Quinn's in Ireland- Mullinavat Parish, Kilkenny

  Mullinavat Parish, Kilkenny

Cousin Margie Allen's notebook, which had many notes from Aunt Helen Allen, told us that John Quinn (my 2nd great-grandfather-born 1789 Kilkenny, died 1874 Jerseyville) may have come from "Mullminot" Parish. However, there does not appear to be any place of this name; as stories are passed down from generation to generation, many of these unfamiliar place names evolved with the telling. It seems most likely that the Quinn's came from Mullinavat Parish in Kilkenny.

Mullinavat (Muileann an Bhata) refers to "The Mill of the Stick." Local tradition says the name came from an ancient mill which had access over the Glendonnel River, by means of a log across the 
river. 

            
  


                                  Mullinavat in the 1800's

In 1801, Mullinavat had 35 houses and 158 inhabitants. By 1871 there were 531 people living there. A writer of the time gives us a description of Mullinavat in 1884. He describes a village at the base of a hill, with one street. Most of the houses had slate roofs, and the town was "clean, healthy, and flourishing." The town boasted a railway station, which took passengers to Waterford (8 miles away) and Kilkenny City (23 miles away.) The surrounding countryside was known for good farmlands for both pasture and crops. The River Nore (Black River) ran through the area, which was known for good trout fishing. There was a mill (which the village was the namesake of) on the river.

 Until 1842, Mullinavat Parish was part of Kilmacow Parish. It lay within the Ossory Diocese. The old parish church at Kilbeacon was used until 1830. In 1880 there were two Catholic priests, and a teaching convent- Saint Josephs- managed by "Miss Aylward."
Children in the town now attend St. Beacon's National School. Prior to the opening of this in 1992, girls had attended St. Brigid's Convent Girls National school, which had been in place for 112 years. (abt 1882) and boys attended St. Patrick's Boys National School

 In 1880, the village supported several grocers and a baker and there were a number of shops in the village where our ancestors likely came to buy goods;  boot makers, tailors, dressmakers. A smith was open to help farmers with tools, wheels, and implements, and a carpenter and mason worked from the village. There was a hotel in the village, as well as several "spirit dealers." The postal service as located in nearby Waterford City.

Bassett names the local farmers, including some names that are familiar; Aylwards, Costelloes, Fitzgerald (Thomas- from Fahy), Gauls, Grace (Edmund from Ballyhomuch and Edward and John from Rahillaken, Keefs, Powers, and Walshes.

Sources:
Kilkenny City and County Guide and Directory by George Henry Bassett, 1884-P 274-277

http://mullinavat.com/history.html

St. Beacon's Church in Mullinavat has a cemetery, with an older graveyard from Kilbeacon just across the road. Here are some photos of the cemetery.

Video of St.Beacon's Church Mullinavat

St Beacons Mullinavat Cemetery

Mullinavat Church Cemetery

                                   Mullinavat Today

The current village (which includes a modern bridge across the river) is on the road between Waterford and Dublin. Today's Mullinavat offers three pubs- including the famous  "Rising Sun" which is also an Inn. The Rising Sun Guesthouse, a beautiful stone structure, was built in 1644 during Cromwell's occupation and known as "The Rising Sun Alehouse." There are also three BnB's- Glenraha Farmhouse, Reade's Farmhouse, and Tory View.

Rising Sun Inn at Mullinavat

                                      Nearby Sights

The Dolmans- standing stones and a capstone dating back to 200 B.C.

The Three Friars- three ancient stones named after three friars murdered by Cromwell in 1651

Poulanassy Waterfall  

Tory Hill- rising nearly one thousand feet above the surrounding countryside, Tory Hill has views of 5 counties (Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Tipperary and Carlow) from its summit.

 Looking on the map for Tory Hill I found "Rathlikeen"- this is a place I have been trying to find since seeing it on an early church record showing that John Quinn married Mary Fitzgerald of  "Rathlikeen" (also known as Rahillakeen) in 1815.


You can see a gallery of pictures from Mullinavat at here:
                        Photos from Mullinavat

You can read some local histories and folk stories from Mullinavat here:Mullinavat Convent Local History Collection

You can find Mullinavat, and take a tour through the town and countryside on Google Maps!