Parishes of Naul, Garristown, Rollestown and Finglas.

SHORT HISTORIES**

OF**

DUBLIN PARISHES.**

PART XVII.

Having reached in Part XVI. the extreme northern frontier of both County and Diocese, we now turn southward and complete our parochial survey of Fingal by treating of the Parishes which form its western fringe. This fringe stretches from the Delvin river in the north, to Finglas bridge in the south, with the County and Diocese of Meath serving as the western boundary line throughout its whole extent. The Parishes, in their present delimitations, are four in number; though, two, Garristown and Rollestown, are temporarily united. They are, Naul, Garristown, Rollestown, and Finglas. Throughout the whole mediaeval period this same area counted as many as 14 different parochial denominations. In old Celtic times it constituted, for the most part, the country of the O’Cathasaich, mediaevalised into * Occadesi, *and modernised as *O’Casey, *or Casey. The Celtic history of this whole section is little better than a blank, or so intimately bound up with the vicissitudes and struggles of its neighbours on both sides, as to be practically undistinguishable from them. It drew its early Christianity from the Mother Church of Finglas, as its devotion to St. Canice testifies, and had to endure its proportionate share of unwelcome attention from our old friends the Danes and Norsemen during their ceaseless incursions and forays, any time from the eighth to the close of the 12th centuries. Not one of its many churches in ruins, or still traceable, can boast a higher antiquity than the Invasion, though doubtless. they had Celtic predecessors, and with the exception of Finglas, which has much to say for itself even during these otherwise dark ages, our history of this western fringe of Fingal must begin with the coming of the Anglo-Normans in A.D. 1170.

Parish of Naul.

ln-Aill = *The Cliff, *is the gaelic appellation for this locality. In course of time the *I *was eliminated, and the word then appeared as *N,aill, *pronounced *Naul, *so that prefixing the definite article as is now commonly done, is tautological, the article being already expressed in the initial letter. The rocky precipice on which the ancient Castle still towers to a height of 150 feet gives the name to the locality. The present Parish of Naul absorbs as many as five distinct Parishes of the mediaeval system, viz., Naul, Hollywood, Grallagh, Ballyboghill, and Wespalstown. Commencing with the village of Naul, we cannot fail to note that the most prominent object there is the old Castle surmounting the rocky cliff that gives a name to the place. It is badly situated on the brow of a chain of hills and commands a fine view of the underlying vale. It sentinels the Dublin side of this romantic vale, as Snowton Castle does the Meath side, for, be it remembered, that we are on the border line of the two Counties, which here are separated by the Delvin rivulet flowing through the vale, and finding its way to the sea at Knockingen. A fine view of this picturesque glen is obtained from Westown House, the seat of the Hussey family. The Castle is supposed to have been built towards the close of the 12th century by the Norman family of De Genneville. About the year 1200 it passed through intermarriage into the family of Stephen de Crues, or Cruise. Its Church, which must have been built during the Celtic period, became known in a Deed of King JohN of the same year as The chapel of Stephen de Cruise,” who may have found the old Celtic shrine in too dilapidated a condition, and replaced it by a new edifice

At the same period the Archbishop of Dublin, John Comyn, appropriated the Church and Parish to the Cistercian Priory of Lanthony, near Gloucester. Thenceforward, the Prior of Lanthony was the Rector of the Parish, and in order that the duties of the spiritual cure should be discharged he was bound to present to the Archbishop a fit and proper person to fill the cure; and the Archbishop, if no canonical impediment could be discovered, was bound to institute such Priest into the charge of the Parish and put him in possession of the Vicarage. This system prevailed down to the suppression of all Monasteries under Henry VIII. in 1539. The Vicars thus became the actual resident Parish Priests throughout all these 339 years. Their names have not been transmitted to us, with one exception found in a Will proved in Dee. 1476, wherein 10/- is bequeathed to Sir Geoffrey of the Naul”; the prefix Sir being always given to Clergymen in those days. The old Church of Naul was served by these Vicars for over three centuries. During Elizabeth’s reign it was transformed into a Protestant Church, It was still standing in 1615, but 15 years later, it was in ruins and was not repaired or replaced until 1814, when the present Protestant Church was erected. There was no reason why it should be, seeing that all, literally *all * the inhabitants were recusants.

Hollywood and Grallagh.

The hills here, from which such splendid views can be obtained over the plains far into Meath, were once covered with dense forests, sacred probably to Druidical worship, hence the designation * Sacrum Boscum *or *Holy Wood. *The Norman family that became Lords of the Manor from the beginning of Norman rule was also distinguished by this name, and gave in 1230 the famous philosopher and mathematician, John de Hollywood, and in the 16th century, Fr. Christopher Hollywood, S.J., who was born here.

As was the case with Naul, the Church and Parish of Hollywood was appropriated to the Monks of Lanthony with the jurisdiction similarly arranged. The old Celtic Church and its Anglo-Norman successor were dedicated to St. Canice, an evidence that it looked to Finglas as its Mother Church. Grallagh was a very small Parish counting only 400 acres, and being all marshy low-lying land was appropriately called Greallach = a * miry place. *It was at first an independent Parish, but soon became annexed as a Chapelry to Hollywood, and appropriated with the latter to the monks of Lanthony, who provided it with a special Chaplain. The ruins of the Chapel are fast disappearing - the W. gable alone remains standing. To the West is a well covered in by a carefully restored stone-roofed building. It was dedicated to St. Mac-Cullin - not Maculind of Lusk - an Irish Saint of the 10th century, who became a Benedictine monk in the Diocese of Metz, and died in 978. The Lord of the Manor was the Cruise family of Naul. Not a single name of the Vicars of Hollywood, or Chaplains of Grallagh, has come down to us, but a very interesting Will of John Kempe, proved in 1471, gives us an insight into the Ecclesiastical establishment of Hollywood and Grallagh at that period. The Testator desires to be buried in the Church of St Canice of Hollywood and leaves “to the Fraternity of Hollywood 2 acres of Rye. *Item, *I leave to the Vicar of the same, a like field of Rye with one hog. Item, I leave to the Chaplain of the Parish 12d. *Item, *to the Chaplain of Souls, 12d. *Item, *to the Chaplain of Grallagh half an acre of Rye, and to the Church of Wespalstown the like.” From this extract we can. gather that the Vicar of Hollywood had no less than three if not four assistant priests, one of whom was designated the Chaplain of Souls, in all probability a Chauntry priest appointed to discharge obligations of Masses founded some time previously. A final bequest concerning his funeral ran thus: “*Item, *I leave for my soul six priests with two clerks without [choir] boys, and 5 pounds of wax. *Item, *for a burial place 12d. *Item, *I leave in bread and ale 9/-. * Item, *in meat one cow, and one hog, and 5 sheep, besides geese and capons.” The *menu *of funeral baked meats appears pretty extensive, but it should be remembered that this was a customary provision for the poor. In a sudden deep hollow on the S.W. slope of the high land stand the walls of the Church of Hollywood. The original Church was built before the Invasion, and to it succeeded the present rather imposing ruin. Of the Chancel, only the foundations remain. They are 30 feet long by 20 wide; but the walls of the Nave are fairly perfect, they are 61 feet long by 23 wide. The W. gable, which is very lofty, is surmounted by a perfect triple-arched bell-turret, so characteristic of the Norman churches of Fingal. Church and Chauncel were in ruins in 1630, but the Nave at least must have been rebuilt, and was used as the Protestant Church of the Parish until the existing Protestant Church in Naul was opened in 1814, for a silver paten still in use in the latter bears inscribed on it Hollywood, 1754.”

Ballyboghill and Westpalstown.

These are the last two denominations of the present Parish of Naul and form its southern extremity. The name Ballyboghill is found spelled in a variety of fashions, all, however, pointing to the tradition that for a period in its Celtic history it sheltered the wonder working relic of St. Patrick known as the staff, or *Baculum Christi. * The Apostle whilst journeying along the coast of the Tyrhene sea (Italy) visited a hermit who gave him a message from Our Lord and presented him with a staff enjoining him never to be separated from it. St. Patrick ever afterwards carried it about with him. Such is the pious legend, and certain it is that for full three centuries and more, until it was publicly burnt by the schismatic and sacrilegious George Browne intruded by Henry VIII. into the See of Dublin, it was is held in the highest veneration. It would seem that some time before the coming of the Normans, and during the usurpation of the See of Armagh by lay Primates, with inevitable quarrels resulting, the *Baculum Christi *for greater security was transferred to this place, and thus it came to he known as the Baille-na-Bochill. Strongbow in his predatory raids having overcome the proprietor of this locality possessed himself of it, and transferred it with all its appurtenances together with the Staff of St. Patrick to Christ Church Cathedral. But whilst the Staff and other relics were transferred to the Cathedral, the Church and Parish had been already claimed by the Monks of Mary’s Abbey, who received it in exchange for Kilbarrack, thenceforward annexed to the Prebend of Howth. Thus the spiritual administration of Ballyboghill remained with the Monks of Mary’s Abbey from the last quarter of the 12th century to past the first quarter of the 15th century, when the law suppressing all monasteries came into force, and Wm. Laundy, the last Abbot of St. Mary’s, was compelled to surrender to the King the Abbey and all its belongings. A fine double row of elms attracts the attention of a traveller as he enters the town from the direction of Dublin, and affords a shady avenue to the ruins of this celebrated old Church wherein so many centuries ago the *Baculum Christi *had been presented to the veneration of the faithful. It is one of the most perfect and striking of the ruined churches of Fingal. The W. gable rises in a perfect triple arched bell-turret with a perfect set of stone steps leading up to it. This item coupled with the fact that the walls are nearly complete, the masonry in fair condition, and all the corners of chiselled stone, would serve to indicate that it dates from Anglo-Norman times, though doubtless occupying the site of its Celtic predecessor. In 1630 it was still standing and not yet a ruin, though much out of repair; but who was to repair it, seeing that all the inhabitants were recusants and precluded from using it. It is surmised, therefore, that it ceased to be used in 1650 or 1670, and was thenceforward allowed to fall into its present ruinous condition.

Wespalstown.

This is the last member of the group of ancient Parishes that went to make up the present Parish of Naul. It still retains some traces of its ancient Church, some 28 feet long by 18 wide, and ivy thickly drooping over all. The Parish comprises about 1,500 acres, and in the Census of 1831 had a population of 280 souls, all Catholics. In 1630 Archbishop Bulkeley claimed one Protestant, Thomas Millinton by name, but apparently he had no successor. The Church and Chancel were then down and nobody tried to build them up again as there was no need for it.

In 1190, Archbishop Comyn, when founding Grace Dieu, annexed the Parish of Wespalstown to the new foundation, and thenceforward the Community administered the Cure through a Curate or Chaplain presented by them. This continued down to the suppression in 1539. The celebrated Baron Finglas of Wespalstown, author of the “Discourse of the Decay of Ireland,” was in 1560 one of the representatives of the County, and was Lord of the Manor here. In 1642, John Finglas of Wespalstown was one of the Catholic Confederates who sat in the Parliament of Kilkenny.

The Penal and Modern Period.

With the suppression of the Monasteries the Religious Rectors of our Parishes passed away and their patronage became vested in the Crown. There is no reason, however, to believe that the Vicars and Chaplains then in possession were disturbed, as it is more than probable that the Oath of Supremacy was not tendered to them, the only Royal injunction attempted to be enforced being the expunging of all reference to the Pope from Missals, Rituals, and other Service Books. Even this injunction was ignored by no less than the Chapters of the two Cathedrals, as George Browne bitterly complains. So that Catholic worship continued unaltered throughout the remainder of Henry’s reign. The same may be said for the short reign of Edward VI., and, as a matter of course, for the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary. Not until Elizabeth, the illegitimate daughter of Henry, came to the throne at the close of 1558 did any indications of serious trouble begin to manifest themselves. The first practically great blow was the expropriation of all the Churches. Early in Elizabeth’s reign all the Churches in the Kingdom were made Protestant by Act of Parliament, and thus the people were suddenly deprived of those hallowed shrines which from the days of St. Patrick and St. Canice echoed with their prayers, and were redolent of their sacrifices. The priests who remained faithful (the immense majority) were thus driven out into the wilderness, but it was a barren wilderness, for they were gladly welcomed by their faithful flocks who stood by them, and risked fortune and life itself to shelter and protect them; with the glorious result that in the Parish under consideration after 70 years of this unmitigated persecution, the Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, in 1630, could only claim one subject for Ballyboghill and Wespalstown, and not over eight for Hollywood, Grallagh, and Naul.

Meanwhile the See of Dublin after a widowhood of 51 years was at length provided with a resident Catholic Archbishop, Dr. Eugene Matthews, or MacMahon, transferred from Clogher in 1611. He called together a number of Leinster Ecclesiastics in Kilkenny, where amongst many excellent regulations they ordained that every Diocese should be organised in Parishes, each Parish being formed by grouping together three, four, or more of the old parochial divisions, and to have one Priest appointed thereto as Parish Priest, with one or more assistants, if needed and available. The Parish of Naul or Hollywood therefore was formed by bringing together the old ante-reformation Parishes of Naul, Hollywood, Grallagh, Ballyboghill, and Wespalstown. The Protestant Archbishop’s Return of 1630 for Naul, Hollywood and Grallagh, reports:- “The Churches and Chauncels are ruinous. There are not above eight persons who frequent divine [Protestant] service in that Parish. Mass is commonly said in the house of Mr. Caddell, or Mr. Cruise.” Cruise, as we have already seen, was the Lord of the Manor of Naul, a staunch Catholic, and in the occupation of the Manor House. Bulkeley does not give the name of the Priest, but finding in the Return for the neighbouring Parish of Balscadden a “Father Patrick Connell saying Mass in the Grange of George Taaffe of Balscadden, *though dwelling in the Naul,” *we feel justified in conjecturing Father Connell to have been Pastor of Naul where he lived, saying his first Mass in Mr. Cruise’s house, and the second in Balscadden to oblige a neighbour. So we venture to head the List of Pastors of Naul or Hollywood with the name of

Rev. Patrick Connell, P.P., 1618-1650, circa.

Of course we have no further particulars of him, or of the time of his decease, or of the name of his immediate successor. The Cromwellian dragonades, the long vacancy of the See (1652-1669), and the impossibility of preserving or transmitting records threw a shroud of silence over local history which lasted until towards the close of the century. Not until the Government Return of 1697 do we meet the name of a Pastor of Naul, and in that Return he is given as:-

Rev. Owen Smith, P.P., 1680-1725, circa.

In a more detailed Return of 1704, he is registered as being then 54 years of age, ordained at Ardpatrick, Co. Louth, by the Venerable Oliver Plunkett, and residing at Mallahow. The place of. his residence would indicate the Mass-House returned as in Hollywood Parish in 1731, and built before the reign of George I., to have been the predecessor of Damastown Chapel, for Mallahow is in the immediate neighbourhood of Damastown. Having no guide from contemporary records we feel that we cannot be far astray in assigning 1680 as the date of the commencement of his Pastorate, and about 1725 the date of his demise, but both dates are purely conjectural.

Rev. Wm. Ennis, P.P., 1725-1740.

His name occurs in a Petition forwarded to Rome in 1733-4 and signed by a number of the Dublin clergy. It had reference to the serious inconvenience of the Decree of Trent being insisted on, requiring all candidates to Vicar-Capitularships to have the Degree of Doctor of Theology. We have no particulars of his ministration and can only conjecture his demise as occurring about 1740.

Rev. John Carney, P. P., 1740, circa -1771.

In a Return ordered by Government in 1766 we are provided with a religious Census for Naul, Hollywood, and Grallagh, of 94 Protestants against 1,152 Catholics, with 15 Catholic servants in Protestant families. One Priest in Hollywood, and one in Ballyboghill. The census of Wespalstown and Ballyboghill is made under the head of Clonmethan, of which Parish in the civil arrangement they formed part. For Wespalstown it gives 8 Protestant families to 30 Catholic families, and for Ballyboghill 9 Protestant families to 77 Catholic families, and then it adds:- “Three reputed Popish Priests, as I am informed, officiate as such in said Union, in different parts of it, but none of them reside in it, having all of them neighbouring parishes annexed, where they reside. Their names are John Carney, Walsh, Corcoran. Edward Martin, a reputed Popish Priest, resides as an inmate in the Parish of Ballyboghill, but as I am informed, officiates in a neighbouring Parish.

April 24, 1766. Patt. Kerney, Prebendary and Curate.”

Fr. Carney lived on to April, 1771, when, on the 18th of that month, Dr. Carpenter appointed to succeed him

Rev. William Davitt, P. P., 1771-1797.

He had been for some years Curate in Swords and successfully administered this Parish for 26 years. He died on St. Stephen’s Day, 1797, and was succeeded by

Rev. Nicholas Leonard, P.P., 1797-1799.

He lived but two years and was followed by

Rev. Roscius M’Cabe, O.P., P.P., 1799-1824.

He was a member of the Order of Preachers and lived for 25 years after his appointment to the Parish. He had served as Curate in the Parish for a few years previously, and received as Curate to himself a Father Foy. He was a remarkable looking man, wearing his abundant locks of snow white hair down to the middle of the back, and was greatly respected by his people. About 1820 he thought well to retire from labour, and went to live first with his relative Fr. Smith, P.P., Balbriggan, and eventually to his own people in the Co. Cavan, where he died on the 11th of February, 1824. On the day following Dr. Troy appointed as his successor

Rev. John M’Cartan, P.P., 1824-1882.

He had been transferred from a Curacy in Kilquade to this Parish as Administator [sic, KF] in 1820 on the retirement of Fr. McCabe, and then became Parish Priest at his death in 1824. He at once exerted himself successfully to supply a great want, namely, a Chapel in Naul. Since the property of the Cruises was confiscated in the troubles of 1641, the locality knew them no more, and the shelter of their hospitable Manor House for Priest and Mass had ceased. From that day forward the people of Naul had to resort for Mass either to Damastown on the one side, or to the neighbouring Chapel of Balscadden, although in a different Parish, on the other. The Chapel was finished in 1821, and a Tablet inserted in the front wall bears the following inscription:- *Hoc Templum Domino qui omnia serrat Fideliurit munere structum. Rev. S, MaCartan. A.D, *1821.” A Chalice in the Naul Church has inscribed on it “1794, Subscribed for by Parishioners.” He received Fr. O’Donoghue as Curate. His next effort was to build a Parochial house, as apparently up to that period the residence was migratory. During this operation he entrusted all parochial records and registers to the custody of the Curate, but with the disastrous result that when the Curate ‘s residence had taken fire and was burned to the ground, these valuable *incunabula *perished in the flames, so that the existing Registers go back only to 1832.

In 1831, Dr. Murray visited the Parish for Confirmation and we get a Visitation Schedule which gives not a little information. Fr. McCartan writes:-

“Holywood dedicated to St. Canice. Naul to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ballybohill *similiter. *The Chapel of Holywood (Damastown) is on the Estate of Lord Maryborough, of which there is no Lease, neither has any lease been granted for Naul Chapel built on the Estate of Anthony Strong Hussey, Esq. The Chapel of Ballybohill on the Estate of George Woods, Esq., also held at the mere will of the Landlord. The Parishioners pay no Rent for the Chapels. There exists a Parochial house, as yet unfinished, on the Estate of Lord Maryborough with 4 acres of land at £1 10s. of former Irish currency, held under Lease of 21 years made to and in the hands of. Most Rev. Dr. Murray in trust for the resident Pastor and his successors.” He then enumerates the items of Church plate, “Hollywood one silver Chalice and suit of Vestments. Naul one Chalice and one suit of Vestments. Ballybohill 2 Chalices and 3 suits of Paraments, with two suits of Albs and Amiets and 4 Altar Linens. There are two Missals belonging to each of the 3 Parish Chapels. No Parochial Library in any of the Union. No Ciborium nor Remonstrance nor Plate of Public Property. Hollywood School is held in the Chapel of Damastown, average number of pupils 25. In same Parish another school in the townland of Bellgee averaging 40 pupils; the rent of which is paid by the Master. Ballybohill no school. Naul School, built by A. S. Hussey, Esq., on the land of Colonel Teneson, who gives a small garden annexed, the number of pupils averages 30. Mr. Hussey bestows £5 each year on the Master and has given some books and school materials. No free Schools.” This Return is signed by the P.P. and Rev. Ambrose Murphy, C. C. We omitted to mention in its proper order the arrival of the Catholic Hussey family in the Parish at the commencement of the 18th century. They acquired their property at Naul by intermarriage and built the stately mansion of Westown. Adjoining the Protestant Church, built in 1814, is a kind of memorial or chauntry Chapel, now unroofed, with a slab over the doorway, stating its appropriation for the remains of the Hon. Colonel Hussey of Westown, and his lady, Mabel Hussey, otherwise Barnewall, 1710.” They remained staunch Catholics and were ever generous benefactors. Fr. McCartan’s strenuous career closed on the 22nd of November, 1832, and a marble slab over his grave within Naul Church records the tact and states his age to have been 46 years. To him succeeded

Rev. George Canavan, P.P,, 1832-1842.

He had been some time Curate in St. James’s, of which Parish he was a native. He was not long installed before he endeavoured to complete the work begun by Fr. McCartan, and in 1836 replaced the old thatched Chapel which served Ballyboghill for over a century. It is in the new semi-gothic style, sufficiently large and serviceable. His Visitation Schedules for 1834 and 1838 are very concise and contain little additional information beyond that given in Fr. McCartan’s single document. In both he mentions that there were four Masses on Sundays and Holydays. In 1842 he was transferred to the Parish of St. James in the City, and there commenced and almost completed the beautiful Church of St. James. A portrait of him in stone forms the capital of the shaft from which the arch of the central doorway springs. A corresponding one of O’Connell, who laid the first stone, caps the shaft on the other side. There is, moreover, an oil portrait preserved in the Presbytery adjoining.

Rev. Patrick Montague, P.P., 1842-1850.

He had been for some years Parish Priest of Finglas from 1823 until 1841, when he resigned it because as he declared the revenues “were so small that he would he unable to beep body and soul together.” He went as Curate during the interim to Father Smyth of Balbriggan, and this Parish of Naul falling vacant the following year he was appointed to it. He furnishes two Visitation Schedules for 1845 and 1848, but they contain little information, except with regard to the Schools, which were now National Schools, with an average attendance of 70. He mentions but three Chalices instead of four previously returned, but four Masses on Sundays, etc. In 1850 he was transferred to the Parish of Swords in succession to Fr. Carey and was followed here by

Rev. Michael B. Kelly, P.P., 1850-1883.

Appointed to a Curacy in Lucan in 1836, Fr. Kelly was transferred to St. Audoen’s, High Street, in 1847, in the capacity of Administrator, to relieve the Parish Priest, Fr. Monks, who was a helpless invalid. It was during his three years’ administration that Dublin witnessed the wonderful Mission in St. Audoen’s, conducted by V. Rev. Dr. Gentili and Father Furlong. In 1850 he was called to succeed Fr. Montague as Parish Priest of Naul. A Confirmation was held in 1851, which gives us the benefit of one and the last Visitation Schedule, as Dr. Murray’s death occurred in the year following. In it he mentions that “no Lease could be granted of the Parochial House as the property on which it is erected has been involved in law and is now about to be sold. The Parishioners hope to be able to purchase it.” He refers to a Mission that had just been concluded and produced edifying results. Two National Schools, one at Naul, average attendance 70; one at Ballyboghill, average 150. Two Pay Schools, one at Damastown, average 30, one at Knockbrack, average 50. Four public Masses, namely, two in Naul and Ballybohill, each alternate Sunday at 9 and 11.30, and one Mass in Damastown every Sunday at 9 a.m. This was signed by M. B. Kelly, Pastor, James Sheridan, Curate. For 33 years Fr. Kelly faithfully and zealously governed this Parish and won the affectionate esteem of all his people. In 1883 he began to feel the infirmities of age, and thought well to retire. He was but one year in retirement when he passed to his great reward. Besides Father Sheridan, he had as successive Curates Fr. Joseph Kelly, Fr. James Hally, Fr Ferd. Byrne, Fr. Patrick Doyle, Fr. L. Farrelly.

Rev. James Rooney, P.P., 1883-1886.

Fr. Rooney, who served for many years in Dundrum neighbourhood and was the first to minister in the new chapel of Kilmacud, was appointed to succeed Fr. Kelly. He, however, was not destined to rule long. After three years of Pastorate he passed through a brief illness and thence to his heavenly reward, and was followed by

Rev. William Dunphy, P.P., 1886-1898.

A more genial and large-hearted Priest could scarcely be found, and a strenuous worker for his people. Twelve years he ministered to them, but somehow the climate of Fingal did not suit him as well as the breezes of the Wicklow hills, where he had sojourned so long, so that when offered a change he gladly consented to be transferred to the Parish of Barndarrig. To him succeeded the Pastor who has just passed away whilst these lines were being written -

Rev. Francis O’Neill, P.P., 1898-1916.

He had served for some years as Curate in St. Audoen’s and thence was transferred to Donabate, where for full 30 years he was identified with the district of Balheary. Coming to this Parish he found the Church of Ballyboghill in need of some repairs, which he proceeded to effect, and had the result recorded on a stone tablet fixed to the front wall of the Church with the following inscription:- “This Church of the Assumption saved from ruin by the Rev. Francis O’Neill, P.P., 1900.” He reached a great old age, some say over 90, when he was called away after a very brief illness on November 21st, 1916, and was followed by

Rev. John Healy, P.P.,*** ***1916,

to whom we augur a long and fruitful Pastorate.

Religious Census of Naul Parish, 1911.

Catholics. Protestants.

Naul 326 12

Hollywood 314 3

Grallagh 60 2

Ballyboghill 205 12

Wespalstown 67 0

Total 972 29

Examined in Schools for Religious Instruction

(1916) - 116.

Parish of Garristown.

In ancient documents this locality is designated Ballyogari, and even in recent mediaeval times this word is used to indicate the Parish. D’Alton gives a rather lengthy account of a battle fought here before St. Patrick’s arrival, between the Fin-Erin, or guardians of the coasts, and the surrounding Kings or Rulers, in which the battle-cry was * Ballygarra, *and the name remained attached to the scene of the struggle. The Cath-gabhra in Trinity College Library, as well as the Book of Howth, give accounts of this battle.

Looked at on the map, Garristown presents the appearance of a great bulge, or salient, projected into the County and Diocese of Meath, though it has been always accounted as belonging to the County and Diocese of Dublin. Greenoge, just over the border in Meath, was, it may be remembered, the extreme northern limit of the ancient Diocese of Glendalough, before its union with Dublin. Of the history of Garristown during the Celtic period we have been unable to trace any reliable records, except undoubted reference to its old Churches, as they were found at the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion, wherefore our story must commence with this historic event.

About the year 1200 John, Archbishop of Dublin, granted to the Prior and Convent of Lanthony “the Church of Garristown, with the chapel of Richard Chambers’ land, and the Church of St. Nemore with the Chapel of Greenore, and the Church of Stephen de Crues (Naul) and the Church of Ballymadun and the Church of the town of Ralph Paslowe.” Some of these places are not even yet identified. The Prior of Lanthony, however, not wishing to draw the full profits of this munificent gift, demised much of these premises in the time of Archbishop Henry, only reserving an annuity of 12 marks in silver. The Church of Garristown was subsequently appropriated to the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem at Kilmainham, which Community presented the Vicar who should administer the Parish. In 1410 Thomas Corre was Vicar, and he obtained leave of absence for five years for the purpose of studying at Oxford. In 1536 the King (Henry VIII.) presented Richard Doyne to the Vicarage. He was succeeded by Simon Geoffrey, who was Prebendary of Howth, and on his demise in 1542 the King presented Richard Duffe to the Parish Church of Garristown. These three Vicars were all validly ordained Catholic Priests, but whether they were compelled to take the Oath of Supremacy or not, we have no means of determining. Father Duffe may have lived on through Edward’s and Mary’s reigns, but how he may have weathered the storm once Elizabeth came to the throne, we have no testimony to rely upon. The veil now falls, and blots out the story of religion in Garristown until the year 1615, when the Royal Visitation conducted by the Protestant Archbishop, Thomas Jones, makes the following report:- “Garestown and Palmerstowne annexed. Terence Ivers a reading minister. No Book. Value £20. Vic. ballymadun. Chancel in repair. Value £11 - Nicholas Baron.” Ivers and Baron were of course, the Protestant ministers in charge of the two Churches, now, since early in Elizabeth’s reign, perverted to Protestant uses. The poor Catholics were left uncared for except by Providence, who graciously preserved *all of them *firm in the Faith notwithstanding the fierceness and duration of the persecution.

The Penal and Modern Period.

In 1630, just 15 years later than the Royal Visitation, Archbishop Bulkeley held a Visitation, and in his report of Garristown, he writes:- “Garristowne and Palmerstowne. The Church of Garristowne is ruinous.” This was the result of being nearly 70 years in the possession and under the control of the Protestant authorities. The fine old Catholic Church which Elizabeth found there in 1560, and desecrated, was now in ruins, but the tithes were value for £20: That, so far, was satisfactory for Messrs. Ivers and Baron. Bulkeley goes on: “There is in the town of Garristowne a great void house covered with straw, whereunto the Parishioners resort to hear Mass.” Just so, with the Parishioners it was “‘the *Mass that mattered *” and they would not go without it. So they fixed up a “great empty house covered with straw” wherein they could assist at the celebration of the Divine mysteries. They knew Our Lord would not mind the lowly straw covering. He became acquainted with that from His first entrance into the world in the stable of Bethlehem. Bulkeley goes on:- “The Chancel is down. Almost all the Parishioners are recusants.” He might have omitted the adverb *almost *and be nearer the truth, for it is the almost unique record of Garristown and of its steadfastness in the Catholic faith, that not a single Protestant was ever born in the Parish or held land therein down to the present hour.

Some time before 1620 the Statute of the Catholic Synod of Kilkenny came into operation, in virtue of which Garristown and Ballymadun, hitherto distinct Parishes, were united and placed under the care of one and the same Pastor. Who was he? Bulkeley tells us nothing under this heading. But under Wespalstown in the Parish of Hollywood or Naul, we saw that Mass was celebrated in the house of the Dowager Lady Howth, and that the Mass Priest’s name was Roger Begge. Now there was nothing to prevent Fr. Roger Begge having said one Mass in Lady Howth’s house for the convenience of the parishioners of Wespalstown and Ballyboghill, to say his second Mass in the “great void house covered with straw,” that served the people of Garristown and Ballymadun. The family of Begge owned a considerable stretch of land in this district, and in all probability he was a member of that family. So we open our Succession List with

Rev. Roger Begge, 1620-*circa *1650.

The Lord Protector (Cromwell) interferes here with the course of our narrative, and so effectively that he leaves us nothing to chronicle except his own misdeeds, which are already pretty well known and are popularly associated with a curse. Not until we come to the somewhat more peaceful days of James II. do we meet the name of a successor to Roger Begge.

V. Rev. Robert (Canon) Taylor, P.P., 1687-1715.

From the Registry of 1704 we learn that Canon Taylor had studied in Lisbon, was ordained in 1680, and, as his name appears in Dr. Russell’s List of the Chapter in 1688, we may assume that he was also P.P. at that date. He is given as residing at Tobergrogan, and in 1704 he was 46 years of age. How long he presided over the Parish, or the precise year of his demise, we are unable to determine. We find that his Prebend in the Chapter - Castleknock - was occupied by Patrick Cary before 1717, so we may conjecturally fix on 1715 as the year of his translation to a better life. He was followed by:-

Very Rev. James (Canon) Dillon, P.P., 1715-1749.

His name does not appear in the Registry of 1704, but in 1718 he appears as a criminal in the *quasi *State Trials of that day, and heads a List of five Priests who were prosecuted under the Penal Laws. In the indictment he is cited as Simon alias James Dillon, and on the evidence of the notorious Italian impostor and Priest hunter Giovanni Garcia was found guilty. Garcia deposed to having seen him celebrate Mass in Francis Street (he had been Curate there) in the usual habit of robes of a Priest, - “all which beeing against the law of the kingdom, the said Dillon not being registered, he was immediately brought in Guilty.” The broadside, from which this extract is made does not give the sentence, but at the time he was P. P. Garristowne, and Precenter in the Metropolitan Chapter. He also distinguished himself by successfully arguing against nine Meath priests who in a moment of weakness took the oath of abjuration and sought to justify themselves. The Dialogue is to be found in the Record Office is Bundle 73, No. 445 of Reports on Religion. His name occurs frequently afterwards in Chapter incidents, and having governed his Parish for over 30 years, he died in 1749, and was followed in the Parish by:

V. Rev. Dr. Laurence Walsh, P.P., 1749-1776.

Dr. Walsh had a fairly long Pastorate, but in 1776 he thought well to retire, and lived thenceforward in the City. The succession now becomes rather rapid and involved no lees than three Parish Priests being appointed within a year.

First came Rev. John Davis. ” Davis returned,” writes Dr. Carpenter, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Ford on April 1st, and finally on September 3rd appears

Rev. Edward O’Brien, P.P., 1776-1805.

In 1777 Fr. Davis was appointed P.P. of Redcross, of Father Ford we hear no more. Fr. O’Brien’s administration extended over nearly 30 years, and though tradition credits him with great zeal and energy, he has left nothing in the way of records. He ministered in an old thatched Chapel situate in Chapel Lane, Garristowne, which probably survived from the time of James II. “The great void covered with straw” had disappeared during the Cromwellian * debacle. *On January 16th, 1805, Fr. O’Brien passed to his eternal rest. To him succeeded

Rev. Barnaby Farran, P.P., 1805-1816.

A full namesake, it may he remembered, was P.P. of Rush from 1730 to 1756, 50 our P.P., in all probability, belonged to a younger generation of the same family. At the end of 11 years he was carried away, and was followed by

Rev. Thomas Murray, O.P., P.P., 1816-1839.

A member of the Order of Preachers, like many of his confreres, Fr. Murray was requisitioned to fill the responsible office of Parish Priest of Garristown for 23 years. These years were marked by a great deal of activity. The old pre-reformation Church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin had fallen to ruin, and in the year 1814 the Manor of Garristown passed by sale from the hands of the Catholic family of Talbot to the Protestant family of Alexander, a prosperous wine merchant of Dublin. The latter thought well to provide Garristown with its *first *and *last *Protestant Church, although there was not a single “Protestant in the whole Parish outside of himself and family to help to form a congregation. The all recusants report of Bulkeley in 1630, is as truthful to-day - 1917 - as it was more than 300 years ago. This Protestant temple simply convenienced Alexander and his family, a few others from the neighbouring County of Meath, and an odd policeman; but there was never any need for it, and it made no proselytes. Since 1871 all religious service has been discontinued there, and it is rapidly disintegrating, the belfry and spire already falling to pieces.

In 1822 the extravagant sum of 21/9 was paid by Fr. Murray for “straw and twine to new thatch the Chapel in preparation for the Bishop’s visit.” He was encouraged, and possibly episcopally inspired, as a result of this modest outlay, to set on foot preparations and collections for an entirely new Chapel (the present old Chapel); and records of excavations and laying of foundation stones are still extant. It was opened in 1827, and fully completed with gallery and vestry in 1829. In keeping with this progress, Fr. Muray applied for and obtained a Curate to help him, for hitherto the Parish was worked single-handed. The first Curate was Father John Greene. In the record of the Collections made for the new Chapel and kept by Mr. Thomas Mangan, the names of Robert Alexander, Sir Compton Domville, Major William Stuart. and Colonel White are entered as subscribing £10 each.

In 1834 Archbishop Murray visited Garristown for Confirmation and the Parish Priest furnished him with the following Report:- Garristown dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, Ballymadun to All Saints. There never was a Lease of Mallymadun Chapel. The Lease of Garristown Chapel, grounds, and parochial house is expired for the last six years. Two Chalices, one for each Chapel. Two suits of vestments in Ballymadun, three in Garristown. Two Missals, Thurible and Boat. Three schools in the Parish. In the National School 200 children. £18 received from the Board, and the farmers liberally subscribe. In the other two Schools about 90 children, whose parents pay for their education. There are two public Masses on every Sunday in Garristown, and one in Ballymadun. Vespers in Garristown at 3 p.m. Signed Thomas Murray, John Greene.”

A later return in 1838 adds:- In consequence of the Rev. Mr. Murray being dispensed with we have now only one Mass on Sunday in each Chapel.” Evidently Fr. Murray’s term was drawing to a dose, and he died on June 3rd, 1839.

Rev. John Molloy, P.P., 1839-1847.

He had been appointed to Skerries in 1834, and passed five years there, but Garristown falling vacant by the death of Fr. Murray, he optated for it and administered it until his death in 1847. He was followed by

Rev. John Greene, P.P., 1847-1872.

Father Green came here as Curate in 1829, was now appointed Parish Priest in 1847, and dying in 1872, had been altogether 44 years ministering in this Parish. Four years before his death a Curate was given to him in the person of Rev. James Trevor, for some years previously Curate in Bray.

Rev. James Sheridan, P.P., 1872-1892.

Transferred from a curacy in Dunlavin Parish, Fr. Sheridan had the services of Father Trevor for just one year. On the latter’s departure in 1873, Fr. Sheridan reverted to the practice of dispensing with a Curate and thenceforward worked the Parish alone. His first care was to erect a new Church in Ballymadun to replace the old Chapel, which was utterly inadequate. This work was completed in 1874, and the new edifice was solemnly blessed and opened for Divine worship by His Eminence Cardinal Cullen on August 24th in that year. The remainder of Fr. Sheridan’s career was tranquil and uneventful. But in 1891, Fr. John O’Reilly, who administered the neighbouring Parish of Rollestown, having died, the Diocesan authorities thought well to unite the Parishes of Rollestown and Garristown, and place them under Fr. Sheridan as sole Pastor of both. This event closes our special history of Garristown as a separate Parish, and obliges us to retrace our steps in order to evolve the particular history of the

Parish of Rollestown

The designation of this Parish as Rollestown is comparatively modern, and due entirely to the accidental circumstance of the first public Chapel after the storm and stress of the 17th century being set up in this neat shady village with a purling trout stream running through it. The old parochial denomination for this particular district was Killossery, one of the numerous outlying Churches belonging to the Mother Church of Swords. Besides Killossery, the Parish of Rollestown, as delimitated after 1618, comprised the Parishes of Clonmethan, with its dependent Chapel of St. Catherine’s at Fieldstown, Palmerstown, and Kilsallaghan. Just a few words on each of these denominations.

Killsallaghan = *the Church of the wood of the osiers. *

This Parish, the southernmost of Rollestown, contains 1,730 acres, and in 1831, numbered a population of 581 individuals. It has the remnants of an old feudal Castle which in 1641 put up a valiant but unavailing defence under Lieut.-Col. Byrne. Originally it is supposed that a monastic establishment was founded here, which after the invasion became parochial, and the Church was dedicated to St. David. In 1197 it was granted by the Lord of the soil to the Canons of St. Victor in Thomas Street, who presented a perpetual vicar to serve the cure.

In 1615 the Church of Kilsallaghan is reported in good repair, but the Chauncel ruinous. In 1630, Bulkeley declares the Church “out of all repair and ornaments. There are but two in that Parish that come to Church. Mass is said in the house of Mr. Philip Hoare of Kilsallaghan, who keeps away the glebe land from the Vicar, but the priest’s name is not certified. This is the last we hear of the old mediaeval Catholic Church of Kilsallaghan The existing Protestant Church was erected on the site of this old St. David’s in 1812.

Killossery. *

Kill-Lassera, *i.e,. the *Church of Laisre, * dedicated to St Brigid. Close to Rollestown there stand on an elevation the remains of this Church. In 1630 the roof of the Church is described as “wanting a little repair and all other necessaries save books. All the parishioners except Mr. Boulton, His Majesty’s Solicitor, and his family are recusants.” It was scarcely worth while repairing the edifice for such a diminutive congregation, so it was suffered to fall into the state of ruin in which we see it to-day. The more easterly section of Killossery Parish is (in the Catholic arrangement) in the Parish of Swords.

Palmerstown near Greenoge.

In mediaeval documents it is always thus quoted to distinguish it, we presume, from the numerous localities bearing the same name. It is a very small Parish and before the Reformation was annexed to Garristown, but in the re-erection of Catholic Parishes it was included in Rollestown. “The Chauncel is down” - reports Archbishop Bulkeley in 1330, “almost all the parishioners are recusants.” The Church was a small rude building, with walls of rough masonry, of which a few small blocks remain. The site of the Chauncel cannot now be traced.

Clonmethan.

Finally we come to Clonmethan, the most important Parish of the group. Whatever its Celtic antecedents may have been, it was sufficiently important in the eyes of Archbishop John Comyn in 1190 to induce him to select it as one of the Prebends in his new Collegiate Chapter of St. Patrick. His successor, Archbishop Henry, confirmed this appropriation when he changed the Chapter into that of a Cathedral in 1219, and it still remains Prebendal.

Of the Prebendaries who enjoyed the benefice up to Elizabeth’s time we can only give the following names:- J. Nottingham, 1275. Thomas de Everdon, 1412. Walter Hill, 1461. John Fossard, 1465. Nicholas Dovedale or Dowdall, 1475. Nicholas Lyn, 1546. (Chapter suppressed by Henry VIII.), 1555. (Chapter revived by Queen Mary), George Browne. Whilst Nicholas Dowdall was Prebendary he petitioned Parliament and stated that “divers persons, aliens, strangers, and denziens, did frequent in considerable numbers, by way of pilgrimage, the Chapel of St. Catherine, Fieldstown. These persons had been at divers times vexed, and molested, by reason of which they were obliged to lay aside said devotions and pilgrimages, etc.” Parliament ordered that the persons and properties of all such pilgrims should, during their pilgrimage, be under the protection of the King, nor should the person of any such be arrested on any writ or authority whatsoever for debt, treason, felony or trespass, until said pilgrimage should be accomplished, and those that should arrest or vex such persons should forfeit for each offence, a sum of £20. The Inquisition held in the 38th year of Henry VIII., returns £17 5s. 0d. as the value of the benefices of Clonmethan, and £4 0s. 4d. as that of Fieldstown. Prebendary George Browne appointed by Queen Mary in 1555 was succeeded by Alexander Craike, a favourite of Elizabeth, who made him Dean of St. Patrick’s, and subsequently Bishop of Kildare, so that with him the Protestant Prebendaries commence.

We now meet the big blank of Elizabeth’s reign, extending over 40 years and more, during which no tidings of the children of the Church, or of how it fared with them, are forthcoming. Not until Archbishop Bulkeley’s Report in 1630, do we come across any document referring to Clonmethan, and it is to the following effect:- “The Church and Chauncel are up, but not decent within. The tithes belong to Richard Powell, M.A., and Preacher, as one of the Prebends of St. Patrick’s, worth £40 per annum. There are not 10 or 12 in that Parish that come to Church to hear divine service.” The Chapel of Fieldstown was already completely ruinous in 1615.

The existing Protestant Church in Clonmethan dates only from 1818, but stands on the site of the more imposing building described by Bulkeley, and formerly dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. Catholic interests were promoted clandestinely. Hoare’s house in Kilsallaghan furnished a shelter for the celebration of Mass, and for the celebrant, but they were careful not to disclose his name, so that we are compelled to open our List of Parish Priests late in the century.

V. Rev. Edmund (Canon) Murphy, P.P., 1675-1715.

He was ordained in 1670 by Dr. P. Plunkett, Bishop of Meath, and in 1704 he was 60 years of age. In the Metropolitan Chapter he was Prebendary of Clonmethan as well as P.P., and his residence in 1697 and 1704, was Rollestown. This fixes the approximate date of the first public Chapel in Rollestown, set up probably during the early tranquil years of James II., and from the location of the Chapel, and the residence of the Pastor, the Parish was designated as that of Rollestown. The year of Canon Murphy’s death is uncertain. It occurred probably in 1715, for at that date the Prebend was vacant. Then came

V. Rev. Christopher (Canon) Wade, P.P., 1715-1748.

Fr. Wade was adopted into the Chapter in 1727, as Prebendary of one portion of Donoughmore, and that Prebend being vacated by his death in 1742-8 he was followed in the Parish by

Rev. Thomas Corcoran, P.P., 1748-1767.

His name occurs in the Returns on Popery made to Government in 1766, under the heading of Kilsallaghan, where he is described as P.P. of part of the Parish of Kilsallaghan. By Act of Council the Prebend of Clonmethan was augmented by the inclusion of Ballyboghill, Wespalstown, Palmerstown and Ballymadun, and the religious census for the entire union as given by the Protestant Incumbents is as follows:- Protestant Householders, 21; Individuals, 95; Catholic householders, 272; Individuals, 1,823, with Catholic servants in Protestant families, making a total of Catholics of 1,459. Father Corcoran must have passed away before 1670, because in Dr. Carpenter’s List, commenced in 1770, the P.P. of Rollestown was

Rev. James Nugent, P.P., 1768-1772.

To Father Nugent in all probability may be attributed the erection of the first chapel in Oldtown, a small village about a good mile north of Rollestown and quite close to Clonmethan. He survived his appointment only four years and passed away in 1772, giving place to

Rev. John Browne, P.P., 1772-1777.

Father Brown’s Pastorate was only five years, and in 1777 he was transferred to the important Parish of Swords, which he held until 1806, when he resigned it. To Rollestown came

Rev. Philip O’Reilly, O.P., P.P., 1777-1789.

Little is recorded of his administration. He died in 1789, and was buried in the old Church of Killossery, where a tombstone commemorates his demise.

Rev. Matthew Duff, P.P., 1789-1820.

Father Duff was a rather remarkable man. He was educated in France and Flanders, and was well skilled in medical science, as writings and records of his time still extant testify. At the request of Dr. Troy he drew up in 1806 a Report of the Parish which may be regarded as the pioneer of the Visitation Schedules popularised in Dr. Murray’s time. It contains the following interesting Statistics:-

“Parish of Killossery dedicated to St. Bridget, Feb. 2, Parish of Kilsalchan, dedicated to St. David, March 1; Parish of Palmerstown, dedicated to St. James, July 25; Parish of Clonmethan, dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, Aug. 15. In the four Parishes there were from Nov., 1789, to Nov., 1807, 520 Baptisms; 202 Deaths; 162 Marriages. There are in the Union 50 Landholders; 81 Labourers having houses; 15 Tradesmen with families; 5 Publicans having houses and poor men and widows house, 10. These may be computed at five to a family. Protestant families in the united Parishes only five.

To the Most Rev. Dr. Troy, Nov. 5, 1808.

Rev. M. Duff, P.P. Ora pro me.

Father Duff died sometime in 1820 and was succeeded by

Rev. John Walsh, P.P., 1820-1855.

A very active Pastor now takes charge of Rollestown, and one who was privileged to have a long reign - 35 years. Amongst his earliest efforts was the rebuilding of the small Chapel-of-ease at Oldtown. This was opened in 1827. In the Visitation Schedule of 1831 he thus describes it:- “Oldtown Chapel built about 60 years ago (1770) on what was then considered Commons, but is part of Eyre Coote’s estate. No Lease or Deed of gift. I have re-built it and surrounded it with a wall. Rollestown Chapel, House, Garden and Paddock containing about three roods - the gift of the Kingsland family about the year 1700 to this Parish; no Deed of gift but held by prescription. The Parochial House built since I came to this Parish. It cost about £450, of which sum I got from my friends £104. It now stands indebted to me more than £30, besides personal expenses incurred by it of which I kept no account. On the Garden I expended £8 10s. 0d. not paid to me.” He further reports:- “There are two Chalices, one in Oldtown, the other in Rollestown. It was procured by me in 1829. There are four suits of vestments and two Missals procured by me. There are but three persons in the united Parishes who did not go to Communion since I was appointed to this Parish, 18th May, 1820. There are two Schools in this Parish, both schoolhouses built by me; one at Oldtown attached to the Chapel (Vestry), with average attendance of 35; the other at Rollestown, held by lease from John Segrave for 68 years at 5/- per annum, average attendance 55. Two public Masses on Sun days and Holidays, one in Oldtown, at 9 a.m., the other in Rollestown at 11 a.m. Catechism taught before and after Mass. No Vespers. During Lent the Rosary with Sermon at 3 p.m.

John Walsh.”

In the Schedule of 1834 he repeats the same information, but adds a complaint against a few of his more conspicuous parishioners, whom he describes as a faction which prevented him visiting the School at Rollestown for over two years. The next Schedule is dated 1842, and is very brief, but writing of the School he says:- “There are two Schools under my authority.” In the Schedule of 1848 he uses the strongest language against the members of “the faction” and concludes:- “No language can describe their public scandals.” As this is the last of the Schedules, we know not how this unpleasant matter ended, but would be inclined to believe that the wise and gentle Archbishop Murray was able to restore peace. Soon after this Visitation, Fr. Walsh commenced his efforts to replace the Chapel of Rollestown, which apparently had served since 1790, by a new Church, but he never lived to complete this work, as he was called away on the 12th January, 1855, and was buried in the new Church, within the sanctuary on the Gospel side.

V. Rev. Thomas (Canon) Pope, P.P., 1855-

This well-known clergyman, who had been many years Curate, and since 1853 Administrator, in the Pro-Cathedral, Marlborough Street, was appointed by Dr. Cullen to the Parish of Rollestown. He went down to the place, celebrated the first Mass in the uncompleted new Church, and after a few days’ effort, hurriedly rushed back to town, called on the Archbishop, and resigned the Parish. His previous post of Administrator was already occupied by Canon McCabe, appointed thereto immediately, and he was fain to accept the subordinate position of Senior Curate, until the year following when Canon McCabe being promoted to the Parish of St. Nicholas, Canon Pope was restored to his old responsibilities.

Rev. John O’Reilly, ADM., 1873-1891.

For nearly 20 Fr. Murphy ruled this Parish and helped to complete the Church commenced by Fr. Walsh. He worked like all his predecessors without the co-operation of a Curate, and died on the 29th October, 1873.

Rev. John O’Reilly, ADM., 1873-1891.

The two Parishes of Garristown and Rollestown may he said from this time forward to have been in the melting pot as the Diocesan authorities had conceived the opinion that it was no longer desirable to have such an extensive district entrusted to two Parish Priests, naturally; advanced in years, and without Curates to help them. So at this appointment they made Fr. O’Reilly Administrator only, not P.P., and therefore liable to removal if circumstances required it. This temporary arrangement lasted close on 20 years, and eventually it was the great reaper Death that removed Fr. O’Reilly to a happier sphere on June 21st, 1891, and at the same time terminated the career of Rollestown as a separate and independent Parish.

United Parishes of Garristown and Rollestown.

Rev. James Sheridan, P.P., 1891-1892.

Father Sheridan of Garristown, was invited to assume the pastoral care of both Parishes, but only survived his new responsibilities a few months, and dying on 7th February, 1892, was interred in the new Church which he had built and opened in Ballymadun in 1874. A marble Tablet set up on the wall of the Church besides his grave bears the following, inscription:- “Erected by the Parishioners of Ballymadun in testimony of their appreciation and of his sterling worth, and genuine kindness, and to record their grateful remembrance of his valuable and unwearied efforts to promote their spiritual and temporal welfare.” Before his departure, and during 1891, he had received as Curate to Rollestown, Rev, Wm. Hanly, who remained there until 1898, when he was transferred, to the Curacy of Leixlip.

Rev. Joseph Nolan, P.P., 1892-1900.

Fr. Nolan, who had served as Curate for many years in Celbridge and subsequently in St. Paul’s, established himself in Garristown as the parochial house at Rollestown was already occupied by Fr. Hanly, the Curate. In Garristown he also established a Curate - Rev. Michael Ellis, who remained but one year, and was followed by Rev. C. O’Brien, 1893-1890; F. Hackett, 1890-1898; M. Cashin. 1898-1905; P. Ryan, 1905-1914; to be followed by the present Curate in charge, Rev. M. Creedon. Meanwhile to Fr. Hanly as Curate in Rollestown succeeded in 1898 Rev. Edward Byrne, now (1917) Senior Curate in the Pro-Cathedral, 1899-1900; Rev. John Healy, now Naul; Rev. James McDonnell, 1900-1901, when another experiment in the matter of boundaries ensues. Father Nolan, after a lingering illness died in September, 1900, and a short time before, the Parish of Donabate being vacated by the death of Father Duff, it was thought that a better adjustment of the contiguous Parishes could be effected by making Rollestown an Administratorship with Balheary annexed to it. Father Hanly who had been curate in Rollestown, and therefore familiar with the district, was recalled from Leixlip and appointed temporarily Administrator of Rollestown and Balheary, whilst the two new Parish Priests of Garristown and Donabate were appointed subject to this diminution of territory on either side. With this understanding Fr. Nolan had for successor

Rev. Joseph Wade, P.P., 1900-

He took up his residence in Garristown, but at the end of a year the arrangement made was found not to work satisfactorily, and all things returned to their original condition - Fr. Hanly being accommodated with the curacy of Lucan, and Fathers Wade and Magill re-entering into possession of Rollestown and Balheary, respectively. This brought Fr Wade to occupy the house in Rollestown, leaving the house in Garristown to be occupied by the Curate stationed there, and for the Curate in Rollestown he provided a residence in Oldtown. But Fr. Wade’s great achievement was the erection of a really handsome Church in Garristown. The Chapel opened by Fr. Murray in 1829 had done its work and was calling loudly for a successor. Wherefore Fr. Wade brought together a large and influential Meeting in the old Chapel of Garristown, on November 17th, 1902. His Grace the Archbishop, who presided, delivered a very interesting Address on Church History in Fingal and the progress of education in Garristown. The other speakers at the Meeting were Father Wade, Simon Mangan, Esq., D.L.; Mr. Richard Plunkett, J.P.; Thomas Mangan, Esq.; Thomas Aungier, Esq., and Albert Reynolds. The subscriptions at the Meeting amounted to £1,500. His Grace subscribed very generously and amongst the other large subscribers were Thos. Mangan, £300, and Simon Mangan, 100 guineas. The foundation stone of the new Church was laid by His Grace the Archbishop on the occasion of his Visitation of the Parish for Confirmation on June 2nd, 1903, and it was opened for public worship and solemnly blessed by His Grace on June 10th, 1906. Its total cost was £6,090

Religious Census of Rollestown and Garristown

Catholics. Protestants.

Garristown 598 0

Ballymadun 191 1

Clonmethan 188 12

Killossery 225 3
Kilsallaghan 250 17

Palmerston 81 1

Total 1,533 34

Examined in Schools in Religious Instruction (1916) - 179.

Some deduction must be made from these two returns for the portions of Killossery, in Swords Parish, and of Killsallaghan, in Finglas Parish.

Parish of Finglas. *

Finn-glais = crystal rivulet.* A little pellucid streamlet flows through the village of Finglas, falls into the Tolka at Finglas Bridge, and gives the name to both village and bridge.

We have flow reached the last of the group of Parishes forming the western fringe of Fingal; we have quitted the lands of the Occadesi, and once across the Bridge of Finglas we plunge immediately into the northern suburbs of the City of Dublin. In 1171, Finglas furnished ground for the encampment of the Irish forces under Roderick O’Conor, last King of Ireland, when he came to lay siege to the Anglo-Normans shut up within the City, and in Finglas was he visited by St. Laurence O’Toole, vainly seeking to bring peace to his afflicted countrymen. Four centuries and a-half later Finglas witnessed the gathering of Lord Ormond’s army on the eve of the fatal battle of Rathmines in 1640; and finally, a third mighty host under William III., after his victory at the Boyne, rested there previous to his triumphal entry into Dublin in 1690. These historic incidents reflect no little importance on this small and unpretentious village and serve to counterbalance the unenviable reputation which it earned for so many years, from its Maypole dances which with all their attendant demoralization continued to flourish up to so recently as 1845. But it is to its Christian and religious life we preferably turn our attention, to find its records to be among the most ancient and the most enduring. They commence almost with the dawn of Christianity in our land, and continue to record the religious pre-eminence of Finglas almost down to our own time. Jocelyn, the monk of Furness, who accompanied De Courcy to Ireland in the 12th century, sat down to write a Life of St. Patrick. In the course of this biography he represents our Apostle as journeying from the North, and at length reaching the rising ground of Finglas and getting therefrom his first glimpse of Dublin City (which unfortunately for the biographer had at that time no existence) he predicted its future expansion and importance. He cited no ancient authorities in support, for the best of good reasons that they did not exist, for, outside of a confused reference in the Tripartite, no mention of this incident is traceable in any one of them. But, even if we have to part with this Patrician legend, more than enough remains to uphold the ancient Christian history of Finglas, which peopled all this southern portion of Dublin County with monks and missionaries, and Churches, and shrines, throughout the whole Celtic period, and on through the mediaeval days held high place with Swords and Lusk as one of the Mother Churches of Fingal. About the year 560, St. Canice, the Patron of Kilkenny, having graduated with St. Mohbi in Glasnevin, founded on the opposite (northern) bank of the Tolka the Abbey of Finglas. Just as in Lusk and Glasnevin, it was a laura or grouping of detached huts along the bank of the river, where monks settled down under the rule of the great master of the spiritual life that St. Canice undoubtedly was. Before long they developed into missionaries, and pushed their apostolic enterprises so far north as Naul, whilst on the south, they swung round through Artaine, and Clontarf, on to Raheny, Baldoyle, and Howth. In Pope Alexander’s Bull Finglas shared with Swords and Lusk the distinction of special mention, and with all* *its appurtenances was confirmed to the See of Dublin.” The succession of their Abbots after St. Canice is incomplete, but notwithstanding many gaps, they make up a very presentable List. They were:-

A.D.

Failchu, Abbot.
Caurcombrac, Bishop.
Duibliter, Abbot.
Fiann, son of Ceallach, Abbot, Bishop and Scribe.
Fergus, Abbot.
Cuimnech, Abbot.
Brann, Bishop.
Robartach, Bishop and Scribe.
Cian, Abbot.
Cairbe O Connellan, Abbot.
Maolpeder O Colman, Comarb of Canice.

This last mentioned could only have been titular, as the property of the Abbey had already passed under the feudal regime of the Anglo-Normans, and even then, constituted one of the 13 Prebends in Archbishop Comyn ‘s Collegiate Chapter of 5t Patrick.

The Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland in 1170 extensively modified ecclesiastical arrangements and laid the foundation of the feudal system, which disestablished the old monastic system of Church economy, and with its Prebends and Parishes, introduced a new form of tenure of Church benefices bringing Ireland into line with what had prevailed already for some centuries throughout the entire western Church. Finglas was amongst the earliest to realise this change. The Abbey founded by St. Canice disappeared, and its endowments, though reserved for Church purposes, were accommodated to the new system.

The Mediaeval Period.

Archbishop Comyn in 1190 established his Collegiate Chapter in the restored and enlarged Church of St. Patrick *in insula, *and Finglas was made one of its 13 Prebends. This Prebend was made up of several denominations, each having its Own Church. Subsequently, in 1219, Archbishop Henry de Loundres changed the Collegiate into a Cathedral Chapter, increased the number of Canons, and added the four dignities of Dean, Precentor, Chancellor and Treasurer. The Prebendary in possession of Finglas at the time of this change was Thomas de Castello, and he was immediately named the first Chancellor. Monck Mason in his valuable History of the Cathedral gives us the following particulars:- “The Church of Finglas had for Patron St. Canice the Abbot. To it were subservient the three following Chapels, viz., Donachnor or St Margaret’s Chapel of Dunsoghly, St Brigid’s Chapel at Ward, called in ancient times the town of Reimund le Bank, and St Nicholas’s Chapel at Artaine, or Tirtaine.” All these constituted the Prebend of the Chancellor, and gave him the right to all the Rectorial tithes, but in addition he enjoyed the Rectory of St Werburgh’s in the City, and that of Killegar near Enniskerry, subsequently exchanged for Villa * Citharae *or Harpstown, in Co. Wicklow, now known as Clara, between Rathdrum and Glendalough. Of course being bound to residence at St. Patrick’s, where he had his Manse (just south of Edge’s Court, Upper Kevin Street), the Chancellor delegated the administration of the Parish to a Vicar, with Chaplains for the subservient Chapels, five in all. As we gave the List of the Abbots during the monastic period, so now we give the List of the Chancellors who were ex-officio Rectors of Finglas during the entire mediaeval period

Thomas de Castello.
Thomas de Craville.
William de Calun.
William de Hattyngly.
Thomas de Chaddesworth.
Robert Wallerand.
Hugh de Calce.
Nicholas de Chadlyngton.
John Karlell.
John Whitacre.
Robert Fitzhugh.
John Isaake.
John Leche.
Nicholas Cardiff.
John Travers.
Nicholas Walsh.
Robert Nangle.

The last mentioned was appointed by Queen Mary on the revival o£ the Chapter, and he was the last of the Catholic Chancellors. The Protestant Chancellors commence in 1571 with Dr. Nicholas Walsh, whose father, Patrick Walsh, had apostatised, and was promoted by Elizabeth to the Bishopric of Waterford and Lismore. Over £700, in present money value, was derivable from the Rectories of Finglas, St. Margaret’s, Ward and Artaine. As we have now come to the parting of the ways, it will be convenient to cast a glance back at the old Churches that served our Catholic forefathers during the mediaeval period.

Finglas. The existing Protestant Church of Finglas only dates from 1843, and was built on an entirely new site. Its predecessor, situated in the N.W. corner of the ancient burying ground, has been a ruin since that date. It occupies the site of the Old Abbey, and was undoubtedly the Parish Church during the mediaeval period. Amongst its monuments may be seen the old Finglas Cross, whose recovery from premature interment is due to the Rev. Robert Walsh, Vicar in the early part of the last century. Of course, in conformity with things by law established, it was forcibly wrested to Protestant worship during the early days of Elizabeth, and so continued ever afterwards; the Catholics knew it no more. In 1630 Bulkeley reports:- “the Church and Chauncel in very good repair and decency.” But this edifice must have been replaced or been very extensively repaired sometime between 1630 and 1843, though no record exists thereof.

St. Margaret’s Chapel at Dunsoghly, called also Dovemachenor in 1275; Donoughmore in 1532; or Dowanor in the Inquisition of 38th of Henry VIII. The existing ruins are of a building which must have been extensive, and of some architectural beauty. It was apparently in use in 1532, but by 1615 had become a ruin, and has remained so ever since. Attached to the S.F. wall is a small unroofed chapel with an inscription stating, that it was built by Sir John Plunkett, of Dunsoghly, who died in 1582.

Ward, or the Ward, had its Chapel dedicated to St. Bridget. A portion of a small rude gable is all that is visible now. It was used up to 1535, but after that date we find no further reference to it. The 40 years preceding the Restoration made this Parish a desolation, and such was the waste of human life, that it became infested by wolves, and in 1652, the inhabitants organised a public hunt for the destruction of the wolves lying in the wood of the Ward.” Anticipating a little the chronological order of our story we may mention that Killeigh or Killeek, hitherto a Chapel subservient to Swords, was, in the re-organisation of Parishes after 1618, joined on to Finglas; whilst Artaine was detached from it, and added to the Coolock or Clontarf group. Similarly, Chapelmidway hitherto subservient to Kilsallaghan, was also transferred to Finglas. A short word on their ruins. Killeek, called by Alan, “the most stately of the chapels of Swords,” retains the nave very perfect except where the W. gable has fallen; and has well preserved lancet-arched doorways. The Church must have been re-erected on the site of that which is stated to have gone to ruin” in 1630. Probably it was unroofed about the middle of the 17th century. Chapelmidway is in ruins since 1615, and even these are fast disappearing. Residents close by state that in their memory the buildings extended fully 80 feet to the E. There seems to be no record of when or why this once imposing building was raised.

The Penal and Modern Period.

The Elizabethan laws transformed all these Parish Churches into Protestant Churches, established herein Protestant worship, and sought unceasingly with fines and penalties, to induce the inhabitants to conform to this new-fangled religion; but all in vain; the people remained steadfast in the faith, were content to pay the fines and face the penalties, and console themselves meanwhile by getting Mass whenever they could in the houses of the surrounding gentry, who generously sheltered and maintained the few fugitive priests that remained to tend the flock. One remarkable instance occurred in this Parish which is well-authenticated and savours of a miracle. It is to be found at p. 20 of “Words of Comfort to Persecuted Catholics,” written in 1607, by Father Henry Fitzsimon, S.J., edited by Fr. Edmund Hogan, S.J., and published by Gill and Son (Dublin), 1881: We transcribe it in full.

“In Donamoor, seven miles from Dublin, Mr. Richard Bealing, Justice of Peace, dwelled, when Catholics were persecuted under the Lord Gray about the year of Christ 1580. He, being an eminent person, was accused, by Sir R. D., the blind knight and bloodsucker, that he harboured one Patrick Nigram, a priest; even then to be found in his house. Searchers were in all haste sent; for at that time James Fitzmaurice, Dr. Sanders, and divers others, coming into the country had made the State jealous towards matters of religion. As the searchers environed the house, the Mother of God, our Blessed Lady, appeared to Mistress Bealing, saying, ‘Send instantly to Sir Patrick Nigram, that he descend into such a cave or cellar, and that removing a stone in such a corner he further descend by stairs, where they shall conduct him.’ Which she, although once or twice admonished (supposing it to be a dream) neglected, till at length, in visible manner, with admirable beauty and brightness, the Immaculate Queen of Heaven presented herself, and renewed the commandment so distinctly, that she promptly procured it to be fulfilled. Nigram was a godly priest, of unspotted life and rare zeal, my quondam school-fellow, whom of purpose I visited on his death-bed, and from himself, beside all others, received the assurance of this declaration. When he removed the stone he found indeed the degrees of stairs of five or six steps, guiding him to a small neat chamber of some twenty feet long by twelve broad, wherein a bed and chair were duly placed. He being bestowed in his cabinet, the searchers coming in, with all diligent inquiry sought every place of the house, every corner and cellar; but all in vain. After three days, frantic to be frustrated, and weary to inquire without hope of their purpose, they departed. Fr. Nigram, by Mrs. Bealing being repealed out of his cell, wherein he had all that time abounded with spiritual delight, they covering the place, never after by any inquiry were able to find so much as any show thereof remaining.”

We scarcely think that this very clear and circumstantial recital can he doubted for an instant. Local tradition up to the present day preserves indistinct traces of the story in connection with the ruins of a very old house, known as the haunted house, and said to have belonged to a Mr. *Teeling, *a very justifiable phonetic substitute for *Bealing; *so we feel entitled to put Fr. Nigram at the head of our list as first pastor of Finglas.

Rev. Patrick Nigram, P.P., 1570-1598.

Father Nigram must have died in 1597 or 1598 during the brief missionary period of Fr. Fitzsimon, cut short by his imprisonment in 1600, and terminating in exile in 1604. In the *per obitum *Vatican records published in the *Archivium Hibernicum, *Vol. I., we read “Perpetual Vicarage and Rectory of the parochial Church of Finglas of Dublin Diocese, and Rector of the same by the decease of their late possessors, value 100 marks sterling, to Roger Traynor, priest of the Diocese of Clogher.” This entry may register only a titular provision from the Holy See, or it may be a full appointment to the Parish, but we consider we are safe in assuming the latter to be the case. In the original the Roman scribe gives the name as *Treine, *clearly a mistaken spelling, so we have taken the liberty of translating it as Traynor. It is dated 1611. We cannot fix the date of his death as we meet no further account of him.

Rev. Roger Traynor, p.p., 1611-

Our next resource is our old friend Bulkeley, who in 1680 reports:- “There is a common Mass-House, frequented publicly since the proclamation in the town of St. Margaret’s in the said Parish, yet divers priests, Jesuits, and Friars, whose names the Vicar cannot yet learn, have recourse into the houses of Sir Christopher Plunkett, Knight, Robert Barnewall of Dunbroe, Esq., Henry Sedgrave of the Little Cabragh, gentleman, and Robert Warren of Harristown, yeoman, as their chief maintainers, and abettors.” Clearly there was no Mass-House or public Chapel in Finglas village at this date, and the name of the Pastor is not forthcoming, though it is quite possible that Father Traynor may have been still in possession, as he was only appointed in 1611.

From this year onward until the close of the century we are in utter darkness as to the religious vicissitudes of Finglas Parish. Cromwell, and Ormonde, and Cavaliers, and Roundheads, occupy the canvass to the exclusion of any one else. Not until the Government Return of 1697 do we meet the name of

V. Rev. Bartholomew (Canon) Scally, P.P., 1690-1788.

In the Register of 1704 he is returned as ordained in 1684 at Coimbra, and possibly he was appointed to the Parish about 1690. In 1715, or thereabouts, he was admitted into the Chapter, as Prebendary of Dunlavin, and took part in all the struggles of the Capitular Body during the first 30 years of the 18th century. He went to his rest in 1738, after what must have been a laborious Pastorate of nearly 50 years. In 1730 the Popery Returns give three Mass Houses in the Parish, but one of these was Artaine, which was no longer a part of the Catholic Parish of Finglas.

Rev. Joseph Andrews, P.P., 1738-1755,

He was for many years Curate in St, Nicholas, Francis Street. We can find no date for his death, but it is probable it occurred about 1755, To him succeeded

V. Rev. William (Canon) Fletcher, P.P., 1755-1774,

In 1760 he was adopted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Wicklow. From the accession of Dr. Carpenter, though not *propter hoc, *Canon Fletcher’s administration was most unhappy, and at length in 1774, he was persuaded to tender his resignation, which Was accepted, and to him succeeded

Rev. Andrew Ennis, P.P., 1774-1777

He passed but three years in Finglas and was then transferred to the Parish of Maynooth.

Rev. Christopher Wall, P.P., 1777-1778.

He spent but one year here and was transferred to Baldoyle.

Rev. James Macarty, P.P,, 1778-1784.

His Pastorate was prolonged through six years, when he died and was followed by

V. Rev. (Canon) Benson, P.P., 1784-1823.

We now meet a long administration and sufficiently varied. With Fr. Benson the Parochial Registers commence, though a few detached leaves of an earlier one are still forthcoming. A Lease for 999 years of the site of the Chapel and Parochial House in St. *Margaret’s *dates from this period, as Dr. Carpenter’s name occurs among the Lessees, and in the following year, 1785, Fr. Benson records the laying of the first stone of St. Margaret’s old Chapel. In January we meet this entry:- Jan. 19th, James H--- of Finglas, Mason (Diabolo suadente) laid violent hands on the cross of said Chapel, which together with other ornamental works belonging to the Chapel, he broke in pieces.” Presumably he was disappointed in not getting the job. On the 8th of October, 1786, Fr. Benson laid the first stone of Finglas School. In May, 1795, the Parish of Rush became vacant and Fr. Benson was transferred thither, Fr. Peter McCormick being appointed to Finglas; but after a few days, Fr. Benson was sorry he had made the change, and begged to be allowed to return to Finglas. His request was granted, and Fr. McCormick was appointed to Rush instead. Again in 1802, a desire for change came upon the Pastor and he got transferred to the adjoining Parish of Mulhuddart or Blanchardstown, whilst Fr. Patk. Brennan was named for Finglas. But again he regretted the change, and promptly returned to his first love, Fr. Brennan being promoted to Celbridge instead. In 1811 he was admitted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Rathmichael. In 1815 the first Curate appears, for, up to that date the Parish was administered single-handedly. His name was Fullam, afterwards transferred to Lusk where he died, and a handsome mural Tablet in the church of Lusk helps to perpetuate his memory. We know not if we should trace the erection of the present Church in Finglas to the year 1820. We have no record to help us, but a Lease of the site for 69 years was made in this year, and its dimensions and style would point to about this period. Early in 1823, Fr. Benson ended his long Pastorate and was succeeded by

Rev. Matthias Kelly, P.P., 1823.

He had been many years Curate in Liffey Street, and now inaugurated a rather migratory career, passing from one Parish to another until he finally settled down as P.P. Clondalkin, where he died in 1856. In Finglas he remained only six months.

Rev. Patrick Montague, P.P., 1823-1841.

A sturdy Vetoist, Fr. Montague came to Finglas after many years service as Curate. During his times we meet the Visitation Schedules - three of them - which, however, give but scant information. The name of the Curate is not affixed to any of them, but in 1835, according to the Directory, a Fr. Ryan was Curate. In 1841 Fr. Montague got tired of the Parish, and freely resigned it, because as he said himself, “in it he was not able to keep body and soul together.” He returned to the ranks of the Curates, until about a year later, when Naul falling vacant, he was offered it and accepted.

Rev. James Young, P.P., 1841-1862.

In the front page of the new Register which Fr. Young opened, we read the following memoranda:- “On Saturday, 5th June, 1841, I was inducted into this Parish, in Finglas Chapel, by the Rev. James Callanan, P.P., Clontarf, who was authorized by the Most Rev. Dr. Murray, A.B.D.

James Young.

The Rev. Henry Young officiated in Finglas, as my coadjutor, from the commencement of my Pastoral career, till the middle of November, 1843, when was succeeded by the Rev. Patrick O’Sullivan (from the Diocese of Ardagh_ who still continues to discharge the duties of Curate in Finglas.

Dated 5th June, 1849.”

Member of a saintly family, Finglas was fortunate in possessing him for a term of 22 years, during which he laboured strenuously to maintain the faith and piety of his flock. The solitary Visitation Schedule which survives, signed by him and Curate, shows three Chalices and Ciboria with two Monstrances, evidence that the consoling rite of Benediction was promptly inaugurated by him. His administration was most fruitful, and during it (1845) the Maypole dances came to an end. He passed to his reward on September 17th, 1862, and was succeeded by

Rev. Patrick Black, P.P., 1868-1876.

After many years work as Curate in Ballymore and elsewhere, Fr. Black continued the pious traditions of his predecessor during 13 years of an active administration, and on May 3rd, 1876, with appalling suddenness, as he was passing out by the back door of the house giving directions to a boy, he fell against the door frame and expired immediately. He was followed by

V. Rev. Joseph (Canon) Flanagan, P.P.,** **1876-1889.

Fr. Joe Flanagan, as he was familiarly known amongst friends, was now appointed to the pastoral charge of Finglas. He had successively served as Curate in Cabinteely, Blackrock, and St. Paul’s, and as a Chaplain to Glasnevin Cemetery, was for many years in evidence to the majority of the citizens of Dublin. He has left behind him a manuscript record of his time and work in Finglas, of which the only fault is, that it is overcrowded with unimportant details, which for want of space must necessarily be condensed

His first undertaking was to improve the parochial house at St. Margaret’s where, up to this date, the P.P. had always resided. This he effected by adding a front to the existing building, which gave increased accommodation, and a smarter appearance. The Curate, Fr. O’Sullivan, had died in 1874, and was succeeded by Rev. Terence Anderson, and he in turn in 1880 by Rev. John Kelly (died P.P, Aughrim). Whilst the work at St. Margaret’s was going on, the P.P. busied himself about securing the site of the Church in Finglas. The Lease had but a few years to run, and it was to be sold as property of the late disestablished Church. The P.P. was only a subtenant, and had no first claim. But after much delay, and not a little law-costs, it was secured for £150, with £50 additional for land behind the Church, fronting on to the Ballygall Road. In 1885 Fr. Kelly, was removed to Glendalough, and was succeeded by Fr. Christopher Nolan, who remained for two years before retiring to the chaplaincy of Portland Row. To him succeeded Rev. Robt. Carrick. In 1885 occurred Fr. Flanagan’s adoption into the Chapter as Prebendary of Stagonil, and in 1887 the Curate took up his residence in St. Margaret’s and the P.P. came to Finglas henceforward to remain parochial headquarters. Now the Pastor directed all his energies to the setting up of the new parochial house in Finglas, the first stone of which was laid on October 24th, 1887. He frankly acknowledges that he was his own architect. Of course he had some expert assistance from time to time, which, however, did not prevent one signal blunder - he forgot to make provision for a staircase. This discovery demanded certain alterations, which, skillfully carried out, did not seriously diminish the accommodation. He acknowledges his indebtedness to the eminent firm of T. and C. Martin, especially to the senior partner, Mr. W. O’Kelly a very old friend from Cabinteely days. The result of his labours is a very commodious and well-built house, with a handsome approach fronting to the Ballygall Road, and free from the incumbrance of any Glebe Loan. The first use made of it was to accommodate the Redemptorist Fathers, who gave a most successful mission in Finglas in the Advent of 1887, though the Pastor had already taken up his residence there, from the previous July, whilst workmen were still engaged upon it. He then procured a new Bell, and Baptismal Font, and on the 4th Sunday of October, 1889, he concludes his record with these words:- “I officiated as P.P., Baldoyle, and Father Breen took my place here as P.P.

Signed Joseph Canon Flanagan, P.P.”

Rev. William Breen, P. P., 1889-1897.

From a long and zealously laboured curacy in Rathmines, Fr. Breen, a very simple and pious priest, was called to the Pastorate of Finglas. Fr. Wm. O’Connell had succeeded Fr. Carrick as Curate in 1895. The latter, while in Finglas, had taken an active part in promoting the project of a new Chapel in St. Margaret’s, the old one set up by Father Benson in 1875 being literally on its last legs, for it had to he shored up both within and without. He had gradually collected about £1,000 towards the project, but Fr. Breen’s business capacity, especially in financial matters, not being equal to the responsibility of guarding it, it got hopelessly mixed up with other monies, and was eventually lost to its original purpose. Such a calamity convinced Fr. Breen that he failed in one of the important duties of his office, and resigning the Parish in 1897, he went to live abroad. He was followed by

Rev. Patrick Slattery, P.P., 1897-1902.

He left behind him a very good record in St Nicholas, Francis Street, where he had passed some years. Fr. O’Connell, C.C., in enfeebled health resigned the curacy and was succeeded therein by Rev. Laurence Stafford. Fr. Slattery at once addressed himself to the tangled business of the new Church at St. Margaret’s, powerfully backed up by the Archbishop, who made good the deficit, and generously undertook to defray half the cost of building the Church. This gave heart to the Parishioners, who promptly subscribed the other half, and in 1900 a handsome and commodious Church was blessed and opened at a total cost of £3,500. On April 19th, 1902, to the sincere regret of his people, Fr. Slattery paid the last debt of nature and was succeeded by

Rev. Martin Hackett, P.P., 1902-1911.

After a long curacy in St. James’s Parish, Father Hackett was appointed to Finglas. Here he had no exceptional task to undertake, only to keep the ball rolling. Fr. Stafford’s curacy had come to a close in 1901, when he was transferred to SS. Michael and John’s, and he was followed by Rev. Jas. McDonnell, who, in 1912, gave place to Fr. Gaffney. Fr. Hackett was destined for a short Pastorate in Finglas, for, early in January, 1911, he was, after a brief illness, called to his heavenly reward. To him succeeded

Rev. Philip Ryan, P.P., 1911-

Narraghmore, Castledermot, and Sandyford curacies benefited by his labours for a fairly long stretch of years. He was not long settled in Finglas, when a totally unexpected piece of work was thrown upon his shoulders, which the event quickly proved that they were the best able to bear it. Ten years’ exposure to trying weather vicissitudes fold unfavourably on the new Church of St. Margaret’s. The quality of the stone employed proved not to have been of the best. It flaked off in many places, dragging the pointing with it, and leaving the internal walls to be permeated with damp, which much disfigured them and threatened very soon to disintegrate the whole structure. Fr. Ryan reported this unpleasant discovery to His Grace the Archbishop. who authorised him to engage the firm of W. H. Byrne and Son to examine the Church carefully and furnish specifications of the remedy. These were approved and James Kiernan was entrusted with the work of carrying them into effect. To cope with this unforeseen emergency, a Public Meeting of the Parishioners was held and presided over by the Archbishop. They most generously came forward, and in an incredibly short space of time collected a total of £1,435, including £500 given by the Archbishop. The total cost of renovation reached about £1,100, which included stained glass and the beautiful mosaic decoration of the Apse, leaving a small surplus wherewith to provide an Organ gallery and other requisites.

This concludes our parochial survey of Fingal; our next booklet will open up the north-western parishes of the Diocese, commencing with Blanchardstown.

Religious Census of Finglas Parish, 1911. *

Catholics. Protestants. Presbyterians. All others.

St. Margaret’s 320 7 0 5

Ward 86 0 0 0

Killeek 80 1 0 0

Finglas 1,530 176 32 11

2,016 184 32 16

Religious Examination in Schools, 1916.

Short Parish Index. Home.