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. Augustinian Monastery near Adare bridge

   Adare · townland · Limerick · 1315–1317

   An Augustinian monastery was established near the bridge at Adare between the Trinitarian House and the castle before 1315 by John, Earl of Kildare. Earl Thomas confirmed and increased his father's grant in 1315, and the Crown added further portions on August 13, 1317, to the Black Abbey of the Augustin Hermits.

   Read the passage

   The Augustinian Monastery had been established near the bridge, between the Trinitarian House and the castle, before 1315, by John, Earl of Kildare; the " present " Earl Thomas confirmed and increased his father's grant in that year. Lastly the Crown, after prudent enquiry whether the burgages so granted affected its interests, not only confirmed them but added other portions, then held by Eichard of Adare,' John Madok, and Eobert le Blound (White), and William de Byrne, to the Black Abbey of the Augustin Hermits, on Aug. 13, 1317.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 32

2. Bunratty Church history and Frost burial

   near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1450–1617

   Bunratty Church stands about 250 yards west of the castle, probably originally built by Sir Thomas de Clare and replaced by the present building around 1450–1500 by the MacNamaras or O'Briens. Donough, 4th Earl of Thomond, recorded in his will of 1617 that he had 'newly edified' the church, and it is the last resting-place of James Frost, author of the History and Topography of County Clare.

   Read the passage

   met with. The original church was probably built by Sir Thomas de Clare, and was replaced by the present building about 1450- 1500, the work of Mac Namaras or O Briens. The churches of Bunratty and Quin, " with their chapels," were valued " in times of peace," at £10 yearly, and the De Clares held the presentation. Donough, 4th Earl of Thomond, says in his wdll, Nov. 28, 1617, that he had " newly edified " this church, and leaves sufficient glass, out the store of that commodity in the castle, to glaze the windows. A special interest is added to the place by its being the last resting-place of Mr. James Frost, M.E.I. A., author of the History and Topography of the Co. of Clare, and for many years a valued Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, Ireland.

   ]\loTE. — An oblong mote and traces of the bailey renjain to tlie west of the castle. A great foyse and bane remain about 500 yards to the 8.W. of the castle.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 44

3. Castle shot holes from Ginckell's cannon 1691

   near King John's Castle · castle · Louth · 1691

   The Bridge or Thomond Tower at Limerick Castle bears visible shot holes made by Ginckell's cannon during the 1691 siege, later plugged with brick. Some towers had been undermined by the river, and the castle was grievously dilapidated.

   Read the passage

   There seems little reason to doubt the tradition that this and the bridge were founded by Prince John, though an early source for the statement has not been traced. Whether any part is as old as his reign may be contested; if any, the ring tower next the bridge might lay claim. The fine gate towers are possibly of the reign of Edward I. The castle was fortified against Thomond only, the part next the city was apparently badly walled till the early 17th century, when the seething discontent of the citizens forced the government to remodel the inner part and to add a bastion. There is a view (in the Hardiman collection of maps) showing the building before the alteration. It was grievously dilapidated and some of the towers were undermined by the river. The shot holes (made by Ginckell's cannon in 1691 and plugged with brick) are very noticeable on the " Bridge " or " Thomond Tower." To give here the salient points of its history for more than 700 years IS not possible, though there is a vast mass of material relating to the building — Stanihurst states that King John built an ** egregium castellum " and a bridge; the " bawn " of Limerick is first mentioned in 1200 by the Annals of Loch Ce. Kichard de Burgo, held it for the King in 1226, when all the other castles were disloyal. It had been greatly neglected and, two years before, the commissioners for valuing the Koyal property found that in Linjerick Castle the King's goods were scarcely worth 18 pence " as broken dishes." In 1227 it was repaired, and again in 1272. It had a chapel, and hostages were kept in it; a new chamber was built and two watchmen were kept " to watch from the top of the towers towards Thomond, and archers at the head of the bridge." A wall was built in 1297, possibly along the river front. In 1318 a quaint matter is recorded ; the constable carelessly let 16 prisoners escape, of whom John Wogan recaptured 18 and slew 2 ! In 1310 and 1322 grants of murage were made for repairing the fortifications, the last year being soon after the terrifying extinction of the Norman colony at Dysert in 1318 and the burning of Bunratty. It was again in bad repair in 1326, and £20 and £80 were expended on it. A sensational event occurred in 1332 ; the hostages broke out, slew the constable and held the castle, which had to be stormed by the mayor and citizens. In 1369 the city surrendered to the Mac Namaras, who appointed a governor; but the castle probably held out till the citizens slew the Irish governor Sioda Mac Namara and cleared the city of the Irish. In 1417 it reappears, the fees for its support being " annihilated," so the city repaired it with dues from the Lax weir, the great salmon weir, near Parteen, founded by the Danes. In 1427 the corporation and citizens petitioned that the castle might be confided to them as it had often been nearly lost by carelessness, or treachery; the Government took the offer on condition that the city paid for its repairs. In 1476, James, Earl of Desmond, who was successfully imposing

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 11

4. De Clare builds castle at Quin, 1280

   Quin · town · Clare · 1280

   Sir Thomas de Clare built a formidable castle at Quin in 1280, completed in ten months, measuring 122 feet square with thick walls and circular bastions at three corners. Its construction in Macnamara territory caused great resentment among that sept.

   Read the passage

   To guard his marches on the west, De Clare, in 1280, built a castle at Quin, which was completed in 10 months. It was a formidable strorghold, some 122 feet square, with walls of great thickness, and it was protected at three corners by projecting circular bastions. During the progress of the work Domhnall the younger brother of King Toirdhealbhach mor, came to Quin for the purpose of buying wine, which shows the existence at that particular time of unusually friendly relations between the Irish and De Clare.

   90

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 37

5. Franciscan convent of Limerick, founded by O'Brien and De Burgh

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1241–1789

   The Franciscan convent was founded by King Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien before 1241 and refounded by a De Burgh of Castleconnell. Sir Thomas and Sir Richard de Clare were buried there in 1287 and 1318; it later became a tannery. Its east window was removed to St George's church in 1789; some vaults remain on Sand Mall.

   Read the passage

   The older city was rich in churches, all have been rebuilt. Besides the above 4 there were — (5) the church of St Nicholas: it stood before 1194, and had a grant from King Domhnall mor O Brien; it had a north aisle, with a central tower and low spire, in 1580, and was totally destroyed in Ireton's siege, 1651. It stood near the castle. (6) St Martin, some say the same as " Ecclesia ; St Martini (or Ste Marie) rotunda," 1201. (7) St Lawrence, near the City Hospital. (8) St Michael, 1201, ruinous in 1615, near the West Watergate and dismantled 1658 ; it had a side aisle and battlemented tower, 1580, and lay in James's Street. (9) St Brigid, 1201, mentioned 1212. (10) St Anne's chapel, 1270, no other record. (11) St Andrew's chapel, in the castle, 1216, mentioned down to 1250. (12) St Augustine's convent, circa 1199; a list of the church furniture in 1529 remains. (13) St Peter's convent, founded by King Domhnall, 1171, in Peter Street. (14) St Mary and the Holy Cross, " Our Lady's Cell," and " Holyrood," 13th Century. In 1559 it had a church, hospital, steeple, waste garden and barns ; in 1594 it was ruinous save a mansion. (15) The Dominican convent, or ** Monastery of Donnoho Carbry," noted above. (16) The Franciscan convent, founded by King Donnchadh Cairbreach 0 Brien, ante 1241, refounded by a De Burgh of Castleconnell. It had, in 1580, a large belfry, with stepped battlements and a side turret and various low buildings. Sir Thomas and Sir Eichard de Clare were buried there, 1287 and 1318; Father Mooney describes its remains in extensive gardens and orchards, as spacious but of poor structure. It was eventually used as a tannery and it still remained at Bishop Pococke's visit, 1752. The east window in 1789 was removed to St George's church and then to St Michael's, but has again been taken out. Some vaults remain on Sand Mall; the County Courthouse was on the site. (17) The Templars had a small house at their dissolution, 1314; it was in Quay Lane. (18) Beyond the river lies the venerable Celtic Church of Kilrush, in the grounds of '* Old Church," it has a massive lintelled door, with inclined jambs, and a round-headed east light. A curious square window of the Quinlinans, possibly late 16th century, was removed to it from St Mary's Lane and preserved by the late Eobert Vere O Brien. (19) Another church, Killeely, standing in ruins in 1657, and only represented by a graveyard, lies farther to the northeast. In the S.E. suburb, well seen from the railway, stood (20) St

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 16

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Limerick, you are near the site of the Franciscan convent. King Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien founded it before 1241, and a De Burgh of Castleconnell refounded it. In 1580 it had a large belfry with stepped battlements and a side turret, along with various low buildings. Sir Thomas de Clare was buried there in 1287, and Sir Richard de Clare in 1318. Father Mooney described its remains standing in extensive gardens and orchards. He called the buildings spacious but of poor structure. The place was eventually used as a tannery, and it was still serving that purpose when Bishop Pococke visited in 1752. The east window was taken out in 1789 and removed to St George's church, then moved to St Michael's, but it has since been taken out again. Some vaults remain on Sand Mall. The County Courthouse now stands on the site.

6. Franciscan Friary (Rock Abbey) at Askeaton

   Askeaton · townland · Limerick

   The Franciscan Friary, or Rock Abbey, stands on the east bank of the River Deel in an amphitheatre of crags. It consists of a church with north transept, a beautifully arcaded cloister, vaulted rooms, and a possible refectory wing. The friary bells were recently dug up near the south-east porch.

   Read the passage

   The Franciscan Friary or " Rock Abbey." — This extensive and interesting ruin stands on the east bank of the Deel, hi an amphitheatre of crags, and commands a pleasing view of the river and castle. It consists of a church and transejDt to the north, with a beautifully arcaded cloister to the south, round which are vaulted rooms to the east and west, the latter said to be the chapter house. A projecting wing is possibly the refectory. The upper rooms are reached by a staircase, partly modern, at the south-west corner ; the little prison and garderobes are curious ; note an unusual cruciform window in the south vaulted room. The bells of the friary were recently dug up not far from the south-east porch. The cloister (save one bay, of which the pillars were removed to allow the bringing of coffins into the garth) is in fine preservation. The

   Desmond's Castle, Askeaton, from north

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

7. Grianan of Aileach capstones brought as trophy to Limerick fort

   Limerick · city · Limerick

   Soldiers of Muircheartach Ua Briain brought the cap stones of the Grianan of Aileach as a trophy to the fort at Limerick when he came against the fortress of the King of the North. Some have searched for these stones in the walls of the old church without success.

   Read the passage

   The city consists of three sections (besides suburbs) ; the English town on the island, the Irish town adjoining it, and Newtown Pery. The first is the ancient city of the Danes and the Norman colony. After the destruction of the 0 Briens' palace at Kincora, the King's of Munster made it their headquarters, building a fort, in which it is said the present Cathedral of Limerick stands. It was to this fort that the soldiers of Muircheartach Ua Briain, nominal High King of Ireland, when he " came against the fortress of the King of the North," brought the cap stones of the Grianan of Aileach as a trophy, and some have looked for them (of course without success) in the walls of the massive old church. Domnall mor Ua Briain, the last recognised King of Munster, founded a church in honour of the Blessed Virgin, some time between 1180 and 1190; the mention of the church by Keating, in his account of the Acts of the Synod of Eathbreasail, in 1112, has led some persons to assert an earlier origin, but Keating 's words are clearly an explanation and not from the " Book of Clonenagh." The Gothic style was introduced by Domhnall after he built the convent of St John, Killone, near Ennis : his abbey of Corcomroe and Cathedral of Killaloe are

   I We must here gratefully acknowledge the kind permission of the Royal Irish Academy to use a number of the illustrations of antiquities which appeared in their Proceedings. The North Munster Archaeological Society was' equally kind.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

   As the companion tells it

   As the road brings you through Limerick, you are passing through a city of three sections, besides its suburbs: the English town on the island, the Irish town adjoining it, and Newtown Pery. The English town was the ancient city of the Danes and the Norman colony. After the destruction of the O Briens' palace at Kincora, the Kings of Munster made it their headquarters and built a fort where the present Cathedral of Limerick is said to stand. It was to this fort that the soldiers of Muircheartach Ua Briain, nominal High King of Ireland, brought the cap stones of the Grianan of Aileach as a trophy, when he, in the words of the source, came against the fortress of the King of the North. Some have looked for those stones in the walls of the massive old church, without success. Domnall mor Ua Briain, the last recognised King of Munster, founded a church in honour of the Blessed Virgin sometime between 1180 and 1190. The mention of the church by Keating, in his account of the Acts of the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1112, has led some to assert an earlier origin, but Keating's words are clearly an explanation and not from the Book of Clonenagh. Domnall introduced the Gothic style after he built the convent of St John, Killone, near Ennis. His abbey of Corcomroe and Cathedral of Killaloe followed.

8. Passion slab at St John's Church

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1602

   A carved slab at St John's Church depicts the Instruments of the Passion across four panels, including the scourge, crown of thorns, nails, cross, and St Veronica's napkin. Its partial inscription suggests it may commemorate Philip Roche, Mayor of Limerick in 1602, who bore a fish device in his arms.

   Read the passage

   The church is called " Ecclesia Sancti Johannis de Sancta Cruce " on the Forde tablet, 1693. It existed in the time of Bishop Uonat, 1200. Thomas Dyneley gives a sketch of this church in 1680, showing it with two side aisles, and rich Gothic windows in the east ends of these; the central (chancel) gable, had a plain shafted rectangular window set in the arch of an older one. In the north wall were a double light, with pointed heads, a single lancet, and a pointed door. It was 60 ft. by 63 ft. ; portions of the older church remain but all remodelled. The mediaeval building has been demolished, and the modem one is of no antiquarian value, save for an interesting slab. It is carved with circular headed panels : (1) shows the scourge, pillar, cords, and cock crowing out of the pot; (2) the palm branch, Pilate's ewer and basin, the hand which smote Christ, and St Peter's Sword; (3) the lantern (?), St Veronica's napkin, the seamless coat, the dice, 30 pieces of silver and the sponge ; (4) which has suffered injury, shows the cross, crown of thorns, nails, pincers, hammer, ladders, spears,

   and reed. The inscription is partly legible " Philippus filius

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 15

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, St John's Church holds a carved slab worth stopping for. The church was called the Church of Saint John of the Holy Cross on a tablet dated 1693, and it existed as far back as the time of Bishop Uonat, around 1200. Thomas Dyneley sketched it in 1680, showing two side aisles and rich Gothic windows. The medieval building has been demolished, and the modern one is of no antiquarian value, save for this one slab. It is carved with four circular-headed panels. The first shows the scourge, the pillar, cords, and a cock crowing out of a pot. The second shows the palm branch, Pilate's ewer and basin, the hand that smote Christ, and Saint Peter's sword. The third shows the lantern, Saint Veronica's napkin, the seamless coat, the dice, 30 pieces of silver, and the sponge. The fourth has suffered injury but still shows the cross, the crown of thorns, the nails, pincers, a hammer, ladders, spears, and a reed. The inscription is partly legible: the words Philippus filius. This may point to Philip Roche, Mayor of Limerick in 1602, who bore a fish device in his arms.

9. Post-mortem inquisition describes Bunratty Castle, 1321

   near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1321

   A post-mortem inquisition at Bunratty in 1321 described the castle as a single large tower with walls intact but unroofed due to the 1318 conflagration. The lands had lain waste for three years, with only a few town dwellers beginning to rebuild. The castle of Quin had been overthrown and the churches of Quin and Bunratty were of no value.

   Read the passage

   A post-mortem inquisition taken at Bunratty, on May 26, 1321, to enquire into the estate of Richard de Clare's son, Thomas, who had died a short time before, and who was the last male representative of the family, now wiped out, gives some interesting information as to what kind of a building the castle built by Sir Thomas de Clare was. It describes it as " a fortress, in which is a large tower, the walls of which are sufficiently good, but not built up nor roofed." It goes on then to give particulars of some of the appurtenances, but it is quite plain that the castle consisted of one large tower only, the top of which, with the roof, was gone, doubtless due to the conflagration of ^lay, 1318. The mill was only capable of supplying the wants of the inhabitants of the castle. The lands had lain waste during the preceding three years; " and neither are there any free tenants nor others dwelling in Thomond, save only the Irishmen who dominate therein, with the exception of a few dwellers in the town, who are beginning to rebuild in the said town, which was burned and destroyed on the day when Lord Richard de Clare was slain; after whose death neither Englishmen nor Irishmen paid any rent, nor did any service," The fish weirs the rabbit warrens were worth twenty shillings yearly, and the entire profits of Lord Richard de Clare out of the place from all sources, in times of peace, were upwards of forty marks (£26 13s. 4d.), which sum, and more, he expended on the lands. The jurors further sav ** that no one can hold possession of anything in the said land •without a new conquest," and that the castle cannot be guarded for less than one hundred marks (£66 13s. 4d.) yearly. That the Castle of Quin was overthrown during the lifetime of Lord Richard de Clare, and the churches of " Cony hi " (Quin) and " Bonrat " were then of no value, but in time of "peace were taxed at -610, and De Clare had the presentation th-^reto.

   The castle, now again in the hands of the King (Edward II), must have been repaired soon after, for we find it granted by him,

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

10. Quin Franciscan Monastery on Norman castle foundations

    Quin · town · Clare · 1280

    The Franciscan monastery of Quin, dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, stands beside the Rine rivulet in the ancient district of Ui Caisin. It was built directly on the foundations of a great Norman castle dating from 1280, and its remarkable preservation is attributed to fine stone quality and excellent masonry.

    Read the passage

    The monastery of Cuinche, anglice Quin (arbutus land), is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, and stands in the parish of the same name, beside a small rivulet called the E,ine, and in the ancient district of Ui Caisin, the tribeland of the Siol Aodha or Mac Namaras. The first thing t'hat strikes the visitor is the wonderful state of preservation of the various buildings. This is entirely due to the fine quality of the stone, combined with excellent mason work. Another thing that may surprise him is the obvious fact that the monastery was built on the actual foundations of a great Norman castle, whose date, 1280, is known with certainty. The whole, it may be truly said, is a lasting monument to the piety and culture of the men who built it, and at the same time a unique memorial of their valour.

    On January 26th, 1276, King Edward I. of England, out of his bounty, graciously granted to Sir Thomas de Clare, younger son of Eichard, Earl of Gloucester, the whole of Thomond, to be held in tail. De Clare also came to terms with Brian ruadh, late King of Thomond, who consented to give him the district of Tradraidhe, even all the lands between Athsoluis and Limerick, if 'he would but help him to regain his lost kingdom. De Clare, as we shall see, foully murdered Brian in 1277, whilst his guest in Bunratty, which he had built the same year.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 37

11. St Flannan's stone-roofed oratory at Killaloe

    Killaloe · town · Clare

    The stone-roofed oratory at Killaloe, known as 'St Flannan's tomb' and 'Brian Boru's vault,' is a fine specimen resembling St Columb's House at Kells and St Kevin's at Glendalough. It consists of a church with a later chancel, measuring 28 feet 8 inches by 17 feet inside, with an overcroft in the steep stone roof.

    Read the passage

    The stone-roofed oratory, called ** St Flannan's tomb," and " Brian Boru's vault," is a fine specimen of its class, and resembles St Columb's House at Kells and St Kevin's at Glendalough. It is fully described in Lord Dunraven's work and other accessible books, and consists of a church, to which a chancel was subsequently added; but this was later destroyed. The moulded east door, with its billets and quaint capitals and the side windows, suggestive of those in the best class of round towers, are interesting; above the barrel vault is an overcroft in the steep stone roof lit by windows to either end. The oratory measures 28 feet 8 inches by 17 feet inside, the walls are under 4 feet thick. Various carved stones of the Eomanesque church lie in it.

    The Cathedral is a cruciform building, dating about the same time as Corcomroe Abbey, about 1185, in the second period of King Domnall mor's foundations. It is a plain impressive old building with tall narrow Gothic lancets and built of yellow and purple sandstone, mellowed by time, and sheeted with variegated ivy. The dimensions are briefly — the chancel, 65 feet by 30 feet, the belfry, 30 feet square, the nave, 61 feet by 30 feet, the south transept 32 feet 7 inches by 22 feet 7 inches, and the north 23 feet 8 inches by 19 feet 3 inches. The chancel has four Gothic lancets

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 19

12. St Patrick and the Mountain of Cenn Febraith

    Ardpatrick · townland · Limerick · 1000–1100

    An 11th-century tradition held that the hill of Ardpatrick was granted to St Patrick on condition that he remove the mountain of Cenn Febraith (Ballyhoura, Bealach Febraith). His faith was equal to the task and left the gap of Belach Leghta. A popular legend also identifies an old entrenched road as 'the slug of the saint's cow's horns' when she ran away.

    Read the passage

    Ardpatrick. — This venerable church and round tower, on a long grassy ridge south from Kilmallock, is confused by several with its namesake (now Knockpatrick, near Foynes) in Ui Chonail. The Agallamh calls it Tulach na Feinne, whence the Fianna marched to the battle of Ventry in the third century. Lands near it and in Fontemel appear in William de Burgh's grant, 1199. As a parish church, it appears in all the ecclesiastical visitations from 1201, but has no history of outstanding importance, though it subsisted as a small reUgious house under a '* converb," " coarb," or ** comharb of the 0 Langane family. The fact, its name, the connection of St Patrick with it even in the Agallamh ,^ and in the popular legend which shows an old entrenched road as " the slug of the saint's cow's horns " when she ran away, bear out the evidence of its round tower in marking it an early and once important church. Tradition in the 11th century said that the hill was granted to Patrick on condition that he removed the mountain of Cenn Febraith (Ballyhoura, Bealach Febraith); his faith was equal to the task, and left the gap of Belach Legtha. The ruins stand on a high green ridge with bold mountains to the south. The ends of the church had fallen before 1840, and it measured 85 feet by 24 feet. The north door is the only architectural feature, with a round-headed arch of sandstone, and a smaller, inserted, pointed arch of limestone. A pointed low vault, or passage, is in the S. wall. The masonry of the sides is of large sandstone blocks, forming bold antae, or projections, at the west end. There was a south wing, or residence, 25 feet by 18 feet, nearly levelled. The wellis not far from the round tower, which is 39 feet from the N.W. corner of the church. The Down Surveys gives a rough sketch of the ruin in 1656 " Upon ye Ard Patricke are ye walls of a church and watch tower," it adds : the tower was even then broken, but had three stories ; it fell a little before 1827, and is now 11 feet to 6 feet high, badly breached, but of beautifully regular masonry; it was filled with rubbish in which pieces of amber and brass and many oyster shells were found by John Windele.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 50

13. Adare lower bridge construction

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1390–1410

    The lower bridge at Adare was built between 1390 and 1410. It was a narrow structure, hardly wide enough for a carriage to pass over, with recesses on the buttresses upstream for foot passengers to stand back.

    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

14. Bunratty Castle fortifications under royal custody, 1289-1299

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1289–1299

    During the minority of the de Clare heirs, Bunratty Castle was held by the King and extensively repaired. Over £230 was spent on fortifications, a mill, towers, gates, and houses between 1289 and 1299. The castle was besieged by the Irish in 1296, 1298, and 1299 but never taken.

    Read the passage

    During the minority of the sons of De Clare, Gilbert and Eichard, Bunratty was held by the King. In 1289, £11 10s. 8d. was spent in making about 140 yards of a fosse round the castle, with a palisade, another fosse for the mill, and in enlarging the pool. £5 3s. 9d. was allowed for the " covering of the big tower " and a chamber near the Eiver 0 Garney, the buying of new locks for the gate, the raising of a new tower beyond the gate, and repairing houses within the precincts of the castle. The place was besieged by the Irish in 1296, 1298, and 1299, with varying success, but was never actually taken in any of these years. On the custody, defence, victualling, and repairs of the castle for ten years 1289- 1299, while in the hands of the King, at least £230 7s. l^d. were spent.

    In 1308, Gilbert, elder son of Sir Thomas de Clare, being then 24 years old, died without issue male, and Eichard, the younger son now in his 22nd year, became heir to the estate. Eichard got seisin sometime between September 15, 1309, and Michaelmas term, 1310. He was now Lord Eichard de Clare, having been summoned to Parliament as a Baron by writ dated October 26, 1309.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

15. Captain Teige Macnamara repairs Quin tomb, 1714

    Rannagh · townland · Clare · 1714

    Captain Teige Macnamara of Rannagh, parish of Tulla, repaired the Quin Friary tomb in 1714, mistakenly attributing it to Mathghamhain dall. He was of the Lissofin line but his relatives acquired Ayle in the parish of Feakle in the 18th century.

    Read the passage

    Captain Teige Macnamara of Eannagh, parish of TuUa, was the man for whom Andrew mac Curtin transcribed the Cathreim Thoirdhealbhaigh, or " Triumphs of Turlough." He was of the line of Lissofin, but his relatives having acquired Ayle, parish of Feakle, in the 18th century, previously the property of the Ballinahinch line, were, in modern times, known as the Macnamaras of Ayle. Rawdon Macnamara, of Dublin, one time President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, w^as a member of this family. It is plain Captain Thady made a mistake in assuming that this monument was erected by Mathamhain dall mac Conmara, for the inscription, a much better authority, plainly says the builders were Aedh, son of Lochlanin and his good wife, Coibhlin.

    In the curious little chapel in the south wall, entered from under the belfry arches, which formed the porch of the Castle of Quin, are the fragments of what must have been a fine box or altar tomb, as is evident by the elaborate moulding on the edges of the slab. The writer got the inscribed pieces put together some years ago. The tomb seems to have been deliberately smashed at some time or another, probably by the Puritan soldiery when they garrisoned the coonty. Tne inscription, which runs round the edge in raised letters, reads : —

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

16. Dominican Friary of Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · townland · Limerick

    A beautiful ruin on the north bank of the River Loobagh. It features a chancel with a five-light east window, a south transept, cloisters, and vaulted rooms, repaired by the Board of Public Works after a collapse. It contains the Burgate monument and the large slab of the White Knight.

    Read the passage

    Dominican Friary. — On the north bank of the Loobagh in an open field is this beautiful ruin. The chancel is 66 J by 24 feet, with a noble five light east window which, like tnat of tlxe south transept (the tracery of which actually fell), was repaired by our Society in 1889. llie south wall has a row of Gothic windows ; there are some early 14th century recesses, sedilia, and an easter

    ®

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 49

17. Hospital of the Knights of St John at Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1460–1655

    The Hospital or House of the Knights of St John at Adare has left no ruin and its site is unknown, though the 'Spital Band' appears on the detailed Down Survey map of the Abbey lands at Adare (1651–55). A curious little chapel in the churchyard, dating to about 1460–1480, is attributed to the Earls of Desmond.

    Read the passage

    The Hospital, or House of the Knights of St John, has left us no ruin, nor (though the " Spital Band " appears on the curious detailed map of the Abbey lands at Adare in the Bown Survey, 1651-55), is its site known. The curious little chapel in the churchyard dates about 1460 to 1480, and is attributed to the Earls of Besmond, whose connection with Adare was very brief. Nearly a century later the visitations of Cornelius O Bea, Bis-hop of Limerick, whose beautiful crozier and mitre are still preserved in that city, allude to the parish church.

    We will resume the history of the castle and town. Adare was governed by a Bailiff in 1310, and he was granted, by patent, the right to levy tolls for murage, or walling the town; no trace of the fortifications is, liowever, extant. We have a description of the castle in 1329-31 in an Inquisition, taken on the death of Eichard Fitz Thomas, Earl of Kildare. The building consisted of a chapel

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 32

18. Monuments in Killaloe Cathedral and graveyard

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1692–1719

    The Cathedral contains late monuments including Bishop John Roan (d.1692) at the east end, Simon Purdon of Tinneranna in the chancel, and the curious coffer tomb of the Redfields (1719) in the graveyard. The Redfield tomb memorializes Elizabeth Browne and features carved panels showing the Resurrection and a skeleton with a cherub's head.

    Read the passage

    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

    Redfields in the S. E. side of the graveyard, ** Redfield to ye

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 20

19. Moyriesk Macnamaras buried at Quin transept

    Moyriesk · townland · Clare · 1584

    Some of the Macnamaras of Moyriesk are buried in the family vault in the south transept at Quin, descended from Donnchadh, son of Tadhg, who died in 1584 and was described by the Four Masters as the most dreaded in battle among the Clanncuilein.

    Read the passage

    (ob., 1602). This Donnchadh died in 1584, and the Four Masters describe him as ** a man of all the Clanncuilein, the most dreaded by his enemies in the field of battle." Major John Macnamara, commonly called " Fireball," the noted duellist, about whose name many legends cluster, and who called his pistols " Bas gan "Sagart," (death without priest), died at Coogane, in 1836, and was the last of the Moyriesk family.

    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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 39

20. O'Driscoll tablet with Irish epitaph at Rock Abbey

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1780–1798

    A tablet in the west end of the nave at Rock Abbey, erected by John O'Driscoll in memory of his father Edmund who died in 1780, bears symbols of square and compass, anchor, and I.H.S. The Irish epitaph, translated by John O'Donovan, laments that the Shannon is barren since Edmund was laid to rest.

    Read the passage

    " Alas, 0 flag ! good is thy treasured up companion Though strong is man he must be one day weak in clay There is no lord or chief in [the enjoyment of] action leap or agility And the Shannon is barren since Edmond is laid under thee."

    1 Ordnance Survey Letters, Co. Limerick, and Rev. J. Dowd's llonnd about Co. Limerick.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

21. Penn's fleet cleans ships at Scattery Island, 1646

    Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 1646

    After the surrender of Bunratty, Penn's fleet moved back to Scattery Island, emptied all the wells, and cleaned the ships while soldiers, women, and children were put temporarily on shore to refresh themselves. The fleet eventually departed for Kinsale, arriving July 26.

    Read the passage

    the river O Garney and anchored close to the castle. The siege dragged on with varying success until July 1st, when Mc Adam was wounded in the knee by a ball from a small field piece, of which he died the same night. Hardly was he dead when Penn discovered the men grumbling over another hoard of the Earl's money and plate found in some corner of the castle, after his departure, and which the officers refused to divide with them, viz., '' 18 bags of money and some plate," which they were " resolute '' in dividing among themselves alone. The siege continued until July 13th, when, after a prolonged and brave defence, the garrison was compelled to capitulate, " for their lives only, and the officers their swords, leaving the place, cannon, horses, ammunition, and provisions to the Confederates ; and embarking their sick and woimded men, returned by sea to Cork." Penn, who felt keenly his defeat, was told by the officers that the surrender was due to the loss of tlie corcass to the south-west of the castle, which fell into the bauds of the Confederates, and that in any case they shoukl be forced to yield in four days' time owing to the lack of food. He removed Jiis sliips on the 12th to Beagh Koad, and sailing down the Shannon on the 16t}i anchored at Scattery. Next day they entered Carrigaholt ]3ay to obtain water and provisions, which Sir ])onall 0 ]3i'ien's representative refused to sell them until they had threatened to attack the castle. The fleet then moved back to Scattery, and emptied all the wells on the island. Here the ships were cleaned, and the soldiers, women, and children /put temporarily on shore, " to pick, wash, and refresh themselves." At length, the fleet weighed anchor, left the Shannon, and arrived in Kinsale on July 26th.

    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.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 43

22. Rannach Cruim Duibh stone circle at Lough Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    The most important stone circle at Lough Gur lies on the east side of the Limerick–Cork road, marked on the Ordnance Survey as 'Rannach Cruim Duibh.' The name is likely a corruption of 'Rothanna Chruim Dhuibh,' meaning 'the wheels or circles of Crom Dubh,' probably invented by an 18th-century hedge schoolmaster. The circle lines a hollow atop a low earthen mound, with the mound's base diameter measuring 210 feet and the circle averaging 153 feet across.

    Read the passage

    The circle as it stands is different from any other circle known to the present writer. It lines a hollow in the top of a low earthen mound. The diameter of the mound at its base is 210 feet ; the diameter of the circle is given by Sir B. Windle as averaging 153 feet, and it is sunk to a depth of 3 feet below the top of the mound.

    I Part I., p. 105; reprinted, but without the illustrations, in Stock's (ienthmaiCs Magazine TAhrary, Part ii of the *' Archaeology " section, p. 117

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 45

23. Smashed altar tomb of Sean Macnamara at Quin

    Quin · town · Clare · 1601–1602

    In the chapel beneath the belfry arches of Quin Castle, fragments of an altar tomb commemorate Johannes (Sean) Macnamara, who died in 1601. The tomb was likely smashed by Puritan soldiery; his widow Aine, daughter of Toirdhealbhach mac Ui Bhriain of Ara, Co. Tipperary, erected it.

    Read the passage

    In the curious little chapel in the south wall, entered from under the belfry arches, which formed the porch of the Castle of Quin, are the fragments of what must have been a fine box or altar tomb, as is evident by the elaborate moulding on the edges of the slab. The writer got the inscribed pieces put together some years ago. The tomb seems to have been deliberately smashed at some time or another, probably by the Puritan soldiery when they garrisoned the coonty. Tne inscription, which runs round the edge in raised letters, reads : —

    * Hie jacit Johannes Capit [an]us macnemar[a] qui mortuus est Anno * [Dom]ini : 1601 : pro : aia : ora * Anna filia m I [Briejn Arra me fieri fe*.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

24. Adare castle and town fortifications

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1310–1331

    Adare was governed by a Bailiff in 1310, who was granted patent rights to levy tolls for murage (walling the town), though no trace of fortifications survives. An Inquisition taken in 1329–31 on the death of Richard FitzThomas, Earl of Kildare, describes the castle as consisting of a chapel and other buildings.

    Read the passage

    We will resume the history of the castle and town. Adare was governed by a Bailiff in 1310, and he was granted, by patent, the right to levy tolls for murage, or walling the town; no trace of the fortifications is, liowever, extant. We have a description of the castle in 1329-31 in an Inquisition, taken on the death of Eichard Fitz Thomas, Earl of Kildare. The building consisted of a chapel

    1 It will be remembered that "Robin Adair " in the well known ballad was of Co. Lnnerick origin, if some " commentators " err not.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 32

25. Ballymulcashel peel tower of Conor na Srona O'Brien

    Ballymulcashel · townland · Clare · 1466–1654

    The peel tower of Ballymulcashel stands on a small abrupt rock beside the road. It was built by Conor na Srona O'Brien, King of Thomond (1466–1496), and has well-cut windows, but its staircase was broken by commissioners who dismantled most East Clare castles in 1654.

    Read the passage

    here during the siege of Bunratty, in 1642, and there is said to have been a late Dominican cell near it. Those that go on by the north road pass a striking peel tower, Baile Ui Maolchaisil, or Ballymulcashel, or ^lountcashel, on a small abrupt rock, beside the road. It was built by Conor na Srona 0 Brien, King of Thomond, 1466-1496. It has some well cut windows, but the upper

    40 MAGH ADHAIR.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 23

26. Church of Kilmallock and its early patron St. Celloc

    Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1028–1594

    The church of Kilmallock, named in 1028 and 1050, derives from a shadowy St. Celloc who supposedly died around 639 AD. It was a parish church by 1201 and was enlarged by Maurice FitzGerald in 1420, becoming the Collegiate Church of St. Peter with cloister, hall, buildings and orchard by 1594.

    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

27. De Clare's fortress at Quin compared to Bunratty

    Quin · town · Clare · 1277

    The present castle at Bunratty has four massive corner towers, resembling De Clare's other fortress at Quin. The author argues De Clare's first Bunratty castle would have had a simpler plan given it was built under difficulties in a hostile country.

    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

28. Ennis Franciscan friary, earlier burial place of Clanncuilein chiefs

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1240–1402

    Before the founding of Quin monastery in 1402, the chiefs of Ui Caisin (Clanncuilein) were interred in the Franciscan monastery of Ennis, which was founded about 1240 by Donnchadh Cairbreach.

    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

29. Great stone circle at Loch Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick · 1817–1826

    A large stone circle near the village of Grange, by the Limerick-Cork road, was described by several early writers. Fitzgerald and McGregor recorded it as 45 yards in diameter with sixty-five upright stones, one being 13 feet high, surrounded by a sloping bank.

    Read the passage

    Fitzgerald and McGregor, History of Limerick (1826). — " Beyond the village of Grange, close to the public road from Limerick to Cork, on the left, are three curious stone circles. The first is 45 yards in diameter, and consists at present of sixty-five large

    mm

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 46

30. Hell Fire Club tradition at Askeaton castle

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1740–1760

    A ruined club house beside the castle platform at Askeaton is traditionally reputed to have been a Hell Fire Club in the mid-eighteenth century. The author notes this is probably a baseless tradition, shared with many other such sites.

    Read the passage

    Desmond's Castle. — This occupies an oval islet, the ancient Inis Geibhtine ; the earlier fort probably occupied the rock platform at the keep. An old picturesque bridge crosses the Deel at the north end of the islet. It is well described in the Desmond Roll (1583) as "an excellent castle, formerly a chief house of the late Earl of Desmond, in good repair, on a little island on a rock and surrounded on all sides by a rivulet. It contains two separate coorts and one balne (bawn) with divers strong buildings ... a large hall, a great vaulted room, with three cellars ... a triangular garden, in which is a fish pond, &c." The battlemented wall remains to the northwest, but the gateway is gone. The great Hall, or '' Desmond's Hall," is a stately structure of the 15th century, with several vaulted rooms underneath and a small chapel at the south end ; above the vaults is a stately apartment with large rich windows, now much defaced, to the north end and the sides, with a corbelling to the south. The keep stands on the rock-platform, and is about 90 feet high, with a projecting west turret, in which are several vaulted rooms, one with a massive, bolt-studded oaken door. The main tower has two vaulted stories and an upper room, most of the stairs are broken away. To the south was a large residence with an under vault and two stories above it, one with a handsome fireplace. The platform is reached by a ramp or sloping way, the gate of which is destroyed. Beside it is the ruined club house, traditionally reputed (like so many others, and probably on as baseless a tradition) to have been a " Hell Fire Club " in the middle of the 18th century.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

31. King John's Castle foundation and fortifications

    near King John's Castle · castle · Louth · 1199–1210

    Tradition holds that Prince John founded the castle and bridge at Limerick, with the ring tower nearest the bridge possibly dating to his reign. The fine gate towers may date to Edward I's reign, and the castle was fortified only against Thomond. By the early 17th century, citizen discontent forced the government to remodel the inner part and add a bastion.

    Read the passage

    There seems little reason to doubt the tradition that this and the bridge were founded by Prince John, though an early source for the statement has not been traced. Whether any part is as old as his reign may be contested; if any, the ring tower next the bridge might lay claim. The fine gate towers are possibly of the reign of Edward I. The castle was fortified against Thomond only, the part next the city was apparently badly walled till the early 17th century, when the seething discontent of the citizens forced the government to remodel the inner part and to add a bastion. There is a view (in the Hardiman collection of maps) showing the building before the alteration. It was grievously dilapidated and some of the towers were undermined by the river. The shot holes (made by Ginckell's cannon in 1691 and plugged with brick) are very noticeable on the " Bridge " or " Thomond Tower." To give here the salient points of its history for more than 700 years IS not possible, though there is a vast mass of material relating to the building — Stanihurst states that King John built an ** egregium castellum " and a bridge; the " bawn " of Limerick is first mentioned in 1200 by the Annals of Loch Ce. Kichard de Burgo, held it for the King in 1226, when all the other castles were disloyal. It had been greatly neglected and, two years before, the commissioners for valuing the Koyal property found that in Linjerick Castle the King's goods were scarcely worth 18 pence " as broken dishes." In 1227 it was repaired, and again in 1272. It had a chapel, and hostages were kept in it; a new chamber was built and two watchmen were kept " to watch from the top of the towers towards Thomond, and archers at the head of the bridge." A wall was built in 1297, possibly along the river front. In 1318 a quaint matter is recorded ; the constable carelessly let 16 prisoners escape, of whom John Wogan recaptured 18 and slew 2 ! In 1310 and 1322 grants of murage were made for repairing the fortifications, the last year being soon after the terrifying extinction of the Norman colony at Dysert in 1318 and the burning of Bunratty. It was again in bad repair in 1326, and £20 and £80 were expended on it. A sensational event occurred in 1332 ; the hostages broke out, slew the constable and held the castle, which had to be stormed by the mayor and citizens. In 1369 the city surrendered to the Mac Namaras, who appointed a governor; but the castle probably held out till the citizens slew the Irish governor Sioda Mac Namara and cleared the city of the Irish. In 1417 it reappears, the fees for its support being " annihilated," so the city repaired it with dues from the Lax weir, the great salmon weir, near Parteen, founded by the Danes. In 1427 the corporation and citizens petitioned that the castle might be confided to them as it had often been nearly lost by carelessness, or treachery; the Government took the offer on condition that the city paid for its repairs. In 1476, James, Earl of Desmond, who was successfully imposing

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 11

32. Leaba na Muice dolmen at Loch Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    A dolmen alleged to be called Leaba na Muice, the Pig's Bed, with three uprights and one capstone now poised on a single upright. The author suggests the name is likely a corruption of Leaba Dhiarmada, the common dolmen name.

    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

33. Limerick Cathedral founded on royal fort site

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1180–1190

    The Cathedral of Limerick stands on the site of a fort built by the Kings of Munster after the destruction of Kincora. Domnall Mór Ua Briain founded a church in honour of the Blessed Virgin between 1180 and 1190, introducing the Gothic style to Limerick.

    Read the passage

    The city consists of three sections (besides suburbs) ; the English town on the island, the Irish town adjoining it, and Newtown Pery. The first is the ancient city of the Danes and the Norman colony. After the destruction of the 0 Briens' palace at Kincora, the King's of Munster made it their headquarters, building a fort, in which it is said the present Cathedral of Limerick stands. It was to this fort that the soldiers of Muircheartach Ua Briain, nominal High King of Ireland, when he " came against the fortress of the King of the North," brought the cap stones of the Grianan of Aileach as a trophy, and some have looked for them (of course without success) in the walls of the massive old church. Domnall mor Ua Briain, the last recognised King of Munster, founded a church in honour of the Blessed Virgin, some time between 1180 and 1190; the mention of the church by Keating, in his account of the Acts of the Synod of Eathbreasail, in 1112, has led some persons to assert an earlier origin, but Keating 's words are clearly an explanation and not from the " Book of Clonenagh." The Gothic style was introduced by Domhnall after he built the convent of St John, Killone, near Ennis : his abbey of Corcomroe and Cathedral of Killaloe are

    I We must here gratefully acknowledge the kind permission of the Royal Irish Academy to use a number of the illustrations of antiquities which appeared in their Proceedings. The North Munster Archaeological Society was' equally kind.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Limerick, the Cathedral stands on the site of a fort built by the Kings of Munster. After the destruction of the O'Briens' palace at Kincora, the Kings of Munster made this their headquarters and built a fort. It was to this fort that the soldiers of Muircheartach Ua Briain, nominal High King of Ireland, brought the cap stones of the Grianan of Aileach as a trophy, when he came against the fortress of the King of the North. Some have looked for those stones in the walls of the massive old church, without success. Domnall Mór Ua Briain, the last recognised King of Munster, founded a church in honour of the Blessed Virgin some time between 1180 and 1190. Keating mentions the church in his account of the Acts of the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1112, which has led some to assert an earlier origin. But Keating's words are clearly an explanation and not from the Book of Clonenagh. The Gothic style was introduced by Domnall after he built the convent of St John, Killone, near Ennis. His abbey of Corcomroe and Cathedral of Killaloe are also mentioned.

34. Mayor fined for recusancy, money spent on castle 1600

    near King John's Castle · castle · Louth · 1600–1626

    Sir Geffry Galwey, the mayor of Limerick, was fined £400 in 1600 for recusancy, and the sum was expended on Limerick Castle. In 1611 the undercut towers were repaired, and by 1624 and 1626 provision was made for a small garrison.

    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

35. Prehistoric settlement and Bronze Age ford at Killaloe

    Killaloe · town · Clare

    At the end of the upper ford near Killaloe, Stone Age implements have been found on several occasions, indicating an early settlement. The ford was also much used in the Bronze Age, with several weapons of that period discovered when it was dredged away. The river valley's rich resources made it an ideal place of settlement.

    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

36. St Nicholas Church near the castle, destroyed 1651

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1194–1651

    St Nicholas Church stood before 1194 and received a grant from King Domhnall Mór O'Brien. It had a north aisle, central tower and low spire in 1580, and was totally destroyed in Ireton's siege of 1651.

    Read the passage

    The older city was rich in churches, all have been rebuilt. Besides the above 4 there were — (5) the church of St Nicholas: it stood before 1194, and had a grant from King Domhnall mor O Brien; it had a north aisle, with a central tower and low spire, in 1580, and was totally destroyed in Ireton's siege, 1651. It stood near the castle. (6) St Martin, some say the same as " Ecclesia ; St Martini (or Ste Marie) rotunda," 1201. (7) St Lawrence, near the City Hospital. (8) St Michael, 1201, ruinous in 1615, near the West Watergate and dismantled 1658 ; it had a side aisle and battlemented tower, 1580, and lay in James's Street. (9) St Brigid, 1201, mentioned 1212. (10) St Anne's chapel, 1270, no other record. (11) St Andrew's chapel, in the castle, 1216, mentioned down to 1250. (12) St Augustine's convent, circa 1199; a list of the church furniture in 1529 remains. (13) St Peter's convent, founded by King Domhnall, 1171, in Peter Street. (14) St Mary and the Holy Cross, " Our Lady's Cell," and " Holyrood," 13th Century. In 1559 it had a church, hospital, steeple, waste garden and barns ; in 1594 it was ruinous save a mansion. (15) The Dominican convent, or ** Monastery of Donnoho Carbry," noted above. (16) The Franciscan convent, founded by King Donnchadh Cairbreach 0 Brien, ante 1241, refounded by a De Burgh of Castleconnell. It had, in 1580, a large belfry, with stepped battlements and a side turret and various low buildings. Sir Thomas and Sir Eichard de Clare were buried there, 1287 and 1318; Father Mooney describes its remains in extensive gardens and orchards, as spacious but of poor structure. It was eventually used as a tannery and it still remained at Bishop Pococke's visit, 1752. The east window in 1789 was removed to St George's church and then to St Michael's, but has again been taken out. Some vaults remain on Sand Mall; the County Courthouse was on the site. (17) The Templars had a small house at their dissolution, 1314; it was in Quay Lane. (18) Beyond the river lies the venerable Celtic Church of Kilrush, in the grounds of '* Old Church," it has a massive lintelled door, with inclined jambs, and a round-headed east light. A curious square window of the Quinlinans, possibly late 16th century, was removed to it from St Mary's Lane and preserved by the late Eobert Vere O Brien. (19) Another church, Killeely, standing in ruins in 1657, and only represented by a graveyard, lies farther to the northeast. In the S.E. suburb, well seen from the railway, stood (20) St

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 16

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Limerick now. This was a city rich in churches in the older days, all of them since rebuilt. One of them was St Nicholas Church. It stood before 1194 and received a grant from King Domhnall Mór O'Brien. By 1580 it had a north aisle, with a central tower and a low spire. It stood near the castle. All of that came to an end in 1651, when it was totally destroyed in Ireton's siege. The siege of 1651 was part of the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Henry Ireton, son-in-law of Oliver Cromwell, led the Parliamentary forces against Limerick. The city held out for months. When it fell, much of it was left in ruin, and St Nicholas Church was among what was lost. Nothing of its north aisle, its tower or its low spire survived. What the grant of King Domhnall Mór O'Brien had sustained, what had stood since before 1194, was gone. The older city had many churches besides St Nicholas. There were St Martin, St Lawrence near the City Hospital, St Michael near the West Watergate, St Brigid, St Anne's chapel, St Andrew's chapel in the castle. There were convents of St Augustine and St Peter, St Mary and the Holy Cross, the Dominican convent, the Franciscan convent. The Templars had a small house in Quay Lane. Beyond the river lay the Celtic church of Kilrush, with its massive lintelled door and round-headed east light. All of these formed the church landscape of old Limerick, but St Nicholas, near the castle, is the one whose end came with Ireton's siege.

37. Cell of Our Lady, House of the Holy Cross at Sir Harry's Mall

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1200–1594

    The Cell of Our Lady, dedicated to St Mary and the Holy Cross, was founded for Austin Hermits after 1200 by O'Brien. The mansion house with a ruined belfry, choir, chancel, and a little garden still stood in 1594 at Sir Harry's Mall in Limerick.

    Read the passage

    See. Crucis qui diem clausit extremam XXIII die Mensis Augusti Anno Dni MDXIX cuius aie. pp itietur Deus." He was ** Provost " (prepositus) of the *' House of the Holy Gross," " The Cell of Our Lady " (dedicated to St Mary and the Holy Cross) founded for Austin Hermits after 1200 by O Brien. The mansion house with a ruined belfry, choir, chancel, and a little garden still stood in 1594 at Sir Harry's Mall. Another tablet set in the north transept wall commemorates repairs to the chancel by the Harold family in 1529 ; it was most injudiciously removed from its true position in the choir.

    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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Limerick, you pass near Sir Harry's Mall, where the Cell of Our Lady once stood. It was dedicated to St Mary and the Holy Cross, founded for Austin Hermits after 1200 by O'Brien. The mansion house, with a ruined belfry, choir, chancel, and a little garden, was still standing there in 1594. A tablet in the north transept wall commemorated repairs to the chancel by the Harold family in 1529, though it was most injudiciously removed from its true position in the choir. Another tablet, with a chevron between three lions and the name "Donoh," commemorated the rebuilding by Bishop Donnchad before 1204, recut in part in the late 15th century. The chancel also held the monument of Donat, the Great Earl of Thomond, put up by his grandson in 1678 to replace the original. The Cromwellians destroyed it. It contained the broken effigies of the Earl and his Countess. A third effigy, of King Donnchad Cairbrech O'Brien, who died in 1242, was said to have once occupied the top recess. The Earl's portrait is preserved at Dromoland. In his will of 1617, Donat directed that his monument should be a copy of the Vere tomb in Westminster.

38. Father Mooney's 1617 visit to Quin friary

    Quin · town · Clare · 1617

    Writing in 1617, Father Donall Mooney described the Quin monastery with choir and south transept still roofed, and two or three old helpless friars dwelling there. Church plate had been entrusted to Macnamara of Knapog but his widow denied knowledge of it.

    Read the passage

    Father Donall Mooney, writing in 1617, says that when he visited the monastery some short time before, the choir and south transept still had their roofs on, and that two or three of the Friars dwelt in the building, — " old, helpless men who scarcely retain a memory of the state of the convent before the suppression." The

    1 Annales Minorum

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

39. Sheela-na-gig at Clonlara canal bridge

    Cloonlara · town · Clare · 1769

    A steep canal bridge near Clonlara has a curious female figure carved in low relief dated 1769, likely a Sheela-na-gig. Legend held that a 'lady ghost' haunted the bridge until her image was carved to drive her away.

    Read the passage

    Leaving Limerick, one gets a striking view of the old river-girt English town, and a pleasing view of the hills and Shannon, which is crossed at Athlunkard Bridge (" ford of the fortress "). Once the Black water (appointed as the boundary of Killaloe diocese by the Synod of Eathbreasail in 1112) has been passed, a lone shady road is reached, the reputed haunt of the Puca so late as 1911, and of a ghostly horse -he ad floating beside those riding or driving in the dark. After passing through Clonlara, the road turns over a steep canal bridge, with the Castles of CooUstiege and Ballynua, or Newtown, to either side, and, in the north wall of the bridge, a curious female figure in low relief with the added date 1769. It was probably one of those grotesque luck-bringing carvings called Sheela-na-gigs. Legend says that a " lady ghost " haunted the bridge till driven away by cutting her counterfeit presentment on the slab.^

    The thickly ivied Castle of Elmhill, or St John's, in the low ground to the right of the road was reputed to be haunted by a ghostly black bull, with fiery eyes, and a farmer living even in the " nineties " told us that he had seen it at high noon sally forth, wind its tail round a small hay cock and draw it into the ruin. The whole district is a mine of folk-lore, much of which has been published. ^

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 17

40. Arthur Chapel (Jebb Chapel) in Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1634–1769

    The chapel dedicated to St Nicholas, patron of seafarers, was the burial place of the Arthur family and others including Creagh, Fanning, Rice, and Ferrar. Thomas Fitz Dominick Arthur directed his burial there in 1634. It contains medieval altar slab and fragments of a large Gothic tomb.

    Read the passage

    In the 15th century several chapels were added by various devout families, the city being then most wealthy and prosperous. They were (so far as I can identify them) as follows : — ^In the north aisle, the Creaghs' chapel, now the baptistery. 3 The next chapel was the burial place of the terrible " Murrogh the Burner," Earl of Inchiquin, in 1673. His body, was said to have been dug up and thrown into the Shannon; the urgency in his will, 1673, "my friends .... shall immediately after my death bury and enterr my corps privately " (his own son William being then abroad) suggests some anxiety on his part, and an empty coffin found under a stone marked " I " (Inchiquin) possibly confirms the story. The third, now called the " Jebb Chapel," from the statue of that prelate, was the Arthur chapel, or transept, dedicated to St Nicholas (the patron of seafarers) where Thomas fitz Dominick Arthur directs his burial, in 1634. In it should be noted the tombs of Dean Andrew Creagh, 1519; a floriated calvary cross; the tomb of Piers Arthur, 1649, one reading " orate pro a(n)i(m)a Thome Creagh filii David q' obiit — die Junii a.d. 1427 ( ? 1527) pro aia David filii Andr p(ro) aia Petri Creagh filii — . . . die Junii 1546," and others of that family, and Fanning 1634, Creagh 1632, Arthur 1649, Nicholas Rice 1769, his wife Mary 1724, Thomas Arthur 1729, and William FeiTar (father of the first historian of Limerick) 1753. The slab of the mediaeval altar is in this chapel and several fragments of a large Gothic tomb of the 15th century, portions of whose canopy and buttresses also lie behind the south porch. The chapel has been clumsily built against the north transept and has curious corbelling, explained by some quasi-antiquaries as " the remains of the O Briens' castle " ! It may be generally noted that the old Norman capitals of the aisles were retained and in some cases rebuilt into the new piers of the chapels. The old clerestory lights were in some cases (as in the Jebb chapel) closed by the later additions.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the cathedral holds a chapel now called the Jebb Chapel, after a statue of that prelate. It was the Arthur family chapel, dedicated to St Nicholas, the patron of seafarers. Thomas fitz Dominick Arthur directed his burial there in 1634. The chapel was added in the 15th century, when several devout families built chapels onto the cathedral, the city then being most wealthy and prosperous. The next chapel over was the burial place of Murrogh the Burner, Earl of Inchiquin, in 1673. His body was said to have been dug up and thrown into the Shannon. His will urged that his friends shall immediately after my death bury and enterr my corps privately, his son William being abroad, which suggests some anxiety on his part. An empty coffin found under a stone marked I, for Inchiquin, possibly confirms the story. In the Arthur chapel itself, there are tombs of Dean Andrew Creagh from 1519, with a floriated calvary cross, and Piers Arthur from 1649. An inscription reads orate pro anima Thome Creagh filii David qui obiit die Junii A.D. 1427, and others of the Creagh family. There are also tombs of Fanning, 1634, Creagh, 1632, Arthur, 1649, Nicholas Rice, 1769, his wife Mary, 1724, Thomas Arthur, 1729, and William Ferrar, father of the first historian of Limerick, 1753. The slab of the medieval altar is in this chapel, and several fragments of a large Gothic tomb of the 15th century, portions of whose canopy and buttresses also lie behind the south porch. The chapel was clumsily built against the north transept and has curious corbelling, explained by some as the remains of the O Briens' castle.

41. Celtic church of Kilrush, Limerick

    Kilrush · townland · Limerick

    The venerable Celtic church of Kilrush stands in the grounds of 'Old Church' beyond the river in Limerick. It has a massive lintelled door with inclined jambs and a round-headed east light; a curious square window of the Quinlinans was removed to it from St Mary's Lane.

    Read the passage

    The older city was rich in churches, all have been rebuilt. Besides the above 4 there were — (5) the church of St Nicholas: it stood before 1194, and had a grant from King Domhnall mor O Brien; it had a north aisle, with a central tower and low spire, in 1580, and was totally destroyed in Ireton's siege, 1651. It stood near the castle. (6) St Martin, some say the same as " Ecclesia ; St Martini (or Ste Marie) rotunda," 1201. (7) St Lawrence, near the City Hospital. (8) St Michael, 1201, ruinous in 1615, near the West Watergate and dismantled 1658 ; it had a side aisle and battlemented tower, 1580, and lay in James's Street. (9) St Brigid, 1201, mentioned 1212. (10) St Anne's chapel, 1270, no other record. (11) St Andrew's chapel, in the castle, 1216, mentioned down to 1250. (12) St Augustine's convent, circa 1199; a list of the church furniture in 1529 remains. (13) St Peter's convent, founded by King Domhnall, 1171, in Peter Street. (14) St Mary and the Holy Cross, " Our Lady's Cell," and " Holyrood," 13th Century. In 1559 it had a church, hospital, steeple, waste garden and barns ; in 1594 it was ruinous save a mansion. (15) The Dominican convent, or ** Monastery of Donnoho Carbry," noted above. (16) The Franciscan convent, founded by King Donnchadh Cairbreach 0 Brien, ante 1241, refounded by a De Burgh of Castleconnell. It had, in 1580, a large belfry, with stepped battlements and a side turret and various low buildings. Sir Thomas and Sir Eichard de Clare were buried there, 1287 and 1318; Father Mooney describes its remains in extensive gardens and orchards, as spacious but of poor structure. It was eventually used as a tannery and it still remained at Bishop Pococke's visit, 1752. The east window in 1789 was removed to St George's church and then to St Michael's, but has again been taken out. Some vaults remain on Sand Mall; the County Courthouse was on the site. (17) The Templars had a small house at their dissolution, 1314; it was in Quay Lane. (18) Beyond the river lies the venerable Celtic Church of Kilrush, in the grounds of '* Old Church," it has a massive lintelled door, with inclined jambs, and a round-headed east light. A curious square window of the Quinlinans, possibly late 16th century, was removed to it from St Mary's Lane and preserved by the late Eobert Vere O Brien. (19) Another church, Killeely, standing in ruins in 1657, and only represented by a graveyard, lies farther to the northeast. In the S.E. suburb, well seen from the railway, stood (20) St

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 16

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Kilrush, beyond the river, stands the venerable Celtic church, in the grounds of Old Church. It has a massive lintelled door with inclined jambs and a round-headed east light. A curious square window of the Quinlinans, possibly from the late 1500s, was removed here from St Mary's Lane and preserved by the late Robert Vere O'Brien.

42. Dyneley's 1680 visit to Quin ruins

    Quin · town · Clare · 1680

    In 1680, English traveller Thomas Dyneley visited Thomond and noted that the ruins of Quin Abbey had lately harboured Franciscan friars. His sketch showed ornamental crosses still on the gable tops, suggesting the monastery may have been unroofed by this date.

    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

43. Early fort and church at Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 800–1099

    A fort dug in the marshy bank of the Maigue, probably at least as old as the 9th century, and a church perhaps of the late 11th century, preceded the Anglo-Norman settlement at Adare. The church's original founder's name was overlaid by a later dedication to St Nicholas, the favourite patron of Anglo-Norman traders and sailors, and all Irish tradition had vanished.

    Read the passage

    There was at least a fort, dug in the marshy bank of the Maigue, and probably at least as old as the 9th century ; close to this was a church, perhaps of the late 11th century, but its founder's name was overlaid by the later dedication to St Nicholas, the favourite patron of the Anglo-Norman traders and sailors, who settled in the little *' port." All Irish tradition had vanished; unlike places in

    Cloister, Franciscan Friary, Askeaton

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

44. King's Castle, Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · townland · Limerick

    A fine peel tower standing in the street, about 60 feet high with some 70 stone steps and battlements. The large arch under it had been long used as a forge, and the tower was saved from demolition by the Society in 1897.

    Read the passage

    The King's Castle. — It is a fine peel tower standing in the street, and about 60 feet high, with some 70 stone steps and battlement ed ; the large arch under it had been long used as a forge. It was saved from demolition by the action of our Society in 1897.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 49

45. Lough Gur megalithic remains survey

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    Lough Gur, a picturesque lake about three miles north of Bruff, has long been famous for its archaeological interest. According to Sir Bertram Windle's survey, the site contains seven standing stones, twelve stone circles, two dolmens, and an alignment, alongside mediaeval castles and a church.

    Read the passage

    Apart from the mediaeval monuments, the castles and the church, which have their own special interest, there are, according to Sir Bertram Windle's list, seven standing stones, twelve stone circles, two dolmens, and an alignment to be seen here. For a full description of these reference may be made to his detailed survey.

    The most important is that on the east side of the road from Limerick to Cork — called on the Ordnance Survey map, " Rannach Cruim Duibh." This name is obviously both ungrammatical and meaningless, and the variants that are to be found in the works of Windele, Lenihan, and others, are equally so. It is hopeless to get at the proper form of the name, now that the local traditions have been contaminated by the meddlesomeness of amateur dabblers in antiquarianism. Putting one form with another we may guess with some probability that the original from which these corruptions have been derived was Rothanna Chruim Dhuibh, " the wheels, or circles, of Crom Dubh." In any case the name is not of much importance. It shows every sign of having been the invention of some hedge schoolmaster of the 18th century who had read the story of St Patrick and the alleged pagan deity Crom Cruach.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 45

46. Physical description of the Magh Adhair inauguration mound

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare

    The remains consist of a flat-topped, pear-shaped mote measuring 81 to 102 feet across and 23 feet high, with a fosse, outer ring, and western gangway. It lies in the townland of Toonagh, with field names such as 'Moyross' and 'Moyars Park' persisting after 1890.

    Read the passage

    King of Connacht, in 1051. The long succession of Kings of Thomond was inaugurated there (we are especially rich in the record of such events from 1267 to 1313), down to the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and '* Iraghts " of considerable local importance were held, down to the great famine, and were remembered even about 1890. In that year people only recalled besides that the mound was a place where a king was buried. The name is found in 1584 and 1652 as Moyree ; Tuanaghmoyre and Tuanamoree(1683) being the townland of Toonagh, in which it lies. In 1839 two fields near it were **Moyross" or " Moyri Parks," one was still called " Moyars Park " after 1890. The remains consist of a flat-topped mote, pear-shaped in plan, 81 to 102 feet across the top and 23 feet high, with a fosse and outer ring across which a gangway leads to the summit on the west side. There are

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 25

47. Samuel Barrinton clockmaker's monument, 1693

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1693

    In Limerick Cathedral, a quaint 1693 monument commemorates Samuel Barrinton, 'littell' clock and chime maker of the city. The inscription reads: 'He made his one time go early and latter, But now he is returned to God his Creator.'

    Read the passage

    '* H^re lieth littell Samuel Barrinton that great undertaker Of famious cittis clock and chime maker; He made his one time go early and latter, But now he is returned to God his Creator."'

    The first record of the Cathedral bells is that of the gift of a peal by John Budston in 1401. We need only recall the w^ell-known story of an earlier " chime." An Italian bell founder had made a most tuneful peal for the Cathedral of his native town. The place was plundered and destroyed and the bells w^ere carried off. The ruined old man " a wanderer on the face of the earth " was sailing up the Shannon at sunset, when the bells of St Mary's chimed out and in a moment he recognized his lost masterpieces; with a cry. of joy he lay back, his eyes fixed on the old tower, and when the bells ceased he was found to be dead with a smile on his face. Legend added that these silver bells were thrown into

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the cathedral holds a monument from 1693. It remembers Samuel Barrinton, described as a great undertaker and clock and chime maker of the city. The inscription calls him littell Samuel Barrinton and reads, He made his one time go early and latter, But now he is returned to God his Creator. The cathedral bells have a longer history. The first record of them is a peal given by John Budston in 1401. There is also an older story about a chime. An Italian bell founder had made a tuneful peal for the cathedral of his own town. That place was plundered and destroyed, and the bells were carried off. The ruined old man wandered the earth until he was sailing up the Shannon at sunset. The bells of St Mary's chimed out, and he recognized his lost masterpieces. With a cry of joy he lay back, his eyes on the old tower. When the bells ceased he was found dead, with a smile on his face.

48. Thomond Bridge and its old stone structure

    Thomond Bridge · street · Limerick · 1210–1840

    The old stone bridge at Limerick was a picturesque level structure of 14 irregular arches with bold cutwaters, built possibly in the 14th or 15th century using wicker centring. It was 150 yards long with a fortified gate-house next the city and a castellated gateway with drawbridge at the seventh arch, the Thomond Gate.

    Read the passage

    It is usually assumed that the " egregium castellum " and the bridge were erected about 1210, and that the bridge of that date was wooden. The old stone bridge was a picturesque level structure of 14 irregular arches, with bold cutwaters at each pier. The arches were turned over wicker, which rather favours the view that it was built in the 14th or 15th century, when this method was very usual. The vaults in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, and the window splays of Shanid Castle and other early Norman buildings were turned over planking, not wicker. The best and fullest account is given by Mr James Grene Barry in the first pages of the journal of the North Munster Archaeological Society. The old bridge was 150 yards long and had a fortified gate-house next the city and a castellated gateway and drawbridge at the seventh arch, the '' Thomond Gate." ^lany will recall that sad episode m the last siege, Sep. 22nd, 1691, when 600 of the defenders were drowned or slaughtered. The English had taken the outworks and driven back the gari'ison; a French Major, in command, lost his head and ordered the drawbridge to be raised before the fugitives could enter, thus causing the disaster and on the next day the parley for the surrender of the city. A quantity of King James' brass money was found in the river fcerl at the site of the drawbridge, when the old bridge was removed and the new one built in 1840. The present structure cost ^(^10,000. At the farther bank stands the so-called " Treaty Stone," an object of undeserved sentiment and interest. The treaty of Limerick was signed in a house on the Clare side of the river, on a table which was long

    22 THE CITY OF LIMERICK

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    Along here is Thomond Bridge, the old stone structure that crossed the river at Limerick. It is usually assumed that the egregium castellum and the bridge were erected about 1210, and that the bridge of that date was wooden. The old stone bridge was a picturesque level structure of 14 irregular arches, with bold cutwaters at each pier. The arches were turned over wicker, which favours the view that it was built in the 14th or 15th century, when this method was very usual. The vaults in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, and the window splays of Shanid Castle and other early Norman buildings were turned over planking, not wicker. The fullest account is given by James Grene Barry in the first pages of the journal of the North Munster Archaeological Society. The old bridge was 150 yards long and had a fortified gate-house next the city and a castellated gateway and drawbridge at the seventh arch, the Thomond Gate. Many will recall that sad episode in the last siege, September 22nd, 1691, when 600 of the defenders were drowned or slaughtered. The English had taken the outworks and driven back the garrison. A French major, in command, lost his head and ordered the drawbridge to be raised before the fugitives could enter, thus causing the disaster. On the next day came the parley for the surrender of the city. A quantity of King James' brass money was found in the river bed at the site of the drawbridge, when the old bridge was removed and the new one built in 1840. The present structure cost 10,000. At the farther bank stands the so-called Treaty Stone, an object of undeserved sentiment and interest.

49. Adare Manor House construction

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1832–1850

    The present fine residence at Adare was commenced in 1832 and only completed after 1850. It embodies the walls of an old tower attributed to Thady Quin.

    Read the passage

    White Abbey as the Eoman Catholic Church in 1811. They greatly improved t-he village; the handsome fountain commemorates the help given by the villagers in extinguishing a fire at the Manor House. The present fine residence was commenced 1832, and only completed after 1850; it embodies the walls of an old tower, attributed to Thady Quin.

    Antiquaries will not need to be reminded of the invaluable work done for Irish Archaeology by Edwin, Earl of Dunraven, father of the present peer; hhNotes on Irish Architecture was published aftei his death. He and his mother compiled the Memorials of Adare, to which all subsequent writers on the place must turn, and one of the most complete studies of its period on Irish mediaeval Architecture.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 33

50. Adare: the ford of the oaks and its scenery

    Adare · townland · Limerick

    Adare, meaning 'the ford of the oaks,' is described as one of the most attractive and interesting spots in Ireland. Its picturesque setting includes venerable trees, riverbanks, weirs, and views of monastery towers, old bridges, and Desmond's Castle.

    Read the passage

    Adare, " the ford of the oaks," is one of the most attractive and interesting spots in Ireland. Though lacking the noble settings of mountains or any wide prospect, such as we find at Killaloe and in the south of Co. IJmerick, it has it peculiar wealth of quiet beauty, apart even from the picturesque ruins, which alone would lead us to visit its fields. The venerable trees, the willows, osiers, and shrubs along its banks (though one be too late to see them in the glory of their gold, crimson and brown twigs, loaded with the soft grey, silver, green and yellow catkins of later April), the smooth rich fields, the coots playing on the surface, the great dragon flies fanning the reeds — the leap of the fish — the still reaches — glassy above the weirs — the chaos of tumbling waters falling below — make a lovely series of pictures. Here down a glade, or across a bend of the river, we see the lofty tower, stepped battlements and white shafted windows of a monastery, the two quaint old bridges, the strong keep and towers of the Desmond's Castle, or the fine Tudor mass of the modern Manor House. Other ruins visited may be of equal beauty or interest, but none are in such a princely setting.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

51. Ardpatrick Church and Round Tower

    Ardpatrick · townland · Limerick · 1201–1840

    Ardpatrick church and round tower stand on a high green ridge south of Kilmallock. The Agallamh calls it Tulach na Feinne, whence the Fianna marched to the battle of Ventry. The church appears in ecclesiastical visitations from 1201 and subsisted as a small religious house under a coarb of the O Langane family.

    Read the passage

    Ardpatrick. — This venerable church and round tower, on a long grassy ridge south from Kilmallock, is confused by several with its namesake (now Knockpatrick, near Foynes) in Ui Chonail. The Agallamh calls it Tulach na Feinne, whence the Fianna marched to the battle of Ventry in the third century. Lands near it and in Fontemel appear in William de Burgh's grant, 1199. As a parish church, it appears in all the ecclesiastical visitations from 1201, but has no history of outstanding importance, though it subsisted as a small reUgious house under a '* converb," " coarb," or ** comharb of the 0 Langane family. The fact, its name, the connection of St Patrick with it even in the Agallamh ,^ and in the popular legend which shows an old entrenched road as " the slug of the saint's cow's horns " when she ran away, bear out the evidence of its round tower in marking it an early and once important church. Tradition in the 11th century said that the hill was granted to Patrick on condition that he removed the mountain of Cenn Febraith (Ballyhoura, Bealach Febraith); his faith was equal to the task, and left the gap of Belach Legtha. The ruins stand on a high green ridge with bold mountains to the south. The ends of the church had fallen before 1840, and it measured 85 feet by 24 feet. The north door is the only architectural feature, with a round-headed arch of sandstone, and a smaller, inserted, pointed arch of limestone. A pointed low vault, or passage, is in the S. wall. The masonry of the sides is of large sandstone blocks, forming bold antae, or projections, at the west end. There was a south wing, or residence, 25 feet by 18 feet, nearly levelled. The wellis not far from the round tower, which is 39 feet from the N.W. corner of the church. The Down Surveys gives a rough sketch of the ruin in 1656 " Upon ye Ard Patricke are ye walls of a church and watch tower," it adds : the tower was even then broken, but had three stories ; it fell a little before 1827, and is now 11 feet to 6 feet high, badly breached, but of beautifully regular masonry; it was filled with rubbish in which pieces of amber and brass and many oyster shells were found by John Windele.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 50

52. Cratloe More peel tower of the MacNamaras

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1450–1500

    The tall peel tower of Cratloe More was the chief of three MacNamara castles in the district of Clancuilean. It dates from the late 15th century and has been greatly defaced, with its basement vaulted room now used as a cattle pen. A chapel of the same period stands beside it with only a fluted stoup basin remaining intact.

    Read the passage

    The road from Limerick to Quin runs through the low grounds beside the Shannon with the Cratloe hills to the right. Across the river stands up the bold rock and castle of the 0 Briens at Carrigogunnell. The tall peel tower of Cratloe next comes into view beside the road. It was the chief of three castles of the name, belonging to the MacNamaras, chiefs of the district of Clancuilean, or Ui Caisin, and distinguished as Cratloe more (or Cratloe moyle). It dates, like most of these towers, late in the 15th century, and has been greatly defaced, large late windows having been opened in the top story and the stair-case broken; the vaulted room in the basement is a cattle pen. The little chapel beside it is of the same period; the windows are destroyed, and only the fluted basin of a stoup remains intact. Cratloe keale or Castle keale (the narrow castle) is hidden by a grove of trees, and lies between its larger neighbour and the river; it is partly inhabited, and only the section with the stair-case, porch, and guard-room, and the small bed-rooms above them remains; the main section with the chief apartments is destroyed. The third Cratloe castle, Castle Donnell, lay near the river, and is levelled to the ground. The road now turns under the railway and passes close to a fine dolmen, quite perfect, and apparently unopened; beside which are the graveyard and side walls of the church of Croghane, of the late 15th century, a time of great building activity in Co. Clare, and indeed all over Ireland. The only features are a small stoup, a pointed south door and a window. The east gable had a broken pointed light, but has since fallen. There seems no ancient record or tradition, save that it is said to have been ** the ancient burial place of the MacNamaras, before Quin Abbey" which is most unlikely, as their settlements lay round Tulla, and the Tradraighe and Ui Aimrid lay between them and Croghane.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 22

53. Edward III reports Bunratty in Irish hands, 1342

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1342

    In 1342, King Edward III received a report that Bunratty Castle was in the hands of his Irish enemies. It remained a confused heap of stones and rubble until the rebuilding by de Rokeby in 1353.

    Read the passage

    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."^

    This must have been to all intents a new castle, and the third called Bunratty.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

54. Flourishing Franciscan college at Quin, 1641

    Quin · town · Clare · 1641–1651

    In 1641, Eugene O'Cahan (Keane) opened a flourishing college within Quin monastery that attracted eight hundred students. This prosperous period lasted about ten years until the Cromwellian occupation of Clare in 1651.

    Read the passage

    During the next few years, the Friars enjoyed comparative peace, and things improved so much that in 1641, the year which started the Great Rebellion, Eugene O Cahan (now Keane) opened a flourishing college in the monastery, which attracted eight hundred students to Quin. This happy state of affairs lasted for about ten years. The Confederate forces drawn from Munster and Leinster

    96 QUIN

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

55. Friars return to Askeaton convent and list of Guardians

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1627–1872

    The Franciscan friars returned to their ruined convent at Askeaton in 1627, and an unbroken list of Guardians runs from 1629 to 1650. After the monks fled in 1651, the next guardian was appointed in 1661, but later lists from 1714 to 1872 were merely nominal.

    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. Last O hAichir Lord of Magh Adhair dies, 1099

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1099

    The last O hAichir (O'Hehir) Lord of Magh Adhair was Donnchadh, whose death is recorded in 1099. The author suggests his title was merely honorific, as the Ui Caisin had probably taken possession of Magh Adhair many years before his death.

    Read the passage

    of the rent-paying tribes 4n the west of the county some time in the 13th century, principally as a result, we believe, of the Norman occupation of the Old Thomond in Limerick and Tipperary. The last mention of an 0 Donnell, Lord of Corcabhaiscinn, by the Four Masters is in 1158. In 1359 a Mac Mahon, heir apparent to the lordship of that district, was slain by the O Briens. The last 0 hAichir, Lord of Magh Adhair, was Donnchadh, whose death is recorded in 1099. His title was, we think, merely honorific, for it is probable the Ui Caisin had taken possession of Magh Adhair many years before. The last O Conor mentioned in the annals is Diarmaid, son of Eudraig'he, elected Lord of the Corca Modhruadh, in 1482. The last O Lochlainn, Lord of Corcomodruadh, is Trial, who was slain in 1396. In the 13th century, O Briens were apparently a long time settled in parts of Corcamodruadh and Ui Breacain, and Mac Mahons in Corcabhaiscinn.

    The Franciscan Monastery of Quin.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 37

57. Loch Gur in the Book of Leinster's Finn's horse-race poem

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    A weird poem on Finn's horse-race in the Book of Leinster mentions the rock over Loch Gair, where Del mac Da-crech's black horse won three prizes. The rock may have been Carraig an aifrinn or Carraig aluin.

    Read the passage

    " A black horse belonging to Del mac Da-crech Was in every game that he played : To the rock over Loch Gair He won the three prizes of the assembly."

    Tli.e rock may have been Carraig an aifrinn, or else Carraig alln. Tlie same stanza is quoted in the Agallamh na Senorach.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 47

58. Oak timber from Cratloe forest for castle fortification, 1252

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1252

    On June 21, 1252, King Henry III granted De Muscegros permission to draw 200 good oaks from the forest of Cratloe, noted for its fine timber, to fortify his castles at Bunratty and Clare.

    Read the passage

    De Muscegros permission to draw 200 good oaks from the forest of Cratloe — always noted for its fine timber — to fortify his castles. Robert de Muscegros died in 1253-4, and his son John obtained his father's lands. It was during John's occupation, in 1270, that Brian ruadh. King of Thomond, destroyed the castle at Clare. The property, as we might expect, did not prove a very profitable investment, and so we find the castles and lands surrendered to the King by John de Muscegros' son, another Robert, in March 2, 1276.

    Two years before this date, Sir Thomas de Clare, Knight, Governor of London, 1273, and younger son of Richard, Earl of Gloucester, had got licence to proceed to Ireland, where he landed on May 23, 1274, and soon after was appointed Chancellor. On January 26, 1276, the King granted the whole of Thomond to De Clare, quite regardless of the rights of anyone else, and on March 3, following, he made him a further grant in tail of the Castle of Bunratty, the cantred of Tradraidhe, and the theodurn of Ui Cormaic (now barony of Islands), late the estate of De Muscegros, to be held in capite. The Castle of Clare evidently had ceased to exist.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

59. Views from Quin friary tower

    Quin · town · Clare

    From the summit of Quin friary's tower, extensive views encompass the plain of Magh Adhair with the prehistoric inauguration mound of Adhar, Danganbrack castle, Ballymarkahan, Knapog, and distant Keeper mountain through a gap in Slieve Bernagh. Foundations of the ancient town of Quin are visible in the field south-east of the monastery.

    Read the passage

    by a spiral stair in the north-east angle. From the summit a fine and extensive view is obtained of the ancient plain of Magh Adhair, in which is the prehistoric mound of Adhar, two miles to the north-east, on which the Kings of Thomond were inaugurated by Mac Conmara. The gabled castle of Danganbrack is quite near to the east. Ballymarkahan and Knapog are not far away to the south-east. Distant Kimalta (Keeper) can be seen through a gap in Slieve Bernagh if the air is clear. The remains of the T3astions of de Clare's Castle on south-east and north-east can be readily examined from the tower top, and if the sun is low and the

    QUIN

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

60. Athlunkard Bridge and the Púca haunt

    Athlunkard Bridge · bridge · Limerick · 1911

    The road from Limerick crosses the Shannon at Athlunkard Bridge, named for the 'ford of the fortress.' Beyond the Blackwater boundary, a shady road was reputedly haunted by the Púca and a ghostly horse-head as late as 1911.

    Read the passage

    Leaving Limerick, one gets a striking view of the old river-girt English town, and a pleasing view of the hills and Shannon, which is crossed at Athlunkard Bridge (" ford of the fortress "). Once the Black water (appointed as the boundary of Killaloe diocese by the Synod of Eathbreasail in 1112) has been passed, a lone shady road is reached, the reputed haunt of the Puca so late as 1911, and of a ghostly horse -he ad floating beside those riding or driving in the dark. After passing through Clonlara, the road turns over a steep canal bridge, with the Castles of CooUstiege and Ballynua, or Newtown, to either side, and, in the north wall of the bridge, a curious female figure in low relief with the added date 1769. It was probably one of those grotesque luck-bringing carvings called Sheela-na-gigs. Legend says that a " lady ghost " haunted the bridge till driven away by cutting her counterfeit presentment on the slab.^

    The thickly ivied Castle of Elmhill, or St John's, in the low ground to the right of the road was reputed to be haunted by a ghostly black bull, with fiery eyes, and a farmer living even in the " nineties " told us that he had seen it at high noon sally forth, wind its tail round a small hay cock and draw it into the ruin. The whole district is a mine of folk-lore, much of which has been published. ^

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 17