Shanganagh

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Shanganagh**

No sooner had the Norman knights set their feet upon the verdant island, and gazed around upon its golden valleys and fertile pasture lands, than they at once found themselves filled with an inordinate desire to become possessed of something more than the mere vision of such luxuriance. They smacked their lips at the glittering prospect, and, in the abject subserviency of selfish expectation, prostrated themselves before their gracious and beneficent mob arch. Henry received these advances with complacency; he was desirous of rewarding the services of his faithful knights; and, as he had no land to spare in England, he gladly distributed amongst them, with a lavish hand, the Irish manors, which he only knew by name.

One there was, situated in the vicinity of Dublin, that made the Norman mouth of Sir Hugh de Lawless water. It went by the name of the Manor of Shanganagh, and was, in sooth, a most ethereal spot. Slumbering beneath the mountain parish of Killiney, and sheltered by the umbrageous foliage of Old Connaught, the vale of Shanganagh, with outstretched arms, while embracing a creek of the dark blue ocean, grasped into a focus all the naturally picturesque beauty of that eminently rich district.

Sir Hugh de Lawless heard of the exquisite scenery of Shanganagh; he resolved to test the truth of these reports, and made a personal pilgrimage to the spot. To modify the words of Caesar, he came, saw, and (was) conquered. Yes! The Norman found himself speechless with admiration before its beauties. Shanganagh had taken his heart by storm, and he would that very day wait upon King Henry and conjure him to make it his for evermore. His majesty heard the request, complied with it, and from that moment Shanganagh became the property, or, as the attorney said, who drew up the deed of settlement, the *fee-simple *of Sir Hugh.

The old age of Sir Hugh Lawless did find a home in the vale of Shanganagh; and what is more, “the accents of love fell sweet on his ears” the while. He married, erected a castle near the water’s edge, and lived and died, after a long life of labour, within it.”

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In 1357, Stephen Lawless was consecrated Bishop of Limerick, and died on Innocents’ Day, 1359. The family were then in possession of large estates in Dublin and Wicklow. “In the 14th and 15th centuries” observes Dalton, in his History of the County Dublin “the Lawless family were in possession of Shanganagh, Kilruddery, Corkagh, and Old Connaught but in 1473 the Vicars of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin petitioned Parliament, stating that they and their predecessors were seized of the seigniory of Shanganagh from time immemorial had leased it to Thomas Lawless, and had also leased 80 acres within said seigniory to Edmund Walsh, who disowned their authority, and would pay no rent.”

Shanganagh about this time, 1473, passed out of the family; but the Lawlesses were too much attached to the old property not to re-establish themselves as soon as possible in its immediate vicinity. This they did by erecting a castle at Shankhill, and a dwelling-house at Cherrywood, townlands situated within a stone’s throw of Shanganagh. In the 15th century, the Lawless’s were in possession of considerable landed property in Kilkenny. [“Cloncurry and His Times,” with the permission of the author, W. J. Fitzpatrick, Esq., J.P.]

At the head of the verdant Glen Druid, near Shanganagh, is the site of the ruined castle of Carrickmines, on which a lofty pleasure turret was erected by Mr. Barrington. Carrickmines Castle belonged to the Walshes, a family or sept whose history is most interesting.

[The Walshes were the former proprietors of Old Connaught, the seat of the great and illustrious Lord Plunkett From the distracted state of the country in 1641, the Walshes of Old Connaught and Shanganagh, disposed of their lands, which were not forfeited, and withdrew to France.

The final desertion of the abode of their ancestors took place in 1691, immediately after the Treaty of Limerik.* *There is a small chapel, draped in ivy, with a favourite and much revered Cemetery, in Old Connaught Avenue - This chapel was of similar design, and its dimensions equal to those of the little cell at the foot of Bray Head. Wright, an eminent writer, in his tour through Wicklow, in speaking of Old Connaught Chapel, says, “The ruin is *preserved *in all its interesting picturesque solemnity, by a gentleman not less remarkable for purity of taste, and acuteness of judgment in elegant literature, than for a dignified, yet unaffected, unassuming, yet assiduous, discharge of the clerical duties of the populous parishes of Bray and Old Connaught; of which he, the Rev. Mr Plunkett, was then the incumbent.

In 1642, Sir Simon Harcourt marched hither to dislodge the Irish garrison of Carrickmines. He was shot in the attack and died the following day at Merrion, at the house of Lord Fitzwilliam, whither he had been removed.

Borlase in his “Irish Rebellion,” says, that Lieutenant Colonel Gibson, Sir Simon Harcourt’s Lieutenant thereupon stormed this castle, and his soldiery put them all to the sword, sparing neither man, woman; nor child.

The waters of the Bride’s Glen flow into the stream which passes through Glen Druid, and fall into the Shanganagh rivulet, before it reaches Killiney Bay. The interesting valley of the Druid’s Glen - the sequestered retreat where the priests of Odin celebrated their mysteries and imposing rites 2,000 years ago, was also looked upon by the ancient Irish as a highly favoured spot where fairies, genii and elves held their midnight and moonlight revels.

[The idea prevalent among the peasantry of Ireland, Great Britain, and most of the northern nations of Europe, relative to preternatural beings inhabiting woods, mountains and wastes, and denominated in the English language *Fairies, *originated in the tenets of Polytheism, or that sect of paganism professed by all the ancient inhabitants of Europe, before the light of the Gospel shone among them.

Our ancestors, not content with deriving the origin of nature from an eternal almighty Being, delegated the works and operations of nature, to subordinate divinities of different orders and degrees some having immediate intercourse, and ultimately connected with the Divine Being, from whom they originated, whilst others, though far superior to mankind, were only ministering spirits to those of higher dignity. In every order and degree, myriads of these spiritual existences were supposed to inhabit all parts of the universe; some dwelt in the sun, some in the moon, and others in the planets and stars; whilst others again were stationed on earth, superintending not only the affairs of mankind, but every animal and vegetable production; nay, rivers, lakes, plains, values, rocks and mountains, were under their protection, and even the elements have their guardian genii. The descriptions given of these aerial beings, in the traditions and superstitions of the are elegant and pleasing. They are generally defined bloomin in full perfection of youth and beauty, enjoying the most elegant and finished forms, and clothed in loose and flowing garments of azure, blue or purple, skirted with gold and silver, whilst chaplets of the most beautiful and odoriferous flowers of the different seasons, adorn their heads, necks and arms; and gems, which exceeded in brilliance the pellucid drops of early dew, gave a lustre to their elegant golden tresses of these beings some sported in living crystal waters, rivers and fountains; others presiding over groves, forests and plains, reposed on carpets of violets and primroses, in bowers of jessamines, woodbines and roses; whilst others, furnished with gold plumed wings, rode through the regions of the air in cloudy chariots of the most splendid hues, where they directed the winds, rain, storms and tempests.

Those which were supposed to preside over the forests and vegetable productions of the earth, the Irish and Britons denominated *Feadh-Ree, *pronounced *Fairy, *or woodland divinities. They were supposed to hold their habitations under the ground and in the bodies of trees; to them appertained the care of corn, fruit and cattle. They were generally favourable to the human race, though when, through the ingratitude of mankind, they were injured in any of their charges, they frequently notified their resentment on several subjects committed to their charge; the springs became turbid, the corn and fruit blasted, and the cattle sickened and died. On which account great care and attention were employed to merit the favour of these guardian spirits; and no small degree of homage was paid to them. The ancient Irish generally sacrificed to them by pouring a part of what they drank upon the earth; and so firmly did they believe in their existence, that there were persons in rural districts called Fairy Doctors, who were supposed to hold immediate intercourse with them, and prevented them from not only injuring the cattle, corn and trees, but cured them of such diseases as they were supposed to have inflicted on them.

These imaginary beings among different nations have various names and employments, according to their situation and mode of life. Among the northern nations they were called *Aafe, Fairies *and *Elves. *With the Greeks, *Nomes *with the Romaus, *Naiads, Nymphs, Silvans, Satyrs, *&c., and with the Hebrews, among whom they make a considerable department in their theology. From whence it is evident that the opinion respecting Genii, Fairies, Specters, and Apparitions, so prevalent amongst most nations, arose from this ancient doctrine.]

Not far from Brennanstown House, Cabinteely, is the plain or area where 4,000 were encamped in 1795, commonly called Loughlinstown camp. Here, also, the army of King James encamped for five successive days after the battle of the Boyne. On one of the intervening nights the King slept at *Puck’s Castle, *upon the side of Shankill, which overlooked the camp.

[There is a house at the village of Chapelizod, Phoenix Park, Dublin, which was occupied by King James in the morning, and by King William in the evening of the same day.]

The following extract is from Wright’s Wicklow, published many years ago:- “In this edifice called Puck’s Castle, the unhappy monarch, James, slept the night after his defeat at Oldbridge, while his army bivouacked in front. [The very peculiar state of Irish scenery in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries rendered such strong frontier residences as Puck’s Castle necessary. It was customary, at these periods, for hordes of men, under the O’Toole, to leave their territories and march on the palesmen of Loughlinstown, Shanganagh, Shankhill, and Bray, very much, it may be supposed to their annoyance and discomfiture. These harassing incursions appear to have been kept up until James the First ascended the throne. A flight of stone steps leading to the roof of Puck’s Castle, is still in excellent preservation. A fine view of land and sea is commanded from the summit

Robert Cowley, writing to Lord Cromwell, in 1537, speaks of the O’Tooles as a sept “who most noyeth about Dublin.”] Tradition states, that James, being apprehensive of an ambush in the woods of Windgate, took a boat at Killiney Bay, and coasted to the town of Wicklow, where he slept in a house afterwards occupied by a Dr. Smith. This anecdote relative to King James, rests on the authority of an unpublished M.S., in the possession of a private individual. From the town of Wicklow, King James must have proceeded to Shelton Abbey, in the Vale of Arklow, which was the last place he slept at in the county of Wicklow.” **

Cromlechs, near Shanganagh and Killiney**

[These cromlechs or altars are thoroughly Eastern and primitive. Such an altar Noah “builded unto the Lord;” such an altar God himself commanded “If thou wilt make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of *hewn *stone for if thou lift up the tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Cromlechs similar to those in Ireland exist in Syria (Kemp’s “Monumenta Antiqua.”) Several cromlechs are still to be found in the East, which are commonly called “Altars of the Gentiles]

One of the most perfect and magnificent cromlechs in the kingdom (of extraordinary dimensions) within a short distance of Shanganagh and Killiney, is at “Glen Druid,”* *the lovely residence of the much-respected Mr. Manliffe Barrington, - an extremely beautiful and picturesque spot - situated opposite to “Brennanstown House,” adjoining Cabinteely, one of the charming country seats of those *progressive *and truly *independent *Irishmen, The Pims,” who have already done so much for the material prosperity of their country.

The cromlech consists of a prodigious altar stone, six feet thick at the upper part, its length being 18 feet and width 15, leaning on four slabs of rock.

The cromlech at Shanganagh rests on three grey stones, the under surface being quite level.

At Killiney, behind Mount Druid House, which was occupied for some time by the late much-lamented J. B. Dillon, M.P., may be seen a well-preserved Druidical circle with the high priest’s chair and sacrificing stone. Some small plantations appear around this mystic scene, the humble successors of those venerated oaks that shaded the Magi centuries ago. [The “Hill of Ward,” which is near Athboy, was the ancient *Slacht-ga, *or Royal Seat of the Pagan Irish Kings, and a stronghold of Druidism, where annually, on the last night of October, the sacred fires were lighted and victims sacrificed.]

There is another very fine cromlech, which some think larger than the one at Glen Druid, on the hill behind the Golden Ball, a mile and a-half from Cabinteely, at a place called Kilternan. [The cromlech at Kilternan was considered the largest in Europe, until the following appeared in the Illustrated London News:-

“Among the most interesting Druidic remains in Brittany is the gigantic “dolmen,” called La Roche aux Fées, or the Fairies’ Rock, situated in the Commune of Essé, 20 miles from Rennes. We are indebted to Mr. G. A. Mevius, of that city, for two photographs and description of this extraordinary building. It is, as shown in our illustrations, a long covered avenue, formed of 42 stones of various sizes. Of these stones, 17 are placed along the south-west side, and 15 along the northeast, all planted upright in the earth, and composing the two walls of the abbey; their height above the ground, ranges from 4ft. 11in. to 7ft. 3in. The other nine stones which form the roof, are enormous blocks laid across, with their ends resting on the tops of the walls on each side. Several of these huge pieces are from 5ft. to 7ft. in thickness; and one of them is estimated to weigh about 45 tons. The stone above the entrance is of the length of 18ft., and about 4ft. in width and thickness; it forms, with the two pillar-stones on which its front is supported, a gateway, lift. Gin. wide, and 4ft. 4in. high. We do not know whether the height may not have been somewhat greater in former ages, when the level of the ground was, perhaps, lower than at present. This entrance is at the south-east side. At the north-west side, the temple, if such it was, is closed by a single block of great size. The total length of the edifice is 64ft. 2in., and its greatest height externally is 13ft. 2in. The interior is divided into two chambers, which are separated from each other by two stones, forming a sort of doorway. The first chamber is l4ft. 2in. long, and 9ft. wide; the second chamber is more than 48ft. long, and its width varies from 14ft. 6in. to l2ft. 2in.; it is subdivided into three compartments, or cells, by three projecting stones which run part way across from the south-east wall. The height of the interior, from the floor to the roof, now varies between 4ft. 11in. and 6ft. 6in.; but it was probably sufficient in the original structure, for men to stand upright in every part. A few paces off, near the singular building described, lie two blocks of the same kind of stone - one to the west, the other to the east-under the shade of a venerable chestnut-tree, which shelters with its thick foliage the entrance to the temple. It is worthy of remark that the rock a reddish coloured schist of which this temple is built, is only found at a place about four miles distant, named Belle Marie, to the south-west of Essé, and fragments of this stone are found lying about on the road between these places. A stream, called the Rousseau de Sang, or Blood Brook, in the channel of which are some Druidic stones, runs not far from the Roche aux Fées; and in the small forest of Theil, which is in the same neighbourhood, is a “Menhir” of considerable dimensions.]

Near Kilternan and the Golden Ball is the “Scalp,” a very extraordinary natural pass through the mountains which divide the counties of Dublin and Wicklow. It is situated about two miles from Enniskerry. The opposite hills appear to have been rent asunder by some tremendous convulsive shock, and being composed of granite strata, the internal structure, when exposed to view, presents the secret recesses of nature in an awful and appalling point of view. Enormous masses of granite, many tons in weight, are tossed about in the most irregular manner, and so imperfect and unfinished was the effort of nature in creating this gulf, that the opposite sides of the pass are distant only the breadth of a narrow road from each other; in some places enormous masses actually interrupt the continued regularity of the limit of the road.**

The “Antiquities of Tullagh,” near Cabinteely, County Dublin.**

The ancient burial-place of “Tullagh,” near the village of Cabinteely, in the county of Dublin, contains within its precincts many objects of interest to the antiquarian. The ruins are approached from Cabinteely by a winding green lane, which, from its elevated position, presents some charming views of the surrounding country, that will amply repay the visitor, irrespective of the time-honored associations of the place. The church of Tullagh, *i.e., *“of the green eminence,” is supposed by Dalton to have been originally built by the Danes, and dedicated to their king and patron, St. Olave, who became a martyr in 1030. In 1178, Archbishop O’Toole confirmed the church to the Priory of the Holy Trinity; and the taxation roll of 1306 shows that there was a certain portion of land next the church appropriated to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, valued at £6 per annum. Dalton also states that in the Irish Chancery Rolls of 1370, there is an entry that Matthew, the son of Raymund de Bermingham, was despatched to Tullagh by the Lord Deputy to oppose the Kavanaghs, O’Byrnes, O’Nolans, and other “Irish enemies” of the English Pale.” It is the opinion of the same historian that the church and its surroundings were formerly a sanctuary or asylum founded to protect the persecuted and penitent similar to those mentioned in sacred and profane history. The numerous crosses or portions of same which still may be seen at a distance from the ruins of the church, favour this idea; as it is reasonable to suppose that sanctuaries were in many cases surrounded by certain outposts, such as crosses or other symbols of Christianity, which formed a sacred line or boundary for the better protection of those who fled there for refuge.

Of the church, only what was probably the choir now remains, which is of small proportions, and presents but few features worthy of notice, further than a well-built and perfect semi-circular arch. At the entrance of this apartment lies a tombstone of large dimensions, which denotes the grave of the Mercer family. It may be interesting here to remark that from the date, and one of the names, Mary Mercer, on the slab, it is not unlikely that Miss Mary Mercer, of charitable memory, who in 1734. founded “Mercer’s Hospital,” one of Dublin’s noblest institutions, found here her last resting place. In the grave-yard, close to the ruins of the church, at its western side, is a very curious monumental stone of great antiquity, having on its upper surface a cross carved in bold relief with sunk panels. It is supposed that this stone originally formed a portion of the lid of a stone coffin in which an ecclesiastic of note was buried. Next to this stone lies a remarkable monument of a very remote period of this island’s history; on its smoothest face appears a triple set of well defined, of what are called annular inscriptions. They differ in size, and each set is composed of four or five circles, with a boss in the centre. Mr. Henry Parkinson, who first drew attention to this curious monument, read an interesting paper on it and some other stones with similar inscriptions be found in Rathmichael church-yard, [In this old churchyard are six monumental stones, with annular inscriptions; two of them were found by the late Dr. Petrie, in 1815; the remaining four were recently discovered by Mr. H. Parkinson. Close to the churchyard, stand in a very perfect condition, the ruins of the well-known Puck’s Castle. A gentle. man, who has taken the farm of Rathmichael, discovered, a short time ago, the remains of a subterraneous passage evidently communicating between the Castle and the old church at Rathmichael. The country people think that a quantity of treasure will be found in the passage some day or other. It may not be known that the ancient town of Bray was at Rathmichael, and not on the sea shore. The foundations of the houses can still be traced. Stretching up the bill at the back of the ruins of Rathmichael lies one of the finest fair greens in Ireland, and there are people alive who remember fairs being held there not far inferior to the now famous Ballinasloe. At the head of the fair green, on the top of the hill, are two Danish raths.] at a recent meeting of the Royal Irish Academy. Dr. Graves, Bishop of Limerick, has written an instructive article on this class of inscriptions. The late Dr. Petrie also describes, in the *Dublin Examiner *for October, 1816, two of these stones he found at Rathmichael.

Mr. Henry Parkinson, Barrister, author of that beautiful work, the “Illustrated Record of the Dublin International Exhibition” of 1865, thinks that the following conjecture is worthy of consideration, namely, that the inscribed stone at Tullagh, was the monument of some former chief, and the carving, representing perhaps three shields were the symbols of his name, rank, and tribe. In the Irish grammar it is stated that “Fiacra was slain at the battle of Conry, his uacht or funeral stone, was erected, and on his tomb was inscribed his ogum name.” Outside the grave-yard of Tullagh, on the roadside, stands a fine specimen of the ancient Irish cross belonging to the order which Ledwich calls that of Odin. A few yards from this latter may be seen in a field another cross, which Dalton describes as belonging to the Maltese pattern, with a good deal of carving on its shaft, and although greatly mutilated, is a most interesting relic. Next to this are the stone pedestals of two crosses which have disappeared. At first sight one is led to think that this triple group of crosses was erected as symbolical of Calvary; but on consideration it is manifest that these crosses were removed to their present position at no very remote period, and they once stood, together with the cross first described, in the four cardinal points of the compass, at some distance from the church, so as to form a line of outposts, and increase the security of the sanctuary.

[In Mervyn’s “Letters on Ireland,” is quoted the following epitaph on a tombstone in Tullagh churchyard:-

Ye, who the power of God delight to trace,

And mark with joy each monument of grace,

Tread lightly o’er this grave, as ye explore

The short but simple Annals of the Poor.”]

In the immediate neighbourhood of Tullagh is Rathmichael, a place of great antiquity, where the confederate forces of Strongbow and Dermod M’Morogh secretly passed from Waterford for the relief of Dublin, when besieged by the native princes. At Rathmichael are the ruins of an old church, and the lower section of a round tower, seven feet high, and 20 yards in circumference, called by the people of the district the “Skull Hole.” On an eminence of Rathmichael is the *finest *Danish Bath in Ireland, which is really worth the notice of all antiquarians. It extends over an area 86 feet in diameter, the circumference of which was marked by a circle of stones, most of which are now nearly sodded over. Below this the Rath was encircled by a deep fosse of a much wider range, parts of which are still discernible. A wall and mound of an immense circumference enclosed all. The position of this fort was most commanding. Almost every Dane who arrives in this country visits this great military station of their ancestors. A few hundred yards from the fort in a hollow may still be traced the remains of another Bath, but of smaller dimensions.

Moore, in his history of Ireland, says - “It has been conjectured, however, and with much probability, that the stone circles of the Druids were employed, no less as rude observatories, than as places of judicature and worship; and the position in both of them of the great perpendicular stones, of which some, it is said, are placed generally in or near the meridian of the spot, while others are as carefully stationed to the right or left of the centre, would seem to indicate in their construction some view to astronomical purposes.” **

Rochestown Avenue and House**

Rochestown Avenue and House - “Squire Mapase” - Fine Specimens of the Quercus Virens, or Evergreen Oak - The Kill of the Grange and its old Abbey - The late Mathias J. O’Kelly, Esq. - Splendid Specimens of Evergreen Paks at Delville, Glasnevin. - The once classic residence of the celebrated Dean Delany, now in the possession of P. J. Keenan, Esq., National Education Board.

Adjacent to the point, where the Killiney road intersects the famous “Rochestown avenue,” one of the finest roads in the kingdom, and a favourite walk in summer owing to its being over-arched with trees from one end to the otter, stands a quaint old rambling mansion called Rochestown house; the favourite residence, for many years, of the late respected and ever to be lamented Mathias J. O’Kelly, Esq., the eminent Naturalist. [Mr. O’Kelly was one of the founders, and honorary Secretary for some years to the Company which formed Glasnevin Cemetery, the Pere La Chase of Dublin, and though not 40 years established, yet a vast Necropolis where close on 300,000 sleep their last sleep. Here the immortal Curran, O’Connell, and others, who in their life time were able “listening Senates to command,” have found their final resting place. The Cemetery is really worth a visit, being tastefully laid out with plants and evergreens, and abounds in beautiful monuments. Mr. O’Kelly was a member of the Royal Irish Academy, and on the Council of the Royal Zoological Gardens Society, and a member of many other Societies in Dublin. Mr. Kelly was the author of what is written on Irish shells, in Whitelaw’s “History of Dublin.”] The house from its pointed gables, and high pitched roof presents rather an imposing specimen of what may be called the Dutch order of architecture, much in vogue in Queen Anne’s time, and that of the early Georges; and was once the country seat of the Malpas family. In Burke’s *Landed Gentry, *we read in the history of the Byrnes of Cabinteely, of one Walter Byrne marrying Clare, daughter of Christopher Malpas, of Rochestown, in or about the year 1700. John, known as the *Squire Mapase, *who erected the obelisk on Killiney hill, to provide employment for the people on his estate, during a year of scarcity, resided there. His daughter and heiress, Catherine, was married in 1789 to Lord Talbot de Malahide, and brought with her the broad acres of the Malpas estate into the Talbot family. The Honourable Captain Richard Talbot brother to the present Lord Talbot de Malahide, resides on this portion of the estate, at Ballinclay, Killiney, a handsome modern mansion.

On the death of Squire Malpas, the last of his race, Rochestown house gradually went into decay, till at length it fell into the hands of an aspiring dominie who sought to convert its classic groves into an Irish Rugby. The speculation seems not to have been successful, for, after a short campaign the dominie retired, and the fine old place was again deserted. Finally, Mr. O’Kelly came to the rescue; not a moment too soon, for the axe was already laid at the roots of its stately trees; which however, the “Woodman had to spare,” for Mr. O’Kelly purchased all the timber as it stood. The trees in return afforded for many years their grateful shade to their kind-hearted preserver. The house is still in the possession of the O’Kelly family, and contains among many other curiosities, a large portrait of Squire Malpas, in the entrance hall; and a fine collection of Irish shells, the result of a life time spent by Mr. O’Kelly, in patient research on our coasts and inland waters. The grounds must have once been very extensive, but field after field having from time to time been added to adjoining farms, they are now sadly curtailed; even the old entrance gateway on Rochestown avenue, and a portion of the ancient stately drive has been converted into a farmyard. In front of the house there is still standing an old ivy covered tower, which tradition points out as the place where a private marriage was celebrated at the witching time of night-while a ball was going on - between a trembling maiden of the house of Malpas and her lover true.

In a field adjoining the house are fine specimens of the Quercus Virens, evergreen oak. One of them rears its magnificent head above the rest of the trees, and is a beautiful object covered with its masses of dark green foliage, from the base to the summit; especially when nature has assumed her winter garb, and the fallen leaves are covered with snow. Rochestown avenue terminates at the Kingstown side in the little hamlet of the Kill-of-the-Grange, which has sprung up round the extensive tile and pottery works of the Messrs MacCormick. Brick clay has been found in large quantities in this locality from time immemorial; some are of opinion that the first portion of the name kill was derived from the kilns that have been at work for years. It is, however, more probable that it was from Kill the Irish for a burial place. Close to the village, there is an interesting old ruined church and burial place, no longer used; the remains of two or three ancient crosses, and other relics within the enclosure recommend the place to the notice of antiquarians. In the chancel of the church is an old monument said to be that of a bishop, and in the south-west corner of the church-yard may be seen the tomb of one of the Byrne family of Cabinteely, descendants of the once powerful chieftains of that name. The tomb bears the following inscription: “Sacred to the memory of Robert Byrne, Esq., of Cabinteely, who was born in Dublin, on the 20th of May, 1748, and died at Buenos Ayres, in Lisbon, on Monday, the 7th of January, 1799, after a long and tedious illness, which he bore with christian fortitude; he was married on Sunday, the 7th of January, 1790, to Mary, the only daughter of Robert Devereux, Esq., of Carigmenan, county Wexford, by whom he had issue, Mary Clare, Clarinda Mary, and Georgina Mary Byrne.” Within a few yards of the gate of the church-yard stands Kill Abbey, the residence of Richard Espinasse, Esq., J.P. one of the oldest houses perhaps in Ireland, for according to the date over the entrance door it was erected or repaired in the year 1595, Queen Elizabeth’s reign; the house is of peculiar construction, consisting of a groupe of pointed gables, each of them terminating with a finial or pinnacle of a granite ball; most of the doors and windows are lancet-shaped, which give the building an ecclesiastical appearance. Kill Abbey it seems was famous in olden time, as one of the principal stations of an influential order of Monks, many of whom, no doubt, sleep peacefully under the shadow of the adjoining church. The vaults under Kill Abbey are very extensive, and communicate it is said with the church, reaching even as far as Kingstown itself.

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