Timeline
of Monasterevan History
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A
Note on dates in this timeline: All dates should
be considered to be indicative only. The dates used are based on the best
evidence from Archaeological, Historical, and Oral Heritage sources. Also
included for reference are major world events in (red).
Old
Stone Age
Middle
Stone Age
New
Stone Age
Early Bronze Age
Middle
Bronze Age
Late
Bronze Age
Iron
Age
Christian
Era
Late
Iron Age (Early Christian Ireland)
Early
Medieval Monasterevan
Medieval
Monasterevan
Renaissance
Monasterevan
Georgian
Monasterevan
Victorian
Monasterevan
Modern
Monasterevin
Top
Paleolithic
Period (Old Stone Age)
160,000
Years Ago Modern Man in Africa, Neanderthal man dominant in Europe
40,000
Years Ago Cro-Magnon Man dominant, Advanced stone tools. Cave painting.
Mammoths,
Bears and Irish elk roam the countryside around Monasterevan.
Top
Mesolithic
Period (Middle Stone Age)
5000BC
Evidence
of human settlement has been found at the Yew Tree cemetery.
These
people are termed the River Ford Culture by Meyer.
The
Dolmen in Grangebeg was in use at this time.
(Sumerian
civilization begins in modern Iraq. Cruciform writing invented).
Top
Neolithic
Period (New Stone Age)
3000BC
The
first Farmers move up the Barrow Valley. The fords at the Yew Tree, the Pass
Bridge, the Slip, Portmonaher, and Belan become hugely important sites in
the Neolithic landscape.
Deforestation
by these farmers causes the peat bogs to begin to form.
Top
Early
Bronze Age
2000BC
The
use of bronze technology reaches Ireland. Cemetery in Nurney in use by the
western most of 15 related communities that stretched from the Red Hills to
Knockaillinne.
Abraham
was patriarch of the Semitic peoples around this time.
Top
Middle
Bronze Age
1500BC
Numerous
swords deposited in the River Barrow.
(Founding
of Homers Troy. New Kingdom of Egypt)
(1360BC
Tutankamun Pharaoh in Egypt)
(1300BC
Phoenicians at the height of their power in the Mediterranean)
Likely
era of Nemid, a Phoenician trader, who may have settled in Cobh, Co. Cork.
(1230BC
Likely date for Moses and the events of Exodus)
Top
Late
Bronze Age
1000BC
Toghers
such as the Danes Road are built.
Objects
termed Monasterevan Discs date from this period.
(Secrets
of Iron working discovered in the Middle East)
(1000BC
Likely date for King David of Israel)
Top
Iron
Age
600BC
Iron
technology in Ireland.
Celtic
culture is absorbed into Ireland over an extended period.
Large
hilltop enclosures built on Dunmurray Hill and Knockailline.
Knockailline
(20km from Monasterevin) of equal importance to Tara and Navan Fort.
(558BC
Founding of the Persian Empire)
(525BC
Buddha and Confuesius alive at this time)
(336BC
Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia)
(221BC
Great Wall of China built by the Han Dynasty)
(44BC
Julius Caesar murdered in Rome)
Top
Christian
Era (Middle Iron Age)
4BC
A
26m wide ring enclosure in use at Lackagh.
Crannog
inhabited at Lackagh Bog ( One of only three known in Co. Kildare)
A
large circular enclosure at the Yew Tree.
(4BC
Jesus Christ born)
(29BC
Death of Christ)
(50AD
Britain becomes part of the Roman Empire)
(70AD
Second Temple destroyed in Jerusalum, end of the nation of Israel)
(79AD
Vesuvius erupts burying Pompeii and Herculaneum)
227-266AD
Cormac Mac Art, High King in Ireland.
283-4AD
Fionn Mac Cumhail leader of the Fianna of Ireland killed at the Battle of
Gabhra.
300AD
Christianity reaches the Celtic Isles (Ireland, Britain, Isle of Man)
(312AD
Emperor Constantine converts to Christianity)
(325AD
Council of Nicea, founding of the Catholic Church)
Top
Late
Iron Age (Early Christian Ireland)
400AD
400AD
Christian communities in southern Ireland
405AD
Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King in Ireland, dies.
430AD
Pope Celestine sends Bishop Palladius to administer to the Christians of
Ireland.
431AD
Patrick ordained Bishop by Pope Celestine the First.
432AD
St. Patrick begins his missionary work in the northern half of Ireland.
(453AD
Death of Attila the Hun)
461AD
Death of St. Patrick.
470AD
St. Brigid establishes monastery on the earlier pagan sacred fire site of
Kildare.
(477AD
Saxons invade Britain)
Top
Early
Medieval Period (Dark Ages in the rest of Europe)
500AD
506AD
First great Battle of Fennor where King Illian’s body was borne before the
Leinstermen as a talisman of victory.
(520AD
Likely date of the historical King Arthur's last battle against the Saxons
in Britain)
523AD
Death of St Brigid.
543AD
Extraordinary plague kills one third of the human race - Annals of the Four
Masters.
553AD
St Columba reaches Iona.
565AD
Christianity preached among the Picts.
(569AD
Prophet Mohammed born)
550-650AD
Most likely period for the life of St. Abban of New Ross.
570-670AD
Most likely period for the life of St. Evin.
597AD
Death of St. Columba.
(602AD
St. Augustine's Archbishopric of Canterbury founded)
(611AD
Phrophet Mohammed proclaims the Islamic faith)
(664AD
Synod of Whitby, England, challenges independence of the "Celtic
Church")
664AD
Yellow Plague in Ireland.
676AD
St. Maeldubh of Umeras leaves Ireland for Malmesbury, England.
687AD
Bran son of the King of Leinster dies.
690AD
Bran Ua Faelain King of Leinster dies.
717AD
Second great Battle of Fennor.
770AD
Irish settlers in Iceland and the Faroe islands.
(772AD
Charlemagne the Great, King of the Franks)
(789AD
First Norse or Viking raids on the Celtic Ilses)
795AD
First Viking raid on the monastery of Iona.
841AD
First Norse settlement of Dublin.
845AD
Viking victory at Dunamase.
903AD
Battle of Ballymoon, Co. Carlow, for supremacy over Rosglas.
Top
Medieval
Period (Middle Ages)
1005AD
Brian Boru proclaims himself Emperatus Scottorum, Emperor of the Irish.
1014AD
Battle of Clontarf. Death of Brian Boru.
(1066AD
Battle of Hastings. Normans invade England)
1171
AD Strongbow, Richard de Clare enters Ireland at the invitation of the King
of Leinster.
1189AD
Foundation of the Cistercian Abbey of Rosglas.
1199AD
Abbot of Rosglas granted the privilege of celebrating the feast of St.Evin.
In
this period such castles as Lackagh, Nurney, Kildangan a total of eleven
moated sites built.
(1199AD
John King of England)
(1206AD
Genghis Khan founds Mongol Empire in the east)
1228AD
Stephen de Lexington conducts an investigation of the Cistercian Order in
Ireland.
1260AD
William de Vesey builds Lea Castle.
1284AD
Lea Castle besieged and burnt by the O'Dempsey and the Kings of Offalia.
1288AD
Charter from John FitzThomas Lord of Offaly granting 3 oaks each year to
Rosglas
1294AD
de Vesey withdraws from Ireland. The Earl of Kildare is granted Lea Castle.
1297AD
Abbot of Rosglas accused of harboring Irish felons. Fined 1/2 mark.
(1297AD
William Wallace rising in Scotland against Edward Longshanks King of
England)
(1306AD
Robert Bruce Rising in Scotland)
1307AD
Castle of Geashill demolished and the town of Lea burnt by the Irish.
1311AD
Richard de Burgho held prisoner in Lea Castle.
Robert
Bruce's Scotch army sacks the town of Lea and carries away the bells of the
church.
1329AD
O'Dempsey of Offalia surrenders Lea Castle to the Earl of Kildare.
1339AD
O'Dempsey of Offalia besieges Lea Castle.
(1337AD
Hundred Years War begins)
1346AD
O'More of Leix burns Lea and Kilmead.
(1348AD
Black Death all across Europe including Ireland)
1406AD
Battle of Cluain Immerois (Umeras?), defeat of the English of Meath.
(1455AD
Wars of the Roses begin)
(1378AD
Great Schism of the Church divides into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox)
1414AD
O'Dempsey and O'More take and hold Lea Castle.
1421AD
O'Dempsey and O'More march from Lea to invade the Pale.
1427AD
Abbey of Rosglas falls on hard times.
1478AD
Death of Sir Thomas FitzGerald
of Lackagh.
1484AD
Sir Thomas FitzGerald (2nd ??) of Lackagh appointed Lord Chancellor of
Ireland.
1487AD
Revolt in Ireland, Lambert Simnel crowned in Dublin as Edward VI.
1492AD
Rice the navigator directs Colombus to Cuba where the explorer discovers
America.
Top
The
Renaissance
1500AD
1500AD
The bridge known as Essex or Pass Bridge was probably built before this
date.
1501AD
The Ordinale of Rosglas is written in the Abbey of Melifont by Donatus
O'Kelly
1509AD
Donatus O'Kelly is Prior of the Abbey of Rosglas.
(1517AD
Martin Luther posts his Ninety-five Thesis)
1519AD
Sir Maurice FitzGerald of Lackagh appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
1520AD
Battle of Crossmaurice. Maurice FitzGearld killed by the O'Mores of Leix.
1534AD
Turlough Duv O'Dempsey murdered while under sanctuary of Rosglas.
Act
of Supremacy by Henry VII.
Rebellion
of Silken Thomas.
(1537AD
Reformation of Henry VIII in England)
1541AD
All Irish Church lands made over to Henry VIII by act of the Irish
Parliment.
1551AD
The Manor of Rosglas leased to Captain Agarde.
1567AD
Sir Edward Waterhouse leaseholder of the Manor of Monasterevan.
(1554AD
Bloody Mary Queen of England marries Philip of Spain.
(1558AD
Elizabeth I crowned Queen of England)
1574AD
Earl of Essex in Ireland.
1588AD
Spanish Armada wrecked on the Irish coast.
1596AD
Sir Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, in residence in the Manor of
Monasterevan.
1598AD
O'More garrison in Lea Castle.
1599AD
Earl of Essex marches over the Pass Bridge to the battle of The Pass of The
Plumes
1600AD
All Leix except Maryborough in the hands of Owny MacRory O'More
(1601AD
Earl of Essex beheaded at the Tower of London)
1603AD
James the First King of England.
1613AD
Sir Adam Loftus granted the Manor of Monasterevan.
1622AD
Adam Loftus created Viscount Ely.
1629AD
Dr.Ross MacGeogahan of Cloneygowan appointed Bishop of Kildare.
1641AD
High Court of Chancery held in the House of Monasterevan by Loftus, Lord
Chancellor of Ireland.
Rebellion
in Ireland.
Lea
Castle garrisoned by the native Irish.
Monasterevin
is repeatedly attacked.
Adam
Loftus leaves the country.
1642AD
Dr. Edward Dempsey of Cloneygowan appointed Bishop of Leighlin.
(1642AD
Civil War in England, Parliamentarians under Cromwell against Charles I)
1650AD
Castles of Lea, Maryborough, and Dunamase taken by Parlimentary forces under
Colones Heuston and Reynolds.
1665AD
Population of Lackagh deported to the Barbados islands by order of Cromwell.
(1660AD
Restoration of Charles II to the throne of England)
(1665AD
Black Death in Europe)
1666AD
The new town of Portarlignton founded.
1680AD
Edward Loftus, son of Adam, dies at Monasterevan.
1689AD
King James II grants the lands of Lord Ely (Loftus) on the Duke of
Tyrconnell.
1690AD
Battle of the Boyne.
1691AD
The Duke of Tyrconnell dies at the Siege of Limerick. William of Orange
regrants the Manor of Monasterevan to Loftus.
1699AD
Charles Lord Moore marries Jane Loftus. Their son Edward becomes the 5th
Earl of Drogheda.
Top
Georgian
Period (Rebellion Era)
1700AD
1729AD
Thatched chapel or mass house built at Coolatogher.
1735AD
Charles O'Dempsey, Cahir-na-gCappal, hanged as a horse thief.
1756AD
Construction of the Grand Canal begins
1758AD
The Charter School (The Hulk) is built.
1759AD
Lord Drogheda raises the 19th Light Dragoons (later the 18th Hussars).
Trees
planted in Moore Abbey to commemorate founding of the Light Dragoons.
(1764AD
Beginning of the Industrial Revolution)
1767AD
Charles 6th Earl of Drogheda makes extensive alterations to the House of
Monasterevan.
The
old Protestant Church inside the gates of Moore Abbey is demolished.
St.
John's Church is built by Lord Drogheda to replace the old church.
Demense
walls are built around Moore Abbey.
Lord
Drogheda appointed inspector of the road to Naas.
(1774AD
American War of Independence begins)
During
the American War Monasterevin sends a volunteer infantry unit to fight for
the crown.
1780AD
The House of Monasterevan becomes known as Moore Abbey.
Passenger
or "Fly" boats start operating on the canal.
1784AD
Cassidy's Distillery founded.
1786AD
Grand Canal Barrow Branch reaches Monasterevin.
1787AD
Old parish church at Passlands built. Rev. C. Doran PP.
1788AD
Fire guts original site of Cassidy's Distillery.
(1789AD
French Revolution)
1792AD
Kildangan church built.
1798AD
Rebellion in Ireland.
Battle
of Monasterevin.
Massacre
at Gibbet Rath, the Curragh.
Fr.
Prendergast hanged at Monasterevin House.
Fr.
Prendergast's body smuggled to Harristown for burial.
1800AD
Act of Union between Ireland and Britain creates United Kingdom.
1801AD
Ballykelly Mill founded.
1803AD
Emmet's Rising.
1804AD
Grand Canal reaches the Shannon.
(1805AD
Battle of Trafalgar)
(1808AD
Peninsular War begins)
1811AD
The Regency period begins.
(1815AD
Battle of Waterloo)
Top
Victorian
Period
1830AD
1832AD
the Town Bridge is built.
(1837AD
Queen Victoria crowned)
1845AD
Work begins on St. Peter and Paul's parish church.
1846AD
Portico and great steps built at Moore Abbey.
Sunken
garden laid out resulting in the uncovering of monks graves.
Branch
railway line to Athy built through Kildangan.
1847AD
Great Famine in Ireland.
St.
Peter and Paul's parish church opens.
Railway
reaches Monasterevin.
(1848AD
California Gold Rush)
1849AD
Lackagh National School built.
Kildangan
church enlarged.
1852AD
Passenger services on the canal cease.
(1854AD
Crimean War)
(1857AD
The Indian Mutiny)
1860AD
Cassidy's diversify into brewing with St.Patricks Pale Ale.
(1861AD
Abraham Lincoln, President of the USA, American Civil War begins)
1865AD
New Organ in St. Peter an Paul's church.
1869AD
Christian Brothers arrive in Monasterevin.
1875AD
Fenian banner painted by O'Grady for the nationalists of Monasterevin
1880AD
The Danes Road found in Cloneygath Bog.
(1880AD
First Boer War)
1885AD
First Intermediate examinations held.
1887AD
Cassidy's Distillery at the height of its prosperity.
1893AD
First Home Rule Bill for Ireland defeated.
1898AD
Convent of Mercy established.
(1899AD
Second Boer War)
1898AD
Committee for the erection of a monument to Fr. Prendergast formed.
1899AD
Monument to Fr. Prendergast erected in Market Square.
Top
Modern
Era
1900AD
1900AD
Samuel E. Holmes Ltd. founded.
(1901AD
Death of Queen Victoria)
1903AD
Gordon-Bennet motor race passes through Monasterevin.
1905AD
Drogheda’s build the Market House (Bank of Ireland)
1906AD
Convent school established by the Sisters of Mercy.
1909AD
Kildangan Railway Station opened.
(1914AD
World War I, The Great War, begins in Europe)
(1912AD
RMS Titanic sinks)
1915AD
Nurney School built.
1916AD
The Easter Rising and declaration of Independence.
1916-1918AD
War of Independence.
(1918AD
World War I ends)
(1920AD
League of Nations founded)
1920AD
Cassidy's Distillery closes.
1921AD
The Treaty is signed creating the Irish Free State. Civil War begins.
1925AD
Count John MacCormack leases Moore Abbey.
Special
performance by Count MacCormack and Lucrezia Bori in St. Peter &Paul's
Church.
New
Hall built on the former RIC barracks site (CYMS Hall).
1926AD
Worlds first Ferro-concrete road laid from Monasterevin to Kildare.
1927AD
St.Evin's branch CYMS founded.
1930AD
The film Song of my Heart is made in Moore Abbey and surrounding area
1932AD
Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.
1933AD
Cassidy's Distillery buildings sold to Samuel E. Holmes as Brooke Works.
1936AD
National Turf Cutting Competition at Umeras Bog.
1937AD
John MacCormack and family leave Monasterevin.
(1939AD
World War II begins in Europe)
1939AD
Christian Brothers new monastery built.
Kildangan
Hall built.
1940AD
The Emergency declared in Ireland.
Local
Defense Force Unit formed in Monasterevin.
Pillbox
and bridge demolitions prepared as part of the Barrow Box defense plan.
1943AD
Secondry School established.
(1945AD
World War II ends)
1946AD
Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary purchase Moore Abbey
1947AD
Fire guts the west wing of Moore Abbey.
1948AD
Secondry School fails due to lack of numbers.
1951AD
Fr. Gorry PP. digs at the Bell Hole for St.Evins Bell without success.
1952AD
Lackagh Hall built.
1954AD
Tyna Knitwear founded.
1975AD
Siege at Monasterevan.
2004AD
The
Heath-Mayfield Motorway (Monasterevan Bypass) opens
Top