Rathangan
Is a small market town and parish, the latter partly in the barony of East Ophaly, but chiefly in that of west Ophaly, county of Kildare, 33 miles S.W. from Dublin, 10 S.E. from Edenderry, and 6 N. by W. from Kildare; situated on the eastern bank of the Grand Canal, and near the verge of the counties of Kildare and King’s. The town, which is the property of the Duke of Leinster, is tolerably well built, and is the residence, with the neighbourhood, of several respectable families. The place, however, enjoys but little trade, notwithstanding its eligibility of situation for that purpose. The magistrates, in whom the government of the town is vested, hold a petty sessions every Monday, and a stipendiary magistrate is here resident. The parish church, which is finely situated on an eminence, is rather a handsome building of stone, with a tower. The other places of worship are a beautiful Roman Catholic chapel and meeting-house for the Methodists and the Society of Friends. The charitable institutions are a dispensary for the sick poor and schools, under the national board, for children of either sex, with another supported by Viscount Harberton. The market, a well-supplied one, is held on Monday. Fairs, June 26th, August 26th, and November 12th. The town, which is entirely in the barony of East Ophaly, contained, in 1841, 1,040 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE, Michael Mylod, Post Master.- Letters from all parts arrive (from KILDARE) every morning at seven and are despatched thereto every evening at six.
PLACES OF WORSHIP,
And their Ministers.
PARISH CHURCH- Rev. William Bourne, rector, the Glebe; John Tottenham, curate.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL- Reverend Patrick Brennan, Kildare, parish priest; Rev. Andrew Mc Mahon, curate.
METHODIST MEETING HOUSE- ministers various
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS’ MEETING HOUSE
CONVEYANCES.
The nearest Town, to Rathangan, through which Coaches pass, is Kildare.
CONVEYANCE BY WATER,
CANAL PASSAGE BOATS.
To DUBLIN, a Fly Boat passes every forenoon at half-past eleven; goes past Robertstown, Sallins and Hazelhatch.
To MOUNTMELLICK, a Fly Boat (from Dublin), passes daily at twenty-five minutes past twelve; goes past Monastereven and Portarlington.
*** There are Boats for the conveyance of Goods, but no fixed period of departure
A description of the town of Rathangan, 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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