Lusk, Rush, Skerries and Balbriggan.

Short Histories of Dublin Parishes

Part XVI

Parishes of Lusk, Rush, Skerries, and Balbriggan.

The Parish of Lusk – Celtic Period

Losca = a *cave *:-such is the Gaelic name together with its English equivalent given by Dr. Joyce for the locality which we are now about to explore. The origin of this place-name is identical with the origin of its Christianity; for, well-authenticated tradition tells us that Lusk had for its first Apostle and Bishop,’ a native of the locality, Maculind by name, whose death is said to have occurred in the year 497, the same year which witnessed the passing of St. Patrick. Assuming therefore that, in all probability, he must have commenced his evangelical work about 460, this gives a high antiquity to the foundations of Christianity in Lusk, beyond that of any other district in Fingal. St. Maculind took up his residence in a cave hollowed out of the side of a hill, and lived and died there; and the pilgrimages that subsequently took place to the shrine of the Saint - *the Losca *-made the locality known by that name.

St. Maculind soon attracted around him several devout disciples, who formed the commencements of a monastic settlement, or * laura, *and grouping themselves in scattered huts around the cave of the Master, were soon in a position, from his teaching and example, not only to observe monastic rules and customs, but being ordained priests, to go out through the surrounding country preaching and baptising; so that at the time of the Saint’s death, almost the entire north-eastern portion of the present Co. of Dublin Was safely garnered into the barns of the Faith. This fact alone sufficed to give Lusk the position of a *Mother Church. *

Within, a very short interval she could count among her spiritual daughters, Kenure, and Whitestown, Baldungan, Skerries, Balrothery, Bremore, and Balscadden. Throughout the whole Celtic period, therefore, of our Christian history from the days of St. Patrick down to the advent of the Anglo-Normans, and under them, though in a more restricted sense, down to the reign of Elizabeth, the whole north-east of Co. of Dublin, up to the river Delvin - frontier of County and Diocese alike - wed spiritual allegiance to the Mother Church of Lusk, and from her received the successive messengers of the Gospel who kept the faith alive amongst them, offered continuously the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and administered the Sacraments in these several mission stations, as we may call them, where in course of time substantial stone churches replaced. the original primitive structures of wattles and mud, that served as oratories for the earlier neophytes.

Whilst the succession of Abbots and Abbot-Bishops of Lusk is tolerably complete down to their extinction, under the Anglo-Normans, the chronicles of the Abbey itself are few and far between.

In 695 died Cassap the scribe and learned chronographer, and in the same year St. Adamnán’ held a Meeting or Synod of Ecclesiastics in the Abbey, at which were present nearly all the prelates of Ireland and an immense number of clergy. The debates of this assembly were mostly concerned with promoting uniformity in the time of celebrating Easter. In 826 the Danes commenced their nefarious work here by pillaging and destroying the Abbey. In 854 the Abbey and the whole town were consumed by fire. Again in 1069, and in 1089, when 180 persons perished in the church. In 1135 the town, the Abbey, and the whole country of Fingal, were burned by Donel Mac Murrough O’Melaghlin in revenge for the murder of his brother, Connor Prince of Meath; but O’Melaghlin expiated his crime at the hands of the enraged people of the town.

The list of Abbots is mostly culled from the Annals of the Four Masters, and is as follows: -

A.D.

St. Maculind, Abbot and Bishop, ob.
Cuynec McCuthmoa, Bishop, ob.
Petranus, Bishop, ob.
Colga, son of Moenach, Abbot.
Cassan, Scribe, *ob.

*731. Crummaol, Abbot, *ob.

734. Commoile McColgan, *Abbot, ob.

Conall, Abbot, *ob.

*782. Colga, son of Crummaol, Abbot, *ob.

786. Muiredhach, Abbot, ob.*

Moenach, Prior, *ob.

*795. Ferghil, Scribe, *ob.

*799. Gormac, son of Conall, Abbot, *ob.

*800. Moenach, Abbot, *ob.

*835. Forbhasach, Bishop and Anchorite, *ob.

*838. Maolruan, Vice-Abbot, ob.

Ruaidhri, Abbot, ob.
Ailill, Abbot, ob.
Benacta, Bishop, ob.,
Aonacan, Abbot, ob.
Malruain, Bishop,* ob.*
Mutran, Bishop, ob.

887.* *Seachnasach, Abbot, ob.

Muiredhach, Prior,* ob.*
Ruadhan, Bishop,* ob.*
Colman, Bishop, ob.
Cathal McO’Enagan,* *Bishop, ob.
Blessed Ailioll, son of Moenach, Bishop,* ob. (also Bishop of Swords).*
Odhar O’Murray, Erenach, *ob.,

Within the area dominated by Lusk, flourished two religious institutions from a very early period, which did not emanate from Lusk Abbey. These were the monastery on St. Patrick’s island outside Skerries, and Bremore, or Llanbecher, just a mile north of Balbriggan. The monastery on the island goes back welt into the sixth century, though no exact date can be assigned for its foundation. Anyone visiting Skerries cannot fail to notice three rocks, or islands, stretching out a short distance from the coast. The nearest is Red Island; the next the Colt; and the third and largest, Inis-Patraic, or St. Patrick’s island. This last has an extent of nine acres. The incident in the life of St. Patrick which drove his bark to Skerries after his repulse at Wicklow, made this island on which he landed and where he tarried briefly before directing his course north, to be regarded as holy ground. Here then, very soon after, was established an independent community of monks, which, though in altered form as we shall see later on, continued down to the suppression of all monasteries under Henry VIII. The Danes, as might be expected, paid it their first visit in 797, and setting fire to the lowly buildings, scattered the community, and carried off the richly ornamented shrine of St. Daconna. In the ninth century, Moel Finian, Prince of all Bregia, resigned his principality, became a monk in. this Abbey, of which he was afterwards superior, and died in 898. In 1120 this monastery was converted, by Sitric, son of Murchard, into a community of Canons regular of St Austin, and in 1124 we read of the death there of Malcolm O’Connacan, celebrated for his theological and scientific learning. In 1148, a Synod was held here by Gelasius, Archbishop of Armagh, and St. Malachy, in which 15 Bishops, and some two or three hundred clergy were assembled. The principal subject of its deliberations was the expected’ distribution of palliums and erection of the four archbishoprics. It was unanimously agreed that St. Malachy should proceed to Rome to further the petition of the Synod, on which journey he: died in the arms of St. Bernard.

Bremore has a somewhat legendary origin. St. Molagga, a native of Fermoy, Co. Cork, having visited Scotland and Wales, finally quitted Menevia, and landing at Ath-Cliath, was induced to visit a ruler there, who was suffering from a malignant ulcer. In answer to his prayers, a miraculous cure was effected, and the patient in gratitude, made over to Molagga, a tract of land in the north of Fingal called Bremore. Here the Saint settled down for a while, built a small church, and acquiring a swarm of bees brought over from Wales by St. Modomgnog, actively promoted bee-culture among the surrounding people, hence the church came to be known as Llan-Becher, *i.e., *the church of the bee-man; *Llan *being the Welsh equivalent for the Gaelic Kill, and Beac being the Gaelic for bee. St. Molagga afterwards returned to Cork, where he died, and Timoleague, in that county, perpetuates his name and traditions. After the founder’s death Bremore naturally became subservient to Lusk, and shared with Balrothery its allegiance to the Mother Church.

There is yet another small oratory within the Lusk district to be spoken of, namely, the small chapel and graveyard at Milverton, in Skerries parish, known as St. Movee’s chapel. The Saint to whom it is appropriated is not St. Mohbi-Clairenach of Glasnevin, but another of the same name, a nephew of St. Doulough, who, following the example of his uncle became a recluse and set up this oratory as his hermitage. Scarcely any trace of it now remains, and we were unable to find any tradition concerning it.

Lastly we must place on record the existence of a Convent of Nuns founded in the town of Lusk itself about the beginning of the 12th century. Some authors say that they were of the Order of Aroasia, but they make no attempt to prove this assertion.

Their constitutions were quite transformed, and their place of abode transferred on the advent of the first English Archbishop of Dublin, John Comyn. This closes our chronicle of the Celtic period of tusk and its sunoundings.

The Mediaeval Period.

The Bull of Alexander III. addressd to St. Laurence O’Toole, Archbishop of Dublin, and dated April 20th, 1179, gives and grants to St. Laurence and his successors in the See of Dublin “Lusk with all that belongs to it.” Hitherto under the monastic system, the monastery was the ecclesiastical unit appropriated to the tribe or family of tribes. Its Abbot, its Bishops - offices frequently united in the one person - and its monks sent out to all the affiliated chapels that looked to the monastery as their “Mother Church,” constituted one corporate body, so that without naming individually each outlying church or chapel it was enough to use the comprehensive formula - “Lusk with all that belongs to it.” Within it were composed, Balrothery, Balscadden, Bremore, Baldungan and Rush, all regarded thenceforward as distinct parishes. What, it may be asked, became of the monks? To this query we are unable to give a definite answer, but we may be sure at all events, that they did not suffer at the hands of St. Laurence, and that they continued for a time to administer these parishes, but were soon succeeded by members of the secular clergy, mostly Anglo-Norman importations, as their names reveal

It is not easy to disentangle the incomplete and; sometimes conflicting accounts of the originals parochial settlement, but it would appear fairly correct to state that from an early date, the Archdeacon of Dublin was invested with a moiety of Lusk. The early Archdeacons in St. Laurence’s time were Torquil (a Dane); Macrobius, assumed to be identical with Malchus, promoted Bishop of Glendalough; William appears in 1190 as Archdeacon, and witness to Archbishop Comyn’s Charter; Geoffrey de Turville comes in rather fitfully in 1216 and later. Eventually in 1219 when Archbishop Henry de Loundres established the *Cathedral *Chapter of St. Patrick, in which the Archdeacon *ex officio *should have a stall, he assigned half of Lusk to Wm. de Northfield, then Archdeacon, as his Prebend, and the remaining half to the first Precentor, Philip de Bray, who had already been Prebendary of Lusk in the pre-existing *Collegiate *Chapter. This arrangement did not last long, for in Archbishop Luke’s time, the Archdeacon was prevailed upon to surrender his half of Lusk and accept, in lieu thereof, Taney with all its appurtenances. Similarly the Precentor exchanged his moiety of Lusk for Donachemelach, subsequently known as Burgage, or Blessington. But the parish remained divided into two Prebends with two Prebendaries, who from 1467, under Archbisjiop Tregury, were, and ever after continued to be, the Precentor and Treasurer of St. Patrick’s respectively. Two vicarages were also endowed, the right of presentation to which appertained to the Prebendaries alternately. From all -this it may be gathered that Lusk was by no means an impecunious benefice, and bade fairly to rival its neighbour the “Golden Prebend” of Swords.

Between Archdeacon de Northfield and Philip de Bray’s names, and the permanent settlement in 1467 of the Precentor and Treasurer as *ex officio *joint Prebendaries of Lusk, there occur the names of Walter Scannel, raised to the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1284; Roger Fitzroger; James of Spain, nephew to Eleanor, Queen of Edward I.; Richard de Abyngdon, 1294; Raymond Pelegrin; 1286, John de Bryen; 1394, Robert de Faryngdon; 1405, Thomas Cranley; 1486, John Wyght or Wryght; 1452, Richard Chestre; 1457, Richard Eustace; Thomas Bloomfield, and William Tregury. Of the Vicars serving the parish the only names we can rescue from oblivion during this long interval are Sir Richard Kelch, and Sir William Norrey, whose names are to be found in some Wills of the 15th century; and in 1536, Robert Eustace.

After the death of St. Laurence O’Toole, John Comyn, the first of the line of English Archbishops, in 1190 transferred from Lusk the Convent of Nuns established there about the beginning of the 12th century, to a valuable, property between Swords and Lusk, near Corduff House, and still known as Grace Dieu. Here a new Convent and Church were erected for them, and they were placed under the rule of the Canonesses of St. Austin. This house, in course of time, became a great educational centre for the young Ladies of the Pale. Archbishop Comyn liberally endowed it with the tithes of many parishes, and with a flagon of ale from every brew in Lusk. It survived during three and a half centuries until the disastrous * débacle *of Henry VIII. in 1539.

In 1220, the first dismemberment of the Mother Church of Lusk occurred. Balrothery, Bremore, and Baldungan were severed from Lusk, and appropriated to the, monastery of Kilbixy (Tristernagh), Co. Westmeath; and in 1224 Archbishop Henry transferred the Canons Regular on St. Patrick’s Island to the mainland at Skerries. From that date the Church and monastic buildings, on the island were suffered to fall into the ruinous condition in which they are still to be found. About the middle of that same century, under Archbishop Luke, the filial parish of Balscadden was appropriated to Christ Church Cathedral, in exchange for Old Connaught near Bray, surrendered to the Archbishop, and was thenceforward administered by a Vicar provided by the Prior and Community of the Cathedral. Finally Baldungan, by virtue of some exchange of which we have not the particulars, ceased to belong to Kilbixy and became an appanage of Grace Dieu. Thus the extensive parish of Lusk as constituted by Pope Alexander’s Bull was shorn of many of its affiliations within a century, and reduced to the parochial areas of Lusk and Rush. Concerning Skerries or Holmpatrick, excluding Baldungan, an important factor in its parochial relations is rather obscure. We were a long time puzzled to determine whether it still looked to Lusk as Mother Church, or had rather been appropriated to the Canons Regular on St. Patrick’s island. During the mediaeval period we can discover no reference to Lusk, and on the other hand, We find Pope Innocent III. confirming to the See of Dublin the advowson of the monastery of Holmpatrick, in virtue of which authority, the Archbishop in 1224 transferred the monastery to the mainland and erected the parochial chapel there. From this we may conclude that the Canons Regular administered the parish, and that the Prior of the Community was *de jure *the Parish Priest of Skerries or Holmpatrick throughout the mediaeval period. All traces of the names of the Abbots of the island monastery have been lost, but of the Priors of the Canons Regular we meet the following:-

1280, Adam, Prior.

1366, Stephen Prior.

1366, John Randolph.

1378, Geoffry.

1383, Stephen Drake.

1393, John Kendall.

James Cogan.

1537, Peter Mann, last Prior.

The Holmpatrick Community was one of the religious houses suppressed in 1537, previous to the general dissolution, and it would appear that the last Prior, Peter Mann, died the same year, but this did not destroy the succession, for we still continue to meet several *titular * Priors of Holmpatrick appointed by the Holy See until late in the 17th century. Of Balrothery, Bremore, and Balscadden, we shall treat towards the end of this Part, as they were dissevered from Lusk so early in the 13th century.

We may now pause to take a glance at the several ecclesiastical remains scattered over this district, commencing with the Mother Church.

Lusk.

Of the old Celtic stone Church of Lusk we have just one impqrtant survival, namely, the Round Tower. It stands at present 100 feet high. Whatever may once have capped it, there is now only a metal covering. The date of its erection was probably sometime in the 10th century, and the work of setting it up was not entrusted, no more than that of Swords, to the great builder of Round Towers throughout Ireland, the Gobbhan Saer,” though he had his residence close by at Turvey. Apparently he was not a Prophet in his own country. In Anglo-Norman times, a square bell tower was erected and the old Round Tower incorporated with it, at one of the angles, the other angles being similarly provided with embattled round towers of much more modern pretensions. This gives the church tower of Lusk an unique appearance. From the tower eastward stretched the Norman church, enlarged probably from time to time. The fact of bequests for “the erection of the Belfry,” being found at pages 111 and 126, of Dr. Berry’s “Register of Wills between A.D. 1457-1483,” might be an indication of the proximate date of the erection of the tower. In 1502 Thomas Rochfort, Precentor of St. Patrick’s, made a donation to the church of Lusk, of a large table of alabaster, the high altar, and three images, one of Our Saviour placed in the centre, with St. Maculind, the patron saint of Lusk; on His right hand, and St. Patrick on His left. There was an altar in the church dedicated to St. Catharine, to which many bequests were made, as may be seen in Dr. Berry’s book already quoted. Of the church we have mention in the Visitation of 1615, “Church and Chauncel in good repair.” In 1630 we have a different story. “The Church for the most part is decayed and ruinous, the Chauncel is in remarkably good repair, and will be made better this summer.” The Chauncels of churches, be it remembered, were kept in repair by the incumbents, the body of the church by the parishioners. But in Lusk, as in most other places, “all the parishioners were -rEcusants.” This explains how the Chauncel in Lusk was well looked after by the Prebendaries of St. Patrick’s who were the incumbents, and the nave was neglected by the parishioners who were not allowed to use it for Catholic service. This same church in 1783, when Mr. Cooper made drawings of it, was a large, not very comely, and dilapidated building. The chauncel - E. part of the S. aisle only-was used for divine service. Seeing that in 1630, according to Bulkeley, “all the parishioners are recusants, and none come to church except the Lord Chief Baron and his family, and a few more,” it was quite large enough for such a diminutive congregation. Thus the whole of the N. aisle was in darkness, and according to Mr. Cooper “was a waste, only used as a burial place in the same manner as the churchyard; consequently it is all rubbish, bones, skulls, etc., the church is only preserved entire by a good roof covering the whole.” This roof was blown down during the great storm of 1839. Thenceforward this fine Church set up by our Catholic ancestors and filched from them by the laws of Elizabeth, became a gaping ruin, and after an interval of nearly 10 years was taken down, and gave place to the small Gothic Church which now serves as the Protestant Church of the parish. During the erection of this latter edifice in 1847, the workmen found the coffin plate of the Most Rev. Dr. Patrick Russell, Catholic Archbishop of -Dublin, in the reign of James II. It bore the inscription - “Here underlieth ye body of Patrick Russell, Rom. cathlick Ld. Arch. Bp. of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, son to James Russell, of Rush, who died in ye 63d year of his age, on the 14th of July, 1692, and in the 9th year of his consecration.” He died in prison a true martyr to the faith. This relic of penal memory was presented to Dr. Cullen early in his episcopate. He set it up on the mantel piece of his dining room at 59 Eccles Street, where it remained until his death in Oct., 1878. During the lying-in-state of his remains the public were admitted to pass round the coffin silently ejaculating a short prayer. Whilst this ceremony was in progress the coffin plate was mysteriously abstracted, and has never been recovered since. There is still also in use an altar stone consecrated by Dr. Russell and bearing an inscription recording that fact.

Of the monuments that were erected in old Lusk Church the most interesting was the costly and elaborate monument of Sir Christopher Barnewall of Turvey and of his wife who survived him. This monument is constructed of different kinds of stone, most of the figures being sculptured in grey Italian marble while the lower part of the tomb is Kilkenny marble. The deceased knight is represented in a suit of armour, his head uncovered and his hands joined on his breast in a devotional attitude, and his feet resting on the body of a greyhound. His consort appears lying beside him with her hands crossed on her bosom, and her head reposing on an embroidered pillow. In the old Church this monument was within the building and therefore sheltered from the wasting power of the elements, but the present Church being much shorter than its predecessor, the monument is left out on the open, and already shows the effects of the weather.. There is also a monument to Jas. Bermingham of Ballough and his wife dated 1637, and finally a tomb of Kilkenny marble erected to the memory of Sir Robert Echlin, the predecessor of the Palmer family in the ownership of Kenure Park.

Rush.

The Church in Rush during the Celtic period was most probably the little ruin known as Kenure, in Kenure Park. This ruin is situated in a solemn sequestered situation, and is thickly over-arched by festoons of ivy. It was dedicated to St. Damnan, and measures about 16 yards in length by five and a half in breadth. Within it are some old tombs, one to members of the Walsh family, and a black mural slab, at the foot of which several of the Parish Priests from 1765 are interred. But in Anglo-Norman times there can be little doubt but that the ruin on the other side of Rush, at Whitestown, was the Chapel that served Rush, for in Rush town itself, there is no record of any Church ever having been built there, nor has any trace of such been discovered. There is a legend connected with the ruins at Whitestown which elevates it to the dignity of a votive Church. A number of French navigators, who may have been crusaders, were driven be stress of weather out of their course, and were forced to take shelter in Rogerstown haven, for as such the inlet from the sea at that point is known. Whilst buffeted by the storm and in danger of perishing, they made a vow to St. Maur, greatly venerated in France, that if ever they escaped destruction, they would build a Chapel in his honour on the point of land they first touched. This happened to be Rogerstown, and forthwith the Chapel was built and dedicated to St, Maur. The place was thenceforward called Knightstown, subsequently modified to Whitestown. Who, it may me asked, was St. Maur? Anyone acquainted with the life of St. Benedict could not but know him. Maur, or Maurus, was son of Equitius, a noble, who placed him under the care of St. Benedict, to be brought up in piety and learning. This occurred in. the year 522, the youth being then 12 years of age. In 543 Maurus, under King Theodobert, founded the famous Benedictine Abbey of Glanfeuil, now called St. Maur-sur-Loire, and he, equally with St. Benedict, was regarded as the author of the Benedictine rule. In 581 he resigned the Abbacy, and passing the remainder of his life in solitude, died on the 15th of January, 584. His relics were translated to St. Pierre des Fosses near Paris in 868, and in 1750 were removed to Germain des Prés, where they are still preserved in a rich shrine. Thenceforward St. Maur was regarded as the patron Saint of Rush. The old Church of Anglo-Norman date is traced in the centre of a burial ground, thickly set with obscure tombstones and bristly with nettles. St. Maur’s well is close by.

Grace Dieu.

On the other or western side of Lusk we meet the traces (they are little more) of the celebrated: Anglo-Norman Convent of Grace Dieu. It was founded by the first Anglo-Norman Archbishop, John Comyn; in 1190, being grafted on to the old Celtic Community established close to Lusk at the beginning of the century. The nuns were then transferred to this spot and placed under the rule of the Canonesses of St. Augustine.

Leaving Swords by the main road and passing the road to Skerries which branches off to the right in about a quarter of a mile we reach Corduff Bridge where we turn to the left along the road to Ballyboghill, meeting in about a mile and a half, a grass-grown lane; on the left, leading up to the site of Grace Dieu. This lane now overgrown with weeds and brushwood is of great antiquity, as evidenced by its ancient red stone pavement, and the old bridges by which it crosses the intervening rivulets. A short distance along the lane, a wooden gateway will be seen on the left, opening into a field containing a small pile of masonry with a low doorway, and adjoining is the ancient burial ground long since desecrated by agricultural operations. Two horizontal tombstones still remain, one inside the walls bearing the deeply cut inscription *- Hic . jacet Johannes Hurley Cujus animae propitietur Deus, Amen. *There is no date, but in all probability it dates from after the suppression; and whilst the site still continued to be used as a place of interment. The inscription on the other tombstone is so defaced as to have become undecipherable.

From ” Allen’s’ Register ” we gather that in Archbishop Henry’s time the name of the Prioress was Africa, and from the same source that Archbishop John in 1305, gave to Grace Dieu the Rectory of NewcastIe, or Killadreenan, in the Co. Wicklow. This Convent became celebrated as a High School for young ladies, daughters of the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale, and when in Henry VIII’s. time the suppression of all religious houses began to be mooted, great, influence was exerted to save this house from the general destruction. The Lord Deputy and Council intervened “for the common weal of said land on behalf of six important communities, of which Grace Dieu was one, wherein,” recites the appeal, “young women be brought up in virtue, learning, and in the English tongue and behaviour, that is to say, the womankind of the whole Englishry of this land for the more part in the said nunnery.” But greedy eyes had long been looking upon its fertile lands, and notwithstanding this strong and influential appeal, Grace Dieu was suppressed in 1539: Archbishop George Brown requested that the lands might be, conveyed to him, but he was disregarded, and instead they passed to Sir Patrick Barnewall, who for a time made the suppressed Convent his residence, and eventually pulled it down, building, it is said, his new house at Turvey from the stones thereof. This would account for the insignificance of the remains. The last Prioress, Alison White, was granted a pension of £6 (about £60 of our present money) chargeable upon the estate. The scattered members of the Convent managed to keep up a semblance of community life up to the end of the century, in a house of theirs in Portrane which had escaped confiscation. (See Part XV. under Donabate).

Baldungan

The centre of interest here is of course the imposing and still extensive ruins that survive. Who originally raised these structures is an archaeological question that has given scope to many different opinions. Archdall and Dalton trace them to the Templars, but we consider Lucas, in his “Topography,” nearer the mark when he ascribes them to the Barnewall family who were Lords of the Manor in the early 13th century. It is true that on the coming of the Templars (circa 1172} this property was bestowed upon them; but they remained for only a few years in possession, and never could have erected such extensive buildings in such a short time. Moreover the architecture of doors and windows, all pointed Gothic, indicate’ a much later date. With the Barnewalls it remained as of their barony of Balrothery, until by marriage it passed to the De Berminghams of Lusk, and later still, again by marriage, to the Lords of Howth, who still retain it. In 1220 the Rectory, as we have seen, was vested in the monks of Kilbixy, but by the middle of the same century by virtue of exchanges it had passed to the Nuns of Grace Dieu. It formed a separate parish administered by a Vicar or Curate presented by the Nuns.

Skerries. **

The ecclesiastical ruins of Skerries are confined to St. Patrick’s island, and there we find considerable remains still visible of the old monastic Church. It consisted of a nave 46 feet long by 27 feet wide, and chauncel 22 feet square. The walls which are nearly four feet thick are ashlar masonry of the stone of the district; but all the facings are of chiselled or sawn calcareous tufa stone, which time and weather have made as porous as a coarse sponge. The west end of the nave has been rudely repaired, and was, for a time, roofed in for a cattle shed. Some 10 feet high of the W. gable remain. It had a groined stone roof high pitched like St. Doulogh’s. To the S.W. of the Church, extensive foundations some 60 feet by 36 can be traced of what was probably portion of the old monastery. On the main land no ruin survives except a modern one, the disused Protestant Church, now unroofed, which had been rebuilt in 1720. Its predecessor was in all probability the Parish Chapel erected. by Archbishop Henry in 1220. Rev. R. Walsh affects to trace the site of the monastery Church to be somewhere about a mile S.W. of the town, but there is no authority for this. There never was more than one Church in Skerries during the mediaeval period, which served both the community and the parish, and which towards the middle of Elizabeth’s reign was converted to the use of Protestant worship. In the Royal Visitation of 1615, it is not mentioned, and in that of 1630 it is stated to be in good repair, with about 29 of the inhabitants of the district frequenting Divine service. “‘All the rest are recusants,” writes Archbishop Bulkeley. We now come to the third period of our history.

The Penal and Modern Period.

Catholic worship continued uninterruptedly during the reigns of Henry, Edward, Mary, and a great portion of Elizabeth’s reign, for even Archbishop Curwin, notwithstanding his wretched apostacy, connived at the clergy continuing to say Mass and administer Sacraments as of old, and free from the trammels of the oath of supremacy, especially in country places removed as they were from troublesome observation. The names of the clergy so ministering, we have no, means of discovering. Not until the opening of the new century do we begin to find documents yielding up the names of the ecclesiastical pioneers of this district, comprising Lusk, Rush, Skerries and Baldungan.

Rev. Patrick Duff, P.P., Luck, etc. 1608-1650. **

Three of the earliest entries in the *Per Obitum * volumes of the Vatican published in the *Archivium Hibernicum, *Vol. I., recite the nominations by Papal Provision of three successive Priors of Holmpatrick; dated respectively, - 1599, 1608; and 1611. But for our present purposes we may disregard them; they were merely titular appointments and carried no spiritual jurisdiction with them. At most they might have established prior claims in the almost impossible event of a re-establishment of the Catholic Church in Ireland during the reign of James I. With regard to one of the names, however, mentioned in the document dated 1608, viz., *Patrick Duff, *there are other sources of information which would justify us in regarding him as acting P.P. from 1608 or perhaps farther back. In 1613, just five years later, a Government Return of Popish Priests lurking and working in this part of the Co. Dublin, gives his name; and finally in Bulkeley’s Report of 1630, we read that “there are two public Mass-houses, the one in the town of Luske, belonging .to a farmer called Dermott, of Raheny, the other in the town of Rushe, upon that part of it which is called the land of the King, which is held by one George Delahoyde. The Priest’s name is Patrick Duff. All the parishioners, being many, are recusants and none come to Church except the Lord Chief Baron and his family and a few more.”

Father Duff therefore may be safely put down as the P.P. of Lusk, Rush, Skerries, and Baldungan, which after the Kilkenny Synod (16l8) were constituted one parish. From Archbishop Bulkeley we learn, that Fr. Duff had an assistant named Fr. Clarke, stationed in Baldungan, as the following extract sets out. “Baldungan … There is not one Protestant in the parish. There is one Mr. Clarke, as they call him, a Mass-priest, that keepeth school and sayeth Mass every Sunday and Holiday in Mr. Nicholas Fitzwilliam’s house at Baldungan, unto whom all the inhabitants round about resort to hear Mass.” So that, while Fr. Duff was able to administer Lusk and Rush, Fr. Clarke took charge of Skerries and Baldungan.

How long Father Duff may have survived after 1630 we know not; but if he lived yet another 20 years - until 1650, he would not have been more than 75, years of age; so it is quite possible that his death may not have occurred sooner. Then came the cataclysm of Cromwell’s march to Drogheda, with all its attendant woes, so for full 10 years, until the Restoration in 1660, our short history must remain a blank. One episode which occurred in 1642, deserves to be placed on record. A contemporary tract entitled *New Intelligence from Ireland, *dated 17th June, 1642, recites:- “Colonel Trafford went out from us [Dublin.], with some 1,000 men to forage and light upon a part of the enemy, who betook themselves to Baldongan Castle, some 12 miles from us who besieged them. Two large pieces were sent to him which came there; 10 shot two shots *[sic] *onely that night; and. on the, next day they beat down the Castle and put all to the sword which were about 200, none of any note in it, but two priests that were Captaines to those Rebells, one of them was brought home and was examined and put to the Racke but confessed little that day 26 priests were shipped for France which deserve better to be hanged. We can readily believe that either Father Duff or Father Clarke had the privilege of being racked by these sanctimonious. Puritans **

V. Rev. John Holywood, P.P., 1660 * (circa)* – 1689.** *

Later on in the century we begin to learn something of Father Holywood. From the fact that his family burying place was in Dunboyne where his Will directs he should be buried, we may infer that he was not one of the Holywoods of Artane. He was Treasurer of the Metropolitan Chapter re-organised by Archbishop Russell in January, 1688. This fact and the contents of his Will are all we can chronicle of him.

The Will is preserved among the Prerogative Wills in the Public Record Office, and runs as follows:- “In the Name of God, Amen. I John Holywood of Rushe, in the Co. Dublin, Gentleman, direct, etc., to be interred in family burial place, Dunboyne. I appoint as Executors my cousin John Rochford, Co. Meath, Gentleman, and Oliver Rochford, of the Laraghs, Co. Kildare. I direct that my books be sold by Father Thomas Finglass and -Father Joseph Walsh to the priests of the Diocese of Dublin, and the price of them disposed of as they shall think fit for the benefit of my soul. I declare that there are two suits of vestments and two silver Chalices with the altar cloths in my custody which do belong to this parish of Luske, and there is another suit of vestments with a small silver Chalice and altar cloth belonging to myself which I do hand to the said parish of Lusk. To the poor of my parish I bequeath £5, to be paid unto them out of the tythe-money due unto me. Signed 12th Feb., 1689.

Witnesses. - Thos. Finglass, John Walsh.

Proved, Feb. 28th, 1689.”

Father Finglass was P.P. of Balrothery and Balscadden, and Father Joseph Walsh became Fr. Holywood’s immediate successor.

Very Rev. Joseph Walsh, P.P., 1689-1730.

Father Walsh,, with his brother, Father Christopher Walsh, P.P., of Swords, would appear to have belonged to a; very respectable if not opulent family, and to have been pure Fingallians, Our P.P. had been appointed Chancellor of the Chapter and had taken the Oath on the same day as Father Holywood, and throughout his whole long career was amongst the most distinguished and respected Priests of the Diocese. The freedom which the Catholics had begun to enjoy under James II. was again filched from them after the fatal Battle of the Boyne, and the worst form of persecution revived. The Archbishop was forced to fly and hide with his relatives in this very parish, but was soon captured and died in prison in 1692, and the Diocese was left without a resident Bishop for 15 years. A large portion of administrative work thus devolved upon the Chapter, who practically governed the Diocese until Archbishop Byrne was consecrated in 1707. In the List of Popish Priests returned in 1697 and preserved in Marsh’s Library under the heading of “Luske and Hoimpatrick,” we read

“Co. Dublin

Secular. - Father Joseph Walsh, Parish Priest of both parishes, living at Knock Drumon, in the parish of Luske.

Father William Shanly, assistant to the said Walsh, residing at Belcunny, in the parish of Luske.

Regular. - Father Patrick McAneranny, at Rogerstown, in the said parish.

Regular. – Father … Whitehead, at Grace Dieu, in the same parish.”

From this we may gather that large as the area, was covered by this Union of Parishes, it was not too badly off in its supply of Clergy.

The next account we have of Father Walsh is found in the registered List of Priests ordered and published in 1704. There he is described as “Joseph Walsh, living at Knockdroman, age 48, P. P. of Luske and Holmpatrick, ordained in 1680 at Salamanca.” His sureties are not given. His Curate, Father Shanly, seems to have passed to his brother at Swords.

We are now fairly into the terrible reign of Anne, than which anything more ferocious against Catholics it would be difficult to conceive. Parish Priests, if registered, were tolerated; but they were to be allowed to die out and have no successors. Ordinations at home, or importations of Ecclesiastics from abroad, wore* equivalent to high treason. A natural product a this unnatural condition of things, was the reptile known in history as the Priest-hunter. He was always on the prowl throughout this and the earlier portion of the succeeding reign, and was ever ready to denounce to the authorities any contravention of this most penal of the penal laws. Edward Tyrrell was one *of this brood, and having denounced the great primate, Hugh MacMahon, for holding an ordination in a private house in Ardee, the latter was glad to evade pursuit by availing himself of Father Walsh’s hospitality and holding his subsequent ordinations within the parish of Luske. In an examination held before the Lords Justices and Council in 1712, Tyrrell states that Primate MacMahon “comes sometimes to Luske in the Co. Dublin to ordain clergymen of the Popish persuasion.”

In 1724, when the See became vacant by the death of Archbishop Byrne, Father Walsh appears in a rather prominent part. Dean Russell summoned the Chapter in due course to elect a Vicar-Capitular.

The incidents occurring in this Chapter Meeting have been already related in Part XI. dealing with St. Michan’s; and the unwelcome intervention of the Bishop of Ferns proved to be the beginning of serious intestine divisions in the Chapter itself, which lasted for fully 10 years.

Archdeacon Doyle, who seems to have been recognised as the spokesman of those protesting against the proceedings of the Bishop of Ferns, wrote a full description of the whole transaction to Father Joseph Walsh, asking his opinion and advice thereon. He had in reply the following letter:-“Rev Sir,

I am edified at your behaviour in defence of the honour and right of the Chapter, and am scandalised at those gentlemen who, upon an imaginary invalidity of the election on the 27th Feb. last, and a false report of the case, gave up, or rather retrayed, the privilege

of the Chapter which ought to be called on that occasion, and with it (as much as in them lay) the right and prerogative of this Metropolitan See: for I dare affirm (and the Chapter can attest) that when I pr6posed a way of putting a speedy end to the election I made use of the following words, viz.: that whoever would have the most votes in the second, scrutiny should be Vicar, without any limitation of numbers, as is falsely suggested by some of the Chapter, quorum conscientias onero et obtestor. Let those gentlemen say what they will, I am persuaded our Election is valid, Canonical and agreeable to the constant practice of this Diocese in the appointment and constitution of Vicars Sede Vacante, and therefore there being no negligence in us there can be no devolution, and if there were a devolution for any other fault it would be to the Holy See and not to the Senior Suffragan, and therefore I do hereby, and so I am sure will the Sanior Pars Capituli declare and protest along with you against all and every act and proceeding done by the Suffragan or by any others joining with him to the contrary, and I further declare that he has no power to issue Censures against you, he having no jurisdic tion in this Diocese. Pray get a protest in form with a competent appeal or any other instrument which by advice will be thought convenient and necessary to prove our rights and privileges against any present or future usurpation, and I will sign it, and stand by it, every member of the Chapter being obliged in conscience so to do, the legality of our own and our Predecessors’ proceedings and the welfare and peace of the Diocese for the future being at stake: I fear there are some restless spirits among us who more seek themselves than the Honour and Glory of God and Good of His Church. I pray God open their eyes that they may return to a true sense of their duty, and reward you for your zeal and steady adherence to the rights and prerogatives of the Diocese and Chapter, which will be always owned by all unprejudiced per sons and particularly by

“Your humble servant,

“Joseph Walsh.”

“Rush, May 11th, 1742.”

This spirited letter won the approbation of the majority of the Chapter, and 14 of the Canons attached their signatures to it. Eventually, in the September following Dr. Edward Murphy, Bishop of Kildare, the *Dignissimus *in the Chapter’s Postulation, and who had for many years formerly been P.P., St Audoen’s, was transferred to the Metropolitan See.

Dr. Murphy, when translated to Dublin, was both old and infirm. In the Registry of 1704, he is credited with 53 years of age, which would now make him 74, and his infirmities deepened the age. We cannot be surprised therefore at hearing of a Coadjutor very soon. A letter from the Internunzio at Brussels to Propaganda, dated 14th Jan., 1729 (new style), speaks of the incurable malady of the Archbishop, and in a later correspondence, Feb. 13th, he adds that in his advanced age and infirmity he has chosen as Coadjutor *cum futura successione, *Joseph Walsh, Chancellor of the Chapter. He is of good family, despoiled of all on account of religion, and acceptable to the Clergy and the People. He had been Parish Priest for 40 years, and though also advanced in years, he is still vigorous and active.” The Internunzio, however, thought him too old, and suggests another selection, or to wait until death of Archbishop, which could not be far off. In sustainment of these suggestions he sends copy of a letter written to him by six of the Chapter who declined signing the Memorial for the Coadjutor, saying that the Archbishop was urged to this by certain members of the Chapter, “*non recte consulentium utilitati illius Ecclesiac,” *as Candidate was nearly 80 years of age, and consequently unfitted. They add, that they should be reputed the *Sanior Pars Capituli, *in as much as they promptly obeyed the orders from Rome concerning the Deanery, whilst on the contrary those who signed the Memorial refused to obey. The Archbishop was actually dead before this letter was written, but incidentally we learn from it a new source of trouble in, the Chapter. Dean Russell had died in the midsummer previous, and the successor appointed by the Holy See was Father Denis Byrne, Prebendary of Kilmactalway, and C.C. of Dr. Nary, in St. Michan’s. This appointment was clearly not to the liking of the majority of the Chapter, and they affected to ignore it for a time. Archdeacon Doyle, P.P., St. Andrew’s, had been recommended both by the late Archbishop and by the Chapter for the Deanery, and in October, 1729, when Byrne had been several months installed, we find Joseph Walsh as *Vicar-Capitular *giving him Testimonial letters for the dignity. The schism in the Chapter could not be more complete, for now we have two conflicting capitular bodies with two *Vicars-Capitular. *For, on the 7th of February, 1728-9, the six Canons mentioned by the Internunzio forwarded to Rome a Postulation in favour of Dr. Nary for the See, and style him * VicarGeneral sede vacante. *On the 11th of the same month another Postulation emanates from a meeting of the Clergy styling itself ” Nos Capitulares et Clerus Dublinensis,” in which they recommend either the Archbishop of Cashel or the Bishop of Kildare, or Joseph Walsh, Chancellor, now *Vicar-General sede vacante. *They urge that Walsh, with the consent of the Chapter, was destined by the late Archbishop as Coadjutor. This petition is signed by 14 Canons and 12 Parish Priests, not members of the Chapter. In the month of September following, hearing that Dr; Stephen Mac Egan, Bishop of Clonmacnoise, a Dominican, was put forward by the other body, they forwarded another Postulation much more extensively signed and protesting against the appointment of one of the Regular Clergy as likely to increase the discord. This document is published in the third Vol. of the * Spicilegium Ossoriense *(pp. 135 *et seqq.) *In the month of November the Holy See disregarded both Postulations, and transferred Dr. Fagan from Meath. He was not new to Dublin, having been P.P., Baldoyle, before his elevation to the Episcopacy.

With the advent of the new Archbishop the Capitular troubles came to an end, though a faint echo of them was still heard at the next vacancy of the See; but Father Walsh did not live to see that vacancy. He had served a long time and through the most difficult and trying period of our chequered history, and had won for himself the consideration and esteem of all. Of his work in the parish but little has come down to us. We gather from the Government Return ordered by the House of Lords in 1731, that there were three “Mass-Houses” in the Parish, all built previous to the accession of George I. (Rush, Lusk and Hacketstown), and three priests to serve them. One Popish school is also returned. In Skerries there is a silver Chalice presented to the Chapel of Hacketstown, “in the Parish of Lusk,” by Col. R. Arthur and his wife Helen, in 1728. The words within inverted commas prove that Skerries had not yet attained parochial independence.

Father Walsh died in the early spring of 1730. His Will was executed on the 3rd March, 1729-30, and is to the following effect:-

“In the Name of God. Amen. I, Joseph Walsh, of Rush, Gentleman, being of sound mind, etc., desire that I he interred in the Church of Kinnure with my brother, Christopher Walsh. I bequeath to Dr. Fagan £3, to Richard Morphy £2, to nephew, Thomas Tuite, £1, to Pat Taaffe one moidor, to his wife, my niece, one moidor, to nephew, Thomas Taaffe, my watch with some books left apart for him in the hands of Mr. Patrick Doyle. To Mr. Nich. Jones £3, to Wm. Clancy one moidor to buy him a mourning ring. All else to be sold to defray expenses and pay debts. Residue to Fr. Doyle, one of the Executors, Father Jones being another. Dated March 3d, 1729-30.”

This Will was not proved until 1738 by John Kelly, nephew of Archdeacon Doyle (P.P.), St. Andrew’s, who died intestate in 1733. The Father Jones here mentioned was P.P., Donabate.

Father Walsh left one valuable legacy, though not mentioned in his Will, which is still bearing fruit, although, thanks to the French Revolution, it is greatly attenuated, namely, the foundation of two Burses in the Lombard (Irish) College, Paris.

V. Rev. Valentine (Canon) Teeling, P.P., 1730-1762.

Of the three priests returned as serving the Parish in 1881, Fr. Teeling may have been one. We first meet his name in the Chapter List of 1733, wherein he figures as Prebendary of Monmohenock. To him are traceable the oldest Parish Registers of Baptism, dating back to 1757, and of Marriages, to 1762. Canon Teeling died in April, 1762, and his successor took possession on May 1st of the same year.

V. Rev. Robert (Canon) Bethel, P.P., 1762-1764.

He administered this Parish for about a year and eight months, and was* *then transferred to various parishes, dying in 1791 P.P., St. Audoen, and Vicar-General. He was a pious and zealous pastor, a very good preacher, arid, as ,an entry in the Parish Register describes him

“Eminent in the grave studies of his profession and the polite reading of a gentleman.”

Rev. James Strong, P.P., 1764-1769.

He was a native of the Parish of Hollywood, and remained nearly six years Pastor of Lusk, when he was transferred to Swords. After two and a half years sojourn in Swords, he died as the result of a kick from a horse set upon him maliciously by a wig-maker from Dublin named Fryans He was followed in Lusk by

Rev. Francis (Canon) Mooney, P.P., 1769-1777.

He transcribed the Baptisms and Marriages from an old book not worth preserving, and wrote them out faithfully as he found them. His entry on Sep. 28th, 1777, is as follows - “Here endeth the Baptismal Registry of the Rev. Mr. Mooney who was appointed to succeed Mr. Fay, who was transferred from the Parish of Balrothery to St. James, Dublin.”

Rev. Thomas King, P.P., 1777-1794

He had been P.P., Donabate, from 1772. He died in 1794, and was followed by.’

Rev. Patrick Walsh, P.P., 1794-1802.

This appointment was another transfer from Donabate, where Fr. Walsh had been P.P. since 1778. He was allowed to retain the administration of Donabate, and dying in 1802 was succeeded by

Rev. Patrick Kenny, P.P., 1802-1804.

Fr Kenny remained but two years, when he resigned the Parish and went as a Missioner to America.

V. Rev. Patrick (Canon) Kelly, P.P., 1804-1834.

It was during his prolonged pastorship of 30 years that occurred the temporary re-union of Rush and Lusk. Father John Smyth, O.P., had been transferred from Rush to be P.P., Balrothery. This left Rush vacant, and Dr. Troy in his Register adds:- “For canonical reasons the parish of Rush was united to that of Lusk, under the care of Rev. Patrick Kelly, until the former parish is able to maintain a Pastor of its own.” Evidently Rush at this period was not in a flourishing economic condition. Fr. Kelly was adopted into the Chapter in 1807, as Prebendary of Donoughmore. To him is due the erection; in 1809, of the present spacious Parish Church of Lusk, now over a century old, and still adequately serving its sacred purpose. It was a daring effort in those days, when the prevailing ambitions were limited to low-ceiled, earthen-floor chapels of what is known as the T shape: In the Schedule presented to Archbishop Murray in his Visitation of 1831, Canon Kelly states that the site “was allotted to him and his successors for ever by the Commission appointed by Government for enclosing and allotting the Commons of Lusk.” The building cost £2,000, nearly half of which was contributed by James Dixon, of Kilmainham, and the remainder was raised by subscription: attached to it is a spacious cemetery. He refers also to a chapel of ease at Ballough, where one Mass was said on Sundays and holydays. Canon Kelly survived until 1834, and after 30 years of zealous and strenuous labour in this Parish, on October 23rd of that year, passed to his eternal reward.

Rev. Mark Fogarty, P.P., 1834-1841.

Fr. Fogarty had been for many years Curate in Swords, He administered this Parish for nearly six years, and died on December 27, 1840.

Rev. Peter J. Tyrrell, P.P., 1841-1843.

Born in Dublin, Fr. Tyrrell made his studies in the Irish College, Paris, and for a time did missionary work in Rouen. He left France in 1823, and under Dr. Poynter, Vicar-Apostolic of the London District, was actively engaged at Stratford for about five years. He then fell seriously ill, and was advised to return to his native air. After doing chaplain’s work at Harold’s Cross and George’s Hill, he was appointed curate in St. Audoen’s, Bridge Street, and from it promoted P.P., Lusk, on January 2nd, 1841.

Whilst labouring in St. Audoen’s, Fr. Tyrrell, in common with all his clerical brethren of that day, took a deep interest in the constitutional movement inaugurated by O’Connell for the Repeal of the Legislative Union, which was then in the most active stage of its existence. He made occasional speeches at Repeal Meetings, but they were soundly constitutional and on the Liberator’s own lines. Nevertheless, when the prosecutions were commenced after the proclamation of the Clontarf Meeting, Fr. Tyrrell was singled out to be one of the Repeal Martyrs, and with them sent forward for trial; but before the trial could come off, Fr. Tyrrell was summoned before a ‘higher tribunal, and on December 4, 1843, passed out of this life. Over his grave in the cemetery surrounding the church the Loyal National Repeal Association erected a monument in the shape of a pyramid, on which the following inscription may be read:-

“This monument was erected by the Loyal National Repeal Association of Ireland to the Reverend Peter James Tyrrell, Parish Priest of Lusk, a Martyr for Ireland. Born 24th day of July, 1792, arrested for seeking a Repeal of the Union on the 14th day of October, 1843. Died from illness produced by his prosecution and exertions for liberty on the 4th day of December, 1843. May his soul rest in peace.”

V. Rev. Augustine (Canon) Costigan, .P., 1843-1868.

He had been many years Curate in at. Michan’s, N. Anne Street, and during his curacy had been adopted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Malahiddard. In his first Visitation presented to the Archbishop in 1845 there is no mention of the chapel-of-ease at Ballough; presumably it had been discontinued, but, instead, we find a third Mass on Sundays in the workhouse, for which and for the spiritual care of the inmates the Guardians allowed £40 per annum. This is signed by the P.P. and Wm. Doran, C.C. At the next ensuing Visitation, dated August 1st, 1848, he mentions that “an addition has been made to the parochial house, out-offices built, and other permenent improvements made, at the sole expense of the present Pastor.” We notice also the presence of three Chalices, a Remonstrancer, Thurible, and incense boat, marking the introduction of Benediction. Signed by P.P., and Ml. Cuffe, C.C. The third and last of these documents is dated August 26th, 1851. It gives no additional information except to note that three of the four schools were under the Board of National Education, and that the number of adults in the Parish was about 2,000. In August, 1868, Canno Costigan died.

Rev. Nicholas O’Farrell, P.P., 1868-1881.

From a curacy in St. Nicholas, Francis Street, he passed to the Jesuit Novitiate, but remained there only a few years, and returning to the secular mission was appointed to a curacy in the Pro-Cathedral; where he laboured until his promotion to this Parish. His administration was quiet and uneventful, and dying in 1881, he was followed by

Rev. Michael Gibney, P.P., 1881-1888.

A native of Cavan, educated in Castleknock and Maynooth, he was appointed Curate to Celbridge in 1858, and in 1861 transferred to St. Paul’s, where he laboured zealously for 20 years, and then received his merited promotion to this Parish. He erected the present bell tower to the Church, which we cannot regard as a great architectural success. His architect succeeded better in the side cloister or aisle, which is well designed. His health soon became unpaired, and during the last few years of his life he was a confirmed invalid, and died in October, 1888.

Rev. James Keon, P.P., 1889-1894

After a short administration of little over four years, Fr. Keon was transferred to the new Parish of Terenure, and was followed here by

Rev. Daniel Heffernan, P.P., 1894-1900

Fr. Heffernan ‘s administration was very popular. He thoroughly cleaned down and decorated the Church, improved the parochial grounds, and organised the Sodalities on a sound and permanent basis; but a very painful disease, which he endured with heroic patience, cut short his career, and dying in February, 1901, he was followed by

Rev. Thomas Byrne, P.P., 1901-1916.

Fr. Byrne administered this Parish for 15 years with great zeal and energy, and early in the present year was transferred to St. audeon’s, High Street. To him succeeded

Rev. John Hoey, P.P., 1916.

After a long and fruitful career in the Church of the Holy Family, Aughrim Street, he entered on his duties here with the best wishes and prayers of innumerable friends.

It will be observed from all the foregoing that Lusk is one of the few Parishes in the Diocese where we can trace an unbroken List of Pastors from 1600 to the present day, a fact, we would venture to suggest, worthy of a permanent record in marble or brass in the Parish Church. Since 1900 the Curates were Fr. Alphonsus Ryan, 1905, Chas. Ross Murphy, 1916; and Fr. Toher, the present curate, substituted by Fr. Delany during his absence as Naval Chaplain.

Parish of Rush.

Rush was enumerated by Holinshed as one of the chief haven towns of Ireland and once celebrated for the curing of ling and the pursuit of other fisheries, but when the bounty was withdrawn and the people became less adventurous the fisheries declined. Still, however, with a reduced number of boats, the trade is kept going. The sands, too, are favourable for growing early potatoes, and quite recently have been made available at; a successful bulb farm, which attracts many visitors in the month of May, when the fields of bulbs are in full bloom. The town consists of one long avenue of cleanly, well- kept cottages, stretching along the sea-shore for nearly two miles, and sheltering some 2,000 inhabitants. Adjoining the town is Kenure Park, containing a fine mansion with classic portico, now the residence of Lady Palmer.

The parochial history of Rush is, as we have seen bound up with that of Lusk throughout the whole mediaeval and modern periods up to 1730, so that for all that stretch of time the history of both localities is identical. On the death of Father Joseph Walsh in 1730, the extensive Parish of Lusk was subdivided into three Parishes-Lusk, Rush, and Skerries, and Rush received for its first Pastor in its independent existence

Rev. Barbaby Farran, P.P., 1730-1756.

The Government Return of 1731 indicates a “Mass House” in Rush dating from 1688 or thereabouts. This then became the Parish Chapel. No record’s have come down to us of Fr. Farran’s Pastorate, who, dying in 1756, was interred in Kenure churchyard, and was succeeded by

V. Rev. Thomas (Canon) Murphy, P.P., 1756-1785.

During this long and apparently energetic administration, the old Mass House, mentioned in the Return of 1731, gave place to a new chapel of cruciform or T shape, according to the conventions of the period. This was completed and opened in 1760, as a memorial slab now let into the wall enclosing the present church records. After his long and strenuous pastorate, Fr. Murphy died in September, 1785, was interred in the Priest’s corner in Kenure churchyard, and was succeeded by

V. Rev. William (Canon) Murray, P.P., 1785-1795.

He just lived 10 years, and, dying in 1795, was followed by

Rev. Richard Benson, P.P., 1795

He was transferred from the Parish of Finglas, but in & few days resigned Rush, and was succeeded by

Rev. Peter M’Cormick, P.P., 1795-1796.

He had been just appointed to Finglas in succession to Fr. Benson, who was now allowed to return to Finglas. Fr. McCormick only survived his promotion a few months, and, dying on February 3, 1796, was followed by.

Rev. Patrick Kenny, P.P., 1796-1802.

At the end of six years he was transferred to the Parish of Lusk, which he resigned in 1802, in order to go on the American mission.

Rev. John Smith, O.P., P.P., 1802-1804.

This Dominican Father stayed but two years in Rush, and in 1804 was transferred to Balrothery., The vacancy thus created left the Archbishop free to provide against the unsatisfactory economic conditions of Rush, and unite it temporarily with Lusk under

V. Rev. Patrick (Canon) Kelly, P.P., Rush and Lusk, 1804-1829.

This union continued for 25 years, when at the instance of Canon Kelly, who, in 1829, voluntarily resigned Rush as distinct from Lusk, in favour of his curate, Fr. Gough. This arrangement required the sanction of the Holy See, which in due time was procured, and Rush re-commenced its career as an independent Parish under

Rev. John Gough, P.P., 1829-1844.

We now enter the region of extant documents which give more detailed information concerning the Parishes. In 1831, Archbishop Murray held a Confirmation in Rush, and in accordance with established usage was presented by the P.P. with a schedule of answers to queries addressed to him on occasion of a Visitation. From this return we gather the following items:- Parish Chapel of Rush dedicated to St. Maur, Abbot, whose Feast occurs on 15th of January. The Chapel was built on waste ground, and has been now about 60 years in use without any claim having been made for rent. The parochial house is held by Lease from Elizabeth Palmer to Richd. Smyth, Walter Rickard and others for the R. C. inhabitants of East Lusk at the yearly rent of £6 1s. 2d., not to be demanded during the life of Mrs. Palmer. The Lease was made on March 24th, 1823. From this we may infer that Fr. Gough, whilst still Curate in Rush was instrumental in having the house built. Subsequent schedules but slightly vary the information. By 1834 both Male and Female Schools had come under the National Board. The return of 1842 bears the additional signature of John McCarthy, C.C. Up to this Fr. Gough had worked alone without a Curate. He died very suddenly on the 10th of March, 1844.

Rev. Nicholas Andrews, P.P., 1844-1849.

He had served many years as a Curate in St. Catherine’s, Meath Street. In his Visitation Schedule of 1845 he mentions that “there was a small Chapel on the Island of Lambay, the ground being granted by Lord Talbot of Malahide, together with a handsome donation. “It is now nearly enclosed he adds, “and contains an acre and one rood or more for a cemetery.” Fr. Andrews died in Sept., 1849.

Rev. Andrew Fagan, P.P., 1849-1864.

Transferred from a curacy in Kingstown Parish, he was not long in Rush before he undertook to remodel and enlarge the old Chapel put up by Fr. Murphy in 1760. The wings of the T were removed, and while the nave was preserved, it was lengthened, and the walls raised so as to give greater elevation, resulting in a fairly spacious oblong building, resembling Lusk, but devoid of all architectural pretensions. Fr. Fagan had Fr. Patk. Duff as Curate when in May, 1804, he passed to a better life, and was succeeded by

Rev. William Mulhall, P.P., 1864-1867.

He had passed many years well known and much esteemed as Curate in St. Andrew’s, Westland Row, but was destined to pass but a brief time in Rush, for in Aug., 1807, he passed to his eternal reward. **

Rev. Francis O’Carroll, P.P., 1867-1898.

Since the Pastorate of Fr. Joseph Walsh, ranging from 1689 to 1730, this was the longest for over a century and a half. Fr. O’Carroll had been a student of the Irish College, Rome, and passed many years as Curate in Wicklow town. During his 31 years’ administration of Rush he was ever remarkable for his piety and devotion to duty, and the special interest he manifested in the schools and their teachers. He died in August, 1898.

V. Rev. Michael (Canon) O’Hea, P.P., 1898-1906.

As a young priest he came Curate to Rush in 1870, where he laboured for seven years and was thence transferred to a curacy in the Pro-Cathedral. His health not being of a robust order, he was changed to the more salubrious surroundings of Ballybrack, when he successfully laboured until 1894, when he was promoted P.P., Wicklow. Here he remained but four years, to be called back to Rush, his first curacy, where he was heartily welcomed as Parish Priest. Fr. 0 ‘Hea was not slow to notice that the patched-up Church of 1851 was already showing signs of disintegration, and taking counsel with Mr. George Ashlin, that eminent Church architect recommended a complete remodelling of the building. The body of the Church was retained as the nave of the new work, and transepts and chancel were added in alternate courses of red and white concrete blocks all finished off with a handsome Bell-tower, leaving it one of the most spacious and architecturally perfect rural Churches of the Diocese. This work cost £5,123, which with about £500 expended on altars, stations of the cross and other accessories, makes £5,623, the total sum disbursed, and all duly paid.

In 1903 he was adopted into the Chapter of the Diocese. The schools continued in their high state of efficiency, but in 1900 the .people of Rush were dismayed by the news that they were about to lose their devoted Pastor, who after eight years, happy sojourn amongst them, was transferred as P.P. back to Ballybrack, his former curacy, where he still zealously labours.

Rev. Laurence O’Byrne, P.P., 1906.

After long and- strenuous curacies in St. Laurence’s, SS. Michael and- John’s, and Bray, in 1900 Fr. O’Byrne was promoted P.P., Avoca, where he passed six years and was then transferred to Rush. He first directed his energies to completion of the Church furniture, and added a second (marble) side altar and a beautiful marble altar rail. Then he directed his attention to the building of new Female Schools at a cost of £2,600 together with £710 expended on improvement of the Boys’ Schools, and he can now proudly boast of being able to show the highest (88 and a decimal) average attendance in all Ireland. Much of this success is due to the admirable teaching staff with which the schools are blessed. One non-Catholic family has ever been enumerated amongst the most generous benefactors to the Catholic people of Rush, namely the Palmer family, who occupy the princely residence of Rush House or Kenure Park. The Parish Priest was glad to welcome the erection of a Mural Tablet in his Church to the memory of the late Sir Roger Palmer, and Lady Palmer donated all the handsome benches that now complete the furnishing of the handsome and spacious Parish Church of Rush.

A Richard McCloud, writing from Colorado, whilst the Church was being rebuilt, and enclosing a handsome subscription, makes the following statement:

“My father’s people were of the Clan McLeod of the Isle of Skye: My great grandfather was in charge of the fishing boat that took Prince Charlie in 1746 from the Isle of Skye to the French vessel in the open sea upon which he escaped to the Continent when the British Government had a reward of £30,000 for him dead or alive, and instead of returning to Skye my great grandfather put into Rush, and afterwards made that his home, changing the spelling of his name to conform to the English pronunciation McCloud.”

Fr. Edward Forster who had been Curate in Rush before he had been promoted to be P.P., Skerries, set up in the old churchyard of Kenure a Mural Tablet to perpetuate the memory of three of the first Pastors of Rush with the following Latin inscription:

“IHS *

Haec requies mea, hic habitabo quoniam elegi cam.

Infra sepulta corpora trium venerabilium Sacerdotum hujus paroecide Pastorum, nempe Rev. Barnabae Farran, qui objit A.D. MDCCLVI, - Rev. Thomas Murphy, qui obiit A.D. MDCCLXXXV, - Rev. Gulielmi Murray, qui obiit A.D. MDCCXV. Requiescant in pace, Amen. Reverendus Edwardus Foster hoc memoriale posuit die prima A.D. MDCCCXXVII. *

The Curates serving Rush since 1900 were Rev. P. Kennedy, followed in 1908 by Fr Michael McSweeney.

The Parish of Skerries.

The third member of the original Parish of Lusk - Skerries - now demands our attention. Here it was Lord Deputy Sydney landed, to take over the government of Ireland in 1675. Up to a comparatively recent period it was known as the Parish of Holmpatrick, and comprises the two mediaeval parishes of Skerries and Baldungan. It had its “Mass-House” in 1731 in Hackettstown, dating probably from 1680 or thereabouts, and an inscribed Chalice still in use, ask prayers “for the souls of Col. B. Arthur and his wife, Helen, who gave this Chalice to the Chapel of Hackettstown, in the Parish of Lusk, 1728.” Its first Parish Priest was

V. Rev. William (Canon) McNally, P.P., 1730-1747.

Of him we have no parochial particulars. He was admitted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Maynooth in 1736, which Prebend we find vacated, presumably by the death of its occupant, in 1747.

Rev. --- McCabe, P.P., 1747-1755.

The same obscurity hangs over the career of this Pastor, but immediately after him we come upon

reliable data. **

V. Rev. Dr. Matthias (Canon) Kelly, P.P., 1755-1759.

This learned clergyman, a native of Connaught, had a very distinguished career in the Irish College, Rome, where the Rector writes of him to the Cardinal Protector, as “a man of singular ability and profound learning, and of saintly and exemplary life.”

He was not left long in Skerries, and in 1759 was transferred to the Parish of Boote’rstow~ He left behind him in Skerries a Chalice bearing the following inscription:- “*Me auguri et renovari fecit ad usum paroeciae de Holmpatrick R. D Matthias Kelly. *1759.”

V. Rev. Dr. James (Canon) Plunkett, P.P., 1759-1767.

Yet another Doctor of Divinity, Prebendary of Dunlavin, and one of the *terno *proposed for the See of Dublin on the death of Archbishop Fitzsimons. He remained in Skerries just eight years, and in 1767 was transferred to St. Audoen’s.

V. Rec. Patrick (Canon) Grace, P.P., 1767-1792.

He had been P.P., Donabate, from 1753, and enjoyed a long and fruitful pastorate of 25 years and six months in Skerries. In 1783 he was admitted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Cullen, and died in 1792.

V. Rev. Patrick (Canon) Hoey, P.P., 1792-1819.

He had been Curate for many years to Father Grace. In 1797 we find a record of Collections made for the Chapel, and a letter from a Franciscan, Fr. O’Brien, asks permission to erect Stations of the Cross in his Chapel in Skerries. This would seem to indicate the final abandonment of Hackettstown, and the providing of Skerries with its first Chapel, though but a thatched one. In 1797 Fr. Hoey was made Prebendary of Iago, and died in 1819.

Rev. John Fitzharris, P.P., 1819-1820.

He just lived one year, dying in April, 1820.

Rev. Edward Foster, P.P., 1820-1827. **

Father Foster had served for many years in the neighbouring Parish of Bush and set up a Mural Tablet in Kenure churchyard to the memory of three Parish Priests of Rush. In 1823 he set about erecting the present Parish Church of Skerries, which though modelled on the conventional T pattern, was a great advance upon those that went before. He died in 1827.

Rev. Michael J. Murray, P.P., 1827-1834.

He was a brother of Sir James Murray, the eminent Dublin chemist, whose name is so familiar in connexion with Fluid Magnesia. In his Visitation Schedule of 1831, he writes “Title of this Parish, Holmpatrick, now called Skerries. St. Patrick, Patron. Chapels, two, Skerries and Milverton, both rent free for upwards of 80 years. The Chapel of Milverton has not yet been opened - having been lately repaired - but will, as soon as a small debt of £26 be paid. No public schools as yet. We hope that the young heir now come of age (Hans Hamilton), will do something for us. Two Masses in Skerries, one in Milverton.” He died in 1834, and a marble tablet was set up in his memory in the church.

Rev. John Molley, P.P., 1834-1839.

In June, 1839, he resigned the Parish on being transferred to the Parish of Garristown. In his Visitation Schedules for 1834 and 1839 but little additional information is given. He mentions that the site of Milverton was a gift of the Landlord, Henry Hamilton, in 1776. A National school was now in operation.

Rev. Charles Boyle, P.P., 1839-1853.

He had for many years been curate in Clontarf. In his first Visitation, dated 1842, he reports:- “Parochial House rebuilt by himself at his own expense, though later he received some portion from the parishioners. Total expended, £450.” In 1845 he returns Milverton Chapel as “nearly rebuilt and slated.” In 1851 he seems to imply that Milverton is of no advantage to the Parish, being but seven minutes’ walk from the Parochial Church in Skerries.” Some years later it was discontinued. Fr. Boyle died in August 1853.

Rev. Timothy Farrell, P.P., 1853-1863.

A native of Athy, and previously Curate in SS. Michael and John’s. Dr: Cullen ‘s letter of appointment mentions in a postscript:-“As some dispute took place about a house situate on the borders of your Parish, I hereby declare that the Parish Priest of Balbriggan is to retain the jurisdiction over that house, which was given him by the late Most Rev. Dr. Murray:” He died towards the close of 1861, after a painful illness of six months’ duration.

Rev. Thomas Green, P.P., 1862-1871.

A distinguished literary man who, after nine years’ pastoral administration, passed to his heavenly reward in 1871.

Rev. Arthur Doran, P.P., 1871-1880.

A truly good and genial Pastor. For many years he laboured as Curate in the Parish of St. James, and his well-established zeal found ample scope in Skerries. During his time, in 1877, the Sisters of the Holy Faith were established here. At his death, in 1899, he was widely and deservedly regreted.

Rev. James Walsh, P.P., 1881-1899.

A hard-working curate in the mountains of Sandyford Parish he was transferred to Skerries by Archbishop McCabe, and ruled this Parish for nearly 20 years. At his death, in 1899, he was widely and deservedly regretted.

V. Rev. Thomas (Canon) Dolan, P.P. 1900.

Fr. Dolan had been for some years P.P. of Avoca, and was now transferred to Skerries. His administration is chiefly signalised by the fine National Schools built on the Dublin Road to accommodate 250 pupils, at a cost of £2,340. They are amongst the best to be seen m the Diocese. In 1907 Fr. Dolan was admitted into the Chapter.

The Parish of Balbriggan.

Balbriggan = town *of Brácan, *is the youngest town in Fingal. In 1659 it was but a small fishing village, containing exactly 80 inhabitants, and that village existence persevered well into the middle of the succeeding century. In 1780, Baron Hamilton, the landlord of the time, introduced the cotton manufacture and erected factories. This philanthropic movement really was the beginning of the town. For the promotion of these works the Irish Parliament voted the sum of £1,250, but some years later the cotton manufacture was nearly abandoned for the hosiery, which still thrives. Its parochial relations included it in the ancient Parish of Balrothery, which, united with the equally ancient Parish of Balscadden ever since 1620, gave the double area the title of Balrothery and Balscadden, a title under which it is still described in the Irish Catholic Directory, though more popularly cited as the Parish of Balbriggan. A word on each of its component parts:

Balrothery = *Baile-o-ridire, town of the knights or riders. *In the early middle ages Balrothery Castle was a kind of Parliament House, or County Council Hall, where the Barons or Lords of the surrounding district frequently met to take counsel. As there were neither roads nor hotels in these far-off days, the journey from their several castles to Balrothery had to be accomplished on horseback. To each of the Barons, therefore, was assigned a small rectangular plot of land where their horses might be tethered and grazed while the riders transacted business. As the Church is approached on the road leading from Balbriggan, there are to be seen several long, narrow plots of land, called “the knights’ plots,” which are still in the possession of the representatives of the original Norman proprietors. The old medieaval church has long since disappeared, and was replaced in 1816 by the plain, oblong, Protestant church, united at its west end to the fine old mediaeval tower, with an attempted round tower at one angle, which may have furnished the model for Lusk. Of course, during Elizabeth’s, reign the church was handed over to Protestant Service.

Balscadden = town of the herrings. The name of this Pariah is difficult to account for, seeing that it is away from the coast where herrings most do congregate. It was a distinct Parish from the days of St. Laurence but in 1250 it was granted by Henry III. to Christ Church Cathedral, which thenceforward presented the Vicar who should administer the cure. Similarly Balrothery was granted by Archbishop Henry to the Priory of Kilbixy or Tristernagh, in the Co. Westmeath. So that both Parishes all through the mediaeval period belonged to religious houses, and we have no succession of Parish Priests to look for. From the Exchequer Rolls we learn that Thomas Cruise and John Hogan were Vicars respectively of Balscadden and Balrothery in 1548. *temp. *Ed. VI. The mediaeval Church of Balscadden, which in 1630 was reported in good repair, can now with difficulty be traced. As the Report states - “All the Parishioners, being in number 178 persons, usually resort to Mass,” there was nothing to be gained in keeping up a church for which there was no congregation. Coming to the modern period, and turning to the same Report of Archbishop Bulkeley, we read under Balrothery:-

“It is certified that Mass is said in the gentlemen’s houses in that Parish, especially in Bremore (the Barnewalls) and Stephenton. Under Balscadden he writes:- “There hath been Mass said in that Parish every Sunday before and since the Proclamation, in the dwelling house of Mr. George Taaffe, called the Grainge of Balscadden, by one Patrick Connell, a Mass Priest, who dwells at the Naul.” Whether Fr. Connell, or the unnamed priest who officiated at Balrothery, was the P.P. of the time, we are unable to determine, so we must get on to the first name of which we are certain, although he comes late in the century.

V. Rev. Andrew Finglas, .P., 1660-1700, circa.

In some documents the name given is Thomas, but it refers to the same individual. He was Treasurer to the Chapter. In 1697 he is described as being 80 years of age, lame and blind, having his assistant, Fr. John Corcoran, living with him at Tobertowne. His name does not appear in the Registered List of 1704, a clear indication that in the meantime he had passed’ to a better world.

Rev. John Corcoran, P.P., 1700-1725.

He was a life-long friend of the Barnewalls, in whose Castle at Bremore he usually resided, and there said Mass.

C. Rev. Christopher (Canon) Goulding, P.P., 1725-1744.

His name appears in the List of 1729 as *Parochus de Balrothery. *In 1739 he was adopted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Castleknock, which Prebendary, being found vacant in 1744, we may infer that its occupant had in that year passed to a better world. The Government Return of 1731 gives one priest residing in Balrothery and one in Balscadden, where, it says, the Chapel was rebuilt 14 years ago - that would be in Fr. Corcoran’s time - whilst the old chapel in Balrothery, now used as an Infant School, was built in 1720, also in Fr. Corcoran’s time. Archbishop Murphy, who was a native of Balrothery, and who died in 1729, left in his Will 40 shillings for the poor thereof. We now meet a gap in the succession which, so far, we have been unable to fill, but we know indirectly that for some years, between 1760 and 1770, the Pastor was

V. Rev. William (Canon) Fitzherbert, P.P., 1760-1770.

After the appointment of Dr. Carpenter to the See, Fr. Fitzherbert voluntarily resigned the Parish of Balbriggan and resumed Curate’s duty in St. Nicholas’s, Francis Street, of which he almost immediately became Administrator.

V. Rev. Patrick (Canon) Fay, P.P., 1770-1777.

About this time Balbriggan was beginning to cast of her swathing bands and develop such lusty juvenility that it was thought desirable to provide it with a chapel of its own. Accordingly about this time a small structure was set up at a place known until recently as Chapel Bank. Fr. Fay was adopted into the Chapter in 1770, and in 1777 was transferred to the Parish of St. James.

V. Rev. Francis (Canon) Mooney, P.P., 1777 - 1796.

He had been P.P. of Lusk from 1769. The little structure set up by his predecessor at Chapel Bank was found too small for its purpose, and Fr. Mooney undertook to replace it by a more commodious building in Chapel Street, for the site of which he got a lease executed in 1788. It now does duty as a school. From the first year of his advent to the Parish he was adopted into the Chapter as Prebendary of Iago. He died in August, 1796.

V. Rev. John Baptist (Canon) Hamilton, P.P., 1796-1804.

He had been for some years P.P., Baldoyle, and after eight years in Balbriggan was transferred to St James’s, Dublin.

Rev. John Grace, P.P., 1804.

He was no sooner appointed than he resigned the Parish.

Rev. John Smyth, P.P., 1804.

Curate in Balbriggan from 1795, P.P. of Rush from 1802, Father Smyth, as Parish Priest in three successive Parishes, scored the longest pastoral service on record - 55 years. In 1804 he was transferred to Balbriggan. Here he found three chapels to be served - Balscadden, Balrothery and Balbriggan. The first, which had been set up in 1714, was replaced, in 1819 by a new one. The second, built in 1820, was described in the Schedule of 1845 as in a wretched condition, and some years later was discontinued and’ adapted for a school. The third was in Chapel Street, Balbriggan, and now also serves as a school. In 1835 Fr. Smyth conceived the project of building an entirely new and imposing Church, on a new site, a short distance out of the town. In that year he inaugurated the weekly collections, which continued down to 1850, and realised well over £3,000. The church was commenced in 1838, and dedicated, in an unfinished condition, in 1842, Fr. Theobald Mathew preaching the dedication sermon. It was completed in 1847.

Meanwhile the great Church of St. James, in the city, commenced by Fr. Canavan, was in course of erection when the death of the Pastor, in 1847, left it unfinished and roofless. Dr Murray looked to the P.P. of Balbriggan, who had been so successful in church building, to complete the task, and, notwithstanding his advanced years and long record in Balbriggan, induced him to take over the Parish of St. James, making the third transfer of a Pastor of Balbriggan to the Parish of St. James.

Rev. Charles O’Connell., P.P., 1851-1860.

For many years a Curate in St. Michan’s, he, was on June 30th, 1851, appointed Pastor of Balbriggan, but he only stayed here nine years, and was transferred to the Parish of- Sandyford.

Ven. Matthew (Archdeacon) Keogh, P. P. 1860-1898.

Fr. Keogh had been for many years Curate in SS. Michael and John’s, and compiler of the “*Ordo Divini Off.,” *which he continued to edit down to the commencement of his prolonged illness. His arrival in the Parish synchronised with that of the Loretto Nuns, whose convent and schools in Balbriggan date from 1860. Beyond keeping the church in repair and the ordinary vigilance of the good shepherd, it did not fall to his lot to set up any important work in the Parish.

He was adopted into the Chapter in 1862, and appointed Archdeacon of Glendalough in 1890. Just a few years later his health entirely gave way, and it was found necessary to appoint an Administrator to the Parish. For this purpose Fr. Patrick Fee, a former Curate in Balbriggan, was brought back to it, and on the death of the Archdeacon, in February, 1898, he succeeded as Parish Priest.

V. Rev. Patrick (Canon) Fee, P.P., 1898-1902.

Of Fr. Fee it may be written that *“in brevi spatio expleuit tempora multa, *but the *spatium *must be computed from the commencement of his Administratorship in 1893, for during all that time the full burthen of the Parish fell upon him. His first care was the Parish Church, which began to show signs of weakening. Taking counsel with Mr. George Ashlin, Architect, he added a lofty chancel at the east end, and dividing up the oblong space into aisles, with arcades in timber, and groined ceilings, instead of the dangerous-looking flat expanse of ceiling of 60 feet, the coup d’oeil, as you enter the western door, is one of no ordinary beauty. A new sacristy was also provided, an organ, and other minor improvements. The total outlay was £7,000, to which sum the Protestant neighbours contributed generously. In 1897 Fr, Fee expended £200 on Balscadden Chapel, and with the help of communion rails and altar donated by some parishioners, made this a very pretty little church. But St. James’s was calling out for yet more specimens from Balbriggan, and Canon Fee made the fourth transfer within a comparatively short period.

Rev. James Brannan, P.P., 1902-1907.

For many years in Athy, and then in Kingstown, he came to Balbriggan not in too robust health, but full of gentle zeal and piety. He concentrated his energies on providing a suitable residence for both Pastor and Curates beside the church, instead of having to journey nearly two miles to the old parochial house, which he got leave to dispose of. The house he erected is a fine, substantial, and roomy structure, which gives ample accommodation to all. He died in January, 1907, much regretted, and was followed by

Rev. Eugene Byrne, P.P. 1907.

A long time an energetic Curate in Kingstown, he now took up the pastoral care of Balbriggan.

Quem Deus diu sospitem servet. *

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