The History of Drogheda, with its Environs (vol. 2)

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. Cromwell's Sack of Drogheda: Massacre After Surrender

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

   After the breach was stormed, Cromwell ordered the killing of the garrison even those who had surrendered under promise of quarter. The massacre lasted five days, with only thirty men spared for transportation to Barbados out of roughly 3000 defenders.

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   The town having been thus completely reduced, and all resistance at an end, humanity would conclude that the lives of such of those, as had surrendered on admitted promises of quarter, and who yet survived, would be spared, however their persons might be disposed of; it was feted otherwise. Cromwell in the most savage but deliberate manner, issued his dreadful mandate, that even these should be put to the sword; and it is said himself witnessed and enforced this commandment of atrocity. The scene of carnage lasted five days, only thirty men being exempted for transportation to Barbadoes. Yet, how commendable his conduct ap-

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   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Drogheda, this is the town Cromwell took by storm in 1649. Once resistance ended and the garrison had surrendered on promises of quarter, Cromwell ordered that even these be put to the sword. He is said to have witnessed and enforced the command himself. The killing lasted five days, and only 30 men were spared, sent for transportation to Barbados.

2. Death of Duke Schomberg at Oldbridge

   Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

   While rallying scattered Huguenot troops near Oldbridge, Duke Schomberg was attacked by King James's Guards, receiving three sabre cuts and a fatal pistol shot, falling dead from his horse into the river Boyne.

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   had only the natural current to wade through, the tide not being then on the ebb or flow in the Boyne, the infantry were obliged to carry their muskets above their heads. When they were about midway in the water, the Irish army fired from behind the hedges, breastworks, and cabins, which somewhat protected their front ; a volley from the river, however, drove them back, at sight of which, a squadron of General Hamilton's horse bravely charged the Brandenburghers. That squadron was, nevertheless, also repulsed; but in its retreat, fell upon the advanced Huguenots, broke their lines, and killed their General, La Caillemotte, after which, in the necessity of its flight, this diminished troop, wheeling through the village of Oldbridge, with the object of joining the Irish army, was almost utterly cut down by the Dutch and Enniskilleners. Soon afterwards, the Duke Schomberg, while rallying the scattered Huguenots, now without a commander, was assailed by a detachment of Ejng James's Guards, from whom having received three sabre cuts, and at last a more fatal pistol ball, he fell dead from his horse into the river. Other accounts are given of the manner in which this memorable hero died, but as that, here adopted, is not only so related in King James's Memoir, but also in the London Gazette of 10th July, 1690, it seems more conformable to the truth. The celebrated defender of Derry, the Reverend George Walker, whose passion for military glory had hurried him \mnecessarily into this engagement, received

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   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Oldbridge, in 1690, the infantry had only the natural current of the Boyne to wade through, the tide not being on the ebb or flow. They carried their muskets above their heads. About midway in the water, the Irish army fired from behind hedges, breastworks, and cabins, which protected their front. A volley from the river drove them back. At the sight, a squadron of General Hamilton's horse bravely charged the Brandenburghers, but was repulsed. In its retreat it fell upon the advanced Huguenots, broke their lines, and killed their General, La Caillemotte. This diminished troop, wheeling through the village of Oldbridge to join the Irish army, was almost utterly cut down by the Dutch and Enniskilleners. Soon afterwards, the Duke Schomberg, while rallying the scattered Huguenots, now without a commander, was assailed by a detachment of King James's Guards. He received three sabre cuts, and at last a more fatal pistol ball, and fell dead from his horse into the river. Other accounts are given of how this memorable hero died, but the one here adopted is related not only in King James's Memoir but also in the London Gazette of 10th July 1690, and so seems more conformable to the truth. The celebrated defender of Derry, the Reverend George Walker, whose passion for military glory had hurried him unnecessarily into this engagement, received

3. King James hears mass at Duleek before the Boyne, retreats after defeat

   Duleek · town · Meath · 1690

   On the morning before the Battle of the Boyne, King James heard mass and a sermon in St. Mary's church at Duleek, and after the battle retreated over the commons of the town and across the ancient bridge, harassed by the Duke of Schomberg until King William checked the pursuit.

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   suffered considerably by fire, and in two years afterwards was plundered by Milo de Cogan and his forces. In 1 182, Hugh de Lacy built the cell here, before alluded to. In 1284, Theobald de Verdon, being possessed of the manor of Duleek, obtained a grant for a weekly market and an annual fair here. In the fifteenth century the Lordship of Duleek was vested in the Fleming family, at which time a charter was granted to the town. The unfortunate Archbishop Allen was seised of certain houses and lands in Duleek, which became a subject of bequest in his will of 1505. By the Act of Absentees (28 Hen. VIII. c. 3), the Priory of Duleek, as appertaining to that of Lanthony in Gloucestershire, was suppressed, and confiscated to the Crown, with all its manors, tithes, churches, chapels, advowsons, parsonages, &c., which were subsequently granted to Sir Gerald Moore, while Sir John Draycot passed patent for the possession of the Abbey. On the morning before the battle of the Boyne, King James heard mass and a sermon in St. Mary's church here, and, after that fatal day, retreated over the commons of this town, and by the ancient bridge above alluded to, having been sorely harassed in his march by the Duke of Schomberg, until King Wilham checked the pursuit, as fully detailed ante, in the General History, and encamped himself on those commons, where traces of his entrenchments are yet visible. Within the parish of Duleek, are two objects of architectural and historic interest, that should not be

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4. Great pestilence of 1348 devastates Drogheda and Dublin

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1348

   Friar Clyn's Annals describe a malignant pestilence in 1348 that destroyed vast numbers of people in Drogheda and other Irish towns; in Dublin alone 14,000 souls reportedly perished between August and Christmas, and crowds flocked in pilgrimage to the waters of Timolin seeking relief.

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   situated on the river Bojme, at the Louth side, with the appurtenances, to him and to his assigns, for three years, in manner as Reginald Irf, of Drogheda, theretofore held the same. In 1348, a malignant pestilence destroyed vast mmibers here and in other towns of Ireland. Friar Clyn, in his " Annals," gives the following pathetic account of this visitation. " This year" (he writes), " chiefly in the months of September and October, great numbers of bishops and prelates, seculars and regulars, peers, and others, and in general people of both sexes, flocked together by troops, in pilgrimage to the water of Timolin, insomuch, that many thousands of souls might be seen there together for many days. Some came from devotion, but the greater number from fear of the pestilence that then raged with exceeding violence. It first broke out near Dublin, at Howth and Dalkey ; it almost destroyed and laid waste the cities of Dublin and Drogheda, insomuch, that in the former alone, from the beginning of August to Christmas, 1 4,000 souls perished. This malady, it is said, originated in the East, and passing through the Saracens and Infidels, destroyed 8,000 of their legions. It next seized the city of Avignon, where the Roman Court then was, and here the churches and cemeteries proved so insufficient for the numbers of dead, that the Pope ordered a new cemetery to be consecrated for depositing the bodies, where, from the month of May to the anniversary of the Translation of St. Thomas, upwards of 50,000 bodies were

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   As the companion tells it

   Coming up along Drogheda now, the town on the river Boyne. In 1348 a malignant pestilence destroyed vast numbers of people here and in other towns across Ireland. Friar Clyn, in his Annals, wrote a pathetic account of what happened. The plague first broke out near Dublin, at Howth and Dalkey, then almost laid waste the cities of Dublin and Drogheda. In Dublin alone, from the beginning of August to Christmas, 14,000 souls perished. Clyn wrote that in September and October great numbers of bishops and prelates, seculars and regulars, peers and others, people of both sexes, flocked together in pilgrimage to the water of Timolin. Some came from devotion, but the greater number came from fear of the pestilence that raged with exceeding violence, so many thousands of souls might be seen there together for many days. The malady was said to have originated in the East, passing through the Saracens and Infidels and destroying 8,000 of their legions. It next seized the city of Avignon, where the Roman Court then was, and there the churches and cemeteries proved so insufficient for the numbers of dead that the Pope ordered a new cemetery consecrated, where upwards of 50,000 bodies were deposited from May to the anniversary of the Translation of St Thomas.

5. Fierce fighting at the ford of Oldbridge

   Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

   The infantry of William's centre, including Dutch, Huguenot, Enniskillener and English troops, forded the Boyne at Oldbridge under fire, with La Caillemotte killed and heavy losses on both sides during the crossing.

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   had only the natural current to wade through, the tide not being then on the ebb or flow in the Boyne, the infantry were obliged to carry their muskets above their heads. When they were about midway in the water, the Irish army fired from behind the hedges, breastworks, and cabins, which somewhat protected their front ; a volley from the river, however, drove them back, at sight of which, a squadron of General Hamilton's horse bravely charged the Brandenburghers. That squadron was, nevertheless, also repulsed; but in its retreat, fell upon the advanced Huguenots, broke their lines, and killed their General, La Caillemotte, after which, in the necessity of its flight, this diminished troop, wheeling through the village of Oldbridge, with the object of joining the Irish army, was almost utterly cut down by the Dutch and Enniskilleners. Soon afterwards, the Duke Schomberg, while rallying the scattered Huguenots, now without a commander, was assailed by a detachment of Ejng James's Guards, from whom having received three sabre cuts, and at last a more fatal pistol ball, he fell dead from his horse into the river. Other accounts are given of the manner in which this memorable hero died, but as that, here adopted, is not only so related in King James's Memoir, but also in the London Gazette of 10th July, 1690, it seems more conformable to the truth. The celebrated defender of Derry, the Reverend George Walker, whose passion for military glory had hurried him \mnecessarily into this engagement, received

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   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Oldbridge, in 1690, the infantry of William's centre waded across the Boyne, carrying their muskets above their heads through the natural current. When they were about midway, the Irish army fired from behind hedges, breastworks, and cabins, but a volley from the river drove them back. A squadron of General Hamilton's horse charged the Brandenburghers and was repulsed. In retreat it fell upon the Huguenots, broke their lines, and killed their general, La Caillemotte. That diminished troop wheeled through the village trying to rejoin the Irish army, but was almost utterly cut down by the Dutch and Enniskilleners. Duke Schomberg, rallying the scattered Huguenots, was assailed by King James's Guards, took three sabre cuts and a fatal pistol ball, and fell dead from his horse into the river. King James's Memoir and the London Gazette of 10th July 1690 both support this account. The Reverend George Walker, defender of Derry, had also hurried into this engagement, though the record breaks off before saying what befell him.

6. O'Connell's Repeal meeting in Drogheda

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1843

   After a triumphal procession from the bridge of Julianstown into the town decorated with flags and flowers, O'Connell addressed a crowd of upwards of 60,000 people in Drogheda on the question of Repeal of the Union.

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   It but remaiDs to mention, in the chronological order of these Annals, that the propriety of throwing a second bridge over the Boyne, at the end of Stockwell-lane, was much discussed in 1838, and in 1839, the Drogheda, Meath, and Louth Farming Society was established here, while the town was yet more recently signalized by being the locality, where, on the | requisition of the reformed corporation, and many of the inhabitants of the town and vicinage, and after a triumphal procession from the bridge of Julianstown into the town, waving, as it then was, with flags and wreaths of flowers, O'Connell addressed a multitude of upwards of 60,000, on the present absorbing question of the Repeal of that Union, which in its conception this town had so vigorously opposed. The present state of Drogheda, and its great improvement and extension, may be judged from the annexed engraved section of the Ordnance Survey, and a comparison thereof with the maps of its earlier aspect

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   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Drogheda, you are in a town that saw one of the great Repeal meetings. In 1843, O'Connell came here at the request of the reformed corporation and many of the inhabitants. A triumphal procession moved from the bridge of Julianstown into the town, which was hung with flags and wreaths of flowers. O'Connell addressed upwards of 60,000 people on the question of repealing the Union, a union this town had vigorously opposed from the start.

7. The Black Death recorded by Friar John Clyn of Kilkenny

   Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1348–1349

   Friar John Clyn, a Franciscan of Kilkenny, chronicled the devastating plague sweeping households and left parchment for continuation, expecting his own death amid the calamity. His account closes the narrative of the pestilence's fullest force during Lent.

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   buried. This distemper prevailed in its fullest force during lent; scarce a single person died in one house, but it commonly swept away husband, wife, children, and servants, aU together." The Annalist closes his narrative with a heaviness that seemed the foreboding of his own approaching death. " I, Friar John Clyn, of the Franciscan Order of Kilkenny, have, in this book, written the memorable things as they happened in my time, of which I was either an eye-witness, or learned them from the relation of such as were worthy of credit, and that these notable actions might not perish by time, and vanish out of the memory of our successors, seeing the many evils that encompass us, and every symptom placed as it were under a malevolent influence; expecting death amongst the dead, such things as I have heard delivered with veracity, and have strictly examined, I have reduced into writing. And, lest the writing should perish with the writer, and the work fiiil with the workman, I leave behind me parchment for continuing it, if any man should have the good fortune to survive this calamity, or any one of the race of Adam should escape this pestilence, to continue what I have begun."

   In 1348, the King appointed Andrew de Guldef, Admiral of Ireland, and supervisor and warden of all its seaports, with power to seize and attach all the ships, provisions, and properties of the King's enemies found therein. In 1349, the long maintained contest relative to the Primatial jurisdiction.

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8. Red Hugh O'Donnell's Escape Crosses the Boyne Near Drogheda

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1588

   In 1588, Red Hugh O'Donnell, escaping from Dublin Castle where Lord Deputy Perrot had confined him, avoided passing through Drogheda for fear of recognition and instead crossed the Boyne with the help of a poor fisherman, whose horses were then brought through the town to the landing place.

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   Deputy Perrothad confined him, crossed the county of Meath in this vicinity. His direct way should have been through this town, but, fearing a recognition, he, with a faithful friend, turned from the road towards the banks of the Boyne, as his Irish biographer records, where there was a poor fisherman's hut " The man was at the moment loading his boat, when the fugitives entreated him to row them across, and promised a recompense, to which proposal he agreed, and received accordingly a liberal reward. The grateful man thereupon re-crossed the river, and brought their horses through the town to where they waited at the landing place"(a). In the same year, the corporation having complained to the Lord Deputy, that Walter Cheevers of Camaghtown, had not paid the assessment applotted upon his lands of Camaghtown, Galton, and Ballymakenny, being within the franchises of Drogheda, as and for the soldiers' maintenance and wages at the hosting of that year, but, on the contrary, refused so to do, the Lord Deputy and Council directed the Bight Honorable Sir Robert Dillon, Knight, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland, and William Bathe, secondary Justice of said Court, to inquire into same at Drogheda; when, on inspection of an ancient scale of taxation of the lands within the Liberties, and of an Act of Parhament, whereby the lands in question, which theretofore were in the coimty Louth, were annexed to the franchises of this town, Cheevers

   (a) Life of Red Hugh O'DonneU, MS.

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   As the companion tells it

   As you come through Drogheda, you're near the route Red Hugh O'Donnell took in 1588, fleeing Dublin Castle where Lord Deputy Perrot had confined him. His direct road should have led through this town, but fearing recognition, he and a faithful friend turned aside toward the banks of the Boyne. There they found a poor fisherman loading his boat and begged him to row them across, promising a reward. The man agreed and received, as the source says, "a liberal reward." He then re-crossed the river alone and brought their horses through the town to where they waited at the landing place. So Drogheda saw the horses pass through, but not the fugitive. In the same year, the corporation complained to the Lord Deputy that Walter Cheevers of Camaghtown had refused to pay the assessment on his lands within the franchises of Drogheda, meant for soldiers' wages. The Lord Deputy directed Sir Robert Dillon, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and William Bathe, secondary justice, to inquire into it at Drogheda.

9. Shane O'Neill's head presented to the Viceroy at Drogheda

   Drogheda · town · Louth · 1566–1567

   After being broken down by a large foray from Drogheda that carried off 2000 cows and 500 horses, Shane O'Neill fell victim to faithless allies, and his severed head was presented to the Viceroy at Drogheda by Captain William Piers.

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   this town on a military excursion through Ulster to Connaught. In this journey he restored O'Donnel to the possession of his country, and particularly to the castles of Ballyshannon and Donegal, and received his homage by indenture and oath, reserving two hundred marks per annum to the Queen, and a nimiber of men to every general hosting in Ulster. He also received the submissions of several that professed to be weary of O'Neill's domination. In fact he so broke down O'Neill, and particularly by a foray which he led from this town, in the December of the above year, and in which he carried off 2000 cows, and 500 horses, that the Northern chief was, as Cox relates, once designed to come with a halter about his neck, and submit to the Deputy; but a hope of assistance from the Scots diverted him from such humiliation, only to become the victim of professed, but faithless allies, by means of whom, early in the following year, the barbarous, but welcome tribute of his head, was here presented to the Viceroy by Captain William Piers.

   In 1569, Robert Bumell, who had represented Drogheda in the first Irish Parliament of Elizabeth's reign, was chosen Mayor of the to^vn ; and in the same year. Colonel Gilbert, who had done such great service in Munster, that the Earl of Clancar was forced to come in to him, and make his submission on his knees, was knighted for his good service here. On Michaelmas day, 1570, the Mayor and Sheriffs took the oaths before Sir Henry Syd-

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   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Drogheda, the town the road is passing through. In 1566 the Viceroy set out from here on a military excursion through Ulster to Connaught. He restored O'Donnel to his country, to the castles of Ballyshannon and Donegal, and received his homage by indenture and oath, reserving 200 marks per annum to the Queen and a number of men for every general hosting in Ulster. He also took submissions from several who professed to be weary of O'Neill's domination. He broke Shane O'Neill down, particularly by a foray he led from this town in December of that year, carrying off 2000 cows and 500 horses. O'Neill was so broken that, as Cox relates, he once planned to come with a halter about his neck and submit to the Deputy. But a hope of assistance from the Scots diverted him from such humiliation, only to make him the victim of professed but faithless allies. Early in the following year his head was presented to the Viceroy here at Drogheda by Captain William Piers, what the record calls the barbarous but welcome tribute of his head.

10. Battle of Faughart: defeat and death of Edward Bruce

    Faughart · parish · Louth · 1317

    Following Edward Bruce's devastation of County Louth during his invasion of Ireland, Lord de Bermingham led English and Irish forces against him at Faughart near Dundalk in 1317, achieving a total overthrow of the invader. John Malpas, a native of Drogheda, fought Bruce hand to hand, both dying in the encounter.

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    In the immediately ensuing years the coimty of Louth was devastated by Edward Bruce, on the occasion of his invasion of Ireland, until, in 1317, the Lord de Bermingham, at the head of the English and Irish forces, encountering him at Faughart, near Dundalk, " a fatal place," says Sir John Davis, " to the enemies of the Crown of England," effected the total overthrow of the invader. The most signal and effective achievement of the day was accomplished by John Malpas, a native of Drogheda, who led from this town, in aid of English government, a choice band of soldiers. " The English," says Pembridge, in his Annals, " gave the onset ; John Malpas and

    GENERAL HISTORY. 7l

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11. Brian Boru and Murrough's bodies rest at Duleek after Clontarf

    Duleek · town · Meath · 1014

    After the victory at Clontarf, the bodies of Brian Boru and his son Murrough, having had funeral solemnities celebrated at Swords, were carried to the abbey at Duleek before being conveyed to Louth on the third day.

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    This place derived its name Damh-liac (i. e. the house of stone) from the church which St Cienan founded here, on the earliest introduction of Christianity in Ireland. He was baptized by St Patrick in 450, by him appointed Abbot over this house, and endowed with the Apostle's copy of the Gospels. This was for ensuing ages the seat of a rural bishopric, until, on the ecclesiastical arrangements of the twelfth century, it merged in that of Meath. During the days of Danish tyranny it was frequently burned and plundered. After the victory obtained at Clontarf over that people by Brian Boroimhe, the corpse of the fallen victor, and that of his son Murrough, their funeral solemnities of the first night having been celebrated at Swords, were carried to the abbey here, whence, on the third day, they were conveyed to that of Louth. In 1106, Donald, Archbishop of Armagh, died here. In 1169, the abbey

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12. Execution of the Earl of Desmond at Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1467

    The Earl of Desmond, attainted for treason including alliance with the Irish and imposing coign and livery, was beheaded on 15 February 1467. Tradition holds the execution took place on the north commons of Drogheda where the old gallows stood until displaced by the Tholsel. His head was sent to Dublin to be spiked on the Castle wall.

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    immoderate greatness by tliat wicked extortion and oppression ; that he was the first who rejected the English laws and government, and drew others by his example to similar insubordination; the first peer of Ireland who refused to attend Parliament on the royal summons ; and the first that suggested a division between the English of blood and the English of birth. Under these charges the Earl was found guilty, and beheaded on the 15th of February, 1467 ; the melancholy scene took place, according to tradition, on the north commons of Drogheda, where the old gallows was formerly erected, and where it remained imtil the present Tholsel displaced it His head was sent to Dublin, to be spiked on the wall of the Castle, and his body was interred in the Dominican friary as before mentioned.

    The fate of this unfortunate nobleman is by some mainly attributed to his having advised the king not

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    As the companion tells it

    The road passes through Drogheda, where the Earl of Desmond was beheaded on 15 February 1467. He had been attainted for treason, accused of being the first peer of Ireland to reject English laws and government, the first to refuse attending Parliament on the royal summons, and the first to suggest a division between the English of blood and the English of birth. Tradition holds the execution took place on the north commons, where the old gallows stood until the Tholsel displaced it. His head was sent to Dublin to be spiked on the wall of the Castle, and his body was interred in the Dominican friary.

13. Killing of friars including Father Peter Taaffe

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

    Cromwell reported that nearly all the friars in Drogheda were killed, including Father Peter Taaffe, brother to Lord Taaffe, who was captured the next day and killed, and another friar discovered hiding in the round tower who was also put to death.

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    again, and therewith this great success , and therefore it is good that Grod alone have all the gloiy. It is remarkable that this people at the first set up the mass in some of the places of the town, that had been monasteries, but afterwards grew so insolent that, the Lord's day before the storm, the Protestants were thrust out of the great church called St Peter's, and they had public mass there, and in this very place near one thousand of them were put to the sword, flying thither for protection. I believe all their friars were knocked on the head promiscuously but two, the one of which was Father Peter Taaffe, brother to the Lord Taaffe, whom the soldiers took the next day, and made an end of; the other was taken in the round tower, under the report of a lieutenant, and, when he understood that the oflicers in that tower had no quarter, he confessed he was a ftiar, but that did not save him. A great deal of the loss in this business fell upon Colonel Cossel's and Colonel Ewer's regiments, Colonel Ewer's having two field officers in his regiment shot ; Colonel Cossel and a captain of his regiment slain; Colonel Hewson's Captain Lieutenant slain. I do not think we lost one hundred men, though many be wounded. I most himibly pray the Parliament may be pleased this army may be maintained, and that a consideration may be had of them, and of the carry^ing on of affairs here as may give a speedy issue to the work, to which there seems a marvellous fair opportimity offered by God; and, although it may seem very chargeable to

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    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through this town, it passes through Drogheda, where in 1649 Cromwell's army stormed the place. Before the assault, the townspeople had set up mass in former monasteries. On the Lord's day before the storm, they thrust the Protestants out of the great church called St Peter's and held public mass there. In that same church, near one thousand people were put to the sword, having fled there for protection. Cromwell reported that all their friars were knocked on the head promiscuously but two. One was Father Peter Taaffe, brother to Lord Taaffe. The soldiers took him the next day and made an end of him. The other friar was found in the round tower. When he understood that the officers in that tower had no quarter, he confessed he was a friar, but that did not save him. A great deal of the loss fell upon Colonel Cossel's and Colonel Ewer's regiments. Ewer's regiment had two field officers shot. Colonel Cossel and a captain of his regiment were slain. Colonel Hewson's Captain Lieutenant was slain. Cromwell did not think they lost one hundred men, though many were wounded. He prayed that Parliament would maintain the army and give consideration to them, that the work might be brought to a speedy issue.

14. King William wounded near Oldbridge ford

    Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

    As William advanced within cannon range of the ford at Oldbridge to observe the enemy, a cannonball grazed his right shoulder after he remounted, tearing his coat and lacerating his flesh, though he continued in command.

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    their encampment; so that Scravenmore, one of William's generals, who counted but forty-six regiments, spoke with contempt of the enem/s numbers; when King William replied, that more might be concealed behind these hills, and many be stationed in the town, " but it is my purpose," he added, " to be speedily acquainted with their whole strength." As his army was marching into camp, he advanced within cannon range of the ford at Oldbridge, with the object of closer observation, and dismounted, while Berwick, Tyrconnel, Sarsfield, and some others of James's generals, rode slowly along the opposite bank. On remounting, a ball, from a field-piece concealed by a hedge, hit the bank of the river, and taking a slanting direction, grazed his right shoulder, tearing his coat, and slightly lacerating his flesh, but, though a report of his death was quickly circulated, he sustained no other injury than a temporary difficulty in using his sword arm, and that difficulty he did not permit long to retard his personal military service(a).

    On the night of the same day, he called a council of war to receive his orders, and then directed the plan of attack for the ensuing morning, which was, that the river should be passed in three different places; by his right wing, commanded by Coimt Maignard de Schomberg, son of the Duke, and Ge-

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    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, King William came under fire in 1690. Scravenmore, one of William's generals, counted only forty-six regiments and spoke with contempt of the enemy's numbers. William replied that more might be concealed behind the hills and many stationed in the town, adding, "it is my purpose to be speedily acquainted with their whole strength." As his army marched into camp, he advanced within cannon range of the ford at Oldbridge for closer observation, and dismounted. Berwick, Tyrconnel, Sarsfield, and others of James's generals rode slowly along the opposite bank. On remounting, a ball from a field-piece concealed by a hedge hit the bank of the river, took a slanting direction, and grazed his right shoulder, tearing his coat and slightly lacerating his flesh. A report of his death quickly circulated, but he sustained no other injury than a temporary difficulty using his sword arm, and he did not let that long retard his personal military service. That same night, he called a council of war to receive his orders and directed the plan of attack for the ensuing morning: the river should be passed in three different places, by his right wing commanded by Count Maignard de Schomberg, son of the Duke.

15. Riot at Drogheda: army fires on townsmen

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1780

    A dispute over enlistment escalated into violence when the army fired on the populace, killing five townsmen including volunteer member Mr. Woodhouse and wounding three others. The volunteers turned out and rioters were jailed under guard.

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    evening has furnished a most horrid deed to relate^ no less than five of our townsmen's corses are now lying in the Tholsel, from the army firing on the populace. What gave rise to the above was trifling, only a little dispute that was agitated about two men enlisting. One of the persons killed proves, fatally, to have been Mr. Woodhouse, a most deserving and respectable character, and a member of our volunteer association ; there were also three people wounded. The volunteers immediately got under arms, and application was made to the commanding officer at the barracks, for the rioters, whom he ordered to be given up directly. They are now in gaol, double bolted, and the volxmteers have mounted guard for fear of a rescue." In 1782, the Drogheda Association of that body, by an unanimous resolution, testified their approval of those of the Ulster Delegates then lately passed at Dungannon, and in 1787, the corporation granted to the dissenting Protestants a piece of groimd in the old Abbey, near Patrick's Well-lane, for 999 years, at a nominal rent, with the object of their building a house of worship thereon. In the same year they entertained the Duke of Rutland with the usual honours, and the freedom of their borough; and in the following the franchises of the borough were again perambulated, anaidst an immense concourse of spectators.

    In 1789, this town attracted the especial attention of Parliament, which directed various accounts to be taken, and reports made relative to its condi-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 166

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up is Drogheda, in Louth. In 1780, this town saw a most horrid deed. Five townsmen's corpses lay in the Tholsel, after the army fired on the populace. The cause was trifling, only a little dispute agitated about two men enlisting. One of the dead proved to be Mr. Woodhouse, a most deserving and respectable character, and a member of the volunteer association. Three people were also wounded. The volunteers immediately got under arms, and application was made to the commanding officer at the barracks for the rioters. He ordered them to be given up directly. They were now in gaol, double bolted, and the volunteers mounted guard for fear of a rescue. Two years later, in 1782, the Drogheda Association of the volunteers passed a unanimous resolution testifying approval of the Ulster Delegates' resolutions lately passed at Dungannon. In 1787, the corporation granted the dissenting Protestants a piece of ground in the old Abbey, near Patrickswell Lane, for 999 years at a nominal rent, for building a house of worship. The same year they entertained the Duke of Rutland with the usual honours and the freedom of the borough. The following year the franchises of the borough were perambulated amidst an immense concourse of spectators. In 1789, Parliament directed various accounts to be taken and reports made relative to the condition of the town.

16. Schomberg killed and Walker, Caillemotte wounded at Oldbridge ford

    Oldbridge · townland · Meath · 1690

    Bellingham's diary describes how at Oldbridge the Irish laid in ambush and fired on William's men crossing the river; in the fighting that followed, Duke Schomberg was killed and Doctor Walker and Colonel Caillemotte were mortally wounded.

    Read the passage

    who came that morning from Drogheda. I carried him to the king, who was then standing at the battery, seeing his cannon play at the house of Oldbridge. He had sent early a strong detachment of about 15,000 men, with Douglas, towards Slane, who passed the river without any opposition, and put the enemy to the rout who were on that wing ; he sent another detachment of horse to the left, to go over at the mill ford, but, tte tide coming in and the ford bad, the passage was very diflBlcult, most of them being forced to swim, insomuch that they could not come up time enough to assist our foot, who went over the ford at Oldbridge. About eleven of the clock, the enemy had laid in ambush behind the ditches and houses on the other side of the water, who fired incessantly at our men as they were passing the river, who, as soon as they arrived on land, immediately put their musqueteers to the rout, and advanced farther into the field in battalion. Here the brave old Duke Schomberg was killed, and Doctor Walker and Colonel Caillemotte mortally wounded. The enemy advanced towards us, and made a brisk effort upon us, but we soon repelled them, with considerable loss on their side ; they made two other attempts upon us, but were still bravely beaten back, and when our horse of the left came up, the enemy quite quitted that field, having left several dead bodies behind them. It was there we took Lieutenant- General Hamilton. The enemy's horse of Tyrconnel's regiment behaved themselves well; but our

    344 GBNEBAL HISTORY.

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    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1690, William's army crossed the river at Oldbridge and met the Irish in ambush. The king stood at the battery that morning, watching his cannon play at the house of Oldbridge. He had sent a strong detachment of about 15,000 men with Douglas towards Slane, and they passed the river without opposition, putting the enemy on that wing to the rout. Another detachment of horse was sent to the left, to go over at the mill ford. But the tide was coming in and the ford was bad, so the passage was very difficult. Most of them were forced to swim, and they could not come up in time to assist the foot, who went over the ford at Oldbridge. About eleven of the clock, the enemy had laid in ambush behind the ditches and houses on the other side of the water, and they fired incessantly at the men as they were passing the river. As soon as the men arrived on land, they immediately put the musketeers to the rout and advanced farther into the field in battalion. It was here that the brave old Duke Schomberg was killed, and Doctor Walker and Colonel Caillemotte were mortally wounded. The enemy advanced and made a brisk effort upon William's men, but they were soon repelled, with considerable loss on their side. They made two more attempts, but were still bravely beaten back. When the horse of the left came up, the enemy quite quitted the field, leaving several dead behind them. It was there that Lieutenant-General Hamilton was taken.

17. Red Hugh O'Donnell's flight sheltered near Mellifont, 1598

    Mellifont · townland · Louth · 1598

    Fleeing Dublin in 1598, Red Hugh O'Donnell crossed the Boyne near Drogheda and took refuge in a sheltering grove beside a noble mansion, most probably Mellifont, belonging to a young Englishman attached to Hugh O'Neill, before resuming his journey through Dundalk.

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    reaching the opposite side, as the narrative continues, " O'Donnell and his companion proceeded on their way until they were about the distance of 2000 paces from the river, here they perceived a close sheltering grove before them, on the road through which they had to pass, and a strong great ditch surrounding it, as if it were a garden. Beside the wood was a noble mansion called the great monastery (most probably Mellefont), belonging to a noted young Englishman who was attached to Hugh O'Neill; they leaped over the ditch and proceeded straight forward into the wood, for the servant was well acquainted there. Here they stopped their horses"(o), and O'Donnell, having been refreshed, remained in a secret room until the night of the next day, when he resumed his journey, and ultimately, passing through Dxmdalk, arrived in safety at the friendly residence of Turlough O'Neill. In 1C41, during the siege of Drogheda, this river was so hardly frozen that it could scarcely be broken with mallets, and horses and men could and did pass safely over it. In the following year the Earl of Ormond was commissioned to lead 3000 foot and 500 horse towards the river Boyne, and to prosecute the rebels with fire and sword. Eight days only were allowed for this expedition, and he was strictly and injudiciously enjoined on no account to pass this river. On the first of July, 1690, the memorable battle was fought

    (a) MS. Life of Red Hugh O'Donnell.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 178

18. Drunken Proclamation Against Catholics at Drogheda, 1629

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1628–1629

    An ordinance against Roman Catholic worship and priesthood was proclaimed at Drogheda in scornful and contemptuous fashion by a drunken soldier and then a drunken serjeant, both incapable through drink, making the proclamation seem like a 'May game'. Priests and friars continued their services privately with little obedience shown.

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    verend manner of publishing the late proclamation at Drogheda, and the ill observance of the same, since it was published. For the first, that it was done in scornful and contemptuous sort, a drunken soldier being first set up to read it, and then a drunken Serjeant of the town, both being made, by too much drink, incapable of that task, and perhaps purposely put to it, made the same seem like a May game ; and for the latter, that there is yet very little obedience showed thereto by the friars and priests, only that they have shut up the fore doors of some of their mass houses, but have as ordinary recourse thither by private passages, and do as firequently use their superstitious service there, as if there were no command to the contrary, those mass-houses being continued in their former use, though perhaps a little more privately, without any demolishing of their altars, &c. ; I expected to have been informed, as well of the publishing thereof there, as of the efiects it had wrought, from no man before your Lordship, both in respect of your profession, and the eminent place you hold in the church, and of your being a privy councillor, who was present and assistant in all the consultations about setting it forth, and privy to the resolutions of the Board thereupon. But since this is come to my hands from another, I do hereby pray and authorize your Lordship, calling to your assistance Mr. Justice Philpot, who is now resident there, to enter into a serious examination of the premises, and to give me a full information of what you

    216 GENERAL HISTORY.

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    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this is a town where an ordinance against Roman Catholic worship was proclaimed in 1629. The way it was published was scornful and contemptuous. A drunken soldier was first set up to read it, and then a drunken serjeant of the town. Both were made incapable of that task by too much drink, and perhaps were put to it on purpose. The whole thing seemed like a May game. As for obedience, there was very little shown by the friars and priests. They shut up the fore doors of some of their mass houses, but kept ordinary recourse thither by private passages, and used their superstitious service there as frequently as if there were no command to the contrary. The mass-houses continued in their former use, though a little more privately. No altars were demolished. The man who reported this had expected to hear of the publishing and its effects from a lord who was a privy councillor, present and assistant in all the consultations about setting the proclamation forth. But the information came to him from another. He now authorized that lord, calling to his assistance Mr. Justice Philpot, who was resident there, to enter into a serious examination of the premises and give a full information of what had been done.

19. Massacre of the Archbishop of Dublin and burning of the city

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1534

    Following the aborted attack on Drogheda, Lord Thomas Fitzgerald caused the massacre of the Archbishop of Dublin and burned the city from the New Gate outward, routing English forces as far as Drogheda and spreading terror across Meath.

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    in Drogheda, the Lord Deputy proclaimed Fitz Gerald a traitor, at the high cross of the town. It was after this Lord Thomas caused the massacre of the Archbishop of Dubhn, burned that city fix)m the New Gate outward, and routed the English forces from Slieve Ruagh to Drogheda, " so that the entire of Meath was a place of terror, by reason of his expedition"(a). The arrival of a new Lord Deputy, Sir William Skeffington, caused little change in affairs; such was the infirm state of his health, that '' he was unable for some time to take the field, and not only himself, but almost the whole of his army and oflicers, lay for a considerable time shut up and inactive within the walls of Dublin and Drogheda. Meanwhile "there raged throughout the whole kingdom a confused medley of petty warfare, in which, from the consanguinity of the Geraldine famihes with both of the rival races, the rebel camp was filled with a motley array of English and Irish, while on the royal side, the greater number of the northern chieftains had ranged themselves under the flag of loyalty and the Enghsh"(6). Amongst the measures which Baron Finglas at this time promulgated, as calculated to advance the common weal, was a recommendation, " that the city of Dublin and the town of Drogheda, and the town of Dundalk, do go with the king's deputy, when required, to hostings, and that in consideration thereof, their customs and poundage be

    (a) Annals of the Four Masters.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 87

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through a city that in 1534 was put to the torch by Lord Thomas Fitzgerald. He had just been proclaimed a traitor by the Lord Deputy at the high cross in Drogheda, and in the aftermath he caused the massacre of the Archbishop of Dublin and burned the city from the New Gate outward. He routed the English forces from Slieve Ruagh all the way back to Drogheda, and the Annals of the Four Masters record that "the entire of Meath was a place of terror, by reason of his expedition." A new Lord Deputy, Sir William Skeffington, arrived but was in such poor health that he and his army lay shut up and inactive within the walls of Dublin and Drogheda for a considerable time. Meanwhile, a confused medley of petty warfare raged throughout the whole kingdom. The rebel camp held a motley array of English and Irish, drawn from the consanguinity of the Geraldine families with both rival races, while on the royal side the greater number of the northern chieftains had ranged themselves under the flag of loyalty and the English.

20. O'Neill and O'Donnell burn Navan and Ardee, routed by Mayors

    Ardee · townland · Louth · 1547

    In 1547, O'Neill and O'Donnell burned Navan and the town of Ardee while feigning a parley with the Lord Deputy; the Deputy, aided by the Mayors of Dublin and Drogheda and the English Pale, met and defeated them, killing 400 of their men.

    Read the passage

    " tidings came to us that there is now presently upon the coast of 'Drougheda' other sixty sails, which draw after the rest; what their intent is as yet we know not We be in such readiness as we may be to resist their attempt, if any they make here, God willing, to the uttermost of our power. Those also of Galway have advertised us, that their factors at Andalusia signified unto them as well of the coming about of the French King's galleys, as that the Bishop of Rome, with certain galleys, and the Genoese, with some great carricks, should aid the French King." In 1547, " O'Neill and O'Donnelcolourably required a parley with the Lord Deputy, Sir William Skeffington, but on the way, as they rode, they burned the Navan and the town of Ardee ; wherefore the Deputy, with the help of the Mayor of Dublin, and the Mayor of Drogheda, with the English Pale, met them, flighted them, slew 400 of their train, and there the Mayor of Dublin, for notable service in that journey, was knighted"(a).

    In 1550, an ordinance was promulgated for breaking down the weirs on the Boyne, between Drogheda and Trim, and opening the fishery of the river. In 1552, a contest arose between the Mayors of Dublin and Drogheda, concerning their precedency in marches, when it was adjudged, that he of Dublin should have the foreward going out and the rereward coming home, " as was accustomed;" and in

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 90

21. British Parliament's Thanksgiving for Drogheda Massacre

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

    The British Parliament ordered a day of public thanksgiving in England and Wales for the 'success' at Drogheda, and sent a letter approving the execution done there as an act of justice and mercy.

    Read the passage

    peared in the eyes of the British Parliament, is evinced by the resolutions of that House. On the 2nd of October, they ordered that the 1st of November, then next ensuing, should be appointed for a day of public thanksgiving, to be observed in all the churches and chapels within England and Wales, " to render thanks to Almighty God, for his great mercy in giving such wonderful successes to the Parliament's forces in Ireland," and likewise directed " that a letter of thanks should be sent to the Lord Lieutenant of Lreland, and to be communicated to the officers there, taking notice that the House doth approve of the execution done in Drogheda, as an act both of justice to them, and of mercy to others, who may be warned by it;" and on the 11th of the same October, they voted £100 to Captain Porter, " who brought the news of the great successes in Lreland, for his pains and travel therein." When the carnage was consimimated, the town was given up to plimder (a visitation which led to the destruction of its early records), and the place, with the lands about it, were allotted among such soldiers, as by reason of their wounds or worthiness were deemed the fittest objects of bounty. One native alone is recorded to have received a gratuity of land from Cromwell ; that individual, of the name of Delahoyde, was proprietor of the mill which gave name to tlie mQl-mount, and his having supplied Cromwell's army with meal, during their sojourn here, is assigned as the motive for this grant, the benefit of which some of his de-

    GENERAL fflSTORY. 281

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 125

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near Drogheda here in Louth. In 1649, the British Parliament saw what happened in this town as a success worth thanking God for. On the 2nd of October they ordered the 1st of November as a day of public thanksgiving in all churches and chapels in England and Wales, to render thanks to Almighty God for, in their words, "giving such wonderful successes to the Parliament's forces in Ireland." They sent a letter to the Lord Lieutenant and his officers saying the House "doth approve of the execution done in Drogheda, as an act both of justice to them, and of mercy to others, who may be warned by it." On the 11th of October they voted 100 pounds to Captain Porter, who had brought the news of what they called the great successes. After the killing, the town was given over to plunder, and that destruction wiped out its early records. The town and the lands around it were divided among soldiers who had been wounded or were judged worthy of reward. One native alone is recorded as receiving land from Cromwell, a man named Delahoyde, who owned the mill that gave the mill-mount its name. He had supplied Cromwell's army with meal during their stay, and that is given as the reason for the grant.

22. James's retreat over the bridge at Duleek

    Duleek · town · Meath · 1690

    After being routed, James's troops retreated through the pass of Duleek over the little bridge, the only safe crossing of the Nanny Water in that area, while Tyrconnel and Lausun turned to check the pursuers and saved most of the cannon.

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    his troops retreated through the pass of Duleek, over the little bridge, which was then the only safe mode of crossing the Nanny-water thereabouts, the banks higher up being impracticable by reason of a bog. When Count Schomberg, informed of his father's death, and his zeal being thereupon fired by a spirit of revenge, hotly pursued the fugitives, covering the ground with carnage ; but King James had no sooner passed Duleek, than Tyrconnel and Lausun, with some horse and foot, turned upon the pursuers, " and made so good a countenance, that they suflfered them to pass quietly over the brook, and bring away five of their six pieces of cannon, the other, being bogged, was lost." Then it was, that, by King William's command, the Earl of Portland obliged Count Schomberg and his forces to return to the commons of Duleek, where that monarch's infantry had encamped, and there all remained under arms that night, while the main body of the fugitives effected their retreat, in such order as was commended by their enemies, to another great defile on the Dublin road — the Naul. The loss on James's side was computed to be about 1200, while on William's it scarcely amounted to one-third of that number. The chief persons of distinction slain on the former were, besides Sir NeiU O'Neill, the Lords Dungan and Cai'lingford, the Marquess d^Hoquincour, Colonel Green, and many others. On the latter were, as before related, Schomberg, Caillemotte, and Doctor Walker.

    Of Duke Schomberg, who, at the advanced age of

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 147

23. John de Lacy pressed to death at Trim

    Trim · town · Meath · 1317

    The following year, Lord Justice Roger de Mortimer caused John de Lacy to be pressed to death at Trim because he refused to plead to the indictment for the earlier offences against the crown.

    Read the passage

    herents, and banishing themselves into Connaught, when he publicly denounced them as traitors, and so returned to Dublin by the way of Drogheda. In the following year, the same Viceroy caused John de Lacy to be " pressed to death" at Trim, because he would not plead to the indictment against him for the above offences, and immediately afterwards he returned to England(a). In 1320, in consequence of the Earl of Kildare, then Lord Justice, being unable personally to attend at the assizes to be held at Drogheda, the King directed Walter de Cusack, and Stephen Roche, to adjourn same. [Of the former it may be mentioned, that he had previously distinguished himself in the legal and legislative annals of his country. Various summonses had been directed to him, requiring his military and parliamentary services, and especially to attend a Parliament at Kilkenny, as one of the Magnates or Peers of Ireland. In the same year (1311), he was one of the Justices in Eyre of the county Dublin, when he receiveda very extraordinary mandate, illustrative of the state of the law in Ireland, and in confirmation of what was before remarked. It recites, that the people of that county complained, that pleas were adjudged to their prejudice, according to the law and custom of England, and not according to the law and custom of Ireland, and they besought a remedy; it was, therefore, a direction to the Justices in Eyre, to suspend the con-

    (a) Cox^s Hist, of Ireland, yoL i. p. 98.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 35

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, this is where John de Lacy met his end in 1317. Lord Justice Roger de Mortimer, the Viceroy, had already publicly denounced certain people as traitors, men who had committed offences against the crown. He had been dealing with these followers, who had been banishing themselves into Connaught. He made his return to Dublin by way of Drogheda after denouncing them. The following year, 1317, the same Viceroy caused John de Lacy to be pressed to death at Trim. The reason was that de Lacy would not plead to the indictment against him for those earlier offences against the crown. Pressing to death was the punishment for refusing to enter a plea, a slow and deliberate process. Immediately afterwards, Mortimer returned to England. The source for this is Cox's History of Ireland, volume one, page ninety-eight. The record does not tell us more about John de Lacy himself, who he was beyond his name, or what became of the others who had been denounced as traitors. What the book preserves is the bare fact of his refusal and the sentence carried out at Trim under Mortimer's authority.

24. Earl of Kildare Dies of Grief at Drogheda After Fosterage Loss

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1597

    In 1597 the twelfth Earl of Kildare died at Drogheda of a broken heart after two of his foster brethren fell in a conflict with the adherents of Tyrone near the fort of the Blackwater, illustrating the strength of fosterage bonds in Ireland. His body was later brought to Kildare for solemn burial.

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    In 1591, an inquisition (which is preserved in the office of the Chief Eemembrancer) was taken, concerning the customs of the harbour of Drogheda. About this time, and previously, William Bathe of Athcame was seised in tail male of very considerable lots in this town and the liberties, which, upon his death, devolved upon his cousin and heir male, John Bathe of Athcame, who also died without issue male, but leaving a large family of daughters, whereupon the estates passed to John Bathe of Drumcondra, whose eldest son and heir, James Bathe, afterwards succeeded thereto. An occurrence that happened here in 1597, is represented as strongly illustrating the attachment of fosterage, which, from the days of Cambrensis, has been remarked as so prevalent in Ireland, the twelfth Earl of Kildare having actually died here of a broken heart, in consequence of the fall of two of his foster brethren(6), in a conflict with the adherents of

    (a) Corporation Books.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, in 1597 the twelfth Earl of Kildare died here of a broken heart. He had lost two of his foster brethren in a conflict with the adherents of Tyrone near the fort of the Blackwater, and the grief killed him. The attachment of fosterage was said to run deep in Ireland, and his death was held up as proof of it. His body was later taken to Kildare for burial.

25. Hugh O'Neill's tavern boast at Drogheda sparks suspicion

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1563

    At Drogheda, Hugh O'Neill, drinking with a servant of the Archbishop of Armagh, boasted that his cousin the Earl was a fool for accepting an English earldom when by right he should be king. The remark, reported to the Archbishop and Lord Lieutenant, sparked suspicion against O'Neill and led to a military expedition into the North in 1563.

    Read the passage

    many matters touched upon therein, he recommended the displacing of Shane O'Neill, the strengthening of the Earls of Ormond, Thomond, and Clanricard, and their party; the planting of some noblemen and gentlemen of England in Ireland, and the colonization of Leix and Offaley with English. It was also similarly pressed upon the attentipn of the Crown to prohibit the coming of the Scots into Ireland, to colonize Ulster with English, and especially to occupy the Ban; to divide the whole realm into shires, to take away the Palatinates and Regalities from subjects; to fortifyKnockfergus (Carrickfergus),to "crest up" the Baron of Dimgannon, &c. About this time Shane (John) O'Neill had, 'as stated in the Annals of the Four Masters, all the province of Ulster under his command, from Drogheda to Lough Eame, "so that he might justly be called a provincial prince, the English alone being at that time against him. In reference to this remarkable individual. Ware relates a trifling incident as occurring in this town, from which very important results ensued. A kinsman of his, named Hugh O'Neill, drinking in company with the collector of the Archbishop of Armagh's revenues at Drogheda, was heard to swear by his soul that his cousin was a patient fool, and so were his ancestors, in taking an Earldom from the Kings of England, when by right themselves were kings. He further added, by way of question to the bishop's servant, " Is it not so?" The man was glad to comply, and say it was so, seeing six of the Irish in the

    198 GENERAL HISTORY.

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    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are in a town where a tavern boast once set soldiers marching. The year was 1563. Shane O'Neill, called a provincial prince in the Annals of the Four Masters, held command over all Ulster from this town to Lough Erne, with the English alone against him. A kinsman of his, Hugh O'Neill, was drinking here in the company of the collector of the Archbishop of Armagh's revenues. Hugh swore, by his soul, that his cousin was a patient fool, and so were his ancestors, in taking an earldom from the Kings of England when by right themselves were kings. He put it to the bishop's servant as a question: "Is it not so?" The man was glad to comply and say it was so, seeing six of the Irish in the company. That remark, carried to the Archbishop and the Lord Lieutenant, fed the suspicion already gathering around Shane O'Neill. It helped push the Crown toward his removal and led to a military expedition into the North that same year. The policy papers of the time had already urged displacing Shane, planting English noblemen in Ireland, colonizing Leix and Offaley, colonizing Ulster with English, and occupying the Bann. Drogheda was the place where the words slipped out in drink.

26. King William's entrenchments visible on the commons of Duleek

    Duleek · town · Meath · 1690

    After the Battle of the Boyne, King William encamped on the commons of Duleek, where traces of his entrenchments remained visible at the time of writing.

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    suffered considerably by fire, and in two years afterwards was plundered by Milo de Cogan and his forces. In 1 182, Hugh de Lacy built the cell here, before alluded to. In 1284, Theobald de Verdon, being possessed of the manor of Duleek, obtained a grant for a weekly market and an annual fair here. In the fifteenth century the Lordship of Duleek was vested in the Fleming family, at which time a charter was granted to the town. The unfortunate Archbishop Allen was seised of certain houses and lands in Duleek, which became a subject of bequest in his will of 1505. By the Act of Absentees (28 Hen. VIII. c. 3), the Priory of Duleek, as appertaining to that of Lanthony in Gloucestershire, was suppressed, and confiscated to the Crown, with all its manors, tithes, churches, chapels, advowsons, parsonages, &c., which were subsequently granted to Sir Gerald Moore, while Sir John Draycot passed patent for the possession of the Abbey. On the morning before the battle of the Boyne, King James heard mass and a sermon in St. Mary's church here, and, after that fatal day, retreated over the commons of this town, and by the ancient bridge above alluded to, having been sorely harassed in his march by the Duke of Schomberg, until King Wilham checked the pursuit, as fully detailed ante, in the General History, and encamped himself on those commons, where traces of his entrenchments are yet visible. Within the parish of Duleek, are two objects of architectural and historic interest, that should not be

    462 ENVIRONS.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 212

27. Pilgrimage to the waters of Timolin during the Black Death

    Timolin · townland · Kildare · 1348

    During the plague of 1348, great numbers of bishops, prelates, and people of both sexes flocked in pilgrimage to the water of Timolin, some from devotion but most from fear of the raging pestilence.

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    situated on the river Bojme, at the Louth side, with the appurtenances, to him and to his assigns, for three years, in manner as Reginald Irf, of Drogheda, theretofore held the same. In 1348, a malignant pestilence destroyed vast mmibers here and in other towns of Ireland. Friar Clyn, in his " Annals," gives the following pathetic account of this visitation. " This year" (he writes), " chiefly in the months of September and October, great numbers of bishops and prelates, seculars and regulars, peers, and others, and in general people of both sexes, flocked together by troops, in pilgrimage to the water of Timolin, insomuch, that many thousands of souls might be seen there together for many days. Some came from devotion, but the greater number from fear of the pestilence that then raged with exceeding violence. It first broke out near Dublin, at Howth and Dalkey ; it almost destroyed and laid waste the cities of Dublin and Drogheda, insomuch, that in the former alone, from the beginning of August to Christmas, 1 4,000 souls perished. This malady, it is said, originated in the East, and passing through the Saracens and Infidels, destroyed 8,000 of their legions. It next seized the city of Avignon, where the Roman Court then was, and here the churches and cemeteries proved so insufficient for the numbers of dead, that the Pope ordered a new cemetery to be consecrated for depositing the bodies, where, from the month of May to the anniversary of the Translation of St. Thomas, upwards of 50,000 bodies were

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 39

28. Turgesius drowned in a lake near Mullingar

    Mullingar · town · Westmeath · 843

    The Irish Annals record that Turgesius was defeated in battle in 843, and the victor condemned him to be thrown into a lake near the present town of Mullingar, ending his reign of terror.

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    swarms over the plains through which those rivers flow, they inflicted, on the abready sacked and exhausted country, new varieties of desolation and ruin. It was their custom thus to avail themselves of the facilities which the fine inland waters of Ireland afforded, being enabled, by means of light barks, which they launched on the rivers and lakes, to penetrate far into the country, and, by sudden landings, take the unguarded and panic struck natives by surprise." The tradition that the chief residence of Turgesius was at Drogheda, is confirmed by the Annalists stating it to have been near the palace of the King of Meath, by reason of which vicinity they say, and the account is accredited and verified by Giraldus Cambrensis, he became acquainted and enamoured with that king's daughter, and demanded her from her royal father. A well-dissembled assent led to the introduction of the princess to the tyrant, accompanied however by fifteen gallant youths attired as females, who, while Turgesius and his adherents were ill prepared for such encounter, drawing their hitherto concealed swords, executed national vengeance upon the courtiers and their cruel lord. The curious reader will find, in Warner's poem of " Albion's England" (lib. V. c. 26), a quaint and interesting adoption of this supposed catastrophe. The death of the Dane is, however, in the simplicity of the more creditable Irish Annals, stated to have been the result of his discomfiture in battle, in A. D. 843, when the victor condemned him to be thrown into a lake near the present town of MuUingar.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 14

29. 1460 Drogheda Parliament asserts Irish legal independence from England

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1460

    In 1460 a Parliament held at Drogheda under Richard Duke of York passed sixty-three Acts, including a landmark declaration that Ireland was corporate in itself under its own seal and laws, and that no subject could be compelled to answer appeals outside the land, with treason appeals to be tried only before Ireland's own constable and marshal.

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    and the Cow gate, but in a few years after, the inconvenience was remedied by statute, when it was enacted, that those for Meath should be held in the old Tholsel at the Meath side, and those for Louth, in the Tholsel at that side, provided the mayor, &c., of Drogheda, would sanction such regulation. In 1457, An Act was passed, confirming letters patent made to the Earl of Shrewsbury, Lord Chancellor of Lreland, of 24 marks annuity, upon the fee farm of Drogheda, as parcel of his fees in that office. In 1460, another Parliament was held here (38 Hen. VL), before Richard Duke of York, which was afterwards adjourned to Dublin. The Roll of the session contains sixty-three Acts, in excellent preservation, and perfectly legible, but only one has been printed. In it were passed, an Act of Resumption *' of aU castles, lordships, towns, villages, &c., that had been aliened from the Crown since the first year of that king's reign ;" an Act directing " that every appeal of treason taken in this land, shall be determined before the Council and marshal of this land and in no other place, and if any person do appeal any other within this land, and that the matter of the same appeal is found contrary, that then the person commencing the appeal, shall be therefore adjudged to die." Another Act (the sixth chapter), deserves more particular attention. It nms as follows : " Also at the request of the commons, that whereas the land of Ireland is, and at all times hath been corporate in itself of the ancient laws and cus-

    124 GENERAL HISTOBT.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are in the town where a Parliament met in 1460 before Richard Duke of York, later adjourned to Dublin. The Roll of that session holds sixty-three Acts, in excellent preservation and perfectly legible, though only one was ever printed. Among them was an Act of Resumption of all castles, lordships, towns and villages aliened from the Crown since the first year of the king's reign. Another directed that every appeal of treason taken in this land should be determined before the Council and marshal of this land and in no other place, and if any person appealed another within this land and the matter was found contrary, the person commencing the appeal would be adjudged to die. The sixth chapter was the landmark. It declared that the land of Ireland "is, and at all times hath been corporate in itself of the ancient laws and customs" — asserting that Ireland stood under its own seal and laws, and that no subject could be compelled to answer appeals outside the land.

30. Arnold le Poer accused of heresy and denied Christian burial

    Kilmainham · townland · Dublin · 1328

    In 1328 Arnold le Poer was accused by the Bishop of Ossory of heresy along with Roger Outlawe, Prior of Kilmainham, as his counsellor. Le Poer died in the same year's Lent and was for long denied the rites of Christian burial.

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    In 1328, Arnold le Poer was accused by the Bishop of Ossory of heresy, at which time, the Bishop also accused Roger Outlawe, Prior of Kilmainham, as Arnold's coimsellor, and a partaker of the same pernicious doctrines. Roger (relates Grace, in his Annals) asked from the Council an opportimity to clear himself, which was granted; and for three successive days proclamation was made, that if any one wished to prosecute the accusation, he should appear, but no one came forward to substantiate the charges. Pembridge, in his Annals, adds, " that when no one answered this proclamation, the Bishop obtained a royal writ, summoning * Majores Hibemiae,' viz. the bishops, abbots, priors, and the four mayors of the four cities, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford, and the mayor of Drogheda, and the sheriffs, seneschals, and knights of the counties, with the best county freemen, and that six examiners were thereupon chosen, in whose presence, on evidence, Roger Outlawe was acquitted." Arnold le Poer died in the lent of the same year, and was long denied the rites of Christian burial. In 1330, as is noticed in the Irish Annals, the Boyne so overflowed its channel, as to carry away all its bridges, not only the wooden, but even those of stone. In the following year, the grant of the prisage of wines here, was confirmed to

    (a) Rot in Cane Hib. VOL. n. G

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 37

31. Battle of Corbally near Malpas Bridge against O'Reilly's forces

    near Corbally · street · Galway · 1470

    O'Reilly of Cavan and over 2000 men committed outrages in County Louth near Drogheda; the mayor of Drogheda raised archers and pole-axe men, joined forces at Ardee, and after the Primate's blessing marched to Corbally near Malpas Bridge, where O'Reilly was defeated with the loss of 400 men.

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    of this town, at the instigation of the Archbishop of Armagh, selected 500 archers, and 200 pole-axe men, marched to Ardee, where he was joined by Sir Robert TaafFc, with 70 horse. The Primate being of the party, thereupon caused them to halt imtil he said a solemn mass, and gave the people his benediction, immediately on receiving which they marched to Corbally, near Malpas bridge, when a desperate engagement ensued, in which O'Reilly was defeated with the loss of 400 of his men. This battle, says Sir James Ware, was narrated in the " Register of the Mayors of Drogheda," and from it he professed to extract his accoimt; but the venerable muniment is no longer forthcoming. In commemoration of this signal service to the state, as it was deemed, King Edward gave to this corporation a sword, to be carried before the mayor, and an annual sum of £20, towards the maintenance of the dignity. In 1471, William Crumpe and Thomas Barby were appointed Masters of the mint in the castles of Dublin and Trim, and in the town of Drogheda; but in three years afterwards were displaced, when Richard Heron was appointed for life master and worker of the mint within said places, and elsewhere in Ireland. In 1472, on the feast of St Jerome, the bridge of Drogheda is recorded to have fallen down in consequence of a flood. In the same year, the Earl of Kildare, as deputy to the Duke of Clarence, convened a Parliament at Naas, which was adjourned to Dublin, wherein an Act was passed prohibiting the ex-

    GENERAL HISTORY. I6l

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 75

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Corbally, in 1470, a battle was fought near Malpas Bridge. O'Reilly of Cavan had led over 2000 men into County Louth, near Drogheda, committing outrages. The mayor of Drogheda, at the instigation of the Archbishop of Armagh, selected 500 archers and 200 pole-axe men, and marched to Ardee, where he was joined by Sir Robert Taaffe, with 70 horse. The Primate being of the party, thereupon caused them to halt until he said a solemn mass, and gave the people his benediction, immediately on receiving which they marched to Corbally, near Malpas Bridge, when a desperate engagement ensued, in which O'Reilly was defeated with the loss of 400 of his men. Sir James Ware says this battle was narrated in the Register of the Mayors of Drogheda, and from it he professed to extract his account, but that venerable muniment is no longer forthcoming. In commemoration of this signal service to the state, as it was deemed, King Edward gave to this corporation a sword, to be carried before the mayor, and an annual sum of £20, towards the maintenance of the dignity.

32. Cannonballs and Shells Found in Drogheda's Walls

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649–1844

    Twenty-four pound cannonballs and shells with iron fuses have been discovered over time embedded in the walls and ramparts of Drogheda, evidence of Cromwell's bombardment, he being the first general to bring guns of that calibre to Ireland.

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    scendants are said still to enjoy. Immediately afterwards Cromwell proceeded to invest Dundalk. Amongst the officers of rank slain, in cold blood on this awful occasion, were, in addition to those enumerated in Cromwell's Reports, Colonels Pudsey and Walton; while Sir Arthur Aston, the governor, is said to have been massacred, by literally dashing out his brains with his own wooden leg. " A great dispute there was," says Ludlow, in his " Memoirs" (p. 117), "amongst the soldiers for his artificial leg, which waa reported to be of gold, but it proved to be but of wood, his girdle being found to be better booty, wherein 200 pieces of gold were found quilted." The Marquess of Ormond, in his letters to the King and Lord Byron (preserved in " Carte's Memoirs"), says, that " on this occasion, Cromwell exceeded himself and any thing he had ever heard of, in breach of faith and bloody inhimianity ; and that the cruelties exercised there, for five days after the town was taken, would make as many several pictures of inhumanity, as are to be foimd in the Book of Martyrs, or in the relation of Amboyna;" while, according to Echard, when O'Neill heard a rumour of the result, he swore, that if Cromwell had taken Drogheda by storm, he would have but to attempt the storming of hell, and he would take that too. — Some twenty-four pound balls have been, from time to time, discovered in the walls and ramparts of the town, which were, evidently, of the voUies discharged on this occasion, Cromwell having been the first ge-

    282 QENEBAL mSTOBT.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 125

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda is the town you're passing through, and its walls still carry the marks of a siege that happened here in 1649. Cromwell brought twenty-four pound cannon to Ireland, the first general to use guns of that calibre in the country, and the balls and shells with iron fuses have been found over the years embedded in the ramparts, evidence of the volleys he fired. After the town fell, officers were killed in cold blood, and Sir Arthur Aston, the governor, was said to have been beaten to death with his own wooden leg. Soldiers fought over the leg, believing it was gold, but it was only wood, though his girdle held 200 gold pieces quilted inside. The cruelties continued for five days after the town was taken. The Marquess of Ormond wrote that Cromwell exceeded anything he had ever heard of in breach of faith and bloody inhumanity. When O'Neill heard the rumour of the result, he swore that if Cromwell had taken Drogheda by storm, he would have but to attempt the storming of hell, and he would take that too.

33. Dervorgilla's gift and later penitence at Mellifont

    Mellifont · townland · Louth · 1157–1193

    Dervorgilla, wife of Tiernan O'Rourke, whose abduction is popularly blamed for the English invasion of Ireland, gave sixty ounces of gold and a chalice to Mellifont in 1157, and in 1193, nearly thirty years later, died there in penitence aged 85.

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    vince; while the ecclesiastics more especially effected the foundation and liberal endowment of this noble bouse, Murtogh O'Loghlen offering on the occasion one hundred and forty cows, sixty ounces of gold, and a townland near Drogheda, called Finabhuair- Naninghean " to God and the Church for the good of his soul ;" O'Carrol, Prince of Uriel, gave sixty other ounces of gold; and the wife of Tieman O'Rourke and daughter of O'Melaghlin, that Dervorgilla, to whose abduction is popularly attributed the English invasion, here, in the pride of beauty and homage of innocence, gave likewise sixty ounces of gold, with a chahce of the same precious metal, for the high altar of the Blessed Virgin, and rich vestments for every other altar that it was intended to erect within the church. In 1168, Prince Donogh, the founder, died, and was interred here; and, in 1177, Charles O'Buacalla, then abbot of this house, was elected Bishop of Emly, where he died within a month after his consecration.

    About the year 1182, Henry the Second granted to the abbot and convent of this house a confirmation of their possessions, as appears by an Inspeximus of King John, renewing same, and which are therein set forth as the site of the Abbey, the granges of Kulibudi and Ogumgatran, Mell, " Drochetatha," Rathmolan, and Linnavar, Teachlenny, Kosnaiigh, Culen, Cnogva, Kalcalma,Tullachnacomary,Callats, and Finnagh, with all their appurtenances. He further confirmed to them Hugh de Lacy's gift of two

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 192

34. Execution of Sir Phelim O'Neill in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1652

    Sir Phelim O'Neill maintained ascendancy in the North for years until 1652, when he was arraigned before a Commonwealth Commission in Dublin. He refused to falsely implicate King Charles I to save himself and was executed.

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    him to levy forces against his government in Ireland, he yet firmly refused to save himself, by a declaration so scandalous and unwarranted, and was, accordingly, executed ; while, in direct contradiction to any such inference of King Charles having participated in his movement, it appears, that monarch, by his privy seal, dated at York, the 30th of June, and at Stoneley Abbey, the 20th August, 1642, constituted Lord Moore governor of the county of Louth and barony of Slane, whereof he had a grant by commission on the 10th of September, with the fee of ten shillings per day, and power to prosecute all rebels, traitors, &c., " in consideration," as his Majesty expressed himself, " that, to the hazarding himself, and the loss of all his estate, he had contributed very much, as well before as during the siege of Drogheda, to the preservation of that town, and performed many other acceptable services there, since the beginning of that detestable rebeUion, towards the suppression thereof, for his better encouragement to proceed cheerfully in the said service, and to the end he might be the better enabled thereunto."

    One individual more, in connexion with the above events, claims some especial notice — Christopher, the second Earl of FingaL He had taken his seat in Parliament in 1639, and was immediately appointed a member of the Committee for privileges and grievances. On the breaking out of the rebellion, he repaired to Dublin, accompanied by other noblemen, who with him waited on the Lords Justices, with

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin. In 1652, Sir Phelim O'Neill was brought before a Commonwealth Commission here in the city. He had held ascendancy in the North for years, but now the Commonwealth wanted something from him. They wanted him to declare that King Charles I had encouraged him to levy forces against the government in Ireland. He refused. He would not save himself by making so scandalous and unwarrantable a declaration. And so he was executed. The record goes on to say that the claim against the King was a contradiction. Charles had, by his privy seal, dated at York on the 30th of June and at Stoneley Abbey on the 20th of August 1642, constituted Lord Moore governor of the county of Louth and the barony of Slane. Moore had a grant by commission on the 10th of September, with a fee of ten shillings per day, and power to prosecute all rebels and traitors. The King's own words praised Moore for hazarding himself and losing all his estate in the preservation of Drogheda during the siege, and for performing many other acceptable services since the beginning of what Charles called that detestable rebellion. One more figure appears in this record. Christopher, the second Earl of Fingall, who had taken his seat in Parliament in 1639 and was appointed a member of the Committee for privileges and grievances. When the rebellion broke out, he came to Dublin with other noblemen and waited on the Lords Justices.

35. Harper Ackland Kane born in Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1720–1790

    Ackland Kane, a celebrated blind harper born in Drogheda in 1720, travelled to Rome, France and Spain playing for the Pretender and the Spanish court, later becoming famous in Scotland until his death around 1790.

    Read the passage

    In 1720, the corporation granted to the Primate certain premises within the town, as an accommodation to his archiepiscopal residence ; but, although Armagh has been resumed as the head of the See, and the Primates have long ceased to reside, or hold any visitations at Drogheda, the property has not been restored to the corporation, and is still held as under the Archbishops of Armagh. In this year was bom, in Drogheda, Ackland Kane, a celebrated harper. " His love of adventure early led him to Rome, where he played before the Pretender, then resident there ; he afterwards travelled into France and Spain, where the Irish, of whom there were at that time a great number residing at Madrid, pa* tronized him very liberally, and introduced him to the notice of his Catholic Majesty, who is said to have contemplated settling a pension on him. Kane's preferment was, however, marred by his own indiscretions, and, after exhausting the patronage of his countrymen at the Spanish Court, he was obliged to set out for Bilboa, on his way home, on foot, and carrying his harp on his back. He is described as a very strong, tall, and athletic man, and is asserted to have outstripped the post on this journey, which may appear the less extraordinary, when the state of the roads in Spain at the time is considered. He does not appear to have spent much time in Ireland, for we find him very famous throughout Scotland

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 163

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up on Drogheda, a town in Louth where, in 1720, a celebrated blind harper named Ackland Kane was born. His love of adventure led him early to Rome, where he played before the Pretender, then resident there. He afterwards travelled into France and Spain, where a great number of Irish living at Madrid patronized him liberally and brought him to the notice of his Catholic Majesty, who is said to have contemplated settling a pension on him. Kane's preferment was marred by his own indiscretions. After exhausting the patronage of his countrymen at the Spanish Court, he was obliged to set out for Bilboa on his way home, on foot, carrying his harp on his back. He is described as a very strong, tall, athletic man, and is said to have outstripped the post on this journey, which may seem less extraordinary given the state of the roads in Spain at the time. He does not appear to have spent much time in Ireland, for we find him very famous throughout Scotland. He died around 1790.

36. Judges banished to Drogheda after Richard II's council crisis

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1387

    Following the political crisis of 1387 when Richard II's judges were arrested for declaring the ruling council unconstitutional, Sir Robert Bealknap and Sir John Holt were condemned to treason but had sentences commuted to exile in Drogheda, restricted from travelling beyond two or three leagues outside the town.

    Read the passage

    nap, Chief Justice; Sir John Holt, Sir Soger Pulthorpe, and Sir William Burgh, Justices of the Eang^s Bench, and Sir John Carey, Chief Baron of the Exchequer; John Lokton, the king^s serjeant-atrlaw, was also of the council, whom the monarch enjoined on their allegiance to inform him what was the law of the land on the different questions which should be laid before them. In their reply they maintained that the commission, which had superseded the king in the exercise of the royal authority, was wholly unconstitutional, and its advisers traitors, liable to capital punishment; whereupon the king repaired to London; where, however, under the intimidation of the powerful army, headed by the Duke of Gloucester, and the Earls of Arundel and Nottingham, he was obliged to submit to the imprisonment and impeachment of such of his friends as were not fortunate enough to escape from the kingdom. The judges before mentioned were arrested on the bench, con^ signed to separate cells in the tower, and ultimately condemned to suffer the penalties of treason, which judgment was, however, on the intercession of the bishops, commuted to banishment for life into Ireland ; " that is to say, the said Sir Robert Bealknap, to Drogheda, not to pass beyond three leagues outside the town; Sir John Holt also to Drogheda, not to pass beyond two leagues outside same ; Sir Roger Fulthorpe to Dublin, not to pass beyond three leagues in the environs thereof ; and Sir William Burgh to the same city, not to pass beyond two

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 45

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Drogheda, in County Louth. In 1387, after a political crisis in England, two of Richard the Second's judges ended up exiled here. Sir Robert Bealknap, Chief Justice, and Sir John Holt, a justice of the King's Bench, had told the king that the commission set up to govern in his name was unconstitutional and its advisers were traitors. When the king was forced by the Duke of Gloucester and the Earls of Arundel and Nottingham to submit, the judges were arrested on the bench, locked in separate cells in the Tower, and condemned to suffer the penalties of treason. On the intercession of the bishops, that sentence was commuted to banishment for life into Ireland. Bealknap was sent to Drogheda, not to pass beyond three leagues outside the town. Holt was sent to Drogheda as well, not to pass beyond two leagues. Two other judges, Sir Roger Fulthorpe and Sir William Burgh, were sent to Dublin under similar limits. So this town was the edge of the world for two chief legal men of England, confined within a few miles for the rest of their days.

37. King James II Lands at Kinsale, 1689

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1689

    On 12th March 1688 (old style), King James II, having abandoned his English throne, landed at Kinsale where he was received with great joy by his Catholic subjects before proceeding to Cork.

    Read the passage

    On the 12th of March, 1688 (old style), King James the Second, abandoning his English throne, by reason of the desertion of his cherished favourites, and the open rebellion of his own children, landed at Kinsale, where he was received -with all imaginable joy by his Catholic subjects of Ireland. Remaining there only until the money, arms, and ammunition he had brought with him, was put on shore, he, on the 14th, proceeded to Cork, where his ill-selected Viceroy, Tyrconnel, met him, and gave his account of the state and condition of the kingdom. On the 24th, the monarch made his entry into Dublin, " ac-

    300 GENERAL HISTORT.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 133

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming into Kinsale in Cork, the town where King James II landed on the 12th of March, 1688, old style, after abandoning his English throne. He had been deserted by his cherished favourites and faced open rebellion from his own children. His Catholic subjects of Ireland received him with all imaginable joy. He stayed only until the money, arms, and ammunition he had brought were put ashore, then on the 14th proceeded to Cork. There his viceroy Tyrconnel met him and gave an account of the condition of the kingdom. On the 24th the monarch made his entry into Dublin.

38. O'Neill's dragoons resist at the ford near Slane

    Slane · townland · Meath · 1690

    Sir Neill O'Neill's regiment of dragoons, stationed overnight at the ford, fought gallantly against William's right wing but were overwhelmed by superior numbers, losing their colonel and seventy men before retreating toward Duleek.

    Read the passage

    of General Hamilton's advice, King James had ordered to be stationed over night at the ford, and, although this little band acquitted themselves with great gallantry, yet, the superior number of their opponents, above 10,000 horse and foot, soon compelled them to retreat, with the loss of their colonel, and (according to Story) seventy of their men; whereupon, without hesitation, they forced their way through corn-fields enclosed by deep ditches, beyond which lay a morass still more embarrassing, yet into which the infantry were ordered to plvmge, while the horse, by a firm passage to the right, effected their own way, although with fatigue and difficulty. The left wing of James's forces, astonished at the boldness of this movement, fled instantly towards Duleek, not without suffering great loss in their flight, being vigorously pursued by Count Schomberg.

    In the mean time, when it was supposed, or, as Story has it, communicated by an express from General Douglas to his King, that the right wing had made good their passage, the infantry in the centre was set in motion; the Dutch blue guards, followed by the Huguenots, Enniskilleners, Brandenburghers, and English, plunged into the stream where it wound about the tongue-like promontory of Oldbridge, the only field that seemed to open between the high southern banks; and there they boldly advanced in front of the enemy's lines and breastworks, checking the flow of the river by their numbers, and causing the water to rise so high, that, although they

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 147

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Slane, on King James's orders, given on the advice of General Hamilton, a regiment of dragoons under Sir Neill O'Neill was stationed overnight at the ford. This little band acquitted themselves with great gallantry against William's right wing. But they faced above 10,000 horse and foot, and those superior numbers soon compelled them to retreat. They lost their colonel and, according to Story, seventy of their men. Without hesitation, they forced their way through corn-fields enclosed by deep ditches. Beyond those fields lay a morass, still more difficult ground. The infantry were ordered to plunge into the morass, while the horse, by a firm passage to the right, effected their own way, although with fatigue and difficulty. The left wing of James's forces, astonished at the boldness of this movement, fled instantly towards Duleek. They suffered great loss in their flight, vigorously pursued by Count Schomberg. In the meantime, as Story has it, an express from General Douglas communicated to his King that the right wing had made good their passage, and the infantry in the centre was set in motion.

39. Sitric's Danes slaughter the Irish on the Boyne, 1032

    near River Boyne · river · Kildare · 1032

    The Annals of the Four Masters record a battle in 1032 in which Sitric, son of Aulaffe, and his Danes won a bloody victory on the banks of the Boyne, killing or capturing three hundred Irish.

    Read the passage

    the stream of this river, from Drogheda to Trim, of which latter place Luman was afterwards Bishop. The frequent devastations of the Danes along its banks, during the ninth century, are detailed in the Greneral History; yet were so many ecclesiastical houses and schools maintained on these banks, that, for centuries before the English invasion, it was styled by the flattering appellation of the river of sanctity and science. The Annals of the Four Masters record, at the year 931, the death of " the chief poet of Ireland, the Bard of the Boyne," and at 1032, a sad victory obtained on its banks by Sitric, the son of Aulaffe, and his Danes, over the Irish, in which three himdred of the latter were slain or taken prisoners. After the English invasion this river, from Trim to Drogheda, was the acknowledged northern terminator of the Pale. In 1203, King John confirmed to the Abbot of Mellefont, certain rights of fishery at both its sides, as appiutenant to the landed possessions of his house. In 1330, a memorable flood of this river swept away (according to Grace's Annals), all the bridges, except Babe's bridge, near Blackcastle, and did much injury at Trim, Drogheda, and the adjoining districts; soon after which considerable evidence appears upon record, of litigation between the Crown and the patentees of weirs on this water. One instance occurred in 1342, when the king directed his mandate to his then Escheator, Roger D'Arcy, in which, after reciting a prior writ to said Escheator, requiring him to certify his rea-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 176

40. St. Patrick's beacon fire challenges Tara's king

    Tara · parish · Meath · 432

    St. Patrick lit a paschal fire visible from Tara despite a royal ban on other fires, prompting alarmed Druid priests to warn King Leogaire that the flame would triumph over pagan rites. The prophecy was fulfilled as Leogaire and his court eventually converted to Christianity.

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    to, no Other was permitted to be kindled in Ireland(a), the Saint raised such a beacon blaze (6) as was distinguishable from the heights of Tara. The king (say St. Patrick's biographers), no less alarmed than astonished thereby, appealed to his Magi, and earnestly inquired by whom, or for what purpose, it was lighted, and then it was that these priests are recorded to have made the memorable reply, "this fire, which has been kindled in our presence before the flame was lit up in your palace, unless extinguished this very night, shall never be extinguished more, yea it will triumph over all the fires of our ancient rites, and he who lights it shall scatter your kingdom." The prediction was happily fulfilled. Leogaire, the reigning monarch, after some opposition, renounced the religion of his ancestors, and his royal example was soon followed by many of his court. Even the chief poet of the king believed, and with the zeal of a new proselyte, converted the paeans in which he had celebrated false gods, to hymns in praise of the Almighty and his holy

    (a) The same ceremony, according to Hyde, prevails in Persia, where, after a festival of the 24th of April, the domestic fires are every where extinguished, nor would any good believer rekindle them but by a taper lighted at the dwelling of the priest.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 11

41. Surrender of Drogheda to William's forces

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1690

    After the Battle of the Boyne, King William sent Brigadier de la Melloniere with 1000 horse to summon Drogheda, defended by 1500 men under Lord Iveagh; after a parley the garrison surrendered and marched out to Athlone, leaving arms and stores behind.

    Read the passage

    The night after the battle, King Wilham's troops lay on their arms at Duleek, and on the following morning, their King despatched Brigadier de la Melloniere, with 1000 horse and a party of foot, to summon this town, then defended by a garrison of 1500 men, under Lord Iveagh. According to his instructions, de la Melloniere informed the garrison, that on their hesitation, he should bring up his cannon, when they must expect no quarter. " If we gain the place," writes a correspondent at this crisis, " we expect great stores of all sorts, which are laid in there." After a parley, however, the garrison surrendered, on condition that they should be convoyed to Athlone, as the nearest fortified Irish town, and on these terms they marched out with their baggage, leaving behind them their arms, stores, and ammunition ; or, as a pamphlet of the day sneeringly relates the occurrence, " the famed town of Drogheda, finding the late king's army was beaten from the very pass that should cover the town, on which account they could have little hopes of relief, has capitulated; the officers to go out with their swords only, and the common soldiers to go home with their hands in their pockets, leaving their arms behind them." Immediately after. Colonel Cutt's regiment took possession of the place, and preserved it from violence, while the second, afterwards styled the great, Duke of Or-

    k

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 154

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Drogheda in Louth. In 1690, the night after the Battle of the Boyne, King William's troops lay on their arms at Duleek, and the following morning William despatched Brigadier de la Melloniere with 1000 horse and a party of foot to summon the town. Drogheda was defended by a garrison of 1500 men under Lord Iveagh. De la Melloniere warned that on their hesitation he would bring up his cannon and they should expect no quarter. A correspondent at the time wrote that if the place was taken, great stores of all sorts were laid in there. After a parley the garrison surrendered on condition they be convoyed to Athlone as the nearest fortified Irish town. They marched out with their baggage, leaving behind their arms, stores, and ammunition. A pamphlet of the day put it sneeringly, that the officers went out with their swords only and the common soldiers went home with their hands in their pockets. Colonel Cutt's regiment then took possession and preserved the town from violence.

42. The Book of Ballymote once held by Drogheda scholar O'Doman

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1522–1767

    The Irish scholar O'Doman, living in Drogheda around 1767, was once possessor of the celebrated Book of Ballymote, a large vellum manuscript purchased in 1522 by Hugh Dhu O'Donnel for 140 milch cows, now held by the Royal Irish Academy.

    Read the passage

    mob rising to prevent the exportation of cattle to England; a considerable number of bullocks and cows were then blindly sacrificed to their rage. About this time lived here, O'Doman, an excellent Irish scholar, of whom Mr. Wills makes mention in his "Lives of Illustrious Irishmen," as having been once the possessor of the celebrated Book of Ballymote. This very interesting Manuscript, is a large vellum folio volume of 548 pages, which, in 1522, was purchased by Hugh Dhu O'Donnel, for 140 milch cows, and after various intermediate transmissions, is now the property of the Royal Irish Academy.

    In 1770, the Assembly ordered, " that the salary of Benjamin Rencher, as musician to this corporation, should be augmented from five to eight guineas per annum, he supplying a proper band of music, to attend the corporation on the usual days during pleasure. In three years afterwards, Edward Caldwell, a merchant of the town, preferred a petition to Parliament, setting forth, " that, it having been for some years past the general sense of the principal inhabitants thereof, and of the gentlemen who reside near it, that the flesh market of said town was situated in a very inconvenient place, the same being in the open street, which is the great thoroughfare from Dublin to the north of Ireland, the petitioner, being encouraged by said gentlemen and by the principal butchers of said town, did in the previous year contract for a large and commodious piece of ground, at the yearly rent of £65, whereon the petitioner has,

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Drogheda, this town once saw a mob rising to prevent the exportation of cattle to England, and a considerable number of bullocks and cows were sacrificed to that rage. About that time, an excellent Irish scholar named O'Doman lived here in Drogheda. Mr. Wills makes mention of him in his "Lives of Illustrious Irishmen," as having been once the possessor of the celebrated Book of Ballymote. This manuscript is a large vellum folio volume of 548 pages. In 1522, Hugh Dhu O'Donnel purchased it for 140 milch cows. After various intermediate transmissions, it is now the property of the Royal Irish Academy. Drogheda had its civic concerns too. In 1770, the Assembly ordered that the salary of Benjamin Rencher, musician to the corporation, be augmented from five to eight guineas per annum, he supplying a proper band of music to attend the corporation on the usual days during pleasure. Three years afterwards, Edward Caldwell, a merchant of the town, petitioned Parliament. He set forth that the principal inhabitants and gentlemen near the town had long felt the flesh market was situated in a very inconvenient place, being in the open street, which is the great thoroughfare from Dublin to the north of Ireland. Caldwell, encouraged by the gentlemen and the principal butchers, had in the previous year contracted for a large and commodious piece of ground at a yearly rent of 65 pounds.

43. Chichester's Regiment Garrisoned at Drogheda and Essex's Visit

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1599

    Sir Arthur Chichester's regiment of 1200 men, landed at Dublin, was dispatched to garrison Drogheda. The Earl of Essex, hearing of the regiment's excellence, travelled to Drogheda to see it and attempted to break through the ranks with cavalry, but was repulsed and retreated after high praise for Chichester's men.

    Read the passage

    telling her Majesty what pity it was so able a gentleman should bury his time in that country with a single company, she having employment for him in Ireland, where his brother Sir John Chichester had been slain, got leave from the Queen to send for him, he being then garrisoned at Ostend, and to employ him in the service of Ireland with a regiment of 1200 men; with which command he was sent thither, and, according to his commission, landed them with himself at DubUn, whence they were dispatched to garrison at Drogheda. Within a short time, the Earl of Essex arrived at DubUn with the gallantry of England, and, hearing much in praise of Sir Arthur Chichester, and the perfection of his regiment, made a journey to Drogheda purposely, with his gallants, to see him, and Sir Arthur having drawn his regiment up in a most fair field, and exercised them perfectly, in which he was excellent, they being in close order, the Earl, thinking to put a sully on them by breaking through them, charged at them with his gallant cavalry, but the Colonel not being used to receive foyles,had so ordered his pikes, as they forced the Earl to a corry coat, and he, having enough of that smarting sport, retreated, giving the Colonel and his regiment high praise."

    In 1600, Lord Mountjoy, having been appointed Deputy of Ireland, sojourned here for some time in the May of that year, waiting with his troops for reinforcements from the garrisons of Kells and Ardee, and laying in supplies of ammunition and provisions,

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 96

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, you are moving through a town that was once a garrison for one of the finest regiments Ireland had seen. In 1599, Sir Arthur Chichester arrived with 1200 men. He had been serving at Ostend when word reached the Queen of how able a gentleman he was. His brother, Sir John Chichester, had been slain in Ireland, and she granted leave to send for him and employ him there. He landed at Dublin, and from there his regiment was dispatched to garrison this town. The Earl of Essex soon arrived at Dublin with the gallantry of England. He had heard much in praise of Chichester and the perfection of his regiment, and he made a journey to Drogheda purposely to see them. Chichester drew his regiment up in a fair field and exercised them, and he was excellent at it. They stood in close order. Essex, thinking to put a sully on them, charged at them with his gallant cavalry, meaning to break through their ranks. But the Colonel was not used to receiving foyles. He had ordered his pikes so well that they forced Essex to a retreat. He had had enough of that smarting sport, and he withdrew, giving Chichester and his regiment high praise. In 1600, Lord Mountjoy, appointed Deputy of Ireland, sojourned here, waiting with his troops for reinforcements from Kells and Ardee, and laying in supplies.

44. De Lacys murder Roger de Mortimer's messenger near Trim

    Trim · town · Meath · 1316

    The de Lacys refused Lord Justice Roger de Mortimer's requisition to attend him at Trim and murdered his messenger, Sir Hugh Crofts, prompting Mortimer to devastate their territory, kill their adherents, and banish them, before returning to Dublin via Drogheda.

    Read the passage

    In the year previous to this battle of the Faughart, about Whitsuntide, the Lord Justice, Roger de Mortimer, marched toDrogheda,and thence to Trim, where he commanded the de Lacys to attend him. These proud nobles, however, not only refused his requisition, but murdered its bearer. Sir Hugh Crofts, an indignity which the Lord Justice was fain to avenge, by wasting the territory, and seizing on the property of the aggressors, slaying many of their ad-

    78 GENERAL HISTOBT.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 35

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Trim, this is where Roger de Mortimer, the Lord Justice, commanded the de Lacys to attend him around Whitsuntide in 1316. The de Lacys not only refused his requisition but murdered its bearer, Sir Hugh Crofts. Mortimer avenged the indignity by wasting their territory, seizing their property, and slaying many of their adherents.

45. Dr. George Walker's burial at Donaghmore

    Donaghmore · townland · Tyrone · 1662–1690

    Dr. George Walker, famous for defending Londonderry, was rector of Donaghmore and Errigal Keerogue; he died at the Boyne and was buried near his church at Donaghmore, where his widow erected a monument.

    Read the passage

    Commons, and a grant of £5000. It is said that King William, on this occasion, appointed him Bishop of Derry, " that so he might receive the reward of his great service in the place where he did it." That see was not, however, in point of fact then vacant, though by a curious coincidence it became so, by the death of Doctor Ezekiel Hopkins the day before the Battle of the Boyne; there, however, he fell, as above mentioned, the victim of his fanatical loyalty; he was buried near the church of his rectory of Donaghmore, where a monument to his memory was erected by his widow. One other instance of King William's gratitude, for service rendered to him on this day of his destiny, is recorded in the person of Toby or Theobald MuUoy, a captain of Dragoons, who, when the monarch's horse was shot under him, promptly averted the probable results of the crisis by substituting his own; the royal recollection of which incident is evinced in a letter from Secretary Southwell, dated at King's- Weston, in 1690, after King William's return from Holland, and the original of which is preserved in the Manuscripts of Trinity College. " Sir," writes Southwell to Greorge Clarke, the King's Secretary of War in Ireland, "you will not be angry to know that I have the honoiu* to entertain his Majesty at my house, after I had been with him one night at sea. He lies tomorrow at Badminton, and then hurries away for London. I hope you had what I enclosed you to my Lord Marlborough; I fear in that hurry I forgot to undersign it.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 150

46. Earl of Ormond's defiant speech to the Pale nobility at Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1444

    In 1444, accused of embezzlement by Treasurer Thorndon, the Earl of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant, summoned the nobility and gentry of the Pale to Drogheda, defending his three years of government and challenging any enemy present to accuse him openly.

    Read the passage

    the single instance in which the subject hath suffered by my injustice, or the state by my neglect; here let me be brought to the severest scrutiny, not insidiously maligned in my absence. The magnanimity of conscious innocence could not fail of its effect; the most honorable testimonies were given to his integrity and to his services, and the king, upon an address from his Irish subjects, was prevailed upon to suspend the order for his departure"(a).

    In 1450 (28 Hen. VI.), Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of Edward the Fourth, having been appointed Lord Lieutenant for ten years, convened a Parliament in this, his first, at Drogheda. The roll of the proceedings is extant in excellent preservation, and contains, together with those of an adjourned session held at Dublin, thirty-nine Acts, three of which only have been printed. Of those unprinted, Chapter 3 confirms, in the usual sessional way, the franchises and customs of Dublin, Waterford, Drogheda, and other cities and borough towns. Chapter 7 enacts, that no lord of Parliament shall be a sheriff; and that, if elected, he shall be discharged from the office. Chapters 11 and 12 are at the instance, and in favour of Christopher Plunket, of Balleen. Chapter 13, for Thomas Hore, Abbot of Dunbrody; 14, for Richard Nugent, Baron of Delvin ; 15, for Richard Bermingham ; 16, for Nicholas Hussey, Baron of Graltrim ; 17, for William Nugent ;

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, in 1444, the Earl of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant, faced accusations of embezzlement from Treasurer Thorndon. He summoned the nobility and gentry of the Pale to defend his 3 years of government and challenge any enemy present to accuse him openly. His words survive: "the single instance in which the subject hath suffered by my injustice, or the state by my neglect; here let me be brought to the severest scrutiny, not insidiously maligned in my absence." The magnanimity of conscious innocence could not fail of its effect. Honorable testimonies were given to his integrity and services, and the king, upon an address from his Irish subjects, was prevailed upon to suspend the order for his departure. In 1450, Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of Edward 4, appointed Lord Lieutenant for 10 years, convened a Parliament here. The roll of the proceedings survives, containing, with an adjourned session at Dublin, 39 Acts, only 3 of which have been printed. Chapter 3 confirms the franchises and customs of Dublin, Waterford, and other borough towns. Chapter 7 enacts that no lord of Parliament shall be a sheriff. Chapters 11 and 12 are for Christopher Plunket of Balleen. Chapter 13 is for Thomas Hore, Abbot of Dunbrody; 14 for Richard Nugent, Baron of Delvin; 15 for Richard Bermingham; 16 for Nicholas Hussey, Baron of Graltrim; 17 for William Nugent.

47. Exclusion of Irish monks from Mellifont in 1322

    Mellifont · townland · Louth · 1322–1323

    In 1322 it was ordained that no one could be admitted to Mellifont abbey without swearing an oath of English descent, a discriminatory policy later condemned by a Cistercian chapter in 1323 as a 'damnable division'.

    Read the passage

    ed to the yearly value of twenty-four shil l ings. In 1306, the temporalities of this abbey were seised into the king's hands, as well on account of the endless disputes and contests for the succession to the abbacy, as because the possessions of the said house, the advowson and patronage of which belong to the king, have been wasted and aliened away(a). The depredations, committed by the De Verdons on the lands of Mellefont in 1311, are fully detailed in the General History of Drogheda. In 1322, it was ordained that no person whatsoever should be admitted into this abbey, until he had taken an oath that he was of English descent ; a chapter of the order, however, in 1323, expressed its " detestation of such damnable division, introduced by the enemy of the human race," and warned all the Cistercian Abbots, and especially those of Ireland, of whom grievous complaints had been made, " that they shoidd remove such walls of separation, and indifferently admit all persons of all nations." In consequence of which King Edward the Second, in 1324, complained to the Pope against this infringement of the law, and in 1325, Nicholas of Lusk, then Abbot here, was not only fined, but, as it would seem, superseded for transgressing the above ordinance, which was some years afterwards yet more enforced in the Acts of the Parliament of Kilkenny. In 1327, Robert Brian, and John D'Arcy, passed their security, that the

    (a) Coznmimia Plac. 36 £dw. I. in Berm. Turr.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 194

48. Holinshed's prophecy on Drogheda's rising fortunes

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1570

    Holinshed described Drogheda around 1570 as the best town in Ireland, straddling both Meath and Ulster, and recorded a local prophecy that 'Ross was, Dublin is, Drogheda shall be, the best of the three.'

    Read the passage

    ney, when he was himself admitted a freeman and alderman of the cgrporation. It is to this period the following description of Holinshed applies: "Drogheda, accounted the best town in Ireland, and truly not far behind some of their cities ; the one moiety is in Meath, the other, planted on the further side of the water, lieth in Ulster. There runneth a blind prophecy on this town, that Ross was, Dublin is, Drogheda shall be, the best of the three." About the same time Sir Henry Sydney wrote of it and others of its vicinity: " The good towns of Carlingford, Dundalk, and Ardee, are extremely impoverished, and only the town of Drogheda in better state, which was more amended and increased in wealth, through the great expenses of the Earl of Essex, who lay and continued there much, and during his abode very bountifully and honourably spent in the same. Howbeit the rest of the country is in great confidence of speedy recovery, for the gentlemen are willing to obey and forward to serve, and the rather for the good inclination I find of my Lord of Louth, who is one both well given and forward, as it seemeth, to execute any thing committed to him."

    In 1575, Sir Henry Sydney, having been a second time deputed to the government of Ireland, landed in September at Skerries, whence he proceeded hither, where he took the oaths, and afterwards kept his Court for some time; the plague being then so prevalent in Dublin, that its corporate officers were

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 92

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Drogheda, in Louth. Around 1570, the chronicler Holinshed described it as the best town in Ireland, and truly not far behind some of their cities. One half of it stood in Meath, and the other, planted on the far side of the water, lay in Ulster. He recorded a blind prophecy running on this town: "Ross was, Dublin is, Drogheda shall be, the best of the three." About the same time, Sir Henry Sydney wrote of Drogheda and the towns around it. He said the good towns of Carlingford, Dundalk, and Ardee were extremely impoverished, and only the town of Drogheda was in better state. He said it had been more amended and increased in wealth through the great expenses of the Earl of Essex, who lay and continued there much, and during his abode very bountifully and honourably spent in the same. Sydney added that the rest of the country was in great confidence of speedy recovery, for the gentlemen were willing to obey and forward to serve, the more so for the good inclination he found in the Lord of Louth, who was well given and forward to execute anything committed to him. In 1575, Sydney, having been deputed a second time to the government of Ireland, landed in September at Skerries, then proceeded to Drogheda, where he took the oaths and kept his Court for some time. The plague was then so prevalent in Dublin that its corporate officers were

49. James's flight through Dublin and Waterford into exile

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1690

    After his defeat at the Boyne, James hurried through Dublin to Waterford, breaking down bridges behind him, and embarked at Waterford for France, becoming a neglected exile at the Jacobite court of St. Germains.

    Read the passage

    How sadly contrasted with these results of triumph were the fortunes of the fallen James. Hurrying through Dublin to Waterford, and, causing the bridges on his course to be broken down behind him as he passed, he embarked at the latter port for France, and was in a few days a neglected exile, in the mimic Court of St. Germains. Soon afterwards three hundred of the refugee Swiss and Germans, belonging to his French allies, deserted to William's army, while yet more of these allies, proceeding to Kinsale, embarked thence for the continent, and although Lausun, with the remainder, accompanied Tyrconnel and the Irish to Limerick, yet he also embarked thence for France ; the Earl of Tyrconnel, however, sailed in his fleet thitlier, and on his arrival procured his disgrace by reason of his misconduct while in Ireland.

    GENERAL mSTORY. 345

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 156

50. King Hugony the Great assassinated at Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth

    Hugony the Great, a legendary High King who extended his dominion and reformed government, is said to have been assassinated at Drogheda by his own brother in the thirtieth year of his reign; his son avenged the murder within six days.

    Read the passage

    Drogheda, after the lapse of some centuries, is in legend sadly associated with one of the most illustrious of Ireland's Kings, pre-eminently styled Hugony the Great, the lineal descendant of the before-mentioned Heremon, and married to a daughter of France. He held the government of Ireland for thirty years, during which interval it is recorded of him, that he not only compelled the Picts to pay certain tribute reserved by his royal predecessors, but also enlarged his dominions beyond the former bounds, into some of the islands of the Irish Sea, whereby he acquired the appellation amongst the bards of " Monarch of Ireland and Albany, and of all the Western Isles of Europe." Not content with these foreign acquisitions, he re-assembled that long suspended native convention of the wise men and petty princes called the Fes of Tara. He also modified the Pentarchical Government, which had prevailed in Ireland from the time of the Firbolgs, and required all the rulers and chiefs of the provinces to bind themselves by a solemn oath of allegiance to him and his posterity, in exclusion of the other lines of the Milesian race. The form of oath, " by the Sun and Moon, and Elements," is still preserved in a Manuscript in the Stowe collection. In the thirtieth year of his reign he is said to have been assassinated here by his own brother, who thereupon assumed the government, but the son of Hugony, within six days revenged his father's murder, and succeeded to the kingdom.

    The reign of Conary, the thirtieth in royal succes-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, this Louth town carries a legend from Ireland's distant past. Hugony the Great, a descendant of Heremon and married to a daughter of France, ruled Ireland for thirty years. He compelled the Picts to pay tribute, extended his dominions into islands of the Irish Sea, and earned from the bards the title "Monarch of Ireland and Albany, and of all the Western Isles of Europe." He reassembled the long-suspended gathering of wise men and petty princes known as the Fes of Tara, and he reshaped the old Pentarchical Government that had stood since the time of the Firbolgs, binding every provincial ruler by a solemn oath of allegiance to him and his heirs above all other Milesian lines. That oath, sworn "by the Sun and Moon, and Elements," survives in a manuscript in the Stowe collection. In the thirtieth year of his reign, Hugony was assassinated here at Drogheda by his own brother, who seized power at once. But Hugony's son avenged the murder within six days and took the kingdom himself.

51. Massacre at Slane Castle 1174

    Slane · townland · Meath · 1174

    Slane castle, granted by de Lacy to Richard le Fleming, ancestor of the barons of Slane, was surprised by the Irish chief to whom it previously belonged. The garrison and inmates were slaughtered and Le Fleming himself killed.

    Read the passage

    this country. This grant passed to the patentee all liberties and free customs in wood and plain, waters and mills, warrens and loughs, fisheries and chases, seaports, and all other places thereto appertaining, and is specially witnessed amongst others by Earl Strongbow, whose recognition Henry was anxious to acquire in such an extensive conveyance. The notice of this grant is the more pertinent here, as it included the town and lands of Drogheda, and was confirmed by King John, with very important exceptions that a few years had necessitated, viz. of the borough and castle of this town. In 1174, Roderic O'Conor, the last acknowledged King of Ireland, conceiving that circumstances, and especially the defection of Donald Kavanagh, the son of the late King Dermod, opened a favourable opportunity for re-asserting his sovereignty, invaded Meath with a large confederate force, from which, Hugh de Lacy being then absent, he destroyed all the fortresses erected by that lord, and laid waste the country to the vicinity of Dublin. Hugh Tyrrell, who had been left to defend the Palatinate, finding himself unable to hold possession of the castle of Trim, demolished the fortifications, and retreating towards Drogheda, also rased the castle of Duleek. About the same time, that of Slane, which had been granted by De Lacy to Richard le Fleming, ancestor of the barons of Slane, having been surprised by the Irish Chief to whom it previously belonged, the whole garrison and inmates were put to the sword, and Le Fleming

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 21

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Slane, a castle once stood that was the scene of a massacre in 1174. That year, Roderic O'Conor, the last acknowledged King of Ireland, saw a chance to re-assert his sovereignty. He believed circumstances favoured him, especially the defection of Donald Kavanagh, son of the late King Dermod. He invaded Meath with a large confederate force. Hugh de Lacy was absent at the time, and O'Conor destroyed all the fortresses de Lacy had erected and laid waste the country to the vicinity of Dublin. Hugh Tyrrell, who had been left to defend the Palatinate, found he could not hold the castle of Trim. He demolished its fortifications and retreated towards Drogheda, also razing the castle of Duleek. About the same time, the castle of Slane, which de Lacy had granted to Richard le Fleming, ancestor of the barons of Slane, was surprised by the Irish chief to whom it had previously belonged. The whole garrison and inmates were put to the sword, and le Fleming himself was killed.

52. Parliament forced to sit at Beldoyle to coerce members

    Baldoyle · townland · Dublin · 1372

    Lord Lieutenant William de Windsor summoned a Parliament at Beldoyle, where there were no buildings except one chapel, deliberately to compel members through lack of lodging and inconvenience to agree to his demands.

    Read the passage

    Beldoyle, where there were no buildings except one chapel, for the purpose of compelling the members, through want of lodgings and other inconveniences, to agree to his demands; with other charges for equally prominent features of mal-administration. Yet, in utter disregard of these serious political offences, the same Sir William was suffered, in the following year, to undertake, as Sir John Davis expresses it, " the custody, not the conquest of Ireland (for now the English made rather a defensive than an invasive war), and withal to defray the whole charge of the kingdom for £11,213 6^. 8^. as appeareth by the indenture between him and the king, remaining of record in the Tower of London. But it appeareth by that which Froissart reporteth, that Sir William de Windsor was so far from subduing the Irish, as that himself reporteth, he could never have access to understand and know their countries, although he had spent more time in the service of Ireland than any Englishman then living."

    In 1373, in consequence of an existing scarcity, the sheriff of Louth, the overseer of its harbours, and the authorities of Drogheda were directed to prevent the exportation and sale of grain thence to any foreign country ; the Abbot of Fumes had, however, a similar exemption to that before granted to him, and liberty to export provisions to his Abbey(a). It is recorded that the ship of John Gemon, who

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 42

53. Poet Henry Jones born at Bewley near Drogheda

    Bewley · townland · Waterford · 1770

    Henry Jones, a poetical and dramatic writer, was born at Bewly near Drogheda; he was patronised by the Earl of Chesterfield who helped stage his tragedy. Jones later died in a London workhouse in 1770 after a life of reversals.

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    About this time, Henry Jones, a poetical and dramatic writer of some repute, was bom at Bewly near this town. In a little History of Drogheda, published by a Mr. Johnston in 1826, it is mentioned, that the celebrated Earl of Chesterfield, when Lord Lieutenant of teland, having resided part of his time at Bewly, extended very liberal encouragement to this person, who theretofore laboured in the humble occupation of a bricklayer. The Earl soon became acquainted with his talents as a poet, and took him into patronage, and even, it is said, not only volunteered to correct his tragedy of " The Earl of Essex," and prevailed upon the managers of Covent- Garden to bring it out on the stage, but likewise shared his purse with him. Jones frequently dined with the Earl, and was at last taken into his house as a companion. He encouraged him to go up to Dublin, and afterwards brought him with him to England, where he continued to befriend him. Prior to taking leave of his native place, Jones addressed a poetical epistle to the corporation, giving them some advice for the better regulation of the town, which they thought right to adopt, and rewarded him with a present of twenty pounds. This imfortunate individual, however, regardless of ordinary economy, after experiencing many reverses of fortune, which his own imprudence brought upon him, died in a London workhouse in 1770. Another more celebrated individual, Laurence Sterne, who was bom in 1713, passed, as appears from his letters,

    360 . GENERAL mSTOBT.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 163

54. Prince Dagobert's exile and education at Slane Abbey

    Slane · townland · Meath · 673–691

    Dagobert, prince of Austrasia, banished from his own country, crossed to this harbour in 673 and retreated to the Abbey of Slane, where he spent eighteen years studying religion and science before being restored as king.

    Read the passage

    The last notice of those days of holy happiness referrible to this vicinity is found in Eddius's life of Wilfred, where he mentions that Dagobert, prince of Austrasia, having been banished in his youth from his own country, crossed over in 673 to this harbour, and thence, as it is supposed, betook himself to the Abbey of Slane, where he passed eighteen years in acquiring the principles of religion and science. After that interval, his friends at home, discovering his retreat by intelligence from merchants, implored the holy prelate Wilfrid to urge his retxim, a wish with which the Bishop complied, and sent him with great solemnity back to his people, a restored sovereign imder the title of Dagobert the Second, when, as Moore suggests (History of Ireland, vol. i. p. 286), it is highly probable " he was

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 12

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Slane, an exiled prince once found a refuge. In 673, Dagobert, prince of Austrasia, was banished from his own country in his youth and crossed over to this harbour. He is believed to have betaken himself to the Abbey of Slane, where he passed eighteen years acquiring the principles of religion and science. Then merchants carried word of his retreat back to his friends at home, who implored the holy prelate Wilfrid to urge his return. The bishop complied, and sent Dagobert back with great solemnity to his people, a restored sovereign under the title of Dagobert the Second.

55. Rebels routed at Stameen with slaughter

    Stameen · townland · Meath · 1642

    Rebels sallying from Stameen were routed by a cavalry charge, with a lieutenant, thirteen soldiers and a captain of the O'Neills killed or wounded. Sir Phelim O'Neill reportedly fled and hid in a furze bush during the conflict.

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    upon the approach of the horse coming on mth a round charge, the rebels fled again into Stameen, and by the way, there was slain of them a lieutenant, thirteen soldiers, and a captain of the O^NeilFs wounded and taken prisoner; and, if my horse had not been bogged with some others, being ignorant of the ways, I believe many more had been slain, and the place taken the same night, with many of their commanders in it, who stole away before the next morning to the other side of the river, with Sir Phelim O'Neill, who, during the conflict was fled, crept and hid in a furze bush, as I was afterwards informed, and thus the south side of the river was wholly cleared of the rebels, and plenty of com and food began to be amongst us."

    Momington was the scene of action on the 3rd of March. "Early on that morning," relates Dean Bernard, " the forces under Colonel Wainman advanced hither, where they found the town abandoned, so that their whole work that day was to reap what was left, for which all sorts were permitted to go forth for pillage; the lanes were so thickened with all sorts of grain, that the spring seemed to be harvest, and the vernal equinoctial to be mistaken for the autumnal, such loads of com were mounted upon horses, that upon the hills they looked like moving haggards, by which our great extremity was turned presently intoplenty ; and, whereas our chiefest want was malt, the whole town (having drunk notliing but water for a week), were now set a brew-

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 110

56. Statute of Kilkenny bans intermarriage between English and Irish

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1366

    The celebrated statute enacted at a session held at Kilkenny forty-two years after 1318 forbade alliances by marriage, gossipred, fosterage, or concubinage between the English and Irish populations.

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    Bideration of any pleas which could be tried according to the custom and law of Ireland, before the Justice of the Bench, " his Majesty not willing," as is therein specially stated, " that the customs hitherto rightly used in Ireland should be changed" In 1318, he paid a fine of £100, for having married Amicia, the widow of Nigel le Brun, without first obtaining a royal license. This was a large sum in the estimate of money at that day. The Statute of the celebrated session held at Kilkenny, forty-two years afterwards, yet fiirther interdicted " alliances by marriage, gossipred, fosterage of children, concubinage, or by amour, or in any other manner, between the English and Irish." Walter de Cusack is also recorded to have discharged a further sum of £178, as arrearages of rent, for the manors of Ardee, Mandevillestown, and Donaghmain, which he held imder the Crown. By a second wife, Johanna, daughter of Sir Richard Tuite, he acquired the manor of Serine. In 1324, however, he was accused of being an adherent of Eoger de Mortimer, when it was alleged against him, that he had charge of that nobleman's war horses, and kept them in readiness for his arrival in Ireland].

    In 1322, Richard de Preston, and William, his brother, of Drogheda, were commanded to submit themselves to iJie orders of Robert de Leybum, Knight, who was appointed to the command of the fleet against the Scots, and the Mayor and true men of this town received a similar mandate. In 1324,

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57. St. Cienan founds church giving Duleek its name

    Duleek · town · Meath · 450

    Duleek derived its name Damh-liac, the house of stone, from the church St. Cienan founded there at the earliest introduction of Christianity in Ireland; he was baptized by St. Patrick in 450 and appointed abbot, endowed with the Apostle's copy of the Gospels.

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    This place derived its name Damh-liac (i. e. the house of stone) from the church which St Cienan founded here, on the earliest introduction of Christianity in Ireland. He was baptized by St Patrick in 450, by him appointed Abbot over this house, and endowed with the Apostle's copy of the Gospels. This was for ensuing ages the seat of a rural bishopric, until, on the ecclesiastical arrangements of the twelfth century, it merged in that of Meath. During the days of Danish tyranny it was frequently burned and plundered. After the victory obtained at Clontarf over that people by Brian Boroimhe, the corpse of the fallen victor, and that of his son Murrough, their funeral solemnities of the first night having been celebrated at Swords, were carried to the abbey here, whence, on the third day, they were conveyed to that of Louth. In 1106, Donald, Archbishop of Armagh, died here. In 1169, the abbey

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 211

58. The Boyne freezes solid during the 1641 siege of Drogheda

    near River Boyne · river · Kildare · 1641

    During the siege of Drogheda in 1641, the river Boyne froze so hard that it could scarcely be broken with mallets, allowing horses and men to pass safely over the ice.

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    reaching the opposite side, as the narrative continues, " O'Donnell and his companion proceeded on their way until they were about the distance of 2000 paces from the river, here they perceived a close sheltering grove before them, on the road through which they had to pass, and a strong great ditch surrounding it, as if it were a garden. Beside the wood was a noble mansion called the great monastery (most probably Mellefont), belonging to a noted young Englishman who was attached to Hugh O'Neill; they leaped over the ditch and proceeded straight forward into the wood, for the servant was well acquainted there. Here they stopped their horses"(o), and O'Donnell, having been refreshed, remained in a secret room until the night of the next day, when he resumed his journey, and ultimately, passing through Dxmdalk, arrived in safety at the friendly residence of Turlough O'Neill. In 1C41, during the siege of Drogheda, this river was so hardly frozen that it could scarcely be broken with mallets, and horses and men could and did pass safely over it. In the following year the Earl of Ormond was commissioned to lead 3000 foot and 500 horse towards the river Boyne, and to prosecute the rebels with fire and sword. Eight days only were allowed for this expedition, and he was strictly and injudiciously enjoined on no account to pass this river. On the first of July, 1690, the memorable battle was fought

    (a) MS. Life of Red Hugh O'Donnell.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 178

59. 1634 Traveller's Description of Drogheda's Quays and Governance

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1634

    An anonymous traveller in 1634 described Drogheda as the largest and best-built town he had seen in Ireland, commodiously seated on the navigable Boyne with stone quays comparable to Newcastle and Holland, governed by a Mayor, Sheriffs, and twenty-four Aldermen, most of whom were recusant Catholics who hired deputies to avoid attending church.

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    An anonymous traveller, who visited Ireland in 1634, and whose observations remain imprinted, thus speaks of Drogheda: "This town, as it is the largest and best built town I have yet seen in Ireland, so is it most commodiously seated upon a good navigable river called Boyne, whereinto flows the sea in so deep a channel (although it be very narrow), as their ships may come to their doors. This river is built in both sides, and there is on either side a convenient quay and stone wall built all along the river, so as a ship may he close unto this quay, and may unload upon her. It is hke the quay of Newcastle, and those channels I have seen in Holland in their streets. This town is also commodiously situated for fish and fowl. It is governed by a Mayor, Sherifls, and twenty-four Aldermen; most of these, as also the other inhabitants of the town are popishly affected, insomuch as those that have been chosen Mayors, who for the most part have been recusants, have hired others to discharge that office. One man, it is said, has been hired by deputation to execute

    218 GENEBAL HISTORIT.

    Internet Archive historydrogheda01dalgoog, Chapter 99

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Drogheda, it is worth knowing that a traveller in 1634 called this the largest and best-built town he had seen in Ireland. He wrote that it was "most commodiously seated upon a good navigable river called Boyne," where the sea flowed in so deep that ships could come to people's doors. Stone quays ran along both sides of the river, and he compared them to the quays of Newcastle and those he had seen in the streets of Holland. He also noted the town was well situated for fish and fowl. It was governed by a Mayor, Sheriffs, and 24 Aldermen, but most of the officials and inhabitants were recusant Catholics. Those chosen as Mayors, being for the most part recusants, hired others to discharge the office. One man, he said, was hired by deputation to execute it.

60. 1767 riot in Drogheda over cattle exports

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1767

    In 1767 a memorable riot took place in the streets of Drogheda when a mob rose to prevent the exportation of cattle to England, killing a considerable number of bullocks and cows.

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    The Dublin Gazette of May, 1761, notices, that " on Thursday last, the liberties and franchises of the town of Drogheda, were ridden and perambulated in a very grand manner, the diflferent corporations vieing with each other in the elegance of their appearance." In 1763, the merchants of this port petitioned for an aid in favour of the Unen manufactures, and for the intervention of Parliament in redressing certain abuses in the butter trade of the town, which was then considerably on the increase. In the following year, the old Tholsel was taken down. In 1766, the first measures were taken in Parliament, for regulating the Watch in Drogheda; while its Annals, in 1767, relate a memorable riot which took place in its streets, in consequence of the

    GENERAL mSTORY. 365

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    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Drogheda in County Louth, the streets once saw a memorable riot in 1767. A mob rose to stop the exportation of cattle to England, killing a considerable number of bullocks and cows. The town's annals record it as a moment of violence born from the trade that moved through this port.