Local Chieftains
A thousand years ago the road to the south west
was more or less where the road through the village
of Rathcoole is now. If the roads could speak they would
tell of the Kings of Leinster, from Nás na Ri
(Naas), who toured the province after inauguration.
They came to meet the local chiefs and receive their
addresses of loyalty.
The area was ruled by the Irish chieftains Mac Giolla
Mocholmog who were of the O'Byrne clan. Mac Giolla
Mocholmog can be translated as the son of the servant
of St. Colman. Colmanstown probably gets its name
from its association with the chieftains. Giolla Chomghaill
was the chief of the O'Toole clan.
The Kings would passed through the village of Rathcoole
in their horse drawn chariots as the went, with their
followers. They were entitled to be feasted wherever
they went. At the time of inauguration some cattle
were presented as a gesture of goodwill. These supplemwnted
the animals paid as the Borumha. Ordinary people rarely
left their own area. Some of them were hired as soldiers
and then went to fight for their chief or king.
Source:
"A History of Saggart and Rathcoole Parishes"
by Maeve Mulryan Moloney
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