The Church of Tallaght

The Church of Tallaght.

The present Church of Tallaght stands about eight yards from the site of a former one, and parallel to it, though much larger. It was built in 1829, by a grant from the Board of First Fruits, and was partially constructed with the materials of the old church. It is a handsome Gothic edifice, with seven lancet windows at each side, and three at each end. The walls are faced with limestone, and there are pinnacles very neatly cut all round the roof.

The entrance is through a small porch, which joins the church to the old belfry, an Anglo-Norman building. The belfry is of considerable height, with three floors, to which access is gained by a winding stone staircase in the solid wall. The top is castellated, and there are three openings for bells. At least two small bells hung in these until 1774. There appears a notice in the vestry-book of that year that two cracked bells were exchanged for one large one. This was hung in the centre of the tower; but, as it did not turn out well, a new bell was bought, as before mentioned, in June, 1813, at a cost of £137. It has, too, become cracked, and does not give a full sound. [In 1892 this bell was recast at a cost of Z46. It bears the names of the incumbent, Rev. E. H. O’Meara, and of the then churchwardens, J. Neil and T. Bryan.]

The entrance to the former church was through this tower. The church comprised a centre aisle, with large square pews on either side; and the pulpit, surmounted by a sounding-board, was placed half-way down on the right band. The aisle was flagged with large tombstones, some of which are still to be seen not far from the gateway of the churchyard. The one belonging to Sir John Talbot is said to have lain at the foot of the Altar or Communion Table. At the end of the church were the Ten Commandments, painted on a panel, which was taken away at the time the old church was pulled down, and no one knows what became of it.

D’Alton relates, in his *History of the County Dublin, *that the old church was covered with memorials of archbishops and parishioners, and that, on removing one of the pews, a chalice of glass and some human skulls were discovered. From those who remember the building, I can hear no confirmation of this statement. The only monument was one to Sir Timothy Allen, which is now in the present church, and there was also a marble slab near the door, which recorded that this Sir Timothy Allen had greatly improved the church.

When the old church was being removed, the workmen found a leaden coffin, containing, it is said, the remains of Archbishop Hoadly’s lady. One of them cut the leaden coffin into strips. These he rolled round his body, and, walking into Dublin, sold the metal. This rather sacrilegious act was not known for some time after.

Beneath the foundations of the old church were found the foundations of a still older edifice, built in rude style, with round, uncut stones, probably one of the chapels or anchorite cells which abounded in Ireland after the introduction of Christianity.

The church and tower stand in the centre of a raised earth-work, and most of the churchyard is surrounded by a lofty mound, which formerly had a deep fosse on the outside, now filled up. To the east of the tower, and about 40 yards from it, lies neglected on the ground a most curious ancient font of a horseshoe form. It is five and a half feet long, by five feet six inches deep, is very rudely made, and apparently of great antiquity. It is cracked at one side, but could easily be made to hold water. This is probably the identical font out of which Captain Alland fed his horses. The country people call it St. Moll Rooney’s Lossit. [In 1850 it was placed on granite blocks in front of the church. Underneath it there is a large vault built of brick. Many similar vaults extended under the ancient church, and on their being opened a few years ago, a number of skeletons were found in them.]

There were several stone crosses of rude workmanship in the churchyard; but the only remains of these is the base of one, with the stump of a cross in the centre of it. It was called St. Moll Rooney’s griddle and loaf. So much for tradition, for this female saint meant no other than the celebrated St. Maelruain, whose festival, or patron, or pattern, was celebrated each year on the 7th of July, and thus continued uninterruptedly from the year 792 down to 1874. It had then so degenerated that it became a mere excuse for drunkenness and debauchery, and was put an end to by the monks of Tallaght Monastery, now called St. Mary’s of the Rosary.

The custom on these occasions was to make an effigy, supposed to represent the patron saint, and carry it about in procession. Of late years the country people assembled from all parts, and many came from Dublin to be present. A favourite fiddler or piper, or some such musician, headed the procession, which went from house to house in the village, stopping before each door until the occupants came out and danced either a jig or a reel, or both, to the music. After the procession had made its progress, a collection was made, the proceeds of which were spent in drinking. Almost every house was converted into a beer-shop for the occasion; and the remainder of the night was spent in dancing, drinking, and fighting.

For many years it was the custom to comply with the dying request of an old piper named Burley O’Toole, who for many years performed at the pattern, to visit his grave, where the people used to dance and fight after their manner. This grew to be so disgraceful, that it was entirely put a stop to in July, 1873, by the influence of Father Purcell, of Tallaght. [There was a man living at Tallaght in former times who was known as “the prophecy man.” Amongst other things, he said that churchyards would refuse to admit dead bodies; that there would be a camp on the Curragh of Kildare; that poorhouses would be built; that France and Spain would get up a dance, and England pay the piper; and that the Pope would be upset and Rome plundered. - Note left by Mr. Handcock.]

The old stone font was visited on these occasions. It is traditionally stated that this was used in early times for the purpose of washing the feet of the pilgrims who frequented the sacred shrines at Tallaght. The blessed well which supplied the water was only large enough to dip one can into, and was situated near the font. In later times a glebe-house was built close to the church, and this well was then covered over, and was utilized to supply water to the house by means of a pump erected in the kitchen.

In 1791 Mr. Cochrane, then the Vicar, had an auction. Many of the old people who remembered the well took the opportunity of getting a drink of its miraculous waters. The glebe-house has long since disappeared; and though the well now is covered up, it could easily be found by its proximity to the font. Indeed, it may have been this well which was found by the present Incumbent. He had a large heap of manure in the field, and one day observed a great hole in the centre of the heap, and on investigation found that it was the roof of an old well that had fallen in. It is now filled up, but a slight depression marks the spot.

Another tradition is that there were in old times two chapels in Tallaght - one for the parish, and one for the friary. These were connected by an underground passage, through which the clergy always passed in going from one chapel to the other, and never were seen by the people except at Mass. When they officiated, they came up steps behind the altar with lighted candles in their hands, thus astonishing the natives, who might have imagined that they were rising from the lower regions. This passage is still talked of, and within living men’s memory it is said that it was opened, and that a man went some way into it, and found an old sword, so decayed that it fell to pieces in his hand.

The interior of the present church is lofty, the roof apparently supported by six great Gothic arches. There are seats for about 200. The building is damp and cold. [See Appendix B.] There are monuments in it to Sir Timothy Allen, as before mentioned, to Matthew Handcock, to Rev. T. Ryan, to Mrs. Clancy, and to J. Robinson. [See Appendix C]. The attendance of the parishioners averages 75. There are no pew-rents; but the principal houses in the parish have special pews allotted to them. The churchyard, which is very extensive, contains half an acre. The graves are laid east and west, with the head-stones facing the east.

In old times the road from Blessington ran from the corner near the church, where the turnpike stood, across to the Greenhills Road, leaving the castle on the right hand. Either Archbishop Hoadly or Archbishop Fowler may have altered it to the present line. There was an ancient smith’s forge nearly opposite the church, on the side of the old road. The cinders were to be seen on raising the sods. The corner between the Belgard and Tallaght Road was called the Dean’s Acre, and is mentioned in old ecclesiastical writings.

There were only two houses of any note in Tallaght. One of them, at the church end of the town, was called “the mitre house,” from the gables being mitred. It is now inhabited by Mr. Doyle, and is nearly in ruin. The other, a similar building, stood near the old palace, and Mr. Brown, a publican, is now the owner. They were strong, two-storied, well-built houses, and were used as inns in the old coaching days, when five or six coaches daily passed through Tallaght.

There is a tradition which points out a place called “Talbot’s Leap.” It is at the point where the little stream now crosses the road, as you go up to the church. It is said that Talbot of Belgard was away from home when the ubiquitous Cromwell marched upon his castle. Having taken what be pleased, Cromwell was retiring, when Talbot came home. Being enraged with the sack, the latter pursued Cromwell with what retainers he could collect. When he overtook Cromwell’s forces, he found that the Ironsides were not to be easily overcome He had to retreat with all speed, and, making for a drawbridge which was at this spot, he found it raised up. Impelled by fear, he jumped over the ditch, and thus saved his life.

The present glebe is about a quarter of a mile from the church. It coniprises about 24 acres of good land. The house was built in 1825. The Rev. Mr. Lovett was the first occupant. He was succeeded in 1830 by the Rev. William Robinson. [He was instituted on March 3rd, 1830, to the vicarage of Tallaght, curacy of Whitechurch, and rectory of Cruagh by Dr. Magee, then Archbishop of Dublin, and inducted four days later by the Rev. Robert Lovett. On the 50th anniversary of the commencement of his ministry at Tallaght - at Easter, 1880 - the parishioners presented him with a silver tray and an address. In the latter, they placed on record the kindness and unwearying care, both spiritually and temporally, which they had experienced from him, who bad been the guide of their youth, the participator of their joys, the sympathiser in their griefs, and the comforter of their old age. They acknowledged with thankfulness the purity of the doctrine taught by him, and the good effect of his consistent and blameless life. In August, 1887, Mr. Robinson was released from duty, and a few months later - on November 9th, 1887 - be was called to his rest.] The latter expended £250 in additions to the glebe-house, which remains a building charge on it. It is square, with a pointed roof, not unlike a tea-canister. The garden is celebrated for roses and apples.

Next Chapter Handcock Index