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. Earl of Desmond's enchantment at Lough Gur, 1640

   near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick · 1640

   A letter written from Limerick in August 1640 by John Holme contains a curious reference to the enchantment of the Earl of Desmond at Lough Gur, involving a country fellow going to Knockiney fair to sell his horse.

   Read the passage

   In the Smith MSS., Royal Irish Academy, there is a copy of a letter written from Limerick, the 13th August, 1640, by John Holme, "gentleman to the Lord Bishopp of Lymerick." In this letter is contained a very curious reference to the enchantment of the Earl of Desmond at Lough Gur. " Moreover, a countrey ffellow going off to Knockiney (Knockaney) ffaire to sell his horse, a gentleman standing in the waye demanding whether he would sell his horse, he answered yea, for ^5 : the gentleman would give him but ^4 10s. od., sayinge he would not get so much at the ffaire. The fellow went to the ffaire, could not get so much money, and found the gentleman on

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 52

2. Execution of Henry and John Sheares at the new prison, Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1798

   Henry and John Sheares, barristers and sons of a respectable gentleman of Cork, were arrested on 20 May 1798, tried for high treason, and executed on 14 July at the front of the new prison in Dublin. Their heads were severed and given with their bodies to their friends.

   Read the passage

   ladies and children left Muskerry for Cork or England, except some who held on in fortified residences ; and twelve thousand copies of a proclamation were issued, intimating that the military and yeomanry would take vigorous measures to repress disturbances and seize arms. Notwithstanding this, large armed gangs scoured the west of county Cork, searching houses for arms, and robbing indiscriminately. The house of John Gillman, at Milane, near Dunmanway, was one of those attacked, but he had received notice of their approach, and was aided by six soldiers, whose fire killed one and wounded others, of whom one named T. MacCarthy was captured, and soon after executed, after acknowledging at the scaffold the justice of his sentence, which he hoped would be a warning to other deluded persons. On Sunday, 29th April, a pastoral letter from the Roman Catholic bishop, Dr. Moylan, was read in all the chapels of the diocese of Cork, exhorting the people not to be led from their allegiance by the machinations of ill-designing men, which had a salutary effect in preventing many in the county Cork from joining the insurgents. In Dublin, on the following Sunday, the noted Major Sirr captured a committee of United Irishmen at the house of a publican on Rogerson's Quay ; and on the 19th May arrested Lord Edward Fitzgerald, after a desperate struggle, at the house of Murphy, a feather merchant in Thomas Street. Lord Edward died soon after of his wounds then received. The next day Henry and John Sheares, barristers, were taken and committed to gaol on the charge of high treason. For this they were tried, and on the 14th July were executed at the front of the new prison in Dublin. On their fate the ancestor, to whom the writer is indebted for the materials of this sketch, makes this comment : — " Thus fell victims to inordinate ambition two gentlemen of talents and learning, sons of a very worthy and respectable gentleman of Cork, who happily did not live to behold their untimely fate ; their heads were severed and given with their bodies to their friends."

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 122

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, this city holds the site of the new prison, where Henry and John Sheares were executed on the 14th of July, 1798. They were barristers, sons of a worthy and respectable gentleman of Cork, who did not live to see their fate. In the weeks before, on a Sunday in Dublin, the noted Major Sirr captured a committee of United Irishmen at the house of a publican on Rogerson's Quay. On the 19th of May, he arrested Lord Edward Fitzgerald at the house of Murphy, a feather merchant in Thomas Street, after a desperate struggle. Lord Edward died soon after of his wounds. The next day, the 20th of May, Henry and John Sheares were taken and committed to gaol on the charge of high treason. They were tried, and on the 14th of July were executed at the front of the prison. The writer who recorded this drew on materials from an ancestor, who made this comment on their fate: "Thus fell victims to inordinate ambition two gentlemen of talents and learning, sons of a very worthy and respectable gentleman of Cork, who happily did not live to behold their untimely fate; their heads were severed and given with their bodies to their friends."

3. Giant folklore of Knockroe and Lough Gur pillar-stones

   Knockroe · townland · Limerick

   Local oral tradition held that two giants lived in the neighbourhood—one at Lough Gur and one at Knockroe—who quarrelled and pelted stones at each other, forming the ligauns. Both giants killed each other and were buried beneath the stones.

   Read the passage

   Iaudden. — Mr. Lynch promises " some interesting items about this parish." I would draw attention to a line of pillar-stones known in this locality as ligautis, only four of which remain in situ, between the stone circle on the summit of Knockroe (six hundred feet high) in that parish, and the chief circle of Lough Gur, four miles and a quarter distant. The first stone on the top of Knockroe is called Bouchaill-brege ; the second, close to the ancient road from Limerick to Cork, called Boherligaun, is one mile from Bouchaill-brege ; the third called Cloghligaun, also close to the road, is a quarter of a mile from number two, and number four is ninety perches from number three. They are all conglomerate, a stone not common in this district. A straight line from number one and two will cross the Camoge River at a ford near the ancient friary, called Ballinabratherbeg, and will strike the large stone circle at Lough Gur. A line from number one and three and four will also cross the river near the ford, and will strike the large pillar-stone at paddock hill (see Journal, July, 1895). I may add that the stone circle on the summit of Knockroe was almost destroyed in the year 1829 by the proprietor of the lands, who erected a turret almost on its site to commemorate Catholic Emancipation, which fell to the ground last spring. In the excavations made at that time a quantity of human bones of au unusually large size were unearthed near the pillar-stone known as Bouchaill-brege, i.e., "the lying or deceptive boy," as this stone presents the appearance of a man from a distance. Some thirty years ago an old man informed me that "in the ould ancient times two giants lived in the neighbourhood ; one had his stronghold at Lough Gur and the other at Knockroe, and having a bit of a falling out began to pelt stones at one another, and sure the ligauns are there to this day. They kilt one another in the long run, and one is buried under the Bouchaill-brege and the other at Lough Gur." As Grange Hill, some five hundred feet high, intervenes between the stone circles at Lough Gur and on the summit of Knockroe,

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 259

4. Giants' casting stones folklore near Caherconlish

   Caherconlish · town · Limerick

   Local folklore interprets the scattered boulders across the plain near Caherconlish not as glacial deposits but as casting or strength stones of ancient giants. An old storyteller relayed this tradition to the author.

   Read the passage

   Some of these fossil shells and plants have been occasionally handed to me for inspection, but I fear that the echoes of that geological lore which I once acquired in college, do not receive very much credence from the finders. Throughout this plain are scattered boulders of various kinds, some of very great weight. These I was taught to consider, in the days of my simplicity, were due to the action of icebergs, which once, geologists would have us believe, untold ages ago in the great Ice Age, dragged themselves slowly along over Erinn, levelling her lofty mountains, scooping out her deep valleys, and playfully snatching from her jagged crags large masses of rock, carried them whither they would ; but I am wiser now, as I have been taught by our canny old folk to consider these scattered boulders simply as the casting or strength stones of the giants of olden time. Some little time ago. when conversing about these boulders with an old Scanachaidh, he directed my attention to the hill of Ard Gort, or High Park, a couple of miles to the west of Caherconlish, which he said was a very queer place, and so I thought it, too, when I visited it. Here are some hundreds of boulders

   308 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 181

5. Johnny Roche's journey to the Cork Exhibition, 1883

   near Blarney · townland · Cork · 1883

   Johnny Roche traveled by train to the Cork Exhibition in 1883, carrying boiled potatoes and fried eels to save on hotel bills. He lost his return ticket among the food at Blarney station, and on the return journey forgot his ticket again at Rathduff, where a friend paid his fare.

   Read the passage

   Johnny this time availed of the inducement in the shape of a cheap trip held out by the railway, and forsook his favourite tricycle. This necessitated his taking a return ticket, and as he had no ticket-pocket he had to place it among the potatoes and fish. When he arrived at Blarney the ticket was demanded. Johnny put his hand into one of his pockets, but the ticket could not be found. He then searched a second, a third, and a fourth pocket, but still could not discover the missing ticket. The collector was growing impatient ; there was no alternative, the pockets should be disgorged ; and amidst the laughter of the crowds in the carriage, the potatoes and eels had all to be turned out before the missing passport was found. On his return journey, to avoid a scene like this, he resolved to keep the ticket in his hand, but, unfortunately, while replenishing his pipe at the Cork terminus he laid his ticket by, and of course forgot it until challenged at Rathduff by the collector. Here Johnny found he had neither ticket nor money ; he was in an awkward predicament, and did not know what to do, until at the last moment a friend in the train paid his fare; so he escaped, but ever afterwards vowed vengeance on railway travelling.

   Johnny loved his glass, and it may be drew inspiration therefrom. One of his jovial companions, a "wet" soul named Nixon, whilom sexton of Wallstown church, died and was buried in Wallstown. In a pliant hour Johnny promised him if he survived he would raise a monument to his memory, and true to his word he erected a flag with the following telegraphic inscription — " here lies nixon."

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 104

6. Johnny Roche's self-built castle near Wallstown

   Wallstown · townland · Cork · 1870

   Johnny Roche single-handedly built an unadorned castle, quarrying stones locally, drawing lime from Mallow six miles away by ass and cart, and sourcing sand from his own river. The castle bears an inscribed limestone reading 'JOHN ROCH 1870?' and has remained uninhabited since the founder's death.

   Read the passage

   and so an incessant journeying up and down was gone through before the day's labours were at an end. The castle is unadorned with mouldings or inscriptions of any sort, save in the exterior of the south wall, where, about three feet from the ground, is inserted a polished limestone resembling marble, bearing the simple inscription, in large, clear, and remarkably well-formed characters —

   JOHN ROCH 1870?

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 103

7. Loughmoe Castle legend and the Purcell name origin

   Loughmoe · electoral division · Tipperary

   A legend tells of a beautiful young lady immured in the strong castle of Loughmoe near Thurles, guarded by a fierce boar in a dense forest. The ancestor of the Purcells slew the boar, gained the castle, married the lady, and his descendants became Barons of Loughmoe until the Sassenach deprived them of their lands.

   Read the passage

   Kanturk. — Reference was made some little time since in the Journal to the claim of the Purcells of having given the name to Kanturk. I hardly think they can make this claim good. I suppose it rests chiefly on the fact of their having resided some time in the neighbourhood, and of having a boar's head on their coat of arms. The name Purcell is said to be derived from the Latin porcellus, a diminution of porcus, " a boar "; and a legend is told which gives the origin of the name. Once upon a time a beautiful young lady was immured in the strong castle of Loughmoe, or Luachmhagh, near Thurles, which was then surrounded by a forest so dense that it was quite impassable, and furthermore the castle was guarded night and day by a boar of exceeding fierceness. The ancestor of the Purcells was, however, equal to the occasion, for he proceeded to the castle on the tops of the trees, and having attacked the boar, slew him, and then having gained the castle, he married the beautiful young lady, and lived happily there ever after. His descendants also flourished at Luachmhagh, for one of them was made Baron of Loughmoe, but the Sassenach came in due time and deprived the Purcells of the luach ("reward") of their ancestor's achievement in killing his namesake.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 192

8. Privy Council halts construction of Kanturk Castle

   Kanturk · town · Cork

   English settlers complained to the Privy Council that Donough McCarthy's castle was too large for a subject. An order was sent to halt the work just as the battlements were about to be raised, and the castle was left unfinished.

   Read the passage

   The seer's words were verified, for the English settlers established on the lands of Geraldines ruined by their great insurrection, became suspicious of Donough McCarthy's ulterior motives, and complained to the Privy Council that the castle "was much too large for a subject," whereupon an order was sent to McCarthy to stop his work just as the battlements were about to be raised. Unable to defy the Government, Donough McCarthy in his furious disappointment gave orders that the glass roof, then nearly ready, should be smashed in pieces and thrown into the Brogueen. When Mr. Windele, in the early part of this century, unable to gain admittance into the ruins, peered through a window at the pointed arched doorway into one of the towers, he also observed the existence of three very thriving rookeries within the precincts of the old half-built castle.

   During the rebellion of 1641, it is said, Donough McCarthy was killed by O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and that his estate was seized by his kinsman Dermod MacOwen McCarthy, who mortgaged the castle and land of Kanturk to Sir Philip Perceval, and this Englishman in turn obtained full possession at the time when the property was forfeited by Dermod McCarthy for his participation in the rebellion.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 152

9. Rathurd monastery and fort, now vanished

   Rathurd · townland · Limerick · 1253

   Rathurd (Rathsiward), lying between Donaghmore and Limerick, took its name from an old fort and once contained an important monastery. No traces of ecclesiastical buildings survive, and the parish is now merged into that of St. Nicholas. Bishop Robert of Emly granted its benefices to the Dean of Limerick in 1253.

   Read the passage

   ivy, which probably is the reason why the people call it Puicin, which means "a cover for blindfolding the eyes." Puic also means " a bribe, for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise." This church was dedicated to St. Nicholas. Up to the time of the disestablishment of the Church, Cahernarry was a perpetual curacy in the gift of the Dean of Limerick, and this arose from the fact that Robert of Emly, bishop of Limerick, 1 25 1- 1 272, gave to Thomas Wodeford, dean of Limerick, and his successors the benefices of Carnarthy and Rathsiward in 1253. Rathsiward, or Rathurd, lay between Donaghmore and Limerick, and took its name from the old fort whose history I have given. In Rathurd there was an important monastery, but no traces of ecclesiastical buildings are now visible, and the parish is merged in that of St. Nicholas. The incumbent of Cahernarry, Rev. G. M. Luther, has informed me that a few years ago, when some repairs were carried out at the glebe house of Cahernarry, a piece of oak, hard as iron, was found in the roof, on which was marked 1746. An old man also told me that the English army under King William encamped on Cahernarry hill, and that he saw traces of the camp there. North of Rathurd is Singland, corrupted from Sain Aingeal, " a different angel," because a different angel from the one named Victor, who usually attended St. Patrick, appeared to him here. After the battle of Sulchoit, near Limerick Junction, Mathgamhain and Brian pursued the Danes to Limerick, which they captured a.d. 968. "The whole of the captives were collected on the hills of Saingel, and every one of them that was fit for war was killed, and every one of them that was fit for a slave was enslaved." — Cogadh Gaedhel Re Gailaibh. At Singland, I have often heard, is to be fought the last battle between the Gael and the Saxon, when the latter will be defeated with dreadful slaughter, and driven out of Ireland for good. The sign given that this battle will be the final one is that a man with six fingers on his right hand will rush from the Irish ranks and seize the bridle of the English general's horse.

   Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 236

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Singland, the name itself is a corruption of Sain Aingeal, meaning a different angel. The story goes that a different angel from the one named Victor, who usually attended St. Patrick, appeared to him at this place. After the battle of Sulchoit, near Limerick Junction, Mathgamhain and Brian pursued the Danes to Limerick, which they captured in 968. The captives were gathered on these hills. The chronicle Cogadh Gaedhel Re Gailaibh records what happened next: every one of them that was fit for war was killed, and every one of them that was fit for a slave was enslaved. There is another tradition attached to Singland, one the writer says he heard often. The last battle between the Gael and the Saxon is to be fought here. In that battle the Saxon will be defeated with dreadful slaughter and driven out of Ireland for good. There is a sign given that this will be the final one. A man with six fingers on his right hand will rush from the Irish ranks and seize the bridle of the English general's horse. That is the signal that the end has come for the Saxon in Ireland, fought on these hills where captives once stood.

10. Rebels seize travelers at Ballymore Eustace

    Ballymore Eustace · town · Kildare · 1798

    As Reily and his companions approached the village of Ballymore Eustace, a tall old man and two others rushed from a cabin and seized their horse's head. Captain Duffy intervened, threatening to burn the village and shoot the men if any further complaint was made, and the travelers were released.

    Read the passage

    No conqueror on a triumphal car ever felt prouder than myself and companions to find ourselves once more at liberty to return to our res] 11 tive homes. But our tranquility was of short duration, as we saw carmen going on a road about the distance of a mile from us. Two men well armed rode up to them and seemed to talk to them about ten minutes. I thought they would not mind us, but in this I was mistaken, for when they left the carmen they crossed the roads opposite to where we were going with the greatest speed. I became apprehensive that we had again to encounter part of the gang we had left, and as I was upon most occasions common speaker, "Gentlemen," said I, " I have the captain's pass." I was right in my conjecture as to their being a detachment of the gang we had left, as one of them said that he remarked an alteration having taken place, as one of our part)- was dressed in black, and that when we left him we were all in blue. 1 replied that the only change was Mr. Hamilton's, having taken off his blue great coat. He observing that it was so seemed satisfied, and accompanied by the other rode on before us to the village of Ballymore Eustace, which place when we came near a very tall old man with two others ran out of a cabin and seized the

    44-0 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCH/EOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 252

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Ballymore Eustace, this town was the scene of a confrontation in 1798. A man named Reily and his companions, having gained their liberty, were traveling to return to their homes. But their peace was short. They saw carmen on a road about a mile away. Two men, well armed, rode up to the carmen and spoke with them for about ten minutes. Reily thought they would not be noticed, but he was mistaken. The armed men left the carmen and crossed the roads to where Reily's group was going with great speed. Reily became apprehensive that they had again to face part of the gang they had left. He spoke up and said, "Gentlemen, I have the captain's pass." One of the armed men said he had noticed an alteration, that one of the party was dressed in black, when before they were all in blue. Reily replied that the only change was Mr. Hamilton's, having taken off his blue great coat. The man observed that it was so and seemed satisfied. The two armed men rode on ahead to the village of Ballymore Eustace. When the travelers came near the village, a very tall old man with two others ran out of a cabin and seized the horse's head. Captain Duffy intervened. He threatened to burn the village and shoot the men if any further complaint was made, and the travelers were released.

11. Relief of Rathgoggan Castle from rebel siege

    Rathgoggan · parish · Cork

    Two arch rebels with about sixty men took houses adjoining Rathgoggan Castle and fired on its defenders. Captain Jephson, with troops from Mallow and Doneraile under Lieutenant John Downing, marched among the rebels unawares, killing forty, burning the offending houses, and relieving the castle garrison led by Mr. Meade.

    Read the passage

    two arch rebels, and some sixty rogues of theirs, who had taken a house or two adjoining the castle, and thence had played on the defendants. To rescue them Captain Jephson, taking with him some thirty of his own troop and thirty of the Lord Inchiquin's (commanded by his cornet Banister), and some ninety musketeers from " Moallowe and Downrayle," under conduct of Lieutenant John Downinge (a man intrusted by the Lord President with the keeping his castle at Downrayle, and singularly useful and active in these kind of services from his knowledge of the county and language, worthy of much esteem were it not for his rigid comportment, which made him open to the envy of many, especially the common soldiers), marched among the rebels unawares, who instantly betook themselves to their heels (in which weapon the)- have more

    (IO) Rathgogan Castle stood where the town of Charleville now stands, in the barony of Orrery and Kilmore. Little is known of its ancient history; but the name points to its having been built by the Cogans, as was Kilbolane, soon after the arrival of Strongbow. From them it came to the Earl of Desmond, and was included in his forfeiture ; and was among the lands granted to Hugh Cuffe, one of the undertakers, by grant recited in Fiant, Eliz., No. 5,066, dated 14th November, 1587, wherein it is mentioned as "The castle and lands of Rathgogan, late David Encorig X«)'of the marsh], alias M "Gibbon's lands . . . late the Earl of Desmond's." The text shows that it had passed into the rapacious hands of the first Earl of Cork.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 46

12. Ryecourt family papers document Muskerry gentry's reluctance to join rebellion

    Ryecourt · townland · Cork · 1641

    Papers preserved in the Rye family of Ryecourt reveal that Lord Muskerry had difficulty persuading the gentlemen of his country to join the 1641 rebellion, as they feared losing their estates. Muskerry promised them equal benefit, a promise the papers note was not fulfilled.

    Read the passage

    (5) From papers preserved in the family of Rye of Ryecourt (lately most kindly lent to me, and from which I hope to be able to add to the history of the lands of Muskerry in the seventeenth century), it appears that Donogh, Viscount Muskerry, found some difficulty in getting the gentlemen of his "country" to follow him into tins civil war. Inter alia those papers state: — "In year 1641, several Irish gents of Bar. Muskerry had estates of inheritance, as well as Donogh, the Lord Muskerry, who was afterwards Donogh, Earl of Clancarty. This earl invited the other gents into the war : they were loath to do it, for, if they happened to be cast, they should lose their estates ; but he, being married to the then Duke of Ormonde's sister, Countess Helen, might be restored to his estate, though they should lose theirs. But he promised them he would do nothing for himself, but what they should receive the like benefit," — a promise, it may be added, not fulfilled. The "gents" referred to were kinsmen of the chief, who, in the change of tenure (see last note) had secured separate holdings for themselves, or large tenants, late clansmen, who had obtained a sort of fixity of tenure in their holdings.

    1 8 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 15

13. Sir Henry Sidney's six-week stay in Cork with gaol delivery

    Cork · city · Cork · 1565–1570

    Lord Deputy Sir Henry Sidney passed through Dungarvan to Cork and stayed six weeks, during which citizens supplied the army at half pay. He kept Christmas at Cork, then held a session of gaol delivery where Condon and a son of Lord Roche were condemned but pardoned, and twenty-three malefactors were executed.

    Read the passage

    Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, came to Waterford, where the Earl of Desmond waited on him. Passing through Dungarvan they arrived at Cork, and stayed there six weeks, during which time the citizens supplied the arm)- with diet, lodgings, and firing, at half their

    (■) Geraldus Cambrensis' Annals. (a) Smith's History of Cork.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 277

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Cork, this is where Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland, arrived after coming through Waterford, where the Earl of Desmond waited on him. Passing through Dungarvan, they reached Cork and stayed six weeks. The citizens supplied the army with diet, lodgings, and firing, at half their pay.

14. Spike Island, Ireland's chief penal settlement

    Spike Island · townland · Cork · 1857

    In 1857, during a steamer journey between Queenstown and Cork, Spike Island was pointed out to Charles Dickens as Ireland's chief penal settlement. Dickens's interest in reformatories, noted in his American Notes, prompted the remark.

    Read the passage

    ' As I know from your American Notes, you take an interest in reformatories. This' — I pointed to Spike Island, then used as a penal settlement — ' is our chief one in Ireland.'

    We now approached Monkstown, and, as I pointed out the castle, I said, ' You have seen many castles, Mr. Dickens, but I am sure you never saw one so cheaply built as this.'

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 217

15. The Great Snowstorm of February 1855 in Cork

    Cork · city · Cork · 1855

    In February 1855, a massive snowstorm covered Cork city with two to three feet of snow, and the surrounding countryside with four to six feet. Many people perished, transport ceased entirely, and business was suspended for three days.

    Read the passage

    We consider it a heavy fall which covers the ground to a uniform depth of three inches, it has often been seen in Cork six inches deep, but in the great snowstorm of February 15th and 16th, 1855, the city was covered to a depth varying from two to three feet, and the country from four to six feet, snow drifts, of course, being much deeper. On that occasion the snow continued to fall without intermission for thirtythree hours; many persons were snowed up and perished, coaches and trains ceased running, and business was almost entirely suspended for three days. The heaviest fall since then was that of February 19th and 20th, 1892, when business was at a complete standstill for some days. In some districts railway traffic had to be abandoned. Several trains were snowed up, including one that the writer happened to be in when returning from Dublin.

    As the direction as well as the duration and force of wind in any district influi the character of its climate, it is necessary that we should briefly refer to this branch of the subject. It may be premised that when the air is in motion, no matter whethei as a gentle breeze or as a violent storm, it travels quicker in the higher regions of the atmosphere than near the surface of the earth, where its progress is retarded by the obstructions of mountains, hills, or minor irregularities.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 129

16. Three sister saints and the angelic causeway in Duhallow

    Cullen · townland · Cork

    St. Lateerin of Cullin, Lassera of Killossory, and the 'yellow-haired daughter of Dromtariff' were sisters who led eremitical lives in three adjoining Duhallow parishes. According to tradition, angels made a causeway linking the three parishes so the holy women could visit one another.

    Read the passage

    The 5th of May is the festival of a nameless saint who is known as 2ln W5W bu)-6e 4 4)|ionj-'G4|tb, i.e. " the yellow (haired) daughter of Dromtariff" ("the ridge of the bull"). The local tradition is that SS. Lateerin of Cullin, Lassera of Killossory, in Kilmeen parish, and this "yellow-haired daughter," were sisters who led an eremitical life in those three respective and adjoining parishes in Duhallow. One night the angels came down from heaven and made a -c6(\\]\. i.e. " .1 causeway," from Killossory to Dromtariff, and thence to Cullin, so that those holy women might the more easily meet and converse with one another. The " patron day " at Killossory is now discontinued, but a large "patron" is still held at Dromtariff holy well on each recurring May 5. The locality of " the yellow-haired daughter's" holy well — about one hundred and fifty yards south of Dromtariff grave-yard and overlooking the majestic Blackwater — is shown on the Ordnance Townland Maps for the county Cork, sheet 31. I will allude to St. Lateerin of Cullin later on.

    (5) "When the shee-geehy rolls its boding cloud, And arrows unseen in vengeance fly;"

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 188

17. Edmund de Courcey's improvements to Timoleague Abbey

    Timoleague · town · Cork · 1517–1518

    Edmund de Courcey resigned his see in 1517 and retired to Timoleague Abbey, his former convent. With the aid of his nephew James, Lord Kinsale, he built the steeple, dormitory, infirmary, and library, and made valuable presents of plate and books. He is buried in an unroofed chapel of the abbey.

    Read the passage

    15th March, 15 18, having the previous year resigned his see and retired to his former convent of Timoleague, which he greatly improved by the aid of his nephew James, Lord Kinsale ; he built the steeple, still to be seen, and the dormitory, infirmary, and library, and made valuable presents of plate and books. He is buried in a chapel, now unroofed, in the church of that abbey.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 289

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Timoleague, this town holds the abbey Edmund de Courcey retired to in 1517 after resigning his see. With his nephew James, Lord Kinsale, he built the steeple, still standing, along with the dormitory, infirmary, and library, and gave plate and books. He is buried in a chapel of the abbey, now unroofed.

18. Capture of the castle of Áine and siege of Lough Gur (1515)

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick · 1515

    In 1515 war broke out among the Fitzgeralds. James, son of the Earl of Desmond, captured the castle of Áine from his brother John and then besieged the castle of Lough Gur, but withdrew when the Sil-Briain and allied septs approached.

    Read the passage

    In the year 15 15 a war broke out among the Fitzgeralds, and in the Annals of Loch Ce we read, "The castle of Aine was captured from John, son of the Earl of Desmumha, by James, son of the Earl ; and he then sits down before the castle of Loch Gair, which was in great straits by him until the Sil-Briain, and the Sil-Cerbhaill, and the Cenel Aedha sent him away from it." The Four Masters in giving an account of this, say that "when the son of the Earl perceived the nobles of the army of the great race of Brian approach, the resolution he arrived at was not to come to an engagement with them, but to leave the town unharmed, and thus they parted with each other."

    I now give from the Calendar of State Papers some extracts in which Lough Gur is mentioned —

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 89

19. Highlanders stationed at Caherconlish under Captain Harte, 1821

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick · 1821

    A detachment of the 42nd Highlanders under Captain Harte was stationed in Caherconlish in 1821. Soldiers helped locals with farming and were noted as good workers, though less handy with the flail than the natives.

    Read the passage

    remonstrate with them, and was shot dead. Scarcely a night passed without an outrage." Many outrages were committed in Caherconlish district. Ballybrood church was burnt down, the glebe house was attacked, and the rector, Mr. Madders, seized, placed upon his knees, and several shots fired over his head. Fitzgerald gives a very lurid description of this sad time, but he does not exaggerate in any particular, he rather understates if anything, for I have received circumstantial accounts of atrocities committed in this district which far exceed in their terrible details anything which he gives. An old man, whose uncle was one of the Palatine yeomanry, has given me a most harrowing description of this terrible period. He quite well remembered the detachment of the 42nd Highlanders, " the finest men," he said, " he ever laid eyes upon," being stationed in Caherconlish under Captain Harte in 1821. He said he could still fancy he heard the sound of the tramp, tramp of the soldiers up the stairs into the gallery of the old church. He described his hastening out of church to see the soldiers all drawn up outside, and to hear the word of command, which was still ringing in his ears, " Right about face and march."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 224

20. Holy well of St. Francis at Shandon Abbey

    North Mall · street · Cork

    The Abbey of St. Francis (Shandon Abbey) stood west of Abbott's mineral water manufactory on the North Mall. Its holy well, still on the premises, is five feet in diameter with medicinal water resembling Mallow Spa, used by locals for curing weak eyes and other ailments. A legend tells of a subterranean passage leading to Garrane-na-brahair, the brothers' grove.

    Read the passage

    HERE are many interesting little stories which may be told of the ancient buildings in connection with walled Cork, of which structures we possess only the ruins, of some, only a few relics, and of others scarcely a memory. Let us go round the map picture of old Corke, in the Pacata Hibernia — but this time on the mainland, as we are done with the gates and flanking towers. We start from the western end of what is now the North Mall, and wc shall go round east and south, and finish up with St. Marie's of the Isle. The Abbey of St. Francis, or, as the Pacata calls it, Shandon Abbey, stood a little to the west of what is now Messrs. Abbott's mineral water manufactory, and this is very easily proved, for the holy well of St. Francis is on those very premises. It is a splendid well, some five feet in diameter, with a never failing supply of pure crystal water, which always remains about two feet deep. It is highly medicinal, resembling in its taste the Mallow Spa, and many people still use it as cures for weak eyes, consumption, and other ailments, the Messrs. Abbott ungrudgingly giving it to all that come for it. There is a narrow little pathway round the well which leads into a room that is like a crypt, for the end of it furthest from the well is formed by a solid rock of red sandstone. A legend says that from here there is a subterranean passage leading up to Garrane-na-brahair, " the brothers' grove," but the solid rock is an impassable barrier ; but there is a very massive wall at an angle, which, if removed from the rock, might verify the legend. Visitors are quite at liberty to see the well, but it is not as easy now as when I called there first, for I had only to open a door and it was before me; some machinery works near it now. There are numerous vestiges of the abbey back of the houses, and all along the district stone mullions, inscriptions, etc. The late venerable James B. Duggan, superior of the Christian Brothers, told me "that when they were building the monastery in Peacock Lane, some kind friend sent them the rose stone of Shandon Abbey that it might be built into the house for s^oorf lucky Mr. John Leonard, then superior, had it done, and you may see it any day in the wall outside the kitchen door, bearing the rose and twisted ornament, and the date 1590. The good luck has never left it; and you can see a picture of, it in the Journal, for John P. Dalton (Council Member), in his "With Pen and Pencil Round Cork," had that and two other stones of Shandon Abbey (which you may see for yourself in the curve of Wise's distillery) illustrated.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 155

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Cork, near the western end of the North Mall, the Abbey of St. Francis once stood a little west of where Abbott's mineral water manufactory stands now. The Pacata Hibernia calls it Shandon Abbey, and the proof of where it stood is the holy well of St. Francis, still on those very premises. It is a fine well, about five feet across, with a never-failing supply of pure crystal water that stays about two feet deep. The water is highly medicinal, tasting like the Mallow Spa, and people still use it for weak eyes, consumption, and other ailments. The Messrs. Abbott give it freely to all who come for it. A narrow pathway runs round the well into a room like a crypt, whose far end is a solid rock of red sandstone. A legend says that from here a subterranean passage leads up to Garrane-na-brahair, the brothers' grove. The solid rock is an impassable barrier, but there is a massive wall at an angle that, if removed from the rock, might verify the legend. Visitors may still see the well, though it is not as easy as when the writer first called there and had only to open a door. Some machinery works near it now. Vestiges of the abbey survive behind the houses along the district, stone mullions and inscriptions. The late James B. Duggan, superior of the Christian Brothers, told how when they were building the monastery in Peacock Lane, a friend sent them the rose stone of Shandon Abbey to be built into the house for luck. John Leonard, then superior, had it done. You may see it any day in the wall outside the kitchen door, bearing a rose and twisted ornament, and the date 1590. John P. Dalton, a Council Member, illustrated that stone and two others from Shandon Abbey in his With Pen and Pencil Round Cork.

21. Lady Emmeline's dower estate at Inchiquin in the 14th century

    Inchiquin · townland · Cork · 1300–1399

    In the fourteenth century, Emmeline, widow of Sir Gerald Fitzmaurice, held Inchiquin Castle as her dower for thirty-six years. The estate comprised a wooden building with rooms, kitchen and bakehouse, a court-yard, stable, two gardens, six plowlands, meadows, woods, mills and fishing, with her jointure assessed at £60 9s. 3d., a pound of wax, and a pound of cummin.

    Read the passage

    In the fourteenth century Emmeline, widow of Sir Gerald Fitzmaurice of the Geraldines, held this castle of Inchiquin as her dower for thirty-six years. There stood beside the fortress a wooden building, in which were two rooms and a kitchen and bakehouse, with a thatched roof, that did not, however, shelter the oven. A court-yard, a stable, and two gardens, valued annually at two and sixpence, comprised the immediate demesne, while with the village for the serfs were also " six plowlands, meadows pastures, groves, woods, mills with their courses, river streams, weares, and fishing,"(3) all of which constituted a fine estate for a widow of the Geraldine house. The Lady Emmeline we have just mentioned, who was heiress of Stephen de Longspee, had also the privilege of presentation to the village church, and her jointure was assessed at £60 9s. 3d., a pound of wax, and a pound of cummin. She seems also to have been a good woman of business, looking keenly after her rights, as she sued the vicar of Youghal, who had forgotten to pay her his rent. Inchiquin Castle is in the barony of Imokilly, which from its name, signifying " woody land," was once covered with a forest as far as the sea, until the trees being cut down and the soil brought under cultivation, the barony grew fertile enough to be called the granary of Cork.(4)

    After Lady Emmeline's death the manor of Inchiquin passed out of the possession of the Geraldines until 1370, at which period it became the property of the Earl of Ormonde, to whom Henry V. granted part of the revenues of the barony of Imokilly. It is supposed when the seventh Earl of Desmond, known as " James the Usurper," was appointed seneschal of Imokilly, Inchiquin, and Youghal, by his kinsman Ormonde, then Viceroy of Ireland, that the castle once more reverted to the immense estate belonging to the line of Desmond, and it is probable that it was again set aside as the dower of the widowed countesses.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 92

22. Rody Camden's visit to Tír na nÓg at Lough Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    Local tradition tells of a farmer named Rody Camden, in the days of Sarsfield, admitted into Tír na nÓg by Terren Glas, gatekeeper of the Lough Gur entrance. He conversed with Gearoidh Iarla, the Fians, and Cúchulainn, and noted that the Fians drank only mead.

    Read the passage

    The people of Lough Gur have traditions of two great battles ; the one was fought in Bloody Hollow, a little distance north of Knocktinnell, and the other was fought near the stone circles to the south of Knocksentry. The people also relate that in the days of Sarsfield, a farmer, named Rody Camden, was admitted into Tir na n-og by Terren Glas, the gatekeeper of Lough Gur entrance. Rody held converse with Gearoidh Iarla, the Fians of Erinn, and Cuchullainn. One thing which particularly struck him, and which he related to his friends afterwards at Lough Gur, was that the Fians of Erinn had nothing stronger to drink than metheglitt ("mead"). In another story I heard, Sarsfield, Galloping O'Hogan, and Tibbott Burke of Caherconlish, are captured at Lough Gur by an English leader named Gideon Grimes, and confined in the Green Knight's apartment at Lough Gur, from which they are rescued by a nephew of

    142 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCH/EOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 89

23. Aoibheall of Craglea, fairy queen of Thomond

    Craglea · townland · Clare

    Aoibheall (more correctly Aoibhinn) of Craglea, near Killaloe, was regarded as queen of the fairies of Thomond (North Munster), complementing Áine of South Munster and Una of Ormond in the regional fairy-queen tradition.

    Read the passage

    (3) In the Pursuit of Diarmuid and Grainne, we read: — "There arose a dispute between two women ot the Tuatha de Danann, that is Apife, the daughter of Mananan and Aine, the other daughter of Mananan Mac Lir, viz., Aoife had become enamoured of the son of Lughaidh (i.e. sister's son to Fionn), and Aine had become enamoured of Mac Lir of Sith Finnchaidh, so that each woman said her own man was a better Hurler than the other; and the fruit of that dispute was that a great goaling match was set in order between the Tuatha de Danann and the Fenians of Erin, and the place where that goal was played was upon a fair plain by Loch Lein (Killarney). The Fenians of Erin and the Tuatha de Danann answered that tryste," and among "the noblest and the proudest of the Tutha de Danann that came there," are " the three Eochaidhs of Aine." The editor adds in a note, "Aine (in full, Cnoc Aine) i.e. 'the hill of Aine,' in the county Limerick. This hill, so famous in Irish legend, together with the adjacent district, was also called Aine Cliach. From the most remote times it has been believed that this hill was the residence of Aine, daughter of Eogabhal, of the Tutha de Danann, who was looked upon as queen of the fairies of South Munster, as Aoibheall (more correctly Aoibhinn ) of Craglea, near Killaloe, of the fairies of Thomond (North Munster), and Una, of those of Ormond. Knockaney was also called Carran Fearaidhe.'' — Transactions of tJie Ossiauic' Society, vol. hi., pp. 1 13-15. See also the interesting "Notes" on Aine, by Rev. J. F. Lynch, in Journal lor December, 1895, and March, 1896.

    (To be continued.)

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 213

24. Ballybrood church burnt and rector attacked by Rockites

    Ballybrood · townland · Limerick · 1821–1824

    During the Rockite troubles, Ballybrood church was burnt down and the glebe house was attacked. The rector, Mr. Madders, was seized, placed on his knees, and several shots fired over his head.

    Read the passage

    remonstrate with them, and was shot dead. Scarcely a night passed without an outrage." Many outrages were committed in Caherconlish district. Ballybrood church was burnt down, the glebe house was attacked, and the rector, Mr. Madders, seized, placed upon his knees, and several shots fired over his head. Fitzgerald gives a very lurid description of this sad time, but he does not exaggerate in any particular, he rather understates if anything, for I have received circumstantial accounts of atrocities committed in this district which far exceed in their terrible details anything which he gives. An old man, whose uncle was one of the Palatine yeomanry, has given me a most harrowing description of this terrible period. He quite well remembered the detachment of the 42nd Highlanders, " the finest men," he said, " he ever laid eyes upon," being stationed in Caherconlish under Captain Harte in 1821. He said he could still fancy he heard the sound of the tramp, tramp of the soldiers up the stairs into the gallery of the old church. He described his hastening out of church to see the soldiers all drawn up outside, and to hear the word of command, which was still ringing in his ears, " Right about face and march."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 224

25. Ballybrood Grey Friars tradition and curse

    Ballybrood · townland · Limerick

    Local tradition holds that Grey Friars in Ballybrood parish were all slaughtered, attributed to Cromwell despite his never visiting Limerick. The people say Ballybrood is still cursed every seven years in Rome for this slaughter.

    Read the passage

    At the west side of village, and on right hand side of road to Ballyneety, there is marked in the Ordnance Map a large limestone quarry on the land of Mr. Charles Aherne. On the rock above this quarry there was once a celebrated college, and the field in which the quarry lies is still known as " the college field." Lewis refers to this college, as does also Fitzgerald, but they give no particulars. The quarry is exceedingly rich in fossils ; near it, at opposite side of road, in a rock grave, the skeleton of a man was found about fifty years ago, when the road was lowered. So perfect was this skeleton that Dr. Seward mounted it on wires, and my informant told me that he heard Dr. Seward saying the man to whom these bones belonged must have been seven feet high. In a continuation of this paper, when I come to describe Caherconlish district, I shall refer to some very large bones and skulls which were found in a stone circle. Mr. Aherne told me that when the college field was first tilled the whole surface was found to be strewn with oyster and other shells in a very decayed state. Windele mentions that oyster shells were found amongst the rubbish which was cleared away from the round tower of Cloyne. A small neatly-finished stone hatchet,(8) or celt, now in the possession of Sir Charles Barrington, Glenstal, was a little time ago picked up near the site of the old college. The people say that the friars who served Caherconlish church lived in this college. Who these friars were I cannot say, but they may possibly have been Grey Friars, or Observantine Franciscans, that is, supposing that the people's tradition of friars having been here is correct. In the parish of Ballybrood there is a tradition of there having been Grey Friars, all of whom were slaughtered, of course by Cromwell, who never set foot in Limerickcounty. The last of these friars was killed, it is said, at a ford lying between Clashbane and Dromkeen ; the ford was called Ahnambrahcreeny, " the little friar's ford." For this slaughter, the people say that Ballybrood is still cursed every seven years in Rome, and this may possibly account for Ballybrood not being all that its friends would wish it to be.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 208

26. Ballynageragh Castle taken and burned

    Ballynageragh · townland · Cork

    Marching over the mountains towards County Limerick to recover corn left at Ballyhea Castle, Jephson's force encountered Ballynageragh Castle, the freehold of Sir Philip Percival. Lord Roche had garrisoned it with a company of men who initially refused to surrender but yielded when the English pressed the attack. The garrison found good store of corn, took it, and set the castle on fire.

    Read the passage

    A short time after this exploit, Captain Jephson rode to Cork to revisit the sick Lord President and receive his commands ; and brought back with him two hundred musketeers taken out of the companies at Cork under the command of Sir John Browne and Captain Prise, both of them very dexterous and well-experienced in military discipline, with directions from the Lord President to pursue such services as Captain Jephson should advise and bade them to ; whereof one hundred were to be garrisoned at Moallowe, and the other in Downeraile. Where, after a day or two's rest, Captain Jephson marched with a good part of them and some of the troops, and marched over the mountains towards the county of Limerick, and brought with them good store of carriages to fetch home the corn they left in Balliha Castle. And as they went they encountered with a castle called Ballynageragh, the freehold of Sir Philip Percival, knt.(l3) (whom I must not name without reverence to his memory and worth as to a man of a rare, honest, and most heroic endowments), wherein, yet for contestation sake, the busy Lord Roche had put in a company of men who at first motion refused to surrender upon any terms ; but when they perceived that the English were in earnest, they quickly entertained quarter for safety of their lives. In this castle they found good store of corn, which having taken thence, they set the castle on fire.

    I give precedency to this last action over the great battle with the

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 47

27. Capture of a fugitive at Carrick-on-Suir

    Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1607

    A fugitive, disguised as a priest, was permitted to pass unchallenged through the English lines but was captured at Carrick-on-Suir. He was then brought back to Limerick for execution.

    Read the passage

    disguise of a priest, being permitted to pass unchallenged through the English lines, but was captured at Carrick-on-Suir and brought back to Limerick and hanged on Gallows Green, Garryowen, 1607. Linehan mentions that Sarsfield's wife was granddaughter to John Burke. John Burke's cousin, Theobald Burke of Castleconnel, got his lands — seven and a half ploughlands — and was made Baron Burke of Brittas in 161 8. In the battle of Liscarroll, September 3rd, 1642, between the English under Lord Inchiquin and the Irish under General Barry, Lord Brittas served under the latter. The Brittas property was confiscated by Cromwell, and the second son of Lord Brittas, Colonel Burke, was hung by Cromwell in Cork in 1653. Lord Brittas was restored to his property by Charles II. in 1666, but the estate was again lost under James II., as Theobald, Lord Brittas, and his son John, both of Ballymoney, county Limerick, were attainted in 1696. The lands of Brittas were purchased in 1703 by Thomas Stepney, the Grange, Portmarnock, county Dublin. Towards the close of last century the lands (j) came

    Who sings, " Lady love, lady love, come to me now, Come and live merrily under the bough ;

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 256

28. Dungarvan taken and burned, March 1642

    Dungarvan · town · Waterford · 1642

    On 4 March 1642 the army assaulted Dungarvan, taking it within three hours and burning most of the thatched houses plus a slated stone house belonging to Mr. Hoare. Many rebels were killed attempting to escape across the strand; estimates of total dead ranged from 200 to 400.

    Read the passage

    Thursday morning being the 4th day of March our army, between

    „ eight and hyne of the clock came close before the Towne

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 175

29. Father Russell preaches at Dominick Street chapel, Cork

    Dominick Street · street · Cork · 1823

    Father Russell, born in Cork in 1799, returned from Corpo Santo in 1823 to preach in the old chapel of Dominick Street despite anti-friar prejudice. He laboured there unceasingly throughout his long ministry.

    Read the passage

    Santo, he returned in 1823 to his native city, where, heedless of contempt and prejudice, which in those days was frequently the portion of priest and friar, he preached and laboured unceasingly in the old chapel of Dominick Street.

    When, in 1829, Catholic Emancipation was granted to Ireland, our "silver tongued preacher," as he was called, making an appeal on behalf of the Christian Brothers' Schools, thrilled his audience by the following expressive words : — " Let us give glory to God to-day, for to-day we are free ; our bonds have been broken, and we are delivered ; but no ! we are not all free. There is one slave in your midst, and that is he who

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 62

    As the companion tells it

    Along this street stood the old chapel where Father Russell preached. Born in Cork in 1799, he returned from Corpo Santo in 1823. In those days contempt and prejudice were frequently the portion of priest and friar, but he preached and laboured unceasingly here. He was called the silver tongued preacher. In 1829, when Catholic Emancipation was granted to Ireland, he made an appeal on behalf of the Christian Brothers' Schools and thrilled his audience with these words: "Let us give glory to God to-day, for to-day we are free; our bonds have been broken, and we are delivered; but no, we are not all free. There is one slave in your midst, and that is he who"

30. Forts of the King of Cashel at Lough Gur

    near Lough Gur · lake or lakes · Limerick

    O'Donovan identified two seats of the King of Cashel—Cathair Chinn Chon and Dun Gair—as located at Lough Gur. The author also argues that a third fort, Dun Fir Aen Cholca, must have been at Lough Gur based on its position in the Book of Rights lists.

    Read the passage

    many instances in Irish Names, in which Cor, meaning a "round hill," occurs, and Dineley names the high hill on which the Munster fort was built, Carrigmore ; so, despite the dwarf, the fort may have been named from the hill, and the name afterwards transferred to the lake. The late Mr. John Fitzgerald, who knew a great deal about the lake, and who has been referred to in such kind terms by Mr. Robert Day in the Journal, was of opinion that Gair was a contraction of a longer word. There was a celebrated fort in the Dalcassian territory, which has not been identified, called Dun Doghair. In a poem, quoted by O'Curry from Dubhthach na Lugair, a.d., 432, it is referred to, and in such a way as to put it, I think, on a level with Cruachain and Emhain, the Connaught and Ulster capitals. In the Wars of G.G., Brian Boroimhe is reported as saying " that his grandfather, Lorcan, would not permit the seven great battalions to burn the ford of U. Doghair for four days and four nights.'" Dr. Todd takes U to be written for Ui, " descendants," but it may be a mistake in the manuscript for Dun. The name being written Dun Gair in the Book of Rights appears, however, to be against this explanation. O'Donovan identities two of the seats of the King of Cashel as having been at Lough Gur. These were CathairChinn Chon and Dun Gair. Between these two forts, in both the prose and poetical list of the Book of Rights, there is a fort named Dun Fir Aen Cholca. From its position in the lists, this fort, I consider, must also have been at Lough Gur, and, perhaps, is to be identified with the strongly-fortified fort on Knockfinnel. It had the same outer walls as are visible today surrounding Dun ^Enghuis, in Aran More. Another interesting point of connection between these two forts is, that Asal, who settled at Toryhill, was brother to /Enghus, the traditional Firbolg builder of Dun /Enghuis. Another of the Munster forts of the King of Cashel was named Ebliu, from Ebliu, daughter of Guare, and wife of Mairid, King of Munster, about the close of the first century of our era. Ebliu is the subject of a peculiarly wild legend, which is related in the "Lebor na h-uidre." She induced her stepson, Eochaidh, to carry her off, and Eochaidh and she went to live in the district, then called Liath-muine, but now covered by Lough Neagh, which was caused by the overflow of a magic well. Lough Neagh took its name from Eochaidh. It is a contraction of Loch n-Echach, that is " the lake of Eochaidh." Now, about a mile north of Murroe, in the county Limerick, there is a conspicuous hill, on the top of which there is an earthen fort, marked in the Ordnance Map, "Lis Gorey," but which the people call the fort of John Guare, this John Guare having been a giant who lived here in the old times, and who had a brother living on the top of a hill, about three miles to the east. Beside these two hills flows a little stream named Ahanetawney (the little ford of the green field). When Guare's brother wished to communicate with him he threw some milk into the stream. A few miles to the north lie the Slieve Felim mountains. These mountains are twelve in number, and the old name is Sljab l)-6blji)'ij JMoMJ) 5l)U4)Ite, "the mountain range of Ebliu, the daughter of Guare." As John Guare is not a very dignified name to bestow upon a giant, I would suggest that John Guare is a corruption of jr)5Jt)) 51)U4)|ie, and that Lis Gorey is the Ebliu of the Book of Rights.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 29

31. Kanturk Castle and MacDonogh's Folly tradition

    Kanturk · town · Cork · 1510–1603

    The imposing ruins of Kanturk Castle are traditionally said to have been ordered halted by Queen Elizabeth when she heard of the castle's great strength being built by MacDonogh, earning it the name 'MacDonogh's Folly.' The Annals of Loch Cé record that in 1510 the Earl of Kildare captured a castle of Ceann-tuirc, though this may have been a different castle.

    Read the passage

    The people of Kanturk have a legend to account for the name. They say that O'Donoghue chased a boar of great size from Lough Lein, Killarney, which was killed by him at the junction of the Ealla and the Dalua. In a note, Transactions of the Ossianic Society, vol. v., p. 62, the writer connects the origin of the name of Kanturk with boar worship. He says, "It is remarkable that most of these legends (Fionn's achievements against boars,) prevail at sites which in Hindostan are considered sacred — the junction of rivers." Dr. Joyce gives a more prosaic origin of the name. He says, "The name shows that the little hill near the town must have been formerly a resort of one or more of these animals [boars]." According to this explanation Ceanntuirc means "boar's hill," and not "boar's head," as it is usually supposed to mean. In the Annals of Loch Ce, under year 1510, Garrett, Earl of Kildare, is said to have marched from Carraig Cital, county Limerick, to the castle of Ceann-tuirc, which lie captured. It seems to me that the Purcells will have some trouble in proving that they were settled at Kanturk in 15 10. This castle can hardly have been the present castle of Kanturk, whose imposing ruins frown not far from the Irish Rhine. There is a tradition in the district, corroborated, I think, by history, that Queen Elizabeth, when she heard of the great strength of the castle which MacDonogh was building, gave orders that he was not to complete it, and so the castle came to be, and is, I believe, still called " MacDonogh's Folly." There was another castle at Curragh, about a mile

    328 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 192

32. Magh Adhair named after Firbolg chieftain

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare

    Irish traditions derive the name of Magh Adhair in county Clare from Adhar, son of Umor, a Firbolg chieftain said to have settled in Clare and Galway before the Milesians.

    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

33. Moyalloe settlement and its proprietors before 1641

    Mallow · town · Cork · 1641

    Moyalloe (Mallow) was a prosperous English settlement with a weekly market where up to one hundred fat beeves were killed and sold weekly between Allhallowtide and Christmas. The Norris family were its proprietors: Sir Thomas Norris served as Lord President of Munster under Elizabeth, and his grandson brought his family to live at Moyalloe in September 1641, only to face rebellion within four months.

    Read the passage

    all in any court, but among themselves, the want of which moderation in other places where the English inhabited is known to have been the ruin of many families. The natives got much money yearly about Moyalloe from the English for wood, timber, carriage work, cloth, flesh, corn, etc., with which they paid their lord's rents and other duties, which was of such necessity to them that the common sort of people had starved without it. Besides, the chief lords and gentlemen thereabouts, who were always " prodigally indigent " in money matters, whenever they had to go to Dublin about lawsuits (wherein they were plentifully furnished), did commonly supply themselves either by some contract or on interest or courtesy out of the town, so that now there are few of them not indebted to some English of that poor place, which [before] had been the greatest thoroughfare in the province. And by reason of a populous and well frequented market, kept weekly — which the abundance of English families living near it caused a great concourse of people and trade there — it is known that between " Alhollontide " and Christmas there were not less than one hundred fat beeves killed and sold weekly, it being usual that a butcher did vend twenty beeves every week. He that should have seen what a numerous and heaped congregation there came to the church every Sabbath (where they received holy instruction from a learned and vigilant pastor), were very uncharitable not to grieve to see or hear what rent and dissipation there is now made, not only among the people, but also in the church itself, by the " holy violence " and breach of the enemy.

    The situation Moyalloe stands in a very pleasant and fruitful soil, with

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 44

34. O'Conaing patrimony from Castle Connel to Pallasgrean

    Castleconnell · town · Limerick · 1400–1500

    O'Heerin's topographical poem describes Clanwilliam as the territory of O'Conaing, stretching from Castle Connel (recte Castle O'Conaing) to Pallasgrean. The old name of the district was Aos-tri-Muighe, 'the district of the three plains.'

    Read the passage

    Here is O'Heerin's description of Clanwilliam, or at least that part of the barony between Castle Connel, recte Castle O'Conaing, and Pallasgrean, the bounds of the patrimony of O'Conaings, now Gunnings, of which name I do not think a single instance can now be given from the barony of Clanwilliam.

    Slef c|ij njmse r»nn 3^c TPiniju,

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 184

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Castleconnell, you are crossing old O'Conaing country. O'Heerin's poem names this stretch of Clanwilliam as their patrimony, running from Castle O'Conaing to Pallasgrean. The family's descendants took the name Gunning, though by the time this was written, not a single one could be found left in the barony.

35. Patrick Condon of Cloghleigh – pardon, attainder and land loss

    Cloghleigh · townland · Tipperary · 1590–1641

    Patrick Condon of Cloghleigh received a letter of Council for pardon and restoration of his lands in 1590 after being indicted and attainted at the suit of Lord Roche. He was dead by 1595. His son David recovered the estates from Arthur Hyde's son in 1611, but the lands were forfeited again in 1641, reducing the Condons to poverty.

    Read the passage

    This was probably the Patrick Condon, of Cloghleigh, who had a letter of Council for the pardon and restoration of his lands in 1590, having been indicted and attainted at the suit of his mortal enemy, Lord Roche {Patent Roll, 33 Elizabeth). He was dead in 1595, as appears from the Patent Roll for that year. The Condons were generally in close alliance with their neighbours the White Knights, although both parties sometimes harried each others lands. By inquisition taken at Mallow 24th April, 3rd James I., it was found that certain rents and duties were payable by the White Knight Edmond and John Oge his father to MacMaoge Condon, the husband of John Oge's sister, out of the eight ploughlands of Kiltimabins, in the barony of Condons and Clongibbon. But Condon's possessions thus for a time restored were subsequently granted by the Crown {Patent 33 Elizabeth to Arthur Hyde, one of the undertakers. David Condon, the son and heir of Patrick, however recovered the estates from the son of Hyde in 161 1, but it was again forfeited in 1641, and the Condons were all reduced to poverty. The family is nearly extinguished in the male line, and the immense estate granted to and recovered from Arthur Hyde, some six thousand acres, is now subdivided among several parties.

    In the reign of Elizabeth many a settler, planter, and undertaker longed for Condon's broad acres; 11,766 acres were granted to Arthur Hyde, esquire, 5,574 to Sir Arthur Hyde, and also large tracts to several other English settlers.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 295

36. Pillaging and destruction of corn at Mallow

    Mallow · town · Cork

    Rebels plundered the town of Moyalloe (Mallow), carrying off about 1400 English sheep plus beeves, beer and bread supplied by Lord Roche, McDonogh and O'Callaghan. They found £1000 worth of malt and wheat, wilfully spoiling great quantities and throwing it into the streets, selling malt at 12d per barrel that within six days cost 20s at the castle.

    Read the passage

    And so that Saturday, 12th of February, passed without 1 2th February. anytj1jng done worthy of relation, save that there resorted to the rebels an incredible confluence of all sorts, some to join with them in the common cause, but most of them to share and co-operate with them in rapine and pilfering of the poor Englishman's goods, whereof they exported great abundance on people's backs, and on garrons out of the town, wherein their very next neighbours were most busy and active, specially in carrying away the corn, of which they found no less than £1000 worth in malt and wheat, a great quantity of which they wilfully spoiled, and threw out into the dirt and streets. Of the rest, they were so egregiously prodigal (lest they should leave any behind for use of the proprietors) that malt was sold for I2d. the barrel, the like whereof, within six days after their departure, was sold for 20s. at the castle. It was observed by the wardens of the Great Castle, out of the platform, that this day there were carried on men's backs into the town about 1400 English sheep for the army's provision, besides great store of beeves, and plenty of beer and bread, sent in every day by the Lord Roche, McDonogh, and O'Callaghan, who undertook to victual them.

    They of the Great Castle had intelligence given them that the enemy began to brew in the town, and make other preparation, by which they collected that the enemy resolved to keep their residence longer than they expected them.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 14

37. Runic bronze plate found in Greenmount tumulus, 1870

    Greenmount · townland · Louth · 850–1870

    On 27 October 1870, excavations in the tumulus at Greenmount uncovered a bronze plate bearing Runic characters and the inscription 'DOMNAL Sealshead OWNS THIS SWORD.' The old place-name was Drumcah, meaning 'ridge of the battle,' suggesting a battle was fought here, possibly in 850 between rival Norse factions.

    Read the passage

    3. In the tumulus at Greenmount was found, on October 27th. 1 S70, a bronze plate, on one side of which Runic characters were made out. The late General Sir Henry Lefroy, K.A., under whom the excavations were carried out, has given (pp. 471-502, vol. i., 4th series Journal Royal Historical and Archceological Association of Ireland) a very full description of the discoveries made in this mound, which were the most

    402 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 232

38. Short Castle surrendered at Moyalloe during Munster rebellion

    Mallow · town · Cork

    During the Munster rebellion, the Short Castle at Moyalloe (Mallow) was surrendered. A dispute arose between Lord Roche's men and the Baron of Loghma's party over shares of pillage, which likely led to the burning of the castle. The rebel forces then fled precipitately, believing the Lord President was approaching with forces from Cork.

    Read the passage

    But this proposition of forsaking them did so much offend those of the county Cork, that McDonogh said that, since the General's party had dealt so unworthily with him as to draw him into this action and then depart, he had no other means to save himself but flying into Spain ; and Lord Roche told them he would rather have given ,£10,000 than be thus deceived ; however, he had in his time gone through great matters, and doubted not but to wade through this, and overcome it. During this discussion the Short Castle was surrendered, from which Baron of Loghma and the rest expected their equal shares of pillage, which Lord Roche, McDonogh and the rest thought not fit to admit, as

    28 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 20

39. St. Brandon's Church burial ground at Vosterburgh

    Cork · city · Cork

    St. Brandon's Church and burial ground occupied part of the grounds of Vosterburgh. Coffins were reportedly deposited at night and immediately buried there even after the burial place had long been closed, and a milk girl was frightened by a skull rolling down the road.

    Read the passage

    Vosterburgh. — Our fellow-member, Mr. G. C. Beale, lias entrusted a letter to me, written by a valued correspondent of our Society, Mr. K. J. Lecky, of London, from which, with his permission, I have culled the following notes of local historic interest : — " Vosterburgh(') —Few now recollect it even in its decay. Old Voster was an ingenious Dutchman, and brought in the natural water of the hill to some advantage. Some of the remains I remember. One was a little boy(z) [fountain] perched upon a square pedestal, from which the water flowed. It stood at the corner as you turned to the right to the hall door. To the south, across the avenue, were two ponds. The first, I think, had a triton in the centre, blowing a jet from a conch shell, and the other had one or two swans, with streams from their bills. The overflow was taken on to the road by a little spout in the centre of a shallow alcove which was built up.(3) ... I never was at the old burying-ground,(4) although often hearing of it. Abraham Abell told a story of a milk girl getting an awful fright on the road one morning early by seeing a human skull rolling down the road before her, out of which jumped a rat, who must have had a long journey. . . . Old Voster wrote that really good arithmetic that so long carried his name. He was a capital mechanic. I have a boxwood slide rule of his make, three feet long, covered with logarithmic and other scales beautifully divided. I had some other things of his doing, engraved copper plates for copy books, but they have disappeared. He made a set of standard measures, gallons, etc., for the Corporation, which were built of squared plates of brass, bolted together at the angles, and a standard yard, screwed down on the sill of the south opening or window of the old Exchange in the South Main Street, which Mr. Richard Sainthill had removed when the Exchange was demolished. I am not sure if he made the table or head of ' the nail' which stood in the centre of the open halKs) of the Exchange, but it is likely that this was before his time."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 285

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Cork, you are near the old grounds of Vosterburgh. Few now recollect it even in its decay. Old Voster was an ingenious Dutchman who brought the natural water of the hill to some advantage. A little boy fountain stood on a square pedestal at the corner where you turned right to the hall door, and the water flowed from it. To the south, across the avenue, were two ponds. The first had a triton in the centre, blowing a jet from a conch shell, and the other had one or two swans, with streams from their bills. The overflow was taken on to the road by a little spout in the centre of a shallow alcove which was built up. The old burying ground of St. Brandon's Church lay in these grounds. Abraham Abell told a story of a milk girl getting an awful fright on the road one morning early by seeing a human skull rolling down the road before her, out of which jumped a rat, who must have had a long journey. Old Voster wrote a really good arithmetic that long carried his name. He was a capital mechanic. The letter writer had a boxwood slide rule of his make, three feet long, covered with logarithmic and other scales beautifully divided, and engraved copper plates for copy books, though those have disappeared. Voster made a set of standard measures, gallons and so on, for the Corporation, built of squared plates of brass bolted together at the angles. He made a standard yard, screwed down on the sill of the south window of the old Exchange in South Main Street, which Mr. Richard Sainthill had removed when the Exchange was demolished.

40. True cross relic preserved at Blackrock Convent

    near Blackrock · population centre · Cork

    A large double cross of rough wood, replacing the original relic given to Holycross Abbey, is preserved in the Ursuline Convent at Blackrock, county Cork. It is enshrined in a decorated reliquary featuring symbols of the four evangelists and the crucified Redeemer.

    Read the passage

    holiest of the two monks they found there ; one of the robbers ordered him to display his power by causing a huge tree " to touch the earth with its bowed top ;" the hermit argued that he should not tempt God, but the robber threatened death or obedience, whereupon the huge tree bowed its crest to the earth ; the robbers thinking they would prevent it rising again caught hold of it, but it rose lifting them up just as King Donald appeared on the scene, who ordered the robber's hands to be cut off. This incident forms the subject of the frontispiece of a book written by a monk of the abbey in the seventeenth century, and preserved in the college in Thurles ; the robbers hands are still clinging to the tree, while they hobble maimed about the trunk. On whatever this legend may have been founded, it gave a sanctity to the place which induced King Donald to grant the site of the old cell to the now famous order of Cistercians, while at the same time he bestowed upon the monks " a piece of the true cross," said to have been given by the Pope to his granduncle, King Murtogh, about the year mo. This relic, which was very small, soon disappeared, but was replaced by a large double cross of rough wood; which is still preserved in the Ursuline Convent at Blackrock, county Cork, and of which some account may be seen in the Journal, vol. iii., p. 46. It is enshrined in a decorated reliquary on which appear to be represented the symbols of the four evangelists, the crucified Redeemer, the Virgin and Child, and what may be the arms of Butler and Burke to signify the maker of the reliquary. On account of this relic pilgrimages were made from all parts of the country by all classes to Holy Cross. It is marvellous how it escaped the iconoclasm of the Reformation, for it was looked upon by the reformers as " that idol whom the Irish nation more superstitiously reverence than all the other idolatries in Ireland." Such was the popular reverence for it that for more than a century after the lands of the abbey were granted to the Earl of Ormonde, at a rent of ^15 10s. 4d., the monks continued to be maintained in the building apparently by the alms of the people.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 150

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Blackrock, outside Cork, the Ursuline Convent preserves a relic whose story begins at Holycross Abbey. The legend tells of monks and robbers. One robber ordered the holiest monk to show his power by causing a huge tree, as the old account says, "to touch the earth with its bowed top." The hermit argued he should not tempt God, but the robber threatened death. The tree bowed its crest to the earth. The robbers seized it to stop it rising, but it rose and lifted them up. King Donald appeared and ordered the robber's hands cut off. A monk of the abbey wrote of this in the seventeenth century, and the book is preserved in the college in Thurles. The legend gave such sanctity that King Donald granted the site to the Cistercians and gave the monks a piece of the true cross, said to have been given by the Pope to his granduncle King Murtogh. That relic was very small and soon disappeared. It was replaced by a large double cross of rough wood, the cross now kept in the convent at Blackrock. It is enshrined in a decorated reliquary showing the symbols of the four evangelists, the crucified Redeemer, the Virgin and Child, and what may be the arms of Butler and Burke. Pilgrims came from all parts to Holy Cross. The reformers called it "that idol whom the Irish nation more superstitiously reverence than all the other idolatries in Ireland." After the abbey lands were granted to the Earl of Ormonde at a rent of 15 pounds, 10 shillings and 4 pence, the monks were still maintained by the alms of the people for more than a century.

41. Underground escape passage at Castle Cooke to River Araglen

    Castlecooke · townland · Cork · 1642

    The surviving Condons at Castle Curbeigh (Castle Cooke) escaped through an underground passage still extant inside the castle, leading to the River Araglen below, whose banks were thickly covered with underwood providing concealment.

    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

42. Westmeath Militia arrested at Skibbereen for United Irish conspiracy

    Skibbereen · town · Cork · 1798

    Eleven privates of the Westmeath Militia were arrested at Skibbereen, escorted to Cork, and tried as United Irishmen conspiring to murder officers and burn the town. Four were shot, four transported, and one received a thousand lashes.

    Read the passage

    houses, and called on all to deilver up their arms ; and on the 8th June General Myers, having occupied with troops all the exits from the city, caused a search to be made from house to house for arms, but did not find many concealed. Soon after came the news of the defeat of the rebels at Vinegar Hill ; and seven Roman Catholic bishops of Munster sent an address to their clergy calling for their " utmost endeavours against this baneful contagion." The yeomanry were not idle in the country ; the Muskerry corps brought from Blarney, and the Bandon corps from Bantry, persons charged with administering unlawful oaths and other treasons. On the 29th June, Government issued a proclamation offering pardon to all rebels in arms who should surrender within fourteen days. At Skibbereen eleven privates of the YYestmeath Militia were arrested and escorted to Cork by yeomanry, where they were afterwards tried on the charge of being United Irishmen, and conspiring to murder their officers and join the country people to pillage and burn Skibbereen. Some comrades turned informers, and all but two were found guilty ; four were shot, four were ordered to serve abroad, and one received a thousand lashes. Fights still continued at various places between the troops and detached bodies of the rebels, but the rebellion had now practically been suppressed. In July Lord Cornwallis became lord lieutenant, and received an address from Roman Catholic gentlemen among others, offering their best exertions to stay the insurrection. Signs of returning tranquillity became more manifest, state trials for past offences being the only reminders, till the quiet was disturbed in August by the sudden landing of a small French force at Killala bay, but they shortly surrendered to a force under Lord Cornwallis after a battle at a place called Ballinamuck (Pigs-town). The forces of the Crown at this time in Ireland were — Ten regiments of cavalry, fifteen of foot, twelve "1 fencible cavalry, and thirty of fenciblc infantry, two of English, ami thirty-seven of Irish militia, besides nearly two hundred corps of volunteers, cavalry and infantry. On the 6th October the royal assent was given to an Act for a free pardon, on conditions, to the misguided men who had engaged in a profitless rebellion.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 123

    As the companion tells it

    Skibbereen, a town the road passes through in Cork. In 1798, this town saw the arrest of eleven privates of the Westmeath Militia. They were accused of being United Irishmen, conspiring to murder their officers and join with the country people to pillage and burn Skibbereen. The arrests were part of a wider crackdown. In June, General Myers occupied all exits from the city of Cork with troops and made house-to-house searches for arms, though not many concealed weapons were found. News of the rebels' defeat at Vinegar Hill had just arrived. Seven Roman Catholic bishops of Munster sent an address to their clergy, calling for their utmost endeavours against what they termed "this baneful contagion." In the countryside, the yeomanry were active. The Muskerry corps brought from Blarney, and the Bandon corps from Bantry, persons charged with administering unlawful oaths and other treasons. On the 29th of June, Government issued a proclamation offering pardon to all rebels in arms who should surrender within fourteen days. The eleven privates were escorted to Cork by yeomanry. At their trial, some comrades turned informers. All but two were found guilty. Four were shot. Four were ordered to serve abroad. One received a thousand lashes. After the arrests, fights continued between troops and detached bodies of rebels, though the rebellion was practically suppressed. In July, Lord Cornwallis became lord lieutenant and received an address from Roman Catholic gentlemen offering their best exertions to stay the insurrection. Quiet returned until August, when a small French force landed suddenly at Killala Bay. They surrendered shortly after to a force under Lord Cornwallis following a battle at Ballinamuck.

43. Arrests for house burnings in Donoughmore

    Donaghmore · townland · Cork · 1803

    In September 1803, the Muskerry Cavalry arrested ten men in the parish of Donoughmore, County Cork, accused of burning eight houses. The men were initially lodged in Macroom Bridewell before being escorted to the County Gaol in Cork.

    Read the passage

    "September $th. Went out on information with the guard and took ten men in the parish of Donoughmore, charged with the burning of eight houses in that neighbourhood on the night of the 3rd inst., and lodged them in Macroom Bridewell.

    "September St/i. Liberated three of the prisoners taken on the 5th inst., not having sufficient information against them. Escorted the seven other prisoners to Cork the same day, and lodged them in the County Gaol.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 12

44. Attack on John Gillman's house at Milane near Dunmanway

    Milane · townland · Cork · 1798

    Armed gangs scouring west Cork searching houses for arms attacked the home of John Gillman at Milane near Dunmanway. Gillman had warning and was aided by six soldiers whose fire killed one attacker and wounded others; a captured man named T. MacCarthy was later executed.

    Read the passage

    ladies and children left Muskerry for Cork or England, except some who held on in fortified residences ; and twelve thousand copies of a proclamation were issued, intimating that the military and yeomanry would take vigorous measures to repress disturbances and seize arms. Notwithstanding this, large armed gangs scoured the west of county Cork, searching houses for arms, and robbing indiscriminately. The house of John Gillman, at Milane, near Dunmanway, was one of those attacked, but he had received notice of their approach, and was aided by six soldiers, whose fire killed one and wounded others, of whom one named T. MacCarthy was captured, and soon after executed, after acknowledging at the scaffold the justice of his sentence, which he hoped would be a warning to other deluded persons. On Sunday, 29th April, a pastoral letter from the Roman Catholic bishop, Dr. Moylan, was read in all the chapels of the diocese of Cork, exhorting the people not to be led from their allegiance by the machinations of ill-designing men, which had a salutary effect in preventing many in the county Cork from joining the insurgents. In Dublin, on the following Sunday, the noted Major Sirr captured a committee of United Irishmen at the house of a publican on Rogerson's Quay ; and on the 19th May arrested Lord Edward Fitzgerald, after a desperate struggle, at the house of Murphy, a feather merchant in Thomas Street. Lord Edward died soon after of his wounds then received. The next day Henry and John Sheares, barristers, were taken and committed to gaol on the charge of high treason. For this they were tried, and on the 14th July were executed at the front of the new prison in Dublin. On their fate the ancestor, to whom the writer is indebted for the materials of this sketch, makes this comment : — " Thus fell victims to inordinate ambition two gentlemen of talents and learning, sons of a very worthy and respectable gentleman of Cork, who happily did not live to behold their untimely fate ; their heads were severed and given with their bodies to their friends."

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 122

45. Castle Lyons as English military quarters, 1643

    Castlelyons · town · Cork · 1643

    Sir Charles Vavasor quartered at Castle Lyons the night before the battle near Fermoy. He was sent for in great haste when the Irish army appeared a mile and a half from the English position.

    Read the passage

    On the 4th June, being Sunday, about daybreak, Mr. Hill, with a squadron of horse, was sent to scout near Cloghine and Castle Grace, in the county of Tipperary. Before it was light he found himself surrounded by the Irish horse, so that he and his men escaped with difficulty ; and, alarming the English at Cloghleigh, they immediately ranged in battalia, in two divisions, in a field near a mountain, on the side of which the Irish soon appeared, a mile and a half from the army. Sir Charles Vavasor, who the night before lay at Castle Lyons, was sent for in great haste, but before he arrived two hundred musketeers commanded by Captain Philip Hutton, and a troop of horse led by Captain Freke, advanced towards the Irish about half a mile, and then halted for two hours. In the meantime parties of horse on both sides approached each other with their trumpets sounding a charge. Christopher O'Brien, brother to the Earl of Inchiquin, demanded a parley with Quartermaster Page, and after some compliments and discourse they parted, as did afterwards Captain Richard FitzMaurice, brother to Lord Kerry, with Mr. O'Brien. Soon after notice was given that the Irish were advancing, upon which Sir Charles received notice that Sir John Brown was advancing from Mallow, and was but a mile and a half from him and at his disposal. Sir Charles having consulted with his officers that such a body of horse as appeared could not be without a great body of foot, although they did not yet come over the hill, so that retreat was resolved upon, and the carriages were ordered to hasten to Fermoy with the cannon to defend that pass, in case he should be hard pressed ; whereupon the army halted to let the cannon proceed, and then drew off towards Castle Lyons. The vanguard was led by Lieutenant King (afterwards Baron Kingston), the main body by Major Howell, and the rear by Sir Charles himself; and behind them was a forlorn hope commanded by Captain Pierce Lacy, Captain Hutton, and Lieutenant Stadbury, with all the horse in the rear, who no sooner had passed the Funcheon and recovered the top of the hill but the enemy's horse were at their heels. From this hill to Fermoy there was a narrow defile well known to both parties. As soon as the Irish perceived the English to march through the lane, except the forlorn hope and the horse, they charged them in the rear, and so pressed on the horse, being only one hundred and twenty, that they were forced to fall in among the foot and put them to the rout. The ordnance had not yet passed the Blackwater, nor had the two companies arrived there to defend the passage, so the English lost all their colours except one pair,saved by the gallant behaviour of Dermot O'Grady, ensign to Captain Roland St. Leger, as also two pieces of cannon. Sir Charles Vavasor, Captain Wind, Captain Fitzmaurice, Lieutenant King, Ensign Chapman and other officers were made

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 293

46. Court martial sentence at Caherconlish, 1798

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick · 1798

    William Ryan Stephen was sentenced by a general court martial on 1 July 1798 to be hanged at Caherconlish for taking arms and swearing people. His body was to be thrown into the 'croppies' hole in the new jail.

    Read the passage

    July 1st, 1798. Sentence passed by the General Court Martial. William Ryan Stephen taking arms and swearing people, to be hanged at Caherconlish, his body to be brought back and thrown into the croppies' hole in the new jail.

    Until a few years ago there was a tea tower standing in the orchard at west end of village. This was erected by a Mr. MacXamara, whose uncle, Mr. John Brown,(ic0 was an architect, and owned a good deal of house property in Caherconlish in the beginning of the century. Mr. MacXamara, whose father belonged to Cork city, had a somewhat romantic career. When young he went to France, and having learned the wine business there, came home and set up in business in Limerick, and soon realized a large fortune, but he lost it all again, and died a poor man in America. Mr. John Brown was in partnership with Mr. Hannan, the architect of the county Limerick Courthouse, which was opened in 1809, and he and Mr. Hannan built several of the glebe houses erected about this time in county Limerick. The Browns first appear in the municipal lists of Limerick in the fifteenth century. 1 heard a curious tradition about the family of Mr. John Brown. His ancestors lived at the foot of Knockroe hills. Some English soldiers having endeavoured to drive off the cattle of the Browns, there ensued a fight in which one of the soldiers was killed ; the Browns fearing the consequence, and considering "discretion the better part of valour," sought safety in flight, and went off to some place in the west, called after them Brown's Island,

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 209

47. English forces march to Ballyhoura to defend Doneraile

    Doneraile · townland · Cork

    Upon hearing that Lord Mungarrett intended to attack Doneraile, the Lord President marched his army to the foot of the Ballyhoura mountains, three miles north of the town, to intercept the rebels. The rebels delayed their advance to gather arms and ammunition.

    Read the passage

    Ffryday the fourth day of Ffebruary, the Lord President hearing that the Lord Mungarrett intended with his army to come to his Lordship's towne of Dunnarayle, his Lordship caused our army to march to the mountaynes foote, alias Ballihoura, three miles from the marches to sa^ Towne, to the north, to prevent their coming, wee meet Lord quartered there that night Satturday and Sunday night, near Doneraile Munday the seventh day of Ffebruary my Lord seeing their delayes were but to get armes and ammunition and a strong party marched towards the [4] Towne of Kilmallock and plundered the countrey for they were most Rebells in those partes. The Lord Mungarrett kept close in the Towne and dared not fight with us. We could at that tyme have made up but a thousand armed men, besides our troupes of horse, we had made a period of Mungarretts Rebellion, and of all those that were then out in the Countyes of Corke and Limbricke. Wee, seeing wee could do no execution uppon them, returned to our old Quarters. There was good service done in our marche by our scoutes and by the Provest Marshall, Captayne Peasely and his horse.

    Sir John Browne knight, Lieur-tennant Carleton and my selfe, with

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 171

48. Episcopal largesse custom in Cloyne vs workhouse

    Cloyne · town · Cork

    When bishops drove out daily, poor inhabitants surrounded their carriage at the wooden gate to receive five-penny bits as a form of outdoor relief. An informant who had himself sought shelter in the workhouse contrasted this custom warmly with the workhouse system, calling episcopal charity a blessed form of benefaction.

    Read the passage

    The bishops, as my informant told me (he is now dead), who had seen three in succession there, were most liberal in their donations to the people. Realizing probably that most of those who contributed to their wealth did not receive their religious ministrations, they thought it right of what they got to make a generous use ; and he said that when the bishop, as he described it, drove out, which he did every day at a certain hour when at home, as soon as the wooden gate was thrown open his carriage was surrounded by a large crowd of the poorer inhabitants of the town who came for largesse ; and they used not to be disappointed, for the bishop always had ready a fair share of five-penny bits which he distributed, or gave for distribution, among the poorer people. It was a simple, a rough and ready way of out-door relief when none other such existed ; probably not the best sort, but certainly better than none ; probably not more productive of poverty — if at all so — than our present system, and it may be more in accordance with the principles of charity than our legally imposed contributions — certainly more productive of gratitude. My poor informant, who had been compelled more than once to seek temporary shelter in the neighbouring workhouse, and whose relations or friends had been known to him to have been formerly the recipients of this episcopal largesse, used to contrast, almost bitterly, the two systems ; the workhouse he only regarded as a necessary evil, the other he spoke of as a blessed form of benefaction which he, for one, never forgot.

    " Ah, sir, those were the good times when the poor were not forgotten." He used to speak of this one thing, which comes nearer to the heart of the poor, with enthusiasm — in the spirit of Edmond Burke

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 77

49. Five raths and alleged souterrain at Garranes

    Garranes · townland · Cork

    The farm of Garranes, about 295 acres, contained no fewer than five raths. A spot on the slope of a hill near one rath was identified locally as the entrance to underground chambers; excavation turned up vast quantities of charcoal but no entrance was found.

    Read the passage

    When the chambers were discovered " a considerable quantity of charcoal was found in them, and the fragments of a quern or hand-mill." Mr. Croker adds that on the farm of Garranes, which appears to be two hundred and ninety-five acres in extent, there are no less than five raths, and that a spot was pointed out to him, about fifty yards from one of these and on the slope of hill, as the entrance to a passage or tunnel leading into chambers beneath the floor of that rath. He "caused an excavation to be made here for a short time, but did not succeed in discovering the alleged entrance, although from the vast quantity of charcoal turned up their appeared to be little doubt that the information given was correct."

    As to this, I would observe that an alleged passage of the same was lately pointed out to me, and was stated to lead from a spot outside a caher (or stone-built circular entrenchment) to subterranean chambers within it. This was at Caherbaroule, the townland next to Kilbcrchert, before mentioned. The spot outside the caher was locally callcd "The Chimney," and I was told that it formerly gave exit to the smoke from chambers within the caher. But on a close examination I deemed it much more probable that the alleged chimney, which was lined with stones, was a rude oven large enough to bake a whole ox. It is very possible that what Mr. Croker saw was something of the same nature. With thatched houses of wood inside the plateau of a rath or caher, it would be advantageous in times of peace to have a place outside the structure where a large lire for cooking could be kindled without danger to the buildings inside.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 244

50. Johnny Roche buried at Templeroan churchyard

    Templeroan · parish · Cork · 1884

    Johnny Roche, an eccentric builder of a castle near a river, wished to be buried in a tomb in the river within view of his castle but abandoned the idea after being satirised. He died on 10 February 1884 aged over 80 and was buried among his relations in the churchyard of Templeroan.

    Read the passage

    He now reposes, amongst his relations, in the quiet churchyard of Templeroan, not far from the spot immortalized by the achievements of his active moments, where his name has long since grown " a household word," and where his memory is not likely to be forgotten at the peasant's fireside as the aged sire relates to his attentive child the stories and legends of the olden times. A pithy obituary notice of him appeared at the time of his death in the columns of the Cork Examiner. It was a matter of surprise to him that nobody had ever penned what he called " his history," as he considered there was nothing hitherto accomplished with stone and mortar to erpial the appearance of his castle, and as his life abounded in as much if not more incident and originality than that of many others wdiose slightest actions were carefully chronicled. He dreaded lest he should go down to his grave unsung, leaving the labours of a long eventful lifetime unknown to posterity, and his grandest actions unrecorded to fade away unto forgetfulness. In a material light the varied career of this strange and mysterious being presents, after all, little more than genius travelling in the dark. Had he possessed the advantages arising from a course of education properly directed, and had his energies been concentrated in acquiring a knowledge of some particular science, it is a matter for conjecture to what world-wide eminence he might have attained, but as his fertile fancy was allowed to exert itself in its wildest mode and display itself in every the most outlandish form; the labours even of the most powerful intellect, under such circumstances, usually terminate in little more than the trifling toywork of children. View him, however, amidst his own rural surroundings, as he played his many parts on life's great stage, with his violin in one hand and his trowel in the other, and not as what he might have been had the supposed acquisitions already enumerated intervened, and more extraordinary ingenuity, more varied resource, and more singular originality, it will readily be conceded, have rarely been displayed in any one man.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 105

51. King William III encamped at Caherconlish, 1690

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick · 1690

    King William III and General Ginckle encamped at Caherconlish in August 1690. The field south of 'Ra Dook' contains the track of an old road called 'the King's Road,' and nearby walls of the Frend family house where the king slept for two nights still stand.

    Read the passage

    Xow it is time to return to Caherconlish. The field south of " Ea Dook " was where William III. and General Ginckle encamped when they visited Caherconlish. Through the middle of this field there is the track of an old road, now hardly distinguishable, called "the King's Road." The field south of this is named " Park Aphroinnse" (the prince's field), and in this field still stand the walls of an old house,(6) the former residence of the Frend family, in which King William slept during his two nights' stay in Caherconlish.

    Earl}- in August, 1690, the English army, 20,000 strong, arrived at Golden Bridge, in count)' Tipperary. While here Mr. Robert Frankland arrived and informed the king that Mr. Wilson and Lieutenant Croker had fortified themselves in Caherconlish Castle against the Rapparees. On the 7th of August, 1690, King William came to Caherconlish, where he was joined by the forces of Douglas from Athlone. On the evening of the 8th King William, accompanied by Prince George and General Ginckle, went to reconnoitre the position of the enemy in Limerick. That night a council of war was held, and it was decided to begin the march at once to Limerick. At five o'clock the following

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 206

52. Mountgarret's rebel army encamps at Moyalloe, February 1641

    Mallow · town · Cork · 1641

    Lord Mountgarret marched into county Cork in February 1641 with an army to incite rebellion among the local lords and gentlemen. He kept his army at Moyalloe for six days before departing in offence after disputes arose between his commanders and local lords including the Lord Roche, McDonogh, and O'Callaghan.

    Read the passage

    The Lord Mountgarret, general of this invincible army, with which he marched into county Cork, February, 1641, to put all the lords and Mountaarret's gentlemen thereof into action of rebellion, and which he army six days kept in Moyalloe six days, departed from them with all at Moyalloe. hfs army in great offence on some difference arising between his commanders and the Lord Roche, McDonogh, O'Callaghan, and other chief gentlemen of that country. By his leaving them they were beyond measure perplexed, and repented they had so " inconsiderably " revolted at the instigation of the general who had forsaken them, having neither men nor arms to preserve themselves from any force that might assault them. In truth, a very small number of men would in this desperate condition have expelled them out of their countries ; but they had dipped their fingers so deep in this treason that there was no hope or thought of retractation or submission for them. It therefore behoved them to summon themselves and their best counsels for their present security, and by good fortune they fell on an expedient that wrought their deliverance for the present by their speedy repair to the Lord of Muskerry. He was understood to stand a neuter and hold intelligence

    (7) A rabbit-warren.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 44

53. Pillar tower near Elizabeth Fort, Cork

    Cork · city · Cork

    A pillar tower stood at the foot of a hill on the mainland near what is now Elizabeth Fort in Cork, and likely attracted St. Fin Barr to found his church nearby. The Normans called the tower near St. Fin Barr's 'Ye Watche,' and it was fiercely contested when Captain Townshend defended it against cannon fire.

    Read the passage

    HEN the fair-haired Fin Barr left his retreat in Lone Gougane Barra, and wandered duwn the valley of the Lee, his eye was caught by the beauty of a cluster of verdure-clad islands, mirrored in crystal water which ringed them lovingly round, as the Atlantic clasps green Erin. On these clustered islands the good saint determined to found a place, which from his time grew and throve, until it became what it is to-day — the beautiful city of Cork. It was not much of a site in an engineering point of view on which to found a city, being too far from the sea for one reason, being too low for another, and he never thought that the green hills around it would be a line place for the cannon of future days to batter down his little city. I hold it was the presence of one of the pillar towers of Ireland, which stood at the foot of a hill on the mainland, near to what is now Elizabeth Fort, was the attraction, as most church builders built Christian edifices very near to a round tower. Father Mat Horgan, of Blarney, finding no towers at Waterloo or Whitechurch. built them independently for himself, and there they are.

    486 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 281

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up on Cork now. The story of this city begins with the fair-haired Fin Barr, who left his retreat at Gougane Barra and wandered down the valley of the Lee. His eye was caught by a cluster of green islands, mirrored in clear water that ringed them round. On those islands he decided to found a place, and from his time it grew and throve until it became the city of Cork. It was not much of a site for building a city. Too far from the sea, and too low. He never thought the green hills around it would be a fine place for cannon to batter down his little city. The belief is that a pillar tower stood at the foot of a hill on the mainland, near what is now Elizabeth Fort, and that tower drew Fin Barr to build his church nearby. Most church builders put their Christian edifices very near a round tower. Father Mat Horgan of Blarney, finding no towers at Waterloo or Whitechurch, built them for himself, and there they are. The Normans later called the tower near St. Fin Barr's church Ye Watche, and it was fiercely contested when Captain Townshend defended it against cannon fire.

54. Richard Townsend hands keys of Cork to Cromwell at Dungarvan

    Dungarvan · town · Waterford · 1649

    After his release from imprisonment in 1649, Richard Townsend sailed for New Ross to meet Cromwell, but encountered him at Dungarvan and handed him the keys of Cork. He subsequently became a purchaser and grantee of forfeited lands including Castle Townsend.

    Read the passage

    The patriarch of the Cork Townsends ; supposed to be of English origin ; an officer in the Irish Army under Lord Inchiquin ; was at the battle of Knockanass, near Mallow, 1647; made prisoner for offering to join the Parliament side in 1649, and on his release sailed for New Ross to meet Cromwell, and meeting him at Dungarvan handed to him the keys of Cork ; a purchaser and grantee of forfeited lands, including Castle Townsend ; commanded the Carbery militia, 1666 ; high sheriff Cork county, 1671. He died July, 1692, leaving issue. {Sec Bryan Townsend.)

    Townsend, Richard, of Castle Townsend.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 191

55. Thaddeus McCarthy refused entry to Cork

    Cork · city · Cork · 1490–1492

    Upon returning from Rome as appointed bishop of Cork and Cloyne, Thaddeus McCarthy was refused reception by the city of Cork and its community. The Pope later named Maurice, Earl of Desmond, William Barry, and the community of Cork as sons of iniquity who hindered his administration.

    Read the passage

    Thaddeus, who was present in Rome to carry out his appeal so very successfully, and his being fully justified and with praise elevated to a higher position, returned to Ireland. The city of Cork and the townsmen of Youghal, the Geraldines and Philip O'Ronan, refused to receive him. In two years again we find blessed Thaddeus in Rome. We have no details of his arrival in Ireland and refusal by the above, nor of his stay in Rome, but there is extant another bull of Innocent VIII., dated xv. kalends of August, 1492. In this Pope Innocent VIII. relates that he has heard with much displeasure that certain sons of iniquity, namely, Maurice, Earl of Desmond, and William Barry, and Edmund Maurice de Geraldine, and the community of the city of Cork, besides the university of the city of Youghal, in the Cloyne diocese, and their chiefs William

    (3) There are five apostolic bulls relating to blessed Thaddeus — (1) Excommunication against him, xii. kalends August, 1488 ; (2) ending of the dispute regarding the church of Ross, xi. kalends May, 1490 ; (3) election of Thaddeus to the sees of Cork and Cloyne, the same day ; (4) confirmation of same election, the same day ; (5) warning and threat of excommunication against those hindering Thaddeus in the administration of his church. — Vatican Archives.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 290

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Cork, you are passing through a city that once shut its gates on its own bishop. Thaddeus McCarthy had gone to Rome and won his appeal. He was fully justified, praised, and elevated to a higher position. He was appointed bishop of Cork and Cloyne, confirmed by the Pope. He came back to Ireland to take up his office. But the city of Cork refused to receive him. So did the townsmen of Youghal, the Geraldines, and Philip O'Ronan. Within two years, Thaddeus was back in Rome. We have no account of how he arrived, or what exactly happened when he was turned away. But a bull from Pope Innocent the Eighth, dated 1492, survives. In it, the Pope says he has heard with much displeasure that certain sons of iniquity have hindered Thaddeus in the administration of his church. He names them: Maurice, Earl of Desmond, William Barry, Edmund Maurice de Geraldine, the community of the city of Cork, and the university of the city of Youghal in the Cloyne diocese. Five apostolic bulls from the Vatican Archives relate to Thaddeus, the last one a warning and threat of excommunication against anyone who hindered him.

56. Arklow veteran seeks rebel assistance

    Arklow · town · Wicklow

    An old man on crutches told a rebel colonel at Hollymount that he had been wounded at the Battle of Arklow and that his son died there fighting for his country. The colonel recognized him and gave him some money.

    Read the passage

    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

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming near Arklow, a town in Wicklow. A story is told of an old man on crutches who came before a rebel colonel at Hollymount. He said he had been wounded at the battle of Arklow, and asked the colonel if he remembered him. The colonel did not recognize him at first. The old man said,

57. Caherconlish fairs and their decline over a toll dispute

    Caherconlish · town · Limerick · 1624

    Four annual fairs were held in Caherconlish village, chartered in 1624. They came to an end after a dispute between toll collector Edmund Brummagen and a pig buyer over fourpence, which led to a boycott of the fairs.

    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

58. Civilians sheltered at Lismore Castle during rebel assault

    Lismore · town · Waterford · 1642

    Hundreds of poor people, mostly women and children, fled to Lismore Castle for refuge during the rebel occupation of the town. By the Lord's stratagem and defense, they all escaped harm from the rebels.

    Read the passage

    their wagons, and a number of scaling ladders, that five or six at once might go up abreast, they are in the Castle at Lismore at this da)-. And thus by the Providence of God as the Primary efficient, and the forecast and manhood of this honourable Lord the subordinate instrument, those Rebles were shamefully chased away, the Castle preserved, and many hundreds of poore people women and children for the most part that did fly there for succour escaped their furey and not so much as one of them hurted.

    298 CORK HISTORICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 174

59. Cundons kill 23 Earl of Barrymore's troops near Fermoy

    Fermoy · townland · Cork · 1641–1642

    The Cundons killed twenty-three of the Earl of Barrymore's troops who were riding to Coole, an English plantation about a mile from Fermoy, to fetch corn. The writer calls it a barbarous, cruel murder and trusts divine punishment will follow.

    Read the passage

    The Cundons doe much mischief near Ffermoy and Castle Lyons, they killed at one tyme three and twenty of the Earle of Barrimore's troopes, that roade to Coole an English plantation about a mile from the Towne to fetch corne, it was a most barbarous cruell murder, I trust the allseeing eye of the Almighty will not suffer it goc long unpunished :

    To acquaint you, Sir, with the overthrow we [21] gave the Lord of Muskery near Corke with 500 musketeers, and a hundred fifty horse, and how his Lordship's tent was taken there by our souldiers, and his armour for his owne body, would be true though stale newes : for I am sure you have seen part of the passages in print.

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 178

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Fermoy, the Cundons did a great deal of mischief. They killed three and twenty of the Earl of Barrymore's troops, who were riding to Coole, an English plantation about a mile from the town, to fetch corn. The writer of the time called it a barbarous, cruel murder, and trusted the all-seeing eye of the Almighty would not suffer it to go long unpunished.

60. Dermot MacCarthy loses Kanturk and Lohort estates to Perceval

    Kanturk · town · Cork · 1613–1641

    Dermot MacCarthy of Lohort held letters-patent for much of Duhallow but borrowed heavily from Sir Philip Perceval against the lands of Kanturk and Lohort. After joining the rebels in 1641, he lost his equity of redemption, and Perceval took possession of the estates.

    Read the passage

    He had letters-patent 13th James I., of the greater part of Duhallow; he borrowed from Sir Philip Perceval, on the security of the lands of Kanturk, Lohort, etc., a sum of money " more than the entire worth of the estates." MacCarthy joined the rebels in i64i,and lost his equity of redemption, and being in default, Perceval entered into possession of the estates, which are still held by his descendant, the Earl of Egmont.

    MacCarthy, Justin (afterwards titular Viscount Mountcashell).

    Internet Archive journalofcorkhisv21896cork, Chapter 26