Leighlinbridge Index

Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP TM)


Leighlinbridge 1824
Merchants, Tradesmen &c.

according to PIGOT and Co.'s Provincial Directory of 1824.

Black Castle at Leighlinbridge*.
Black Castle and The Valerian Bridge bridge over the River Barrow
Source: Official Guide to Co Carlow 1985/86
Leighlin Bridge c2002
Photo: DOE
The Lord Bagenal Inn at Leighlinbridge*
Click on images to enlarge
* Photographs by Betty Smith, and her husband Robert.

Leighlinbridge

According to PIGOT and Co.'s Provincial Directory of 1824.

Leighlinbridge is a market and post town in the county of Carlow, is forty-five miles from Dublin, twelve from Kilkenny, and six from Carlow, on the high road to Kilkenny. The town is romantically situated on the banks of the river Barrow, over which is a neat stone bridge of nine arches. The market for corn and butter is much improving; the butter is conveyed by the river to Waterford, for the London and other markets. Among the public buildings of this place is the church, which stands on the west side of the river, and from the yard of which there is an extensive view of the country for many miles round; the windings of the river add much to the beauty of the scene. There are also two Roman Catholic chapels and an establishment for Carmelite friars. At the foot of the bridge are the remains of a very extensive castle, said to have been destroyed by Cromwell. About a mile from the town is a famous spa, much esteemed for its beneficial effects on consumptive habits. Leighlin is the sole property of Wm. R. Stewart, esq., whose hospitable and neat mansion is seated on the east side of the river; the lofty wood on his estate adds much to the beauty of the town. The market days are Monday and Saturday; a market is also held on Friday for butter. There are four fairs in the year, viz: on Easter Monday, the 14th of May, the 25th of September, and the 27th of December. The population is near 2000.

POST OFFICE - Post Mistress, Mrs. Mary Forrest. The mail to Dublin, by the Cork mail, at a quarter past ten in the evening. The mail to Cork at three in the morning. The mail to Carlow, by the Waterford mail, at half-past ten in the evening. The Thomastown, Gowran, and Bagenalstown mails are conveyed by the Waterford mail. The Kilkenny, Clonmel, and Callan mails by thy Cork Mail. Office hours from seven in the morning till eleven at night.

This is the lock gates at Rathvinden near Leighlinbridge. The house in the background was built c.1790. It is now derelict.
The Barrow in Leighlinbridge 1870

GENTRY AND CLERGY
Baggott Christopher, esq.
Barratt Edw. Dean, Bagenalstown
Bernard -, the Hon. and very Rev. Dean of Leighlin
Berry Rev. Pat. P. C.
Boughton R. H. Lieut. 85 Regt.
Colley Rev. Arthur
Crosthwaite - esq, Lodge Mills
Cullen the Rev. Dean
Doyne Rev. John
Goss Rev. Anthony
Jervis Rev. James B.
Kehoe Rev. Patrick
  Milford John Alex. esq.
Molony Rev. Weldon John, Dunleckney Glebe
Newton Philip, esq. Dunleckney
Newton Walter esq., Bagenalstown
Roberts Saml  Thos. esq.
Singleton Thos. esq. Bagenalstown
Steuart Wm. Richd. esq, Steuart's Lodge
Thomas Amos, esq.
Wall D. esq., Bagnelstown
Watson Henry, esq.
Weld Matthew, esq, Bagnelstown
Weld Richd. esq, Lodge, Bagnelstown
 

PROFESSIONAL GENTLEMEN.

Doyle James, surgeon, &c.
Low  Edw. attorney at. law
O'Reilly  Terence, apothecary
Tracey Win. coal merchant
Walsh Terence, shoemaker
MERCHANTS, TRADESMEN, &c.
COACHES.
The Cork Mail for Dublin at a quarter past ten in the
evening, and returns for Cork at three in the morning, The Waterford Mail at half past ten in the evening for Dublin.
The Kilkenny & Waterford Day Coaches pass every
 morning, but make no stay.

CARRIERS.

Goods are conveyed to and from Dublin by Cars passing to and from Kilkenny.

CONVEYANCE.

Goods may be sent by the river to Carlow, Dublin and all intermediate towns, by application to Mr. Wm Singleton Bagnelstown.

 

TRADERS & SHOPKEEPERS.

Byrne Jonathan, shoemaker
Crowe Rose, woollen draper
Darcy Wm, butcher
Darcy Wm. shoemaker
Dargon Dennis, wheelwright
Dowling Michael, grocer
Dwyer James, linen and woollen draper
Farrell James, hardwareman
Fleming James, publican
Haydon Edw. grocer and publican
Henesy Sarah, grocer
Honahon Patrick, shoemaker
Maher John, Baker
Maher Win. Publican
Mc Cartney Betsy,  haberdasher
Mc Gee Bernard, saddler & harness maker
Mc Gee John, salt manufacturer
Moran Patrick, grocer
O’Neil Terence, innkeeper, (Swan Inn)
Payne Wm. Publican
Ransford Henry, grocer
Tracey James, woolen draper


Leighlinbridge

Leighlinbridge (Irish: Leithghlinn an Droichid, meaning Glen-side of the Bridge) is a village on the River Barrow in County Carlow, Ireland. The N9 National primary route once passed through the village which was by-passed in the 1980s. It now lies on the R705 regional road.

It features narrow winding streets, grey limestone malt houses and castle ruins overlooking a 14th century bridge across the River Barrow, reputedly one of the oldest functioning bridges in Europe. Leighlinbridge has won many environmental awards, including county winner in the National Tidy Towns Competition, first in the Barrow Awards, overall national winner in Ireland's Green Town 2000 and represented Ireland in the European "Entente Florale" competition in 2001.

Leighlinbridge Castle
 
The Black Castle on the River Barrow in Leighlinbridge

Leighlinbridge Castle, also called Black Castle, is situated in the village of Leighlinbridge, County Carlow, Ireland, on the River Barrow, and was one of Ireland’s earliest Norman castles. A 50ft tall broken castle tower and bawn wall are all that can be seen today

One source says that in 1180 Hugh de Lacy built the first castle here to defend the river crossing, while another states that in 1181, John de Clahull built one of the earliest strongholds of The Pale here. The present building is, however, a 14th century Tower house. Beside the castle was a Carmelite priory, founded in 1270.  During the 14th century, the Kavanaghs reclaimed most of their land in the area, including the castle.  The castle was rebuilt in 1547 by Edward Bellingham as Black Castle and a band of horse was kept there, under whose protection, the county slowly settled. The castle was situated in the Barony of Idrone owned by the Carews. The castle was sacked by Cromwellian forces in 1650 during the Irish Confederate Wars

Below the castle lies the ruin of the first Carmelite priory in Ireland which was built by the Norman, Carew in 1270.  At the northern entrance to the village is a sculpture by Michael Warren, depicting the thrones of the ancient seat of the Kings of South Leinster at Dinn Righ (The hill of the Kings). The Kings of Leinster lived near the village.

Source: Wikipedia

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