RATHMORE

RATHMORE, a parish, in the barony of LUNE, county of MEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 1 ¾ mile (N.) from Athboy, on the road from Mullingar to Athlone and Drogheda; containing 1070 inhabitants. This parish comprises 1977 ¾ statute acres, the land being generally very good. Rathmore was formerly the seat of the Bligh family, of whom John Bligh, Esq., M. P., in 1721, acquired the title of Baron Clifton of Rathmore, in 1723, that of Viscount Darnley of Athboy, and in 1725, that of Earl of Darnley; some remains exist of the ancient castle, which was formerly part of the estate of Cruise and Plunket. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath, forming part of the union of Athboy: the tithes, including those of Moyagher, amount to £184. 12. 3 ½. In the old church, of which there are considerable remains now forming a picturesque object, is a monumental tablet to the memory of Lieutenant-General Thomas Bligh, general of horse at the battles of Dettingen, Val, Fontenay, and Melle, and Commander-in-Chief of the British troops at Cherbourg: he died in 1775, and was interred here. There is also a monument erected to the memory of Sir Francis Hopkins, Bart.