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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Kildare => Topic started by: sams mam on Sunday 29 October 17 20:19 GMT (UK)
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I'm hoping someone might have a photograph of the Sílleachán House which stood at the top of Sílleachán lane which ran (and still does) from Mill Lane, up past St Marys Park and ended in what is now Glendale Meadows. In the field at the top of the lane stood the house, a two story building, surrounded with a small wall and running to the front was the stream, which now runs through Glendale Meadows. The house was a ruin when I was a child and that's over 50 years ago, so it's a really old photo I'm looking for. I've contacted various people in Leixlip connected and interested in its history but no one has come up with a photo of the house. If anyone has a photo in their old family albums and would upload it I'd be absolutely overjoyed. Thanks for reading.
Sams mam.
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I can't help with a photo, just trying to establish where it was in case some can help
http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V2,701136,736812,10,9
http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V2,701187,736838,11,8
was it to the right or left of the stream?
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you could try the local library or council.
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OK, so Newtown estate, Avondale, Glendale & Glendale Meadows didn't exist at that point. The lane went up past St Marys Park & continued up between farmland on both sides, and then turned left and came back to the road opposite what is now Leixlip (Confey) Library - at that time it was Rahills House. In a field on the right, just where the lane turned to the left stood the house. There were large iron gates leading into it, but I cannot recall a roadway and the house was on the far side of the stream and I can't recall if there was a bridge over the stream, we use to just jump it. I think a family named Flynn lived there at one stage. I've no connection whatsoever to this house, I just remember it from childhood and would love a photo and some information on it. As I already said, it was a ruin when I was a child. I now live near Carlow, and recently saw a painting which reminded me greatly of this house, if I can get a photo I'll upload it and see does it bring any memories to mind. I'm really dependent on the older generation here.
Fingers crossed a photo will show up.
Sams mam.
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Anything here?
http://www.kildare.ie/leixliphistory/archives/leixlip_around_1798/
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Hi Aghadowey, No nothing there, I've actually been in contact with John Colgan about this house. I was beginning to think I was dreaming the whole thing and then I mentioned it to my brothers and they all remembered it. At the time I had a photo of the painting I saw in Carlow and my brother Martin agreed it was very similar to Sílleachán house, unfortunately I deleted this photo off my phone in error, but hopefully I'll be able yo get another photo.
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This site might be able to help you
http://www.maynoothcc.com
mention Silleachain Lane
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Hi Sams Mam.
Remember Sílleachán House well. As a kid we played there a lot - and there definitely was a small bridge and tall iron gates there! I live in Mitchelstown now, but I still have great memories of that whole area before it was developed for housing. Also, as far I know (pre-Captains Hill) the Sílleachán lane was once the road to Dunboyne.
Hubbyham
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have you seen this site:-
http://www.historicalpicturearchive.com/picture-categories/leixlip
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a lot of old photo of Leixlip also they might have more photos to help you
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No joy there unfortunately Rathmore. By hook or by crook I'll get a picture of that house someplace!
Hubbyham - I'm overjoyed to hear that someone else remembers the Silleachan House ( I don't know how to do fadas on a computer!) I was beginning to think it was a figment of my imagination. I'm delighted too that you could confirm that there was a small bridge over the stream. I live in hope of a photo. Someone has to have one someplace.
Sams Mam ;D
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( I don't know how to do fadas on a computer!)
Just press and hold the Alt Gr key and the vowel together (if you're on Windows). For example, Alt Gr + a = á.
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Thank you Kiltaglassan!!! Every day's a school day. Thanks so much. ;D
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Thanks R
I have visited this site - many times. Unfortunately includes no images of Sílleachán House.
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Hi again, Sams mam.
Doing some research recently, I came across three aerial photos from the mid-50's you might find interesting. Two are in the Independent Photos Collection - A256 Leixlip and A257 Leixlip. There is also some fine shots in GettyImages - Leixlip. The photos were taken by a Mr. Morgan, a pilot out of Weston Aerodrome in the 50's - well worthy checking out.
The A257 photo is the one you might like especially. Saint Marys Park is not yet there (it is on A256) but if zoom carefully on the top righthand-ish area you will see Silleachan house! not a great image, I know, but it is definitely there.
Also, don't know if you remember the 'Big Tree' on the green, if you do, the images on both photos will interest you.
Regards
Hubbyham
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Have you tried writing to the local paper and asking then to ask there readers if they can help?
or have you been in contact with the local Council in Leixlip?
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Since there are practically no mentions to be found of it in newspapers, I'm thinking it may have been known by another name, or possibly a different spelling.
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I well remember the 'Big Tree' on the green in St Marys Park Hubbyham, only too well, I spent many happy childhood hours playing there & jumping off the small tree beside it! I'll try the local paper, the Liffey Champion, & see if they can bring a photo to light of Sílleachán House - someone somewhere must have one. I did contact John Colgan, a local historian, but even he had no luck. Never give up though - one will appear at some stage.
Best Regards
Sams Mam
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I'm just going to check out those Gettyimages now. It's like going back in time!!!
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...and don't forget the Irish Independent Photos Collection: A256 & A257 Leixlip!