RADDONSTOWN, or BALRODDAN, a parish, in
the barony of UPPER-DEECE, county of MEATH, and
province of LEINSTER, 1¾ mile (N. E.) from Kilcoek, on
one of the roads to Maynooth; containing 651 inhabitants.
This parish comprises 1705½ statute acres of
excellent land, about one-half of which is under tillage,
and the remainder meadow and pasture; the system of
agriculture is in an improved state, and there is no
waste land; coal is found but is not worked. The principal
seats are Dollandstown, the residence of A. U. Gledstanes,
Esq.; Newtown Prospect, of A. Coates, Esq.;
Bridestream, of J. Coates, Esq.; Colgath, of Mrs. Tronson;
and Raddonstown, of J. Morron, Esq. The Royal
Canal from Dublin passes the southern extremity of the
parish. The living is a rectory, in the diocese of Meath,
united from time immemorial to the rectories of Balfeighan,
Gallow, Drumlargan, and Kilcloan, and in the
patronage of the Crown. The tithes amount to £120,
and the gross value of the benefice is £485. 3. 7¼. per
ann.: the glebe consists of half an acre near the church,
which is an ancient plain edifice. In the R. C. divisions
the parish forms part of the union of Batterstown:
the chapel is a small edifice. The late Rev. W.
Tew bequeathed £200, of which he appropriated the interest
to the payment of a schoolmaster and schoolmistress
for the gratuitous instruction of children; also
£50 for anmial distribution among the poor: no school
has been yet established, and the money is lodged with
the Commissioners of charitable bequests. There is a
private school, in which are about 50 children, also a
dispensary. Near Raddonstown is a perfect Danish
fort.