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Samuel Lewis, in the Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837), has described the parish of Taney as follows - TANEY, or TAWNEY, a parish, in the half-barony of
RATHDOWN, county of DUBLIN, and province of LEINSTER, 3.1 miles (S.) from
Dublin, on the road to Enniskerry; containing 4020 inhabitants. It is
beautifully situated on a sheltered declivity near the base of the Dublin and
Wicklow mountains, and comprises 3691 statute acres, as applotted under the
tithe act. The land, which is of good quality, is principally in demesne; the
surrounding scenery is richly diversified, and the parish thickly studded with
handsome seats and pleasing villas, most of them commanding interesting views of
the city and bay of Dublin and the adjacent country. Of these the principal are
Mount Merrion, the residence of Mrs. Versehoyle; Merville, formerly the
residence of the late Judge Downes, who greatly improved the demesne, and now
the seat of R. Manders, Esq.; Mount Anville, of the Hon. Chas. Burton, second
justice of the Court of Queen's Bench, situated on elevated ground commanding
fine mountain and sea views, and remarkable for its richly cultivated gardens
and extensive conservatories; Taney Hill, of W. Bourne, Esq.; Seafield, of T.
Beasley, Esq.; Bellefield, of T. Wallace, Esq.; Bellevue Lodge, of the Rev. C.
Wolsley; Runnimede, of J. Fitzpatrick, Esq.; Moreen, of D. Me Kay, Esq.;
Drummartin Castle, of Mrs. Dawson; Campfield House, of S. Boxwell, Esq.;
Anneville, of Sir Geo. Whitford, Bart. ; Woodbine Lodge, of T. Sherlock, Esq.;
Laurel Lodee, of G. Meyler, Esq.; Ludford Park, of G. Hatchell, Esq.; Priest
House, of J. Robinson, Esq.; Greenmount, of J. Turbett, Esq.; Stonehouse, of J.
Benton, Esq.; Drummartin House, of J. Curry, Esq. ; the residence of the Rev.
Dr. Singer; Holywell, of W. Walsh, Esq.; Bessmount, of T. M. Scully, Esq.;
Farmley, of J. T. Underwood, Esq.; Rockmount, of T. Courtenay, Esq. ; Dellbrook,
of E. G. Mason, Esq.; Eden Park, of L. Finn, Esq.; Milltown, of Major Palmer;
Mount Anville, of E. Butler, Esq.; Ballinteer Lodge of Major W. St. Clair;
Churchtown House, of J. Busby, Esq.; Duindrum House, of John Walshe, Esq.;
Wickham, of Wm. Farran, Esq., who has here a museum containing a large
collection of curious and rare articles; Sweetmount, of W. Nolan, Esq.;
Churchtown, of N. Corbett, Esq.; Churchtown House, of D. Lynch, Esq.; Sweetmount
Villa, of Jas. Burke, Esq.; Sweetmount House, of M. Ryan, Esq.; and Belleville,
of W. A. H. Minchin, Esq. At Windy Harbour is a silk-throwing factory belonging
to Mr John Sweeily, jun., employing about 80 persons; and in the village of
Dundrum is an iron-foundry. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Dublin, forming
part of the union of St. Peter's, and of the corps of the archdeaconry of
Dublin: the tithes amount to £415. 7. 8. The church, towards the erection of
which the late Board of First Fruits granted a loan of : £4300, in 1818, is a
spacious and handsome cruciform structure, in the later English style, with a
square embattled tower ; the interior was thoroughly renovated in 1835, for
which purpose the Ecclesiastical Commissioners granted £256. The old church is
still remaining ; one portion of it is used for reading the funeral service, and
another is appropriated to the parochial school. In the cemetery are some
interesting monumental inscriptions, among which is one to William Halliday,
Jun., Esq., who died in 1812, aged 24; he was distinguished for his eminent
proficiency in Irish literature and his critical knowledge of his native
language. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the unions of
Booterstown, Sandyford, St. Mary Donnybrook, and St. Mary and St. Peter's
Rathmines; there is a chapel at Dundrum, and a place of worship for Wesleyan
Methodists. About 400 children are taught in four public schools, of which the
parochial school is partly supported by the rector; there is an infants' school. |