Name: The history of Sligo : town and county
Author: Terence O'Rorke

Battle of the Curlews 1497 — Cathach captured

near Curlew Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Roscommon · 1497

In 1497 a major battle was fought in the Curlew Mountains between Teige MacDermot, O'Conor Don and O'Conor Roe on one side, and Con O'Donnell, Felim O'Connor, and some O'Rorkes on the other. MacDermot won a crushing victory, taking prisoners and capturing the famous O'Donnell battle relic called the Cathach, whose guardian, a Magroarty, was slain trying to protect it.

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As might be expected from their situation, lying between North and South Connaught, the Curlews have been the scene of many battles and other military operations, one or two of which cannot be passed over without notice, though it would take too much space to describe them all. In 1497 a great battle took place, the contending forces being Teige MacDermot, Lord of Moylurg, the O'Conor Don, and O'Conor Eoe on the one side, and on the other, Con O'Donnell, Lord of Tyrconnell, Felim O'Connor, Lord of Carbury, and some of the O'Rorkes. Mac Dermot gained a crushing victory, slaying great numbers, taking many prisoners, including Felim O'Connor, and, what gives its special interest to this battle, obtaining the famous O'Donnell relic called the Cathach.
The Cathach is a small brass box, nine and a half inches long, eight broad, and two thick, with silver plates attached to the top and bottom, the top plate being richly gilt, chased, and ornamented with representations of scriptural and ecclesiastical subjects. Until recently the nature of the contents was unknown, the prevalent opinion being, that it contained some of the bones of Columbkille,* but the box being opened about 1826 by Sir William Betham, Ulster King of Arms, was found to contain a manuscript copy on vellum of the Psalms. It was the legend connected with this relic that rendered it so precious in the eyes of the O'Donnells ; for the tradition was, that if carried three times, with due reverence, round the army of Tyrconnell before a battle, it would give that army victory over the enemy. It was from being thus supposed to fight for the O'Donnells it got the name of Cathach,t that is, the Fighter. The care of

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 152

Book of Ballymote compiled in Ballymote castle, 1391

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1391

The Book of Ballymote, a major compilation of 502 folio vellum pages containing genealogical, historical, and mythological tracts, was put together in Ballymote castle around 1391. Its chief compilers were Solomon O'Droma and Manus O'Duigenan of Kilronan.

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The chief compilers of this great work were Solomon O'Droma, or Drum, as the name is now written, and Manus O'Duigenan, of Shancoe or Kilronan ; the place in which it was put together, is the castle of Ballymote, whence it has its name ; and the time, the year 1391, according to the Venerable Charles O'Conor, whose opinion Eugene O'Curry adopts in his " Manuscript Materials of Ancient Irish History," from which the particulars here given are in great part borrowed.
This important volume is at present in the library of the Royal Irish Academy, where it is shown to visitors as one of the most valued curiosities of that famous repository. The Book of Ballymote has been recently photographed, but the copies have all a blurred look, which detracts not a little from their appearance and value. And of the money value of this literary treasure one may get an idea from the fact, that, when Dermod O'Conor, the translator of Keating's History of Ireland, was getting the loan of it from Trinity College, a friend of his. Dr. Raymond, had to secure its safe return by a bond of one thousand pounds. A memorandum in the book itself, at folio 180, tells that Hugh Duff O'Donnell bought it in the year 1522 from McDonogh of Corran for 140 milch cows. It may

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 90

Murder of George Bingham at Sligo Castle

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

Lieutenant Ulick Burke, second in command at Sligo, organised a conspiracy against George Bingham, motivated by hatred of the Binghams' treatment of himself and the massacre of his relations. Burke and his associates fell on Bingham in the castle and butchered him, putting to the sword all who took his part.

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Undeterred by the acts and character of this ruthless adversary, the dashing Hugh Roe O'Donnell invaded Connaught twice, within a few weeks, in the beginning of 1595, and carried away great preys of cattle in spite of Sir Richard's efforts to prevent him. The Binghams felt deeply the indignity thus put upon them ; and to avenge it, George Bingham equipped two ships in the harbour of Sligo, and sailing with them along the coast of Carbury, and round Teelin Head, put into Lough Swilly, where he disembarked, and ravaged the Carmelite monastery of Rathmullen, carrying away from it the sacred vessels and ornaments of the altar, the vestments of the priests, and every other article of value they could find. Passing thence to Tory island, they rifled in the same way the chief church there, which was dedicated to Saint Columba, the great patron saint of the O'Donnells ; and having thus taken their revenge on Hugh Roe, by outraging at once his religion and his territory, they returned to Sligo well pleased with what they had done. But their triumph did not last long. For Lieutenant Ulick Burke, who was second in command at Sligo, hating the Binghams for their treatment of himself, and their wholesale massacre of his relations, organised a conspiracy against the life of George Bingham. Having brought over to his design a sufficient number of the garrison, he and his associates fell on Bingham in the castle, butchered and despatched him, and put to the sword, or removed from the castle, all who took his part* There is nothing to show that O'Donnell was privy to the plot? though it was certainly he who derived the greatest benefit from it ; for Burke had no sooner become master of the place,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 153

As the companion tells it

Sligo town is coming up. In 1595, George Bingham was butchered in the castle here by Lieutenant Ulick Burke, who was second in command at Sligo. Burke hated the Binghams for their treatment of himself and the wholesale massacre of his relations. He organised a conspiracy, brought over enough of the garrison, and fell on Bingham in the castle. He and his associates despatched him and put to the sword, or removed from the castle, all who took his part. What led to this began earlier that year. Hugh Roe O'Donnell invaded Connaught twice within a few weeks and carried off great preys of cattle in spite of Sir Richard Bingham's efforts to prevent him. The Binghams felt the indignity deeply. George Bingham equipped two ships in Sligo harbour and sailed along the coast of Carbury, round Teelin Head, into Lough Swilly. He disembarked and ravaged the Carmelite monastery of Rathmullen, carrying away sacred vessels, altar ornaments, priests' vestments, and every article of value. He passed to Tory Island and rifled the chief church there, dedicated to Saint Columba, patron saint of the O'Donnells. Having outraged O'Donnell's religion and territory, they returned well pleased. But their triumph was short. There is nothing to show O'Donnell was privy to Burke's plot, though he derived the greatest benefit from it, for Burke had no sooner become master of the place.

Book of Ballymote purchased for 140 milch cows

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1522

The Book of Ballymote, a major medieval Irish manuscript, was bought by Hugh Duff O'Donnell in 1522 from McDonogh of Corran for 140 milch cows. It was later held by Trinity College and is now in the Royal Irish Academy library.

Read the passage

This important volume is at present in the library of the Royal Irish Academy, where it is shown to visitors as one of the most valued curiosities of that famous repository. The Book of Ballymote has been recently photographed, but the copies have all a blurred look, which detracts not a little from their appearance and value. And of the money value of this literary treasure one may get an idea from the fact, that, when Dermod O'Conor, the translator of Keating's History of Ireland, was getting the loan of it from Trinity College, a friend of his. Dr. Raymond, had to secure its safe return by a bond of one thousand pounds. A memorandum in the book itself, at folio 180, tells that Hugh Duff O'Donnell bought it in the year 1522 from McDonogh of Corran for 140 milch cows. It may

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 90

Plundering of Rathmullan monastery by George Bingham

Rathmullan · town · Donegal · 1595

George Bingham equipped two ships in Sligo harbour and sailed to Lough Swilly, where he disembarked and ravaged the Carmelite monastery of Rathmullen. He carried away sacred vessels, altar ornaments, priestly vestments, and every article of value he could find.

Read the passage

Undeterred by the acts and character of this ruthless adversary, the dashing Hugh Roe O'Donnell invaded Connaught twice, within a few weeks, in the beginning of 1595, and carried away great preys of cattle in spite of Sir Richard's efforts to prevent him. The Binghams felt deeply the indignity thus put upon them ; and to avenge it, George Bingham equipped two ships in the harbour of Sligo, and sailing with them along the coast of Carbury, and round Teelin Head, put into Lough Swilly, where he disembarked, and ravaged the Carmelite monastery of Rathmullen, carrying away from it the sacred vessels and ornaments of the altar, the vestments of the priests, and every other article of value they could find. Passing thence to Tory island, they rifled in the same way the chief church there, which was dedicated to Saint Columba, the great patron saint of the O'Donnells ; and having thus taken their revenge on Hugh Roe, by outraging at once his religion and his territory, they returned to Sligo well pleased with what they had done. But their triumph did not last long. For Lieutenant Ulick Burke, who was second in command at Sligo, hating the Binghams for their treatment of himself, and their wholesale massacre of his relations, organised a conspiracy against the life of George Bingham. Having brought over to his design a sufficient number of the garrison, he and his associates fell on Bingham in the castle, butchered and despatched him, and put to the sword, or removed from the castle, all who took his part* There is nothing to show that O'Donnell was privy to the plot? though it was certainly he who derived the greatest benefit from it ; for Burke had no sooner become master of the place,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 153

As the companion tells it

Coming up along Rathmullan in Donegal. In early 1595, Hugh Roe O'Donnell raided Connaught twice and drove off great preys of cattle, and the Binghams in Sligo took it as a deep insult. To avenge it, George Bingham fitted out two ships in Sligo harbour and sailed them along the coast of Carbury, round Teelin Head, and into Lough Swilly. He came ashore here and fell on the Carmelite monastery, carrying away the sacred vessels, the ornaments of the altar, the vestments of the priests, and every other article of value he could find. From here he sailed on to Tory Island and rifled the chief church there, dedicated to Saint Columba, patron saint of the O'Donnells. So he outraged at once Hugh Roe's religion and his territory, then sailed back to Sligo well pleased. His triumph did not last. Lieutenant Ulick Burke, second in command at Sligo, hated the Binghams for their treatment of him and for the wholesale massacre of his relations. He gathered enough of the garrison to his design, and they fell on Bingham in the castle and butchered him, putting to the sword or driving out all who took his part. Whether O'Donnell was privy to the plot is not shown, but he certainly gained the most from it, for Burke had no sooner become master of the place than the advantage shifted to the O'Donnells.

Battle of Cooldruman (Cul Dreimhne)

near Drumcliff · parish · Sligo · 561

After King Diarmaid ruled against Columbkille in a dispute over a copied manuscript, Columbkille roused the northern Hy Neills to arms. A force of 2,300 men positioned themselves at Cooldruman, with the Drumcliff river in front, Benbulben on one flank and the sea on the other, and won a great victory leaving 8,000 of the royal army dead.

Read the passage

Disturbed and excited by this award, Columbkille, after threatening the King with the hostility of the northern Hy Neills, retired secretly, according to one account, from the royal presence ; dashed off openly on horseback, according to another; betook himself, before lie could be stopped, to his kindred, the Cinel Owen and CinelConnell; and called on them to rise and avenge him for the indignities and injustice inflicted on him by Diarmaid: — first, in violating his right of sanctuary and guarantee in the case of the Connaught prince, and, next, in pronouncing an outrageous judgment in the dispute between him and Finian. At his word the whole clanna Neill of the North flew to arms in such numbers that, including the Connaught contingent, a force of 2,300 men — horse, foot, and charioteers — took up position at Cooldruman, and there awaited the onset of the royal army, who were already approaching to attack them.
The field was well chosen by the northern leaders; for, while they had the river of Drumcliff in front, and were protected, on one flank, by Benbulben, and on the other, by the sea, they stood themselves on high ground, from which they could bear down irresistibly on the enemy, while struggling up the hill. The two saints, Columbkille, and Finian of Moville, accompanied their respective friends, and, on the morning of the battle,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 5

As the companion tells it

As the road carries you through Drumcliff parish, it passes near the ground where the Battle of Cooldruman was fought in 561. King Diarmaid had ruled against Columbkille in a dispute over a copied manuscript. Columbkille threatened the King with the hostility of the northern Hy Neills, then left the royal presence, secretly according to one account, openly on horseback according to another. Before he could be stopped he reached his kindred, the Cinel Owen and Cinel Connell, and called on them to rise and to avenge him for two wrongs. Diarmaid had violated his right of sanctuary in the case of the Connaught prince, and pronounced an outrageous judgment in the dispute between him and Finian. At his word the clanna Neill of the North flew to arms. Including a Connaught contingent, a force of 2,300 men — horse, foot, and charioteers — took position at Cooldruman and awaited the royal army, already approaching. The field was well chosen, with the river of Drumcliff in front, Benbulben on one flank, the sea on the other. They stood on high ground and could bear down irresistibly on the enemy struggling up the hill. The two saints, Columbkille and Finian of Moville, accompanied their respective friends. On the morning of the battle they won a great victory, leaving 8,000 of the royal army dead.

Clifford's body sent to Holy Trinity monastery, Lough Key

near Lough Key · lake or lakes · Roscommon · 1599

After the Battle of the Curlews, MacDermot sent Sir Conyers Clifford's body to the monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Lough Key, of which MacDermot was owner, for honourable burial. MacDermot wrote to the Constable of Boyle offering to exchange the body for Irish prisoners, and promised decent burial regardless.

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In their hurry to escape, the English made no effort to recover the body of their unfortunate commander, which the Irish, to their credit, treated with great respect. After separating the head from the trunk, by order of O'Horke, who, it appears, was the first to recognise the Governor, Mac Dermot sent on the latter to the monastery of the Holy Trinity in the island of Loch Ce, of which place he was the owner, to be buried there, sending with it, to the Constable of Boyle, the following Latin
* Perierunt ex regiis cum Cliffordo prsefecto, et Henrico Ratcliffo alio nobili Anglo, mille et quadringenti, qui fere Angli, et Midhienses Angloiberni erant ; nam Connachti propter locorum peritiam facilius sunt elapsi. Ex Catholicis centum quadraginta fuerunt vulnerati et desiderati. Capta sunt regiorum omnia fere arma, signa, et tympana militaria, impedimenta, et multse vestes, etc. — JlisL Cathol. Iber. Compend. Tom. 3, Lib. 5, cap. x.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror

Death of Brian MacDonogh at Manorhamilton bridge

Manorhamilton · town · Leitrim · 1641–1642

Brian MacDonogh, last Chief of Collooney, led Irish forces against Sir Frederick Hamilton's troops at Manorhamilton. He was killed after crossing the narrow bridge over the Bonet, fighting on his knees despite multiple wounds until despatched with the cold steel. The Irish suffered enormous casualties in the subsequent retreat.

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* Mac Donogh's heroism extorted the admiration even of Sir Frederick Hamilton, who had nothing but contempt for other Irishmen. Of Brian Mac Donogh, the Relation says: — "Their Lieutenant-Colonel led on most furiously along a bridge over a river at the foot of the hill where our men were drawn up. As they marched in a loose body and gave fire on us, we seemed a little to retreat, when we got the benefit of a ditch for our musketeers to fire out of — whereupon the Rogues, thinking we retreated, did, with great shouts, cry out, as if they had already beaten us ; but our musketeers did from that ditch so pepper them, that it is not to be believed what a sudden alteration our handful made among their multitude. Thus having killed their Lieutenant- Oolonelf who fought most desperately as ever man did, being divers times with shot and pike beaten to the ground, yet did he fight upon his knees — pity so great courage should have been in so arch a traitor, who was thought to have been one of the greatest firebrands in Connaught in this rebellion. . , . We put the Rogues, after killing their Lieutenant- Colonel, to such a disorderly and confused retreat over the river, where numbers of them threw one another into it, so as it is almost incredible to speak or write what number of proper personable raen» as any Ireland affords, were killed that day by our weak handful, to God alone be the glory."
t O'Callaghan's " History of the Irish Brigade in the Service of France," p. 95.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 118

Massacre of Scots at Ardnaree by Sir Richard Bingham

Ardnaree or Shanaghy · townland · Mayo · 1584–1586

Sir Richard Bingham, Governor of Connaught, attacked 2,000 Scots at Ardnaree when they least expected it, putting them all to the sword. This was one of several brutal acts during his governorship that earned him a reputation for cruelty.

Read the passage

Nor was Sir Richard a man to be provoked with impunity. Coming to Ireland, as Governor of Connaught, in 1584, after having acquired in the wars of the Continent a character for cruelty, all his proceedings as Governor served to add to the terrors of his name.* At the first Assizes he held in Galway he hanged seventy persons, some of the victims belonging to the first families of the province, and several of them being women ; about the same time he put to the sword, at Ardnaree, 2,000 Scots, whom he had fallen on when they least expected him ; as far as he could, he exterminated the great Anglo Irish sept of the Northern Burkes, hunting them through lakes and mountains, pulling down their castles and residences, swinging them from the gallows, or knocking them on the head as they fell in
* Over the grave of Sir Richard Bingham, in Westminster Abbey, there is a tablet with the following inscription : —

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 153

As the companion tells it

Close to Ardnaree or Shanaghy, somewhere around here, Sir Richard Bingham fell on 2,000 Scots when they least expected it and put them all to the sword. He had come to Ireland as Governor of Connaught in 1584, already carrying a reputation for cruelty from wars on the Continent. His time as governor only added to the terrors of his name. At his first Assizes in Galway he hanged seventy persons, some from the province's leading families, several of them women. He hunted the great Anglo-Irish sept of the Northern Burkes through lakes and mountains, pulling down their castles, swinging them from the gallows, or knocking them on the head as they fell.

Murder of Catherine Conaghan at Sligo Abbey

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1731

William Ormsby, son of a gentleman of station, secretly married Catherine Conaghan, a Catholic girl of humble origin. She was found dead at the foot of the tower of Sligo Abbey; a coroner's jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Ormsby, who fled but was tried and acquitted at Sligo in 1731.

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The case, which was of a highly sensational character, kept the county in a state of excitement for several years. Ormsby becoming enamoured of a Catholic girl, named Catherine Conaghan, of humble parentage and position, married her privately according to the rites of the Catholic Church. After some time, however, had elapsed, and a child was born to them, he regretted what he had done, and set about dissolvino* the marriage ; but before he had made any progress in this direction, his poor wife was found dead in Sligo abbey, at the foot of the tower. Some gave out that she had thrown herself down from the tower, but " the corpse presenting all the appearance of a struggle," says Mr. Burke, and a coroner's jury finding a verdict of wilful murder against William Ormsby, the authorities went in search of him, but searched long in vain, as he had disappeared from the neighbourhood, and kept out of the way.
Meantime the terrible tragedy engrossed the thoughts of everybody, and little was talked of except the m_ore characteristic features of the case — the incomparable beauty of the deceased, which had attracted and fixed the affections of one so much above her in station ; her virtues which, by common consent, were as rare as her beauty ; and, above all, the unnatural scene of the occurrence, consecrated by the continual ministrations of religion, as well as by the reverential ideas and feelings of the people, and guarded, as it were, by the thousands of good men who were awaiting there their resurrection.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 260

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are near the old abbey where a death in 1731 kept the county talking for years. William Ormsby, the son of a gentleman of station, fell in love with Catherine Conaghan, a Catholic girl of humble parentage. He married her privately, according to the rites of the Catholic Church. After some time a child was born to them, and he regretted what he had done. He set about dissolving the marriage, but before he had made any progress, his wife was found dead at the foot of the tower in the abbey. Some said she had thrown herself down from the tower. But the corpse presented all the appearance of a struggle, says Mr. Burke, and a coroner's jury found a verdict of wilful murder against William Ormsby. The authorities went in search of him, but searched long in vain. He had disappeared from the neighbourhood and kept out of the way. The tragedy engrossed the thoughts of everybody. They talked of the incomparable beauty of the deceased, which had attracted and fixed the affections of one so much above her in station. They talked of her virtues, which by common consent were as rare as her beauty. And they talked of the unnatural scene of the occurrence, consecrated by the continual ministrations of religion, and guarded, as it were, by the thousands of good men who were awaiting there their resurrection. Ormsby was later tried at Sligo in 1731 and acquitted.

Oaken figure of St. Molaise in Tempul Molaise

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo · 500–1800

An oaken figure about the height of a man with a long emaciated face was preserved in Tempul Molaise on Inismurray. Natives believed it a statue of St. Molaisse dating from the sixth century, mutilated about a hundred years ago by someone from the mainland; others claimed it was a figure-head from a wrecked Armada ship.

Read the passage

In Tempul Molaise is preserved, to use the words of O'Donovan, "an oaken figure about the height of a man, with a long emaciated face, the hands, which the natives say, were placed in the position of thanksgiving, having been taken off."
This statue has given rise to much diversity of opinion, as to its origin and character ; the natives maintaining it to be a statue of St, Molaisse, which has been in the island since the sixth century, but which was mutilated about one hundred years ago, by some ill-conditioned person or persons from the mainland ; others taking it to be a figure-head detached from the prow of one of the wrecked Armada ships, and wafted by the tide to Inismurray ; while certain fanatics or hypocrites allege, that it is an idol of wood, and charge the islanders with having paid it divine honours.* It was this horrid imputation that stirred up the ire of O'Donovan — a man as free from the odium theologicum as anyone that ever existed — and drew

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 17

Rath-ard-creeve castle destroyed by O'Connor and O'Donnell in 1265

Ardcree · townland · Sligo · 1265

The Four Masters record that Hugh O'Connor and O'Donnell burned and destroyed the castle of Rath-Ard-creeve in 1265. The rath or fort still exists in the townland of Ardcree, within the Annaghmore demesne, near Ardcree bridge, surrounded by a deep fosse and measuring forty-seven yards in diameter including the fosse. The castle was built of wood, leaving no structural remains.

Read the passage

And this hrings us to a castls which is mentioned in all our old annals, but which has hitherto eluded identification. The Four Masters, under the year 1265, record, that Hugh O'Connor and O'Donnell burned and destroyed the castle of Rath-Ardcreeve, of which place O'Donovan says in a note to the entry, " This name is now obsolete ;" and Major Wood Martin, instead of merely repeating, as he usually does, the opinions of others, ventures this time on a suggestion of his own, but only to discover a "mare's nest." "Rath and Creeve," says he,f '^is probably Ardclare, in the parish of Kilmacteigue, and barony of Leyney," whereas, the fact is, that there is no Ardclare either in the parish indicated, or in any other in the county ; Aclare (the ford of the plain), the name of the well-known village in Kilmacteigue, being quite a different word from Ardclare (the height of the plain), though the Major manifestly considers them the same.
Rath-ard-creeve, which, in English, is Ardcree-fort, still exists, and under its old name in the demesne of Annaghmore, in the townland of Ardcree, and within a thousand yards, or so, of Ardcree bridge. The rath, or fort, is surrounded by a deep fosse, and measures, including the fosse, forty-seven yards in diameter, or, excluding the fosse, thirty-three yards. It is remarkable how the name has adhered to it since 1265, for while other raths or forts in the same townland have no distinctive name, this one is still known by the people of the neighbourhood as " Ardcree Fort," so that there can be no doubt as to the identification. The castle erected on Rath-ard-creeve, was, like most Irish castles of the time, constructed of wood, which accounts for there being no remains of the structure visible at present. We shall be the less surprised

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 35

Spanish Armada shipwrecks on the Sligo coast

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1588

Three ships of the 1588 Spanish Armada, carrying approximately 1,500 men, were wrecked on the coast of Sligo. Up to 1,100 corpses were reportedly counted, and survivors who reached shore by swimming were executed by authorities or killed by locals.

Read the passage

count reckoned, at one time, eleven hundred corpses.* According to a return, signed by Geoffry Fenton, the three ships contained 1,500 men ; f but the greater number of such as may have escaped the sea, by swimming, were, no doubt, either executed by the authorities, or knocked on the head by ungrateful and unnatural natives, as happened the luckless Spaniards in other places, t
Owing, probably, to their roughness and wildness, these coasts have always been a favourite resort of the whale. In his Discourse, concerning the Danish Mounts, Forts, and Tow^ers, in Ireland, § Sir Thomas Molyneux, mentions the capture, not far from Ballyshannon, of a whale seventy-one feet long, which yielded a large quantity of the true spermaceti ; in 1740 was killed, about the same spot, another fish of the same species, measuring fifty feet in length, and forty -four in girth, and yielding ^ve and a half hogsheads of oil ; || in 1779, Messrs. Beranger and Bigari, during their tour in Connaught, being in the neighbourhood, saw one of these monsters in the offing ; ^ and, what shows that the numerous steamers now plying between Sligo and Liverpool and Glasgow, have not frightened this fish away, the writer of an article in the Irish MontJily of November, 1883, saw, that year, in these waters, "a whale, a

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 25

As the companion tells it

As you come through Sligo, this is the coast where three ships of the Spanish Armada were wrecked in 1588. A count reckoned eleven hundred corpses at one time. According to a return signed by Geoffry Fenton, the three ships contained 1,500 men. The greater number of those who escaped the sea by swimming were either executed by the authorities or knocked on the head by ungrateful and unnatural natives, as happened to luckless Spaniards in other places. These coasts have always been a favourite resort of the whale, owing probably to their roughness and wildness. Sir Thomas Molyneux, in his Discourse concerning the Danish Mounts, Forts, and Towers in Ireland, mentions the capture not far from Ballyshannon of a whale seventy-one feet long, which yielded a large quantity of true spermaceti. In 1740 another whale was killed about the same spot, measuring fifty feet in length and forty-four in girth, yielding five and a half hogsheads of oil. In 1779 Messrs. Beranger and Bigari, during their tour in Connaught, saw one of these monsters in the offing. And an article in the Irish Monthly of November 1883 records that the writer saw, that year, in these waters, a whale.

Sweeny execution at Albert Street gaol — rope snapped

Sligo · town · Sligo

A man named Sweeny, believed innocent, was hanged at the old gaol on Albert Street, Sligo. The rope snapped under the strain and he fell injured, whereupon the Sub-Sheriff vowed to find a stronger rope. Sweeny received Extreme Unction before being hanged a second time.

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Poor Sweeny, who exhibited great firmness, felt but one regret, that he could not receive Extreme Unction, which is administered only to persons dangerously ill. As he appeared on the narrow^, unfenced platform, five feet long and three wide, which led from the gaol to the gallows, most of the people present fell on their knees in prayer ; and when the rope was adjusted, the black cap pulled down, and the wretched man turned off, the rope snapped under the sudden strain, and he fell on his feet, receiving great injuries in the fall. His first words on recovering presence of mind were, " Thank God, my life is my own," to which, on the instant, the Sub-Sheriff, Mr. Abraham Fenton, replied, '' Not so, if a rope can be found in Sligo strong enough to hang you." The Sheriff was as good as his word, and soon procured the rope, while poor Sweeny, being now grievously ill in body, received the one thing his heart was set on, Extreme Unction, after which he met his fate like a
HISTORY op:^ sligo. 485

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 264

As the companion tells it

Sligo town holds a grim story from the old gaol on Albert Street. A man named Sweeny was hanged there, though many believed him innocent. He faced it with great firmness, his only regret being that he could not receive Extreme Unction, which was given only to the dangerously ill. When the rope was adjusted and the black cap pulled down, the rope snapped under the sudden strain. Sweeny fell on his feet and took great injuries. His first words on recovering were, "Thank God, my life is my own." The Sub-Sheriff, Mr. Abraham Fenton, replied at once, "Not so, if a rope can be found in Sligo strong enough to hang you." He was as good as his word and soon procured a stronger rope. Sweeny, now grievously ill in body, received the one thing his heart was set on, Extreme Unction, after which he met his fate a second time.

Taaffe and Bridgham duel, trial, and public flogging at Ballymote

Boyle · town · Roscommon · 1818

Jack Taaffe and Major Bridgham fought a duel in the yard of the chief hotel in Boyle. Taaffe was popular with the common people but disliked by the gentry, who allegedly egged on Bridgham and later had Taaffe indicted for arson at the Sligo summer assizes of 1818. Taaffe's alleged accomplice Jemmy Jordan was convicted and flogged through Ballymote, where he endured the punishment without flinching and cheered for Taaffe at the close.

Read the passage

9. Jack Taafife and Major Bridgham. — They fought in the yard of the chief hotel in Boyle. Taaffe was a great favourite with the humbler classes, and a hete noir with the gentry, who, it is said, egged on Major Bridgham to provoke him, and, when he escaped the Major's pistol, had him indicted and tried at the Summer assizes of 1818, in Slisro, for arson, at that time a capital offence. Before the trial, they thought to commit him to gaol, but Robert King Duke and Gowan Gilmor, Esqrs., bailed him in £1000 to appear at the assizes. They strained every point to secure a conviction, going, it is said, the length of suborning false witnesses for the purpose. Suborned or not, the witnesses certainly swore false, as eventually appeared. There were two trials. In one of them. Jemmy Jordan, a confidential man of Jack's, and an alleged accomplice, was indicted for conspiring to burn Kingsfort
502 HISTOKY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 273

Teige Dal O'Higgin killed by O'Haras near Tubbercurry

Tobercurry · town · Sligo

The O'Haras of Castle Carragh in Kilmacteige parish invited themselves to poet Teige Dal O'Higgin's house at Doughorne near Tubbercurry, consuming his provisions against his will. When the poet retaliated with a lampoon, they returned, cut out his tongue, and brutalised him so severely he died of his injuries; the perpetrators were tried and hanged.

Read the passage

It was, probably, this coshering that gave rise to the abuse of ''forcible refexion," which we often meet with in reading the annals of the country. Chiefs, to have revenge of other chiefs, sometimes invaded their houses, and regaled themselves on the good things they found before them, without asking anybody's leave. It was conduct of this kind which led to the tragic death of the poet, Teige Dal O'Higgin, of Doughorne, near Tubbercurry. His neighbours, the O'Haras of Castle Carragh, in the parish of Kilmacteige, invited themselves to his house, and ate and drank there at his expense, and against his will ; and when the poet retaliated with a stinging lampoon, the only weapon with which he was a match for them, the savages paid him a second visit, cut out his tongue, and treated him otherwise so brutally, that he died of the injuries received on the occasion. For this they forfeited their lives, being tried for the offence, and hanged ; while their lands were confiscated, and granted, at the Kestoration, to Cornet Thomas Wood.
In this matter of forcible refexion, the object was not to satiate appetite, but to show contempt, and to gratify revenge, which could hardly be done more insultingly than by entering a man's house against his will, and consuming and wasting in his presence what was under his ownership and guardianship. The chief aim on these occasions being to humiliate and give offence, the most highly prized object of the obnoxious person was selected for outrage, that the owner of it might feel the injury all the more. It was from this motive that, in 1059, Hugh O'Conor, King of Connaught, having invaded Munster, the territory of the O'Briens ; having burned their town of Killaloe ;

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 256

Clifford's head brought to Collooney Castle

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1599

After the Battle of the Curlews, Sir Conyers Clifford's severed head was brought to Collooney Castle to convince Sir Donogh O'Connor of the English defeat. The head was severed not as an indignity but to provide proof of the victory, and the Irish were said to have loved and lamented Clifford more than his own countrymen did.

Read the passage

The result of the battle of the Curlews was a heavy blow to English authority and interests throughout the province of Connaught. Sir Conyers Clifford's head was now brought to Collooney Castle to convince Sir Donogh O'Connor of the English defeat, this being the object for which the head was severed from the body, and not, as some might think, that of offering an indignity to the remains. So far from bearing the Governor any ill-will, the Irish loved him and lamented his fate more than his own countrymen. "The death," says the Four Masters, "of the person here slain was much lamented. It was grievous that he came to this tragic end. The Irish of the province of Meave [Connaught] were not pleased at his death ; for he had been a bestower of jewels and riches upon them ; and he had never told them a falsehood."
* NuG.E Antique. By Sir John Harrington; Vol II., pp. 11-12.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 162

Burning of Athlone by Scots and kerns (1572)

Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1572

In July 1572, John Crofton wrote to the Lord Deputy describing an attack on Athlone by approximately 800 Scots, gallowglasses, and kerns who fired the entire town and broke into the abbey cloister, destroying provisions and supplies. The town was left with no house standing.

Read the passage

* The following letter from John Crofton to the Lord Deputy, written on the 16th July, 1572, is interesting in several respects :— " I cannot, my good Lord, without great grief of mind, write the lamentable and most miserable estate of this unhappy town (Athlone). To which this morning, about eight of the clock, approached on the east side, allongst the bog, to the number, as I judged them, of 800 Scotts, gallowglasses, and kyrnes, who very boldly, notwithstanding the shot of the castle, entered the backside of the town and fired the same, to which the wind so served them, as that in a moment all the town was burnt, so as not any one house is standing. Daring the whole time of the fier they slipt allongst behind the town to the Abbey, and on the north side, out of the danger of the castle, with masons broke into the cloister, and so fired the loft where ray malt lay, which, once set on fire, kindled the roof of the body of the church where the rest of my malt, biscuit, and beer was, and all my brewing and baking vessels, which are all consumed with fier, saving about a ton and a half of beer, which with much ado is saved ; and as God would have it, the most part of the wheat, and the rest was laid in a loft which was shingled and stood on a vault, to which for fear of the steeple, the enemies durst not approach, is saved so as, God be thanked, I have yet unburnt, very near cc. pecks of wheat and meal ; as for malt I have not past 30 pecks of beer malt, and 10 or 12 pecks of oat malt, whereof part was in the loft with the wheat, and part in my own tower where I dwell. The tun, &c., of beer, and xvi<=- of biscuit, which by chance I brought home to my own house, two days past, for want of good stowage. This is the sum of those provisions I have left, both ready and unready, neither know I how to prepare any more, having neither place nor meet vessels to do it, with both the town and all the country abouts being utterly destroyed, whereupon your honour is there to provide for such soldiers as your honour mindeth to send hither which, would God had been here, or a 100 of them, for if they had been here, I am of opinion all this had not happened." This letter in the State Papers is headed " John Crofton to

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 214

As the companion tells it

You are coming through Athlone now, in Westmeath, and it carries the marks of an old burning. On the morning of the 16th of July, 1572, John Crofton wrote to the Lord Deputy with what he called great grief of mind about the miserable estate of this unhappy town. About eight of the clock that morning, some 800 Scots, gallowglasses, and kerns came along the bog on the east side. They came boldly, Crofton said, notwithstanding the shot of the castle. They entered the backside of the town and fired it. The wind served them so well that in a moment all the town was burnt, and not one house was left standing. During the whole time of the fire they slipped along behind the town to the abbey. Out of danger of the castle, on the north side, they brought masons and broke into the cloister. They fired the loft where Crofton's malt lay, and that set the roof of the church body alight, where the rest of his malt, biscuit, and beer was stored, along with all his brewing and baking vessels. All of it was consumed by fire, save about a ton and a half of beer, saved with much ado. Most of the wheat survived, laid in a shingled loft on a vault, near the steeple, which the enemies durst not approach. Crofton had near 200 pecks of wheat and meal left unburnt, and about 30 pecks of beer malt, and 10 or 12 pecks of oat malt. He said he had neither place nor fit vessels to prepare any more provisions, with the town and all the country about it utterly destroyed. He ended with a wish: if even 100 soldiers had been there, all this had not happened.

Clifford's march through Boyle before the Curlews battle

Boyle · town · Roscommon · 1599

Sir Conyers Clifford arrived in Boyle and hastened to cross the Curlew Mountains, hoping to steal a march on the Irish. The attempt ended in disaster, with English troops panicking and fleeing, their conduct denounced by Clifford himself as vile and base.

Read the passage

Though English writers try to minimise the gravity of this battle, there can be no doubt that it was one of a very serious character both in itself and in its results. The number of troops engaged on the English side could hardly be less than three thousand, and, including some squadrons of horse, must have been considerably more, all commanded by the Governor of the province in person, and officered by men of the first families, as well as of the highest rank in the army. And it was to all intents and purposes a pitched battle ; for both sides anticipated the encounter and prepared for it, so that the victory could not be set down to surprise. The only surprise attempted was on the side of the Governor, who, on arriving in Boyle, hastened to cross the mountain, in the conviction that he would thus steal a march on the Irish.
The result could not well be more disastrous to the English. To say nothing here of the wounded, the Governor, some of his best officers, and about fourteen hundred of the rank and file, were slain ; while both the wounded and slain, on the side of the

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 161

Death of Brian MacDonogh at Manorhamilton bridge

Manorhamilton · town · Leitrim

Brian MacDonogh led Irish forces against Sir Frederick Hamilton's troops at a narrow bridge over the River Bonet in Manorhamilton. Lured into an ambush, MacDonogh was killed after fighting bravely on his knees despite severe wounds.

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Nothing daunted by the almost certain death which faced him, if he advanced, he held on his way without pause or hesitation, stepping lightly over the bridge, and calling on his men to follow, who, fired by the intrepidity of their gallant leader, dashed through, regardless of the murderous fire that assailed them. To draw them into an ambuscade, the enemy retired a little, as if in retreat, when the incautious Irish, on darting forward in pursuit, received, from the men in concealment and under cover, volley upon volley of bullets, bringing them in hundreds to the ground.
Among the fallen was MacDonogh himself, wounded in several places, but still, by word and gesture, animating his followers to the fight. At this decisive moment the Manorhamilton troops rushed, with pike and sword, in great numbers, from their ambush upon the Irish, striking down those that still fought, and knocking on the head the prostrate wounded. The Lieutenant-Colonel they would gladly take alive, to reserve him for the ignominy of the gallows, but as he still fought furiously, moving about on his knees, after the lower limbs were broken with the pikes, his assailants, tired of the contest, despatched him with the cold steel.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 118

Duel on Camphill bleach green: Somers and Captain Fawcet

Camphill · townland · Cork

John Patrick Somers and Captain Fawcet fought a duel on Camphill bleach green before considerable numbers of spectators. Somers, exhausted from a night of gambling and drinking, was hit at the first shot but demanded another pistol. Fawcet's friend refused to continue, and afterward the supporters of both parties nearly attacked each other before police intervened.

Read the passage

13. John Patrick Somers and Captain Fawcet. — They fought on Camphill bleach green in presence of considerable numbers. Tbe reckless Somers was ill able to keep his feet on coming to the ground, having been up all the preceding night, gambling, it is said, and drinking. Though hit at the first shot, he cried out, " Another pistol ;" but Captain Fawcet's friend would not hear of it, and took away the Captain, saying, " We must not fight a wounded man." There was near being bad work after the duel, for the friends of the respective parties could hardly be prevented by the police from attacking each other.
14. Henry Griffith and Mr. Kelly of Gal way. — They fixed on Doocastle for the meeting, but as a large crowd had assembled there, they agreed to move off to a spot near Tubbercurry. Here, too, there was a mob, so that the principals and their seconds drove away to Streamstown, in the parish of Achonry, where the duel took place, and without casualty of any kind.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Camphill, a duel was fought on the bleach green. John Patrick Somers faced Captain Fawcet, with considerable numbers looking on. Somers was in no state for it. He had been up the whole night before, gambling and drinking, and could barely keep his feet when he came to the ground. He was hit at the first shot, but he called out, "Another pistol." Captain Fawcet's friend would not hear of it. He took the Captain away, saying, "We must not fight a wounded man." After the duel there was nearly serious trouble. The friends of both parties could hardly be kept from attacking each other, and it was the police who prevented it.

Hillas–Fenton duel at Kilmacowen

Kilmacowen · townland · Sligo · 1816

A duel took place at Kilmacowen between Major Hillas and Thomas Fenton, with John Fenton acting as second to his cousin. Hillas was shot dead at the first fire, and accusations of unfair conduct by the seconds subsequently circulated in published duelling guides.

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The hostile meeting came off in Kilmacowen, John Fenton acting as second to his cousin, while Major Hillas was attended by Captain Ferrall, a noted duellist, assisted by Loftus Jones, and Jack Taaffe. Ferrall, however, being old, between seventy and eighty years of age, as well as lame, Loftus Jones took on himself most of the second's duties or functions. John Fenton, who acted, all through, aecuyidum artem^ and with consummate skill and coolness, placed his cousin on the ground, put the pistol into his hand, *' squared " him, as the phrase is, and moved his arm so as to protect his own person and to cover that of his adversary ; while Hillas, all this time, was left very much to shift for himself, the multitude of seconds being unlike the multitude of counsellors in ensuring safety — and rather illustrating the old adage, that what is everybody's business is nobody's business. Fenton was the first to fire, Hillas firing nearly at the same moment, after which he dropped down dead. Messrs. Thomas and John Fenton were indicted on the 21st March 1816, in the Crown Court of Sligo, before Judge Fletcher, for the murder of John Hillas, the court, as might be expected, being crowded to its utmost capacity. The witnesses examined were James Moffatt, Loftus Jones, Doctor Armstrong, Robert Ormsby, Mr. Wynne, and Doctor Carter, and the proceedings were dull and languid, as the conclusion was a foregone one. In his charge to the Jury, Judge Fletcher was so one-sided, and so hard on poor Hillas, as to feel the need of making some apology, and added that " he had, perhaps, entangled himself, on the subject more than he ought." The jury having retired from the box, just after the Judge had pronounced the duel to be "as fair a one as ever was fought,"* came back in a minute or two
* Some others do not appear to hive been as satisfied as Judge Fletcher of tho fairness of the diisl. We read in Hamilton's Only Approved Guide, con-

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 272

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Kilmacowen, in 1816, a duel was fought that ended in a man's death and a courtroom controversy. Major Hillas faced Thomas Fenton, with John Fenton acting as second to his cousin. Hillas had Captain Ferrall, Loftus Jones, and Jack Taaffe on his side, but Ferrall was between 70 and 80 years of age and lame, so Loftus Jones took on most of the second's duties. John Fenton placed his cousin on the ground, put the pistol in his hand, and squared him, moving his arm to protect his own person and cover his adversary. Hillas was left very much to shift for himself. Fenton fired first, Hillas fired nearly at the same moment, and then dropped down dead. Thomas and John Fenton were indicted on 21 March 1816 in the Crown Court of Sligo, before Judge Fletcher, for the murder of John Hillas. The court was crowded to its utmost capacity. The witnesses examined were James Moffatt, Loftus Jones, Doctor Armstrong, Robert Ormsby, Mr. Wynne, and Doctor Carter. Judge Fletcher was so one-sided and so hard on Hillas that he felt the need to apologise, saying he had perhaps entangled himself on the subject more than he ought. He pronounced the duel to be "as fair a one as ever was fought." The jury retired and came back in a minute or two.

Murder at a wake in Carrickbanagher

Carrickbanagher · townland · Sligo · 1860

About forty years before the book's publication, a wake at Carrickbanagher in the parish of Ballysadare ended in murder when a man acting the wake custom called 'The Hen' pecked and punctured a young widow's only son until he fled the house, where confederates bludgeoned him to death. The author suggests this enormity contributed to Ballysadare parish becoming more free from wake disorders than any other in the county.

Read the passage

It was not often the evil proceeded so far, though on one occasion at least it proceeded further, even to the length of murder. This happened about forty years ago in a wake at Carrickbanagher. The wretch, acting "The Hen," agreed with confederates that they would station themselves outside the door of the wakehouse, and when he, by pecking and puncturing. Lad forced a certain young man to quit the house, that they would fall on him with bludgeons, when seeking escape. The plot was carried out ; and the unfortunate young man, who was the son, and the only son, of a widow, was stretched dead on the spot the moment he appeared outside. Providence draws good out of evil; and it may be owing a good deal to this enormity that the parish of Ballysadare, to which Carrickbanagher belongs, has been long, as it is at present, more free from disorder or irregularity at wakes than any other in the county.
Other evils hardly less criminal sometimes took place in the wakehouse, which there is no need to describe here, but of which the reader will get a good idea by perusing attentively the following extract (Renehan's Collections, p. 144) from an ecclesiastical ordinance on the subject: — "Similiter et pro defectu quem alibi in exequiis obrepere conquerantur pise et timoratas conscientiae, ut per quorumdam nebulonum et joculatorum nequitiam, quae nee in dome convivii ferenda, inhonestae cantationes, lascivae gesticulationes, quandoquidem etiam cum tenebris opera tenebrarum turpiora exerceantur, et cum extinctione luminis pariter extinguitur timer mortis cujus ut imago in cadavere est exposita oculis, ita memoriae mentis, debet occurrere."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 307

O'Daly slays tribute collector in Carbury and flees

Carbury · barony · Sligo

O'Daly, asked for his quota of tribute which Carbury paid to the Tirconnell chiefs, flew into a passion and killed the collector on the spot. He fled for protection among Richard De Burgo, O'Brien of Thomond, and Dublin, before being shipped to Scotland.

Read the passage

occasioned no small stir in the country ; for, being asked for his quota of the tribute, which Carbury used then to pay to the Tirconnell chiefs, he, with the characteristic heat of the " irritable genus," flying into a passion, snatched up a battleaxe, and slew, on the spot, the collector who made the demand. Fearing the vengeance of Donnell More O'Donnell, the then chief of Tirconnell, O'Daly flew for protection to Eichard De Burgo, the "great Lord of Connaught;" but De Burgo, unwilling to offend O'Donnell, who was already in pursuit of the culprit, sent away the trembling poet to O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, who, in turn, passed on the frightened fugitive to Dublin. But the northern chief would not be thus baulked ; and going home and collecting additional forces, he marched on Dublin, and compelled its inhabitants to banish O'Daly. The Dubliners shipped him off to Scotland, whither, no doubt, the relentless O'Donnellwould have gone in pursuit, had not the bard, finding all his powerful friends fail him, fallen back on his own resources, and composed a glowing panegyric on Donnell More, which so mollified and gratified the chieftain, that, to use the w^ords of the Annalists, " he received the poet into his friendship, and gave him lands and possessions, as was pleasing to him."*
In 1397, Lissadell was again the scene of startling occurrences. The O'Donnell of the day — Turlough — and his allies, the sons of Cathal Og O'Connor, having gained, as they thought, a victory over the Murtough Baccagh branch of the O'Connors, proceeded to divide among themselves the lands of Lissadell and the neighbourhood, as the spoils of the victory ; but, while the allies were thus engaged, assisted by O'Donnell, the Murtough Baccagh O'Connors took up position unobserved at " the foot of Bunbrenoige," apparently the portion of the Oyster Bed, which lies to the west of the Glen or Bunbrenoige stream. While they were here, a mounted party, despatched by the sons of Cathel

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 7

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through the barony of Carbury, there is a story from the old annals attached to this ground. Carbury used to pay tribute to the Tirconnell chiefs, and one day a man named O'Daly was asked for his quota. He flew into a passion, snatched up a battle axe, and slew the collector on the spot. The chief of Tirconnell at the time was Donnell More O'Donnell, and O'Daly feared his vengeance. He ran first to Richard De Burgo, the great Lord of Connaught. But De Burgo did not want to offend O'Donnell, who was already in pursuit, so he sent the trembling poet on to O'Brien, Lord of Thomond. O'Brien in turn passed the frightened fugitive to Dublin. The northern chief would not be baulked. He went home, collected additional forces, marched on Dublin, and compelled its inhabitants to banish O'Daly. The Dubliners shipped him off to Scotland. O'Donnell would no doubt have followed even there, but the bard, finding all his powerful friends had failed him, fell back on his own resources. He composed a glowing panegyric on Donnell More, and it so mollified and gratified the chieftain that, to use the words of the Annalists, "he received the poet into his friendship, and gave him lands and possessions, as was pleasing to him."

Plundering of Tory Island church dedicated to St Columba

Tory Island · townland · Donegal · 1595

After raiding Rathmullan, George Bingham's forces passed to Tory Island and rifled the chief church there, which was dedicated to Saint Columba, patron saint of the O'Donnells. The raid was intended to outrage Hugh Roe O'Donnell's religion and territory.

Read the passage

Undeterred by the acts and character of this ruthless adversary, the dashing Hugh Roe O'Donnell invaded Connaught twice, within a few weeks, in the beginning of 1595, and carried away great preys of cattle in spite of Sir Richard's efforts to prevent him. The Binghams felt deeply the indignity thus put upon them ; and to avenge it, George Bingham equipped two ships in the harbour of Sligo, and sailing with them along the coast of Carbury, and round Teelin Head, put into Lough Swilly, where he disembarked, and ravaged the Carmelite monastery of Rathmullen, carrying away from it the sacred vessels and ornaments of the altar, the vestments of the priests, and every other article of value they could find. Passing thence to Tory island, they rifled in the same way the chief church there, which was dedicated to Saint Columba, the great patron saint of the O'Donnells ; and having thus taken their revenge on Hugh Roe, by outraging at once his religion and his territory, they returned to Sligo well pleased with what they had done. But their triumph did not last long. For Lieutenant Ulick Burke, who was second in command at Sligo, hating the Binghams for their treatment of himself, and their wholesale massacre of his relations, organised a conspiracy against the life of George Bingham. Having brought over to his design a sufficient number of the garrison, he and his associates fell on Bingham in the castle, butchered and despatched him, and put to the sword, or removed from the castle, all who took his part* There is nothing to show that O'Donnell was privy to the plot? though it was certainly he who derived the greatest benefit from it ; for Burke had no sooner become master of the place,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 153

Rescue of an abducted girl from the Green House in Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1800–1810

The Bucks, a local fraternity, abducted a young girl on an errand for a priest and dragged her into the Green House in Sligo. Father John Flynn, the parish priest, gathered a group of butchers and stormed the Green House to liberate her.

Read the passage

A story is handed down, that on one occasion they dragged into their den a young girl who had been sent with a sick call to a priest, and whom they found in the street on her errand. It is probable they did this with the view of creating a ferment through the town rather than, as the people thought, for licentious purposes ; but when some one, who witnessed the abduction, ran with the news to Father John Flynn, Parish Priest at the time of Sligo, he at once called round him a body of brave men, chiefly butchers, and, proceeding with them to the Green House, soon liberated the poor creature from the lions' den.
For this as well as for other reasons Father John was particularly obnoxious to the Bucks, so that they were constantly in search of opportunities to have their revenge. On pretence of carrying a sick call to him, three of them were once admitted by the servant into his sitting room ; and when they were proceeding to lay hands on him, the priest, who was one of the strongest men in the county, seeing his danger, laid round him so vigorously in self-defence, that in a very few minutes he had bundled the whole three of them down-stairs one upon the other, in a frame of body and mind which cured them for ever of the fancy of again bearing a sick call to his Reverence ; and though others of the fraternity vowed to have vengeance for this mauling of their worthy brothers, and tried more than once to carry out their designs, they were always foiled in their attempts by the butchers, who had formed themselves into a vigilance committee for the priest, and proved more than a match for the Bucks, so that Father John at last was left in peace.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 267

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, there's a story from the early 1800s about a local fraternity called the Bucks. They dragged a young girl into what was known as the Green House. She had been sent with a sick call to a priest. They found her in the street on her errand. The story says they likely did this to stir up trouble in the town rather than for the reasons people feared. Someone who witnessed the abduction ran to Father John Flynn, the parish priest of Sligo at the time. He called round him a body of brave men, chiefly butchers. Proceeding with them to the Green House, he soon liberated the poor creature from what was called the lions' den. For this and other reasons Father John was obnoxious to the Bucks. They were constantly in search of revenge. On pretence of carrying a sick call, three of them were admitted by the servant into his sitting room. When they proceeded to lay hands on him, Father John, one of the strongest men in the county, laid round him so vigorously in self-defence that he had bundled all three of them downstairs, one upon the other. It cured them forever of the fancy of bearing a sick call to his Reverence again. Others of the fraternity vowed vengeance for this mauling of their brothers, and tried more than once to carry out their designs. They were always foiled by the butchers, who had formed a vigilance committee for the priest. They proved more than a match for the Bucks, so that Father John at last was left in peace.

Ulick Burke repels Bingham's 'Sow' attack on Sligo Castle

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

Ulick Burke defended Sligo Castle against Bingham's siege engine by hurling stones and dropping timber beams upon it, while musketeers fired from the castle windows and loopholes. The Sow was crushed and broken, and Bingham's forces retreated.

Read the passage

It is clear that Ulick Burke was prepared for the attack, for he not only made sallies, but as soon as the engine was drawn alongside the castle wall, volley upon volley of large stones was hurled down upon it ; an immense beam of timber, attached by ropes to rude pulleys, was let fall again and again upon the structure, striking it with great momentum at each descent ; and to complete the discomfiture of the assailants, a murderous hail of shot was discharged upon them by musketeers from the castle windov/s, the loopholes, the embrasures, and the other points of vantage which the castle afforded, so that the survivors of the party had to run for their lives to the shelter of the convent walls, leaving behind them the crushed and broken Sow : a not unapt emblem, in its shattered state, of Bingham's altered fortunes, as he now moved away his troops from Sligo in a retreat, which looked very like a flight. In all his after life, Sligo must have been associated in Sir Richard's mind with bitter memories: with his mortifying repulse from the castle; with the humiliating retreat to Roscommon while his enemies were at his heels ; with the tragic death of a brother and a gallant nephew, to both of whom he was warmly attached ; and with the collapse of his power, which up to the loss of Sligo Castle nothing could withstand in any part of his command, but which, after that event, became so weak and contemptible that Elizabeth, to retrieve her authority, deprived him of the Governorship, and sent over Sir Conyers Clifford to take his place.
To make sure that the castle should not fall again into the hands of the English, O'Donnell took the extraordinary step of dismantling it, and pulling it down. For the same reason he acted in like manner in regard to other castles which he captured about this time ; and the Four Masters, A.D. 1595, relate, that in a single expedition through Connaught, " thirteen of its castles were broken down by O'Donnell.'*

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 155

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are moving through a town where, in 1595, Ulick Burke held Sligo Castle against Sir Richard Bingham's forces. Bingham brought up a siege engine called the Sow and had it drawn alongside the castle wall. Burke was ready for it. Volley upon volley of large stones was hurled down on the engine, and an immense timber beam, hung from rude pulleys, was dropped again and again onto the structure, striking it with great force each time. Musketeers fired from the castle windows, the loopholes, and every point of vantage the castle offered, until the survivors of Bingham's party had to run for their lives to the shelter of the convent walls, leaving behind what the record calls the crushed and broken Sow. Bingham moved his troops away from Sligo in a retreat that looked very like a flight. The loss marked the collapse of his power. Until then, nothing could withstand him in any part of his command, but after Sligo Castle held, Elizabeth deprived him of the governorship and sent Sir Conyers Clifford to take his place. O'Donnell then dismantled the castle so it would not fall into English hands again. The Four Masters record that in a single expedition through Connaught that year, thirteen of its castles were broken down by O'Donnell.

Battle of the Curlews, 1599

near Curlew Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Roscommon · 1599

A pitched battle in 1599 saw English forces under Governor Sir Conyers Clifford decisively defeated by Irish forces on the Curlew Mountains. About fourteen hundred English troops and officers were killed versus roughly one hundred and forty Irish casualties, and vast spoils including arms, colours, tents, drums, money, and clothing were captured.

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The result could not well be more disastrous to the English. To say nothing here of the wounded, the Governor, some of his best officers, and about fourteen hundred of the rank and file, were slain ; while both the wounded and slain, on the side of the
* Aphorismical Discovery.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 161

Cooper Hill mansion and its cyclopean masonry

Cooper Hill · man-made feature · Meath

Arthur Brooke Cooper built a massive square mansion on Cooper Hill using cyclopean masonry so enormous that observers compared it to the pyramids of Egypt. Local tradition holds that Cooper funded the project with a 'tub of gold guineas' but exhausted the entire sum before the building rose above ground level.

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It is not known how much this building cost. It is believed that Louis the Fourteenth, after finishing the palace of Versailles with the trianons, destroyed the accounts to avoid the odium, which knowledge of such lavish expenditure was sure to create among his subjects. Whether Mr. Cooper imitated the Grand Monarqwe in this particular is a secret ; but, anyhow, local gossip or tradition compensates somewhat for the absence of documents ; for the people of the neighbourhood assure you that Mr. Cooper, before engaging in the undertaking, had provided for the cost a " tub of gold guineas," but that the last guinea was paid away before the building showed above the surface of the ground.
In this extremity there was nothing for it but to sell portions of his estate, which he accordingly did, disposing "of Cloghfin to the Coopers of Markrea, and of Teesan and parts of Magherow, in the barony of Carbury, to the Gethins of Ballindoon. The single item of providing the stones must have been a formidable sum, for it took eight years to quarry them and to draw them from the quarry on Doon Hill to Cooper Hill, a distance of about six miles, the conveyance being effected by sleighs, or sleds.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 135

Inishmurray island, its landscape and inhabitants

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo · 1836

Inishmurray, part of the parish of Ahamlish, is a barren sandstone island of 209 acres lying about five miles off Streedagh, with 109 inhabitants in fifteen rude stone houses. The islanders lived mainly by fishing, wore only woollen clothing, and had formerly been much given to poteen-making until police were stationed there in 1836.

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The geological formation is sandstone, covered with four or five inches of yellowish earth, which produces naturally nothing but a short grass, scant in quantity, as well as hard and insipid in quality. There is neither tree nor shrub, neither river nor streamlet, neither lake nor pond, on the island ; though, still, Nature has, perhaps, sufficiently provided its one hundred and nine inhabitants, fifty-eight males, and fifty-one females, with the mere necessaries of life — meat, drink, fuel, and clothing : — meat in abundance of wholesome fish ; drink in two excellent wells, that never run dry ; fuel in a stretch of bog, which, though long drawn on, is still far from exhausted ; and woollen clothing — the only clothing the islanders wear — in the wool of the hardy sheep ; which, with a good stock of black cattle, and a number of asses, constitute all the flocks and herds of Inismurray. The separate dwellings are fifteen in number, one story high plain houses, rudely built of flags or slabs of sandstone, and roofed with straw, as strongly and elaborately tied down with ropes as though the owners feared that, if the ligatures were slackened, their residences would be carried up like balloons into the air. Down to the year 1836, when police were stationed in the island, the inhabitants were much given to the making of poteen for the mainland, but now, that this " profitable occupation is gone," they devote most of their time to fishing, in which they are diligent and expert, dividing the remainder between the Dolce far niente, which they love as dearly as any fisherman of Naples, and the managing of their little holdings, which they take to only en pis aller, and in which they seem nearly as much out of their element as a fish out of water. Fishing, then, is the only occupation for which they have any heart, or from which they derive any profit; and as profitable fishing is impossible the greater part of the year in the wild sea that
40 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 15

Jemmy Taaffe's drunken pilgrimages to Jack's grave at Emlaghfad

Emlaghfad · townland · Sligo

A wheelwright named Jemmy Taaffe, when he had taken too much drink, would immediately set off to Emlaghfad graveyard to pray over the grave of Jack Taaffe. He claimed Jack had changed his mind in the other world about prayers for the dead.

Read the passage

In proof of Jack's hold on the hearts of the people, a hold which lasted long after his death, the strange doings of a wheel-wright named Jemmy Taaffe may be mentioned. It appears that this man took, occasionally, more drink than was good for him, but the peculiarity of his case was, that when he did so, no matter where he w^as, he immediately^ started off to Emlaghfad graveyard to pray over the grave of poor Jack. It was in vain people told him that the deceased, as a Protestant, would not care for such prayers; for Jemmy always answered that that was no longer the case, as Jack had changed his mind, in the other world, on the subject of prayers for the dead. Hundreds of others, as well as the wheel-wright, cherished the memory of Jack Taaffe, though their feelings did not show themselves as sensationally as his did.
The old parish church of Ballymote stood on the hill of Emlaghfad, called anciently Tulach Segra, where Saint Coluraba founded a religious house over which he placed his disciple Enna, son of Nuadhain, whose festival falls on the 18th September. Like other parish churches, Emlaghfad was taken by the State from the Catholics and given to the professors of the State religion.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 96

O'Donnell marches on Dublin to compel O'Daly's banishment

Dublin · city · Dublin

Donnell More O'Donnell pursued the fugitive poet O'Daly to Dublin, collected additional forces, and marched on the city, compelling its inhabitants to banish the bard. O'Daly was shipped to Scotland, but later composed a panegyric that won him back O'Donnell's favour.

Read the passage

occasioned no small stir in the country ; for, being asked for his quota of the tribute, which Carbury used then to pay to the Tirconnell chiefs, he, with the characteristic heat of the " irritable genus," flying into a passion, snatched up a battleaxe, and slew, on the spot, the collector who made the demand. Fearing the vengeance of Donnell More O'Donnell, the then chief of Tirconnell, O'Daly flew for protection to Eichard De Burgo, the "great Lord of Connaught;" but De Burgo, unwilling to offend O'Donnell, who was already in pursuit of the culprit, sent away the trembling poet to O'Brien, Lord of Thomond, who, in turn, passed on the frightened fugitive to Dublin. But the northern chief would not be thus baulked ; and going home and collecting additional forces, he marched on Dublin, and compelled its inhabitants to banish O'Daly. The Dubliners shipped him off to Scotland, whither, no doubt, the relentless O'Donnellwould have gone in pursuit, had not the bard, finding all his powerful friends fail him, fallen back on his own resources, and composed a glowing panegyric on Donnell More, which so mollified and gratified the chieftain, that, to use the w^ords of the Annalists, " he received the poet into his friendship, and gave him lands and possessions, as was pleasing to him."*
In 1397, Lissadell was again the scene of startling occurrences. The O'Donnell of the day — Turlough — and his allies, the sons of Cathal Og O'Connor, having gained, as they thought, a victory over the Murtough Baccagh branch of the O'Connors, proceeded to divide among themselves the lands of Lissadell and the neighbourhood, as the spoils of the victory ; but, while the allies were thus engaged, assisted by O'Donnell, the Murtough Baccagh O'Connors took up position unobserved at " the foot of Bunbrenoige," apparently the portion of the Oyster Bed, which lies to the west of the Glen or Bunbrenoige stream. While they were here, a mounted party, despatched by the sons of Cathel

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 7

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through a city that once found itself under threat from a northern chief. The story begins with the poet O'Daly, who was asked for his quota of tribute that Carbury paid to the Tirconnell chiefs. He flew into a passion, snatched up a battle axe, and slew the collector on the spot. Fearing the vengeance of Donnell More O'Donnell, then chief of Tirconnell, O'Daly fled for protection to Richard De Burgo, the great Lord of Connaught. But De Burgo, unwilling to offend O'Donnell, who was already in pursuit, sent the trembling poet away to O'Brien, Lord of Thomond. O'Brien in turn passed the frightened fugitive on to Dublin. The northern chief would not be baulked. He went home, collected additional forces, and marched on Dublin, compelling its inhabitants to banish O'Daly. The Dubliners shipped him off to Scotland. There the relentless O'Donnell would surely have followed, had not the bard, finding all his powerful friends fail him, fallen back on his own resources. He composed a glowing panegyric on Donnell More, which so mollified and gratified the chieftain that, in the words of the Annalists, "he received the poet into his friendship, and gave him lands and possessions, as was pleasing to him."

Parson Scott's Gretna Green of Lower Connaught

Carrowroe · townland · Sligo

Parson Scott's house at Carrowroe became known as the Gretna Green of Lower Connaught due to his frequent performance of clandestine mixed marriages. His reckless actions led to his imprisonment in Sligo gaol on more than one occasion.

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In this way, the Parson's house at Carrowroe, came to be regarded as the Gretna Green of Lower Connaught, and attracted candidates for matrimony from far and near, who were all attended to by himself or his " Curate," as the neighbours facetiously styled his old housekeeper, Susy. Whether true or false, it was believed that Susy officiated more than once in her master's stead, after first enveloping herself in his cota^iuore^ the better to personate him — the personation being the less difficult, as the whole ceremony, such as it was, came off in the dark, in order to baffle would-be informers. But these and other precautions failed of their object ; and the Parson had to pay once or twice, in Sligo gaol, the penalty of his own or the " Curate's " transgression of the law.
Not the least of the evils arising from Parson Scott's proceedings was the increase of mixed marriages, which are so strongly condemned by religion. Without him they would have been far fewer in the neighbourhood — the Catholic clergy being prohibited by the laws of the land and the laws of the Church from assisting at them ; and the Protestant clergy, as a rule, not caring to have anything to say to them, more especially after a tragedy which occurred near Sligo in 1848, and which was the result of one of these ill-assorted unions.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 265

Perjury confession in Ballymote chapel

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1818

After Jack Taaffe's acquittal at his arson trial, the witnesses who had sworn against him came forward in the chapel of Ballymote during a jubilee and confessed before the assembled congregation that they had perjured themselves.

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Taafi'e's enemies, it is said, took their measures so cleverly, that they were confident of a conviction ; but they were out in their reckoning ; for, when the trial came on, it was clearly proved that the witnesses perjured themselves, so that the prosecution forthwith collapsed ignominiously — to the great mortification of the wire-pullers and to the unbounded delight of the people. And to make his vindication more triumphant, the witnesses who had sworn against him, came forward in the chapel of Ballymote on the occasion of a jubilee, and confessed before the assembled congregation that they had perjured themselves.
10. Messrs. Kelly and Plunket of Koscommon. — They fought in the Black Field of Doorla, in the parish of Kilmorgan. Hunted by the authorities from other places, and having got out of their reach at the Black Field, they turned in, measured ten paces, and exchanged shots, Kelly receiving a wound in the shoulder. It is told of Plunket, who was a Catholic, that before going to the ground, he got some holy water in a roadside cabin, when he said to his friends, '* I now defy Kelly and the devil." The poor fellow showed his faith even while violating a formidable ordinance of his Church.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 273

Siege of Templehouse Castle, 1641

near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1641

Jane Brown deposed that Captain Luke Taaffe, Captain Francis Taaffe, Teige O'Connor Sligo, Cormac Oge O'Hara, and members of the French family, among others of the Sligo gentry, besieged Templehouse castle and encouraged rebels to rob, kill, and despoil the Protestants inside. She and her children then begged around the county for a quarter of a year and were threatened with death for refusing to attend mass, until Farrell O'Gara relieved them.

Read the passage

Anne Loftus deposes, that '* John Crean was in said chamber all the time " the preparations were making for Mr. Oliphant^s execution. Jane Brown — " This deponent saith, 'that Captain Luke Taaffe, Captain Francis Taaffe, Teige O'Connor Sligo, Cormac Oge O'Hara, Esq., James French, and his son Jeffrey French, Robert 0* Crean, and many others of the Irish gentry of the said county Sligo, were at the seige of Templehouse, and did questionless encourage the said rebels and their confederacy to besiege the said castle, and to rob, kill, and despoil the Protestants then in the said castle. , . . This deponent and her children did beg up and down the county for a quarter of a year, and had been killed for not going to mass, had not Farrell O'Gara charitably prevented and relieved them."
William Walsh's testimony regards the town of Sligo ; and he deposes, among otber things, that " the said Luke Taaffe and Brian McDonogh, and divers of the afore mentioned captains, accompanied with great numbers of armed men, did upon Easter last, 1643, march towards Manorhamilton on purpose to kill and destroy the British Protestants there, and to despoil them of their goods and cbattels. . , . Teige O'Connor Sligo, the reputed general for the Irish in the said county. . . The same British were, by consent of O'Connor Sligo, put into the gaol, about 38 of them. . , , And this deponent knoweth Colonel Owen O'Rourke, Brian Ballagh O'Rourke, his brother ; Charles and Hugh O'Connor, brothers to O'Connor Sligo, as before mentioned ; Teige Buy O'Connor, of Clonderara ; Phelim O'Connor, and divers others of the before-mentioned rebels, were, for some four or five hours before the said British were murdered, consulting in Lady Jones' late house in Sligo, about the said murder, and how it should be done. This deponent's cause of knowledge is for that he was brought into the said

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 44

Ardnaree name and the murderers of Bishop Cellach

Ardnaree or Shanaghy · townland · Mayo

According to M'Firbis, Ardnaree may derive its name from the execution or killing of Bishop Cellach's foster-brothers on the hill above the Moy. An alternative tradition holds they were hanged at the river Srotha Derg and interred on the opposite hill called Ard na Maol.

Read the passage

Ardnaree, according to O'Donovan* and Dr. Joyce, "f" signifies the Hill of the Executions, the persons executed being said to be the murderers of Bishop Cellach. Both the distinguished writers cite M'Firbis as their authority ; but, on examination, it will be found that M'Firbis does not speak absolutely, and that he brings forward the Execution theory only as an alternative explanation of the manner in which the murderers came by their death ; for, his words, as translated by O'Donovan, are : " Cuchongelt Mac Eoghan was he who slew the foster-brothers of Ceallach in revenge for their fratricide; they were Maolcroin, Maolseanaigb, Maoldalua, and Mac (or Maol) Deoraidh. Or, according to others, these were hanged at the river of Sal Srotha Derg, which is called the Muaidh, and it was from them the hill over the Muaidh was called Ard na riogh ; and Ard na Maol is the name of the hill on the other side of the stream, where they were interred."]:
When MacFirbis is so undecided, it can hardly be assumed as proven that Ardnaree has its name from the alleged executions ; though, on the other hand, the unhesitating language of so sober, judicious, and learned a writer as Dr. Joyce, even apart from other authorities, gives the opinion no slight probability. One other observation must take the form of a query, to he answered by persons having more local knowledge than the writer pretends to : As the Glenree of the neighbourhood, and the Bunree, signify respectively the Glen of the Bee, and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 228

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is Ardnaree, a name O'Donovan and Dr. Joyce read as the Hill of the Executions. The persons executed were said to be the murderers of Bishop Cellach. Both writers cite M'Firbis as their authority, but M'Firbis does not speak absolutely. He brings forward the execution theory only as an alternative explanation of how the murderers came by their death. His words, as translated by O'Donovan, are: Cuchongelt Mac Eoghan was he who slew the foster-brothers of Ceallach in revenge for their fratricide. They were Maolcroin, Maolseanaigb, Maoldalua, and Mac, or Maol, Deoraidh. Or, according to others, these were hanged at the river of Sal Srotha Derg, which is called the Muaidh, and it was from them the hill over the Muaidh was called Ard na riogh. And Ard na Maol is the name of the hill on the other side of the stream, where they were interred. When M'Firbis is so undecided, it can hardly be assumed as proven that Ardnaree has its name from the alleged executions. Yet the unhesitating language of so sober, judicious, and learned a writer as Dr. Joyce gives the opinion no slight probability.

Ballysadare Bucks destroy Bryan Drum's house and kill him

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

A Catholic named Bryan Drum built and slated a house in Ballysadare village. The local Bucks, resentful that he presumed to have a slated roof while they lived under thatch, tore off the roof, cast it into the river, and beat Drum so severely that he died within days.

Read the passage

The Ballysadare Bucks went further, at least on one occasion, than their confreres of Sligo ; for a Catholic named Bryan Drum having built a house in the village, and slated it, the Bucks of the place, indignant at his presumption in thinking to have a slated house, while they were living in thatched ones, assembled in broad daylight, tore off the roof, and cast it into the river. Drum was absent at the moment; and when he returned and, seeing what was done, threatened law proceedings, the wreckers beat him so unmercifully that he died in a few days of the barbarous treatment.
It will appear strange how the austere Roundheads developed

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 268

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, a Catholic man named Bryan Drum built himself a house in the village and put a slate roof on it. The local Bucks took offence that he presumed to have slate while they lived under thatch. They gathered in broad daylight, tore off the roof, and threw it into the river. Drum was away at the time. When he came back and saw the ruin, he threatened to take them to law, and they beat him so badly he died within a few days.

Bucks' cruel pranks on Sligo streets and bridge

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1790–1810

The Bucks roamed Sligo's streets at night committing outrages, including stripping a man of his clothes in mid-winter and tossing them into the river, and forcing a passer-by into a coffin which they nailed shut and balanced on the bridge battlement so any escape attempt would precipitate him into the water.

Read the passage

Acting on the maxim, " Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die," they assembled in one or other of these haunts every night, and passed the time in gambling, swilling " scalteen," talking ribaldry, and bellowing snatches of profane songs. The orgies lasted till long past midnight ; and woe betide the man that fell in the way of those " sons of Belial, flown with insolence and wine," as they wandered forth, and rolled through the streets to their residences. It is told that they once, in a mid-winter night, stripped a man they met with of his clothes, tossed the clothes into the river, and left the shivering wretch to his fate in the midst of frost and snow. On another occasion they forced a passer-by into a coffin, and placed it, after nailing down the lid, on the battlement of the bridge, in such a way, that any effort to extricate himself from his horrid position would only precipitate him into the river ; and if they did not signalise their passage by these enormities, they always made night hideous by their yells and imprecations as they staggered along.
* Some of the entertainments were advertised. The following notice appears in the Sligo Journal of September 4th, 1807 : —

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 266

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are travelling streets where a group called the Bucks once made the nights dangerous. They gathered every night, drinking and gambling till long past midnight, then rolled through the streets bellowing profane songs. Woe betide anyone who crossed their path. One mid-winter night they stripped a man they met of his clothes, tossed the clothes into the river, and left him shivering in the frost and snow. On another occasion they forced a passer-by into a coffin, nailed down the lid, and balanced it on the battlement of the bridge so that any effort to free himself would only throw him into the water. Even when they did not commit these enormities, they made night hideous with their yells and imprecations as they staggered along.

Clifford's army reaches Boyle before Curlews crossing

Boyle · town · Roscommon · 1599

Sir Conyers Clifford's English army reached Boyle at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon on 15 August 1599, a Sunday, and he resolved to cross the mountain pass of Ballaghboy immediately despite his officers' advice.

Read the passage

It was about 4 o'clock p.m., on the 15th August, which fell that year on a Sunday, the English reached Boyle, and Sir Conyers, thinking the pass of Ballaghboy clear, resolved, thea and there, without halting, to cross the mountain, though, in this he acted against the advice and remonstrance of his officers, and against the wishes of his men, who, after a long march of two days, felt that they needed refreshments and some rest.
The Irish on their side were far from being as negligent as

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

Costello's Tory band rejects a common robber near Ballymote

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1666

Dudley Costello led a Tory band in Connaught after the confiscations, maintaining himself at the expense of those occupying his former lands. Lord Kingston reported from Boyle in October 1666 that a footman who committed a robbery near Ballymote fled to Costello but was refused admission, as Costello would not accept men guilty of dishonesty.

Read the passage

Such were the bands of the Brennans in Leinster, of Redmond O'Hanlon in Ulster, and of Dudley Costello in Connaught,J who maintained themselves for years at the expense of those who occupied their lands, and in spite of all the efforts and forces of the Government. So far from regarding himself or his party as vulgar robbers, Costello would not admit into his service a man guilty of dishonesty, in the common acceptation of the term, as appears in a letter of Lord Kingston, President of Connaught, to Ormond, dated Boyle, Oct. 6th, 1666, and telling that, "A footman of my Lord Carlingford having the other day committed a robbery near Ballymote fled to Costello, but could not be admitted into his party, which has gained Costello a great repute in the country."§ His Lordship in the same letter reports that Costello's party never exceeded fifteen, and is seldom more than four or ^ve, and though everything was done to capture them, it was all in vain, for, says he, "I
* " The common people are so amazingly addicted to thieving everything they can lay their hands on, that they will unshoe the horses in the field in the barony of Leyney."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 258

Deathbed story of Jack Taaffe's friend near Ballymote

Ballymote · town · Sligo

A curious story was common round Ballymote about Jack Taaffe acting as 'second' to his dying friend on his deathbed. Taaffe urged the dying man to 'prove himself a man' and 'despise the devil,' swearing in Irish that he feared nothing in this world or the next.

Read the passage

In connexion with his duelling proclivities a curious story was common round Ballymote some time ago. The gentleman who always acted as Jack's friend, or second, being on deathbed, set so little store by the parson's ministrations, that the reverend gentleman, despairing of bringing him to a christian frame of mind, saw nothing for it but to leave him to his fate. The matter was told to Jack Taaffe, who hastened to the bedside of the sick man, to serve, as Taaffe himself expressed it, as his friend's "second " in the formidable encounter with death; and while the unfortunate gentleman was djing. Jack kept calling on him to " prove himself a man," and to " despise the devil," as he (Jack himself) would, if in the sick man's place ; confirming, every now and then, what he said with a horrid oath in Irish (which had better be left unrecorded), that "Jack Taaffe feared nothing or nobody either in this world or the next."
It was the opinion of Jack Taaffe's contemporaries, a few of whom survive, that he was always on the look-out for somebody to challenge ; and it is said, that with this object, he docked the manes and tails of his horses in a grotesque fashion, in order that if any gentleman laughed at them, he would have the opportunity of calling him out.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 96

Fenton murder trial at Sligo Crown Court

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1816

Thomas and John Fenton were indicted for the murder of Major Hillas before Judge Fletcher at the Sligo Crown Court on 21 March 1816. The judge called it 'as fair a one as ever was fought' and the jury returned a verdict of acquittal within minutes.

Read the passage

The hostile meeting came off in Kilmacowen, John Fenton acting as second to his cousin, while Major Hillas was attended by Captain Ferrall, a noted duellist, assisted by Loftus Jones, and Jack Taaffe. Ferrall, however, being old, between seventy and eighty years of age, as well as lame, Loftus Jones took on himself most of the second's duties or functions. John Fenton, who acted, all through, aecuyidum artem^ and with consummate skill and coolness, placed his cousin on the ground, put the pistol into his hand, *' squared " him, as the phrase is, and moved his arm so as to protect his own person and to cover that of his adversary ; while Hillas, all this time, was left very much to shift for himself, the multitude of seconds being unlike the multitude of counsellors in ensuring safety — and rather illustrating the old adage, that what is everybody's business is nobody's business. Fenton was the first to fire, Hillas firing nearly at the same moment, after which he dropped down dead. Messrs. Thomas and John Fenton were indicted on the 21st March 1816, in the Crown Court of Sligo, before Judge Fletcher, for the murder of John Hillas, the court, as might be expected, being crowded to its utmost capacity. The witnesses examined were James Moffatt, Loftus Jones, Doctor Armstrong, Robert Ormsby, Mr. Wynne, and Doctor Carter, and the proceedings were dull and languid, as the conclusion was a foregone one. In his charge to the Jury, Judge Fletcher was so one-sided, and so hard on poor Hillas, as to feel the need of making some apology, and added that " he had, perhaps, entangled himself, on the subject more than he ought." The jury having retired from the box, just after the Judge had pronounced the duel to be "as fair a one as ever was fought,"* came back in a minute or two
* Some others do not appear to hive been as satisfied as Judge Fletcher of tho fairness of the diisl. We read in Hamilton's Only Approved Guide, con-

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 272

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is where the Fenton murder trial came before the Crown Court in 1816. The trial on 21 March 1816 drew a crowd that filled the court to its utmost capacity. Thomas and John Fenton stood indicted for the murder of Major John Hillas, before Judge Fletcher. It had started with a duel in Kilmacowen. Thomas Fenton faced Major Hillas across the ground. John Fenton acted as second to his cousin. Hillas had Captain Ferrall, a noted duellist, assisted by Loftus Jones and Jack Taaffe. But Ferrall was old, between 70 and 80 years of age, and lame, so Loftus Jones took on most of the second's duties. John Fenton handled his role with what the record calls consummate skill and coolness. He placed his cousin on the ground, put the pistol into his hand, squared him, and moved his arm to protect his own person and cover his adversary. Hillas was left very much to shift for himself. Fenton fired first. Hillas fired nearly at the same moment, and then dropped down dead. The witnesses examined were James Moffatt, Loftus Jones, Doctor Armstrong, Robert Ormsby, Mr. Wynne, and Doctor Carter. The proceedings were dull and languid, the conclusion a foregone one. Judge Fletcher was so one-sided, and so hard on poor Hillas, that he felt the need to apologize, saying he had perhaps entangled himself on the subject more than he ought. In his charge to the jury he called the duel "as fair a one as ever was fought." The jury retired from the box and came back in a minute or two with a verdict of acquittal.

Hangings at ash trees in Sligo town, 1641

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1641

Jane Boswell's deposition describes how Irish forces led by John Crean, Brian O'Hara, and Hugh McDonogh brought captives to the midst of Sligo town, where about four ash trees stood, and hanged Mr. Oliphant after stripping him naked, then dragged his body behind a horse to a ditch for burial.

Read the passage

Jane Boswell deposes — " The next day the said Irish took out the said Mr. Oliphant, and another Scottish man, called Henry Begg, and their wives ; and one Margaret Branagb, a Welsh woman, and her husband ; one Duffe, an Irishman, and their five children ; and this examinant and her three children, she being then great with her 4th child ; all which persons the said Irish led to the midst of the town, where was about four ash trees, the said John Crean, Brian O'Hara, Hugh McDonogh being principal actors ; and on the said trees they hanged the said Mr. Oliphant, having first stripped him stark naked, and after he was dead, they dragged him at a garron's tail, through the mire to a ditch, where they buried him ; and further saitb, that at the same time they hanged the said Henry Begge and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 43

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo town, you are moving through the place where, in 1641, Irish forces led by John Crean, Brian O'Hara, and Hugh McDonogh brought a group of captives into the midst of the town. Jane Boswell, one of those captives, deposed that the Irish took out Mr. Oliphant, a Scottish man called Henry Begg, and their wives, along with Margaret Branagh, a Welsh woman, and her husband, an Irishman called Duffe, and their five children, and Boswell herself with her three children, she being then great with her fourth. They led them all to about four ash trees standing in the town. There they hanged Mr. Oliphant, having first stripped him stark naked, and after he was dead they dragged him at a garron's tail through the mire to a ditch, where they buried him. At the same time they hanged Henry Begg.

Irish Parliament members debated the Union at Annaghmore arcade

Annaghmore · townland · Sligo · 1799–1801

A historic arcade of intertwined beeches in the Annaghmore demesne was the site where members of the Irish Parliament discussed arguments for and against the Union nearly a hundred years before the book's writing. The avenue resembles the groined aisle of a Gothic church. The demesne also features notable plantings by the late Major O'Hara.

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Through the demesne are some noble secular ashes and oaks; and an arcade, formed by two rows of magnificent beeches, intertwined at top, is full of interest, not only for the sesthete, Tvho is reminded by the picture before him of the groined aisle of some old Gothic church, but also for the politician, who happens to know the fact, that the arguments for and against the Union were discussed, near a hundred years ago, by members of the Irish Parliament, as they paced slowly up and down this historic walk.
There are a few fine horse-chestnuts to the north-east of the house, and not far from the new stables ; and to the saunterer through Annaghmore, in the month of May, few objects are so striking as those chestnuts, then in full bloom, with their tall, showy, pyramidal flowers, looking for all the world like so many Chinese lamps, lighting up the regularly graduated heights, of these symmetrical and towering trees.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 34

Lady Gore's daredevil coach ride at Derk, Knocklane

Knocklane · hill or hills · Sligo

According to local folklore, a Lady Gore forced her reluctant coachman at pistol-point to drive her round the edge of Derk at Knocklane, a semi-circular chasm of seething, roaring waters. She accomplished the perilous feat and gained lasting local fame tied to the hill of Knocklane itself.

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This propensity must have developed itself early, judging by a Lady Gore, who, according to the folk lore of the neighbourhood, forced her coachman to drive her round the edge of Derk, at Knocklane, a semi-circular chasm of seething, roaring waters, more frightful to look at, than the crater of a volcano in full operation. The coachman, as was natural, demurred at first to the order ; hut Lady Gore drawing forth a pistol, and giving him the alternative of its contents, or compliance with her wish, poor Jehu, thinking it as w^ell to have his quietus from water as from fire, screwed his courage to the sticking point, and whipped up the horses. " Fortune favours the brave ; " and the resolute lady accomplished, with flying colours, the perilous feat on which she had set her heart, and thus gained for herself local fame, which is likely to last as long as the hill of Knocklane itself. If this heroine lived now, she would still, no doubt, have the fantastic feat of Derk all to herself, but, if she tried a contest, in managing with grace and skill a four-in-hand, or in crossing, with nerve and dash, a high-fenced country, after the hounds, she would probably find more than a match in the young ladies of her own family, in the fourth quarter of the nineteenth century.
The Gore Booth family rank among the highest in the country. Sir Paul Gore, or Goore, was the first of them that settled in Ireland. Coming over from England, in 1598, as commander of a troop of horse, he served under Mountjoy, and soon gained the esteem and confidence of that able man. Being charged by him to escort to Athlone, Rory 0*Donnell, and probably. Sir Donough O'Connor, who were the last of the Irish chiefs to submit to Elizabeth, he acquitted himself so well of this delicate commission, that he w^as rewarded, first, with a grant of lands from the Queen, and, secondly, after her death, with another from James.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 9

Lightning strikes Sligo Gothic church during Mass

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1882

On 12 November 1882, lightning struck the belfry of the Gothic church built in 1862 by Father Kelly in Sligo, scattering stones into the yard and neighbouring fields. A boy and a girl outside the church suffered unusual injuries, and one man of the congregation was injured in the spine and died after nine weeks of suffering.

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It was in the fine Gothic church, built in 1862 by Father Kelly, on the site of the old chapel, the lightning accident, already referred to, occurred on the 12th November, 1882. While Father Christopher O'Conor was preaching after Mass, a vivid flash of lightning, accompanied by a loud peal of thunder, struck the belfry, and shot about its stones, some into the yard, and some acres away into the neighbouring fields, while several fell down through the roof into the body of the house. The casualties were far fewer than might be expected. They were: — A little boy, who was outside the church, near the door, was laid up for a few days, though sulFering from no visible hurt ; a girl, who was also outside, escaped personal harm, though the soles of her boots were cut clean off as with a knife ; and one man of the congregation, who got injured in the spine — it is not known whether by the electric current or by a stone that fell beside him — after lingering on in great suffering, for nine weeks, died.
As in Magherow, so, also, at Rathcormac, an old place of worship stood on the site of the present church, which was built in 1833 by Father O'Callaghan. This house was greatly improved by Father 0*Gara; and Father Moraghan, along with adding a sacristy, has widened the sanctuary, seated the whole of the ground floor, and erected a beautiful altar of marble and Caen stone.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 22

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Sligo, a town on your road. In 1882, on the 12th of November, lightning struck the fine Gothic church built in 1862 by Father Kelly. It stood on the site of the old chapel. Father Christopher O'Conor was preaching after Mass when a vivid flash came, with a loud peal of thunder, and struck the belfry. Stones shot about. Some fell into the yard, some landed acres away in the neighbouring fields, and several came down through the roof into the body of the church. The casualties were fewer than you might expect. A little boy outside the church, near the door, was laid up for a few days, though he had no visible hurt. A girl, also outside, escaped personal harm, but the soles of her boots were cut clean off, as with a knife. And one man of the congregation was injured in the spine. It is not known whether the electric current did it or a stone that fell beside him. He lingered on in great suffering for nine weeks, and then he died.

Rack-renting landlord A.B. on reclaimed bog land in Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

A member of the Phibbs family owning 499 acres in Ballysadare parish charged rents roughly double the valuation on land that tenants had themselves reclaimed from primeval bog. Tenants delved, drained and manured the wet waste year after year, only to have rack-rents imposed once the land produced crops.

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And what aggravated enormously the injustice of these rents, is, that the land was all reclaimed by the tenants themselves or their predecessors in title. When the parents of Pat and James McK. came into possession, there was not a perch of arable land in their holdings, all being wet, unwalkable bog, still in its primeval state. Day after day, and year after year, these miserable men and their children, delved, and drained, and manured, up to the knee in water or sludge, the desolate ungrateful waste, continually realising infinitely more than their proportionate share of the hard lot assigned to the children of Adam, of "eating their bread in the sweat of their face." And to crown their misery, a patch of land was no sooner made ready to give crops, than the landlord stepped in and set on it a rackrent; thus, as it were, inflicting a penalty on the tenant, instead of dealing out a reward to him for reclamation and improvements.
It is with great reluctance, and only from an imperious sense of duty these references to particular persons and cases are made ; but history, to be useful, must notice the good and the bad of men and things.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 107

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, in Ballysadare, a member of the Phibbs family owned 499 acres and charged rents roughly double the valuation on land that tenants had reclaimed from bog. When the parents of Pat and James McK. came into possession, there was not a perch of arable land in their holdings. It was all wet, unwalkable bog, still in its primeval state. Day after day, year after year, these men and their children delved and drained and manured, up to the knee in water or sludge, working the desolate waste. A patch of land was no sooner made ready to give crops than the landlord stepped in and set on it a rack rent. It was, as the book puts it, "inflicting a penalty on the tenant, instead of dealing out a reward to him for reclamation and improvements." The author of the history writes that he makes these references with great reluctance, but says history, to be useful, must notice the good and the bad of men and things.

Sacrilegious killing at Killerry church, 1346

Killerry · townland · Sligo · 1346

In 1346, during a conflict between Ualgarg O'Rorke and Rory O'Connor, O'Rorke was worsted and fled for sanctuary to Killerry church. The O'Connors and McDonoughs set fire to the building and slew him as he rushed out through the door to escape the flames.

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As not unfrequently happened to other churches, the church of Killerry was once the scene of a sacrilegious outrage. In a conflict which took place in 1346 between Ualgarg O'Rorke and Rory O'Connor, the former, having been worsted, fled for sanctuary to Killerry church, but his pursuers, the O'Connors and McDonoughs, set fire to the building, and slew him as he rushed out through the door to escape the fire. Unfortunately this was not an isolated sacrilege of the kind, for we read often in the Annals accounts of similar occurrences, the onodus agendi being always the same : first, to fire the church, and then to slay the enemy when he tried to get away from the burning building.
To this church is attached a graveyard which is much used. It contains a good number of tombstones with inscriptions, the prevailing names commemorated being Kelly, Jackson, Gilmartin McGarry, Wynne, Donegan, McLoghlen, McTernan, Cross, and Harrison.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 171

Sir Frederick Hamilton burns Sligo and massacres inhabitants

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1641–1642

Sir Frederick Hamilton made an irruption into Sligo during the 1641 insurrection, burning the town and massacring its inhabitants. He was described as impervious to religious feeling and hostile even towards Protestants.

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Hamilton, Sir Frederick, I. 153. His principles, 154. His irruption into Sligo, 155. Burns the town and massacres the inhabitants, 156. Sir Frederick, impervious to religious feeling, 157. His attitude towards Protestants, 158. His leading characteristics, 159, 509.
Harbour, Sligo, I. 348. Intercourse between Sligo and Spain, 350. Quay of, 351. Nature improving the port, 353. Harbour Commissioners deserving of praise, 354. Merchandise exported and imported, 356. Merchants of Sligo, 355-356.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 340

As the companion tells it

You are coming through Sligo now. In 1641 Sir Frederick Hamilton burst into this town during the insurrection, burned it and massacred its inhabitants. He was a man impervious to religious feeling, and his hostility extended even towards Protestants.

Stabbing of preacher Mr. Wray on convoy to Ballymote

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1641–1643

Mr. Wray, a preacher, was stabbed during a scuffle at the head of a convoy proceeding to Ballymote, while John Crean was engaged at the rear. Crean deposed that Wray and his wife were his own tenants, that he procured horses for them, and on hearing of the wounding employed chirurgeons to dress Wray's wounds.

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Another charge, brought by some of the witnesses, against John Crean was, that he had a share in " the stabbing of Mr. Wray, a preacher of God's word ; " and, in regard to this stabbing, which took place on the day the convoy was proceeding to Ballymote, and took place in some scufEe at the head of the procession, while Crean was engaged at the rear, he deposes that, so far from being a party to the outrage, he had taken particular care of Mr. and Mrs. Wray, " who were his own tenants," had procured horses for them to carry them to Ballymote, in order to save them from the fatigue of a journey on foot, and, on hearing that Wray was wounded, " had employed chirurgeons to dress his wounds ; " thus, in fact, acting the part of the Good Samaritan, instead of the wicked and brutal part imputed.
Transactions in the town of Sligo were magnified and falsified like those of Templehouse. The falseness of William Walsh's evidence, who is the only witness Miss Hickson produces regarding Sligo, may be inferred from the fact that. Sir Lucas TaafFe, whom Walsh makes the head and front of the party that attacked Sir Frederick Hamilton, or, rather, that accepted Sir Frederick's challenge of battle, was not in the party at all, being engaged, at the time, in the service of the Kilkenny Confederation, in another part of the country, as appears from a letter of his found in the pocket of Brian McDonogh, after being slain, and printed in Sir Frederick Hamilton's " Relation." The witness's account of the way he was able to report the proceedings of the Irish chiefs in their alleged

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 45

St. Maneus's curse at the ford near Aghanagh

Aghanagh · townland · Sligo

A tradition holds that while St. Patrick supervised church-building in Aghanagh, the local O'Rorke chief approached in fury to stop the work. Maneus prayed that the chief and any of his name who crossed the ford would meet sudden death, a curse still respected by O'Rorkes attending funerals bound for Aghanagh.

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building the church, under the superintendence of St. Patrick, the O'Rorke of the day, or the head of the family, which, later, took the name of O'Rorke, having heard of the work, was coming in a great rage to stop it,* when Maneus prayed that the angry chief would not be able to pass the ford himself, and that any one of his name or family that ever passed it, would meet soon with a sudden death. The tradition does not tell what befel O'Rorke on the occasion, but the story has such formidable force even still, that when persons of the name of O'Rorke attend a funeral, bound for Aghanagh, instead of crossing the Rubicon like Caesar, on arriving at the ford, they invariably turn back to keep out of the way of the saint's curse.
There is a curious addition to the legend. It is handed down, that while the enraged chief was approaching, the bell of the place took of itself to ringing, in order to sound an alarm, but on the man in charge turning to it in anger, and telling it to cease its cackle lest its noise should spoil the whole business, and attract O'Rorke to the spot, it took the reproof in serious part, and became itself so frightened at the common danger, that it got immediately tongue-tied, and never after uttered another note. A striking proof of the long continued power of the O'Rorkes in this district may be found in the legend mentioned, when coupled with the historical fact, that Sir Richard Bingham, near the close of the sixteenth century, built his great fort between Lough Arrow and Lough Ce, to stop the irruptions of the O'Rorkes.f

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 166

The Cathach relic described

near Curlew Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Roscommon · 1826

The Cathach was a small brass box, nine and a half inches long, containing a manuscript copy of the Psalms on vellum, discovered when opened around 1826 by Sir William Betham. Traditionally, if carried three times round the army of Tyrconnell before battle, it was believed to ensure victory, earning it the name 'Cathach' meaning 'the Fighter.'

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The Cathach is a small brass box, nine and a half inches long, eight broad, and two thick, with silver plates attached to the top and bottom, the top plate being richly gilt, chased, and ornamented with representations of scriptural and ecclesiastical subjects. Until recently the nature of the contents was unknown, the prevalent opinion being, that it contained some of the bones of Columbkille,* but the box being opened about 1826 by Sir William Betham, Ulster King of Arms, was found to contain a manuscript copy on vellum of the Psalms. It was the legend connected with this relic that rendered it so precious in the eyes of the O'Donnells ; for the tradition was, that if carried three times, with due reverence, round the army of Tyrconnell before a battle, it would give that army victory over the enemy. It was from being thus supposed to fight for the O'Donnells it got the name of Cathach,t that is, the Fighter. The care of
* Irish Antiquarian Researches, Part I., page 110.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 152

The horsewhip miracle at Banada chapel

Banada · townland · Sligo

A Protestant ancestor of the Jones family, owner of the Banada estate, threatened to horsewhip the parish priest on the altar for denouncing a scandal-giver. As he raised his arm to strike, amid the congregation's cries to St. Attracta, the whip dropped and his hand was paralysed, leading to his conversion to Catholicism.

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The ancestor, referred to, hearing that the priest of the parish intended to denounce on a certain Sunday a scandal-giver who lived on the Banada estate, threatened publicly to attend the chapel on the day in question, and to horsewhip the priest on the altar in case the denunciation occurred. Nothing daunted by the presence of the owner of Banada, who, in accomplishment of his threat, came to the chapel and took up a conspicuous position near the altar, the priest warned his flock solemnly against the evil example, and the evil doer, in their midst ; and next moment Mr. Jones, white with rage, rushed up to the altar, and, amid the cries of the excited congregation to St. Attracta for help, had already raised his arm to strike, when suddenly the whip dropped from his hand, and the hand itself fell paralysed down his side. The whole transaction, but more especially the startling paralysis of Mr. Jones, filled those present with awe, and above all Mr. Jones himself, who, regarding the protection of the priest and his own affliction as the work of God, and as a witness in favour of the Catholic religion, became, after some days' fervent preparation for the change, a member of the Catholic Church.*
If Father Daniel Jones felt grateful to St. Attracta for the part he believed her to have had in bringing about this important result, the good father, with the gratitude which is a characteristic virtue of every member of his family, never rested till he had requited the favour by his zealous and effective cooperation in restoring to her the honours of the Liturgy. And

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 202

Catholic Mass celebrated in hiding on Sligo mountains

near Slieve Gamph or The Ox Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Mayo · 1650–1714

During persecutions under Cromwell and Queen Anne, Catholics hid from public authorities and celebrated Mass on the mountains of Slieve Gamph, Braulieve, and Bricklieve. Local tradition still points out the spots where Mass was celebrated.

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Persecution, more or less severe, of Irish Catholics, existed ia the reigns of Henry YIII, Edward VI., Elizabeth, James I., Charles I, Charles II., but the evil culminated, first, under Cromwell, who boasted that the Mass would not be allowed wherever the authority of England extended; and, second, under Anne, who lent all her power " to prevent the growth of popery ;" and it was more especially in these times that the Catholics of the county had to hide themselves from the public authorities, and, that they might be able to practise the ordinances of their religion, had to betake themselves to the mountains of Slieve Gamh, Braulieve, and Bricklieve, where, to this day, local tradition points out the spots in which Mass used to be celebrated.
Under the Commonwealth, floods of English and Scotch immigrants inundated the county, lying deep on the most valuable and desirable spots, and more especially in and around the town of Sligo, and the village of Collooney, in which place, judging by the names of the then inhabitants, the householders must have been Protestants almost to a man ; and we shall leave it to others to solve the problem, how this population, owning all the land of the county, not merely protected, but nursed, by the government, reared like delicate exotics in the hothouse, while Catholics were driven into the " windy gap/' monopolizing all offices, public and private, of trust, of emolument, and of power, and often recruited by large accessions of co-religionists from England, Scotland, and the north of Ireland, have been constantly losing ground and falling off in numbers, in wealth,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 232

Commonwealth-era Protestant settlers in Sligo and Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1650–1660

Under the Commonwealth, English and Scotch immigrants flooded County Sligo, settling especially in and around Sligo town and the village of Collooney. In Collooney, judging by inhabitants' names, householders were almost entirely Protestant, monopolizing all offices of trust and power.

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Under the Commonwealth, floods of English and Scotch immigrants inundated the county, lying deep on the most valuable and desirable spots, and more especially in and around the town of Sligo, and the village of Collooney, in which place, judging by the names of the then inhabitants, the householders must have been Protestants almost to a man ; and we shall leave it to others to solve the problem, how this population, owning all the land of the county, not merely protected, but nursed, by the government, reared like delicate exotics in the hothouse, while Catholics were driven into the " windy gap/' monopolizing all offices, public and private, of trust, of emolument, and of power, and often recruited by large accessions of co-religionists from England, Scotland, and the north of Ireland, have been constantly losing ground and falling off in numbers, in wealth,
Mac Neil Oge by " Edward the Sixth, defender of the faith," according to the following Sta^e^Paper:—^' Whereas the said Hugh hath humblie submitted himself to the King's Majestic his clemencie .... begging pardon for all offences, promising to continue during life a faithful subject, he requests to have a leas of certain late monasteries with the landes thereunto belonging, and the late frier house in Knockfergus granted unto him, that therein he may erect two secular priests for ministration of divine service, alleging that his ancestors were buried there, and that in all his countrie, there is no place so

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 232

Ardnaree Abbey founding dispute and O'Dowda interment

Ardnaree or Shanaghy · townland · Mayo · 1402–1603

O'Donovan dates Ardnaree Abbey's founding to 1427, but the Four Masters and Annals of Lough Ce record Murtough O'Dowda's interment there in 1402, complicating the chronology. In James I's first year the friary site was granted to Sir Richard Boyle as waste land.

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The castle of Ardnaree was built by the English,* and stood, no doubt, on the eminence now known as Castle Hill. O'Douovan states,t that Ardnaree abbey wasfounded in 1427, and cites De Burgo's Hihernia Dominicana and ArchdalFs Monasticon Hibernicum as his authorities. As to the Hihernia Dominicana it has not a word at all on Ardnaree ; while Archdall refers to AUemande, who quotes Pere Torelli and Pere Lubin as basing the date on the registers of their order.:]: This looks rather conclusive, but still it will be found hard to reconcile the date of 1427 with this entry of both the Four Masters and the Annals of Lough Ce under the year 1402 : " Murtough, the son of Donough O'Dowda, a man universally distinguished for his nobleness and hospitality, died, and was interred at Ardnarea."
In the first year of James I. the abbey of Ardnaree was granted to Sir Richard Boyle, in these terms : — " The site and house of the late friary of Ardnary, containing J^» in which is a church, cloister, dormitory, and other buildings ; 1 qr. of land, containing 60 acres with the tithes thereof, now in the Crown and waste."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 229

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ardnaree or Shanaghy stood an abbey whose origins are not so settled as they seem. O'Donovan dated its founding to 1427, leaning on Archdall's Monasticon Hibernicum, which in turn drew on the registers of the Dominican order through Pere Torelli and Pere Lubin. But the Four Masters and the Annals of Lough Ce both record that in 1402, Murtough, son of Donough O'Dowda, a man, as they put it, "universally distinguished for his nobleness and hospitality," died and was buried at Ardnaree. That is 25 years before the abbey is said to have been founded, and no one has reconciled the gap. What is certain is the ending. In the first year of James I, 1603, the site of the late friary was granted to Sir Richard Boyle as waste land, with its church, cloister and dormitory, and one quarter of land amounting to 60 acres.

Abduction of Susanna Wynne at Dromod

Drumod · town · Leitrim · 1745

In 1745, Owen Wynne and Susanna Wynne were travelling by coach to Dublin when James Wynne and armed associates intercepted them at Dromod in Leitrim, cocked pistols at Wynne and the coachman, and forcibly carried Susanna away. Owen Wynne deposed that he believed her life to be in great danger.

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Another suit, in which another of the highest names of the county figures, occurred in 1745. It was the case of Susanna Wynne, by her next friend, Kobert Sandford, plaintiff, versus James Wynne and others, defendants ; and the cross case of James Wynne, plaintiff, versus Susanna Wynne and others, defendants. The nature of the transaction mav be learned from an affidavit made on the occasion by Mr. Owen Wynne, in which he deposed that he and Susanna Wynne were travelling to Dublin in their coach, when James Wynne and others came up to the coach at Dromod, in Leitrim, cocked pistols at deponent and the coachman, and forced Susanna Wynne away, notwithstanding all her efforts and those of said Owen Wynne. Owen Wynne further deposed that he believed the said Susanna Wynne's life to be in great danger. As Owen Wynne had a son named James, who married Susanna Shaen, daughter of Sir James Shaen, it would appear that this James and his wife are the parties concerned.
On the 3rd of May, 1780, a still more startling outrage took place in the town of Sligo. At that date, two men named Kobert Brunton and Michael Rorke were in the gaol under sentence of death, but before the day of execution arrived some persons attacked the building, broke open the doors with sledges, and took away Brunton and Rorke. On examination, William Tims, assistant gaoler, charged Thomas Hudson of

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 260

Castletown as the cradle of the O'Connors Sligo

Castletown · townland · Sligo

Castletown, located in the parish of Drumcliff, is described as the cradle of the O'Connors Sligo. The text also references the original name of the settlement as Caislen Conor.

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death and burial, 86. The family re-eoter public life under favourable circumstances, 88. Commanding qualities of its members, 90. Cathal becomes king of Connaught, 92-3. Cathal Oge's abilities, exploits, and death, 94-5-C-7-8. Donnell murders his cousin, Teige, 99, 100. And enlarges the territory of O'Connor Sligo, 103. And improves the town of Sligo, 103. The time at which the O'Connors became masters of the town, 104. Donnell O'Connor's sons and the castle of Sligo, ]06- 111. Teige Oge assumes the style and title of The O'Connor, 114. Teige, son of Cathal Oge, IIG. The English re-appear on the scene, 116. Sir Donnell O'Connor and Queen Elizabeth, 118-121. Sir Donnell a match for the Queen and her ministers, 122-3. His character, 124-9. Career of Owen O'Connor, first Protestant bishop of Killalla, 125-7. Status of the O'Connor Sligo, 129- 130. Sir Donogh, nephew of Sir Donnell, 131. Marries Lady Eleanor Butler, widow of Earl of Desmond, 138. Sir Charles O'Connor, 142. Mistake of Lodge and Archdall, 143. Sligo reverts to Teige, uncle of Sir Donogh, 144. O'Connor Sligo estate, 192. Important documents on the subject, 201. Name of O'Connor Sligo drops out of view, 204. Mr. Peter O'Connor and nephews, the genuine descendants of the O'Connors Sligo, 205. Peter O'Connor's character, 205, 206, 207. One of his many benefactions, 302. The Guaire Aidhne of Lower Connaught, II. 452. His nephews, I. 207-208. Castletown, in the parish of DrumclifF, the cradle of the O'Connors Sligo, 505. Character of the Castletown O'Connors, 508. Caislen Conor, the original name of Castletown, 506. Serious mistake of O'Donovan and others regarding the O'Connors Sligo, 433-4-5.
O'Connor, Very Rev. Ambrose, Provincial of the Dominicans, I. 267 ;

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 345

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here lies Castletown, in the parish of Drumcliff, described as the cradle of the O'Connors Sligo. Its original name was Caislen Conor. The book calls this the starting place of the family, though it offers little more than that about the settlement itself. What it does give is a long catalogue of the O'Connor Sligo line: Cathal becoming king of Connaught, Cathal Oge's exploits and death, Donnell murdering his cousin Teige and then enlarging the territory and improving the town of Sligo. Later came Sir Donnell O'Connor, described as a match for Queen Elizabeth and her ministers. Sir Donogh, nephew of Sir Donnell, married Lady Eleanor Butler, widow of the Earl of Desmond. The name of O'Connor Sligo eventually drops out of view, with Mr. Peter O'Connor and his nephews named as the genuine descendants of the line. The book notes a serious mistake by O'Donovan and others regarding the O'Connors Sligo, and speaks of the character of the Castletown O'Connors, though the passage before us does not give the substance of either.

Exploration of Toomour royal grave by Fr. McDermott

Toomore · townland · Mayo

Father Pat McDermott, curate of Keash, explored the sepulchral enclosure at Toomour, removing the flag and digging down three feet to find large human bones laid on stones. He confirmed the structure was a grave, with bones seemingly there for ages.

Read the passage

with the request, described thus in a letter the result of the examiDation : — " As you coDJectured, the little structure is a grave, I removed the flag a few days since, and dug down three feet deep. On removing the flag, just on the surface I found a number of bones very large. Having removed some of the earth I found more bones laid on stones. Under the stones there seemed to be a vacuum, as I could have put the bar of iron a foot beneath the stones without interruption. On removing them, however, I found more earth, and again more stones with a number of human bones. I have kept two small bones that you may see them. They seem to have been there for ages."
Now that the facts in connexion with Toomour are known, it will be admitted, that the spot yields to no other in the county, either in religious or in secular interest. From the religious stand-point we see, first, Saint Patrick and his disciples founding what was probably their first church in the district of Sligo; and, secondly, in the establishment of "Bishop" Lugid, we meet with one of those religious houses which continued and extended, in the sixth century, the great work of St. Patrick ; while the case of St. Kevin, coming all the way from Wicklow to Toomour, illustrates for us a practice, not uncommon in these days, of fervent souls travelling to distant monasteries and distant religious teachers in quest of greater perfection.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 114

Father Gearty builds Ballinagar church

Ballinagar · town · Offaly · 1837–1872

Father George Gearty built the fine Gothic church of Ballinagar despite parishioners' opposition to the ambitious design. When a deputation tried to halt the work, he ducked the two ringleaders in a nearby river, ending the resistance.

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undertaking, and tried to get him to put up one of the oldfashioned, barn-like chapels, common in the country, instead of the Gothic structure he designed. Even after the foundation was laid, and the work was in progress, they did what they could to make him desist, so that a large deputation, led on by two intermeddling, worthless, busybodies, who were at the bottom of all the mischief, waited on him, while superintending the work, as was his wont, to remonstrate with him on the undertaking. Having reasoned quietly with these people, and having failed to make any impression on them, owing chiefly to the clap-trap of the two leaders referred to, Father George stepped over to the pair and, putting one of them under each arm, dropped both into a little river that flowed hard by. The crowd enjoyed the proceeding, and the two spouters were so sobered by their ducking, that they gave no further trouble, nor did any one else.
Father George died in 1872, and is buried in Ballinagar Church, where Canon Cahill has erected over his remains a handsome limestone monument, with the inscription : —

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 175

The history of Sligo : town and county

The stories, best first

Battle of the Curlews 1497 — Cathach captured

Book of Ballymote compiled in Ballymote castle, 1391

Murder of George Bingham at Sligo Castle

Book of Ballymote purchased for 140 milch cows

Plundering of Rathmullan monastery by George Bingham

Battle of Cooldruman (Cul Dreimhne)

Clifford's body sent to Holy Trinity monastery, Lough Key

Death of Brian MacDonogh at Manorhamilton bridge

Massacre of Scots at Ardnaree by Sir Richard Bingham

Murder of Catherine Conaghan at Sligo Abbey

Oaken figure of St. Molaise in Tempul Molaise

Rath-ard-creeve castle destroyed by O'Connor and O'Donnell in 1265

Spanish Armada shipwrecks on the Sligo coast

Sweeny execution at Albert Street gaol — rope snapped

Taaffe and Bridgham duel, trial, and public flogging at Ballymote

Teige Dal O'Higgin killed by O'Haras near Tubbercurry

Clifford's head brought to Collooney Castle

Burning of Athlone by Scots and kerns (1572)

Clifford's march through Boyle before the Curlews battle

Death of Brian MacDonogh at Manorhamilton bridge

Duel on Camphill bleach green: Somers and Captain Fawcet

Hillas–Fenton duel at Kilmacowen

Murder at a wake in Carrickbanagher

O'Daly slays tribute collector in Carbury and flees

Plundering of Tory Island church dedicated to St Columba

Rescue of an abducted girl from the Green House in Sligo

Ulick Burke repels Bingham's 'Sow' attack on Sligo Castle

Battle of the Curlews, 1599

Cooper Hill mansion and its cyclopean masonry

Inishmurray island, its landscape and inhabitants

Jemmy Taaffe's drunken pilgrimages to Jack's grave at Emlaghfad

O'Donnell marches on Dublin to compel O'Daly's banishment

Parson Scott's Gretna Green of Lower Connaught

Perjury confession in Ballymote chapel

Siege of Templehouse Castle, 1641

Ardnaree name and the murderers of Bishop Cellach

Ballysadare Bucks destroy Bryan Drum's house and kill him

Bucks' cruel pranks on Sligo streets and bridge

Clifford's army reaches Boyle before Curlews crossing

Costello's Tory band rejects a common robber near Ballymote

Deathbed story of Jack Taaffe's friend near Ballymote

Fenton murder trial at Sligo Crown Court

Hangings at ash trees in Sligo town, 1641

Irish Parliament members debated the Union at Annaghmore arcade

Lady Gore's daredevil coach ride at Derk, Knocklane

Lightning strikes Sligo Gothic church during Mass

Rack-renting landlord A.B. on reclaimed bog land in Ballysadare

Sacrilegious killing at Killerry church, 1346

Sir Frederick Hamilton burns Sligo and massacres inhabitants

Stabbing of preacher Mr. Wray on convoy to Ballymote

St. Maneus's curse at the ford near Aghanagh

The Cathach relic described

The horsewhip miracle at Banada chapel

Catholic Mass celebrated in hiding on Sligo mountains

Commonwealth-era Protestant settlers in Sligo and Collooney

Ardnaree Abbey founding dispute and O'Dowda interment

Abduction of Susanna Wynne at Dromod

Castletown as the cradle of the O'Connors Sligo

Exploration of Toomour royal grave by Fr. McDermott

Father Gearty builds Ballinagar church