The history of Sligo : town and county

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

1. Ardnaree castle built by the English on Castle Hill

   Ardnaree or Shanaghy · townland · Mayo

   The castle of Ardnaree was built by the English and stood on the eminence now known as Castle Hill, overlooking the Moy.

   Read the passage

   The castle of Ardnaree was built by the English,* and stood, no doubt, on the eminence now known as Castle Hill. O'Douovan states,t that Ardnaree abbey wasfounded in 1427, and cites De Burgo's Hihernia Dominicana and ArchdalFs Monasticon Hibernicum as his authorities. As to the Hihernia Dominicana it has not a word at all on Ardnaree ; while Archdall refers to AUemande, who quotes Pere Torelli and Pere Lubin as basing the date on the registers of their order.:]: This looks rather conclusive, but still it will be found hard to reconcile the date of 1427 with this entry of both the Four Masters and the Annals of Lough Ce under the year 1402 : " Murtough, the son of Donough O'Dowda, a man universally distinguished for his nobleness and hospitality, died, and was interred at Ardnarea."

   In the first year of James I. the abbey of Ardnaree was granted to Sir Richard Boyle, in these terms : — " The site and house of the late friary of Ardnary, containing J^» in which is a church, cloister, dormitory, and other buildings ; 1 qr. of land, containing 60 acres with the tithes thereof, now in the Crown and waste."

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 229

   As the companion tells it

   Close to Ardnaree or Shanaghy, the English built a castle that stood on the eminence now known as Castle Hill, overlooking the Moy. The site was also home to a friary, whose founding date is given as 1427 in the registers of the Dominican order, though the Four Masters and the Annals of Lough Cé record that Murtough, son of Donough O'Dowda, a man distinguished for his nobleness and hospitality, died and was interred at Ardnarea in 1402. In the first year of James I, the abbey was granted to Sir Richard Boyle. The grant covered the site and house of the late friary, with its church, cloister, dormitory and other buildings, along with one quarter of land containing 60 acres and the tithes, all then in the Crown and waste.

2. Ballydrehid castle and battles with O'Donnells

   Ballydrehid · townland · Tipperary · 1495

   Ballydrehid was a place of great military strength, containing a castle guarded by woods, escarpments, and an impassable morass, to which the O'Connors Sligo retired for security. It was the scene of many battles, including a seventh-century engagement that gave it the name Drehid Martra (bridge of slaughter), and a major defeat of the Connacians by the O'Donnells in 1495.

   Read the passage

   Ballydrehid was the scene of many battles — some of as sanguinary a character as any that have taken place in the county. One of them was fought in the seventh century, and gave the place the name of Drehid Martra — the bridge of slaughter — an appellation by which it is often spoken of in old writings ; and several formidable engagements took place here between the O'Connors Sligo and the O'Donnells, of one of which the Four Masters say at the year 1495 : — '' The Connacian army left great spoils of horses, arms, and armour to the Kinel-Connell on that occasion ; and from the time that Hugh Eoe, the son of Nial Garv, had gained the battle of Ceideach-droighneach over the Connacians, where many of them were slain, the Kinel-Connell had not given a defeat to the Connacians, which redounded more to their triumph, or by which they obtained more spoils, than this defeat of Bal-an-droichet." The Four Masters give the names of several Sligo chiefs that fell on this occasion.

   Since that time Ballydrehid has undergone changes which have taken from it its formidable character. The castle is gone, and has not left a stone behind, though its site is still

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 181

3. 1181 Battle of the Kings in Carbury

   Carbury · barony · Sligo · 1181

   A famous battle in 1181 between the O'Conors of Connaught and Flaherty O'Muldory, Lord of Tirconnell, was fought in the territory of Carbury and is called Cath Críche Cairbre in the annals. The author argues this is the conflict referenced in the Book of Fenagh's line 'The Battle of the Kings in Cairbre.'

   Read the passage

   Instead of referring to any conflict between the O'Rorkes and O'Donnells, the line must relate to the famous battle between the O'Conors of Connaught and Flaherty O'Muldory, Lord of Tirconnell, in 1181; for, first, this battle is expressly called, in the Four Masters and in all our annals, Cath Crt'che Cairbre^ th1l,t is, the battle of the territory of Carbury; second, it is the most famous of the battles fought in the district, and was the most momentous, so that it deserved to be specially associated with Carbury ; third, those engaged in the contest are styled the " sous of Kings," just as those engaged in the battle of Keash Corran are similarly styled ; and lastly, the author of the Book of Fenagh, in the passage (pages 278-279), is speaking not of the O'llorkes or O'Donnells, but of King Turlough 0' Conor and his descendants.

   t Drawn on the wood by Mr. Wakeman, from a sketch by Mr. Coleman of Ballaghaderrecn,

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 113

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through the barony of Carbury, you are passing the ground where the annals record a famous battle in 1181. The O'Conors of Connaught fought Flaherty O'Muldory, Lord of Tirconnell, and the conflict is called in the annals Cath Críche Cairbre, the battle of the territory of Carbury. It was the most momentous battle fought in the district, and those engaged were styled the sons of kings. The author argues this is the battle meant by the Book of Fenagh's line, the Battle of the Kings in Cairbre, since that passage speaks of King Turlough O'Conor and his descendants rather than the O'Rorkes or O'Donnells.

4. Ballinafad Castle built by Captain St. Barbe

   Ballinafad · townland · Sligo · 1603–1628

   Contrary to claims it was built by the McDonoghs, Ballinafad Castle was in fact built by Captain John Simbarbe (St. Barbe), who received extensive land grants from James I in Roscommon and Sligo. St. Barbe died in 1628 in the castle, of which he was constable, and was buried in the neighbouring graveyard of Aghanagh.

   Read the passage

   The author of the letter-press in Grose's Antiquities of Ireland, who was Dr. Ledwich (the notorious "Lead wig" of Dr. Lanigan), and others after him, state that the castle of Ballinafad was erected by the McDonoghs, but the structure has much too modern a look for that, and, as a matter of fact, it was built by Captain John Simbarbe, or St. Barbe,t who received repeated and extensive grants of land from James I. in Eoscommon and Sligo (including the temporalities and spiritualities of the abbey of BoyleJ), and who, dying in 1628, in the castle, of which he was then constable, was buried in the neighbouring graveyard of Aghanagh.

   In the constableship he was succeeded the same year by Henry Fletcher, who had ten warders under him for the guard of the castle. Ballinafad castle changed masters in the proceedings, which followed upon the Insurrection of 1641, being surrendered in 1642 to the Irish, for, it is said, want of water; and it was in 1652 in the hands of Colonel William TaafFe, who, as was stipulated in the articles for the surrender of Drumrusk to the victorious Cromwellians, was '* with his company to be admitted to the benefit of said articles on the surrender of Ballinafad."§

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 164

5. Ballymote Castle in the Williamite War

   Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1691

   During the Williamite war, Counsellor Terence McDonogh seized Ballymote Castle, and after his departure one of the O'Connors held it. In 1691, Lord Granard dispatched Baldearg O'Donnell with 1,200 men and artillery; O'Connor surrendered, recognising the castle lay in a hollow at the mercy of cannon on adjoining hills.

   Read the passage

   In the contest between James and William the Irish took possession again of the castle, Counsellor Terence McDonogh (not Terence McDermot, as D'Alton says), throwing himself into it at the head of a few men ; and when he left on an expedition to Ulster, one of the O'Connors took his place at Ballymote, and held the castle in 1691, when Lord Granard was marching on the town of Sligo. To secure Ballymote in his rear, Granard detached, from Boyle, the notorious Baldearg O'Donnell with a force of 1,200 men, and several pieces of artillery ; but there was no need of proceeding to extremities, for O'Connor, seeing the impossibility of saving a place lying in a hollow, and completely at the mercy of cannon set on any of the adjoining hills, surrendered the fortress upon conditions of carrying his men, with bag and baggage, to Sligo.

   Among the children of the first Earl of Carlingford, were two sons, Nicholas and Francis, each of whom became, in time, Earl of Carlingford. Nicholas lost his life at the Boyne fighting for James ; and Francis, the next earl, was one of the most famous men of Europe in his day. Born at Ballymote, in 1639 ; receiving his early education at Olmutz, in Germany ; after quitting Olmutz, serving as page to the Emperor of Garmany; tutor for several years to the Duke of Lorrain's eldest son, Prince Leopold; and passing all his after life in war, he displayed, on a score of battlefields, as captain, as colonel, as field-marshal, a mastery of the art of war and an exuberance of natural bravery which were the admiration of friends and foes.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 87

6. Battle of Corann: death of King Loingseach, 701 AD

   Corran · barony · Sligo · 701

   In AD 701, Loingseach, son of Aenghus, who had been eight years sovereign of Ireland, was slain in the battle of Corann by Ceallach of Loch Cime. His three sons and many noblemen were also slain, reportedly over a satirical verse composed by Conall Mean.

   Read the passage

   According to the Four Masters, Dithorba, King of Ireland, was slain in Corran a.m. 4532. The same Annalists record, under the year a.d. 601, " the battle of Corran, wherein were slain Colga, son of Blathmac, and Fearghus, son of Maelduin, chief of Cinel Cairbre ; " and under 701, a battle of still greater proportions, as thus described by the Four Masters; "After Loingseach, son of Aenghus, son of Domhnall, had been eight years in the sovereignty of Ireland, he was slain in the battle of Corann, by Ceallach of Loch Cime (now Lough Hackett),

   * The Irish version of ** The Historia Britonum " of Nennius. Edited, with a Translation and Notes, by James Henthorn Todd, D.D., M.R.I. A., Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. The Introduction and Additional Notes, by the Hon. Algernon Herbert, p. 197.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 82

7. Beranger and Bigari visit Ballymote, 1779

   Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1779

   In 1779 the antiquarians Beranger and Bigari visited Ballymote, described as a small village inhabited mostly by weavers. They drew the castle and abbey, then lodged at Tubbercorry where Colonel Irwin provided them an elegant supper.

   Read the passage

   Messrs. Beranger and Bigari visited Ballymote in their famous Tour, in 1779, and have left on record the following remarks on the place : — " Ballymote, a small village, inhabited mostly by weavers. Drew the castle and abbey, and dined there, and went to lodge for the night at the village of Tubbercorry, in which poor place Mr. Bigari and I were surprised to find an elegant supper served up by the care of Colonel Irwin."

   In a note he adds : — " Here was wrote a large manuscript folio, containing annals of the kingdom, Brehon laws, poems, etc. ; also all the different alphabets of the ancient Ogham used by the Druids ; it was wrote about 300 years ago ; is called * The Book of Ballymote,' and contains a paragraph which says that it belonged to the Mac Donoghes, and had cost 140 milch cows. It is wrote on parchment, each leaf fifteen and a quarter inches high, by ten broad, and contains 250 pages, including a rough drawing with pen and ink on the first leaf, representing a ship (Noah's ark), with four men and four women (Noah's family), one mast and some ropes.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 92

8. Beranger and Bigari visit Inishmurray (1779)

   Inishmurray · townland · Sligo · 1779

   In 1779, the artists Beranger and Bigari visited Inishmurray during their tour of Connaught, and observed antiquities on the island. They also spotted a whale in the waters offshore, and Beranger left a vivid account of their dining on freshly caught seafood.

   Read the passage

   The trip across the sound appears to act as a powerful stimulant to the appetite, judging by the racy record which visitors to Inismurray have left us of their performances on the island in eating and drinking. Omitting the accounts of others, Beranger's reminiscences deserve special mention. Artist and all as he was, " the lobsters and broiled whiting caught before their eyes," on which he and his party breakfasted, made a deeper impression on his susceptible nature than the antiquities and curiosities in which the island abounded. Above all, an " olio," on which they dined, and which he describes with a gusto that savours of the steam of the ragout, left him supremely happy. As the dish is not found in Dr. Lister's ApiciuSf nor in Brillat Savarin's Physiologie du Gout, nor in the Cours Gastronomique ; and as it is not the invention of Oareme or Soyer, but of a county Sligo country gentleman, Lewis Irwin, Esq., of Tanrego, who maintained it to be " the best olio ever tasted," it has a claim to a place in these pages, as well for the honour of the inventor, as for the benefit of future visitors to the island ; and lest any of the virtues or essences of the ingredients should be spoiled by the unskilful handling of the writer, he feels it a duty to give the recipe in the very words of Beranger, which are: — *'Mr. Irwin ordered our rabbits, a turkey, some fowl, and ducks to be cut up with a leg of mutton, to which he added some greens, turnips, and carrots, and a piece of a hare, which, being put in a large tosspan, he had brought with him, and having seasoned it properly, put it down on a slow fire : the olio to be served up in the tosspan, to have it hot." The following gushing testimonial accorded to this Olla Podridaj and accorded, as will be seen, after a very practical acquaintance with it, by this cultivated Frenchman of the eighteenth century, when gastronomy had reached, in France, the dignity of a science, proves Mr. Irwin's invention to be a

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 25

9. Bingham seizes Ballymote Castle, 1584

   Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1584

   One of Sir Richard Bingham's first acts as Governor of Connaught in 1584 was to take Ballymote Castle, placing his brother George as constable with seven warders. George acted high-handedly toward the O'Rorkes of Breffney, provoking retaliation.

   Read the passage

   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

10. Buninna castle: English stronghold attacked by O'Connors

    Buninna · townland · Sligo · 1308–1494

    The English erected a castle at Buninna (Bunfinne) soon after their arrival in Connacht. In 1308 the constable Thomas McWalter and many English were slain nearby by the sons of Donnell O'Connor; two years later the castle was burned and plundered. In 1494 Donnell O'Connor was barbarously slain there by his cousins seeking the chieftainship.

    Read the passage

    Buninna — Hibernice Bunfinne — that is, the mouth of the Finn stream, was formerly a place of some note. The English, soon after their arrival in Cennaught, erected a castle there ; and in 1308, Thomas McWalter, the constable of the castle, his brother, and many other English were slain on Slieve-da-Fn by the sons of Donnell O'Connor. Two years later the castle was burned and plundered by a party of the O'Connors.

    After the expulsion of the English, the O'Connors took possession of the place, and in 1494, Donnell O'Connor, the son of Owen, was barbarously slain there by his cousins, in order to get the chieftainship for their own father, which they effected. That the castle of Buninna was a timber structure, we may infer from the burning mentioned, and from the absence of all trace of stone. Buninna is remarkable, too, as having been for some time the residence of the Cistercians, who were sent out, in the 12th century, from Mellifont, to establish a new abbey. Before

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 216

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here the English built a castle at Buninna, the mouth of the Finn stream, soon after they came into Connacht. In 1308 the sons of Donnell O'Connor killed the constable Thomas McWalter, his brother, and many other English on Slieve-da-Finn nearby. Two years later a party of O'Connors burned and plundered the castle. After the English were driven out the O'Connors took the place for themselves. In 1494 Donnell O'Connor, son of Owen, was "barbarously slain" there by his own cousins, who wanted the chieftainship for their father, and they got it. The castle was likely timber, given the burning and the absence of any trace of stone. Buninna was also for some time the residence of Cistercian monks sent from Mellifont in the 12th century to establish a new abbey.

11. Captain Ormsby's proselytizing of servant Simon at Castledargan

    near Castledargan · street · Sligo

    Captain Ormsby of Castledargan attempted to force his Catholic servant Simon to convert to Protestantism, threatening dismissal. Simon complied superficially, attending church in new clothes supplied by Ormsby, but on his final illness called for the Catholic priest, prompting Ormsby to remark the conversion had been a sham all along.

    Read the passage

    It was the fashion formerly for individuals as well as societies to occupy themselves a good deal in making proselytes, and this by other means as w^ell as by schools, and sometimes not so much from motives of religion as to comply with the fashion. Nor did some of the proselytizers seem to care much whether the proselyte was a real or only a sham convert. Take the case of Captain Ormsby of Castledargan, uncle to the late John Ormsby of the same place. The Captain, who was certainly much more of a wag than of a zealot, had about him a confidential man of all work, named Simon, who, on the principle of " Like master like man," came to be less earnest in the matter of religion than he ought, though he went occasionally to chapel on Sundays. On this promising subject Captain Ormsby tried his missionary hand, saying to him one day, " Simon, you have been long enough with these beggarly Papists, and you must now join our respectable and rich religion, or quit for ever my service." ft Very well, Captain," said unfortunate Simon, who had little of the martyr or confessor about him, " but to qualify me for my new company you must get me a suit or two of nice clothes." The Captain gave the clothes, and Simon appeared a Sunday or two in church with the " quality."

    Notwithstanding this ready compliance, Captain Ormsby knew well that it was all make-believe, and calling one day to inquire for Simon, who was stated to be seriously ill, and being

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 244

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Castledargan, there is a story from the old days of proselytizing, when it was the fashion for individuals as well as societies to make converts, sometimes more for fashion than faith, and not always caring much whether the convert was real or a sham. Captain Ormsby of Castledargan, uncle to the late John Ormsby of the same place, was more of a wag than a zealot. He had a confidential man of all work named Simon, who went occasionally to chapel but was not what you would call earnest in religion. On this promising subject the Captain tried his missionary hand, saying to him one day, "Simon, you have been long enough with these beggarly Papists, and you must now join our respectable and rich religion, or quit for ever my service." Simon, who had little of the martyr about him, answered, "Very well, Captain, but to qualify me for my new company you must get me a suit or two of nice clothes." The Captain gave the clothes, and Simon appeared a Sunday or two in church with the quality. Ormsby knew well it was all make-believe. When Simon fell seriously ill, he called for the Catholic priest, and Ormsby remarked that the conversion had been a sham all along.

12. Clifford attempts forced march through Ballaghboy pass

    Ballaghboy · townland · Sligo · 1599

    Against the advice of his officers and the wishes of his exhausted men, Sir Conyers Clifford attempted to force the pass of Ballaghboy in the Curlew Mountains without halting, after a two-day march.

    Read the passage

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

    The Irish on their side were far from being as negligent as

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

13. Colonel Oliver O'Gara fought at Sligo and other battles

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1689–1691

    Colonel Oliver O'Gara took an active part on the side of King James against the Prince of Orange, fighting with distinction at Sligo, the Boyne, Athlone, Aughrim, and Limerick. After the campaign ended in Ireland, he passed with his regiment to France and later served as military governor of Montesa in Spain in 1706.

    Read the passage

    The next O'Gara calling for notice is Colonel Oliver, who took an active and influential part on the side of King James in the conflict between that monarch and the Prince of Orange, and fought with great distinction at Sligo, at the Boyne, at Athlone, at Aughrim, and at Limerick. Story's History states that Colonel Oliver O'Gara fell at Athlone ; but this is an error, for he not only survived the unfortunate affair of Athlone, but, after having been in the thick of all the subsequent transactions, diplomatic and military, of the campaign, he passed with his regiment when all was over in Ireland to France, where he lived and died universall}' respected. The year of his death is not known, but we find him in 1706 acting as military governor of Montesa in Spain.* Colonel O'Gara had four sons, all of whom were well provided for on the Continent, the fourth being born in France, and baptized at

    * O'Callaghan's History of the Irish Brigades in the Service of France, page 242.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 192

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Sligo now, a town with its own chapter in the story of Colonel Oliver O'Gara. He took an active and influential part on the side of King James against the Prince of Orange, fighting with great distinction here at Sligo, and then at the Boyne, at Athlone, at Aughrim, and at Limerick. One history says he fell at Athlone, but that is an error. He survived that affair and stayed in the thick of all the military and diplomatic events that followed. When the campaign was over in Ireland, he passed with his regiment to France, where he lived and died, as the record puts it, "universally respected." The year of his death is not known, but in 1706 he was acting as military governor of Montesa in Spain. He had four sons, all well provided for on the Continent, the fourth born in France and baptized there.

14. Costello raids Captain King's house near Ballymote

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1666

    Lord Kingston had private as well as public reasons to pursue Costello's Tory band, since his relative Captain King's house near Ballymote had just been broken into and pillaged by Costello and his men. This was reported in a letter from Lord Kingston to Ormond dated October 1666.

    Read the passage

    find it more difficult than I beleeved to make one Irishman betray another." His Lordship had private as well as public reasons to stimulate him ; for his relative, Captain King's house, near Ballymote, had j ust then been broken into, and pillaged by Costello and his men.*

    Difficult as the Government found it to break up those bands, and dispose of their leaders, they always succeeded in the long run. The means invariably employed was to bribe one band to act against another, or a member of a band to make away with his chief. As an instance of the former method of proceeding, Donough Dowd and his brother Taltagh, who had been pardoned themselves for their ''Torying" by Lord Kingston, were then set upon other Tories, against whom they did such execution, that Lord Dillon provides for their reward in this Proclamation, dated Oct. 12th, 1667 : *' Whereas I am informed by Sir Francis Gore, Knight, that the Dowds since their submission to the President of Connaught have been very active in pursuit of the Rebels, and have already done considerable service upon them, I consent that they receive Is. per quarter of the tilled land in the Baronies of Costello and Gallon ; provided that Roger Jordan and his brother Edward may have their proportion of same for their good service in apprehending one Gallagher, a notorious rebel."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 258

15. Discovery of medieval English silver coins at Knockadoo

    Knockadoo · townland · Sligo · 1885

    About fifteen years before the book's writing, men removing a field fence in the townland of Knockadoo discovered a hoard of English silver coins. One man found about a pound weight of coins and another close on two pounds; they were small coins of the early Edwards and Henrys.

    Read the passage

    Not far from Gortakeeran, but on the right bank of the river, and in the townland of Knockadoo, men engaged, about fifteen years ago, in removing a field fence, came on a find of English silver coins, one man getting about 1 lb. weight of them, and another close on two pounds. They were small coins of the early Edwards and Henrys.

    The first Parish Priest of Killoran, met with since the Reformation, was Richard Cloane or Coleman, who was registered as the " Popish Priest " of the parish in 1704. He lived in Carrowcloonine, and had for sureties of his good behaviour, Francis King, junior, and Thomas Jones of Rathmore, son of Sir Roger Jones, Sligo. In the latter half of the last century Fathers O'Gara and Dillon were successively Parish Priests of Killoran, but the exact time that each held the parish is not known.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 32

16. Dr. M'Donough's remains returned to Ballindoon Abbey

    Ballindoon · street · Sligo · 1886

    Dr. M'Donough, a member of the Great Counsellor's family who had resided in London for sixty years, had his remains brought back to Ireland by his son and interred in the sanctuary of the abbey associated with the M'Donough clan of Tirerrill. Father Filan, Parish Priest of Geevagh, officiated at the grave and celebrated a solemn Mass for the repose of his soul.

    Read the passage

    A most interesting recent interment was that of Doctor M'Donough in January, 1886. He was a member of the Great Counsellor's family, and resided in London for the sixty years preceding his decease. Like Jacob, he longed to have his bones laid in the grave of his fathers ; and a good son, another Joseph, the present Dr. M'Donough, of Cromwell Lodge, Twickenham, England, brought the remains with him to Ireland, and interred them in the sanctuary of the abbey, where not only the decaying bones, but almost every atom of the earth, formed once a living portion of some member of the great Clann Donough of Tirerrill. Father Filan, the esteemed Parish Priest of Geevagh, officiated at the grave, and was also celebrant of the solemn Mass, which the good son, with the traditional piety of the family, caused to be celebrated for the repose of his father's soul — JRequiescat

    Before quitting the parish of Killadoon, it is well to note that, as we must not, as has been already said, confound the church of Killadoon and the convent of Ballindoon, so we must not regard the two old fortresses of the parish as identical ; for one of them, that demolished by Hugh O'Connor in 1352, was a primitive structure in the style of a cashel, while the other was a comparatively modern castle, being erected in 1408 by Conor M'Donough.*

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 146

17. Fatal duel at Kilcat between Percival and O'Rorke

    Kilcat · townland · Sligo

    Philip Caech Percival and Hyacinth O'Rorke fought a duel at Kilcat, near Chaffpool, in the parish of Achonry, arising from informations Percival took against O'Rorke as a magistrate. O'Rorke was shot dead on the spot, and a small cairn of stones still marks where he fell.

    Read the passage

    1. Philip Caech Percival and Hyacinth O'Rorke. The affair arose from informations which Mr. Percival, as magistrate, took against O'Eorke, who resented the proceeding. They fought at Kilcat, near Chaffpool, in the parish of Achonry, and O'E-orke was shot dead on the spot. A small earn of stones was raised, and still stands, where he fell.

    2. The most famous duel whicli has taken place in the county, is that between Messrs. Fenton and Hillas. In its origin, its attendant circumstances, and its result, it attracted exceptional notice ; and still, vivid as the traditions about it have always been, they are in great part apocryphal, thus supplying a new proof of the utter untrustworthiness of mere oral tradition in reo^ard to the details of remote transactions.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 271

18. Gallagher's Gang terrorised the Gap of Kilmacteige

    Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo

    The last of the Tory bands, known as Gallagher's Gang, haunted the Gap in the parish of Kilmacteige and levied contributions on both sides of the Ox Mountains. Travellers armed themselves heavily and sought companions for the journey, yet robberies remained frequent.

    Read the passage

    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

19. Iniscrone castle, seat of O'Keevaines

    near Inishcrone · town · Sligo · 1512

    Iniscrone castle, in the townland of Iniscrone, was the chief seat of Caomhain's descendants (O'Keevaines). It was taken by the Burkes of Lower Connaught, then recovered by O'Donnell in 1512, who immediately demolished it lest it fall again into enemy hands. Considerable remains survive.

    Read the passage

    The parish of Kilglass, like most of the other districts of Tireragh, had its quota of castles, of which three are marked on the Ordnance Survey map — one at Iniscrone, one at Policheeny, and the third at Lecan. There are considerable remains of the first-named fortress in the townland of Iniscrone, the fashionable and salubrious seaside resort, so frequented by the traders and shopkeepers of Ballina, and the better-off people of upper Sligo. Iniscrone castle was the chief seat of Caomhain's descendants, who are called by old English writers O'Keevaines, by John O'Donovan O'Keevans, and by themselves, in recent times, Kavanaghs. From the descendants of Caomhain the castle was taken by the Burkes of Lower Connaught, from whom, after a spirited contest, which is well described in the Four Masters, at the year 1512, it was recovered by O'Donnell, who forthwith demolished it lest it should fall again into the hands of his enemies.

    The castle of Policheeny has left after it very little remains. Of this place the Survey of 1633-6 says, " Policheeny hath an ould castle and good stone house upon it."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 226

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Inishcrone, there are considerable remains of a castle. The town was a fashionable seaside resort, frequented by the traders and shopkeepers of Ballina and the better-off people of upper Sligo. The parish of Kilglass, like most of the other districts of Tireragh, had its quota of castles, three of which are marked on the Ordnance Survey map. This castle was the chief seat of Caomhain's descendants. Old English writers called them O'Keevaines, John O'Donovan called them O'Keevans, and in recent times they called themselves Kavanaghs. The Burkes of Lower Connaught took the castle from them. Then in 1512, O'Donnell recovered it after a spirited contest, which the Four Masters describe well. He forthwith demolished it, "lest it should fall again into the hands of his enemies."

20. Jones family resigns ancestral estate at Banada, 1862

    Banada · townland · Sligo · 1862

    In 1862 the Jones family, who had long resided at Banada, resigned their ancestral estate and devoted it forever to the service of religion. The eldest brother Daniel entered the Jesuits, the second brother James became a prominent Jesuit, and three sisters joined religious orders serving the poor and sick.

    Read the passage

    ancestral estate, and devoting it for ever to the service of religion.

    This was a great sacrifice, but a sacrifice still greater and more precious accompanied it, tbe devoting of themselves to the religious state — where the eldest brother, Daniel, after having served for a time in the world as a type of the finished Christian gentleman, lived, in the Society of Jesus, the model and the light of his great Order, and died the death of a saint ; where the second brother, James, under whatever aspect we consider him in his still brilliant career — as a missionary in the West Indies in difficult and dangerous times, as a professor of Theology and Sacred Scripture in the houses of the Order, as a learned writer on ecclesiastical subjects, and one well able to hold his own even against such men as the able and all accomplished Archbishop of Dublin, and the most gifted contributors to the Saturday Revieiu andj the Athencewm, or as a prudent and successful administrator of the important Jesuit province of England, of which he has been mora than once Provincial — has, in each and all of these capacities, not only sustained, but enhanced the fame of his illustrious Society; and where the three sisters, two of them as Sisters of Charity — one in Dublin, in the hospital of Saint Vincent, and the other in Galway — and the third as a Sister of Mercy, and Founder and Superioress of several convents in the diocese of Elphin, have done more for the poor, the sick, and the ignorant of the country, and indirectly for all classes, than any other three sisters in Ireland. It would not be easy to find in the range of ecclesiastical history, a family with so good a right as the Jones to use the words of Saint Peter, " Behold, we have left all things and have followed thee."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 78

21. Lissadell Court as famine relief store, 1879

    Lissadell · street · Cork · 1879

    During the sickness and destitution of 1879, Lady Gore and Sir Henry Gore-Booth converted Lissadell Court into a provision store, personally distributing food to the needy from morning till night. This was described as a unique event of its kind in Ireland at the time.

    Read the passage

    Sir Henry has inherited the virtues of his father, and added to them many of his own. Large-hearted aod genial like Sir Eobert ; a thorough sportsman like him ; a kind and indulgent landlord like him ; he takes, besides being more frequently at home, greater practical interest in the poor of the neighbourhood, and evinces, on all occasions, that genuine Good Samaritan charity which knows no distinction of creed in those that need relief. When sickness and destitution covered the face of the country in 1879, the conversion, so to speak, of Lissadell Court into a provision store, where Lady Gore and Sir Henry dealt out with their own hands, from morning till night, food to the needy, was an event unique of its kind, at the time, in Ireland,

    And when a thunder-storm, in 1882, wrecked the roof of Magherow chapel during Mass, inflicted a fatal injury on one of the congregation, and injured several others. Lady Gore and Sir Henry flew, on the moment, to the scene of the calamity, and then, and for many months afterwards, seemed to have nothing on hand, or at heart, but to help and console the afflicted, and to repair the damage done to the place of worship. These noble acts, and the same impartial aid to Catholic charities, which they extend to the charities of other denominations, have endeared the present Lissadell family to Catholics, and should endear them to all, inasmuch as the precedent, thus set, is calculated to remove those obstacles to intercourse which bigotry, and cunning, and selfishness, have raised up between the different classes of society in Ireland.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 18

22. Lord Palmerston's tenant management at Cliffoney

    Cliffony · town · Sligo · 1808

    In a letter dated from Cliffoney in September 1808, Lord Palmerston described his policy of gradually removing middlemen who exploited sub-tenants, choosing instead to leave small holders in place and improve their condition rather than evict them.

    Read the passage

    the wretched tenant. " These people," says Lord Palmerston, " taking a certain quantity of ground, they reserve to themselves a small portion, and let out the rest to under tenants. They make these unfortunate devils pay the rent of the landlord, and an excess, which they keep to themselves, and call a profit rent ; while they live upon the part they reserve without paying any rent for it." * Of those bloodsuckers his lordship resolved to get rid, by degrees, conforming in this to the desire of his tenants and to the advice of Arthur Young, who conjures landlords, " as friends to themselves, to their posterity, and to their country, to let their estates to none but the occupying tenantry."! Other landlords, if the case was theirs, would soon make short work of the four or five acre cotters ; but Lord Palmerston, instead of throwing them out on the high road, as others, in his place, would certainly have done, felt it a duty to leave them where they were, and to better their condition by freeing them from the incubus of the middleman or petty landlord, by enlarging their holdings, as the reclamation of his bogs enabled him, and by providing them, in the meantime, with remunerative employment.

    His measures against the blowing sand were entirely efficacious. Knowing, no doubt, that bent (Agrostis) was successfully employed in parts of the Continent for the purpose, he planted this grass round the edges of the exposed tracts, and soon stopped the ravages of the sand. In this he not only benefited himself and his tenants, but proved himself a public benefactor ; for Sir Eobert Gore Booth, Mr. Gethin, and other landlords, whose lands by the sea-shore had suffered, and were suffering like his, followed his example in planting bent, so that thousands of acres, lying between his property and Sligo, were saved from threatened inundation, and thousands, even after a little, restored to tillage and pasturage.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through the town of Cliffony in Sligo, you're travelling through a place where Lord Palmerston set out his thinking on landlord and tenant in a letter of September 1808. He described the middlemen who took a tract of ground, kept a portion for themselves without paying rent, and let the rest to sub-tenants, making them pay both the landlord's rent and an extra sum the middlemen pocketed as what he called a profit rent. He called those people bloodsuckers and resolved to get rid of them by degrees, following the wishes of his tenants and the advice of Arthur Young, who urged landlords to let their estates only to the occupying tenantry. Where other landlords in his position would have thrown the four or five acre cotters out on the road, Palmerston felt it a duty to leave them where they were and better their condition. He freed them from the middleman, enlarged their holdings as his bogs were reclaimed, and provided them with remunerative employment in the meantime. He also tackled the blowing sand that threatened the land along the shore, planting bent grass round the exposed tracts, a method used on the Continent. It worked, and other landlords whose coastal lands suffered the same problem followed his example, so that thousands of acres between his property and Sligo were saved from inundation and restored to tillage and pasturage.

23. McDonogh undertook legal suit for friars of Sligo

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1691–1713

    After the Treaty of Limerick, Counsellor Terence McDonogh resumed his legal practice and became the first man at the bar. Among his clients were ecclesiastics and the old Irish gentry; he undertook a suit for the friars of Sligo, demonstrating his commitment to Catholic interests despite the penal climate.

    Read the passage

    person has any prospect of ever attaining again."* His favourite clients were ecclesiastics and the old Irish gentry ; and we learn from Father McDonogh's JS^arrative, that the Counsellor undertook a suit for the friars of Sligo ; and from the Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Charles 0' Conor, that it was he who saved from confiscation the remnant of the O'Conor Don estate, a service for which Denis O'Conor, the father of Charles, was so grateful, that " his first care, on getting possession of his property, was to erect a monument to the memory of his benefactor."

    In private life the Counsellor was the most genial of men. His "facetiousness" is chronicled in hundreds of anecdotes, and is commemorated even in his epitaph. One of the anecdotes goes to show, that clever as the Counsellor was, he could sometimes meet his match. As the story runs, his man, who was a shrewd, sharp young fellow, applied to him one day for legal advice, saying he desired to carry away a female friend unknown to her guardians, and to marry her, but that he was afraid of the law, which made it a capital felony to " run away " with a girl in such circumstances. Having stated the case, he asked what had best be done, when McDonogh replied at once, " Let the girl, you blockhead, run away with you, and you can snap your fingers at the law."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 121

24. Michael Fenton of Easky confronts Thady Connellan

    Easky · town · Sligo

    Michael Fenton of Easky, said to be no friend of 'the boys,' met Thady Connellan and asked if he was transporting them. Thady replied with characteristic imperturbability that he was doing so 'just to save you the trouble of hanging them.'

    Read the passage

    The mission was a great pecuniary success. Thady received large sums for the work of the Elementaries, and got besides a considerable amount for emigration purposes. With the emigration fund he despatched several young fellows of Tireragh to America by Mr. O'Connor's vessel, the Cadmus ; and it was suspected at the time that he was anxious to have them out of the country, as, perhaps, they knew more than he wished of his relations with the Thrashers, some years before, when, for lack of other employment, he used to hawk felt hats at fairs and markets. It was probably in sly allusion to the general suspicions that Mr. Michael Fenton, of Eask}^, who had the name of being himself no great friend of the " boys," meeting Thady in company with some neighbours, said to him : " So, Thady, you are transporting the boys?" "Yes, sir," rejoined the imperturbable Thady, "just to save you the trouble of hanging them."

    Self-denial was not Connellan's characteristic virtue, if he had any such, and it is well known that he made a good thing of his connexion with the Hibernian Society ; but, in an evil hour, he was tempted, by the prospect of high interest, to bank most of his savings with Mr. Baron Foster, who, about as pious a man as Thady himself, was in some respects more than a match for him, and closed on the money, with perhaps the less compunction, as he must have suspected that the ex-E,omanist had got much of it together by false pretences. Somehow those who knew Thady gave him no credit for sincerity, but rather regarded him as a charlatan and a sham. Young as Lady Morgan was when she met *' Mr. Thady O'Conolan," as she calls him, she guaged correctly his assurance, his cunning, his affectad dignity, his rich brogue, "that beggared all description," his simulated learning, and paints him as a "finished character;" and John O'Donovan, who had special opportunities of studying

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 222

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Easky in Sligo. This is where Michael Fenton, who had the name of being no great friend of "the boys," once met Thady Connellan in company with some neighbours and said to him: "So, Thady, you are transporting the boys?" The imperturbable Thady replied: "Yes, sir, just to save you the trouble of hanging them." Thady had received large sums for the work of the Elementaries and a considerable amount for emigration purposes. With the emigration fund he dispatched several young fellows of Tireragh to America on O'Connor's vessel, the Cadmus. It was suspected at the time that he was anxious to have them out of the country, as they knew more than he wished of his relations with the Thrashers, some years before, when for lack of other employment he used to hawk felt hats at fairs and markets. Self-denial was not Connellan's characteristic virtue. He made a good thing of his connection with the Hibernian Society. But in an evil hour he was tempted by the prospect of high interest to bank most of his savings with Baron Foster, who was about as pious a man as Thady himself, and closed on the money. Those who knew Thady gave him no credit for sincerity, but rather regarded him as a charlatan and a sham. Lady Morgan, young as she was when she met him, gauged correctly his assurance, his cunning, his affected dignity, his rich brogue that beggared all description, and his simulated learning.

25. Mrs. Motherwell's sham legal proceedings around Ballymote

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1800–1850

    Mrs. Motherwell used her offices as barony constable, land agent, and court receiver to impound and auction people's cattle through sham claims and sham sales. Her abuses were said to reflect poorly on law administration in the first half of the century.

    Read the passage

    It says little for the administration of the law in the first half of the century, that it was by abuse of legal forms Mrs. Motherw^ell w^orked out most of her iujustices. Her office as barony constable, as land agent, as receiver under the courts, enabled her with some show of legality, but without the substance, to impound people's cattle, and auction them for little or nothing to creatures and tools of her own ; but w^hile complying ostensibly with the requirements of the law, her proceedings were all sham, and were rightly described by one who knew them well as " sham claims, sham auctions, sham sales, sham everything."

    Mr. John Taaffe, commonly called Jack Taaffe, another inhabitant of Ballymote, or the neighbourhood, may serve as a companion portrait for Mrs. Motherwell. Like her, he acknowledged no rule but his own w^ill, which, he was always ready to enforce with the pistol, so that his principle of action seemed to be, " Jura negat sibi nata, nihil non arrogat armis." It is said that he fought several duels, and gave scores of challenges.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 95

26. Post-surrender killings at Templehouse Castle

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1642

    After the surrender of Templehouse Castle, a dispute arose over the terms allowing Crofton's party to remain nine days. The resulting quarrel led to the hanging of Mr. Oliphant, a preacher, and two others, Marriot Careless and wife; another preacher, Mr. Wray, was wounded and later died.

    Read the passage

    The conditions of giving up the castle were : first, that Mr. Crofton and his party should be free to remain in it for nine days; second, that in quitting it, they were to, depart with bag and baggage ; and third, that they should have a safe convoy, on the occasion, to Boyle. Unfortunately there arose conflict of opinions as to the meaning of the article authorizing the stay of nine days — Mr. Crofton and his friends holding, that under it, they should have exclusive possession during these days, and the Irish, on the other hand, maintaining that the stipulation gave them a right to be joint possessors of the place for the time. Irritation was the consequence of this misunderstanding ; Mr. Crofton and those with him attempted to eject the Irish in possession; and a quarrel ensued, the outcome of which was that Mr. Oliphant, " a preacher of God's word," and two others, Marriot Careless and wife, were taken out and hanged. Later, when the party were starting for Boyle, a wrangle occurred between a Mr. Wray, "another preacher of God's word," and some of the Irish, when he received a wound, from which, after a few days, he died.

    These are all, or nearly all, the certain casualties, however rumour may have magnified the number; and, considering that the siege lasted more than two months, that such numbers were engaged, and that^ feelings were so embittered on each side, the list, even if we add to it a couple of stragglers from the county Mayo, who may have been regarded as spies, is far from formidable, and would soon have been little

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 41

27. Riverstown chapel gallery collapse on Christmas Day 1841

    Riverstown · town · Sligo · 1841

    On Christmas morning 1841, the gallery of Riverstown chapel fell during Parochial Mass, injuring over forty persons. Several had broken limbs and one woman's skull was fractured; the injured were removed to the County Infirmary.

    Read the passage

    * On Christmas day, 1841, the gallery of Riverstown chapel fell during the Parochial Mass, and injured several persons in the congregation. A paragraph in the Sligo Journal of December 31st, 1841, thus describes the occurrence : — " Frightful Accident. — On Christmas morning at early mass, an awful circumstance occurred in Riverstown chapel. While the service was going on, the gallery, at which some repairs had been making, fell, and above forty persons were seriously injured. Several had their legs and arms broken, and one woman's skull was fractured. We are glad to hear that none have been killed, but several of those injured are still in imminent danger. They have been removed to the County Infirmary. "

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 136

28. Sculptor Martin Milmore born in Sligo

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1844–1850

    Martin Milmore, who became a leading American sculptor, was born in Sligo on 14 September 1844 and emigrated with his widowed mother to America in 1850, settling near Boston. His original family name was Milmoe, changed at school on his teachers' recommendation.

    Read the passage

    According to this respectable authority, Martin Milmore was born in Sligo on the 14th September, 1844, emigrated with his poor, widowed mother to America in 1850, and settled in the city or neighbourhood of Boston. While the mother was earning her daily bread in an humble employment, she kept the child to an infant school, managed by nuns, who were the first to discover the artistic bent of his mind.

    The discovery once made, the little boy's friends were constantly on the look-out for the means of turning to account the gifts he had received from nature, and they succeeded ultimately in gaining admission for him into the studio of Thomas Ball, the eminent sculptor of Boston. Here Martin Milmore's talent soon asserted itself; and after a time he came to be acknowledged as one of the leading artists of the country. Orders flowed in on him from all sides for monuments, groups, and figures ; Longfellow, "Wendell Phillips, and Ticknor being among the distinguished men of whom he executed statues. Martin Milmore died on the 21st July, 1883, when, considering the circumstances of his boyhood and youth, he had hardly reached the full measure of his powers. Milmoe, not Milmore, was the original name, and the chaage took place while he was

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 291

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Sligo now. This is the town where Martin Milmore was born on the 14th of September 1844, a boy who grew up to become one of America's leading sculptors. His original family name was Milmoe, changed later on his teachers' recommendation. When he was about six, in 1850, his widowed mother took him to America and settled near Boston. She worked at a humble job and kept him in an infant school run by nuns, who were the first to notice his artistic gift. From there, with help from friends who saw his talent, he got into the studio of Thomas Ball, the eminent Boston sculptor. His skill soon made itself known, and orders came in from all sides for monuments, groups, and figures. He executed statues of Longfellow, Wendell Phillips, and Ticknor, among other distinguished men. He died on the 21st of July 1883, having, considering the circumstances of his boyhood, hardly reached the full measure of his powers.

29. Sectarian battle at Lurgan kills sixty Catholics

    Lurgan · townland · Sligo · 1795

    At Lurgan on 28 September 1795, Protestant farmers and manufacturers turned out armed and engaged in close combat with Roman Catholics, killing sixty and wounding above one hundred of the Defenders. The event was reported in the Sligo Journal.

    Read the passage

    There can be little doubt that the last two advertisements are of a party and sectarian character. About that time society was in a ferment, and wherever there were good numbers of Protestants and Catholics together in a neighbourhood, as in the north of Ireland, they were living in constant expectation of mutual attack — a state of things which, here and there, led to actual conflict, as happened at Lurgan, according to the following communication from that place, which is found in the Sligo Journal of October 2nd, 1795 : — ''On Monday, the 28th, the Protestant farmers and decent manufacturers turned out well armed, and in a few hours came to close quarters with the Roman Catholics, killing sixty, and wounding above one hundred of the Defenders."

    Perhaps the most remarkable of these advertisements is the

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 296

30. Siege of Collooney Castle by O'Donnell and O'Rorke

    Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1599

    Red Hugh O'Donnell and Brian Oge O'Rorke laid siege to the castle of Collooney to capture Sir Donogh O'Connor Sligo, who had thrown himself into this castle as the only one open to him in his territory.

    Read the passage

    Coining back now to Sir Conyers Clifford and tbe famous battle of the Curlews, the occasion of the conflict was the siege laid by Eed Hugh O'Donnell and Brian Oge O'Rorke to the castle of Collooney, with the object of capturing Sir Donogh O'Connor Sligo, who, on returning from England after a long visit, threw himself into this castle, which was then the only one in his territory open to him.

    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.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

31. Sligo Circular Road built with distress relief funds

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1822–1823

    The 'Circular Road' in Sligo was built in 1822-3 using money from the London City Committee for the relief of distress. Posts on the road bore the inscription 'This road was made in token of British benevolence,' but it was later partly enclosed by local landowners like Abraham Martin of Cleveragh.

    Read the passage

    What was known formerly to the inhabitants of Sligo as the "Circular Road," part only of which now exists, was made in 1822-3 with the aid of money received for the relief of distress from the London City Committee ; and for several years after its formation, posts stood upon it bearing the inscription : — "This road was made in token of British benevolence."

    When the time for repairing it was come, the cesspayers refused to pass a presentment for the work, upon which Mr. Abraham Martin enclosed and appropriated the portion of it which ran through his property of Cleveragh. Others did likewise in regard to other portions, with the result, that the people of Sligo lost a promenade, which was at the same time one of the healthiest and one of the most picturesque in Ireland.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 302

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up through Sligo now. The Circular Road here was built in 1822 to 1823 with money from the London City Committee for the relief of distress. Posts stood on it for years bearing the words, "This road was made in token of British benevolence." When the time came to repair it, the cesspayers refused to pass a presentment for the work. Abraham Martin of Cleveragh enclosed and appropriated the portion running through his property, and others did likewise with their sections. The people of Sligo lost a promenade that was at the same time one of the healthiest and one of the most picturesque in Ireland.

32. Thady Connellan's hedge school at Corkhill, Tireragh

    Corkhill · townland · Tyrone

    Thady Connellan opened what he called a 'fine seminary' in a wretched thatched cabin in Tireragh, with a damp earthen floor and minimal furniture. Grown barefoot pupils huddled around bits of board on stones, sharing a single copy of Homer among seven readers.

    Read the passage

    Having returned to Tireragh, Thady opened what he called a ''fine seminary" — the curious boutique which Lady Morgan visited, and describes in her Patriotic Sketches — a wretched thatched cabin, with a damp earthen floor; with no furniture but an old deal table, littered with scraps of paper and fragments of slate; and with bits of board laid on stones to serve for seats ; the philomath himself standing up, encased in a cotamorey which was kept together on his squat, ungainly person by a skewer ; while round him were ranged or, rather, huddled bis disciples, who were big, grown-up, bare-footed boys or men, " clad in a drapery light and frugal as Philosophy herself could dictate," and so ill equipped with text books and books of reference, that a class of seven had to read together out of the one copy of Homer, which was all the Corkhill lyceum contained. The poor fellows themselves felt so much the want of class-books that, as Lady Morgan's party were driving away, one of the " pupils," " a tall, well-looking young man, with a satchel on his back," kept, for a considerable distance, running barefooted and bareheaded alongside the vehicle, begging for an " old Cicero :" an incident which must remind quondam travellers by Bianconi's cars of the urchins that used to run for miles after the vehicles, clamouring for a copper from the passengers. But an apology is due to the '' tall, well-looking young man with the satchel on his back " for this comparison, his object being so ennobling. *' We asked him," says Lady Morgan, '* what profession he was intended for ; he said he had been studying for Apothecaries' Hall, but that of late he had taken to Philosophy 1"

    Nor did Thady confine his invaluable services to his interestting garcons. His philanthropy comprehended both the sexes ; and we learn from a statement of his to Lady Morgan, that

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 221

33. The Bucks and their haunts around Sligo

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1790–1810

    In the closing years of the eighteenth and early years of the nineteenth century, degenerate descendants of Cromwell's officers known as 'Bucks' terrorised Sligo town and its neighbourhood, gathering nightly in drinking and gambling dens. Their three known haunts were the Green House in Bridge Street, a ruined house over the Curragh in Garrowgobadagh townland, and the Club-House at Ardnaglass in Tireragh.

    Read the passage

    they do now, the Bucks commonly spent the evening and a good part of the night in some of their chabhouses, of which they had at least three, one, the shop house of the late Mr. Charles Anderson in Bridge Street, then called the Green House from the ivy with which it was covered ; another, the house of which the striking remains still stand over the Curragh, in the townland of Oarrowgobadagh ; and the third, that still popularly called the Club-House at Ardnaglass, in Tireragh.*

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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 266

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you are travelling through ground once terrorised by men called the Bucks. They were descendants of Cromwell's officers, and between 1790 and 1810 they made this town and its neighbourhood a place of fear. They had at least three drinking dens: the Green House in Bridge Street, a house whose remains still stand over the Curragh in the townland of Garrowgobadagh, and the Club-House at Ardnaglass in Tireragh. Every night they gathered in one or another of these haunts, gambling, swilling scalteen, talking ribaldry, and bellowing profane songs. The orgies lasted till long past midnight. Woe betide the man who crossed their path as they rolled through the streets. They once stripped a man of his clothes on a mid-winter night, tossed the clothes into the river, and left him shivering in frost and snow. On another occasion they forced a passer-by into a coffin, nailed down the lid, and placed it on the battlement of the bridge so that any attempt to free himself would only throw him into the river. If they did not signalise their passage by these enormities, they always made night hideous with their yells and imprecations as they staggered along.

34. Achonry church and monastery established by Finian and Nathy

    Achonry · townland · Sligo

    Saint Finian of Clonard visited Connaught and, together with Saint Nathy, established the church and monastery of Achonry. The monastery achieved large results both locally and in distant places through Saint Fechin.

    Read the passage

    Shortly after this the famous Saint Finian of Clonard visited Connaught, and, in conjunction with Saint Nathy, established the church and monastery of Achonry.§

    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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 231

35. Armed rescue of prisoners from Sligo jail

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1780

    On 3 May 1780, two condemned men, Robert Brunton and Michael Rorke, were awaiting execution in Sligo jail when armed attackers broke open the doors with sledges and carried the prisoners off. Assistant gaoler William Tims later charged Thomas Hudson of County Sligo in connection with the rescue.

    Read the passage

    On the 3rd of May, 1780, a still more startling outrage took place in the town of Sligo. At that date, two men named Kobert Brunton and Michael Rorke were in the gaol under sentence of death, but before the day of execution arrived some persons attacked the building, broke open the doors with sledges, and took away Brunton and Rorke. On examination, William Tims, assistant gaoler, charged Thomas Hudson of

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 260

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you're travelling a town where an armed rescue once shocked the community. On the 3rd of May, 1780, two condemned men, Robert Brunton and Michael Rorke, sat in the jail awaiting execution when attackers broke open the doors with sledges and carried them off. The assistant gaoler, William Tims, later charged Thomas Hudson of County Sligo in connection with the rescue.

36. Burning of Moygara Castle by mercenaries

    Moygara Castle · castle · Sligo · 1581

    In 1581, mercenary Scots in the service of Captain Malby, Governor of Connaught, burned Moygara Castle. Diarmaid Og, son of Cian O'Gara, was put to death there, along with Teige, son of Rory.

    Read the passage

    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

37. William Brown of Kilvarnet's claimed losses

    Kilvarnet · parish · Sligo · 1641–1655

    William Brown of Kilvarnet, Registrar of the Bishop of Killala and Achonry, claimed extensive losses in the mid-17th century depositions, including vast flocks, herds, and a rich inventory of household luxuries. The author uses Brown's exaggerated claims to illustrate the unreliable nature of the 1641 Depositions for County Sligo.

    Read the passage

    ments contained in the " claims," we should conclude, that the county Sligo, in the middle of the seventeenth century, was overflowing with wealth and luxury. William Brown, of Kilvarnet's flocks and herds, his " English sheep, English milch cows, draught oxen, dry cows, steeres, bulls, heifers, yearlings, saddle horses, geldings, mares, plough-garrans, and studd," would do honour to a great Australian flock master ; while his inventory " of all manner of household stuff, as brass, pewter, plate, gold rings, divers suits of linen, of diaper, of damask, holland and flaxen curtains, carpets, cushions, broad carsy, red broad-cloatb, red sbagg, bruss . . . books of divinity, history, and all sorts of books, etc.," would prove that this Registrar of the Bishop of Killalla and Achonry, which was Brown's office, was better provided, in those comparatively rude times, than half the bench of bishops of the present day, with household resources, conveniences, comforts, luxuries, and elegancies of all kinds.

    The same style of exaggeration runs through the Depositions of all the claimants. Take the case of another churchman, Eeverend Henry Dodwell, the ancestor of the late Mr. George Dodwell, and of the present Mrs. Popham. This gentleman's "little bill," amounted to £2,420 12s., for alleged losses "in feesimple estate, leased farms, tithes, mortgages, chattels, and cattle," iocluding under this last mentioned head, "four score cowes, oxen, and young cattell ; three-score and eighteen mares, coults, riding horses, and garrans ; and two thousand five hundred English sheep." Witnesses who went in for those enormous sums, would need strong corroboration to place their stories above suspicion — corroboration which they have never received.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 46

38. Burning of Ballintogher borough, 1266

    Ballintogher · town · Sligo · 1266

    In 1266 the borough of Ballintogher was burned by Flann Roe OTlynn, who slew many of the English of the town. Ballintogher was one of the first places occupied by the English on their coming to Connaught and was organized by them as a borough.

    Read the passage

    we learn from the Four Masters, under the year 1266, that the *' borough of Bal an tachair was burned that year by Flann Roe OTlynn, and many of the English of the town were slain by him." On the expulsion of the English in the fourteenth century, the O'Rorkes took possession of the place, and held it down to the time of Elizabeth, who, in a letter, dated 26th Jan. 1567, directed the Lords Justices of Ireland to examine the complaint made by Sir Donnell O'Connor against O'Wrarch (O'Rorke) for " deteyning from him the Castell of Bayleintochair." This letter produced no effect at the time, for it was ten years later, that is, in 1577, that O'Connor Sligo, with Sir Nicholas Malby and an army of both English and Irish took the place. Falling next into the hands of the MacDonoghs, it escheated soon to the Queen by their dying without heirs, general or special. In 1617 the town of Ballintogher with various adjoining lands was granted to Sir William Taaffe ; and in a new patent, passed by that sagacious man in 1620, the lands conveyed by the grant were created the Manor of Ballintogher. About 1630 they were purchased by Sir Thomas Wenman ; and the Survey of 1633 describes them as the *' inheritance of Sir Thomas Wenman, Knight, lately purchased from the Lord Viscount Taaffe, whose father obtained letters patent from King James for the whole Lordship of Ballintogher, containing nineteen quarters, all which Sir Thomas Wenman had bought two years past. It pays the King £15 sterling per annum, and ten groats homage." The denominations of the quarters are Gortlaunan, Tobbernany, Altbellada, Crossbeoy, Drommore, Casheloer, Tirtooicke, Raghian, Levalley, Rathnaree, Drumconrie, Corney, Kiltecranan, Ravelvoine, Lishcrossan, Carrownadallar, Aghrish, Dromcalrey, and Carownagh.

    As a part of the O'Connor Sligo estate this property was granted in 1687 by Charles II. to the Earl of Strafford and Sir Thomas Radcliffe, and passed, from their representatives, by purchase, to Rev. Doctor John Leslie, one of those bellicose ecclesiastics that we sometimes find coming to the front in

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 174

39. Fitzmaurice linen factory at Ballymote

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1653

    The Fitzmaurices established a major linen factory at Ballymote after acquiring the estates in 1653, bringing Protestant weavers from the north and erecting a large bleach mill. Despite considerable investment, including a 34-acre water basin, the venture lost money.

    Read the passage

    The Fitzmaurices came into possession in 1653 ; and setting at once about establishing a great linen factory in the place, they draughted, Arthur Young tells us, "Protestant weavers" from the north, erected a bleach mill 81 feet long, and 28 broad, and 17 high, " much superior in many respects to any other in Ireland," and, to supply it with water, formed, at great expense, a basin of 34 acres in superficial area.

    Lord Shelburne paid well for his Protestant weavers ; for "falling into the hands of rascals," says Arthur Young, "he lost £5,000 by the business, with only 17 Protestant families, and 26 or 27 looms established for it." His Lordship's successor, the Hon. Thomas Fitzmaurice, prosecuted the project with still greater energy, but with apparently as little success. He continued to import the weavers from the north ; built slated cottages for them as fast as they came ; procured a patent for a market ; set about erecting a handsome inn ; a large house for a master weaver : and a mansion-house for himself in the

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 88

40. Albert Blest and London Hibernian Society schools at Coolaney

    Coolaney · town · Sligo · 1806

    Albert Blest of Coolaney served as chief agent for the London Hibernian Society, establishing about a hundred schools in Sligo and adjoining counties. The Statistical Account of Kilmactigue by Reverend James Nelligan praised Blest, noting that several Catholic teachers and scholars had converted to Protestantism through his instruction and use of the Scriptures.

    Read the passage

    were intended to accomplish covertly what the Charter School system was employed to do openly. The London Hibernian Society, dating from 1806, while professing to "interfere with no particular creed," made scriptural instruction its chief aim, obliging the pupils, who frequented its schools, to devote most of their time to reading the Scriptures, and committing them to memory. The well-known Albert Blest, of Coolany, was the head agent of the Society in this district, as well as chief manager of its schools, of which he established about a hundred in Sligo and the adjoining counties. In the Statistical Account of Kilmactigue, Keverend James Nelligan bestows strong praise on Mr. Blest ; and the qualities which earned the writer's eulogy as well as the real character of the Hibernian Society schools, may be gathered from a single sentence of the Account: — " Since the commencement of this institution (the Hibernian Society), which has been about four years established, several of the teachers, as well as of the scholars, who were educated Roman Catholics, have, by Mr. Blest's conversation and instruction, together with the free use of the Scriptures, become Protestants, and useful and exemplary members of society." It is in this way the London Hibernian Society fulfilled its promise and profession " to interfere with no particular creed."

    The Kildare Place Society, instituted in 1811, for the purpose of " promoting the education of the poor of Ireland," after starting with the most plausible professions, and disclaiming all desires or intention of meddling with any one's belief, developed through time a passion for tampering with the faith of Catholics, and lost, in consequence, its parliamentary grants. The Society in 1826 had 36 schools in the county Sligo, of which the following list, containing the name of each school, name of teacher, name of patron, and number of scholars, must throw curious light on the state of things in the county " Sixty years ago :" —

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 240

41. Charles Phillips' patriotic homecoming speech in Sligo

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    Charles Phillips delivered an emotional address in his native Sligo, invoking childhood memories and the graves of his fathers. He defended his political advocacy for Ireland, lamenting that he and his allies were branded traitors, apostates, and separatists for seeking to rally a united people around the crown.

    Read the passage

    you can have little idea of what he has^to endure, who, in these times, advocates your cause. Every calumny which the venal, and the vulgar, and the vile, are lavishing upon you is visited with exaggeration upon us. We are called traitors, because we would rally round the crown an unanimous people. We are called apostates, because we will not persecute Christianity. We are branded as separatists, because of our endeavours to annihilate the fetters that, instead of binding, clog the connection. To these may be added the frowns of power, the envy of dulness, the mean malice of exposed self-interest, and, it may he, in despite of all natural affection^ even the discountenance of kindred.. Well, be it so, —

    *' For thee, fair freedom, welcome all the past, For thee, my country, welcome even the last !"

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 280

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, this is the town where Charles Phillips came home to deliver a patriotic address, invoking the graves of his fathers and the memories of his childhood. Phillips had been advocating Ireland's cause, and for it he and his allies were branded traitors, apostates, and separatists. He told his audience here that he and his allies were called traitors because they would rally round the crown an unanimous people, called apostates because they would not persecute Christianity, branded as separatists because they sought to annihilate the fetters that instead of binding clog the connection. He spoke of calumny lavished upon them, the frowns of power, the envy of dullness, the mean malice of exposed self-interest, and even the discountenance of kindred. Well, be it so.

42. Connaught chiefs flock to Sligo to support O'Donnell

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

    Following the castle tragedy, crowds of Irish from across the province flocked to Sligo to congratulate O'Donnell and plan future operations. The Burkes, O'Horkes, MacDermots, MacDonoghs, and O'Connors all came or declared adherence to Hugh Roe.

    Read the passage

    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."

    The plan of operations being arranged, the Connaught chiefs retired to their respective territories, while O'Donnell returned to Donegal to organize a new expedition to Connaught. The foray came off in August ; and instead of following the route through the county Leitrim, which he had been obliged to take on the last two occasions, he passed this time straight through the county Sligo, and a part of the barony of Costello in Mayo, where he stopped to take from the English the fortress of Cas-

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 154

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near Sligo now. In 1595, after the tragedy at the castle, this town became what the Four Masters called a continual scene of joy and exultation. Crowds of Irish from across the province flocked here to congratulate O'Donnell and to plan future operations. 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 of Sligo all came to declare their adherence to Hugh Roe. Sir Donogh O'Connor was in England at the time and, had he been in Ireland, would hardly have joined the muster. The numbers were so great that the Four Masters recorded that in the course of one month the greater part of the inhabitants from Erris and Umhall 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. Once the plan of operations was arranged, the Connaught chiefs retired to their territories, and O'Donnell returned to Donegal to organize a new expedition to Connaught. That foray came in August, and instead of taking the route through Leitrim as he had on the last two occasions, he passed straight through county Sligo and part of the barony of Costello in Mayo, where he stopped to take the fortress of Castlemore from the English.

43. Counsellor McDonogh garrisoned Ballymote Castle in 1689

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1689

    During the conflict between James and William, Counsellor Terence McDonogh took up arms and was found in Ballymote Castle at the head of a small garrison in 1689. Later that year he commanded Connaught men in an incursion into the north, where he was captured on Fish Island in the Erne.

    Read the passage

    Though a lawyer, and in large practice, he took up the sword, and continued to use it while the conflict between James and AVilliam lasted ; and we find him in Ballymote Castle at the head of a small garrison in 1689, and later in the same year, in command of some Connaught men who made an irruption into the north — a movement which savoured more of courage than of prudence. On this occasion the Counsellor was made prisoner in Fish Island in the Erne,* but soon after he and

    This rencontre in the presence of both forces occasioned a momentary pause, followed by a tremendous shout from the Brigade at the success of their own officer, the effect of which could only be felt by a spectator ; and at such a critical juncture, that startling shout, and the event of ill omen to the British with which it was connected, were remarked to have had a proportionable influence upon them."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 120

44. Cromwellian appointment of minister to Collooney

    Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1656

    Under the Cromwellian regime, there were very few Catholics in Collooney and the Independents dominated the district. In 1656, the Commonwealth Council appointed Mr. John Thomson as minister and endowed him with £100 per year.

    Read the passage

    Under the Cromwellian regime there was hardly a single Catholic in CoUooney, judging by the names of the inhabitants which have come down to us ; and as prelacy was about as great an abomination as popery to the authorities of the period, Episcopal Protestants were probably as few in the neighbourhood as Catholics. The Independents appear to have had the district entirely to themselves; and the supreme Council of the Commonwealth took so special an interest in CoUooney, that we find it doing for the little town what it did for few other places in Ireland, that is, appointing to it a minister, and endowing him very liberally. The following is the Order in Council, as it was discovered by the v^^riter in the Eecord Office, Dublin, among the manuscript minutes of the Council : —

    " Upon reading the petition of the inhabitants of the parish of Cooloony, in the County of Sligo, praying that Mr. John Thomson be settled minister of the Gospel to exercise his gifts among them for the improvement of their knowledge in the mysteries of salvation, to the comfort of their soules, having already had sufficient experience of his abilities, gifts, and fitness in the work of the ministry, as also of his pious life and exemplary conversation, in his upright walking suitable to his calling. And upon consideration had thereof, and of the report of Doctor Edward Worth and Mr. Stephen Channock thereupon, to whom amongst others it was referred, whereby it appears that the said Mr. Thomson is very well fitted for the work of the ministry, and may prove more than ordinary serviceable in that work — it is therefore ordered that the said Mr. John Thomson be and he is hereby appointed to preach the gospel to the

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 184

45. Drumcolumb church founded by St. Columba

    Drumcolumb · townland · Sligo

    According to O'Donnell's Life of St. Columba, the saint received a tract of land called Druimnamac from his relations in Tirerrill and there built a church, placing his disciple St. Finbar over it. He presented the church with a bell called Glassan and erected a tall cross on its south side, prophesying prosperity so long as bell and cross remained. Small remains of the church and a little-used graveyard survive.

    Read the passage

    We have Drumcolumb in the bishop of Kildare's inquisition as Drumcollon ; and it is, probably, the Drumduliand of the Taxation of 1307. As the name implies, it is a foundation of Saint Columba. In his Life of Saint Columba, O'Donnell tells that the saint, after founding the church of Emlaghfad, near Ballymote, passed to Tirerrill, and receiving from the inhabitants of that district, who were his own relations, a tract of land, called then Druimnamac, but later Drum Colum Oille, built thereon a church, set over it his disciple St. Finbar, presented it, in token of his affection, with a bell called Glassan, and erected on the south side of it a tall cross ; foretelling at the same time, that

    250 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 133

46. Edward Hart punished for butter fraud in Sligo (1817)

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1817

    In 1817, Edward Hart was sentenced to the pillory and six months' imprisonment for selling David Culbertson four casks of gravel and rubbish covered with a thin layer of butter, passed off as good merchantable butter.

    Read the passage

    While burglary and abduction thus cost those concerned in them their lives, other crimes met with fitting punishment. Manslaughter was generally punished with two years' imprisonment and burning in the hand ; perjury with the pillory, and either long confinement in gaol, or transportation for seven years, as in the instance of Richard "Walton, sentenced at the Summer Assizes of 1817 " to be pilloried in Sligo for one hour, and afterwards transported for seven years;" "carding" the naked back, with long imprisonment and one or two " whippings " in the neighbourhood where the carding took place ; and notable fraud in buying or selling, with the pillory and six months' imprisonment— a punishment inflicted in 1817, on Edward Hart, for passing on David Culbertson as " good, sound, and merchantable butter," four casks of "gravel and other rubbish," each cask being covered on the top with a thin layer of butter. The augur does not appear to have been in use at this early period of the Sligo butter market. It may be here stated that a pillory was preserved in the Provost's court down to the year 1848, when it disappeared and, probably, was destroyed.

    Though the Threshers' association received its death-blow from the Special Commission that sat in 1806, it lingered on for a few years more, and, even in its moribund state, gave proof of life in a carding or two, which received their merited retribution. The Threshers had no sooner retired finally from the scene, than the Ribbonmen appeared, and took the vacant place ; and, it is well to know that, as far as appears, the Ribbon association figured for the first time before the Judges in the county Sligo, at the Summer Assizes of 1819, when Peter Leydeu, John Dyer, and Patrick Gormly, who had been committed by Reverend John Garrett and Major Bridgham, were convicted '* of rising and appearing armed by night to the terror of his Majesty's subjects, against peace and statute," of "assuming the name and denomination of Ribbon men, the same not being usually

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 264

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming into Sligo now. Back in 1817, this town saw a punishment that sticks in the memory. A man named Edward Hart sold four casks to David Culbertson, passing them off as, in the words of the court, good, sound, and merchantable butter. But the casks were filled with gravel and other rubbish, each one covered on the top with nothing more than a thin layer of butter. For that fraud, Hart was sentenced to the pillory and to six months in prison. The augur does not appear to have been in use at this early period of the Sligo butter market, so the trick had not been caught by testing the depth of a cask. He stood in the pillory here, in full view. A pillory was kept in the Provost's court in Sligo down to the year 1848, when it disappeared and was probably destroyed. Hart's case was one of several that year. At the Summer Assizes of 1817, Richard Walton was sentenced to be pilloried in Sligo for one hour and afterwards transported for seven years, for perjury. Manslaughter at the time generally meant two years' imprisonment and burning in the hand. Carding, the punishment of a naked back, brought long imprisonment and one or two whippings in the neighbourhood where the carding took place. But Hart's crime sits in a different register. He filled casks with gravel and rubbish, laid butter on top, and called it good. The court called it notable fraud in buying or selling, and the punishment was the pillory and six months.

47. Emigration of Tireragh youths to America on the Cadmus

    Tireragh · barony · Sligo

    Thady Connellan used emigration funds to despatch several young men of Tireragh to America aboard Mr. O'Connor's vessel, the Cadmus. It was suspected he wanted them out of the country because they knew too much about his earlier dealings with the Thrashers.

    Read the passage

    The mission was a great pecuniary success. Thady received large sums for the work of the Elementaries, and got besides a considerable amount for emigration purposes. With the emigration fund he despatched several young fellows of Tireragh to America by Mr. O'Connor's vessel, the Cadmus ; and it was suspected at the time that he was anxious to have them out of the country, as, perhaps, they knew more than he wished of his relations with the Thrashers, some years before, when, for lack of other employment, he used to hawk felt hats at fairs and markets. It was probably in sly allusion to the general suspicions that Mr. Michael Fenton, of Eask}^, who had the name of being himself no great friend of the " boys," meeting Thady in company with some neighbours, said to him : " So, Thady, you are transporting the boys?" "Yes, sir," rejoined the imperturbable Thady, "just to save you the trouble of hanging them."

    Self-denial was not Connellan's characteristic virtue, if he had any such, and it is well known that he made a good thing of his connexion with the Hibernian Society ; but, in an evil hour, he was tempted, by the prospect of high interest, to bank most of his savings with Mr. Baron Foster, who, about as pious a man as Thady himself, was in some respects more than a match for him, and closed on the money, with perhaps the less compunction, as he must have suspected that the ex-E,omanist had got much of it together by false pretences. Somehow those who knew Thady gave him no credit for sincerity, but rather regarded him as a charlatan and a sham. Young as Lady Morgan was when she met *' Mr. Thady O'Conolan," as she calls him, she guaged correctly his assurance, his cunning, his affectad dignity, his rich brogue, "that beggared all description," his simulated learning, and paints him as a "finished character;" and John O'Donovan, who had special opportunities of studying

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 222

48. Funeral of the Sticks at Collooney

    Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1805

    The funeral in 1805 of Rev. Walter Henry, parish priest of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, became known as the Funeral of the Sticks. A crowd from his native parish of Killoran arrived at Collooney armed with bludgeons to seize the corpse for burial in Killoran graveyard, but abandoned the attempt when the Collooney people assembled in force to resist them.

    Read the passage

    These fights occurred sometimes at v;akes and funerals. The funeral, in 1805, of Keverend Walter Henry, Parish Priest of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, is still known in the neighbourhood as the ''Funeral of the Sticks," from the circumstance that a crowd from Killoran, the native parish of deceased, came to Collooney, armed with bludgeons, to take away the corpse by force, and to bury it in Killoran graveyard ; but finding the Collooney people assembled in great numbers, ready and resolved to punish any attempt to carry out of the parish the remains of their beloved pastor, the invaders abandoned their project, and returned crestfallen home.

    Things, however, did not always end so quietly, as another instance shows. It is the case of a Mrs. M'Nulty, of Meemlagh, in the parish of Killoran. As soon as the remains were taken out of the house in which she died, her relations, on one side^ and her marriage connexions, on the other, claimed each the right of burying her in their own burying-place ; and as the conflicting claims could not be amicably settled, and both parties agreeing to fight for it,, and laying down the coffin under the walls of Meemlagh castle, they set deliberately to work, and fought for a full hour till victory declared for the Magraths, when the

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 261

49. Hanging of O'Harts of Grange at Sligo Sessions

    Grange · town · Sligo · 1584–1586

    At a Sessions held in Sligo under the presidency of George Bingham, Sir Richard Bingham hanged two of the O'Harts of Grange along with several others. This exemplified the Bingham regime's repression of local families in County Sligo.

    Read the passage

    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

    You're coming through Grange now. Back in the 1580s, two of the O'Harts from this town were hanged at a Sessions held in Sligo, under the presidency of George Bingham. His brother Sir Richard Bingham carried out the hanging, along with several others. The Bingham regime was crushing local families across County Sligo, and the O'Harts of Grange were among those who paid with their lives.

50. Inishmurray inhabitants: hereditary fishermen, hospitable, Irish-speaking

    Inishmurray · townland · Sligo · 1779

    The islanders of Inishmurray had lived there hereditarily for over 600 years, speaking only Irish, and subsisting in winter on potatoes, dry fish, milk and occasional mutton. They were described as Roman Catholic, hospitable to strangers without reward, and devoted to Colonel Irwin who visited annually and had secured them exemptions from county charges.

    Read the passage

    " Inismurray is a rock rising out of the sea, which goes sloping gently and like steps to the edge of the water on the east side towards the main shore, but on the west is high, craggy, and all precipice, with some small heads advancing on the sea, through which the fury of the waves have perforated large holes, not unlike ancient arches, where the sea roars horridly in tempestuous weather. About 130 acres are covered with a thin soil of about 5 or 6 inches deep, which produces grass to feed about 4 or 5 cows, as many horses, and 30 sheep ; there is also some arable land that produces about 20 barrels of corn, besides some garden stuflf; the houses are 5 in number, and as many barns j and the inhabitants 45 or 46, including children. They are all fishermen, and sell their cargoes on the mainland. They have inhabited this island, from father to son, for upwards of 600 years, and when crowded send the supernumerary to seek their fortune on shore ; they only speak Irish, except one man and an old woman ; they are very hospitable to strangers, will treat and lodge them without reward ; they love Colonel Irwin (by whose means they have been exempted from some county charges), and who, every year, pays them a visit, by which they never lose. There is an abbey, as it is called, very rude, a church, and some other old buildings, said to have been erected by St. Molash and Columbkill ; the figure, or statue, in wood, of the first, they have there in a cell, and have daubed him all over with red paint to make him look handsome. Mr. Bigarry described his holiness upon the spot. They have many traditions, which were all gathered in Irish by our interpreter, and filled some pages of paper.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 26

51. Jack Taaffe's duel with Major Bridgham at Boyle

    Boyle · town · Roscommon

    Jack Taaffe, a noted duellist, had a duel with Major Bridgham which took place at Boyle. The encounter ended without casualty on either side, but was the one affair the people particularly spoke of.

    Read the passage

    though the only affaire which the people speak of in particular, was one with Major Bridgham, which came off at Boyle, and without casualty on either side.

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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 96

52. James White of Ballymote, comic poet of Templehouse satire

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo

    James White, a Ballymote man, was noted by Charles O'Conor as having a rare talent for comedy. He wrote a burlesque poem about the adventures of an Irish soldier and satirized the extravagances of an entertainment at Templehouse in the time of Shane Harlow.

    Read the passage

    A Ballymote man, named James White, is spoken of by the Venerable Charles O'Conor (Dublin Chronicle, Vol. 1., p. 227), as endowed with such a rare talent for comedy, that " had he been bred in the school of Moliere, he would have been one of the most celebrated comic poets of the age." The adventures of Cruighuire Cai O'Gallagher, an Irish soldier of the Revolutionary period, which he wove into a burlesque poem of the Hudibras kind, is described as a masterpiece of humour. The extravagances of an entertainment at Templehouse, in the time of Shane Harlow, was a subject well suited to his pen, and he is said to have handled it in a way to " excite and continue the loudest peals of laughter." It is a pity that these productions, which must have been interesting for their wit and as a picture of the times, appear to be lost. The pleasures of the people in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were, notwithstanding the political and social oppression of the times, more lively and genial than at present ; and judging by the compositions of James White, and by the number of rymers, pipers, and harpers, found in the population of Ballymote, the inhabitants of that town would appear to have been rather in advance of, than behind, others in respect of such enjoyments.

    The Book of Ballymote has more to do with the frequent mention of Ballymote which we find in Irish historical and archaeological works, than any other circumstance connected with the place, not excepting the magnificence of its castle, and the distinction of its successive owners : the Burkes, the

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 90

53. John Crean of Hazelwood clears his name, 1653

    Hazelwood · street · Galway · 1653

    John Crean, son and heir of Andrew Crean of Annagh (Hazelwood) and son-in-law of Lord Taaffe, was accused by deponents of leading outrages at Templehouse in 1641. In May 1653 he confronted these charges before Richard Coote and Captain Robert Parke, deposing that he had protected English residents and knew nothing of Mr. Oliphant's murder until after it was done by persons over whom he had no power.

    Read the passage

    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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 44

54. Killeen burial ground and miraculous stones legend

    Gortakeeran · townland · Sligo

    In the townland of Gortakeeran is a small enclosed space called Killeen, traditionally used for burying unbaptized children. Local tradition holds that stones set up to mark the bounds of an intended church were miraculously removed by night to Killoran, where the church was consequently built, indicating Killeen preceded Killoran.

    Read the passage

    In the same townland is a little enclosed space called Killeen, in which unbaptized children used to be buried. Though local seanachies would connect Killeen with Ossian and his contemporaries, it is clearly the site of a primitive church, as would appear, even from the curious tradition, that some stones, which were set up there to mark the bounds of an intended church.

    02 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 32

55. Lady Morgan's graphic picture of a Tireragh cabin interior

    Tireragh · barony · Sligo

    Lady Morgan describes an evening visit to a Tireragh cabin, where a musical tailor sewed by rush-candle light on the earthen floor while children sat around him and cattle slept among the family. The author notes that the thick, door-only smoke and the whole scene have now vanished from Tireragh.

    Read the passage

    In Sketch XII. Lady Morgan draws a graphic picture of the interior of a Tireragh cabin, as it appeared on the occasion of an evening visit paid to it by herself and her friends — an itinerant *' musical " tailor seated in the centre of the earthen floor, plying the needle by the light of a rush candle, and singing aloud as he stitched ; the younger children squatted round him, engrossed alike with the song, and with the little frieze jackets he was making for them ; the eldest brother stretched on some straw near them, with the head of a calf resting on his arm, and " the parent cow slumbering at his feet ;" and the smoke, which had no means of escape but the door, so thick that, though it had no effect on the inmates, it obliged the visitors to hurry away. All this is so altered that you would now search Tireragh in vain for the counterpart of the scene.

    Petroleum oil, struck for the first time in 1859, has not only banished the rush candle, and the tallow dip, that succeeded it, but has furnished the humblest houses in the county with a lamp, which in the past was an illuminant confined to the mansions of the rich; the ready-made department of our woollen warehouses has spoiled the trade of itinerant tailors, "musical" and other ; the sanitary laws, which require that steadings for cattle shall stand apart from dwelling houses, have largely modified the tender relations so often existing between cattle and their owners ; and if more smoke than is good for the eyes may still be found in a peasant's or herd's residence here and there, this nuisance, too, is greatly abated, and will soon be put an end to, by the modern practice of supplying all new houses, big and little, with a suitable chimney.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 310

56. Lisconny estate and the Phibbs family succession

    Lisconny · townland · Sligo

    Jack Phibbs' daughter and heiress was taken from Lisconny by a Mr. Brabazon of Mayo and married before the Parish Priest of Collooney. The estate passed through the Toler family via marriage to a son of Lord Norbury. A succession of tenants followed, including the horse-racer Commodore Irwin, Counsellor Baker, and finally Bernard Cogan as last occupying tenant.

    Read the passage

    Jack Phibbs had no son ; and his daughter and heiress was taken away, with her own consent, from Lisconny by a gentleman named Brabazon of the county Mayo, and brought before Father John Fiizmaurice, the then Parish Priest of Collooney, who forthwith married them ; having, no doubt, good and sufficient reasons for officiating. The issue of the marriage was an only daughter, who in due time, was married to a son of Lord Norbury, and carried the Lisconny and Doorla estate into the Toler family, where it still remains.

    Another Mr. Phibbs, whom the people, with the peculiar politeness of the times, commonly called Blind Billy Phibbs^ succeeded Jack in the occupancy, but not in the ownership of Lisconny. Arthur Irwin, a famous horse racer, generally styled Commodore Irwin, was the next tenant ; and local seanachies love to recall how, when he exercised his horses in the Blackfield at Doorla, he had a pet deer so trained, that it ran before them and showed them the course. From Blind Billy, Lisconny passed to Counsellor Baker ; from the counsellor to Mr. Waldron; and from him in turn to Mr. Bryan Cogan, the father of the late Mr. Bernard Owen Cogan, J.P., and the grandfather of Mr. Bernard Cogan, the last occupying tenant^of Lisconny House and lands.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 134

57. Mullaghmore developed as exclusive seaside resort

    Mullaghmore · town · Sligo

    Lord Palmerston sought to make Mullaghmore a seaside watering place, building a terrace of fine houses renting at ten or twenty pounds a month for the wealthy. He made no lodging provision for humbler classes, creating what the author considered an unfair monopoly of the finest sea bathing on the western coast.

    Read the passage

    And he took steps to make Mullaghmore a watering place also, or sea-side resort, but one, apparently, of too exclusive a kind ; for while he put up for the rich a terrace of fine houses, to let at ten or twenty pounds a month, he made no provision for the lodging of persons belonging to the humble classes. As the rich have already so many of the good things of Ireland, it was hardly fair of him to create for them a monopoly of the finest sea bathing on the western coast. Whatever may have been his motive in this, we may be sure, that it was acted on in the interest of his tenants, for every line of his letters from Cliffoney, and every act of his there, show that this was the paramount consideration with him in the management of his Sligo estates.

    The present owner of the Palmerston estate, the Honourable Evelyn Ashley, resides a good part of the year at Mullaghmore ; and the writer, having taken occasion of a recent visit to Mullaghmore, to find out the opinions the inhabitants entertain of that gentleman, is glad to be able to report, that they all speak in terms of admiration and gratitude of the neighbourly kindness and attentions of himself and his family.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Mullaghmore, a seaside place that Lord Palmerston tried to turn into a watering place for the wealthy. He built a terrace of fine houses renting at 10 or 20 pounds a month, but made no provision at all for humbler people to stay. The author of the history of Sligo thought it was hardly fair, since the rich already had so many of the good things of Ireland, to give them what amounted to a monopoly of the finest sea bathing on the western coast. He notes though that Palmerston acted from what he believed was the interest of his tenants, judging by his letters from Cliffoney and his conduct on his Sligo estates. The later owner, the Honourable Evelyn Ashley, lived here much of the year, and when the author asked the inhabitants what they thought of him, they all spoke with admiration and gratitude for his neighbourly kindness.

58. Primitive monastic establishment within Inismurray cashel

    Inishmurray · townland · Sligo

    The buildings within the cashel and the cashel itself together form perhaps the only perfect surviving example of a primitive Irish monastic establishment. The area contains three small quadrangular churches of different sizes, the largest called Tempul-na-fear measuring twenty-four feet by twelve.

    Read the passage

    The buildings within the cashel, and the cashel itself, taking them together, afford the best example, perhaps the only perfect example extant, of a primitive Irish monastic establishment ; the examples which must have existed in large numbers through Ireland, having disappeared under the changes and demolitions which are constantly taking place on the mainland. The antiquities here are various weird, old world structures, distributed rather irregularly over the area: — 1st, three small quadrangular churches of different sizes, the largest, called Tempul-na-fear, twenty-four feet long, by about twelve wide ;

    42

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 16

59. Red Hugh O'Donnell buys Ballymote Castle, 1598

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1598–1601

    Towards the close of the 16th century, the MacDonoghs sold Ballymote Castle to Red Hugh O'Donnell for £400 and 300 cows. O'Donnell possessed and generally occupied the castle from 1598 to 1601.

    Read the passage

    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

60. Richard Phibbs's Cromwellian land grant in Sniggeen and Knockgrany

    Sniggeen · townland · Sligo · 1650–1660

    Richard Phibbs, a soldier in Colonel Coote's regiment, claimed arrears of £62 and was assigned 82 acres in the townlands of Sniggeen and Knockgrany in the parish of Drumrat. This small grant was the beginning of the Phibbs family's rise to ownership of nearly 20,500 acres of fertile land in County Sligo.

    Read the passage

    Another grantee, though of a small grant, should not he passed over. It is Richard Fibbs, the ancestor of the prosperous and numerous Phibbs family. One of the Reports of the Schedules and Petitions of Cromwellian officers and soldiers * records, that Richard Fibbs claimed, as a soldier of Colonel Richard Coote's regiment, and Captain Francis King's troop ; that the amount of arrears he claimed for was £62 2s. Od. ; and that, in satisfaction of this claim, 82 acres 1 rood 0 perches, subsequently reduced to 54 acres 3 roods 13 perches, were assigned him in the townlands of Sniggeen and Knockgrany, in the parish of Drumrat, which, at 10s. an acre, came to £41 2s. 6d. for the 82 acres 1 rood 0 perches, and to £27 15s. Od. for the 54 acres 3 roods 13 perches, thus leaving in his favour a balance of claim, in one case, of £20 19s. 6d., and in the other of £34 I7s. Od., or thereabouts.

    It was from this small beginning the Phibbs family started on the career of aggrandisement, which they have since so steadily and successfully pursued, being now owners, between them, of near 20,500 acres of the most fertile land in the county-^for the most part church lands. A short time before the Phibbs family

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 106