Cross — Market cross in Townparks (ballybrit By.)

Birr is situated in the low-lying fertile valley of the Little Brosna River. The town developed SE of the castle (OF035-012004-) and within the bounds of a pronounced meander in the River Camcor. The Camcor joins the Little Brosna to NW of the town. St Brendan reputedly established a monastery (OF035-012001/003-) here in the 6th century which subsequently became a prestigious and influential foundation and one of the most celebrated members of St Columcille's great federation of churches. Located in the border area between the provinces of Munster, Meath, Leinster and Connacht and itself located in the territory of Eile in Munster, the monastic settlement was frequently chosen as a venue for the meetings of both kings and churchmen, perhaps the most significant of which were the synods of AD 697 and 1174. An Anglo-Norman castle (OF035-012009-) and settlement had been established at Birr by 1207 and continued at least until c. 1315. By the mid-14th century the settlement had reverted to the O'Carrolls of Ely. The 'Black Castle' (OF035-012010) became one of the principal seats of the ruling branch of that dynasty and remained as such until its sale to Butler of Ormond in 1594. In 1621 as part of the Plantation of Ely O'Carroll, Laurence Parsons was granted the lands, 'castle and fortilage' of Birr which became the manor of Parsonstown and a new castle (OF035-012004-) was erected by the Parsons family. It was from this time and under Laurence Parsons' direction that Birr began to develop as a true town. In 1621 he obtained a grant of a Tuesady market and two annual fairs, to which were added a Saturday market and two more fairs in 1627. He rigorously imposed a number of bye laws in 1626-7 for the paving and cleaning of the town, for the erection of chimneys and the regulation of drinking houses. Although virtually razed by the Confederate forces in 1642, the town recovered after the Restoration and by 1672 it had been established as a borough, returning two members to Parliament. There was a masonry bridge (OF035-012006-) crossing the River Camcor as early as 1626 which was replaced by the present structure of mid-18th century origin, and according to Cooke (1875, 45) there was a second 17th-century bridge (OF035-012014) near the castle in the vicinity of St Brendan's holy well (OF035-012005-). There was also a market cross (OF035-012015) in the town which was erected in c. 1625, a tuck mill (OF035-012017), two grist mills, five watermills (OF035-012011) and as early as 1626 a Free School. This unlocated market cross was probably situated in the present Market Square. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011