Parish History

Some time ago it was a placeThat cheer’d my soul to enter-The cosy cots that circled round,The chapel i n the centre,Where Father Reilly preach’d and pray’d,And sooth’d the heart forlorn-Now weeds and crumbling walls aloneRemain in Ballinavoran.The above verse was taken from “The Rural Harp” Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source:…

developed around Ardee bog; Ardee to the east and Drumcondra to the west.The first reference to the borough of Drumconrath is in the Dowdall Deeds in the early 14t century. It reads:John Beckam, at the pure will of Avicia his wife, grants to William Ford an acre of arable land lyingnear the well of Kilbalnan…

• Ardagh.The parish of Ardagh is located partly in the barony of Morgallion, but chiefly in the barony of Lower Slane. Ardagh is one of the parishes where St. Patrick himself is said to have founded a church. It is the sort of site beloved of the Celtic peoples – all the Royal Seats were…

• Balsitric.Close by is the townland of Balsitric. On a height here, about 20 years age, the McDermott family were carrying out improvements on their land, at the behest of the Department of Agriculture. During the course of these improvements the head of a cross turned up. This information is taken from Leo Swan’s lecture…

1865-67 – Rev. Andrew Byrne. See Ballynacargy. Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.

The present location (1993) of former curates is indicated in brackets. There have been no curates in the parish since 1980. Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.

1875-76 – Rev. Bernard McDonnell. See Oldcastle. Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.

1872-75 – Rev. Peter Claffey, born in Castletown-Geoghegan parish in 1811. Educated at St. Finian’s and Maynooth. Ordained 20 May 1837. C.C. Dunboyne, Eglish, Castletown-Kilpatrick, Kilcormac, Collinstown, Ballymore, Drumraney, Longwood, Kinnegad, Ballinabrackey. Died 24 April 1875. Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.

1867-72 – Rev. Luke Hope. Died P.P., Moynalvy. Researched and Compiled by Kathleen McArdle, “Brookville”, Drumconrath. Source: Faith History of Drumconrath – Meath Hill.