MAYNOOTH TOWN, KILDARE

1. Duke’s Harbour 1796

Named after William, the 2nd Duke of Leinster, who had the Royal Canal diverted to Maynooth in 1796, to bring coal and turf to Carton House. The canal declined in importance after 1848, when the railway opened. The National Famine Way, (An tSlf), passes through Maynooth. In May 1847, 1,490 people, mostly families, made the six-day journey from Strokestown Estate, Roscommon to Dublin port and the famine ships. A third died before reaching Quebec. The statues of the little shoes along the way represent the children who made this journey.

2. I.C.A. Hall, 1932

Originally an army hut from the Curragh camp in Kildare, it was brought to Maynooth in 1932 by Edward, 7th Duke of Leinster, for St. Mary’s Brass and Reed Band. It was their home until 1943, when they moved to a bigger hall in Pound Street, and Macra na Feirme (Young Farmers Group) moved in. In 1964 the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) bought the hall and it continues to be used by the local ICA group

4. Buckley’s House 1800s

Home of Domnhall Ua Buachalla who led 14 local men to the General Post Office in Dublin, to join the Rebellion in 1916. An Irish speaker, he defied the authorities by having a sign in Irish over his shop on the Main Street. It is reputed that he concealed weapons on the premises before the Easter Rising. In 1922 he took part in the occupation of the Four Courts at the start of the Civil War and in 1927 was made Governor General by De Valera. He died in 1963.

5. Fitzgerald Castle 1203 approx.

Built by Maurice Fitzgerald on lands granted by Strongbow. They became Earls of Kildare and, later, Dukes of Leinster. There was a weekly market here from 1286 and a fair once a year.

The castle was besieged during the Silken Thomas Rebellion of 1535
and destroyed in the 1640s. The Fitzgeralds eventually returned to Maynooth in 1739, settling in Carton House, which is located north of the present town. Their crest contains a pair of monkeys, a pet monkey reputedly having rescued the Earl’s infant son during a fire.

7. St. Mary’s Church of Ireland 1248

Built as a private chapel for the Fitzgeralds, it was restored and extended in 1770. The medieval carvings over the windows came from the old Fitzgerald council chamber and the unusual wooden, east window came from the ruined church of Laraghbryan nearby. The 3rd Duke, Augustus and his wife are interred here.

8. Parson Street 1790s

This street of cottages developed to provide accommodation for students studying in St. Patrick’s College opposite. The old Rectory attached to the Anglican church was further along the street and
pre-dates the cottages.

10. St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church 1840

A Gothic Church designed by J.J McCarthy, who designed the College Chapel. It replaced a smaller chapel in Pound Lane and took up a more prominent position in the town. The stained-glass windows and oak altar are worthy of note.

11. William Bridge and The Pound 1790s

Named after the 2nd Duke of Leinster, the bridge was built to carry a new road over the Lyreen River to Kilcock. It replaced an earlier road which ran through the middle of the castle. The Pound beside it is a
rare surviving example of an 18th century enclosure, in which stray animals in the town were held until their owners paid for their release. Pound Street developed in the early 19th century, as the population grew with increasing employment in the town.

13. Leinster Cottages 1700s

Built in the 18th century as more workers and tradespeople moved to the town. Stable Lane, Back Lane and Chapel Lane tell us about land and building use here. A lime kiln nearby provided whitewash to
sanitise the cottages.

14. Charter House 1749

Founded to provide education for children of the poor, on condition they practised the Protestant religion. It closed in 1819 and in 1831 a girls’ National School, run by the Presentation Sisters, was opened. From 1887 they ran a laundry here, serving both the College and Carton House.

16. Court House Square 1819

Originally a market square, it was replaced in 1819 by a courthouse. This was burned down in 1920. The present structure represents the outline of the old courthouse.

The Square has many associations with past rebellion: Wolfe Tone, the leader of the United Irishmen, is said to have spent his honeymoon in a Georgian house there: The Black and Tans occupied Larine House in the Square 1921/1922: In 1803 Robert Emmet gathered together 100 rebels from Maynooth and surrounds: Lord Edward Fitzgerald of Carton House was a leading member of the United Irishmen in the 1790s.