Calverstown
Encyclopedia
Calverstown is a small village
in County Kildare
, Ireland
. It lies 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the town of Kilcullen
and about 16 km (9.9 mi) from each of the towns of Athy
, Kildare
, Naas
and Newbridge
. It is an old settlement located close to the archaeological sites of Dún Ailinne
and Old Kilcullen
. The village has a stream running through it with another to the south. In the 2006 Census it had a population of 650.
for "Philip of Calfs land") provides an unaudited confirmation in the form of a petition from the Royal Hospitallers of Kilmainham
listing their possessions to Pope Innocent III
in 1212. The Irish name Baile an Chalbhaigh was historically anglicised as Ballinchalwey, Ballinchallowe and Ballinchalloe.
In a note to an edition of Richard de Ledrede's account of the Kyteler Witchcraft trial Wright (1843, 56-7) noted that Walter le Veele, or Calf, of Calfstown was Chancellor of Kildare Cathedral and was made Bishop of Kildare in 1299. He purchased the manor of Norragh, in which Calverstown is situated, from Geoffrey de Norragh before his death in 1332. The barony was inherited by his nephew John Calf, who passed it to his son Sir Robert Calf and to his daughter Elizabeth Calf who married William Wellesley of Baronsrath, whose heirs held the barony after that. The name of the town appears to be derived from the anglicised name of the le Veele family.
It is explicitly mentioned in a Rental of Gerald Earl of Kildare begun in 1518-19 1518 as "In baronia de Norragh. Item, in the barone of the Norragh & may be distraynet at Calfiston: £6" (MacNiocaill 1992, 291); and in the Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions 1540
-41
. In the former, the name is spelled Calfiston, in the latter Calveston.
The Civil Survey of 1656
noted that in 1641 Calverstown contained 760 Irish acres
of land and had one castle and a stone quarry and was held by Sir Robert Dixon (Simington 1952, 98)
The population, street layout and land-use have changed little over the past two and-a-half centuries. A map from 1752
shows a layout very similar to that of today. The natural environment reflects the predominance of well-established enclosed agricultural land. This is presently improved grassland or tillage, some of which is now succumbing to residential development.
, Earl of Ormond defeated his second cousin Richard Butler
, Lord Mountgarrett, on the high grounds of Kilrush and Bullhill, a victory was considered so important that the English House of Commons voted him £500 for the purchase of a jewel, and petitioned the King to create him a Knight of the Garter. The site has since then been known as Battlemount (Grid reference S 77276). Guillaume le Maréchal (or William Marshall
), Earl of Pembroke and son in law of Strongbow
, founded an Augustinian
Abbey in Kilrush at the start of the thirteenth century which subsisted until the Suppression of the Monasteries in the 1540s .
started at the Ballyshannon cross-roads 1 miles (2 km) from the centre of Calverstown. It was the first international motor race to be held in Great Britain, an honorific to Selwyn Edge
who had won the 1902 event
in Paris
driving a Napier
. The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland
wanted the race to be hosted in the British Isles, and their secretary, Claude Johnson, suggested Ireland as the venue because racing was illegal on British public roads roads. The editor of the Dublin Motor News, Richard Mecredy, suggested an area in County Kildare
, and letters were sent to 102 Irish MPs, 90 Irish peers, 300 newspapers, 34 chairmen of county and local councils, 34 County secretaries, 26 mayors, 41 railway companies, 460 hoteliers, 13 PPs, plus the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
, Patrick Foley, who pronounced himself in favour. Local laws had to be adjusted, ergo the 'Light Locomotives (Ireland) Bill' was passed on 27 March 1903. Kildare and other local councils drew attention to their areas, whilst Queen’s County
declared That every facility will be given and the roads placed at the disposal of motorists during the proposed race. Eventually Kildare was chosen, partly on the grounds that the straightness of the roads would be a safety benefit. As a compliment to Ireland the British team chose to race in Shamrock green which thus became known as British racing green
, although the winning Napier of 1902
had been painted Olive green.
The route consisted of two loops that comprised a figure of eight, the first was a 52 miles (83.7 km) loop that included Kilcullen
, The Curragh
, Kildare
, Monasterevin
, Stradbally, Athy, followed by a 40 miles (64.4 km) loop through Castledermot
, Carlow
, and Athy again. The race started at the Ballyshannon cross-roads (53.0853°N 6.82°W) near Calverstown on the contemporary N78
heading north, then followed the N9 north; the N7 west; the N80
south; the N78
north again; the N9 south; the N80
north; the N78
north again. Competitors were started at seven minute intervals and had to follow bicycles through the 'control zones' in each town. The 328 miles (528 km) race was won by the famous Belgian Camille Jenatzy
, driving a Mercedes in German colours.
The sense of community is strong with a Tidy Towns
committee, a Golf Society and multiple residents associations, each including both new and native dwellers of the village.
National hunt jockey Ruby Walsh lives in Calverstown with his wife Gillian and daughter.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It lies 6 km (3.7 mi) south of the town of Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
and about 16 km (9.9 mi) from each of the towns of Athy
Athy
The town developed from a 12th century Anglo-Norman settlement to an important British military outpost on the border of the Pale.The first town charter dates from the 16th century and the town hall was constructed in the early 18th century...
, Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
, Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
and Newbridge
Newbridge, County Kildare
The earliest known mention of Newbridge was by traveller and bookseller John Dunton in 1698, though he does not refer to any settlement other than at Ballymany....
. It is an old settlement located close to the archaeological sites of Dún Ailinne
Dún Ailinne
Dún Ailinne, on the hill called Knockaulin, is a large enclosed archaeological site in County Kildare, Ireland. It lies close to the modern N78 road to Athy, south-west of Kilcullen , and immediately adjacent to the lower rise on which sits Old Kilcullen. The site comprises 13 hectares surrounded...
and Old Kilcullen
Old Kilcullen
Old Kilcullen, formerly Kilcullen , is a townland in County Kildare, Ireland, which includes a noted religious archaeological site within its boundary. It was formerly the site of a walled town, and before that of an ecclesiastical settlement dating from the 5th century...
. The village has a stream running through it with another to the south. In the 2006 Census it had a population of 650.
History
Calverstown has been in existence as a named location since the early medieval period. An early reference to lands described as "Terra Philippi Vituli" (LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "Philip of Calfs land") provides an unaudited confirmation in the form of a petition from the Royal Hospitallers of Kilmainham
Kilmainham
Kilmainham is a suburb of Dublin south of the River Liffey and west of the city centre, in the Dublin 8 postal district.-History:In the Viking era, the monastery was home to the first Norse base in Ireland....
listing their possessions to Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
in 1212. The Irish name Baile an Chalbhaigh was historically anglicised as Ballinchalwey, Ballinchallowe and Ballinchalloe.
In a note to an edition of Richard de Ledrede's account of the Kyteler Witchcraft trial Wright (1843, 56-7) noted that Walter le Veele, or Calf, of Calfstown was Chancellor of Kildare Cathedral and was made Bishop of Kildare in 1299. He purchased the manor of Norragh, in which Calverstown is situated, from Geoffrey de Norragh before his death in 1332. The barony was inherited by his nephew John Calf, who passed it to his son Sir Robert Calf and to his daughter Elizabeth Calf who married William Wellesley of Baronsrath, whose heirs held the barony after that. The name of the town appears to be derived from the anglicised name of the le Veele family.
It is explicitly mentioned in a Rental of Gerald Earl of Kildare begun in 1518-19 1518 as "In baronia de Norragh. Item, in the barone of the Norragh & may be distraynet at Calfiston: £6" (MacNiocaill 1992, 291); and in the Extents of Irish Monastic Possessions 1540
1540 in Ireland
-Events:*Anthony St Leger is appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and tasked with the repression of disorder.*St Leger's pacification: start of policy of surrender and regrant ....
-41
1541 in Ireland
-Events:*Henry VIII declared King of Ireland by Irish parliament.*Tyrone invaded by Anthony St Leger ....
. In the former, the name is spelled Calfiston, in the latter Calveston.
The Civil Survey of 1656
1656 in Ireland
-Births:*17 April - William Molyneux, natural philosopher and writer, founded the Dublin Philosophical Society .-Deaths:*21 March - James Ussher, Anglican Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, published the Ussher chronology purporting to time and date creation ....
noted that in 1641 Calverstown contained 760 Irish acres
Acre (Irish)
An Irish acre is a unit of area historically used in Ireland, Yorkshire, and regions bordering the Solway Firth.One Irish acre is equal to about 1.62 acre, 7,840 square yards, or 70,560 square feet....
of land and had one castle and a stone quarry and was held by Sir Robert Dixon (Simington 1952, 98)
The population, street layout and land-use have changed little over the past two and-a-half centuries. A map from 1752
1752 in Ireland
-Births:*30 July - Valentine Quin, 1st Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, peer .*Leonard Macnally, informant against members of the Society of United Irishmen ....
shows a layout very similar to that of today. The natural environment reflects the predominance of well-established enclosed agricultural land. This is presently improved grassland or tillage, some of which is now succumbing to residential development.
Battles at Ballyshannon and Kilrush
Two battles were fought nearby. In 738 at the Battle of Uchbad (Ballyshannon, Grid reference N78830), Aed Allin defeated the Laigin and established Kildare’s hegemony over the kingship of Leinster that would last nearly 300 years . In 1642, James ButlerJames Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde
James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde PC was an Irish statesman and soldier. He was the second of the Kilcash branch of the family to inherit the earldom. He was the friend of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who appointeed him commander of the Cavalier forces in Ireland. From 1641 to 1647, he...
, Earl of Ormond defeated his second cousin Richard Butler
Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret
Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarret was the son of Edmund Butler, 2nd Viscount Mountgarret and Grany or Grizzel, daughter of Barnaby Fitzpatrick, 1st Baron Upper Ossory...
, Lord Mountgarrett, on the high grounds of Kilrush and Bullhill, a victory was considered so important that the English House of Commons voted him £500 for the purchase of a jewel, and petitioned the King to create him a Knight of the Garter. The site has since then been known as Battlemount (Grid reference S 77276). Guillaume le Maréchal (or William Marshall
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke , also called William the Marshal , was an Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman. He was described as the "greatest knight that ever lived" by Stephen Langton...
), Earl of Pembroke and son in law of Strongbow
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke , Lord of Leinster, Justiciar of Ireland . Like his father, he was also commonly known as Strongbow...
, founded an Augustinian
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
Abbey in Kilrush at the start of the thirteenth century which subsisted until the Suppression of the Monasteries in the 1540s .
The birth of Motor racing
On Thursday, 2 July 1903 the Gordon Bennett CupGordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
started at the Ballyshannon cross-roads 1 miles (2 km) from the centre of Calverstown. It was the first international motor race to be held in Great Britain, an honorific to Selwyn Edge
Selwyn Edge
Selwyn Francis Edge was an Australian businessman, racing driver, and record-breaker. He is principally associated with selling and racing De Dion-Bouton, Gladiator; Clemént-Panhard, Napier and AC cars.-Personal life:...
who had won the 1902 event
Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
driving a Napier
Napier & Son
D. Napier & Son Limited was a British engine and pre-Great War automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid-20th century...
. The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
wanted the race to be hosted in the British Isles, and their secretary, Claude Johnson, suggested Ireland as the venue because racing was illegal on British public roads roads. The editor of the Dublin Motor News, Richard Mecredy, suggested an area in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and letters were sent to 102 Irish MPs, 90 Irish peers, 300 newspapers, 34 chairmen of county and local councils, 34 County secretaries, 26 mayors, 41 railway companies, 460 hoteliers, 13 PPs, plus the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin
The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, one of the suffragan dioceses of the Archdiocese of Dublin. The episcopal title takes its name from the towns of Kildare and Old Leighlin in the province of Leinster, Ireland.The see is...
, Patrick Foley, who pronounced himself in favour. Local laws had to be adjusted, ergo the 'Light Locomotives (Ireland) Bill' was passed on 27 March 1903. Kildare and other local councils drew attention to their areas, whilst Queen’s County
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
declared That every facility will be given and the roads placed at the disposal of motorists during the proposed race. Eventually Kildare was chosen, partly on the grounds that the straightness of the roads would be a safety benefit. As a compliment to Ireland the British team chose to race in Shamrock green which thus became known as British racing green
British racing green
British racing green or BRG, a colour similar to Brunswick green, hunter green, forest green or moss green , takes its name from the green international motor racing colour of Britain. Although there is still some debate as to an exact hue for BRG, currently the term is used to denote a spectrum of...
, although the winning Napier of 1902
Gordon Bennett Cup in auto racing
As one of three Gordon Bennett Cups established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald, the automobile racing award was first given in 1900 in France....
had been painted Olive green.
The route consisted of two loops that comprised a figure of eight, the first was a 52 miles (83.7 km) loop that included Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
, The Curragh
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
, Kildare
Kildare
-External links:*******...
, Monasterevin
Monasterevin
Situated 63 km from Dublin on the R445 road, Monasterevin has been relieved of much through traffic by the opening in 2004 of a new section of the M7 motorway bypassing the town on the N7 Dublin to Limerick route...
, Stradbally, Athy, followed by a 40 miles (64.4 km) loop through Castledermot
Castledermot
Castledermot is an inland village in the south-east of Ireland in County Kildare, about from Dublin, and from the town of Carlow. The N9 road from Dublin to Waterford passes through the village but completion of a bypass is due during 2010.-Demographics:...
, Carlow
Carlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
, and Athy again. The race started at the Ballyshannon cross-roads (53.0853°N 6.82°W) near Calverstown on the contemporary N78
N78 road (Ireland)
The N78 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. The 50km long road links the N77 national secondary road north of Kilkenny, County Kilkenny to the M9 national primary route at Mullamast in County Kildare. En route it passes through the towns of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ballylynan in...
heading north, then followed the N9 north; the N7 west; the N80
N80 road (Ireland)
The N80 road is a national secondary road in Ireland that runs southeastwards from its junction with the N52 and R443 in the town of Tullamore in County Offaly, to the N11 at Ballynahallin, just north of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, a distance of 116 km...
south; the N78
N78 road (Ireland)
The N78 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. The 50km long road links the N77 national secondary road north of Kilkenny, County Kilkenny to the M9 national primary route at Mullamast in County Kildare. En route it passes through the towns of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ballylynan in...
north again; the N9 south; the N80
N80 road (Ireland)
The N80 road is a national secondary road in Ireland that runs southeastwards from its junction with the N52 and R443 in the town of Tullamore in County Offaly, to the N11 at Ballynahallin, just north of Enniscorthy in County Wexford, a distance of 116 km...
north; the N78
N78 road (Ireland)
The N78 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. The 50km long road links the N77 national secondary road north of Kilkenny, County Kilkenny to the M9 national primary route at Mullamast in County Kildare. En route it passes through the towns of Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ballylynan in...
north again. Competitors were started at seven minute intervals and had to follow bicycles through the 'control zones' in each town. The 328 miles (528 km) race was won by the famous Belgian Camille Jenatzy
Camille Jenatzy
Camille Jenatzy was a Belgian race car driver. He is known for breaking the land speed record three times and being the first man to break the 100 km/h barrier....
, driving a Mercedes in German colours.
Calverstown today
The village is well presented with a number of attractive buildings and areas including Grove Villa, Rose Cottage, Blackhall Castle and the Forge, and recent housing developments have attempted to continue this trend. There is a well maintained green at the centre of the village with some seating available at the stream.The sense of community is strong with a Tidy Towns
National Tidy Town Awards
May refer to:*Australian Tidy Town Awards*Tidy Towns *Newfoundland and Labrador Tidy Towns Competition...
committee, a Golf Society and multiple residents associations, each including both new and native dwellers of the village.
Sport
- St Laurence's GAASt Laurence's GAASt Laurence’s is a Gaelic Athletic Association club in south County Kildare, Ireland. The Larries are current Kildare Senior Football Champions having beat Moorefield in the 2009 final. Before this historic win they had been senior football finalists on four occasions. St Laurence's is the most...
is the local Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic AssociationThe Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
club.
National hunt jockey Ruby Walsh lives in Calverstown with his wife Gillian and daughter.