History of Clonmel

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. Massacre of Cromwellian troops in the killing lane at Clonmel

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

   On 17 May 1650, Cromwellian soldiers storming the breach were funnelled into the prepared lane at Clonmel where they became trapped and were slaughtered by pikes, scythes, timber and cannon fire. About a thousand men were reportedly killed within an hour in what became known as a bloody pound.

   Read the passage

   Then suddenly rushes a resolute party of pikes and musqueteers to the breach and scoured off and knocked back those entering. At which instance Hugh DufiTs men within fell on those in the pound with shotts, pikes, scythes, stones and casting of great long pieces of timber with the engines amongst them and then two guns firing at them from the end of the pound, slaughtering them by the middle or knees with chained bullets, that in less than an hour's time about a thousand men were killed in that pound, being a top one another.

   The Irish writer of the " Aphorismical Discovery" gives a similar account.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through Clonmel in Tipperary. In May 1650, Cromwellian soldiers storming the breach were funnelled into a prepared lane here, a place that became known as the bloody pound. Hugh Duffy's men fell on those trapped inside with shot, pikes, scythes, stones, and great pieces of timber cast among them with engines. Two guns fired from the end of the pound, chained bullets cutting them down at the middle or knees. In less than an hour, about a thousand men were killed in that pound, piled on top of one another.

2. Execution of Fr. Nicholas Sheehy of Clogheen

   Clogheen · town · Tipperary · 1763–1766

   Rev. Nicholas Sheehy, parish priest of Clogheen, was pursued relentlessly through prosecutions for riot, Whiteboyism, treason and murder, culminating in his execution. The case is described as the suppression of popular discontent by vengeance rather than ordinary justice.

   Read the passage

   CHE most memorable episode in local history from the Cromwellian period down, is the execution of the Rev. Nicholas Sheehy, parish priest of Clogheen. Memorable, not so much by reason of the status of the victim, as by the fact that the event focussed in itself all the class hatred, the religious and political fanaticism of the time. For the case was not the ordinary process of law overtaking crime, but the suppressing of popular discontent by haphazard vengeance, and the quenching by strangulation of the voice that proclaimed the wrongs of the lowly and the poor.

   While the substantial facts were collected sixty years ago by Dr. Madden, the historian of the United Irishmen, there is much still that is obscure. We know little of Father Sheehy's history or antecedents. His fellow-priests were shy of him because of the trouble in which he helped to involve them, and his diocese does not preserve a solitary tradition of him. Again a fuller insight is desiderated into the causes and motives which actuated a body of country gentlemen, prosperous, contented, given to the pleasures of the chase and the table, to pursue him relentlessly for riot, Whiteboyism, treason and murder, in a series of prosecutions which ended only in his death (nn). The statics, indeed, of the case were given by Madden ; the writer has made some attempt to explain the dynamics.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 36

3. Public floggings from Main Guard to West Gate under Fitzgerald

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1798

   High Sheriff Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald and his Hessian troop scoured Tipperary arresting suspected 'croppies.' On market days prisoners were stripped half naked, tied to a car, and drawn from the Main Guard to the West Gate and back while being flogged alternately by soldiers on either side.

   Read the passage

   Fitzgerald who lived at Lisheen, near Cashel, belonged to the half savage, petty gentry, denounced by Young and the writers of the time as the plague of the country. His real name was Uniacke, but his father and grandfather having made marriages of convenience, adopted the names Judkin and Fitzgerald. A fitter instrument could not have been chosen. Week after week Fitzgerald and his Hessian troop scoured the country. Peasants suspected of being " croppies " were lodged in gaol. On market days a number of them were brought forth, stripped half naked and tied to a car ; they were then drawn from the Main Guard to the West Gate and back, two soldiers one at either side flogging them alternately (c). Nor were his victims confined to the humbler class. One of the best known traders in Carrick, a man named Doyle, was flogged in the hope of extracting some information about the croppies, but he had none to give. Similarly Jeremiah McGrath, the innkeeper of Clogheen. At a sessions in Cashel under the Insurrection Act, three tenants of Lord LandafF were tried by over a dozen yeomanry magistrates and acquitted. A few days later Fitzgerald arriving there, ordered Mr. Smithwick and Mr. Butler, of Ballycarron, to bring them back under the penalty of being flogged themselves; the unhappy men were brought back and flogged. The sheriff imprisoned Mr. Denis O'Meagher, of Kilmoyler, with his father and uncle, and Mr. Smithwick, at that time a man of eighty ; the Hon. Francis Hutchinson, however, procured their release.

   (b) These parties are described under religious names as the most convenient classification. Their raisott d'etre was not religion but other motives, political, social and racial.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Clonmel, you are on the route where one of the darkest episodes of 1798 played out. High Sheriff Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald, who lived at Lisheen near Cashel, scoured Tipperary week after week with his Hessian troop, arresting peasants suspected of being croppies and lodging them in gaol. On market days the prisoners were brought out, stripped half naked and tied to a car, then drawn from the Main Guard to the West Gate and back while two soldiers flogged them alternately from either side. His victims were not confined to the humble class. Doyle, a well-known trader in Carrick, was flogged to extract information about the croppies, though he had none to give. Jeremiah McGrath, innkeeper of Clogheen, suffered the same. At a sessions in Cashel under the Insurrection Act, three tenants of Lord Landaff were tried by over a dozen yeomanry magistrates and acquitted. A few days later Fitzgerald arrived and ordered Mr. Smithwick and Mr. Butler of Ballycarron to bring them back on pain of being flogged themselves. The men were brought back and flogged. He also imprisoned Mr. Denis O'Meagher of Kilmoyler with his father and uncle, and Mr. Smithwick, then a man of eighty. The Hon. Francis Hutchinson procured their release.

4. Sentence of death passed on Smith O'Brien at Clonmel

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1848

   Following his conviction for high treason at Clonmel, William Smith O'Brien was sentenced to be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution and hanged, though the sentence was later commuted to transportation for life.

   Read the passage

   There were dramatic scenes and moving incidents from day to day. I may be under the influence of impressions formed at a time when I was what is called emotional if I now express the opinion that on no occasion in any court of law was there a more brilliant illustration of learning, argument, passion, and wit than that by which counsel for the prisoners, in the long course of this trial, moved the audience, if they failed to convince the jury or to divert the attention of the judges from the essential issues before them. From the gallery at times burst forth wailing cries or suppressed groans as the witnesses forged link after link of the chain which bound the accused to their fate. The dignity of the Court was exemplary, and it was with difficulty we could believe our eyes, or rather our ears, when one night, after dinner, to which we were invited by the judges, we heard Mr. Justice Blackburn trolling an Irish melody with exquisite pathos in a rich mellow voice. I found that my colleague NichoUs was by degrees touched with something like sympathy for some of the prisoners. "Smith O'Brien," he said, *' after all conducts himself like a gentleman, and that M'Manus is a fine honest fellow. I pity him ! I dare say if one knew Meagher he would turn out to be a pleasant agreeable man, full of enthusiasm and poetry, but he is without judgment." The end came at last. On October 8th, the jury came into Court with a verdict of "Guilty" against William Smith O'Brien for high treason and for levying war against the Queen, with a recommendation to the merciful consideration of the Crown. He with his arms folded, his head thrown back, and a scornful smile upon his lips, listened to the judge with the utmost calmness. When called upon to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, he spoke in measured accents, declaring that he had done what was right as he believed and that he had nothing to repent but his failure. On the 9th he was brought up and placed in the dock to receive the sentence of the Court, which was " that you William Smith O'Brien be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, and hanged by the neck until you be dead ; that you then shall be disemboweled and your body divided into four quarters, to be disposed of as her Majesty should direct." It was said at the time that his composure was due to an assurance the night before that he would not be executed, but I do not believe that he was influenced in the defiant attitude by the knowledge that he would only be condemned to transportation for life. M'Manus who was the next put on trial, a man of action, no orator or phrasemonger, conducted himself with perfect propriety. A resolute revolutionist, he had renounced a competence, and placed his life on the hazard of the die in that miserable rising. Even the judges were moved by the honesty and earnestness of the man. He was found guilty on the I2th. After him on the 13th, came O'Donoghue, then Meagher on the 2ist, each to be found guilty and sentenced to a traitor's doom on the 23rd of October.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 49

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Clonmel in Tipperary, you're in the town where William Smith O'Brien was tried and sentenced to death in 1848. The trial drew dramatic scenes day after day, with counsel moving the audience with learning, argument, passion, and wit, though they failed to convince the jury. From the gallery came wailing cries as witnesses forged link after link against the accused. On October 8th, the jury returned a verdict of guilty for high treason and levying war against the Queen, with a recommendation for mercy. O'Brien stood with arms folded, head thrown back, a scornful smile on his lips, listening with utter calmness. When called upon to say why sentence should not be passed, he declared he had done what was right and had nothing to repent but his failure. On October 9th, he was brought to the dock to receive the court's sentence: that he be drawn on a hurdle to the place of execution, hanged until dead, disemboweled, and his body divided into four quarters. It was said his composure came from an assurance the night before that he would not be executed, but the author did not believe that knowledge of commutation to transportation for life influenced his defiant attitude. After him, M'Manus was found guilty on the 12th, O'Donoghue on the 13th, and Meagher on the 21st, each sentenced to the same traitor's doom on October 23rd.

5. Edmund Grady's remarkable survival and re-execution

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1776–1777

   Edmund Grady, hanged for rape in 1776, revived during his wake after the rope failed to break his neck; upon recapture he was re-sentenced and publicly hanged again in the street facing the jail in 1777, with the sheriff ensuring he was not cut down prematurely.

   Read the passage

   Clonmel May 5 [1777.] Edmund Grady who was hanged last year and came to life again was on Saturday executed in the street facing the jail door. The sheriff gave previous directions to the hangman not to attempt cutting Grady down until such time as he gave orders, and accordingly he hung over an hour and five minutes (0).

   Besides the gallows and the gaol there was, for venial offences, the pillory. This was erected outside the east gate, and doubtless was regularly furnished with its quota of victims, male and female. The corporation appears to have been responsible for its maintenance.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 12

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Clonmel, this town has a grim tale from 1776 and 1777. Edmund Grady was hanged here for rape, but the rope failed to break his neck and he revived during his own wake. After being recaptured he was sentenced again. On May 5, 1777, he was executed in the street facing the jail door. The sheriff gave directions to the hangman not to cut him down until orders were given, and accordingly he hung for over an hour and five minutes.

6. Martyrdom of Maurice Kinrechtan at Clonmel

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1585

   Maurice Kinrechtan, chaplain to the Earl of Desmond, was captured and imprisoned in Clonmel for over a year. After a betrayal led soldiers to raid Victor White's house during Mass, Kinrechtan surrendered himself to save Victor, was tried, refused to renounce his faith, and was dragged to the scaffold, hanged, and beheaded on 30 April 1585.

   Read the passage

   I am sending you something of the greatest value — the glorious piartyrdom of my intimate friend Maurice Kenrechtin. He was a very holy priest- you knew him, and was chaplain to the Earl of Desmond for which reason he was arrested and brought to your native town of Clonmel, and there imprisoned for more than a year. On the eve of Easter Sunday in the year 1585 Victor White one of the principal men of the town a pious Catholic obtained from the governor of the gaol the favour of having the priest spend the night at his house. But the governor secretly advised the President of Munster an English heretic who was then in town, that if he wanted to catch the principal men of the place hearing mass he could easily do so at the house of Victor White early next morning, bargaining at the same time for the price of his shameful treachery. At the hour appointed the soldiers rushed on the house. They seized Victor, the rest hearing the noise got away through the back doors and windows. A married lady however fell and broke her arm. The soldiers found the chalice and other things belonging to the Holy Sacrifice. They searched everywhere for the priest — he had not begun mass —and came to a heap of straw under which the poor man lay. Prodding the straw they struck him in the thigh but he bore it in silence through fear. Shortly after he escaped out of the town. But Victor who could never be brought to the heretic conventicles though he had suffered much, would not betray the priest and was therefore imprisoned. And he would no doubt have suffered the extreme penalty of the law if Maurice hearing of his peril had not freely surrendered to the President. Truly Christian friendship ! The President after much invective passed sentence of death. But if he renounced our Catholic faith and acknowledged the Queen as head of the church his life would be spared. The * Minister of the Word ' also tried in vain with much argument to seduce the martyr. Neither would he on any account give the name of any person who had heard mass or received sacraments. At length he was dragged at the horse's tail to the scaffold where he learnedly and devoutly exhorted the people to constancy in the faith. He was cut down when half alive and beheaded, the * Minister ' fixed an inscription on the head. The Catholics by entreaty and money saved the body from being treated with indignity and rendered the highest burial honours they could.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 4

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Clonmel, the town where Maurice Kinrechtan was martyred in 1585. He was a priest and chaplain to the Earl of Desmond, and for that he was arrested and held in the gaol here for more than a year. On Easter eve that year a man named Victor White, one of the principal men of the town, got the gaoler to let the priest spend the night at his house. But the gaoler secretly told the President of Munster, an English Protestant then in Clonmel, that if he wanted to catch the town's leading Catholics at Mass he could find them at Victor White's house in the morning. The soldiers came. They seized Victor, though others escaped through the back. They found the chalice, searched the house, and discovered the priest hidden under straw, wounding him in the thigh as they prodded it. He bore it in silence. He escaped the town after that. But Victor was imprisoned for refusing to betray him, and faced death. When Maurice heard of Victor's peril, he freely surrendered himself to the President. The President sentenced him to death. He was offered his life if he renounced the Catholic faith and acknowledged the Queen as head of the church, and a minister argued with him at length, but he refused. He would not name anyone who had heard Mass or received the sacraments. On 30 April 1585 he was dragged at the horse's tail to the scaffold, where he exhorted the people to constancy in the faith. He was cut down when half alive and beheaded. The Catholics saved his body from indignity by entreaty and money, and gave him the highest burial honours they could.

7. Massacre and burning at Garran, Co. Kilkenny

   Garran · townland · Monaghan · 1651

   A petition describes how Captain Samuel Foley and a party of horse came to the town of Garran in the Barony of Kells in 1651, stripped and murdered Garrott Comerford, then murdered his blind 110-year-old mother, a crippled son and two servants who were burnt in the house, and killed sixteen other householders while burning thirty-six tenements.

   Read the passage

   In most lamentable maner complayneth that one Captaine Samuell Folie now residinge in Clonmell, Colonell Mathew Jacob of Knockelly, Cornet James Barker of Lismalinge and Quartermaster Thomas Oliver of Kellheaheen all in the County of Tipperary, came betwixt the howres of eight and ten of the clocke in the forenoone of the 24 day of November 165 1 with a stronge partye of horsse whereof the said Folie was cheefe in command to the town and lands of Garran in the Barony of Kells in the County of Kilkenny And callinge for Garrott Comerford your Oratrix husband, caryed him to the open street and stript him of all his cloathes and afterwards mudered him, being a protected man and never in arms. And after comitting that vnhuman murder entred your Oratrix house which they ymediately plundered and then murdered Margaret Comerford alias Tobin the said Garrots mother beinge a poore blinde beddered old woman above an hundred and ten years of adge and your Oratrix son John Comerford a poore criple and two seruants whom they afterwards burnt in the house. And besides murdered in the town 16 harmlesse house keepers, they burnt and destroyed thirtie six tenements in the said towne. And therewith not satisfyed took from your Oratrix fower score Cowes and garrans and soe left her destitute both of corne catle or other substance to mentayne her selfe and fower poore orphans.

   Prays that they may be dealt with according to justice and that your Grace may relieve her.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 46

8. The Holy Cross Murders: assassination of agent Richard Chadwick

   Rathcannon · townland · Limerick · 1827

   Richard Chadwick, agent for the Sadleir estate, was building a police barracks at Rathcannon as prelude to clearing tenants when he was shot dead by Patrick Grace in 1827. Grace was tried and executed at Clonmel, vowing vengeance, and further reprisal killings followed against witness Philip Mara's family.

   Read the passage

   attracted most attention was that known as the "Holy Cross Murders." Richard Chadwick, agent for the Sadleir estate, was a man of fearless resolution, who often professed he had "fattened on the curses of the tenants " fpp). As a preliminary to clearing from the lands of Rathcannon a body of tenantry who bore a desperate reputation, he set about building a police barrack. On 30th June, 1827, while inspecting the work, he was shot by a young man named Patrick Grace. Grace, who was tried at the Clonmel Summer Assizes, when asked why capital sentence should not be passed upon him, declared that his death should be avenged within a twelve month. At the execution of Grace, in front of Holy Cross Abbey, an old man, John Russell, pulling on a pair of Grace's gloves, announced he should wear them "until Paddy Grace was revenged." The authorities removed Philip Mara, a mason, who had been principal witness against Grace, but on 1st October following, three brothers of Mara, who were working at the barrack, were attacked by a body of men. Two of the Maras, though wounded, escaped, the third was shot fqq).

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 13

9. Bianconi's first car service from Clonmel to Cahir

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1815

   Charles Bianconi, an Italian hawker turned transport entrepreneur, launched his first horse-drawn car route between Clonmel and Cahir on 5th July 1815, beginning a transport network that would eventually span Ireland.

   Read the passage

   Such was the state of things when Charles Bianconi, a native of the city of Como, by profession a hawker and picture dealer, set himself to the problem of transit. The time was favourable ; the fall of Napoleon enabled him to obtain horses bred for the aimy, at the price of from £l0 to £20, while forage was correspondingly cheap. The first car run was one from Clonmel to Cahir, 5th July, 181 5. Within the next thirty years a net-work of communication, of which Clonmel was the centre, was spread over the whole of Ireland. The cars were originally one-horse ones carrying four to six passengers, but as the breed of horses deteriorated he was obliged to add a second. The additional horse power enabled him to enlarge the car, so that the four wheel " Bians," as they came to be known, carried twelve, sixteen or more passengers according to the season, the roads, or the number of horses added. In 1843 the establishment consisted of lOO vehicles, mail coaches and cars of various sizes, carrying from four to twenty passengers, at a rate of from six and a half to nine miles an hour for one penny farthing a mile. The mileage was 3,800 daily, the consumption of hay about 4,000 tons and of oats about 40,000 barrels yearly. In 1849 when the railways were being opened for traffic, the mileage of Bianconi's cars was about 4,250 daily — the highest figure reached. The following table shows the local car traffic . —

   Route, Established. Discontinued.

   Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 13

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead you have Clonmel, the town where Ireland's first public car service began. On the 5th of July 1815, an Italian named Charles Bianconi launched a horse-drawn car route from here to Cahir. He was a native of Como, by trade a hawker and picture dealer, and the timing suited him. Napoleon had fallen, and army-bred horses could be bought for between £10 and £20, with forage just as cheap. That first run was the seed of something vast. Within 30 years a network of routes spread across the whole of Ireland, with this town at its centre. The early cars were one-horse affairs carrying four to six passengers. As horse breeds deteriorated, Bianconi added a second horse and enlarged the cars. The four-wheel "Bians," as people called them, carried twelve, sixteen, or more depending on the season and the roads. By 1843 the fleet stood at 100 vehicles of various sizes, carrying four to twenty passengers at six and a half to nine miles an hour for a penny farthing a mile. Daily mileage reached 3,800, consuming about 4,000 tons of hay and 40,000 barrels of oats a year. In 1849, when the railways were opening, his cars hit their highest figure of 4,250 miles daily.

10. Father Sheehy's last letter written from Clonmel before execution

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766

    On the eve of his execution in Clonmel, Father Nicholas Sheehy wrote a letter to Joseph Sirr declaring his innocence of the murder of John Bridge and naming the true circumstances of the killing, though he could not reveal his source due to the seal of confession.

    Read the passage

    To morrow I am to be executed, thanks be to the Almighty Gkxi, with whom I hope to be for evermore ; I would not change my lot with the highest now in the kingdom. I die innocent of the facts for which I am sentenced. The Lord have mercy on my soul. I beseech the great Creator that for your benevolence to me he will grant you grace to make such use of your time here that you may see and enjoy him hereafter. Remember me to Mr. Waite, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker, and the Judges of the King's Bench. May God bless them I Recommend to them all under the same charge with me ; they are innocent of the murder ; the prosecutors swore wrongfully and falsely. God forgive them. The accusers and the accused are equally ignorant of the fact, as I have been informed, but after such a manner I received the information that I cannot make use of it for my own preservation. The fact is that John Bridge was destroyed by two alone, who strangled him on Wednesday night, the 24th October, 1764. I was then from home and only returned home the 28th and heard that he had

    392 History of CXonmel.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    In Clonmel, the town you're passing through, a letter was written on the eve of an execution in 1766. Father Nicholas Sheehy addressed it to Joseph Sirr. He opened by saying that tomorrow he was to be executed, and thanked God, adding that he would not change his lot with the highest man now in the kingdom. He declared he died innocent of the facts for which he was sentenced. He asked Sirr to remember him to Mr. Waite, the Lord Chancellor, the Speaker, and the Judges of the King's Bench. He said those under the same charge as him were innocent of the murder, and that the prosecutors swore wrongfully and falsely. Then he gave what he knew of the truth. He said the accusers and the accused were equally ignorant of the fact. He had received information about the killing, but in such a manner that he could not make use of it for his own preservation, as it came under the seal of confession. He stated that John Bridge was destroyed by two alone, who strangled him on Wednesday night, the 24th of October, 1764. He said he was from home at the time and only returned on the 28th, and then heard that Bridge had been killed.

11. Geoffry Baron's extraordinary conduct before his hanging at Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    Before his execution at Limerick, Geoffry Baron of Clonmel obtained a respite, dressed in a new suit of white taffeta as if for a wedding, and rode gallantly and jovially to the place of execution, comparing his death to a marriage of his soul to heaven.

    Read the passage

    Master Baron of Clonmell, a very understandinge gentleman, adjudged to the gallowes desired respitt of execution till his return from his lodginge, which being admitted with a guarde, where he broke open his trunkes and findinge there a newe suite of white tafiitie with all the addresses suitable as if to be presently maried, adominge himself therewith roade gallantly (as accustomed) with the guarde towards the place of execution, behaved himself iconde [jocund] in his behaviour and soe careless of both execution and behoulders that it was strange. Beinge questioned for the change of cloathes answered that if to maiye a creature he did noelesse and now that he was of belife that his soule departinge at this instante from his bodie did straight enjoye the pleasures of heaven in the consumation

    (a) Hugh O'Neill the governor of Limerick, was reprieved though he narrowly escaped " owing to the blood he had shed at Clonmd." Sir Richard Everard also was pardoned because of his age.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 46

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city was the scene of an extraordinary execution in 1651. Geoffry Baron of Clonmel, a gentleman adjudged to the gallows, obtained a respite and returned to his lodging under guard. There he broke open his trunks, found a new suit of white taffeta with all the trimmings suitable as if to be presently married, and dressed himself in it. He rode gallantly with the guard towards the place of execution, behaving himself jocundly, so careless of both the execution and the onlookers that it was strange. Being questioned for the change of clothes, he answered that if to marry a creature he did no less, and now he was of belief that his soul departing at that instant from his body did straight enjoy the pleasures of heaven in the consummation.

12. State Trials of Smith O'Brien at Clonmel courthouse, 1848

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1848

    In 1848 the leaders of the Young Ireland rising, including William Smith O'Brien, were tried for high treason at Clonmel courthouse before four judges under a Special Commission, with the building heavily guarded by police and troops amid a dense crowd.

    Read the passage

    short visit to Ireland filled him with anger— now against the people, now against the priests, anon against the Government (he was not quite sure which were to blame) for the misery he beheld. We had comfortable lodgings in the house of a respectable cutler named Holmes in Dublin-street and Delane [editor of The Times] who had been on a visit to Bemal Osborne at Newtown Anner, came into Clonmel to see us on his way to London. He was impressed with the gravity of the situation. ** It's useless talking of the loyalty or disloyalty of the people ! They are all against us ! They do not like our laws, our ways, or anything that is ours ! But the government and landowners, supported by the police and the army, can always deal with insurrection, and the Jury to-morrow will be quite safe," It was a very remarkable scene next morning. We made our way with difficulty through a dense crowd to the courthouse, which was guarded by a large body of police with fixed bayonets. Horse, foot and artillery were close at hand in readiness to support them. We passed between a line of police to our places reserved by the High Sheriff. The court was crowded from floor to ceiling ; on the bench arrayed in their scarlet and ermine robes and in flowing wigs, were the four judges— the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Blackburn, Mr. Justice Crampton, Mr. Justice Perrin — who were sent down under a Special Commission to try the prisoners. There was a great "bar" retained for the Crown on the one side and for the prisoners on the other. The proceedings began with the skirmishing between counsel which usually precedes the joint battle, giving ample room for the display of the ingenuity and finesse which are supposed to characterise the Irish bar.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 49

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Clonmel, this is the town where the Young Ireland leaders were tried for high treason in 1848. William Smith O'Brien and the others faced four judges sent down under a Special Commission to sit at the courthouse here. The Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Blackburn, Mr. Justice Crampton, and Mr. Justice Perrin presided, arrayed in scarlet and ermine robes and flowing wigs. A correspondent who was there had lodgings in Dublin-street, in the house of a respectable cutler named Holmes. Delane, the editor of The Times, called in on his way to London. He had been visiting Bernal Osborne at Newtown Anner. Delane was impressed with the gravity of the situation. His words were: "It's useless talking of the loyalty or disloyalty of the people. They are all against us. They do not like our laws, our ways, or anything that is ours. But the government and landowners, supported by the police and the army, can always deal with insurrection, and the jury to-morrow will be quite safe." The next morning was a remarkable scene. The courthouse was guarded by a large body of police with fixed bayonets. Horse, foot and artillery were close at hand in readiness to support them. The crowd was dense, and it was difficult to make your way through. Inside, the court was crowded from floor to ceiling. The High Sheriff had reserved places. A great bar was retained on one side for the Crown and on the other for the prisoners. The proceedings began with the skirmishing between counsel that usually precedes the joint battle, giving ample room for the display of the ingenuity and finesse supposed to characterise the Irish bar.

13. Wright v. Fitzgerald: brutal flogging trial at Clonmel Assizes

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1799

    At Clonmel Assizes in March 1799, Bernard Wright sued Fitzgerald for £1,000 damages after being publicly flogged, humiliated, and threatened with hanging despite testimony of his loyalty; witnesses described the sheriff dragging him by the hair, stripping him, and ordering repeated rounds of lashes.

    Read the passage

    "Solomon Watson, a Quaker, affirmed that he had known defendant having flogged some labourers on account of the kind of waistcoats they wore. He had known defendant knock down an old man in the street for not taking off his hat to him. On 29 May, 1798, the high sheriff told witness he was going to whip a set of rebels. Saw Wright brought to the ladder under a guard ; had his hands to his face, seemed to be praying ; saw him on his knees at the ladder. Defendant pulled off Wright's hat, stamped on it, dragged him by the hair, struck him with his sword and kicked him ; blood flowed ; and then dragged him to the ladder ; selected some strong men and cried * Tie up citizen Wright.' Wright begged to have a clergyman but his request was refused ; then the flogging began. Defendant ordered first fifty lashes. He pulled a paper written in French out of his pocket, gave it to Major Riall as furnishing his reasons for flogging Wright (g). Major Riall read the paper and returned it. Defendant then ordered fifty lashes more, after which he asked how many lashes Wright had received, being answered he said *Cut the waistband of the rascal's breeches, and give him fifty there.' The lashes were inflicted severely ; defendant then asked for a rope ; was angry there was no rope ; desired a rope to be got ready, while he went to the general for an order to hang him. Defendant went down the street towards the general's lodgings. When he returned he ordered Wright back to jail, saying he would flog him again the next day.

    (f) Mathew Scott Merchant Pltff ., Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald Defend. Clonmel Assizes, i Aug.,

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    As the road nears Clonmel, this is where the assizes heard what was done to Wright. Solomon Watson, a Quaker, testified. He said he had known the defendant, Thomas Judkin Fitzgerald, flog labourers for the kind of waistcoats they wore, and knock down an old man in the street for not taking off his hat. On 29 May 1798, Watson said, the high sheriff told him he was going to whip a set of rebels. He saw Wright brought to the ladder under a guard, his hands to his face, seeming to pray, on his knees at the ladder. The defendant pulled off Wright's hat, stamped on it, dragged him by the hair, struck him with his sword and kicked him. Blood flowed. Then he dragged him to the ladder, selected some strong men and said,

14. Amyas Griffith's Letter Recounts Fates of Sheehy's Persecutors

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1787–1789

    Griffith wrote to Daniel Toler cataloguing the strange and sudden deaths of the judge, jurors, and prosecutors involved in Sheehy's execution, presenting them as a form of divine judgment. He noted Sir Thomas Maude's gruesome death and John Bagwell dying a maniac haunted by visions of the headless Sheehy.

    Read the passage

    (e) He died a maniac, it is said, August, 1784. " The unhappy Bagwell who for some years before his death conceited that he always saw that poor victim of party, the headless Sheehy, at his elbow." — Amyas Griffith to Dominick Trant, Esq.

    (fj He was the son of Thomas Butler, chaplain to the army in Flanders, Created Earl of Carrick in 1748. Died 15th April, 1774.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Through Clonmel here, the road passes the town where Amyas Griffith wrote his letter on the fates of those who sent Father Nicholas Sheehy to the gallows. He told of John Bagwell, who died a maniac in August 1784, tormented for years by the vision of what Griffith called that poor victim of party, the headless Sheehy, always at his elbow.

15. Dennis Dwyer's dying declaration exposes true murderers of John Bridge

    near Knock · population centre · Tipperary · 1768

    Dennis Dwyer, executed near Knock in April 1768, left a dying declaration stating that Sir Thomas Maude, John Bagwell and others tried to bribe him to falsely prosecute Sheehy, Meaghan, Buxton and Farrell, and confirmed those men had no part in Bridge's murder, which was committed by two others in County Cork.

    Read the passage

    Declares on the last words of a dying man that Sir Thomas Maud, John Bagwell, Ambrose Power, and Mathew Bombary Esq" with Parson Heuston came to him several times, repeating how happy they would make him if he wou'd prosecute the Rev. Mr. Sheehy, Ned Meaghan, James Buxton and James Farrell. I declare in the presence of my Creator before whome I am shortly to appear that I never did, nor cou'd in justice prosecute, either separately or together them Gentlemen ; the answer I made Sir Thomas Maude, and the others concerned with them was, since I cou'd not serve them that I wou'd receive no bribes, no longer receive the substence money which they allow'd me, being nine and nine pence f^ week, and I further declare as a dying man, that each and every of the above Gentlemen, that were executed at Clonmel, had neither act nor part, directly or indirectly in the murther of John Bridge, who was strangled by two men in the County of Cork, one of them went to the American Plantations, the other is still in this Kingdom, I cant tell where, as I did not see him since last July. I further declare on the word of a dying man that I had neither act or part in the murther of John Bridge but that I was unfortunate to myself present; and as a further proof of their design to spill the blood of the Innocent, and seeing that they could extort nothing from me, who in Justice and truth had nothing to say against them they confin'd me in the Barracks of Clonmell with a double guard where no person was allow^ to see me or to spake to me, except the Guards themselves and kept me there from S^ Stevens day was twelve month till the assizes following, ofifering me Bribes and money, and declaring they would provide for me and Family if I would prosecute the Gentlemen who were to be tryed soon after, and after all Efforts to make me prosecute the Gentlemen then confined, failed them as in the presence of God I had nothing to prove against them, they out of revenge, made three of the light horse make affidavid before a Magistrate that I was enlisting men for the King of France" service and then committed me a Prisoner out of the Barracks to the County Gaol of Clonmell ; Sir Thomas Maude and the rest know the truth of all this, I pray G** forgive them, as I heartily do and all my Prosecutors.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near Knock, a small place in Tipperary. In April 1768, Dennis Dwyer was executed near here, and the declaration he left on his death exposed what really happened in the murder of John Bridge. Dwyer swore before God that Sir Thomas Maude, John Bagwell, Ambrose Power, and Mathew Bombary, with Parson Heuston, came to him several times offering to make him happy if he would prosecute the Reverend Mr. Sheehy, Ned Meaghan, James Buxton, and James Farrell. He refused, saying he could not in justice prosecute them, and would no longer take the nine and nine pence a week they paid him. He declared that the men executed at Clonmel had neither act nor part in Bridge's murder. Bridge was strangled by two men in County Cork; one went to the American plantations, the other was still somewhere in the kingdom. Dwyer said he was present at the killing but had no hand in it. When they could not get him to prosecute the innocent, they confined him in the barracks of Clonmel with a double guard, where no one was allowed to see or speak to him except the guards, and kept him there from St. Stevens day until the assizes, still offering bribes. When all that failed, they had three of the light horse make affidavit before a magistrate that he was enlisting men for the King of France's service, and committed him to the county gaol of Clonmel. His last words were, in the source, "I pray God forgive them, as I heartily do and all my prosecutors."

16. Execution of Father Maurice Kinrechtan at the Main Guard

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1585

    Father Maurice Kinrechtan was arrested in the house of Victor White in Clonmel and executed at the Main Guard in 1585. The account was recorded by John Holing based on eyewitness testimony, likely including a young Stephen White.

    Read the passage

    Through the connivance of Miler M'Grath, Protestant commendatory Bishop of Waterford, a school was kept in Clonmel by one Derby McThomas. It is probable White received his first education there. McThomas was a firm Catholic, hostile to the Queen's religion, and reported to be in close touch with Darby McGrath, the Catholic bishop of Cork, who haunted the neighbourhood* When White was in his eleventh year, an event occurred in Clonmel which must have made on him a life-long impression. John Holing who relates the arrest of Father Maurice Kinrechtan in the house of Victor White, and his execution at the Main Guard in 1 585, states that he obtained the particulars from three eye-witnesses, two of whom were natives of the town. It is safe to assume that one of those who gave the account to Holing at Salamanca, was Stephen White.

    Rev. E. Hogan, the Jesuit biographer of White, conjectured that the Stephen White, the third of the scholars named in the Foundation Charter of Trinity College, Dublin, was probably Stephen of Clonmel. He asks :

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 45

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Clonmel, the town carries a story from 1585. A school was kept here by Derby McThomas, through the connivance of Miler McGrath, the Protestant commendatory Bishop of Waterford. McThomas was a firm Catholic, hostile to the Queen's religion, and said to be in close touch with Darby McGrath, the Catholic bishop of Cork, who haunted the neighbourhood. When a boy named Stephen White was in his eleventh year, an event happened here that stayed with him. Father Maurice Kinrechtan was arrested in the house of Victor White and executed at the Main Guard in 1585. John Holing recorded the particulars, which he got from three eyewitnesses, two of them natives of the town. It is safe to assume one of those who told the account to Holing at Salamanca was Stephen White himself. The Jesuit biographer Rev. E. Hogan conjectured that this Stephen White, the third scholar named in the Foundation Charter of Trinity College Dublin, was probably Stephen of Clonmel.

17. Execution of Father Nicholas Mulcahy before Clonmel's walls

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    Father Nicholas Mulcahy, parish priest of Ardfinnan, who refused to persuade the garrison to surrender, was brought before the walls of Clonmel and beheaded by the Cromwellians as an example.

    Read the passage

    Still the spirit of the garrison was unbroken, but it was the courage of despair ; they expected no quarter and they would give none. One day they had a stern object lesson in Cromwellian justice. An inoffensive man. Father Nicholas Mulcahy, parish priest of Ardfinnan, who had refused influencing the garrison to surrender, was brought forth in front of the walls and there his head was struck off. Such an episode was little calculated to intimidate men who had arms in their hands and knew how to use them (w).

    The town at this period, regarded from a strategic standpoint, was a parallelogram, lying east and west with its base on the river, the sides being roughly 500 by 400 yards long. The enclosing walls originally built in the fourteenth century were from 25 to 30 feet high and 5 feet in thickness. They were pierced by four gates and strengthened at intervals of about 70

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, you are moving through a town whose walls saw a grim scene in 1650. The garrison here was under siege by Cromwell's forces, and their spirit was unbroken, the courage of despair, expecting no quarter and giving none. Father Nicholas Mulcahy, parish priest of Ardfinnan, had refused to influence the garrison to surrender. The Cromwellians brought him forth in front of the walls and struck off his head, as an example. The book calls him an inoffensive man, and says such an episode was little calculated to intimidate men who had arms in their hands and knew how to use them. The walls themselves dated from the fourteenth century, 25 to 30 feet high and 5 feet thick, pierced by four gates.

18. Father Sheehy tried and executed in Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766

    Father Sheehy was surrendered, tried in Dublin and then in Clonmel following the murder of John Bridge, and was ultimately executed, amid religious bitterness and controversy over jury packing.

    Read the passage

    SHEEHY, FATHER— State of Tipperary, 1750-70, 361-3; agrarian disturbances, 363-6; religious bitterness, 366; the Protestant interest, 366-7; Father Sheehy, 368; informations against, 369; John Bridge, 370; surrender of Father Sheehv, 371-2; petition for trial, 373; murder of Bridge, 374; trial in Dublin, 375; in Clonmel, 376-87; execution, 388; attitude of Catholic clergy, 389-90; Protestant Constitution safe, 391; truth about Bridge, 391-5; Sheehy's jury, 396-99; informations, &c., 400-5, 496-7.

    Index of Subjects. 505

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Clonmel, in Tipperary. In 1766, Father Sheehy was surrendered and tried here following the murder of John Bridge, amid agrarian disturbances and religious bitterness. He had first been tried in Dublin before facing trial in Clonmel, and was ultimately executed. The case drew controversy over the jury, the Protestant interest, and the attitude of the Catholic clergy.

19. Five men hanged on Ardfinnan Green, four wrongly

    Ardfinnan · town · Tipperary · 1827

    Five men were hanged on Ardfinnan Green in April 1827 for the murder of John Barry, based largely on identification by Barry's widow; the author states four of the five were beyond question innocent, and one confessed at execution exculpating the others.

    Read the passage

    The utter make-believe to which trial by jury was reduced, may be illustrated by the case of Patrick Burns charged with the murder of Robert Hall, of Ballygurteen. Tried first at the Nenagh Spring Assizes, 1842, the jury (an exclusively Protestant one) disagreed, eleven, according to one account, being for acquittal (ww). Four months later, 29th June, 1 842, he was again put forward at the Clonmel Special Commission, and on precisely the same evidence, was convicted, and subsequently hanged. If the evidence obtainable against accused persons was scant and unsatisfactory, the jury of landlords was easily convinced, and as a consequence, there were, not unfrequently, appalling miscarriages of justice. Four of the five men hanged at Ardfinnan for the Barry murder — ^James Byrne, Philip Lonergan, Thomas Bryan, and John Green — ^were beyond question innocent (xxj. The Crown prosecutors of the day used draw a lurid picture of the assassin, with levelled musket, lying in wait for his unsuspecting victim. The future historian will paint a still more ghastly one — a wretched creature put to death under the forms of law — tried by men with whom he and his fellows were engaged in a struggle for very existence; by men antagonistic to him in race, sentiment

    (w) Thpmas Drummond to the Earl of Donoughmore, Dublin Castle, 22nd May, 1838.— Life of Drummond, ST O'Brien, p. 284.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 13

20. Flogging of Clogheen innkeeper to extort confession

    Clogheen · town · Tipperary · 1798

    Fitzgerald had a respected Clogheen innkeeper tied to a ladder and whipped repeatedly, demanding he name who 'swore' him into rebellion. Under torture the man falsely named someone to stop the pain, later admitting the lie to Lord Cahir.

    Read the passage

    (d) On the occasion of their visit to Clogheen Fitzgerald flogged McGrath supra. Hutchinson described the episode : *' I was myself present when similar acts were committed by Mr. Fitzgerald . In the town of Clogheen there was a man of some property and good character who kept an inn ; and this man was brought out of his house by Mr. Fitzgerald, tied up to a ladder and whipped. When he had received some lashes Mr. Fitzgerald asked him 'Who swore you ? ' The man answered he never was sworn. After a few more stripes the question was repeated and received with a similar answer. The remedy was resumed for the supposed obstinacy with this additional suggestion, • If you do not confess I'll cut you to death.* The man unable to bear the torture any longer then did name a person who, he said, had sworn him ; but the moment he was cut down he said to Lord Cahir, * The man never swore me, but he [Fitzgerald] would cut me to death if I did not accuse somebody, and to save my life I told the lie.' "—Proceedings in House of Commons on petition of T. J. Fitzgerald, p. 38.

    (c) On this occasion he arrested Timothy Lynch, a chandler and a yeoman of Captain Jephson's corps, " for having the low forehead of a rebel," and imprisoned him in Clonmel. He struck with his sword Laurence Keating walking in the street, and bade him *' as a damned rascal kneel down and take off his hat to the High Sheriff," etc., etc. — all put in evidence.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

21. Joshua Jacob and 'White Quakerism' walks on the Suir

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1830–1838

    Joshua Jacob, a young Clonmel Quaker, began having religious revelations around 1830 and founded a sect known as 'White Quakerism,' dressing in white and preaching purity. On one occasion he drew crowds of sightseers by attempting to walk on the waters of the River Suir at Clonmel.

    Read the passage

    (y) Monk Mason Survey, 1813. — P.K.O. Mention must here be made of a religious development to find a parallel to which, one must go back to the early years of the Reformation in Germany. This was "White Quakerism." About 1830, Joshua Jacob, a member of the Society of Friends, in Clonmel, began to have revelations. He was at the time a young man of twenty-five and possessing a great power of Scriptural phraseology, soon obtained an ascendancy over the younger members of the body. Clad in white, he began a public mission, exhorting all persons to simplicity and purity of life, and on one occasion filled the town with sightseers to witness his walking on the wafers of the Suir. Being disowned by the Friends in 1838, he retired to Mountmellick, where in the years 1843-4 he published " Some Account of the Progress of the Truth as it is in Jesus." This is in four volumes, over 2000 pages, and is made up of narratives, ejaculations, hymns and letters by Jacob himself and some of his followers, especially Abigail Beale and Mary Pym, no small portion t)eing devoted to abuse of members of the Jacob family and the Friends in general. From Mountmellick he removed to Dublin where he rented a disused hotel on Arran Quay, now known as Ganly's wool mart. Here the sect took definite shape; they dressed in white, destroyed ornaments in houses and interpreted the Bible in a sort of spiritual sense. Being summoned before the Chancellor, Lord St. Leonards, and Master Litton in connection with some trust property, Jacob anathematized '* Edward Sugden and thy man Litton," and was committed to prison for contempt of court. While in the Marshalsea he addressed to Mullins, the governor, a series of letters " The word of the Lord to the Governor of the prison called of men the Four Courts." Indeed throughout this period, Jacob divided public attention equally with O'Connell. In 1849 he established a community at Newlands, near Dublin, who used no meat, lived on bruised corn and afforded hospitality to all comers. The police had more than once to put the house in order. Some years later he re-entered business at Celbridge, and marrying secondly a Catholic, brought up a large family all Catholics. Kis closing years were spent in Wales, and when he died, 15th February, 1877, Joshua Jacob and the "White Quiers" were only a memory. He is buried in Glasnevin.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 29

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, you are in the town where Joshua Jacob began his strange religious mission. About 1830, Jacob, a member of the Society of Friends, started having revelations. He was 25, with a great command of Scriptural language, and soon gained ascendancy over the younger Quakers in Clonmel. He dressed in white and preached simplicity and purity of life. On one occasion he filled the town with sightseers who came to watch him attempt to walk on the waters of the River Suir. The Friends disowned him in 1838. He withdrew to Mountmellick and published "Some Account of the Progress of the Truth as it is in Jesus," four volumes running over 2000 pages of narratives, hymns, letters and ejaculations by Jacob and followers such as Abigail Beale and Mary Pym, much of it devoted to abuse of the Jacob family and the Friends. From Mountmellick he moved to Dublin, renting a disused hotel on Arran Quay. The sect took shape there: they dressed in white, destroyed ornaments in houses, and read the Bible in a spiritual sense. Summoned before the Chancellor, Lord St. Leonards, and Master Litton over trust property, Jacob anathematized "Edward Sugden and thy man Litton" and was committed to prison for contempt. In the Marshalsea he wrote to the governor, Mullins, "The word of the Lord to the Governor of the prison called of men the Four Courts." He divided public attention equally with O'Connell. In 1849 he founded a community at Newlands near Dublin: no meat, bruised corn, hospitality to all comers. The police had to put the house in order more than once. He later returned to business at Celbridge, married a Catholic, raised a large Catholic family, and spent his closing years in Wales. He died 15 February 1877 and is buried in Glasnevin.

22. Martyrdom of Dermod O'Mulroney at the Franciscan convent, Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1570

    During Sir Henry Sydney's 1570 raid on Aherlow, the friar Dermod O'Mulroney fled to Clonmel but later returned to his convent at Galbally, where English soldiers surrounded the bell-tower. He came down to save the building from fire, was struck and beheaded, and it was said no blood flowed from his wounds.

    Read the passage

    '^ This is the last vestige of a family associated with Clonmel for centuries. The following account of a member of the family is taken from Mooney's history of the Franciscans written in 1615. "When in 1570 Sir Henry Sydney was raiding Aherlow, Dermod 0*Mulroney fled with his companions from the country convent [of Galbally] to Clonmel. But when he remained there some time, he resolved to return to his monastery, God perhaps so ordering it, that he might gain the crown of martyrdom. When therefore, they thought all was safe he returned to the convent and lived there. But one day the English soldiers coming of a sudden, surrounded the place and there was no way for the friar to escape. The good man got up with his two companions into the bell-tower to hide, and pulled up the ladder. The soldiers made a fire to burn the church and tower. To save these the holy man came down of his own accord, and having let down the ladder, he blessed himself as he put his foot on the first round saying the psalm " Have mercy on me, O God." The soldiers unappeased, struck him and wounded him, and then beheaded him. A marvellous thing then happened. For when his head was struck off there was no bleeding, and the soldiers seeing, cut the body in pieces yet there was not a drop of blood " ( *). His brother Franciscan and fellowcitizen, Bonaventure Barron, rendered the following tribute to his memory. Qua suos Hyblaeo dignos agnomine cives Surius angustis omat et armat aquis Ne qua tuae proli, Francisce, trophea deessent, Intulit armatas mors violenta manus Non tamen arma viro, non mors violenta volenti.

    f'g) Mooney's MS., p. 54.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 32

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, you are passing through a town that gave refuge to the Franciscan friar Dermod O'Mulroney in 1570. When Sir Henry Sydney raided Aherlow that year, O'Mulroney fled with his companions from their country convent at Galbally to Clonmel. He stayed here for a time, but then resolved to return to his monastery, as the 1615 account by Mooney puts it, that he might gain the crown of martyrdom. He went back to Galbally, and one day English soldiers came suddenly and surrounded the place. The friar and two companions climbed into the bell-tower and pulled up the ladder, but the soldiers set a fire to burn the church and tower. To save the building, O'Mulroney came down of his own accord, blessed himself as he put his foot on the first rung of the ladder, and said the psalm "Have mercy on me, O God." The soldiers struck him, wounded him, and beheaded him. Yet when his head was struck off, there was no bleeding, and even when they cut the body in pieces, not a drop of blood flowed. His fellow Franciscan and fellow citizen of Clonmel, Bonaventure Barron, wrote a tribute to his memory.

23. Sheehy tried and acquitted at King's Bench, then re-arrested for murder

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1766

    On 10th February 1766 Sheehy was tried at the Court of King's Bench in Dublin on charges of treason and rebellion; after an eleven-hour trial he was acquitted, but was immediately arrested on a new charge of complicity in Bridge's murder and sent back to Clonmel gaol.

    Read the passage

    Accordingly on lOth February, 1766, eleven months after Father Sheehy had been brought to Dublin, he was put forward for trial at the Court of King's Bench. The judges were the Right Hon. John Gore, Chief Justice, Christopher Robinson, Second Justice, and William Scott, Third Justice. The counts in the indictment were that Nicholas Sheehy had acted as a leader in a treasonable conspiracy, had exercised men under arms, had sworn them to allegiance to the King of France, and had incited them to rebellion. The trial lasted eleven hours; the witnesses completely broke down and Toohy's evidence was discredited. A verdict of acquittal on all counts was given by the jury.

    The result, however, was not quite unforeseen by Sheehy's enemies, for immediately on the declaration of the jury, a motion was made by the prosecution for his committal on the charge of coixiphlicity in the murder of John Bridge. The motion was granted, and the unhappy priest was committed to Newgate prison preliminary to his being sent back to Clonmel to be tried there for murder. The faith of government with him was now broken. He had surrendered on condition of a fair trial in Dublin, and despite the promise of the Lord Justices holding the royal commission, he was now to be delivered up to men who, mad with religious and political fanaticism, thirsted for his blood. "He was satisfied," wrote a contemporary, "to stand a trial anywhere but in Clonmel, for he well knew the influence that would be exerted against him. However, thither he was transmitted contrary to the faith of the secretary. He entered the town surrounded by his enemies and their tenantry in arms. He was now at their mercy, and he conducted himself with fortitude and composure. To expose his person they made him travel on horseback, with his arms pinioned, and his feet chained under the horse's belly. In jail, he was double bolted and treated in every respect with rigour " (0).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin is where Father Nicholas Sheehy stood trial on the 10th of February 1766, eleven months after he had been brought to the city. He faced the Court of King's Bench before Chief Justice John Gore, Second Justice Christopher Robinson, and Third Justice William Scott. The indictment charged him with leading a treasonable conspiracy, exercising men under arms, swearing them to allegiance to the King of France, and inciting them to rebellion. The trial lasted eleven hours. The witnesses completely broke down and Toohy's evidence was discredited, and the jury gave a verdict of acquittal on all counts. But his enemies had prepared for that outcome. Immediately on the declaration of the jury, the prosecution moved for his committal on the charge of complicity in the murder of John Bridge. The motion was granted. He was committed to Newgate prison, to be sent back to Clonmel to stand trial for murder there. The government's faith with him was now broken. He had surrendered on condition of a fair trial in Dublin, and despite the promise of the Lord Justices holding the royal commission, he was delivered up to men who, in the words of a contemporary, "mad with religious and political fanaticism, thirsted for his blood." He entered Clonmel surrounded by his enemies and their tenantry in arms, made to travel on horseback with his arms pinioned and his feet chained under the horse's belly. In jail he was double bolted and treated with rigour.

24. Assizes at Clonmel opened under martial law conditions

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766

    The assizes opened on Thursday 13th March with the town effectively under martial law: every avenue guarded by Drogheda's light horse, soldiers patrolling the streets, and Sheehy's attorney forced to flee the town by night for his own safety after sentence was passed.

    Read the passage

    The assizes opened Thursday, 13th March ; two contemporaries have left a description of the scene. " When the day of trial arrived," writes Griffith, " the town was as it were under martial law. Every avenue was guarded with Drogheda's light horse, and to get in or out was attended with difficulty and danger." Curry's account is : " On the day of the trial a party of horse surrounded the court, admitting and excluding whom they thought proper ; while others of them with a certain Baronet [Sir Thomas Maude] at their head, scampered the streets in a formidable manner ; forcing into inns and private lodgings in the town ; challenging and questioning all new comers ; menacing his friends and encouraging his enemies. Even after sentence of death was pronounced against him, which one would think might have fully satisfied his enemies, Mr. Sparrow his attorney, declares, that he found it necessary for his safety to steal out of the town by night, and with all possible speed to escape to Dublin " (q).

    Thus amid every circumstance of terrorism. Father Sheehy was marched through Lough Street to the court house, the present Main Guard (r), there to meet the charge of murder, his life being the forfeit. For two years Messrs. Hewetson, Bagnell, Maude and Bagwell, the self-styled maintainers of " the Protestant Interest," had been interviewing gaol-birds, taking informations and putting together a case against the man whom they regarded as the leader of a Popish conspiracy. And though a month before, the Court of King's Bench and a Dublin jury had utterly discredited their evidence, they were now convinced they had an overwhelming case against him. What was the new testimony, untainted and unimpeachable, which was being brought forward? A contemporary has sketched the witnesses, and the fidelity of the sketch we know from other sources.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Clonmel now. In 1766, the assizes opened here on Thursday the 13th of March, and the town was effectively under martial law. Two contemporaries left descriptions of the scene. Griffith wrote that every avenue was guarded with Drogheda's light horse, and getting in or out was attended with difficulty and danger. Curry's account says a party of horse surrounded the court, admitting and excluding whom they thought proper. Others, with Sir Thomas Maude at their head, scampered the streets in a formidable manner, forcing into inns and private lodgings, challenging and questioning all newcomers, menacing his friends and encouraging his enemies. Father Sheehy was marched through Lough Street to the court house, the present Main Guard, to face the charge of murder, his life the forfeit. For two years, Messrs. Hewetson, Bagnell, Maude and Bagwell, the self-styled maintainers of the Protestant Interest, had been interviewing gaol-birds, taking informations and putting together a case against the man they regarded as the leader of a Popish conspiracy. A month before, the Court of King's Bench and a Dublin jury had utterly discredited their evidence. Yet they were now convinced they had an overwhelming case against him. Even after sentence of death was pronounced, Mr. Sparrow, his attorney, declared he found it necessary for his own safety to steal out of the town by night and escape to Dublin with all possible speed. The whole business was carried on amid every circumstance of terrorism.

25. Death of Sir Thomas Maude, Judge in Sheehy's Trial

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766–1777

    Sir Thomas Maude, the judge who tried Father Sheehy and instructed his prosecutors, died in a horrifying manner, with his eyes reportedly dropping from their sockets and an insupportable stench in his death chamber. He had been elevated to the peerage as Baron de Montalt shortly after Sheehy's execution.

    Read the passage

    Out of all those who were so active in spilling his blood is there an individual living this day, Mr. Toler ? Will you account me superstitious for saying that this might be a judgment of God? The judge Who tried him, instructed his prosecutors and connected their zig-zag evidence. That judge is now no more. Sir Thomas Maude was the man who impannelled the jury (who ever since were proverbially partial), need I tell you of the manner of his death — that his eyes dropped out of their sockets, that he died with execrations in his mouth, that the stench in his room was insupportable ? (c) Need I tell you the fate of William Bagnell (d), of John Bagwell (e). Lord Carrick ? (f) Need I

    (a) Parliamentary Debates, 1787^ VII., p. 342.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Clonmel now, a town in Tipperary tied to a grim story. Sir Thomas Maude was the judge who tried Father Sheehy, instructed his prosecutors, and impanelled the jury, which was proverbially partial ever after. He was elevated to the peerage as Baron de Montalt shortly after Sheehy's execution. But his own end was horrifying. His eyes dropped out of their sockets, he died with execrations in his mouth, and the stench in his room was insupportable. Some saw the manner of his death as a judgment of God.

26. Drowning of Lieutenant Close and Anna Grubb in the Suir

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1826

    Lieutenant Frederick Close, stationed with his regiment in Clonmel, formed a relationship with Anna Grubb, a young Quaker woman; both disappeared one stormy night in February 1826 and their bodies were later found in the Suir with no marks of violence, though suspicion fell on a rival suitor, William Strangman.

    Read the passage

    (ii) Lieutenant Frederick Close was stationed with his regiment, the 86th Foot, in Clonmel in 1826. He there formed the acquaintance of Anna Grubb who was about 18 years of age, " a member of the Society of Friends, and remarkable for much beauty of person." They met together in the evenings, and one wild night of wind and ram in February, 1826, both disappeared. Three weeks later their bodies were found in the Suir. There were no marks whatever of violence, but popular suspicion fastened on William Strangman, who had been also paying addresses to the lady. An account of the incident will be found in Maxwell's Bivouac.

    (jj) The case of Denis Scully, a Tipperary barrister, is instructive. His " Penal Laws " is one of the most valuable Irish historical monographs. It is a calm, lawyer-like statement of the several laws of William and Anne affecting Catholics, with the various judicial decisions and facts bearing on the subject. Yet in 1813 Hugh Fitzpatrick, the publisher, was fined £200 and imprisoned for eighteen months. Saurin, the Attorney-General who prosecuted, described the work as " a call upon the people to break out into civil and religious war."

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 34

    As the companion tells it

    As Clonmel comes up, this is where Lieutenant Frederick Close was stationed with his regiment, the 86th Foot, in 1826. Here he formed the acquaintance of Anna Grubb, who was about 18 years of age, a member of the Society of Friends and remarkable for much beauty of person. They met together in the evenings. On one wild night of wind and rain in February 1826, both disappeared. Three weeks later their bodies were found in the Suir. There were no marks whatever of violence on either of them. Popular suspicion fastened on William Strangman, a man who had also been paying addresses to the lady. An account of the incident will be found in Maxwell's Bivouac.

27. Father Sheehy Tried and Executed for Murder of Bridge

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766

    Nicholas Sheehy, a priest, was tried and hanged for the alleged murder of Bridges, whose body was never found and who was reportedly seen alive afterward in Newfoundland. Daniel Toler, high sheriff of Tipperary at the time, later defended the conviction in Parliament.

    Read the passage

    That unfortunate man (Father Sheehy) was tried before the Court of King's Bench for Whiteboyism and acquitted. Sheehy, whose blood his enemies thirsted for, is at last indicted for the murder of one Bridges, a man of no good character, whose dead body could not be found, but whose living body, if report be true, was afterwards seen in Newfoundland. The dead bodies of rogues who had been murdered in one kingdom have been afterwards seen living bodies in another as so many enchanted dragons watching the Hesperian Gardens of the temple of Venus, alias bullies to a brothel. That this was Bridge's case I cannot afirm but for the rest the history of the kingdom is my voucher.

    Daniel Toler of Grague, who had been high sheriff of Tipperary in 1766, the year of Father Sheehy's execution, and was now member of parliament for the county, felt himself called upon to reply, which he did in the House of Commons, Tuesday, March 13th, 1787.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, you are in the town where Father Nicholas Sheehy was tried and hanged in 1766. He had first been tried before the Court of King's Bench for Whiteboyism and acquitted. His enemies then indicted him for the murder of one Bridges, a man described as of no good character. Bridges's dead body was never found, and report had it that his living body was afterwards seen in Newfoundland. The source calls this tale one of dead bodies in one kingdom seen as living bodies in another, and says that for the rest, the history of the kingdom is the voucher. Daniel Toler of Grague, who had been high sheriff of Tipperary in 1766, felt called upon to reply. He did so in the House of Commons on Tuesday, March 13th, 1787, defending the conviction.

28. Lieutenant Langley's severed hand relic at St Mary's Church

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650–1786

    The ancestor of Langley of Lisnebruck had his hand chopped off at the wrist while scaling the walls of Clonmel during the siege; the hand with a glove on it and his colours were kept hung up in Mary's Church, Clonmel as a relic of the assault.

    Read the passage

    (nu) Long after there were echoes of the siege. 1654 November 6, Theobald Bolton linen draper St Peter's Parish, Cornhill petitions parliament for relief in his necessities. His only brother Major Charles Bolton was wounded at the taking of Clonmel of which he is since dead, (State Papers, Domestic.) 1655 October 13, Nicholas Jordan petitions the Admiralty, the State stands indebted to him and his brother in the sum of ;f 300 for debentures ; the latter. Major Thomas Jordan was slain at Clonmel etc., (Ibid.) "The ancestor of the present Langtie of Lisnebruck proprietor of the coUeries near Killenall in the county of Tipperar>' had his hand choped off above the wrist when scaleing the walls. I had this fact from his own lips one night I slept at his house, in confirmation of which a hand with a glove on it and the colours he carried at the time, are hung up to this day as a record of that transaction in Mary's Church, Clonmel. I have seen them there many a time " — Paper of Philip son of Nicholas Comins of Clonmel, 1786. The Langley referred to was Lieut. Henry I^ngley of Capt. Thomas Ask's troop in the regiment of horse commanded by Col. Jerome Sankey. The old Lough Gate, or as it was sometimes called the North Gate, was subsequently known to the people of Clonmel as the **Bre«ich Gate." Even in legal documents this name superseded the former ones. 4 March 1708 Fine by Joseph and Sarah Dennison to John Marshall of " a waste plot of ground etc. being part of the former holding of Thomas Elwell and Henry Ansel 1 situate outside the Breach Gate of Clonmell " (Records of the Tipperary Palatinate P.R.O.) Many years ago when the houses lying between SS. Peter and Paul's Church and Gladstone St. were being erected, numerous evidences of the assault were obtained. The late John Dowsley M.D. of Mary St. long kept a small museum of bullets, fragments of matchlocks, helmets, breastplates, buckles and the like. The latest souvenir was a portion of a cannon ball, about one-third. It weighed 14 lbs. and was foimd when laying a waterpipe into Dwyer's premises [Clonmel Chronicle^ 16th Jan., 1895).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, you are passing the walls that were scaled during the siege. An ancestor of the Langley of Lisnebruck, who owned the collieries near Killenall in Tipperary, had his hand chopped off above the wrist while scaling the walls of the town. The man was Lieutenant Henry Ingley of Captain Thomas Ask's troop, in the regiment of horse commanded by Colonel Jerome Sankey. A paper written in 1786 by Philip, son of Nicholas Comins of Clonmel, records that Philip heard the fact from Langley's own lips one night he slept at his house. In confirmation of the story, a hand with a glove on it and the colours the lieutenant carried at the time were hung up in Mary's Church in Clonmel as a record of that transaction. Philip wrote, "I have seen them there many a time." The old Lough Gate, sometimes called the North Gate, became known to the people of Clonmel as the Breach Gate, and even in legal documents that name superseded the former ones. Many years later, when the houses between Saints Peter and Paul's Church and Gladstone Street were being erected, further evidence of the assault came to light. Doctor John Dowsley of Mary Street kept a small museum of bullets, fragments of matchlocks, helmets, breastplates, buckles and the like. A portion of a cannon ball, about a third, weighing 14 lbs, was found when laying a waterpipe into Dwyer's premises. The echoes of the siege were long in fading.

29. Mass hangings at Clonmel and Tipperary garrisons

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1651–1652

    As many as five hundred poor labourers and women were reportedly hanged at Clonmel and other garrisons in the county for the crime of being found within the imaginary protected lines drawn by governors.

    Read the passage

    Probably the Irish account is not much wide of the truth. " No less than five hundred poor labourers and women were hanged at Clonmel and other garrisons in this county, guilty of no other crime but being found within the imaginary lines drawn by the governors of the several garrisons 'Y««A The general character of the warfare carried on by Sankey may be understood from a few instances.

    A soldier bemg killed by some of the Irish army Colonel Jeremy Sankey summoned all the inhabitants of the parish wherein he was killed (being under his protection) to come to Fethered where he put them to the dice and hanged five of them. One Lieutenant McGrath of his Majesty's army, being taken prisoner by Capt. John Godfrey was five days after hanged in the town of Fethered by Colonel Sankey notwithstanding the said Godfrey's promise to have given him quarter (a).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Clonmel, the town in Tipperary. In 1651 and 1652 this was the site of mass hangings. As many as 500 poor labourers and women were hanged at Clonmel and other garrisons in the county, guilty of no other crime but being found within the imaginary lines drawn by the governors of the several garrisons. Colonel Jeremy Sankey carried on the warfare. When a soldier of his was killed by some of the Irish army, he summoned all the inhabitants of the parish where the killing happened, people who were under his protection, to come to Fethered. There he put them to the dice and hanged five of them. A Lieutenant McGrath of the Majesty's army, taken prisoner by Captain John Godfrey, was hanged five days later at Fethered by Sankey, even though Godfrey had promised him quarter.

30. Bishop 'Thomas Ennis' celebrates high mass at Clonmel mass house

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1712

    A government spy reported that Rev. Thomas Hennessy, posing as a Popish bishop, celebrated high mass in full pontifical robes at the mass house outside the West gate of Clonmel on 6th January 1712, drawing a huge crowd who venerated him.

    Read the passage

    I have been disappointed in serving ye Govmt in ye County of Wexford by ye ill management of some of ye Justices of ye Peace there as it shall appeare before yr Excellencies in Council in a very short time ; in ye meane time there is extraordinary good service to be done in this towne by takeing of severall persons of greate note of ye Popish clergy lately come from France and Rome, more particular Thomas Ennis [Rev. Thomas Hennessy, S.J.] who goes under the name of a Popish bishop, : he acts here after the Rules of a Cardinal! : on the sixth of this inst. called twelfth day, he was in a Bishops habit with a mighter [mitre] upon his head and all other extream rich Robes belonging to that order, he celebrated high mass in ye Mass house without the West gate of this towne, where he had a vast company of people which showed him as much Reverence as if he had been ye Pope by kissing his hands, and ye very ground whereon he trod, all which I was an eye witness off. There is another person here who takes upon him ye title of a Bishop, he goes by ye name of Mr. Bourk but his right name is Salt, [Rev. B. Sail, O.S.F.] There is also another whose name is Father Adams, he is turned father Confessor in particular to ye women and is manageing a way to put upp a private Nunnery, all those I have seen officiate. I must take leave to assure yr Excellencies they are very dangerous persons. Thomas Ennis has of late years been a great spy in ye Court of England, They all go by contrary names : one them is ye Titulate bishop of Derry who has been already taken by the Lords Justices and Council but was Rescued out of ye Custody of Capt Mfchael Cole as his Grace ye Archbishop of Dublin and Mr. Justice Cook can inform yr Excellencies, and give better satisfaction of the truth hereof. I think it fitt to give you the names of the persons who entertains them privately in their howses viz. Richard Stritch and Patrick Morony Merchts, James Sherlocke apothecary and one Tonory, these are ye persons who entertains them and in whose howses their goods and papers are now concealed. I also think it requisite to give yr Excellencies an Account of severall of ye persons who have heard and saw them Officiate as aforesaid, viz. Thomas Pursell, Francis Morony, Nicholas White, Michael Davan Merchts, John Maugher, William Morony, Patrick ffitz Patrick, James Sherlock apothecary, Richard Stritch and Patrick Morony Merchants, James Tonnory, these are ye names of ye most materiall persons who to my certaine knowledge, have been hearing them. I desire they may (if yr Excellencies thinks fitt) be examined upon Oath of what they knowe concerning ye persons aforesaid. I am credibly informed there are some Protestants in this town who are largely bribed by those disaffected persons iFor winking at their actions. I have this night been in private with Major

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, this is a town with a remarkable story from January 1712. A government spy reported that on the 6th of that month, a Jesuit priest named Thomas Hennessy, going by the name Thomas Ennis, turned up at the mass house just outside the West gate dressed in full bishop's robes with a mitre on his head, and celebrated high mass before what the spy called "a vast company of people." The crowd kissed his hands and the very ground he walked on, showing him, in the spy's words, "as much Reverence as if he had been ye Pope." The spy, who witnessed it all himself, described Hennessy as acting "after the Rules of a Cardinal" and warned that he and other clergy lately arrived from France and Rome were very dangerous persons. Another man going by the name Mr. Bourk, whose real name was Reverend B. Sail, also claimed the title of bishop in the town. A Father Adams had set himself up as confessor to women and was working to establish a private nunnery. The spy listed the merchants and others who sheltered these clergy, including Richard Stritch, Patrick Morony, and James Sherlock the apothecary, and named those who attended their services. He even claimed some Protestants in Clonmel had been bribed to look the other way.

31. Clonmel citizens summoned by drum to hear transplantation sentence

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1653–1654

    The old English burgher families of Clonmel—Whites, Brays, Barrons, Brennocks—were summoned to the market place by beat of drum to hear the sentence condemning them to transplantation to Connaught, on pain of death if found east of the Shannon after May 1654.

    Read the passage

    Now that the leaders were executed or banished and the " swordsmen " transported beyond seas, the people at large were to hear their fate, and in particular, the citizens of Clonmel were to learn the Cromwellian interpretation of the articles of surrender : " Ye inhabitauntes of ye said town shall have ye same rights libertye and proteccion as other subjects under ye authoritie of ye Parliament of England have or ought to have and inioye within ye dominion of Ireland." On the 26th September, 1653, the estates, farms and houses of the people of Ireland were declared by Parliament to belong to the Adventurers and the Army of England. Connaught was reserved for the Irish, and thither they with their wives and families must remove before the first of May following. If found on this side of the Shannon they were to be reputed spies and enemies, and to suffer death. Proclamation of this was forthwith made in the several precincts or military districts throughout the kingdom. What must have been the feelings of the old burghers of Clonmel — Whites, Brays, Barrons, Brennocks, all of o\ji English lineage, when summoned to the market place by " beate of drumm " they heard the sentence of their doom. Everyone who had been mustered on the Irish side ; everyone who had kept watch and ward — that is to say almost every adult male — fell under the ban. The only exceptions made were boys under fourteen and girls under twelve in the service of Protestants. Preparations for the clearing of the town were at once made. And first, in accordance with instructions issued by the Commissioners of Ireland on 9th November, Colonel Jerome Sankey doubtless lifted up prayers with strong crying and tears to Him to whom nothing is hard, that he might not be wanting to His servants. After this the great work of driving forth the Amorrhites and bringing in the people of God proceeded apace. Early in December the Commissioners of Transplantation — Colonels Charles Blount, Solomon Richards, Henry Paris and Francis Vaughan — opened sessions in Clonmel. Heads of families appeared before them, and having stated their abode, age, stature, colour of hair and eyes, and the like particulars of their family and dependents together with the number and description of their cattle and other substance, certificates were thereupon issued. With these they proceeded before 30th January, 1654, to

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, this is the town where the old English burgher families—the Whites, Brays, Barrons and Brennocks—were summoned to the market place by beat of drum in 1653 to hear the sentence that would drive them from their homes. On the 26th of September that year, Parliament declared the estates, farms and houses of the people of Ireland to belong to the Adventurers and the Army of England. Connaught was reserved for the Irish, and they with their wives and families had to remove there before the 1st of May 1654. If found on this side of the Shannon they were to be reputed spies and enemies and to suffer death. Everyone who had been mustered on the Irish side, everyone who had kept watch and ward—almost every adult male—fell under the ban. The only exceptions were boys under 14 and girls under 12 in the service of Protestants. Early in December the Commissioners of Transplantation—Colonels Charles Blount, Solomon Richards, Henry Paris and Francis Vaughan—opened sessions in Clonmel. Heads of families appeared before them, stating their abode, age, stature, colour of hair and eyes, and the like particulars of their family and dependents, together with the number and description of their cattle and other substance. Certificates were thereupon issued, and with these they proceeded before the 30th of January 1654.

32. Duel between Moore and Slattery on the Green

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1726

    A parliamentary feud between Stephen Moore and Counsellor John Slattery, renewed after a contested Fethard election, ended in a duel fought with sword and pistol on the Green at Clonmel on 13 November 1726. Slattery was killed, and his death is recorded on his tomb in the ruined church of Kilgrant.

    Read the passage

    Such was the position of affairs when Stephen Moore "the Colonel," was installed mayor, 29th September, 1724. As a parliamentary candidate he had already attracted much attention, and his skill with the pistol was notorious. In 1719 he had contested Fethard with Counsellor Slattery, Lord Cahir's agent Slattery though unseated on petition was subsequently elected for Blessington. The feud was renewed and on Sunday, 13th November, 1726, Moore and Slattery fought on the Green with sword and pistol. The result may still be read on a tomb within the ruined church of Kilgrant.

    Here Lyes y^ Body of John Slatterie Co[unsellor1 AT Law, a Member of Parliament who was Killed by Stephen Moor y^ 13 N"* 1726.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Clonmel, a town with a violent piece of political history. In 1724 Stephen Moore, known as the Colonel and noted for his skill with a pistol, became mayor. He had contested the Fethard election in 1719 against Counsellor John Slattery, Lord Cahir's agent, and the feud between them never died. On Sunday 13 November 1726 they fought on the Green with sword and pistol, and Slattery was killed. His tomb still stands in the ruined church of Kilgrant, carrying the words "Killed by Stephen Moor y 13 N 1726."

33. Edmund Sheehy, Buxton and Farrell hanged together at Clogheen

    Clogheen · town · Tipperary · 1766

    Three young men of the Catholic gentry—Edmund Sheehy of the Lodge, James Buxton of Kilcoran, and James Farrell, a relative of Lord Cahir—were tried at a Special Commission in Clonmel and hanged together at Clogheen on 3 May 1766, accused in the same Whiteboy conspiracy and murder case.

    Read the passage

    Having tasted blood, the prosecutors should now sate themselves. Three weeks after Father Sheehy's execution, 9th April, a Special Commission opened in Clonmel for the trial of the others charged with the Whiteboy conspiracy and the murder of John Bridge. Three young men belonging to the Catholic gentry class were put forward— Edmund Sheehy, of the Lodge, James Buxton, of Kilcoran and James Farrell, a near relative of Lord Cahir. The same witnesses were again produced. The three were hanged together in Clogheen, 3rd May (nn).

    (kk) This was the customary way at the period of bringing home to the accuser or prosecutor the consequences of his action. Among the proclamations in the Record Office may be seen one of 1747 against "the Persons who assembled before the house of William I^fanu, Merchant, at St. Stephen's Green, and laid a Malefactor executed that day at the door of said house." (II) Thus — Bagwell Ajuf Maude "oo d^Ai'6 An cttoi'oe a^ac

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 38

34. End of the Palatinate of Tipperary, 1715

    Tipperary · town · Tipperary · 1715

    After nearly four hundred years, the County Palatine of Tipperary was extinguished by Act of Parliament following the second Duke of Ormond's adherence to the Stuarts. The Act vested all his honors, manors and liberties in the King and offered a reward for his capture.

    Read the passage

    In 17 1 5, after an existence of nearly four hundred years, the Palatinate of Tipperary came to an end. Loyalty to the Crown, which had been so long the beacon to the Ormonds, became at last the rock on which they were wrecked. The second Duke adhered to the Stuarts and fell with them. The Act 2, George I., Chapter 8, " An Act for extinguishing the Regalities and Liberties of the County of Tipperary and Cross Tipperary commonly called the County Palatine of Tipperary; and for vesting in His Majesty the estate of James Butler, commonly called James Duke of Ormond and for giving a Reward of ten thousand pounds to any person who shall seize or seciure him, in case he shall attempt to land in this kingdom," extinguished the liberties granted by Charles II. and his predecessors, and vested all honors, manors, etc., of the Duke of Ormond in the king without office or inquisition (m).

    (m) The following is a list of the Palatinate officials during the period 1662-17 15: — Seneschal^ Chief Justice and Chancellor — 1662 Earl of Arran, 1678 Edward Herbert, 1683 Sir John Meade, 1704 Francis Bernard, 1705 Francis Bernard.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 43

35. Exhumation of a priest-hunter buried near the High Altar

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1615

    A heretic magistrate and notorious priest-hunter had himself buried within the church near the High Altar, desecrating the sacred space with the connivance of local Jesuits. In 1615 Donough Mooney had the body exhumed by night and removed to unconsecrated ground before purifying the site.

    Read the passage

    The convent of Clonmel in the diocese of Waterford and Lismore, occupies a delightful position on the bank of the Suir, in an angle formed by the walls. The Earl of Desmond is said to have been the founder, but the citizens claim that honour for themselves. At the dissolution of the monasteries the Earl of Ormond obtained possession of the convent and buildings belonging to it, while the church, cemetery and sacristy were granted to the citizens. The church is still in good repair and contains the burial places of many distinguished persons. Among others that of the Baron of Cahir, whose monument made of marble and embellished with images and statues, is raised in the centre of the choir. In my time a heretic who held the position of magistrate in the town, and who was a notorious priest hunter, selected a burial place for himself within the church, and was actually interred beside the seat of the priest and sacred ministers, near the High Altar. Certain Jesuits and other ecclesiastics, living in the town, were consenting parties to this and connived at the sacrilege. Even the friars made no protest, being prevented, it is said, by the machinations of the others. Thus through their carelessness the sacred place, which had hitherto escaped pollution, was desecrated For they permitted this burial to take place fearing a greater evil, they said, whereas a single word would have prevented it When on visitation of the Province in 1615, I had the body exhumed by night and removed to unconsecrated ground, and having got permission from the Archbishop, I purified the place by Asperges (nn).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 30

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, the old convent church stands on the bank of the Suir, in an angle formed by the town walls. The Earl of Desmond is said to have founded it, though the citizens claimed that honour for themselves. At the dissolution of the monasteries the Earl of Ormond took the convent and its buildings, while the church, cemetery and sacristy were granted to the citizens. The church was still in good repair and held the burial places of many distinguished persons, among them the Baron of Cahir, whose marble monument, embellished with images and statues, stood in the centre of the choir. But a darker burial had taken place there. A heretic who served as magistrate in the town, a notorious priest-hunter, chose a resting place for himself within the church. He was actually interred beside the seat of the priest and sacred ministers, near the High Altar. Certain Jesuits and other ecclesiastics living in the town were consenting parties and connived at the sacrilege. The friars made no protest, prevented, it was said, by the machinations of the others. Through their carelessness the sacred place, which had hitherto escaped pollution, was desecrated. They permitted the burial, fearing a greater evil, they said, though a single word would have prevented it. In 1615, on visitation of the Province, Donough Mooney had the body exhumed by night and removed to unconsecrated ground. With permission from the Archbishop, he purified the place by Asperges.

36. Fatal Tipperary election duel behind the courthouse

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1760

    During an election dispute following the death of George II, rival agents Thomas Prendergast and Daniel Gahan quarrelled violently over Gahan's right to vote. The parties adjourned to the Green behind the courthouse, where Prendergast was shot dead and Gahan barely escaped the crowd by riding across the river.

    Read the passage

    consequent on the death of George IL, the opposing conducting agents were Thomas Prendergast of Ballylomasna, and Daniel Gahan of Coolquil. Feeling ran high, and Gahan challenged Prendergast's right to act or even to vote at all, on the grounds his wife was a papist, being one of the Keating family. Both parties adjourned to the Green behind the courthouse ; Prendergast was shot dead and Gahan escaped from the infuriated crowd only by mounting a horse and riding boldly across the river. But in truth, the Tipperary gentry were ready to fight in any cause or none ; everyone had, at some time, to defend "his honour." Lord Llandaff, Hely-Hutchinson, Lord Clonmel (to name only a few) were all "out." Even John Bagwell, brought up by the Harpers in Cork, a strict Dissenter, had to qualify with a few scalps at his belt for admission into the savage tribe. He was " out " three times fssj.

    Sir Jonah Barrington gives the code of honour in extenso, and with unconscious satire, lawyer that he was, reports cases illustrative of its working.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    Clonmel, in County Tipperary, has a courthouse with a green behind it where a fatal election duel took place in 1760. After the death of George the Second, rival agents Thomas Prendergast of Ballylomasna and Daniel Gahan of Coolquil quarrelled bitterly. Gahan challenged Prendergast's right to vote, on the grounds his wife was a papist, one of the Keating family. The two adjourned to the Green behind the courthouse, where Prendergast was shot dead. Gahan escaped the infuriated crowd only by mounting a horse and riding boldly across the river. The Tipperary gentry were ready to fight in any cause or none; everyone had, at some time, to defend his honour. Lord Llandaff, Hely-Hutchinson, Lord Clonmel himself, and John Bagwell were all out, some three times over.

37. Fennell's treachery plot uncovered at Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    Major Fennell conspired with Cromwell's forces for £500 to open a gate of Clonmel at midnight to admit 500 Cromwellian troops, but O'Neill discovered the plot, arrested Fennell, and the entering troops were put to the sword.

    Read the passage

    advicinge therefore what best to doe in that extreamitie resolve to open the gate the peremptorie time according the former covenant. The enemie was watching his opportunitie, obsearvinge the signall marched towards the gate, 500 did inter, the rest nolens volens were kept out and all that intred were putt to the sworde thus did God discover this treasonable plott under Major Huigh O'Neylle (k),

    (h) Rinuccini Embassy in Ireland p. 495.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, this is the town where Major Fennell's treachery was uncovered in 1650. Fennell had conspired for £500 to open a gate at midnight and admit 500 Cromwellian troops. Hugh O'Neill discovered the plot and arrested Fennell. The enemy, observing the signal, marched toward the gate. 500 entered, the rest were kept out, and all who entered were put to the sword.

38. Hugh Duff O'Neill's defensive lane trap before the breach

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    Before the final assault, Hugh Duff O'Neill had townsmen and soldiers build a long defensive lane from the breach to the North Gate, lined with earthworks, engines and hidden guns to trap attackers. This ingenious defence turned the Cromwellian breakthrough into a slaughter.

    Read the passage

    On Thursday the l6th both parties knowing that another day would decide the issue, nerved themselves for the final struggle. The Cromwellians made ready for a sharp encounter and a merciless battue. The Irish on the other hand in spite of the overwhelming forces against them, were not less confident For they believed that Cromwell was outgeneralled ; the plan of seizing on the North Gate from the inside and thus through the two inlets rushing the town with an irresistible mass of horse and foot, had been taken advantage of by O'Neill for a purpose of his own. He provided for the attacking party a convenient passage from the breach to the Gate. " Hugh Duff did set all men and maids to work, townsmen and soldiers, only those on duty attending the breach and the walls — to draw dung hills, mortar, stones and timber and made a long lane a man's height and about eighty yards length on both sides from the breach with a foot bank at the back of it and caused to be placed engines on both sides of the same and two guns at the end of it invisible opposite to the breach and so ordered all things against a storm " (aa). Behind this lane stood some houses forming the extremity of Lough Street. These also were made to serve for purposes of defence.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Clonmel, the Tipperary town where Hugh Duff O'Neill turned Cromwell's own plan against him in 1650. The Cromwellians had made a breach in the walls and meant to rush the town through it and through the North Gate with horse and foot. O'Neill set every man and maid to work, townsmen and soldiers, drawing dung hills, mortar, stones and timber to build a long lane, a man's height and about eighty yards long, from the breach to the gate. He had engines placed on both sides and two guns at the end, invisible and opposite the breach. The houses at the far end of Lough Street served for defence as well. The source says Hugh Duff "did set all men and maids to work, townsmen and soldiers, only those on duty attending the breach and the walls." When the attackers broke through, they found not an open town but a trap. What was meant as a breakthrough became a slaughter.

39. James Mandeville's madness and lunatic acts at Ballydine

    Ballydine · townland · Tipperary · 1656

    A 1656 inquisition at Balliglisheen found James Mandeville of Ballinrahy had been insane for twenty-four years, attempting to burn his own house, forcing a servant to dig his own grave to bury him alive, and striking mayors and civil officers during his fits.

    Read the passage

    An inquisition taken before us Charles Blount and Henry Paris Esqrs at Balliglisheen within the said County i Sept., 1656, by the oaths of good and lawful men etc. who say that James Mandeville of Ballinrahy in said county Gent, is distracted and has been so for four and twenty yeares last past without enjoying any intervalls of understanding. It appearing unto them by the testimony of severall witnesses upon oath that he hath within the said time made severall attempts to burn his own house, to bury his own servant alive who was his keeper havinge forced another whom he found digging to make a grave for that purpose. That he often made washing balls of his own excrementa and washed his face therewith. That he hath sometimes stricken the Mayors of^Citties and Corporations and other civill officers and comitted severall other Lunatick Acts as often as he got loose. That in all the time aforesaid he has not the use so much reason that would enable him any way to manage his Estate. They say that the said James Mandeville (as his Inheritance from his Ancestors but by what tenure they find not) held the Towns and lands of Ballidine, one colp; Butlerstown three quarters of a colp; Curraghdobbin thirteen acres of a colp; Cloghcorrigeen a quarter of a colp; Eustace Land one acre of a colp; Gerryers land half an acre of a colp; Rathnemuckie one acre of a colp; all the said greate countrey measure, together with severall Houses, Gardens Tenements and parcells of Land in Kilshylane. All the said Estate esteemed to be 1400 plantation acres worth by the year ^^200 sterling, which land they find to be in possession of John Mandeville by Authority of major Daniel Redman and Vincent Gookin Esqrs as Guardians to ye said James Mandeville. They find that Edmund Mandeville is the son and heyre of the said James Mandeville and is of the age of 45 years or thereabout.

    At the Restoration, Ormond obtained a grant of a considerable portion, while the remainder in the next century was secured by the notorious John Scott, after Earl of Clonmel.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 42

40. Murder of John Barry at Ballyneety near Ardfinnan

    Ballyneety · townland · Tipperary · 1827

    John Barry, who had taken a tenancy at Ballyneety from which a family named Lonergan had been evicted, was murdered in his own parlour in February 1827.

    Read the passage

    If the evicting landlord or agent was a doomed man, the fate which awaited those who took the vacant holdings was more inevitable still. "It appears," said the Devon Commissioners, " that vengeance is more frequently directed against the incoming tenant than against the landlord or agent" In 1826, John Barry became tenant of Ballyneety, near Ardfinnan, from which a family named Lonergan had been evicted. Sunday, ilth February, 1827, Barry was murdered in his own parlour, and on the 9th of April following, five men were hanged on Ardfinnan Green for the murder. Three brothers named Kinnealy who had similarly taken a farm at Outrath, near Cahir, were shot dead while sitting at supper one evening. But amid the annals of assassination, one case stands out beyond all others in awful prominence — "the burning of the Sheas." William Gorman had been evicted by Patrick Shea from a small holding at Tubber, on the slope of Slievenamon. A lease existed, but being unstamped. Shea took advantage of the fact and entered into possession of the holding. Bidding defiance to his hostile neighbours he formed for defence a party of his family and kinsfolk, all well armed. On the night of the 19th November, 1821, a body of men, commanded by a desperado named Maher, surrounded the house. In spite of shots fired by the Sheas, they contrived to place a heap of straw and brushwood against the thatch. As the house caught fire, several of the inmates trying to escape, were mercilessly shot down, and the following

    (Pp) Shiel's Personal Sketches.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 13

41. Murder of John Bridge at Shanbally

    Shanbally · townland · Tipperary · 1764

    John Bridge, an informer, was struck down at Shanbally with a bill-hook and slane by Whiteboy associates after refusing to retract his sworn examinations. Witnesses testified he died instantly from a skull-cleaving blow.

    Read the passage

    struck at him with a slane, which he defended with his left hand ; then the prisoner drew a bill-hook from under a belt, and struck Bridge on the head, which to his recollection clove the skull ; Bridge fell down dead instantly.

    The same persons in at>out half an hour, got a blanket and carried the corpse to a field belonging to Connor's son, or Ross, at Ballybuskin, and buried him in a ploughed field, about two miles from the place of committing the murder.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in 1764, informer John Bridge refused to retract his sworn examinations, and Whiteboy associates killed him. They struck at him with a slane, which he defended with his left hand, then drew a bill-hook and struck him on the head, "which to his recollection clove the skull." He fell dead instantly. About half an hour later, the same men got a blanket, carried the corpse two miles to Ballybuskin, and buried him in a ploughed field of Connor's son or Ross.

42. Murder of sheriff William De Wall and kinsmen outside Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1338

    In 1338 William De Wall, sheriff of Tipperary, together with thirteen of his kinsmen, were murdered just outside the walls of Clonmel by the Powers while engaged in parley with them.

    Read the passage

    at the butts how to shoot straight (rr). The return too of the merchant was a notable event for he told of episodes of chivalry, of the people he had met, of the churches he had seen and the pilgrimages he had made. The friar brought from the chapter of his order not only the news of ecclesiastical appointments and changes of discipline bat a full budget of gossip got from his fellow capitulars. An old inhabitant at the end of the fourteenth century could relate many a stirring scene in the town itself. He would tell how in 1331 the lord of Cahir, William De Bermingham was pounced on in Clonmel by the judiciary De Lucy, and the year after someone recognized the ghastly head of the unfortunate nobleman spiked over the gate of Dublin Castle. He would tell also how in 1338 William De Wall, sheriff of Tipperary, with thirteen of his kinsmen were murdered just outside the walls of the town by the Powers with whom they were holding parley. And in 1346 that Ralph Kelly Archbishop of Cashel, Maurice Rochfort Bishop of Limerick, Richard Walsh Bishop of Emly, and John Lynch Bishop of Lismore, one day in the middle of the High Street vested in full pontificals solemnly excommunicated all who, contrary to the liberties of the Church, paid the subsidy to the Crown. Our inhabitant in extreme old age would have seen the Anglo-Irish parliament assemble in the ancient church of Our Lady on the Monday after the feast of St. Peter 1381. Alexander Bishop of Ossory, and Sir Thomas de Mortimer were there with the King's commission, and there also were the ecclesiastical peers the bishops of the Pale, the abbots of Mellifont and Dunbrody, the priors of Athassel and Kells, and many another. The lay barons too mustered, Butlers and Fitzgeralds, Freynes and Cusacks, Poers and Barrys. The cities of the Pale sent their representatives in aldermanic array, rivalling Solomon in his glory. Indeed the barbaric splendour of this feudal parliament afforded such a spectacle as Clonmel has never since beheld ^^5/ Life therefore was full of incident; the character of the burghers strenuous and healthy, and if chronic warfare quenched the more humane instincts, it brought the ennobling compensations, personal loyalty, mutual trust and the equality of comradeship.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Clonmel, it passes through a town that in the fourteenth century saw more than its share of violent drama. An old inhabitant living at the end of that century could have told many a stirring scene from the streets. He would tell how in 1331 the lord of Cahir, William De Bermingham, was pounced on in Clonmel by the judiciary De Lucy, and how the year after, someone recognized the ghastly head of that unfortunate nobleman spiked over the gate of Dublin Castle. But the event that marks this place most sharply happened in 1338. William De Wall, sheriff of Tipperary, together with thirteen of his kinsmen, were murdered just outside the walls of the town. They were killed by the Powers, the very people with whom they were holding parley. The meeting that should have been a negotiation became a slaughter. Fourteen men dead, the sheriff among them, with the walls of Clonmel standing there when it happened. That old inhabitant would also have seen, in 1346, Ralph Kelly Archbishop of Cashel, Maurice Rochfort Bishop of Limerick, Richard Walsh Bishop of Emly, and John Lynch Bishop of Lismore, one day in the middle of the High Street, vested in full pontificals, solemnly excommunicate all who, contrary to the liberties of the Church, paid the subsidy to the Crown. Life here was full of incident. The burghers were strenuous. Chronic warfare quenched the more humane instincts, but it brought the ennobling compensations: personal loyalty, mutual trust, and the equality of comradeship.

43. Order to ship Irish undesirables from Clonmel to Barbados

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1654

    In January 1654 Colonel Jerome Sankey was ordered to arrest and deliver to English merchants all Irish men and women in the Clonmel precinct without settled livelihood, along with children and prisoners, to be shipped to Barbados.

    Read the passage

    For some there was a more terrible fate than transplantation. In January 1654, Colonel Jerome Sankey, governor (among others), had orders to arrest and deliver to Captain Thomas Morgan, Dudley North and John Johnson, English merchants, all such Irish men and women within the precinct of Clonmel as should not prove they had a settled means of livelihood, all children in hospitals or almshouses, all prisoners, the said persons to be conveyed under military escort to the nearest ports thence to be shipped for Barbado^s. To such dire purpose had these Puritans read their Bibles (one copy of which was served out to each troop) "If you will not kill the inhabitants of the land they that remain shall be unto you as nails in your eyes and spears in your sides and they shall be your adversaries in the land of your habitation" (Numbers xxxiii. 55).

    The town now presented a scene of awful desolation. The ten years' war, the siege and bombardment, the plague of 1650, the suspense of the four following years and the final clearances, left it almost in ruins. Even in 1666, twelve years subsequent, the Ormond patent shows in the principal streets " waste tenements " " a house slated ruinous " " a house and back side waste " " a decayed castle." To this place which had become in great part the habitation of the bat and the owl it was now sought to attract English settlers. By the Act of 26th September, 1653, adventurers and soldiers were enabled to purchase a moiety of the houses within the town at the rate of six years of their letting value, provided such purchase was effected before the 24th June, 1655. The other moiety was reserved to satisfy the arrears of the soldiers of Inchiquin and others who had fought for the Parliament in Ireland previous to the 5th June, 1649. Further, the Commissioners for the Affairs of

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 8

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Clonmel, this is a town that lived through one of the darker orders of the 1650s. In January 1654, Colonel Jerome Sankey, the governor, received orders to arrest every Irish man and woman in the Clonmel precinct who could not prove a settled means of livelihood, along with all children in hospitals or almshouses and all prisoners. These people were to be delivered to three English merchants, Captain Thomas Morgan, Dudley North and John Johnson, then conveyed under military escort to the nearest ports and shipped to Barbados. The Puritans who carried this out were issued one Bible per troop, and they read from Numbers: "If you will not kill the inhabitants of the land they that remain shall be unto you as nails in your eyes and spears in your sides and they shall be your adversaries in the land of your habitation." The town itself was in awful desolation by then. Ten years of war, siege and bombardment, the plague of 1650, four years of suspense, and the final clearances had left it almost in ruins. Even in 1666, the Ormond patent recorded waste tenements, a house slated ruinous, a decayed castle in the principal streets. English settlers were being drawn in to buy up properties. Adventurers and soldiers could purchase half the houses in town at six years of their letting value, if they did so before 24 June 1655. The other half was reserved to pay arrears to soldiers of Inchiquin and others who had fought for Parliament in Ireland before 5 June 1649.

44. Sankey hangs five inhabitants at Fethard by dice

    Fethard · town · Tipperary · 1651–1652

    After a soldier was killed, Colonel Sankey summoned all inhabitants of the parish to Fethard, made them cast dice, and hanged five of them as punishment.

    Read the passage

    A soldier bemg killed by some of the Irish army Colonel Jeremy Sankey summoned all the inhabitants of the parish wherein he was killed (being under his protection) to come to Fethered where he put them to the dice and hanged five of them. One Lieutenant McGrath of his Majesty's army, being taken prisoner by Capt. John Godfrey was five days after hanged in the town of Fethered by Colonel Sankey notwithstanding the said Godfrey's promise to have given him quarter (a).

    And Sankey's subalterns in the several garrisons were alike active in the work of massacre. Maurice English the representative of an Anglo-Norman family settled in Rochestown for centuries, was dragged out of his castle by Captain Godfrey and hanged in Cahir (bj. Philip Purcel kinsman of the baron of Loughmoe, found within protected quarters near Thurles, was killed by Major Bolton. David Walsh whose ancestors since the first conquest held Powerstown, was mercilessly slaughtered by Major Morgan on the road to Carrick, Similarly with others. No wonder if traditions of hanging and murder cling round every ruin in the county, and the " Curse of Cromwell " is still on the lips of the peasant (c).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 7

45. Sheehy paraded in chains through Clonmel to gaol

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766

    After being sent back from Dublin, Sheehy was made to travel to Clonmel on horseback with arms pinioned and feet chained under the horse's belly, entering the town surrounded by his enemies and their armed tenantry, before being lodged, double-bolted, in the gaol.

    Read the passage

    The result, however, was not quite unforeseen by Sheehy's enemies, for immediately on the declaration of the jury, a motion was made by the prosecution for his committal on the charge of coixiphlicity in the murder of John Bridge. The motion was granted, and the unhappy priest was committed to Newgate prison preliminary to his being sent back to Clonmel to be tried there for murder. The faith of government with him was now broken. He had surrendered on condition of a fair trial in Dublin, and despite the promise of the Lord Justices holding the royal commission, he was now to be delivered up to men who, mad with religious and political fanaticism, thirsted for his blood. "He was satisfied," wrote a contemporary, "to stand a trial anywhere but in Clonmel, for he well knew the influence that would be exerted against him. However, thither he was transmitted contrary to the faith of the secretary. He entered the town surrounded by his enemies and their tenantry in arms. He was now at their mercy, and he conducted himself with fortitude and composure. To expose his person they made him travel on horseback, with his arms pinioned, and his feet chained under the horse's belly. In jail, he was double bolted and treated in every respect with rigour " (0).

    From the date when Father Sheehy was lodged in Clonmel gaol, until the Spring Assizes three weeks later, a great military force overawed the town. It was given out that he intended to escape and had actually undone the bolts. Patrols of soldiers were seen in all directions. Strangers were

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Clonmel, the town in Tipperary where Father Sheehy was brought in chains in 1766. He had been in Dublin, held in Newgate prison on a charge of complicity in the murder of John Bridge. The government's faith with him was broken. He had surrendered on condition of a fair trial in Dublin, and despite the promise of the Lord Justices holding the royal commission, he was sent back to be tried there for murder. A contemporary wrote that he was "satisfied to stand a trial anywhere but in Clonmel, for he well knew the influence that would be exerted against him." He entered the town surrounded by his enemies and their tenantry in arms, and conducted himself with fortitude and composure. To expose his person they made him travel on horseback, his arms pinioned, his feet chained under the horse's belly. In jail he was double bolted and treated in every respect with rigour. From the day Father Sheehy was lodged in the gaol until the Spring Assizes three weeks later, a great military force overawed the town. It was given out that he intended to escape and had actually undone the bolts. Patrols of soldiers were seen in all directions.

46. Siege of Clonmel - Cromwell's assault and O'Neill's evacuation

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    During the Siege of Clonmel, the town made preparations amid a want of powder, Cromwell viewed the defences, the town was encompassed, and after an assault the garrison under O'Neill evacuated and surrendered.

    Read the passage

    SIKGE OF CLONMEL — Preparations in town, 68-9; want of powder. 70; Cromwell views defences, 71; Fennell's treachery, 72; town encompassed, 73; attempts to raise siege, 74; incidents of siege, 76; assault, 76-7; evacuation by O'Neill and surrender, 78; memorials of siege, 79 (note).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Clonmel, in 1650 this town endured a siege. Preparations were made despite a want of powder. Cromwell viewed the defences, Fennell turned traitor, and the town was encompassed. After an assault, the garrison under O'Neill evacuated and the town surrendered.

47. Traditional hatred of Fitzgerald family remembered in Tipperary

    Tipperary · town · Tipperary

    A footnote records that the memory of Fitzgerald was so hated locally that when his grandson later drowned himself, the enraged peasantry nearly refused him burial, reflecting long-lived traditional animosity linked to his flogging of 'croppies.'

    Read the passage

    (h) Report of Trial, Wright v. Fitzgerald, Clonmel Assizes. Proceedings on petition of Thomas J. Fitzgerald to the House of Commons. T. Clarke Luby, who from his family and local connexion must have had excellent opportunities of knowing the Fitzgeralds, has given an extraordinary account of the end of the family. " It is almost unnecessary to add that the memory of this wretch is embalmed in the traditional hatred of the people in Tipperary ; so much so that a few years ago when his grandson, under the pressure of some private misfortunes, committed suicide by tying a heavy stone round his neck and drowning himself, the rage of the peasantry would hardly suSer his remains to receive human not to say Christian burial. It was with the utmost difficulty that the unfortunate man's body Anally found a grave. It appears Sir Thomas's son also met with a violent death, and his great grandson hanged himself by accident, showing how his great grandfather used to hang the " croppies."— Life of O'Connell, p. 148.

    (i) Bray to Moylan, 7th July, 1798, Renehan Papers, p. 374. In the light of all this, the " 98 Memorial " set up in front of the Town Hall, looks as grotesque from an historic as it is from an esthetic stand-point.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

48. Cromwellians convert Franciscan friary into a fortress, 1650

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    When Clonmel was taken by the Cromwellians in 1650, they converted the entire Franciscan friary precinct into a huge fortress to prevent surprise attacks by the Irish population as had happened in 1641; tradition holds Cromwell stabled his horses in the church.

    Read the passage

    The old Franciscan church had as chequered history as the friars themselves. When in 1650 Clonmel was taken possession of by the Cromwellians, they proceeded at once to convert the whole precinct of the friary into a huge

    (rr) A Synopsis of the Province of Ireland, 1630.— Ward.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 30

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Clonmel. When the Cromwellians took the town in 1650, they turned the whole Franciscan friary precinct into a huge fortress, guarding against the kind of surprise attack the Irish had launched in 1641. Tradition says Cromwell stabled his horses in the church itself.

49. Execution of Tories and Harbourers at Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1666

    On 25th July, James Ryan and James Kennedy, described as Tories, and John Shea, a harbourer, were hanged at Clonmel. The following day Edmund Tobin, old Thomas Shea and Parker the thief were also due to die.

    Read the passage

    This day James Ryan, James Kennedy two Tories, and John Shea a Harbourer of them, were hanged here. To-morrow Edmund Tobin, a Tory, old Thomas Shea a Harbourer and Parker an eminent thief are to die.

    The execution of Patrick Croke was suspended on appeal to the Duke, but Kearney requests his Grace not to pardon. "If so" he writes "there escapes as great a thief and as bad a member of his quality in a commonwealth as I know in Ireland " (e).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 43

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Clonmel now. On 25 July 1666, James Ryan and James Kennedy, called Tories, and John Shea, their harbourer, were hanged. The next day Edmund Tobin, old Thomas Shea, and Parker, an eminent thief, were due to die. Patrick Croke's execution was suspended on appeal to the Duke, but Kearney asked his Grace not to pardon, writing there "escapes as great a thief and as bad a member of his quality in a commonwealth as I know in Ireland."

50. Mayor White's secret capitulation to Cromwell

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    Mayor Whyte of Clonmel, acting on O'Neill's advice, secretly approached Cromwell after midnight to negotiate surrender terms for the town, concealing O'Neill's departure until pressed, which infuriated Cromwell when he learned of it.

    Read the passage

    After which Cromwell asked him if Hugh O'Neill knew of his coming out, to which he answered he did not for that he was gone two hours after nightfall with all his men, at which Cromwell stared and frowned at him and said " You knave have you served me so, and did not tell me so before." To which the Mayor replied that if his Excellency had demanded the question he would tell him. Then he asked him what that Duff O'Neill was, to which the Mayor answered that he was an over sea soldier

    born in Spain ; on which Cromwell said " God d n you and your over sea" ! and

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel in Tipperary, you are near where Mayor Whyte secretly went to Cromwell after midnight in 1650 to negotiate the town's surrender, on the advice of Hugh O'Neill. When Cromwell asked if O'Neill knew of his coming out, the Mayor revealed that O'Neill had slipped away two hours after nightfall with all his men. Cromwell

51. Ambush of land agents at Ballinaclough

    Ballynaclogh · townland · Tipperary · 1838

    Land agents Austin Cooper and Francis Wayland were ambushed and fired upon at Ballinaclough while travelling to a fair with an armed companion; only Samuel Cooper survived. Two men, Walsh and Hickey, were later hanged for the murder.

    Read the passage

    man, and the decree too often goes out for vengeance upon the landlord or the agent, and upon the man who succeeds to the farm ; and at times a large numerical proportion of the neighbourhood look with indifference upon ^the most atrocious acts of violence, and by screening the criminal, abet and encourage the crime. Murders are perpetrated at noon-day on a public highway ; and whilst the assassin coolly retires, the people look on, and evince no horror at the bloody deed " (mm), A few instances may be given. Charles O'KeefFe, agent for Valentine Maher of Turtulla, evicted l8o persons. Shortly after, on October 24th, 1838, he was shot dead in the street at Thurles, and the murderer could never be discovered. James Scully, of Kilfeacle, evicted 30 tenants in the winter of 1841. The following April 17th, he was fired at and wounded in the jaw, but recovering, he was murdered on the 26th of November subsequent The murderer in this case also was never discovered. On the 5th April, 1838, Austin Cooper and Francis Wayland, two land agents resident near Tipperary, were proceeding to the fair of that town. They were accompanied by a brother of Cooper, and all three were armed. At a place called Ballinaclough they were fired at by three men ; the fire was returned with the result that Samuel Cooper alone escaped with his life (nn). Robert Hall, of B|illygurteen, was shot dead 19th May, 1841 ; he had been a merchant in early life, and becoming involved with his tenants in questions of punctuality and arrears, evictions resulted. Philip Maguire, of Toorin, was shot at his own door in November, 1835, by a tenant whose crops he had distrained. Towards the end of 1838 Lord Norbury evicted some tenants, and others were served with notice to quit. On 1st January, [839, while walking in his park, Durrow Abbey, in company with his steward, he was shot The following August, Daniel Byrne was shot near Templetuohy for evicting a tenant William Roe, of Rockwell, was shot 2nd October, 1847, by a tenant whom he had evicted the previous month. Indeed, throughout this awful time there were few landlords or agents who had not been under fire. Avery Jordan, a Tipperary land agent, stated at the Devon Commission " There were a few shots fired into my own house very lately, but there was nobody shot ; we do not mind these little trifles " (00). Lenigan, Bayley, Stoney, Smith, Drought, Dunn, Long, Lee, and several others were fired at, some of them more than once. Perhaps the case which

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 13

52. Arrest and imprisonment of merchant Mathew Scott of Carrick

    Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1798

    Mathew Scott, the principal merchant of Carrick-on-Suir known for his charity to the poor, was arrested by the High Sheriff and a party of Hessian and yeomen cavalry on suspicion of sending pikes concealed in oats to Ross. Despite offers of £100,000 bail from local gentry, he was brought to Clonmel and imprisoned in gaol.

    Read the passage

    Fitzgerald boasted in Clonmel one day that he would have a papist of large fortune, a deputy governor of the county, either flogged or hanged. John Lalor, of Cranagh, being the person pointed at, accompanied by Hutchinson immediately proceeded to Clogheen where Fitzgerald was engaged in flogging. The sheriff denied that the threat was intended for Lalor, but Colonel John Bagwell, who was a close friend of Lalor's, at once set out for Dublin. There he learned from Cooke, the Under Secretary, that Fitzgerald had actually applied for a warrant to arrest Lalor (d). If, indeed, the conduct of this miscreant had not been investigated by juries of his own class, we should reject the evidence as simply incredible. The principal merchant in Carrick-on-Suir at this period was Mathew Scott. His personal character and his numerous acts of charity and benevolence to the poor of that town were sworn to by Charles Wall of Coolnamuck, Richard Sause, the banker of Carrick, Rev. James Smyth, Protestant rector. Captain Lorenzo H. Jephson and others. In April, 1798, it was testified that he placed at the disposal of Captain Jephson 1,000 barrels of oats to be sold to the poor at a low price, and at the same time raised a large sum of money to carry on the ratteen manufacture for the purpose of giving employment. But anyone who sympathized with the poor and the down trodden in those days was a marked man. On the 22nd June, 1798, the High Sheriff with a party of Hessian and yeomen cavalry came to Carrick (e). Scott was put under arrest, being charged by the sheriff with sending pikes to Ross concealed in oats. In vain did the unhappy man protest that he had never sent a barrel of oats to Ross with pikes or otherwise ; in vain did the gentry of the town and neighbourhood assure the sheriff of his loyalty and undertake to bail him in the sum of £100,000. He was brought to Clonmel and lodged in gaol. Three days later General St. John, commanding in the district, sent Hackett, the mayor of Clonmel, to intimate to Scott that he should be released on finding bail.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

53. Bianconi's boast of safety for his coaches across Ireland

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1815–1857

    Bianconi, addressing the British Association in 1857, contrasted the English press's portrayal of Irish lawlessness with the fact that in forty-two years of operation his conveyances, often travelling remote roads at night, were never harmed.

    Read the passage

    At a time when the press of England poured into the ear of the world the tale of lawlessness, of savagery, and inherent dishonesty of the Irish people, it is instructive to note how Bianconi and his establishment fared at their hands. "My conveyances," said he, "many of them carrying very important mails, have been travelling during all hours of the day and night, often in lonely and unfrequented places ; and diu-ing the long period of forty-two years that my establishment is in existence, the slightest injury has never been done by people to my property or that entrusted to my care" (o).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, this is the town where Bianconi's long coach network had one of its strongholds. Speaking to the British Association in 1857, he answered the English press, who painted Ireland as lawless and savage. His conveyances, many carrying important mails, had travelled day and night through lonely places for forty-two years, and as he put it, the slightest injury has never been done by people to my property or that entrusted to my care.

54. Capture and execution of William De Bermingham, Lord of Cahir

    Caher · town · Tipperary · 1331–1332

    In 1331 William De Bermingham, lord of Cahir, was seized in Clonmel by the justiciary De Lucy; the following year his severed head was displayed spiked over the gate of Dublin Castle.

    Read the passage

    at the butts how to shoot straight (rr). The return too of the merchant was a notable event for he told of episodes of chivalry, of the people he had met, of the churches he had seen and the pilgrimages he had made. The friar brought from the chapter of his order not only the news of ecclesiastical appointments and changes of discipline bat a full budget of gossip got from his fellow capitulars. An old inhabitant at the end of the fourteenth century could relate many a stirring scene in the town itself. He would tell how in 1331 the lord of Cahir, William De Bermingham was pounced on in Clonmel by the judiciary De Lucy, and the year after someone recognized the ghastly head of the unfortunate nobleman spiked over the gate of Dublin Castle. He would tell also how in 1338 William De Wall, sheriff of Tipperary, with thirteen of his kinsmen were murdered just outside the walls of the town by the Powers with whom they were holding parley. And in 1346 that Ralph Kelly Archbishop of Cashel, Maurice Rochfort Bishop of Limerick, Richard Walsh Bishop of Emly, and John Lynch Bishop of Lismore, one day in the middle of the High Street vested in full pontificals solemnly excommunicated all who, contrary to the liberties of the Church, paid the subsidy to the Crown. Our inhabitant in extreme old age would have seen the Anglo-Irish parliament assemble in the ancient church of Our Lady on the Monday after the feast of St. Peter 1381. Alexander Bishop of Ossory, and Sir Thomas de Mortimer were there with the King's commission, and there also were the ecclesiastical peers the bishops of the Pale, the abbots of Mellifont and Dunbrody, the priors of Athassel and Kells, and many another. The lay barons too mustered, Butlers and Fitzgeralds, Freynes and Cusacks, Poers and Barrys. The cities of the Pale sent their representatives in aldermanic array, rivalling Solomon in his glory. Indeed the barbaric splendour of this feudal parliament afforded such a spectacle as Clonmel has never since beheld ^^5/ Life therefore was full of incident; the character of the burghers strenuous and healthy, and if chronic warfare quenched the more humane instincts, it brought the ennobling compensations, personal loyalty, mutual trust and the equality of comradeship.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Caher. This was the seat of William De Bermingham, lord of Cahir, and his story is a grim one. An old inhabitant at the end of the 1300s could have told many a stirring scene from these parts. He would tell how in 1331 the lord of Cahir, William De Bermingham, was pounced on in Clonmel by the justiciary De Lucy. The year after, someone recognized the ghastly head of the unfortunate nobleman spiked over the gate of Dublin Castle. That is what happened to the lord of this place. Seized in Clonmel by the justiciary, and the following year his severed head displayed spiked over the gate of Dublin Castle. Life was full of incident in those years. A returning merchant would tell of chivalry, of people he had met, of churches he had seen and pilgrimages he had made. A friar brought from his chapter not only news of ecclesiastical appointments but a full budget of gossip from his fellow capitulars. The burghers were strenuous, and if chronic warfare quenched the more humane instincts, it brought the ennobling compensations of personal loyalty, mutual trust, and the equality of comradeship. Among all those stories the old man could relate, the fate of William De Bermingham stands out.

55. Counsellor Walsh's suicide at Mary and Peter streets

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1802

    David Walsh, a famous local duellist and MP for Fethard, ended his life at his mansion at the corner of Mary and Peter streets in Clonmel in 1802 after his fortune and character had declined. His sole retainer had just returned unable to obtain necessities, and moments later Walsh shot himself.

    Read the passage

    After many a fight, the end of the old fire-eater came with a fearful and pathetic fitness. Broken in fortune and character, he lived for many years in the fine mansion at the corner of Mary and Peter streets.. One evening in 1802, the sole retainer who shared the house with him, returned, unable to obtain the necessaries of life. A few minutes later Walsh's career closed. The pistol with which he had paid the mistaken debt of honour to others, rendered a like service to himself (yyj.

    Towards the end of the centiu-y the gentry began to raise their eyes above the level of the table or the saddle. The volunteer movement, and the agitation for parliamentary independence, were inspiring ideals. For the first time the Cromwellian landowners appear in Irish history with that dignity which the passion for a cause confers. The earliest volunteer corps raised in Tipperary was a company formed on May 1st, 1776, by Sir Cornelius Maude, together with a troop of horse under Captain Benjamin Bunbury. Not until three years later, June 4th, 1779, the " Clonmel Independents " were formed.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    As the road passes through Clonmel, you're in a town that holds a grim story from 1802. David Walsh was a famous local duellist and MP for Fethard. After many a fight, his fortune and character were broken. He lived for years in the fine mansion at the corner of Mary and Peter streets here in the town. One evening in 1802, the sole retainer who shared the house with him returned, unable to obtain the necessaries of life. A few minutes later Walsh's career closed. The pistol with which he had paid what the source calls "the mistaken debt of honour to others" rendered a like service to himself. The same weapon he had used against other men, he turned on himself. His end came with what the record calls a fearful and pathetic fitness.

56. Edmund Sheehy's dying declaration before execution

    Kilcoran · townland · Tipperary · 1766

    Edmund Sheehy, condemned for murder and treason charges connected to the Whiteboy disturbances, made a dying declaration denying involvement in the meeting at Kilcoran, the murder of John Bridge, and the battle of Newmarket. He described being pressured by clergy and officials to falsely implicate other gentlemen in exchange for a pardon.

    Read the passage

    " First. The meeting at Kilcoran, sworn by James Herbert, and the murder of John Bridge, sworn to by him, and the rest of the informers.

    " Second. The meeting at Ardfinan, swore by Guinan in October, 1763, and several other meetings and treasonable practices, at all which I was sworn to be present as the principal acting person.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Kilcoran, Edmund Sheehy made a dying declaration in 1766 before his execution. Condemned for murder and treason tied to the Whiteboy disturbances, he denied being at the meeting here, the murder of John Bridge, and the battle of Newmarket. He said clergy and officials pressured him to falsely implicate other gentlemen in exchange for a pardon.

57. Fatal duel between election agents at Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1761

    During the bitterly contested 1761 county election between Thomas Mathew and Sir Thomas Maude, election agent Thomas Prendergast was shot dead in a duel, his wife having earlier been accused of praying with a priest at Clonmel.

    Read the passage

    Molly Keating, was a Papist and had been seen praying with Thomas Hennessy, priest, at Clonmel. In the duel which resulted, Prendergast was shot dead. Mathew was unseated on petition, Maude among other reasons stating that '' during the course of the poll and scrutiny, great mobs of Irish Papists assembled from different parts of the country, crowded the Court House, and during the poll and scrutiny evidently showed themselves to be under the influence of Mr. Mathew's gentlemen, by which means the Sheriff and manv of the Petitioner's voters were greatly intimidated (yy).

    Such was the state of feeling among the squires and parsons of Tipperary when some of the more active spirits undertook to unravel " the Popish Plot" As not uncommonly happens, a clergyman assumed the leading part. The Rev. John Hewetson had the tithes of several Tipperary parishes. He lived, however, at Suirville, opposite Waterford, held the commission of the peace, and was chiefly known as an active magistrate. Associated with Hewetson was William Bagnell of Marlhill, near Ardfinnan, who in October 1764, was appointed magistrate for the purpose of dealing with Whiteboyism. John Bagwell of Kilmore, a stripling of twenty-eight, as ^parvenu gentilhomme was eager to distinguish himself. Sir Thomas Maude, Rev. Laurence Broderick and Mathew Bunbury, of Kilf eacle, were equally prominent (z). A revenue collector then resident in Tipperary, himself a Protestant, thus describes the champions of the " Protestant Interest " as they were styled.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 36

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Clonmel, in Tipperary. In 1761 this town saw a bitter county election between Thomas Mathew and Sir Thomas Maude. Thomas Prendergast, an election agent, was shot dead in a duel. The trouble started when Molly Keating, Prendergast's wife, was called a Papist and said to have been seen praying with Thomas Hennessy, a priest. Mathew was unseated on petition. Maude stated that "during the course of the poll and scrutiny, great mobs of Irish Papists assembled from different parts of the country, crowded the Court House, and during the poll and scrutiny evidently showed themselves to be under the influence of Mr. Mathew's gentlemen, by which means the Sheriff and many of the Petitioner's voters were greatly intimidated." That was the temper among the squires and parsons of Tipperary. Some then took it further, setting out to unravel what they called the Popish Plot. A clergyman led the way. The Reverend John Hewetson held tithes in several Tipperary parishes but lived at Suirville, opposite Waterford. He was a justice of the peace, known as an active magistrate. With him was William Bagnell of Marlhill, near Ardfinnan, appointed magistrate in October 1764 to deal with Whiteboyism. John Bagwell of Kilmore, twenty-eight, was eager to make his name. Sir Thomas Maude, the Reverend Laurence Broderick, and Mathew Bunbury of Kilfeacle were equally prominent.

58. Heavy Cromwellian losses at the siege of Clonmel

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

    The siege cost the Cromwellian besiegers between 2000 and 2500 men, with nearly all officers of Ireton's regiment slain; Whitelock called the defenders of Clonmel the stoutest enemy ever encountered by the army in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Cromwellians clearly realized the difficult task before them as is evident from the protracting of the siege in order to wear out the garrison. But that they could be beaten in a stand up fight, they never dreamt. Whitelock acknowledges "they found in Clonmel the stoutest enemy that ever was found by the army in Ireland, and there was never seen so hot a storm of so long continuance and so gallantly defended neither in England nor Ireland 'YW. Cromwell himself confessed that the defence of Clonmel " nearly brought his noble to ninepence " (mm). It is not altogether idle to observe that had the garrison been a few thousand stronger, the subsequent history of Ireland would have to be written differently (nn).

    (U) Memorials p. 457.

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming into Clonmel now, in Tipperary. In 1650 this town cost Cromwell dear. The siege dragged on as the besiegers tried to wear the garrison down, but the defenders beat them in a stand-up fight. The Cromwellians lost between 2000 and 2500 men, and nearly all the officers of Ireton's regiment were slain. Whitelock called them the stoutest enemy ever found by the army in Ireland, saying there was never so hot a storm of so long continuance, so gallantly defended, in England or Ireland. Cromwell himself confessed the defence nearly brought his noble to ninepence.

59. Lieutenant McGrath hanged at Fethard despite quarter promise

    Fethard · town · Tipperary · 1651–1652

    Lieutenant McGrath, taken prisoner by Captain John Godfrey, was hanged five days later in the town of Fethard by Colonel Sankey, despite Godfrey's promise to give him quarter.

    Read the passage

    A soldier bemg killed by some of the Irish army Colonel Jeremy Sankey summoned all the inhabitants of the parish wherein he was killed (being under his protection) to come to Fethered where he put them to the dice and hanged five of them. One Lieutenant McGrath of his Majesty's army, being taken prisoner by Capt. John Godfrey was five days after hanged in the town of Fethered by Colonel Sankey notwithstanding the said Godfrey's promise to have given him quarter (a).

    And Sankey's subalterns in the several garrisons were alike active in the work of massacre. Maurice English the representative of an Anglo-Norman family settled in Rochestown for centuries, was dragged out of his castle by Captain Godfrey and hanged in Cahir (bj. Philip Purcel kinsman of the baron of Loughmoe, found within protected quarters near Thurles, was killed by Major Bolton. David Walsh whose ancestors since the first conquest held Powerstown, was mercilessly slaughtered by Major Morgan on the road to Carrick, Similarly with others. No wonder if traditions of hanging and murder cling round every ruin in the county, and the " Curse of Cromwell " is still on the lips of the peasant (c).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 7

60. Manufactured witnesses lodged and dressed in Clonmel barracks

    Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1766

    Key prosecution witnesses John Toohy, Mary Dunlea (Moll Dunlea), and a boy called Lonergan/Guynan were kept and lavishly provided for in the Clonmel barracks before the trial, receiving fine clothes bought at George Lloyd's in West Gate Street, in exchange for perjured testimony.

    Read the passage

    time, and then suffered to walk about the streets, with a lock on one of his legs. In a few days after, this lock was taken off and he got an elegant suit of new cloathes from head to foot, which were bought for him at a Mr. George Lloyds in West Street [West Gate Street] I remember the coat was a superfine blue cloth and the waist coat and breeches black silk. His company was sought after and his lesson often repeated. In short he was for some time before the trial as much venerated as Mr. Titus Oates was. In the course of the trial he was asked who gave him the new cloathes ? He answered his uncle, who being in court was examined and denied it. I must do justice to his employers, to say they religiously kept their word with him, for he was never brought to trial for the horses he had stolen in the county Kilkenny, but suffered to go when he pleased after he performed the dirty work. He survived Mr. Sheehy but a few years, and died of a leprosy which spread all over his body. Before he was afflicted with this disorder, his good friends had the mortification to hear a judge on the bench (Mr. Prime Serjeant) pronounce him perjured and desire the jury to give no credit to his evidence. In consequence of this laudable conduct of the judge, Roger Sheehy, who stood indicted for high treason was acquitted (s).

    The next to be mentioned in order was a common prostitute, Mary Dunlea, alias Brady, a woman of a most infamous character. She was kept in the barracks of Qonmel for some time previous to the trial; where she was well attended. She got elegant cloaths and her table was furnished from the first tavern in the town — the Spread Eagle, kept at that time by the Widow Corbett While in the barracks one of the light horse men of the name of Brady, took up with her. It was said they were married; at least she went by his name. After the trial she took up with Toohy, but the vengeance of God pursued her for the perjuries she had been guilty of, and she actually died in a ditch near Kilkenny (t).

    Internet Archive historyclonmel00burkgoog, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Clonmel, this is a town where, in 1766, prosecution witnesses were housed and dressed in the barracks before a trial. One of them was John Toohy. He had been held with a lock on his leg, then let out to walk the streets. A few days later the lock came off and he received an elegant suit of new clothes from head to foot, bought at George Lloyd's in West Gate Street. The coat was superfine blue cloth, the waistcoat and breeches black silk. His company was sought after and his lesson often repeated. He was, for a time before the trial, as much venerated as Titus Oates. During the trial he was asked who gave him the clothes. He answered, his uncle. The uncle was in court, was examined, and denied it. His employers kept their word. He was never brought to trial for horses he had stolen in county Kilkenny, but suffered to go where he pleased after he performed the work. He survived Mr. Sheehy but a few years and died of a leprosy that spread all over his body. Before that, his friends had the mortification of hearing a judge on the bench, the Prime Serjeant, pronounce him perjured and tell the jury to give no credit to his evidence. Roger Sheehy, indicted for high treason, was acquitted. The next was Mary Dunlea, alias Brady, described as a common prostitute of infamous character. She was kept in the barracks of Clonmel for some time before the trial, where she was well attended. She got elegant clothes and her table was furnished from the first tavern in the town, the Spread Eagle, kept by the Widow Corbett. While in the barracks one of the light horsemen, named Brady, took up with her. It was said they were married. She went by his name. After the trial she took up with Toohy. She died in a ditch near Kilkenny.