Why aren't our Allen and Sweeney Ancestors Buried at the Dangan Church? Where ARE they buried?

Apparently our ancestors are not buried in the new churchyard at Dangan, which was built after most of them left for America. A local lady checked for me with no results. But it appears that the tradition was to be buried at Moy, on the Summerhill Estate, where there was once an ancient church, now gone, and older family graves.

For all you cemetery troopers- here is how you can explore the Moy Cemetery where our Sweeney (and likely Allen) relatives, neighbors and related families are buried in County Meath.

History of Moy

(See Allen blog on the history of Summerhill, Dangan and Moy with illustrations- History)

Moy Cemetery is within what was once the Langford Estate near Summerhill.  In 1654 Garett Lynch of Knocke owned the townlands of Summerhill and Moy. There were two castles, a mill, and an old chapel. The only trace of this church is the circular cemetery at Moy. This type of round cemetery is very rare. The graves start in the middle and are arranged in rings from the center to the outside edge.

http://www.meathheritage.com/index.php/archives/item/me01825-summerhill-demesne-church

Google Maps

If you go to Google Maps, you can explore this on your own. Just type in Moy, County Meath. If you move the little man up to the road to get a view, you will see little circles off the road where it says "Cemetery." Then move the little man around the circles to see the cemetery.

Here are some pictures I just found taken in Moy Cemetery. Most of the graves are old and in poor condition.

Gravestones 1

Gravestones 2

Gravestones 3

Who is Buried at Moy?

I knew that our ancestor, Hugh Sweeney (father of Margaret Sweeney, wife of Richard Allen, maternal grandfather of our immigrant ancestor Hugh Allen) was buried at Moy. So I wondered who else was buried there.

I knew there were inscriptions for some of the graves, but could not access them. The memorial inscriptions from 1761-1969 are in "The Irish Ancestor" Volume VI, no. 2, 1974 p. 85-96  (Family History Library Ref 941.5 B2i v.5-6. Moy, near Summerhill, Co. Meath by Beryl F.E. and Josephine Maguire-Tombstones in Moy Graveyard 1689-1972

BIG FIND- Kept me up all night long!I found the records online! Here are our ancestors and their relatives and neighbors!   https://meathhistoryhub.ie/moy-summerhill/- lists graves 

Moy Cemetery Graveyard Records

Row 7

51) *SWEENEY 1824 – Recumbent slab with top to east and inscription uppermost, so if re-erected it will need turning over or the inscription will face the wrong way.
Semicircular sunburst with cross, IHS and Heart inside an octagon. ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ underneath and on each side a very fancy urn (or Chalice) with an elaborate lid. Border around the inscription. “Erected by Patrick Sweeney in memory of his father Hugh Sweeney who departed this life March the 4. 1824 aged 64 years. RIP”.

This is our ancestor, Hugh Sweeney

His son Patrick Sweeney died 1890, Anne Reilly Sweeney 1852-1905 

Row 5

27)* BYRNE 1836 – Modern stone with Chalice and Cross on top of each side. “Erected by Owen Byrne of Clonmahon in memory of his beloved wife Julia Byrne who died 10th May 1868 also his father Richard Byrne who died 21st Decr. 1862. His mother Mary Byrne who died 17th April 1836, his brothers James and John who died 18th Feb. 1847. His son Thomas who died 9th March 1939. His wife Annie who died 19th July 1953 RIP”.

This stone was erected by Own Byrne of Clonmahon, who was the husband of our Hugh Allen's sister, Catharine. He erected this in memory of his first wife, Julia. 

So where are Catharine Allen Byrne and Owen Byrne buried? Their son, Thomas Byrne, who cared for the Allen Farm with John Allen in 1901 is buried here with his wife.

There are no Allen's on the list for Moy, but there are Ason's. Since there are no Ason's living in the area during that time, I am hoping that this might be an misreading on an old tomb. Here are the Ason's.

86) ASON 1739 – Small old stone with Cross and IHS at top. “Here lyeth the body of John Ason who died 10th Dec. 1748 aged 62 year. Allso (This is the spelling of ‘also’ on this stone) Eliz His wife who depd. March 15th 1739 aged 59 years. Allso Willm aged 2 and John aged 4 years, Ye sons of Jams and Margy Ason who both depd in Jany 1750. Mercy. . .” Last words can’t be read.

Below is a list of familiar names that are likely related and/or neighbors buried at Moy.

Row 5

26) BYRNE 1921 – Modern Celtic Cross. Richard Byrne died 1921. His wife Mary Agnes Byrne died 1950 aged 87 yrs.

27) BYRNE 1836 – Modern stone with Chalice and Cross on top of each side. “Erected by Owen Byrne of Clonmahon in memory of his beloved wife Julia Byrne who died 10th May 1868 also his father Richard Byrne who died 21st Decr. 1862. His mother Mary Byrne who died 17th April 1836, his brothers James and John who died 18th Feb. 1847. His son Thomas who died 9th March 1939. His wife Annie who died 19th July 1953 RIP”.

31) GOGARTY 1909 – Modern white Marble Celtic cross with carving of BVM in a praying attitude. “Matthew Gogarty Summerhill died 1909 aged 80 yrs. and his wife Mary in 1910 aged 70 yrs. Daughters Mary 1910 aged 43; Kate 1921 aged 58 yrs. Jane 1929 aged 52, son Matthew 1936 aged 69. Patrick 1954 and his wife Elizabeth in 1959”.

Row 6

39) KEEFE 1768 – Old stone low in ground and wider than most. On each side at the top we get a small Maltese cross in a circle (4 ins diameter), while in the centre is the usual cross and IHS. A row of beading occurs under the above and then the inscription. “This stone was erected by Joseph Keefe in memory of his father James Kefe who departed this life May 7th 1768 aged 35 years”.

43) MORAN 1773 & MOORE – Old heavy stone leaning backwards, with Cross, IHS & Heart pierced by 2 barbs in a half sunburst. On each side of inscription is a plant (not in a pot) with straight leaves growing out of the stem on each side and a flower at the top like a tulip. Here lieth the body of Anne Moran alias Moore who departed this life June Ye 3rd 1773 aged 58 yrs. and her parents. Also her husband John Moran died March Ye 20th 1784 aged 72 years. This stone was erected by their dauer Mary Moran”. Underneath this inscription is a big 1774 in a triangle. Some S’s are of the old-fashioned long type.

Row 7

47) SWEENEY 1890 – An iron cross. Hugh Sweeney died 1890 and his wife Anne in 1905.
Row 8


51) SWEENEY 1824 – Recumbent slab with top to east and inscription uppermost, so if re-erected it will need turning over or the inscription will face the wrong way.
Semicircular sunburst with cross, IHS and Heart inside an octagon. ‘Gloria in Excelsis Deo’ underneath and on each side a very fancy urn (or Chalice) with an elaborate lid. Border around the inscription. “Erected by Patrick Sweeney in memory of his father Hugh Sweeney who departed this life March the 4. 1824 aged 64 years. RIP”.


53) FITZSIMONS 1922 – Small modern stone. Joseph Fitzsimons of Clondoogan died 1963 and his wife Annie 1922.


Row 9

66) FITZSIMONS 1769 – Small old crude stone with simple cross and IHS. “Erected by Martin Fitzsimons in memory of his wife Elizabeth Duffy and his son Edward January 1769”.

67) FITZSIMONS 1764 – Plain old stone with Cross and IHS (same design as 66). “Here lieth the body of George Fitzsimons departed March Ye 10 1764 aged 65 years. Also 6 of his children. Erected by his son Richard”.

Just in front of row 9-


71) GOGARTY 1866 – Large stone some 6 ft. high with Maltese cross at top. A stopper stone occurs on each side of the upright slab at base. “IHS of your charity pray for the soul of Catharine the beloved wife of Mathew Gogarty Moy who departed this life Septr 8th 1866 aged 74 years. Also her husband Mathew Gogarty who departed this life Septr. 27th 1880 aged 90 years”.

72) COUGARTY 1857 Large 5ft. upright stone with cross above, and lamb on a cross below. “Erected by Mr. Patrick Gougarty of Summerhill in memory of his beloved wife Mary who died 9th Decr. 1857 aged 30 years and of their infant child John. Also the above Patrick Gogarty (Here spelt without the U) died 9th June 1907 aged 85 years. And of their son Edward Gogarty died 28th Nov. 1882 aged 25 years. Mathew Gogarty died 29th Decr 1883 aged 30. Patrick Cogarty died 26th Aug. 1907 aged 52 years”.

Row 10

86) ASON 1739 – Small old stone with Cross and IHS at top. “Here lyeth the body of John Ason who died 10th Dec. 1748 aged 62 year. Allso (This is the spelling of ‘also’ on this stone) Eliz His wife who depd. March 15th 1739 aged 59 years. Allso Willm aged 2 and John aged 4 years, Ye sons of Jams and Margy Ason who both depd in Jany 1750. Mercy. . .” Last words can’t be read.

I am hoping to go over on a visit in late summer 2023! Anyone interested? Here is a fine place for a group to stay if we do a visit together!  Secluded Georgian home- Summerhill

Dangan Church

 History of Dangan Church

100th year celebration pamphlet and history

Dangan Church built in 1793 and closed in 1914- the church our ancestors worshipped in

Dangan church history, also Dangan estate, Summerhill estate

In 1799 Burroughs leased Dangan to Roger O'Conner, who was imprisoned and charged with high treason by 1796. By 1807 Dangan house was in ruins, and the timber around it cut down. It burned in 1809. It was still the property of Col. Burrowes in the 1830's, but just a ruin.

This article says that Peter Allen occupied the ruin of Dangan house in the 1830's and showed visitors around. 

Dangan House 1840

History from publication on Moy

 

Jervais stained glass window from Dangan Estate now at Agher Church, south of Summerhill, where Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels) was parish rector in 1700

Stained glass window from Dangan Estate

digital copy of Moy area history and graveyard inscriptions

start on page 1000 for Laracor parish

This publication mentions that "Cogan says that Mass was said at the backs of the ditches in Dangan in Penal times." p 1004

It also reports that no permanent church was ever built in Moy cemetery, which was built on a height overlooking the plane of Moy. "Cogan says there was a temporary mudwalled thatched one (church) in the Penal days.

The author notes that the town of Summerhill had no market, but had a fair four times a year for black cattle and sheep.

It is said that Sir Walter Scott visited Laracor and Dangan when he came to Trim

When Jonathan Swift was the Rector of Laracor he reported 3 very bad harvests between 1726 and 1729 which resulted in famines which caused thousands of deaths throughout Ireland. England provided no help and Swift concluded that they wanted to get rid of the RC population of Ireland, even giving the King of France permission to send recruits over to conscript those who survived the famine of 1729.

Laracor Church- Some protestant Allen's have gravestones in the church, as well as McCann's, Byrne's, 

Samuel Allen of Frffane, Peter Allen 1797, John Allen d 1838, wife Ann, son Charles d 1848, John Allen of Braymount and wife Bridget 1811

"Here also rests the remains of John Allen of Dangan who depd this life in Sepr 25th 1868 aged 60 yrs.- Domed stone with a rose in the center and vine trails at each side.

Laurence Byrne d 1736 faithful servant of Richard Wesley esq.

Terrence McCann for his father who died 1771 aged 53

Daniel Byrne d 1777

Found Laracor parish but did not find Moy cemetery... no index but keep looking

Allen Blog- Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney as Baptismal Sponsors in Summerhill Parish

Traditional Irish Baptismal Sponsors

For wedding witnesses,  first cousins or even close friends may have been chosen, but baptismal sponsors were most frequently chosen from a sibling or the spouse of a sibling.
Luckily for figuring out relationships, women's maiden names were used for these records even if they were married.

In January 1818, Margaret Sweeney, not yet married to Richard Allen, was a baptismal sponsor for Thomas McCann, the son of Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCann of Umberstown. Pat Sweeney was the other baptismal sponsor. So it is likely that both Margaret Sweeney and Pat Sweeney were siblings of Mary Sweeney (McCann.)

Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCann had been married in Dangan on March 27, 1815. Their wedding witnesses were
Thomas Reilly and Hugh Sweeney. So it is likely that Hugh Sweeney was a brother of Mary Sweeney.

          Source: Ancestry.com: Ireland, Select Catholic Marriage Registers 1775-1942, Meath, Summerhill 1812-1854, page 5 

In April, 1833, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor of Margaret Sweeney, daughter of Catherine "Kathy" Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimons of Dangan. So it is likely that Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) was also a sibling of Margaret Sweeney.

Source: Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers 1763-1917, Meath, Summerhill, 1812-1854 p 72

In January 1841, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor for Luke and John Sweeney, the twin sons of Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall/McCan. So again, it is likely that Patrick Sweeney was the brother of Richard's wife Margaret Sweeney.

Source: Ireland, Select Catholic Birth and Baptism Registers 1763-1917, Meath, Summerhill, 1812-1854 p 109


Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall had been married on May 6, 1827. Peter Allen and Mary Young were their witnesses. (Peter Allen and Mary Young would also marry in March 1829!)

So- These records show that Margaret Sweeney's siblings likely included:

 Mary Sweeney (McCann) of Umberstown
Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) of Dangan
Patrick Sweeney of Umberstown
Hugh Sweeney

See next post- about these families, Margaret's presumed siblings. 
See n

Mysteries and Clues: Baptismal Sponsors

1-Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney were themselves baptismal sponsors.

In January 1818, Margaret was a baptismal sponsor for Thomas McCann, the son of Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCann of Umberstown. Pat Sweeney was the other baptismal sponsor. So it is likely that both Margaret Sweeney and Pat Sweeney were siblings of Mary Sweeney (McCann.)

In April, 1833, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor of Margaret Sweeney, daughter of Catherine "Kathy" Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimons of Dangan. So it is likely that Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) was also a sibling of Margaret Sweeney.

In January 1841, Richard Allen was a baptismal sponsor for Luke and John Sweeney, the twin sons of Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall/McCan. So again, it is likely that Patrick Sweeney was the brother of Richard's wife Margaret Sweeney.

So- Margaret Sweeney's siblings likely included:
 Mary Sweeney (McCann) of Umberstown
Catherine Sweeney (Fitzsimons) of Dangan
Patrick Sweeney of Umberstown

2-Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney were married in 1825. They then chose the sponsors for their own children. These included:

1-Sweeney Connections:
In June 1837, Pat Sweeney was a baptismal sponsor for Peter Allen.
In November 1841, Thomas McCan (husband of Mary Sweeney) was a baptismal sponsor for Thomas Allen.
 In May 1847, Ellen Sweeney was a baptismal sponsor for Catherine Allen.

So- we can likely add Ellen Sweeney to the list of Margaret's siblings, and confirm that Pat Sweeney and Mary Sweeney were likely siblings.

2-Allen Connections:
In February, 1829, Peter Allen was a baptismal sponsor for Richard Allen's first born son-Francis Allen.
So- we can likely assume that Peter Allen was Richard's brother.

So- here is a look at those most likely related families in Dangan and Umberstown.

Family of Peter Allen- Dangan
Peter, likely brother of Richard Allen, was born about 1800 in Summerhill Parish, County Meath.
On March 1, 1829, he married Mary Young. Their witnesses were Philip McKeon and Anne Allen (who themselves married a week later, on March 7, 1829.

In March, 1820, Philip McKeon (husband of Anne Allen) was a baptismal sponsor for their first child, Elizabeth.
In February 1834, Andrew Young (husband of Elizabeth "Bess" Allen) and Mary Sweeney, were baptismal sponsors for John Allen.
(Mary Young, wife of Peter Allen, was also a baptismal sponsor for Patrick Sweeney's son Thomas in February, 1825.)

So- Anne Allen and Elizabeth "Bess" Allen were likely sisters of Peter Allen.

Allens- Peter

Sweeneys- Patrick, Ellen

McCan's- Mary, Rose (married to Thomas Allen), Thomas (married to Mary Sweeney)

Ruley's- Pat, Catharine, Richard

Likely siblings of Margaret Sweeney- 

Patrick Sweeney

Ellen Sweeney

Mary Sweeney (wife of Thomas McCan)

Likely siblings of Richard Allen-

Peter Allen

Thomas Allen

John Allen

Baptismal sponsors for Peter Allen and Mary Young's (married 1829) children in Dangan include:

McKeon- Philip (husband of Anne Allen- married 1836)

Young- Andrew (husband of Elizabeth "Bess" Allen- married 1836)

Sweeney- Mary

Likely siblings of Peter Allen:

Anne Allen McKeon (married 1826)

Elizabeth "Bess" Allen Young (married 1836)

Baptismal sponsors for Thomas Allen and Rose McCann's children in Dangan include:

Allen- John

Sweeney- Catharine

Young- Elizabeth "Bess"

Baptismal sponsors for John Allen and Bridget Butler's (married 1822- Wit Wm Allen and Mary Reilly) children in Umberstown include:

Allen- Francis/Frank, Anne

McCann- Anne, Bryan, Thomas, Bridget

Likely siblings of John Allen:

Francis/Frank Allen

Anne Allen

Baptismal sponsors for James Allen and Jane Byrne's children in Dangan include:

McKoen- Philip, Ellen

Baptismal sponsors for Elizabeth "Bess" Allen and Andrew Young (married 1836) children include:

Allen- James, Mary, Peter


Baptismal sponsors for Patrick Sweeney and Mary McCall's children

Patrick Sweeney was a neighbor of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney.

The  church records show baptismal sponsors of his children include:

Richard Allen (husband of Margaret Sweeney)

Youngs- Andrew, John, Mary

Dorans- William, Catharine, 

Sweeney- Catharine and Anne plus the husband of Margaret Sweeney- Richard

Likely siblings of Patrick Sweeney- Margaret, Catharine, Anne

Baptismal sponsors for Mary Sweeney and Thomas McCan's (married 1815-Dangan- Wit Hugh Sweeney and Thos Reilly ) children- Umberstown (both were sponsors for the children of Richard Allen and Magaret Sweeney)

Sweeney- Hugh (wit at marriage)

Likely siblings of Mary Sweeney- Hugh

Baptismal sponsors for Catharine Sweeney and Andrew Fitzsimmons (married 1819 Dangan)

Allen- Richard (husband of Margaret Sweeney)
Likely sibling of Catharine Sweeney- Margaret

Hugh's Story-Jerseyville-1863 Mortgage for Hugh Allen Farm

What happens when your landlord dies- John Allen and Pat Sweeney Part 2

 Why did the Leslie family give John Allen and his uncle, Patrick Sweeney, 35 year leases on their farms rather than the year to year leases afforded to the neighboring farms?

The clue comes in death certificates!

Documents show that Patrick Sweeney and his son, Hugh, were nurserymen. Since the Dangan estate had burned and was no longer inhabited in 1875, they must have been nurserymen for the nearby estate at Summerhill. 

Patrick Sweeney was elderly, about 76 years old. But his son, Hugh Sweeney, was 47 years old and still working as a nurseryman. Patrick's other sons likely assisted with the family nursery business- Michael and Luke were still living on the family farm in 1911.

In 1875 John Allen was 42 years old. His father, Richard Allen, had passed and the tenancy of the farm was left to him. His brothers Edward and Peter remained on the farm with him until about 1880.

Local workers were needed at Summerhill. The great house had suffered badly, and in 1851 Lord Langford even considered selling it to pay off his debts. But in 1870 an architect was brought in to repair it to its former grandeur. Outside of the mansion were extensive ornamental grounds.

Sources:

Summerhill historical and architectural information

Griffith's Valuation; Understanding the Details

Griffith's Valuation was completed in County Kilkenny by July 1853 and in County Meath by July 1855. In lieu of a census, this is the most accurate information we can get about our Irish Ancestors just before they immigrated to the United States.

I understood a lot more about the Valuation after I read this article; "Is there more in Griffith's Valuation than just names?" You might want to read it yourself, but I have put some notes on the article below.
http://www.leitrim-roscommon.com/GRIFFITH/Griffiths.PDF

Griffith's Valuation is divided by the civil parish or administrative area (not the catholic church parish) and the townland- a small group of farms.

Relatives
Overall, we learn more about our ancestor's possible relatives in their own townland and adjacent townlands. Most people walked from place to place, so close relatives were often within a walkable distance (although people walked much longer distances in those days than most of us do now!)

Spouses
Spouses, also, were generally met and courted within walking distance, and it could be assumed that they likely lived within the same Roman Catholic parish, where the young people would see each other at church on Sunday.

Neighbors
Within each townland, the names within the valuation were listed in the order valuated, not necessarily the order of the adjacent farms. So- it is necessary to look at the maps to see who lived next to each other. (Still, townlands are generally so small that most people within them were close neighbors.)

Farm/Economic Status-
"Large Farmers" held more than 30 acres.
"Small farmers" held 5-30 acres. "Cottiers" or "laborers" held less than 5 acres.
Leases did not expire at the end of a year; they went on indefinitely unless the tenant chose to move elsewhere or the landlord took the tenant to court.
It was not unusual for a farmer to subdivide a holding to ensure the economic success of all. The names of the subdivided tenants are enclosed in parentheses. This was often done with relatives; sons, brothers, or son-in-laws. So if there is a different name within the parenthesis, it would be wise to check this person out as a possible marriage connection; perhaps a son in law or brother in law. During and after the famine, things changed. Many leases were limited to one year; at which point the tenant could be evicted if rents were not paid.

Homes and farm structures

The term "house" implies a dwelling place. There are different classes of houses which are taxed at different rates, based on the materials they are built with and their condition. The term "office" includes all of the outbuildings on the farm; sheds, barns, etc. This would include cow barns, piggeries, storage sheds, etc.

(add on- details from Griffiths on house ratings)




Maps

One of the most exciting elements of Griffith's Valuation is the inclusion of maps which show the exact land plot that our ancestors lived on. This can be compared to Google Maps to show where to find that land today.

You can explore Griffith's Valuation here!

http://griffiths.askaboutireland.ie/gv4/single_layer/place_name_search.pdf

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

More information on the valuation here:

https://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Griffiths-Valuation.html

Our Allens in Laracor Parish, Meath (Laracor is the civil parish name- these Allens lived in the Summerhill Catholic Parish)

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=doNameSearch&Submit.x=53&Submit.y=11&Submit=Submit&familyname=Allen&firstname=First+Name&baronyname=&countyname=MEATH&unionname=&parishname=LARACOR

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.