St Abban (St, Abban)
founded a monastery here in AD650, in which he is said to
have been interred: there are some re mains of its church.
There are also remains of the old church of Aries, and of
the ancient castle of Hovendon, over the entrance to
which are quartered the arms of the Leinster and Ormonde
families. Near Castletown church is a well, which
supplies water enough to turn a mill in its immediate
vicinity.
Courtesy of
Portlaoise Public Library 1999.
KILLABBAN
IN 1837
KILLEBAN, or KILLABIN, a parish, partly in the barony
of BALLYADAMS, but chiefly in that of SLIEUMARGUE, QUEEN'S county and
province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. by W.) from Athy, on the road from that
place to Kilkenny; containing 9776 inhabitants. It includes the villages
of Arles, Ballylinan, and Ballickmoyler, which are separately described,
and comprises 24,749 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act. The
land is generally fertile, and chiefly in pasture, with some bog and
mountain; the system of agriculture is improving. Limestone, flag-stone,
and sandstone are quarried, and at Newtown are extensive collieries: there
are also collieries at Modubah, Tellerton, Corgeo, and Hunt's Park. Fairs
are held at Mayo on June 29th and Oct. 18th; and manorial court is held at
Newtown. The principal seats are Cooper Hill, the residence of W. Cope
Cooper, Esq.; Ashfield Hall, of Peter Gale, Esq.; Rahin, of Lieut.-Col.
Weldon; Tollerton, of Hovendon Stapleton, Esq.; Killeen, of M. Dillon
Thomas, Esq.; Maidenhead, of the Bambrick family; Ardeateagle, of W.
Fitzmaurice, Esq.; and Hollymount, of W. Fishbourne, Esq. The living is a
rectory, in the diocese of Leighlin, and in the gift of the Crown. The
tithes amount to £1292. 6. 11/2. Here are two churches, one at Castletown
and the other at Mayo, for the erection of one of which the late Board of
First Fruits, in 1813, gave £800; and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners
have lately granted £108 for the repairs of that at Castletown, and £172
for that at Mayo. There is neither glebe-house nor glebe. In the R. C.
divisions the parish forms the head of two unions or districts, one called
Ballyadams and Arles, which has chapels at those places and at Killean;
the other called Mayo and Doonane, which is united with the parish of
Rathaspick, and has chapels at Mayo and Doonane. About 400 children are
educated in four public schools, to three of which the rector subscribes,
and 640 in 16 private schools; there are also six Sunday schools. St.
Abban founded a monastery here in 650, in which he is said to have been
interred: there are some remains of its church. There are also remains of
the old church of Arles, and of the ancient castle of Hovendon, over the
entrance to which are quartered the arms of the Leinster and Ormonde
families. Near Castletown church is a well, which supplies water enough to
turn a mill in its immediate vicinity.
Emigration a problem
Like every other area
in Ireland during the 1840's and 50's, this parish lost a lot of its
son's and daughter's to emigration. The most notable family involved to
our knowledge is the Grace families of Gracefield and Sheffield. The
Grace family's burial vault stands beside the present parish church at
Arles. (Visit
Arles Village) to read more about the burial vault).
One of the Grace family emigrated to America in the early
eighteen hundreds and founded the fruit firm that we know
today as the W.R. Grace Corporation.
We have all heard and read
about the Penal Days and Penal Laws in Ireland when every
priest had a price on their heads. At that time Mass
could not be celebrated in a church, nor any catholic
religious services be held. Mass was celebrated in
secret, away in the most remote places one could think of.
There is one such place which to this day is masked by a
"Massbush". It is situated in a field owned by
Miss O'Gorman, the third field on the left side of the
road as one travels from Cullenagh Cross (OS #61 map ref.:
6787) to Ballylynan (OS #61 map ref.: 6488).
Limestone Quarries
The building which stands next to the
ruins of St.Abban's Abbey in Killabban was once used as
the National School from the year it was built in - 1847
(the year of the Great Famine) - until 1949 when the
present National School was erected a short distance away
in the townsland of Killeen. The old school is now in
private hands
The farm land in this parish is
considered to be the best in province of Leinster. This
is not surprising as it has a considerable mass of
limestone underneath. Evidence of these deposits of
limestone can be seen by the number of disused limestone
quarries to be found in the area. Limestone from those
quarries was used in the making of roads and erecting
buildings in the whole of Laois.
In keeping with the historical
background of the parish the present inhabitants are
noted for their dedication to the preservation of their
heritage and to the progressive and intelligent
utilisation of their resources, particularly their farm
land to provide for themselves and their families. At the
time of the Great Famine a 'Soup Kitchen' was in
existence at Ballinagar House now owned by Mrs. Moran,
where meals were provided for the poor of the area at
that time. The remnants of the huge pots used in cooking
at the time in the soup kitchen were still to be seen at
Ballinagar until recently.
Follower of St. Fiachre
St.Abban himself was a follower of St. Fiachre
(St. Fiacc's successor, Fiacre, was his son), who had his
monastery in Sleaty which is located between Knockbeg
College and the town of Graiguecullen near Carlow.
Historians tell us that St. Abban founded his monastery at
Killabban sometime earlier than 575AD. In the 8th and 9th
century the present townsland of Killabban was referred
to by historians as the town and city of the same name.
However the only surviving link between now and that far
off age of Saints and Scholars is the ruins of the Abbey
itself. When the community at the monastery in Killabban
was flourishing, Abban sent one of his monks, St. Evin, to
establish a monastery where the town of Monasterevin now
stands, while he himself went and established another
monastery at another location called Adamstown in the Co.Wexford.
Every Catholic church in this
area from St. Abban's time through the various ages and
troubles have been called The Church of St. Abban down to
the present Church of St.Abban at Killeen. The present
church is built but a very short distance outside the
boundary of the townsland of Killabban.
Legend tells us that when St. Abban
died his monks of Adamstown and those of Killabban
decided to fight a battle on the border's of Co. Carlow
and Co. Kilkenny near Graignamanagh. The winners would
then bury his body in their own monastery. The battle
never actually took place as a monk from Graignamanagh
got two coffins, put the Saint's body in one and a weight
in the other to have them of equal weight. Having sealed
the two coffins he then gave one to each group and sent
them home to bury their coffins In this way neither group
would know which one had the actual body.
There are many other historical links with the past around the area.
There are the ruins of the Castles of Shrule and The Grange which are
said to have been linked by an underground tunnel. These date back to
pre Norman times. There are many old graveyards also bearing witness to
our historical past. Some of those graveyards such as Shrule and Grange
are no longer used. Others are only used when some members of the locals
pass away. Killabban and Tankardstown would be in this category.
KILLABBAN
This parochial district derives its name from St. Abban, who
built a monastery here, according to Trias Thaum., about the year 650, but,
according to other authorities, a century earlier. The Martyrology of Donegal,
at March 16th, that saint's festival, has the following :- " Abban Mac-ua-Corbmaic
of MaghArnaidhe, in Ui Ceinnsealaigh, in Leinster, and of CillAbbain in Ui
Muireadhaigh, in Leinster. He was of the race of Labraidh Lorc, son of Ugaine
Mor; Miolla, sister of Bishop Ibhair, was his mother, as his life states in the
first chapter." There are two saints Abban, commemorated in the Irish Calendars
whose acts have become hopelessly entangled. St. Abban, senior, was the nephew
of St. Ibhair, named by some as having preceded St. Conlaeth as Bishop of
Kildare. St. Ibhair having established himself at Beg-Erin, in Wexford harbour,
his nephew, Abban, went there for his education, about the year 490, being then
twelve years of age (Ussher). In his Life, by Colgan, his connexion with this
locality is thus referred to:-
"Sanctus Abbanus cum suis clericis, fines
Laginensium intravit, et venit in plebem Huathmarchy, et ipsa plebs honorifice
recepit eum, et valde gavisa est in ejus adventu. Et vir sanctus benedixit eam
diligenter, et multis diversis languoribus ibi sanatis, et miraculis perpetratis,
inde recessit in plebem Huarnidhi, ibique magnam monasterium construxit, et
propter honorem ejus in eodem loco civitas aedificata est; et monasterium et
civitas uno nomine Scoticd vocantur Ceall-Abbain." (AA. ,SS. p. 617.)
A curious passage, regarding the interment of St. Abban,
occurs in his Life, by Colgan. It is here given as translated by the author of
Loca Patriciana, p. 7, et seq: -" We wish to write some brief details of his
decease, and how his holy remains were deposited in the earth. On a certain day
when the time of his passage to the heavenly kingdom was at hand, calling
together some of his brethren he mentioned to them the day of his departure. The
Praepositus of his monastery, who was also the procurator of every requisite
in-doors and outside, was born in the town of Ceall Abain, which is in the
territory of the North Leinstermen, and which was the first place St. Abban had
founded in the land of the Leinstermen-to this Praepositus, alone, he disclosed
the precise hour of his dissolution. That very same moment the Praepositus
determined to carry away the blessed body of the holy man, and to bring it, if
he possibly could, to his own town; he sent messengers to his native place, in
order that his own people should collect together the North Leinstermen to come
to meet him at the appointed day, and by the road on which these messengers
should determine. These orders they obeyed with alacrity, but as the Praepositus
had the oxen already mentioned in his charge, because these were for the use of
the monastery, as the saint prophesied of them before they were born, they were
like monks, nor was there any necessity to urge them to work, as they themselves
willingly and meekly obeyed, so that the holy father and the brethren loved them
much. The Praepositus placed these oxen beside the waggon in the assigned place
on the night on which the holy father foretold his departure for heaven-and the
angels on that night were seen visiting the man of God. The Praepositus, knowing
from the lips of the saint the precise hour of his departure, ordered all the
brethren to retire to rest for some time, except his own accomplices who were
cognisant of his plans. Awaiting awhile quietly till the brotherhood had
retired, meanwhile the soul of the holy father ascended among the angelic choirs
to the heavenly kingdom. The Praepositus with his friends forthwith carried away
the sacred body from the monastery, and placed it on the wagon with the
aforesaid oxen yoked thereto, which, aware of the precious burthen they carried,
began their journey with the attendants. Then the angelic array descended from
heaven, singing sweetly around the corpse; and light like the rays of the rising
sun, or when he sets in serenity, shining from them, illuminated the whole way.
They continued thus until the venerable remains were placed in the grave, while
the leaders of the procession walked with quickened paces under the influence of
the angelic light.
"When the brotherhood arose after some repose, they went to
the place where they left the wily Praepositus; not having found him there they
then placed guards on all the gates of the cloisters, and it was only then they
learned that the Praepositus had carried away by stealth the remains of the
abbot to his own town. With weeping and wailing and violent ringing of bells,
the townsmen were gathered together; and when the sad intelligence regarding
their abbot was made known to them the whole city was plunged in grief. The
people and the clergy were more distressed that his body was stolen away from
them than that he had departed from this world, as they doubted not that they
should be delivered from every evil, and that they should be enriched with every
good, and that they should obtain the wished for favours before the relics of so
great a man, as they had been delivered by him while he lived among them. Taking
counsel together they despatch a number of messengers in different directions to
the men of South Leinster, to induce them to follow their patron and to
endeavour to recover his remains. Forthwith the populace, taking arms, go with
the brethren, to fight for their saint. A great crowd being then collected from
every side, they formed a large army, and went with eagerness to bring back the
remains to the place whence they had been removed. In the meantime the people of
the other city, with the army of North Leinster, gather together; they were more
numerous and better armed than those of the South. The holy monks, the clerics,
and the good and wise men on both sides, seeing that great danger was imminent,
ordered both parties to remain quiet, and the corpse to be detained and placed
between them, to effect, if possible, some reconciliation; but disputing with
one another, it was impossible to bring them to terms.
The N. Leinster army
asserted 'This saint erected our city, took us, his first people in this
territory, under his protection, and we have accepted him for ever as our
Patron; and our wives, our sons, and our daughters, our servants and our
handmaids, even our infants, hope in him in every necessity, and we are
determined to die rather than yield him up.' The people of Magher-naidhe, with
the S. Leinstermen spoke thus-' This holy man was sent to us by God, he lived
many years amongst us and founded many monasteries and churches in our country.
He is our saint and our venerated father, he built our town, and, after many
miracles wrought among us, he was taken away to the Lord. We hope to be always
assisted by him, and know ye that we shall consign ourselves to death rather
than we shall return without him.' At this speech the wrath of the leaders and
armies on both sides was inflamed and lashed to fury-they commenced to
vituperate and contend against each other. Then the monks and clerics to whom
armed intervention was unlawful, went apart, weeping and wailing; they cried
aloud-' Alas! alas! O Lord God, why dost Thou permit this wretched slaughter of
so many noble souls on account of the corpse of Thy servant who, while alive,
was the means of preventing much bloodshed and wars? The armed ranks were about
to engage each other, urged on by dire hostility, and with impetuosity to enter
into deadly strife to fight for the body. Oh, wonderful and exceedingly great
miracle wrought by God through the merits of the saint! Behold! in the twinkling
of an eye, two oxen with a wain and corpse went to the North Leinstermen, and
two oxen of the same appearance and size, with a similar wagon and corpse, went
towards the men of South Leinster. Then the holy men on both sides, and all the
others, seeing this wonder so quickly wrought, were appeased; and, full of joy,
they cried out-' Behold how great, how excellent are the merits of the Saint
Abban before the Lord.' The people indeed rejoiced exceedingly, and giving glory
and thanks to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, praising his saint,
returned with great joy and honour to their cities, and those who were suffering
from various diseases were brought before the relics, and all were made whole.
And the relics themselves with due honour, with canticles and hymns of praise,
after solemn mass and obsequies were consigned with honour to the tomb."
'At Killabban are the ruins of an ancient Church, consisting
of nave and chancel; nave, 45 feet by 22; chancel, 28 feet by 22. The
chancel-arch remains; it is 15 feet wide and Norman in style. The entrance-door
is in the west gable, it is 3 feet in width, and is round-headed. There is a
long lancet window in the east-end, part of the stone casing of which remains,
and shows it to have been well-wrought. There appears to be a gable campanile at
the west end, but the ruin is so completely covered with luxuriant ivy that it
is impossible to trace its architectural features satisfactorily. The fragments
of a stone coffin are scattered about within the walls of the church. In Roll of
Receipts, Easter term A.D. 1286, John, Clerk of Killabban, because he came not
when attached, was fined half a mark. (Cal. State Documents - Sweetman). A
Patent Roll, 5th and 6th of Philip and Mary, (Morrin) records the presentation
of Edward Shorthall, Clerk, to the Vicarage of Killabban. The name of Theobald
Denn, Gent, of Killabban, appears in the Registry of Parish Priests taken in
1704, as surety for Rev. Brian Moore, of Killabban, Rev. Kedagh Moore, of
Ballyadams, and Rev. Edmond McGinis, Killeshin. This is, no doubt, the Theobald
Denn, Esq., who was appointed one of the Burgesses of Old Leighlin under the
Charter granted to that Borough by King James II. On the 4th of July, 1688. Sir
Richard Butler, Bart., of Poolstown, (now Paulstown) dying in 1886, Elizabeth,
his widow, married Theobald Denn, Esq. (De Brett's Peerage.) In a Return dated
1731 (see Vol I. P. 269,) it is stated that there were in Killabban one
Mass-house, two private chapels, four schoolmasters, and two priests; and that
several itinerant priests, supposed to be regulars, frequently officiated in the
said chapels. In all likelihood, one of these private chapels was at the
residence of Theobald Denn or his descendants. For the particulars supplied by a
similar return, made, March 29th, 1766, by Edward. Whitty, Protestant Curate.
(Above as was written)
