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History of Timahoe
Timahoe is named after the founder Mochua. Mochua was not of the Loigse people by
birth but the son of Lonn of the Luigne a Connacht people. Timahoe in Irish translates to
Tigh Mochua because in this place Mochua founded a monastery.
It is believed that Mochua was a layman a warrior of wealth. “In his youth he was a very
warlike man and he always gained victory over his enemies. Thus he lived as a layman
for thirty years, before he drilled in the army of Christ. But having completed thirty years,
he was admonished by divine inspiration and, having been struck by the sword of
heavenly fear, he was converted to the faith of Christ. He became a monk and assumed
the clerical habit.”
Local folklore tells a similar story of a local prince who warring with other clans asked
the monks of Fossey to intervene. A meeting was arranged for ‘The Falling of the
Leaves', at which an agreement was made. A number of clans disagreed and open
warfare was declared in which there was great bloodshed. The young prince questioned
this insanity and decided to put off his own fine clothes and don the coarse cloth of a
monk. He prayed to God, he became holy but he was still My Hugh to his people. The
monastery of which he became abbot was his house, the people called it ‘The House of
my Hugh' or as they said in Irish Tigh Mochua.
Mochua's success in Timahoe may have persuaded him to leave, which he did, travelling
to Airgialla and founded the church of Darinis where he eventually died at the age of 99.
Some confusion exists over the date of founding of Timahoe but Mochua is believed to
have lived in the seventh century and the monastery dates from around this time.
Monasteries at this time were places of power and wealth, surplus food and settlements.
As a result they were often targets for Vikings and other raiders in search of food or
valuables. In 919 the burning of the Oratory of Mochua by the foreigners is recorded.
The Annals of the Four Masters records the details of many abbots in Timahoe reflecting
perhaps prosperity. The position of abbot was often hereditary – father handing on to
sons or nephews. 969 Finnguine Ua Fiachrach Abbot of Timahoe died. 1001 Conaing Ua
Fiachrach Abbot of Timahoe died. 1007 Finshnechta Ua Fiachrach Abbot of Timahoe
died. They also record the deaths of Gormgal 951 a lector of Timahoe. A lector would
indicate a school, scriptorium or library.
In the eleventh century the Ui Mhordha or O'Moores came to rule Laois. This clan was
tenacious and remained as lords of Laois until the seventeenth century giving great
support to Timahoe.
Ireland in the eleventh century was a violent place. This violence often happened in the
church also. In 1069 Mac Raith Ua Mhordha killed Gilla Muire in the doorway of the
oratory of Teach Mochua. Both had sworn on the Caimmin a relic associated with
Mochua.
In the twelfth century reforms took place in the church. These reforms were bad news for
old monastic churches like Timahoe, which lost much of its power and wealth as a result.
After the twelfth century there are no more references to any more abbots in Timahoe
although monks lived in Timahoe until the seventeenth century. The power and wealth
went to new monasteries often following the Cistercian way of life. In the case of
Timahoe this meant the foundation of a monastery at Abbeyleix which grew at
Timahoe's expense.
The conflict over kingship of Ireland in the twelfth century also impacted on Timahoe.
Tairdelbach Ua Conchobhuir, King of Connacht and Ireland spent his time putting down
those who opposed his kingship.
In 1142 he marched through Laois and burned the monastery in Timahoe. The O'Moores
refounded the monastery after this. In the reign of Henry the second, Hugh de Lacy built
a castle beside the monastery. It was enlarged by the Cosby family circa 1600 who came
into its possession through marriage.
During the war of Confederation 1642, the O'Moores retook the monastery and castle but
General Monk of the English army defeated them and put the castle and abbey in ruins.
Timahoe lost its importance as the O'Moores, the monastery's patrons, lost their power.
Hewson destroyed the nearby fortress of the O'Moores, Dunamaise, in 1650.
Hewson saw fit to come to Timahoe after this and he murdered all the friars of the
monastery and demolished their house. The place where they were massacred is still
called ‘the road of murder.'
After this Timahoe sank into obscurity, the Normans founded their own towns in Laois
which grew and developed. Timahoe went from capital of Laois to the remnants of a
monastery surrounded by a few houses, development and urbanisation passed it by. Little
has changed in Timahoe therefore since the seventeenth century. The medieval monastic
town is now a small rural village. The only remainder and reminder of our proud,
important past is our Round Tower.
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