ARDAGH

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

"ARDAGH, a parish chiefly in the barony of Ardagh, partly also in that of Moydow, in the county of Longford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 4 miles to the S.W. of Edgworthstown. The town is of great antiquity, being mentioned before the middle of the 5th century. It was made the seat of a bishopric before 454. The diocese now forms part of that of Kilmore, Elphin, and Ardagh. This place was the site of a friary of the Franciscan order, founded at an early period by the O'Ferralls, and reformed in the 16th century. The town is situated on high ground near Ardagh Hill, which rises to the height of 403 feet. The soil is good and mostly under tillage. There is some bog. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Kilmore, Elphin, and Ardagh, value £399, in the patronage of the crown. The church is a modern one with a square tower. There are remains of the ancient cathedral, and also of the church which took its place. St. Moll, a disciple of St. Patrick, and the first bishop and abbot of Ardagh, was interred here. Ardagh is a police station, and petty sessions are held weekly. Ardagh House is interesting as the scene of the humorous incident in the life of Oliver Goldsmith, on which he founded his play of "She Stoops to Conquer," originally called "Mistakes of a Night." Fairs are held on the 5th April and the 24th August."

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