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

Hostage rescue at Killaraght and escape across Lough Gara

Killaraght · townland · Sligo

The King of Connaught seized hostages from Leyney and imprisoned them in a stronghold. The Chief of Leyney sent forces to liberate them, but the King pursued and surrounded the rescuers at Killaraght, leaving the lake as the only escape. St. Attracta, who lived on the lake's margin, showed them a ford or passage across Lough Gara to safety.

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beloved Leyney. The King of Connaught, in one of the raids common at the time, carried away hostages from this territory, and lodged them in one of his strong places. To rescue them the Chief of Leyney despatched some forces, who broke open the prison and liberated their friends ; but the King of Connaught, assembling suddenly his troops, and coming up with the Leyney men at Killaraght, surrounded them on the land side, so that there was no room for escape except by the lake, which seemed impassable. In this extremity they had recourse to Saint Attracta, who lived on the margin of the lake ; and the saint extricated them from their dangerous situation by opening for them — as some think — a passage through the waters of Lough Gara, like that opened by Moses for the Israelites through the Eed Sea, but, more probably, by pointing out some shallow or ford, with which her local knowledge made her acquainted, and over which they made their way to the northern side of this great sheet of water.*
The writer in Colgan mentions another remarkable transaction in which she was engaged, and which throws light on her times, or rather on the time in which the Life was written. Desiring to outshine contemporary chiefs, Keanfaelaid, the Prince of the territory, engaged in the erection of a sumptuous palace, and ordered his subjects, both lay and religious, to bring in their quota of timber for the work. To this unjust order Attracta demurred, claiming exemption in virtue of the principle of ecclesiastical immunity ; but the savage chief, caring little for immunities or rights, insisted on compliance with his order. There being no alternative the saint repaired to the neighbouring forest in company, the Life says, with St. Nathy, of Achonry, and had the timber felled; but at a time when there were no carts or similar conveyances, it was one thing to cut down the timber, and quite another to remove it from the forest to where it was wanted ; and so formidable did this part of the

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 201

Insurrection of 1641 reaches Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1641–1642

The 1641 insurrection reached Sligo in December, with insurgents capturing the castles. A gaol tragedy marked a foul blot on the movement, though leaders had no hand in it. Sir Frederick Hamilton and Sir Charles Coote subsequently took the town.

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Insurrection of 1641, reaches Sligo in December, I. 148. Insurgents capture the castles, 149. A foul blot on the movement, 150. Conjecture in explanation of the gaol tragedy, 151. Leaders had no hand or part in it, 152. Sir Frederick Hamilton comes on the scene, 153-4. Sir Charles Coote takes the town, 159. The Insurrection opens an epoch of evil, II. 577.
Irwin, Lewis, inventor of the best olio ever tasted, II. 49.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 341

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are moving through ground marked by the insurrection of 1641. In December of that year insurgents captured the castles here. A gaol tragedy left a foul blot on the movement, though the leaders had no hand in it. Sir Frederick Hamilton then came on the scene, and Sir Charles Coote took the town. The insurrection opened what the record calls an epoch of evil.

Kingsfort House: eviction, burning and arson prosecution

Kingsfort · townland · Sligo

Jack Taaffe had lived in Kingsfort House but was evicted from it. The house was subsequently burned down at night, and the gentry prosecuted Taaffe for arson, hoping to rid themselves of him, but the prosecution failed.

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As might be expected, Jack Taaffe was a prime favourite with the people, as *' characters" usually are, but a bete Tioire with some of the gentry, who probably feared him, though they would not acknowledge so much. Kingsfort House, in which he had lived, and out of which he had been evicted, having been burned down at night, the gentry, it is said, had him prosecuted for arson, hoping to rid themselves in this way of so troublesome a neighbour ; but the prosecution failed, and in a way, as will be seen later on, that only increased his popularity.
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.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 96

O'Haras' lands at Castle Carragh confiscated after murder

Aghancarra · townland · Leitrim

After the O'Haras of Castle Carragh were tried and hanged for the murder of poet Teige Dal O'Higgin, their lands in Kilmacteige parish were confiscated and granted to Cornet Thomas Wood at the Restoration.

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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

Palmerston's schools and conflict with priest at Cliffony

Cliffony · town · Sligo

Lord Palmerston established two schools and repaired the parish church at Cliffony, but came into conflict with the local Catholic priest who forbade parishioners from sending children to the schools. Palmerston wrote of being 'at war with my priest' while trying to win the contest from afar as an absentee landlord.

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While tlius earnest in labouring for the material well-being of his tenants, Lord Palmerston was not less zealous in promoting their mental and moral improvement. From the very beginning he had this duty at heart ; and in the first letter he wrote from Clififoney, after examining the estate, he reckons as the " first objects he must set about, to put the parish church in repair, and to make it fit for service, and to establish schools." At this time he seems to have taken no thought about the ministers of the Catholic church, as if they were to count for nothing in his proceedings regarding their flocks ; and even after he opened the schools for his tenantry, he was so clear and decided on this point, that he writes : — *' I have just got two schools on foot, but am at war with my priest, who, as usual, forbids the people to send their children. I know that if I was resident, I should beat him in a moment, and I hope to do so even though an absentee."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 13

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Cliffony in Sligo, a small town with a story from the days of landlord rule. Lord Palmerston took an interest in this estate, and after examining it he set down what he called the "first objects" he must attend to: to put the parish church in repair and make it fit for service, and to establish schools. He seems to have given little thought to the Catholic clergy whose flocks lived here. He got two schools running for his tenantry, but the local priest forbade the people from sending their children. Palmerston wrote that he was "at war with my priest." He believed that if he were resident he would beat him in a moment, and he hoped to do so even as an absentee landlord, trying to win the contest from afar.

Protestant prisoners murdered in Sligo town, 1643

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1643

William Walsh testified that Irish chiefs including Owen O'Rourke, Brian Ballagh O'Rourke, and members of the O'Connor family consulted in Lady Jones's house in Sligo about how to murder approximately thirty-eight British Protestant prisoners held in the Sligo gaol. Walsh claimed he stood behind a door in the next room and overheard their discourse.

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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
86 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 44

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you're in a town where a grim council once met. In 1643, during the Easter period, about 38 British Protestant prisoners were held in the Sligo gaol by consent of O'Connor Sligo, the Irish general in the county. William Walsh testified that for four or five hours before the prisoners were murdered, a gathering of Irish chiefs consulted in Lady Jones's house in Sligo about how the killing should be carried out. Among them were Colonel Owen O'Rourke, Brian Ballagh O'Rourke, Charles and Hugh O'Connor, Teige Buy O'Connor of Clonderara, and Phelim O'Connor. Walsh said he was brought into the house and stood behind a door in the next room, and that was how he overheard their discourse. The same witness also described Luke Taaffe and Brian McDonogh marching toward Manorhamilton with large numbers of armed men to kill and destroy the British Protestants there and despoil them of their goods.

Burial Place of Slain Chiefs at Toomour Old Church

Toomour · townland · Sligo

The chiefs who died in the Battle of Keash were interred in the church of Bishop Luidhigh, now identified as the old church of Toomour. The ruined church still stands in fair preservation in the townland of Toomour, its identity confirmed by its geographical position within a triangle formed by the Curlews, the Hill of Keash, and Bricklieve mountain.

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The exact situation of the interment of the chiefs who lost their lives in the engagement has remained unknown hitherto, though there can hardly be a doubt that it is the churchyard of the old church of Toomour, of which the ruin still stands, in fair preservation, in the townland of Toomour. The extract from the Book of Ballymote informs us that the slain chiefs were interred in the church of " Bishop Luidhigh," so that to identify this church is to identify the burying place of the chiefs who fell in the great battle of Keash.
From the words " Cill Easpaig Luidhigh between Mael-anchinn, Sein Slebhi, and Corsliabh-Seghsa," coupled with the fact that the battle was fought at Keash, it follows that the church lay in the neighbourhood of Keash aad the Curlews. Of the three points given, Corsliabh-Seghsa is certainly the Curlews; and, though the other two points, Sein Slebhi and Mael-an-Chinn, are not known now by these names, there may be little hesitation in affirming that Sein Slebhi, in English, the Old Mountain, is the famous hill of Keash, and that Maelan-chinn is some point or pinnacle of the adjoining Bricklieve mountain — " mael," according to Dr. Joyce, " being applied to hills and promontories " (Names of Places — First series, p. 360). The position of Toomour old church is within the triangle formed by these three points, so that there can hardly be any doubt as to the identity of this spot with Cill Espaig Luidhigh.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 109

Inishmurray island traditions and sacred sites

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo

The inhabitants of Inishmurray held remarkable beliefs about their island: that its earth could banish rats and mice, that water from a well at the north end could calm storms, that turf placed on a flag in a ruined church would spontaneously ignite, and that corpses buried in the wrong sex-specific cemetery would be supernaturally ejected.

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Such being the antecedents of Inismurray, it is no great wonder that the inhabitants should have high notions of their island ; but their credulity, on this head, exceeds all bounds ; for they will tell you that a handful of its earth would banish or destroy all the rats and mice in Ireland ; that the water of a well at the north end of the island, when teemed into the sea in a storm, would calm the waves ; that, in case the fires of the island were extinguished, a bit of turf, laid on a flag in one of the ruined churches, would at once ignite, so as to supply the means of relighting the fires ; that if an urgent case of sickness called for the presence of a priest from the mainland during a tempest, the waves would settle the moment the boat of the messenger touched the water, and would continue settled till the priest had arrived, performed his ministry, and returned home ; and, there being separate cemeteries for men and women, that if a male were buried in the cemetery of the females, or a
48 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 18

Valentine charity school endowment for Castleconor and Kilglass

Castleconor · townland · Laois · 1711–1855

Rev. Thomas Valentine, Vicar of the union of Castleconor and Kilglass from 1711, bequeathed £400 for a Protestant charity school. The sum grew to nearly £2,500, funding schools at Kilglass, Castleconor, and Skurmore, though an 1855 commission revealed inefficient administration.

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Eev. Thomas Valentine, who, after having been Sacrist ia the diocese of Clonfert from 1707, became Yicar of the union of Castleconor and Kilglass in 1711, provided for the endowment of a school in that union by the following words of his •will : " I give and bequeath the sum of £4jOO sterling towards the institution of a Protestant charity school, and for the putting out a few of the Protestant apprentices to trades ; which school I order to be erected within the union of Frankfort."
This sum has increased, in some way not sufB.ciently explained, to £2,495, Os. lOd., now in the hands of the Charitable Bequests Board, and produces a yearly income of £74, 17s. Od.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 228

Miraculous rescue of child from Owenmore rapids at Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

A three-year-old child named Joseph McDonogh fell into the Owenmore at Ballysadare and was swept through gaps, ledges, eddies, and cascades for several hundred yards, nearing the Great Fall before being spotted from the road. A rescuer waded into the surging waters and recovered the apparently lifeless body, which was successfully resuscitated.

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The mention of the rapid reminds one of a singular and thrilling occurrence which happened in it four or five years ago. Joseph McDonogh, a fine child, three years old, standing by himself on the bank of the river, not far from the bridge, dropped into the current unseen by any one, and having been swept along under the water for several hundred yards — through the gaps, over the ledges, round the eddies, down the cascades — was already nearing closely the " Great Fall," when somebody observing, from the road, the bulky object rolling along, and not knowing what to make of it, waded courageously through the surging waters, and found what he thought, at the moment, to be the lifeless body of a child. Carrying it to the bank, efforts were made to restore animation, though all present deemed the endeavour utterly hopeless ; but after a time, signs of life showed themselves, which were soon followed by consciousness, and ultimately, by a perfect recovery, leaving the fine boy nothing the worse, either in mind or body, for the frightful ordeal he had passed through. Being gifted with no common share of wit and humour, he often entertains his juvenile companions with his experiences and enjoyments while among the fishes.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 179

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ballysadare, the Owenmore rapids were the scene of a singular and thrilling rescue. Four or five years ago, a child named Joseph McDonogh, three years old, was standing alone on the bank of the river, not far from the bridge, when he dropped into the current, unseen by anyone. He was swept along under the water for several hundred yards, through the gaps, over the ledges, round the eddies, down the cascades. He was already nearing the Great Fall when someone on the road spotted a bulky object rolling along in the water. Not knowing what to make of it, they waded into the surging waters and found what they took to be the lifeless body of a child. Carrying it to the bank, efforts were made to restore animation, though everyone present thought the attempt hopeless. After a time, signs of life appeared, followed by consciousness, and ultimately a perfect recovery. The boy was nothing the worse, in mind or body, for what he had passed through. Being gifted with wit and humour, he often entertains his young companions with his experiences and enjoyments while among the fishes.

Princes slain at battle of Keash buried at Toomour

Toomore · townland · Mayo

The bodies of princes slain in a major battle between all Connaught and all Ulster were carried to Toomour church and deposited in a single grave, where they have lain together at rest for 917 years. The author doubts any other single grave in Ireland contains so many kings or princes.

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From the secular point of view, we are brought face to face with one of the most momentous battles recorded in the annals of the country — one in which all Connaught was engaged against all Ulster, and in which, **with a countless number of others," the most exalted princes of both provinces were slain. And, what is remarkable at this early period, we find the bodies of the princes, instead of being buried on the battle field, carried religiously to the next cburch, and there deposited in one and the same grave, where, their enmities ended, they have lain together at rest for 917 years. It may be doubted whether any other single grave, containing so many kings or princes, can

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 114

Aenach Tireoilella identified at Cut na Braher near Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 1397

O'Donovan mistakenly placed Aenach Tireoilella at Carn-Oilella near Lough Arrow, but local tradition and documentary evidence identify it with Cut na Braher near Ballysadare, where a great fair was formerly held. The religious of Ballysadare built a cell or church there, whose foundations still remain, shown on the Down Survey map.

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Aenach Tireoilella is certainly the spot now called Cut na Braher, near Ballysadare, but known, less than forty years ago, as The Aenach,* where, according to local tradition, a great fair was formerly held. On this spot the religious of Ballysadare built a cell or church, which is shown on the Down Survey map, and of which the foundations still remain ; and it was from this church the old, and now forgotten, parish of Enach, or Aenach^ of Tirerrill, stretching from Beladrehid to Carrickbanagher, took its name ; the name of the barony (Tirerrill), being added to that of the parish (Aenach), to distinguish it from the aenach of Carbury, now called Hazelwood, and the annagh of Leyney, now represented by Annaghmore, the seat of the O'Hara family. Aenach Tireoilella appears in English official documents as " Enaghe in Tirrerell ; " and we find it under this form in the grant of James I. to Edward Crofton of the possessions of Ballysadare abbey. In the old Survey of 1633, etc., it is given as the parish of " Enagh Tirerrill ; '' thus clearly identifying it with the " Aenach Tireoilella " of the Four Masters, which O'Donovan mistook and misplaced.
This rectification is the more useful, as it leads to the identification of the place called Srath-an-fherain (literally, the Srath of the land, or the great Srath), which the Synod of Rathbreasil fixed as one of the boundaries of the diocese of Killala, and which has not been correctly identified ; for, as we learn from the Four Masters, at the year 1291, that the Aenach Tiroilella and Srath-an-fherain are adjoining districts,! we are warranted in concluding that the latter is the place now called Shramore (the great Shrath), which, in fact, adjoins, on the south, Cut na hraher, or, the ancient Aenach.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 130

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here is the place once called Aenach Tireoilella, now known as Cut na Braher. Less than forty years ago people still called it The Aenach, and local tradition says a great fair was held here. On this spot the religious of Ballysadare built a cell or church. Its foundations still remain, and the Down Survey map shows it. That church gave its name to the old parish of Enach, or Aenach of Tirerrill, which stretched from Beladrehid to Carrickbanagher. The barony name Tirerrill was added to the parish name Aenach to distinguish it from the aenach of Carbury, now called Hazelwood, and the annagh of Leyney, now Annaghmore, the seat of the O'Hara family. O'Donovan mistook and misplaced this spot. He put it at Carn-Oilella near Lough Arrow, but the old records tell a different story. In English official documents it appears as "Enaghe in Tirrerell," and under that form it shows up in the grant of James I to Edward Crofton of the possessions of Ballysadare abbey. The old Survey of 1633 calls it the parish of "Enagh Tirerrill," clearly identifying it with the Aenach Tireoilella of the Four Masters. This correction also helps identify another place. The Synod of Rathbreasil fixed Srath-an-fherain as one of the boundaries of the diocese of Killala, and it had not been correctly identified. But the Four Masters tell us that at 1291, Aenach Tiroilella and Srath-an-fherain were adjoining districts. So Srath-an-fherain is the place now called Shramore, which adjoins Cut na Braher on the south.

Armstrong family tragedy at Ballincar

Ballincar · townland · Sligo · 1848

A mixed marriage between a Catholic McTernan and a Protestant Armstrong ended in tragedy at Ballincar in 1848 after a dispute over the children's religion. Mrs. Armstrong brought her three children to the sea-side in a state of mental distress.

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A Catholic lady, named McTernan, married a Protestant gentleman named Armstrong, under, it is said, an agreement that she should be free to bring up the children in her own religion. The husband made no objection to the arrangement till some time after a third child was born to them, when, either of his own volition or at the instigation of others, he insisted on the little ones being educated Protestants. The urgency of Armstrong threw his wife's mind off its balance ; and all Sligo was shocked, one day, when the news came from Ballincar, that Mrs. Armstrong, going out that morning to the sea-side, and bringing the three children with her, had, after strapping two of them on

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 265

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ballincar, a family tragedy shocked all of Sligo in 1848. A Catholic woman named McTernan had married a Protestant gentleman named Armstrong, reportedly under an agreement that she could raise the children in her own faith. He raised no objection until after their third child was born, when he insisted the little ones be educated as Protestants. The pressure threw his wife's mind off its balance. She went out one morning to the sea-side, bringing the three children with her, and what happened there left the whole county stunned.

Arthur Martin killed in Sligo gaol massacre, 1641

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1641

The Martin family had lived in the town of Sligo since 1641, when their ancestor Arthur Martin perished in the massacre of the gaol. The family's sufferings on this occasion made them generally favoured by the disposers of patronage in Sligo, helping them rise in wealth and station.

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The late Mr. Abraham Martin, who was one of the most remarkable men that Sligo has produced in more recent times, may claim a place here, if not for intellectual culture, for other valuable qualities. With all due deference to Sir Bernard Burke, who states it as certain that the Sligo Martins are English in origin ,t it is perhaps just as likely that the family is Celtic, and that the name is only a modification of Gilmartin, the prefix, in all likelihood, being dropped when the head of the family changed his religion. At all events, there seems to be no decisive evidence to the contrary, while it is certain that the Martins have lived in the town of Sligo since 1641, when their ancestor, Arthur Martin, perished in the massacre of the gaol. Owing very much to their sufferings on this occasion, they have been generally favourites with the disposers of patronage in Sligo ; and partly in virtue of this favour, but still more by their own exertions, they have been always rising in wealth and station.
In 1738, Arthur Martin was created a freeman of the borough ; in 1754 Edward Martin was admitted a burgess ; in 1759 the same Edward Martin was elected provost in succession to William Yernon, while Charles Martin succeeded the same person as Ballast Master; in 1785 John Martin, popularly known as Jack Martin, resigned the office of burgess, in which he was succeeded by Charles Phillips, father of the celebrated Charles ;+ while Abraham Martin, though occupying always only a private station, except when he served as High Sheriff, stood, perhaps, higher socially than any of the family who had preceded him.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 286

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you're in a town where the Martin family has lived since 1641. In that year their ancestor Arthur Martin perished in the massacre of the gaol. The sufferings of the family on that occasion made them favourites with the disposers of patronage in Sligo, and by that favour and their own exertions they rose in wealth and station. The source notes a dispute about their origin. Sir Bernard Burke states as certain that the Sligo Martins are English, but it is perhaps just as likely the family is Celtic, the name a modification of Gilmartin, the prefix dropped when the head of the family changed his religion. In 1738 Arthur Martin was created a freeman of the borough. In 1754 Edward Martin was admitted a burgess. In 1759 the same Edward Martin was elected provost in succession to William Vernon, while Charles Martin succeeded the same person as Ballast Master. In 1785 John Martin, popularly known as Jack Martin, resigned the office of burgess, and was succeeded by Charles Phillips, father of the celebrated Charles. Abraham Martin, though occupying only a private station except when he served as High Sheriff, stood perhaps higher socially than any of the family who had preceded him.

Battle of Cunghill between O'Rorkes and O'Conors, 1083

Cunghill · townland · Sligo · 1083

A famous battle was fought at Cunghill in 1083 between the O'Rorkes and the O'Conors, who were contesting the sovereignty of Connaught. Hugh O'Rorke was defeated and killed, along with several other chiefs, effectively deciding the rivalry in favour of the O'Conors.

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Tubbercurry, lies the townland of Cunghill, which deserves notice as the scene of a famous battle, that came off, according to the Chronicon Scotorum, in 1083, between the O'Rorkes and the O'Conors, who at this time were contending against each other for the sovereignty of Connaught. All our annalists mention this conflict, on which the entry of the Four Masters runs thus : — '' A battle was fought between Rory O'Conor, King of Connaught, and Hugh, the son of Art O'Rorke, Lord of Conmaicne and Breifne, at Conachail, in Corann, where O'Rorke was defeated and killed. There were also slain in this battle of Corann, by Rory, Muireadhach Mac Duibh, chief of Muintir- Eolais, the son of Godfrey Ua Siridein (Sheridan) ; the son of Cusleibhe OTerrall ; and distinguished men of the Conmaichni, both noble and plebeian."
The Annals of Loch Ce,* and the Annals of Boyle,t record the occurrence in much the same words ; but the Chronicon Scotorum, after Tighernach, adds a circumstance, which throws interesting light on the times ; for it informs us, that one of the high ecclesiastics of O'Conor's country took a very prominent part in the encounter, a part similar to that taken by Saint Columba on one side, and Saint Finian on the other, in the famous battle of Cooldroman.J The words of the Chronicon Scotorum are : — " The battle of Conachail, i.e., in Corann, was fought by Rory O'Conor ; and Cormac Ua Cillin, chief viceabbot of the Sil-Muiredhaio[h, havinoj the staff of Ciaran in his hand, stood in front of the battle, whilst it was fought between the Connaughtmen and the Conmaicne ; and the Conmaicne were defeated ; on which occasion, Hugh, son of Art O'Rorke, King of Conmaicne, and Muiredhach Ua Eolais, and Sitric, son of Cusleilhe O'Ferrall, and the son of Godfrey O'Sheridan, and others, were slain. "§ Though Cormac Ua Cillin placed himself

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 62

Brian Oge O'Rorke burns Ballymote town, 1593

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1593

Brian Oge O'Rorke, failing to obtain redress for George Bingham's outrages, marched with a force from Tyrone, Tyrconnel, Fermanagh, and Breffny, and burned the town of Ballymote along with thirteen neighbouring villages under Bingham's care.

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One of Sir Richard Bingham's first acts, on coming to Ireland, in 1584, as Governor of Connaught, was to take the castle of Ballymote, over which he set his brother, George, as constable at the head of seven warders. Bent, like Sir Richard, on the ruin of the old Irish, this George acted towards the O'Rorkes of Breffney in a very high handed manner ; and Brian Oge O'Rorke, failing to obtain other redress, proceeded at the head of a considerable force, collected in Tyrone, Tyrconnel, Fermanagh, and Breffny, to take vengeance for the outrage, and burned the town of Ballymote with thirteen of the neighbouring villages, which were under the care of Bingham. § Between these ravages and others committed by the McDermots, in 1551, 1559, 1561, and 1564, Ballymote and neighbourhood were, in great part, waste towards the close of the 16th century, when the castle was sold by the McDonoghs to Red Hugh O'Donnell, in 1598, for £400 and 300 cows. From 1598 to 1601 O'Donnell possessed, and generally occupied the castle ; and it was from it, in the latter year, he set out on his ill
* Friar Clyn's Annals of Ireland, p. 32, Trisli Archceological Society's edition. From this authority we learn, that Ballymote was called also Clerevoyse — "Quod alio nomine de Clerevoyse dicebatur."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 84

Catholic church built at Carrownacleigha in 1827

Carrownacleigha · townland · Sligo · 1827

After the church of Killoran was taken from Catholics, they worshipped in the mountains and morasses until a small thatched chapel was built in Carrownacleigha on the O'Hara estate around the mid-eighteenth century. In 1827 the existing church was erected on the site of the old chapel, partly funded by parishioners and partly by a £100 donation from Major O'Hara.

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After the church of Killoran was taken from the Catholics, they had to worship, like their co-religionists of other places, in the mountain or the morass. About the middle of the last century they built a small thatched chapel in Carrownacleigha, on the O'Hara estate; and in 1827 the existing church was erected on the site of the old chapel — the cost of erection being defrayed partly by the subscriptions of the parishioners, and partly by a donation of £100, given, with other valuable aid, by the late Major^O'Hara.
The names of recent Protestant incumbents of Killoran and Kilvarnet are Rev. Josiah Hern, instituted in 1772, and the Venerable Archdeacon Verschoyle, instituted in 1818. The actual incumbent is Very Rev. Dean Townsend.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 33

Devastation of Breffny by Bingham's armies

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1584–1586

Sir Richard Bingham swept Breffny, the principality of the O'Rorkes, clear of man and beast by launching two ravaging armies from opposite directions—one from near Longford and one from Sligo—ordered to destroy everything with fire and sword until they met in the heart of the territory.

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his way ; at a Sessions in Sligo, under the presidency of his brother George, he hanged, with several others, two of the O'Harts of Grange ; while he swept Breffny, the principality of the O'Rorkes, clear of man and beast, by letting loose on it two ravaging armies from opposite directions, starting one from near Longford, and the other from Sligo, with orders to proceed till they met in the heart of the territory, and to destroy in their passage everything they encountered with fire and sword.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 153

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is where Sir Richard Bingham launched one of two ravaging armies around 1584. He sent them to sweep Breffny, the principality of the O'Rorkes, clear of man and beast. One army started from near Longford, the other from here, with orders to destroy everything they encountered with fire and sword until they met in the heart of the territory.

Execution of William Oliphant at Templehouse, 1641

near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1641

According to the 1641 deposition of Christian Oliphant, relict of William Oliphant, soldiers under John Crean's command at Templehouse brought forth her husband and several others and executed them. The deponent described being in the lower parlour when the soldiers seized the victims.

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" Christian Oliphant, relict of William Oliphant, clerk, being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists, doth affirm, that John Crean, being of the chief command at Templehouse ; her husband and herself being in the lower parlour, in the presence of the said Crean, were brought forth by the souldiers of the said Crean and the G'Haras unto the place of execution ; notwithstanding this deponent's earnestly pressing the said Crean to delay her and her husband's going out there, until she had spoken with Mr. Crofton and his wife. The said Crean would afford her no answer, but suffered his souldiers to bring them forth, to wit, herself, her husband, Henry Norwell, an elderly man, and one ancient woman, at which time her husband and these were executed."
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

Fatal 1856 flour mill explosion at Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 1856

A fearful explosion occurred at Culbertson's flour mill at Ballysadare in 1856, blowing away the roof, destroying vast stores of flour and wheat, maiming several workmen, and killing nine others either instantly or through lingering death. The shock of the disaster ruined Culbertson's health and contributed to his eventual death.

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It was in the year 1833 Mr. Robert Culbertson erected, on the right bank of the river, the great oatmeal mill which threw everything that preceded it into the shade, and is still at work, though on a greatly reduced scale. Later he put up, on the left bank of the river, the famous flour mill which, though now wholly idle, supplied for several years after its erection all the shopkeepers and bakers of the county, as well as many in the counties of Mayo, Roscommon, and Leitrim. Unfortunately a fearful and fatal explosion occurred here in 1856 which shot away the roof of the structure, destroyed vast stores of flour and wheat, injured much of the machinery, maimed several of the workmen, and either killed on the spot, or inflicted a lingering death, on nine others.
One of the most deplorable results of the calamity was that the shock of the occurrence ruined the health of Mr. Culbertson; for though he lived for some time after, it was noticed that he was constantly sinking, so that when he died, everyone laid his death on the disastrous explosion. And it is due to the memory of this large-hearted and tender-hearted man to state that those who knew him well, the writer of these lines among the number, were aware that it was not so much his own losses and troubles that preyed upon his mind and ruined his health, as the loss of life or limb, that had befallen so many of his neighbours.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 178

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Robert Culbertson built one of the great mills of the county. He put up his oatmeal mill in 1833, on the right bank of the river, and it threw everything that came before it into the shade. Later he built the flour mill on the left bank, and for years it supplied all the shopkeepers and bakers of the county, and many in Mayo, Roscommon and Leitrim too. In 1856 a fearful explosion tore through the flour mill. It shot away the roof, destroyed vast stores of flour and wheat, damaged much of the machinery, maimed several workmen, and killed nine others, some on the spot, some by a lingering death. The shock of it ruined Culbertson's health. He lived for some time after, but he was constantly sinking, and when he died, everyone laid his death to the explosion. The writer of the account knew him well, and says it is due to his memory to state what preyed on his mind. It was not his own losses and troubles that wore him down. It was the loss of life or limb that had befallen so many of his neighbours. Those who knew this large-hearted and tender-hearted man understood that.

Geale robbery and assault at Templehouse — six executed (1818)

near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1818

Elizabeth Geale and her daughter Catherine kept a shop at Templehouse or Rathbane. Six men broke in at night, robbed the shop, and committed personal outrage against Catherine Geale. All six were executed on 6 April 1818.

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Though capital convictions, from their frequency, resulted in making people rather indifferent about them, one or two occurred in those times, which awakened exceptional and sensational interest. Such was the conviction in the Geale case. Elizabeth Geale and her daughter, Catherine, kept a.small softgoods shop at Templehouse or Eathbane, and six men — Antony Morrisroe, Thomas Morrisroe, Terence Cummisky, James Coan, Thomas Coan, and Patrick Dyar — broke into it at night, and took away much of the goods which it contained. Bad as this was, it were well if the transaction ended here, but the wretches, in addition to the robbery, were guilty of personal outrage towards Catherine Geale, and brought thus on themselves the extreme penalty of the law. All six were executed on the 6th of April, IcSlS, and there was hardly a man in the county that pitied them.
Such, too, was the case of Jack Taaffe and his fidus Achates, Jemmy Jordan, of which the particulars are given elsewhere. Poor Jack escaped the gallows by the skin of his teeth.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 264

Geevagh parish priest registration under Penal laws, 1704

near Geevagh · population centre · Sligo · 1704–1713

Denis Dermot, aged sixty, was registered as Parish Priest of Geevagh in 1704 under the Registration Act, with Captain Francis King of Ballindune and Bryan McDonogh of Farnadaragh as his sureties. His successor, Rev. Peter Feighney, later officiated in Sligo town in 1712–13.

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way to reveDge themselves. Though others would locate this palace elsewhere — O'Donovao, in a note, under the year 1560, in his Annals of the Four Masters, and Dr. Joyce, in his Irish Names of Places, First Series, p. 267, placing it on the River Dodder in the County Dublin — Roderick O'Flaherty and Rev. Dr. O'Conor maintain that it stood in the County Sligo, and in the locality under consideration ; for the latter, in the Prolegomena to his Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores, p. lix., writes : — " Arx Conarii I., Bruidne da derga, in agro Sliguntino prope Magh tuiremh (campum turris) non longe a flumine isto (Sligech) sita erat ut patet ex nota marginali in exemplar! Stowense Ogygioe, p. 273." (The fortress of Conaire I., Bruidne da derga, was situated in the County Sligo near Moytura, and not far from the River Sligo, as appears from a marginal note in the Stow copy of the Ogygia, page 273.) The destruction of this castle and the^death of Conaire the First are referred by our writers to the time of the infancy of our Lord. As to the succession of the Parish Priests of Geevagh : Denis Dermot was Parish Priest in 1704, and was sixty years of age at that time. His sureties, under the Registration Act, were Captain Francis King, Ballindune, and Bryan McDonogh, of Farnadaragh.
Father Dermot 's immediate successor was Rev. Peter Feighney, who officiated often in the town of Sligo in 1712-13. See Depositions ; Yol. I, p. 226, etc.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 148

Gentry of Banada join hunt for Gallagher

Banada · townland · Sligo

Neighbouring gentry, including Mr. Jones of Banada, fearing collusion between Gallagher and the Barony constables, volunteered to hunt him down. On one occasion they surrounded a cabin where he lay, but he sprang past them, seized Jones's horse, and escaped.

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Even so late as the earlier years of the present century persons so called were to be found, though they resembled rather common highwaymen than the Tories of the seventeenth century, and could not allege in justification or extenuation of their doings the excuse or apology of these Tories, such as it was. The last of those bands went by the name of "Gallagher's Gang," haunted the Gap in the parish of Kilmacteige, and levied contributions on both sides of the Ox Mountains. Travellers by the Gap took care in consequence to prepare for the journey by arming to the teeth, and by beating up as many companions of the road as they could. Still robberies were frequent both on the highway and all round, so that tlie name of Gallagher carried terror far and near. The authorities made many efforts to capture the brigand, but in vain ; for he was so well served by his accomplices and sympathisers, and was so full of resources himself, that he easily baffled pursuit. The neighbouring gentry, including Mr. Jones of Banada, fearing there was collusion between him and the Barony constables, volunteered themselves to join in hunting him down; but though they got so near him on one occasion that they formed themselves into a cordon close round the house in which he lay in bed, still he, on learning his danger, sprang through the door of the cabin, and bounded past the gentlemen with such agility and dash, that he was already beyond their reach, and
476 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 259

Hugh O'Conor burned Killaloe, 1059

Killaloe · town · Clare · 1059

In 1059, Hugh O'Conor, King of Connaught, invaded Munster, the territory of the O'Briens, and burned their town of Killaloe. This was cited as an example of 'forcible refexion,' aimed at showing contempt and humiliating a rival.

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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

Kilmoremoy parish on the right bank of the Moy

Ardnaree or Shanaghy · townland · Mayo

The portion of Kilmoremoy parish stretching over the right bank of the Moy covers 7,992 acres with 3,806 inhabitants, comprising Belleek Abbey, Belleek Castle, the villages of Bunree and Crocketstown, and the Ardnaree division of Ballina township including the cathedral.

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portion of it whicli stretches over the right bank of the Moy. This district covers an area of 7,992 acres, contains a population of 3,806 persons, and comprises the handsome residences of Belleek Abbey and Belleek Castle, the neat villages of Bunree and Crocketstown, as well as the whole of the Ardnaree division of the Ballina township, including the fine cathedral of the diocese.
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."]:

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 228

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ardnaree or Shanaghy, you are in the portion of Kilmoremoy parish that stretches over the right bank of the Moy. This district covers 7,992 acres and holds 3,806 people. It takes in the handsome residences of Belleek Abbey and Belleek Castle, the neat villages of Bunree and Crocketstown, and the whole of the Ardnaree division of the Ballina township, including the fine cathedral of the diocese. Ardnaree, according to O'Donovan and Dr Joyce, signifies 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 the manner in which 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.

Locating the Battlefield of Keash at the Tryne of Cloncagh

Toomour · townland · Sligo · 1611

An inquisition held at Ballymote in 1611 identified a tract of land called the Tryne of Cloncagh, lying between Toomour and the crest of Bricklieve, as the exact scene of the Battle of Keash. The surrounding topography, fenced by the Hill of Keash and Bricklieve mountain, made escape difficult and accounted for the battle's exceptional slaughter.

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Battle of Keash, without supplying any further indications of the precise locality ; but, as we learn from an inquisition sped atBallymote, on 22nd May, 1611, before Nicholas Brady, that a denomination of land, then called the Tryne of Cloncagh, that is, the Tryne of the Battle-field, lay between Toomour and the crest of Bricklieve, we are sufficiently warranted in pitching upon this place as the exact scene of the conflict. This spot being fenced, on the west, by the Hill of Keash, and, on the north, by Bricklieve mountain, escape or flight, in these directions, was next to impossible, which may account, somewhat, for the exceptional slaughter of the battle.
The exact situation of the interment of the chiefs who lost their lives in the engagement has remained unknown hitherto, though there can hardly be a doubt that it is the churchyard of the old church of Toomour, of which the ruin still stands, in fair preservation, in the townland of Toomour. The extract from the Book of Ballymote informs us that the slain chiefs were interred in the church of " Bishop Luidhigh," so that to identify this church is to identify the burying place of the chiefs who fell in the great battle of Keash.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 109

Lord Taaffe dies at Ballymote Castle

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1641–1643

John Crean deposed that during the time he was alleged to have been committing crimes at Templehouse, he was instead visiting his relative Lord Taaffe, who lay dangerously ill in the castle of Ballymote and died shortly after. This alibi placed Crean away from Templehouse during the alleged outrages.

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They calculated amiss ; for managing to survive the terrible times that passed between 1641 and 1653, his first care, in the lull which ensued in the latter year, was to confront his enemies, and clear himself of their charges. His deposition was made before Eichard Coote (afterwards Lord Collooney), and Captain Kobert Parke, on the 14th of May, 1653 ; and from it he shows that he " protected Mr. Crofton and his wife, with all the English, from the enraged soldiers and countrymen who were furiously acting their pleasures about the house ; " that he " kneio nothing of the murder of Mr, Oliphant, and the attendant strippings, nor did he hear that Mr. Oliphant was executed till after the same luas done by persons over whom he had no poiver;'* and that during the time he was said to be engaged in committing, in Templehouse, some of the crimes alleged against him, he was not in Templehouse at all, being
HISTORY OF SLIGO. 87

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror

MacCostello's attack on Buninadden and pursuit to Rooskey

near Bunnanaddan · population centre · Sligo · 1545

In 1545 MacCostello attacked Buninadden as O'Connor Sligo's possession, but O'Connor and the MacSweenys relieved it, pursued MacCostello, and slew him and his son at Rooskey, a bleak and shelterless spot whose name means 'the rough pasture of the wind.'

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Like the rest of Sligo, Buninadden belonged in the past to O'Connor Sligo, and in 1545 * we find MacCostello attacking it as his possession, but O'Connor and the MacSweenys hastened to its relief; and as MacCostello retreated on their approach, they pursued him, and coming up with him they slew himself and his son, and put his party to flight at Rooskey, or Euscaidhna-gaitJie, " the rough pasture of the wind," the well known spot so-called from its bleak and shelterless situation. While the O'Connors were the lords paramount, the MacDonoghs of Corran occupied the castle ; and the Annals of Loch Ce, under the year 1564, state that Brian MacDermot, in the month of March of that year, " went against MacDonough of the Corann to Bun-an-fedhain, and the place was burned to the door by him ; and he brought two hundred cows out of it, and committed homicides there." In 1581 several Scotch mercenaries were slain in and around Buninadden, under the strange eircumstances which have been already described.
* Annals of Loch Ce, 1545.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 100

March toward Manorhamilton to destroy Protestants, 1643

Manorhamilton · town · Leitrim · 1643

William Walsh deposed that Luke Taaffe, Brian McDonogh, and other captains, accompanied by great numbers of armed men, marched toward Manorhamilton at Easter 1643 with the purpose of killing and destroying the British Protestants there and despoiling them of their goods and chattels.

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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
86 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 44

Massacres at Island Magee and neighbouring towns

near Island Magee · parish · Antrim · 1641

According to Colonel Henry O'Neill, Scots in the north began massacres at Island Magee, Ballydavey, Clonleek, Cumber, Gallagh, and Magheravorn, destroying 500 people without regard to age or sex, before any retaliation by Irish Catholics.

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This massacre is said to have occasioned the outrages, of which the Irish were guilty. "Soon after this," writes Colonel Henry O'Neill, "the Scotts, in the North, began their bloody massacres in the counties of Downe and Antrim, at Island Magee, Ballydavey, Clonleek, Cumber, Gallagh, and Magheravorn, 500 poor souls destroyed without regard to age or sex, and that before one drop of blood was spilt by any Roman Catholick ; though, afterwards when these unparalleled murthers were known, some of the loosest of the Irish rabble, being exasperated thereat, did, by ivay of retaliation, muither some British at Portadown, Clancant, Curbridge, and Belturbet."— Gilbert's History of Affairs in Ireland, 1641, 1652 ; Part III., p. 197.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 10

Mr. Martin of Galway confronts the Bucks at the Green House

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1800–1810

A stranger who demanded grouse at the Green House inn in Sligo was insulted by the Bucks, who sent him a watch to ask the time. The stranger sent in his card, revealing himself as the noted fire-eater Mr. Martin of Galway, and demanded satisfaction for the insult.

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The stranger took the rude joke very quietly, put the watch in his pocket, and sent in his card as his receipt for the watch and his reply to the message. The card troubled them almost as much as a bomb could if it fell in their midst, for it bore the name of the most noted fire-eater in the province, a Mr. Martin of Galway. Having finished his dinner, Mr. Martin stepped in among the Bucks, and asked for the owner of the watch ; and when no one claimed the object, he handed it to the waiter with directions to keep it as a present from him. He next insisted on the Bucks choosing one of their party to give him " satisfaction " for the insult they had offered. Taere beinj no other way of adjusting the matter,'' they cast lots to decide which of them should give the desired satisfaction, when the

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 267

As the companion tells it

Sligo town has a story from the early 1800s about the Green House inn. A stranger there asked for grouse, and the Bucks, a group who frequented the place, insulted him by sending him a watch and asking him the time. He took the joke quietly, put the watch in his pocket, and sent in his card. That card troubled them almost as much as a bomb could, for it bore the name of Mr. Martin of Galway, the most noted fire-eater in the province. He finished his dinner, stepped in among the Bucks, and asked for the owner of the watch. When no one claimed it, he told the waiter to keep it as a present. He then insisted the Bucks choose one of their party to give him satisfaction for the insult. With no other way of adjusting the matter, they cast lots to decide which of them should face him.

Mrs. Motherwell ruins James Henry of Templevanny

Templevanny · townland · Sligo

Mrs. Motherwell of Ballymote robbed James Henry of Templevanny, a leading grazier of the county, of his flocks and herds, and sent him begging shoeless and stockingless from door to door because he had recourse to the law in self-defence.

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In the execution of her various offices she would brook no opposition or contradiction, as instances innumerable attest, of which, by way of specimen, may be mentioned that of James O'Hara, of Cultibar, whom she drove from house and home into the workhouse for taking legal defence against her proceedings; and of James Henry of Templevanny, a leading grazier of the county, whom, after robbing him of his flocks and herds, she sent begging shoeless and stockingless from door to door, because he too, in self defence, had recourse to the law. In working out her will she flinched from no one, and had more than one encounter with another remarkable inhabitant of Ballymote, Major Bridgham, whose temper, like her own, was despotic, and whose position as agent of the Ballymote estate rendered him a formidable antagonist, more especially to a tenant of the estate.*
* There was hardly a more influential man in the county in his day than Major Bridgeham, as will sufficiently appear from the following addresses and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 93

Nial Garve killed at Moygara Castle

Moygara Castle · castle · Sligo · 1538

In 1538, Manus O'Donnell captured the castle of Moygara on his return home after taking Sligo castle and ravaging Moylurg. During the approach, a shot from inside the fortress killed his son Nial Garve.

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square, though not, perhaps, as solidly built as the neighbouring castle of Ballymote. The remains are still in fair preservation, and show six square battlemented towers, one at each angle of the square, with one in the centre of the west wall, twenty-five feet square, and forty feet high, and another in the centre of the east. The curtains, which are recessed eleven feet from the face of the towers, stand fifteen feet high, and four thick, and are loopholed all through for the use of fire-arms. It was, no doubt, through one of those opens the shot was fired which killed Nial Garve, the son of Manus O'Donnell, in 1538. Having taken the castle of Sligo, and ravaged Moylurg Manus took the castle of Moygara as he was returning home, but the capture cost him dear, for, as his people were approaching the walls of the fortress, a ball from the interior laid his son dead at his feet. The occurrence exasperated his followers, who clamoured for the life of the man that had fired the fatal shot, but Manus, with a generosity quite in keeping with his chivalrous character, took this obnoxious person under his special protection, and saved him from the fate that threatened him.* In 1581 the castle was the scene of a still greater tragedy, for in that year a body of mercenary Scots, in the service and pay of Captain Malby, Governor of Connaught^ burned the building, so that, to use the words of the Annals of Loch Ce, *' Diarmaid Og, son of Cian O'Gara, was put to death there, and Teige, the son of Rory, et alii multi.'f
This fine ruin is not cared as it should be, and is, consequently, crumbling away fast. Portions of the bold central tower of the west wall have been pulled down, obviously for stones to block up the chief entrance, and thus to secure the court-yard for cattle ; and it is little to the credit of people, living on the spot, to find, in piles of rubbish, fragments of elaborately carved stones, which bore the arms and motto of the

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 195

O'Donnell hands Sligo Castle keys to Ulick Burke as governor

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

After securing Sligo Castle, O'Donnell handed its keys back to Ulick Burke, making him governor. Burke had a deep personal interest in the Irish cause due to a desperate deed he had committed, making him well-suited to defend the castle.

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than he sent off messengers with an offer of it to Hugh Roe, who hastened at the head of an army to Sligo to accept and secure the valuable prize. Having received the keys of the place, O'Donnell handed them hack to Ulick, thus constituting him Governor of the castle ; and the office could not be better filled ; for after the desperate deed in which he had been the chief actor, the new governor had a deeper interest than even O'Donnell himself in the success of the Irish cause.
As long as O'Donnell remained at Sligo, the place was a continual scene of joy and exultation. The tragedy of the castle, while paralysing for a time the action of the English, awakened new life and hope among the Irish of the province, so that crowds of them flocked to Sligo to congratulate O'Donnell on the altered aspect of affairs, and to concert with him the plan of future operations. Among those who visited him the Four Masters make special mention of the Burkes of Mayo, the O'Horkes of Breffney, the Mac Dermots of Moylurg, the Mac Donoghs of Tirerrill and Corran, and some of the O'Connors Sligo, but not Sir Donogh, who was then in England, and who, if he had been in Ireland, would hardly have joined the muster. The numbers that came to Sligo on the occasion, or that otherwise notified their adhesion to Hugh Eoe, were so great that, to use the words of the Four Masters, " In the course of one month the greater part of the inhabitants of the district, from the western point of Erris and TJmhall to the Drowes, had unanimously confederated with O'Donnell ; and there were not many castles or fortresses in those places, whether injured or perfect, that were not under his control."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 154

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you're in a town that was a turning point in 1595. Hugh Roe O'Donnell arrived here at the head of an army to secure the castle, and having received its keys, he handed them straight back to Ulick Burke, making him governor. Burke was the right man for the job. He had a desperate deed behind him that gave him a deeper interest in the Irish cause than even O'Donnell himself. While O'Donnell stayed, the town was full of joy and exultation. The taking of the castle paralysed the English for a time and woke new hope among the Irish of the province. Crowds came to Sligo to congratulate O'Donnell and plan what came next. The Four Masters named the Burkes of Mayo, the O'Horkes of Breffney, the MacDermots of Moylurg, the MacDonoghs of Tirerrill and Corran, and some of the O'Connors Sligo among the visitors. Sir Donogh O'Connor was in England and would hardly have joined anyway. In the words of the Four Masters, within one month the greater part of the inhabitants from Erris and Umhall to the Drowes had confederated with O'Donnell, and there were not many castles or fortresses in those parts that were not under his control.

O'Hely family of Ballyhely (Hollybrook)

Hollybrook · street · Dublin · 1309–1641

The O'Hely family possessed the Curlews, Ballinafad, and the district along the western shore of Lough Arrow, with their chief residence at Ballyhely, now the demesne of Hollybrook. They were styled 'princely brughaidhs' by the Four Masters and engaged in conflicts with the MacDermots in 1344 and the O'Rorkes in 1389.

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Muinter Healy — the Hely or O'Hely family — possessed formerly the Curlews, Ballinafad, and the district lying along the western shore of Lough Arrow, their chief residence being in the present demesne of Hollybrook, which was then called Ballyhely. Though not reputed " chiefs " of Tirerrill, they held high rank in the territory, being styled by the Four Masters, " princely brughaidhs,"* so that they found themselves strong enough to engage in conflict with the MacDermots in 1344,t and with the O'Rorkes in 1389.J They maintained their status down to the 17th century, for we find Dermot O'Hely of Cashel Lough Dergan — Castledargan — serving with the leading gentry of the county as juror at an Exchequer inquisition in 1585, and Carbury O'Hely as proprietor in 1641, under a grant of James I., of Comyn near Sligo, which passed by the Acts of Settlement and Explanation to Anthony Ormsby, in whose family it still remains.
A notable fact in their history is that Diivesa O'Hely, who died in 1328, " daughter of O'Hely," was the wife of Donnell O'Connor Sligo, and mother of the most distinguished and dashing chieftains which that great family ever produced. And it is well to add, that Eight Rev. John Healy, the able, learned, and respected coadjutor bishop of Clonfert, is a scion of the famous muinter Healy of Ballyhely.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 165

As the companion tells it

Along here was the demesne of Hollybrook, once called Ballyhely, the chief residence of the O'Hely family. They held the Curlews, Ballinafad, and the district along the western shore of Lough Arrow. The Four Masters styled them "princely brughaidhs," and though not reckoned chiefs of Tirerrill, they held high rank there — strong enough to fight the MacDermots in 1344 and the O'Rorkes in 1389. They kept their status into the 17th century. Dermot O'Hely of Castledargan served as juror at an Exchequer inquisition in 1585, and Carbury O'Hely was proprietor of Comyn near Sligo in 1641, under a grant of James I. That land later passed to Anthony Ormsby through the Acts of Settlement and Explanation. A notable figure was Diivesa O'Hely, who died in 1328. She was daughter of O'Hely, wife of Donnell O'Connor Sligo, and mother of the most distinguished chieftains that family ever produced. A later scion of the family was Right Reverend John Healy, coadjutor bishop of Clonfert.

O'Rorke positions at Corrigeen Roe for Curlews battle

near Carrigeenroe · population centre · Roscommon · 1599

Brian Oge O'Rorke took up a strategic position near Corrigeen Roe at the east end of the Curlew range, while O'Donnell encamped on the north side of the mountain, to ambush Clifford's approaching army.

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On learning the state of things at Collooney, the Lord Lieutenant Essex, and the Governor of Connaught, Sir Conyers Clifford, made great preparations to raise the siege, as Sir Donogh was then their friend and ally. While collecting an army to proceed by land to Collooney, under [the command of Sir Conyers, they despatched by sea to Sligo troops intended to co-operate with this army. To meet Sir Conyers, O'Donnell and O'Rorke, after stationing parties in and near Sligo to watch the English coming by sea, and leaving, round the castle of Collooney, men enough to carry on the siege, proceeded themselves with the main body of their forces to the Curlews, where O'Donnell encamped near Ballinafad, on the north side of the mountain, while O'Rorke took up position near Corrigeen Roe, at the east end of the range.
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.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

Practical joke on grazier Tom Phibbs at Doonamurray

Doonamurray · townland · Sligo

Captain Ormsby invited his neighbour Tom Phibbs of Doonamurray, an extensive grazier, to dinner at Castledargan. After a night of drinking, Ormsby's men waylaid Phibbs on his way home and stole his purse of guineas from cattle sales. The robbery was staged as a practical joke by Ormsby.

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Captain Ormsby's name having been mentioned, it may be allowed to record a humorous anecdote regarding him, though some people may vote it too trivial for mention in history. The Captain had for neighbour Mr. Tom Phibbs of Doonamurray, who was an extensive grazier, and who, like some others of his class, set an extravagant value on his grass, and would as lief part with a fibre of his muscles as with a blade of it. This gentleman having gone to a fair, and having sold a lot of bullocks, for which he received in payment a purse of guineas, was on his way home, when the Captain met him, and insisted on his calling in to Castledargan and having dinner there. Mr. Phibbs yielded to the friendly pressure, and not only dined, but, in accordance with a habit too common at the time, remained a good part of the night with his hospitable friend, swilling whiskey punch. On the w^ay home half a dozen hangers-on of Castledargan, whom the Captain told off for the practical joke, pounced on poor Phibbs, who was not then in a condition to either resist or recognize his assailants, and took away the purse of guineas.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 244

Priest's horse grazing at Doonamurray as Ormsby's jest

Doonamurray · townland · Sligo

Captain Ormsby suggested Phibbs recover his stolen purse by promising the local priest a month's grass for his horse on Phibbs's land. The purse was returned and the priest's horse was turned out on the best field in Doonamurray, which Ormsby delighted in showing off to visitors as a joke against the grazier.

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The ''robbery" getting bruited next day through the country, Captain Ormsby paid a visit of sympathy to his friend, and suggested confidentially a sure way of recovering the money. It was to engage privately the services of the priest in the case. " Allow me," says the Captain, " to promise him a month's grass for his horse on your land, and the thing is done." Mr. Phibbs consenting to the condition, the purse was soon returned to its owner, and the priest's horse was turned out on the best field in Doonamurray ; and while the animal remained on the farm, Captain Ormsby had no better sport than bringing his friends and acquaintances over to Doonamurray, and showing them the priest's horse eating Tom Phibbs' grass.
Coming back to Education : — Within the last hundred years or so, the Protestant masters of classical schools in Sligo were : — 1st, Eev. James Armstrong, Curate of St. John's parish, to whom Charles Phillips pays a warm tribute in his Emerald Isle ;*

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 245

Saint Molaise's monastery at Aughris and Inismurray

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo

Saint Molaise's monastery of Aughris extended religion through Tireragh. He or his community founded the great establishment of Inismurray on the island of that name, and then carried religion to the parish of Ahamlish on the mainland.

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Saint Molaise's monastery of Aughris was hardly less successful in extending the bounds of religion ; for, after evangelizing in Tireragh the present parishes of Templeboy, Kilmacshalgan, and Dromard, Molaise himself, or some of his community, founded the great establishment of Inismurray in the island of that name, and carried next the truths and ordinances of religion from the island to the parish of Ahamlish on the mainland.
It was the primitive saints and the religious houses, which they founded, that accomplished these results, but the work was taken up later by the new orders which established themselves in the neighbourhood: the Cistercians of Boyle, the Premonstratensians of Trinity Island, in Lough Ce, and the Canons Eegular of Inchmacnerin, in the same lake. These religious, where they got footing, diffused or revived religion by establishing chapelries, and, in some instances, as at Knocknarea, nunneries, or, as at Kilh'oss, structures which were at once monasteries of men and parish churches. In requital for the services they rendered, landed possessions were bestowed upon them. The abbey of Boyle received in Corran two hundred and sixty acres, lying in the parish of Emlaghfad, as well as the trine of Cloncagh, in the parish of Toomour ; in Carbury two hundred and sixty acres, in the parish of Kilmacowen, and seventy in that of Ahamlish ; and in Tireragh, two hundred and twenty acres in Grangemore and Grangebeg, in the parish of Templeboy. These lands were all called Granges.*

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 231

Sir Frederick Hamilton burns Sligo town and inhabitants

Sligo · town · Sligo

Sir Frederick Hamilton burned the town of Sligo and its inhabitants, after which Sir Charles Coote took the place. The Archbishop of Tuam, Malachy Queely, attempted to recover the town but was defeated and slain.

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Sligo, Town of, comparatively modern, I. 39. Proofs and illustrations, 40. Battle of Sligo, 42-46. Fearsats or Strand passes, 47. Maurice Fitzgerald, the true founder of, 68. Builds the castle of, 69-70. And the abbey, 75, 76, 77. Sligo a garrison rather than a town under the Fitzgeralds, 80, 81. Sligo under the O'Connors, 82-145. Cathal Oge dies of the Black Death in Sligo, 97, 98. The town vastly improved, 102. Its buildings of wood and stone splendid, 103. The English play again an important part in the town, IIG. Proceedings of the insurgents of 1641 in the town, 149. The town and its inhabitants burned by Sir Frederick Hamilton, 153.
Sir Charles Coote takes the place, 160. The Archbishop of Tuam, Malachy Qiieely, tries to recover the town, but is defeated and slain, 163. Generals Preston and Owen Roe O'Neil decline attempting recovery of Sligo, 170, 171. Surrendered to the Parliamentary forces, 176. The Cromwellians erect a new fort, 188. End of the O'Connor regime, 204. Sarsfield takes the town, 216. Lord Granard recovers it for the Williamites, 220. Treatment of Sligo Catholics, 220- 240. The Abbey, 241-297. The Church of St. John, 298-318. The Borough of Sligo, 318-347. The Harbour, Quays, and Fishery, 348- 360. The Cholera of 1832, 379. Streets and buildings, 383-416. Rev. John Wesley on Sligo people, 494. Charles Phillips, 511. Sligo newsjmpers, 541, 542, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 348

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are moving through a town with a long and violent history. Sligo was comparatively modern in its origins. Maurice Fitzgerald was its true founder, building the castle and the abbey. Under the Fitzgeralds it was more a garrison than a town. The O'Connors held it later, and under them the town was vastly improved, with buildings of wood and stone described as splendid. Cathal Oge O'Connor died here of the Black Death. In the rising of 1641, insurgents were active in the town. Then Sir Frederick Hamilton burned Sligo and its inhabitants. After that, Sir Charles Coote took the place. The Archbishop of Tuam, Malachy Queely, tried to recover the town, but he was defeated and slain. Generals Preston and Owen Roe O'Neil both declined to attempt any recovery of Sligo. The town was eventually surrendered to the Parliamentary forces, and the Cromwellians erected a new fort. Later Sarsfield took the town, and Lord Granard recovered it for the Williamites.

St. Attracta's Well pilgrimage at Kilmacteige

Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo

St. Attracta's Well near Glenavoagh was one of the most famous wells in the country. Crowds flocked from great distances for the saint's day on August 11th, remaining for days engaged in devotional practices. Emigrants from Kilmacteige in America still sent remittances home to help young people celebrate the Patron's day.

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While there is now no trace of this church, either in Glenavoagh or in the traditions of the people, the folk lore of the parish is full of the miracle, in memory of which the church was erected. The miracle, or alleged miracle, consisted in the destruction of a monster, which ravaged the neighbourhood, and filled the minds of the inhabitants with terror, young and old pointing out to this day, near Attracta's Well, the haunts of the monster, which they know by the name of Lug oia 2^cciste, the Hollow of the Beast. The church, most probably, stood near the saint's well, which, from time immemorial, has been one of the most famous wells of the country. Even now considerable numbers assemble at the well on the 11th August, the Saint's day ; but in the past crowds flocked from all quarters, and from great distances to it, and remained round it, not only for the festival day, but, in many cases, for the day before and the day after as well, engaged for most of the time in practices of devotion. Things, it is said, usually passed with great decorum on these occasions, the people religiously avoiding all excesses, while counting the festival one of joy ; and so dear is this saint's day to the parishioners, even now, that emigrants from Kilmacteige, not unfrequently, send remittances from America to young folks at home, to make things pleasant for them on the Patron's day.
Kilmacteige, it appears, was famous for its Holy Wells. Within a few yards of Tubber Araght, there is a well called St. Barbara's Well, which is supposed to have got the name from some companion of Attracta's.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 80

St. Finian founds a religious house at Achonry

Achonry · townland · Sligo · 530–552

St. Finian of Clonard is believed to have established a religious house at Achonry around 530, placing the priest Nathy in charge. The local king, Wolfhead of the Lugnians, initially sought to expel them but was converted after Finian miraculously split a rock with the sign of the cross, and then granted the land.

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The evidence derived from St. Finian's life, in proof of the erection, in the sixth century, of a bishop's see at Achonry, is far from conclusive. Giving it its full value, it seems to show no more, than that the saint established a religious house in the place, and set Nathy over the establishment ; and as Nathy, in the paragraph which contains the account of the foundation, is twice called *' priest " or " presbyter," it would look as if he was only a priest at the time the church was founded. No doubt he may have become a bishop later on ; and the cuUus of confessor-pontiff, with which he is honoured by the Church, as well as the title of " antistes Achadensis " — prelate of Achonry — given to him in the life of St. Fechin, incline one to think so ; but these proofs are not decisive, so that it is doubtful, after all, whether the holy man was ever a bishop.*
* The paragraph, in St. Finian's life, that refers to Achonry, runs thus : — " Posthsec perrexit homo Dei ad quemdam locum ubi homo Dei Nathi nomine, officio presbyter, manebat. In eodem loco apparuit ei Angelus Domini et dixit ei. Ubicumque homo Dei de familia dixerit ; amsenus est locus ad habitandum, ibi fundabis ecclesiam. In eodem autem loco ad quem perrexerunt, venit ad eos rex terrse illius scilicet Lugnensium, cui nomen erat Caput lupi, qui ferali intentione virum Dei de finibus suis cupiebat expellere. Volens vero vir Dei hominem in malitia induratum, per signorum evidentiam ad fidem inflectere, quandam rupem magnam signo crucis consignavit, et statim in tres partes devisa est. Hoc signum admirans rex crudelis, de lupo factus est agnus, genua^

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 47

Teige Oge O'Higgins imprisoned O'Clery at Sligo

Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo · 1628–1633

The Survey of 1633 recorded that Teige Oge O'Higgins kept one Dwaltogh O'Clery in gaol at Sligo for five years to prevent him suing for lands at Cloonbarry in the parish of Kilmacteige, which O'Clery ought to inherit of right.

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family do not seem to have been over scrupulous as to the means by which they held on to the possessions which they had got hold of; for, we are told, in the Survey of 1633, etc., where it treats of Kilcollummuinterclery and Cloonbarry, in the parish of Kilmacteige, that " Teige Oge O'Higgins, Esq., keeps one Dwaltogh O'Clery in gaole at Sligo these 5 years paste, who ought to inherit the said Clunbary of right, for feare to sue him for the said lande."
At the Restoration most of Curry district was granted to Lord Collooney, who received five or six thousand statute acres, including Doughorne, and to Jeremy Jones. Lord Collooney's portion is now owned by Colonel Cooper, whose ancestor bought it in 1727, from the Cootes; and Jeremy Jones* share is in the hands of the Knox family.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 71

Drifting sand devastation at Knocklane

Knocklane · hill or hills · Sligo

Frank Barber told the Devon Commission that 2,000 acres in the Knocklane district were covered by drifting sand, 700 of them within his own lifetime. The suffering was severe: many abandoned their homes, and those who remained had to enter and exit through the roof as doors and windows were blocked.

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castle is built upon it." Later, the Gores occupied it before they went to reside at Lissadell. The Survey notices thus the neighbouring townland of Dunfore, " A kind of ould building is upon it." Dunfore appears to signify the dun or fortress of the fountain, or spring, in allusion, no doubt, to some well of exceptionally good water in the neighbourhood. Mr. Frank Barber, in his evidence before the Devon Commissiou, stated, that at that date, 2,000 acres of land in the district of Knocklane, was covered with the drifting sand, and that 700 of those acres were covered in his own time. The suffering caused by this invasion was great, numbers being obliged to abandon house and home, and some, who held on to their habitations, having to go in and out through the roof, as the doors and windows were blocked up. This formidable evil was stopped by the bent which Lord Palmerston set the example of planting, only for which the whole of Magherow would be converted, by this time, into a Sahara.
As to the succession of Parish Priests in Drum cliff, the first we meet with is Rev. Cormack Feeny, who was ordained in 1697, and held the parish in 1704*, at the registration of the county Sligo " Popish Priests,'' as he still held it in 1711, when depositions respectiiDg these priests were taken by the county magistrates. See Yol. I., page 234.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 20

Rev. Dr. John Leslie's garrison and grant at Ballintogher

Ballintogher · town · Sligo · 1691

Rev. Dr. John Leslie, a bellicose Protestant ecclesiastic of Scotch descent, raised troops and kept garrison at Ballintogher during the Battle of Aughrim, where his son was killed. After the war he was granted 16,077 acres across Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal, with the Sligo lands erected into the manor of Ballintogher.

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With the income of a rich rectory which he held in the diocese of Derry, and the rent of a good estate, he raised a company of foot and a troop of horse, and fought at their head for the Prince of Orange. At the battle of Aughrim, while the father kept garrison at Ballintogher, his son commanded this force, and lost his life in the battle. The Doctor set enormous value on these services and losses, and at the close of the war pressed energetically for compensation and reward. The Government showed themselves as liberal as he was exacting, and decreed him, in the counties of Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal, 16,077 acres " in consideration of his early services in the war of Ireland, his great expense in raising and arming considerable numbers of men, and fighting at the head of them in several engagements." The concluding words of the royal grant are, " The lands in the county of Sligo together with the lands of Drumdeffy are erected into the manor of Ballintogher, with a power to appoint seneschalls ; with a jurisdiction in all actions for debt, trespass, and covenant to the extent of 48s. ; with all privileges in as large and as ample a manner as were enjoyed by Sir William Taaffe by virtue of Letters Patent dated 18th of James the First."
This fighting parson has left no descendants in the county. His daughter, after abduction by Mitcheburne Knox of Sligo, was married to that worthy, but the marriage proved unfortunate, and both died in great poverty.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 174

Ballymote Castle described as massive Norman fortress

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1312–1340

The existing remains of Ballymote Castle reveal a courtyard 150 feet square, walls about ten feet thick, and six flanking towers. Passages ran through the walls giving access to towers and curtains at different heights, and domestic buildings on the northern side housed the principal inmates.

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No description of the original structure has come down to us, but the existing remains, as well as the character of the Red Earl, are proof enough, that the building was at least equal to any other of the period in Ireland. The courtyard, or area within the walls, is one hundred and fifty feet square ; and the walls themselves — which are about ten feet thick, and flanked with six noble towers — look still so massive and solid, notwithstanding the 588 years which have passed over them, as almost to lead one to fancy that they were meant to defy the powers of the heaviest modern ordnance. It is only by examining them minutely, and comparing them with the walls of other castles of the neighbourhood, such as Ballyara, in Leyney ; Moygara, in Coolavin ; and Ballintubber, in Roscommon, that one comes to realise the great superiority of the Red Earl's work. Passages of about three feet wide ran through the centre of the walls all round, and were so constructed, as to give access to the towers and intervening curtains at different heights, to meet the exigencies of attack or defence ; and, as these passages opened in certain places to much more than their normal width, they afforded room to some of the ward to take their meals and sleep ; but this accommodation was supplied to the principal inmates of the castle, in the imposing range of domestic buildings which formed the northern side of the square, and which, judging by the dimensions of the inner side wall that still remains, must have contained several spacious apartments. In the so-called Survey of 1633, this imposing and massive structure is called The Court,
Under the year 1317, the Four Masters state, that the castle of Ath-cliath-an Chorainn was " demolished ;" while the Annals of Loch Ce, in relating the same event, use the phrase, " The castle of Ath-cliath in Chorainn was broken down ;" but both, no doubt, mean that the castle was dismantled, not destroyed ; for a few years later, in 1340, we find it serving as an effective fortress, when Turlough O'Connor, King of Connaught, was

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 84

Bishop O'Hara mortally wounded in a foray

Achonry · townland · Sligo · 1396

Bishop O'Hara of Achonry, described as bellicose, likely died from a wound received during a foray in the lawless late 14th century. He accompanied Mac William when his horse was slain under him and he was wounded by John Dexeter, dying shortly after in 1396.

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Bishop O'Haea. — The first entry in the Four Masters, under the year 1396, is "Bishop O'Hara died." Though the bishop's see is not mentioned, Archdeacon Cotton and O'Donovan rightly take it to be Achonry, '* a diocese," says O'Donovan, " which includes all O'Hara's and O'Gara's territories." The conjecture is confirmed by a statement of Mac Firbis, which is given in a Latin note of O'Donovan's Four Masters (sub anno, 139G), and which shows, that this bellicose bishop very probably owed his death to a wound received in one of the forays of that lawless time. "Et Episcopus O'Hara," says Mac Firbis, " Dominum Mac William comitatus a filiis Joannis Dexeter, caeso equo vulneratur." " And Bishop O'Hara, having accompanied Mac William had his horse slain under him, and himself wounded by John Dexeter." (Jordan.) The wound seems to have cost him his life, as he died so soon after receiving it.
* ''On December 15th, 1387, Thomas Arundel, Bishop of Ely, gave leave for the venerable father, brother Simon Dei gratia Achadensis Episcopus, to reconcile the church of Gamlingay, in Cambridgeshire, which had been i)olluted by the effusion of blood."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 52

Bog reclamation on Palmerston estate

Cliffony · town · Sligo · 1826

Lord Palmerston and engineer Mr. Nimmo reclaimed bogland on the Sligo estate by draining, burning the surface, and applying sea sand and clay. By October 1826, thirty acres of previously unwalkable bog were producing potatoes, turnips, and rape, enlarging tenant holdings at sixty acres per year.

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His stretch of bog he treated with the same satisfactoryresults. Associating with himself Mr. Nimmo, the distingushed engineer, they studied on the spot all the conditions of the task, and applied to its execution first-rate skill and unstinted capital. At first they were thinking of constructing an iron railroad six miles long, by which shelly sand could be brought from the beach to the bog, and in return, peat brought down from the bog to the shore ; but on second thought they abandoned this project as less suited to their purpose, and made, instead of the railway, macadamized roads. Such was the vigour with which they proceeded, that, in the October of 1826, the first year of the works, they had thirty acres of the " worst bog and most troublesome to cultivate," producing potatoes, turnips, and rape ; though in the previous March, the land ''was wet unwalkable bog," as Lord Palmerston writes. The modus agendi was, first, " to drain the ground slightly, which was begun in April ; then to dig up the surface, and pile it in heaps, and burn it ; then to level the ground, and form it into ridges, and plant it with potatoes, or sow it with turnips and rape, throwing the ashes on as manure, and adding a topdressing of sea sand and clay." Proceeding with the reclamation at the rate of sixty acres a year, his Lordship soon had it in his power to enlarge the small holdings of his tenants.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 12

As the companion tells it

Up ahead, the road takes you through Cliffony in Sligo. In 1826 this was Lord Palmerston country, and the bogland around here was the site of one of the most ambitious reclamation schemes in the county. Palmerston brought in Mr. Nimmo, the distinguished engineer, and together they studied the ground and committed serious money to it. Their first idea was to build an iron railroad, six miles long, running from the beach to the bog, carrying shelly sand one way and peat the other. They thought better of it and built macadamized roads instead. The method was methodical. First they drained the ground slightly, beginning in April. Then they dug up the surface, piled it in heaps, and burned it. They levelled the ground, formed it into ridges, planted it with potatoes or sowed it with turnips and rape, threw the ashes on as manure, and added a top dressing of sea sand and clay. The results came fast. In March the land, in Palmerston's own words, was wet unwalkable bog. By October 1826, thirty acres of what he called the worst bog and most troublesome to cultivate were producing crops. He pressed on at sixty acres a year, and before long he was able to enlarge the small holdings of his tenants.

Collooney Castle falls to Irish forces

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1595–1598

After learning of an Irish victory, Sir Donogh O'Connor joined O'Donnell and O'Rorke, bringing all under his jurisdiction into the rebellion. Collooney Castle, the only stronghold in the county open to the English, passed into Irish hands, leaving English forces with no adherents between the Curlews and the Erne.

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Oa Sir Donogh O'Connor seeing the head of his friend, and learning from it that the Irish were victorious, he cast in his lot •with O'Donnell and O'Korke, and was followed hy all under his jurisdiction in the district; while Collooney Castle, the only stronghold in the county that was open to the English, passed into the hands of their enemies; so that from the Curlews to the Erne they had not a single adherent either in the field or in garrison;
The fleet that had come to Sligo, under the command of Theobald na Long, with war material and provisions for the Governor's troops, sailed back again to Gal way, while Theobald himself, who was brother-in-law of Sir Donogh O'Connor, hastened to join the party of his relative.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 163

Cooper Hill estate sales and quarrying from Doon Hill

Cooper Hill · man-made feature · Meath

To finance the construction of Cooper Hill mansion, Arthur Brooke Cooper sold portions of his estate: Cloghfin to the Coopers of Markrea, and Teesan and parts of Magherow to the Gethins of Ballindoon. The building stones were quarried on Doon Hill and drawn by sled over six miles, a process taking eight years.

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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.
Even apart from questions of cost, no gentleman would think now of building such a monster mansion. Better taste in art prevails; and architects, instead of drawing their inspiration from Egypt and India, where bigness was everything, recur for models to Greece and Italy where mere massiveness was never counted majesty, nor bulk beauty, and where elegance and commodiousness were always the paramount considerations in regard to domestic architecture.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 135

Dean Donlevy's revenge on backsliding MP John Martin

Sligo · town · Sligo

After John Martin abandoned his Liberal principles, Dean Donlevy brought John Patrick Somers as an opposition candidate at the next election and, using his formidable oratorical skills and parishioners' devotion, defeated Martin and sent him back to private life.

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minded men in Ireland, was not to be befooled in this way with impunity. To punish the backslider he brought down John Patrick Somers as an opposition candidate at the next election, and spared no lawful effort to secure the return of his protege. Being beloved, adored, by his parishioners, who were proud of him for his sterling qualities of both head and heart, and being besides second, perhaps, to no man in all Ireland, as an electioneering orator, he carried everything before him during the canvass, so that the poll sent Mr. John Martin back to private life, and sent him back, not only branded with the stigma of tergiversator, which Dean Donlevy attached to him, but loaded also with the coarse obloquy which Somers and half a dozen congenial confreres, in a hundred speeches, had piled insultingly and mercilessly upon him.
Abraham Martin died in 1853, at the age of 82, and is buried in the graveyard of St. John's church, in the same vault with his father, John Martin, and his grandfather, Abraham Martin. His wife survived him ten years, dying in 1863, at the age of 81. They were married in 1804, as this notice, which appears in the Sligo Journal of December 7th, 1804, tells us : " Married. On the 29th ult., Abraham Martin, Esq., to Miss Alicia Cuff, of Creagh, county Mayo."*

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 287

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Sligo now. This town was the stage for a notable political reckoning in the 19th century. John Martin had been elected as a Liberal, but he abandoned those principles, and Dean Donlevy was not a man to let that pass. To punish the backslider, he brought down John Patrick Somers as an opposition candidate at the next election, and spared no lawful effort to secure his return. Donlevy was beloved by his parishioners, proud of him for the qualities of his head and heart, and he was perhaps second to no man in all Ireland as an electioneering orator. He carried everything before him during the canvass. The poll sent John Martin back to private life, branded with the stigma of tergiversator, as Donlevy called him, and loaded with the coarse obloquy that Somers and half a dozen congenial confreres piled upon him in a hundred speeches, insultingly and mercilessly.

French landing at Killala and County Sligo casualties, 1798

Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

The 1798 French invasion at Killala caused considerable loss of life and property. Many men from County Sligo fell during the campaign, and compensation paid to so-called 'suffering loyalists' amounted to over £3,881.

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The Insurrection of 1641 opened a new epoch of evil on the country. The ten years or so between the beginning of this insurrection, in the last months of 1641, and its close, in 1652, stand out as the most destructive decade through which the country has passed. This seventeenth century, with its monsters of blood and iron, like Sir Frederick Hamilton, and its hypocritical scoundrels of the Titus Oates type, like Jeremiah Jones and Jeremiah Fury, weighed heavier on the county than all the preceding centuries. Sir William Petty, the most clearheaded of political arithmeticians, sets down the loss of life, during the decade mentioned, at the startling figure of 600,000 souls. Though the eighteenth century was more free from wars than any that had preceded, it had its share of the curse in 1798, when the French invasion led to considerable loss of life and property. Competent authorities state that the insurrection of this year was crushed only by an army of 100,000 men, and at an expense of 60,000 lives. A good many men of the county Sligo fell during the campaign started by the French, who landed at Killalla ; and the money paid, under the name of compensation, to so called '" suffering loyalists," alone amounted to £3,881, 5s. 3d., a sum equal to twice that amount at present. — See Appendix.
This epoch, which opened in 1641, and which may be called the Cromwellian Epoch, lasted down to our own time ; the aim of the State, during the period, being to aggrandize the few — the descendants of Cromwell's settlers — at the cost of the many — the mass of the people ; — and the means employed for the accomplishment of this gigantic injustice being, first, the sword, and, after the disuse of the sword, the law, and the tyranny practised under the law, by Cromwellian landlords, magistrates, and country gentlemen. It is strange that all this should result, as it has resulted, in the loss of the petted minions of the State, and the gain of the robbed and persecuted body of the people.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 315

As the companion tells it

You are coming through Killala, the town where the French landed in 1798. The eighteenth century had been more free from wars than any that had preceded it, but it had its share of trouble in that year, when the French invasion led to considerable loss of life and property. Competent authorities state that the insurrection was crushed only by an army of 100,000 men, and at an expense of 60,000 lives. A good many men of County Sligo fell during the campaign. The money paid, under the name of compensation, to so-called "suffering loyalists" alone amounted to £3,881, 5 shillings and 3 pence, a sum equal to twice that amount at present. The book places this in a longer epoch it calls the Cromwellian Epoch, opening in 1641 and lasting down to its own time. The aim of the State during this period, it says, was to aggrandize the few, the descendants of Cromwell's settlers, at the cost of the many, the mass of the people. The means employed were first the sword, and after the disuse of the sword, the law, and the tyranny practised under the law by Cromwellian landlords, magistrates, and country gentlemen. The author finds it strange that all this should result in the loss of the petted minions of the State, and the gain of the robbed and persecuted body of the people.

Lisconny tenancy changes and Jack Phibbs

Lisconny · townland · Sligo · 1590

Lisconny, in the western part of Drumcolumb parish, passed through four or five different grantees from the McDonoghs' attainder in the late sixteenth century to the Cromwellian Settlement. Under the Commonwealth, William Mortimer held it; his descendant John Mortimer sold it to Jack Phibbs, a self-made former day labourer who rose to become one of the county's chief graziers and owner in fee of Lisconny.

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This Mr. Phibbs was a self-made man, having raised himself by industry, thrift, and successful dealing, from the position of a day labourer, to that of one of the chief graziers of the county, as well as the owner in fee of Lisconny. He seems to have been of a somewhat eccentric turn of mind ; for on reaching near the end of his career, nothing troubled him except a desire to have a good wake and a large funeral ; and to secure this, his great desideratum, he ordered, a day or two before his death, all the women about the house to take to the making of oaten bread, and enjoined his executors to afford every man, woman, and child, that attended his wake, or accompanied the funeral to Emlaghfad, plenty of bread and butter, with as much whiskey as they could drink ; carrying his solicitude so far as to require
* Porro illinc digressus, in regionem de Tiroiliolla penetravit, ibique inter siios cognatos et posteros, Olillii filii Eochadii Mugmedonii verbum saliitis dissemiuans : muitos Christo lucrifecit, donatus interea a loci incolis eo fundo qui tunc quidem Druimnamac^ hodie vero Dniim Colum Cille appellatur : ubi extructa ecclesia alumnum suum S. Finbarrium pro rectore, nolem suam vulgo Glassan vocatam pro monumento, et proceram crucem, quam pone sacram oedem ad Australem plagam erexerat pro prsesidio reliquit, prsedicens illam fore deinceps semper celebram, et taradiu bonis successibus usuram, quamdiu memorata crux, et tintinnabulum in ea perseverarent. — Trias Thaum., pa.ges 406-7.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 133

Maurice Fitzgerald founds Sligo town, builds castle and abbey

Sligo · town · Sligo

Maurice Fitzgerald is identified as the true founder of Sligo town, having built both its castle and abbey. Under the Fitzgeralds, Sligo functioned more as a garrison than a town.

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Sligo, Town of, comparatively modern, I. 39. Proofs and illustrations, 40. Battle of Sligo, 42-46. Fearsats or Strand passes, 47. Maurice Fitzgerald, the true founder of, 68. Builds the castle of, 69-70. And the abbey, 75, 76, 77. Sligo a garrison rather than a town under the Fitzgeralds, 80, 81. Sligo under the O'Connors, 82-145. Cathal Oge dies of the Black Death in Sligo, 97, 98. The town vastly improved, 102. Its buildings of wood and stone splendid, 103. The English play again an important part in the town, IIG. Proceedings of the insurgents of 1641 in the town, 149. The town and its inhabitants burned by Sir Frederick Hamilton, 153.
Sir Charles Coote takes the place, 160. The Archbishop of Tuam, Malachy Qiieely, tries to recover the town, but is defeated and slain, 163. Generals Preston and Owen Roe O'Neil decline attempting recovery of Sligo, 170, 171. Surrendered to the Parliamentary forces, 176. The Cromwellians erect a new fort, 188. End of the O'Connor regime, 204. Sarsfield takes the town, 216. Lord Granard recovers it for the Williamites, 220. Treatment of Sligo Catholics, 220- 240. The Abbey, 241-297. The Church of St. John, 298-318. The Borough of Sligo, 318-347. The Harbour, Quays, and Fishery, 348- 360. The Cholera of 1832, 379. Streets and buildings, 383-416. Rev. John Wesley on Sligo people, 494. Charles Phillips, 511. Sligo newsjmpers, 541, 542, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 348

As the companion tells it

You are coming up on Sligo, a town that the records call comparatively modern. Its true founder was Maurice Fitzgerald. He built the castle, and he built the abbey. Under the Fitzgeralds, Sligo was more a garrison than a town. Then came the O'Connors. Cathal Oge died of the Black Death in Sligo. After that the town was vastly improved, its buildings of wood and stone described as splendid. The English played an important part in the town again. In 1641 the insurgents were active in Sligo. Sir Frederick Hamilton burned the town and its inhabitants. Sir Charles Coote took the place. The Archbishop of Tuam, Malachy Queely, tried to recover the town but was defeated and slain. Generals Preston and Owen Roe O'Neil declined to attempt the recovery of Sligo. The town was surrendered to the Parliamentary forces. The Cromwellians erected a new fort. That was the end of the O'Connor regime. Sarsfield took the town. Lord Granard recovered it for the Williamites. What followed was the treatment of Sligo Catholics, recorded across many pages of the source.

O'Donnell marches from Ballymote to Kinsale, 1601

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1601

In 1601, Red Hugh O'Donnell set out from Ballymote Castle on his ill-omened march to the Battle of Kinsale, from which he was destined never to return.

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One of Sir Richard Bingham's first acts, on coming to Ireland, in 1584, as Governor of Connaught, was to take the castle of Ballymote, over which he set his brother, George, as constable at the head of seven warders. Bent, like Sir Richard, on the ruin of the old Irish, this George acted towards the O'Rorkes of Breffney in a very high handed manner ; and Brian Oge O'Rorke, failing to obtain other redress, proceeded at the head of a considerable force, collected in Tyrone, Tyrconnel, Fermanagh, and Breffny, to take vengeance for the outrage, and burned the town of Ballymote with thirteen of the neighbouring villages, which were under the care of Bingham. § Between these ravages and others committed by the McDermots, in 1551, 1559, 1561, and 1564, Ballymote and neighbourhood were, in great part, waste towards the close of the 16th century, when the castle was sold by the McDonoghs to Red Hugh O'Donnell, in 1598, for £400 and 300 cows. From 1598 to 1601 O'Donnell possessed, and generally occupied the castle ; and it was from it, in the latter year, he set out on his ill
* Friar Clyn's Annals of Ireland, p. 32, Trisli Archceological Society's edition. From this authority we learn, that Ballymote was called also Clerevoyse — "Quod alio nomine de Clerevoyse dicebatur."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 84

Priests evicted from Templemore, Páirc na mallaghta

Templemore · town · Tipperary

A local story tells of two priests who rented land at Templemore from the landlord Mr. Dodd and were evicted after the landlord's son reported their mutton was exceptionally sweet. The priests reportedly left a curse on the place, and Dodd's sheep died mysteriously; the field became known as Páirc na mallaghta, the field of the curse.

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It would hardly be right to leave unnoticed a transaction which has formed for a long time the chief subject of gossip in the neighbourhood. The story is, that a couple of priests rented some of the land of Templemore from the landlord Mr. Dodd, and lived on the farm, when the landlord's son, happening to come the way, they entertained him at dinner on a leg of mutton. Upon returning home the young man told his father and mother that he had dined with the priests, and eaten the sweetest mutton he had ever tasted. " And where," it was asked, " did this wonderful mutton come from ?" " From their own farm," replied the son. Whether young Mr. Dodd wished it or not, the information brought ruin on the priests, for his parents forthwith had them evicted, with the view of turning in their own sheep on it, and securing the toothsome mutton for themselves. The covetous couple, however, lost much more than they gained by the selfish proceeding, as the priests, it is said, on quitting, left their curse to the place, with the result, that Dodd's sheep died of some mysterious disease as fast as they came on the land. For this the country people called the

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 137

Proselytizing school on the Green Road near Coolany

Coolaney · town · Sligo

Thady Connellan was placed over a school on the Green Road near Coolany by the Baptist proselytizer Albert Blest. Discipline was so poor that half-burned turves flew about the schoolhouse, and a religious inspector had his jaw nearly broken by one of the missiles.

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Nothwithstanding its many advantages and attractions, the Corkhill seminary failed in a cardinal point — it did not pay. With all his philosophy Thady felt so sore on this head, that, turning his back on his garcons and demoiselles^ he offered his services to Mr. Albert Blest of Coolany, the well-known Baptist proselytizer, who paid his employes well, as he bargained for the soul as well as the body. Blest was just the man for Thady, as he had the patronage of all the Hibernian Society's schools of the country, one of which the Tireragh sage desired to get charge of, while waiting for something better. Accordingly he was set over a school on the Green Road, near Coolany ; but the new teacher, whatever his literary and philosophical abilities might be, must have been a bad or a careless disciplinarian, for it is handed down that half-burned and lighted turves were constantly flying about through the school house, and that, on the occasion of a religious inspection, the inspector had his jaw nearly broken by one of the missiles.
Thady's knowledge of Irish, however, stood him in good stead. At that time proselytizers got it into their heads that they had at last discovered the specific for the conversion of Irishmen, which they had been so long searching for in vain. They came to believe that a few verses of Scripture translated into Irish, and put into people's hands, would work the miracle. Seeing, in the new project, a fine opening for himself as an Irish scholar, Thady promoted it, in every way he could, invented the name of " Elementaries" for the translated Scripture passages, and kept constantly dinning into the ears of Blest and his other patrons that the " Elementaries would do the work" — as his phrase was. After having been employed for some time in preparing and floating the Elementaries, and after developing exceptional ability and zeal in the operation, he was sent to

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 221

Saint Fechin's great church at Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

Saint Fechin, a member of the Achonry monastery, founded the 'great church' of Ballysadare after quitting that establishment, and later founded churches at Billa, Kilnemonogh, Ellasser, Drumrat, and other locations.

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While most of the present county was thus converted to Christianity, considerable tracts still [continued heathen, and the religious houses now took up the missionary work. The monastery of Achonry achieved large results, not only in the immediate neighbourhood, but in distant places, through Saint Fechin, who was a member of that establishment, and who, after quitting it, founded first " the great church " of Ballysadare, II and, later on, the churches of Billa, Kilnemonogh, and
* "Et fundavit ecclesiam juxta fossam Rigbairt." — Book of Armagh. Sir William Betham's Edition, p. xxxii.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 231

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here stands what was called the great church of Ballysadare. Saint Fechin, a member of the monastery of Achonry, founded it after quitting that establishment, during a time when much of the county had turned to Christianity but pockets still held to older beliefs. From here he went on to found churches at Billa, Kilnemonogh, Ellasser, Drumrat, and other places.

Scormore Augustinian convent and papal fishing rights

Scormore · minor feature · Donegal · 1454

An Augustinian convent at Scormore, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was originally built without papal authorization. Pope Nicholas V granted absolution for this irregularity and also authorized the community to fish the Moy and to salt and store fish for sale and their own use.

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At Scormore there was formerly an Augustinian convent, which was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and of which we learn from the Annals of Dudley Firbis the following interesting particulars : First, that it was originally built without the authorization of the Holy See, which was necessary on occasions of new religious foundations ; second, that the heads of the establishment petitioned Pope Nicholas V. for absolution, in regard to this irregular proceeding, as also for leave to fish ; and third, that the Pope granted the desired absolution, and also authorized the community to have a boat, and to fish the Moy, with additional powers to salt and store the fish, as well for sale as for the use of the religious.*
* " Scor-mor sub advocatione Sanctissimce Trinitatis habetur in Registro Vaticano. Bulla Nicolai 5., data Romse pridie Idus Decembris anno 8. Pontiticatua atque adeo 145i, in qua Pontifex narrativam supplicationem prsemisit. Hi erant fratres, frater Eugenius O'Cormyn, et frater Thadaeus MacFerbisii, Eremitise ordinis S. Augustini, qui terram quendam nuncupatam Scormore a

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 227

Wesley's last visit to Sligo finds improved congregation

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1789

On his last visit to Sligo in May 1789, John Wesley travelled from Castlehar and found for the first time a numerous and serious congregation, wondering if a day of visitation was appearing for what he called a desolate place.

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On the occasion of his last visit to Sligo, which occurred on the 20th May, 1789, he makes this entry, which shows him somewhat less dissatisfied than on previous occasions : " We set out from Castlehar between three and four, and in just twelve hours reached Sligo. There I met S. Pennington once more, with her lovely daughter and son-in-law. I never before saw such a congregation in Sligo, so numerous and so serious. Does there yet another day of visitation appear even for this desolate place V'X
About the time that Eev. John Wesley was making some of these entries, Arthur Young, another very observant traveller, visited the county Sligo, and formed much the same estimate of our Cromwellian gentry. Writing at Tanrego iu August, 1776, he tells us : " Upon the sea-shore are immense beds of oyster shells, which are burnt into lime for building and plastering, as they take much less fuel ; these hills received no little increase from all the gentry of the interior country coming to the sea-coast to eat oysters, where, having filled themselves sufficiently in the mornings, they got drunk in the evenings ; this was in the UTicivilized times. Most of the gentlemen of this county were Cromwell's soldiers, and many Welsh families, Jones's, Morgan's, Wynn's, &c."§

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 269

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through Sligo, this is the town John Wesley came to on the 20th of May 1789, his last visit. He had set out from Castlehar between three and four, and in just twelve hours reached the town. There he met S. Pennington once more, with her lovely daughter and her son-in-law. He wrote that he never before saw such a congregation there, so numerous and so serious. In his words, he asked: "Does there yet another day of visitation appear even for this desolate place?" On previous visits he had been dissatisfied, but this time his entry shows him somewhat less so. Around the same period, another traveller, Arthur Young, visited the county and formed much the same estimate of the Cromwellian gentry. Writing at Tanrego in August 1776, he described immense beds of oyster shells on the sea-shore, burnt into lime for building because they took less fuel. He said the gentry of the interior came to the coast to eat oysters in the mornings and got drunk in the evenings. He called those uncivilized times. Most of the gentlemen of the county, he noted, were Cromwell's soldiers, and many were Welsh families.

The history of Sligo : town and county

The stories, best first

Hostage rescue at Killaraght and escape across Lough Gara

Insurrection of 1641 reaches Sligo

Kingsfort House: eviction, burning and arson prosecution

O'Haras' lands at Castle Carragh confiscated after murder

Palmerston's schools and conflict with priest at Cliffony

Protestant prisoners murdered in Sligo town, 1643

Burial Place of Slain Chiefs at Toomour Old Church

Inishmurray island traditions and sacred sites

Valentine charity school endowment for Castleconor and Kilglass

Miraculous rescue of child from Owenmore rapids at Ballysadare

Princes slain at battle of Keash buried at Toomour

Aenach Tireoilella identified at Cut na Braher near Ballysadare

Armstrong family tragedy at Ballincar

Arthur Martin killed in Sligo gaol massacre, 1641

Battle of Cunghill between O'Rorkes and O'Conors, 1083

Brian Oge O'Rorke burns Ballymote town, 1593

Catholic church built at Carrownacleigha in 1827

Devastation of Breffny by Bingham's armies

Execution of William Oliphant at Templehouse, 1641

Fatal 1856 flour mill explosion at Ballysadare

Geale robbery and assault at Templehouse — six executed (1818)

Geevagh parish priest registration under Penal laws, 1704

Gentry of Banada join hunt for Gallagher

Hugh O'Conor burned Killaloe, 1059

Kilmoremoy parish on the right bank of the Moy

Locating the Battlefield of Keash at the Tryne of Cloncagh

Lord Taaffe dies at Ballymote Castle

MacCostello's attack on Buninadden and pursuit to Rooskey

March toward Manorhamilton to destroy Protestants, 1643

Massacres at Island Magee and neighbouring towns

Mr. Martin of Galway confronts the Bucks at the Green House

Mrs. Motherwell ruins James Henry of Templevanny

Nial Garve killed at Moygara Castle

O'Donnell hands Sligo Castle keys to Ulick Burke as governor

O'Hely family of Ballyhely (Hollybrook)

O'Rorke positions at Corrigeen Roe for Curlews battle

Practical joke on grazier Tom Phibbs at Doonamurray

Priest's horse grazing at Doonamurray as Ormsby's jest

Saint Molaise's monastery at Aughris and Inismurray

Sir Frederick Hamilton burns Sligo town and inhabitants

St. Attracta's Well pilgrimage at Kilmacteige

St. Finian founds a religious house at Achonry

Teige Oge O'Higgins imprisoned O'Clery at Sligo

Drifting sand devastation at Knocklane

Rev. Dr. John Leslie's garrison and grant at Ballintogher

Ballymote Castle described as massive Norman fortress

Bishop O'Hara mortally wounded in a foray

Bog reclamation on Palmerston estate

Collooney Castle falls to Irish forces

Cooper Hill estate sales and quarrying from Doon Hill

Dean Donlevy's revenge on backsliding MP John Martin

French landing at Killala and County Sligo casualties, 1798

Lisconny tenancy changes and Jack Phibbs

Maurice Fitzgerald founds Sligo town, builds castle and abbey

O'Donnell marches from Ballymote to Kinsale, 1601

Priests evicted from Templemore, Páirc na mallaghta

Proselytizing school on the Green Road near Coolany

Saint Fechin's great church at Ballysadare

Scormore Augustinian convent and papal fishing rights

Wesley's last visit to Sligo finds improved congregation