DYSARTGALLEN

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

"DYSARTGALLEN, a parish in the barony of Cullenagh, in Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles S.E. of Abbeyleix. It includes the post town of Ballinakill. The surface is rather hilly, with some bog, and is traversed by the Owenbeg river. The living is a rectory and vicarage in the diocese of Leighlin, value £350, in the patronage of Earl Stanhope. The church, which is at Ballinakill, is a handsome building, erected in 1821. There are two Roman Catholic chapels (united), and nine day schools. Good building stone is quarried. Church ruins are seen at Dysart and Kilcronan. There is a chalybeate spa at Heywood."

"BALLINAKILL, a market town in the parish of Dysartgallen, and barony of Cullenagh, Queen's County, in the province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles to the S.E. of Abbeyleix, and 63 miles from Dublin. It is an ancient town, and was formerly a municipal and parliamentary borough, returning two members to the Irish parliament, from the reign of James I., by whom it was incorporated, until the Union. The privilege of a market was granted to the inhabitants in 1606. The quarter and petty sessions, which used to be held here, are now held at Abbeyleix. The town of late years has been much improved under the liberal administration of its present landlord, Earl Stanhope, on whose estate it is situated. The woollen manufacture was formerly an important branch of industry in the town, and is still carried on to a considerable extent. The parish church stands in the town, and has a handsome east window, presented by the late Michael Frederick Trench, Esq., of Heywood. The remains of the old parish church of Dysartgallen are situated in a picturesque vale, about 1½ mile from the town, and there are some slight remains of the old castle, which was taken by Fairfax in 1641. The principal residence is Heywood, formerly the seat of the Trench family, but now in the possession of William Domville, Esq., youngest son of the late Sir Compton Domville, of Santry House, Dublin. Heywood domain is rich in beautiful scenery, and contains a chalybeate spring. The living of Dysartgallen is in the gift of Earl Stanhope. The rectory is situated about a quarter of a mile from the town, and is a handsome residence. The river Owenbeg passes through its grounds, and flows in a tortuous course till it empties itself into the river Nore near Kilkenny. The soil about Ballinakill is rich, on a substratum of limestone. Saturday is the market day. Fairs are held monthly throughout the year."

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