CARNEW

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

"CARNEW, a parish and market town, partly in the barony of Shillelagh, in the county of Wicklow, and partly in the baronies of Gorey and Scarawalsh, in the county of Wexford, province of Leinster, Ireland, 40 miles to the S.W. of Wicklow, and 60 miles to the S. of Dublin. It is situated in a hilly, but fertile and cultivated country, and contains the village of Shillelagh. The town was partially burned in 1798, during the rebellion, the insurgents advancing to this place after defeating the troops under Colonel Walpole. The town stands in a healthy situation, and contains some neat residences. Manufactories of tobacco and snuff employ some of the workpeople. Granite is found in the parish, and there are quarries of slate and building stone. Petty sessions are held, and a police force is stationed here. The sessions-house, a pretty building, was erected by Earl Fitzwilliam, who made many improvements in the place. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Ferns, value £548 net, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is a handsome structure, with a tower and spire, and contains several monuments. The cannon balls fired at the church passed through some of the tombstones, which still retain the marks. The Wesleyan Methodists have a chapel here, and there are several schools. In the village of Shillelagh is a very neat church, built chiefly by the late Earl Fitzwilliam, whose residence, Coolattin Park, is partly within the parish. The other chief residences are Carnew Castle, Bally Ellis, Bullingate, Tombrean, and Donishall. Thursday is the market day. Fairs are held on the first Thursday after the 12th of February, May, August, and November, for the sale of horses and cattle, and other fairs on the 1st April, July, and October, and the 22nd December."

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