Name: Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society (vol. 8)
Author: County Kildare :County Kildare Archaeological Society

Assassination of the O'Connors of Offaly at Carrick Castle

Carrick · townland · Offaly · 1305

Sir Peter de Bermingham murdered the O'Connors of Offaly at a banquet in his castle of Carrick in 1305, reportedly under contract with the Justiciar and Council of Ireland, who paid £100 upon receipt of the victims' heads.

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This record is the last I can find relating to Sir John Wogan’s connexion with Ireland, and is certainly a testimony to his persistent activity in the service of his Sovereign and to the unwavering trust reposed in him. To have retained through a quarter of a century the favour of Princes in the stormy period through which he served them, is, no doubt, a proof of considerable ability, but scarcely justifies indiscriminate eulogy, and must not blind us to evidence of some limitations in the character of Sir John Wogan. Unfortunately, it is impossible to acquit him of complicity in one of the most infamous transactions that dishonoured the English name in Ireland — the assassination of the O’Oonnors of Offaly by Sir Peter de Bermingham, at a banquet in his castle of Carrick in 1305. De Bermingham undoubtedly executed this murder under contract with the Justiciar and Council of Ireland, who, delivered to him the sum of <£100, on receipt of the heads of the victims.6 In the same year, 1305, when attending the Parliament of Westminster, Wogan was charged with denial of justice to Agnes de Valence, the King’s cousin, and widow of Maurice Fitz- Gerald, 3rd Baron of Offaly, who had been dead since 1268. She had been ejected by force of arms from her dower lands by John fitzThomas, then 5th Baron of Offaly, but had been restored by the Justiciar’s Court. She then brought an action for damages to her goods and chattels to the amount of £3,000, but failed to get even a hearing from Wogan. The King issued
1 Cal. Pat. Rolls, 1313-17, p. 186. 2 Ibid., p. 223. 3 Ibid., p. 646.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 204

Sir Piers de Bermingham's Massacre at Carrick Castle

Carrick · townland · Kildare · 1305

Sir Piers de Bermingham treacherously murdered members of the Ui Corchobhair of Ui Failghe within his castle of Carraig Fheorais on Trinity Sunday, 1305. This event is linked to the origin of the family's Irish surname MacFheorais.

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Lctighean to distinguish it from the three other districts called Cairbre} 0 Ciardha is now anglicized Keary or Carey. Immediately prior to the Anglo-Norman invasion the tuath of Cairbre seems to have ceased to exist as an entity separate from Ui Faolain, and Strongbow granted it to Meiler FitzHenry (justiciar, 1199-1208) under the description of “ the more remote cantred of Offelan.”2 In the 14th century Carbury became the “country” of the Berminghams or Mac Flieorais, sometimes anglicized Corish. The first of the family in Ireland was Robert de Bermingham, to whom Strongbow granted Tuath da Mhuighe, i.e., the Barony of Warrenstown, and the northern part of Coolestown, in the King’s County.3 The first de Bermingham in Carbury seems to have been Sir Piers, who treacherously murdered some of the Ui Corchobhair of Ui Fdilghe in his castle of Carraig Flieorais on Trinity Sunday, 1305.4 From this Sir Piers, the Irish surname of the family, MacFheorais, meaning Piers’ son, is probably derived. Sir William Bermingham was created Baron of Carbery, 17th June, 1541, but on the death (s.p.) of his son, Edward, in 1548, the title became extinct. The property passed to his heir, Walter, of Meylerstown, nephew of Sir William, who died on November 27th, 1591. His son was Thomas, of Dunfierth, on the death of whose son, Walter,, of Dunfierth ( s.p .) in 1638 the family became extinct. The last of the Berminghams seem to have been Piers of Donadea, Andrew of Carrisborough, and Garret of Carrick, attainted in 1691. 5
Parishes.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 158

Death of Jackson in the Dublin Courtroom

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1795

Jackson was tried in Dublin in April 1795 for treasonable correspondence; on being brought back to court he appeared deathly pale and collapsed, having taken poison that morning to escape execution.

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Cockayne disappeared from Dublin, but was found ill at Holyhead; and in April, 1795, Jackson was tried. Curran, George Ponsonby, Emmett, and others were engaged for his defence ; but his guilt was evident, and though the trial lasted till four in the morning, the jury only required half an hour to consider their verdict. A remand was ordered for four days, and Jackson was again brought before the Court. On his way through the streets he was observed to be deadly pale, and it was thought that he was afraid. In the Court he could scarcely stand, and Lord Clonmell, who presided, tried to hurry through the proceedings. He was asked if he had anything to say as to why sentence should not be passed against him, but he could not speak. Curran first, and then George Ponsonby, interposed, and as the latter was speaking Jackson fell forward apparently fainting. Lord Clonmell ordered the prisoner to be taken away, and the Court adjourned. “ My Lord,” said the Sheriff, “ the prisoner is dead.”
He had taken poison that morning to escape the disgrace of execution.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 18

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Dublin, this is where Jackson stood trial in April 1795 for treasonable correspondence. Curran, George Ponsonby, Emmett and others defended him, but his guilt was evident. The trial lasted until four in the morning, yet the jury needed only half an hour to reach a verdict. A remand was ordered for four days, and when Jackson was brought back through the streets he was deadly pale. People thought he was afraid. In court he could scarcely stand, and Lord Clonmell, who presided, tried to hurry through the proceedings. Asked if he had anything to say before sentence, Jackson could not speak. Curran interposed, then George Ponsonby, and as Ponsonby was speaking Jackson fell forward, apparently fainting. Lord Clonmell ordered the prisoner taken away and the court adjourned. "My Lord," said the Sheriff, "the prisoner is dead." He had taken poison that morning to escape the disgrace of execution.

Father John Murphy captured and hanged at Tullow, 1798

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1798

After the defeat of the rebels on Kilcumney Hill in June 1798, their leader Father John Murphy, parish priest of Boulavogue, was captured and brought to Tullow, the headquarters of General Sir James Duff, where he was hanged. A memorial statue was later erected in the Market Square of Tullow.

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In 1798, though the rebels made attacks on the towns of Clonegall, Carlow, and Hacketstown, yet Tullow never appears to have been the scene of carnage that these other places were. After the defeat of the rebels on Kilcumney Hill in June, their principal leader, Father John Murphy, p.p., of Boulavogue, was captured, brought to Tullow, the headquarters of General Sir James Duff, and hanged. The ’98 memorial, lately erected in the Market Square of Tullow, consists of a statue of Father John, with inscriptions round the pedestal in Irish and English.
The Church.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 45

Lady Margaret FitzGerald's ordeal and Sir Pierce Butler's ambush near Kilkenny

Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1491–1497

During the conflict between Sir Pierce Butler, Earl of Ossory, and Sir James 'the Black Bastard' of Ormonde, Lady Margaret FitzGerald endured great hardship while her husband hid in woods and forests. Pierce later ambushed and killed Sir James with a spear on the road between Donmore and Kilkenny on 17th July 1497.

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“ Great and manifold were the miseries the Lady Margaret susteyned, her husband Pierce Butler being so eagerly pursued by the usurper as hee durst not beare up head, but was forced to hover and lurke in wooddes and forrests. The noble woman being great with childe and uppon necessitee constreyned to use a spare diet (for her onely sustenance was milke) shee longed for wyne, and calling her lord and a trusty servant of his, James White, to her, she requested them both to help her to some wyne, for she was not able any longer to endure so streight a life. ‘Truly, Margaret,’ quoth the Earl of Ossorie. ‘thou shalt have store of wyne within these foure & twentie houres, or else thou shalt feed alone on milke for me.’ The next daye following, Pierce having intelligence that hys enemie the base Butler would have travayled from Donmore to Kilkennie, notwithstanding hee was accompanied with sixe horsemenne, yet Pierce having none but his lacky, did forstall hym in the way, and with a couragious charge, gored the bastard through with his speare. Thus prosperous calm, succeeding the former boisterous storm, the Lady Margaret began to take hearte, her natural stoutness floted, as well by the remembrance of her noble birth, as by the intelligence of her honourable matche.”
This event happened on the 17th of July, 1497 ; and on the 7th of September Sir Pierce wrote to Thomas, 7th Earl of Ormonde, an account of it, in which he says that Sir James not only kept him out of his lands, but imprisoned him for a long time, “ contrarie to his oath and promyse,” and never set him free till the Earl of Desmond, with difficulty, obtained his liberty. Sir James then swore, he added, that he would slay

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 344

Mysterious Death of MP Robert Downes in Dawson Street

Dawson Street · street · Dublin · 1754

Robert Downes, MP for Kildare, was found in his parlour in Dawson Street, Dublin, run through with a sword. He claimed it was a fair duel, but the general opinion was that he had transfixed himself.

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Robert Downes, of Donnybrook, County Dublin, was the eldest son of the Right Rev. Dive Downes, Bishop of Cork and Ross (1699-1709), by Catherine, daughter of the Hon. Robert FitzGerald. Born in Dublin in 1708, he received his education at Trinity College, Dublin, where he matriculated as Fellow Commoner, 9th January, 1724. He was admitted to the Middle Temple, 9th December, 1728, being called to the Irish Bar, Michaelmas, 1783. This was his only appearance in Parliament, his return being brought about by the influence of his maternal cousin, the Earl of Kildare. He married on 18th February, 1737, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Twigge, of Donny brook Castle, County Dublin. A popular rather than an able man, “ Robin Downes/’ as he was familiarly called, is summed up by the Primate as “ decent, sober, and religious.’* His death, which is shrouded in mystery, took place at his house in Dawson Street, Dublin, on 24th June, 1754, the circumstances being thus set out in a contemporary letter : “ Yesterday morning,” writes Thomas Waite to Lord George Sackville on 22nd June, “ Robin Downes, Member for Kildare, was found in his parlour with a sword run through his body. There are hopes of his recovery. He himself says, as the report goes, that he received the wound in a fair duel, but the general opinion seems to be that he transfixed himself, though no one pretends to assign the reason. My Lord Kildare is come to town in vast agitation at this accident . . . Rumour has given Downes Commissioner Bourke, or Walt. Weldon, for an antagonist, but I believe quite without reason.” Mr. Downes left three sons and three daughters : —
I. Dive (Rev.) ; matriculated at Queen’s College, Oxford, 4 May, 1762, aged 17 ; B.A., 1766 ; B.A., Trinity College, Dublin, Vern., 1771 ; and LL.B. and LL.D., Vern., 1776 ; Prebendary of Maynooth, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, 1775-94, and of Rathangan, in Kildare Cathedral, 1775-94. Died unmarried, 1798.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 269

As the companion tells it

Along this street, in 1754, a Member of Parliament died in circumstances that were never explained. Robert Downes, known to everyone as Robin Downes, sat in Parliament for Kildare. He was born in Dublin in 1708, the eldest son of the Right Reverend Dive Downes, Bishop of Cork and Ross. He matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin, in January 1724, and was admitted to the Middle Temple in December 1728. His return to Parliament was brought about by the influence of his maternal cousin, the Earl of Kildare. In February 1737 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Twigge of Donnybrook Castle. The Primate of the day summed him up as "decent, sober, and religious." His death took place at his house on Dawson Street, on the 24th of June, 1754. The circumstances are set out in a letter from Thomas Waite to Lord George Sackville. Waite wrote that Robin Downes had been found in his parlour with a sword run through his body. There were hopes of his recovery. Downes himself said, as the report went, that he received the wound in a fair duel. But the general opinion, Waite wrote, seemed to be that he transfixed himself, though no one pretended to assign the reason. The Earl of Kildare came to town in vast agitation at the accident. Rumour named Commissioner Bourke, or Walt Weldon, as an antagonist, but Waite believed that was quite without reason. Robert Downes left three sons and three daughters.

Wolfe Tone's Escape from Dublin to Howth and France

Howth · townland · Dublin · 1794

Rowan, fearing his handwriting would betray him after Jackson's arrest, persuaded his gaoler to let him visit his wife in Dublin, from which he escaped by a back window and fled to Howth, eventually reaching France.

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then in Newgate, and Wolfe Tone, who had already prepared a paper for the French Directory, describing the state of the Irish parties, and the certainty of the defeat of the Government if France would assist. Rowan copied the paper, and gave the copy to Jackson, who left it with Cockayne to be posted, and the latter allowed it to be seized by the authorities. Jackson was arrested, and Rowan, fearing that his handwriting would betray him, persuaded his gaoler to take him that night to his house to see his wife, whence he escaped by a back window to Howth, and eventually to France.
Cockayne disappeared from Dublin, but was found ill at Holyhead; and in April, 1795, Jackson was tried. Curran, George Ponsonby, Emmett, and others were engaged for his defence ; but his guilt was evident, and though the trial lasted till four in the morning, the jury only required half an hour to consider their verdict. A remand was ordered for four days, and Jackson was again brought before the Court. On his way through the streets he was observed to be deadly pale, and it was thought that he was afraid. In the Court he could scarcely stand, and Lord Clonmell, who presided, tried to hurry through the proceedings. He was asked if he had anything to say as to why sentence should not be passed against him, but he could not speak. Curran first, and then George Ponsonby, interposed, and as the latter was speaking Jackson fell forward apparently fainting. Lord Clonmell ordered the prisoner to be taken away, and the Court adjourned. “ My Lord,” said the Sheriff, “ the prisoner is dead.”

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 18

Lady Margaret's 'chair' and hanging-stone at Ballyragget Castle

Ballyragget · town · Kilkenny

Ballyragget Castle was a favourite residence of Lady Margaret's, from which she reputedly led armed retainers on raids against neighbouring families. A stone seat called her 'chair' and a jutting stone used for hanging prisoners are still shown at the top of the castle.

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Ballyragget Castle, distant nine and a half miles north-west of Kilkenny, was a favourite residence of Lady Margaret’s. From this place she is said to have frequently issued at the head of her armed retainers, and committed ravages on the cattle and other possessions of neighbouring families, who were not so fortunate as to be deemed her friends. At the top of the castle a stone seat, called her “chair,” is still shown, and a jutting stone from which she used to hang her prisoners.
About two miles north-west of Freshford ( alias Aghanure) are the ruins of Balleen Castle. A name by tradition connected with it is that of Margaret FitzGerald, or “ Peg Garrett,” as the peasantry called her, who point out here also her “ chair,” and to whom the creation of the castle is attributed.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 348

Sir William Ponsonby's Death at Waterloo Remembered at Bishopscourt

Bishopscourt · street · Clare · 1815

Sir William Ponsonby was killed at Waterloo, speared while trying to save his aide-de-camp after his horse became stuck in a ploughed field. A County Kildare man recalled his grandfather's memory of the groom bringing Ponsonby's charger back to Bishopscourt after the battle.

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It is said that his Brigade again encountered the Polish Lancers, almost every one of whom was cut to pieces, so that he did not fall unrevenged. There is an old man still living in County Kildare who says his grandfather remembered the groom bringing Sir William’s charger back to Bishopscourt after the battle.
He was buried at Kensington, in the vault of the Molesworth family, and a national monument was erected to him in St. Paul’s.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 22

Battle at Tullow with reported supernatural aftermath, 1316

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1316

According to Grace's Annals of Ireland, the Irish of Imaal (O'Tooles) attacked Tullow and lost 400 men, whose heads were brought to Dublin; marvellous things were said to have occurred, with the dead rising and fighting each other shouting a war cry.

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In 1816, we learn from Grace’s “ Annals of Ireland ” that “ the Irish of Omail attacked Tullagh, and lost 400 men, whose heads were brought to Dublin. Marvellous things occurred; the dead rose again and fought with one another, shouting their [war] cry after their fashion 4 Fennoc-abo.’ ” At this period the Irish of Imaal (a territory on the west side of the County Wicklow) were the O’Tooles, a clan driven by the Anglo- Normans from their territory of Omurethi, in the South County Kildare, to the mountainous parts of Wicklow.
The next notice of Tullow seems to refer to a violation of sanctuary ; it occurs in Friar Clyn’s “ Annals of Ireland ” in the year 1828 : —

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 36

County Kildare established as separate county by 1297 Parliament

Kildare · town · Kildare · 1297

When Sir John Wogan summoned a general Parliament at Dublin in 1297, its first act provided that the County of Kildare, formerly a liberty attendant on the Sheriff of Dublin, be made a county by itself, including the cross-lands within its precinct.

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It will be observed that by his two Irish marriages, Sir John Wogan had formed a connexion with the County of Kildare ; though in truth he had as early as 1297, two years after his arrival in Ireland, established a claim to honourable mention in the annals of the county. When in that year he summoned a general Parliament at Dublin, its first act was to provide “ that the County of Kildare, which was formerly a liberty intentive to the Sheriff of Dublin, be henceforth a county by itself, together with the cross-lands and other lands of the parceners of the lordship of Leinster, contained within the precinct of the same, totally discharged from the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Dublin.” 2
The King, when opportunity offered, did not fail to strengthen his Justiciar’s interest in Kildare. As we have seen, the de Bohun estate was in the King’s hand in 1299, and by the following year we find that a custodiam of the lands had been granted to Wogan. An entry in the Exchequer Boll of 1805 records that “ John Wogan, Justiciar, is bound to answer for the lands of Ballymadan and Combre, from the 28th year of King Edward : to wit, for 50 marks annual rent.” 3 This interest, however, terminated in 1806, when the King finally granted livery of seisin to James de Bohun.4 In 1805 the estate of John de Mohun, situated in the present barony of Kilkea and Moone, was also at the King’s disposal. It was the portion of the great Marshal seignory which John de Mohun inherited from his father, who was heir to his mother Joan, daughter of Sibyl Marshal and William Ferrers. In 1290 John de Mohun surrendered all his lands in Kildare and elsewhere in Ireland to the King in exchange for the Manor of Long Compton, in Warwickshire.5 Besides the demesne and town of Moone, it comprised certain lands and appurtenances at Mullaghmast, Irishtown, Grlassealy (parish and barony of Narraghmore), and Berton (Burtown, par. of Moone), as well as outlying parcels at the Combre (County Kilkenny), and in Carbury and Allen, County Kildare.6 Some of the Burtown lands had been already

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 197

As the companion tells it

Coming up on the town of Kildare. In 1297, two years after he arrived in Ireland, Sir John Wogan summoned a general Parliament at Dublin. Its first act was to provide that the County of Kildare, which had been a liberty attendant on the Sheriff of Dublin, be henceforth a county by itself, together with the cross-lands and other lands of the parceners of the lordship of Leinster contained within its precinct, totally discharged from the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Dublin. Wogan had formed a connection with Kildare through two Irish marriages, and the King did not fail to strengthen his Justiciar's interest in the county. The de Bohun estate was in the King's hand by 1299, and the following year a custodiam of the lands had been granted to Wogan. An entry in the Exchequer records notes that John Wogan, Justiciar, was bound to answer for the lands of Ballymadan and Combre, for 50 marks annual rent. This interest terminated when the King finally granted livery of seisin to James de Bohun. The estate of John de Mohun, situated in the present barony of Kilkea and Moone, was also at the King's disposal. John de Mohun had inherited his portion from his father, who was heir to his mother Joan, daughter of Sibyl Marshal and William Ferrers. In 1290 he had surrendered all his lands in Kildare and elsewhere in Ireland to the King in exchange for the Manor of Long Compton in Warwickshire. Besides the demesne and town of Moone, these lands comprised parcels at Mullaghmast, Irishtown, Grlassealy in the parish and barony of Narraghmore, and Berton, or Burtown, in the parish of Moone, as well as outlying parcels at the Combre in County Kilkenny, and in Carbury and Allen in County Kildare.

Keatinge memorial refused entry to Narraghmore church

Narraghmore · townland · Kildare · 1815

A beautiful marble memorial commemorating three of Colonel Keatinge's daughters, designed with elaborate funerary imagery and sculpted at Rome, was sent to Narraghmore church but refused admittance, allegedly by the rector.

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That Antonia died in 1815 in a foreign land we must conclude,2 * for in a fragment of a letter in the handwriting of Colonel Maurice Keatinge we have his very full instruction for the beautiful memorial which was sent to Narraghmore and refused (surely not by the Rev. John Paul?) admittance into the church. He writes .....
“ The scene, a funeral vault, with steps down into it. Three funeral Urns uncovered. Three female figures in long Grecian drapery, one of eleven years, the other two of the age of about twenty (this is sufficient to allow the artist to judge) ; of these two, one to be somewhat taller than the other both to be delicate in their limbs, as is also the smaller figure. The heads of all to be bare, the hair of the taller of the two figures to have a slight curl, that of the others to be straight. The hair of all three to be short cut. These figures are to be all three embraced, the heads leaned together so that no part of the faces of any shall be seen. The smaller figure shall be in the centre of the group, and full front, to countervail by the superior importance of the action and position the inferiority in point of stature and the action of the picture exists in this figure receiving the arrival of the other two, one whereof is on her right and the other on her left in side positions. This is all that is to be imagined of scenery, persons, and action. Drawings must of course be made by a man of genius, and it is a subject only to be sketched at Rome ......

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 117

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Narraghmore, a marble memorial was sent to the church here and turned away. In 1815, Colonel Maurice Keatinge wrote detailed instructions for a memorial to three of his daughters. One of them, Antonia, had died that year in a foreign land. His letter describes the design in vivid detail. The scene was to be a funeral vault with steps leading down into it. Three funeral urns would stand uncovered. Three female figures in long Grecian drapery would be carved: one of about eleven years, the other two around twenty. Of the two older figures, one was to be somewhat taller than the other, and all three were to be delicate in their limbs. Their heads would be bare, their hair short cut. The tallest figure's hair would have a slight curl, the others straight. The three figures were to be embraced, their heads leaned together so that no part of any face would be seen. The smaller figure would stand at the centre, full front, receiving the arrival of the other two, one on her right and one on her left. Colonel Keatinge wrote that drawings must be made by a man of genius, and that it was a subject only to be sketched at Rome. The memorial was sent to Narraghmore church but refused admittance. The source records a fragment of speculation that the rector, the Reverend John Paul, may have been the one who refused it, though the text frames this as a question.

Silken Thomas besieges and takes Tullow Castle, 1534

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1534

During the rebellion of Silken Thomas, 10th Earl of Kildare, his forces besieged the old manor castle of the Earl of Ormonde at Tullow; after five days of defence the castle was won and the Earl of Ossory's garrison slain.

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The traictor Thomas prepared a great hoste, with a four wikkes victailles, and furst besegid an olde manor of the Erie of Ormondis, called Tullo, and there the warde for five dayes made defence, where gatherid from all quarters great numbre of men, to whome he exbursid noo smale treasure, and, at last, that castell was wonne, and the Erie of Ossories men, the warde, slayn.1
Either previous to or after this expedition towards the County Kilkenny, the Silken Thomas’s allies Kedagh “ roo,” Rory, and GillaPatrick O’More, sons of Connell O’More, Chief of Leix, overran the Earl of Ossory’s Manor of “ Oghteryne ” (Oughterany, Co. Kildare), “ and then neuly they came to Tollo, ther robbid my poure tenauntes of ther cattayll, voundid others, and murdrid othres moost dyspytiously and shamefully.”2 Lord Ossory had good cause to hate the O’Mores and their allies, as besides raiding his Manors they were implicated in the death of his second son, Sir Thomas Butler, who was slain in 1532 by Dermot mac Shane MacGillaPatrick,3 and in 1534 Kedagh “roo” O’More wounded his eldest son James (afterwards 9th Earl of Ormonde) between Thomastown and Jerpoint, County Kilkenny, during the Silken Thomas’s Rebellion.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 39

Traditions of Lady Margaret FitzGerald ('Mairgread Gearoid') in Kilkenny folklore

Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny

In the folk traditions of Kilkenny, the Earl is forgotten but the Countess is remembered vividly as 'Mairgread Gearoid', forming with Cromwell and the Danes a triad to whom marvellous, cunning, or cruel deeds are attributed. She is traditionally credited as the builder of nearly every castle in the district.

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evidences. *' The said Eavle and Countess,’ writes Lawless, * planted greate civilitie in the counties of Tipperary and Kilkenny, and to give good example to the people of that country brought out of Flanders, and other countries devirse artificers, who were dailye kept at w7orke by them in their castle of Kilkenny, where they wrought and made diaper, tapistrey, Turkey-carpets, cushions, and other like workes, whereof some doe remayne as yet with the Earl of Ormonde.’ But large as is the place filled by ‘ the Bed Earle ’ in the history of Ireland, it is a singular fact that in the traditions of the peasantry of Kilkenny his existence is utterly forgotten, whilst his consort stands vividly forth as ‘ the Countess,’ or oftener as plain ‘Mairgread Gearoid ’ (the Irish for her maiden name), forming with Cromwell and the Danes a triad to whom almost everything marvellous, cunning, or cruel is attributed. She is the traditional builder, as Cromwell is the traditional destroyer, of nearly every castle in the district ; and by the peasant’s fireside numberless are the tales told of her power, her wisdom, and — truth compels us to add — her oppressions.”
In the traditions of the country she is said to have emulated, if not excelled, her lord in feats of arms, having a train of wellaccoutred followers at her command, by whose aid she levied blackmail on all her less powerful neighbours. Tradition a] so tells us that, being seized with a dangerous illness, a clergyman was sent to attend her, who admonished her as to certain duties to be performed before her exit from earth. The admonition was ill-received. She told her spiritual adviser it was better that one old woman should suffer the pains of another world than that the Butlers should be left without an estate.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 348

Brabazon Ponsonby's ruse to win a rich widow in Dublin

Dublin · city · Dublin · 1700–1730

Brabazon Ponsonby, in financial difficulty, staged a fake wedding scene at a widow's Dublin street chamber, appearing in nightgown with city musicians serenading as if newly married, thereby forcing the widow Colvil to accept marriage.

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To effect his purpose he gained over to his interest her woman, and having concerted matters with her, got himself admitted very early one morning into a street chamber of the widow’s apartments, where, throwing up the window, he appeared in an elegant nightgown and cap decorated as was then the custom for bridegrooms to wear ; the city music, who had been apprised of a wedding (the custom being to serenade newly married couples) shortly made their appearance, accompanied with the clamour of beggars, etc., to congratulate the supposed bride and bridegroom on their happy nuptials.
Mrs. Colvil, awakened by the noise, flew to her window, opened it, and beheld a great crowd cheering, while, at the next window, Captain Brabazon Ponsonby was smiling, and thanking the people for their congratulations .

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 7

As the companion tells it

Coming through Dublin, you're passing the city where Brabazon Ponsonby pulled off a calculated ruse around the early 1700s. In financial difficulty, he gained the confidence of the widow Colvil's maid and got himself admitted very early one morning into a street chamber of the widow's apartments. He threw up the window and appeared in an elegant nightgown and cap decorated as was then the custom for bridegrooms to wear. The city music, who had been apprised of a wedding, arrived to serenade the supposed newly married couple, accompanied by the clamour of beggars. Mrs. Colvil, awakened by the noise, opened her window and saw a crowd cheering while Captain Brabazon Ponsonby at the next window smiled and thanked the people for their congratulations.

Burning of the Gates of Rathcoffey and Abduction of Anne Wogan's Son

Rathcoffey · townland · Laois · 1453

William Botiller and the Wogan kinsmen Nicholas, David and Richard burnt the gates of Rathcoffey castle where Anne Wogan was dwelling, took her prisoner along with her eight-year-old son and heir Edward Eustace, and seized goods worth 500 marks.

Read the passage

“That William Bottler, Nicholas Wogan, David Wogan, and Richard Wogan came with divers Irish enemies and English rebels to the castle of Rathcoffey, there as Anne Wogan, sometime wife to Oliver Eustace, then being the King’s widow, was dwelling, and burnt the gates of the said place, and took her with them, and Edward Eustace, son and heir to the said Oliver, and son and heir apparent to the said Anne, and of the age of eight years, and they took goods and chattels of the said Anne to the value of 500 marks.”2
The attack on Rathcoffey was but an incident in an outburst of turbulence and disorder that desolated the English shireland at this time. From the letter above cited, and from the rolls of Parliament, we have evidence that William Botiller, a scion of the noble house of Dunboyne, and a kinsman of the Earl of Ormond, with his cousins from Munster, led a body of English rebels and Irish enemies into the County of Kildare, burned and destroyed villages and churches, and plundered the gentry and farmers to such an extent that the peaceable inhabitants were panic-stricken ; the roads became impassable, the markets deserted, and the Executive incapable of affording protection. In these circumstances an appeal was made to the Mayor of Dublin, whose bailiwick was always dependent on Kildare for its regular supply of provisions, and with his assistance the marauders were forced to betake themselves elsewhere.3

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 327

Siege and capture of Clogrenan Castle, 1569

Clogrenan · townland · Carlow · 1569

Sir Peter Carew led forces under Captains Gylbert, Malby and Bassenet to attack Clogrenan Castle near Carlow, which had refused to surrender; after gunfire and undermining the walls, the castle was taken by a ruse at the gate and given over to the Queen's use.

Read the passage

The Castle of Cloghegrennan is four square and but little, as are the manner of the Castles in that land, and all such lights or windows as were therein they were stopped, only in every quarter certain small loops were left for them to shoot out with their caly veres (or hand guns), which Sir Peter perceiving did so place his caly veres, that many of his men were appointed to watch, a few of them to every one of these loops, and by that means they so dagged at those loops that sundry of them within were slain, and none left who would or durst to peep and adventure any more shooting out. Then he caused sundry men with hurdles upon their backs to draw near to the walls, where they began to undermine the Castle, which they within perceiving, desired they might come out and talk with the General ; which being granted, he came forth, but concluding no matter, as he was going into the Castle door, and having made fast the inner door, would have drawn the chain of the outer door, which, as the manner of that country is, was all of iron. But one Baker, a soldier, did so near and short follow him, that before that he could draw the outer door, he had hurled a great block between the two doors, and so they could not be closed, and by that means they made entry into the
1 Calendar of State Papers, Ire., 1509-1573, p. 416.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 40

Ban on Irish castellans at Ballymore Castle, 1468

Ballymore Eustace · town · Kildare · 1468

In 1468 the Parliament at Drogheda enacted that the office of castellan of Ballymore Castle could not be entrusted to an Irishman, after Robert fitz Eustace appointed an Irish sub-constable, Lawrence O'Rogan, who might disclose English secrets to the native Irish.

Read the passage

hereditary in the Eustace family, and it appeared that Robert fitz Eustace did not keep his residence there, but had appointed a sub-constable, one Lawrence O’Rogan, an Irishman, both by father and mother, who would by nature disclose the secrets of the English. Accordingly it was enacted “ that said Robert be compelled to keep a sufficient company of Englishmen, and no Irish to guard the said castle, and if said Robert put any Irishman, not having his charter of liberty, to ward the said castle, then it shall be lawful for the Archbishop and his successors to turn the said Robert out of the constableship, and to give the said office to anyone for life or years.”3
The western part of the present parish of Ballymore Eustace includes three ancient parishes, namely — Ballybought, Coghlanstown, and Jago, which even as late as the Ordnance Survey maps of 1887 are marked as distinct parishes.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 283

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Ballymore Eustace, you are near a castle whose command was hereditary in the Eustace family. In 1468 Robert fitz Eustace did not live there but had appointed a sub-constable, one Lawrence O'Rogan, an Irishman by father and mother, who would, as the record puts it, "by nature disclose the secrets of the English." Parliament at Drogheda enacted that Robert be compelled to keep a sufficient company of Englishmen and no Irish to guard the castle, and if he put any Irishman lacking his charter of liberty on ward, the Archbishop could turn him out and give the office to anyone for life or years.

Colley granted power to punish 'idlemen', vagabonds, rimours and harpers in Carbury

Carbury · townland · Kildare · 1570

As Seneschal of the Barony of Carbury, Captain Colley was given power to assemble inhabitants for defence, to punish malefactors by martial law with death, loss of limb or whipping, and to banish or punish idlemen, vagabonds, rimours or harpers, both men and women, along with those who aided them.

Read the passage

In the same year (1570) Captain Colley was appointed Seneschal of the Barony of Carbury, alias “ Bermingham’s Country ” ; which office gave him power to assemble the inhabitants for the defence of the country ; to punish by martial law with death, loss of limb, or whipping, all malefactors taken in the haronv ; to banish or punish by all means malefactors, rebels, “ idlemen ” or vagabonds, rimours or harpers, both men and women, and all who aid them ; and to treat with rebels and report to the Deputy. Attached to the Seneschalship was a fee of £10, an Irish custom called “ Quidrathe,” as well as forty pecks of oats.4
1 Fiants of Elizabeth, No. 1090. 2 lb.. No. 1347,

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 251

Cromwellian assault and massacre at Tullow Castle, 1650

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1650

In 1650 Tullow Castle was attacked by Cromwellian forces under Colonels Hewson and Reynolds, was stoutly defended by a Colonel Butler, but was carried by assault and the garrison put to the sword.

Read the passage

The further vicissitudes of the castle at this period are very uncertain ; but all authorities dealing with it agree that in 1650 it was attacked by the Cromwellian forces under Colonels Hewson (or Hewitson) and Keynolds, stoutly defended by a Colonel Butler, carried by assault, and the garrison put to the sword.4
Whether the castle on this occasion was partially blown up to prevent the Confederates again taking possession of it is not known. Possibly it may have been spared such a fate as being the possession of the 12th Earl of Ormonde ; anyhow, as described below, it was rebuilt previous to 1680, and converted into a comfortable residence.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 43

Death of the Duke of Tyrconnell at the siege of Limerick, 1691

Kilteel · parish · Kildare · 1669–1691

Colonel Richard Talbot, later Earl and Duke of Tyrconnell, held Kilteel from 1669 onward, leasing portions of its lands, but forfeited all his estates due to his adherence to the Jacobite cause and died during the siege of Limerick on 14th August 1691.

Read the passage

In the List of Claims2 entered with the Trustees of Forfeited Estates at Chichester House, in College Green, Dublin, on or before the 10th August, 1700, there is mention made of leases of portions of the lands of Kilteel to various individuals, granted by Colonel Richard Talbot from the year 1669 on ; in each case the leaseholder claimed the residue of his lease. By his adherence to the Jacobite cause, the Duke of Tyrconnell forfeited all his estates ; his death took place at, and during the siege of, Limerick, on the 14th August, 1691.
From Lord Mayo’s Paper on Kilteel Castle, one of the first printed in our Journal,3 the successive owners of this place are carried down to the present time. He stated that after the Duke of Tyrconnell’s forfeiture, the Trustees of Forfeited Estates granted or sold the Manor in 1703 to the Hollow Sword Blade Company ; by them it was sold in 1706 to Sir William Fownes, Kt., of Woodstock, in the County Kilkenny. From him the property passed by marriage to Mr. William F. Fownes Tighe, of Woodstock, who, in 1838, sold it to Sir John Kennedy, Bart., of Johnstown-Kennedy, from whose descendants it passed to the Darley family.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 182

Extinguishing and relighting of St. Brighid's perpetual fire at Kildare, 1220

Kildare · town · Kildare · 1220

In AD 1220 Archbishop Henri de Loundres extinguished the fire of St. Brighid at Kildare, which had been preserved by the nuns since a very early period. It was relighted and continued to burn until the total suppression of the nunnery.

Read the passage

St. Brighid died on the 1st of February, 528. A monastery was founded here about the same time as the nunnery. The nuns and monks had one church in common, which they entered at different doors. The monastery subsequently came into the possession of the Canons Regular of St. Augustin.2 The last abbess ( Banchomharba Briglide ), mentioned in the annals, is Sadhbh, daughter of Gluiniarn Mac Murchadha, who died in 1171. 3 In a.d. 1220 Archbishop Henri de Loundres put out the fire of St. Brighid, which had been preserved from a very early period by the nuns. It was, however, relighted, and continued to burn until the total suppression of the nunnery.4 After this period the nunnery sank into insignificance. An inquisition taken on the Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Nicholas the Bishop,5 1548, found that the last prioress was seized of the nunnery, a chapel, and steeple, a hall, dormitory, two chambers and a small castle within the precincts, annual value, 3s. 4d. ; two cottages and eight acres of arable in Krallaughton,6 in this county, annual value, besides reprises, 28s. 8d.7 The parish of Kildare was a rectory, appropriate to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral.8
Kilmeague. Vide ante, p. 247, sub the Barony of Connell.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 296

As the companion tells it

You are passing through Kildare, a town bound to Saint Brighid, who died on the 1st of February 528. A monastery and nunnery were founded here around the same time, with nuns and monks sharing one church, entering by different doors. The last abbess recorded in the annals was Sadhbh, daughter of Gluiniarn Mac Murchadha, who died in 1171. In 1220 Archbishop Henri de Loundres put out the fire of Saint Brighid, which the nuns had kept burning from a very early period. It was relit and continued to burn until the nunnery was suppressed. After that, the nunnery sank into insignificance. An inquisition in 1548 found the last prioress held the nunnery, a chapel and steeple, a hall, dormitory, two chambers and a small castle within the precincts, with an annual value of 3s. 4d. She also held two cottages and eight acres of arable land in Krallaughton, valued at 28s. 8d. The parish of Kildare was a rectory, appropriate to the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral.

John le Bret slain by Offaly felons at Rathcoffey manor

Rathcoffey · townland · Laois · 1300–1320

The jurors found that through Henry de Cruys's default in leaving no guard at the manor, a tenant named John le Bret was slain by the felons of Offaly, along with many other outrages amounting to over 20 marks in damage.

Read the passage

have competent men with arms and horses, for the preservation of the peace in those parts — as the said Henry pledged himself to do, when the marriage of the aforesaid Elizabeth was granted to him. And they say that a certain John le Bret, a tenant of our lord the King, in the same place, through default of Henry, who left no guard in the aforesaid manor, was slain by the said felons ; and many other evils and outrages done to our lord the King, amounting to over 20 marks. And they say that the betaghs placed by Henry in the manor aforesaid, to hold certain lands therein to farm, do manifold mischief; because, as often as the aforesaid felons harry and rob the King’s men and lands in that place, the betaghs immediately flee therefrom with all their goods and cattle, abandoning the lands they hold ; and so through the default of said betaghs, the other tenants in that quarter are unable to resist the aforesaid felons, to the great loss of the King, &c.” (This is supposed to meet Henry’s ingenuous plea that his tenants stood their ground “just as well as ” the other gentlemen’s tenants.) “ And they say that Henry did not come, by himself, or by others, to the display and view of arms with the other tenants of our lord the King.”
Henry de Cruys was then commanded to appear for judgment on the Monday after the feast of St. James. Unfortunately I have not succeeded in tracing the record of the judgment then delivered.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 196

Keatinge marble monument destroyed by fire at Harristown

Harristown · townland · Kildare · 1815–1891

After lying many years in a corner of Narraghmore churchyard, the beautiful marble group commemorating the Keatinge daughters was removed to the hall at Harristown, where it was destroyed by fire in 1891 along with other priceless possessions.

Read the passage

Colonel Keatinge’s ideas were faithfully carried out, and the very beautiful group in marble arrived at Narraghmore, only to be consigned to a corner of the churchyard . After lying there many years, it was removed to the hall at Harristown, where, with other priceless possessions, it was destroyed by fire in 1891,
The idea that the Keatinge monument was picked up by the Coloners executor in an artist’s studio in Rome, and was refused admittance to the Church of Narraghmore by the Rector, as it was a nude figure , is refuted by this letter, as all the instructions, so carefully penned, were most faithfully carried out. The monument, it may be remarked, was much admired by John Ruskin, who considered the design and workmanship alike very beautiful, and specially commented on the lines of the drapery and the grouping of the figures as leaving nothing to be desired.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 118

Narraghmore Burnt by Insurgents in 1798

Narraghmore · townland · Kildare · 1798

The Keatinge family left Narraghmore in July 1798 never to return, and the house was burnt by insurgents during the Rebellion that year; the property was afterwards sold to Robert La Touche of Harristown.

Read the passage

In July, 1798, the Keatinges left Narraghmore never to return. Their first resting-place seems to have been the Earl of Meath’s town house in Merrion Square ; later they moved to Shrewsbury, where Emily Keatinge died ; and later still made their home on the continent. That Narraghmore was very dear to them is shown in these letters, and, though far away, they were ever mindful of the poor, whom, through the kindness of Mrs. Leadbeater, they relieved by their alms in the period of terrible privations during the Rebellion and the years that followed. Narraghmore was burnt by the insurgents in 1798, and the property was afterwards sold to Robert La Touche of Harristown.
The family of Colonel Keatinge and his wife Lady Martha consisted of five daughters : — Elizabeth (or Eliza as she is sometimes called), Emily, Selina, Antonia, and Isabella; and it was on the death of Emily that this correspondence with Mrs. Leadbeater, who was residing at Ballitore, near their old home, began.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 111

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here stood the Keatinge family's house at Narraghmore, burnt by insurgents in the Rebellion of 1798. Colonel Keatinge and his wife Lady Martha had five daughters — Elizabeth, Emily, Selina, Antonia, and Isabella. They left in July 1798 and never came back. Their first refuge was the Earl of Meath's town house in Merrion Square, then Shrewsbury, where Emily died, and later they settled on the continent. Even far away, they kept mindful of the poor around their old home, sending alms through Mrs. Leadbeater of Ballitore during the terrible privations of the Rebellion and the years that followed. The property was afterwards sold to Robert La Touche of Harristown.

O'Byrnes and O'Tooles raid Dublin and destroy Exchequer records at Collet's Inn

Exchequer Street · street · Dublin · 1388

In 1388, taking advantage of the temporary absence of the Lord Deputy and his garrison, the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles raided the city of Dublin and destroyed the records of the Court of Exchequer, then located at Collet's Inn on the site of the present Exchequer Street.

Read the passage

successive associations, going back to the time of Edward I, when the first confraternity of Irish barristers, or rather of English barristers settled in Dublin, known as Collet’s Inn, is said to have been established. The extraordinarily unsettled state of the country is shown by the fact that in 1388 the O’Byrnes and O’Tooles, in the temporary absence of the Lord Deputy and his garrison, actually raided the city and destroyed the records of the Court of Exchequer, then located within the precincts of Collet’s Inn, on the site of the present Exchequer Street. This incident led to the records being kept henceforth in the Castle, while the Court of Exchequer, as Mr. Hamilton points out, was held sometimes at Carlow and sometimes at Drogheda, doubtless from these towns being at opposite extremities of the English Pale.
It was in 1541 that the then judges, two of whom, Gerald Aylmer and Walter Kerdiff, bore Kildare names, petitioned the Crown for a grant of the late suppressed house of Black Friars “ in the south barbs ” of the city, which they had rented since the dissolution, at the same time asking His Majesty “to name the said house as the same shall be thought good by his majesty, for we do call the same now the King’s Inn.” Thus the name arose, and we think it a pity that the singular form has not been adhered to, for here we had only one Inn instead of several, as in the Inns of Court in England. The term “Inn” was originally used for the town-house of a family, so it was natural that it should be preserved as the residence of a community. In Malta the hostelries of the knights were also so called, and some of these, like the “ Auberge de Castile,” now the quarters of a British officer, still exist.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 148

As the companion tells it

Along this street in Dublin, you are travelling the site of Collet's Inn, which goes back to the time of Edward the First. It was the first confraternity of Irish barristers, or rather of English barristers settled in Dublin. The country was extraordinarily unsettled, and in 1388 the O'Byrnes and the O'Tooles took advantage of the temporary absence of the Lord Deputy and his garrison. They actually raided the city and destroyed the records of the Court of Exchequer, which was then located within the precincts of Collet's Inn, on the site of the present Exchequer Street. This incident led to the records being kept henceforth in the Castle. The Court of Exchequer itself, as Mr. Hamilton points out, was held sometimes at Carlow and sometimes at Drogheda, doubtless because those towns stood at opposite extremities of the English Pale. Later, in 1541, the judges of the day, two of whom, Gerald Aylmer and Walter Kerdiff, bore Kildare names, petitioned the Crown for a grant of the late suppressed house of the Black Friars, in the south barbs of the city, which they had rented since the dissolution. They asked His Majesty to name the said house as he thought good, adding that they already called it the King's Inn. That is how the name arose.

O'Mores raid Tullow, killing and robbing tenants, 1534

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1534

The sons of Connell O'More, allies of Silken Thomas, overran the Manor of Oughterany and then came to Tullow, where they robbed tenants of cattle, wounded some and murdered others 'moost dyspytiously'.

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Either previous to or after this expedition towards the County Kilkenny, the Silken Thomas’s allies Kedagh “ roo,” Rory, and GillaPatrick O’More, sons of Connell O’More, Chief of Leix, overran the Earl of Ossory’s Manor of “ Oghteryne ” (Oughterany, Co. Kildare), “ and then neuly they came to Tollo, ther robbid my poure tenauntes of ther cattayll, voundid others, and murdrid othres moost dyspytiously and shamefully.”2 Lord Ossory had good cause to hate the O’Mores and their allies, as besides raiding his Manors they were implicated in the death of his second son, Sir Thomas Butler, who was slain in 1532 by Dermot mac Shane MacGillaPatrick,3 and in 1534 Kedagh “roo” O’More wounded his eldest son James (afterwards 9th Earl of Ormonde) between Thomastown and Jerpoint, County Kilkenny, during the Silken Thomas’s Rebellion.
On the 1st April, 1549, a grant of “ English liberty ” was obtained by Gerald mac Teige O’Bvrne, Gent., of Tullow, for himself, his wife, More O’Toole, and their sons, James, Cahir (or Charles), Donagh, Edmund, and Murrough.4

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 39

Sack of Castledermot and Capture of Sir Thomas Wogan

Castledermot · town · Kildare · 1427

Sir Thomas Wogan, lord of the Barony of Kilkea, defended his walled town of Castledermot against MacMurrough's clansmen, but the walls were breached, the town set on fire, and Wogan taken prisoner. The Archbishop of Armagh recorded that MacMurrough would only make peace if paid 80 marks a year as his father had received.

Read the passage

walls were carried by assault, the town was soon on fire, and Sir Thomas Wogan found himself the prisoner of Gerald Kavanagh Mac Murrough. “And ther,” wrote the Archbishop, “ they toke a knyh that is called Sir Thomas Wogan, lorde of the same ton : and all that same contree they rode and destroyde : and then my lorde1 made pees with McMurgh, and McMurgh would not make pees hot if he hade lxxx marke every yere, lyke as his fadyr had.”2
The Government now came to terms with Mac Murrough. Donough, the legitimate chief of his nation, was liberated, and, by warrant,3 directed to the Exchequer, had 80 marks paid to him ; indeed, he seems to have been the chief gainer from the war, in which personally he took no part. But his brother Gerald, by the military code of the time, claimed his prisoner, and fixed his ransom at the high figure of 240 marks. Sir Thomas had, however, contrived to pay this sum before January, 1428, and the King in consideration of his distress incurred “ in resisting the malice of Mac Morrough, and other Irish enemies of Leinster,” graciously assisted him by a grant of i>20 out of the Irish Exchequer.4

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 325

Assault and Plunder of Rathcoffey Castle, 1453

Rathcoffey · townland · Laois · 1453

In 1453 William Botiller, with English rebels and Irish enemies, attacked the castle and manor of Rathcoffey by assault, imprisoning the widow Anne Wogan and carrying off her livestock and goods, including 21 afers, 60 cows, 17 score sheep and 10 score hogs, to her impoverishment.

Read the passage

“ then sole and a widow was seised in her demesne as of fee, of the castle and manor of Rathcoffey, in which manor she had 21 afers, 60 cows, 17 score sheep, and 10 score hogs, with divers other goods and chattels to the value of 300 marks. And the Saturday next after the feast of All Saints, in the 32nd year of the reign of our sovereign lord the King that now is, William Botiller, with divers other English rebels and Irish enemies, came to the said castle in manner of war, and took it by assault, and took and imprisoned the said Anne ; and the said cows, sheep, hogs, goods, and chattels, took, led, and carried away, to the final impoverishment of the said Anne.”1
Whereupon it was ordained that Anne and Robert Dovedale, whom she had married after the outrage, should have an action for double damages in any Court, and on any day, with, however, the significant proviso, “that this act extend not to Nicholas Wogan, Davy Wogan, or Richard Wogan.” Further light is thrown on this proviso by a letter addressed in 1454, by the nobility and gentry of the County of Kildare, to Richard, Duke of York, then Viceroy of Ireland, and recently exalted by the Council to the position of Protector and Defender of the realm of England. In this document it is stated : —

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 327

Battle of Ballaghmoon: death of Cormac mac Cuileannain

Ballaghmoon · townland · Kildare · 908

At Ballaghmoon (Bealach Mughna) a battle was fought on 17th September 908 AD in which Cormac mac Cuileannain, the Bishop-King of Cashel, was killed. The identification of Bealach Mughna with this Kildare townland is defended against doubts raised by other scholars.

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Ballaghmoon, 2,159 acres. Bealach Mughna , Mughan’s way or pass. Here was fought on 17th September, 908, the battle in which Cormac mac Cuileannain, the Bishop-King of Cashel, was killed.7 It seems clear that the identification of Bealach Mughna, where the battle was fought, with this place is correct, notwithstanding the doubt expressed by Father Hogan and Father Dinneen.8 Mdigli nAilbhc , in which Bealach
1 Gilbert, “ Crede Mihi, ’ ’ p. 9.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 170

Emily Keatinge's £500 Bequest for Poor Relief at Ballitore

Ballitore · town · Kildare · 1811

On the death of Emily Keatinge in 1811, her father sent £500 to Mary Leadbeater at Ballitore to be used for poor relief, including lying-in linen, spinning wheels, blankets, winter clothing, and cowpock vaccination subscriptions for the poor of the parish.

Read the passage

John O’Neill and John Farmer apprised me of this circumstance, and it has been much in my mind since. Thou and her excellent mother and sisters can best judge of the final arrangement. While I receive the interest I have thought that much may be done with £80 per annum for the relief of the Poor. John Farmer, John O’Neill, the clergyman, and priest of the parish will assist in recommending proper objects. I have thought of a set of lying-in linen to be lent to the very Poor, of which I shall take charge. Some relief of provision sent at that time might usefully employ part of the money. Spinning wheels and blankets, warm winter clothing, the subscription of a guinea per annum for cowpock infection (they shall be vacined gratis), payment for poor children to attend our prosperous

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 111

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Ballitore now. In 1811, Emily Keatinge died, and her father sent £500 to Mary Leadbeater here in this town, to be spent on poor relief. The interest gave about £80 a year to work with. John Farmer, John O'Neill, the clergyman, and the priest of the parish would help decide who needed help most. The money went toward lying-in linen lent to the very poor, spinning wheels, blankets, and warm winter clothing. Part of it paid for provisions. And a guinea a year went toward cowpock vaccination, so that the poor could be vaccinated free. Her father wrote that he had thought much about the arrangement, and that Emily's mother and sisters could best judge the final plan.

Parliament summoned at Kilkenny in defiance of the Justiciar

Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1341

After the King revoked grants made to persons in Ireland, causing great strife between the English by birth and English by blood, the nobles and mayors ignored the Justiciar's summons and instead convened their own parliament at Kilkenny in November 1341 to send delegates of complaint to the King.

Read the passage

had revoked all the grants made by himself and his father, to any persons of Ireland, whether in the matter of franchises, lands, or goods, and, in consequence of this revocation, a great strife arose in the land, and the land of Ireland was on the point of being lost out of the hands of the King of England. Never before that time had there been such a notable and manifest feud between the English by birth and the English by blood in the land of Ireland.”1 2 “ The Justiciar had meanwhile summoned a parliament to meet in October; but the Mayors of the royal cities, with all the nobles and chief persons of the land, ignored the summons, and, without any sanction on the part of the Justiciar, met together in a parliament summoned by themselves at Kilkenny in the month of November.” In this convention they determined to send at once delegated messengers to the King “ to reveal to him the state of the land, to complain of his ministers and of the iniquitous and unjust government of the same, and to show that they would no longer tolerate that the land of Ireland should be governed by his ministers after their accustomed manner.”* The messengers selected for this purpose were Brother John Larcher, Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Ireland, and Sir Thomas Wogan, and they presented twenty-seven articles of complaint to the King. These articles, with the King’s reply to each, were brought back by the delegates ; and a Statute Roll of 16 Edward III records that these “ were presented to our lord, the King of France and England, by Brother John Larcher, Prior of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in Ireland, and Sir Thomas Wogan, sent to the King as messengers by the Prelates, Earls, Barons, and Commonalty of the land of Ireland.5’3
In a covering letter Edward III states, * 4 that the said Prior and Sir Thomas de Wogan have well and discreetly made us acquainted with the state of our said land, and much commended your good disposition towards us.”4

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 261

Sir Walter Scott's visit to Brockley Park, 1825

Brockley Park · townland · Laois · 1825

Brockley Park, in the parish of Stradbally, was the seat of Lord Joscelyn (later Earl of Roden) who built a mansion there in 1768. In August 1825 it hosted a distinguished visitor, Sir Walter Scott, along with Maria Edgeworth and her siblings.

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4 Lamberton, a few miles south-east of Maryborough, so called from being the seat of the Lamberts, or Lambarts, Earls of Cavan. Before 1795 it became the property of Sir John Tydd, Bart., on whose death in 1803 it passed to his first cousin Arthur Moore, afterwards a Judge of the Common Pleas, father of Rev. John Tydd Moore, of Lamberton. While in the occupancy of Judge Moore, it had a distinguished visitor in the person of Sir Walter Scott, Bart., who, with Maria Edgeworth, her sister Harriet, and her brother William, stayed there in August, 1825.
5 The diarist’s step-son (see p. 205, note 1).

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 298

Slaying of Robert fitz John Talbot near Ballymore-Eustace

Ballymore Eustace · town · Kildare · 1523

Robert fitz John Talbot of Belgard was slain by James FitzGerald on 20 November 1523 near Ballymore-Eustace while travelling to visit the Earl of Ormonde at Kilkenny. This murder reignited the feud between the Butlers and Geraldines.

Read the passage

In 1522 he was appointed Lord Deputy, and in September, 1524, the feud between the two families broke out again in consequence of Robert fitz John Talbot, of Belgard, having been slain by James FitzGerald,1 on the 20th of November, 1523, near Ballymore-Eustace, on his way to visit Ormonde at Kilkenny. Stanihurst writes : — “ With this dispiteful murdher both sides broke into open enmitie, and especially the Countess of Ossorie (i.e. Ormonde), Kildare his sister, a rare woman, and able for wisedom to rule a realme, had not her stomache over-ruled her knowledge.” In consequence, Commissioners were appointed
described as “Chief of the Earl of Kildare’s followers”; he was possibly the James FitzGerald of Osberstown, Constable of Lea Castle, in the Queen’s County, in 1534-

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 345

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Ballymore Eustace, this is where Robert fitz John Talbot of Belgard was killed on the 20th of November 1523. He was travelling to visit the Earl of Ormonde at Kilkenny when James FitzGerald, described as Chief of the Earl of Kildare's followers, slew him. Stanihurst wrote that "with this dispiteful murdher both sides broke into open enmitie," and the Countess of Ormonde, Kildare's sister, took it especially hard. She was, he said, "a rare woman, and able for wisedom to rule a realme, had not her stomache over-ruled her knowledge." The feud between the Butlers and Geraldines was back, and commissioners had to be appointed to deal with it.

St. Brighid founds nunnery at Kildare, c. 484

Kildare · town · Kildare · 484

St. Brighid founded a nunnery at Kildare around AD 484, on the site whose older name was Druim Criaigh; the name Cill Dara derives from her famous oak tree. A monastery was founded around the same time, and monks and nuns shared one church entered by different doors.

Read the passage

Kildare, 9,210 acres, of which 877 acres are in the Barony of Connell. Cill Dara, church of the oak ; 11 the name is derived from St. Brighid’s famous oak tree. The older name of the place was Druim Criaigh.12 St. Brighid founded a nunnery here, circa a.d. 484. The prologue to Feilire Aonghusa, which is concerned to glorify the ecclesiastical centres in Ireland by
1 Gilbert, Reg. St. Thomas’ Abbey, p. 337.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kildare, you're near where St. Brighid founded a nunnery around 484. The place was older still, known first as Druim Criaigh. The name Cill Dara means church of the oak, from her famous oak tree.

Violation of sanctuary at Tullow church, 1328

Tullow · town · Carlow · 1328

Friar Clyn's Annals of Ireland record that Philip Tallon and his son, along with about 26 of the O'Collatons, were dragged out of the church at Tullow and slain by Edmund le Botiller and the Cantitons.

Read the passage

Philip Tallon and his son, with about 26 of the O’Collatons (O’Codhlitanys) were slain by Edmond le Botiller, “ rectorem de Tylaht,” and the Cantitons (or Condons), who first dragged them out of the church.
Calendar of Documents, Ire., ] 171-1251, p. 448.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 36

Bishopscourt as centre of the celebrated Kildare hunting establishment

Bishopscourt · street · Clare · 1780–1800

William Ponsonby kept what was said to be the best hunting establishment in Ireland at Bishopscourt, County Kildare, living there in hospitable and princely style. His hunt was known as the Bishopscourt Hunt.

Read the passage

His interest in politics, however, did not prevent him from indulging his taste for sport, and he is said to have kept “ the best hunting establishment in Ireland at Bishopscourt, County Kildare, where he lived in the most hospitable and princely style.” “ The History of the Kildare Hunt” gives an account from the “Sporting Magazine” of a meeting at Burton Hall, County Carlow, which was to afford the country gentlemen an opportunity of enjoying the sport, and at the same time of holding a political conference. The writer of the article in the “ Sporting Magazine ” gives a list of those present, which includes “Willy Burton,” M.P. for the County, and his son, W. B. Ponsonby, the Master, and his brother George, Acting Manager, and “ Denis Bowes Daly,” par excellence the most sporting man in Ireland, and M.P. for the King’s County.
Willy Burton was probably William Ponsonby’s uncle (his father’s sister, Anne, having married a Burton, of Burton Hall), and Denis Bowes Daly was the husband of his sister Charlotte. The writer then describes his impressions : —

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 12

Execution of Pierce Butler at Thurles, 1597

Thurles · town · Tipperary · 1597

Pierce Butler of Ballysax, son of Sir Edmund Butler of Clogrenan and husband of a daughter of Lord Mountgarrett, was executed by order of the Earl of Ormonde at Thurles in May 1597, and his head sent to Dublin.

Read the passage

In 1596 the Butlers, of Clogrenan, were again in rebellion, as two of Sir Edmund’s sons, Pierce and James, were reported to have joined the standard of Feagh mac Hugh O’Byrne, Chief of the Ranelagh. On the 23rd of September, in this year, Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormonde, wrote to the Lord Deputy that as he had heard that his brother Sir Edmund’s rebellious sons had determined to raze and burn such castles as they had, he had left a ward in the castle of “ Tullovellin ” (Tullowphelim), and was then proceeding to Clothgronain (Clogrenan) to leave a ward there also.1 James and Pierce Butler both came to violent ends. James, who was engaged to a sister of Rory oge O’More, Chief of Leix, was slain in April, 1597 ; and Pierce, of Ballysax, the husband of a daughter of Edmund Butler, Lord Mountgarrett, was executed by the Earl of Ormonde’s order at Thurles in May, 1597, and his head sent to Dublin.
In 1603, Theobald, the third son of Sir Edmund Butler, of Clogrenan, was by letters patent dated the 4th of August created “ Viscount Butler, of Tulleophelim, in the County of Katherlagh.”2 He married his cousin, Lady Elizabeth, only child and heiress of Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormonde, and died without issue on the 29th December, 1613, when the title became extinct. His widow re-married with Sir Richard Preston, Baron Dingwall, in the following year, ten months after her first husband’s death.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 41

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Thurles, you are in a town where a grim sentence was carried out in May 1597. Pierce Butler of Ballysax was executed here on the order of Thomas, the 10th Earl of Ormonde, and his head was sent to Dublin. Pierce was a son of Sir Edmund Butler of Clogrenan and was married to a daughter of Lord Mountgarrett. The year before, in 1596, Pierce and his brother James had been reported as having joined the standard of Feagh mac Hugh O'Byrne, Chief of the Ranelagh, and the Butlers of Clogrenan were again in rebellion. The Earl of Ormonde, their own kinsman, wrote to the Lord Deputy that September that he had heard these rebellious sons meant to burn such castles as they had, and he was leaving wards to hold the castles at Tullow and Clogrenan. James Butler met a violent end too. He was slain in April 1597, just one month before his brother's execution here. Both sons of Sir Edmund came to violent ends within weeks of each other.

Milltown estate wasted, tenants slain by the Irish

Milltown · townland · Kildare · 1300–1320

The Milltown estate near the hill of Allen, delivered with the marriage of Margaret Ivethorn to Philip de Newton, was reported by the King's Escheator to have been wasted by the Irish, who burned the lands, robbed the tenants and slew many of them.

Read the passage

delivered, with the marriage of Avicia’s sister, Margaret, to Philip de Newton, but was reported by the King’s Escheator as “ wasted by the Irish, who burned the lands, robbed the tenants, and slew many of them, so that nothing could be received from the lands, as appears by inquisition.” 1
It will be observed that by his two Irish marriages, Sir John Wogan had formed a connexion with the County of Kildare ; though in truth he had as early as 1297, two years after his arrival in Ireland, established a claim to honourable mention in the annals of the county. When in that year he summoned a general Parliament at Dublin, its first act was to provide “ that the County of Kildare, which was formerly a liberty intentive to the Sheriff of Dublin, be henceforth a county by itself, together with the cross-lands and other lands of the parceners of the lordship of Leinster, contained within the precinct of the same, totally discharged from the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Dublin.” 2

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 197

Naas as ancient capital of the Kings of north-east Leinster

Naas · town · Kildare · 904

Naas was the ancient capital of the Ri Laighean, or King of north-east Leinster, until the death of Cearbhall mac Muireagain in 904 AD. The place was known in Irish sources as Nas Laighean or Nas na Riogh, Naas of the Kings.

Read the passage

This barony contains 25,572 acres and eight entire parishes, with part of one other. It is part of “ the middle cantred of Offelan ” ( Ut Faolain ), which was given by Strongbow to Maurice fitzGerald. In a.d. 1185 King John, when dominus Hiberniae, confirmed this grant of “ unum canteredum terre quern MacKelan \Mac Fhaolain ] tenuit non propinquiorem Duveline sed alium scilicet in quo villa de Nas sita est” (' Charlce Priv. et Immun. p. 5) to William, eldest son of Maurice fitzGerald, and his heirs (who were known as barons of Naas).6 7 In a.d. 1350 the present Baronies of Naas North and South were represented by the Baronies of del Naas and del Bathmore? They derive their name from the town of Naas, which was the ancient capital of the Bi Laighcan, or King of north-east Leinster, until the death of Cearbhall mac Muireagain in a.d. 904. 8 In the authorities the place is usually called Nas Laighean) Naas of Leinster, or Nas na Biogh, Naas of the Kings.9 According to Cormac’s Glossary the word nas means a fair or meeting-place. “ This word is also found in a few other names, all in Leinster : such as Nash, in the parish of Owenduff, Wexford, which is still a fair-green ; and Ballynaas, in the parish of Bathmacnee, in the same county.” 10 In Anglo-Irish
1 Gilbert, op. cit pp. 151, 152. Osbertstown, a suburb of Naas, is probably named from the same family.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 176

As the companion tells it

Up ahead is Naas, a town with older roots than most you will pass. In Irish sources it was called Nas Laighean, Naas of Leinster, or Nas na Riogh, Naas of the Kings. It served as the ancient capital of the Ri Laighean, the King of north-east Leinster, and that role lasted until the death of Cearbhall mac Muireagain in 904. According to Cormac's Glossary, the word "nas" means a fair or meeting-place, and the same word turns up in a few other Leinster names, such as Nash in Wexford, which is still a fair-green, and Ballynaas in the parish of Rathmacnee in the same county. Later records take the story into Anglo-Norman hands. In 1185 King John, as lord of Ireland, confirmed a grant of land including the villa de Nas to William, eldest son of Maurice fitzGerald, whose heirs were known as the barons of Naas.

Theft of fish from the Dominican friars' weir at Athy, 1347

Athy · town · Kildare · 1347

In 1347 several men including a chaplain, a baker's son, a cook, a prior, a haywood, a miller, and a friar were indicted for coming by night to the fishing weir of the Dominican Friary at Athy and forcibly taking away a net with fish, causing damage of over 100 shillings.

Read the passage

and Owgan in the year 1253 or 1257. 1 2 It was situated in the town of Athy, on the east side of the Barrow, and on the north of Bothar Buidhe (“ Boherboy ”), the road which leads from the bridge to Ardscull. In 1347 Thomas, the chaplain, William, the son of Thomas Baker, Laurence Cook, John the prior of St. Thomas of Athy, Thomas Haywood, John Miller, and friar Maurice of Athy, were indicted for coming by night to the fishing weir belonging to the said Dominicans, and then and there, by force of arms, taking away a net with fish therein, the property of the said friars, to their loss and damage of upwards of 100s.8 An inquisition taken on the Thursday next after the Feast of St. Nicholas the Bishop, in the year 1543, found that the prior on the 30th of April, 1540, was seized of a church and belfry, chapter house, dormitory, hall, three chambers, and a kitchen, a cemetery, garden and orchard containing one acre ; also six cottages, sixteen acres of arable of great measure, and of a water mill in Clokewory, annual value, besides reprises,3 32s.4 Another inquisition, taken on the Saturday next after the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin in the year 1544, found that the last prior (Robert Wolf) was seized of a church, &c., six messuages, and ten acres of arable land in the More near Athy, annual value of the whole 27s. 2d. Two fishing weirs in the Barrow, below the Friary, two acres of pasture, and two of meadow, near the Barrow, annual value, 2s. ; six acres of land in the townland of Athy, a mill with a water mill and the custom, and a messuage and an acre of land in Tollogheguorre, annual value, 6s. 8d., and seven acres of arable and meadow in Mellensgreall (Grangemellon), annual value, £20. The said acres are of the great measure, and in the County of Kildare.5 *
Barony of Offaly East.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 293

As the companion tells it

You're coming through Athy now, a town on the Barrow that had a Dominican friary back in the Middle Ages. In 1347, a gang came by night to the friars' fishing weir and took a net full of fish by force of arms. The loss was put at over 100 shillings, a serious sum. What makes it striking is who was indicted: Thomas the chaplain, William the son of Thomas Baker, Laurence Cook, John the prior of St. Thomas of Athy, Thomas Haywood, John Miller, and friar Maurice of Athy. A chaplain and a friar among the accused, and a prior too — holy men pulling fish from another order's weir in the dark. The weir sat on the east side of the Barrow, north of the old road from the bridge toward Ardscull. Nearly 200 years later, in 1543 and 1544, inquisitions recorded what the friary still held: a church and belfry, chapter house, dormitory, hall, chambers, kitchen, cemetery, garden, orchard, cottages, arable land, and two fishing weirs in the Barrow below the friary. By then the last prior was Robert Wolf. But the story that stays with you is that night in 1347, when men of the church robbed men of the church, and a net of fish from the Barrow was worth the breaking of every vow they had.

Unique Rent in Rabbits for Gorteenvacan Lease

near Damastown · street · Dublin · 1608

The lease of Gorteenvacan lands granted in 1608 required an unusual rent of £2 plus twelve couple of fat rabbits, delivered at Thomas FitzGerald's house at Damastown at set feast days, a payment form the author notes as unique.

Read the passage

The rent took a very unusual form, viz., £2 and “ twelve cupple of good fat connies ” (or rabbits), the money to be paid at the Feast of St. Michael and at Easter in equal portions, and the rabbits to be delivered at Thomas’s house at Damastown (six couple at the Feast of All Saints, 1st November, and the remainder at Christmas).
As far as I know, this payment in kind taking the form of rabbits is unique.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 109

Baltinglass Rebellion: Hollywood dwellings spoiled and church attacked

Hollywood · parish · Wicklow · 1582

During the Baltinglass Rebellion, Robert Piphoe reported that the forces of James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass, after spoiling the dwellings in Hollywood, went to the parish church.

Read the passage

In June, 1581, Robert Piphoe petitioned the Lord Deputy, Lord Leonard Grey, for redress and remedy for the hurts he had sustained at the bands of Captain Thomas Lee2 of Castlemartin (Co. Kildare), who had married Elizabeth, daughter of William Peppard of Levitstown in the County Kildare, and widow of John Eustace of Castlemartin, who had died in the previous year. Whether he was successful or not is not on record. He appears to have suffered badly, too, in the Baltinglass Rebellion, as he wrote on the 16th May, 1582, from Dublin, to Sir Francis Walsyngham, Secretary of State, describing the service done by his troop against the forces of James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass, who, he states, after spoiling the dwellings in Hollywood, had gone to the parish church ; he adds, too, that he had not since heard from his son since he broke his arm.5
In August, 1582, a Fiant of Elizabeth records the pardon, at the suit of Robert Piphoe, of several of his retinue and tenants in Hollywood, Tulfarris, and Russellstown, any who might be of the sept of the O’Connors of Offaly being excluded from it. Their occupations are described as husbandmen, yeomen, cottiers, horseboys, and “ cablerts,” (or ? ). Complicity

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 128

Betaghs flee Rathcoffey lands whenever Offaly raiders attack

Rathcoffey · townland · Laois · 1300–1320

The jury reported that the betaghs placed by Henry de Cruys on lands in the manor fled with all their goods and cattle whenever the Offaly felons harried and robbed the King's men, abandoning their holdings and undermining resistance by other tenants.

Read the passage

have competent men with arms and horses, for the preservation of the peace in those parts — as the said Henry pledged himself to do, when the marriage of the aforesaid Elizabeth was granted to him. And they say that a certain John le Bret, a tenant of our lord the King, in the same place, through default of Henry, who left no guard in the aforesaid manor, was slain by the said felons ; and many other evils and outrages done to our lord the King, amounting to over 20 marks. And they say that the betaghs placed by Henry in the manor aforesaid, to hold certain lands therein to farm, do manifold mischief; because, as often as the aforesaid felons harry and rob the King’s men and lands in that place, the betaghs immediately flee therefrom with all their goods and cattle, abandoning the lands they hold ; and so through the default of said betaghs, the other tenants in that quarter are unable to resist the aforesaid felons, to the great loss of the King, &c.” (This is supposed to meet Henry’s ingenuous plea that his tenants stood their ground “just as well as ” the other gentlemen’s tenants.) “ And they say that Henry did not come, by himself, or by others, to the display and view of arms with the other tenants of our lord the King.”
Henry de Cruys was then commanded to appear for judgment on the Monday after the feast of St. James. Unfortunately I have not succeeded in tracing the record of the judgment then delivered.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 196

Dalway Harp Kept at Ballyhalis, County Antrim

Carrickfergus · townland · Antrim · 1621–1891

The FitzGerald of Cloyne harp of 1621, later called the Dalway Harp, was for many years held by the Dalway family of Bellahill near Carrickfergus, County Antrim, before passing to the Royal Irish Academy.

Read the passage

Of this harp there only now exist the harmonic curve and the fore-pillar, both completely covered with ornamentation, animals, and inscriptions. From having been for many years in the possession of the Dalway family, of Bellaliill, near Carrickfergus, in the County Antrim, it is also known as “ the Dalway Harp.” Its present owner is the Royal Irish Academy, among whose collection of Irish antiquities it is exhibited in the Science and Art Museum in Dublin.
The Sir John fitz Edmund FitzGerald, Kt., for whom it was made in 1621, was of Cloyne, and Ballymaloe in the parish of Kilmahon, both in the County Cork.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 99

James FitzGerald Builds and Rebuilds Harristown After Destruction

Harristown · townland · Kildare · 1576–1599

James FitzGerald of Drinnanstown built a thatched house and a village at Harristown, which were destroyed by the O'Mores and O'Dempseys, who burned all his houses, goods and chattels. He then went to reside at Walterstown, from where he superintended the rebuilding of Harristown.

Read the passage

By an Inquisition1 held at Philipstown in March, 1612, to ascertain how, and from whom, the lands of Harristown, with a mill and mill-race, Ballirickard, alias Rickardstown, and Ballemoyler, alias Mylerstown, with their appurtenances in Coshegowley, were held, it was found that on the 12tli of March, 1576, these lands were granted for ever by the Crown to James FitzGerald of Drinnanstown, in the County Kildare, third son of Redmond oge FitzGerald of Rathangan and Timahoe, in the same county, and his heirs. James FitzGerald, while in occupation, built a thatched house for himself, and a village at Harristown, which were destroyed by the O’Mores and the O’Dempseys, who burned all his houses, goods, and chattels therein, after which he went to reside at Walterstown close by, from whence he superintended the rebuilding of Harristown, and the farming operations there.
The Inquisition goes on to state that, on the 4th April, 1599, the said James FitzGerald enfeoffed the above-named lands in Christopher Flattisbury, of Johnstown, and John Sutton, of Tipper, by whom they were conveyed on the 1st June, 1604, without licence from the Crown, to Sir James FitzGerald, Kt., of Ballysliannon, County Kildare, who, in the following November, mortgaged them for £200 to Sir Terence O’Dempsey, Kt., of Bally brittas, Chief of his Name.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 273

Mary Leadbeater administers Keatinge poor-relief fund at Ballitore

Ballitore · town · Kildare · 1811

Mary Leadbeater of Ballitore corresponds with Antonia Keatinge about administering a charitable bequest for the poor of Narraghmore, including plans for a dispensary, loan of linen to lying-in women, and distribution of blankets to the infirm and aged before winter.

Read the passage

I feel gratefully thy friendly expressions towards me, and that I am peculiarly honoured by the confidence reposed in me. The proposal thou strikes out for the application of this donation is most judicious and benevolent. About a year ago the establishment of a Dispensary was suggested to us. A subscription was set on foot, but not being likely to be ample enough to claim aid from the County, or to do effectual good, was, for the present, laid aside. If this should be revived, the bequest would be a material aid, and the poor of Narraghmore would have a proportionable claim upon the Institution. This however demands much consideration, and that a committee should be called together and till this can be done I shall throw before thee two modes of present expenditure, each of which may prove a preventative to those diseases which call for the aid of medicine. One is the loan of linen to lying-in-women : I
170 BALLITORE AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 112

As the companion tells it

You are coming through Ballitore in Kildare. In 1811 Mary Leadbeater of this town was writing to Antonia Keatinge about a charitable bequest for the poor of Narraghmore. A dispensary had been suggested about a year before, but the subscription fell short and was laid aside. She thought the bequest could help revive it. While a committee was being arranged, she proposed two kinds of help that might prevent the diseases that called for medicine. One was a loan of linen to women in childbirth. The letter reflects the careful, practical charity she administered from here.

Sir Thomas Wogan accused of extorting common people to fund the Graney ward

Graney · parish · Kildare · 1356

Sir Thomas Wogan, stationed in the ward of Graney within his own lands, was accused of failing to maintain an adequate garrison there while extorting money by threats and compulsion from the common people of Kildare to cover the ward's costs, in contempt of the King's ordinance.

Read the passage

accordance with the ordinance made in this matter, stationed in the ward of Graney, situated within your lands, yet you are not posted there as becomingly and with such an adequate company of men-at-arms and other forces as your honour demands ; and, nevertheless, out of your own presumption, you cause the charges for yourself, as well as for those stationed in the same ward, to be levied on the common people of the same county, by extortion, threats and compulsion, in contempt of us and with outrage to our people. Now, therefore, having taken into consideration your power, and the fact that, by reason of the lands granted to your father by royal gift, you are under greater obligations, it is ordained by us and our council that you keep continued residence in the aforesaid ward with three men-at-arms and mailed horses, eight hobelers, and twenty-four archers on foot, and others, at your own charges, however, and not at the charges of the said county. And, therefore, under the certain pain of forfeiture of the lands which you thus hold by royal grant, and by the faith and allegiance in which you are bound to us, we strictly enjoin and command that you yourself being well armed, along with the others [aforesaid, &c., &c.] remain in the said ward until it shall be otherwise ordained. And lest any dangers should arise in those parts through your defauJt, or losses be incurred through your extortions, we shall cause an inquisition to be made therein.” 1
A farther insight into the methods of Sir Thomas is afforded by the King’s writ, ordering the inquisition referred to : —

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 263

Trial at Kildare over harbouring a murderer, 1298

Kildare · town · Kildare · 1298

In 1298, Henry, son of Henry de Rochford, appeared before the King's Court at Kildare to stand trial by a jury of the cantred of Offelan on the charge of harbouring John Moyneth, a felon accused of the death of Ric, son of Alured. The jurors found him not guilty.

Read the passage

Not before the closing years of the thirteenth century does the barony of Okethy emerge into any prominence in the records. Among the rolls calendared by the Record Commissioners as “very ancient,” and certainly before 1291, is found a registered grant of Philip, son of John Gerard, by which he gives to Sir Henry de Rochford, lord of May nan, the water-course in the grantor’s land, from boundary to boundary, and a quarry in the same tenement, wherever Sir Henry or his representatives shall select, in return for his homage and fealty, and Id. annual rent payable at Easter.1 This grant mentions no further particulars, and so Philip Gerard flits by us, leaving no landmark. The lord of Maynan mentioned in the grant may be the Henry de Rochford who was Sheriff of Kildare in 1292. 2 In 1298 his successor, styled Henry, son of Henry, to distinguish him from his relative, Henry, son of Simon, appears in the King’s Court at Kildare, to stand his trial by a jury of the cantred, or sergeancy, of Offelan, in which Okethy was situated, on the charge of harbouring a murderer. The record of the Court is thus calendared : — “ Pleas of the Crown at Kildare (14 April, 1298), before John Wogan, Chief Justiciar of Ireland, Henry, son of Henry de Rochford, charged that he received John Moyneth, felon of the death of Ric, son of Alured, puts himself on the country. The jurors of Offelan say not guilty.”3
In the course of the next following years, 1299 and 1300, the barony of Okethy occupied a good deal of the time of the King’s Court in two interesting trials, which illustrate the land laws of those times, and the circumstances under which the barony passed from the Rochford family. The trouble arose from the ambition of Henry, son of Henry, to perpetuate the de Rochford name in the lordship of Okethy, by restricting the inheritance to heirs male, of the name and blood of de Rochford. No doubt, in this project he was supported by the sympathies

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Kildare town, you are near the place where a royal court sat in 1298, and where a man stood trial for sheltering a killer. The barony of Okethy first appears in records in the closing years of the thirteenth century. A grant survives from before 1291, in which Philip, son of John Gerard, gave to Sir Henry de Rochford, lord of Maynan, a water-course across his land, from boundary to boundary, and a quarry wherever Sir Henry chose, in return for homage and fealty and 1d rent each year at Easter. This Henry de Rochford may be the man who served as Sheriff of Kildare in 1292. In 1298, his successor, Henry son of Henry de Rochford, appeared before the King's Court at Kildare. The date was 14 April, and the chief justiciar of Ireland, John Wogan, presided. Henry was charged with harbouring John Moyneth, a felon accused of the death of Ric, son of Alured. He put himself on the country, meaning he submitted to a jury. The jurors of the cantred of Offelan, where the barony of Okethy lay, returned their verdict: not guilty. In the years that followed, 1299 and 1300, the barony of Okethy kept the King's Court busy with two further trials. These turned on land law. Henry son of Henry had ambitions to keep the de Rochford name alive in the lordship of Okethy, by restricting the inheritance to heirs male of the de Rochford blood. The trouble that arose from that ambition would eventually see the barony pass out of the Rochford family's hands.

Archbishop's Castle of Ballymore as Pale defence

Ballymore Eustace · town · Kildare · 1373

In medieval times the Archbishop's Castle of Ballymore served as one of the chief defences of the Pale against the dispossessed Irish, with Thomas fitzEustace appointed constable there in 1373 with a salary of £10 per annum provided he resided with his family.

Read the passage

In mediaeval times the Archbishop’s Castle of Ballymore was one of the chief defences of the Pale against the dispossessed Irish. In a.d. 1873 Thomas, son of Oliver fitzEustace, was appointed
1 Monck Mason, op. cit.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 282

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Ballymore Eustace, this town once held the Archbishop's Castle of Ballymore, one of the chief defences of the Pale against the dispossessed Irish. In 1373 Thomas, son of Oliver fitzEustace, was appointed constable here, with a salary of £10 per annum on condition that he reside with his family.

Founding of Castledermot monastery by Diarmaid

Castledermot · town · Kildare · 828

Diarmaid, son of Aodh Roin, King of Ulster, founded a monastery at Castledermot (Diseart Diarmada, Diarmaid's hermitage) about 828 AD. His festival was celebrated on June 21st.

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founded a monastery about 828 a.d. His festival was June 21st.1 Cormac mac Cuileannain was buried here after the battle of Bealach Mughna. St. Lorcan O Tuathail was abbot of the monastery until he was made Archbishop of Dublin in a.d. 1162. 2 In the list of churches in the diocese of Glendaloch, given in Pope Alexander Ill’s letter, dated a.d. 1179, the name of Disser diarmada , cum suis pertinenciis, appears.3 About a.d. 1270 ecclesia de Tristildermot , cum capella de Kenmoy , in the Deanery of “ Tristildermot,” is returned as belonging to the Prioress and Nuns of “ Grane.5’4
In the reign of King John a priory of Crouched Friars, or Trinitarians, was founded here under the invocation of St. John the Baptist by Walter de Ridelesford. It was situated without the town walls, and near the road which leads to Dublin. The Order of Trinitarians for the redemption of Christian captives out of the hands of the infidels was founded by St. John de Matha and St. Felix of Valois in a.d. 1197- They were called Cruciferi (anglice — Crouched or Crutched Friars) from the cross of red and blue which they wore on the breast of their white habit. Besides the work of redeeming captives, they also devoted themselves to the relief of the poor and sick, and consequently the houses of this Order were also for the most part hospitals.5 In the taxation of circa 1294, the “ Church of Trestyldermote, with the rents and mill there,” were assessed at 9 marks, 8s. 4d.6 A monastery for conventual Franciscans was founded here in a.d. 1302 by Thomas, Lord Offaly.7 In mediaeval English documents the name of this place is always Tristledermot. The rectory and church of Tristledermot belonged to Graney Priory, according to an Inquisition taken on 5th August, 1538.8

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun

Furious mob assembles in College Green over Ponsonby's dismissal

near College Green · street · Dublin · 1770

After Ponsonby, Shannon, and Lanesborough were deprived of their offices in March 1770, a furious mob assembled in College Green in Dublin, taking up the deprived officials as martyrs for the cause of Ireland.

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A furious mob assembled in College Green. Troops were
1 A few months after he was appointed, George Selwyn happened to see him tossing about bank-notes at a hazard table at Newmarket ; so he said to a friend, “ Look how easily the Speaker passes the Money Bills ! ” {Carlow Parliamentary Boll, by Robert Malcomson, p. 70,)

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 9

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about College Green, a furious mob assembled in 1770. This followed the dismissal of Ponsonby, Shannon, and Lanesborough from their offices in March of that year. The crowd took up the deprived officials as martyrs for the cause of Ireland. Troops were called to the scene.

Grangemellon House and its Ruined Gateway

Grangemellon · townland · Kildare · 1782–1891

Grangemellon, near Athy on the bank of the Barrow opposite Kilmorony, was the principal residence of the Hon. Robert FitzGerald, held on a long lease from his brother-in-law Sir Walter Borrowes. Described by antiquary Austin Cooper in 1782 as a fine but neglected house with octagon towers, it was demolished shortly afterwards to make way for the canal, leaving only the ruins of its gateway standing today.

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‘ ‘ A fine, old, but neglected improvement. The House consists of two octagon towers, with a heavy pediment and cornice between, and the entrance to it is through a Gateway, which is exactly like the House, or rather a miniature representation of it.”
At the present day the ruins of the gateway alone are standing, as the house was demolished a few years after Austin Cooper saw it, in order to make the canal.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 97

Henry de Cruys builds stone house from Manor stones at Rathcoffey

Rathcoffey · townland · Laois · 1300–1320

Henry de Cruys defended himself for taking stones from near the Manor and demesne lands to build his stone house within the King's tenement of Okethy, for defence against the Irishmen of Offaly who plundered and murdered tenants. A jury found there was in fact damage done.

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“ that he took and drew away some stones lying in the neighbourhood of the Manor, and some others that he found, in the demesne lands of the Manor, whereby he submits that no prejudice was done to the king or to the aforesaid Henry; and of the same stones he constructed his stone house on his own tenement, which is within the King’s tenement of Okethy, with a view to the defence of the country, and to withstand the Irishmen of Offaly, the King’s felons, who frequently, in the absence of resistance in that part of the country, plundered and robbed the King’s tenants in the same, and committed divers murders and outrages ; and, accordingly, what he did therein is rather to the profit of the king and his tenants than to their damage.”
The Court now wished “to be certified by the barony ” as to whether damage was really done, and bade the Sheriff bring a jury of twelve on the following Friday.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 195

Kilteel garrison ordered kept at strength against O'Tooles and O'Byrnes

Kilteel · parish · Kildare · 1300–1399

Because the preceptory of Kilteel lay close to the land of the O'Tooles and O'Byrnes in Wicklow, it became a place of strategic importance along the eastern mearing of the Pale. During the fourteenth century strict orders were issued that the garrisons of Kilteel, Rathmore, Ballymore Eustace, and Graney be kept at full strength.

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Owing to the preceptory of Kilteel being situated close to the land of the Irish enemy, the O’Tooles and the O’Byrnes, in the present County Wicklow, it became, with other fortresses along the eastern mearing of the Pale, a place of great importance strategically, so much so that during the fourteenth century strict orders were issued by the Government that the garrisons of Kilteel, Rathmore, Ballymore (Eustace), and Graney, all in the County Kildare, should be kept up to their full strength, and under capable commanders.
In 1855 Geoffrey fitz Eustace, and Richard de Penkeston, Sheriff of Kildare, were appointed by the Crown to inspect the garrisons of Kilteel, Rathmore, Ballymore (Eustace), and Graney.1

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 181

Underground passage tradition at Tullow church

Tullow · town · Carlow

There is a tradition that an underground passage runs from the Protestant parish church to the Augustinian Abbey burial-ground in Tullow. The now-built-up entrance is inside the church, and it is said that people who ventured down it in former times turned back when the air became foul and their lights burned dim.

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There is a tradition that an underground passage runs from the church to the Augustinian Abbey burial-ground. The entrance to it, now built up, is inside the church ; it is known that more than one person in former times descended for a considerable distance down the passage, but returned on finding that the air became foul, which caused their lights to burn dim.
Thomas Dineley, the antiquary, as before mentioned, visited Tullow in the year 1680, and in his Journal thus alludes to the church : —

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 46

William Ponsonby defends the walls of Londonderry

near Derry · city · Derry · 1689

Colonel William Ponsonby marched his Protestant companies to Londonderry, which was summoned to surrender in the name of James II; when the Governor negotiated surrender, Ponsonby and others manned the walls and repelled those expecting the surrender.

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A resolution, however, to hold out to the last was signed by the chief officers of the garrison, including Colonel Ponsonby ; and when the Governor was negotiating to surrender the place, Ponsonby and others manned the walls with their men, and repelled those who came expecting the surrender. His services, when he was subsequently ennobled, were embodied in the patent of peerage.
He served as member for Kilkenny during the reign of Queen Anne, and in 1715 was called to the Privy Council.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 6

Wogan diverts men from Kilteel and Ballymore wards to Graney, endangering Kildare

Kilteel · parish · Kildare · 1356

Sir Thomas Wogan was said to have used fictitious letters to withdraw men assigned to the wards of Kilteel and Ballymore, compelling them instead to garrison Graney with him, leaving those wards exposed to enemy incursions and imposing further levies on the poor common people.

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“ The King, to his beloved Geoffrey FitzEustace, and those associated with him, and assigned for the supervision of the wards of Kilteel. Ballymore, and Graney, for the defence and safety of the County of Kildare, &c. Although recently in accordance with our injunction made with an order of the Council, and with the assent of the aforesaid county, certain baronies and determined places and persons mentioned by name were assigned to each of the aforesaid wards, and though the persons named according to the same ordinance and assignment have for the most part been stationed in their own wards, nevertheless we understand that by the special contrivance of Thomas Wogan, Knight, and of others like him, and under colour of certain letters procured by the same through fictitious suggestions, and directed, it is said, to you, the said assignment and ordinance are somehow discarded, and persons elected within certain baronies and definite places, and assigned to wards in accordance with this distinction, are withdrawn from these same wards. And the same Thomas, and others, of the like sort, by threats and distraining, compel the parties so withdrawn, as well as others who were appointed to the wards of Kilteel and Ballymore, to come to the aforesaid ward of Graney, and there to stay with Thomas aforesaid ; and in consequence of this subterfuge the said wards of Kilteel and Ballymore, and other parts of the county, are daily exposed to danger from the incursions of the enemy. And for the charges of those who stay in the said ward of Graney they cause a general levy to be made on the poor common people, to the affliction of the same, and in contravention of the ordinance and assignment. ”
1 Original Close Roll, 29-30 Ed. Ill, n. 98, in P.R.O. calendared in Tresham, p. 626, n. 110.

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 263

Aged Witness at Ballyfin Recalls Hidden Will

Ballyfin · townland · Laois · 1658–1664

John, grandson of James fitz John FitzGerald, recounted that in 1658 at Ballyfin his bed-ridden grandfather handed him a key to retrieve the Will and codicil from a trunk, making him read them aloud under threat of a curse.

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Another person whose evidence was taken was John, a son of Gerald FitzGerald, late of Ballywilliam, deceased. This John, now aged (in 1664) about thirty-five years, stated that, in 1658, he was at Ballyfin. in the house of his grandfather, James fitz John FitzGerald, then a bed-ridden and very old man, who handed to him a key, and told him to open a small trunk, and bring to him some papers from it ; these papers were the Will and codicil in question. His grandfather made him read them aloud, and then threatened to leave on him his curse if he did not at the proper time make public their contents.
The Will was proved on the 18th December, 1664, by James FitzGerald (?of Ballymacoda). In it Sir John styles himself of “ Ballimoulow in the Barronv of Imokilly.”

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 99

Axtell evicted from Kildalton by returning Butlers

Kildalton · townland · Kilkenny · 1649–1660

Lieut.-Col. Axtell had become proprietor of the ruined castle and uncultivated lands of Kildalton after exchanging with Ponsonby, but when peace was restored and the Butlers returned, they ejected him without pity.

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It is said that he was granted lands which had belonged to the Butlers in the rich and fertile district near the City of Kilkenny, while Lieut.-Col. Axtell became the proprietor of the ruined castle and uncultivated lands of Kildalton, in the valley of the Suir, consisting of mountain wastes and bogs, so that Axtell was loud in his complaints. Ponsonby offered to exchange with him, and Axtell gladly accepted the offer. For more than a year he revelled in his acquisition, but when peace was restored, and the Butlers returned, they ejected him without pity.
Ponsonby meanwhile improved Kildalton, which, in honour

Internet Archive journalofcountyk08coun, Chapter 5

Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society (vol. 8)

The stories, best first

Assassination of the O'Connors of Offaly at Carrick Castle

Sir Piers de Bermingham's Massacre at Carrick Castle

Death of Jackson in the Dublin Courtroom

Father John Murphy captured and hanged at Tullow, 1798

Lady Margaret FitzGerald's ordeal and Sir Pierce Butler's ambush near Kilkenny

Mysterious Death of MP Robert Downes in Dawson Street

Wolfe Tone's Escape from Dublin to Howth and France

Lady Margaret's 'chair' and hanging-stone at Ballyragget Castle

Sir William Ponsonby's Death at Waterloo Remembered at Bishopscourt

Battle at Tullow with reported supernatural aftermath, 1316

County Kildare established as separate county by 1297 Parliament

Keatinge memorial refused entry to Narraghmore church

Silken Thomas besieges and takes Tullow Castle, 1534

Traditions of Lady Margaret FitzGerald ('Mairgread Gearoid') in Kilkenny folklore

Brabazon Ponsonby's ruse to win a rich widow in Dublin

Burning of the Gates of Rathcoffey and Abduction of Anne Wogan's Son

Siege and capture of Clogrenan Castle, 1569

Ban on Irish castellans at Ballymore Castle, 1468

Colley granted power to punish 'idlemen', vagabonds, rimours and harpers in Carbury

Cromwellian assault and massacre at Tullow Castle, 1650

Death of the Duke of Tyrconnell at the siege of Limerick, 1691

Extinguishing and relighting of St. Brighid's perpetual fire at Kildare, 1220

John le Bret slain by Offaly felons at Rathcoffey manor

Keatinge marble monument destroyed by fire at Harristown

Narraghmore Burnt by Insurgents in 1798

O'Byrnes and O'Tooles raid Dublin and destroy Exchequer records at Collet's Inn

O'Mores raid Tullow, killing and robbing tenants, 1534

Sack of Castledermot and Capture of Sir Thomas Wogan

Assault and Plunder of Rathcoffey Castle, 1453

Battle of Ballaghmoon: death of Cormac mac Cuileannain

Emily Keatinge's £500 Bequest for Poor Relief at Ballitore

Parliament summoned at Kilkenny in defiance of the Justiciar

Sir Walter Scott's visit to Brockley Park, 1825

Slaying of Robert fitz John Talbot near Ballymore-Eustace

St. Brighid founds nunnery at Kildare, c. 484

Violation of sanctuary at Tullow church, 1328

Bishopscourt as centre of the celebrated Kildare hunting establishment

Execution of Pierce Butler at Thurles, 1597

Milltown estate wasted, tenants slain by the Irish

Naas as ancient capital of the Kings of north-east Leinster

Theft of fish from the Dominican friars' weir at Athy, 1347

Unique Rent in Rabbits for Gorteenvacan Lease

Baltinglass Rebellion: Hollywood dwellings spoiled and church attacked

Betaghs flee Rathcoffey lands whenever Offaly raiders attack

Dalway Harp Kept at Ballyhalis, County Antrim

James FitzGerald Builds and Rebuilds Harristown After Destruction

Mary Leadbeater administers Keatinge poor-relief fund at Ballitore

Sir Thomas Wogan accused of extorting common people to fund the Graney ward

Trial at Kildare over harbouring a murderer, 1298

Archbishop's Castle of Ballymore as Pale defence

Founding of Castledermot monastery by Diarmaid

Furious mob assembles in College Green over Ponsonby's dismissal

Grangemellon House and its Ruined Gateway

Henry de Cruys builds stone house from Manor stones at Rathcoffey

Kilteel garrison ordered kept at strength against O'Tooles and O'Byrnes

Underground passage tradition at Tullow church

William Ponsonby defends the walls of Londonderry

Wogan diverts men from Kilteel and Ballymore wards to Graney, endangering Kildare

Aged Witness at Ballyfin Recalls Hidden Will

Axtell evicted from Kildalton by returning Butlers