The antiquities of Limerick and its neighbourhood

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Adare Castle under Confederates and Cromwellians

   Adare · townland · Limerick · 1641–1657

   In 1641 the Confederates held Adare Castle, but it had no warlike record and was not held against the Cromwellians. Popular belief invented a siege and destruction by Cromwell, though he never came farther into the county than Kilbheney Castle. The Government dismantled it in 1657.

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   in 1580, and the English cut down the woods near it on either bank of the river. It was evidently dismantled in 1599, for the Earl of Sussex garrisoned the Black Abbey near the bridge to secure his rear when he advanced to relieve the garrison at Askeaton under Sir Francis Berkeley, besieged by " the Sugan Earl " of Desmond, and the castle is not then named. In 1641 the Confederates held the castle, but it has no warlike record, nor was it held against the Cromwellians (Cromwell, be it remembered, did not come farther into the county than to reduce Kilbeheney Castle on its southern border), though popular belief has invented a siege and destruction by "Cromwell"; however, his

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   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 33

2. Adare's absent churches and demon bull legend

   Adare · townland · Limerick · 1830

   Adare lay in the tribal district of Ui Cairbre and is notably absent from early Norman church records, unlike nearby Clonshire, Kilcurley, and Kilgobbin. In 1830, locals derived the name from Ath tairhli ('ford of the Bull') and recounted a legend of St Patrick destroying a demon bull at the ford on the Maigue.

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   the adjoining counties, it may have been that there was no overlap even in the church authorities, and only the place names survived. One of these, the rising ground below the castle on the Maigue, named Ardshanbally, implies that the older village stood on the east side of the river, but it is certainly strange that while the churches of Cluonsiebria (Clonshire), Kylcharli (Kilcurley) and even the insignificant oratory of Kilgobbin, are named in the earhest years of Norman rule, Adare never appears. The place lay in the tribal district of Ui Cairbre, on the edge of the old, probably " pre- Celtic " tribes of the C'aenraighe and Gebtini and of the Tuath Luimneach, who surrounded the Ostmen settlements from Carrigogunnell to Castlecoimell, the two fortified rocks which jireserve (in corrupt form) the name of the chief family, the Ui gConaing or O Gunnings. The Irish tradition was so lost (even among the Irish) in 1830 that people rendered the name Ath tairhli, the " ford of the Bull," and told of a demon bull, pursued by St Patrick from the disenchanted rock of Carrigoginmell to the ford on the IMaigue, where the Saint destroyed it.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

3. Baal's Bridge: origins, legend, and defence

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1340–1361

   Baal's Bridge was built c. 1340 across the Abbey River between the English and Irish towns of Limerick. Legend says John de Burgo of Galway bravely defended it against the Irish in 1361, and Lionel Duke of Clarence granted the bridge figure as an augmentation to the De Burgo arms. The name derives from 'Bald Bridge' (Droichead Maol), as it reportedly lacked battlements.

   Read the passage

   This again has been replaced by a new bridge, but its history is interesting. It was originally built, about 1340, across the " Abbey River," between the old English and Irish towns. It is said to have been bravely defended by John de Burgo of Galway in 1361 (though I have not found any contemporary record) against the Irish. Legend alone told of how in reward, with other privileges, Lionel Duke of Clarence granted him the " honorable augmentation " of the figure of the Bridge to the De Burgo arms.^ It is however certain that the Galwey rental, about 1564, mentions the *' Bridge of Limerick in possession of John Galwe " but it was held by Richard Bultingfort, a contemporary of the alleged " Horatius of Tjimerick," at the close of the 14th century, and it is not impossible that the Galwey legend and their adoption of the bridge device in their arms (later than the time of Geffry Galwey, 1445, and his son Edmund, but at least as early as 1627), refer to some episode when the 0 Briens took at least the Irish town after the battle of Monasteranenagh in 1369. The name does not refer to the " abomination of the Canaanites " Baal, but is simply the " Bald Bridge," or as the Irish speakers call it Droichead Maol, for it is said to have had no battlements. A row of old houses stood upon it; views of 1810 and Bartlett's well known view in 1836 are extant. Pacata Hihernia shows it with 3 detached houses and a gate tower and drawbridge, in all 5 arches; the 1810 view shows 4, but the quays had probably been widened by the later date. No houses are shown on it in the plans of 1690 and 1691. When the old bridge and houses were levelled in Nov., 1830, a curious metal squares was found under a w^all with this inscription in Roman capitals: —

   " I will strive to live,

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 14

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Limerick, you pass near the ground where Baal's Bridge once stood, crossing the Abbey River between the old English town and the Irish town. It was built about 1340, and its name has nothing to do with the Canaanite god Baal. It was simply the Bald Bridge, what Irish speakers called Droichead Maol, because it is said to have had no battlements. Legend says that in 1361 John de Burgo of Galway bravely defended the bridge against the Irish. The writer notes he found no contemporary record of this, and legend alone tells the tale. In reward, Lionel Duke of Clarence supposedly granted de Burgo the honourable augmentation of the figure of the bridge to the De Burgo arms. It is certain that the Galwey rental, around 1564, mentions the Bridge of Limerick in possession of John Galwe, though it had been held by Richard Bultingfort, a contemporary of the alleged defender, at the close of the 14th century. The Galwey family adopted the bridge device in their arms later than Geffry Galwey in 1445 and his son Edmund, but at least as early as 1627. The legend may refer instead to some episode when the O'Briens took at least the Irish town after the battle of Monasteranenagh in 1369. A row of old houses stood upon the bridge. Pacata Hibernia shows it with three detached houses, a gate tower and drawbridge, in all five arches. A view from 1810 shows four arches, the quays probably having been widened. Plans of 1690 and 1691 show no houses on it. When the old bridge and houses were levelled in November 1830, a curious metal square was found under a wall bearing the inscription, "I will strive to live."

4. Battle of Ceanfeabhrat near Kilmallock

   Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 186

   In AD 186, the sons of Oilioll Olum fought and won a battle at Ceanfeabhrat, south of Kilmallock, against the Darini of East Munster, permanently uniting the two Munsters.

   Read the passage

   Tara, is a matter of great historical interest. A battle was fought, we are told, in a.d. 186 (F.M.), at a place called Ceanfeabhrat, south of Kilmallock, by the sons of Oilioll 01 um, King of the Deirgthine of West Munster, assisted by the Muscraidhe, the Corcobhaiscinn, and the Dal Eiada, against the Darini of East Munster, commanded by their King, Lughaidh mac Con, and his druid, Dadera, and the Eama led by Neimhidh, in which Lughaidh and his allies were routed, and himself expelled the province. The

   86 QUIN

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 36

5. Bunratty Castle during the Great Rebellion of 1641

   near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1641

   Barnaby (Brian), 6th Earl of Thomond, held Bunratty during the Great Rebellion beginning in 1641. Though governor of the county and professing loyalty to the King, he was on good terms with the insurgents and surrendered the castle to Parliament's friends on at least three occasions without resistance.

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   troublous times with little credit to himself. The Earl was governor of the county, and represented the King, to whom he professed his profound loyalty, yet all through he was on the best of terms wdth the insurgents, a great many of whom were his own blood relations, and entertained them freely in Bunratty. Later ion he surrendered his castle to the friends of the Parliament on at least three different occasions, without firing a shot, and, strangest thing of all, managed to pull through those difficult times without material damage to himself or his estate.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 42

6. Cromwellians stabled horses in Limerick Cathedral

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

   The 'verger tradition' that the Cromwellians stabled their horses in Limerick Cathedral is confirmed by an account book in the Public Record Office containing items for fodder for the horses.

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   Antichrist) is outside, built into the Pery vault, not far from the S. porch. The pelican is not feeding, but reviving, its dead young with its blood, a beautiful symbol. The Stacpooles still bear it as their crest. Near the S.W. angle of the Cathedral will be found the escutcheon of the Creagh, or Creevagh, family of Adare and Limerick City; they claimed to be O Neills, from 1580 onward, but seem to be Kussells, several at Adare and Limerick being called " Russel alias Creevagh " in the 14th century. The south porch has a recess for a holy water stoup richly decorated with " nail head " ornament and mouldings. The old recessed, round-arched, west door, though plain and defaced, was very interesting, the three ou^er arches had a single block as their keystone. Most unfortunately in a recent " restoration " (or rather destruction) the whole, save the inner arch, was removed to allow the construction of a valueless modern doorway. It is most regrettable that so little respect for an ancient building should have been exhibited in such recent times, or that architects should be found to commit such vandalism. The foliage on the older capital was similar to that of the piers in the S. arcade, and, therefore, was one of the earliest parts of the existing building. When the Cathedral has been inspected, those who do not fear narrow and steep stairs should ascend the tower to see the fine bells, several given by the Mayor of the city, William Yorke, in 1678. Thence by a ladder the summit can be reached, with its magnificient bird's-eye view of the city, castle and river, and the ring of rich fields and heathery mountains, and the wide plains down to the blue Galtees. The " verger tradition " that the Cromwellians stabled their horses in this church is confirmed by the accoimt book in the Public Record Office with the items for fodder for the same. Of the later monuments, attention need only be called to three. The one of William Yorke, the donor of the Bells in 1679; that of " Dan Hayes an honest man and a lover of his country " (1767) ; and the quaint one of the clock maker in 1693.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 10

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, the city holds an old cathedral whose story reaches back through centuries of use and misuse. The south porch has a recess for a holy water stoup, richly decorated with nail-head ornament and mouldings. The old west door, recessed and round-arched, was plain and defaced but very interesting, its three outer arches having a single block as their keystone. Most unfortunately, in a recent restoration, or rather destruction, the whole, save the inner arch, was removed to allow the construction of a valueless modern doorway. It is regrettable that so little respect for an ancient building should have been exhibited in such recent times, or that architects should be found to commit such vandalism. The foliage on the older capital was similar to that of the piers in the south arcade, and therefore was one of the earliest parts of the existing building. Those who do not fear narrow and steep stairs should ascend the tower to see the fine bells, several given by the Mayor of the city, William Yorke, in 1678. The summit gives a magnificent bird's-eye view of the city, castle and river, and the ring of rich fields and heathery mountains, and the wide plains down to the blue Galtees. The verger tradition that the Cromwellians stabled their horses in this church in 1651 is confirmed by the account book in the Public Record Office, with the items for fodder for the same. Of the later monuments, three call for attention. The one of William Yorke, the donor of the bells, in 1679. That of Dan Hayes, described as an honest man and a lover of his country, in 1767. And the quaint one of the clock maker, in 1693.

7. Fall of Askeaton Castle to the English, 1580

   Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1580

   In April 1580, after the siege of Carrigfoile, the English appeared before Askeaton Castle. A few shots sufficed and the garrison fled at night, blowing up part of the wall, and Askeaton was lost to the Geraldines.

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   In 1558, James Earl of Desmond, and in 1564, Joan, wife of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond, and daughter of James, 11th Earl of Desmond, were buried in the monastery. Russell (a 17th century historian of the Fitz Geralds) tells a tragic tale to account for the more tragic fall of the proud house of Desmond. The overseer of Garrett, the hapless " Rebel Earl," used to harrass the monks and distrain their cattle ; one day his own cattle strayed into their lands and were impounded. In blind rage he rushed to the friary and asked to see the Guardian, whom he stabbed mortally and fled. The Countess was bribed by the outlaw's wife, with " plate and many other fine and gay things, to intercede for the slayer." The weak Earl, as ever, was wax in the hands of his masterful wife and forgave the culprit. But the sacrilege cried to Heaven unappeased, so the Earl was lured into rebellion to his ruin and the terrific devastation of the province, and, men said, those who betrayed him to his pitiable death in that lonely glen in Kerry were sons of the murderous overseer. History does nothing to bear out the tale, which, like most folk-stories, may, however, be partly authentic. The fi^rst shadow of later ruin lay in the Crown coveting " the Earl's House of Askeating " in 1569. The Earl's complaints to the local Ahabs get bitter in 1573, and at last the weak, proud, vacillating man played at treason with all the stronger malcontents and made halfhearted efforts to cajole and blind the Government till the rising of Sir John of Desmond in 1569. Tlie Earl and his force marched to Tory Hill to witness the battle of Monasteranenagh (where Sir John and the Papal Legate, Saunders, were defeated) so as to be able to join with the victors at first heat. He again lost heart, would not face the English, and fled back to Askeaton. He vainly tried to outwit and conciliate the victor, Malbie, but his friend Sir William Drury had just died and Malbie marched on Askeaton. Garrett shut himself up in the castle (which Malbie had no artillery to take), and saw the monastery, town and crops burned, and any of the monks and his followers who had not fled in time ruthlessly slain. A monk and a soldier were hanged as a warning, his ancestral tomb was battered to pieces, and the devastator marched away from the bloodstained ashes of the town. A month later Garrett was proclaimed a traitor, and, unwillingly, forced into open rebellion four days after. The Earl of Ormond, hereditary enemy of his house, raided to x\skeaton, but (as so often) the Government sent him cannons, but no munitions, so nothing could be gained save the Earl's stud of horses. Only in the next year, after the siege of Carrigfoile, when the terror of their cannon was fresh, the English appeared before the stronghold of Askeaton, April 3rd, 1580 ; a few shots sufficed, as soon as night settled down the gari:ison fled, too hurriedly to do more than blow up a bit of wall and burn some out-buildings, and Askeaton was lost to the Geraldines.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 30

8. Fintan's sleep on Thountinna mountain

   Tountinna · townland · Tipperary

   The great purple-brown mass of Thountinna, visible from Beal Borumha fort, is associated with the legend of Fintan, who is fabled to have slept so soundly on the mountain that he was not drowned by the Deluge.

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   Beal Borumha (now " Ballyboroo ") consists of a high ring mound 50 to 70 feet thick below, and 9 feet on top, rising 22 to 25 feet over the fosse, and 10 to 14 feet over the garth, which is oval, 102 feet inside N. and S., 87 feet E. and W. The fosse is 650 feet round the entrance to the north. There are pleasing views from it up the lake to Craglea, and the great purple brown mass of Thountinna (where Fintan is fabled to have slept so soundly that he was not drowned by the Deluge) and down to the low Cathedral tower and the weirs and bridge of Killaloe.

   The history of Kincora is one of destruction and restoration, little more. • In it took place the fatal game of chess from which Msielmordha, King of Leinster, after his quarrel with Prince Miirchad, in 1014, fled in wrath to organise his Danish supporters for the battle of Clontarf . It was destroyed by the Connacht men in 1016 and 1062, when the well was stopped and the " sacred " salmon cooked and eaten in insult. It probably shared the destructions of Killaloe by fire in 1081 and 1084 by the same foe, and their plundering raid, 1091. King Murchad rebuilt it in 1098, when he dismantled the Grianan of Aileach, but his chief residence was then at Limerick. Kincora was destroyed by lightning in 1107, and after the death of its restorer, in 1119, Torlough 0 Conor, King of Connacht, destroyed it, throwing the stones and timber into the Shannon and dismantling Borumha; it was probably never rebuilt, but the name appears in 1150.2 There is no true tradition of its site.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 18

9. Norman storming of Limerick and Domhnall's burning

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1175–1199

   The Normans under Reymond le Gros stormed Limerick in 1175. Reymond 'swore in' King Domhnall as governor and marched out, but Domhnall immediately burned the town to the ground. The English established a colony only some years after 1194, when Prince John built the bridge and castle and granted a charter before 1199.

   Read the passage

   on Inis Uibhthonn (some thinks " Odin's Island " but surely that would be Odensey)^ now the King's Island, near St Mainehin's church. The Irish call it " Luimneach of the ships " and it became a formidable centre of foreign power. The detailed history must be sought elsew^here ; the succession of its rulers was--Barith and Omphile; Imhar, 853; Sitric Lord of Luimneach, slain, a.d. 895; Colla son of Barith, a.d. 908, 923; Tomar son of Elge, King, A.D. 922; Colla son of Imhar, a.d. 931; Harold, King, slain, a.d. 939; Imhar, a.d. 940; Olfin, a.d. 942; Amlaibh, i\Iagnus, or Murus its governor, slain at Sulchoid, a.d. 968; Maccus, died a.d. 972. Imhar seems also to have fought at Sulchoid or Sulloghod (near the Limerick Junction), where Mathgamhain, King of Munster, and his brother Brian overthrew the Danes, drove them back to Limerick, and burned and sacked the town and fort. It never rose to its old importance, but subsisted as a dependency of the Dalcassian kings, paying them a heavy tribute of wine. It was the first of Irish towns to get in touch with America; for, about a.d. 1000, *' Hrafn the Hlimrek merchant " was a friend and informant of Ari, who made voyages from Iceland to " Wineland " on the east coast of the present United States. INIuircheartach Ua Briain, King of Munster, seems to have resided in it, and his successors, down (it would seem) to Donnchadh Cairbreach, who was buried in the Dominican monastery, in 1242, retained some connection with it though the Normans, under Reymond le Gros, stormed it in 1175. Reymond was called off on other business so he " swore in " King Domhnall to act as governor and marched out of it. Domhnall's perjury was evidently not long premeditated, for hardly were the Normans clear of the town before he burned it to the ground. It was only some j-ears after the fierce old monarch's death, in 1194, that the English established a colony; Prince John built its bridge and castle, and granted it a charter before 1199. From that time it has subsisted as a corporation, though for the thirteenth century, the " received lists " of Mayors and Bailiffs is most untrustworthy, contradicting the few authentic records : sometimes being mere lists of names of witnesses to early deeds (c. 1210) in the Black Book of Limerick, recited in their exact order in those documents. The Ostmen were moved out of the town into the " cantred of the Ostmen," and some of their families, notably the Harolds, Thursteyns, Thordelfs, Thurstans, Sweyns,, and others long held land near it; the Harolds still subsist. It 'had walls in 1175, and repairs to them took place in 1237, the cost being paid by a wine tax and other imposts. Though of small *' historic importance," it is of interest to note in 1295 the price of provisions in it : 10 acres of oats 2| marks, 1 acre of beans 40 pence, 6 acres of oats 20 shillings, cows 5 shillings each, a sheep goat or hog 6 pence, a lamb 3 pence, and a kid 2 pence. Horses sold at 5 marks, and mares 10 shillings, oxen at 3 shillings, foals at 2 shillings, a he-goat was worth 8 pence. The city was closely connected with Bristol, several of whose citizens removed to Limerick; Thomas Balbeyn had residences in both towns and left his castle

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

   As the companion tells it

   The road is taking you through Limerick, a city with a long and violent story. The Normans under Reymond le Gros stormed it in 1175. Reymond was called off on other business, so he swore in King Domhnall to act as governor and marched out. But Domhnall's periphery was not long premeditated. Hardly were the Normans clear of the town before he burned it to the ground. It was only some years after the fierce old monarch's death, in 1194, that the English established a colony. Prince John built its bridge and castle, and granted it a charter before 1199. From that time it has subsisted as a corporation. Long before the Normans, this was a Danish stronghold. The Irish called it Luimneach of the ships. The Danes were driven back here and their town and fort burned and sacked by Mathgamhain, King of Munster, and his brother Brian, after the battle of Sulchoid near Limerick Junction in 968. It never rose to its old importance after that, but paid a heavy tribute of wine to the Dalcassian kings. The Ostmen were moved out of the town into the cantred of the Ostmen. Some of their families, the Harolds, Thursteyns, Thordelfs, Thurstans, and Sweyns, long held land near it. The Harolds still subsist. The city had walls in 1175, and repairs took place in 1237, paid for by a wine tax. It was closely connected with Bristol. Thomas Balbeyn had residences in both towns and left his castle.

10. Norman town development and streets of Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1221–1280

    Kilmallock developed into a substantial Norman town with licensed fairs from 1221, a restored mill in 1248, and by c.1280 had named streets including the main street to the Church of SS Peter and Paul, the Via Regalis towards Emly, John's Street, Blossom Street and Water Street. Its provost was Nicholas Stoppel and it had a harper named Sandyr.

    Read the passage

    The Cliurch of Kilmallock, cil mochealloc (1050), or cil dachelloc (1028), is said to be derived from a very misty St Celloc, said to have died about a.d. 639. His very vagueness left him at the mercy of the pseudo antiquaries, who, in their frantic search for Phoenician remains in Ireland, derived it (as they did Kilmalchedor in Kerry from '' Moloch, horrid king," the " abomination of the Ammonites '" and Phoenicians. The alternative form Da-Chelloc (apart from other rational reasons) should have taught them better. The place may, or may not, be the Makolicon^ of Ptolemy, a.d. 150, which some identify with Cashel. Leaving speculation, the place (as we see) is named in 1028 and 1050, and it was a parish church in 1201. King John ordered an enquiry to be made whether Kilmallock Castle and the Cantred of Karbry belonged to the Kingdom of Cork or to Limerick, in 1206. Lands in its neighbourhood at Ardpatrick, Eleuri (? Claire), and in Fontemel (or Fontymchyll,° the district covered by Kilquane, Effin, Darach-Mochua and Dungadmond parishes, round its walls), were granted to W. de Burgo in 1199. The place must soon have developed into a town of some standing under Norman rule. Fairs were licensed at it in 1221, and we have a list of the chief citizens, in an agreement with them 1222 to 1230. The mill was restored in 1248, and there are in the Black Book of Limerick a number of important deeds relating to it, about 1280 ; these mention the " main street " to the Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Via Regalis towards Emly, the Cross, Mill, John's Street, Flemyri Street, opposite to the Cross ; Blapat Street (Blossom St), Water Street, Botherbalmakene to the east, Fotislac to the south, Martynlake to the north, Kokytlach, Fotisland and Aroldishyl. Nicholas Stoppel was then provost, and it had a harper named Sandyr who lived at Fotisland. In 1361 the perpetual vicarage of SS Peter and Paul, Kilmallock, is named in the Papal Petitions. The church was enlarged by Maurice FitzGerald in 1420. In 1594 the Collegiate Church of St Peter had a cloister, hall, buildings and orchard. This church, a few years later, was the scene of the humiliating submission of the imfortunate James FitzGerald, the " Sugan Earl," and it was the place where the attendance of the equally hapless " English Earl," his rival, at the Protestant Church service led to so serious a riot anumg the citizens.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 48

11. Norsemen plunder Tradraidhe, 834

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 834

    In 834 the Norsemen sailed up the Shannon, plundering Corcabhaiscinn and Tradraidhe on the north bank. According to 'The War of the Gaedhill with Gaill,' they proposed to make Tradraidhe into 'one garrison' from which to conquer Thomond, raising a fortifying bank all around.

    Read the passage

    In A.D. 834, the Norsemen, always itching for loot, sailed up the Shannon, plundering on their way Corcabhaiscinn and Tradraidhe on the north bank, and the lands of the County Limerick on the other side of that river. The author of " The War of the Gaedhill with Gain " says that the foreigners proposed to make Tradraidhe into ** one garrison " from which to conquer all Thomond, and that to this end they " raised a fortifying bank all around Tradraidhe." If for t'he latter place we substitute Bunratty, the statement may be true, but not otherwise; for such a work was beyond their power, and even if partially accomplished would leave some traces behind, but none can be found. At any rate, Brian Boroimhe, when he came to man's estate, gave them no respite, and in the end cleared out the barbarians.

    On January 1, 1248, about 250 years after Brian had expelled the Norsemen, an Anglo-Norman named Eobert de Muscegros received from King Henry III of England a fee-farm grant of the lands of Tradraidhe in Thomond, at a yearly rent of £30. On May 2, 1251, the King remitted to him two years' rent to enable him to fortify his Castle of Bunratty, and another which he had erected at Clarecastle. These were the first castles built in Thomond. That at Bunratty was a bretesse or wooden tower, erected on a mote, and protected with a palisade. The mote on which it stood is still to be seen a little to the north of the castle, with traces of its bailey, and it is reasonable to suppose the one at Clare Castle was similar. The points selected by De Muscegros for his castles being on the bank of a tidal river at both ends of his estate were well chosen, and secured him free access to Limerick, then an Anglo- Norse town. On Jime 21, 1252, the King further gave

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

12. Quin Franciscan Friary founded by Sioda Cam Mac Conmara

    Quin · town · Clare · 1402–1467

    The Franciscan monastery of Quin was founded in 1402 by Sioda Cam Mac Conmara, Lord of Clanncuilein, as a burial place for himself and his sept. The cloisters and residential parts date to 1402, while the south transept was built by his grandson Sean Finn (d. 1467) and the belfry tower likely by Mac Con, son of Sioda (d. 1428).

    Read the passage

    The Four Masters tell us that the monastery of Quin was founded in 1402, by Sioda Cam (son of Mac-Con) Mac Conmara, Lord of Clanncuilein (ob. 1406) for friars of Saint Francis, and " that it should be a burial-place for himself and his sept." It would appear that previous to its erection the chiefs of Ui Caisin, alias Clanncuilein, were interred in the monastery of Ennis, founded about 1240, by Donnchadh Cairbreach. There are some architectural reasons, however, for thinking that the church of Quin Monastery, as distinguished from the rest of the building, is of earlier date than 1402. Wadding gives 1350 as the date of its foundation.^ The Anglo-Norman settlers at Bunratty were not completely cleared out of Thomond until 1355, or thereabouts, and it is probable that it was not before this date the Franciscans were established at Quin, a branch probably of the Ennis community, with a church built for their use by Sioda's father, Mac Con, son of Cumheadha, or some earlier chief. The years which immediately followed the fall of Bunratty in 1354-5 were exceptionally peaceable and prosperous — the time may, in fact, be called the golden age of Thomond — conditions absolutely essential for the building of a great and expensive work like the monastery of Quin. The cloisters and residential part undoubtedly belong to the 1402 period. The transept and belfry are of later date. According to the author of MS. 24 D. 10, R. I. A. the south transept was built by Sioda Cam's grandson, Sean finn, chief of Clanncuilein, who died in 1467, and the belfry tower, which seems somewhat earlier, was probably the work of his father, Mac Con, son of Sioda, whose death took place in 1428. With these statements expert architectural opinion is in perfect agreement.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

13. Royal seats of Curoi in early Munster

    Duntryleague · townland · Limerick

    According to early tradition, Dun gClaire near Duntryleague and Dun eochair Mhaighe on the Maigue were the chief royal seats in the half of Munster ruled by Curoi.

    Read the passage

    According to Keating, the original Munster consisted of two parts, viz., West Munster or the province of Curoi mac Daire, and East Munster, the province of Eochaidh Abhradhruadh, the dividing line between them running north and south from Luimneach (Limerick) to Bealach Chonglais, near the city of Cork. The tribe called Darini were the dominant race in East Munster, which extended eastwards to Cumar na dtri nuisce (near Waterford) ; while in West Munster, between the dividing line and~ the Atlantic, the people named Deirgthine held sway and were the chief progenitors of the several clans known in later times as the descendants of Oilioll Olum, son of Mogh Nuadhat. Sometimes, however, Munster is said to have been divided into North Munster, the province of Tighearnach Teidbhannach, and South Munster, the kingdom of Curoi. It really meant much the same, for the dividing line ran from northwest to south-east. At any rate, Dun gClaire, near Duntrileague, and Dun eochair Mhaighe, on the Maigue, were the chief royal seats in Curoi 's half.

    The Deirgthine were destined to play a great part in subsequent Irish history, but under other names, and seem to have been identical with, or included the Clanna Deaghaidh, and to have ultimately absorbed the Erainn or Erna. The Clanna Deaghaidh must be further identified with the Ui maic Deichead, " a subsept of the Ui Luchtai, who were the main sept of the Ciarraighe."' The Clanna Deaghaidh was a highly interesting tribe, and had wide ramifications, for the name in the early form, Maqi Decceda (genitive), appears with slight variations of spelling on five ogham stones in Ireland, and in tw^o Latin inscriptions in Britain, as Maccodecheti in Devonshire, and IMaccudeceti in Anglesea. The fame of the Clanna Deaghaidh as adepts in the cult of ogham was well known to early Irish writers, and a curious relic of this has reached us in the tale of the Death of Curoi — a champion who was said to have overthrown in fair fight even Cuchulainn himself. His treacherous spouse, Blanaid, in order

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 36

14. Second dolmen at Loch Gur and old woman's dwelling

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    A remarkable cistvaen 12 feet long and 5 feet wide, called by Croker 'La big yermiddagh a Grana,' was once inhabited by an old woman. After her death, money diggers threw off the covering stones and found only some burned bones in an old jug.

    Read the passage

    Tlie two dolmens may now be described. One is alleged to be called Leaba na Muice, the " Pig's Bed " : this may be a trivial name, perhaps derived from the dolmen having been used at some time as a rude pigstye ; but more probably it is a mere corruption of the commonplace name Leaba Dhiarmada, picked up by someone with an imperfect ear, a vivid imagination, and (worst of all !) good intentions. It has three uprights and one capstone ; the latter is now poised on one of the uprights. The other dolmen (called by Croker " La big yermiddagh a Grana," a hideous corruption, but still more hideously translated " Ned and Grace's bed ! "), though much injured, is a most remarkable cistvaen, 12 feet in length and 5 feet in width, lined with flat slabs and covered with three or four stones now displaced. A peasant living near by, one Garrett Punch, told Crofton Croker that an old woman had resided in it for many years, and " on her death the covering stones were thrown of! and it was left in its present state by ' money diggers,' who, to use my informant's words 'only found some burned bones in an old jug, that surely was not worth one brass farthing.' "

    Loch Gur was thus the centre of a great cemetery in the Bronze Age ; and we can hardly be wrong in assuming that it was a sacred lake. Whether the cemetery was there on accoimt of the original sanctity of the water, or the loch was consecrated by the presence of the cemetery, is a question on which we can but speculate with no data to go upon. Ilie former, on the whole, is the more probable supposition. The numerous antiquities that have been found in and around its waters are an additional testimony to the sacredness of the lake ; such fine objects as the gold -chased bronze spearhead, now in the British Museum,^ were most likely votive gifts cast into the waters of the lake, as the Continental Gauls cast gold and other precious objects into the sacred ponds of Tolosse.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 46

15. Siege of Bunratty with boom across O Garney, 1285

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1285

    In 1285, Cumheadha mor and King Toirdhealbhach laid siege to Bunratty, placing a boom across the River O Garney to prevent supplies from Limerick. The garrison would likely have been starved out but for the Red Earl of Ulster, who persuaded the besiegers to withdraw.

    Read the passage

    In 1278, De Clare suffered a great defeat at Quin, as elsewhere described, and two years later, 1280, built the castle of that name to ward his territory on the west. He must have had a great force at command to enable him to accomplish such a work in presence of a hardy enemy, who during the same year attacked Bunratty, when the garrison was so hemmed in that -the dead covild not be buried, and an epidemic raged in consequence. In 1285, the castle of Quin fell to the victorious Cumeadha mor, who, with King Toirdhealbhach, also laid siege to Bunratty. They placed a boom across the Eiver 0 Garney to prevent supplies coming from Limerick, and the garrison would probably have been starved out were it not for the Eed Earl of Ulster, who persuaded the besiegers to withdraw, and a temporary peace was patched up.

    At last, on August 29, 1287, Sir Thomas de Clare met his fate at a battle fought somewhere in Tradraidhe, between King Toirdhealbhach mor and himself, in which he was defeated and slain, with several of his gentlemen. According to the post mortem inquisition taken after the death of Sir Thomas de Clare at Bunratty, on Sept. 18, 1287, the place was then a prosperous town of over 200 burgesses, holding 226 burgages.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

16. Founding of Killaloe church by St Molua

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 605

    The ecclesiastical foundation of Killaloe (Cell Dalua) originated with the Dalcassian Prince Lugaidh (Molua), who died before 605. His nephew St Flannan, also a bishop consecrated by a Pope, was an energetic missionary who founded churches where the Cathedral and stone-roofed oratory now stand.

    Read the passage

    The ecclesiastical foundation of Killaloe, as the name (Cell Dalua) implies, owes its origin to a Dalcassian Prince, Lugaidh (Lua, Molua, or Dalua), who died before a.d. 605; he was brother of Toirdhealbhach, a descendant of Eochaidh Bailldearg, baptized by St Patrick. His nephew, St Flannan, was an energetic missionary up the coast into Scotland, where the venerable boat-shaped oratory and cells, on the Flannan Isles, are attributed to him.^ Like his uncle, he was a bishop, and probably the small very primitive church on Friar's Island was founded by Molua while he founded a church (or churches) where the Cathedral and stone-roofed oratory still stand. Flannan is said to have been consecrated by a Pope, John (more likely John VI, at the close of the 7th century than John IV, in a.d. 639); he died on Aug. 4th, the year being unrecorded. The Cathedral was extensively rebuilt by Murchad, titular High King of Ireland, about 1080, and many fragments of the richly decorated early church and the fine Eomanesque archway are built into the walls of its successor. The Gothic building is one of the numerous foundations attesting the piety (or perhaps the remorse) of the unscrupulous Domhnall mor Ua Briain, the last King of Munster. In the church were buried King Murchad in 1119, and Conchobhar " na Cathrach," King of Thomond, a benefactor of Katisbon Abbey, who died in 1142, but no certain monument remains, though an early Irish cross-scribed tombstone (now in the recess of the Eomanesque door) is shown as the tomb of the former prince, or even as that of King Brian, who, in point of fact, was buried at Armagh.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 19

17. Adare Castle garrisoned and dismantled

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1580–1599

    Adare Castle was garrisoned in 1580 and the English cut down the woods near it on either bank of the river. It was evidently dismantled by 1599, when the Earl of Sussex garrisoned the Black Abbey to secure his rear while relieving the Askeaton garrison besieged by the Sugan Earl of Desmond.

    Read the passage

    in 1580, and the English cut down the woods near it on either bank of the river. It was evidently dismantled in 1599, for the Earl of Sussex garrisoned the Black Abbey near the bridge to secure his rear when he advanced to relieve the garrison at Askeaton under Sir Francis Berkeley, besieged by " the Sugan Earl " of Desmond, and the castle is not then named. In 1641 the Confederates held the castle, but it has no warlike record, nor was it held against the Cromwellians (Cromwell, be it remembered, did not come farther into the county than to reduce Kilbeheney Castle on its southern border), though popular belief has invented a siege and destruction by "Cromwell"; however, his

    ^7

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 33

18. Brian Boru's battle with the Dane Biorn on Craglea

    Craglea · townland · Clare

    One of Prince Brian Boru's earliest military achievements took place on the flank of Craglea hill. He was attacked by a Danish force under a leader named Biorn, who fell with many of his soldiers, though at heavy cost to the Dalcassian army.

    Read the passage

    by mountains, it was an ideal place of settlement; the lake and river were rich in fish and fowl, the rich pastures on the shore most desirable for cattle, and the hills and forests abounding in game lay behind. 'The ford w^as evidently much used in the bronze age, several weapons of that period having been found when it was dredged away. Craglea was the seat of a famous supernatural being, Aibhinn " the pleasant," possibly an early war goddess venerated (or adopted) by the Dalcassians as their tutelary banshee.^ Her name is now corrupted into Aibhill ; one old Irish version of the Dies Irae substitutes her for the Sibyl in strange companionship with King David. From Craglea the banshee Aibhinn used to sweep out to the battlefield with her weird train, " satyrs, sprites, maniacs of the glen, witches, goblins, owls and destroying demons of the air and firmament and the demoniac phantom host." From it she flew to Dublin to appear to King Brian the night before his death ; but for his fatalistic belief in this vision he might have escaped to linger out a miserable old age instead of dying with his best and bravest in the moment of victory .^ There is a great projecting crag, 20 feet high, on the western slope, still reputed to be her residence, while on the eastern slope a spring, pure, bright and unchanged by all the centia-ies, wells out from a rock fissure among ferns and flows down the slope. Below there is the Grianan of I^achtna, an early Royal fort. It is reached by a torrent bed, on a shoulder of a hill, with a magnificent view. The Grianan consists of a nearly levelled ring wall with a stonefaced outer ring, and a fosse tufted with bracken and fox-glove. We first hear definitely of the place in about 840. Lachtna, son of Core, " a fair-haired man from Cragliath," had his fort there and met the titular High King, Fedhlimidh, King of Cashel, at the now vanished pillar stone of Liag na n-easain and made terms of friendship with him. 3 This shows that Lachtna had a fort on the S. side of Craglea, where the Grianan stands, and that the " received " statement that it was only foimded over a century later by his namesake, Lachtna, implies at most a restoration. In 877 Boroimhe is incidentally mentioned, perhaps the ford not the liss. In 941 Muircheartach " of the leather coats " spent a night at the barren Cell da lua, a night in the strong Cenn Coradh," which suggests that Kincora then was a residence. One of Prince Brian's earliest achievements was on the flank of this hill. He seems to have been attacked by a Danish force, under a leader, Biorn, who fell, with many of his soldiers, but at heavy cost to the Dalcassian army. Mathgamhain, brother of Brian, is the first King of the Dal Cais called " King of Boruma," but the title more especially belongs to King Brian, and his well-known epithet is undoubtedly from the place and not from the late story that he reimposed the Leinster cattle tribute. The ^Thomond Borama or cattle tribute he, like his predecessors and successors, received. Down to even

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 18

19. Banshee Aibhell and King Brian's palaces at Cragliath

    Craglea · townland · Clare

    Cragliath, above Killaloe, was the home of the great Banshee Aibhinn or Aibhell, who appeared to King Brian before the battle of Clontarf. It was also the site of King Brian's palaces.

    Read the passage

    A few words on the hills which fringe our view from Limerick. The purple ridge north of the Shannon is Slieve Bemagh or Cratloe. At its western end, towards Bunratty, was the vast oak forest so famous that we are told that the oaks were imported to Westminster to make the roof of its Hall. The more eastern part is '* Sliabh Oidhidh an Eiogh," where King Crimthann died poisoned by his sister, in Glennagross, about a.d. 377, whence the claim of his foster son, Conall Eachluath, to Co. Clare as an eric. Up the valley we see Thountinna, where Fintan slept so soundly that the Deluge did not drown him. Opposite to it, above Killaloe, is Cragliath, the home of the great Banshee, Aibhinn, or Aibhell (who appeared to King Brian before the battle of Clontarf), and the site of King Brian's palaces. East of Limerick are the ** Silvermines " (or Slievephelim) culminating in the great dome of Kimalta " The Keeper " ; southward, the Galtees and their continuation the Ballyhoura (Bealach Fheabrath) Mountains and the bold outlying hill of Slievereagh on which the royal fort of Dun Claire remains, westward the faint low ridges of Luachra. In the centre of the plains (S.W. from Limerick) is the mote-like Knockfierna, the famous fairy hill of Donn Firinne the fairy king.

    1 St Brendaa of Birr names his two friends Aedh of Cashel and Aedh of Craig liath near Killaloe before a.d. 573.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 6

20. Beal Borumha fort and King Brian's Shannon dam legend

    Killaloe · town · Clare

    The fort of Beal Borumha (Ballyboroo), north of Killaloe, is a large ring mound on a natural spur. Popular legend attributed the great spur to King Brian Boru, claiming he built an artificial embankment to dam the Shannon and drown the Connacht men. The fort's association with Brian was noted by writers from 1683 onward.

    Read the passage

    Northward from Killaloe the road, keeping to the river bank, passes the beautiful woods of Bally valley on the left; to the right, on the great drift spur, in a grove amidst the fields is the fort of Beal Borumha. Popular legend says that the great spur was an artificial eiTibankment made by King Brian to dam up the Shannon and drown out the Connacht men. The fact of the fort's having been made by King Brian never passed out of mind ; it is mentioned by Bridgeman in his account of Clare for the Philosophical Society of Dublin in 1683, by De Latocnaye in 1797, and by most other writers. The name probably originated in the fact that the cattle tribute of Eastern Thomond was brought across the ford to the Kings of the Craglea line of the Dal gCais. There were two other palaces, one up on the flank of Craglea, the other probably on the site of the town of Killaloe, named respectively Grianan Lachtna and Ceann Coradh. It may be well to treat the 'history of this group together, keeping the account of the chiu'ches for a later section. At the end of the upper ford a Stone Age settlement seems to have existed, as implements have been foimd on several occasions. Safe in the river valley, flanked on both sides

    St Flannan's Cathedral, Killaloe

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 18

21. Bunratty Castle's complex tower design and interiors

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare

    Bunratty Castle features towers of great complexity connected by lofty arches on north and south sides, with later terraces and a modern police barrack added. The central block has three superimposed rooms including a tiled reception hall and a once-magnificent upper hall with 17th-century stucco work, plus a chapel in the south-east tower.

    Read the passage

    The towers are of great complexity of design, impossible to be described in a few words, and on the north and south sides of the castle are connected by lofty arches; under the northern one an 18th century addition has been built. On the west side a 17th century terrace, connecting the towers on that side, has been inserted, on which has been built a modern police barrack; and facing the river there is a similar one on the east side, from which the castle is entered by a small door. Before the erection of the terrace this door must have been reached by a flight of steps, or perhaps by a ladder, as was usual in the round towers. The central part of the castle consists of three large rooms, superimposed. The lowest, having immensely thick walls, was probably a store room, the entrance to which was in the south wall, but is now gone, being replaced by a modern gate. The middle or tiled hall, probably used as a reception room, has a large plain 17th century

    v.- ,^tj "^^ §'"••' *.'.,-'••#'')

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 44

22. Cappagh Kilmacluana church and castle history

    Cappagh · townland · Limerick · 1201–1655

    Kilmacluana church was first named in 1201 and wasted by the war of 1302. The castle was confiscated from the Brownes in 1583, blockaded by Confederate Catholics, and surrendered to them in 1642. The church is a plain small Gothic building, now lost in ivy.

    Read the passage

    Cappagh Kilmacluana. — Kyllmacluana church is first named in 1201 ; it was wasted by the war of 1302, wliich destroyed all the country manors through southern Connello and up to the Castles of Shanid, Askeaton and Adare, and " burned with fire the houses of God in the land " "to the number of two and twenty." Cappagh Kilmacluana appears in the 1336 rental, and was granted in 1541 by Thomas fitz PhiHp fitz John, the Knight of the Valley (Glin), to the Friars of Askeaton. The church is a plain small Gothic building, now lost in ivy. The castle was confiscated from the Brownes in 1583, blockaded by the Confederate Catholics, and surrendered to them in 1642. " Cappagh, with a great bawn, a ruined castle and a quarry," belonged to Nicholas Dowdall in 1655.

    Cappagh Castle is a strikingly picturesque ruin, especially when seen from the railway, whence its lofty tower and broken vaults, with the boldly battlemented walls of the bawn, are very imposing. The tower is about 70 feet high, with five stories and the usual neat details of 1460 to 1480. The stairs and the southern half of the tower are levelled. The north-east bastion is circular. It stands on a bold ridge of crag. Tradition says that it belonged to the Fitzgeralds of Ballyglehane. One of these granted it to his younger brother, who (when the grantee's mischief -making wife had it reclaimed) blew it up rather than surrender it.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 35

23. Cormac Cas's fort and Dal gCais burial tradition

    Galbally · town · Limerick

    Tradition holds that the fort of three pillar stones, Dun tri liag, located three miles north of Galbally, was erected by Cormac Cas and is the burial place of the eponymous ancestor of the Dal gCais.

    Read the passage

    It is also difficult to define with exactitude the territory south of the Shannon which the Dal gCais occupied when first they became a separate state. That portion of the Co. Limerick east of Ui Chonaill Gabhra and Ui Chairbri Aebhdha, and the adjoining part of Co. Tipperary, that is to say, the ancient district of Cliu Mail mhic Ugaine, extending, it is said, " from Luchair to Caisil, 3 seems to have been the cradle of the race. Dun tri liag, *' fort of three pillar stones," three miles north of Galbally, barony of Coshlea, is said to have been erected by Cormac Cas, and tradition has it that the eponymous ancestor of the Dal gCais lies buried under these pillar stones.

    Taking the sagas and mediaeval pedigrees of the Munster clans as our guide, which express the tribal ethnology of a very jremote period, — distorted no doubt and blurred by the ages, it is probable that the race of Oilioll Olum evolved from out the welter of so-called " pre-Milesian " or Ivernian peoples, who in prehistoric times occupied the south-west of Ireland. The pedigrees give the Eama, the Muscraidhe, the Corcabhaiscinn and Dal Eiada, a common ancestor called Oilioll Earann. The Dairini had among their alleged progenitors, two Daires, a Deaghaidh and a Deirgthine ; and we find in the genealogy of Oilioll Olum, a Deirgthine, a Dearg, and a Duach dallta Deaghaidh., in whose time, it is said the Earna were expelled from Ulster and settled in Munster. All this clearly shows a sense of unity of race, or at least a strong affinity between t'he several tribes, one erf which, the Earinn, Earna, or Everni, had the honour of giving its name to the whole island, because it w^as the first to come in contact with classi-

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 36

24. Cratloe Forest pass and Muircheartach's circuit of 941

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 941

    The great Cratloe Forest was once famous for its oaks. King Muircheartach 'of the leather coats' crossed this pass in the winter of 941; his historian expressed horror at the pass of Cratshallagh in his poem on 'The Circuit of Ireland.'

    Read the passage

    The road passes over the edge of the hill below the great Cratloe Forest, once famous for its oaks. Over this pass King Muircheartach " of the leather coats," crossed in the winter of a.d. 941. His historian expresses horror at the pass of Cratshallagh in his poem on " The Circuit of Ireland "; they camped on the " cold Magh Adhair " afterwards. In May, 1318, King Murchad 0 Brien, after his fruitless peace conference with Sir Eichard de Clare at Limerick, marched by Cratloe into Ui Aimrid, and on " past hazel woody Ballymulcashel " and Cullaun to Tulla, while de Clare returned to Bunratty on the high tide in bright moonlight, a statement which Dr Joly (the late Astronomer Eoyal) verified by calculation and found to be correct.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 22

25. Cromwellian siege and depopulation of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651–1670

    After the Cromwellian siege of 1651, the citizens of Limerick were transplanted, leaving numbers of its 'houses great and fair, without inhabitant.' The city rapidly recovered and drove a thriving wool trade with Holland, with Dutch merchants and families settling from 1620 to 1670.

    Read the passage

    of Thom-core to the citizens of Limerick. The city received many charters, that of John, before 1199 ; Edward I, 1291 and 1303 ; Henry IV, 1400; Henry V, 1413; Henry VI, 1423, 1429; Henry VII, 1489; Edward VI, 1551; Elizabeth, 1577, 1582, and James I, 1609. Its outer history is usually uneventful; it was threatened by the Bruces, in 1315, and sacked by the Mac Namaras, 1369, after their defeat of the Geraldines at Monasteranenagh ; they even appointed a governor, who was slain by the citizens. The city was wealthy and extremely prosperous in the 15th century, and we shall see some interesting monuments of its opulent citizens during that period. Its prosperity lasted for many years after Elizabeth's succession, but the terrible Desmond war, the religious troubles and general unrest brought it down to an unprosperous condition. It however showed great vitality, recovering rapidly on every relaxation of adverse destiny. The transplantation of its citizens, after the Cromwellian Siege, 1651, left numbers of its " houses great and fair, without inhabitant," but again it rapidly recovered and drove a thriving wool trade with Holland ; some of the Dutch merchants were benefactors, the Cathedral bells still bear the name of one William York, while several Dutch families, the Van der Luers (Vandelure), Vanhogartens, Verekers, and others, settled from 1620 to 1670. The two great sieges of 1690 and 1691 affected the personnel of the citizens rather than the prosperity of the port. It was at times reputed to be the second city of Ireland, though in later years the conditions of modem trade shifted away from it and railways deprived it of its position of emporium for Munster and Connacht.

    ST MAEY'S CATHEDEALi

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Limerick now, a city that has held and lost and held again its prosperity across the centuries. After the Cromwellian siege of 1651, the citizens were transplanted, leaving numbers of its "houses great and fair, without inhabitant." But Limerick recovered rapidly. It drove a thriving wool trade with Holland, and Dutch merchants came to settle. Several Dutch families arrived between 1620 and 1670, among them the Van der Luers, the Vanhogartens, and the Verekers. Some of these merchants were benefactors. The Cathedral bells still bear the name of one William York. The city had been wealthy before this. It was extremely prosperous in the 15th century, and that prosperity lasted for years after Elizabeth's succession. But the Desmond war, religious troubles, and general unrest brought it down. Limerick showed great vitality, recovering rapidly on every relaxation of adverse destiny. It had received many charters over the centuries, from John before 1199, through Edward I, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Henry VII, Edward VI, Elizabeth, and James I in 1609. It was threatened by the Bruces in 1315 and sacked by the Mac Namaras in 1369 after their defeat of the Geraldines at Monasteranenagh. The Mac Namaras even appointed a governor, who was slain by the citizens. At times Limerick was reputed to be the second city of Ireland, though in later years the conditions of modern trade shifted away from it and railways deprived it of its position of emporium for Munster and Connacht.

26. Dun Gair fortress on Cnoc an Duin

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    Dun Gair, the fortress atop Cnoc an Duin, the promontory projecting into Loch Gur, is mentioned in the Leabhar na gCeart and in the poem of Benen among the dwellings of the King of Caiseal. Only the slightest traces of the fortress now remain.

    Read the passage

    Dun Gair, the fortress on the top of Cnoc an Duin (the promontory that projects into the lake), is mentioned in the Leabar na gGeart and in the poem of Benen among the dwellings of the King of Caiseal. (See O'Donovan's edition of the Leabhar na gCeart, pp. 86, 92.) Only the very slightest traces of the fortress remain.

    An army was led by Domhnall mac mic Lochlainn, King of Ireland, and the people of the North of Ireland with him into Connacht ; and Ruaidhri Ua Concho bhair. King of Connacht, gave him the hostages of all Connacht. Both proceeded with their forces into Munster, and they burned Luimneach (Limerick) and plundered Machaire na Mumhan (the plain of Munster) as far as Imlcach lubhaire (Emly) and Loch Gair, and Brugh Righ (Bruree) and Ddn Ached (Dunachip, near Croom [O'Donovan]) and Druim Ua Clercen (Drummin), and they took with them the head of the son of Caileach ua Ruairc from the hills of Saingeal (Singland), and broke and demolished Ceann Coradh (Kincora), and obtained eight score hostages : Annals F.M., 1088 ; Ghronicon Scotorum, 1084.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 47

27. Dunraven family restoration of Adare abbeys

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1807–1814

    The Quin family repaired the Black Abbey for the Established Church in 1807 and its refectory as a school in 1814, and the White Abbey as the Roman Catholic Church in 1811. They greatly improved the village, including a handsome fountain commemorating villagers' help extinguishing a fire at the Manor House.

    Read the passage

    The family have been most munificent, whether as improving the condition of their tenantry, or the buildings of their beautiful demesne; they repaired the Black Abbey for the Established Church in 1807, and its refectory as a school in 1814, and the

    'i^ 1^03

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 33

28. Fall of Bunratty to King Muircheartach and Mac Conmara, 1332

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1332

    After a stormy existence of fifty-five years, Bunratty fell on July 20, 1332, to King Muircheartach and Mac Conmara. Multiple annalists described it as destroyed, laid waste, or thrown to the ground, and Clyn noted the castle was considered impregnable before its ruin.

    Read the passage

    But at last after a stormy existence of fifty-five years Bunratty fell on July 20, 1332, to the provvess of King Muircheartach and Mac Conmara, probably Maccon, son of Lochlainn, son of Cumheadha, mor. The particulars of its fall are not stated by the Annalists, but the castle probably fell as the result of a sudden attack. Clynn says it was " destroyed " (destruitur); Grace in describing its fall uses a similar word diruitur; Henry de Marlburgh, writing in 1406, says it was "laid waste" {vastatum fuit); and MS. Laud, 523 (Bodleian), asserts that it was '* thrown to the ground;" {ad terrayn prosternitur). Clynn also makes the statement that the castle was considered impregnable (inexpugnabile). The only conclusion that can be drawn from these words is that Bimratty on this occasion was utterly ruined, and practically rased to the ground.

    In 1342, King Edward III received a report that Bunratty was in the hands of his '* Irish enemies." So it apparently remained, a confused heap of stones and rubbish, until 1353, in which year the Justiciar, Sir Thomas de Eokeby, with a strong force of English troops, " caused both Thomond and Munster, with their rulers, to wit, Mac Conmara and Mac Dirmuid [Mac Carthy] to submit to him, and he rebuilt the Castle of Bunratty."^

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

29. Inchiquin takes Bunratty Castle a second time, 1645

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1645

    In or about November 1645, Earl Barnaby surrendered Bunratty Castle again without resistance, this time to his kinsman Inchiquin. Inchiquin found large military stores and sufficient horses to remount his cavalry at the castle.

    Read the passage

    lu November, 164'2, he allowed Lord Forbes — a bigoted iScotchinau and an enemy of the King — who had been sent to Ireland with a lieet by the Parliament to commit all the depredations possible, to take possession of the castle. Forbes found in the stables " about three score horses fit for service," and also discovered £2,000 hidden in the walls of the castle, which he and his friends, including the notorious Hugh Peters, his chaplain and adviser, made their own of. In or about November, 1645, the Earl delivered up the castle a second time without making the slightest show^ of resistence to his masterful kinsman, Inchiquin, then also the King's enemy, who found in Bunratty large military stores and sufficient horses in good condition to remount his cavalry.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 43

30. Last solitary friar at Quin, c.1760

    Quin · town · Clare · 1760

    Around 1760, a single friar still haunted the cloister of Quin and composed a moral poem about Death for Lady O'Brien of Dromoland, who had likely befriended him. He wandered alone through the roofless ruins contemplating the monastery's fallen state.

    Read the passage

    After the Eestoration the Friars, or rather what was left of them, had another respite, and returned once more to the monastery. Father Murtough O Griff y was Guardian in 1670, and his name occurs in connection with the condemnation of certain refractory members of the Order in that year. Thomas Dyneley, an Englishman, visited Thomond in 1680, and in his Journal remarks:— *' The ruins of Quin Abbey lately 'harboured some Friars of the Order of St Francis." This statement makes it probable that at this date the monastery and church were completely unroofed, and the brethren housed elsewhere, although his rough sketch shows the large ornamental crosses still on the gable tops. Divine Service, however, may have been sometimes held in the church when the opportunity offered. That the Friars still hung round the place is certain, for occasionally they were left legacies for JMasses. Daniel 0 Brien, 3rd Viscount Clare, in 'his will dated 20th October, 1690, among other bequests, leaves £20 each to the Friars of Quin and Limerick, £50 to the Friars of Ennis, and £6 a piece to the communities of Askeaton and Adare. In 1760, one solitary Friar haunted the cloister, and composed a moral poem for the then Lady O Brien of Dromoland, who probably had befriended and protected him. What sad thoughts were his as he wandered alone through the roofless ruins, thinking of the ancient glories of the monastery. No wonder the subject of his poem was Death. As late as the early 19th century, members of the community resided in a cottage at Drim, a townland northwest of Quin, and only a short distance from their old home.

    I Propugnaculum Catholicae Veritatis.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

31. Oak forest of Cratloe exported to Westminster Hall

    Cratloe · town · Clare

    At the western end of Slieve Bemagh or Cratloe, towards Bunratty, lay a vast oak forest so famous that its oaks were imported to Westminster to make the roof of its Hall. This links a Clare hillside to a major English building project.

    Read the passage

    A few words on the hills which fringe our view from Limerick. The purple ridge north of the Shannon is Slieve Bemagh or Cratloe. At its western end, towards Bunratty, was the vast oak forest so famous that we are told that the oaks were imported to Westminster to make the roof of its Hall. The more eastern part is '* Sliabh Oidhidh an Eiogh," where King Crimthann died poisoned by his sister, in Glennagross, about a.d. 377, whence the claim of his foster son, Conall Eachluath, to Co. Clare as an eric. Up the valley we see Thountinna, where Fintan slept so soundly that the Deluge did not drown him. Opposite to it, above Killaloe, is Cragliath, the home of the great Banshee, Aibhinn, or Aibhell (who appeared to King Brian before the battle of Clontarf), and the site of King Brian's palaces. East of Limerick are the ** Silvermines " (or Slievephelim) culminating in the great dome of Kimalta " The Keeper " ; southward, the Galtees and their continuation the Ballyhoura (Bealach Fheabrath) Mountains and the bold outlying hill of Slievereagh on which the royal fort of Dun Claire remains, westward the faint low ridges of Luachra. In the centre of the plains (S.W. from Limerick) is the mote-like Knockfierna, the famous fairy hill of Donn Firinne the fairy king.

    1 St Brendaa of Birr names his two friends Aedh of Cashel and Aedh of Craig liath near Killaloe before a.d. 573.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 6

32. Pope Eugenius IV licenses Strict Observance friars at Quin

    Quin · town · Clare · 1433

    In 1433 Pope Eugenius IV granted a licence to Mac Con Mac Conmara, Chief of Clanncuilein, for the establishment of Friars of the Strict Observance at Quin, making it the first convent in Ireland to adopt the strict rule of St Francis.

    Read the passage

    In 1433, Pope Eugenius IV, granted a licence to Mac Con Mac Conmara, Chief of Clanncuilein — " dilecto filio nobili viro Mac Con Mac Namara duci Clandcullyen " — for the establishment of Friars of the Strict Observance in Quin, which was the first convent in Ireland to adopt the strict rule of St Francis. The chief to whom the licence was addressed was possibly Mac Con, son of Sioda, who died in 1428, whom the Four Masters call " a charitable and truly hospitable man, who had suppressed robbery and theft, and established peace and tranquility in his territory," as they may not have known of his death in Kome, travelling being then slow and uncertain. If he was not the man, it must have been Mac Con Ceannmor, a chief who died in 1433.

    Nothing is known of the fortunes of the monastery between 1433 and its suppression in the reign of Henry VIII. Its annals and records, if such existed, and it is practically certain that they did — have perished long ago, like those of many other similar Irish establishments. When the crash came the Quin Friars lost all their worldly possessions, the only assets remaining to them — ^little at any time — being the unchanging love and veneration of the

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

33. Siege and epidemic at Bunratty, 1280

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1280

    In 1280, Irish forces attacked Bunratty castle so effectively that the garrison was hemmed in and the dead could not be buried, causing an epidemic to rage within the castle.

    Read the passage

    In 1278, De Clare suffered a great defeat at Quin, as elsewhere described, and two years later, 1280, built the castle of that name to ward his territory on the west. He must have had a great force at command to enable him to accomplish such a work in presence of a hardy enemy, who during the same year attacked Bunratty, when the garrison was so hemmed in that -the dead covild not be buried, and an epidemic raged in consequence. In 1285, the castle of Quin fell to the victorious Cumeadha mor, who, with King Toirdhealbhach, also laid siege to Bunratty. They placed a boom across the Eiver 0 Garney to prevent supplies coming from Limerick, and the garrison would probably have been starved out were it not for the Eed Earl of Ulster, who persuaded the besiegers to withdraw, and a temporary peace was patched up.

    At last, on August 29, 1287, Sir Thomas de Clare met his fate at a battle fought somewhere in Tradraidhe, between King Toirdhealbhach mor and himself, in which he was defeated and slain, with several of his gentlemen. According to the post mortem inquisition taken after the death of Sir Thomas de Clare at Bunratty, on Sept. 18, 1287, the place was then a prosperous town of over 200 burgesses, holding 226 burgages.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

34. St Patrick baptizes Dalcassian King at Singland

    Singland · townland · Limerick · 434

    The Tripartite Life of St Patrick records his visit around 434 AD to Saingeal fort, or Singland, where he baptized the Dalcassian King Carthann the Fair and his infant son Eochaidh Bailldearg. This is one of the earliest documented Christian associations with the Limerick area.

    Read the passage

    The chief city of north Munster derived its Irish name from a tribe, the Tuath Luimnigh, and they from the name Luimneach, the estuary of the Shannon, which appears in the early description of the view from Knockainey Hill, put into the mouth of CuchuUin, in the " Mesca Ulad." St Mainchin (an early bishop, some say the disciple of St Patrick, but there were several saints of the name) built a church upon the river island where the later city stood. Then all is silent, though we are told in the Tain Bo Flidhais (possibly in the 9th or 10th century) of " Eos da>Nochoilledh, or Luimneach," as the southern bound of the influence of the ruling race of Gamanraig'he in N.W Mayo. Other vague and unauthentic stories are told, not of the town but of the district.^ Cormac mac Airt fought a battle there in a.d. 221, and others at Grian and elsewhere in the county. The Annals of Multifernham call Limerick " Ross de Nailleagh " (which compares with the Tain Bo Flidhais), while the lost Psalter of Cashel alleged that Luimneach was the western mearing of two partitions of Ireland in a.m. 2870 and 3973. Much speculation existed, even in early times, as to the origin of the name. The Books of Lecan and Ballymote tell of a prehistoric meeting of the men of Munster and Connacht under their very mythically named Kings " Spear and Sword," for warlike sports; the champions threw off their ** grey-green cloaks " (Lvinine) on the bank and the tide swept them away. ** Cloakful is the river now " said someone, whence Luimneach Liathghlas; others in later days rendered it Lorn an each " bared by horses." The Tripartite Life of St. Patrick tells of his visit about a.d. 434 to Saingeal fort, or Singland, where he baptized the Dalcassian King, Carthann the fair, and his infant son Eochaidh Bailldearg. The Annals of Inisf alien mention a battle of Luimneach in a.d. 567. As we noted, the date and identity of its ecclesiastical founder Mainchin is unknown. St Cuimin Fada, of Clonfert, died near it, a.d. 661, his bodv was carried up " the Luimneach " in a boat, and a verse of his dirge by Colman his tutor is preserved. None of the records mention any fort, still less a town, here. Hlimrek the town, like its sisters at Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford, was founded early in the 9th century by the Norsemen. One writer, Mr Pryce Maunsell, considers that the word is Norse Laemrich, rich land (loam), but this fails to account for the earlier Luimneach or for the recorded Norse forms. Probably (like Dyflin from Duhhlinne) it was a Norse version of Luimneach. ** Yvorus " (Imhar) was its legendary founder. It was commenced about a.d. 812

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Singland, somewhere around here, St Patrick came around 434 to a fort called Saingeal. The Tripartite Life of his life records the visit. He baptized the Dalcassian King Carthann the Fair, and his infant son Eochaidh Bailldearg. This is one of the earliest Christian associations with the Limerick area. The fort itself is gone, and no records mention any fort here, still less a town. The name of the wider place, Luimneach, goes back further than Patrick. It comes from the Tuath Luimnigh, a tribe, and they from Luimneach, the estuary of the Shannon. The name appears in the early description of the view from Knockainey Hill, put into the mouth of Cuchulainn in the Mesca Ulad. Much speculation existed even in early times as to the origin of the name. The Books of Lecan and Ballymote tell of a prehistoric meeting of the men of Munster and Connacht under their mythically named kings Spear and Sword for warlike sports. The champions threw off their grey-green cloaks on the bank, and the tide swept them away. Cloakful is the river now, said someone, whence Luimneach Liathghlas. Others in later days rendered it Lorn an each, bared by horses. Cormac mac Airt fought a battle here in 221. The Annals of Inisfallen mention a battle of Luimneach in 567. St Cuimin Fada of Clonfert died near here in 661, his body carried up the Luimneach in a boat, and a verse of his dirge by Colman his tutor is preserved. The town itself, like its sisters at Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford, was founded early in the 9th century by the Norsemen, commenced about 812. One writer, Mr Pryce Maunsell, considered the word to be Norse Laemrich, rich land, but this fails to account for the earlier Luimneach. Probably, like Dyflin from Dubhlinne, it was a Norse version of Luimneach. Its legendary founder was Yvorus, or Imhar.

35. The Black Battery blown up in the 1690 assault

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    A portion of the historic 'Black Battery' survived around St John's Cathedral. It was blown up during the final assault of King William in 1690, killing many German and English besiegers before his retirement.

    Read the passage

    There are many remains of old houses and, till recently, whole ranges of buildings, collegiate and otherwise, and the Galwey's Castle or " Ireton's House " nearly hemmed in the Cathedral. Part of the vaulted passage of one may be seen beyond the Cathedral, and the lofty side of another to the right as we cross the bridge. The old view, of about 1580, here reproduced, shows the numerous castellated houses and the various monasteries. The city cross (then reduced to a headless shaft and steps) will be noted near the Cathedral. Of the fortifications, many portions of the walls, a sallyport, and a part of the historic " Black Battery " (blown up with many of the German and English besiegers in 1690 in the final assault of King William before his retirement) remain round 8t John's Cathedral, a noble modern Gothic church.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 16

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the old walls and fortifications still linger round St John's Cathedral, a noble modern Gothic church. There are many remains of old houses here, and until recently whole ranges of buildings, collegiate and otherwise, nearly hemmed in the Cathedral. Part of a vaulted passage can be seen beyond it. A part of the historic Black Battery remains here too. It was blown up in 1690, in the final assault of King William before his retirement, and many of the German and English besiegers were killed in the blast. An old view from about 1580 shows the numerous castellated houses and the various monasteries that once stood here. The city cross, then reduced to a headless shaft and steps, stood near the Cathedral. The walls, a sallyport, and that fragment of the Black Battery all remain round the church.

36. Thomas de Clare builds stone castle at Bunratty, 1277

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1277

    In 1277 Sir Thomas de Clare replaced the earlier wooden fortress with a stone castle at Bunratty, described by Mac Craith as having dressed stone, thick outer walls, an impregnable donjon, and lime-whited appurtenances. This was the first stone castle built in Thomond.

    Read the passage

    Sir Thomas de Clare, this year (1277), realising the uselessness of De Muscegros' bretesse, built a new castle at Bunratty, described by Mac Craith as a fortress of ** dressed stone, girt with thick outer walls, containing a roofed impregnable donjon, and having capacious lime-whited appurtenances." This was the first castle of stone built in Thomond.

    Sometime in this year, while Brian ruadh was a guest in Bunratty, De Clare, at the instigation, it is said, of his wife, Juliana, daughter of Maurice fitz Maurice, who blamed Brian for the death of her brother, foully murdered the man to whom he was bound in friendship by every oath and every tie then considered the most sacred. He caused Brian to be dragged to death behind a stern steed, until death released him from his sufferings. The letter

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

37. Trinitarian Monastery at Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1230–1299

    The Trinitarian Monastery at Adare is the only certain house of that order in Ireland. Its founder may have been Thomas FitzGerald, seventh Lord of Offaly, with disputed foundation dates of 1230 or 1272; it was dedicated to St James and its monks were reportedly brought from Aberdeen. The priory was assessed for tithe at 40s. in the 1291 Papal Taxation and called 'Monaster Bean' (the White Monastery) by Peyton.

    Read the passage

    Next to the church and castle, the oldest building is the Trinitarian Monastery. It is the only certain house of that noble order

    AsKEATON Friary — West end of Nave

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 32

38. 1507 metal square found at Baal's Bridge demolition

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1507–1830

    When the old Baal's Bridge and its houses were levelled in November 1830, a curious metal square was found under a wall bearing an inscription dated 1507 reading 'I will strive to live, with love and care, Upon ye level, By ye square.' The artefact was given by architect James Pain to Mr Michael Furnell and was still preserved.

    Read the passage

    This again has been replaced by a new bridge, but its history is interesting. It was originally built, about 1340, across the " Abbey River," between the old English and Irish towns. It is said to have been bravely defended by John de Burgo of Galway in 1361 (though I have not found any contemporary record) against the Irish. Legend alone told of how in reward, with other privileges, Lionel Duke of Clarence granted him the " honorable augmentation " of the figure of the Bridge to the De Burgo arms.^ It is however certain that the Galwey rental, about 1564, mentions the *' Bridge of Limerick in possession of John Galwe " but it was held by Richard Bultingfort, a contemporary of the alleged " Horatius of Tjimerick," at the close of the 14th century, and it is not impossible that the Galwey legend and their adoption of the bridge device in their arms (later than the time of Geffry Galwey, 1445, and his son Edmund, but at least as early as 1627), refer to some episode when the 0 Briens took at least the Irish town after the battle of Monasteranenagh in 1369. The name does not refer to the " abomination of the Canaanites " Baal, but is simply the " Bald Bridge," or as the Irish speakers call it Droichead Maol, for it is said to have had no battlements. A row of old houses stood upon it; views of 1810 and Bartlett's well known view in 1836 are extant. Pacata Hihernia shows it with 3 detached houses and a gate tower and drawbridge, in all 5 arches; the 1810 view shows 4, but the quays had probably been widened by the later date. No houses are shown on it in the plans of 1690 and 1691. When the old bridge and houses were levelled in Nov., 1830, a curious metal squares was found under a w^all with this inscription in Roman capitals: —

    " I will strive to live,

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are near the site of Baal's Bridge, which once crossed the Abbey River between the old English and Irish towns. It was built about 1340 and took its name not from the Canaanite god Baal, but from the Irish Droichead Maol, the bald bridge, because it had no battlements. A row of old houses stood on it, and Pacata Hibernia shows it with three detached houses, a gate tower, a drawbridge, and five arches. By the 1810 view it had four arches, the quays likely widened. Legend says John de Burgo of Galway bravely defended it in 1361 against the Irish, and that Lionel, Duke of Clarence, rewarded him with the honourable augmentation of the bridge figure to the De Burgo arms. No contemporary record survives of this. The Galwey rental, about 1564, mentions the Bridge of Limerick in the possession of John Galwe, though Richard Bultingfort held it at the close of the 14th century. The Galwey adoption of the bridge device in their arms came later than Geffry Galwey in 1445 and his son Edmund, but at least as early as 1627, and may refer to an episode when the O Briens took the Irish town after the battle of Monasteranenagh in 1369. The plans of 1690 and 1691 show no houses on the bridge at all. When the old bridge and its houses were levelled in November 1830, a curious metal square was found under a wall. It bore an inscription in Roman capitals dated 1507: I will strive to live, with love and care, Upon ye level, By ye square. The architect James Pain gave the square to Mr Michael Furnell, and it was still preserved.

39. Blossoms Gate of Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1280

    Blossoms Gate (or Bla-Porte), the south gate of the town, remains very perfect and is visible from the railway. A deed from circa 1280 by John fitzElie Juvenis mentions Blapat Street near this gate.

    Read the passage

    CouRTNERUDDERY (the White Knight's Castle), north of the Dominican Convent, on the east bank of the Glen. This was granted to Thomas Bnrgeate in 1579, and restored to Edmund FitzGibbon, the White Knight, though the Court was ruinous, in 1590. Maurice Hurley, of Knocklong, held it in 1617 ; the castle and mill Avere ruinous in 1655. The town gates were St John's Gate to the west ; (2) the Friars' Gate to the north ; (3) the Water-Port to the east (near the bridge over the Loobagh Stream) ; (4) the Ivy- Port to the east ; and (5) the Bla -Porte, or Blossoms Gate (still very perfect) to the south : it can be well seen from the railway. The deed of John fitzElie Juvenis (Young), circa, 1280, mentions Blapat Street near this gate. None of the records name the Millmount Castle, a low mote remaining in 1839, and to the east of the station the railway embankment runs across its site. The town was absolutely * denuded of its old inhabitants by 1655 — it was then " totally ruined and uninhabited."

    Collegiate Church of SS. Peter and Paul. — It is an interesting massive building at the east end of the town beside the River Loobagh. An imposing view of it and the Dominican Monastery, with the town walls and the handsome new church with its lofty spire, can be got from the bridge. It has a chancel 49 1 by 25| feet, with a large window having five trefoil-headed lights, this part is in use as the parish church. The nave is in ruins ; it has two side aisles and massive plain pointed arcades, four arches to each side, measuring 80 by 65 feet. The west window has three lights ; below it is a well moulded Gothic door of the 13th century. To the south side is a broken porch with an inner door of the I5th century richly carved. The transept or side chapel is an interesting patchwork with some late insertions.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 49

40. Bultingfort and Galwey tomb in Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1411–1449

    A large, picturesque tomb in Limerick Cathedral bears shields and a defaced Latin inscription commemorating Ricardus Bultingfort (a citizen of Limerick and Cork) and Galfridus Galwey, citizens of Limerick, Cork, and Waterford, who died around 1411. The tomb was erected by their descendants Edmund and Margaret, and is popularly said to have been battered by Cromwellians, though the survival of its shields and angels casts doubt on this.

    Read the passage

    heavy slab, heaped with carved armour, over the effigies; (3) on its steps the late Dean O Brien has re-erected the coffin lid with four lions reputed (but I think only since 1866^) to be that of King Domhnall the founder. The East window is modern, re-constructed in 1860; there are a handsome new reredos, an ancient credence table and a little tablet to Bishop Averill and a monument to Cornelius 0 Dea ; the contemporary effigy of the last named prelate was placed on the later tomb, but is now lost, if it be not the faintly traceable figure, chipped off the slab, in the Galwey tomb.^ The side walls show that the choir was lengthened about 20 feet in the 15th contury. The external S.E. buttress shows to the south a slab with the well-known arms of " John Artur," about 1420; with a chevron between 8 clarions (described by Dyneley as " Irish brogues ") : and to the east a nameless shield bearing a chevron between 3 scallops. The choir room was once the chapels of St Mary Magdalen and St James, circa 1370; their plain Gothic arches are the only original features, but 2 w^indows of the two succeeding centuries remain. They were wrecked in the siege of 1691. The south transept is mainly ancient and its window was rebuilt in the style of the older one. The beautiful monument of the Westropps of Boss, Co. Clare, with the wrong date, 1830 (recte 1839)3 is set in the east wall; in the south is a remarkably interesting group of a tomb with its piscina and ambreys on one side and sedilia on the other. The sedilia were put up by John Budston whose name and merchant marks appear on them. He was Bailiff of the city in 1401 ; his daughter, Margaret, married Peter Arthur, and their son, William, records his grandfather's good deeds, and that he gave 4 brass bells to the church. John Budston's widow left her family the two monuments and her just share of the chapel of the Magdalen. The Galwey tomb is a large and picturesque one with rich shields and finials, a great pediment and figures of angels, round a cinquefoil recess. The shields bear arms and initials, S.G.G. (Scutum Galfridi Galwey), S.E.G. (Scutum Edwardi Galwey, and (within the pediment) S.E.B. (Scutum Eicardi Bultingfort). In the back is the defaced inscription, which gave many hours' work to several, including the writer of these lines, before it yielded ** [Hie jacet in] tumb [a] . . . .

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 9

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the cathedral holds a tomb that people have puzzled over for a long time. It is known as the Galwey tomb, and it commemorates two men: Ricardus Bultingfort, a citizen of Limerick and Cork, and Galfridus Galwey, a citizen of Limerick, Cork, and Waterford. They died around 1411. The tomb was put up by their descendants, Edmund and Margaret. It is a large and picturesque monument, with rich shields and finials, a great pediment, and figures of angels, all round a cinquefoil recess. The shields carry arms and initials. One bears S.G.G., for Scutum Galfridi Galwey. Another carries S.E.G., for Scutum Edwardi Galwey. Within the pediment is a third, S.E.B., for Scutum Ricardi Bultingfort. In the back of the tomb is a defaced Latin inscription. It gave many hours of work to several people, including the writer of the book this comes from, before it began to yield its meaning. What the tomb remembers is written in stone that was meant to last, and much of it has. People say the tomb was battered by Cromwellians. But the shields survive, and so do the angels, and that survival makes the story harder to believe. Something struck the inscription, but the carved arms and initials are still there to be read. The tomb stands as a record of families who lived in Limerick, Cork, and Waterford in the early 1400s, and of the descendants who made sure they were remembered.

41. Bunratty Castle built by the Macnamaras

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1428–1467

    An Irish manuscript states Bunratty was built by Maccon Mac Conmara, son of the founder of Quin Monastery (d. 1428), assisted by his son Sean (d. 1467). Expert architectural opinion supports a 15th-century date, as the present building shows no earlier features.

    Read the passage

    lloyal Irish Academy Library/ positively states that Bimratty was built by Maccon Mac Conmara, son of the chief founder of Quin Monastery, who died, it is believed, in 1428, assisted by his second son, Sean, whose death took place in 1467, both of whom were chiefs of Clanncoilein. Curiously enough expert architectural opinion favours this statement, as the present building shows no features that can fix its erection earlier than the 15th century. Whether we believe it to be the work of De Rokeby, in 1353, or of the Macnamaras, some seventy years later, there are strong and convincing reasons for rejecting the theory that it is the original castle built by Sir Thomas de Clare in 1277. This latter, according to Mac Craith, chiefly consisted of " a roofed impregnable donjon, and in 1289, a sum of money was spent on it for the " covering of the big tower." Again, in the post-mortem inquisition into the estate of Thomas de Clare, junior, in 1321, three years after the place w^as set on fire by his mother, the jurors who were actually in the building, or else looking at it, describe it as a " fortress in which is a large tower, the walls of which are good enough, but not built up [i.e., completed] or roofed.'' It is plain, I think, that De Clare's castle consisted of one large tower only, and some minor buildings, quite unlike the present castle, which has four massive corner towers like De Clare's other fortress at Quin. We should, moreover, expect a simple plan for De Clare's first castle, for it was then put up under manifest difficulties, in a hostile country,, and when time was everything.

    The castle is undoubtedly of Norman type ; but there was not an abbey in Ireland at the time that did not house a man capable of |)rodueing such, did Mac Conmara so wish it. It was just as easy to ]n'ocure a Norman plan for a castle, as to get a so-called '' (lothic " plan of a church. The answer to this of course, is, that no other castle of the type was built in Thomond, except, perhaps, the Castle of Clare, a small part of which remains, but whose founder, plan and date are quite unknown.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 42

42. Castle besieged and surrendered 1642

    near King John's Castle · castle · Louth · 1641–1654

    The English colony retired into Limerick Castle in 1641 during the rebellion. It was besieged by the Confederates and surrendered on terms on 21 June 1642. When Ireton took the city ten years later, the castle was extensively repaired, with works continuing till 1654.

    Read the passage

    dues on the free English, and (one would think) a dangerous wolf to be put over that fold of wealthy merchants, was governor. In 1542 it was supported by two gardens and the pasture on the King's Island, 10s. from the " He " (eel) weir, at Corbally, and dues on salt, wheat, herrings and oysters, brought into the port. Its history is rarely eventful. Sir Geffry Galwey, the mayor, was fined £400 in 1600 for recusancy, which sum was expended on the castle ; in 1611 the undercut towers were repaired, and, in 1624 and 1626, provision for a small garrison, a governor, porter, ** cannoneer" and 20 men, was made. The English colony retired into it in 1641 ; it was besieged by the Confederates and surrendered on terms 21 June, 1642. When the city was taken by Ireton, ten years later, the castle was extensively repaired, the works continuing till 1654. There was an alleged plot of an old Cromwellian officer, Capt. Thomas Walcott, to take it by a mine from St Nicholas' graveyard and to call in the Dutch in 1672. Lastly it was surrendered to Ginckell, after the siege of 1691, and it has since been continuously used as a garrison barrack. The structure retains the three corner towers (two abutting on the river). On the side next the street along the north face, is the noble old gateway, with two great round flanking towers and lofty arches. Some of the town wall remains at and beyond the churchyard of St Munchin's at the opposite side of the street along the river bank.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 12

43. Castleconnell castle on the Shannon

    Castleconnell · town · Limerick · 1174–1691

    Castleconnell castle sits on a rock above the Shannon near the falls of Doonass. Local tradition says it was built by the O'Briens and destroyed by Cromwell; it was the fort of the O'Gunnings, granted to William de Burgo in 1201, and was blown up by Ginckell after the 1691 siege.

    Read the passage

    Castleconnell is passed as we return down the east bank of the Shannon to Limerick. The castle, though picturesquely seated on a rock over the Shannon, just above the falls of Doonass, has no features of general interest. Traces of circular towers remain to the S. W. and N. W., with fragments of walls and well-built arches; one fragment has been hurled into the field beyond the road when the castle was blown up. The court measures 160 fe^ by 100 feet. Local tradition says that it was built by the O Briens and destroyed by Cromwell. Briefly to tell its history, it was the fort of the Ui gConaing or 0 Gunnings, to judge from its name, where (it being then called Caislean Ua Conaing), in 1174, King Domnhall mor Ua Briain blinded two of his relations. The bawn was burned in 1200 by the Connacht men, and King John granted it next year to William de Burgo; " If he fortify the castle and we desire to have it we will give him an exchange." Kecords of its De Burgh Lords abound but tell little of the castle, which was destroyed in 1261 by Conchobhar (" na Siudaine ") Ua Briain, King of Thomond. It was for a short time, 1275-1279, in possession of Theobald the Butler and Thomas de Clare, but De Burgh, the Earl of Ulster, recovered it before 1285, and '' harboured " Toirdhealbhach, King of Thomond, before his destructive raid down eastern Co. Limerick and up northern Tipperary, before 1287. Walter de Burgh enlarged and strengthened the castle before 1299, but it was wasted by King Eobert Bruce and his brother, Edward, who camped near it in 1315. In 1564 William Bourke " of Kislany-connell " was created Baron of Castleconnell. The castle surrendered to the Cromwellians, 1651, but was not dismantled; in 1690 it was surrendered to King William; on his retreat from Limerick the Jacobites reoccupied it, but surrendered it to the Prince of Hesse, after 2 days blockade, Aug. 29th, 1691. Ginckell subsequently caused it and Carrigogunnell, its sister castle, to be blown up.

    The parish church, though on an old site, is modem and has no old monuments.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 21

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Castleconnell is ahead, and its castle sits on a rock above the Shannon near the falls of Doonass. Local tradition says it was built by the O'Briens and destroyed by Cromwell. It was the fort of the O'Gunnings, and in 1174 King Domhnall Mór Ua Briain blinded two of his relations there. The bawn was burned in 1200 by the Connacht men, and King John granted it to William de Burgo the next year. Records of its de Burgh lords abound but tell little of the castle itself. Conchobhar Ua Briain, King of Thomond, destroyed it in 1261. It passed briefly to Theobald the Butler and Thomas de Clare from 1275 to 1279, but the Earl of Ulster recovered it before 1285. Walter de Burgh enlarged and strengthened the castle before 1299, but Robert Bruce and his brother Edward wasted it in 1315. In 1564 William Bourke was created Baron of Castleconnell. The castle surrendered to the Cromwellians in 1651 but was not dismantled. In 1690 it was surrendered to King William, and the Jacobites reoccupied it on his retreat from Limerick. Ginckell blew it up after the 1691 siege, and one fragment was hurled into the field beyond the road. Traces of circular towers remain, with fragments of walls and well-built arches.

44. Collegiate Church of SS. Peter and Paul, Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · townland · Limerick

    A massive building at the east end of Kilmallock beside the River Loobagh. It features a ruined nave with side aisles, a 13th-century Gothic door, and a round tower belfry believed to be an Irish cloictheach embedded in the west end. It houses elaborate monuments to John Verdun and others.

    Read the passage

    The round tower belfry, believed to be an Irish cloictheach, though greatly modified, and the upper part rebuilt with stepped battlements, is embedded in the west end at the end of the north arcade. The monuments of John Verdun, "the Knight with the Spur " (put up by Sir William Coppinger), 1614, and his wife, Alsona, 1625, is elaborate and curious.

    The other monuments best worthy of notice are Thomas Fitz- Gerald and Joane Burke, 1630, Maurice, their son, and his wife Elenor, 1635 ; Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Webb, in 1684.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 49

45. De Muscegros builds first castle at Bunratty, 1248-1251

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1248–1251

    Robert de Muscegros received a fee-farm grant of Tradraidhe from Henry III in 1248. By 1251 he erected a bretesse (wooden tower) on a mote at Bunratty, one of the first castles in Thomond. The mote and traces of its bailey are still visible north of the present castle.

    Read the passage

    On January 1, 1248, about 250 years after Brian had expelled the Norsemen, an Anglo-Norman named Eobert de Muscegros received from King Henry III of England a fee-farm grant of the lands of Tradraidhe in Thomond, at a yearly rent of £30. On May 2, 1251, the King remitted to him two years' rent to enable him to fortify his Castle of Bunratty, and another which he had erected at Clarecastle. These were the first castles built in Thomond. That at Bunratty was a bretesse or wooden tower, erected on a mote, and protected with a palisade. The mote on which it stood is still to be seen a little to the north of the castle, with traces of its bailey, and it is reasonable to suppose the one at Clare Castle was similar. The points selected by De Muscegros for his castles being on the bank of a tidal river at both ends of his estate were well chosen, and secured him free access to Limerick, then an Anglo- Norse town. On Jime 21, 1252, the King further gave

    I Bunratty is so full of history that all that can be done here is to note briefly the principal facts concerning it. A pretty full historical and architectural account of the place with authorities, will be found in the Journal of the North Munster Archseological Society, vol. iii, pp. 220-327.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

46. Donat, Great Earl of Thomond, monument in Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1678

    A monument in Limerick Cathedral's chancel commemorates Donat, the 'Great Earl' of Thomond, erected by his grandson in 1678 to replace the original destroyed by the Cromwellians. It contains broken effigies of the Earl and his Countess, and a third effigy of King Donnchad Cairbrech O'Brien was said to have once occupied the top recess.

    Read the passage

    The chancel — The noticeable features are (1) a quaint little tablet with a chevron between three lions, and the name *' Donoh," commemorating the rebuilding by Bishop Donnchad ante 1204, but, as we noted, either later or in part recut in the late 15th century ; (2) the pretentious monument of Donat, the " Great Earl " of Thomond, put up by his grandson in 1678 to replace the original, and destroyed by the Cromwellians. It contains the broken effigies of the Earl and his Countess ; a third of King Donnchad Cairbrech 0 Brien (died 1242) is said to have once occupied the top recess. The Earl's portrait is preserved at Dromoland. It will be noted that the last was Vllth Earl of Thomond but is numbered in regal style Henry II, i.e., the 2nd of that name. In the will of Donat, Earl of Thoond, 1617, he directed that his monument should be a copy of the Vere tomb in Westminster, w-here kneeling figures hold up a

    I In "transiens cave quod hie dices Pater et Ave " "the final « of transiens and of dices was read 8, octo and octavum; "trsies" (transiens) was read " tubis sic," pr et ave " " precum eanae !"

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the cathedral here holds a monument to Donat, the Great Earl of Thomond. His grandson put it up in 1678 to replace the original, which the Cromwellians had destroyed. The monument contains broken effigies of the Earl and his Countess. A third effigy, of King Donnchad Cairbrech O'Brien, who died in 1242, is said to have once occupied the top recess. The Earl's portrait is preserved at Dromoland. He was the 7th Earl of Thomond, but he numbered himself in regal style as Henry the Second, the second of that name. In his will of 1617, Donat directed that his monument should be a copy of the Vere tomb in Westminster, where kneeling figures hold up a prayer. The chancel also holds a small tablet with a chevron between three lions and the name Donoh, commemorating rebuilding by Bishop Donnchad before 1204, though this was either later or partly recut in the late 15th century.

47. Fintan survived the Deluge on Thountinna

    Tountinna · townland · Tipperary

    On the hill of Thountinna, above the Shannon valley, the legendary Fintan slept so soundly that the Deluge did not drown him. This is a local tradition linking a Clare hilltop to the biblical flood.

    Read the passage

    A few words on the hills which fringe our view from Limerick. The purple ridge north of the Shannon is Slieve Bemagh or Cratloe. At its western end, towards Bunratty, was the vast oak forest so famous that we are told that the oaks were imported to Westminster to make the roof of its Hall. The more eastern part is '* Sliabh Oidhidh an Eiogh," where King Crimthann died poisoned by his sister, in Glennagross, about a.d. 377, whence the claim of his foster son, Conall Eachluath, to Co. Clare as an eric. Up the valley we see Thountinna, where Fintan slept so soundly that the Deluge did not drown him. Opposite to it, above Killaloe, is Cragliath, the home of the great Banshee, Aibhinn, or Aibhell (who appeared to King Brian before the battle of Clontarf), and the site of King Brian's palaces. East of Limerick are the ** Silvermines " (or Slievephelim) culminating in the great dome of Kimalta " The Keeper " ; southward, the Galtees and their continuation the Ballyhoura (Bealach Fheabrath) Mountains and the bold outlying hill of Slievereagh on which the royal fort of Dun Claire remains, westward the faint low ridges of Luachra. In the centre of the plains (S.W. from Limerick) is the mote-like Knockfierna, the famous fairy hill of Donn Firinne the fairy king.

    1 St Brendaa of Birr names his two friends Aedh of Cashel and Aedh of Craig liath near Killaloe before a.d. 573.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 6

48. Garraunboy castle of the Wall family

    Garraunboy · townland · Limerick · 1583–1651

    Garraunboy castle belonged to the Wall, or Faltagh, family and was confiscated after the Desmond Rebellion in 1583. It was granted to Oliver Stephenson, whose descendants lost it again in 1651. It is a late 15th century tower with ogee lights in a bawn with circular corner turrets.

    Read the passage

    Garraunboy. — "The yellow garden," or "thicket," a castle of the Wall, or Faltagh, family, from whom it was confiscated after the Desmond Rebellion, in 1583. It was granted to Oliver Stephenson, from whose descendants it was again confiscated in 1651. It is a bold tower, though small, with four floors under a stone vault. It is of the late 15th century type, with ogee lights, so common in Counties Limerick and Clare. The end wing has the usual spiral stairs and five stories, the outer half is broken down. The tower stands in a bawn with circular turrets at the corners.

    Cappagh Kilmacluana. — Kyllmacluana church is first named in 1201 ; it was wasted by the war of 1302, wliich destroyed all the country manors through southern Connello and up to the Castles of Shanid, Askeaton and Adare, and " burned with fire the houses of God in the land " "to the number of two and twenty." Cappagh Kilmacluana appears in the 1336 rental, and was granted in 1541 by Thomas fitz PhiHp fitz John, the Knight of the Valley (Glin), to the Friars of Askeaton. The church is a plain small Gothic building, now lost in ivy. The castle was confiscated from the Brownes in 1583, blockaded by the Confederate Catholics, and surrendered to them in 1642. " Cappagh, with a great bawn, a ruined castle and a quarry," belonged to Nicholas Dowdall in 1655.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 35

49. Henry VIII dissolves Quin monastery and grants to O'Briens

    Quin · town · Clare · 1541–1548

    Henry VIII dissolved the monastery in 1541, and it was subsequently granted to Conor O'Brien, Lord Ibrickan, in 1547, then leased to Teig and Turlough O'Brien of Dough in 1548. The property then included a great ruinous church, steeple, cloister, hall, chambers, and ten cottages in Quin village.

    Read the passage

    Henry dissolved the monastery in 1541, and one of the conditions of the submission of .Murchadh, afterwards first Earl of Thomond, was, his getting *' certaine Abbeyes lately suppressyd," to which the astute King willingly complied, but, strangely enough, speaks of them as *' to be suppressed by our commission and auctoritie, as reason is."^ In 1547 the monastery was granted to Conor O Brien, Lord Ibrickan, afterwards 3rd Eard of Thomond, probably for only a year, for in 1548 it was leased for 21 years to Teig and Turloug'h 0 Brien, of Dough. The property then consisted of — " One acre, in which are one great church, now ruinous, covered with slate, and a steeple greatly decayed, a churchyard and cloister, one great hall, four chambers, two cellars, a ruinous dortor [dormitory], with an orchard and other edifices, also a water-mill, ruinous and prostrate, and ten cottages in Quin village." The townland of Keevagh, or part of it, a short distance from the monastery, at one time belonged to it.^ On 7th October, 1577, Queen Elizabeth, among other church property, granted " the territories of Ince and Cohenny " to Conor, 3rd Earl of Thomond, at a rent to be fixed on survey. 3 A new grant of the monastery and its appurtenances, by letters patent, was given on December 14, 1583, to Sir Turlough O Brien, son of Domhnall mor, of Dough. 4 It is probable that the friars did not regard these grants as altogether an unmixed evil, but rather looked on the various grantees, who were of their own faith, as useful buffers between themselves and Tudor intolerance and rapacity.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

50. Hrafn the Limerick merchant and early American contact

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1000

    Around 1000 AD, Hrafn the Hlimrek merchant was a friend and informant of Ari, who made voyages from Iceland to Wineland on the east coast of the present United States. This makes Limerick the first Irish town to get in touch with America.

    Read the passage

    on Inis Uibhthonn (some thinks " Odin's Island " but surely that would be Odensey)^ now the King's Island, near St Mainehin's church. The Irish call it " Luimneach of the ships " and it became a formidable centre of foreign power. The detailed history must be sought elsew^here ; the succession of its rulers was--Barith and Omphile; Imhar, 853; Sitric Lord of Luimneach, slain, a.d. 895; Colla son of Barith, a.d. 908, 923; Tomar son of Elge, King, A.D. 922; Colla son of Imhar, a.d. 931; Harold, King, slain, a.d. 939; Imhar, a.d. 940; Olfin, a.d. 942; Amlaibh, i\Iagnus, or Murus its governor, slain at Sulchoid, a.d. 968; Maccus, died a.d. 972. Imhar seems also to have fought at Sulchoid or Sulloghod (near the Limerick Junction), where Mathgamhain, King of Munster, and his brother Brian overthrew the Danes, drove them back to Limerick, and burned and sacked the town and fort. It never rose to its old importance, but subsisted as a dependency of the Dalcassian kings, paying them a heavy tribute of wine. It was the first of Irish towns to get in touch with America; for, about a.d. 1000, *' Hrafn the Hlimrek merchant " was a friend and informant of Ari, who made voyages from Iceland to " Wineland " on the east coast of the present United States. INIuircheartach Ua Briain, King of Munster, seems to have resided in it, and his successors, down (it would seem) to Donnchadh Cairbreach, who was buried in the Dominican monastery, in 1242, retained some connection with it though the Normans, under Reymond le Gros, stormed it in 1175. Reymond was called off on other business so he " swore in " King Domhnall to act as governor and marched out of it. Domhnall's perjury was evidently not long premeditated, for hardly were the Normans clear of the town before he burned it to the ground. It was only some j-ears after the fierce old monarch's death, in 1194, that the English established a colony; Prince John built its bridge and castle, and granted it a charter before 1199. From that time it has subsisted as a corporation, though for the thirteenth century, the " received lists " of Mayors and Bailiffs is most untrustworthy, contradicting the few authentic records : sometimes being mere lists of names of witnesses to early deeds (c. 1210) in the Black Book of Limerick, recited in their exact order in those documents. The Ostmen were moved out of the town into the " cantred of the Ostmen," and some of their families, notably the Harolds, Thursteyns, Thordelfs, Thurstans, Sweyns,, and others long held land near it; the Harolds still subsist. It 'had walls in 1175, and repairs to them took place in 1237, the cost being paid by a wine tax and other imposts. Though of small *' historic importance," it is of interest to note in 1295 the price of provisions in it : 10 acres of oats 2| marks, 1 acre of beans 40 pence, 6 acres of oats 20 shillings, cows 5 shillings each, a sheep goat or hog 6 pence, a lamb 3 pence, and a kid 2 pence. Horses sold at 5 marks, and mares 10 shillings, oxen at 3 shillings, foals at 2 shillings, a he-goat was worth 8 pence. The city was closely connected with Bristol, several of whose citizens removed to Limerick; Thomas Balbeyn had residences in both towns and left his castle

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    As the road passes through Limerick, you are in what may be the first Irish town to get in touch with America. Around the year 1000, a man called Hrafn, known as the Hlimrek merchant, was a friend and informant of Ari. Ari made voyages from Iceland to "Wineland," on the east coast of what is now the United States. The city itself began as a settlement on what is now King's Island, near a church of St Mainehin. The Irish called it "Luimneach of the ships," and it became a formidable centre of foreign power. Its rulers came and went through the ninth and tenth centuries. Imhar held power in 853. Sitric was Lord of Luimneach, slain in 895. Colla, son of Barith, appears in 908 and 923. Tomar, son of Elge, was king in 922. Harold, king, was slain in 939. Amlaibh, Magnus, or Murus, its governor, was slain at Sulchoid in 968. Maccus died in 972. At Sulchoid, near what is now the junction, Mathgamhain, King of Munster, and his brother Brian overthrew the Danes, drove them back here, and burned and sacked the town and fort. It never rose to its old importance again, but became a dependency of the Dalcassian kings, paying them a heavy tribute of wine. Muircheartach Ua Briain, King of Munster, seems to have resided in it.

51. Ireton occupies Bunratty Castle as depot, 1651

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1651

    On September 8, 1651, General Ireton, finding Bunratty a suitable place for a depot, lodged a company of Foot and a troop of Horse under Captain Preston in the castle without opposition. Lieut.-General Ludlow, suffering from a dangerous cold, rested there for two days.

    Read the passage

    On September 8, 1651, General Ireton, finding Bunratty a suitable place for a depot, lodged in the castle a company of Foot and a troop of Horse, under Ca})tain Preston, without receiving any opposition, and persuaded Jjieut. -General Ludlow, who suffered from what he himself calls a " dangerous cold," to rest in Bmu'atty for two days.

    On March 25, 1656, Earl Barnaby leased Bunratty to John Cooper, of Meelick, " to be surrendered on a year's warning, if my Lord or his Sone come to settle there." Henry, the last Earl of Thomond (ob., April 80, 1741), leased the castle on October 4, 1709, for 99 years, to one Robert Amory. On September, 26th, 1712, a lease for ever of the castle, farm, and lands of Bunratty was granted to Thomas Amory, reserving certain rights to the Earl. In 1725, Amory sold his lease to Thomas Studdert, of " Arlomount," Co. Limerick, but then of Kilkishen; in the senior line of which family the place has since remained. The present owner, Mr. Thomas Studdert, of Bunratty, has lately been in communication, I am informed, with the Irish Board of Works, with the view of having the castle vested as an ancient monument; a consummation devoutedly to be wished, but, I regret to say, as yet unaccomplished.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 43

52. Killaloe Cathedral interior and restoration history

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1622–1892

    The Cathedral's interior features include a curious east window symbolizing the Trinity, corbels including six little men in kilts kissing, and a greatly damaged Romanesque door from the older church. The building was repaired in 1622 and 1676, with extensive restorations from 1701 through 1892.

    Read the passage

    The object of most interest in the nave is the very rich, though greatly damaged, Romanesque door of the older church with the ancient tombstone already mentioned and the neat Gothic west door. The designs of the first are of considerable beauty and delicacy, but the whole is overcrowded with bead work, as is usual about 1100. The history of the building from the 12th to the 16th century is a blank. It was repaired in 1622 and 1676 ; the plate dates from 1624 ; a font was set up, 1701 ; the screen rebuilt, 1707; the south transept and nave repaired, 1708, and the south wall rebuilt. In 1725 the gate and stone piers were made; 1728, the trees planted; 1741, the chancel re-roofed; 1782, the first organ erected; 1820, repairs by Bishop Mant, 1837; the bell put up, J. Fogarty, Limerick; " No surrender, 1837 " ; 1841, marble font erected; 1852, chancel reroofed, plaster taken off corbels and windows, &c. ; 1853, ancient oratory repaired; 1885, chancel restored, a screen wall removed; 1892, new glass screen put up lately, and upper part of tower rebuilt.

    The monuments are late — Bishop John Roan, 1692, outside of the east end; Simon Purdon of Tinneranna, in the chancel; ornamental frame of a lost tablet and the curious coffer tomb of the

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 20

53. Loch Gur as a sacred Bronze Age lake cemetery

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    Loch Gur was the centre of a great Bronze Age cemetery and likely a sacred lake. Fine objects such as a gold-chased bronze spearhead, now in the British Museum, were probably votive gifts cast into its waters.

    Read the passage

    Loch Gur was thus the centre of a great cemetery in the Bronze Age ; and we can hardly be wrong in assuming that it was a sacred lake. Whether the cemetery was there on accoimt of the original sanctity of the water, or the loch was consecrated by the presence of the cemetery, is a question on which we can but speculate with no data to go upon. Ilie former, on the whole, is the more probable supposition. The numerous antiquities that have been found in and around its waters are an additional testimony to the sacredness of the lake ; such fine objects as the gold -chased bronze spearhead, now in the British Museum,^ were most likely votive gifts cast into the waters of the lake, as the Continental Gauls cast gold and other precious objects into the sacred ponds of Tolosse.

    1 EvaiiB, Anrient Bronze Impleinentd, p. 312.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 46

54. Lost tomb of Michael McNamara of Ballymarkahan

    Ballymarkahan · townland · Clare · 1722–1750

    A tomb in Quin choir to Michael McNamara of Ballymarkahan, who died December 22nd 1722, was broken to make room for Bishop McMahon's vault and lost for years. A mason eventually admitted breaking it and showed where it lay under a foot of rubbish.

    Read the passage

    The owners could not find this tomb for many years. At last, in reply to an advertisement, one of the masons who built the Bishop's tomb came forward, admitted it was he who broke off the end of it, and offered to show where it was. It was found where it ought to be, under about a foot of rubbish. The grave was not used by the owners for about 130 years, since when the burial place is in Coad, near Inchiquin. The father, the Michael who died in 1722, was Donough, who in his will (1707, administration to his son Michael, of Crevagh, 1711), desires his body to be buried in " St Fynnan's Church in Quin."

    In the Sacristy, north of the choir: — " Here lyeth the body of Mary Creagh, otherwise Macnemara, wife of Andrew Creagh, of the city of Limerick, merchant, and eldest daughter of Daniel Macnemara of Ardcluny, in the county of Clare, Esqr., and Mary Macnemara, otherwise O Callaghan, his wife, daughter and heiress of Thady 0 Callaghan, of Mountall^", in said county, Esqr., deceased, who died the 28th of June, 1756."

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 39

55. Reinterment of monks slain in 1578 at Askeaton

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1647

    In 1647 the bodies of the monks who had been slain in 1578 were reinterred at Askeaton with much ceremony, commemorating the earlier massacre of the Franciscan community.

    Read the passage

    The friars returned to their ruined convent in 1627, and the list of Guardians from 1629 to 1650 is unbroken. Colonel Purcell besieged the garrison in the castle, and they surrendered, under terms, in 1642. Next year the friary was carefully repaired and the monument of the Stephensons dates three years later. In 1647 the bodies of the monks slain in 1578 were reinterred with much ceremony. The monks, of course, fled after 1651, and the next appointment of a guardian was in 1661. The lists of Guardians from 1714 to 1872 are evidently merely nominal, as, unlike Quin and other friaries, none of the brethren seem to have clung to the neighbourhood. If tradition tell the truth, the Cromwellians (who dismantled the castle) undermined the keep, propping it with timber, and then kindled a great fire which, when the props burned away, brought down the eastern half of the great tower. An attempt was vainly made to get the Government to repair it as a barrack in 1712. From the Taylor family the place passed by an heiress to the Barons Masney.

    1 It must be understood that the Berkeleys of Killeenoghty, Ballycahane, Tory Hill, and other places near Croom were a different branch, and were settled in Co. Limerick nearly three centuries before their namesakes settled at Askeaton,

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 30

56. Rev. John Hogan, last Franciscan friar of Quin

    Drim · townland · Clare · 1820

    The Rev. John Hogan of Drim, the last of the Franciscan friars who had taken refuge at Drim when driven from Quin Abbey, was buried in the north-east corner of the cloister. He died in 1820 aged 80, having lived in holy poverty supported by the faithful.

    Read the passage

    The tomb of the Eev. John Hogan, last of the Friars of Quin, is in the north-east corner of the cloister. The inscription on it has a pathos of its own, which even the blunders of the stone-cutter can not spoil, and tells its melancholy tale of the sad condition to which this once flourishing community was in the end reduced. It reads : — " Here lies the body of the Rev. John Hogan of Drim, who departed this life Anno Domini 1820, aged 80 years, the last

    ^^^I^K'^BS^ftir^^sP

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 39

57. Sioda mac Niall slain in Quin battle of swords

    Quin · town · Clare

    Sioda, son of Niall, described as excellent with the spear and brother of Cumheadha mor, was slain in the 'Quin battle of swords,' a surprise attack made in early morning on the camp of Donnchadh, son of Brian ruadh.

    Read the passage

    Some years before this brilliant action Cumheadha's brother, Sioda, son of Niall, " excellent with the spear," was slain in ** Quin battle of swords," a surprise attack made in early morning on the camp of Donnchadh, son of Brian ruadh.

    At the Synod of Eaithbreasail, a.d. 1110, both Tradraidhe and Quin were included in the diocese of Limerick, of which the latter place, and Crossa, now Glennagross, parish of St Munchin, were the western limits. The change to Kill aloe was probably due to the difficulty of its administration from Limerick — then a city of mixed Normans, Danes, and English — after Donnchadh Cair-

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 37

58. Suspicious weathered stone at Loch Gur circle

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    A peculiarly shaped weathered stone stands on the bank opposite the entrance to the great circle enclosure. Sir Bertram Windle considered it suspiciously like a modern addition, as all earlier writers were silent about it.

    Read the passage

    One very peculiarly shaped weathered stone stands on the bank opposite the entrance to the enclosure. It is, as Sir B. Windle says, suspiciously like a modern addition ; and it could hardly have escaped the notice of the earlier writers had it been visible in their time. In point of fact they are all silent about it.

    In the field to the north were two other circles. One, which contained sixty-nine stones in 1833, has been practically destroyed. The other about 55 yards in diameter, is intact. It contains fifteen stones. Some distance to the north -north -west is a conspicuous standing stone, 10 feet 2 inches high. Yet another circle is, if possible, even more remarkable. It is known locally as Lism (pronounced lisheen, the little earth -enclosure). It consists of a circular earth bank lined with stone slabs on each face, 182 feet in diameter and 14 feet 6 inches thick, and an inner circular mound, likewise faced with stone slabs on its circumference, 48 feet in diameter. Close by is a smaller circular mound of the same kind, faced with slabs 3 feet high and 33 feet in diameter.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 46

59. Trinitarian and Black Abbey holdings at Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1539

    When the monasteries were dissolved in 1539, the Trinitarians held 70 acres of land, the castle and mill of Robertstown, a mill and salmon and eel weirs at Adare, with tithes on numerous lands. The Black Abbey (Austin Hermits) had other weirs.

    Read the passage

    and a chamber, each roofed with thatch or s'hingle, a tower, covered with planks, a kitchen, covered with slates, and a chamber near it, also slated. All was waste from the Irish war, and the surrounding lands were uncultivated. The Close Rolls of 1334 show that John Darcy, guardian of the lands of the said Richard, during the minority of Richard, Earl of Kildare, got a grant to repair the Castles of Kildare, Adare, Cromyth and Esgrene, with their houses and other edifices. As we noted, the White family had been settled at Adare in the previous century; again, in 1346, Thomas, son of Robert White, and Thomas fitz John were appointed keepers of the peace for the cantred of Adare and Cromyth for the year. In 1360 a tax of 2 shillings on each carucate of land in the cantred of Adare was levied for the Irish war. Adare must have suffered severely a second time, as King Richard II, in 1376, remitted the subsidies or tallages due from Adare till the town was rebuilt, as it had been burned and devastated by the Irish in the war. The lower bridge is said to have been built between 1390 and 1410; it was a strange, narrow structure, 'hardly wide enough for a carriage to pass over, and with recesses on the buttresses up stream for foot' passengers to stand back on such occasions. The 15th century, which saw such activity in the church visitations and buildings, has left little record of Adare, the long residences next the Norman Hall in Desmond's Castle, and most of the Franciscan Friary date from it, and there was great prosperity and considerable peace in Co. Limerick during the period. The Creagh family of Adare enjoyed a large share of that prosperity. When '' Silken Thomas " was executed in 1536, Adare was forfeited to the Crown; the lands surveyed in 1540 are Adare, Crome, Rachanan (Rathcannon, a conspicuous castle on a rocky knoll near Bruree), and Tobemy. Another survey in 1559 made by Simon Barnwell gives much information, and he seems to have consulted the Franciscans' Register; he mentions " the old broken castle " and " the Abbey of Grey Fryers," as founded by Thomas, late Earl of Kildare, " who gave two challeses of sylver and bought a greate bell for 10 li ; his Countes was buried under a stone in the quier in 1486." The monasteries were dissolved in 1539; the Trinitarians held 70 acres of land, the castle and mill of Robertstown (between Adare and Croom), a mill and salmon and eel weirs at Adare, with tithes on numerous lands. The Black Abbey (Austin Hermits) had other weirs. In 1541, Adare and Crome were granted to James, son of Sir John, Earl of Desmond; this seems to be the only connection of these nobles with the place in which popular names, like " Desmond's Castle," and '* Desmond's chapel," have given them such unwaiTanted prominence. In 1566 the White Abbey (Trinitarian) was granted by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Warham St Leger, it was subsequently granted to John Zouche in 1583, to Sir James Gould, the Attorney-General, in 1585, and to Sir Henry Wallop; the Abbeys passed so often to different people that we gain httle by recording their destiny any further. The Poor Abbey, though roofless, retained much of its glass even in 1608, when jMooney saw it.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 33

60. Askeaton garrison besieged by Sugan Earl

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1599

    The garrison at Askeaton under Sir Francis Berkeley was besieged by the Sugan Earl of Desmond. The Earl of Sussex advanced to relieve it, garrisoning the Black Abbey at Adare to secure his rear.

    Read the passage

    in 1580, and the English cut down the woods near it on either bank of the river. It was evidently dismantled in 1599, for the Earl of Sussex garrisoned the Black Abbey near the bridge to secure his rear when he advanced to relieve the garrison at Askeaton under Sir Francis Berkeley, besieged by " the Sugan Earl " of Desmond, and the castle is not then named. In 1641 the Confederates held the castle, but it has no warlike record, nor was it held against the Cromwellians (Cromwell, be it remembered, did not come farther into the county than to reduce Kilbeheney Castle on its southern border), though popular belief has invented a siege and destruction by "Cromwell"; however, his

    ^7

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 33