Ballyhealy

This townland name appears in various forms in early manuscripts, such as Ballydufathely - Balydofantly - Balydofcanly - Balyduhaly - Balydonhay - Ballehalie, etc.

According to Sir John Brooks, in his book "Knights' Fees in Counties Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny", the earliest written form in 1247, Ballydufathely, '... preserves what is presumably the original form, which should give a clue to the interpretation of the name'.

The name could be broken down as follows: 'Bally - duf - ath - ely', in Irish it would possibly read Baile - dubh - ath - elai' - "The dark or (shaded) town or townland of the ford of swans', but of course other interpretations could be gleaned from the name, which is probably coined in 'old Irish".

The present Irish form of the name is Baile Ui'h - E'ile' - Healy's town or townland.

Ballyhealy Castle

The Cheevers family are believed to have originated in 'Chievres' the 'Duchy of Lorraine' in Normandy, and went into England with 'William the Conqueror' in the Norman invasion of that country in 1066 A.D.

A William Chiever held seven townships in Devonshire according to the 'Domesday Book' (Domesday Book = This was a register of the lands of England compiled during the years 1084 - 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, from the results of a great survey, forming a basis for all history accounts of England at that epoch), and a Sir Hammond Chevere held 'Chever's Manor', Norfolk in 1230 A.D. (The Wexford Cheevers may be descended from this Sir Hammond).

According to "Brooks Knights Fees" the earliest of the name to be recorded in Ireland was William Chevre of Ballyhealy who was a witness to the Charter of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, to the Abbey of Tintern, Co. Wexford in 1207-11 A.D.

Sir John Brooks also records the following: 1247 Nicholas Chever, Ballydufathely (Ballyhealy) 1/2 Fee. 1307 Patrick Chevre, Balydofantly (Ballyhealy) 1/2 Fee. (Fee: Land and estate held of a superior).

Ballyealy Castle was the principal residence of Cheevers. For a period from the early 13th century to the middle of the 17th century, they were one of the most powerful and most important families in County Wexford, the castles and estates remaining in their possession for over 400 years. One branch of the family were traditionally known as ... "the great Cheevers" or "Lords of Mount Leinster" because of the large tracts of land they held in that district.

One tradition maintains there were four towers originally attached to Ballyhealy Castle but only one tower now remains. Cromwell's army laid siege to the castle in 1649, it was practically destroyed, but the towers are believed to have survived the onslaught. Again tradition suggest that three of the four towers were dismantled and used in the construction of farm buildings. The remaining tower is in a good state of preservation and is currently occupied and used as a guest house.

The 1/2 fee of Ballyhealy had passed to Patrick Cheevers by the year 1307, and he was a witness in 1317 to the charter granted by Alymer de Valance to Wexford.

A Nicholas Cheevers is mentioned as attorney of Maurice de London in a final concord (agreement) of 1241 concerning certain lands belonging to Dudbrody. He is the Nicholas mentioned in the Fee of 1247. A closedly related member of the family, Sir Nicholas Chever, married Sibilla de Borard, an heiress, and their line held estates in Rathculbin, Co. Kilkenny.

By 1355 this line of the family had disappeared, and the estates seem to have passed on to Richard Chever of Mallardstown, Co. Kilkenny, whose family had received it from the Mailard family. (Mallardstown is derived from Sir William Mailard, standard-bearer of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke in Ireland in 1207).

The Cheevers also held lands in Cullenstown, parish of Bannow, Co. Wexford. In 1314 "Nicholas, son and heir of Geoffrey Cheevers, undertook to appear before the Barons of the Exchequer and satisfy the King for the profits of the lands and tenements of 'Balycoloun' (Cullenstown) in the Manor of Old Ross for the whole time he occupied the lands and received the profits while they were in the hands of the King owning to his minority".

During the reign of King Edward III (1327 - 1377) John Cheever of Ballyseskin and Patrick Cheever of Ballyhealy were summoned to attend the Lord Justice with horse and arms. In 1426 a William Chevyr is pardoned by King Henry VI for his intrusion into the Manors of Balyduhaly (Ballyhealy), Balycolyn (Cullenstown?) made by him or any of his ancestors, and confirmed his status.

In 1483, during the reign of Edward IV, Walter Cheevers of Ballyhealy was commissioner for Co. Meath. Sir Walter Chievers (known as Walter Chievers of Ballyhealy) was married to Elinor, third daughter of Nicholas St. Laurence, sixteenth baron of Howth. Sir Walter's son, Christopher of Ballyhealy, was a very influential and extensive landowner in Co. Wexford.

Late in the 16th century Christopher Cheevers of Ballyhealy was seised (in possession) of the Manors of Ballehalie (Ballyhealy) and Ballycollen (Cullenstown) along with other lands. Sir Christopher Cheevers of Ballyhealy and Cullenstown was possessed of the tithes of Duncormick, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st (1558-1603).

On March 26th, 1618, at an Inquisition in Wexford - "Sir Christopher Cheevers was seised of one Castle with a certain messuage (a dwelling house with adjacent buildings) and 105 acres with appurtances (belongings), from the King in Capite (an old tenure by which land was held from the crown) by Knights Service, part of the Manor and Castle of Rathmore, Co. Kildare, and the Manor House and Castle of Graigeforth, Co. Carlow.

He was also in possession of over 2,000 acres, 700 of which in Duncormick called Commons, was held between himself, Devereux of Ballymagyr and Meyler of Duncormick, and all parts of the Manor of Ballyhealy. He died in 1640.

In the Civil Survey of 1654, Arthur Cheevers held the adjoining townlands of Grange, Graigue and Ballymadder in Bannow parish, while other lands in Bannow were held by John Cheevers of Macetown, Co. Meath, chief lord of the fee by burgage tenure (A tenure by which lands or tenements in towns or cities were held for a small yearly rent).

The Survey of 1654 also confirms that Deanes Castle with 210 acres attached, in the Parish of Carrig-on-Bannow, was in possession of Hammond Cheevers. Deanes Castle was built in 1290 by Sir Reginald le Denn, and later passed on to the Cheevers. The Cheevers were dispossessed of the property and the estate was granted to Nathaniel Boyse in 1666.

Killiane Castle in the parish of Piercestown was also held by the Cheevers. It was built about the latter half of the 15th century by either the Hays or Cheevers. The Cheevers occupied Killiane until it was confiscated during the Cromwellian Plantation. This estate was granted to Colonel Bunbury, an officer in Cromwell's army in 1656 in lieu of pay. This estate was later taken over by the Harveys.

In 1635 a Mark Cheevers was Mayor of Wexford. He was one of the deputation who negotiated with Cromwell in 1649.

There were 90 confiscations in the Barony of Bargy and 125 confiscations in the Barony of Forth. The following names were included in the lists:
John Cheevers, Maystown
John Cheevers esq.
Marcus Cheevers
Marcus Cheevers esq.
George Cheevers
George Cheevers esq.
Richard Cheevers
Arthur Cheevers
Haymond Cheevers
Thomas Cheevers
As some of the above held lands in both baronies, the names are probably duplicated. Of the 76 persons transplanted from Co. Wexford, there were two from the Cheevers family, namely: Arthur Cheevers, Ballymadder, and Marcus Cheevers, Gawetown. Of the eight Baronies of Co. Wexford, Forth and Bargy had by far the highest number of properties confiscated, a combined total of 215.

According to Petty's Census of Ireland taken in 1659, seven Cheevers are recorded in the Barony of Forth, there are no Cheevers recorded as residing in the Barony of Bargy. The number of inhabitants in the townland of Ballyhealy in the same census was 49 - there were 8 English, and 41 Irish and 'Old English'. (The 'Old English' were the descendants of the Norman invaders). There are no records of the once powerful Cheevers living in the parish at this time.

At the restoration of the Monarchy (1660), one John Cheevers petitioned Charles II to be restored the lands granted to his ancestors by Henry II after the invasion. He obtained a grant in the Barony of Killyan, Co. Galway in 1667. After the confiscations, both Ballyhealy Castle and Ballyseskin Castle and estates were granted to Colonel Bunbury.

A report in 1960 on the condition of the castle states: "The one remaining tower of this castle now stands isolated in a field near Kilturk Church. It is in excellent state of preservation. A very good stone staircase to the top, with a murdering hole above the inside entrance of the doorway. On the first floor there is a small chamber with three steps into it, and also two slit windows.

There is also below the stairs, a dungeon which has been opened up. Just before the entrance to the garderrobe (medieval lavatory) there is a sloping stone opening in the wall of the castle for the disposal of slops, etc. There is the usual vaulted roof over the ground floor, with corbels (a projection from a wall to support a weight) beneath. There are the remains of two fireplace with the lintels removed. There are good windows with stone seats.

Ballyseskin

The name has changed very little from the Irish form over the centuries and is much easier to decipher, being derived from Bally - 'Baile' - town, and seskin - 'seiscinn' - a marsh or boggy place = 'The townland of the marsh or boggy place'.

Ballyseskin Castle was also built and owned by the 'Cheevers of Ballyhealy', and remained in their possession for over 400 years.

A description of the castle written in 1831 reads as follows: "The remains of the ancient residence are a very fine and picturesque tower of large dimensions; to this is joined on the east side by a curtain wall - a small circular tower or turret, which guarded the angle of the courtyard. On the south side of the tower stood the great hall, enclosed by the outer walls". The castle is reported to have fallen during a sever storm in 1886. No trace of the castle now remains.

John Cheever of Ballyseskin was summoned among the gentlemen of the County to attend the Lord Justice of Ireland with horse and arms in 1345. "At an inquisition (investigation) at New Ross, January 21st, 1627 - Harold Cheevers was seised of the town and lands of Ballyseskin containing 107 acres which are held from Browne of Mulrankin as from his Manor of Mulrankin". In the Civil Survey of 1654, George Cheevers was proprietor of Ballyseskin Castle and 170 acres in the year 1640.

Colonel Bunbury who was granted the Ballyhealy and Ballyseskin estates, was appointed clerk of the Crown an Peace, Co. Wexford 1649. His son, the Rev. Thomas Banbury, married Anne Codd of Castletown in 1668.

Their descendants lived for many years in Ballyseskin. In the valuation of Tenements 1853, - H.K.G. Morgan was leassor of a house, offices and land to Bunbury Archer - totalling 101 acres. Ballyseskin is presently occupied by the Roche family.

The Rev. Robert Cheevers was a member of the Franciscan community in Wexford in 1554. The Very Rev. Robert Canon Cheevers, who died in 1570, was the last Catholic prebendary in the parish of Cloughbawn before the Dissolution.

The Rev. Didacus Cheevers was one of the seven Franciscan Friars slain by Cromwell in the massacre at Wexford in 1649.

In the current 05 area telephone directory, there are only thirteen entries of Cheevers, five of which are in Co. Wexford and eight in Co. Waterford. There are eleven entries of Cheevers in the 09 (Connaught) area telephone directory.

Sources:
"Knights' Fees, Counties Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny" - St. John Brooks.
"Irish Landed Gentry when Cromwell came to Ireland" - John O'Hart.
"Families of County Wexford" - Hilary Murphy.
"The Castles of County Wexford" - W.H. Jeffrey.
"History of the Diocese of Ferns" - W.H. Grattan Flood.
"The Dictionary of British Surnames" - P.H. Reaney.