Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society

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. Massacre at Coole Castle, 1642

   Coolowen · townland · Cork · 1642

   Coole Castle's garrison of forty-six of Lord Barrymore's troopers was massacred in 1642 after surrendering to Richard Condon on promise of quarter. Only one trooper escaped, bearing thirty-six wounds. The castle is now utterly demolished.

   Read the passage

   on promise of quarter and safe convoy to Castle Lyons, but every one of them was either murdered, wounded, or kept prisoners. Of the garrison of Coole Castle, consisting of forty-six of Lord Barrymore's troopers, all were murdered, but one who escaped ; he had thirty-six wounds, and was left for dead on the field.(7) Another account is that Coole Castle, now utterly demolished, surrendered to Richard Condon on promise of quarter in 1642, and that Cloghleigh Castle was taken by the following stratagem from Lord Barrymore's troopers. A half-witted broguemaker of Kilworth was selling his wares, when he and his kish of brogues were seized by a trooper in the village and carried to Cloghleigh Castle. Under the brogues were a couple of jars of usquebaugh, a most powerful intoxicating spirit distilled from rye. The troopers laughed heartily at the poor broguemaker, and drank plentifully of the contents of the jars. When all was quiet, the broguemaker raised the trap door of the subterranean passage and admitted the Condons, who left not a single trooper alive.

   (7) Borlace.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 281

2. South Gate Gaol and heads on iron spikes

   near South Gate · street · Dublin

   The more modern South Gate served as the County Gaol, an imposing limestone building with iron spikes on its cornice for impaling criminals' heads. The head of O'Sullivan Beare ornamented the centre spike, and the spikes were never empty during hanging days.

   Read the passage

   This is South Gate Bridge, and here in the old times stood the well-guarded South Gate. It is shown in the Pacata llibcrnia as a square tower, but the artists of the Pacata were unreliable, for they made the tower of the Red Abbey a round one, when all the world can see it is square; but it was a strong gate, with drawbridge and portcullis, through both of which Captain Muschamp somehow passed unchallenged on the night he swaggered from Elizabeth Fort over there, and brought about the conspiracy which shut the Catholic citizens outside the walls homeless and ruined. The city wall curved round from what is now the Parade, through what is now Lane's Brewery, to the South Gate, but I believe all traces of it have been removed. The more modern South Gate was the County Gaol of last century, but it stood on the same site. It was an imposing building of limestone, with lourteen strongly barred windows above the river, and a cut stone cornice, on the top of which were five iron spikes, on the points of which the heads of criminals could be impaled by leaning over the parapet wall, and the head of O'Sullivan Beare formed the ghastly ornament of the centre spike, as it bleached in the wind ; for it seemed that no head would be removed except to make room for a fresh one, and in those " hanging days' the spikes were never empty. The half arch of the old bridge at thenorthern side butts up against all that is left of South Gate Gaol. It had a very handsome gate of cut stone for passengers and traffic, and sentry boxes guarded it well from the bridge itself and from the South Main Street. The gaol door was in that street, and was the spot at which all unfortunate persons sentenced " to be flogged " from North Gate to South Gate, had to be released. Now comes the long curve of Beamish and Crawford's Brewery, within which, at various spots, there are handsome bits of sculptured stone, and others which bear dates and inscriptions. The brewery itself forms the exact curve of the walled and egg-shaped City of Cork, nearly as far as Clarke's Bridge. The new (white) pari of the brewery a little further west, it may be interesting to state, was up to fifty years ago a salt and lime works, owned by the father of our talented and lamented fellowcitizen, Jerome Collins, the "weather prophet," whose sad deatli from exposure on an Exploration all have read of. It matters little to him now, for they brought his rem tins home, an 1 he is resting peacefully, with the mother that gave him birth, under lhat Celtic cross at Curricuppane.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 107

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere about South Gate, the old city gate once stood here, a strong gate with a drawbridge and portcullis. The city wall curved round from what is now the Parade, through what is now Lane's Brewery, to this gate. Captain Muschamp somehow passed through both drawbridge and portcullis unchallenged on the night he swaggered from Elizabeth Fort, and brought about the conspiracy that shut the Catholic citizens outside the walls, homeless and ruined. The more modern South Gate stood on the same site and served as the County Gaol of last century. It was an imposing limestone building with fourteen strongly barred windows above the river. On top of a cut stone cornice were five iron spikes. The heads of criminals could be impaled on them by leaning over the parapet wall. The head of O'Sullivan Beare formed the "ghastly ornament" of the centre spike, as it bleached in the wind. No head would be removed except to make room for a fresh one, and in the hanging days the spikes were never empty. The gaol had a handsome cut stone gate for passengers and traffic, and sentry boxes guarded it from the bridge and from South Main Street. The gaol door was in that street, and it was the spot at which all unfortunate persons sentenced to be flogged from North Gate to South Gate had to be released.

3. Cloghleigh Castle taken by stratagem

   Cloghleagh · townland · Clare · 1642

   Cloghleigh Castle was captured from Lord Barrymore's troopers through a ruse involving a half-witted broguemaker from Kilworth, who carried jars of usquebaugh hidden beneath his brogues. When the troopers drank and fell silent, the broguemaker opened a subterranean passage to admit the Condons, who killed every trooper.

   Read the passage

   on promise of quarter and safe convoy to Castle Lyons, but every one of them was either murdered, wounded, or kept prisoners. Of the garrison of Coole Castle, consisting of forty-six of Lord Barrymore's troopers, all were murdered, but one who escaped ; he had thirty-six wounds, and was left for dead on the field.(7) Another account is that Coole Castle, now utterly demolished, surrendered to Richard Condon on promise of quarter in 1642, and that Cloghleigh Castle was taken by the following stratagem from Lord Barrymore's troopers. A half-witted broguemaker of Kilworth was selling his wares, when he and his kish of brogues were seized by a trooper in the village and carried to Cloghleigh Castle. Under the brogues were a couple of jars of usquebaugh, a most powerful intoxicating spirit distilled from rye. The troopers laughed heartily at the poor broguemaker, and drank plentifully of the contents of the jars. When all was quiet, the broguemaker raised the trap door of the subterranean passage and admitted the Condons, who left not a single trooper alive.

   (7) Borlace.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 281

4. Execution of Bishop Roth and Connatius at Kilmallock

   Kilmallock · town · Limerick

   The viceroy transferred the two martyrs from Limerick to Kilmallock and sentenced them to death. They were hanged on a scaffold erected on a hill near the town gates, the bishop pierced by a bullet while hanging. Their bodies were reportedly left untouched by beasts while the other corpse was torn by wild dogs.

   Read the passage

   Franciscan Order, and of irreproachable manners. Roth having cmbarked in a ship weighed anchor for Ireland. When they arrived there they landed on the open shore, whence going towards Askeaton, which was a town of Earl Desmond's, they were captured by the Queen's emissaries and soldiers, Earl Gerald FitzGerald and his brother John and other kinsmen being absent. They were sent in chains to Limerick city, where they were shut up for fifteen days in a dark and fetid prison. When Drury, an Englishman and Viceroy of Ireland, thought them sufficiently tried by this punishment and likely to give in, they answered him that on the contrary that place appeared to them sweeter and more enjoyable than the most delightful garden replete with many scented flowers and cheered by the glowing sun and pleasant puff of air cooling the heat of autumnal midday. The furious viceroy determined to punish them more severely, and ordered them to be brought before him. Then casting a flaming eye and truculent countenance upon the bishop, " Why is it," said he, "you mad and wicked man that you spurn the commands of the Queen and contemn her authority, and make a mockery of her laws ? Be converted, if you be wise ; be converted to the Queen and to her creed. In this way what crimes you have committed heretofore shall be forgiven on the simple condition that abandoning the Pope's faction and guidance you attest by an oath that the Queen is head and prince of the church in her own dominions. So not only may you have the bishopric of Mayo, but richer rewards from the Queen, such is her royal munificence." The bishop answering nothing to all this, gently smiled. Whereupon the viceroy asked, "What are you laughing at?" "Give me," said he, " this leave I pray, my lord. How could I restrain a smile when you bid me be converted who have never turned from the true religion of God. Wherefore if I should follow the Queen's schism from it, that would not be a conversion but a perversion, since it is always called a conversion to the true religion from the false, but a perversion from the true to the false." " We will pass from these jokes," said Drury; "but I know very well the design of the Tope and king of Spain to make war on the Queen, especially in this kingdom of Ireland, is well known to you, and that you arc in their councils, which you cannot conceal." The bishop made no rejoinder to this, and when he was plied with questions, whilst his hands and feet were broken with a mallet, and splinters driven between the nails and flesh of his hands, he betrayed nothing. His companion Connatius intrepidly followed in the footsteps of his hoi)- superior. The viceroy transferred both from Limerick to the town of Kilmallock, and there sentenced them to death. When the)- were brought to the scaffold, which was erected on a hill not far from the gates of the town, the bishop addressed the crowd with wonderful cheerfulness and rare

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 299

5. Ballybrood fairs, faction fights and castellated police barrack

   Ballybrood · townland · Limerick · 1624

   Ballybrood was chartered for four fairs in 1624, but only one survived. The fairs were notorious for faction fights between the Caravats and Shanavests and later the 'Three and Four Year Olds,' necessitating a castellated police barrack, now used as a public house.

   Read the passage

   village, on May 16th, August 20th, October 17th, and December 5th. The people say that these fairs came to an untimely end owing to a dispute between the collector of the tolls, a man named Edmund Brummagen, and a pig buyer about fourpence. For some reason or other the pig buyer refused to pay this sum, and was followed to Bohirmore, two miles from the village, by Brummagen, who succeeded in extracting the amount, but the pig buyer succeeded in getting his friends to boycot the fairs, and they have long been given up to the great loss of the locality. Mr. Charles Wilson, on his return from the Crimea, tried to revive them but without success. The fairs in this century were held in the Green in the centre of the village, but in the last they were held on a hill, still called Knockenagh, " hill of the fair," a short distance south-east of Caherconlish House. The charters for fairs in Caherconlish and Ballybrood were granted in 1624. The charter of Ballybrood also names four fairs, but only one is now held, that on June 12th. The Ballybrood fairs were notorious for faction fights between the Caravats and Shanavests, and afterwards between the "Three and Four Year Olds." A castellated police barrack had to be built there, which is now used as a public house. Many of those aenachs or cattle fairs of Ireland owe their origin to the gatherings at the Pagan cemeteries. Terrible heathen ceremonies were practised at them in Pagan times, which in Christian times were superseded by Christian rites.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 225

6. Cosby's hanging tree at Stradbally

   Stradbally · town · Laois

   Francis Cosby lived mostly at Stradbally, where a tall tree before his doors became an instrument of arbitrary execution. He hanged men, women, and children for no crime, even suspending infants by their mothers' hair, and reputedly spoke to the tree when it lacked victims.

   Read the passage

   When disturbances were allayed tyranny used ever increase. Francis Cosby, governor of Leix, and his son Alexander raved savagely against the entire Catholic body. He summoned the men of his province to Fort Maisus (Mollach Maius(2)) for a convention to discuss matters of administration. He suddenly surrounded the assembly with armed bands, and of the family of O'Moore killed on the spot one hundred and eighty unarmed and unsuspecting men. He lived mostly at Stradbally, where before his doors grew a tree of great height and abounding in spreading branches. he was accustomed to hang not only men but also women and children for no crime. When women were hanging from the tree by a halter, he took an incredible pleasure in at the same time hanging by the mother's long hair their infant children. It is said that when the tree was without the corpses of Catholics hanging from it, he was wont to say — " You seem to me, my tree, shrouded with great sadness, and no wonder, for

   (?) The Rath of Mullagh Mast (Maisum Castrum). This massacre took place a.d. i 577 — Four Masters, page 1694. On the plantation of Leix the natives were ordered to transplant to Kerry by a certain date, and the sheriff was to hang all who refused.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 269

7. Donough McCarthy killed by exploding gun-barrel at forge

   Kanturk · town · Cork

   A local smith, too poor to afford iron, attempted to shoe the horse of the ferocious chieftain Donough McCarthy using an old rusty gun-barrel. The heated barrel discharged a forgotten charge, killing McCarthy instantly and fulfilling a prediction by McAuliffe, thus ridding the country of a tyrant.

   Read the passage

   to shoe the horse afresh. The man pleaded that he had no iron, being exceedingly poor, but McCarthy, falling into one of his diabolical rages, swore that if there was no iron the smith should make the shoe out of his own tongs. Much grieved at the prospect of losing such a necessary implement, the smith suddenly recollected that he had in his possession an old rusty gun-barrel, and going into the forge he put it upon the fire, which he blew into a white heat, while McCarthy remained at the open cloor watching the work. Higher and fiercer grew the fire, when a

   K.w 1 urk ( !asi 1 1

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 153

8. The 'Yellow Horse' equestrian statue in Cork

   Kift's Lane · street · Cork · 1862

   An equestrian statue in Cork, cast in bad lead by Dutch artist Van Oss in Kift's Lane, was presented by the Cork Corporation to the ratepayers. Someone dreamt of goblins toppling it into the river on 3 March 1862, and the statue indeed disappeared from the city.

   Read the passage

   test it with a knife, or he would have found it was very bad lead and not bronze, and was modelled and cast by a Dutch artist, Van Oss, in Kift's Lane, which we are passing; and if you take any interest in the matter you will find all details of expense, etc., in the Council Book of the Cork Corporation, for it was that wise body made a present (at their own expense) of the "yalla horse," as it got to be called, to the ratepayers. Some one had a dreadful dream about it on the 3rd of March, 1862, when the statue was in the railed space near the City Club. Some goblins seemed to come and fix a hawser round horse and rider, then take the hawser in a boat to the quay at the other side of the river, after which there came a long pull and a strong pull, and a heavy splash in the river. Dream or otherwise, that equestrian statue no longer formed an ornament to Cork City.

   At the back of most of the houses from Tuckey Street to Post Office Lane may be found pieces of the city wall, either partly connected with the houses or standing alone. We must pass through Post Office Lane to get to the South Gate, but before we do so I wish to remind you that from this very spot a blacksmith shot the Duke of Grafton, when the gallant young noble was leading his troops across the Rape Marsh to the siege of Cork, but do not imagine it was this Post Office Lane, it was from the city wall by a tower, for of course the lane is but a land mark. At the end of that lane, over the way, is the place, still called Grafton's Alley in memory of the gallant young duke.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 107

   As the companion tells it

   Along this street in Cork, a Dutch artist called Van Oss modelled and cast an equestrian statue. If anyone had tested it with a knife, they would have found it was very bad lead, not bronze. The Cork Corporation made a present of it, at their own expense, to the ratepayers, and all the details of the cost are in the Council Book of the Cork Corporation. It came to be called the yalla horse. On the 3rd of March 1862, when the statue stood in the railed space near the City Club, someone had a dreadful dream about it. In the dream, goblins came and fixed a hawser round the horse and rider, then took the hawser in a boat to the quay at the other side of the river. Then came a long pull and a strong pull, and a heavy splash in the river. Dream or otherwise, that equestrian statue no longer formed an ornament to Cork City.

9. Tradition of Garrot Condon defending Castle Curbeigh

   Castlecooke · townland · Cork · 1642

   A local tradition holds that Garrot Condon, ill with typhus fever at Curbeigh during the 1642 attack, leapt from bed, seized his duck-gun, and shot a gunner laying a cannon against the castle through a port hole. The surviving Condons escaped via an underground passage to the River Araglen.

   Read the passage

   On the 2nd March, 1642, all Condon's country was burned by the Lord President's forces, about 1,500 foot and 300 horse, and the Castle of Curbeigh (now Castle Cooke) was taken. From thence they marched into the county of Waterford, and burned the country from Lismore to Dungarvan. The Lord President was accompanied by Sir Charles Vavasor, Sir Hardress Waller, Sir Edward Denny, Sir John Brown, and Sir William Courtney .(5) There is a tradition that Garrot Condon, brother to Patrick Condon, of Cloghleigh, was ill with typhus fever at Curbeigh, and on his enquiring the cause of the uproar he jumped out of bed, and, seizing his long duck-gun, placed himself at a port hole and took aim at a gunner that was laying a piece of cannon playing on the top of the castle crowded with Condons, and so true was Garrot's aim that his bullet struck the gunner in the forehead. It was the only shot fired in the defence of the castle. All the Condons not killed escaped by an underground passage, still inside the castle, to the river Araglen flowing below, the banks of which were thickly covered with underwood.

   On the 10th May, 1642, the Lords Barrymorc and Dungarvan with their troops went in pursuit of the Condons, a party of whom sheltered themselves in the Castle of Ballymacpatrick (now Careysville), upon which they sent for two pieces of ordnance to Castle Lyons, which took six hours. A party of the Condons from the north of Blackwater forded over close under the castle in order to relieve it, but they were driven back by some English musketeers, and retreated to a hill on the other side of the river. The English plied the spike holes of the castle with their pieces, so that the cannon was drawn down within musket -hot of the castle ; from whence the battery was continued till six in the evening,

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 280

10. Bishop Roth and companion captured near Askeaton

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick

    Bishop Roth and a Franciscan companion landed on the Irish coast and headed toward Askeaton, a town of Earl Desmond's, where they were captured by the Queen's emissaries. Earl Gerald FitzGerald and his kinsmen were absent at the time.

    Read the passage

    Franciscan Order, and of irreproachable manners. Roth having cmbarked in a ship weighed anchor for Ireland. When they arrived there they landed on the open shore, whence going towards Askeaton, which was a town of Earl Desmond's, they were captured by the Queen's emissaries and soldiers, Earl Gerald FitzGerald and his brother John and other kinsmen being absent. They were sent in chains to Limerick city, where they were shut up for fifteen days in a dark and fetid prison. When Drury, an Englishman and Viceroy of Ireland, thought them sufficiently tried by this punishment and likely to give in, they answered him that on the contrary that place appeared to them sweeter and more enjoyable than the most delightful garden replete with many scented flowers and cheered by the glowing sun and pleasant puff of air cooling the heat of autumnal midday. The furious viceroy determined to punish them more severely, and ordered them to be brought before him. Then casting a flaming eye and truculent countenance upon the bishop, " Why is it," said he, "you mad and wicked man that you spurn the commands of the Queen and contemn her authority, and make a mockery of her laws ? Be converted, if you be wise ; be converted to the Queen and to her creed. In this way what crimes you have committed heretofore shall be forgiven on the simple condition that abandoning the Pope's faction and guidance you attest by an oath that the Queen is head and prince of the church in her own dominions. So not only may you have the bishopric of Mayo, but richer rewards from the Queen, such is her royal munificence." The bishop answering nothing to all this, gently smiled. Whereupon the viceroy asked, "What are you laughing at?" "Give me," said he, " this leave I pray, my lord. How could I restrain a smile when you bid me be converted who have never turned from the true religion of God. Wherefore if I should follow the Queen's schism from it, that would not be a conversion but a perversion, since it is always called a conversion to the true religion from the false, but a perversion from the true to the false." " We will pass from these jokes," said Drury; "but I know very well the design of the Tope and king of Spain to make war on the Queen, especially in this kingdom of Ireland, is well known to you, and that you arc in their councils, which you cannot conceal." The bishop made no rejoinder to this, and when he was plied with questions, whilst his hands and feet were broken with a mallet, and splinters driven between the nails and flesh of his hands, he betrayed nothing. His companion Connatius intrepidly followed in the footsteps of his hoi)- superior. The viceroy transferred both from Limerick to the town of Kilmallock, and there sentenced them to death. When the)- were brought to the scaffold, which was erected on a hill not far from the gates of the town, the bishop addressed the crowd with wonderful cheerfulness and rare

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 299

11. Earl of Kildare's plot to capture Dublin Castle

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    Gerald FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare, conspired with James Eustace, Viscount Kilcullen, and Fiach O'Byrne to seize Dublin Castle in response to anti-Catholic persecution. The conspiracy was betrayed when a jealous wife intercepted a letter and had it read by a heretic kinsman, leading to the arrest of thirty-six gentlemen of Leinster and Meath.

    Read the passage

    About this time Leinster was convulsed with no inconsiderable disturbances, the origin of which may be gathered from what we now relate. The Leinstermen ill-brooked that the celebration of the holy mass and sacraments of the church should be forbidden to them ; that priests should be either proscribed or cast into prison or slain; that churches should be defiled with heretical ceremonies; and at last wearied with long continued persecution, and fearing greater would come upon them, some nobles took counsel how to meet these evils. Gerald Fitz- Gerald, Earl of Kildare, whom we have shown was restored by Queen Mary, planned to capture Dublin Castle. James Eustace, Viscount Kuillchulinn (Kilcullen), and Fiach O'Byrne, son of Aegydius {Hugh), a gentleman of birth, both .engaged to form a conspiracy amongst the nobility. When correspondence on this subject had passed backwards and forwards between the gentlemen, the wife of one gentleman, a woman full of jealousy, fearing lest perhaps letters were coming from another woman to her husband, seized one of the letters when he was asleep and gave it to a heretic kinsman to read. He, clearly understanding the matter, disclosed it to the viceroy. By order of the viceroy thirty-six gentlemen of Leinster and Meath were suddenly and unexpectedly seized and suffered the extreme penalty of the law.

    The Earl of Kildare, who could have taken up arms, took the matter easily, submitted himself to the judgment of the English, by whom he was thrown into chains, and after a short time he died in prison. The viscount and Fiach with some associates endeavoured to save their lives and liberty with their swords. They fought a memorable battle at Maluria Wood {Glenmalure), where they defeated Gray, an Englishman, the viceroy of Ireland. They killed eight hundred soldiers, and amongst

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 302

12. Martyrs imprisoned in fetid Limerick prison

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Bishop Roth and Connatius were sent in chains to Limerick city and shut up for fifteen days in a dark, fetid prison. Viceroy Drury attempted to make them renounce the Pope and accept the Queen as head of the church, but the bishop refused and was tortured.

    Read the passage

    Franciscan Order, and of irreproachable manners. Roth having cmbarked in a ship weighed anchor for Ireland. When they arrived there they landed on the open shore, whence going towards Askeaton, which was a town of Earl Desmond's, they were captured by the Queen's emissaries and soldiers, Earl Gerald FitzGerald and his brother John and other kinsmen being absent. They were sent in chains to Limerick city, where they were shut up for fifteen days in a dark and fetid prison. When Drury, an Englishman and Viceroy of Ireland, thought them sufficiently tried by this punishment and likely to give in, they answered him that on the contrary that place appeared to them sweeter and more enjoyable than the most delightful garden replete with many scented flowers and cheered by the glowing sun and pleasant puff of air cooling the heat of autumnal midday. The furious viceroy determined to punish them more severely, and ordered them to be brought before him. Then casting a flaming eye and truculent countenance upon the bishop, " Why is it," said he, "you mad and wicked man that you spurn the commands of the Queen and contemn her authority, and make a mockery of her laws ? Be converted, if you be wise ; be converted to the Queen and to her creed. In this way what crimes you have committed heretofore shall be forgiven on the simple condition that abandoning the Pope's faction and guidance you attest by an oath that the Queen is head and prince of the church in her own dominions. So not only may you have the bishopric of Mayo, but richer rewards from the Queen, such is her royal munificence." The bishop answering nothing to all this, gently smiled. Whereupon the viceroy asked, "What are you laughing at?" "Give me," said he, " this leave I pray, my lord. How could I restrain a smile when you bid me be converted who have never turned from the true religion of God. Wherefore if I should follow the Queen's schism from it, that would not be a conversion but a perversion, since it is always called a conversion to the true religion from the false, but a perversion from the true to the false." " We will pass from these jokes," said Drury; "but I know very well the design of the Tope and king of Spain to make war on the Queen, especially in this kingdom of Ireland, is well known to you, and that you arc in their councils, which you cannot conceal." The bishop made no rejoinder to this, and when he was plied with questions, whilst his hands and feet were broken with a mallet, and splinters driven between the nails and flesh of his hands, he betrayed nothing. His companion Connatius intrepidly followed in the footsteps of his hoi)- superior. The viceroy transferred both from Limerick to the town of Kilmallock, and there sentenced them to death. When the)- were brought to the scaffold, which was erected on a hill not far from the gates of the town, the bishop addressed the crowd with wonderful cheerfulness and rare

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 299

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Limerick, this is the city where Bishop Roth and his companion Connatius were brought in chains. They had landed on the open shore of Ireland and gone toward Askeaton, a town of Earl Desmond's, where the Queen's emissaries and soldiers captured them. Earl Gerald FitzGerald and his brother John and other kinsmen were away. They were shut up for 15 days in a dark and fetid prison. Viceroy Drury, an Englishman, thought them sufficiently tried and likely to give in. They answered that the prison appeared sweeter than the most delightful garden replete with scented flowers, cheered by the glowing sun and a pleasant air cooling autumnal midday heat. The furious viceroy ordered them brought before him. He told the bishop to abandon the Pope's faction and guidance and attest by oath that the Queen is head and prince of the church in her dominions. He promised the bishopric of Mayo and richer rewards from the Queen. The bishop answered nothing and gently smiled. Drury asked what he was laughing at. The bishop said he could not restrain a smile when told to be converted who had never turned from the true religion of God. He called following the Queen's schism a perversion, not a conversion. Drury accused him of knowing the Pope and king of Spain's design to make war on the Queen in Ireland. The bishop made no rejoinder. His hands and feet were broken with a mallet, and splinters driven between the nails and flesh of his hands. He betrayed nothing. Connatius intrepidly followed his superior. The viceroy transferred both from Limerick to Kilmallock and sentenced them to death. When brought to a scaffold on a hill not far from the town gates, the bishop addressed the crowd with wonderful cheerfulness.

13. Massive bog movement near Charleville, 1697

    Charleville · town · Cork · 1697

    A phenomenal earth movement occurred near Charleville, where a bog three miles long began to move, carrying acres of meadow and pasture land, sinking hills and raising valleys. The event drew spectators from many miles around and was testified to by an eyewitness named Mr. N. Harris.

    Read the passage

    "Strange and wotiderful news from Ireland, giving a Dreadful RELATION of a Prodigious Motion of the Earth Near Charleville in the county of Limerick, in Ireland, on the 7th day of June, 1697, carrying with it abundance of Acres of Land, and a Bog of three Miles in length, laying pafture land on that which was Meadow, finking Hills and raifing Valleys ; and by what means it began and ceafed its motion : with many other amazing things that happened on this marvelous occafion. Licenfed according to Order.

    Strange and amazing are God's Wonders in the Air, the Earth and the Deep, whereby his Pozver and Might is manifefted to Mankind, and Warnings given to repent of their sins, and avoid impending fudgments ; for great and terrible is his wrath, and, if his indignation be kindled, the Earth trembleth, the Mountains melt, and the Rocks are rent before his Fury. Nor are our Times free from Warnings and Timely Notice by wonderful Prodigies and Portents, That the righteous Judge of all the Earth is offended with us for our Sins ; and, amongft others, what we are about to relate, may appear of more than ordinary Concernment, as being a thing flupendious, or, as we may term it, Supernatural, or contrary to the courfe and workings of Nature.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 54

14. Viceroy Drury dies at Waterford after martyrs' deaths

    Waterford · city · Waterford

    Viceroy Drury fell into a horrible disease after ordering the execution of Bishop Roth and Connatius, rotting daily with an incurable corruption and unapproachable stench. He died at Waterford on the fourteenth day after the martyrs' deaths.

    Read the passage

    eloquence and sacred learning, confirming the people in the Catholic faith, warning them against the errors of the English ; and then he named a day of reckoning for the viceroy to render an account of his unjust sentence against him, an anointed bishop, and his priestly companion, and for his extensive cruelties against friars, bidding him in the name of the Lord to stand before the divine tribunal before the fifteenth day. Thereupon our martyrs were hanged with a halter fashioned from the holy girdles with which Franciscans bind their habit. The bishop was hung between his comrade Connatius and one who was accused of robbery, and whilst he hung was pierced in the forehead by a bullet from an English soldier. Thus the two martyrs rendered their souls to their Creator. There are witnesses to attest that those who were present and saw conspicuous and obvious signs were filled with an incredible consolation on account of this miracle : it is well-known that their bodies hanging from the gibbet were never touched by any beasts, or in the least molested, when the other corpse was torn by wild dogs and birds. The viceroy quickly fell into a horrible disease, and suffering great pain rotted daily from an incurable corruption, accompanied by an unapproachable stench, and on the fourteenth day from the martyrs' deaths he died at Waterford perpetually tormented by wicked devils. The bodies of the martyrs were in a short time buried by the Catholics.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 299

15. Derry as episcopal seat and the gunpowder catastrophe

    Derry · townland · Cork

    Derry is described as a famous episcopal seat overlooking Lough Foyle, dedicated to St. Columba, its name meaning 'the Grove of Columba's cell.' English heretics landed there, expelled priests and monks, stored gunpowder in a church, and the powder ignited, killing Randal and seven hundred English without a single Irish casualty.

    Read the passage

    English heretics having landed in this town they, against the wish and command of O'Donnell, expel the priests and monks, invade the holy churches, and in one church place for safe keeping, gunpowder, leaden bullets, bow-strings, slings, spears, and other arms. In other churches they performed the heretical rites of Luther, Calvin, and others of that class of impious men. They left nothing undefiled by their wickedness. St. Columba (it is supposed) did not long delay the punishment of this sin. The natives confidently assert that a wolf of huge size and with bristling hair coming boldly out of the nearest wood to the town, and entering the iron barriers, emitting from his mouth a great number of sparks such as fly from a red hot iron when it is struck, proceeded to the place in which the powder was stored, and spitting out sparks set fire to powder and church. I will not take upon myself to vouch for the truth of this story, upon fame and long-standing tradition let it rest. This, which is admitted by all, I may assert, viz., that the gunpowder suddenly took fire, the English who were in the church were burnt up, and those who were patrolling round the church struck with burning tiles fell dead ; those who fled to neighbouring houses or into the adjoining lake were killed by pursuing tiles, some of which were thrown five hundred paces from the town. And thus, without a single Irishman being wounded miserably perished Randal with seven hundred English, except a few

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 265

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Derry is a famous episcopal seat overlooking Lough Foyle, dedicated to St. Columba. Its name means the Grove of Columba's cell. English heretics landed against the wish and command of O'Donnell. They expelled priests and monks, invaded the holy churches, and in one church placed gunpowder, leaden bullets, bow-strings, slings, spears, and other arms. In other churches they performed the heretical rites of Luther, Calvin, and others of that class of impious men. They left nothing undefiled. St. Columba, it is supposed, did not long delay the punishment of this sin. The natives confidently assert that a wolf of huge size and bristling hair came boldly out of the nearest wood, and entering the iron barriers, emitting from his mouth sparks such as fly from red hot iron when struck, proceeded to where the powder was stored, and set fire to powder and church. The writer does not vouch for the truth of this story. Upon fame and long-standing tradition let it rest. This, which is admitted by all: the gunpowder suddenly took fire, the English who were in the church were burnt up, and those patrolling round the church struck with burning tiles fell dead. Those who fled to neighbouring houses or into the adjoining lake were killed by pursuing tiles, some thrown five hundred paces from the town. Without a single Irishman being wounded, Randal miserably perished with seven hundred English, except a few.

16. Battle of Moytura South near Cong

    Cong · town · Mayo

    The legendary battle of Moytura South, near Cong, saw the Firbolgs conquered by the Tuatha de Danann. Surviving Firbolgs are said to have embarked from the coast of Rossule near Sligo to the western islands.

    Read the passage

    The name of the Firbolgs is inseparably linked with these magnificent stone fortresses placed along our western sea board, variously called cathairs, duns, cashils, etc., and their position in the west seems to imply that the)' were erected by a race beaten in the east, and who built these gigantic despairing efforts, such as Dun /Enghuis in Aranmore, to protect themselves from the more powerful victorious tribes who had come to Ireland, most likely from Britain/ ;) In Ptolemy's map of Ireland it will be seen that the powerful tribe of Brigantes from north England possessed the district now included under Wicklow and Wexford, and it is most likely also that the river Barrow is named from the Brigantes, as Ptolemy calls it Birgos. The legendary account of the Firbolgs is very curious. To take the lowest date, for authorities differ, they are represented as landing in Ireland something over 1300 years B.C. They only possessed Ireland thirty-six years when they were conquered by the Tuatha de Danann, who came from Scandinavia. Those of the Firbolgs who escaped from the battle of Moytura South, near Cong, are represented as embarking from the coasts of Eohuillc, near Sligo, and sailing to the islands of Aran, Rachlin, Isla, Mann, Hebrides, etc. Twentyseven years afterwards was fought the battle of Moytura North, between the Tuatha de Danann and the Fomorians, in which was slain the great de Danann king, Nuada Airgid-lamh, or " of the silver hand," by Balor " of the stiff blows." The Four Masters give the date of this battle as A.M. 3330. Nothing, I think, shows more plainly the wide margin of years of which we may avail ourselves with respect to these legendary events than the fact that the writer of the article on Ireland in the Encyclopedia- Britannica, who, I think, was the late president of Queen's College, Cork, Dr. Sullivan, is inclined to identify the Fomorians with the Romans. Sir William Wilde, in LougJi Corrib, gives it as his opinion that it was after the battle of Moytura South those grand forts in Aran were erected by the Firbolgs ; and Dr. Todd also falls into the same error when he states that the Irish traditions derive the name of Magh Adhair, count}- Clare, from Adhar, son of Umor, a chieftain of the Firbolgs, who, he says, settled in the present counties of Clare and Galway before the

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 183

17. Burning of Condon's country and capture of Castle Curbeigh, 1642

    Castlecooke · townland · Cork · 1642

    On 2 March 1642, the Lord President's forces of about 1,500 foot and 300 horse burned all of Condon's country and took the Castle of Curbeigh, now known as Castle Cooke. From there they marched into County Waterford, burning the countryside from Lismore to Dungarvan.

    Read the passage

    On the 2nd March, 1642, all Condon's country was burned by the Lord President's forces, about 1,500 foot and 300 horse, and the Castle of Curbeigh (now Castle Cooke) was taken. From thence they marched into the county of Waterford, and burned the country from Lismore to Dungarvan. The Lord President was accompanied by Sir Charles Vavasor, Sir Hardress Waller, Sir Edward Denny, Sir John Brown, and Sir William Courtney .(5) There is a tradition that Garrot Condon, brother to Patrick Condon, of Cloghleigh, was ill with typhus fever at Curbeigh, and on his enquiring the cause of the uproar he jumped out of bed, and, seizing his long duck-gun, placed himself at a port hole and took aim at a gunner that was laying a piece of cannon playing on the top of the castle crowded with Condons, and so true was Garrot's aim that his bullet struck the gunner in the forehead. It was the only shot fired in the defence of the castle. All the Condons not killed escaped by an underground passage, still inside the castle, to the river Araglen flowing below, the banks of which were thickly covered with underwood.

    On the 10th May, 1642, the Lords Barrymorc and Dungarvan with their troops went in pursuit of the Condons, a party of whom sheltered themselves in the Castle of Ballymacpatrick (now Careysville), upon which they sent for two pieces of ordnance to Castle Lyons, which took six hours. A party of the Condons from the north of Blackwater forded over close under the castle in order to relieve it, but they were driven back by some English musketeers, and retreated to a hill on the other side of the river. The English plied the spike holes of the castle with their pieces, so that the cannon was drawn down within musket -hot of the castle ; from whence the battery was continued till six in the evening,

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 280

18. Death of Roderick O'Moore in Leix

    Laois · county · Laois

    After escaping the night assault on his house, Roderick O'Moore led four hundred Irish against an invasion force of five hundred under Fitzpatrick, prince of Ossory. He accidentally fell among the enemy with only two companions and was killed, after which his soldiers routed the enemy.

    Read the passage

    I usually lay for deer. Ridiculing the advice of this man the English block the two avenues, surround the door and fire into the house. Rotheric being aroused, struck with great presence of mind at Harrington and Cosby four or five times with his drawn sword. Rushing from his house he intrepidly struck down with his sword Harpolc, who was nearest to the door ; and although the latter was not wounded, being protected by a coat of mail, yet all were struck with fear, so that the former, brandishing his sword, escaped unhurt through the midst of his enemies, his kinsman following. His wife and the old man were slain by the heretics when they entered the house. Harrington severely wounded, especially in the left arm, but Cosby unhurt because he hid himself behind Harrington when Rotheric was striking, were set at liberty. Some days after, five hundred English and Irish mercenaries under command of MacGilliphadrig {Fitzpatrick), prince of Ossory, invaded Leix. Rotheric led four hundred Irish against them, but before he came in sight, leaving his own men to reconnoitre the strength and position of the enemy, he fell by chance into their midst with only two companions, with whom he perished under many wounds. On hearing this news, Rotheric's soldiers filled with rage rushed thirsting for vengeance against the enemy and routed them, and after many were slain the commander with difficulty escaped on horseback.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 268

19. FitzGerald Tyrant and the Widow's Curse at Ballinard

    Ballinard · townland · Limerick

    A FitzGerald lord at Ballinard, Herbertstown, County Limerick, allegedly kept a gallows atop Ballinard Hill on which he hanged numerous people, including a poor widow's son. The widow pronounced her curse on FitzGerald, his race, and his castle; the family died out and only castle foundations remain. A perpetual drop of rain on his tombstone, wearing a hollow in the stone, is called Braon Sinnsior and said to be the widow's tear.

    Read the passage

    The people say that FitzGerald was a tyrant, and had a gallows erected on the top of

    Ballinard Hill, on which he hung numbers of people. On a certain occasion one of his

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 193

20. Hanging of Ryan Stephen at Caherconlish Green, 1798

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick · 1798

    During the 1798 rebellion, Captain Massy of the Caherconlish yeomanry hanged Ryan Stephen, a local croppy informer, from a tree on the Green in Caherconlish. Stephen had been captured near Cappamore after Captain Massy determined to make an example of him.

    Read the passage

    (9) This story is not correct in some of its details, but I leave it stand as an example of how stories become changed in course of time. I am indebted to Mr. Charles Aherne for correct version, whose family have been in Caherconlish for a long time, and whose father witnessed the hanging of Ryan Stephen (not William Drew) in '98. Ryan Stephen was a croppy, and a native of Caherconlish, but having enlisted in Mr. Waller's yeomanry corps at Newport, gave him information of several of Captain Massy's men who were croppies. Captain Waller at once sent the list of names to Captain Massy, who immediately had the men arrested, and sent his nephew, Mr. Hugh Massy, to General Duff, in Limerick, to enquire whether information had been lodged against any of the Caherconlish yeomanry. General Duff replied "No," and was most complimentary in his remarks concerning the Caherconlish troops, their non-croppyite character, etc. On receiving this satisfactory answer, Captain Massy went to the prisoners. " You blackguards," said he, "your necks are saved this time, but before I release you I must get from you the names of some of Captain Waller's men who are croppies, not forgetting Ryan Stephen." The names being given were sent to Captain Waller, who gave the nod to the accused men to escape, but Captain Massy was determined to make an example of Ryan Stephen, and having captured him near Cappamore, he was hung in Caherconlish from a tree still growing in the Green, under whose spreading boughs the local parliament assembles. Captain Massy belonged to the Ballywire family. He had rented Caherconlish House from Major Wilson, and re-named it " Massy Park." He kept a pack of hounds here, and was a great favourite with the people, as always were and still are the Massys of Ballywire.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 208

21. Raleigh as mayor of Youghal and visitor to Inchiquin

    Youghal · town · Cork · 1589

    Sir Walter Raleigh, while serving as mayor of Youghal and planting cherry trees, tobacco, and potatoes in his garden, would ride over to Inchiquin Castle or meet the Old Countess on her weekly walks to Youghal. He entertained her with tales of voyages to America and may have presented her with potatoes and cherries, then novelties in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    The Earl of Leicester's account of the Old Countess appearing at Queen Elizabeth's court to beg for means of subsistence may be considered as a pure fiction in face of two leases drawn up by Sir Walter Raleigh, where he recognizes her prior claim by saying that " the rent was to be doubled, and a light horseman and equipments provided for Sir Walter's use, after the death of ye Ladie Cattelyn Ould Countess Dowager of Desmond, widdowe," which proves that she could not have been reduced to penury by the attainder of Earl Garrett. It would be a romance nearer to truth to picture the learned Sir Walter Raleigh, in the intervals of planting cherry trees, tobacco and potatoes in his garden, or attending to the municipal affairs of Youghal as its mayor, occasionally riding over to Inchiquin Castle, or perchance meeting the active old Countess on her weekly walks to Youghal, and conversing with her on tales of the past. We can imagine the gallant fair-haired knight of Elizabeth's court, with keen and sagacious mien, exercising all his powers of entertainment in order to acquire more information from the aged lady, whose long span of life he expressly notices, although he nowhere mentions the precise number of her years. No doubt he told her stories of his voyages to America, and may have presented her with potatoes and cherries, then a complete novelty in Ireland ; even, perhaps, going so far as to show her how soothing and pleasant a pastime was the smoking of tobacco. Garrulous, as the old usually are, the dowager on her side may have rather enjoyed Sir Walter's visits, and may have disclosed for his benefit many an old Geraldine legend and tale, and much antiquated gossip concerning the whole country side between Inchiquin and her birthplace, Dromana.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 96

22. William de Burgh buried at Athassel Abbey

    Relickmurry and Athassel · parish · Tipperary · 1204

    William de Burgh, who received the greater part of Connaught and lands in Limerick and Tipperary, died in 1204 and was buried in Athassel Abbey, which he founded. Clanwilliam and Clanricarde are descended from him.

    Read the passage

    (6) William de Burgh was son of Adelm, son of Robert, Earl of Cornwall, son of Harlowen de Burgo, by Harlotta, mother to William the Conqueror. William de Burgh married Isabella, natural daughter to Richard I. and widow of Llewellyn, prince of Wales. He was deputy of Ireland but was recalled in 11 79. He received the greater part of Connaught, lands also in Limerick and Tipperary. He died in 1204 and was buried in Athassel Abbey, founded by himself. Clanwilliam and Clanricarde are descended from him.

    (7) Dal Riada is another example ; properly it means the tribe of Cairbre Riada, but it was also the name of an ancient territory in Antrim inhabited by this tribe. O'Conor, quoted by O'Donovan in Bool' of Rights, observes that " Dal properly signifies posterity or descent by blood, and in an enlarged and figurative sense it signifies a district, that is, the division or part allotted to such posterity." Mr. Kilbride writes to me : " The word Dal is a very curious one, and one connected with some of the most ancient tribes of Ireland. Now, certainly, Dal is connected with the Cruithneans and not with the Milesians in any sense. Dal bears with it the old lineage of ancient Ireland. It is one of the appellations of tribes distinct, just as Clan, Tir Connacht, etc. These tribal names must for the present guide us. Look at and consider all the tribal appellations, and see what they teach us. We do not observe them in the least until they are on the point of vanishing or have vanished. Yet they are all landmarks of a peculiar kind."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 184

23. Death of Eamon a Cnuic near Cappamore

    Cappamore · town · Limerick

    Eamon a Cnuic is said to have met his death near Cappamore after being chased for two days and two nights. He entered a cabin belonging to a man named Dwyer broc (badger), who gave him milk but struck him on the head with a hatchet to claim the £300 reward for the outlaw's head.

    Read the passage

    The Slieve Phelim mountains were the haunt of Eamon a Cnuic, " Ned of the hill,'' a celebrated outlaw who lived a few half centuries since, and robbed the rich and gave to the poor. Many ballads have been composed in his honour, and the peasantry still tell many tales of his prowess. It is said that he met his death near Cappamore. Having been chased for two days and two nights, faint and weary, he entered a cabin belonging to a man named Ihvyer broc (badger) and asked for a drink of milk, which Dwyer gave him, but while he was in the act of drinking came behind him and struck him on the head with a hatchet, and so secured the ^300 which was offered lor the outlaw's head. Lewis says that Eamon a Cnuic was interred in the churchyard of Doon, but O'Donovan mentions that he was buried in the townland of Curraheen, in the parish of Toem, county Tipperary.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 255

24. Miler Magrath as pseudo-bishop of Cashel

    Cashel · town · Tipperary

    Miler deserted the Catholic religion, embraced the Queen's sect, and was made pseudo-bishop of Cashel. He married Anna Ni-Meara, who feared damnation for living with a friar, and she died consumed with grief; he then married a second wife.

    Read the passage

    Elizabeth or her council, and deserted with little unwillingness the Catholic religion, readily embracing the Queen's sect and bribes before he performed the least duty. Then made pseudo-bishop of Cashel, he right away in unholy union wedded Anna Ni-Meara.(,) She upon a Friday would not eat meat. " Why is it wife," said Miler, " that you will not eat meat with me ?" " It is," said she, " because I do not wish to commit sin with you." "Surely," said he, "you committed a far greater sin in coming to the bed of me a friar." The same woman asked by Miler why she wept : " Because," said she," Eugene who was with me to-day assured me by strong proof and many holy testimonies that I would be condemned to hell if I should die in this state of being your wife, and I am frightened and cannot help crying lest this be true." " Indeed," said Miler, "if you hope otherwise your hope will lead you much astray, and not for the possibility but for the reality should you fret." Xot long after Anna died consumed with grief. This Eugene who then, as at man)r other times, had endeavored to bring her back to a good life was O'Duithius (0 'Duffy), a Franciscan friar, some of whose rather incisive poems, written in Irish against Miler and other heretics, are extant. Well, the wicked Miler married a second wife, and now lives sinning, not in ignorance but wilfully. I Ie does not hunt priests nor endeavour to detach Catholics from the true religion. He is now nearly worn out with age.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 300

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up along the road is Cashel in Tipperary, a town bound to one of the strangest churchmen Ireland ever produced. Miler Magrath deserted the Catholic religion with little unwillingness, readily embracing the Queen's sect and her bribes before he performed the least duty. He was made pseudo-bishop of Cashel, and straight away entered an unholy union, marrying Anna Ni-Meara. She would not eat meat on a Friday. Miler asked her, "Why is it, wife, that you will not eat meat with me?" She said, "Because I do not wish to commit sin with you." He answered, "Surely you committed a far greater sin in coming to the bed of me a friar." Anna wept, and when Miler asked her why, she said that Eugene, who had been with her that day, had assured her by strong proof and many holy testimonies that she would be condemned to hell if she died in this state of being his wife. She was frightened and could not stop crying. Miler told her that if she hoped otherwise, her hope would lead her astray, and she should fret not for the possibility but for the reality. Not long after, Anna died, consumed with grief. This Eugene was O'Duithuis, O'Duffy, a Franciscan friar, who had endeavoured at many times to bring her back to a good life. Some of his incisive poems, written in Irish against Miler and other heretics, are still extant. The wicked Miler then married a second wife, and lived sinning not in ignorance but wilfully. He did not hunt priests nor try to detach Catholics from their religion. He was nearly worn out with age.

25. O'Donovan raids Leap, Castlehaven, Bantry and Rosscarbery

    Ross Carbery · town · Cork · 1641–1642

    Great O'Donovan, whose father was a notorious rebel, did much spoil about the Leap, Castlehaven, Bantry, and Rosscarbery. His father had burnt the town of Rosse in the last wars, and O'Donovan or his soldiers inhumanely killed the deaf and dumb daughter of the old Lord Bishop Lyons.

    Read the passage

    Great O'Donovane, as the Irish call him, whose father was a most notorious Rebel, doth much spoyle about the Leape, Castlehevane, Bantry,Rossecarbery and divers other places ; his father burnt the Towne of Rosse the last warrs, and he or his souldiers most inhumanely killed a daughter of the old Lord Bishop Lyons that was both deafc and dumb. Yet he came in uppon his p.tection and saved his lands. I believe this O'Donavane doth hope hee shall have the like ffavour and my neighbours the Cundons as the Arch-Rebel their grandfather had : but I doubt not but they are mightily mistaken ; for there will never any Englishman that is a Protestant dwell neare them, I am p.suaded let them p.fess what love and loyalty they will hereafter.

    O'Sulliavane-Beere, Teige O'Dounce, fflorence McCartee of the castle of Banduffe, Black O'Cullane and' other (Tree holders near I ioyne their forces together and have taken great store of pillage and robbed the English about the Bantrey, Kilcoe, Affadowne, Balledahab- Landore, Cloghnakilty and Inniskeane, Castletowne alias Poldonstowne, the Towne of Rosse and all those partes.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 178

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Ross Carbery now. In 1641 and 1642 this was one of the places where the Great O'Donovan, as the Irish called him, did much spoil. His father had been a most notorious rebel, and had burnt the town of Rosse in the last wars. O'Donovan or his soldiers most inhumanely killed a daughter of the old Lord Bishop Lyons, a woman who was both deaf and dumb. Yet he came in upon his protection and saved his lands. Others joined the spoil across the country. O'Sullivan Beare, Teige O'Dounce, Florence McCartee of the castle of Banduffe, and Black O'Cullane joined their forces together. They took great store of pillage and robbed the English about Bantry, Kilcoe, Affadowne, Balledahab-Landore, Cloghnakilty and Inniskeane, Castletowne alias Poldonstowne, the town of Rosse, and all those parts.

26. Siege of Ballymacpatrick (Careysville), 1642

    Careysville · townland · Cork · 1642

    On 10 May 1642, Lords Barrymore and Dungarvan pursued Condons who sheltered in Ballymacpatrick Castle, now Careysville. Cannon was brought from Castle Lyons, and Condons attempting to ford the Blackwater to relieve the castle were driven back by English musketeers. The castle was bombarded until six in the evening.

    Read the passage

    On the 10th May, 1642, the Lords Barrymorc and Dungarvan with their troops went in pursuit of the Condons, a party of whom sheltered themselves in the Castle of Ballymacpatrick (now Careysville), upon which they sent for two pieces of ordnance to Castle Lyons, which took six hours. A party of the Condons from the north of Blackwater forded over close under the castle in order to relieve it, but they were driven back by some English musketeers, and retreated to a hill on the other side of the river. The English plied the spike holes of the castle with their pieces, so that the cannon was drawn down within musket -hot of the castle ; from whence the battery was continued till six in the evening,

    (1) Morrison, vol. ii., p. 29 sup.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 280

27. Siege of Cloghleigh Castle, 1643

    Cloghleigh · townland · Tipperary · 1643

    Lord Inchiquin sent Sir Charles Vavasor with 1,600–1,700 men to take Cloghleigh Castle, which belonged to the Condon family. The castle was taken and the garrison put to the sword after quarter was given, prompting Lord Castlehaven to march to the rescue.

    Read the passage

    He says, " Lord Inchiquin sent Sir Charles Vavasor with sixteen or seventeen hundred men to take Cloghleigh, a castle then belonging to the Condons. I marched immediately towards him, and before night encamped within three miles of him, the mountain only between us. My brother-in-law, Richard Butler, brother to the Duke of Ormonde, was sent out the same night to discover the enemy. In the morning word was brought that the castle was taken, and the garrison after quarter given put to the sword and my brother-in-law engaged. I lost no time, but marched in all haste with my horse to his succour, which joined with his made up two hundred and forty or two hundred and fifty at most ; the foot marched also, but the old general came on so slowly that I had defeated the enemy before he came within two miles. The manner thus. Sir Charles Vavasor, though he had taken the castle, remained still in camp, till seeing me on the top of the mountain above him come to succour mine that were skirmishing, he drew to arms, but being among hedges and ditches, and the castle between us, I could not come at him till he marched towards Castle Lyons, where in a large plain he formed. But I going by the advantage of a great valley came into the plain unseen almost as soon as he, and having ordered three or four squadrons of boys on horseback to possess the ground from whence I came, I lost no time in the charge, and defeated his horse, who to save themselves broke in on the foot ; their cannons were useless, being passed the Blackwater. This with God's assistance, and a great shower of rain, gave me the victory with little or no loss. Sir Charles, that commanded with several officers, remained prisoners, their cannon and baggage taken, all their foot defeated, but their horse for the most part escaped." This happened on Sunday, 4th June, 1643, about 12 o'clock at noon.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 294

28. Washington thanks Cork merchant Reuben Harvey for aiding prisoners

    Cork · city · Cork · 1783–1784

    General Washington and the Continental Congress formally thanked Reuben Harvey, a merchant in Cork, for his exertions in relieving American prisoners held in Ireland during the Revolutionary War. Washington later sent him a gold ring with a miniature portrait of himself.

    Read the passage

    Resolved— "That his Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, be requested to transmit the thanks of Congress to Mr. Reuben Harvey, merchant in Cork, in the kingdom of Ireland, and express the just sense Congress entertain of the services he has rendered

    during the late war to American prisoners."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Cork, this is the city where Reuben Harvey, a merchant, aided American prisoners during the Revolutionary War. Congress resolved to transmit their thanks to him, expressing "the just sense Congress entertain of the services he has rendered." Washington later sent Harvey a gold ring with a miniature portrait of himself.

29. Bards put idea of kingship of Cork into Lord Muskerry's head

    near Muskerry · street · Cork · 1641–1642

    Lord Muskerry's revolt was attributed partly to bards or rimers who invented the notion that his ancestors had been kings of Cork, encouraging him to assert that regal title. His revenue was estimated at £7,000 per annum with £30,000 in ready money, much of it sent abroad to purchase arms.

    Read the passage

    yet in vain. It was put into his head— and without any other ground than such as the bards or rimers have invented— that his ancestors have been kings of Cork, and that now were the time for him to put on foot that regal title, to whom I doubt not but it will prove destructive. His revenue is commonly discoursed to have been £7,000 <6> per

    be7side°sPerann'annum' and to have of ready m°ney ^30,000, all which money in his was lately left him by the parsimony of an illiberal and Purse- narrow-minded father ; which is far different from the

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 15

30. Brittas Castle ruin and its traditions

    Brittas · townland · Limerick

    Brittas Castle, about three miles north-east of Caherconlish, is an imposing ruin with a circular keep still over forty feet high and extensive courtyard walls. Tradition speaks of five avenues leading to the castle and a large orchard on the west side; human bones were found in a nearby field, possibly relics of a battle. Visitors admired the castle's mortar, which old people claimed was mixed with human blood.

    Read the passage

    R ITT AS CASTLE is about three miles north-east of Caherconlish. It is built on a very sandy foundation close beside the river now called Muilchear, but anciently Muilchead. The castle is an imposing ruin. The keep is circular in shape and is still over forty feet high. Large portions of the courtyard walls, running from the tower to the north, and east to the river, are still left. From south to north these walls were forty paces in length and thirty-five paces from west to east. The tower is very much injured inside. The stones of the staircase have been taken away, and all other stones of an)- value. According to tradition there were five avenues leading to this castle, and there is also a tradition of a very large orchard having been on the west side of the castle. In a field also at the west side an immense quantity of human bones were found some years ago, probably relics of some great battle. The farmer on whose land the castle is told me that some Yankees who were inspecting this castle some time previous to the date of the Chicago Exhibition admired the mortar so much that the}- took some of it to exhibit at that exhibition. Much of the mortar of these old castles was mixed with charcoal which accounts for its strength. The old people say that the mortar was mixed with human blood. Brittas denotes " speckled land." The word comes from the Irish brit, which, according to O'Reilly, means " speckled, spotted, particoloured." In the year 1600 the castle was held by John Burke, brother to Theobald of Cahirconlish Castle, and to Richard, who was brother of Sir William Burke/1) the

    (0 Sir William Burke was created Lord Baron of Castleconnell in ijSowith an annuity of ,£100 for life. Two of his sons were slain in a skirmish with James FitzMaurice, fought near Harrington's Bridgi in which FitzMaurice also

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 254

31. Caherconlish ancient fort and Anglo-Norman town

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick

    Caherconlish was once a place of importance, with an earthen fortress later replaced by Anglo-Norman towers built by William de Burgh after the death of Donald O'Brien. An English walled town grew around the towers, but now only a decaying village remains.

    Read the passage

    But to return to Caherconlish, it was, as I have remarked, a place of some importance, and though there is not at present very much to stay any stray antiquary who may happen to come this way, and who would hold up his hands in wonder at my rushing to write a paper in the Journal on the antiquities of a place where so few visitors tread ; still a few moments conversation with the oldest inhabitant, who is now not far from his century, would undeceive him. The oldest inhabitant would probably inform him that Caherconlish was a very ancient city, next in the "ould" times to Kilmallock, in those days when Limerick was said to be near Kilmallock ; and also our antiquary would possibly be told that "Caherconlish was more renowned for fighting than for fish." In accordance with an old advice our friend looks around him, and seeing nothing but a decaying village, a roofless church (the pretty new church is outside the village) and a bare hill, doubtless considers that the oldest inhabitant may be renowned for something else beside fighting. Ah, my friend, be not so quick, that decaying village stands on ancient ground. There is very good reason for thinking, before St. Finbar built his little church beside the Marsh which men now call Cork, that bare hill was crowned by a city of the Gaeidhil, and long before, how long we cannot say, some warrior of our ancient race chose that hill on which to build his earthen fortress ; and when Donald O'Brien, the great king of Limerick slept — his long warfare with the Saxon o'er — William de Burgh came, and having dismantled the cathair, raised upon that hill his Anglo-Norman towers, and shortly after there grew up around these towers an English walled town. Now all is over, lios and cathair, and castle and walled town, and nought remains to tell the tale of ancient renown but a poor village, whose name/1' CaTJajp. Chjtnjljf, means the " circular stone fort built at the head of an earthen one."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 181

32. Caherconlish prisoner-rescue custom and Nellie Spillane, c.1820

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick · 1820

    A strange custom prevailed in Caherconlish of rescuing every prisoner passing through the village. The last rescue occurred about 1820 when villagers, led by a female warrior named Nellie Spillane, attacked the escort of a military deserter named Hopkins and freed him.

    Read the passage

    The strange custom prevailed in Caherconlish of rescuing every prisoner passing through the village, no matter what crime he was charged with. The last instance of a rescue occurred about the year 1820, in the case of a man named Hopkins, a military deserter, who was captured near the village, but when passing through it the escort were attacked by the villagers, headed by a female warrior named Nellie Spillane, and after a sharp conflict the soldiers were deprived of their prisoner and driven from the village. My informant told me that though no lives were lost the conflict was a desperate one, the people running along the tops of the houses and hurling every kind of missile at the military. A short time previously to this another prisoner was rescued, and being concealed in a rushy field near the village he could only appear by night, and was known as the "spirit of bawn bwee" (yellow land).

    I have been told that when the Highlanders were stationed in the village they were permitted by their officers to help the people in their farming operations, and it is said that they were very good workers, but not so handy in the use of the flail as the natives, that whereas the latter could change the collop or handle of the flail from hand to hand without stopping in the wielding of the flail, the former were unable to do so. According to tradition there were three mills in the village in the last century — malt, flour, and iron mills. None of these were worked in this century.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 224

33. City wall remnants from Tuckey Street to Post Office Lane

    Tuckey Street · street · Cork

    Pieces of the old city wall survive behind houses from Tuckey Street to Post Office Lane in Cork, either built into the houses or standing alone. Post Office Lane leads to the South Gate.

    Read the passage

    At the back of most of the houses from Tuckey Street to Post Office Lane may be found pieces of the city wall, either partly connected with the houses or standing alone. We must pass through Post Office Lane to get to the South Gate, but before we do so I wish to remind you that from this very spot a blacksmith shot the Duke of Grafton, when the gallant young noble was leading his troops across the Rape Marsh to the siege of Cork, but do not imagine it was this Post Office Lane, it was from the city wall by a tower, for of course the lane is but a land mark. At the end of that lane, over the way, is the place, still called Grafton's Alley in memory of the gallant young duke.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 107

    As the companion tells it

    Along here, behind the houses from Tuckey Street to Post Office Lane, pieces of the old city wall still survive, some built into the backs of the houses, some standing alone. Post Office Lane leads down to the South Gate. From this spot, a blacksmith shot the Duke of Grafton while the young noble was leading his troops across the Rape Marsh to the siege of Cork. He fired from the city wall by a tower, not from the lane itself, the lane being only a landmark. At the end of that lane, over the way, is the place still called Grafton's Alley, in memory of the gallant young duke.

34. Dirra's lake on Slieve Gullion and Finn's transformation

    Slieve Gullion · townland · Armagh

    The water goddess Dirra is said to have made a lake on top of Slieve Gullion, into which she caused Finn to go seeking a ring, then changed him into a grey, decrepit old man. Dirra and Vera (Bera) were originally pagan water goddesses, later degraded to 'Cailleach' or witch.

    Read the passage

    Some Old Names. — In the September number of the. Journal mention is made of Dirra and Vera or Bera. These having fallen from their high estate, the term " Cailleach " or "witch" is now applied to them. They were originally water goddesses in pagan Ireland, for the places named from them are generally near water, and the legends which the peasantry tell about them connect them with water. Vera is said to have been so tall that she could wade through all the rivers and lakes of Ireland, and Dirra is stated to have made a lake on the top of Slieve Gullion, into which she caused Finn to go and seek for a ring, and when he was in the water she changed him into a grey, decrepit old man. Near Dunmore East there is a hill and stone circle on the hill named from Dirra, Carrick-a-Dhirra. Bearhaven may possibly be named from Bera. Perhaps also Kinvarra, Galway Bay, Rind Bera Sirraim, " the headland of Bera of the water "; the sa in Shannon, Suir, Samar, and Sabarn, or Severn, an old name for Cork river Lee ; and I think also now that Rath Arda Suird, near Limerick, means "fort of river height." It is near the Shannon. The accounts we have of those Celto-Spanish alliances are to be regarded with the greatest suspicion. Spain was looked upon by our old Seanachaidhs as the summer land, and in accordance with this notion they touched up many of our time-worn myths. To these old Seanachaidhs may also be traced those long lines of fictitious names, some from the myths, which unfortunately have been in the main accepted as real by O'Donovan, Todd, O'Curry, and others, and which make every Irishman either a king or the seed, breed and generation of kings, and Irish history a mockery and a byword. Ignorant English writers have long ridiculed the claim of the Gael to a remote antiquity. But the time for ridicule is past, and scholars in Germany and France have at last woke up, and are searching eagerly for memorials of the remnant of that race who once owned nearly the whole of Europe. Winning says, "These reasons appear sufficient to induce us to believe that Erse and Welsh tribes had found an early entrance into Italy, though we cannot trace their course thither from our histories," and such an authority as Schleicher " believes in a Graeco- Italo-Keltisch period," and Donaldson, in The New Cratyhts, gives it as his opinion " that the first population of both Italy and Greece was Erse or Low Celtic." The present state of Irish mythology is a disgrace to Irish scholarship ; we have left Frenchmen and Germans do what we should have done ourselves, and which they not knowing our myths could not do. But a change is coming in our own sweet

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 306

35. Firbolg settlement at Dun Aengus, Aranmore

    Dun Aengus · street · Dublin · 1–100

    According to the account of MacLiag, secretary to Brian Boroimhe, the Firbolg chieftain Aengus settled at Dun Aengus in Aranmore after fleeing from Carbry Niafer. Archaeologists attribute such forts as Dun Aengus to the first century of the Christian era.

    Read the passage

    In Connaught they were kindly received, and settled westward along its pleasant coasts — Aengus, at Dun Aengus, in Aranmore ; Cime, at Lough Cime, now Lough Hackett, county Galwav ; Cutru, at Cut Lough, now Lough Cooter, at Gort, county Galwav ; Mil, at Murbech, in Aranmore, where his fortress may still be seen ; Beara, at Rinn Beara now Kinvarra, county Galway ; Irgas, at Ceann Boirne, now called Black Head, in county Clare, overhanging Galway Bay ; Cing, at Oigle, in county Mayo (Cruachan Oigle was the old name of Croagh Patrick) ; Concraid, at Inis Meadon, the mid island of the Aran group. One of the sons of Umor settled not far from Caherconlish. Asal, meaning " noble," having passed over the Shannon, settled at Drom-Asail, which is now known as Tory Hill, from cojfijt>e, a pursuer, an outlaw, but the old name still survives, for an old man named Punch, living beside Lough Gur, told me the Irish name of Tory Hill was Cnoc-droma-Asail, " the hill of the long ridge of Asal."

    Carbrv Niafear ("heroic man"), when he heard of the flight of his tenants, was deeply incensed, and called upon the four chieftains who guaranteed the good conduct of the Firbolgs to punish them. These four were — Ceat mac Magach, Ros mac Deadad, Conall Cearnach, and the mighty Cuchulain. With these fought four great chiefs of the Firbolgs, three brothers of Aenghus — Cing, Cimi Cethir-Cenn, Irgas, and his son Conall — who were all slain, and so was soothed the angry spirit of the " heroic man."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 184

36. Great Castle of Mallow as rebel vantage point

    Mallow · town · Cork

    From the top of the Great Castle at Moyalloe (Mallow), described as very conspicuous, watchers could see crowds of pillagers spread across five or six miles plundering the countryside during the Munster rebellion. Some adventured near the castle and were killed, but their numbers made resistance futile.

    Read the passage

    much of their movables and provisions behind them ; only some persons of good estate and esteem kept a stone house about the middle of the town, wherein they with their families were engaged, being taken on the sudden and having no time to remove themselves and their domestics thence. By this time is the General returned from his hunting out of the park, and all the army drawn together in one body on the hill. At their first coming to which, they, in a great bravado, made as though they would plant the small piece of artillery they brought with them, whose motto, or rather meaning, seemed to be " Resist and die ; " which produced but poor effect, it being well known the piece could hardly shoot so far at random as between the hill and the town, and that for the matter of battery it would do little more than an ordinary musket. About an hour before the appearing of the army, you might, from the top of the Great Castle (which is a place very conspicuous), have seen such a numberless crew of unarmed, pilfering rogues run up and down in every place for pillage, for five or six miles in breadth, so that from a louse to a lion there could nothing escape them ; some of whom adventured so near to the castle that they paid dearly for it, but they were so numerous it was to no more purpose to kill them than go about to kill the locusts sent among the Egyptians. A part of these (while the rest made exact inquisition abroad in the fields and farm houses* which stood alone and were forsaken) came into the town, partly to get pillage, and partly to receive information whether the town were so abandoned that the army might march into it with security; which being advertised of, about the falling of the evening, some of the foot companies began to advance towards the town, the General and most of his troops of horse staying on the hill, where they continued till all the The General ^oot was come m and till it was dark. And then the went to the General, with a convenient number of horse, took his near to ' Journey to the Lord Roche's house, being six miles distant,

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 13

37. Henry Sheares founds Cork debt-relief society, 1774

    Cork · city · Cork · 1774

    Henry Sheares, a banker in Cork and M.P. for Clonakilty, founded a society in 1774 in Cork for the relief and discharge of persons confined for small debts. He also promoted legislation requiring copies of indictments be furnished to prisoners and counsel assigned to them.

    Read the passage

    He married Jane Anne, daughter of Robert Bettesworth of Whiterock, and was father of John and Henry Sheares, who were executed for complicity in the Rebellion of 1798, and of a daughter Letitia, who became second wife of James Gubbins, of Kenmare Castle, county Limerick. He lived in terms of close intimacy with Lord Carleton, the judge who sentenced his sons to death. He founded in 1774 in Cork a society for the relief and discharge of persons confined for small debts, and promoted the Act 5 George III., under which a copy of the indictment was to be furnished to prisoners and counsel assigned them. He was a contributor to some of the literary magazines of the day.

    Sheridan, Charles Francis.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 162

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Cork, this city was where Henry Sheares founded a society in 1774 for the relief and discharge of persons confined for small debts. Sheares was a banker here and M.P. for Clonakilty. He married Jane Anne, daughter of Robert Bettesworth of Whiterock, and was father of John and Henry Sheares, who were executed for complicity in the Rebellion of 1798. His daughter Letitia became second wife of James Gubbins of Kenmare Castle, county Limerick. He lived in close intimacy with Lord Carleton, the judge who sentenced his sons to death. He also promoted the Act 5 George III, under which a copy of the indictment was to be furnished to prisoners and counsel assigned them. He was a contributor to some of the literary magazines of the day.

38. Hidden gold dream and Kennedy's find at Scart fort

    Scart · townland · Limerick · 1840–1850

    In the townland of Scart, between Cahirnarry hill and Ballyneety, a large stone near the fort of Scart was rumoured to conceal gold. A young man named Kennedy dreamt repeatedly of the gold, overcame the prophesied condition by placing hen eggs in a magpie's nest, blasted the rock, and reportedly found a gold chain before emigrating to America.

    Read the passage

    Rev. John Crips, who got grant from Cromwell. Not a vestige of this place is now left. King William is said to have slept here, and presented Mr. Crips with a ring, which remained in the family for a long time. The last owner was Mi-. Morgan Howard, a descendant in the female line, a solicitor in Limerick. He died a few years ago, but parted with the ring a couple of weeks before his death. I do not know who has it now, but it has passed from the Crips family. In the townland of Scart, " bushy place," lying between Cahirnarry hill and Ballyneety, there was formerly a large and remarkable stone near the fort of Scart. About fifty years ago a young man named Kennedy had a dream that there was a lot of gold concealed beneath this stone, and the dream was repeated several times, but he was also let know that he would not be permitted to take the gold until a magpie hatched chickens. This was a poser, for though magpies are really very fond of chickens they do not go the length of hatching them. Kennedy was in despair ; the sorrows of Tantalus were nothing to his. But Tantalus was not an Irishman and Kennedy was, and so the magpie soon hatched chickens, for Kennedy introduced hen eggs into the magpie's nest, which the bird obligingly hatched. He then got powder and blasted the rock, and in a grave beneath he acknowledged to having found a gold chain, but my informant, now a very old man, who saw the chain and gave me a particular description of it, was of opinion that Kennedy, who went to America shortly afterwards, found more than the chain. Excluding the dens ex machina, that is, the magpie, there is nothing incredible in this story. Some old chief with his valuables may have been buried beneath the stone, and a tradition of the deposit simmering in Kennedy's brain may have produced the dream. Ornaments of gold have been frequently found in the graves of Irish chiefs. There is a curious and well-authenticated instance on record of a Bishop of Derry hearing an Irish harper's song descriptive of some golden ornaments buried in the grave of a chief causing search to be made which resulted in the discovery of two discs of gold. A quarter of a mile north of Cahirnarry hill there is a fine well, Tober Senan, "St. Senan's well," in the townland of Cooleyhenan, "St. Senan's corner." This well, the people say, was formerly on the top of Cahirnarry hill, but soldiers' wives having washed clothes in it, the well " removed " to its present position, either on account of the profanation, or because it shared its patron's dislike to the society of ladies. It will be remembered that one of the rules which St. Senan, who founded a monastic establishment in Inis Cathaigh (Scattery Island in the Shannon) about 540, framed for his monks was that no female was to be permitted to land on the island, and that he chased away inexorably the fair Cannera who came after himself.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 207

39. Kanturk Castle forced-labour and blood-mortar tradition

    Kanturk · town · Cork · 1558–1603

    A tradition holds that Donough McCarthy compelled passing wayfarers to labour at Kanturk Castle until they died of exhaustion and hunger, then mixed their blood into the mortar. McCarthy also intended the castle to be roofed with glass, with works on the Brogueen bank.

    Read the passage

    About a mile from the town or village, a tiny tributary called the Brogucen joins the Dualloa, and at the distance of two fields from this rivulet stands Kanturk Castle, which was built (but never completed) in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This edifice, raised by an overbearing and savage chieftain, Donough McCarthy, was built in a quadrangle, three stories high (one hundred and twenty feet long by eighty in width), of common brown stone, with the windows, mouldings and coigns of dressed limestone. It went by the name of Carn'^-na-S/iaiii-sctor, or " the rock of the court of the seven masons named John," owing to a legend that seven masons employed there all happened to have the same name, Shane or John, and that they were also forced by Donough McCarthy to work without any wages. There was, besides, another tradition that this brutal chief stopped all wayfarers and compelled them to labour at his castle until they dropped down dead from fatigue and starvation. Not satisfied even then, McCarthy caused the blood of these poor victims to be mixed with the mortar used to cement the stones of the building.

    (')The Duallo, or Oom Duala, signifies the "double stream," while Alloa means the "echoing river." The land in the vicinity is excellent. — Smith's History of Cork, xo\. i.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 152

40. Lismore Castle stratagem frightens rebels into flight

    Lismore · town · Waterford · 1642

    The Lord of Lismore ordered all ordnance and firearms in the castle fired at once, creating a thunderous noise that terrified the rebel forces quartered in the town. The rebels fled in panic toward the Blackwater, leaving behind cattle, sheep, horses, scaling ladders, and wagons.

    Read the passage

    [11] My Lord, Sir, being both young and active, thought of a way to fight this dommaneering yet cowarde and fearfull army. The way was this : Hee caused all the Ordnance, Murderers, Harquebusses, MuskeUs, Carbines, and pistolls, that were in the Castle to be shott off at once, and with the same sent them word by a man home [</j> whom] my Lord did most confide in, that the English army was come to the Towne, for we heard they had intercepted the Earle of Corke's letters, which his Lordship sent of the landing at Yoghall of Colonell Lanester. This sudden noyse and thundering shott, did strike such terror into the heartes of those guilty and wicket p.sons, that they presently furdled up Flieht and their coulors and runne away to the Blackwater to take slaughter of boate at Affane, where they came over for the most parte of them. Many runne a contrary way, I believe they never saw their coulors again but this day ; we pursued them with fifty horse or thereabout and killed many of them, and many wee tooke prisoners who had very bad musketts and pikes, the Captayne of the last company that took boate, one Prendergrace escaped us very narrowly hee left his stately mantle behind him and was fayne to trust to his nimble heeles, that commonly proved their best defence. I heartily wish wee had a considerable number of men there for their sakes. Wee took from them two hundred and fifty head of cattle most of them were oxen and cowes of the English breed wee took also six or seven hundred sheepe a great many horses and garrons, all which they had stolen in the country from Prices of Englishmen ; you might the next day have bought in

    cattle, horses, Lismore a good cowc for eighteenpence, a garron for fiveetc- pence, and a sheepe for threepence. YYe took likewise [12]

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 174

41. Lord Muskerry's 1641 rebellion letter to Earl of Barrymore

    Barrymore · barony · Cork · 1641–1642

    Lord Muskerry wrote to the Earl of Barrymore inviting him to join the Irish rebellion, explaining that the rising was motivated by threats to the Catholic religion, the King's prerogatives, and Irish liberties. He threatened destruction of Barrymore's life and estate if he refused to join, while offering to lay down arms if three conditions were met.

    Read the passage

    Lord Muskerrys Letter to the Earl of Barramore. "My deare Lord

    Uppon the first rising in armes of the Ulster men and after of Leinster and Connaght men, against the King and Commonwealth, as I then conceived, I do confesse, I did as much abhor and detest their insurrection, and wished as evill successe to that their desperate attempt as I took it as either English or Irish could wish, untill at length uppon better consideration having examined all the wayes I could for finding out the true grounds of that insurrection I found out the cause of their discontent and rising in armes was the apparent ruin and destruction threatened to Catholick Religion, King and countrie, which I do not altogether believe to be the grounds of their quarrell till I saw all Mounster either rise or ready to rise out, whereat I was so much amazed that I did most seriously expostulate with all or the most part of the Province of Mounster, then with the rest to dive into the true cause of their discontent : who all protested that they wished no harm to the King of England nor any English whatsoever : but that apprehending a general fear of prosecution, ruin and destruction to Religion, King, and Countrie they were fearfull and sensible thereof, that they held it more safe and honourable for them to expose their lives and fortunes, to all hazards for justification of these three, than to be of the happiest conditions without assurance of enjoying them ; which reasons so prevayled with me that I have ioyned with the rest of the Kingdom with a full resolution to hazard my life and estate or mayntayne the f 18] Catholick Roman Religion, his Majesties prerogatives and Royal 1 attributes to the Government and ancient prvaliges of the poore Kingdome of Irelande, established and allowed by the Common Lawe of England :

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 176

42. May Day pilgrimage to the City Well for cattle blessing

    Kilcummin · parish · Kerry

    Pilgrims from Mid-Limerick and North Cork travel via Rathmore station to the City Well at the Paps on May Eve or May Day, collecting holy water in jars. The water is administered to cattle in a ritual involving three drops in the right nostril, right ear, and mouth, believed to render cattle impervious to all disease.

    Read the passage

    Killarney town, and which is known as TjobA\i CAtA)\i cftaob r>e4fi5, i.e. "the well at the city of the red branch." Why it was thus called, (3) and to whom this holy well is dedicated, I could not ascertain. Here a large " patron " is held on each recurring May Day. Persons residing at a distance journey to " the City Well " on April 30 (May Eve) that they may have the water to give to their cattle on May Day, but for all within a comeatable distance the "patron" is held on May Day itself. Having taken the morning train to Rathmore on the Killarney line, the pilgrims to " the City Well " there alight and trudge some four or five miles in a southern direction to their destination, where, having performed their devotions, and taken some of the water from the holy well in bottles or a jar for home consumption, they commence the return journey.

    The manner of using the water from this holy well is peculiar. The operator, who is generally the person who performs the pilgrimage, first commences with the oldest cow in the bawn, after which he next takes the youngest — be it cow, or heifer, or even weanling calf; after which all the others are treated indiscriminately. Armed with a teaspoon, he first drops three drops of the water into this (oldest) cow's right nostril, then three similar drops into her right ear, after which three similar drops are dropped into her mouth ; the invocation in each instance being the usual one, " In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Cattle treated in this way are said to be impervious to all disease, even lung distemper of the most virulent type. The writer knows many persons in Mid-Limerick and North Cork who every year make a pilgrimage to " the City Well " and bring back, as recorded above, the water in jars for their cattle.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 187

43. Miss Moylan's Rock legend in Island Wood

    Newmarket · town · Cork

    In the Island Wood near Newmarket, a cave in a rock called 'Miss Moylan's Rock' is associated with a legend that Mac Auliff's daughter, forced into an unwanted marriage, fled and placed a hand on the rock, which opened and swallowed her forever. The handprint remained until a carpenter broke it off in a drunken freak and came to a bad end.

    Read the passage

    from the town, on the site of which Neptune Blood built a house early in the century. This may be the castle referred to in the Annals of Loch Ce. This castle is said to have belonged to the Mac Auliffs, but could their territory have extended so close to Kanturk ? The Mac Auliffs held three castles near Newmarket. One was in the present demesne of Colonel Aldworth, just close to the schoolhouse, on the top of a hill called the Mount. Many years ago some coins were found here. Another was about two miles west of the town, not far from the graveyard, and the site of the old parish church of Clonfert. The site of this castle is still called Castle Mac Auliff. About half a mile from this, at opposite side of river, there is a romantic cave in the Island Wood. The people call the rock in which this cave is " Miss Moylan's Rock ;" and they say " Miss Moylan " was a daughter of Mac Auliff, whom her father wished to marry some chief to whom she had a great objection, but Mac Auliff would stand no nonsense, and the wedding day was fixed. On the night before " Miss Moylan" flew from the castle across the river valley, and placing a hand on this rock, which immediately opened, she vanished for ever from human ken. The impress of her hand, or something like it, continued on the rock until about the beginning of this century, when a carpenter, belonging to Newmarket, in a drunken freak, broke it off. The people say his hand withered immediately, and that he came to a bad end. Not far from the rock there is a well, Tober Srulane, whoever drinks the water of which will infallibly have to return to Newmarket.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 192

44. Rebels defeated between Clonmel and Waterford (1641)

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1641

    On December 3rd, 1641, Sir William Saint Leger defeated rebels between Clonmel and Waterford, killing 200 and drowning many. Forty ringleaders were subsequently hanged in the city of Waterford.

    Read the passage

    The Rebles entering into the Province of Mounster committing great spoyle in their march Sir William Saint Leger, knight Lord President of the said province with 200 horse, Fryday 3rd of December kilt 200 of them between Clonemell and Waterford beside a great number that were drowned ; many prisoners were then taken whereof 40ty of the Ringleaders were hanged at the citty of Waterford the Munday following.

    Thursday the seventh of December. — My Lord President gave me notice the Rebles had robbed the Lord Arch Bishop of Cashell and driven away his Graces cattle and flock from his Pallace of Casnus (Camus). Made after them and found some of the said cattle in the Bawne of a gentleman not far from Cashell whereuppon his Lordship caused the Rebles houses to be fired and sent the gentleman to Clonemell Gayle, after which time wee were indifferent quiett until Baron Loghmore and Captain Grave's souldiers came into our company and stole the cattle and pillaged as they went, their stealthes and villanyes they committed were commonly in the night for the most part. Most of their Armes were halfe pikes and [2] sleanes ; not long after their coming in this thievish kind of way, but most of the Papists in our Barony of Cundans consorted themselves with them and robbed their next neighbours, and killed such as did withstand them without any regard of former intamatory of love, or tyes of favours don them and anncient acquaintance ; which made all the Protestantes in those partes to fly to castles for the safety of their p.sons and lives, or run away to some Post Towne or to the next strength adjoining and leave all they had with them.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 170

45. St. Leger of Doneraile intrigues against the White Knight

    Doneraile · townland · Cork · 1587–1589

    Sir Warham St. Leger, ancestor to the Doneraile family, repeatedly misrepresented the White Knight to the English government as a traitor despite the Knight's services to Elizabeth's officers, hoping to share in the spoils of confiscated Desmond lands in Munster.

    Read the passage

    Writing to the Privy Council the 1st of May following, the Lord Deputy reports that he had the White Knight in safe custody in the Castle, where he and his son-in-law remained until the beginning of the year 1589, when they were enlarged on very heavy recognizances. Notwithstanding the great services done by the White Knight, Edmond, to the officers of Elizabeth in Minister, some of them, regardless of these services, of which they even took credit, kept on representing him to the Government as the vilest of traitors. Among the most active of these was the astute St. Leger, ancestor to the Doneraile family, who doubtless wished to share in the distribution of the rich spoils that would fall into the hands of the Crown by the destruction of the White Knight and his friends, to be parcelled out to the Minister officials, whose hunger for the lands of Desmond and his confederates was insatiable. Nothing would satisfy them apparently but the extirpation of the entire landed proprietors of the southern province, and the division of its broad acres among themselves.

    The White Knight and his son-in-law, Donagh MacCarthy, could scarcely have been out of the prison of Dublin Castle when the hypocritical St. Leger was again intriguing for their further detention, or re-arrest and imprisonment, for he was not aware of their enlargement, again suggesting that they should be sent for safe keeping to England, lest they should break prison in Dublin. This time he writes to the Queen herself, who must have smiled at the rogue's statement that in recommending the measure proposed he was actuated by no malicious feeling or improper motive, for she probably knew St. Leger well.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 279

46. United Irishmen attack mail coach at Red Gap

    Kilcullen · town · Kildare

    The author's mail coach from Cork to Dublin was attacked at Red Gap, about three miles from the camp of Kilcullen, by United Irishmen rebels commanded by Colonel McMahon. The rebels plundered the mail, burned the coach, and took the passengers prisoner, forcing them to ride along with them.

    Read the passage

    Cork to Dublin, I took my scat in the mail coach, and on my way thither was attacked, as were also the other passengers, at a place called Red Gap, about three miles from the camp of Kilcullen and twenty-four from Dublin, by a detachment of those same United Irishmen or rebels, commanded by Colonel McMahon, who had been an attorney, and who proved to be a very humane little fellow ; from a striking resemblance I assimilated him to Mr. Robinson, Mr. Simon Hardy's nephew. The captains were Messrs. Neale and Walsh ; the former had been a doctor, a man possessed of rather a prepossessing address, great understanding and penetration ; the latter had been maltster to a brewer at Kilcullen, but having robbed the house of his master of considerable property, he, by way of eluding the vigilance of justice, joined the French when they landed at Killala, who came expressly to join any evil-disposed Irishmen with a view to the total subversion of the laws and constitution. There was also a Captain Duffy, who had worked at the saddling trade, and earned two guineas and a half per week until the spirit of sedition inspired him with the idea of joining those rebels, which intention he effected in the mountains of Wicklow about the same time with Walsh. However, to proceed. When we got within thirty yards of the Red Gap, where the rebels then were, and where I already mentioned the attack took place, I was awoke from as comfortable a nap as I could expect in a mail coach, by the most dreadful shoutings I ever heard, and at the same time cries of" Stop the coach !" " Shoot them !" " Kill them !" I rubbed my eyes and looked around thinking I had awoke from an unpleasant dream, but was very soon undeceived, for on looking out of the coach window I perceived a congregation of rebels mounted and formed into a close body at the front of a road leading to the mountains, like so many devils fixing themselves in attitude-- of attack, and apparcntly ready to fire at the coach. The common men (meaning the soldiers were like a group of country fellows at a fair dressed in various coloured clothes ; they wore white and green silk cockades in their hats, with cards in front on which was printed in very legible character^ the w "Death or liberty." Kvcrything which they could procure green was worn around their arms as ornaments ; the party were armed with muskets, blunderbusses, pistols, pikes, haversacks full of powder. As I was a yeoman, the pass I had got from my captain immediately occurred to me, which I drew fr<>m my pocket and tore into as many small pieces as time would allow, and threw them into the bottom of the coach. We were then dragged out and given in charge to cither two or four rebels, who told us if we attempted to put our hands in our pockets they would shoot us without the smallest hesitation, This perplexed me not a little, as I had a very loyal letter in mine, and in which the rebels were greatly

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 249

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Kilcullen, you are near the ground where United Irishmen rebels attacked a mail coach on its way from Cork to Dublin. The ambush took place at Red Gap, about three miles from the camp of Kilcullen. Colonel McMahon, a former attorney, commanded the rebels. His captains included Neale, once a doctor, and Walsh, who had been a maltster at Kilcullen before robbing his master and joining the French when they landed at Killala. A Captain Duffy, formerly a saddler earning two guineas and a half a week, had joined the rebels in the Wicklow mountains. The author was woken from a nap in the coach by dreadful shoutings and cries of "Stop the coach!" and "Shoot them!" and "Kill them!" He looked out and saw mounted rebels formed at the front of a road leading to the mountains. The men wore various coloured clothes, white and green silk cockades, and cards printed with the words "Death or liberty." They carried muskets, blunderbusses, pistols, pikes, and haversacks full of powder. The passengers were dragged out and handed to rebels who told them they would be shot if they put their hands in their pockets. The author, a yeoman, tore up the pass from his captain and threw the pieces into the bottom of the coach.

47. Wolf sparks gunpowder in Derry church

    Derry · townland · Cork

    Local tradition held that a huge bristling wolf emerged from the nearest wood, entered the town's iron barriers, and spat sparks from its mouth to ignite the gunpowder stored in the church. The author declines to vouch for the tale, attributing it to fame and long-standing tradition.

    Read the passage

    English heretics having landed in this town they, against the wish and command of O'Donnell, expel the priests and monks, invade the holy churches, and in one church place for safe keeping, gunpowder, leaden bullets, bow-strings, slings, spears, and other arms. In other churches they performed the heretical rites of Luther, Calvin, and others of that class of impious men. They left nothing undefiled by their wickedness. St. Columba (it is supposed) did not long delay the punishment of this sin. The natives confidently assert that a wolf of huge size and with bristling hair coming boldly out of the nearest wood to the town, and entering the iron barriers, emitting from his mouth a great number of sparks such as fly from a red hot iron when it is struck, proceeded to the place in which the powder was stored, and spitting out sparks set fire to powder and church. I will not take upon myself to vouch for the truth of this story, upon fame and long-standing tradition let it rest. This, which is admitted by all, I may assert, viz., that the gunpowder suddenly took fire, the English who were in the church were burnt up, and those who were patrolling round the church struck with burning tiles fell dead ; those who fled to neighbouring houses or into the adjoining lake were killed by pursuing tiles, some of which were thrown five hundred paces from the town. And thus, without a single Irishman being wounded miserably perished Randal with seven hundred English, except a few

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 265

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Derry, English heretics landed against the wish and command of O'Donnell. They expelled the priests and monks, invaded the holy churches, and in one church placed gunpowder, leaden bullets, bow-strings, slings, spears, and other arms. In other churches they performed the heretical rites of Luther, Calvin, and others. They left nothing undefiled. St. Columba, it is supposed, did not long delay punishment. The natives confidently assert that a wolf of huge size with bristling hair came boldly out of the nearest wood, entered the iron barriers, and emitting from his mouth a great number of sparks such as fly from red hot iron when struck, proceeded to the place where the powder was stored, and spitting out sparks set fire to powder and church. The author will not vouch for the truth of this story. He lets it rest on fame and long-standing tradition. What is admitted by all, he says, is that the gunpowder suddenly took fire. The English in the church were burnt up. Those patrolling round the church were struck with burning tiles and fell dead. Those who fled to neighbouring houses or into the adjoining lake were killed by pursuing tiles, some thrown 500 paces from the town. Without a single Irishman being wounded, Randal miserably perished with 700 English, except a few.

48. Assault and deception at Moyalloe stone house, 1642

    Mallow · town · Cork · 1642

    During the Munster rebellion, O'Callaghan's men assaulted a fortified stone house at Moyalloe defended by a few musketeers, women, and children. After killing Michael Hudson, they tricked the defenders—tenants of Cahir O'Callaghan—into surrendering with false promises, then robbed them of their goods and provisions.

    Read the passage

    sooner inclined to terms of rendering, which was often offered to them by the assailants, for it so fell out that all those which were now in the house were tenants to Cahir O'Callaghan on some lands near Moyalloe on which they had built and made great improvements. And, foreseeing that the times would be turbulent and dangerous, and that their good landlord would enter into articles of rebellion, they brought all their domestics and put them into that house, leaving behind them all their cattle to a great number and value, which were instantly swept away by the said Cahir's direction, whose sons had thus acquittance with and interest in the poor people, whereof they made use to persuade and cheat them out of the house, with promise that if they would deliver it to them, their lives, goods, and all that they had therein (saving their arms) should be preserved without diminishing or violation. By means whereof the defendants were seduced to admit them into the house, which being done, they put the poor people all into one theygot the" room, possessed themselves of all their goods and provisions, house. an(j set over them a company of ravenous, barbarous rogues

    who took from them all the most valuable goods they had, scarce allowing them necessaries out of their own. And there they stayed some two days, till the enemy departed the town, when they left them, having taken away the best of their goods.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 16

49. Gearoidh Iarla and Aine at Lough Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    The legends of Aine and Gearoidh Iarla are intertwined at Lough Gur. Gearoidh Iarla, said to be the son of the Earl of Desmond and the supernatural woman Aine, terrified the Earl's English wife by transforming himself into a flash of fire, making the Caislean dubh ('Black Castle') appear to be ablaze.

    Read the passage

    As I mentioned in a previous note, the legends of Aine are very much mixed up with those of Gearoidh Iarla at Lough Gur. Like several great heroes of antiquity Gearoidh Iarla had an immortal for mother. He was, according to a story I was recently told, the son of the Earl of Desmond and Aine, and terrified the Earl's English wife with the wonders he performed in her presence. One of these was to change himself into a flash of fire, so that the Caislean dubh, or "Black Castle," seemed to be all in a blaze. Aine is known in the district by the name of Aine Cliar. Tory Hill, or Cnoc-droma-Asail, owes its origin to Aine Cliar ; she intended presenting the hill to Donn Firinne, to place it on the top of Knockfierna, and was carrying it in her apron when its strings broke on her ! Aine used to come to Lough Gur in a coach and four. This was the Coffee bOTMfl, or "deaf coach," which is also known throughout the south and west of Ireland by the name of " headless coach," from the four horses having no heads, The term "bodhar" is applied to it from the booming, deafening noise it makes. It is supposed to come for people who are about to die, and it is speedy death to anyone who sees it. Sometimes it is empty, and sometimes it is occupied by a banshee. Many superstitious fancies are fast dying out, but, whatever be the reason, the peasantry strongly cling to the belief that the coiste bodhar still goes its dreary rounds. J. F. Lynch.

    Order of "The Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick."— Could any reader of the Journal give the dates of institution and dissolution of the above Order?

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 90

50. Legendary Battle at Ventry Harbour

    Ventry Harbour · harbour · Kerry

    The legend of Birdhill references a terrible battle or series of battles fought for a year and a day at Ventry Harbour. The conflict was between the forces of the world under Daire Donn and the standing army of Erinn commanded by Fionn MacCumhaill.

    Read the passage

    It happened that after the terrible battle, or series of battles which were waged for a year and a day at Ventry Harbour, between the forces of the world, under Daire Donn, "the brown," and the standing army of Erinn, commanded by Fionn McCumhaill, the son of the latter, Oisin, " little fawn," was enticed away to Tir na n-og, "land of the youth," where he spent nearly two hundred years in the enjoyment of the pleasures of that delightful country. At the end of that period he felt a longing desire to come back to Erinn, to revisit his old haunts, and see his old comrades, never imagining that during his stay in the "Land of the Youth" Fionn and his warriors had long since mouldered in the dust. Oisin's wife, the daughter of the king of the "Land of the Youth," was very reluctant to let him depart, but at last she consented, giving him a white steed, and ordering him to stay on this steed's back during his sojourn in Erinn, for if he once touched the soil of Erinn dire would be the consequence. Oisin promised faithfully to obey her and set out gladly, but great was his sorrow on his arrival in Erinn to find all his old comrades dead and gone, and the country so greatly changed. One day as he was riding slowly along, thinking sadly on the past glories of Erinn, a poor widow called to him to raise a heavy weight for her. He stooped down and lifted the weight, but in the exertion of so doing the golden girth on the white steed broke, and he immediately galloped off to Tir na n-og, leaving Oisin behind, who on touching the ground became at once an old man, poor, blind, and helpless. In this extremity Oisin betook him to St. Patrick, who was then in Erinn. St. Patrick received him gladly, admitted him to his table, and made a Christian of the old pagan. A veritable thorn in the flesh he, however, proved to be to the saint, for he was always grumbling about one thing or the other, but more especially about his food. His daily rations were a large meskin of butter, a griddle of bread, and a quarter of beef;" but being a giant he had an enormous appetite, and demanded far more than St. Patrick was able or willing to give him. One day, in the course of a long altercation with St. Patrick on the usual topic, Oisin said, in a burst of rage, that in his father Fionn's time an ivy-leaf was larger than St. Patrick's griddle of bread, a rowan berry than his meskin of butter, and a quarter of blackbird than his quarter of beef. St. Patrick gave him the lie ; but Oisin said he was no liar, that the Fians of Erinn always spoke the truth, and that if St. Patrick would give him a boy to guide him he would bring those three things to him, the ivy leaf, the rowan berry, and the quarter of blackbird, and so prove the truth of his words. St. Patrick having agreed, Oisin and the boy set off, accompanied by Oisin's dog, Bran's pup. Bran, the mother of this pup, was a truly

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 113

51. Rebels hang minister and Protestant at Moyalloe, 1642

    Mallow · town · Cork · 1642

    During the 1642 rebellion, rebels at Moyalloe hanged Maguire, an English minister, and Florence Quin, a native Protestant, both brought from Kilmallock. Their bodies were found thrown into a ditch.

    Read the passage

    T was given out that the rebels, during their being at Moyalloe, hanged one Maguire,an English minister,and another Florence Ouin,a native Protestant, which they brought with them from Kilmallock, in a glen near the town ; the truth of which was confirmed, as there were two such men afterwards found thrown into a ditch, with a little earth scraped on them, which had been hanged on a willow growing on a bank on the ditch. Moreover, to the intent that these vain men might build trophies to their glory, they made laws (the only badge of conquest), ecclesiastical and civil, as — the reduction of all abbeys and impropriations which had devolved to the Crown in the thirty-two years of Henry VIII., to their former use and jurisdiction ; the settling of all spiritual livings, not impropriate, on their priests and churchmen ; and that whosoever shall protect any Englishman's person or goods, and not discover them, shall incur the same prejudice as the Englishman himself is obnoxious to ; and, amongst others, the rule was that, where any Englishman had any lands of inheritance, he should be expelled from them ; and that he or his heir, of the Irish, from whom the land was originally deduced, should re-enter into possession thereof. And from this principle there grew at Moyalloe a hot discourse between the Lord Roche and McDonogh (like .Esop's two dogs about a bone), which of them should have and enjoy the town of Moyalloe ; whereunto the lord's pretence was that it was situated within his barony of Fermoy, whereof his viscountship takes his denomination, and therefore it ought to belong to him (but, by his lordship's favour, it was never of that barony). McDonogh's title was, that he being lord of the barony of Duhalla,(,) this being called Moyalloe, by the " ancient ethniologie and congruitie" of the two words, it must needs belong to him, though all

    (>) Duhallow, Duthaigh-ecUlo (Doohy-alla), "the district of the river Alio;" Mallow, Magk-ealla (Moyalla, Four Masters), the plain of the river Alio."— Joyce.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 43

52. Tradition of continuous woodland from Caherconlish to Limerick

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick

    Local people in Caherconlish preserve a tradition that the entire district from there to Limerick was once one great wood, so dense that a man could walk from Caherconlish to Limerick on the tree-tops. Placenames between the two points are said to confirm this tradition.

    Read the passage

    that instead of the harp shedding the soul of music through Tara's halls twelve or fifteen hundred years B.C., Tara did not exist prior to the third century of the Christian era. There can, however, be no doubt that Ireland was peopled long anterior to the Christian era. I have already in the Journal quoted the words of Tacitus, the Roman historian, to prove what a well known country Ireland was in the first century. " The ports of Erinn more frequented by merchants than those of Britain." I think, however, from the prevalence of the great woods, that the country was only sparsely populated for a long time. The people of Caherconlish have a tradition that at a time, not very long ago, the whole district from Caherconlish to Limerick was one big wood, and that a man could walk from here to Limerick on the tops of the trees ; the names of the hills, townlands, etc , between Caherconlish and Limerick, testify to the truth of the people's tradition, for if the trees grew in the places where the Irish names tell us they once were, Caherconlish would be once again in her one wood. The scattered bands of hunters who roamed through those thick woods had no central form of government (if they had any government at all) ; in those days might was right, and the wandering Irishman enjoyed home rule to his heart's content. Some writers consider the earliest inhabitants to be akin to the Esquimaux, or Basque race, and distinguish between them and their successors by the shape of the skull, the earlier race being called dolichocephalic, or " long-headed," and the later brachy-cephalic, or " roundheaded ;" and the theory is that the long-headed fellows having not so much brains as the round-headed were circumvented by them, and expelled the country, just as the round-heads of England in historical times overcame the cavaliers, though I forget whether these last are stated to have long heads or not. Huxley's authority, however, being against this fanciful theory ought to be sufficient to consign it to where it came from. In this district two races stand sharply out, the Firbolgs and another race, or congeries of races, who, for convenience sake, may be called Milesians. Another set of beings is also remembered, the Tuatha de Danann. There was some little time ago living in Caherconlish a land surveyor named MacXamara, a good Irish scholar, and known as "the Bright Star of Munster." He used to discourse quite eloquently on the wonderful skill and craft of the de Danann. Many stars, brighter than the " Bright Star of Munster," have solemnly discoursed on the greatness of this race. Good need had they to be skilful, for they were gods before they became men ; but they were no more Irishmen and Irishwomen than that Jupiter was a Roman, and Juno a Roman lady, and the earlier the notices of the Tuatha de Danann in the old Irish documents, the more clearly does this appear.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 182

53. Battle of Liscarroll, 1642

    Liscarroll · town · Cork · 1642

    The Battle of Liscarroll saw English forces under Lord Inchiquin defeat Irish rebels with 800 rebels killed and many commanders taken prisoner. Lord Kinalmeaky was killed and Captain Bridges dangerously wounded on the English side.

    Read the passage

    English side, and 6 or 8 horses. The Rebels lost 800 killed and an immense number wounded. Colonel Richard Butler, Captain Butler, Ensign Butler and Ensign Booth were taken prisoners with many others.

    [For further details of this action see original in Library T.C.D.~\

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 180

54. Devastated Munster described from Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · town · Limerick · 1587

    On 30 July 1587, Sir Edward Phynton wrote from Kilmallock to Burleigh describing a country generally wasted, filled with the poorest and leanest creatures for want of food, idle and descended from kerne, horseman or gallowglass, with churchmen collecting tithes but giving neither temporal nor spiritual sustenance.

    Read the passage

    "A general claim is laid to the lands appointed for the Undertakers. The country generally wasted, but yet not a pile in any place but full of the poorest creatures that ever I saw, so lean for want of food, as wonderful, and yet so idle, as they will not work, becauce they are descended either of kerne, horseman or gallowglass, all three the very subversion of the land. The Churchmen collect their tithes with most vigor, and neither give food temporal or spiritual; sermon not once in seven years. James Fitzmaurice's wife has sent a messenger to her son in Spain. The White Knight's son has sent word to his mother that they shall have liberty shortly. MacGibbon's son, whom they call the White Knight, is with Sir William Stanley." (State Paper Ireland, Eliz., vol. 120.)

    Letter from Sir Warham St. Leger to Lord Burleigh, 7th December, 1588, State Paper Ireland, Eliz. : —

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 278

55. Johnny Roche of Wallstown

    Wallstown · townland · Cork · 1800

    John 'Johnny' Roche, a carpenter and blacksmith, was born in Wallstown near Mallow in the early 19th century. After emigrating to America and separating from his wife, he returned to Wallstown to spend the remainder of his days exercising his inventive genius.

    Read the passage

    F the many rural celebrities alike amusing and eccentric, albeit harmless in their ways, to be so frequently met with throughout our county, there is none known to the writer to possess a story of such surpassing interest, origin ality, and variety as the hero of this chapter, who by way of introduction may here be described as a veritable "Jack of all trades." John Roche, familiarly known in his own locality as "Johnny Roche," was born early in the present century at Wallstown, near Mallow, and during his boyhood was engaged in the ordinary duties connected with the management of his parental acres, when he gave evidence of the natural taste for the working of various handicrafts that afterwards evinced itself so conspicuously. Although he received (if any) but a very rudimentary education, and never served an apprenticeship to any particular trade, he seemed at an early age to have been principally engaged in the joint business of carpenter and blacksmith at his father's home. There he continued with much assiduity to turn out all manner of useful work until the commencement of the 'forties, when, allured by the charms of a neighbouring farmer's daughter, he quitted his workshop, entered the holy bonds of wedlock, and eventually sailed with his wife for America, where the pair lived together for a brief period and then separated, to meet no more during the course of their long lives. Johnny was much affected by the unexpected developments of his married life ; he travelled through many parts of the great Western Continent, and in his wanderings acquired much experience and knowledge of the ways and works of man. Unsettled and romantic — Bohemian if you will — as was his natural disposition, he returned again after an interval of three years to his old home, and there

    " . . . Amongst the cooly shade Of the green alders by the Mulla's shore " —

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 101

56. John Townsend carried first news of French fleet in Bantry Bay

    near Bantry Bay · bay · Cork · 1764–1849

    John Townsend, last Recorder of Clonakilty and a Royal Navy commander, carried the first dispatches to England about the French fleet's arrival in Bantry Bay. No other vessel ventured to leave Cork Harbour in the teeth of the gale when he volunteered for the mission.

    Read the passage

    As the last entries in the Clonakilty Council book are only signed by the Deputy Recorder, it may be noted that the last Recorder was John Townsend, Commander R.N. Before his failure of eyesight made him retire he saw much service. He received a pension from the Admirality, and a letter of thanks for carrying the first news to England of the arrival of the French fleet in Bantry Bay. Xo other vessel ventured to leave Cork Harbour in the teeth of the gale when John Townsend volunteered to carry the despatches, and few dared to hope that his little ship would weather the storm. He was also present at the taking of the Yillc de Ban's and in many naval actions. He was born 1764, and died 1849.

    (To be concluded.)

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 160

57. Lough Gur: the Earl of Desmond and the Dwarf

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    Residents near Lough Gur recount stories of the Earl of Desmond appearing at intervals, and of a feared figure called the Dwarf with a long red beard who guards the lake. The Dwarf allegedly threatened two men for taking too many fish, and locals dislike speaking of him.

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    Some Stray Notes. — The writer of the paper " Folk-Lore of the Months," in the December number of the Journal, derives Knawhill, a townland in the parish of Knocktemple, barony of Duhallow, from Cr)4ttJ fujl. This, I think, must be a mistake, for O'Donovan, in his supplement to O'Reillys Dictionary, gives Cl}4''JC0lll as the Irish form of this name. It means the wood of bones. There was another and better known Ct)4U)C0]U, in the parish of Kilshane, barony of Clanwilliam, about a mile and a half east of the town of Tipperary, now corrupted to Cleighile. It lay near the old road leading from Cashel to Cork. This is evident from the following passage in the Annals of the Four Masters : — " 1600. O'Neill marched from Cashel, westward across the river Suir, and set out for Kinsale, by the route of Cnamh-Choill and Sliabh na Muice, keeping to the east side of Sliabh Claire, and passing through Bearna Dhearg, into Clangibbon and Roche's Country." Dr. Todd, in the Wars of G.G., translates CT)4ri)C0)U, " hazle or nutwood." I think, however, he must have confused Crjdlij, "a bone," with Ctjort), "a nut." Lough Gur has a rival for the possession of the impatient serpent. Miss Banim, in Here and There Through Ireland, has the following account of him : — "There was only one sarpint left in the entire universal island, an' that one St. Patrick chained deep down in a lake on the top of the Galtee mountains, that you may have heard tell of away in Tipperary. St. Patrick told him he would never leave that until he himself would come of a Monday to set him free. Every Monday morning the sarpint comes to the surface of the lake and calls out, ' Is it time yet, Patrick ?' Patrick answers, ' It's not the Monday yet.' When the sarpint says, ' Is fadha Luan e, Padraic' (It's a long Monday, Patrick), an' sinks again for another week." When preparing the paper on " Lough Gur," for the Journal, I conversed with several old people living beside the lake, but I did not get any tales of serpents from them. I heard numerous stories of various appearances of the Earl of Desmond, and another visitant, whom the people call the Dwarf. The latter appears at rarer intervals than Earl Gerald. He is generally described as having a long red beard and whiskers trailing behind him. The people speak pretty freely of the Earl, but they have a certain dread of this dwarf, and do not like to talk about him. The lake is said to belong to him, and he, I am informed, appeared to and threatened two men recently who were taking more than their fair share of fish from the lake. The story of the dwarf is an old one, older, perhaps, than the Desmond legend. The old people consider the lake is named from an Irish chief, and they may possibly have taken "gair"in its usual meaning of " short," and thus Lough Gair might mean the lake of the short fellow. I consulted several competent Irish scholars as to the meaning of the name of the lake, but they could only confess their ignorance, so, on the principle that it is better to have guessed and lost than never to have guessed at all, I gave some possible explanations in the Journal. O'Donovan mentions the name of the lake in his supplement to O'Reillys Dictionary, but gives no hint as to the meaning. Gair, meaning "head," occurs in a line quoted by O'Connellan from one of the Seabright MSS. in Trinity College, Dublin. Of me 2lm4U5er) 5lllT)5el, 34m 5Uf 51161)46, "I am Amergin Glungel, of hoary head and gray beard." Dr. Joyce gives

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 28

58. Murder of Robert Hutchinson at Codrum near Macroom, 1799

    Macroom · town · Cork · 1799

    Robert Hutchinson of Codrum near Macroom was murdered on the night of 19 April 1799 when his house was broken into; he was stabbed after recognising one of his own servants among the assailants. The Muskerry Cavalry arrested numerous suspects, and Malachi Duggan turned informer.

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    whom no one was to be absent from home between eight p.m. and sunrise next morning. On the 25th the " notorious Captain Slasher" was brought in to prison by the Muskerry Cavalry, under command of Captain Augustus Warren. Martial law was in force, and the general courtmartial convicted one Timothy Crowley of conspiracy, with others, to murder a gentleman at Dunmanway, and sentenced him to transportation for life. The repetition of details of similar occurrences would be wearisome ; and this part of the present paper will conclude with an account of a murder which is to the present day still fresh in the memory of Muskerry, that of Robert Hutchinson, of Codrum, near Macroom. The circumstances of the murder are told in a letter from Macroom to the compiler of the materials now drawn on. On the night of Friday, 19th April, Mr. Hutchinson's house was broken into, and he was aroused by his servant-man who told him that robbers were below ; the man, advising his master to remain in bed, said he would go down stairs himself, but instead of that went to the garret to call The said another servant who slept outside. Mr. Hutchinson, though debilitated from gout, got up and dressed, and, going down stairs was heard by his sister to call out, " D — n you, you rascal, what brings you here?" lie had recognised one of the party — another servant of his own. Upon this he was killed by being stabbed — as the letter relates — the wound being thought to be inflicted by something like " the bar of a palisade." On the following Wednesday the Muskerry corps brought in eight persons arrested for the murder, and soon after they secured three more, and the names of several more were known. Some of those arrested were committed to gaol by John Warren, J.P. A conspiracy was formed thereupon to murder Mr. Warren, and for this three men were arrested and executed. This gentleman had about the same time committed eight men lor breaking into the house of Mr. Stopford, at Blarney, as before related. L° A large reward had been offered for the prosecution to conviction of the murderers of Mr. Hutchinson, and this bore fruit in a way that caused surprise. As the Muskerry Cavalry were escorting some of those arrested to bridewell in Macroom, one villain made a sign t<> a gentleman, a trooper in the corps, that he wished to make a discovery. This man, whose name was ' Malachi Duggan, was put in a separate cell and there told the details in full. On being asked the manner of Mr. Hutchinson's death, he said Mr. Hutchinson had been shot. As the

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 123

59. O'Moore rebellion and fortified house in Leix

    Laois · county · Laois

    Rory O'Moore, whose principality of Leix had been seized by the English crown, waged a six-year war to recover his lands. He built a fortified house in a dense wood where he held prisoners Harrington and Alexander Cosby, before being betrayed by his own huntsman.

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    Not long afterwards Leinster was convulsed with tyranny and confusion. The principality of Lisia (Leix) was (as we have seen above) taken from O'Moore and added to the royal crown. Rotheric {Rory)y son of O'Moore, ill brooking this, endeavoured to recover his patrimony by arms in a fierce struggle of six years' duration. At one time making truces, and on the expiration of these again renewing the war. Amongst others the following was a memorable event : — He had taken as prisoners of war Harrington, a privy councillor, and Alexander Cosby, governor of Leix, both Englishmen. The English opened negotiations for ransoming these, but about the same time a huntsman of Rotheric's, enraged on account of a fine inflicted on him by his master, fled to the English and arranged with them to betray Rotheric and set Harrington and Cosby at liberty. Harpole, an Englishman, under the guidance of the huntsman, set out with two hundred soldiers against Rotheric. Rotheric had built a house in the midst of a dense and impassable wood, and fortified it by a ditch, access being had by two avenues. When the huntsman had arrived here on a stormy night, " Here," said he, " sleeps Rotheric with his wife, John O'Moore, a kinsman, and one old man, and he has Harrington and Cosby in chains ; but such is his daring and valour, as you so often found, that lest he escape by that luck by which he has so often surmounted other perils, spread for him this net which

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 267

60. Rebel justice and robbery at Hollymount

    Hollymount · street · Cork

    During the rebellion, captives were brought to Hollymount, where rebels sold stolen goods in a roofless house previously used to rob passing carmen. A rebel colonel adjudicated local disputes for villagers, ranging from horse theft to unpaid wages.

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    The people of the village laid all their disputes before the colonel, whose decision they considered as most impartial. An old woman came to claim a horse which had been stolen from her ; he desired her to go to the camp on the morrow and she should have it. Then came an old man on crutches. He said he had been wounded at the battle of Arcklow, and asked the colonel if he remembered him. He did not immediately recognize him. "Well, sir, you knew my son George, he died in the glorious cause of his country." At mention of this event he recollected him and gave him some money. Another man came to him and said, "Sir, my sister lives with an accursed Orange family, the)- owe her fifty shillings wages, and will not pay her. You know what to do with them." He said he would not interfere in an)' matters which were not for the good of his country. Next and last came a man to make a

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 251