Chapter 7.

Killeigh,

a little ruinous village, on an uncultivated eminence, although within seven miles of the metropolis. Were the vicinity of this spot wooded, and its approaches made more practicable, it should be visited as a scene of much beauty and interest; in its present state it is utterly unknown; Sir Thomas Staples has the fee of this townland, which he lets at the acreable rent of £1 10s. per annum.

The ruins of the church present chancel and nave, divided by a circular arch, with doorways, also circularly arched. The length of the chancel is 10 yards, of the nave 15, the width of each being five yards. Ash trees flank and overhang the ruin, but, neither within its walls nor in the surrounding graveyard, is there any tomb worthy of notice.

The churches of the ancient Christians, it may be here observed, were always divided into two parts, viz. the nave or body of the church, and the sacrarium, since called the chancel, from its being divided from the nave by *cancelli latices, *or cross-bars. The nave was common to all the people, the chancel was peculiar to the priests and sacred officers, and was always placed at the east end of the church. In the chancel, the altar or communion-table was placed, which none were allowed to approach but such as were in holy orders, and the admission of the laity during the service, was expressly forbidden in the Greek church by the 19th canon of the Council of Laodicea. In the service of the liturgy in the fifth year of Edward the Sixth, a clause was added at the end of the first Rubric, expressly enjoining that the chancels should remain as they had dome in times past. It is, however, to be observed, that the right of a seat and sepulchre in the chancel, was a privilege appertaining to every founder of a church.

The parish, in which this place is situated, takes its name; comprises 807a. 2r. 4p. in three townlands, and was returned in 1834 as having a population of 166 persons, all Roman Catholics The rectory being impropriate in the dean and chapter of St. Patrick’s, this parish ranks as a curacy in the deanery and union of Swords.

At a very remote period this was one of the chapelries subservient to Swords, but, about the 15th century, was erected into a parish church, while its tithes were early appropriated to the economy of St. Patrick’s.

In 1414 Robert Luttrel was the proprietor or lands in this parish, of which he was deprived by William Ashbourne and Richard Maddocks, who were subsequently convicted thereof and outlawed. [Rot. in Canc. Hib.] The manor of Killeigh soon afterwards vested in the Hollywood family, and, on the marriage of Margaret, daughter of Sir Robert Hollywood, passed to her husband Robert Burnell. [Ib.]

In 1530 Allen styles Killeigh, “the most stately of all the chapels of Swords.” [Repertorium Viride]

An inquisition of 1547 defines the extent of the tithes of the economy here, and computes their annual value as £4 13s. 4d.

The regal visitation of 1615 states this rectory to be impropriate. At which time, and previously, the Dillon family were the chief proprietors here, but in 1641 the inheritor, Luke Dillon, having joined the lords of the Pale, forfeited the whole townland [337] of Killeigh, containing 160 acres, together with the water-mill there; [Inquis. in Canc. Hib.] the manor, however, continued to be in the Hollywood family. For a notice of Killeigh in 1627, see at “Hollywood.”

In 1648 the tithes of Killeigh were demised to John Pue, Alderman and Mayor of Dublin, for 21 years; and in 1663 Lord Chief Baron Bysse obtained a lease, for 21 years, of “the tithe of corn and hay, and the small tithes of Killeigh parish.”

In 1666 John Hollywood, son and heir of Nicholas Hollywood or Artane, deceased, passed patent for Ballcarrig 375a., Baltra 67a., Westrew 68a., and the Moate of Killeigh 129a. statute measure; and in 1669, Lord Kingston had a grant of 80a. plantation measure here, with a water-mill and water-course.

For a notice of the tithes of Killeigh in 1681, see *ante *at “Malahide.” In 1683 they were demised, with those of Skidow, to Henry Scardeville, Prebendary of Swords, with a saving to the curate, of the burials and £10 per annum salary.

A wild pathway, commencing at the before mentioned mill-head, leads hence to Chapel Midway, through a glen waving (12th of June) with scentless but graceful aquatic flowers, and overhung about mid-way by the ruinous remains of the old mansion-house of Westrew. Returning, however, through Knocksedan, crossing the lofty arch of its bridge, and leaving Brackenstown, and the now serrated walls, that once enclosed its demesne, at left, the course of the present excursion proceeds by some extensive remains of an old family mansion-house at Forest, which once belonged to the Armstrong family. Its ancient great doorcase is embodied in a farm-house. Beyond it at left is Fosterstown, formerly the seat of that true patriot Baron Hamilton, from which a bleak road conducts to [338]

Pickerstown

In 1359 Sir Elias Ashbourne was seised of various lands in Barbaderstown, Gadstown, “Pycotstown,” Colwellstown, Brekdenstown, (Brackenstown,) Colyncoght, and Rath near Kilossery, with certain premises in Cook-street, which were then estreated for debts due to the crown.

In the commencement of the 17th century, Robert Barnewall of Dunbroe, was seised of Pickerstown, Cowltree, and Barberstown, three messuages and 82 acres, which he held from the Archbishop of Dublin by fealty. [Inquis. in Canc. Hib.]

Hence to

Ch. 8. Ballymun.