Mellison

(Dr. Willie Nolan)

Maghlion-magh naithin was an old medieval parish and is mentioned in the earliest papal taxation records.  The castle seems to have been an outpost of the Cantwell family, under-lords of the Butlers of Ormond who owned Lanespark and the surrounds.  Their family centre was Moycarkey Castle.

 In 1447 the people of Glengoole, Mellisson and Lickfinn petitioned the Earl of Ormond for help after McGillpatrick of Ossory and others raided the region.  Their plea was supported by the Archbishop of Cashel and the Abbot of Holycross.  In 1532 John Cantwell, Lord of Mellisson died and was buried in Kilcooley Abbey.  

 A battle between the Fitzpatricks of Ossory and the Cantwells was fought at a place called ‘the Standing’ where the Munster men had gathered to give battle. Local tradition also has the battle fought in Poynstown, in a field called Clonmel.

 The castle at Mellison was traditionally supposed to have been besieged by Cromwell's army and the inhabitants put to the sword, but there is no evidence to support this and the Civil Survey gives the impression that the castle was deserted by 1640, only the "walls of an old castle standing".  The Civil Survey lists a Pierce Croake, an "Irish papist", as owning Mellisson, an area of approximately 1000 plantation acres.  While the castle was in disuse, the Croakes may have lived in the old great house, which ruins are still evident.  

 In the post-Cromwellian period, a Thomas Butler of Mellisson was transplanted to Connaught with Pierce Cantwell of Poynstown.  No recorded information was found on Mellisson church.