Rathvilly

c1950

Rathvilly - The name Rathvilly - in Irish Ráth Bhile, ring fort of the trees - comes from one of a series of raths or circular earthworks built on the eastern side of the River Barrow. Today Rathvilly is a picturesque village in North Carlow, with parish boundaries bordering counties Kildare and Wicklow. It has the distinction of winning the All-Ireland Tidy Towns Award on three separate occasions and this is reflected in the overall character of the village.

In the centre of the village is a monument to Kevin Barry, (His Story) a local boy who joined the fight for Irish freedom. He was captured, and executed at the age of 18 in Dublin. His short and adventurous life is remembered in one of the best known rebel songs, The Ballad of Kevin Barry.

In the 5th Century, Crimthan, King of Leinster, lived at Rathvilly. He was converted and baptised by St. Patrick. Rathvilly Motte, in the townland of Knockroe, is suggested as his residence during his reign from 443 AD to 483 AD.

With panoramic views of the Wicklow Hills and Mount Leinster, Lisnavagh Estate was originally designed and the gardens laid out by Daniel Robertson in the 1850's

KEVIN GERARD BARRY

Kevin Gerard Barry (Irish: Caoimhín de Barra; 20 January 1902 - 1 November 1920) was an Irish medical student who fought in the Irish War of Independence, becoming one of its earliest and most remembered martyrs.

Kevin Barry was born in Dublin of upper middle class parents, and grew up both there and in rural County Carlow. He was the fourth of seven children. He entered the exclusive Belvedere College in 1916. During his second year there, aged 15, he joined the Irish Volunteers, and initially was charged with delivering motivation orders. In 1919, he enrolled at University College Dublin to study medicine.

During the war against the British, Barry was promoted to Section Commander, and took part in various raids for arms throughout the city. On 20 September 1920, he took part in an ambush of a lorry of British soldiers. In the ensuing gunfight, three of them were killed, making them the first military deaths the British had suffered in Ireland since the Easter Rising. The three men killed were Pte. Thomas Humphries, Pte. Marshall Whitehead and Pte Harold Washington. Pte Washington was only 15 years old.

Barry was captured hiding under a truck after his comrades fled the scene. He testified in a sworn affidavit some weeks later that his captors tortured him in an attempt to find out the names of other men involved in the raid. Barry refused to tell. He was tried as a civilian for the murder of Pte. Whitehead. Barry refused to recognise the court and so was undefended at his trial. He is reported to have read the newspaper during proceedings. Kevin Barry was convicted of murder and was hanged in Mountjoy Prison on 1 November, despite a reported request to be shot as a soldier. He was 18 years old. His was the first execution since 1916. The execution was used by Sinn Féin to help foster anti-British sentiment throughout the country. Many students his age joined the Irish Republican Army following his execution.

Barry's death is considered a watershed moment in the Irish conflict. His hanging came only days after the death on hunger strike of Terence MacSwiney - the Republican Lord Mayor of Cork - and brought public opinion to fever-pitch. His treatment and death attracted great international attention and attempts were made by U.S., British and Vatican officials to secure a reprieve. The story of Kevin Barry has an enduring appeal and he remains one of the best known figures of the Irish Republican tradition. In many ways Barry might be considered a victim of circumstances. An unknown N.C.O. in life, it was the timing and mythologising of his death that catapulted him to fame. That said, he played his part to perfection showing considerable courage and good-humour in the face of death. A few days before his execution he joked with a visitor that "They are not going to shoot me like a soldier - they are going to hang me like a gentleman!".

The only full-length biography of Kevin Barry was written by his nephew, the journalist Donal O'Donovan and published in 1989 as Kevin Barry and his Time.

Kevin Barry is remembered in a well-known song about his imprisonment and execution, written shortly after his death and still sung today. The tune to "Kevin Barry" was taken from "Rolling Home to Dear Old Ireland".

Source: From Wikipedia

The Watermill is a 16th century corn mill – situated on the banks of the River Slaney in the village of Rathvilly in County Carlow. The Watermill has been converted into a fine restaurant run by Enrico Tononi.

Source of image: http://www.watermillrathvilly.com/

The River Slaney River which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows south for about 62 miles (100 kilometers) through the counties of Carlow and Wexford. The Slaney empties into the Irish Sea at Wexford Harbour. Important salmon fisheries are near the town of Wexford.

Flax Growers of 1796 - Rathvilly, County Carlow

Byrne Edward Rathvilly Carlow

Byrne Laurence Rathvilly Carlow

Farrall James Rathvilly Carlow

M'Donnell John Rathvilly Carlow

Wall James Rathvilly Carlow

An Article on the Hedge Schools.
In the Rathvilly St Patricks graveyard there is a well worn stone Erected by William D'Arcy in memory of his father Thomas D'arcy - Knocklishen. Died Janr 1882 aged 82. And his mother Catherine D'Arcy died 5th March 1896. Seven Children Including a Vincentian Priest and three Presentation Nuns mourn the loss of the above their beloved parents "He was a true and faithful friend in life and died a happy death May the Lord Have Mercy On Their Souls"

Edward D'arcy ( Darcy) was the teacher at the Knocklishen Hedge School, he was then succeeded by his son Michael- and Knockishen was to become the last Hedge School in Rathvilly Parish as later it became a National School. Thomas and Catherine D'Arcy nee ? continued at the National School as teachers, along with the main subjects, the gave tuition in Music - they had a family of 7 children, their eldest son was William Edward born? died? who in 1878 was organist at the Carlow Cathedral, and in the same year aided by his sister Helen he organised a concert which was held at the Rathvilly Boys School. Helen went on to be a presentation Nun. Of the 7 children three were girls and all entered the Presentation Order in Lucan. Elizabeth, born 1850, entered the Order in 1868 going on to become Mother Stanislaus D'Arcy, Foundress of the Presentation Order in Lismore, Australia. Unfortunately all the records of Elizabeth background had been destroyed in Australia so help was asked for and received from the Rev Mothers' in Lucan and Lismore Cameto Rathvilly.

Source: Cara c2008

Griffiths Valuation of Ireland - Rathvilly, County Carlow