History and Antiquities of Kilkenny (County and City) - With Illustrations and Appendix, Compiled From Inquisitions, Deeds, Wills, Funeral Entries, Family Records, and Other Historical and Authentic Sources #272374

To illustrate local History and Antiquities is a most useful and in teresting literary occupation. Some years ago, whilst reading over the Inquisitions of Leinster, the thought occurred to me that much might be done for Kilkenny by publishing, with notes, those that had reference to our County and City, as it would rescue from oblivion the names of families and places whose memories and worthy traditions have almost perished with time. Ancient feudal castles and battle grounds, ruined monasteries and decayed churches, holy wells, raths, oromlechs, cairns, are plentifully enough scattered over the length and width of the county, but their history is largely neglected, and the story of their former significance is mostly lost. It is no small task for a clergyman, face to face with the sterner duties of his profession, to undertake the elucidation of such subjects even in an humble way. Yet I hope the day will ever be when many such can command time for the profound study of their country's history. And like another Keating, or an c'clery, find it quite consistent with the strict observance and efficient discharge of the onerous duties of a Catholic prim.