AGHABOE

In 1868, the parish of Aghaboe contained the following places:

"AGHABOE, (or Aughavoe), a parish in the baronies of Clandonagh and Clarmallagh, in Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, containing the town of Borris-in-Ossory and the village of Ballycolla. Its name (originally Achadh-Bho) signifies the "field of an ox," and was derived from the richness of its pastures. A Culdee monastery was founded here in the 6th century by St. Canice, whose reputation for wisdom and piety soon attracted a large number of disciples, and gave origin to a town. A bishopric was soon established and retained here till the close of the 12th century, when it was transferred to Kilkenny. The parish lies in a rich valley between the mountains of Cullahill, on the south east, and the Slieve Bloom hills, on the north-west. The soil is mostly good, but there is a large tract of bog. There are several limestone quarries, and a brown slate is found at Knockarnadh. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ossory, Ferns, and Leighlin, value £462. The patronage is with the Rev. G. Carr. The church is part of the ancient cathedral, and was enlarged in 1818. Near the church are some remains of a Dominican abbey. There is a large mount north of the church, surrounded by a fosse, and encircled at the summit by a wall; at a distance from this is an old fortification, called the "Path of Lara," or the "Moat of Monacoghlan." There are some other remains of ancient forts. Fairs are held at Burros eight times in the year, and petty sessions are held weekly at Burros and Cuffsborough by turns.

"BORRIS-IN-OSSORY, a village in the parish of Aghaboe, barony of Clandonagh, in Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, 15 miles to the S.W. of Maryborough, and 69 miles from Dublin. It is situated on the confines of Tipperary, not far from the Slieve Bloom mountains, on the south bank of the river Nore. The Great Southern and Western railway passes near it. This place was the site of a castle erected at a remote period by the Fitzpatricks, to whom the district then belonged, and was an important post on the pass to Munster. The castle was besieged in 1641, and again in the following year, and was partially destroyed some years later, but was rebuilt in the last century. A market is held in the village, which consists of one long street. There is a police station, a court-house, and a dispensary. Quarter and petty sessions are held here. There are some ruins of the old castle adjoining the present mansion. Fairs are held on the 25th January, the 21st March, the 31st May, the 24th June, the 15th August, the 11th October, the 21st November, and the 20th December."

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018