Directory: 1881 Slater'S Directory for Rathkeale *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Limerick Index Copyright ************************************************ 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.