There is an old graveyard in Knocktopher. There is an old church in ruins in the graveyard. only part of the wall are standing. The old tower of the church is still there. In the graveyard was found some years ago a very old tomb & on it was carved the figures of Adam & Eve. This tomb is now in the tower.
At the left hand side of the gate going in there is a cave. This cave leads down to an underground passage which leads into Knocktopher Abbey, the residence of Sir Hercules Langrishe. Long ago Knocktopher Abbey was a Carmelite Friary & the underground passage was used by the Friars to go from one Abbey to the other.
It is said that strange lights were often seen in and around the present Abbey

One night James Grady was going home from Knocktopher after playing a few games of card's. He did not like to go home because it was twelve Oclock and he knew that it was the dead hour of the night. On his way he had to pass a lane that was haunted. As he was passing he heard a terrible noise and he stepped into the lane to see what it was. He saw six headless figures dancing. He ran back to Knocktopher and a few man went to his house with him.

Once upon a time an old priest from Knocktopher, was called a twelve oclock at night to go and visit an old woman who was very sick. He left Knocktopher safely in a pony and trap. When he came to the house, he saw someone with a hound and a queer light on its forehead.
The priest anointed the woman and he said prayers over her, and stayed till three oclock. The woman died, and he left the house, and got his pony and started for home.
When he reached a big well near Knocktopher, he got out to get a drink, when he was going to drink the water someone said, "Hurry up it is very late," the priest looked around but he could see nothing. He got into the trap, but the pony would not move. He looked to see what was the matter, and he saw a hound standing on the road in front of him. He made the sign of the Cross, and the hound went away in a ball of fire.
Every night the priest is seen with the hound at the well.

grievance was worst, there were for the most would not. When the people could not or would not pay their property was seized. If they resisted the always unjust and often the illegal proceedings of the tithe-proctor, the army and the police were utilised against them. The tithe war was signalised by many bloody conflicts in which many both of the police and peasantry were killed. But the greatest although not the last battle of the tithe war occurred at Carrickshock, County Kilkenny. Edmond Butler was employed as process server by the Rev. Mr Hamilton to serve processes issued out of the Court of Chancery on the parishioners of Knocktopher, who both could not and would not pay this Butler. Apart from his very odious task of serving writs this Butler was most uncivil and insulting fellow, often making free use of very obscene language. One evening as he was passing through Barrettstown, a short distance from Knocktopher, a number of peasants seized him in possession of a number of processes. They never at any time used violence on his person but

I live in Knocktopher in the parish of the parish of Ballyhale. As Knocktopher is a village there are a good many people living in it at present there are forty families living in it. The houses are all slated.
The street got its name from the hill over the swamp.
At present there are only three people over seventy years. These old people dont speak Irish but can tell good stories in English. Their names are Paddy Loughlin, Margaret Aylward, Mary Holohan. The Butts where the school still stands was the most important street in years gone by, but now only a few houses which are condemned stand there, all the others are in ruins.
From most of the houses sons and daughters imigrated to America some to join the nuns.
There is an oak wood in Langrishes estate. There is a little river or rather a stream which flows by the school. In olden times Knocktopher was a Borough town and returned a member to parliament.

Knocktopher is a small village midway between Kilkenny and Waterford, and on the left hand side of the village about a hundred yards from the road the Abbey is situated, now occupied by Lady Laungriche but formerly occupied by the Friars.
When Cromwell was passing Knocktopher on his journey to Kells the Friars had to fly for their lives because there was a price on their heads, but before doing so hid a lot of treasure under the Abbey.
There is a well under the servant's hall. It is covered with a flag of stone. The well is called Saint Alberts well.

Butler was forced to go through this edible ceremony, when father Parr, a very old Carmelite Friar, came upon the scene and released Butler. Father O'Keeffe, a native of Stonyford, was prior at the time. Butler being afraid of a repetition of the same occurrence, sought the assistance of the police on his next mission. About forty police accompanied him to fulfil his unjust duty, when they were attacked by an enormous number of the people of Carrickshock 14th Dec 1831. Butler and twelve police were killed, and three of the peasants. On that evening the dead and dying bodies were attended by Fr. O'Keeffe. One of the peasant's body was brought and waked in the little chapel at Knocktopher. Many from the neighbourhood were arrested and placed in Kilkenny Jail. There is a tradition that Dara O'Connell remained some time with the Friars in Knocktopher, before before the Assizes were held in Kilkenny, in order to learn for himself the true state of affairs. He was instrumental afterwards in releasing all the prisoners. The Very Rev. Eugene Cullen a native of Wicklow, was made prior in 1832. On seeing the

men for the Order. Knocktopher was selected. A site was given and the White Abbey of the Holy Saviour was built by James, second Earl of Ormond and grandson of the already mentioned Edmund de Bhuitléir. This monastery was established in 1356, although its community came there long before that time, and lived in a little cottage close to Manor Castle where the old Corporation of Knocktopher held its meetings. This new monastery was then made the head house of the Irish Province. The life led by the friars seemed to have a great charm for the young Irish of the district. Numbers hastened to this abbey, whose halls were soon filled with eager scholars to imbibe the knowledge which those religious imparted.
In 1396, when Henry Brown was Prior, the king granted to the Abbey two parts of the temporalities of the See of Ossory. The Friars soon set about reclaiming the land, which was mostly bog, planting portions with trees and running water courses through the land and gardens, which served for a two fold benefit - for irrigating the grounds in summer and as mill races. They owned and conducted a celebrated paper mill, which was situated next to the present Ballyhale Dairy and C0-operative Stores. The Carmelites here for nearly two hundred years were unstinted in their zeal, not only in

refuge in the Wilderness. Many of the natives joined them and when St Patrick came to Ireland he found Christians who had already arrived at an eminent degree of sanctity. Patrick himself had a particular devotion to the Prophet of Carmel who on one occasion came to his assistance and consoled him after he had been most violently assaulted by Satan.
It is easy then to realize how eagerly the faithful welcomed the coming of the Carmelites into Ireland in the thirteenth century. Monasteries were rapidly founded for them all over the country and the lives led therein seemed to have a great charm for Irishmen of all classes, young and old, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, noble and humble, vied with each other, in entering upon the most perfect practice of the religion of Jesus Christ in those monasteries. The Carmelite Doctors like the monks of old, when Ireland was known as the Island of Saints and Scholars were imparting a knowledge to their eager scholars, who in after life found themselves influenced for the better, by the practical lessons received while inmates of the cloisters of Carmel. The Carmelite monastery at Knocktopher was founded in 1300.
Before the village of Knocktopher passed into the hands of Edmund de Butléir, father of the

first Earl of Ormond, the Carmelite friars had made their way to the district. As we have no documentary evidence of the old foundation of Knocktopher, we can only rely on tradition, of which the following is still extant among the people. Having landed at Waterford before the death of St Simon Stock, a small band of Carmelite friars, nestled beneath Garrison Castle the old residence of the Ormond family. The beauty and quietness of the place struck the Friars so forcibly, that they exclaimed in the words of St Peter "it is good for us to be here". "Here we have come and here we will stay". They came into the village of Knocktopher, exact time is not known, and finding the villagers so warm-hearted towards them, they decided on remaining where they were, always supported by the ever-generous and pious people of the village and district.The Order having spread rapidly in Ireland, it was decided at a General Chapter held in England to make Ireland a distinct province. In 1351 Fr Robert Seale was elected Provincial of the Order in Ireland. During his term of office he wished to have a suitable place far away from the bustle and turmoil of the towns, for the proper education and discipline of the young

save perhaps under the ten general persecutions under the Roman Emperors. The Churches and Monasteries were confiscated and the priests and Monks exiled or martyred; the sord and the rack and the gibbet reeked in the blood of Ireland's martyrs. Driven from their homes the mountain fastnesses, the bog and the forest protected the priest and his faithful flock from the axe and the halter.
On the feast of St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin, in the year 1543, the ruthless hand of this rapacious king seized upon all the vast possessions of Knocktopher Abbey, and sold the greater portion with the Abbey to one Thomas Barnwell for ever, at a charge of 4/-. Irish per annum. A small portion was alotted to Thomas White, together with the Castle, which place is still called White's Castle. Thus the White Abbey of Knocktopher and all its glories, passed away, and so were the poor robbed of consolation, youth of education, and the people in general of the many blessings that ever flow from the sanctuary. The poor Carmelite Friars, having been driven from their homes

forced him to go through the ceremony of feasting upon the papers. As they were all enjoying themselves in stall-feeding Butler Father Parr, a Friar from Knocktopher, came upon the scene and relieved Butler of his painful operation, when he had almost mastigated all the processes save one. Fearing a repetition of his unpalatable repast he considered it necessary to apply for and obtain the protection of a considerable police force.On the 14th December 1831, a strong force was assembled at Kilmonganny from the numerous stations about that neighbourhood. It consisted altogether of about forthy men and was commanded by a Chief Constable, whose name was Gibbons. On the morning in question this body, attending the process server whose unjust duty that day was to serve a writ on Mr. Walsh of Rockhall, proceeded from Kilmoganny to Newmarket, thence to Hugginstown where they arrived about eleven o'clock. On its march to Hugginstown the bells of the Roman Catholic Churches of Newmarket, Knocktopher and Ballyhale all of which lie at a distance of about two miles

Since the De Dannans were in Ireland in the olden days, people have still a belief in fairies and raths.
There is a great fairy wood on the Barristown road opposite a sign post on the road from where Knocktopher or Waterford.
About one hundred years ago, a young girl about eighteen years was on her way from Knocktopher at ten

The ruins of an old castle is situated in Kilcurl about one mile and a half south of Knocktopher. There is also a Rath very near it.
One night a few Winters ago there was a man coming from a wake house, he had to pass this lonely spot and felt very nervous at the thought. It was one oclock in the morning, so when he had gone about ten yards beyond this lonely spot, he thought he heard somebody calling him. He looked around and he saw the shadow of an old woman.
The man asked who was there and what did he or she want. The shadow answered him and said "Friend," for forty years I have wandered about this lonely spot in hope of seeing you, and now my spirit is released for my father has ordered me to deliver the following message to you and told me I would know no peace until I had done so."
There is wealth untold including, bars of gold, precious stones, and a small wooden chest full of golden coins, buried beneath the south wall of this old castle. The spot where it is buried is right opposite the Maple tree, and there is a white cross on one big stone in the wall right over the spot. "Go, seek and when you find, give twenty pounds to the prior of Knocktopher Church for masses for my fathers soul. With that the shadow disappeared.

Some years ago there lived a priest at Knocktopher whose name was Father Canavan. He was never afraid of being out late at night.
This night, however, while returning home from visiting some friends at Stonecarthy, he though he heard footsteps coming behind him. He turned around but saw nothing. While he was passing "Reids Quarry", he thought he head a voice saying "Where are you going." The priest did not stop but continued his journey home.
When he had gone a good distance, and thought that he was safe, the voice cried out again, "Will you tell me where you are going or you shall not return this night."
The priest became frightened and said, "I am returning home from visiting my friends." Then the voice said "What friends have you been visiting."
The priest gave no answer, but continued his journey again. When he reached Knocktopher he was very tired and frightened.
Ever afterwards he always stayed indoor's at night.

One night a certain man in this locality was going home from Knocktopher riding a horse.
When he was passing Kilcurl crossroad two big grey hounds jumped out in front of him. He turned back and went to the priests in Knocktopher.
He told his story to the priest. The priest took a two shilling piece out of his pocket and blessed it. He told him that he must do his duties.
The man went home. As he was passing his farm gate his horse fell dead. When he went home he saw the same hounds at the front door. When they saw him they began to groan. He got afraid and said to himself "I will never miss mass he walked to the door and saw nothing.

I live in the village of Rosboultra in the Parish of Ballyhale, in the Barony of Knocktopher, and in the County Kilkenny. Rosboultra is about two miles to the North-East of Castegannon school. No one knows the English

As our school is situated in the barony of Knocktopher it is thought fair to mention same. The following was given to me by Rev W Dwyer at the moment Prior, who

stretching along the banks of the nore was always very productive of wheat, which was an excellent crop that year. The poor and the labourer suffered most in this country. The Friars at Knocktopher received an ample amount of wheat whcih was bought up by the local gentry for no small sum, but for no other purpose than to ship it to England. However the poor of the district were not wanting, while the generosity of Fr. Cullen spent itself over the surrounding districts. He died in the Carmelite Convent Aungier St Dublin, Feb 1879.

Virgin Mary according to their rule. This was done in 1645 by the aid of the good people of Knocktopher. They lived here secretly and administered for over one hundred years.
In 1750, when the Very Rev. John Prendergast was Prior, they removed to the village of Knocktopher. On ground given to the Friars, a small thatched cabin and convent in the shape of an oblong cabin was built on the roadside, the site of which now forms a beautiful piazza to the present church.
Carrickshock.
The Very Rev. High Geraghty, a Connaught man, succeeded him and was prior until 1806. He died September 6th 1820, at the advanced age of 103 years. He was buried in the little chapel, and a black marble monument was erected to his memory, but when the present new church was built, his remains were removed to the Sanctuary. The Very Rev. Fr. Reynolds, a native of Moate, was Prior for a number of years. He was Professor in the College of Salamance in Spain, where Dr Marum, who was afterwards Bishop of Ossory, was numbered among his pupils. During this time a great agitation arose among the