Fassadinin

The barony was part of in the historic kingdom of Osraige (Ossory) and was the territory of the Uí Duach (Idough) clan.[7][8] The name of Fassadinin, in Irish "Fásach an Deighnín", meaning "Wilderness along the Dinan". From Old Irish, "fásach", meaning "uninhabited place, waste, wilderness", of the Dinin River.[5] According to O'Heerin's Topographical Poem (1420)[8] at the time of the Norman invasion the area was the territory of the clan called the Ua Braonáin (O'Brennan) of Uí Duach.[7][8] Uí Duach was made into the medieval cantred of Odogh or Idogh.[7] In 1358 this Barony was known by its ancient name the "Cantred of Odoth".[5] Ui Duach was also called the cantred of the Comar (from Comar now Castlecomer) which comprised the whole of the president barony of Fassadinin, and a considerable part of Galmoy. The earliest reference to the barony as Fassadinin was is 1587 where it was described as the barony of "Fasaghdenyn and Idoghe".[5]

In Edmund Ignatius Hogan's "Description of Ireland, in anno 1598" it was described as the barony of "Fasagh, Denny, and Idogh"[10] and the constables were of the barony of "Fasagh de Myn and Odoghe" or "Fasaghdenya and Odoghe". Fassadining was recorded in the Down Survey (1656),[11] the 1840 Ordnance Survey Map[12] and on Griffith's Valuation (1864).[13]

In 1247 Geoffrey de Fraxino (de la Freyne) held a quarter Knight's fee at Kilmenan in the barony of Fassadinin held previously by a Walter Purcell.[14] The 1608 constables were Robnett Purcell of Foulksrath and William O'Brena of Ballyhomyn (Ballyhimmin).[5] The early families recorded included O'Brena of Rathcally, Purcell of Esker, Purcell of Lysmayne, O'Brena of Uskertye, Farr McDonnogh of Croghtoncle, and Duffe of Crint.[10] The Brennans ruled in this region with remarkable independence and persistence, it was not until 1635 the town and remaining Brennan lands were handed over to Sir Christopher Wandesforde.[7] The Wandesfords were based in Fassadining.[7]

In the 18th century County Kilkenny consisted of the Liberties of Kilkenny and of Callan and the baronies of Galmoy, Lower Ossory, Fassadinig, Cranagh, Shellilogher, Gowran, Kells, Knocktopher, Ida, Igrin, Iverk and Ibercon.[7] By the 19th century these were restructured into the baronies of Callan, Crannagh, Fassadinin, Galmoy, Gowran, Ida, Iverk, Kells, Knocktopher, and Shillelogher.[7] Today, the county is subdivided into 12 baronies.[15] These include Kilkenny in the centre of the county, and clockwise from north of the county, Fassadinin, Gowran, Ida, Kilculliheen, Iverk, Knocktopher, Kells, Callan, Shellilogher, Crannagh, Galmoy.[15]

Map of County Kilkenny (1885).

The county is subdivided into 12 baronies[2] These include Kilkenny in the centre of the county, and clockwise from north of the county, Fassadinin, Gowran, Ida, Kilculliheen, Iverk, Knocktopher, Kells, Callan, Shillelogher, Crannagh, Galmoy.[15]

Fassadinin contains the towns of Ballyragget and Castlecomer, and the settlements of Odagh, Clogh, Jenkinstown, Coan, Coolcullen and Coolbaun.[16] Fassadinin is made up of 19 civil parishes of Attanagh, Odagh, Castlecomer, Kilmenan, Kilmacar, Kilmademoge, Kilmadum, Coolcraheen, Dysart, Donaghmore, Dunmore, Grangemaccomb, Muckalee, Mayne, Abbeyleix, Mothell, Rathbeagh, Rathaspick and Rosconnell.[17] And these include 126 townlands (See List of townlands in County Kilkenny).

The rivers Dinin (Dinan) flows through Fassadinin.[18] Fassadinin contains Castlecomer Woods and Jenkinstown Wood,[19] and a well named 'Lady's Well' and Foulksrath Castle.[9][20] Parts were in the Poor law unions of Castlecomer, Kilkenny, and Urlingford.[21] In the Gaelic Athletic Association in Kilkenny St Martin's club has a catchment area is roughly comprehended by the barony.

Today it is part of the Roman Catholic Church diocese of Ossory and the Church of Ireland diocese of Cashel and Ossory.

• Barony (county division)
• Barony (Ireland)
• List of baronies of Ireland
• List of townlands of County Kilkenny

• Walsh, Dennis. "Barony of Fassadinin". ancestry.com.
• Fiontar. "Barony of Fassadinin". logainm.ie.
• "Barony of Fassadinin, Co. Kilkenny". townlands.ie.