RATHGOGGAN

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

"RATHGOGGAN, a parish and market town in the barony of Orrery and Kilmore, in the county of Cork, province of Munster, Ireland. The town, which has a station on the Great Southern and Western railway, is 34 miles N.N.W. of Cork, and 129 from Dublin by rail. The Cork and Limerick direct line branches off here. The town is situated at the cross roads from Cork to Limerick, and from Kanturk to Kilmallock. It was founded in 1661 by Roger Lord Broghill, first Earl of Orrery, who built here a castle of much grandeur, which was destroyed by the Duke of Berwick in 1690. Charleville became a borough in the reign of Charles II., at the instance of Lord Broghill, who was active in promoting the advance of the then village. It returned two members to the Irish parliament before the Union, and was governed by a sovereign, 2 bailiffs, and burgesses.

The corporation has long since been dissolved, and the town is now much decayed, containing only 2,500 inhabitants. It contains the district bridewell, court-house, dispensary, and a branch of the National Bank. A part of the inhabitants are occupied in the corn-mills and tan-yard. The living is a vicarage united with Ballyhea, in the diocese of Cloyne, and in the patronage of the bishop. The Earl of Cork is entitled to the rectorial tithes, which amount to two-thirds of the rent-charge; the remaining third goes to the vicar. The church, a remarkably chaste and elegant building, with tower, and steeple, was erected in 1845. The late Earl of Cork contributed £800 towards its erection. There is a Roman Catholic chapel. The school at which Baron Yelverton was educated was originally endowed by the first Earl of Cork and Orrery. The name of the town was altered from Rathgogan to Charleville, after Charles II., by the Earl of Orrery. Here are the ruins of Ballysallagh church, in the grounds of which is a monument to an Irish poet who translated Homer into the Erse language. Several schools have been established in the parish. Sanderspark and Fortlands are among the principal residences. Near Moatville are the ruins of a seat of Lord Orrery, which was burnt in the war of 1688.

The principal seats are Sanders Park, Fortlands, Miltown, Castle-Harrison, Cooline, and Ardskagh. The manor belongs to the Earl of Cork. The market day is Saturday. Fairs are held on the 10th January, 16th March, 12th May, 15th August, 10th October, and 12th November.

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