BALLYBRITAS, a village and post-town, in
the parish of LEA, barony of PORTNEHINCH, QUEEN'S
county, and province of LEINSTER, 7¼ miles (N. E.)
from Maryborough, and 33 miles (S. W. by W.) from
Dublin; containing 168 inhabitants. This place is celebrated
for a battle which was fought here, in the reign
of Elizabeth, between a part of the army of the Earl of
Essex and the Irish, led by the chieftains O'Dempsey
and O'Moore, in which the former was defeated; and
from the circumstance of the latter cutting off the high
plumes worn by the English, the scene of the conflict
was called "the Pass of Plumes." The village, which is
situated on the high road from Dublin to Maryborough,
consists of about 30 houses neatly built, and has a
pleasing appearance. In the vicinity are Bellegrove, the
residence of G. Adair, Esq.; Glenmalire, of Mrs. Trench;
Rath, of T. Trench, Esq., the Derries, of R. M. Alloway,
Esq.; and Ashfield, of H. Birch, Esq. Fairs are held
on March 25th, May 12th, and Aug. 15th; petty sessions
are held once a fortnight; and here is a station of the
constabulary police. Near the village were formerly the
remains of an ancient castle, which belonged to the
O'Dempseys, Lords of Clanmalire, and was destroyed
in the time of Cromwell. See LEA.