After Penal Times
Towards the end of the 1700s many Penal Laws were removed, mainly because Britain’s Colonies in North America revolted against her. Many British troops were taken from Ireland to fight the rebellion there. The government in England was afraid that there might be a rebellion in Ireland too so they dropped many of the Penal Laws to pacify the Irish. It is probably around this time that
the Church on Chapel Hill was built. Although it is not shown on Larkin’s Map of 1812 we know that the Church was there in 1795 because of an incident recounted in the
Drogheda Journal on 27th Dec 1795:
On Thursday last a melancholy affray happened in Drumconrath. A private in the Galway militia
quartered there went to chapel drunk and behaved in a disorderly way. The people took offence at his conduct and proceeded to turn him out on which a scuffle ensued and this man received a very severe beating. A corporal and another private who were in the chapel were much abused and turned out. A report having reached the guardhouse a party of the army proceeded to the chapel with their arms loaded to protect their comrades. On their appearance the priest came out and requested of the sergeant to take away his men peaceably, dreading the consequence that might ensue if a shot were fired. The sergeant did prevail on the men to return and as he was marching them off a stone was thrown which knocked him down and several others followed. Incensed at this attack the sergeant desired the men to protect themselves.
They fired but not until stones were thrown from every direction. Three men were killed on the spot,
two died the next day of their wounds and several others were dangerously wounded. Several of the
country people who were on the spot examined on oath to declare the militia were not the promoters of this unhappy business.
Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.