UK Genealogy Archives logo
DISCLOSURE: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission.

Ballylennan, Wexford

Historical Description

BALLYLENNAN, a parish, in the barony of SHELMALIER, county of WEXFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 5 miles (S. W. by S.) from Taghmon; containing 733 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the high road from Wexford to Duncannon Fort, and is separated on the east from the barony of Bargy, and on the southeast from the barony of Shelburne, by a navigable stream called indifferently the Bannowor Scar river. It comprises 2460 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, of which about 60 acres are woodland, and the remainder chiefly under tillage. The soil is generally light, with the exception of some very rich land near the Scar river, the mud of which supplies abundance of manure; the system of agriculture is good, and still improving; and the dwellings of the peasantry, which are cleanly and cheerful, afford striking indications of industry and comfort. At the mouth of the Scar river, in Bannow bay, is a small quay for landing limestone and manure, which are brought from the peninsula of Hook, on the other side of the bay of Fethard, in boats of about 15 tons burden. Rosegarland, the elegant seat of F. Leigh, jun., Esq, though to all appearance a modern mansion, is incorporated with some of the walls, and occupies part of the site of an Anglo-Norman fortrese, originally quadrangular and flanked at the opposite angles with massive square and round embattled towers, of which latter, one has been raised by the present proprietor to the height of 60 feet, commanding a luxuriant and extensive prospect over the numerous rich demesnes with which this part of the country is ornamented. The gardens and pleasure grounds are tastefully laid out; in the former, which comprise seven acres, are four Portugal laurels of extraordinary growth, planted in the form of a square at the distance of 1¾ yard asunder, and extending their foliage over an area of 65 yards in circumference; the latter are adorned with some fine timber, and a branch of the Scar winds through them, adding much to the beauty and fertility of the demesne. This is an impropriate curacy, endowed with the small tithes, in the diocese of Ferns, and forms part of the union of Horetown; the rectory is impropriate in the Earl of Portsmouth. The tithes amount to £174. 6. 6½., of which £114. 6. 6½. is payable to the impropriator, and £60 to the rector of Horetown. The remains of the church have been converted into a mausoleum for the family of Leigh. In the R. C. divisions it is within the liberty of Tintern, and with Clongeen is known as the parish of Rosegarland. At the northern extremity of Bannow bay are the ruins of the ancient town of Clonmines, in the parish of that name; they are called "Clonmines Castles," and consist chiefly of the tower and walls of the church, with one of the Banking towers and a fragment of the wall which enclosed the monastery.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1840 by Samuel Lewis

Civil Registration

For general information about Civil Registration (births, marriages and deaths) see the Civil Registration page.


Directories & Gazetteers

We have transcribed the entry for Ballylennan from the following:


Land and Property

The Return of Owners of Land in 1873 for Wexford is available to browse.

Advertisement

Advertisement