Castletown Geoghegan - History

History

Elementary tilling and farming methods were first applied by primitive communities along the fertile high ground of the lake country during the Stone age. The MacEochagáin 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). The medieval barony was surrendered and regranted to the family in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. One of the principal Geoghegan castles was located in the village at this time, as is the original motte and bailey.

The Geoghegans and other local Gaelic chieftains of the area were part of a notable long term alliance. The 'Irish of Meath' included the O'Melaghlin (McLaughlin), O'Maolmhuidhe (Molloy), Kearney, Fox, Dalton and Brennan families. These native septs also suffered heavy property confiscation and resettlements after the wars of the 17th century. They are prominent in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, a notable collection of historical records. This 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.

The surrounding territories were held by the Tyrrells of Fartullagh, the Dillon's 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.