Land: Estate Records of Wm. Meade Smythe Esqre, Tenants & Land Legends Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Westmeath Index Land Records Copyright File contributed by: by C.Hunt. ________________________________ ESTATE RECORDS OF WM. MEADE SMYTHE ESQRE, TENANTS & LAND LEGENDS TOWNLAND Rathduff OCCUPIERS Mrs. O'Bierne There is a rock called (Carraig an Affrin) tradition tells that a Mass was celebrated at this rock in the penal days. A cross with circle round it is quite plain to be seen on it and must be cut on it to commemorate the deed. I have heard it stated that people, old men and women, could be seen praying at this rock in olden times. There is a place on this farm called the (Conacre), there is a cave at this place, it seems to be the remains of a very large fort. There are two other forts and what they call the (caltrog) which I have heard is the remains of an old Church yard. _____ TOWNLAND Davidstown or Painstown OCCUPIERS T.D. Murtagh There is a field in this townland called (Seanwala). The foundation of an old Chapel is quite plain to be seen in this field, there is also a cave near Mr. Murtagh's House. There are six forts in this townland. _____ TOWNLAND Laragh OCCUPIERS Eugene Ballesty, East Christopher Bannon, West The Hill of Laragh, locally known as the cross of Laragh. This hill is a considerably high one, and is reached by a road which divides it into farms owned by those named. Tradition tells us that (St. Patrick when on his journey to Usnagh crossed this hill, and when he reached the top or highest summit he rested. There is a resemblance of a rude chair, where he seated himself. I have heard it stated that people used to visit this chair and seat themselves in it to obtain a cure for pain or hurted back. I was told by a man now long dead that there was a cross erected here just beside the chair he told me he saw portion of the cross. There is no portion of the cross to be seen there now. There are 3 forts and 2 caves in Laragh, and portion of an old Monastery in this townland. I understand the history of this ancient monastery can be obtained at the Friary, Multyfarmham. _____ TOWNLAND Rathmore, Collinstown OCCUPIERS The Mr. and Miss Rose Bannon There is nothing of note except four forts and a mound, seems to be artificial. the name of this mound (in Irish) is called by the people (Leaguane) it has no other name I know of. I always heard my grandfather who could speak Irish call it by this name. What is known as the Giants graves are in this place. _____ TOWNLAND Simonstown OCCUPIERS Mrs. Ballesty In this townland joining Mr. Lymbes Killpatrick there is a well, known as (Tobar na Padraig) or Patrick's well. We are told by tradition that Saint Patrick when on his way to Usnagh blessed this Well and drank out of it. Numbers of people visited this for a cure; they tied pieces of rags or cloth on the branches of a most remarkable ash tree growing over the well, they also put pins in the tree, I heard a man say that he saw the wood of this tree for a fire and it would not blaze or burn like any other ash. I heard a woman state she obtained a cure for a very old sore by applying the water of the Holy well, as it is locally called. _____ Source: (FHL # 1279285)