, Church and Castle of Baldungan, A.D. 1783. 
 
 great military order, who, in the short space of 126 
 years, acquired 16,000 lordships. They became 
 dangerous, because they were too powerful, and were 
 exempt from all ordinary jurisdiction. The leading 
 
go Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 sovereigns of Europe combined to suppress them in 
 1312. Their possessions in Ireland were given, in 
 many cases, to the Knights Hospitallers. The 
 Templars got Clontarf and Baldungan. 
 
 Too frequently a game somewhat like battledore 
 and shuttlecock was played with the parishes thus 
 appropriated. The chapel of Kilbarrack was ex- 
 changed for the tithes of Ballyboghill. The tithes 
 of Lusk went from St. Mary's Abbey to the Arch- 
 bishop. Baldungan was sent from the Templars to 
 Kilbixy, and then to Grace Dieu. Clonturk was sent 
 from Holy Trinity (Christ Church Cathedral) to All 
 Saints, and Raheny from Holy Trinity to St. Mary's 
 Abbey. The Archbishop and the Prior of Kilmain- 
 ham (the Hospitallers) fought for St. Margaret's. 
 The Canons of St. Patrick's Cathedral and of Lan- 
 thony fought over Clonmethan and Palmerstown. 
 Again, the Canons of St. Patrick had another feud 
 with those of Kilbixy over Balrothery, and so on. 
 
 Now, the real meaning of these gifts of parishes 
 was that they endowed the institution upon which 
 they were bestowed. The expenses of such a place as 
 St. Mary's Abbey must have been very great. In 
 addition to the ordinary claims on a large monastic 
 institution, it was a celebrated house of free enter- 
 tainment for travellers, in an age when there were no 
 such things as inns or hotels.^ The appendant 
 
 1 In 1538 the Irish Lord Deputy and Council specially 
 pleaded with Henry VIII. that he would not suppress 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 parishes were simply a source of income by which 
 the monastic institution was enabled to meet these 
 charges. This was a serious injury to parishioners. 
 The greater part of the income of their parish 
 was taken by those who lived away from them, 
 and a small part was bestowed upon some poor 
 vicar or curate left in charge of the parish, or 
 sharing the charge with other parishes. Again, the 
 lepers of Kilbixy, and the sick in the hospitals of St. 
 John the Baptist and of Kilmainham, must have been 
 greater objects of care to their monasteries than were 
 the souls in the parishes by which these institutions 
 were endowed ; and it is most unlikely that the monks 
 of Lanthony cared much for the Celtic natives of 
 Fingal. This method of endowment was a good thing 
 for the Norman conqueror ; but it must have been 
 carried out at serious cost to the souls and bodies of 
 the native population. It was plainly the policy of 
 the Norman conquerors to be benefactors of the 
 (Norman-imported) clergy ; but they did not equally 
 care for the people. 
 
 These parishes were generally bestowed, in the 
 various ways described, by a Pope, an Archbishop of 
 Dublin, or an English king. The grantor was some- 
 times not sorry to strengthen his title. We have an 
 
 St. Mary's Abbey, because of its generous hospitality to 
 the king's servants whose business brought them to Dublin. 
 See " Lectures on Irish History," by A. G. E-ichey, 2nd 
 Series, p. 151. 
 
92 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 interesting example of this in Fingal. John, Earl 
 Morton (Prince John), when Dominus Hiberniae, con- 
 firmed to John Comyn, Archbishop of Dublin (1181- 
 1212), among other grants, the islands of Lambay 
 and Ireland's Eye, the village of Swords, land at 
 Lusk, with the church, and land in Finglas.^ But 
 in the archives of Christ Church Cathedral there is 
 preserved the original grant of Eva, wife of Strong- 
 bow and daughter of King Dermot, confirming the 
 above lands to John Comyn. The politic Arch- 
 bishop wished to have an Irish title as well as a 
 Norman title to his property. 
 
 Of course the penalty which a conquered race 
 generally pays, in the loss of their lands, was 
 incurred by the landowners in Fingal. Quite 
 apart from the religious question, nearly the whole 
 of Fingal passed to Norman proprietors, charged 
 with the Church's share. It was the Dane, rather 
 than the Celt, who sufi"ered from this process in 
 Fingal. The Dane had dispossessed the Celt. 
 The Mac Turkil family alone must have acquired 
 about a third of the district.* The Malahide and 
 Portmarnock portion of their property, with the Lord- 
 ship of Malahide, was bestowed upon the " Chevalier" 
 Richard Talbot, one of the knights who helped 
 
 ' See Hardiinan's " Statute of Kilkenny," p. 29, note. 
 
 * See " Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin," by J. Haliday, 
 p. 142 ; and also " Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey," 
 edited by J. T. Gilbert, Vol. I., p. 130. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 93 
 
 Henry II. in his conquest. Kichard Talbot afterwards 
 obtained a confirmatory grant of his lordship, with 
 " sach and sech/' " Tol and them/' " infangthef " 
 and " the judgement of water and of iron, the Duel, 
 the Pit, the Gallows," and the other appendages of 
 civil and criminal jurisdiction as possessed by the 
 baronage of that day, to hold to him and his heirs, 
 by a tenure of which there is no other example in 
 Ireland — " by rendering to the king the service of one 
 archer with a horse and coat of mail for ever." ^ 
 
 Sir Amory Tristram, brother-in-law of De Courcy, 
 one of Strongbow's leaders, in 1177 effected a land- 
 ing at Howth, and defeated the Irish in battle at the 
 bridge of Ivora. Tristram, whose name was changed 
 to St. Lawrence in his grandson, obtained for his 
 portion the lands and barony of Howth.^ 
 
 Adam de Pheypo, another of Strongbow's followers, 
 obtained a grant of Clontorht (Clontarf) and Santreft 
 (Santry) ; John de Courcy obtained most of Ratheny ; 
 Geoffery de Constantyn obtained ]3alrothery ; De la 
 Field obtained Kilsallaghan ; Elias de Cordewane 
 obtained Ballymadun ; and so on.' The Welsh 
 settlers already referred to seem to have been left 
 in undisturbed possession. 
 
 ^ See " Peerage and Baronetage," by Sir B. Burke, 
 1887, p. 1339. 
 • Ihid, p. 735. 
 
 ' See " History of County Dublin," by J. D'Alton, pp. 81, 
 107, 256, 392, 459, 500. 
 
94 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Of all these grants two only remain now in the 
 possession of male descendants and representatives 
 of the original grantees, the Earl of Howth and 
 Lord Talbot de Malahide being the only existing 
 representatives, by descent, of those Norman chiefs 
 among whom Fingal was divided seven centuries 
 ago. 
 
 This division of the spoils of conquest was another 
 source of wealth to the Church. Shortly after Sir 
 R. Talbot received his share, St. Mary's Abbey, 
 Dublin, obtained from him and his son, Reginald 
 de Wasunville, who was in Normandy, grants in 
 " Portmyrnork and Mullacheydbeg." ^ 
 
 It was from de Constantyn that the hospital 
 monastery of Kilbixy obtained the ecclesiastical 
 revenues of Balrothery, already mentioned. As 
 time went on, the Church waxed richer from gifts of 
 lands and other property bestowed by the successors 
 of these proprietors, who too often thought by such 
 donations, sometimes in life, sometimes after death, 
 to atone for the sin of their soul. 
 
 One curious grant of the kind on record throws a 
 sad light on the estimation in which the native popu- 
 lation was held, both by Norman layman and cleric. 
 The de Pheypos, who obtained a grant from the Crown 
 which has been already noticed, got possession of 
 
 ■ See " Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey," edited by J. T , 
 Gilbert, Vol. I., p. 130, where it is stated that the lands 
 granted had formerly belonged to Hamund MacTurkil. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 95 
 
 Baldoyle in some way not recorded. About the 
 year 1236, Richard de Pheypo re-granted Baldoyle to 
 the Priory of All Hallows,^ and also certain serfs, 
 " with all the issue and progeny of their sept named 
 Mackelegan, of Baly-dugyl (Baldoyle)." Nearly a 
 hundred years before 1236, King Dermod had, as we 
 have seen, made a grant of the same lands to this 
 Priory. How it lost them in the interval seems 
 not to have been recorded. In the king's charter 
 there had been a grant of the lands with " Melesii 
 Macfeilecan, of Balydubgil, and his descendants " in 
 villenage, that is, in the modified service of feudal 
 tenure connected with the land. The Norman 
 knight gave, and the Norman monastery accepted, 
 the descendants of this wretched sept as a gift 
 separate from the lands, in other words, as simple 
 slaves. 
 
 The new proprietors soon built places of defence. 
 As they lived among a conquered population, this was 
 a necessary condition of safety. The feudal castles at 
 Howth, Malahide, Kilsallaghan, Naul, Balrothery, and 
 other localities sprang into existence in Fingal. In 
 the case of Balrothery there are still visible some 
 interesting memorials of the customs of those feuda^ 
 days. For a time Balrothery Castle was a kind of 
 parliament house, where certain barons met to take 
 counsel. At a period when there were neither roads 
 
 > See "Register of All Hallows," Irish Archteological 
 Society Series, p. 53. 
 
g5 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 South-wed VttiLV, t'Imirh of St. I'der, and part of tlic Castle, 
 Balrothery, A.D. 1783. 
 
 or hotels, these barons and their retainers had to 
 ride on horseback to Bah-othery. Probably the 
 needs of the permanent garrison left no accommo- 
 dation within the castle to spare for these occa- 
 sional guests. To each of the barons in the habit of 
 assembling at Balrothery there was assigned a plot 
 of land, which descended from father to son. Here 
 the horses of the baron were tethered and grazed, 
 while the baron himself transacted his business 
 in the castle. In the village of Balrothery, to the 
 left side, as the church is approached on the road 
 leading from Balbriggan, there are to be seen several 
 long, narrow, rectangular plots called " The Knights' 
 Plots." These plots are still in the possession of 
 representatives of the original Norman proprietors. 
 
Tlie Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 97 
 
 It might have been expected that the Norman 
 barons should be forced to protect themselves by the 
 strong arm, but not that the Church should have 
 been obliged to do so. The native Celtic Church in 
 Fingal in her early struggles had not allowed herself 
 to forget that her Master's kingdom was " not of 
 this world," however much the Celtic Church at 
 large, too soon afterwards, permitted the natural 
 tendencies of the Celtic nature to get the better 
 of her. The servants of the imported Normau 
 Church made themselves quite ready to fight with 
 carnal weapons. The castles of Baldungan ^ and 
 Swords were built for ecclesiastics. They must 
 have been the two strongest castles in the district. 
 The Archbishop of Dublin was a great feudal 
 baron, as well as a great ecclesiastic. About 
 the year 1200 he fixed on Swords for his country 
 residence, and built the castle whose ruins still 
 remain. Swords had become, within two centuries 
 of the conquest, an immensely wealthy parish. 
 Archbishop Allen (1532) says it " was called the 
 golden, as if it were virtually a bed full of gold." 
 The Archbishop had a large share of this wealth, 
 and here he lived as a prince bishop, dispensing 
 profuse hospitality, and rigorously enforcing English 
 law. But Bishop Reeves ^ thinks that the Archbishop 
 
 * See Appendix VII. , under " Balrotliery," "Baldungan,' 
 " Swords." 
 
 * See his " Lecture on Swords and its Antiquities," p. 9 
 
9 8 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 built this strong place not merely to overawe the 
 oppressed and exasperated native population, and to 
 be a city of refuge for himself and his retainers, but 
 also to be " a wholesome check upon the excesses 
 of the neighbouring temporal barons." 
 
 Of course the Templars had their own objects in 
 building their strong place at Baldungan. 
 
 But in all this re-arrangement of property, the 
 head of the new Church system thus built up on the 
 ruins of the old was not forgotten. Under the new 
 parochial system it was comparatively easy to make 
 and enforce assessment for temporal or ecclesiastical 
 taxation. During the Crusades, and to enable him 
 to aid them, the Pope received the produce of a tax 
 known as " the Saladin or Papal Tenths.''^ When 
 no longer needed for the Crusades, the tax remained, 
 and was extended to Ireland. The amount of 
 the tax purported to be a tenth of the annual value of 
 each benefice. Apparently Fingal was first assessed 
 for this tax, and first paid it to the Pope, in the 
 year 1302. The assessment of each parish in Fin- 
 gal is given in Appendix II. At this time the Pope 
 was in want of money to prosecute a war with the 
 King of Arragon. In order to get his Tenths more 
 readily, he gave the King of England half the pro- 
 duce. All Fingal was at this time included in the 
 
 ' It is interesting to remember that this tax was the origin 
 of " First Fruits," and of " Queen Anne's Bounty," which 
 afforded so much useful aid in building churches and glebes. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. gg 
 
 Rural Deanery of Swords, and its annual value was 
 ^314 13s. 4d., of which the Pope's tenth was 
 £Bl 9s. 4d. Exclusive of the religious houses and 
 ecclesiastical dignitaries of Dublin, there are in the 
 list only two Rural Deaneries in the whole of Ireland 
 rated at a higher value than Fingal. 
 
 From the foregoing sketch of the methods pur- 
 sued by the conqueror, it is needless to say that 
 Papal doctrine and Papal discipline were completely 
 imposed on Fingal within less than a century from 
 the time of its conquest by the Normans. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 A very brief account of Fingal during the four- 
 teenth and fifteenth centuries, and the first half 
 of the sixteenth century, will suffice. The chief 
 features of its history for some two hundred and 
 fifty years are similar to those of the history of most 
 of the rest of Ireland during the same period. 
 Until the Reformation, the political condition of 
 England often made it difficult for her rulers to 
 pay much attention to Irish affairs. The Norman 
 barons were left very much to their own devices. 
 Any noteworthy circumstances peculiar to Fingal 
 arose from the fact that Fingal was always the 
 victim of these devices, for it was always within 
 that circuit of English military power known as 
 the Pale, however its limits varied with the varying 
 
100 
 
 Fiiigal and its Churches. 
 
 fortunes of the English garrison. For a long time 
 Balrothery was one of its outposts. It is mentioned 
 as one of the "goodly and Availed towns" of the 
 country so late as the sixteenth century. In 1475 
 there was a statute passed in Dublin, which recited 
 that "whereas a dyke was made from the chapel of 
 St. Bride near Tallaght, and round the baronies of 
 Castleknock, Balrothery, Coolock, and Newcastle, 
 which dyke Irish enemies and English rebels broke 
 down in divers places, and have committed many 
 gi'eat robberies, which dyke has lately been repaired." 
 The statute then goes on to enact that anyone who, 
 under any pretence, injures this dyke shall be put in 
 jail in Dublin and heavily fined. The Pale was 
 extended in 1496,^ when Poynings was Governor. 
 Incursions on the borders became so frequent that 
 a statute was passed in the Anglo-Irish Parliament 
 for the construction of a dyke and raised fence round 
 Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Uriel (Louth). 
 
 The social condition of things, even within this 
 circuit, seems to have been very dreadful. Some 
 descriptions of this sad state of things at different 
 dates are subjoined. 
 
 In 1311,2 we are told, " there raigned more dis- 
 
 1 See " History of the Viceroys," by J. T. Gilbert, p. 459. 
 
 ' See " Translation and Notes on the Statute of Kilkenny, 
 1367," by Jas. Hardiman, p. 94, note. Very few of the 
 statutes passed by the Irish Parliament during the fifteenth 
 and sixteenth centuries are published. These extracts are 
 given on the amply sufficient authority of Mr. Hardiman. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. loi 
 
 sentions, strife, wars, and debates between the Eng- 
 lishmen themselves, in the beginning of the con- 
 quest of the kingdom, than between the Irishmen." 
 Even religious ceremonies, which it might be ex- 
 pected the Normans would promote and protect, were 
 hindered. There is, to the extreme west of Fingal, 
 the site of a chapel, dedicated to St. Catherine, virgin 
 and martyr, whose tragic fate, early in the fourth 
 century, suggested its name for the fire-work called 
 a Catherine-wheel. This chapel became a celebrated 
 place of pilgrimage ; but in 1321 the prebendary of 
 Clonmethan has to inform Parliament^ " that divers 
 persons, aliens, strangers, and denizens, did frequent 
 in considerable numbers, by way of pilgrimage, the 
 chapel of St. Catherine's of Fieldstown — being for 
 the health and safety of their souls and accomplish- 
 ment of their prayers, but they had been repeatedly 
 vexed and molested on divers pretences, by reason of 
 which they were obliged to lay aside said devotions 
 and pilgrimages." Parliament thereupon ordained 
 that the persons and properties of the pilgrims 
 should be under the protection of the king, and 
 that nobody should be arrested on any writ until 
 
 'See "History of St. Patrick's Cathedral," by W. M. 
 Mason, p. 53. For an account of St. Catherine see "Dic- 
 tionary of Christian Biography," under " Catherine." Much 
 of her life is purely legendary ; even the cruel death, in 
 which her limbs are said to have been torn on a jagged 
 wheel armed with spikes, is httle better than a legend. 
 
I02 Fmgal and its Churches. 
 
 their pilgrimage should have been accomplished. It 
 would appear that the license and protection thus 
 granted led to abuses which ended in the suppres- 
 sion of the pilgrimages. 
 
 In 1328/ we read of " great variance arising be- 
 tween the Geraldines, Butlers, and Berminghams 
 (all Anglo-Norman families), on the one side, and 
 the Powers and Burkes on the other, for terming 
 the Earl of Kildare (the head of the Geraldines) a 
 Eymer." Owing to this petty quarrel, some of the 
 noblest blood of the Pale was shed in torrents. 
 From the Statute of Kilkenny it appears that in 
 1357 dissension, crime, and misrule then prevailed 
 to a frightful extent within the Pale. High func- 
 tionaries in Church and State were at times the 
 lords of misrule.^ In 1464 " nine of the people of 
 the Lord Justice were slain in Fingal at the instiga- 
 tion of the Bishop of Meath, upon which the Chief 
 Justice and the Bishop went to the King of Eng- 
 land's palace to complain of each other." 
 
 By an unpublished Act of Parliament, passed in 
 1474,^ reciting " that as well towards resisting and 
 subduing the Irish enemies, as towards the banish- 
 ing of the great extortion, oppression, and other mis- 
 chiefs committed by English rebels most pitiably 
 and most lamentably/' it was enacted that so many 
 
 * " Statute of Kilkenny," by J. Hardiman, p. 94, note. 
 
 * " Annals of the Four Masters," under date. 
 
 * " Statute of Kilkenny," by J. Hardiman, p. 94, note. 
 
The A nglo-Normans in Fingal. 
 
 103 
 
 of the king's troops should be quartered for three 
 months in the Co. Dublin. 
 
 Nine years before this Act was passed, a curious 
 method had been tried for making these " Irish 
 enemies " dwelling in Fingal and the rest of the Co. 
 Dublin contented and peaceable subjects. In 1465 
 it was enacted by a Parliament held at Trim, that 
 " Every Irishman dwelling betwixt or among Eng- 
 lishmen in this County shall go like one Englishman 
 in apparel, and shaving his beard above the mouth, 
 and shall be within one year sworn the liege man of 
 the king, and shall take to him an English surname 
 of one town, as Sutton, Chester, Trim, &c.; or colour, 
 as White, Black, Brown, &c. ; or art, as Smith, &c. ; 
 or office, as Cook, &c., and that he and his issue 
 shall use this name under pain of forfeiting his 
 goods yearly." ^ In the census of 1659 (see Appen- 
 dix VI.), we find many described as Irish who 
 evidently thus got their surnames, for we read in 
 this census of Brownes, Whites, Smiths. 
 
 How could it be expected that poor Melesii Mac- 
 feilecan and his enslaved progeny would be converted 
 into good Christians and faithful liegemen of the 
 king, by being called individually Smith, or Black, 
 or Cook ? The lawless conduct of so many of the 
 English conquerors must have made the natives 
 
 ' This is one of the few Acts of the time which is pub- 
 lished. See " Irish Statutes at Large," 5 Edward IV., 
 cap. 16. 
 
104 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 utterly reckless in tlieir misery and despair. As a 
 matter of fact, so weakened bad the English garrison 
 become by internal division^ that the natives were now 
 able to assert their power even in Fingal, close as it 
 was to the capital. The English district was shrink- 
 ing within the boundaries of Fingal itself, and many 
 of the border parishes to the north and west were 
 becoming, as of old, Celtic in population, manners, 
 and religion. 
 
 On looking through the list of clergy of the pa- 
 rishes of Fingal (Appendix VIII.), we find that the 
 Norman names almost entirely disappear after the 
 fourteenth century, and we notice not a few Irish 
 names during the next two hundred years. The fol- 
 lowing extracts from Irish Parliamentary enactments 
 go far to explain this fact, and are suggestive commen- 
 taries on the religious and social condition of Fingal 
 at the time. In the same year in which it was 
 enacted, that " every Irishman living in the county 
 shall go like one Englishman " — in 1465— an unpub- 
 lished Act of the Irish Parliament recites — "Whereas 
 Leo Howth, clerk, presented John of Kevernock, 
 clerk, an Irishman, and of the Irish nation, that is 
 to say, Shan O'Kery, an Irish enemy of the King, to 
 Michael (Tregury) Archbishop of Dubhn (1449-1471), 
 to the Vicarage of Lusk, contrary to Statute." The 
 Act proceeds to declare that on an investigation 
 the statement is found to be a mistake. " John of 
 Kevernock is English-born, and a special orator ; all 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 105 
 
 Acts are declared void -wliicli make said John Irish, 
 or of the Irish nation, and the said John is herehy 
 declared Euf^lish-born." It may fairly be suspected 
 that Master John Kevernock was Irish-born, but that 
 being well afiected to the English Government, and 
 possibly his oratorical powers giving him considerable 
 influence in the then important Parish of Lusk, the 
 Government adopted the strange method of calling 
 him an Englishman, to enable him to hold a parish. 
 This supposition is strengthened by the state of 
 things revealed in an Act passed in 1485,^ only 
 twenty years after. It recites — " As divers benefices 
 of the Diocese of Dublin are situated among Irish 
 enemies, of which the avowsons belong to the Arch- 
 bishop ; and as no Englishman can inhabit said 
 benefices, and divers English clerks, who are enabled 
 to have cure of souls, are inexpert in the Irish tongue, 
 and such of them as are expert disdain to inhabit 
 among Irish people : Be it enacted that the Arch- 
 bishop of Dublin, for two years, do collate Irish 
 clerks to the said benefices." 
 
 It would seem that this experiment failed to make 
 the social or religious condition of things any better. 
 Irish clerks either were not able or did not desire to 
 lessen the prevailing evils, for we find that a State 
 paper of the year 1515 mentions that only half of 
 the Co. Dublin was subject to the King's laws. And 
 
 ' " Statute of Kilkenny," by J. Hardiman, p. 47, note. 
 
io6 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 now Fingal was in danger from without, as well as 
 from within. By the year 1520 the Pale was threat- 
 ened by O'Neill from Ulster, and by Argyll from 
 Scotland. In 1535 Thomas, son of the Earl of 
 Kildare, totally plundered and devastated Fingal. 
 So spoiled and robbed was it, that next year the 
 Lord Deputy and Council made a report to the King 
 that taxes could not be collected. 
 
 Of course it was quite impossible that God's work 
 could prosper in this condition of things. Clergy in- 
 deed were appointed to the several parishes, for the 
 succession of them in most of the parishes is fairly 
 continuous. But many of them, we have seen, were 
 great men, who could not have attended to the over- 
 sight of their cures, as, for example, the Bishop of 
 Winchester (Swords, 1366), the Cardinal of Placentia 
 (Swords, 1423), James of Spain (Lusk, 1294), and 
 others. Moreover, many of the clergj', however will- 
 ing to labour faithfully in their cures, were hindered 
 by the prevailing lawlessness. 
 
 Much care was given, unfortunately, in those days, 
 to matters of far less importance. Sometimes we 
 find the heads of the Church making a ridiculous 
 spectacle. For many centuries there had been a feud 
 for precedency between the Archbishops of Armagh 
 and Dublin. In 1313 Primate Jorse made an abor- 
 tive effort to assert his claim. He sailed down from 
 the north secretly to Howth, and went in the night 
 to Grace Dieu, carrying his crozier erect. It was 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 107 
 
 an opportune moment. Archbishop Lech, of Dublin, 
 was dead, and Archbishop de Bicknor, his successor, 
 had been elected, but not yet confirmed by the Pope 
 or consecrated. Some of the family, however, of the 
 Archbishop-elect met Jorse at Grace Dieu, and com- 
 pelled him to retreat ignominiously. We find this 
 unedifying controversy breaking out again at St. 
 Mary's Abbey, Dublin, in 1337, when Primate David 
 O'Hiraghty endeavoured, in de Bicknor's time, to 
 have his crozier borne before him there in token of 
 precedency. 
 
 South-west View, Clmrch of St. Marnock, Portmarnock, 
 A.D. 1887. 
 
 Further, we find much regard paid in those days 
 to ceremonies which do not profit. Mr. Gilbert, in 
 his preface to " The Chartularies of St. Mary's 
 
io8 Fmgnl and its Churches. 
 
 Abbey/' ^ states that the records of the Abbey men- 
 tion that towards the close of the fifteenth century 
 the remains of St. Marnock were solemnly removed 
 to St. Mary's Abbey from the Church of Portmar- 
 nock, where they had been preserved, and which was 
 " under his invocation." 
 
 This contest for precedency between Armagh and 
 Dublin was singularly connected with the history of 
 Fingal. Nearly in the centre of Fingal is a parish 
 called Ballyboghill. It now forms part of the Union 
 of Clonmethan, to which it was joined in 1675. The 
 fine church is one of the best preserved ruins in the 
 district. It was out of repair in 1630, and ceased to 
 be used soon after. Now, Ballyboghill means the 
 Town of the Staff (Bally-boughall). This staff or 
 bacJml of St. Patrick was one of the two great 
 emblems of primatial authority. All the Lives of 
 St. Patrick^ speak of this staff. Very ancient tradi- 
 tion gives it a miraculous origin. The story goes 
 
 ' Vol. II., pp. xxiii., xxiv. St. Marnock, or Mernoc, 
 is commemorated as a saint in the Calendar of the Cistercian 
 orders. Little is known of him. According to old legends, 
 he discovered an island in the western ocean, the description 
 of which induced St. Brendan to start on his great missionary 
 voyage. A chapel is stated to have been erected to St. Mar- 
 nock's memory in St. Mary's Abbey. 
 
 ' See " Tripartite Life," translated by H. M. Hennessy, 
 p. 427, and appended to the " Life of St. Patrick," written 
 by M. F. Cusack ; which latter adopts much too readily purely 
 legendary stories of the saint, specially in the matter of the 
 bachul. See pp. 178, 186, 190. 
 
 IF 
 
Tlie Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 109 
 
 that a hermit from an island in the Tyrrhene Sea 
 received it from the hands of our Lord Himself, 
 who laid upon him the strict injunction that he 
 was to find out the great Apostle of Ireland, and give 
 it into his hand. When St. Patrick received it, he 
 never parted with it during life ; and when he was 
 dying he transmitted it to his successors in the See 
 of Armagh, to whom it became one of the treasured 
 insignia of their high office. All this part of its 
 story people will believe just in proportion to their 
 faith in the marvellous ; but the rest of the story of 
 the bachul is founded on the substantial basis of 
 historical evidence. 
 
 St. Bernard,^ in his Life of his friend, Malachy 
 (Archbishop of Armagh, 1134-37), mentions the staff 
 as one of those insignia of the See of Armagh, which 
 was popularly supposed to confer upon its possessor 
 a title to be regarded and obej^ed as the successor of 
 St, Patrick. It happened more than once that 
 persons obtained possession of the bachul by fraud, 
 and were therefore looked upon by the ignorant as 
 true bishops. In Bernard's time it was adorned 
 with gold and precious stones. It must have been 
 in existence long before, for it was then regarded 
 with much veneration. There are frequent notices 
 of it in Irish history. The bachul witnessed treaties 
 
 ' See " Book of the Obits of Christ Church Cathedral, 
 by Dr. J. H. Todd, Introduction VIII. 
 
no Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 of peace. People swore by the bachid on great occa- 
 sions. 
 
 The other emblem of primatial authority was the 
 Book of Armagh. It contains some notes on St. 
 Patrick's works, and writings of the Fathers, but is 
 chiefly remarkable for its beautiful MS. of the New 
 Testament, written about the year 807. So valued 
 was the Book of Armagh that it had an hereditary 
 custodian, styled in Irish mao7; or keeper. Mr. 
 Gilbert tells its story in his Notes to Facsimiles 
 of Irish National MSS. The maor was paid from 
 landed property, with which his office was endowed. 
 His descendants were called MacMoyre or Sons of 
 the Keeper. In 1680 the last of them — Florence 
 Moyre — pledged the MS. for £5, and after many 
 vicissitudes it came into the possession of Lord J. G. 
 Beresford, Primate of all Ireland, at that time Chan- 
 cellor of the University of Dublin, by whom the MS. 
 was given to the Library of Trinity College. 
 
 Archbishop Allen tells us, in his Register, that 
 the bachul or staff of Jesus had been in Ballyboghill 
 Church, and had been taken thence to Dublin.^ 
 This transfer may have had its origin in the feud 
 between the two archbishops. In some way not 
 hitherto explained, Ballyboghill, even before the 
 conquest, was the property of the See of Armagh. 
 It was an Armagh island, as it were, in the 
 
 ' See " Ballyboghill," Appendix III. ; also in note, Appen- 
 dix II. 
 
 1 
 
 .1 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. iii 
 
 See of Dublin. In 1175-1180 Gilbert (O'Caran) 
 Archbishop of Armagh, gave Ballybogbill to St. 
 Mary's Abbey in these words: "Wherefore I wish and 
 firmly order that the aforesaid monks [of St. Mary's] 
 shall have Ballybogbill and its lands as firmly as 
 Gelasius, Primate of All Ireland (1137-1174), had 
 them."i Thomas (O'Connor Primate, 1185-1200) 
 confirmed the gift. Eugene (MacGillivider Primate, 
 1206-1216) "confirmed and gave" the church and 
 lands again, and took St. Mary's Abbey under his 
 protection ; and Donatus (O'Fidabra or O'Fury, 
 Primate, 1227-1237) also confirmed the gift. 
 
 There are conflicting accounts as to how and when 
 the hachul came from Armagh. For instance, in 
 the "White Book " of Christ Church Cathedral, it is 
 stated that Strongbow took Ballyboghill after a hard 
 struggle with a very powerful man named MacGogh- 
 dane,^ and gave the place and hachul to Christ Church 
 Cathedral ; but the date mentioned in the " White 
 Book" for this event is 1180, which was some few 
 years after Strongbow's death. Some records say 
 that the English transferred the hachul directly from 
 Armagh to Dublin. 
 
 It is probable that the matter is to be accounted 
 for in this way. Until Malachy became Primate in 
 
 ' See ' ' Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey," by J. T . Gilbert, 
 Vol. I., p. 143. 
 
 ^Archbishop Allen also alludes to this. See "Ballybog- 
 hill," Appendix HI. 
 
112 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 1134, the primacy in Armagh had continued for 
 nearly two hundred years in one family, descending 
 from father to son, or to some other blood relation. 
 When a vacancy occurred, there were often fierce 
 contests over the succession. The Church in 
 Armagh was intensely Celtic and anti-Eoman. We 
 have seen how completely subservient to Rome the 
 Church in Dublin city was from its foundation. 
 These rival sympathies aggravated the rivalry for 
 precedency : they also introduced a new element 
 into these contests over the succession. 
 
 When Malachy became Archbishop of Armagh, he 
 
 North-east View, Church of Ballyhoghill, A.D. 1887. 
 
 put an end to the hereditary system of appointment, 
 and made himself an active promoter of the Roman 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingal. 113 
 
 interest. His successor Gelasius carried on bis work, 
 and accepted a pall from the Pope. Gelasius had 
 much trouble with the old Celtic independent spirit 
 in Armagh, and must have been often anxious for 
 the safety and possession of the staff of Jesus and 
 tiie Book of Armagh. Probably the MacTorkills gave 
 him Ballyboghill, for they were well affected towards 
 Piome, one of them being Archdeacon of Danish 
 Dublin about the time of the Conquest. Ballybog- 
 hill was right in the heart of Danish Fingal, and far 
 removed from the perils attending primatial feuds in 
 Armagh. In Ballyboghill the bachul almost cer- 
 tainly rested safely for a time, but for how long, or 
 when, we have not means of knowing. Possibly the 
 book, for the same reasons, was also deposited there 
 for a time. We know it wandered about a good 
 deal. The hachul was afterwards removed to Christ 
 Church Cathedral. It became an object of idola- 
 trous veneration. Archbishop Browne had the staff 
 taken from thence, and publicly burnt in the streets 
 of Dublin in 1538. 
 
 The Archbishops of Armagh having thus obtained 
 a foothold in the Diocese of Dublin and a claim upon 
 the gratitude of St. Mary's Abbey, were not slow to 
 use these advantages, from time to time, in urging 
 their claim to precedency over Dublin.. Grace Dieu 
 is close to the borders of Ballyboghill. It was 
 possibly from this cause that Primate Jorse came 
 to that place to claim precedency in Dublin, and 
 
 I 
 
114 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 possibly Primate O'Hiragbty thought that the sym- 
 pathies of the monks of St. Mary's Abbey would be 
 with him, when they called to mind the generosity 
 of his predecessors long ago to them. We must 
 wonder now that sensible men, engaged in a serious 
 calling, could actively participate in such childish 
 squabbles. 1 
 
 Verily Fingal was ripe for a reformation in religion 
 and in morals ! For the three and a-half centuries 
 during which its Church bore the Koman yoke, it 
 would be hard to imagine a worse condition than 
 that in which it was. The yoke of Rome was partly 
 broken at the Reformation ; but almost all that 
 remains now to us of this disastrous period are 
 several ruined churches, and a population, the 
 majority of which still professes allegiance to the 
 creed which the English conqueror imported, and 
 to the PontiflP whose authority he imposed. 
 
 It is inexpressibly sad to think of all the suffering 
 endured through these centuries by the voiceless mul- 
 titude of the native population. They left no records 
 behind, and had nobody to tell their story ; but their 
 lot must have been very miserable. Whatever Eng- 
 lish party was supreme, they were despised serfs, 
 
 * The contest between the Archbishops of Armagh and 
 Dublin for precedency was continued through some cen- 
 turies, and produced an extensive literature. For some 
 specimens of this see Ussher's Works, Vol. I., Appendix 
 VI. ; and McMalion's " Jus Primatiale Armacanum," 1728. 
 
The Anglo-Normans in Fingnl. 115 
 
 whose masters and whose pastors nearly always 
 belonged to the conquering nation, and who cared 
 neither for their bodies nor their souls. Of course, 
 in measuring the responsibility for this of the 
 Norman feudal lords, we must judge them in the 
 light of their day, not of ours. The feudal system 
 taught men that the serfs were for the use of their 
 lords, rather than that the lord was for the good 
 of the serf. The Norman baron and churchman 
 found a native population strongly hostile, with 
 habits and religion very different from their own. 
 To be outside the pale of their Church was to be 
 unworthy of consideration. To compel submission, 
 or to punish obduracy by the strong arm, was their 
 method of treatment. The spirit of the age had 
 changed from the time when Christ and His Apostles 
 won men by the attractive power of love and sym- 
 pathy. 
 
CHAPTER lY. 
 
 THE REFORMATION IN FINGAL. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 Y the commencement of the sixteenth 
 century the individuality of Pingal had 
 practically ceased. It had long since 
 been incorporated into the Diocese of 
 Dublin ; and though we find the name still occasion- 
 ally given to the district, Fingal had now for some 
 time been really treated as a part of the Co. Dublin. 
 
 The close of the year 1535 is generally considered 
 the time from which the Reformation period com- 
 menced in Ireland. Bo far as it commenced at all 
 then, it was only for the four counties known as the 
 Pale. About 1535 the Pale extended some fifty 
 miles to the north of Dublin, some eight miles 
 to the south, and some twenty miles to the west. 
 Through the next hundred years the history of the 
 Church in Fingal is almost identical with its story in 
 the rest of the Pale. Here the population had still 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 117 
 
 a large Celtic element in it ; but the number of 
 English settlers was very considerable, with, of 
 course, a very preponderating influence. The 
 motive-power which urged on a real reformation 
 in England was, unhappily, at first wanting in 
 Ireland. There was in England a growing desire 
 for a reformation in the Church of religion and 
 morals. The Reformation first came to Ireland 
 chiefly under the guise of a political question. The 
 policy of Henry VIII. was to set up the royal supre- 
 macy instead of the papal supremacy ; and in order 
 to attain this end, the ecclesiastical system of Ireland 
 must be assimilated to that of England. 
 
 It has been already mentioned that in the year 
 1535 Lord Thomas Fitzgerald had invaded Fingal. 
 He was really in rebellion against the King. Allen, 
 Archbishop of Dublin, had shown some readiness to 
 carry out the policy of Henry VIII. The Geraldines 
 were devoted adherents of the Roman interest. They 
 hated the energetic and dangerous Archbishop, and 
 when, for a time, they became triumphant, the Arch- 
 bishop was compelled to fly from their vengeance. 
 He sailed from Dublin, but was driven by a storm 
 to Clontarf: he landed at that place, and sought 
 protection at Artane. The Geraldines discovered 
 him there, dragged him from his place of refuge, 
 and cruelly murdered him on July 28th, 1534. 
 Two years before this melancholy termination of his 
 life, he had compiled the interesting record of his 
 
ii8 
 
 Fingal and its Chttrches. 
 
 diocese known as the " Eepertorium Viride." ^ 
 (Appendix III.) 
 
 The following year the King appointed George 
 Browne to the vacant archbishopric. He was a very 
 able man, and was for twenty j-ears a zealous pro- 
 moter of the Reformation. Under his influence the 
 Irish Parliament which met in Dublin in 1537, 
 passed an Act declaring the King to be supreme 
 head of the Church on earth. The clergy did not 
 refuse acceptance of this dogma ; none of them 
 were deprived of their cures by openly rejecting it. 
 No steps were taken during the King's life to reform 
 doctrinal teaching. 
 
 That a new era, however, was dawning in Ireland 
 was made plain to the people of Fingal and else- 
 where by two visible signs. One was a pastoral, 
 issued by the Archbishop to his clergy, entitled the 
 " Form of the Beads ;" a form, namely, of prayers to 
 be used in congregational worship, for this Avas the 
 original meaning of the word " Beads " until the word 
 came to be used of the thing by which the prayers 
 
 • In the "Facsimiles of the National MSS. of Ireland," 
 edited by J. T. Gilbert, there is published the facsimile of a 
 letter of the Archbishop's to Thomas Cromwell, dated Dublin, 
 March, 1531-2, which shows how reduced in circumstances 
 the Archbishop must have been. He requests that Henry 
 VIII. will grant him such assistance as will enable him to 
 keep ' ' a competent house and convenient servants, as his 
 expenses have so grated upon his little substance, that he 
 cannot live with woi-ship, or pay his debts with honesty." 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 119 
 
 were counted. This form contained, among other 
 things, prayers for the dead little differing from the 
 Komau use ; but it expressed very hearty condemna- 
 tion of the Pope's " usurped jurisdiction," and of his 
 letters of pardons, " since no man can forgive sins 
 but God only." 
 
 South-west View of Grace Dieu, A.D. 1783. 
 
 The other visible sign of a new state of things was 
 the suppression of the monasteries. In one way 
 Fingal did not suffer by this measure as much as 
 other districts, because, while its parishes had been 
 so largely parcelled out among the Norman monas- 
 teries, only one of these monasteries was situated in 
 Fingal. Allusion has already been made to it. 
 Grace Dieu was suppressed in 1539, and all its 
 
I20 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 possessions were besto-\ved upon those who were 
 likely to support the King's Government. The 
 Barnewall family — afterwards represented by the 
 now extinct title of the Viscounts Trimleston of 
 Turvey — received the largest share. The chief 
 sufferers by this were "the women-kind of the 
 Englishry of the land." We are not told that the 
 native population got any educational advantages 
 from Grace Dieu. 
 
 The suppression, on February 4th, 1538, of the 
 Priory of All Saints had a result which no Irish 
 churchman, or indeed no liberal-minded Irishman, 
 could regret. The valuable possessions of this Priory 
 in Baldoyle, as well as the site on which it stood in 
 Hogges Green (now College Green), were bestowed 
 upon the Corporation of Dublin as a reward for their 
 loyalty in opposing and suffering by the rebellion of 
 the Geraldines. Fifty-four years later, in the year 
 1592, Queen Elizabeth granted a Charter of Incor- 
 poration to Trinity College, — that one public institu- 
 tion in Ireland which has ever since been a liberalizing 
 and enlightening influence in the land, uncorrupted by 
 political intrigue, undistracted by the war of creeds ; 
 and the then loyal Corporation of Dublin bestowed 
 on the newly incorporated seat of learning the lands 
 upon which its buildings now stand. 
 
 The rest of the extensive monastic property in 
 Fingal was bestowed upon various laymen who were 
 thought likely to be well affected to the Government. 
 
 1 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 121 
 
 There was, unhappily, no provision made for the 
 instruction of the people. Schools were not founded, 
 and no attempt was made to reach the native popula- 
 tion in its own tongue. It was not until 1602 that 
 the New Testament was printed in Irish ; the Old 
 Testament was not printed in Irish until 1685 ; 
 and the Prayer Book of the reformed religion was 
 not printed in Irish until 1608. 
 
 This impropriation or diversion from religious pur- 
 poses, of monastic property in Fingal, left the great 
 majority of its parishes with very limited means of 
 supporting a resident clergy. Even so late as the 
 year 1869, when the Irish Church Act passed, of the 
 then existing twenty-five parishes or cures of Fingal 
 (including two sinecures), the net income of thirteen 
 of these parishes was under iSlOO a-year ; the net 
 income of six was under £,100 a-year ; the net income 
 of five was under ^£800 a-year ; and of one only — of 
 " fat " Swords — was the income over £300 a-year. 
 
 Dr. Ball notices the immediate efi'ect of this state 
 of things on the Church at large in retai-ding the 
 work of reformation : " The impoverishment of the 
 appropriated parishes {i.e., belonging to monasteries) 
 acted injuriously on the supply of clergy who were 
 willing to serve in them. They were of an inferior 
 grade, deficient in knowledge and attainments. 
 From them the evil of the system extended much 
 farther. The standard of intellectual cultivation 
 could not be lowered for so numerous a portion of 
 
122 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 the order without reducing the level generally. 
 The clerical calling fell in general estimation, and 
 its interests were neglected." ^ 
 
 Edward VI. took steps to have the English Bible 
 and the Reformed Prayer Book used in Ireland. 
 The Archbishop of Armagh and his suffragans 
 opposed the King's wishes ; but Archbishop Browne 
 had the English service performed for the first time 
 in Christ Church Cathedral on Easter Day, 1551, 
 and we are informed that soon after its use extended 
 to various churches within the Pale. Though these 
 churches are not named, we may fairly suppose that 
 the churches in Fingal were among the number. 
 
 It was not, however, until Elizabeth came to the 
 throne that the permanent work of reformation in 
 Ireland commenced. Mary was too much occupied 
 during her short reign with the reintroduction of the 
 Roman power into England, to find time to do much 
 for the Papal cause in Ireland. She deprived Arch- 
 bishop Browne of his See, and appointed Archbishop 
 Curwin as his successor in 1555; but when Elizabeth 
 succeeded Mary on the throne of England, in the 
 year 1558, Archbishop Curwin shewed himself quite 
 willing to carry out Elizabeth's policy in promoting 
 the work of the Reformation. 
 
 That strong-minded Queen had an Irish Act 
 passed in 1560, repressing, after her father's fashion, 
 
 ' See " The Reformed Church of Ireland," by Right Hon. 
 J. T. Ball, p. 78. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 123 
 
 the usurped authority of the Pope, and enacting the 
 use in Ireland of the Reformed Prayer Book. It 
 was a revised edition of what is known as the Second 
 Prayer Book of Edward VI. The clergy were 
 directed to use this Book under severe penalties, 
 and preaching or speaking against it was made an 
 offence. 
 
 As for the laity, a method of convincing them was 
 adopted, the wisdom of which may be doubted. 
 The Queen^s advisers seem to have forgotten the 
 great truth that you can bring a horse to the water, 
 but you cannot make him drink. A fine of one 
 shilling a week was directed to be levied on each 
 person in the County Dublin who absented himself 
 from the worship of the Reformed Church. All the 
 churches were used for the reformed worship through- 
 out the county ; and all the clergy conformed to this 
 worship, in all probability, inasmuch as we have no 
 record of the deprivation of any of the clergy in the 
 County Dublin. 
 
 The Romish persecutions on the continent helped 
 the Reformation in Fingal. In 1583,^ Sir Henry 
 Sydney, the Queen's Lord Deputy, planted forty 
 families of Protestant refugees from the Lov/ 
 Countries in the old Castle of Swords. It is signifi- 
 cantly related of them : " Truly it would have done 
 any man good to see how diligently they worked and 
 how they re-edified the quiet spoiled castle of the 
 ' See " Carew State Papers," March 1, 1583. 
 
124 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 town, and repaired almost all the same, and how 
 godly and cleanly their wives and children lived." 
 
 A better method of convincing the people of the 
 truth of the reformed doctrines than fining them for 
 non-attendance at church, was the sale in Dublin 
 and its neighbourhood in 1566-7 of seven thousand 
 English Bibles, and the publication in Dublin, about 
 the same time, of the English Prayer Boolv. These 
 things, of course, had no effect upon the native popu- 
 lation. We have now no means of estimating how 
 far the diffusion of these books won over the English 
 settlers in Fingal to the reformed faith. The 
 probability is, it was accepted pretty generally by 
 them. 
 
 Certain it is that the Pope did not consider his 
 cause to be prospering.^ From Elizabeth's accession 
 until the year 1600, Dublin was left by him without 
 a Roman Catholic Archbishop ; and he did not 
 during that long period of forty-two years nominate 
 any ecclesiastic to that See. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 From the time when the Pieformation movement 
 commenced, and through almost the entire of Eliza- 
 beth's reign, the old disturbed condition of things 
 
 1 See " The Reformed Church of Ireland," by Rt. Hon. 
 J. T. Ball, p. 88, note. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 125 
 
 existed in Fingcal, which must have sadly hindered 
 the cause of true religion. Factions within, and the 
 wars of Shane O'Neill, Desmond, and Tyrone from 
 without, left no peace to the Queen's Government. 
 
 Here are a few illustrations. In 1539 Lord 
 Deputy Grey wrote to his " singler good Lord," 
 Cromwell, describing the misdeeds of the principal 
 inhabitants of the Pale : " Of all such lordys and 
 gentylmen as be borderours upon the merchys of 
 Lyshemen, I think verelye that theyr ys no more 
 falsehede in all the devylles of hell than doyth re- 
 mayn in theym."^ In 1565 the Irish Privy Council 
 declared, " As for religion, there was but small 
 appearance of it. The churches uncovered, and the 
 clergy scattered, and scarce the being of a God 
 known." ^ 
 
 In 1576 " Rury Oge, the son of Rury, son of 
 Connall O'More, and Conor, the son of Cormac, who 
 was the son of Brian O'Conor, opposed the English, 
 with their wood-ferns, and they wei'e joined by all 
 that were living of the race Failghe and of Conall 
 Cearnach. They burned and desolated large portions 
 of Leinster, Meath, and Fingal."' And in 1580 
 " A great muster was made of the men of Meath, 
 Fingal, and Leinster, and also those who were 
 
 ' See " Statute of Kilkenny," by J. Hardiman, p. 94, 
 note. 
 
 ^ See " Statute of Kilkenny," by J. Hardiman, p. 47, 
 note. 
 
 ^ See "Annals of the Four Master?," under date. 
 
126 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 subject to the Lord of England from the Boyne to 
 the meeting of the three waters, by the Lord Chief 
 Justice and the Earl of Ormond for the purpose of 
 being led against the Geraldines."^ 
 
 The above extracts from public documents have 
 been selected to show that during the sixteenth 
 century, the social disorganisation of the preceding 
 centuries still continued a hindrance to the progress 
 of true religion in Fingal. It would be only too 
 easy to give extracts to the same effect, relating to 
 the periods between the dates selected. 
 
 But Queen Elizabeth did not do things by halves. 
 At her death, in 1603, her measures for the restora- 
 tion of social order had been almost completely suc- 
 cessful. She left to her successor, King James L, 
 only the great Ulster question to deal with. His 
 ministers completely crushed the rebellion there, 
 and carried out with success the policy known as the 
 Ulster plantation, to which the province has ever 
 since owed so much, and to which L-eland may yet 
 owe her salvation. 
 
 For Fingal and the rest of the Pale, a new state 
 of things commenced. The wretched policy which 
 had prevailed heretofore, of treating the native popu- 
 lation as enemies, and the English colonists as a 
 distinct and petted race, was brought to an end. 
 All were treated as the King's subjects, and as 
 
 ' See "Annals of the Four Masters," under date. 
 
The Reforination in Fingal. 127 
 
 equally entitled to the benefits of his laws. We 
 have seen that the New Testament and the reformed 
 Prayer Book were printed in Irisli. We find some 
 very Celtic names, like Patrick Beaghan, John 
 Credlan, Thomas Keegan, and Terence Ivers, from 
 1600 to 1640, in the lists of the parochial clergy of 
 Fingal (see Appendix VIII.) ; and the Celt in the 
 district was no longer irritated by the law informing 
 him in the old way, " he must go like one English- 
 man in apparel, and shaving his beard above the 
 mouth." Robert Daly, prebendary of Clonmethan 
 in 1561, and also Bishop of Kildare from 1564:, was 
 specially commended " for his good name and honest 
 living, and the rather, because he was well able to 
 preach in the Irish tongue." ^ 
 
 An examination of Appendices IV. and V. proves 
 conclusively how much Fingal suffered even in the 
 seventeenth century from the unfortunate legacy left 
 to the Church by the impoverishment of the parishes 
 belonging to the suppressed monasteries. A visita- 
 tion was made by command of King James of the 
 parishes throughout Ireland in 1615, The extracts 
 from this visitation in Appendix IV. give some idea 
 of the literary deficiencies of the clergy. There were 
 thirty churches in use at the time in Fingal. Six- 
 teen clergy had charge of these. Of the sixteen two 
 only were graduates. One only is mentioned as 
 
 ' See " Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicse," Vol. II., p. 231. 
 
128 Filigal and its Churches. 
 
 resident in bis parish. Of him alone it is said that 
 he was " a sufficient man." The names of four of the 
 sixteen are without even the poor qualification that 
 they are " reading ministers " — able to read ; and of 
 four only is it said that they are " preachers." In 
 three churches it is said there was " no book." In 
 one it is said the book had been " plundered." 
 There is no means now of knowing whether the 
 " book " mentioned was Bible or Prayer Book, or 
 included both — probably it did. It is plain that in 
 such churches the congregations profited little. 
 
 Worse than persecution or than poverty was this 
 evil that befell the Church soon after the Eeforma- 
 tion. Just when she needed an educated and earnest 
 clergy to teach the people the truth ; when the in- 
 cubus of error which had lain upon her for more 
 than tliree centuries had removed ; when, for the first 
 time, the Bible was in circulation, and was easily 
 accessible to the people — she was ministered to by a 
 clergy for the most part ignorant, rude, and indif- 
 ferent. The civil and ecclesiastical powers recog- 
 nised the force of the evils which so widely prevailed ; 
 but the remedy which they tried only aggravated the 
 evil. Clergy were introduced from England. Dr. 
 Ball quotes Spenser's recorded opinion of these.^ 
 They were " unlearned, or men of some bad note, for 
 which they had forsaken England." 
 
 ' See Spenser's " View of Ireland," p. 570. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 129 
 
 But this was not the only result of impoverishing 
 the monastic parishes in Fingal. One clerk, who 
 was not even described as " a reading minister," had 
 charge of five parishes scattered through different 
 parts of the district. Another clerk, who was little 
 qualified, had charge of four parishes. There is 
 reason to believe that nearlj' all the Fingal clergy 
 were non-resident. 
 
 Apparently non-residence and ignorance were " Re- 
 formation " defaults of the Fingal clergy. From 
 time to time, during the Anglo-Norman period, we 
 have special mention of clergy applying for and 
 obtaining permission to absent themselves from 
 their cures, ^ and doing so in order to enable them to 
 seek educational advantages. In 1406 Thomas Cran- 
 legh, a prebendary of Lusk, had licence to absent 
 himself for two years for the purpose of studying at 
 Oxford, a predecessor of his having in 1381 forfeited 
 the profits of his prebend by long absence. In 1410 
 Thomas Corre, vicar of Garristown, had leave of 
 absence for five years ; and in 1475 Nicholas Dow- 
 dall, prebendary of Clonmethan, obtained leave of 
 absence from his prebend for eight years to enable 
 him to study at Oxford. In 1458 an Act was 
 passed requiring that beneficed persons shall keep 
 residence, the penalty imposed upon those who, 
 
 ' See " History of the County of Dublin," by J. D'Alton, 
 pt). 421, 497, 405. 
 
 K 
 
130 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 ■within a year, should fail to reside in their benefice, 
 being the loss of half the profits of the benefice, 
 "which shall be expended in the King's wars in 
 defence of this poor land of Ireland. 
 
 Archbishop Lancelot Bulkeley's visitation return 
 in 1630 (see Appendix V.) reveals another result of 
 the manner in which the monasteries were sup- 
 pressed. He was Archbishop from 1619 until his 
 death in 1650, when he died, " being spent with 
 grief for the calamities of the times." We are told of 
 him that " he endeavoured to restrain the seditious 
 harangues which about that time were abundantly 
 delivered by the Jesuits and friars of Dublin."^ 
 From the time that the suppression of the monas- 
 teries scattered them homeless through the land, 
 these preaching friars became the most active and 
 the most bitter opponents of the Reformation. They 
 had no settled parochial charge or income. They 
 did not, like the parochial clergy, conform at the Re- 
 formation. They were turned adrift on the world, 
 and revenged themselves by being the energetic 
 opponents of the Reformed faith and of the English 
 Government. 
 
 It is well to notice here that the history of Fingal 
 in those days furnishes ample proof that there was 
 no reason why these two attitudes of mind should 
 
 1 See " Irish Statutes at Large," 6 Henry VI., cap. 8. 
 * See " Fasti Ecclesiaj Hibemicse," by H. Cotton, Vol. IL, 
 p. 21. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 131 
 
 always go together. The real source of weakness 
 to the Keformation in Ireland all through this 
 period was, that the English Government was much 
 more concerned about the supremacy of British 
 power than of Protestantism. The too common 
 notion eagerly propagated by successive generations 
 of Irish agitators — namely, that the property of 
 Roman Catholics was confiscated merely because of 
 their religion — is not justified by the facts. Property 
 was again and again forfeited as the just penalty 
 imposed on rebels who were disloyal to the Crown. 
 These rebels were very often Roman Catholics, but 
 the Crown was generally glad to reward loyalty, 
 whether in Protestant or Roman Catholic. Fingal 
 exhibits two examples of this fact in the troublous 
 times with which we are now dealing. Luke 
 Plunket, a Roman Catholic merchant of Dublin, 
 obtained a grant by patent dated June 8, 1G35, of 
 the castle, town, lands, and hereditaments of Port- 
 marnock,^ where his descendants still live. And 
 in 1669 the ancestors of the present Viscount 
 Gormanston received, as a reward for their loyalty 
 to King Charles II., a grant of land known as " the 
 Inch of Balrothery," ^ which the family has held 
 down to the present time. It would be easy to give 
 other examples to the same effect. 
 
 * See " Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland," by 
 Sir B. Burke, 1882, p. 1283. 
 
 ' See " History of the Parish of Balrothery," a Lecture 
 by H. A. Hamilton, Esq., p. 19. 
 
132 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 The unhappy controversies provoked by Charles I. 
 in England offered peculiar opportunities to the 
 preaching friars and other enemies of the Reforma- 
 tion to hinder its progress in Ireland. It is probable 
 that the Church in Fingal was at its worst and weak- 
 est state during this reign, so many causes, both 
 from within and from without, were conspiring 
 against her. All accounts agi'ee that very few of 
 the clergy of the time had a university education ; 
 they were still, for the most part, unspiritually- 
 minded and unrespected ; and never, since 1535, 
 did the prospects of political Eomanism seem so 
 bright. 
 
 "What a gloomy picture of the Church in Fingal do 
 the extracts from Archbishop Bulkeley's visitation 
 returns of 1 630 give ! (Appendix V.) Only fif- 
 teen years had elapsed since the royal visitation of 
 1615. Churches then in good repair are now re- 
 ported to be in a ruinous condition. Even la 
 Swords — the chief parish of Fingal — the church 
 and chancel, then " in good repair," are now 
 " fallen flat to the ground and " there useth to 
 come to church there about threescore to hear Divine 
 Service and sermon." Nothing short of gross neglect 
 can explain this disastrous state of things in a parish 
 which had been stocked only forty-seven years before 
 by forty families of God-fearing Huguenots. 
 
 Finglas is the only parish of the district where 
 .Reformation principles seem to have been triumphant, 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 133 
 
 in spite of the efforts to the contrary of " divers 
 priests, Jesuits, and friars," and where there was 
 such evidence of spiritual life as is afforded by the 
 fact of there having been 150 communicants the 
 previous Easter. 
 
 Examination of the Archbishop's notes on each 
 parish shows the extraordinary circumstance, that of 
 sixteen recusants {i.e., Eoman Catholics) whose 
 names are given as promoters of Eoman worship, 
 ten are Anglo-Norman, such as Barnewall, St. 
 Laurence, Delahyde ; one is Danish (Sedgrave) ; 
 three are English, such as Warren and Taylor ; and 
 only two are Celtic names. And to a great extent 
 the same is true of the eight " mass-priests " whose 
 names are given : one is Anglo-Norman, three are 
 English, such as Begg, Clarke ; only half are Celtic. 
 
 The domestic condition of things in the home of 
 the vicar of Donabate probably explains much of all 
 this. The clergy were neglectful of their duty, and 
 half-hearted about their faith : and while it must be 
 acknowledged that the religious indifference which 
 led a Protestant clergyman to marry a Eoman 
 Catholic was justly punished by the conduct of the 
 determined woman under whose domination be 
 plainly smarted, we cannot wonder that reformed 
 principles decayed in a parish where the helpmate 
 of the vicar was " as rank and violent a recusant 
 as any lived that day in Christendom."^ The 
 ' See Appendix V., under " Donabate." 
 
134 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 explanation is very obvious. The vicar's wife was 
 in earnest ; the vicar himself was not. 
 
 There are other features in this return worth notic- 
 ing as typical of the period. The twenty-five parishes 
 mentioned are served by fourteen clergy, of whom six 
 only are stated to be graduates. There are scan- 
 dalous instances of pluralities, parishes as far apart 
 as Howth and Swords being held by the same person. 
 There are five cases of clergymen serving two cures, 
 sometimes far apart from each other, because of the 
 poverty of each parish, and there is one case of the 
 same clergyman serving six cures and receiving from 
 his parishes the following stipends : — 34s., ^4, 
 £,5 15s. 4d., and nothing from the remaining two. 
 But this poverty and its evil results grew largely 
 out of that crying scandal of the seventeenth and 
 eighteenth centuries, the systematic spoliation of 
 Church property. In Howth, Kilsallaghan, and 
 Holmpatrick, complaint is made that neighbouring 
 lay proprietors have seized and kept parish lands 
 from their proper uses. The greater tithes were 
 owned by laymen, while the parish was starved. 
 In Garristown the vicar's annual income during ten 
 years was 20s., while a lay impropriator received the 
 great tithes worth i£38 per annum; and in Ballyma- 
 dun the curate received £1, while the great tithes 
 received by the lay impropriator amounted to ^60 
 per annum. 
 
 The saintly Bedel had brought this condition of 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 135 
 
 things in the Irish Church under the notice of Arch- 
 bishop Laud, who induced Charles I. to let him come 
 over to Ireland and try to recover for the Church 
 some of her alienated revenues. In a Life of the 
 Archbishop, by C. W. le Bas, a letter from the Lord 
 Deputy Weutworth is preserved, in which he states : 
 " Just at this present I am informed that my Lord 
 Clanricarde hath engrossed as many parsonages as 
 he hath mortgaged for £4000 and £80 rent. In 
 faith, have at him and all the rest of the * Eavens.' 
 If I spare a man of them, let no man spare me. I 
 foresee this is so universal a disease that I shall incur 
 a number of men's displeasure of the best rank 
 among them. But had I not better lose these, for 
 God Almighty's cause, than lose Him for theirs ? " 
 
 Bramhall, afterwards Archbishop of Armagh, writes 
 from Dublin to Laud in 1633 : — " It is hard to say 
 whether the churches be more ruinous or sordid, or 
 the people more irreverent. Even in Dublin we 
 found one parochial church converted into the Lord 
 Deputy's stable, a second to a nobleman's dwelling- 
 house, the choir of a third into a tennis court, with 
 the vicar for keeper. One bishop, in the remoter 
 part of the kingdom, holds three and twenty bene- 
 fices ; seldom any suitor petitions for less than three 
 vicarages at a time." ^ The next year Laud writes 
 to Went worth : " Indeed, my Lord, I knew the 
 
 ' See " Ireland in the Seventeenth Century," by M. Hick- 
 son, Vol. I., p. 79. 
 
136 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 state of that Church was very bad ; but that it wag 
 so stark naught I did not beheve : six benefices not 
 able to keep the minister in clothes ! In six parishes 
 not six come to church ! Good God ! stay the time 
 [i.e., have patience], you must, until there be some 
 more conformable people : on with your endeavours 
 for moneys given to charitable uses, for righting the 
 crown in patronage. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 With the later troubled years of the reign of 
 Charles I., things were rapidly ripening for the 
 terrible events of 1641. Fingal had its full share in 
 them. It is no part of a local story to discuss at 
 any length this controverted subject. It is sufficient 
 to say here, that the circumstances of the time 
 offered peculiar temptations to the Irish enemies of 
 English government to rise in rebellion. The 
 English difficulties of King Charles left the Execu- 
 tive in Ireland very weak. Roman Catholicism was 
 virtually supreme in Ireland during the spring and 
 summer of 1641. It had a majority in the army and 
 in the parliament. Numbers of old soldiers who 
 had served on the continent under foreign Govern- 
 ments were observed making their way to Ireland. 
 
 A letter of the Irish Council dated June 30th, 
 1641 (MSS., Rolls House), states : " We lately re- 
 ceived a petition in the name of the Archbishops, 
 
'The Reformation in Fingal. 137 
 
 Bishops, and the rest of the clergy now assemhled in 
 this city of Dublin, and subscribed by two Arch- 
 bishops and sundry other Bishops, wherein they 
 complain that they see (with sorrow), in their several 
 dioceses and places of residence, a foreign jurisdic- 
 tion publically exercised, and swarms of popish 
 priests and friars openly professing themselves, by 
 their words and habits, to the out-daring of the laws 
 established, the infinite pressure of the subject, and 
 the vast charge and impoverishing of the whole king- 
 dom We are informed likewise that of late 
 
 there have been, and are yet supposed to be, in and 
 about Dublin many hundreds of Jesuits, friars, and 
 priests, which extraordinary convention of so many 
 of them cannot be for any good purpose."^ 
 
 Thus powerful in Ireland, seeing Puritanism 
 steadily gaining ground in England, and also smart- 
 ing under the penalties they had so often before paid 
 for unsuccessful rebellion at home, the Irish Roman 
 Catholic party saw in the condition of things a good 
 opportunity and strong incentive to make a supreme 
 effort to free Ireland from the hated English yoke. 
 
 It was natural that those who were likely to oppose 
 this effort should have been kept in ignorance of 
 what was intended ; but no excuse can be suggested 
 for the cruelty which deliberately planned and car- 
 ried out a wholesale massacre of helpless Protestant 
 people. 
 
 ' See " Ireland in the Seventeenth Century," by M. Hick- 
 son, Vol. II., p. 336. 
 
138 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 The rebellion commenced on October 23rd, 
 1641, in the Co. Monaghan. It soon spread 
 throughout Ulster. Clergy and people were ruthlessly 
 slaughtered ; their churches, glebes, and homesteads 
 were destroyed. Except in towns and garrisons there 
 was no refuge from the devastators to be found. From 
 Ulster the rebellion rapidly spread to the other 
 thi'ee provinces. Much difference of opinion for a 
 time existed, and with some excuse for it, as to the 
 number of Protestants who were then massacred by 
 the Eoman Catholic insurgents. For a long time 
 the sworn depositions of witnesses of the massacres 
 remained practically uninvestigated. The depositions 
 were bound up in thirtj'-two volumes of MSS., and 
 preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. 
 Miss Hickson has made an accurate transcript of 
 a large number of these depositions, and has pub- 
 lished them in two volumes, entitled " Ireland in the 
 Seventeenth Century," 1884. 
 
 We now know only too surely that the rebels 
 themselves looked upon the war they waged as a 
 religious war ; and upon the evidence already cited 
 we may give 25,000 as a fair estimate of the 
 number of Protestants " murdered by the sword, 
 gun, rope, drownding, &c., in the first three or four 
 years, not including those killed in battle." 
 
 It would appear that in the apt soil of Fingal the 
 rebellion rapidly extended from one end of it to the 
 other. Many of the Roman Catholic Anglo-Normans 
 formed a confederacy of the lords of the Pale. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 139 
 
 At Finglas a party of them was attacked and 
 defeated by Colonel Crawford. Many of the inhabi- 
 tants of Clontarf, Eaheny, and Kilbarrack, " having 
 declared themselves rebels, and having robbed and 
 spoiled some of his Majesty's good subjects," as a 
 proclamation against them states, the Earl of Or- 
 mond dispersed gatherings of them at Raheny and 
 Kilbarrack. 
 
 In Swords and Kilsallaghan there were contests 
 which almost reached to the dimensions of pitched 
 battles. 
 
 On the 9th of December, 1641, the Irish army of 
 the Pale assembled at Swords under the leadership 
 of many of the Roman Catholic gentry of the county. 
 A contingent, which had been at first assembled at 
 Santry, under Luke Netterville, joined them. The 
 Lords Justices issued a proclamation calling upon 
 this army of insurgents to disperse, and ordering 
 that nine of the chief leaders should come before the 
 Council the next morning, to explain their conduct. 
 This proclamation having been disregarded, Sir 
 Charles Coote was sent against the rebels. He was 
 a good but stern soldier ; he made short work of 
 the insurgents. He burned the village of Santry, 
 and slew some rioters there ; and finding Swords 
 fortified, he stormed it, put its defenders to flight, 
 and killed about two hundred of them. 
 
 At Kilsallaghan the Earl of Fingal, with some of 
 the Barnewalls, Seagraves, and others, assembled a 
 
140 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 force about the castle. It is stated that their ^josi- 
 tion was made very strong by the woods surrounding 
 the castle, and by defences which they raised. It 
 was not strong enough, however, to resist the Earl 
 of Ormond, who attacl^ed and carried it, driving the 
 enemy out of the castle, which he left a ruin, and in 
 that condition it has remained ever since. 
 
 West View, Church of St- David, and Castle, Kilsallaghan, 
 A.D. 1887. 
 
 Miss Hickson has transcribed two depositions 
 which illustrate the state of Fingal at the time.^ 
 
 In Archbishop Bulkeley's return (see Appendix V.), 
 it is stated that Mass was said in a house at 
 
 •See Vol. II., p. 25. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 141 
 
 Bremore. That house was the ancient castle where 
 one of the Bavnewalls lived. These Barnewalls owed 
 everything they possessed to Reformation Kings. 
 They had received immense tracts of Fingal on the 
 suppression of the monasteries ; yet they were among 
 the most active recusants of the time, both before 
 and after the rebellion. 
 
 One of the depositions which Miss Hickson prints 
 is made by Christopher Hampton on Dec. 11, 1641. 
 He states " that he and divers others coming ashore 
 
 on the 5th of the present at Skerries, one 
 
 called Father Malone, with many accompanying of 
 him, laid hands upon this examinant, and the rest, 
 and 'stripped them of all they had, and likewise 
 entered into the ship, and rifled and took away what 
 was there ; which being done, the said Malone sent 
 this examinant and the other passengers, by a war- 
 rant under his hand, from constable to constable, to 
 Roger Moore, a colonel in the army. This examin- 
 ant being brought before Mr. Roger Moore, he, after 
 some time, let him and the rest go free and at 
 large." Other vessels coming to Skerries were plun- 
 dered in the same way, and the spoil in each case 
 was carried to the house of Mr. Barnewall of Bre- 
 more. The walls of his castle were standing in 
 1783. They have since nearly disappeared. 
 
 Six days later another English vessel was plun- 
 dered off Clontarf, as a subsequent deposition, made 
 December 14, and printed by Miss Hickson, informs 
 
142 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 us " David Powell, one of the inhabitants of Clon- 
 tarf, saith, that a bark belonging to Philip Norrice, of 
 Liverpool, ran aground near Clontarf on the 11th of 
 December ; that some dwellers of Raheny, to the 
 number of fourteen, came and pillaged the said bark, 
 and took away all the best commodities that were 
 then in her; and that one Evers and a miller came 
 to help to save the goods ; they fell on them and 
 wounded the miller to death, and caused Evers, for 
 fear of losing his life, to turn Papist. On the 14th 
 of December, the inhabitants of Clontarf, chiefly 
 fishermen, came and took away out of the said bark 
 such coals and salt and ropes as were left in the said 
 bark, and carried them to their houses. And saith 
 further, that FitzSimons of Raheny, gent., was 
 amongst those at Raheny that pillaged the bark all 
 night. And saith further, that there came some of 
 the rebels on the 12th of December to Clontarf, and 
 that they came to the house of this examinant, find- 
 ing no other English in the town, and rifled all he 
 had, and said they would set fire to his house if he 
 would not leave it, and that they would not leave an 
 Englishman dwelling upon the land ; and they said 
 they would go from thence to Howth." On refer- 
 ence to Archbishop Bulkeley's return in the year 
 1630 (see Appendix VI. — Baldoyle), we find it was 
 at the house of Mr. FitzSimons that Mass was then 
 
 ' See Vol. II., pp. 25, 2G. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 143 
 
 said for recusants of the neighbourhood. The chief 
 recusant of the neighbourhood in 1630 was, in all 
 probability, the wrecker of 1641. 
 
 But, though Fingal thus took a prominent part in 
 this unhappy rebellion, it seems to have been very 
 quickly pacified. Coote and Ormond did their work 
 thoroughly. They completely crushed the rebellion 
 near Dublin. Forfeitures followed hard upon the 
 suppression of the rebellion, and much of the soil of 
 Fingal once more changed owners. 
 
 SECTION :iV. 
 
 Unhappily, the civil war which Charles and his 
 Parliament were waging in England now spread to 
 Ireland, while she was yet bleeding from the wounds 
 which had been inflicted in these sad struggles. Sis 
 months after Cromwell had finally triumphed over 
 King Charles, he started for Ireland. He landed at 
 Ringsend, near Dublin, on August 14th, 1649. Fingal 
 was, of course, fated to have its share of any fight- 
 ing that was going on. In 1641 Ormond crushed 
 out the rebellion there. In 1649 he headed the 
 forces which at that time were arrayed against him.* 
 Loyalist Churchmen and Presbyterians were joined 
 
 ' See "English in Ireland," by J. A. Froude, Vol. I., 
 p. 118, &c. 
 
:i44 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 by Romanist rebels under his standard, and all 
 declared for Charles II. Ormond took Drogheda, 
 and marched down through Fingal to take pos- 
 session of Dublin. For a time he encamped at 
 Finglas, and then he got well beaten at Rathmines by 
 Colonel Jones, a lieutenant of Cromwell's, one fort- 
 night before his chief's arrival. Fingal now underwent 
 much suffering from a return march thi'ough its terri- 
 tory. Cromwell took command of all the parliament- 
 ary forces, and marched with them to Drogheda. His 
 first lesson to his enemies was a terrible one. On 
 September 16th, he took Drogheda by storm, and had 
 every man found in arms put to the sword. When 
 remonstrated with by the Roman Catholic Bishops 
 for the stern policy he now pursued, he answered 
 them : — " You, unprovoked, put the English to the 
 most unheard-of and barbarous massacre (without 
 respect of age or sex) that the sun ever beheld. . . . 
 We are come to ask an account of the innocent blood 
 that hath been shed." ^ Mr. Froude^ justifies this 
 policy by considerations which are certainly not to be 
 disposed of by a mere charge of cruel intolerance. 
 
 Fingal, however, supplies evidence that this was 
 not the only reason for Cromwell's severity. The 
 Talbots — lords of Malahide — had had no share in the 
 cruelties of 1641. They had helped in resisting the 
 
 * See Carlyle's "Letters and Speeches of Oliver Crom- 
 well," Vol. II., p. 223, ed. 1871. 
 
 ^ " English in Ireland," Vol. I., p. 125, &c. 
 
 I 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 145 
 
 parliamentary forces ; but their chief crime iu Crom- 
 weU's eyes was their unswerving loyalty to the Stuart 
 dynasty, Mr. John Talbot was outlawed, and his 
 Castle of Malahide, with 605 acres, I.P.M., of his 
 property, were granted to Miles Corbet, one of Crom- 
 well's chief lieutenants. Corbet had been one of the 
 
 South-west View, Malahide Church, A.D. 1887 (exterior). 
 
 members of the court which tried Charles I. He was 
 one of the signatories to the King's death warrant. He 
 became Lord Chief Baron in Ireland, and held Mala- 
 hide Castle until the Restoration, when he was exe- 
 cuted as a regicide, and the old owners once more 
 re-entered on possession of their ancestral home. 
 During the occupancy of Corbet, Malahide church 
 
 L 
 
146 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 furnished one of the many proofs that the Church of 
 Ireland only escaped the persecution of the Romanist, 
 to be exposed to the iconoclasm of the Puritan. 
 
 In Malahide demesne, within a stone's throw of the 
 Castle, there stand the carefully-preserved walls of 
 the old church, which was founded at the same time 
 when the Talbot family were settled in the land. 
 
 South-west View, Malahide Church, Interior of Chancel, with 
 the Tomb of Ron. M. Plunket in the foreground, A .D. 1887. 
 
 This church was, for Fingal, an extensive and a 
 comely building. The advowson had been granted to 
 the lords of the soil. They had been careful cus- 
 todians of the church, and frequent benefactors to it. 
 In 1529 Sir Peter Talbot left Requests for the 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 147 
 
 repairs and maintenance of its chancel. The use 
 Cromwell's soldiers, under Corbet's rule, made of 
 the building was as a stable for their horses. The 
 leaden roof of the church was converted into bullets, 
 and when Cromwell's soldiers were removed from 
 Fingal, they left the church in the state of ruin it 
 has been in since ; and the parish of Malahide was 
 without a place of worship and without a clergyman 
 until early in the present century. 
 
 The ancient Cross of Nethercross supplies an illus- 
 tration of the way in which this iconoclastic spirit 
 was believed by the people to be a characteristic of 
 Cromwell's rule. Mr. D'Alton has got hold of the 
 wrong end of the story about it.^ He says that Crom- 
 well's soldiers, on their march to Drogheda, over- 
 turned and buried the cross. This statement is not 
 correct. The cross was buried, not in scorn, but with 
 reverent care. It had stood for many centuries in 
 the grounds of the Abbey of Finglas. Its origin was 
 veiled in mystery. It was proportionately venerated. 
 When Cromwell's troops were advancing to Finglas, 
 on their route to Drogheda, their iconoclastic fame 
 preceded them. The people of Finglas buried this 
 treasured cross, in order, as they believed, to save it 
 from destruction. For eleven years the rule of Crom- 
 well's soldiers continued, and from them, in popular 
 estimation, it was well to keep secret the actual 
 locality where the cross lay buried. Out of sight, 
 
 ' See " History of County Dublin," by J. D'Alton, p. 377. 
 
148 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 out of mind, it became unthouglit of, and finally it 
 became forgotten ; but the tradition that the cross 
 had been buried lingered in the neighbourhood still. 
 The Kev. Robert Walsh — grandfather of the writer — 
 became curate of the parish in 1806. He was subse- 
 quently vicar of it. He was a man of literary and 
 antiquarian pursuits. The tradition having reached 
 his ears, he resolved, if possible, to trace it to its 
 
 The Cross of Kducravi^, A.D. 1887. 
 
 foundation. His search was rewarded. He dis- 
 covered an extremely old man, who told the family 
 story, as handed down to him, that his grandfather, 
 when a boy, had been present at the burial of the 
 cross in a corner of one of the glebe fields, and that it 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 149 
 
 Lad 1jeen buried as soon as the people heard of the 
 approach of Cromwell's soldiers, lest they should 
 desecrate it. Dr. Walsh proceeded with some work- 
 men to the spot indicated in this traditional story. 
 In due time he found the cross. He unearthed it 
 from its resting-place of 160 years, and had'it erected 
 in the south-east corner of the ancient graveyard, 
 where it now stands. 
 
 When Cromwell had completely overthrown his 
 enemies in Ireland, it was resolved that the work of 
 subjugation should be made permanent by the plan 
 known as the Cromwelliau Settlement. This was 
 simply a wholesale transplantation of the native 
 population and of many Anglo-Norman loyalists to 
 Connaught,^ which was mapped out for the purpose 
 in 1054, and a settlement in their place and on their 
 lands of his soldiers and of others, attracted for the 
 purpose from England and Scotland. The Settlement 
 was sanctioned by an Act of Parliament dated Sep- 
 tember 26, 1653.^ The baronies of Coolock and 
 Balrothery were reserved by this Act " for maimed 
 English soldiers, and widows with arrears not exceed- 
 ing aB150." The rest of Dublin was included in the 
 four reserved counties not to be settled. 
 
 Ultimately north Dublin was not transplanted, 
 because " from ancient times many English resided 
 
 ' See "The Croniwellian Settlement of Irelaad," by 
 J. P. Prendergast, p. 185. 
 
 ' The same, Frontispiece Map. 
 
150 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 there," and it was " a level plain without fastnesses 
 for Irish to harbour in." ^ 
 
 Some of the leading families of Fingal, however, 
 suffered for their share, in whatever degree, in the 
 events which provoked Cromwell's stern reprisals. 
 Mr. Prendergast, in an Appendix to his " Crom- 
 wellian Settlement," prints some orders, copied from 
 State papers of the period, which show how great were 
 the penalties exacted by the conqueror. 
 
 Among these orders are two with reference to 
 Fingal families of position. 
 
 The head of the Barnewall family was Mathias, 
 twelfth baron of Trimleston, whose family place was 
 at this time at Trimleston, Co. Meath. He owned 
 much of the Barnewall property in the north of 
 Fingal. He had been sent to Connaught. His wife 
 pleaded hard for him that he might be permitted to 
 return home, as his health had broken down. Accord- 
 ingly Miles Corbet issued an order^ dated August the 
 8th, 1654, giving him leave to return " into some 
 place in the province of Leinster for such time as 
 shall be thought necessary for the recovery of his 
 health, and so to continue in the same place without 
 removal above a mile fi'om the same, . . . pro- 
 vided he return to Connaught within three months." 
 
 The family of Sir Richard Talbot of Malahide seem 
 to have been reduced from a position of great 
 
 ' See " The Cromwellian Settlement," p. 144. 
 ' The same., p. 221. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 151 
 
 affluence to a state of great distress. Lady Grace 
 Talbot, his wife, pleads with Government for sub- 
 sistence for herself and her five children out of the 
 family estates in Wicklow or in Meath. Her peti- 
 tion was referred to Sir C. Coote, who reported as 
 follows^ : — " In regard of petitioner's husband, Sir 
 Richard Talbot's civil carriage during the late 
 rebellion, and his great charge, and the size of 
 his estates in Leinster, from whence he is to be trans- 
 planted, that there be settled 500 acres of land in 
 some convenient place in Connaught upon the said 
 Lady Talbot and her children. . . . And because 
 Lady Talbot is an Englishwoman, and reduced to 
 poor condition, being without relief," it is ordered 
 that she be given some of the profits of her husband's 
 estates in Leinster. The Clerk of the Council signed 
 this order, not Miles Corbet. Lady Talbot was also 
 given £20 to enable her to return to her husband 
 and children in Connaught. As was already men- 
 tioned, their property was given back to the family at 
 the Restoration. They were once more residing at 
 Malahide in 1661. 
 
 Mention has been made of the Battle of Kilsal- 
 laghan. Its castle and the adjoining property be- 
 longed to a Mr. Hore. They were confiscated.* 
 When the order came from Cromwell for the family 
 to be transplanted to Connaught, Mrs. Hore, in a fit 
 
 ' See " The Cromwellian Settlement," p. 225. 
 ' The same, p. 7G, note. 
 
152 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 of despair, went into the barn and hanged herself. 
 She was buried, as a suicide, near the Tillage. 
 To this day the spot is known as " Molly Hore^s 
 Cross." 
 
 The events of the forty years preceding the Restora- 
 tion must have caused fearful sutfering in Fingal. 
 A great part of the district had become a desolation. 
 At its extreme south-west corner is a small parish 
 named Ward, then united to Castleknock, but, in 
 1630, and always before that year, dependent on 
 Finglas. The waste of human life had been so 
 great there that the parish became infested by 
 wolves. On December 20th, 1652/ the inhabitants 
 of the neighbouring districts organised a public hunt 
 for the destruction of the " wolves lying in the wood 
 of the Ward.'' 
 
 We have further evidence of the general desola- 
 tion. In the Library of the Royal Irish Academy 
 there is a MS. census of Ireland at this time.^ The 
 MS. is without date or explanation. But from 
 internal evidence there is little doubt that it was 
 made in 1659. This is the earliest known census 
 of the island. It was found among the papers 
 of the Marquis of Lansdowne, and is attributed 
 to his ancestor. Sir William Petty. Petty was phy- 
 sician to the parliamentary forces ; but he was 
 more of a statesman than of a doctor. He had 
 
 ' See " The Cromwelliaii Settlement," p. 144. 
 * See Appendix VI. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 153 
 
 a large share in carrying out the policy of Cromwell, 
 and was well rewarded for it by immense tracts of 
 land in Kerry and elsewliero. Ho must have been a 
 strange contrast to his religious chief. He was a 
 free-thinker, who regarded all Christian creeds with 
 cynical contempt. He considered all sects to be 
 " worms and maggots in the guts of a common- 
 wealth," 
 
 His census (if it be his) is made out in three 
 columns. It is not a religious census. It divides 
 the population into English and Irish, and distin- 
 guishes the principal owners of the different town- 
 lands by the Anglo- Spanish name of Tituladoes. As 
 far as Fingal is concerned, it is evident that most of 
 the leading Anglo-Norman proprietors had been left 
 in possession. For among the Tituladoes' names are 
 William Baron of Howth, Viscount Barnewall, of 
 Turvey, &c. ; while two of Cromwell's chief lieu- 
 tenants are enrolled, namely, Miles Corbet, of Mala- 
 hide, and Michael Jones, of Balgriffiu. 
 
 The distinction of the population into English 
 and Irish must be imperfect. Indeed, we find such 
 plainly English names as Archbald, Birmingham, 
 Murray, Piussell, and Wade among those described 
 as Irish ; while it is interesting to note that the 
 enactment of 1465^ had evidently been obeyed in the 
 letter, for many Irish in Fingal had taken " an 
 
 ' See " The Croniwellian Settlement," p. 103. 
 
154 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 English surname of one colour," as White or Brown, 
 and of " one art," as Smith. 
 
 To return, however, to the proof which this census 
 affords of the desolation wrought in Fingal through 
 the previous forty years. Its fertile plains at the 
 time of the census were peopled by a thinly scattered 
 population of only 6,423 souls, composed of 1,264 
 English, and 5,159 Irish, The population, according 
 to the census of 1881, was 38,317. 
 
 An inspection of Appendix VI. will best convey 
 how very small the population had become. A com- 
 parison of the census of 1659 with that of 1881 in 
 the various parishes, shows also how much popula- 
 tion has shifted. In the east and south there has 
 been a large increase, both actually and relatively, 
 i.e., taking into account the general growth of popu- 
 lation during the period of two centuries. In the 
 north-west and west, in Clonmethan Union, and in 
 the west of Swords Union, there is a large relative 
 decrease. In one parish, in VVestpalstown, there is an 
 actual decrease from 107 to 89. 
 
 The large number of churches and parishes in 
 the west, as compared with the east, of Fingal (see 
 Frontispiece Map) may also be possibly explained by 
 this census. If in 1659 the population in the west 
 bore the large proportion it did to that in the east, 
 how much larger must it have been before the forty 
 years of conflict began ! 
 
 With wasted population, there was also wholesale 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 155 
 
 South View, Parish Church of Portmarnock, A.D. 1887. 
 
 destruction of churches. The Church got well ground 
 between the upper mill-stone of Romanism and the 
 nether mill-stone of Puritanism. We have seen how 
 Malahide church was destroyed ; Portmarnock parish 
 also was left without church or clergyman until the 
 year 1790. The following churches probably fell 
 into ruin about 1630-50 — St. Margaret's, Ward, Ar- 
 taine, Kinsaley, Killossery, Ballyboghill. None of 
 these were rebuilt ; while the following, which were 
 also probably allowed to fall into ruin about this 
 time, were rebuilt early in the eighteenth century — 
 JRaheny, Santry, Holmpatrick, Hollywood (see Ap- 
 pendix Vn.), as well as Drumcondra, rebuilt in 
 
156 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 1740; Coolock, rebuilt in 1760; and Portmarnock, 
 rebuilt in 1790. 
 
 Except in the case of the Vicar of Swords, there is 
 not evidence that any of the clergy in Fingal were 
 disturbed in their cures for failing to conform to 
 Cromwell's ecclesiastical views, or to the Eomanism 
 of James II. twenty-five years later. James' short and 
 troubled reign probably left too little time to inter- 
 fere eifectively in ecclesiastical matters. But we know 
 that Cromwell enforced the Directory in Dublin in 
 1647 ; that he prohibited the use of the Prayer Book 
 soon after in the city, and then in the country ; that 
 he took possession of the episcopal revenues, and that 
 he treated the clergy as enemies of his government. 
 
 It is possible that Cromwell was more concerned 
 about the leading clergy, and that the clergy of 
 Fingal, who were, with the exception of the Vicar of 
 Swords, ill-paid and comparatively unimportant, were 
 not worth his notice, or it may be that they had 
 somewhat pliable convictions about the questions at 
 issue ; or perhaps a share of both possibilities com- 
 bined, explains the circumstance revealed by Appendix 
 VIII., that clergy appointed in the reign of Charles I. 
 retained their cures during the Commonwealth, and 
 that some of the clergy appointed during the Com- 
 monwealth retained their cures during the reign of 
 Charles II. 
 
 A Puritan divine had been intruded on Swords. 
 The Rev. S. Pullein, duly appointed Prebendary in 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 157 
 
 1642, had been obliged to give place to him, but was 
 probably reinstated on the Eestoration, for his name 
 appears at the first meeting of the Chapter of St. Pa- 
 trick's Cathedral after the Restoration, on October 
 22nd, 1G60. 
 
 The story is told of the intruded divine, that he 
 did his best to discourage people attending divine 
 service in Swords Church ; he was accused of re- 
 fusing to administer the sacraments there to those 
 who desired to partake of them. Upon the Restora- 
 tion he was obliged to meet charges of the kind. 
 A MS. report of the proceedings of Convocation in 
 1661, dealing with this charge, as well as with other 
 things, is preserved in the Library of Trinity College, 
 Dublin. On July 29th, 1661, " Thomas Wilkinson, 
 clerk, made answer to certain articles objected against 
 him by the Rev. and Right Rev. Fathers, the Lord 
 Archbishop and Bishops of the Superior House of 
 Convocation, at the promotion of Dr. Peter Pett, 
 his Majesty's Advocate, July 28th, 1661." It is 
 sufficient to say of the proceedings that Mr. Wilkinson 
 denied the truth of some of the charges made against 
 him, and justified his conduct in the case of some 
 other charges. The proceedings are chiefly interest- 
 ing as an example of what was common elsewhere in 
 Ireland, as well as in England, being a natural result 
 of restoration in Church and State affairs. 
 
 Before we pass from the story of Fingal during the 
 Commonwealth, it would be well to notice the remark- 
 
158 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 able connection, which the celebrated James Ussher, 
 Archbishop of Armagh, "the glory of the Irish Church 
 and University," as Archdeacon Cotton justly calls him, 
 had with Fingal. His brave but temperate spirit, and 
 his great learning and abilities, secured for him a far- 
 reaching influence in these troublous times. Even 
 Cromwell respected him. In the quaint old castle of 
 Lambay Island, Ussher composed some of his works. 
 Queen Elizabeth had granted the island to his an- 
 cestor. Sir William Ussher, subject to a rent of ^ 6 
 to the See of Dublin. In 1650 a plague raged 
 violently in Dublin. The Archbishop, who was living 
 in the city, removed with his family to Lambay Island, 
 where he resided for a time. He was then an old 
 man, spent with the losses and anxieties of his life. 
 Five years later he died in England, and Cromwell 
 specially honoured him by ordering his public inter- 
 ment in Westminster Abbey. 
 
 SECTION V. 
 
 We now pass from the last great political convulsion 
 which at all seriously affected the Church in Fingal. 
 We pass to a period of religious deadness quite as 
 injurious. Mortification set in after all the bruises 
 and blood-letting of so many centuries. 
 
 Two other " Settlements " in Ireland followed 
 what was -known as the Cromwellian Settlement ; but 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 159 
 
 Fingal was only slightly affected by them. The 
 Restoration Settlement saw such Royalists as the 
 Talbots and Barnewalls restored to their estates, and 
 the Revolution Settlement of 1688 saw some con- 
 fiscations of the property of Roman Catholic adherents 
 of James II. Mr. Thomas Plunket, of Portmarnock, 
 forfeited the family property ; but it was restored after 
 a while. Mr. Richard Fagan, of Feltrim, had com- 
 mitted himself far more seriously. His family lost 
 all their Fingal property in consequence, which they 
 had held through many centuries. 
 
 Once more Fingal felt the tread of armed men, 
 but it was only their unopposed victorious march, 
 and it left behind no footprints stained by blood. 
 On July 1st, 1690, William III. fought and won the 
 Battle of the Boyne. James II. ran away from the 
 field of battle, and passed through Fingal to Dublin, 
 resting awhile for refreshment at the house of Mr. 
 Fagan, of Feltrim. On the 5th of July William 
 marched with his army from the Boyne to Finglas, 
 where he encamped on Sunday, the 6th. In Fort- 
 william, the country residence of Rev. J. W. Stubbs, 
 D.D., and on the glebe lands of the parish, there are 
 still remaining the extensive earth mounds which the 
 King caused to be made for the defence of his en- 
 campment. On the 7th he issued a declaration, 
 dated at Finglas, and on the 9th he left Finglas 
 with his troops for Limerick. He had carefully 
 reviewed them during the two previous days, and 
 found himself in command of about 30,000 men. 
 
i6o Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 It would be very profitless to enter with any min- 
 uteness of detail into the story of Fingal during the 
 reigns of William and Mary, Anne, and the first two 
 Georges. The Diocesan Visitation returns become 
 very numerous and regular during this period. The 
 condition of things in Fingal which they reveal with 
 painful monotony is nearly the same as that which 
 characterised the Church at large. A Church de- 
 graded into being a political instrument, and con- 
 trolled by corrupt statesmen, was bound to become 
 spiritually dead. Even had her life possessed all the 
 vigour of its early days, she was obliged to breathe an 
 atmosphere which would have tried the strongest con- 
 stitution. She had to face the prevailing licentiousness 
 of manners and unbelief, which were the reaction from 
 Puritanism, while she was herself in anything but 
 robust health. 
 
 These considerations appear to go a great way in 
 explanation of the significant but unwelcome fact, 
 that the imposition of Romanism from without on 
 the Irish Church, during the twelfth and following 
 centuries, produced more abiding and permanent 
 results, and was, in many respects, more successful, 
 than the introduction of the purified and improved 
 system of the Reformation in the sixteenth century. 
 Christ had laid down, as one of the characteristic 
 features of His religion — " The kingdom of heaven 
 Buffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." 
 Does not the religious history of Fingal up to the 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 
 
 i6i 
 
 Revolution suggest a remarkable illustratiou of this 
 principle, and also suggest a significant answer to 
 the question, " "Why was the English conqueror far 
 more successful in Romanising than in reforming 
 the ancient Irish Church ?" 
 
 Those who sent and those who carried out the 
 mandate of 1172 were in earnest, about both the 
 worldly and the religious policy which they intro- 
 duced, and they made the first largely subservient to 
 the second. Those who sent and those who carried 
 out the mandate of 1535 were in earnest about the 
 worldly policy only. 
 
 Then again, iu 1172, the power which imposed 
 Romanism was strong as well as thorough, while the 
 Church which received it was weak. In 1535 the in- 
 fluence which introduced the Reformation was weak 
 as well as half-hearted ; the Church to which it was 
 sent was strong in its power as well as will to resist- 
 
 From the Revolution to the end of the eighteenth 
 century, the Church in Fingal suffered very seriously 
 through the chief prevailing causes of injury to the 
 Church at large. The Earl of Clarendon wrote from 
 Ireland to the Archbishop of Canterbury on May 25, 
 1686 : — " I find it an ordinary thing for a minister 
 to have five or six cures of souls, and to get them 
 supplied by those who will do it cheapest. Some 
 hold five or sis preferments worth ^£900 a-year, get 
 them all served for £150 a-year, and preach them- 
 
1 62 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 selves perhaps once a-year." This state of things 
 continued to the close of the century. Any spiritual 
 work accomplished was done by the poor rectors and 
 the poor curates, who were invariably native-born. 
 The richer ecclesiastical posts were, as a rule, held by 
 the dependants of English politicians. Uncontrolled 
 pluralities were permitted to those who had Court 
 influence, and non-residence became a crying scandal 
 during the eighteenth century. The richer clergy 
 often followed the example of absentee landlords, by 
 living in London, or in the fashionable health resorts 
 of England. Mr. Froude has drawn a graphic picture 
 of the sad eifect on Protestantism in Kerry of this 
 state of things.^ An inspection of Appendix VIII. 
 will show that parishes in Fingal suffered from it also. 
 One example will suffice. The Rev. Francis Higgin 
 was appointed to the parish of Balrothery in 1695. 
 In an interesting lecture on " The Parish of Balro- 
 thery, Ecclesiastical and Civil," ^ published in 1876, 
 the story of this individual is told. " He was born 
 in Limerick, of poor parentage. He passed through 
 Trinity College, Dublin, with considerable success. 
 After obtaining several smaller preferments, he was, 
 in addition, appointed in the same year Vicar of Bal- 
 rothery and chaplain to the Earl of Drogheda. He 
 was at the same time reader in Christ Church Cathe- 
 
 ' " State Letters," Vol. I. 
 
 ' See " The English in Ireland," Vol. T., p. 245. 
 ' By H. A. Hamilton, Esq., J.P., pp. 20-23. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 163 
 
 dral, Dublin. Dean Swift, in a letter to Archbishop 
 King, says of Higgin and of the Cathedral Chapter: — 
 *' I believe that your Grace may have heard that I was 
 in England last winter, when the Dean and Chapter 
 of Christ Church had, I think, with great wisdom and 
 discretion, chosen a malicious, headstrong, and igno- 
 rant creature to represent them." The allusion here 
 is to the circumstance that in the years 1701 and 
 1705 Higgin acted as the Chapter's delegate in Eng- 
 land, before Convocation. In the latter of these 
 years he added the prebend of St. Michael's, Dublin, 
 to the number of his appointments. From 1704 to 
 1713 he was also Proctor for the clergy of Ossory in 
 Convocation. He was in addition very busy as a 
 Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he made 
 himself obnoxious to the Government, and figures 
 conspicuously in the Irish satires of the day. The 
 " Swan-tripe " Club in Dublin mentions him under 
 the name of " Borachio," and describes him in their 
 publications as " a son of pudding and eternal beef,'' 
 and again, as " a plump, red-faced man, zealous, 
 talkative, very fond of quoting law (not always cor- 
 rectly), who thinks too little, and talks too much." 
 In 1707 he was put in prison for a treasonable 
 sermon, preached in Whitehall Chapel. In 1710 
 Archbishop King speaks of him as deeply implicated 
 in a Jacobite conspiracy in Westmeath. In 1725 
 he was raised to the Archdeaconry of Cashel, retain- 
 ing at the same time his prebend in St. Michael's, 
 
164 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Dublin. He died in the year 1828, and was buried 
 in St. Michael's church-yard.^ 
 
 It is quite impossible that the spiritual interests of 
 Balrothery parish can have prospered under the pas- 
 toral care of Rev. Francis Higgin, D.D. 
 
 If Dean Swift's language about Higgin be plainly 
 inspired by personal animosity, it is only just to the 
 Dean to notice how earnestly he strove to reform the 
 abuses of the time. His published works contain 
 abundant proof of this. In 1710^ he writes to Secre- 
 tary Hardy, calling attention to the want of glebes, 
 for the purpose of enabling the clergy to reside in 
 their parishes, to the poverty of many of the parishes, 
 and to the ruined condition of many of the churches.' 
 In 1725 he writes, pressing on the Lord Lieutenant 
 the claims of the Irish-born clergy to a share in 
 Government ecclesiastical patronage, and speaks of 
 the " great misfortune of having bishops perpetually 
 
 from England, who draw after them colonies 
 
 of sons, nephews, &c., to whom they bestow the best 
 preferments." 
 
 Fingal had the honour of sheltering Swift from 
 the vengeance of the Government when he published 
 the celebrated " Drapier's Letters." There is reason 
 to believe that Delville House, Glasnevin, was the 
 
 ' For additional particulars about Higgin, see " Fasti 
 Ecclesias Hibernicse," by H. Cotton, Vol. II., p. 66. 
 ' See Swift's Works, Vol. X., p. 126. 
 
 » Swift's Works, Vol. II., p. 272, quoted by Dr. Ball in 
 " The Reformed Church of Ireland," p. 202. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 165 
 
 hiding-place which baffled all the efforts of Govern- 
 meut to discover the whereabouts of the terrible 
 drapier and his printing-press. Dr. Walsh mentions 
 that it was the current tradition in his day, that 
 Swift's printing-press had been at work in Delville 
 House. An interesting confirmation of the tradition 
 came to light early in this century. In removing the 
 lumber of an out-office at Delville, a printing-press 
 was found concealed among it.^ 
 
 The poet, Thomas Parnell, a contemporary and 
 friend of Swift, was for a short time Vicar of Finglas. 
 In the neighbouring parish of Glasnevin, Addison, 
 Tickel, and Delaney resided. It was a literary bro- 
 therhood such as has rarely been brought together. 
 Parnell died in 1717, aged 38. But for his early 
 death it is probable that he would have ranked as a 
 poet with Pope. His name, however, is now men- 
 tioned rather in connection with Swift than because 
 he did much for the Church in Fingal. 
 
 It is right to add that two Archbishops of Dublin 
 also made strenuous efforts to reform the Church 
 abuses of the time. ■ 
 
 Narcissus Marsh (Archbishop, 1694-1702) repaired 
 churches out of his own pocket, and purchased im- 
 propriated tithes, in order that he might restore 
 them to the Church. 
 
 William King (Archbishop, 1702-1729), already 
 
 ' See " History of Dublin," by Revs. J. Whitelaw and 
 Robert Walsh, 1818, p. 1286, note. 
 
1 66 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 mentioned in connection with Higgin of Balrothery, 
 was a good and able bishop ; he was a strict enforcer 
 of residence of clergy, and was a great benefactor of 
 the Church. It was during his episcopate that the 
 Fingal churches — mentioned in page 155 — were re- 
 built. 
 
 The district supplies no very special illustration of 
 the operation of the penal laws in Ireland. These 
 laws first came into force at the close of the seven- 
 teenth century, and began to be relaxed at the close 
 of the eighteenth century. Whether we think that 
 the political circumstances of the times did or did 
 not justify these laws, there can be little doubt that 
 the actual effect produced by them as regards the 
 influence of the Church of Ireland with the Eoman 
 Catholic population, was most unfortunate. En- 
 forced just enough to exasperate, but not enough 
 to carry out their purpose, Roman Catholics very 
 naturally learned to hate not only these laws, but 
 also the religion of those who enacted and enforced 
 them. 
 
 SECTION VI. 
 
 In the latter part of the eighteenth century there 
 commenced in Fingal, and indeed to a great extent in 
 the whole Church of Ireland, the dawn of a brighter 
 period than it had known since the days of its early 
 Celtic life. Schools established, churches built, a 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 167 
 
 clergy better educated, and more devoted to the work 
 of their calling, and growing congregationSj were 
 some of the happy signs of the coming era. The 
 day of these things dawned slowly but surely. 
 
 Among the strange and, to us, unaccountable mis- 
 takes made in promoting the Reformation, was the 
 omission of any attempt to organise education, under 
 the influence and guidance of the Church which was 
 meant to be once more the Church of the people. No 
 one in Church or State seemed to have thought of 
 the golden opportunities afforded in early youth for 
 the moulding and formation of character, or to have 
 remembered that the children of to-day become the 
 nation of to-morrow. The monasteries of long ago 
 had been the only educational institutions in the 
 land. But these institutions, as we have seen, were 
 swept away ; and at their suppression none of their 
 property was reserved for educational purposes. 
 
 There was apparently little or nothing done for 
 the education of the young in Fingal, or elsewhere, 
 until early in the eighteenth century, except by 
 Roman Catholic teachers."^ 
 
 In the years 1809-1812 Government instituted aa 
 exhaustive examination into the condition of primary 
 education at that time in Ireland.' There is a volu- 
 minous report, which enters very fully into the ques- 
 tion. The history and condition of all the known 
 primary schools in Ireland are given in the report. 
 
 ' See Appendix V., under " Santry " and " Swords." 
 ' See " State Papers, Ireland, 1809-1812." 
 
1 68 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 It is evident from this enquiry that primary educa- 
 tion must then, and up to this time, have been at a 
 low ebb. The astounding statement is made, that in 
 1788 the number of children instructed in all the 
 parish schools of Ireland, so far as this number could 
 be ascertained, was only 11,000. 
 
 It would seem from this report, that during the 
 eighteenth centui'y there were only six primary 
 schools in Fingal. Four of these were what we 
 would now call parochial schools. Two of them 
 were Charter schools. 
 
 At Santry there was a school for eight boys and 
 twelve girls endowed in 1706 by the will of the 
 Eev. D. Jackson, who had been rector of the parish. 
 At Finglas there was a school — attended, in 1812, by 
 twentj--five boys — the endowment of which amounted 
 to i£20 per annum, which had been bequeathed to 
 the school at various times in the previous century. 
 At Howth there had long been a small parish school, 
 to which, in the year 1807, the Association for Pro- 
 moting the Knowledge of the Christian Religion gave 
 a grant of ^15. And at Swords a school apparently 
 came into existence in 1703 ; Dean Scardeville, who 
 had been Vicar of Swords, bequeathed money for its 
 support. But the school was strangled at its birth ; 
 somebody retained for their own use the funds pro- 
 vided for it, though the vicar and other parochial 
 authorities endeavoured, at considerable expense, to 
 obtain them for the school. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. i6g 
 
 Of the two Charter schools, one was founded at 
 Clontarf in 1748 for one hundred and twenty boys. 
 The other was founded at Santry in 1744 for sixty 
 girls. The Santry school was afterwards enlarged so 
 as to receive one hundred and twenty girls. Both 
 schools were doing well in 1812. They survived 
 until the suppression of the Charter schools about 
 twenty years after. 
 
 The system with which these two schools were 
 connected was established by Charter (hence the 
 name) in 1733. Parliament supported the Charter 
 schools most liberally. The annual grants were 
 gradually raised from ^2,000 to ^£20,000 a-year. 
 The motto of the Corporation was " Eeligioue et 
 labore." Its arms were the plough, the spade, the 
 spinning-wheel, and a Bible, opened at the text, 
 " The poor have the Gospel preached to them." 
 The great majority of the pupils were Roman Ca- 
 tholics. The Roman Catholic priesthood denounced 
 the schools as proselytizing institutions. This was 
 true. The avowed object of the schools was to make 
 Protestants of the lapsed masses ; but the charge 
 might have been fairly met by the answer, that this 
 religion is more akin to that of the ancient Church 
 of Ireland than the imported Romanism of the Eng- 
 lish Conquest. 
 
 The education imparted was industrial as well as 
 intellectual. The children were taught the Church 
 Catechism, reading, writing, and arithmetic. They 
 
170 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 were also taught agriculture, handicrafts, and such 
 things as would fit them for domestic service, and 
 when old enough they were bound out as apprentices. 
 At first the system proved a great success. But, as 
 in the case of every other efi"ort for the good of Ire- 
 land in the eighteenth century, the prevailing spirit 
 of corruption in time infected most of those connected 
 with the system, from the gentry managing it, to the 
 teachers employed by it. The pupils became neg- 
 lected ; they were often starved ; the system fell into 
 disrepute, and was finally abolished.^ 
 
 There is not now any representative of the Charter 
 school of Clontarf. The present thriving middle- 
 class school at Santry exists in the place of the 
 former Charter school. 
 
 In the course of the first quarter of the present 
 century nearly every parish in Fingal of any import- 
 ance had a parochial school established in it, gene- 
 rally by voluntary contributions. These parochial 
 schools were in nearly every case placed under the 
 parochial clergyman. Until a short time ago almost 
 all the parochial schools in Fingal were in connec- 
 tion with the Church Education Society, which 
 was founded in the year 1838. Another Society, 
 
 ' For a complete account of the Charter schools, see 
 " History of Dublin," by Revs. J. Whitelaw and Robert 
 Walsh, 1818, p. 635, and also " The English in Ireland," by 
 J. A. Froude, Vol. I., pp. 513-518; Vol. II., pp. 11, 
 450-452. 
 
 I 1 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 171 
 
 known as the Kildare Place Society, founded in 1811, 
 had given much help to primary education in Ireland 
 up to 1831, and had received, for some years previous 
 to that date, annual Parliamentary gi-ants. At first 
 these schools were attended by many Roman Catholic 
 children; but since the establishment in 1831 of the 
 educational system known as " The National Board," 
 the Roman Catholic children have been gradually 
 withdrawn. At the present day the great majority 
 of the Fingal parochial schools have severed their 
 former connection, and have been placed under " The 
 National Board." 
 
 One Fingal school calls for special mention. In 
 1809 Swords Borough School was opened. In 1812 
 it was attended by 261 pupils. Swords had returned 
 two members to the L-ish House of Commons. 
 Upon its disfranchisement at the time of the Union 
 with Great Britain, ^£15,000 was awarded as compen- 
 sation, and was assigned as an endowment of the 
 school. All inhabitants of the borough were entitled 
 to benefit by it. At first the school was readily 
 attended by Roman Catholic as well as by Protestant 
 children. The religious convictions of all the pupils 
 were scrupulously respected. The process which 
 took place elsewhere, however, in one year withdrew 
 the Roman Catholic pupils, and a demand by their 
 religious teachers was made for the greater part of 
 the endowment. In the present year the controversy 
 has been settled by the decision of the " Endowed 
 
172 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 School Commissioners.-" The Church of Ireland 
 retains the school buildings, and the endowment 
 (after deducting £2000, which sum was given 
 to the Roman Catholic Church as an equivalent 
 for the school buildings) is divided between the 
 Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church, 
 in proportion to the average numbers of the chil- 
 dren of each religion attending the school for some 
 few 3'ears past. 
 
 From the Report presented to the Dublin Diocesan 
 Sj'nod on October 25, 1887, we find that there were 
 in 1886 in the district of Fingal 12 parochial schools, 
 with an average attendance of 337 pupils, and 17 
 Sunday Schools, with an average attendance of 576 
 pupils, under a carefully organised system of reli- 
 gious and secular education, of whose vitality and 
 thoroughness there is abundant evidence. 
 
 In order to complete this educational sketch of 
 Fingal, we have travelled far ahead of the progress of 
 other events. 
 
 Allusion has been made to the Borough of 
 Swords and its disfranchisement. Its existence 
 must have had an injurious influence upon the 
 neighbourhood. An incident recorded both by 
 Bishop Reeves ^ and Mr. D'Alton ^ painfully, though 
 ludicrously, illustrates this fact. We will give the 
 Bishop's account of it : — " In 1578 Queen Elizabeth 
 
 ^ See " Lecture on Swords and its Antiquities," p. 12. 
 ' See " History of County Dublin," p. 284. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 173 
 
 incorporated the Borough of Swords, and invested it 
 with municipal rights. Among these was the privilege 
 of returning two memhers to Parliament, the franchise 
 being enjoyed by (Protestant) burgesses (inhabitants 
 of the borough), who for their burgages (houses in the 
 
 borough) paid an annual rent of twelve pence 
 
 Down to the time of the Union many of the neigh- 
 bouring gentry represented the potwallopers, or 
 occupants of houses resident in the borough, being 
 Protestants, who were the meanest class of citizens, 
 and whose venality was as black as the pots that 
 qualified them. A writer, under the name of 
 Falldand, in 1790, thus humorously describes the 
 methods resorted to by candidates for the representa- 
 tion of the borough at an election pending in that 
 year : — General Eyre Massey, some time since, cast 
 a longing eye on this borough, which he considered 
 as a common open to any occupant ; and to secure 
 the command of it to himself, he began to take and 
 build tenements within its precincts, in which he 
 placed many veteran soldiers, who having served 
 under him in war, were firmly attached to their 
 ancient leader. Mr. Beresford, the First Commis- 
 sioner of the Revenue, who has a sharp look-out 
 for open places, had formed the same scheme as the 
 general, of securing this borough to himself; and a 
 deluge of revenue officers was poured forth from 
 the Custom House to overflow the place, as all 
 the artificers of the new Custom House had been 
 
174 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 exported in the potato-boats of Duncannon, to storm 
 that borough. The wary general took the alarm, 
 and threatened his competitor, that for every revenue 
 officer appearing there, he would introduce two old 
 soldiers, which somewhat cooled the First Commis- 
 sioner's usual ardour ; thus the matter rests at pre- 
 sent; but whether the legions of the army, or the 
 locusts of the revenue, will finally remain masters of 
 the field, or whether the rival chiefs, from an impos- 
 sibility of effecting all they wish, will be content to 
 go off, like the two Kings of Brentford, smelling at 
 one rose, or, whether Mr. Hatch's interest will pre- 
 ponderate in the scale, time alone can clearly ascer- 
 tain." 
 
 The result was, that both competitors were 
 returned as members of Parliament for the borough. 
 Of the two former sitting members, one had an- 
 nounced his intention of not again contesting the 
 representation ; the other, who did contest the elec- 
 tion with the soldier and the civil servant, found that 
 their plan of campaign was much more effective than 
 his own. 
 
 These venal potwallopers must have been a most 
 debasing element in the Protestant population of the 
 borough, so long as the penal laws gave Protestants 
 only the right to vote. Its seats were notoriously 
 bought and sold. It was in vain to import the 
 industrious and God-fearing Huguenots^ of 1583, 
 
 » See p. 123. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 175 
 
 ■where the atmosphere which the humble Protestant 
 breathed was so impure. The candidate who, for his 
 own selfish purposes, endeavoured to teach them 
 that their religion was the sole reason why their 
 cupidity was appealed to, did all that in him lay 
 to bring Protestantism into contempt, and to make 
 impossible the virtues which alone give value to any 
 religion — independence, truthfulness, and love of God 
 and right. 
 
 Among the many beneficent results of the Union 
 of 1800, was the termination put to the existence of 
 such an evil as the franchise of Swords, and the sub- 
 stitution of an institution for raising instead of 
 debasing the poor. The wholesome influence of the 
 splendid Borough School (already noticed) must 
 have gone far to undo the corrupting work of several 
 generations, had not religious intolerance hindered 
 the good which the school might otherwise have 
 accom|)lished. 
 
 Happily, Fingal suffered only a little from the 
 political convulsions of 1798 and of 1832. 
 
 The large garrison maintained in Dublin while 
 the Rebellion of 1798 was impending, and during its 
 actual progress, overawed most of the country dis- 
 tricts within striking distance of the capital. The 
 only outrages we read of in Fingal were at West- 
 palstown, where a small party of soldiers was sur- 
 prised and cut to pieces, and in the neighbourhood 
 
 I 
 
176 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 of Swords, where some Protestant houses were set on 
 fire.^ 
 
 Apparently, Fingal had a narrow escape. Within 
 a few miles of its western boundary, in the County 
 Meath, the rebel spirit showed itself with more 
 effect. At Dunshaughlin the Rector and his family 
 were murdered ; at Dunboyne a Protestant revenue 
 officer and three Protestant policemen were mur- 
 dered ; and at Ratoath some soldiers were killed. 
 
 There is no reason to believe that Fingal had any 
 special share in the painful " tithe war," which 
 immediately succeeded the Roman Catholic Eman- 
 cipation Act of 1829. The occupier was liable for 
 payment of this tax ; it was only assessed on tillage 
 lands, and the collection of the tax was made by 
 means which must often have been very irritating. The 
 north-west and west of Fingal being a great grazing 
 district, the peasantry had little temptation to take 
 part in the lawless and cruel movement of so many 
 of their Roman Catholic fellow-countrymen in the 
 rest of Ireland ; and the south and east of Fingal, 
 which were, and still are, chiefly tillage lands, were 
 easily kept under control. Instead of the irritating 
 process of valuing the farmer's produce each year, 
 the composition for tithes was made permanent and 
 compulsory by an Act passed in 1832, The Tithe 
 Rent-charge Act of 1838 transferred the liability 
 
 ' See " The English in Ireland," by J. A. Froude, Vol. III., 
 p. 357. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 177 
 
 for payment of this composition from the tenant to 
 the landlord, giving the latter 25 per cent, of it as 
 compensation. The clergyman, by the loss of a 
 quarter of his ecclesiastical income, was permitted to 
 receive the rest in peace. 
 
 Thus outer events, from the close of the eighteenth 
 century up to the year 1869, did not affect the Church 
 in Fingal at all as injuriously as similar events had 
 heretofore almost invariably done in former years. 
 The dawning of a brighter and a happier day was but 
 little clouded by them. 
 
 In addition to the rapid progress of education 
 during the period just referred to, there was another 
 hopeful sign of an improving internal condition of 
 the Church. Mention has already been made^ of the 
 rebuilding, early in the eighteenth century, of some 
 of the churches desolated during the disturbances of 
 the previous century. This good work ceased, to a 
 great extent, during most of the rest of that century ; 
 but before the century closed it had recommenced. 
 
 Of twenty-three FingaP churches in use in the year 
 1869, fifteen were built or rebuilt since the year 1800 ; 
 five had been built or rebuilt shortly after the year 
 1700, as we have seen ; one (Coolock) was built in 
 the year 1760 ; two (Portmarnock and Donabate) 
 were built within a short time of the year 1800 ; 
 
 ' See p. 155. 
 
 * See Appendix VII. Two sinecures without churches are 
 excluded here, but included in p. 121. 
 
 N 
 
1 78 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 and the remaining fifteen arose from time to time 
 since the year 1800. Kilsallaghan (1812); Naul 
 and Garristown (about 1814) ; Balbriggan, Balro- 
 thery, and Howth (1816, Howth having been rebuilt 
 
 South-east I icw, 6t. Andrew'.^ Church, Mclahid,, A.D. 1887. 
 
 in 1866) ; Clonmethan and Swords (1818) ; Mala- 
 hide (1822) ; Fiuglas (1843) ; Lusk (1847) ; St. 
 Doulagh's (1864) ; Kenure and Clontarf (1866) ; 
 and Holmpatrick (1868). 
 
 While we are thankful that decent places of wor- 
 ship were thus provided for the people, it is impossible 
 to commend the taste displayed in the style of archi- 
 tecture selected for many of these churches. Those 
 of them which were built between the years 1700 and 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 179 
 
 1822 are, with very few exceptions, so plain as to be 
 almost ugly. A barn might have suggested the de- 
 sign for the naves of most of these churches. Some- 
 times there was added to the west end, a square 
 ungraceful bell-tower of dashed rubble masonry, 
 pierced with rude louvre windows, such as are com- 
 monly seen in stable lofts, and occasionally the 
 towers were capped by spires quite as ungraceful aa 
 the towers which carried them. In some few cases 
 chancels were added. The interiors of these churches 
 were at first fitted up with high square enclosed pews, 
 which later experience has condemned, as not being 
 conducive to reverence in worship, and as being sug- 
 gestive of a spirit of exclusiveness very unbecoming 
 anywhere, but especially in the house of prayer ; and, 
 accordingly, these square pews have been for the 
 most part removed. The period which produced 
 these things may well be regarded as the ugly period 
 of church architecture. Still, the period, though, in 
 many respects, the day of small things, is to be re- 
 garded, on the whole, with satisfaction, in so far as it 
 ushered in the better days which came after. Most 
 of the Fingal churches built within the last half cen- 
 tury are characterised by beauty of design, as well as 
 appropriateness and care in carrying it out. 
 
 Of the twenty-three^ parishes with a separate 
 
 ' The chapels of Balbriggan and Kenure (both in lay 
 patronage) were built and endowed at a later date, which 
 reconciles this statement with the statement in p. 121, that 
 there were twenty-five parishes or cures in 1869. 
 
i8o Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 existence in the beginning of the century, the ap- 
 pointment to five lay with the Crown ; to five with 
 the two cathedrals or members of them (one of these 
 was a sinecure) ; to seven with laymen (one of these 
 was a sinecure) ; and six only were in the gift of the 
 Archbishop. This state of things was, on the whole, 
 unfortunate for the spiritual life of the district. It 
 was very common in Ireland a generation ago to 
 abuse episcopal patronage ; but since the evil days 
 and ways of the eighteenth century had departed, 
 episcopal patronage — take it for all in all — was well 
 bestowed under a sense of individual responsibility 
 and under the pressure of public opinion. These 
 powerful influences, from the nature of the case, 
 could not equally control corporate bodies, political 
 parties, or lay patrons ; and, moreover, the cathedral 
 benefices, being remains of the old monastic system, 
 were generally vicarages or perpetual curacies, and 
 therefore very badly paid. Of course thei'e were 
 exceptions, and some bright ones ; but, as a rule, 
 efficient service naturally found better rewards else- 
 where. 
 
 One sad fact remains to be told. In the parishes of ' 
 Fingal there are to-day many Roman Catholics whose 
 forefathers, a few generations ago, and sometimes 
 even in living memory, were members of the Church 
 of Ireland. These families have sometimes unmis- 
 takably English names, and not merely the names of 
 Smith, Cook, or Brown, which, as has been said, 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. i8t 
 
 were sometimes assumed by natives of Celtic origin. 
 The terrible pastoral neglect of the last century must 
 have been largely responsible for this perversion. 
 
 Of the non-episcopal patrons of benefices, possibly 
 the Crown made the worst appointments. Some 
 strange stories of how these Crown appointments 
 were sometimes made are still current in the district. 
 One too well authenticated story of the kind will 
 suffice. Not a hundred years ago there was minis- 
 tering in a parish of Fingal, in the gift of the Crown, 
 a clergyman whose fortune was made by what would 
 have been a misfortune to most men. His neglect 
 of his duty had called forth many complaints, and 
 had brought upon him more than once his bishop's 
 admonitions ; but it was his good fortune that he 
 and a nobleman of great political influence had only 
 one leg each. A wooden leg made up in both cases 
 the deficiency. Hence the clergyman's success in 
 life. A celebrated artist, who furnished wooden legs 
 to all people of fashion who stood in need of such 
 appliances, resided in London. To this artist our 
 cleric repaired one day by appointment. While the 
 artist was supplying his wants, a servant entered, 
 saying : — " Lord so-and-so had called." " Let him 
 wait," says the artist, " until I am disengaged." 
 *' Oh, no ! ^' cried the cleric, " go to his Lordship at 
 once ; I shall wait." The artist gladly complied, 
 and, while attending to the nobleman's wants, men- 
 tioned the courtly act of our Fingal cleric. His 
 
1 82 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Lordship took a note of his name, and in due time 
 hobbled away on a new leg. Our cleric also screwed 
 on his new leg, and went back to Ireland. After 
 some little time had elapsed, the Fingal clergyman 
 received an official letter, which, when opened, was 
 found to contain from the grateful but not very dis- 
 criminating nobleman an offer of preferment, which 
 was at once accepted by the wooden-legged ecclesi- 
 astic. 
 
 It is right to add, that in Fingal there were some 
 very happy exceptions to this abuse by the Crown of 
 its patronage. Through Fingal, by the exercise of the 
 patronage of the Crown, there was introduced to a 
 ministry of long and faithful service in the Diocese of 
 Dublin one of the most devoted and most gifted Irish 
 clergymen of the century. 
 
 On April 29th, 1828, the Eev. John Gregg was 
 nominated to the parish of Kilsallaghan. He re- 
 mained its rector until his appointment, in the year 
 1836, to the chaplaincy of Bethesda. Many interest- 
 ing details of his work while he was at Kilsallaghan 
 are given in " Memorials " of his life, published in 
 1879 by his son, the present Bishop of Cork. There' 
 are many still alive who remember " John Gregg," 
 as people loved to style him, even when he had been 
 called from that earnest ministry of eighteen years at 
 Trinity Church, Gardiner Street, first in 1857 to the 
 Archdeaconry of Kildare, and finally in 1862 to the 
 Bishopric of Cork. In him were united the best 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 1 83 
 
 qualities of a fervid Irish nature with the information 
 and lahoriousness of a student. There have been 
 Irishmen more eloquent, and theologians more accu- 
 rate and profound ; but not often in these later days 
 have there been so combined in one clergyman more 
 of the gifts of the orator and of the scholar. Com- 
 mencing with a distinguished career in Trinity Col- 
 lege, he was through life a thoughtful and laborious 
 student, especially in all subjects which threw light 
 upon the Bible. As a speaker or preacher his Celtic 
 fire and fruitful imagination at one moment won 
 attention by the power of a playful wit, and in the 
 next held attention by the power of a touching pathos. 
 Severe critics may have deemed his manner some- 
 times abrupt, and his wit at times scarcely reverent ; 
 but where such thoughts crossed the mind when lis- 
 tening to the late Bishop of Cork, they were quickly 
 dispelled by the conviction forced on those whom he 
 addressed, that he was " alluring to brighter worlds," 
 to which he was himself " leading the way." 
 
 He always looked back with interest upon the 
 scenes of his early ministry. One of the last places, 
 if not the last place, he preached in, before he 
 returned to Cork to close his long and useful life on 
 May 26, 1878, was St. Andrew's Church, Malahide. 
 When at Kilsallaghan, he had often walked over to 
 Malahide to preach on a Sunday evening for his 
 friend, Kev. T. T. King, then perpetual curate of the 
 parish. By his own request the Bishop preached in 
 
184 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 Malahicle once more on September 2nd, 1877, and, in 
 pressing home some of the lessons of a long life in 
 God's service, he reminded those who were privileged 
 to hear him, that he had entered on the fiftieth year 
 of his ministry since he had first come to the neigh- 
 bourhood. 
 
 The Rev. Denis Browne, Rector of Santry (1820-43), 
 widely known and respected in the Irish Church, was 
 a contemporary of Rev. John Gregg ; he was a man 
 in many ways like-minded, an earnest and impressive 
 preacher, and a faithful parish clergyman. He was 
 promoted in 1843 to the parish of Enniscorthy, and 
 in 1852 to the Deanery of Emly, which he held until 
 his death in 1864. 
 
 The late Bishop of Cork was not the only great 
 preacher whom Fingal was the means of introducing 
 within the past hundred years to the Diocese of 
 Dublin. About a generation before the Bishop's 
 day, the celebrated Walter Blake Kirwan was Rector 
 of Howth. He was appointed to that parish in 
 1789, and remained there until his promotion, in 
 1800, to the Deanery of Killala. A Life of him was 
 published, and one volume of his sermons ; ^ but all 
 authorities are agreed that there is no extant literary 
 record of him which explains his extraordinary 
 influence as a preacher. He wielded a power, almost 
 unequalled before or since, of securing the active 
 
 * See Cotton's " Fasti Ecclesiae Hibernicse," Vol. IV., 
 p. 81. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 185 
 
 sympathy of those whom he addressed, for whatever 
 cause he was pleading. Stories are told of people 
 emptying their pockets, or placing their watches and 
 jewellery on the alms-plate, after one of his impas- 
 sioned appeals for some charitable object. He had 
 been originally a Roman Catholic, and had been 
 educated at St. Omer's Jesuit College for the priest- 
 hood of that Church. It is much to his credit that 
 after his conversion he entirely avoided controversial 
 discussion, and was never known to say a bitter thing 
 of those whose religion he had abjured. 
 
 But if Fingal, within the period specified, could 
 only boast of two great preachers, it can with truth 
 be said that the district had ministering in its 
 parishes during that time many faithful, earnest 
 clergymen. It would be invidious now to select any 
 for special mention. It is sufficient to state that 
 the revived life within the Church, which first showed 
 itself with the great religious movements of the close 
 of the last century and the commencement of this 
 century, extended its beneficial influence to Fingal. 
 
 Through the generosity of two proprietors of the 
 district, two churches were built and endowed in 
 order to meet the wants of a growing population, 
 where no adequate church accommodation had been 
 provided. St. George's Church, Balbriggan, built 
 during 1813-16, chiefly at the expense of the late 
 Rev. George Hamilton, has since been made a parish 
 church, and had parochial boundaries assigned to it. 
 
1 86 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 This is the only case the district supplies of a new 
 parish having been made since the time of the bull 
 of Pope Alexander III. to Archbishop Laurence 
 O'Toole (1179).^ 
 
 The chapel of Kenure was built and endowed 
 in 1866 by Sir Roger Palmer. It remains a chapelry 
 without a parochial district, or parochial responsi- 
 bilities attaching to the office of its chaplain. 
 
 While we must be thankful for the piety and 
 liberality which have provided these two new 
 churches for the district, present events seem to 
 point plainly to the conclusion, that the best interests 
 of the district demand parochial consolidation rather 
 than parochial subdivision, not indeed after the fa- 
 shion of pluralities, which, we have seen, wrought such 
 ill during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, 
 but rather a judicious amalgamation of neighbouring 
 parishes, to be ministered to by resident incum- 
 bents and curates. An examination of the parochial 
 boundaries on the map of Fingal, which forms the 
 frontispiece of this volume, will show how much may 
 safely be done in this direction. Consideration of 
 the social conditions in progress in the district sug- 
 gests what circumstances will, at no distant date, 
 make it necessary to do. 
 
 1 See p. 78. 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 187 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 The Irish Church Act received the Eoyal Assent 
 on July 26th, 1869 ; it came into operation on 
 January 1st, 1871. On that day the Church in 
 Fingal (in common with the Church of Ireland at 
 large) was deprived of all her property, except the 
 fabrics of her churches and school-houses, and such 
 share in a sum awarded by the Act in lieu of private 
 endowments ^ as she could prove she was entitled to. 
 The Church had in her service in Fingal thirty 
 clergy of the Establishment. They were granted life 
 annuities equal to the then amount of their eccle- 
 siastical incomes, but charged with the obligation of 
 continuing their service in the Irish Church. 
 
 The twenty-three Fingal parishes existing in 
 1869-70 are now reduced by amalgamation to seven- 
 teen, or, counting Glasnevin as prospectively united 
 with Santry, to sixteen. 
 
 The thirty clergy serving the Church in Fingal in 
 1869-70 are now reduced to twenty-one, of whom 
 twelve only were serving the Irish Church before 
 the Irish Church Act became law. 
 
 ' Parishes of Fingal only proved a right to £4,703 10s., 
 out of £500,000 awarded by the Irish Church Act in lieu 
 of private endowments, viz. : Balbriggan, £1,202 10s. ; 
 Hollywood and Naul, £715 ; Garristown, £276 ; Dnimcon- 
 dra, £625 ; Holmpatrick, £1,385 ; Portmarnock, £500. 
 See Report of Joint Councils to the United Synods of 
 Dublin, Glendalough, and Kildare, 1886. 
 
1 88 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 These figures, however, are not to be regarded as 
 proofs that the Church in the district has suffered 
 serious loss. The reduction in the number of clergy 
 followed, as a matter of course, on the union of 
 parishes, and the union of parishes has so far proved 
 a decided gain to all concerned. There were too 
 many small parishes in Fingal, where the clergyman 
 in charge had not enough of pastoral work to occupy 
 an adequate portion of his time. This was bad for 
 the clergyman, and bad for his flock. The unused 
 sword becomes rusty, the unused arm becomes weak. 
 Enforced idleness is bad for the spiritual and intel- 
 lectual life of the idler, and therefore for his flock. 
 Moreover, a very small number of parishioners, con- 
 demned to the spiritual isolation of a separate paro- 
 chial existence, must always suffer loss for lack of 
 that sympathetic power which is so largely promoted 
 by numbers. 
 
 Since the passing of the Irish Church Act, one 
 church in Fingal has been closed. Garristown has 
 not been used for Divine Service since 1871. This 
 can scarcely be put to the account of the Act of 
 disestablishment and disendowment. The church 
 of Garristown was not wanted. For many years 
 before it was closed the church had been without a 
 congregation, as the parish had no members of the 
 Church resident in it. 
 
 It is expected that the building of one new church 
 of beautiful proportions will be completed early in 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. i8g 
 
 North-west View, Parish Ghwch of Baheny, A.D. 1888. 
 
 the year 1888, the noble offering of a liberal member 
 of the Church of Ireland to the glory of God/ 
 
 Of the sixteen parishes which will in future exist 
 in Fingal one only can be considered much above the 
 
 ' See Appendix VII., under " Raheny." 
 
igo 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 average in wealth and population ; five only can be 
 considered up to or a little above the average. The 
 remaining ten are certainly in various degrees below 
 the average ; four of them, indeed, are so much below 
 the average as to receive relief as poor parishes from 
 the Diocesan funds ; ^ yet it deserves to be noted 
 that, in the course of last year, the parishes of 
 Fingal, in addition to providing for their own needs, 
 contributed ^770 in aid of God's work outside the 
 district, of which ^233 was in aid of foreign mis- 
 sions.^ 
 
 The average income provided for each of fifteen 
 incumbents in the future is ^213, in addition to 
 thirteen glebe houses, with more or less land, wholly 
 or partly free from rent. The average income pro- 
 vided for each of three curates is ^132. This 
 estimate does not include one parish for which as 
 yet no future provision has been made, and which 
 must apparently be united in time to a neighbour ; 
 moreover, it does not include the income of one chap- 
 laincy, which has been heretofore provided from a 
 private source. This compares favourably with the 
 state of things before 1869 ; * but it is probable that 
 
 1 Viz. : Drumcondra, the interest on £750 ; Finglas, on 
 £950 ; Glasnevin, on £500 ; Lusk, on £500. See Report of 
 the Joint Diocesan Councils to the Joint Synods of Dublin, 
 Glendalough, and Kildare, 1886. 
 
 * See Report of the Dublin Diocesan Council to the 
 Diocesan Synod, 1887. 
 
 'See p. 121. 
 
 \ 1 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. igi 
 
 there were few other districts in the Irish Church of 
 the same extent and importance as Fingal, where 
 the average ecclesiastical incomes of the clergy were 
 formerly so very small. 
 
 Since the year 1869 four new glebe houses have 
 been built or given for parishes in Fingal, in addition 
 to the purchase, under the terms of the Irish Church 
 Act, of all the old glebes needed for resident incum- 
 bents ; and a sum of ^623, 737 has been accumulated 
 by way of endowment for parishes in the district,^ 
 partly from the free offerings of parishioners, and 
 partly as a result of the wise utilization of opportu- 
 nities which presented themselves in the process of 
 carrying out the provisions of the Irish Church Act. 
 
 As a rule, the services of the Church are now made 
 more attractive and more frequent than they used to 
 be, and there are few of our Fingal parishes without 
 those aids to the spiritual life of the people which 
 the experiences of later years have proved to be such 
 useful handmaids to the work of the Church. Among 
 these may be mentioned Temperance Societies, Sun- 
 day and other classes, and the various organizations 
 for the good of the divers " sorts and conditions" of 
 persons by whom all parishes, and specially country 
 parishes, are peopled. One, and by no means the 
 least beneficial, result which has flowed from the 
 
 ' See Report of Joint Councils to the United Synods of 
 Dublin, Glendalough, and Kildare, 1886. 
 
192 
 
 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 necessity of dealing effectively with the difficulties 
 created by the Irish Church Act, has been the hearty 
 co-operation of clergy and laity — a co-operation which 
 has become an essential condition of success, and 
 which, by awaking new interests, has created new 
 life. 
 
 As against those hopeful omens for the future of 
 the Fingal parishes, some discouraging circumstances 
 must be taken into account. Among them may be 
 mentioned the migrations from the district which 
 have taken place in some parishes. This change — 
 which is to some extent the result of the present 
 agitation — is a serious matter ; and there is cause 
 for anxiety lest the character of the parochial work, 
 and the rewards for it, offered by some of the Fingal 
 parishes, may fail to attract and retain the services of 
 an educated and enlightened clergy, such as might 
 always be desired. 
 
 We are still too near the time when the Irish 
 Church Act became law to see the full result of its 
 operations. In God's providence the result of such 
 a measure may be expected to be of a mixed kind ; 
 it would be rash to attempt to forecast it. It may 
 be that subsequent agrarian legislation, and the so- 
 cial agitation thereby encouraged, will more seriously 
 affect the future well-being of the Church than the 
 Irish Church Act. It may be, on the other hand, 
 that these clouds which seem so big with thrsaten- 
 ings have really the promise of great opportunities 
 
The Reformation in Fingal. 193 
 
 for the Church, and, in the old familiar words, " may 
 break with blessing on her head." The past teaches 
 that, in the long run, men recognise, " Magna est 
 Veritas, et prjevalebit." The Irish Roman Catholic 
 peasant, when, in some, perhaps, not distant day, he is 
 awakened to the real needs of his higher nature, may 
 yet rejoice to find that there is a Church in his native 
 land which, entirely unlike the Church to which his 
 allegiance has been hitherto given, holds forth the 
 word of truth at all times, and whose ministers do 
 not, and will not, debase the moral law to the low 
 standard of a passing social or political struggle. 
 What is the hope of the Church at large, the Church 
 in Fingal may share. 
 
 And amid all the uncertainties of the future, some 
 few things seem certain. The Church in Fingal can 
 scarcely have in store for her more lawless times 
 than those in which she was obliged to endure perse- 
 cution through the past, in turn from Dane, from Celt, 
 and from Anglo-Norman. The truths she guards, 
 and to which she bears witness, can scarcely be more 
 obscured in the future than they were at the time 
 when the yoke of Rome was imposed on her. The 
 God-given life which it is her mission to foster can 
 scarcely ever again run more risk of death from 
 paralysis or mortification than it did during many 
 preceding centuries, when statesmen, without the con- 
 sent, and against the earnest remonstrances, of the 
 Church, employed her only as a political instrument, 
 
 0 
 
194 Fingal and its Churches. 
 
 and filled her chief places with those who were se- 
 lected by political interest, rather than for meritorious 
 service. 
 
 The wonder is, not that the Reformed Church in 
 Fingal made no greater mark upon the district, not 
 that she failed to win back many who are as j^et not 
 of her, but that she lives at all ; and the respon- 
 sibility for this lies, not with the Irish Church, but 
 with those English statesmen whose representatives 
 in the present day, and within our own memories, 
 falsely accused her of being guilty of default and 
 failure, and then cruelly punished her for that very 
 want of success which their forefathers had made 
 well-nigh impossible. 
 
 If the Church of Ireland has survived all the things 
 which seemed so against her through so many past 
 years, there need be little fear for the future on which 
 she has entered, unweighted by many of the hindrances 
 of the past. Her true and faithful sons have seen 
 her " persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but 
 not destroyed." Let their chief concern be, that she 
 shall always bear about with her the marks which 
 become a true and living branch of the great Church 
 Catholic, founded by Christ Himself — a Church which 
 they may reverently yet confidently believe has been 
 so wonderfully preserved for the future accomplish- 
 ment of a great and holy mission. 
 
APPENDICES. 
 
 APPENDIX I.— A.D. 1275. 
 
 Extracts from the "Crede Mihi," relating to Fingal. The 
 "Grade Mihi" is the oldest existing record of the state of the 
 Parishes in the Diocese of Dublin. The record was made about 
 A.D. 1275, according to Archbishop Ussher. The original is in the 
 custody of the Archbishop of Dublin. There is a transcript in the 
 Library, T.C.D., which is somewhat difficult to decipher accu- 
 rately. Some of the observations are notes afterwards added by 
 Archbishop Allen, a.d. 1528—1534. 
 
 N.B. — For the sake of more easy reference and comparison, the 
 Parishes in each of the following eight Appendices are put in the 
 same order, and grouped as they were in 1886. 
 
 I. Fineglass (Finglas). The Church belongs to the Chan- 
 cellor of St. Patrick's. Archbishop, Patron. 
 
 Chapels— Dovemachenor (St. Margarkt's). 
 
 de Villa de Reimundi labos (Ward). 
 de Tirceyn (Artaine). 
 
 II. Clasnevyn. Vahie 30 Marks. The Church belongs to 
 the Prior and Convent of Holy Trinity. 
 
 III. Kenturke (Clonturk or Drumcondra). Scarce worth 
 
 30 Marks, which a Chaplain has for service. The Prior 
 of Holy Trinity has for his own use 3 carucates of land. 
 
 IV. Clontarf. The Church belongs to the Templars. 
 Killester (not mentioned). 
 
 V. Rathenney. The Church belongs to the Prior and Con- 
 vent of Holy Trinity, Dublin. 
 
196 
 
 Appendix I. 
 
 VI. Culoc (COOLOCK). Value, Rectory, 10 Marks ; Vicarage, 
 
 6 Marks. The Church belongs to the Prior of Lantony, 
 Gloucester, for his own use. 
 
 VII. Howthe, the Church of, with Chapel of Mor^e (Kilbar- 
 
 rack). Master John de Sancto Amaro, Rector, " ex 
 callog. " 
 
 VIII. Sauntriff (Santry), the Church of. 
 
 Clocheran (Cloghran), the Church of. Master Richard 
 Locard, Rector. 
 
 IX. Balligriffin (now St. Doulagh's), the Church of. 
 
 X. Malachyde (Malahide), the Church of, belongs to the 
 Church of Swords. 
 Portmernock, the Chapel of, belongs to the Convent of 
 St. Mary's. 
 
 XI. Swerdes (Swords), Church of. Archbishop Patron, 
 
 Thomas Comyn, with Chapels — 
 Killythe (Killeek). 
 Lispobel. 
 Kilrery (Killossory). 
 
 Kilsalthan (Kilsallaghan), Church of, belongs to Abbot 
 
 of St. Thomas for his own use. 
 Chapelmidway (not mentioned). 
 Kinsale (Kinsaley), Church of, belongs to Swords. 
 
 XII. Dovenachbate (Donabate), Church of. Archbishop, 
 
 Patron. Archbishop appoints Vicar. Monastery of Grey 
 Friars for their own use. 
 Portrachlin (Portrane), Church of. Appropriated to 
 the Monastery of Grace Dieu. 
 
 XIII. Luske, Church of, with Chapel of Templars, and with 
 Chapel of Rusche, in which there are two good pre- 
 bends, " uno val due Dau filii Rogori alia Decan mar 
 excall Reg." 
 
 Russe, Church of. 
 
 Church of Village of the Templars (Knightstown). 
 Archbishop, Patron. 
 Grace Dieu, Church of. 
 
Crede Mihi, a.d. 1275. 197 
 
 XIV. Glinmethan fCLONMETHAN), Church of. Archbishop, 
 Patron. Prebend, T. de Nottingham. 
 Fieldstown (not mentioned. ) 
 
 de SCO bosco (Hollywood), Church of, belongs to Prior 
 of Lantony, near Gloucester, for his own use. 
 
 Nal (Naul), Church of, belongs to Prior of Lantony, for 
 his own use. 
 
 Baliogari (Garristown), Church of. Master William de 
 Fernsham, Rector. King, Patron. 
 Palmer, Village of (Palmerstown), Chapel of, per- 
 taining to the Church of Baliogari (Garristown). 
 Waspayl (Westpalstown), Church of. 
 Balidunnul (Ballyboghill), Church of. For private 
 
 uses, in the gift of the founder. 
 Ballymacdon (Ballymadun), Church of, with Chapel, 
 belongs to the Prior of Grace Dieu, for his own use. 
 
 XV. Holpatrick (Holmpatrick, Skerries), Church of, be- 
 longs to the Prior of Holy Trinity, for his own use. 
 Ballidonegan (Baldongan), Church of. Appropriated 
 to the Monastery of Grace Dieu. 
 
 XVI. Ballrothery, Church of, belongs to the Prior of Kilbixy, 
 
 for his own use. 
 Baliscaden, Church of, belongs to the Prior of Holy 
 
 Trinity, for his own use. 
 Bremore (not mentioned). 
 
APPENDIX II.— A.D. 1302-1306. 
 
 Extracts from the " Ecclesiastical Taxation of Ireland, A.D. 
 1302-6," relating to Fingal. These extracts are taken from 
 " Calendar of Documents relating to Ireland, preserved in Public 
 Record Office, London, 1886." The compiler shows great ignor- 
 ance of the localities, and so metamorphoses many names, that 
 identification is often impossible. The second column represents the 
 " value " of the benefice to the ecclesiastical person or impro- 
 priator holding it, the "tenth," mentioned in the third column, 
 having been deducted for the Pope. 
 
 Value. Tenth. 
 
 I. Finglas (not mentioned). 
 II. Glassuth (query Glasnevin) £1^ i8s. 
 
 III. Grange of Clonturk, with 
 
 Church (Drumcondra) ... £753 14s. 6Jd. 
 
 IV. Culmyn (query Clontarf) and 
 
 Grange of... ... ... ;^i8 36s, 
 
 V. Raheny, Church of ... ... loos. los. 
 
 VI. Coolock ... ... ... ^^4 6 8 8s. 8d. 
 
 „ Vicarage thereof ... 40s. 4s. 
 
 VII. Howth, Prebend ... ... £13 6 8 6s. 8d. 
 
 Kyltrath (query Kilbarrack) ^15 30s. 
 Baldoyle ... ... ... 20 Marks. 2 Marks. 
 
 VIII. Santry ... ... ... £22 i6s. 
 
 Cloghran ... ... ... £7 ^ ^ 14s- 8d. 
 
 IX. Ballgriffin .^8 i6s. 
 
 1 
 
Papal Tenths, a.d. 1302. 199 
 
 
 Value. 
 
 Tenth. 
 
 X. Malahid3 (not mentioned). 
 
 
 
 Portmarnock, Grange of ... 
 
 
 £3 
 
 XI. Swords, Prebend 
 
 £60 
 
 £^ 
 
 Vicar 
 
 
 
 Kilsallaghan 
 
 7 Marks. 
 
 9s. 4d. 
 
 XII. Donaghbatt 
 
 
 1 6s. 
 
 Vicarage of 
 
 Q TV/To .-Irc- 
 
 0 IviarKs. 
 
 los. 8d. 
 
 Portrahelyn (Portrane) 
 
 £6 13 4 
 
 I Mark. 
 
 XIII. Lusk. 2 Vicarages ... 
 
 £26 13 4 
 
 4. Marks. 
 
 Prebend of Sir James of Spain 
 
 ;£33 6 8 
 
 5 Marks. 
 
 Prebend of Richard deAbynton 
 
 ;^33 6 8 
 
 5 Marks. 
 
 Grace Dieu, Grange of 
 
 10 Marks. 
 
 I Mark. 
 
 Grace Dieu, Rent of Nuns of, 
 
 
 
 at Lusk 
 
 6d. 
 
 3s. 4d. 
 
 XIV. Glynmethan (Clonmethan), 
 
 Prebend ... 
 
 20 Marks. 
 
 2 Marks. 
 
 Naul 
 
 £10 
 
 20 Shillings. 
 
 Hollywood 
 
 £10 13 4 
 
 2is. 4d. 
 
 „ Vicarage 
 
 46s. 8d. 
 
 4s. 8d. 
 
 Balliogary (Garristown), Vil- 
 
 
 
 lage of 
 
 £20 
 
 40s. 
 
 Palmerstown, Chanel 
 
 £10 13 4 
 
 2 IS. 4d. 
 
 Vaspayal (VVestpalstown), 
 
 
 
 Village of 
 
 IOCS. 
 
 los. 
 
 „ Rent of the Nuns of Grace 
 
 
 
 Dieu at the Village of 
 
 Ss. 
 
 6d. 
 
 Balybaghel, Grange of 
 
 £48 10 0 
 
 £4 17 6 
 
 (St. Patrick's bachuU was kept ia 
 
 
 
 this Church for some time.) 
 
 
 
 Ballymadun 
 
 20 Marks. 
 
 2 Marks. 
 
 „ Vicarage 
 
 4 Marks. 
 
 5s. 8d. 
 
 , Holmpatrick 
 
 £10 13 4 
 
 2 IS. 4d. 
 
 
 £6 
 
 I2S. 
 
 Balydonegan 
 
 5 Marks. 
 
 6s. 8d. 
 
 Balyrothery 
 
 £30 5 10 
 
 60s. 7d. 
 
 ,, Vicarage 
 
 IOCS. 
 
 I OS. 
 
 Balskadden 
 
 ;^I0 
 
 20s. 
 
APPENDIX m.-A.D. 1532. 
 
 Extracts relating to Fingal from Archbishop Allen's (Alan or 
 Aleyn) " Repertorium Viride," a.d. 1532. The original MS. was in 
 Christ Church Cathedral. A transcript is in the Library, T.C.D. ; 
 another, and a somewhat better one, is in Marsh's Library. The 
 transcriber of the former apparently did not always understand what 
 he was copying, and it is sometimes impossible to get an intelligible 
 meaning from his transcript. The result is, that in some cases 
 an attempt only is here made to give the meaning of the Arch- 
 bishop's record of his Diocese. 
 
 I. Finglas Church belongs to the Chancellor of St. Patrick's, 
 Dublin. This was the fourth prebend in the Clerical 
 College (St. Patrick's) of John (Archbishop Comyn), as 
 appears from our new register (Allen's), but is now in the 
 Cathedral Church of Henry, Archbishop (of Dublin). It, 
 together with these 3 chapels, immediately subscribed. 
 (Note by Allen. The 4 of them are with the burden of 
 5 Chaplains.) The prebend pertains to the Chancellor of 
 St. Patrick, whose dignity is in the Deanery of Bray, but 
 without the charge of a perpetual Vicar, on account of other 
 burdens pertaining to same. 
 
 Chapel of the great Church of St. Margaret's, near 
 Dunshoughy, formerly in controversy between the Arch- 
 bishop of Dublin and the Prior of Kilmainham, to which 
 the Canons of St. Thomas were then adhering, notwith- 
 standing that they were all evicted, as appears from a Bull 
 of Clement IIL, which is in our new register, and out of 
 the records of said Canons. 
 
 Chapel of Village of Reimundi Labake, otherwise 
 Church of St. Brigid of the Ward. (The ownership of 
 the town is then described in vague language.) 
 
Repertorium Viride, a.d. 1532. 201 
 
 Flnglas—Con/imied. 
 
 Chapel of Artaine of St. Nicholas. (Then follow 
 some details of a dispute about land in Finglas.) 
 II. Glasnevin Church, St. Movus, and belongs to the Prior and 
 Convent of Holy Trinity, Dublin (Christ Church Cathe- 
 dral), who also are the temporal lords. It was cut off from 
 the manor of Finglas by the blessed Lawrence when he 
 changed the Constitution of his Cathedral from Canons 
 secular to Canons regular. (Allen remarks that the Cathe- 
 dral had some claim upon 3 carucates of land in Finglas 
 which Archbishop Luke gave them, but could not enforce 
 for want of seals — " ex defectu siggillorum " is their 
 title.) 
 
 III. Clonturk Church (Drumcondra) belongs to the Prior of 
 
 All Saints', near Dubhn, who receives the tithes of 3 caru- 
 cates of land which are there, which they hold by right of 
 the Church without institution of a Vicar. 
 
 IV. Clontarf Church. This is simply a preceptory of Clontarf 
 
 attached to the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. From 
 ancient times it belonged to the order of the Templars. 
 Killester (only mention, see under Killossory). 
 
 V. Rathenny Church. This was formerly appropriated to the 
 
 use of Christ Church Cathedral, but after, by exchange, 
 was attached to St. Mary's Abbey, and is one of the 
 Chapels subject to that Monastery, but it is not attached 
 to the table of the Abbot. (Then follows a statement of 
 the rights of the Archbishop.) 
 
 VI. Church of Coolock formerly belonged to the patronage 
 of Lord Nugent, but after was appropriated to the Prior 
 of Lantony (a great Cistercian Abbey, near Gloucester), 
 and has a perpetual Vicar on the presentation of the same. 
 
 YII. Church of Howth was originally 3rd prebend in the 
 College of St. Patrick. In Archbishop Luke's time 
 (A.D. 1230) was translated from Ireland's Eye to Howth, 
 and is built upon the Glebe of the Rector. It has a per- 
 petual Vicar on the presentation of the Archbishop, which, 
 in 1532, we conferred on Nicholas Carney, a.m., by the 
 doing of which he will be successor (z.e. , to the existing 
 Rector, apparently uniting Rectory and Vicarage). 
 
202 Appendix III. 
 
 The Chapel of Mone is annexed to the prebend of 
 Howih, and is called Kilbarrack, whose tithes, from 
 augmentation of this prebend, as it had become a good 
 one, have been obtained by the monks of St. Mary's 
 Abbey. 
 
 Church of Ballydowell (Baldoyle), on the sea-shore 
 next Purtmarnock, appropriated to the Canons of All 
 Saints', served by one of the Convent. 
 VIII. Church of Santry belonged to St. Mary's Abbey. 
 
 Church of Cloghran. This is the second concerning 
 which mention has been made (see under " Lispobel "), 
 and at first was named with another adjacent (i.e., Clogh- 
 ran Hidden, tlie same as Mulliuddert). This is a Rectory, 
 and not the other, and the right of patronage belongs to 
 the Barnwalls and Nugents of Hollywood conjointly, and 
 not alternately, as is clear in my registry, not once, but 
 also twice. (Then follows mention of a dispute about 
 patronage, and of how the Vicar of Swords has burial fees 
 as Vicar of the mother Church.) 
 
 IX. Church of Balgriffin, formerly in the patronage of 
 
 Thomas Comyn, lord of that town, who granted to the 
 Cathedral of the Holy Trinity two acres of land, with the 
 advowson of the Church. It pays one mark under the 
 name of procurations. Before it was erected, there was a 
 chapel in the Rectory under the mother Church of 
 Swords. 
 
 St. Doulagh's (not mentioned). 
 
 X. Malahide (see under Swords). 
 
 Chapel of Portmarnock is one of ten completely 
 subjugated to St. Mary's Abbey without a Vicar insti- 
 tuted. It is, notwithstanding, subject to the Archbishops 
 of Dublin by episcopal right. 
 XI. Church of Swords. Before the time of Richard Talbot, 
 Archbishop of Dublin, this was called the golden, as if it 
 were virtually a bed full of gold, like another that was at 
 Sarum, in England, on account of its fatness and richness ; 
 but, notwithstanding, the aforesaid Richard, under Henry, 
 King of England, in the 27th year (a.d. 143 1), by ex- 
 change, divided it into 3 parts perpetual : he assigned 
 
 1 i 
 
Repertorium Viride, a.d. 1532. 203 
 
 Church of S\Nords~-Co}iimued. 
 
 one part to the Prebendary, another to the perpetual 
 Vicar, and the third to the community of St. Patrick's 
 Cathedral. 
 
 Chapel of Kinsaley, pertaining to the Vicar of Swords, 
 where is a Rector having a temporal Vicar under him. 
 The Chapel is to be served for the cure of the people. 
 The Rector is to be supported by the greater tithes ; 
 but the Vicar, who is a mercenary Vicar (i.e., stip. 
 curate), is supported by altarages {i.e., charges for mar- 
 riages, &c.) and the lesser tithes. (Then follows an un- 
 interesting statement of the services the tenants render the 
 Prior of the Holy Trinity.) 
 
 Chapel of Lispobel. This, with four others, be the 
 same, more or less, pertained to the Church of Swords, as 
 if to a mother Church, and depending on the same : 
 formerly, indeed, from the time of Archbishop Comyn 
 (a.d. 1 182), eight chapels existed. This chapel is deso- 
 late to-day, whose ruins are contiguous to Clonmethan. 
 
 Chapel of Killeek. This is more stately than the rest, 
 and was erected from a chapel into a Parish Church, 
 except that it is dependent on the aforesaid mother 
 Church. (Here follows much that cannot be deciphered.) 
 
 Chapel of Killossory, near to Ffieldstown, and to a rivu- 
 let flowing by the town of Rowlestown, coterminous with 
 
 . Take care lest ye be deceived. There is 
 
 another Chapel of the Manor of Killester, the tithes of 
 which St. Patrick has not, but the Church of the Holy 
 Trinity, which is lord of that land : the Chapter receiving 
 every year, as rent, half a mark of gold from the time of 
 the Conquest. 
 
 Chapel of Malahide. This is the fifth of the chapels 
 aforesaid on account of the two chapels in the town of 
 Swords, of which one is St. Finian (together with the 
 cemetery, contiguous to the house of the Vicar, on the S. 
 side) ; but the other, now waste, on the N. side (near the 
 glebe of the Rector, where to-day there are two burgages, 
 belonging to the Canons of the Convent of Holmpatrick), 
 which was called the Chapel of St. Brigid of old times. 
 
204 Appendix III. 
 
 Chapel of Malahide— Co«/z««^i/. 
 
 (Note. — All this seems to mean that Malahide would 
 have counted as eighth dependent chapel on Swords in 
 1532, but that three other chapels previously mentioned 
 should be deducted, because they were ruinous at the 
 time.) 
 
 Church of Kilsallaghan, dedicated to St. David. It 
 
 has a Vicar perpetual on the presentation of the Canons 
 of St. Thomas the Martyr. Immediately after the last 
 Conquest, it was impropriated to the Canons of St. 
 Thomas the Martyr, near Dublin, with consent of Auber- 
 tus Secard, when King John was Earl Moreton, in the time 
 of St. Lawrence. It has a perpetual Vicar on the presen- 
 tation of the same, and a chapel attached to the same 
 called Chapelmidway. 
 
 Chapelmidway is as a chapel attached to Kilsallaghan. 
 XII. Church of Donabate. Impropriate to the nuns of 
 Grany. The perpetual Vicarage is in the patronage of the 
 Archbishop. It was once a chapel of the Church of 
 Swords, and paid to it 13s. 4d. 
 
 Church of Portrachlin (Portrane), given to Grace 
 Dieu by Archbishop Comyn, whose revenues Walter, 
 Archbishop (W. Fitzsimons, a.D. 1484), increased by 
 donation of the houses which belonged to the table of 
 the Archbishops. 
 III. Church of Lusk. There are two portions of this Church 
 to-day for Precentor and Treasurer, having on their pre- 
 sentation two vicarages perpetual ; but at first this was 
 an united prebend on the foundation of Henry (de Loun- 
 dres), Archbishop (A.D. 1212). Afterwards it was divided 
 into two prebends, of which one of them was annexed to 
 the Archdeaconry of Dublin, but was exchanged for 
 Yago and Dunethimelack,* and afterwards Archbishop 
 Michael (Tregury, A.D. 1449) altered the arrangement. 
 
 The Chapel of Rush. This is one of two chapels, now 
 only subject to the mother Church of Lusk, situated ia 
 the lands of the Count of Ormonde. 
 
 • The copy in Marsh's Library reads " Taney and Donatymalach.' 
 
Repertorium Viride, a.d. 1532. 
 
 205 
 
 The Chapel of the Town of the Knights, other- 
 wise Spincers or KilnerraB (Whitestovvn). 
 
 Grace Dieu, translated by John, Archbishop (Comyn, of 
 Dublin, A.D. 1 190), and given to the use of the nuns: 
 originally situated near the town of Lusk. Afterwards 
 King John and King Henry confirmed the arrangement. 
 XIV. Church of Clonmethan. A sacerdotal prebend in St. 
 
 Patrick's, and within the lands of Occadesis, in Fingall, 
 which I add on account of the mystery of composition 
 concerning which, in our lesser registry, where mention is 
 made, not only of the Chapel of Fieldstown annexed to 
 this prebend, but also concerning another chapel of the 
 town of Ralph Paston, a/tas Ballyscadden. 
 
 Fieldstown (not mentioned alone). 
 
 Church of Naul, otherwise the church of the town of 
 Stephen of the cross, together with the tithes and offerings 
 of the land of Richard M 'Achana, as well as of the land 
 of Roger of Salopsberrie, whence this is united to the 
 Priory of Lantony concerning churches, chapels, and tithes 
 in the land of Occadesi. 
 Church of Hollywood, with its chapel. They were 
 formerly two, of which one was formerly called Gravel, 
 alias Grallagh, and the other indeed is on the land of 
 Regredus of Riridus, and they belong to the Canons of 
 Lantony, for their own use. One of the chapels is a per- 
 petual vicarage on the presentation of Lantony, but ought 
 to be pensionary to Clonmethan. 
 
 Church of Balliogarri (Garristown), appropriated to 
 the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, whose Patron is the 
 King of England. From former times it was united to the 
 Priory of Lantony, near Gloucester, i.e., from the times of 
 John I. (Comyn), Archbishop of Dublin, and of Henry 
 (de Loundres), his successor. 
 
 Chapel of Palmerstown is under the mother church 
 preceding. It was first a vicarage : it is now changed to 
 a mercenary vicarage (stipendiary curacy). On account of 
 the smallness of the benefice, it has been transferred to 
 Balliogarry with the consent of Richard the Chamberlain 
 (Strongbow), in the time of King Henry II. The tem- 
 poralities belong to the Hospital of St. John. 
 
205 
 
 Appendix III. 
 
 Church of Westpalstown. Just after the Conquest 
 given to Grace Dieu. It was placed on the land which 
 formerly belonged to the Chief of Westpayle, which was 
 part of the whole land of Occadesis in Fingal. The cure 
 of which is served by a chaplain. 
 Church of Ballyboghill, under Laurence, Archbishop 
 (of Dublin, A.D. 1 162). Count Richard (Strongbow), after 
 he had beheaded McGoghdane in Fingall, with the con- 
 sent of Robert, son of Stephen, gave it to the Cathedral 
 of the Holy Trinity (Christ Church Cathedral), with the 
 staff of Jesus, which was called bacullus of St. Patrick, 
 but now is, together with ten chapels, subject to the con- 
 vent of St. Mary, near Dublin. Salva compositione de 
 qua, before the time of Thomas (Archbishop T. Cranlay, 
 A.D. 1397), it was given in exchange for the tithes of 
 Lusk and Kilbavrack. 
 Church of Ballymadun, with chapel, given to Grace 
 Dieu by Henry, Archbishop (de Londres, of Dublin, A.D. 
 121 2), in return for the Church of St. Audoen, together 
 with the tithes of Willi Parhune* («V), which here is called 
 the Chapel of Poranstovm. The patron was originally 
 John de la Hide, but is now the Lord of Gormanstown.f 
 XV. Church of Holmpatrick. Henry, Archbishop (de 
 Londres, of Dublin), transferred these Canons from the 
 island (Inispatrick) to the mainland (about A.D. 1220), 
 where now they are placed, w hence we are their patron. 
 The Prior has to be confirmed by the Archbishop. 
 Church of Baldongan was formerly a chapel under 
 Palrothery. The lord of Howth is patron by right of his 
 wife, who was of the family of Bermingham. 
 XVL Church of Balrothery is the proiierty of the Prior of 
 Kilbixy, alias Tristeniagh (in Co. W. Meath). The 
 church is port.innar; ': to the prebendal church of Lusk, 
 paying £$ sterling for his own use. It has a vicar per- 
 petual on the presentation of the prebendary of Lusk, to 
 
 * The copy in Marsh's Library reads " Barhune and Boranstown." 
 
 t The copy in Marsh's Library adds : — "Pro cujus pads reforinatione noster 
 Fulco a monislibus ba'oiiit, x.l. Hbras." 
 
 t See for explanation, " Swinfield's Household Rolls," Camden Soc, 1854, 
 p. 154. 
 
Repertoriiim Viride, a.d. 1532. 207 
 
 Church of Balrothery — Continued. 
 
 whom the church of Baldongan is pensionary. It was 
 formerly a chapel under the mother church of Lusk, as 
 the aforesaid Baldongan was also from remote times, as 
 also Lambeler at Bremore. 
 Church of Balscadden, appropriated by Luke, Arch- 
 bishop (a.d. 1228-1255), to the Cathedral of the Holy 
 Trinity (Christ Church Cathedral), to support four 
 Canons. It was originally called the town of Ralph. 
 Its temporalities are divided between the two cathedrals, 
 but were exchanged for 3 other carucates of land near 
 Cavrickmiiies. 
 
APPENDIX IV.— A.D. 1615. 
 
 Extracts relating to Fingal from the "Royal Visitation, A.D. 
 1615." Tliis visitation was carried out by Archbishop Thomas 
 Jones, in obedience to the command of James I. The Archbishop's 
 original Latin MS. is in the Public Record Office, Dublin. The 
 writing is very difficult to decipher. There is a very imperfect 
 transcript of it also in the Public Record Office, which scarcely helps 
 inquiry. 
 
 I. ffinglas (FiNGLAS), St. Margaret's, Ward and Ter- 
 tayne (Artaine). Cfiurch and chapel in good repair- 
 Edward Lee, M.A., curate, a reading minister. 
 
 IL Glasnevin. Dean of Christ Church admonished, \Vy- 
 
 brants, curate, a preacher. 
 
 III. Drumconrath, also Clonturk. Parish Church extinct. 
 
 IV. Clontarf. Simon Thelwall, a reading minister. 
 Killester (not mentioned). 
 
 V. Rathenny. John Credlan, a reading minister. 
 
 VL Cowlocke. Church and chancel in good repair. John 
 Credlan, a reading minister. 
 
 Vn. Vicar Howeth, with Chapel of Kilbarrack. Martin 
 Cox, M.A., and a preacher. 
 Baldoyle. Patrick Beaghan, curate. 
 
 Vin. Santry. Chancel in repair. William Savage, curate. 
 
 Cloghran, value £^d,. James Kegan. Patrick Beaghan, 
 curate. 
 
 IX. Balgriffin, Chapel at St. Doulough's, looks to St. Dou- 
 lough's, i.e., is dependent on. 
 St. Dowlocke. The same Patrick Beaghan. 
 
Regal Visitation, a.d. 1615. 200 
 
 X. Malahide. Patrick Beaghan, curate. 
 
 Portmarnocke. Fonnerly sequestrated. The same 
 Patrick Beaghan. 
 
 XI. Swords, witli Chapel of Kinsally. Church and chancel 
 in good repair. Christopher Huetson, a sufficient man, 
 resident, a preacher. 
 Lispobel (not mentioned). 
 
 Killossery. Church and chancel in good repair. John 
 
 Richman, curate. 
 Killeigh (Killeek). No book, no curate, therefore seques- 
 tration issued. 
 
 Kilsallaghan. Church in good repair ; chancel ruinous, 
 John Richman, a reading minister, curate. 
 
 Chapelmidway. Church a ruin. Looks to Kilsalla- 
 ghan. 
 
 XII. Donabate. Church and chancel in good repair. John 
 Etheridge, a reading minister. 
 Portrane. No book ; no curate. 
 
 XIII. Luske. Rectory divided into Church of St. Patrick and 
 
 Treasurer. Vicar from both parts, William SibLliorpe, 
 a reading minister, preacher, resident. Vicarage worth 
 £■^0. Church and chapel in good repair. Books. 
 Kenure and Rush (not mentioned). 
 
 XIV. Clonmethan. Church and chancel in good repair 
 
 Thomas Richmond, a reading minister and preacher. ' 
 ffilston (Fieldstown), annexed to the same. Church 
 
 and chancel ruin. The same Richmond. 
 Nail. Chapel standing. 
 
 Vic. HoUiwood, with chapel of Grallagh. Terence 
 
 Ivers. Val. £20. 
 Carestowne and Palmerstowne ..nnexed. Teience 
 
 Ivers, a reading minister. No book. V alue £20. 
 Mespelstowne (Westpalstown). Chancel in repair. 
 
 Book plundered. Nicholas Baron, a reading minister. 
 Bally baugh all. Good book. Nicholas Culme, reading 
 
 minister. 
 
 Vic. Ballymadun. Chancel in repair. i,Value £l\. 
 Nicholas Baron. 
 
 P 
 
210 
 
 Appendix IV. 
 
 XV. Holmpatrick (not mentioned). 
 
 Rect. Baldongan. Church and chancel. Value £30. 
 Thos. Hood, vicar, 
 
 XVI. Vic. Balrothery. Church and chancel in good repair. 
 
 Books. Value £■^3. Thos. ffargher, vicar, a reading 
 
 minister and preacher. 
 Balscadden. Church and chancel in good repair. Good 
 
 book. Thomas Hood. Rectory impropriation. 
 Bremore (not meutioned). 
 
APPENDIX v.— A.D. 1630, 
 
 Extracts relating to Fingal from an " Account of the Dioces of 
 Dublin, drawn up by Archbishop Bulkeley, and presented to the 
 Privy Council of Ireland, June I, 1630." The MS. account is 
 in the Library, T.C.D. There is also a translation published ia 
 " The Irish Ecclesiastical Record," 1869, Vol.V., p. 145, &c., from 
 which these extracts are taken. Lancelot Bulkeley, D.D., was 
 Archbishop from A.n. 1619 to A.D. 1650. He endeavoured to 
 restrain the seditious harangues which, during his time, were 
 abundantly delivered by the Jesuits and Friars of Dublin. He died, 
 " being spent with grief for the calamities of the times." (Cotton's 
 " Fasti.") 
 
 I. FInglas. The church and chancel are in very good repair 
 and decency. The parsonage is the corpes of the Chan- 
 cellorship of St. Patrick's. There is a vicarage endowed 
 upon the parsonage. Mr, Robert Wilson, B.D., and 
 preacher, is vicar, the vicarage being worth £20. The 
 number of communicants last Easter was about 150. 
 There is a common mass-house frequented publicly, since 
 the proclamation, in the town of St. Margaret's in the said 
 parish, yet divers priests, Jesuits, and Friars, whose names 
 the vicar cannot yet learn, have recourse unto the houses 
 of Sir Christopher Plunket, Knt., Robert Barnewali, of 
 Dunbroe, Esq., Henry Sedgrave, of Little Cabragh, gent., 
 and Thomas Warren, of Harristown, yeoman, as their 
 chief maintainers, adherents, and abettors. 
 II. Clasnevin (not mentioned). 
 
 III. Drumconragh, a/ias Clonturk, no return. 
 
 IV. Clontarf, Id. Killester (not mentioned). 
 V. Rathenny, Id. 
 
2T2 
 
 Appendix V. 
 
 VI. Cowlocke, Id. Artaine (not mentioned). 
 
 VII. Howthe. The church is in decay, and wants slates and 
 
 glazing. The chancel well. There come hither to hear 
 Divine Service 30 persons or thereabouts. Mass is com- 
 monly said by one Shergall, a priest, in the house of Mr. 
 Richard St. Lawrence of Corslon, in the parish of Howthe. 
 Mr. Christopher Huetson is prebend there, whose means are 
 worth fourscore pounds sterling per annum. Mr. Huetson 
 certifies that the lord of Howthe, the heirs of Bealing of 
 Bealingstown, and others, do detain from the incumbent 
 20 acres of land, 12 houses, and 55 shillings chief rent 
 due to him, and heretofore received by his predecessors. 
 Baldoyle. The church is altogether ruinous : there is 
 nothing but the bare walls. It is an impropriation. Mr. 
 T. Fitzsimons of the Grainge is farmer to it. The tithes 
 thereof are worth £40 per annum. One Richard Kelly> 
 elk., is curate, and hath but 34 shillings per annum for his 
 pains. There is mass commonly said upon Sundays and 
 holiday? in the said Mr. Fitzsimons' house, where the 
 parishioners commonly resort. There are no Protestants 
 in the parish. 
 Kilbarrack (not mentioned). 
 
 VIII. Santry. The church and chauncel are uncovered, and 
 
 want all necessary ornaments. The great tithes are im- 
 propriate belonging to Swordes. There is a vicarage en- 
 dowed, worth £8 per annum. One Randal Dymocke is 
 curate there. All the parishioners, except very few, are 
 recusants. There is one James Drake, a mass-priest, re- 
 sident at Tarlane (Artane), and commonly saith mass 
 there. There is likewise his brolher, a popish school- 
 master, to whom the children thereabouts go to school. 
 Cloghran— Swordes. The church and chauncel is 
 in reasonable repair, only it wants necessary ornaments 
 within. M;ifs is said in that parish. The mass-priest's 
 name is M.uxus Barnvvall. Nicholas Culme, elk., is parson, 
 and serves the cure ; his means being worth £22 per an- 
 num. All the parishioners being about 48 persons, besides 
 children, are recusants, and none come to church save 
 Mr. Maurice Smyth and his faniily when they reside 
 there. 
 
Abp. Bulkeley's Visitation, a.d. 1630. 213 
 
 IX. Balgriffin and St. Dowlocks are united. The churches 
 and chauncels are ruinous, and want all ornaments. The 
 tithes are impropriate, held by Mr. Fagan, of Feltrim, and 
 Mr. Ussher, of Cromlyn. The value of the tithes is un- 
 known to the incumbent. Richard Kelly dischargeth the 
 cure and hath no certain allowance; only for these four 
 years past the Right Hon. the Lord Chancellor allowed 
 him £2^, part of which is paid, the rest promised ; but for 
 the time to come he knoweth not what to have. All 
 the parishioners are recusants, and resort of Fitzsimons' 
 Grainge and Plunket's Grainge, and some to Howthe. 
 X. Mallahyde. The church and chauncel ruinous. The 
 tithes impropriate worth £120 per annum. The said 
 Richard Kelly is curate, and hatli for serving there but 
 £^ sterling. All the parishioners are recusants, and go 
 to mass now at Mr. Talbott of Mallahyde's house more 
 usually than heretofore. The said Mr. Talbot of Malla- 
 hyde is farmer of the tithes. 
 
 Portmarnock. The church and chauncel verj' ruinous. 
 The tithes impropriate, thought to be worth ^50 per 
 annum, held by the Lady Newcomen, Mr. Nicholas Barne- 
 wall, of Turvey, and Walter Tlunket, of the Grainge. 
 The priest's name is as yet unknown ; but mass is said in 
 the said Walter Plunket's house. All the parishioners are 
 recusants. Richard Kelly, elk., is curate, who hath £6 
 per annum for serving the cure. 
 XL Swordes. The church, by neglect of the gentlemen of that 
 parish, who are recusants, is lately fallen flat to the ground, 
 and no part standing only some part of the bare walls. 
 There is one Doyle, a mass-priest, who keeps school in the 
 town of Swordes, to whom many gentleman's sons do 
 resort. This priest commonly says mass in the house of 
 Mr. Taylour, of Swordes, gent., whereunto there is great 
 concourse of people on Sundays and holidays. There 
 useth to come to church there about threescore to hear 
 Divine Service and sermon. Mr. Christopher Huetson 
 is vicar there, whose means there are worth £i^o per 
 annum. 
 
 Kinsaley (not mentioned). 
 
 Lispobel (not mentioned). 
 
214 Appendix V. 
 
 Klllossery. The roof of this church wants a little repair 
 and all other necessaries save books. Mr. Fagan, of Fel- 
 trim, is farmer of the rectory, held from the Dean and 
 Chapter of Christ Church Cathedral, for which Mr. Fagan 
 pays per annum £^ los., being worth £Zo per annum. 
 One Richard Kelly, preacher, is curate there, and hath 
 £^ 15s. 4d. out of the small tithes there, besides 40 shil- 
 lings allowed by Mr. Fagan. All the parishioners, except 
 Mr. Boulton, His Majesty's solicitor, and his family, are 
 recusants. 
 
 Killlegh (Killeek). This parish church is altogether gone 
 to ruin. The tithes belong to the Dean and Chapter of 
 St. Patrick's, with £22 per annum. They are leased to 
 Mr. Barnwall, of Dunbroe, for which he payeth £^ los, 
 per annum to the said Dean and Chapter. All the pa- 
 rishioners are recusants, and usually go to hear mass at 
 Swordes. The aforesaid Richard Kelly is curate there. 
 
 Kllsalchan (Kilsallaghan). The church is out of all repair 
 and ornaments. There are but two in that parish that 
 come to church. There is mass said in the house of Mr. 
 Peter Hoare, of Kilsalchan, who keeps away the glebe 
 land from the vicar ; but the priest's name is not certified. 
 The great tithes are impropriate, and held by Mr. Bise, of 
 Dublin, and Mr. Conran, of Maynstown. Mr. R. Worrall, 
 M.A., and preacher, is vicar there ; his means are about 
 £20 per annum. 
 
 Chapelmidway (not mentioned). 
 XII. Donabate. The church and chauncel are in reasonable 
 good repair, but want ornaments within. Mr. John 
 Mooney, clerk, is vicar, whose wife is, as he himself has 
 certified under his hand, as rank and violent a recusant 
 as any lives this day in Christendom. He hath not cer- 
 tified the value of that living, nor the priest's name. 
 The parsonage is impropriate. 
 
 Portrauen (Portrane) is an impropriation farmed to Sir 
 ^Y. Ussher, Knt., and Mr. Bart Ball, worth £20 per 
 annum. The church and chauncel are down. The 
 parishioners are recusants. There are 10 acres of land 
 belonging to this church, but detained by Mr. John 
 Finglas, gent, Gabriel Etheridge, elk., is curate there. 
 
Abp, Bulkeley's Visitation, a.d. 1630. 215 
 
 XIII. Luska. The great tithes of this parish being worth near 
 
 £200 per annum, belong unto the Chaunter of St. Patrick's 
 and to the Treasurer of the same. The church, for the 
 most part, is decayed and ruinous, and wants all necessary 
 ornaments. The chauncel is in remarkably good repair, and 
 will be made better this summer. There are two public 
 mass-houses, the one in the town of Lusk, belonging to a 
 farmer called Dermott, of Raheny ; the other in the town 
 of Rushe, upon that part of it which is called the land of 
 the king, which is held by one called George Delahyde. 
 The priest's name is Patrick Duffe. All the parishioners, 
 being many, are recusants, and none come to church ex- 
 cept the Lord Chief Baron and his family, and a few more. 
 Mr. Edward Donnellan, B.D., is vicar there. 
 Rush and Kenure (not mentioned). 
 
 XIV. Clonmethan. The church and chauncel are up, but not 
 
 decent within. The tithes belong to Richard Powell, 
 M.A., and preacher, as one of the Prebends of St. 
 Patrick's, and worth £^0 per annum. There are not 
 above lo or 12 in that parish that come to hear Divine 
 Service. William Tedder serves the cure. 
 Fieldstown (not mentioned). 
 
 Holliwood, Grallagh and Nail. The churches and 
 chauncels are ruinous. The tithes are impropriate, worth 
 per annum, and held by the Right Hon. Lord Vis- 
 count Moore. There are not above 8 persons that frequent 
 Divine Service in that parish. Mr. John Hyde, M.A., and 
 preacher, is vicar of HoUiwood and curate of the rest, 
 being worth £16 per annum. Mass is commonly said in 
 the houses of Mr. Cadle and Mr. Cruce. 
 
 Carristowne and Palmorstowne. The church of Gar- 
 ristowne is ruinous. There is in the town of Garristowne 
 a great void house, covered with straw, whereunto the 
 parishioners resort to hear Mass. John Rooney, elk., is 
 vicar. Palmerstowne is annexed unto Garristowne. It is 
 an impropriation formed by the Lady Dungan, now mar- 
 ried to William Archbold, Esq. The great tithes are 
 worth £lZ per annum. The vicar certifies that he had 
 not above 20 shillings a-year out of it for these 10 years 
 
2i6 Appendix V. 
 
 Garristowne and Palmerstowne— Continued. 
 
 past. The chauncel is down. Almost all the parishioners 
 are recusants. 
 
 Westpelstown is an impropriation. John Weston, of 
 Dublin, is farmer. The tithes are usually set for lOO 
 barrels of com per annum, William Tedder is curate, 
 and hath but 30 or 40 shillings a year for serving the cure. 
 The church and chauncel are down. The parishioners are 
 all recusants, save one man called Thomas Millington. 
 They resort to Mass to the house of the Dowager Lady 
 Howthe. The mass-priest's name is Roger Begg. 
 
 Balliboghall. The church and chauncel are much out of 
 repair. The tithes are impropriate, estimated to be worth 
 five score packs of corn per annum, belonging to the 
 Swordes. Gabriel Etheridge, elk., is curate, who hath the 
 small tithes, being worth ;CS per annum, for serving the 
 cure. All the parishioners are recusants. The curate cer- 
 tifies that there was wont to be paid by the Lord Deputy 
 or Lord Justices of the King to the curate by way of con- 
 cordatum, the sum of ^3 sterling, of which he is behind 
 these four years. 
 
 Ballymadon is an impropriation farmed to Mr. Patrick 
 Bamewall, of Shallon. The great tithes are worth /'60 
 per annum. The church is in ruin, the chauncel down, 
 and wants all ornaments befitting. There is a vicarage 
 endowed upon the parsonage, worth £7 per annum, and 
 William Teddar is vicar there. 
 XV. Holmepatrick. The parish church is in good repair. 
 The tithes are impropriate, farmed to Sir Barnaby Bryan. 
 The cure is served by Thomas Doughtie, for which he 
 hath 40 shillings per annum. He certifies that there is a 
 stipend of ^4 13s. 4d., reserved by letters patent for the 
 curate, which is detained by Mr. Derrick Hubbart, tenant 
 to Sir Barnaby Bryan. There are about 20 inhabitants in 
 that parish who commonly frequent Divine Service. All 
 the rest are recusants. 
 
 Baldongan lieth altogether ruinous, wanting a roof these 
 many years. Thomas Doughty, M.A., and preacher, is 
 parson, whose means are not worth but £20 per annum. 
 There is not one Protestant in the parish. There is one 
 
Abp. Bulkeley's Visitation, a.d. 1630. 217 
 
 Baldongan — Continued. 
 
 Mr. Clarke, as they call him, a mass-priest that keepeth 
 school, and sayeth mass every Sunday and holiday in Mr. 
 Nicholas Fitzwilliam's house at Baldongan, unto whom all 
 the inhabitants round about resort to hear mass. 
 XVI. Balrothery. The church and chauncel are out of all 
 repair, and want ornaments. It is an impropriation farmed 
 by Mr. William Pierce, of Trastenagh. All tlie parishioners 
 are recusants, except 14 who come to church. Robert 
 Worrall, M.A., and preacher, is vicar, whose means there 
 are worth but £20 per annum. Il is certified that mass is 
 said in the gentlemen's houses in that parish, especially in 
 Brj-more and Stephenton. 
 
 Balskadan. The church and chauncel are in good repair. 
 The great tithes belong to the Treasurer of Christ Church. 
 There is a vicarage endowed and lately conferred on 
 Nicholas Culme, elk. It is worth, as he certifies, per 
 annum. There hath been mass said in that parish every 
 Sunday before and since the proclamation in the new 
 dwelling-house of Mr. George Taafe, called the Graingeof 
 Balskadan, by one Patrick Conell, a mass priest, who 
 dwells at the Nail. The whole parishioners, being in 
 number 178 persons, usually resort to mass, those only ex- 
 cepted who usually frequent Divine Service. 
 
 Bremore (not mentioned). 
 
APPENDIX VI.— A.D. 1659. 
 
 Extracts relating to Fingal from MS. census now in the Royal 
 Irish Academy, probable date 1659, attributed to Sir William Petty. 
 This census is made by townlands grouped under parishes. In 
 some cases it is made by villages or towns. It is the earliest known 
 census of Ireland. It attempts to distinguish the population by 
 nationalities, not by religion. For comparison, the total population 
 of each parish, according to the last census (1881) is also given. 
 
 
 1659. 
 
 1881. 
 
 English. 
 
 Irish. 
 
 
 I. Finglas ... 
 
 59 
 
 175 
 
 3242 
 
 St. Margaret's ■ ... 
 
 23 
 
 105 
 
 332 
 
 Tartayn ... 
 
 8 
 
 32 
 
 953 
 
 Ward (Jiere under Castleknock) 
 
 8 
 
 84 
 
 75 
 
 II. Glasnevin (not mentioned) 
 
 
 
 1741 
 
 III. Clanturke (Dmmcondra) 
 
 37 
 
 97 
 
 3171 
 
 IV. Clontarfe 
 
 45 
 
 34 
 
 2804 
 
 Killester (here under Finglas) 
 
 12 
 
 20 
 
 443 
 
 V. Rathenny ... 
 
 6 
 
 84 
 
 426 
 
 VI. Cowlocke ... 
 
 14 
 
 85 
 
 780 
 
 VII. Howth 
 
 21 
 
 70 
 
 1866 
 
 The Town... 
 
 27 
 
 88 
 
 
 Kilbarrack 
 
 0 
 
 30 
 
 260 
 
 Baldoyle ... 
 
 10 
 
 91 
 
 841 
 
 VIII. Santry 
 
 70 
 
 195 
 
 860 
 
 Cloghran ... 
 
 24 
 
 54 
 
 302 
 
Sir W. Petty's Census^ a.b. 1659. 219 
 
 
 1659. 
 
 1881. 
 
 
 English. 
 
 Irish, 
 
 
 IX. Balgriffin ... 
 
 9 
 
 56 
 
 407 
 
 X. Malahide ... 
 
 
 ''J 
 
 1 189 
 
 Portmarnock 
 
 13 
 
 79 
 
 457 
 
 XI. Swords ... 
 
 67 
 
 490 
 
 2181 
 
 The Town... 
 
 47 
 
 192 
 
 
 Kinsaley ... 
 
 ^8 
 
 117 
 
 544 
 
 Killeigh ... 
 
 
 40 
 
 86 
 
 Killossory ... 
 
 21 
 
 65 
 
 220 
 
 Kilsallaghan 
 
 17 
 
 152 
 
 251 
 
 XII. Donabate ... 
 
 41 
 
 130 
 
 270 
 
 Portrane ... 
 
 9 
 
 123 
 
 594 
 
 Lambay Island 
 
 
 9 
 
 — 
 
 XIII. Lusk 
 
 97 
 
 213 
 
 3607 
 
 (inchiding) 
 
 
 
 
 Whitestown 
 
 10 
 
 43 
 
 26 
 
 C. (X YV. LUSK ... 
 
 82 
 
 243 
 
 
 (including) 
 
 
 
 Kinnure ... 
 
 " 
 
 31 
 
 — 
 
 Rush 
 
 40 
 
 1 16 
 
 702 
 
 Graoedieve 
 
 9 
 
 59 
 
 20 
 
 XIV. Clonmedane ... 
 
 IS 
 
 125 
 
 286 
 
 Fieldstown 
 
 
 
 
 Hollywood 
 
 37 
 
 181 
 
 429 
 
 Naall 
 
 22 
 
 114 
 
 431 
 
 GaristownB ... ... 
 
 34 
 
 335 
 
 935 
 
 Palmerstowne 
 
 10 
 
 74 
 
 106 
 
 West Palstowne 
 
 
 78 
 
 89 
 
 Ballyboughall 
 
 25 
 
 122 
 
 291 
 
 Ballymadone 
 
 29 
 
 137 
 
 266 
 
 XV. Holme Patrick 
 
 33 
 
 69 
 
 2623 
 
 Skerries, Town 
 
 24 
 
 32 
 
 
 Baldongan 
 
 20 
 
 28 
 
 61 
 
220 Appendix VI. 
 
 
 1659. 
 
 1881. 
 
 
 English. 
 
 Irish. 
 
 
 XVI. Balrodery... 
 
 Balbriggan 
 Balscadden 
 
 ss 
 
 4 
 
 23 
 
 149 
 
 26 
 167 
 
 3468 
 
 - 
 682 
 
 Total, 
 
 1264 
 
 5159 
 
 
 Total Population, ... 
 
 6,423 
 
 38,317 
 
 1 
 
 In three cases a list of the " principal Irish names," with the 
 number of persons bearing them, is given. Some of these names 
 have an English look about them. They are as follows : — 
 
 Finglas. — Bime, 13 ; Birmingham, 12 ; Butterly, 8 ; Connor, 10; 
 Casey, 10 ; Coleman, 9 ; Doyle, 8 ; Daly, 10 ; Dowdall, 9 ; 
 Daniel or Donel, 12 ; Kelly, 36 ; Lennan, 7 ; Lynch or Lynchy, 
 10; Maccan, 10; Murray, 9; Quinne, 11 ; Reyly, 9; Ryan, 11 ; 
 Walsh, 19 ; \Vhyte, 12. 
 
 Clonturk.— Archbould, 12 ; Bryan, 9 ; Birne, 26 ; Casey, 8 ; 
 Connor, 10; Doyle, 13; Farrell, 9; Kelly, 23; Lawless, 9; 
 Murphy, 10; Smith, 11 ; Walsh, 8; White, II. 
 
 Hollywfood.— Birne, 11; Browne, 10; Brayne, II ; Boylan, 7; 
 Coleman, 7; Callan, 11; Connor, 11 ; Corbally, 9 ; Cruise, 10; 
 Dowdall, 12 ; Dermot, 10 ; Duff, 9 ; Don, 7 ; English, 15 ; Fulham, 
 8; Farrell, 12 ; Harford, 17 ; Kelly, 26 ; Laundy, 8 ; Loghlin, 9; 
 Lynch, 9 ; Maccan, 10 ; Murphy, 7 ; Murray, 14 ; Martyn, 13 ; 
 Mahowne or Mahon, 9 ; Quin, 10; Russell, 15 ; Realy, 1 1 ; Walsh, 
 14; White, 17; Wade, 10.* 
 
 • In no case does the total number of those stated to have Irish names in the 
 thret parishes above mentioned agree with the figures after the same parishes in 
 the second column of the census. Probably names from neighbouring districts 
 or dependent parishes were included. 
 
APPENDIX VII.— A.D. 1887. 
 
 The Parishes and Churches of Fingal previously referred to are now 
 grouped in the following Unions : — 
 
 I. (a) Finglas, including (/') St. Margaret's and (c) 
 Ward. 
 
 (a) Finglas (Fionglaise, pure streamlet'). The pre- 
 sent church, built on a new site, was consecrated, 
 April 20, 1843, as "The Church of St. Canice." It is 
 a plain, neat, oblong building, running east and west. 
 It is entered by a porch at the west. Over this porch 
 there is a gable having a single-arched bell-turret. The 
 church is without a chancel. 
 The older church, also dedicated to St. Canice, has been a 
 ruin since 1843. Some of the oaken beams of the roofe 
 still survive. This church is situated in the north-west 
 corner of the ancient burying-ground. No record exists 
 of when it was built. It stands on the site of the ancient 
 abbey. It consists of a nave, 48 feet long, divided into 
 two aisles, that to the north being 28 feet wide, while 
 that to the south is 16 feet wide. At the east end 
 of the north aisle there is a chancel 34 feet long 
 by 22 wide, separated from the aisle by a fine lancet 
 arch, which spans the entire width of the building. 
 There is a large E. window in the chancel, and 
 there is a window at either side of it. The aisles 
 are separated by two large semicircular arches, and 
 each aisle had its own roof and gables. The W. gable 
 of the larger aisle was surmounted by a bell-turret, which 
 has disappeared. The church is entered through a stone- 
 roofed porch, opening into the N.W. end of this aisle, 
 which is IS feet wide by 8 long. The nave is lighted 
 
222 
 
 Appendix VII. 
 
 Flnglas— Continued, 
 
 by 2 W., I.E. and I.N. windows. The walls are very 
 thick, and of plain rubble masonry. In the churchyard 
 many celebrated people have been buried from ancient 
 times. In its S.E. corner the old cross of Nethercross 
 stands where the Rev. Robert Walsh placed it early in 
 this century. Its shaft is 7 feet high, its arms 5 feet long. 
 It stands on a stone base 2^ feet square, and 2 feet deep. 
 The material is granite, the base being much finer and 
 denser stone than the cross. The result is that the vicis- 
 situdes of time have marred the carving, and only the 
 rough outline of it can now be traced. 
 (5) St. Margaret's Chapel at Dunsoghly, called also 
 Dovemachenor, a.d. 1275, or Donoughmore {i.e., great 
 churcJi), A.D. 1532. It was appropriately called the 
 " great church." The existing ruins are of a build- 
 ing which must have been extensive, and of architectural 
 beauty unusual in the Fingal churches. The walls are 
 standing, except the W. wall, and are 54 feet long by 24 
 wide. Attached to the S.E. is a small unroofed but 
 otherwise fairly perfect chapel, of carefully-chiselled 
 stone, 30 feet long by 19 wide, of which an inscription 
 states it was built by Sir John Plunkett, of Dunsoghly, 
 who died A.D. 1582. From this chapel there extends 
 to the S. a mortuary chapel of cut stone, and of graceful 
 proportions, about ten feet square. St. Margaret's chapel 
 was apparently in use a.d. 1532, but by a.d. 1615 it 
 had become a ruin, and has remained so ever since, 
 (c) Ward, St. Brigid's Chapel at. A portion of a 
 small rude gable is all that is visible of this chapel now. 
 The chapel was used for Divine Service so late as a.d. 
 1535. We find the tithes of the parish granted to cer- 
 tain persons in that year on condition they provided a 
 chaplain and repaired the chancel. The parish is at the 
 extreme S.W. of Fingal. 
 II. Glasnevin (Glaise-Naeidhen, i.e., Naeidke's streamlet). 
 The present church was rebuilt in 1707, when it was con- 
 secrated by Archbishop King. It probably stands on 
 the site of the old ecclesiastical foundation dedicated to 
 St. Mobi, its founder. The church is a plam, oblong 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 
 
 C\SiST\6S\n— Continued. 
 
 quadrangular building, 60 feet long by 3 1 feet wide. A 
 low tower, some 18 feet square, is united to the W. end 
 of the church. The tower is older than the church, and, 
 like it, is without ecclesiastical ornamentation. Mant's 
 " History of the Church of Ireland " preserves an in- 
 teresting statement by Archbishop King of the benefits 
 conferred on the neighbourhood by this church : — 
 " Glasnevin was the receptacle of thieves and rogues. 
 The first search, when anything was stolen, was there, 
 and when any couple had a mind to retire to be wicked, 
 there was their harbour. But since the church was 
 built, and service regularly settled, all these evils are 
 vanished. Good houses are built in it, and the place 
 civilised." 
 
 III. Drumcondra {i.e., Conrds ridge), or Clonturk {the 
 
 boar's meadow'). 
 Clonturk. The present church was consecrated July 1 2th, 
 1743, and probably stands on the site of the original 
 church dedicated to St. John Baptist. It is a plain, 
 oblong, rectangular building without a chancel, 68 feet 
 by 36, having an unadorned single-arch bell-turret 
 on the W. gable. The whole parish belonged to the 
 Priory of All Hallows. On the dissolution of the Priory, 
 the parish became vested in the Corporation of Dublin, 
 The arms of the Corporation still remain on the interior 
 S. wall— a memorial of the past, when the Corporation 
 held the advowson of the parish, and attended Divine 
 Service in this church once each year in state. If 
 the edifice be very plain, that cannot be said of a work 
 of art it contains. On the N. wall of the interior is a 
 very beautiful white marble monument, containing three 
 life-sized figures, erected to the memory of Marmaduke 
 Coghill, b. 1673, d. 1738, who was Chancellor of the 
 Irish Exchequer, and M.P. successively for Armagh and 
 T.C.D. The gracefulness of the monument is marred by 
 a rather uncouth and very lengthy inscription. This 
 inscription enters with remarkable minuteness of detail 
 into the events of Mr. Coghill's life, and the many 
 virtues attributed to him, and concludes by giving infor- 
 mation of a kind not-usually thus imparted to posterity, 
 
224 Appendix VII. 
 
 Clonturk — Continued. 
 
 " he died of gout in the stomach." His sister Mary, 
 who erected the monument, also built the church to his 
 memory. 
 
 The townland of Donnycamey was in early times a part of 
 Artaine parish. It now belongs to Clonturk. There 
 was a church in Donnycamey in the year 1106, as the 
 following extract from the " Annals of the Four Masters," 
 under that date, proves :—" A. D. 1 106. Domhnall, chief 
 successor of Patrick, went to Ath-Cliaih (Dublin) to 
 make peace between Domhnall ua Lochlainn and Muir- 
 cheartach ua Brian, where he took his death sickness, 
 and he was carried in his sickness to Domhnach-aithir- 
 Eamhna {i.e., the church to the east of Eamhain — Mr. 
 O'Donovan has identified this place wilh Donnycamey), 
 and he was anointed there. He was afterwards removed 
 to the Daimhliag of Ard-Macha {i.e., the cathedral 
 chui-ch of Armagh), where he died on August 12th." 
 This Domnach, or Donald, was Archbishop of Armagh 
 (1092—1106). He belonged to a family which had held 
 tlie Archbishopric for some time. His brother Maelisa 
 had been Archbishop (1065— 1092), and his father 
 Araalgaid had also been Archbishop (1021 — 1050). 
 There is not any trace now of where the church of 
 Donnycamey stood. The townland belonged to All 
 Hallows Priory, and on the suppression of the Priory 
 was granted with Baldoyle and Clonturk to the Cor- 
 poration of Dublin. 
 IV. {a) Clor^tarf, including {b) Killester. 
 
 {a) Clontarf {the buirs meadoiv). The present parish 
 church of Clontarf was consecrated May 14, 1866, 
 as " The church of St. John Baptist." It is a very hand- 
 some building in granite ashlar, faced by cut Milverton 
 stone. In shape it is irregularly cruciform. It is about 
 90 feet long and 40 wide ; transepts extend about 24 
 feet N. and S. at the E. end. There is a fine 6-light 
 E. window, with multi-foiled arch, filled with rich stained 
 glass. To the N.W. corner stands a tower about 18 feet 
 square, supporting a lofty and graceful octagon spire of 
 Milverton chiselled stone. 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 225 
 
 C\onta.rf—contiimed. 
 
 The former parish church, also dedicated to St. John Bap- 
 tist, and rebuilt in 1609, on the site of the ancient monas- 
 tery, is still very perfect, except that it is unroofed. 
 It stands in the enclosed graveyard at the N.E. boundary 
 of the demesne of Clontarf Castle. It was an extremely 
 plain church, running due £. and W., 75 feet long by 25 
 wide. The W. gable is still surmounted by a high, one- 
 arched bell-turret, of ungraceful proportions. It was in 
 use until the present church was built. The noise of 
 conflicting tides over the sands, now called "The Bull " 
 — supposed to be like the bellowing of a bull — is said 
 to have given its name to the district. 
 (b) Killester. Killester Church is situated about half 
 a mile N. of Clontarf Castle. It must have been a very 
 plain building, of roughly hammered stone. The ruins 
 are now hidden beneath a rank growth of elder trees, 
 and the site of them is completely shut out from public 
 view by a high stone wall. They run due E. and W., 
 are about 40 feet long by 18 wide. The E. and W. 
 gables are standing, but no belfry remains. Each gable 
 has a window. The N. wall is very broken. The S. 
 wall is more perfect, and has a low-arched doorway. 
 V. Raheny (the fort of Enna). The existing church, dedi- 
 cated to St. .\ssan, was rebuilt, as a tablet on the N. 
 wall states, a.d. 17 12, probably on the site of the original 
 chapel. It is a small oblong quadrangular building of the 
 plainest description, 56 feet long by 26 feet wide, run- 
 ning due E. and W. The church is entered by a 
 small, plain porch under the W. gable, which is sur- 
 mounted by a double-arched bell-turret. It is very 
 probable that the raised ground on which the church 
 stands was once part of the Rath which gives its name 
 to the parish. 
 
 This church is about to give place to a very beautiful 
 successor, built entirely at the cost of Lord Ardilaun, 
 owner of the land on which it is reared. As 
 Fingal has no church to compare with it in perfectness 
 of detail, and in general symmetry of its proportions ; 
 and as in these particulars it is one of the most interest- 
 Q 
 
226 Appendix VII. 
 
 Raheny — continued. 
 
 ing parochial churches in Ireland, it is well to give a 
 somewhat exact account of it. It is built in the Early 
 English style, rather severely treated. It is cruciform, 
 75 feet from E. to W., and 47 feet at its greatest 
 breadth. The outer walls are built of granite, faced in 
 broken Ashlar, with cut-stone dressing's of limestone. 
 At the S.W. is the principal doorway in the tower, 
 facing E., which is elaborately moulded, and enriched 
 by carved members. The tower is in three stages sur- 
 mounted by an octayon spire, with angle turrets. The 
 height from the ground to the apex of the weather-cock 
 is 110 feet. The belfry has two lancet ^\indows at each 
 face ; its angles are buttressed by octagon turrets, a 
 small parapet runs between these, and in front small 
 balconies. There are four small angle turrets springing 
 from the spire above the belfry turrets finishing like 
 these in spirelets. The porch underneath the belfry is 
 lighted l^y two two-light windows with shafted jambs, 
 and richly moulded arches. Opposite the doorway, 
 from the porch into the nave, is a richly moulded and 
 carved archway, leading to the baptistery, which has 
 three single windows groined in Bath stone, the ribs of 
 the groining being carried on black marble shafts. The 
 nave is lighted by a four-light window in the W. gable, 
 and by three single lancets on each side ; the internal 
 arches of these are trefoil in form. All the internal 
 walls and arches are of Bath stone. The roof is of pitch 
 pine, the trusses spring from the caps of small marble 
 columns, which are carried on carved corbels. The 
 ceiling is waggon-head, and is divided into panels. The 
 transepts are entered from the nave by two arches, with 
 triple columns to the jambs. The N. transept contains 
 the organ, behind which is the choir vestry. The S. 
 transept is a mortuary chapel, entered by a small W, 
 door. TJiiderneath it isa vault. The treatment of the tran- 
 .septs is mainly the same as that of the nave; but the gable 
 windows are two-light, enriched by carved spandrels 
 round the arches, those in the S. containing the arms of 
 the generous donor. The chancel, which is'20 feet long 
 by 15 wide, is much more richly and elaborately treated 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d, 1887. 227 
 
 R ah e n y — cent in tied. 
 
 than the rest of the building. The chancel arch — over 
 which is a gable— is elaborately moulded and carved, 
 the shafts being of marble, two on each side. The 
 chancel is lighted by a three-light window in the gable, 
 and three single lancets in the S. side ; the latter are 
 treated with splay jambs, and trefoil internal arches en- 
 riched with carving, and enclosed in a rich arcade of 
 three arches with marble shafts. The gable window is 
 richly treated with shafted jambs and muUions. The 
 windows, it is hoped, will in time be all filled with 
 stained glass, a series of designs having been selected 
 for the purpose. The vestry is to the N. of the chancel, 
 and opens into it through a doorway, the design of 
 which and of the N. wall corresponds, as far as possible, 
 with that of the S. wall. The ceiling of the chancel is 
 a barrel vault, with richly moulded ribs dividing into 
 panels. It is hoped that this fair edifice will be ready 
 for its uses early in 1888. 
 VI. (a) Coolock, including (/') Artaine. 
 
 (<;) Coolock {little corner). The present church was conse- 
 crated on Sept. 20th, 1760, as the Church of St. John 
 the Evangelist, and was enlarged by the addition of 
 transepts, A.D. 1S18. It was erected on the site of the 
 original church, which w.is dedicated to St. Brendan. 
 It is a plain cruciform edifice, lying E. and W. There 
 was added in 1 79 1 a square tower at the W. end, sur- 
 mounted by a spire, quite in keeping with the rest of the 
 building. 
 
 (//) Artaine. Tirtane (Int. Artan, i.e., the little height) 
 chapel, dedicated to St. Nicholas, \\^% formerly depend- 
 ent on Finglas. The district is now part of Coolock 
 parish. Geographical considerations plainly made this 
 desirable. The ruins of the chapel stand in a disused 
 graveyard, on the N.E. bounds of the grounds of 
 Artaine Reformatory. The remains of the chapel are 
 very ruinous. The building runs due E. and W., and is 
 of the roughest masonry, about 36 feet long and 18 
 wide. The E. and W. gables, each with a small lancet- 
 arched window, remain in a dilapidated condition. The 
 N. and S. walls have entirely disappeared. 
 
228 Appendix VII . 
 
 A rtai n e — continued. 
 
 The chapel was probably used for Divine Service A.D. 1535, 
 as the tithes of the parish were granted in that year to 
 T. Howth, on conJition that he provided a chaplain and 
 repaired the chancel. When Mr. Austin Cooper visited 
 it in 1783, the ruins were in much better preservation. 
 He mentions a stoup for holy water at the doorway, 
 which was suggestive of an origin in pre-Reformation 
 times. 
 
 VII. (a) Howth, including (b) Baldoyle ; (c) Kilbarrack 5 
 ((/) Ireland's Eye; and (e) St. Fintan's. 
 
 {a) Howth (Danish, Iloved, i.e., a hcadlatid, the same as the 
 Irish Eilar). The present parish church stands on a 
 wooded eminence, about half a mile to the S.W. of the 
 harbour. It is a handsome Gothic church, in cut stone 
 and carved dressings, with bell-tower and graceful spire 
 to the N.W. of it. The Church is composed of a nave, 
 with centre and side aisles. It is about lOO feet long 
 and 50 feet wide. The chancel at the E. end is about 
 16 feet long, and about 26 wide. 
 It was consecrated July 3rd, 1866, as "the Parish Church 
 of Ilowlh." It was built on the site of its immediate 
 predecessor, which was consecrated, October 27, 1816, 
 as " the Parish Church of the prebend and curacy of 
 Howth." 
 
 The ruins of the ancient abbey, founded in 1235, stand on 
 a rocky eminence to the S.E. of the harbour. The site 
 is suggestive of the mixed ecclesiastical and military 
 character of the Roman church of the time. The abbey 
 consists of a nave 105 feet long and 42 wide, divided 
 into two aisles of unequal length by a row of six pointed 
 arches, two of which have been recently rebuilt. Each 
 aisle has an E. window. The gables of each are stand- 
 ing ; apparently one roof covered both. The larger 
 window is three-light, the outer lights trefoiled at the 
 top. The centre light is pointed above an archway. 
 The smaller window has also three lights, the centre 
 the highest, all three having at their tops semicircular 
 arches. There is an entrance both to the S. and to the 
 N. aisle, through doorways having Gothic pointed 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 229 
 
 Howth — continued. 
 
 arches. On tlie S. there are remains of a porch about 
 12 feet square, the doorway of which is still perfect. 
 At the S.E. end of the chancel is a small niche or fenes- 
 tella, with a foiled arch, probably for a piscina. There 
 are four windows in the N. wall of N. aisle, and 
 the same number in the S. wall of the S. aisle. The 
 S.W. gable is of massive proportions. Its wall is about 
 8^ feet thick. Above it stands a lofty three-arch bell- 
 turret. There are stairs ascending to this turret at the 
 W., shielded by the embattled parapet wall of the out- 
 side of tlie top of the gable slope. There is a window 
 in an arched recess of this gable. The N.W. gable is 
 smaller. It has a pointed Gothic arched doorway, and 
 above it is a two-light window with trefoil arch. To 
 the S. of the abbey are the remains of the ancient col- 
 lege, said to have included a hall, a kitchen, and seven 
 cells. They are now tenements, inhabited chiefly by an 
 inferior class of lodgers. 
 
 (*) Baldoyle [the town of the black stranger). The ruins 
 of this chapel stand in a small churchyard, surrounded 
 by what are now the grounds of the Grange House. 
 They are very perfect, but have the appearance of ex- 
 tensive restoration. The chapel is a small oblong 
 building running E. and W. The side walls are 
 nearly perfect. The E. gable is pierced by an arched 
 two-light foiled window. The W. gable, also pierced 
 by a small window, is capped by a double-arched 
 bell-turret. The building is common rul)ble masonry, 
 about 40 feet long and i8 feet wide. It was evidently 
 used for Divine Service up to a.d. 1615. It became a 
 ruin by a.d. 1630, and has remained so ever since. 
 
 {c) Kilbarrack {i.e.. Church of St. Berach or Barroc), or 
 Mone, its earlier name (iMoin, i.e., a boo, or possibly 
 Maine, i.e., shrubbery). To the N. of the road, which 
 leads from Kaheny to Howth, and about half way, 
 the ruins of the chapel stand. A nave, chancel, and 
 side aisle, running E. and W., can be still easily traced. 
 The nave is about 30 feet long by 18 wide. The 
 chancel about 12 feet square. The aisle is about 
 
230 Appendix VII. 
 
 KllbarracW—coji/hnted. 
 
 10 feet wide. It is to the S. Apparently it extended 
 the full length of chancel and nave, w hich open into the 
 aisle by a series of circular arches. Nothing remains of 
 the W. gables except foundations. The chancel arch is 
 very small, having a span of only about 5 feet. The E. 
 gables, pierced by small lancet-arched windows, and 
 the N. and S. walls of the nave, remain, but they are 
 rather ruinous. The masonry of all is of the roughest, 
 much of it being composed of boulder stones as they 
 were taken from the adjoining beach, 
 (rf) Ireland's Eye (Inis-Ereann, Irish: Ereann-Ey, Danish, 
 i.e., The Isle of Eria). The original church on this 
 island was dedicated to St. Nessan. We know that a 
 church was founded here a.d. 570. The present building 
 has been a ruin, since the transference of its services and 
 clergy, A.D. 1235, to the mainLmd at Howth, when the 
 Celtic dedication was merged into a new one to B.V.M. 
 This small and interesting church has been exten- 
 sively restored. The walls and gables have been made 
 complete. They are very thick, and form a building, 
 of which the nave is about 34 feet long and 20 wide. 
 The chancel is about II feet long by 15 wide. The 
 chancel has two small rude windows to N. and S., and 
 a long narrow circular-arched Y.. window. It has a 
 stone-arched roof, on which there is the foundation of a 
 circular bell-tower, 42 feet in circumference. This 
 tower was probably about 60 feet high, according to Dr. 
 Petrie. In the W. gable is the small semicircular 
 arched door, 6 feet 6 inches high, 2 feet 8 inches wide 
 at the impost, and 3 feet wide at the base. The N. and 
 S. walls of the nave have each a small narrow window. 
 Only nine churches with round towers thus attached 
 have been found in Ireland, and two in the Orkneys. 
 The date of two of these buildings is known, from which 
 the age of the others may be approximately fixed. One 
 at Clunmacnois, and another at Dungiven, were built 
 A.D. 1 100. It is true that Dr. Petrie at one time sug- 
 gested the date of the church on Ireland's Eye to be the 
 middle of the seventh century (see "Ecclesiastical 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 231 
 
 Ireland's 'Ey&~<ontinued. 
 
 Architecture of Ireland," p. 177); but his views as to the 
 antiquity of such structures were much modified by the 
 year 1 864, when he arrived at the conchision that they 
 were of a much later period than he at first supposed. 
 (See " Life of George Petrie, LL.D.," pp. 182-200.) 
 (e) St. Fintan's Oratory. On the W. slope of the Hill of 
 Howth, near Sutton, are the ruins of this little chapel, 
 about 21 feet long by 12 feet wide outside. They have 
 been well preserved, and are very perfect. A small 
 door is in the W. gal)le. Over it is a curious circular 
 window, about one foot in diameter, made of two rudely 
 cut stones, and all is surmounted by a one-arched bell- 
 turret. In the E. gable is a small oblong window, with 
 rudely cut stone jambs, surmounted by a rough arch. 
 There are some very quaint small square windows in 
 the N. and S. walls, and within, three square niches. 
 The Saint, or his disciples, chose a lovely site. They 
 had before them all the panorama of Ath-Cliath and its 
 harbour, with their glorious background of mountains. 
 It is impossible to say when this oratory was built. 
 
 VIII. ((z) Santry, including {h) Cloghran. 
 
 (a) Santry (Seantruibh, i.e., old house). The present plain 
 oblong quadrangular edifice, dedicated to St. Pappan,was 
 built A.D. 1709, on the site of a more stately church built 
 about the thirteenth century, which latter, in its turn, it is 
 said, rose on the ruins of a small chapel founded by a St. 
 Pappan in the sixth century. The \V. gable is sur- 
 mounted by a double-arched bell-turret. Rev. B. W, 
 Adams, D.D., late Rector of the Parish, collected an 
 immense amount of interesting information concerning 
 the parishes of Santry and Cloghran, which he published 
 under the title, " History and Description of Santry and 
 Cloghran Parishes," London, 1883. 
 (/') Cloghran {little stony place). The church was erected 
 A.D. 17 12. It is a small and very plain oblong quadran- 
 gular edifice. It occupies the site of a larger building 
 consisting of nave and chancel, which fell to ruin early 
 in the 17th century. The W. gable of this latter 
 building is all that remains of it ; it forms part of the 
 
232 Appendix VII. 
 
 Cloghran — continued. 
 
 present building, and is surmounted by the belfry-turret 
 so usual in Fingal, and which, in this case, is triple- 
 aiched. 
 
 IX. (a) St. Doulagh's having absorbed Balgriffin. 
 
 (a) St. Doulagh's. The ancient part of this church was 
 restored, and the new part built, a.d. 1864, and conse- 
 crated liy Archbishop Trench, Jan. 25, 1865. A small 
 church, attaclied to the N. of the old part, had been 
 built in 1775, but was very much out of repair by i860, 
 and gave place to the new building of 1S64. The 
 new part stands to the N. and \V. of the old. It is a 
 small building, consisting of nave and chancel, whose 
 general style has been, as far as jiossible, assimilated to 
 that of the old. Lishop Reeves remarks that what is 
 now the (ild part of St. l)oulagh's Church is not men- 
 tioned in di(5cesan or legal records until the close of the 
 ISth century. This is very curious, considering its great 
 antiquity. He says : " This pile {i.e., the ancient 
 part], which measures about 48 by 18 feet, comprises 
 seven apartments, and three stone staircases ; and 
 while its position, E. and W., and the character of 
 the E. portion, indicate its employment as a place of 
 worship, its other features show that its use, as such, 
 was limited to the purposes of an individual hermit, 
 or a small community who occupied the building. It 
 would seem that soon after the erection of the parish 
 church of Calgriffin, in the 12th century, a chapel was 
 built on or beside the site of St. Doulagh's original 
 
 cell, then probalily a ruin The pile, as it now 
 
 stands, consists mainly of three compartments — the E. 
 portion, the W. portion, and the tower. These are 
 coeval in their structure, though differing in the charac- 
 ter of their masonry, and seem to point to the early part 
 of the I3tli century as the period of their construction. 
 The principal window in the S. wall of the E. portion, 
 which is one of the oldest features of the building, is re- 
 ferred to about 1230 About 1406 possibly some 
 
 slight changes may have been made in the structure of 
 the building About 1506 its final changes were 
 
 1 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 233 
 
 St. 'DouXa.gh.'s—cotitinued. 
 
 no doulit made, and its most modem features attached 
 to it. Of this unique pile, the most curious portion is 
 the small cell or chamber on the ground at the W. end. 
 Here the original recluse had his abode ; here is the 
 reputed altar-tomb of the founder, and underneath the 
 floor are, probably, the remains of more than one an- 
 chorite who was jient up within these narrow precincts." 
 All the old part of the building, except tlie square tower, 
 is covered by a high-pitched stone roof. Dr. Reeves 
 gives good reason for believing that St. Doulagh or 
 Duilech, the founder, flourished aliout the year 6oo. 
 
 In the field to the north of the church is an interesting well 
 of great reputed sanctity in the middle ages. It is co- 
 vered in by an octagon stone-roofed enclosure, lit with 
 cross-shaped windows, on the inside walls of which 
 traces still remain of emblematic frescoes, which Mr. 
 Fagan, of Feltrim, had painted in 1609. (See " Grose's 
 and Ledwich's Antiquities.") A Baptistery farther to 
 the N. is supplied underground from the well. 
 \(b) Balgriffin (l/ie tcnvn of Crijin). This church was dedi- 
 cated to St. Sampson. 
 
 Dr. Reeves, in his " Memoirs of St. Doulagh's," states, 
 in A.D. 1859, that "the church was founded close 
 to the manorial castle of Balgriffin, and its outline 
 is still discernible on the sward at the left-hand side 
 entering the avenue of Balgriffin Park. It is not 
 marked on the Ordnance Survey, and might escape 
 any eye but one accustomed to the shades of extinct 
 churches." It is mentioned in all the previous diocesan 
 returns, but is stated to be ruinous in the return of a.d. 
 1630. The writer has searched in vain for its remain- 
 ing shades in a.d. 1887. 
 X. (a) IVIalahide, including (h) Portmarnock. 
 
 (a) Malahide (Baile-atha-Id, i.e., the to-Mii of Id's ford). The 
 present ivy-clad church was consecrated Nov. 21, 1822, 
 as the " Church of St. Andrew." The S. aisle was 
 added in 1870. The building is now of cruciform shape. 
 The length of the nave is 60 feet by 28 feet wide ; tran- 
 septs 30 feet wide extend 18 feet at both sides of the 
 
234 Appendix VII. 
 
 IVI alah i d e —continued. 
 
 N.E. end of the nave. The chancel extends 14 feet to 
 N.E., and is iS feet wide. To the N.W. is a square 
 embattled tower, used as clock-tower and belfry. The 
 church is Gothic in style; and though it has no spe- 
 cial architectural attractions, its general appearance, as 
 well as its striking position on the tree-crowned slope of 
 Malahide hill, combine to make it one of the prettiest of 
 the Fingal churches. It succeeded, at the long interval 
 of 173 years, the ancient chapel of Malahide referred to 
 in all but one of the previous returns, for it seems not to 
 have been assessed for " Peter's pence" in 1302. 
 This chapel stands in the demesne of iMalahide, and close to 
 the castle. Its ruins, which are very peifect, show that 
 it must have been one of the finest and largest of the 
 parochial churches of Fingal. It consists of nave and 
 chancel, running due E. and W. The chancel is about 
 30 feet long by 22 wide. There is a line three-light E. 
 window. There are two small lancet windows in the 
 N. wall, and one in the S. wall. There is a lofty 
 pointed chancel arch, with a span of about 20 feet. At 
 the S. E. corner of the chancel is a small pointed-arched 
 door, leading to a two-storied building, about 12 feet 
 square, of later date. This was probably originally in- 
 tended for a vestry or residence. It has been used 
 through many centuries as the burial-place of the lords 
 of the manor. The nave is apparently of later date than 
 the chancel, and is in a more ornate style of architecture. 
 It measures about 54 feet long by 24 wide. In both S. 
 and N. walls are pointed-arched doorways with well-cut 
 stone jambs and drip-stones. The drip-stone of the S. 
 door is surmounted by a curious mitred head, and at one 
 side of the door is a stoup. The W. gable is very per- 
 fect, and is surmounted by a lofty three-arched bell- 
 turret. It has also a fine Gothic three-light window 
 with pointed arches and crocketted ogee canopies. In 
 the centre of the nave is the interesting monument of 
 her who was " maid, wife, and widow in one day." Her 
 pathetic story has been told in Gerald Griffin's poem: 
 " The joybells are ringing in gay Malahide." The 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.b. 1887. 235 
 
 M a I ah i d e —continued. 
 
 Hon. Maud Plunket, wife of Sir Richard Talbot, of 
 Malaliide, had. as her first hii>band, Mussey, Baron of 
 GaUrim, who was killed in battle on the day of his mar- 
 ria^^'C. A well-cut recumbent effigy of this lady, in the 
 horned-ca]) of the 15th century, is carved in Ijold relief 
 on this altar-tomb. The destruction of this interest- 
 ing church is due lo Oliver Cromwell. Afier he took 
 Drogheda, in 1C49, he left liis lieutenant Myles Corbet, in 
 occupation of Alalahide Castle, having ejected the owner. 
 Corbet desecrated the church by stabling his horses 
 there, and before he left the ca.^tle he uin'oofed the church 
 — according to one story — using its lead to make bullets 
 for his soldiers. The church has been a ruin ever since. 
 
 {b) Portmarnock, or Port St. Marnouk {^tlic landing-place 
 of Marnocl:). This church, situated in what is now St. 
 Marnock's demesne, is mentioned in most of the dioce- 
 san returns since the English invasion. It was probably 
 used up to .\.D. 1615, but by A.D. 1630 Archbishop 
 Eulkelcy states that "church and chancel were very 
 ruinous." They have been ruins ever since. They run 
 due E. and W., 58 feet long by 18 feet wide. About 
 half of the side walls are standing. Tlie E. w-indow is 
 built up, as are also small windows on each side of the 
 chancel. In the S.E. corner of the chancel there is a 
 small circular-arched fenestella, for a piscina. All of 
 the E. gable is standing and also all of the W. gable, 
 which is capped by the triple-arched bell-turret, so 
 common in Fingal, l)Ut with this variation, that one of 
 the arches is placed above the other two. The W. 
 gable is pierced by a small, rudely-arched window. 
 Tlie church which now takes its place was built A.D. 1789, 
 and consecrated ^^ay 26, A.D. 1790, as "the Parish 
 Church of Portmarnock." It is a pkiin oblong quadran- 
 gular building, 42 feet long by 25 wide, with a lofty 
 embattled bell-tower to the W, 14 feet square. At the 
 E. end is a small tribuna, with conched semicircular 
 apsis, about 8 feet deep, which serves as the chancel. 
 
236 Appendix VII. 
 
 XI. {a) Swords, will) iis cliopels, ami including [h] Lispobel, 
 (c) Kinsaley, [d) Killossery, (e) Killeek, (/) 
 Kilsallaghan, {g) Chapelmidway, {k) Glas- 
 more. 
 
 (a) Swords, Sonl Chohiim-Chille (sord, i.e., pure). It would 
 be impossible, witliin tlie limits assigned to these 
 sketches, to .L;ive an adequate descnption of the interest- 
 ing ecclesiastical buildings of Swords. The present 
 parochial church, dedicated, like its predecessors, to 
 St. Columba, was completed in 1S18. It stands on 
 the site of its predecessors. It is a handsome oblong 
 quadrangular building of hewn stone, in the early 
 English pointed style. It is 84 feet long by 32 feet wide. 
 The walls on each side are supported by a series of seven 
 massive buttresses, surmounted by graceful pinnacles. 
 To the X.W. stands distinct from thecliurch the massive 
 square belfry of the ancient .abbey. It is about 68 feet 
 higli. 27 feet wide on tlie S. face, by 30 on the W. face. 
 In an illustration in Grose's Antiquities (1791) the ruins 
 of the abbey are represented as attached to the S. of 
 this belfry. To the N. of this belfry, and also 
 distinct from it, is the interesting round tower 75 
 feet high, of wliich a description is given at p. 60. The 
 extensive ruins of the ancient country palace of the 
 Archbishops of Dublin stand at the N. end of the town 
 of Swords. The embattled walls surrounding it are still 
 very perfect. The palace was built in troublous times, 
 and was meant to be used as a place of defence as well as 
 of residence. It was built about the year 1200, but was 
 only u~ed for about a century and a ijuarter. In 1324 
 Archbishop de I'icknor Ijuilt another country palace at 
 Tallaght, which continued to be the country seat of the 
 archl)isliops until 1821. An inquisition on Swords was 
 held in Dublin in 1326, when its palace was beginning 
 to fall into decay. A report is preserved among the 
 diocesan records. From this we can form an accurate 
 idea of what buildings these old walls included. " There 
 is in this place a hall and a chamber for the archbishop 
 adjoining the said hall, the walls of which are of stone 
 crenellated after the manner of a castle, covered with 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 237 
 
 Swords — continued. 
 
 shingles. Further, there is in the same place a kitchen 
 with a larder, the walls of which are of stone, roofed 
 with shingles, and there is in the same place a chapel, 
 the walls of which are of stone roofed with shingles. 
 And there was in the same place a chamber for friars, 
 with a cloister, which have lately fallen. And there is 
 in the same place a chamber for the constable beside the 
 gates, and four chambers for soldiers or wardens, roofed 
 with shingles, under which is a stable and a bakehouse. 
 And there was in the same place a house for a dairy and 
 a workshop, which have lately fallen. And there are in 
 the same place, in the haggard, a shed made with planks 
 and thatched with straw, and a granary made of wood 
 and roofed with boards, and a cow-house for housing 
 farm horses and bullocks. . . . The premises need 
 thorough repair." Many of the details here mentioned 
 can still be recognised. The famous well which gave 
 its name to Swoids is still used. A relic of Swords once 
 highly venerated lias disappeared, called the "Pardon 
 Crosse." It slooil near the old palace. 
 
 (b) Lispobel [the furl of the people). The site of this chapel 
 
 is marked on the Ordnance Survey map near Killossery, 
 and S. of Clonmctliau, but there is not any trace of the 
 building visible now. Neither are there remains of any 
 of the chapelries attached to Swords and connected with 
 the town. Moiick-.Mason stales tliey were St. Brigid's 
 Chapel, near the old palace ; St. Finian's Chapel, near 
 the present Glebe House ; and St. Catherine's Chapel, 
 with two others dedicated to the Ulesscd Virgin and 
 the Holy Trinity, wilhiii the ancient church. 
 
 (c) Kinsaley [Jicad of the brine), dedicated to St. 
 
 Nicholas. It would probably be impossible now 
 even approximately to fix the dates either of the 
 building or of the ruin of this chapel. It was probably 
 in use A.u. 1532 and a.d. 1615. The chancel 
 has disappeared. The chancel arch remains. The nave 
 is about 40 feet long and 16 wide. The W. gable is 
 standing, surmounted by a double-arched bell-turret. 
 The side walls are in fairly good condition. In each 
 
238 
 
 Appendix VII. 
 
 K i n sal ey — coniinued. 
 
 a pei-fect arched doorway remains. The masonr)' of all 
 is very rough. The chvirch lies on the N. of the road 
 from Porlmai-nock to Kinsaley. The name Kinsaley 
 reminds us that the sea in former times came to the 
 borders of this parish. The subsoil of the neighbour- 
 hood confirms this, for shells and other marine objects 
 can be dug up between Kinsaley and the sea. 
 
 (d) Killossery (Kill-I.asseva, i.e., the church of Laisre), 
 
 dedicnledto St. Brigid. Close to Rollestown, where the 
 road from Swords branches off to it at the turn S. to 
 Kilsailaglian, there stand on an elevation the remains of 
 this chapel. It is a small l)uil(ling, 48 feet long by 23 
 wide, running E. and W. Tlie N. and S. walls are only 
 a few feet high. The semicircular arch of a doorway in 
 the N. wall remains. The E. and W. gables, very much 
 dismantled, are still standing. The Danes had made a 
 rath at the place. There had probably been a Celtic 
 church on it. Tlie stone church was probably built 
 about the time of the English invasion ; it was in use 
 A.n. 1630, and probably for some time after. Appa- 
 rently it was ruinous early in the last century. 
 
 (e) Killeek or Killeigh (Kill Agha, i.e., church of I he 
 
 field). Tliis is called by Archbishop Allen " the most 
 stately of the chapels of Swords." The building of the 
 rave is very perfect except -where the W. gable has 
 fallen. The arch of the W. window and the wall above 
 it are gone ; but in the N. and S. walls there are well- 
 preserved lancet-arched doorways. The church roust 
 have been re-erected on the site of that which is stated 
 to have " altogether gone to ruin," a.d. 1630. It is of 
 the plainest description, running E. and W. The chancel 
 is 30 feet long by 24 \vide, and the nave 45 feet long 
 by 24 wide. The chancel ^\alls arc ruinous. There is 
 a large semicircular arch dividing nave and chancel. 
 Plaster still remains on part of the interior walls. 
 Probably the church became unroofed about the middle 
 of last century. The parish is situated S. W. of Swords. 
 (/) Kilsallaghan {the church of /he wood of the osiers), 
 dedicated to St. David. A small plain oblong church. 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 239 
 
 KWsaW&e^ari— continued. 
 
 35 feet by 21, with a tower at the W. 12 feet square, of 
 the style so commonly built by church commissioners 
 in the last century and early in this century, slands. since 
 1812, on the site of the former church of St. David, 
 mentioned in all the returns from the Norman Conquest, 
 and staled, between A.D. 1615 and A.D. 1C30, to have 
 become " out of repair." 
 
 (^) Chapelmidway. Within a short distance S. of Kilsal- 
 laj^han are the fast-disappearing ruins of this chapel. 
 It stands midway between the churcl.es of Kilsallaghail 
 and St. Margaret's. Hence, probably, its name. In 
 ruins a.d. 1615, it has been becoming more ruinous 
 ever since. At the W. end of a crumbling mass of ma- 
 sonry is a curious vaulted spacs, with traces of passages 
 from it to other parts of the building. Above is a 
 chamber, round which a thick wall still remains, heavily 
 clad with ivy. Residents close by state that in their 
 memory the buildings extended fully 80 feet to tlie 
 E. There seems to be no record of when or why this 
 once imposing building was raised. 
 
 (//) Clasmore. About a mile N.W. of Swords, in a field S, 
 of the road from Swords to Rollcsiown, stand the ruins 
 which were left on the night when the Danes from 
 Malahide destroyed the abbey and killed its inmates. 
 These ruins have the appearance of having been long sub- 
 sequently repaired or utilized for a dwelling or office. A 
 very large apartment, 36 feet square, remains, sur- 
 rounded by massive walls. Some wide low windows 
 are at two sides. The corner stones of the walls are 
 very large. As the abbey was built at the most flourish- 
 ing period of the Fingal Celtic Church, special interest 
 attaches to these ruins, which can scarcely represent a 
 revived abbey, as none such is mentioned in diocesan 
 records. 
 
 XII. (a) Donabate, including {h) Portrane, (c) Lambay, 
 (a) Donabate [chunk of ike boat). Dedicated to St. 
 Patrick. About half a mile S. of Newbridge House, at 
 the head of a little inlet of the IMalaliide estuary, stand 
 the very ancient ruins of this small church. Its name is 
 
240 Appendix VII. 
 
 HonahaXe— continued. 
 
 most suggestive of its position. Even in Celtic times 
 there must liave been a ferry here between Portrane 
 promontory and Malahide. The church was probably 
 built where the boat used to be hauled up. It is now a 
 lonely spot. The building, running due E. and W., 
 measures 28 feet by 18. The W. gable is down. The 
 E. gable remains very imperfect, pierced by a small 
 window. The other two walls are nearly down. The 
 masonry is very rude and of unhammered boulder stones. 
 There is no chancel. 
 From the fact that a chancel is spoken of in the returns 
 of A.D. 1615 and 1630, the present small quaint church 
 in the village is probably on the site of its immediate 
 predecessor spoken of in these returns. Indeed, the 
 tower of this church is evidently of much older date 
 than the cliurch itself, and the above-mentioned ruins 
 are of a very much earlier date than either the present 
 church or its immediate predecessor. 
 {b) Portrane (the landing-place of Rcchni. i.e., Lambay). 
 The ruins of this cliurcli, close to Portrane point, and 
 facing Lambay Island, are very perfect. The walls are 
 of unusual thickness, but of coarse masonry. The church 
 runs due E. and W., 57 feet long by 24 wide. At theW. 
 end there is what is rare in the Fingal ruined churches, a 
 massive tower 14 feet square at the base, pierced by one 
 two-light lance window, and also by five rudely-arched 
 windows. Archbishop Bulkeley states, A.D. 1630, that 
 the " church and chancel are down." There is no sign 
 of a chancel in these ruins, so they are probably the 
 remains of a building erected on the site of the ruins of 
 the church of A.D. 1630. Record of when the present 
 budding became a ruin has not been found. 
 
 (<r) Lambay (Rechru, Irish ; Lam-Ey, Danish, i.e., Latnb 
 Island). There is not any trace of ancient church or 
 chauntry on this island now, nor is there any indication 
 of where they were. 
 XIII. (a) Lusk, including (b) Kenure, (c) Rush, 00 Grace 
 Dieu. 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 241 
 
 (a) Lusk (iZ cave). Dedicated to St. MacCullin, but when 
 granted to Mary's Abbey by the Norman conquerors, 
 dedicated to B.V.M. There exists an interesting account 
 of the predecessor of the present church, witli drawings 
 by Mr. A. Cooper, F.S. A., dated a.d. 1783. It was the 
 same church as that of a.d. 1630. It was a large, not 
 very comely, and dilapidated building 100 years ago. It 
 was about 156 feet long and 39 wide, to the E. of the 
 massive tower of the original abbey. The drawing 
 shows 5 rough buttresses to the S. side to support the 
 unstable wall. Seven irregularly shaped and placed 
 windows are pictured in this wall, and a plain porch at 
 the S.W. end. In the N. wall were also a porch and 
 several windows filled in with masonry. The interior 
 consisted of two long aisles, divided by a series of 7 
 pointed arches, 4 of which were built up a.d. 1783, all 
 of which were built up by a.d. 1839. The chancel — 
 the E. part of the S. aisle — only was used for divine ser- 
 vice. Thus the whole of the N. aisle was in darkness. 
 Mr. Cooper describes it as " a waste only used as a 
 burial-place in the same manner as the churchyard; con- 
 sequently it is all rubbish, bones, skulls, &c." He also 
 states that the church is " only preserved entire by a 
 good roof covering the whole. " This roof was blown 
 down during the great storm of 1839. On October 8, 
 1845, the church being in ruins, the Archbishop issued 
 an order that the parishioners might use and resort to Bal- 
 rothery. Mr. Cooper's account and drawing picture a 
 sorry condition to which the great religious foundation — 
 1300 years of age — had come. Within this dilapidated 
 building there were, however, some interesting relics of 
 former times. Mr. Cooper mentions that there had been 
 kept in the church a curious figure cut out of very hard 
 and heavy stone, which was supposed to be a Danish idol, 
 named by the neighbours Shela-na-gig. He describes it 
 thus: — "It represented the human features fancifully 
 hideous, the face being about 7 inches broad, and the 
 head, without neck or body, attached to a pair of kneel- 
 ing thighs and legs." Before the time of Mr. Cooper's 
 visit, a previous vicar had buried it. Possibly it was 
 
242 Appendix VII. 
 
 Lusk— continued. 
 
 tempting people to pay it undue veneration. Two re- 
 mains of pre- Reformation times were in the church, if 
 D' Alton and Lewis be correct — a stoup at the S. door 
 and a piscina near the altar. Among many interesting 
 monuments within the building were some dated 1637, 
 1656, 1713. One dug up in 1753 is probably as old as 
 1550 ; and standing before the communion table, dated 
 1575, there is a lovely specimen of monumental carving 
 in grey Italian and Kilkenny marble, being a monu- 
 ment to Sir C. Barnewall and his wife. This now 
 stands in the churchyard, and is being rapidly de- 
 stroyed. 
 
 A small and comely Gothic church, with high-pitched 
 roof, now take^ tlie place of the larger and older church. 
 As this new church has shrunk to more than half the 
 dimensions of its predecessor, it has left the noble monu- 
 ment to Sir C. Barnewall outside. In 1847, " the old 
 church having been pulled down and rebuilt, and it not 
 being convenient yet to consecrate it," the Archbishop 
 licensed it for Divine Service on and after October 
 17th. The new church, like the old, is closely asso- 
 ciated with the ancient massive tower which forms its 
 belfry. This is a high, square embattled tower. Three 
 angles are flanked by slender round towers, while the 
 fourth— the N.E.— angle is flanked by one of the most 
 perfect and most graceful of the famous round towers 
 of Ireland, in a state of excellent preservation. It is 
 evident that the square tower was built against the much 
 more ancient round tower, which has witnessed many a 
 Celtic. Danish, and Norman raid. 
 {h) Kenure (Ceann-iul)hair, i.e., head rf the yew). Knightstown, 
 or Whitestown, dedicated to St. Damnan. In Archbishop 
 Allen's " Repertorium Viride," the name Kenure is 
 given as an alias of what is now marked on the Ordnance 
 Survey Map as Whitestown. It lies about half-way on 
 the S. side of the road from Lusk to Rush. In the 
 middle of an over-crowded churchyard rises the E. gable 
 of this chapel. All traces of the other portions of the 
 chapel have disappeared. The gable is very unecclesi- 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin^ a.d. 1887. 243 
 
 Ken u re — coniiitued. 
 
 astically restored. It has a small lance window. The 
 site of the chapel is not marked on the Ordnance Survey 
 Map. 
 
 (<r) Rush (Ros-eo, i.e., peninsula of yews). In the N.E. of 
 Kenure Park stand the very perfect ruins of a small 
 oblong quadrangular church, which measures about 50 
 feet long by 22 wide. The masonry is rude. The walls 
 are very thick. The E. gable has a small window. The 
 W. gable is surmounted by a one-arched bell-turret. 
 In the S. wall are two small windows, and one small 
 doorway. The site of this chapel is not marked on the 
 Ordnance Survey Map. 
 At the E. of Kenure Park, close by the sea, is the grace- 
 ful little chapel of Kenure, built and endowed by the 
 proprietor of the Park, and consecrated December 4, 
 1866, as " Kenure Church." This chapel is composed 
 of nave, 52 feet Ijy 24, and chancel at the E. end, 20 feet 
 by 17. The \V. gable is surmounted by a pretty one- 
 arch bell-turret, the arch of which is carried on marble 
 shafts. The building is of cut limestone, with double 
 lines of red sandstone round the walls. On the N. side 
 there are 4 two-light windows ; on the S. side 3. They 
 are very graceful lancet ogee windows in Portland stone. 
 The building is entered at the S.W. by an open porch of 
 suitable proportions. The arch of the doorway is in red 
 sandstone and Portland stone, finely moulded and carved. 
 This arch is carried on two marble shafts. There is a 
 fine 3-Iight lancet E. window filled with stained glass. 
 (d) Grace Dieu. All that now remains of this once famous 
 and flourishing monastery is a small pile of masonry 
 (tlie S.E. corner of what remained in 1783), said to be 
 a portion of the refectory, and a flat tombstone mitred 
 at the top, and round which is engraved — " Hie jacet 
 Johannes Hurley, cujus animoe propitietur Dominus." 
 It is possible to trace extensive foundations in the swell- 
 ings of the grass sward. The buildings existed here from 
 A.D. 1 190 to A.D. 1540. At the dissolution of the monas- 
 tery the lands were granted to one of the Barnewalls, 
 who, for a time, resided there. But it is probable that 
 
244 Appendix VII. 
 
 Grace Dieu — continued. 
 
 the effacement of the buildings began soon after this 
 grant. The field where they stood is off a by-road 
 from the high road, near Corduff House, and about 
 half-way between Swords and Lusk. The place is not 
 marked on the Ordnance Survey Map. 
 
 XIV. (a) Clonmethan, including (b) Naul, (c) Hollywood, 
 (d) Grallagh, {e) Garristown, (/) Palmerstown, 
 (g) Westpalstown, (k) Ballybogrhill, (i) Fields- 
 town, l,k) Ballymadun, 
 
 (a) Clonmethan, dedicated to St. Mary. A very plain 
 
 oblong quadrangular church, 45 feet long by 23 wide, 
 without a chancel, with an equally plain and unadorned 
 tower at the W. end, 13 feet square; built, A.D. 1818, 
 under the Ecclesiastical Commissioners ; stands on the 
 site of the more imposing building, with nave and chan- 
 cel mentioned in previous returns. 
 
 (b) Naul (In Ail, i.e., the cliff). The ancient church of Naul, 
 
 standing until A.D. 1615, was a ruin by A.D. 1630. It 
 would seem that between this date and A.D. 1 814, when 
 the present church was built on the site (it is believed) 
 of its predecessor, there was not any church in the parish 
 of Naul, Hollywood church having then served for 
 the union. In its turn Hollywood gave place to the 
 present church of Naul, which is a very plain, small, and 
 nearly square building. Its W. gable is surmounted by 
 a one-arched bell-turret. At the S. stand the four un- 
 finished walls of a chauntry, v hich an elaborate inscrip- 
 tion states were in 1710 erected with the object of being 
 appropriated for the remains of some of the Hussey 
 family. 
 
 (f) Hollywood {the holy ivood). The hills here were once 
 
 covered with forests, which, from the name, were possibly 
 sacrfed to Druidical worship. In a sudden deep hollow 
 on the S.W. slope of the high land, stand the walls of 
 the church. The chancel is a complete ruin ; the foun- 
 dations remain; they are 30 feet long by 20 wide, but the 
 walls of the nave are fairly perfect. The church lies due 
 E. and W. The nave is 61 feet long by 23 wide. The 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 245 
 
 Hollywood — continued. 
 
 W. gable, which is very lofty, is surmounted by a per- 
 fect triple-arched bell-turret. Some broken steps ascend 
 from the N. wall to the belfry arches on the E. side. 
 There was a large circular chancel arch, and the S. door 
 has a lancet arch. On the E. side of the S, door a 
 stoup is inserted in the wall. Taken as a whole, the 
 ruin is imposing. The original church was probably 
 built before the English invasion. Church and chancel 
 were in ruins A.D. 1630, but must have been rebuilt, for 
 a silver paten, now used at Naul church, has inscribed 
 on it " Holy Wood, 1754." 
 
 ((/) Grallagh (Greallach, i.e., a miry place'), dedicated to 
 St. MacCullin. This small parisli, containing only 400 
 acres, is appropriately named. It is marshy, low-lying 
 land. The ruins of the chapel are fast disappearing. 
 The outlines of the nave, 38 feet by 24, and chancel, 12 
 feet by 20, can be easily traced. The W. gable alone 
 remains standing. It has a small window, and is quite 
 covered with ivy. The church must have been small, 
 and without any claim to architectural beauty. It lies 
 due E. and W. It has been a ruin since before A.D. 
 1630. It was probably not built until after A.D. 1306, 
 as there is no mention of it in the returns of A.D. 1275 
 and A.D. 1302. To the S. is a well, covered in by a care- 
 fully-restored stone-roofed building. 
 
 (e) Garristown {i.e., the tcwnland of the gardens), dedi- 
 cated to the Virgin Mary. The present church, built 
 early in the century, on the site of the original church 
 mentioned in previous returns, will soon be one of the 
 ruins of Fingal. It is a plain oblong building, 48 feet 
 long by 22 wide, without a chancel or any architectural 
 grace. It has a plain bell-tower at the W. end, 14 feet 
 square, surmounted by a slated spire, now falling to 
 pieces. As the church stands on a hill, this spire has 
 been a landmark for miles round. The whole church is 
 going to decay now. Since the death of the last incum- 
 bent in 187 1, it has ceased to be used for Divine Service. 
 The parish lies at the extreme N.W, of Fingal. 
 
246 
 
 Appendix VII . 
 
 (/) Palmerstown {Palmers tmvnland). Chapel of St. James. 
 This was a small rude building, with walls of rough 
 masonry, of which a few small blocks remain. It is 
 situated due E. and W., and is 48 feet long by 21 wide. 
 The site of the chancel, stated to be a ruin a.d. 1630, 
 cannot now be traced. 
 
 {g) Westpalstown {WeslpaiFs tcwnland). It would be 
 very difficult to say from existing remains what were 
 the original style and shape of this church. It was all 
 ruinous a.d. 1630, and has been so ever since. Great 
 blocks of rugged masonry, covered heavily with ivy, 
 suggest there was once a large building here. 
 
 (//) Ballyboghill {the icnun of the slaff). This interesting 
 old church, on an elevation surrounded by stalely elm 
 trees, and just above the village of the same name, is one 
 of the most perfect and striking of the ruined churches 
 of Fingal. It is 71 feet long by 25 wide, and, like all the 
 other Fingal ruins, runs due E. and W. The walls are 
 nearly complete. The masonry is in fair condition. The 
 corners are of chiselled stone. The W. gable rises in a 
 perfect triple-arched bell-turret, the wall of which is 4^ 
 feet thick. A perfect set of stone steps, from the top of 
 the S. wall, ascends to the E. side of these belfrj- arches. 
 The doors are arched. There are the remains of a fine 
 E. window in the chancel, 15 feet high by 7 wide, with 
 arches of carved sandstone. At the S. E. chancel end 
 there is a lancet-arched niche of 6 feet span, which appa- 
 rently once covered a recumbent tombstone ; farther to 
 the W. is a small lancet-arched doorway, 4|- feet by 2^ 
 wide, leading out to a vault, the masonry of which seems 
 of the same date as that of the church. It is uncared 
 for, without a name, the entrance is open, and it is full 
 of human bones. The church dates, and was used, from 
 the English invasion. Both church and chancel are said 
 to have been out of repair a.d. 1630, but the church was 
 in use then. 
 
 (i) Fieldstown, so called from the Norman family of De la 
 Field, who were granted the lands early in the 13th 
 century. The chapel was dedicated to St. Catherine, 
 virgin and martyr. It is just possible to trace the outlines 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d. 1887. 247 
 
 Fieldstown — continued. 
 
 of the foundations of the ancient chapel in the middle 
 of a burying-ground, situated in what was once the de- 
 mesne of the original Norman proprietors. The burying- 
 ground seems to have been unused for a long time ; it 
 is crowded with great forest trees. The last mention of 
 the chapel is by Archbishop Jones (A.D. 1615), who 
 states it was then a ruin. 
 When Mr. Austin Cooper visited the place in 1784, walls 
 of the church were standing. 
 (k) Ballymadun {Macdim's toiunland), dedicated to All 
 Saints. It is still easy to trace the outline of the nave, 
 51 feet by 30, and chancel, 26 feet by 24, running due E. 
 and W. The church was a large one. There was 
 appaieutly a lower at the W. end. Parts of tlie S. wall 
 only remain standing, with a few imperfect windows in 
 it, and a ragged arch of the entrance porch. The masonry 
 is very rough. The building was in ruins a.d. 1630, 
 and has been so ever since. It «as probably erected 
 before A.D. 1275. This is one of the two most westerly 
 parishes of Fingal. 
 
 XV. («) Holmpatrick, including (1^) Baldungan and (c) St. 
 Movee. 
 
 {fl) Holmpatrick (Inis Patraice, i.e., Island of Patrick ; 
 Holmpatrick, Danish). All traces of the monastery, 
 transferred early in the thirteenth century from the 
 island to the mainland, have disappeared. The 
 site of it is believed to be somewhere about one mile 
 S.W. of the village of Skerries. The unroofed walls 
 and tower (added A.D. 1819) of the parish church, re- 
 built A.D. 1720, stand on a slight eminence in an over- 
 filled graveyard, close to the village at the S. end of 
 it. It is a very plain oblong building, 46 feet long, 
 25 wide, with a small tower to W. 15 feet square. It 
 would much improve the landscape were a mantle of 
 ivy to hide the very plain, unornate walls. A little 
 below them stands the very comely new Gothic church, 
 with its graceful tower and octagon spire. This church 
 was consecrated September 2, 1868, as "the Parish 
 Church of Holmpatrick." It consists of a nave 70 feet 
 
248 Appendix VII. 
 
 Holm Patrick— cf?7/'/;«/«i/. 
 
 by 33, and a chancel 26 feet by 21, of grey limestone, 
 with cut facings. 
 There are considerable remains still visible of the monastic 
 church on St. Patrick's Island, said to have been founded 
 by the great saint after whom it is named. .St. Patrick's 
 Isle is about one mile to the E. of the other islands of 
 the Skerries group. On its W. slope are these ruins. 
 The abbey church consisted of nave and chancel, lying 
 to the E. and W. The nave is 46 feet long and 27 wide. 
 The chancel is 22 feet square. Though it has been a 
 ruin for about 650 years, traces of considerable architec- 
 tural grace and skill still remain. The walls, which are 
 nearly 4 feet thick, are Ashlar masonry of stone of the 
 district ; but all the facings are of cliiselled or sawn 
 calcareous tufa stone, in large blocks, which time and 
 weather have made as porous as a coarse sponge. This 
 is specially noticeable in the exterior corner stones. 
 The W. end of the nave has been rudely repaired, and 
 was, for a time, roofed in for a cattle shed. Some 
 16 feet high of the W. gable remains. So rudely have 
 the repairs been done, that all traces of the doors and 
 windows have disappeared. But sufficient remains of 
 the chancel to suggest some interesting details of this 
 ancient Celtic church. There are two E. windows faced 
 in this pumice-like tufa. The N. wall of the chancel is 
 almost perfect. It has a small splayed circular-arched 
 window, 3 feet 6 inches high, and 14 inches wide, faced 
 with tufa stone. Much of the S. wall has fallen, but 
 sufficient remains to trace a similar window in it. In 
 the S.E. corner there is a small lancet-arched fenestella, 
 or niche, for a piscina, 2 feet 6 inches high, and 14 
 inches wide, and to the VV. of this fenestella there is a 
 small square niche, but lower. It is quite easy to trace 
 the springing from each corner of the chancel, of an arch, 
 faced with the tufa stone, which supported a groined 
 stone roof above. Outside, at the top of the N. wall, 
 sufficient remains of the tufa stone blocks with which 
 this roof was covered, to see that it was a high-pitched 
 stone roof, somewhat like that of St. Doulagh's Church. 
 
Churches in Use or in Ruin, a.d, 1887. 249 
 
 H o I m patr i ck — cojitimted. 
 
 To the S. W. of the church, extensive foundations, about 
 60 feet by 36, can be traced, of what were probably 
 buildings belonging; to the old monastery. Vandalism is 
 rapidly destroying this most interesting church. Within 
 a short time many of the tufa blocks have been carried 
 off to the mainland. Another explanation of the origin 
 of these tufa blocks, instead of the explanation suggested 
 in p. 37, is, that they came from the neighbourhood, 
 though there are not any specimens of the kind to be 
 found there now. Tufa is the product of water charged 
 with lime washing through marshy land over vegetable 
 matter, and depositing its hme through and on the 
 vegetable matter. The substance thus formed, though 
 at first soft, becomes hard and durable from exposure to 
 the air. There are places in the neighbourhood where 
 the necessary conditions existed for the formation of 
 these deposits. The deposits must have been at least 
 two feet deep from which the blocks \\'ere taken which 
 are used in the Church of Inispatrick, and they must 
 have been the slow growth of far distant ages, wherever 
 they came from. 
 [b) Ba\dur\gan (i.e., D2<)!oan's (own). In selecting this spot 
 for their castle and church, the sturdy Knights Templars 
 showed much wisdom. It is on the top of high land which 
 commands the whole country for miles. Mr. Cooper, 
 already referred to, made a sketch of the castle and 
 church in 1783. Of the former there stood then, at the 
 \V., two large square towers, with a parapet in front, 
 covering a passage between each. From these towers a 
 regular building was carried on each side, but narrower, 
 to which a similar tower joined on the N.E. angle, and 
 a smaller tower at the S. In other words, this castle of 
 the Templars was a quadrangular court, flanked by four 
 strong towers. Of all these buildings, only a few great 
 piles of massive broken masonry remain. 
 But the chapel and its tower are now very much as Mr. 
 Cooper pictures them one hundred years ago. They are 
 to the S.E. of the castle. The church is about 90 feet 
 long, and is nearly equally divided into a chancel about 
 
250 Appendix VII . 
 
 Ba\dunga.n—conti/iued. 
 
 24 feet wide, and a nave about 28 feet wide. From 
 what remains of it, the E. window must have been very 
 large. The N. and S. walls are not very perfect. In 
 each, at the W. end, is a large arched doorway. There 
 are five large windows in the S. wall, and there is one in 
 the N. wall. Inside the E. end there is a lancet-arched 
 niche at each side of the E. window. But the great 
 tower at the W. end is the most striking feature of the 
 building. It is entered by an arched doorway from the 
 nave. It is about 22 feet square and 70 feet high. In 
 the middle of the N.S- and W. sides it has square shafts 
 of masonry, 3 feet deep, running from the ground to the 
 top. The shaft on the W. side is splayed out towards 
 the face of the tower. Wilhin this shaft there is con- 
 tained a spiral staircase still very perfect, \^ hich reaches 
 the top of the tower by fifiy-three steps. On the E. side 
 of the top there is a two-arched bell-turret. From the 
 top there is a splendid view of the sea and of the County 
 Dublin. The masonry of this tower is, for the most 
 part, as perfect as when it was first built. The tower is 
 lighted by several small windows, irregularly placed in 
 its sides. 
 
 ((-) St. Movee's Chapel. The site of this ancient oratory 
 is not marked on the Ordnance .Survey Map. It stands 
 in a small cluircliyard in Milverton, along the roadside 
 which skirts the W. of the demesne. Completely hid- 
 den by a dense tangle of briars and rank weeds, the 
 foundations can be traced of a tiny church running E. 
 and VV., about 28 feet long and 16 wide, of which equal 
 parts formed chancel and nave. A few hundred feet to 
 the E. of it is the Well of St. Mobhi, or Movee, covered 
 in by rude walls of massive boulder stones. 
 XVI. {a) Balrothery (Baile-a-ridire, i.e., the town of the 
 knight), dedicated to St. Peter, with (b) Balscadden. 
 Mr. Austin Cooper, already referred to, has left a sketch 
 and account of the condition of this church in his day. 
 " Here," says he, " is an old church of extraordinary 
 construction, and it most undoubtedly appears to be an 
 ancient piece of work much mutilated. It formerly con- 
 
Churches in Use or in Ricin, a.b. i8Sy. 251 
 
 Bal roth e ry— continued. 
 
 sisted of a range of arches, or rather of arched recesses, 
 on each side, but which was all included in regular walls 
 of great thickness, each recess being about lo feet deep. 
 The recesses on the N. side have been all taken away, 
 and the wall patched up, but the opposite side remains 
 entire, each recess being a seat in the church. . . . The 
 chancel is small, and in very indifferent repair." This 
 curious church was taken down and rebuilt A. I). 1816, 
 when the present plain oblong quadrangular edifice suc- 
 ceeded it, 52 feet long by 28 wide. But this, like its 
 predecessor, is united at the VV. end to the fine old tower, 
 about 20 feet square, which from an eminence commands 
 the high road from Swords to the north. To the N. W. 
 corner is united a round tower, built at the same time, and 
 pierced irregularly by what seem to have been arrow slits. 
 On the sides of the tower are several windows, with well- 
 cut stonework. One window, richly carved on the W. 
 side, is in perpendicular Gothic style. It is probable that 
 this tower was one of four standing at each corner of a 
 fortified courtyard. In the vicarage grounds, to the 
 S.E., there is another tower of ruder construction, now 
 covered with ivy. All traces of the towers to N.E. and 
 S.W. have disappeared. The knights who for centuries 
 kept frontier guard here must have found Balrothery a 
 strong place of defence. 
 {p) Balscadden {i.e., the tozvn of herrings). This paiish 
 and church are situated in the extreme N. of Fingal and 
 of the diocese. The site of the ruins of the church men- 
 tioned in the return of A.D. 1630 can be traced now only 
 with some difficulty. They run due E. and W. They 
 are in the middle of the churchyard, situated on a hill 
 above the village of Balscadden. The foundations are 
 about 21 feet wide and 58 feet long. Of this a space 24 
 feet long formed the chancel. Two small blocks of rough 
 masonry only remain standing, one N.W. and the other 
 N.E. of the nave. To N.E. of the chancel there are 
 foundations, probably of a vestry. 
 
 XVII. Balbriggan {i.e., the toivn of Brecon), with Bremore. 
 
 Balbriggan is the only new parish in Fingal since the 
 
252 
 
 Appendix VII. 
 
 Balbriggan —continued. 
 
 1 2th century. It was made a parish A.D. 1871. The 
 foundation stone of the church was laid July 23rd, 1813. 
 The building was completed in 1816, and was conse- 
 crated as "The Chapel of St. George, Balbriggan," on 
 October 20th of that year. It was chiefly through the 
 liberality of Rev. G. Hamilton, late of Hampton Hall, 
 that the church was built. It was nearly destroyed by 
 fire on December 22, 1833 ; after this it was restored 
 and enlarged. North and south transepts were added in 
 1835-6, and the church was re-opened for Divine Ser- 
 vice, March 4th, 1838. It is a plain, but, from its size 
 and elevated position, an imposing building, cruciform 
 in shape, with a fine tower at the W., which is sur- 
 mounted by a high and graceful chiselled stone steeple. 
 Bremore [great hill). All that remains of the ancient 
 chapel of Lambecher (/.«., Llan-Beachaire, the chiircli of 
 the heeman) is about half a mile N. of Balbriggan, and 
 close to the sea. There is little to interest the visitor now, 
 except the associations of the spot. A building running 
 due E. and W. can be traced, originally about 30 feet 
 long and 18 feet wide. Two bare walls of rough masonry 
 are still standing. The S. wall had apparently two rude 
 windows. The N. wall, which is now part of the garden 
 fence of a neighbouring cottage, had apparently a door 
 in it. It is believed that soon after a.d. 1200, when 
 Archbishop Comyn gave the chapel to Kilbixy, its story 
 ended. 
 
APPENDIX VIII.— A.D. 496-A.D. 1887. 
 
 Succession of ecclesiastical persons having cure of souls in the churches and parishes of 
 Fingal as far as can be ascertained. The names from A.D, 440 to a.d. i i 70 are taken 
 from the "Annals of the Four Masters," and from Archdall's " Monasticon." The 
 names of prebendaries (a.d. 1219 to a.d. 1870) are taken from Cotton's "Fasti," and 
 from Monck-Mason's " History of St. Patrick's Cathedral." In the case of the Crown 
 livings under the Establishment, the names are taken from " Royal Presentations ' 
 (a.d. 1535 to A.D. 1817), in "Liber Munerum." Many of the names from A.D. 1770 
 to 1870 are taken from " Parochial Visitation Returns," now in the Irish Public Record 
 Office. Besides these sources, some few names of various dates are taken from " Crede 
 Mihi," from " Repertorium Viride," from "Obits, Christ Church Cathedral," from 
 "Regal Visitation, 1615," from "Archbishop Bulkeley's Report," 1630, Gilbert's 
 " Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey," "Charles' Directories," &c., &c. Fingal brother 
 clergy have also supplied not a few names from parochial sources. 
 The parishes are grouped as they were in 1887. 
 
 In every case, where not otherwise specified, the Patron, since 1870, is Board of 
 Nomination. 
 
 I. Finglas, with Ward and St. Margaret's. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 560. {Circa) St. Canice, Abbot & Bishop. 
 
 758. Faolchu, Abbot, a/>. 
 
 786. Caencomhrac, Bishop, 06. 
 
 791. Duibliter, Abbot, o/>. 
 
 807. Flann, son of Ceallach, Abbot, 
 Bishop, and Scribe, ol/. 
 
 814. Fergus, Abbot, od. 
 
 823. Cuimnech, Abbot, o3, 
 
 837. Brann, Bishop, 0/1, 
 
 805. Robartach, Bishop and Scribe, 06, 
 101 1. Cian, Abbot, <?^. 
 1038. Cairbe O'Connellan, Abbot, 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1207. Maolpeder O'Colman, Comarb of 
 Canice, 06. 
 Prebe7id of St. Patrick's Cathedral, 
 assigned by Archbishop Contyn in 
 1 190, and connected 'Mith the 
 Cliancellorship by Archbishop 
 Henry de Londns in 1 2 19, 
 
 1219. Tiiomas de Castello. 
 
 1231. Thomas de Cravill. 
 
 1250. William de Culum. 
 
 William de llallyiik. 
 
 1260. Thomas Chaddesworth, 
 
254 
 
 Appendix VIII . 
 
 Finglas, 8lc.— continued. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1295. 
 1346. 
 1373- 
 1388. 
 1398. 
 1410, 
 1471. 
 1503- 
 1535- 
 1555- 
 1567. 
 1571- 
 1581. 
 
 Robert Wallerand. 
 Hugo de Calce. 
 Nicholas Chedlyngton. 
 John Karlell. 
 John Whiteacre. 
 Robert Fitzhugh. 
 John Leche. 
 Nicholas Cai-difF. 
 Nicholas Allen. 
 Robert Nangle. 
 Sanml Mason. 
 Nicholas Walsh. 
 Thomas Jones. 
 
 A.D. Vicars. 
 1781. [ohn Elton. 
 17S1. "Will. Dobbin, D.D. 
 1822. William Magce, A.M. 
 1829. Ivhvard Sen'iple, A.li. 
 1831. James I'lielan, a.m. 
 18^9. Robert Walsh, ll.d., M.D. 
 1852. John O'Reg.an, a.b. 
 1858. Thomas Jameson, A.B. 
 
 Incumbents. 
 
 1874. J. J. Sargint, A.B. 
 
 1875. Will. lien. Pilcher, A.M. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1607. James Usher, 
 
 Who endowed Finglas Parish will 
 vicarial tithes : Aencefort/i it was 
 served by a vicar appointed by tht 
 Arclibisliop. 
 
 1621. Edw.Lee. Matthew Lee, curate,i6iS, 
 
 1630. Robert Willson, B.D. 
 
 1636. Ambrose Aungier. 
 
 1694. Dillon Ashe. 
 
 17 16. Thomas Tarnell. 
 
 1723. Robert Howard. 
 
 1727. James .Stopford, A.M., F.T.C.D. 
 
 1754. Robert Caulfield, A.M. 
 
 1775. {in) Will. Dobbin. 
 
 A.D. Slip. Curates. 
 
 1 791. W. D. Wiliamson. 
 1796. F. Pentland. 
 1806. Robert Walsh, A.B., M.D. 
 1820. E. Kisbey, A.B. 
 1826. Cbas. Armstrong, A.B. 
 1834. J. K. Courtenay, A.M. 
 1842. Will. .Singleton, A.B. 
 1848. John Carroll. A.B. 
 1852. S. R. O'Halloran, A.B. 
 
 II. Glasnevin. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 544. St. Mobi Claraineach {the flat-faced), 
 i.e., Eerchan of Glas-Naoidhen, ob. 
 741. Cialltrog, Abbot, ob. 
 
 Perpetual Curates a/pointed by Precentor and Chancellor of Christ Church Cathedral, alt. 
 A.D. 
 
 1 48 1. John Wolfe, ob. 
 1 5 14. Patrick Law, ob. 
 
 1615. {in) Wybrants. 
 
 1707. )\alph Darling. 
 
 1709. W'illiam Woolsey. 
 
 1710. l\obert Kclilin. 
 1710. Mich. Ilartlib. 
 1 7 19. John Traver. 
 1727. William Poultney. 
 1736. Richartl Parker. 
 1754. John Boyle. 
 1785. Travels Hume, D.D. 
 1895. Robert Disney, A.M. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 753. Elpin, Abbot, ob. 
 882. Maoltuile, Abbot, ob. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1805. Crinus Irwin. 
 
 1809. C;ore. 
 
 1810. Pliilip Ryan, A.B. 
 1822. James .Smith. A.B. 
 1827. Richard Cirier, D.D. 
 
 1829. John West, A.B. 
 
 1830. Walter C. Roberts, A.M. 
 1838. Chas. S. Stanford, D.D. 
 1843. C. H. George, a.b. 
 1845. Moses Margoliveith, PH.D. 
 1847. lien. Geo. Carroll, A.M. 
 
 Glasnevi}! was prospectively united 
 to Santry, a.d. 1887. 
 
Succession of Clergy, a.d. 496-1887. 255 
 
 III. Drumcondra. 
 
 Perpetual Curates appointed by Corporation of Dublin or their Representative. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1591. Will. Savage. 
 
 1)15. (in) Simon Thelvvall (with Clontarf). 
 1787. Charles O'Niell. 
 1789. Jacob Cramer, A.B. 
 1S15. William Barlow, A.M. 
 1826. Jas. Duncan Long, A.M. 
 1864. Benj. H. Johnson, A.B. 
 
 A.D. Slip. Curates. 
 1 85 1. Thomas Long, A.B. 
 1857. Will. Steiihenson, A.B. 
 I8b4. John P. Aloran, A.B. 
 
 Incumbent. 
 187 1. Henry Carlelon, A.M. 
 
 IV. Clontarf, wilh Killester 
 
 A.n. 
 
 550. St. Congal, Abbot. 
 
 Croivn, Patron. 
 1591. (in) Will. Savage (with Drumcondra and Clontarf). 
 1015. (in) Simon Thelwall (with Drumcondra). 
 1630. Richard St. Lawrence. 
 1639. Randal Dymock ('oilh Balgriffin, St. 
 
 DouloHi^h's, and Portmarnock). 
 1670. Henry lireretoii (-tuith Raheny). 
 U)8o. Adam Usher. 
 1712. Fred. Usher. 
 1766. John Usher. 
 I -in. Charles iMulloy, A.B. 
 1829. Will, llandcock, a.m. 
 1S4O. T. C. Iluddert, A.B. 
 1841. James Ueid, A.B. 
 1855. W. A. Kempskm, A. M. 
 1862. James Pratt, A.M. 
 
 A.D. Slip. Curates. 
 1630. Christ. Cuiston. 
 
 1847. W. Fitzgerald, A.B. 
 
 C. H. G. Butson, A.l 
 1864. John Crawford, A.B. 
 
 Incumbent, 
 1875. Macnevin Bradshaw, A.M. 
 
 870. R. W. Guinness, A.M. 
 S76. J. G. Garrett, A.B. 
 881. J. J. Woorlrolle, A.M. 
 885. G. B. Taylor. 
 
 V. Raheny. 
 
 1226. Thomas, Rector (Gilbert's Chartus, 
 St. Mary's Abbey). 
 Crown, Patron. 
 1615. (in) John Crecll.ui (with Coolock). 
 1639. (in) Thomas Scele (wilh Coolock). 
 1670. Henry Dreieton (with Clontarf). 
 1680. Patrick Grattan, D.D. 
 1703. John (irattan, A M. 
 1720. R. Gibbons. 
 1731. Marmaduke Phillips, A.B. 
 1735. Ralph Cocking, a.m. 
 1 774. William Shaw, A.B. 
 1796. George Stevenson, A.B. 
 
 1802. Latham Coddington. 
 
 1809. Richard (iraves, D.D. 
 
 1814. Francis Fox', a.m. 
 
 1821. lion. (;coige Gore, A.M. (with 
 
 Deanery, Killala). 
 1S36. Josiah Crampton, A.M. 
 1S56. Wdliam Black, D.D. 
 1S64. R. W. Burton, A.M. 
 
 Patron, Lord Ardilaun. 
 Incumbent. 
 1873. Francis C. Hayes, A.M. 
 
256 
 
 Appendix VIII. 
 
 VI. Coolock, with Artaine. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1579- 
 
 1595- 
 1615. 
 1639. 
 1725- 
 1742. 
 1760. 
 1779- 
 1782. 
 
 1813. 
 
 1879. 
 18S;. 
 
 A.D. 
 1300. 
 I3S0. 
 1468. 
 1509. 
 1522. 
 1529. 
 1532 
 1546. 
 
 1555- 
 1595- 
 1615. 
 1615 
 1630. 
 I56i. 
 1671. 
 1704. 
 1723- 
 1742. 
 1750. 
 1755- 
 
 Lay Patron, 
 Marmaduke MiJdleton (also Bishop, 
 
 Waterford and Lismore). 
 Edward Wetherby. 
 Edward Moore. 
 
 [in) John Credlan [with Raheny). 
 Thomas Seele [ivith Raheny). 
 John Jackson, A.M. {with Santry). 
 John Jackson, A.M. {with Cloghran). 
 Smyth Loftus. 
 Dr. Baird. 
 
 Peler Carleton, D.D. 
 {and Dean of Killaloe fn 
 II. Moore, A.B. 
 Hon. R. I'onsonby, a.m. 
 
 {and DcJH of St. Patrick's). 
 \Yill. Maconchy, A.M. 
 
 Incumbents. 
 H. \V. Gayer, A.M. 
 J. J. S. Sheikls, D.D. 
 John C. Irwin, A.M. 
 
 1790). 
 
 A.D. Stip. Curates. 
 
 1808. Thos. Baker, A.B. 
 1810. Thomas Goff, A.B. 
 1821. J. R. Fitzgerald, A.: 
 
 1868. W. Radcliffe, a.m. 
 1871. A. R. Barton, A.B. 
 
 VII. Howth, with Baldoyle, and Kilbarrack. 
 (Ireland's Eye.) 
 A.D. 1 186. {in) Ilernesius. 
 Kators and Prebends of St. Patrick's Cathedral.— Archbishop, Patron. 
 
 J. de Sanclo Amaro. 
 William de Beverly. 
 John riant. 
 John Fitzsimons. 
 "Thomas Darcy. 
 William Power. 
 
 {in) Michael Carney, A.M., Vic. 
 
 Simon GeolTry. 
 
 John Dongan. 
 
 Robert Conway, LL. D. 
 
 Christ. Ilewitson, A.M. {with Swords), 
 {in) Martin Cox, A.M., Curate. 
 
 Thomas Lloyd, A.M. 
 
 Win. Sheridan, A.M. 
 
 Patrick Grattan, D.D. 
 
 Robert Grattan, A.M. 
 
 Sam. Webber, A M. 
 
 John Jackson, A.M. 
 
 Arthur Mahon, LL.B. 
 
 John Walls, a.m. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1755. Jo'""^ Wynne, a.m. 
 1771. Win. Blackford, A.M. 
 
 1773. Moses Roquier. 
 
 1774. Thomas Stewart, A.B. 
 1789. Walter PWake Kirwan. 
 1799. John Lewis, A.B. 
 1S26. Charles Smith, A.B. 
 1832. Arthur Irwin, A.B. 
 1S47. lames riowie, A.M. 
 
 U.ibert Staveley, A.M. 
 1849. John O'Ke^an, A.B. 
 1852. Will. R. Lawrenson, A.M. 
 
 Incttmbe7zt. 
 1874. R. S. Kerr, a.m. 
 
 Baldoyle. 
 1615. (/«)Pat. Beaghan {withSt.Doulagh's, 
 
 Malahide, and Portmarnock). 
 1630. {in) Richard Kelly {with Killossory). 
 
Succession of Clergy, a.d. 496-1887. 257 
 
 VIII. Santry, with Cloghran. 
 
 Santry. Crown, Patron. 
 
 A.D. Rectors. 
 
 1038. Pappan, Abbot, ob. A.D. 
 ,1591. Will. Savage {with Clontarf and 
 
 Drumcondra). 
 1617. Rich. Wiboiow. 
 1630. Randal Dyraock. 
 
 1634. Henry Brereton, A.M. 1707. 
 
 1678. Daniel Jackson, A.M. 1708. 
 
 1706. John Jackson, a.m. (CiOith Coolock, 1762. 
 
 from 1725). 1777. 
 
 1750. M. Cornyn-Middleton. I778. 
 
 1774. John Boivden, d.d. {luitk ^ parishes 1779. 
 
 in Meat h). 1 783. 
 
 1776. Hon. Jas. Hewitt, A.B. 1786. 
 
 1777. Thos. Hastings, ll.d. {with Kil- 1798. 
 
 skeery, Clogher). 1807. 
 1781. Thomas Sniiih. D.D. (to^/j Ennis- 1813. 
 
 killen, dogk r). 1814. 
 
 1820. Denis Browne, A.M. 1817. 
 
 1843. John Frith, A..M. 1823. 
 1^43. Heni-y Lefroy, A.M. 
 
 Stip. Curates. 
 
 Christ. Jackson. 
 Duke Tyrell, a.m. 
 B. Wye, LL.B. 
 Thos. Benson, d.d. 
 Hon. Jas. Hewilt, A.M. 
 Christ. Bntson. 
 Roger Ford, A.M. 
 John Grant, a.m. 
 Jas. Smith, a.m. 
 J. J. jNIoore, A..M. 
 Ed. Sherlock, a.m. 
 F. Chamley, a.m. 
 Jas. D. Long. a.b. 
 J. C. Courteney, a.b. 
 
 Cloghran. Crown Patron. 
 
 A.D. 
 1217. 
 1399- 
 1473- 
 1525- 
 1591- 
 1595- 
 16 10. 
 
 I618. 
 1630. 
 164a 
 1642. 
 I646. 
 1674. 
 1680. 
 1681. 
 1705. 
 1711. 
 1724. 
 1738- 
 
 Rectors. 
 Rich. Locard. 
 Will. Taylor. 
 (in) Thomas Mayow. 
 (in) Thorn. Geralde. 
 (in) Thomas Kegan. 
 Jas. Kevsar or Keane. 
 l^at. Beaghan (-..nth .St. Dou/ouoh's, 
 
 Alalahide, Pcrtmanuick, and Bal- 
 
 dcy/e). 
 Nicholas Meyler. 
 Nicholas Culme. 
 Alexander Hatfield, A.M. 
 Jas. Kcr.l.lf, A.M. 
 T. M.i.'--i:all, A.M. 
 Mich, lleuelson {with S^oords), 
 Garrett IJarry {w/th Swurds). 
 Hen. Scardeviile {with Swords). 
 Gilbert Oeane. 
 Rich. Bambrick. 
 John Wynne, D D. 
 Robert Fisher, A.M. 
 
 S/ip. Curates. 
 
 1646. G^o- Gun, A.B 
 
 1703. (jeo. Lang. 
 
 1704. -phos. King, A.M. 
 
 1717. T ohn (Jrace, A..M. 
 
 1718. Geo. Marley, d.d. 
 1721. John Toweis, a.m 
 
258 
 
 Appendix VIII . 
 
 Cloghran — continued. 
 
 A.D. Rectors. 
 
 1758. Will. Taveraer, A.B. 
 
 1759. Bellingham Swan, A.M. 
 1762. Joseph Davies, A.B. 
 
 1780. Mark Wainwright, A.B. 
 
 1781. EcUv. Synge, A.M. 
 
 1782. John Bau-d. 
 1804. Will. Lyster, A.s. 
 
 1816. S. S. Trench, LL.D. {seqitest. -with 
 
 Swords). 
 1831. E. Jonas Lewis, A.M. 
 1854. Benj. W. Adams, d.d. 
 
 A.D. It 
 1876. Benj. 
 1886. J. W 
 
 A.D. 
 
 6co. {circa) St. Duilech. 
 1406. Eustachius Roche. 
 1495. William Norragh, ob. 
 ! 506. John Yong. 
 1 541. Richard Ball. 
 
 1615. iiii) Patrick Beaghan {-luith Mala- 
 hide, Fortmarnock, and Baldoyle). 
 1630. Richard Kelly. 
 
 1740. James Leslie, A.M. (jvitk Donabaie). 
 
 1788. James Saiirin, d.d. 
 
 3804. Thomas Hayden, A.M. 
 
 1806. W. Gorman. 
 
 1815. James Matthews. 
 
 1822. E. Tighe Gregory. 
 
 1832. Joshua Free, A.M. 
 
 1848. John Studdert, A.M. 
 
 1850. J. G. Abeltshauser, A.M. 
 
 1851. W. M. Brady, d.d. 
 
 ,, W. S. Kennedy, A.M. 
 1865. W. K. Villiers. 
 „ C. E. Tisdall, d.d. 
 
 A.D. Slip. Curates, 
 
 1725. John Smith, a.m. 
 
 1735. Dav. Stephens, A.B. 
 
 1736. Jas, Leslie, a.m. 
 1740. Brent Smith, a.m. 
 1742. John Jackson, a.m. 
 
 1825. T. F. Walker, A.M. 
 1827. Andrew McConkey, A.M. 
 183c. Theo.de la Cour Carroll, A.M. 
 
 A.D. Slip. Curates. 
 
 1824. E. W. Stack. 
 1809. Theo. Blakeley. 
 
 1820. Ed. Semple. 
 1828. T. F. Walker. 
 
 1872. Fred. T>mons, A.M. 
 
 Santry and Cloghran United, a.d. 1876. 
 
 tcumhents. A.D. 
 W. Adams, D.D. 1880. J. W. Tristram, A.M. 
 
 . Tristram, a.m. 
 
 IX. St. Doulagh's, with Balgriffin. 
 
 Perpetual Curacy. Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral, Patron. 
 
Succession of Clergy, a.d. 496-1887. 
 
 259 
 
 X. Malahide, with Portmarnock. 
 
 Malahide. 
 
 Perpetual Curacy. Dean and Chapter of 
 St. Patrick's, Patron. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1 193. Walter Talbot. 
 
 During minority of Sir R. Talbot's heir, 
 Archbishop H. de Londres nominated 
 the successor of W. Talbot ; but the 
 advovvson of the Church had been con- 
 firmed to the lords of Malahide by 
 King Henry 11., and they nominated 
 the clerk for a long time. 
 
 1615. Patrick Greaghan. 
 1630. [in) Richard Kelly. 
 
 [From the middle of the 17th century, to the end of the l8th, there was not any 
 Church fit for Divine .Service, or any settled ministry in either Parish.] 
 
 Portmarnock. 
 
 Perpetual Curacy. Archbishop, Patron. 
 A.D. 
 
 1615. {in) John Etheridge. 
 1630. [in) Rich. Kelly. 
 1639. Randal Dymock [with Clontarf, 
 St. Doulougli's, and Balgriffin). 
 
 A.D. 
 1822. 
 1S34. 
 1838. 
 1863. 
 1871. 
 
 Francis Chamley, A.M. 
 Josiah Crampton, A.M. 
 Thos. Trotter King, A.M. 
 R. W. Whelan, a.m. 
 J. J. K. Fletcher, A.M. 
 
 1788. Hector Monro {^witli Garristoiuji). 
 
 1799. William Percival. 
 
 1821. William Maconchy, A.M. 
 
 1827. Geo. N. Tredennick, A.M. 
 
 1830. George Cole Baker, a.b. 
 
 1857. Colpoys C. Baker, A.M. 
 
 Malahide and Portmarnock United, a.d. 1873. 
 
 Incumboils. A.D. Stip. Curates. 
 
 J. J. K. Fletcher, A.M. 1873. R. J. Savage, a.b. 
 
 A.D. 
 X873 
 
 1874. Robert Walsh, A.M 
 
 1874. Sterling Tomlinson, A.B. 
 
 1883. Joseph Abbot, a.b. 
 
 1884. Jas. T. Newbury, A.B. 
 1886. Rich. A. Byrn, A.B. 
 
 XI. Swords, with KInsaley, Killossory, Killeek, Chapelmidway, and 
 Kilsallaghan. 
 
 Of the first and last only have the names of the clergy survived. Kinsaley and 
 Chapelmidway were dependent Cliapelries on Swords and Kilsallaghan from the 12th 
 :entury, but Killossory and Killeek had for a time independent lives. 
 
 Swords, with Kinsaley, Killossory, and Killeek. 
 Vicarage atid Prebend of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Patron, The Archbishop. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 560. {circa) St. Columkille. 
 
 600. {circa) St. Finan Lobhar. 
 
 965. Ailioll, son of Mnenach, Bishop, ob. 
 
 (a/so Bishop of Lush). 
 
 :023. Maolmaire ua Cainen, Bishop, ob. 
 
 .025. Marian ua Cainen, Bishop, ob. 
 
 1028. Giolla Pattraice O'Flaherty, Bishop, 
 ob. 
 
 1042. Eochacan, Scribe, ob. 
 1048. Aid, son of Mochlan ua Nuadhah, 
 Bishop, 06. 
 
 1060. Mailkieran, O'Robachain, Bishop, ob. 
 1 136. Mackienan, Bishop, ob. 
 
26o 
 
 Appendix VIII. 
 
 Swords, &c. — continued. 
 
 Prebendaries. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1190. Walter Comyn. 
 
 Alanus. 
 
 1217. Thomas Comyn. 
 1277. Robert le Blond. 
 
 Ilerius Brocard. 
 1302. William de Hotbam. 
 1366. William of Wykeham {Bishop of 
 
 Winchesta"). 
 1375. Peter de Lacy. 
 1375. Robert Crull. 
 13S6. Walter Bruges. 
 1397. John Taafe. 
 1408. John Tanner. 
 1423. Brande {Cardinal of Placentia). 
 I431. William Cruce. 
 I40S. Walter Ksijdoin. 
 1496. Ricliaid l-Ai-tace. 
 1509. lid ward Hoatb. 
 1535. Lbii>to|)her Vesey. 
 1530. John Derrick. 
 1554. Anlhony St. Leger. 
 1558. I'alrick Byrne. 
 1576. Edniond Knob. 
 1598. V\ iUiam Pratt. 
 IO15. kicliard Jones, A.M. 
 1630. {in) C. rievvetsun, A.M., Vicar {luith 
 
 Ho-cvth). 
 1642. .Samuel Pullein, d.d. 
 1649. Thomas Wilkinbon, Puritan Min. 
 
 Prebatdaries. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1661. Roger Holmes, A.M. 
 
 1663. William Williams, A.M. 
 
 1664. John Roane, B.c.L. 
 1675. Andrew Saul, d.d. 
 
 1682. Henry Scardeville, A.M. {vjiih Clogh 
 ran). 
 
 1704. Thomas King, A.M. 
 1709. Robert Bougatt, A.M. 
 I713. John Wynne, A.M. 
 1727. Hugh Wilson, A.M. 
 1735. John Espin, A.M. 
 1744. John Owen, d.d. 
 I 701. Fowler Cumyns, A.M. 
 1783. Henry Lomax Walsh, A.B. 
 
 Vicars. 
 
 1793. Jas. Verschoyle, A.M. {also Dean 
 Si. I'atrick^s and Rector of S 
 
 Bride's). 
 
 1810. Ste\;art Segar Trench, A.M. 
 1826. Hon. Francis Howard, A.M. 
 1857. D. H. Elrington, a.m. 
 1800. Thomas Tvvigg, a.m. 
 
 Swords Union & Kilsallaghan. 
 Prebendary and Vicar. 
 1871. Thomas Twigg, a.m. 
 
 The Prebend and Vicarage were i 
 always held by the same person. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1801. William Annesley. 
 
 1803. Thomas Parkinson. 
 
 1809. James Wallace. 
 
 1815. Fiancis Chomley, A.B. 
 
 1824. FfolUott Magrath. 
 
 1825. J. Luton Crosbie. 
 
 1826. William Curtis. 
 1830. Franci■^ H. Thomas. 
 1836. John Homan. 
 1841. Will. Jameson, A.M. 
 
 rds Slip. Curates. 
 A.D. 
 
 1844. Will. Willis. 
 
 1840. W. G. Ormsby, A.B. 
 
 1^51. W. R. Smith. 
 
 1852. Ralph Wilde. 
 
 1^54. J. Diggcs la Touche, A.B. 
 
 1850. Robert Hamilton. 
 
 1838. Sam. P. Warren, A.B. 
 
 lSt>9. W. G. Boyce, A.B. 
 
 1867. J. H. WUbon, A.B. 
 
Succession of Clergy, a.d. 496-1887. 
 
 261 
 
 Kilsallaghan, with Chapelmidway. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1615. (/«) John Richmond. 
 
 1623. J.,hn ISyn.s. 
 
 1630. <///) R. Worrall, A.M. 
 
 1662. Ilom v Drcrctun. 
 
 1680. Daniel Jackson. 
 
 1709. Charles Sniiili. 
 
 1716. Peter Wvbiauts. 
 
 1732. EdwardLeiyh, D.D. {with Naul). 
 
 1759. E.I. Leigh, A.M., F.T.c.u. 
 
 1760. I'hilip Vorke. 
 1768. Edward D.ay, D.D. 
 1770. Henry Parish. 
 
 Maurice Collis. 
 
 Crown, Patron. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1801. Rich. S. Wolfe. 
 
 1803. Tiios. H. Kearney. 
 
 1806. Chas. .Miley Doyle. 
 
 1S29. John Gretjg, A.B. 
 
 1836. Mark Perrin, a.m. 
 
 1840. Quinton Dick Hume, A.M.j 
 
 1S49. John Colter .MacDounell, A.B. 
 
 1854. Kalph Wylde. 
 
 1855. Annesley P. Hughes, A.B. 
 1857. Tlieoph. Bennett, A.B. 
 1865. W. Crofts Pulleii. 
 
 (^United, A.D. 1S71, to Swords.') 
 
 Killossory and Killeek. 
 
 A.D. 1630. {ill) Richard Kelly. 
 
 XII. Donabate, with Portrane. 
 VUarage. Archbishop, Patron. 
 
 Portrane. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1630. {in) Gabriel Etheridge. 
 
 Donabate. 
 
 1310. WilHam de Bathe. 
 I419. Henry Marleburgh. 
 16 1 5. {in) John Etheridge {with Portmar- 
 
 ni'ch). 
 
 1630. (in) John Mooney. 
 1691. Thomas King, A.M. 
 17 1 5. Richard Pryse, ob. 
 1730. Edw. Pryse, ob. 
 
 1740. James Leslie, A.M. (with Portraiu 
 
 and Doulagh" s\ 
 1769. Matthew Pilkington, 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1777. William D.ay. 
 
 1803. A. Attencot. 
 
 l8a6. Ahr. Aug. .Stewart. 
 
 1807. Robert Maw {stip. curate). 
 
 181 1. William Stewart {slip, curate). 
 
 181 1. William Hamilton, a.m. 
 
 1816. Dealtry. D.D. 
 
 1834. Jos. Rich. Hamilton, A.B. {^//^.<r«r(?^«). 
 
 1836. Jos. Rich. Hamilton, A.B. 
 
 1840. William Jones, A.B. 
 
 1870. Richard Booth, A.B. {stip. curate). 
 
 Incumbent. 
 1870. Richard Booth, A.M. 
 
 XIII. Lusk, Rush, and Kenure. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 496. MacCullinus, Bishop, ob. 
 
 498. Cuynec McCuthmoa, Bishop, ob. 
 
 616. Petranus, Bishop, ob. 
 
 694. (in) Colga, son of Moenach, Abbot. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 695. Cassan, .Scribe, ob, 
 
 731. Crummaol, Abbot, ob. 
 
 734. Commoile M'Colgan, Abbot, ob, 
 
 TJ(). Conall, Abbot, ob. 
 
262 
 
 Appendix VIII. 
 
 Lusk, &c. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 782. Colga, son of Crummaol, Abbot, ob. 
 786. Muiredhach, Abbot, ob. 
 791. Moenach, Trior, ob. 
 795. Ferghil, Scribe, ob. 
 
 799. Cormac, son of Conall, Abbot, ob. 
 
 800. Moenach, Abbot, ob. 
 S35. Forbhasach. Bishop and Anchorite,<7(5. 
 838. Maolruan, Vice-Abbot, ob. 
 848. Ruaidhri, Abbot, ob. 
 851. AiHll, Abbot, ob. 
 873. Benacta, Bishop, ob. 
 678. Aonacan, Abbot, ob. 
 880. Malruain, Bishop, ob. 
 882. Mutran, Bishop, ob. 
 887. Seachnasach, Ablrot, ob. 
 891. Muiredliach, Prior, ob. 
 904. Ruadhan, Bishop, ob. 
 906. Col man. Bishop, oh. 
 927. Tuathal McO'Enagan, Bishop, ob. 
 965. blessed Ailioll, son of Mcenach, 
 
 Bishop, ob.{also Bishop of S-voj-ds). 
 1055. Odhar O'iSIurray, Erenach, ob. 
 
 Prebendaries and Vicars. 
 
 1219. Philip de Bray. 
 
 1284. Walter Scamnel. 
 Roger Fitzroger. 
 
 1294. James of Spain {Nephew of Eleanor, 
 Queen of Edtv. I.). 
 
 1294. Rich, de Abyngdon. 
 
 1306. {di-c'ided into 2 vicarages and Z pre- 
 bends). 
 
 1343. Raymundus Pelegrin {the Pope's 
 
 Nuncio'). 
 1381. John de Bryan. 
 1394. Robert de Faryngdon. 
 1405. Thomas Cranlegh. 
 1452. John Wyght, a.m. 
 Richard Chestre. 
 
 . — continued. 
 
 A.D. Prebendaries and Vicars. 
 1457. Richard Eustace. 
 
 Thomas Bloomfield. 
 William Tregury. 
 1465. John Kevernock. 
 
 Prec. and Treas. St. Patrick's alt., Patron 
 Vicars. 
 
 1561. Walter Hill {luith Clonmethati). 
 1615. {ill) William Sibthorpe. 
 1630. ( Vicarages consolidated.) 
 
 Edward Donnellan, B.D. 
 1689. John Archdall, ob. 
 1 69 1. Thomas King, a.m. 
 1703. George Lang. 
 1739. Francis Glover. 
 1762. John Blackford. 
 1765. John Wisdom. 
 1776. John Chehwood. 
 1780. Joseph Stock. 
 1790. Philip Ryan. 
 1803. Elias Thackery. 
 1805. William Cox. 
 1809. A. Staples. 
 1816. Roseingrave Macklin. 
 1836. John Pottrrton. 
 1S57. William Reeves, D.D. 
 
 Wm. Coddington, a.m. [stip. curate). 
 1865. Richard Wrightson, A.M. 
 
 Incmnbettts. 
 1875. W. Brennan, A.M. 
 1 88 1. Amy raid D. Purefoy, A.M. 
 1884. Danby Jeffares, a.m. 
 
 Kenure. 
 
 Chaplain, Lay Patron. 
 1867. G. T. H. Barton, D.D. 
 
 XIV. Clonmethan, with Hollywood, Naul, Grallagh, Garristown, Palmers- 
 town, Westpalstown, Ballyboghill, Fleldstown, Ballymadun. 
 
 All of the ten parishes, with their churches or chapels (many of them for centuries in 
 ruins and unused), which now form the Union of Clonmethan, were called into being 
 within the century after the English invasion. It would appear that they were not at anyj 
 time all independent, though each (except Grallagh and Fieldslovvn) were so for longer 01 
 shorter periods. 
 
Succession of Clergy, a.d. 496-1887. 
 
 263 
 
 Clonmethan, with Fleldstown. 
 
 Prebend and Rectory. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1275. J. de Nottingham. 
 
 1321. {in) Nicholas Dowdall. 
 
 1402. T. de Everdon. 
 
 1413. T. Rosel. 
 
 1475. N. DowdalL 
 
 1546. N. Lyn. 
 
 1555. George Browne. 
 
 1559. Alex. Craike, B.D. {and Dean of 
 
 St Patrick's). 
 1561. Walter Hill {with Lusk). 
 1 56 1. Robert Daly. 
 161 5. {in) Thos. Richmond. 
 1615. Nicholas Robinson. 
 1620. William Pulley. 
 1628. Richard Powell, M.A. 
 1642. Robert Bayle, M.A. 
 1 66 1. John Brereton, M.A. 
 1683. J. Brereton, M.A. 
 1702. Theo. Harrison, D.D. 
 1720. John Grattan, M.A. 
 1741. Bryan Robinson, M.A. 
 1743. Caleb Cartwright, B.D. 
 1763. Patrick Kenney, B.A. 
 17S9. R. Baylis Dealtry, ll.D. 
 1795. Lionel Viscount Strangford. 
 iSoi. J. Beresford Hill, B.A. 
 1S03. Storer C. Littlehales, B.A- 
 181 1. William Hughes, M.A. 
 1813. Thomas Radcliffe, B.A. 
 1834. Montague Seaver Short, M.A. 
 1841. R. Quaile Shannon, B.A. 
 1846. R. M. Kennedy, M.A. 
 1848. J. W. LaTouche, LL.D. 
 1870. Robert W. Whelan, M.A. 
 
 Patron, Archbishop. 
 A.D. Stip. Curates. 
 
 E630. (in) William Tedder. 
 
 1790. William Annesley. 
 1798. Gabriel Fenton. 
 1808. Thomas Hands. 
 1820. Stephen Radcliffe. 
 1827. Will. Tyrrell. 
 1840. Courtnay Turner. 
 1849. Jas. Burnet, B.A. 
 
 Clonmethan Union and Garristown. 
 
 Incumbents. 
 James Burnet, a.b. 
 
 Clonmethan Union and Hollywood Union. 
 
 3. Guy P. L'Estrange, A.M. 
 
 Stip. Curates. 
 C. R. Panter. 
 E. R. Power. 
 
264 
 
 Appendix VI I L 
 
 Palmerstown was united to Garristown before a.d. 1615, and to Clonmethan 
 in and since A.D. 1675. Westpalstown and Ballymadun were united before 
 A.D. 1615, and both were added to Clonmethan, a.d. 1675. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1615. (lit) Nicholas Baron, Vuar. 
 
 F ster, Curate, 
 
 1630. {in) Wilham Tedder. 
 
 Hollywood, Grallagh, and Naul. 
 1615. (in) Terence Ivers. 
 1630. (/«) John Hyde, A.M. 
 1813. Thomas Baker, a.b. 
 1858. Robert Hamilton, A.M. 
 1867. Danby JelTares, A.M. 
 
 {United to Clonmethan, A.D. 1883.) 
 
 Ballyboghill. 
 1615. {in') Nich. Cuhiie (7c'///i Balsraddeji). 
 1630. Galjriel Etheridge {with Port- 
 
 {Unitato Clonmethan, A.D. 1675.) 
 
 A.D. Garristown. 
 
 1275. Will, de Fernshain. 
 1410. {in) Thos. Corre. 
 1536. E. Doyne. 
 
 Simon Geoffry. 
 1542. Richard Duffe. 
 1615. {in) Terence Ivers. 
 1630. (/«) John Kooney, A.M. 
 1744. Chas. Stepney. 
 1759. Alex. Eustace. 
 1793- Jas. McCay. 
 
 1807. Hector Monroe ('cuith Port mar nock). 
 1820. Thos. Baker, sequestr., k.tA. 
 1822. Richard Neville. 
 1824. Godfrey Everth, A.M. 
 1841. John N. Courtney, A.B. 
 1865. James Burnet, A.B. 
 
 {United to Clonmethan, A.D. 1871.) 
 
 XV. Holmpatrick, with Baldongan. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1280. 
 1366. 
 
 1378. 
 1383- 
 1393- 
 1476. 
 IS37. 
 
 1615. 
 
 1630. 
 
 1691. 
 
 1720. 
 1742. 
 1755- 
 1756. 
 1760. 
 1762. 
 1765- 
 1794. 
 
 All traces of the names of the Abbots of the Island Monastery have been lost. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1835. Henry Johnston, A.M. 
 1845. William Tighe, A.B. 
 
 Adam, Prior. 
 [in) Stephen, Prior. 
 John Randolph, Prior. 
 Geoffry, Prior. 
 Stephen Drake, Prior, ob. 
 John Kendall, Prior, ob. 
 (in) James Cogan, Prior. 
 (in) Peter Mann, last Prior, ob. 
 
 Perpetual Curates, 
 (in) Thomas Hood {tvith Bahcad- 
 den). 
 
 (in) Thomas Doughtie, A.M. (with 
 
 Baldojioa/i). 
 Thomas King, A.M. (viith Lusk and 
 
 Donahale). 
 Arthur Tanner. 
 E. Cuthbert. 
 Ralph Card. 
 Francis Glover. 
 Thomas McDonnell. 
 Denis Ware. 
 Thomas Blair. 
 William H. Johnston. 
 
 Incumbent. 
 1886. Richard W. A. Shegog. 
 
 Stip. Curates. 
 
 1 841. Henry Ferguson, 
 
 1842. W. J. Molloy. 
 1870. S. C. Hughes, A.B. 
 
 1615. 
 1630. 
 
 Baldongan. 
 (in) Thomas Hood. 
 (in) Thomas Doughtie, A.M. {with 
 
 Holmpatrick). 
 
 Thomas King, A.M. 
 
 Christopher Robinson, 
 to 1866. W. C. Magrath. 
 
 Baldongan Church having been lonsj 
 since in ruins, the Archbishop 
 issued an order that parishioners 
 might use and resort to Holm 
 Patrick Church. 
 
Succession of Clergy, a.d. 496-1887. 265 
 
 XVI. Balrothery, with Balscadden. 
 
 Vicars. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 1 1 90. Patrick de Rosel. 
 
 Prior of Tristernagh, Patron. 
 1235. [itt] Robert Cox. 
 1262. John de Cambridge. 
 1385. John de Gififord. 
 1412. Nicholas Hill [and Archdeacon of 
 
 Dublin). 
 1435. Luke Barnewall. 
 1604. Thomas Ram {atid from 1605 also 
 
 Bishop and Dean if Ferns). 
 Richard Thompson. 
 1610. Ralph Keiman. 
 I6l2. James Clark. 
 1614. Thomas Faugher. 
 
 Croi.vn, Patron. 
 1622. John Byns iivith Kilsalla^han). 
 1625. Robert Worrall(wzM Kilsallaghan). 
 1695. Francis Higgin, d.d. 
 
 Lay Patron. 
 1760. Henry Ware, A.M. (with Prebend of 
 
 Tipper). 
 1779. M. Turney. 
 1787. Jno. Croasdale. 
 1790. Hon. Boleyn Howard, A.M. 
 1 801. Thomas Richardson, A.M. 
 1806. Philip Ryan, a.b. 
 1808. P'rancis Baker, A.B. 
 1838. Courtney Turner, A.B. 
 1844. Francis Baker. 
 i860. John Grogan, A.M. 
 
 Incumbent, 
 1887. J. N. Lombard, A.B. 
 
 Balscadden. 
 
 Dean and Chapter Christ Church, Patron. 
 Vicars. 
 
 1 42 1. Henry of Marleburgh. 
 1539. John .Mosse. 
 
 161 5. [iti) T\-\ovno.%iiooA{withBaldungan). 
 1630. (nt) Nicholas Culme (with Cloghran). 
 1800. William Blunden. 
 1844. Hugh Hamilton, a.m. 
 
 (United io Balrothery, 187 1. 
 
 XVII. Balbrlgrgran, with Bremore. 
 Lay Patron. 
 
 A.D, Perpetual Curates. 
 
 1814. Gabriel Fenton, a.m. 
 1840. Hugh Hamilton, a.m. 
 1850. J. F. Gregg, a.m. 
 
 A.D. 
 
 i860. Edward Metcalf, a.m. 
 1862. Latham C. Warren, A.M. 
 1865. Samuel P. Warren, A.M. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Adams, Dr., History of Santry, quoted, 82. 
 
 All Hallows, Priory of, 88, 90, 95, 120, 200, 201, 223. 
 
 „ Register of, quoted, 95. 
 Allen, Archbishop John, 117, 195, 200. 
 Anchorite, an enclosed, 31. 
 Anglo-Normans in Fmgal, 73. 
 Anlaff, 45, 67. 
 Anlafif Cuaran, 67. 
 
 "Annals of the Four Masters," quoted, 13, 22, 40, 42, 45, 47, 48, 
 
 49, 50. 51, 59. 75, 83, 102, 125, 126. 
 Anne's Bounty, origin of. Queen, 98. 
 Antrim Round Tower, 58. 
 Archdall's " Monasticon," quoted, 42, 52. 
 Ard-Cianachta, 4. 
 Armagh, Book of, 1 10. 
 
 Armagh and Dublin, dispute about precedency, I06, 114. 
 Artaine Church, 26, 155, 195, 200, 208, 227. 
 
 „ Parish, 117, 218. 
 Ath-Cliath, see Dublin. 
 
 B. 
 
 Bachul of St. Patrick's, 109, 199, 205. 
 Balbriggan Church, 178, 179, 185, 251. 
 
 „ Parish, 186, 187, 220, 251, 265. 
 Baldoyle Town, 100. 
 
 „ Church, 2, 27, 198, 202, 208, 212, 229. 
 
 „ Parish, 46, 65, 73, 88, 95, 120, 218, 256. 
 
268 
 
 Index. 
 
 Baldungan Castle, 89, 97, 249. 
 
 „ Church, 8i, 89, 197, 199, 206, 210, 216, 249. 
 
 „ Parish, 88, 89, 90, 219, 264. 
 Balgriffin Church, 26, 81, 196, 198, 202, 208, 213, 233. 
 
 „ Parish, 87, 219, 258. 
 Ball, Rt. Hon. J. T., " Reformed Church of Ireland," by, quoted, 
 
 121, 124. 
 
 Ballyboghill Church, 60, 108, 112, 155, 197, 199, 206, 209, 216,246. 
 
 „ Parish, 46, 74, 87, 90, 108, 219, 264. 
 Ballymadun Church, 27, 197, 199, 206, 209, 216, 247. 
 
 Parish, 88, 89, 93, 219. 
 Balrothery Castle, 95, 96, 251. 
 
 „ Church, 81, 96, 178, 197, 199, 206, 210, 217, 250. 
 „ Parish, 85, 89, 90, 93, 94, 131, 162, 220, 265. 
 Balscadden Church, 197, 199, 206, 210, 217, 251. 
 
 „ Parish, 87, 220, 265. 
 Barnewalls, the, 19, 141, 150, 153, 212, 213,214, 242. 
 Beads, Form of the, 118. 
 Bedel, Bishop, 134. 
 Bell-ringing in Irish churches, 59. 
 Bicknor, Archbishop de, 107, 
 Bramhall, Archbishop, 135. 
 Bregenses, Tribe of, 3. 
 Bremore, see Lambecher of. 
 Brian Boru, 45. 
 Bridget, St., 16. 
 
 ,, Chapel of. Swords, 82, 203. 
 
 of Ward, ,f<?« Ward. 
 Browne, Archbishop George, 118, 122. 
 
 „ Very Rev. Denis, 134. 
 Bulkeley, Archbishop, Account of Diocese by, quoted, 130, 132, 211, 
 Burke, Sir B., quoted, 93, 131. 
 
 C. 
 
 Canice, St., 11, 15, 54. 
 
 Cashel, Synod of, 83. 
 Catherine, St., loi. 
 
 ,, Chapel of, Swords, 82. 
 
 Celtic Church in Fingal, I. 
 
Index. 
 
 269 
 
 Celtic raids into Fingal, 47, 49, 50, 51. 
 Census, 1659 and 1881, 152, 218. 
 Chapelmidway Church, 203, 207, 239, 261. 
 Charles I., 136, 143. 
 Charter Schools, 169. 
 
 Christ Church Cathedral, 69, 87, 90, 195, 197, 200, 201, 202, 203, 
 
 205, 217. 
 Cian, 3. 
 
 Cianachta, the, 3, 40. 
 Clergy of 17th century, 127. 
 
 „ l8ih century, 162. 
 Cloghran Church, 25, 81, 196, 198, 202, 208, 212, 231. 
 
 „ Parish, 37, 218, 257. 
 Cloictheach, or round tower, 58. 
 Clonard, School of, II, 13. 
 
 Clonmethan Church, 127, 178, 197, 199, 205, 209, 215, 244, 
 
 „ Parish, 4, 79, 85, 90, 129, 154, 219, 262. 
 Clontarf, Battle of, 45. 
 
 „ Church, 12, 80, 178, 195, 198, 201, 208, 224. 
 
 „ Parish, 90. 93, 139, 141, 218, 255. 
 
 „ Charter School, 169, 170. 
 Clonturk. see Drumcondra. 
 Colga, 18. 
 Colman, 8. 
 
 Columba or Columkille, St., 8, 13, 15, 54. 
 
 Comyn, Archbishop John, 81, 84, 92, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205. 
 
 Congal, St., 12. 
 
 Constantyns, the de, 93, 94. 
 
 Convocation of 1661, 157. 
 
 Coolock Church, 26, 81, 156. 177, 196, 198, 201, lo8, 227. 
 
 „ Parish, 89, 218, 256. 
 Coote, Sir C, 139, 151. 
 Corbet, Miles, 145, 153,23^ 
 Cordewaners, the de, 93. 
 Costume, ancient Irish, 52. 
 
 Cotton's "Fasti Eccl. Hib.," quoted, 84, 127, 130, 164. 
 
 Cranlay, Archbishop T., 205. 
 
 Courcys, the de, 93. 
 
 "Crede Mihi," the, 195. 
 
 Cromwell, Oliver, 143, 147, 156, 235. 
 
270 
 
 Index. 
 
 Cromwellian Settlement, the, 149. 
 
 „ by J. P. Prendeigast, quoted, 149, 
 
 150, 151, 152, 153. 
 
 Cronan, St., 42. 
 
 Crown patronage, 180, 181, 182. 
 
 Curwen, Archbishop, 122. 
 
 D. 
 
 D' Alton's " History of Co. Dublin," quoted, 74, 93, 129, 147, 172. 
 Danes in Fingal, the, 38. 
 Danish invasion of Fingal, 38. 
 Danish Church of Dublin, 66. 
 
 „ raids into Fingal, 40, 4I, 42, 45. 
 
 „ Christianity, 67. 
 David, St., of Wales, 35. 
 Dedications of Fingal Churches, 66. 
 Delville, House, Glasnevin, 164, 165. 
 Dermot, King of Leinster, 88, 92, 95. 
 Diocesan system, introduction of, 70. 
 Domhnog, St., 35. 
 
 Donabate Church, 25, 26, 80, 8r, 177, 196, 198, 203, 209, 214, 239. 
 Parish, 85, 88, 219, 261. 
 
 „ a Vicar of, and his wife, 133. 
 Donald, Archbishop of Armagh, 224. 
 Donnycarney Church, 6, 87, 224. 
 Donoughmore, see " St. Margaret's." 
 
 „ (Co. Meath) Round Tower, 58. 
 
 Doulagh or Duilech, St., 30. 
 
 „ Church, 30, 33, 80, 178, 20S, 213, 232. 
 
 „ Parish, 79, 87, 258. 
 Dress of ancient Irish, 52. 
 Drogheda, Siege of, 144. 
 Druidism, 4, 35, 2^. 
 
 Drumcondra Church, 12, 155, 195, 198, ^r, 208. 
 
 ,, Parish, 79, 87, 88, 90, 1S7, 190, 218, 220, 255. 
 Dubhghoill, the, 2, 43. 
 Dubhgall, district of, 2. 
 Dublin, 35, 40, 44. 
 ,, Diocese, 71. 
 
 ,, ,, Danish origin of, 69, 71. 
 
 Dunraven, Lord, " Irish Architecture," quoted, 37, 58, 59. 
 
Index. 
 
 271 
 
 E. 
 
 Edar, see Howth. 
 Education in Fingal, 166. 
 Edward VI., 122. 
 
 Elizabeth, Queen, 120, 122, 124, 126. 
 Eva, wife of Strongbow, 92. 
 
 F. 
 
 Fagan, Mr., of P'eltrim, 159, 214. 
 Fieldstown Church, loi, 204, 208, 246, 263, 
 
 ,, Parish, 219. 
 Finan, St., 17, 54. 
 
 „ Chapel of, Swords, 82, 203. 
 Fingal, first in Diocese of Glendalough, 70. 
 „ after „ Dublin, 79. 
 
 „ district of, I, 3, 65. 
 „ Earl of, 139. 
 „ name, 2, 65- 
 „ Clerical Society, 2. 
 Finglas Church, 6, 11, 26, 80, 147, 178, 195, 198,200,208,211, 
 221. 
 
 „ School, 168. 
 
 „ Parish, 79, 92, 132, 157, 165, 190, 218, 220, 253. 
 
 „ Cross, 147. 
 Finnghoill, or Feon Gael, the, 2, 43. 
 Fintan's, St., Oratory, 29, 231. 
 First fruits, origin of, 98. 
 Fitzsimons, Archbishop Walter, 203. 
 Fitz Torkaill, see Torquill. 
 Friars, begging and preaching, 1 30, 133. 
 Froude, J. A., quoted, 143, 144, 162, 170. 
 
 G. 
 
 Garristown Church, 27, 178, 188, 197, 199, 205, 209, 215, 239, 245, 
 
 ,, Parish, 89, 129, 134, 187, 219, 263, 264. 
 Geraldines in Fingal, the, 117. 
 Gilbert, J. T., quoted, 92, 94, 100, 107, III, 118. 
 Gilbert, Bishop of Limerick, 70, 76. 
 Glasmore Abbey, 41, 239. 
 
272 
 
 Index. 
 
 Glasnevin Church, 11, 80, 195, 198, 201, 208, 222. 
 
 „ Parish, 79, 87, 165, 187, 190, 254. 
 Glendalough, Diocese of, 70, 71. 
 Glynshagh Church, 82. 
 Gobban Saer, 64. 
 
 Gormanstown, Lords of, and Balrothery, 131. 
 
 Grace Dieu, 19, 88, 90, 106, 119, 196, 197, 198, 205, 243. 
 
 Grallagh Church, 27, 209, 215, 245. 
 
 „ Parish, 89, 264. 
 Grany, Nunnery of, 88, 203, 
 Gregg, Bishop John, 182. 
 Gregory, Archbishop of Dublin, 72. 
 
 ir. 
 
 Haliday's "Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin," quoted, 67, 71, 74, 
 92. 
 
 Hamilton, H. A., Esq., Lecture by, quoted, 131, 162. 
 Hardiman's " Statute of Kilkenny," quoted, 83, 92, 100, 102, I05, 
 125. 
 
 Henry VIIL, 1 17. 
 
 Hickson, M., quoted, 135, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142. 
 Higgin, Rev. F.. 162. 
 
 Hollywood Church, 60, 155, 197, 199, 204, 209, 215, 244. 
 
 „ Parish, 40, 87, 89, 187, 219, 220, 263, 264. 
 Holmpatrick Church, 81, 86, 155, 178, 197, 199, 206, 210, 2i6, 247. 
 Sec, also, Liispatrick. 
 „ Parish, 87, 134, 141, 187, 219. 
 
 „ Synod, 75. 
 
 Horse Decanicas Rurales, quoted, 78. 
 Hore, of Kilsallaghan, Mrs., 151. 
 Howth, the garland of, 9. 
 
 „ Abbey, 10, 85, 86, 196, 198, 201, 208, 212, 228. 
 „ Castle, 95. 
 „ Church, 178, 228. 
 ,, Earls of, 92, 94, 153. 
 „ Parish, 65, 85, 93, 134, 184, 2lS, 256. 
 „ School, 168. 
 Huguenots in Swords, 123. 
 
 I. 
 
 Ibher-Domnainn, see Malahide. 
 
 Impropriation of great tithes by laymen, 134. A 
 
Index. 
 
 273 
 
 Inis Nessan, see Ireland's Eye. 
 Inispatrick, 7, 37, 51, 69, 75, 248. 
 Ireland's Eye, 8, 40, 44, 65, 79. 
 
 „ Church, 80, 85, 86, 87, 92, 230, 256. 
 
 Irish Church Act of 1869, 187. " 
 
 J. 
 
 James I., 126, 206. 
 
 James II. in Fingal, 156. 
 
 Jones, M., 144, 153. 
 
 John Baptist, Priory of St„ 88. 
 
 Jurse, Primate, 106. 
 
 Joyce,- Dr., " Irish Names of Places," quoted, 5, and Appendix VII. 
 K.. 
 
 Kenure Church, 81, 178, 179, 186, 196, 204, 242, 262. 
 
 „ Parish, 219, 261. 
 Kevernock, John, 104. 
 
 Kilbarrack Church, 10, 27, 198, 202, 208, 229. 
 
 „ Parish, 79, 87, 90, 139, 219. 
 Kilbixy, Monastic Hospital of, 88, 90, 94, 197, 206. 
 Killeek Church, 24, 81, 196, 203, 209, 214, 238. 
 
 ,, Parish, 219, 259. 
 Killester Church, 79, 87, 203, 218, 225. 
 Killossory Church, 8l, 155, 196, 203, 209, 214, 238. 
 
 „ Parish, 87, 219, 261. 
 Kilmainham Priory, 90. 
 Kilsallaghan Castle, 95, 140. 
 
 „ Church, 37, 140, 178, 196, 198, 204, 209, 214, 238, 
 „ Parish, 79, 88, 93, 134, 139, 151, 152, 219, 261. 
 King, Archbishop, 165. 
 
 „ Rev. R., " Primer of Irish Church History," quoted, 54. 
 Kinsaley Church, 8,1, 155., 196, 203, 208, 237, 
 Parish, 46, 73, 74, 79, 87, 219, 259. 
 Kirwan, Very Rev. VV. B., 184., 
 Knights Hospitallers, 90, 200. 
 Knights Templars, 89, 90, 195, 196, 200, 205. 
 Knightstown, Whitestown. 
 
 T 
 
274 
 
 Index. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lambay, 8, 65, 219, 240. 
 
 „ Church, 79. 
 Lambecher of Bremore, 34, 141. 
 
 „ Church of, 30, 81, 89, 252, 265. 
 Lanthony, Monastery of, 89, 90, 196, 197, 201, 204, 205. 
 Laud, Archbishop, 135. 
 Lispobel Church, 196, 203, 237. 
 Loundres, Archbishop H. de, 204, 205, 206. 
 Lusk Church, 17, 42, 48, 63, 80, 86, 178, 196, 198, 204, 209, 215, 
 241. 
 
 „ Parish, 40, 49, 50, 79, 81, 83, 87, 92, 129, 190, 219, 261. 
 „ Round Tower of, 62, 63. 
 
 M. 
 
 MacCulHn, St., 17. 
 MacGillivider, Primate, III, 
 MacTorkill, see Torquill. 
 Malachy, Bishop, 75, 109, 112. 
 Malahide Castle, 95, I4S- 
 
 „ Church, 60, 81, 146, 178, 182, 196, 203, 209, 213, 233. 
 
 „ Parish, 5, 46, 73, 92, 93, 94, 219, 259, 
 
 „ Town, 41. 
 
 Margaret's, St., Dunshaughlin, 7, 26, 90, 155, 195, 200, 208, 218, 
 222. 
 
 Mamock, St., 107. 
 
 „ Church, 107. 
 Marsh, Archbishop, 165, n. 
 Mary, (^ueen, 122. 
 
 Mary's, St,, Abbey, 74, 87, 90, 107, 196, 201, 202. 
 
 „ Chartularies of, quoted, 10, 74, 87, 88, 92, 94, 
 107, III. 
 
 Mason, W. Monck, "History of St, Patjick's," quoted, 81,82, 84, 
 87, lOI. 
 
 Mobhi, Movi, or Movee, St., oratory, tH. 
 
 of Glasnevin, II. 
 Molagga, or Molacca, St., 35. 
 Monasteries suppressed, 1 19. 
 
 I 
 
Index. 
 
 275 
 
 Monastic buildings of early Irish Church, lo, 22. 
 Monasticism and early Irish Church, 10, 24. 
 Muldowney, 5. 
 
 N. 
 
 Naul Castle, 95. 
 
 „ Church, 178, 197, 199, 204,209, 215, 244. 
 
 „ Parish, 4, 89, 219, 264. 
 Nessan, St., 8, 54. 
 Nethercross, the Cross of, 147, 222, 
 Non-resident clergy, evils of, 129, 
 Normans, see Anglo-Normans. 
 
 O. 
 
 O'Caran, Primate, ill. 
 Occadesis, territory of, 4, 204, 203. 
 O'Connor, Primate J., III. 
 O'Fidabra, Primate D., 11 1. 
 O'lliraghty, Primate D., II4. 
 Omiond, Earl of, 143. 
 
 O'Toole, Archbishop Laurence, 78, 79, 200, 203, 205. 
 
 P. 
 
 Pale, the, 74, 99, 100, 116, 125. 
 
 „ confederates of, 1 64 1, 138. 
 Palmerstown Church, 27, 197, 199, 205, 209, 215, 246. 
 
 ,, Parish, 88, 90, 219. 
 Parnell, Rev. Thomas, 165. 
 Parochial system, introduction of, 77. 
 Papal tenths, see Tenths. 
 Patrick, St., in Fingal, 5. 
 
 „ Tripartite Life of, 108. 
 
 „ Cathedral of, 84, 87, 90, 195, 199, 200, 202. 
 
 „ Church, Inispatrick, 75, 76. 
 
 „ Church, 1 )onabate, 26. 
 
 „ and the bachul, 108. 
 
 Patronage in Fingal, ecclesiastical, i8o. 
 
276 
 
 Index, 
 
 Penal laws, 166. 
 
 Petrie, Dr., quoted, 23, 58. 
 
 Petty, Sir W., 152, 218. 
 
 Pheypos, the de, 93, 95. 
 
 Plunket family in Portmarnock, 131. 
 
 Pluralities, evils of, 161, 162. 
 
 Portmarnock Church, 156, 196, 202, 209, 213, 235. 
 
 „ Parish, 46, 73, 87, 92, 94, 131, 187, 198, 219, 259. 
 
 ,, see also St. Marnock. 
 
 Portrane Church, 196, 198, 204, 209, 214, 240. 
 „ Parish, 8, 46, 74, 8o, 88, 219, 261. 
 
 R. 
 
 Raheny Church, 155, 189, 195, 198, 201, 208, 225. 
 
 „ Parish, 10, 46, 87, 90, 93; 139, 218, 255. 
 Rathhreasil, Synod of, 70. 
 Rebellion of 164 1, 136. , 
 
 of 1798, 175- 
 Rechru, see Lambay. 
 
 Reeves, Bishop, quoted, 14, 30, 70, 79, 97, 172. 
 Reformation in Fingal, 116. 
 "Regal Visitation," 127, 207. 
 " Repertorium Viride," 200. 
 
 Richey, A. G., History of Ireland, quoted, 19, 91. 
 Roman Catholic laymen, loyal, rewarded, 131. 
 Round Towers, Irish, 56. 
 Rush Church, 196, 204, 243, 261. 
 
 S. 
 
 Santry Church, 155, 196, 201, 208, 212,231. 
 
 „ Parish, 82, 87, 93, 139,. 187, 198, 218, 257. 
 
 „ School, 168. 
 
 „ Charter School, 169, 170. 
 Sitric, King of the Ostmen, 45, 46, 67. 
 
 » 69. 
 Skerries, see Holmpatrick. 
 Slane Round Tower, 59. 
 
 Stokes, Dr. G. T., "Ireland and Celtic Church," quoted, 14, 23, 75. 
 Strongbow's Invasion, 73, i^i, 205. 
 
Index. 
 
 277 
 
 Swift, Dean, 163, 164. 
 Swords Borough, 171, 172. 
 „ Castle, 97, 123, 236. 
 • „ Church, 13, 45, 47, 48, 57, 80, 178, 196, 198, 202, 209, 213, 
 236. 
 
 „ Parish, 79, 81, 83, 92, 134, 154, 156, 219, 259. 
 
 „ School, 168, 171. 
 
 „ Town, 13, 139, 176, 219. 
 
 „ Round Tower, 57, 60. 
 
 T. 
 
 Talbot, Archbishop R., 84, 202. 
 
 Talbot de Malahide, Lords, 92, 94, 144, 145, 150, 213. 
 Taxation, ecclesiastical, of Fingal in 1302, 98. 
 Templemolaga, 36. 
 Tenths, Papal, 98, 198. 
 
 Thomas, Martyr, Priory of St., 88, 196, 200, 203. 
 Tithes impropriated by laymen, an evil, 134. 
 
 „ War of 1832, 175. 
 Todd, Dr. J. H., quoted, 5, 40, 43, 109. 
 Tomgrany Round Tower, 58. 
 Tonsure, the Irish, 53. 
 Torquills, the, 46, 73, 92, 1 13. 
 Trimleston, Lords, 120. 
 Trinity College, Dublin, 120. 
 
 „ Priory of Holy, see Christ Church Cathedral, 
 Tristernagh, see Kilbixy. 
 
 U. 
 
 Union of Parishes desirable, 188. 
 Ussher, Primate James, 158. 
 „ quoted, 79. 
 
 W. 
 
 Wakeman, W. F., " Irish Antiquities," quoted, 30, 
 Walker, J. C, "Dress of Ancient Irish," quoted, 52. 
 Walsh, Rev. R., ll.d., m.d., 148. 
 
 » >i quoted, 44, 165,170. • 
 
278 
 
 Index. 
 
 Ward Church, 26, 155, 195, 200, 207, 222. 
 
 „ Parish, 152, 218. 
 "Wentworth, Lord Deputy, 135. 
 
 Westpalstown, 4, 88, 154, 175, 197, X99, 206, 209, 2l6, 219, 246, 
 "White Book" of Christ Church, quoted, III. 
 Whitestown Church, 81, 196, 204. 
 
 „ Parish, 219. 
 Wilkinson, Kev. T., 157. 
 William III. in Fingal, 159. 
 Winchester, Monastery of, 76, 
 
 C. W. GiBBS, Printer, 18 Wicklow Street, Dublin.