Celbridge, Leixlip, Lucan and Neighbourhoods
Celbridge is a small market town, partly in the parish of Dunacomper, barony of south Salt, but chiefly in the parish of Celbridge, barony of North Salt, county of Kildare, 12 ½ miles W. by S. from Dublin, and 12 N. from Naas; seated on the banks of the river Liffey, over which is a handsome stone bridge of six arches. The town consists principally of one street, at the extremity of which stands the church. The woollen and cotton manufactures are extensively carried on here, and afford employment to a large number of the industrious class. The places of worship are the established church, and a Roman Catholic chapel, the former a neat modern stone building, with a good tower and painted window. A fever hospital, and a dispensary, as well as a Sunday and day school, supported by subscription, also a savings bank, are well sustained here; and, in 1841, a new union workhouse was erected. Lyons, the magnificent seat of Lord Cloncurry, within a short walk of the town, is well worth the attention of the visitor; and at Castle Town, not far distant, stands the beautiful mansion and residence of Colonel Connolly. Near to the house is Celbridge Abbey, a favourite retreat of Dean Swift’s, and the residence of the lady celebrated in his poem of Cadenus and Vanessa. The market is held on Saturday; and fairs on the last Tuesday in April, September 8th, and November 7th. Population in 1841, 1,289.
Leixlip is a small market town and parish, in the same county as Celbridge, three miles therefrom, and like that town situated near the Liffey, where a famous salmon-leap and waterfall are annually visited by great numbers of tourists. From the Dublin road a most delightful view is presented of the town, the Liffey and Rhy, the former being nearly surrounded by the two streams, which unite at the foot of Leixlip Castle. This edifice stands on a commanding eminence, majestically soaring above the town; it is the property of Colonel Conolly, but the residence of the Hon. Geo. Cavendish, who has modernized and greatly beautified it.
The places of worship are the established church and a Roman Catholic chapel, the latter a neat ornamental building, and very pleasantly situated. There are schools in connection with the board of education, and a public infants’ school. The market day is Saturday, and the fairs May 4th and October 9th. The population, in 1841, was 1.086.
Lucan is a village and parish, in the barony of Newcastle, county of Dublin, about 4 ½ miles N. E. from Celbridge, situated on the high road to Dublin and Galway, on the right bank of the Liffey, which is crossed by a neat stone bridge. The place is chiefly noticed for its chalybeate spa, efficacious in the cure of cutaneous complaints, and is resorted to, in the summer season, by many. A handsome spa-house has been erected, consisting of a centre and two wings, in one of which is an assembly-room, where concerts and balls are given. The magistrates sit in petty sessions here every Tuesday. Lucan gives the title of baron and earl to the noble family of Bingham. An extensive iron foundry here furnishes employment to many of the working inhabitants.
The parish church, erected in 1822, is a neat building with a spire. A Roman Catholic chapel and a place of worship for the Wesleyan Methodists, are the other religious edifices; and a dispensary, a savings’ bank, and a school for the sons of the Irish clergy, comprise the other two public buildings. Population, in 1841, 563.
POST OFFICE, CELBRIDGE, James Leslie, Post Master.- Letters from all parts arrive (From DUBLIN) every morning at seven and half-past nine, and are despatched for all parts (to DUBLIN by mail cart) every afternoon at half-past four.
POST OFFICE, LEIXLIP, Anthony Bacon, Post Master.- Letters from all parts arrive every morning at half-past nine and night at nine, and are despatched every morning at four and afternoon at three.
POST OFFICE, LUCAN, James Lynch, Post Master.- Letters from all parts arrive every morning at a quarter before nine and night at nine, and are despatched every morning at four and afternoon at a quarter before four.
PLACES OF WORSHIP,
And their Minsiters.
ESTABLISHED CHURCH, Celbridge- Rev. Robert Pakenham, rector; Rev. Samuel Grier, curate.
ESTABLISHED CHURCH, Leixlip- Rev. Henry Steward, rector.
ESTABLISHED CHURCH, Lucan- Rev. H.A. Prior, perpetual curate.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, Celbridge-Rev. Patrick O’Rourke, parish priest, Rev. Patrick Woods, curate.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, Leixlip- Rev. John Cainan, parish priest; Rev. Mr. Casson, curate, Lucan.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL, Lucan- Rev. M.B. Kelly, parish priest.
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHAPEL, Lucan- ministers various.
COACHES AND CARS
Through Lucan and Leixlip
To DUBLIN, the Royal Mail, every morning at four, a Coach, at the same hour, & others every evening at half-past five and half-past six, and a Car, every afternoon at half-past two, and another at three.
To BALLINASLOE, a Coach, every morning at a quarter past seven; goes through Maynooth, Enfield, Kinnegad, Moate, Athlone.
To BOYLE, a Coach (from Mullingar), every morning at twenty minutes past eight; goes through Maynooth, Enfield, Kinnegad, Mullingar and Longford.
To GALWAY, the Royal Mail, every night at nine; goes through Leixlip, Maynooth, Enfield, Kinnegad, Moate, Athlone and Ballinasloe.
To LONGFORD, by the Coach to Boyle
To MULLINGAR, a Coach (from Boyle), every morning at twenty minutes past eight-and a Car, every afternoon at half-past one.
To SLIGO, the Royal Mail, every night at nine; goes through Lucan, Leixlip, Maynooth, Enfield, Kinnegad, Mullingar, Longford and Boyle.
To TULLAMORE, a Car, every morning at ten.
RAILWAY
DUBLIN is the nearest Station on the DUBLIN and DROGHEDA Line-to which there are Conveyances daily as stated in the preceding coach list.
A description of the towns of Celbridge, Leixlip, Lucan and Neighbourhoods, along with places of worship, public institutions and conveyances serving the area.
[Compiled by Mario Corrigan; typed and edited by Niamh McCabe; final edit Dee O’Brien]
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