f Rathronan, standing high on the hill, was the scene of the
sensational Arbuthnot abduction in the last century. Those who wish for
details of that unhappy love affair will find the story told in faithful
words elsewhere. The demesne lands between Clonmel and Fethard are many.
~Fethard~ was an old walled town, it defied the Cromwellians, and
surrendered with all the honours of war. After treaty and terms were
agreed on, the Roundheads found that what they had mistaken as gaping
mouths of cannon on the fortress were nothing more dangerous than
innocent churns placed in positions of pretence, not defence. The
bogland from Fethard to Thurles is uninteresting; the intermediate
stations are Farranalleen, Laffan's Bridge, and Horse and Jockey, at
which collieries are still being worked. At Thurles we meet the main
line of the Great Southern and Western. ~Thurles~, originally a Danish
town and the scene of the battle between the Norsemen and Irish,
afterwards became a fortalice of the Knights Templars. Here, by the
bridge across the Suir, the remains of the old settlement are still to
be seen. Four miles distant, standing by the banks of the river,
surrounded by tall trees, are the remains of the once great Cistercian
~Holy Cross Abbey~. It was built in 1168-69 to house the relic of the
True Cross sent by the Pope to Brian Boru's grandson, Donald, King of
Thomond. This interesting relic, after centuries of vicissitudes, is now
enshrined at the Convent of the Ursulines, in Blackrock, Cork. On the
feasts of the Finding of the True Cross (May 3rd), and of the Exaltation
of the Holy Cross (September 14th), and on every Friday in Lent, it is
presented for public veneration. Thurles is the seat of Episcopal
residence of the Archdiocese of Cashel. On the main line higher than
Thurles is Templemore, founded by the Knights Templars. Between Thurles
and the Limerick Junction is Goold's Cross station, six miles from
Cashel. The noblest evidence of the early civilization of Ireland is to
be found in ~Cashel Of the Kings~. Generally the buildings date from the
early twelfth century, the Round Tower being much earlier and the
Cathedral later. Cormac's Chapel was consecrated in 1134, being built by
the Saint King of Munster. It is rich Norman work, comprising nave,
chancel, and towers at the transepts. The doorways and chancel arch are
elaborate. The Round Tower is unique when compared with the other
buildings, as it is of sandstone. It is co