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

Collooney Mills: industrial magnificence

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1838

The magnificent Collooney mills, owned by Madam Iccardi and Mrs. Sim, originated with a structure built around 1838 by William Kelly. The mills are noted for their immense size, solid construction, and excellent machinery.

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If there was nothing else to give interest and importance to Collooney, its magnificent mills, now in the possession of Madam Iccardi and her sister, Mrs. Sim, would alone suffice to do so. It is hardly going too far to say that there is nothing of the kind in Europe to surpass them in size, solidity, and excellence of machinery. A gentleman of great ability and exceptional experience in mills and factories of various kinds, having recently travelled through the countries of the Continent and examined their industrial and manufacturing establishments, declared, in passing through the county Sligo, that he had seen nothing in his travels which came up to the noble concerns of Collooney. The first of these structures was erected about 1838, by the late William Kelly, at a cost of £8000, and was then regarded as the largest and best mill in Ireland ; and from this fact people will get an idea of the imposing character of the Collooney mills at present, when the mill in question is only one of a group of equally stately structures. So perfect and extensive is this establishment that it is capable of grinding as much meal and flour as would suffice for the consumption of several counties, and so spacious that it might serve, if need were, as a granary for the whole province of Connaught.
Recently Madam Iccardi and Mrs. Sim have leased the left bank of the river from Mr. Madden, and have erected there a woollen factory, which, it is hoped, will prove a financial success to the enterprising owners, and a centre of large employment to

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 185

Corran and Tireragh sheepwalks before 1748

Corran · barony · Sligo · 1748–1776

Until the mid-18th century, large-scale tillage was rare in County Sligo, and the baronies of Corran and Tireragh were used as continuous sheepwalks. A great agricultural improvement began in 1748, and by 1776 all of Corran was producing potatoes and barley.

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On any extended scale is of comparatively modern date in the county Sligo. About the middle of the eighteenth century there was little of it, the baronies of Corran and Tireragh, being then " continued sheepwalks."* It was in 1748 the great improvement began, and it proceeded so rapidly that in 1776 rents were, when compared with those of the former period, as fifteen to six ;f and though it is likely that these rents were exorbitant, they still prove, after making due allowance, that the rate of progress was great at the time. In 1776, all Corran was giving potatoes and barley, and much of Tireragh was broken up and in tillage.!
The tillage farms were generally held in partnership, or, as the people expressed it, " in means," half a dozen persons or so taking a farm of a hundred or two hundred acres, and then subdividing it among themselves, so that each had only a small quantity, rarely exceeding ten acres Irish. This system showed itself in and round Sligo, as also in a portion of Tireragh, near a hundred years before the time mentioned by Arthur Young; for in the Tripartite Indenture between Strafford, Radcliffe, and Doctor Leslie, there is mention of several such partnerships ; as, for instance, those *' of Dermot McHenry and partners," in Carrick, now" called Carrick Henry, from this Dermot McHenry ; of "Edward Gilgan and partners/' in Inismulclohy, alias the Coney island ; and of *' Rowland James and partners," in the quarter of Aughris, in Tireragh.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 253

Druids' Altar at Calry Deer Park

Calry · parish · Sligo

The Druids' Altar in Mr. Wynne's Deer Park at Calry is a megalithic monument of three compartments with doorways, outlined by unhewn boulder stones. It resembles structures at Ardnasbrack and Caronagh but is much larger and more complex.

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Anyone that has seen the Druids' Altar in Mr. Wynne's Deer Park, Calry, will hardly fail to notice a marked resemblance between that monument and those of Ardnasbrack and Caronagh, the chief difference being the much greater size and the more complicated plan of the former. With this difference, there is much similarity between the Calry and Tirerrill structures ; for both are oblong ; both consist substantially of three compartments ; both have opes or doors between the compartments ; and both are outlined and bounded alike by unhewn boulder stones, set on end or laid on edge.
There is nothing known of the nature or purpose of these structures; nor, in the absence of sufficient data, such as might be had in excavations, is there much ground for a decided opinion whether they were habitations of the living, or sepulchres of the dead, or fixtures for games ; though one might be inclined to infer, from the ope or doorway, that they were habitations of anchorets or other religious. Such enclosures, even when covered in, as, of course, they would be, with boughs of trees, strips of turf,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 128

Dublin–Sligo travel transformed from armed guard to limited mail

Sligo · town · Sligo

Formerly the Dublin–Sligo journey took twenty-six hours through a disturbed country requiring an armed guard in a jolting vehicle. By the 1860s the Limited Mail covered the distance in four hours in comfortable carriages, reflecting both improved transport and a pacified countryside.

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With such attractions and such facilities for enjoying them, Sligo is sure to become the favourite resort of tourists. It is little wonder that this class of travellers kept away from the place in the past when it took twentj^-six hours to get from Dublin to Sligo, when the country was so disturbed that people had to travel in the company of " a well armed guard," and when the mode of conveyance was a lumbering, jolting vehicle, in which passengers were exposed to rain, wind, and the other severities of the weather ; but now, that all this is changed, that the district is as peaceful as it is picturesque, that the Limited Mail glides, in four hours, from Dublin to Sligo, and that its carriages are as cozy as boudoirs, it is a law of travel, as sure as the law of gravitation, that the main tourist stream of Ireland must in future flow into Sligo.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 304

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, think on how the journey here used to be. In former times it took 26 hours to reach Sligo from Dublin, through a country so disturbed that travellers needed what the book calls "a well armed guard," in a lumbering, jolting vehicle open to rain and wind. Now the Limited Mail covers the same distance in 4 hours, in carriages the book describes as cozy as boudoirs. The district is as peaceful as it is picturesque, and the author says the main tourist stream of Ireland must in future flow into Sligo.

Easky river salmon fishery grants

Easky · town · Sligo · 1617–1756

The Easky river salmon fishery, at the river's mouth, passed from the O'Dowds and was granted by the King in 1617 to Sir John Davys, Attorney-General. At the Restoration the fishery went to the Ormsby family, who sold it in 1756 to Henry King, whose daughters later sold it to the Fenton family.

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Easky has its name from the little river lascach, which rises in Lough Esk, flows through the parishes of Kilmacshalgan and Easky, and falls into the sea a little to the north of Easky village. The parish has a long stretch of seaboard, from which the bays of Killalla and Sligo are equally accessible. The mouth of the river is a genial habitat for salmon ; and the fishery, after passing from the O'Dowds, was granted in 1617 by the King to his famous Attorney-General, Sir John Davys, as " the entire fishings of the river Easkagh, and the rock within the mearings of Carricknemrontaine bog." At the Restoration one of the Ormsbys obtained the fishery with the adjoining land ; and his representatives sold it, in 1756, to Henry King. This gentleman left it to his family, three daughters, who, after marrying in Sligo, sold their interest to the Fenton family, the present owners.
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.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 223

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Easky, the little river Lascach enters the sea just north of the village, and its mouth was always good salmon ground. The fishery once belonged to the O'Dowds, but in 1617 the King granted it to his Attorney-General, Sir John Davys, as what the record calls the entire fishings of the river Easkagh and the rock within the mearings of Carricknemrontaine bog. At the Restoration one of the Ormsbys took over the fishery with the adjoining land, and his representatives sold it in 1756 to Henry King. King left it to his three daughters, who after marrying in Sligo sold their interest to the Fenton family. On the right bank of the river as it enters the sea stood Rosslee castle, occupied in the first years of James I by the McDonnells. The castle had a fishing contrivance in the river arranged so that a fish touching it set bells going, informing the cook it was at her disposal. On the 23rd of July 1618 the King granted Daniel O'Dowd two castles, a kitchen, and a bakehouse within the bawn of Rosslee. The remains of the castle, which are considerable, were drawn by Bigari in 1779.

Eight men hanged at Albert Street gaol for robberies (1817)

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1817

At the Summer Assizes of 1817, eight men were sentenced to death for robberies committed at Lugdoon, Dromore, Carrownalisky, Drumluster, and elsewhere in Sligo. They were executed at the old gaol on Albert Street, Sligo, the usual site for public executions.

Read the passage

These eight men suffered the extreme penalty of the law at the old gaol, Albert Street, where public executions usually took place, though on some occasions men were executed at the scene of their crime, as happened in the case of John Tunny and Patrick Looby, convicted at the Lent Assizes of 1817 of entering forcibly the dwelling-house of Henry Smith, at Tonelena, and taking thereout thirty tenpennies, four pairs of sheets, two gowns, three shirts, and one pair of stockings. Both were sentenced to be hanged on the 25 th March (Lady Day) at Terenure, or St. James' Well, where they were executed in the
484 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 264

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, the old gaol on Albert Street was where public executions usually took place. At the Summer Assizes of 1817, eight men were sentenced to death for robberies at Lugdoon, Dromore, Carrownalisky, Drumluster, and elsewhere, and all were hanged at that gaol. Sometimes men were executed at the scene of their crime, as with John Tunny and Patrick Looby, convicted at the Lent Assizes of 1817 of forcibly entering Henry Smith's house at Tonelena and taking thirty tenpennies, four pairs of sheets, two gowns, three shirts, and one pair of stockings. Both were hanged on 25 March at Terenure, or Saint James' Well.

English garrisons across Sligo castles in 1595

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1593–1595

At the opening of 1595 Sligo county was heavily under English control, with George Oge Bingham commanding the castle and town of Sligo, a second George Bingham holding Ballymote castle, and strong garrisons occupying Collooney, Rathmullen, and Ballinafad castles. Sir Richard Bingham had also erected a new fortress in 1593 on the strip of land between Lough Arrow and Lough Key to block O'Rorke and O'Donnell incursions.

Read the passage

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
* "O'Donnell, i.e., Hugh Roe, marched with an army against MacDermot, i.e., Cormac, the son of Rory, and never halted until he reached the Curlieu mountains. MacDermot, having received intelligence of this, assembled the forces of Moylurg, and of the Tuathas of Connaught, to defend the pass of the Curlieus against O'Donnell. O'Donnell, perceiving this, marched round Muintir Eolais, crossed the Shannon near the castle of Leitrim, and thus entered Moylurg. He seized upon many preys and spoils, and commenced ravaging the country. When MacDermot heard of this, he repaired to O'Donuell, and concluded a perpetual peace with him, and humbly paid him hia tribute. He also returned to him the Cathach, and the prisoners who had remained in Moylurg from the time of the defeat of Bealach-Buidhe to that time."_Annal3 of the Four Masters, sub anno 1499.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 152

As the companion tells it

Coming through Sligo now. At the opening of 1595 the whole county seemed more completely in the power of the English than perhaps it had ever been before. 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, Rathmullen, and Ballinafad. Sir Richard Bingham had also erected a new fortress 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. The passage carries a footnote from the Annals of the Four Masters under the year 1499. O'Donnell, Hugh Roe, marched with an army against MacDermot, Cormac son of Rory, and never halted until he reached the Curlieu mountains. MacDermot, having received intelligence of this, assembled the forces of Moylurg and of the Tuathas of Connaught to defend the pass of the Curlieus. O'Donnell, perceiving this, marched round Muintir Eolais, crossed the Shannon near the castle of Leitrim, and thus entered Moylurg. He seized many preys and spoils, and commenced ravaging the country. When MacDermot heard of this, he repaired to O'Donnell and concluded a perpetual peace with him, and humbly paid him his tribute. He also returned to him the Cathach, and the prisoners who had remained in Moylurg from the time of the defeat of Bealach-Buidhe to that time.

Eugene O'Hart and the O'Harts of Carbury, Sligo

Carbury · barony · Sligo · 1562

Eugene O'Hart, promoted to the see of Achonry in 1562, belonged to the O'Harts of Carbury, described as the most distinguished family of that district after the O'Connors. He entered Holy Cross Convent in Sligo as a young man and became Prior there before being sent to Paris for eight years of study.

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Eugene O'Hart, who, according to Dr. Lynch, was a nephew of Cormac O'Quinn, was promoted to the vacant see on the 28th January, 1562. In the entire roll of the bishops of Achonry, no more honoured name occurs than this of Eugene O'Hart. The O'Harts of Carbury, to which he belonged, were the most distinguished family of that district after the O'Connors. Entering Holy Cross Convent, Sligo, when quite young, Eugene went through the noviciate there, after which he was sent by his superiors to Paris, where, for eight years, he prosecuted his studies under the renowned masters of that city.
On his return to Sligo he became Prior of Holy Cross, and was already Provincial of the Irish Dominicans, when he was

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 55

As the companion tells it

As you travel through the barony of Carbury in Sligo, this was O'Hart country, described as the most distinguished family of the district after the O'Connors. The most honoured of them was Eugene O'Hart, nephew of Cormac O'Quinn, promoted to the vacant see of Achonry on the 28th of January 1562. Lynch wrote that no more honoured name occurs in the entire roll of the bishops of Achonry. Eugene entered Holy Cross Convent in Sligo when quite young, went through the noviciate, and was sent to Paris, where for eight years he studied under the renowned masters of that city. On his return he became Prior of Holy Cross, and was already Provincial of the Irish Dominicans when he was promoted to the bishopric.

Father Felix O'Connor dies a martyr in Sligo gaol

Sligo · town · Sligo

Under the penal laws, Father Felix O'Connor died as a confessor or martyr in Sligo gaol. Catholics were described as the helots of Sligo, with laymen also sent to gaol for refusing the oath of abjuration.

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Search for priests, 237. The discovery clauses of Anne's Act, To prevent the further growth of Popery, 238. Jeremiah Fury and Laurence Bettridge, 239. Anecdote, 240. Father Felix O'Connor dies a confessor or martyr in Sligo gaol, 269. Catholics the helots of Sligo, 337.
Cemetery, The new, of Sligo, I. 293-7.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 336

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are travelling through a town with a grim penal-law history. Catholics were called the helots of Sligo. Father Felix O'Connor died a confessor or martyr in Sligo gaol, and laymen were sent there too for refusing the oath of abjuration.

Father Mark Rush of Kilturra and Buninadden Union, 1740–1817

Kilturra · townland · Sligo · 1740–1817

Father Mark Rush, born at Kilturra in 1740 of respectable parents, was educated in Buninadden and ordained in Tours, France, in 1765. He served as parish priest of the Buninadden Union for fifty years until his death on 1 April 1817, and was buried in Kilturra with eight pall bearers of social standing.

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Father Push was born at Kilturra, in 1740, of highly-respectable parents, received his classical education in Buninadden, and passed through his ecclesiastical studies in Tours in France, where, too, he was ordained priest in 1765. A vacancy in the incumbency of Buninadden Union occurring soon after the young priest's return from France, he was appointed Parish Priest, and held the living down to his decease on the 1st April, 1817, in the 77th year of his age, and the 50th of his sacred ministry. This good man was buried in Kilturra ; and his friends love to tell how his coffin was carried to the grave by eight pall bearers of
198 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 104

First mail coach from Sligo to Dublin via Boyle

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1808

Before the mail coach road between Sligo and Boyle was built, post was carried by 'diligence' to Florence Court and then on to Dublin. The first mail coach from Sligo to Dublin via Boyle ran in 1808, marking a significant improvement in regional transport.

Read the passage

Till late in the last century the roads were narrow, there being no cars or carts ; and when those conveyances were first introduced they necessitated no change, as they were so slight and narrow that two hundred weight was considered a good load for them. In the " Earls of Kildare" (p. 371) we are told that the Duke of Leinster was the first to introduce fourwheeled waggons in Ireland, the introduction taking place in 1755; and it took some time before they reached Sligo. Before the mail coach road between Sligo and Boyle was made, the post was carried by " diligence " to Florence Court, and sent on from that to Dublin. It was in 1808 the first mail coach ran from Sligo to Dublin,* via Boyle.
Down to fifty or sixty years ago, beggars and *' backaghs " — persons who suffered or shammed lameness, or some other corporal infirmity — infested the public roads, seating themselves at the most frequented points, and remaining there for years, till they became as familiar to travellers as the physical features of the place, so that mendicants who died more than a hundred years ago are still associated with particular spots. A blind beggarman, who had his quarters on the bridge of Ballysadare, distinguished himself so much by the blessing bestowed in return for alms, that it became famous as the " Beggar's Benison," and is thus referred to by the artists employed by

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 303

As the companion tells it

Sligo is the town you're passing through, and it was the starting point for a real change in travel. Before the mail coach road between Sligo and Boyle was built, the post was carried by what they called "diligence" to Florence Court, and sent on from there to Dublin. That changed in 1808, when the first mail coach ran from Sligo to Dublin via Boyle. The roads had been narrow for a long time before that. When carts and cars were first introduced, they were so slight that two hundred weight was considered a good load for them. The Duke of Leinster was the first to bring four-wheeled waggons to Ireland, back in 1755, and it took some time before they reached Sligo. So the mail coach in 1808 marked a significant step forward for the region.

Gentry tillage at Hazelwood and demesnes

Hazelwood · street · Galway · 1800

Following Arthur Young's visit to County Sligo, the local gentry began tilling their demesnes, and by 1800 tillage was extensive at Hazelwood, Markrea, and Annaghmore. Owen Wynne notably maintained an experimental farm at his demesne growing a variety of green and white crops.

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Soon after Arthur Young's visit to the county Sligo, and, very probably, in consequence of it, the gentry took to tilling their demesnes ; and Doctor MacParlan, in his Survey of Sligo, represents that tillage was carried on extensively, about the year 1800, at Hazelwood, Markrea, Annaghmore, and other places. Mr. Owen Wynne distinguished himself in farming. He had "an open piece of ground within his demesne as an experimental farm," on which he grew peas, beans, vetches, and almost every variety of green and white crops, viz. : Norfolk and Swedish turnips,
* See a learned and interesting Lecture of Lord Herries on Everingham in the Olden Time, where his Lordship, from family documents, shows how the system worked on the manors of his ancestors. This Lecture was delivered for the benefit of the Market Weighton Kef ormatory School, and was published in 1866.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 253

Giants' Graves at Gortakeeran

Gortakeeran · townland · Sligo

In the townland of Gortakeeran stand megalithic remains known as Giants' Graves. One, located midway between Cabragh cahel and Coolany river, measures about twelve yards long and nine or ten feet wide, with a covering flag still in situ at the west end measuring eight feet long, five broad, and nearly two thick.

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In the large townland of Gortakeeran, there are some megalithic remains of the kind usually named Giants' Graves. One of them stands about midway between Cabragh cash el and Coolany river, and, judging by present appearances, was about twelve yards long, and nine or ten feet wide. On the west end there is still in sitVj a covering flag eight feet long, five broad, and near two thick. No doubt, other flags covered the east end of the structure, but they have disappeared, and have left no tradition of their fate after them.
Two or three hundred yards lower down the slope, and nearer to the river, is another Giant's Grave, but in a very ruined state.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 32

Great storm of 1884 devastates Union Wood

Union Wood · wood · Sligo · 1884

The great storm of 1884 caused severe damage to Union Wood, with uprooted trees everywhere, especially at Castle View on the south-eastern side near the top of the ridge, where the destruction resembled a battlefield strewn with dead trees.

Read the passage

Like^ the other tracts of ^the county ,"Union Wood suffered severely in the great storm of 1884, the ravages of which are still visible in the fallen timber lying in all directions about» Uprooted trees were to be met with everywhere, but more especially at a spot called Castle Yiew, on the south-eastern side near the top of the ridge. If the whole wood looked like a Titanic battlefield, strewn with dead bodies, the spot, referred to, resembled the camp or citadel where the last great struggle came off, the place being filled with corpses of, huge firs, oaks, and beeches ; many lying flat on the ground ; some in collision, like two gladiators locked in deadly embrace, but each unable to bring the adversary under ; some decapitated, some with arms torn quite off, or hanging by the side ; and some with whole perches of soil and rock, like gigantic shields firmly clutched by the roots, and still held up in defence or protection over the prostrate body.*
* In poring over the annals of the country we meet occasionally accounts of similar storms, as, for instance, in the year 1178, when, to use the words of the Annals of Loch Ce, " Very great wind came in this year, which prostrated large tracts of woods and forests, and huge trees ; and it moreover prostrated six score large trees, vel paulo plus, in Doire-Cholum-Chille."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 116

As the companion tells it

Right beside the road here is Union Wood, which suffered severely in the great storm of 1884. The ravages were still visible long after, with fallen timber lying in all directions and uprooted trees everywhere. The worst of it was at Castle View, on the south-eastern side near the top of the ridge. The whole wood looked like a battlefield strewn with dead bodies, and Castle View was where the last great struggle seemed to have taken place. It was filled with the corpses of huge firs, oaks, and beeches. Some lay flat, some were locked together like gladiators in deadly embrace, some were decapitated, and some still clutched whole masses of soil and rock in their roots like shields held up over the prostrate body.

Gurteen union and Saint Attracta associations

Gorteen · town · Sligo

The Union of Gurteen encompassed the territories of the O'Garas and MacDermots, including Kilfree and Killaraght, the latter associated with Saint Attracta. The area also saw a documented succession of parish priests.

Read the passage

Gurteen, Union of, II. 358. O'Garas, 359-360. MacDermots, 361-2-3. Kilfree, 363-4-5. Killaraght and Saint Attracta, 366. Life of the Saint, 366-378. Succession of Parish Priests, 379-380.
Habitations, of the people, II. 455. Placed formerly within raths or forts, 456. Material of these raths no criterion of their age, 456. Meaning of the word "gran" or * ' grania," 457. Some Irishmen may have never put a head under a roof in remote times, 458. Condition of the west of Ireland, as reported in 1517, 459. Castle of Collooney, the first stone and mortar structure erected in the county, 460. Castles of Sligo, Templehouse, Ardcree, Banada, Buninna, follow, 460. Fine stone houses in the town of Sligo in 1396. The troubles of 1641, 1689, and the Penal Laws, arrest the erection of good houses, 461. Most of the existing houses built since the beginning of the century, 462. The islands of the county formerly inhabited, 463. Improvements, 11. 586. Houses of the town of Sligo, towards the close of last century, I. 330-331.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 340

Incised headstones and underground passage on Inismurray

Inishmurray · townland · Sligo · 1866

Inismurray possesses an underground passage leading to the sea with a perfect cyclopean doorway, and a number of headstones bearing incised crosses described as curious and beautiful in design. Lord Dunraven counted seventeen headstones in 1866, several documented in Miss Stokes' Christian Inscriptions.

Read the passage

like stations of the cross in our churches, pausing places at which those going through the station, rest to recite certain prayers before passing on ; and 4th, to omit other objects, an underground passage to the sea, a perfect cyclopean doorway, of "which O'Donovan has left a pen and ink sketch, and a number of headstones — Lord Dunraven counted seventeen in 186G ; several of them bearing incised crosses, " curious and often beautiful in design," says Mr. Wakeman, three of which may be seen in Miss Stokes' Christian Inscriptions, and the whole in Colonel Cooper's Portfolio of Drawings, and in Mr. Wakeman's inestimable Monograph on Inismurray, as published in the number for October, 1885, of the Journal of the E-oyal Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland.
In Tempul Molaise is preserved, to use the words of O'Donovan, "an oaken figure about the height of a man, with a long emaciated face, the hands, which the natives say, were placed in the position of thanksgiving, having been taken off."

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 17

Inquisition at Ballymote records O'Higgins estate, 1610

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1610

An inquisition held at Ballymote in 1610 before Nicholas Brady recorded that Teige Dall O'Higgins died on 8 June 1595, seized of fifteen quarters of land in County Sligo, and that his son Teige Oge, then twelve years old, entered into possession.

Read the passage

Teige Dall O'Higgins lost his life in 1595 in consequence of a satire he had composed against the O'Haras of Cashel Oarragh, in the parish of Kilmacteige. His death is referred to 1610 by O'Reilly ; but an inquisition held at Ballymote in 1610 before Nicholas Brady expressly states that "Thaddeus Caecus O'Higgin ut vocatur, died on the 8th June, 1595, seized of 15 quarters of land in the county Sligo, that Teige Oge is his son, and was twelve years old at the father's death, and that he entered into possession."
506 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 275

James I's General Pardon lists Buninadden inhabitants

near Bunnanaddan · population centre · Sligo · 1603–1625

James I's General Pardon to Donnogh O'Connor Sligo extended amnesty to numerous inhabitants of Buninadden, including gentlemen, labourers, a mason, surgeons, a priest, and kerne, providing a detailed census of the settlement's social structure in the early seventeenth century.

Read the passage

In James the First's General Pardon to Donnogh O'Connor Sligo, of Sligo Co., Esq., the amnesty is extended to the following persons belonging to Buninadden, who, no doubt, comprised all, or nearly all, the inhabitants of the place : — Shane Glas McDonnogh, of Bonanydanie, gent. ; Hugh Bane McDonnogh, of the same, gent. ; Connor McDonnogh, of the same, gent. ; Feriell Oge McDonnogh, of the same, gent. ; Shane Geare McDonnogh, of the same, gent. ; Thadeus Carragh McCarbrie, of the same, gent. ; Melaghlin Duffe O'Byrne, of the same, labourer; Brian O'Birne, of the same, labourer; Brian O'Hayvare (Hevar), of the same, labourer ; Donald G'Heyvare, of the same,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 99

Lady Morgan's Patriotic Sketches written at Longford

Longford · town · Longford · 1805–1807

Lady Morgan (Miss Owenson) composed her Patriotic Sketches at Longford, the Crofton seat, to express admiration for the place and its inhabitants. The sketches provide a graphic account of the manners and habits prevailing in County Sligo at the close of the eighteenth century.

Read the passage

The country is indebted to Longford for awakening the genius of Lady Morgan. It was to proclaim the admiration she felt for the place and its inhabitants that she ventured first into print. With that object she composed, in 1805, her first novel — The Wild Irish Girl — giving her heroine the very un-Irish name of Gloriana, but endowing her, en revanche, with all the characteristic Irish virtues and accomplishments. It was at Longford, too, she wrote her Patriotic Sketches, an appropriate title, as they breathe in every page the purest patriotism. With equal propriety might they be called Sympathetic Sketches, as the writer, all through, is in the most thorough sympathy with the persons and things which she describes. These sketches should be oftener in our hands, not merely for the sake of their patriotism, but still more for the graphic account they contain of the manners and habits which prevailed through the county Sligo at the close of the last century. It would be hardly going too far to say that, in this little work, Lady Morgan has done, in considerable measure for the west, what the Banims have done for the south, and Carleton has done for the north.
And it was in the same place she wrote her Irish Melodies or Metrical Fragments, published in 1807, under the title : " The Lay of an Ancient Irish Harp, or, Metrical Fragments, by Miss Owenson." In almost every one of the Fragments, no matter what the subject, it is easy to detect the genius loci, while three of them are expressly connected with local persons or scenery.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 215

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Longford now, the old Crofton seat where Lady Morgan, then Miss Owenson, found her voice as a writer. The country owes this place for awakening her genius. It was here in 1805 that she composed her first novel, The Wild Irish Girl, giving her heroine the un-Irish name of Gloriana but endowing her with all the characteristic Irish virtues. Here too she wrote her Patriotic Sketches, which breathe in every page the purest patriotism and might just as well be called Sympathetic Sketches, so thoroughly is the writer in sympathy with the persons and things she describes. Those sketches deserve to be oftener in our hands, not merely for their patriotism but still more for the graphic account they give of the manners and habits that prevailed through County Sligo at the close of the eighteenth century. It would be hardly going too far to say that in this little work she did for the west what the Banims did for the south and Carleton for the north. In the same place she wrote her Irish Melodies or Metrical Fragments, published in 1807 under the title "The Lay of an Ancient Irish Harp, or, Metrical Fragments, by Miss Owenson." In almost every one of them, no matter the subject, you can detect the genius loci, while three are expressly connected with local persons or scenery.

MacDermot family settled at Coolavin after confiscation

Coolavin · electoral division · Sligo · 1616–1700

The MacDermot family, whose hereditary possessions in Roscommon were confiscated in the seventeenth century, resettled at Coolavin where they had held a small estate in fee since at least 1616, as recorded in an inquisition taken at Rosslee. They had been chiefs of Moylurg, exercising decisive influence over Connaught affairs for centuries.

Read the passage

Though the distinguished family of the MacDermots have resided, for the most part, at Coolavin since the confiscation of their hereditary possessions in the seventeenth century, and had a small estate in fee there in 1616, as is stated in an inquisition taken that year at Rosslee, their history, as Connaught chiefs, belongs to the county Roscommon. From Dermot, who died in 1159, to Charles MacDermot, who died about the middle of the seventeenth century, they ruled in that county over a territory so extensive that the names of the townlands in the
* Ibid., p. 88.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 193

MacDonogh family of Sligo in the Irish Brigade

Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1690–1770

Forty-two members of the MacDonogh family served as captains or lieutenants in Dillon's regiment in France between 1690 and 1770. The Act of Settlement names several MacDonoghs from Sligo, Collooney, and Cusca who served beyond seas under the king's ensigns.

Read the passage

a shower of bullets, all levelled at himself, and who, ia order to avoid the disgrace of coming under the power of his own and his country*s enemies, did, even while his whole person v^as a mass of wounds and broken bones, still ply the sword, from which nothing could part him, with such spirit as to prevent his assailants from capturing him alive, and to force them, in their fear and fury, to kill him, is surely entitled to no mean place on the roll of fame* Their leader having fallen, the Irish retired from the contest, and suffered enormously in retreat. The passion of the Mac Donoghs for a military life did not cease with the death of the gallant Brian ; for, to say nothing of others, forty-two members of the family served in France, as captains or lieutenants, in the single regiment of Dillon, from 1690 to 1770 ;t while we find, in the Act of Settlement, among

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror

Martin Corkran's farm at Claragh and riding at Carrignagat fair

Claragh · townland · Cavan

Martin Corkran settled on the farm of Claragh near Ballinacarrow and supplemented it with a purchased fee-simple estate. He was renowned as a bold rider across the hills of Claragh and faced the formidable stone fences put up to test horsemen at the fair of Carrignagat.

Read the passage

The lawyer's father, Martin Corkran, received a classical education with a view to his joining one of the learned professions, but his fondness for rural life and field sports prevailing over his taste for books, he settled down on the fine farm of Claragh, which he soon supplemented with a fee-simple estate, that he purchased shortly after his marriage. Through life Martin Corkran had a great passion for the saddle, and was admitted to be as bold a rider as ever followed the hounds across the hills of Claragh, or faced the formidable stone fences, put up for the special purpose of testing the mettle of both horses and horsemen, at the fair of Carrignagat.
On the death of her husband, Mrs. Corkran removed to Dublin, in the interest of the education of her children, and, on the advice of the writer and other friends, soon sent her son, William, to France to school, where, from the post, he gave unmistakeable proofs of superior talents. It was, however, considerably later, and after his return to Dublin, it became known to his friends and, probably, to himself, that he had received from nature the rare and precious gift of genuine eloquence. The fact was established to the satisfaction and admiration of everybody through a debating society, which he attended with many of the most talented young men of the city, and at which, though the youngest member of the society, he carried away the palm from all, and was admitted by everybody to be first, without an}" second near him — his speeches having all the attributes of finished as well as of natural eloquence — spontaneousness, fulness, force, argument, and ornament.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 293

O'Donnell encamps at Ballinafad before Curlews battle

Ballinafad · townland · Sligo · 1599

As part of preparations to meet Sir Conyers Clifford's relief force, O'Donnell encamped with the main body of his forces near Ballinafad on the north side of the Curlew Mountains.

Read the passage

On learning the state of things at Collooney, the Lord Lieutenant Essex, and the Governor of Connaught, Sir Conyers Clifford, made great preparations to raise the siege, as Sir Donogh was then their friend and ally. While collecting an army to proceed by land to Collooney, under [the command of Sir Conyers, they despatched by sea to Sligo troops intended to co-operate with this army. To meet Sir Conyers, O'Donnell and O'Rorke, after stationing parties in and near Sligo to watch the English coming by sea, and leaving, round the castle of Collooney, men enough to carry on the siege, proceeded themselves with the main body of their forces to the Curlews, where O'Donnell encamped near Ballinafad, on the north side of the mountain, while O'Rorke took up position near Corrigeen Roe, at the east end of the range.
It was about 4 o'clock p.m., on the 15th August, which fell that year on a Sunday, the English reached Boyle, and Sir Conyers, thinking the pass of Ballaghboy clear, resolved, thea and there, without halting, to cross the mountain, though, in this he acted against the advice and remonstrance of his officers, and against the wishes of his men, who, after a long march of two days, felt that they needed refreshments and some rest.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

Partnership farms in Carrick Henry

Carrickhenry · townland · Sligo · 1676

Partnership or 'in means' tillage farming, where multiple tenants held a large farm in common, was practiced in and around Sligo nearly a century before Arthur Young's visit. The Tripartite Indenture records Dermot McHenry and partners holding such a farm in Carrick, which became known as Carrick Henry after him.

Read the passage

The tillage farms were generally held in partnership, or, as the people expressed it, " in means," half a dozen persons or so taking a farm of a hundred or two hundred acres, and then subdividing it among themselves, so that each had only a small quantity, rarely exceeding ten acres Irish. This system showed itself in and round Sligo, as also in a portion of Tireragh, near a hundred years before the time mentioned by Arthur Young; for in the Tripartite Indenture between Strafford, Radcliffe, and Doctor Leslie, there is mention of several such partnerships ; as, for instance, those *' of Dermot McHenry and partners," in Carrick, now" called Carrick Henry, from this Dermot McHenry ; of "Edward Gilgan and partners/' in Inismulclohy, alias the Coney island ; and of *' Rowland James and partners," in the quarter of Aughris, in Tireragh.
Under this tenure the whole farm was cut up into three or four large fields or stretches, one for tillage, another for milch cows, and a third, and sometimes a fourth, for horses, asses, and young stock. Each of the fields was held and used in common by all the partners, so that all grazed their cows in one field, all

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 253

Phillips's first political speech at Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo

Charles Phillips delivered stirring speeches in favour of Catholic Emancipation at Sligo, Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, and on Dinas Island in the Lake of Killarney. His speech at Sligo was the first of his platform utterances, delivered in his native town under peculiar personal and public pressures.

Read the passage

Charles Phillips was a politician as well as a lawyer, and delivered stirring speeches, chiefly in favour of Catholic Emancipation, at Sligo, at Dublin, at Cork, at Liverpool, and on Dinas Island in the Lake of Killarney, where his health was proposed in association with that of the noted Tom Payne, who accompanied him. His speech at Sligo was the first of his platform utterances ; and the reader will find in the following sentences the peculiar feelings under which the orator spoke in his native town, as well as the hindrances — some of a public, some of a family nature — which stood in his way when espousing the popular cause : — " The exaggerated estimate which other counties have made of the few services so young a man could render,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 279

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in the town where Charles Phillips gave his first political speech. Phillips was both a lawyer and a politician, and he spoke chiefly in favour of Catholic Emancipation, not only here but at Dublin, Cork, Liverpool, and on Dinas Island in the Lake of Killarney, where his health was proposed alongside that of Tom Payne. The Sligo speech was the first of his platform utterances, delivered in his native town under peculiar pressures, some public, some family in nature, that stood in his way when he espoused the popular cause. He spoke of the exaggerated estimate which other counties had made of the few services so young a man could render.

Presbyterians expelled from Sligo Market House for players

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1800

Around a hundred years before the book's writing, Presbyterians were turned out of the Market House of Sligo to make room for strolling players. Catholics at the same time were forced to celebrate their rites in secluded fields.

Read the passage

Eeligion — taking the word in a wide sense, so as to include the systems of faith and worship of the different local denominations of Christians — was never so prosperous in the county as at the present time. Instead of being degraded or persecuted, as it was about a hundred years ago, when the Presbyterians used to be turned out of the Market House of Sligo to make room for strolling players ; and when the Catholics, after surviving the sword of Cromwell, and the laws of Anne, had to celebrate their rites with fear and trembling in secluded fields or other out-of-the-way places, as if they were felons ; the religion of the one and of the other is now not only free and flourishing, but honoured and respected by all.
Of the many signs and proofs of social progress that surround us, there is none so striking as the activity and energy with which the members of the different religious denominations of the county support their respective churches. There is no occasion to say anything here of the Catholic Church, as the position, which it occupies in the town and county, is known and acknowledged. Without being able to compete with it in numbers, in houses of worship like the stately cathedral and some other churches, or in splendour and solemnity of ceremonial, the other denominations exhibit at least equal zeal in maintaining their different forms of belief and worship.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 315

As the companion tells it

Coming through Sligo now. About a hundred years before this book was written, religion here was degraded and persecuted. The Presbyterians used to be turned out of the Market House of Sligo to make room for strolling players. The Catholics fared no better. After surviving the sword of Cromwell and the laws of Anne, they had to celebrate their rites with fear and trembling in secluded fields or other out-of-the-way places, as if they were felons. The book sets all that against the present time, when religion of the one and of the other is not only free and flourishing but honoured and respected by all. The author calls the activity and energy with which the members of the different religious denominations support their respective churches the most striking sign of social progress around them. The Catholic Church holds a known position in the town and county, with its stately cathedral and other churches, and a splendour and solemnity of ceremonial. The other denominations cannot compete with it in numbers or in houses of worship, but the author says they exhibit at least equal zeal in maintaining their different forms of belief and worship.

Rathgran and Ballygrania forts in Ballysadare

Ballygrania · townland · Sligo

The raths of Ballygrania and Rathgran in the parish of Ballysadare are described as singularly strong and beautiful, featuring fosses, ramparts, level platforms for hundreds of men, and palisades rising thirty feet. They were formidable defensive works on natural elevations.

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The raths of Ballygrania and Rathgran, in the parish of Ballysadare, are singularly strong as well as beautiful, having not only fosses and ramparts, like most other forts, but, between the fosse and rampart, level platforms, spacious enough to hold some hundreds of men, so that, from a military point of view, they must have been very formidable defence works. With their circles of palisades, their platforms, their fosses, and their ramparts rising to a height of thirty feet above the bottom of the surrounding trench, these structures, resting, too, on natural elevations of sharp inclines, were places of vantage in which a few resolute men in occupation could keep at bay any number of invaders.
"Within these inclosures the inhabitants were sufficiently secure, though far from comfortable according to modern notions of physical comfort ; but the men and women of those days were so inured to hardships from their childhood, and thus

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 250

Richard Walton pilloried in Sligo for perjury (1817)

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1817

At the Summer Assizes of 1817, Richard Walton was sentenced to be pilloried in Sligo for one hour and then transported for seven years for perjury. Perjury was typically punished with the pillory and either long imprisonment or transportation.

Read the passage

While burglary and abduction thus cost those concerned in them their lives, other crimes met with fitting punishment. Manslaughter was generally punished with two years' imprisonment and burning in the hand ; perjury with the pillory, and either long confinement in gaol, or transportation for seven years, as in the instance of Richard "Walton, sentenced at the Summer Assizes of 1817 " to be pilloried in Sligo for one hour, and afterwards transported for seven years;" "carding" the naked back, with long imprisonment and one or two " whippings " in the neighbourhood where the carding took place ; and notable fraud in buying or selling, with the pillory and six months' imprisonment— a punishment inflicted in 1817, on Edward Hart, for passing on David Culbertson as " good, sound, and merchantable butter," four casks of "gravel and other rubbish," each cask being covered on the top with a thin layer of butter. The augur does not appear to have been in use at this early period of the Sligo butter market. It may be here stated that a pillory was preserved in the Provost's court down to the year 1848, when it disappeared and, probably, was destroyed.
Though the Threshers' association received its death-blow from the Special Commission that sat in 1806, it lingered on for a few years more, and, even in its moribund state, gave proof of life in a carding or two, which received their merited retribution. The Threshers had no sooner retired finally from the scene, than the Ribbonmen appeared, and took the vacant place ; and, it is well to know that, as far as appears, the Ribbon association figured for the first time before the Judges in the county Sligo, at the Summer Assizes of 1819, when Peter Leydeu, John Dyer, and Patrick Gormly, who had been committed by Reverend John Garrett and Major Bridgham, were convicted '* of rising and appearing armed by night to the terror of his Majesty's subjects, against peace and statute," of "assuming the name and denomination of Ribbon men, the same not being usually

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 264

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Sligo now. In 1817, this town saw a punishment that has long since passed out of living memory but was routine enough in its day. At the Summer Assizes that year, Richard Walton was sentenced to be pilloried in Sligo for one hour, and afterwards transported for seven years. His crime was perjury. The court record gives his sentence in those words. Perjury at that time was generally punished with the pillory and either long confinement in gaol or transportation for seven years, and Walton's case was a standard example. The pillory itself was kept in the Provost's court in Sligo down to the year 1848, when it disappeared and was probably destroyed. So the instrument used for Walton's punishment stood in the town for decades after he was sent away. Walton was not the only one to face the pillory in Sligo that year. Edward Hart received the pillory and six months' imprisonment for notable fraud in buying or selling. He had passed on David Culbertson four casks of what was described as gravel and other rubbish, each cask covered on top with a thin layer of butter, sold as good, sound, and merchantable butter. The augur does not appear to have been in use at this early period of the Sligo butter market.

Rinuccini confirms O'Hara possession of Templehouse Castle

near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1648

In 1648, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Rinuccini issued a letter confirming Errill O'Hara's hereditary possession of Templehouse Castle and sixteen adjoining quarters of land in the diocese of Achonry. O'Hara had been disturbed in his possession about forty years earlier by a 'heretical pseudo-bishop', identified as Milar Magrath, who claimed the castle had belonged to the Templars or Knights of Malta.

Read the passage

" We have received through our beloved father, Brother Bonaventure Mihan, Minorite, your petition, in which you state that your forefathers, from time immemorial, enjoyed peaceable possession of the Castle of Templehouse, with sixteen quarters of land adjoining in the diocese of Achonry ; that you too held peaceful possession of this property, which had descended to you by hereditary right, till you were disturbed in the possession about forty years ago, by an heretical pseudo-bishop, on the pretext, that the said castle belonged formerly to the Templars or Knights of Malta, which he seems to have inferred from the word Temple (ex sono vocis). Fearing, therefore, that the castle and adjoining lands should be counted by future bishops ecclesiastical property, having been set down as such in the recent register of the heretics, and that you should in this way be deprived of your lawful possession, he has humbly begged of us to secure you from such ecclesiastical pretensions, and, as far as may be necessary, to dispense you in regard to the aforesaid castle and lands. Wherefore, consulting for your interests, and mindful of your merits, and the many sufferings and losses you have endured for the safety of the Catholic faith, and for the exaltation of the Catholic Church, as we have learned from trustworthy witnesses, we do hereby, in virtue of our Apostolic authority, first of all absolve you from all excommunications, interdicts, and other ecclesiastical sentences and penalties (should you in any w^ay have incurred such), so far only as may be necessary to qualify you from receiving the present favour ^ and, in the next place, in compliance with your petition, we, in virtue of the same Apostolic authority, absolve you from all obligation in reference to the alleged right of the Church, and also, so far as may be necessary, dispense you, to the end that you and your descendants may, notwithstanding the aforesaid
HISTORY OF SLIGO. 79^

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 40

Rossinver Parish Intrusion into Carbury, County Sligo

Rossinver · parish · Sligo

A strip of County Sligo, four miles long and three and a half wide, belongs to the parish of Rossinver, the remainder of which lies in County Leitrim. The intrusion dates from when the O'Rorkes extended their rule into that part of Sligo, and Sir Frederick Hamilton refused to surrender any land for symmetry or convenience.

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To the east of the parish of Ahamlish there is a strip of the county Sligo, four miles long, and about three and a half wide, which belongs to the parish of Rossinver, the remainder, which is the larger part of that parish, lying in the barony of Rossclogher, and county of Leitrim. The intrusion of Rossinver parish into Carbury, dates from the time when the O'Rorkes extended their rule into that part of Sligo ; and Sir Frederick Hamilton, who succeeded the O'Rorkes, was not a- man to surrender an inch of land, either for the sake of symmetry, or for the convenience of the public. As the greater part of the parish lies in Leitrim, and as the priests live there, the inhabitants of the Sligo portion have more in common with the county Leitrim than with their own county.
This strip consists, for the most part, of rough upland, though it contains some good soil along the banks of the Ballintrillick rivulet, which flows into the river Duff. Sir Henry Gore Booth is the landlord ; and the houses and farms of the tenants show the comfort which appears everywhere on that gentleman's property.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 29

Saint Attracta's lasting place-name memorials

Killaraght · townland · Sligo

Saint Attracta left vivid traditions and numerous lasting memorials across the diocese of Achonry. Place names including Killaraght (the church of Attracta) in Coolavin, several Toberaraght wells, and Cloghan Araght in Lough Gara preserve her name, along with the Christian name Attracta or Atty prevalent throughout the diocese.

Read the passage

Few Irish saints have left after them such vivid traditions, and so many lasting memorials as Attracta; for to this day her life forms much of the folk-lore of the people of Coolavin ; while the names of places, and other objects, such as Killaraght (the church of Attracta) in Coolavin ; Kiilaraght in the parish of Kilmacteige ; * Killaraght, near Bal, in the diocese of Tuam ; f Toberaraght (the well of Attracta), in the parish of Killaraght; Toberaraght, in the parish of Kilturra ; Toberaraght, near Tubbercurry, in the parish of Achonry ; Toberaraght, in the parish of Drumrat ; Toberaraght, in the parish of Kilbeagh ; Cloghan Araght, in Lough Gara ; and the Christian name of Attracta, or Atty, so prevalent throughout the diocese of Achonry, are memorials which will transmit the name to future times, as they have preserved it undimmed up to the present.
With her mark thus clearly and extensively impressed on the face of the country, it is not a little disappointing that we know not for certain the exact time at which she lived, nor the family or part of the country to which she belonged originally. If we could put faith in a statement of the old life given by Colgan,J we should find little difficulty in fixing the date, as the author of that composition asserts, that she was a contemporary of Saint Patrick,§ and that she received the veil of religion from his hands ; but as the same writer makes her contemporary with Saint Nathy, who lived in the sixth century, and with Keannfaelaid, King of Connaught, who reigned in the seventh century; it is clear we cannot trust, on a point of chronology, an author who falls into such errors and contradictions in the dates of important events. In the absence of other

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 197

Saint Muredach sets up cross and church at Aughris

Aughris · townland · Sligo

After settling the monastic establishment on Inismurray, Muredach or Molaise crossed to the neighbouring shore at Aughris where he set up a cross and founded a church. He secured an endowment of land called the Benan, possibly the hill now called Dunan.

Read the passage

From all this, it appears that Ahamlish is indebted for its religion to Inismurray, and that the island, after receiving itself the Gospel from Aughris, evangelized this district, just as lona evangelized the north of Scotland. As soon as Muredach or Molaise had settled the insular establishment, his zeal carried him to the neighbouring shore, where he set up the cross of which Columba's hymn speaks. About the same time he founded a church there, and, as an endowment, secured the tract of land, called by the inquisitions, the Benan, from, apparently, the little hill at present called Dunan; for we find a similar little hill named, in the Annals of the Four Masters, Benan Breachmagh, go now by the name of Dunan Breaffy. At that time it was easy for the Tireragh saint to obtain the endowment, for the entire seaboard, from the Stags of Broadhaven to the river Erne, belonged to Tireragh chiefs, as it belonged also to the diocese of Killala, the boundaries of ecclesiastical jurisdiction following, and fluctuating with, the boundaries of civil or secular rule.
Such being the antecedents of Inismurray, it is no great wonder that the inhabitants should have high notions of their island ; but their credulity, on this head, exceeds all bounds ; for they will tell you that a handful of its earth would banish or destroy all the rats and mice in Ireland ; that the water of a well at the north end of the island, when teemed into the sea in a storm, would calm the waves ; that, in case the fires of the island were extinguished, a bit of turf, laid on a flag in one of the ruined churches, would at once ignite, so as to supply the means of relighting the fires ; that if an urgent case of sickness called for the presence of a priest from the mainland during a tempest, the waves would settle the moment the boat of the messenger touched the water, and would continue settled till the priest had arrived, performed his ministry, and returned home ; and, there being separate cemeteries for men and women, that if a male were buried in the cemetery of the females, or a

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 18

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here, Muredach, also called Molaise, crossed from Inismurray to the neighbouring shore and set up a cross. About the same time he founded a church, and secured an endowment of land called the Benan, likely the little hill now known as Dunan. The whole seaboard from the Stags of Broadhaven to the river Erne belonged to Tireragh chiefs at that time, so the endowment was easy for the saint to obtain.

Sligo Board of Guardians refuses to fund National teachers

Sligo · town · Sligo

The Sligo Board of Guardians, led by its ex-officio members, refused to make the Union contributory to the payment of National school teachers. The author views this as rooted in anti-Catholic prejudice, noting that several guardians meanwhile funded schools for their own co-religionists, who were generally better off than the poor families attending National schools.

Read the passage

One of the most discouraging indications of the time is the recent refusal of the Sligo Board of Guardians to make the Union contributory to the payment of the National teachers. Gloss it over as one may, the people think and feel that these refusals come from that antipathy to their religion, which, though eliminated from the laws of the land, still lurks in the minds, and betrays itself in the acts, of some of our gentry And one can hardly blame the people for taking this view, when one calls to mind that several of the guardians concerned in the proceeding in question, have been long making, and are still making, considerable pecuniary sacrifices in supporting schools for the benefit of their own co-religionists, who, being generally substantial farmers or persons in good remunerative employment, are in incomparably less need of such aid than the penniless herds and labourers who send their children to the National schools. *' Diverse weights and diverse measures" this !
There might have been some ground for the conduct of the ex-officio guardians — for the act was theirs — so long as the humbler ratepayers objected to the charge; but when the desire of these persons is to make the Union contributory, a fact proved by the votes of their elected representatives, the ground is cut from under the feet of the ex-officios, and they are left without justification or excuse. The refusal, moreover, might have escaped censure or notice some time ago, even a very short time ago, but ideas move fast in our day, notably in regard to the claims of the poor ; and when The Times is constantly reminding landlords of the " unwritten law of social obligation ;" when one of the weightiest charges against even

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 243

As the companion tells it

As you come through Sligo town, there is a story from the Board of Guardians. The guardians refused to make the Union contributory to the payment of National school teachers. The act was that of the ex-officio guardians. The people think and feel that these refusals come from antipathy to their religion. Though that antipathy was eliminated from the laws of the land, it still lurks in the minds and betrays itself in the acts of some of the gentry. One can hardly blame the people for taking this view. Several of the guardians involved have been making considerable pecuniary sacrifices to support schools for their own co-religionists. Those co-religionists are generally substantial farmers or persons in good remunerative employment. They are in incomparably less need of such aid than the penniless herds and labourers who send their children to the National schools. "Diverse weights and diverse measures." There might have been some ground for the conduct of the ex-officio guardians so long as the humbler ratepayers objected to the charge. But the desire of those humbler ratepayers is to make the Union contributory, a fact proved by the votes of their elected representatives. That cuts the ground from under the feet of the ex-officios and leaves them without justification or excuse. The refusal might have escaped censure or notice even a short time ago. But ideas move fast in this day, notably in regard to the claims of the poor. The Times is constantly reminding landlords of the "unwritten law of social obligation."

Tradition of seven churches at Skreen

Skreen · parish · Sligo

Tradition recorded by Thomas O'Connor in the Ordnance Survey Letters held that there were seven churches at Skreen, with locals able to point out where five stood. By the time of Father Walsh's writing, only one had been spared; the others were demolished and their site became a lawn for the rector's children.

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Serin Adamnan. 1395. O'Flannelly, Vicar of Skreen Adamnan, died. Thomas O'Connor, in the Ordnance Survey Letters of the county Sligo, reports : " Tradition says there were at Skreen 24 sacred edifices built by the O'Dowds ;" but deeming, apparently, this statement extravagant, he adds : " It is said for truth there were seven churches in Skreen. The people can point out where five of the churches stood." However this may be, the Visitation Book of 1615 notices only one church, and observes that Henry Perse, Esq., was E-ector of Skreen, and that " the church and chancel were thatched." Father Walsh, too, witnesses for seven churches at Skreen, and adds : " Of the seven churches of Skreene, only one has been spared by the devastators. The others, which were situated under the road, or present cemetery, have altogether disappeared, as they were unseemly spectacles before the windows of the modern glebe house. They have been demolished, and their ancient site is at present a lawn or playground for the sons and daughters of the reverend rector." It would be hard to reconcile this statement with the official account in the Visitation Book of 1615. It is matter of regret that Father Walsh rarely, if ever, goes to the sources for information.
VOL. II. 2 c

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 218

As the companion tells it

As the road takes you through the parish of Skreen, there's an old tradition of seven churches here. Thomas O'Connor recorded it in the Ordnance Survey Letters for Sligo, noting that people could point out where five of them had stood. O'Connor also reported a bolder claim, that the O'Dowds built 24 sacred edifices at Skreen, though he seems to have found that extravagant. By Father Walsh's time, only one church remained. He wrote that the other six had been demolished because they were, in his words, "unseemly spectacles before the windows of the modern glebe house," and that their ancient site had become a lawn or playground for the sons and daughters of the reverend rector. The Visitation Book of 1615, though, had already noticed only one church, recording Henry Perse as rector and noting that the church and chancel were thatched. The author of this history found Father Walsh's account hard to reconcile with that official record, and regretted that Walsh rarely went to the sources. A much earlier mention comes from 1395, when O'Flannelly, vicar of Skreen Adamnan, died.

Two forts at Cunghill as possible battle entrenchments

Cunghill · townland · Sligo · 1083

Two strong forts with deep surrounding fosses survive in the townland of Cunghill and may have served as entrenchments by one of the armies before the 1083 battle. No other monument on the ground can be connected with the battle.

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thus in the van of the Connaught army, it would appear that he relied more on spiritual than on material arms, for it was not a sword, but the staff or crozier of Saint Ciaran of Clonmacnoise, he had in his hand during the engagement. There are still, in the townland of Cunghill, t^o strong forts with deep surrounding fosses, which may have been set up as entrenchments by one of the armies when awaiting the onset ; but there is no other monument of any kind on the ground, that can be connected with the important battle of Cunghill, which seems to have decided in favour of the O'Conors, the rivalry with the O'Rorkes, for the supreme place in the government of Connaught.
The hill of Mucklety, though of irregular outline, has a picturesqueness of its own, from standing in a vast plain, which stretches away from it to a great distance on all sides. Very probably the O'Haras had one of their fortresses at this hill, as we read of their bringing a prey of cattle to the place : — "partem praedae ad MucoU in Lugnia retulerunt.* This, however, may mean Tully, or Tully Hugh, which is near to Mucklety, and which, as we learn from the Sligo Inquisitions, belonged, in 1588, to Teige O'Hara, though he must have lost it soon after that time ; for an Exchequer inquisition of 1593 records, that William Clifford was possessed that year of " the stone castle, called Tully, with a quarter of land ; that he died on the 20th of June ; that he held from the Queen by military service ; and that Francis Clifford was his son and heir, and about eight years old at the time of the inquisitions." This same Francis received in the year 1618, a new grant from James I., of the castle, townland, and quarter of Tullyhugb.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 63

Whale captures near Ballyshannon

Ballyshannon · town · Donegal

Sir Thomas Molyneux recorded the capture of a 71-foot sperm whale near Ballyshannon, yielding large quantities of spermaceti. A second whale was killed at the same spot in 1740, measuring 50 feet long, and ambergris was periodically found on nearby shores.

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Owing, probably, to their roughness and wildness, these coasts have always been a favourite resort of the whale. In his Discourse, concerning the Danish Mounts, Forts, and Tow^ers, in Ireland, § Sir Thomas Molyneux, mentions the capture, not far from Ballyshannon, of a whale seventy-one feet long, which yielded a large quantity of the true spermaceti ; in 1740 was killed, about the same spot, another fish of the same species, measuring fifty feet in length, and forty -four in girth, and yielding ^ve and a half hogsheads of oil ; || in 1779, Messrs. Beranger and Bigari, during their tour in Connaught, being in the neighbourhood, saw one of these monsters in the offing ; ^ and, what shows that the numerous steamers now plying between Sligo and Liverpool and Glasgow, have not frightened this fish away, the writer of an article in the Irish MontJily of November, 1883, saw, that year, in these waters, "a whale, a
* Letter of Sir Geoffry Fenton to Burleigh.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 25

As the companion tells it

Coming through Ballyshannon now. These rough coasts were always a favourite resort of the whale. Sir Thomas Molyneux, in his Discourse concerning the Danish Mounts, Forts, and Towers in Ireland, recorded the capture not far from here of a sperm whale 71 feet long, yielding a large quantity of true spermaceti. In 1740 another whale of the same species was killed about the same spot, measuring 50 feet in length and 44 in girth, and yielding five and a half hogsheads of oil. In 1779 Messrs. Beranger and Bigari, touring Connaught, saw one of these monsters in the offing. Even in 1883 a writer in the Irish Monthly saw in these waters, as the source puts it, a whale. The steamers plying between Sligo and Liverpool and Glasgow have not frightened the fish away.

Great assembly of saints at Ballysadare welcomes Columbkille

Ballysadare · townland · Sligo · 585

In the year 585, many saints of Ireland gathered at Ballysadare to pay their respects to Columbkille as he was returning from the convention of Drumceat. Colgan records the names of those present, including saints from across Ireland such as Moninnia of Slieve Culin, Muredach of Killala, and several bishops and nuns.

Read the passage

One of the most remarkable events that have occurred in Ballysadare was the great meeting which took place in the year 585, and which was attended by many of the " saints of Ireland," who had come from all parts of the country to pay their duty to ColumbkilJe, as he was returning from the famous convention of Drumceat. In narrating this occurrence in the History of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet the names of the saints present on the occasion were not given ; and as a reviewer, who has a right to speak with authority, noticed and regretted the omission, it is supplied here, as likely to prove of interest to many readers.
* History of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, pp. 1-44.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 177

As the companion tells it

Close to Ballysadare, in the year 585, a great meeting took place that was attended by many of the saints of Ireland. They had come from all parts of the country to pay their duty to Columbkille, as he was returning from the famous convention of Drumceat. A reviewer once noticed and regretted that the names of the saints present had been omitted from an earlier history of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, so they were later supplied, as likely to prove of interest to many readers.

Trinity Abbey possessions including Lough Gill island church

near Church Island · townland · Sligo

Trinity Abbey obtained extensive possessions in Tirerrill including the church of Kilross with its appendant island in Lough Gill, formerly O'Gillegan's Island but then O'Gallagher's Island or Cottage Island, plus churches of Killadoon and Shancoe.

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— Trynetemple, Trynemaddere, and Trynemoylegreghe ; — Tullamoyle, now known as Tullabeg, in tbe parish of Killross; the church of Kilross, with its appendant island in Lough Gill, formerly nanaed O'Gillegan's Island, but at present O'Gallagher's Island, or Cottage Island, and the churches of Killadoon and Shancoe ; in Carbury, the tryne of Rosbirne, in Kilmacowen ; and the rectories of the eight parishes of Emlaghfad, Kilmorgan,. Cloonoghill, Toomour, Drumrat, Kilturra, Kilshalvey, and Enagh, all in Corran except Enagh, which is at present the Tirerrill portion of the parochial union of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, but which in the past was a separate parish.
The Canons Regular of Inchmacnerin obtained four quarters of land in Killerry, half a townland in Kilmacroy, and the rectories of Aghanagh, Kilmacallan, and Culea.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 232

Peat cutting and fishing life at Ballyconnell

Ballyconnell · townland · Sligo · 1633

Houses in Ballyconnell stand detached along the roadside, with inhabitants subsisting largely as fishermen. During summer months, men and women work the peat bog by hand, mixing mud and forming turves for drying, while young children sprawl on the banks. The townland takes its name from the O'Connell family, listed as under-tenants in the 1633 Survey.

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The land seems to be in great part peat-bog, from which as much of the peat as could be conveniently reached by the spade has been cut away, while what remains, here and there, is worked by the hands and feet into hand-turf. In passing through Ballyconnell during the Summer months, you are sure to see men and women at work in the bog, mixing the mud, or forming it when mixed into turves, or ranging the turves, thus formed, into rows to be dried by the sun and wind; and — a circumstance that cannot fail to interest — while the parents are thus engaged, the young children are generally sprawling about on the banks, it being deemed safer to have them there, than to leave them at home without anyone to mind them. Ballyconnell has its name from a family named O'Connell. The Survey of 1633 says of it, " Ballyconnell, the inheritance of my Lord Bishop, who setts it to under-tenants for £4 'per annum, but they ought to have it by right — their names are, Gilledoney O'Connell, Brian O'Connell, and Donnell O'Connell."
The most striking artificial object about this place, is the conspicuous roofless structure, called Ardtermon Castle, Ardtermon, signifying the height of the termon or church lands, which belonged in the past to the religious of Drumcliff. It is generally taken to be an erection of the Gores, but it appears that it was built by the O'Harts, the old owners of Ardtermon ; for the Survey of 1633, in describing the place, states, "A good

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 20

1824 religious controversy in Easky

Easky · town · Sligo · 1824

In 1824 a controversial discussion took place in Easky between three Catholic clergymen and four Protestant ministers. It began when Father Devins, the Parish Priest of Easky, encountered an evangelical minister addressing a crowd in the town and inquired about the matter.

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A somewhat notable occurrence took place in Easky in 1824. It was a controversial discussion between three Catholic clergymen and four Protestant ministers, which came about in this way. Father Devins, the Parish Priest of Easky, passing one day through the little town, and observing a knot of persons gathered around a gentleman who was addressing them vigorously, inquired what was the matter ; and learning that the speaker was an " evangelical minister " come to Easky to expound, and, as far as he could, enforce his peculiar views of

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 224

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Easky, a town in Sligo with a story from 1824. That year saw a controversial discussion here between three Catholic clergymen and four Protestant ministers. It began when Father Devins, the Parish Priest of Easky, was passing through the little town and noticed a knot of people gathered around a gentleman addressing them vigorously. He inquired what was the matter, and learned the speaker was an evangelical minister come to expound his views.

Ballinafad castle and hamlet described

Ballinafad · townland · Sligo

At the base of the Curlews on the Sligo side lies the hamlet of Ballinafad, with its parish church, presbytery, National School, and the ruins of its old castle. The name Bel-an-atha-fada means the mouth or entrance of the long ford, though local tradition links it to whistle signals during the battle of the Curlews.

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At the base of the Curlews, on the Sligo side, lies the hamlet of Ballinafad with its half a dozen habitations, its parish church, its presbytery, its National School, and the ruins of its old castle. Ballinafad — recte, Bel-an-atha-fada — means the mouth or entrance of the long ford,* though local linguists maintain that it signifies the *' mouth of the ford of the whistle," from, according to some of them, a communication despatched, with the aid of that small wind instrument, in ancient times by a
* Four Masters, 1586 ; O'Donovan's note.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 163

Ballymote Castle taken by Saxons and recaptured, 1577

Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1577

In 1577, Ballymote Castle 'was taken by Saxons in treachery' but was recaptured by the MacDonoghs before the end of the year. The castle had remained in MacDonogh hands despite Burke efforts to recover it.

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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

Bog body found at Annaghmore, Kilvarnet, 1888

Annaghmore · townland · Sligo · 1888

In May 1888, a human body clad in antique woollen garments was found in the bog of Annaghmore in the parish of Kilvarnet. Unfortunately, the remains, clothes, and a small wooden vessel were all re-interred before any qualified antiquarian could examine them. Witnesses stated the clothing matched descriptions of the earlier Killerry bog body find.

Read the passage

In the month of May of the current year (1888), a human body was found in the bog of Annaghmore, in the parish of Kilvarnet, clad too in woollen garments of antique fashion ; but it is matter of regret that the remains, the clothes, and a small wooden vessel; found alougside them, were all huddled into a box, removed to a disused graveyard in the neighbourhood, and re-interred, before any one qualified to give an intelligent opinion on the antiquarian aspects of the case could see the objects. Comparing what is told of the Kilvarnet find by those who saw it, with what is written by Sir William Wilde and others of that of Killerry, the material of the dress in both cases was similar, being " woollen cloth, with a diagonal twill or diaper." Of the coat Sir William writes, " In make it is a sort of frock or tunic. It is single-breasted, and has fourteen circular buttons ingeniously formed of the same material as the coat itself." " The sleeve," he adds, " consists of two portions joined at an angle across the elbow, below which it is open like that of the modern Greek or Albanian jacket, and has twelve small buttons extending along the outer flap." Those who saw the Annaghmore skeleton, state that this description applies to it as much as to that of Killerry.
It is at Cashelore in this parish we find one of the finest

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 172

Boyle Abbey land grants across County Sligo

Emlaghfad · townland · Sligo

The Cistercian abbey of Boyle received landed possessions in Corran (260 acres in Emlaghfad, Cloncagh in Toomour), Carbury (260 acres in Kilmacowen, 70 in Ahamlish), and Tireragh (220 acres in Grangemore and Grangebeg, Templeboy). These lands were all called Granges.

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It was the primitive saints and the religious houses, which they founded, that accomplished these results, but the work was taken up later by the new orders which established themselves in the neighbourhood: the Cistercians of Boyle, the Premonstratensians of Trinity Island, in Lough Ce, and the Canons Eegular of Inchmacnerin, in the same lake. These religious, where they got footing, diffused or revived religion by establishing chapelries, and, in some instances, as at Knocknarea, nunneries, or, as at Kilh'oss, structures which were at once monasteries of men and parish churches. In requital for the services they rendered, landed possessions were bestowed upon them. The abbey of Boyle received in Corran two hundred and sixty acres, lying in the parish of Emlaghfad, as well as the trine of Cloncagh, in the parish of Toomour ; in Carbury two hundred and sixty acres, in the parish of Kilmacowen, and seventy in that of Ahamlish ; and in Tireragh, two hundred and twenty acres in Grangemore and Grangebeg, in the parish of Templeboy. These lands were all called Granges.*
Trinity Abbey obtained still larger possessions : — in Tirerrill, the four quarters of Bricklieve, locally called the Three Trynes

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 231

Captain O'Dowd's mountain road through the Gap

Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo · 1780–1800

In the closing years of the eighteenth century, Captain O'Dowd built a road through a mountain gap on his estate, overcoming steep rocks and caverns. The road shortened the Ballina–Banada route from twenty to twelve miles and carried a coach six times weekly.

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* A valuable improvement was made in this place about twenty years ago, through the exertions of a Captain O'Dowdd, who possessed an estate of many thousand acres of these mountains, which were without inhabitants except those "Ferae naturae," and which were nearly impassable to the active and bare-footed natives. The immense rocks, steep hills, and deep caverns, which everywhere presented themselves, formed as many insuperable difficulties, as the passage of the Alps did in former days ; but, this Hannibal, by labour and perseverance, overcame [them all, and has formed a road, where a coach passes six times a week, conveying 'passengers to and from Ballina and Castlerea, and has shortened the line from Ballina to Banada from twenty to twelve miles."—" Statistical Account of Kilmacteige."
144 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 75

Dr. Boate describes Sligo as negligible town

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1690–1699

In his Natural History of Ireland, Dr. Boate listed Sligo and Athlone among Connaught towns that were scarcely worth mentioning, saying even the meanest market towns in England were as good or better. This underscored the desolation of Sligo town and county in the seventeenth century.

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" splendour."* The example of Sir Eoger Jones and Andrew Crean, who erected so-called castles for themselves, might have led others to build, but the troubles of 1641 and 1689, in the seventeenth century, and the Penal Laws in the eighteenth, arrested all improvement, so that contemporary records concur in picturiug Sligo town and county as a scene of desolation and ruin. On this point the letters of Lord Taaffe and General Preston, given in a preceding page, supply strong proof ; and to them may be added the following communication of a high official, Robert Echlin, to the public authorities, which is dated, "Sligo, 16th September, 1691," and which concerns Sir Albert Cunningham's dragoons, of which Echlin was then in command : " I design to marcb to Ballyshannon, to prevent the utter ruin of the rest of the dragoons, for there is neither cover nor provisions in all this county.''' Shortly before this. Father Qain, a Jesuit missionary, had reported thus to his superiors : ^' The province of Connaught is one scene of desolation, and has been reduced to a desert by the ravages of war ;" and the same state of things may be inferred from Dr. Boate's Natural History of Ireland ; for, in the first chapter of the work, where he gives a brief account of the cities and chief towns of the country, after mentioning, in the order of importance, Dublin, Galway, Cork, Londonderry, Drogheda, Kilkenny, and Bandonbridge, etc., he says of Sligo and Athlone, in Connaught, and some other places in the other provinces, " they are scarce worth the mentioning, because there are few Market towns in England, even of the meanesty which are not as good or better, than the best of them all"
If we except, then, the structures enumerated before, the last half century or so has witnessed the rise of all the buildings of any note in the town — the imposing shop houses of our leading streets ; the striking private residences of the Mall, of Wine Street, of Lyons' Terrace, of Councillor Colleary's new row in

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 252

As the companion tells it

You are coming to Sligo town. In the 1690s, this was a place contemporary records painted as a scene of desolation and ruin. The troubles of 1641 and 1689 had arrested all improvement, and the Penal Laws in the century after would keep it that way. Lord Taaffe and General Preston wrote of conditions here in terms that left no room for doubt. In September 1691, Robert Echlin, a high official then in command of Sir Albert Cunningham's dragoons, wrote from Sligo to the public authorities saying he designed to march to Ballyshannon, to prevent the utter ruin of the rest of the dragoons, for there was neither cover nor provisions in all this county. Shortly before that, Father Quinn, a Jesuit missionary, had reported to his superiors that the province of Connaught was one scene of desolation, and had been reduced to a desert by the ravages of war. And then there is Dr. Boate, writing his Natural History of Ireland. In the first chapter he gives a brief account of the cities and chief towns of the country, naming Dublin, Galway, Cork, Londonderry, Drogheda, Kilkenny, and Bandonbridge in their order of importance. Of Sligo and Athlone in Connaught, and some other places in the other provinces, he says,

Faction fight at Carricknagat fair

Carricknagat · townland · Sligo · 1835–1845

A faction fight broke out at Carricknagat fair, a venue noted for horse jumping and match making. Collector Wynne rode among the combatants to separate them, but both sides turned on him and beat him savagely; about twenty were subsequently sentenced to terms of imprisonment with hard labour in Sligo jail.

Read the passage

About sixty years ago, the late Collector Wynne seeing one of those fights in progress at Carricknagat, rode in among the combatants with the object of separating them, but, both sides resenting his interference, turned on him and beat him most savagely, for which twenty of them received their deserts in Sligo jail ; about one half of them being sentenced to two years' imprisonment and hard labour, and the other half to one year's confinement with hard labour.
These fights occurred sometimes at v;akes and funerals. The funeral, in 1805, of Keverend Walter Henry, Parish Priest of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, is still known in the neighbourhood as the ''Funeral of the Sticks," from the circumstance that a crowd from Killoran, the native parish of deceased, came to Collooney, armed with bludgeons, to take away the corpse by force, and to bury it in Killoran graveyard ; but finding the Collooney people assembled in great numbers, ready and resolved to punish any attempt to carry out of the parish the remains of their beloved pastor, the invaders abandoned their project, and returned crestfallen home.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 261

Father Parke: Sligo-born priest who served in America

Sligo · town · Sligo

Father H. F. Parke was born in Sligo town to respectable parents and received his early education there before emigrating to America. He was ordained for the diocese of Wheeling, West Virginia, after studying at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, and became the leading priest of his diocese.

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Father Parke was born in the town of Sligo of religious and highly respectable parents. After receiving his earlier education in the town, he emigrated to America ; and having made his ecclesiastical studies in St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, he was ordained for the diocese of Wheeling, in West Virginia. Here he has passed his life, being regarded all through his edifying and brilliant career as the leading priest of the diocese. The estimation in which he is held by the bishops and priests of the States, may be inferred from the fact, that on the death, some years ago, of the Bishop of Wheeling, Father Parke was entrusted with the administration of the diocese sede vacante. Though this distinguished man's health has not been always as robust as one would wish, his Sligo friends will be happy to know that he was hardly ever better than on the 8th of May, of the year just passed, the sixtythird anniversary of his baptism in the old chapel in Sligo.
Much as this warm-hearted minister of religion is devoted to the country of his adoption, the land of his birth has never lost its due place in his thoughts and affections. The ^'friend in need is the friend indeed ;" and in the seasons of distress or pressure

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 150

As the companion tells it

Sligo town is where Father H. F. Parke began life, born to respectable and religious parents. He received his early education in the town before emigrating to America, where he studied at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore and was ordained for the diocese of Wheeling in West Virginia. He spent his career there and came to be regarded as the leading priest of the diocese. When the Bishop of Wheeling died some years ago, Father Parke was entrusted with running the diocese in the interim. The book notes that he was baptized in the old chapel in Sligo, and that on the 8th of May of the year just past he marked the 63rd anniversary of that baptism, in good health. Though devoted to America, the land of his birth never lost its place in his thoughts. The source records the saying that the friend in need is the friend indeed, and notes his readiness in seasons of distress or pressure.

Grand Jury presentment against O'Hara Tories at Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1736

At the Gaol Assizes held at Sligo on 5 April 1736, the Grand Jury presented James O'Hara, Michael O'Hara, Bryan O'Hara, Charles O'Hara and others as Tories, Robbers, and Rapparees, out in arms. This was part of ongoing legal proceedings against Tory bands in County Sligo.

Read the passage

Parties of Tories appeared iri the country occasionally since the days of Costello and O'Hanlon. We find, for instance, a deponent named James Gibson swearing informations before Joshua Cooper of Markrea against such a party ; and in this case we have among the " Presentments, AffidavitSjExaminations, Informations, &;c., regarding the State of the County Sligo from 1711 to 1797," the following presentment : — " At a Gaol Assizes and General Gaol Delivery held at Sligo in and for the county on the 5th April, 1736, we, the Grand Jury, present that James O'Hara, Michael O'Hara, Bryan O'Hara, Charles O'Hara, and others, are Tories, Kobbers, and Eapparees, out in arms, and upon their keeping." (Signed) Richard Gethins, cuin sociis.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 259

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, this is a town with a long memory of disorder. In 1736, at the Gaol Assizes held here on 5 April, the Grand Jury presented James O'Hara, Michael O'Hara, Bryan O'Hara, Charles O'Hara, and others as "Tories, Robbers, and Rapparees, out in arms, and upon their keeping." The presentment was signed by Richard Gethins. These Tory bands had appeared in the country since the days of Costello and O'Hanlon, and legal proceedings like this were part of the ongoing effort to suppress them across County Sligo.

Jack Taaffe of Ballymote and his duels

Ballymote · town · Sligo

John 'Jack' Taaffe, an inhabitant of Ballymote or its neighbourhood, acknowledged no rule but his own will and was always ready to enforce it with a pistol. He was said to have fought several duels and issued scores of challenges.

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

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 95

Jones family as Cromwellian settlers at Ardnaglass

Ardnaglass · townland · Sligo · 1649–1660

Under the Commonwealth, Lewis Jones and Jeremy Jones were Tituladoes of Ardnaglass and resided in the castle. At the Restoration the place, with much of the parish, was granted to the same persons. The Jones family, numerous immigrants from Wales, received large debentures in County Sligo including Sir Theophilus Jones, Cromwell's scout-master general.

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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
400 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 217

Keash caves dismissed as site of bishop's suffocation

near Kesh · population centre · Sligo · 1007

O'Donovan conjectured that the cave where Bishop Muiredach was suffocated might have been one of the Keash caves, but the author rejects this on two grounds: Keash never belonged to the territory of Gailenga, and the caves are described as being as windy as the caverns of Aeolus, making suffocation impossible.

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There must have been between the time of Saint Nathy and the time of Mehuan O'Ruadhan (1151), bishops in the diocese, to confirm, ordain, and perform the other functions of the episcopal office, though there is nothing known of the circumstances under which they lived and laboured. Some of them may have resided at Achonry, while others, no doubt, resided in other places ; and one of them, very probably, was the '' Muiredach, a distinguished bishop," who was suffocated by O'Rorke in a cave of Gailenga of Connaught,* this district forming, always, a portion of the diocese of Achonry. O'Donovan conjectures this to be one of the Keash caves, but there is no probability in the supposition, as Keash never belonged to Gailenga, which is represented by the modern barony of Gallon. Nor could anyone be " suffocated " in the caves of Keash, which are generally as windy as the caverns of Eolus. The cave in question was, no doubt, one of those constantly found in the raths, and used sometimes for sleeping purposes.
Achonry is not found among the five dioceses assigned by the Synod of Rathbreasil in 1118 to the province of Connaught, these dioceses being Clonfert, Tuam, Cong, Killalla, and Ardcarne. Nor does its area appear to be comprehended in any of these dioceses, unlike Elphin, which, though omitted as a

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 47

Lissadell lands divided as spoils after O'Donnell's victory

Lissadell · street · Cork · 1397

In 1397, Turlough O'Donnell and the sons of Cathal Og O'Connor, believing they had defeated the Murtough Baccagh O'Connors, proceeded to divide the lands of Lissadell and its neighbourhood among themselves as spoils of victory.

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In 1397, Lissadell was again the scene of startling occurrences. The O'Donnell of the day — Turlough — and his allies, the sons of Cathal Og O'Connor, having gained, as they thought, a victory over the Murtough Baccagh branch of the O'Connors, proceeded to divide among themselves the lands of Lissadell and the neighbourhood, as the spoils of the victory ; but, while the allies were thus engaged, assisted by O'Donnell, the Murtough Baccagh O'Connors took up position unobserved at " the foot of Bunbrenoige," apparently the portion of the Oyster Bed, which lies to the west of the Glen or Bunbrenoige stream. While they were here, a mounted party, despatched by the sons of Cathel
* The narrative of the Four Masters is very animated, and will repay perusal.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 7

Major O'Hara's estate improvements in Killoran

Killoran · parish · Sligo

Major O'Hara was described as one of the most improving landlords in Ireland, compensating tenants for improvements and maintaining a large staff of labourers for draining, planting, fencing, and road-making across his estate. Stretches that were formerly wild wastes of heath and morass were transformed into cultivated fields with macadamized roads and ornamental plantings.

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people, who have been constantly carrying tillage higher and higher up the slopes of the mountain, and partly to the exertions of the late Major O'Hara, who was all through life one of the most improving landlords in Ireland ; for while he incited tenants to improve their holdings by compensating them for every improvement effected, he had always in his immediate employment a large staff of labourers, under the directions of his land steward, who moved here and there over the estate where their services were needed, and were constantly engaged in draining, levelling, stubbing, fencing, planting, or road making. In this way stretches, which were in great part wild wastes of heath and morass, wear now an air of superior cultivation, with symmetrical fields, white-thorn hedge rows, macadamized roads, and clumps of planting, so judiciously distributed, as to be useful for the shelter they afford, and ornamental for the variety and richness they impart to the appearance of the country.
From time immemorial the district of Killoran belonged to the O'Haras, as it belongs to them at present, with the exception of two or three inconsiderable patches.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 31

O'Donnell dismantles Sligo Castle to prevent English recapture

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

To ensure the castle would not fall again into English hands, O'Donnell took the extraordinary step of dismantling and pulling it down. He did the same with other captured castles across Connaught, breaking down thirteen in a single expedition.

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To make sure that the castle should not fall again into the hands of the English, O'Donnell took the extraordinary step of dismantling it, and pulling it down. For the same reason he acted in like manner in regard to other castles which he captured about this time ; and the Four Masters, A.D. 1595, relate, that in a single expedition through Connaught, " thirteen of its castles were broken down by O'Donnell.'*
It is a pity that no plan or other illustration of the castle has come down to us, so that we are left very much to mere infer-

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 155

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are moving through ground where a castle once stood until O'Donnell pulled it down in 1595. Rather than risk it falling back into English hands, he dismantled it entirely. He did the same across Connaught, and the Four Masters record that in a single expedition he broke down thirteen castles. No plan or illustration of Sligo Castle has survived, so its form is largely a matter of inference.

O'Gara towers and the hanging-tree tradition

Killaraght · townland · Sligo

A site associated with the O'Garas features a south-eastern tower with a sycamore tree, traditionally said to be a shoot of the tree on which the O'Garas hanged malefactors. The north-western tower is known locally as Teach na calliagh dhu (the house of the nun), possibly from a religieuse of the family who inhabited it after her convent was broken up.

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It may be mentioned, that in the south-eastern tower is a sycamore tree, which the country people tell, is the shoot of another on which the O'Garas used to hang malefactors. The north-western tower is popularly known in the neighbourhood as Teach na calliagh dhu — the house of the nun — probably from some religieuse of the family inhabiting it when her convent elsewhere was broken up.
The saint from whom the parish of Killaraght has its name, is generally called Attracta, though she sometimes appears as Taracta in foreign martyrologies.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 196

Poor man's diet in early nineteenth-century Sligo

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1800–1900

The author describes the stark diet of labourers and their families in Sligo in the early 1800s, typically potatoes with salt, salt herring, or buttermilk. By 1900, conditions had improved with the addition of sweet milk, butter, eggs, American bacon, tea, and bread, and the humblest cabins now possessed tables and crockery.

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food. No one would put up in these days with the potatoes and salt, which not unfrequently formed the poor man's meal in the first years of the current century ; nor with the potatoes and salt herring, or potatoes and buttermilk, which, more commonly, served about the same time for the dinner and the breakfast of labourers and their families. You might travel now through the whole county without meeting an instance of the " poor man's meal," as described by Arthur Young something more than a century ago : — " The potato basket placed on the floor, the whole family upon their hams around it, devouring a quantity almost incredible, the beggar seating himself to it with a hearty welcome, the pig taking his share as readily as the wife, the cocks, hens, turkeys, geese, the cur, the cat, and perhaps the cow — and all partaking of the same dish."
With this picture under the eye one can appreciate the progress that has been made as well in regard to the meal itself as to the serving-up of it. If the potato forms still the chief article, the piece de resistance, of the poor man's dinner, the sweet milk, the bit of butter, the occasional egg, or the slice of American bacon which accompanies it, gives it a palatableness and nutritiousness which it lacked in the past ; while the breakfast of bread, butter, and tea, and the supper of stirabout, or of bread and milk, give the diet of the day the variety so conducive to health and enjoyment.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 320

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are travelling through a county Arthur Young described over a century before this book was written. He painted a picture of the poor man's meal that was once common here. A potato basket placed on the floor, the whole family upon their hams around it, devouring a quantity almost incredible. The beggar seated himself to it with a hearty welcome, the pig took his share as readily as the wife, and the cocks, hens, turkeys, geese, the cur, the cat, and perhaps the cow all partook of the same dish. Potatoes and salt formed the meal, or potatoes and salt herring, or potatoes and buttermilk, serving for both dinner and breakfast of labourers and their families. The writer of this book says you could travel through the whole county without meeting an instance of it anymore. If the potato still formed the chief article of the poor man's dinner, it now came with sweet milk, a bit of butter, an occasional egg, or a slice of American bacon, giving it a palatableness and nutritiousness it lacked before.

Sligo education: Charter School and proselytism

Sligo · town · Sligo

Sligo had little to boast of in education. Erasmus Smith provided support, and a Charter School was established, but proselytism was a concern. Convents of Saints Joseph and Patrick and secondary education establishments followed.

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Education ; Sligo has not much to boast of on this head, 1. 437. Erasmus Smith gives it a helping hand, 437. Sligo Charter School, 438-9. Private benefactors, 440. Loudon Hibernian Society, 441. Kildare Place Society's schools, 442. National Teachers, 443-4-5. Proselytism, 447, 448. Convents of Saints Joseph and Patrick, 452. Establishments for secondary education, 453- 4-5, 583.
Elections, L 364. Leading gentry ambitions of seats in Parliament, 365. Election case of Ormsby and Wynne, 366. Corrupt practices at,

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 338

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, the town had little to boast of in education. Erasmus Smith gave it a helping hand, and a Sligo Charter School was established, though proselytism was a concern. The Convents of Saints Joseph and Patrick and establishments for secondary education followed in time.

Sligo public meeting supports Bourne's mail coach, 1809

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1809

When the Royal Canal Company opposed Mr. Bourne's new mail coach from Sligo to Dublin via Boyle and Longford, the people of Sligo rallied in support. At a public meeting in September 1809 chaired by Mr. Abraham Martin, they resolved by resolution to support the coach.

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The first Mail Coach from Sligo to Dublin, via Boyle and Longford, was started by Mr. Bourne. The Royal Canal Company opposed it vigorously, and lowered its own rates to prevent travellers from going by the coach ; but the people of Sligo stood by Bourne and his new conveyance, and, at a public meeting which was held in September, 1809, and at which Mr. Abraham Martin occupied the chair, bound themselves by resolution to support the coach.
556 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 303

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that backed a bold venture in 1809. Mr. Bourne started the first mail coach from Sligo to Dublin by way of Boyle and Longford. The Royal Canal Company opposed it and cut its own rates to keep travellers off the road. But the people of Sligo stood by Bourne. At a public meeting in September 1809, with Mr. Abraham Martin in the chair, they bound themselves by resolution to support the coach.

Terence McDonogh represents Sligo in James' Parliament

Sligo · town · Sligo · 1689

Counsellor Terence McDonogh, a distinguished Catholic in the county, was member for the borough of Sligo in King James' Parliament. He was considered the most able man to ever represent the borough.

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Counsellor Terence McDonogh, sometimes called Tarlough Caech, or, Terence the Blind, or the one-eyed, was the most distinguished Catholic of his time in the county. He came of a branch of the McDonoghs that flourished at Creevagh, in the parish of Kilmactrany, and that managed to retain a good part of their possessions, in spite of those confiscations of the seventeenth century, which robbed all others of the name. The Counsellor was member for the borough of Sligo in King James' Parliament, and was probably the most able man that ever represented the borough.
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

Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 120

As the companion tells it

Sligo town had a remarkable representative in King James' Parliament in 1689. Counsellor Terence McDonogh, sometimes called Terence the Blind or the one-eyed, was the most distinguished Catholic of his time in the county. He came from a branch of the McDonoghs that flourished at Creevagh, in the parish of Kilmactrany, and they managed to hold on to a good part of their lands despite the confiscations of the seventeenth century that stripped everyone else of the name. He was probably the most able man who ever represented the borough. Though a lawyer in large practice, he took up the sword and kept using it while the conflict between James and William lasted. In 1689 he held Ballymote Castle at the head of a small garrison. Later that same year he led a band of Connaught men in a raid into the north, a movement that savoured more of courage than of prudence. He was taken prisoner at Fish Island in the Erne, but not for long.

The history of Sligo : town and county

The stories, best first

Collooney Mills: industrial magnificence

Corran and Tireragh sheepwalks before 1748

Druids' Altar at Calry Deer Park

Dublin–Sligo travel transformed from armed guard to limited mail

Easky river salmon fishery grants

Eight men hanged at Albert Street gaol for robberies (1817)

English garrisons across Sligo castles in 1595

Eugene O'Hart and the O'Harts of Carbury, Sligo

Father Felix O'Connor dies a martyr in Sligo gaol

Father Mark Rush of Kilturra and Buninadden Union, 1740–1817

First mail coach from Sligo to Dublin via Boyle

Gentry tillage at Hazelwood and demesnes

Giants' Graves at Gortakeeran

Great storm of 1884 devastates Union Wood

Gurteen union and Saint Attracta associations

Incised headstones and underground passage on Inismurray

Inquisition at Ballymote records O'Higgins estate, 1610

James I's General Pardon lists Buninadden inhabitants

Lady Morgan's Patriotic Sketches written at Longford

MacDermot family settled at Coolavin after confiscation

MacDonogh family of Sligo in the Irish Brigade

Martin Corkran's farm at Claragh and riding at Carrignagat fair

O'Donnell encamps at Ballinafad before Curlews battle

Partnership farms in Carrick Henry

Phillips's first political speech at Sligo

Presbyterians expelled from Sligo Market House for players

Rathgran and Ballygrania forts in Ballysadare

Richard Walton pilloried in Sligo for perjury (1817)

Rinuccini confirms O'Hara possession of Templehouse Castle

Rossinver Parish Intrusion into Carbury, County Sligo

Saint Attracta's lasting place-name memorials

Saint Muredach sets up cross and church at Aughris

Sligo Board of Guardians refuses to fund National teachers

Tradition of seven churches at Skreen

Two forts at Cunghill as possible battle entrenchments

Whale captures near Ballyshannon

Great assembly of saints at Ballysadare welcomes Columbkille

Trinity Abbey possessions including Lough Gill island church

Peat cutting and fishing life at Ballyconnell

1824 religious controversy in Easky

Ballinafad castle and hamlet described

Ballymote Castle taken by Saxons and recaptured, 1577

Bog body found at Annaghmore, Kilvarnet, 1888

Boyle Abbey land grants across County Sligo

Captain O'Dowd's mountain road through the Gap

Dr. Boate describes Sligo as negligible town

Faction fight at Carricknagat fair

Father Parke: Sligo-born priest who served in America

Grand Jury presentment against O'Hara Tories at Sligo

Jack Taaffe of Ballymote and his duels

Jones family as Cromwellian settlers at Ardnaglass

Keash caves dismissed as site of bishop's suffocation

Lissadell lands divided as spoils after O'Donnell's victory

Major O'Hara's estate improvements in Killoran

O'Donnell dismantles Sligo Castle to prevent English recapture

O'Gara towers and the hanging-tree tradition

Poor man's diet in early nineteenth-century Sligo

Sligo education: Charter School and proselytism

Sligo public meeting supports Bourne's mail coach, 1809

Terence McDonogh represents Sligo in James' Parliament