Extracted from the History of the Queen's County (Laois/Leix) "In the immediate neighbourhood of Aghaboe Protestant Church, tradition yet points out in the fields the position and direction of former roads, that led to his old monastery. In some cases, the inhabitants have found traces of ancient stone foundations, disposed in groups. These are supposed to indicate sites for houses, belonging to the effaced City of Aghaboe. The writer was assured of such statements as being facts; for his attention had been directed to various spots in confirmation, by a respectable resident and local proprietor. There, too, were objects to be found, said to have been associated with the memory of St. Canice, and a popular veneration was paid to him. In part of a rich pasture field, some aged hawthorn branches were to be seen, and beneath them there was a small pile, resembling a stone cairn. My informant (Mr. Jeremiah Dunne, J.P. who was owner of the place on which this object might be seen) told me a tradition that the coffin of St. Canice had been laid there before his interment, by the people of Aghaboe. When the writer visited that Spot,(1869) one of the aged hawthorns had fallen ten years previously, and it lav across the ordinarily travelled roadway. Although the trunk was greatly decayed, yet its branches were partially covered with green leaves; and although this tree caused considerable obstruction owing to its position, the proprietor of the farm obliged his drivers to take a detour when passing by the spot, nor would the poorest person in the locality dare to remove any of the rotten branches for firewood. This feeling was generated by a long-established reverence for the sanctity of holy Canice, and through a fear of desecrating any object however remotely connected with him. Somewhat removed from this spot, and, in the centre of the same field, a depression in form of a cross was shown, and here it is said, the saint's coffin was laid a second time, while the citizens of Kilkenny and Aghaboe were about to engage in a deadly conflict for possession of Blessed Canice's remains. Before they came to blows, however, the miraculous apparition of a strange man moved down over the ditch, which fenced a former-road, now completely obliterated, according to popular tradition. He besought all present to go into the adjoining field, where their differences might be adjusted. On complying with his request, they were then told to return, when they found two coffins remaining on the cross, where St. Canice's remains had been deposited. They were told to remove one coffin to Kilkenny and the other to Aghaboe. The mysterious stranger, supposed to have been St. Canice, then disappeared; whereupon the contending factions departed, both bearing a coffin respectively to either destination. Hence, the people of this place contend it is not possible to say, whether St. Canice had been interred in Kilkenny or in Aghaboe, although they hope it was in the latter place as being his earliest foundation. Such is the local legend, while it is so interesting and popular, we cannot, omit placing it on record. "