Coolkenno History

KNOCKEEN IN 1730 - This is the third post that is relative to a fascinating collection held in the National Library of Ireland; the Hume Observations, held within the Lord Malton- Rockingham Papers. As a reminder, if anyone from the Coolkenno area or elsewhere wishes to see what any of our townlands were like in 1730 then please comment below. It appears Knockeen was leased by Richard Jones, an elderly batchelor in 1730. His sub-tenants included John Patrickson, Joseph Walker, Daniel Neale, Timothy Neale, Charles Ryan, Morgan Foley, Andrew McDonell and their respective families. The townland is situated to the north of the great prehistoric megalithic feature, the Ring of the Rath and most of the townland slopes towards the Deereen River where the great and old granite Knockeen bridge (pictured below) connects the townland with Co. Carlow. Often recorded on the old records and pronounced by older generations still as "Knackeen" or "Nickeen", the townland is also bound to Knockloe, Liscolman and Killinure. Hume's notes contain some interesting information about the relationship of tenants at that time. "The above farm is worth 4/6 to a good improving tenant. This farm is all profitable land for plowing and graising. The under-tenant Patrickson is an industrious man, a good tenant who hath several sons, bred them all to industry. The first tenant Richard Jones had his life within the farm and he threatens to turn Patrickson out of the farm, he having but five years left on the lease to come. If were advisable for my Lord (Lord Malton) to oblige Jones to continue Patrickson as a tenant and in case Jones turns Patrickson off the farm, my Lord may sett Patrickson the farm of Tomnefenoge. Jones having only five years in that farm and has no children. There are few better tenants in the Kingdom than Patrickson is." By 1748, John Patrickson's son, Samuel, was head-tenant of the Knockeen holding, showing us that Hume's observations were indeed trusting to the Patrickson Family in the end. The family remained there for some time as William Patrickson is recorded on the 1797-1805 Tenant Register as the principal tenant of the townland of Knockeen. (Note - Scenic pictures of Knockeen extracted from the Coolattin Cheddar website, with many thanks)