A Colclough Grandee. Part 1.
Slight deviation from names here, but it serves a purpose, whereas
a grandee might be defined as a person of high status or eminence (rather than
the classic Spanish or Portuguese nobleman). This will give me an excuse to
quote from a book in my ‘library’. Evenings In the Duffrey (1875) Patrick
Kennedy.
A background to this would be the days when an evening’s entertainment
was the recounting of tales by the fireside.
“When
we were at leisure in the evening, some allusion was made to the subjects of
the previous evening, but Jane and the youngsters clamoured against the introduction
of any more old chronicles of sufferings and dismalities. Mr Lucas relieved
their fears by saying that he would give them the substance of what took place
at Duffrey Hall a short time after Denis’s imprisonment, but there should be
nothing dismal about it. The gentleman who occupied the old seat at the time
was Adam Colclough, brother of the Vesey whose disagreeable duty it had been to
take Dennis into custody.
The
story teller went on… “The most ancient seat of the family is Tintern Abbey
where our member Caesar Colclough now lives. It was founded about seven hundred
years ago, and called after Tintern in Wales. A knight built it in consequence
of a vow he made when in danger of his life at sea. The Colclough’s got possession
in Elizabeth’s time, but they remained Catholics till within the memory of some
old people I have talked with. The change of religion was made to prevent the estate
passing out of the family. The first Protestant of the name often served Mass
when a boy…” (Kennedy, 1875, p278.)
Despite the change in religion the locals spoke in
admiration of their ‘masters’. The fireside story teller saying “ I do not
remember to have ever heard of a tyrannical thing done by the family, and I
have heard of numbers of kind and generous ones” (Kennedy, 1875, p 278.)
The
book provides and whimsical but useful description of the area of the Duffrey, “I
would not desire a pleasanter occupation on a fine morning than a walk through
KIlaughrim and Moynart wood, past Duffrey Hall, and up the gap of Scollagh,
with glimpses of Black Stairs on the left and Mount Leinster on the right,
marking the variety formed by the grey rocks and purple heath above, and the
green patches lying like islands among them, and thecultivtated fields
stretching with their stone fences, till they meet the clumps of big trees
about Wood Brook, and the noisy Urrin as it tears down the pass that’s cut for
it.” (Kennedy, 1875, P279.)
Adam
Colclough from the book is written as “The master of the house was taking his
ease in a rustic chair in his garden; his three cornered hat hung on the back
of this seat, and the curls of his wig were falling on his shoulders. The
features were expressive of good nature, with a dash of testiness”. The conversation took in hurling, hunting and
farming. (Kennedy, 1875, P279.)
Adam as
the local landlord was asked to make judgements in disputes, people would come
and petition him, he was generally spoken of as fair and just. One of his tenants came to complain about a
local squire and neighbour a certain Jones of Achasallach, the complainant was of
a bardic nature hence;
A new song in honour of Adam Colclough
Good neighbours, and the nine muses, I pray you pay attention,
While I sing of the scare-crow that keeps us in subjection,
Though
he dresses fine and grand, the real blood of the county,
Look
on him with contempt for they’re all gentlemen of honesty.
Can
he compare his bogs and heaths to the woods of Moghurry’
Where
the bugles were a soundin’ and the huntsman a runnin’,
He
thinks himself a lord, when he kills a black nosed sheep,
While
three ox-beefs are slaughtered in Moghurry every week.
No,
but he’ll go to Dublin to finish the old law-shuit,
He’ll
put into his budget his ends and his awls:
He’ll
lay them on his back, and carry ‘em very sassty,
He’ll
step into his bulk, an’ he’ll folly his ould callin’.
Now
this Jones of Achasallach is a monkey faced rascal;
He’s
swarthy in the face, and admi’rable yella;
Not
so by Adam Colclough, he’s both white and red;
He’s
handsome when he’s dressed, and much handsomer in bed.
And
Miss Kitty and Miss Mary, they’re both fair and tall,
They’re
as courteous in behaviour as a fleet o’ man o’ war.
When
they walk in crimson mantles under the old trees,
T’s
Venus and Diana you fancy that you sees.
If
you go to Achasallach, and stay but half a day,
You’ll
surely have a belly-ache before you come away;
If
you go to Moghurry in the beginning of the week,
You’ll
get beer ale and brandy till Saturday night.
Now
may our Duffrey heroes, and the Yellow Bellies all,
For
ever best the Wicklow boys at hurling and football;
May
Jones of Achasallach be banished over say,
And
Colclough reign at Duffrey Hall for ever and a day.
This caused the gathered much amusement, Mr Colclough “whose sides were
aching, cried out, ‘that will do, Peter; I really feel unworthy of praise,
wrapped up, moreover, in such sublime poetry. No matter I will speak to Mr
Jones, and I venture to promise that you will see your turf safely stacked in
your barn…’ (Kennedy, 1875, Pp 285-287.)
Reference:
Kennedy, P., 1875. Evenings in the Duffrey (1875). 1st ed.
Dublin: McGlashan & Gill
There are more anecdotes from Mr Kennedy’s book, so we’ll call this part 1.
A place name in line with other posts, and a name I like, Graig na Manach, the monk's village in the Bearla (English).
Graiguenamanagh or Graignamanagh (Irish: Gráig na Manach, meaning "village of the monks") is a town in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located on the R705 regional road by the border with County Carlow on the River Barrow at the foot of Brandon Hill. It is home to Duiske Abbey,[1] the largest and perhaps the finest of the thirty-four medieval Cistercian abbeys in Ireland.
Near to the town are the ruined remains of the early Christian church of Ullard, founded by Saint Fiachra in the seventh century. St Fiachra subsequently moved to France, where he is known as St Fiacre, and founded the celebrated monastery at Meaux. He is the patron saint of gardeners and taxi drivers; French cabs are often known as fiacres in his honour. Some few miles downstream from Graiguenamanagh the ruins of the ancient monastic establishment at St. Mullins are situated in an area of great beauty and historic interest.
In the centre of the town, its handsome modern library features a comprehensive Local History Section. It provides an Internet Service to the public and, in addition to its other functions, hosts periodic art exhibitions. The very active Graiguenamanagh Historical Society also sponsor a series of talks and lectures at this venue during the winter season. Adjacent to the library is The Abbey Centre, the home of a Christian Art Gallery and small museum. Here also for the genealogically inclined may be perused the Graiguenamanagh Parish Birth and Marriage Registers.
The Duiske Abbey, which takes its name from the little river Duiske (Blackwater) which joins the Barrow here, was founded by William Marshall in 1204 and was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1536. Significant remains of the monastery exist to the rear of the houses that line the east side of Lower Main Street. The abbey's large "Early English" gothic church, was restored in the 1970s and in its northern aisle a model shows the monastery as it was in the fourteenth century.
Goresbridge in Graiguenamanagh is associated with the Colclough name, many names appearing in my varied searches for family, a definite branch of the family here.
Graiguenamanagh
| Graiguenamanagh
Gráig na Manach
| |
|---|---|
| Town | |
View of Graiguenamanagh and the church from the River Barrow
| |
 
Graiguenamanagh
| |
| Coordinates: 52°32′00″N 6°57′00″W / 52.533333°N 6.95°WCoordinates: 52°32′00″N 6°57′00″W / 52.533333°N 6.95°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Leinster |
| County | County Kilkenny |
| Elevation | 32 m (105 ft) |
| Population (2006) | |
| • Urban | 1,545 |
| • Rural | 932 |
| Irish Grid Reference | S705440 |
History
The River Barrow, historically a significant highway, was developed as a commercial navigation in the mid seventeen hundreds and Graiguenamanagh served as the main base for commercial barges operating on the river until barge traffic ceased in 1959. The barges that at one time lined the quaysides are now replaced by some one hundred pleasure craft.Near to the town are the ruined remains of the early Christian church of Ullard, founded by Saint Fiachra in the seventh century. St Fiachra subsequently moved to France, where he is known as St Fiacre, and founded the celebrated monastery at Meaux. He is the patron saint of gardeners and taxi drivers; French cabs are often known as fiacres in his honour. Some few miles downstream from Graiguenamanagh the ruins of the ancient monastic establishment at St. Mullins are situated in an area of great beauty and historic interest.
Recreation
Walking, cycling and watersports are among the more popular pursuits of Graiguenamanagh area and with the South Leinster Way meandering through the lovely Barrow Valley and traversing nearby Brandon Hill, scope is provided for a gentle stroll or a vigorous, day-long hike. The Barrow's aquatic facilities include fishing, swimming, kayaking and canoeing. Graigue, as the town is popularly known, is home to a rowing club, a canoe club, an athletics club, the G.A.A(Hurling and Gaelic football) and a soccer club, Highview Athletic.In the centre of the town, its handsome modern library features a comprehensive Local History Section. It provides an Internet Service to the public and, in addition to its other functions, hosts periodic art exhibitions. The very active Graiguenamanagh Historical Society also sponsor a series of talks and lectures at this venue during the winter season. Adjacent to the library is The Abbey Centre, the home of a Christian Art Gallery and small museum. Here also for the genealogically inclined may be perused the Graiguenamanagh Parish Birth and Marriage Registers.
Duiske Abbey[edit]
Goresbridge in Graiguenamanagh is associated with the Colclough name, many names appearing in my varied searches for family, a definite branch of the family here.
