A Review of the area, town land and House of Killone in the County of Stradbally

The manor known as Killone House is located on the townland and farm of Killone, which is located in the northern section of the Barony of Stradbally in County Laois. It is currently owned and occupied by a lady, Mrs Eileen Booth. It is located in the center of an area of long term historical importance and is surrounded by many named historical sites such as that of the Great Heath (Frugh Mor or Mag Rechet of ancient history), the Rock and Castle of Dunamase, the Castle and lands of Shaen, Heath House or Lodge, and the early Roman Catholic Churches of Dysert Enos, Kilteal, Killeny, Kilmurry and Moyanna.

In ancient times their were two trackways or roads which lead from the monastery of Kildare and its plains into the Magh Rechet, one from Monastervi (Ros Glas) to Coolbanagher (Cul Bendchuir) and the other crossing the River Barrow further south penetrating what was the the Great Wood somewhere in the area of what is now Vicarstown. From Magh Rechet or Great Heath, the ancient trackway served as major link to the monasteries further south and west (their being no towns or other population centers as such) and successively led thru the bogs and woods to Clonenagh (Clain Ednach), Montrath (Moin Ratha), Clonfertmulloe (Clauin Ferta Moula - a great center of scholarship in the 7th century) near the border of current Laois, and thence thru a pass towards Roscrea (Ros Cre). The trackway or "Slige" just outlined was part of one of the ancient or pre-historic tracks known as Slige Dala Meic Umhoir, one of the Five Roads of ancient Ireland which led in different directions from Tara.

We can thus see the ancient and historical significance of this geographical location and its continued importance as a major crossroad throughout the history of Ireland. Even today this is one of main arteries in the Midlands, now traversed by the two major thruways, the N7 and M7 Hi-ways which connect Dublin to the south and southwest of Ireland. The area around the Great Heath has been for perhaps two thousand years - and still is today an important piece of Irish history.

Before the use and application of townland names, this area was included in that known on early maps as 'Tou Mologan" translated perhaps as the Tuath Melaughlin or Clan of Melaughlin O'More, one of the earliest chiefs of the ancient 'seven septs' of the original historical territory of Leix.

All of the former listed sites were within this territory, and was bordered also by those of Coolbanagher church, Morett castle, Garrymaddock, and the stream of Morett. The lands to the north of these were those of the early clan of the Dempsy's, known in history as Clanmalir or Clanmaliere, and now the Barony of Portnahinch. To the north of O'more country and east of the O'Dempsey country was the location of the area known as Ui Riagain (now Barony of Tinnehinch) and the predominant location of the ancient O'Duinn or O'Dunne clan. Surrounding these three territories from the north around to the east were the lands of the O'Connors of Offaly. It was the men of these four tribes - O'Connors, O'Mores, ODuinns, and O'Dempsies - who from the times of the arrival of the Norse, Danish and Anglo-Normans were the major tribes which for seven hundred years fought and cajoled to protect and save their ancient heiritage against all comers. The tenacity and survival of these four, prompted Alfred Smyth, in his classic work "Celtic Leinster" to state -

" As long as these (four) Gaelic aristocracies could hold out along the western foothills of the Slieve Bloom, then the heart of Gaelic Ireland continued to beat."

By the 15-16th centuries, most of the lands had long since been claimed by the "crown" and dispensed along with numerous titles thru 'grants'. Many of these grants were lost in the many fights and battles between the native tribes and the forces of the "crown" and regranted again and again. Eventually as we know, most of the natives were dispossessed - and even sometimes given grants themselves. Many of the tribes were transported to Connaght and Kerry and other places (including far off islands and eventually even Australia).

In the earliest known recordings of lands, we find individual areas roughly sketched out in terms of "quarters", designating lands of members of  a clan or tribe and some of their neighbors. None of these were at first set out by mears (meets) and bounds, but were known locally as those lands sited by some peculiarity of the terrrain, woods, streams, etc. Until the 'creation' of Leix by Phillip and Mary in the mid 1500's there were not in fact any real maps as such. Even the earliest of those drawn in support of delineating early Leix, only show a general location of principal sites, such as castles, forts, and monasteries. As the population and coincident land clearings grew during the following years, the need for maps for taxation and tithing grew, and in turn the use of 'mears and bounds' and the naming of townlands and their inclusion in areas of 'parishes' followed.

In 1264 we find the lands around Dunamase (probably including those in our area of interest) and Lea Castles in the possession of Maurice Fitzgerald. For the following years we find these lands and castles exchanging hands many times -sometimes to the Irish and sometimes to William de Vessey and at other times to the various Earls of Kildare. In general, the authority of the English Deputies sent over as rulers was scarcely acknowledged beyond the confined limits of what was called the English Pale. When the powers of the clans would increase, and those of the colonists waned, the 'aborigines' emerged and reclaimed large portions of their former ancient territories.

By the mid 1500's, various Inquisitions were held - in the case of Leix, at the relatively new town of Maryborough - concerning properties, ownerships, forfeitures and grants of land. The paper trail was beginning to harden. The lands and possessions of the O'Mores were confiscated by Acts of Parliament and in 1556 under the "Act for Deposition of Leix and Ofalie" dated the 3rd and 4th of Phillip and Mary, A.D. 1556, the territories of Leix, Slewmarge, Irry, Glinmaliry, and Offialy were declared entitled and invested to the king and queen. Although the battles between the natives did not totally end at this time (and didn't end until 2-300 years later), the identification of properties did take on a new light and visibility

The lands of Killone were not 'officially' known or identified as such until around this time. It and its neighboring town lands did appear in the various documentations of the inquisitions and grants being made. Even then, sometimes Killone shows up and is given as either a part of the Parish of either Kileyne (Killeen) or Kilmurry, or perhaps as that of either the lands of the Great Heath or those of the Castle of Shaen. At times it is questionable if it is specifically included - or is to be assumed as a part of a broader identification.

 1534 - All lands of the Fitzgeralds were confiscated as a result of the rebellion of "Silken Thomas", the 10th Earl of Kildare.

1563- The O'Mores were proclaimed traitors, and all lands, including Stradbally, Moyanna and Killeny were confiscated (and "granted" to supporters of the "crown").

(1650) - Daniel Byrne, of Ballintlea, Co Wicklow, purchased from young (son of Robert?) Squire Whitney, the O'Kelly estate (Timogue) and another estate at the Great Heath known by the name of the Lordship of Shane ( from prior grants this would most probably include Killone). Daniel was a clothier and tailor, who amassed a certain amount of funds, using some fourty employees making uniforms for Cromwell for about 40,000 men, none of which he collected on until finished , and was then used to purchase lands and to give his son Daniel a Temple education followed by purchase a title of Baronet of England.

(        ) The above lands were passed on by Daniel to his son Sir Gregory Byrne, who was made Baronet of Ireland in 1671. Sir Gregory was married in 1669 to Margaret Copley of England. They had three children; Daniel, son and heir; __ lady O'Neil; and daughter Frances who married the Thomas Fitzgerald as part of the earlier mentioned settlement between Sir Gregory and Robert Fitzgerald.

1704 - Sir Gregory Byrne of Killone, born 1640?, ( Queen's County Papist) was Licensed on 8 July, 1704, to keep: One Sword, One case of pistols, and One gun, Under the Penal Laws.

(1756) Earl of Shelbourne-Marquis of Landsdowne. Young Sir Peter not being of age to make leases, engaged the Earl for assistance. They agreed to send valuators to Ireland, the result being that the Earl (Marquis of Landsdown) purchased all of the property in Ireland from Peter for the sum of 122,000 Pounds British. Most of these lands he leased to folks from Munster - including all the O'Kelly's ground, with the exception of Tully and Fallybeg. He also let some properties to the Hunt brothers of Dublin, one of which, a John Hunt was leased Raheenahowl, Knockaconna, and Coolrush, lands not far from Killone.

1804-1864 - Myles O'Reilly was living in Heath House, during roughly the same time as Joseph Dunne of Killone, who was a personal friend of Dr John O'Donovan, who at the time was tutoring O'Reilly's children. This is the same O'Donovan, who not only did the translation of the classic Irish history of " The Annals of the Four Masters", but also worked with the Office of Ordnance and Survey, writing reports on numerous sites and locations throughout the country.

"The old mansion - not far removed -(from Killenny) was tenanted by a respectable and respected family of the Dunnes, with whom the celebrated John O'Donovan, LL.D., was on very intimate terms at a time when he lived in the adjoining Heath House, as a family tutor to the children of Myles O'Reilly, Esq. in 1833. There, in John O'Donovan's time, lived Joseph Dunne, about 89 years of age, and who in youth had been an officer in the French service. He was one of the largest and tallest men in Europe; while he had several sons, remarkable for their great stature, stength, courage and intelligence, as also three daughters, most graceful, tall, highly educated and refined." (O'Hanlon added here that -"All, however, died unmarried.".

"The celebrated Rock of Dunamase -------- To the East and extending northwards is a chain of curiously detached hills, which terminate at the double-coned Hill of Killone. This latter was once delightfully covered with plantations over a great part of its extent, to those who recollect the scene ----- but the present bald and naked appearance of the scrubby surfaces (at the time of writing-ed.) presents only a scene of desolation and a feeling of deep regret for the destoyed Sylvan coronet." (Ed note: On a recent visit we found the appearance in fact very pleasant, covered completely with verdant green grass being used as a grazing ground for the numerous sheep wandering about.)

There is a tradition, that behind the old Killone House there was an early Lime Kiln and adjacent pit, and that somewhere in the vicinity of the base near the fireplace towards the back of the house, that there was an access to a tunnel which led up to the Hill and Cave of Killone. Also it is also stated that the Bishop of Kildare during the Penal times used to stop at Killone to visit with Joseph Dunne and would remain overnight on his travels to the various mass houses. It is believed that the tunnel still existed then and could be used as an escape route. We were told by the current owner, that she had been passed on a story which occurred in the early to mid- 1900's before she moved there, that when several of the workers were sitting around a dying fire in the fireplace after dinner, that a fox was seen emerging from the back side of the firebox - apparently in an area where an earlier entrance into the Killone House from a tunnel might have been covered over.

Another tradition was that the Bishop of Cork and Ross, either visited or had a friend who was a Jesuit at Emo Court or Church and would stay at Killone during his visits.

Another indicated that a Parish Priest named Croasdale, would make his rounds on bicycle during the Penal days to say masses in the Joseph Dunnes' kitchen, and that the quite large outcropping of stones on the north side of the Hill of Killone had led some to believe that in very early days, the upper parts of the Cave of Killone may have harbored monks who may have known of the underground connection to the Killone tract below.