CLONYGOOSE

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

"CLONYGOOSE, (or Clonagoose, or Cloneyford), a parish in the barony of East Idrone in the county of Carlow, province of Leinster, Ireland. The parish is bordered by the river Barrow, and contains the post town of Borris. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Leighlin, value £163, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is modern; previous to its erection public worship was held in a part of Borris Castle. The Roman Catholic chapel is united with those of Kintennel and St. Mullins. There are several schools. Just without the boundary of the parish is the demesne of Kilcaldrum.

"BORRIS, (or Borris-idrone), a village in the parish of Clonygoose, barony of East Idrone, in the county of Carlow, province of Leinster, Ireland, 17 miles to the S. of Carlow, or 19 miles by railway, and 67 miles from Dublin, or 74 miles by railway. It is a station on the Bagnalstown and Wexford branch of the Great Southern and Western railway. It is seated near the river Barrow, on the Borris rivulet, within view of Mount Leinster, Blackstairs, and the White Mountain, which present a most picturesque appearance from the town. It contains a court-house, in which petty sessions are held once a fortnight, and small barracks, and is a chief station of police. There is a Roman Catholic chapel, a large school-house, a dispensary, and two Church Education schools, supported by Mr. Kavanagh. Burris House, a fine old mansion in a spacious and well-wooded park, a great resort of pleasure parties and picnics in summer, is the seat of the Kavanaghs, a family who trace their descent from M'Murrough, the last king of Leinster, and who have resided here for centuries. The house stood a siege by the Irish in 1642, and its defenders repulsed two assaults in 1798. There is a private chapel connected with the mansion, beautifully constructed, which now answers as a parish church. Mr. Kavanagh has just completed extensive saw-mills within the domain and near the town is a handsome viaduct of 16 arches, belonging to the Bagnalstown railway. Fairs for the sale of cattle, sheep, &c., are held in the village on the 1st January, the 5th February, the 1st May, the 2nd July, the 15th August, the 4th October, and the 14th November.

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