In 1837, Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland described Charlestown like this:
CHARLESTOWN, a village, in the parish of KILBRIDE-LANGAN, barony of KILCOURSEY, KING'S county, and province of LEINSTER, adjoining the town of Clara: the population is returned with the parish. This place is situated on the road from Farbane to Kilbeggan, and was formerly the seat of an extensive linen trade, for the management of which a linen-hall was established. ...
The village consists of about 40 houses, and had a patent for two annual fairs and a linen market weekly on Monday. Adjoining it is the castle of Kilcoursey, once a place of great strength, which gave name to the barony. In the vicinity are also Cloghatana, the old residence of the Fox family; Ballynamintan and Marshbrook, the ancient seats of the Mars family; and Kilfylan, the residence of an ancient branch of the De Berminghams.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Charlestown, in and County Offaly | Map and description, A Vision of Ireland through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofireland.org/place/27694
Date accessed: 14th May 2024
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