The history of Sligo : town and county

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

1. Wild beast terrorises Leyney near The Gap, Kilmacteige

   Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo

   The portion of Leyney adjoining The Gap in the parish of Kilmacteige was preyed on by a wild beast, creating a panic among inhabitants. The chief of Leyney requested St. Attracta's help; she reputedly killed the beast, likely a wild boar or wolf infesting the country.

   Read the passage

   Without going into detail it will be well to notice some occurrences, or alleged occurrences, in the life of Saint Attracta, while dwelling at Killaraght. At the time her fame first spread abroad, it happened that the portion of Leyney adjoining The Gap, in the parish of Kilmacteige, was preyed on by a wild beast, the circumstance creating a panic among the inhabitants. To tran-

   * Pros gar Dios eisin apantes xeinoi te ptokoi te. — Odyssey, xiv., 57-58.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 200

2. O'Connor sells Tubbercurry farms to tenants

   Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1890–1900

   Mr. Peter O'Connor, successor to the Jones estate at Tubbercurry, met the tenants' desire to become occupying proprietors by selling them their farms on satisfactory terms. He had consistently consulted tenant interests as much as his own.

   Read the passage

   inent, for the successor of the Joneses has always shown himself a man after their own heart — as just, as humane, and as charitable. Here, as in the other places in which Mr. O'Connor has landed estate, he consulted the interests of the tenants as much as his own ; and finding, recently, that the Tubbercurry>tenants, J ike so many of their class in other parts of Ireland, desired to become occupying proprietors of their holdings, he generously met their wishes, and has just sold them their farms on terms with which all are satisfied.

   The town of Tubbercurry, like greater places, has its east and its west end — the latter containing the bank, the police barrack, the presbytery, the doctor's residence, and a stately shop-house, which would be a credit to the county town, if set down in its chief business quarter. The east end, on the other hand, is shabby and grotesque almost beyond anything of the kind in the county ; the residences being small, half- thatched hovels, and so crowded with^^inmates, that the juveniles of the household, apparently from want of room inside, pass most of the time on the streets, capering and tumbling about like acrobats. It would need a livelier pen, and more room than is now available, to describe the scene here on a fine summer evening, between seven and eight o'clock, when everybody, big and little, is out of doors — the bigger people stretched at full length on the sideway, enjoying their dolce far niente with all the zeal of Neapolitan fishermen; the little urchins, with an exuberance of animal spirits, which compensates them for a hundred and one privations and other hard conditions of life, kicking up their heels and gambolling like young calves turned for the first time out of the byre into an open field ; and, not unfrequently, a donkey or a pig, or both, half in and half out of the doorways of the shanties (which they occupy conjointly with the folk in the streets) looking on, and, to all appearance, admiring the antics and horse-play of their fellow lodgers outside.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 66

3. Aughris Head, the dramatic cliff of Alt-Bo

   Aughris Head · promontory · Sligo

   Aughris Head, called Alt-Bo in Irish, is identified as the 'precipice horrid to view' in Lady Morgan's poetry. Though barely two hundred feet high, its dark perpendicular face, loud breakers, and thousands of screaming sea fowl invest it with a terror out of proportion to its height.

   Read the passage

   cashels; and the *' precipice horrid to view "is Aughris Head, called in Irish Alt-Bo. In saying that " no bird to its summit e'er flew/' she uses rather large poetic licence, as Alt-Bo is hardly two hundred feet high ; but it must be admitted, that the dark, perpendicular face of the Alt, the loud-sounding breakers at its base, and the thousands of gulls and other sea fowl that are always whirling and screaming before it, invest it with a terror out of ail proportion to its height.

   The " CELL," Miss Owenson tells us, is "a small chapel, whose almost unimpaired walls are hung with a crucifix, and the richly carved heads of many of the saints." This cell was, no doubt, an oratory erected by some of the Catholic Croftons, probably by Henry, who owned the place in 1689.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 216

4. Ballymote Castle built by the Red Earl

   Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1300

   Richard de Burgo, the Red Earl of Ulster, built the noble castle of Ballymote in 1300. This construction reflected his magnificence and power as master of all the resources of the provinces of Ulster and Connaught.

   Read the passage

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

   554 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 302

5. Behy Edenmore Castle occupied by Shane Oge McDonogh

   Behy · townland · Sligo · 1616

   Behy Edenmore in the parish of Kilmacallan was a McDonogh castle occupied in 1616 by Shane Oge McDonogh. The walls are in large part still standing.

   Read the passage

   8. Behy Edenmore, in the parish of Kilmacallan, another of their castles, was occupied in 1616 by Shane Oge McDonough. The walls are in large part still standing. Sir Gilbert King is landlord. There were other McDonough castles through the baronies of Tirerrill and Corran, but there is no need to describe them here in detail. In a note to his Four Masters, already quoted, O'Donovan remarks, " The family of MacDonoughs have now scarcely any property remaining, and the race have latterly fallen into obscurity."

   It is true the McDonoghs are no longer Irish chieftains, and no longer own whole baronies as their inheritance, but many of them still occupy good social position in Ireland and in other countries. O'Donovan should have known that Doctor W. F, MacDonogh, Cromwell Lodge, Twickenham, England, is still the proprietor of the estate in Geevagh of his ancestor, Counsellor MacDonogh, which has never left the possession of the family, and there are many other McDonoghs living in different parts of Great Britain, well able to hold their own in the classes to which they belong — the professional men and the merchants of that country.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 125

6. Castleconor Cromwellian and Restoration grants

   Castleconor · townland · Laois · 1656–1660

   Under the Cromwellian regime John Nicholson became Titulado of Castleconor and Newtown, and Lewis Wingfield of Scormore. At the Restoration, Wingfield received the castle of Castleconor and Robert Morgan received that of Ballicottle.

   Read the passage

   time of the Composition of Sir John Perrott with the Sligo chiefs, when Edmund O'Dowd of Kilglass was chief, and David O'Dowd of Castleconor, tanist or heir apparent. The English, who had occupied this and other castles of Tireragh for more than a century, were driven from it in 1371 by Donnell O'Dowd, who took it to himself, and disposed of its lands to his family and followers. Under the Cromwellian regime John Nicholson was Titulado of Castleconor and Newtown, and Lewis Wingfield of Scormore ; and at the Eestoration these Tituladoes, with Robert Morgan, Lord Collooney and Lewis Wingfield, received grants of most of the parish — Wingfield getting the castle of Castleconor, and Robert Morgan that of Ballicottle, which was built by Donnell O'Dowd, chief of his name, in the year 1417.

   The original church was at Castleconor, and is entered in the Taxation of 1307 as Castroconor, and valued at eight marks, a higher valuation even than that of Kilglass. Killanley — called from a patron saint or founder named Ainle, or Fainle — is the site of another old church, and serves at present for a place of burial.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 227

7. Convent of Saint Joseph established at Finisklin, Sligo

   Finisklin · townland · Sligo · 1844

   About forty years before publication, Doctor Browne invited the Ursuline sisters to Sligo after his translation to Elphin in 1844. They settled at Finisklin, described as a commodious, picturesque, and salubrious site for a great boarding-school.

   Read the passage

   The Convent of Saint Joseph was established about forty years ago. Doctor Browne, having been translated to Elphin in 1844, lost no time in inviting to Sligo the famous daughters of St. Ursula, of whose peculiar talent for the training of pupils of the higher class he had such proofs while in Galway ; and these fervent religieuses, attracted by the odour of the bishop's virtues, and filled, like others, and even more than others, with admiration and reverence for those sweet and saintly qualities, which had gained him the name of the Dove of Galway, responded to the invitation in the spirit, if not in the language, of the holy soul in the Canticle of Canticles, " We will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments," and settled in Finisklin, as commodious, picturesque, and salubrious a site for a great boarding-school as any in all Ireland. In these two institutions the children of the humbler and of the higher class have a suitable education provided for them — the former in the convent of Saint Patrick, and the others in that of Saint Joseph ;

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 247

8. Coolavin lands granted to Kingston and Magrath

   Coolavin · electoral division · Sligo · 1660–1691

   Under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation, nearly all of Coolavin was granted to John Lord Kingston and Bryan Magrath. Specific townlands including Clonecunny, Carrowreagh, Monasteredan, and many others were listed in the grants, while O'Farrel lands in Coolavin were forfeited due to Irriel O'Farrel's support of James II.

   Read the passage

   Under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation nearly all Coolavin was granted to John Lord Kingston and Bryan Magrath. Between the Eestoration and the Revolution Colonel Irriel O'Farrel possessed large scopes of land in Coolavin as a lessee, apparently, of Magrath; but whatever interest the O'Farrells had was forfeited by the part Irriel took on the side of James II.J

   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

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 193

9. Lissadell: seat of Gore Booth family

   Lissadell · street · Cork · 1213–1397

   Lissadell, the seat of the Gore Booth family, stands midway between Benbulben and the northern entrance of Sligo Bay. Its Irish name 'Lis-an-doill' means 'fort of the blind man,' and the Annals of the Four Masters mention the place under the years 1213 and 1397.

   Read the passage

   LissADELL, the seat of the Gore Booth family, stands about midway between Benbulben and the northern entrance of Sligo bay. It has the name — in Irish Lis-an-doillf fort of the blind man — from some blind man who formerly occupied it, whose name, however, has not come down to us. We find mention of the place in the Annals of the Four Masters, under the years 1213 and 1397. At the former date, Lissadell was occupied by a poet, Murray O'Daly, who, if we are to rely on the Annals,

   10 HISTORY OF SI.IGO.

   Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 7

10. Meeting at Killala between Tireragh and Leyney descendants

    Killala · town · Mayo

    A meeting was held at Killala to perpetuate friendship and alliance between the descendants of Awley (the people of Tireragh) and the descendants of Kien (the people of Leyney). St. Attracta is said to have presided on one occasion at this gathering.

    Read the passage

    and Killala, and presided on one occasion at a meeting which had for object to perpetuate friendship and alliance between the descendants of Awley — the people of Tireragh, and the descendants of Kien — the people of Leyney*

    Whatever room for doubt there may be with regard to her parentage and native place there can he none as to her characteristic virtue. It was that love of the neighbour which is the fulfilment of the law ; and the moment she reached a place of safety, and was free to act, she devoted herself to the practice of this beneficent virtue. Soon after her arrival in the neighbourhood of Boyle, she desired to fix herself near Drumconnel — now commonly called Drum — where, it is said, her uterine brother, Conal, had a church ; but Conal regarding this intended settlement as a kind of encroachment on his own religious house, got St. Dachonna, of Eas Dachonna, now Assylin, to dissuade Attracta from the project, which that saint succeeded in doing, but not before she told him that his church and that of Conal would soon suffer great loss of revenue from the erection of a new monastery between them. Colgan erroneously places those churches of Dachonna and Conal, as well as the new monastery, in the county Galway, and tries hard to make good his contention ; but had he better knowledge of the county Roscommon ho would have seen that St. Conal's church was the church of Drumconnel, to the south of Boyle ; St. Dachonna's church, that of the place now called Assylin, to the north of Boyle, anciently called Eas Dachonna ; and the new monastery, the Cistercian abbey of Boyle, whose site lies exactly between these two churches. It was after this, Attracta chose for her abode Greagraighe, for so Coolavin was then called, the name still surviving somewhat in the denominations of Greggans and Gregaduf. The spot which she selected was a great thoroughfare at the time, and she selected it precisely because it afforded most scope for her comprehensive charity.f In the times she lived, travel-

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 199

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Killala in Mayo, this is the town where St. Attracta is said to have presided over a meeting. The gathering had one purpose: to perpetuate friendship and alliance between the descendants of Awley, the people of Tireragh, and the descendants of Kien, the people of Leyney. Whatever doubt surrounds Attracta's parentage and native place, there is none about her characteristic virtue. It was love of the neighbour, the fulfilment of the law. The moment she reached a place of safety and was free to act, she devoted herself to this practice. Soon after her arrival in the neighbourhood of Boyle, she wished to fix herself near Drumconnel, now commonly called Drum, where her uterine brother Conal had a church. Conal regarded this intended settlement as a kind of encroachment on his own religious house, and got St. Dachonna of Eas Dachonna, now Assylin, to dissuade her. Dachonna succeeded, but not before Attracta told him that his church and that of Conal would soon suffer great loss of revenue from the erection of a new monastery between them. Colgan erroneously placed those churches of Dachonna and Conal, as well as the new monastery, in county Galway. Had he better knowledge of county Roscommon, he would have seen that Conal's church was the church of Drumconnel, south of Boyle, and Dachonna's church was at Assylin, north of Boyle, anciently called Eas Dachonna. The new monastery was the Cistercian abbey of Boyle, whose site lies exactly between the two churches. After this, Attracta chose for her abode Greagraighe, as Coolavin was then called, a name still surviving in the denominations of Greggans and Gregaduf. The spot she selected was a great thoroughfare, and she chose it because it afforded most scope for her comprehensive charity.

11. O'Connor rebuilds west side of Tubbercurry

    Tobercurry · town · Sligo

    After purchasing part of Tubbercurry, Mr. O'Connor removed the squalid cabins on the west side and erected a good row of two-story houses suitable for business or residence. This contrasted sharply with the tumble-down east side.

    Read the passage

    The foregoing remarks apply to merely one side of the stre^ t, for, though there is only the width of the roadway between that and the opposite side, there is the difference of a hundred years between the qualities of the houses on either side, as well as between the manners of their inhabitants. While the east side is the tumble-down hurly-burly we have been describing, the west is a contrast in every respect, thanks to Mr. O'Connor, who, soon after purchasing that part of Tubbercurry, removed the squalid cabins, and put up in their room a good row of twostory houses, equally suited for business places or for private residences.

    A family variously named Naper, Neper, Niper, of good social standing, lived in Tubbercurry in the latter half of the seventeenth century, and during a considerable part of the eighteenth. They were Cromwellians ; and Archy Naper, the head of the family in this country, was Titulado of Cnockroe, in the parish of Ballysummaghan, under the Commonwealth. He had also obtained 308 acres in the Curry portion of the parish of Achonry as a debenture, the fee-simple of which he seems to have sold to Cornet Cooper, retaining, apparently, a leasehold or other substantial interest in the property.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 66

12. Partnership tenure on Coney Island

    Inishmulclohy or Coney Island · townland · Sligo · 1676

    The Tripartite Indenture between Strafford, Radcliffe, and Doctor Leslie records partnership tenure in Inismulclohy, now known as Coney Island. Edward Gilgan and his partners held a farm there under this shared 'in means' system of land subdivision.

    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

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Inishmulclohy or Coney Island, back in 1676, Edward Gilgan and his partners held a farm under a shared system the people called being "in means." A half dozen or so people would take a farm of 100 or 200 acres and subdivide it among themselves, so each had rarely more than 10 acres Irish. The Tripartite Indenture between Strafford, Radcliffe, and Doctor Leslie records several such partnerships across the Sligo area, including this one. The whole farm was cut up into three or four large fields, one for tillage, another for milch cows, and a third, sometimes a fourth, for horses, asses, and young stock. Each field was held and used in common by all the partners, so all grazed their cows together in one field.

13. Rathlee castle and O'Dowd seat

    Rathlee · townland · Sligo · 1600–1660

    Rathlee, on the western side of Easky parish, was also known as Ichter Rath or Mullach Rath and was one of the chief seats of the O'Dowds. Small remains of a castle survive, occupied in the early seventeenth century by the Albanaghs or McDonnells. At the Restoration it was granted to Captain William Ormsby.

    Read the passage

    Kathlee lies on the western side of the parish, went in the past by the name of Ichter Rath, and, sometimes, of Mullach Rath, and was one of the chief seats of the O'Dowds. There are still in the place some small remains of a castle, which was occupied, in the early years of the seventeenth century, by the Albanaghs or McDonnells. At the Restoration, Rathlee was granted to Captain William Ormsby, and is now owned by his heirs or assigns. Besides Rosslee, Rathlee, and Castletown, Easky parish contained, at one time, three other castles, one in Carocloonegleragh, another at Carroinroda, and the third at Carrowinwallin, where there was also a church.

    In the parish of Easky, at its junction with Templeboy, is the pool, Dahhach Fharannain, — the vat or keeve of Farannan — so called from Saint Farannao, who lived close to it, and is said to have used its waters in the administration of baptism, as well as for personal mortification. His cell is on the face of the high adjoining cliff, and would remind one of St. Kevin's Bed at Glendalough, Farannan's cell being also called, by some, Farannan's Bed.* Here the saint practised extraordinary mortifications, which are described in Colgan, and which include constant vigils, frequent standings in cold water while praying, and lying in his open cell on the hard, naked rock, with only a stone for his pillow.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 224

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Rathlee, known in the past as Ichter Rath, and sometimes as Mullach Rath. It was one of the chief seats of the O'Dowds. Small remains of a castle still survive. In the early years of the seventeenth century, it was occupied by the Albanaghs, or McDonnells. At the Restoration, Rathlee was granted to Captain William Ormsby, and is now owned by his heirs or assigns.

14. Rinuccini Rescript to Errill O'Hara on Templehouse

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo

    Errill O'Hara petitioned Archbishop Rinuccini regarding Templehouse castle and its sixteen quarters of adjoining land, claiming ancestral possession from immemorial time. Rinuccini issued a rescript in reply, supporting the O'Hara view that the property had been fraudulently seized through fabricated connections to religious military orders.

    Read the passage

    It is just as probable, however, that the documents referred to were the outcome of fraud, and that those engaged in drawing them up, twisted adroitly the term Cloon-Tempul to their purposes, in order to be able to rob the 0' Haras of this property, by making it appear, that it had all belonged to a religious order, and was therefore an escheat to the Crow^n, which might be granted to a favourite. This was the view of the O'Haras themselves, as we learn from the following rescript of Rinuccini, in reply to a petition addressed to him by Errill O'Hara on the subject : —

    " Joannes Baptista Rinucinus, Dei et Apostolicse Sedis gratia Archiepiscopus et Princeps firmanus ac in regno Hiberniae, Nuncius Apostolicus Extraordinarius.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 39

15. Sligo rectors as land agents and military officers

    Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo · 1800–1820

    Several early nineteenth-century Church of Ireland rectors in County Sligo served simultaneously as magistrates, land agents, or military officers. These included Rev. Grove of Kilmacshalgan and Templeboy, Rev. Nelligan of Kilmacteige, and Rev. West of Ahamlish.

    Read the passage

    The contrast between the actual rectors of the late Established Church and their predecessors of eighty or ninety years ago, evidences a great religious advance. Like Martha in the Gospel, the rectors of the early years of the century were " troubled about many things." Most of them were magistrates, and thus implicated constantly in secular business; others, as E-ev. William Grove, of Kilmacshalgan and Templeboy,* Rev. James Nelligan, of Kilmacteige, and Rev. Charles West, of Ahamlish, were land agents — an office, then as now, little conducive to a religious frame of mind ; while some, like the Rev. Carn Cross Cullen, held high rank in military corps — a position, one would think, still more incompatible than that of magistrate or land agent with the ministry of the Prince of peace.f

    * The Sligo Journal of December 21st, 1804, contains the following advertisement:—

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 316

16. Tawnagh old Catholic church converted for Protestant worship

    Tawnagh · townland · Sligo · 1768–1817

    Before the 1817 Kilmacallane church was built, the old Catholic church of Tawnagh served Protestant worship, its interior plastered over to hide memorials of its original Catholic purpose. A holy water stoup was later found in situ when plaster fell away. A porch and vestry were added in 1768 under churchwardens John Dodd and William Cooper.

    Read the passage

    The existing Protestant church of Kilmacallane, at Kiverstown, was built in 1817 on a gift of £900, and a loan of £500. Previously to the erection of this edifice, the old Catholic church of Tawnagh was used for Protestant worship, the interior being plaistered so as to hide away all memorials of its original destination. It was only a few years ago, on some of the plaster falling off, a holy water stoup was found in situ. The addition of a porch and vestry was made to the building in 1768, when, as an inscribed slab inserted in the western gable informs us, John Dodd and William Cooper were churchwardens.

    Kilmacallane was a prebendal church under the establishment, and the succession of prebendaries, according to Cotton's Fasti (Vol. IV., p. 149), was as follows : — 1634, Milo Summer; 1666, Edmund Rowlatt; 1722, Thomas Walls, D.D. ; 1750, James Blair ; 1755, Eichard Doherty ; 1760, Robert Curtis, M.A. ; 1799, Thomas Hackett, B.A. Rev. Thomas Hackett held the prebend for 42 years, and is given in Erc's Register as incumbent of the extensive union of Boyle, Tawnagh, Kilmacallane, DrumcoUum, Kilross, Aghanagh, Ballynakill, and Ballysummaghan. In Sergeant Shoe's book on the Irish Church, the ascertained cost of Ballysummaghan Protestant church is set down at £1,223. There have been recent improvements which must have cost a good sum.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 138

17. Tubbercurry growth despite national decline, 1841-1881

    Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1841–1881

    While most places in County Sligo retrograded, Tubbercurry grew steadily over half a century. The number of houses rose from 149 in 1841 to 176 in 1881, even as Ireland's population fell by nearly half, and many old houses were enlarged and modernised.

    Read the passage

    While most other places in the county have retrograded, Tubbercurry has been steadily improving for the last half century both in population and wealth, the number of houses in 1881 being 176, or twenty-seven more than in 1841, though the population of Ireland in the latter year was nearly double what it is at present. And the houses in the body of the town have improved still more in quality than in number, several fine new ones having been erected, and many of the old ones having been enlarged and modernized.

    The place is well situated for markets and fairs, as fine roads, running through populous and extensive districts, pass through it, with the result that the market, which is held on Monday, is always crowded, while the fairs are attracting constantly increasing numbers of buyers and sellers from all quarters. When, besides, it is taken into account, that Tubbercurry possesses a Catholic church, a Protestant church, a bank, a workhouse, and a dispensary; that it is a centre of Special sessions and Petty sessions, as well as head-quarters of a

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 67

18. Tubbercurry Protestant church cost and capacity

    Tobercurry · town · Sligo · 1848

    Under the late Established Church, Tubbercurry was a Perpetual Curacy with the Protestant Dean of Achonry as patron. In 1848 the Protestant church cost £900 and provided accommodation for 180 persons.

    Read the passage

    The Catholic church of Tubbercurry was built about 1832, and is a neat and commodious structure. Under the late Established Church, Tubbercurry was a Perpetual Curacy, the patron being the Protestant Dean of Achonry. According to Sergeant Shee, the ascertained cost in 184^8 of the Protestant church was £900, and the number of persons for whom accommodation was provided in it, 180.

    The third district or quasi-parish into which Achonry is divided is that of Curry, so called from the village of Curry, which lies about three miles to the south-west of Tubbercurry. This district is probably the least interesting of the county in point of picturesqueness. The prime feature of the region is its interminable flatness, stretching away on all sides in a dead

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 70

19. Turlough O'Connor takes refuge in Ballymote Castle, 1340

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1340

    In 1340, Turlough O'Connor, King of Connaught, was driven into Ballymote Castle by MacDermot. There, after a short time, they ratified terms of peace, demonstrating the castle was still an effective fortress.

    Read the passage

    Under the year 1317, the Four Masters state, that the castle of Ath-cliath-an Chorainn was " demolished ;" while the Annals of Loch Ce, in relating the same event, use the phrase, " The castle of Ath-cliath in Chorainn was broken down ;" but both, no doubt, mean that the castle was dismantled, not destroyed ; for a few years later, in 1340, we find it serving as an effective fortress, when Turlough O'Connor, King of Connaught, was

    160 HISTORY OF SLIGO.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 84

20. Walter Burke erects Templehouse Castle

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1263

    In 1263 Walter Burke erected the castle of Templehouse, also known as Ath Angaile. This was part of the Anglo-Norman castle-building campaign in Connaught.

    Read the passage

    All this time there was hardly a stone house in the county except some churches, which served not only for places of worship, but sometimes for ecclesiastical residences * sometimes for prisons or fortresses,t and often for storehouses of provisions.J The first castle of stone and mortar in the county was built at Collooney,§ no doubt, by Turlough O'Conor, who was then King of Connaught ; and no other, in all likelihood, was erected till after the arrival of the Anglo-Normans. The Annals of the Four Masters record that the Barons of Erin came to Connaught in 1237 and "commenced erecting castles there." || In 1245 Maurice Fitzgerald built the castle of Sligoj^f in 1263 Walter Burke erected the castle of Templehouse or Ath Angaile;** and about the same time he and other English constructed timber castles in Leyney and Tireragh, at Rath Ard creeve, Banada, Buninna, and other places ; took forcible possession of these districts ; and expelled the O'Haras, O'Dowds, and other hereditary chiefs.

    While these structures were building, no improvement could be made in the residences of the people, as the country was in a state of constant war. Nor is there any reason to think that such houses as existed in the town of Sligo, between the fourteenth and the seventeenth century, came near, either in appearance or value, to those which were burned down in 1396, and which the Four Masters extol so highly for their

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 251

21. Wells and ruins of St. Attracta at Kilmacteige

    Kilmacteige · townland · Sligo · 1864

    Dr. Durcan and Very Rev. Daniel Jones, both inhabitants of Kilmacteige, successfully pressed for the Pope's restoration of St. Attracta's feast day in 1864. The parish retains wells, ruins, and traditions associated with the saint, and Mullany's Cross in the parish may also derive its name from her relic.

    Read the passage

    Owing to the calamities of the times, the festival of Saint Attracta was uncelebrated from the Reformation down to the year 1864, when the Pope, after satisfying himself of her claims to a place in the calendar of saints, authorised, by an Indult of the 28th July of that year, her Mass and Office to be again celebrated in Ireland. For this renewal of ecclesiastical honours to the saint, religion is chiefly indebted to the late Right Rev. Dr. Durcan and the late Very Rev. Daniel Jones, who introduced and pressed the case at Rome — both those saintly men having grown up in sentiments of the tenderest devotion to Attracta, being, one and the other, inhabitants of Kilmacteige, where wells and ruins, and half the traditions of the parish are associated with her name and history. And Father Jones had, besides, a weighty reason of his own for his zealous intervention, for he ascribed to the prayers of the saint the conversion, some generations back, of an ancestor, and, through that ancestor, of the Jones family to Catholicity under, to say the least, very extraordinary circumstances.!

    * From Cuboirne are descended Muinter Mochain, of Cill Athracht, i.e., the Keepers of the Cross of St. Athracht. — Page 41. O'Donovan adds in a note that ' ' he has not been able to determine whether Attracta's Cross is still in existence."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 202

22. St. Fechin's water mill at Ballysadare

    Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

    St. Fechin had a water mill at Ballysadare long before he constructed his famous mill at Fore. Oatmeal mills have operated at Ballysadare from time immemorial, and in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth centuries many locals made a good living producing and selling meal.

    Read the passage

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

    * History of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, p. 37.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 177

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in Ballysadare, oatmeal mills have worked from time immemorial. St. Fechin had a water mill here long before he built the famous one at Fore that all his biographers mention. In the 1600s, 1700s, and early 1800s, many Ballysadare people made a good living making and selling meal. About 1816 a Mr. McDonald came from Dublin, where he had been in business, and put up a bleach mill, working it vigorously until he died in 1832 of the cholera that raged that year with exceptional violence in Ballysadare. He contracted the disease there, though he died fleeing from it, in Ballinamore, county Leitrim.

23. 1610 inquisition: Doughorne and Ballyara castle

    Ballyara (Knox) · townland · Sligo · 1610

    An inquisition taken at Sligo in 1610 into the possessions of the Earl of Clanrickard found that Doughorne, Drumentemple, Ballenafennogy (Ballyara) where the castle stands, and other tracts in Leyney anciently belonged to the nunnery of Kilcreunat. A writing concerning the nunnery had been burned by Tomoltagh Oge O'Higgin.

    Read the passage

    The dependence of the district on the religious house of Kilcreunat appears from an inquisition taken at Sligo, in 1610, by Geoffry Osbaldston, William Maye, and Nicbolas Brady, to inquire into the possessions of the Earl of Clanrickard. In their finding they say, "We have heard that the six quarters of Dowchorn and the quarter of Drumentemple, in the barony of Leyney, with their appurtenances, anciently belonged to the nunnery aforesaid. We also say that there was a certain writing, concerning the nunnery, burned by one Tomoltagh Oge O'Higgin, and we also say that we have heard that the half quarter of Ballenafennogy (Ballyiara), wherein the castle standeth, tbe 4 qurs. of Kinnilovin, the quarter of Killeyallagb, the quarter of Sessu McEUirhy, and the 2 qurs. of Monyne Cranagh, with appurtenances, in said county Sligo, did anciently belong to the said nunnery of Kilcreunat.'' It is a pity that the writing burned by Tomoltagh Oge O'Higgin is lost, as it would throw valuable light on the state of things that prevailed in Upper Leyney in the olden time.

    Very probably Tomoltagh Oge made away with the document for the purpose of destroying legal evidence which might be adduced against him by the nuns of Kilcreunat. The O'Higgins'

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 71

24. 1837 Sligo borough parliamentary election

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1837

    Abraham Martin ran his son as a Liberal candidate against the Wynne family, who had represented the Sligo borough for 130 years. With the aid of Dean Donlevy, the Parish Priest, Martin's son defeated Owen Wynne's son to become Sligo's parliamentary representative.

    Read the passage

    "With his distillery, his flour mill, his bakery, and the Sligo fishery which he owned, Abraham Martin throve apace. In his case, as in others, prosperity begat ambition, and he resolved to run his son in the election of 1837 for the parliamentary seat of the borough of Sligo ; though antipathy to the Wynnes had

    probably as much to do with the resolution as mere ambition

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 287

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you are in a town that was the scene of a notable election in 1837. Abraham Martin, who owned a distillery, flour mill, bakery and the Sligo fishery, ran his son for the parliamentary seat against the Wynne family, who had represented the borough for 130 years. With the help of Dean Donlevy, the parish priest, Martin's son defeated Owen Wynne's son and took the seat.

25. Army crossed Curlew Mountains to Drumrat, 1237

    Drumrat · parish · Sligo · 1237

    The Annals of the Four Masters record under the year 1237 that a force 'went northward, across the Curlews until they arrived at Drumrat.' The mention of the Curlew Mountains confirms this entry refers to the Drumrat in Corran, County Sligo, unlike other annal entries which may concern a Drumrat in Meath.

    Read the passage

    To the east of Buninadden Union, and divided from it by the Ovvenmore river, stretches the parochial union of Drumrat and Toomour, popularly called the Parish of Keash. We meet with Drumrat in the Annals of the Four Masters at the years 788, 946, 1015, lOlG, 1237, but we must not assume that the Drumrat of these entries is always that of Corran. In a note on Drumrat, under the year 788, O'Donovan observes, in his edition of the Four Masters, " Colgan says this is a church in Leyney, in the province of Connaught; " but Colgan says nothing of the kind ; for, in the place referred to — the Index Topographicus of the Acta Sanctorum, p. 876 — he merely states that there are two Drumrats? one in Meath and the other in Leyney, but gives no opinion as to which of the two the entry of 788 concerns. The entry of 946 records, that '* an army was led by the Foreigners over Drumrat, and they burned the oratory and seven-score and ten persons in it," an occurrence which we may refer to the Meath Drumrat ; for, had it taken place in Sligo, there would be some tradition of the tragedy in the neighbourhood, of which there is not a trace. On the other hand, it is certain that the event recorded under the year 1237, " They went northward, across the Curlews until they arrived at Drumrat," had to do with the Sligo Drumrat, as the mention of the Curlews clearly shows. Where, then, Drumrat is mentioned in old documents, one must think twice before fixing the locality.

    The owners of Drumrat, in 1641, were Lord TaafFe, Owen Horroghy, John Boswell, Sir Eobert King, and William Dodwell ; and the chief grantees, under the Acts of Settlement and

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 106

26. Ballynakill old church and crowded graveyard

    Ballynakill · townland · Sligo · 1632

    The eastern gable of Ballynakill old church remains standing, resembling that of Kilmacowen with a lancet window. The graveyard is crowded, with an enclosed square at the western end reserved for the Cogan family. In 1632 the parish owners were Lord Taaffe, William Crofton, the McDonoghs, John Ridge, and Rev. Mr. Dodwell.

    Read the passage

    The eastern gable of Ballynakill old church remains, and resembles that of Kilmacowen with a like lancet window. The graveyard of the place is crowded, an enclosed square at the western end being reserved for the Cogan family. About a thousand yards to the west of the church are the remains of Coolea castle, the fragments now standing being a portion of the eastern gable, seventeen yards wide, four feet thick, and sixteen high, with about sixteen feet long of the southern sidewall, and as many of the northern. Grout was employed in the building of both church and castle. The owners of Ballynakill parish in 1632 were Lord Taaffe, William Crofton, the McDonoghs, John Ridge, and Rev. Mr. Dodwell.

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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 133

27. Ballysadare mills, ruins and Owenmore rapids

    Ballysadare · townland · Sligo

    At Collooney and Ballysadare the visitor finds castle and church ruins, the largest corn and flour mills in Europe, and the river Owenmore with its remarkable water power and finest rapid in the kingdom. The district combines industrial, antiquarian, and scenic attractions.

    Read the passage

    At Collooney and Ballysadare the visitor will be at a loss which most to admire, the castle and church ruins of the district, its corn and flour mills — the largest in Europe — or the beautiful river Owen more, as admired by the utilitarian as by the lover of the picturesque — by the former for its wonderful water power, capable of working all the machinery in Ireland, and by the latter for what Frazer, in his " Handbook for Ireland," styles " the finest rapid in the kingdom."

    And in the town of Sligo tourists will find themselves in the centre of a region literally teeming with scenes of surpassing

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 304

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here you have castle and church ruins, corn and flour mills once called the largest in Europe, and the river Owenmore. It was a place that left visitors unsure what to admire most. The river drew both the practical and the scenic eye, its water power said to be capable of working all the machinery in Ireland. Frazer, in his Handbook for Ireland, called its rapid "the finest rapid in the kingdom."

28. Battle-field of Northern Moytura

    Kilmactranny · parish · Sligo

    The parish of Kilmactrany contains the famous battle-field of the northern Moytura, one of two legendary Moytura battle-sites in Irish tradition. The southern Moytura is near Cong in county Mayo, while the northern one lies in the parish of Kilmactrany in county Sligo, near Lough Arrow.

    Read the passage

    To the east of tlie Eiverstown parocliial union is tbat of Geevagh, consisting of the three parishes of Kilmactrany, Killadoon, and Shancoe. In Kilmactrany — Kil Mac Treana, the church of the son of Treana — lies the famous battle-field of the northern Moytura.

    Few subjects have exercised our Irish antiquaries more than the battles of the two Moyturas. For that there were two Moytura battle-fields, one near Cong in county Mayo, called the southern Moytura, and the other in the parish of Kilmactrany in the county Sligo, called the northern Moytura,* seems to have been commonly admitted until Mr. W. M. Hennessy, in the preface to his edition of the Annals of Loch Ce, published in 1871, called in question the existence of the southern battlefield. As, however, the Mayo Moytura does not come within the scope of these pages, the writer has nothing to say to the difference between Mr. Hennessy and his brother antiquaries, which may one day develop into a new battle of Moytura, in which, as in the old one, giants are sure to be engaged.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 139

29. Bingham attacks Sligo Castle; O'Donnell demolishes it

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1595

    Sir Richard Bingham attempted to take Sligo Castle but failed and barely escaped with his life. Red Hugh O'Donnell subsequently demolished the castle to prevent the English from inhabiting it.

    Read the passage

    SO. Sir Richard Bingham and his people try to take the castle of Sligo, but finding themselves unable to effect anything against the castle, they are glad to escape with their lives — and O'Donnell demolished the castle lest the Eaoflish should inhabit it. — (Four Masters, 1595.)

    31. Calebeg (Killybegs), from whence the remains of Sligoh Castle are still visible. — (Camden's Britannia [Gibson's ed.], Vol. IL, p. 1411.)

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 158

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, this is where Sir Richard Bingham and his men tried to take the castle in 1595. They could make no headway against it and were glad to escape with their lives. Red Hugh O'Donnell then demolished the castle, lest the English should inhabit it. Only remains were visible later from Killybegs.

30. Charles Phillips born in Sligo town

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1780–1800

    Charles Phillips, described as the most distinguished man the town of Sligo has produced in modern times, was born near the close of the eighteenth century in a specific house in Sligo town. His father was a native of Sligo and a member of the Town Council for several years.

    Read the passage

    Charles Phillips being the most distinguished man the town of Sligo has produced in modern times, it is well to give the facts of his life in some little detail. He was born near the close of the last century in the house now occupied by Mr. Josiah Cochrane Davis. His father, who was a Charles too, was a native of Sligo as well as member, for several years, of the Town Council, and died in the year 1800. His mother was a lady named Johnstone, from Fermanagh, who had a sister married to Attorney Walker of Rathcarrick, father of the late Counsellor Roger Walker, and grandfather of Mr. J. F. Walker.

    Charles Phillips received his early education in the town of Sligo in a school kept by the Rev. James Armstrong, Curate of

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 278

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo town, you are in the birthplace of Charles Phillips, described as the most distinguished man the town has produced in modern times. He was born near the close of the eighteenth century in a house in the town. His father, also named Charles, was a native of Sligo and served on the Town Council for several years, dying in 1800. His mother was a Johnstone from Fermanagh, whose sister had married Attorney Walker of Rathcarrick. The young Charles received his early education in Sligo at a school kept by the Reverend James Armstrong, the Curate.

31. Church of the Assumption, Collooney

    Collooney · townland · Sligo

    The Church of the Assumption in Collooney is described as the finest parish church in the province of Connaught, with a spire considered second to none in the kingdom for beauty of proportion and effectiveness. The early English style church features a lofty vaulted roof, artistic groins, symmetrical arches, and rich altars, all in harmonious keeping.

    Read the passage

    Having traced a detailed account of Collooney in the History of Ballysadare and Kilvarnet, a few additional observations must suffice here. The Church of the Assumption is the finest parish church in the province of Connaught. The spire is admitted on all hands to be second to no spire in the kingdom for beauty of proportion and effectiveness. The great object of this crowning feature of a church is to raise the thoughts to heaven ; and this the Collooney spire accomplishes as effectually as if it were an animated and intelligent preacher. Uolike, on the one side, those tower finials which drop down upon the tower like extinguishers, and smother the flame they ought to nourish ; and unlike, on the other side, those nondescript, pyramidal excrescences which, without either grace of form or significance of symbol, resemble nothing in nature or art so much as an inverted teetotum, the spire of the Church of the Assumption, shooting up like a thing of life to the skies, acts on the spirit as a magnet acts on matter, and, by a sweet attraction, draws the mind with it in its heavenward direction.

    In the remaining external features, the church, which is of the early English style, is of a piece in all its parts with the spire ; while the interior of the building, with its lofty vaulted roof, its artistic groins, its symmetrical arches, its light, graceful columns, its rich high and side altars, its admirably designed pulpit, its beautiful stations and paintings, are in perfect keeping with the exterior in all the attributes that become the House of God. The result of all this is singularly impressive ; and the effect is the more admirable as it is brought about by the juxtaposition and harmony of parts, and not, as sometimes happens, by tinsel

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 183

32. Cistercians sojourn at Buninna before Boyle Abbey

    Buninna · townland · Sligo · 1158–1161

    Cistercian monks sent out from Mellifont in the twelfth century resided at several locations including Grellach-dinach, Drumconaind, and for two and a half years at Buninna, under the abbacy of Maurice O'Duffy, before removing to Boyle in 1161 where the ruins of their noble abbey still stand.

    Read the passage

    settling definitively at Boyle, they remained for some time at Grellach-dinach (perhaps Kinnigrelly in the parish of Ballysad are), for a time at Drumconaind (apparently Assylin, to the north-east of Boyle), and for two years and six months at Buninna, under the abbacy of Maurice O'Duffy, who, in 1161, removed his charge to Boyle, and fixed them on the spot where the ruins of their noble abbey still stand.

    "Saint Patrick passed through Dromard on his way from the Moy to Killaspugbrone, and there is some tradition that he established a church in the place. The well called Tuberpatrick, near the graveyard, goes to countenance this tradition. In the graveyard there is a small fragment of an old church, but whether it was dedicated to Saint Patrick or not, no one can tell. The cemetery is crowded, and contains the vault of the Cr often s.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 216

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, Cistercian monks stayed for two years and six months at Buninna in the twelfth century. They had been sent out from Mellifont and had already spent time at Grellach-dinach and Drumconaind. Under the abbacy of Maurice O'Duffy, they remained at Buninna until 1161, when he removed his charge to Boyle and fixed them on the spot where the ruins of their noble abbey still stand.

33. Cross of St. Attracta and place-name at Clogher

    Clogher · townland · Sligo

    The Cross of St. Attracta was kept by the O'Mochain family and carried to centres of devotion including her well at Clogher. The author proposes that the place called Cross in the townland of Clogher derives its name from association with this relic rather than from nearby cross-roads.

    Read the passage

    and we learn from MTirbis's Hy-Fiachrach* that the O'Mochains were its keepers. It is likely that this object was carried by members of that family, on set occasions, to certain centres of devotion to the saint, such as her well at Clogher, and her well at Glenawo, near the Gap ; and the writer cannot help thinking that the place called Cross in the townland of Clogher, and the place in the parish of Kilmacteige called Cross, with the prefix in modern times of Mullany's, making the full name now Mullany's-Cross, derive those names which have hitherto puzzled inquirers into their origin, not, as some think, from the cross-roads that lie at present near these spots, but from association with the Cross of St. Attracta.

    Owing to the calamities of the times, the festival of Saint Attracta was uncelebrated from the Reformation down to the year 1864, when the Pope, after satisfying himself of her claims to a place in the calendar of saints, authorised, by an Indult of the 28th July of that year, her Mass and Office to be again celebrated in Ireland. For this renewal of ecclesiastical honours to the saint, religion is chiefly indebted to the late Right Rev. Dr. Durcan and the late Very Rev. Daniel Jones, who introduced and pressed the case at Rome — both those saintly men having grown up in sentiments of the tenderest devotion to Attracta, being, one and the other, inhabitants of Kilmacteige, where wells and ruins, and half the traditions of the parish are associated with her name and history. And Father Jones had, besides, a weighty reason of his own for his zealous intervention, for he ascribed to the prayers of the saint the conversion, some generations back, of an ancestor, and, through that ancestor, of the Jones family to Catholicity under, to say the least, very extraordinary circumstances.!

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 202

34. Cross roads of Ahamlish parish constructed by Nimmo

    Ahamlish · parish · Sligo · 1846

    The cross roads through the parish of Ahamlish were constructed by Nimmo for Lord Palmerston. Many other roads through the county date from 1846, known as the 'Famine Year.'

    Read the passage

    The road from Sligo to Ballyfarnon was constructed about the same date as that to Boyle, the one to Tubbercurry a little later, and the road to Ballina about the same time. Of the three main roads through Carbury to Sligo, that on the sea coast from Bunduff to Breaffy is much the oldest, the one passing through Carney coming later, and the road by Cooldruman latest. The cross roads through the parish of Ahamlish were constructed by Nimmo for Lord Palmerston, and many others through the county date from 1846, the "Famine Year."

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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 302

    As the companion tells it

    You're passing through the parish of Ahamlish now. The cross roads through this parish were constructed by Nimmo for Lord Palmerston. Many other roads through the county date from 1846, the "Famine Year," and these cross roads were part of that wave of road-building. The roads around Sligo were laid out in batches around this time, connecting the town to Ballyfarnon, Boyle, Tubbercurry, and Ballina. The oldest routes ran along the sea coast from Bunduff to Breaffy, with the road through Carney coming later and the road by Cooldruman latest of all.

35. Curry district granted at the Restoration

    Curry · townland · Sligo · 1660–1727

    At the Restoration most of the Curry district was granted to Lord Collooney, who received five or six thousand statute acres including Doughorne, and to Jeremy Jones. Lord Collooney's portion is now owned by Colonel Cooper, whose ancestor bought it from the Cootes in 1727.

    Read the passage

    At the Restoration most of Curry district was granted to Lord Collooney, who received five or six thousand statute acres, including Doughorne, and to Jeremy Jones. Lord Collooney's portion is now owned by Colonel Cooper, whose ancestor bought it in 1727, from the Cootes; and Jeremy Jones* share is in the hands of the Knox family.

    It is obvious that the priests of Curry have been exerting themselves to improve the village and neighbourhood. The new church, which was built a few years ago, is a handsome Gothic structure ; the male and female schoolhouses are buildings at once so spacious, commodious, and ornate, that they would be a credit to any town in the province ; and the presbytery, with, till recently (when they were burned down), its fine offices, its neat lawn sloping down to the river, and its trim plantations, reflects honour on Canon O'Donoghue, who built it, and on Father Conlon, who had a good deal to do in finishing it off. The example thus set by the priests has a beneficial effect on their neighbours, by inducing them to improve their own residences. As a result, there are better houses in and around the village now than formerly, though Curry was more prosperous in the early years of the century, when it did much of the business now done by Tubbercurry, and maintained a butcher or two in flourishing trade in catering to the villagers.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 71

36. Dr. William Urwick ordained for Sligo ministry

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1816–1868

    Dr. William Urwick, one of the ministers involved in the Easky debate, was ordained for the Sligo ministry on 19th June 1816, later called to York-street Chapel Dublin in 1826, and buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery after his death on 16th July 1868.

    Read the passage

    It is creditable to the diocese of Killalla that the first three priests there met with were a match and, as many thought, more than a match, in the arena, for the picked and trained controversial athletes opposed to them, including Dr. William Urwick, who enjoyed the reputation in his day of being one of the most eloquent men in Ireland. As this gentleman's name has occurred here, and as he was long connected with Sligo, it may be well to add that he was ordained for the Sligo ministry, on the 19th June, 1816 that he was called by his co-religionists to York-street Chapel, Dublin, in 1826, that he died there on the 16th July, 1868, and that he is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery.

    With regard to the succession of Parish Priests in Easky : In 1704, the Parish Priest was Father Eobert Scott, who was ordained in 1675 by the Archbishop of Tuam, and had for sureties of good behaviour Bryan Shesknane, Carrowross, and Roger McSwyne, Dunaltah. His successors are unknown till we come to Father Dan McNamara, who held the cure in the first quarter of this century, and was succeeded by Father Devins, who died in 1831. To Father Devins succeeded Rev.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 225

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Sligo, this is the town where Dr. William Urwick was ordained for the ministry on the 19th of June, 1816. He was long connected with Sligo, and he enjoyed the reputation in his day of being one of the most eloquent men in Ireland. He was one of the controversial athletes opposed to the first three priests of the diocese of Killalla, who were reckoned a match for him, and by many thought more than a match. His co-religionists called him to York-street Chapel in Dublin in 1826. He died there on the 16th of July, 1868, and is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery. The Easky succession of parish priests runs alongside his story. In 1704 the parish priest was Father Robert Scott, ordained in 1675 by the Archbishop of Tuam, with sureties Bryan Shesknane of Carrowross and Roger McSwyne of Dunaltah. His successors are unknown until Father Dan McNamara, who held the cure in the first quarter of the century, followed by Father Devins, who died in 1831.

37. Hazelwood demesne and Lough Gill views

    Hazelwood · street · Galway

    Hazelwood was described as a charming spot with a demesne and mansion commanding the finest views of Lough Gill. Under Celtic rule it belonged to the O'Connors, and later to the Creans and Wynnes.

    Read the passage

    Hazelwood, a charming spot, I. 443. The demesne and mansion, 444,

    Commands the finest views of Lough Gill, 445. Belonged under Celtic rule to the O'Connors, 449. Later to the Creans, and Wynnes, 450. The Wynne family, 451. Tillage in, 11. 464-465. Heapstown ; error of O'Donovan, II. 243. Another error of his regarding the Conmee family, 245-6. Hely, or O'Hely, family, owned large stretches of Tirerrill, including Hollybrook, or Ballyhely, II. 307. See also, II. 242. Bight Rev. Dr. Healy, a member of the family, 307. His Lordship in the pulpit of Sligo Convent, I. 308. Hickson, Miss, and her Massacres of

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 340

38. Heapstown cairn and the Oilioll tradition

    Heapstown · townland · Sligo

    O'Donovan asserted that the cairn of Heapstown was raised over Oilioll, from whom Tirerrill takes its name, but the author finds no proof in the cited Ogygia passage. The cairn's old name Oillthrialla may have prompted the association, though the full name likely refers to a different person.

    Read the passage

    In the same note, under the year 1397, O'Donovan asserts that the cairn of Heapstown was raised over OilioU, from whom Tirerrill has its name, and, in proof of his assertion, refers to Part III., chap. 79, of O'Flaherty's Ogygia. In turning, however, to the passage indicated, the reader will look in vain for the expected proof, as O'Flaherty says nothing on the subject. Nor does there appear to be any proof forthcoming. What probably induced some persons to connect the cairn with Oilioll, if others besides O'Donovan have done so, was its old name, Oillthrialla; but though there is some resemblance in the first part of this name with Oilioll, the addition of Thrialla would go to show that the full name refers to a different person.

    And, while on this subject, it may be opportune to notice aremark of O'Donovan's, quoted by Mr. Hennessy in his learned preface to the Annals of Loch Ce; Finding in an inserted leaf in the manuscript Annals of Loch Ge the followiug memorandum : — *' I am this day at Baile-an-chairn Oillthrialla, the 10th of November, 1698 — John Conmidhe," O'Donovan takes up the parable, and observes, " John Conmidhe, or (as the name is now written and pronounced) Mac Namee, was probably a travelling bard or scholar, who, in a visit to the MacDermot's country, was able to read and transcribe the page which had become effaced in consequence of the book being kept without a cover."

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 131

39. Humphrey Booth's Sligo properties under Cromwell

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1687

    Captain Humphrey Booth, a Cromwellian titulado of Sligo town, retained various houses and lands in and around Sligo by 1687, including the Custom House, Oyster Island, Knappagh More, Oakfield, and Rathbraughan with its mills.

    Read the passage

    The pleasant and profitable proceeding of marrying an heiress, was repeated in the Gore Booth family, in 1711, when Nathan ael Gore, of Ardtermon, Sir Francis' grandson, married Letitia, only daughter and heiress of Humphrey Booth. Captain Humphrey Booth was one of the Tituladoes of Sligo town under the Cromwellian regime; and contriving to run with the hare as well as to hunt with the hounds, he continued, in 1687, in possession of various houses and lands in and around Sligo, including the Custom House, Oyster Island, a park in Knappagh More, Oakfield, and Rathbroghan, with its mills.j

    In the Gore Booth pedigree, occur the names of some men of distinguished ability. Sir Paul himself, from the manner in which he demeaned himself, as servitor ; as undertaker ; in war and in politics ; under Elizabeth and under James ; must have been a man of vigorous and versatile talents, though the part he is supposed to have had in the massacre of Island Magee, now Tory Island, has left a dark spot on his character.!

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo town, you are moving through streets and lands once held by Captain Humphrey Booth. He was one of the tituladoes of Sligo under the Cromwellian regime, the men given land and property after the conquest. Booth proved adept at keeping what he had. By 1687 he still held a string of properties in and around the town, including the Custom House, Oyster Island, a park in Knappagh More, Oakfield, and Rathbraughan with its mills. The book calls it running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. His only daughter and heiress, Letitia, married Nathaniel Gore of Ardtermon in 1711, bringing the Booth estates into the Gore Booth family, which went on to become one of the most prominent landed families in Sligo.

40. Indenture of Composition signed at Sligo, 1585

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1585

    Dr. O'Hart, bishop of Achonry, was arrested and imprisoned in 1585 but released quickly enough to sign the Indenture of Composition on 5 September of that year, an agreement made by Sir John Perrot with the magnates of Sligo.

    Read the passage

    It may have been the great learning and zeal which he exhibited at Trent that gained him, in after life, the many marks of confidence shown him by the Holy See. While the Primate, Dr. Creagh, was in prison in 1568, Cardinal Morone, then Protector of Ireland, recommended Dr. O'Hart for the administration ol Armagh ; on the same occasion the Cardinal suggested that our bishop should be chosen to give testimonial letters to such of the clergy of Connaught and Ulster as should come to Rome ; and in 1575, special faculties were sent to Dr. O'Hart by the Pope, not only for the diocese of Achonry, but for the whole province of Tuam. We learn, from the Hecords of the Synod of Drogheda, held in 1614, that Eugenius O'Hart joined the bishops of Derry, Raphoe, Down and Connor, Ardagb, Kilmore, and Clogher, when they assembled in 1587, in the last named diocese, to promulgate the decrees of Trent for Ulster (Renehan Collections, Vol. I, p. 435). Dr. O'Hart was arrested and thrown into prison in 1585, but his incarceration was of short duration, for we find him, on the 5th of September of that year, signing the Indenture of Composition which Sir John Perrot made with the magnates of Sligo. After a long life of one hundred years, he died in 1603, and was buried, says Ware,

    * *' Gran Predicatore ed uomo di buona vita e zeloso del' onore di Dio." t The see of Achonry in the 16th century. — "Ecclesiastical Record," Pebruary, 1865, p. 213.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 55

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Sligo, you're passing through a town where, in 1585, Sir John Perrot made an agreement with the magnates of Sligo known as the Indenture of Composition. Among those who signed it on the 5th of September that year was Dr. O'Hart, bishop of Achonry. He had been arrested and thrown into prison earlier in 1585, but his incarceration was short enough that he was free to put his name to the document. O'Hart was a man of considerable standing. While the Primate, Dr. Creagh, was in prison in 1568, Cardinal Morone, then Protector of Ireland, had recommended O'Hart for the administration of Armagh. In 1575 the Pope sent him special faculties, not only for the diocese of Achonry but for the whole province of Tuam. In 1587 he joined the bishops of Derry, Raphoe, Down and Connor, Ardagh, Kilmore, and Clogher to promulgate the decrees of Trent for Ulster. After a long life of one hundred years, he died in 1603 and was buried, says Ware, in his own diocese.

41. Inishmurray's thirteen devotional stations visited by pilgrims

    Inishmurray · townland · Sligo

    Inishmurray contained thirteen places of devotion called stations, visited by Roman Catholics where prayers were said. These included the Monument of the Trinity, monuments of St. Columb Kill and St. Patrick, Laughty Roory, Tubberpatrick, Tranew, Clushmore, Altbuy, Classahmore, small Laughties, Relick oran, Temple Murray (a small old church), and the Abbey.

    Read the passage

    rites of the Church, that they have carried him back, and that the boat is returned to the island and hauled on shore, when the tempest will again begin, and continue for weeks together. On asking them how often this miracle happened, and to which of them the care of the priest had been committed, they were veracious enough to confess, it never happened in their days, though the fact was true. There are thirteen places of devotion on the island, called stations, which the Roman Catholicks visit, and where prayers are said, their names are : —

    1. Monument of the Trinity, said to be built by St. Molash,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 27

42. Jones family burial plot and convent at Banada

    Banada · townland · Sligo · 1845–1865

    Daniel Jones, last lay owner of Banada, and his wife Maria Louisa Jones are buried in a walled-off plot surmounted by a finely carved Celtic limestone cross. His dying wish that the place be consecrated was fulfilled in 1862 when the Convent of Our Lady of Benada was dedicated.

    Read the passage

    The plot in which are interred Mr. Jones, the last lay owner of Banada, and his noble wife, is walled off from the rest of the cemetery, and is surmounted by a finely carved Celtic limestone cross, bearing three separate epitaphs, as follows : —

    " Of your charity,

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 80

43. Kilcummin granted as part of Court Abbey estate

    Kilcummin · townland · Sligo · 1618–1620

    Kilcummin belonged at one time to the Abbey of Court. In the sixteenth year of his reign, James I granted 'Carrow-Killcomin, and a stone house, parcel of the estate of the monastery of Gourte' to William Crowe of Dublin. The charter spelling Baile Ui Chomhgain suggests it was named after Saint Kevin (Coemgen) of Glendalough.

    Read the passage

    The two townlands of Leyney referred to in this venerable muniment, which, according to O'Donovan,* dates from before the year 1140, or thereabouts, lie, in all likelihood, in the district of Mulnabreena, or the district of Cloonacool. The denomination of Ardcamna may be the same as Ardower, which belonged to Court Abbey; and the sub-denominations of Baile Ui Uidhrin and Baile Ui Chomgain, would then be situated near the abbey, though one of them may in remote times, have been large enough to reach and comprise Kilcummin. It is very likely then that Baile Ui Chomgain is a form of Bailekomin, or Bailekummin, and that it refers to the place now called Kilcummin ; for, as a matter of fact, Kilcummin belonged at one time to the abbey of Court, as we find James I., in the sixteenth year of his reign, granting to "William Crowe, of Dublin, *' Carrow-Killcomin, and a stone house, parcel of the estate of the monastery of Gourte." (Patent Roll, 16 James I., p. 365.) The peculiar spelling, in the charter of one of the townlands — Baile Ui Chomgain — would go far to show that it was so called after Saint Kevin, of Glendalough, whose name is given in his old biographies as Coemgen.

    The Cloonacool Parish Priests, of whom there is any record, are : —

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 69

44. Kilcummin graveyard and vanished church

    Kilcummin · townland · Sligo

    Kilcummin, the chief burial ground of Cloonacool, lies in the valley of the Moy at the foot of the Ox mountains. The crowded graveyard has numerous tombstones with names like Gray, Henry, Brennan, and McGloin. Considerable fragments of an old church existed ten or twenty years ago but were removed to form headstones for graves.

    Read the passage

    Kilcummin, the chief burial ground of Cloonacool, contains an area of about 120 feet square — enclosed by a good stone and mortar wall — and lies in the valley of the Moy, at the foot of the Ox mountain, in a townland of the same name. The graveyard is crowded, and has a fair number of tombstones, on which the prevailing names are, Gray, Henry, Brennan, Hibbert, McHugh, and McGloin. At present there are no remains of a church, though people say, that ten or twenty years ago, there existed considerable fragments of one, the stones of which have been recently removed from their places to form headstones of graves ; a most objectionable practice, which has had a great deal to do with the disappearance of our old church structures.

    Kilcummin signifies the church of Cummin, but who this Cummin was, there is nothing, apparently, in books or tradition to determine. From the diverse ways in which the word is pronounced, the person from whom the name is derived, may have been Cummin, Cummian, Coman, Caeman, Coemgen, which appear to be all different forms of the same name. Colgan throws no light on the subject, though he gives a list of twenty Cummins in his Acta Sanctorum (p. 59), as well as a list of several Caemans in the Trias Thaumaturga (p. 177),

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 68

45. Kilglass church etymology and 1307 valuation

    Kilglass · townland · Sligo · 1307–1656

    The name Kilglass is probably a corruption of Kil Molaisse, meaning the Church of St. Molaisse, confirmed by a Commonwealth Rental of 1656 listing it as 'Kilmolasse.' In the 1307 Taxation, Kilglass was valued at 100 shillings, far exceeding neighbouring parishes.

    Read the passage

    There is doubt as to the meaning of the word Kilglass. It might signify the Church of the Stream, the Church of the Green Spot, or the Green Church, but it is extremely probable, if not certain, that it means the Church of St. Molaisse. la a letter written by Thomas O'Connor to Thomas A. Larcom, and given in the Ordnance Survey Letter Book of the county Slig3, the writer observes : " Kilglass is a corruption, the people say, of Kil Molaisse;" and what would show the people to have been right is, that in the Commonwealth Rental of Bishop Lands (April 14th, 1656), Kilglass appears with the alias of Kilmolasse. The church must have been a comparatively rich one in early times, for while Dromard, Skreen, Templeboy, and Easky are valued respectively in the Taxation of 1307, for 2 marks, 4 marks, 4J marks, and 5 marks, the value of '* Killoglassa" is 100 shillings.

    The parish of Castleconor, which is divided from Kilglass by the Belawaddy river, stretches along the east side of the bay of Killalla, till it joins Kilmoremoy on the south. It has its name from the castle, sometimes called Caisleu mic Conor, and sometimes Dun mic Conor — the castle or the dun of the son of Conor ; and it is important to recollect the meaning of the name, for want of attention to it led even O'Donovan and Hennessy to confound the Castleconor of Tireragh with the Castleconor of Carbury.*

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 227

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Kilglass. There is doubt as to the meaning of the word. It might signify the Church of the Stream, the Church of the Green Spot, or the Green Church, but it is extremely probable, if not certain, that it means the Church of St. Molaisse. In a letter written by Thomas O'Connor to Thomas A. Larcom, given in the Ordnance Survey Letter Book of the county Sligo, the writer observes, "Kilglass is a corruption, the people say, of Kil Molaisse." What would show the people to have been right is that in the Commonwealth Rental of Bishop Lands, Kilglass appears with the alias of Kilmolasse. The church must have been a comparatively rich one in early times. While Dromard, Skreen, Templeboy, and Easky are valued in the Taxation of 1307 for 2 marks, 4 marks, 4 and a half marks, and 5 marks respectively, the value of Killoglassa is 100 shillings. The parish of Castleconor, divided from Kilglass by the Belawaddy river, stretches along the east side of the bay of Killalla until it joins Kilmoremoy on the south. It takes its name from the castle, sometimes called Caislean mic Conor and sometimes Dun mic Conor, the castle or the dun of the son of Conor. Want of attention to that meaning led even O'Donovan and Hennessy to confound the Castleconor of Tireragh with the Castleconor of Carbury.

46. Kilturra parish and archdeaconry of Achonry

    Kilturra · townland · Sligo · 1585–1641

    Kilturra parish's name may derive from 'turagh,' a name of the yew tree. The Archdeacon of Achonry was historically Vicar of Kilturra and owner of the townland, forming the corps of the archdeaconry, though by the 1633 survey Lord Taaffe was listed as owner. The Phillips family of Cloonmore commonly held Kilturra by lease from the archdeacon.

    Read the passage

    In the past, at least in post-Reformation times, the Archdeacon of Achonry was Vicar of Kilturra, and owner of the townland of Kilturra, so that the vicarage of the parish and the townland seem to have formed the corps of the archdeaconry. It is likely this arrangement was of long standing, though this is not certain. In the inquisition of 1585 the Archdeacon of Achonry is said to be Vicar of Kiltowry, which would go to show that even then, and, if then, prior, probably, to the Reformation, the vicarage of the parish and the townland, constituted the corps of the dignity; but, on the other hand, in the county Sligo Survey of 1633, etc., Lord Taaffe, and not the archdeacon, is given as owner of Kilturra townland, the entry running thus : — " Kiltorrow townland. The inheritance of my Lord Taaffe, who sets it to Kedagh O'Banaghan for £12, of which he pays Mr. Sharp (the Protestant minister), £6. It is some part good arable land, it hath good turfif, 4 days' mowing ; it will graze 40 cows, and is worth £12 6s. per annum.^' In the Book of Distributions, however, of the Down Survey, the Archdeacon of Achonry reappears, and is set down among the owners of the parish in 1641.

    The Phillips of Cloonmore commonly held Kilturra by lease from the archdeacon for the time being. Mr. Simon Phillips built a house on the farm in 1745, and came to reside in it. The Right Reverend Phillip Phillips, Bishop of Achonry, built a, new residence, which is the thatched house now attached to Mr. John Ormsby Cooke's pretty cottage ; and, on his transla-

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 103

47. King Dithorba slain in Corran

    Corran · barony · Sligo

    According to the Four Masters, Dithorba, King of Ireland, was slain in Corran in the year AM 4532, an event recorded in the ancient annals associating the district with one of the earliest kingly deaths in Irish legend.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 82

48. MacDonoghs of Sligo in the Act of Settlement

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    The Act of Settlement records several members of the MacDonogh family from Sligo and County Sligo who served abroad under the king's ensigns, including Lieutenant Brian MacDonogh and Lieutenant Turlough McDonogh.

    Read the passage

    those "who served beyond seas under the king's ensigns," *' Lieutenant Brian MacDonogh, of Sligo, Lieutenant Turlough (Terence) McDonogh, of the county Sligo, Ensign Christopher Mac Donogh, of same, Lieutenant John McDonogh, of Cusca, in the county Sligo, and Lieutenant Michael McDonogb, of Colloony, in the county Sligo."

    And it should not be forgotten, that at the battle of Fontenoy, so glorious for the Irisb, a Mac Donogh particularly distinguished himself, for he advanced in front of his countrymen to the famous charge, and having been singled out for attack by a brave British officer, he closed with the officer, disabled him, and made him prisoner in the sight of the two armies, the episode, according to the historians of the battle, being taken as an omen of ill luck for the English, and as an earnest of victory for the Irish brigade and the French army.*

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 119

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo town here, and it's where the Act of Settlement records the MacDonogh family. Lieutenant Brian MacDonogh was from the town itself, and several other MacDonoghs held commissions across County Sligo, all listed among those who served beyond seas under the king's ensigns. Lieutenant Turlough McDonogh, Ensign Christopher MacDonogh, Lieutenant John McDonogh of Cusca, and Lieutenant Michael McDonogh of Colloony all appear in the same record. But there's more to the family than lists and titles. At the battle of Fontenoy, so glorious for the Irish, a MacDonogh stepped out in front of his countrymen for the famous charge. A brave British officer singled him out, but MacDonogh closed with him, disabled him, and took him prisoner in full sight of both armies. The historians of the battle read it as an omen of ill luck for the English and a sign of victory for the Irish brigade and the French.

49. MacSweeny, High Constable of Connaught, slain at Kinnitty

    Kinnitty · parish · Offaly · 1397

    In 1397, MacSweeny, head of the galloglasses of Ighter Connacht, was slain along with his two brothers at the battle of Kinnitty. The MacSweenys served as military constables for Connaught princes, originally living on military pay rather than holding land.

    Read the passage

    the AQnals of Clonmacnoise, **MacSvvyney, head of the Gallowglasses of Ighter Connacht," was slain in 1397 with his two brothers in the famous battle of Kinnitty (Cinn Eitigh). As it fared with members of the family in other places, so the Sligo MacSweenys, though connected by marriage with the royal family of Connaught, possessed, at first, no land in the province, living on bonaght, or military pay. This appears from the Topographical poem of Giolla losa More M'Firbis, which acquaints us with all the landowners of Tireragh when the poem was composed, but makes no mention throughout of the Mac- Sweenys.

    They became, however, rooted in the soil in the reign of Elizabeth, or perhaps earlier, as we find them in the beginning of James the First's reign, scattered over the district, having extensive possessions in Dunneil, Dunnycofify, Ardnaglass, Longford, Altenelvick, Carrowcashel, and Tanrego, and occupying high social standing, being generally classed as gentlemen in the General Pardon of that monarch to the inhabitants of the county Sligo.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 211

50. Major Bridgham, agent of Ballymote estate

    Ballymote · town · Sligo

    Major Bridgham was a despotic and influential figure in Ballymote, serving as agent of the Ballymote estate, which made him a formidable antagonist especially to tenants. He had repeated encounters with Mrs. Motherwell.

    Read the passage

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

    * There was hardly a more influential man in the county in his day than Major Bridgeham, as will sufficiently appear from the following addresses and

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 93

51. McDonogh family vault and memorial in Kilmorgan

    Kilmorgan · townland · Sligo · 1822–1832

    A limestone flag in the west gable of a monument at Kilmorgan bears the arms and crest of the McDonoghs and commemorates Morgan McDonogh, a Sligo merchant, his son James (d. 1822), and his wife Catharine Tonry (d. 1825). Francis McDonogh QC, who abandoned the family faith, was denied burial in the vault.

    Read the passage

    high. The arms and crest of the McDonoghs are particularly well executed on a limestone flag, which is inserted in the west gable, and which also bears the following inscription : —

    *' This monument was erected

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 98

52. Meredith estate sold at Sessucomon under Ashbourne's Act

    Cloonacool · townland · Sligo · 1890–1900

    Herbert Meredith sold the family estate at Sessucomon, in the parish of Cloonacool, to the occupiers under Lord Ashbourne's Act. The sale was facilitated by Canon Staunton, who reconciled conflicting interests to the satisfaction of both parties. The Meredith family had held the property since the early eighteenth century.

    Read the passage

    The property has remained in the possession of the Meredith family down to our own time ; and it is only the other day that Mr. Herbert Meredith, the owner, responding to the call or exigency of the times, and, acting as his family have always done, in the interest of those depending on them, sold the estate, under Lord Ashbourne's Act, to the occupiers ; the sale being greatly forwarded, as in the case of Mr. Peter O'Connor's property, by the rare tact, talent, and savoir faire of Canon Staunton, who so adjusted and reconciled conflicting interests, as to please both parties to the ^contract.

    While most other places in the county have retrograded, Tubbercurry has been steadily improving for the last half century both in population and wealth, the number of houses in 1881 being 176, or twenty-seven more than in 1841, though the population of Ireland in the latter year was nearly double what it is at present. And the houses in the body of the town have improved still more in quality than in number, several fine new ones having been erected, and many of the old ones having been enlarged and modernized.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 67

53. Midland Great Western Railway reaches Sligo

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1862

    The Midland Great Western Railway was opened to Sligo on 3 December 1862, connecting the town to Dublin and the other provinces. This transformed access for both inhabitants and tourists, replacing the former arduous twenty-six-hour journey.

    Read the passage

    While these roads are so beneficial to the inhabitants of the county by opening up communications, they are hardly less serviceable to the tourist, now that they are in connexion with all parts of Ireland through the Midland Great Western Railway opened to Sligo on the 3rd December, 1862, and the Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway, opened on the 7th November, 1882. The latter line carries passengers to Sligo from the North, while the Midland G reat Western takes them, mediately or immediately, from the three other provinces.

    In their arrangements the chairman and directors of the Midland company never lose sight of the interests and comforts of tourists. If the stations of their line were intended for the special convenience of this important class of passengers, they could not be more favourably situated than they are at present, standing, as they do, close to the most interesting scenes and sights of the county.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 304

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo town is where the Midland Great Western Railway arrived on the 3rd of December, 1862, linking it to Dublin and the three other provinces of Ireland. Before that, the journey was an arduous twenty-six hours. The opening transformed access for both inhabitants and tourists alike. The chairman and directors of the Midland company, as the book puts it, "never lose sight of the interests and comforts of tourists." The stations stood close to the most interesting scenes and sights of the county. A later line, the Sligo, Leitrim, and Northern Counties Railway, opened on the 7th of November, 1882, bringing passengers from the north as well.

54. Old parish of Enagh of Tirerrill and its church ruins

    Enagh · townland · Cavan

    The old parish of Enagh (Aenach) of Tirerrill stretched from Beladrehid to Carrickbanagher and took its name from a church built by the religious of Ballysadare at the Aenach site. It now forms the Tirerrill portion of the parish of Ballysadare.

    Read the passage

    Aenach Tireoilella is certainly the spot now called Cut na Braher, near Ballysadare, but known, less than forty years ago, as The Aenach,* where, according to local tradition, a great fair was formerly held. On this spot the religious of Ballysadare built a cell or church, which is shown on the Down Survey map, and of which the foundations still remain ; and it was from this church the old, and now forgotten, parish of Enach, or Aenach^ of Tirerrill, stretching from Beladrehid to Carrickbanagher, took its name ; the name of the barony (Tirerrill), being added to that of the parish (Aenach), to distinguish it from the aenach of Carbury, now called Hazelwood, and the annagh of Leyney, now represented by Annaghmore, the seat of the O'Hara family. Aenach Tireoilella appears in English official documents as " Enaghe in Tirrerell ; " and we find it under this form in the grant of James I. to Edward Crofton of the possessions of Ballysadare abbey. In the old Survey of 1633, etc., it is given as the parish of " Enagh Tirerrill ; '' thus clearly identifying it with the " Aenach Tireoilella " of the Four Masters, which O'Donovan mistook and misplaced.

    This rectification is the more useful, as it leads to the identification of the place called Srath-an-fherain (literally, the Srath of the land, or the great Srath), which the Synod of Rathbreasil fixed as one of the boundaries of the diocese of Killala, and which has not been correctly identified ; for, as we learn from the Four Masters, at the year 1291, that the Aenach Tiroilella and Srath-an-fherain are adjoining districts,! we are warranted in concluding that the latter is the place now called Shramore (the great Shrath), which, in fact, adjoins, on the south, Cut na hraher, or, the ancient Aenach.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 130

55. Religious remains on islands of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara

    near Lough Arrow · lake or lakes · Sligo

    Religious communities established houses on the islands of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara, where remains of their establishments may still be seen. This followed a long tradition of island habitation by chiefs and religious orders in County Sligo.

    Read the passage

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

    * In his Four Masters, O'Donovan writes in a note under the year 1478, •' By far the greater part of the dwellings of the Irish chieftains were, at this period, constructed of wood, and placed on islands in lakes.*'

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 252

56. Sligo Castle's strength and four-century prominence

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1245–1310

    The castle of Sligo, erected by Maurice Fitzgerald, was a solid and imposing fortress with towers and battlements as recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters. It withstood multiple sieges and was restored by the Red Earl in 1310, who was known for the magnitude of his undertakings.

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    ence for an idea of the features and qualities of a building which had so prominent a place in connexion with the leading events of the province for close on four hundred years. We learn from the Annals of the Four Masters that it had towers and battlements, but we are left in the dark as to the size of the structure, the area it covered, and its other characteristics. That, however, it was a solid and imposing building, we may infer, with great probability, from the circumstances of those who had to do with its erection, and with its restoration. As Maurice Fitzgerald, the original founder, had abundant resources, both as a private man and as Lord Deputy, and knew besides the great importance of the situation, he would be sure to erect a fortress worthy of himself and of the place ; while — to pass over other restorers — the Red Earl, who restored or re-erected the building in 1310, was second to no Englishman that ever set foot in Ireland for the magnitude and magnificence of his undertakings and works, as may be seen even to-day in the noble remains of two of his castles, one at Inishowen in Donegal, and the other at Ballymote in our own county.

    The difficulty, always found in taking the castle by force, supplies another proof of its great strength. The place must have been exceptionally strong which withstood successfully several sieges, and which bafEed, for a good part of two years, all the efforts of Hugh Oge O'Donnell, and was captured in the end by that able, accomplished, and powerful chief, only by means of great cannon sent to him from France for the special purpose of attacking it; there being no ordnance in Ireland capable of breaching it or battering it down.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 156

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Sligo, you are near the site of a castle that stood prominent in this province for close on four hundred years. The Annals of the Four Masters record that it had towers and battlements, though they leave us in the dark as to its size, the area it covered, or its other characteristics. Maurice Fitzgerald was the original founder. He had abundant resources, both as a private man and as Lord Deputy, and he knew the great importance of the situation, so he would be sure to erect a fortress worthy of himself and of the place. The Red Earl restored or re-erected the building in 1310. He was second to no Englishman that ever set foot in Ireland for the magnitude and magnificence of his undertakings and works, as may be seen even to-day in the noble remains of two of his castles, one at Inishowen in Donegal, and the other at Ballymote in our own county. The difficulty always found in taking the castle by force supplies another proof of its great strength. The place must have been exceptionally strong which withstood successfully several sieges, and which baffled, for a good part of two years, all the efforts of Hugh Oge O'Donnell. It was captured in the end by that able, accomplished, and powerful chief, only by means of great cannon sent to him from France for the special purpose of attacking it. There being no ordnance in Ireland capable of breaching it or battering it down.

57. Sligo Convent built by Maurice Fitzgerald

    Sligo · town · Sligo

    The convent in Sligo was originally built by Maurice Fitzgerald and later rebuilt by Prior McDonogh after being burned down. It had local benefactors and a distinctive style of structure.

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    Abbey, or. Convent, Sligo, I. 241-297. Built by Maurice Fitzgerald, 77. Rebuilt by Prior McDonogh after being burned down, 242. Local benefactors, 244. Style of structure, 245. Beauty of Cloister, 248. Dedicated to the Holy Cross, 252. Tombs and monuments, 253-257. Distinguished persons buried in, 258. Alumni of the Convent who became Provincials, 260-268. The Convent during the Shaftesbury or Popish Plot, 269. Priors of the Convent, 275-287. Controversy between Seculars and Regulars as to funeral offerings, 288. Needs restoration, 289. Advantages sure to result from restoration, 291. Interments in the New Cemetery, 293.

    Achonry, Parish of ; its scenery and area, II. 92. A diocese before being a parish, 93. Bishops of the diocese, 94. List of Achonry bishops, 96- 113. Personal qualities of Achonry bishops, 113, 114. Vicars Apostolic, 114-117. Extent of Achonry parish, 117. Divided into the ecclesiastical parishes or districts of Mulnabreena, Cloonacool, and Curry, 118. Owners of Achonry town-

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 333

    As the companion tells it

    Sligo town holds the remains of a convent built by Maurice Fitzgerald and dedicated to the Holy Cross. After it was burned down, Prior McDonogh rebuilt it, with support from local benefactors. The cloister was noted for its beauty, and the convent held tombs and monuments where distinguished persons were buried. Its alumni went on to become Provincials, and it saw controversy between Seculars and Regulars over funeral offerings. The record notes the building needs restoration.

58. Surrender of Ballymote Castle, 1652

    Ballymote · town · Sligo · 1652

    Ballymote Castle survived the 1641 insurrection without direct attack, but at the close of the war in 1652, Major-General Lucas Taaffe surrendered it on articles to Sir Charles Coote, Lord President of Connaught. The articles stipulated that the garrison, arms, and stores be handed over, while Taaffe and his family were granted safe conduct and temporary residence.

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    " That the Garrison of Balimote with all the armes and stores of ammunition and provisions be surrendered by seven of the clock to-morrow morning to the Lord President or such as he may appoynt (except hereafter excepted).

    *' That Major-General Taaffe, the officers, and soldiers, and

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 87

59. Templar origin of Templehouse Castle disputed

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo · 1307–1648

    The author argues that Templehouse Castle was built partly by Walter Burke and partly by the O'Haras, and that the Templar origin theory rests on the unreliable testimony of Milar Magrath. Pope Nicolas' Taxation of 1307 lists the rectory of Kellecath (Kil) as belonging to the Templars, but mentions no temporal castle or landed possession at Templehouse.

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    The preceding account of Templehouse was already written when Pope Nicolas' Taxation of 1307 came under the writer's notice. Had the document come earlier to hand, some of the foregoing remarks would have been omitted, or modified in terms, but now that they are written, they are left as they were penned ; the chief contention contained in them, namely, that Templehouse Castle is not a vjorh of the Templars, being untouched.

    No doubt, we find on the Taxation Roll the entry, " Kellecath, whose rectors are Templars ; " and it is certain that Kellecath stands for what is now called "Kil," the old word, in losing the suiBx, cath, faring, like many other Irish compound words, which have dropped, through time, part of the compound.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 40

60. Templehouse Castle and demesne described

    near Templehouse · population centre · Sligo

    Templehouse demesne is traversed by a river and possesses a beautiful lake about two miles long and one broad. The mansion was built largely by the late Mr. Perceval's father with two stately fronts and polished limestone masonry. Venerable ruins of the old castle stand in marked contrast to the bright surrounding scenes, and the grounds feature rare exotics including cedars of Lebanon and Wellingtonia.

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    as cliarming a sheet of water, for the size of it, as it reposes tranquilly within its green sloping banks, as one could meet with in any part of the country. The mansion, which was built for the most part by the late Mr. PercevaFs father, is, with its two stately fronts, its imposing size, and its masonry of chiselled and polished limestone, a splendid house ; while the terraces and pleasure grounds, which surround it, are appendages that surpass everything of the kind in the county. The venerable ruins of the old castle, standing out in such marked contrast to the bright, gay scenes around, form a striking, and, to thinking minds, a suggestive feature in the landscape.

    As at Annaghmore, and, no doubt, from the same cause, proximity to the water, the trees are very flourishing. Two ashes near the old castle, cannot fail to arrest attention by their exceptional size, their strength of boughs and branches, and their richness of foliage. While strolling through the extensive, well kept grounds, the connoisseur will admire many rare exotics, including some fine specimens of the cedar of Libanus, and of the Wellingtonia of California, but will still feel bound to award the palm of beauty to an indigenous tree, the longlived yew, four specimens of which stand on a small quadrangle of the garden lawn, one at each angle, and all four so stately, so graceful, so exquisitely proportioned, that they throw everything about them into the shade.

    Internet Archive historyofsligoto00oror, Chapter 36