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Brief Parish History & Geographical Location
The parish of Glenroe/Ballyorgan is the most southerly point of the diocese. In the south west of the parish the Ahaphuca Bridge is the dividing line between the dioceses of Limerick, Cloyne (the parish of Kiloderry) and Cashel & Emly (Ballylanders). Ahaphuca means 'the ford of the Hobgoblin'. The parish is in the barony of Coshlea and the village of Glenroe is about 4 miles southeast of the town of Kilfinane on the R517, the Limerick-Mitchelstown road.
The old name of the parish was Darragh. The parish used to include the parish of Kilflyn, which is known today as Ballyorgan. According to Begley, the old parish of Darragh included Farrihy, Kildorrery and Mullahy. All three of these places are in the county of Cork and in the present diocese of Cloyne.
The Red Chair crossroads marks the border with County Cork. This crossroads is the site of the murder of Mahon, King of Munster in 976. Mahon had been on a visit to Bruree when he was captured and killed by his rivals. He was succeeded by his younger brother Brian Boru, who later went on to become the High King of Ireland and died at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.
The area is also connected with many of the legends of the Fianna. The Ballahoura Mountains were the hunting grounds where the Fianna used to hunt the Liath na dTrí mBeann "the grey one of the three antlers". According to legend St Patrick visited the area about 460 and that he was shown around the region by one of the warriors of the Fianna, Caoilte.
The Ballahoura Mountains include Kilcruaig Mountain, which
stands at 1,323 feet, and the Galtee Mountains, which dominate the surrounding
countryside. The Palatines came to this area to settle and helped in the development
of the area during the 18th century. The population of the parish is currently
around 750.
The present church in Glenroe was built in 1830-2 during Fr Darby Buckley's term as parish priest. Before this church was built, people used to go to mass in Abbey and prior to that again mass was held in Darragh. However, the church used was not the church ruin that exists in Darragh today, but was in fact another church situated nearby. The present church in Glenroe was renovated about 10 years ago and was reopened in 1990 by Bishop Jeremiah Newman and Fr Michael Lane P.P.
Inside the church there is a plaque to the memory of Richard Power, who was parish priest from 1865 until his death on December 12th, 1877. The parishioners together with a few of his clerical friends erected this plaque. There is also a plaque in memory of Liam Cranuic who died November 18th, 1917.
Fr Lee, a native of the parish, donated the altar in the 1920s.
A number of the church seats were donated by parishioners in memory of their
deceased relations or dedicated to certain saints. When the church was renovated,
a new entrance was opened, and now a holy water font marks the old entrance
to the church. Joanna and Helena Moore donated this font.
Buried in the church grounds are:
John Conway
Parish Priest 1926 - 1931
Died August 30 1931
Aged 58
Christopher Halpin
Parish Priest 1932 - 1937
Died March 18 1937
Aged 59
Robert Ambrose
Parish Priest 1905 - 1926
Died April 8 1926
Michael O'Reilly (a native of the parish)
Parish Priest, Farnmouth, Cornwall
Died August 31 1936
Aged 69
Canon Andrew O'Keeffe
Plymouth
Died July 22 1990
Canon Michael McSweeney
Plymouth
Died November 20 1990, aged 78
The church in Ballyorgan was built in 1857. The parish priest at the time, Darby Buckley wanted to build the church on a piece of land owned by Lady Ashton who lived in Foynes. Fr Buckley rode from Ballyorgan to Foynes to get permission to build the church. His quest was not in vain.
The cross in the grounds of the church is the spire from on top of the church, which was taken down due to safety reasons. Inside the church there is a plaque to Michael Gallagher from Houndscourt who donated the high altar, the communion rails (which have now been removed) and the chancel floor in memory of his brother Thomas and his sister Mary.
Daniel Nunan, who was a priest in Los Angeles, gave the stained
glass window on the left of the altar. His cousin, Bishop Daniel Mullins,
who was a Bishop in Wales, donated the stained glass window on the right hand
side of the altar.
The church ruin in Darragh consists of a nave and choir and is situated in the far corner of Darragh graveyard. An inscription over the ruin reads "Frederick Bevan 1839"and the wall at the entrance to the grounds also bears an inscription, which says that the wall was built in 1829 by Bevan. The Bevans were the local landlords and their seat was at Darragh House.
Fr Lane told us that this might have been the site of a convent. It is believed that an order of nuns stayed here before moving to Youghal, Co. Cork. In the farthest corner of the grounds, it seems that there may have been other buildings on this site previously. A wall that runs along parallel from the church ruin makes this evident.
The grounds are well maintained. There is a graveyard on the site as well.
Westropp mentions a church in Kilflyn. A Church of Ireland now stands on the site. He also lists Manister na nGall or Keale, which was in the old parish of Kilflin, founded by Roche in the fourteenth century for the Dominicans.
At Darragh, the oldest headstone that we found was in memory of John Moynihan who died on March 27th, 1778. However, according to the book "God's Acre", which gives details on all the graveyards in the parish, the oldest headstone in the graveyard is in memory to Patrick Clifford who died on May 3rd 1741, aged 38.
Abbey graveyard is located in the townland of Abbey. It is well maintained, and new paths have recently been laid throughout the graveyard. The ruins of a church are situated within the grounds of the graveyard. According to "God's Acre" the oldest headstone in the graveyard at Abbey dates from 1772. This headstone is in the memory of Hanora Corbett who died February 9th, 1772, aged 72.
The oldest headstone in the graveyard beside the church at Glenroe is in memory to Fr James Walsh C.C. of Newcastlewest. Fr Walsh died on February 6th 1851 at the age of 28. This graveyard was extended in 1960.
Holy Wells
Danaher's "Holy Wells of County Limerick" mentions three Holy Wells
in the parish. Only one well remains, however, Toberbreedia at Ballintobber.
The only trace of this well is a hole in the ground. The well was usually
visited on February 1st but rounds were rarely made. The well is locally called
Chincough Well and was said to cure whooping cough in children. Patients seeking
cures could drink water taken from the well, or could go to the well and drink
there. Moss was sometimes taken from the well and boiled in milk. The patient
would drink the milk in order to be cured.
There are two legends surrounding the well. It is said that a fowler washed his dog in the well and caused it to move. One of the most interesting legends about any of the wells in the diocese occurs at Ballintobber. A phantom bull is supposed to guard a treasure buried at the well. What this treasure is or whether anyone has ever looked for it, we do not know.
The locations of the other two wells in the parish are now
unknown. In the old parish of Kilflyn, there was a well in the townland of
Ballydonohoe called Toberpatrick. This well was in a small grove of trees
but devotions have long since ceased at this site.
In the townland of Darraghmore there was a well called Tobar Mo-chua. This
well was enclosed in rough stone work in a grove of beech trees on the hillside.
A pattern was held at the well on August 31st, St. Mochua's feastday, until
around 1820. Westropp, however, claims that the feastday is on August 3rd.
The water from this well was said to cure many illnesses. According to legend, when clothes were washed in the well, it moved 400 yards from its original location near the churchyard in Darragh to its present location. Those who were to be cured were said to see a trout in the well. A man once caught the trout thinking it was an ordinary fish and then attempted to cook it but failed in his efforts. He returned the trout to the well.
Abbey
The Abbey is situated in the townland of the same name. It is believed
that a monastery was founded here in the 7th or 8th century. By the 14th century
the Dominican order had established a house here. It was suppressed during
the Reformation. The last prior was Donough O'Dorgan in 1558. Over the years
the Abbey became a centre of devotion and people used to travel from miles
around to come to mass at the Abbey.
The ruin of the abbey still stands but there were probably
more buildings at the time when the abbey was abandoned. Paths have now been
laid throughout the graveyard. A pathway has also been laid from the road,
which enables people to walk into the ruin.
Top
Townlands
| English Name | Irish Name | Meaning |
| Abbey | An Mhainistir | The monastery |
| Ballincourty | Baile na Cúirte | The town of the court |
| Ballintober | Baile an Tobair | The town of the well |
| Ballydonohoe | Baile Uí Dhonnchú | The town of Ó Donnchú |
| Ballyfeerode | Baile an Phiaróidigh | The town of An Piaróideach |
| Ballyorgan | Baile Uí Argaín | The town of Ó hArgáin |
| Ballyshane | Baile Sheáin | The town of Seán |
| Clovers | Na Cleobhair | |
| Coolavehy | Cúil a Bheithe | The corner of the birch |
| Coolfree | Cúil Fhraoigh | The corner of the heather |
| Darragh | An Dairtheach | The oaken house |
| Darraghbeg | as above | |
| Darraghmore | as above | |
| Garryarthur | Garraí Artúra | The garden of Arthur |
| Houndscourt | Cúirt na gCon | |
| Keale | An Caol | The narrow feature |
| Kilcruaig | Coill Chruóige | Wood of hardness |
| Kilflin | Cill Fhloinn | The church of Floinn |
| Ruppulagh | Roplach | Meaning uncertain |
| Spittle | An Spidéal | The hospital |
| Tulla | Tulaigh | Hillock |
| Year | Parish Priest | Curate(s) |
| 1704 - ? | David Fyne | |
| ? - 1769 | John Shinnick | |
| ? - ? | James Walsh | |
| 1806 - 1807 | Michael Kiely | |
| 1807 - 1810 | John Dillane | |
| 1810 - 1824 | M. Moore | |
| 1824 - 1836 | Darby Buckley | |
| 1837 | Jeremiah (Darby) Buckley | Thomas Shanahan |
| 1838 | Darby Buckley | Thomas Shanahan |
| 1839 | Darby Buckley | Richard Shanahan |
| 1840 | Darby Buckley | Thomas Cooke |
| 1841 | Darby Buckley | James O’Sullivan |
| 1842 | Darby Buckley | Eugene Birmingham |
| 1843 | Darby Buckley | Eugene Birmingham |
| 1844 | Darby Buckley | Eugene Birmingham |
| 1845 | Darby Buckley | Daniel Kennedy |
| 1846 | Darby Buckley | Daniel Kennedy |
| 1847 | Darby Buckley | Daniel Kennedy |
| 1848 | Darby Buckley | Daniel Kennedy |
| 1849 | Darby Buckley | Daniel Kennedy |
| 1850 | Darby Buckley | Daniel Kennedy |
| 1851 | Darby Buckley | T. Corkery |
| 1852 | Darby Buckley | T. Corkery |
| 1853 | Darby Buckley | T. Corkery |
| 1854 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1855 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1856 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1857 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1858 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1859 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1860 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1861 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1862 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1863 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1864 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1865 | Darby Buckley | P. Meehan D.D. |
| 1866 | Richard Power | Edward Flynn |
| 1867 | Richard Power | Edward Flynn |
| 1868 | Richard Power | Charles McDonnell |
| 1869 | Richard Power | Charles McDonnell |
| 1870 | Richard Power | J. Shanahan |
| 1871 | Richard Power | Laurence Curtin |
| 1872 | Richard Power | Laurence Curtin |
| 1873 | Richard Power | Laurence Curtin |
| 1874 | Richard Power | Denis Curtin |
| 1875 | Richard Power | Denis Curtin |
| 1876 | Richard Power | Denis Curtin |
| 1877 | Richard Power | Edward Russell |
| 1878 | Timothy Halpin | Edmond Tracey |
| 1879 | John Kelly | Edmond Tracey |
| 1880 | John Kelly | Daniel Crotty |
| 1881 | John Kelly | Daniel Crotty |
| 1882 | John Kelly | Daniel Daly |
| 1883 | John Kelly | Daniel Daly |
| 1884 | John Kelly | Daniel Daly |
| 1885 | John Kelly | John Conway |
| 1886 | John Kelly | John Conway |
| 1887 | John Kelly | John Conway |
| 1888 | John Kelly | Michael Mulcahy |
| 1889 | John Kelly | John O’Connor |
| 1890 | John Ryan | John O’Connor |
| 1891 | John Ryan | John O’Connor |
| 1892 | John Ryan | John O’Connor |
| 1893 | John Ryan | D. Curtin |
| 1894 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1895 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1896 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1897 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1898 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1899 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1900 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1901 | John Ryan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1902 | John Quinlan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1903 | John Quinlan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1904 | John Quinlan | Daniel Curtin |
| 1905 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1906 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1907 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1908 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1909 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1910 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1911 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1912 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1913 | Robert Ambrose | Daniel Curtin |
| 1914 | Robert Ambrose | Michael O’Brien |
| 1915 | Robert Ambrose | Michael O’Brien |
| 1916 | Robert Ambrose | Denis J. Fitzpatrick |
| 1917 | Robert Ambrose | Denis J. Fitzpatrick |
| 1918 | Robert Ambrose | William P. Harty |
| 1919 | Robert Ambrose | John J. Lane |
| 1920 | Robert Ambrose | John J. Lane |
| 1921 | Robert Ambrose | Patrick Coleman |
| 1922 | Robert Ambrose | Ed. Hartnett |
| 1923 | Robert Ambrose | Ed. Hartnett |
| 1924 | Robert Ambrose | Ed. Hartnett |
| 1925 | Robert Ambrose | D. O’Callaghan |
| 1926 | Robert Ambrose | D. O’Callaghan |
| 1927 | John Conway | John White |
| 1928 | John Conway | John White |
| 1929 | John Conway | Patrick Dunne |
| 1930 | John Conway | John Wilmot |
| 1931 | John Conway | John Wilmot |
| Patrick Murphy | ||
| 1932 | Christopher Halpin | John Wilmot |
| 1933 | Christopher Halpin | John Wilmot |
| 1934 | Christopher Halpin | John O’Kennedy |
| 1935 | Christopher Halpin | John O’Kennedy |
| 1936 | Christopher Halpin | John O’Kennedy |
| 1937 | Christopher Halpin | John O’Kennedy |
| 1938 | P. J. Coleman | John O’Kennedy |
| 1939 | P. J. Coleman | Timothy Lyons |
| 1940 | P. J. Coleman | Timothy Lyons |
| 1941 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick O’Regan |
| 1942 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick O’Regan |
| 1943 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick O’Regan |
| 1944 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick O’Dea |
| 1945 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick O’Dea |
| 1946 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick O’Dea |
| 1947 | P. J. Coleman | Dermot McCarthy |
| 1948 | P. J. Coleman | Dermot McCarthy |
| 1949 | P. J. Coleman | Patrick Lyons |
| 1950 | John Carroll | Patrick Lyons |
| 1951 | John Carroll | Patrick Lyons |
| 1952 | John Carroll | Patrick Houlihan |
| 1953 | John Carroll | Patrick Houlihan |
| 1954 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1955 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1956 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1957 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1958 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1959 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1960 | John Carroll | David Browne |
| 1961 | John Carroll | Anthony Elliot |
| 1962 | John Carroll | Anthony Elliot |
| 1963 | John Carroll | Anthony Elliot |
| 1964 | William O’Connell | Ronald Costello |
| 1965 | William O’Connell | Donal Madigan |
| 1966 | William O’Connell | |
| 1967 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1968 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1969 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1970 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1971 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1972 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1973 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1974 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1975 | Maurice Crowley | |
| 1976 | Maurice Crowley | Thomas Coughlan |
| 1977 | Timothy Greene | |
| 1978 | Timothy Greene | |
| 1979 | Timothy Greene | |
| 1980 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1981 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1982 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1983 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1984 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1985 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1986 | Charles O’Neill | |
| 1987 | Michael Lane | |
| 1988 | Michael Lane | Patrick O'Sullivan |
| 1989 | Michael Lane | |
| 1990 | Michael Lane | |
| 1991 | Michael Lane | Patrick O’Sullivan |
| 1992 | Michael Lane | Patrick O’Sullivan |
| 1993 | Michael Lane | Patrick O’Sullivan |
| 1994 | Michael Lane | Patrick O’Sullivan |
| 1995 | Michael Lane | William Doolan |
| 1996 | Michael Lane | William Doolan |
| 1997 | Michael Lane | William Doolan |
| 1998 | Michael Lane | William Doolan |
| 1999 | Michael Lane | |
| 2000 | Michael Lane | |
| 2001 | Michael Lane | |
| 2002 | Michael Lane |
The list of Priests from 1704 to 1836 is compiled from information gained in Begley's History of the Diocese of Limerick Vol. III page 598. The remaining years are compiled from the Catholic Directories. Information contained in a directory of any given year refers to what happened the previous year. For example if a priest is recorded in the 1954 directory as being in a particular parish, this would mean that he was actually there in 1953.
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