Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Pococke's Tour in Ireland in 1752 (Author: Richard Pococke)
entry 58
On the 29th I rode to the west and in a mile crossed over Brater Bridge in another mile to Money or Monterel, commonly called Mongrel, where there are remains of a poor old Convent with a tower, at one corner of the church. I was informed that monks never had towers to their convents, by which I suppose they mean Mendicants Friars. In two miles we came to Cloynreen village and rivlet and in two more to the ferry over the river Magel, on one side of which is Clogtotacheh Castle, and on the other, Column Castle Mrs. Harting's house near being called Court, as in the Map. In a mile we came to Kildaimon, in another to Lacerane Castle and Lough, and in another mile to a very small Church on a little height called Killallatring, the walls of it are very thick, with only such a window in the east end, as is seen in the round towers in this shape
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so as that it is probably one of the most ancient churches in this Kingdom. I came in a mile to a large old Castle called Palace with a village near it of the same name, to the south west of which Mr. Bury has begun a new town called Newmarket, and is endeavouring to establish a market there. I soon came to Shannon Grove, where Mr. Bury has made fine plantations and enclosures. The first thing that offers is a fine orchard with a cider house built in elegant taste, the plantations and fields between this and the house are very beautiful; the situation of the house is pleasant; commanding a view of the Shannon and of the fine country on the other side between the great bay to the north and Limerick. I then went to see the Charter School which was founded by Mr. Bury, who keeps it in very good order. This Gentleman's Mother was daughter of Archbishop Pallasor, and his Lady being sister of Lord Tulloghmore, his son is next heir to that Nobleman, who has no children. I returned two miles in the same way, having the Castle of Carigaginiel on a fine high rock near the Shannon in view all the way, as I had also from Limerick. We returned to Kildaimon and struck out of the road we came in, to the south east, and in three miles came to Adair on the Magee. This place now a poor village, was they say anciently a walled town, and there are great marks of its having been a place of some consequence; in it are remains of a large old Castle, which belonged to the Earls of Desmond, and of three Monasteries; one at the west end of the village, and is called if I mistake not the Abbey of West Gate; and in the middle a small church; there is a tower about 30 feet square, which gives it the air of a Castle. Another Monastery is near the bridge, and is called the Steeple Abbey; the openings of the
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cloister of this and of the third are like Gothick windows. There are several niches in the walls, besides the seats for the administering persons; which were probably so many tombs of ancient families: on the north side of the river a quarter of a mile higher, is what they call the Poors Monastery, tho' it is not inferior to the others in building.