RATHMORE

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

"RATHMORE, a parish in the barony of North Naas, county Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, 4 miles E. of Naas, its post town. The surface is traversed by the road from Dublin to Ballymore-Eustace. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Dublin, value with Tipper, £317, in the patronage of the archbishop. The church was erected by the late Board of First Fruits in 1776. The parish is united to Blessington in the Roman Catholic arrangement. There is a school supported by the Erasmus Smith charity, and another depending on private charity. The name of the parish signifies the "Great Rath," which is seen near the church."

"HARRISTOWN, a village in the parish of Rathmore, in the barony of North Naas, county Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles E. of Kilcullen. It is situated on the banks of the Liffey, and contains a police station. Harristown, though now an obscure village, was formerly a parliamentary borough, incorporated by charter granted 23 Charles II. It held a weekly market and two fairs annually. In 1650 the castle of the Eustaces, who were proprietors of the town, was captured by the parliamentarians. Harristown House is the principal residence."

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