Delvin.

(Decendants of Dealbhaeth.)

Delvin is a quiet country village in county Westmeath situated about halfway between Mullingar and Kells on the N 52, the name is derived from Dealbhna (The name of the people of the area.) The town center is dominated by the ruined remains of a fifteenth century Norman castle, and a large roofless church which obviously served an extensive parish at one time.

The overgrown graveyard beside the church, contains many finely carved headstones, testament to the one time importance and wealth, of the individuals below. And to mans futile attempt at earthly immortality, thwarted as time dissolves carefully chosen words, carved by long dead masons hands.

At the south of the town is a mound which was once a motte and bailey built by Hugh de Lacy in 1181 for his brother in law Gilbert de Nangle (de Angulo) to whom he granted the Barony od Delvin. From Gilbert descended the Nugent family, the most notable of which was Francis Nugent who founded the Irish provence of the Capuchin order in the seventeenth century. It is thought the motte was built on the site of an earlier fortification. Westmeath became a county in its own right in 1541 when it was split from Meath.

Delvin was the subject of the book 'Valley of the Squinting Windows' (1918) by Brinsley McMamara. The villagers outraged seeing themselves thinly disguised, burnt the book in the town square.

The Caman Inn situated on the main street of Delvin, epitomizes the Irish country town pub, where you can get a pleasant meal, and sample the best of Irish hospitality.

From the Annals of Clonmacnoise.

In 1038 AD, it is recorded that there was great "contention and fraye" between those of Delvin MacCoghlan and those of Imaine (Ui Maine/Lusmagh) in Clonmacnoise on St. Ciarans Day. Two battles that day resulted in the death of 33 persons of Imanie.

In the following year, 1039 AD, Leithmanchan (Lemanaghan) was preyed upon and spoiled by those of Imanie (Ui Maine/Lusmagh) in revenge for the falling out between those of Imanie and those of Delvin in Clonmacnois before.