Dowth

DOWTH, a parish, in the barony of UPPER-SLANE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 3 miles (S. E.) from Slane, on the river Boyne; containing 362 inhabitants. This parish, which comprises about 1600 statute acres, was a principal scene of the battle of the Boyne, and is the residence of the Netterville family, the head of which was ennobled by Jas. I., with the title of Viscount Netterville of Dowth. The mansion called Dowth is in a demesne of more than 300 statute acres, in which is a large rath, also an extensive tumulus containing subterraneous passages in which a number of human and other bones have been found. The parish is in the diocese of Meath; the rectory is partly impropriate in W. D. Pollard, Esq., and partly appropriate to the vicarage of St. Mary, Drogheda; the vicarage forms part of the union of Duleek. The tithes amount to £92.6.2., and the glebe comprises 19½ acres, valued at £30 per annum. The late Lord Netterville left 60 acres of land for the support of six aged women and six orphan boys: the castle built by Hugh de Lacy has been altered and repaired for their accommodation, and also for a school supported out of the same bequest.

A considerable part of the old church remains: it was the burial-place of the Netterville family, and contains a monument of the late lord. Here is a cromlech, consisting of four large upright stones, with several others lying near.

from Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837.