Ratoath and District in the Penal Days

transcribed at

Ratoath and District in the Penal Days  [duchas:4966578]

Ratoath and District in the Penal Days.

Written by:-   Teresa Sherry
Class:-            VI
Age:-               13 years

During the Penal times Priest hunting was very rife round here.  It was of course impossible for a priest to appear in public and great punnishment was meted out to those who associated with them.  At that time there lived in the Manor House of Ratoath a Protestant Gentleman (named Fitzpatrick) and in an upper room or attic he kept the Rev Michael Plunkett P.P.  As the priest was very old and feeble, a young man (James Ramsey) remained each night in the Shrubs and Laurels surrounding the house and, when the priest was required to attend anyone, he raised a ladder

Ratoath and District in the Penal Days  [duchas:4966579]

which he kept in readiness for the purpose, to the small attic window and carrying the old decrepit priest on his back down the ladder brought him out on his errand of mercy.  This young man was a close relation of Bruins where he lived and where all messages for the priest were sent and prayer said by congregations when possible.  The house is standing and