"Don't count your chickens before they are hatched" is advice that might have been kept in mind when naming a new Co Kildare town Prosperous.
Writing of this town, Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1837) stated: "from the flattering prospect of success which grew with every attempt, the town rather prematurely derived its name".
The town owes its origin to Mr Richard Brooke who, towards the end of the 18th century, expended a large fortune in attempting to set up cotton manufacturing here. In less than three years a town consisting of 200 houses was built, together with the establishment of the various branches of the manufacture of cotton.
Included was the printing of linen and cotton goods and the making of the requisite machinery connected with all the works. But, "Ni mar a siltear a bitear". When a government grant of £25,000 failed to resuscitate the ailing business a second grant was sought in 1786, but refused.
This threw 14,000 looms out of employment and, though the manufacture continued on a very limited scale, the 1798 attack on Prosperous put an end to that. The town "declined in importance" and by 1837 it was "little more than a pile of ruins".
On May 24th, 1798, Richard Swayne, the commander of the Sallins yeomen, heard that Prosperous had been attacked by a great mob of rebels, believed to be commanded by his own first lieutenant, Dr Esmonde. He engaged the rebels there but decided they were too strong for him.
While preparing to make a tactical retreat, a yeoman named Mite, who had not been on duty that evening, confessed to Griffith that he had accompanied Esmonde when he led the rebels for the attack on Prosperous, but had made his escape before the attack began.
Hardly had Griffith heard that confession when Esmonde himself appeared in his usual place at the right of the troop, "his Hair dressed, his Boots and Breeches quite clean and himself fully accoutred". When they arrived in Naas Esmonde was lodged in the gaol. A ballad commemorates this betrayal.
Phil Might the informer cruel
He robbed us of our jewel
May the heavens vengeance on him pour down
God and His holy angels may forever hate him,
May he be afflicted with the heavenly frown.
The Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society contains an article entitled, "Donore near Carragh in the Barony of Clane" (Lena Boylan and Michael Dempsey) which gives a list of "Hussey's Tenants 18th Century Farmers", among whom, for the year 1797 was Luke Might, Donore, sharing 11 acres there with one James Meaghan, "to hold for the lives of Luke Might aged 10 years, eldest son of Philip Might, which said Philip is eldest son of said Luke Might, and John Might aged 6 years, 3rd son of said Philip Might and of Peter Might aged 3 years, 4th son of Philip Might".
In 1822 Luke Might surrendered the above lease. "In Prosperous Phil Might of Cock Bridge is remembered with infamy for informing on Doctor Esmond in 1798."
Neither de Bhulbh's Sloinnte na hEireann/Irish Surnames, nor Mac Lysaght's The Surnames of Ireland, nor Basil Cottle's Penguin Dictionary of Surnames contains Might or Mite. Nor is there a single entry, in either spelling, in any of Ireland's telephone directories.
The last listing of this name we found is that of Catherine Might, confectioner, 42 North King Street, Dublin in 1836 and again in 1850.
According to the Irish Fiants of the Tudor Sovereigns, Thomas Might and Henry Colley (or Cowley) were given authority in the year 1561 to take for the use of the army salt, wine, wood, timber, lime, brick and coal; also bakers, brewers, coopers, millers, mariners, and labourers; and bakehouses, brewhouses, garnells, and cellars for stowage.
Two years later this pair were appointed as surveyors of victuals, to take for the use of the army wheat, malt, beeves, bacon, butter, cheese, saltfish, wine, salt, hops, casque, and other victuals, with necessary artisans and means of carriage and storage.
In 1567, and again in 1580, Thomas Might, gent, was named as surveyor-general of victuals to supply the garrisons. In 1569 Thomas Might, gent, assignee of Gabriel Crofts Esq., to alienate to Robert Dillon, of the Newtown, by Trym, or his nominee, the hospital of S. John of Kilkenny, Co Westmeath, and other premises.
In 1576 a commission was formed in Dublin to hear on appeal a matrimonial case between Mary Breerton, of Pheghans (Preghane, Co Cork) and Thomas Might of Dublin.
And Cock Bridge from whence Phil Might? Perhaps the "Cock" is the anglicised form of the name of Saint Coca contained in Cill Choca, Kilcock. The Irish name of Prosperous is An Corrchoill (the noticeable/tapering wood) anglicised Curryhills, naming a townland in the Co Kildare parish of Killybegs.