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Seamus Cullen’s Personal Web Site

Featuring Local History from North Kildare

  • The Pale
  • History of Rathcoffey
  • The Capture of Kilcock by Rebels
  • St Peter’s Well, Dunmurraghill
  • St Coca’s Well, Kilcock
  • The Founding of Rathcoffey Chapel
  • The Aneen Road
  • The Drummin Road
  • Horrible Events at Hungry Hall
  • The Lady in White
  • St. Mochua
  • Bridget Fitzgerald of Maynooth
  • The Formation of Rathcoffey GAA Club
  • Thomas Dongan, Earl of Limerick
  • The Baltracey Quakers
  • Knockanally Crannog
  • Land Transactions in Hodgestown
  • Carton Cemetery
  • Michael Quigley
  • Hamilton Rowan
  • Hugh Ware
  • The Battle of Ovidstown
  • Conflict and Rebellion in North Kildare 1792–98
  • The Trial and Execution of Laurence O’Connor at Naas in 1795
  • The History of Clane
  • Sinead De Valera and her County Kildare Connections
  • St. Farnan and Downings Graveyard
  • Edward O’Connor
  • Rathcoffey CYMS Hall
  • An American Presidential Visit to County Kildare
  • The History of Donadea Demesne
  • Wolfe Tone and his Family Connections with County Kildare
  • Clane Church
  • An Incident in Clane at Easter 1310
  • A Short History of Commercial Activity in Kilcock
  • A Divisive County Kildare Parliamentary Election from July 1892
  • County Kildare: Always Popular with Visiting Royals
  • Burial of Andrew Hall in Mainham in 1899
  • A History of Ladychapel Graveyard
  • Know your Townland – Ballinagappa
  • Know your Townland – Baltracey
  • Maynooth and 1916
  • Timahoe Connection to the Easter Rising 1916
  • Kilcock, from St. Coca to the Reformation
  • Know your Townland – Mountarmstrong
  • Know your Townland – Millicent
  • Know your Townland – Moortown
  • Know your Townland – Blackhall
  • Tyrconnell Tower
  • The Pale

    Frontier boundary built around Dublin in 1494

    The Pale gives its name to a phrase in the English language, Beyond the Pale. The history of this boundary in North Kildare is given and the line of the Pale between the two sole surviving sections is traced.

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  • The History of Rathcoffey

    Covering a period from 8000 BC to 1900

    Various events of local history in Rathcoffey are detailed, including the involvement of the village in six rebellions and profiling notable individuals from the area.

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  • The Capture of Kilcock by Rebels

    Details of the activities of rebels who took over Kilcock in June 1798

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  • St. Peter’s Well, Dunmurraghill

    Early Christian Centre Associated with St. Patrick

    Details of a Holy Well that has connections with pre-Christian religious activity, before St. Patrick visited the site and brought Christianity to the area. The subsequent history is also given.

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  • St. Coca’s Well, Kilcock

    Holy well associated with St. Coca in the Early Christian period

    An account of St. Coca an early Christian missionary that brought Christianity to the area and her connection to the Holy Well that bears her name.

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  • The Founding of Rathcoffey Chapel

    The Oldest Post-Reformation Catholic Church in County Kildare and the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin

    An account of how a stable on the Wogan Estate became Rathcoffey Chapel in 1710. The role played by Lady Tyrconnell widow of the Viceroy of King James II is also detailed.

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  • The Aneen Road

    The Story of an Ancient Road in Rathcoffey

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  • The Drummin Road

    Origin of an Ancient Road in Rathcoffey

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  • Horrible Events at Hungry Hall

    Folklore Tale from the Rathcoffey Area

    Folklore story relating to the gruesome execution of a woman in the Rathcoffey area accused of cannibalism and witchcraft.

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  • The Lady in White

    Ghost Story Associated with the Rathcoffey Area in the 1860’s

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  • St. Mochua

    Early Christian Missionary in North Kildare and South Dublin

    The career and travels of St. Mochua an early Christian missionary who is associated with religious foundations in Timahoe, Celbridge, Clondalkin and Balraheen–Rathcoffey.

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  • Bridget Fitzgerald of Maynooth

    An Earl’s Wife who was Left Behind at the Flight of the Earls in 1607

    The story of a Kildare involvement in the ‘Flight of the Earls’. Rory O’Donnell one of the two Earls that left in the flight did not get time to bring his wife Bridget FitzGerald who was staying in Maynooth Castle.

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  • The Formation of Rathcoffey GAA Club

    An Account and an Analysis of the First Meeting of Rathcoffey GAA Club in 1888

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  • Thomas Dongan, Earl of Limerick

    Famous Governor of New York from Castletown, Celbridge

    Details of the Celbridge connection to Thomas Dongon who is regarded as the most famous pre-revolutionary Governor of New York.

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  • The Baltracey Quakers

    The Story of a Quaker Family who were Members of Timahoe Meeting

    Genealogical details of the Watson family, members of the ‘Society of Friends’ and their connection with Timahoe, Baltracey and Larchill.

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  • Knockanally Crannog

    A Possible Causeway at Knockanally Crannog

    Surviving features connected to Knockanally Crannog.

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  • Land Transactions in Hodgestown

    Details of the Russell and McDermott families who lived in the townland in the 18th and 19th centuries

    Genealogical details of the Russell family, members of the ‘Society of Friends’ from Hodgestown, Timahoe and also the McDermott family who purchased their property.

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  • Carton Cemetery

    Burial ground of the Dukes of Leinster

    Details of the family burial ground of the Dukes of Leinster from 1850 to 1938.

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  • Michael Quigley

    Head of Robert Emmet’s Personal Staff throughout the Emmet Conspiracy and Attempted Rising in 1803

    Profile of Michael Quigley, a builder, a farmer, a 98’ rebel, head of Robert Emmet’s personal staff and informer. Includes original details of his connections with Robert Emmet throughout 1803.

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  • Hamilton Rowan

    Prominent United Irishman in the 1790’s

    Profile of Archibald Hamilton Rowan, a prominent United Irishman from the early 1790’s, and his connection with Rathcoffey. Published in Fugitive Warfare, 1998. This article is hosted on Hermann Geissel’s site.

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  • Hugh Ware

    1798 Rebel Leader and French Colonel in the Napoleonic Wars

    A 98’ rebel, Emmet Rising conspirator and a leading officer in the Irish regiment in France during the Napoleonic wars. He was the last commander of an exiled Irish Regiment on the Continent. Published in Fugitive Warfare, 1998. This article is hosted on Hermann Geissel’s site.

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  • The Battle of Ovidstown

    The Last Major Field Battle in the Dublin Area

    Reconstruction details of the Battle of Ovidstown, 21st of June 1798 between Irish rebels and crown forces. Published in Fugitive Warfare, 1998. Colonel William Aylmer, commander of the rebels at Ovidstown, is pictured above. This article is hosted on Hermann Geissel’s site.

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  • Conflict and Rebellion in North Kildare 1792–98

    The history of the 1798 Rebellion in North Kildare

    An account of rebellious activity both before and during 1798 in the northern half of County Kildare is given, including the capture of Prosperous. Also the subsequent guerrilla tactics associated with the rebels which came to be known as Fugitive Warfare. This article is hosted on Hermann Geissel’s site.

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  • The Trial and Execution
    of Laurence O’Connor at Naas in 1795

    Execution of the last man sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered in County Kildare

    A local Defender leader who was arrsted in Kilcock while recruiting new members during the Defender crises of 1795. The events surrounding this incident resulted in the execution of four men.

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  • The History of Clane

    From the Earliest Times to 1945

    Various events of local history in Clane are detailed, including a connection with almost every era in Irish history.

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  • Sinead De Valera
    and her County Kildare Connections

    The History of a County Kildare Family

    Genealogical details of the Flanagan family covering three centuries. Includes historical particulars relating to the ancestors of Sinead De Valera and their interest in the Irish language.

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  • St. Farnan and Downings Graveyard

    An early Christian centre founded by St. Farnan

    An account of St. Farnan an early Christian missionary who brought Christianity to the Prosperous area and built the first Church in Downings Graveyard.

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  • Edward O’Connor

    The Career of a 19th century Naas Town Commissioner

    Details of a prominent Naas entrepreneur and local politician, who was twice imprisoned for his nationalist principals, firstly, as a Fenian in 1865 and secondly, during the ‘Land War’ in 1882.

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  • Rathcoffey CYMS Hall

    Built between August 1951 and January 1952

    Details of the official opening of North Kildare’s ‘Ballroom of Romance’ in the early 1950’s and an account of the entertainment following the ceremony.

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  • An American Presidential Visit
    to County Kildare

    An account of President Nixon visiting his ancestral burial ground

    The story of an early 18th century Quaker community in Timahoe, North Kildare. In 1970 President Nixon, a descendent of one of the Quaker families from the community, visited his maternal ancestral burial ground in Timahoe.

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  • The History of Donadea Demesne

    From the earliest times to 2003

    Details of the history of Donadea, from the early Christian period to the present time. Includes a full account of the construction of Donadea Demesne in the 19th century which is now the nucleus of Donadea Forest Park.

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  • Wolfe Tone and his Family Connections
    with County Kildare

    The Story of an 18th century County Kildare Farming Family

    Genealogical details of the Tone family and their direct connection with Bodenstown from 1750 to 1818. Also includes personal details of Wolfe Tone, his wife and children, parents, siblings, uncles and aunts.

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  • Clane Church

    Details of Fr. Turner’s work in building a new Church in Clane between
    1875 and 1884

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  • An Incident in Clane at Easter 1310

    Details of an Altercation in 14th Century Clane that Embroiled Many in the Community

    Medieval Clane was an important town in the Norman colony and in 1310 a minor incident led to a homicide. This eventually resulted in the involvement of the local Mayor, the County Sheriff and the Viceroy.

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  • A Short History of Commercial Activity
    in Kilcock

    Kilcock was an Important Trading Centre from the Medieval Period to the Late 1900’s

    Kilcock for centuries was one of the major commercial centres in the mid-Leinster region. The article details the history of the fairs, markets and business life in the town throughout the period.

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  • A Divisive County Kildare Parliamentary Election from July 1892

    Details of a Hotly Contested Election for the Westminster Seat of Kildare North

    The election of 1892 in North Kildare was a bitterly fought contest. The outgoing Parnellite MP was opposed by an anti-Parnellite candidate who was actively supported by the local Catholic clergy.

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  • County Kildare
    Always Popular with Visiting Royals

    Details of Visits to County Kildare by Ten English Monarchs

    Between 1171 and 2011 ten English Kings and Queens came to Ireland either as conquerors or visitors. During their stay they all visited county Kildare.

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  • Burial of Andrew Hall in Mainham in 1899

    An Unusual Burial of a Pauper in Mainham Graveyard

    In 1899, a mix-up in the morgue of the Workhouse Hospital in Naas led to the burial of the wrong corpse in Mainham Graveyard.

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  • A History of Ladychapel Graveyard

    An Ancient Church and Graveyard near Maynooth County Kildare

    The site with a history stretching back 2000 years consists of a disused graveyard, church ruins and holy well. Individuals interred in the burial ground are connected to many important events in Irish History.

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  • Know your Townland – Ballinagappa

    A History of a Townland Close to Clane

    Important details of Ballingappa survive in two sources from the 17th century. It has important connections with the famous Sarsfield family, the Vesey-Colthurst family and the Bingham family Earls of Lucan.

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  • Know your Townland – Baltracey

    A History of a Townland in North Kildare

    The history of Baltracey begins in the early Christian period with its connection to an ancient highway. It also has links to the Norman period and an important Quaker involvement in the modern period.

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  • Maynooth and 1916

    The Involvement of Maynooth Volunteers in the Easter Rising

    The Maynooth Company of the Volunteers mobilised on Easter Sunday along with other companies in county Kildare.

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  • Timahoe Connection to the Easter Rising 1916

    Details the connections of a rural district in West Kildare to the Easter Rising 1916

    The rising was fought mainly in Dublin with minor outbreaks in a number of other counties. County Kildare also had an involvement which is well documented.

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  • Kilcock, from St. Coca to the Reformation

    A history of Christianity in Kilcock between AD 550 and 1550

    Various writers have suggested that there were four different saints from the early Christian period who could have been the St. Coca associated with Kilcock.

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  • Know your Townland – Mountarmstrong

    A history of a townland close to Donadea Forest Park in north Kildare

    The earliest history of Mountarmstrong connects it to an ancient road. Accounts detailing the various owners including the Armstrong family are given together with particulars of its original name.

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  • Know your Townland – Millicent

    A history of a townland situated between Clane and Sallins.

    Millicent dates from the Norman period and throughout its history was the residence of numerous important individuals. Originally known as Newtown the present name emerged in the early 18th century.

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  • Know your Townland – Moortown

    History of a townland now part of the built up area that comprises a portion of Rathcoffey Village.

    Moortown is a townland with an interesting and historical geological origin. In the early to mid-19th century it was one of the most densely populated townlands in the county and also the home to a famous parish priest.

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  • Know your Townland – Blackhall

    A history of a historic townland south of Clane adjoining the river Liffey.

    The history of Blackhall extends back to the pre Christian period with its connection to an ancient highway. From the Norman period the townland is noted as having connections to numerous well-known families such as the FitzGeralds, Wogans and Wolfes.

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  • Tyrconnell Tower

    A picturesque tower on the summit of a hill overlooking Carton House, Maynooth.

    The Tower was built in the 1680s by Richard Talbot then Earl of Tyrconnell (later Duke) as a family mausoleum. Today an artist impression of the tower is used as the logo of Carton House Hotel and Golf Club.

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  • © Seamus Cullen 2008–2016 | Website designed by Sandra Davis