Ballymore Eustace Residents 1911 (Census)

Residents of Ballymore Eustace Village (only) 2011

House 1911                 Type of              No in     Rooms      Windows    2011
No.     Occupier           Building              Family   Occupied   in Front
     
1     Kate Winder        Private dwelling       4         3               2
2     Patrick Golden     Private dwelling       1         2               2
3     Jane Finlan           Private dwelling       2         3               3
4     Henry Donnelly    Private dwelling        3        4               4
5     Sarah Doyle         Private dwelling        1        2               2
6     Joseph McBride   Private dwelling       4         4               3
7     Rose Anne Byrne Private dwelling        3        3               3
8     Catherina Halpin   Lodging House      10        5               5
9     Michael Fitzsimons Private dwelling      1        2               2
10   James Doyle         Cloth Shop              8        7               6
11   Courthouse   
12   Sarah Burke         Private dwelling        3      10               5
13   Mary Anne Kelly  Private dwelling        1        2               2
14   Peter McLoughlin Private dwelling        6        2               2
15   Martin Hayden     Private dwelling      10        5               3
16   Daniel Murphy     Public House            7        9               5
17   Charlie O'Neill     Private dwelling        7        6               9
18   Kate Hines          Private dwelling         2        6              6
19   Post office,Shop   
20   Mary Anne Pollard Private dwelling      1        2              2
21   William Kelly       Private dwelling         5        4              4
22   James Smyth        Private dwelling        6         3              5
23   James Shannon    Private dwelling         6        3              3
24   John J Byrne        Public House             7      12            10
25   Dispensary   
26   Richard Hines     Private dwelling           3       7              5
27   Mary Purcell       Public House              2      10              5 
28   Thomas Driver    Public House              4        8              6
29   Thomas Devoy   Private dwelling           2        3              2
30   Eliza Byrne         Lodging House            9        4              4
31   Anne Doran       Public House                6        7             5
32   Patrick Winder   Private dwelling            3        1             1
33   Margaret Loughlin Private dwelling         5        3             3
34   Thomas Fisher    Private dwelling            4        1             1
35   John Madden     Private dwelling            6         1            1
36   Margaret Hackett Shop                          2        3             1
37   Mary Norton     Private dwelling             1        5             4
38   George Gammall Shop                            9        8             6
39   Rev. F. Byrne    Private dwelling             2        8             8
40   Patrick Tracey   Private dwelling             8        1             2
41   Sarah O'Neill     Private dwelling             5        5             5
42   Mary C MacGuire Private dwelling         2        5             4
43   Butcher Shop   
44   John Comerford Shop                            4        4             4
45   Gregory Doyle   Shop                            4        4             2
46   Thomas Deegan Private dwelling            9        3             1
47   Edw'd Stephenson Shop                        4        9             5
48   Dr. W.S. Dodd Private dwelling             4      12             5
49   Marie Homan    Private dwelling             4       5              5
50   Anne Devoy      Private dwelling             3       2              2
House 1911             Type of                    No in    Rooms      Windows
No.     Occupier       Building                   Family   Occupied   in Front
     
51   Thomas Kerry   Private welling               2       2              2
52   James Freeman  Private dwelling             4       2              2
53                            Private dwelling   
54   James Deegan   Private dwelling              3       2              2
55   Eliza Keogh       Private dwelling             3       2              2
56   William Hughes  Private dwelling             1       2              2
57   George Whittle  Private dwelling              1       2              2
58   John Dolan        Private dwelling              8       2              2
59   Margaret Broughal Private dwelling         6        2             3
60   Bridget Whelan Private dwelling              4       2              2
61   Julia Connolly   Private dwelling               3       2              2
62   Matt Travers    Private dwelling               4       2              2
63   John Devoy      Private dwelling               4       2              2
64   Patrick Devoy  Private dwelling               2       2              2
65   Kate Deegan    Private dwelling               1       2              2
66   Patrick Toole   Shop                               5       6              5
67   Edward Mary   Private dwelling               2       2              2
68   Joseph Devoy   Private dwelling               6       3              2
69   Paper Shop   
70   Shop   
71   Michael Berkly Public House                   5       4              8
72   George Farrell  Shop                               3       6              7
73   George McGuire Private dwelling            5        3              2
74   Mary A Molyneux Private dwelling          2       2              2
75   Winifred Gorman Private dwelling            4       2              2
76   John Purcell       Lodging House               5       5              3
77   George Allen     Private dwelling              3        3              3
78   Mary Quinn       Private dwelling              3       2               1
79   Mary McGarry  Private dwelling              2        1              1
80   Bridget Curley   Private dwelling              4       2               1
81   Ellen Devoy      Private dwelling               5       2              2
82   Eliza Walsh       Private dwelling              3        2              2
83   Annie Pender    Private dwelling              8        2              2
84   John Barrett      Shop                              2        2              2
85   William Hennessy Private dwelling         11        5              6
86   Margaret Devoy Private dwelling             6        3              2
87   R. C. Church    
88   Arthur Corrigan Private dwelling              1        8              4
89   Unoccupied       Private dwelling   
90   James Devoy     Private dwelling              8        3              3
91   Patrick Whittle   Private dwelling              2        3              2
92   Michael Dwyer   Private dwelling             7        4              3
93   Mary Anne Byrne Private dwelling           2        3              3
94   Anne Cox           Private dwelling             1        4              4
95   Michael Gregory Private dwelling             4        3              3
96   Mary Jordan     Shop                               6        8              5
97   Kate F Reid      Private dwelling               2        8              7
98   Frank Whittle    Private dwelling               8        2              2
99   Rev F McCarthy Private dwelling             3      14              7
100 Michael Hayden Private dwelling              2        2              2
House  1911            Type of                       No in    Rooms       Windows
No.     Occupier       Building                      Family   Occupied   in Front
     
101 Patrick Synnot   Private dwelling              2        6               9
102 John King          Private dwelling              2        4               4
103 Patrick Kerry    Private dwelling               3       2                2
104 John Hayden     Private dwelling               5       2                2
105 Margaret Carroll Private dwelling             4        3               2
106 Bridget Nolan    Private dwelling              2        3               2
107 John Geoghegan Lodging House              9        6               2
108 James Kelly       Private dwelling              6        2               2
109 Bridget Dwyer   Private dwelling              1        2               2
110 Kate McDonald Private dwelling             1         1               1
111 Margaret Byrne  Private dwelling             2         3               4
112 Thomas Malone  Private dwelling            1         2               2
113 Patrick Doran    Private dwelling             2         6               5
114 Patrick Doyle     Private dwelling             2         3               2
115 Thomas Arthury Private dwelling           15         4               3
116 Unoccupied       Private dwelling   
117 Robert Doran    Private dwelling             4         2               2
118 James McGrath Private dwelling             1         1               2
119 Sergt. Mc Guirk R.I.C. Barrack             1         6               6
120 Protestant Church  
121 Band Room   
122 Market House   
123 Woollen Mill   
124 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
125 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
126 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
127 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
128 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
129 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   
130 Unoccupied      Private dwelling   

 

Flooding at Riverwalk & Scoil Mhuire 2009 & 2011

Following heavy rain on Saturday/Sunday 28/29th November 2009 flooding and damage occured to the Riverwalk and Scoil Mhuire. The following photographs taken after the worst of the flooding gives some indication of what happened.

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Continue reading "Flooding at Riverwalk & Scoil Mhuire 2009 & 2011" »

TIDY TOWNS ADJUDICATION REPORT 2008/2009/2010/2011

Tidy Towns Competition 2008
Adjudication Report

Centre: Ballymore Eustace             Ref:  357
County: Kildare                           Mark:  262
Category:   B                            Date(s):     07/07/2008                                                    

  Max.Mark Mark 2008
Overall Development Approach 50 33
The Built Environment 50 35
Landscaping 50 38
Wildlife and Natural Amenities 50 34
Litter Control 50 32
Waste Minimisation 20 5
Tidiness 30 16
Residential Areas 40 30
Roads, Streets and Back Areas 50 31
General Impression 10 8
Total Mark 400 262

Overall Development Approach:
NOTE : You were in Category C last year. You have applied for Category B this year. This is correct, as your population is within the B Category threshold as per Census 2006.

Go raibh maith agaibh go leir! Thank you to Ballymore Eustace TidyTowns and to the community you represent for having given selflessly of your time in working towards entering Ballymore Eustace in this 50th anniversary year of the TidyTowns Competition!
Ballymore Eustace is a small village with a good number of people involved on your committee. Your submission has been put together in a very professional format. It is most interesting, and informative, clear and extensive. You have drawn on the resources of many bodies, agencies and local businesses, including your local authority. You list these for us in your submission. Obviously they hold your group in high regard. You have an extensive media coverage organised. Thank you for letting us have copies of relevant media coverage. We hope that you communicate with all churches attended by any of your residents. Well done on your website. Thank you for submitting your five year plan. It is a pity that you did not detail the consultation process involved in drawing up your Plan. We assume that you held public meetings in this regard, but this is not clear from your submission, nor is it clear from the plan itself. We assume that you have launched your plan. We hope that it was well received. You appear to have listed specific projects for 2008 and 2009 only, with the rest included as "ongoing", presumably 2008-2013. Your school is a great resource for you. Thank you for enclosing the happy photograph of all your great helpers at Scoil Mhuire! We note your concern with the paperwork. We think that you have done "overtime” in this area! As you are starting out with a new plan, and as you are therefore engaging in a lot of paperwork now, the load should lessen. We hasten to say that it is appreciated and has helped us as adjudicators get to know the village well. The fact that it has all been submitted in A4 format has made it easier to use, and the fact that it is so well presented is also to your credit. So you can tell your members that it has been worth the effort! Your festivals are diverse, and you appear to have the edge on other places in Kildare when it comes to attracting in visitors with the festivals you can access. Thank you for submitting a clear map in your plan. However individual projects might be highlighted on a larger scaled map.

Continue reading "TIDY TOWNS ADJUDICATION REPORT 2008/2009/2010/2011" »

Ballymore Eustace Film Location

TITANIC: BLOOD AND STEEL.  Russborough House November 2011             Kevin Zegers, Chris Noth & Neve Campbell on the set of the new TV series "Titanic: Blood and Steel" at Russborough House, Ballymore Eustace.  The series will chronicle the building of the Titanic, beginning the early 1900s in Belfast and depicting how the ship was handmade in a city on the edge of revolution. Noth will portray financier J.P. Morgan while Campbell will play a journalist covering the ship's first voyage to New York City. Zegers will be a metallurgist who discovers some serious flaws in the quality of the metal being used to build the ship.

The 12-part series will air in 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's maiden voyage to NYC. It has yet to receive U.S. distribution rights. The mini-series has an estimated budget of $28,000,000

Filming in Phil Murphy's Pub 11th October 2011

RTE Nationwide team filming in Ballymore Eustace Village 30 September and 3rd October 2011

Filmed in Parish of Ballymore Eustace and surrounding areas

Meteor Mobile Phones Ad. November 2010. Scene at Ballymore Eustace GAA Football Ground with Ballymore footballers and spectators in background as Meteor user phones friend in London while watching football match.

Vodafone Ad. 2009 Street scene at Weavers Row, Ballymore Eustace featuring postman and door colours. 

BAYWATCH IRISH STYLE (2007) Scene at Mick Murphy's Pub, Ballymore Eustace

Budweiser TV Ad.

LASSIE (2005)  Scene at the River Liffey, The Bridge, Ballymore Eustace
Released 1st September 2006

Director    Charles Sturridge

Writers Eric Knight (novel) & Charles Sturridge
Cast

Samantha Morton as Sarah Carraclough   Jonathan Mason as Joe Carraclough
Peter O'Toole   TheDuke   Gabrielle Lloyd   Miss Branson
Hester Odgers   Cilla   Paul Meade   Policeman
Gerry O'Brien   Watson   Susie Lambe   Martha (as Susie Lamb)
Steve Pemberton   Hynes   Jemma Redgrave   Daisy
Eamonn Hunt   Alf Patterson   Terence Orr   Butler
John Lynch   Sam Carraclough   Alec Heggie   Truck Driver
Jim Roche   Miner        

MALICE AFORETHOUGHT (2005) (TV) Scene at Factory Gate, Ballymore Eustace
Released 3rd April 2005

Director    David Blair

Writers Anthony Berkeley (novel) & Andrew Payne (screenplay)
Cast

Ronnie Masterson

as

Miss Janet Wapworthy

 

Joseph Beattie

as

Denny Bourne

 

Phyllis Ryan

 

Miss Adele Peav

 

Orla O'Rourke

 

Gwynfryd Rattery

 

Fiona O'Shaughnessy

 

Florence

 

Richard Armitage

 

William Chatford

 

Barbara Flynn  

 

Julia Bickleigh

 

Niall Buggy

 

Rev. Hessary Torr

 

Ben Miller

 

Dr. Edmund Bickleigh

 

Ger Ryan   

 

Constance Torr

 

Megan Dodds

 

Madeleine Cranmere

 

Gemma Reeves

 

Beryl

 

Peter Vaughan

 

Widdicombe

 

 

 

 

 

Lucy Brown

 

Ivy Ridgeway

 

 

 

 

 

Kate O'Toole

 

Mrs Ridgeway

 

 

 

   

 

KING ARTHUR (2004) Scenes at Mountcashel, Ballymore Eustace
Released 7th July 2004


Director   Antoine Furua

Writer David Franzoni
Cast

Clive Owen

as

Arthur

 

Stephen Dillane

as

Merlin

Ioan Gruffudd

 

Lancelot

 

Stellan Skarsgard

 

Cerdic

Mads Mikkelsen

 

Tristan

 

Til Schweiger

 

Cynric

Joel Edgerton

 

Gawain

 

Sean Gilder 

 

Jols

Hugh Dancy

 

Galahad

 

Pat Kinevane 

 

Horton

Ray Winstone

 

Bors

 

Ivano Marescotti 

 

Bishop Germanius

Ray Stevenson

 

Dagonet

 

Ken Stott

 

Marius Honorius

Keira Knightley

 

Guinevere

 

 

 

 


Continue reading "Ballymore Eustace Film Location" »

Repairs to Liffey Bridge, Ballymore Eustace

Repair work to vandalised stonework on Liffey Bridge, Ballymore Eustace

Vandalised June 2009, Repaired January 2011

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Kildare County Council traffic control in operation

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Damaged section of old stone wall cleaned up and ready for repair work.

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Getting Ready

 

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Stonemason selecting the right stone

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Repair to Liffey Bridge wall (roadside) completed

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The Judgement of Ballymore

The Judgement of Ballymore
(From The Parish Chronicle 2000)

Lack of space prevents inclusion of the complete version of The Judgement of Ballymore. It is a mini epic poem, suggestive of Goethe's 'Damnation of Faust'. I was baffled by the popularity of 'The Judgement' until I learned that the author was the Sergeant of the R.I.C., aided and abetted by Dick Hynes who suggested the names of the various 'characters' worthy of damnation.
No greater honour could be conferred on an Irishman than to be branded as a felon by the R.I.C. The Royal Irish Constabulary were England's eyes and ears for the suppressionof natural aspirations. The complete version, words and music, may be had from Tom Nugent, Bishophill.
As a postscript to the epic, I have composed a couple of doggeral verses. Perhaps some local poet will improve on my feeble attempt. (Chronicle author's note)

The Judgement of Ballymore

One evening by a little brook in romantic Ardenode,
Beneath an old oak tree I sat, in tired and dreamy mood.
I soon fell into slumber deep and had a vivid dream,
A vision I shall ne'er forget down by the babbling stream.
It's imprinted in my memory fast, for I dreamt it oe'r and oe'r,
That St. Peter stood on Mount Cashel Hill to judge all Ballymore.
Sitting on the judgement throne with an angel by his side,
He gazed upon the multitude that covered acres wide.
St. Peter said "I have come to judge, in accordance with my promise,"
And the angel's trumpet sounded forth, "Come forward Driver Thomas."
And then a big and brawny man, unwashed, unkempt, uncouth,
Came up to hear the escapades of his wild and sinful youth,
The list was long and varied and St. Peter's brow grew dark,
And darker, sterner still, it grew as he made this remark.
"The sentence it's a hard one but the only one that suits,
So take yourself to Hell out'f this and put laces in your boots."
Then down below poor Thomas goes to the unrelenting flames
And the angel's trumpet sounds again- come forward Carney James.
Then a thick and low set man came up, in slow and faltering style
And stood before St. Peter's throne with a broad and comic smile,
But that smile soon turned to fear and dread, his tan skin turned pale,
His fingers worked convulsively, and his knees began to quail.
St. Peter said "your sins are black and very wicked too,
Your good deeds have been very goood but very very few,
So down you go to the pits below to the darkest deepest tunnel."
And the angel's trumpet sounds again- come forward Thomas Fennan.
Tom Fennan came with faltering step, with slow and slouching gait
And stood before St. Peter's throne to hear his sins and fate.
St Peter asks, "What have you done to earn Heaven's reward?"
"I can't remember anything, but pardon me O Lord."
St Peter said, "Your face shows signs of many a parting glass,
Many an old rum yarn too, and many a winsome lass,
Of precious evening squandered in wild company at the Fall
And many a hard fought game of cards and many a midnight brawl.
To Purgatory for one hundred years for your black sins to atone"
Poor Fennan heard his sentence with a most unearthy groan
And as he left for the fiery pits the crowd sang Auld Lang Syne,
And the angel's trumpet sounds again, "Come forward now George Brien."
With an ashplant in his left and a caubeen in his right
George Brien came from the multitude into the judgement light.
And there he stood with a pious look upon his pious face
And in a few well chosen words began to state his case.
"I always took a pint or two and sometimes a little half one,
And if a neighbour joined me he was welcome too to have one.
I never injured anyone though I always took a sup
But don't send Bill Kane to Purgatory till he sends me back my pup."
"You'll want no pups in Purgatory, for there you'll surely go."
And the angel's trumpet sounds again,
"Come forward Michael Keogh."
St. Peter looked at Michael with a hard and stern frown.
Mike's features turned and twisted like the antics of a clown.
"I won't waste words condemning you, you're simply steeped in sin.
I'll wire the devil to see if he will take you in."
Then the angel's trumpet sounds again, another long reveille
Sounding clear on the evening air, calling up 'Trips Kelly'.
Trips looked a little frightened but still he bore up well,
Stepping smartly to the front, making the left foot tell.
He looked up at St. Peter with a most bewildered stare,
And in a hoarse and trembling voice he answered "I am here."
"I'm sending you," St. Peter said, "where you'll not have peace or joy."
And the angel's trumpet sounded clear, "Come forward Bill Conroy."
Bill answered quickly to his name and promply took his place
Looking round for inspiration with a grimace on his face.
"Ther's not a sin on the calendar but it's here before your name
Which clearly shows that religion has never been your aim.
The corporal works of mercy you never even tried,
But skinned your neighbours while they lived, and shaved them when they died.
Holy works of any kind you have always tried to shirk,
So now you bear the consequences, stand over on the left."
Then a silence fell on the multitude, not a sound, not a sigh, but hark!
Hear what the trumpet is sounding, "Come up here quick, Jack Clarke."
As Jack hurried up to stand his trial, the hat from his head he tore,
And looked around suspiciously, like an ox at the slaughter-house door.
He scratched his poll in perplexity and dolefully shook his head,
And St. Peter opened his book again and this is what he read,
"Many the sinful hour you spent on the famous flowery lawn
And attended many a cock-fight too, at the early streaks of dawn.
In business deals you've been straight enough, you never did anything shady,
But you've broken the ribs of many a man and the heart of many a lady.
To Purgatory for twenty years for you unremitted sins,
And when those twenty years are up a better life begins,
You can come with me to my Heavenly home with all your sins unladed."
And the angel's trumpet sounds again, "Come forward Martin Hayden."
"You've been a man," St. Peter said, "of hard and honest labour,
But you've had a cruel and bitter tongue that never spared a neighbour.
The malice of that bitter tongue has travelled far and wide
And in all your conversations many reputations died,
Tainted with an atmosphere where foul suspicicion floats
So Heaven is now debarred from you, stand over with the goats."
Then sounds of awe ran through the crowd like the sound of a swelling sea,
And the angel's trumpet sounds again, "Come forward Pat Magee."
The recording angel took his book and read Pat's offences out,
And the dark look on St. Peter's face left very little doubt.
That Pat's journey was a downward one to the fiery pits below.
"Stand over to the left," he said "with that hardened sinner Keogh."
Then cries of mercy rent the air from a sympathetic crowd,
And prayers were offered earnestly in accents clear and loud,
But the angel called for silence by raising up his wing ,
And sounds his trumpet loudly for George Allen and John King.
Allen was first to answer and his crutch he slowly wields,
John King came pounding after, quite close on Allen's heels.
"This leg of mine," George Allen says, "has kept me well in bounds,
And in this world of care and strife I've had my ups and downs.
I always took a pint or two but nevered squandered much,
My sole support since early life was this old worn crutch."
John King chimes in, "As you're talking George why dont you speak for two,
As far as legs and crutches go, I'm in the same boat as you."
"Wait until your turn comes," said George, "and please let me alone,
I've enough to do with you misdeeds to think of half my own."

L'ENVOI
Before the dreamer woke from sleep, one final blast was sounded.
St. Peter's words rang loud and clear, the Sergeant was dumbfounded,
" For Thomas and Tom and Trips and Jack, there are rooms reserved in our mansion,
But the R.I.C. must ment their ways, or pay one hell of a ransom."

The ghost of that Sergent haunts Mount Cashel, pleading for mercy from the men he condemned.
Mick Shannon once heard his skeleton rattle and breather a prayer that his penance might end.

If anyone has the complete version, words and music, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Poulaphouca Waterfall & Golden Falls Lake

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Poulaphouca Waterfall and Alexander Nimmo Bridge 13th December 2009

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Poulaphouca waterfall Sunday 13th December 2009BILD0284a.JPG

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Flow in gorge downstream of waterfall Sunday 13th December 2009

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Church Restoration 1987-1991

Church1987a.BMP Church&Hall1987a.BMPChurch219872a.BMP            ChurchRoofScaffolding5.BMP ChurchAttic4.BMP ChurchRoofSpace6.BMP  Churchupstandguttera.BMP       ChurchRottenWallplatea.BMP

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HISTORY Of BALLYMORE EUSTACE


HISTORY Of BALLYMORE EUSTACE



By


An Octogenarian Ex-Teacher



Printed By


Sealy Bryers and Walker


Crow Street, Dublin


 


HISTORY of BALLYMORE - EUSTACE

 The earth, our own dear native earth

 Has charms all hearts may own;

 They cling around us from our birth,

 More loved as longer known.

The town of Ballymore-Eustace in the barony of South Naas, county of Kildare, is most picturesquely situated on the right bank of the River Liffey, which is crossed by a bridge of six arches built by the Irish Parliament in the year 1784. This is the third stone bridge erected here. The two former were a little further down the river. The scenery of the surrounding country is exceedingly beautiful. The best view is obtained from the high ground on the Coughlinstown road. Looking up the river it forms an extensive panorama, including the town, the winding river, the woods, and in the background the Wicklow hills.  An American tourist, who admired it, compared it to West Point, on the Hudson. An indication of the importance of this town is the fact that nine roads lead into it from all parts of the country. Its healthy position is due to its sloping southern aspect, its good drainage and splendid water supply from Bishopland, about half a mile away, and which is distributed by four street fountains.  Besides, if these fail, there are several springs around the town, to take their places.  Near the town, in Mountcashel Demesne, there is a holy well called Tober-na-gras.  Formerly a stream of water from the spring at  “The Seasons'' about half a mile outside the town was brought under-ground through the middle of the main street to supply fresh water to the Brewery at the Liffey bridge, but this was considerably more than 100 years ago. There is now little trace of this ancient Brewery except the walled-in site. 


There were then no footpaths in the streets, but instead, the space was occupied by flowers paled in, in front of each house.  Nearly every house has a plot of land at the back of it. When the bull-fighting was in fashion, the Bull Ring or enclosure was in the middle of the Market Square.  The only industry of this town is that afforded by the Woollen Mills. They consist of large four-storeyed buildings beside the Liffey, with a great and unfailing water power.  All kinds of woollen stuffs are manufactured here.  It is to be regretted that the walls of the old corn mill still stand unroofed on the same premises.  If this mill were now in working order it would be kept running all the year round on account of the extension of tillage.  They were all erected by the Drumgoole Family and finished in 1802.  From the Factory Gate on one side of the main street 24 cottages called “Weavers' Row " were built for the mill workers.

Ballymore-Eustace has all the usual accessories which constitute a town, namely, Churches, Schools, Court House, Post Office, Concert Hall, Dispensary, Hotels, and a weekly market (now temporarily suspended).  It has also a monthly fair. There are six public houses for the sale of drink and groceries in this town of 500 inhabitants. Two of these are also Hotels.


The Catholic Church, a large plain structure, standing in the main street, was built shortly before Catholic Emancipation (1829). It contains 3 marble altars, one of which is in memory of Dr. Dunne, some   fine stained glass window, and a very large painting of the Crucifixion. This picture was painted by an artist named Meade, a friend of Mr. Drumgoole, in whose possession it was at the time of the insurrection of 1798.  The notorious Major Sirr in one of his marauding expeditions appropriated it and brought it away to Dublin. After some time he was compelled to bring it back, where it was kept until the new Catholic Church was built. This Church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. There is an Oratory attached to it built in 1865. This is the first Catholic Church allowed to be built in the town since the Protestant religion was established in Ireland by English Law, more than 300 years ago. The Catholic Church of that time was forcibly taken possession of by the Protestants, who removed the altar and all objects of piety.  The English Prayer Book (Protestant) was translated into Irish and distributed among the Catholics, on whom fines were imposed for not attending the Protestant worship. The Catholics had to pay tithes (a tax taken up at the point of the bayonet) to support the Protestant Church and its Ministers, in whose creed they did not believe. In 1838 an Act was passed to abolish the direct payment of tithes by the tenants, as many lives were lost in conflict with the people. The tax was added to the rent under the name of Rent Charge, and collected by the landlords. This relieved the parson from the odium of collecting the tithes.








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