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. Bishop Rider reports friars at Quin Abbey, 1615

   Quin · town · Clare · 1615

   In 1615, the Protestant Bishop of Killaloe, John Rider, complained to the Royal Commission that friars and priests resorted to abbeys including Quin, with great concourses of people gathering publicly. Father Donall O'Haigshy had charge of the Quin community at this time.

   Read the passage

   Father Donall O Haigshy had charge of the Quin community in 1615. John Eider, Protestant Bishop of Killaloe, complains in his report to the Eoyal Commission of that year, that to divers abbeys and monasteries of his diocese " many ffriars and priests doe ordinarily resort, and sometimes in the year great concourse of people publickely, as in the Abbey of Quin in ye County of Clare. "4

   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

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

2. Carrigogunnel as an O'Gunnings fort

   Carrigogunnel · townland · Limerick

   Carrigogunnel is one of two fortified rocks that preserve the name of the chief family, the O'Gunnings. It marked the edge of Ostmen settlements surrounded by older, possibly pre-Celtic tribes.

   Read the passage

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

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

3. Castleconnell and the O'Gunnings name

   Castleconnell · town · Limerick

   Castleconnell was one of two fortified rocks preserving the name of the O'Gunnings family. It marked the edge of Ostmen settlements surrounded by older, possibly pre-Celtic tribes.

   Read the passage

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

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

4. De Muscegros castle at Clare Castle, 1251

   near Clarecastle · population centre · Clare · 1251–1270

   Alongside Bunratty, Robert de Muscegros erected a similar castle at Clare Castle, one of the first castles built in Thomond. Brian ruadh, King of Thomond, destroyed the castle at Clare in 1270, and by 1276 it had ceased to exist.

   Read the passage

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

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

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

5. Destruction of ancient west doorway of Limerick Cathedral

   Limerick · city · Limerick

   The old recessed, round-arched west door of Limerick Cathedral, with its three outer arches having single-block keystones, was removed during a recent 'restoration' to allow construction of a modern doorway. The author laments this vandalism of one of the earliest parts of the building.

   Read the passage

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

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 10

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, the cathedral here lost something it should never have lost. The old west door was recessed and round-arched, plain and defaced but still very interesting. Its three outer arches each had a single block of stone as a keystone. The foliage on the older capital was similar to that of the piers in the south arcade, which means it was one of the earliest parts of the existing building. In a recent restoration, or rather destruction, the whole thing was removed, save the inner arch, to make way for a valueless modern doorway. The author calls it vandalism, and laments that so little respect for an ancient building should have been shown in such recent times, or that architects should be found to commit such an act. The cathedral holds other traces of its long history. Near the south porch, a pelican carved in stone revives its dead young with its blood, a symbol the Stacpole family still bears as their crest. Near the south-west angle, the escutcheon of the Creagh family of Adare and Limerick City can be found. They claimed to be O'Neills from 1580 onward, but seem to have been Russells, several at Adare and Limerick being called "Russel alias Creevagh" in the 14th century. The south porch has a recess for a holy water stoup, richly decorated with nail-head ornament and mouldings.

6. Dunboyne castle, an inhabited peel tower

   Knappoge · townland · Clare

   The castle of the Lords Dunboyne is a peel tower still inhabited, forming part of a modern mansion. The family is a branch of the Butlers, founded by Sir Toby Butler, Attorney-General to King James II.

   Read the passage

   Another road turning westward at the little village of Kilmurrynegall (named from the Norman colony of 1275-1318, on the edge of whose territory it stands) leads through a land of low ridges and little lakes into the central plain, and passes the half -blown up dolmen of Knappoge and the castle of the- Lords Dunboyne. This, another peel tower, is still inhabited, forming part of the modern mansion. The family is a branch of the Butlers, founded by Sir Toby Butler, a leading lawyer, Attorney-General to Ring JamesII. Beyond are the tower of Ballymarkahan and the village of Quin.

   Another road leads over the high ridge from Eathlube to Cullaun. Tom Steele's Turret is on the hill to the left, and the pretty castle and lakelet of Creggane to the right. Quin " Abbey " is seen in the distance.

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 23

7. John Budston's sedilia and gift of bells to Limerick Cathedral

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1401

   John Budston, Bailiff of Limerick in 1401, erected sedilia in the south transept of the cathedral, marked with his name and merchant marks. His grandson William Arthur recorded that Budston gave four brass bells to the church.

   Read the passage

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

   Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 9

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through Limerick, the cathedral holds a story from 1401. The south transept is mainly ancient, its window rebuilt in the style of the older one. In its south wall there is a remarkably interesting group: a tomb with its piscina and ambreys on one side and sedilia on the other. The sedilia were put up by John Budston, whose name and merchant marks appear on them. He was Bailiff of the city in 1401. His daughter Margaret married Peter Arthur, and their son William records his grandfather's good deeds, and that he gave 4 brass bells to the church. John Budston's widow left her family the two monuments and her just share of the chapel of the Magdalen. That chapel of St Mary Magdalen, along with the chapel of St James, once occupied what is now the choir room, circa 1370. Their plain Gothic arches are the only original features that remain, though 2 windows of the two succeeding centuries survive. They were wrecked in the siege of 1691. The east wall of the transept holds the monument of the Westropps of Bally, County Clare, with the wrong date of 1830, which should read 1839. The Galwey tomb stands nearby, large and picturesque, with rich shields and finials, a great pediment and figures of angels round a cinquefoil recess. The shields bear arms and initials: Scutum Galfridi Galwey, Scutum Edwardi Galwey, and within the pediment, Scutum Ricardi Bultingfort. In the back is a defaced inscription that gave many hours of work to several researchers before it yielded its fragment: Hic jacet in tumba.

8. Kilmallock Castle and the 1206 royal enquiry

   Kilmallock · townland · Limerick · 1199–1206

   King John ordered an enquiry in 1206 to determine whether Kilmallock Castle and the Cantred of Karbry belonged to the Kingdom of Cork or to Limerick. Lands around Kilmallock had been granted to W. de Burgo in 1199.

   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

9. King James brass money found in river at drawbridge site

   Thomond Bridge · street · Limerick · 1840

   When the old Thomond Bridge was removed and the new one built in 1840, a quantity of King James' brass money was found in the river bed at the site of the drawbridge. The present structure cost £10,000.

   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, where Thomond Bridge crosses the river, a quantity of King James' brass money was found in the river bed in 1840. It came to light when the old bridge was removed and the new one built, at the site of the drawbridge that once stood at the seventh arch. The old stone bridge was a picturesque level structure of 14 irregular arches, about 150 yards long. It had a fortified gate-house next the city, and a castellated gateway and drawbridge at the seventh arch, the Thomond Gate. The arches were turned over wicker, which favours the view that it was built in the 14th or 15th century, when that method was common. The fullest account of the bridge was given by Mr James Grene Barry in the journal of the North Munster Archaeological Society. That drawbridge was the scene of disaster on September 22nd, 1691, during the last siege. The English had taken the outworks and driven back the garrison. Six hundred of the defenders were drowned or slaughtered. A French Major in command lost his head and ordered the drawbridge to be raised before the fugitives could enter, thus causing the disaster. The next day came the parley for the surrender of the city. The brass money found in the river bed was a remnant of that time. The present structure cost £10,000.

10. Leasing and ownership history of Bunratty Castle

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1656–1916

    Earl Barnaby leased Bunratty to John Cooper of Meelick in 1656. The last Earl of Thomond leased the castle to Robert Amory in 1709 and to Thomas Amory in 1712. In 1725, Amory sold his lease to Thomas Studdert of Kilkishen, in whose family the place has since remained. The owner was in communication with the Irish Board of Works to vest the castle as an ancient monument.

    Read the passage

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

    The present castle, which in its general features is very plain and of uniform workmanship, consists of four square coruer towels joined by massive curtain walls rising nearly to the full height.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 43

11. Ogham stones collected at Adare by Lord Dunraven

    Adare · townland · Limerick

    A collection of Ogham stones was assembled by the late Lord Dunraven and grouped in the grounds at Adare. Several stones originated from Mangerton Mountain and Rockfield, Co. Kerry, the latter recovered from a rath-cave.

    Read the passage

    A small collection of Ogham stones were brought together by the late Lord Dunraven, and they are to be seen grouped in the grounds. The following is a brief description of them.

    Mangerton. — A stone 6 feet 9 inches in length, now broken in two, found somewhere on the slope of Mangerton Mountain. There is a wedge-shaped fragment lost at the point of fracture, which ihas carried away part of the writing; and another tlake is lost from the top of the inscribed angle. The letters remaining

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 35

12. Sixmilebridge and its Jacobean-era bridge

    Six-mile-bridge · town · Clare · 1603–1642

    Sixmilebridge has no early history; its bridge was built by Donat 'the Great Earl' of Thomond in the reign of James I. The Confederate Catholics formed a camp there during the siege of Bunratty in 1642, and a late Dominican cell is said to have existed nearby.

    Read the passage

    Where the road crosses the river Eaite (or Owenogarnagh) is the once prosperous little town of Sixmilebridge. It has no early history; the bridge was built by Donat " the Great Earl " of Thomond in the reign of James I. The Confederate Catholics formed a camp

    **1))CL0NR0A0

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 23

13. Ballymarkahan tower near Quin village

    Ballymarkahan · townland · Clare

    Beyond the Dunboyne castle stand the tower of Ballymarkahan and the village of Quin, along the road through central Clare.

    Read the passage

    Another road turning westward at the little village of Kilmurrynegall (named from the Norman colony of 1275-1318, on the edge of whose territory it stands) leads through a land of low ridges and little lakes into the central plain, and passes the half -blown up dolmen of Knappoge and the castle of the- Lords Dunboyne. This, another peel tower, is still inhabited, forming part of the modern mansion. The family is a branch of the Butlers, founded by Sir Toby Butler, a leading lawyer, Attorney-General to Ring JamesII. Beyond are the tower of Ballymarkahan and the village of Quin.

    Another road leads over the high ridge from Eathlube to Cullaun. Tom Steele's Turret is on the hill to the left, and the pretty castle and lakelet of Creggane to the right. Quin " Abbey " is seen in the distance.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 23

14. O'Brien's Bridge and Inishlosky church

    near O'Brien's Bridge · town · Clare · 1509–1536

    O'Brien's Bridge replaces an earlier bridge of 1509 with castles mid-river, demolished in 1536. Upstream lies Inishlosky, where fragments of a small church survive, including part of a beautifully built Romanesque window of red and yellow sandstone.

    Read the passage

    O Brien's Bridge stands on the site of the older bridge (1509), Droichead Puirt Croise, which, with its strong castles in the middle of the river, was entirely demolished in 1536. The present bridge is of two periods, owing to diversity of action by the grand juries of Counties Clare and Limerick. Just above the bridge is seen Inishlosky, with a couple of fragments of a venerable little church. The only features are the northern half and the side of a beautifully built plain Romanesque window of red and yellow sandstone with the springing stones of the circular arch : the light is 5 inches wide, with a neat recess and chamber, the walls 2 feet 8 inches thick. Only the foundations of the sides, and about 'half the ivied west gable remain, with a few illegible tombstones and a vault from which a recent flood washed the coffins and bones.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 17

15. Ardpatrick Round Tower Description and Fall

    Ardpatrick · townland · Limerick · 1656–1827

    The round tower at Ardpatrick stood 39 feet from the N.W. corner of the church. The Down Survey of 1656 sketched it with three stories, already broken. It fell a little before 1827 and by Westropp's time was only 11 to 6 feet high. John Windele found pieces of amber and brass and many oyster shells in the rubble.

    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

16. Castle neglect and repairs in 13th century

    near King John's Castle · castle · Louth · 1224–1272

    In 1226 Richard de Burgo held Limerick Castle for the King when all other castles were disloyal. Two years prior, commissioners found the King's goods in the castle scarcely worth 18 pence as broken dishes. Repairs were carried out in 1227 and again in 1272.

    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

17. Castle of Clare remnants of unknown origin

    near Clarecastle · population centre · Clare

    The author notes that no other castle of the Norman type seen at Bunratty was built in Thomond except possibly the Castle of Clare, of which only a small part remains. Its founder, plan, and date are entirely unknown.

    Read the passage

    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.

    How and when Bunratty changed from Macnamara into O Brien ownership will very likely never be ascertained. It certainly w^as the property of Conchobhar, King of Thomond (ob. 1539), and probably his father, Toirdhealbhach donn (ob., 1528). Conchobhar's third son of Toirdhealbhach (ob., 1557), possessed it in 1550, and in 1552, Conchobhar's second son, Domhnall mor, held the office of " Steward of Boirenn and Tradry." It was not part of the lands of Murchadh, King, afterwards first Earl of Thomond (ob., 1551), for it is not enumerated among the castles and lands devised by him in his will, of which, however, we have but a poor copy. It remained the j)i"operty of the othei- Earls, the direct descendants of Conchobhar, until alienated in 1712, by Henry eighth and last Earl of Thomond.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 42

18. Dalcassian palaces at Bruree and Kilmallock

    Bruree · town · Limerick

    The old Dalcassian kingdom and its palaces lay around Kilmallock at Bruree and Dunclaire in Coshmagh and western Coshlea, later known as the district of Fontymchyll. These were central places of the early kingdom.

    Read the passage

    found in the Atlas of Ptolemy, a.d. 150. It gives the Senos, or Shannon; the Ganganoi tribes (the Irish Gann, Genann and Sengann) at its mouth; a " city " Eigia (variously identified as Bruree, limerick, and Athenry) and Makolikon— which, strangely, suggests Gil Mocheallog, or Kilmallock, though the latter name is said to be derived from a saintly cleric Mocheallog. It is suggested that the great wasted town of Moghane may be Ptolemy's Magnata (Magen) but the gold ornaments of its plunder may date 600 years or more earlier than the Alexandrian geographer, and '* Magnata" seems to have lain much farther north, perhaps at Moyne, in Mayo. The old Dalcassian kingdom and its palaces (as we saw) lay round Kilmallock at Bruree and Dunclaire in Coshmagh and western Coshlea, which was the later district of Fontymchyll. The Deisi tribes lay in Deisbeg, round Bruff and Loch Gur"; they were reputed to be immigrants from Meath, like the Deisi in Waterford. The very ancient races of the Uaithne and Aradha, with the Ui Cuanach, lay from Coonagh and Owneybeg up to Owney and Ara ; but the Aradha originally dwelt on the Saimer or " Morning Star" Eiver. The Tuath Luimnigh lay along the Luimneach estuary as far as the Maigue, and gave their name to the City of Limerick ; their chief sept, the Ui gConaing or O Gunnings are recalled by the castles of Carriag Ua Conaing and Caislean Ua Conaing, now Carrigogunnell and Castle Connell; there seems to have been a tribe named Aes Chluana near the former place. A colony of the Burkes gave their name to Clanwilliam. Beyond Kenry, the Gebtini, another very early *' pre-Milesian " tribe, were settled at Askeaton (Eas Geibhtine and Inis Geibhtine). Another group of " Firbolg " and non-Milesian tribes appear, the Asail, near Tory Hill, or Dromasail, the Calraighe,^ at Pallas Greine, and the Mairtinigh,2 thence to Emly. To the west lay the great kindred tribes of the Ui Chonaill and Ui Fidgeinti in Connello. There were several petty tribes, usually only remembered for having given their names to various lands; all of very uncertain affinity. The chief of these were the Ui Mhaille of Crewymalley or Knocknegall; the Muscraidhe Chuirc of Kilpeacon, the Cenel Mekin at Monasteranenagh ; the Ui Colochur, of Crecora ; the Corca Muicheat, of Corcamohide ; the Corca Oiche, near Kilkeedy and Glenquin; the Ui Fairchealla (Frawleys), of Ballyfraley near Newcastle; the Ui Baithin (O Meechans), near Ardagh; the Uibh Eosa (Ui Eosa or 0 Eoss) in Iveruss; the Fir Tamhnaighe, of Mahoonagh (Magh Tamhnaighe) and the Mac Ceire, at Lismakeery, Save the Corca Muicheat and Corca Oiche they were rather families than septs. North of the Shannon we pass through the lands of the pre-Milesian Tradraighe, in Tradree, from Bunratty to Dromoland, while the Mac Namaras, the Ui gCaisin, the second branch

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 5

19. Daniel McConmara tomb under Quin belfry

    Quin · town · Clare · 1643–1649

    A plain much-worn flag under the belfry at Quin reads 'Daniel McConmara, 164—' and may be the tomb of Donall, son of Sean Ann, who died in 1643. His wife was Lady Honora Burke, daughter of Rickard, 2nd Earl of Clanrickard.

    Read the passage

    In the Sacristy also, half buried in the masonry, is a tomb of the Macnamaras of Rannagh, but it cannot be decipered in its present position. Under the belfry is a plain much-worn flag, which reads : — Here lyeth the body of Daniel Mc Con[mara], 164 — , This may possibly be the tomb of Donall son of Sean Ann, who died in 1643; his wife was Lady Honora Burke, daughter of Rickard, 2nd Earl of Clanrickard. In a recess near the belfry is the tomb of Peter Mc Namara, who died in 1764, erected by his sons, Conner and Michael; and in an Ogee recess in the north wall of the nave is that of Edmond, grandson of Hugh Mc Nemara, of Co[rb]allv, 176 — ; also the tomb of Donough Macnamara, who died 1654.

    In the family vault in the south transept are buried some of the ]\Iacnamaras of Moyriesk, who were descended from Donnchadh, son of Tadhg, who was a younger brother of Sean finn, of Knapog

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 39

20. Etymology and topography of Bunratty

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare

    Bunratty townlands derive their name from the 'bun' or estuary of the Raite (Owen O Garney river), named after the Ui gCearnaigh people. The castle stands on a low hill that was once nearly an island, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, naturally protected by surrounding marshes.

    Read the passage

    The townlands of Bunratty, east and Wiast, in the ancient district of Tradraidhe, are so called, it is supposed, because they are lands lying at the bun, " end " or " estuary," of the Raite, which latter word means " passages " or " ways," a name given to the tidal and very tortuous reaches of the Owen O Garney ((Amhain Ui gCearnag'h), a river which is itself called after the Ui gCearnaigh, a people who in former times inhabited the adjoining district through which it flows. The extremely erratic and winding course of this river can be well observed from the battlements of the castle, which is built close to its right bank, about an English mile from its junction with the Shannon. The low hill on which the castle stands was at one time an island, or nearly so, connected on the north with the mainland by only a narrow causeway ; and it would again become an island at high tide if the protecting embankments were breached. The place was admirably adapted for the erection of a fortress, being naturally well protected by the surrounding marshes from sudden assault.

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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 41

21. Limerick and the ancient territory of Thomond

    Thomond · street · Dublin

    The book traces the ancient tribal divisions of County Limerick, identifying it roughly with the earliest 'Thomond' (Tuadh Mumha, North Munster), a name later narrowed to County Clare. The ruling house was the Dal gCais, whose princes became known as the O'Briens.

    Read the passage

    For an intelligent study of a district one must know a little about its ancient divisions and history. So numerous were these tribe lands in the scene of our visit that to give their bounds and history at any length would cumber our guide book. Suffice it to note that Co. Limerick is, roughly speaking, the earliest " Thomond," Tuadh Mumha, or North Munster, which name got narrowed more and more till it coincided in the end with the present Co. Clare. The ruling house in the historic period was the Dal gCais, whose princes eventually became known as 0 Briens. The whole of Clare and the land round the city of Limerick, as far south as Carnarry^ (Carn Fhearadhaigh), belonged to Connacht, but, at the farther glimmer of dawn of historic legend, the powerful prince, L\ighaidh jNIeann, had made raid after raid till he had extended Munster 's borders northward to the present bounds of Galway. His hold was of the slightest and remained so till, after his death, his son Conall Eachluath contrived to get the land as an eric (or compensation) from Connacht for the poisoning of his foster father King Crimthann, a.d. 377. The struggle was no shght one, the formidable warrior, King Fiachra of Irros Domhnann, resenting the attempts of the people of Thomond to get foothold in his province, in the central plain of Clare, led strong forces across the Shannon. He however received a mortal wound, in what was probably a draw^n battle with the Caenraighe, of Kenry, about

    I O'D-^novan identifies it (by a strange forget fulness of its being on the nortJi mearing of the Dal gais), with Seefin on the mountains of the extreme southern border. The name is found used for Carnarry in old records down to the important rental of the Bourkes in 1540, " Carran Fhearadhaigh." The Ordnance Survey Maps (under some misleading influence) stereotype the old (and inexcusable) mistake in their latest issue.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 4

22. Lord Clare's 1690 bequest to Quin friars

    Quin · town · Clare · 1690

    Daniel O'Brien, 3rd Viscount Clare, in his will dated 20th October 1690, left £20 each to the friars of Quin and Limerick, £50 to the friars of Ennis, and £6 each to the communities of Askeaton and Adare for Masses.

    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

23. Macnamara canopied tomb in Quin choir

    Quin · town · Clare · 1450–1500

    In the north-east corner of the Quin friary choir, a fine canopied tomb of the late 15th century bears a Latin inscription naming members of the Macnamara sept. The author notes the absence of Laurences and Matthews among Macnamaras of the period, requiring an alternative translation.

    Read the passage

    In the north-east corner of the Choir — a section of the wall having been removed for its reception — is a fine canopied tomb, said to be of the late 15th century. On the levelled edge of the covering slab is the following Latin inscription in well-cut antique lettering : —

    Hie jacent Oid fili^ Laurentii filii Mathi m Comara et covllina ni mic Comara uxor eis q me fieri fecerut.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 38

24. Monasteranenagh Abbey Salmon Bell

    Monasteranenagh · parish · Limerick

    A building near the river at Monasteranenagh is said to have had a bell which rang whenever a salmon became caught in a net attached to its rope in the adjoining stream. This folk tradition reflects the practical use of monastic riverside structures for fishing.

    Read the passage

    Though only the church and the south aisle and fragments of the side chapels, transept, chapter house, and other buildings remain, the foundations are well marked in the field, and show the normal Cistercian plan, a cloister with the church to the north, the Domus Conversorum to the west, the refectory and kitchen to the south, and the chapter house, parlour and day-room to the east. The details of the pillars are interesting, late Bomanesque work with pointed arches in the arcades, and round-headed clerestory and west lights. The demolition of the south chapel next the chancel left the thrust of the massive stone vault unbalanced, so the whole south side and vault with the noble window fell down. The mason marks and a supposed carving of a squirrel should be examined; there are no old tombs, and most of the arches were built up to form an enlarged *' ritual choir " instead of the limited chancel space sufficient for the austere service of the earlier Cistercians. The building near the river is said to have had a bell which was rung whenever a salmon got caught in the net (attached to its rope) in the adjoining stream.

    The fair, or rather assembly, aenach, from which the place was named, was the ancient Aenach Cairbre, or Aenach Culi, the " Ena

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 51

25. Ogham stones from rath-cave at Rockfield, Kerry

    Rockfield · townland · Kerry

    Four Ogham stones were found in a rath-cave at Rockfield, Co. Kerry, and used in building a cottage. Three were later taken to Adare; the fourth, bearing letters VNGULUM, is lost.

    Read the passage

    EocKFiELD. — Four stones were found in a rath-cave at Eockfield, Co. Kerry, and utilised in building a cottage. Three of them were afterwards taken to Adare; the remaining one, a fragment alleged to bear the unintelligible letters VNGULUM, is lost. The three Adare stones are as follows : —

    1. A fine tall pillar-stone inscribed on two angles. The right-

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 35

26. Parliamentary garrison towers in Clare

    Ralahine · street · Dublin

    Moghane and several other Clare towers were preserved because they were retained for Parliamentary garrisons, including Ballyalla, Ralahine, Cloghenabeg, Danganbrack, Brian's Castle, Inchicronan, Inchiquin, Dysert, and Smithstown.

    Read the passage

    water on any assailants who had broken through the outer door of the porch. The small rooms have doors from the stair-case, small windows and ambreys or cupboards. There are 8 small rooms over the porch, the lower vaulted, then two under the next vault; the north windows are closed. The two cross passages run over the ends of the main rooms. Of these latter the 5th floor is the most interesting; it has a fine plain fire-place of cut limestone, with a little shield bearing in raised letters the inscription " T. Mc MO . Mc/ N(EMAEA). ME . FIEEI/FECIT . IN . A . D . /1610." The curious subsidiary stairs running straight up the wall to the spiral stair is unusual. In the south wall is a double-light, trefoilheaded window with large flagged splay ; the window is modernized. There is a curious corbelled recess in the N.W. corner. In the N. wall is another large round-headed light, the west, trefoil, the east, pointed. The large chimneys are late, probably of 1610, and crowd up the water table; there are machicholations in the battlements. A fine general view of the great fort was once attainable, but the trees have grown up and are shutting it out. Beyond the fact that the tower was a Macnamara castle, built about 1480, little but the names of a few of its owners have been recorded. The tower is girt by a small fortified enclosure, and overlooks a pretty little glen. East Co. Clare is very rich in these towers, some 66 are said to have been built by the Macnamaras, chiefs of Clancuilean, those of Castle Fergus (Ballyhanan), Eosroe, Cleenagh, Dromline, Danganbrack, Mountcashel, and Kilkishen are nearly perfect. Moghane owes its exceptional preservation to the fact that it was one of the towers retained for the accommodation of Parliamentary garrisons. These w^ere Ballyalla, Ealahine (a tower like IMoghane, and not very far away), Cloghenabeg, Danganbrack, Brian's Castle, Inchicronan, Inchiquin, Dysert, Smithstown, Moghane, and probably Carrigaholt, Clare Castle, Clonroad, Ballycar, and Bunratty.

    I For a section of this tower, see Proc. li . I. Acad, ser. iii, vol. v. p. 353.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 28

27. Rathcannon castle near Bruree

    Rathcannon · townland · Limerick · 1540

    Rathcannon was listed among the forfeited lands surveyed in 1540 after the execution of Silken Thomas. It was a conspicuous castle on a rocky knoll near Bruree.

    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

28. St John's Church of the Holy Cross

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1200–1680

    St John's Church, formally 'Ecclesia Sancti Johannis de Sancta Cruce,' existed in the time of Bishop Donat c. 1200. Thomas Dyneley sketched it in 1680 showing two side aisles and rich Gothic windows. The medieval building was demolished and replaced by a modern structure of no antiquarian value, though portions of the older church remain remodelled within it.

    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

29. St John's Gate, only surviving city gate of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Of Limerick's fifteen old city gates, only St John's Gate remains, built into St John's Hospital. The gates included Thomond Gate, Island Gate, Sallyport, Abbey Gate, Fish Gate, and others.

    Read the passage

    There were numerous small castles, all now swept away. Thorncore (where Alungret St. and John St. meet) built by Thomas " Cor " Balbeyn and named in his will, 1402; he bequeathed it to the city^ if his brother Henry, of Bristol, did not come to Limerick; it was demolished, and a market house made on its site in 1696. Others were of St John's Gate^ St Mary's House, probably the monastic steeple adapted as a castle; the Shambles; Filkin's Castle in High Street; Stritche's Castle, in St Munchin's parish, and Galwey's Castle, called Ireton's House, beside the Cathedral. The old city gates were — (1) Thomond Gate ; (2) Island Gate ; (3) Sallyport; (4) Little Island Gate; (5) Abbey Gate North; (6) Fish Gate; (7) Ball's Bridge Gate; (8) East Water Gate; (9) St John's Gate; (10) Mungret Gate; (11) West Water Gate; (12) Creagh Gate ; (13) Quay Lane Gate ; (14) New Gate ; (15) Gate at Castle Barrack; only one (9) built into St John's Hospital, remains. 3

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 16

30. St. Mary's Church belfry and chancel at Askeaton

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1450

    Only the belfry and chancel of St. Mary's Church remain, with the chancel containing burial places of local families. The belfry is square below and octagonal above, with Gothic openings and battlements that were greatly defaced but recently repaired. A side window with an ogee head may date to about 1450.

    Read the passage

    The Church of St. Mary. — Only the belfry and the chancel remain, the latter crowded with the burial places of the Taylors of Ballinort and HoUypark and the Westropps of Ballysteen. There are no very old monuments ; tradition says that some in the old church were stowed away in one of the vaults. The church in the view in Pacata Hibernia seems to have had two parallel aisles, like the Black Abbey at Adare. The belfry is square below and octagonal above ; the upper part seems to have had large Gothic opes and battlements, but was greatly defaced, and has lately been repaired. The stonework of the east window of the chancel is removed. The side window has a curious ogee head turning back in little crocketlike leaves. This, the only feature, may date about 1450.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

31. The great sieges of Limerick 1690-1691

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690–1691

    The two great sieges of 1690 and 1691 affected the personnel of the citizens rather than the prosperity of the port. Limerick was at times reputed to be the second city of Ireland, though later modern trade and railways shifted its position as emporium for Munster and Connacht.

    Read the passage

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

    ST MAEY'S CATHEDEALi

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich

32. Poor Abbey Adare retained glass in 1608

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1608

    The Poor Abbey (Franciscan) at Adare, though roofless, retained much of its glass even in 1608 when Mooney saw it.

    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

33. Ring forts at Creevagh and Drumbaun Hill

    Creevagh · townland · Clare

    Curious earthen forts with circular earthworks, ring walls, and shield-shaped annexes remain at Creevagh and on Drumbaun Hill in Corbally. These are noted as notable antiquities in the landscape near Magh Adair.

    Read the passage

    Curious earthern forts (with a circular earthwork and ring wall and shield-shaped annexe beside it) remain at Creevagh and on Drumbaun Hill in Corbally, not far away. There is a small dolmen and cist, perfect, but of the most usual type, near Hazelwood House We pass a nearly levelled ring wall, and an earthen liss on a hillock between Magh Adair and Quin.

    MoGHANE EoRT. — The Great Bronze Age hill-town (on a ridge over a shallow lake, called Lough Ataska, and in the Dromoland Demesne), is one of the largest forts of Ireland, and very remarkable in every respect. As we pass over the railway bridge, after leaving Quin, a lake and a low craggy knoll, cut by the line, are seen to the east. In the latter, in 1854, when the railway was being made, a cist was uncovered, just below the surface. A stone fell out, and a mass of gold ornaments were discovered; of course the workmen rushed upon them, a free fight took place, and " hats full of bracelets " and ingots were carried away, hidden, given for meal, or sold to goldsmiths, some escaped the melting pot and eventually reached the hands of antiquaries, but the " Great Clare gold find " was dispersed in every direction all over Europe. Even the owners of the soil, the O'Briens of Dromoland, only got a few specimens. The ornaments probably date over 500 years before Christ. There can be no doubt that they were plundered from the hill-town, and the enemy (probably finding themselves about to be attacked in force by the local warriors) buried them, and were no doubt subsequently defeated, if not exterminated, the hiding place being never discovered by the victors. The town was entirely overthrown, and so remained till, at a far later period, ring walls of the usual type were built upon its outer and middle walls.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 27

34. Askeaton named as royal fort in the Book of Rights

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick

    The venerable Book of Rights, in its list of royal forts in County Limerick, names Geibhtine (Askeaton) among the ancient royal sites. This early Irish designation predates the later Anglo-Norman castle and Franciscan friary at the site.

    Read the passage

    Adare, standing at the 'head of the tideway, which flows up to its castle walls, was, to the mediaeval traders, a port of call, though commerce has long refused to turn up the narrow winding channel between the deep mud banks, which the flat-bottomed ships of the 13th and 14th centuries found so congenial. I^ord Dunraven was surprised at the huge mass of oyster shells found under the castle walls, but it was very easy to bring in loads from the rich beds of Poulanishery, down the Shannon, doubtless wine and spices, with rich foreign clothing, came in to the burgesses of Adare, up to the old timber bridge at the ford, whose piling was found below its now venerable successor. It was natural that the English Government, still energetic and masterfvd (before the paralysing reign of Henry III had lasted long enough to weaken it), determined to build a large castle to protect the ford and hold the recently subdued tribes of Kenry in check. The first question, however, is what was the earlier state of affairs, and was so notable a place without history or antecedents before Geffry de Mareys decided to fortify it? It is disappointing to say that, so far, no written record of an earlier past is extant in the Annals. The venerable " Book of Rights " in its list of royal forts in County Limerick names Geibhtine or Askeaton, Ratharda, or Rathurd, near Limerick, and Aenach Cairpre (or Rathmore), near IMonasteranenagh, but no fort at Adare appears. The elaborate inquisitions of IMeyler fitz Henry, in 1201 and 1204, named nearly every parish church in the diocese exce]it Adare. Had it therefore no past before 1220?

    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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

35. Cathedral choir wrecked in 1691 siege

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1691

    The choir rooms of Limerick Cathedral, once the chapels of St Mary Magdalen and St James (circa 1370), were wrecked during the siege of 1691. Their plain Gothic arches are the only original features remaining.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 9

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the cathedral choir here carries the marks of a siege. In 1691, during the siege of Limerick, the choir rooms of the cathedral were wrecked. These rooms had once been two chapels, dedicated to St Mary Magdalen and St James, built around 1370. Of those original chapels, only the plain Gothic arches survive. Two windows from the centuries after also remain. The choir had already been altered before the siege. In the 15th century it was lengthened by about 20 feet, as the side walls still show. A slab on the external southeast buttress bears the arms of John Artur, from around 1420, with a chevron between 8 clarions that someone later described as Irish brogues. To the east of that same buttress is a nameless shield bearing a chevron between 3 scallops. Inside, the late Dean O Brien re-erected on the steps a coffin lid with four lions, said to be that of King Domhnall the founder, though that claim only dates back to 1866. The east window is modern, reconstructed in 1860. There is a monument to Cornelius O Dea, whose contemporary effigy was placed on the later tomb but is now lost, unless it is the faintly traceable figure chipped off the slab in the Galwey tomb. The south transept is mainly ancient, and its window was rebuilt in the style of the older one. The sedilia there were put up by John Budston, Bailiff of the city in 1401. His daughter Margaret married Peter Arthur, and their son William recorded that his grandfather gave 4 brass bells to the church. Budston's widow left her family the two monuments and her share of the chapel of the Magdalen.

36. Franciscan Friary, Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1875

    The Franciscan Friary in Adare lies near the old bridge and Manor, with an intact monastery plan including cloister, church, and chapels. Features include a Kilmallock Gate with a Geraldine shield, two eastern chapels, beautifully carved sedilia with traces of original painting, and a slab figure of a saint.

    Read the passage

    The " Poor " or Franciscan Friary. — The most beautiful and (in some ways) the most interesting building of Adare lies in a fair meadow, near the old bridge and the Manor, with beautiful views of the river and castle, and (till the trees grew up, and even till 1875), of the Augustinian IMonastery. It affords an unusually complete idea of a monastery with its surrounding buildings and closes. The plan is intact, though the outer walls of the northern buildings are nearly levelled. Approaching by the ancient bridge, near the Manor, one first sees the '' Kilmallock Gate," with the Geraldine shield above it. There was evidently a fairly large enclosed space to the south of the church, a second, and smaller, gateway remains near the transept. A fine old yew tree grows near the S.W. angle of the nave, and (as we shall see), another occupies the garth of the cloister, and others grow outside the ruin. The church consists of a nave and choir, divided by the plain arches of the pretty bell tower. To the south is a transept, with a side aisle to the west and two beautiful little eastern chapels, which an old man, Mortough MacMahon, in 1875, told me were called the chapel of the Virgin and the chapel of St Joseph, but from the Register it is probable that the main aisle was the actual Lady Chapel. The slab of the altar, with 5 incised crosses, lies in one, and there are some finely cut finials with tufted oak leaves and other designs on the sedilia. The nave had a coved roof, the choir a segmental one. Some consecration crosses marked on the plaster when fresh have been noted near the west end. The west window has three lights, the east and south have graceful simple tracerj' of interlacing shafts. The beautiful sedilia and stoups in the choir are of unusually good execution; some of them have traces of the original painting; chequers of blue and dull red and green, bands of colour and some traces of robed figures. The reredos was probably of wood. The place was crowded with burials w^hen Lord Dunraven restored it, but only a few late tombstones are visible. The cloister lies to the north ; it has, like the rest of the building (save one passage) no vaulting. The north, east and south arcades are of plain chamfered arches, the west, of more ornate ones, with bases, capitals and clustered shafts. In the west wall is a slab with a figure of a saint or monk, styled " St Brigid," in 1875. The south wajk has a room above it absurdly called " the Abbot's room " in 1875, but evidently for bell-ringers, as the sloped way for the bell-ropes

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 34

37. Two stone circles north of the great circle

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick · 1833

    In the field to the north of the great circle were two other circles. One containing sixty-nine stones in 1833 has been practically destroyed; the other, about 55 yards in diameter with fifteen stones, remains intact.

    Read the passage

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

    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.' "

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 46

38. Ardshanbally and the older village location

    Ardshanbally · townland · Limerick

    The rising ground below the castle on the Maigue, named Ardshanbally, implies that the older village stood on the east side of the river.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

39. Askeaton incorporated and represented in Parliament

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1612–1800

    Askeaton was incorporated by charter in 1612 and returned two members to Parliament until the Union, except during the Commonwealth period. The Berkeley family restored some prosperity to the place before the estate passed through various heirs.

    Read the passage

    Askeaton was incorporated by charter in 1612, and returned two members to Parliament till the Union, save during the Commonwealth. Berkeley's care brought back the place to some degree of prosperity. On his death, 1615, his sons Maurice and Henry, and eventually, 1625, their three sisters, who had marred William Courtney, George Crofton, and John Taylor, succeeded to the estates, some of which are still held by their descendants.^

    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.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 30

40. Bunratty Castle — De Clares, O'Briens and Rinuccini

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare

    Bunratty Castle is noted for its blood-stained record of the Norman De Clares and O'Briens. The Italian Archbishop Rinuccini, accustomed to his own beautiful country and noble buildings, nonetheless mentioned the castle with admiration.

    Read the passage

    Eeymond le Gros, Ireton, and Ginckell, and its defence against "William. Places abound that, in any other country, would draw visitors from afar — Adare, where the castle and three monasteries nestle among the woods on the yellow Maigue; Askeaton, one of the chief houses of the 'hapless " Rebel Earl " of Desmond, where the great rebellion, which desolated all Munster, first blazed up; Kilmallock, ** quaint old town " of abbey and towers, with its lovely background of the Bally houra JNIountains, and Killaloe, " beautiful in situation," among the great heathery hills, at the end of Loch Derg. Picturesque and important ruins (hardly ruins, though roofless) are met with on every side like Bunratty Castle, with its blood-stained record of the Norman De Clares and O Briens, a castle which the.Italian Archbishop Rinuccini (accustomed to his o\<tn bea,i4tifiil country and noble buildings) yet could mention with acfmiration," ^nd the tall towered Quin, with its fine cloister, to which ' t^e/iri^'^ 'clung through two stormy centuries until the dawn of better -days'. • The fault of the district is that it confuses by its wealth of remains and historic memories, and would require weeks, rather than days, to see it in any completeness, and a large volume, rather than this little handbook, to describe it.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 3

41. Cahercalla triple-ringed cashel near Quin

    Cahercalla · townland · Clare

    At Cahercalla are the considerable remains of a fine cashel with three rings of wall. The massive central cashel is about 100 feet inside, with walls 17 feet thick and over 8 feet high, its gate facing east. The outer walls are 9 to 10 feet thick and 6 to 7 feet high.

    Read the passage

    Cahercalla. — At no great distance there are in Cahercalla the considerable remains of a fine Catliair, with three rings of wall. The massive central cashel is about 100 feet inside, the walls 17 feet thick, and over 8 feet high; the gate is to the east. The outer walls are 9 to 10 feet thick and 6 to 7 feet high. It is

    1 O'Donovan's " Hy Fiaclirach, " p. 432.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 26

42. Castle maintained by Lax weir dues at Parteen

    Parteen · townland · Clare · 1417–1427

    In 1417 the fees for supporting Limerick Castle were 'annihilated,' so the city repaired it with dues from the Lax weir, the great salmon weir near Parteen, which was founded by the Danes. The corporation and citizens later petitioned in 1427 to take over the castle's defense.

    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

43. Confederate forces mustered at Quin, 1646

    Quin · town · Clare · 1646

    In 1646, Confederate forces drawn from Munster and Leinster were mustered at Quin, preparatory to their deployment at the siege of Bunratty Castle.

    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

44. Cratloe Keale castle, the narrow castle

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1450–1500

    Cratloe Keale, or Castle Keale (the narrow castle), lies between its larger neighbour and the river, hidden by a grove of trees. It is partly inhabited; only the section with the staircase, porch, and guard-room remains, while the main section with the chief apartments is destroyed.

    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

45. Desmond's Castle, Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick

    Desmond's Castle consists of a large square keep within a ring fort, fortified by battlemented ramparts with semicircular bastions and a drawbridge gate. The lower vaults are intact, and rooms including a hall, kitchen, and bakehouse lie along the river, with an outer ward and fosse.

    Read the passage

    Desmond's Castle. — The remains consist of a large square keep, with slightly projecting turrets at each angle ; only the north side is entire, but the lower vaults are intact. It stands (as we noted) in a ring fort of normal size, and similar to dozens of earth works in the surroimding district. The edge is fortified by a strong, battlemented rampart, with semicircular bastions, and an imposing gate to the south, with slides for a drawbridge. Looping into this is the rampart of the outer ward; it has gates to each side, the southern between a semicircular tower and the water tower with its garderobe over the river. When one passes the massive arch, the hall, with a Norman window, is to the right, various rooms with double lights, cinquef oil-headed, and the kitchen and bakehouse of the castle lie along the river. The east gate leads to an enclosed, but unwalled, space within the outer fosse. This was evidently

    111

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 34

46. Friars residing at Drim in early 19th century

    Drim · townland · Clare · 1800–1830

    As late as the early 19th century, members of the Quin Franciscan community resided in a cottage at Drim, a townland north-west of Quin and only a short distance from their old monastery.

    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

47. Lism earth enclosure at Loch Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    A remarkable circular earth bank known locally as Lism (lisheen, the little earth-enclosure), lined with stone slabs on each face, 182 feet in diameter and 14 feet 6 inches thick, with an inner circular mound 48 feet in diameter. A smaller circular mound of the same kind, 33 feet in diameter, stands nearby.

    Read the passage

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

    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.' "

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 46

48. Mayoral slabs and city gates of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1643–1693

    Slabs at St John's record the restoration of the city walls in 1693 'after the recent slaughter of the war' and commemorate mayors John Foorde (1693), John Creagh (1650), and Piers Creagh (1643). The English town had 15 towers and two great gates—the Thomond Gate near the castle and one on Baal's Bridge—while the Kilmallock Gate led south from the Irish town.

    Read the passage

    Hoc Monumentum condidit suis [posteris cujus animae propitietur] Deus, Amen." There is a figure conjectured to be a fish; if so, the tomb may be of a Philip Eoche who was Mayor, 1602, and bore that device in his anus; other stones record the restoration of the walls in 1693 " after the recent slaughter of the war," and one to John Foorde, Mayor in 1693.' In the front wall of St John's Hospital is another slab of John Creagh, Mayor, 1650, when the city gave £200 for repair of the outworks ; slabs of Piers Creagh, 1643, at Plassey Mill, originally over the Mungret gate, and another, commemorating the making of Long Pavement Eoad and Bridge by the same magistrate in 1632, lie outside our field of exploration. A monograph on these is greatly needed. There were 15 towers round the English town and two great gates — the Thomond Gate, near the castle, and one on Ball's Bridge ; another large gateway, the Kilmallock Gate, led out of the Irish town southward.

    I See Fitzgerald's History, vol, ii, p. 558.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 15

49. Stephenson monument at Rock Abbey, 1646

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1646

    A monument in the south-east angle of the chancel at Rock Abbey bears a Latin inscription dated 1646, erected by Margaret ni Brien and Elinora Browne for Richard Stephenson and his son Oliver. It also included a chronogram, parts of which are now lost.

    Read the passage

    Many fragments of an ornate altar tomb, with a richly groined canopy, are heaped in the sedilia. There is a fine row of these seats and panels beneath the south windows of the chancel, with the Stephenson monument in the south-east angle. Its inscription reads : " D. 0. (M.) Nobilissimo D(omino) Richardo Stephenson ejus filio B. Olivero Stephenson ac posteris suis hoc bustum fieri fecerunt D. Margarita ni Brien et D. Elinora Browne Anno Domini 1646." Under it was a " chronogram " :

    " Epitaphium Ch{ronograp) hicum hie Oliverus ine {st genitu)s genitorque Richar(c^2^5) Stephenson cl(m candor) uterque choro est {Anno) 1642."

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 31

50. Templenakilla church at Askeaton

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick

    A small pre-Norman church called Templenakilla at Askeaton, built of large uncemented masonry with a round-headed east window of limestone and a west door with inclined jambs. Lewis noted shafts of two ancient crosses nearby, now overgrown with ivy.

    Read the passage

    The church is called Templenakilla, and is a small pre -Norman building of large uncemented masonry. The round-headed east window is of limestone, the south lights plain oblong slits. The west door has inclined jambs and a massive sandstone lintel. Lewis says that the shafts of two very ancient crosses were near it. They have not been recently noted, but the place is greatly ivied and overgrown.

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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 35

51. Askeaton — Desmond's chief house and rebellion

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick

    Askeaton is described as one of the chief houses of the 'hapless Rebel Earl' of Desmond and the place where the great rebellion that desolated all Munster first blazed up. It is highlighted as a site of major historical importance.

    Read the passage

    Eeymond le Gros, Ireton, and Ginckell, and its defence against "William. Places abound that, in any other country, would draw visitors from afar — Adare, where the castle and three monasteries nestle among the woods on the yellow Maigue; Askeaton, one of the chief houses of the 'hapless " Rebel Earl " of Desmond, where the great rebellion, which desolated all Munster, first blazed up; Kilmallock, ** quaint old town " of abbey and towers, with its lovely background of the Bally houra JNIountains, and Killaloe, " beautiful in situation," among the great heathery hills, at the end of Loch Derg. Picturesque and important ruins (hardly ruins, though roofless) are met with on every side like Bunratty Castle, with its blood-stained record of the Norman De Clares and O Briens, a castle which the.Italian Archbishop Rinuccini (accustomed to his o\<tn bea,i4tifiil country and noble buildings) yet could mention with acfmiration," ^nd the tall towered Quin, with its fine cloister, to which ' t^e/iri^'^ 'clung through two stormy centuries until the dawn of better -days'. • The fault of the district is that it confuses by its wealth of remains and historic memories, and would require weeks, rather than days, to see it in any completeness, and a large volume, rather than this little handbook, to describe it.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 3

52. Black or Augustinian Monastery, Adare

    Adare · townland · Limerick

    The Augustinian monastery, now the Protestant parish church, retains a cloister with Geraldine arms and features a cornice with crowned lions. The burial place of the Earls of Dunraven lies west of the cloister, and a square pigeon tower and archway stand on the Maigue bank.

    Read the passage

    The " Black " or Augustinian Monastery. — This, now the Protestant parish church, has been less altered than the last, but (again unfortunately), the three plain Gothic arches of the south aisle were destroyed and two new ones (with a Norman capital !) replace them ; the picturesque stepped battlements of the east gable were also removed, with a doubtful taste. The tower is an after thought, and of rather displeasing proportion; the church has many features of interest, chiefly sedilia; the windows, with one exception, are of plain, interlacing tracery, the west window of the aisle is more ornate. The cornice along the south side, with its quaint crowned lions and other ornaments, is curious and pleasing. The beautiful little cloister to the north of the church has on each side three recesses, under each of which are three cinquefoil arches. Along the south walk, in the spandrels of the arches, are carved shields witli Geraldine arms. There are no mediaeval tombs in the church or cloister; the burial place of the Earls of Dunraven is to the west of the latter. There are several rude vaults under the school-room, its stepped gable will show the former appearance of that in the church. There is a square pigeon tower, an archway with the K-1dare and Desmond arms, and traces of other buildings on the bank of the Maigue.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 34

53. Castle supported by King's Island and Corbally weir dues

    King's Island · townland · Limerick · 1542

    In 1542 Limerick Castle was supported by two gardens and pasture on the King's Island, 10s. from the eel weir at Corbally, and dues on salt, wheat, herrings and oysters brought into the port.

    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

54. Creagh Chapel in Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1583

    In the north aisle of Limerick Cathedral, the Creagh family chapel served as the baptistery. The Creagh coat of arms was painted in it near the entrance to the choir around 1583.

    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 travel through Limerick, the cathedral holds a chapel that the Creagh family built in the 15th century, when the city was wealthy and prosperous. Several devout families added chapels to the cathedral in that century. The Creaghs' chapel stood in the north aisle and now serves as the baptistery. Around 1583, the Creagh coat of arms was painted in it, near the entrance to the choir. Next to the Creaghs' chapel was the burial place of Murrogh the Burner, Earl of Inchiquin, buried in 1673. His body was said to have been dug up and thrown into the Shannon. His will, dated 1673, urged that his friends shall immediately after his death "bury and enterr my corps privately," his own son William being abroad at the time. An empty coffin found under a stone marked I, for Inchiquin, may confirm the story. The third chapel, now called the Jebb Chapel from a prelate's statue, was the Arthur chapel, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, patron of seafarers. Thomas Fitz Dominick Arthur directed his burial there in 1634. Inside are the tombs of Dean Andrew Creagh from 1519, a floriated calvary cross, and the tomb of Piers Arthur from 1649. One slab reads a prayer for the soul of Thomas Creagh, son of David, who died in June, and for David, son of Andrew, and for Peter Creagh. Other memorials name Fanning 1634, Creagh 1632, Nicholas Rice 1769, his wife Mary 1724, Thomas Arthur 1729, and William Ffarr, father of the first historian of Limerick, 1753.

55. Creagh family escutcheon at Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1580

    Near the S.W. angle of Limerick Cathedral is an escutcheon of the Creagh (or Creevagh) family of Adare and Limerick City. They claimed to be O'Neills from 1580 onward, but seem to be Russells, with several at Adare and Limerick called 'Russel alias Creevagh' in the 14th century.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 10

56. Galwey's Castle or Ireton's House beside the Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    A castellated house known as Galwey's Castle, also called 'Ireton's House,' once stood beside the Cathedral in Limerick. Parts of vaulted passages from old collegiate buildings remained visible near the Cathedral and the bridge crossing.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 16

57. Killeely church ruins, recorded 1657

    Killeely · parish · Limerick · 1657

    Killeely church was standing in ruins by 1657 and is now represented only by a graveyard, lying to the north-east of Limerick.

    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

58. Limerick city — early monasteries and sieges

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Limerick is described as the historic centre of the district, with memories of Norse and Danish Vikings, Dalcassian and Plantagenet princes, and multiple captures by Brian Boru, Raymond le Gros, Ireton, and Ginckell, as well as its defence against William. Early saints Neassan and Munchin founded monasteries there.

    Read the passage

    The district of Limerick is of the highest interest both historically and archaeologically, and abounds with beautiful scenery. Within easy reach are, on one side, the great Bronze Age hill town of Moghane, its origin and destruction lost in the night of the unrecorded past, perhaps five to seven centuries before Christ, and on the other, the great monoliths and circles at Loch Gur, perhaps preceding the time of Moghane" itself as much as it precedes our era; fields of legendary battles, as Samhain and Knocklong; and holier sites where St Patrick preached at Singland, where Neassan and IMainchin founded their monasteries at Limerick and Mungret, and saints of the Dal gCais, Molua and Flannan, theirs, at Killaloe ; where Senan the Hoary, brother of the founder of Iniscatha in A.D. 490, is reverenced still by hundreds of pilgrims at his church, well, and rag-decked tree, by the falls of the Shannon. Limerick itself is the centre, with all its memories of Norse and Danish Vikings, and Dalcassian and Plantagenet princes, of the menace of King Eobert Bruce and his brother — of its captures by Brian,

    A

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 3

59. Mote and fosse earthworks near Bunratty Castle

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare

    An oblong mote and traces of the bailey remain to the west of Bunratty Castle, while a great fosse and bane survive about 500 yards to the south-west. These earthworks represent earlier fortification features associated with the castle site.

    Read the passage

    ]\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.

    Q:

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 44

60. Quin friary — towered cloister through stormy centuries

    Quin · town · Clare

    Quin is described as a tall towered friary with a fine cloister, to which the friars clung through two stormy centuries until the dawn of better days. It is highlighted as a picturesque and important ruin of the district.

    Read the passage

    Eeymond le Gros, Ireton, and Ginckell, and its defence against "William. Places abound that, in any other country, would draw visitors from afar — Adare, where the castle and three monasteries nestle among the woods on the yellow Maigue; Askeaton, one of the chief houses of the 'hapless " Rebel Earl " of Desmond, where the great rebellion, which desolated all Munster, first blazed up; Kilmallock, ** quaint old town " of abbey and towers, with its lovely background of the Bally houra JNIountains, and Killaloe, " beautiful in situation," among the great heathery hills, at the end of Loch Derg. Picturesque and important ruins (hardly ruins, though roofless) are met with on every side like Bunratty Castle, with its blood-stained record of the Norman De Clares and O Briens, a castle which the.Italian Archbishop Rinuccini (accustomed to his o\<tn bea,i4tifiil country and noble buildings) yet could mention with acfmiration," ^nd the tall towered Quin, with its fine cloister, to which ' t^e/iri^'^ 'clung through two stormy centuries until the dawn of better -days'. • The fault of the district is that it confuses by its wealth of remains and historic memories, and would require weeks, rather than days, to see it in any completeness, and a large volume, rather than this little handbook, to describe it.

    Internet Archive antiquitiesoflim00westrich, Chapter 3