 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
|
Before the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1169 the area belonged to Mac Giolla Mo-Cholmóc. After the invasion a fortification (motte) was erected and Mac Giolla Mo-Cholmóc was granted some land back under conditions of feudal tenure. Later his nephew and heir lost much of the property as the English king allocated the lands around Newcastle to one of the royal manors of the Vale of Dublin. The 1235 Crown receipts from Newcastle show that it was generating considerable revenue from the sale of corn, wool, cheese, sheepskin and ox hides. The demesne lands were being farmed by the Crown itself. That year, however, the king directed the Judiciary of Ireland to lease the manor of Newcastle for as high a rent as possible. Later in the 13th century the tenants complained of oppression by the farmers. No manorial records exist for Newcastle but it was likely that its social structure was similar to that of the nearby manors of Crumlin and Esker. There, at the top of the social hierarchy were the seneschals, portreeves, bailiffs and knights. There was also class divisions among the tenants. At the top of the scale were the free tenants who paid high rents but were not committed to military tenure. Next were the 'firmarii' who leased lands on certain terms (they were the most numerous class). The lowest group of tenants were cottiers who often owned only their cottage and garden. In the sixteenth century, Newcastle contained no less than six castles and was a place of considerable importance. In the first half of that century the Earls of Kildare held land there under the crown. Newcastle was also one of the places where a garrison was stationed after the rebellion of Silken Thomas. In 1613 Newcastle was elevated to the status of a parliamentary borough by James I and was considered to be one of the best villages in Dublin. Like Rathcoole, it was ruled by a portreeve (chief magistrate). The portreeve was also clerk of the market. At this time there were markets held in Newcastle every Thursday and fairs took place on the feasts of St. Swithin and All Saints and the day after each. After the 1641 Rebellion Newcastle became the headquarters of the Irish forces in County Dublin. It is estimated that for some months there were about 5,000 armed men assembled there. The government were in a state of constant fear that the Irish forces would advance from Newcastle into Dublin city and attack. In January 1642 the government forces decided to assume the offensive and 2000 foot soldiers and 300 horses marched on Newcastle. On arrival, instead of the thousands of Irish troops that they had expected, they found that Newcastle had been evacuated and the inhabitants had taken their belongings with them. The government army went onwards to Naas but returned to Newcastle some days later and caught the returned inhabitiants by surprise. The town was pillaged and six or seven villagers were hanged. The oldest standing settlement structure
in Newcastle is the motte, an earthen fortification. It is thought
that this dates from the early part of the Norman conquest, when
the royal manor was first established. The motte can be seen in
the grounds of the Protestant church. The church was built in the
early fifteenth century and was dedicated to St. Finian who had
established a monastery here in the 6th century.
|
