In 1837, Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland described Moate like this:
MOATE, or MOATE-A-GRENOGE, a market and post-town, partly in the parish of KILMANAGHAN, but chiefly in that of KILCLEAGH, barony of CLONLONAN, county of WESTMEATH, and province of LEINSTER, 7 ¾ miles (E. by S.) from Athlone, and 52 (W. by S.) from Dublin, on the mail coach road to Athlone; containing 1785 inhabitants. ...
This place takes its name from a rath or moat at the back of the town, in what was originally the territory of the McLoughlins, and which was called after Grace McLoughlin, Grana-oge, or "Grace's Moat." During the war of the Revolution, a large body of the adherents of James II., which had been pursued from Ballymore by the forces under Gen. de Ginkel, drew up here in order to give battle to their pursuers; but they were driven into the town, whence, after they had vainly endeavoured to intrench themselves, they fled to Athlone, with the loss of about 300 men, several officers, their baggage, a great quantity of arms, and 500 horses. On their arrival at Athlone their defeat had caused such consternation in the garrison of that place, that the gates were closed against the fugitives from a fear of admitting their pursuers also, and several fled for shelter to the bogs and many perished in the river. The town, which is neatly built and of pleasing appearance, contains 330 houses, of which number, 244 are slated, and the remainder thatched. The manufacture of cottons and linens, formerly carried on here to a very great extent, is now much diminished, affording employment only to about 100 persons; and several large distilleries and breweries have been altogether discontinued. The market is on Thursday, and fairs are held on April 25th, June 22nd, Oct. 2nd, and Dec. 3rd. A chief constabulary police force is stationed here; a manorial court is held on the first Monday in every alternate month; petty sessions on alternate Thursdays, and the general quarter sessions for the district at the usual times. The court-house is a commodious building; attached to it is a small bridewell. The parish church of Kilcleagh is situated in the town; there are also a R. C. chapel, a small convent to which a chapel is attached, places of worship for the Society of Friends, Baptists, and Wesleyan Methodists, and a dispensary. Moate Castle is the seat of Cuthbert J. Clibborn, Esq.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Moate, in and County Westmeath | Map and description, A Vision of Ireland through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofireland.org/place/28510
Date accessed: 07th November 2024
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