BALTINGLASS

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

"BALTINGLASS, a parish and market town, chiefly in the barony of Upper Talbotstown, in the county of Wicklow, but partly in the barony of Rathvilly, in the county of Carlow, and province of Leinster, Ireland, 28 miles to the W. of Wicklow, and 37 miles from Dublin. It is situated in a pleasant valley on the banks of the river Slaney, which is crossed by a stone bridge of three arches. In early times it formed part of the kingdom of Leinster. A Cistercian monastery was founded here in the 12th century, by one of the Cavanaghs, kings of Leinster, which was afterwards constituted a mitred abbey. At the Dissolution, this house, and the castle and manor, were given by Henry VIII. to Thomas Eustace. On the subsequent forfeiture of their estates by his heirs, they were granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir John Harrington. The town received the grant of markets and fairs from James I. and Charles II., and in 1663 it became a corporation. From that time it sent two representatives to the Irish parliament until the Union. The town is situated on the road from Dublin to Wexford, and has a good trade. Many hands are employed in silk winding and the neighbouring flour-mills. There are barracks for infantry, a court-house, and a bridewell. A police force is stationed here, and petty sessions are held weekly. Quarter sessions are also held here. A savings-bank, an infirmary, and a dispensary have been established. Baltinglass is the seat of a Poor-law Union, and the Union house is situated about 1 mile from the town. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Ossory, Ferns, and Leighlin, of the value of £474, in the patronage of the Rev. William Norton, incumbent. The church stands on part of the site of the old abbey. There are chapels belonging to the Roman Catholics and the Wesleyans. The rums of the abbey are extensive, and include several fine Gothic arches, supported on circular and square columns. Some Norman gateways remain of the castle, which is now used as a farmhouse. There are two raths or entrenchments, with moats, on Baltinglass Hill, which is 1,256 feet in height. Coins and human remains have been found there. The seats are-Stratford Lodge, the residence of the Stratfords, who take the title of Viscount from Baltinglass: this ancient mansion is now in ruins, having been recently burned; Sounders' Grove and Golden Fort, seats of the Sounders; and Slaney Park, the seat of Captain Grogan. Friday is the market day. Fairs are held on the 9th January, the 2nd February, the 17th March the 12th May, the 1st July, the 12th September, and the 8th December."

"TALBOTSTOWN, a village in the parish of Baltinglass, barony of Talbotstown, county Wicklow, Ireland, 3 miles S.E. of Baltinglass, and 27 S.W. of Wicklow. It is situated near the three-arched bridge, on the river Slaney."

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