LOCAL

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THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR were established in 1118 A.D. as a military and religious order, as were the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, founded in 1092. Strictly, the Knights of St. John were at first not military, but cared for the sick, and so they were called the Knights Hospitaler. They wore a red Surcoat with a plain white cross whilst on military duties, and their shield was black, charged with a silver cross of eight points, now familiarly referred to as the Maltese Cross.
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR were primarily a military order, and were given as their headquarters part of the palace built on the site of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, and so became known as the "Poor Knights of the Temple." Their surcoat in battle was white with a red cross of eight points on the left shoulder. Their shield was divided horizontally black and white - party per fess, sable and argent - denoting ferocity to their foes. but graciousness to their friends. Their war-cry was "Beauseant" - seated with honor; their motto was "Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tua da gloriam".

ORIGINALLY their main cause was the defense of the holy places in Palestine, and they became famous as ruthless and successful fighters, and they were granted recognition by Pope Honorius II. To pay for their warlike activities, they collected monies throughout Europe, and became successful bankers. Eventually they attracted enemies envious of their wealth, and led by Philip IV of France, they became persecuted, and accused of heresy, so that in 1312 Pope Clement V was persuaded to abolish the Order. The French King seized most of the wealth of the Order, whilst their lands passed to the Knights of St. John.

THE FAMINE HOSPITAL & PILL BOXES

In Askeaton, a famine Hospital was set up to care for the dying and very ill.

During the famine, askeaton had two auxiliary workhouses one was located in the main street, and the other in brewery lane.

the population of the town in 1841 was 1862 people. the population in 1891 was 804 people.

The pill boxes are located in areas surrounding the town and were set up in case of an emergency during the second world war. they were manned by the local defense forces in the event of an invasion.

THE RAILWAY STATION

Askeaton railway station was built in the 1850's by the limerick and foynes railway company. Askeaton's fortunes, in railway term, have always been linked to that of foynes and if foynes had not prospered, the line would have been closed many years ago. there are now no services serving askeaton but it was not always so. up to the 1950's a passenger train was based in foynes, and it worked up in the morning to ballingraine, connecting with the tralee to limerick passenger train. the carriages were then left in Ballingrane and the steam engine worked a freight train to foynes. the coming of the southern chemicals company to askeaton brought much traffic to askeaton in the form of lime and Aerobord and often up to eight wagons per day were loaded for dispatch to all parts.

Dunworths are the gatekeepers and the station is kept in top condition

RINGFORTS

There are many ring and stone forts throughout Askeaton which confirm our pre-Christian history.

in Ballinachera, (Foleys of Miltown), there lies a massive stone fort which gives the place its name - Baile na Cathrach - The town of the Fort.

this pre- historic site has a 14 foot thick wall surrounding it. in the town land of Toomdeely, there is an ancient Megalithic tomb which probably dates to about 3,000 BC. most of our stone and ring forts are considered treasure by the national museum of Ireland.

Beeves Rock

Beeves rock is a lighthouse situated in the River Shannon about three miles north of Askeaton.

It serves as a harbour light for guiding ships up and down the Shannon.

In October 1812 the limerick Chamber of Commerce made a request that the Beeves Rock should be marked by a perch (marker light). The board agreed, providing the cost did not exceed £20.

Sixteen months later the resolution for a perch was suspended in favour of a more substantial tower of beacon proposed by the limerick council.

The following month, march, Trinity house sanctioned a beacon, thirty feet high. lack of funds delayed the start on the building until august 1815 but, by early 1816, the tower was completed with an outside stone stairway leading to a door into a room under the roof. it was anticipated that the tower would be converted at a later date into a lighthouse. by may 1816 the tower had been properly finished by painting and whitewashing.