The Latham family or the founder of them came with Cromwell's army and got a grant of land belonging to the Graces near Graystown castle. A mansion was built by one of them in the present townland of Helenpark then part of Graystown; A high wall was placed around a farm about 20 acres; This was known as "The Deerpark". Vestiges of the wall still remain but its fast disappearing. The stones are being sold for building purposes. It was said that Latham kept deer in this park and used them for sport as they are used yet in Kildare.The first Latham came to Graystown after the Siege of Clonmel; The last died about 1815. The name lives yet around the district and even some of them are called Oliver which was the principal Christian name probably because of their being adherents of the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell.

Between St. Johnstown and Kilkennybeg Mass used be said in olden times. When demolishing an old building thereabouts the chapel and little bell were found.
Priest used come from the mountain (Slievenamon) to say Mass.
After that the service used be held at Graystown Killenaulle (called Scórnán):
There is a field called the Monastery Field in Graystown. A man named Leytham built Helenpark with the stones of the Monastery.

This treasure is supposed to be buried on a very commanding Hill known as Cnochfeorlach.
There are evidences of an old rath and fenian oven on top of this Hill.
Graystown: There is a field in this district which is still called bán na phréacán and is curiously translated as "The field of the black crow". I wonder has black any significance. Close tot he foot of this hill is one of the "Hills of bones." Spoken of in the "Graystown Story" I have often picked bones from this hill in the hope that I would find something more tangible in the way of armour, swords spurs or other metals but I have always failed: On top of this Hil of Bones is a peculiar plant, it is the only one of its kind in the district. People say that it never spreads out or grows less, no matter what kind the season may be. There is also a cross cut in the grass on top of the little hillock. These hillocks are most peculiar and would need investigation by a historian

Oliver had one redeeming feature, he was exceedingly fond of his only daughter (lawful) He left many unlawful children in the district bu the mothers mostly made the children carry their father's name. Referring again to Helen (Latham's lawful child) his love for her was actually mania. He renamed his house and portion of the lands of Graystown "Helen Park" The house and lands are still known as Helenpark.
This Helen seems to have had a mind of her own; she apparently did not do her father's bidding in all things; She fell in love with a scion of the castle family (Graystown) Laffans or Graces) She eloped with her lover and local history knew her no more. It is said that Oliver died a wek after this event, kind people said he died of grief; the others said he died of rage because his loved child married an Irish Papist. Maybe both ideas are true in part. I can't trace where he was buried. People were glad to forget this monster. His mansion was turned into a presbytery leter, and sheltered many noble patriot priests: It is now occupied by a family named Feehan

Mount Taylor
Laffans Bridge (Mill) - A mill was worked by the Laffan family for generations here. When Rail company built bridge name was changed.
Cattaganstown - No definite knowledge of the origin of the name but in civil survey it was called BALLYCATTAGAWNEE.
Graystown - Supposed to be called after Graces who occupied Graystown Castle, which was supposed to be built by Raymond Le Grós
Mortlestown - Mortells Town ? Has this anything to do with a family now known as Martleys (existing)
Helenpark - Called so by Oliver Latham after his daughter Helen who ran away with last of the Gracess about 1800
Castle quarter - Believed to be connected with old castle which stood on the Rocks at the other side of the river in Killenaule
Springhill - Seat of Hemphills, formerly Cnoc a bhFile: Many wild stories are told about this townland, also bearna gcapóg
Burnchurch - Ruins of Old church. Underground channel to Graystown Castle
Day's Hill - Called after a local seer who lived in a cabin at the foot of hill. Billy O'Dea died about 1840
Cashins' Hill - Named after Cashin family who lived at Railway gates now known as Foley's gate
Mansergh's Hill - Owned by Southey Mansegh: Charles Manser operatic singer is a descendant of this family.
Church Hill - Old church on top. Frank Macker An English reformatory boy was shot here by "Lincolns" IN 1921 or 22.
Taylors Hill - A Hill in old parish of Ballinure called after the Taylor family who owned it (the family is gone)
Bosheen Bog - A bog in Ballintogher so called because an old stone causeway led into it.
Killenaule Hill - The hill on which Killenaule is built. The rise at north side coming from Thurles gives it the name K.H.
Cashel Road - Boherlug. The road to Cashel from Killenaule. The older people called it Boher lug.
Main Street - The principal or part of the principal street extends from Barricades to the shambles.
River Street - The street leading to the stream - The Anner which rises to the north of Killenaule about 2 miles. MINE WATER
Bailey Street - Called after family of Bailey, who were numerous in this street 150 years ago . The last Biddy Bailey died about 1910
The Pike - Generally counted as the space between the Big Stone and Bumberrys Bush
Chapel Lane - So called because it led to the RC church. It seems no Catholic place of worship could have its frontage on the Main St. then.
Church Lane - lane beside entrance to the Protestant Church. Really an entrance to some of the backyards of the place
Bullock Field - Buaille - Leac or Lic - Theres an old stone in this field, now used as a scratching stone for cows, Buaille Lic
The Rake Field - A level unprofitable field E of Killenaule used for hurling matches, Riach?

stirring in Tipperary. The 12th of July in Graystown the 23rd in Ballingarry, the 22nd June in Kilnockin, and May Day in Mullinahone, were the exciting events of the year. And the fair of Killmore! What of that! Where is Killmore? Don't look for its location on the map. Suffice it to tell you that it nestled in a flowery vale in Tipperary, with the lordly Galtees looking over it on one side, historic Slievenamon on another, with the rocky crowned forehead of Corrigmocleare, telling you its tales of Ninety-eight, looming up in the distance,

Some years ago fairs used be held in different parts of the country, in Kilknockin, Graystown and Moyglass. The field where it was held in Moyglass now belongs to John Power. It was called the Fair Green. There used to be tents where the people used to get drink and dance during the day. Trick of the loops used attend them. There is a story told of how a faction fight took place in the evening between the Connaraths and the Shannaraths and one man was killed. So there was a cross erected at the corner of the road and the stone it was on was there to be seen up to a few years ago.

There are two paths in a line eastward from Graystown school, about 200 yards asunder and about a quarter mile E [East] from the school. They are both built in the side of the cattaganstown Stream or as it was called in the civil survey. (SRui baile Cazzaz anaiz) This name Cattaganstown (baile Carrazai) is peculiar as the robber who lived in the most eastern path had all the attributes of a wild cat. It is said he used to travel south to Clonmel on the tops of the trees. His name used to be used to frighten children up to 20 years ago. Many tales used to be told of him but the pupils of this century never heard of him: He was supposed to be the most bloodthirsty and used to swoop down from the trees on to the horseman on the road or budlepath. He usually killed his victim as well as robbing him.
When he lived is a mystery, the answer to that question used to be the tantalising one "Long Ago". But the fact remains that the path is still there and is called Rarzaduid. It is in a lonesome and wild district and seems to be a fit home for a robber at any time. The fox and badger are its principal inhabitants now.

(1) All the traditions of the Gobán Saor have now died out in this district, though at one time it was very common. There is an "island" in lios arha (Lisaw or Lisaha) bog called the Goban's Island. There is an old ruined church in the middle of the "island" which corresponds in dimensions to other churches ranged in a radius of about 2 miles from the castle of Graystown. It was told that six churches could be seen from the castle's parapets.
I have ideas in the back of my mind that the Gobán was fair haired, tall and athletic looking in appearance;; I cannot trace where I got these impressions from, I know that when I was young I eagerly sought for stories of him and I was generally to be found listening to old men telling stories of the Goban:

1) Rathmoley - Rath mBuaille. The fort of the milking place. A townland due East from Graystown School.
2) Gurtnavarneog - The field of the alders. (Gort na bFhearnog. Townland 1 1/2 miles due S.E. from school.
3) Rathgaddy - Rath Gaduidhe. Robber's fort. A storied little fort in a secluded spot in Cattaganstown townland.
4 Bán na Breeka - Bán na Brioca. The wolves' field in Cattaganstown in centre of Traynor's farm.
5) Powelnagade - Poul na Gaduidhe. Robber's cave. On the road (south side from Laffans Br to Noan, Probably Noan gets its name...
6) Ballintogher - Baile an Tochair. Causeway village. The name of a townland 1/2 mile East of Laffans Br
7) Derrick Nua - Doire Nua. New oak grove. Townland 1/2 north of Laffans Br
8) Buffana - Bo Fainne or Bofanach (in Joyce) probably 1st because there is a field in townland called Gort Fhainne, 1m S.W. school.
9) Knockforlagh -Cnoc Forlac. Hill of slippery side (shelving). An old Fenian Rath on pinnacle. A high landmark 1 1/2 mile W school.Killenaule
10) Cill Naile - People never sound this name as Kell EN all but as Cill Náll, which is undoubtedly right as there ..
Cill an Fháil - is a tradition that the Cashel King's son had his cell where the Protestant church now stands
Cill Donáile - heard this 40 years ago about year 1898 from very old inhabitants. It is now called Cill an Fhail in banks and post offices and Cill Donáite on traffic signs. Cill Náile by P.P. G.A.A. and others
Killenaule 11) Crickeen - Cruicín A little hill west of Killenaule Roman Catholic Church. The hill is called Cnucín Sandy.
12) (Ockavella) - Ockaveela: The Poets Height. Now called Springhill 1 mile due West of Killenaule.
13) Baunapreacán - ( Bawnnafreacáun ) Crow's Field. Crows collect there yet each evening in Autumn 1 m W school
14) Paurcnacnau -. Pairc na gCnamh. Field of Bones. A curious bone heap 1/2 mile SW school - Old stories galore
15) Knockinglass - The little green Hill. St Patrick visited the Lords of the Place Kearneys 1 mile South from S.
16) Moyglass - Green Plain. A new parish name. Maigh Glas. The old name of parish St. John Baptist, burial ground Cooleach.
17) McCooke's Church -(Teampall MacDhuagh) A very ancient church of the small type near Moygglass East of present RC Church.
18) Lurgo - ( Lurgac ) A humpy townland near Laff Bridge to the North. Sand drifts on the edge of the bog.
19) LIsaha - ( Lios Atha ) A fort in the bog bordering on the townland of Lurgo and to the north of it.
20) Scornaun ? An old church near Graystown Castle. to S.E. on Crof(?) land: Internments by tinkers and wanderers were made there up to recently.
21) Dunguib ? An old fort in this townland 1 1/2 mi West Killenaule; It is said the O'Mahonys lived in a castle there formerly. O'Mahonys still own land there.
22) Cattaganstown ? The home of a robber who was reputed to be as lithe as a cat; whether this has anything to do with the name or not, I do not know.

"Hidden Treasure" Rough Headings(1) Springhill Treasure}
(2) Graystown Castle Treasure} I heard of those when I was a child
3. Knockforlagh treasure}
4. Rathgaddy Hoard} From the children of the school

There is a tradition in this district that treasure was buried at the N Eastern corner of the castle. The castle is now in ruins except that the Northern gable is standing and good portions of the West and east sides. It is related locally that a castle was built here by Raymond Le gRóis when he was brought from Wales after the first battle of Thurles. It is said the Strngbow's army when retreating from Thurlestook the route via Graystown Castle along what is now the G.S.R line between Thurles and Clonmel. Many things point to this story being correct i.e. Heaps of human bones have being in this district along the railway line some hundreds of bodies must have been thrown into a heap and covered over lightly by soil consisting of sand and peat. I know of two of these heaps - One in Callaganstown at a place called Paírc Nagcnamh; The other is in Devacknew and is now known as Hickey's Hill. Many attempts have been made to get this treasure but all have failed. Three rules should be conformed with.
(1) Dug at 12 OC on a dark night on Nov 1.
2. Find the clump of nettles six feet from NE Corner
3. It must be got at alone - no attendant.

There is treasure hidden in Graystown Hill. Two men who were employed by the late Ann Swan, Balgeeth, namely Andrew McGuinness and Bernard Welsh were returning home from Bective one night. They crossed by Acra Susie and the hill of Craystown. On the top of Craystown McGuinness asked his companion did he hear the music. But Welsh replied that he heard nothing.
McGuinness heard the music following them and he kept asking Welsh to wait and hear the music. When they came to the "Mullagh Gruaid" McGuinness stopped and asked Welsh to wait and hear the music but he would not, so he said he would wait himself. He stopped. In about five minutes he heard a rush behind him. He turned and saw men running in front of a band of small men, dressed in kilts and playing music on all sorts of instruments. He was swept along in midair in front of the little men. He could not recognise any of the other men. He could not stop.
In a ditch between Bellinter and Balgeeth

Boundaries of Moycarkey old Parish
N.W. Tertiana
N.E. Galboola
E. Ballymurreen
S.W. Ballyshehan Gaile & Graystown.
The name of the Parish is not of ecclesiastical origin but is derived from the name of the plain in which the original church was built. Pronounced in Irish Magh Cairce - the "plain of Cairce" - name of a man. The east window is quadrangular inside 6' x 3'. It's pointed outside & is 41/2' x 11/2'. It is of cut limestone. A large graveyard Normans built the old church of Moycarkey & then the churches of Kylenoe & Kildarmody dropped out.Moycarkey Old Church in Moycarkey townsland is divided into nave + chancel. Its patron was St Andrew. In the east end of Chancel is growing (1840) a large ash tree as the church is long roofless. The nave measures 56'x23', the Chancel 33'x19' The walls stand except some portions of N + S in the Nave. High up in the west gable of the nave is a typical gothic window. The doorway

One of the Ryans was for blowing the head off him with the blunderbuss but the other said it wouldn't be worth blotching their souls with his murder and that if he went back of his word that they could easily get him again. So they let him go. Now the police and the soldiers heard that they were around the place & scoured the country for them. There were soldiers billeted in Killenaule that time in the old distillery in River Street. But the Ryans went in hiding in the Pollacuit caves in Graystown & the people fed them and they were never caught.
Leatham the Tyrant kept his word. He gave a big party and invited all the gentry around and when they were there he made them sign a big paper for the Ryans reprieve and so the Ryans got the King's Pardon.
Seán Ó Muireadhaigh Cill Náile
as told by Danny Fogarty (73)
Cashel Road
Killenaule

(1) His appearance fair haired, tall, light in step.
2. His upbringing. reared with the old blind father. Motherless.
3. His power with stone surprises the nearest neighbours.
4. He gets the mason's language.
5. He goes in search of a wife.
6. He builds a hat for a local grandee.
7. He places a corner stone in Graystown Castle.
8. he teaches his wife the mason's language and is tried for it.
9. He builds a castle for the King of Wales
King of the North of England
10. He appears as a "lone" man.
11. His grave and its measurements
12. His hat and its cure
13. "The skin and price of it.
14. All his genius seems to be derived from the fact that he was an old man's som "mothered" by the old blind father. The young mother died at this birth. The boy was reared in the solitude of the island
Rough plan of Island

26 Sheedy (tailor) lived in many houses in town
27. Guilfoyles (landowners) Donated the High Altar land owners
28. Pollards (public house) where Quinns is now
29 Cahills (skinners and tinkers) Where Geoghan's gate is now
30 Cormacks (skinners and meat). not present family
31 Bumberry (owned a small garden Bumberrys bush)?
32 Slattery (Carters and bog working; ine last traditional piper.
33 Carrolls (5 distinct families) C-Sins C-ins C-Reds, C báns
34 Shines (a famous old family) one lift
35 Day or Dea lived at foot of Dea's Hill gave name to place
36 Crokes, Croheens, lived as Drapers, PH owners for centuries
37. Greaney (Denny) He was the last
38 Clearys - Respected old family. Bog workers. Lived in Pike St.
39 Conways (soldiers) Crimean veteran, last of family d-1878
30 Cummins or Commins. Wrestlers and lodging Houses
31 MacDonalds or Mac Donnells. Granger, Dean RC Cashel
32. OMearas: Went to America; lived in Clerk's Ho at Chapel Gate
33 Powers (at corner of Cashel Road) "Plaubeen" an untrained mason
34 Ryans (andy) Geoghan's Hotel now.
35 Nolans. General messengers and factotums
37 Dannings Old Killenaule family not related to present family.
38 Morresseys. a very old former family who lived in the town
39 Gurtons (Buffana Wood) were hedge school teachers
40 Condons (Graystown) farmers; whose name remains on a field
41 Cuddehys Cattaganstown emigrated