Once upon a time a boy named Philip Ronayne lived in Rochestown with his parents. One night he disappeared, and when his parents discovered this they searched every where but in vain. After two years a blacksmith by the name of Kelly had a dream. He saw Philip on a white steed and he (Philip) told him that he had been kidnapped by the giant Mahon Mac Mahon and he asked the smith for help. At first he did not believe the dream but the horse kicked him in the forehead and then he knew that it was true because the kick left a mark on his fore-head.
This giant lived in a cave called the "Giant's Stairs." It was really a tunnel about three miles long starting at the river near Monkstown and ending near Ronayne's Court in Rochestown. The next day the smith with another man was rowing on the river and they saw light breaking through the rocks. They then concluded that that was the residence of the giant.
They rowed up to the entrance and the smith himself entered. When he got inside he saw the giant sitting on his chair and his

A landlord, with an immense tract of land, once resided in Rochestown. The National School was said to have been situated on his land. This man had great influence in the affairs of the people. One day a woman came to him with her son. She wanted to have him chastised, as he had continually played truant from school.
The landlord consented, so the woman left her son with him. On the landlord's land was the scaffold for capital offenders. The land-lord took the woman's son to the scafford and he said that he was going to hang him. The lad was not afraid, as he thought that he was only trying to frighten him.
The landlord took a grip on the boy and he proceeded to put the noose over his head. The boy was not afraid yet, so he opened the trap-door slowly and the noose tightened on the boy's neck. The boy was now getting frightened, but the land-lord wanted to give him a thorough fright, so he did not release the boy until afew minutes later. When he did, he found to his amazement that the boy was dead. That scaffold may still be seen in Tarnbeary, Rochestown.

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they also murdered the abbot who was fund trying to escape near coffinger's pond. It is said that the ghosts of them both are seen in the vicinity of the Convent.
In the meantime a fierce battle was taking place between Cromwell's Ironsides, and some Dun-Laoghaire men. Though few in number the Irish were fighting well but they were hopelessly outnumbered. Cromwell's army extended from the old monastery to the beginning of Rochestown Avenue. The Irish began to realise that it was useless to continue fighting
One by one they escaped through the tunnels from Kelly's of Rochestown Avenue, to a field near Bolands

that day quite submissive have been.
For fear of another incounter with the boys of old Erin the green.Kathleen Wallace, Rochestown, Mullinanvat, Co. KilkennyI got this poem from my father.
Mr. John Wallace, Rochestown, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny

opening the cave. It wasthought by the neighbours that this was the hiding place of the Danes, when Brian Boru was trying to banish them from Ireland.Kathleen Wallace, Rochestown, Mullinavat, Co. KilkennyI got this story from my father,
Mr. John Wallace,
Rochestown, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny

In olden times there was a shop in Rochestown. In the shop dewlt a woman by the name Mrs. Walsh. She lived alone for years. She had a nice little tatched residence made up of a kitchen and two rooms. In one

A windowWhat turns without moving?MilkS. de P 29-11-1938Bridget Walsh Rochestown
Glenmore collected those riddles from her uncle John Forristal Rochestown Age about 64

built, principally through the means of the families mentioned.
When the work was completed it is said, that the parish priest nailed up the door, and refused to say mass in it. The people opened the door, and brought out a Friar from Clonmel to say mass for them. Soon after one of the priests of the parish said mass regularly in this church for the people. The church grounds are not consecrated as it is supposed there was blood shed there in after years.
There are members of all those families, mentioned, still residing in these districts at the present time.
Mulcahys - Corabella, Ardfinnan
Lonergans - Neddins Ardfinnan
ODonnells - Rochestown Ardfinnan
Cummins - Rochestown Ardfinnan

very much worn every day by the farming classes. These boots have timber soles and a tip - a light band of iron - all around the edge of soles and heels. Leather was never made here but untanned cow hide used be tied around the foot to protect them from the cold.Kathleen Wallace, Rochestown, Mullinavat, Co. KilkennyI got this story from my father,
Mr. John Wallace
Rochestown, Mullinavat,
Co. Kilkenny

The Golden Gap forms apart of the western part of the western boundary of Rochestown Wood. This gap was the origin of manny legal argument, which cost the parties concerened several thousand pounds. Over seventy years ago Mrs Roche had an argument about this gap. Mr. Roche's son and daughter wanted to have afence put there, but she herself wanted a stone wall built. The children would not agree to this so afight took place. Many horses and men were killed in this fight, but astone wall was never built there. Every first Sunday of the mont, the Headless Coach is seen going through the gap. Mr. Roche put an iron gate there, but his children broke it down and ever since a wall, fence or gate has never been put in this gap.

In Olden days Passage West, as is told by it oldest inhabitants was principally a Protestant town. It contained but a small church, and no convent or catholic school. Its tiny church was situated in a field at Leemount leading to Rochestown. A few years ago an old bell was unearthed in this field. After sometime the ground in which the new church is built was presented by Mr. Boland who also laid the foundation stone. At that time there were no docks but a boat building industry was carried on by several families, notably the Barrys, Peasleys, and the Taylors. There was also a ropemaking industry in the town and the locality in which those workmen lived was called the Rope Walk. Where Toureen Terrace now stands was agreat drying-place and it is said that an annual fair was held there and the hill skirting Mount St Josephs was called Fair Hill.

blacking brush his ginger locks were transformed into raven ones and the clerical robes, borrowed for the occasion hid his workman's overalls.
For the six weeks during which the steamer was being repaired the outlaw was hidden in a farmhouse in Rochestown and the captain was obliged to leave Passage without the satisfaction of returning the blow.

Old ChurchesThere are three graveyards in the Parish. The names of these are Caherelly, Rockstown and Rochestown. There is an old ruin in Caherelly grave which was built by S in the fourteenth century on the same site as St Ailbhe built his monastery. The graveyard occupies about an acre of land and is only about two hundred years from the schoolhouse. Beech and elms are planted all around it and make a lovely scenery.

Old Graveyards
There is a very old graveyard in Rochestown , about a mile from Ardfinnan, and in the same parish. It is yet used for burials, but they do not take place there, very often now. There is a ruin of an old church in the graveyard, which was a parish church about one hundred and fifty years ago. It is not known if anybody is buried within the ruin.

the milk had something to do with the pot.
There was a man living in Stackallen that used to make dash churns. His named was Joe McGuinness. There are few of those old churns still. There are people named Duffs who live in Rochestown that have a dash churn.

Some years ago, there lived in Rochestown an eccentric old J.P. named Henry. He very much disliked the unpunctuality of people. One day the postman (Mr. Tutty) was late so Mr. Henry resolved to shoot him, but when the time came he did not shoot him but became a great pal of his.
Some time afterwards Mr. Tutty married Mr. Henry's daughter. Mr. Tutty who is now dead, used to live in no. 3 Glasthule Terrace which is now occupied by the Presentation Brothers.

Our foes often say that we're not fit to rule ourselves, why not!
We have got as great a men as any they have got.
The land that bore O'Connell brave Sarsfield and Emmet true.
Can always find great men to rule and fight their battles too.Old Irelnad will again, my boys, come proudly to the fore.
With saon;s as great and glorious as ere she had before.
In our Irish House of Commons that statemanship we see.
With De Valera at the front old Ireland will be free.Kathleen Walace, Rochestown, Mullinavat, Co. KilkennyI got this poem from my father.
Mr. John Wallace, Rochestown, Mulllinavat, Co. Kilkenny

ball was got and scored what ever number he had counted by that time.
Kathleen Wallace,
Rochestown,
Mullinavat,
Co. KilkennyI got this game from my father,
Mr. John Wallace,
Rochestown,
Millinavat,
Co. Kilkenny

the side of the road in Acres about two miles from Mullinavat village. Carroll's forge has a large door which opens in two. In it there are two fine fireplaces and two large bellows to blow them. These bellows are shaped like a hand bellows which are six feet long and three feet wide. Attached to the bellows there is a big handle nearly as high as the smith himself. When he wants to blow the fire he leans his full weight on the handle and pulls it up and down. In this forge also there are two big anvils, hammers and pincers. Horses and asses are shod here but cattle are not. Farm implements are not made in the forges but are bought in the hardware shops in Waterford.
Kathleen Wallace,
Rochestown,
Mullinavat,
Co. KilkennyI got this story from my father,
Mr. John Wallace,
Rochestown,
Mullinavat,
Co. Kilkenny