In this the tenth of the O.S. letters is recounted the story of Ballykillen "fort" and the search for treasure.

ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY

[ Letter no. 10 from John O'Donovan ]

Tullamore,
January 2nd 1838.

Sir,

Ballinakill Parish, lying in the Barony of Coolestown, signifies as to name "the Town of the Church" Baile na Cille i.e., Villa Cellae. Within Ballinakill Townland there is a Church in ruins in a graveyard, and there is a tradition that at Mrs Watson's house near this old Church there was a castle which was occupied by a man named ------- Blundell. In Ballyleakin Townland is an old castle in ruins at Mr Lee's house, of which castle a man of the name of Peter Payne who lived in Dublin was proprietor.

This castle is marked on the old Map of Leix and Offaly under the name of Ballylakane and placed within the Territory of Tuath Maighe (Uachtrach).

In Ballykillan [see Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly pp.28 ] Townland in this Parish, there is a moat, which was planted about twelve years ago by the Marquis of Downshire, to whom a small moat 12 yards = 36 feet by 8 yards = 24 feet in extent, being of an oblong form and made in the foss on the west side of the large moat, owes its erection. On the summit of this small moat is a cavity made by persons who were digging into its centre for treasure, of which they are said to have dreamed; and in this cavity lie some stones thrown up during the process of digging, which circumstance indicates the moat to be composed of stones and earth. How preposterous to go search for treasure in a monument erected merely for curiosity at so late a period!

The large moat is about 40 yards = 120 feet in diameter, and is surrounded with a ditch 4 yards = 12 feet wide at bottom, and with a foss 230 or 240 yards = 690 or 720 feet in circumference.

Not far from this moat to the west is another of small size, which is likewise under plantation.

In the Down Survey we find that these Townlands in this Parish, viz., (1) Ballyleakin; (2) Ballymorane; (3) Ballyhugh (now otherwise called Springfield); (4) Eskerbeg and (4) Dromcaw (now otherwise called Mount Lucas) were forfeited Townlands, which are given in that document under this orthography viz., (1) Ballibakin; (2) Ballimoran; (3) Ballickhugh; (4) Eskerbegg; (5) Dromca.

BALLYMACWILLIAM PARISH

There is an old Church in ruins in the Townland of Ballymacwilliam.

In the Annals of the Four Masters it is recorded that:-

"Teige, the son of Conor Mageoghegan, and Mac Feorais (Birmingham) committed innumerable depredations in Magh Teathbha and plundered the country from Imper to Baile Mac William."

An old castle in ruins stands in the Townland of Ballybrittan in this Parish. In the east corner of the Townland of Ballyheashill is "Black Castle in ruins." And in Kinnefad Townland is a ruin of a notable castle.

These castles appear on the old Map of Leix and Ophaly and are placed within the Territory of Tuath-Maighe (Iachtrach).

In Fergananim Mc Eochadh's poem on the victories of Hugh O'Byrne, these words occur:- ...

To Liosnabhfiodh their march was directed,
Having touched upon Ballywilliam.

In the Down Survey, within the Parish of Ballymacwilliam lying in the Barony of Warrenstown, the following Townlands are set down as forfeited viz., (1) Ballibrittan; (2) Ballimackwilliam; (3) Thomastowne; (4) Balliheshill; (5) Rathcobrick in Lenninamarrin.

The names of these townlands are written now: (1) Ballybritian; (2) Ballymacwilliam; (3) Thomastown; (4) Ballyheashill; (5) Rayhcobican, Lenninamarrin.

It appears that the in, intervening between Rathcobrick and Lenninamarrin of the Down Survey, is a terminational part of Rathcobrickin, in which manner it ought to be written in the Survey copy.

The Hill of Croghan is celebrated in Spencer's Fairy Queen.[sic] Please to let us have his words. It is a fairy place, as containing the monuments of ancient heroes of distinction. We have thought it prudent to defer the examination of till all the historical Extracts are collected. [Nobody has come up with the words in the poem supposely describing Croghan Hill.]

J. O'D.