Directory: 1881 Slater'S Directory for Rathkeale 

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File contributed by:  Cathy Labath labaths@celticcousins.net

1881 SLATER'S DIRECTORY FOR RATHKEALE 

RATHKEALE,
    A Market and parish, in the barony of Lower Connello, 
county of Limerick, is 120 miles s.w. from Dublin, 53 n.n.w. 
from Cork, and 17 s.w. by w. from Limerick; situated between 
the last named town and Newcastle, on the banks of the river 
Deel. It was formerly a corporation town, and of more 
importance than it now is, at least in the annals of 
turbulence and war, having obstinately and successfully 
resisted various assaults of the English army during the 
rebellion, which desolated this island in the reign of 
Elizabeth. At a very early age a priory for Augustinian 
canons, under the invocation of the Virgin Mary, was founded 
here by a person of the name of Harvey. The town consists 
principally of one long and wide street, extending from east 
to west, with some respectable houses and a few good shops. 
The court-house, in the Square, is a neat stone building, 
and the bridewell, a substantial one, beneath it. Petty 
sessions are held every alternate Thursday, and quarter 
sessions in January, April, July and October. Agriculture is 
the prevailing occupation of the inhabitants, the trade of 
the town is entirely of a character connected therewith, 
corn being the principal, but even that comparatively 
trifling; there are two flour mills, one of which is on a 
large scale. 

The places of worship are the Protestant Episcopal 
church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, erected upon an 
acclivity at the west end of the town, and a Roman Catholic 
chapel, in Thomas-street, both handsome structures, the 
former has a lofty embattled tower with crocketted 
pinnacles. The surrounding country is highly interesting, 
presenting a number of rich and varied prospects, 
embellished with flourishing plantations and many seats of 
the gentry. A prominent object in the landscape is Matras or 
Matrix Castle, which stands about a mile from the town, in a 
fine situation, on the banks of the Deel, commanding 
extensive views of the country, including the Shannon river, 
and the Clare and Tipperary mountains. It was besieged by 
Cromwell, but received little injury at his hands, and 
within these few years it has been put in a state of 
complete repair. The markets, which are well supplied are 
held on Thursday and Saturday. Fairs January 7th, February 
7th, March 10th, April 4th & 24th, May 8th, June 1st & 19th, 
July 17th, August 6th & 25th, September 18th, October 15th,  
November 4th & 18th and December 13th. The population of the 
parish, in 1861, was 5,152 and in 1871, 4,359, of which the 
town numbered 2,517.

POST OFFICE, Main Street, RATHKEALE. William Boyle, Post 
Master. - Letters from all parts arrive (from Limerick) at 
five minutes past five morning and seven night, and are 
dispatched thereto at ten minutes before twelve morning and 
twenty minutes past seven morning. 

Money Order and Telegraph and Savings Bank.


GENTRY AND CLERGY

Adamson Mrs. Margaret, Court Lodge
Blennerhasset Gerald, Esq., Riddllestown park
Bouchier Henry, Esq., Fort Henry
Browne Pierce, Esq., Brownville
Condon Patrick, Esq., Ballyallinan
Cox Robert, Esq J.P., Ballingarry
Dwyer Rev. P.L. The Monastery, Thomas st.
Evans Miss Jane Ann, Main st
Ferguson David, Esq., Smithfield House, Croagh
Gibbings, William, Esq., Kilscannel
Halpin, Rev. John, P.P. Main st
Hartigan, Patrick, Esq., J.P. Kilscannel
Hayes Mr. James, Main st
Hewson George, Esq., Hollywood, Croagh
Hewson the Misses _, Main st
Hewson Robert Esq Ennisconsch
Hogan Mrs Anne, Rathkeale Cottage
M'Donnell Mrs. Thomas, Sceart House
Massey Mrs., Stoneville
Maunsell Daniel, Esq. J.P. Ballywilliam House
Mulare Jeremiah, Esq. Kilcool
O'Brien Edward William, Esq. Cahermoyle
Power William Esq, Clonshire House
Studdart Arthur, Esq., Elm Hill
Studdart, George, Esq., Elm Hill
Taylor ___, Esq., Holly park, Croagh
Teskey Mr. George Rockfield
Teskey Mr. Jacob, Ballenlina, Kilscannel
White John, Esq., J.P. Nantenan
Wilkinson Capt._____, J.P. Ballingarry

SCHOOLS

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS SCHOOL, Thomas st - Christian Brothers, 
teachers
NATIONAL SCHOOL. Thomas st - Patrick M'Donnell, master; Mary 
J. Maume, mistress
NATIONAL SCHOOL, Thomas st - Sisters of Mercy, teachers.

AGENTS
(See also Fire, &c, Office Agents)

Carey James (emigration), Main st
Casey Joseph (general), Thomas st
Denison Patrick (emigration), Well la
O'Grady Edward (manure), Main st
O'Shaughnessy David (emigration), Main st
Power John W (manure), Main st

AUCTIONEERS
Casey Joseph, Thomas st
Downes Thomas, Main st

BAKERS

Coghlan Kate (& confectioner), Main st
Mortel John, Main st
Russell John N & Sons, Main st

BANKS

MUNSTER BANK (Branch), Main st - draws on Union Bank, London 
- Roger O'Sullivan, manager
NATIONAL BANK (Branch), Main st - draws on National Bank, 
London & Dublin - ___ Bernard, manager

BLACKSMITHS

Casey Maurice, Well lane
Kain Maurice, Well lane
White John, Church st

BOOT & SHOE MAKER

Cullen Michael, Well lane
Kirby John, Well lane
Madigan Michael, Well lane
Mangan Patrick, Church st
Nolan Patrick, Main st
Raynard William, Thomas st

BUTCHERS

Ahern John (pork), Main st
Carey John, Main st
Hogan David, Main st
Riedy Ellen, Main st
Riedy John, Main st
Riedy Michael, Main st
Roche Ann, Main st

CAR OWNERS

Cosgreave Thomas, The Square
Hudson Charles, The Square
Moylan John B, Eagle Hotel

CARPENTERS

Burke Patrick, Bridge st
Hennessy Michael, Well lane
M'Carthy Charles, Well lane
Noonan Patrick, Well lane

COOPERS

Healy James, Main st
Kelly James, Main st

CORN MERCHANTS

Cullane Michael, Main st
Russell John N, & Sons, Main st

FARMERS

Casey Stephen, Main st
Condon Patrick, Ballyallinan
Enright John, Ardegh
Fitzgibbon Daniel, Main st
Hartigan Patrick, Kilscannel
Hewson George J, Hollywood, Croagh
M'Donnell Thomas, Secart House
Magner John, Talyhoe Lodge
Magner Thomas, Main st
Magner Thomas, Cahermoyle
Switzer Joshua, Ballinline
Teskey Jacob, Kilscannel

FIRE &c. OFFICE AGENTS

CALEDONIAN - R. O'Sullivan Munster Bank
CROWN (life) - ___ Bernard, National Bank
EDINBURGH (life) - James Carey, Main street
GENERAL - John Litchford, Main st
IMPERIAL (fire) - Bernard, National Bank
LONDON AND LANCASHIRE - Thomas Downes, The Square
NORTH BRITISH & MERCANTILE - Cornelius Hayes, Well lane
QUEEN (fire) - James Carey, Main st
ROYAL - Michael Fitzgibbon, Well lane
SCOTTISH EQUITABLE - J.F. Cosgreave, Main st
SCOTTISH NATIONAL - Patrick Kennedy, Main st
SCOTTISH WIDOW'S FUND - R. O'Sullivan, Munster Bank.

FLOUR DEALERS

Casey Catherine, Main st
Culhane Daniel, Main st
Culhane Michael, Main st
Fitzgibbon, Michael, Well lane
Johnson Peter, Main st
Kelly Mary, the Square
Riedy Ellen, Main st
Russell John N & Sons, Main st
Shanahan William, the Square

GROCERS
(See also Shopkeepers and Dealers in Sundries)

Blackwell James (& seedsman), Main st
Carey Catherine, Main st
Carroll Edward, Main st
Cusack Timothy, Main st
Hudson Charles, the Square
M'Donnell Bessie, Main st
Power John William, Main st
Shanahan David, Main st

HOTELS
(See also Public Houses)

Eagle (commercial and posting), John B. Moylan, Main st
Piggott Arms, Charles Hudson, The Square

IRONMONGERS & HARDWARE DEALERS

Corneille Chris (and stationer), Main st
Hayes Cornelius, Well la
Norman Henry (and earthenware), Main st
O'Grady Edward, Main st

LAMP AND OIL DEALERS

M'Donnell Bessie, Main st
Norman Henry, Main st
O'Grady Edward, Main st

LEATHER CUTTERS

Hayes Cornelius, Well la
O'Grady Edward, Main st

LINEN & WOOLLEN DRAPERS & HABERDASHERS

Downes Thomas, Main st
Dunworth & Malony, Main st
Frewin & Griffin, The Square
Kennedy Patrick, Main st
M'Donnell Bessie, Main st
Moylan John B, Main st
Noonan Timothy, Main st
O'Shaughnessy Dav., Main st
O'Shea Margaret, The Square

MILLERS

Enright Timothy, Castlematrix Mills
Russell John N. & Sons, Main st

MILLINERS & DRESSMAKERS

Cahill Margaret, The Square
O'Shea Margaret, The Square

OIL & COLOURMEN

Corneille Christopher, Main st
Madigan Michael, Main st
M'Donnell Bessie, Main st
Norman Henry, Main st
O'Grady Edward, Main st

PAINTERS & GLAZIERS

Evans John, Main st
O'Connell John (and paper hanger), Main st

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry David, The Square
Blackwell John, Main st
Carey James, Main st
Carroll Edward, Main st
Casey Robert P, The Square
Caulfield Elizabeth A, Main st
Connelly Denis, Main st
Cosgreave Thomas, The Square
Costelloe William, Well la
Dempsey James, The Square
Denison Patrick, Well ln
Fennell Thomas, Church st
Fitzgerald John, Church st
Fitzgibbon Daniel, Main st
Foley Denis, Main st
Healey Eliza, Main st
Henessey Michael, Well la
Hogan John, The Square
Hogan Peter, The Square
Hudson Charles, The Square
Leacy Margaret, Main st
M'Namara Matthew, Main st
Mulcahy Johanna, The Square
Mulcahy Penelope, Main st
Neville Denis, Main st
Noonan James, Main st
O'Connell Josiah, Main st
O'Shea James, The Square
Potter Henry, Main st
Power John William, Main st
Power William, Main st
Ryan Catherine, Main st
Ryan John, Main st
Sheehy John, The Square
Ward Denis, Main st

SADDLER & COLLAR MAKERS

Chawk Patrick, The Square
Ward Denis, Main st

SHOPKEEPERS AND DEALERS IN SUNDRIES
(See also Grocers)

Ahern John, Main st
Fennell Thomas, Church st
Hayes James, Well lane
Hogan John, The Square
Kelly John, Main st
M'Donnell Bridget, Main st
O'Regan Maurice, The Square
Walsh Robert, Well lane

SOLICITORS

Cosgreave J.F., Main st
Ferguson David, Main st
Moran James, Main st

SPIRIT DEALERS
See Public Houses

SURGEONS

Cahill John D, Main st
Fitzgibbon John, M.D., (& apothecary), Main st
Hayes James, Main st
Hedderman William, M.D., Main st

TAILORS

Fitzgerald Michael, Main st
Hayes James, Main st
O'Shaughnessy Michael, Thomas st

TALLOW CHANDLERS

M'Donnell Bessie, Main st
Shanahan David, Main st

TOBACCONISTS

Corneille Christopher, Main st
Hogan John, Main st
M'Donnell Bessie, Main st
Shanahan David, Main st

WOOLLEN DRAPERS
See Linen & Woollen Drapers

MISCELLANEOUS

Ahern John, fruiterer, The Square
Casey Stephen, relieving officer, Main st
Cox John, county surveyor, Main st
Irwin John, watchmaker, Main st
Latchford Mary Ann, pawnbroker, Main st
Mulcahy Cornelius, tax & rate collector, Main st
O'Grady Edward, timber & coal merchant, Thomas st

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, OFFICES, &c. 

PLACES OF WORSHIP
and their Ministers

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES:- 
Church st. (Holy Trinity)- Rev. Samuel Wills, rector
Kilscannel - Rev. Samuel Wills
Nantenan - Rev. Augustus C.L. Coghlan, perpetual curate

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Thomas 
st - Rev. John Halpin, P.P.
MONASTERY OF THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS, Thomas st - Rev. P.L. 
Dwyer, director
CONVENT OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY, Thomas st - Sister Mary 
Stanislaus, superioress

WESLEYAN (Methodist) CHAPEL, Main st - Rev. Mortlock Long

POOR LAW UNION
Workhouse, Rathkeale

Governor - James Hassett
Matron - Mary Ann Denmeade
Schoolmaster - Michael Brick
Schoolmistress - Margaret M'Donnell
Protestant Chaplain - Rev. Samuel R. Wills
Roman Catholic Chaplain - Rev. Jas. Halpin, p.p.
Medical Attendant - Thomas Hayes
Clerk to the Board of Guardians - Michael Fitzgibbon
Relieving Officers - John M'Donnell, Stephen Casey

REGISTRARS
Of Births, Deaths & Marriages
Office, Main st

Chairman of Commissioners - Daniel Fitzgibbon
Treasurers  - The National Bank
Clerk - Stephen Casey

Bridewell, The Square - Michael Duffey, keeper
Constabulary Station, The Square - Robert W. Gamble, 
sub-inspector
Court House, The Square - Sessions four times yearly and 
petty sessions every    alternate Thursday - Edward Vaughan, 
clerk of the sessions.
Dispensary - Thos. Hayes, M.D., medical officer; John 
Fitzgibbons, apothecary
Stamp Office, Main st - Martin Quaid, sub-distributor.

CARS.

TO LIMERICK, the Mail Car, every evening at twenty-five 
minutes past seven from the Post Office.

TO NEWCASTLE, the Mail Car, from the Post Office, at five 
minutes past five morning.

CONVEYANCE BY RAILWAY,
On the Rathkeale & Newcastle Section of the Waterford & 
Limerick Line. Station, New rd - Robert Ferguson, station 
master.