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

Holy well of Dromard and pilgrim observances

Dromard · townland · Sligo

Lady Morgan came across the holy well of Dromard, near Longford, and described its appearance and the devotional rituals performed there. The well lay in a shaded circular spot, approached through a rude arch, covered by a flat stone, with a circle for pilgrims to traverse, an altar enriched with stones, an oak tree bearing a wooden crucifix and votive cloth offerings.

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of the district. While out of an evening for a ramble wi th some of the Crofton?, she came across the well of Dromard, near Longford, and has left a good account of its appearance and the observances connected with it. The well itself lay in a little circular spot shaded with trees, was approached through a rude arch, and was covered with a broad, flat stone, no doubt to preserve it from contamination by fowl or cattle. Round it was traced the circle, which its visitors used to traverse in their devotions, stopping at certain stages to say the prayers appropriate to them. Near it " stood a simple altar enriched with stones," and over the altar rose an oak tree, from the trunk of which ^vas VOL. n. 2 N
562 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 306

Illicit distillation in Drumcliffe and Ahamlish

near Drumcliff · population centre · Sligo · 1800–1830

In the early decades of the nineteenth century, illicit distillation was common throughout County Sligo, but the parishes of Drumcliffe and Ahamlish were so notorious that nine-tenths of all 'Still Cases' at the Connaught Circuit assizes originated there. Penalties included imprisonment and fines of £10, with harsher punishment for resisting revenue officers.

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Illicit distillation gave the Judges, who went the Connaught Circuit, no little trouble in the first decades of the current century, hardly an assizes passing over without numerous convictions. Potteen was made, now and then, in all parts of the county, but the manufacture was so common and so constant in Drumcliffe and Ahamlish, that nine-tenths of the Still Cases, as they were called, came from those parishes. The penalty, in ordinary cases, such as " having a still," " using a still," " making pot ale,'* '' having singlings," " malting grain," etc., was imprisonment for a week, with a fine of £10, the parties to be kept in gaol for six months, if the fioe was not paid; the great^object apparently of the authorities, being to secure the money paid as fine. Resistance to the revenue officers, or rescue of objects seized, entailed much heavier punishment, varying according to the circumstances of the case.
It would be out of place to dwell further here on the past condition of the county in regard to crime; nor is it necessary, as one can gather, from the authentic details already given, a good notion of the criminal offences more frequently occurring, as also of the marked contrast there happily is between the law and order of the present time, and the lawlessness and barbarism of the past.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 266

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Drumcliffe, you are moving through country that was once the heart of illicit distillation in County Sligo. In the first decades of the 1800s, poitín was made now and then all over the county, but the manufacture was so common and so constant in the parishes of Drumcliffe and Ahamlish that nine-tenths of all the Still Cases, as they were called, at the Connaught Circuit assizes came from those two parishes alone. Hardly an assizes passed without numerous convictions. The ordinary charges were things like having a still, using a still, making pot ale, having singlings, or malting grain. The penalty was a week in prison and a fine of £10. If the fine went unpaid, the offender was kept in gaol for six months. The great object of the authorities, apparently, was to secure the fine money. If someone resisted the revenue officers or tried to rescue objects seized, the punishment was much heavier, varying with the circumstances of each case.

John Wesley carried over sloughs near Ballincurry, 1778

Ballincurry · townland · Sligo · 1778

Travelling through the parish of Curry on the road from Castlebar to Sligo in 1778, John Wesley encountered three sloughs near Ballincurry. He was carried over the worst one on a countryman's shoulders while local Catholic peasants helped haul his chaise through with ropes after the traces broke.

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Notwithstanding, however, what Arthur Young writes, there is proof enough that all the roads of the county Sligo were not in the condition he describes, for we learn from Reverend John Wesley's Journal (Yol. lY., p. 117) that when travelling in 1778 through the parish of Curry, on the way from Castlebar to Sligo, he encountered three " sloughs " on the road near Ballincurry; and though he made a shift to get through two of them without help, he had himself to be carried over the third on the shoulders of a countryman, who did the plus ^neas on the occasion, while his chaise was forced through with great difficulty by horses and men — the horses
552 HISTORY OF SLTGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 301

Kilellin at Ballygawley: early church, pillar stone and holy well

Ballygawley · town · Sligo

At Kilellin in Ballygawley stood a church predating Kilross, with an attached cemetery where a pillar stone known as clogh an easpuig marks the grave of an unknown primitive bishop. A holy well nearby, shaded by ash trees, was frequented by crowds from all quarters including the town of Sligo until recently.

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The place called Kilellin at Ballygawley, in the same parish, contained a church, which preceded in time that of Kilross, and which also had a cemetery attached, where a pillar stone, popularly known as clogh an easpuig, marks the last resting-place of some primitive bishop, whose name has not come down to us. Within a few yards of this cemetery, and under the shade of some fine ash trees, there is a holy well, which, till recently, was frequented by crowds from all quarters, including the Town of Sligo. Country people tell you that there are Ogham lines, on the part of clogh an easpuigy that is sunk in the ground.
To this parish belong the remarkable antiquities already described J — Calliagh a Vera's House on the summit of Slieve-da^ en, the Triliag on the slope of that mountain, the remarkable monuments in the townlands of Caronagh and Ardnasbrack, and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 132

Kilross Church founded by Clarus MacMailin, 1233

Kilross · townland · Sligo · 1233

The church of Kilross — meaning 'church of the wood' — was founded in 1233 by Clarus MacMailin, Prior of Trinity Abbey in Loch Cé, and belonged to the Premonstratensians. Substantial ruins remain, with the western end evidently serving as a clergy residence; it remains the chief burial place of the parish and includes a vault of the Ormsby family of Castledargan. Cottage Island in Lough Gill was among the church's possessions.

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The church of Kilross — church of the wood — from which the parish has its name, was founded in 1233 by Clarus MacMailin,* the famous Prior of Trinity Abbey in Loch Ce, and belonged to the Premonstratensians, as did several other churches in this and the neighbouring counties, founded by the same zealous and able man. A good part of the ruins still remain ; and it is clear from an inspection of the western end, that this portion of the structure served as a residence for the clergy, while the rest of the building formed the church — an arrangement common enough in Irish churches in past times.f Kilross is not only the chief burying place of the parish, but is much used for interments of people belonging to other parishes — Protestants as well as Catholics are interred in it — and the Ormsbys, late of Castledargan, has a vault there. The church was well endowed with lands which lay round it ; and Cottage Island, in Lough Gill, was one of its possessions.
The place called Kilellin at Ballygawley, in the same parish, contained a church, which preceded in time that of Kilross, and which also had a cemetery attached, where a pillar stone, popularly known as clogh an easpuig, marks the last resting-place of some primitive bishop, whose name has not come down to us. Within a few yards of this cemetery, and under the shade of some fine ash trees, there is a holy well, which, till recently, was frequented by crowds from all quarters, including the Town of Sligo. Country people tell you that there are Ogham lines, on the part of clogh an easpuigy that is sunk in the ground.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 132

McDonogh captured on Fish Island during Connaught raid

near Haulbowline Island · townland · Cork · 1689

Counsellor Terence McDonogh led Connaught men in an incursion into the north in 1689 but was captured on Fish Island near Enniskillen. Hamilton's account notes that most of the foot fled towards Sligo except a few taken on Fish Island with their captain, known as 'blind MacDonough.'

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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

Palmerston's harbour at Mullaghmore

Mullaghmore · town · Sligo

Lord Palmerston constructed a large harbour at Mullaghmore at his sole expense, featuring a massive quay, a protective jetty projecting into the sea, and an anchorage for vessels. The project exceeded its original design and cost more time and money than anticipated.

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A much weightier and more expensive work was the harbour, which he constructed at Mullaghmore. Eight hundred feet long; three hundred feet wide; fourteen feet deep at spring tide ; with a massive well built quay running all round ; a substantial solid jetty, projecting beyond the entrance of the port several hundred feet into the sea, so as to protect vessels from the west wind while entering the harbour in a storm ; and an excellent anchorage in front, where vessels might ride secure while waiting the rise of the tide, to enable them to enter ; this great undertaking, which would reflect credit on the government of the country, if executed by advances from the public treasury, was begun, carried on, and finished at Lord Palmerston's sole expense. This harbour, which, during construction

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 12

As the companion tells it

As you come through Mullaghmore in Sligo, you are near a harbour that Lord Palmerston built entirely at his own expense. It runs 800 feet long and 300 feet wide, with 14 feet of depth at spring tide. A massive quay runs all the way round it, and a solid jetty projects several hundred feet out into the sea to shield vessels from the west wind as they enter in a storm. There is an excellent anchorage in front, where ships could ride secure while waiting for the tide to rise enough to come in. The book says it would reflect credit on the government of the country if executed by advances from the public treasury, yet Palmerston did it alone.

Palmerston's school-building and glebe for parish priest

Ahamlish · parish · Sligo

Lord Palmerston made a concordat with his bishop over schools in the parish, resulting in a girls' school growing from five to one hundred scholars. He subsequently endowed a glebe for the Parish Priest to match the rector's endowment, built school-houses with first-class teachers, and treated Catholics and Protestants with equal impartiality.

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After this there was no further unpleasantness between Lord Palmerston and the priests. Seeing that the stand they had made, was made merely with the object of safeguarding the faith of their flocks, he seems to have thought only the more of them for their fidelity to duty. The incident, too, opened his eyes to the true position and claims of the priests and their flocks, and ever after he treated Catholics and Protestants with the most perfect impartiality. As the rector of the parish enjoyed an endowment, his lordship made over a glebe to the Parish Priest, to put him on a level with the Parson. As he spent money on the Protestant parish church, to fit it for service, he showed equal liberality in improving the places of worship of the Catholics; and, as to popular education, he built several good school-houses, put into them first-class teachers, and made such arrangements as to their management, as satisfied priests and bishop. The principle of even dealing he carried into
38

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 14

As the companion tells it

Up ahead the road passes through Ahamlish parish in Sligo. Lord Palmerston had a concordat with his bishop here over the schools, and a girls' school grew from 5 to 100 scholars. After some early friction with the priests, he came to respect their fidelity to duty and treated Catholics and Protestants with perfect impartiality. The rector enjoyed an endowment, so Palmerston made over a glebe to the Parish Priest to put him on a level with the Parson. He spent money fitting the Protestant parish church for service and showed equal liberality improving Catholic places of worship. He built several good school-houses, put first-class teachers into them, and made management arrangements that satisfied priests and bishop alike.

Penal-times Mass ravine at Drumcolumb

Drumcolumb · townland · Sligo

Close to the site of Drumcolumb church is a ravine with precipitous sides where Mass was celebrated during Penal times. When showers came, men stuck their walking sticks in the overhanging bank and draped their coats on them to shelter the altar, worshipping in their shirt sleeves.

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Near each of the churches of Ballynakill, Tawnagh, and Drumcolumb, there is a holy well ; and close by the site of Drumcolumb building, there is a ravine with precipitous sides, within which Mass used to be said in the Penal times ; and it is told that, when a shower came on, the men present, in order to keep the rain ofi" the altar, stuck their walking sticks on the overhanging bank, and taking off their coats, fixed them on the sticks, themselves being, in consequence, obliged to worship in their shirt sleeves.
The existing Protestant church of Kilmacallane, at Kiverstown, was built in 1817 on a gift of £900, and a loan of £500. Previously to the erection of this edifice, the old Catholic church of Tawnagh was used for Protestant worship, the interior being plaistered so as to hide away all memorials of its original destination. It was only a few years ago, on some of the plaster falling off, a holy water stoup was found in situ. The addition of a porch and vestry was made to the building in 1768, when, as an inscribed slab inserted in the western gable informs us, John Dodd and William Cooper were churchwardens.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 138

Sligo Castle besieged by Hugh Oge O'Donnell with French cannon

Sligo · town · Sligo

Hugh Oge O'Donnell besieged Sligo Castle for a good part of two years without success, until great cannon sent from France finally breached it. No ordnance in Ireland was capable of battering it down, attesting to the castle's exceptional strength.

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The difficulty, always found in taking the castle by force, supplies another proof of its great strength. The place must have been exceptionally strong which withstood successfully several sieges, and which bafEed, for a good part of two years, all the efforts of Hugh Oge O'Donnell, and was captured in the end by that able, accomplished, and powerful chief, only by means of great cannon sent to him from France for the special purpose of attacking it; there being no ordnance in Ireland capable of breaching it or battering it down.
Though this fortress is frequently mentioned in the first volume, where its various vicissitudes of fortune are described at some length, it will not be amiss to summarize here the references to it contained in the Four Masters and other old authorities, in order that the reader may have its entire history under the eye at a single glance : —

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 156

As the companion tells it

Sligo town is coming up on you now. Sligo Castle here was exceptionally strong. It withstood several sieges, and it baffled Hugh Oge O'Donnell for a good part of two years. No ordnance in Ireland was capable of battering it down. In the end he took it only by means of great cannon sent to him from France for the special purpose of attacking it. He was an able and powerful chief, and he needed all of that to bring this fortress low.

Ambrose O'Connor and Holy Cross Convent, Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo

Rev. Ambrose O'Connor, a member of the O'Connor Sligo family, was an alumnus of Holy Cross convent in Sligo where he joined the Dominican Order. He later became Provincial of the Irish province and ministered in Ireland while evading civil and military authorities.

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VC Eey. Ambrose O'Connor, O.P., has good claim to a place in this collection, as he is ranked by De Burgo, after Echard,* among the writers of the Dominican Order. He was a member of the O'Connor Sligo family, and an alumnus of Holy Cross convent in the town. Having joined the Order in Sligo he proceeded to Spain for study and training, where he evinced such talents for business that, upon his ordination, he was appointed Procurator-General of the Irish Dominicans to the court of Madrid, an office which he held for thirty years, and in which he gained great distinction for himself and great benefits for Ireland. With this office he held, for nine years, that of Provincial of the Irish province ; and in discharging the duties of the position he risked a visit to Ireland, where, in spite of the continuous efforts of the civil and military authorities to arrest him, he remained several years, directing the ninety Fathers, or thereabouts, who were then scattered up and down the country ; animating those who were in prison to bear up
* Echard writes of Father O'Connor : " F. Ambrosius O'Connor, Hibernus, Sligoce, vernacule Sligeach, ex illustri Dominorum O'Connor, Comitatus Sligoensis Dynistarum, Stirpe ortus, ibidem ordinem amplexatus est, et post exacta in Hispania studia, Procurator Generalis Provincioe Hibernice nostrse in Aula regia Matritensi positus, hoc munus morum gravitate, agendorumque peritia strenue tutatus est per annos triginta. Hinc a Magistro ordinis Prior Provincialis semel et iterum institutus, in Hiberniam se contulit, sodales visitaturus, quos nonaginta circiter per regaum hinc inde dispersos invenit, cum ingenti fructu occulte evangelizantes, et quinque a quatuor annis in diversis partibus carceribus detentos, omnique ope destitutos : Quos omnes ad quaecunque aspera pro religione sustinenda inflammavit Verbo et Exemplo, cum Missionariua utriusque Cleri ipsa Catholicis in fide Romana fovendis fortiter, et impigre laborans, dum ab Hereticis interim solicitius qusereretur, et ejus vestigiis sseoissime instaretur."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 277

As the companion tells it

As you come through Sligo, this is the town where Holy Cross convent once stood, and where Ambrose O'Connor began a remarkable life. He was a member of the O'Connor Sligo family, and an alumnus of Holy Cross convent here in the town. He joined the Dominican Order in Sligo, then went to Spain for study and training. He showed such talents for business that, upon his ordination, he was appointed Procurator-General of the Irish Dominicans to the court of Madrid. He held that office for thirty years, and gained great distinction for himself and great benefits for Ireland. Alongside it, he held the office of Provincial of the Irish province for nine years. In discharging those duties, he risked a visit to Ireland. The civil and military authorities tried continuously to arrest him, but he remained in Ireland for several years, directing the ninety Fathers, or thereabouts, who were scattered up and down the country, and animating those who were in prison to bear up. Echard, who ranks O'Connor among the writers of the Dominican Order, records that he was born of the illustrious O'Connor stock of the county of Sligo, and that he embraced the order in this very place. Echard says that after his studies in Spain, as Procurator-General at the royal court of Madrid, he fulfilled the office for thirty years with gravity of character and skill in affairs. He was made Provincial and went to Ireland to visit his brethren, finding about ninety of them scattered through the country, preaching the Gospel in secret. He found some held in prison for four or five years, deprived of all help. He inflamed them all to endure hardship for religion by word and example, while the authorities sought him diligently and tracked his steps.

Anglo-Norman timber castles and expulsions in Sligo

Banada · townland · Sligo · 1263–1270

Walter Burke and other English constructed timber castles in Leyney, Tireragh, Rath Ard creeve, Banada, Buninna, and other places, taking forcible possession of these districts. They expelled the O'Haras, O'Dowds, and other hereditary chiefs from their lands.

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All this time there was hardly a stone house in the county except some churches, which served not only for places of worship, but sometimes for ecclesiastical residences * sometimes for prisons or fortresses,t and often for storehouses of provisions.J The first castle of stone and mortar in the county was built at Collooney,§ no doubt, by Turlough O'Conor, who was then King of Connaught ; and no other, in all likelihood, was erected till after the arrival of the Anglo-Normans. The Annals of the Four Masters record that the Barons of Erin came to Connaught in 1237 and "commenced erecting castles there." || In 1245 Maurice Fitzgerald built the castle of Sligoj^f in 1263 Walter Burke erected the castle of Templehouse or Ath Angaile;** and about the same time he and other English constructed timber castles in Leyney and Tireragh, at Rath Ard creeve, Banada, Buninna, and other places ; took forcible possession of these districts ; and expelled the O'Haras, O'Dowds, and other hereditary chiefs.
While these structures were building, no improvement could be made in the residences of the people, as the country was in a state of constant war. Nor is there any reason to think that such houses as existed in the town of Sligo, between the fourteenth and the seventeenth century, came near, either in appearance or value, to those which were burned down in 1396, and which the Four Masters extol so highly for their

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 251

Ballymote Castle transferred to Sir William Taaffe

Ballymote · town · Sligo

When Sir James Fullerton was called to England to serve as tutor to the future Charles I, Ballymote Castle and its lands passed to Sir William Taaffe. Taaffe had distinguished himself in the war with Tyrone, particularly at Kinsale where he was knighted.

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Towards the endjof Elizabeth's reign. James, apprehending some opposition in Ireland to his accession to the English throne, despatched James Fullerton and James Hamilton as secret agents to Dublin ; and these gentlemen, to conceal their mission the better, opened a public school in the city, which, being men of rare ability and learning, they conducted with distinguished success, one acting as principal, and the other as usher. On Fullerton's vacating the castle of Ballymote, when called to England to take charge as tutor of Duke Charles, afterwards Charles I., it was passed with its lands^to Sir William Taaffe.
Sir William had greatly distinguished himself in the service of the Queen, during the course of the war with Tyrone, but, more especially at Kinsale, where he got knighted for his gallantry in the field. While in that neighbourhood, after the defeat of the Spaniards, he reduced the district to obedience, by harrying the country, by destroying the cattle which formed the people's only subsistence, by striking down ruthlessly all

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 86

Battle-named church at Rathbane, Kilvarnet

near Rathbane · street · Kilkenny · 1309

An old church in the townland of Rathbane, parish of Kilvarnet, was called Kellecath ('Church of the Battle') in the 1309 taxation, indicating a battle once raged around and within it. The place is now called Kil.

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through ancient Corran, as Clooncath (Battlefield), in Tumour ; Clooncagh, between the hill of Keash, and the Bricklieve range ; Cloonca, in Kilmacteige; and sundry other places. So numerous were these engagements, and so reckless were those engaged in them, that we find even churches associated with battles, as in the instance of the old church that stood in the place now called Kil, in the townland of Rathbane, and parish of Kilvarnet, which, in the taxation of 1309, has the name of Kellecath, that is, the Church of the Battle — so called, from some battle which once raged round, and, no doubt, within its sacred walls.
Nor were these ghastly doings confined to the Corran portion of the present county. Carbury seems to have been, at least, equally afHicted ; for it is called, in old writers, Cairhre na Oath, that is, Carbury of the battles. It was a very unenviable distinction, and if that tract had stronger claims than Corran to the "bad pre-eminence " implied in the epithet, it must have been a veritable Haceldama {ager sanguinis), or shambles.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 83

Battle of the Curlews 1599 — Clifford defeated

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

In 1599 a battle took place on the Curlews between Irish forces and the English under Sir Conyers Clifford, Governor of Connaught. Unlike earlier engagements fought between Irish factions, this conflict pitted Irish against English and was connected to the outbreak of hostilities in Sligo in 1595.

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In 1599 another battle took place on the Curlews, and, unlike previous engagements, which were fought by Irish against Irish, this conflict had the Irish on one side, and the English on the other, under the command of Sir Conyers Clifford, the Governor of Connaught. And this brings us to some startling events which occurred in Sligo in 1595, which it will be convenient to mention here, as they led to the appearance of Sir Conyers Clifford on the scene.
In the opening month of that year the whole county seemed more completely in the power of the English, than, perhaps, it had ever been before ; for George Oge Bingham, brother of Sir Richard, commanded the castle and town of Sligo ; a second George Bingham, called, by O'Sullivan, Georgius major, held the castle of Ballymote ; strong English garrisons occupied the castles of Collooney, RathmuUen, Ballinafad, and a new fortress, erected by Sir Richard Bingham in 1593, on the strip of land that separates Lough Arrow from Lough Ce, to stop the troublesome visits of the O'Rorkes and O'Donnells ; while Sir Richard

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 152

Bingham ransacks Sligo convent to build the 'Sow' siege engine

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

To construct a military engine called the Sow for attacking Sligo Castle, Bingham ransacked the entire convent, gutted the friars' dormitories, and pulled down the holy rood in the chapel, called cranncaingel by the Four Masters.

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The indispensable quality of the structure is strength, to enable it to resist the missiles of the enemy ; and, to get suitable materials, Bingham ransacked the whole convent, gutted the dormitories of the friars, and pulled down in the chapel the holy rood, called, by the Four Masters, cranncaingel. Having covered the sloping roof with raw, wet hides, to save it from fire, and having set low, strong, wheels under the machine, the capacious train, with its formidable freight of sappers and

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 154

As the companion tells it

Coming through Sligo, where in 1595 Bingham built a siege engine called the Sow to attack the castle. To get strong materials for it, he ransacked the whole convent, gutted the friars' dormitories, and pulled down the holy rood in the chapel, called cranncaingel by the Four Masters. The machine had a sloping roof covered with raw wet hides to save it from fire, and low strong wheels underneath, carrying sappers.

Bog body found in Killerry parish, 1824

Killerry · townland · Sligo · 1824

In 1824, the body of a man clad in woollen garments was found in a bog in Killerry parish, six feet under the surface of the peat. The remains and clothing were remarkably well preserved, consisting of a mantle, an inner coat or tunic, and tight-fitting trousers. Sir William Wilde dated the interment to the fifteenth century.

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In 1824 the body of a man clad in woollen garments was found in a bog of this parish, six feet under the surface of the peat. The remains were so well preserved, that a magistrate was called to hold an inquest. The clothes were in still better
* This saint is not identified, but it is very likely that he is the St. Aireid, Priest, whose feast, according to the Martyrology of Donegal, falls on the 26th August. The church goes, in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1833 and 1496, by the name Cill Oiridh, and at the year 1362 by that of Gill Airidh.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 171

Boher Earla Ruadh roads of the Red Earl

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

The Red Earl of Ulster, Richard de Burgo, is traditionally credited with constructing the oldest roads of County Sligo. The name Boher Earla Ruadh is still applied by country people to disused roads such as the one from Ardcotton to Ballysadare across the Ox Mountains.

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The celebrated Red Earl of Ulster, Richard de Bargo, is credited by tradition with having constructed the oldest roads of the county Sligo, as well as of the rest of Connaught ; and to this day the name Boher Earla Ruadh is applied by the country people to the disused road of Ballaghboy across the Curlews ; to that from Ardcotton to Ballysadare across Slieve Gamh, or the Ox Mountains ; to the road from Ballygawley to Carrownamoddow over Slieve-daen; and to several others. Most probably tradition is right in this case, as such works are in harmony with the magnificence of this earl who built (in 1300) the noble castle of Ballymote, and (in 1305) the still nobler castle of Inishowen. Being at once Earl of Ulster and Lord of Connaught, and thus master of all the resources of the
554 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 302

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Ballysadare, there may be the remains of an old road the country people still call Boher Earla Ruadh, the road of the Red Earl. It ran from Ardcotton to Ballysadare across the Ox Mountains, and is one of several disused roads in Sligo and across Connaught that bear the name. Tradition credits Richard de Burgo, the Red Earl of Ulster, with building the oldest roads in the county. He was Earl of Ulster and Lord of Connaught, and he built the castle of Ballymote in 1300 and the castle of Inishowen in 1305.

Brian MacDonogh, last MacDonogh of Collooney Castle

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1613–1641

Brian MacDonogh represented County Sligo in the Parliament of 1613 and was the last of the Mac Donoghs to inhabit Collooney castle. When the 1641 insurrection erupted, he took the Irish side and played a chief part in the capture of Sligo town and the events that followed, while urging systematic rather than desultory action against the Crown forces.

Read the passage

Brian MacDonogh, who represented the county Sligo in the eventful Parliament of 1G13, and was the last of the MacDonoghs that inhabited Collooney castle, possessed, in the highest degree, the characteristic courage of the family. His lot falling in the dark days of 1641, he took side with his countrymen, and bore a chief part in the capture of Sligo, and the transactions which followed upon the taking of the town. Smarting, like all around him, from the wrongs which had goaded the country into insurrection, he felt, more than many others, the need of caution and system in the contest on which they had entered, and set his face against desultory and tumultuary action, as sure to lead to no permanent result. With such sentiments he was averse to a precipitate attack on Sir Frederick Hamilton's position at Manorhamilton, deeming it wiser to wait till some turn in events offered a better prospect of dealing an effectual blow to so dexterous, unscrupulous, and, withal, so formidable, an adversary. But, as often happens in times of revolution, the hot-headed prevailed over the long-headed in the Confederate council of the county Sligo, and it was decided to beard, without delay, the lion in his den, to grapple with the griffin of Manorhamilton— whether within or without his well-fortified castle.
In the absence of ^Maj or- General Lucas Taaffe, who was engaged elsewhere, the task of carrying out this resolution was committed to Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Mac Donogh, who was next in military command to Taaffe in the county. This commission MacDonogh accepted, not only without objection, but, with particular satisfaction, resolved, whatever might be thought of the prudence of the undertaking, the responsibility of which he left to others, to do all that one man could to make the forlorn hope a triumph.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 117

Butchers patrol John Street against the Sligo Bucks

John Street · street · Sligo · 1800–1810

Father John Flynn lived on John Street in Sligo, where the local butchers formed a vigilance committee to protect him from the Bucks. The butchers, aided by their bulldogs, formed cordons across the street to turn back any Bucks who attempted to enter.

Read the passage

This result was not accomplished in a day, nor without sundry collisions, in which the knights of the Green House always had the worst of it ; and at last John Street, in which Father Flynn then lived, was made so hot for them that they dared not show the face in it by night or by day, either individually or in a body. If an individual of them appeared in the street he was put quietly back, and if a body of them, as happened on one or
492 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 267

As the companion tells it

Along here on John Street, Father John Flynn lived in the years after 1800, and the local butchers made it their business to keep him safe. They formed a vigilance committee, brought their bulldogs, and stood in cordons across the street. Any of the Bucks, the knights of the Green House, who tried to enter was quietly turned back, whether he came alone or in a group. The street was made so hot for them they dared not show their faces by night or day.

Cake-dances at Glencar and decline of communal amusement

Glencar · electoral division · Sligo · 1800

Cake-dances were held at Glencar and throughout County Sligo, with a cake on a pole as the prize for the best dancer. Since the beginning of the nineteenth century the love of amusement for its own sake has greatly declined, reflecting broader social estrangement between classes.

Read the passage

Since the begioning of this century the love of amusement, for amusement sake, has greatly declined. Cake-dances were not confined to Glencar, being common enough in other places ; but, with or without the cake, dancing was practised in, perhaps, every village of the county. Country boys and girls were proficients in the art, having nearly all undergone a regular course of training in the dancing school, which was generally kept at night, for the double purpose of not interfering with the hedgeschool, and of giving grown boys and girls, who were commonly engaged during the day, an opportunity of attending. The dancing-master was in such demand that persons of other occupations found it worth their while to combine the business with their own. Lady Morgan, in Patriotic Sketches, instances this combination iu the case of a carman who, having been sent
560 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 305

Cooper's equitable treatment of Catholic chapel in Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo

When the Protestant church in Collooney was repaired largely at Catholic expense, Cooper put up an expensive entrance gate before the Catholic chapel at his own cost. He also paid an annuity to the Catholic chapel sexton matching the Protestant sexton's salary.

Read the passage

We must not omit to mention, in illustration of his principle of the " even keel '' in dealing with Catholics and Protestants, that upon the vestry of Collooney having some repairs done in the Protestant church of the place, which, as was customary at the time, were effected largely at the expense of Catholics, Mr. Cooper, at his own cost, put up an expensive entrance gate before the Catholic chapel; and when the vestry on another occasion decided on paying the sexton of the Protestant church a substantial annual salary, he engaged to pay, and did pay while he lived, to the clerk or sexton of the Catholic chapel an annuity of like amount out of his own pocket. Such acts account for the place which Mr. Edward Synge Cooper has always held in the hearts of his Catholic neighbours.
The Markrea Observatory, founded by the late Mr. Edward Cooper in 1832, and described in the History of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet (pages 170-1-2), is still in active and successful operation, under the liberal patronage of Colonel Cooper, its owner. To the distinguished astronomers formerly in charge — first, Mr. Graham, now Assistant Astronomer in the Observatory of Cambridge University, and, next, Dr. Doberck, Director at present of the great Government Observatory of Hong-Kong — has succeeded Mr. Albert Marth, F.R.A.S., an astronomer and meteorologist of the highest character, who, like his predecessors, is indefatigable in observing, calculating, recording, and interchanging communications with the leading scientific institutions of the world. Mr. Marth's papers hold a place second to none in the publications of the Eoyal Astronomical Society.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 187

Cooper's weekly charity to poor pensioners

Collooney · townland · Sligo

Edward Synge Cooper distributed small sums of silver to scores of poor pensioners a couple of times weekly in Collooney, Tubberscanavin, and Ballysadare. The gifts were accompanied by kind words and a smile, reflecting his lifelong benevolence.

Read the passage

Under the impulse of this noble feeling, he set his face against those sectarian societies, whether secret or open, which more, perhaps, than anything else, have served to estrange Irishmen from one another ; and while others of his class often use two weights and two measures in their conduct, censuring such societies, if formed by those who differ from themselves, but excusing and patronising them if organised by their friends, this honest man condemned all secret confederacies alike, and held in the same abhorrence the Orangeman and the Ribbonman. In small things, as well as in great, his benevolence showed itself — in the sixpences and shillings he was in the habit of distributing, with his own hand, a couple of times a week, to scores of poor pensioners of his in CoUooney, Tubberscanavin, and Ballysadare, as well as in the erection, at his exclusive, or nearly exclusive, cost (Vol. I., p. 402,)* of the Fever Hospital of Sligo, which is a more honourable memorial of him, than would be a mausoleum as gorgeous as that of the Kiog of Caria.
While he relieved ordinary distress with his small pieces of silver, rendered always doubly valuable by the smile and kind word that accompanied the gift, he was ready to make any and every pecuniary sacrifice a crisis might call for ; and in the terrible famine of 1822, when people were perishing on all sides of starvation and fever, he expended £150 a week on employment, remitted £200 in cash to the Sligo Kelief Committee, paid out £100 in the purchase of seed potatoes, and distributed a weekly sum, which must have been considerable, in the parish of Ballysadare. (Vol. I., p. 404.)

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 187

Dr. Sweeny of Ballysadare, emigrant physician serving Sligo poor

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 1828

Dr. Sweeny, a native of the parish of Ballysadare, left Collooney for the United States about 1828. Despite a large and lucrative practice in New York, he devoted much time to gratuitous service of the poor, especially those from Co. Sligo, and was a liberal benefactor of the Church of the Assumption.

Read the passage

The late Dr. Sweeny, another native of the parish of Ballysadare, left CoUooney for the United States about 1828. As he had taken out his diplomas before emigrating, he engaged at once in the practice of his profession on reaching New York, and soon acquired both fame and fortune. It was characteristic of him that though his time, owihg to his large practice, was very valuable, he devoted much of it to the gratuitous service of the poor, and more especially of the poor coming from the county Sligo. Like the Messrs. Quinn the Doctor took a warm interest in the Church of the Assumption, of which, like them, he was a liberal benefactor. His son, a doctor, too, is at present a distinguished practitioner in the city of New York.
A word or two will suffice regarding another native of the parish, who is already a famous lawyer in America, and who is sure one day to need a goodly volume to do justice to his biography. This is Mr. William Bourke Corkran, son of Martin Corkran and Harriet White, late of Claragh, near Ballinacarrow. On the mother's side Mr. Corkran is connected with the south of Ireland, as she belonged by birth and family to Munster, being the daughter of a leading magistrate of that province.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 292

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Ballysadare, was the parish that produced Doctor Sweeny. He left Collooney for the United States around 1828, having already taken out his diplomas before emigrating. On reaching New York he engaged at once in the practice of his profession and soon acquired both fame and fortune. It was characteristic of him that though his time, owing to his large practice, was very valuable, he devoted much of it to the gratuitous service of the poor, and more especially of the poor coming from County Sligo. Like the Quinns, he took a warm interest in the Church of the Assumption, of which he was a liberal benefactor. His son, also a doctor, became a distinguished practitioner in New York. The same parish produced another notable emigrant, William Bourke Corkran, son of Martin Corkran and Harriet White, late of Claragh, near Ballinacarrow. His mother belonged by birth and family to Munster, being the daughter of a leading magistrate of that province. He was already a famous lawyer in America, sure one day to need a goodly volume to do justice to his biography.

Emlaghfad church: Saint Columba's foundation on Tulach Segra

Emlaghfad · townland · Sligo

The old parish church of Ballymote stood on the hill of Emlaghfad, anciently called Tulach Segra, where Saint Columba founded a religious house and placed his disciple Enna, son of Nuadhain, over it. Enna's festival falls on 18th September. The church was later taken from Catholics and given to the State religion.

Read the passage

The old parish church of Ballymote stood on the hill of Emlaghfad, called anciently Tulach Segra, where Saint Coluraba founded a religious house over which he placed his disciple Enna, son of Nuadhain, whose festival falls on the 18th September. Like other parish churches, Emlaghfad was taken by the State from the Catholics and given to the professors of the State religion.
The graveyard of Emlaghfad is crowded, being the chief burying place of the Protestants of Corran. Several tombstones are inscribed with the name of Phibbs, the bearers of the name

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 96

Father Egan buried in Aghanagh graveyard

Aghanagh · townland · Sligo

Father Egan, a former Parish Priest of Aghanagh, was buried in Aghanagh churchyard after the grave dug inside Ballinafad chapel flooded with water. His coffin was placed in the tomb of John St. Barbe, Constable of the Castle of Ballinafad, apparently by mistake.

Read the passage

Father Egan is interred in Aghanagh graveyard. It was intended to bury him in the old thatched chapel of Ballinafad, and with that object a new grave was dug in it; but the grave, owing to the low lying situation of the chapel filling at once with the water, which drained into it from the higher ground around, it was resolved, at the last moment, to deposit the remains in Aghanagh churchyard. There being no time, in the hurry, for searching out a more suitable spot, the coffin was lowered into the grave of John St. Barbe, King James' and King Charles' Constable of the Castle of Ballinafad. It is said an opinion prevailed that this was the tomb of an ecclesiastic, and that the interment took place in consequence of the erroneous impression. Anyhow, the Parish Priest and the Constable lie since in the same grave.
In January 1851 Father Noone passed as P.P. to Geevagh^ and Father Henry succeeded to the vacant place in Ballinafad*

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 169

Father Filan's classical school opens in Sligo (1807)

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1807

Father James Filan left his position at Maynooth and opened a school in Sligo teaching classics and polite education. Advertised in the Sligo Journal, it attracted pupils from across the county, other parts of Ireland, and reportedly from other countries.

Read the passage

To supply the want of the Catholics, Father Filan resolved to relinquish his position at Maynooth, and to open in Sligo a school, in which the classics and the other branches of a polite education should be taught. This establishment was opened in 1807, the neighbourhood having been well prepared for the new departure by advertisements in the Sligo Journal, one of which, as an interesting souvenir of Sligo, eighty years ago, is subjoined in a note * The school was a great success, attracting pupils not only from all parts of the county, but from other parts of Ireland, and, it is said, from other countries.
A fter, however, a few years, Father Filan was called back to his own ^diocese, and was appointed Parish Priest of Curry, receiving at the same time, in commendam^ the administration of the parish of Kilmacteige.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 73

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is the town where Father Filan opened a classical school in 1807. He had relinquished his position at Maynooth to teach the classics and other branches of a polite education here, and the neighbourhood had been prepared for it by advertisements in the Sligo Journal. The school was a great success, drawing pupils from all parts of the county, from other parts of Ireland, and even from other countries. After a few years, Father Filan was called back to his own diocese and appointed Parish Priest of Curry, with the administration of Kilmacteige as well.

Island dwellings of chiefs and religious in Sligo

near Lough Gill · lake or lakes · Kerry

The islands of County Sligo were inhabited by chiefs or religious communities. The O'Horkes resided in the island of Glencar Lake; the O'Haras in the island of Lough Talt; the Cistercians in Church Island, Lough Gill; and the Premonstratensians in Cottage Island of the same lake.

Read the passage

In the past the coast and inland islands of the county were all inhabited by chiefs or religious. Habitations in islands seem to have prevailed from the beginning, and down to the close of the sixteenth century.* Partholan, the alleged first colonizer of Ireland after the Flood, is said by O'Fiaherty to have fixed his residence in Inis Saimer, now Fish Island, in the river Erne ;t King Aldus Slaine lived on an island of Loch Lene;i King Eoghan Bel on an island of Lough Mask;§ and Flaherty O'Muldorry on Inis Saimer.ll The islands of the county Sligo were turned to the like account; and we find the O'Horkes residing in the island of Glencar lake ;^ the O'Haras in the island of Lough Mac Ferry, or (at present), Lough Talt;** the Cistercians in Church island, in Lough Gill ; the Premonstratensians in Cottage island of the same lake; and other religious in the islands of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara, where remains of their establishments may still be seen.
* In his Four Masters, O'Donovan writes in a note under the year 1478, •' By far the greater part of the dwellings of the Irish chieftains were, at this period, constructed of wood, and placed on islands in lakes.*'

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 252

As the companion tells it

As you come along Lough Gill, you are passing a lake whose islands were once home to religious communities. The Cistercians had their establishment on Church Island here, and the Premonstratensians occupied Cottage Island in the same waters. This was part of a wider pattern across County Sligo, where chiefs and religious orders alike chose islands for their dwellings, a habit that prevailed from early times down to the close of the sixteenth century. The O'Horkes lived on the island of Glencar Lake, and the O'Haras on the island of Lough Talt, then called Lough Mac Ferry. Remains of such establishments can still be seen on the islands of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara as well.

Killerry graveyard and 'Straining Thread' cure

Killerry · townland · Sligo

Killerry graveyard is much used and contains many tombstones with inscriptions bearing names such as Kelly, Jackson, Gilmartin, McGarry, Wynne, and others. At the centre of the burying-place lies a horizontal stone slab with seven rounded stones and a 'Straining Thread' believed to cure sprains when removed with prescribed prayers.

Read the passage

a stone, fourteen or fifteen inches long, four inches wide, and two thick, is sunk endwise in the earth to within about four inches or so of the top, and to this exposed part is always attached a yard or two of thread or string. The thread goes by the name of ''Straining Thread;" and it is so-called because plenty of people believe that, if removed in due form from the stone, it will cure of sprain, the injured member or part to which it is applied. The " due form," or ritual, to be observed by the messenger coming [^for the thread is, first, to say on the spot certain stated prayers in honour of God, the Blessed Virgin, and the saint of Killerry church ;* second, to take the thread off the stone ; and third, to leave another in its place for the next comer. The proceeding, no doubt, has a suspicious look, but those who know it best clear it of superstition, on the principle, that the people place all their hope of a cure in the prayer^; and a still more convincing proof of its harmlessness is its toleration by the parish clergy, for it is certain that enlightened and zealous Parish priests, like Canon Thomas Cahill, the present incumbent of the parish, the late Canon Broder, and Father George Gearty, the Canon's immediate predecessor, would have denounced it and put a stop to it, if it were any way wrong.
In 1824 the body of a man clad in woollen garments was found in a bog of this parish, six feet under the surface of the peat. The remains were so well preserved, that a magistrate was called to hold an inquest. The clothes were in still better

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 171

Knockmullen Castle occupied by Bingham, 1586

Knockmullen · townland · Wexford · 1586–1606

Knockmullen in the parish of Ballysadare was a McDonogh castle occupied in 1606 by Rory Ballagh McCarbery McDonough. Sir Richard Bingham occupied it in 1586 while watching for Scots whom he killed at Ardnarea.

Read the passage

All the houses of Cartron, near Tubberscanavin, were built with stones taken from this building, many of them having been tastefully hammered and chiselled, as may still be seen. Sir Richard Bingham occupied Knockmullen castle in 1586, while on the look out for the Scots whom he put to the sword at Ardnarea.
7. Doonamurray, in the parish of Kilross, called in the deed of Partition of the O'Connor Sligo estate, Downamoney, alias Downamony, contained a castle of the family, which was captured by O'Donnell in 1516. No remains of this structure are now visible. It may be the building now called Drumcondra Castle.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 125

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Knockmullen, Sir Richard Bingham occupied the castle in 1586, using it as a lookout for the Scots, whom he put to the sword at Ardnarea. The building itself was later quarried for stone, and the houses of Cartron, near Tubberscanavin, were built from its rubble, some of the stones still showing careful hammering and chiselling.

Lough Arrow region: ancient, medieval and modern history

near Lough Arrow · lake or lakes · Sligo

The region around Hollybrook is described as both picturesque and historical, containing the plain of Moytura with its weird monuments (ancient), ecclesiastical remains on the islands of Lough Arrow and at Ballindoon and Killadoon (medieval), and the demesnes of Rockingham, Kingsborough, and Hollybrook (modern), all memorials of the extirpation of the Irish and English settlement.

Read the passage

The region round Hollybrook is at once highly picturesque and historical. The smooth, still lake, with its sparkling islands of the freshest green ; the rich cultivated tracts at each end of the sheet of water; and the range after range of mountains in the distance are scenic features, such as it would be next to impossible to find in any other county of Ireland ; while the well informed student of Irish history will find an epitome of the ancient, the medieval, and the modern history of Ireland written on the tract — of the ancient history, in the sombre plain of Moytura with its weird monuments ; of the medieval, in the ecclesiastical remains on the islands of the lake, at Ballindoon, at Killadoon, and at a score of other places ; and of the modern history, in the demesne and court of Rockingham ; in the demesne and house of Kingsborough; and in the demesne and house of Hollybrook itself, all three memorials of the extirpation of the Irish, and the settlement of the English in their stead. It is due to the humane and cultivated owner of Hollybrook, Colonel Folliott, the descendant of Sir Henry Folliott, who was created Baron Folliott, of Ballyshannon, in 1619, to record that the grounds, which command these views are open, up to the very walls of the beautiful mansion, to the general public, and that no one is hindered from even driving his vehicle in through one gate, traversing the whole length of the demesne, and issuing out by another gate on the high road.
The church of Aghanagh, or Echenach,* was one of the first erected in the county, being founded, according to the Annotations of Tirechan,t by Saint Patrick. Over it the saint placed Bishop Maneus and Gentene.J There is a tradition in the parish and neighbourhood, that while Bishop Maneus was

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 165

O'Gara dispossessed from Slieve Lugha, driven to Coolavin

Coolavin · electoral division · Sligo

The O'Gara family, originally styled Lords of Slieve Lugha, were dispossessed from that mountainous territory by the Jordans, Berminghams, Cuisins, and Costellos. Driven into Coolavin, they became known in later times as Lords of Coolavin, while the Costellos usurped the O'Gara lands and took the name MacCostello.

Read the passage

commonly styled Lords of Slieve Lugha,* as ruling over that mountainous territory, but being dispossessed by the Jordans, the Berminghams, the Cuisins, and more especially the Costellos, and driven into Coolavin, they became known, in later times, as Lords of Coolavin ^f while the Costellos, who had themselves been ejected by the English authorities from Meath, where they were called De Nangle, usurped the O'Gara lands, and took, soon after, the name of MacCostello.
From 964, when Toichlech O'Gara was Lord of South Ley ney, down to the middle of the last century, the family held a prominent place in Lower Connaught, its last leading members being, Most Reverend Brian O'Gara, who died Archbishop of Tuam in 1740, and most Reverend Michael O'Gara, who occupied the same see at his death in 1748. Omitting many other clerical members of the family, it may be well to mention Rev. Fergal O'Gara, who, in 1656, compiled in the Netherlands a collection of Irish poems, relating, for the most part, to subjects connected with Sligo. The collection still exists, and is in private hands in Dublin.f

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 192

O'Hara castle remains at Coolany

Coolaney · town · Sligo

Coolany village, whose name derives from 'Cuil-abhan' meaning the quarter of the river, contained a castle of the O'Haras Boy down to the seventeenth century. Some remains of the castle were visible until recently at the west end of the village, in a garden between the Carrownacleigha road and the river.

Read the passage

The chief place of Killoran is the little town or village of Coolany, which is so called from standing on the bank of the river, Coolany being a corruption of Cuil-abhan, the quarter of the river. Down to the seventeenth century it contained a castle of the O'Haras Boy, one family of whom occupied it, while O'Hara Boy, " chief of his name," lived at Templehouse.* Some remains of the castle might be seen till very recently at the west end of the village, in a garden that lies between the Carrownacleigha road and the river. In its present state, the village consists of one long and broad street, flanked on each side by a row of substantial houses, nearly all slated and two-storied.
Like the rest of the parish, Coolany was greatly benefited by the weaving and bleaching operations of the early part of the cen-

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 31

Piper Hill squalid housing in Tubbercurry

Tobercurry · town · Sligo

The east end of Tubbercurry, known as Piper Hill, was characterised by crowded half-thatched hovels with children and livestock overflowing onto the streets. The west end, by contrast, contained the bank, police barrack, presbytery, and substantial shop-houses.

Read the passage

The town of Tubbercurry, like greater places, has its east and its west end — the latter containing the bank, the police barrack, the presbytery, the doctor's residence, and a stately shop-house, which would be a credit to the county town, if set down in its chief business quarter. The east end, on the other hand, is shabby and grotesque almost beyond anything of the kind in the county ; the residences being small, half- thatched hovels, and so crowded with^^inmates, that the juveniles of the household, apparently from want of room inside, pass most of the time on the streets, capering and tumbling about like acrobats. It would need a livelier pen, and more room than is now available, to describe the scene here on a fine summer evening, between seven and eight o'clock, when everybody, big and little, is out of doors — the bigger people stretched at full length on the sideway, enjoying their dolce far niente with all the zeal of Neapolitan fishermen; the little urchins, with an exuberance of animal spirits, which compensates them for a hundred and one privations and other hard conditions of life, kicking up their heels and gambolling like young calves turned for the first time out of the byre into an open field ; and, not unfrequently, a donkey or a pig, or both, half in and half out of the doorways of the shanties (which they occupy conjointly with the folk in the streets) looking on, and, to all appearance, admiring the antics and horse-play of their fellow lodgers outside.
This curious region goes by the name of Piper Hill; no doubt, because one, or more than one, performer on the bagpipe^ may always be found among its miscellaneous visitors of —

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 66

Registration of Catholic parish priests at Sligo Quarter Sessions, 1704

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1704

Three Catholic parish priests for Cloonoghill, Kilshalvey, and Kilturra were registered at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace held at Sligo on 11 June 1704. Each priest provided his age, residence, ordination details, and sureties for good behaviour, reflecting the penal-era state surveillance of Catholic clergy.

Read the passage

It would appear that Cloonoghill, Kilshalvey, and Kilturra were separate parishes in 1704, as we find three different Parish Priests registered for them at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace held at Sligo on the 11th June, 1704. The Parish Priest of Cloonoghill, at that date, was Teige Brenane, who was then 56 years of age, lived at Ballinrea, had been ordained at Creigin, county Gal way, in 1672, by Teige Keogh, or Keoghy, Titular Bishop of Clonfert, and had for sureties of his good behaviour, Thomas Corcoran, Sligo, and Patrick Duany (Devany), also of Sligo.
The Parish Priest of Kilshalvy, at the same date, was Teige Davey, who was 33 years of age, lived 'at Coolany, had been ordained by Dr. Donellan, Titular Bishop of Clonfert, in 1697, and had for sureties of good behaviour, George Enerist, Ballymote, and Bryan McDonogh, Carrowhobid.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 104

As the companion tells it

In this town of Sligo, on the 11th of June 1704, Catholic parish priests were required to register at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, a penal-era measure for surveilling the clergy. Three priests came forward that day, for the parishes of Cloonoghill, Kilshalvey, and Kilturra. Teige Brenane, parish priest of Cloonoghill, was 56, living at Ballinrea, ordained in 1672 at Creigin in county Galway by Teige Keogh, Titular Bishop of Clonfert. His sureties for good behaviour were Thomas Corcoran and Patrick Duany, both of Sligo. Teige Davey, parish priest of Kilshalvey, was 33, living at Coolany, ordained in 1697 by Dr Donellan, also Titular Bishop of Clonfert. His sureties were George Enerist of Ballymote and Bryan McDonogh of Carrowhobid. Each man had to give his age, his residence, the details of his ordination, and the names of men willing to vouch for his conduct.

Rosslee castle and fishing contrivance

Rosslee · street · Cork · 1603–1779

Rosslee castle stood on the right bank of the Easky river near the sea and was occupied by the McDonnells in the early years of James I. A tradition tells of a fishing contrivance in the river that rang bells when a fish touched it. In 1618 the King granted Daniel O'Dowd two castles, a kitchen, and a bakehouse within the bawn of Rosslee. Considerable remains were drawn by Bigari in 1779.

Read the passage

On the right bank of the river, as it enters the sea, stood the castle of Rosslee, occupied, in the first years of James I., by the McDonnells. As is said of several other places — Ballysadare, Moyne, &c., — it is told of E-osslee castle, that it had a fishing contrivance in the river, so arranged, that a fish, on touching it, set bells agoing, and thus obligingly informed the cook that it was at her disposal. Whether the McDonnells continued to hold the castle in 1618 or not, the King, on the 2Qd July of that year, granted to Daniel O'Dowd, with various other possessions, ** two castles, a kitchen, and a bakehouse within the bawn of Kosslee." The remains of the castle, which are considerable, were drawn by Bigari in 1779, and a good engraving of the drawing may be seen in the first volume of Grose's Antiquities of Ireland.
On the left bank of the lascach is Castletown, formerly called Imleach Isell, where there are still some remains of a castle.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 223

Shane Ban Tempany of Tireragh, local tradition-bearer

Tireragh · barony · Sligo

Shane Ban Tempany of Tireragh was described by John O'Donovan as a 'living library of local traditions' and provided valuable assistance in preparing the 'Tribes and Customs of Hy-Fiachrach' for publication. He served as a seanachie, preserving local folklore and Ossianic poetry recited at wakes and gatherings.

Read the passage

Hy-Fiachrach " for the press, got valuable help from the late Shane Ban Tempany, of Tireragh, whom he describes as a living library of local traditions. Though every one could not be a Shane Ban Tempany, there were plenty of others in Tireragh and elsewhere who possessed a good knowledge of the folk lore of the country, acquired, for the most part, on the long winter nights, when the elders and youngsters of the village gathered round some fireside, and passed the time in telling of the days that were gone, and the remarkable deeds that were done in those days. In this way the young learned from the old, and handed on what they learned to those who came after them, so that the tradition was kept up continuously.
After a life nearly as long as Mathusalem*s, the Irish seanachie is dead and gone, killed by the penny newspaper, which is now the chief informant and teacher of Ireland, as of the rest of the world. Under the new order of things no one talks or thinks of the olden time, all being absorbed in the passing present. The " news of the day " has taken the place of the lore of the past; Balfour and his captives, of Niall and the Nine Hostages; Gladstone's Church and Land legislation, of the enactments of Felim the Lawgiver and Oormack O'Quinn; the Royal Irish, of the Fenian militia; the raids of the moonlighters, of the Pursuit of Diarmaid and Graine ; and the multifarious communications of "our own correspondent," of the legends of the saints, and the myths of the "good people." Patriotic proprietors and editors of newspapers are not insensible of the duties devolving on them in the situation thus created, and, accordingly, by devoting much of their space to Irish history and archaeology in editorials, in reviews of publications on these subjects, and in reports of transactions connected with them, make ample amends for the extinction of the race of our Shane Ban Tempanys.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 309

Sir Conyers Clifford at the Abbey of Boyle before the battle

Boyle · town · Roscommon

The Four Masters record that Sir Conyers Clifford stayed at the Abbey of Boyle before the Battle of the Curlews, menacing and threatening the Northerners and promising to cross the mountain despite them. Other contemporary sources, however, indicate Clifford made no delay at Boyle.

Read the passage

* In what the Four Masters say of the Governor, while at the Abbey of Boyle, " daili/ menacing and threatening," reviling and reproaching the Northerns, and promising that he would pass northwards across the mountain in despite of them, and on this day (15th August) he undertook to perform what he had promised they are in error, as it is clear from Dymmock and Sir John Harrington {Nugce Antiquce, Vol. II., p. 11,) that Sir Conyers made no delay at Boyle.
+ Vol. I., p. 37.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 159

Stand-house carousing near Ardnaglass Castle

Ardnaglass · townland · Sligo · 1700–1820

Near the old castle of Ardnaglass stood a well-known 'stand-house,' the scene of many a carouse in the early nineteenth and most of the eighteenth century. County buckeens came professedly for sea-bathing but really to glut on oysters by day and poteen whiskey by night, as Arthur Young recorded.

Read the passage

Skreen parish contains the old castle of Ardnaglass, which, judging by the ruins, and by what O'Donovan says of it, must have been an imposing structure. The townland of Ardnaglass, — the Height of the Fetters — is sometimes called Ardabrone, and sometimes written Ardglass. Near the old castle is the well known " stand-house," the scene of many a carouse, not to say orgie, in the beginning of the present century, and through the most of the last. This was the case more especially in the summer months, when the buckeens of the county came here, professedly for sea-bathing, but in reality to glut themselves with oysters during the day, and to surfeit themselves with poteen whiskey at night, as Arthur Young informs us.
Under the Commonwealth, Lewis Jones and Jeremy Jones were Tituladoes of Ardnaglass, and resided in the castle ; and at the Restoration, the place, with the greater part of the parish, was granted to the same persons. The Reverend Mr. Hill, the talented author of the Plantation in Ulster ^ talks of the *^ numerous and hungry swarm of adventurers, bearing the name of Jones, that invaded Ireland from Wales in the seventeenth century." Leaving to Mr. Hill his responsibility for the adjective '* hungry," it is certain that immigrants of the name were particularly '* numerous," and that a goodly proportion of them were quartered in the county Sligo. To say nothing of Sir Roger Jones, who came to the county before the troubles of the seventeenth century began, large debentures were granted to Sir Theophilus Jones, brother of the bishop of Meath, the notorious scout-master general of Oliver Cromwell ; to another brother, Oliver Jones; to Jeremy Jones; to his son, Lewis Jones ; and to the troopers Corporal John Jones, Christopher Jones, and Richard Jones. Jeremy Jones and his son Lewis intermarried both with the Loftuses, Lewis being married to his

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 217

Templehouse castle and Ath-Angaile in Killoran-Kilvarnet

Killoran · parish · Sligo · 1641

The parishes of Killoran and Kilvarnet contained Rathbarron church, Ardcree fort (Rath-ard-creeve), Templehouse castle, and Ath-Angaile. Templehouse castle was stated not to be a work of the Templars, and events of 1641 were noted there.

Read the passage

Killoran and Kilvarnet, IT. 57. Coolany, 59. Error about the name, 60. Parish Priests, 62. Protestant incumbents, 63. Rathbarron church, 63. Ardcree fortorRath-ard-creeve, 66. The Percevals, 70. Templehouse castle, 73. Ath-Angaile, 73-4-5- 6. Templehouse castle, not a work of the Templars, 80. Templehouse in 1641. Miss Hickson's " Massacres of 1641," 83, 91.
Kilmacallan, Parish of, IT. 251. A prebeudal church under the Establishment, 258.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 342

Thady Connellan born at Corkhill

Corkhill · townland · Tyrone

Thady Connellan, described as a man of some talent but little principle and consummate cunning, was born at Corkhill in Templeboy parish. He and companions travelled to Clare to learn Greek and Latin, eventually seizing a teacher and carrying him to a populous district in Connaught.

Read the passage

The noted Thady Connellan was born at Corkhill in this parish, and, though devoid of claim to notice in other respects, he may be mentioned as a somewhat characteristic product of the times in which he lived. With some talent, little or no principle, consummate cunning, and infinite ambition, he sought to raise himself in the world, no way scrupulous as to the means. To learn Greek and Latin, he and some companions journeyed to Clare, to a well-known pedagogue of the day, from whom they expected to get education gratis, as they expected to get board and lodging from the farmers of the place on the same terms. In the latter expectation they were disappointed ; for flocks and herds having been substituted in the neighbourhood about that time for human beings, and large scopes of land having in consequence been thrown out of cultivation, there were few or no farmers left to entertain the Connaught boys. Thady, however, and his congenial companions would not have their journey for nothing ; and seizing, vi et armis, on the teacher, they carried him with them, and never loosed hold till they set him down in a populous district on the Connaught side of the Shannon, where he opened school in a

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 220

Knockmore Carmelite monastery ruins

Knockmore · townland · Sligo

Knockmore in the townland of Mount Irwin contains the ruins of a church that belonged to a Carmelite monastery. An inquisition described it as a dissolved cell of the Carmelyte Friars, and it later fell into the hands of Richard Boyle.

Read the passage

Knockmore, in the townland of Mount Irwin, contains the ruins of a church, which belonged to a Carmelite monastery, as appears from an inquisition held before Richard Boyle, at Ballymote, on the 12th January, 1793, where it is styled — " Cella dissoluta fratrum nigrorum vocat Carmelyte Fryars," a dissolved cell of the Black Brothers, called Carmelyte Friars. After a time it fell into the hands of Richard Boyle himself, who, even in official dealings, was notorious for minding number one, and who, by this means, blossomed in due time into the Great Earl of Cork, probably the wealthiest and most powerful man in Ireland in his day. In the Crown Rental of 1692, '' Earl Corke " is entered as tenant of the " College, or Friars' House of Knockmore."
In the Survey of 1632, all the townlands of Killfree are given as the inheritance of Farrell O'Gara, the son of Thady, and the grandson of Irriell O'Gara, except Collemore, the inheritance of Rev. Mr. Dodwell ; and Knocknaskeagh, the inheritance of O'Connor Sligo, and part of Lady Cressy's dowry. Under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation, John, Lord Kingston, was granted, on the 9th of January, 1667, nearly all Coolavin, a good part of which was passed by him, soon after, to Dominick French, the ancestor of Lord de Freyne, as assignee.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 194

McDonald's bleach mill and 1832 cholera death at Ballysadare

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 1816–1832

Around 1816, Mr. McDonald came from Dublin to Ballysadare and established a bleach mill, working it vigorously until his death in 1832 from cholera, which raged that year with exceptional violence in the town. He contracted the disease locally, though he died while fleeing from it in Ballinamore, County Leitrim.

Read the passage

There have been oatmeal mills at Ballysadare from time immemorial. It is pretty certain that St. Fechin had a water mill here long before he constructed the famous one at Fore, of which Giraldus Cambrensis, Colgan, and all the saint's biographers make special mention. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and the earlier years of the nineteenth, many Ballysadare people made a living by making and selling meal, and a very good living they made of it. About the year 1816 Mr. McDonald came from Dublin, where he had been in business, to Ballysadare, put up a bleach mill, and worked it vigorously till he died, in the year 1832, of the cholera, which raged, that year, with exceptional violence in the^little town,* where, no doubt, he contracted the disease, though he died, while flying from it, in Ballinamore, county Leitrim.
* History of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, p. 37.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 177

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, oatmeal mills have worked since people can remember, and it's said St. Fechin had a water mill here long before he built his famous one at Fore. About 1816, Mr. McDonald came from Dublin, where he had been in business, put up a bleach mill, and worked it vigorously. He died in 1832 of the cholera, which raged that year with exceptional violence in the little town. He no doubt contracted the disease here, though he died while flying from it, in Ballinamore, County Leitrim.

Monks' departure from Inishmurray

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo · 1300

The monks of Inishmurray likely abandoned the island around the beginning of the fourteenth century, after the O'Connors established full rule over Carbury and the Tireragh chiefs who had protected the monks were driven out. The Cistercians of Boyle simultaneously acquired possessions in the neighbourhood.

Read the passage

When the monks quitted Inismurray is nowhere stated. Very probably they abandoned it about the beginning of the fourteenth century, the O'Connors having, by that time, fully established their rule over Carbury. As the monks had come at first to the island in the wake of the Tireragh chiefs, and had lived there under their protection, it was natural enough that they should quit the place when these chiefs were driven definitively out of the territory.
And it was all the more natural, as the Cistercians of Boyle acquired, at the same time, possessions in the neighbourhood ; the O'Connors, who were attached to Boyle, as the burying place of their family, having bestowed the district of Grange on that monastery. It is true that, so late as the beginning of the seventeenth century, Maeleoin O'Daly was buried in

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 18

Tomb of hewn stones erected at great well of Skreen

Skreen · parish · Sligo · 1599

In 1599, Benmumhan Og Ni Duibhgennain erected a tomb of hewn stones over the edge of the great well of the Serin (Skreen) for the soul of her husband, Vicar Eoghan Mac Domhnaill. The entry is recorded in the Annals of Loch Cé.

Read the passage

the Annals of Loch Ce call " a tomb of hewn stones," the curious entry regarding it occurring at the year 1599, and running thus: " Benmumhan Og Ni Duibhgennain, daughter of Maelechlainn, son of Dubhthach Og, son of Dubhtach Mor, erected the tomb of hewn stones which is over the edge of the great well of the Serin, for the soul of her husband, i.e., the Vicar Mac Domhnaill ; and Eoghan Mac Domhnaill was his name."
The following additional facts regarding Skreen are recorded by the Four Masters : — A.D. 1022. Maelcoba O'Gallagher, coarb of Serin Adamnan,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 218

As the companion tells it

As you travel through the parish of Skreen in Sligo, the Annals of Loch Cé record a tomb of hewn stones erected here in 1599. Benmumhan Og Ni Duibhgennain, daughter of Maelechlainn, built it over the edge of the great well of Skreen for the soul of her husband. His name was Eoghan Mac Domhnaill, and he was the vicar here. The annals call it simply a tomb of hewn stones.

Tubbercurry fortress erected 1397

Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1397–1633

In 1397, after the O'Conor Don defeated the O'Connors Sligo, MacDonoghs, and O'Dowds with Anglo-Irish aid, he erected a fortress at Tober-an-choire. The place later appeared in the 1633 Survey as Tobercorne, the inheritance of Sir Roger Jones, valued at £10 with good arable land and much heath.

Read the passage

The most interesting spot in the parish of Cloonacool is the rising town of Tubbercurry. Tubbercurry is modern when compared with Ballysadare, Collooney, or Ballymote. The first time it comes under notice is in 1397, when the O'Conor Don of the day having, with the aid of the Anglo-Irish, gained a victory over the O'Connors Sligo, MacDonoghs, and O'Dowds, erected a fortress at Toher-an-chohr. ; " facto'' says Mac Firbis, '' apwd Tober an choire in Liiignia propugnaculo.''*
The next mention of it occurs in the so-called Survey of 1633, where it is written Tobercorne, and described as the " Inheritance of Sir Roger Jones, who took it in mortgage from Hugh O'Hara or Teige Keagh O'Hara, and sets it to under-tenants for £8 per annum ; it is some part good arable land, and hath much heath upon it ; some good turfe, four days' mowing, will grase forty cows, and is worth £10." From that date it continued in the possession of the Jones family, down to the year when it was sold by them to Mr. Peter O'Connor ; and if the tenants then lost landlords who had been always nursing fathers to them, it was fortunate that the change of ownership was, in their regard, merely a change of persons, and not of management or treat-

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 65

Abraham Martin's salmon fishery dispute at Fish Quay

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1789

Abraham Martin clashed with the Sligo Commissioners over their plan to convert the Fish Quay into a dry dock, which he opposed. Mr. Saurin's legal opinion held that Martin's right to the salmon fishery was limited to the wear on the river, not a separate exclusive fishery in tidal waters. Martin's father John had built the great arch abutting the quay in 1789, exercising proprietorial rights.

Read the passage

This paper was of Liberal politics, and was very much in the interest of Mr. Abraham Martin, who had a quarrel at the time with the Commissioners. They wished to convert the Fish Quay into a dry dock, a project which Mr. Martin opposed. A case on the subject was submitted to Mr. Saurin, who replied: — '' The right Mr. Martin has to the salmon fishery of Sligo was in its inception no more than a right to the Wear on the river, and to the exclusive right of taking fish by means of it, and not a separate and exclusive fishery in that part of the river or arm of the sea in which the tide ebbs and flows." The Luminary maintained Mr. Martin's claims, relying a good deal on the fact that John Martin, Abraham's father, had exercised proprietorial
* We read in Haydn's Dictionary of Dates :—'' Diamond, a hamlet, Armagh, N., Ireland, where was fought the ' Battle of the Diamond,' 20th September, 1795, between the ' Peep-o'-day Boys' and the 'Defenders,' and many of the latter were killed. To commemorate this conflict the first Orange Lodge was formed immediately after J^

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 297

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Sligo town. Back in 1789 John Martin built a great arch abutting the Fish Quay, exercising what he saw as his proprietorial rights. His son Abraham later clashed with the Sligo Commissioners, who wanted to convert the Fish Quay into a dry dock, a project Martin opposed. A Liberal paper called the Luminary backed Martin's claims. But when the case went to Mr. Saurin for a legal opinion, he held that Martin's right to the salmon fishery was no more than a right to the Wear on the river, and to the exclusive right of taking fish by means of it, not a separate and exclusive fishery in the tidal waters where the tide ebbs and flows.

Ballindoon Dominican convent founded in 1507

Ballindoon · street · Sligo · 1507

The monastery of Ballindoon was begun by Thomas O'Fergheul in 1507, according to the Annals of Loch Cé, contradicting earlier traditions dating it to 1427. After the Dissolution, the convent passed through several owners including the Croftons, the Creans, and finally the Gethins.

Read the passage

That he is in error on this occasion, not only in regard to the date, but in regard, too, to other leading circumstances of the Ballindoon foundation, there can be no doubt, as the Annals of Loch Ce, compiled in the immediate neighbourhood, expressly record, that "the monastery of Baile-an-duin, was begun by Thomas O'Fergheul, in 1507,"t probably " the young Prior Thomas O'Ferghail," whose tragic death is mentioned in the same record under the year 1527. J The style, too, of the fabric, of which the engravings in Grose's Antiquities of Ireland § give a very good idea, confirms the recent date.
De Burgo in the middle of the last century admired the size and state of preservation {amplitudinem cum integritate) of this convent, but as the building has undergone little change since he visited it in 1775, and hardly any at all since Captain Grose drew it in 1798, there is good reason for pronouncing the words amplitudinem, etc., to contain somewhat of an amplijU

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 145

Ballymote Castle held by Rory O'Connor, 1348

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1348

By 1348, Ballymote Castle had fallen into the hands of the Sligo O'Connors and was called 'the fortress of Rory O'Connor,' who was then head of that family. The O'Connors entrusted it to the MacDonoghs, who held it for generations.

Read the passage

The castle fell into the hands of the Sligo O'Connors soon after the Burkes had to abandon it, for we find it called, in 1348, " the fortress of Rory O'Connor," who was then the head of that family. By the O'Connors it was committed to the keeping of the MacDonoghs, in whose hands, in spite of some efforts of the Burkes to recover possession, it continued down to 1577, when it " was taken by Saxons in treachery,"t but recaptured by the MacDonoghs before the end of the year.J
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

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 84

Ballymote Yeomanry praised for suppressing rebellion

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1805

In 1805, the non-commissioned officers and privates of the Ballymote Infantry presented a silver cup to Brigade Major James Bridgeham, praising his exertions as a magistrate in suppressing treason and rebellion. Bridgeham replied that the Ballymote Corps's spirited conduct ensured the seeds of rebellion could never flourish in their vicinity.

Read the passage

*' Brotuer Soldiers, — From the commencement of the Yeomanry establishment, the Ballymote Corps of Infantry, have ever been highly distinguished for discipline, loyalty, and zealous attachment to the constitution ; and to your spirited conduct must it be in a great degree ascribed, that the seeds of rebellion could never flourish in your vicinity, conscious of not meriting the flattering encomiums your partiality has bestowed upon me, I feel that I must

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 94

Banada timber castle built and burned

Banada · townland · Sligo · 1237–1265

The English erected a timber castle at Banada about 1237 soon after their arrival in Connaught. Hugh O'Conor and O'Donnell burned it down in 1265.

Read the passage

We read of three castles as belonging to this parish. One of them, which was a timber structure, was erected by the Eaglish at Banada, about 1237, soon after they came to Connaught, and was burned down by Hugh O'Conor and O'Donnell, in 1265,* the year in which they burned the castle of Rxth Ard Creeve. Another, but of stone, owned by the O'Haras, and called generally Castle Carragh, but sometimes Castle Rock, stood on the slope of the mountain, not far from Beul an Easa river and pass, where a small fragment of it may still be seen. The third castle, that of Belclare, of which there are still imposing reraains, which add considerably to the picturesqueness of the landscape, was built, it is said, by the O'Haras, but fell in the course of time into the hands of the Burkes, between whom and O'Donnell there was a spirited contest for its possession ia 1512.t
We have also an account of three old churches — those of Kilmacteige, Banada, and Glenavoagh. Whatever is known of Kilmacteige has been stated above. The Augustinian church of Banada was founded, according to Herrera, in the Alphabetum Augustinianum,J in the year 1423, in accordance with a Rescript of Martin V., who, in another Rescript, issued in 1430, conferred great privileges on the new establishment. This house belonged to the Eremites of Saint Augustine. The

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 79

Battle of the Curlews, 1599 — English defeat

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

In 1599, English forces under the Governor marched from Tulske through the Curlews and were routed by Irish rebels at the Pass after a fierce hour-and-a-half skirmish. The Governor lost his life in the engagement, and the cavalry's subsequent charge up the hill recovered the infantry but at significant cost in killed and wounded.

Read the passage

" The Governor himself labouring to turn them, lost his breath, his voice, his strength, and last of all his life ; or, which is worse, in the rebels' hands, and
300 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 160

Bishop G'Finan's troubled enthronement at Killala, 1835

Killala · town · Mayo · 1835

On Dr. G'Finan's taking possession of the See of Killala in 1835, regrettable differences arose between him and the majority of his priests, filling the diocese with troubles. A letter signed 'Aladensis' in the Castlebar Telegraph gave such offence that the Bishop sued the editor and gained £500 damages.

Read the passage

Father Flannelly had a large part in the remarkable proceedings which took place inKillalla on the occasion of Dr. G'Finan's taking possession of that See in 1835. The bishop had hardly arrived, when regrettable differences arose between him and the majority of his priests, which soon filled the diocese with troubles. During the excitement, a letter over the signature of Aladensis, appeared in the Castlebar Telegraph, and gave such offence to Dr. G'Finan that, after failing to get the name of the writer from Mr. Cavendish, the proprietor and editor of the paper, he took an action against that gentleman, and gained a verdict with damages to the amount of £500.
The case was tried at the Sligo Assizes of March, 1837, and is memorable not only for the matter sub judicej but much more for the eminence of the counsel engaged, the rank of the witnesses examined, and not a few of the incidents that came up during the proceedings.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 225

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Killala in Mayo, you are in a town where a bitter church dispute played out in 1835. When Dr. G'Finan arrived to take possession of the See of Killala, regrettable differences arose between him and the majority of his priests, filling the diocese with troubles. A letter signed Aladensis appeared in the Castlebar Telegraph and gave such offence to the bishop that he sued the editor, Mr. Cavendish, and won 500 pounds in damages. The case was tried at the Sligo Assizes in March 1837, memorable for the eminence of the counsel engaged and the rank of the witnesses examined. Father Flannelly had a large part in the proceedings that surrounded the bishop's troubled enthronement.

Bishop Muiredach suffocated in cave in Gailenga of Corann

Gallen · townland · Offaly · 1007

In 1007, Muiredach, a distinguished bishop and kinsman of Ainmire Bocht, was suffocated by O'Rorke in a cave in Gailenga of Corann, a district within the diocese of Achonry. O'Donovan conjectured this might have been one of the Keash caves, but the author dismisses this since Keash never belonged to Gailenga and its caves are too windy for suffocation.

Read the passage

*Four Masters 1007. "Muiredach, a distinguished bishop, son of the brother of Ainmire Bocht, was suffocated in a cave in Gailenga of Corann."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 47

Black Death strikes Sligo, killing Cathal Oge

Sligo · town · Sligo

Cathal Oge died of the Black Death in Sligo. After this period the town was vastly improved, with splendid buildings of wood and stone.

Read the passage

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

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 348

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town whose story reaches back centuries. The Black Death came here, and Cathal Oge died of it in Sligo. After that dark period, the town was vastly improved, with splendid buildings of wood and stone rising in its streets. The book that records this calls Sligo comparatively modern, though the events it lists stretch across hundreds of years of battles, sieges, and changing hands between the O'Connors, the English, and the Cromwellians.

Brian MacDermot raids Buninadden, 1564

near Bunnanaddan · population centre · Sligo · 1564

According to the Annals of Loch Cé, in March 1564 Brian MacDermot attacked MacDonough of the Corann at Bun-an-fedhain (Buninadden), burned the place, carried off two hundred cows, and committed homicides there.

Read the passage

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

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 100

Brian MacDonogh, last Chief of Collooney

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1641–1642

Brian MacDonogh is identified as the last Chief of Collooney, slain at Manorhamilton. The text compares his heroism at the bridge to William III at the Boyne and Napoleon at Lodi, noting his refusal to surrender even with broken limbs.

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Such was the end of Brian Mac Donogh, the last Chief of CoUooney ; and if William III. is praised for having remained on the field of the Boyne after receiving a wound, which was hardly skin deep ; and if Napoleon is extolled to the skies for crossing the bridge of Lodi in face of the Austrian artillery, the man who was foremost in passing the bridge of Manorhamilton amid
224 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 118

Cashel wall of Inismurray enclosing beehive cells

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo

The cashel wall on Inismurray is built of quarried flags contemporaneous with the beehive structures it encloses. Its irregular shape—deviating from any regular figure—shows the builders deliberately took in pre-existing beehive cells, some of which were incorporated into the defensive masonry.

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up, with no further adjustment than the insertion of small blocks in the interstices," like the cyclopean work of these rude times, it is built of quarried and split flags, similar to those in the structures it encloses, thus showing, that both were practically contemporaneous. And the most conclusive evidence of all is found in the form of the cashel ; for the wall does not trace a circle, or an ellipse, or any other regular figure, but exhibits, here and there, deviations of direction, caused plainly by the desire of the builders to take in pre-existing structures. " There are certain irregularities in the form of the wall," says Mr. Wakeman, in his admirable Guide to Ireland, "as it follows the outline of the space occupied by the buildings it was. required to enclose ; and the same peculiarity is noticed by Miss Stokes, and by a lively and graphic writer in the Irish Monthly, for November 1883, who observes: '^Most decidedly one of the beehives is built into the wall, which means, that the wallbuilders found it a little in their way, and built round it, thus incorporating it in their defensive masonry." And the Right Reverend Dr. Healy, whose opinion, on any subject he treats, must carry great weight, and whose opinion on all that concerns Inismurray, which he knows better than any other man, from his long ministerial connexion with it, may be regarded as decisive, goes even further than the writers quoted, and states, "The cells were constructed in the wall; seven of them yet remain." We may then set down O'Donovan's view as opposed alike to reason and authority.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 16

Castle of Ballindoon built by Conor McDonogh

Ballindoon · street · Sligo

In the same year referenced, the castle of Ballindoon was built by Conor, son of Teige McDonogh. The castle is noted among the strongholds associated with the McDonogh family.

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2. In the same year the castle of Ballindoon was built by Conor, the son of Teige McDonogh.
3. In 1422,* the castle of Lough Deargan was built by Conor McDonough, Lord of Tirerrill on the site of a primitive cashel, some of which still remains in situ. The new fortress was the occasion of great disunion among the McDonoghs, the nephews of the builder regarding it as an encroachment on their own rights and possessions, to vindicate which, they invoked the aid of the O'Donnells, O'Neils, and othe chieftains of Ulster, who invaded Connaught, and " burned and destroyed Tireragh, Tirerrill, and Corran.'^f A considerable portion of the structure still remains, and shows the whole to have been of exceptional strength. The grouting employed was so tenacious, that fragments of the wall, which dropped into the adjoining lake, near a hundred years ago, are still as cemented and solid as when they first fell down.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 125

Chapel in the Gap built on Taaffe Mountain

The Gap · street · Waterford · 1845

The chapel in the Gap was built in 1845 on the Taaffe Mountain estate, where Jack Taaffe had let land to the Irish Waste Land Company. The company encouraged agricultural improvements among forty-seven tenants with prizes for drainage, crops, cheese, and stock, before Taaffe took on the chapel's construction almost single-handed.

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The chapel in the Gap was built in 1845. At that time Jack Taaffe was the head landlord of what has since been called the Taaffe Mountain, but it was let by him to the Irish Waste Land Company, who prosecuted agricultural improvements very energetically on the estate. There were on it forty-seven tenants, and these were encouraged to improve their holdings by prizes for drainage, green crops, cheese, stock, cottages and other houses. The steward, a Mr. Larmont, made very fair cheese, and so did some of the tenants, but the manufacture was abandoned after a little. Mr. Taaffe showed a desire all through to have a chapel on the property, giving, first, £10 towards the erection of one ; and, failing to receive the co-operation he expected, he took the whole matter on himself, and accomplished the work almost single-handed.
Kilmacteige, being a mensal parish of the bishop; has no Parish Priests to name. Rev. J. Gunning is the Actual Administrator.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 81

The history of Sligo : town and county

The stories, best first

Holy well of Dromard and pilgrim observances

Illicit distillation in Drumcliffe and Ahamlish

John Wesley carried over sloughs near Ballincurry, 1778

Kilellin at Ballygawley: early church, pillar stone and holy well

Kilross Church founded by Clarus MacMailin, 1233

McDonogh captured on Fish Island during Connaught raid

Palmerston's harbour at Mullaghmore

Palmerston's school-building and glebe for parish priest

Penal-times Mass ravine at Drumcolumb

Sligo Castle besieged by Hugh Oge O'Donnell with French cannon

Ambrose O'Connor and Holy Cross Convent, Sligo

Anglo-Norman timber castles and expulsions in Sligo

Ballymote Castle transferred to Sir William Taaffe

Battle-named church at Rathbane, Kilvarnet

Battle of the Curlews 1599 — Clifford defeated

Bingham ransacks Sligo convent to build the 'Sow' siege engine

Bog body found in Killerry parish, 1824

Boher Earla Ruadh roads of the Red Earl

Brian MacDonogh, last MacDonogh of Collooney Castle

Butchers patrol John Street against the Sligo Bucks

Cake-dances at Glencar and decline of communal amusement

Cooper's equitable treatment of Catholic chapel in Collooney

Cooper's weekly charity to poor pensioners

Dr. Sweeny of Ballysadare, emigrant physician serving Sligo poor

Emlaghfad church: Saint Columba's foundation on Tulach Segra

Father Egan buried in Aghanagh graveyard

Father Filan's classical school opens in Sligo (1807)

Island dwellings of chiefs and religious in Sligo

Killerry graveyard and 'Straining Thread' cure

Knockmullen Castle occupied by Bingham, 1586

Lough Arrow region: ancient, medieval and modern history

O'Gara dispossessed from Slieve Lugha, driven to Coolavin

O'Hara castle remains at Coolany

Piper Hill squalid housing in Tubbercurry

Registration of Catholic parish priests at Sligo Quarter Sessions, 1704

Rosslee castle and fishing contrivance

Shane Ban Tempany of Tireragh, local tradition-bearer

Sir Conyers Clifford at the Abbey of Boyle before the battle

Stand-house carousing near Ardnaglass Castle

Templehouse castle and Ath-Angaile in Killoran-Kilvarnet

Thady Connellan born at Corkhill

Knockmore Carmelite monastery ruins

McDonald's bleach mill and 1832 cholera death at Ballysadare

Monks' departure from Inishmurray

Tomb of hewn stones erected at great well of Skreen

Tubbercurry fortress erected 1397

Abraham Martin's salmon fishery dispute at Fish Quay

Ballindoon Dominican convent founded in 1507

Ballymote Castle held by Rory O'Connor, 1348

Ballymote Yeomanry praised for suppressing rebellion

Banada timber castle built and burned

Battle of the Curlews, 1599 — English defeat

Bishop G'Finan's troubled enthronement at Killala, 1835

Bishop Muiredach suffocated in cave in Gailenga of Corann

Black Death strikes Sligo, killing Cathal Oge

Brian MacDermot raids Buninadden, 1564

Brian MacDonogh, last Chief of Collooney

Cashel wall of Inismurray enclosing beehive cells

Castle of Ballindoon built by Conor McDonogh

Chapel in the Gap built on Taaffe Mountain