Kilgortin is in the Electoral Division of Rahan, in Civil Parish of Rahan, this parish is situated in the ancient O’Molloy territory of Fear Ceall meaning the mem of the woods or men of the churches. If you look closely along the line in this area you will see deposits of brick clays along the Grand Canal between Ballycowan and Rahan, this was the source of an energetic brick industry in the past. In this part of Rahan you will find the site of Rahan Monastic Centre, this is the most famous archaeological site in this location. It was a very important aspect of Early Christian period.
north of the canal
In the Barony of Ballycowan, in the County of Offaly. The Irish name for Kilgortin is Coill Ghoirtín meaning little field/wood.
| Townland | Area | Pop.in 1841 | Pop. in 1851 | No. of Houses in 1841 | No. of Houses in 1851 | Pop. in 1871 | Pop. in 1911 | No. of Houses in 1871 | No. of Houses in 1911 |
| Kilgortin | 123 | 35 | 30 | 7 | 7 | 17 | 20 | 7 | 4 |
In 1911 Kilgortin had 5 houses in the area, during this period the household returns and ancillary, shows us that there was 4 buildings all of Private Dwelling, with 4 inhabited, with houses of all 2nd class. Between the period of 1841 to 1915, the population decreased by 15. Age ranging from 1-76. Here are some of the families that occupied these buildings during this time:
The Charleville Aqueduct, named after local Lord Charleville, who castle lies just south of the Canal[1].
This remarkable castle, is one of the finest Gothic houses in Ireland and is surrounded by a Forest known locally and international. When entering into the property you are greeted by a Giant Oak Tree, that some may say is more famous then the Castle. It is one of Ireland’s oldest Oak trees and is estimated to be 600-800 years old.
Over time from the loss of family members over a short period of time, the bury family started to believe if a branch of the King Oak fell, one of their family would die shorting after. To prevent this from happening. Wooden props were used to support the great reach of the King trees Branches.
During the 1960s a great storm came, and a thunder struck the tree losing some of its branches, the tree did survive but shortly after the head of the family Colonel Charles Bury passed away in September, Just 4 months after the tree was struck[2].
Coming along the line, a few miles down. We come to a series of Bridges, which leads us into Rahan. Rahan civil paish has 44 Townlands and we will be looking at ten of these townlands next.
After going past the Aqueduct, we come to some standalone bridges. Corcoran’s Bridge.
Making our way into Killina Townland. It is in the Electoral Division of Rahan, in Civil Parish of Rahan, in the Barony of Ballycowan, in the County of Offaly.
The Irish name for Killina is Coill an Átha meaning Wood.
| Townland | Area | Pop in 1841 | Pop in 1851 | No. of Houses in 1841 | No. of Houses in 1851 | Pop in 1871 | Pop in 1911 | No. of Houses in 1871 | No. of Houses in 1911 |
| Killina | 547 | 186 | 166 | 30 | 29 | 52 | 99 | 25 | 24 |
(Killina census Ireland 1911, Image Source www.census.nationalarchives)
In 1911 Killina population between 1841-1911 decreased by 87 occupations but still was one of the largest populations in an area during this period. By 1911 99 people lived in this area and had 24 houses in the area, during this period the household returns and ancillary, shows us that there was 25 buildings all of Private Dwelling, with 24 inhabited, with houses of 1st 2nd and 3rd class. Age ranging from 1-80. Here are some of the families that occupied these buildings during this time and includes the parish priest Fr Smyth and a curate Edward Gibbon
(Killina Household examples census Ireland 1911, Image Source www.census.nationalarchives)
Dating back to the late 16th Century two monastic settlements have been recorded. The one in Rahan was founded by St. Carthage.
During this period in history, life wasn’t very easy for the monks, as they had to cultivate land with only tools, such as rakes and spade. No Animal assistance was allowed. After a while a large part of land was cleared, which was called “Constantine Plains” In it were a town and church “ St Carthage” called Cell-Belaigh Killina[3].
This townland, is home to a few historical features. There is a mound which is 30 metres in diameter and 4 metres high, Mounds were thought to have been an ancient place of burial. Local tradition tells the story of a chieftain been laid to rest here. You will also find the site which has the Anthony Well and a Mass-rock can be found just beside this, dating back to 18th century[4].
Churches: Killina Church
One of the most known churches along this line is the Killina Church, no records of when it was originally constructed but some say in the 17 century, during reconstruction in the 1960s traces of a former church was found. Thought-out the years the church has seen many a face come and go through its doors, including Frs Cunningham and Fitzgerald. Who have been laid to rest in the same church along with two other priests.
In the early 19th century, a convent school was constructed to accommodate a religious community. The Grand Canal was used at the time to transport selected nuns and priest who were called to work at the school[5]. at Killina and that of the Jesuits at Tullabeg.
Coming along we come to Lougroe townland, a small area that is full of life, it’s a great walk way and is often used by the locals along their way as a spot to enjoy nature.
Loughroe is in the Electoral Division of Rahan, in Civil Parish of Rahan, in the Barony of Ballycowan, in the County of Offaly. The Irish name for Loughroe is An Loch Rua meaning the red lake.
(Image: Loughroe map Source: Townland.ie)
| Townland | Area | Pop in 1841 | Pop in 1851 | No. of Houses in 1841 | No. of Houses in 1851 | Pop in 1871 | Pop in 1911 | No. of Houses in 1871 | No. of Houses in 1911 |
| Loughroe | 234 | 107 | 71 | 16 | 13 | 48 | 49 | 9 | 8 |
In 1911 loughroe during this period the household returns and ancillary, shows us that there was 8 buildings of Private Dwelling and Public house, with 49 inhabited, with houses of 1st and 2nd class. Age ranging from 1-75. Here are some of the families that occupied these buildings during this time:
(Loughroe household Ireland 1911, Image Source www.census.nationalarchives)
(Loughroe historical references Ireland 1911, Image Source:Logainm.ie )
[1] Offaly, Through Time & Its Townlands. Thomas Lee. Pub. Ottait Publishing. Pp97-98.
[2] “Did you Know, 100 Quirky facts about County Offaly” Amanda Pedlow. Pub: Offaly County Council. 2013. Pp 35/131
[3] Rahan Looks Back.Sister Oliver Wrafter. Pub Rahan 1998. Pp9-29.
[4] Offaly, Through Time & Its Townlands. Thomas Lee. Pub. Ottait Publishing. Pp 234.
[5] Rahan Looks Back.Sister Oliver Wrafter. Pub Rahan 1998. Pp9-29.
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