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 Index:
. Introduction
Back to the top! The village of Leixlip was founded by the Danes, who settled here after their victory at the Battle of Confey in 915 A.D. The name comes from Lax-hlaup(Salmon Leap) which Giraldus Cambrensis and other historians latinised into Saltus Salmonies. This was abbreviated to Saltus in legal documents, and survives in the local baronies of North Salt and South Salt. The Church, which has a medieval West Tower, was built at the confluence of the River Liffey and the Rye Water, which here forms the historic boundary of the kingdoms of Leinster and Brega. The castle overlooks it from its strategic position on a high rock. One of the Castles of the Pale, it was built by Adam de Hereford soon after the Norman's under Strongbow invaded Ireland in 1172. It is said that Prince John Stayed here when governing Ireland in the name of his father, Henry 11. Leixlip Castle, on account of it commanding position on the western side of Dublin, was subject to many attacks. Because of its closeness to the castle, the Church did not remain unscathed. The heaviest blow fell in the 14th century when the Bruces-Edward and his brother Robert, King of Scotland-invaded Ireland(1315-1318) and ravaged the country from Carrickfergus to Waterford. They camped in Leixlip for four days, but failed to capture the Castle. However they burned the Church. Only the tower, possibly because of its massive strength, survived intact. As it stands today the Church tower is a fine example of 12th century Norman architecture, a national monument to be treasured. The carved heads over the clock ,after 7OO years exposure to wars, wind and weather, are almost as fresh as though they had just left stonecutters hands. The clock, too, still performs its duty faithfully, recording the hours of work and worship with the help of the crudest stone weights. Inside the tower is a chamber and large fireplace, evidently intended as a home for a priest. In 1675, the vestry undertook a major restoration of the church, which was in ruinous condition. Happily the restoration seems to have followed the plan of the original building. Archbishop Price, Archbishop of Cashel (d.1752) is buried in the nave of the Church. Near the organ is a memorial tablet to Sir Nicholas White who died in 1654. The Castle remained in his family until about 17OO. In the chancel is buried Deborah(d.1697) sister of Narciussus Marsh, Archbishop of Dublin who founded and endowed the library close to St.Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, which bears his name. Throughout its long history Leixlip has seen many changes in the world around it. Today Leixlip is itself in the throes of change. No longer is it the quiet country parish it was. On every side large housing estates are going up and the area is rapidly becoming a densely populated suburb. As we move into a new era in the continuing life of our Parish, we must thank our predecessors who loved and cared for our ancient Church. They have left us a good heritage therefore it is our duty and our privilege to cherish and to preserve it for those who shall come after us. . Connolly Folly
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. Town Crest
Back to the top! The colours blue and yellow are suggested by the Viking origins of the town as they are the colours of the Scandinavian flag. The two wavy lines represent the Rye and the Liffey which flow through the town. In the centre you can see a Viking longship and two leaping salmon which are there because of the local waterfall which once was a main feature of the town. It is locally known as the "Salmon Leap" and has been hidden by the E.S.B. hydroelectric dam. The black harp reminds us that the first pint of Guinness was brewed by Arthur Guinness himself, in Leixlip Castle. The crown is there because Leixlip was part of the Kingdom of Meath. This is there because the rye was once the boundary of Meath. The crimson rose is taken from the White coat of arms because Sir Nicholas White was the resident of Leixlip Castle in the 16th century. The motto "Leim ar Aghaidh" meaning to look to the future, looks forward to the growth and future development of Leixlip. . Leixlip House
Back to the top! Leixlip House was built in 1772 by Captain Willliam Brady as a country residence. It was fashionable at the time for the wealthy people of the time to have a country residence. Captain Brady was the houses most famous resident. He gave his name to the hill on which the house was built. The "Captains Hill" was formerly known as "Priests Lane". The house had many occupants including Captain Brady's daughter until 1850 and Captain Hone, a British army officer. in 1945 Captain Carvill restored the house while it was in his possession. In July 1985 the house was seriously damaged by a fire which left only the walls standing. The house remained in this condition for many years until it was restored as a hotel. The hotel has come under new ownership in June 1996 and has been renovated in It's original Georgian style. The building now serves as a four star hotel. . Toll House
Back to the top! The Toll House on Leixlip bridge was used for collecting tolls from travellers crossing the bridge in both directions. The Toll House was built in early Georgian times. In 1731 a Act of Parliament was passed. The speaker at the time for the people of Leixlip was Mr. Connolly. Who at this time was the richest man in Ireland and was also a landlord in Leixlip. In 1734 construction of the bridge began and was finished in 1740. The building of the bridge was organised by fifty wealthy people in the area. Tolls were placed on the bridge, which were half penny. In 1740 a half penny was considered a lot of money. The medieval traveller to Leixlip could take either the "high road to Kildare" along the Liffey valley though Diswelworth town, Porterstown, Lutthelstown and Confey or the low road along the Northern River bank road. This road muddy, dangerous and often unpassable. So much so that in 1731 the Irish Parliament published an Act to remedy the problem. And whereas the road leading from the bridge at Lucan by the causeway is dangerous to passengers, many people have lost their lives, and many cattle have drowned, and is almost impracticable to make it safe. By building the bridge over the water in a convenient place and turning the road another and shorter way - trustees may and shall build a bridge of stone and lime - and make a new road through the town of Lucan and lands of Cootreny (Cooldrinagh) leading to such bridges. Although this bridge-the Salmon Leap bridge over the Liffey at Leixlip and the Toll house have carried traffic for over 250 years, Leixlip has benefited from other forms of transport. In 1827 the bridge was widened and the road raise up. Every mile was marked with a milestone. These milestones were around for 250 years. In 1948 the house was owned by Samuelk Robinson Rowes grandfather. The Toll house was bought by the Colgan Family for an amazing £108,000. . Wonderful Barn
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The barn is made of stone with wooden insides and the steps are made of wood on the outside. The Wonderful Barn is one of the best known Historical sites in Leixlip. . Leixlip Castle
Back to the top! The Castle was built around 1172 by Adam De Hereford. Around this time the tower of St.Mary`s Church was also built and a tunnel was built linking the castle and the church together so as to allow a means of escape should the castle come under attack. For several hundred years Leixlip Castle served as one of the strong holds of the Pale but later towards the end of the thirteenth Century it became the property of the Pypard family. In 1317 the king of Scotland, Robert Bruce while camping in Leixlip for an interval of four days during his journey from Castleknock to Naas failed in an attempt to capture the castle, however his army did succeed in spoiling the church leaving only its tower behind. In 1494 the property was granted to Sir Gerald Fitzgerald, the 8th Earl of Kildare and remained in the possession of the Fitzgeralds until the rebellion of Silken Thomas in 1534. In 1538 a twenty-one year lease of the castle was granted to John Allen, who was later followed in 1561 by William Vernon. In 1569 the castle was granted to Nicholas Whyte, Master of the Rolls and remained in the possesion of the Whyte family until 1731 when it was sold by John Whyte to William Connolly for £11,883. Despite living in the grounds for a period during the 1730`sthe Connolly family preferred to lease the land while living in their Castletown Estate On the 24th of October 1641 a rebellion led by Owen Roe O`Neilland General Preston broke out. This in turn led to the imprisonment of Sir Nicholas Whyte, owner of Leixlip Castle at the time. Despite this Whyte managed to regain his property at Leixlip by virtue of a degree of innocence and remained there until his death in 1654 to be later buried at St. Mary`s Church. In 1914, around the time of the outbreak of the first world war the Connolly family sold the castle Embassy. In 1945 it was bought by William Kavanagh, a Dublin builder and in 1958 was purchased by it's present owner and occupier, Desmond Guinness. . Confey Church
Back to the top! The old church at Confey was dedicated to St. Columba; it was in existence in the late twelfth century and may even pre-date the Norman invasion. Nearby is Confey Castle of which only three walls of a square or rectangular tower remain. The Castle is thought to have owned by the Eustace family in the late middle ages and there is some evidence to suggest that an army was stationed there in the thirteenth century. Earthworks near the Church and the Castle suggests a medieval settlement on the site. The Church itself consists of a nave and chancel, though it was originally a single-cell building. The chanel was built slightly later than the rest, probably in the twelfth or thirteenth century. In the middle ages the right to appoint a rector to Confey Church was shared between he Bishop of Dublin and St.Thomas` Abbey, Dublin to which the tithes and revenues of Confey were granted by Adam De Hereford around 1200. Among the earliest rectors at Confey was Gillacondi Maclothar,a local man who was recommended for the post by De Hereford. The Church was still in use in the seventeenth century, when the following report was written: "The Church and chauncell are in good repairacon. The tythes....are impropriate, held by Mr. Fagan of Feltrim. The said Keatinge is curate; For serveinge the cure he hath fower pownds per annum. All the parishioners are recusants". . St. Catherines Priory
Back to the top! In 1219 St.Catherine's Priory was founded. The first owners to occupy the building were John of Kill, Richard Shirman and John Warisus. By 1323 the priory had come into severe poverty and the property was placed into the hands of the Abbey of St.Thomas. The property remained in the Abbey until the Dissolution of the Monastaries in 1537. It was then sold in 1655 to Alderman Ridgely Hatfield. In 1666 St.Catherine's was then purchased by Sir.William Daveys who leased it to Henry Wade and then to John Pi on the understanding that in the event of the Plague in Dublin, both Davies and his father could retreat to the house for safety. The small church at St. Catherine's St. Catherine's Walk Just after this gate is St. Catherines Priory which is now in ruins. Follow the Black Avenue up to the left is St. Catherine's Well. It is located on the right, almost totally concealed by bushes. The walk is approximately one and a half miles. St. Catherine's House He was more interested in lead deposit. The same visitor also said that there had been a fine Gothic Gallery with bow windows had connected the Chapel to the house , but had been replaced by a palisade. It was later restored by the La Touche Family. However a fire destroyed the mansion in the mid eighteenth century. Past occupants of St.Catherines House |
