St. Patrick's Church, Rathvilly.

Whilst reading a stockpile of  papers I found an Article on the Hedge Schools, a topic close to my  heart.

In the Rathvilly St Patricks graveyard there is a well worn stone with the following inscription:

Erected by William D'Arcy
in memory of his father
Thomas D'arcy~Knocklishen
Died Janr 1882 aged 82.
And his mother
Catherine D'Arcy
died 5th March 1896
Seven Children Including a
Vincentian Priest and three
Presentation Nuns mourn
the loss of the above
their beloved parents
"He was a true and faithful friend
in life and died a happy death
May the Lord Have Mercy On Their Souls"
 

Edward D'arcy ( Darcy) was the teacher at the Knocklishen Hedge School, he was then succeeded by his son Michael - and Knockishen More was to become the last Hedge School in Rathvilly Parish as later it became a National School. Thomas and Catherine D'Arcy nee ? continued at the National School as teachers, along with the main subjects, the gave tuition in Music - they had a family of 7 children  their eldest son was William Edward born? died?  who in 1878 was organist at the Carlow Cathedral, and in the same year aided by his sister Helen he organised a concert which was held at the Rathvilly Boys School, Helen went on to be a presentation Nun. Of the 7 children three were girls and all entered the Presentaion Order in Lucan.

Elizabeth born 1850 entered the Order in 1868 going on to become Mother Stanislaus D'Arcy Foundress of the Presentation Order in Lismore Australia. Unfortunatley all the records of Elizabeth background had been destroyed in Australia  so help was asked for and received from the Rev Mothers' in Lucan and Lismore Cameto Rathvilly.

After this long intro I am now wondering if the above Lucan and Lismore departments still exist today?

I have also learnt that a son Michael also emigrated to Australia. What became of Him?

I am interested in any Irish person that came to Australia, and its Island Tasmania

Source: Cara

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Patrick's Cemetery Rathvilly

Statue in St. Patrick's Cemetery Rathvilly	John Nolan, Catherine Fluskey, Ellen Kirwin. Mountkelly	Mary Nolan. Ladystown Michael, Bridget, Annie, Kate, Elizabeth, James, Michael and Joseph Nolan
Entrance to St Patrick's Cemetery Rathvilly	Michael Nowlan.	James Dowling, James Dowling, Judith Dowling, Michael Dowling, Roseanna Dowling, Patrick Dowling, Michael Dowling. Braughillstown
William Nolan	Laurence and Bridget Brennan. Phillipstown	James Nolan & Brian O’Donoghue. Williamstown

While I was over in Carlow in 2011 I had a chance to go to St. Patrick's Cemetery in Rathvilly for a very quick trip. I took a few photos (above) that I've enclosed for the website.

The following is an inscription from inside St. Patrick's church in Rathvilly...I have included a close-up shot of the beginning for easier reading.

Erected by Rev. P. C. Nolan P.P. To the memory of his predecessors In this parish. A.D. 1860 Rev. David Byrne appointed in 1674 Parish Priest died 1746 aged 96 Burried at Kilranlagh. Rev. DanL  Murphy succeeded And governed the Parish 52 years Died 1798 aged 102. Burried in Tyneclash Chapelyard. His successor was Rev. Nicholas Nolan P.P. 15 years died 1813 aged 71 years Buried in chapelyard Rathvilly Next succeeded Rev. PatK  Moore P.P. 26 years Died 1839 aged 73 burried in Tyneclash His successor Rev. John Ghan died 1854 Aged 70. P.P. 15 years buried in Chapelyard Rathvilly Rev. P. C. Nolan succeeded died 1885 aged 83 P,P, 30 years, Burried in St. Patricks Church Rathvilly. Rev. John Phelan succeeded P.P. 18 years died 1903 Burried in front of this church, Very Rev. Mgr. John Delaney V.F. succeeded P.P. 38 yrs Died 1941 aged 83 yrs buried in chaprl yard Rathvilly Very Rev. Daniel Murphy succeeded P,P, 2 years. Died 1944 aged 63 years. Buried in Cemetery Rathvilly. Very Rev. Thomas P. Murphy succeded P.P. 12 years Died 1959, aged 72 years. Buried in front of this church. Very Rev. Nicholas Cullen succeeded P.P. 1959 – 1983. Died 1988. Buried in church grounds. Very Rev. Bernard Ryan C.C. 1977 to 1983 succeeded as P.P. 1983. Died 1993. Buried in front of Our Lady’s Grotto. Very Rev. Edward Flood succeeded as P.P. 1993 – 2009. Died 2010. Buried in church Grounds

Images of headstones provided by Maribeth Nolan

Graveyard Next Page

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