AN ACCOUNT BOOK OF THE DOMINICANS IN THE CLADDAGH 1727-1738

by Tom Kenny

In 1698, the Dominican Community in the Claddagh were dispersed and exiled under a general exile of religious orders but within a few years, three of the friars had returned. It was the time of the Penal Laws, but gradually the pressure on these fathers eased, thanks largely to the refusal of the Mayor and Sheriffs to implement the anti-Catholic mandate of the English government. The priests were back in the Claddagh, tolerated by the officials.

An account book of that period gives us a fascinating insight into the day to day business of maintaining a church. In the period May–October 1727 the following expenses are recorded for repairs …. For a lock for the chapel and quire 2s – 6d; For Roger and the man worker for digging the garden, gathering of leaves 2 - 0; to Frank Anger (the church handyman) to buy sand 2 – 0; to ditto to buy tiles 3 – 0; for lime to dash the wall of the small garden 3 – 4; for lime for the chapel 2 – 0; to the workman that assisted Frank Anger 5d; to Frank Anger for mending the chapel 7 – 01/2; for 3 pains for the window of the chapel 8d ; for tach (thatch) 2 – 7; to the tacher and his man 2 – 4.

Two years later, they paid 1 – 10 for nails to repair the steepell, 5 – 8 for iron to repair the cross of the Chapple Pennicle and gave 2 – 2 to the smith for making the Cross upon the pennicle of the chapple.

Under pressure from above, the local authorities carried out some searches including “the Dominican Friary in the west suburbs wherein is a large chapel with a gallery, some forms and an altar piece, defaced; in which aid reputed friary, there are ten chambers and eight beds wherein, the believe, the friars belonging to the said friary lay, but could find none of them. This is a very old friary, but some repairs lately made in it”.

In November 1730, and amount of 2 – 2 is recorded ‘for claret to threat the Sherifs in their search’ and among other payments recorded around this time are 1 – 1 to the Mayors, Sergeants; 1 – 4 to the sergents, constables and milers; two amounts of sixpence halfpenny by cash to the constables; two payments of 1 – 1 to the Mayors Sergants for their Xtmas box. It was obviously well worth keeping the authorities on side though it did not please everyone. In an address to the Corporation, Stratford Eyre said “Now, gentlemen, that you are here in your corporate capacity, I must recommend you to disperse these wrestles popish ecclesiastics. Let me not meet them in every corner of the street where I walk as I have done. No sham searches Mr. Sheriffs, as to my knowledge you have lately made. Your birds have flown but they left you cake and wine to entertain yourselves withal”.

From this accounts book we also learn that in 1730, two pound of butter cost 6d; a half pound of tobacco was 4d; a puter chalice was 3 – 6; a rope for the well was 2d; a hen to make broth for the sick cost 4d; it was 2d to sweep the chimney; one shilling for soaleing shoes, 8d for four loads of turf and 4d for a cod, which seems very expensive.

All of the above information is from an article published by Eustás Ó Héideáin which was published in Galvia in 1958. The illustration is of the ‘thatched church’ c.1835. It was known as “St. Mary’s on the Hill” and was further up the hill behind where the present Claddagh Church is.