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

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Widow of De Clare burns Bunratty Castle

   near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1318

   After the crushing defeat of the De Clares at Dysert O'Dea, Richard de Clare's widow burned the castle of Bunratty to the ground before fleeing the county with all the valuables she and her retainers could carry.

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   woods, and slain to a man ; O'Dea singled out and slew De Clare. His son also fell before the spirited onslaught of the O'Connors under their chief, JFelim. A panic ensued among the English, who fled precipitately, but not before many of the leading knights, and a great number of their followers, were slain.^ Among Brian's supporters the most notable who fell were the two sons of Mahon of Inchiquin, — grandson of Donal Connachtagh, — who had accepted, in defiance of Irish tanistry, letters patent from De Clare, making him lord, but in name only, of all West Clare. This important battle, the second fought on the same ground, — TuUagh O'Dea, i.e. the O'Dea Hills, stretching between Magowua and the Abbey of Dysert, — utterly extinguished the De Clare family and authority, and compelled Brian Bawn once more to fly. The historians of the Pale, Grace and Pembroke, assert that the body of the elder De Clare, Pdchard, was cut into pieces, so fierce was the resentment of the Dalcassians against him in particular for the murder of their prince. His widow, first burning the castle of Bunratty to the ground, fled the county with all the valuables she and her retainers could carry.

   Brian Bawn and Mahon of Inchiquin retired to East Thomond, where Mortogh wisely aided them and their followers in acquiring a territory (O'Brien Ara^), which their posterity held and ruled for the succeeding centuries. Mortogh was now undisputed Prince of Thomond ; and so weakened and disheartened were the English, that for more than a century they not only gave up all attempts to conquer Thomond, but were barely able to hold the strong places within the Pale.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 73

2. William Smith O'Brien and Mitchell nearly killed by mob at Limerick banquet

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1847

   When admirers invited William Smith O'Brien and John Mitchell to a banquet in Limerick some months after O'Connell's death, the house in which it was held was attacked by a furious mob, and the two men narrowly escaped with their lives.

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   Agatha, enshrined in a monument erected by Eianconi, whose daughter afterwards married the Liberator's nephew, Morgan John O'Connell, M.P. The whole nation was plunged in grief. The people forgot their own dire woes and dissensions in the loss of their idolised chief. His remains were brought back to Ireland and interred in Glasnevin, amid such an outburst of national mourning as no crowned monarch's death ever received. For a short interval the Young Ireland Party fell into disfavour. They were blamed for hastening the death of the Liberator. William Smith O'Brien was forbidden to attend his funeral ; and when, many months later on, some of his enthusiastic admirers invited him and Mitchell to a banquet in Limerick, the house in which it was given was assailed by a furious mob, and they narrowly escaped with their lives. But this did not last long. The agony of the ever-increasing famine drove the nation mad. Mitchell started the United Irishman expressly for the purpose of preparing the people for insurrection, and soon got himself transported for life. This severe sentence did not deter his associates. It only stung them to renewed exertions. The " promise for me, Mitchell," shouted out in the face of the judge to Mitchell's appeal from the dock to continue the organisation, was caught up with desperate enthusiasm. Clubs were formed in all the leading centres. Guns were procured in spite of the Arms Act, and pikes were manufactured as fast as smiths and carpenters could be got to incur the dangerous risk.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 189

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Limerick now. The city was the scene of a dangerous night for two of Young Ireland's leaders in 1847. Daniel O'Connell had died that year, and the nation was plunged in grief. His remains were brought back to Ireland and buried in Glasnevin, amid an outburst of national mourning such as no crowned monarch's death ever received. The Young Ireland Party fell into disfavour for a time. They were blamed for hastening the death of the Liberator. William Smith O'Brien was forbidden to attend his funeral. Then, many months later on, some of his enthusiastic admirers invited him and John Mitchell to a banquet in this city. The house in which the banquet was given was assailed by a furious mob, and O'Brien and Mitchell narrowly escaped with their lives. The fury did not last long. The agony of the ever-increasing famine drove the nation mad. Mitchell started the United Irishman expressly for the purpose of preparing the people for insurrection, and soon got himself transported for life. That sentence only stung his associates to renewed exertions. From the dock, Mitchell appealed for the organisation to continue, and someone shouted out, "promise for me, Mitchell," words caught up with desperate enthusiasm. Clubs were formed in all the leading centres. Guns were procured in spite of the Arms Act, and pikes were manufactured as fast as smiths and carpenters could be got to incur the dangerous risk.

3. 1613 Dublin Parliament contest over the Speaker's chair

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1613

   At the Dublin Parliament of 1613, Catholics placed Sir John Everard in the Speaker's chair while Protestants, unable to remove him, sat Sir John Davies in his lap; the resulting disorder led to the exile of some members to the Tower.

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   signal for a fierce contest. Sir John Davies, Attorney- General, was the candidate of the king and his party. The Catholics supported the claims of Sir John Everard, who resigned his office of Justiceship of the King's Bench rather than take the oath of supremacy. Objection was made at once to the right of sitting for the newly-created boroughs. While the dispute was proceeding, the Catholics placed Sir John Everard in the chair. The Protestants, failing to force him from it, actually placed Sir John Davies in his lap. Amid such disorder nothing could be done. The Catholics, after this protest, retreated in a body, and sent a deputation, foolishly enough, to state their case to the king ; while Sir A. Chichester sent a counter-deputation, among whom was the Earl of Thomond, on the part of the Protestants. The result was just what might be expected. The king's party were all right ; the other all wrong. Some of the latter were sent to the Tower, and others summoned over to answer for their behaviour. Among these were the brother of the earl, Sir Donal O'Brien, who had received his title, with the forfeited MacMahon estates, from Queen Elizabeth, and Boetius Clancy, the two members sent from Clare. Though both of these had taken with the earl the English side in the late struggles, they yet held to the Catholic faith, to which fact they probably owed their election for Clare. Sir Donal proved his zeal in the cause by helping Sir William Burke to hold Sir John Everard in the chair. James contented himself with administering a sharp reprimand, and sent them back with a warning to resume the work of Parliament in a more obedient spirit. This had the desired effect ; but, after the voting of supplies, the Parliament was dissolved, probably to prevent another outbreak.

   The Earl of Thomond, as the reward for his many services to the English and Protestant cause, was made President of Munster, a.d. 1617, and had Clare reunited once more, and finally, to the Southern province.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 120

   As the companion tells it

   Dublin, the city you're passing through, was the stage for a wild scene in the Parliament of 1613. The contest was over the Speaker's chair. Sir John Davies, the Attorney-General, was the king's candidate. The Catholics backed Sir John Everard, who had resigned his Justiceship of the King's Bench rather than take the oath of supremacy. While the dispute over the newly-created boroughs was still going, the Catholics placed Everard in the chair. The Protestants, failing to force him out, sat Davies right in his lap. Amid such disorder nothing could be done. The Catholics withdrew and sent a deputation to the king. Sir A. Chichester sent a counter-deputation, among them the Earl of Thomond. The king's party were all right; the others all wrong. Some were sent to the Tower, others summoned over to answer for their behaviour. Among those were Sir Donal O'Brien and Boetius Clancy, the two members from Clare. Both had taken the English side in the late struggles but held to the Catholic faith, which probably won them their election. Sir Donal had helped Sir William Burke hold Everard in the chair. King James administered a sharp reprimand and sent them back with a warning to resume Parliament in a more obedient spirit. After the voting of supplies, the Parliament was dissolved, probably to prevent another outbreak. The Earl of Thomond was made President of Munster in 1617 as reward for his service.

4. Battle of Glenmama (Dunlavin) crushes the Danes

   Dunlavin · town · Wicklow

   The Danes, emerging from their fortresses, encountered the combined Irish forces of Malachy and Brian at Glenmama, now Dunlavin in County Wicklow, and there suffered a severe defeat before being pursued into Dublin.

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   It would appear that the Danes, receiving probably reinforcements from abroad, became soon again troublesome. They made war on Leinster, taking its king, Donal, captive, and preyed upon the whole province. To curb and keep in check the rising power of the foreigners, Maelseachlain — whom we shall henceforward call by the name better known in modern history, Malachy — and Brian reuuited their forces and marched towards Dublin. The Danes, emerging from their fortresses, encountered the Irish forces at Glenmama, now Dunlavin, in the county of Wicklow, and there suffered a severe defeat. They were pursued into Dublin, which was again captured, and for a whole week Malachy and Brian ravaged the town, taking from the Danish invaders the plunder they had carried away from the sacking of CTonard, Kells, and so many other religious establishments. There was again rejoicing in the halls of Kincora, and through the length and breadth of Thomond, at this second return of Brian and his Dalcassians, within so short a time, laden with gold and silver and carrying many prisoners.

   The truce between Malachy and Brian was soon at an end. The year following, a.d. 999, Brian made manifest his determination to wrest the crown of Ireland from Malachy. This first attempt proved a failure, though made at the head of a numerous host. Collecting under his standard the forces of Leinster, Ossory, and South Connaught, and bringing with him also the vanquished Danes, who were only too glad to

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 34

5. Cathedral of Limerick witnesses O'Brien clan's surrender to the crown

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1558

   Conor O'Brien and other leading men of the clan solemnly vowed fealty on the relics, with bell, book, and candlelight, to the English Queen in Limerick cathedral after High Mass on 10 July 1558, the same cathedral built by his ancestor a King of Munster.

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   Clonroad. Donal made no resistance. He fled with his family for protection to Maguire of Fermanagh. Sussex then publicly proclaimed Conor Earl, with full feudal rights over all Thomond, in return for which Conor renounced the Dalcassian title; and others of the leading men of the O'Brien clan with him solemnly vowed fealty on the relics, and with bell, book, and candlelight, as the heralds' certificate declares,^ to the English Queen, in the cathedral of Limerick after High Mass on the 10th of July, a.d. 1558. Thus the cathedral built by one of his ancestors, a King of Munster, was witness of the voluntary surrender of all Irish rights to a foreign potentate. Now for the first time did the reality of the great change in their condition break in on the minds of the people, not only of Thomond, but of all Ireland. They were, in the graphic words of the Four Masters, " seized with horror, dread, fear, and apprehension of danger ; and the descendants of Con and of Cathoir, the descendants of Heremon and Heber, of Ir and Ith, were alarmed at this change."

   As might well be expected, this surrender on the part of Conor met with violent opposition. The first to resist were the sons of that same Morogh who was himself the first to yield obedience to the English. Of these, Donogh held possession of the castle of Inchiquin, while the other, Teigue, went to seek assistance from his cousin, the Earl of Desmond. Conor besieged the castle, but the approach of the Earl of Desmond's forces compelled him to raise the siege, and he withdrew to Galway to claim the aid of his kinsman and co-earl, Clanrickard. Their united forces returned to the fray. Desmond, after advancing as far as Inchiquin, and finding that castle relieved, turned back and rested for the night at Ballyalla, where the two earls came up with him. In the early morning both armies began skirmishing,

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 96

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, you are in a city whose cathedral saw one of the great turning points of Irish history. On 10 July 1558, after High Mass in that cathedral, Conor O'Brien and the leading men of his clan solemnly vowed fealty to the English Queen, swearing on the relics with bell, book, and candlelight, as the heralds' certificate declares. In return, Sussex had publicly proclaimed Conor Earl, with full feudal rights over all Thomond, and Conor renounced the Dalcassian title. The cathedral itself was built by one of his ancestors, a King of Munster, and so it witnessed the voluntary surrender of all Irish rights to a foreign potentate. The people of Thomond and of all Ireland were, in the words of the Four Masters, "seized with horror, dread, fear, and apprehension of danger." Conor's surrender met violent opposition. The sons of Morogh were the first to resist. Donogh held the castle of Inchiquin, while Teigue went to seek aid from the Earl of Desmond. Conor besieged the castle, but Desmond's forces compelled him to withdraw to Galway, where he claimed the aid of his kinsman Clanrickard. Their united forces returned, and Desmond advanced as far as Inchiquin before turning back to rest at Ballyalla, where the two earls came up with him. In the early morning both armies began skirmishing.

6. Charles Lucas born near Corofin, champion of Irish liberty

   Corrofin · town · Clare · 1713

   Charles Lucas was born at or near Corofin in 1713, probably the son of Nathaniel Lucas who had acquired property in that locality. He became an apothecary in Dublin, entered the Corporation, and used his eloquence to expose jobbery and denounce Dublin Castle and Parliament, becoming a popular hero.

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   At home, the only or almost the only bright spot on the page of Clare history was the lustre shed on it by the career of Charles Lucas. He was born at or near Corofin in 1713, and was probably a son of the Nathaniel Lucas who acquired property in that locality, as already narrated in the last chapter. An apothecary by profession, he settled down in Dublin, and, becoming successful there, found it easy to obtain admission to the Corporation. Here he soon made his influence felt while exposing and denouncing the jobbery of that venal body. Fortunately he did not limit his inquiries to the misdeeds of the Corporation of Dublin. He soared

   310 HISTORY OF CLARE.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 161

7. Construction of Cormac's Chapel at Cashel

   Cashel · townland · Tipperary · 1134

   Cormac, Prince-Bishop of Cashel, erected the beautiful structure known as Cormac's Chapel in 1134, consecrated by a synod of clergy, standing to this day as testament to Irish art and craftsmanship.

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   This blessed interval of peace was availed of for a noble purpose, and one which is sufficient history for the year 1134. Cormac, Prince-Bishop of Cashel, erected that beautiful structure called after him, Cormac's Chapel, which was of sufficient importance, according to the Four Masters, to be consecrated by a synod of the clergy, and which stands to the present day, along with the numerous exquisitely illuminated manuscripts, and the elaborate filigree-work in so many gold ornaments, as unassailable proof that Irish art had in these branches hardly a rival in those remote ages.

   During this armistice between Munster and Connaught, the old rivalry between the Eugenians and the Dal Cas sprang up afresh. At a battle in the present county of Tipperary, the Dalcassians, though victorious, lost heavily. Among the slain were O'Loughlin, Prince of Burren, and Cumara, i.e. " dog of the sea," chief of the Hy Caisin, whose name was adopted by the powerful clan MacNamara. The Danes of Waterford, with the people of the Deisi, espoused the cause of the MacCarthys, upon which Conor O'Brien marched on Water-

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 54

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in 1134, Cormac, Prince-Bishop of Cashel, built the chapel that still bears his name. It was an interval of peace between Munster and Connaught, and Cormac used it well. According to the Four Masters, the chapel was important enough to be consecrated by a synod of clergy. It stands to this day, along with exquisitely illuminated manuscripts and elaborate gold filigree-work, as proof that Irish art had hardly a rival in those remote ages. That peace did not last. The old rivalry between the Eugenians and the Dalcassians sprang up afresh, and at a battle in this county of Tipperary, the Dalcassians won but lost heavily. Among the slain were O'Loughlin, Prince of Burren, and Cumara, called "dog of the sea," chief of the Hy Caisin, whose name was taken up by the powerful clan MacNamara. The Danes of Waterford and the people of the Deisi sided with the MacCarthys, and Conor O'Brien marched on Waterford.

8. Derry proclaims William of Orange king and endures siege

   Derry · townland · Tipperary · 1689

   On 20 February 1689 the Prince of Orange was proclaimed king within the walls of Derry; James hastened to invest the city, but the defenders gallantly resisted until the siege was abandoned.

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   To understand the sequence of events, it must be borne in mind that James's two daughters by his first wife — the daughter of Lord Chancellor Hyde, whose wife had been in her youth a servant in London — were brought up Protestants, and given in marriage by Charles 11. to Protestant husbands. Mary was the wife of the Prince of Orange, her own first cousin, and Anne had for husband George, Prince of Denmark, The Princess of Orange would then have succeeded to the throne after the death of James if he had no male issue. He had, however, married secondly the daughter of the Duke of Modena, and the birth of a son dashed the hopes of the Protestants. An intrigue was set on foot, with the result that his nephew, William of Orange, — the husband of his daughter Mary, — landed in England, at Torbay, Devonshire, on the 5th November 1688, with a large force, on the pretence of protecting Protestant interests, but in reality to seize the throne. James, being abandoned by his army, fled to Prance, claiming and receiving the protection and support of Louis XIV. Tyrconnell, having heard early of the arrival of William, put Catholics in command of the principal places in Ireland, and called upon the Catholic lords and gentry to arm their retainers and prepare to defend their king and their own newly-recognised rights. He communicated with James, and the latter, collecting as many of his supporters as he could, including a Prench contingent, set sail from Brest, and landed at Kiusale on the 12th March 1689. A short time before, on the 20th of February, the Prince of Orange was proclaimed king within the walls of Derry. James hastened to invest the city. Every one knows how gallantly the defenders foiled every effort made to capture it, till at last the siege was abandoned and James retired discomfited and discredited to Dublin. Here he assembled a Parliament on the 7th of May following, which sat in the King's Inns, and consisted of forty-six peers, including six Protestant bishops, and two hundred and twenty-eight commoners. Lord Clare, who had been made with Boileau, a trusted French officer, a joint-governor of Cork, attended amongst the peers ; while the county of Clare was represented by Daniel O'Brien and John MacXamara of Cratloe ; and the borough

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 142

9. Donogh of Inchiquin hanged at Limerick gate despite pardon promise

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1582

   Donogh of Inchiquin, ancestor of the Dromoland family, surrendered under promise of a free pardon, but the English found a flaw in the wording and broke faith with him, hanging him at the gate of Limerick in 1582.

   Read the passage

   took up arms against Elizabeth, and were supported by the greater part of the Dalcassians. The Earl of Thomond and Turlogh of Ennistvmon, Sheriff of the county, took no part in the struggle. Whatever ^yas considered English property in the northern and eastern parts of the county, from Burren to Limerick, was seized ; but the insurrection soon collapsed. Turlogh O'Brien, uncle to the earl, and one of the sons of Clanrickard, fell into the hands of the English, — the latter, as the Four Masters relate, by treachery, — and both were hanged in Gal way, a.d. 1580. Donogh of Inchiquin, from whom the Dromoland family trace their descent, surrendered under promise of a free pardon ; but, finding some flaw in the wording of the promise, they broke faith with him. He was hanged at the gate of Limerick on the 29th of September 1582, by the Sheriff, Sir George Cusack, and Captain Mortaunt or Mordaunt, who was marshal of the county.

   I"p to this time the MacMahons of Corcovaskin, owing to their remote and secluded position, took little part in the affairs of the county. One of them, the son of MacMahon of East Corcovaskin, now Clonderalaw, signalised himself two years before this by a deed of great treachery and cruelty in favour of the English.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 105

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, you are on the ground where Donogh of Inchiquin was hanged at the city gate on the 29th of September 1582. He had surrendered under a promise of a free pardon, but the English found a flaw in the wording of that promise and broke faith with him. The Sheriff, Sir George Cusack, and Captain Mordaunt, marshal of the county, carried out the execution. Donogh was the man from whom the Dromoland family trace their descent. He had taken up arms against Queen Elizabeth, supported by the greater part of the Dalcassians, and whatever was considered English property in the northern and eastern parts of the county, from Burren to Limerick, was seized. The insurrection soon collapsed. Two years earlier, in 1580, Turlogh O'Brien, uncle to the Earl of Thomond, and a son of Clanrickard had fallen into English hands, the latter by treachery as the Four Masters relate, and both were hanged in Galway. The Earl of Thomond and Turlogh of Ennistymon, the sheriff of the county, had taken no part in the struggle.

10. Fall of Dublin to Miles de Cogan during truce

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    While St. Laurence O'Toole, Archbishop of Dublin, was negotiating a truce in the besiegers' camp on behalf of the citizens, Miles de Cogan took advantage of the situation to assault and easily capture the city, causing the Danish commander Asculph to flee.

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    Soon his eyes were opened, for in May 1169, Robert Fitz- Stephens and Maurice FitzGerald, both sons by different fathers of Nesta, the cast - off mistress of Henry I., landed at the creek of Bannow, with thirty knights, sixty men in coats of mail, and three hundred archers. These were followed by Eichard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, called Strongbow, who landed on the 23rd of August at Downdonnell, near Waterford, with a well-appointed army of one thousand men and two hundred knights in armour.^ Here, indeed, was the thin end of the wedge with a vengeance. This formidable body of desperate adventurers, trained and disciplined in the* wars of Henry, and armed in a manner far superior to the Irish, set at once to the task of conquest with fierce courage and untiring energy. Strongbow took in marriage Eva, the daughter of MacMurrough, and so in a manner put himself in the place of the unhappy hostage, who had to pay with his life for the perfidy of his father. With their united forces they first stormed "Wexford, which made the first day a bold resistance, but surrendered the second day — the people being reminded by some clerics that after all MacMurrough was their lawful king. They next seized Waterford, and then proceeded to Dublin with their joint forces, numbering probably not less than ten thousand men. The city, inhabited chiefly by Danes, offered a stout resistance. At this time the celebrated St. Laurence 0 'Toole, son of the Prince of Imayle, was Archbishop of Dublin. His sister had been the wife of Dermod, and mother of Eva, the wife of Strongbow. When the citizens fully realised the impossibility of successfully resisting the large force around their walls with such means for attack as the Normans brought with them, asking for a truce, they selected St. Laurence, the near relation of both Dermod and Strongbow, to make for them what they hoped would prove honourable terms of peace. While St. Laurence was in the camp of the besiegers, a base advantage was taken ; for Miles de Cogan, with a select body, assaulted the city, and, taking its defenders by surprise, easily captured it. The Danish commander, Asculph, fled, and St. Laurence returned to find the city a scene of pillage and ^ Hibernia Expugnata, lib. i. cap. 16 ; Harris' Hibernica, p. 23.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this is where one of the great betrayals of the Norman conquest played out. The city, inhabited chiefly by Danes, had been approached by the joint forces of Strongbow and MacMurrough, probably not less than 10,000 men, after they had already stormed Wexford and seized Waterford. Dublin offered a stout resistance. St. Laurence O'Toole, son of the Prince of Imayle, was Archbishop of Dublin at the time. His sister had been the wife of Dermod MacMurrough and mother of Eva, whom Strongbow had married. So the archbishop was a near relation of both Dermod and Strongbow. When the citizens fully realised they could not successfully resist the large force around their walls, with such means for attack as the Normans brought with them, they asked for a truce. They selected St. Laurence to make what they hoped would prove honourable terms of peace. While St. Laurence was in the camp of the besiegers, negotiating on their behalf, a base advantage was taken. Miles de Cogan, with a select body, assaulted the city and, taking its defenders by surprise, easily captured it. The Danish commander Asculph fled. St. Laurence returned to find the city a scene of pillage.

11. O'Connell's remains interred at Glasnevin amid national mourning

    Glasnevin · townland · Dublin · 1847

    Daniel O'Connell's remains were brought back to Ireland and interred in Glasnevin cemetery amid an outpouring of national mourning greater than any crowned monarch's death had received.

    Read the passage

    Agatha, enshrined in a monument erected by Eianconi, whose daughter afterwards married the Liberator's nephew, Morgan John O'Connell, M.P. The whole nation was plunged in grief. The people forgot their own dire woes and dissensions in the loss of their idolised chief. His remains were brought back to Ireland and interred in Glasnevin, amid such an outburst of national mourning as no crowned monarch's death ever received. For a short interval the Young Ireland Party fell into disfavour. They were blamed for hastening the death of the Liberator. William Smith O'Brien was forbidden to attend his funeral ; and when, many months later on, some of his enthusiastic admirers invited him and Mitchell to a banquet in Limerick, the house in which it was given was assailed by a furious mob, and they narrowly escaped with their lives. But this did not last long. The agony of the ever-increasing famine drove the nation mad. Mitchell started the United Irishman expressly for the purpose of preparing the people for insurrection, and soon got himself transported for life. This severe sentence did not deter his associates. It only stung them to renewed exertions. The " promise for me, Mitchell," shouted out in the face of the judge to Mitchell's appeal from the dock to continue the organisation, was caught up with desperate enthusiasm. Clubs were formed in all the leading centres. Guns were procured in spite of the Arms Act, and pikes were manufactured as fast as smiths and carpenters could be got to incur the dangerous risk.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 189

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Glasnevin, somewhere around here, Daniel O'Connell's remains were brought back to Ireland and laid to rest in 1847. The whole nation was plunged in grief. People forgot their own dire woes and dissensions in the loss of their idolised chief, and the outburst of national mourning was greater than any crowned monarch's death ever received. For a short time the Young Ireland Party fell into disfavour. They were blamed for hastening the death of the Liberator. William Smith O'Brien was forbidden to attend the funeral. When some admirers later invited him and Mitchell to a banquet in Limerick, a furious mob assailed the house and they narrowly escaped with their lives. That mood did not last long. The ever-increasing famine drove the nation mad. Mitchell started the United Irishman to prepare the people for insurrection and soon got himself transported for life. His associates were not deterred, only stung to renewed exertions. Clubs were formed in all the leading centres, guns were procured in spite of the Arms Act, and pikes were manufactured as fast as smiths and carpenters could be got to incur the dangerous risk.

12. Paul Liddy, the Feacle freebooter, robs the wealthy for the poor

    Feakle · town · Clare

    Paul Liddy of Feacle was a freebooter who, like MacNamara of Cong, levied blackmail on English settlers and was generous with the proceeds to the dispossessed Irish before his eventual capture.

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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

13. Quin Abbey fresco disfigured by yeomanry bullets

    Quin · town · Clare · 1798

    The yeomanry of the 1798 period wantonly disfigured a fresco over the high altar of Quin Abbey, described by Wakeman as a work of real art, firing bullets even at the figure of the Saviour on the crucifixion; the bullet marks remained visible to the present day.

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    To the yeomanry of that period is attributed the wanton disfigurement of what had been, according to Wakeman, — no mean authority, — ^judging from the small part that escaped, a work of real art over the high altar in Quin Abbey. There it stood, exposed to and braving the elements for a century since the church was unroofed, so well and perfectly was the fresco executed, till the bullets of those Vandal fanatics were poured on it, not sparing even the figure of the Saviour on the crucifixion. The marks of the bullets remain there to the present day. It is matter for congratulation to Claremen at

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 168

14. Sarsfield's rest at Cratloe after Ballyneety raid

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1690

    Cratloe's chief claim to historic interest is that Sarsfield and his companions rested safely there before entering Limerick, following their destruction of the English convoy at Ballyneety.

    Read the passage

    The land from the Fergus to Limerick is extremely fertile. A considerable portion of it has been rescued from the tidal waters of the river. Like Holland, it must still be protected from its encroachment by strong embankments ; and like it, too, is well worth the cost and labour expended on it. The large district here called Tra-da-Eigh, King's Strand, is noted for its sturdy race of inhabitants, mostly of MacNamara descent. At its extremity towards Limerick stands still the imposing, massive Castle of Bunratty, almost unscathed, spite of the many fierce conflicts it passed through. Farther on is the extensive ancient Wood of Cratloe, which, in days not very long ago, afforded secure shelter to the hunted outlaw. The highway robber, too, made it his haunt. The road from Ennis to Limerick lay through it. In the troubled days of the last century, travellers had need to look to their weapons of defence while passing through, and only too often looked to them in vain. The making of one's will was said to be not an unusual preparation for the journey. Its chief claim to historic interest lies in the fact that here Sarsfield and his brave companions rested for awhile in safety before entering Limerick, after the clever surprise and destruction of the English convoy at Ballyneety. From Limerick, four miles away, to Killaloe, — a distance of twelve miles, — the Shannon, owing to shallows at both these points, ceases to be navigable, but communication is kept up by a canal running along the Clare side. About half way up are the celebrated Falls of Doonas. The banks on both sides are well planted ; and views are had as lovely and picturesque as one could desire. Here, and at the rapids of Killaloe, the lovers of Izaak "Walton's gentle art find full scope for enjoyment, as well in the charming scenery as in the bright treasures yielded up to their skill by the bounteous river. Nor is ecclesiastical or archaeological taste left unprovided for. Castleconnell's battered castle, and, far more interesting still, St. Flannan's Cathedral and the two stone-roofed churches ascribed to St. Molua, who flourished in the sixth century, and still lives in the name Killaloe, are worth more than one visit.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 4

15. Siege of Bunratty Castle by Confederate forces

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1646

    Lord Muskerry laid siege to Bunratty Castle, which was defended stubbornly and supplied via the Shannon. An earthen mound with four cannons was erected on the only assailable point, and after twelve days the garrison surrendered to Cardinal Rinuccini, allowing them to depart for Cork.

    Read the passage

    spirit into the troops. He went into the trenches, keeping up the courage of the men by sharing their danger. A constant fire was kept up day and night on the castle without making much impression. It so wearied, however, the defenders, that when their commander, Colonel MacAdam, was mortally wounded by a stray shot, they lost heart, and offered to surrender. On the twelfth day after his arival in the camp, the Cardinal had the satisfaction to receive the keys of the fortress, allowing the garrison to depart in their ships for Cork. Though no special mention is made of it, the castle of Clare also must have been included in the surrender. Leaving a sufficient force in the castles, he returned in triumph to Limerick, where the victory was celebrated by a solemn Mass and Te Deum in the cathedral. To add to their joy, news soon arrived of the capture of the castle of Eoscommon by General Preston, and the great victory of Owen Eoe O'Neill over Monroe, at Benburb, where no less than three thousand of the enemy were slain, with a loss on the Irish side of only seventy killed and two hundred wounded.^ These rapid successes raised the hopes of the Confederate Catholics to the highest pitch. In the summer of 1646, Clare had not so much as an openly hostile foot on her soil.

    ^ Haverty. To inflame the English mind, it was described in print on the walls of London as " the bloody fight at Blackwater on the 5th of June, by the Irish rebels against Major-General Monroe, when five thousand Protestants were put to the sword."

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 132

16. Turlogh defeats the English at Tradaree, 1287

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1287

    Turlogh turned against the English settlers allowed by Brian to settle in Tradaree and defeated them in battle in 1287 with great loss, killing Thomas de Clare and other notable Norman lords, leaving them no secure foothold outside Bunratty castle.

    Read the passage

    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.

    For nearly twenty years peace reigned in Clare. It was time that the Dalcassian clans should lay down their arms and devote themselves to more profitable pursuits. Under the year 1300 the Four Masters note the death of " Congulough O'Loughlin, Bishop of Corcomroe, a man of learning, hospitality, and piety." At that time what is now called Burren was known as East Corcomroe ; hence the abbey built in 1194 by Donalmor O'Brien, with the consent of the O'Loughlins, in the heart of their territory, still retains the name of Corcomroe. West Corcomroe was the patrimony of the kindred clan O'Connor.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 71

17. Aran chief Mahon O'Brien shipwrecked returning from a raid

    near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway · 1560

    Mahon, chief of the O'Briens of Aran, made a raid into Desmond in 1560, but on returning his vessel was wrecked on the Galway shore with over a hundred men lost, only Mahon and three others escaping.

    Read the passage

    A branch of the O'Briens of Tromora had settled down in Aran since the period of the treaty, already referred to, between them and the merchants of Galway,^ for the protection of that port. Mahon, their chief, had in 1560 made a raid into Desmond, but, on returning, his vessel was wrecked on the Galway shore, over a hundred men being lost ; only Mahon, with three others, escaping.^ In 1565 he was treacherously slain by some of his own people. The merchants of Galway sought to avenge the murder of their protector. The guilty parties fled before them in their ship from Aran, and took refuge in Corcovaskin, landing in the Bay of Boss, near Loop Head. Donal, hearing this, determined to assert his sovereign authority. Hastening southwards, he captured the greater number of the murderers, probably with the aid of the MacMahons, and brought them back prisoners ^ Hardiman, Kist. of Gahcay, p. 52, note d. - Four Masters.

    186 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 98

18. Battle of Aenagh and sack of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1370

    Brian defeated the English of Munster in battle at Aenagh on the Maigne near a great monastery founded in 1151 by Turlogh O'Brien, taking several nobles prisoner; the victors then stormed and burned part of Limerick city, compelling the English garrison to surrender.

    Read the passage

    on the 1st of July to the English of Munster, at Aenagh on the Maigne, near the great monastery founded in 1151 by Turlogh O'Brien, in the county of Limerick. The latter suffered a severe defeat. Garret, Earl of Desmond, John FitzXicholas, Sir Thomas FitzJohn, and many other nobles, were taken prisoners by the O'Briens and MacNamaras,^ while their army was routed after great slaughter. They then turned upon the city of Limerick, and, taking it by assault, having burned part of it, compelled the English garrison to surrender. Sioda Cam MacXamara, " son of the daughter of O'Dwyre," assumed the wardenship of the town, but the English who were in the town acted treacherously towards him, and killed him.-

    Civil war again broke out in Clare. The English, under the command of Eichard de Burgho, espoused the cause of the banished Turlogh, Brian's uncle, and, coming in great force, compelled Brian to fly. They then invaded the territory of the MacNamaras, whose prince, Loughlin Laudher (the Strong), not being taken by surprise, like Brian, was able to make a stout resistance. Under the able leadership of his youngest son, Hugh, this warlike clan utterly defeated De Burgho, A.D. 1377, with great loss, among the slain being some of the Connaught chiefs who ranged themselves under the English banner. This success prepared the way for the return to power of Brian Catha an Aenagh, who was married to MacNamara's daughter. This prince wisely made terms with De Burgho, giving him his daughter in marriage, and thus detached him from the cause of his rival, Turlogh Mael.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 76

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where Brian O'Brien struck the English of Munster in 1370. He defeated them in battle at Aenagh on the Maigne, near the great monastery founded in 1151 by Turlogh O'Brien. Garret, Earl of Desmond, John FitzNicholas, Sir Thomas FitzJohn, and many other nobles were taken prisoner by the O'Briens and MacNamaras, and their army was routed after great slaughter. The victors then turned on Limerick itself, taking it by assault, burning part of it, and compelling the English garrison to surrender. Sioda Cam MacNamara, described as son of the daughter of O'Dwyre, took the wardenship of the town, but the English inside acted treacherously and killed him. Civil war followed in Clare. The English under Richard de Burgho backed Brian's banished uncle Turlogh and forced Brian to flee. They invaded MacNamara territory, but the prince Loughlin Laudher, the Strong, was not caught off guard. His youngest son Hugh led the clan to a complete defeat of De Burgho in 1377, with great loss, including Connaught chiefs who had joined the English. Brian Catha an Aenagh, married to MacNamara's daughter, returned to power, made terms with De Burgho, and gave him his daughter in marriage, drawing him away from his rival Turlogh Mael.

19. Battle of Thurles: Donal Mor O'Brien defeats Strongbow

    Thurles · town · Tipperary · 1174

    Strongbow led a great Norman and Danish army to plunder Munster, marching to Durlas O'Fogarty (Thurles), but Donal Mor O'Brien defeated the earl and his knights there, slaying four knights and hundreds of their men in 1174.

    Read the passage

    from his connection with the MacMurrough family, was Donal O'Brien. Taking with him a considerable escort of Dalcassian troops, he proceeded towards Waterford, and went through the empty form of handing over to Henry, as his liege lord, the city of Limerick, with a promise of paying tribute. How that promise was kept history doth not tell, but certain it is that, on his return to Kincora, things went on in Thomond as before ; pretty much as if there were no Saxon invader in existence. This having come to the knowledge of Strongbow, after the departure of Henry, who had been summoned by the Pope to account for the murder of St. Thomas a Becket, he marched an army of Normans and Danes into Munster to assert the king's authority. It is best to tell the result in the very words of the old annalists. We find the following, at the year a.d. 1174, in the Annals of Innisf alien: "A great army was led by the Earl of Strigul to plunder Munster ; and he sent messengers to Dublin, desiring all the Galls left there to join him ; and a battalion of knights, officers, and soldiers well armed, came to him, and they all marched to Durlas OTogarty (Thmies). But Donal Mor O'Brien there defeated the earl and the knights, and slew four of the knights and seven hundred of their men. When that news came to the hearing of the men of Waterford, they killed the two hundred that were guarding the town. Then the earl went on an island that was near the town, and remained there for a month ; and then went back again to Dublin."

    The account, in the Four Masters, of this battle differs from the above only in this, that they say that Eoderick, the Ard-Eigh, with his Connaught battalions, fought side by side with the Dalcassians, and that seventeen hundred — probably a mistake — of the English were slain.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming into Thurles, and in 1174 this was Durlas O'Fogarty, where Donal Mor O'Brien broke the Norman hold on Munster. Donal O'Brien had already gone through the empty form of handing the city of Limerick over to Henry, with a promise of paying tribute. He took a considerable escort of Dalcassian troops to Waterford for that purpose. Then he returned to Kincora, and things went on in Thomond pretty much as if there were no Saxon invader in existence. Strongbow heard of this after Henry had departed. Henry had been summoned by the Pope to account for the murder of St Thomas a Becket. Strongbow marched an army of Normans and Danes into Munster to assert the king's authority. The Annals of Innisfallen tell what happened. A great army was led by the Earl of Strigul to plunder Munster. He sent messengers to Dublin, desiring all the Galls left there to join him. A battalion of knights, officers, and soldiers well armed came to him, and they all marched to Durlas O'Fogarty, Thurles. But Donal Mor O'Brien there defeated the earl and the knights, and slew four of the knights and seven hundred of their men. When that news came to the hearing of the men of Waterford, they killed the two hundred that were guarding the town. Then the earl went on an island that was near the town, and remained there for a month, and then went back again to Dublin. The Four Masters give a slightly different account. They say that Roderick, the Ard-Righ, with his Connaught battalions, fought side by side with the Dalcassians, and that seventeen hundred of the English were slain, though that figure is probably a mistake.

20. Betrayal of the Irish army at Kinsale via MacMahon of Monaghan

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1601

    Brian MacMahon of Monaghan secretly signalled Sir George Carew with a request for whisky, giving warning of the Irish night attack on the besiegers at Kinsale, a betrayal that contributed to the disastrous Irish defeat.

    Read the passage

    The disastrous defeat of O'Neill and O'Donnell, who marched south to relieve the Spaniards besieged in Kinsale, does not properly find a place in this history. The only one of note from Clare who took part in it on the Irish side was Teigue Caoch MacMahon, who, after his flight from Carrigaholt, took refuge with O'Donnell, and fought under his banner. At the door of another MacMahon,^ Brian of Monaghan, lies the shame of the betrayal of the Irish. He should not have been trusted, for he was one of those who sent sons to be brought up at the feet of Elizabeth. The request, secretly conveyed, for a bottle of whisky, was apparently the signal, prearranged between him and Sir George Carew, that important information was about to be conveyed. His position as one of the council of war in the Irish army enabled him to give Carew some hours' warning of the contemplated night attack. That betrayal, as well as the confusion the army were thrown into by going astray in the darkness, gave the Irish

    - ^ Four Masters.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 116

    As the companion tells it

    Kinsale, here in Cork, is where O'Neill and O'Donnell marched south in 1601 to relieve the Spaniards besieged in the town. The only man of note from Clare on the Irish side was Teigue Caoch MacMahon, who had fled Carrigaholt and taken refuge with O'Donnell, fighting under his banner. But the shame of the betrayal lies at the door of another MacMahon, Brian of Monaghan. He should not have been trusted. He was one of those who sent sons to be brought up at the feet of Elizabeth. A request, secretly conveyed, for a bottle of whisky, was apparently the signal prearranged between him and Sir George Carew that important information was about to follow. His place on the council of war in the Irish army let him give Carew hours of warning of the contemplated night attack. That betrayal, and the confusion the army were thrown into by going astray in the darkness, gave the Irish over to disaster.

21. Burial of rival chiefs at Corcomroe Abbey, 1317

    near Corcomroe Abbey · monument · Clare · 1317

    After the battle in which Donogh was defeated and slain in 1317, Dermod displayed generosity by giving decent burial within the Abbey of Corcomroe to the remains of the opposing chiefs who had died in the bitterly fought contest.

    Read the passage

    hastily to attack them. In the battle which ensued, Donogh was defeated and slain, a.d. 1317, with most of his family, but not before great havoc was made in Dermod's army also. It is stated by Magrath, who was then living, that the chief of the O'Connors of Corcomroe turned treacherously on Donogh, and slew him with his own hand. Brian Bawn alone survived to carry on the claims of his family to the principality of Thomond. On the other side the MacNamaras suffered most. Twenty-one men of note among them fell in the fight, says the contemporary historian,^ along with chiefs of the O'Molonys and the O'Hallorans. The Abbey of Corcomroe contains the remains of the opposing chiefs who bit the dust in this bitterly fought contest. In giving them decent burial within the sacred enclosure, Dermod displayed more generosity than most of the victors in those stormy days of almost constant strife.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 73

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Corcomroe Abbey lies the remains of rival chiefs from a battle fought in 1317. Donogh was defeated and slain in that fight, and most of his family fell with him. The chief of the O'Connors of Corcomroe turned treacherously on Donogh and slew him with his own hand, according to Magrath, who was living at the time. On the other side, the MacNamaras suffered most. Twenty-one men of note among them fell, along with chiefs of the O'Molonys and the O'Hallorans. Dermod gave decent burial within the abbey to the opposing chiefs who died in the contest, displaying more generosity than most victors in those stormy days of almost constant strife.

22. Capture of Cahir Castle by stratagem

    Caher · town · Tipperary · 1647

    Inchiquin's forces besieged Cahir, considered the strongest castle in Munster. A disguised officer with surgical skill scouted the garrison's weak point, enabling a surprise scaling assault that succeeded beyond expectations.

    Read the passage

    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

    As you come through Caher in Tipperary, the story here is from 1647, when Inchiquin invested the strong fortress of Cahir. He had been appointed President of Munster by Parliament, and that year he issued from Cork at the head of a well-appointed army of 5,000 foot and 1,500 horse. He had already taken the weakly-supplied fortresses of Dungarvan and Cappoquin with little difficulty. Cahir was another matter. A base stratagem enabled him to seize it with little loss. The commander of the garrison yielded humanely to the entreaty of a wounded prisoner, and 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 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 Rock. Cooped up there, they were able to offer but a weak, disorganised resistance. They were butchered without mercy by fire and sword in the sacred sanctuary itself. The book says history has no more bloody or infamous tale to tell than the slaughter by Inchiquin of about 3,000 men, women, and children, in and around the cathedral of Cashel.

23. Carrigaholt Castle and Lord Clare's Yellow Dragoons

    near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare

    Carrigaholt Castle, once the stronghold of the MacMahons, became the site where Lord Clare trained his Yellow Dragoons, celebrated for their exploits in European wars and commemorated in a Thomas Davis ballad. The castle remains well preserved thanks to the Burton family.

    Read the passage

    Proceeding from its mouth upwards, the first to secure attention is Carrigaholt Castle, once the proud stronghold of the MacMahons, now dear to Irishmen as the fortress round which Lord Clare trained those Yellow Dragoons, whose exploits under his command in the wars of Europe have given some of the brightest pages to history, and form the subject of one of Davis's most spirited ballads. It is still in a good state of preservation, due in no small degree to the care taken of it by the Burton family, into whose possession it fell

    About eight miles farther up, close to the important town of Kilrush, lies the famed Island of St. Senan, now called

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here stands Carrigaholt Castle, once the stronghold of the MacMahons. It later became famous as the place where Lord Clare trained his Yellow Dragoons, whose exploits in the wars of Europe gave, as the old history puts it, some of the brightest pages to history. Thomas Davis made them the subject of one of his most spirited ballads. The castle is still in good condition, thanks to the care of the Burton family, into whose possession it fell.

24. Cromwellian war tax bleeds Co. Clare dry

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1653

    A monthly war-tax contribution of £510 was levied on the impoverished county of Clare, with troops sent from Limerick and garrisoned towns to enforce payment. The Commissioners' Order Book records repeated reductions due to the 'starving condition' of the remaining inhabitants.

    Read the passage

    of the county. Clare was being remorselessly bled to death. An entry in " The Order Book of the Commissioners of Lymerick, Joshua Bennett, Thomas Carpenter, Thomas Harden," who had charge of the taxation, is eloquent on the subject. It runs thus: "May 12th, 1653 — Upon serious consideration had of the present poverty and disability of the whole County Clare, and the starving condition which the few poor remainiug inhabitants are in, and the impossibility there is of getting in the monthly contribution, their whole substance being engaged for their arrears hitherto," etc. A reduction not specified was ordered, " until the further pleasure of the Commissioners," signed by H. Ingoldsby, W. Skinner (not inappropriate), and S. Clarke.

    Here is another significant entry: "May 31st — Gyles Vandeleur is authorised from time to time to join with the other applotters of the Barony of Bunratty for the public business."

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 138

25. Drum-head courts-martial held at Limerick in 1798

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1798

    During the 1798 rebellion, drum-head courts-martial were held at Limerick, where accused persons from surrounding counties were tried; some were hanged on the new bridge, while most were transported or whipped.

    Read the passage

    Drum-head court-marshals were held at Limerick, before which the accused from the surrounding counties were brought for trial. Some of these were hanged on the new bridge ; but most of them got off with transportation or whippings. Among the latter were about a score brought in from Killaloe by Major Purdon's corps of yeomanry, and a few captured by Captain Studdert's near Kilkishen. One of the Lysaghts of Kilfenora and Thomas Frost of Eossmanaher, with others, were transported for life.

    The infamous Judkin Fitzgerald was busy with the lash and the pitch-cap and the rope through Tipperary. It is a singular fact that the last of his descendants in the male line — a boy of nine or ten years of age — hanged himself accidentally some years ago, while showing his young companions how his grandfather hanged the Croppies in 1798. The poor lad paid dearly for the teaching he evidently received at the hearthstone.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 168

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are in a city where drum-head courts-martial were held in 1798. The accused were brought in from surrounding counties for trial. Some were hanged on the new bridge, but most got off with transportation or whippings. About 20 were brought in from Killaloe by Major Purdon's corps of yeomanry, and a few were captured by Captain Studdert's near Kilkishen. One of the Lysaghts of Kilfenora and Thomas Frost of Rossmanaher were among those transported for life. The infamous Judkin Fitzgerald was busy with the lash, the pitch-cap, and the rope through Tipperary. The last of his descendants in the male line, a boy of 9 or 10, hanged himself accidentally some years ago while showing his young companions how his grandfather hanged the Croppies in 1798.

26. Excavation of St Senan's Bed by the author

    Scattery Island · townland · Clare

    The author, while parish priest of Kilrush in charge of the island, had the spot dug up at St. Senan's Bed and found skeletal remains judged by experts to be those of a very old man buried for many centuries, keeping a small relic and restoring the rest to the ground.

    Read the passage

    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

27. Final destruction of Kincora into the Shannon

    near Kincora · monument · Clare · 1118–1119

    Turlogh O'Connor crossed the Shannon at Limerick and once more razed Kincora to the ground, hurling it, stone and wood, into the Shannon River.

    Read the passage

    The cup was not yet full. Diarmid, who is called King of Munster and of all Leathmogha, during the retirement of Mortogh, died at Cork. Turlogh O'Connor seized on tlie opportunity, marched down to Glanmore unopposed, and cut across the power of Munster by establishing the MacCarthys as rulers of Desmond. Returning, he crossed the Shannon at Limerick, and once more razed Kincora to the ground — " hurling it," the Four Masters say, " both stone and wood into the Shannon." Alas ! in that evil day for the departed glories of the Dal-Cas. It was now time for Mortogh to disappear from a scene of such disaster. He had persistently aimed all his life, in spite of many a defeat, at supreme rule, following in the footsteps of his great ancestor, and only secured it, to see it after a little while slipping for ever from his grasp. He died, " after the victory of reign and penance," as the annalists pathetically put it, in March 111 U, and was interred in the church of Killaloe.^

    1 Ware's Bishops, Harris edition, p. 590. - Four Masters.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 53

28. Fisherman Mac Adam and the naming of Carrig-a-Clouragh (Chain Rock)

    Athlunkard Bridge · bridge · Limerick · 1691

    Local tradition holds that a fisherman named Mac Adam pointed out a rock on the Clare side of the river near the island above Athlunkard Bridge, where chains could be fixed to secure Ginckle's pontoon bridge; the rock was thereafter called Carrig-a-Clouragh, or 'Chain Rock,' and Mac Adam received a grant of land for his help.

    Read the passage

    of King James. He also brought with him supplies sufficient to equip an army of 25,000 men, and was accompanied by other French officers of note. It is not necessary here to enter into the details of the siege of Athlone, or the battle of Aughrim. It will be enough to say that, owing in no small degree to the supercilious treatment of Sarsfield and the other Irish commanders by the proud and too-confident St. Euth, with the fall of the latter, the Irish army was left without any one in supreme command ; and at the very moment when victory at Aughrim seemed assured, it was thrown into disorder for want of generalship, and suffered a severe defeat. The way was now open into Clare, and it was determined by the victorious English to invest on all sides the lion-hearted city of Limerick, from whose walls they had been flung back only a few months before. A march, however, on the western side of the Shannon would have been both difficult and dangerous, owing to the hilly and barren character of the country, as well as to the certainty of being harassed by the Irish, who had retreated, with better knowledge of the route, in that direction. The approach, then, was made along the eastern side. Ginckle had taken the precaution of bringing with his army a supply of tin boats, with which he hoped to construct a pontoon bridge somewhere near the city. The little island above Athlunkard Bridge facilitated this design. Local tradition has it that a fisherman named Mac Adam pointed out a rock on the Clare side upon which the chains necessary to complete and secure the bridge could be fixed. The rock is since called Carrig-a-Clouragh, or " Chain Eock." He received, after the surrender of Limerick, to which he so materially contributed, a grant of land along the river side.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 149

29. Henry II lands near Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1171

    Henry II sailed from Milford Haven with an army of about four thousand men and landed near Waterford on 18 October 1171, causing a general panic among the Irish.

    Read the passage

    Henry II., having collected an army of about four thousand men, sailed from Milford Haven in a fleet of two hundred and forty small vessels, and landed near Waterford on the 18 th October 1171. That city was at once delivered up to him by Strongbow. The news of his arrival soon spread, causing a general panic. It was known that not only were his forces equipped in a manner immeasurably superior to the Irish gallowdasses and kern, but that he was also armed, as he alleged, with a Bull from the Pope. He lost no time in the endeavour to establish his authority. He marched first to Lismore, and thence on to Cashel, both of which places surrendered without a blow. At Cashel a synod was held, presided over by the Bishop of Lismore, who had received from the Pope the appointment of Legate. The alleged Bull from the Pope was produced, and Henry made a bid for clerical support by ostentatiously encouraging their claim to immunity from cesses and blood-tax. Some of the provincial princes made, without waiting for attack, an inglorious submission. Among these, as might be expected

    114 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 61

30. Limerick submits to Henry VIII and renounces Papal authority

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1537

    In June 1537 the city of Limerick, inhabited mostly by people of Danish and English blood, opened its gates to the Lord Justice; its mayor, a Dalcassian O'Seasnan anglicised as Sexton, and the corporation swore allegiance to Henry and renounced the Pope's authority.

    Read the passage

    The progress made towards the subjugation of the Dalcassians did not by any means satisfy Henry. O'Donnell, the most powerful of the Northern princes, had at last, as well as O'Neill, professed allegiance to the English king, when, as the Four Masters apologetically explain, " he saw that the Irish would not yield superiority to any one among themselves, but that friends and blood relations contended against one another." Thomond was still holding out stubbornly ; so the opening of the spring of 1537 found the English forces again on the march towards that territory. The Lord Justice had little difl&culty in securing the submission of the Ormond chiefs. The castles of Aglish and Birr were surrendered without a blow by the O'Molloys and O'Carrolls ; ^ nor did the O'Kennedys, O'Mearas, Maclbrians Ara, or any others east of the Shannon, offer any effective resistance. He reached Limerick in June. This city, inhabited mostly by people of Danish and English blood, freely opened its gates to the representative of the English king. Its mayor — one of the Dalcassian O'Seasnans, but who had adopted the English mode of life, with his name anglicised intO' Sexton — and the corporation not only swore allegiance to Henry, but also renounced the authority of the Pope, and acknowledged the supremacy of the English king in Church matters. It is falsely asserted that the Bishop of Limerick joined in the recantation. John O'Quin, who then ruled the see, gave too many proofs before and after of his constancy in the Catholic faith, to give any colour to the charge. As a matter of fact, he was compelled to fly later on, and the apostate William Casey was intruded into the see. Though Conor O'Brien presented himself at Limerick, evidently to ward off invasion of his territory, it is not asserted that he swore ^ Four Masters. ^ Memoirs of the O'Briens by O'Donohiie, p. 175.

    172 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 91

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are on the ground where, in June 1537, the city opened its gates to the Lord Justice, the representative of the English king. Limerick was inhabited mostly by people of Danish and English blood. The English forces had been marching since the spring of that year, and the Lord Justice had met little resistance. The castles of Aglish and Birr had been surrendered without a blow by the O'Molloys and O'Carrolls, and the O'Kennedys, O'Mearas, Maclbrians Ara, and others east of the Shannon offered no effective resistance. When the Lord Justice reached Limerick in June, the city freely opened its gates. Its mayor was one of the Dalcassian O'Seasnans, but he had adopted the English mode of life, and his name had been anglicised to Sexton. He and the corporation swore allegiance to Henry and renounced the authority of the Pope, acknowledging the supremacy of the English king in Church matters. It is falsely asserted that the Bishop of Limerick joined in the recantation. John O'Quin, who then ruled the see, gave too many proofs before and after of his constancy in the Catholic faith to give any colour to the charge. He was compelled to fly later on, and the apostate William Casey was intruded into the see. Conor O'Brien presented himself at Limerick, evidently to ward off invasion of his territory, but it is not asserted that he swore.

31. Massacre of captured Danes at Singland

    Singland · townland · Limerick · 968

    After the battle of Sulcoit, the Danes not slain in battle or pursuit were captured and brought to Singland (anciently Saingel), where those fit for war were put to death and those fit for slavery were enslaved.

    Read the passage

    Meantime, Mahon's ambition was in anotlier direction. Leaving for awhile the Danes to Brian, he prepared to assert his claim to the throne of Munster. At the death of Callaghan's son Donogh, he appeared in such force at Cashel that the Eoghanachts had to submit and acknowledge him king, a.d. 964. But it was only in appearance. Maelmuidh (Molloy), their acknowledged prince, was soon in open revolt. He easily secured the co-operation of the Danes of Limerick under Ivar and Donovan, whose territory lay along the Shannon on the south. Mahon and Brian at once summoned all the Dalcassian clans to their side. They pushed straight into the heart of the Eoghanacht country ; and, finding their foes encamped at Sulcoit, — now called Solihead, near the town of Tipperary, — forced on a battle. From sunrise to mid-day it raged with great fury on both sides, till at last the united forces began to give way. The Dalcassians directed their attack chietly on the Danes, pursuing them to Limerick, which they carried by storm. The Danes who were not slain in the battle or the pursuit were captured and brought to the place now called Singland, — anciently Saingel, — where " every one that was fit for war was put to death, and every one that was fit for a slave was enslaved." ^ Such was the savage nature of war in those days. This important battle was fought a.d. 968.

    Mahon took hostages from Molloy and Donovan, and for six years was the acknowledged King of Munster.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 29

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Singland, in 968, one of the grimmest episodes of the Dalcassian wars played out. Mahon and Brian Boru's forces had fought the Danes of Limerick and their Eoghanacht allies at the Battle of Sulcoit, near Tipperary town. The Dalcassians pursued the Danes back to Limerick and stormed the city. Those Danes not killed in the battle or the pursuit were captured and brought here, to what was anciently called Saingel. The chronicle states it plainly: "every one that was fit for war was put to death, and every one that was fit for a slave was enslaved." The battle at Sulcoit raged from sunrise to midday before the united forces of the Danes and the Eoghanacht prince Maelmuidh began to give way. Mahon had already seized the throne of Munster at Cashel in 964, and this victory secured his hold on it. He took hostages from Maelmuidh and Donovan, and for six years was the acknowledged King of Munster. What happened here at Singland was, as the old historian wrote, the savage nature of war in those days.

32. O'Connell and associates imprisoned at Kilmainham after Clontarf trial

    Kilmainham · townland · Dublin · 1844

    Following the packed-jury trial after the proclaimed Clontarf meeting, O'Connell and his associates, including Tom Steele, were sent to Kilmainham prison; the House of Lords later reversed the judgment.

    Read the passage

    Other and even greater meetings followed quickly. O'Connell confidently declared that this should be the Eepeal Year. He and most of his followers in Parliament had resolved to stay at home and organise the country. The Government grew alarmed, and introduced an Arms Bill to disarm the people. Smith O'Brien moved and ably spoke to an amendment asking for an inquiry into the cause of discontent. He was voted down. Every one knows what followed. The last of the meetings — that of Clontarf, announced for Sunday the 8th of October — was proclaimed late on the preceding evening. With great difficulty the deeply-laid plot for a carnage of the unarmed people was thwarted. Then came the prosecution of O'Connell and others, among whom was his ever-faithful " Head Pacificator — honest Tom Steele." Another Clareman destined to take a prominent part to the end of his life in public affairs. Sir Coleman O'Loughlin, was among the junior counsel for the defence. His father, Sir Michael O'Loughlin, a scion of the old princely Burren clan, was the first Catholic raised to the judicial bench, notwithstanding his having given evidence before the House of Lords of the shameful practice, known to himself as a lawyer, of packing juries in Irish political trials. He became Master of the Piolls, and died ^ all too soon, a few years before. His son had now a similar experience, for not only every Catholic, but every known liberally - minded Protestant juror, was challenged by the Crown. The result was a foregone conclusion. O'Connell and his associates were sent to Kilmainham prison. On appeal to the House of Lords, the judgment was reversed in the well-known words of Lord Denman, that such a packing of a jury as in this case was " a mockery, a delusion, and a snare." The liberation of the prisoners sent a thrill of joy through the country towards the close of 1844,

    * His statue adonis the entrance hall of the new Court-house in Ennis.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 183

33. O'Connell Monument erected in Ennis instead of a Crimean cannon

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1865

    A captured Russian gun was to be placed as a trophy on the old court-house site in Ennis, but public outcry redirected funds instead toward a monument to Daniel O'Connell, unveiled in 1865 with a 74-foot column and statue by sculptor Cahill.

    Read the passage

    Soon after the Crimean War, one of the captured Eussian guns was sent on to Ennis. It was proposed to fix it as a trophy of English victory on the site of the old court-house.^ But that too was the spot on which the battle for Catholic Emancipation was fought and won, and that victory deserved to be commemorated in the people's minds far more than the success at the Crimea. An outcry was raised against the planting of the cannon there, and the idea started of raising instead of it a monument to the Liberator. The whole county became enthusiastic over it. Collections were made in every parish, and Michael Considine, the guiding spirit of the congregated trades of Ennis, whose homely eloquence had done much to stir up public spirit in the matter, was deputed by the committee to seek aid from the Irish in England. The execution of the work was committed to Cahill, the sculptor. The material for both column and statue was the fine limestone which abounds in the neighbourhood of Ennis. On the stately column, 74 feet high, he placed a colossal but graceful figure of O'Connell looking over the scene of his triumph, which as a work of art helped him to fame, and of which any city might well be proud. The unveiling of the statue took place on the 3rd of October 1865, in the presence of an immense gathering. To Dr. Power, Bishop of Killaloe,

    ^ It had been taken down but a few years before, when the present commodious and elegant structure was comjjleted at the east end of the town.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 192

34. O'Connell's Bar of the House speech and return to Clare

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1829

    O'Connell was refused his seat over the old anti-Catholic oath and delivered a famous declaration at the Bar of the House on 15 May 1829, then returned unopposed for Clare after the Emancipation Act.

    Read the passage

    were stripped of the weapons with which they had won their famous victory. Why O'Connell seemed to acquiesce — for he remained silent — in the reduction of the Catholic electorate to about one-tenth of what it had been, is almost incomprehensible. By a cunning and shabby device, too, he was compelled to seek re-election. The Act was not made retrospective, so that, when he advanced to the table of the House of Commons, he was confronted with the old intolerable oath, declaring tlie King of England the Head of the Church, the sacrifice of the Mass impious and idolatrous. He refused, of course, and demanded, what could not be denied him, the right to be heard at the Bar of the House in defence of his claim to sit after a duly-declared election. This gave him the opportunity of delivering, on the 15th of May, before the closely-packed curious senate, a splendid harangue, the pith of which was contained in his impressive and eloquent declaration — " Part of this oath I know to be false ; the rest I do not believe to be true." All his reasoning and eloquence fell on ears that would not hear. He had to come back to Clare to qualify for taking the amended but still offensive oath approved of in the Act of Emancipation.

    This time, though his former friends the forty-shilling freeholders — fully nine-tenths of the Clare voters — had been made incapable of giving him support, his return was unopposed. This was probably advised by the Government as a tribute to the strong public opinion aroused by the crisis in the three kingdoms. Daniel O'Connell then took his seat as member for Clare, the first Catholic in either the Irish or English Parliament since the reign of James II.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 180

35. Parish priest of Quin administers last rites after fatal duel

    Quin · town · Clare

    Father MacMahon, then parish priest of Quin and later Bishop of Killaloe, was hurriedly called to administer the last consolations of the Catholic Church to O'Callaghan after he was fatally wounded in the Spancil Hill duel.

    Read the passage

    MacXamara, an attorney of so easy-going a disposition that he was called " John the Soft." He was stung into a duel with a Mr. O'Callaghan^ by his pointedly oifensive remarks while professionally engaged against him. The duel was fought at Spancil Hill. It is related that on his way to the trysting ground O'Callaghan invited those whom he met to come and see him shooting the " beggarly attorney," and that he was warned in reply to take care of the " Fireball " blood. He received a fatal wound, of which he died within a few days. The then parish priest of Quin, Father MacMahon, who became afterwards Bishop of Killaloe, — uncle of the present parish priest of Quin, Father Daniel Corbett, — was hurriedly called, and administered to him the last consolations of the Catholic Church.

    Two others of the same name were very prominent in London life at the end of the last century. They acted as agents in both a legal and political capacity for men of the highest position in both countries ; and of one of them Lord Cloncurry states in his Memoirs, that though an Irishman and a Catholic, his house near London was the rendezvous for the diU of the metropolis — the heir to the throne being a frequent guest there.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 171

36. Prolonged eviction struggle at Miltown Malbay over Carroll property

    Milltown Malbay · town · Clare

    The eviction struggle at Miltown Malbay continued due to one individual's obstinacy backed by authorities, leading to imprisonment of many respectable parishioners; it was reignited when the agent on the Carroll property let part of an evicted, rack-rented farm.

    Read the passage

    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

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Milltown Malbay in Clare, this town was one of the two places most harried under the coercion regime, the other being Bodyke. Evictions were carried out here for the non-payment of rents that the Land Courts later declared to be grossly unfair. A fierce conflict followed. At Bodyke, after an interchange of shots between the police and the people, and a series of evictions from barricaded and well-defended houses, a fair settlement was reached in the end. Here at Milltown Malbay the struggle was kept up all along. It lasted owing to the obstinacy of one individual, backed up as a matter of course by the authorities. That obstinacy led to the imprisonment at various periods of many of the most inoffensive and respectable people of the parish. When the strife 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. That brought on more excitement, more prosecutions, and more imprisonments. The writer says the elements of the long-continued strife, though somewhat subdued, are there still. He closes his history of Clare without dealing with the division in the National ranks caused by the fall of Mr. Parnell, reserving that for wider ground. While the last lines were being written, Mr. Gladstone was for the second time pressing a Home Rule Bill through Parliament. The writer fondly hopes that whoever takes up the thread of Clare narrative in the future will find a subject more encouraging than fell to his lot.

37. Sacred tree of Magh Adhair torn up and used to roof the monarch's palace

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare

    The tree at Magh Adhair, emblem of elective authority in Thomond, was torn up by the roots, cut into pieces, and carried off in a spirit of wanton insult to be used in roofing Maelseachlain's palace, provoking intense indignation from Brian and the Dalcassians.

    Read the passage

    was their country ravaged, but that this tree — the emblem, in a sense, of elective authority in Thomond — was, in a spirit of wanton insult, torn up by the roots, cut into pieces, and carried off to be used in roofing the monarch's palace. Brian lost no time in seeking ample satisfaction for the wrongs he and his people suffered. He entered the Ard-liigh's territory with an army, but contented himself on this occasion with devastating that portion of it now called Westmeath. Later on in this history, it will appear that it was an unlucky hour for Maelseachlain, when, in the exuberance of youthful ardour and lately-acquired power, he determined to measure swords with the aspiring chief of the Dal Cas.

    A period of peace succeeded. For some considerable time Brian reigned undisturbed over the southern half of Ireland. Even the Ard-Righ seemed unwilling to provoke any further the hostility of Brian and the well-tried warriors of Thomond. During this interval he turned his attention to the internal administration of his kingdom. It is only reasonable to assume that a prince endowed with such a vigorous intellect applied himself energetically to the much-needed task of restoring order in the distracted land. He could scarcely have neglected doing for his own kingdom that which he afterwards accomplished with such marked success for the whole nation. The first interruption to this unwonted tranquillity was an incursion, made a.d. 987, by the men of Munster against the people of Connaught. They were defeated, and with great loss, deservedly, for they pressed into their service against their fellow-countrymen the common enemy, the Danes. It was the first serious reverse they endured, owing, no doubt, in some measure to the fact that Brian himself was not there to lead. The command was given to Dunlaing, who must have been a brother's son, or near relation of Brian, as he is called by the Four Masters " the royal heir, i.e. Tanist of Munster," and who paid with his life for the unprovoked assault. In the same battle fell also his opponent, the Righ Damna, or Tanist of Connaught.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 33

38. Sixteen houses levelled in Killard division during mass evictions

    Killard · townland · Clare · 1849

    Captain Kennedy testified before a Parliamentary Committee that sixteen houses containing twenty-one families had been levelled in one small village in the Killard division, part of a wider wave of eviction that left thousands homeless in the Kilrush Union.

    Read the passage

    " The state of some districts of the Union baffles description. . . . Sixteen houses, containing twenty-one families, have been levelled in one small village in Killard division. ... As soon as one horde of houseless and all but naked paupers are dead, or provided for in the workhouse, another wholesale eviction doubles the number. ... As cabins become fewer, lodgings become more difficult to obtain ; and the helpless and houseless creatures . . . betake themselves to the nearest bog or ditch with their little all, and, thus huddled together, disease soon decimates them.

    " 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."

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 186

39. St. Molaing Ends the Boromean Tribute

    Ferns · townland · Wexford · 684

    About 684 A.D., Fionnachta, monarch of Ireland, marched into Leinster to seize the usual tribute of fifteen thousand cattle, but was met by St. Molaing, Bishop of Ferns, who successfully persuaded him to abolish the tribute permanently.

    Read the passage

    In the year 595, Aodh, the monarch of Ennn, himself tell in the attempt to enforce the payment of the tribute ; and this was but one of many other disastrous events which followed. An end was at last put to it in a manner which shows how deeply the teaching of Christianity entered into the hearts of the people and their rulers. About the year 684 AD., Fionactha, monarch of Ireland, marched into Leinster to seize the usual tribute— fifteen thousand head of cattle— and insist on the fulfilment of the other conditions. He was met by St. Molaing, Bishop of Ferns, who remonstrated with him on the injustice of the impost so successfully, that then and there it was for ever (except on special occasions as a punishment for some transgression) abolished, just as St. Columb-cille, more than a century before, had procured the freedom from tribute of the Irish colony in Scotland. The period to which this chapter is devoted, for the purpose of a general sketch, was unquestionably the most glorious in Irish history.

    The acceptance of Christianity put an end, m a great degree, to the ravages of war. The fervour with which it wa^'s embraced was unexampled in any country on the globe. The Irish, as a nation, turned their attention almost ex-

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 22

40. St Ruadan's curse on Tara and its abandonment

    near Tara · hill or hills · Meath · 554

    After King Diarmid violated the sanctuary of Lorha monastery by dragging out and killing Curnan who had taken refuge there, St Ruadan of Lorha went to Tara and pronounced a malediction on the royal palace, leading to its permanent abandonment.

    Read the passage

    though not strictly part of Clare history, yet, inasmuch as they took place within the kingdom of Thomond, deserve at least passing notice. In 562, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, St. Brendan of Birr, one of the shining lights of the infant Irish Church, " was seen to ascend to heaven in his chariot;" and St. Euadan of Lorha excommunicated the monarch of Ireland. This king, Diarmid, openly professed paganism. He paid no attention to the rights and privileges of the Christian Church. He violated the sanctuary of the monastery at Lorha, by dragging thence Curnan, son of the King of Connaught, who took refuge there, and putting him to death. This barbarous invasion of the rights of his cloister, which was under the patronage of St. Columb-cille, so filled with a holy indignation the breast of the fiery Dalcassian abbot, that, like another St. Ambrose, proceeding to Tara, he reproached the monarch to his face, and pronounced a malediction on his palace. This excommunication had a lasting effect on the history of the country. The ancient royal residence of the Ard-Righ of Erinn was doomed. The Four Masters, under the year of the age of Christ 554, say, " The last feast of Tara was given by Diarmid, King of Erinn." After him no king dared to occupy the palace lying under such solemn ban. To this early abandonment and continued desertion for so many centuries of the once famous Hill of Tara, is most probably due the fact that not a trace remains of its ancient splendour. Oxen and sheep roam at will over the spot where, in the days when Ireland was almost if not the only civilised and cultured nation in all Europe north of Italy, kings and chiefs and Druids met periodically in the hospitable halls of the supreme monarch, to make laws and take counsel on the affairs of the nation. It is still further consecrated to Irish veneration, from the fact that there St. Patrick had appeared boldly before the august but naturally hostile assembly, bringing to them the first tidings of their and the world's redemption.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 17

41. Teigue O'Brien slain over land dispute; Dermot hanged

    Thomond · street · Dublin · 1474

    Teigue, son of Conor the ruling prince, had a land dispute with his cousin Dermot which ended in Teigue's slaying; Dermot was immediately taken prisoner and hanged by the enraged father.

    Read the passage

    ruling prince, had a dispute with his cousin Dermot, who is called the son of Bishop O'Brien, about some land. It ended in the slaying of Teigue. Dermot was immediately taken prisoner and hanged by the enraged father.

    This tragic occurrence was followed by peace in Clare for a period of more than twenty years. Within that time, at the end of 1482, died two of the chiefs of the MacClanchys, who w^ere hereditary Brehons or judges of Thomond. In the beginning of the following year, Mahon O'Griffy, Bishop of Killaloe, was buried in the Abbey of the Canons Eegular of St. Augustine, in the island at the mouth of the Fergus, called after them Canon Island, and the ruins of which to the present day lend such a picturesque effect to that broad expanse of the Shannon. At this period, Xicholas O'Grady, upon whom, in recognition of his eminent qualities, the freedom of the city of Limerick was conferred, presided as abbot at Tomgraney. There is mention made also of Donnell MacGorman of Ibrickeu, as " the richest man in Ireland in live stock," ^ which shows how settled was the condition of Clare as regards the possession of property. But as yet there was not sufficient protection for life, as we read in the Four Masters that " Cumara MacISTamara was exultingly slain by the sons of Donogh MacXamara" in A.D. 1486. In the same year died "Piaighnault, daughter of John MacISTamara, wife of Turlogh, son of Teigue O'Brien, lord of East Thomond," ^ and in the year following, " Hugh, son of Philip Pioe Mac- Namara, a brave and warlike man." ^ In the west of the county the Mac^SIahons were engaged in an internal struggle, fomented by two rival claimants to the chieftaincy.** But the most important event of the dying century in Clare was the inroad made upon the Dalcassians by the Lord-Deputy, the Earl of Kildare, in revenge for their support of the illegitimate claimant to the earldom of Ormond, the rightful heir having married his sister. He marched an army across

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 80

    As the companion tells it

    Along here, in 1474, a land dispute within the O'Brien family turned to blood. Conor, the ruling prince of Thomond, had a son named Teigue. Teigue quarrelled with his cousin Dermot, who was called the son of Bishop O'Brien, over some land. The dispute ended in the slaying of Teigue. Dermot was immediately taken prisoner and hanged by the enraged father. Conor had lost his son, and he wasted no time in taking revenge on the man who killed him. This tragic occurrence was followed by peace in Clare for a period of more than twenty years. Within that time, at the end of 1482, two of the chiefs of the MacClanchys died. They were the hereditary Brehons, or judges, of Thomond. In the beginning of the following year, Mahon O'Griffy, Bishop of Killaloe, was buried in the Abbey of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, on the island at the mouth of the Fergus, called Canon Island after them. The ruins of that abbey still stand. At the same period, Nicholas O'Grady, upon whom the freedom of the city of Limerick had been conferred in recognition of his eminent qualities, presided as abbot at Tomgraney. There is mention also of Donnell MacGorman of Ibrickan, as the richest man in Ireland in livestock, which shows how settled the possession of property in Clare had become.

42. The 'great sowe' siege engine at Ballyalla

    Ballyalla · townland · Clare · 1642

    Lacking cannon, the besiegers of Ballyalla built a large wooden siege engine on wheels covered with hides and sheepskins to resist musket fire, and also cast a leathern cannon which burst on first firing. Captain O'Grady was wounded by minister Andrew Chaplin when summoning the castle to surrender.

    Read the passage

    On the 21st of February, Captain H. O'Grady summoned the castle in the name of the king to surrender, but was fired on and wounded by "Andrew Chaplin, minister." This was a declaration of war to the knife. Having no ordnance, the besiegers put together a large wooden structure on wheels, thirty-five feet long and nine feet broad. This was euphoniously termed " a great sowe," under shelter of which to approach and endeavour to undermine the castle. It had a highly pitched roof, " covered over with two rows of hides and two rows of sheepskins, so that no musket bullet or steel arrow could pearse it, of which trial often was made."

    ^ Narratives of the Contests in Ireland in 1641 and 1691. Printed in London for the Camden Society.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 128

43. Brian's guerrilla resistance from the woods of Cratloe

    Cratloe · town · Clare

    While his brother Mahon made terms with the Danes, Brian refused to yield and, with his own followers among the Dal Cas, took refuge in the woods of Cratloe and Tradaree, waging a guerrilla war against the foreigners for years until reduced to fifteen men.

    Read the passage

    The first attempts to dislodge or cripple the Danes were not successful. Mahon was compelled to enter into terms with them, but Brian's proud spirit did not permit him to yield even in appearance. He, with his own followers among the Dal Cas, taking refuge in the woods of Cratloe and Tradaree, maintained for years a guerilla warfare with the foreigners.- He was so weakened by the constant struggle, that at last, the historian states, he was reduced to fifteen men, yet still he kept up the fight.

    ^ Cogadh Gaedhal 'se GaUaibh.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 29

44. Assembly at Killaloe enacts law after bad weather and lawlessness

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1050

    In 1050, following severe weather that destroyed crops and provoked widespread dishonesty across Ireland, the clergy and laity of Munster assembled under Donogh at Killaloe and enacted a law restraining injustice, after which peace and good weather followed.

    Read the passage

    The condition of Ireland at this period was deplorable in the extreme. Confusion reigned everywhere, or if there was anything like firm rule, it was under the sway of the Dalcassian prince. He was strong enough to demand and receive the hostages of Ossory and Leinster in the year 1049. In the following year an event of more than usual interest and importance took place, which showed that Donogh was regarded as the Ard-Eigh of Ireland. O'Donovan, translating from the Four Masters, gives the account of it in the following words : " Much inclement weather happened in the land of Ireland, which carried away corn, milk, fruit, and fish from the people, so that there grew up dishonesty among all, that no protection extended to church or fortress, gossipred or mutual oath, until the clergy and laity of Munster with their chieftains assembled under Donogh, son of Brian, i.e. the son of the king of Ireland, at Killaloe, where they enacted a law and a restraint upon every injustice, whether great or small. God gave peace and favourable weather in consequence of this law."

    The peace which followed was not of long duration, as might well be expected where so many conflicting elements

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 45

45. Battle of Bunratty, 1311

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1311

    Dermod, aided by Richard de Clare, defeated Donogh in a battle at Bunratty, slaying six hundred of his opponents and taking prisoner William de Burgho, before pushing on to seize Clonroad.

    Read the passage

    Donogh MaciSramara, Donal O'Grady, and a considerable number of Donogh's supporters, but with heavy loss to himself. He compelled the O'Gradys henceforward to keep in line with their neighbouring clans — his supporters. Following up this advantage, with the aid of Eichard de Clare, he again defeated Donogh in a battle at Bunratty, slaying six hundred of his opponents, and taking prisoner William de Burgho, who fought in Donogh's army. They then pushed on to Clonroad and took possession of it. Dermod's success was rendered complete by the death of Donogh, who was treacherously murdered by one of his relatives, Morrogli O'Brien, great-grandson of Donal Connachtagh. His brother Mortogh fled into Connaught, leaving Dermod in undisputed possession, but he did not long enjoy it. He died that same year, and Mortogh was chosen by the clans to succeed him.

    Nor was he long without rivals. Donogh and Donal Bawn, the grandsons of Brian Eua, came on the scene with a large following, but they were badly defeated at the battle of Tully O'Dea — now Dysert — by Mortogh, who had the aid not only of his own Thomond forces, but of the O'Kellys, O'Maddens, and the English under William de Burgho. The latter had been previously released in exchange for two of the O'Briens, sons of Donogh, who had been seized by MacNamara, and carried off to De Burgho's friendly castle of Loughrea. They, however, rallied their forces under the walls of Bunratty Castle, and, being joined there by De Clare and his strong English contingent, turned upon Mortogh, whose Connaught supporters by this time probably had returned, and defeated him, compelling him to fly for the second time from Thomond. Donogh was now solemnly inaugurated at Magh-Adhair.^

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 72

46. Black Death spares Thomond, 1348

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1348

    The Black Death, brought by the English into Ireland in 1348, ravaged parts of Ireland under English control leaving whole districts almost depopulated, but Clare enjoyed internal peace and was left untouched by the plague.

    Read the passage

    As soon as Brian heard of the death of Mortogh, he made all haste to Clare. In the meantime, Dermod had " assumed the lordship." ^ On the arrival, however, of Brian, with doubtless a strong force, his well-known energy of character, and the prestige of his many successes on the other side of the Shannon, bore down all opposition. The MacISTamaras, his old enemies, had been, as already related, humbled. He had made peace with De Burgho. Without these, Dermod could not count upon a force sufficient to cope with Brian, so without a blow he relinquished the supremacy. Brian began now a peaceful reign over all Thomond. On neither side of the Shannon did he meet with any opposition. He had the good sense to keep on good terms with the clans who had, in the early part of his life, been his and his family's bitter and successful opponents. Clare enjoyed internal rest. Even the awful plague called the Black Death, which had ravaged Europe, and which was brought by the English into Ireland in 1348, left it untouched. Those parts of Ireland where the English - held their ground were reduced to the most ^ Four Masters. ^ Clyn's Aimals. Stowe's Chronicles.

    141

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 75

47. Brian's army marches out to face the Danes

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1014

    Brian, learning of the Danish attack, marched his army out of camp and took position in the line of the Danish advance, leaving a force to watch the city. His forces included Dalcassians, Meathmen, Scots, Eoghanachts, Waterford and Tipperary men, and Connaughtmen.

    Read the passage

    Brian, having learned from his scouts that an attack in great force was contemplated, did not wait for it in camp. He marched out, leaving a sufficient force to watch the city, and, selecting his ground, took up a position directly in the line of the Danish advance. During the march, the Dalcassian clans, with probably Malachy and his Meathmen, and the Celts of Scotland under Donal, Steward of Mar, being the flower of Brian's array, were under the command of Morogh — the king himself being too old to take part in the struggle. Marching with these were the Eoghanachts, led on by their respective chiefs, supported by the men of the present county of Waterford and the southern portion of Tipperary, under Mothla, chief of the Deisi. The Connaughtmen brought up the rear, under the command of their chiefs, O'Kelly and O'Heyne.

    A somewhat similar order was observed in the opposing army — the foreign Danes, including the thousand men in armour, marching in front under the leadership of Brodar — the Danes of Ireland advancing under the command of Dubligall, son of Aulaff, their king, and in the rear were the men of Leinster, led on by their king, Maelmorha. Late in the evening of Holy Thursday, April 2 2, a.d. 1014, the two armies sighted each other ; but, darkness coming on, the dread conflict had to be postponed till the following morning. It is probable, though neither the Danish nor the Irish annalists say anything on ^ Coyadh Gaedhal 'se Gallaihh.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 39

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Dublin, this is the ground where Brian's army marched out to face the Danes in 1014. Brian had learned from his scouts that an attack in great force was coming, and he did not wait for it in camp. He marched out, leaving a sufficient force to watch the city, and took up a position directly in the line of the Danish advance. The Dalcassian clans, with probably Malachy and his Meathmen, and the Celts of Scotland under Donal, Steward of Mar, were the flower of Brian's array. They were under the command of Morogh, the king himself being too old to take part in the struggle. Marching with these were the Eoghanachts, led by their respective chiefs, supported by the men of Waterford and the southern portion of Tipperary, under Mothla, chief of the Deisi. The Connaughtmen brought up the rear, under O'Kelly and O'Heyne. The opposing army kept a similar order. The foreign Danes, including a thousand men in armour, marched in front under Brodar. The Danes of Ireland advanced under Dubligall, son of Aulaff, their king. The men of Leinster were in the rear, led by their king, Maelmorha. Late in the evening of Holy Thursday, April 22, 1014, the two armies sighted each other, but darkness coming on, the conflict had to be postponed till the following morning.

48. Brian slain by the Clan Keogh, 1350

    Shannon · town · Clare · 1350

    In 1350 Brian was surprised and treacherously slain by the Clan Keogh on the east of the Shannon; his grandson Turlogh Oge O'Brien avenged the crime by slaying fifteen of the most guilty and despoiling the whole clan of cattle and lands.

    Read the passage

    This was too good to last long. In 1350, Brian was surprised, probably while insisting on his rights as sovereign in their country, by the Clan Keogh on the east of the Shannon, and treacherously slain.^ This crime was immediately avenged by Turlogh Oge O'Brien, Brian's grandson, who slew fifteen of the most guilty, and, besides, despoiled the whole clan of their cattle and lands.

    DuriuCT the reisrn of Dermod, who succeeded Brian, nothing of note occurred in Clare,

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 75

49. Buried gold treasure found during Ennis-Limerick railway works

    Ennis · town · Clare

    During construction of the railway between Ennis and Limerick, workmen discovered a hoard of exquisitely wrought gold ornaments. Some pieces were purchased for the Museums of Trinity College and the Royal Irish Academy, with Mr. Wakeman valuing the find at not less than £20,000.

    Read the passage

    time, admirably constructed castles, the ruins of which may still be found in almost every parish. It may be easily taken for granted that the interior of these formidable dwellings was not altogether unworthy of the exterior ; and that within them were enjoyed, from generation to generation, the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. One thing is quite certain, poetry and music of a kind rarely surpassed found their home among the Irish clans. The bard with harp ^ in hand has been regarded as a symbol of Ireland. That does not allow of the supposition that, even with all the turmoil, the people were uncultured. Nor was there a total want of the elegance of life. Some years ago, when the railway between Ennis and Limerick was being constructed, the workmen came upon a buried treasure. It consisted of a considerable quantity of gold ornaments exquisitely wrought, some of which were purchased for and are preserved in the Museums of Trinity College and the Eoyal Irish Academy. Mr. Wakeman, M.R.I.A., assured me that the artistic value of the whole was not less than £20,000. He believed the workmanship to date from before the Christian era. Much more of a similar kind hurriedly

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 83

50. Clonroad Abbey burial place of O'Brien and MacNamara chiefs

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1521–1528

    The Abbey of Clonroad, its ruin standing at the head of Church Street in Ennis, was the burial place of Teigue O'Brien and a long succession of O'Brien and MacNamara chiefs who resisted English invasion for centuries.

    Read the passage

    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

51. Cratloe Wood as haunt of outlaws and highway robbers

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1700–1799

    The ancient Wood of Cratloe, through which the Ennis to Limerick road passed, sheltered hunted outlaws and highway robbers in the last century; travellers often needed to defend themselves and sometimes made their wills before the journey.

    Read the passage

    The land from the Fergus to Limerick is extremely fertile. A considerable portion of it has been rescued from the tidal waters of the river. Like Holland, it must still be protected from its encroachment by strong embankments ; and like it, too, is well worth the cost and labour expended on it. The large district here called Tra-da-Eigh, King's Strand, is noted for its sturdy race of inhabitants, mostly of MacNamara descent. At its extremity towards Limerick stands still the imposing, massive Castle of Bunratty, almost unscathed, spite of the many fierce conflicts it passed through. Farther on is the extensive ancient Wood of Cratloe, which, in days not very long ago, afforded secure shelter to the hunted outlaw. The highway robber, too, made it his haunt. The road from Ennis to Limerick lay through it. In the troubled days of the last century, travellers had need to look to their weapons of defence while passing through, and only too often looked to them in vain. The making of one's will was said to be not an unusual preparation for the journey. Its chief claim to historic interest lies in the fact that here Sarsfield and his brave companions rested for awhile in safety before entering Limerick, after the clever surprise and destruction of the English convoy at Ballyneety. From Limerick, four miles away, to Killaloe, — a distance of twelve miles, — the Shannon, owing to shallows at both these points, ceases to be navigable, but communication is kept up by a canal running along the Clare side. About half way up are the celebrated Falls of Doonas. The banks on both sides are well planted ; and views are had as lovely and picturesque as one could desire. Here, and at the rapids of Killaloe, the lovers of Izaak "Walton's gentle art find full scope for enjoyment, as well in the charming scenery as in the bright treasures yielded up to their skill by the bounteous river. Nor is ecclesiastical or archaeological taste left unprovided for. Castleconnell's battered castle, and, far more interesting still, St. Flannan's Cathedral and the two stone-roofed churches ascribed to St. Molua, who flourished in the sixth century, and still lives in the name Killaloe, are worth more than one visit.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 4

52. Death of King Crimhthan near Cratloe

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 379

    King Crimhthan of Ireland was poisoned by his own sister, who also drank the poison herself, and died while journeying through Clare. The mountain where he died near Cratloe was afterwards named Slieve-Oighe-an-Righ, 'the Hill of the King's Death.'

    Read the passage

    In the meantime, Crimhthan was securing himself on the throne of all Ireland by a wise and vigorous policy. He diverted attention from the irregularity of his accession by raids on the peoples of the Continent. It is not unlikely that the natives of Britain, whose king was allied to the royal house of Ireland, gave him willing aid in those plundering expeditions. His reign is spoken of by Irish annalists as one of the most successful known to Irish history; and very probably this it was that aroused the jealousy and excited the impatience of his sister, the widow of Eoghy, and urged her to the commission of an enormous crime. In her passionate anxiety to see the reversion of the crown to her eldest son, Brian, she administered poison to her own brother, the ruling monarch. It is even recorded that, to avert his suspicion and make sure of his death, she herself partook freely, and of course with a fatal result, of the poisoned drink. His career was thus foully brought to a close while he was on a journey through Clare. He died in a.d. 379, near Cratloe, on the mountain called, from this event, Slieve - Oighe - an - Righ, " the Hill of the King's Death." The wicked design of the barbarous sister was, however, frustrated. The choice of the electorate fell

    22 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 12

53. Diarmid's violation of Lorha monastery sanctuary

    Lorrha · townland · Tipperary · 554

    King Diarmid violated the sanctuary of the monastery at Lorha, under the patronage of St Columb-cille, by dragging out Curnan, son of the King of Connaught, who had taken refuge there, and putting him to death.

    Read the passage

    though not strictly part of Clare history, yet, inasmuch as they took place within the kingdom of Thomond, deserve at least passing notice. In 562, according to the Annals of Clonmacnoise, St. Brendan of Birr, one of the shining lights of the infant Irish Church, " was seen to ascend to heaven in his chariot;" and St. Euadan of Lorha excommunicated the monarch of Ireland. This king, Diarmid, openly professed paganism. He paid no attention to the rights and privileges of the Christian Church. He violated the sanctuary of the monastery at Lorha, by dragging thence Curnan, son of the King of Connaught, who took refuge there, and putting him to death. This barbarous invasion of the rights of his cloister, which was under the patronage of St. Columb-cille, so filled with a holy indignation the breast of the fiery Dalcassian abbot, that, like another St. Ambrose, proceeding to Tara, he reproached the monarch to his face, and pronounced a malediction on his palace. This excommunication had a lasting effect on the history of the country. The ancient royal residence of the Ard-Righ of Erinn was doomed. The Four Masters, under the year of the age of Christ 554, say, " The last feast of Tara was given by Diarmid, King of Erinn." After him no king dared to occupy the palace lying under such solemn ban. To this early abandonment and continued desertion for so many centuries of the once famous Hill of Tara, is most probably due the fact that not a trace remains of its ancient splendour. Oxen and sheep roam at will over the spot where, in the days when Ireland was almost if not the only civilised and cultured nation in all Europe north of Italy, kings and chiefs and Druids met periodically in the hospitable halls of the supreme monarch, to make laws and take counsel on the affairs of the nation. It is still further consecrated to Irish veneration, from the fact that there St. Patrick had appeared boldly before the august but naturally hostile assembly, bringing to them the first tidings of their and the world's redemption.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 17

54. Donal O'Brien blinds kinsmen at Castleconnell

    Castleconnell · town · Limerick · 1175

    Suspecting treachery after the fall of Limerick, Donal O'Brien seized two of his own family, Dermot and Turlogh O'Brien, at Castleconnell, putting out their eyes cruelly; Dermot died soon after, and their guest O'Connor, son of the Prince of Corcomroe, was also slain.

    Read the passage

    Strongbow was now thoroughly alarmed. He at once summoned to his aid Eaymond le Gros and his contingent of the Normans who had retired into Wales, and sent him with a strong force against O'Brien. They proceeded to Limerick, and, finding the garrison over-confident, as they had broken down the bridges, they, with great intrepidity, headed by Eaymond, in whom they had boundless confidence, dashed across a fordable part of the river, near where King John's castle now stands. The defenders, thrown into a state of utter disorder and consternation at the boldness of the attack, fled, leaving the city in the hands of its assailants. It may be that Donal suspected treachery, for immediately after he seized at Castleconnell, in their own house, two of his own family, Dermot and Turlogh O'Brien, putting out cruelly their eyes,^ from which Dermot died soon after, and slaying their guest O'Connor, son of the Prince of Corcomroe.^

    In the meantime, Eory O'Connor had sent ambassadors direct to Henry at Windsor, where a very curious khid of treaty was entered into, as given in Eymer, vol. i. It was stipulated that Henry was to be recognised as supreme lord of Ireland, Eory holding under him, according to the ancient Brehon law, and the provincial kings also retaining their independence, but all paying tribute to Henry, and leaving him in undisturbed possession of Dublin, Meath, the rest of Leinster, and the territory stretching from Waterford to Dungarvan,

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Castleconnell now, in Limerick. In 1175, this was where Donal O'Brien turned on his own blood. The trouble began at Limerick. Strongbow had summoned Raymond le Gros and his Normans from Wales, and they came against O'Brien with a strong force. The garrison at Limerick was over-confident, having broken down the bridges. But Raymond found a fordable part of the river, near where King John's castle now stands, and led his men across with great boldness. The defenders panicked at the daring of the attack and fled, leaving the city to the assailants. Donal may have suspected treachery in that defeat, for immediately after, he seized two of his own family at Castleconnell, in their own house. Their names were Dermot and Turlogh O'Brien. He put out their eyes cruelly, and Dermot died soon after from it. He also slew their guest, O'Connor, son of the Prince of Corcomroe. In the meantime, Rory O'Connor had sent ambassadors directly to Henry at Windsor, where a treaty was entered into, recorded in Rymer, volume one. Henry was to be recognised as supreme lord of Ireland, Rory holding under him according to the ancient Brehon law, the provincial kings retaining their independence but all paying tribute to Henry, and leaving him in undisturbed possession of Dublin, Meath, the rest of Leinster, and the territory stretching from Waterford to Dungarvan.

55. Donogh Rua MacNamara born at Cratloe

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1700–1814

    The poet Donogh Rua MacNamara was born at Cratloe early in the eighteenth century, was sent to France for priesthood studies, but instead became a rambling schoolmaster and poet, later dying at Kilmacthomas in 1814 in his hundred and fourth year.

    Read the passage

    To turn now to subjects of a different character, some Claremen of note who figured — I might perhaps say flourished — during, or immediately after, this period, claim attention at our hands in a history of the county. Donogh Eua MacXamara was born at Cratloe early in the century. He was sent to France, like so many others, to study for the priesthood. It became abundantly evident, during his collegiate course, that his tastes did not lie in that direction, so he was sent home still a layman. Being fairly educated, and not having a patrimony to fall back on, he joined the ranks, pretty numerous during the whole century, of rambling and rhyming^ schoolmasters. Some of his effusions are given in the Focts and Poetry of Munster, translated by unhappy Clarence Mangan, and edited by the late Eev. C. P. Mechan. One of them at least is of a humorous kind. He wielded the ferula for a while in foggy Newfoundland, and falling in on an occasion with a jovial company of English soldiers and Irish emigrants, he was asked for a song. It was produced extempore, but must have been polished somewhat afterwards. The lines in the verses are alternate English and Irish. In the English, he is civil enough to the soldiers and their king, but he greatly amused his bi-lingaal Irish companions by scathing denunciation in the Irish lines of King George and every one and everything English.

    In the same very interesting collection, another of his

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 169

56. Earl of Thomond besieges and captures Carrigaholt

    near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare · 1599

    The Earl of Thomond marched to Carrigaholt with his forces, besieged it, and at the end of four days captured it along with the surrounding town, in vengeance for MacMahon's earlier attack on his brother.

    Read the passage

    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

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Carrigaholt, in 1599, the Earl of Thomond came with all the force he could collect. He had a special grudge against MacMahon, who had seized his castle of Kilmurry, wounded his brother, and imprisoned him. Thomond besieged Carrigaholt, and at the end of four days he captured it, along with the town surrounding it. MacMahon had taken to his ship during the siege and crossed the Shannon to his ally Desmond, so he escaped the earl's vengeance there. Thomond then procured ordnance from Limerick and sat down before Dunbeg. The garrison surrendered without a blow, having no cannon to defend it. The earl, as the book says, showed his magnanimity by hanging them up face to face. Dunmore next fell to him. His vengeance on MacMahon was now complete. He sent the cannon back to Limerick and 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 hold. And so Clare once again was in every part under the English yoke. His next movements were not so successful. He joined the Earl of Essex with his troops and shared in the ignominy of his defeat at the hands of Desmond. When Essex was recalled and replaced by 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. Ormond invited Thomond, who was one of the counsellors assistant to the Lord President of Mountster, Sir George Carew, to the conference. Ormond, who had a bodyguard of 300 men at some distance, very rashly insisted on seeing, as the book says, that infamous Jesuite Archer.

57. Ennis meeting declares legislative independence resolutions

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1782

    A general meeting of the gentry, clergy, and freeholders of Clare was held at Ennis on 6 April 1782, convened by High Sheriff Poole Hickman, at the suggestion of Sir Lucius O'Brien and Ed. Fitzgerald. The meeting passed resolutions declaring that only the King, Lords, and Commons of Ireland had the right to make laws for the kingdom.

    Read the passage

    of the Volunteer corps of Ulster deliberating at Dungannon, and proclaiming with one voice that it was not competent for any body of men other than the King, Lords, and Commons of Ireland to make laws for the people of Ireland. They also declared, with only two dissenting voices, that the hour had come to relax the Penal Laws in force against their fellow Eoman Catholic subjects. They were bound in honour to make this declaration in return for the active support given by the Catholics in every county of Ireland to the Volunteer movement. It was of importance that these resolutions should be adopted by the other provinces. In the county of Clare a general meeting of the gentry, clergy, and freeholders, at the suggestion of Sir Lucius OBrien and Ed. Fitzgerald, Esq., M.P.s for the county, was held at Ennis on the 6th of April 1782. The High Sheriff, Poole Hickman, who convened the meeting, was moved to the chair, and the following, among other resolutions, were unanimously passed : —

    " 1. That it appears to us to be absolutely necessary to declare that no power on earth has any right to make laws to bind this kingdom, save the King, Lords, and Commons of Ireland.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 167

58. Executions of noble prisoners at Nenagh

    Nenagh · town · Tipperary · 1651

    At Nenagh in 1651, four O'Briens of the old ruling stock and two O'Kennedys of noble birth were executed, part of a wider pattern of executing men of note after the Cromwellian victory.

    Read the passage

    1 At Nenagh, in 1651, there were executed four O'Briens of the old ruling stock, Donogh, James, Bernard, and Daniel, as well as two O'Kennedys, James and John, both of noble birth. In Limerick, Major- General Purcell ; Fanning and Stritch, mayors ; Barron and Galway, knights, with others, shared the same fate. In Galway, Tralee, and all the chief towns, men of most note were done to death. The crime of ha vine; fought well was all-sufficient. — Morrisonii Threnodia.

    264 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 137

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Nenagh, it is worth knowing that in 1651 this town saw the execution of six men of noble blood. Four O'Briens of the old ruling stock, Donogh, James, Bernard, and Daniel, were put to death, along with two O'Kennedys, James and John. This was part of a wider pattern after the Cromwellian victory, where men of note in Limerick, Galway, Tralee and other chief towns met the same fate. Their crime, as one source puts it, was having "fought well."

59. Father Kelly's desperate letter to Lord-Lieutenant describing Kilrush famine horrors

    Kilrush · town · Clare · 1849

    Fr. Timothy Kelly, parish priest of Kilrush, wrote to the Earl of Clarendon in December 1849 describing thirty thousand people on outdoor relief in the Kilrush Union, nearly twenty thousand made homeless, and children fed only on turnips, alongside the drowning of thirty-five paupers from Moyarta parish crossing a ferry.

    Read the passage

    " In this Union (Kilrush), the poorest in Ireland, during the summer months thirty thousand persons, half the present

    HISTORY OF CLARE. 357

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kilrush, this was the poorest Union in Ireland in 1849. Father Timothy Kelly, the parish priest, wrote to the Earl of Clarendon that December describing thirty thousand people on outdoor relief here, nearly twenty thousand made homeless, and children fed only on turnips. He also reported thirty-five paupers from Moyarta parish drowning while crossing a ferry.

60. Founding of Quin Abbey by Sioda Cam MacNamara

    Quin · town · Clare · 1402–1433

    In 1402 Sioda Cam MacNamara, lord of Clan-Cuilean, ordered the building of the Franciscan Abbey of Quin as the burial-place of himself and his tribe. Its ruins still stand as evidence of the splendour of the gift and the excellence of Clare architecture of that period.

    Read the passage

    At the year 1402 the Four Masters give the building for the Franciscan friars of the beautiful Abbey of Quin, by " Sioda Cam MacNamara, lord of Clan-Cuilean, who ordained that it should be the burial-place of himself and his tribe." Its ruins are there still, speaking eloquently of the splendour of the gift, and the excellence of Clare architecture of that period. No better answer can be given to the silly theory of Mr. Marcus Keane, that the " towers and temples of Ireland " could not be of Christian origin, than to point to the exquisitely finished workmanship of the towers and cloisters and chapels of Quin Abbey. It was all unquestionably the work of Irish hands, under the direction of a generous Irish prince, and in a county within which, as yet, nothing foreign had taken root. Probably it was only commenced in that year, and proceeded with in the subsequent years till 1433, when it was completed and occupied by the friars of the strict observance, as the latter is the date of the Bull of Eugenius IV. sanctioning the foundation, addressed to " Delecto filio nobili viro Mac son mac na-Mara Duci de Clandcullyau.^ It may be assumed that it was for the ^ Wadding, vol. x. p. 526.

    lO

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 77