-
- (Part of) A rare hand dawn Ordnance Survey map of the Town Plan of
Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, 1873
- Sourse: The National
Archives
- Sent in by Terry Curran c2008
|
Topographical Dictionary of Ireland
by Samuel Lewis 1837
- BAGNALSTOWN
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- BAGNALSTOWN, a post-town, in the parish of DUNLECKNEY, barony of
IDRONE EAST, county of CARLOW, and province of LEINSTER, 8 miles (S.)
from Carlow, and 49 miles (S. S. W.) from Dublin; containing 1315
inhabitants. This town is beautifully situated on the river Barrow, and
on one of the mail coach roads from Dublin to Kilkenny; it is a place of
considerable trade, and is rapidly rising into importance; there are
some extensive corn-mills. It has a patent for two fairs, and ten other
fairs have been lately established by the proprietors. Quarter sessions
are held here in Jan., April, July, and October. Petty sessions are held
every Monday; and there is a manorial court, but no seneschal is at
present appointed. Here is a station of the constabulary police. The
court-house is a handsome building in the Grecian style, in front of
which is a portico with four Doric pillars. There is also a large and
handsome R. C. chapel, and a dispensary.
Source: Library Ireland
- The English name "Bagenalstown" is still
often used, but "Muinebheag" is the official name of the town while the
variation "Muine Bheag" is more commonly used, and is often used in
speech as "Muinebeg". Iarnród Éireann train services always use the
written timetable station of "Muine Bheag", whilst the spoken
announcements on trains are usually for "Bagenalstown".
The name Muine Bheag comes from the Irish
for a small thicket of thorns. The motto on the town's Coat of Arms is
"The Irrepressible Number" and its Irish equivalent, Uimhir gan choisc,
represent "9", which refers to the number of town
counsellors.
Bagenalstown
is sited on a pleasant reach of the River Barrow and derives its name from
Walter Bagenal, who founded the town in the 18th century. His original
concept for the town was based on Versailles, which had its genesis in the
palace of Louis XIV, with fine streetscapes and classical buildings.
Shortly after he had made an impressive start by building the imposing
courthouse (above) modelled on the Parthenon in Athens - which is all that
remains today of his grand plan, his efforts became frustrated.
Bagenalstown also has its own Hillview Museum
which has a collection of Household artefacts and vintage farm
machinery
However, the arrival of the railway in 1846
rejuvenated the town, and its fine neo-classical railway station is almost
as impressive as the Courthouse. Fine examples of the Carlow Granite
fencing are to be seen at the railway bridge on the Goresbridge Road.
Nowadays, one of the finest views of the Courthouse may be had on the
approach road from Leighlinbridge which includes the spire of St. Andrew’s
Catholic Church.
Bagenalstown is a pretty town, with riverside
walks, picnic tables and a picturesque lock. Dunleckney Manor is situated
nearby. One of County Carlow's most magnificent country houses. The
present structure dates to the 17th century, although the manor was home
to the Bagenal family for almost three centuries from 1585 onwards.
Designed in Tudor Gothic style with oriel windows it is now restored to
its former glory.
History of St. Andrews Church
Bagenalstown.
In 1817 The Church in Dunleckney was closed and the
Church in Bagenalstown was opened for Christmas Day 1820. The entrance
was from where the window is on the Men's side. It probably went as far
as the altar. Some say that part of this was rebuild later.
It was renovated 1893 to what it is today, almost. The
Steeple was added. Bernard Deegan, Royal Oak Road Chief Masons were
Doyle's. It was opened by the Bishop of Waterford in Oct. 1893 by the
then Bishop of Waterford. The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin blessed the
steeple.
1917 - Porches in side aisles were added .
Architect/builder was a man named Foley, a brother of Bishop Foley.
A Mortuary was added in Mgr. Conway's time and Fr.
Dowling renovated the Sanctuary in c1978.
(Cobden never mentioned, people were only interested in
the local people. The Land for the Church was given by the Newton
Family, the successors to the Bagenals. They also gave the land for
Newtown Church.)
Source: Bagenalstown Parish.
