THIS is a populous thriving town, and was in
ancient times a place of note, being the residence of the Kings of Leinster.
Soon after the arrival of the English, Noas was erected into a manor; for Henry
II. in 1176 gave the barony of Noas to William Fitz Gerald. He strongly fortified
it, and built castles and towers in different parts of it. IN 1316, Bruce led
his Scots to Noas, being conducted by the Lacies, where they staid some days,
spoiling churches, opening tombs in search of treasure, and
at last burnt the town.
In 1419, Richard Talbot, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Deputy,
held a Parliament here, which granted a subsidy of three
hundred marcs. In 1648, the Earl of Ormond secured Noas with a garrison, and
placed in it a new Sovereign, eight Burgesses, and fifty families of despoiled
protestants. Soon after it was at different times taken and plundered by contending
parties.
THE Abbey here was a house founded in 1484 for Austin Hermits;
it was erected at the farther end of the town at the foot
of a Mount. Scarcely any thing is standing but the belfry and a wall.
The belfry is entered by a Gothic arch, on each side of which is a staircase
leading up to the rooms, in number three. A Mount, it has before been
observed, was the usual appendage to abbies. A cut from the grand canal
passes by the abbey at no great distance.
THIS View was drawn by lieutenant Daniel Grose, anno 1792.
(pp. 26-27, Vol. II)