GREAT CONNELL

In 1868, the parish of Great Connell contained the following places:

"GREAT CONNELL, a parish in the barony of Connell, in the county of Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, 2 miles N.W. of Kilcullen, and 27 from Dublin. It is situated on the river Liffey, and a branch of the Grand canal, and contains the market town of New. Bridge. Here is a station on the Great Southern and Western railway of Ireland, and a handsome bridge of five arches across the Liffey. The soil is fertile but marshy. The living is a curacy in the diocese of Kildare, value with Ladytown, £112, in the patronage of the bishop. There are two Roman Catholic chapels and several schools.

"CLONGOREY BAWN, a hamlet in the parish of Great Connell, in the county of Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, 3 miles N. of Newbridge."

"NEWBRIDGE, a small post and market town in the parishes of Great Connell and Morristown-Biller, barony of Connell, county Kildare, province of Leinster, Ireland, 4 miles E.N.E. of Kildare, and 26 S.W. of Dublin. It is a station on the Great Southern and Western railway. It is situated on the bank of the river Liffey, which is here crossed by a bridge of five arches. The town dates its origin only within the last half century, yet few places in the United Kingdom can boast of greater improvement. A single row of houses opposite the barrack gates constituted the original town, and thus it remained for many years depending on the garrison for support, till the close of the late Russian war. Being the centre of communication between Dublin and the military camp on the Curragh, from which it is distant about 2½ miles, its traffic is very extensive, and the number of houses and inhabitants has increased more than fivefold. Within the last ten years several new streets have been opened, and many blocks of private houses and stores erected. In one of the new streets has been built a commodious sessions and market-house, by Eyre Powell, Esq., a neighbouring proprietor, by whom it was presented to the town corporation. The other principal buildings are, the cavalry barrack, one of the largest in Ireland; the Dominican convent and college, where about 40 students are educated; and the Roman Catholic chapel. These structures, simple in their style, require no particular description. Market days are Tuesday and Friday. Fairs are held on the 1st January, 3rd May, and 15th August."

 

[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868]
by Colin Hinson ©2018