Moydow
Encyclopedia
Moydowis a village on the outskirts of Longford Town
in County Longford
, Ireland. It contains an old disused post office,disused school house used as a Community Centre, 2 pubs "The Vintage" and "Kearneys". Also it has one Roman Catholic Church and one disused Church of Ireland Church.
& Moydow), and parts of the territories of Moybrawne (Taghshinny parish), Clanconnor (part Kilcommock, part Cashel parishes), and Muintergalgan.
Its ancient name was Cill-Modhint after St. Modhints church, which was destroyed by fire in 1155. (St. Modhint died in 591) Also in this area are the ruins of the oldest nunnery in Ireland.
The ancient name of this parish was Kilmodhain, or Kilmacdhumha,
so called from being the " kil " or cell of St, Modhain, or Modiud the
Simple, whose feast is celebrated, according to the "Lives of the
Saints," on 12 February. St. Modan lived about the year 591, when
he was made a bishop. Previous to this he had erected the Priory
of Moydow, no ruins of which now exist. It is said that one Brclaus,
a disciple and presbyter of St. Patrick, was a presbyter here for some
time after its erection. Mr. O'Donovan says this was one of the oldest
priories in Ireland. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891
Legend records that this was the site of the abbey of Kilmliodain, of which St. Modan or Moduid "the Simple," who was bishop of Carnfurbuidhe, was abbot in 591. The parish comprises 45771 statute acres, of which about 1203 are bog. A peculiar kind of stone, called pudding stone, is found on the isolated mountain of Slieve Gouldry, on the southern confines of the parish; and there is a quarry of freestone, which was worked for flags.
A topographical dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish and Welsh ... – Page 866.
Year 858bc. An army composed of Lagenians, Connacians, and the
southern Hy Nialls, marched to Fiachla, under the conduct of Mael-
saghlin, the son of Maelrony, and encamped at Moydumha, in the
vicinity of Ardagh.From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1898
is also called Slieve Gauldry, was anciently called Brigh Leath, and a legend is taken, in reference to it, from the Book of Tara. In this Book it is related, in the old Irish style, that a comely chieftain's son, named Leath, loved Bri, the daughter of a powerful chief who lived on this hill, then called Tu Uynahearinaghtrihi ; and, coming with his servants to Midir, her father,
asked the beautiful Bri as his wife. Midir refused to give her, where-
upon a fight ensued, and the result was that Leath was vanquished.
Bri then returned to her father's house, from which she had fled, and
died of a broken heart, the mountain ever after, until the last century
being called Bri Leath. It is now called Castlereagh Mountain, or
sometimes Slieve Gauldry."
1260
John de Verdon builds castle at Moydow (Co Longford).
1295
Sefraid O fergail destroys castle at Moydow (Co Longford). This castle, which was located immediately behind Bawn House, was levelled at the same time as Barry and Camagh castles.
Record show it was again occupied during the 14th and 16th centuries the castle (also called Castlerea Castle) is situated one mile from Moydow Village. On the right side of the structure the arched doorway is visible. The castle is solidly constructed with two feet thick rock walls and sits on solid ground. Once inside, looking up at the ceiling, or floor above the inside doorway, there is a hole about a foot square. This hole is common to many castles, including this type of tower castle. The opening is for viewing from above those entering the castle below. Friend or foe makes a big difference. This opening is called a "murder hole" and is used to stop those who are not welcome before they can proceed any further into the castle. By comparing this to other similar tower castles, we can assume that the lower floor was mainly a gathering place. The second floor was likely the dining area, the third floor would be the kitchen and the upper floors would be for sleeping.
Tower castles were used for lookouts and to send warnings. If a castle was under attack, a fire would be built on top of the castle. It could be seen for about fifty miles to the next tower castle. Warnings of attacks were sent along in this way. In ancient times, tower castles were spaced about fifty miles apart and the ruins can be seen periodically as you travel throughout Ireland.For further reading refer to "Medieval Castles of Ireland" By David Sweetman ISBN 0-85115-788-2. Extract: The great age of Irish castle-building began with the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, traditionally dated to 1169, and continued right up to the seventeenth century. This is a study of the archaeology of Irish castles, from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century, covering four hundred castles and earthworks.
To the left of the entrance is the opening to a tightly spiraling cut-stone staircase. The stairs spiral upward in a clockwise fashion for a purpose. If you are a right-handed intruder ascending the stairs, you must turn your body to expose more of it to use your sword, making you more vulnerable and a bigger target to those above.
The castle has been in the ownership of the Higgins family of the adjacent Castlerea House for the last 100 years.
Legend has it that some years ago a cow wandered into the castle and ascended the spiral staircase. Cows can go up but not back down stairs. At the direction of the then owner, William Higgins, a large hole was punched into the second level stone floor to lower the cow to the ground floor. (This is a local story which has at least some truth as there is a hole punched where indicated above)
There is a chalybeate
spring here but is not much used for medicinal purposes.
Immediately behind Bawn House stand the ruins of the ancient
Castle of Moydow, or Moydumha. Some people suppose that these
ruins formed the old Priory of St. Modiud the Simple. Such is not the
case. Anyone can see that the ruins now standing were surrounded
by a deep fortified moat, and that the building itself consisted of the
usual tower and square keep. This, in fact, was the ancient Castle of
the Lord of Moydumha, which was sacked in the thirteenth century at
the time that Barry and Camagh Castles were levelled. I am sure
that if any expert in antiquarian matters visits these ruins, he will
agree with me as to their original purpose.
There is a very tragic story told in connexion with Bawn House.
In 1770 the "Whiteboys" were very strong in numbers and very
determined in action all over Ireland. As history tells, they were
first called " Levellers," from the fact of their assembling at night and
leTelling the fences with which the landlords endeavoured to enclose
certain commons that had previously belonged to the people. But the
pent-up agony of a long persecuted race having once found vent, was
not to be easily crushed, and for a period of twenty years the " White-
boys " were the only protection the unfortunate Catholics had in their
troubles. These men, most of whom banded themselves together for
the one noble object— to relieve their distressed condition – when going
to do any act of violence, blackened their faces and put on a white shirt
over their dress as a disguise, from which they were called " White-
boys." For many years they, by the very terror of their name, imposed
a restraint on the landlords and agents who were inclined to oppress
the people – which was most essential to the very existence of the latter ;
and when they were at length condemned by the priests of the Church,
it was because unscrupulous persons had, by bloody acts, turned the
association to their own base purposes.
About the year 1780 there lived in Bawn House a certain Captain
Barnes, agent over several estates in the neighbourhood of Moydow,
and famed among the people as an uncompromising exterminator of
the tenants, whom he ruled with a rod of iron. On a certain
November night he was after collecting the rents of his estates, and
was engaged upstairs with' his clerk in counting up his money and
making out his accounts. Wlaile thus engaged, a thundering summons
came to the front door, and immediately divining the cause, Barnes and
his clerk piled up a lot of furniture on the main stairway, first locking
the room in which the money was left. The summons to open the door
not being answered, the men, who were Whiteboys that had previously
committed several acts of violence in the neighbourhood, burst it in with
a log of a tree, which they used as a ram, and were about to rush
upstairs when Barnes fired down on them. The shot did not kill any
person, and the leader of the party, seeing Barnes about to fire again,
immediately took aim and shot him dead on the top of the stairs. The
rest of them then ran up and knocked the clerk on the head, leaving him
senseless, whilst they entered Barnes' office and abstracted every penny
he was after receiving that day. The military authorities hearing of
the attack, turned out next day from Longford and captured a dozen
of men, of whom several were hanged on the evidence of an informer,
who did not receive any of the money taken from Barnes, and turned
king's evidence on that account. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891
of cards at a ball in the Military Barracks of Longford, and losing
them, as well as every penny he was possessed of, in one night.From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891.
The young Francis Jessop, of Mount Jessop, committed suicide whilst High Sheriff of Co. Longford (1836).
SOURCE: WESTMEATH JOURNAL – 1827 February 15 News
of Abbey Dearg, in which stands the crumbling ruins of what was once
a priory for Regular Canons of the Order of St. Augustine. This priory
was founded about the year 1205, by Grormgal O'Quinn, Lord of Rath-
cline, and was dedicated to St. Peter; and in 1217, the first abbot of
the monastery, Osin by name, died and was interred here. On the
death of Brendan Jifagodaig, Bishop of Ardagh, in 1255, his remains
also were interred in this priory, which continued to exist until 1550,
when it was suppressed, and the buildings and land, to the value of £2
annually, Irish money, were bestowed on one Nicholas Alymor, an
English soldier. The existing ruins of, the Abbey of Dearg prove it to have been a most perfect monastic structure. The plate which is not a very perfect one, owing to the entire demolition of the main walls of the building, and the complete covering of the walls, showing the eastern and southern window by a thick coat of impenetrable ivy. The ruins have been examined minutely, and the conclusion is that it consisted of a main chancel (of chapel), vestry, dining-room, dormitory, and a number of cells. The principal walls of all, except the southern and eastern portion of the chancel, are now demolished to a height of two or three feet.
Map of Townslands:
Longford County Library reference to the townslands of Moydow:
Pre 1800 Census
1639 Census showed that McGiff was a principal name in Moydow. McGiff Cross is still an area of Moydow in Longford.
By order of the Governors of Ireland, a census of this Ireland was taken in the year 1659, when the population of the Moydow barony was found to be laid out as follows: There were 182 Irish and 4 English. The principal Irish families were : – The Caseys, 12 people ; Oormicks and MacCormicks, 19 ; Donlans, 7 ; Dooners, 5 ; Duffs, 6 ; Farrells, 23 ; Kennys, 16; Morrows, 7; Powers, 6; Keegans, 7; and M'Evoys, 6. The local gentry were : – Thomas Newcomen, of Ballinamore ; and
"Walter Tuite, of Castlereagh.
1660 The McGaver Family.
Flax growers in Moydow & Longford – 1796.
Note circa 1830
Ardagh and Moydow, which formerly were distinct parishes, are
now united, and form one parish
There are two chapels in it – Ardagh and Moydow, the former being a beautiful new building, which was consecrated in 1882 by Most Eev. Dr. Woodlock, assisted by the Most Rev. Dr. M'Grettigan, of Armagh, and at the grand foundation ceremony of which the late great orator. Father Tom Burke, O.P., preached one of his finest sermons. The church, which is cruciform in shape, and has a
splendid front entrajnce, is built of fine dressed stone, nicely ornamented
with brown and white marble, whilst the interior decorations, both of
painting, plastering, and wood-carving, are of the most costly and
fashionable description. It has been named " St. Brigid's Church," and
is well worthy of being the church of a diocesan parish. The other is
situated in Moydow, and is a plain, unadorned country chapel, of an
old pattern in building. The Roman Catholic element in this parish is
decidedly strong, although their ranks have been sadly thinned from
time to time by eviction, emigration, and reverses of fortune. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin, 1891.
Most common surnames in Moydow in 1854:
church is a small plain building without a tower, erected about 80 years since, and was repaired in 1831, by aid of a loan of £50. Thomas Jessop born 1741, inherited Mount Jessop from his brother in 1784. He presented a bell; value £10.12.0, to Moydow Church, which may be the one still in use. He died 24 April 1825, and was buried at Moydow cc38-9
are part of the same parish and the parish priest's residence is located in Ardagh. A former national school (date stone 1880) is located beside the church. The school closed in the 1960s and is currently used as a community center.
Luke Baxter 1999.
Available at Local Studies Section.
Longford Library HQ.
Ardagh & Moydow Parish Marriages [1792–1895]
Ardagh & Moydow Parish Baptisms [1793–1895]
Ardagh & Moydow Deaths [1822–1895]
Farrell, of Aghanaspick, appears as security " in the sum of £40, for the
good behaviour " of a " Popish " priest, then resident in Longford. At
that time this Mr. Farrell was the only native Catholic in the barony
of Moydow whose surety for the good conduct of the Roman Catholic
clergyman would be accepted. It will be seen that the
O'Farrell Boy, of Mornin, was granted a number of townlands, which
were erected into the Manor of Mornin in 1621. Amongst the town-
lands so left is that of Aghanaspick ; and taking into account the near
relations subsisting between the chieftains and their feudaries in those
days, it is certain that this family of Farrells may claim connection with, if not descent from, the O'Farrells Boy of Upper Annaly. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891
The local contributions for the poor of moydow, amount at present to £136 Irish. A poor market place held once each week for the distribution of oatmeal ( the only article provision used), at which those considered able to pay……
Longford
Longford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county...
in County Longford
County Longford
County Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland. It contains an old disused post office,disused school house used as a Community Centre, 2 pubs "The Vintage" and "Kearneys". Also it has one Roman Catholic Church and one disused Church of Ireland Church.
History of Moydow
Moydow was once part of a territory known as Tethba. The barony was formed from the territories of Clanawlye (ArdaghArdagh
Ardagh may refer to several villages in Ireland:* Ardagh, County Donegal* Ardagh, County Longford* Ardagh, County Limerick, where the Ardagh Hoard was found in 1868* Ardagh, County Mayo, south of Ballina...
& Moydow), and parts of the territories of Moybrawne (Taghshinny parish), Clanconnor (part Kilcommock, part Cashel parishes), and Muintergalgan.
Its ancient name was Cill-Modhint after St. Modhints church, which was destroyed by fire in 1155. (St. Modhint died in 591) Also in this area are the ruins of the oldest nunnery in Ireland.
The ancient name of this parish was Kilmodhain, or Kilmacdhumha,
so called from being the " kil " or cell of St, Modhain, or Modiud the
Simple, whose feast is celebrated, according to the "Lives of the
Saints," on 12 February. St. Modan lived about the year 591, when
he was made a bishop. Previous to this he had erected the Priory
of Moydow, no ruins of which now exist. It is said that one Brclaus,
a disciple and presbyter of St. Patrick, was a presbyter here for some
time after its erection. Mr. O'Donovan says this was one of the oldest
priories in Ireland. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891
Legend records that this was the site of the abbey of Kilmliodain, of which St. Modan or Moduid "the Simple," who was bishop of Carnfurbuidhe, was abbot in 591. The parish comprises 45771 statute acres, of which about 1203 are bog. A peculiar kind of stone, called pudding stone, is found on the isolated mountain of Slieve Gouldry, on the southern confines of the parish; and there is a quarry of freestone, which was worked for flags.
A topographical dictionary of Great Britain and Ireland. The Irish and Welsh ... – Page 866.
Year 858bc. An army composed of Lagenians, Connacians, and the
southern Hy Nialls, marched to Fiachla, under the conduct of Mael-
saghlin, the son of Maelrony, and encamped at Moydumha, in the
vicinity of Ardagh.From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1898
Saint Cremhthann or Saint Cremtand of Moydow
Extracted from the book "Lives of the Irish saints" By John O'Hanlon, Published 1923. Original from Oxford University.Slieve Gauldry (Castlerea Mountain)
About Castlerea Mountain is told a very old legend. This mountainis also called Slieve Gauldry, was anciently called Brigh Leath, and a legend is taken, in reference to it, from the Book of Tara. In this Book it is related, in the old Irish style, that a comely chieftain's son, named Leath, loved Bri, the daughter of a powerful chief who lived on this hill, then called Tu Uynahearinaghtrihi ; and, coming with his servants to Midir, her father,
asked the beautiful Bri as his wife. Midir refused to give her, where-
upon a fight ensued, and the result was that Leath was vanquished.
Bri then returned to her father's house, from which she had fled, and
died of a broken heart, the mountain ever after, until the last century
being called Bri Leath. It is now called Castlereagh Mountain, or
sometimes Slieve Gauldry."
Moydow Castle/Castlerea
At the foot of the Slieve Gauldry Hills is a ruined castle there seems to be a variation in historical accounts. While researching extensively for this project the following documentation seemed to be an accurate account of the Moydow Castle.1260
John de Verdon builds castle at Moydow (Co Longford).
1295
Sefraid O fergail destroys castle at Moydow (Co Longford). This castle, which was located immediately behind Bawn House, was levelled at the same time as Barry and Camagh castles.
Record show it was again occupied during the 14th and 16th centuries the castle (also called Castlerea Castle) is situated one mile from Moydow Village. On the right side of the structure the arched doorway is visible. The castle is solidly constructed with two feet thick rock walls and sits on solid ground. Once inside, looking up at the ceiling, or floor above the inside doorway, there is a hole about a foot square. This hole is common to many castles, including this type of tower castle. The opening is for viewing from above those entering the castle below. Friend or foe makes a big difference. This opening is called a "murder hole" and is used to stop those who are not welcome before they can proceed any further into the castle. By comparing this to other similar tower castles, we can assume that the lower floor was mainly a gathering place. The second floor was likely the dining area, the third floor would be the kitchen and the upper floors would be for sleeping.
Tower castles were used for lookouts and to send warnings. If a castle was under attack, a fire would be built on top of the castle. It could be seen for about fifty miles to the next tower castle. Warnings of attacks were sent along in this way. In ancient times, tower castles were spaced about fifty miles apart and the ruins can be seen periodically as you travel throughout Ireland.For further reading refer to "Medieval Castles of Ireland" By David Sweetman ISBN 0-85115-788-2. Extract: The great age of Irish castle-building began with the arrival of the Anglo-Normans, traditionally dated to 1169, and continued right up to the seventeenth century. This is a study of the archaeology of Irish castles, from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century, covering four hundred castles and earthworks.
To the left of the entrance is the opening to a tightly spiraling cut-stone staircase. The stairs spiral upward in a clockwise fashion for a purpose. If you are a right-handed intruder ascending the stairs, you must turn your body to expose more of it to use your sword, making you more vulnerable and a bigger target to those above.
The castle has been in the ownership of the Higgins family of the adjacent Castlerea House for the last 100 years.
Legend has it that some years ago a cow wandered into the castle and ascended the spiral staircase. Cows can go up but not back down stairs. At the direction of the then owner, William Higgins, a large hole was punched into the second level stone floor to lower the cow to the ground floor. (This is a local story which has at least some truth as there is a hole punched where indicated above)
There is a chalybeate
Chalybeate
Chalybeate waters, also known as ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.-Name:The word "chalybeate" is derived from the Latin word for steel, "chalybs", which follows from the Greek word "khalups"...
spring here but is not much used for medicinal purposes.
Bawn House
Another notable residence was Bawn House, near Moydow,now derelict. It was the home of the Monfort family for most of the eighteenth century and then passed to Caleb Barnes Harman, a land agent on the estate of the Harman family. He was fatally shot during a robbery at the house in January 1796.Immediately behind Bawn House stand the ruins of the ancient
Castle of Moydow, or Moydumha. Some people suppose that these
ruins formed the old Priory of St. Modiud the Simple. Such is not the
case. Anyone can see that the ruins now standing were surrounded
by a deep fortified moat, and that the building itself consisted of the
usual tower and square keep. This, in fact, was the ancient Castle of
the Lord of Moydumha, which was sacked in the thirteenth century at
the time that Barry and Camagh Castles were levelled. I am sure
that if any expert in antiquarian matters visits these ruins, he will
agree with me as to their original purpose.
There is a very tragic story told in connexion with Bawn House.
In 1770 the "Whiteboys" were very strong in numbers and very
determined in action all over Ireland. As history tells, they were
first called " Levellers," from the fact of their assembling at night and
leTelling the fences with which the landlords endeavoured to enclose
certain commons that had previously belonged to the people. But the
pent-up agony of a long persecuted race having once found vent, was
not to be easily crushed, and for a period of twenty years the " White-
boys " were the only protection the unfortunate Catholics had in their
troubles. These men, most of whom banded themselves together for
the one noble object— to relieve their distressed condition – when going
to do any act of violence, blackened their faces and put on a white shirt
over their dress as a disguise, from which they were called " White-
boys." For many years they, by the very terror of their name, imposed
a restraint on the landlords and agents who were inclined to oppress
the people – which was most essential to the very existence of the latter ;
and when they were at length condemned by the priests of the Church,
it was because unscrupulous persons had, by bloody acts, turned the
association to their own base purposes.
About the year 1780 there lived in Bawn House a certain Captain
Barnes, agent over several estates in the neighbourhood of Moydow,
and famed among the people as an uncompromising exterminator of
the tenants, whom he ruled with a rod of iron. On a certain
November night he was after collecting the rents of his estates, and
was engaged upstairs with' his clerk in counting up his money and
making out his accounts. Wlaile thus engaged, a thundering summons
came to the front door, and immediately divining the cause, Barnes and
his clerk piled up a lot of furniture on the main stairway, first locking
the room in which the money was left. The summons to open the door
not being answered, the men, who were Whiteboys that had previously
committed several acts of violence in the neighbourhood, burst it in with
a log of a tree, which they used as a ram, and were about to rush
upstairs when Barnes fired down on them. The shot did not kill any
person, and the leader of the party, seeing Barnes about to fire again,
immediately took aim and shot him dead on the top of the stairs. The
rest of them then ran up and knocked the clerk on the head, leaving him
senseless, whilst they entered Barnes' office and abstracted every penny
he was after receiving that day. The military authorities hearing of
the attack, turned out next day from Longford and captured a dozen
of men, of whom several were hanged on the evidence of an informer,
who did not receive any of the money taken from Barnes, and turned
king's evidence on that account. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891
Mount Jessop
Another family worthy of notice, in days past, were the Jessops, not of Doory Hall, but of Mount Jessop. They were owners of a fine tract of ground in Moydow, which they lost by their inveterate passion for gambling about some years ago. They are said to have become possessed of the estate in a curious way. It is told that one day, during the plantation regime, there came a discharged soldier to the town of Longford, who asked to be shown certain portions of land in Moydow which he was after being granted for his services to the Parliament. The man that met him was a butler in the local inn in Longford, who was possessed of some money ; and he volunteered to show the discharged trooper the lands. He conducted him up to the top of Castlerea, or Slieve Gauldry Mountain, and pointed out to him the bleakest and most uninviting portions of that sterile hill. The man was much disgusted with the prospect before him, and said if he saw any man who would give him £5 and a horse to carry him to Dublin, he would sell him his right to the lands. The butler took him at his word, handed him out the money, and got him a horse, and in return received the title-deeds of a property which he converted into the Mount Jessop Estate, being the first of its owners himself. " 1ll got, ill gone," is, however, an old maxim, and the last owner of the lands put them beyond his reach for ever, by risking them on a gameof cards at a ball in the Military Barracks of Longford, and losing
them, as well as every penny he was possessed of, in one night.From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891.
The young Francis Jessop, of Mount Jessop, committed suicide whilst High Sheriff of Co. Longford (1836).
Horrible murder in the County of Longford
We have just heard that a most dreadful murder was committed last Sunday night, on the road between Ballymahon, and the town of Longford. It appears, that a young man named Thomas Needham, son to the Clerk of the Parish of Moydow, being on his way home, fell in company with some persons who were drinking in an unlicensed whiskey house, no quarrel whatever seems to have occurred there, but soon after leaving that place, the unfortunate Needham was murdered in the most barbarous manner – his skull was beaten all to pieces with stones, his eyes knocked into the head, and his face altogether so contused, as to render it quite frightful to behold. The body was dragged through hedges and ditches nearly half a mile, and then deposited in a boghole, where it was found next day nearly naked. Needham was robbed of clothes and money, as well as deprived of life. There being no Coroner in the County, the neighbouring Magistrates, viz: Sir George Fetherston, Major O'Donoghue, Mr. Kingston of Mosstown, and the Rev. James Moffett, have been during the last two days holding an Inquest, which was not concluded when our Correspondent closed his letter. Through the extreme activity of the Constabulary, the whole of the persons implicated in this atrocious affair, have been taken into custody, and there is little doubt, we are happy to say, but that the guilty will be shortly brought to condign punishment. Rather a singular circumstance is concerned with this murderous transaction – exactly three years from the evening on which Needham met his shocking fate, he, while engaged with some youthful companions, threw a small stone at one of them, which missing the object aimed at, struck on the head of a woman who happened to be passing, a fracture was the consequence, and death in some time ensued, although the misfortune was purely accidental, vengeance was denounced by the relatives of the deceased – Catholic blood was spilt by the hand of an Heretic, and accident was considered as no sufficient excuse – The Parish Clerk's sons were afterwards assaulted wherever they appeared – some, to avoid persecution, found it necessary to enlist as soldiers, while the ill-fated subject of the present article, had to seek for service in distant places, from whence he was returning to visit his family, when cruelly butchered by his relentless foes.SOURCE: WESTMEATH JOURNAL – 1827 February 15 News
Abbeyderg Monastery
Distant about five miles (8 km) due south from Longford, is the Cemeteryof Abbey Dearg, in which stands the crumbling ruins of what was once
a priory for Regular Canons of the Order of St. Augustine. This priory
was founded about the year 1205, by Grormgal O'Quinn, Lord of Rath-
cline, and was dedicated to St. Peter; and in 1217, the first abbot of
the monastery, Osin by name, died and was interred here. On the
death of Brendan Jifagodaig, Bishop of Ardagh, in 1255, his remains
also were interred in this priory, which continued to exist until 1550,
when it was suppressed, and the buildings and land, to the value of £2
annually, Irish money, were bestowed on one Nicholas Alymor, an
English soldier. The existing ruins of, the Abbey of Dearg prove it to have been a most perfect monastic structure. The plate which is not a very perfect one, owing to the entire demolition of the main walls of the building, and the complete covering of the walls, showing the eastern and southern window by a thick coat of impenetrable ivy. The ruins have been examined minutely, and the conclusion is that it consisted of a main chancel (of chapel), vestry, dining-room, dormitory, and a number of cells. The principal walls of all, except the southern and eastern portion of the chancel, are now demolished to a height of two or three feet.
Townlands in Moydow
Aghinaspick, Aughine, Ballinvoher, Barroe, Bawn, Bawn Mountain, Bunalough, Castlerea, Castlerea Mountain, Cloghan, Cloonevit, Cloonker, Cloonmucker, Commock, Curraghmore, Garranboy, Keelogalabaun, Lisgurry, Meeltanagh, Mollyroe, Monascallaghan, Mountjessop, Moydow Glebe, Nappagh, Toneen.Map of Townslands:
Longford County Library reference to the townslands of Moydow:
Pre 1800 Census
1639 Census showed that McGiff was a principal name in Moydow. McGiff Cross is still an area of Moydow in Longford.
1911 Census
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Longford/Moydow/By order of the Governors of Ireland, a census of this Ireland was taken in the year 1659, when the population of the Moydow barony was found to be laid out as follows: There were 182 Irish and 4 English. The principal Irish families were : – The Caseys, 12 people ; Oormicks and MacCormicks, 19 ; Donlans, 7 ; Dooners, 5 ; Duffs, 6 ; Farrells, 23 ; Kennys, 16; Morrows, 7; Powers, 6; Keegans, 7; and M'Evoys, 6. The local gentry were : – Thomas Newcomen, of Ballinamore ; and
"Walter Tuite, of Castlereagh.
1660 The McGaver Family.
Flax growers in Moydow & Longford – 1796.
Note circa 1830
Ardagh and Moydow, which formerly were distinct parishes, are
now united, and form one parish
There are two chapels in it – Ardagh and Moydow, the former being a beautiful new building, which was consecrated in 1882 by Most Eev. Dr. Woodlock, assisted by the Most Rev. Dr. M'Grettigan, of Armagh, and at the grand foundation ceremony of which the late great orator. Father Tom Burke, O.P., preached one of his finest sermons. The church, which is cruciform in shape, and has a
splendid front entrajnce, is built of fine dressed stone, nicely ornamented
with brown and white marble, whilst the interior decorations, both of
painting, plastering, and wood-carving, are of the most costly and
fashionable description. It has been named " St. Brigid's Church," and
is well worthy of being the church of a diocesan parish. The other is
situated in Moydow, and is a plain, unadorned country chapel, of an
old pattern in building. The Roman Catholic element in this parish is
decidedly strong, although their ranks have been sadly thinned from
time to time by eviction, emigration, and reverses of fortune. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin, 1891.
Most common surnames in Moydow in 1854:
| Surname | No. of households |
|---|---|
| Farrell | 31 |
| Dowd | 10 |
| Donelan | 9 |
| McGarry | 8 |
| Ward | 6 |
| Kelly | 5 |
| Kennedy | 5 |
| Moran | 5 |
| York | 5 |
| Bole | 4 |
Moydow COI Church
The Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
church is a small plain building without a tower, erected about 80 years since, and was repaired in 1831, by aid of a loan of £50. Thomas Jessop born 1741, inherited Mount Jessop from his brother in 1784. He presented a bell; value £10.12.0, to Moydow Church, which may be the one still in use. He died 24 April 1825, and was buried at Moydow cc38-9
Moydow R.C Church & Old National School
The Catholic church is located in the cente of the Moydow village and the date stone on the front of the building states 1838. Moydow and ArdaghArdagh
Ardagh may refer to several villages in Ireland:* Ardagh, County Donegal* Ardagh, County Longford* Ardagh, County Limerick, where the Ardagh Hoard was found in 1868* Ardagh, County Mayo, south of Ballina...
are part of the same parish and the parish priest's residence is located in Ardagh. A former national school (date stone 1880) is located beside the church. The school closed in the 1960s and is currently used as a community center.
Moydow graveyard inventory
From Page and Stone. Ancestral Records of Moydow Co. Longford.Luke Baxter 1999.
Available at Local Studies Section.
Longford Library HQ.
Ardagh & Moydow Parish Marriages [1792–1895]
Ardagh & Moydow Parish Baptisms [1793–1895]
Ardagh & Moydow Deaths [1822–1895]
O'Farrell early history Moydow
They are some of the old O'Ferrall Bane stock, who have never parted with the idea of their ancient descent. After them one would put the family of the Farrells of Aghanaspick, who, on the female side, are descended from the oldest family in the barony of Moydow.In " A Eclestiacy of Popish Priests, compiled by order of one of the penal statutes of Queen Anne, in 1704, the name of MichaelFarrell, of Aghanaspick, appears as security " in the sum of £40, for the
good behaviour " of a " Popish " priest, then resident in Longford. At
that time this Mr. Farrell was the only native Catholic in the barony
of Moydow whose surety for the good conduct of the Roman Catholic
clergyman would be accepted. It will be seen that the
O'Farrell Boy, of Mornin, was granted a number of townlands, which
were erected into the Manor of Mornin in 1621. Amongst the town-
lands so left is that of Aghanaspick ; and taking into account the near
relations subsisting between the chieftains and their feudaries in those
days, it is certain that this family of Farrells may claim connection with, if not descent from, the O'Farrells Boy of Upper Annaly. From History Of County Longford Illustrated. By James P. Farrell.Dollard Printing House, Dublin. 1891
Report of the Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Districts in Moydow, circa 1823
From Mark Bloxham, Jnr. Esq. Moydow. County of Longford. 26 June 1822.Original from the New York Public LibraryThe local contributions for the poor of moydow, amount at present to £136 Irish. A poor market place held once each week for the distribution of oatmeal ( the only article provision used), at which those considered able to pay……
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland
Additional information
- Origin of Moydow name
- Forfeiting Proprieters of the 17th century. From County Longford Genealogy & Family History Notes by Michael C. O'Laughlin.
- Alexander Orme. Priest of Moydow 1863
- 1332 – Rents payable to the DeVerdun Heirs. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology ..., Volumes 66–67 By Royal Irish Academy.
- Board Of Works 1847. Extract from the Journal of Major Bolton. The Sessional Papers Printed By Order Of The House Of Lords, or presented – Pages 111, 202,42,180 & 198.
- Castlerea Moydow RIC. From "Devia Hibernia" : The road and route guide for Ireland of the Royal Irish Constabulary, page 93.
- John Vershoyle Crawford. RIC Constable Moydow 1872. From Royal Irish Constabulary officers: a biographical dictionary and genealogical guide, page 106.
- Confiscation of the Barony of Moydow. Cromwellian Period. 'The Irish And Anglo-Irish Landed Gentry, When Cromwell Came to Ireland: Or a supplement to Irish pedigrees' By John O'Hart.
- Evidence of Certification of Registry 1832 for Timothy Cline, Farmer. Clonwit Moydow. From THE MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE COMMITTEE OF THE CARLOW COUNTY, page 154.
- O'Ferrals of Mornin and Bawn 1688
- 1831 – Details of Males over 20 at Moydow and surrounding parish. From Accounts And Papers: Seventeen Volumes – Page 61
- Banshee at Moydow – Documented evidence 1981
- Condition of Poorer classes in Ireland. Moydow and Taughshinod. Compiled By Rev William Armstrong.Page 91. Reports from Commissioners 15 Volumes
- Testing at Keel, Moydow, from The Mining journal: A record of mining and metallurgical progress, Volume 264
- Nelson's surgeon: William Beatty, naval medicine, and the battle of Trafalgar By L. W. B. Brockliss, John Cardwell, Michael Moss, Michael S. Moss. Page 170
- Illustrations, historical and genealogical of King James's Irish army list By John D'Alton. Page 109
- Dublin Metropolitan Police. Peter Farrel Born 1849. Moydow From The Dublin Metropolitan Police: a short history and genealogical guide By Jim Herlihy
- The O'Cuinns or O'Quins of Moydow From Irish family history, Page 84. Volume 1 By Richard Francis Cronnelly
- Captain Beatty ancestor of Archdeacon Beatty of Moydow From Mackenzie's memorials of the Siege of Derry: including his narrative and its ... Page 52. By John Mackenzie, William Dool Kille.
- Placename Database of Ireland – Moydow
- Census returns, Moydow Parish (Longford), 1901–1911
- Extract from the House of Lords
- HC Deb 2 March 1909 vol 1 c1400W Evicted Tenants (Bawn Mountain)
- Colonel M'Cutchen offered grazing land at Munis Callaghan
- County Longford Postmasters. HC Deb 21 November 1916 vol 87 cc1254-5W Moydow Post office closed
- Closing Moydow Post Office. HC Deb 13 July 1916 vol 84 cc561-2W. Postal Facilities, county Longford.
- Constabulary Rates (Ireland). HC Deb 28 July 1910 vol 19 cc2331-2
- Occupation of Bawn House
- Land Purchase (Moydow County Longford) HC Deb 19 April 1910 vol 16 cc1887-8
- "Reinstate Joseph Coughlan, of Cloonmucker, an evicted tenant of this estate, and to enlarge the uneconomic holdings around this grazing ranch, so much needed by small tenant farmers?"
- Land Purchase (Ireland). HC Deb 1 March 1917 vol 90 cc2152-3
- "uneconomic tenants adjoining of the lands of Monascallaghan on the McCutchcon estate, barony of Moydow"
- FOOD PRODUCTION (IRELAND). Mr James Farrell Commons – 5 July 1917
- "asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that 350 acres of the lands of Bawn, in the barony of Moydow and county of Long-ford, have been recently seized by the Department."
- Napaogue Moydow – Redeeming a Tithe. 29 October 1912
- Report of the Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor ..., Volumes 12–14, by Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor of Ireland.