Monastic Laois
Extract from Monastic Laois by Joseph Kennedy - Tour Guide at Heritage House Museum.More info...
129 Shanahoe, Seanchua, old cave or old hollow Site of Mass Pit, Site of Thatched Chapel, Old Painting of St Peter, Catholic Parish
Church.
Shanahoe townland is about 5kms north-west of Abbeyleix, on a small road from Mountrath to Abbeyleix which goes by Old Town. The River Nore bounds it on the north and east sides. It is in an area rich in folklore, monastic traditions,and antiquities, enriching in turn the surrounding parishes.. One of Keegan’s stories in particular portrays the benevolent nature of the people and of a local landlord. ‘An Ditreabhach’tells the story of an early 19th century good Samaritan, a Mr. Bourden, a local landlord who lived in Springmount House, which is located in the centre of the neighbouring townland of Springmount.. He was returning home on a winter ’s evening when he came across a near lifeless man half-covered in snow. He went
to his aid, did whatever he could to help, and took him to his home where he succeeded in sufficiently reviving what seemed to be a weather-beaten beggar
man and he was able to gain the vital facts of the poor man’s situation. He revealed he was a noble man who had lost everything but for the few small
possessions he carried in a bag with him. In gratitude for the kindness extended to him, the man offered the contents of the bag to Mr Bourden. Opening it he withdrew a rolled up canvas, and when he unfolded this a striking painting of St. Peter holding the Keys of Heaven was revealed. Later Mr. Bourden was to donate the same picture and a site to the people of the parish for their church. Fr. Joseph Braughall, who was parish priest for seven years ministered to An Ditreabhach on his deathbed and was instrumental in building the church in 1816, and this served the parish for 150 years. Then in 1966 the parish priest Fr.Mahon and the local people decided to replace it with a new church. It took twelve months to complete at a cost of about £33,000 and it was opened in 1967.The painting of An Ditreabach originally hung over the altar of the old church, and now hangs over the main door of the new church facing the altar. The painting and the tradition relating to it are equally treasured in the area.
129 Shanahoe, Seanchua, old cave or old hollow Site of Mass Pit, Site of Thatched Chapel, Old Painting of St Peter, Catholic Parish
Church.
Shanahoe townland is about 5kms north-west of Abbeyleix, on a small road from Mountrath to Abbeyleix which goes by Old Town. The River Nore bounds it on the north and east sides. It is in an area rich in folklore, monastic traditions,and antiquities, enriching in turn the surrounding parishes.. One of Keegan’s stories in particular portrays the benevolent nature of the people and of a local landlord. ‘An Ditreabhach’tells the story of an early 19th century good Samaritan, a Mr. Bourden, a local landlord who lived in Springmount House, which is located in the centre of the neighbouring townland of Springmount.. He was returning home on a winter ’s evening when he came across a near lifeless man half-covered in snow. He went
to his aid, did whatever he could to help, and took him to his home where he succeeded in sufficiently reviving what seemed to be a weather-beaten beggar
man and he was able to gain the vital facts of the poor man’s situation. He revealed he was a noble man who had lost everything but for the few small
possessions he carried in a bag with him. In gratitude for the kindness extended to him, the man offered the contents of the bag to Mr Bourden. Opening it he withdrew a rolled up canvas, and when he unfolded this a striking painting of St. Peter holding the Keys of Heaven was revealed. Later Mr. Bourden was to donate the same picture and a site to the people of the parish for their church. Fr. Joseph Braughall, who was parish priest for seven years ministered to An Ditreabhach on his deathbed and was instrumental in building the church in 1816, and this served the parish for 150 years. Then in 1966 the parish priest Fr.Mahon and the local people decided to replace it with a new church. It took twelve months to complete at a cost of about £33,000 and it was opened in 1967.The painting of An Ditreabach originally hung over the altar of the old church, and now hangs over the main door of the new church facing the altar. The painting and the tradition relating to it are equally treasured in the area.
