County Meath, Province of Leinster, Ireland, British Isles

In 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare (age 47) attended Parliament in Drogheda [Map] to answer charges of treason. Both were found guilty and attain. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond sought sanctuary in Drogheda Priory [Map] where he was captured by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 40). On 14th February 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond was summarily beheaded. He was buried initially in St Peter's Church Drogheda [Map] then Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map]. Some accounts claim John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester also murdered two of his young sons. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare escaped and was subsequently pardoned and attainder reversed when King Edward IV found Ireland was ungovernable without him. In 1470 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland under George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 18) which position he held until the Duke's death in 1478.

In 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare (age 47) attended Parliament in Drogheda [Map] to answer charges of treason. Both were found guilty and attain. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond sought sanctuary in Drogheda Priory [Map] where he was captured by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 40). On 14th February 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond was summarily beheaded. He was buried initially in St Peter's Church Drogheda [Map] then Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map]. Some accounts claim John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester also murdered two of his young sons. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare escaped and was subsequently pardoned and attainder reversed when King Edward IV found Ireland was ungovernable without him. In 1470 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland under George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 18) which position he held until the Duke's death in 1478.

In 1794 Francis Johnston (age 34) designed Townley Hall Drogheda built between 1794 and 1798.

1908. Robert Welch (age 48). Loughcrew Burial Mounds [Map].

Druids Altar aka Rathkenny Portal Tomb [Map] is located in pastureland to the east of Rathkenny House. The tomb consists of a large capstone, approximately 3.25 meters long, 2.55 meters wide, and 0.85 meters thick, leaning diagonally on the ground. It leans against the only upright stone, the sole surviving orthostat. The underside of the capstone, estimated to weigh around 20 tons, and the north side of the orthostat are adorned with carved arches and cup-like markings known as "cups."

Journal of the Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland 1868 Pages 40-46. The next illustration (see Plate facing p. 42, fig. 3) represents the "primary" or "earth-fast" cromleac of Rathkenny, Co. Meath [Druids Altar aka Rathkenny Portal Tomb [Map]]. Its general similarity to that at Headfort is at once apparent, but it is a far finer example of rude constructive skill. The inclined slab measures 10' 10" + 8' 6” + 3' 0," it slopes to the N.N.E. at an angle of 37° to the horizon, and rests against an angular undressed block of grit, measuring four feet above the ground, and 2 + 1' 6" at its sides.

The upper surface of the large stone is profusely covered with small cup-shaped hollows, some of which may be natural, and due to unequal weathering away of the calcareous portion of the grit; but many of them are certainly artificial.

Near the lower edge of this slab, and over the space between the cup-hollows, there are numerous scraped oghamic looking "graffiti," many of which are somewhat similar in character to those markings on the "earth-fast" rock at Ryefield, Co. Cavan, which I have already figured and described in our "Journal." The under surface of this stone is ornamented near its N. W. angle by a group of seven small circles, produced by rude punchings; the largest measures nine inches, and the smallest four and a half inches in diameter. The supporting stone of this cromleac is similarly decorated on its inner face by another group of semicircles, equal in size, but differently arranged to the former. My friend, Mr. Eugene Conwell, has described this singularly interesting "earth-fast" cromleac, and fully illustrated it from my sketches in the "Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy;" vol. ix. p. 541; and he has there expressed his conviction, that this remain was never more perfect than as we now see it — an idea in which I fully concur.

On 18th January 1425 Edmund Mortimer 5th Earl March 7th Earl of Ulster (age 33) died at Trim Castle. He was buried at Clare Priory, Suffolk [Map]. His nephew Richard (age 13) succeeded 6th Earl March, 5th Earl of Ulster, 8th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.