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Laois Genealogy Home Page>>Laois Places(Lewis Topographical Dictionary Index) >>Ballybrittas
19th Century Laois Maps at Past Homes
Ballybrittas, County Laois, Ireland
This place is celebrated for a battle which was fought here, in the reign of Elizabeth, between a part of the army of the Earl of Essex and the Irish, led by the chieftains O'Dempsey and O'Moore, in which the former was defeated; and from the circumstance of the latter cutting off the high plumes worn by the English, the scene of the conflict was called "the Pass of Plumes." The village, which is situated on the high road from Dublin to Maryborough (Portlaoise), consists of about 30 houses neatly built, and has a pleasing appearance.
In the vicinity are Bellegrove, the residence of G. Adair, Esq.; Glenmalire, of Mrs. Trench; Rath, of T. Trench, Esq., the Derries, of R. M. Alloway, Esq., and Ashfield, of H. Birch, Esq.
Fairs are held on March 25th, May 12th, and Aug. 15th; petty sessions are held once a fortnight; and here is a station of the constabulary police. Near the village were formerly the remains of an ancient castle, which belonged to the O'Dempseys, Lords of Clanmalire, and was destroyed in the time of Cromwell.
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