LEA

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

"LEA, (or Ley), a parish in the barony of Portnahinch, Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, containing Ballybrittas, its post town, and part of the town of Portarlington. The parish is 7 miles long by 5 broad at the widest part. The surface lies along the Grand canal and the river Barrow. It is crossed by the roads from Dublin to Limerick, and from Dublin to Birr. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Kildare, value £238, in the patronage of the bishop. The church was built in 1809 by private contributions. There are two Roman Catholic chapels, a Methodist meeting-house, and several day schools. Lansdowne House is the principal residence. There are two or three ruined churches, and several raths. The principal building of antiquity is Lea Castle, which was founded in 1260 by the De Vesey family, but was demolished by Bruce in 1315. It was subsequently restored, and came into the hands of the Fitzgeralds.

"BALLYBRITTAS, a village in the parish of Lea, and barony of Portnahinch, in Queen's County, province of Leinster, Ireland, 9 miles to the N.E. of Maryborough, and 42 miles from Dublin. In this village is the Pass of -Plumes, a spot so named in commemoration of a battle fought here in the reign of Queen Elizabeth between the English, under the Earl of Essex, and the Irish, under O'Dempsey and O'Moore. The English were defeated, and their plumes were cut off by the victors. There are several pleasant seats in the neighbourhood. A police station is established, and petty sessions are held once a fortnight. The O'Dempseys had a castle here."

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