The Ghosts of Dangan Castle

 

So, first of all these are not REAL ghosts, but rather former inhabitants of Dangan Castle. 

Our Allen and Sweeney ancestors who lived on the perimeter of the great estate would have known OF these people, and perhaps acted as groundskeepers or servants to the estate. We know that the Sweeney's acted as nurserymen in the area, so they may have worked on the grounds. We know that the Allen's had experience with horses; Frank Allen was said to have raised race horses on his farm. It is possible they worked in the stables for the gentry. Who knows? We of course have no records that far back, other than they live on and farmed pieces of land connecting to the estate. The Wellesley family ended up in debt, selling the now ruined estate at Dangan to Colonel Burrows, who then leased it to Mr. O'Conner.

Who lived at Dangan Castle?

The inhabitants of Dangan Castle were an illustrious family indeed.

Forfeited lands at Dangan after the battle of Dungan Hill in 1652 included lands owned by Catholics Robert Rochfort, Garrot Smith, and Valerian Wesley.

Garret Wesley- forfeited lands after the battle of Dungan Hill- so- how did he get them back? They became Protestants. Valerian Wesley owned 380 acres at Dangan in 1654.

Garret Wesley- circa 1665- died 1728- Represented Trim and County Meath in the Irish Parliament. Had no children and left Dangan to his cousin, Richard Colley.

Richard Colley Wesley, 1st Baron Mornington- born around 1690 as Richard Colley, inherited the estates of Dangan and Mornington in County Meath from his cousin, Garret Wesley, in 1728, changing his name. Represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons from 1729-1746, High Sheriff of Meath in 1734, became Baron Mornington in 1746. He was described as an eccentric, good-natured country gentleman. He was also extravagant and died in debt, resulting in his grandson Richard selling Dangan Estate 40 years after his death.

Garret Colley Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington

Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington 1735-1781

Garret Wesley was born at Dangan Castle was a musician who excelled in the violin from his early childhood and later became a composer. It was said that Dangan Castle had two organs- one in the hall and one in the chapel, and a harpsichord in the breakfast room. He attended Trinity College in Dublin, becoming a professor of music in 1764. He represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons and succeeded his father in 1758. He married Anne Hill-Trevor in 1759 and had nine children, many of whom made their marks in history. Unfortunately he was careless with money, leaving the family in financial ruin, forcing the decision to sell their Irish estates.

His children included:

Richard Colley Wellesley- born 1760 Dangan Castle, attended Harrow, Eton, and Oxford, represented Trim in the Irish House of Commons in 1780 then inherited his father's title of 2nd Earl of Mornington in 1781, taking a seat in the Irish House of Lords. Due to the extravagances of his father and grandfather he was heavily in debt and most of his Irish estates were sold. He served as Lord Lieutenant in Ireland and was Governor General of India from 1798-1805. 

Richard Wellesley 1760-1842

3- William Wellesley-Pole, 3rd Earl of Mornington- born 20 May 1763, Dangan Castle. William was educated at Eton and then entered the Royal Navy. He represented Trim in the Irish Parliament from 1783-1790. He became 3rd Earl of Mornington in 1842 after the death of his elder brother Richard.

William Wellesley, aged 14, 1777- painting by Benjamin West

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington- born 1 May 1769, Dublin, raised at Dangan Castle. He was educated at the diocesan school in Trim before furthering his education including attending Eton. One of the leading military and political leaders in Britain, one of the commanders who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, twice prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Gerald Valerian Wesley, the fifth son of Garret Wesley, the 1st Earl of Mornington, was born at Dangan Castle on 7 December 1770. He graduated with a Doctor of Divinity. He was "prebendary" (canon) of Durham Cathedral and Chaplain to the British Royal Household. He is buried at Durham Cathedral in England.

Rev. Hon. Gerald Valerian Wesley 

These boys played briefly in the halls of Dangan Castle, and around its grounds, getting their earliest education before being sent to school in Trim, then Dublin or England. For our ancestors, they might as well have been living on another planet. Their elevated means was beyond the imagination of the Irish Catholic tenants, who had only brief glimpses of the extravagances of that way of life.

History: Summerhill attacked during the Irish Confederation Wars- The Historic Battle of Dungan's Hill

We have to wonder if our ancestors were at Umberstown and Dangan in the 1600's. We know they were certainly there by the 1700's, so it is very likely. If so, they witnessed, and perhaps took part in, a bloody battle of epic proportions and its terrible aftermath.

In the 1600's there was a fine house and old castle in Knock (now Summerhill,)  a fine stone house in Dangan with a bridge and mill, and a few cabins in Umberstown and other townlands. There were  small castles in the surrounding townlands of Readstown, Little Freffans, Adamstown, and Laracor.

If you visit Summerhill, you will see this ancient stone pedestal on the village green It is the cross of Peter Lynch of Knock, who had been associated with the Irish Catholic rebellion of "Silken Thomas" (a Kinsella) in 1535. By 1609 there was a new castle on the land and the 1640 survey showed Garrett Lynch of Knock owning 590 acres, with two castles, a mill, an old chapel, and many cottages.

                                      Ruins of Lynch's castle in Summerhill

But in 1642, while Gerald/Garrett was away, the castle at Lynche's Knock was attacked by the forces of the Protestant Irish Royal Army under James Butler, Earl of Ormonde.  All of the male defenders of the castle were executed. This was one bloody scene only 3 miles from our ancestors' cottages at Dangan. But a far worse battle was yet to come.

James Butler, Earl of Ormonde

The Irish Confederation Wars (Eleven Years' War) 1641-1653

From 1642-1649, the Irish Catholic Confederation, based in Kilkenny, ruled 2/3 of Ireland. It had been formed by Catholic nobles, clergy, and military leaders after the Irish Rebellion of 1641, which sought to regain Irish Catholic rights. It held allegiance to the Catholic king of England-King Charles I. 

The Irish Confederation Wars (Eleven Years War) lasted from 1641-1653. The Irish Catholic Confederation allied with English and Scottish Royalists against the English Parliamentarians. Small bands of civilians were raised by local lords to attack the opposing side.

During this horrific war over 25,000 Irish were killed on the battlefield, and over 200,000 civilians died from famine and disease, with 12,000 being transported to the West Indies by 1660. 

In 1645 King Charles I was defeated during the English Civil War, with Parliamentarians taking power. In June 1647, James Butler, The Marquis of Ormond, who had been loyal to Charles, agreed to surrender Dublin to the Parliamentarian army under Col. Michael Jones.

The Battle of Dangan (Dungan) Hill

http://bcw-project.org/military/confederate-war/dungans-hill

At first, I thought this referred to Dangan. Luckily I was off by a few miles. The Down Survey refers to a place called Dunganstown, with a large bog, which is just south of Summerhill. Still, these armies of thousands of men would have marched very close to our ancestors cottages as they passed down the main road from Trim and the horrible battle took place just a few miles from their homes. If they were indeed living there at the time, the battle itself and the aftermath of that battle, would have had a terrible effect on their lives. The map shows the proximity of the battle to the townlands of our ancestors- Umberstown and Dangan (bottom left.) Dungan hill and bog, the site of the horrific battle, was only a few miles away. (Map is not aligned north/south.)

The Down Survey describes the battle this way:

On Sunday, August 8, 1647, near Knock (later Summerhill) and on Dungan Hill, there was a great battle between the the Irish Confederates and the English Parliamentarians. The Irish Confederates were led by General Thomas Preston, who were planning to march on Dublin, which was held by the Parliamentarians. The Irish Confederate army consisted of about 4,000 foot soldiers pikes and heavy muskets, and a small cavalry of about 800 horses. They had been attempting a siege of Trim, but when the Parliamentarian force left Dublin, Preston decided to strike Dublin.

The Parliamentarian force, commanded by Colonel Michael Jones, had about 5,000 foot soldiers, a 1500 horse cavalry, and artillery. He caught Preston about ten miles south of Trim at Dangan. While the Irish cavalry waited on Dangan Hill, the Irish foot soldiers forces were hidden in a field of tall wheat preparing for a surprise attack, but this strategy made it hard for them to see anything. The Irish cavalry was then caught on the road by the English.

 The English won the battle, slaying nearly over 3,000 Irishmen, and taking over 900 prisoners, including surviving leaders. Three of Garrett Lynch's sons died in the battle. According to Irish accounts, the troops were slaughtered even after attempting a surrender.  The English, too, had heavy losses of over 2000 men. Preston, himself, escaped through the bogs with about 2000 men. He requested a burial of the dead, but received no reply. It appears that Jones wanted the bodies of the dead to remain as a haunting reminder of the battle. Some reports say that the dead were not buried until 4 months later. 

The Battle at Dungan Hill was a turning point that signaled the end of the Irish Confederacy.

In 1652, Dunganstown, the town of Knock and lands belonging to Gerald/Garrett Lynds/Lych , now an outlaw rebel accused of treason, were granted to Henry Jones.

 but despite this, Garrett did not recover his lands at Knock after the 1660 royalist restoration.

Forfeited estates after the battle included over 4,175 acres of land in Laracor's townlands. The owners who forfeited their lands included Garrett Lynch (743 acres in Knock/Summerhill) Valerian Wesley (Umberstown, Clondoogan, Clonmahon, Dangan,) Richard Lincham- an Irish Catholic ( Clondoogan, Adamstown, Collinstown, Somertown), Christopher Lincham (Great Freffans) Robert Rochfort- an Irish Catholic (Dangan) Garrot Smith (Dangan) George Stoakstowne (Stoakstown) and George Vaher of Dublin (Little Freffans)

Cromwell's War- 1649-1653

Cromwell, leader of the English Parliamentarians, invaded Ireland from 1649-1653.
In 1642, the Protestant Duke of Ormonde besieged and captured the castle at Knock. It was occupied by Cromwell's forces in 1647. Knock Castle and land was forfeited during Cromwell's invasion, and given to the Protestant Bishop of Meath, Henry Jones.

In July 1649 the castle at Trim was taken by royalists under the Earl of Ormonde, who gave directions that it should be destroyed if conquered by Cromwell, however the castle survived after he took it, and was occupied until about 1690.

Sources:

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01814-summerhill-demesne-house-16th17th-century

http://bcw-project.org/military/confederate-war/dungans-hill

http://old.scotwars.com/battle_of_dungan.htm

Laracor Parish in early days

Trim- Its Ecclesiastical Ruins, its castle, etc. 1886

https://books.google.com/books?id=MvcRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=great+freffans+meath&source=bl&ots=_EN4IZR84Q&sig=jDyAIaBRNz-luY8R84_313-ujLM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-2MzzyqjcAhVCEawKHeAHBIM4ChDoAQhCMAU#v=onepage&q=great%20freffans%20meath&f=false

The Down Survey of Laracor Parish, County Meath

 

The Down Survey of Ireland, conducted from 1656 to 1658, was an ambitious project to map all existing land ownership in Ireland. Its purpose was sinister; those lands that would be forfeited by Irish Catholic landowners would be given to Cromwell's supporters and English Protestant soldiers. Nevertheless, it is one of the earliest maps of its kind, and shows us a great deal about Ireland before the massive land confiscations. The Down Survey website also provides an interface between the ancient maps and modern maps.

Down Survey Maps

Here is the map for Laracor Parish, County Meath, where our Allen and Sweeney Ancestors lived.

A close up reveals Dangan, owned by Valerian Wesley, and Umberstown (home of our Allens and Sweeneys) owned by Valerian Wesley and Robert Lincham. Many of the surrounding areas also show Gerrald Linch as part owner.

I realized these maps are not aligned N-S - the map below shows Umberstowne, Dangan (Dingen), Clonmahon and Clondougan, and "Lynchknock" (later Summerhill) with the ill fated Dungan Hill and bog just outside of Lynchknock and its castle. (see separate blog on the Battle of Dungan Hill.)

The survey went on to show the proprietor of the land, the acreage, and how many of those acres were profitable.

Umbrestowne, owned by Valerian Wesley and Richard Lincham, was 273 acres, all considered profitable land. Dangan (Dingan) owned by Valerian Wesley (papist) was 589 acres, all profitable. Valerian Wesley saved his lands, by, as the conquerors had hoped, converting to the Protestant religion.

Knocke, owned by Garrett Linch was 743 acres, all profitable. But notice that after Garret's name it shows "pap." This marks the land as among those to be confiscated. While Garrett Linch was away, the castle was stormed by the Marquis Ormonde and the male inhabitants slain. It was sold by the Protestant Bishop of Meath, Henry Jones, to Sir Hercules Langford in 1661.  Sir Hercules Langford would be the builder of Summerhill Estate.

The survey describes the soil of the area as good, with arable meadows and pastures and only a little bog on the southwest end. It then goes on to describe the Battle of Dinganhill, where more than 5800 men were slain. (See separate post)

It describes in Knocke a fair house and an old castle in repair, some very good woods and a mill. It also describes a town at Clomahon and Clondoggan and some small villages at Umberstowne with a few cabins and a fair stone house in Dangen. 

The 1670 Survey showed how forfeited lands in the area had been transferred to Protestant landowners.

At Dangan, 589 plantation acres that were owned by Catholic Valerian Wesley now belonged to Protestant Garrett Wesley.

At Great Umberstown, 273 plantation acres that were owned by Valerian Wesley were now owned by Sir John Stephens.

At Clondoogan, 401 plantation acres that had belonged to Richard Linchamp (who was a Protestant) now belonged to Sir John Stephens as well.

The Summerhill Demesne which had belonged to Varerian Welseyin 1641 now belonged to Garrett Wesley, as did Moy.

Allen Blog- Hugh's Story- The Fairy Fort

 

Hugh grew up in a magical place. Besides the ruins at Dangan Castle, Hugh's family farm was bordered by the most magical of places- a fairy fort.

                                  Allen farm on left and fairy fort on right

This enticing hill surrounded by rings of grass covered ridges and depressions that would have been a tempting place for young boys to play. But it was very likely forbidden- a place only entered upon by a childhood dare and then quickly exited at a full run. Or did the neighboring Allen children become so familiar with this place that they played comfortably there? If so, they were looked on kindly by the fairies.

Because this was a real fairy hill- a place surrounded by superstition. These ancient fairy forts, dotted across Ireland, belonged to the realm of the fairies and were protected by them. Rumors of mysterious occurrences surrounded them- strange dancing lights or the sounds of soft lilting music in the dark of night. These curious places were not to be disturbed by humankind. There were stories of people who had gone into a mystical trance or even disappeared if they wandered onto them. Some believed that fairy forts had secret underground caverns that led to the other world. And woe betide anyone who disturbed this protected piece of earth in order to build human abodes- this would provoke the wrath of the fairies and bring seriously bad luck. To this day, the fairy forts of Ireland, including the one next to Hugh's childhood home, remain, respected and left alone by the local people.

In fact, the fairy fort next to Hugh's home was the very one that had given the name to the area in which they lived. "An Daingean" which later became Dangan, means "the fort."

We know now, that this was an ancient ring fort, also known as a rath. Dating back to the Bronze Age- 500-1000 A.D., these circular or oval hills had been the site of fortified homesteads or farmsteads. The oval ring at Dangan was 35 meters wide- and at that size was likely the abode of a Celtic nobleman. 

During Celtic times, there were eight chieftains, or Tuaths, in Meath, who served the King at Tara. Below these chieftains were free farmers, who also had smaller raths. These were built to protect the farmstead and its most prized possession- cattle- from raids.

The raised circular/oval hill was surrounded by earthen or stone banks for protection which were then surrounded by a fosse- a ditch of water that was the progenitor of later castle moats. A winding incline led up to the rath. The family lived on top of the ring fort, and their dwelling sometimes included an underground passage- souterrain- used as storage or a refuge during attacks. Some of these went quite deep into the earth, and are probably the origins of the later superstitions that these were fairy entrances into the other world.

The rings and depressions around the Dangan ring fort can be seen clearly in the satellite image below.

                                              Ring fort at Dangan

Watch the video below to learn more  about ring forts!

A video about Irish ringforts

Irish Fairy Tales to read online

Irish Fairy Tales by Stephens

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by Yeats

Sources:

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01769-dangan-ringfort-rath

Cusack, Illustrated History of Ireland, 1868 Chapt XV

Places: A Gentleman's Description of Summer Hill and Dangan in 1828

Dangan Castle

    Summerhill


" Being desirous of seeing the ancient castle of Dangan, the birth-place of the hero of our day (the Duke of Wellington who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815) we left Dublin for Summer Hill, a village about thirty miles from Dublin, and a very short distance from Dangan Castle. It was autumn, and, as we reached Summer Hill late, we went quietly to bed- deferring the object of our curiosity till the morning."

"We arose almost with the sun on the following morning, and after a rural breakfast in one of the prettiest villages in Ireland, Summer Hill, we set forth on our walk to Dangan.

Dangan


"The day brightened as we left the village, and we saw at a mile's distance the gates and woods of Dangan. We passed down the side of the domain wall, and, pursuing a noble road with woods on each side, at length reached an eminence, whence Dangan Castle burst on our view. Its windows glistened in the morning sun, and many coloured foliage added to its beauty."

"Having walked over the domain, we proceeded to the castle, and examined the interior of it. It is now quite a ruin, having been sold by Lord Wellesley, (father of the Duke of Wellington) and since the sale has passed through many hands. It had, moreover, suffered recently by some fire, so as to look more picturesquely in a distant prospect than upon a close inspection. The shell of the castle, which had so fine an effect, with its battlements and turrets amongst the surrounding woods, had a very different aspect as we approached it. Still it appeared to us as historic ground, and we lingered long in the domain and its vicinity"

"We passed the rest of the day in walking through the adjacent country, which is fertile and well cultivated. From every part of the landscape, the woods, and frequently the castle of Dangan were to be seen. We continued to walk through this wild and romantic scenery, and could not but be pleased with the varied landscapes of a fine corn country, always terminated, and, as it were, framed by the beautiful and extensive woods of Dangan. We stopped at an humble Irish cottage; the inhabitants produced a repast of potatoes and milk, of which we of course partook. How exceedingly cheaply are the Irish peasantry maintained- how cheaply might even an English family, and of the first respectability, live most substantially in Ireland. The largest and fattest fowl is six-pence or seven-pence- a goose thirteen pence- a turkey the same; taxes almost nothing, and labour not a shilling per day. The rent of land is about twenty-five shillings the English acre, and in taking a domain of fifty or sixty acres the house is rated as nothing, being included in the rent..."

"....The wages of maid-servants are about four pounds a year- of a coachman about ten. Every family makes their own candles and soap..." "..We returned to Summer Hill to sleep....in a quiet slumber at a village inn.


"With the first gleaming of the golden sun, illuminating the peaceful village, we set out for Trim.....we again approached Dangan Castle on our way to Trim..."


..."Proceeding toward Trim, a country town thirty miles from Dublin, we passed through some of the finest and best cultivated land we had seen in Ireland. Good farm-houses, large fields, and every appearance of good crops and proper cultivation, showed us what Ireland might become under due culture. "


Trim


"Upon bidding farewell to this interesting little spot we passed on to Trim, a considerable Irish country town. The old castle is the most striking and picturesque feature of the place. It is situated upon the memorable Boyne, which is here about as wide as the Thames at Richmond; and is beautifully blue. when Marquis Wellesley sold his castle at Dangan, he resided some time here. Trim is likewise remarkable for the occasional residence of (Jonathan) Swift (Church of Ireland cleric, later dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, best known for his book "Gulliver's Travels" written in 1726) his parsonage at Laracor being near it. "


"...Again we beheld the cradle of our Wellington, and the baronial edifice of King John, for in his reign it (the castle at Trim) was built. The first dawn of the morning was on its walls; the autumnal woods reddened with the rising sun; the cheerful redbreast poured forth its song; and the sheep grazed through the domain. It was altogether a picture of exquisite rural beauty and country repose."

Trim

Journal Source:
Mr. Peel- page 183-page 188  
Public Characters of the Year 1828
Printed by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green
Paternoster Row, 1828
(Pictures are not from the book- found on Google images)


  

Allen Blog-Hugh's Story- Part 5- The Enchantment of Dangan

Dangan Castle, County Meath by Lord Brougham circa 1880

Running along the western border of the Allen farm lay the enchanting ruins of Dangan Castle. This huge estate encompassed woodlands and fields which in turn embraced a fairyland built by adults for their own entertainment- a circular fort, a grotto, the remains of a vast ornamental lake with several islands, an embankment, ornamental obelisks, canals, ruins of the castle, and the ruins of Dangan House. With eight boys, it would be a near miracle if they avoided this attraction- forbidden or not. By the time that Hugh was growing up, this land was more than likely deserted, other than being an attraction for the occasional tourist passing through.

The History of Dangan Castle

Built by Richard Wesley, the first Baron Mornington, this ruin was a showplace in the time of Hugh's grandparents. In 1732 a visitor described a large hall with an organ and harpsichord so guests could enjoy music and dancing. The Baron had grand stables and extensive gardens with hills and vistas, "follies" of Roman temples, ornamental statues, and tall obelisks. The eccentric Baron went on to create canals and large artificial lakes with islands and forts. [1]Here he placed a 20 ton man of war (which he used in mock battles and for firing salutes on family occasions,) a yacht, and a steam boat. The grounds were once surrounded by woodlands and an avenue of trees led to the Italian style "Dangan House" which was added on to Dangan Castle, which was kept as a "folly."  A visitor in 1752 describes his experience there:

"We soon after came to Dangan, the seat of Lord Mornington, situated on a most beautiful flat with an amphitheater of hills rising round it, one over another, in a most beautiful manner; at the lower end is a very large piece of water, at one corner of which is an island; it is a regular fortification; there is a ship, and sloop, and boats on the water, and a yard for building; the hill beyond it is improved into a beautiful wilderness; on a round hill near the house is a temple, and the hills around are adorned with obelisks, pillars, and some buildings; altogether it is the most beautiful thing I ever saw." [2]

Garret Wesley, the first Earl of Mornington, married Anne Hill-Trevor in 1759 and they had six children: Richard, Viscount Wellesley (1760-1842) William Wellesley (1763-1845) Arthur Wellesley the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Henry Wellesley (1773-1847) and Anne Wellesley (1775-1844.) (Queen Elizabeth II of England is a direct descendant of Garret Wesley.)[3]The chief claim to fame of the property, was, in Hugh's time, one of its famous inhabitants. It was here that Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington (famous for his defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo) spent much of his early childhood, attending the local Protestant school at Trim. 

Portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Sir Thomas Lawrence 1814

Rev. Jonathan Swift Vicar of Laracor Parish Church [5]

Captain Burrows and an Irish Rascal

The Wellesley's, however ran into financial difficulties over the years. In 1793 the estate was sold to Captain Thomas Burrows, who added two wings to the home, including a chapel and a library. In 1803, Burrows leased the house to Roger O’Conner, an Irish Nationalist who was apparently quite a rascal.  Besides eloping with a married lady, he was accused of a notorious train robbery in 1817. He was acquitted of this, claiming that the purpose of the robbery was merely to help him re-capture some love-letters for a friend. It was said that O’Conner had bought Dangan as a place to entertain Napoleon as a guest (expecting a successful invasion of British Ireland by the French) – quite an irony considering the birth of Napoleon’s nemesis in the same house! Instead, over time, O’Conner emptied the place of all valuables, cut down much of the woods for timber, and, after he took out over 5,000 pounds of insurance, the house “mysteriously” caught fire burned.[6]

In Griffith’s Valuation of 1855, Murphy O’Connell is still shown as renting 679 acres in Dangan (the estate) from Thomas Burrows, and Burrows is listed as the landlord for Dangan tenant farmers, including Peter and James Allen. By the birth of Hugh, this once grand estate was basically an abandoned shell of its former grandeur- the lakes dried up, the house and castle empty ruins- a perfect place for curious boys.

Dangan School

 Hugh probably never realized that his family's former neighbors at Dangan had helped pave the way for him (and children across Ireland) to attend school. The Duke’s brother, Richard, the Marques Wellesley, had also been raised at the Dangan estate. (Some stories say that young Richard started one of the first damaging fires there while making bullets in the attics as a boy.) Richard went on to study at Harrow, Eton, and Oxford. Later serving in parliament, he was instrumental in the passage of the Romans Catholic Relief Act of 1829. The passage of the Act, championed by Daniel O’Connell, an Irish Catholic lawyer, repealed the remaining Penal Laws throughout Ireland. The Marques brother, the famous Duke of Wellington, was also key in its passage through the House of Lords-threatening to resign as Prime Minister if the King did not approve the bill. Soon after passage of this important act, in 1831, the first Irish National Schools were established, paving the way for free education in Ireland.  [7]           

                        

                                Richard, Marques Wellesley [8]

     

The Duke of Wellington arguing in Parliament [9]

The National School, which was run by the parish, was established at Dangan in 1832,[10] and here Hugh and his brothers, sisters and many of their friends would have walked daily to learn to read and write. The 1911 census shows this building as a two room schoolhouse.  These rural schools generally had an open fireplace for heating, and in winter children were required to bring turf to school every day to help provide heat for the building. Since most homes struggled with having enough turf to provide heat at home, this came at a great cost to many families.  English was the required language of instruction.[11] On Sundays, the Allen family attended the church in Dangan, in the Roman Catholic Parish of Summerhill. It was here that their children were baptized, with family and friends serving as sponsors and witnesses.

Dangan Church and School Grounds

In 1911, Our Lady of Lourdes Church was built in Dangan to replace the old parish church. The new Dangan National School is now located on the road between Dangan and Summerhill.[13] The ruins of Dangan Castle and Dangan House remain a tourist attraction, and the estate is currently for sale. (2014)[14]

              

                      

Dangan House

[1] “North Leinster: The Counties of Longford, Louth, Meath, and WestMeath “by Christine Casey, Alistair John Rowan
[2] Pocoke’s Tour of Ireland in 1752
[3] Wikipedia; Garret Wesley, 1^st Earl of Mornington

[4] http://swiftsatirefestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Swifts_Trim_brochure_final_Trim.pdf)

[5] http://swiftsatirefestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Swifts_Trim_brochure_final_Trim.pdf)

[6]http://alison-stewart.blogspot.com/2013_02_01_archive.html

[7]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Wellesley.jpeg

[8]Portrait of Richard Colley Wellesley by Thomas Lawrence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Richard_Wellesley.jpeg

[9]Painting by Sir George Hayter of the Duke of Wellington (on the right) debating in the issue in 1833 wikipedia

[10] http://www.summerhillparish.ie/schools

[11]http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/5th-+-6th-class/history/my-school-history/national-schools-in-the-1/heating/

[12] Map of Griffith's Valuation 1855 

[13] http://www.summerhillparish.ie/schools

[14] http://www.daft.ie/commercial/dangan-castle-and-lands-trim-road-summerhill-meath/67273/