RATHBEAGH, a parish, in the barony of CRANAGH, county of KILKENNY, and province of LEINSTER, 2 ½ miles (N. E.) from Freshford, on the upper road from Kilkenny to Ballyragget; containing 736 inhabitants. This place, which is situated on the river Nore, is supposed to be the ancient Argiodross, and the residence of Heremon, one of the sons of Milesius, who came into Ireland and laid the foundation of the Milesian dynasty in that kingdom. The parish comprises 2281 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, which are mostly in a state of profitable cultivation. The ancient manor-house of Clone, formerly the residence of Sir Toby Caulfeild, ancestor of the Earl of Charlemont, and now in the occupation of H. Nixon, Esq., is within the parish. Fairs are held on the 1st of May and November, and Dec. 6th, chiefly for stock, and are well attended; a constabulary police force is stationed here. It is a rectory, in the diocese of Ossory, forming part of the union of Freshford, or Aghour; the tithes amount to £215. In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union of Lisdowney. About 220 children are taught in a school at Clone, in connection with the New Board, of Education. On the bank of the river Nore, at this place, is a mount 40 yards in length and 25 in breadth on the summit, and encircled by a double fosse.

(Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837); Transcription © Derek Rowlinson, 2005-10. Reproduced from LibraryIreland. We are deeply grateful to LibraryIreland for allowing us to use their transcription.)