Inch Castle, Co. Kildare (vol. 3)

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

1. Moat of Ardscull and the Battle of 1315

   Ardscull · townland · Kildare · 1315

   The Moat of Ardscull, anciently Rath-ah-Cael, was the site where Robert Bruce's Scots won a battle in 1315 and plundered the neighbourhood. Several noblemen on both sides were slain there and buried in Athy.

   Read the passage

   A little to the north of the castle is also to be seen the Moat of Ardscull, Ascull, or ArstolJ. anciently Rath ah- Cacl* corruptly Rath-ascull. In 131 5, the Scots, under Robert Bruce, gained a battle here, and plundered the neighbourhood. The rath stands where the battle was fought, and commands a great extent of country. Hammond le Oose, Sir William Prendergast, and John, Lord de Bonneville, on the part of the Irish ; and Fergus Andressan and Sir Walter Murray, of the Scottish party, were slain in this battle and buried in Athy.

   About a furlong to the south of Inch Castle, is a small mound or tumulus, rendered interesting by the following tradition :

   Internet Archive jstor-30003809, Chapter 1

2. Battle of Kilrush, 1642

   Kilrush · townland · Kildare · 1642

   In 1642 the armies of Ormond and Mountgarrett marched in sight of each other near Inch Castle before the Battle of Kilrush. Mountgarrett's forces intercepted Ormond near Bullhill and Kilrush, but after a fierce engagement the Irish broke and fled to a spot since called Battlemount, pursued with great slaughter.

   Read the passage

   It was on those heights the armies of Ormond and Mountgarrett, in 1642, marched in sight of each other the evening previous to the battle of Kilrush ; that of Ormond on the high grounds of ArdscuII, Fontstown, and Kilrush ; whilst the rebel army, under Mountgarrett, and attended by the Lords Dunboyne and Ikerrin, Roger Moore, Hugh Byrne, and other leaders of Leinster, proceeded in the same direction, along the height of Birtown, Ballyndrum, Glassealy, and Narraghmore. Mountgarrett having the advantage in numbers, and anxious for battle, out-marched Ormond's forces, and posted himself on Bullhill and Kilrush, completely intercepting Ormond's further progress to Dublin : a general engagement became unavoidable. The left wing of the Irish was broken by the first charge; the right, animated by their leaders, maintained the contest for some time, but eventually fell back on a neighbouring eminence, since called Battlemount; here they broke, fled, and were pursued with great slaughter across the grounds they had marched over the day before. This victory was considered of so much consequence, that Ormond was presented by the English Government with a jewel, value £500.

   Internet Archive jstor-30003809, Chapter 1

3. Ormond rewarded for victory at Kilrush

   Kilrush · townland · Kildare · 1642

   The victory at the battle near Kilrush was considered so significant that the English Government presented Ormond with a jewel valued at £500.

   Read the passage

   It was on those heights the armies of Ormond and Mountgarrett, in 1642, marched in sight of each other the evening previous to the battle of Kilrush ; that of Ormond on the high grounds of ArdscuII, Fontstown, and Kilrush ; whilst the rebel army, under Mountgarrett, and attended by the Lords Dunboyne and Ikerrin, Roger Moore, Hugh Byrne, and other leaders of Leinster, proceeded in the same direction, along the height of Birtown, Ballyndrum, Glassealy, and Narraghmore. Mountgarrett having the advantage in numbers, and anxious for battle, out-marched Ormond's forces, and posted himself on Bullhill and Kilrush, completely intercepting Ormond's further progress to Dublin : a general engagement became unavoidable. The left wing of the Irish was broken by the first charge; the right, animated by their leaders, maintained the contest for some time, but eventually fell back on a neighbouring eminence, since called Battlemount; here they broke, fled, and were pursued with great slaughter across the grounds they had marched over the day before. This victory was considered of so much consequence, that Ormond was presented by the English Government with a jewel, value £500.

   Internet Archive jstor-30003809, Chapter 1

4. Lease of the town of Inch, 1662

   Inch · townland · Kildare · 1662–1683

   The town of Inch, including Ballycolane, Turnerstown, Foxhill and Glanbane, totalling about 1060 acres, was leased by the Earl of Kildare to Sir W. Burrows for twenty-one years from 1 May 1662, for one hundred pounds per annum, a fat ox, or four pounds.

   Read the passage

   The town of Inch, including Ballycolane, Turnerstowtt, Foxhill and Glanbane, in ail about 1060 acres, was set by the Earl of Kildare to Sir W. Burrows, for twenty-one years, from the 1st May, 1662, for one hundred pounds per annum, a fat ox, or four pounds.

   The chiefs of this country were Hy Caelen or Mac Kelly; and it is said that the last master of the castle, Girode-crone Mac Kelly, defended it during his life time with reckless determination.

   Internet Archive jstor-30003809, Chapter 1

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Inch, in 1662, the Earl of Kildare leased this town, about 1060 acres including Ballycolane, Turnerstown, Foxhill and Glanbane, to Sir W. Burrows for 21 years at 100 pounds a year. The chiefs here were Hy Caelen or Mac Kelly, and the last master of the castle, Girode-crone Mac Kelly, defended it during his lifetime with reckless determination.