A community on the outskirts of Kilkenny city have just published a book recording the history of their local area. The book entitled Castleinch Kilkenny: Connections Through Time is edited by Dr Richard Hyland and Michael O’Dwyer. It contains chapters by the editors and a fine contribution by Aideen O’Reilly on Castle Bamford and the Barton family connection. Through Trojan work in two chapters, Mary Casteleyn and Bernie Kirwan have expertly read, photographed and recorded the gravestone inscriptions at St David’s Church and Graveyard, Castleinch – as well as documenting the genealogies of those interred.
In recent years a committee under the leadership of local man Richard Ryan was formed to make accessible, maintain and promote the protection of this historic Church, its monuments and the surrounding ancient graveyard. Michael O’Dwyer, the extensively published pre-eminent Kilkenny historian, suggested that a book could be produced.
Local individuals and businesses in the area have helped by way of sponsorship and all the proceeds of the book will go towards preservation works.
Joseph Cuffe first settled in the castle at Castleinch (no longer in existence) during the Cromwellian period. He gives his name to Cuffesgrange. His descendants became Lord Desart and later the Earls of Desart. They lived in Castleinch before the building of Desart Court in 1733. Before the arrival of the Cuffes, the Comerfords lived in the castle and reputedly hosted Archbishop Rinuccini before he entered Kilkenny city in 1645. The castle was likely built by the de Valle or Wall family. The first member of the Wall family to come to Ireland accompanied Strongbow during the Norman Invasion and settled at Castleinch.
The book focuses on St. David’s Church and Graveyard on the Castleinch road, where the Desarts are remembered. The civil parish of Castleinch contains thirteen townlands and extends from Smyths Cross on the Ballycallan road to Bamford Cross on the Kells road. Most of it now is in St. Patrick’s parish. This area that could almost be said to be between city and country, is bisected by the Callan road from Goslingstown to Rathaleek. The other townlands in the district are Aughtanny, Brownstown, Glebe, Knocklegan, Kyleanaulta/Woodlands, Derdimus, Garraun, Grange (part of), Castleinch/Inchyolaghan, Parkmore and Raheenapisha/Rathmore
Many notable historic Kilkenny families both Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic find their resting place in the graveyard. These include the Bartons of Castle Bamford, Blundens of Castle Blunden and the Hartford and Shearman families of Grange House. The Meany family of Cellarstown are commemorated with a beautifully decorated headstone, The Morrisseys of Friary street have a unique lyrical epitaph inscribed on their pediment. The notable Kilkenny legal family of Poe are memorialised by another pediment.
There is a connection through the clerical Kearney family with former U.S. President Barrack Obama. Furthermore, the White House architect James Hoban was born on the Desart Estate.
Inchiolahan House on the Kells road was the residence for many years of the rectors of Castleinch Church. It was also the home of Kathleen Marescaux who was a well-known artist.
The final chapter is devoted to St. Finbarr’s Hurling Club which was prominent in the 1950s. The club was made up mostly of hurlers from the western city area and surrounding countryside. St. Finbarrs reached the Junior County Final in 1956.
The book will be launched at the Castleinch Venue on Friday 23rd August at 7.30 p.m. by the Chairperson of The Rothe House Trust, Councillor David Fitzgerald. Refreshments will be available.
This should be an opportunity for those who live in the Castleinch area and those interested in Kilkenny’s history to gather and celebrate their heritage.
