Limerick, its history and antiquities; ecclesiastical, civil, and military,from the earliest ages, with copious historical, archaeological, topographical, and genealogical notes

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. Battle of Castlebar — the 'Races of Castlebar'

   Castlebar · town · Mayo · 1798

   General Humbert attacked Castlebar with only 900 bayonets and thousands of insurgents against a superior British force, achieving a signal and complete defeat of the Royalist army that became known as 'the races of Castlebar.' Fourteen pieces of artillery were captured.

   Read the passage

   were also present ■with their respective Regiments. Undeterred by this formidable force, General Humbert at once attacked Castlebar, although he had but nine hundred bayonets under his command, and some thousands of the insurgents. It is not within the scope of this work to give a detailed account of the disgraceful defeat of the British troops, by this small French force — a defeat so signal and complete as to have obtained the appellation of " the races of Castlebar."

   But it is important, in duly estimating the gallant conduct of the Limerick regiment at Colooney, to bear in remembrance the bad example shown them by a vastly superior force, consisting in a great measure of regular troops, fully armed and well supplied with every requisite. So complete was the defeat at Castlebar, that " although no attempt to follow them was made, a panic seemed still to operate on the troops, who retreated so quickly, as to reach the town of Tuam, thirty mUes from the scene of action, on the night of the same day, and renewing their march they retired still further towards Athlone, where an officer of Carbineers with sixty of his men arrived at one o'clock on Tuesday, the 29th, having performed a march of G3 miles, the distance between Athlone and Castlebar, in twenty-seven hours."* Hence the name, "the races of Castlebar" — The Carbineers were shortly afterwards disbanded. The Artillery taken in this disgraceful defeat consisted of 14 pieces, of which four were curricle guns. " It is almost impossible, "says Maxwell," to conceive anything more disgraceful and unaccountable than the defeat of the Royalist army at Castlebar. The spirit of the troops was excellent, and with a superior Cavalry and Artillery — the latter particularly well served — the contest should not have lasted ten minutes. But Humbert's estimate of the British commanding officers will give a key to the secret of their defeat — " I met," he said, when asked to give up his sword to the Marquis of Cornwallis, " I met many generals in Ireland, but the only soldier among them was Colonel Vereker."f

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 237

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Castlebar in Mayo now. In 1798 this town was the scene of one of the most remarkable engagements of the rebellion. General Humbert attacked Castlebar with only 900 bayonets and some thousands of insurgents, against a vastly superior British force consisting in great measure of regular troops, fully armed and well supplied with every requisite. The defeat of the British was so signal and complete that it earned the name "the races of Castlebar." The panic was extraordinary. No attempt was made to follow the fleeing troops, yet they retreated so quickly that they reached Tuam, 30 miles from the scene of action, on the night of the same day. Renewing their march, they retired still further towards Athlone. An officer of the Carbineers with 60 of his men arrived at one o'clock on Tuesday the 29th, having covered 63 miles, the distance between Athlone and Castlebar, in 27 hours. The Carbineers were shortly afterwards disbanded. The artillery taken in the defeat consisted of 14 pieces, of which four were curricle guns. Maxwell wrote that it is almost impossible to conceive anything more disgraceful and unaccountable than the defeat of the Royalist army at Castlebar. The spirit of the troops was excellent, and with superior cavalry and artillery, the latter particularly well served, the contest should not have lasted ten minutes. When Humbert was asked to give up his sword to the Marquis of Cornwallis, he said, "I met many generals in Ireland, but the only soldier among them was Colonel Vereker."

2. Massacre at Smerwick after surrender

   Smerwick · townland · Kerry · 1580

   After the surrender of Smerwick, Lord Grey ordered every man put to the sword except the governor and a few officers, an act of barbarity compared to Cromwell's later campaigns. Grey was recalled for this extreme severity.

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   The savage rigor of Lord Grey had already offended even his own government. We have seen how after the surrender of Smerewick, with a savage barbarity only equalled by CromweU in after years, he had put every man of them to the sword, with the exception of the governor and a few of&cers. In consequence of this extreme severity, this Lord Grey, of whom it was said that " he left her majesty little to reign over but carcases and ashes,"* had been recalled, and Loftus, Archbishop of Dublm, and Sir Henry Wallop were appointed Lord Justices. By these Lord Justices first efforts were made to bring back Desmond to his allegiance, but without effect. To what a frightful state Munster was now reduced, may be seen in the pages of the annals of Hollinshed, of Fynes Morison, Cox, and particularly of Spencer, from whose remarkable description we make the following extract : — " notwithstanding that the same (Munster) was a most rich and plentyful country, full of corne and cattle, yet ere one year and a halfe they (the Irish) were brought to such wretchednesse as that any stony heart would have rued the same ; out of every corner of the woods and glynnes they came creeping forth upon their hands, for their Icgges could not bear them, they looked like the anatomies of death ; they spake like ghosts crying out of their graves ; they did eat the dead carrions, happy where they could finde them, yea and one another soone after, inasmuch as the very carcases they spared not to scrape out of the graves ; and if they found a plot of water-cresses or shamrocks, there they flocked as to a feast for the time, yet not able long to continue there withal, that in short space there were none almost left, and a most populous and plenty fuU country suddainely left voyde of man and beast.'"'

   ' The Glen of Aherlow, four miles south of Tipperary.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 64

3. Anti-Catholic clergy edict promulgated in Limerick

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1652

   In 1652, a brutal edict ordering Catholic clergy to leave Ireland under capital penalties was promulgated in Limerick by local governors acting for the Commonwealth. The decree condemned priests to hanging, drawing, and quartering, and set a bounty on priests equal to that on wolves. Citizens distressed by the loss of their pastors asked Dr. Arthur to intercede with authorities in Dublin.

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   his head cut off and his body divided in quarters ; his bowels to be drawn out and burnt, and his head fixed upon a pole in some public place. The punishment of those who entertained a Priest was by the same enactment, confiscation of their goods and chattels, and the ignominious death of the gallows.''^ The same fine was set upon the head of a j)riest as upon the head of a wolf, (five pounds.) Morrison here quoted, declares that "neither the Israelites were more cruelly persecuted by Pharaoh, nor the innocent infants by Herod, nor the Christians by Nero, or any of the other Pagan tyrants, than were the Eoman Catholics at this fatal juncture." In Limerick this edict was promulgated by the local governors, who acted on behalf of the Commonwealth. So fierce an ukase had a direful effect as might be expected, on those CathoKcs who had remained in the city, and who hoped they could follow the profession of their faith without hindrance, as long as they did not interfere with the progress of the Puritans, who now filled every ofiice. Bearing badly the tyrannical mandate, they requested Dr. Arthur, whose influence was extensive with those in power, that he would place their deplorable case before the authorities in Dublin. They felt sore at heart to think that they should be without the ministrations of their Pastors. Dr. Arthur states,' that he undertook the duty with zeal and earnestness — he does not acquaint us with the result, no doubt he was unsuccessful ; he adds however, that he arrived in Dublin on the 6th of Pebruary, that he remained tni the 15th of August, and that he received a sum of £83 15s. for professional services rendered while there.

   The money levies on the citizens, for the exigencies of the Puritan army and the requirements of the new government after the surrender, were literally enormous. They would be incredible if they were not vouched for by indisputable data.^ Under the new regime the citizens of Limerick had no reason indeed to congratulate themselves.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 103

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through Limerick, you pass through a city where, in 1652, the local governors acting for the Commonwealth promulgated a savage edict against the Catholic clergy. Any priest found in Ireland was condemned to be hanged, his bowels drawn out and burnt, his head cut off and fixed on a pole in some public place, his body quartered. Anyone who sheltered a priest faced the gallows and the loss of all their goods. The edict set a bounty of five pounds on a priest's head, the same price as on a wolf. Morrison, quoted in the source, declared that "neither the Israelites were more cruelly persecuted by Pharaoh, nor the innocent infants by Herod, nor the Christians by Nero, or any of the other Pagan tyrants, than were the Roman Catholics at this fatal juncture." The Catholics who remained in Limerick, bearing the mandate badly, asked Dr. Arthur, a man of influence with those in power, to lay their case before the authorities in Dublin. He arrived in Dublin on the 6th of February and stayed until the 15th of August, receiving 83 pounds and 15 shillings for professional services. He does not tell us the result, and no doubt he was unsuccessful. The citizens felt sore at heart to be without the ministrations of their pastors. On top of this, the money levies on the people of Limerick for the Puritan army and the new government were enormous, vouched for by indisputable data but barely credible.

4. Battle of Collooney: Vereker's stand against Humbert

   Collooney · townland · Sligo · 1798

   On 5 September 1798, Colonel Vereker led the Limerick City Militia and a small force of about 300 men against Humbert's combined French and rebel army of over 4,000 at Collooney, five miles from Sligo. After a fierce engagement lasting nearly two hours, Vereker was forced to retreat but inflicted significant casualties and checked the French advance, ultimately saving Sligo.

   Read the passage

   The disposition of his little army was most judiciously made, and the site he selected was well calculated at once to protect and disguise the numerical inferioritj'- of his force. The Colooney river covered the right wing, -whilst the left wing occupied the side of a rugged hill, thickly planted with trees, which sloped down to the high road on which his ginis were placed. Such a position, occupied by a body of determined men, was not only difiicult to take, but afforded singular facilities for a well ordered retreat. The French had about 900 men, about 250 of the Longford and Kilkenny militia, who had deserted after the Races of Castlebar, and a numerous body of rebels ; and the total force under Colonel Vereker did not exceed 300 men, with two curricle guns.f The action began at half-past two o'clock on the 5th of September, 1798, and lasted one hour and thirty-eight minutes. Of the French 28 were killed and a good many wounded. Thej' left behind them at Colooney 18 of their men, who were desperately wounded. Vereker returned his casualties at nine killed and twenty-two wounded. He was himself severely wounded. After the action, the grenadiers represented to General Humbert that it would be useless and cruel to compel them to endure the calamities of war any longer, but the General said, " he could not think of surrendering to so small a force. "J Thus it nearly fell to the lot of a few citizens of Limerick to capture the force destined by Napoleon Bonaparte for the conquest of a kingdom ! And at a meeting of the town council of Limerick, held on the 8th of October, 1798, it was unanimously resolved •' that the steady, loyal and gallant conduct of our fellow-citizens, the City of Limerick Regiment of Militia, who on the 5th of September last, under the command of Colonel Vereker, so intrepidly engaged and so successfully opposed the progress of the whole French and rebel army at Coloony, merits our sincerest thanks and warmest applause — a conduct which has not only covered them as a regiment with eternal honor, but has also cast an additional lustre on their native city — already so eminently distinguished. §

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 237

5. Gunpowder explosion on George's Street, Limerick

   near George's Street · street · Waterford · 1837

   On 3 January 1837, an explosion of gunpowder in the premises of William Richardson, a gun-maker at No. 1 George's Street, killed eleven persons. The blast extinguished gas throughout the city and broke windows on the North Strand across the Shannon.

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   ter occurred in Limerick, by an explosion of gunpowder in the premises of one AVilliam Eichardson, a gun-maker and vendor of gunpowder, No. 1, George^s-street. Eleven persons were killed by this explosion, viz. Margaret M'Mahon, John M'Mahon, Bridget O'Donohoe, John O'Brien, Patrick Doolan, Mary Barry, John Enright, Bridget Doolan, John M'Mahon, and Michael O'Neill, a watch-man. The cause of the catastrophe could never be clearly ascertained, as the only person in the part of the house where the gunpowder lay was blown up, and his body torn in pieces. The terrific details of this dreadful affair' cause a shudder of horror whenever they are brought to memory, while the miraculous escape which some respectable families had from being involved in the worst consequences of the explosion, is referred to the special agency of Providence. Every effort was made by the Mayor and magistrates to mitigate the sufferings of the survivors. A deputation laid the matter before the Lord Lieutenant, who gave his active

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 278

6. Slaughter of 700 Italians at Smerwick

   Smerwick Harbour · harbour · Kerry · 1580

   The Lord Justice's forces went over to the island at Smerwick and killed all seven hundred Italians, not one escaping, crying 'misericordia.' The Lord Justice seized their gold and wealth, destroyed the fortifications, and returned to Limerick in November.

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   it, the English were encamped when they stormed the fort. This fleet was induced to come to Ireland to assist the Geraldines, who, it was known abroad, had been reduced to great extremities for their devotion to Ireland, and their defence of the Catholic faith and of Catholic interests. The Earl of Ormond mustered an army to oppose the expedition, and did not halt until they arrived in Kerry ; after a good deal of parleying and diversation, the Italian Captains, Stephen San Josepho, Hercules Pisano, and the Duke of Biscay, " came to the Lord Justice as if they would be at peace with him;^^ but the people of the Lord Justice went over to the island, and proceeded to kill and destroy the invaders, so that even of the seven hundred Italians not one escaped, but all were slaughtered as they cried out, misericordia, misericordia} The Lord Justice also seized upon much gold, wealth, and other things which the Italians had with them ; he destroyed the fortifications on the island, in order that it should not be a supporting rock or a strong retreat for insurgents any longer ; and having effected all this in the month of November, he returned to Limerick, and thence to Fingal.

   With respect to the Italian captains, there is but one opinion on the part of Camden,^ Muratori, and O^Daly, and that is, that the principal man among them, San Josepho, was either a downright imbecile, or an accomplished traitor.' Donough and Mahon O'Brien continued to worry and lay waste the country from Burren to Limerick ; and John, the son of the Earl of Desmond, was, at this time, a roving plunderer ; but though in so miserable a plight, he commanded a body of one hundred followers, with whom he did execution in Upper Ormond and Eliogarty, retreating to the woods about Mountrath, where he was jouied by the sons of MacGillapatrick, the son of O'CarroU, and a great many others, who harassed the country in the neighbourhood of the Slieve-Bloom mountains, being joined by all the men of Offally and Leix who were able to bear arms.'*

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 63

7. Surrender of Ross Castle on Lough Leane, 1652

   Ross Castle · castle · Kerry · 1652

   Ross Castle on the lake of Killarney was the last Castle in Munster to hold out after the surrender of Limerick and Galway. Ludlow had a small ship made and carried over the mountains, floated it on the Lough, and the astonished Irish yielded the fort on 27 June 1652.

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   The surrender of Limerick and Galway, the latter under terms better by far than Limerick,,^ put an end to what has been conventionally termed the great rebellion. The only Castle in Munster that held out was Ross, in the lake of KiHarney, which was thought impregnable, but Ludlow caused a small ship to be made, and carried over the mountains — this he floated in the Lough ; and the Irish were so astonished that they yielded up the fort on the 27th of June, 1652.

   About the same time Lord Westmeath, Lord Muskerry, O^Connor Roe, Sir William Dungan, Sir Francis Talbot and others submitted upon conditions " that they should abide a trial for the murders committed in the beginning of the rebellion, and that those who assisted only in the war were to forfeit two-thirds of their estates and be banished.^ Following out the fortunes of Inchiquin, who embarked for France from Galway with Lord Ormond, we find that being exempted from pardon by Cromwell, in 1652, he became a Lieutenant- General of the French army, and was appointed Yiceroy of Catalonia by the king ; serviQg afterwards in the Netherlands, and commanding the forces sent to assist the Portuguese, when they revolted from Spain, he was captured by a Sallee Rover or Algerine Corsair, with his fanuly, and was obhged to pay a heavy ransom. He was created Earl of Inchiquin, and had a grant of £8000 from Charles II. as compensation for his losses. He lived a Catholic for fourteen years before his death, and died in Limerick ; his body was interred in 1674 in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, the cannon firing daring his interment."' Execrations cliag to his memory.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 104

8. Battle of Kinsale, Irish defeat

   Kinsale · town · Cork · 1601

   O'Neill and O'Donnell's forces attacked the English camp at Kinsale on the night of the 23rd but were repelled after guides lost their way and English cavalry charged broken lines. Nearly a thousand Irish fell and prisoners were immediately hung.

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   0''Neill and O'Donnell differed in opinion as to the propriety of attacking the Enghsh cam.p on a certain night, proposed by the commander of the Spaniards, Don Juan Del Aguila, who wrote pressingly to the Irish leaders entreating them to come to his assistance at once; O'Donnell thought they were bound to accede to this request. An immediate attack was resolved on, and by the treacliery of Brian MacHugh. Oge MacMahon, Carew was apprized of the intended onslaught. On the night of the 23rd, the Irish set out in three divisions, Captains Tyrrell, O'Neill and O'Domiell respectively, commanding the van, the centre, and the rere. The guides missed their way, and after wandering through the night, O'Neill found himself separated from O'Donnell, at the very entrenchments of the English, who were fully prepared for the attack. O'Donnell was now at a considerable distance, and just as O'Neill was preparmg either to retreat or put his men in order of battle, the English cavalry charged their broken lines, and notwithstanding the stout resistance of the Irish and the gallantry of the Spaniards, O'Neill's command Avere either cut down or compelled to retreat. O'Donnell came at last and repulsed the English wing. O'Neill made extraordinary exertions to rally his flying troops, but all to no purpose, nearly a thousand of the Irish fell. The prisoners were immediately hung ; and three days after the battle of Kinsale, the heroic Eed Hugh O'Donnell had sailed in a Spanish ship from Castlehaven for Spain, where he was received with the greatest honors. O'Neill returned to Ulster. The Spaniards capitulated, marching out of Kinsale with colors flying, and with arms, ammunition, and all their property. On the return of Don Juan, who was suspected by the Irish of treachery, probably owing to the friendship which suddenly sprung up between Mm and Sir George Carew, he was placed under arrest and died of grief. The famous defence of Dunboy castle by Richard MacGeoghegan and Father CoUins, to Avhom O'SulKvan had committed that fortahce, is an event too well known to require particular description. The President having levelled its fortifications returned to Cork ; and after a series of marvellous adventures and romantic escapes, O'SulKvan, O'Connor Kerry, and William Burke reached the Shannon at T^'erryglass, and having caused their followers to make corraghs or basket boats they crossed the river, and eventually arrived safely in the county of Leitrim, though perpetually harassed by enemies.' Garret Stack still held the Castle of Ballygarry from the Confederates, but Sir Charles Wilmot having advanced from Limerick by water to attack it, the garrison surrendered at discretion.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 71

   As the companion tells it

   As you come near Kinsale, you are approaching the site of the greatest Irish defeat of 1601. The Spanish commander Don Juan Del Aguila, besieged here, wrote pressingly to the Irish leaders O'Neill and O'Donnell, entreating them to come to his assistance at once. O'Neill and O'Donnell differed on whether to attack the English camp, but O'Donnell believed they were bound to accede, and an immediate attack was resolved on. By the treachery of Brian MacHugh Oge MacMahon, the English commander Carew was warned of the onslaught. On the night of the 23rd the Irish set out in three divisions, with Tyrrell commanding the van, O'Neill the centre, and O'Donnell the rear. The guides missed their way, and after wandering through the night O'Neill found himself separated from O'Donnell at the very entrenchments of the English, who were fully prepared. As O'Neill was preparing either to retreat or put his men in order of battle, the English cavalry charged their broken lines. The Irish made stout resistance and the Spaniards fought gallantly, but O'Neill's command were cut down or compelled to retreat. O'Donnell came at last and repulsed the English wing, but O'Neill's efforts to rally his flying troops came to nothing. Nearly a thousand of the Irish fell, and the prisoners were immediately hung. Three days after the battle, Red Hugh O'Donnell sailed in a Spanish ship from Castlehaven for Spain, where he was received with the greatest honors. O'Neill returned to Ulster. The Spaniards capitulated, marching out with colors flying, and with arms, ammunition, and all their property. Don Juan, suspected by the Irish of treachery, probably owing to a friendship that suddenly sprang up between him and Sir George Carew, was placed under arrest and died of grief.

9. Bianconi starts passenger car service from Clonmel

   Clonmel · town · Tipperary · 1815–1843

   In July 1815, Charles Bianconi launched a horse-drawn car service for passengers from Clonmel to Cahir, later extending to Tipperary and Limerick. By 1843 his network covered over 140 stations with 1,300 vehicles serving the south of Ireland.

   Read the passage

   In July, 1815, he started a car for the conveyance of passengers from Clonmel to Caher, which he subsequently extended to Tipperary and Limerick; at the end of the same year, he started similar cars from Clonmel to Cashel and Thurles, and from Clonmel to Carrick and Waterford, and he subsequently extended this establishment, including the most insulated localities, and numbering in 1843, IQO vehicles, including mail coaches and different sized cars, capable of carrying from four to twenty passengers each, and travelling eight or nine miles an hour, at an average of one penny farthing per mile for each passenger, and performing daily 3,800 mUes, passing through over 140 stations for the change of horses, consuming 3 to 4,000 tons of hay, and from 30 to 40,000 barrels of oats, annually, all of which were purchased in their respective localities.

   His establishment originated immediately after the peace of 1815, having then had the advantage of a supply of first class horses intended for the army, and rating in price from ten to twenty pounds each, one of which drew a car and six persons with ease seven mUes an hour. The demand for such horses having ceased, the breeding of them naturally diminished, and, after some time, he found it necessary to put two inferior horses to do the work of one. Finding he thus had extra horse power, he increased the size of the car, which held six passengers — ^three on each side — to one capable of carrying eight, and in proportion as the breed of horses improved, he continued to increase the size of the cars for summer work, and to add to the number of horses in winter, for the conveyance of the same number of passengers, until he converted the two- wheeled two-horse cars into four-wheeled cars, drawn bv two, three, or four horses, according to the traf&c on the respective roads, and the wants of the public.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 252

   As the companion tells it

   You are coming through Clonmel, the town where Ireland's first regular passenger car service began. In July 1815, Charles Bianconi started a horse-drawn car carrying passengers from Clonmel to Cahir, and before the year was out he had added routes from Clonmel to Cashel and Thurles, and from Clonmel to Carrick and Waterford. He soon extended the original line to Tipperary and Limerick as well. His timing was sharp. The peace of 1815 left a surplus of first-class army horses, and he bought them at ten to twenty pounds each. One such horse could pull a car and six passengers at seven miles an hour. When that supply of good horses dried up, he put two weaker animals in place of one, found himself with spare horsepower, and simply built bigger cars, from six seats to eight. Over time he turned the two-wheeled two-horse cars into four-wheeled vehicles drawn by two, three, or four horses depending on the traffic. By 1843 his network ran through over 140 stations for changing horses, with 1,300 vehicles of various sizes carrying from four to twenty passengers each. They travelled at eight or nine miles an hour and charged each passenger about one penny farthing per mile. The whole operation covered 3,800 miles daily and consumed 3 to 4,000 tons of hay and 30 to 40,000 barrels of oats every year, all bought locally where the routes ran.

10. Enchanted Earl of Desmond at Castleconnell Castle

    Castleconnell · town · Limerick · 1640

    In 1640, strange supernatural phenomena were reported at Castleconnell Castle, four miles from Limerick. Sounds of drums, trumpets, music, and fearful shrieks troubled the neighbours; priests who ventured there were beaten and mysteriously carried away. A tradition held that the enchanted Earl of Desmond appeared in the form of a black horse, awaiting a fourth shoe to be restored to his former self.

    Read the passage

    ffor newes wee have the strangest that ever was heard of, there inchantments in the Lord off Castleconnell's Castle 4 miles from Lymerick, several sorts of noyse, sometymes of drums and trumpets, sometimes of other curious musique with heavenly voyces, then fearful screeches, and such outcries that the neighbours neere cannot sleepe. Priests have adventured to be there, but have been cruelly beaten for their paynes, and carryed awa3'e they knew not howe, some 2 miles, and some -t miles. Moreover were seen in the like manner, after they appeare to the viewe of the neighbours, infinite number of armed men on foote as well as on horseback. What to make of this neither my Lord, nor the best divines wee have can tell, they have had many consultations about it. This hath bin since St. James's tyde ; much more could I write of it, and more than this had I tyme to wryte ; bat one thing more bj' Mrs. Mary Burke with 12 servants lyes in the house, and never one hurt, onley they must dance with them every night ; they saj' Mrs. Mary come away, telling her she must be wyfe to the inchanted Earl of Desmond ; moreover a countrey ffellow going off Knockiney ffaire,* to sell his horse, a gentleman standing in the waye, demanding whether he would sell his horse, he answered yea, for £5 : the gentleman would give him but £i : 10 : 0, sayinge he would not get so much at the ffaire, the fellow went to the ffaire, could not get so much money, and found the gentleman on his return in the same place who proffered the fellow the same money ; the fellow accepted of it, the other bid him come in and receive his money. He carried him into a fine spacious castle, payed him his money every penny and shewed him the fairiest black horse the fellow had ever scene, and told that that horse was the Earl of Desmond, and that he had three shoes alreadye, when he had the fourthe shoe, which should be very shortlie, then should the Earl be as he was before, thus guarded with many armed men conveying him out of the gates. The fellow came home, but never was any castle in that place either before or since.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 81

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near Castleconnell in Limerick, a town with one of the strangest records from 1640. People living near the castle here, four miles from Limerick, reported sounds of drums and trumpets, curious music with heavenly voices, and then fearful screeches so loud the neighbours could not sleep. Priests who ventured in were cruelly beaten and carried away, some two miles, some four miles, by means no one could explain. Armed men on foot and horseback appeared in great numbers, and neither the lord nor the best divines could make sense of it after many consultations. A woman named Mrs. Mary Burke, with 12 servants, lay in the house unharmed, but they had to dance every night, and voices told her she must be wife to the enchanted Earl of Desmond. The tradition was that the Earl of Desmond appeared in the form of a black horse, with three shoes already fitted. When he had the fourth shoe, which was expected shortly, the Earl would be as he was before. A country fellow on his way home from Knockiney Fair met a gentleman who bought his horse and carried him into a fine spacious castle, paid him every penny, and showed him the fairest black horse he had ever seen. No castle was ever found in that place either before or since.

11. Franciscans stabbed at the altar in Lislaughtin

    Lislaughtin · townland · Kerry · 1582

    In 1582, three Franciscan friars—Donough Hinrechan, Philip O'Fen, and Maurice O'Scallan—were stabbed at the altar in the Franciscan convent of Lislaughtin, county Kerry, during the religious persecutions of the Desmond rebellion period.

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    In 1582 Donough Hinrechan, Philip O'Fen, and Maurice O^Scallan, all Franciscans, were stabbed at the altar in the Convent of Lislactin, county Kerry. 2

    The Earl of Desmond who was excluded from the amnesty which was now granted to the insurgents, occasionally gave proofs of considerable energy. He plundered the territory of Ormond, defeated the EngHsh in a hard fought battle at Gort-na-Piei, [Peafield in Tipperary] and cut to pieces a large force which had been sent against him by the brother and sons of the Earl of Ormond at Knockgraffin. He also despoiled the MacCarthys. But for sometime previously his people had begun to separate from him, and on one occasion^ when he had spent his Christmas in the wood of Kilquaig, near Kilmalloch, the garrison of that town were induced by the importunities of one John Walsh to endeavour to surprise him, and marching in the night, very nearly captured himself and his countess, who alarmed by the noise, got out of their cabin into the river, where they stood up to their chin in water on the bank side, and by this means escaped, but his servants were all killed, and his goods were carried away. In the summer and autumn of 1583,* even his countess, his children, and friends had begun to desert, so that at this period he had only four persons to accompany him from one cavern of a rock or hollow of a tree, to another throughout the two provinces of Munster.^ Deserted by his adherents he became a fugitive through the country, and was hunted from place to place, and was so well watched, that on one occasion when the Earl, accompanied by sixty gallowglasses, happened to be in the glen of Aherlow, the were surprised whilst some of them were asleep and some cooking horse flesh, by one Captain Dowdal who made prisoners of the first and cut the latter to pieces. The Earl however escaped and fled to Kerry, where he took shelter in a wood near Tralee. We give the rest of this melancholy story from the Annals of the Four Masters, with such corrections as their strong prejudices against the Geraldines require : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 65

12. Irish Army Muster on King's Island

    King's Island · townland · Limerick · 1691

    Following the Treaty of Limerick, the remnants of the Irish army assembled on King's Island on October 5th to choose between enlisting in the French or English service. Catholic clergy and bishops encouraged the soldiers to go to France, while General Ginkle's officers promised rewards for joining England.

    Read the passage

    The Irish army who had so nobly defended the cause of their country and their rehgion, and who in the discharge of duty had won the praises even of enemies, which had fully justified the observation, that some years afterwards was made by Francis the 1st of Austria, after having witnessed what had been achieved by the Irish Brigades abroad — when he stated that the true interests of Austria consisted among other things in fostering Irish officers, — for " the more Irish officers there are iu the Austrian service,"'' said he, " the better •/' " an Irish coward," he added, " is an uncommon character, and what the natives of Ireland even dislike from principle they generally perform from a desire of glory" — this grand army, or what remained of it after two memorable campaigns, assembled in the afternoon of Saturday, the 5th of October, on the King's Island. Some of the Irish soldiery had not as yet left the city. They were all brought together on this memorable occasion in order that Lord Lucan, as he was now called by the English, in accordance with the terms of the Treaty, which acknowledged the title that had been conferred on Patrick Sarsfield by King James, and Wauchop might address them, and acquaint them with the present posture of afiiiirs. This they did in the most impressive manner : they were told, at the same time, that on the next day they should again muster at the same place, when they would meet the bishops and clergy, to whom they had manifested great attachment, and who were to exhort them as to the course they should adopt in the existing emergency. On the following morning, accordingly, each Irish regiment was drawn up at the appointed place of rendezvous — it was a sight calculated to soften the heart and draw tears from the eyes. The noble river ran bright and clear around the Island — the grey old walls of the city which they had defended so well, and the towers of St. Mary's Cathedral were in front of them. Never, probably, in the history of ill-fated nationalities has an incident occurred more touching than the review of this wreck of the loyahst army. There is a natural pathos connected with the circumstances of the assemblage on this occasion of the native warriors, which it would be idle to endeavour to enhance by any attempt at elaborate description or reflection. To each regiment a persuasive discourse was now preached by the Cathohc clergy, who with crucifix in hand stood in front of the soldiers, and openly declared the advantages which enlistment in the French service would be to them, and to the country for which they had fought, but for which, they could no longer employ their arms in defence of at home. They stated that France would open up new fields for their bravery, and add fresh laurels to their brows — that they might retm-n again in the course of a short period, to vindicate the rights of the old land, and restore it to its former position.^ The bishops too went among them, and gave them their blessing; they addressed them encouragingly, and expressed a hope that they would do what was expected at their hands, now that the contest in which they had

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 152

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to King's Island, on the afternoon of Saturday the 5th of October 1691, the remnants of the Irish army assembled here after the Treaty of Limerick. Lord Lucan, as Patrick Sarsfield was now called by the English, and Wauchop addressed the soldiers and told them of the posture of affairs. The next morning each regiment was drawn up at the same place again, to meet the bishops and clergy, who stood before them with crucifix in hand and openly urged them to enlist in the French service. The clergy told them France would open new fields for their bravery, that they might return in a short period to vindicate the rights of the old land. The bishops went among the soldiers and gave them their blessing. General Ginkle's officers, for their part, promised rewards for joining England's service. The river ran bright and clear around the island, and the grey old walls of the city these men had defended, with the towers of St Mary's Cathedral, stood in front of them. The writer of the source called it a sight calculated to soften the heart and draw tears from the eyes, and said that never in the history of ill-fated nationalities had a more touching incident occurred than the review of this wreck of the loyalist army.

13. Mayor Stritch dedicates Limerick to the Blessed Virgin

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    Thomas Stritch, elected mayor after a spiritual retreat, laid the keys of Limerick at the feet of the Blessed Virgin's statue, praying her to receive the city under her protection. Public guilds marched with banners to the church, and Stritch was subsequently executed for his faith.

    Read the passage

    While the storm raged in all its fury, there were twenty thousand communicants Avithin the walls of Limerick, The Avhole city put on the garb of penitential sorrow in order to draw down the blessings of heaven on the suffering patriots who braved the bribe, the sword, famine and pestilence. Laws were estabhshed by the citizens against cursing and swearing; and crime of every kind was banished. • The plague daily felled its victims ; among them was O^Dwyer, brother to the bishop, who exposed his life, going among the dying poor, with the Yincentian Fathers consoling and reheving them. Many, after the surrender, were cruelly massacred, merely for their faith.^ Mr. Thomas Stritch, on terminating a spiritual retreat, had been elected mayor, and ever after proving himself a devoted friend to Ireland and her faith, on receiving the keys of the city he laid them at the feet of the Blessed Yirgin's statue, praying her to receive the city under her protection, whilst at the same time, as an act of homage, all pubKc guilds marched with banners flying to the church. Stritch addressed the assembly, calling on them to be faithful to God, to the church, and to the king, and stated his readiness to accept the martyr's crown, wliich he received soon afterwards, together with three others who had been his companions on the spiritual retreat.^ Sir Patrick Purcell, Avho is called by Father Anthony Bruodin, in his Bescriptio Regini Hibernm, " the most illustrious Yice-general of all Munster, a noble-hearted and most accomph'shed warrior, for in Germany, under Ferdinand, acquired an immortal renown, combating against Sweden and France.'^ After his execution by the rope his head was cut off, and exposed on a stake over St. John's Gate. Geoffi-ey Barron, who was envoy to the king of France for the Confederate CathoHcs, was beheaded and quartered, after he was hanged. We have already spoken of Dominick Fanning. Daniel O'Higgin, M.D., " a wise and pious man,-" who also was led to the scaffold, and Father Laurence Walsh is spoken of as having likewise suffered.'*

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 101

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the city holds a story from 1651. In that year the plague was daily felling victims within the walls, where twenty thousand communicants lived. The whole city put on the garb of penitential sorrow to draw down the blessings of heaven on those who braved the bribe, the sword, famine and pestilence. The citizens established laws against cursing and swearing, and crime of every kind was banished. Among the plague's victims was O'Dwyer, brother to the bishop, who had exposed his life going among the dying poor with the Vincentian Fathers, consoling and relieving them. Thomas Stritch, on terminating a spiritual retreat, had been elected mayor. He proved himself a devoted friend to Ireland and her faith. On receiving the keys of the city, he laid them at the feet of the Blessed Virgin's statue, praying her to receive the city under her protection. As an act of homage, all the public guilds marched with banners flying to the church. Stritch addressed the assembly, calling on them to be faithful to God, to the church, and to the king, and stated his readiness to accept the martyr's crown. He received it soon afterwards, together with three others who had been his companions on the spiritual retreat. Many, after the surrender, were cruelly massacred merely for their faith. Sir Patrick Purcell, called by Father Anthony Bruodin the most illustrious vice-general of all Munster, was executed by the rope, and his head was cut off and exposed on a stake over St. John's Gate. Geoffrey Barron, envoy to the king of France for the Confederate Catholics, was beheaded and quartered after he was hanged. Dominick Fanning, Daniel O'Higgin, a wise and pious man, and Father Laurence Walsh likewise suffered on the scaffold.

14. Murder of Ellen Hanly on the Shannon at Carrigafoyle

    Carrigafoyle · townland · Kerry · 1819

    In July 1819, Ellen Hanly, aged about 15, was lured into a boat by John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan at Carrigafoyle to cross the River Shannon to County Clare. She was stripped, bound with rope, her arm broken, and thrown into the Shannon west of Tarbert, where she drowned.

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    Informant being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists and examined, deposeth that on the night between the 13th and 14th of July last, informant's daughter, Ellen Hanlj', between 15 and 16 years of age, was seduced to go with John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan in a boat to cross the river Shannon, from Carrigafoyle to the county Clare, as informant is credibly informed bj' several persons, who will prove the same on being summoned in a proper manner ; and informant sayeth that his said daughter was on the aforesaid night stripped of the clothes she then wore in said boat to her shift, and then tyed her with a rope by binding her legs, thighs, and neck together, and did then and there barbarously and feloniously break her arm, and throw her into the said river Shannon, west of Tarbert, and drowned her ; informant sayeth, one Catherine Hogan, who is kept as a reputed concubine by said Scanlan, had devised, prompted, and put up the said Scanlan and Sullivan to murder and drown said Ellen Hanly as aforesaid, and that the said Catherine Hogan, after the aforesaid murder, had a pair of ear-rings, a locket, a silver thimble, and a gown, and other articles, the property of the said Ellen Hanly, which she was robbed of on the aforesaid night, and that there are several articles of her property distributed among several persons in Glin, Tarbert, and Balljdongford, and the neighbourhood thereof, who were privy to the aforesaid n;iurder, a part of said articles being put and offered for sale by some of the aforesaid persons who sanctioned and encouraged said murder to be committed the day before the aforesaid night the horrid act was perpetrated.

    452 UISTORY OF LIMERICK.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 258

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Carrigafoyle, on the night between the 13th and 14th of July 1819, a girl named Ellen Hanly was taken into a boat on the Shannon. She was between 15 and 16 years of age. Her father later swore the deposition that tells what happened. John Scanlan and Stephen Sullivan seduced her to go with them in the boat, to cross the river from Carrigafoyle to County Clare. On that night, they stripped her of her clothes down to her shift. They tied her with a rope, binding her legs, her thighs, and her neck together. They broke her arm. Then they threw her into the Shannon, west of Tarbert, and she drowned. Her father said that a woman called Catherine Hogan, kept as Scanlan's reputed concubine, had devised and prompted and put Scanlan and Sullivan up to the murder. After it was done, Catherine Hogan had Ellen's ear-rings, a locket, a silver thimble, a gown, and other articles taken from Ellen that night. Other belongings of Ellen's were distributed among several people in Glin, Tarbert, and Ballylongford, and the neighbourhood, people who were privy to the murder. Some of those articles were put up for sale by persons who had sanctioned and encouraged the murder the day before the night the act was carried out.

15. Parson Palmer the discoverer and Andrew Creagh's conformity

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1768–1769

    Rev. Edmond Palmer, president of a Benevolent Annuity Society in Limerick (1768-9), was an energetic 'discoverer' under the Penal Laws, targeting Catholic property holders. Andrew Creagh, of an ancient Catholic Limerick family, travelled to Dublin to abjure the faith and enrol as a conformist to save his estates, encountered Palmer at the enrolment office, and quipped 'you perceive, Mr. Palmer, that I am before you.' Creagh returned to Limerick, kept his property, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Mary's Cathedral, where his tombstone recorded that he lived a legal Protestant but died in the Catholic faith.

    Read the passage

    Few, indeed, of tlie Catholic clergy fell in any part of Ireland ; and it is indisputable that without exception the conformists changed, not fron^ principle, but in order to save their estates and properties from the hands, of the discoverer and informer. A curious anecdote is related of a Rev. Edmond Palmer, commonly called Parson Palmer, who filled the office of president of a Benevolent 'Annuity Society of Limerick in 1768-9, and who was said to have been a most energetic " discoverer," and Mr. Andrew Creagh, a member of the ancient Catholic family of that name. Palmer had already made several discoveries, and inflicted considerable mischief, and Creagh having heard that he was a marked man, proceeded to Dublin to take the oath, and have his name duly enrolled in the hst of those who had abjured the faith, in order to preserve property. As he was leaving the office where the enrolment took place, he met Palmer going in, and jocosely said to him " you perceive, lilr. Palmer, that I am before you.'' Eetuming to Limerick, he kept his property and gave the legal tokens that he had complied with the provisions of the No Popery laws. He died, soon after, and was buried in the cemetery attached to St. Mary's Cathedral, where his tomb-stone may yet be seen recording the fact, that though he lived a legal Protestant he died in the Cathohc faith. 1 It may be remarked in contrast with those days when conformers were frequent, that probably in no part of Ireland would be possible to find anything like the good feeling which has in latter times prevailed between members of different creeds in Lunerick. This harmony, so completely different from the state of things in other localities, where Catholics are not in the majority as they are in Limerick, is attributable in some measure to the amiable character of many members of the superior orders of the clergy, whose personal character smoothed away the religious asperities arising from differences. But we beheve that most of our readers will concur with us in opinion, that this harmony is rather ascribable to the progress of education, to the restoration of Cathohcs to a position of greater equality with their fellow-citizens of the Protestant persuasion, and though last not least, to the

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 216

    As the companion tells it

    In Limerick, in the years 1768 and 1769, the president of a Benevolent Annuity Society was a man called the Reverend Edmond Palmer, known as Parson Palmer. He was said to be a most energetic discoverer under the Penal Laws, targeting Catholic property holders, and had already made several discoveries and inflicted considerable mischief. One of the men he had his eye on was Andrew Creagh, a member of the ancient Catholic family of that name in Limerick. Creagh heard he was a marked man, so he travelled to Dublin to take the oath and have his name enrolled among those who had abjured the faith, in order to preserve his property. As he was leaving the office where the enrolment took place, he met Palmer going in. Creagh said to him, jocosely, "you perceive, Mr. Palmer, that I am before you." He returned to Limerick, kept his property, and gave the legal tokens that he had complied with the provisions of the No Popery laws. He died soon after and was buried in the cemetery attached to St. Mary's Cathedral. His tombstone may yet be seen there, recording that though he lived a legal Protestant, he died in the Catholic faith. The conformists of those days, the book notes, changed not from principle but in order to save their estates and properties from the hands of the discoverer and the informer.

16. Plague and executions during Ireton's siege of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    During Ireton's siege of Limerick, plague broke out among the citizens, who attempted to escape the city. Ireton ordered them back, hanging some and whipping others, including a poor man's daughter whom the butchers hanged while whipping the father back inside. A gibbet was raised within view of the walls to scare others from fleeing.

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    driven back, but a destructive fire was opened upon the Cromwellians from the wall, under cover of which the forces that made the sally returned in safety within. Sir Hardress Waller endeavoured to persuade the garrison of Clare castle to sun-ender, but he was not able. Ludlow who was with him making the experiment, returned to the siege, and great numbers of the citizens endeavoured to make their escape from the city, stricken with the plague, and spreading it among Ireton'smen. Ireton commanded them to return, threatened to shoot any who should attempt to come out for the fature, and caused two or three of them to be hanged and others to be whipped back into the city ! The daughter of a poor man was among the number he sentenced to execution, — with piteous tears and lamentations the poor man desired they should spare the daughter and put him to death — but his request was refused. The butchers hanged the daughter, and whipped the wretched father back into the city ! To add to the horror, a gibbet was raised witliin view of the walls ; two persons were executed on it ; they were condemned for something else — but they were put to death, to scare others from attempting to leave the city. The terrors of this frightful siege cannot be depicted in adequate language. Councils became divided withui the walls. Deith stalked through the streets, grim and ghastly, whilst the plague-victims lay on the foot-paths, spectacles for men to weep over. Ireton received hints that the strong were becoming weak — but, in this he was misled. The old Irish party remained firm against his advances, and the counsels of Terence O^Brien always dissipated doubt in the most alarming phases of the situation. The conduct indeed of the Bishop of Emly throughout the siege was of the most patriotic, noble and self-sacrificing character. He was offered an enormous sum of money — no less than forty thousand golden crowns,^ and permission to retire wherever he would out of the kingdom, provided he ceased to exhort the people against surrender ; but his heroic soul spumed the temptation — he had resolved to fight the good fight and win the crown that is promised to the just. When Ireton heard of the stern inflexibility of the bishop, he resolved at once to except him from anmesty, and every other condition he proposed to the besieged. He swore too, that he would visit with the most woful consequences the citizens if they hesitated to bring to him the head of the bishop, together with those of the twenty men who had voted against giving the city into his hands. A council assembled — a debate ensued. Two hundred ecclesiastics now met, and with one voice they proclaimed their determination to interpose between Ireton and the twenty he had named for death — but in vain, for all ecclesiastics were excepted. O^Daly throws out a dark hint, which is supposed to reflect on some of those who were engaged inside the walls at the time, and adds that the witnesses to the circumstances to which he alludes were in Lisbon at the moment he wrote. O^Brien offered to give himseK up, so that the others should be saved — but his proposal was rejected by the ecclesiastics. There were some men, however, not to be trusted ; and they were as well known to Ireton as to those who were about to become his victims. Fennel was one who held an important post, and who had already manifested his treasonable designs. Stackpole, the Eecorder faltered; others of the corporation wished there was an end to the siege and its horrors. Ireton fomented the divisions that had prevailed so long — he inveighed, by name, against the men who were firm, against one whom he called a soldier of fortune,

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 99

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the city holds a grim story from 1651. During Ireton's siege, plague struck the citizens, and great numbers tried to escape, spreading the sickness among Ireton's men. Ireton commanded them to return, threatened to shoot any who tried to come out again, and had two or three hanged and others whipped back into the city. Among those sentenced was a poor man's daughter. Her father begged with piteous tears that they spare her and put him to death instead, but his request was refused. The butchers hanged the daughter and whipped the wretched father back into the city. A gibbet was raised within view of the walls, and two persons were executed on it, condemned for something else but put to death to scare others from attempting to leave. The plague victims lay on the footpaths, and death stalked through the streets. Inside the walls, councils were divided. The Bishop of Emly refused an offer of 40,000 golden crowns to cease exhorting the people against surrender. Ireton swore he would visit woeful consequences on the citizens if they did not bring him the bishop's head and those of 20 men who had voted against surrender. 200 ecclesiastics proclaimed their determination to interpose between Ireton and the 20 he had named, but in vain. O'Brien offered to give himself up so the others would be saved, but the ecclesiastics rejected his proposal.

17. Sarsfield destroys Williamite artillery train at Ballyneety

    Ballyneety · townland · Limerick · 1690

    Under moonlight, using the watchword 'Sarsfield' obtained from a Williamite soldier's wife, Sarsfield's men entered the sleeping encampment and attacked the convoy, shooting down sentinels and destroying the guns and ammunition destined for the siege of Limerick.

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    coming out on the Boher road, near Labadhy Bridge. When at this bridge, the party, who were conducted by Galloping Hogan, were startled by a curious incident. Sarsfield discovered, near Labadhy Bridge, a number of men on his left, whose presence excited alarm. He ordered the horse to halt, apprehensive that he had been betrayed by Hogan. But the delusion was dispelled in a instant ; the men whose presence caused so much alarm were a body of Eaparees who had a den or hiding place here, in which they were accustomed to conceal whatever provisions they had taken in their predatory excursions throughout the district. The party passed on through Morrisey's Bogs.i, j^nd continued on their route through Kdloskully, until they reached Keeper Hill, where in the fastnesses of the mountain, they encamped for the night, and where, among many others, Sarsfield it is said was visited by one of the old O^Eyans of that country, who offered him hospitality. On the following morning videttes were sent to watch the advance of the expected artillery train of William, and to report progress. In a short time it was intimated to Sarsfield that the guns and ammunition were on their way to Limerick, and that the English forces were to encamp for the night near the hill of Ballyneety, a remarkable conical eminence which maybe seen from a great distance, somewhat near Derk.^ Sarsfield went next night and arriving near the hill, he halted. And here lay a principal difficulty, namely, how to discover the watchword of the Williamites. An accident obtained the desired information. One of SarsfiekVs troopers, whose horse got lame, fell into the rere of his party: he met the wife of one of William's soldiers who had remained behind the WiUiamites on their march, and taking compassion on her, he enabled her to proceed on her journey. By this means the trooper obtained the watchword of the English. The word was " Sarsfield." Proceeding on, he joined Sarsfield who was in the greatest anxiety for the watchword, but the difficulty was speedily dissipated. Now everything was in readiness to make the grand stroke on which Sarsfield had set his heart, and which was to decide the fate of the campaign, as he had anticipated it would, and as the result, in the judgment of all military men, proved it really did. The convoy lay asleep under their guns, their horses were at rest; the encampment was still as death; no danger appeared; all were in imaginary security, free from the slightest suspicion of the blows that were about coming thick and heavy upon them.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 132

18. Smerwick fort taken, hundreds put to the sword

    Smerwick · townland · Kerry · 1580

    In 1580, the fort at Smerwick was taken and approximately 600 or 700 Spaniards and Italians were put to the sword. This was a notorious massacre during the Desmond Rebellion.

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    1579 James Fitz-Morris and Theobald did slay either the other. Sexttn's Annals. 15^0 The fort at Smerwick taken, and the no. of 600 or 700 Spaniard, and Italians put to the sword [1680]. Ibid. .

    700

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 404

19. Brian Boru slain at the Battle of Clontarf

    Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

    Brian Boru was attacked while praying in his tent by Broder, the Danish chief, and killed with a battleaxe. The battle of Clontarf lasted one day and resulted in a total rout of the Danish and Leinster forces after Malachy assumed command.

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    Havuig made his arrangements for battle, Brian harangued his troops, reminding them that the foes with whom they had to contend were the perpetual oppressors and murderers of their kings, dynasts and clergy — had never shown any mercy to age or sex — had spoiled and burned their churches, and had trampled under foot the most sacred relics of their saints, calling upon his troops to take full revenge for their treacherous acts, and for their profanation of so many churches on that Friday in Holy Week (on which the battle was fought) upon which Christ had died for their redemption, who would undoubtedly be present with them, as a just avenger of his holy rehgion and laws. Here the annahst repeats the charge against Malachy, and describes the prodigies of valour as well as military skill exhibited by the heroic Brian, who, as appears from other accounts, had been induced to retire to his tent, where he was attacked while in the act of prayer by Broder, the Danish chief, and slain -with a blow of his battleaxe, but not until he had received a fatal sword thrust from the hand of the monarch.

    Then follows an account of the marvellous achievements of Morrough, Brien^'s eldest son, who though aged 63 years,^ slew several Danish officers of distiaction, cutting do\^Ti amongst the rest two standard bearers of the Danish army, as the Danish historians also record, and dispatched two others who had assailed him sunultaneously. The heroic Morrough, who had occasionally retired with some of the chiefs to drink and cool their hands at the river, which was at last stopped by the Danes, at last encountered Prince Anrud, of Norway, just at the time when Morrough was unable to employ his sword from the swollen state of his hands. He therefore grasped the Norwegian with his left hand, shook him out of his armour, cast him to the earth, and pierced him through with his sword. But the Norwegian even in d}ing was not unrevenged, for while Morrough stooped over him he snatched his knife or dagger and plunged it into his breast. The wound in a short time proved fatal, and Malachy assumed the command.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 16

20. Desmond surprised in the Glen of Aherlow

    near Aherlow · population centre · Tipperary · 1583

    The Earl of Desmond, accompanied by sixty gallowglasses in the glen of Aherlow, was surprised by Captain Dowdal while some were asleep and others cooking horseflesh. Dowdal made prisoners of some and cut others to pieces, though the Earl himself escaped and fled to Kerry.

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    The Earl of Desmond who was excluded from the amnesty which was now granted to the insurgents, occasionally gave proofs of considerable energy. He plundered the territory of Ormond, defeated the EngHsh in a hard fought battle at Gort-na-Piei, [Peafield in Tipperary] and cut to pieces a large force which had been sent against him by the brother and sons of the Earl of Ormond at Knockgraffin. He also despoiled the MacCarthys. But for sometime previously his people had begun to separate from him, and on one occasion^ when he had spent his Christmas in the wood of Kilquaig, near Kilmalloch, the garrison of that town were induced by the importunities of one John Walsh to endeavour to surprise him, and marching in the night, very nearly captured himself and his countess, who alarmed by the noise, got out of their cabin into the river, where they stood up to their chin in water on the bank side, and by this means escaped, but his servants were all killed, and his goods were carried away. In the summer and autumn of 1583,* even his countess, his children, and friends had begun to desert, so that at this period he had only four persons to accompany him from one cavern of a rock or hollow of a tree, to another throughout the two provinces of Munster.^ Deserted by his adherents he became a fugitive through the country, and was hunted from place to place, and was so well watched, that on one occasion when the Earl, accompanied by sixty gallowglasses, happened to be in the glen of Aherlow, the were surprised whilst some of them were asleep and some cooking horse flesh, by one Captain Dowdal who made prisoners of the first and cut the latter to pieces. The Earl however escaped and fled to Kerry, where he took shelter in a wood near Tralee. We give the rest of this melancholy story from the Annals of the Four Masters, with such corrections as their strong prejudices against the Geraldines require : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 65

21. Dominick Fanning found hiding in St. Francis churchyard

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    Dominick Fanning, described as lion-hearted for his steadfast defence of principle and faith, was discovered in the churchyard of St. Francis in Limerick, where he had secreted himself in the tomb of his ancestors after the city's surrender.

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    with a draw-bridge over it^ from the EngHsh town. Iretou ordered all the arms and ammunition to be preserved, and the soldiers who were not of the city to be drawn up between it and the Parliamentary army, that such as desired might have convoys to conduct them to their respective parties; and that those who wished to return to their habitations should have passes to that effect. The governor of the city, Hugh O'Neil, met Ireton at the gate, where he presented him with the keys of the city and gave orders for the marching out of the soldiers who were not townsmen, according to the articles. These numbered about 2,500 men, not a few of whom, as they were going out, fell down dead of the plague. Several of them also lay stark dead and were buried in the church-yard. Ireton was shown the stores of arms, ammunition and gunpowder, the quantities of provisions, altogether a three months^ supply. The fortifications were also shown — he was pointed out everything, and told, at the same time, that nine or ten of those who were excepted in the articles, threw themselves on his mercy, and were waiting his orders in a house which the governor (O'Neil) named. The illustrious Terence Albert O'Brien, bishop of Emly, was taken in the pest-house, where Father Wolfe and major-general Purcell were also at the moment. Geoffrey Barron and Sir Geoffrey Galway surrendered. Dominick Fanning, the lionhearted, who had at all times bravely withstood whatever was contrary to principle and to faith, was taken in the church-yard of St. Francis, where he had secreted himself in the tomb of his ancestors^ It is computed that 5000 people died in the city during the siege of the plague and of sickness, but notwithstanding this, the above number of soldiers marched out, and there still remained 4000 Irishmen within, capable of bearing arms.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Limerick, this is a city that saw a grim surrender in 1651. When the city fell, the governor Hugh O'Neil met Ireton at the gate, presented him with the keys, and gave orders for the marching out of soldiers who were not townsmen, about 2,500 men. Not a few of them, as they were going out, fell down dead of the plague. Several lay stark dead and were buried in the churchyard. Ireton was shown the stores of arms, ammunition and gunpowder, the quantities of provisions, altogether a three months supply. The fortifications were shown, and he was told that nine or ten of those excepted in the articles threw themselves on his mercy and were waiting his orders in a house the governor named. The illustrious Terence Albert O'Brien, bishop of Emly, was taken in the pest-house, where Father Wolfe and Major-General Purcell were also at that moment. Geoffrey Barron and Sir Geoffrey Galway surrendered. Dominick Fanning, called the lion-hearted, who had at all times bravely withstood whatever was contrary to principle and to faith, was taken in the churchyard of St. Francis, where he had secreted himself in the tomb of his ancestors. It is computed that 5,000 people died in the city during the siege, of the plague and of sickness. But notwithstanding this, the soldiers marched out, and there still remained 4,000 Irishmen within, capable of bearing arms.

22. Failed assault on King's Island, Limerick

    King's Island · townland · Limerick · 1651

    Ireton launched a midnight boat assault on King's Island with 300 foot soldiers under Colonel Walker. The defenders of Limerick repelled them so fiercely that only two or three returned alive, and the river was strewn with the dead.

    Read the passage

    Three regiments of foot and one of horse were detailed for the service ; the first three hundred, which were foot, and commanded by Colonel Walker, being landed on the island, rushed up to the breastwork of the defenders of Limerick, where they met an unexpectedly warm reception. Such was the valour with which they were repelled, that but two or three returned alive to Ireton^s camp to tell the tale of ruin ; the river was strewn with the carcases of the slain, who failed even to make good their footing. Then, the bridge havmg been finished, Ireton, Avith most part of the army, marched over to the other side of the river, Avhere he marked out ground for three bodies of men to encamp separately, each to consist of about two thousand, giving orders for the fortification of the camp, assigning to each regiment its proportion and position, quartering the troops by brigades in the most convenient places he could, either to defend themselves, to reheve each other, or to annoy the forces opposed to them. The moment the great fort, on which were all the available men he had at his disposal, was finished, he drew ofi" all his forces from that side of the river they had been, except a thousand foot and about three hundred horse, which he left on the island under the command of Sir Hardress Waller, i Nor were the Confederates outside the

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 98

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to King's Island, in 1651, Ireton launched a midnight boat assault on this ground. Three regiments of foot and one of horse were detailed for the service. The first three hundred, all foot, were commanded by Colonel Walker. They landed on the island and rushed up to the breastwork of the defenders of Limerick, where they met what the source calls "an unexpectedly warm reception." They were repelled with such valour that only two or three returned alive to Ireton's camp to tell the tale of ruin. The river was strewn with the carcases of the slain, who failed even to make good their footing. Then, the bridge having been finished, Ireton marched most of his army over to the other side of the river. He marked out ground for three bodies of men to encamp separately, each to consist of about two thousand, giving orders for the fortification of the camp, assigning to each regiment its proportion and position, and quartering the troops by brigades in the most convenient places he could, either to defend themselves, to relieve each other, or to annoy the forces opposed to them. The moment the great fort was finished, he drew off his forces from that side of the river, leaving a thousand foot and about three hundred horse on the island under the command of Sir Hardress Waller.

23. Bishop of Emly hanged at Limerick by Ireton

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    The Bishop of Emly encouraged resistance to Ireton and was hanged at Limerick by Ireton after the city's capture.

    Read the passage

    palace (1784), 370 ; described, 684. Bishop of Ardagh, 223. Bishop Arthur, death of, 160 Bishop Bernard, anecdote of, 440. Bishop of Derry, killed in 1604, 131. Bishop Digby describes siege of 1690, 230. Bishop of Emly (see O'Brien), encourages resistance to Ireton, 171 ; noble conduct of, 177; his life, etc., 179; hanged at Limerick by Ireton, 180; his family, account of, 18i>. Bishop O'Brian, of Killaloe, 45, 127; of Killaloe an

    Englishman, 45, 127. Bishop Lacy of Limerick Csee Delacy), 120. Bishop of Limerick, first, St. Munchin, 4. Bishop of Limerick, grant to, in 1215. U'; arrears to be paid him, 54 ; gi-ant of market to, at Mungrett, in first Henry IIL, 55 ; grant for fishery in 1318, 61 ; opposes subsidy in 1340, 62 ; protests against treaty of 1691, 295 ; early notices of (see Bishops), 540. Bisliop Magrath, 12-5.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 457

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are in the city where the Bishop of Emly was hanged by Ireton in 1651. The bishop had encouraged resistance to Ireton's forces, and after the city fell, he was executed here. The record calls his conduct noble.

24. Colonel Grace defiantly defends Athlone against Douglas

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1690

    Colonel Grace, governor of Athlone and descendant of Raymond le Gros, fired a pistol at the drummer sent to demand surrender, declaring he would eat his boots before yielding. He hoisted a bloody flag, beat back 3,000 horse and foot attempting to cross the Shannon, and compelled Douglas to retreat.

    Read the passage

    a pistol at the drummer who was sent to him to surrender the fortress^ *' These are m?/ terms/^ exclaimed Grace ; " these only will I give or receive ; and when my provisions are consumed I will defend it till I eat my boots/' hoisting a bloody flag at the moment, and beating back a detachment of 3,000 horse and foot that attempted to cross the Shannon, killing Douglas's best gunner, and compelling the enemy to retreat more rapidly than they had advanced. After this defeat before Athlone, Douglas, with the remnant of his forces made an effort to join King William at Limerick. In doing so he was hourly afraid of falling into the hands of Sarsfield, who, he was aware would make short work of his troops if but the opportunity was thrown in his way. Instead, therefore, of taking the direct route to Limerick, he pursued the road by Ballymore and Ballyboy, avoiding Banagher, where he had heard that Sarsfield awaited him; and, passing through Roscrea, he proceeded by Thurles which he sacked and burned, and Holycross, till he reached the camp at CuUen, where he did not arrive before the 8th of August. When he passed Eoscrea, he encamped on the north side of the hiU of Ptathnavaigue, near Dunkerrin, where the army spent a few days at rest. At the De\'il's Bit mountain a message was received by Douglas from William, to hasten his march, the rapparees every where giving him more than enough to think of. The countrypeople brought quantities of poultry and other provisions to the camp,aU of which were paid for; and here an incident occurred which I have heard from the great grandson of the individual who then hved at Kyleanna, near Clonakenny, in the neighbourhood. This gentleman rode to the camp with several others, having been attracted thither by curiosity. He saw that the grenadiers wore four bells on their waist belts for the purpose of frightening away cavaby ; and it was here the following melancholy occurrence took place : — A soldier who had strayed across the hill to look at the country, sat down to rest, and soon afterwards fell asleep, probably from fatigue; some labourers were working near the spot digging a ditch, and their children who were with them, gathered around the sleejiing soldier, and commenced playing with the bells ; the noise awoke him suddenly, when he ran ofi^ to where his firelock lay, a short distance ; the labourers thinking that he took the musket to fire at the children, one of them (the workmen) threw a stone at the soldier, which hit him on the head and knocked him senseless — the others dispatched him with their spades, and buried him on the spot where the occurrence took place. This was not known to the army, which passed on "ndthout making inquiries after the missing man. A foraging party of the same army was sent down from the camp towards Emmil, where they fell in Avith a large body of the followers of O'CarroU — long Anthony O'Carroll Avho had held the Castle of Nenagh — a conflict ensued — not one of the foraging party, about twelve in number escaped — and to this day the place where this occurred is called the " Bloody Togher" — it lies between Moneygall and Emmil — aU in the King's County.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 122

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Athlone now, in 1690 this is where Colonel Grace made his stand. Grace was governor here, a descendant of Raymond le Gros. When Douglas sent a drummer to demand surrender of the fortress, Grace fired a pistol at the man. "These are my terms," he declared, "and when my provisions are consumed I will defend it till I eat my boots." He hoisted a bloody flag at the moment, and beat back a detachment of 3,000 horse and foot attempting to cross the Shannon, killing Douglas's best gunner, and compelling the enemy to retreat more rapidly than they had advanced. After this defeat before Athlone, Douglas took the remnant of his forces and made an effort to join King William at Limerick. He was hourly afraid of falling into the hands of Sarsfield, who would make short work of his troops given the chance. Instead of the direct route, he went by Ballymore and Ballyboy, avoiding Banagher where he heard Sarsfield awaited him. He passed through Roscrea, then Thurles, which he sacked and burned, and Holycross, till he reached the camp at Cullen on the 8th of August. Near Dunkerrin he encamped on the north side of the hill of Rathnavaigue. A message came from William to hasten his march, the rapparees everywhere giving him more than enough to think of. A foraging party of about twelve sent toward Emmil met followers of long Anthony O'Carroll, who had held the Castle of Nenagh. Not one of the twelve escaped, and the place is still called the Bloody Togher, between Moneygall and Emmil.

25. Donogh O'Brien hanged at Limerick gateway

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Donogh O'Brien, having repented of joining the rebellious De Burgh, returned under protection, but the Queen's officers detected a flaw in the protection and hanged him at the gateway of Limerick. He was afterwards buried in the monastery of Ennis.

    Read the passage

    In 1582^ died Teige O'Brien (founder of the Ballycorick family) " a hero in prowess.'" He had been for some time Tanist of Thomond, but was expelled together with his brother by Donnell. He afterwards went to Spain and France, and thence to England, where he obtained his pardon and his entire share of the territory, except the tanistry alone. He was interred m the monastery of Ennis. Donogh O'Brien (son of Morrogh), who had joined the rebellious De Burgh the year before, having repented, returned back under protection ;* but the Queen's officers detected a flaw in the protection, and hanged him in the gateway of Limerick ; he was buried in the monastery of Ennis. His castles and lands of Lemenagh, Dromoland, Ballyconnelly, and other places, descended to his son Connor and his heirs, amongst whom is the present Lord Inchiquin, who established his right to that title in virtue of his descent from this Donagh, the founder of the family of Dromoland. There was no forfeiture, because Donagh fell a victim to martial l^w, which recognises no forfeitures.

    5

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 64

    As the companion tells it

    Passing through Limerick, this is where Donogh O'Brien met his end. Donogh O'Brien, son of Morrogh, had joined the rebellious De Burgh the year before. He repented and returned under protection. But the Queen's officers detected a flaw in the protection, and hanged him at the gateway. He was buried in the monastery of Ennis. His castles and lands of Lemenagh, Dromoland, Ballyconnelly, descended to his son Connor and his heirs. Among those heirs is Lord Inchiquin, who established his right to that title through descent from this Donagh, the founder of the family of Dromoland. There was no forfeiture, because Donagh fell victim to martial law, which recognises no forfeitures. In 1582, Teige O'Brien died, founder of the Ballycorick family, "a hero in prowess." He had been Tanist of Thomond, but was expelled together with his brother by Donnell. He went to Spain and France, then to England, where he obtained his pardon and entire share of the territory, except the tanistry alone. He was buried in the monastery of Ennis.

26. French landing at Killala Bay

    Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

    General Humbert's French force successfully landed at Killala Bay in August 1798, joined by thousands of Irish insurgents, and promptly marched on Castlebar, plunging the country into terror.

    Read the passage

    During the unfortunate period of the rebellion, which distracted this country, Colonel Vereker, with the rank of Brigadier-General, commanded the British forces in various disturbed districts'. When the Government became alarmed at the prospect of a French invasion, which private information assigned as intended for the western coast of Ireland, Colonel Vereker and the Limerick Militia were ordered to move from Athlcne to Carrick-on-Shannon, and ultimately were sent to Sligo, next to Castlebar one of the most important stratagetical positions in the neighbourhood of the landing. This selection was made, not only in consequence of the confidence the Government placed in the skill, activity, and courage of their Colonel ; but m a great measure also, on account of the well known loyalty, excellent discipline, and manly bearmg of the fine regiment he commanded. The prudence of the Government was justified by the event. The French force under General Humbert, effected a successful embarkation at Killala bay, m the month of August, 1798. and being joined by thousands of the disaffected, they promptly marched upon Castlebar. The whole country was at once plunged into terror. The English had not yet crossed bavonets with the French, nor taught them in terrible lessons that they were not invincible. Their name was clothed with terror. Europe had beheld every day, mighty armies on her continent scattered in dismay by a vastly inferior force of French troops. Everywhere victory accompanied her banners, and so uniformly successful had she been, that her oflicers and_ soldiers alike, came to look at a resistance to her arms as an absurdity, and at defeat as a simple impossibUity. It is necessary to keep these things in view, in order to understand correctly the subsequent events that occurred.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 237

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Killala, this is where General Humbert's French force came ashore in August 1798. They landed at Killala Bay and were joined by thousands of the disaffected Irish, and they promptly marched on Castlebar. The whole country was at once plunged into terror. The English had not yet crossed bayonets with the French, nor taught them in terrible lessons that they were not invincible. The French name was clothed with terror. Europe had beheld mighty armies on her continent scattered in dismay by a vastly inferior force of French troops. Everywhere victory accompanied her banners, and so uniformly successful had she been, that her officers and soldiers alike came to look at resistance to her arms as an absurdity, and at defeat as a simple impossibility. It is necessary to keep these things in view to understand the events that followed. Colonel Vereker, with the rank of Brigadier-General, commanded the British forces in various disturbed districts during the rebellion. When the Government grew alarmed at the prospect of a French invasion aimed at the western coast of Ireland, Vereker and the Limerick Militia were ordered to move from Athlone to Carrick-on-Shannon, and ultimately sent to Sligo, next to Castlebar one of the most important strategic positions in the neighbourhood of the landing. The Government chose them for the skill, activity, and courage of their Colonel, and the loyalty, discipline, and manly bearing of the regiment he commanded. The prudence of the Government was justified by the event.

27. Lord Leonard Grey's threatened massacre of Limerick averted by Mayor

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1536–1538

    Viceroy Lord Leonard Grey assembled armed men in Limerick intending to slaughter the inhabitants in one night, motivated by hatred of their Catholic constancy. The Mayor, having discovered the plot, rushed to the Viceroy's house, produced the king's patent, and commanded the Viceroy not to harm the city.

    Read the passage

    which he valiantly executed, for when Lord Leonard Grey, Viceroy, conducted the Royal army into Limerick with a determined resolution to slaughter all the inhabitants in one night, I know not for what reason, except that he bore a mortal hatred against them for their constancy in the orthodox rehgion, and he deceitfully removed out the Mayor and the better part of the city bands to assault Carrigogunnel they being displeased at the peace, the Mayor having somewhat discovered the Viceroy's treacherous contrivance flies into the city at midnight, hastens almost out of breath -with his guards to the Viceroy's house, knocks loudly at the gate, the porter having delayed and refused him entrance, he threatened instantly to tear the gates asunder. He was then admitted, and having found theViceroyandaU the commanders and men at arms of the army waiting for the destined hour of slaughter, he asked theViceroy what was the meaning of that unusual appearance of armed men, pipers and drummers thus assembled, who did not give him genuine but feigned reasons. Lest by the loss of time the intended wickedness might not be brought to maturity, the Viceroy advised him immediately to return into the city, but he fully detected the hidden contrivance of the treacherous general slaughter, and produced from tlie inside of the bosom of his soldier^s coat the king's patent which he had a good while by him ; and due respect being given he ordered it to be read quite over, by virtue of which he positively commanded the Viceroy in the king's name that he should not attempt anything secretly, unknown to and without consulting him in his government of the Province of Munster ; and that he should not presume to devise anything to the prejudice of that royal city committed to his care (for that was the tenour of the Royal letters) and he declared if the Viceroy had ordered any to stir up tumults in the city, that he would in the first place restrain and set them in order. Thus did he deliver the city from the threatened destruction. ^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 50

28. Martyrdom of Bishop O'Hely and Father O'Rourke at Kilmallock

    Kilmallock · town · Limerick · 1579

    Bishop Patrick O'Hely of Mayo and Father Cornelius O'Rourke, both Franciscans, were tortured and hanged at Kilmallock by order of Sir William Drury. Their bodies remained suspended for fourteen days, used as targets by soldiery.

    Read the passage

    nor did he refuse a death which was attended by any advantage to religion^ or even avoidance of disadvantage. The Deputy fui-ther called upon liim to reveal the plan formed by the Pontiff and king Phihp of Spain for the invasion of Ireland, which he absolutely refused to do, although his silence was the cause of grievous tortures to him.' For, placing small iron bars across his fingers, they struck them so violently with a hammer, that his fingers were cut to pieces, and as he still refused to reveal anything, they immediately led him to the gallows. WhUe he was being conducted to the place of execution he asked permission to read the litanies and to receive absolution from his companion, and to give it in turn ; both of which he was permitted to do. He then exhorted his companion, who was affected by a natural horror of death, to be of good cheer, for that though the feast was a bitter one, the triumph would be noble. Having restored his companion's courage by this exhortation, and made a most impressive address to the people, in which he spoke at length of the necessity of preserving an unswer\ang faith, and of his professional duties, for asserting which he, together with his companion, cheerfully met a happy death for the love of Christ, both were immediately hanged. But Bourchier observes, that the Deputy who passed sentence on the bishop, was immediately after seized with an incurable disease of which he died at Waterford, '' though struck by no wound, as one who undoubtedly fell under the vengeance of God.'' Be the cause of his death what it may, certain it is that Sir WilKam Drury, the Deputy or Lord Justice, who had been simimoned from Cork to Kilmalloch, to suppress the insurrection which had suddenly burst forth on the arrival of James, the son of Maurice, formerly temporary leader of the Geraldines, who had recently landed from France with a supply of men and arms, to raise the standard of the Pope amongst the disaffected Irish and EngHsh, did die at Waterford, whither he had returned, and was succeeded in his office by Sir William Pelham. Dr. Patrick O'Hely, who thus suffered with Father Cornelius OTuourke, and another whose name is not mentioned, was, as I have stated, bishop of Mayo ; both martyrs were of the Franciscan order. They were hanged upon a tree, and their bodies remained suspended for fourteen days, to be used as targets by the soldiery.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 62

29. Mine explosion destroys Brandenburgh regiment at the Black Battery

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    During the 1690 siege of Limerick, the Brandenburgh regiment crowded onto the walls of the Black Battery, unaware a mine lay beneath. The ground opened and the mine exploded, hurling soldiers into the air and inflicting horrific casualties, decisively repulsing the assault.

    Read the passage

    Attached to the fortunes of "William, whose countrymen the soldiers of the Brandenburgh regiment were, they attempted what no other regiment dreamt of effecting. Lite a cloud of vultures they swarmed about the Black Battery, little dreaming of the volcano that slumbered beneath their feet: They were allowed to crowd in all their strength on the walls, and wellnigh to dream that they might win back what had gone so far against them, when, in an instant, the ground beneath their feet began to rock and to tremble — ^to sway to this side and to that — to form chasms into whose widening jaws many a Brandenburgian fell helplessly — never to see daylight more — and at length, with a terrific outburst of all the explosive elements that were concealed within the chamber of the mine, to blow high into the air, amid the sunset of that glorious evening, the ruthless barbarians whose very name smelt horribly in the nostrils of the people ! " When our men drew off (says Dean Storey), ^ some were brought up dead, and some without a leg ; others wanted arms, and some were blind with powder ; especially many of the poor Brandenburghers looked like furies with the misfortune of gunpowder ; one Mv. Upton got into the town among the Irish, and surrendered himself to the governor. Bedloe, a deserter fi'om the Irish army, in which he was a captain, went over to William, and obtained equal rank in that army .■'^2 This event has been so often and so variously told — it has been the theme of so many a pen, and so long the boast of Limerick, that to dwell longer on it would seem supererogatory. But too mnch cannot be said of an event which had so decisive an effect on the determination of William that he saw in an instant the game was up. That night he slept uneasily on his piUow at Singland. Dreams disturbed his soul — he had not retired before he drenched himseK thoroughly with those strong drinks which he loved so dearly. He cursed the fate wliich brought him to Limerick to witness a defeat unparalleled in the annals of warfare. None of his generals dare approach him — tortured and maddened he cast blame on all about him — and as he weighed the advantages of the Boyne with the losses and disgrace at Limerick, he groaned in spirit. It was a splendid victory.'

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 137

    As the companion tells it

    This stretch of road passes through Limerick, near where the Black Battery stood in 1690, during the siege of the city. The Brandenburgh regiment, countrymen of William, attempted what no other regiment dreamed of effecting. They swarmed about the battery like a cloud of vultures, little dreaming of the volcano that slumbered beneath their feet. They were allowed to crowd in all their strength on the walls, and well nigh to believe they might win back what had gone so far against them. Then, in an instant, the ground began to rock and tremble, to sway to this side and to that, to form chasms into whose widening jaws many a Brandenburgian fell helplessly, never to see daylight more. With a terrific outburst of all the explosive elements concealed within the chamber of the mine, the blast blew them high into the air, amid the sunset of that evening. Dean Storey wrote: "When our men drew off, some were brought up dead, and some without a leg; others wanted arms, and some were blind with powder." Many Brandenburghers looked like furies with the misfortune of gunpowder. One Mr. Upton got into the town among the Irish and surrendered to the governor. Bedloe, a deserter from the Irish army where he was a captain, went over to William and obtained equal rank in that army. The effect was decisive. William saw in an instant the game was up. That night he slept uneasily at Singland. Dreams disturbed his soul. He had drenched himself with strong drink. He cursed the fate which brought him to Limerick to witness a defeat unparalleled in the annals of warfare. None of his generals dared approach him. Weighing the advantages of the Boyne against the losses and disgrace at Limerick, he groaned in spirit.

30. Plague and penitential devotion in besieged Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    During the siege of Limerick, twenty thousand communicants within the walls endured plague and famine. The city adopted penitential practices, establishing laws against cursing and swearing, while O'Dwyer and Vincentian Fathers tended to the dying poor.

    Read the passage

    While the storm raged in all its fury, there were twenty thousand communicants Avithin the walls of Limerick, The Avhole city put on the garb of penitential sorrow in order to draw down the blessings of heaven on the suffering patriots who braved the bribe, the sword, famine and pestilence. Laws were estabhshed by the citizens against cursing and swearing; and crime of every kind was banished. • The plague daily felled its victims ; among them was O^Dwyer, brother to the bishop, who exposed his life, going among the dying poor, with the Yincentian Fathers consoling and reheving them. Many, after the surrender, were cruelly massacred, merely for their faith.^ Mr. Thomas Stritch, on terminating a spiritual retreat, had been elected mayor, and ever after proving himself a devoted friend to Ireland and her faith, on receiving the keys of the city he laid them at the feet of the Blessed Yirgin's statue, praying her to receive the city under her protection, whilst at the same time, as an act of homage, all pubKc guilds marched with banners flying to the church. Stritch addressed the assembly, calling on them to be faithful to God, to the church, and to the king, and stated his readiness to accept the martyr's crown, wliich he received soon afterwards, together with three others who had been his companions on the spiritual retreat.^ Sir Patrick Purcell, Avho is called by Father Anthony Bruodin, in his Bescriptio Regini Hibernm, " the most illustrious Yice-general of all Munster, a noble-hearted and most accomph'shed warrior, for in Germany, under Ferdinand, acquired an immortal renown, combating against Sweden and France.'^ After his execution by the rope his head was cut off, and exposed on a stake over St. John's Gate. Geoffi-ey Barron, who was envoy to the king of France for the Confederate CathoHcs, was beheaded and quartered, after he was hanged. We have already spoken of Dominick Fanning. Daniel O'Higgin, M.D., " a wise and pious man,-" who also was led to the scaffold, and Father Laurence Walsh is spoken of as having likewise suffered.'*

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 101

    As the companion tells it

    You are passing through Limerick, a city that in 1651 held out under siege with twenty thousand communicants crowded inside its walls. The whole city put on what the source calls the garb of penitential sorrow, passing laws against cursing and swearing in hope of drawing heaven's blessing on those who braved the sword, famine, and pestilence. The plague felled victims daily. Among them was O'Dwyer, brother to the bishop, who went among the dying poor with the Vincentian Fathers, consoling and relieving them. After the surrender, many were cruelly massacred for their faith. Thomas Stritch, elected mayor after a spiritual retreat, laid the keys of the city at the feet of a statue of the Blessed Virgin and prayed her to take the city under her protection. He called on the people to be faithful to God, the church, and the king, and declared his readiness to accept the martyr's crown. He received it soon after, along with three companions from the retreat. Sir Patrick Purcell, described by Father Anthony Bruodin as the most illustrious vice-general of all Munster and a noble-hearted warrior who won renown in Germany under Ferdinand fighting against Sweden and France, was executed by the rope and his head cut off and exposed on a stake over St. John's Gate. Geoffrey Barron, envoy to the king of France for the Confederate Catholics, was hanged, then beheaded and quartered. Dominick Fanning, Daniel O'Higgin, a wise and pious man and a doctor of medicine, and Father Laurence Walsh also suffered on the scaffold.

31. Police fire on crowd at Broad Street after city election

    Broad Street · street · Limerick · 1859

    On the evening of 4 May 1859, after stones were thrown at a shopkeeper's windows in Broad Street, police under Sub-Inspector Milling and RM Edward Gonne Bell fired on the crowd. William Clohessy, J. Phelan, J. M'Namara, John O'Brien, and a lad named Meskill were shot; the three former died of their wounds. A coroner's inquest returned a manslaughter verdict against the magistrate and 26 policemen, but all were acquitted after a lengthened investigation.

    Read the passage

    Michael Robert Ryan, E?q., J.P., was elected Mayor for 1859. A general election took place in the month of May. F. W. Russell, Esq , was elected M.P. for the third time, and Major Gavin was elected M.P. the second time for the city. Mr. James Spaight was the unsuccessful candidate. In the county of Limerick the Right Hon. William Monsell headed the poll by an overwhelming majority. Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson and E. J. Synan, Esq., J. P., were the other candidates. Mr. Synau lost his election by a trifling majority in favour of Colonel Dickson. At the city election a most disastrous occurrence took place. In the evening of the 4th of May, after the close of the proceedings, in consequence of some stones having been thrown at the windows of a shopkeeper in Broad Street, the police fired on the people, when Wm. Clohessy, J. Phelan, J. M'Namara, John O'Brien, and another lad, named Meskill, were shot, and the three former died of their wounds. The police, who were commanded by Sub-Inspector Milling and Edward Gonne Bell, Esq., R M., were acquitted after a lengthened investigation, though a verdict of manslaughter had been returned at the coroner's inquest against the stipendiary magistrate and 2(3 policemen.

    William Fitzgerald, Esq., was sworn into the Mayoralty on the 1st of January, 1860. Energetic and of much promise and ability, he exerted himself perseveringly for the benefit of the city. He died during his Mayoralty, on the 26th of October, aged 34 years, and was buried in St. Munchin's churchyard ; his remains were accompanied to the grave by the Corporation and a large concourse of citizens. In compliment to his memory, the Corporation had his portrait painted by Mr. Catterson Smith, and placed in the Council Chamber.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 300

    As the companion tells it

    On this street, on the evening of the 4th of May 1859, a most disastrous occurrence took place after the city election. The polls had closed. F. W. Russell had been elected Member of Parliament for the third time, and Major Gavin for the second time. James Spaight was the unsuccessful candidate. In the county, William Monsell headed the poll by an overwhelming majority, and Colonel Dickson defeated E. J. Synan by a trifling majority. But it was the city election that turned deadly. After the close of the proceedings, stones were thrown at the windows of a shopkeeper here on Broad Street. The police fired on the people. William Clohessy, J. Phelan, J. M'Namara, John O'Brien, and another lad named Meskill were shot. The three former, Clohessy, Phelan, and M'Namara, died of their wounds. The police were commanded by Sub-Inspector Milling and Edward Gonne Bell, the resident magistrate. A coroner's inquest returned a verdict of manslaughter against the magistrate and 26 policemen. Yet after a lengthened investigation, all were acquitted. The mayor that year was Michael Robert Ryan. The following January, William Fitzgerald took the mayoralty, but he died in office on the 26th of October, aged 34, and was buried in St. Munchin's churchyard.

32. Sarsfield destroys Williamite artillery train at Ballyneety

    Ballyneety · townland · Limerick · 1690

    Sarsfield led a night attack on the Williamite artillery train encamped at Cullen near Ballyneety, killing the sleeping soldiers, bursting the cannons by overloading them, and destroying all supplies. The expedition inflicted a devastating blow on William's siege of Limerick.

    Read the passage

    1 Captain Eobert Parker says (Memoirs, p. 23) : " The enemy" (the Irish) " having had a particular account of their route, detached Sarstield with a good bodj- of Horse and Dragoons to intercept it ; and he passed the Shannon at Killaloe, came up with the train in the night between the 1 1th and 12th of August, as they lay encamped at Cullen (near Ballyneety) about eleven miles from our camp ; and falling suddenly on them when all were asleep, they burned and destroyed everything that could be of any use to us. They burst the cannon by overloading them, and putting their muzzles in ground, then setting fire to them, they went off without the loss of a man. " This was a well conducted affair," (adds Captain Parker) " and much to Sarsfield's honour" — but he remarks, " had there not been so much cruelty in the execution of it ; for they put man, woman and child to the sword, though there was not much opposition made. However," exclaims Captain Parker, " we cannot suppose that so gallant a man as Sarsfield certainly was, could be guilty of giving such orders ; it is rather to be presumed that in such a juncture he could not restrain the natural barbarity of his men."

    ^ The Duke of Berwick, in his memoirs, says that it was this coup that defeated the projectors of the siege. " Limerick was weak of itself and ill fortified — and besieged by the army of the Prince of Oranrje. Limerick being open on several quarters, bore many assaults ; but Count Sarsfield, with a body of six hundred horse and dragoons, having taken and blown up the enemy's artillery, as it was on the road from Kilkenny to their camp before Limerick, the Prince of Orange was forced to raise the siege of that place, after having suffered a considerable loss." — Life of the Duhe ofBenoick, pp. 39, 40.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 133

33. Storming of O'Shaughnessy's castle at Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    Ireton's Parliamentarian forces stormed Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy's castle using hand grenades led by Mr. Hackett. The confederate defenders evacuated by the bridge into the city, and barrels of powder were found in a vault with a lit match intended to blow up the attackers.

    Read the passage

    remembering tlie vigor of his troops in the action at Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessay's castle, desired that one man should be drawn out of each troop to be an example to the foot who Avere selected to storm. This was done. Armed with back, breast and head pieces, and furnished wdth hand grenades — a Mr. Hackett of the guards having been chosen to lead them on — they did not number more than twenty in all — the design succeeded beyond expectation — the men having thrown in their grenades, rushed up to the breach, entered with Hackett at their head, and were followed by those who were ordered to support them. Hackett was successful — the place was evacuated ; and the confederate soldiers retired by the bridge into the city. The castle was then searched by Ireton ; and four or five barrels of powder were found in a vault ready to be fired by a lighted match which had been left there to blow up the ParHameutarian soldiers. Ireton having so far succeeded, having rewarded Hackett and his men, came to the determination of possessing himself of the king^s island, which then as now encompassed by the Abbey river, was a position likely to suit his present purposes, and quicken the result of the siege. Boats were prepared, floats sufficient to transport three hundred men at once were placed in readiness, and orders were given to drop down the river about midnight.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 98

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where, in 1651, Ireton's Parliamentarian forces stormed Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy's castle. Ireton remembered the vigour of his troops in a previous action at the castle, and ordered one man drawn from each troop to set an example for the foot soldiers selected to storm it. These men were armed with back, breast, and head pieces, and furnished with hand grenades. A Mr. Hackett of the guards was chosen to lead them on. They numbered no more than twenty in all. The design succeeded beyond expectation. The men threw in their grenades, rushed up to the breach, and entered with Hackett at their head, followed by those ordered to support them. The place was evacuated, and the confederate soldiers retired by the bridge into the city. Ireton then searched the castle. Four or five barrels of powder were found in a vault, ready to be fired by a lighted match left there to blow up the Parliamentarian soldiers. Ireton rewarded Hackett and his men, and turned his mind to possessing the king's island, encompassed by the Abbey river, a position suited to his purposes and likely to quicken the result of the siege. Boats were prepared, floats sufficient to transport 300 men at once were placed in readiness, and orders were given to drop down the river about midnight.

34. Famine and starvation in the glens of Munster

    near Glen of Aherlow · valley · Limerick · 1582–1583

    Spencer described the appalling famine in Munster following the Desmond wars, with starving people emerging from woods and glens—identified as including the Glen of Aherlow—eating carrion and even scraping corpses from graves.

    Read the passage

    The savage rigor of Lord Grey had already offended even his own government. We have seen how after the surrender of Smerewick, with a savage barbarity only equalled by CromweU in after years, he had put every man of them to the sword, with the exception of the governor and a few of&cers. In consequence of this extreme severity, this Lord Grey, of whom it was said that " he left her majesty little to reign over but carcases and ashes,"* had been recalled, and Loftus, Archbishop of Dublm, and Sir Henry Wallop were appointed Lord Justices. By these Lord Justices first efforts were made to bring back Desmond to his allegiance, but without effect. To what a frightful state Munster was now reduced, may be seen in the pages of the annals of Hollinshed, of Fynes Morison, Cox, and particularly of Spencer, from whose remarkable description we make the following extract : — " notwithstanding that the same (Munster) was a most rich and plentyful country, full of corne and cattle, yet ere one year and a halfe they (the Irish) were brought to such wretchednesse as that any stony heart would have rued the same ; out of every corner of the woods and glynnes they came creeping forth upon their hands, for their Icgges could not bear them, they looked like the anatomies of death ; they spake like ghosts crying out of their graves ; they did eat the dead carrions, happy where they could finde them, yea and one another soone after, inasmuch as the very carcases they spared not to scrape out of the graves ; and if they found a plot of water-cresses or shamrocks, there they flocked as to a feast for the time, yet not able long to continue there withal, that in short space there were none almost left, and a most populous and plenty fuU country suddainely left voyde of man and beast.'"'

    ' The Glen of Aherlow, four miles south of Tipperary.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 64

35. Plague and famine in besieged Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    During Ireton's siege, plague and famine raged inside Limerick city. Corpses lay in every street, victims of the black sickness caused by lack of air, stench, and the awful circumstances of the siege. Ireton erected a hospital outside the walls.

    Read the passage

    Ireton, nowithstanding this timely succour to his forces, began to tremble for the fate of the campaign. The plague was raging in the city. In every street the wild wail of sorrow was heard over the stark corpses of the victims of famine and the black sickness, which the want of air, the stench, and the awful circumstances of the place had caused. An hospital was erected by Ireton outside the walls, while the works was progressing for the siege. In the interim he visited KHlaloe, where a garrison lay, and directed that a bridge should be built, or rather, we imagine repaired, for the better communication of the counties of Tipperary and Clare. Ludlow accompanied him in this duty, and many horses were knocked up by the journey — so hard were they driven. The progress of Cromwell's army in England, while matters were going on thus in Ireland, was so successful, that he carried every thing in the field before him. The intelligence of these victories was heard within the city ; but it did not blanch the cheeks, or unnerve the hearts of the brave men who had sworn to defend their altars and their hearths with the last drop of their blood. It was a weary time for Ireton — a fatal one for his army, which ia the gloom and mist of our chmate, were daily dying in hundreds of fever and ague, and plague — who were suffering too from scarcity of provisions, and also were anxious that the siege should be raised, or that some event should occur to draw them out of their alarming difficulties.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 98

    As the companion tells it

    Coming into Limerick now. In 1651, this city lived through one of the worst sieges in Irish history. Ireton had the place hemmed in, and inside the walls, plague and famine were doing what no army could yet manage. The plague was raging. In every street you could hear the wailing over the stark corpses of those who had died of famine and what the source calls the black sickness, brought on by want of air, the stench, and the awful circumstances of the siege. Ireton erected a hospital outside the walls while his siege works pressed on. He left the lines for a time and visited Killaloe, where a garrison lay, and directed that a bridge be built, or more likely repaired, to link Tipperary and Clare. Ludlow went with him, and the horses were driven so hard that many were knocked up by the journey. Word reached the city of Cromwell's successes in England, where his army carried everything before him. But the intelligence did not, as the source puts it, blanch the cheeks or unnerve the hearts of the men who had sworn to defend their altars and their hearths with the last drop of their blood. It was a weary time for Ireton too. His own army, in the gloom and mist of the climate, were daily dying in hundreds of fever, ague, and plague, suffering from scarcity of provisions, and anxious that the siege should be raised.

36. Sir Phelim O'Neil tried in Dublin; forged commission from Charlemont

    near Charlemont · village · Armagh · 1652–1653

    Sir Phelim O'Neil was tried, condemned, and ordered to be hanged in Dublin before Chief Justice Lowther. He confessed he had no commission from Charles I for the 1641 rebellion, having taken the seal from a patent found at Charlemont and fixed it to a forged commission.

    Read the passage

    The first High Court of Justice to try those who were accused by the Cromwellians of ^' the barbarous murders committed in this rebellion," was held before Justice Donelan, President, Commissary General Reynolds and Justice Cooke, assistants, in Kilkenny on the 4th of October, and it sat in the house occupied by the Supreme Council of the confederates in 1642. Some, as we have already mentioned, were excluded from pardon altogether. The same Court at which Sir Phelim O'Neil was tried, condemned, and ordered to be hung, was held in Dubhn, before Chief Justice Lowther. Sir Phelim confessed he had no commission from the late king Charles for the rebellion of 1641, that he took the seal from a patent he had found at Charlemont,

    > For this purpose to H. Casy, Dr. Arthur paid ... ... ... ... £37 6 0

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 105

37. Court-martial held at St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    Two days after the surrender of Limerick, a court-martial sat at a place of worship believed to be St. Mary's Cathedral. The mayor was arrested there on suspicion, and Bishop O'Brien and Major-General Purcell were brought before the court to answer why they should not suffer death.

    Read the passage

    Two days after the surrender the mayor came to the place of worship (St. Mary's cathedral it is supposed) where the court-martial sat, and whether by words or actions he gave cause to those present to suspect who he was — he was arrested and committed to prison. O'Dwyer, the bishop, made his escape — it is alleged, in the dress of a soldier^. At the court-martial, O'Brien, the glorious bishop of Emly, and major-general Purcell appeared, and were questioned as to what they had to say why they should not suffer death. De Burgo gives from O'Heyne, who had been an eye-witness, a fuU account of the extraordinary manner in which this saintly prelate met his death'.

    within the walls. O'Daly states that he narrates the circumstances as they were heard by Father James Dooly from those who witnessed them. The third was the birth of a monster a few days before the surrender of Limerick. This strange object, the mother of which was far from being correct, may be thus described : — Out of one trunk grew two bodies having all the members complete ; but what astonished every one was that whensoever the two faces indicated friendship or hostility, the shoulders of the twain might be observed to retreat, so that they never could join in cordial embrace. Father Meehan, the translator of O'Daly, remarks that it is not to be ■wondered at In such disastrous moments, a people who suffered every thing for religion, should conjure up visions, and take omens from a flash of lightning or some iinusual meteoric appearance. Such has been the case with every people under heaven, particularly in time of war. The Puritanism of Parsons and Borlase were not proof against the cawing of crows on the top of Dublin Castle in the year 1662. — Meehan's Translation of O'Daly, p. 208.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 100

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where, in 1651, two days after the surrender of the city, a court-martial sat in a place of worship believed to be St. Mary's Cathedral. The mayor came there and, whether by words or actions, gave those present cause to suspect who he was. He was arrested and committed to prison. O'Dwyer, the bishop, made his escape, it is alleged, in the dress of a soldier. At the court-martial, O'Brien, the bishop of Emly, and Major-General Purcell appeared, and were questioned as to what they had to say why they should not suffer death. De Burgo gives, from O'Heyne, who had been an eye-witness, a full account of the extraordinary manner in which this saintly prelate met his death. O'Daly states that he narrates the circumstances as they were heard by Father James Dooly from those who witnessed them. A few days before the surrender of Limerick, a monster was born. Out of one trunk grew two bodies, having all the members complete, but what astonished everyone was that whensoever the two faces indicated friendship or hostility, the shoulders of the twain might be observed to retreat, so that they never could join in cordial embrace. Father Meehan, the translator of O'Daly, remarks that it is not to be wondered at, in such disastrous moments, that a people who suffered everything for religion should conjure up visions and take omens from a flash of lightning or some unusual meteoric appearance. Such has been the case with every people under heaven, particularly in time of war. The Puritanism of Parsons and Borlase were not proof against the cawing of crows on the top of Dublin Castle in the year 1662.

38. Great hurricane devastates Limerick city and surroundings

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1815

    A tremendous storm from the S.W. on December 16th unroofed houses, threw down chimneys, and drove ships from their moorings causing loss of life. Massive tree damage was recorded at Adare, Tervoe, Castletown Waller, Hollypark, Clonmacken, and Kilballyowen, with twenty farmers' houses levelled at Kilgenny common.

    Read the passage

    December 16th — At a verj' early hour this morning, a tremendous storm arose from the S.W. quarter, and blew a hurricane more furious than any remembered by the oldest person living here ; it threw down several chimneys, and unroofed houses — it threw down a new house in Glentworth-street. About 7 o'clock, a Norway ship of about 200 tons, drifted from her fastenings at Shannon-quay, and was driven up to the lower end of Newgate-lane, abreast of the old Golden Mills ; a brig and a sloop, both laden, were driven completely over the weir of Curragower, and grounded under the S.W. tower of the Castle Barrack. The tide rose up to the houses on Merchants'-quay ; the lanes and passages were strewn with bricks, tiles and slates, which had fallen from the houses ; the flag-staff, erected on St. Mary's Cathedral at the close of A.D. 1800, was broken and carried away ; and the new wooden gallery erected in July last, on the west side of the City gaol, over the river, was totally destroyed. A new Scotch sloop, with rock salt, thrown on her beam ends, at O'NeiU's-quay, and sunk. Great damage on the Northstrand, and most of a new parapet wall, erected only last summer, swept clear away. Many of the river craft totally lost, together with many lives. The leads on the Custom House rolled up, and partly carried off. This storm very general throughout the kingdom ; upwards of 530 large trees torn up from the roots at Adare ; 130 gross trees at Tervoe ; 200 ditto at Castletown waller ; 150 ditto at Hollypark (Mr. Taylor's) ; twenty farmers' houses were levelled to the ground on Kilgenny common, about 3 miles beyond Adare. An over grown elm tree at Clonmacken, in the N. Liberties, blown down — it had stood upwards of 150 years ; at Kilballyowen, 130 trees — all in this county. The damage at sea was dreadful. At Liverpool, 4 vessels were

    436 HISTORY OF LLMElllCK.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 249

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Limerick, the city holds the memory of a storm that struck on December 16th, 1815. A tremendous hurricane arose from the south-west, more furious than any remembered by the oldest person living there at the time. It threw down chimneys and unroofed houses, and threw down a new house in Glentworth Street. A Norway ship of about 200 tons drifted from her fastenings at Shannon Quay and was driven up to the lower end of Newgate Lane, abreast of the old Golden Mills. A brig and a sloop, both laden, were driven completely over the weir of Curragower and grounded under the south-west tower of the Castle Barrack. The tide rose up to the houses on Merchants' Quay, and the lanes were strewn with bricks, tiles and slates fallen from the houses. The flag-staff on St. Mary's Cathedral, erected at the close of 1800, was broken and carried away. A new wooden gallery put up only the previous July on the west side of the City gaol, over the river, was totally destroyed. A new Scotch sloop carrying rock salt was thrown on her beam ends at O'Neill's Quay and sunk. Many of the river craft were lost, together with many lives, and the leads on the Custom House were rolled up and partly carried off. The storm was general throughout the country. Upwards of 530 large trees were torn up at Adare, 130 at Tervoe, 200 at Castletown Waller, and 150 at Hollypark. Twenty farmers' houses were levelled to the ground on Kilgenny common. An overgrown elm at Clonmacken that had stood upwards of 150 years was blown down, and 130 trees at Kilballyowen. The damage at sea was dreadful.

39. Bishop Creagh's violent conflict with Franciscans in Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1369–1399

    Pierce Creagh, elected Bishop of Limerick in 1369, engaged in implacable opposition to the Franciscans. When Archbishop Warrington came to Limerick to redress their grievances, Creagh laid violent hands on the archbishop, tore the citation from him drawing blood, and excommunicated all who attended the Franciscan church.

    Read the passage

    Peter Curragh (in a MS. in T.C.D., said to be taken out of the Black Book, he is called Creagh; and in White's MSS. he is designated Pierce Creagh, a native of Limerick, though Ware states that he was a native of the county of Dublin) was elected next in succession, in 1369. He took the oath of fealty to Edward HI. before the illustrious Wilham of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, on the 10th of February (English style). Creagh's episcopacy was full of troubles. He engaged in implacable opposition to the Franciscans. When Archbishop Warrington came to Limerick to redress their grievances, and cited the bishop to answer their complaints, he (the bishop) laid violent hands on the archbishop, and tore the citation from him with such force that he drew his blood, and ordered the archbishop to begone, or that it should fare worse with his attendants. It is said, moreover, that the bishop laid censures on and threatened with excommunication all who should repair for divine service within the church of the Franciscans ; that he excommunicated all who afforded the archbishop food and entertainment. There are other matters equally harsh said of this bishop : some of these accusations are preferred by Ware, on the authority of Luke Wadding ; but we must accept them with some reservation. We must bear in mind that this prelate governed the see of Limerick for the long period of thirty years. During his time religion flourished in Limerick. Some of the most eminent of the families of the city then lived, and by their munificent expenditure on the churches and monasteries, showed that their zeal was ardent and their faith sincere. It was during the episcopacy of Pierce Creagh that Martin Arthur made a wilP which shows that there were nine churches in the city. This will was made A.D. 1376. Among the bequests was one to the Franciscan friars, which the assertion of Ware, or rather of his commentator, Harris, as to the resent-

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 326

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through Limerick, you pass through a city where Pierce Creagh, a native of Limerick, was elected bishop in 1369. He took the oath of fealty to Edward the Third before William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, on the 10th of February. His episcopacy was full of troubles. He engaged in implacable opposition to the Franciscans. When Archbishop Warrington came to Limerick to redress their grievances and cited the bishop to answer their complaints, Creagh laid violent hands on the archbishop. He tore the citation from him with such force that he drew his blood. He ordered the archbishop to begone, or it should fare worse with his attendants. The bishop laid censures on and threatened with excommunication all who should repair for divine service within the church of the Franciscans. He excommunicated all who afforded the archbishop food and entertainment. Some of these accusations come from Ware, on the authority of Luke Wadding, and the source itself says they must be accepted with some reservation. Pierce Creagh governed the see of Limerick for thirty years. During his time, religion flourished in the city. The most eminent families of Limerick then lived, and by their munificent expenditure on the churches and monasteries, showed that their zeal was ardent and their faith sincere. It was during his episcopacy that Martin Arthur made a will in 1376, showing there were nine churches in the city. Among the bequests in that will was one to the Franciscan friars.

40. Cenotaph for Colonel Lloyd opened at Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1814

    A cenotaph commemorating Colonel Lloyd was opened to the public on the anniversary of his death, with the 84th Regiment attending divine service in funeral procession at the Cathedral. The monument features family arms with the motto 'vi virtute' and a pyramid of black marble with an urn and military trophies.

    Read the passage

    This cenotaph was opened for the public on the 10th, the anniversary of Colonel Lloyd's death, when the 84th Regiment, then in this garrison, attended divine service, in grand funeral procession at the Cathedral. It was executed at Dublin, and cost the Regiment £103 lOs. 3d

    has the family arms, with the motto vi virtute — and on the top a pyramid of black marble— with an urn and military trophies.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 249

    As the companion tells it

    A cenotaph for Colonel Lloyd was opened in Limerick on the anniversary of his death. The 84th Regiment, then in garrison here, attended divine service in funeral procession at the Cathedral. It was executed in Dublin and cost the Regiment 103 pounds. The monument bears the family arms with the motto vi virtute, and on top, a pyramid of black marble with an urn and military trophies.

41. Confederate siege and capture of Limerick Castle, 1642

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1642

    In June 1642, a Confederate force including Lord Muskerry and General Barry besieged Limerick. Citizens opened the gates, and Captain George Courtenay defended the King's castle with 200 men. Mines were sprung near St. Nicholas churchyard, a breach made, and Courtenay capitulated on 21 June.

    Read the passage

    On the 31st of June three mines were completed and ready to be sprung; the first mine was begun near the churchyard of St. Nicholas, and when it was finished and a sufficient quantity of earth carried out, they set fire to the timber, which propped the cavern they had made, when a great part of the bulwark sunk down.^ They made two other mines with less success, but they continued working until the 21st of June, when a breach was made in the main wall of the castle ; Captain Courtenay capitulated, and the city of Limerick was in the hands of the confedei-ates. Muskerry, Garret Barry, and other officers, took possession on the next day. This was the most important advantage as yet obtained by the confederates ; indeed the news of the capture of Limerick is said to have broken the heart of Sir William St. Leger, who died shortly afterwards. On his death the military command of Munster was conferred on his son-in-law Lord Inchiquin, "Murrogh of the Burnings," Vice-President of the provmce, David Barry, Earl of Barrymore, being joined in commission with him to take care of the civil government,

    ' In Ferrar's time a large piece of this boom fastened to a rock, supposed to weigh three or four hundred pounds, might be seen at the time of low water near the then House of Industry, row the County of Limerick Eoj-al Regiment of Blilitia Barracks, on the Nortli Strand.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 83

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Limerick now. In June 1642, a Confederate force including Lord Muskerry and General Garret Barry besieged this city. Citizens opened the gates, and Captain George Courtenay held the King's castle with 200 men. Three mines were completed and ready to be sprung. The first was begun near the churchyard of St. Nicholas, and when it was finished and enough earth carried out, they set fire to the timber propping the cavern, and a great part of the bulwark sank down. Two other mines were made with less success, but they kept working until the 21st of June, when a breach was made in the main wall of the castle. Captain Courtenay capitulated, and the city of Limerick was in the hands of the Confederates. Muskerry, Garret Barry, and other officers took possession the next day. This was the most important advantage yet obtained by the Confederates. The news of the capture of Limerick is said to have broken the heart of Sir William St. Leger, who died shortly afterwards. On his death the military command of Munster went to his son-in-law Lord Inchiquin, called "Murrogh of the Burnings," Vice-President of the province. David Barry, Earl of Barrymore, was joined in commission with him to take care of the civil government.

42. Court martial of Francis Arthur at the Council Chamber, Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Francis Arthur was brought before a court martial at the Council Chamber in Limerick, charged with having aided and assisted in the present rebellion. The court was composed of officers from several regiments, and the prisoner received no intimation of the charge beforehand.

    Read the passage

    Nineteen da3's after the seizure of his efi^ects, namely on the 17th of June, through the pressing solicitations of Mr. Patrick Arthur (as partner with his son in trade). Colonels Darby and Cockell were so far prevailed upon that they gave up certain bills then about becoming due, but they absolutely refused to deliver up the thousand guineas, though the money was imperatively demanded to pay duties and freights of cargoes. Owing to'the perseverance of Mr. Patrick Arthur, the house was thoroughly searched, and the vaults, bureaus, drawers, &c. when the keys of the warehouse were given to Mr. P. Arthur ; but Colonel Darby retained those of the counting-house, as well as those of the vaults, drawers, &c. In JMr. Arthur's case, the principle of law which regards every man as innocent who is not found guilty, was subverted and ignored. All that could be done was done to persecute and depress him, irrespective of every other consideration. The application of Mrs. Arthur to the General, in order that I\Ir. Thwaytes, the military surgeon, should attend him, was rejected. The reply to the application was that the General had not heard Mr. Arthur was ill, but he wonld enquire about it ; but there was no enquiry, and Sheriff Lloyd continued his brutality. Seeing some whej' brought to Mr. Arthur's prison-door by a servant, Lloyd ferociously called a Serjeant to hold the poor servant, while he (Lloyd) beat him, the unoffending man, so brutally that he returned home covered with wounds and blood ! Whilst sick in bed on the evening of the 22nd of June, Mr. Arthur received a notice that he would be tried next morning, lie got no intimation of the charge. He was brought up to the Council Chamber accordingly on the morning of the 2ord, where

    the Court Martial, composed as follows, was then sitting :

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 230

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city holds the story of Francis Arthur and a court martial at the Council Chamber. Nineteen days after the seizure of his effects, on the 17th of June, through the pressing solicitations of Mr. Patrick Arthur, his partner in trade, Colonels Darby and Cockell gave up certain bills then about becoming due. They absolutely refused to deliver up the thousand guineas, though the money was demanded to pay duties and freights of cargoes. Mr. Patrick Arthur persevered until the house was thoroughly searched and the keys of the warehouse were given to him, but Colonel Darby retained the keys of the counting-house, the vaults, and the drawers. In Arthur's case the principle of law that regards every man as innocent who is not found guilty was subverted and ignored. All that could be done was done to persecute and depress him. Mrs. Arthur applied to the General that Mr. Thwaytes, the military surgeon, should attend him. The application was rejected. The reply was that the General had not heard Arthur was ill, but would enquire about it. There was no enquiry, and Sheriff Lloyd continued his brutality. When a servant brought whey to Arthur's prison door, Lloyd called a Serjeant to hold the man while he beat him so brutally that the servant returned home covered with wounds and blood. On the evening of the 22nd of June, sick in bed, Arthur received notice that he would be tried next morning. He got no intimation of the charge. He was brought to the Council Chamber on the morning of the 23rd, where the court martial, composed of officers from several regiments, was sitting.

43. Cromwall's murder attempt at Limerick militia muster

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1583

    James Cromwall, jealous of Stephen Rochefort who married Catherine Wolfe, discharged a double ball at him during a militia review in Limerick, killing two citizens but missing his target. Cromwall was hanged, cut down alive, decapitated and quartered. The city militia numbered 800 men.

    Read the passage

    The Arthur MSS. mention a curious occurrence which took place at Limerick about this time. One Stephen Eochefort, having married a lady named Catherine Wolfe, had excited the jealousy of a certain James Cromwall to such a pitch of madness, that he conceived the idea of mm^dering his fortimate rival. Availing himself of the occasion of a review, or muster of the city militia train-bands, Cromwall, in prosecution of his wicked scheme, discharged a double ball at him while he was reviewing the men, and shot two other citizens dead, the object of his murderous revenge escaping the intended blow. For this offence the assassin was hanged upon a gibbet, cut down while still ahve and decapitated ; after which his body was cut into four quarters. The nulitia of the city at this time amounted to 800 men, while "VYaterford had only 600, and Cork 400, from which the comparative population of Limerick at the period has been reasonably inferred to have been proportionately superior to either of those cities.^

    ' Dr. Smith's MS. in the Royal Irish Academy, p. 150; Cox, and Annals of the Four Masters.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 66

44. Fitzgibbon and O'Connell monument site controversy at the Crescent

    The Crescent · street · Limerick · 1855

    In 1855, £1,040 was subscribed for a statue to Lord Viscount Fitzgibbon who fell at Balaklava. The Mayor proposed the Crescent as the site, but citizens and councillors strongly objected, resolving the site should go to an O'Connell monument instead.

    Read the passage

    It was in this year that, at a meeting of the Corporation, on the 1 7th of May, the Mayor (Henry O'Shea, Esq.) in the chair, an announcement was made by him whicli took the citizens by surprise, viz., that a sum of £1,040 had been subscribed for the erection of a statue in Limerick to the memory of Lord Viscount Fitzgibbon, who fell at the battle of Balaklava; and Mr. O'Shea proposed that the centre of the Crescent should be allocated by the Corporation as a site for the intended monument. Five members of the Council who had taken an active_ and earnest interest in the O'Connell monument movement, did not permit this intimation tp pass without an expression on their part of strong disapproval that any site for the Fitzgibbon monument should be set apart without first con^■ulting the Council. Among the citizens generally there was marked disapprobation. The subject was taken up with warmth and energy by them, and by the Reporter and Vindicator newspaper ; meetings were held ; and at a subsequent meeting of the Council, a resolution was adopted refusing the site at the Crescent for the Fitzgibbon monument, and affirming a proposition that it should be given to the projected one to the Liberator. A committee was appointed to collect additional subscriptions. Thomas Roche, Esq., 1 homas Kane,.Esq., M.D., J.P.,and Michael Quin, Esq., were named as treasurers,' and the Rev. R J. O'Higgin, 0 S.F., and Maurice Lenihan, Esq , secretaries. An impassioned appeal was printed and circulated, which called upon the people generally to vindicate the memory of O'Connell by_ largely contributing to a monument destined to perpetuate his memory in Limerick. Contributions poured in from every quarter. The committee advertised for sculptors to send in estimates for a bronze statue and pedestal, which resulted in an agreement with Hogan for the work, which was carried through with complete succcess, as we shall see as we proceed. The Fitzgibbon monument, which we have already described, was completed within _ a short time ; and the Wellesiey Bridge, as we have seen, was chosen by its projectors, where it was duly inaugurated.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 293

45. Great drought dries the Shannon at Limerick, 1666

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1666

    In 1666 a severe drought lowered the River Shannon so much that people could walk dry around the city of Limerick. Brooks, ponds, and wells were scarcely running, cattle were driven miles to water, and 500 salmon were taken in a single day at the weir.

    Read the passage

    1666 A great drought this year, without great heat; the river Shannon was so low that people walked dry round the city, and from Thrawnoe (new strand) now big Water Gate, to Emblin Gate (I suppose Creagh's Gate) about the time of St. James's fair, there were scarce any brooks, ponds, or wells running. Cattle were driven many miles to|water. 500 salmon would be taken in a day at the weir. — White's MSS.

    1666 On September 1st, his Grace James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, Lieutenant-General, General-Governor and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came to Limerick, Sir William King being Mayor. He was accompanied by many of the nobility: the Earl of Barrymore carried the sword before him; a drummer mounted on horseback beat the kittle drums, which was the first of the kind ever seen in Limerick. He was lodged by and at the expense of the Mayor. It was an excessive hot summer, all commodities exceeding cheap. — White's MSS.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 408

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city saw a strange year in 1666. A great drought came without great heat. The Shannon dropped so low that people walked dry round the city. From Thrawnoe, the new strand, now the big Water Gate, to Emblin Gate, about the time of St. James's fair, there were scarce any brooks, ponds, or wells running. Cattle were driven many miles to water. At the weir, 500 salmon would be taken in a day. That September 1st, James Butler, Duke of Ormonde, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, came to Limerick. Sir William King was Mayor. The Earl of Barrymore carried the sword before him. A drummer on horseback beat the kittle drums, the first ever seen in Limerick. The Mayor lodged him at his own expense. It was an excessive hot summer, and all commodities were exceeding cheap.

46. James Fitz-Maurice sacks Kilmallock, 1568

    Kilmallock · town · Limerick · 1568

    In 1568, James Fitz-Maurice took Kilmallock by surprise, put all the principal inhabitants to death, and burned the town to prevent its occupation by the Lord Deputy, who was marching against him from Buttevant. Gerald, Earl of Desmond, was taken prisoner.

    Read the passage

    1568. Principal military station of the English during the wars in the reign of Elizabeth. Taken by surprise this year by James Fitz-Maurice, who put all the principal inhabitants to death, and burned the town, to prevent its occupation by the Lord Deputy, who was marching against him from Buttevant. Gerald, Earl of Desmond, taken prisoner.

    1572. Sir J. Perrot, President of Munster, compelled James Fitz- Maurice to surrender, and received his submission kneeling in the parish church, with the point of the president's sword at his breast, to show that he had his life at the Queen's hands.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 432

47. Limerick-Galway mercantile feud and peace treaty

    Galway · city · Galway · 1524

    A mercantile dispute between David Comyn of Limerick and merchants of Galway led Comyn to seize Ambrose Lynch Fitzjames of Galway and hold him for ransom. Hostilities ensued by sea and land until Limerick dispatched deputies Christopher and Nicholas Arthur to Galway, where a perpetual peace was ratified on 7 May 1524, though tensions persisted.

    Read the passage

    The hatreds, jealousies and wars between the Butlers and the Fitzgeralds — the Enghsh in Ireland — the latter, however, "more Irish than Irish themselves,''^ are written on a dark and dreary page of our national annals. To dwell on the state of affairs between the English in Ireland at this period would be merely, mutatis mutandis, giving a picture of the wars that prevailed among the Irish themselves. We proceed, therefore, to develope the progress of domestic affairs at this time. In the year 1534 a remarkable occurrence took place, which shows that Galway at this time was in a position superior to ours, commercially and financially. We are told by the Historian of Galway that the city of Limerick was from an early period of our history jealous of the growing trade and prosperity of Galway, although the latter long had retained its superiority. Ttus jealousy was shown on many occasions; but latterly broke out violently in consequence of a mercantile dispute which happened some time previously to 1524, between David Comyn, a citizen of Limerick and some merchants of Galway. Comyn complained that he could have no justice administered to him in Galway ; and waiting for an opportunity he seized the person of Ambrose Lynch Fitzjames, one of the inhabitants of the town, and kept him close prisoner, until he was ransomed for a large sum of money. In consequence of this outrage hostilities commenced between the city and town, and great depredations were committed both by sea and land ; until the people of Limerick, weary of the contest, dispatched two of their citizens, Christopher Arthur and Nicholas Arthur, to Galway, to conclude a peace ; or as the record of this transaction expresses it, "to pacyficat and put awaye all manner of adversitye, rancour and inconveniences that have rysen or insurged between the city and town and habitantes of the same.''"' Upon their arrival in Galway the Mayor, bailiffs and commonalty assembled in the town-house, and with one assent elected Walter and Anthony Lynch FitzThomas, to conclude a " perpetual peace and concorde" with the deputies of Limerick. The terms being agreed upon, a pubhc meeting was convened on the 7th of May, 1524, and articles were ratified on both sides ; and apparently to the mutual satisfaction of all parties ; but as treaties are more frequently entered into than inviolably observed, so the people of Galway complained that those of Limerick stiU indulged their resentment, although every matter in dispute was supposed to have been peaceably settled ; and charged them with having again involved the town in fresh troubles, by insidiously instigating Pierce, Earl of Ormond, to make a demand for prisage wines, an impost which had never been theretofore paid or demanded in Galway.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 46

48. Newcastle castle — Knights Templars foundation 1184

    Newcastle · town · Limerick · 1184

    A castle was erected at Newcastle (anciently Castle Roe) in 1184 by the Knights Templars, giving the town its name and origin. A tradition holds that the people rose up against the Templars and killed many of them. The property lapsed to the crown and became the Geraldines'. Three battles were fought near the town. The castle is now occupied as the dwelling of the agent of the Earl of Devon's estates, and Desmond Hall and other remains survive within the castle enclosure. The acorn emblem of the Knights Templars can be seen cut in stone on several remains.

    Read the passage

    1184. Castle erected here, whence the name and origin of the town, by the Knights Templars. A tradition prevails that, owing to the evil repute of the Templars, the people rose up, killed many of them, etc., Lapsed to the crown, and became the property of the Geraldines. Three battles fought near the town. The castle is occupied as the dwelling of the agent of the extensive estates of the Earl of Devon, E. Curling, Esq., and the " Desmond Hall", and other interesting remains of ancient days, are noble memorials of the past. The acorn, the emblem of the Knights Templars, may be seen cut in stone on several of the remains within the castle enclosure. At Adare Manor museum are some specimens of the spinctrse or bath tickets of the ancient Romans of Tiberius's reign, which are impressed with abominable figures, and which, according to the Memorials of Adare, were dug up about sixty years ago in or about the Castle, and presented to the late Lord Dunraven by Mr. Locke.

    1591. Granted after the death of the great earl, to Sir Wm. Courtcnay, wiih instructions to plant English settlers.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 434

49. Nicholas Arthur captured by pirates sailing from Limerick port

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1428–1430

    On June 22, 1428, Nicholas Arthur sailed from the port of Limerick with merchandise including horses, falcons, mantles, and marble, but was seized by Breton pirates who plundered his cargo valued at 700 marks and held him captive at Mont St. Michel for two years before he ransomed himself for 400 marks. He later obtained royal letters patent authorising reprisals and recovered his losses.

    Read the passage

    Now about the 10th of the Calends of July (June 22nd), A.D. 1428, sailing out the port of Limerick in a hired vessel belonging to one John Chirch, a citizen of London, as he was crossing over to England with merchandise of the above kind, he fell in with certain pirates, who were subjects of the Duke of Arraoric Brittany, at that time a bitter enemy of our sovereign. — These pirates having plundered all his property, which amounted in value to 700 marks, put into St. Malo with the skipper, vessel and crew, and there they sold the ship and the whole cargo by public auction, detaining himself moreover in a state of captivity in the Mount called St. Michael's for the space of two years, until he at last recovered his liberty by the payment of 400 marks.

    As soon as ever he had recovered from these distressing reverses he proceeded to wait upon his Majesty, the King, to whom he perseveringly complained of the loss sustained by himself and his. friend, John Chirch, and did not cease to press his claims until he obtained letters patent from the King, dated London, 29th July, 1430, authorising him to make reprisals to the value of £5,332 13s. 4d. sterling, from the property of the subjects of that Duke wherever found within the dominions of the King of England, whether by land or sea. Which reprisals he bravely, energetically, and perseveringly levied even to the last farthing, and wrested from them perforce.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 206

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are in a port city where Nicholas Arthur set out on June 22, 1428, in a hired vessel belonging to John Chirch, a citizen of London. He was crossing to England with a cargo of horses, falcons, mantles, and marble. He fell in with pirates, subjects of the Duke of Brittany, then a bitter enemy of the English king. They plundered all his property, valued at 700 marks, and put into St. Malo with the skipper, vessel, and crew. There they sold the ship and the whole cargo by public auction. They held Nicholas Arthur captive at the mount called St. Michael's for the space of two years, until he recovered his liberty by paying 400 marks. As soon as he had recovered from these distressing reverses, he waited upon the King and perseveringly complained of the loss sustained by himself and his friend John Chirch. He did not cease to press his claims until he obtained letters patent from the King, dated London, July 29, 1430, authorising him to make reprisals to the value of 5,332 pounds, 13 shillings, and 4 pence sterling, from the property of the Duke's subjects wherever found within the King of England's dominions, by land or sea. He bravely, energetically, and perseveringly levied them even to the last farthing, and wrested from them perforce.

50. Ormond seizes Bishop of Killaloe and hidden £1400

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1650

    Ormond dispatched English spies who seized the Bishop of Killaloe, John O'Molouna, at a castle in the neighbourhood, along with £1400 sterling he had hidden in large woolsacks. The bishop was held in custody for one or two months before being released after asking pardon, and the money was allocated to the King's army.

    Read the passage

    • " The clergy of Ireland (says Dr. Arthur) being weary of the unlucky administration of Lord James Marquis of Ormond, Viceroy of Charles II. in Ireland ; and suspecting him of being too favourable to the party of their enemies, whom by his supine neglect he permitted to invade three provinces of the kingdom, and to take all the strongest cities, towns, and fortresses, and to overrun the country at pleasure with impunity ; at last, having assembled a genuine provincial synod, one held at Clonmacnoise, the other at James' town, they determined to withdraw forthwith, all the orthodox subjects from their fealty and obedience to him having signed a public edict [to this effect] enforced by the threat of excommunication. Whereupon the Marquis, being thereby filled with indignation, having caught the Lord Bishop of Killaloe, John O'Molouna, an economical and thrifty man, who had signed that edict, and who, he had heard, had a largo treasure at home ; while staying in a certain castle in the neighbourhood, he dispatched some English spies, followers of his own, who seized upon him and upon £1400 sterling, which he had wrapped up in large woolsacks, and placed him before his judgment seat ; after committing him to custody, and thus making him pay the penalty of his own rashness and that of others, at last, after one or two months upon his asking pardon he let him go ; having in the meantime allocated all the money to the King's army. In reference to which I wrote the following verses." — Which verses we may add, with every respect for the worthy Doctor's memory, by no means reflect credit upon his muse, as will appear from the following translation, in which it will be seen we rigidly observe the critical canon of rising and falling with the original : —

    " A cool fourteen hundred the bishop had hoarded,

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 95

51. Stony Thursday: Limerick mob rejects Ormond's Peace, 1646

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1646

    On 20 August 1646, citizens of Limerick, led by Dominick Fanning and Dominican friar Father Wolfe, violently rejected the proclamation of Ormond's Peace. The herald was stoned, the mayor and aldermen driven into shelter, and Fanning was informally elected mayor. The anniversary was long called 'Stony Thursday.'

    Read the passage

    In Limerick where the confederate council sat, the peace, which had been solemnly established by decree of that body, was carried by the public vote of the city assembly, but the officers appointed for the execution of the charge were affronted, the confederate government was treated with utter disobedience. On the evening of the 20th of August, the heralds of Ormondes peace came to Limerick, the gates were shut against them, the next day they were allowed in and the herald at arms, vested in the coat of his office, attended on by John Bourke, the mayor, the aldermen and some of the principal citizens, who were at all times willing to accept any advantage ■which they supposed would subserve their own interests, began to proclaim the peace. A vote in its favor had been carried by the mayor and aldermen the day before. The people resolved to resist it, and Avere then exhorted by the clergy, Avho had published the censures, which had been decreed by the Nuncio and congregation, at Waterford, a few days before. Under the conduct and by the instigation of Mr. Dominick Fanning, and the Rev. Father Wolf, a Dommican Friar, who at the High Cross, in the midst of 500 armed citizens fulminated excommunication against its adherents, the people fell suddenly on the herald, flung stones at him, at Bourke the mayor, and all the aldermen who were about him, and all those of the " better sorV-* who countenanced the action ; and having scattered their ranks with so unexpected a volley, the wounded herald, tore his coat of arms from off his shoulders, beating' the mayor and some of the aldermen, and without the slightest respect for their scarlet robes or the badges of magistracy, drove them for shelter into the next door that stood open. Soon after, amid the acclamations of the crowd, without form suggested by charter, or any ancient custom for the usage of election, they chose Dominick Fanning, mayor, and to him, the Nuncio, a few days "after, by his letter returned thanks for the obedience he had given to his decrees, and for his zeal in favor of the Catholic cause. ^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 90

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Limerick, you are passing through a city that rejected a peace treaty in 1646. The confederate council sat here. Ormond's Peace had been established by decree of that body and carried by public vote of the city assembly, but the officers appointed to execute it were affronted, and the confederate government was treated with utter disobedience. On the evening of 20 August, the heralds of Ormond's peace came to Limerick. The gates were shut against them. The next day they were allowed in. The herald at arms, vested in the coat of his office, attended by John Bourke, the mayor, the aldermen, and some principal citizens, began to proclaim the peace. A vote in its favor had been carried by the mayor and aldermen the day before. The people resolved to resist. The clergy exhorted them, having published censures decreed by the Nuncio and the congregation at Waterford a few days before. Under Dominick Fanning and the Reverend Father Wolf, a Dominican friar, the crowd gathered at the High Cross. In the midst of 500 armed citizens, Father Wolf fulminated excommunication against the peace's adherents. The people fell suddenly on the herald. They flung stones at him, at Bourke the mayor, and all the aldermen about him, and all those of the better sort who countenanced the action. Having scattered their ranks with so unexpected a volley, the wounded herald tore his coat of arms from his shoulders. They beat the mayor and some of the aldermen, without respect for their scarlet robes or badges of magistracy, and drove them for shelter into the next door that stood open. Soon after, amid the acclamations of the crowd, without any charter or ancient custom, they chose Dominick Fanning as mayor. A few days later, the Nuncio wrote thanking him for his obedience to the decrees and his zeal for the Catholic cause.

52. Sword fight at Bank Place under martial law in Limerick

    Bank Place · street · Limerick

    Colonel Vereker witnessed a servant of Mrs. Ross-Lewin being scourged while tied to a cart at Bank Place in Limerick during martial law. He remonstrated with the commanding officer, drew his sword, and a fight ensued in which the officer was run through the body.

    Read the passage

    The late Lord Gort was a brave man, and therefore a kind-hearted and generous man. On one occasion, while crossing Bank-place, in Limerick, he saw a crowd and heard " the human groan assailing the wearied ear of humanity." On approaching the crowd he recognized the servant of Mrs. Ross-Lewin, fastened to a cart and cruelly scourged by the direction of an officer who was by. (The city being then under martial law.) Colonel Vereker, who was also in uniform, remonstrated with the officer, who instantly ordered an additional measure of punishment to be administered to the wretch in consequence of his patron's interference on his behalf. Colonel Vereker already disgusted with the brutal conduct of the officer, was not the man to brook such an insult. Desiring him to defend himself, he drew his sword. A terrible battle ensued, but it was not of long duration. In a few moments the officer lay weltering in his blood ; run through the body by Vereker 's sword.

    Daniel O'Connell and the late Lord Gort always differed in politics ; but O'Connell respected Lord Gort's high and honorable character, and felt grateful to him for the good part he had enacted in opposing the Union, and it is a curious fact that the above anecdote might never have founS its way into print, had it not been related by O'Connell in a speech which he delivered in Limerick, for the purpose of damaging Colonel Vereker's political influence in that citv, which he then represented. He, however, carefully avoided, at the same time, the least expression

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 237

53. Trial and execution of Neville and Fitzgibbon for murder

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1823

    At the County of Limerick assizes in 1823, Patrick Neville and James Fitzgibbon were tried for the murder of Richard Going, Esq., defended by Daniel O'Connell and other leading counsel. They were found guilty and executed on 14 March, with Fitzgibbon suffering badly due to the executioner's inexpertness.

    Read the passage

    cause of the temporary decline may be discerned in the overwhelming miseries which befel the agricultural classes, on whom, in a great measure, the prosperity of the city had always depended. These classes, at this time, were suffering from various causes, and particularly from the fall m prices, the exactions of the tithe system, the oppressions of middle-men who were dying out, and the great changes which had come over the country since the declaration of peace. The Corporation, too, was rapidly on the wane. At the Spring assizes of this year (1823) there were only nineteen names on the City Grand Jury; and among those was the name of Denis O'Brien, Esq. of Newcastle, a Catholic gentleman of fortune, for the first time. At the County of Limerick assizes, a trial of considerable importance and of deep interest took place, that of Patrick Neville and James Fitzgibbon for the mm-der of Eichard Gomg, Esq. They were ably defended by Daniel O'Connell and other leading Counsel. They were, however, found guilty, and on the 14th of March were executed. Eitzgibbon, who is represented to have been a hardened culprit, suffered much owing to the inexpertness of the executioner. The north hberties of Limerick continued to be greatly disturbed by nightly insurgents : houses were set on fire, among others the house of one Allen, a respectable farmer, who lost fourteen cows on this occasion, and the blaze of incendiarism was seen to arise from many other rooftrees during some months. A retui-n to Parbament was now made of the yeomanry corps in the four Provinces,— an inefficient and at all periods a partizan force. The total was 30,753, thus distributed :— In Lemster, 5,915. In Ulster, 20,131.

    In Connaught, 2,356. In Munster, 2,351.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 262

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up on Limerick now. In the spring assizes of 1823, this city had only nineteen names on the City Grand Jury, and among them, for the first time, was Denis O'Brien of Newcastle, a Catholic gentleman of fortune. But it was at the County of Limerick assizes that year that a trial of considerable importance and deep interest took place. Patrick Neville and James Fitzgibbon were tried for the murder of Richard Going, Esq. They were ably defended by Daniel O'Connell and other leading counsel. They were found guilty, and on the 14th of March they were executed. Fitzgibbon, who was represented to have been a hardened culprit, suffered much owing to the inexpertness of the executioner. After the executions, the north liberties of Limerick continued to be greatly disturbed by nightly insurgents. Houses were set on fire, among them the house of one Allen, a respectable farmer, who lost fourteen cows on the occasion. The blaze of incendiarism was seen to arise from many other rooftrees during some months. A return to Parliament was now made of the yeomanry corps in the four provinces, an inefficient and at all periods a partisan force. The total was 30,753, distributed thus: in Leinster 5,915, in Ulster 20,131, in Connaught 2,356, in Munster 2,351.

54. Waterloo charger retired to Cahirguillamore paddock

    Cahirguillamore · townland · Limerick · 1815

    After the occupation of Paris, Colonel O'Grady brought his white charger—who had saved his life at Genappe by leaping a ditch—to Cahirguillamore, where a rich paddock was allotted to the horse for life. The horse never attempted a second leap, before or after.

    Read the passage

    position of Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, with the consequent rank of full Colonel. A singular circumstance occurred at Genappe. The French soldiery charged the 7th Hussars -with an irresistible and powerful body of lancers. Opposition on the part of O'Grady and his war-worn followers was evidently useless, and the only chance of safety lay in getting into a field at the side of the road, from which it was separated by a ditch full of mud and water, nearly three feet wide, and a bank at the other side, four feet high. O'Grady rode a beautiful white charger, steady in battle as a rock, and implicitly obedient to his master's voice. But never since the horse" was foaled had threat or bribe been sufficient to make him cross the most footy fence. Meanwhile, the French lancers approached rapidly ; a rush was made at the fence. Most of the horses took the leap in good English style ; and O'Grady's horse took it the most gallantly of all ! Those who failed to cross the fence were butchered by the French. Colonel O'Grady, after the occupation of Paris, brought over the charger to whom he owed his life to Cahir- Guillamore, where a rich paddock was allotted to him for life. Efforts were often made by the young men of the family to compel the charger to jump some trifling thing, such as a stump of a tree, &c. But all to no purpose— the faithful charger made but the one leap in his life, _ and thereby saved his gallant master from a French lance — a second leap he never tried, either before or after. Lieut.-Colonel O'Grady shortly afterwards retired on half-pay, as the forty years' peace opened but few prospects for military promotion. He married in the year 1828 Gertrude, daughter of the Hon. Berkeley Paget, and niece of the Marquis of Anglesea, the Usbridge of Waterloo, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, by whom he had a numerous family. On the death, in 1840, of his father, the Chief Baron, who had been created a Viscount in 1831, Lieut.-Col. O'Grady succeeded to the title and estates as second Viscount Guillamore.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 276

55. Women of Limerick defend the city with stones and broken bottles

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    The women of Limerick played a celebrated role in repelling the Williamite assault of 27 August 1690, hurling stones and broken bottles at the besiegers and urging on husbands, sons, and brothers. Crowds of enraged heroines rushed from Palmerstown, Mungret Lane, Curry's Lane, Emly Lane, Barrack Street, Tumbling Lane, Creagh Lane, Fish Lane, Churchyard Lane, and the Great Street of the English town to swell the ranks of the Irish soldiers.

    Read the passage

    of tlie coveted city, the capture of whicli was to place the crown permanently on the head of William, who in person commanded the besieging host ! Picture the garrison — worn out by constant watching — j^inched by irremediable hunger — the victim to every species of privation; subject to treachery within — swayed, however, by the never flinching courage of Sarsfield, and holding out against all odds ! Imagine the wan and wasted figures of those maids and matrons who, forgetful of the gentler influences which reign predominant in the female breast, lost for the moment the amenities of their natiu-e, wild with the excitement of battle — and nerving their arms to hurl death on the heads of the most odious foemen that ever challenged an oppressed and outraged people to combat. On, on the crowds rushed from every contiguous lane and alley — from Palmerstown, from Mungret Lane, from Curry's Lane, across Baud's Bridge from all the streets and lanes ; from Emly Lane, Barrack Street, Tumbling Lane, &c. of the English town, which had never, even in Ireton''s cruel time, been witness to a scene so bloody and so awful as that which was enacted on the ever memorable evening of the 27th of August, 1690. Creagh Lane, Fish Lane, and Churchyard Lane ; the " Great Street,^'' and every other street, gave out their crowds of enraged heroines, who, armed with whatever weapon fury supphed, swelled the ranks of the Irish soldiers, who now fully restored to nerve and vigour, and with the cry, which in a few years, afterwards, made the English pale in the fields of Fontenoy and Cremona, of Steenkirke and Dettingen they drove terror into the coward hearts of the retreating Dutchmen, Huguenots, and Danes, as they endeavoured to run from the streets over the walls, through the breach back to their trenches ! Broken bottles was a favorite weapon with the women. But few, comparatively few of William's army lived to make their escape from the city. — Wniiam, all the time, was viewing from Cromwell^s fort, the events of that to him, most disastrous evening ! The afternoon had cleared up ; the sun, in the west, invested with a crimson glory, gave a deUghtful tinge to the foliage of the old woods of Cratloe. The scene beyond the city was one calculated to challenge the admiration of the painter, whilst the ruin and havoc of war blended with those elements of tranquil rural attractiveness which nature profusely shed over the more distant outlines of the landscape, constituting a picture to which Claude Lorraine only could do justice. A shout of victory arose from the besieged, as they hurled from the walls the last remnant of the beaten Dutch battalions. But there was more yet to be done. Those mines which Sarsfield had planned had not as yet been set to work — but the opportunity was speedily to arrive ! Dr. MoUeneux says that^Hhey sprung a mine in the Ditch with but little efiect." Dean Storey does not say a syllable about the Ditch or anywhere else. — * Harris more truthful — tells us, that " during the heat of the engagement a detachment of the Brandenburgh regiment got on the enemy's Black Battery, the powder by accident took fire, and blew up numbers.'"'^ No. There was no accident: It was all intended in the well-weighed and artistically planned calculations of Sarsfield. Molleneux admits that there was a " mine in the ditch :" no doubt of it ; and there were mines, in numbers, wherever it was imagined that one could be of use.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 136

    As the companion tells it

    On the 27th of August 1690, the road brings you through Limerick, a city that held out against William's besieging army in a siege that lives on for what its women did. The garrison was worn out, hungry, stretched to every limit, but held firm under Sarsfield. The women of the city forgot gentler instincts and rushed into the fighting. Crowds of them poured from every lane and alley: from Palmerstown, from Mungret Lane, from Curry's Lane, across Baud's Bridge, from Emly Lane, Barrack Street, Tumbling Lane, Creagh Lane, Fish Lane, and Churchyard Lane. The Great Street of the English town gave up its crowds too. They came armed with whatever fury supplied. Broken bottles were a favourite weapon with the women. They hurled stones and glass at the besiegers and swelled the ranks of the Irish soldiers. The soldiers, restored to nerve and vigour, drove the retreating Dutchmen, Huguenots, and Danes back through the breach and over the walls. Comparatively few of William's army lived to escape the city. William himself watched from Cromwell's fort as the afternoon cleared and the sun went down. A shout of victory arose from the besieged as they hurled the last of the beaten Dutch battalions from the walls. Then Sarsfield's mines were set to work. A Brandenburgh regiment got onto the enemy's Black Battery, and the powder blew up numbers of them. The book calls it accident, but says it was no accident: it was all intended, well weighed and artistically planned by Sarsfield.

56. Assassination of Teige, son of Brian Boru

    Thomond · street · Dublin · 1023

    In 1023, Teige, son of Brian Boru, was treacherously murdered by the Deisi at the instigation of his brother Donogh, who had recently been defeated by Teige in the part of Thomond east of the Shannon. The death of King Malachy the previous year may have prompted the fratricide to remove Donogh's obstacle to the throne.

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    The umiatural feud between Teigue and Donogh, the sons of Brian, is the principal event in the history of Limerick from the battle of Clontarf to the murder of the elder of these princes. This latter treacherous act which took place in 1023, is ascribed by the Pour Masters^ to the Edi, and is expressly said to have been perpetrated at the instigation of Donogh, who had recently sustained a defeat at the hands of liis brother in the pjart of Thomond on the eastern side of the Shannon. The pre\dous year 1022 had witnessed the death of the illustrious ]\Ialachy, successor of Brian in the monarchy, which may have probably suggested the idea of the fratricide as a means of removing the principal obstacle between Donogh and the throne of Tara.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 17

    As the companion tells it

    Along here in Thomond, in 1023, Teige, son of Brian Boru, was treacherously murdered. The Four Masters ascribe the act to the Deisi, and say it was done at the instigation of his brother Donogh. Donogh had recently been defeated by Teige in the part of Thomond east of the Shannon. The feud between the two sons of Brian is the principal event in the history of Limerick between the battle of Clontarf and this murder. The previous year, 1022, had seen the death of Malachy, successor of Brian in the monarchy. That death may have suggested the fratricide as a means of removing the principal obstacle between Donogh and the throne of Tara.

57. Assault on Thomond Bridge and gate during siege of Limerick

    Thomondgate · street · Limerick

    Ginkle's grenadiers attacked the fortifications covering Thomond Bridge, driving the Irish defenders out of Thomond Gate and across the bridge. A French major raised the drawbridge, abandoning the Irish to their enemies, resulting in hundreds killed and drowned, with the dead piled higher than the parapets.

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    and the Irish retiring until they had got under their cannon. Then all Ginkle's grenadiers commanded by Tiffin^ Hudson^ and Major Noble, sustained by Kirk's, Tiffins's, St. John's, and Lord George Hamilton's regiments, were commanded to advance, and attack the works that covered Thomond bridge, being one fort to the right above musket shot from the bridge, another on the left somewhat nearer, besides several natural fortifications of stone quarries and gravel pits, in all which the Irish had posted a detachment out of eighteen regiments, of about eight hundred men each. The dispute was hot at first, the cannon playing from the King's Castle, and two or three more batteries, as also small shot from the walls ; the attack seemed hazardous, when the EngHsh were ordered not to approach so near the city as they did afterwards. However, the Irish being now pressed upon by the grenadiers, quitted their first posts, and were then reinforced by other detachments ; but the grenadiers pushed onwards. Thomond Gate was held by about 850 Irish; these were driven out and across the bridge, when a French major in command at the drawbridge, ordered it to be raised, and left his friends exposed to the fury of their enemies. Colonels Skelton, Hurley, and Dempsey, Major NeviUe (Aid Major of Limerick) Major French, 22 officers and 97 men were made prisoners ; but all the rest slain, 154 being drowned, and the others killed on the bridge, where the dead were in heaps higher than the parapets. i Harris^ gives a letter of Lord Westmeath, vindicating Colonel Lutterel from the charge of having betrayed his duty at Limerick, with notes of his own sho'uing that Lutterel must have done some great favor to Wilham III. from the demands he afterwards made, and which were complied with.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 144

    As the companion tells it

    Along here, during the siege of Limerick, Ginkle's grenadiers attacked the works that covered Thomond Bridge. The grenadiers were commanded by Tiffin Hudson and Major Noble, sustained by Kirk's, Tiffin's, St. John's, and Lord George Hamilton's regiments. They were ordered to advance against two forts, one to the right above musket shot from the bridge, another on the left somewhat nearer, besides several natural fortifications of stone quarries and gravel pits. The Irish had posted a detachment out of 18 regiments, of about 800 men each. The dispute was hot at first. Cannon played from the King's Castle and two or three more batteries, with small shot from the walls. The attack seemed hazardous. The Irish, pressed upon by the grenadiers, quitted their first posts and were reinforced by other detachments, but the grenadiers pushed onwards. Thomond Gate was held by about 850 Irish. They were driven out and across the bridge. Then a French major in command at the drawbridge ordered it to be raised, and left his friends exposed to the fury of their enemies. Colonels Skelton, Hurley, and Dempsey, Major Neville, Aid Major of Limerick, Major French, 22 officers and 97 men were made prisoners. All the rest were slain. 154 were drowned, and the others killed on the bridge, where the dead were in heaps higher than the parapets.

58. Birthplace of Catherine Hayes, opera singer

    Patrick Street · street · Limerick

    Madame Catherine Hayes, the renowned opera singer known as 'the Swan of Erin,' was born at No. 4 Patrick Street, Limerick. She achieved worldwide fame as Prima Donna at the Royal Opera House of San Carlo, Milan, and sang across Europe, America, and Australia before dying in London in 1861.

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    The pages of this work teem with proofs of the existence in every age of eminent natives of Limerick, which has given prelates to the Church, statesmen to the cabinet, warriors to the field, writers in several branches of literature, including philosophy, divinity, history, romance, etc., etc. ; chemists, naturalists, poets, and painters. The index shows where their names appear throughout the preceding pages, and it is not necessary that they should be recapitulated here. Suffice it to say, that in arts and arms, in literature and science, in music and in song, Limerick has had no superior amongst the provincial cities of Ireland; and that it continues to uphold the well won fame for which it has been through so many generations preeminently distinguished. As to Gerald Griffin, we have already referred with honour to his splendid fame. Amongst the most eminent of Limerick men, mention should be made of the late Major General Sir Richard Bourke, K.C.B., of Thornfields, whose administration as governor of New South Wales, to which he was appointed in 1831, forms, according to the work of K. Terry, Esq., late one of the judges of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, " the brightest page in the annals" of that colony, and whose name has been held in merited honour there. In his early military career, he was severely wounded in action in Spain and Flanders. The late Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart., of Curraghchase, was an exquisite poet, the author of Mary Tudor, a Lamentation of Ireland, Julian the Apostate, and other poems and dramas. His son Aubrey De Vere, Esq., is also an elegant poet, whose applications abound in the most patriotic and truly Catholic sentiments. In song, and as an actress, the late Madame Catherine Hayes, who was born in the house. No. 4 Patrick Street, Limerick, was one of the most eminent of her time, her fame having extended all over the world. She was Prima Donna at the Royal Opera House of San Carlo, Milan. She sang and acted not only in the principal capitals of Europe, but in those of America, California, Australia, etc. In London and Dublin she was a deserved favourite, whilst in the city of her birth her popularity was unbounded. She was called " the Swan of Erin " ; and having realised a large fortune by her wonderful voice, she lived respected and esteemed, and died in London* on the 11th of August, 1861, having bequeathed her riches to George John Power, Esq , of the county of Waterford. George Osborne, son of an organist of the Protestant Cathedral, of same name, went early in life to Paris and studied under the first masters, and distinguished himself as a public performer and composer. He had to leave with all the English residents in Paris after the Revolution of 1848. Mr. Osborne materially assisted in forwarding Catherine Hayes as an artist when she first visited Paris in 1844. Of remarkable persons to whom no reference has been already made the following namea occur; —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 453

    As the companion tells it

    Along this street, at number 4 Patrick Street, Catherine Hayes was born. She became one of the most eminent singers and actresses of her time, her fame spreading across the world. She was Prima Donna at the Royal Opera House of San Carlo, Milan. She sang and acted in the principal capitals of Europe, and in America, California, and Australia. In London and Dublin she was a deserved favourite, and in the city of her birth her popularity was unbounded. People called her "the Swan of Erin." She realised a large fortune by her wonderful voice, lived respected and esteemed, and died in London on the 11th of August, 1861, having bequeathed her riches to George John Power, Esq, of the county of Waterford. When she first visited Paris in 1844, a man named George Osborne materially assisted in forwarding her as an artist. Osborne was the son of an organist of the Protestant Cathedral, also named George Osborne. He had gone early in life to Paris and studied under the first masters, and distinguished himself as a public performer and composer. He had to leave Paris with all the English residents there after the Revolution of 1848. Limerick has given prelates to the Church, statesmen to the cabinet, warriors to the field, writers, chemists, naturalists, poets, and painters. In music and in song, the book says, Limerick has had no superior among the provincial cities of Ireland.

59. British retreat from Castlebar to Tuam

    Tuam · town · Galway · 1798

    After the disastrous defeat at Castlebar, British troops retreated in panic, reaching Tuam thirty miles away on the same night, and continued further towards Athlone, with Carbeneers covering 63 miles in 27 hours.

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    But it is important, in duly estimating the gallant conduct of the Limerick regiment at Colooney, to bear in remembrance the bad example shown them by a vastly superior force, consisting in a great measure of regular troops, fully armed and well supplied with every requisite. So complete was the defeat at Castlebar, that " although no attempt to follow them was made, a panic seemed still to operate on the troops, who retreated so quickly, as to reach the town of Tuam, thirty mUes from the scene of action, on the night of the same day, and renewing their march they retired still further towards Athlone, where an officer of Carbineers with sixty of his men arrived at one o'clock on Tuesday, the 29th, having performed a march of G3 miles, the distance between Athlone and Castlebar, in twenty-seven hours."* Hence the name, "the races of Castlebar" — The Carbineers were shortly afterwards disbanded. The Artillery taken in this disgraceful defeat consisted of 14 pieces, of which four were curricle guns. " It is almost impossible, "says Maxwell," to conceive anything more disgraceful and unaccountable than the defeat of the Royalist army at Castlebar. The spirit of the troops was excellent, and with a superior Cavalry and Artillery — the latter particularly well served — the contest should not have lasted ten minutes. But Humbert's estimate of the British commanding officers will give a key to the secret of their defeat — " I met," he said, when asked to give up his sword to the Marquis of Cornwallis, " I met many generals in Ireland, but the only soldier among them was Colonel Vereker."f

    An authentic letter was received from Dublin, mentioning that the General-in-Chief of the French Army (Humbert) made public mention of the gallantry of the City Limerick Militia Regiment.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 237

60. Carrigogunnel Castle: description, 1690 siege and destruction

    Carrigogunnel · townland · Limerick · 1690

    Carrigogunnel Castle, four miles SW of Limerick on an abrupt limestone rock, was one of the largest castles in Ireland, ascribed to the O'Brien family. In 1690 it was garrisoned by 150 Jacobite men but surrendered without resistance to Major General Scravenmore, and was subsequently blown up with gunpowder as a tenable position.

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    ' Carrigogunnel Casti-e. — This Castle is four miles distant from Limerick, to the S.W., bordering on the demesne of Tervoe, the residence of the Eight Hon. Wm. Monsell, M.P. Mr. Crofton Croker, in his Antiquarian Eesearches in the South of Ireland, says it is one of the largest castles he remembers to have seen in Ireland. It stands on an abrupt limestone rock,* and commands an extensive view, across the Shannon, of the County Clare, and the low grounds termed " Corcass Land," which form the banks of the river. Its building is ascribed to the O'Brien family. Through stipulation and treachery it was lost more than once by the followers of the Earl of Desmond, and those sent to reduce him and the countrj'. At the Siege of Limerick, in 1690, it was garrisoned by 150 men, adherents of James II., but surrendered without resistance to Major General Scravenmore, " the leaving these detachments in such places," observes Dean Story, in his History of the Civil Wars, " being very unaccountable, since they had a mind to defend them no better." The castle was deemed so tenable a position that it was considered expedient to destroy it, and it was accordingly blown up, together with Castle Connell. Dean Story received the very large sum of £160 for the purchase of gunpowder to ruin those fortresses. The dilapidated ruins tell the effects of the explosion. Immense fragments of the walls and towers lie scattered around in picturesque confusion. " It is a matter of difficulty," adds Mr. Croker, " to trace the original plan." Xear this Castle Charles Johnson, the author of Chrj'sal, or the Adventures of a Guinea, and other works, was born in 1719, and received his education from the excellent teacher, the Rev. R. Cashin, who was superior of the Limerick Protestant Diocesan School in the early part of the last century.

    The Vol. 1425 of the Harleian MSS. contains the following pedigree of " O'Brien of Carry- Connell, in the Countie of Limericke."

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 47