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When Graigue removed 'Carlow' from its name. Carlow-Graigue – Graiguecullen 1918 1918 Pledge in Pat Purcell Papers.
Father Cullen, a native of Crann, Leighlinbridge, was a member of the Maher / Cullen family that produced Cardinals, Bishops, priests and scores of nuns, in fact they were referred to as the "Catholic Ecclesiastical Aristocracy" of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. During his time as Parish Priest Father Cullen worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Carlow-Graigue. He died on 7th August 1917, he is buried in Killeshin. His tombstone is of great interest to historians and tourists as it was hand-carved by a famous German artist, Prof. August Weckbecker, who travelled to Killeshin from Rome to undertake work on the stone. The Gaelic League requested that all parishioners would in future use the name Graiguecullen in speaking of the Carlow-Graigue parish and Wellington Bridge and in all correspondence and business transactions from September 1918. The Carlow-Graigue Corn and Coal Company was the first business to rename the business as "The Graiguecullen Corn and Coal Company. There was some opposition to the renaming of Wellington Bridge particularly from the Gentry class who done their best to have the name Wellington Bridge preserved in honour of Irishman, Arthur Wellesley, Field Marshal, Duke of Wellington and hero of The Battle of Waterloo where he defeated Napoleon in 1815. (a Plaque dated 1815 to the Duke's memory remains erected on the north-side of the Bridge to this day ). The "Pledge" in the Pat Purcell Papers was signed by my grandfather, John Purcell and his family on 30th August 1918.]
The Pledge. I hereby declare that from this day henceforth I will use the name Graiguecullen both in speaking and writing whenever I am referring to that place or Bridge of that name. I undertake to do this and have it done as a tribute of respect to the memory of our late patriotic Parish Priest, and I hereby subscribe myself on behalf of all this household who number six in all.
Source: Michael Purcell c.2012
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