Name: History of Clare and the Dalcassian clans of Tipperary, Limerick, and Galway ... with an ancient and a modern map
Author: P. (Patrick) White

Brian slain in the wood of Tomar

Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

Brodar and his fleeing Danes took refuge in the wood of Tomar near Brian's tent; Brodar rushed out and struck down the aged, praying king, but was soon pursued and disembowelled by Brian's returning bodyguard.

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So waged the fight all that memorable day, no quarter sought or given by Dane or Celt, till, at the approach of night, the foreigners began to give way all along the line. Irish valour was triumphant. The foe that found such easy prey on the Saxon race bit the dust before Brian's battled ariay. Even with the knowledge that they had their ships and their fortresses close at hand, they were not able to hold the field. But just before the final rout the most tragic event of that tragic day occurred. Brodar,^ with some of his Danes, being hard pressed, took refuge in the wood of Tomar skirting the battlefield, and near which was pitched the tent of the aged Irish monarch. His bodyguard, dreading danger no longer, pushed forward to feast their eyes on the flight of the enemy. Brodar, from his hiding-place, saw his advantage, and, rushing forth, struck down the defenceless old king, who was on his knees in prayer,"^ calling those with him to witness that his hand it was that smote to death the monarch of Erinn, But his boasting was soon at an end. The Dalcassian bodyguard of Brian, returning soon to their charge, saw with horror the lifeless remains of their loved chief, and, pursuing his slayer, they in their indignation slowly disembowelled him.^
Darkness was settling down on that field of carnage, under cover of which the Danes and their Irish allies retreated, leaving Brian's army in undisputed possession of the battleground.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 40

Cromwell's massacre at Drogheda

Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

Cromwell's forces butchered without mercy the armed defenders along with women and children over five days and nights at Drogheda, an event Cromwell himself described as a great work wrought by the Spirit of God.

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" I believe we put the whole number of the defendants to the sword. I do not think thirty of the whole number escaped with their lives. Those that did are in safe custody for Barbadoes. . . . And now give me leave to say how it comes to pass that this work is wrought. It was set upon our hearts that a great thing should be done, not by power or might, but by the Spirit of God. And is it not so already ? Thereupon is it good that God alone should have all the glory." This is his own description of the massacre of Drogheda, in which not only the armed defendants, about three thousand of the flower of the Irish army, but women and children,^ young and old, were for five days and nights butchered without mercy. Hence onward during his stay in
found within. It is believed to have been Morogh O'Brien's, and that his body was taken from it by night and fiung into the river by some of the citizens, who regarded it as desecrating the holy place.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

As the companion tells it

Drogheda lies ahead on the road. In 1649, Cromwell's forces attacked this town, and over five days and nights butchered without mercy not only the armed defenders, about 3,000 of the flower of the Irish army, but women and children, young and old. Cromwell himself wrote, "I believe we put the whole number of the defendants to the sword. I do not think thirty of the whole number escaped with their lives." Those few survivors were held for transport to Barbados. He called the massacre a great thing done not by power or might, but by the Spirit of God. The passage also mentions a body believed to be Morogh O'Brien's, taken by night from a holy place and thrown into the river by citizens who saw its presence there as desecration.

Execution of Bishop O'Brien of Emly at Limerick's surrender

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

Bishop O'Brien of Emly, the soul of Limerick's defence, offered himself for the sparing of others and was executed along with twenty-one others, publicly reproaching Ireton for his cruelty before his death.

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private terms with the English for his own safety. Bishop O'Brien and all the others were executed — the bishop publicly reproaching Ireton for his cruelty and bloodthirsty bigotry, and summoning him in the most solemn manner to final judgment for his crimes. Within a month ^ this fanatic died miserably of the plague, raving of the murdered bishop.
With the fall of Limerick on the 27th of October 1651, the resistance to the Cromwellian invasion of Clare and Connaught practically collapsed. Ludlow turned his attention to the only two strongholds in Clare still garrisoned for the Irish and Catholic cause — Clarecastle and Carrigaholt. So disheartened were their defenders, that, when summoned by him, they made scarcely any show of resistance. Both surrendered, and then Clare lay at the feet of the invader. As evidence of the terror generally felt, it may be mentioned that the notorious Mauria Ehua, daughter of MacMahon of Clonderalaw and wife of Conor O'Brien of Leimaneigh, who fell at Inchicronan, when her castle was seized on and garrisoned by Ludlow,^ rode down to Limerick after him, and offered herself, as token of complete submission, in marriage to any officer selected by him. The curious offer was accepted, and in this way a Colonel Cooper came to be installed at Leimaneigh, as the successor of the unfortunate Conor O'Brien. There are those who think, judging from what is traditionally told of Mauria Ehua's character, that the property was dearly purchased.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 136

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Limerick, you are near the ground where the city fell on the 27th of October 1651. Limerick had held out, and the soul of its defence was Bishop O'Brien of Emly. When the end came, the bishop sought private terms with the English for his own safety, but those terms failed. He and twenty-one others were executed. Before he died, the bishop stood before Ireton and publicly reproached him for his cruelty and bloodthirsty bigotry. He summoned Ireton, in the most solemn manner, to final judgment for his crimes. Within a month, Ireton himself died miserably of the plague, raving of the murdered bishop. With Limerick's fall, the resistance to the Cromwellian invasion of Clare and Connaught practically collapsed. Ludlow turned to the only two strongholds in Clare still garrisoned for the Irish and Catholic cause, Clarecastle and Carrigaholt. Their defenders were so disheartened that when summoned they made scarcely any show of resistance. Both surrendered, and Clare lay at the feet of the invader. As evidence of the terror generally felt, the notorious Mauria Ehua, daughter of MacMahon of Clonderalaw and wife of Conor O'Brien of Leimaneigh, who had fallen at Inchicronan, rode down to Limerick after Ludlow seized and garrisoned her castle. She offered herself, as token of complete submission, in marriage to any officer Ludlow selected. The offer was accepted, and a Colonel Cooper came to be installed at Leimaneigh as successor to the unfortunate Conor O'Brien. There are those who think, from what is traditionally told of Mauria Ehua's character, that the property was dearly purchased.

Inchiquin's massacre at Cashel cathedral

Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 1647

Fleeing townspeople took refuge in the cathedral on the Rock of Cashel, where they were butchered without mercy by Inchiquin's forces, including twenty priests, in what is described as one of history's most infamous massacres.

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year agreed upon in 1644 by Ormond on behalf of the king, and Muskerry for the Confederation ; and received as his reward from the Parliament the prize he so coveted, being appointed President of Munster. As we shall see later on, the king's was not the only cause he betrayed. It was to him that his cousin, the Earl of Thomond, after refusing the terms offered him by Sir Daniel O'Brien of Carrigaholt, his uncle, and Daniel O'Brien of Duagh, on the part of the Confederation, had surrendered Bunratty before his departure for England, and with it a much-needed supply of good horses for cavalry. These he brought with him to his headquarters at Cork, leaving Colonel MacAdam, as already related, in command of a strong garrison. In the year following, 1647, he issued from Cork at the head of a well-appointed army, consisting of five thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse. With this force he had little difficulty in capturing the weakly-supplied fortresses of Dungarvan and Cappoqnin. deceiving a large reinforcement of men and material from England, he next invested the strong fortress of Cahir.-^ A base stratagem enabled him to seize it with little loss. The commander of the garrison, yielding humanely to the entreaty of a wounded prisoner, allowed an English surgeon to be sent for. Inchiquin sent in disguise one of his officers. Colonel Hippsley, who had some surgical skill. He noted carefully the weakest point upon which an assault could be made, and, finding the garrison over-confident, he urged Inchiquin to surprise them by scaling the walls on the side which he found vulnerable. The assault succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. Flushed with these successes, he rushed upon Cashel. The inhabitants fled in terror to the cathedral on the Eock. Cooped up here, they were able to offer but a weak, disorganised resistance. They were literally butchered without mercy by fire and sword in the sacred sanctuary itself. History has no more bloody or infamous tale to tell than the slaughter by Inchiquin of about three thousand men, women, and children, in and around the cathedral of Cashel. Twenty priests were

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 133

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Cashel, in 1647, one of history's most infamous massacres took place. Inchiquin had been appointed President of Munster by Parliament, and that year he issued from Cork at the head of a well-appointed army, five thousand foot and fifteen hundred horse. He captured the weakly-supplied fortresses of Dungarvan and Cappoquin with little difficulty, then invested the strong fortress of Cahir. A base stratagem enabled him to seize it. The garrison commander, yielding to the entreaty of a wounded prisoner, allowed an English surgeon to be sent for. Inchiquin sent in disguise one of his officers, Colonel Hippsley, who had some surgical skill. Hippsley noted carefully the weakest point upon which an assault could be made, and finding the garrison over-confident, he urged Inchiquin to surprise them by scaling the walls on the side he found vulnerable. The assault succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. Flushed with these successes, Inchiquin rushed upon Cashel. The inhabitants fled in terror to the cathedral on the Rock. Cooped up here, they were able to offer but a weak, disorganised resistance. They were literally butchered without mercy by fire and sword in the sacred sanctuary itself. History has no more bloody or infamous tale to tell than the slaughter by Inchiquin of about three thousand men, women, and children, in and around the cathedral of Cashel. Twenty priests were among the dead.

Parnell's arrest following his Ennis boycotting speech

Ennis · town · Clare · 1882

Parnell's 'boycotting' speech at Ennis, advocating testing the Land Act through selected farm cases, led directly to his arrest and imprisonment on 14 October 1882 under Forster's Act.

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As if to intensify the growing desire for a fixed settlement of this burning question of the land, the gaunt spectre of hunger once more hovered over the whole country. For the second time within twenty years, I found myself in Clare sitting on relief committees distributing public charity to the labouring, artisan and farming classes ; and that in a country as much blessed by Providence with fertility as any other on the face of the earth. It was a humiliating, a sickening spectacle, to witness crowds of decent people ^ clamouring for food on the land which their forefathers owned, but which England took from them and handed over to the exacting, spendthrift, and hostile landocracy, of which the world has been hearing so much lately in the Land Courts. With this terrible strain, and the shame of it upon them, the people braced themselves up for a final struggle with landlordism. The issue is now well known. Mr. Parnell's " boycotting " speech at Ennis, followed by another at Maryborough, in which he advocated the policy of gauging the value of Mr. Gladstone's Land Act by submitting only slightly over-rented farms, in the first instance, to the Land Courts as test cases, led to his arrest and imprisonment on the 14th of October 1882. With him were imprisoned, as suspects under Forster's Act, many of the able body of men who were allied with him in and out of Parliament. Then came the " No Eent Manifesto," followed by a condition of things all over the country little short of civil war.
Soon after his release, the circumstances of which, and the tragic accompaniment of the Phoenix Park murders, are so well known as to need no recounting here, Mr. Parnell fulfilled the promise he made the writer, of addressing a

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 195

Wild Geese sail from the Shannon, one ship founders near Kilrush

Kilrush · town · Clare · 1691

On 16 October 1691, nearly twenty thousand Irish soldiers departed for exile down the Shannon; families desperately tried to cling to the departing boats. One of the ships foundered near Kilrush with the loss of about one hundred men.

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There is hardly in history anything more touching than the parting of these brave men with their wives, their children, their families, and last, not least, the land of their love, for which they had so often risked their lives. "Wives and sisters and daughters clung to them, tried to force their way into the boats that conveyed them to the ships, and yielded only when they were forcibly driven back. It is to be hoped that the story told of their hands having been slashed with swords to make them loose hold of the boats is not true. What a sad sail that 16 th of October down the Shannon I Many were looking with fond gaze on the hills and valleys of Clare, in which they had spent the merry days of youth. One of the ships foundered near Kilrush, with the loss of about one hundred men. All the others weathered the gale, and, passing under the frowning cliffs of Clare, turned their prows southward round the majestic Brandon mountains, and joined the fleet that had sailed from Cork, all laden with a living cargo of stout though sorrowing hearts for the battlefields of Europe. The spirit in which they went is well described in an Irish song, written soon afterwards, the first verse of which is thus rendered into English by Maugan : —
" Farewell, 0 Patrick Sarsfiekl I may hick be on your path ; Your camp is liroken up, your work is marred for years ; But you go to kindle into flames the King of France's wrath, Though you leave sick Eire in tears."

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 151

As the companion tells it

As you come near Kilrush, this is the town where one of the saddest departures in Irish history met the sea. On the 16th of October 1691, nearly 20,000 Irish soldiers sailed down the Shannon into exile. Wives and sisters and daughters clung to the men, tried to force their way into the boats that conveyed them to the ships, and yielded only when they were forcibly driven back. The story is told that hands were slashed with swords to make them loose their hold of the boats, though it is to be hoped that is not true. It was a sad sail down the Shannon. Many were looking with fond gaze on the hills and valleys of Clare, where they had spent the merry days of youth. Near here, one of the ships foundered, with the loss of about 100 men. All the others weathered the gale, and passing under the frowning cliffs of Clare, turned their prows southward round the majestic Brandon mountains, and joined the fleet that had sailed from Cork, all laden with a living cargo of stout though sorrowing hearts for the battlefields of Europe. An Irish song written soon afterwards described the spirit in which they went. Maugan rendered the first verse into English: "Farewell, O Patrick Sarsfield, may luck be on your path. Your camp is broken up, your work is marred for years. But you go to kindle into flames the King of France's wrath, though you leave sick Eire in tears."

De Clare's men burned in Quin church

Quin · town · Clare · 1278

The sons of the murdered Brian Rua surprised De Clare's followers at Quin in 1278; the English took refuge in the parish church dedicated to St. Finghin, but the enraged Dalcassians burned the church over them, with only a few escaping to Bunratty.

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Turlogh was now reinstated in Clonroad, and made no hindrance to, but rather encouraged, the vengeance that was taken upon De Clare by the sons of the murdered Brian.^ In the following year, 1278, collecting their scattered forces, they surprised De Clare and his followers at Quin. The latter took refuge, after a short but bloody struggle, in the parish church dedicated to St. Finghin, but the church was burned over them by the enraged Dalcassians. A few only escaped to Bunratty, among whom was Thomas de Clare himself.^ Turlogh followed up the advantage gained by his cousin. For awhile they forgot their rivalry and turned their united strength against the common enemy, driving them, with the exception of the small garrison which held the castle of Bunratty, out of Clare. They pursued the retreating English as far as the Slieve Bloom Mountains,* and only desisted when De Clare acknowledged the sovereignty of O'Brien in Thomond, and made compensation for the foul murder of Brian Eua.
Now that the English were subdued, the danger of civil war for the throne of Thomond became imminent. It was averted, however, by an arrangement between the rival claimants, by which Turlogh ruled in the eastern half of Clare, while the western half fell to Donogh, Brian's eldest

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 70

Massacre of Irish troops at Thomond Bridge, Limerick

Thomond Bridge · street · Limerick · 1691

During the Siege of Limerick in 1691, defenders retreating across Thomond Bridge were trapped when the French officer ordered the drawbridge raised, leaving them to be slaughtered by the pursuing English. Eyewitness Story described bodies piled higher than the bridge ledges.

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being offered, though a large force of Irish cavalry, who were in camp at Cratloe, only a few miles off, could easily have been summoned to the support of the defenders. It is not easy to understand why the lodgment made and maintained on the Clare side was not attacked with more vigour by the Irish, as it was so plain that it would be availed of to cut off from the city communication with the rest of Clare, which was the main source of supplies. In a week after, on the 22nd of September, Ginckle, having made all his preparations, forced a passage across, in the face of the Irish fire, at the head of ten regiments of foot and all his cavalry, with fourteen guns, and bringing provisions, which he well knew the Clare people would keep out of his reach. He ordered an attack upon Thomond Gate. The defenders, to the number of 850, were obliged to retreat. While they were crossing the bridge, the French officer in command of the fort on the city side, fearing that the English, who pressed hotly on their rear, would enter with them, gave orders to raise the drawbridge, leaving the brave fellows to their fate. At the hands of a foe that never knew pity, this meant butchery. Story, their own historian, who was all along an eye-witness, writes that " before killing was over " (in spite no doubt of cries for quarter), "they were laid in heaps upon the bridge, higher than the ledges of it, so that they were all either killed or taken, except about a hundred and twenty that got into the town before the bridge was drawn up, and many of these " — the good Dean notes, with evident satisfaction— " cut and slashed to the purpose." This was a crushing blow to the hopes of the defenders. Xow, after six weeks of a death-struggle, gallant and determined on both sides, the Irish found themselves completely hemmed in. With their base of supply completely cut off, and after looking in vain for the promised support from France by the river, which showed them only the English jflag flying, — distrusting, too, the French in the city, since the massacre on Thomond Bridge, — it became clear that any further defence would be fruitless, and only a useless waste of human life. A parley was sounded. Negotiations were entered into, and with no little difficulty were concluded on the 3rd of October.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 150

As the companion tells it

Along here at Thomond Bridge, on the 22nd of September 1691, one of the worst moments of the Siege of Limerick played out. Ginckle, having made all his preparations, forced a passage across the river at the head of ten regiments of foot, all his cavalry, and fourteen guns, bringing provisions he knew the Clare people would keep from his reach. He ordered an attack upon Thomond Gate. The defenders, 850 of them, were obliged to retreat across the bridge. While they were crossing, the French officer in command of the fort on the city side feared the English, pressing hotly on their rear, would enter with them. He gave orders to raise the drawbridge, leaving those men to their fate. Story, their own historian, who was an eyewitness throughout, wrote that "before killing was over" they "were laid in heaps upon the bridge, higher than the ledges of it." All were killed or taken, except about 120 who got into the town before the bridge was drawn up. Many of those, the Dean noted, were "cut and slashed to the purpose." After six weeks of a death-struggle, gallant on both sides, the Irish found themselves hemmed in. Their supply line was cut off. They looked in vain for promised support from France, seeing only the English flag flying on the river. They distrusted the French in the city since the massacre on the bridge. It became clear that further defence would be fruitless, only a waste of human life. A parley was sounded, and negotiations were concluded on the 3rd of October.

O'Donnell's victory at the Curlieu Pass

near Curlew Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Roscommon · 1600

On 15 August 1600, O'Donnell with only four hundred men fell upon an advancing English force of more than two thousand at the Curlieu Pass, slaying over eighteen hundred of them including the Governor of Connaught, Sir Conyers Clifford.

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To return to Clare. There was apparent quiet there, but it was only on the surface. How could there be real rest where force was so recently used to uproot all the old and revered institutions, including religion itself ? The condition of the people was more unsettled than ever ; and, to add to their misery, they had to pay dearly, without their sharing in it, for the Protestant and pro-English policy of their chiefs. The splendid victory of O'Donnell at the Curlieu Pass — where, on the 15th of August, a.d. 1600, with only four hundred men, he fell upon the advancing English force of more than two thousand trained soldiers, slaying, with the help of O'Eourke, who came up while the battle was proceeding, over one thousand eight hundred of them, including the Governor of Connaught, Sir Conyers Clifford himself — left the north of Clare entirely unprotected and open to attack. The Earl of Thomond, true to his English traininfip was all this time, and long afterwards, away from Clare on the queen's business through South Munster. O'Donnell determined to strike at him in his own country. His last attack was confined to his subordinates of Inchiquin and Ennistymon. Leaving his eastern and southern frontier in charge of O'Doherty and O'JSTeill, he crossed the Erne, and, gathering to his aid the clans of Connaught, English as well as Irish, he proceeded rapidly towards Clare — keeping this time more towards the Shannon. Entering it through Moynoe, Scariff, Tomgraney, and Tulla on a Sunday morning, when because of his wellknown religious disposition his onslaught was totally unexpected, he halted not bringing with him all he could seize till he pitched his camp on the banks of the Fergus, west of Clonroad^ — probably on the site of the present Diocesan College. He left nothing in Ennis untouched except the monastery. He did not, however, come so far unscathed. Though taken so completely by surprise, the Dalcassians knew how to hit hard back. " Among those of their chiefs," the Four Masters are careful to say, " who were mortally wounded at this time were O'Boyle and O'Clery, both accidentally, by another party of O'Donnell's people, as they were attacking Clarmor (Clare Castle). From 1 Four Masters.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 115

Battle of Dysert O'Dea, 1318 - death of Richard de Clare

Dysert · townland · Clare · 1318

On 10 May 1318 a vigorous battle was fought at a deep stream near Dysert, in which Conor O'Dea lured Richard de Clare into an ambush by feigning retreat; De Clare was slain by O'Dea himself and his forces cut off and killed, ending Norman power in Thomond.

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Brian Bawn fled into East Thomond. He, and those of his supporters who still adhered to him, were gladly supported by O'Carroll of Ely. This prince was defending his territory from the inroads of the English under AVilliam de Burgho and Edmond Butler. Mortogh O'Brien joined his forces with the latter, with the hope of capturing or slaying Brian, his only remaining rival to the throne ; but they were defeated with considerable loss, Mortogh narrowly escaping with his life.^ Both now returned to Clare, where the old straggle was renewed with fresh vigour. Brian's victory gave heart to his former supporters, many of whom flocked to his standard once more. Richard de Clare again espoused his cause, and determined to make a bold effort to recover the prestige lost at the defeat of Corcomroe. At the head of all the English he could muster, together with the Irish under Brian, a march was made into the O'Dea country. Here they were met at a deep stream, near Dysert, by their opponents, on the 10th of May 1318, and a vigorous battle ensued. Early in the fight De Clare's impetuosity led him into an ambush cleverly laid for him by Conor O'Dea. Pretending to retreat, he drew him across the stream. Here De Clare and those who followed him were cut off by a rush of the Irish concealed in the ^ Cathreim TiirlogJia. - Four Masters. Clyn's Annals.
138 HISTORY OF CLARE.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 73

Death of Morogh at Clontarf

Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

Morogh, having flung down the Danish chief Anrud, was unable to grasp his sword with his swollen hand; Anrud seized the chance and killed him with a dagger thrust, a tradition reflecting the twelve-hour length of the battle.

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History affords but few examples of such a well-contested battle, or of such obstinate, it may well be called desperate, valour on both sides. The long incessant fight of twelve hours gives colour to the tradition recording the manner of Morogh's death. It is related that, having flung to the earth a Danish chief, Anrud, whom he encountered late in the day, while bending over him, trying to drive with his chest the sword his swollen hand could not grasp through his prostrate foe, the latter, seizing his opportunity, slew him with a quick upward thrust of his dagger.
So waged the fight all that memorable day, no quarter sought or given by Dane or Celt, till, at the approach of night, the foreigners began to give way all along the line. Irish valour was triumphant. The foe that found such easy prey on the Saxon race bit the dust before Brian's battled ariay. Even with the knowledge that they had their ships and their fortresses close at hand, they were not able to hold the field. But just before the final rout the most tragic event of that tragic day occurred. Brodar,^ with some of his Danes, being hard pressed, took refuge in the wood of Tomar skirting the battlefield, and near which was pitched the tent of the aged Irish monarch. His bodyguard, dreading danger no longer, pushed forward to feast their eyes on the flight of the enemy. Brodar, from his hiding-place, saw his advantage, and, rushing forth, struck down the defenceless old king, who was on his knees in prayer,"^ calling those with him to witness that his hand it was that smote to death the monarch of Erinn, But his boasting was soon at an end. The Dalcassian bodyguard of Brian, returning soon to their charge, saw with horror the lifeless remains of their loved chief, and, pursuing his slayer, they in their indignation slowly disembowelled him.^

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 40

Dublin Populace Fling Dead Cats onto Lord Clare's Coffin

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1803

In revenge for his alleged boast that he would whip Ireland into a tame cat, the Dublin populace flung dead cats onto Lord Clare's coffin and into his grave upon his death two years after the Union.

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His treason to his country brought with it its own punishment. Pitt and Castlereagh had the decency to resign, as the jjromises of measures of relief, in the United Parliament they held out to the Catholics to wean them from active opposition to the Union, were utterly ignored by the King and his other advisers. The new Ministry cared little for Clare now that his base work was accomplished, and he had the mortification to find himself neglected, and perhaps despised. He was bitter to the last. The Castlereagh correspondence described him as a strong advocate for the continuance of martial law in Ireland. Broken down in spirit, he died two years after the fullilment of his treachery. In revenge for his alleged boast that " he would whip Ireland into a tame cat," the populace of Dublin flung dead cats on his coffin and into his grave. He has now no male representative. Tlie title which he was given as a reward for the betrayal of his country did not long survive him. It is now and for many years extinct.
Arising out of the dalliance with the Catholic body, the Bishops of Ireland were invited in 1801 to send to the Government statements of the condition of their several dioceses. This was the first notable move in the direction of the insidious attempt to secure the " Veto " in the selection to bishoprics in return for liberal annuities to the episcopate and Catholic clergy. Every one knows how ignominiously it failed. It is not unlikely — it is in fact certain — that some of them understood its drift, but most of them did not fully realise it.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 173

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, this city holds a story of revenge from 1803. Lord Clare had done what the book calls his treachery. He had helped carry through the Union, and the new Ministry cared little for him once that work was done. Pitt and Castlereagh had the decency to resign, because the promises of measures of relief they held out to the Catholics, to wean them from active opposition to the Union, were utterly ignored by the King and his other advisers. Clare had the mortification to find himself neglected, and perhaps despised. He was bitter to the last. The Castlereagh correspondence described him as a strong advocate for the continuance of martial law in Ireland. Broken down in spirit, he died two years after the fulfilment of his treachery. The Dublin populace had not forgotten him. He was alleged to have boasted that he would whip Ireland into a tame cat. In revenge for those words, they flung dead cats on his coffin and into his grave. He has now no male representative. The title given to him as a reward for the betrayal of his country did not long survive him. It is now and for many years extinct.

Paul Liddy's gang burns Ennis to free him from jail

Ennis · town · Clare

Paul Liddy, the Feacle freebooter who levied blackmail on English intruders and gave generously to the dispossessed, was arrested and jailed in Ennis. His gang set fire to a great part of the town, and while everyone including jail staff fought the flames, they broke through the jail walls and freed him.

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The general state of the county was still in a very sorry condition. The traces of the long and disastrous conHict were abundant on every side. The ruins of churches, monasteries, and forsaken homes, covered the land, while very little was done in the way of reconstruction. The towns and villages were mere rows of thatched huts, and without buildings of any architectural character to relieve their dreariness. It is related that when Paul Liddy, the Feacle freebooter, who, like another Clareman, MacXamara of Cong, levied blackmail on the English intruders, and was generous with it to the dispossessed, was arrested and lodged in Ennis jail, his gang found it easy to set a great part of the town on fire, and while all available hands — those in charge of the jail included — weie busily engaged in quenching the flames, they actually broke through the jail walls and liberated him.
The poorer people, entirely cowed and at the mercy of the new-comers, burrowed in unsightly cabins in out-of-the-way places, and lived on the potato almost exclusively. The good things of the land went in the shape of rent to supply delicacies to the tables of its new owners. They knew practically nothing of the outside world. Education was at the lowest ebb. Their whole intellectual training was confined to what they snatched at intervals from the hedge-schoolmaster, or heard at Mass-time from the carefully-concealed priest. How it was that in such depressing conditions the love of learning, as well as of country, was transmitted so vigorously, can only be explained by the admittedly strong elastic tone of the Celtic mind.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

Sarsfield destroys William's siege train at Ballyneety

Ballyneety · townland · Limerick · 1690

Sarsfield fell upon William's siege train reposing near Ballyneety, close to Pallas, on the morning of 12 August 1690, cutting down resistance and then blowing up the massive stock of ammunition and heavy guns in a terrific explosion heard for miles.

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ammunition and provisions, with ten boats and other necessaries for investing the city on all sides, was being conveyed under escort from Waterford, he determined at once to try and destroy it. Leaving Limerick with five hundred picked horsemen on the night of the 10th of August, he crossed the Shannon at Killaloe, and, under the guidance of O'Hogan, a Eapparee leader, who knew the country well, reached the northern slope of Keeper Hill before daylight, and halted at Silvermines. Here he lay concealed for the day. A traitor named Manus O'Brien, called by Story " a substantial country gentleman," brought word next day to the English camp of Sarstield's movement across the river, but could not further describe its object or direction. William suspecting it sent out a detachment under Sir John Lanier to meet the convoy, but as he did not leave the camp till two o'clock the following morning, he was forestalled. Sarsfield, resuming his march late in the evening, found his quarry reposing in fancied security only eight or nine miles away from William's army at Bally nee ty,^ near Pallas, now a station on the Waterford and Limerick line of railway, and, falling on them early in the morning of the 12th August, cut down all who attempted resistance. Filling the heavy guns with powder, then fixing their mouths into the ground, and heaping round them all the ammunition and other materials for the siege, he laid a train of powder on to a safe distance. Then, setting fire to it, he and his brave followers had the satisfaction to see the warsupplies ^ upon which William counted so securely for the destruction of the walls of Limerick, blown to atoms. The terrific explosion shook the earth around, and was heard not only by the advancing English escort, but in the camp and through the city, bringing dismay to the army of William, and raising high the hopes of the Irish. Sarsfield retraced his steps as speedily as possible, and was received by his fellow-countrymen with acclamations that must have been
1 Ballyneety is Irish for White's Town.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 147

Siege and destruction of Glin castle

Glin · town · Limerick

The English under Sir George Carew and the Earl of Thomond besieged the castle of Glin; the garrison held out with great bravery even after the besiegers displayed a captured six-year-old child of the Knight of Glin, and after a breach the defenders fought to the death or drowned themselves rather than surrender.

Read the passage

fell into an argument whereon he called Archer " tray tour." ^ Some of the Irish, suspecting evil intent against Father Archer, had crept up after him, and, hearing those hot words, rushed to his rescue. A scuffle ensued, in which the Earl of Thomond received a pike-thrust in the back ; but he and Sir George Carew and the others on Ormond's side made their escape, owing to the strength and fleetness of their horses, leaving Ormond a prisoner in the hands of his exasperated enemies. Some time after, he was liberated for a ransom of three thousand pounds. This wears all the appearance of treachery, though O'Sullivan Beare insists that both parties met at their own peril, " no pledge of security having been given on either side ; " but such breaches of faith were not all, or nearly all, either then or any other time, on the Irish side. The castle of Glin was soon after attacked by the English, under the command of Sir George Carew and the Earl of Thomond. The Constable, who, with a small garrison, was charged with its defence, held out with as much fortitude and bravery as was afterwards displayed by MacGeoghogan in the much better known siege of Dunboy. His name does not appear, but it is certain he was a Clareman,^ as he sought and obtained an interview, as such, with the earl. His object was to induce him to raise the siege, assuring him, as one naturally anxious for his safety, that a large force was at hand ready to fall upon the English. This artifice, if artifice it was, did not succeed. Fire was opened upon the castle, which was briskly returned, even though the besiegers, with refined cruelty, held up before them a child of the Knight of Glin, six years old, which had fallen into their hands. The fate of the poor child is not stated. When a breach was effected, the small garrison, rather than surrender, fought from storey to storey up to the battlements, and flung themselves at last into the water underneath. Some who surrendered were soon despatched. As usual, no mercy was shown ; all who were captured were slaughtered. This first Protestant Earl of Thomond did credit to his training. No English commander butchered prisoners with greater alacrity. He was a worthy precursor of his kinsman Inchiquin, and the godly Cromwell.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 114

Fierce eviction conflict at Bodyke with shots exchanged

near Bodyke · population centre · Clare

Bodyke was one of the places in Clare most harried under the coercion regime, where evictions for non-payment of rents later declared unfair sparked a fierce conflict. Shots were exchanged between police and the people during an exciting series of evictions from barricaded houses before a settlement was reached.

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The places in Clare most harried under the coercion rSgime were Bodyke and Milltown-Malbay. Owing to evictions for the non-payment of rents, declared afterwards in the Land Courts to be grossly unfair, a fierce conflict was carried on in both places. At Bodyke, after an interchange of shots between the police and the people, and an exciting series of evictions from barricaded and well-defended houses, a fair settlement was arrived at. The struggle at Milltown-Malbay was kept up all along, owing to the obstinacy of one individual, backed up as a matter of course by the authorities, and led to the imprisonment at various periods of many of the most inoffensive and respectable people of the parish. When it was in some degree dying out, the agent on the Carroll property renewed it by letting part of an evicted and highly rack-rented farm. This brought on more excitement, more prosecutions, and more imprisonments. The elements of the long-continued strife, though somewhat subdued, are there still.
This history of Clare comes now to an end. It shall not deal with the deplorable division caused in the National ranks by the unhappy fall of Mr. Parnell. That is for wider ground than is taken up here, and may well be reserved for a calmer atmosphere. While the last lines are being written, Mr. Gladstone is for the second time energetically pressing through Parliament a Home Eule Bill which in substance meets with the approval of all Irish Nationalists. If it gives to Ireland, as it must give sooner or later, self-government, the writer fondly hopes that whoever may in the future take up the thread of Clare narrative will find in it a subject more encouraging and more inspiring than fell to his lot.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 196

Horrific mortality statistics at Kilrush workhouse exposed by Rev. Osborne

Kilrush · town · Clare · 1850

Rev. S. Godolphin Osborne, aided by Captain Kennedy, publicized in the Times the terrible conditions at Kilrush workhouse in 1850, revealing pauper accommodation for 4654 but actual numbers of 5005, with 203 deaths in three weeks of March and 1014 deaths in the half-year.

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"Pauper accommodation in the workhouse for 4654. Actual number in it in the month of March 1850, 5005. Deaths in three weeks of that month, 203. The published statement of deaths in the half-year ending September 29, signed ' C. M. Vandeleur, Chairman,' gives a total of 1014. Average weekly cost per head— food, ll^d. ; clothing, 2d." No wonder the paupers died — and not from overfeeding.
The writer severely blames the Board of Guardians for the " improper diet of the indoor paupers, and the insufficiency of outdoor relief given to the destitute." He concludes his letter with the following words : — " When, the other day, I looked on the Crystal Palace, and thought of Kilrush workhouse as I have seen it and now know it to be, I confess I felt, as a Christian and the subject of a Christian Government, utter disgust."

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 184

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Kilrush now. In 1850, the Reverend S. Godolphin Osborne, with help from Captain Kennedy, exposed conditions at the workhouse in the pages of the Times. It was built for 4654 paupers but held 5005 in March of that year. Two hundred and three died in three weeks that month. The published total for the half-year, signed by chairman C. M. Vandeleur, stood at 1014. The Board of Guardians spent eleven pence a week per head on food and two pence on clothing. Osborne blamed them for the improper diet of the indoor paupers and the insufficiency of outdoor relief given to the destitute. He wrote that when he looked on the Crystal Palace and thought of Kilrush workhouse as he had seen it and now knew it to be, he felt, as a Christian and the subject of a Christian Government,

Murder of Brian Rua O'Brien after gossipred pact

near Bunratty · parish · Clare

Brian Rua O'Brien was treacherously seized by the son of the Earl of Clare and drawn between horses, despite both having entered into gossipred and taken vows by bells and relics of mutual friendship.

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cruel treachery, which is thus described by the Four Masters : " Brian Eua O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, was treacherously taken by the son of the Earl of Clare, and afterwards drawn between horses ; and this after both had entered into gossipred with each other, and taken vows by bells and relics to retain mutual friendship." ^
Turlogh was now reinstated in Clonroad, and made no hindrance to, but rather encouraged, the vengeance that was taken upon De Clare by the sons of the murdered Brian.^ In the following year, 1278, collecting their scattered forces, they surprised De Clare and his followers at Quin. The latter took refuge, after a short but bloody struggle, in the parish church dedicated to St. Finghin, but the church was burned over them by the enraged Dalcassians. A few only escaped to Bunratty, among whom was Thomas de Clare himself.^ Turlogh followed up the advantage gained by his cousin. For awhile they forgot their rivalry and turned their united strength against the common enemy, driving them, with the exception of the small garrison which held the castle of Bunratty, out of Clare. They pursued the retreating English as far as the Slieve Bloom Mountains,* and only desisted when De Clare acknowledged the sovereignty of O'Brien in Thomond, and made compensation for the foul murder of Brian Eua.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 70

Signing of the Treaty of Limerick

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1691

After six weeks of siege and the crushing blow at Thomond Bridge, negotiations concluded on 3 October 1691, and the Treaty of Limerick was signed that evening, granting terms to the surrendering Irish garrison.

Read the passage

Late in the evening of that eventful day, the celebrated Treaty of Limerick was signed. The terms granted to the Irish, being all that they could in reason expect,^ show how anxious Ginckle and his council were for the surrender of the city. It is only necessary to read through the treaty — a copy of which is given at full length in Lenihan's History of Limerich — to see in the light of the events which followed how basely that treaty was violated. The repudiation of this solemn compact, " before the ink wherewith 'twas writ was dry," was shamelessly persevered in, till the Claremen of 1828 — one hundred and thirty-seven years afterwards — forced the English Government to reconsider their policy towards the Catholics of these kingdoms, and to grant them part, at least, of their natural rights.
According to the terms of the treaty, the Irish soldiers were at liberty either to return to their homes or to take service on the Continent. They were drawn up, the 5 th of October, on the King's Island, and there they were asked to declare their choice. Ginckle gazed on these splendid troops with a hungry eye, and through his agents offered them the most tempting terms if they would join his army. About one thousand, mostly from the North, under that Baldearg O'Donnell about whom such hopes were entertained, and who proved such a fraud, accepted his offer, and were sent into England. About two thousand took passes, and returned to their homes. The great bulk, however, of the army, including the whole Clare contingent, had made up their minds to take service in France, with the hope deep in their hearts that all was not yet lost, and that an opportunity would be given them to renew some day, on Irish soil, the fight for faith and fatherland. They little knew of the heartlessness of kings and the callousness of diplomacy. Their bravery was their ruin. The French king, once he got hold of them, took good care to keep them in his own service. He thought no more of Ireland, steeped as it was in misery ; and so those gallant

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 150

As the companion tells it

As you come through Limerick, this is where the Treaty of Limerick was signed, late in the evening of 3 October 1691. The terms granted to the Irish were all they could reasonably expect, and they show how anxious Ginckle and his council were for the surrender of the city. But the treaty was violated almost at once. The repudiation of this solemn compact, as the old record puts it, began before the ink wherewith 'twas writ was dry, and was shamelessly persevered in, until the Claremen of 1828, one hundred and thirty-seven years afterwards, forced the English Government to reconsider their policy towards the Catholics of these kingdoms and grant them part, at least, of their natural rights. On the 5th of October, the Irish soldiers were drawn up on the King's Island and asked to declare their choice. Under the treaty, they were free to return home or take service on the Continent. Ginckle gazed on these splendid troops and through his agents offered them the most tempting terms to join his army. About one thousand, mostly from the North, under Baldearg O'Donnell, accepted and were sent to England. About two thousand took passes and went home. The great bulk of the army, including the whole Clare contingent, chose service in France, holding the hope that they might one day renew on Irish soil the fight for faith and fatherland. They little knew the heartlessness of kings and the callousness of diplomacy. The French king, once he had them, kept them in his own service and thought no more of Ireland.

Teigue Caoch MacMahon killed by his own son's hand at Dunboy

near Dunboy · street · Cork · 1602

During the siege of Dunboy, Teigue Caoch MacMahon, fighting with O'Sullivan Beare, was shot dead by his own son after ordering him to fire on a boarding party, ending the line that had ruled West Corcovaskin for over a thousand years.

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After the surrender of Kinsale, and the retreat homewards of the Northern Irish, a vain but gallant attempt was made by O'Sullivan Beare to hold his own castle of Dunboy. Teigue Caoch MacMahon, faithful to the end, and brave to a fault, threw in his fortunes with O'Sullivan ; and here he found himself once more besieged by his old enemy, the Earl of Thomond. An act of insubordination brought his stormy life to an end ^ in a most tragic way by the hand of his own son. O'Sullivan wanted the vessel of which we have heard before to sail for supplies to Spain. MacMahon, whose son was in charge of her in the harbour, refused to let her out of his own reach. O'Sullivan took a boat with some men to board her himself, into which MacMahon also leaped. When close to the vessel, he called out to his son to fire. It was his own death-summons. He received a bullet, from which he died soon after. The son, overwhelmed by such a misfortune, sailed away to Spain, from whence he never was again heard of. With him disappeared the family that ruled for more than a thousand years in West Corcovaskin.
The glorious though unsuccessful defence of Dunboy needs no recounting here. It stands out in history as one of the most heroic and the most brilliant on record.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 116

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Dunboy, in 1602, one of the strangest deaths of the siege took place. After the surrender of Kinsale and the retreat of the Northern Irish, O'Sullivan Beare made a vain but gallant attempt to hold his own castle of Dunboy. Teigue Caoch MacMahon, faithful to the end and brave to a fault, threw in his fortunes with O'Sullivan. He found himself besieged once more by his old enemy, the Earl of Thomond. O'Sullivan wanted a vessel to sail for supplies to Spain. MacMahon's son was in charge of her in the harbour, and MacMahon refused to let her out of his own reach. O'Sullivan took a boat with some men to board her himself, and MacMahon leaped in too. When close to the vessel, he called out to his son to fire. It was his own death-summons. He received a bullet, from which he died soon after. The son, overwhelmed by such a misfortune, sailed away to Spain, from whence he was never heard of again. With him disappeared the family that ruled for more than a thousand years in West Corcovaskin. The defence of Dunboy itself was glorious though unsuccessful, one of the most heroic and brilliant on record.

Death of young Turlogh in the tidal waters

Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

Brian's grandson Turlogh died locked in a death-grip with his foe as the rising tide of the incoming water drowned both combatants during the fierce fighting at Clontarf.

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The dawn of the following eventful day. Good Friday, April 23, 1014, found the two armies within striking distance of each other, and then commenced in right earnest one of those conflicts which try the mettle of nations as well as men, and mark a turning-point in history. Every man of both armies, rising from the ground on which he lay, saw in the dim early light his armed foe to his face, and, in self-defence, had at once to strike, without so much as a thought of food or drink. They were, if not all, almost all trained soldiers, inured to battle, either the vanquishers or the vanquished in many a well-contested battle. War was their usual occupation, and this accounts for the stubborn, deadly struggle maintained on either side from dark to dark. No raw levies or hastilyformed battalions could have been equal to such a fearful strain. Even in the famous battles of Cre^y and Agincourt, fought much later on, when the fatal art of war had acquired more method, panic soon decided the issue, leaving little else to the victors but pursuit and slaughter. All that long day at Clontarf there was no thought of retreat on either side. Man fought with man, steel encountered steel ; .ay, even, as in the case of young Turlogh, grandson of Brian, when the hand, wearied and tired and powerless from slaughter, refused to do its fell work, the death-grip was held till the rising waters of the incoming tide quenched the lives of both combatants for ever.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 39

Ludlow's description of Burren's desolate landscape

Burren · townland · Clare · 1651

After raiding Burren for the second time, Ludlow described it as a country lacking enough water to drown a man, wood to hang him, or earth to bury him, so scarce that inhabitants stole earth from one another.

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2 Having raided Burren for the second time on this occasion, Ludlow wrote of it : " It was a country in which there was not water enough to drown a man, wood enough to hang him, nor earth enough to bury him, which last is so scarce that the inhabitants steal it from one another."

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 136

Mass evictions in Kilrush Union during the Famine

Kilrush · town · Clare · 1849

Captain Kennedy's sworn evidence before a Parliamentary Committee described how the Kilrush Union suffered unparalleled eviction, with probably 15,000 people unhoused within a year and 1200 more evicted within a single fortnight, using grappling-irons to pull down roofs.

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" Notwithstanding that fearful, and I believe unparalleled, numbers have been unhoused in this Union (Kilrush) within the year (probably 15,000), it seems hardly credible that 1200 more have had their dwellings levelled within a fortnight."
To facilitate the work of eviction, grappling-irons were flung over the roofs and hauled away, dragging them down with one sweep. It was alleged that in one of these humane proceedings, a child, having been forgotten in the hurry of 1 Blm Book, No. 1089. May 7, 1849.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 186

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kilrush, Captain Kennedy gave sworn evidence to a Parliamentary Committee in 1849 that probably 15,000 people had been unhoused in the Kilrush Union within a year, and 1,200 more had their dwellings levelled in a single fortnight. Grappling-irons were flung over the roofs and hauled away, dragging them down in one sweep. He said "it seems hardly credible," and called the numbers "fearful, and I believe unparalleled."

Smith O'Brien's rising crushed at Ballingarry

Ballingarry · town · Tipperary · 1848

O'Brien courted death at Ballingarry, advancing on the guns of besieged police and inviting them to surrender, before being tried and sentenced.

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The movement against such odds was doomed to disastrous failure. At the right moment it was brought to a head and easily crushed. O'Brien courted death at Ballingarry. He went up to the very guns of the besieged police, inviting them vainly to surrender. In the dock he displayed the same fearlessness. While the mock trial was proceeding towards the sentence to be " hanged, drawn, and quartered," he was writing on slips of paper, and distributing to friends in Court, Pope's stirring lines —
" Whether on the scaffold high Or in the battle's van, The noblest place for man to die Is where he dies for man."

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 190

Assassination of Cormac of Cashel in his palace

Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 1134–1140

After Cormac of Cashel attacked the city of Limerick, he was foully assassinated in his own palace by Turlogh, Prince of Thomond, despite being a bishop, aided by the sons of O'Connor Kerry.

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ford, aided by Diarmid MacMurrough, whose sinister influence on Irish history will appear later on, and took away their hostages in token of submission. So bitter grew the animosity between the two great Southern families, that, after an attack by Cormac of Cashel on the city of Limerick, he, though a bishop, was foully assassinated in his own palace by Turlogh, Prince of Thomond, who became later on King of Munster, aided by the two sons of O'Connor Kerry, In order to secure the permanent co-operation of MacMurrough against the Eugenians, Conor O'Brien surrendered the Dalcassian claim to supremacy by giving hostages to the Leinster king. Being thus safe on that side, the Dalcassians and their allies turned their attention to the Danes of Dublin, from whom tliey bore away hostages ; and, proceeding into Connaught, inflicted chastisement on their old enemy. With this gleam of victory, so dearly bought, on his arms, Conor passed away at Killaloe, a.d. 1142, and was succeeded by his brother Turlogh, who had been till then ruler of the principality of Thomond. His only son Mortogh succeeded him in Thomond, while his brother Teigue Gle, who, aided by Turlogh O'Connor, made a vain attempt to seize his crown some years before, had to remain content with the subordinate rank of Prince of Ormond. This seems to have been the order followed then as well as at other periods. The elect of the Dalcassian clans first ruled in West Thomond (Clare), succeeding next to the throne of all Munster, and then striving with might and main for supremacy in Leathmogha, and finally for the throne of Ireland.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 54

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Cashel, a bishop was murdered in his own palace. The bitterness between two great Southern families had been growing. Cormac of Cashel launched an attack on the city of Limerick, and the feud turned lethal. Though Cormac was a bishop, he was foully assassinated in his own palace. The killing was done by Turlogh, Prince of Thomond, who would later become King of Munster. Turlogh was aided by the two sons of O'Connor Kerry. The wider conflict that surrounded this killing drew in Diarmid MacMurrough, whose influence on Irish history would be felt for years to come. Conor O'Brien surrendered the Dalcassian claim to supremacy by giving hostages to the Leinster king, MacMurrough, in order to secure his co-operation against the Eugenians. With that flank secured, the Dalcassians and their allies turned on the Danes of Dublin and took hostages from them. They then proceeded into Connaught, where they inflicted chastisement on an old enemy. Conor O'Brien passed away at Killaloe in 1142, and was succeeded by his brother Turlogh, the same Turlogh who had ruled the principality of Thomond and who had been involved in the assassination of Cormac.

Breach at the Black Battery and storming of Limerick

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

A breach was effected near the Black Battery, a relic still standing near St. John's Cathedral, through which William's picked troops stormed the city on 27 August 1690, leading to fierce hand-to-hand fighting including women defenders using stones.

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The guns did their work well, in spite of the constant and well-directed fire from the walls. A breach was effected near the Black Battery, and through this breach, on the morning of the 27th of August, the picked men of William's army stormed the city. Large bodies succeeded in forcing their way through the breach, and then took place the handto-hand fight inside the walls, which has been, and will be to all time, the pride and the glory of the citizens of Limerick. It is beyond question that not only the men, but the women also of the old city by the Shannon, threw themselves, along with the garrison, on the invaders. Every kind of weapon was grasped. Even stones did their work,
284 HISTORY OF CLARE.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 148

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Limerick, you are in a city that William's army stormed on the 27th of August 1690. The guns made a breach near the Black Battery, a relic still standing near St. John's Cathedral, and through it the picked men of William's army forced their way in. What followed was hand-to-hand fighting inside the walls, a struggle the citizens of Limerick have always taken pride in. The women of the old city by the Shannon threw themselves on the invaders alongside the garrison, grasping every kind of weapon. Even stones did their work.

Brutal execution of Donogh Beg O'Brien at Quin Abbey

Quin · town · Clare · 1584

Donogh Beg O'Brien was delivered to the Lord Deputy resting at Quin, where he was half-hanged from the shafts of a car, had his bones broken by axe strokes, and his mangled body while still alive was fastened to the top of the tower of Quin Abbey.

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It will be borne in mind that MacNamara, Prince of Clan Cnilean, had accepted a knighthood on the same occasion on which Conor O'Brien renounced his Irish title for an Enslish earldom. Nothino- more was heard of it. It seems probable that on his return home h€ repented, and resumed, in Irish fashion, the headship of his clan. Certain it is that no MacNamara afterwards assumed the English title, wdiile we find them maintaining their old one. The Eour Masters note at the year 1584 the death of "the son of MacNamara of the western part of Clancuilean — a man of all the Clan Cuilean the most dreaded by his enemies in the field of battle ; " and we will find his father stoutly refusing, with some other Clare chieftains, to sign the agreement entered into with Sir John Perrot in the following year. The knighthood thus relinquished was conferred on Turlogh, son of Donal O'Brien of Ennistymon, by Elizabeth, in 1583, as a reward for his services, and was long after retained in the family. This naturally stimulated his zeal in the English interest. He turned his attention, soon after arriving home from London, on his neighbour, Turlogh O'Loughlin of Burren, who had taken part in the Clanrickard uprising, and, seizing him, carried him off to Ennis, where, after a mock trial by martial law, he was put to death by Captain Brabazon in 1584. Another of those who had taken a leading part in the insurrection, Donogh Beg O'Brien, met with a far more terrible fate. He fell into the hands of Cruise, then Sheriff" of Clare. The new Lord Deputy was at this time on a tour from Dublin round by Athlone to Galway, and back through Clare towards Limerick, to receive the formal submission of the insurgent chiefs. He rested for a night in Quin, and 'there committed an act of barbarous cruelty. The unfortunate Donogh O'Brien was delivered up to him by Cruise. He had him first half-hanged from the shafts of a car. Then his bones were broken by strokes of a heavy axe, and his mangled body, while he was still alive, was fastened on with ropes to the top of the tower of Quin Abbey, as a feast for the birds of the air.^ ^ Four Masters.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 105

Clare Election of 1828: O'Connell vs Fitzgerald

Ennis · town · Clare · 1828

The dramatic 1828 Clare by-election featured Fitzgerald's emotional speech recalling his father's service, followed by O'Connell's devastating rhetorical counterattack denouncing Peel and Wellington. The result was a decisive victory for O'Connell.

Read the passage

The nomination gave an occasion of a display of strength and eloquence on both sides. Mr. Fitzgerald was surrounded by the massed gentry of the county, hardly one of whom w^as not under personal obligations to him for place or office bestowed on some member of the family. O'Connell had the ■priests and the people. Sir Edward O'Brien and Sir Augustine Fitzgerald proposed the Cabinet Minister. O'Gorman Mahon and Tom Steele proposed the Demagogue. Mr, Fitzgerald, a polished and eloquent speaker, delivered a most effective speech, recalling all he and his father had done in the cause of the people, and bringing tears into the eyes of many of his opponents while describing in faltering accents his father, who had lost so much for Ireland, now on his dying bed, waiting for a verdict at their hands. Never before had O'Connell such a difficult task as to undo the impression made by this speech, and he did undo it in a way all his own. Seeing that he could not contradict the statements made so skilfully by his opponent, nor make any charge against him individually, he turned upon some of his supporters a whole torrent of sarcasm, till in the shouts of laughter he provoked the previous speech was almost forgotten. Then, pouring out all the vials of his wrath on Peel and Wellington, and painting in glowing terms all the wrongs and insults iuflicted on them as Irishmen and Catholics by this Ministry of which Mr. Fitzgerald was a member, he asked them in tones of thunder, were they going to rivet with their own hands the chains on the necks of seven millions of Catholics by returning the man who posed as their friend at home, but was the paid official of
340 HISTORY OF CLARE.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 178

Death of Conor O'Brien at the pass of Inchicronan

Inchicronan · parish · Clare · 1651

Conor O'Brien of Leimaneigh, Commander-in-Chief of Clare, defended the pass of Inchicronan against Ludlow but fell mortally wounded early in the fight, causing his men to retreat with his body.

Read the passage

might have ended differently. He, however, succeeded in an assault on the castle, after a brave defence, and, sweeping Burren and Xorth Clare of cattle and provisions, brought timely aid to Ireton's army. Colonel David Eoche had crossed into Clare with a view to collect, if possible, a force sufficient to fall on Ireton's flank. He secured the hearty co-operation of Conor O'Brien of Leimaneigh, who had been appointed Commander-in-Chief of Clare by Lord Inchiquin. Before the hastily summoned Claremen could be fully organised, Ludlow was despatched to attack them. An encounter took place at the pass of Inchicronan, which was vigorously defended ^ by O'Brien. His men, seeing him fall early in the fight mortally wounded, retreated precipitately, bringing with them the body of their chief. Ludlow, satisfied with this success, which he rightly judged would hinder any further interference with the operations on the Clare side of Limerick, returned to Ireton's aid. The city was now invested on all sides — the troops under Lord Muskerry sent to raise the siege on the Limerick side having been defeated by Lord Broghill.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 136

Father Meehan's 'Ark' chapel on the seashore

near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare

Denied a site for a chapel, Father Meehan built a movable timber hut with an altar on the sea-shore, called 'The Ark,' where people gathered for years to hear Mass despite the weather.

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Immediately after the famine, while the people were yet in the depths of poverty and despondency, an attempt at proselytism on a large scale was made in the parish of Carrigaholt. Being almost an island, and up to that time badly provided with schools, it was regarded by those who delight in tempting the starving poor as a suitable field for operation. An agent, who ruled with despotic sway over the greater part of the parish, actively supported as well by the Kildare Street Society, as by the landlord, his father-in-law, set himself with vigour to the work of Protestantising the peninsula. Schools were rapidly built at different points, a staff of parsons. Scripture readers, and teachers provided, and his own brother, at a good salary, planted down as resident superintendent of the mission. Some progress was made for awhile among the very poor and the small farmers, who, being tenants-at-will, were at the mercy of landlord and agent. The new parish priest, Father Meehan, who succeeded the cholera-stricken Father Duggan, devoted all his great energy and zeal to the task of counteracting the efforts of the proselytisers. The struggle was maintained with great vigour, and bitterness too, on both sides for about ten years. When Father Meehan could not get a site on which to build a chapel in the most remote and populous part of the parish, he contrived to get possession of a house from an emigrant, converting it, poor and despicable as it was, into what he called St. Patrick's Church. Out of this he was evicted as soon as the law could be put in force. In his extremity the thought occurred to him of building a timber, movable hut, fixing in it an altar, and placing it in an open space on the sea-shore. This he called " The Ark," and round it the people for some years flocked in all weather to hear mass and receive instruction. Dr. Cahill, the eminent preacher and lecturer, while staying at Kilkee, heard of this novel method of carrying on church work. He went to the " Ark," preached from it, and began at once to call public attention through the press to the conduct of the proselytisers in West Clare, The agent was compelled by the strong feeling aroused to give a site, upon which soon after Father Meehan

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 191

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Carrigaholt, on the sea-shore, you are near the spot where Father Meehan's timber hut once stood. After the famine, the people here were still in poverty and despondency, and an agent who ruled over most of the parish set about Protestantising the peninsula with vigour. Schools were built, scripture readers and teachers were brought in, and his own brother was planted as resident superintendent of the mission. The small farmers, tenants-at-will, were at the mercy of landlord and agent. Father Meehan had succeeded the cholera-stricken Father Duggan as parish priest. He devoted all his energy to counteracting the proselytisers, and the struggle went on for about ten years. When he could not get a site for a chapel in the most remote and populous part of the parish, he took possession of a house from an emigrant and called it St. Patrick's Church. He was evicted from it as soon as the law could be put in force. In his extremity he built a movable timber hut, fixed an altar in it, and placed it on the sea-shore. He called it The Ark, and the people flocked to it for some years in all weather to hear mass and receive instruction. Dr. Cahill, the eminent preacher, came from Kilkee to preach from The Ark and called public attention through the press to the conduct of the proselytisers in West Clare. The agent was compelled by the strong feeling aroused to give a site, and Father Meehan was able to build at last.

Legendary earthquake and sunken town at Malbay

Milltown Malbay · town · Clare

According to the Annals of the Four Masters, an earthquake over a thousand years ago buried land and over a thousand inhabitants near Malbay beneath the sea. Fishermen call the visible reef 'the Monastery' or 'St. Stephen's Church', and locals claim to see a submerged church tower and house roofs in the clear water.

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Westwards to the Atlantic Ocean the country is very hilly, and for the greater part the land is poor and nnproductive, except where patient industry has made it comparatively fruitful. Here the grouse and the snipe and the hare have a wide domain. Owing to the fierce Atlantic breezes, which will not permit, except in sheltered valleys, the growth of trees, the whole district looks bare and unattractive. To the lover of bold scenery — and who does not love it ? — there is ample compensation for this wherever, and that is nearly everywhere, the sea or Shannon comes within view. From Black Head in its northern extremity, towering over Gal way Bay, to Loop Head on the south, the broad Atlantic wages incessant war with frowning cliff and jutting headland. It stretches out, huge, vast, illimitable, compelling admiration in all its ever-changing moods; sometimes as placid as a lake, but nearly always tossing and fretting and moaning as if some great trouble stirred its inmost depths. Away to the north-west is the range of the Connemara Mountains, — fitting background for one of nature's finest panoramas, — with the Arran Islands lying nearer, calling to mind the olden days of Erin's Christian glory, when saint and sage fled the busy world for the calm and the silence of their sea-bound recesses. Nearer still are the majestic Moher cliffs, rising sheer up to the height of nearly a thousand feet, straight as an arrow, for miles in length over the heaving ocean ; while in sharp contrast with them there stretches away southward the low, broken, rocky coast outline, called by the Spaniards aptly enough after the Armada disaster, Malbay. Its sunken aspect, between the precipitate Moher and Baltard cliffs on its north and south, dotted with numerous rough islets, strongly corroborates the statement in the Annals of the Four Masters, that, more than a thousand years ago, an earthquake occurred, burying the land then standing there, with over a thousand inhabitants, in the depths of the sea. The reef sometimes visible at very low tides outside the bay is called by the fishermen " the Monastery," or " St. Stephen's Church ; " and some now living will tell you

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 2

As the companion tells it

You are coming through Milltown Malbay, on the coast of Clare, where the land meets the Atlantic. The Spaniards gave this stretch its name, Malbay, after the Armada disaster. It sits between the precipitate Moher cliffs to the north and Baltard cliffs to the south, a low, broken, rocky coastline dotted with rough islets. The Annals of the Four Masters record that more than a thousand years ago, an earthquake struck here. It buried the land that then stood here, with over a thousand inhabitants, in the depths of the sea. The sunken aspect of the coast, pressed between those high cliffs on either side and scattered with islets, is said to corroborate that old account. At very low tides, a reef sometimes becomes visible outside the bay. The fishermen call it the Monastery, or St. Stephen's Church. Some now living will tell you that in the clear water you can see a submerged church tower and the roofs of houses beneath the surface. Whatever truth lies in it, the Atlantic itself seems to keep stirring over the place, tossing and fretting and moaning as if some great trouble stirred its inmost depths. The broad water stretches huge and vast, sometimes placid as a lake, but nearly always restless along this shore, where the old annals say the ground opened and the sea came in.

Maynooth Castle seized by Grey and Skeffington

Maynooth · town · Kildare · 1535

Lord Leonard Grey and Sir William Skeffington captured the castle of Maynooth, Silken Thomas's chief stronghold, disconcerting his plans of rebellion after the alleged treacherous surrender by his foster-brother.

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desperation. Expecting nothing from the justice or mercy of Henry, Silken Thomas raised at once the standard of revolt, and invited to his side all who were desirous of shaking off the English yoke. For the purpose of a county history it will not be necessary to enter into the details of the struggle. Suffice it to say that the alleged treacherous surrender by his foster-brother, certainly the capture, of the castle of Maynooth disconcerted all the plans of Silken Thomas. His Irish relations were not wise enough to see that the opportunity now offered for a bold and manly stand against foreign dominion. Henry, on the other hand, acted with great vigour. He sent into Ireland, with all the forces he could hastily collect, Lord Leonard Grey and Sir William Skeffington, who followed up with great ability the stroke dealt to Silken Thomas by the seizure of his chief stronghold, the castle of Maynooth. The aid he expected failing him, he fled into Clare, bringing with him all he could carry of his valuables, and there he and his retinue of gentlemen of his own family were hospitably entertained for full six months. The fact that he felt safe there from the pursuit of the English commanders, shows how thoroughly independent was the Thomond of that day. His surrender, later on, to the very man — Lord Grey — who tempted ^ him into rebellion, his conveyance to London, his miserable captivity in the Tower, and his execution along with his five uncles, are all well known to readers of general Irish histary. It is a curious fact that while in prison he contrived to write a letter to his servant Eothe, enclosing another to O'Brien, both of which fell into the hands of the English, as they are now to be found among the State Papers, vol. ii. p. 402, describing, in most pathetic terms, his utterly destitute condition, and asking twenty pounds on the strength of the plate left after him at the castle of Clonroad.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 90

As the companion tells it

Coming up now through Maynooth, in Kildare. In 1535 this town held the chief stronghold of Silken Thomas, and its fall undid him. Silken Thomas expected nothing from the justice or mercy of Henry, so he raised the standard of revolt and invited to his side all who wanted to shake off the English yoke. What disconcerted all his plans was the capture of the castle of Maynooth. There was an alleged treacherous surrender by his foster-brother, and the castle was taken. Henry acted with great vigour. He sent into Ireland Lord Leonard Grey and Sir William Skeffington, with all the forces he could hastily collect. They followed up with great ability the stroke dealt to Silken Thomas by the seizure of his chief stronghold. The aid he expected failed him, and he fled into Clare, bringing with him all he could carry of his valuables. There he and his retinue of gentlemen of his own family were hospitably entertained for full six months. He felt safe there from the pursuit of the English commanders. His surrender came later, to the very man, Lord Grey, who tempted him into rebellion. He was conveyed to London, held in miserable captivity in the Tower, and executed along with his five uncles. While in prison he contrived to write a letter to his servant Rothe, enclosing another to O'Brien. Both fell into the hands of the English and are now found among the State Papers. He described in most pathetic terms his utterly destitute condition, and asked twenty pounds on the strength of the plate left behind him at the castle of Clonroad.

Naming of Gorthnaclea from wounded warriors' last stand

Gortnaclea · townland · Laois · 1014

Wounded Dalcassian soldiers, attacked by the Ossory chief MacGiolla Phadruig on the march home from Clontarf, had stakes fixed in the ground to support themselves so they could keep fighting, so impressing the enemy that they retreated; the site is remembered in the townland name Gorthnaclea, 'field of stakes.'

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their hereditary enemy. They swarmed down on them with such determination, and in such numbers, as threatened to annihilate them. This treacherous and cowardly attack at such a time aroused the indignation of the Dalcassians to such a pitch, that even the wounded insisted on being allowed to share in the fight. At their urgent request, stakes from a neighbouring wood were fixed in the ground, on which they might support their weakened frames, keeping their right hand free to strike. Near each wounded man was posted a soldier to shield and succour him, and in this unexampled manner they presented an undaunted front to the foe. This extraordinary order of battle so impressed their enemies, that they dared not risk an encounter with such enthusiastic valour, and retreated, leaving the way open for the remnant of Brian's army to proceed to their own country. The memory of this strange incident, so creditable to the spirit of the Dalcassian wounded warriors, is still preserved in the name of the place where it occurred — Gorthnaclea, i.e. " field of stakes," a townland in the barony of Upper Ossory in the Queen's County. Moore has immortalised it in his beautiful song, " Eemember the glories of Brian the BraAe," but his version of it there is not historically correct. "The moss of the valley " did not " grow red with their blood." They could not conquer, for the reason that the enemy did not close in the fight. Yet the poet's version is not unreasonably extravagant. The heroic spirit, ready to conquer or die, was certainly displayed there, and sheds a paiting gleam of glory on the victors of Clontarf.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 43

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is the ground called Gorthnaclea, the field of stakes. In 1014, after the battle of Clontarf, the remnant of Brian's army was marching home when their hereditary enemy swarmed down on them. The Ossory chief MacGiolla Phadruig attacked with such determination and in such numbers that he threatened to annihilate them. This treacherous and cowardly attack at such a time roused the indignation of the Dalcassians to such a pitch that even the wounded insisted on being allowed to share in the fight. At their urgent request, stakes from a neighbouring wood were fixed in the ground, on which they might support their weakened frames, keeping their right hand free to strike. Near each wounded man was posted a soldier to shield and succour him, and in this unexampled manner they presented an undaunted front to the foe. This extraordinary order of battle so impressed their enemies that they dared not risk an encounter with such enthusiastic valour, and retreated, leaving the way open for the remnant of Brian's army to proceed to their own country. Moore has immortalised it in his song "Remember the glories of Brian the Brave," but his version is not historically correct. The moss of the valley did not grow red with their blood. They could not conquer, for the reason that the enemy did not close in the fight. Yet the poet's version is not unreasonably extravagant. The heroic spirit, ready to conquer or die, was certainly displayed here, and sheds a parting gleam of glory on the victors of Clontarf.

O'Brien of Ara betrays escaping rebels at Killaloe, hanged despite promise of safety

near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1602

O'Brien of Ara captured fleeing rebels who had crossed into Duharrow and delivered them to the Earl of Thomond at Killaloe, who hanged them face to face on nearby trees despite having promised safety for a fortnight.

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put together and carry away what they could of their property. No sooner had they crossed the Shannon into Duharrow, than O'Brien of Ara — that pliant tool of the English policy — set upon them, captured most of them, and put them back into the hands of the earl at Killaloe. Here, on the pretext that their fortnight had expired, he hanged them face to face ^ on the nearest trees — a favourite method of his, as was shown before at Dunbeg and Dunmore. He could now write to his mistress Elizabeth, who was then on her dying bed in that awful agony of conscience of which English history tells us, that the Catholic Dalcassian race of Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary was, mainly through his effort, at the feet of a foreign Protestant potentate. Truly a noble boast for the head of that valiant, proud, and, for twenty centuries, free and freedom-loving people.
In the year a.d. 1602 died that John MacNamara, Lord of West Clancuilean, who had refused to sign the formal surrender of their lands and their rights proposed to the Clare chiefs by Sir John Perrot. MacBrody also died, than whom, say the Four Masters, " there was not in Ireland a better historian, poet, or rhymer.'

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 117

Sarsfield's crossing at Killaloe on the raid to destroy William's siege train

near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1690

Sarsfield left Limerick with five hundred picked horsemen on the night of 10 August 1690 and crossed the Shannon at Killaloe, guided by the rapparee O'Hogan, en route to destroy William's battering train.

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ammunition and provisions, with ten boats and other necessaries for investing the city on all sides, was being conveyed under escort from Waterford, he determined at once to try and destroy it. Leaving Limerick with five hundred picked horsemen on the night of the 10th of August, he crossed the Shannon at Killaloe, and, under the guidance of O'Hogan, a Eapparee leader, who knew the country well, reached the northern slope of Keeper Hill before daylight, and halted at Silvermines. Here he lay concealed for the day. A traitor named Manus O'Brien, called by Story " a substantial country gentleman," brought word next day to the English camp of Sarstield's movement across the river, but could not further describe its object or direction. William suspecting it sent out a detachment under Sir John Lanier to meet the convoy, but as he did not leave the camp till two o'clock the following morning, he was forestalled. Sarsfield, resuming his march late in the evening, found his quarry reposing in fancied security only eight or nine miles away from William's army at Bally nee ty,^ near Pallas, now a station on the Waterford and Limerick line of railway, and, falling on them early in the morning of the 12th August, cut down all who attempted resistance. Filling the heavy guns with powder, then fixing their mouths into the ground, and heaping round them all the ammunition and other materials for the siege, he laid a train of powder on to a safe distance. Then, setting fire to it, he and his brave followers had the satisfaction to see the warsupplies ^ upon which William counted so securely for the destruction of the walls of Limerick, blown to atoms. The terrific explosion shook the earth around, and was heard not only by the advancing English escort, but in the camp and through the city, bringing dismay to the army of William, and raising high the hopes of the Irish. Sarsfield retraced his steps as speedily as possible, and was received by his fellow-countrymen with acclamations that must have been
1 Ballyneety is Irish for White's Town.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 147

Surrender and cruel execution at Dunbeg castle

Dunbeg · townland · Derry · 1599

After procuring ordnance from Limerick, the Earl of Thomond besieged Dunbeg, whose garrison surrendered without a blow having no cannon to defend it; he showed his cruelty by hanging them up face to face.

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The Earl of Thomond now appeared on the scene, and resolved to make himself felt. He had a special grudge against MacMahon, because of his seizure of his own castle of Kilmurry and the wounding and imprisonment of his brother. With all the force he could collect, he marched to Carrigaholt, besieged it, and, at the end of four days, captured it, with the town surrounding it. Having procured ordnance from Limerick, he next sat down before Dunbeg, which the garrison surrendered without a blow, having, in fact, no cannon to defend it. He showed his magnanimity, as might be expected from his bringing up, by hanging them up face to face, Dunmore next fell to him. His vengeance on MacMahon, who, taking to his ship during the siege of Carrigaholt, had crossed the Shannon to his ally Desmond, was now complete. Sending back the cannon to Limerick, he went eastwards to take formal possession of the castle of Derryowen, in Kilkeady, and Cluain and Lisofin, near Tulla, which his brother Teigue dared no longer to hold ; and so Clare once again was in every part under the English yoke.
His next movements were not so successful. At the head of his troops, he joined the Earl of Essex, and shared in the ignominy of his defeat at the hands of the brave Desmond. When Essex was recalled and replaced by Blount, Lord Mountjoy, an effort was made to detach O'Moore of Leix from the Irish and Catholic cause. An interview was arranged between him and the Earl of Ormond. The latter invited Thomond, who was one " of the counsellors to be assistant to the Lord President of Mountster, Sir George ^ Carew," to the conference. A long time was spent in a vain attempt to come to terms. Ormond, who had with him a bodyguard of three hundred men, but at some distance, as were O'Moore's gallowglasses of an equal number by preconcert at the other side, very rashly insisted on seeing " that infamous Jesuite Archer." As soon as he came, the earl and he 1 Fac. Hib. chap. i. p. 34.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 114

The Harp of Brian Boroimhe and its journey through Clenagh

Clenagh · townland · Clare · 1128–1782

Brian Boroimhe's harp was carried to Rome by his son Donogh after he murdered his brother Teigue in 1128, and eventually passed through Henry VIII to the Earl of Clanrickard, then by marriage to the MacMahons who kept it at Clenagh for about a century. It was later deposited as a national monument in Trinity College in 1782.

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^ The harp of Brian Boroimhe is still to be seen in the Museum of Trinity College. Its history is full of interest. Brian's son Donogh, having murdered his brother Teigue, a.d. 1128, was deposed and fled to Rome to crave absolution for his crime, carrying with him his father's crown and harp, which he presented to the Poj^e. This act of submission was availed of in the alleged Bull of Adrian as a proof of his right to cede Ireland to Henry II. The harp was sent, with the title of Defender of the Faith, to Henry VIII. He presented it to the first Earl of Clanrickard. On the marriage of a Lady Eleanor De Burgh to Turlogh MacMahon of Clenagh, it formed part of the dowry, and hung for about a century in the halls of Clenagh. Donogh MacMahon and his eldest son had to fly to Austria in the early penal times. His second son, Henry, stayed at home and married an O'Brien of Arra. About 1750, Donogh's grandson Stanislaus returned, and, on having possession of Clenagh from his uncle's son, gave him the harp. It passed then by intermarriage to a MacXamara, by whose son, a.d. 1782, it was given to the Hon. William Conyngham, and deposited by him as a national monument in the collection at Trinity College. Mrs. Morgan John O'Connell of Ballyleen Lodge, whose son represents the MacMahons of Clena_!a;h in the female line (the male line being extinct), has given me these details from family papers in her possession.
158 HISTORY OF CLARE.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 83

Turlogh builds the first Irish castle at Ennis

Ennis · town · Clare · 1280–1306

Following the Norman example, Turlogh built a castle on the peninsula where Ennis now stands, the first such castle built by the Irish. This broke with the old Irish code of honour against fighting behind armour or fortification.

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Following the example set him by the Normans, he built a castle on the peninsula on which Ennis now stands. It was the first of the kind built by the Irish, who had a foolish code of honour which excluded any fighting not done in the open and without the protection of armour. It is little wonder that the Normans, though m much smaller numbers, were so often more than a match for them.
Turlogh, having disposed of his rivals, turned his attention to the English, who were allowed by Brian to settle down in Tradaree. They were troublesome neighbours, notwithstanding the promise of submission made by them at Slieve Bloom. He pressed sorely upon them ; and in a battle, fought A.D. 1287, defeated them with great loss,^ including among the slaia Thomas de Clare, Sir Pachard de Exeter, Fitzmaurice, Sir Eichard Taafe, and many others of note. In fact, he left them no secure foothold outside the castle of Bunratty.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 71

Fenian rising collision at Kilbaha coastguard station

near Kilbaha · population centre · Clare · 1867

On the night of the Fenian rising, March 5, 1867, the only collision in Clare took place at the coastguard station near Kilbaha, where one Fenian and one coastguard were wounded.

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were " out " that night in all parts of Clare, only at one place — the coastguard station near Kilbaka, in the remote west — did any collision take place. It was not much. One Fenian and one of the coastguards were wounded rather badly. The Fenian could not escape, and was arrested, tried by Judge Keogh, and sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. The others who were known to be engaged in the attack were, after many hair-breadth escapes and much worrying of the district, got out of the country. So ended there, and wherever else such attempts were made, what was regarded as a very formidable organisation.
The break-up of Fenianism produced a crop of informers. The Habeas Corpus Act being suspended, the jails were soon filled, and it was found easy to excite suspicion of each other among the prisoners. Clare was, however, remarkably steadfast in this respect. Only two persons — and these of indifferent character — could be got to turn upon their comrades. In the western district, where the trouble was greatest, not even one could be induced to give information of any kind. The writer knew many poor persons who had it in their power to secure money by telling privately where the fugitives were being sheltered, and who scorned to do so. Instead of this, they helped them in every way to escape ; and at no small risk to themselves, for they also had been warned from the bench at Kilrush, on the occasion of one of the trials, that they and all such evil-doers as would give them aid or countenance would be as guilty in the eye of the law as the persons who actually rose up in arms.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 194

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through Kilbaha, out in the remote west of Clare, this is where the Fenian rising of March 5, 1867, left its only mark in the county. The Fenians were out that night across all of Clare, but the single clash came at the coastguard station near here. It was not much of a fight. One Fenian and one coastguard were wounded rather badly. The Fenian could not escape. He was arrested, tried by Judge Keogh, and sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. The others known to be in the attack, after many hair-breadth escapes and much harassing of the district, were got out of the country. So ended what was regarded as a very formidable organisation. After the rising broke apart, the Habeas Corpus Act was suspended and the jails filled fast. Clare stayed remarkably steadfast. Only two persons, both of indifferent character, could be got to turn on their comrades. In the western district, where the trouble was greatest, not even one could be induced to give information. Poor people who could have secured money by telling where fugitives were sheltered scorned to do so, and helped them escape at no small risk to themselves. They had been warned from the bench at Kilrush that anyone giving aid or countenance would be as guilty in the eye of the law as those who rose up in arms.

Near-massacre averted at Tulla polling booth

Tulla · town · Clare · 1852

At Tulla on the same election day, an infuriated local landlord allegedly called for soldiers to fire on the crowd; disaster was averted when local gentlemen and priests rushed between the people and the guns.

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O'Brien, Sir John Foster Fitzgerald, Lord Francis Conyngham, Francis MacNamara Calcut, Luke White, Charles White, Sir Colman O'Loghlin, and Sir Bryan O'Loghlin. In the borough of Ennis no one but a Liberal offered himself, and it was held all the time by J. D. Fitzgerald, J.C., who defeated O'Gorman Mahon in 1852, and William Stacpoole of Edenvale. The county contest was usually a three-cornered fight. The Conservatives, backed up by the then powerful landlord influence, struggled hard to secure one seat. It was on all occasions a very close run — on one of these the Liberal majority being but one. As might be expected, the Conservative stronghold was in the west of the county, where Colonel Vandaleur, Lord Leaconfield, and the other landlords, with their agents, had practically absolute power over their tenantsat-will, and used it with little scruple. Pressure of a similar kind was put upon voters in the eastern parts, but it was met with more vigour. Popular feeling was more concentrated and stronger. Those of the tenants who voted with their landlords — they were not very many — came to the polling booths at Tulla and Six-Mile Bridge under military protection. At the latter place, in 1852, the soldiers fired upon the people, taking many lives. On the same day at Tulla a greater catastrophe was narrowly escaped. A large crowd, densely packed between the soldiers and the houses on the side of the street, became very excited on the arrival of some protected voters. A local landlord, not popular then nor since, infuriated by the threats and gibes of the crowd, was said to have called, in his capacity of Justice of the Peace, upon the commanding officer to fire upon the people. If he had obeyed the order, every bullet should have told. He exhibited however, great patience, but ordered his men to load. The danger of the situation becoming known within the booth, John O'Brien, E.M., Maurice O'Connell, J.P., and some priests, hastened to the scene, rushed in between the people and the muzzles of the guns, and succeeded in driving back and calming the foolhardy crowd. The Ballot Act and the Household Franchise Act have made such scenes — at least as between Conservatives and Liberals — impossible for evermore in Clare. Both these parties are extinguished. Isaac Butt's

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 192

Battle of Clontarf fought near Danish stronghold

Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

The battle of Clontarf was fought under the walls of the Danish stronghold at Dublin, with fighting possibly extending onto the site now occupied by North Dublin. Contemporary accounts describe watchers on the battlements of Ath-Cliath seeing flashes from the combat.

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The particulars of the great battle cannot be given with any certainty. The fact of its being fought at Clontarf, under the walls of the Danish stronghold, is proof enough that Brian forced the fighting. Like all the battles of the period, it partook in a great measure of the character of a hand-to-hand fight. Even bows and arrows were then unknown. Cold steel alone, the battle-axe, pike, and sword, decided the issue — " bravery and striking," as the Four Masters pithily put it. The numbers engaged on both sides are not given in any of the Irish or Danish accounts of the battle ; but as the Danes sufiered a loss, according to the least computation, of four thousand, including the thousand in armour to a man, and three thousand fell of the Leinster forces, it is clear that more than twenty thousand on each side must have entered on the struggle. Though called the " battle of Clontarf," and notwithstanding the common belief that all tlie fighting took place along the shore of Dublin Bay, between what is now called the Crescent, near Amiesley Bridge, and Conquer Hill at Dollymount, it is very probable that much, if not most, of the battle raged much nearer, and on the site now occupied by North Dublin itself.
Tliis may be inferred from the description given in what is regarded as one of the most ancient and reliable of our Irish annals, the Wars, of the Gaedhal uitli the Gaill. In page 181, the writer, who is believed to have been a contemporary, if not MacLiag, Brian's historian, — or if not a contemporary, one who must have lived, as the whole tone and method of the narration implies, while the stirring

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 38

Disputed 1715 Clare Election at Ardsollus and Mount Ivers

Ardsollus · townland · Clare · 1715

A parliamentary election petition alleged that the High Sheriff gave only six days' notice of the poll at Ardsollus, then moved the poll to Mount Ivers near a candidate's house where only about twelve voters were present. Protestant freeholders who arrived to demand a fair poll were fired on by the Sheriff's men, yet the sitting members retained their seats.

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who had been declared members for the county. The objections lodged were ^ that Arthur Gore, son of Francis Gore, being High Sheriff, gave only six days' notice, at a court held at ArdsoUus, of the time and place of the election — that one hour before the time fixed he called for a poll, not at ArdsoUus, but at Mount Ivers, near the house of one of the candidates, where only about twelve voters were present, and then declared his father and John Ivers duly elected — that before the hour named about one hundred and fifty Protestant freeholders arrived on the scene and demanded a poll on behalf of the petitioners, and were not only refused, but tired on by the Sheriff's men ; and that afterwards the Sheriff went to the house of one Stephen Bagwell, and did there take the votes of some other supporters of his father and John Ivers. In support of these charges, a similar petition was presented to the committee appointed to investigate the matter, by George Colpoys, Eobert Harrison, and Neptune Blood, Dean of Kilfenora. It is a curious commentary on the methods of the time, that in the face of such apparently circumstantial evidence the sitting members held their seats, and so about a dozen voters gave to Clare its parliamentary representatives.
Another noteworthy incident occurred in connection with the next election, which took place on the accession of George I. in 1727. Another petition was presented against the members returned, Francis Burton and George Purdon. The Sheriff now was Thomas Stothard — the first of the name now so widespead in Clare as Studdart I could find any trace of. This time nearly two hundred votes were cast, and, after a searching inquiry, Sir Edward O'Brien was declared elected in room of George Purdon, on the grounds that some of the latter's voters had married Popish wives xclio had not become Protestants loithin one year after marriage.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 159

Execution of shipwrecked Spaniards at Spanish Point

near Spanish Point · promontory · Clare · 1588

After two Armada vessels wrecked off the coast in 1588 with six hundred men aboard, local tradition holds that Boetius MacClancy, acting as sheriff, seized and executed the few Spaniards who reached shore at a place afterward named Spanish Point, where mounds called the Spaniards' Graves still mark the site.

Read the passage

The English sway was now unchallenged in Clare. The queen's writ began to run there. Two of the vessels of the ill-fated Armada having been wrecked, a.d. 1588, on the coast, with six hundred men on board, local tradition has it that Boetius MacClancy, acting as sheriff, seized and executed the few Spaniards who succeeded in reaching the shore at Spanish Point — so named from this event. To this day the people point to mounds close to the sea, called by them the " Spaniards' Graves."
Sir Turlogh O'Brien of Ennistymon was commissioned, with the sheriff, by the Lord Deputy, to hunt up the Spaniards, with power " to use torture in process of this inquiry." So terrified were the people, that water was refused at Kilrush and Liscannor to a vessel which weathered the gale, though an equal quantity of wine was offered for it.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 110

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Spanish Point, in 1588, two vessels of the Spanish Armada wrecked on this coast with six hundred men aboard. Only a few Spaniards reached shore, and local tradition says Boetius MacClancy, acting as sheriff, seized them and had them executed. The place took its name from what happened. To this day people point to mounds near the sea they call the Spaniards' Graves. Sir Turlogh O'Brien of Ennistymon was commissioned alongside the sheriff by the Lord Deputy to hunt for any Spaniards, with power, in the words of the record, to use torture in process of this inquiry. The terror ran so deep that at Kilrush and Liscannor water was refused to a vessel that had weathered the gale, even though an equal quantity of wine was offered in exchange.

First English Court in Clare Held at Ennis Franciscan Monastery

Ennis · town · Clare · 1570

In 1570 an attempt was made to hold the first English-law court in Clare at the Franciscan monastery at Ennis, arranged between Sir Edward Fitton and Teigue O'Brien. Conor O'Brien, Earl of Thomond, watching from his nearby castle of Clare, attacked the force sent to summon him, killing several and forcing the president to flee to Connaught.

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consisting of English cavalry ^ and members of his own family with their retainers, was sent on the third day to summon him. He allowed some of the party within the gate ; then, closing it quickly, he made prisoners of them, and attacked those outside, killing such of them as were unable to escape by rapid flight into Ennis. The president broke up the court, and lied precipitately towards Connaught, being guided by Teigue and Morogh O'Brien through the difficult passes of that rocky region. The earl pursued them hotly, and only desisted when they had reached the shelter of the castle of Gort.
When Lord Justice Sir Henry Sydney heard of this outrage against the queen's representative, he despatched at once a large force, under the command of the Earl of Ormond, into Clare, to reduce the stubborn Dalcassians once more to submission. Being a first cousin of the earl, Ormond entered into a parley with him, and induced him to yield up without a blow the castles of Bunratty, Clare, and Clonroad, reserving to himself but one of his strongholds — that of Moy, in Kilfarboy. No sooner had he done this than he repented of such a tame surrender ; but, not being able to keep the field against the English, or recover his castles, he fled first into Kerry, then into France ; but finally, going into England, he humbled himself to Elizabeth, and was restored to favour. On his return to Ireland the following year, 1571, he put himself into communication with Sir Edward Fitton, yielding up the castle and town of Moy, which he had, on the former occasion, reserved to himself. The latter, having now the co-operation of the earl and his followers, opened a court at Ennis on St. Patrick's day, and for eighteen days presided over it. The jurisdiction of the court extended over the Clanrickard as well as the Dalcassian territory. This was the first formal recognition by the Dalcassian chiefs of English, as opposed to Brehon, law in Clare. The people generally had no part in it, and subsequent events proved that they were opposed to the surrender of this, as well as other rights, made in their name.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

Hugh O'Neill's stubborn defence of Clonmel

Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1650

Hugh O'Neill, nephew of Owen Roe, commanded the garrison at Clonmel and repulsed Cromwell's troops repeatedly, inflicting heavy losses before the garrison secretly withdrew to Waterford after negotiating surrender terms.

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Ireland his cry was, Xo quarter, wherever the slightest resistance was offered. Wexford next fell into his hands, affording him another opportunity to emphasise his policy of indiscriminate slaughter. These evidences of inhuman barbarity produced a widespread terror. With the exception of Waterford, the siege of which he was obliged to raise, nearly all the Southern strongholds surrendered. Even Kilkenny, so long the centre of the Confederation, made little better than a show of resistance, owing in no small degree to the ravages of a pestilence within its walls. He next turned his attention to Clonmel, where he for the first time met with a serious repulse. The brave commander of the garrison, Hugh O'Neill, nephew of Owen Eoe, hurled back his troops again and again from the walls. So impressed was he with the bravery and stubbornness of the defenders, having lost nearly three thousand of his soldiers, that he gladly offered favourable terms to the mayor for the surrender of the town. His chagrin may be imagined, when, on entering the town, he discovered that the garrison, under Hugh O'Neill, having, in common with the townspeople, concluded that the fortress could not hold out any longer,^ had slipped away under cover of night to Waterford. The way to Limerick and Clare was now made clear ; but just then despatches reached him, urging his inmiediate return to England, where a storm from the North was threatening. He sailed from Youghal at the end of May 1650, leaving the completion of his work in the hands of one as fanatic and ruthless as himself, his son-in-law Ireton. Before leaving, however, he tried to secure the neutrality of Limerick, offering the citizens freedom of religion and the secure possession of their property, on condition of their allowing his troops to pass into Clare,^ where Ormond's army was located. These terms having been rejected, Ireton had only to fight his way into the doomed county.
The first practical intimation the people of Clare got of the turning of the tide of war towards them, was the flight into

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 135

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Clonmel, you are crossing the ground where Cromwell met his first serious repulse in Ireland in 1650. The garrison here was commanded by Hugh O'Neill, nephew of Owen Roe, who hurled back Cromwell's troops again and again from the walls. Cromwell lost nearly 3,000 soldiers in the assault, so impressed was he by the bravery and stubbornness of the defenders that he gladly offered favourable terms to the mayor for the surrender of the town. But when Cromwell entered Clonmel, he found the garrison gone. Hugh O'Neill and his men, having concluded the fortress could not hold out any longer, had slipped away under cover of night to Waterford. The way to Limerick and Clare was now clear for Cromwell, but just then despatches reached him urging his immediate return to England, where a storm from the North was threatening. He sailed from Youghal at the end of May 1650, leaving the completion of his work in the hands of his son-in-law Ireton, described as one as fanatic and ruthless as himself. Before leaving, Cromwell tried to secure the neutrality of Limerick, offering freedom of religion and secure possession of property on condition that his troops be allowed to pass into Clare, where Ormond's army was located. Those terms were rejected, and Ireton had only to fight his way into the doomed county.

O'Sullivan Beare's retreat crosses the Shannon at Coill-fhire near Portland

Portland · townland · Tipperary · 1603

Fleeing north after the fall of Dunboy, O'Sullivan Beare's followers reached the Shannon at Coill-fhire, a wood near Portland in the parish of Lorha, and, finding no boats, killed their horses to make corachs from the hides to cross the river.

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O'Sullivan Beare, seeing all was now lost, determined, however, not to sue for terms or surrender. At the head of about one thousand followers, he set out for the North. He had to fight his way literally inch by inch. The retreat celebrated by Xenophon was not so full of adventure. When they came upon the Shannon at Coill-fhire, a wood near Portland, in the parish of Lorha, not finding boats to ferry them over, they killed all their horses, made corachs of their skins, and succeeded, strangely enough, in crossing on such frail boats, carrying with them as much as they could of the flesh to serve as food in their great extremity. Being now in the Clanrickard country, they were hemmed in on all sides by the English and their allies, the Burkes. Fighting against great odds, but with the courage of despair, they cut their way through, and finally reached the friendly shelter of O'Euarck's territory — thirty-five in all out of the thousand who started with their chief from Glengariff.^
The defeat of the Catholic Irish was now complete for the present at least ; but it was resolved to renew the struggle if only reinforcements could be procured from Spain. O'Donnell proceeded there for this purpose ; and, notwithstanding the total failure of the attempt to relieve the Spanish garrison of Kinsale, he was received at court with the highest marks of distinction. The hope was held out to him of yet one more attempt to rescue the Catholic Irish from the grip of the Protestant English queen. The Irish army under O'Neill was still to be counted on. They had made their way back to the North, little knowing that they had in their company a traitor — MacMahon, to whom their defeat was largely due.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 117

Scattery Island's Danish assaults and St Senan's Bed

Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 700–900

Scattery Island (Iniscatha), 'Island of Battles', was repeatedly plundered by the Danes in the eighth and following centuries, murdering unarmed monks; this was later avenged at Clontarf by Brian and the Dalcassians. The site called 'St. Senan's Bed' is venerated as the saint's burial place, and no Catholic woman would set foot on it.

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Scatter}' — a corruption for Innis Catlia, " Island of Battles." It received this significant appellation from its having been so frequently assailed and plundered by the Danes during the eighth and succeeding centuries. Those marauders found little difficulty in plundering and murdering unarmed monks. Some will see the hand of Providence in the fact that the desecration of the holy place was well avenged on the plains of Clontarf by Brian and his Dalcassians. At the present day, the group of ruined churches nestling under the graceful round tower bear witness to the importance of this little island as a centre of piety and learning in the days before the Danish incursions, when Ireland was the university of Europe. One of these is called " St. Senan's Bed." It is held in the deepest veneration, being popularly regarded as his burialplace. No Catholic woman would think of placing foot upon it, in deference to the traditionary story of the Saint's exclusion of the softer sex from his holy isle. The present writer, while in charge of the island as parish priest of Kilrush, had the spot dug up where, if buried there, the Saint's remains should lie ; and found portions of a skeleton, which, when submitted to competent authority without notifying any of the facts in reference to it, were declared to be the remains of a very old man, evidently in the earth for a great many centuries. He retains and zealously guards a small part of what he believes to be a very precious relic, but restored the rest to the hallowed ground. Farther up the river, at the estuary of the Fergus, is a group of islands, one of which is called Canon Island. The priory from which it takes its name was built for Canons Eegular of St. Augustine, in the twelfth century, by Donal Mor O'Brien, King of Munster. The church, with a square tower, adds much, even in ruin, to the beauty of the scenery. It was seized on with all its property, and granted to Donogh, Earl of Thomond, in 1605, as a reward for his submission to the English invader.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 4

Thirty-five paupers from Moyarta drown crossing ferry to Kilrush workhouse

Moyarta · parish · Clare · 1849

Fr. Kelly's letter reported that thirty-five paupers from Moyarta parish, travelling fifteen miles in hope of relief at the Kilrush workhouse, were all drowned while crossing a narrow ferry.

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" It was determined that a public meeting would be held to address your Excellency ; but when a report — alas ! a true report — reached us, that thirty-five paupers from Moyarta parish, a distance of fifteen miles, in the hope to be relieved at the workhouse, were all — all drowned whilst crossing a narrow ferry, I considered it my duty not to lose a moment in communicating to your Excellency our awful situation, which may be imagined, but cannot be described. One week more, and no food ! The honest, peaceable poor of this district fall like leaves in autumn.
358 HISTORY OF CLARE.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 187

Parnell addresses great meeting and turns first sod of railway at Miltown Malbay

Milltown Malbay · town · Clare · 1884

After his release from prison, Parnell fulfilled a promise to address a meeting at Miltown Malbay, held on the lawn before the Parochial House as the town could not hold the crowds. He turned the first sod of a newly secured railway before speaking on 26 January 1884, with every parish in the county represented.

Read the passage

meeting at Milltowa-Malbay. The town could not hold the multitudes who assembled, and the meeting was held on the lawn before the Parochial House.^ Every parish in the county was well represented there on that memorable 26tli of January 1884. He proceeded amid great enthusiasm, before speaking, to turn the first sod of the railway which we had only just secured after a long struggle. The day having been very fine for such a period of the year, contributed much to the success of the meeting. With its numerous bands, and still more numerous banners swaying under the Atlantic breezes, the immense gathering presented certainly a splendid spectacle, second only to that of Ballycoree in O'Connell's time. As conciliation had become the policy of the Government, the speeches delivered were moderate but firm in tone. The greatest regularity prevailed. We undertook to preserve order, if police were not intruded on the meeting. The condition was complied with, and neither hitch nor accident nor disturbance of any kind marred the proceedings. Intense satisfaction was felt by all present, as the old county had clearly scored one of its red-letter days. This was the only county meeting addressed by Mr. Parnell after his imprisonment ; and doubtless it had no little to say to that dogged " right or wrong " spirit with which so many clung to him in after days.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 195

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Milltown Malbay, this is where Parnell came in January 1884, the only county meeting he addressed after his release from prison. The town itself could not hold the crowds that gathered, so the meeting was held on the lawn before the Parochial House, with every parish in the county represented. He turned the first sod of the railway, only just secured after a long struggle, before he spoke. The day was fine for the time of year, and the gathering was full of bands and banners swaying in the Atlantic breeze. The crowd agreed to keep order themselves if the police stayed away, and they did, so neither hitch nor disturbance marred the proceedings. People felt it was one of the old county's red-letter days. The writer called the spectacle second only to Ballycoree in O'Connell's time, and said this day had much to do with the dogged spirit with which so many clung to Parnell afterward.

Battle of the Ford of Camur near Cashel

Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 1521

Teigue O'Brien met Pierce Butler's forces at the ford of Camur on the River Suir, two miles north of Cashel, where he was killed by a gunshot—the first recorded use of firearms in the Annals. The Dalcassians retreated in good order, carrying their prince's body for burial.

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At this time. Pierce Pioe Butler, Lord of Ormond, had supplanted his enemy, the Earl of Kildare, in the favour of Henry VIII., and was appointed by him Lord Justice of Ireland. To signalise his accession to power, he made war on Thomond ; but before he had advanced into the eastern part of that territory, he was met by Teigue O'Brien, son of the prince, who had been in the hands of the O'Donnells, but honourably restored to liberty, and who burned to recover the lost Dalcassian prestige. The opposing forces met about two miles north of Cashel, at the ford of Camur on the river Suir. The Dalcassians, having lost their chief Teigue,^ " killed by the shot of a ball " (the first notice of the use of firearms in the Annals), retreated in good order, bringing with them the body of their prince to be interred in the Abbey of Clonroad.2 How few of the many who daily pass by the lone ruin at the head of Church Street in Ennis, give a thought to the succession of bold and brave O'Brien and MacNamara chiefs of bygone times, who for centuries kept at bay the English invader, and who sleep their long last sleep under its crumbling w^alls !
The Lord Justice ^ did not follow up his victory, if victory it were. For some years after, Thomond east and west of the Shannon was left unmolested. It is stated* that, so well

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 89

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Cashel, in 1521, a battle was fought at the ford of Camur on the River Suir, about two miles north of here. Pierce Butler, Lord of Ormond, had been appointed Lord Justice of Ireland by Henry VIII after supplanted the Earl of Kildare in royal favour. To mark his new power he made war on Thomond. Before he had advanced far into the eastern part of that territory he was met by Teigue O'Brien, son of the prince, who had been held by the O'Donnells but honourably restored to liberty, and who burned to recover the lost Dalcassian prestige. Teigue was killed by the shot of a ball, the first notice of the use of firearms in the Annals. The Dalcassians retreated in good order, carrying their prince's body away for burial in the Abbey of Clonroad in Ennis. Butler did not follow up his victory, if victory it were, and for some years after, Thomond east and west of the Shannon was left unmolested.

Burial of Brian and Morogh at Armagh

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1014

After the battle, the successor of Patrick carried the bodies of Brian and his son Murchadh, and the heads of Conaing and Mothla, to be waked with honour and interred in a new tomb at Armagh, rather than in Thomond.

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In the Four Masters ^ we find the following record : " Maelmuire " (which signifies servant of Mary), " son of Eochaidh, successor of Patrick, proceeded with the seniors and relics to Aord-Choluim-Chilli ; and they carried from thence the body of Brian, King of Ireland, and the body of Murchadh, his son, and the head of Conaing and the head of Mothla. Maelmuire and his clergy waked the bodies with great honour and veneration ; and they were interred in Ardmacha in a new tomb." We can well picture to ourselves the gloom and grief, struggling with pride, that settled down on the people of Thomond, when it became known that they were not to have the sad satisfaction of receiving the hero's remains. But they belonged to Ireland more than to Thomond, and it was becoming that Erinn's Primatial See should be their shrine, and St. Patrick's successor their custodian.
Henceforward in the pages of this narrative, events of a very different character, sad to say, will have to be recorded for the most part. Dissension sprung up at once, not only among the rival clans, but even among the Dalcassians themselves. Immediately after the quotation given above, from the Four Masters, relating the mode and place of Brian's and Morogh's burial, we read the following : " A battle between the two sons of Brian, i.e. Dounchadh and Tadgh. Dounchadh was defeated, and Paiaideri Ma Donnagain, Lord of Aradh, and

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 42

Conspiracy and murder of Mahon at Sliabh Riach

Bruree · town · Limerick · 976

Mahon was invited under safe-conduct to the house of Donovan at Bruree, County Limerick, then induced to proceed into Molloy's country where he was treacherously murdered at the hill known as Sliabh Riach, near Fermoy on the Cork-Limerick border.

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Ivar, who, with some of the Danes, had escaped to the coasts of Britain, collecting a large force, returned and took possession of Iniscatha and the islands at the mouth of the Fergus. He entered into a conspiracy with Molloy and Donovan to entrap and assassinate Mahon. He was invited to the house of Donovan at Bruree, in the county of Limerick, and went there under a safe-conduct ratifit^d by the bishop und clergy. From thence he was induced to proceed into MoUoy's country, and was treacherously murdered at the hill now known as Sliabh Eiach, on the borders of Cork and Limerick, within a few miles of Fermoy.
The plot was so far successful, but it led to the ruin of the ' Cogadh Gaedhal 'se Gallaihlt.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 29

Dr. Cahill preaches from the Ark and rallies opposition

Kilkee · town · Clare

Dr. Cahill, staying at Kilkee, heard of the Ark and went to preach from it, drawing press attention to the proselytisers' conduct in West Clare and helping end the campaign.

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Immediately after the famine, while the people were yet in the depths of poverty and despondency, an attempt at proselytism on a large scale was made in the parish of Carrigaholt. Being almost an island, and up to that time badly provided with schools, it was regarded by those who delight in tempting the starving poor as a suitable field for operation. An agent, who ruled with despotic sway over the greater part of the parish, actively supported as well by the Kildare Street Society, as by the landlord, his father-in-law, set himself with vigour to the work of Protestantising the peninsula. Schools were rapidly built at different points, a staff of parsons. Scripture readers, and teachers provided, and his own brother, at a good salary, planted down as resident superintendent of the mission. Some progress was made for awhile among the very poor and the small farmers, who, being tenants-at-will, were at the mercy of landlord and agent. The new parish priest, Father Meehan, who succeeded the cholera-stricken Father Duggan, devoted all his great energy and zeal to the task of counteracting the efforts of the proselytisers. The struggle was maintained with great vigour, and bitterness too, on both sides for about ten years. When Father Meehan could not get a site on which to build a chapel in the most remote and populous part of the parish, he contrived to get possession of a house from an emigrant, converting it, poor and despicable as it was, into what he called St. Patrick's Church. Out of this he was evicted as soon as the law could be put in force. In his extremity the thought occurred to him of building a timber, movable hut, fixing in it an altar, and placing it in an open space on the sea-shore. This he called " The Ark," and round it the people for some years flocked in all weather to hear mass and receive instruction. Dr. Cahill, the eminent preacher and lecturer, while staying at Kilkee, heard of this novel method of carrying on church work. He went to the " Ark," preached from it, and began at once to call public attention through the press to the conduct of the proselytisers in West Clare, The agent was compelled by the strong feeling aroused to give a site, upon which soon after Father Meehan

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 191

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Kilkee now. After the famine, the people were still in poverty and despondency, and a large-scale attempt at proselytism was made in the parish of Carrigaholt. The peninsula was almost an island and badly provided with schools, so it was regarded as a suitable field by those who sought to tempt the starving poor. An agent, supported by the Kildare Street Society and by his father-in-law the landlord, set himself to Protestantising the peninsula. Schools were rapidly built, a staff of parsons, Scripture readers and teachers provided, and his own brother planted down as resident superintendent at a good salary. Some progress was made among the very poor and the small farmers, tenants-at-will at the mercy of landlord and agent. The new parish priest, Father Meehan, who succeeded the cholera-stricken Father Duggan, devoted all his great energy to counteracting the proselytisers. The struggle went on with great vigour and bitterness on both sides for about ten years. When Father Meehan could not get a site for a chapel in the most remote and populous part of the parish, he got possession of a house from an emigrant and called it St. Patrick's Church. He was evicted from it. In his extremity he built a timber movable hut, fixed an altar in it, and placed it on the sea-shore. He called it The Ark, and the people flocked round it in all weather to hear mass. Dr. Cahill, the eminent preacher, while staying at Kilkee, heard of this. He went to the Ark, preached from it, and called public attention through the press to the conduct of the proselytisers in West Clare. The agent was compelled by the strong feeling aroused to give a site.

Fall of Ballyalla Castle, September 1642

Ballyalla · townland · Clare · 1642

Donal O'Brien of Leimaneigh and Teigue Roe O'Brien renewed the siege of Ballyalla, erecting a gallows before the castle to threaten captured prisoners, and the castle finally surrendered after provisions failed.

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Towards the end of the same year, another attempt was made, and this time a successful one, by Donal O'Brien of Leimaneigh, and Teigue Eoe O'Brien, brother to Lord Inchiquin, to capture the castle. It was again defended with great spirit ; but, provisions failing, and one of the Cuffes having been captured, and a gallows erected before the castle, upon which to hang him and other prisoners, it was at last surrendered on the 26th of September 1642.
It speaks well for the humanity of the Irish that no revenge was taken upon the prisoners who fell into their hands. There is not so much as a hint of cruelty to the prisoners, much less of a butchery like that which took place after the capture of the castles of Dunboy and Glin. Even the parson Chaplin, who shot O'Grady at the first parley, was allowed to escape. He made a deposition afterwards, in which he accuses the Earl of Thomond of aiding the insurgents ; but it is easy to infer, from the terms in which the charge is made, that he only interfered to protect the people of the county from the violence of the well-armed and organised English. In another deposition, made by Edward Mainwairing, the same charge is repeated. It is not at all unlikely that the design was to have his huge property also confiscated. It was well known that, before the title fell to him at the death of his brother, his leanings were with the Irish and Catholic cause.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 128

Father Meehan's wheeled chapel 'The Ark' at Loop Head

Loop Head · promontory · Clare · 1845–1860

After the famine years, Father Meehan placed a miniature wooden chapel on wheels on the sea-shore near Loop Head to counter proselytising efforts, preaching to parishioners in Irish while they gathered outdoors in all weathers.

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Not far away from this relic of the distant past there is now a handsome Gothic church, containing another interesting relic, but of a very different kind. It is a miniature wooden chapel, set on wheels, which was placed on the sea-shore by the parish priest, the Eev. Father Meehan, when, after the famine years of the middle of the present century, a vigorous and persevering attempt was made to proselytise the people of this remote district. It was barely sufficient to shelter the priest saying Mass within, while the people assembled around in the open air in all weathers. From it for years he preached to them in their own Irish tongue. He called it " The Ark," not inaptly, as from his point of view it proved an ark of salvation to his beleaguered parishioners.
From Loop Head to Lough Derg, Clare has " the lordly Shenan, rolling like a sea," for its whole southern and eastern boundary. It confers enormous advantages on the county and its inhabitants, fertilising it as it flows, and is rich itself in its abounding wealth of choicest fish. It is navigable for ships of the heaviest burden all the way up to Limerick ; and with its tributary, the river Fergus, oflers facilities for exports and imports to nearly all parts of the country. Places of note, either as picturesquely-situated residences or of historic fame, abound on its bank for its whole length of nearly a hundred miles round Clare, from Loop Head to Holy Island, in Lough Derg.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 3

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Loop Head, after the famine years of the middle of the last century, the parish priest Father Meehan placed a miniature wooden chapel on wheels on the sea-shore. It was his answer to a vigorous and persevering attempt to proselytise the people of this remote district. The chapel was barely sufficient to shelter the priest saying Mass within it, while the people assembled around outside in the open air in all weathers. From it, for years, he preached to them in their own Irish tongue. He called it the Ark, and from his point of view it proved an ark of salvation to his beleaguered parishioners. The famine had passed, but the pressure on this remote stretch of coast had not. Father Meehan's wheeled chapel kept him among his people, saying Mass where they could gather, hearing him in the language they knew. The sea-shore became their place of worship, in fair weather and foul, for years. Loop Head is where this happened, and the Shannon begins its long boundary of Clare from here, flowing to Lough Derg.

Forty paupers drowned crossing Shannon ferry near Moyarta

Moyarta · parish · Clare · 1849–1850

Around this period, as many as forty poor people returning from the Kilrush Board of Guardians to Moyarta, having failed to secure workhouse entrance or outdoor relief, were nearly all drowned while attempting to cross the Shannon inlet in an overcrowded ferry-boat.

Read the passage

It was about this period that as many as forty poor creatures, returning from the Kilrush Board of Guardians to Moyarta, without having been able to procure entrance to the workhouse or outdoor relief, were nearly all drowned while attempting to cross the Shannon inlet in the overcrowded ferry-boat.
The Society of Friends were busy in those evil days. For their humane exertions on this and similar occasions they deserve the everlasting gratitude of the Irish race. They did not, like another body whose deeds must soon be chronicled.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 184

Irish soldiers assemble on King's Island to choose their fate

King's Island · townland · Limerick · 1691

On 5 October 1691, the Irish soldiers were drawn up on the King's Island in Limerick and asked to declare whether they would go home, join Ginckle's army, or take service in France. About a thousand joined Ginckle, two thousand returned home, and the majority chose France.

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According to the terms of the treaty, the Irish soldiers were at liberty either to return to their homes or to take service on the Continent. They were drawn up, the 5 th of October, on the King's Island, and there they were asked to declare their choice. Ginckle gazed on these splendid troops with a hungry eye, and through his agents offered them the most tempting terms if they would join his army. About one thousand, mostly from the North, under that Baldearg O'Donnell about whom such hopes were entertained, and who proved such a fraud, accepted his offer, and were sent into England. About two thousand took passes, and returned to their homes. The great bulk, however, of the army, including the whole Clare contingent, had made up their minds to take service in France, with the hope deep in their hearts that all was not yet lost, and that an opportunity would be given them to renew some day, on Irish soil, the fight for faith and fatherland. They little knew of the heartlessness of kings and the callousness of diplomacy. Their bravery was their ruin. The French king, once he got hold of them, took good care to keep them in his own service. He thought no more of Ireland, steeped as it was in misery ; and so those gallant
1 For instance, the 25th Article provided that the garrison should march out " all at once, or at different times, as they could be embarked, with arms, baggage, drums beating, match lighted," etc., — in a word, with all the honours of war.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to King's Island, on the 5th of October 1691, the Irish soldiers were drawn up and asked to declare their choice: return home, join Ginckle's army, or take service in France. Ginckle wanted these troops badly and offered tempting terms through his agents. About 1,000 men, mostly from the North, accepted his offer under Baldearg O'Donnell, and were sent into England. About 2,000 took passes and returned home. The great bulk of the army, including the whole Clare contingent, chose France, hoping deep in their hearts that an opportunity would come to renew the fight on Irish soil. They little knew of the heartlessness of kings and the callousness of diplomacy. Their bravery was their ruin. The French king, once he had them, kept them in his own service and thought no more of Ireland, steeped as it was in misery.

The False Lord Clare - Fitzgibbon's Usurped Title

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1801

John Fitzgibbon, made Earl of Clare for betraying Ireland during the Union, had no legitimate connection by blood or property to the county whose name he usurped. He was described as an unscrupulous conspirator alongside Pitt and Castlereagh in destroying the Irish Parliament.

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On the 1st of January 1801 the Irish Parliament ceased to exist. Corruption of the most shameless character began the work of its destruction, and a despairing civil war, fomented for the purpose by English craft and cruelty, completed it. The two prominent pliant tools in the hands of the English Prime Minister, Pitt, were Lords Clare and Castlereagh, and all three will go down in history to the latest times as among the most unscrupulous conspirators the world has ever produced. Of the three, Clare was the worst. It is something to have to record, that though he usurped the name of the county, he had no other connection whatsoever, either by blood or property, with it. The last who had a legitimate claim to the title, the son of the celebrated Comte de Thomond, Marshal of France, had, as already stated, died under age in 1774. John Eitzgibbon, made Earl of Clare for his treachery to his country, was of an obscure family. His father had been partly educated for the Catholic priesthood in France, but, finding little scope for his ambition in that dangerous calling, he became Protestant, studied for the bar, became a success there, and gave to Ireland in his son one of her worst, if not her very worst, enemies. No more appropriate specimen

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 172

Turlogh removes mouse-cursed head from Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1073

King Turlogh O'Brien violently took the head of Conor O'Mealaghlin from the church of Clonmacnoise and brought it to Thomond; a mouse emerged from the head, and Turlogh fell gravely ill until he restored the head with gold as penance.

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The deatli in battle of Diarmid, King of Leinster, and O'Connor, King of Connaught, the two most powerful of the Irish princes, cleared the way for Turlogh to claim the sovereignty of all Ireland. He had now no rival to the throne of Leathmogha, or the southern half of Ireland, and the Dalcassian prince only wanted the submission of Connaught or Ulster to have his claim to the dignity of Ardliigh acknowledged. A very strange incident is recorded of him, both in the Annals of Clonmacnoise and of the Four Masters. I give it in the quaint language of the former : — " A.D. 1070" {recti 1073) " Terlagh alias Terence O'Bryen, son of Prince Teig MacBryen, succeeded as king next after King Dermott, and reigned full twenty-five years. Conor O'Mealaghlyn, King of Meath and Leath-Koyn, was treacherously and filthily slain by his own nephew, Murrogh Mac- Fynu. Meath was wasted and destroyed between them. Clonard and Kells, with their churches, were burned within a month. King Terence O'Bryen did violently take out of the church of Clonmacnoise the head of Conor O'Mealaghlyn, King of Meath, that was buried therein, and conveyed it to Thomond. A mouse came out of the head and went under the king's mantle, and immediately the king for fear fell sick of a sore disease, by the miracles of St. Keyran, that his hair fell off, and he was like to die until he restored the said head again, with certain gold which was taken on Good Friday, and sent back the day of resurrection next ensuing." This Conor had espoused the cause of Donogh, his stepbrother.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 47

Violent conference and Ormond's capture near Leix

Laois · county · Laois

An interview was arranged between the Earl of Ormond and O'Moore of Leix, at which Ormond insisted on confronting Father Archer and called him a traitor; a scuffle ensued in which the Earl of Thomond was pike-wounded and Ormond was taken prisoner, later ransomed for three thousand pounds.

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fell into an argument whereon he called Archer " tray tour." ^ Some of the Irish, suspecting evil intent against Father Archer, had crept up after him, and, hearing those hot words, rushed to his rescue. A scuffle ensued, in which the Earl of Thomond received a pike-thrust in the back ; but he and Sir George Carew and the others on Ormond's side made their escape, owing to the strength and fleetness of their horses, leaving Ormond a prisoner in the hands of his exasperated enemies. Some time after, he was liberated for a ransom of three thousand pounds. This wears all the appearance of treachery, though O'Sullivan Beare insists that both parties met at their own peril, " no pledge of security having been given on either side ; " but such breaches of faith were not all, or nearly all, either then or any other time, on the Irish side. The castle of Glin was soon after attacked by the English, under the command of Sir George Carew and the Earl of Thomond. The Constable, who, with a small garrison, was charged with its defence, held out with as much fortitude and bravery as was afterwards displayed by MacGeoghogan in the much better known siege of Dunboy. His name does not appear, but it is certain he was a Clareman,^ as he sought and obtained an interview, as such, with the earl. His object was to induce him to raise the siege, assuring him, as one naturally anxious for his safety, that a large force was at hand ready to fall upon the English. This artifice, if artifice it was, did not succeed. Fire was opened upon the castle, which was briskly returned, even though the besiegers, with refined cruelty, held up before them a child of the Knight of Glin, six years old, which had fallen into their hands. The fate of the poor child is not stated. When a breach was effected, the small garrison, rather than surrender, fought from storey to storey up to the battlements, and flung themselves at last into the water underneath. Some who surrendered were soon despatched. As usual, no mercy was shown ; all who were captured were slaughtered. This first Protestant Earl of Thomond did credit to his training. No English commander butchered prisoners with greater alacrity. He was a worthy precursor of his kinsman Inchiquin, and the godly Cromwell.

Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 114

History of Clare and the Dalcassian clans of Tipperary, Limerick, and Galway ... with an ancient and a modern map

The stories, best first

Brian slain in the wood of Tomar

Cromwell's massacre at Drogheda

Execution of Bishop O'Brien of Emly at Limerick's surrender

Inchiquin's massacre at Cashel cathedral

Parnell's arrest following his Ennis boycotting speech

Wild Geese sail from the Shannon, one ship founders near Kilrush

De Clare's men burned in Quin church

Massacre of Irish troops at Thomond Bridge, Limerick

O'Donnell's victory at the Curlieu Pass

Battle of Dysert O'Dea, 1318 - death of Richard de Clare

Death of Morogh at Clontarf

Dublin Populace Fling Dead Cats onto Lord Clare's Coffin

Paul Liddy's gang burns Ennis to free him from jail

Sarsfield destroys William's siege train at Ballyneety

Siege and destruction of Glin castle

Fierce eviction conflict at Bodyke with shots exchanged

Horrific mortality statistics at Kilrush workhouse exposed by Rev. Osborne

Murder of Brian Rua O'Brien after gossipred pact

Signing of the Treaty of Limerick

Teigue Caoch MacMahon killed by his own son's hand at Dunboy

Death of young Turlogh in the tidal waters

Ludlow's description of Burren's desolate landscape

Mass evictions in Kilrush Union during the Famine

Smith O'Brien's rising crushed at Ballingarry

Assassination of Cormac of Cashel in his palace

Breach at the Black Battery and storming of Limerick

Brutal execution of Donogh Beg O'Brien at Quin Abbey

Clare Election of 1828: O'Connell vs Fitzgerald

Death of Conor O'Brien at the pass of Inchicronan

Father Meehan's 'Ark' chapel on the seashore

Legendary earthquake and sunken town at Malbay

Maynooth Castle seized by Grey and Skeffington

Naming of Gorthnaclea from wounded warriors' last stand

O'Brien of Ara betrays escaping rebels at Killaloe, hanged despite promise of safety

Sarsfield's crossing at Killaloe on the raid to destroy William's siege train

Surrender and cruel execution at Dunbeg castle

The Harp of Brian Boroimhe and its journey through Clenagh

Turlogh builds the first Irish castle at Ennis

Fenian rising collision at Kilbaha coastguard station

Near-massacre averted at Tulla polling booth

Battle of Clontarf fought near Danish stronghold

Disputed 1715 Clare Election at Ardsollus and Mount Ivers

Execution of shipwrecked Spaniards at Spanish Point

First English Court in Clare Held at Ennis Franciscan Monastery

Hugh O'Neill's stubborn defence of Clonmel

O'Sullivan Beare's retreat crosses the Shannon at Coill-fhire near Portland

Scattery Island's Danish assaults and St Senan's Bed

Thirty-five paupers from Moyarta drown crossing ferry to Kilrush workhouse

Parnell addresses great meeting and turns first sod of railway at Miltown Malbay

Battle of the Ford of Camur near Cashel

Burial of Brian and Morogh at Armagh

Conspiracy and murder of Mahon at Sliabh Riach

Dr. Cahill preaches from the Ark and rallies opposition

Fall of Ballyalla Castle, September 1642

Father Meehan's wheeled chapel 'The Ark' at Loop Head

Forty paupers drowned crossing Shannon ferry near Moyarta

Irish soldiers assemble on King's Island to choose their fate

The False Lord Clare - Fitzgibbon's Usurped Title

Turlogh removes mouse-cursed head from Clonmacnoise

Violent conference and Ormond's capture near Leix