History in Dublin
Antiquities | Architecture | History |
East Leinster includes the counties of Louth, Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Wicklow, and Wexford. Being that portion of Ireland which lies nearest to Britain it has been more subj fe1 ected to English influence than the western portions of the island. It is probable that in early times the connection between Ireland and the Continent was direct, and that the Celts came from thence without first passing through England ; but even allowing this to be so, it must be admitted that in later times the dominant feature in Irish history has been its geographical position as regards England.
In a.d. 1142 when Domhnall O Cearbhaill, prince of Oriel, gave a grant of land on the banks of the Mattock, St Bernard sent over a number of monks from Clairvaux, who colonised the new foundation. Once the order was introduced it quickly spread, and within a few- years of .the foundation of Melhfont five other foundations, namely :-Bective, Bovie, Monastcranenagh, Baltinglas, and Shrule had been colonised from it. Archbishop Malachias died in 1148 at Clairvaux in the arms of St Bernard. Mellifont was the principal Cistercian house in Ireland, its abbot taking precedence over all the Irish Cistercian abbots. It became exceedingly prosperous in later times, and received a charter from both Henry II. and King John, while the unfortunate Dearbhforgaill, who died within its walls, endowed it with lands. At the dissolution of the monasteries Melhfont came into the possession of Edward Moore, ancestor of the 
marquis of Drogheda. It now belongs to the Balfours of Townley Hall. The abbey church was cruciform ; the nave had seven bays. The north wall of the north transept contains a fine doorway. The best preserved remains are those of the chapter house, and of the lavabo. The former consisted of two stories, with a handsome groined roof. The latter was an octagonal building : it is now roofless, but the corbels and groins for supporting a stone roof can be observed. Cathedrals and Churches