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Thomastown Pt 1 >> Thomastown Pt 2 PAROCHIAL
PAPERS Published
in the Ossory Archaeological Society 1.- The most remarkable remnant of antiquity in the parish is, of course, the Abbey of Jerpoint. As its history is well known, we shall say very little about it. It was founded for Cistercians in 1180, by Donald, Prince of Ossory. The founder and Felix O'Dullany, bishop of Ossory, were interred in this Abbey. It did not escape the illiberal enactments of the English during the fourteenth century. In 1380 it was ordained that no mere Irishman should be permitted to make his profession there. The Abbot of Jerpoint was a lord of Parliament. The building is still in a good state of preservation. 2.-The old Gothic church of Thomastown is likewise too well known to need much description. There is a fine old Irish cross at the right side of the entrance. There are also some very old tombs in the grave yard. Among them there is one which bears the following inscription : --"Here lies the body of Patrick Lincoln, who died the 16th of December, 1666, and of Mary Dobbyn, his wife, who ordered this monument. She died the 11th day of May, 1709." The tomb is elaborately worked, having emblems of the Passion, &e. It has also a shield empaling the arms of Lincoln and Dobbyn. Prior to the date first mentioned a fine silver chalice was presented to the chapel of Thomastown by a Mary Dobbyn - the same person, we presume, whose name is on the monument. It has the following inscription :-"Orate pro anima Mariae Dobbyn quae me fieri fecit, 1687." Translation – “Pray for the soul of Mary Dobbyn, who caused me to be made, 1687”. In reference to this lady, we may also mention that there is in the chapel of Thomastown a. beautifully carved oaken statue of the Virgin and Child to which she presented crowns of silver in 1705. 3. – Near Thomastown, to the North-West of the town, is a church, or rather the ruins of a church, called "Modaleen." (We write it as it is pronounced). It is evidently a very old Irish church, probably of far earlier date than the fine Anglo-Norman ruin of which we have just spoken. There are no traditions regarding it. Some suppose it to have been called after St. Mary Magdelan, its patron. We do not believe such to be the case. 4.- Church Jerpoint, as it is called, is apparently an Anglo-Norman erection. It is divided into nave and choir. It has a strongly-built tower at the west-end. Near the church is a tomb having the figure of a priest clad in vestments. There are no traditions or legends regarding it. 5.-Tho Priory of Dysert, about a mile-and-a-half S. E. of Thomastown, is beautifully situated on the Nore. The Anglo-Norman tower at the west end of the church is still perfect; but the church itself is almost wholly in ruins. It was turned to private uses by the family of Berkley - ancestors of the famous bishop Berkley of Cloyne. His father is said to have kept a school or academy there, and is said to have been buried on the top of the tower under a large slab, commonly called "the minister's flag." The Berkleys threw all the tombstones in and around the church into the Nore. Dysert is said to have been held as a house of novices, dependant on the Augustinian Priory of Kells. 6.-Columbkill Church was about 60 feet long by 20 wide. The walls wore nearly three feet thick, but badly built. There are no remains of windows, of font, or of anything else of the kind, save a little gable cross now marking a grave. The opening of the southern or south-eastern door also remains. Near this place is a holy well elegantly surrounded by Masonry. Up to a late period crowds used to assemble here on the Patron day, which was the Sunday after the 9th of .June. 7.- Kilcullen old church is about two-and-a-half miles east of Thomastown. It is about 25 feet long and 10 feet wide, and is very rudely built. It is in a mountainous locality, but commands a prospect of great extent and beauty. No traditions, no Patron day. |
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