Freshford, Ireland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Freshford (Achadh Úr, in Irish) is a village in north County Kilkenny, Ireland.

[edit] Heritage

The village is the site of a monastery, referred to in early historical accounts as Achadour and dating back to the early 7th century.

Freshford's Church of Ireland Romanesque doorway is one of only two portal designs left standing in this country, the other being in Clonfert and also being Romanesque. The sandstone doorway is all that is left of the original church which was built in 1100.

Across from Dooleys shop stands the Freshford Cross. The Cross is long gone. Given that it was made of soft sandstone, the weather and playful children made short work of it. The story of the Cross is quite an interesting one though. The now tourist office in Kilkenny was used by the Shee family as an almshouse. Lucas Shee of Uppercourt died in 1622. His wife, Ellen Butler, erected a cross in his memory at the back entrance to Uppercourt. The street to that entrance is called Buncrusha or Bohercrussia St., meaning Bun na Croise or Bothar na Croise in Irish, Base of the Cross or Road of the Cross.

In 1790 Sir William Morris, who came to live in Uppercourt, had the Cross removed and erected on the Green. The following was written on it:

"The noble Ellen Butler, wife of Lucas Shee Esq., got this monument made. Pray, traveller, that the souls of both may have eternal rest."

[edit] St. Lachtain's Church

St. Lachtain died in Donoughmore, Co. Cork in 622 AD. It is almost certain that a church was built in the present site after 622 AD. The Danes (also known as Vikings or Norsemen) robbed it of its gold and silver ornaments and burnt all its books, as they could not read.

The church was replaced in 1100, all that is left of the original church is the beautiful Hiberno-Romanesque (Irish-Roman) architectural porch and doorway. The remainder of the present church was built for Protestant worship in 1731. If you look at the arch you will see old Irish writing, which says:

A prayer for Niamh, daughter of Corc, and for Mathgamhan O Chearmaic for whom this church was made. A prayer for Gille Mocholmoc O Chearmaic for whom this church was made. A prayer for Gille Mocholmoc O Ceannucain who made it.

In St. Lachtains time Freshford was a diocese. In 1225 a Bishops palace was built at Aghore (Achadh Ur), now Uppercourt. It was used as a summer residence for over 300 years.

In the year 1111, a synod - meeting of bishops - was held at Rathbrasall, Co. Tipperary and they divided Ireland into dioceses. All small dioceses disappeared and Freshford became part of the diocese of Kilkenny, Laios and Offaly.

In 1553 a Protestant bishop, John Bale, was sent to live in Uppercourt. When 5 of his servants were murdered while saving the hay, the Bishop fled and never returned.

After him, the Shee family came to live in Uppercourt for 100 years. In 1653 one of Cromwell's soldiers, Sir George Askew (a captain) was owed £200, he was given Uppercourt as payment and the Shees were forced to leave.

The present house was built by Sir William Morris around 1790. The Eyre family came in 1879 and stayed till 1918 when Maher Bros. bought it. The Mill Hill Fathers bought it in 1932 and it became a secondary school. In 1989 it was sold to its present owners and is now used to store and restore antique furniture.

Towards the end of the eight century the Ui Duach were driven out and the Ui Bairche reigned again. Then in 836 the Vikings arrived and in one daring raid burnt the Church of St. Lachtain. There came also a fleet (of foreigners) still more numerous than those to Ath-Cliath. The greater part of all Eirinn was plundered by them – Inis Muredhaigh and Daimhinis and Gleann-da-Loch and all Laighin to Achadh –Ur. In 1026 the Ui Bairche were defeated by the Leixians and soon after were replaced as chieftains by the O’Braonains, who in turn were forced back towards Castlecomer by the arrival of the Normans.

In 1169 a major battle was fought near Freshford when Dermot McMurrough and his Norman allies defeated Domhnall McGiolla Padraig of Ossory at the pass of Achedur following a three day battle. There is much speculation as to the exact location of the battle – the late Padraig McCarthaigh was in no douby – he placed it at Clashacrow. The Norman invasion also brought the Shortalls to Freshford where they built Castles at Ballylarkin, Kilrush and Tubrid. The Purcells to Lismaine, Clone and Foulksrath, the Mountgarretts to Ballyragget, Ballyconra, Lodgepark and Balleen, and the Graces to Tullaroan.