School: Milltown (roll number 942)
- Location:
- Milltown, Co. Westmeath
- Teacher: Sean O'Casey
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0742, Page 021
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- The Walking Gallows
The 1798 period in Milltown Parish
Patriots, Thieves and Spies
(This story is authentic. Commenced on 18th October 1934)
As there are still several who bear the name in this parish I abstain from giving it. I call him "W"
In 1798 the "pikes" for the patriots of the Barony of Rathconrath were made by a blacksmith Edwd Carroll and his sons John, Thomas and Edward. They lived between Moyvore Cross Roads and Templepatrick. At the time there was a notorious band of outlaws headed by "Boyle the Robber" which had its headquarters in the deep glen at the rere of Loughan, near the lake of Loughan about an Irish mile - as the crow flies- from the southward from Milltown school. The situation was romantic and it was a safe place to hide stolen property. In June 1798 the gang decided to plunder the night coach at Milltown on the road from Athlone to Dublin. The robbers were well armed with guns and with bottles of "poteen" distilled in the neighbouring bog of Killahugh sped across "Sugar Hill" and the marsh land of Corr until the reached the slopes of Royal Uisneagh where they rested & partook of deep draughts of Killahugh "dew", whilst a raging storm swept(continues on next page)
