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. Hanging of Turlogh O'Brien and Clanrickard's son in Galway

   Galway · city · Galway · 1580

   After the collapse of the insurrection supported by Dalcassians against Elizabeth, Turlogh O'Brien, uncle to the earl, and a son of Clanrickard fell into English hands through treachery and were hanged in Galway in 1580.

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   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 Galway, you're in the city where two men were hanged in 1580 after a failed rising against Elizabeth. The Dalcassians had taken up arms across Clare, seizing what was considered English property from Burren to Limerick, but the insurrection soon collapsed. Turlogh O'Brien, uncle to the earl, and a son of Clanrickard fell into English hands — the Four Masters say the son of Clanrickard was taken by treachery. Both were hanged here in Galway. The aftermath reached further. Donogh of Inchiquin, from whom the Dromoland family trace their descent, surrendered under promise of a free pardon, but they found some flaw in the wording and 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 Mordaunt, marshal of the county.

2. James II lands at Kinsale with French support

   Kinsale · town · Cork · 1689

   Having fled to France after being abandoned by his army, James II collected supporters including a French contingent, set sail from Brest, and landed at Kinsale on 12 March 1689 to begin his Irish campaign.

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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

   As the companion tells it

   The road is bringing you near Kinsale in Cork. This is where James II came ashore on 12 March 1689, arriving from Brest with a French contingent and as many supporters as he could gather. The story begins earlier. James had two daughters by his first wife, the daughter of Lord Chancellor Hyde. They were raised Protestants and married off by Charles II to Protestant husbands. Mary wed the Prince of Orange, her own first cousin, and Anne married George, Prince of Denmark. Mary stood to inherit the throne if James had no male heir. But he married secondly the daughter of the Duke of Modena, and the birth of a son shattered the Protestants' hopes. An intrigue followed. His nephew William of Orange, husband of his daughter Mary, landed in England at Torbay in Devonshire on 5 November 1688 with a large force. The stated reason was protecting Protestant interests, but the real aim was to seize the throne. James, abandoned by his army, fled to France and claimed the protection of Louis XIV. In Ireland, Tyrconnell heard early of William's arrival and put Catholics in command of the principal places. He called on the Catholic lords and gentry to arm their retainers and defend their king and their newly recognised rights. He communicated with James, who then gathered his supporters and the French contingent, sailed from Brest, and landed here at Kinsale on 12 March 1689. A short time before, on 20 February, the Prince of Orange had been proclaimed king within the walls of Derry. James hastened to invest that city. The defenders foiled every effort to capture it, until the siege was abandoned and James retired discomfited and discredited to Dublin. There he assembled a Parliament on 7 May, which sat in the King's Inns and consisted of 46 peers, including six Protestant bishops, and 228 commoners.

3. John Vandeleur rises from vicar to landowner after Aughrim

   Kilrush · town · Clare · 1691

   John Vandeleur, a younger son of the Ralahine family, was appointed to vicarages in West Clare with few Protestants, giving him time for martial pursuits; he gained distinction at the Battle of Aughrim and used this reputation to acquire a large share of forfeited West Clare estates.

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   many of the owners of property in Clare acquired their titles. There was practically no public competition at these sales. It is not too much to believe that, between the Commissioners who had charge of the sale of the forfeited lands, and the buyers, who were for the most part Williamites, like the Earl of Thomond and Sir Donal O'Brien of Dromoland, or followers of the Stuarts who had conveniently changed their politics or their religion, all alike feathered their nests well. If the reader cares to look over the list of names already given as having secured properties under the Stuarts, he will, if a native of Clare, recognise easily some present owners whose ancestors belonged to the latter class. Of the former, next to the O'Briens, the Vandeleurs fared best. Their ancestor, John Yandeleur, a younger son of the Ealahine family, having been appointed to the vicarages of Ivilrush, Kilfeeragh, and Killballyowen, where there were hardly any Protestants, had time to devote himself to martial pursuits. He acquired distinction at the battle of Aughrim, and, with such a reputation, found it easy, on his return to West Clare, to negotiate for a large slice of the broad domains there which had fallen into the hands of the victors. Another purchaser to whom, unlike Yandeleur, an evil fame popularly attaches, was John Cusack of Kilkishen. It is traditionally believed of him that he set himself to " discover " and betray those who, having property, still strove in private to cling to the old faith,^ using for this purpose disguises, so as to worm his way into the houses where ]Mass was secretly offered. Among purchasers at this period was Xathaniel Lucas of

   1 His remains lie in the graveyard of Clonlouni, near Kilkishen. The popular belief is that a tombstone without any inscription having been placed over his grave, some rural poet cut on it, in Irish, the lines thus translated —

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 154

   As the companion tells it

   As the road takes you through Kilrush, this is where the Vandeleur rise began after 1691. John Vandeleur was a younger son of the Ralahine family. He had been appointed to the vicarages of Kilrush, Kilfeeragh, and Killballyowen, where there were hardly any Protestants, which gave him time to devote himself to martial pursuits. He acquired distinction at the battle of Aughrim, and with that reputation he found it easy, on his return to West Clare, to negotiate for a large slice of the broad domains there which had fallen into the hands of the victors. The sale of forfeited lands had practically no public competition. Between the Commissioners who had charge of the sale and the buyers, who were for the most part Williamites like the Earl of Thomond and Sir Donal O'Brien of Dromoland, or followers of the Stuarts who had conveniently changed their politics or their religion, all alike feathered their nests well. Of the purchasers, next to the O'Briens, the Vandeleurs fared best. Another purchaser was John Cusack of Kilkishen, to whom, unlike Vandeleur, an evil fame popularly attaches. It is traditionally believed that he set himself to discover and betray those who, having property, still strove in private to cling to the old faith, using disguises to worm his way into the houses where Mass was secretly offered.

4. Kincora palace above Killaloe becomes seat of Irish authority

   near Killaloe · townland · Clare

   Brian returned to his palace of Kincora, looking down on the Shannon from the height on which the village of Killaloe is now built, which became the centre of all authority in Ireland after his triumphant northern campaign.

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   the men of the Xorth stoutly resisted any encroachment on their territory. They met the monarch with such a show of resistance at Ballysadare, on the borders of Co. Sligo, that the latter turned back his forces, probably because he saw they were greatly outnumbered. This reverse did not turn Brian aside from his purpose of subjugating the whole of the North. About a year after he renewed the attack, but in a different direction. Proceeding through Meath, he marched northwards to Armagh, where he spent a week, and left upon the altar twenty ounces of gold, — a sum more than equivalent to ten times the amount in our time. Continuing his piogress, he entered the territory of Dalriada, from which he returned after receiving hostages. But the Four Masters, evidently anxious to laud the independent spirit of the O'Neills and O'Donnells, quote, in a manner quite unusual with them, as if for greater authority, from the Booli of Clonmacnoise and the Book of the Island of Saints in Lough Righ, to prove that Brian again failed to overcome the hardy clans of the north-west. The Annals of Ulster, however, which cannot be regarded as unduly biassed against the Ulster princes in favour of Brian, record his complete success in the second enterprise. Under the year 1005 they describe the triumphant progress of the monarch through the whole North, including by name Tirconnell and Tirowen. He then divided his army, the Leinster men going directly south to their own territory, the Danish contingent proceeding by sea to Dublin, while the men of Munster and Ossory retraced their steps homeward through Malachy's friendly territory. Thus, after many reverses, his perseverance and indomitable energy placed him at last on the highest pinnacle to which he could aspire. He returned to his palace of Kincora the acknowledged Ard-Eigh of the Irish nation. The palace, looking down on the noble Shannon from the height on which now the village of Killaloe is built, became the centre of all authority in the island, and the Dalcassian clans secured hardwon precedence among the men of Erinn.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 35

5. Mortogh posts rival's head on gate of Limerick

   Limerick · city · Limerick

   After a bloody battle near Leixlip in which four thousand died, Mortogh, son of Turlogh, brought the head of his principal opponent Donogh O'Ruarck and posted it up on the gate of Limerick.

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   on the one side, and the Southerns, under the command of Mortogh, son of Turlogh, on the other. Four thousand were left dead on the field, including some of the most powerful of the chiefs. According to the Annals of Ulster, victory lay on the side of Mortogh, who brought with him, and posted up on the gate of Limerick, the head of his principal opponent, Donogh O'Ruarck. One other achievement of Turlogh, now well adv^anced in years, is recorded. He went himself in person to avenge the plundering, in his absence, of Killaloe, Tuaimgreine, and Moynoe, by the Connaught clans. " Morogh, son of Dubh, chief of all Muinter-Eolais (Leitrim), was taken prisoner by Turlogh 0' Brian, and all Muinter-Eolais was plundered by him." ^ With this parting gleam of victory on his brow, the old Dalcassian chief, in the seventy-seventh year of his age and the thirty-second year of his reign, having never fully recovered the shock of the incident connecting him with the violation of the Clonmacnoise sanctuary, passed away peaceably at Kincora, A.D. 108G.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, you're travelling a city whose old gate once held a grim trophy. After a battle near Leixlip where four thousand were left dead, Mortogh, son of Turlogh, led the Southerns to victory. The Annals of Ulster record that Mortogh brought the head of his principal opponent, Donogh O'Ruarck, and posted it on the gate of Limerick. Among the dead were some of the most powerful of the chiefs. Turlogh himself, now well advanced in years, later went in person to avenge the plundering of Killaloe, Tuaimgreine, and Moynoe by the Connaught clans. "Morogh, son of Dubh, chief of all Muinter-Eolais, was taken prisoner by Turlogh O'Brian, and all Muinter-Eolais was plundered by him." The old Dalcassian chief passed away peaceably at Kincora, in the seventy-seventh year of his age and the thirty-second year of his reign, never having fully recovered from the violation of the Clonmacnoise sanctuary.

6. Muireartagh, the 'Hector of the West of Europe', slain at Ardee

   Ardee · townland · Louth · 941–943

   Muircartagh, King of Ulster, famed for his exploits and styled by the Four Masters 'the Hector of the West of Europe,' fell in battle with the enemies of his religion and country at Ardee, Louth.

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   deliver hostages for his future good behaviour. This did not last long. He soon turned his arms against the Leinster tribes, in revenge for their having submitted to his rival, and made great slaughter of them. The latter, uniting all their forces, in turn attacked Callaghan, and defeated him with great loss. This defeat was completed, when, in the same year, Muircartagh, King of Ulster, swooped down on Leinster and Munster, taking captive and bringing with him into bondage, among others, the two provincial kings, Lorcan and Callaghan. In this he acted for Donnchadh, the Ard- Itigh of Ireland, having his forces under his command ; and on his return delivering up to him his prisoners, the most formidable of whom was his old enemy Callaghan, " that unruly king of Munster, that partaked with the Danes." ^ Muireartagh was so famed for his exploits that the Four Masters styled him " the Hector of the West of Europe." He fell as such a prince would like to fall, in battle with the enemies of his religion and his country, at Ardee, in Louth, on the 26th March of the year following, a.d. 941, or 943 according to the revised correct computation.- Two noteworthy events in Clare history took place the following year. Flahertach, Abbot of Iniscatha, and for a time King of Munster, died ; and Ceinnidigh, prince of Thomond and father of Brian, was defeated in battle at Magh-Duin, by Callaghan of Cashel.

   ^ Ann. Clon. ^ Annals of Ulster.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 28

7. O'Connell's Duel with D'Esterre, Seconded by a Clare Major

   near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1815

   O'Connell fought a duel with D'Esterre in 1815, choosing Major MacNamara, a Clare officer, as his second; D'Esterre was killed. Major MacNamara was held high in the esteem of the people for his role and was still remembered with pride at the time of writing.

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   hero in their own sense of the word. His success over his opponent was regarded as an augury of victory over the party whom he represented. In Clare especially it was hailed with acclamation, as a Clareman figured in it so creditably in the popular view of it. Major MacNamara was held high in the esteem of the people for his share in it, and is still remembered with a feeling of pride.

   In the year 1822^ one of those periodical evidences of English rule in Ireland, a famine, decimated the country. It must have been for the time it lasted nearly as disastrous as that of '47 and '48, Its march was not so well observed as in the latter instance, but we can imagine what dreadful suffering there must have been in Clare, whereas nearly 100,000 1 of its people were dependent on charity for their daily bread. This unhappy record affords evidence also of the enormous increase of the population since the termination of the wars.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 175

8. Sacking and plunder of Dublin by Malachy and Brian

   Dublin · city · Dublin

   After defeating the Danes at Glenmama, the Irish pursued them into Dublin, which was captured, and for a whole week Malachy and Brian ravaged the town, seizing plunder that the Danes had themselves taken from Clonard and Kells.

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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

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through a city that was once ravaged by two of Ireland's most powerful kings. After the Danes had made war on Leinster and taken its king Donal captive, Malachy and Brian united their forces and marched on Dublin. The Danes came out to meet them at Glenmama, now Dunlavin in County Wicklow, and suffered a severe defeat. They were pursued back into Dublin, which was captured, and for a whole week Malachy and Brian ravaged the town. They seized back the plunder the Danes themselves had taken from the sacking of Clonard, Kells, and many other religious establishments. There was rejoicing in the halls of Kincora and across Thomond at this return of Brian and his Dalcassians, laden with gold and silver and carrying many prisoners. The truce between the two allies did not last. The following year, 999, Brian set out to wrest the crown of Ireland from Malachy, bringing with him the forces of Leinster, Ossory, and South Connaught, and even the vanquished Danes. This first attempt failed.

9. Sarsfield halts and hides at Silvermines before famous raid

   Silvermines · town · Tipperary · 1690

   After crossing the Shannon, Sarsfield's force reached the northern slope of Keeper Hill before daylight and halted at Silvermines, lying concealed there for the day before continuing to destroy William's siege train.

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

   1 Ballyneety is Irish for White's Town.

   Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 147

10. Storming and surrender of Wexford

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1169

    The combined Norman and Leinster forces first stormed Wexford, which made a bold resistance the first day but surrendered the second day after clerics reminded the people that MacMurrough was their lawful king.

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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

    Up ahead is Wexford, the town where the Norman conquest of Ireland first met armed resistance. The story begins in May 1169, when Robert Fitz-Stephens and Maurice FitzGerald landed at the creek of Bannow. They were both sons by different fathers of Nesta, the cast-off mistress of Henry I. They brought thirty knights, sixty men in coats of mail, and three hundred archers. They were followed by Richard 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. These were desperate adventurers, trained and disciplined in the wars of Henry, armed far superior to the Irish. Strongbow took in marriage Eva, the daughter of MacMurrough. 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. St. Laurence O'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 realised the impossibility of resisting the large force and the means for attack the Normans brought, they asked for a truce and selected St. Laurence to make honourable terms. While he was in the camp of the besiegers, Miles de Cogan assaulted the city and took its defenders by surprise. The Danish commander Asculph fled, and St. Laurence returned to find the city a scene of pillage.

11. The leap of Loop Head and hidden treasure

    Loop Head · promontory · Clare

    At Loop Head, a Fenian warrior was said to have leapt across the chasm carrying his pursued lady-love, giving the headland its name. Stonework atop the small island suggests it may have been used to conceal treasure in troubled times.

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    terious sea-depths below. In the distance, far off aver the Atlantic wave, the graceful outlines of the Connaught mountain ranges are clearly within view ; while, on the other side, looking by contrast almost within arm's reach, though twenty miles of mingled sea and Shannon away, is the towering, imposing mass of the Brandon Hills. At the end of the headland, upon which a graceful lighthouse is reared, is the chasm that gives it its fanciful name. It is about forty feet across, but three hundred down to the surging mass below. Across it to the little island — Ceann Leime, or in English correctly, the " Head of the Leap " — the Fenian warrior was said to have leaped, bearing his pursued lady - love. Though now trodden only bv the wild sea-birds, there are evidences of the hand of man in stonework on its summit, suggesting the less poetic thought that it might have been somehow reached for the purpose of concealing treasure in troubled times. An unsuccessful attempt was made some years ago to bridge the chasm. I fancy that here it was that one of our well-known Irish writers, Eichard Dowling, caught the idea of a novel which brought him at a bound into fame, but the scene of which he lays at the better known Bishop's Island, near Kilkee.

    Two sections of the cliff on the northern side of the peninsula are deserving of notice. The larger of the two is called the " Hull Eock," owing to its resemblance to the side of a ship. In both the surface is smooth and quite black, and shows, all along down till it is lost in the sea, a curve as regular and graceful as if it were the effect of design. What a poor thing was the famous Tarpeian Eock in ancient Eome compared with this terrific descent !

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Loop Head, at the end of the headland, there is a chasm about forty feet across and three hundred feet down to the sea. A lighthouse stands there now, and the place takes its name from a legend that a Fenian warrior leaped across that chasm to the little island beyond, carrying his pursued lady-love with him. The island is called Ceann Leime, the Head of the Leap. The island is trodden only by wild sea-birds now, but there is stonework on its summit, the hand of man, which raises the thought that someone reached it to hide treasure in troubled times. An attempt was made some years ago to bridge the chasm, but it failed. The writer Richard Dowling may have caught the idea for a novel here, though he set the scene at Bishop's Island near Kilkee.

12. Assize at Limerick Sees Mass Hangings of O'Briens

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1576

    Sir William Drury, cooperating with Donal O'Brien as governor of Clare, held an assize at Limerick at which many gentlemen and common people of the O'Briens, along with others, were hanged.

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    Ix this year Clare was reannexed to Munster under the presidency of Sir William Drury, by order of the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sydney. The latter, with a considerable force, proceeded from Cork towards Limerick, where he was met by some of the Dalcassian chiefs.^ They went with him A^oluntarily through Clare on to Galway. He broke faith with them, bringing some of them, as well as the sons of the Earl of Clanrickard, to Dublin as hostages. Donal O'Brien must have been party to this treachery to his kinsmen, as Sydney appointed him governor of Clare. He ruled with great firmness, repressing disorder with much severity ; so that, " while he continued in office," say the Four Masters, " it was not found necessary to place watchmen over cattle, or even to close doors." Sir William Drury gave him effective co-operation. Coming to Limerick, he then held an assize, at which " several of the gentlemen and common people of the O'Briens, and many others besides, were hanged." ^

    In the following year, 1577, some notable events occurred in Clare. Teigue of Inchiquin, after his stormy career, and ^ Four Masters. ^ Ibid.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 101

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are on ground where a grim assize took place in 1576. That year Clare was reannexed to Munster under Sir William Drury's presidency by order of the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sydney. Sydney arrived at Limerick with a considerable force and was met by Dalcassian chiefs, who went with him voluntarily through Clare to Galway. He broke faith with them, taking some as hostages to Dublin. Donal O'Brien was appointed governor of Clare and ruled with great firmness, so much so that, as the Four Masters say, "it was not found necessary to place watchmen over cattle, or even to close doors." Sir William Drury came to Limerick and held an assize at which, in the words of the Four Masters, "several of the gentlemen and common people of the O'Briens, and many others besides, were hanged."

13. Connaught clans plunder and demolish Kincora and Killaloe

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1016

    In A.D. 1016 the clans of Connaught attacked the weakened Dalcassians, plundering and demolishing the royal fortress of Kincora and the town of Killaloe. The Dalcassians retaliated by raiding the islands of Lough Derg.

    Read the passage

    A hastily-organised pursuit of the plunderers by Teigue and Morogh was unsuccessful, some of the leading chiefs being slain in the attempt to recover the spoil. But next year, A.D, 1016, even worse misfortune was in store for the harrassed and weakened Dalcassians. Tlie clans of Connaught, finding the men who had reduced them to submission beset on every side, swooped down on them, and plundered and demolished Kincora and Killaloe.^ The men of Thomond retaliated, pushing their way as far as the islands on Lough liigh, in which, doubtless for greater safety, much of the wealth of the province had been stored, and with which the Dalcassians returned triumphant. In this year died a man of great eminence, MacLiag, the chief poet of Ireland, aud bosom friend of Brian Boroimhe, whose achievements, and, alas ! whose tragic death too, had been the theme of his sono-.

    For some years following peace reigned in Thomond. The Dalcassians, having made it clear that they could not be attacked with impunity, were allowed to recuperate after the heavy losses they had sustained. It was varied by one curious incident, recorded by the Four Masters, round which a mystery hangs. They give it in the following words, as occurring in the year A. D. 1019: "The son of Carnach, son of Aedh of the Ui Caisin " {i.e. the clan MacNamara), " attacked Donogh, son of Brian, and gave him a stroke of a sword in his head and across the arm, so that he struck off his right palm. The son of Brian afterwards escaped, and the son of Carnach was slain." This reads like a personal quarrel, resulting probably from some wrong done by Donogh, which brought death to the son of Carnach, and left Dononli maimed for life. But this was no stay to his ambitious designs. He longed to recover the dignity and authority won for the Dalcassian race by his father, and soon after the opportunity presented itself.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 44

14. Danes plunder Armagh three times in a month

    near Armagh · town · Armagh · 830

    In 830 the Danes first plundered Armagh, the See of St. Patrick, seizing its spoils three times within one month. The Irish were caught unprepared, never expecting so holy a place to be attacked.

    Read the passage

    During this century the Danes began their organised incursions into Ireland. It is stated, but it has not been clearly established, that their first inroad was along the Shannon, making their way up even into Lough Derg. If so, they passed close to a place which became afterwards, to their nation, a name of terror — Kincora. In the year 830 they first plundered Armagh, and this city of the See of St. Patrick must have afforded tempting loot to those pagan marauders, for we read that three times within one month they seized its spoils. The Irish evidently were completely taken by surprise, never imagining that a place so holy could be so ruthlessly and so sacrilegiously assailed. Besides, they had no standing army or navy ; and enemies like the Danes hovering about the coast could choose at their leisure the time and place for attack most suitable to them, and had always their ships to retreat to when they had reason to fear their being outnumbered or overpowered. So, during the years following, from year to year we find in the Four Masters a dismal record of the incursions of these northern barbarians into all parts of the kingdom. Wherever they had reason to expect that objects of value were to be found, there they fixed their hungry eyes, and, watching a favourable opportunity, pounced like hawks upon their prey. Churches and monasteries were unmercifully

    44 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 26

15. Destruction of the Shannon bridge between East and West Thomond

    Shannon Bridge · electoral division · Offaly · 1536

    Before returning from Carrigogunnell, the Lord Justice destroyed the bridge over the Shannon uniting East and West Thomond. A strong castle had been built at each end of the bridge for defence, and Donogh O'Brien led the English by a secret way to take it after hard fighting.

    Read the passage

    2 In the State Papers is a most graphic account of the assault upon the bridge, which had a strong castle built out into the water at each end for the purpose of defence. Donogh O'Brien led the English by a secret way, expecting to surprise the defenders, but in this they failed. It was taken only after hard fighting.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 90

16. Fann's insult at Magh Adhair fort

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare

    During an invasion of Thomond by the Ard-Righ Fann, in the reign of Lorcan (Brian Boru's grandfather), he occupied the fort at Magh Adhair and, in contempt, sat down playing chess with one of his nobles. The Dalcassian clans hastened from all sides and fought him for three days, compelling him to retreat with considerable loss.

    Read the passage

    Prom time immemorial it was the custom, when the election of each succeeding chief of the Dalcassians took place to have a solemn inauguration of his authority, in prese'nce of the representatives of all the clans, at the place called Ma-h-Adhair,i ^bout half-way between Tulla and Quin. The selection was invariably made from the O'Briens, the most numerous and powerful of the clans, and ratified by having the wand of dignity and office handed over by the chief of the MacNamaras, the next in rank and power, at the ..•reat tree of Magh-Adhair. The indignation of Brian and his Dalcassians was intense when they learned that not only 1 A notable event took place at Magh-Adhair in the reign of Lorcaii, Brian's grandfather. In an invasion of Thomond by F ann, the Ard- Kich, he occupied this fort, and, in contempt, sat down playing chess on it with one of his nobles. An account of this insult was soon conveyed to the Dalcassian clans. Hastening from all sides, they bore down en the king, and kept up a desultory fight for three days, compe hng am to retreat with considerable loss.-L'oo/. of Munster, Vallencey's Collection, vol. i. p. 450.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 32

17. Fenian oath spreads among Clare's youth

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1865–1867

    Within a short time hardly a young man in Clare had not taken the Fenian oath, with returned American veterans secretly teaching military drill in sheltered nooks of the county.

    Read the passage

    county politically in a stagnant condition. But it was not to continue so long. The American War trained to arms very many thousands of Irish emigrants, and when it came to an end, being disbanded the bolder spirits among them began to think of the possibility of rescuing Ireland from the hated yoke of England. The lesson of that war — the lesson so plainly taught, that modern military science leaves hardly any hope for success in an insurrection against a firmlyestablished government — was lost on their ardent temperaments. The Fenian movement was started on both sides of the Atlantic, and the youth of Clare found themselves among the first in the whirl of the excitement. They foolishly believed the stories told them of the landing and secreting of large consignments of war material to be followed by an invasion of well-trained Irish-American soldiers, they had only to drill privately, and, when the right moment came, fall into the ranks and fight for the old land. The hot blood of a fighting race was aroused at such a prospect, the secrecy of the preparation added a zest to their vivid imaginings, and within a very short time there was hardly a young man in Clare who had not taken the Fenian oath. Casey's spirited ballad, " The Eisin' of the Moon," was no mere fancy picture. In very many of the retired and sheltered nooks of Clare, as elsewhere, returned Americans — ay, and even some who had taken Her Majesty's shilling — were busy teaching military exercises. The escape of James Stephens encouraged the movement immensely.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 193

18. Fugitives smuggled aboard ship at Carrigaholt after 1848

    near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare · 1848

    After the collapse of the insurrection, O'Gorman, O'Donnell, and Doyle fled to Clare and, with great difficulty, were put safely on board a ship at Carrigaholt, escaping the authorities.

    Read the passage

    After the collapse of the insurrection, O'Gormau, O'Donnell, and Doyle fled to Clare. The former had many relatives there, and all three had stout friends in every corner of the county, willing to face the risk of sheltering them and helping them to escape. It involved in the eye of English law the guilt of High Treason, as the writer was solemnly warned of from the bench when he and others were engaged in '67 in similar wicked practices. With great difficulty they were put safely on board a ship at Carrigaholt. They were thrown almost into despair at the last moment, when the captain, who had undertaken to carry them out of the country for a large sum of money, refused to receive them on board until the notes they offered him would be converted into gold. The local authorities had some reason to suspect that they were in the neighbourhood, and a sharp look-out was kept ; but their friends were still more on the alert. The coin was procured, and they sailed away to liberty. Of those most active in effecting their escape, two are now dead — Father Meehan and Father Moran. Two others still live, Garrett Doherty and Dick Brew, in whose premises they were concealed, while the police and soldiers were scouring the country round. Of the three fugitives, two, O'Donnell and Doyle, returned, when matters cooled down, to Limerick, where they had large practice as solicitors, and were held in high esteem while they lived. 0 'Gorman, for whose capture a reward of £300 had been

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 190

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, three men who had fled the failed rising of 1848 were smuggled aboard a ship and sailed to liberty. O'Gorman, O'Donnell, and Doyle escaped to Clare after the collapse of the insurrection, and O'Gorman had many relatives in the county. All three had friends willing to shelter them, though helping them carried the guilt of High Treason under English law. Their friends hid them in the premises of Garrett Doherty and Dick Brew while police and soldiers scoured the country round. The local authorities suspected they were near here and kept a sharp lookout, but their friends were more alert still. At the last moment they were nearly thrown into despair. The ship's captain, who had agreed to carry them out of the country for a large sum, refused to take them on board until their notes were converted into gold. The coin was procured, and they sailed away. Of those most active in the escape, Father Meehan and Father Moran are now dead. O'Donnell and Doyle later returned to Limerick, where they had large practice as solicitors and were held in high esteem. A reward of 300 pounds had been offered for O'Gorman's capture.

19. Kincora rath and Brian Boru's covered passage

    near Kincora · monument · Clare

    At Kincora (now called Beal Boru), one of the finest Irish earthen circular raths still stands. Clare tradition holds that when Brian Boru held state at his palace at Killaloe a mile away, gallowglasses lined the whole covered passage between the fort and the palace.

    Read the passage

    " Head of the Weir," historic Kincora, — which will be heard of again and frequently in these pages. It is now called Balboru. One of the finest, if not the finest, of Irish earthen circular raths stands there still. The Clare tradition is that, when Brian Boru held state a mile away at Lis palace at Killaloe, gallowglasses lined the whole covered passage between the fort and the palace.

    The river, hardly fifty yards across at this point, nor much wider down to Limerick, begins to widen out into the proportions of a noble lake — Lough Derg. At the Killaloe side it is " guarded and sentinelled " by lofty mountains on both sides, with well-wooded slopes and rugged summits. The view down the lake towards Killaloe cannot be easily forgotten.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 5

20. Naval battle on Lough Derg

    near Lough Derg · lake or lakes · Clare · 1127

    Conor sailed up the Shannon from Kincora to confront Turlogh O'Connor's fleet, resulting in the strange spectacle of a naval battle on Lough Derg in 1127, which the Connaughtmen won.

    Read the passage

    "Within the next few years various incursions were made by Turlogh O'Connor into Thomond, and beyond it, carrying his arms as far as Cork and Tralee, with the view of preventing a union among the Southern princes, which might lead to a renewal of the claim to the throne of Ireland. He placed a Heet of a hundred and ninety vessels on Lough Derg as a permanent menace to the people of Thomond. Conor was no.t slow in accepting the challenge. He sailed up the Shannon from Kincora, and in A.D. 1127, the strange spectacle was witnessed of a naval battle on Lough Derg. The Connaughtmen were victorious. It may be taken for granted that the vessels on both sides were small, and chiefly managed with oars.

    The command of the Shannon enabled Turlogh to strike when and where he liked at his Munster rivals, and contributed in no small degree to their downfall. He made it quite enough for them to defend their own territory, without a thought of the throne of Ireland ; and we can well imagine the disturbed state of the peoples east and west of the Shannon, with such enemies driven in like a wedge between them. One may easily believe that plunder, followed by retaliation where possible, was the order of the day.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 53

21. O'Gorman Mahon unseated for bribery, quarrel with O'Connell at Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1830

    O'Gorman Mahon succeeded O'Connell as MP for Clare in 1830 but was unseated on petition for bribery under the new ten-pound franchise; a later scuffle with O'Connell's mob in Ennis drove Mahon from public life for years.

    Read the passage

    spent money, or it was spent for him, so freely that he was unseated on petition. The voters under the new ten-pound franchise had not, as a rule, the splendid spirit of their poorer brethren, and, being much less numerous, the doubtful among them were unfortunately secured by bribes. Maurice O'Connell, the son of the Liberator, as O'Connell was after the victory of '28 universally called, was sent down. The magic of the name secured his return ; but at the next election a split occurred. O'Gorman Mahon asserted his right to stand for the county, and, having money still to dispose of, he was able to bring a mob with him from Ennis in opposition to the Liberator himself when approaching the town. A scuffle ensued, which so incensed O'Connell, that, declaring himself no longer safe there, he passed through to Gal way. These occurrences threw O'Gorman Mahon out of public life for some years.

    The " Terry Alt " system — one of those calamitous secret societies which have brought from time to time so much ruin and misery on the country, and on the dupes who are entrapped into them — spread rapidly in Clare. It took its name, as was said, from a shoemaker living in Corofin, and perhaps for the fantastic reason that he had nothing to say to it. The rumour was industriously, and of course untruthfully, spread that O'Gorman Mahon was at the head of it, and this contributed largely to increase its numbers. It had its origin in disputes about land. Since the '28 election, the landlords in most instances were at open war with their tenants. Increased rents were demanded and exacted from tenants at will. Then in the natural course evictions followed, and then murders, and then hanging. A typical instance of what was taking place through the county was the atrocious murder of Neptune Blood — descendant of the parson who had secured, as already related, confiscated property— outside his own door, avenged by the erection of a gallows on the same spot, to hang three men convicted of the murder.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 180

22. Sack of Limerick and plunder to Emly and Bruree

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1080–1090

    O'Connor and his allies advanced on Limerick, laid it in ruins, and plundered the rich plain south as far as Emly and Bruree before recrossing the Shannon at Limerick.

    Read the passage

    dynasty, claiming the throne of Ireland, overawed O'Connor, taking hostages from him in token of submission. Both together then advanced by the eastern side of the Shannon on Limerick, and, laying it in rnins, plundered the rich plain to the south as far as Emly and Bruree. On their return they crossed the Shannon at Limerick, bringing with them the head of O'Euarck, which had been exposed at Singland near that city ; and, after " breaking down and demolishing " Kincora itself, returned in triumph with great spoil, and not fewer than eight score Dalcassian and Danish hostages. A time of woe indeed in proud Thomond. But the Dalcassian spirit was not subdued. A race less warlike might, for a time at least, succumb to such a series of defeats. In the very next year they tried to recover their lost prestige by an attack on Connaught. Ascending in their vessels, they plundered the islands in Lough Eigh, sparing the holy sanctuary of Clonmacnoise. Here they again met with a repulse, and in their retreat found themselves confronted by Eory O'Connor, who had in the meantime taken possession of two islands which offered an advantageous position for intercepting their return homeward. Driven back towards Athlone, they were watched by Donal O'Mealaghlin, King of Meath, and had to surrender to him their vessels for a safe-conduct through his territory. With these vessels, O'Mealaghlin and O'Connor, who were acting in concert, swooped down directly on their baffled foes, and carried away great plunder from East Thomond (Tipperary).

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 50

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through Limerick, you are passing through a city that was sacked and left in ruins in the 1080s. O'Connor and an allied dynasty advanced by the eastern side of the Shannon, took hostages in token of submission, and together fell on Limerick. They plundered the rich plain to the south as far as Emly and Bruree before crossing back over the Shannon at Limerick, bringing with them the head of O'Euarck, which had been exposed at Singland near the city. They went on to what the record calls "breaking down and demolishing" Kincora itself, returning with great spoil and not fewer than eight score Dalcassian and Danish hostages. It was a time of woe in proud Thomond, but the Dalcassian spirit was not subdued. The very next year they sailed to attack Connaught, plundering the islands in Lough Eigh while sparing the holy sanctuary of Clonmacnoise. They met another repulse there, and Rory O'Connor intercepted their retreat. Driven back towards Athlone, they were watched by Donal O'Mealaghlin, King of Meath, and surrendered their vessels for safe passage through his territory. O'Mealaghlin and O'Connor then swooped down on East Thomond and carried off great plunder.

23. Statue of Fr. Kelly in Kilrush church commemorates famine relief priest

    Kilrush · town · Clare · 1849–1893

    Fr. Timothy Kelly, who ministered to the dying during the cholera outbreak of 1849 alongside his curate Father Meehan through the parish of Carrigaholt, is commemorated with a lifelike statue in the Kilrush church.

    Read the passage

    This amiable and high-souled priest, of whom there is a lifelike statue in the Kilrush church, told the writer that while the cholera raged in that "black '49," he and one of his curates. Father Meehan, afterwards the well-known parish priest of Carrigaholt, had to leave Kilrush and go througli the parish of Carrigaholt administering the last sacraments, when

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 187

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kilrush, the church here holds a lifelike statue of Father Timothy Kelly. He told the writer that in the "black '49," while cholera raged, he and his curate Father Meehan had to leave Kilrush and go through the parish of Carrigaholt, administering the last sacraments to the dying. Meehan later became the well-known parish priest of Carrigaholt.

24. Tomb doorway of Conor Roe at St Flannan's Cathedral

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare

    Conor Roe O'Brien, slain by his own brother Mortogh and seized by the English of Limerick, is said to be commemorated by the beautiful doorway set in St. Flannan's Cathedral at Killaloe, marking his tomb.

    Read the passage

    the next to him, Donogh Cairbreac, but unsuccessfully. Conor ruled only for a short time. He was slain by Mortogh, his own brother, according to the Four Masters and Annals of Clanmacnoisc. This prince was soon after treacherously seized by the English of Limerick,^ at the instigation of Donogh Cairbreac, and probably put to death, as we hear no more of him in Clare history. The beautiful doorway set in St. Flannan's Cathedral, at Killaloe, marks, it is said, his tomb. Donogh Cairbreac was henceforth acknowledged Prince of Thomond.

    An attempt was made by the English, in 1207, to erect a castle at Killaloe. This concession may have been promised by Donogh in return for their support ; but the Dalcassian spirit was not yet broken. The clans fiercely resented this intrusion into Clare, and the English had to retreat after considerable loss.^

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 66

25. Battle at the wood of Suidene, Burren

    Drumcreehy · parish · Clare

    Conor O'Brien was defeated with great loss at the wood of Suidene, in the parish of Drumcreehy in Burren, by the O'Loughlins, O'Connors, O'Deas and O'Hehirs; he himself, his son and daughter, her son O'Grady, and an O'Loughlin ally were slain.

    Read the passage

    With the disappearance of the enemy, internal discord began unhappily to prevail. The clans of Ormond (North Tipperary) and North-east Clare, refusing to pay tribute, were brought to submission by Conor O'Brien, at the head of the O'Briens, MacNamaras, and other clans of central Clare ; but when advancing into Burren with a smaller force against the O'Loughlins and O'Connors, the O'Deas and O'Hehirs, he was met and defeated ^ with great loss at the wood of Suidene, in the parish of Drumcreehy. He himself, his son and daughter, and her son, O'Grady, and an O'Loughlin who took part with him, and many others of note, were slain. In the victorious camp was a section of the O'Briens, headed by his cousin Dermot, who, as the son of the elder brother of Conor, laid claim to the chieftaincy. His claim was rejected however, by the greater part of the Dalcassian clans, and being soon after killed by them for the part he took against Conor, Brian Rua became without further opposition prince of Thomond. Conor, who is known from the place of his death, Conor-ua-Suidene, had married the daughter of the chief of the MacNamaras, and no little of his success in arms was due to the support of this powerful clan with whom he was so closely allied.

    ^ Four Masters. O'Douuliue's Memoirs.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 68

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through the parish of Drumcreehy here in Burren, you're passing the ground where Conor O'Brien met his end. He had already forced the clans of North Tipperary and north-east Clare back into paying tribute, and marched this way with a smaller force against the O'Loughlins, O'Connors, O'Deas and O'Hehirs. They met him at the wood of Suidene and defeated him with great loss. Conor himself was slain, along with his son and daughter, her son O'Grady, an O'Loughlin who had taken his side, and many others of note. A section of his own O'Briens stood in the victorious camp, headed by his cousin Dermot, who claimed the chieftaincy as son of Conor's elder brother. The Dalcassian clans rejected that claim and soon killed Dermot for the part he played, and Brian Rua became prince of Thomond without further opposition. Conor is remembered from the place of his death as Conor-ua-Suidene. He had married the daughter of the chief of the MacNamaras, and much of his success in arms came from the support of that powerful clan.

26. Brian seizes Iniscatha from the Danes

    Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 975

    In 975 Brian seized Iniscatha to rescue the holy sanctuary of St. Senan from Danish hands, an act the Four Masters describe as a 'violation' since it involved bloodshed at a religious site, though it was seen as justified religious patriotism.

    Read the passage

    Having secured himself on the throne from which so many of his Dalcassian predecessors were unjustly excluded, Brian's first thought was to rescue the holy sanctuary of St. Senan from the hands of the Danes. In 975 he seized on Iniscatha, and doubtless made short work of its Danish usurpers, for we find the Pour Masters speak of it as a " violation." In their monastical view of things, any attack, followed by bloodshed, upon a religious retreat was regarded as a violation ; but possibly, with the rest of their countrymen, they found it an easy task to condone such a vigorous display of religious patriotism. Following up this success, he attacked the Danes of Limerick, and slew Ivar, their king, and his two sons. Harold, another of his sons, having been elected in his stead, with the aid of Brian's inveterate enemy, Donovan of Hy Figcinte, assumed sway in Limerick. The victorious Brian would not brook such insolence in his kingdom of Munster. He made an incursion first into Donovan's territory, overcoming and slaying him ; and then, attacking Harold, made a great slaughter of his people, including himself; and returned home loaded with immense spoils, in the second year after the murder of Mahon.^

    In the Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallcn the above events are thus curtly described, and given under the year 977: "Brian, son of Kennedy, marched at the head of an army to Hy Figcinte, where he was met by Donovan, chief of that territory, aided by Auliff, King of the Danes of Munster. Brian gave them battle, wherein Auliflt' and the Danes and Donovan and his Irish forces were all cut of!'."

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 30

27. Canon Island Priory founded by Donal Mor O'Brien

    Canon Island · townland · Clare · 1100–1605

    The priory on Canon Island was built for Canons Regular of St. Augustine in the twelfth century by Donal Mor O'Brien, King of Munster. It was seized with its property and granted to Donogh, Earl of Thomond, in 1605 as a reward for submission to the English crown.

    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

28. Commissioners at Loughrea oversee castle destruction

    Loughrea · town · Galway · 1653

    Commissioners sat at Loughrea to superintend the destruction of nearly all the castles in Clare and to parcel out the confiscated lands, part of the Cromwellian policy to devastate the region.

    Read the passage

    Clare was reduced almost to a wilderness. Famine followed on the footsteps of war to the degree that, if a contemporary writer^ is to be believed, not only did the unfortunate people resort to horse - flesh for food, but in their extremity, in some cases, used even human flesh. Only about forty townlands out of thirteen hundred, and these mostly in the barony of Bunratty,^ could be said to be inhabited in the June of 1653. To make the desolation more complete, an order was issued to destroy nearly all the castles. Commissioners sat at Loughrea to superintend these operations,^ as well as to parcel out the confiscated lands to

    1 "Mercur Politicus," June 8, 1653, p. 2516.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 137

29. Cromwellian crossing at Killaloe and O'Brien's Bridge

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1650–1651

    Despite Lord Castlehaven's two thousand men set to defend the Shannon from Killaloe to Doonas, the Cromwellians crossed the river with ease, raising charges of treachery against the Royalist officers Captain Kelly and Colonel Fennell.

    Read the passage

    Meanwhile Ireton was preparing for the siege of Limerick, where the brave Hugh O'Neill held command. Desiring to invest it on all sides, he detached a strong force to seize the pass at Killaloe. Ormond had given Lord Castlehaven two thousand men to watch and defend the Shannon from Killaloe to Doonas. The ease with which the Cromwellians crossed the river in the face of so many well-disciplined troops, gives colour to the charge of treachery brought against the Eoyalist officers. Captain Kelly and Colonel Fennell, who were in immediate command at O'Brien's Bridge and Killaloe. The earthworks thrown up for the defence of those passes were abandoned almost without a blow. The disheartened Eoyalists retreated into the county of Galway, without apparently being aware of the fact that Ludlow was at the same time investing the castle of Gurteensheguara, near Gort, and almost in their line of march towards the city of Galway. Had they been able to intercept and dispose of Ludlow, the siege of Limerick

    1 Two of the MacNamaras, Daniel of Doon and John of Moyriesk, had represented Clare in the Supreme Council of the Confederation.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 135

30. Danes burn Cork but are chastised by Cathal

    Cork · city · Cork

    The Danes, joining Leinster king Maelmorha in resisting tribute payment, collected a fleet and attacked and burned Cork, the principal seaport in Brian's kingdom of Munster; before they could retreat, the people of South Munster under Cathal attacked and slew many, including Sitric's son.

    Read the passage

    the Irish princes made any combined resistance to the invaders impossible. Xow, however, that Brian had secured such sway as no Irish king had hardly ever before enjoyed, the patriotic purpose to rid Ireland of the foreign yoke took possession of his heart. It is not at all unlikely that the recent insolent activity of the Danes against Brian's authority had much to say to this determination. They had not only joined the Leinster king, Maelmorha, in his resistance to the payment of the tribute, but, moved probably by a desire to weaken Brian's prestige, had collected a lleet and attacked and burned Cork, the principal seaport in Brian's own hereditary kingdom of Munster. Here, however, they met with severe chastisement. Before they could effect their retreat, the people of South Munster, under the leadership of Cathal, a local chief, attacked them, slaying great numbers ; among these being the son of Sitric, lord of the foreigners, who was a nephew of the King of Leinster. Many other notable men among the Danes and their Leinster allies were slain or captured.

    In the preceding years Brian had been gradually strengthening and fortifying his own kingdom of IMunster. All the annalists describe the works in which he engaged. He constructed roads and built bridges, to enable him to concentrate his forces, whether for attack or defence. He fortified more strongly than ever his own palace of Kincora, and built fortresses likewise in Roscrea, Cahir, Bruree, Limerick, and various other places, some of which cannot now be recognised in the Irish names given. Nor were the needs of religion overlooked. Churches and monasteries claimed much of his attention. He enlarged and beautified many of these ; special mention being made of Killaloe, Iniscaltra, and Tuamgreine, where he built also a Cloctheac, or round tower.^ This may throw some light on the

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now, the city of Cork. In Brian's time this was the principal seaport in his hereditary kingdom of Munster, and it drew the Danes' fire. They had joined the Leinster king, Maelmorha, in his resistance to the payment of tribute. Moved probably by a desire to weaken Brian's prestige, they collected a fleet and attacked and burned Cork itself. But here they met with severe chastisement. Before they could effect their retreat, the people of South Munster, under the leadership of Cathal, a local chief, attacked them, slaying great numbers. Among the dead was the son of Sitric, lord of the foreigners, who was a nephew of the King of Leinster. Many other notable men among the Danes and their Leinster allies were slain or captured. This insolent activity of the Danes against Brian's authority may have had much to say to his determination to rid Ireland of the foreign yoke. He had already been gradually strengthening and fortifying Munster in the preceding years. He constructed roads and built bridges to enable him to concentrate his forces. He fortified his own palace of Kincora more strongly than ever, and built fortresses in Roscrea, Cahir, Bruree, Limerick, and various other places. Nor were the needs of religion overlooked. He enlarged and beautified many churches and monasteries, with special mention made of Killaloe, Iniscaltra, and Tuamgreine, where he built also a round tower.

31. Death and burial of Mortogh at Killaloe

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1119–1123

    Mortogh O'Brien died in March 1119 after 'the victory of reign and penance' and was interred in the church of Killaloe; a tomb with a beautiful doorway, a relic of an older church, was built over his remains in 1123.

    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

32. Donal O'Brien burns Limerick to deny it to foreigners

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1176

    After Raymond le Gros left Limerick in Donal O'Brien's charge as liege of Henry, O'Brien renounced his dependence and set the city on fire so it might no longer shelter foreigners.

    Read the passage

    Soon after, and while both were in Limerick, news came of the death of Strongbow. Eaymond hastened at once to Dublin, having given over the charge of Limerick to Donal as liege of Henry. No sooner was Eaymond outside the walls, than O'Brien, renouncing his dependence, set the city on fire, that it might no longer be a nest for foreigners.

    In the absence of the invaders, the wretched old quarrel between the Dal-Cais and the Eoghanachts broke out afresh. In 1178 the former proceeded southwards in great force, laying waste the whole country, and driving the inhabitants, notably the O'Donovans and O'Collins, before them into the mountains of Kerry and the recesses of South Cork. The Annals of Innisfallcn give an epitome of this disastrous civil war in the following words: " a.d. 1178. There was a very great war between the O'Briens and the MacCarthys, so that they desolated the entire country, from Limerick to Cork, and from the plain of Derrymore to Brandon Hill ; and the greater part of the race of Eoghan fled to the woods of Ivaha, south of the river Lee, and others to Kerry and Thomond. On this occasion the Hy Conaill Gabhra and the Hy Donovan fled southwards to the Mangerton mountains." The Four Masters bear similar testimony. It is curious to note that some of them took refuge even in the territory of the enemy ; from whom are descended, in all probability, the MacCarthys, the O'Collins, and the O'Donovans, who are at this day settled down in considerable numbers through all Clare.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Limerick now. In 1176, this city stood at the centre of a brief and fierce betrayal. Raymond le Gros and Donal O'Brien were both in Limerick when news came of the death of Strongbow. Raymond hastened at once to Dublin, but first he gave over the charge of Limerick to Donal, as liege of Henry. No sooner was Raymond outside the walls than O'Brien renounced his dependence and set the city on fire, that it might no longer be, in the words of the source, a nest for foreigners. So Limerick burned by the hand of the very man entrusted to hold it for the king. In the absence of the invaders, the old quarrel between the Dal-Cais and the Eoghanachts broke out afresh. In 1178 the Dal-Cais proceeded southwards in great force, laying waste the whole country and driving the inhabitants before them into the mountains of Kerry and the recesses of South Cork. The Annals of Innisfallen record that there was a very great war between the O'Briens and the MacCarthys, so that they desolated the entire country, from Limerick to Cork, and from the plain of Derrymore to Brandon Hill. The greater part of the race of Eoghan fled to the woods of Ivaha, south of the river Lee, and others to Kerry and Thomond. The Hy Conaill Gabhra and the Hy Donovan fled southwards to the Mangerton mountains. Some even took refuge in the territory of the enemy, from whom are descended, in all probability, the MacCarthys, the O'Collins, and the O'Donovans, who to this day are settled in considerable numbers through all Clare.

33. Earl of Albemarle's rapid resale of the forfeited Lord Clare estate

    near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare · 1698–1702

    Joost Van Keppel, Earl of Albemarle, was granted the bulk of Lord Clare's forfeited estate in February 1698 but sold it within a fortnight to three purchasers for a nominal sum; the Commissioners later ordered a re-sale, and the same buyers reacquired the estate for £10,161 in 1702.

    Read the passage

    We have now to consider and take note of the third confiscation of Clare property within a period of less than sixty years. History, except in Ireland, affords no parallel to it. The second — that under Charles II. and James II, — was but, on the whole, a recovery of their old possessions by the native Irish and Anglo-Irish. The third, under William, was, in the main, a confirmation of the first under Cromwell, in favour of the English and Protestant interest. William made liberal grants of the confiscated and deserted lands to his own followers ; but, falling somewhat into disfavour with the English people, on account of his partiality to the Dutch, the Parliament appointed Commissioners to investigate and modify or annul some of these grants. Among those so favoured was Joost Van Keppel, whom he had created Earl of Albemarle, and to whom he granted the greater part of the vast property of the Lord Clare. He, anticipating the change coming over William's English subjects, disposed of such title as he had to three purchasers, Nicholas Westby, Francis Burton, and James MacDonnell, for the nominal sum, for such a property, of a little over two thousand pounds. His letters-patent were issued in February 1698, and the sale was effected within a fortnight after. The Commissioners took note of this, and ordered a re-sale. The same parties having, it is to be presumed, some right of preemption, again purchased for the sum of £10,161, thus securing the Parliamentary title in March 1702, under which they were enabled to enter upon, and transmit to their descendants to the present day, the valuable estates forfeited, by the chivalrous Lord Clare. It must be said that there are more questionable titles than this in the county. The one already alluded to in a footnote above, under which the Earl of Thomond leased over the lands of Donogli Mac- Namara of Eafoland and Mouhane to Harrison, was surely one of these.

    The foregoing affords an example of the way in which very

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 153

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Carrigaholt, you are passing through land that changed hands in the third great confiscation of Clare property in less than sixty years. The writer says history outside Ireland affords no parallel to it. The first confiscation was under Cromwell. The second, under Charles the Second and James the Second, was mostly a recovery of old possessions by the native Irish and Anglo-Irish. The third, under William, was in the main a confirmation of the first, in favour of the English and Protestant interest. William made liberal grants of confiscated and deserted lands to his own followers. But he fell into disfavour with the English people on account of his partiality to the Dutch, and Parliament appointed Commissioners to investigate and modify or annul some of these grants. Among those William favoured was Joost Van Keppel, whom he had created Earl of Albemarle. William granted him the greater part of the vast property of the Lord Clare. Albemarle, anticipating the change coming over William's English subjects, disposed of such title as he had to three purchasers, Nicholas Westby, Francis Burton, and James MacDonnell, for the nominal sum, for such a property, of a little over two thousand pounds. His letters-patent were issued in February 1698, and the sale was effected within a fortnight after. The Commissioners took note of this and ordered a re-sale. The same parties, having some right of pre-emption, again purchased for £10,161, thus securing the Parliamentary title in March 1702, under which they were enabled to enter upon and transmit to their descendants to the present day the valuable estates forfeited by the chivalrous Lord Clare. The writer adds that there are more questionable titles than this in the county.

34. Earl of Thomond Surrenders Castles of Bunratty, Clare and Clonroad

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1570

    Following the attack on the English force, the Earl of Ormond induced the Earl of Thomond to yield up the castles of Bunratty, Clare, and Clonroad without a blow, while reserving only the stronghold of Moy in Kilfarboy for himself.

    Read the passage

    When Lord Justice Sir Henry Sydney heard of this outrage against the queen's representative, he despatched at once a large force, under the command of the Earl of Ormond, into Clare, to reduce the stubborn Dalcassians once more to submission. Being a first cousin of the earl, Ormond entered into a parley with him, and induced him to yield up without a blow the castles of Bunratty, Clare, and Clonroad, reserving to himself but one of his strongholds — that of Moy, in Kilfarboy. No sooner had he done this than he repented of such a tame surrender ; but, not being able to keep the field against the English, or recover his castles, he fled first into Kerry, then into France ; but finally, going into England, he humbled himself to Elizabeth, and was restored to favour. On his return to Ireland the following year, 1571, he put himself into communication with Sir Edward Fitton, yielding up the castle and town of Moy, which he had, on the former occasion, reserved to himself. The latter, having now the co-operation of the earl and his followers, opened a court at Ennis on St. Patrick's day, and for eighteen days presided over it. The jurisdiction of the court extended over the Clanrickard as well as the Dalcassian territory. This was the first formal recognition by the Dalcassian chiefs of English, as opposed to Brehon, law in Clare. The people generally had no part in it, and subsequent events proved that they were opposed to the surrender of this, as well as other rights, made in their name.

    In the following year a similar court was held under the J Four Masters.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

35. Edward Bruce advances to Castleconnell

    Castleconnell · town · Limerick · 1315

    Edward Bruce, sent by his brother Robert Bruce, marched his army as far as Castleconnell unopposed, but withdrew on learning that Mortogh was prepared with a large force to dispute his crossing of the Shannon.

    Read the passage

    There was now another disturbing element added to the troubled sea of Irish life. The year after his great victory at Bannockburn, Eobert Bruce sent his brother Edward at the head of an army into Ireland.^ Donogh O'Brien went to him, offering him his and his adherents' services. Bruce marched as far as Castleconnell unopposed, but, learning that Mortogh was prepared with a large force to dispute with him the crossing of the Shannon, he withdrew. Donogh now turned into Connaught, and we find him, and those who still followed his fortunes, engaged the following year on the side of Felim O'Connor, at the disastrous battle of Athenry. The English were, as usual, clad in armour, and their crossbowmen did fearful havoc among the Irish. The defeat was a crushing one for the O'Connors and other Connaught clans, ten thousand of whom, it is said, — but it must be an exaggeration,— and most of their chieftains, were left dead on the field. Donogh was one of the few men of note who outlived that bloody fight, and, returning to Clare, kindled there once more the torch of civil war. He had all along the support of Pilchard de Clare. The latter sought for him the aid of the English of Dublin, but failed, as Mortogh had, in opposing the advance of Bruce, secured their good will.

    While Mortogh was away in Dublin, Donogh was collecting an army, and this time made the Abbey of Corcomroe the base of his operations. Dermod, Mortogh's brother, marched

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 72

    As the companion tells it

    The year after his great victory at Bannockburn, Robert Bruce sent his brother Edward at the head of an army into Ireland. The road passes through Castleconnell, the farthest point that army reached. Donogh O'Brien went to Edward Bruce, offering his own services and those of his adherents. Bruce marched unopposed as far as this town, but he learned that Mortogh was prepared with a large force to dispute his crossing of the Shannon, and so he withdrew. Donogh turned into Connaught, and the following year he and those who still followed him fought on the side of Felim O'Connor at the battle of Athenry. The English were clad in armour, and their crossbow men did fearful havoc among the Irish. The defeat was a crushing one for the O'Connors and other Connaught clans. Ten thousand of them, it is said, though that must be an exaggeration, and most of their chieftains were left dead on the field. Donogh was one of the few men of note who outlived that bloody fight. He returned to Clare and kindled there once more the torch of civil war. He had the support of de Clare, who sought the aid of the English of Dublin, but failed, as Mortogh had secured their good will by opposing the advance of Bruce.

36. Ennis Chosen as County Capital After Assizes Held There

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1579

    Sir Nicholas Malley was directed to divide Clare into baronies and choose a county capital between Killaloe, Quin, or Ennis; because assizes had already been held at the monastery of Ennis, it was fixed on as the capital and became a town of importance, while Clarecastle was passed over as it was reserved by the Earl of Thomond.

    Read the passage

    Sir Nicholas Malley, President of Connaught, was directed by the queen to take Clare into his jurisdiction, to divide it into baronies, and to fix upon either Killaloe, Quin, or Ennis as the capital of the county. Clarecastle would have been selected, as being on the navigable part of the Fergus, but that the Earl of Thomond reserved it for himself. The fact that assizes had been held in the monastery of Ennis brought it into such prominence that it was fixed on as the capital, and henceforward it became a town of some importance. The county, which before was divided into five great districts, Corcovaskin, Corcomroe, Hy-Cormaic, Hy-Fearmic, and Hy- Caisin, was now split up, a.d. 1579, into the baronies we have at present.

    In the following year the sons of the Earl of Clanrickard

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 104

37. Famine of 1822 in Clare

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1822

    In 1822 a famine decimated the country; nearly 100,000 people in Clare were dependent on charity for their daily bread, showing evidence of both severe suffering and the enormous population increase since the wars.

    Read the passage

    In the year 1822^ one of those periodical evidences of English rule in Ireland, a famine, decimated the country. It must have been for the time it lasted nearly as disastrous as that of '47 and '48, Its march was not so well observed as in the latter instance, but we can imagine what dreadful suffering there must have been in Clare, whereas nearly 100,000 1 of its people were dependent on charity for their daily bread. This unhappy record affords evidence also of the enormous increase of the population since the termination of the wars.

    O'Connell had been thwarted time after time in his efforts to solidify the whole people, by what was called the Convention Act. This penal statute forbade any meetings of delegates or persons holding a representative character. To steer clear of this Act, O'Connell founded in 1823 the Catholic Association. Though purely voluntary and unrepresentative, the Government, alarmed at the vast proportions it at once assumed, found some excuse for suppressing it in 1825; but O'Connell, who knew well, as he himself expressed it, how " to run a coach and six through any Act of Parliament," soon revived it, under the name of the " New Catholic Association." The members paid a penny a month, which was called the " Catholic Eent," and the numbers enrolled may be estimated from the fact that for a long time as much as £500 a week was paid in. This Association lived on, and gave blood and life to the popular uprising at the famous Clare election of 1828.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 175

38. Feidlim ravages Clonmacnoise monastery

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 831–832

    In 831 and again in 832, Feidlim, King of Munster, ravaged and burnt the property of the monastery of Clonmacnoise right up to the church door, an act of sacrilege by an Irish king imitating Danish raiders.

    Read the passage

    Xor were they alone guilty of such sacrilege. We find Feidlim, son of Crimhthan, of the race of the Eoghanachts, King of Munster, imitating their barbarous example. In the year 831, and again in 832, he ravaged and burnt to the very door of the church the property of the monastery of Clonmacnoise.^ This sacrilege was well and justly avenged by Cathal, King of Connaught, who defeated, with much slaughter, Feidlim and the Munster forces in two battles — the first in 834, the second in 836. It is more than probable that the Thomond clans had no share either in the sacrilege or its punishment, as the continued usurpation of the throne of Munster by the Eoghanachts caused constant feuds between them and the Dalcassians, The first approach to a right understanding between the two great Munster families was made by Cormac MacCuilenan, Archbishop of Cashel and King of Munster. This prince ascended the throne in the year 895. Though already charged with the solemn duties of an archbishop, the burden and cares of the crown of Munster devolved on him. His reign was a very memorable one. As might be expected, he was a great patron of learning and a strenuous upholder of Church rights ; but the unseemly spectacle was presented of a bishop of the Prince of Peace driven frequently into the field of battle. He may have tried to avoid it, but could not. We have proof that it was forced on him. In the year 901, Muireach, son of the King of Leinster, led an attack on the Munstermen, but was defeated and slain. In the same year, and probably by concert, Flann, the monarch of Ireland, who had signalised the first year of his reign in 877 by an assault on the province of Munster, plundering " from Boraimhe to Corcagh," i.e. from Killaloe to Cork,'^ made another successful raid on the dominions of King Cormac, plundering " from Gobhran to ^ Four Masters, Ann. Clon. - Ibid.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 26

39. Friars of Inis Clondrode convent jailed at Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare

    Sworn affidavits record that Murtogh O'Gripha and Teigue O'Hehir admitted to being priests of the convent of Inish Clondrode, given to them by Morrice O'Connell; all four friars were cast into Ennis jail but released on bail due to the jail's unsafe condition.

    Read the passage

    Majesty's justices of the peace for the county. " In their sworn affidavits, Murtogh O'Gripha and Teigue O'Hehir are made to admit that they are priests ordained by Maelaghlin Kelly ,^ Archbishop of Tuam — being a bishop of the Eoman See ; that Flan Broody is guardian and head of their convent " (he appears to have escaped) ; " and that the place where they keep their convent was given to them by one Morrice O'Connell, gent. ; and that they are of the convent of Inish Clondrode." "William Browne and Eichard Lysaght, lay brothers, give similar testimony ; - and all four were cast into Ennis jail, but liberated on giving bail for future good behaviour. The real cause of the lenity shown them was the unsafe condition of the jail. They were probably glad to get off with their lives out of the country, as we hear nothing more about them. The lesson taught was intended for all the " insolent Papists " of Clare.

    During the remaining years of tlie reign of " the Merrie Monarch," no Papist dared to officiate publicly in any part of Clare. The tithes and Church property were made over, by a clause in the Act of Explanation, on the Protestant bishop and clergy, " having actual care of souls " — which care must have been of a very light kind. The Catholic bishop, John O'Molony, who was one of only nine bishops residing in their sees in all Ireland in 16-49," died in 1655. Two Vicars Apostolic, Dionysius Harty and John De Burgho, administered as best they could, at the risk of their lives, to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of the diocese, till, in 1671, another, John O'Molony, and of the same family, was consecrated bishop at the urgent request of the people. His fame as a doctor in the University of Paris had reached the county from which he had been an exile almost since his infancy. His appointment was strongly recommended by the doctors of the university, as well as by French and Irish

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 140

40. Fr. Kelly and Father Meehan administer last sacraments in Carrigaholt during cholera

    near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare · 1849

    During the cholera epidemic of 1849, Fr. Kelly and his curate Father Meehan, later parish priest of Carrigaholt, had to leave Kilrush and travel through the parish of Carrigaholt administering last sacraments to the dying.

    Read the passage

    This amiable and high-souled priest, of whom there is a lifelike statue in the Kilrush church, told the writer that while the cholera raged in that "black '49," he and one of his curates. Father Meehan, afterwards the well-known parish priest of Carrigaholt, had to leave Kilrush and go througli the parish of Carrigaholt administering the last sacraments, when

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 187

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Carrigaholt, in the black year of 1849, cholera swept through this parish. Fr. Kelly and his curate Father Meehan, later parish priest of Carrigaholt, had to leave Kilrush and travel through the parish administering the last sacraments to the dying. There is a lifelike statue of Kelly in the Kilrush church.

41. Gregory Hickman of Barntick's extensive loss claims

    Barntick · townland · Clare · 1642

    Gregory Hickman of Barntick in the parish of Clare gave an extensive sworn account of losses including poultry, cattle, corn, sheep, and household goods, allegedly taken by various O'Briens and O'Hehirs, totalling over £3672.

    Read the passage

    converted into rebels ! Boetius Clancy, the model English- Irishman, seized upon his cows, his bull, and his gelding. And what all these left after them, Conor O'Brien, gentleman, of Leimaneigh, " in a most rebellious manner " laid hands on. He took deponent's corn, and wickedly turned the same to his own use. He seized on four hundred of his sheep ; and, to crown all, his wife, the famous Mauria Ehua, came with MacLaughlin Oge and one MacCasey, yeoman, and marched off at the tails of his fourteen English pigs (" British Protestant " had to be dropped in this connection), together with his household stuff. He estimates the loss of all these goods and chattels at the modest figure of £3672, 7s. 8d. to the penny ! With jurat at the end, the seal of accuracy, which it would be rank heresy to call into question, is fixed to the doleful tale. If W. Gregory Hickman did not fall in for a good share of the confiscated lands of Clare, it was not for want of making a good case. He took some satisfaction, however; in denouncing divers relapsed Papists, especially the aforesaid Eev. Patrick Lysaght ; and in deposing to the hanging of four men by Jo'hn O'Griffen, while O'Hehir, whose wife took away his household goods, looked on from horseback.

    Many more such " depositions," made in all parts of Clare, could be quoted, but those few will suffice to give a fair idea of the commotion in the county resulting from the 1641 rising. If all that was told of it be true, one asks how so many who were at the mercy of the Irish, lived to tell their tales. Mr. Prendergast, admittedly the most accurately informed and best living authority on the subject, in his invaluable work, Tlu Cromvjellian Settlement, quotes the report of the Commission, dated 23rd December 1641, and argues from it in the following unanswerable manner against the long-prevailing legend of a general barbarous massacre : ^ "It was, in its original form, to take an account of the losses. It was amended on the 18th January 1642 to include murders, so that was an afterthought, a thing scarcely possible

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit

42. Hunt for the rebel Redmond Purcell and betrayal of Sir Turlogh O'Brien

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1606

    Davies' report describes the pursuit of the 'notorious thief or rebel' Redmond Purcell, formerly under the Earl of Desmond, the imprisonment of Sir Turlogh O'Brien for harbouring him, and Turlogh's betrayal by one MacHurley leading to his execution by martial law.

    Read the passage

    habit and fashion, the rest are not so reformed as the people of Munster.^ But it is to be hoped that the example of the earl, whose education and carriage your lordship knows, and who indeed is served and waited on very civilly and honourably, will within a few years alter the manners of this people, and draw them to civility and religion both." ^ The writer then proceeds to describe with great zest the hunt after the " notorious thief or rebel, Kedmond Purcell," who had held high command under the Earl of Desmond ; the imprisonment of Sir Turlogh O'Brien, brother of the Bishop O'Brien, whom the latter accused of harbouring this rebel ; and, finally, his betrayal by one MacHurley, " so that now we hear he is executed by martial law."

    In the same report complaint is made of the inefficient manner in which Protestant teaching is conveyed. " If our bishop and others were but half as diligent in their sacred charges as these men (the priests) are in the places where they haunt, the people would not receive and nourish them as now they do.^ That unconscious touch, " the places where they haunt," reveals the bitter spirit. of persecution which marked the attempt to propagate the Eeformed religion, and which was persevered in for more than two centuries, with what result the Catholic Clare of to-day testifies. The Earl of Thomond did all he could, by a rigid enforcement of the laws against the Catholics, and by encouraging* Protestants to settle in Clare, to plant the new faith there. Very little advance, however, was made. The people would still gather to the hunted priests, though they had at the same time to pay tithes to the Protestant teachers, no small part of which found its way into the pockets of lay patrons. The bishop who succeeded O'Brien, John Rider, had to repair to the English court, to complain of " the great decaies, and unconscionable concealmte and usurpacons of the tem-

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 119

43. Jacobite Parliament of 1689 convenes at Dublin's King's Inns

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1689

    James II assembled a Parliament at Dublin on 7 May 1689, which sat in the King's Inns and included Clare representatives Daniel O'Brien and John MacNamara of Cratloe, passing an Act repealing the Acts of Settlement and Explanation and proclaiming freedom of worship.

    Read the passage

    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

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you are in the city where James II assembled a Parliament on the 7th of May 1689, which sat in the King's Inns. James had fled to France after his nephew William of Orange landed at Torbay in Devonshire on the 5th of November 1688 with a large force, on the pretence of protecting Protestant interests but in reality to seize the throne. James, abandoned by his army, claimed and received the protection of Louis the Fourteenth. Tyrconnell heard early of William's arrival, put Catholics in command of the principal places in Ireland, and called on the Catholic lords and gentry to arm their retainers and defend their king. James sailed from Brest with a French contingent and landed at Kinsale on the 12th of March 1689. On the 20th of February the Prince of Orange had been proclaimed king within the walls of Derry. James hastened to invest that city, but the defenders foiled every effort to capture it. The siege was abandoned, and James retired discomfited and discredited to Dublin. There he assembled his Parliament, 46 peers including 6 Protestant bishops and 228 commoners. Lord Clare attended among the peers. He had been made, with Boileau, a trusted French officer, joint-governor of Cork. The county of Clare was represented by Daniel O'Brien and John MacNamara of Cratloe. That Parliament passed an Act repealing the Acts of Settlement and Explanation, and proclaimed freedom of worship.

44. Kincora and the trade wealth of pre-Norman Thomond

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1000–1171

    Before the Norman invasion, Clare's clans lived in a settled prosperous society, with the Danes of Limerick trading wine and luxuries for wool, hides and tallow from Clare. Irish oak, traditionally of East Clare growth, was reputedly used to roof Westminster Abbey.

    Read the passage

    Xo sooner was the Danish power broken, than the old love of learning and religion revived. As already related, council after council was held, at one of which a cardinal, representing the Holy Father, appeared, for the purpose of checking the licentiousness so natural to the disturbed state of society ; and it is well worthy of note, as showing the relative position of the two countries, that in the Council of Armagh, 1171, a decree was passed restoring to liberty all the Saxons who were then held in bondage in Ireland. A generous Christian irupulse, stirred up, indeed, by fear of God's 'anger for so unholy a traffic, proved more effective and more thorough in the cause of human freedom than the halting legislation of this enlightened century, with which the name of AVilberforce is inseparably and so honourably connected. May not the inference be drawn from this fact alone, that the people were settling down, in spite of the petty civil warfare kept on here and there, to the ways of Christian peace. To those foreign slaves, and the subdued native Firbolg tribes, was usually committed the task of cultivating the land and practising handicraft of all kinds, save that of smith, or armour-maker, or bell-founder, which crafts were held as of note and honour. The clansmen were too proud to engage in other handiwork. In time of peace they were much given to the exchange of hospitalities. The Danes of Limerick supplied Clare with wines and other luxuries at a good profit, in exchange for the wool, hides, tallow, etc., in which the county abounded. Oak and other choice timber formed also a valuable export. It was with Irish oak, traditionally said to be of East Clare growth, that the Abbey of Westminster was roofed. The broad expanse of the Shannon afforded great facilities for imports and exports ; so we never hear complaints in the old annals of much want in those days. Sports and pastimes, and the pleasures of the chase, were of course among such a people keenly enjoyed ; and, to while away the hours after banqueting was over, they had the glorious music of the harp, the eager contest over that mimic battlefield, the chessboard, and the thrilling stories of the Bards recounting the

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 60

    As the companion tells it

    Limerick was a trading city long before the Normans came. In the years before 1171, the Danes of Limerick supplied Clare with wines and other luxuries, taking in exchange the wool, hides and tallow in which the county abounded. Oak and other choice timber formed a valuable export too, and it was with Irish oak, traditionally said to be of East Clare growth, that the Abbey of Westminster was roofed. The broad expanse of the Shannon gave great facilities for imports and exports, and the old annals record little want in those days. The clansmen were too proud to engage in handiwork, leaving cultivation and the crafts to foreign slaves and the subdued native Firbolg tribes, though smiths, armour-makers and bell-founders were held in honour. In time of peace they were much given to the exchange of hospitalities. After banqueting they had the music of the harp, the contest over the chessboard, and the stories of the bards. In 1171 the Council of Armagh passed a decree restoring to liberty all the Saxons then held in bondage in Ireland, a move the source calls a generous Christian impulse stirred up by fear of God's anger for so unholy a traffic. The people were settling down, in spite of petty civil warfare here and there, to the ways of Christian peace.

45. Kincora demolished and Killaloe's holy well desecrated

    near Kincora · monument · Clare

    The Connaughtmen captured and demolished the king's fortress of Kincora, plundered and burned the adjacent town of Killaloe, and desecrated its holy well.

    Read the passage

    Clare now became the theatre of a fierce civil war between the adherents of the aspiring Turlogh and the troops of King Donogh. His son, Morogh of the Short Shield, was sent with a strong force to dislodge Turlogh from the northern part of the country, where he had been, with the aid of the Connaught prince, entrenching himself : but, after a sharp struggle, he was forced to retreat, four hundred men and fifteen chieftains " being left dead on the field. Donogh endeavoured to buy off the hostility of Aedh O'Connor and his support to his rival Turlogh, by tendering him some measure of submission ; but in vain, as we find the Connaughtmen the year following capturing and demolishing the king's fortress of Kincora, plundering and burning the adjacent town of Killaloe, and desecrating its holy well. This was in good truth a period of disaster for the people of Thomond. The King of Leinster advanced once more, and completely broke the power of Donogh, defeating his army with great slaughter in a battle near the present town of 1 Four Masters. 2 j^^^_

    6

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 46

46. Lord Clare abandons Carrigaholt Castle rather than swear allegiance

    Carrigaholt Castle · monument · Clare · 1691

    Lord Clare chose to abandon Carrigaholt Castle and all his vast possessions rather than submit and swear allegiance to William and Mary after the Williamite victory.

    Read the passage

    claims first attention. The castle of Clare, which was garrisoned by a troop raised at the expense of Teigue Mac- Namara of Ayle, near Tulla, was surrendered, as stipulated for in the treaty, MacNamara being allowed to return to his estate. Lord Clare chose to abandon Carrigaholt Castle and all his vast possessions rather than submit and swear allegiance to William and Mary. Such of the people as still remained had now but to wait the will of their victorious enemies. The county was practically a desert. Taking the population of all Ireland in 1641 given by Sir William Petty in his Political Anatomy of Ireland, as 1,466,000, and reduced by war to 850,000 in 1652, we can infer that half a million would be as much as could have survived all the disasters of the succeeding years, culminating in the surrender of Limerick. That would leave in all Clare probably not more than about fifteen thousand of both sexes reduced to utter subjection and despair. In a return sent by Eyder, Protestant Bishop of Killaloe, to Dublin Castle in 1693, for the publication of which we have again to thank Canon Dwyer, the following significant entry appears : " John Lawson, Englishman," being appointed to the " Eectory and vicaridge of Quin, Rectory and vicaridge of Tulloe, Eectory and vicaridge of Cluony, Eectory and vicaridge of Dowry, Eectory of Templemaley, Eectory of Kilraghtis, Eectory of Kilmurry-negaul," — in a word, to seven of the finest parishes in the heart of fertile Clare, — has placed opposite to his name, " No cure served at present ; noe church in repaire ; the county all wast." This was mostly MacNamara territory. The principal families of this once powerful sept, refusing to abandon their faith, or swear allegiance to William, have altogether disappeared, some during the progress of the wars on the Continent, others reduced to penury and obscurity for safety's sake among the peasants in Clare.^ A few of the minor branches, having

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 151

    As the companion tells it

    Right beside the road here is Carrigaholt Castle. In 1691, Lord Clare chose to abandon this castle and all his vast possessions rather than submit and swear allegiance to William and Mary. The castle of Clare had been garrisoned by a troop raised at the expense of Teigue Mac-Namara of Ayle, near Tulla, and was surrendered as stipulated in the treaty, with MacNamara allowed to return to his estate. But Lord Clare would not bend. Such of the people as still remained had now but to wait the will of their victorious enemies. The county was practically a desert. Sir William Petty, in his Political Anatomy of Ireland, gave the population of all Ireland in 1641 as 1,466,000, reduced by war to 850,000 in 1652. From that, we can infer that half a million would be as much as survived all the disasters of the succeeding years, culminating in the surrender of Limerick. That would leave in all Clare probably not more than about fifteen thousand of both sexes, reduced to utter subjection and despair. In 1693, Eyder, Protestant Bishop of Killaloe, sent a return to Dublin Castle, later published by Canon Dwyer. In it, John Lawson, an Englishman, was appointed to seven of the finest parishes in the heart of fertile Clare. Opposite his name were the words,

47. MacBrody secures restoration of cattle by invoking St Columb-cille's curse

    near Grianan of Aileach · monument · Donegal · 1599

    MacBrody, the hereditary historian and poet of the Dal-Cas, persuaded O'Donnell to restore his cattle by claiming that the devastation of O'Brien territory resulted from St Columb-cille's curse for the ruin wrought on the Hy Niall fortress of Grianan-Oiligh.

    Read the passage

    It is not to be supposed that all this was done without bloodshed on both sides ; but, as the surprise was so complete, no organised opposition could be offered in that rugged district. One incident relieves somewhat the uncivilised character of their inroad. MacBrody, the hereditary historian and poet of the Dal-Cas, by a little judicious flattery, secured the restoration of his cattle. He declared to O'Donnell that this devastation of the O'Brien territory was in consequence of the curse of St. Columb-cille, for the ruin wrought by the great-grandson of Brian Boroimhe on the Hy Niall fortress of Grianan-Oiligh. This allusion to the Saint of his race softened O'Donnell's heart.

    When Sir Conyers Clifford, Governor of Connaught, heard of this success of O'Donnell, he determined to counteract it. He sent next month seven or eight companies of soldiers from Galway, under the command of Theobald Dillon, Captain Lester, and Eichard Sherlock, Sheriff of Clare, with instructions to put themselves at the disposal of Sir Turlogh O'Brien of Ennistymon. For the sake of effect, they wisely followed the same route that O'Donnell took, and not without success. Some of Teigue O'Brien's troops lay in ambush for them on the road between Kilkeady and Kilnaboy. A sharp encounter took place ; but though the English suffered more than the Irish, they forced their way through and joined hands with Sir Turlogh at Ennistymon.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 113

48. Munstermen plunder Clonmacnoise; Donogh makes amends

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1044

    In 1044 Clonmacnoise was plundered by Munstermen in Donogh's absence. Donogh afterwards made amends to the Church, granting freedom to Ciaran's church and giving forty cows, and cursed any Munsterman who should harm the clergy there.

    Read the passage

    It may have been during one of those excursions against Diarmid that an event occurred which is thus described by the Fonr Masters under a.p. 1044: " Cluain-mic-nois was plundered by the Munstermen in the absence of Donogh, son of Brian. Donogh afterwards gave satisfaction to the Church, to wit, perfect freedom (of the Church) to God and to Ciaran to the day of Judgment, and forty cows to be . given by him immediately ; and he gave a curse to any Munsterman that should ever inflict any injury upon the clergy of Ciaran." From this it may be inferred that the Dalcassian chief felt himself accountable, and made amends for the misdeeds of his Munster subjects. Perhaps, too, he considered the murder of his brother quite enough to answer for without provoking in addition the just anger of the holy recluses at Clonmacnoise.

    In the following year, 1045, we find noted the death of " Donal Ua Ceatfadha, head of Dalcas, and of the dignity of Munster," i.e. Archbishop of the province.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 45

49. Sir Lucius O'Brien's 1764 Speech on Clare's Sinecure Parishes

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1764

    Sir Lucius O'Brien, member for Ennis, told the House of Commons in 1764 that Clare had seventy-six parishes but only fourteen churches, meaning sixty-two parishes were sinecures with non-resident rectors, forcing the population to rely on Catholic priests for marriage, baptism and burial.

    Read the passage

    "VVe gather from this speech that in spite of all the " Acts to prevent the growth of Popery," Popery was still growing in Clare. The occasion of the speech was a motion made by Sir William Osborne in the House of Commons for a return of the names of non-resident incumbents. Sir Lucius O'Brien, supporting the motion, states that " there are in Clare no less than seventy-six parishes, and no more than fourteen churches ; so that sixty-two parishes of the seventy-six are sinecures ; " and that, " when the number of the churches is so small, the rectors of most of them are non-resident. Yet such is the fact, and so much greater regard have the clergy to the tithes than to the souls of their parish." He laments that owing to this " they must have recourse to Popish priests. The priest, sir, must marry those who would enter into the nuptial contract ; the priest must baptize the children ; 1 Memoirs of the O'Briens, by O'Doiiohue, p. 539.

    304 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 158

50. St. Flannan's Cathedral and Shrine of St. Molua Converted to Protestant Use

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1700–1770

    At Killaloe, the most notable ancient churches built and endowed by Catholic forefathers—St. Flannan's Cathedral and the more ancient shrine of St. Molua—still stood, but Catholics had the mortification of seeing them converted to Protestant uses during the Penal era.

    Read the passage

    were the ruins of the churches built and endowed by their forefathers ; or if some still stood, — the most notable of which were St. Flannan's Cathedral and the more ancient shrine of St. Molua at Killaloe, — they had the mortification to see them converted to Protestant uses. A Catholic could hardly call what he had his own. If real property, he held it absolutely at the will of his Protestant landlord ; and if personal, he knew not the moment when the " discoverer," or the " priest-hunter," would pounce on him for Popish practices. He dared not have a horse worth more than five pounds, nor give his children any Catholic education, except such as could be snatched from hunted priests and teachers in lonely, out-ofthe-way places. The hedge-schoolmaster became an institution in those dark days, and left a name that should be a name of honour in all succeeding generations. Some families deserve special notice in this connection — the Curtins or Mac- Curtins, the MacBrodys, the MacClancys, and the MacGraths. They carried on, in the face of persecution, the honourable traditional calling of their clans. One of these, And. Mac- Curtin, who lived at Moyglass, in the parish of Kilmurray, in 1730, wrote an Irish dictionary ; a quaint Irish poem, calling on Don, the fairy king, to make him his gilly or horse-boy, as the poetical profession had gone, out of fashion ; an exquisitely-written copy of the Cathreim Turlogha} now in the library of Trinity College, and other works. Another Mac- Curtin, Hugh, published in Louvain, a.d. 1728, The Elements of the Irish Language Grammatically Explained in English. Members of this family were all along, down to our own time, remarkable both as priests and teachers.

    The county at the beginning of this century, in spite of all the political changes, was still beautifully wooded, even

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 159

51. Stones of Aileach brought to Kincora

    near Kincora · monument · Clare · 1100–1102

    Following a triumphant circuit of Ireland, Mortogh brought back the very stones of the royal stronghold of Aileach to Kincora, in reply to the earlier demolition of Kincora by the Ulster prince.

    Read the passage

    complete success. Following in the footsteps of his greatgrandfather, Brian Boroimhe, Mortogh made a triumphant circuit of the whole island, meeting with hardly any opposition, so overpowering was the force he commanded, and bringing back with him the very stones of the royal stronghold of Aileach, as a reply to the demolition, some years before, by the Ulster prince, of the Dalcassian fortress of Kincora. After this " circuitous hosting," he retvirned in triumph to Kincora, and supreme rule in Ireland rested once more on the Clare side of the Shannon.

    The next event of importance was the invasion of Ireland by the Danes, under their king Magnus, in the year a.d. 1102. Mortogh summoned all Ireland to resist the old enemy, and marched straight to Dublin. Instead of war there was matrimony. Probably the Danish king saw little hope of final success, and so contented himself with securing for his son in marriage a daughter of the Irish king, " with many jewels ■and gifts." ^

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 51

52. St Senan's monastery and round tower on Iniscatha

    Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 540–560

    St Senan settled and made his resting-place on the island of Iniscatha (Scattery Island), where the group of churches still standing, with the graceful round tower, are attributed by local tradition to him.

    Read the passage

    Inislunga and Inisluaidhe in tlie Shannon, two of the group of islands at the junction of the Fergus with the Shannon. As if to gird Oorcovaskin with holy houses, he stretched out into the Atlantic, and, landing on Iniscuireach, now Mutton Island, within full view of Aran - na - Naoinih, he again laid the foundation of and constructed a house for holy retreat. At last, after having made provision in so many places for the adoption and pursuit of a life of religion by those — and in those days of fervent faith they were countless — who felt called to it, the time came for his final and most important undertaking. The desire to surround the holy man with, as it were, an atmosphere full of miracles, accounts for the numerous legends which the writers of his life revel in. They tell us that at this, the turning-point of his career, an angel of God brought him up into a mountain, probably Baltard, near Kilkee, which is not far distant from Iniscuireach, and, pointing out to him an island in the broad expanse of the Shannon, within view of his native Magh-Lacha, told him that this was to be the place of his burial, where he should await the resurrection ; as also of many other Saints. In order that no crime should stain its soil, a sea-monster was allowed to hold sole possession of it till he for whom God intended it should arrive. The legend further tells how St. Senan banished it, driving it into Lough Doologh, near Slieve Callawn. The one fact that stands out from this mist of pious legend unquestioned and unquestionable, is that St. Senan did settle down in the Island of Iniscatha, and made there his resting-place, and a home for piety and learning in the revolving centuries. The group of churches still standing, with the graceful round tower, almost untouched by the hand of time, keeping watch and ward over them through all the ages, speak of no name but that of St. Senan. Such an impression did his work make on the people of Southern Clare, that to-day he is spoken of almost as familiarly as if he were yet a living reality among them. He is as vividly present to their minds as the Eound Tower, the building of which they attribute to him, is to their eyes. They love to speak of the miracles wrought by him.^ Some of these are 1 St. Biigid of Feenisli Island, at the moutli of the Fergus, is said to

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 16

53. Terry Alt movement named for a Corofin shoemaker

    Corrofin · town · Clare

    The Terry Alt secret society, which spread rapidly through Clare over land disputes, took its name from a shoemaker living in Corofin, allegedly precisely because he had nothing to do with it.

    Read the passage

    The " Terry Alt " system — one of those calamitous secret societies which have brought from time to time so much ruin and misery on the country, and on the dupes who are entrapped into them — spread rapidly in Clare. It took its name, as was said, from a shoemaker living in Corofin, and perhaps for the fantastic reason that he had nothing to say to it. The rumour was industriously, and of course untruthfully, spread that O'Gorman Mahon was at the head of it, and this contributed largely to increase its numbers. It had its origin in disputes about land. Since the '28 election, the landlords in most instances were at open war with their tenants. Increased rents were demanded and exacted from tenants at will. Then in the natural course evictions followed, and then murders, and then hanging. A typical instance of what was taking place through the county was the atrocious murder of Neptune Blood — descendant of the parson who had secured, as already related, confiscated property— outside his own door, avenged by the erection of a gallows on the same spot, to hang three men convicted of the murder.

    A state of alarm and terrorism prevailed for some years. Ic gradually died out towards the end of the decade, owing partly to the more prudent, as well as more just, relations of

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 180

54. Unveiling of the O'Connell Monument in Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1865

    The O'Connell statue in Ennis was unveiled on 3 October 1865 before an immense gathering, with Dr. Power, Bishop of Killaloe, performing the unveiling and Sir Colman O'Loghlin delivering the oration.

    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

55. Woods from Tomgraney to Broadford so thick one could cross treetop to treetop

    near Tomgraney · population centre · Clare

    Old people near Bodyke told that the slopes of the hills from Tomgraney to Broadford were once so thickly wooded that a man could travel along the branches almost without touching ground. No trees remain there now.

    Read the passage

    along the sea-board. I have found in all parts of it rooted stumps of trees standing still where they had been growing in the not very distant past. In Shaw Mason's Statistical Survey of Ireland, he writes that " almost the entire county about Ennistymon was, within the recollection of an old man, aged one hundred, who died about thirty or forty years ago (1810), covered with woods, mostly oak and ash full grown, and that he frequently shot wild pheasants in those woods." All that country, and indeed nearly all West Clare, is now bare and naked. The writer heard from his father that his grandfather used to tell how, when cattle strayed away in his youth, so covered with trees was the whole country between Tulla Quin and Kilkishen, that search had to be made for them through the glades of the woods. It is nearly all bare now. He heard himself, from old people near Bodyke, that the old people of their young days told of the slopes of the hills, all the way from Tomgraney to Broadford, being so thickly wooded that " a man might go from one place to the other along the branches of the trees almost without coming to the ground." There is not a tree there now. The new owners easily found markets for such valuable timber. It is traditionally stated that some old owners too, notably the absentee English O'Briens, stripped the hills round and above Killaloe of the noble oaks which adorned them, and of which were built some of the finest ships in the English navy.

    The gloomy condition of plundered and downtrodden Claremen at home during all those years is relieved by the lustre which the exiles from the county shed on the name of Clare in the battlefields of Europe.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 160

56. Battle of Monabraher near Limerick city

    Monabraher · townland · Limerick · 1510

    Kildare's forces wheeled round at Monabraher, 'the Friar's Bog', in the parish of Killeedy near Limerick city, where a fiercely-contested battle lasted the whole day. Victory went to the Clare and Connaught clans, with the English army said to have escaped by flight.

    Read the passage

    O'Deas, the O'Hehirs, and the O'Quins joined their forces with their immediate neighbours, the O'Briens. The Sil- Aedha were present in great force. Of these the MacNamaras were the more numerous and more powerful, but were well supported by their kinsmen, the Maclnernys, the O'Gradys, the O'Slatterys, the O'Liddys, the O'Hallorans, the O'Meehans, the O'Hartigans, the O'Molonys, etc. Clanrickard brought his whole strength to the aid of the Dalcassians, who had lately suffered such loss. The remembrance of the bloody field of Cnoctuagh stung the proud Dalcassian spirit to the quick. The opportunity of avenging it was now eagerly availed of. Kildare was well aware of the movements of his opponents. He marched to the wooden bridge at Portcroissi,^ above Castleconnell, connecting East and West Thomond, and destroyed it. His object evidently was to give himself time to strike first at the clans of East Thomond, and crush them before aid from Clare could arrive. His plan was foiled by the energy and activity of the Dalcassians and their allies. Fording the Shannon near Killaloe, they made a rapid march, and encamped late in the evening so close to the invaders that " they used to hear one another's voices during the night." ^ Early in the morning Kildare withdrew his forces towards Limerick, probably with a view to select for himself the field of battle. Turlogh O'Brien hotly pursued, and, coming up to the retreating foe, forced on the fight. Kildare wheeled round at a place called Monabraher, i.e. " the Friar's Bog," in the parish of Killeedy, near the city of Limerick, placing the English and Irish of Munster in the van, the rear being occupied by the English of Dublin and Meath, supported by O'Donnell's force, which had just arrived. The battle was a fiercely-contested one, lasting the whole day,^ night only separating the combatants. Victory was on the side of the Clare and Connaught clans. "Ware, while admitting that the forces of the Lord Justice suffered more heavily, says that the victory was dearly bought. The Four Masters assert

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 87

57. Bishop John O'Molony's marble monument at the Irish College

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1675–1702

    Bishop John O'Molony of Killaloe, forced to travel to France for urgent affairs while risking persecution in his diocese, used his own funds to establish burses at the Irish College for Killaloe students, commemorated by a marble monument recording his munificence and escape from pursuers.

    Read the passage

    bishops and archbishops. He had to run all the risks of residence in his diocese, for "on the 30th of July 1675," the Propaganda granted the Bishop of Killaloe " six months' leave of absence from his diocese, to enable him to go to France on urgent private affairs." ^ Probably the private affairs were the steps necessary to establish, at his own expense, those burses in the Irish College for students of Killaloe, for which he is still gratefully remembered — a marble monument there recording his munificence, as well as his escape from the plots of his pursuers. He received charge also of the diocese of Limerick, and lived through all the troubles to a good old age, dying in 1702.

    Some light is thrown on this transition period of Clare history by another Protestant bishop — Worth — in the description given by him of his management of the Church property which fell into his hands. "We have again to thank Canon Dwyer for bringing it to light in his Diocese of Killaloe. A perusal of the whole document, and others of a similar kind following, will well repay Clare and Tipperary readers. I can but give a few selections from it here.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 140

58. Brian Bawn burns castle of Atthassol on the Suir

    Relickmurry and Athassel · parish · Tipperary · 1322–1328

    Brian Bawn attacked and burned the English castle of Atthassol on the Suir and dealt destruction on the whole territory around it, as part of his conflict with William de Burgho.

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    Brian's first achievement was a victory over the English of Connaught, who pushed down into his newly-acquired posession, A.D. 1322.^ He then directed his energy to extending and consolidating his possessions eastwards towards the boundaries of the Pale. Here again he came into conflict with his old enemies, the Enolish of Connau^iht, under William de Burgho. He attacked and burned their castle of Atthassol on the Suir, and dealt destruction on the \\hole territory round. William de Burgho called to his aid his old allies, the O'Briens, MacNamaras, and other clans of East Clare, as well as the O'Connors of Connaught. To resist this forminable attack, Brian solicited and secured the cooperation of Maurice EitzGerald, Earl of Desmond, who was at open enmity with De Burgho, each aiming at superiority among the English in Ireland. The battle was fought near Thurles, A.D. 1328, and resulted in a victory for Brian. Conor O'Brien, Kigh-damna of Thomond, together with other chiefs on the Irish and English side, fell. Victory must have declared itself early in the fight for Brian, as only about eighty of his men in all were slain. Mortogh, eager to recover his prestige and avenge the death of his son, returned to the fight in the same year. The Four Masters have the following entry, under the year a.d. 1328: "Another army was led by Mortogh O'Brien and the Clann-Cuilean (the MacNamaras), against Brian ; but Mortogh was defeated and Conor O'Brien ; Donnoll of the Donnolls, the son of Cumara MacNamara, with many others, were slain." For years after, no one cared to risk an encounter with such a formidable antagonist ; neither did he, though active in other directions, make any attempt to recross the Shannon till the death of Mortogh.

    ^ Four Masters.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 74

59. Burning of Killaloe by Cathal and Connacht forces

    near Killaloe · townland · Clare · 1188

    Cathal, grandson of Roderick O'Connor, allied with the English, burned Killaloe including churches and houses, carrying off jewels and riches of the inhabitants.

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    footing in that province. It was only too easy for them to induce O'Brien to share in the plunder of that distracted country ; but he soon had reason to repent of this alliance. The O'Connor princes made a truce with the English, and in conjunction with them marched into the Dalcassian territory. One contingent, under Cathal, grandson of Eoderick, " burned Killaloe, as well churches as houses, and carried off all the jewels and riches of the inhabitants ; " ^ while another, under the command of Conor, his father, made a successful raid on other parts of Thomond. How blind to their true interests those Irish princes were ! Within a few months the Normans succeeded in driving them into a ruinous war with each other, fighting now on the one side and now on the other, plundering and weakening both alike. It was but the head of the chapter. The same policy was tried, and with nearly always the same . success, all through to the end.

    In the year 1188 died Edwina, daughter of O'Quin, and Queen of Munster. Of the chief of this clan the followingdescription appears in O'Heerin's topographical poem : —

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 64

60. Clare's Yellow Dragoons ambushed at Lisnaskea

    near Carrigaholt · townland · Clare · 1689

    Lord Clare's original regiment of Yellow Dragoons, raised at Carrigaholt and considered the flower of King James's army, was sent north in 1689 and drawn into an ambush at Lisnaskea on 26 July 1689, where it was cut to pieces.

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    It is not a matter for wonder that such raw levies, thus hurriedly put into the field, were far from being efficient at the Boyne. It is stated that Lord Clare's Yellow Dragoons behaved badly there. The original regiment which was raised at Carrigaholt, was considered, from its thorough discipline, the flower of King James's army. It was sent north, the year before, to share in the operations which culminated in the collapse at Derry, but, having been drawn into an ambush at Lisnakea, on the 26th of July 1689, was literally cut to pieces. Those, then, of the same name who fought at the Boyne were for the most part a raw levy, from whom much could not be expected. We know how

    278 HISTORY OF CLARE.

    Internet Archive historyofclareda00whit, Chapter 144

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Lord Clare raised his regiment of Yellow Dragoons, reckoned the flower of King James's army for their thorough discipline. In 1689 they were sent north, and on the 26th of July 1689 they were drawn into an ambush at Lisnaskea and literally cut to pieces. The men of the same name who later fought at the Boyne were for the most part a raw levy put hurriedly into the field, from whom much could not be expected.