An old fortified residence seated on the side of a hill commanded the entrance to the beautiful vale of St. Johnstown. Presently dismantled and unroofed this ancient stronghold is otherwise in remarkable preservation. Judging from its style of architecture, the castle belongs to the 16th Century and is a fine example of the baronial Mansion of that day marking a transition period between the ruder feudalism of bygone days and the luxurious elegance of later times.  Knockelly did belong to the Everard family but it is also associated with another family, around whose history, it would appear, a romantic interest hangs. A Monument in Trinity Church, Fethard bears the following inscription It is traced on a slab of grey marble or finely, polished limestone-
"Here underfoot is interred the body' of Robert Jolly, formally of Theobalds, in Hartford-shire in England and late of Knockelly, Esquire who died the 20th day of August 1709 and in the 52 year of his age."

Immediately, above the inscription there is a richly enfloreated shield, charged with the Arms of the family and canopied over b a heavily moulded entablature of triangular form. There is little of artistic form attached to this monument but tradition renders it interesting. Robert Jolly it would appear belonged to a cavalry regiment stationed at Fethard with his company in or about 1680. At the same time there was living within the walls of the old borough an Orphan girl named Ellinor Meagher who was under the guardianship of Mrs St. John. He was a young man of very prepossessing appearance. Herself and Jolly fell in love but this was soon broken off as the regiment had suddenly to go on active foreign service. Miss Meagher soon alter this went with an English lady as companion to London and while there came to the notice of a very •• rich Jew who was enchanted by her beauty and offered her all his wealth for her hand in marriage.
The faithless Ellinor forgot her first love and caught by the glitter of the untold wealth now placed within her reach, she favoured his suit and was married. Years passed and        sometimes darken the splendid horizon of her gaities and pleasure. Often she desired to know whether he whose confidence she first gained were yet living, but no tidings could be had as to his fate, and at length she bean to think that he must have been killed in action. In the course of time the Gen. died, having sometime before his death, prepared a will leaving all his property to his young wife who had induced the credulous old man to believe that she was soon to give birth to an heir, who should inherit his wealth. He was buried and "Ellen Meagher"-for she was still known by that name to her relatives and friends in Fethard soon began to spend her newfound wealth. It is said that she drove the finest carriages, in great splendor through the streets of London. As she passed one day by the chief military barracks of that city she recognized her old acquaintance and lover Robert Jolly walking along the period footway. And alighting addressed him thus: - Was he ever stationed in Ireland had he been in Fethard did he know a girl there named lien Meagher and was his name Jolly’. The soldier replied 'Yes" and then with tears, for she could no longer contain her emotion she confessed that she, indeed, was the same Ellen Meagher who had won his heart, and who yet retained the most ardent affection for him. She begged of him to call on her mansion the next day. He did so, and the rich and young widow offered him her hand in marriage; which we need scarcely observe, he was only too eager to accept. The dream of his life was no more the realized. The happy couple resolved to return to Ireland and soon after came to reside in Jolly's native place-Fethard, where the chose Knockelly Castle which was then in all its glory as their future home. There they lived for many years, dispensing a profuse hospitality.
It is believed that a large proportion of their wealth was employed in the acquisition of land and house property' in the towns of Fethard and Clonmel. Robert Jolly had three daughters, one married Counceilor Gahan of Coolquil Castle, whose descendants, were successive "sovereigns" of Fethard. Another daughter married Counselor Meagher of Kilmore, near Clonmel while the third married a member of the Irish Bar. At the foot of Jolly's monument there is a small flag set in the floor of the Church in Fethard and supposed to mark the entrance to the family vault. An iron ring is fixed into the slab, which itself bears the following record:-

"This ground was purchased by Ellen (Meacher)
Consort to Robert Jolly, Esq., 1709
"Richard Bourgh, Rector
Church Wardens
"Thomas Hackett"
"Gart Goss"

Two years later, Madame Jolly, anxious to prove her gratitude for being enabled to obtain a place for internment of her husband inside the walls of the Church, presented to its congregation a magnificent Communion Service of Plate.  The 'service' consisted of a massive two handled silver cup or flagon, also a chalice and paten.
Around the former close to the runs the following inscription:- 'This cup was given to the Church of Fethard by Mrs. Ellinor Jolly', in consideration of a 'piece of ground, given by the Ministers and Church 'Wardens for the burying-place for her family: Anno 1711"
About 1870 this Church was remodeled and improved at great expense by the then parishioners with the zealous co-operation of the Rector of that time Rev. J.A. Long A.M. It was one of the handsomest and interesting of its time in Ireland, with its ancient battlemented tower, its ivyed transepts, and many noble monuments. Situated in the North Aisle, under an arched recess, there is a remarkable tomb belonging to the Hackett’s. It is covered by a horizontal slab of black marble, which broad as it is seemed scarce large enough for the inscription. Traced in old Latin text, it turns, in and out, through the arms of the richly sculptured cross, and runs with many a ribbon fold in every direction.