Castletown-Geoghegan

Castletown-Geoghegan Irish: Baile Chaisleáin Mag Eochagán
Westmeath
Castletown in winter
Location
Grid reference:	N337442
Location:	53°26’49"N, 7°29’20"W
Data
Population:	693  (2006)
Postcode:	N91
Local Government
Council:	Westmeath

Castletown Geoghegan is a town in Westmeath, lying south-west of Lough Ennell near the county town of Mullingar. Castletown was the seat of the Geoghegan family of the mediæval Barony of Moycashel. The family were descendants of the Southern Ui Neill. They were major landholders in south Westmeath maintained a peaceful co existence with the Tudor reconquest through surrender and regrant under with their leader accepting the Captaincy from Elizabeth I. As the reign of the Stuarts led to the Civil War and the appalling events of 1641 to the Cromwellian invasion, the family suffered great losses following the Down Survey and ensuing Plantations that followed on. The later War of the Three Kingdoms finalised the confiscation. They lost a considerable portion their estates to Gustavus Lambart (later created Earl of Cavan) through confiscation even prior to the final publication of the Down Survey. The abundant productivity of the rich grazing being self-evident, the Lambarts of Kilcoursey contrived to procure much of it very early in the process.

The Restoration resettlement Acts of the late 17th century indeed favoured the retention of land by some of the recently ensconced Cromwellian Adventurers and Undertakers and some to their traditional owners. Consequently, some relatively small holdings of the rich grazing lakeland was restored to the Geoghegans. It didn't help the case for a greater degree restoration of Geoghegan land that the chieftain Bryan and many of his allies of the "Irish of Meath" coalition refused to sign the mandatory pledges and undertakings of fealty to the new regime of William and Mary, Parliament and the established church. Political acumen, sadly, was not their strong suit. The Geoghegan leaders, along with many more native landholders were mostly headed for exile and Connaught (where some of them reverted to their patronymic surname of O'Neill).

It is interesting to note that there IS a place called Lilliput, on the shores of Lough Ennel in Dysart, approximately three miles from Castletown Geoghegan. Nearby Middleton Park House, a magnificent 19th-century Georgian house and estate, is now open to the general public.

History

The Mac Eochagáin family are descended from Fiacha, son of Niall Naoi Noigíallach. Niall is reputed to have captured and enslaved the teenage Magnus Succetus - who later returned to preach Christianity as Patricius - in a raid on the Cumbrian or Welsh coast. The descendants of Niall's son Fiacha (Fiachu Fiachrach) were collectively known as Cenel Fhiachaigh, of the southern Ui Neill (later anglicised as Kenaleagh and Kindalane).

In the general political reform following the Tudor Conquest, the somewhat reduced mediæval barony was subject to the 'Surrender and Regrant' process and the adroit Geoghegan family Chief Kedagh complied and was accorded the title of 'Captain' Geoghegan in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He resided in the principal Geoghegan castle of the barony which was located in the village at this time.

The Geoghegan family had led a group of local Gaelic chieftains in a notable and powerful long term alliance. The 'Irish of Meath' included the O'Melaghlin (McLaughlin), O'Maolmhuidhe ([Molloy), Kearney, Fox, Dalton and Brennan families. These native septs all suffered heavy property confiscation after the Confederate / Commonwealth Wars. They are prominent in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, a notable collection of historical records. Many families received offers of Surrender and Regrant deals after the Restoration, but some families rejected the terms. Recalcitrants were reluctant to adhere to the terms of oaths of fealty required. The Annals collection was translated from the original Irish into Elizabethan English by Conall Geoghegan, a 16th-century Franciscan monk.

Abbe James Mac Geoghegan, born in nearby Uisneach, wrote his celebrated Mac Geoghegan's History of Ireland at Chartres in France in the 18th century. This history became Eamon De Valera's desk companion for his political life. [1]

The surrounding territories were held by the Tyrrells of Fartullagh, the Dillons of Drumrany (which lay to the west between Moate and Athlone). The Nugents of Delvin, later Lords Delvin and Marquess of Westmeath and the Tuites of Sonagh were to the east.

Sport

Among the most popular local sports are G.A.A. football and hurling. The Castletown Geoghegan Hurling Club sports the black and amber stripe. It was introduced by a Kilkenny railway employee, and became a tradition here. The club holds 13 senior hurling titles, 1923, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1964, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2004, 2013 and 2017. The club has a very strong junior component. It achieved two National titles at under the 14 level in 2007 and 2010. The club crest depicts the ruins of a castle on the shores of Lough Ennel with the sun rising in the background.

The 1946 Epsom Derby winner, Airborne was bred near the village in 1943. Oscar Time was trained locally by Martin Lynch, the successful horse trainer and jockey.

Outsidelinks

• Geoghegan Clan
• Field Study of the midlands
• Niall of the Nine Hostages
• Westmeath County Council information source