Clane - a brief history
There is ample evidence to suggest that a significant settlement existed in pre-historic times in close proximity to the present-day site of Clane on the west bank of the River Liffey.
The Ford/ Cash’s Motte or Moat
In early Celtic times the way to cross a river was at a shallow place called a ford (Ath).Such fords developed an important military purpose because of the number of people crossing and so local chieftains built motes or duns or forts in the shape of a large mound near the crossing point. At Clane a huge mound of earth was erected to command the route across the river. The ford on the Liffey at Clane was the scene of a major battle about 33AD between the forces of Mesgegra, King of Leinster, and those of Conall Cearnach from Ulster who was on his way from Howth to Tara. After a fierce duel Conall defeated Mesgegra, severed his head at the Bullaun Stone and then placed it in the bowl-shaped hollow. It is believed that Mesgegra’s torso was buried under the large Moat (i.e. Cash’s Motte) near the bridge and that his head was buried along with his wife Queen Buan (who died of shock at the sad news) under the mound at Mainham.
The Ford/ Cash’s Motte or Moat
In early Celtic times the way to cross a river was at a shallow place called a ford (Ath).Such fords developed an important military purpose because of the number of people crossing and so local chieftains built motes or duns or forts in the shape of a large mound near the crossing point. At Clane a huge mound of earth was erected to command the route across the river. The ford on the Liffey at Clane was the scene of a major battle about 33AD between the forces of Mesgegra, King of Leinster, and those of Conall Cearnach from Ulster who was on his way from Howth to Tara. After a fierce duel Conall defeated Mesgegra, severed his head at the Bullaun Stone and then placed it in the bowl-shaped hollow. It is believed that Mesgegra’s torso was buried under the large Moat (i.e. Cash’s Motte) near the bridge and that his head was buried along with his wife Queen Buan (who died of shock at the sad news) under the mound at Mainham.
Early Christian Period
From 500AD onwards Christianity in Ireland developed into a monastic Christianity. The monastery at Clane was founded by St. Ailbe in 520AD and although there is no visible trace of the original settlement it was probably located on the present site of the Community Centre. The monastery was built within a circular enclosure judging by the curvature of the present surrounding wall. The monastery flourished but in 1035AD the Vikings attacked and plundered it. However, it recovered and hosted a church synod in 1162 AD. The old monastery probably faded out of existence with the building of the Franciscan Friary in the 13th century. After the Reformation a Church of Ireland church occupied the site until 1883 when the Church of St. Michael and all Angels was built at Millicent.
From 500AD onwards Christianity in Ireland developed into a monastic Christianity. The monastery at Clane was founded by St. Ailbe in 520AD and although there is no visible trace of the original settlement it was probably located on the present site of the Community Centre. The monastery was built within a circular enclosure judging by the curvature of the present surrounding wall. The monastery flourished but in 1035AD the Vikings attacked and plundered it. However, it recovered and hosted a church synod in 1162 AD. The old monastery probably faded out of existence with the building of the Franciscan Friary in the 13th century. After the Reformation a Church of Ireland church occupied the site until 1883 when the Church of St. Michael and all Angels was built at Millicent.
Normans/ Franciscan Friary
It is with the arrival of the Normans in 1170 AD and the establishment of a Norman settlement here that the origin of the modern village/town is to be found. The Normans extended and enlarged the Mesgegra mound and created a motte and bailey castle on top of it, which overlooked the ford and protected the river crossing. Thus began the medieval Borough of Clane. Having settled in the area the Normans proceeded to found smaller settlements such as Kerdiffstown, Painstown, Richardstown etc. They also invited the Franciscan Order to establish a friary locally. The friary was founded in 1258 AD by Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, 4th Baron of Offaly, who died in 1287 AD It was suppressed by Henry VIII in in 1536 AD. Nestling in a recess at the base of the south wall is the remains of a limestone effigy. Most historians are of the opinion that the figure is the remains of the effigy of Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald.
It is with the arrival of the Normans in 1170 AD and the establishment of a Norman settlement here that the origin of the modern village/town is to be found. The Normans extended and enlarged the Mesgegra mound and created a motte and bailey castle on top of it, which overlooked the ford and protected the river crossing. Thus began the medieval Borough of Clane. Having settled in the area the Normans proceeded to found smaller settlements such as Kerdiffstown, Painstown, Richardstown etc. They also invited the Franciscan Order to establish a friary locally. The friary was founded in 1258 AD by Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, 4th Baron of Offaly, who died in 1287 AD It was suppressed by Henry VIII in in 1536 AD. Nestling in a recess at the base of the south wall is the remains of a limestone effigy. Most historians are of the opinion that the figure is the remains of the effigy of Gerald Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald.
Other Historical Events
Several other historical events are associated with the later history of Clane. As a result of the Eustace involvement in the 1641 Rising General Monck attacked and destroyed Castlebrowne (i.e. Clongowes) in 1642. The 1798 Rebellion was widespread in the locality. One of the earliest battles occurred on Coiseanna Hill (now College Road). Several of the 1798 leaders were resident in the Clane area at the time: viz. Wolfe Tone, Hamilton Rowan, Dr. John Esmonde.
Several other historical events are associated with the later history of Clane. As a result of the Eustace involvement in the 1641 Rising General Monck attacked and destroyed Castlebrowne (i.e. Clongowes) in 1642. The 1798 Rebellion was widespread in the locality. One of the earliest battles occurred on Coiseanna Hill (now College Road). Several of the 1798 leaders were resident in the Clane area at the time: viz. Wolfe Tone, Hamilton Rowan, Dr. John Esmonde.
Some Features of Interest
The Bullaun Stone: Located in the retaining wall bordering the Butterstream, on the Sallins Road, opposite the old Franciscan Friary, is a little known relic of ancient times called the Bullaun Stone. It consists of a large block of limestone with a deep bowl-shaped depression, hollowed out of its upper side. It is believed to be the oldest man-made artefact extant in Clane. It is intimately connected with the legend of the local King Mesgegra and his untimely death at the ford of Clane.
The Bullaun Stone: Located in the retaining wall bordering the Butterstream, on the Sallins Road, opposite the old Franciscan Friary, is a little known relic of ancient times called the Bullaun Stone. It consists of a large block of limestone with a deep bowl-shaped depression, hollowed out of its upper side. It is believed to be the oldest man-made artefact extant in Clane. It is intimately connected with the legend of the local King Mesgegra and his untimely death at the ford of Clane.
The Pale: There are remains of the Pale in close proximity to Clongowes Castle. The Pale rampart was ordered to be built by Poynings’ Parliament in Drogheda in 1494. The rampart was to consist of a bank, six feet high surrounded by a double ditch. The top of the bank was to be flat and wide enough to serve as a footpath, a bridle-path or even a road in some places. There are two well preserved stretches of the Pale on Clongowes land. The best known section lies between Clongowes and Capdoo Commons.
Alexandra Bridge: The present bridge, called Alexandra Bridge, a fine strong masonry structure, which spans the river Liffey at Clane, was built in 1864 and replaced a medieval stone bridge which was constructed in the 1390s. A close examination of the stonework of the present bridge indicates that only the central part of the new bridge, i.e. three arches and two piers, was constructed in 1864 and that parts of the older bridge were integrated into the new structure. The bridge at Clane is a strong well-built limestone structure and consists of three main arches resting on sturdy footings and a small flood arch. It was named Alexandra Bridge after Princess Alexandra of Denmark who married Edward, Prince of Wales in 1863.
Blessed John Sullivan Memorial: Just outside the Abbey Community Centre is the very impressive memorial to Blessed John Sullivan who was born in Dublin in 1861. John, a Protestant, was received into the Catholic Church in 1896 and on July 28th 1907 he was ordained a Jesuit priest. Soon after he was appointed to the teaching staff of Clongowes Wood College, where he was to spend most of the rest of his life. He died on February 19th 1933 and was buried in Clongowes cemetery. In 1960 his remains were transferred to St. Xavier’s Church, Gardiner St. Dublin. He was beatified in this church on 13th May 2017 and is now referred to as Blessed John Sullivan.