-
- St. Mary's Church of Ireland.
|
-
- Image by W. Muldowney c2006
|
-
- Image by W. Muldowney c2006
|
The Burial Grounds
The
old Graveyard at Castle Hill was originally called Crocan-na-relige,
“Hillock of the Burial Ground”, and it was the town burial place from
ancient times. In 17th Century nearly all the interments from
St. Mary’s were here. The Galbraiths of Old Derrig, the Falkiners, and
the Hartpoles had burial plots in it. It is now much smaller than
formerly. In the 18th Century much of it was cut away for
erection of houses as the town extended. There is a continual reference
in the Burial Records to the back or North Graveyard, it must have
extended in Haymarket direction.
The oldest existing tomb in the present
St. Mary’s Graveyard is marked by a slab dated 1707 erected to the
memory of Benjamin Bunbury of Killerig, Carlow. This man was an ancestor
of the present Rathdonnell family of Rathvilly. The Castle Hill and the
present St. Mary’s Graveyards were never connected, as the Swamp called
the Little Moneen, or the Castle Moat, lay between them. It ran from the
Burrin to the Barrow across Coalmarket and John Street. There are dozens
buries beneath the present Church, the Vaults of the two Churches were
covered over and left there when the building was in process of
erection.
The
Colours of the old Carlow Militia were laid up in St. Mary’s Church in
1890, where they still hang. This regiment received its Colours and the
Royal Assent on the 9th
April, 1793. These colours were in a tattered and dilapidated condition
for many years. Archdeacon Ridgeway had them re-conditioned during his
time. The Regiment was disbanded in 1908. The only survivors in Carlow
in 1960 are Major A. J. W. Fitzmaurice, Sergeant Hopkins, Bernard Murray
and Capt. Thomas. The last Colonel of the Regiment was Colonel J. K.
Milner, who had 15 years Command. He was a very famous shot with either
the revolver or rifle. He represented England in many International
Contests. It is on record that in a Contest with America he recorded ten
consecutive bulls’ eyes with the rifle at 1,000 yards, an amazing feat.
A photograph of the Officers is hanging in the Vestry in St. Mary’s
Church. All these, with the exception of the Commanding Officer and the
M.O., who were over age, served in the 1914-18 War.
The
Memorials in St. Mary’s Church
There
are two Memorials in the beautiful East Window. The ornamental structure
is to the memory of the Reverend Joseph Jameson, who was Rector for many
years, and Headmaster of the College in Haymarket, known as the Jameson
School, the building has long since disappeared. The Stained Glass
portion is in memory of Mary Anne Coltman of Stagnaly Priory,
Lincolnshire, this was erected by her daughter, Lady Burton of Pollacton.
There
is a Tablet to the memory of Lady Grace Ellen Denys Burton, wife of Sir
Francis Denys Burton, she died 3rd December, 1935.
The
two Stained Glass windows on each side of the Church are erected to the
memory of Sir Charles and Lady Georgina Burton.
Brass
Tablet in memory of Captain Cary, 16th Regiment, erected by
his Brother Officers, died 30th October, 1860, buried in
Cheriton, Kent.
Brass
Tablet to the memory of Sir Charles Cuff Burton, died 2nd
October, 1902.
A
memorial with the names inscribed on it of those in the Parish who fell
or served in 1914-18 War.
A
Tablet in memory of Colonel Henry Bruen, Oak Park, who died 5th
November, 1852, in recognition of his work and service for the Church,
and the fact that he built St. Anne’s Church (now demolished).
Memorial to Major George Ogle Moore, Prince of Wales Volunteers, died
Devonport, of Cholera, 9th May, 1819, erected by his Brother
Officers.
Memorial to Aubrey Nugent Jocelyn Thomas, Captain, Lancashire Fusiliers,
who fell at the landing in Gallipoli, 28th April, 1915.
Tablet to the memory of Francis McDowell, M.D., Member of Royal College
of Surgeons, died in 1879, aged 28 years.
Tablet to memory of Thomas Eaustice, Lieutenant, late of 35th
Regiment, died 9th January, 1819, aged 28 years, erected by
his Brother Officers.
Memorial to Robert Moore Fishbourne of Hollymount, in Queen’s Co., died
11th February, 1826, erected by the Ancient and Most
Benevolent Order of Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick, of Co. Carlow.
The
Carlow Y.M.C.A., assisted by some friends, erected a Tablet to the
memory of Edmund T. Burton, Curate of this Parish for two years and
Founder of the Society of Faithful Friends, an earnest and loving
Pastor, died 9th June, 1859, aged 28 years.
Tablet in memory of Capt. Fitzroy Stanhope Vigors, late of the Royal
Irish Fusiliers, died 15th April, 1844.
Memorial to William Browne-Clayton, Lady Charlotte his wife, Robert
Browne-Clayton and Eleanor his wife, and Lady Lititia Browne-Clayton.
This Lady Lititia was a daughter of Lord Norbury, Lord Chief Justice of
the Common Pleas in Ireland. He was known as the hanging Judge. He sat
on the Bench at the Carlow Assizes, held in the old Sessions House, now
the Deighton Memorial Hall. He sentenced more than 20 men to be hanged
for sheep stealing.
The
Pulpit was erected to the memory of Dean Smyth King by his son-in-law,
Dean Finlay.
The
Memorial in the Chancel on the left-hand side is to the memory of Bagnal
Gurly, Esq., died 1796. This man was an ancestor of George Bernard Shaw,
whose mother was a Gurly.
The
Marble Reredos in the Chancel is to the memory of Robert Clayton-Brown
or Browne’s Hill, died 1888.
The
Reading Desk is to the memory of Godfrey Colpovs, Bloomfield and his
wife.
The
Lectern is in memory of Thomas Humphrey, Esq., died 17th
June, 1865.
The
Font was presented by Robert Malcomson in October, 1865.
There
is another interesting Tablet on the left-hand side of the Organ.
“This
small tribute of respect and affection to the departed excellence and
worth, is erected to the memory of Jane, the beloved wife of the
Reverend George Vernon, Rector of Carlow, and only daughter of the
Venerable Thomas Kingsbury, Archdeacon of Killalla, by her deeply
afflicted husband. This meekly devout and enlightened Christian died in
the prime of life, and her character was a rare combination of every
gift with every perfection, with talents far beyond those given to the
generality of persons.
She never sought any display of them, with a deep
knowledge of literature, she preferred above all, that knowledge which
maketh wise unto eternal life. Though silent and reserved amidst company
and rather desirous of avoiding it, she was ever accessible to the poor
and distressed, and always studying how to relieve their necessities and
wants.
She excelled in scripture, painting and acquaintance with the
learned languages. But from one so conscientious in the exemplary
discharge of duty in every relation of life, as a loving and dutiful
daughter, a tender and affectionate mother, a most devoted and fondly
attached wife, her death was universally lamented, for in her, society
lost an ornament, her parents their pride, her husband his more than
companion, his guide, his example, his friend; the poor of the town an
active and zealous benefactress, and its youth a pious and Christian
instructress.
Trusting for salvation alone in the merits of her Saviour,
she resigned her soul into the hands of God who gave it on the 4th
of December, 1827, the twenty-ninth year of her age. Spotless without,
innocent within, she feared no danger for she knew no sin. So
unaffected, so composed a mind, so firm, yet to soft, so strong, yet so
refined. As pure as gold, with suffering tried, the saint sustained it,
but the woman died.
“In
the adjoining tomb with the mortal remains of their now sainted mother,
the above named Jane Vernon, are deposited the ashes of Joseph Thomas
and Josephine Emily, her infant offsprings, whose mortal spirits winged
their flight to Glory, the former 14 months before, the latter ten
months after, removed from this transitory world of their ever to be
lamented parent.”
Memorial erected by the Parishioners of St. Mary’s in memory of the
Reverend Frederick Armstrong and the Reverend Henry Garrett, the former
was Curate for 11 months, the latter for 9 months, July 1838.
Organ
restored in 1952 in memory of Brigadier General Robert Browne-Clayton,
D.S.O., D.L., J.P., of Browne’s Hill, by his son, Lieutenant-Colonel W.
P. Browne-Clayton.
A
Pulpit Fall and Bible for Lectern, presented by Mrs. Ruddock and family
in 1958, in memory of William Ruddock.
A
Literature Table in front Porch, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Wynne of
Quinagh House, in memory of Robert Arthur died 5th April,
1934, aged 2 years; Euphemia (Effie) Gillespie, died 1st
June, 1936, and their brother, Philip Samuel Noel, died 10th
August, 1940.
Memorial tablet in front Porch in loving memory of William
Browne-Clayton and his wife Caroline.
The
Bells in the Tower were erected by their children in 1926.
An
Alms Dish in memory of Captain Jocelyn Henry Watkins Thomas of Belmont,
Carlow.
A
Prie-Dieu: In loving memory of Flora Isabella Ridgeway, daughter of John
J. MacEacharn, Kelvinside, Glasgow, and wife of the Venerable S.
Ridgeway, Archdeacon of Ossory and Leighlin, 1947.
The Vestry
In
the Vestry there is a number of photographs and pictures of former
Rectors of the Parish, and Bishops of the Diocese.
-
The Right Reverend Bishop Packenham Walsh.
-
The Right Reverend Bishop Bernard.
-
The Right Reverend Bishop Gregg.
-
The Right Reverend Bishop Day.
-
The Right Reverend Bishop Tishbourne.
-
Reverend FitzJohn Trench.
-
Reverend Joseph Jameson.
-
Reverend Bettysworth Perry.
-
Reverend Dean Smyth King.
-
Reverend Dean Finlay.
-
Reverend Archdeacon Ridgeway.
Also
in the Vestry is a Scroll which was found in a cavity in a wall of St.
Anne’s when demolition was taking place.
Also
some coins, which were deposited there by Mrs. Joyce Derrick when the
Church was being erected 21st May, 1852. She was the
Architect’s wife.
The Oldest Families in the
Parish
The
oldest family still living in the Parish is the Coleman family of Dublin
Street, as mentioned earlier.
The
Browne-Claytons, Fishbournes, Haughtons, Humphreys, Gales, Hunts,
McMahons, Bruens, Burtons, Thomas’s, Jamesons, Fitzmaurices, are all
very old Carlow families, their names appear in the oldest Church
Minutes, some as far back as 1669.
The
McMahons, Burtons, Jamesons and Fitzmaurices are still represented in
the district.
The following is the List
of Rectors of Catherlough
|
Pre-Reformation: |
|
|
1346 Reverend William De
Drayton |
Minister |
|
1377 Reverend Richard
Walsh |
Rector |
|
1392 Reverend Thomas
Wanestown |
Rector |
|
1403 Reverend Thomas
Talliouse |
Rector |
|
1435 Reverend Henry Vale.
|
Rector |
|
1615 Reverend Pierce White |
Rector |
|
1637 Reverend Samuel
Mosley |
Rector |
|
1669-1679 Rev. Richard
Jones |
Rector |
|
1680-1684 Rev. Thomas
Weston |
Rector |
|
1686-1694 Rev. Joseph
Pincent |
Rector |
|
1694-1696 Rev. John
Francis |
Rector |
|
1696-1712 Rev. Robert
Harris |
Rector |
|
1712-1713 Rev. John Hayden |
Rector |
|
1713-1725 Rev. Samuel
Morland |
Rector |
|
1725-1735 Rev. Richard
Grantham |
Rector |
|
1736-1737 Rev. Patrick
Bennett |
Rector |
|
1738-1777 Rev. Charles
Doyne, D.D |
Dean of Leighlin |
|
1777-1822 Rev. John
Falkiner, D.D |
Rector |
|
1822-1836 Rev. George
Venables Vernon |
Rector |
|
1836-1848 Rev. Joseph
Jameson, M.A |
Rector |
|
1848-1858 Rev. Frederick
FitzJohn Trench, M.A |
Rector |
|
1859-1864 Rev. William J.
Purdon, M.A |
Rector |
|
1864-1877 Rev. Adam
Bettysworth Perry, M.A |
Rector |
|
1877-1889 Rev. Wm. Smyth
King |
Dean of Leighlin |
|
1889-1912 Rev. John Finlay |
Dean of Leighlin |
|
1912-1950 Rev. Samuel
Ridgeway, M.A |
Archdeacon of Leighlin |
|
1951-1959 Rev. John G.
Gash |
now Dean of Ossory |
And
finally our present Rector, Reverend Canon D. H. Patton, M.A., who was
instituted 3rd Dec., 1959. I am sure all Parishioners join me
in wishing him many years with us.
(Compiled, written and read by Mr. Harry Fennell, Everton, Carlow)
-
Source: Michael
Purcell
-
Transcriber:
J. J. Woods c2008
[ Page 1
] [ Page 2
] [ Page 3 ]
Please report any links or images which do not open to
mjbrennan30@gmail.com
The information on this web site is for
personal use only, and under no circumstances is it to be used/copied for
commercial purposes by Professional Researchers. Neither can it be used for
the purpose of gain from any person and/or organisation.
© 2001 Ireland Genealogy Projects, IGP TM By
Pre-emptive Copyright - All rights reserved
TOP OF PAGE
