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. Whiteboys dig up twelve acres in Kilfinane parish

   Kilfinane · town · Limerick

   Whiteboy insurgents spread a reign of terrorism across Munster, digging up land and burning barns. In one night in the parish of Kilfinane, County Limerick, they dug up twelve acres belonging to a Mr. Maxwell, as part of their campaign against enclosures and landholders who refused to let land to the poor.

   Read the passage

   and submission wliicli were due to tlie king, by raising unnecessary scruples in the minds of the people, and sowing the seeds of dissension on points on which, from their religion and gratitude, they ought to be firmly united. Than the great work of Dr. Thomas de Burgo, which is a wonderful combination of facts and documents connected with the ecclesiastical history of Ireland, exhibiting an unequalled amount of industry, patience, research, and learning, there has never been published a work of more inestimable value to the student of Irish Church history. That Dr. Butler and the other bishops condemned it, was a source of pain in many quarters ; but the real cause of its condemnation by this provincial meeting was, as stated by His Grace the most Rev. Dr. Butler himself, in his Justification of the Tenets of the Roman Catholic Religion, that the Hibernia Dominicana violently reprobated a similar oath of allegiance to the above, required by an act of 1756-7. Indeed, Dr. O'Kearney sustained in his own person strong ideas on the conduct of the government of the day. He would not cause to be read a certain printed form, which was forwarded from the Castle of Dublin, and which ordered on the part of the Catholics of Ireland a general fast to J)e observed throughout the kingdom on the 12th of March, 17(32, " to beseech the God of Hosts to bless his Majesty, his officers, and his troops, and to inspire and direct his councils to grant a glorious and a happy conclusion to this war, and that a solid, lasting, and advantageous peace may restrain the effusion of Christian blood". He did not admit that directions about observing a fast should come from the secular power, and he deemed it an infringement on the spiritual authority, permitting only so much of the printed form to be read as he thought proper, and omitting as much of it as contained an exhortation to the people to observe the fast " exactly according to the tenor of the proclamation for that purpose". Dr. O'Kearney stoutly and vehemently opposed the movements, the aggressions, and the violences at the same time of the Levellers and the Whiteboys, who to the number of some thousands, levelled what they said were encroachments on commons, wherever these encroachments existed, dug up the lay rich grounds of those who did not let out land to the poor for tillage, burned barns and haggards, and by degrees spread a reign of terrorism over Munster, doing great mischief in the counties of Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork, as also in the county of Limerick, where they dug up, in one night, in the parish cf Kilfinane, twelve acres of land which belonged to a ]\'Ir. Maxwell.' The bishop issued directions to all the parish priests to exert themselves, and to speak boldly against these aggressions, in which, however, Protestants were the chief actors, and into the causes of which the government at once sped an inquiry, with a view to redress any real grievance ; but to put down and to punish crime at the same time, a commission of Oyer and Terminer sat in Limerick on the 31st of May, when, on oath of one Joseph Prestage, a Protestant, who became king s evidence, several of those whom he admitted in his evidence he had compelled to perpetrate these outrages, and whom he had furnished with arms for that purpose, were found guilty, and two of them, viz., one Banniard, a Protestant, and one Carthy, were condemned to death for killing cattle. William Fant, a Protestant, who began the troubles, was condemned to two years' imprisonment and a fine of £50, while

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 359

2. William III retreats to Singland after defeat at Limerick

   Singland · townland · Limerick · 1690

   After the failed assault on Limerick in August 1690, William retired to Singland, where he slept uneasily, having drunk heavily, and cursed the fate that brought him to witness a defeat he compared unfavourably to his victory at the Boyne.

   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

   Somewhere close to Singland, William the Third spent the night after his failed assault on Limerick in August 1690. The attack had gone badly. The Brandenburgh regiment, his countrymen, swarmed the Black Battery, and the Irish let them crowd onto the walls before the mine beneath them erupted. The ground rocked, chasms opened, and men were blown into the air. Dean Storey wrote that when the soldiers drew off, some were brought up dead, some without a leg, others without arms, some blinded with powder. Many of the Brandenburghers, he said, looked like furies. A Mr. Upton got into the town among the Irish and surrendered himself to the governor. Bedloe, a deserter from the Irish army where he held the rank of captain, went over to William and obtained equal rank there. William saw in an instant the game was up. That night he slept uneasily at Singland. He had not retired before he drenched himself thoroughly with the strong drinks he loved so dearly. Dreams disturbed his soul. He cursed the fate which brought him to Limerick to witness, in the source's words, a defeat unparalleled in the annals of warfare. None of his generals dared approach him. Tortured and maddened, he cast blame on all about him. As he weighed the advantages of the Boyne against the losses and disgrace at Limerick, he groaned in spirit.

3. Williamite convoy encamps near Ballyneety

   Ballyneety · townland · Limerick · 1690

   Sarsfield's scouts reported that William's artillery and ammunition train was en route to Limerick and would encamp for the night near the hill of Ballyneety, a remarkable conical eminence visible from a great distance, about 14 miles from Limerick.

   Read the passage

   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

4. 1702 conspiracy plot against Catholics of Limerick

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1702

   In 1702, three informers claimed that Catholics of Limerick had conspired to raise an army for the Pretender. Major Geoffrey Keating, Counsellor Ronan, and Thomas Arthur, merchant, were arrested on sworn depositions, sent under dragoon escort to Dublin, tried, and acquitted for lack of evidence. The author characterizes the plot as fabricated by persecutors targeting respectable citizens because they were Catholics.

   Read the passage

   As if to allay popular excitement, previous to these events, the statute of 1697, against Popish Bishops, Dignitaries, and Eegulars, had been recently repealed ; but the full force of a storm which only slumbered for a short season, soon fell on the devoted heads of the CathoHcs of Limerick. Plots were hatched in which innocent men were involved for crimes Avhich existed only in the wicked imaginations of then: unscrupulous persecutors. In 1702, throe abandoned ruffians — and the more abandoned, the more acceptable to the authorities of the day — gave information that the Catholics of Limerick had engaged in a conspiracy to raise an army to support the claims of " the Pretender,^-' to the English crown. Three gentlemen of eminence and worth, were summarily arrested on the sworn depositions of these perjured villains ; Major Geoffrey Keating, Counsellor Eonan, and Mr. Thomas Arthur, merchant, were literally dragged from their peaceful pursuits, sent off to Dublin, under a strong escort of dragoons, tried, and rather strange to write, acquitted.^ There was not a breath of evidence adduced against them ; but the accusation and the noise were quite sufficient for the hateful purposes of those who had concocted this accusation against irreproachable citizens merely because they were Catholics.

   On the 21st of September, same year. Parliament met, when the Duke of Ormonde, as Lord Lieutenant spoke, and told them that " they should make such other laws as were wanting for the Establishment of the Protestant religion, and the welfare of the kingdom.'^ He also spoke of the necessity of providing such fortifications " as would much conduce to the safety of the kingdom, and particularly at Limerick.'''' The Bill against the growth of Popery was passed into a law. A book called " The Memoirs of King James II.''' pubHshed by Brocas and Malone, in Dublin, was ordered

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 169

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, the city carries a story from 1702, when a fabricated plot was hatched against its Catholics. The statute of 1697 against Popish bishops, dignitaries, and regulars had been recently repealed, as if to calm popular feeling, but the calm did not last. In 1702, three informers gave word that the Catholics of Limerick had conspired to raise an army to support the claims of the Pretender to the English crown. Three gentlemen of eminence were arrested on their sworn depositions. Major Geoffrey Keating, Counsellor Ronan, and Thomas Arthur, a merchant, were dragged from their peaceful pursuits and sent off to Dublin under a strong escort of dragoons. They were tried, and acquitted. There was not a breath of evidence against them. The accusation alone had been enough for those who concocted it against irreproachable citizens, merely because they were Catholics. On the 21st of September that same year, Parliament met. The Duke of Ormonde, as Lord Lieutenant, spoke and told them they should make such other laws as were wanting for the establishment of the Protestant religion and the welfare of the kingdom. He also spoke of the need for fortifications that would conduce to the safety of the kingdom, and particularly at Limerick. The Bill against the growth of Popery was passed into law. A book called The Memoirs of King James the Second, published by Brocas and Malone in Dublin, was ordered.

5. Assassination of Colonel Henry Lutterel in Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1717

   Henry Lutterel, widely accused of treachery at Limerick and Aughrim, was assassinated in his sedan chair by a band of ruffians in Dublin on 22 October 1717 and died the next day. He had retired to his seat at Luttrelstown after King William's death.

   Read the passage

   Henry Lutterel was Governor of Sligo, Knight of the Shire for the county of Carlow, Colonel of a regiment of horse, and a Brigadier General before the revolution. Immediately before the battle of Aughrim every possible imputation was cast upon him by the Irish, and subsequently for his imputed treachery at Limerick. We find that almost after the siege he rose in high favour in the estimation of the English — "in 1702 he was appointed a Major General in the Dutch army with a Regiment ; and nominated to command on a military enterprbe of importance." But on the death of King William he " retired to his seat at Lutterelstown, where he chiefly resided until he was assassinated in his sedan chair by a band of rufiians in the city of Dublin, 22nd of October, 1717, and died the next day, October 23."* A letter of William Wogan,

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 144

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Dublin now. In October 1717 this city was where Colonel Henry Lutterel met his end. He had been Governor of Sligo, Knight of the Shire for Carlow, colonel of a regiment of horse, and a brigadier general before the revolution. The Irish cast every possible imputation on him before the battle of Aughrim, and afterwards for his imputed treachery at Limerick. Yet the English held him in high favour. In 1702 he was appointed a major general in the Dutch army with a regiment, nominated to command a military enterprise of importance. When King William died, Lutterel retired to his seat at Lutterelstown and chiefly resided there. Then on the 22nd of October 1717 a band of ruffians assassinated him in his sedan chair in Dublin. He died the next day, the 23rd of October.

6. Atrocities at New Bridge of Limerick during 1798 Rebellion

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1798

   The 1798 rebellion saw horrific scenes at the new bridge of Limerick, remembered with horror by survivors. The author compares these events to the atrocities committed at the old bridge of Wexford.

   Read the passage

   localities^ were soon apparent in tlie usual accompaniments of the avengers of the outraged laws, and not unfrequently on occasions when no law had been outraged. The Orange Institution played an important part in this reign of terror. The new bridge of Limerick like the old bridge of Wexford, was in this respect rendered remarkable, though not equally memorable by scenes which are still remembered with horror by some of the survivors of these atrocities — atrocities which Government might have prevented over the length and breadth of the land had they a will to do so, and had they not been anxious to utilise, if they did not actually create this rebelhon for the purpose of carrying the ill-omened Act of Union. ^

   One of the warmest contests for the representation of the city that had taken place uj) to 1897, signahsed that year. The election commenced on the 31st of July in that year, and ended on the 9th of August. The sheriffs were Messrs. Eobert Briscoe and Andrew Watson. The candidates were Colonel Charles Vereker, who was proposed by Colonel J. P. Smyth, seconded by Sir Yere Hunt, Bart. Thomas Maunsell, Esq., proposed by Captain Prancis Arthur (whose trial and persecution in 1798, we give in the note in the fullest detail) seconded by Alderman WiUiam Pitzgerald ; Henry Deane Grady, Esq., proposed by Sir Richard Quin, Bart., seconded by Sober Hall, Esq. ; Joseph Gabbett, Esq., proposed by Eyre Burton Powell, Esq., seconded by Ptobert Maunsell, Esq. Colonel Vereker was the

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 229

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, you are on ground marked by the 1798 rebellion. The new bridge of Limerick became a place of horror in that year, compared by the author to the old bridge of Wexford, which was already infamous for what happened there. The author calls it a reign of terror, and names the Orange Institution as playing an important part in it. He writes that these scenes are still remembered with horror by some of the survivors of these atrocities. The word atrocities is his own. He goes further than memory alone. He says Government might have prevented such things across the length and breadth of the land had they the will to do so. He suggests instead that Government was anxious to utilise the rebellion, if they did not actually create it, for the purpose of carrying the Act of Union. The new bridge of Limerick was rendered remarkable, though not equally memorable, by these scenes. The author's charge is plain: that the violence served a political purpose, and that those in power allowed it, or shaped it, toward the passing of that Act.

7. Barrington's Hospital and cholera relief

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1832–1865

   The Barrington family expended £10,000 building a hospital in Limerick, which by 1865 contained 45 beds. During the cholera morbus outbreak of 1832, the hospital proved of incalculable benefit to the citizens, and also served accident victims requiring immediate relief.

   Read the passage

   In seasons of severe epidemic, as at the outbreak of the cholera morbus in 1832, thehospital was of iucalculablebenefitto the citizens, as ithas been also in all cases of accidents, whenever immediate relief is demanded by the sufferer. It is supplied with a large board room in which there is a well painted portraitofthefounder,snrroundedby his sons,projectingthe charity. The Board Boom is furnished with surgical apparatus, a library for medical reference, and a remarkably well-executed picture of the Barrington family, founders of the Hospital, which was painted by Cregan, President of the Royal Hibernian Academy, There are two other pictures in the Hospital, one of the Good Samaritan, and the other, of Christ healing the Sick, which were painted by John Murphy, a young Limerick artist, and protegee of Sir Matthew Barrington, in London. It would be a great pity that so deservingan institution should decay orfail from want of spirited support. In addition to the hospital, the late Sir Matthew Barrington projected, and in 1837, built a Mont de Pi^te or charitable Pawn office, which while it existed gave relief by way of loan or pledge at a very moderate rate of interest. The Mont de Plete which was founded on the plan of those of the same name in Italy, France, Belgium, &c., has ceased since 1845, to have an existence as such; it is built in close proximity to the hospital, and is an object of architectural ornament to the city. Since 1847 it has been converted into a police barrack. Sir Matthew Barrington's intention in building the Mont de Piete was that the profits which he anticipated would arise from it, should be allocated to the exigencies of the hospital, which even in its incipiency did not meet with the support which it merited. He placed an active manager over the Montde Piete, but though debentures varying from £5 to £500, bearing interest at the rate of six per cent, were freely taken, by which its capital was created, it did not realise the sanguine expectations of its benevolent and enterprising founder. From 1837 to 1840, the gross profit was £3940 10s. 2|d. The total number of pledges received since the openingof the establishment up to March 19th, 1841,was4G0,S95; the amount lent on pledges in four years above stated was £78,595 9s. OJd. — theamount received forreleasedarticles,£71,0058s.7d. Sir MatthewBarrington had another design in establishingthis institution, namely that the humblerclasses whohave been in the habitoffrequentingpawn offices should not pay the higher rate of interest on loans which are charged in private establishments. In the palmiest days, however, of the Mont de Piete there ^ Now and since November, 1847, George's Quay Police Barrack.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 273

   As the companion tells it

   As you come through Limerick, you are passing the city where the Barrington family spent £10,000 building a hospital. By 1865 it held 45 beds. When the cholera morbus broke out in 1832, the hospital was of incalculable benefit to the citizens. It also served anyone brought in after an accident, whenever immediate relief was demanded. Inside, the board room held a portrait of the founder surrounded by his sons, painted by Cregan, President of the Royal Hibernian Academy. Two other pictures hung there, one of the Good Samaritan and one of Christ healing the Sick, both painted by John Murphy, a young Limerick artist and protegee of Sir Matthew Barrington, who painted them in London. The hospital did not meet with the support it merited, even in its early days. To help fund it, Sir Matthew Barrington built a Mont de Piété, a charitable pawn office, in 1837, standing close beside the hospital. It was modelled on institutions of the same name in Italy, France, and Belgium. The idea was twofold: the profits would go toward the hospital's needs, and the humbler classes who frequented pawn offices would not pay the higher rates charged in private establishments. Debentures from £5 to £500, bearing six per cent interest, were freely taken to create its capital. From 1837 to 1840 the gross profit was £3940, 10 shillings, and tuppence. By March 1841, the total number of pledges received since opening was 460,895. The amount lent on pledges in those four years was £78,595, 9 shillings, and a halfpenny. The amount received for released articles was £71,005, 8 shillings, and sevenpence. Despite these figures, the Mont de Piété did not realise Sir Matthew's expectations. It ceased to exist as such in 1845, and since November 1847 it has been George's Quay Police Barrack.

8. Bishop Bourscough unpopular for not residing in Limerick

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1725–1755

   Bishop William Bourscough, consecrated at Dunboyne in 1725, was described as a man of great learning and piety but became unpopular because he did not reside and spend his income in the city of Limerick. He died in 1755 and was buried at New Ross, County Tipperary.

   Read the passage

   1725 William Bourscough, D.D., an Englishman, educated at Wadham College, Oxford, became Chaplain to Lord Carteret, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and was made Dean of Lismore. He obtained this bishopric by patent dated June 16th, and was consecrated at Dunboyne in July following by the Archbishop of Armagh. He is described as a man of great learning and piety, a good preacher, of a tolerant and kindly disposition to persons of all persuasions, but unpopular because he did not reside and spend his income in the city.^ After filling the see thirty years, he died in 1755, and was buried on April 3rd, at his private seat. New Ross, in the county of Tipperary, in the eightieth year of his age [Mant] in a vault which he himself had made.*

   1755 James Leslie, D.D., a native of Kerry, became a Prebendary of Durham. He Avas made Bishop of Limerick by patent dated November 4th ; and was consecrated in St. AndreAv's Church, Dublin, on November 16th, by the

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 350

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, there is a story from the 1700s about a bishop who never really lived here. William Bourscough was an Englishman, educated at Wadham College, Oxford. He became chaplain to Lord Carteret, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and was made Dean of Lismore. He obtained the bishopric of Limerick by patent dated June 16, 1725, and was consecrated at Dunboyne the following month by the Archbishop of Armagh. He was described as a man of great learning and piety, a good preacher, tolerant and kindly to persons of all persuasions. But he became unpopular in Limerick because he did not reside in the city, nor spend his income here. After filling the see thirty years, he died in 1755, in the eightieth year of his age. He was buried on April 3rd at his private seat, New Ross, in the county of Tipperary, in a vault he had made himself.

9. Bishop John Quin's steadfastness to Catholic faith in Limerick

   Limerick · city · Limerick

   Bishop John Quin (or Coyn), brother of the ancestor of the Earl of Dunraven, was asserted in Henry VIII's state papers to have taken the oath with the mayor and citizens of Limerick, but evidence shows he remained steadfast to the Catholic faith.

   Read the passage

   Pnge=; 80, ."iTQ, 580. — In reference to Bishop John Coyn, or Quin (the brother of the ancestor of the Earl of Dunraven), we have given the fullest details to show that the venerable prelate ever clung with unabated attachment to the Catholic faith, notwithstanding the assertion made in the state papers of Henry VIII. (quoted at page 80), that he bad taken the oath, with the mayor and other citizens of Limerick. Dr. Moran, to whom ecclesiastical historical literature is so much indebted, has contributed a paper to the Irish Ecclesiastical Record, No. XIII.,* to prove that Dr. Quin had always remained steadfast to his principles, and furthermore that Hugh de Lacy's name is enrolled in the precious list of those "qui nunquam ab unitate sanctas mati'is Ecclesise deviaverunt", and tiiat he is described as " vir in fide Catholica constans, qui dum vocabatur a reginte Anglise commissariis, rogatus ut morigerum se in omnibus prseberet ipsi reginaj, hoc responsi dedit: Ununi agnosco in terris Ecctesiae siimmurn caput, eique et non alter obedienttam dare pollicitus sum, itaque nun quam a proposito desistaiH''.'\ Bruodin states that Hugh de Lacy was confined in Cork jail, and thence escaped to France during the reign of Edward VI. So great was the confidence of the Holy See in the prudence and devotedness of the zealou^s bishop, that Dr. Moran adds, " Episcopal faculties were expedited for him from Rome in 1575, and these faculties were given to him for the whole province of Cashel",

   Page 554. — In reference to the Liher Niger, or Black Book of Limerick, another copy of this valuable record has been made and has been presented to the Right Rev. Dr. Butler, Catholic Bishop of Limerick, by the Very Rev. Dr. Russell, President of Mayuooth College. This copy is admirably executed, and is bound in black morocco leather.

   Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 454

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Limerick, you are in the city where Bishop John Quin, also called Coyn, held firm to the Catholic faith. He was the brother of the ancestor of the Earl of Dunraven. The state papers of Henry VIII asserted that he had taken the oath, along with the mayor and other citizens of Limerick. But there is evidence against that claim. Dr. Moran, to whom ecclesiastical historical literature is so much indebted, contributed a paper to the Irish Ecclesiastical Record proving that Quin had always remained steadfast to his principles. The book gives him as a man constant in the Catholic faith. The record says that when he was called by the commissaries of the English queen and asked to comply in all things, his answer was that he acknowledged one head on earth, the supreme head of the Church, and to him alone had he promised obedience, and so he would never depart from his purpose. The text also mentions Hugh de Lacy, whose name is enrolled in the precious list of those who never swerved from the unity of holy mother Church, and who is described in the same terms. Bruodin states that Hugh de Lacy was confined in Cork jail and escaped to France during the reign of Edward VI. So great was the confidence of the Holy See in the prudence and devotedness of the zealous bishop, that Moran adds that episcopal faculties were expedited for him from Rome in 1575, and these faculties were given to him for the whole province of Cashel.

10. Bishop O'Dea's ornate crozier with statuettes

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1405

    Bishop Cornelius O'Dea's crozier, of silver gilt and weighing about 10 lbs, is ornamented with vine leaves and real pearls. It contains statuettes of the Blessed Virgin and Angel Gabriel within the curve, and six statuettes on the boss representing the Trinity, Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Patrick, and St. Munchin, patron saint of the diocese.

    Read the passage

    The crozler is of silver gilt, and ornamented round the curve with vine leaves and real pearls, and down the shafts with crowns and chased work. Within the curve are statuettes of the Blessed Virgin and the Angel Gabriel, and that of a dove over the former. This curve is supported by a pelican, with extended wings, feeding its yoimg ones. Beneath are the enamelled figures of five female saints and St. John the Evangelist. The crozler weighs about 10 lbs. The boss of the crozler exhibits six elegant statuettes under rich canopies of Edwardine architecture, and standing upon appropriate pedestals. These statuettes represent the Blessed Trmity, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Patrick, and St. Munchln, the patron saint of the diocese.

    Ricliard Warren, Waryer, or Warying. Of prebt'iKlaries, \\p to this period, we find only tlie names of: 1320, Ricliard Fort, Preb.of Kilbealcan; John de Bosworth, presented by the crown, September 10th, 134G, Preb. of Tullabrackey ; 1389, John Eyloward [Aylward], presented by the crown, September 20th, Freb. of Tullaghbrackey ; 1388, John de Karlell [Carlisle?], Preb. of EflBn— held.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 328

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the city holds a treasure from 1405, the crozier of Bishop Cornelius O'Dea. It is made of silver gilt and weighs about 10 lbs. Around the curve it is ornamented with vine leaves and real pearls, and down the shafts with crowns and chased work. Within the curve stand statuettes of the Blessed Virgin and the Angel Gabriel, with a dove above the Virgin. The curve itself is supported by a pelican, its wings spread wide, feeding its young. Beneath that are enamelled figures of five female saints and St. John the Evangelist. The boss of the crozier displays six elegant statuettes, each set under rich canopies of Edwardine architecture and standing on its own pedestal. These six represent the Blessed Trinity, the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Patrick, and St. Munchin, the patron saint of the diocese. Every figure on that staff was placed there for a reason, and together they tell the story of what Limerick's church held sacred.

11. Bishop of Killaloe captured at Quin by Ormond's forces

    Quin · town · Clare · 1646

    Dr. John O'Moloney, Bishop of Killaloe, raised a troop with a rendezvous at Quin after signing the excommunication against Ormond. Ormond sent Edward Wogan against them; the party was dispersed and the Bishop taken prisoner, though Ormond spared his life.

    Read the passage

    Dr. John O'Moloney, Bishop of Killaloe, was among the Bishops who attached his sign manual to this edict ; and well did he pay for his boldness, as we shall soon see. The synod of JamestoMn, before their breaking up, appointed a committee to act by their authority during the recess; and commissions were given out by this committee for levying soldiers, for which a rendevous was fixed at Ballintober. The Bishop of Killaloe had raised a troop and appointed a rendevous at Quin. Ormond sent Edward Wogan against them; the party was dispersed, the Bishop taken prisoner, and he would have been put to death had not Ormond saved him,'^ though he had signed and promulgated the excommunication. On this memorable occasion

    ' Cart«. ^ Cflrte,

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 94

12. Bishop Patrick Hely imprisoned at Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Bishop Patrick Hely, consecrated Bishop of Mayo by Pope Gregory, travelled to Ireland to minister to the faithful. Betrayed by the Countess of Desmond, his mission was made known to the Mayor of Limerick and he was cast into prison there.

    Read the passage

    On the day after this visit he departed for Limerick, which Bourchier describes as at this time the first city in Munster, in which, as there were many Catholics, Hely expected to gather good fruit in the vineyard of souls ; and there, his intended work and mission having been made knowTi to the Mayor, through the exertions of the Countess of Desmond, he was cast into prison. The enterprize was unquestionably a most perilous one, and the holy Bishop must have been perpetually aware of the snares which awaited him in a locality where destruction was prepared for the devoted sons of the Church. But he was so fiUed with love of his heavenly Father, as Father Bourchier observes, that he despised aU terrors. He Avas immediately transmitted from Lunerick to the town of Kilmalloch, where at that time the Deputy resided, and by his orders sentenced with his companion to death, without any other form, except the process of martial law. The Deputy, however, offered him fuU right and possession of his benefice, provided he would deny the faith and betray his whole business to him ; to which the bishop replied, that as regarded his faith, he would not part with it for the enjoyment of life and honors ; but as for the business on Avhich he had come, he said he came to discharge the episcopal function (which he had openly professed to do) and thereby to promote the cause of religion and effect the salvation of soids,

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 61

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Limerick, this is the city where Bishop Patrick Hely was imprisoned. Bourchier calls it the first city in Munster at that time. There were many Catholics there, and Hely expected to gather good fruit in the vineyard of souls. But the Countess of Desmond made his intended work and mission known to the Mayor, and through her exertions he was cast into prison. The enterprise was perilous. The holy Bishop must have been perpetually aware of the snares that awaited him in a locality where destruction was prepared for the devoted sons of the Church. But he was so filled with love of his heavenly Father, as Father Bourchier observes, that he despised all terrors. He was immediately sent from Limerick to the town of Kilmalloch, where the Deputy resided at that time. By the Deputy's orders he was sentenced with his companion to death, without any other form except the process of martial law. The Deputy offered him full right and possession of his benefice, provided he would deny the faith and betray his whole business. The bishop replied that as regarded his faith, he would not part with it for the enjoyment of life and honors. As for the business on which he had come, he said he came to discharge the episcopal function, which he had openly professed to do, and thereby to promote the cause of religion and effect the salvation of souls.

13. Brian Boru reduces the Danes of Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 975–1002

    While Malachy the Great was conquering the Danes of Dublin, Brian Boru was engaged in reducing the Danes of Limerick. Brian had avenged the murder of his brother Mahon by Ivor, King of the Limerick Danes.

    Read the passage

    Nearly at the same time that Malachy the Great was engaged in conquering the Danes of Dublin and the Islands, Brian Boru was successfully engaged in reducing the Danes of Lunerick. He had avenged the murder by Ivor, King of the Limerick Danes, of hisbrother Mahon, eldest son of Kennedy, and on the defeat of Molloy, slain at the battle of Ballagh Leachta,' he succeeded to the throne of Munster. Though the Danes at this time were nominal Christians, they refused to preach to the Saxons in England, which discreditable circumstance occasioned the dispatch of missions from lona, the monastic settlement of St Columkille. The Danes were so hatefid to the Irish, and reciprocated the feeling so thoroughly, that they avoided all religious intercourse with the Irish Church, and connected themselves with the See of Canterbury in England.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is the city where Brian Boru was reducing the Danes. Nearly at the same time that Malachy the Great was conquering the Danes of Dublin, Brian was successfully reducing the Danes of this city. Ivor, King of the Danes here, had murdered his brother Mahon, eldest son of Kennedy. Brian avenged that killing. After defeating Molloy at the battle of Ballagh Leachta, he succeeded to the throne of Munster. The Danes at this time were nominal Christians, but they refused to preach to the Saxons in England, which occasioned the dispatch of missions from Iona, the monastic settlement of St Columkille. The Danes were hateful to the Irish, and the Irish returned the feeling. They avoided all religious intercourse with the Irish Church and connected themselves with the See of Canterbury.

14. Captain Adolphus Vereker born at Roxborough

    Roxborough · townland · Limerick · 1833

    Captain Adolphus Vereker, fifth son of Viscount Gort and nephew of Colonel O'Grady, was born at Roxborough near Limerick in 1833. He went on to distinguished military service in the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny.

    Read the passage

    Captain Vereker was nephew of Colonel O'Grady, grandson of Colonel Vereker, of Colooney, and fifth son of the present Viscount Gort. He was born at Koxborough, near Limerick, in the year 1833. In March, 1855, he was appointed to an ensigncy in the 20th Regiment, and resigned, as a necessary consequence, an office he held in the Ordnance Department, and a lieutenant's commission in the 6th West York Militia. He shortly afterwards sailed for the Crimea, and was ordered to assist in the combined attack by the sea and land forces of the British and French against the Eussian fortress of Kinburn. He took his turn with the other officers in the fatigues and dangers of the trenches at Sebastopol, while he held at the same time the position of Captain in the land transport service. Of his services at this time, Ilarte states, in the Official Army List, " Captain Vereker, at the siege and fall of Sebastopol, from 3rd Sept. 1855, and also at the capture of Kinburn, 3fedal and Clasp— a TurJdsh medal:' At the close of the Crimean War he returned to England, where he was not destined to remain long, in consequence of the Indian revolt and mutiny. On landing in India, he was embodied with the " Selected Marksmen" of his regiment, who were generally employed on all occasions where a small European force was intended to operate with crushing effect against the hosts of the mutineers. The first serious engagement in which he took part was at Chauda where Brigadier Frankes* defeated a body of mutineers, 25,000 strong, with twenty-five guns. He took an active part in the battles of Umeerpore and Sultanpore, and the storming of the fort of Dhowraha, and a vast number of minor operations. He bore a distinguished part in many other important and perilous operations. In the despatches giving 'i? accounts of this long series of brOliant operations, Vereker's name will often be found mentioned in terms of the highest praise— a very rare thing in the case of a lieutenant. The following is the official statement in Harte's Army List of Vereker's services in the Indian insurrection •— " Served in the Indian Campaign of 1857—1859, with the selected marksmen of the regiment in the actions of Chauda, Umeerpore, Sultanpore, fort Dhowraha, seige and capture of Lucknow subsequent operations in Oude, and affairs at Churda ; fort of Musjeedia and Baukee, as adjutant to a detachment. Served as orderly officer to Colonel Corraick, commanding Gondii Column, in the operations in the trans-Gogra. in March and April, 1855, and was present at tlie

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 276

15. Captain Lidwell's flogging and reward proclamation at Limerick Market-house

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Captain Lidwell superintended the flogging of a person at the Market-house in Limerick and publicly proclaimed a reward of one to two hundred guineas for information against the late artillery corps. He also directed a Mr. John Connell to search for arms, alleging that members of the artillery corps had encouraged inhabitants to secrete them.

    Read the passage

    On Saturday the 2Cth of May, Captain Lidwell, who was superintending the flogging of some wretched being at the Market-house in Limerick, turned to the crowd that was collected on the occasion, and proclaimed a reward from one hundred to two hundred guineas, for any person who could inform against the late artillery corps. He then desired a Mr. John Connell to search for arms, adding that some of that (the artillery) corps had advised the inhabitants to secrete them. So direct an imputation on the artillery corps must have expounded Lieutenant-Colonel Cockell'a meaning, and have operated as a decisive hint for Mr. Arthur to flee the country had he been conscious of guilt ; as it was he regarded it as a shallow artifice to induce him to quit the city and avoid the disgrace of being arrested, when his retreat would have been called an attempt to abscond, and furnished a pretext for the plunder of his property. He treated the matter with contempt, little dreaming that his life would be imperilled. On the follomng Sunday, the 27th of May, Major-General Duff marched out of Limerick, and Major-General Edward Morrisson remained in command. On Tuesday, the 29th of May, while Mr. Arthur was at breakfast with his famil}', the Recorder, Mr. George Smyth, entered his house, and expressed a desire to speak to him in another room. No sooner had they withdrawn than the Recorder informed Mr. Arthur that he was arrested then and there, by order of Major-General Morrison. The Recorder produced no warrant; nor could Morrison issue any such order, Martial Law not ha^^ng been proclaimed at the time, nor had any information been laid or examination taken. The Kecorder demanded Mr. Arthur's keys which were delivered up. The Recorder called Jlrs. Arthur into the room and compelled her also to deliver up her keys to him. The Recorder immediately told Mrs. Arthur to quit her town house, for it would be forthwith occupied by soldiers. She remonstrated— but in vain — she and her children rotrented to the house of her father. The Secorder then scut lor Mr. Francis Lloyd, one of the slieiiifa of the city, into whose custody he

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 229

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the Market-house here was the scene of a grim episode on Saturday the 26th of May. Captain Lidwell was superintending the flogging of some wretched being there, and turned to the crowd that had gathered to proclaim a reward of 100 to 200 guineas for anyone who could inform against the late artillery corps. He then directed a Mr. John Connell to search for arms, saying that members of that corps had advised inhabitants to secrete them. A Mr. Arthur saw this as a shallow artifice to induce him to quit the city, so that his retreat could be called an attempt to abscond and furnish a pretext for plundering his property. He treated the matter with contempt, little dreaming his life would be imperilled. On Sunday the 27th of May, Major-General Duff marched out of Limerick, leaving Major-General Edward Morrison in command. On Tuesday the 29th, while Mr. Arthur was at breakfast with his family, the Recorder, Mr. George Smyth, entered his house and asked to speak to him privately. He told Mr. Arthur he was arrested then and there, by order of Major-General Morrison. The Recorder produced no warrant, and none could have been issued, since Martial Law had not yet been proclaimed and no information had been laid. He demanded Mr. Arthur's keys, then called in Mrs. Arthur and compelled her to hand over hers as well, telling her to quit the house because soldiers would occupy it forthwith. She remonstrated, but in vain, and she and her children retreated to the house of her father. The Recorder then sent for Mr. Francis Lloyd, one of the sheriffs of the city, into whose custody he gave the matter over.

16. Carew's jail delivery sessions in Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1600

    On 14 November 1600, Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, held sessions of jail delivery in Limerick. Several Irish people were condemned and executed.

    Read the passage

    1600 On the I4th of November in this year. Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, held a sessions of jail delivery iu Limerick, w'hen several of the Irish were condemned and executed (Hih. Pacata, p. 305).

    1601 Siege of Kinsale and overthrow of the Spaniards.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 405

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, in November 1600 this city saw Sir George Carew, Lord President of Munster, hold sessions of jail delivery on the 14th of the month. Several of the Irish were condemned and executed.

17. Cathedral chapter assembles at St. Nicholas's Church, Limerick (1272)

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1272

    On the death of Robert (O'Neill) of Emly in 1272, the cathedral chapter assembled at St. Nicholas's Church in Limerick on 3 November 1272. Before electing a bishop, they drew up and swore to a declaration of the rights and liberties of the chapter of Limerick, binding any future bishop-elect to confirm those rights.

    Read the passage

    On the death of Robert (O'Neill) of Emly, a.d. 1272, the chapter of the cathedral, consisting of Thomas of Wodeford — (we suppose) dean ; Thomas, precentor; G. Y. T., chancellor; Richard Brice, treasurer; Gerald, archdeacon; David of Cornwall, Henry Russell, Richard of Limerick, Nicholas of Wodeford, and John FitzHugh, canons — assembled together, on the 3rd of November, 1272, in St. Nicholas's Church, in Limerick, and previously to their proceeding to elect a bishop, drew up a declaration of the rights and liberties of the chapter of Limerick, which they confirmed by oath on the Holy Evangelists, and bound each one of them himself in the same oath, that if he chanced to be chosen Bishop of Limerick he would confirm the same rights and liberties by his authority, and procure the confirmation of them also, at the joint expense of himself and the chapter, by the Pope, which if the bishop delayed to comply with, he was to be branded with the infamy of perjury, and the dean and canons who abided by their oath were to be released from obedience to him. The articles of this declaration are as follows : —

    1. That when the Bishop visited the diocese either by himself or by his officers, they should not

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 320

18. Catholic Emancipation support strong in Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1822–1823

    Catholics in Limerick were prominent among O'Connell's supporters during the Emancipation campaign, collecting the Catholic rent with regularity. Limerick's Catholics had risen to become some of the foremost merchants in Ireland, pushing old monopolists off their stools.

    Read the passage

    Just about this time, too, the Catholics of Ireland were up and stirring to obtain Emancipation, led by the illustrious Daniel O'Connell, who, by the fire and impetuosity of his character, infused vigor and courage into ranks which contained, hitherto, too many who were pusillanimous and cowardly — too many who were wavering between the temptations of government and the stern behests of duty. Some relaxations had been made in a partial shape in the penal code. CathoUcs filled the office of grand jurors in cities and counties — they had long been in the first place as merchants aud as traders — they had_ pushed the old monopoHsts and task masters off their stools in various cities, and no where more than in Limerick, where they now numbered amongst them some of the first merchants, &c., in Ireland. No where had the Liberator more influential friends than among his supporters in Limerick, and these supporters always sustained his cause to the fuUest extent. The Catholic rent was collected with the utmost regularity, and whenever O'Connell addressed his hearers in the old rooms at the Com Exchange, Dublin, he never forgot the aid he received from the patriotic men of Limerick.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 261

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Limerick, you're passing through a city that stood firmly behind Daniel O'Connell in the fight for Catholic Emancipation. Around 1822, Catholics across Ireland were stirring for Emancipation, and O'Connell, by the fire and impetuosity of his character, infused vigor and courage into ranks that had held too many who were wavering between the temptations of government and the stern behests of duty. Some relaxations had already been made in the penal code. Catholics filled the office of grand jurors in cities and counties. They had long been in the first place as merchants and traders, pushing the old monopolists and taskmasters off their stools in various cities, and nowhere more than here. The Catholics of Limerick now numbered among them some of the first merchants in Ireland. O'Connell had nowhere more influential friends than among his supporters in this city. They always sustained his cause to the fullest extent. The Catholic rent was collected with the utmost regularity. And whenever O'Connell addressed his hearers in the old rooms at the Corn Exchange in Dublin, he never forgot the aid he received from the patriotic men of Limerick.

19. Catholics in Dublin ordered disarmed by Colonel Floyd

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1690–1691

    Sir Robert Southwell, writing to Colonel Floyd, governor of Dublin, conveyed William's order to disarm all papists in Dublin and to make an example of half a dozen of the most insolent by imprisoning them. No warrant, bail, or habeas corpus was required.

    Read the passage

    Those who could fly out of the country did so even before the balance inclined in favour of Wilham's arms. Passes were giving to some — among the passes Ave find one mentioned in the Southwell MSS., " for lady Mary Butler, abbess of a nunnery in Dublin, with the nuns to go to Flanders, July 23, 1690.^' This pass was given in the autograph of Sir llobert Southwell.^ Protections were also given — " No officers or soldiers of our army to be henceforward quartered upon John Newport, of Carrick."^ Estates were parcelled out to families — estates taken by the strong arm from the ancient })ossessors — as '' of Sir John Bellew, Lord Baron of Duleeck, and Dudley Bagnall, of Dunleckney, county of Catherlogh, in actual and open rebeUion against us, to Sir John Trevor, Thomas Pelham, and Henry Guy."* Kichard Bellew, commonly called Lord Bellew, was also attainted, but was pardoned April 1st, 1696. With all these rigors and cruelties, the Catholics were not put down in Dublin, or elsewhere, no more than they were in Limerick up to the horrible laws that followed the Treaty. William was every day raising complaints of the outrages, insolence, and daring of the rebelly papists ; and Sir Robert Southwell, on these complaints, writing to Colonel Floyd, governor of Dublin, states, " His Majesty being informed that several papists do walk the streets of Dublin with their arms, and some of them being of very illbehavour towards the Protestants while it was in their power ; His Majesty's ])leasure is that you disarm all that are papists in that place, and that you ]nake an example of half a dozen of the most insolent by clapping them up, according as you shall be informed of the most dangerous."^ There was no need of warrant, of bail, of the Habeas Corpus, of constitutional observance. It was sufficient to be a papist, of high or low degree, to constitute the professor of the old faith, a "rebeUy" monster, to have him thrown into some

    ' Army List. * Thorpe's Catalogue of the Southwell M.S.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 162

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this is where, in 1690, William's orders reached into the streets and homes of the city. Those who could leave the country had already begun to go, some with passes in hand. One such pass, in the autograph of Sir Robert Southwell, was for Lady Mary Butler, abbess of a nunnery in Dublin, with her nuns, to go to Flanders, dated July 23, 1690. Protections were given to others, and estates taken from the ancient possessors were parcelled out to new families. But the Catholics were not put down in Dublin, any more than they were in Limerick. William raised complaints daily of the outrages, insolence, and daring of what he called the rebelly papists. On those complaints, Sir Robert Southwell wrote to Colonel Floyd, governor of Dublin, and gave the order plainly. His words were these: His Majesty being informed that several papists do walk the streets of Dublin with their arms, and some of them being of very ill behavour towards the Protestants while it was in their power; His Majesty's pleasure is that you disarm all that are papists in that place, and that you make an example of half a dozen of the most insolent by clapping them up, according as you shall be informed of the most dangerous. There was no need of warrant, of bail, of habeas corpus, of constitutional observance. It was sufficient to be a papist, of high or low degree, to be thrown into prison.

20. Chamber of Commerce manages Limerick butter trade and port improvements

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    The Chamber of Commerce took over management of Limerick's butter trade, greatly increasing exports and deriving income from it. Funds were applied to improving the port and harbour by clearing rocks and shoals from the river, mooring buoys, encouraging the linen trade, and spending £1500 in one season of distress to purchase provisions for the poor sold at reduced rates.

    Read the passage

    these rates was fixed by a bye-law of the Chamber; but this becoming too heavy on individuals, s'ome of whom paid a contribution so high as £40, a maximum subscription of £12 was fixed, which, about forty years ago, was reduced to a subscription of £5 annually from each member. They first undertook the management of the butter trade of Limerick, by which they increased the export trade in that article wonderfully, and derived a good income. They applied their funds to the improvement of the port and harbour of Limerick, by clearing away rocks and shoals in the river, and mooring buoys ; in encouraging the hnen trade ; in expending £1500 in one season of distress by purchasing provisions for the poor, and selling them at a reduced rate ; and about £1200 in opposition to the Corporation before the Committee of Appeal in 1820, on the rights of freedom.

    The population returns of the County of the City of Limerick in 1821 was 59,045, and in 1831 accordmg to the population returns printed by order of the House of Commons, it was 66,554 showing an increase in ten years of 7,509. The population of the parishes forming the city as built upon, was estimated in 1831, at 49,769. The number of inhabited houses in the county of the city by the returns of 1831, was 7,820. The number building 138. The number unmhabited 427. The number of families 11,953 — of which there were chiefly employed in agriculture 2,798 — in trade, manufactures and handicraft 4,057— all other families not comprised in the two preceeding classes 5,098. The proportion of females to males as 6 to 5. The number of males over twenty years of age 15,663 — labourers employed in agriculture 2,561 ; ditto not employed in agriculture 3,618. Persons employed in retail trade or handicraft as masters or workmen 5,106 — capitalists, bankers, professional and other educated men 1323 — occupiers

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 262

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Limerick, the Chamber of Commerce once shaped much of this city's trade. The Chamber first undertook management of the butter trade of Limerick. By doing so they increased the export trade in that article wonderfully, and derived a good income. Members had paid contributions as high as £40 each, before a maximum subscription of £12 was fixed. That was later reduced to £5 annually from each member. The Chamber applied their funds to the improvement of the port and harbour. They cleared away rocks and shoals in the river, and moored buoys. They encouraged the linen trade. In one season of distress they spent £1500 purchasing provisions for the poor and selling them at a reduced rate. About £1200 was spent in opposition to the Corporation before the Committee of Appeal in 1820, on the rights of freedom. The population of the County of the City of Limerick in 1821 was 59,045. By 1831, according to the returns printed by order of the House of Commons, it was 66,554, an increase of 7,509 in ten years. The parishes forming the city as built upon were estimated in 1831 at 49,769. The number of inhabited houses in the county of the city by the returns of 1831 was 7,820, with 138 building and 427 uninhabited. Of 11,953 families, 2,798 were chiefly employed in agriculture, 4,057 in trade, manufactures and handicraft, and 5,098 in all other classes. The proportion of females to males was 6 to 5.

21. Colonel O'Dwyer departs Tipperary for Spanish service

    Tipperary · town · Tipperary · 1653

    Colonel John O'Dwyer, commander-in-chief of the Irish in the counties of Waterford and Tipperary, obtained leave to depart with his regiment into the service of the King of Spain after treaty with Colonel Sankey. The celebrated song 'John O'Dwyer of the Glen' was written on his departure.

    Read the passage

    So desperately opjjressed were tlie Irisli now that they petitioned to transport themselves into foreign service^ which several of them were allowed to do. On the 5th of May, 1653, articles of agreement were drawn up between Colonel Theophilus Jones and Colonel Philip Reilly, on behalf of himseK and gentry, by which they got liberty of transportation to Spain, leave to sell their goods, and enjojonent of personal estates, and satisfaction for their houses at reasonable rates ; priests were compelled to quit the country within one month; prisoners of war were set at Hberty within ten days, &c.^ • Colonel Fitzpatrick was allowed to go with his regiment into the service of the King of Spain. Colonel John O'Dwyer, commander-in-chief of the Irish in the counties of Waterford and Tipperary, followed the example. On his departure the celebrated song " John O^Dwyer of the Glen " was written,^ and having entered into a treaty with Colonel Sankey, he obtained leave to possess his estates, and those who submitted with him, received the same privilege, all under the required qualification.^ The sickness prevailed greatly in several parts of Ireland, and particularly about Dublin.* Dalrymple states^ that Cromwell, in order to get free of his enemies, did not scruple to transport forty thousand Irish from their own country, to fill all the armies of Europe with complaints of his cruelty and admiration of their own valour ! Colonel Prittie, who did good service for the Parliamentary cause in several places at this crisis, as well as Captain Jacob at Dundrum, Colonel Abbott and other officers " by whom the Irish were reduced to great extremities, were also rewarded." An act was passed by Crom^n-ell's Parliament permitting the English adventurers, officers and soldiers to purchase the forfeited houses in Limerick, at six years' purchase, and that the city should have the same privileges, franchises and immunities with the city of Bristol in England, &c. The Parliament was summoned by the usur^^er out of England, Scotland and Ireland. Thirty members only were returned from Ireland, who under the pretext of avoiding the evils of election were ^ selected* by commissioners appointed by the government. Sir Hardress Waller sat in this Parliament for the comities of Limerick, Kerry and Clare ; and WiUiam Purefoy, Esq., for the city of Limerick and town of Kilmallock. The latter was succeeded in 1659 by Walter Waller, Esq.; these men, as may well be supposed, were the mere creatures of the government ; and for the more effectual strengthening of his own power, Cromwell dismissed the Irish commissioners from their office, and constituted Fleetwood Deputy for three years. A short time afterwards he sent over his second son Henry, whom he

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 107

22. Commission of Oyer and Terminer in Limerick tries Whiteboys

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    A commission of Oyer and Terminer sat in Limerick on 31 May to punish Whiteboy outrages. Joseph Prestage, a Protestant turned king's evidence, admitted compelling others to commit outrages. Two men, Banniard (a Protestant) and Carthy, were condemned to death for killing cattle, and William Fant received two years' imprisonment and a £50 fine.

    Read the passage

    and submission wliicli were due to tlie king, by raising unnecessary scruples in the minds of the people, and sowing the seeds of dissension on points on which, from their religion and gratitude, they ought to be firmly united. Than the great work of Dr. Thomas de Burgo, which is a wonderful combination of facts and documents connected with the ecclesiastical history of Ireland, exhibiting an unequalled amount of industry, patience, research, and learning, there has never been published a work of more inestimable value to the student of Irish Church history. That Dr. Butler and the other bishops condemned it, was a source of pain in many quarters ; but the real cause of its condemnation by this provincial meeting was, as stated by His Grace the most Rev. Dr. Butler himself, in his Justification of the Tenets of the Roman Catholic Religion, that the Hibernia Dominicana violently reprobated a similar oath of allegiance to the above, required by an act of 1756-7. Indeed, Dr. O'Kearney sustained in his own person strong ideas on the conduct of the government of the day. He would not cause to be read a certain printed form, which was forwarded from the Castle of Dublin, and which ordered on the part of the Catholics of Ireland a general fast to J)e observed throughout the kingdom on the 12th of March, 17(32, " to beseech the God of Hosts to bless his Majesty, his officers, and his troops, and to inspire and direct his councils to grant a glorious and a happy conclusion to this war, and that a solid, lasting, and advantageous peace may restrain the effusion of Christian blood". He did not admit that directions about observing a fast should come from the secular power, and he deemed it an infringement on the spiritual authority, permitting only so much of the printed form to be read as he thought proper, and omitting as much of it as contained an exhortation to the people to observe the fast " exactly according to the tenor of the proclamation for that purpose". Dr. O'Kearney stoutly and vehemently opposed the movements, the aggressions, and the violences at the same time of the Levellers and the Whiteboys, who to the number of some thousands, levelled what they said were encroachments on commons, wherever these encroachments existed, dug up the lay rich grounds of those who did not let out land to the poor for tillage, burned barns and haggards, and by degrees spread a reign of terrorism over Munster, doing great mischief in the counties of Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork, as also in the county of Limerick, where they dug up, in one night, in the parish cf Kilfinane, twelve acres of land which belonged to a ]\'Ir. Maxwell.' The bishop issued directions to all the parish priests to exert themselves, and to speak boldly against these aggressions, in which, however, Protestants were the chief actors, and into the causes of which the government at once sped an inquiry, with a view to redress any real grievance ; but to put down and to punish crime at the same time, a commission of Oyer and Terminer sat in Limerick on the 31st of May, when, on oath of one Joseph Prestage, a Protestant, who became king s evidence, several of those whom he admitted in his evidence he had compelled to perpetrate these outrages, and whom he had furnished with arms for that purpose, were found guilty, and two of them, viz., one Banniard, a Protestant, and one Carthy, were condemned to death for killing cattle. William Fant, a Protestant, who began the troubles, was condemned to two years' imprisonment and a fine of £50, while

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 359

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city holds a story from the time of the Whiteboys. These were men who, in their thousands, levelled what they called encroachments on commons, dug up the rich lands of those who would not let ground to the poor for tillage, burned barns and haggards, and spread a reign of terror over Munster. They did great mischief in Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork, and here in Limerick too, where in a single night in the parish of Kilfinane they dug up twelve acres belonging to a Mr. Maxwell. The bishop issued directions to all the parish priests to speak out boldly against these aggressions, in which Protestants were the chief actors. The government moved at once to inquire into the causes, to redress any real grievance, but also to put down and punish crime. A commission of Oyer and Terminer sat in Limerick on the 31st of May. Joseph Prestage, a Protestant, turned king's evidence. On his oath, several were found guilty, men he admitted he had compelled to commit these outrages and whom he had furnished with arms for that purpose. Two were condemned to death for killing cattle, one Banniard, a Protestant, and one Carthy. William Fant, a Protestant, who began the troubles, received two years' imprisonment and a fine of 50 pounds.

23. Confederate cannon fails to reduce Loughgur and Askeaton

    Loughgur · townland · Limerick · 1643

    The Confederate forces used a massive thirty-two pounder cannon, drawn by twenty-four yoke of oxen, to reduce neighbouring castles. Loughgur and Askeaton were the only castles that resisted this bombardment.

    Read the passage

    "which by the death of the latter, which took place soon after, became also solely vested in Lord Inchiquin. The cannon and ammunition thus obtained by the confederates did them good service. One of these was a thirty-two pounder, by the terror of which they reduced all the neighbouring castles except Loughgur and Askeaton. In these our o"mi days of Whitworths, Armstrongs, Parrotts, and Blakelys, it is amusing to read Cartels description of this huge piece of ordnance, which was of so large a bore, he says, that it was drawn by twenty-four yoke of oxen. The county Limerick, however, which was the great granary of the province,' was ui the hands of the confederates, and Inchiquin was unable for want of men to carry out his desires of destroying the harvest. Towards the end of July the two Generals prepared to march into Cork where the sea ports were held for the parliamentarians by Lord Broghill, Sir Charles Vavasour, Sir John Paulet, and Sir William Ogle.

    The Catholic party, who were now in possession of Limerick, made every exertion to repair and strengthen the fortifi cations. ^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 84

24. Cromwell expels Lacys from Bruff

    Bruff · town · Limerick · 1649–1691

    Cromwell expelled the Lacys root and branch; only one of the Bruff branch escaped the slaughter by dismounting a horseman. Pierce Lacy was also conspicuously engaged in the siege of Limerick in 1691.

    Read the passage

    turies ; the •wars against Turkey, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, those of the f amou» Irish Brigade, the wars by the French against Marlborough, with Catholic Germany against Sweden and Prussia, and the Russians against Turkey — in short, in every leading European event to the Treaty of Adrianople, in 1829, the family of De Lacy of Limerick has supplied a member, and achieved undying renown. From Walter De Lacy, whose daughters were married into the noble house of Fitzgerald, Earls of Desmond and Kildare, descended Hugh Lacy, Bishop of Limerick, in Queen Mary's time ; the family rose and fell with the Fitzgeralds' intestine wars, in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries. In the seventeenth century there were three brothers of the family settled in the County Limerick —one in Ballingarry, one in Bruree, and one in Bruff ; and from those descended the famous " Pierce Lacy" who was executed by the Justices in 1617; being one of the five exempted from the pardon of 1601. His descendant, Colonel Lacy, continued the wars in Munster in 1641, and treated with Ireton at the siege of Limerick in 1651, but was excluded from the amnesty. John Bourke, Lord of Brittas, half-brother of Pierce Lacy, was executed in 1607; and in 1618, his relative married to the daughter of the Earl of Inchiquin, was created Baron Brittas; in 16il attainted, restored, 1688 attainted and lost their properties. Cromwell expelled the Lacys root and branch, and only one of the Bruff branch escaped the slaughter by dismounting a horseman. Pierce Lacy was conspicuously engaged in the siege of Limerick, 1691. From these branches sprung the Irish Brigaders, and the French, Spanish, Austrian, Polish and Russian warriors. Marshals and Generals De Lacy and Brown, whose exploits for a century, up to the close of the last century, filled Europe with their fame. In the list of English by descent at the end of the sixteenth century, in the county of Limerick, the Lacys of Ballingarry, of the Brouve (Bruff) and of Bruree, are ranked with "the gentlemen and freeholders" of the county, as contradistinguished from the " meere Irishe," and the factions in Munster, viz. the " McSwines and M'Shees, then in faction" — the latter gallowglasses,* though at the siege at Askeaton in 1641 — "JohnLacie of the Brouff" is denounced, with M'William Bourke, second son of Lord Brittas, and others, by St. Ledger, Lord President of Munster, as among " the Mounster Rebelles."t History teems with the achievements of the De Lacys in Russia and Austria. It was for his remarkable successes in the Council not less than in the Field, that the " famous Marshal De Lascy, the son of an Irish Exile from the county of Limerick, was loaded with so much honor by the rulers of Austria, and received from the Emperor Joseph a letter (written the day before the Emperor's death)" which is translated in his kinsman's "Cornet Pierse's Historical Researches," as follows: — "Vienna, 19th February, 1790. My dear marshal Lacy, I behold the moment which is to separate us approaching with hasty strides ! 1 should be very ungrateful indeed if I left this world without assuring you, my dear friend, of that lively gratitude on which you have so many claims, and which I have had the pleasure of acknowledging in the face of the whole world ! Yes ! you created my army : to you it is indebted for its credit and its consideration. If I be any thing 1 owe it to you. The trust I could repose in your advice under every circumstance, your unbroken attachment to my person, which never varied, your success in the Field as well as in the Council, are so many grounds, my dear marshal, which render it impossible for me sufficiently to express my thanks. I have seen your tears flow for me ! The tears of a great man and a sage are a high panegyric. Receive my adieus ! I tenderly embrace you. I regret nothing in this world but the small number of mv/'-iencis, among whom you certamly are the first! Remember me! remember your sincere and affectionate friend, JOSEPH." A magnificent monument, with his efiigy in bronze, is raised to him in Vienna.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 189

25. Dalcassians defeat English of Leinster on plains of Killaloe

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1193

    In 1193 the English of Leinster committed depredations against Donnell O'Brien and were pursued westwards across the plains of Killaloe to a plain near the Shannon, where the Dalcassians slew a great number of them. The English also erected castles at Kilfeacle and Knockgraffon during this expedition.

    Read the passage

    In 1192, the English settlers in Leinster, taking advantage of the quarrels between the sons of Roderick O'Connor, wasted the territory of Thomond, but they suffered severely for their temerity. In the year 1193, say the annals of the Four Masters, " the English of Leinster committed great depredations against Donnell O'Brien. They pursued over the. plains of KiUaloe, and du'ected their course westwards, until they had reached a plain near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the east of the county Clare, where they were opposed by the Dalcassians, who slew a great number of them. In this expedition the English erected the castles of Kilfeacle (about four and a-haLf miles to the east of the town of Tipperary), and Knockgraffon (about two miles to the north of the town of Cahir). DonneU O'Brien defeated the English of Ossory and made a great slaughter of them."'

    The neighbom'hood of Thurles Avas the scene of two defeats of the English by the brave king of Thomond.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 31

26. Death of King Turlogh O'Brien at Kincora

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1086

    King Turlogh O'Brien died at Kincora in 1086 at the age of 77, from a disease resulting from an earlier incident recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters and Clonmacnoise. He was praised by Lanfranc and Pope Gregory VII as a pious and just monarch.

    Read the passage

    This was the last expedition of this vigorous monarch, who died in 1086, at Kincora, in the 77th year of his age, from the eff'ects of a disease resulting from the incident which we have quoted from the Annals of the Four Masters, and Clonmacnoise. His forgiveness of his nephew, Murched, who raised a formidable rebellion m Thomond, in the second year of his reign, and to whom, though he renewed his revolt after being forgiven, he assigned ample possessions in Cuonogh and Aharla, in the county Limerick, prove him to have been a man of a generous and forgiving disposition. As a proof of the high character he enjoyed amongst his contemporaries, we may refer to this letter^ addressed to him by the illustrious Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, as " The magnificent Turlough, King of Ireland,^'' in which, he says, that " God was mercifully disposed towards the people of Ireland, in giving him royal power over that land, and stating that though he has never seen him, he loves him from the description he had received of his pious humility, his severe justice, and his discreet equity.-'^ As additional proofs not only of the high estimation in which Turlough was held, but of his being recognised as monarch of Ireland by his contemporaries, v,t may mention that another letter was addressed to him some years after by Gregory VII., in which he is called '' the illustrious King of Ireland ;" and, at the recjuest of the chiefs of Man, Turlough sent a prince of the blood royal to be regent during the minority of their youthful king.

    In Lanfranc^s letter to Turlogh he complains that in his kingdom marriages were often irregularly contracted ; that bishops were consecrated by one bishop ; that infants ■\^'ere baptised without consecrated chrism ; and that holy

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 19

27. Denis Hogan defies garrison by erecting convent bell

    near Newgate Lane · street · Limerick

    Father Denis Hogan, a bold Franciscan and friend of O'Connell, erected a bell at his convent in Newgate Lane and laughed at the garrison when they turned out in response. He dismissed their fears by saying he needed the bell to wake a very deaf old woman in his service.

    Read the passage

    There was an ancient oratory in the little island opposite the abbey, ■which is now a place for growing sally s.' This was a place of devotion, particularly on the festival of St. Anthony, 13tli of June, and the people were wafted across in great crowds the abbey river in boats. The oratory was in connection with the great convent; there are no remains whatever of it, but of the abbey itself there are some few remains. Tradition states that the convent, or rather a portion of it, continued to be occupied by the Franciscan Fathers up to the period of the last siege of Limerick, when the community were dispersed, and when they had to hide where best they could from the fury of the Orange stonn. Four of the fathers are said to have located themselves in a castle or fortress which was in Mary Street, and in that portion of the street through which Athlunkard Street was cut. The ruins of this castle may now be seen in Athlunkard Street, and a water tank and fountain, erected by Mr. Malcomson, occupies a portion of the walls. Four Franciscan Fathers are said to have always remained in the city, and were accustomed to take advantage of the nights to visit the sick and dying, and administer consolation to those who dared to remain within the walls after the siege and surrender. As soon as the storm had subsided, and that they could go abroad, the Franciscans opened a school, classical and mercantile, in Quay Lane, which was attended by many of the first Catholics of the city, including the Roches, the Whites, the Kellys, the Gavins, the Rochfords, the Creaghs, the M'Namaras, the Howleys, the Meades, the Ryans, Fitzgeralds, Connellg, Arthurs, etc. There were some excellent preachers attached to the convent in Newgate Lane, including Father Burke, an eloquent pulpit orator. The names of the other fathers were, Guilfoyle, O'Regan, Hynes, Kelly, and Denis Hogan, the friend of O'Connell, a bold and courageous man, who not only put up the bell to his convent, but laughed at the garrison when they in consequence turned out, and shoAved the entire 2^osse comitatus that he was able for them, setting their fears aside by stating that he had an old woman very deaf in his service, and was obliged to put up the bell to awake her.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 376

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Newgate Lane, there was a Franciscan convent with a story worth telling. After the last siege of Limerick, the Franciscan community was dispersed, and they had to hide where they could from what the source calls the fury of the Orange storm. Four of the fathers are said to have taken shelter in a castle in Mary Street, in the part of the street through which Athlunkard Street was later cut. Those four stayed in the city and used the cover of night to visit the sick and dying, administering consolation to those who dared remain within the walls after the siege and surrender. Once the storm subsided, the Franciscans opened a school in Quay Lane, both classical and mercantile, attended by many of the first Catholics of the city, including the Roches, the Whites, the Kellys, the Gavins, the Rochfords, the Creaghs, the McNamaras, the Howleys, the Meades, the Ryans, the Fitzgeralds, the Arthurs, and others. The convent in Newgate Lane had some excellent preachers, including Father Burke, described as an eloquent pulpit orator. The other fathers were Guilfoyle, O'Regan, Hynes, Kelly, and Denis Hogan. Hogan was the friend of O'Connell, a bold and courageous man. He put up a bell at his convent, and the garrison turned out in response. Hogan laughed at them. He showed what the source calls the entire posse comitatus that he was able for them. He set their fears aside by saying he had an old woman very deaf in his service, and was obliged to put up the bell to awake her.

28. English erected castle at Kilfeacle

    Kilfeacle · townland · Laois · 1193

    During the 1193 expedition against Donnell O'Brien, the English erected a castle at Kilfeacle, about four and a half miles east of Tipperary town. A castle was also erected at Knockgraffon, about two miles north of Cahir.

    Read the passage

    In 1192, the English settlers in Leinster, taking advantage of the quarrels between the sons of Roderick O'Connor, wasted the territory of Thomond, but they suffered severely for their temerity. In the year 1193, say the annals of the Four Masters, " the English of Leinster committed great depredations against Donnell O'Brien. They pursued over the. plains of KiUaloe, and du'ected their course westwards, until they had reached a plain near the Shannon, in the parish of Killaloe, in the east of the county Clare, where they were opposed by the Dalcassians, who slew a great number of them. In this expedition the English erected the castles of Kilfeacle (about four and a-haLf miles to the east of the town of Tipperary), and Knockgraffon (about two miles to the north of the town of Cahir). DonneU O'Brien defeated the English of Ossory and made a great slaughter of them."'

    The neighbom'hood of Thurles Avas the scene of two defeats of the English by the brave king of Thomond.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 31

29. Fever Hospital established at St. John's citadel

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1780–1781

    In 1780, Lady Hartstonge converted a small guardhouse of the citadel of St. John into a temporary hospital to bring fever under one roof. Subscriptions followed from the Hartstonge and Pery families, and Parliament passed an act in 1781 sustaining the institution.

    Read the passage

    But we anticipate events : in 1780, Lady Ilartstonge having resolved to bring fever, which now prevailed, under one roof, laid the ground work of one of the most useful charities of w^hich the city of Limerick has had to boast viz., the Eever Hospital, by converting a small house which had been a guardhouse to the citadel of St. John, into a temporary hospital. An association was immediately formed — subscriptions poured in; the famihes of Hartstonge and Pery gave large sums ; and in 1781, an act of Parliament was passed in sustainment of this invaluable institution. ^ In the midst of the turmoil and excitement of the times, the Dominican Friars, whose order had been in the city for many centuries — indeed since the days of St. Dominic,

    ' Few streets of Limerick (new) had particular names before the year 1786, in which year Sir Christopher Knight, Mayor, made many useful regulations for the city. In his mayoralty the city (old) was paved and lighted with globe lamps, flagged the footways, caused the ancient projecting windows, pent houses and signs to be taken down, most of the streets to be named and boarded labels fixed with the name of the street at each corner. The following are the dates of some of the names of the streets : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 207

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city holds the story of a hospital born from a fever and a woman's resolve. In 1780, fever was spreading through Limerick, and Lady Hartstonge decided it had to be brought under one roof. She took a small house that had served as a guardhouse to the citadel of St. John and converted it into a temporary hospital. The book calls this the groundwork of one of the most useful charities the city of Limerick had to boast. An association formed right away, and subscriptions poured in. The Hartstonge and Pery families gave large sums. Then in 1781, Parliament passed an act in sustainment of the institution, giving it formal support. So in the space of a single year, a guardhouse became a hospital, a private effort became a public cause, and a city dealing with fever gained what the source calls an invaluable institution. The Dominican Friars, whose order had been in the city for many centuries, were there in the midst of the turmoil and excitement of the times.

30. Food scarcity and inflation in besieged Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1690

    After William's defeat, Limerick faced severe food shortages with extreme prices: £10 for a barrel of wheat, £3 a quart of brandy, and salt at £1 per quart. The inferior brass money of James was in circulation. Protestants were allowed to leave to reduce mouths to feed.

    Read the passage

    The citizens and garrison treated such Protestants as remained within the wallsj after the discomfiture of William, with consideration and clemency ; they permitted them to betake themselves, in such numbers as they chose, to such places outside as they might select for their residences. The want of provisions within the city, the enormous rates which were charged for the ordinary necessaries of life, and the absence of supplies commensurate with the wants of the garrison and of the citizens, rendered it essential that the number inside should be reduced as much as possible, and for this reason, if for no other, the Protestants were allowed to depart. The money in circulation was the inferior brass or gun money of James ; and £10 in that coin was the cost of a barrel of wheat ; £9 a barrel of malt ; £3 a quart of brandy ; 2s. 6d. a quart of ale ; salt £1 per quart ; 30s. a pau' for men's shoes ; and everything else in proportion. ^ Storey admits that things were not so bad as they were reported ; but that they were bad enough is mdisputable.

    During the time he spent in camp before Limerick, William fared right well.*

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 139

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the city carries the marks of 1690, when William's siege left the people inside starving. After William's defeat, the garrison and citizens treated the Protestants who remained within the walls with consideration. They permitted them to leave in whatever numbers they chose, to whatever places outside they wished. The reason was simple: provisions were scarce, prices enormous, and supplies fell far short of feeding both garrison and citizens. Reducing the number of mouths was essential. The money in circulation was the inferior brass or gun money of James. A barrel of wheat cost £10 in that coin. A barrel of malt cost £9. Brandy was £3 a quart. Ale was 2 shillings and 6 pence a quart. Salt was £1 per quart. Men's shoes were 30 shillings a pair. Everything else was priced in proportion. Storey admitted things were not as bad as reported, but they were bad enough. William himself, in camp before the walls, fared right well.

31. Foundation stone of new Limerick cathedral laid

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1865

    On the first of May, the foundation stone of the new cathedral in Limerick was laid in a grand civic and religious ceremony. Trades, temperance societies, young men's societies, Christian Brothers, clergy, the mayor and Corporation members all processed from the Town Hall to the site.

    Read the passage

    The first of May was chosen for the laying of the foundation stone of the new cathedral. The congregated trades took part in a ceremony which had not been exampled for ages in Limerick. The Temperance Societies, the Young Men's Societies, the Christian Brothers and their numerous pupils, the Religious Confraternities, with banners and emblems en wreathed with lam-els, the Committee of the Cathedral, with wands and rosettes, mustered in considerable numbers. The secular and regular clergy of the city assembled, and many from the country, as did the mayor and several members of the Corporation.

    The Town Clerk, the Treasurer and the City Surveyor, were present ; the mayor and members of the Corporation robed in their scarlet mantles in the Town Hall, from which they issued to join the procession. The following was the order of the procession : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 294

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city once saw a ceremony that, in the words of one account,

32. Galway's annual wine tribute to O'Brien of Thomond

    Galway · city · Galway · 1277

    In 1277, Galway, though strongly fortified and protected by the chief of the great Anglo-Norman Sept of Clanricarde, was obliged to pay an annual tribute of twelve tuns of wine to Dermot More O'Brien of Thomond for the protection of its harbour and commerce. Galway did not enjoy the designation or privileges of a Royal city.

    Read the passage

    The above figure bears no resemblance whatever to any representation of tlie City Arms that has ever been recognised as such; it appears rather to be a representation of the New Tower and gate built in 1643, viz., Mungret Gate tower — the stone in question having been fixed in the walls of that tower, as we are assured on the authority of White's MSS. (p. 151-2), and it lay, after the destruction of Mungret Gate, among rubbish, until placed at Plassy Mills, by Mr. Maunsell. Lewis, in his Topographical Dictiona?-)/ of Ireland, article Limei-ick, gives the City Seal (but in a reduced shape), as we have given it, ,/ac simile, at page 690. That seal having been cut in the reign of the first George, who ascended the throne in 1714, and died in 1730, and very probably cut in the early part of the reign, before the Mayoralty House stone was cut, and certainly many years anterior to the stone at the city brewery ; we may conclude that it is an exact copy of a more ancient seal, and that by prescription and right, it contains a true representation of the ancient accredited arms of Limerick. Limerick was one of the Irish cities desio'nated " Royal", and holding a charter directly from the crown of England before the close of the thirteenth century. Dublin, Cork, and Waterford were the other Royal Irish cities. Galway did not enjoy the designation or privilege, and though strongly fortified, and protected by the cliief of the great Anglo-Norman Sept, of which the Marquis of Clanricarde is the present representative, was obliged to pay an annual tribute of twelve tuns of wine, as already stated at page 56, in 1277, to Derniot More O'Brien of Tromora, for the protection of its harbour and commerce. Lewis gives a representation of the seals of Dublin, Cork, and Waterford, as well as of

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 452

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Galway, you are in a city that, in 1277, stood strongly fortified and under the protection of the chief of the great Anglo-Norman Sept of Clanricarde. Yet for all its walls and its protector, Galway did not enjoy the designation or privileges of a Royal city. Limerick, Dublin, Cork, and Waterford held that rank, each carrying a charter directly from the crown of England before the close of the thirteenth century. Galway had no such charter. In 1277, the city was obliged to pay an annual tribute of twelve tuns of wine to Dermot More O'Brien of Thomond. The payment was for the protection of its harbour and its commerce. So the trade that came through Galway, and the harbour that served it, came at a price set not by the crown but by O'Brien of Thomond. The chief of Clanricarde's Anglo-Norman Sept stood as Galway's protector, but that protection did not free the city from the tribute. Twelve tuns of wine each year, paid to a Gaelic lord, for the safety of the port and the goods that moved through it.

33. Grand civic procession of Mayor Philip Rawson, 1733

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1733

    In 1733, Mayor Philip Rawson, recently a defeated candidate, led a grand civic procession through Limerick accompanied by the entire corporation in costume and the guilds of trade with banners and badges. They rode the fringes of the city, levelling encroachments made on the high roads and commons of the corporation.

    Read the passage

    The principal event in 1733, was a grand civic procession, wliicli was made by Philip Eawson, Esq., the Mayor, who had been the defeated candidate a short time before, but was now desirous of showing his strength as father of the city. Accompanied by the entire corporation in costume, and the several guilds of trade, with banners, badges, &c., he went around the city — or as White quaintly expresses it, " rid the fringes,"* levelling such encroachments as had been made on the high roads and commons of the corporation. There had not been so brilliant a procession for many years, and its effect was long remembered.

    The city was confined at the time principally to the English town and Irish town ; the size and population of the parish of St. Michael may be judged of from a very simple fact. The parish had been joined to that of St. John in 1709 ; but in 1735, the Eev. Dr. Pierce Creagh, who had officiated as Catholic pastor of St. Mary^s, afterwards for many years, arrived from Eome, where he had completed his studies, bringing with him a papal bull for the Catholic archdeaconship of the city, and the parish of St. Michael belonging to it.^ On the 21st of February in that year, he took possession of the archdeaconship, but the parish of St. Michael being so extremely poor at the time, it was not able to support a clergyman, and Dr. Creagh heeded it not.^ Not only was the parish poor, but throughout the city and country much misery prevailed, and bigotry and fanaticism had fuU fling. Depression, dearth, and famine were generally felt to act with galling severity on the masses ; whilst a few years later, a dreadful frost — the great frost of 1739, which continued for forty days, and from which many memorable incidents have* been dated, was accompanied and followed by unparalleled

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 188

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this city remembers a grand civic procession in 1733. Philip Rawson, the Mayor, had been a defeated candidate a short time before, but now he was desirous of showing his strength as father of the city. He was accompanied by the entire corporation in costume, and the several guilds of trade, with banners and badges. They went around the city, or as White quaintly puts it, rid the fringes, levelling such encroachments as had been made on the high roads and commons of the corporation. There had not been so brilliant a procession for many years, and its effect was long remembered. At that time the city was confined principally to the English town and the Irish town. The parish of St. Michael had been joined to that of St. John in 1709. In 1735 the Reverend Dr. Pierce Creagh, who had officiated as Catholic pastor of St. Mary's, arrived from Rome, where he had completed his studies, bringing with him a papal bull for the Catholic archdeaconship of the city and the parish of St. Michael belonging to it. On the 21st of February that year he took possession of the archdeaconship, but the parish of St. Michael was so extremely poor it could not support a clergyman, and Dr. Creagh heeded it not. Throughout the city and country much misery prevailed, and bigotry and fanaticism had full fling. Depression, dearth, and famine were generally felt to act with galling severity on the masses. A few years later came the great frost of 1739, which continued for forty days, accompanied and followed by unparalleled suffering.

34. Grand National Convention of Ireland in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1783

    In November 1783, 300 delegates selected from volunteer regiments gathered in Dublin for a Grand National Convention to pursue parliamentary reform. They commenced their sittings with military display and elected the Earl of Charlemont as president, a choice the author considers fateful for Ireland's future.

    Read the passage

    did its duty^ what security was there that the Parliament might not at some future time (when the volunteers were disbanded) become again the servile agents of a tyrannical Goveruinent ? The people were unanimously in favour of Irish Independence, but the Parliament did not represent the people. The majority of members were either the pensioners of the Government or the nominees of close boroughs, in whose election the people had no voice. It was evident that a reform of Parliament — rendering it really the representative assembly of the country — was essential to place Irish liberty beyond the reach of English gold or domestic treason. But Parliament was too rotten to reform itself, and the evil influence of Fitzgibbon was even then at work. This reform the volunteers felt, could only be effected through their agency. Accordingly it was resolved to hold a Grand National Convention of Ireland in Dublin, composed of delegates selected from the different volunteer regiments. The selection was made in November, 1783, and consisted of 300 delegates, who shortly afterwards repaired to Dublin, where they commenced their sittings Vvdth much pomp and military display. The first duty that devolved upon the delegates Avas the selection of a president — unfortunately they selected the Earl of Charlemont. To this selection the downfall of Ireland maybe traced. Charlemont was one of the most upright and honourable men of his day ; he never wilfully did wrong ; but he was unsuited for the position in v,hicli he vras placed, and for the crisis in which he lived. He was ]mnctiliously loyal, attached to regularity, law, and order, courteous to all men, a friend of the people, but devoted by sympathy to the aristocracy — fond of popular applause, but yet fonder of securing the good opinions of those in the higher classes, for whom his education and tastes taught him to entertain a polished and courtly respect. Lord Charlemont soon found that the

    149 of his parishioners voluntarily came forward in the sessions house and took the oath of allegiance to His ilajesty.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 225

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this is the city where, in November 1783, a Grand National Convention of Ireland was held. The people were unanimously in favour of Irish Independence, but Parliament did not represent the people. The majority of members were either pensioners of the Government or nominees of close boroughs, in whose election the people had no voice. A reform of Parliament was essential to place Irish liberty beyond the reach of English gold or domestic treason. But Parliament was too rotten to reform itself, and the evil influence of Fitzgibbon was even then at work. The volunteers felt this reform could only be effected through their agency. It was resolved to hold a Grand National Convention in Dublin, composed of delegates selected from the different volunteer regiments. The selection consisted of 300 delegates, who repaired to Dublin and commenced their sittings with much pomp and military display. The first duty was the selection of a president. Unfortunately, they selected the Earl of Charlemont. To this selection the downfall of Ireland may be traced. Charlemont was one of the most upright and honourable men of his day. He never wilfully did wrong. But he was unsuited for the position and for the crisis in which he lived. He was punctiliously loyal, attached to regularity, law, and order, courteous to all men, a friend of the people, but devoted by sympathy to the aristocracy. He was fond of popular applause, but fonder still of securing the good opinions of those in the higher classes, for whom his education and tastes taught him to entertain a polished and courtly respect.

35. Great frost of 1683: Shannon frozen seven feet thick

    Parteen · townland · Clare · 1683–1684

    In November 1683 the greatest frost ever known in Ireland began, lasting until February 1684. The Shannon was frozen seven or eight feet thick, and people walked on the ice from King's Island to Parteen.

    Read the passage

    On the 3rd of November, 1683, the greatest frost that had ever been previously known in Ireland began, and it continued until the 9th of February ; the frost was seven or eight feet thick on the river Shannon ; all the lakes and rivers of Ireland were in like manner frozen ; men, women, cattle and carriages went over the rivers on the ice; people frequently walked on it from the King's Island to Parteen. In the following year William Gribble being mayor, he went to Scattery Island, to exercise his jurisdiction among the herring boats for the city duties, which were 1000 herrings and 1000 oysters out of each boat (a most exorbitant tax). This he reduced to 500 a piece.®

    The death of King Charles II. occurred in London on the 6th of February, 1684; he was a prince who in his exile acknowledged great obligations to the Irish ; on his accession to the throne the Irish reasonably expected to be restored to their estates, which they forfeited for fighting for him and his father, but he followed the pernicious advices of Clarendon, viz. to make friends of his enemies by gratifying them, and that he could always make sure of his old friends. Adopting this advice he left the Cromwellians in

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 118

36. Henry VIII forbids Galway trade with Limerick's enemies

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1536

    Henry VIII wrote to the town of Galway forbidding the supply of victuals, iron, or salt to O'Brien or any Irishman at war with the Deputy or subjects of Limerick. He also complained that Galway merchants forestalled Limerick's market by luring stranger merchants away from Limerick's harbour.

    Read the passage

    customs of clothing, &c., are forbidden, and in which he takes from malefactors the sanctuary of the Friars Minors, &c., in and near that town, and calls upon the justice to bring them to punishment — proceeds to say, " Moreover, yf O'Brene, or any other Irysheman, be at Avar -ndth our deputie, or our subgietes of our Cittie of Lymerycke, that in no wyse, by any coloure, practyse, or covyne, ye suffer no vytals, iron, sault, or other commoditie, to passe from you to theym, dureing the tyme of their contencion till they shall be perfectly reconcyled, upon payne of your allegeannces ; and alwayes that ye obsarve the artycles before written, specially concernyng the keepeiug of markettes, and that none of you resorte with anny merchandyce amongjoist Iryshemen at anny tyme. And where we be informed that at such seasons as strangers refrayne within the havyn of Lymerycke, certayne of you foresttale the market of our said cittie, alurying and procuryng the stranger merchauntes to repayre oute of the havjii of Lymerycke to you, offering theym avauntage above the profere of the sayd citie, to ther gret disadvanytage and commoditie, andynhaunsing the pryce of foren and alyen merchaundyses, to the profit of alyens : we therefor woll and commaunde you, that you do not provoke anny merchaundise aryving in theyr havyn from you to theym." He commanded that he should hear no further complaint on this behalf, or in any of the premises if they intended his favors.

    In the same year Cowley, writing to Cromwell on the estabHshment of the king^s dominion in Ireland, says : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 48

37. Holy Trinity friary given for Catholic parish church

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1809

    In 1809 Richard Valentine Lord Adare gave the friary of the Holy Trinity for use as a parish Catholic church and its ancient architectural ornaments were restored. Behind the building stands a singular circular structure, thought by some antiquaries to be a pre-Christian vestal fire house.

    Read the passage

    In the year 1809, the friary of the Holy Trinity was given by Richard Valentine Lord Adare, for the purpose of a parish Catholic church, and its ancient architectural ornaments were restored. This house was founded in 1230, in the reign of Edward I., by John, Earl of Kildare, for the redemption of Christian captives. In the rere of this building is a singular piece of antiquity — the country people call it a pigeon house, but it was tliought by some antiquaries to be nothing less than a vestal fire house, built prior to the introduction of Christianity. It is still entire, except the stone over the door, which is wanting ; it is perfectly circular, about fourteen feet in diameter externally, the walls nearly three feet thick ; the inside at least consists of a species of fire stone, certainly brought from the shore of the sea, as many marine particles are still visible in them. The top is covered with a dome, and a circular opening, about eighteen inches in diameter, well secured by a ring of carved stone work, admits the light in the centre. In the Earl of Dunraven's Memorials of Adm^e it is described as a dove-cot attached to the monastery.

    In the year 1811, the friary next the bridge of Adare, the Augustinlan Friary, was converted by the same nobleman into a Protestant parish church: it has been roofed, and its ancient ornaments restored. This friary is a beautiful specimen of Gothic architecture ; it underwent many improvements and restorations in more recent years, when several stone coffins were dug up in the nave of the church. The refectory is now a school-house.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 417

38. Inchiquin storms Cahir Castle, September 1647

    Caher · town · Tipperary · 1647

    Lord Inchiquin marched out in August and took Cahir Castle by storm. A disguised colonel discovered defects in the outward bawn and timorousness of the warders, then led a party to storm and take the bawn and out-turrets, forcing the castle's surrender on quarter for life only.

    Read the passage

    * Letters were this day read in the house from the Lord Inchiquin, giving accompt of the taking of 12 Castles in the County of Typerare, and the Town and Castle of Cahir, which was thus taken ; his Lordship passing over the Shewor at Cahir, one of his Troopers plundering neer the Town, was discovered wounded and taken, and Col. Ilopsley in a disguise was admitted to go into the Castle to dresse hiui, who before had discovered some defects in the outward Bawn, and timorousnesse of the AVarders. The Colonell after led on a party to storme, and took that Bawn, and some out Turrets, and within few hours had the Castle surrendred, on quarter only for life, above 20,0001. of come burnt in that country, the Castle (qy. Cattle) drove away, so that our souldiers made hard shift for victualls. From Cahir his Lordship marched Septemb. 12, to the City of Cashiell, formerly the Metropolitan of the Province ; where the Inhabitants, (amazed at the reducing of Cahir) left open the gates and fled to the Cathedrall a large and

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 90

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Caher, this is where Lord Inchiquin struck in 1647. His letters told how he passed over the river at Cahir, and one of his troopers plundering near the town was discovered, wounded, and taken. Colonel Hopsley, in a disguise, was admitted into the castle to dress the wounded man. The colonel had already found defects in the outward bawn and timorousness in the warders. He led a party to storm, and took that bawn and some out-turrets, and within few hours had the castle surrendered, on quarter only for life. Over 20,000 pounds of corn was burnt in that country, and the cattle drove away, so the soldiers made hard shift for victuals. From Cahir his lordship marched on September 12 to Cashel, formerly the metropolis of the province, where the inhabitants, amazed at the reducing of Cahir, left open the gates and fled to the cathedral.

39. Ireton's siege and capture of Limerick (1651)

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1649–1651

    Ireton besieged Limerick, was kept at bay, and eventually captured the city in 1651, carrying out executions there.

    Read the passage

    Ireton, to Ireland (1649), 165; progress in Ireland, 170; his campaign, 171; siege of Liraericli, 171, 428; before Limerick (1651), 174; Ireton's fort, 174 ; liept at bay at Limericlc, 176 ; captures Limericl£, 129 ; his executions at Limericls; (1651), 180.

    Ireton and Bishop O'Dwyer, 592.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 457

40. Irish clergy meeting at Macroom for insurrection planning, 1666

    Macroom · town · Cork · 1666

    Lord Orrery reported intelligence of a great meeting of the Irish clergy on the arrival of Jesuit Father Harris, sent by Catholic Primate Reilly from France, with promises of forces, arms, ammunition and money. The meeting place appointed for Munster was Macroom, where Orrery intended to have one of his people present.

    Read the passage

    » In a letter addressed to the same from Charleville, and dated June 6th, 1666, Lord Orreryannounces the receipt of important intelligence from the Bishop of Meath, confirming information ■which he had previously received from some of the natives. The intelligence refers to a great meeting of the Irish Clergy on the arrival of the Jesuit Father Harris, stated to have been sent by the Catholic Primate Reilly from France, and to considerable meetings, which it was alleged were to be held in that month, to hear the Jesuit's message and advice, and to be assured by him of the speedy arrival of forces, arms, and ammunition, with money in the west, as well as several other things of a similar character. The meeting place appointed for Munster he says was Macroimpe (Macroom), where he intended to have one of his people present ; and to show the strenuous efforts made by the clergy to raise money for insurrectionary purposes, he says that under the cloak of pious uses, many great sums had been raised by them, especially in the west of Munster, " insomuch that poor servants had been compelled to pay their shillings and sixpences." The object of these contributions, namely, the raising of a rebellion, he surmises were deemed " pious uses."

    * Orrery's State Letters, Vol. IL pp. 7 & 8. « Orrerv's State Letters, Vol. I. p. lSl-2.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 116

41. Irish retreat across bog near Monabraher

    Monabraher · townland · Limerick · 1691

    After the Williamite crossing of the Shannon, the Irish soldiers fled towards Monabraher and a wood to their rear, discarding weapons and grenades. Ginkel's pursuing troops killed several on the bog and took a French lieutenant-colonel and other prisoners.

    Read the passage

    In the evening of the 15th of September, four hundred grenadiers, as soon as it was dark, were ordered to parade at the head of Major General Kirk^s regiment, from whence they marched at 9 o^Clock, p.m. being joined by six hundred workmen, with the tin boats, and sustained by five regiments of foot commanded by Major-General Talmash, and a body of horse and dragoods under Major-General Scravemore, with six field pieces.^ They marched to a part of the Shaimon two miles beyond the Williamite camp, and by twelve o'clock at night began to lay the boats over. In the meantime the grenadiers commanded by Sir David Colher, with Captain Ketchmay of Sir John Hannier's, Captain Almat of Lord Drogheda's, Captain Parker^ of Sir Gustavus Hamilton's regiment, another captain and eight more officers, were wafted by the tin boats into an island eastward* where a bridge was laying also, and from whence it was fordable to the other side. They were occasionally interrupted, but they succeeded in the enterprise ; and on the 16th, the bridge being completed. Colonel Mathew's dragoons began to pass into the island. Brigadier Clifford, who was posted just at the spot by Sarsfield,to guard against a surprise, betrayed his duty in the most flagrant manner, scarcely made a show of resistance, and permitted the passage to be made, though he could have prevented it by a little exertion. His dragoons, who came down on foot, were ridiculed by Ginkle' s soldiers. Major- General Talmash immediately commanded the grenadiers to wade through : this done they possessed themselves of an old house and a hedge or two, about a hundred yards from the Irish ; and were commanded not to be lavish of their shot, but receive the fire of the Irish until the dragoons and some horse had got over. Then the Irish endeavoured to flank the dragoons on the right. The Major-General commanded a detachment of Colonel Mathew's to beat them from that post. This was effected, and a good party soon got over. Talmash then ordered the grenadiers to advance, being sustained by Tiffin and Bristow, a party of dragoons, and a party of Coy's horse. This too was done, and after some faint resistance, the Irish ran towards Mouabraher, and a wood which was in their rear, throwing away their grenadoes,

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 142

42. Italian/Spanish fleet lands at Smerwick Harbour

    Smerwick Harbour · harbour · Kerry · 1580

    An Italian or Spanish fleet of the Pope's people landed at Port-del-or on an island connected with the south shore of Smerwick Harbour in Kerry in September 1580, causing great excitement among Limerick citizens.

    Read the passage

    An Italian or Spanish fleet of the " Pope's people" landed in Kerry in the September of this year ; their arrival caused the greatest excitement in Limerick, so much so, that had they appeared at the gates of the city, they would have been thrown open to them, such was the idea of their strength and importance among the citizens, who viewed the expedition with contending feelings of hope and dread.^ They landed at Port-del-or, which is situated on an island connected with the South shore of Smerewick Harbour, and which James of Desmond fortified the year before. O'Sullivan, in his Cathohc History, gives a description of the island, near which is a green round hill called Cnoc-na-geaan, i.e. hill of the heads, whereon, tradition has

    ' The Four Masters and Ware state that it was the occupants of the Castle of Askeaton who pndeavoured to blow it up ; and the Four Masters add that, not being able to destroy it, they opened wide its gates, and the next day it became the property of the Queen, This was the first time that ordnance was used in the district, and the terrible roar of " those unknown gnns, the like of which had never been heard before," had a dreadful effect on the occupants of the Castle.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 63

43. John Bourke shot at Adare castle and hanged at Limerick

    Adare · townland · Limerick · 1583

    After the Earl of Desmond's death in 1583, John Bourke refused to submit and went to Adare to take a prey. As he passed the castle a boy shot him in the head, and he was afterwards hanged at Limerick by the Commissioners.

    Read the passage

    1583. After the death of the Earl of Desmond all his followers submitted to mercy except John Bourke who stood out, and he with his company went to Adare to take a prey, but as he passed the castle a boy discharged a piece and shot him in the head. He was afterwards hanged at Limerick by the Commissioners. 1

    The Earl of Desmond^s estates in Cork, Limerick, Kerry and Waterford_, extended one hundred and fifty miles, and contained 574,628 acres. John Oge, the son of John, son of Thomas, the Earl, died at an advanced age in Limerick, his sons having joined the Earl of Desmond.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 66

44. John Desmond's guerrilla campaign in Slieve Bloom mountains

    near Slieve Bloom Mountains · mountain or mountain range · Laois · 1580–1581

    John, son of the Earl of Desmond, commanded a body of one hundred followers harassing Upper Ormond and Eliogarty, retreating to the woods about Mountrath and joining allies in the Slieve Bloom mountains.

    Read the passage

    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.'*

    The blow struck at the power of the Desmonds, and the cause in which the Catholics of Ireland had their hearts, was felt so much, that disappointment and sorrow were universal. Sir George Bourchier was selected Governor of Munster before the departure of Sir WilUam Pelham, and was in the city of Limerick acting in his official capacity, during the events we have been describing. In 1581 the Earl of Desmond, notwithstanding his reverse, made many successful incursions. Upon one occasion, however, a bold and merciless body of " the soldiers of Adare,'' having been divided into two parties, went forth, the one by water, the other by land, to traverse Kerry, and the lands lying along by the banks of the Maigue, to seek for fighting or booty. The two parties having been met together in the neighbourhood of Ballycalhane, by young David, ancestor of all the families of the PurceUs, according to Mac Firbis's pedigree, and his forces, charged them, so that he left them but a heap of bloody trucks and headless carcases. When

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 63

45. King James lands at Kinsale from France

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1689

    On 12 March 1689, King James landed at Kinsale from France with approximately 1,800 men. He proceeded immediately from Cork to Dublin where he was received with open arms by the Catholic population.

    Read the passage

    I HAVE briefly sketched in tlie foregoing chapter the rapid progress of events which preceded the grand crisis at which we have arrived, and which was to decide for ages the fate of a country that had trembled so long in the balance. Prom whatever cause arising. King James did not afford to his supporters that confidence which he might have inspired among men who had bled for their principles, and who had hoped, when he came to the throne, that their rights and liberties would receive a becoming recognition. On the other hand, the Protestant party, which for so long a period had enjoyed immunity and protection for their most revolting excesses, which had obtained the possessions of the Irish proprietors, who had been driven forth with unheard-of cruelty, from their lauds, were now resolved to hold what they had obtained, and to resist opposition from whatever quarter it might arrive. William had already an immense following in England; and strengthened by a powerful party, he resolved to measure weapons with his father-in-law, King James, and to make Ireland the battle-ground on which the mighty issue was to be decided. On the 12th of March, 1689, James landed at Kinsale from Prance, having about 1800 men with him. He proceeded immediately from Cork to DubHn, where Lord Tyrconnell, whom he had constituted Lord Lieutenant, and the entire Cathohc people, received him with open arms as the friend and dehverer, in whom they hoped to find a king equal to the tremendous emergency that had arisen.^ He entered Dublin on Palm Sunday the 24th, amid the most extraordinary display of joy — the streets were lined with soldiers, and the windows were hung with tapestry — the King on horseback. Whilst active, energetic, and powerful preparations were making on this side of the Channel, to sustain the legitimate king, and vindicate the rights of a nation which had so long and so grievously suffered, eighteen regiments of foot and four or five of horse were raised in England for the service of the Prince of Oran_ge in Ireland. The levies were made with very great speed ; for in five or six vveeks the regiments were completed. In the Tower of London, however, theie were not sufficient arms, which had to be sent for to Holland to supply the soldiery that were destined for this country. ^ The army thus raised, after marching to Chester, and encamping at Neston, embarked on the 8th of August, under the command of the Duke Schonberg, General of all the forces of WHliara and Mary ; Count Solmes, General of the Eoot, and several great oificers more, with ten thousand foot and horse : they set sail at High Lake, and landed on Tuesday, the 13th, in the afternoon about three o'clock, within a mile and a-haK of Carrickfergus. It is a strange circumstance that

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 120

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Kinsale in Cork, you are near the place where a decisive moment in Irish history began. On 12 March 1689, King James landed here from France with about 1800 men. He had not inspired the confidence among his supporters that he might have, men who had bled for their principles and hoped when he came to the throne that their rights and liberties would receive recognition. The Protestant party, which had long enjoyed immunity and protection for their most revolting excesses, had obtained the possessions of Irish proprietors driven from their lands with unheard-of cruelty, and were now resolved to hold what they had and resist opposition from whatever quarter. William already had an immense following in England, and strengthened by a powerful party, he resolved to measure weapons with his father-in-law King James and make Ireland the battleground for the mighty issue. James proceeded immediately from Cork to Dublin, where Lord Tyrconnell, whom he had constituted Lord Lieutenant, and the entire Catholic people received him with open arms as the friend and deliverer, in whom they hoped to find a king equal to the tremendous emergency. He entered Dublin on Palm Sunday, 24 March, amid extraordinary joy — the streets lined with soldiers, windows hung with tapestry, the King on horseback. While preparations were made on this side of the Channel, eighteen regiments of foot and four or five of horse were raised in England for the service of the Prince of Orange in Ireland, completed in five or six weeks. The Tower of London lacked sufficient arms, which had to be sent for to Holland.

46. King Malachy's retirement to island in Lake Annim

    near Lough Ennell · lake or lakes · Westmeath · 1022

    After defeating the Northerns, King Malachy retired in 1022 to a small island in Lake Annim (Lough Ennell) in Meath, where he devoted his final hours to penitence and devotion, providing for the support of 300 orphan children.

    Read the passage

    but too often met with in the events of Irish history. Even in the year 1016_, when the unusual entry in the Annals of Ulster^ of " Sith in Erinid"' " Peace in Ireland/'' which like the shutting of the Temple of Janus in Eome w'as looked on as qnite a remarkable occurrence, even in this very year King Malachy, now once more supreme King, was obhged to enforce his supremacy by invading Ulster. Having obtained hostages he again defeated the Danes, subsequently the northern O^NeHls, assisted by the Eugenians or people of South Munster, and soon after accompanied by Donogh, son of Biian Boru, invaded Counaught, and forced its princes to give hostages.^ After defeating the Northerns at the Yellow Eord, now called Atliboy, he retired A.D. 1022, to a small island in Lake Annim, in Meath, where this excellent prince devoted his last hours to works of penitence and devotion, providing amongst other deeds of mercy for the support of 300 orphan children.^ "VVe now return to the Princes of Thomond.

    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

47. Lax-weir gaps broken down amid public rejoicing

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1809–1810

    On 21 August 1810, three large gaps were broken down in the Lax-weir to the great joy of the public, with the centre gap kept at fourteen feet open. This was achieved through the zeal of William Eyves of New Garden near Castle Connell, who at his own expense had sued the weir's tenants Thomas and John Burke and won a verdict with £200 costs and damages at Cork Assizes in August 1809.

    Read the passage

    The fislieries of the great Lax and salmon weirs which the Corporation continued to let to tenants, had not ceased to be a source of Utigation and annoyance ; while between the people and citizens generally, and the tenants and Corporation, feuds prevailed to a serious extent. On the 21st of August, this year, (1810), three large gaps were broken down in the Lax-weir, to the great joy of the pubHc ; the centre gap was fourteen feet, which was to be constantly kept open ; stones, to the amount of one hundred tons which had been placed there, to prevent any advantage to the pubhc from the gap, were removed in the presence of a crowded assemblage of people. This was effected through the zeal and determination of William Eyves, Esq. of New Garden, near Castle CouneU, who at his own expense, instituted a suit agahist Thomas and John Burke, who rented and monopHsed the weir, against whom he obtained a verdict with costs and damages £200, at Cork Assizes, August, 1809.1

    By way of contrast with these serious matters we shall here introduce a literary trifle for the sake of the associations with which it is connected. The "garden^' of Mr. WiUiam Carr,^ was famous at this period for its beauty, and was cultivated in the first style by an experienced gardener. Mr. Carr had three sisters who generally walked each day in the garden dressed in white in the fashion of the time, with large gold watches displayed. Mr. Francis Wheeler the father of the present Lady Lytton Bulwer, composed a song on the Garden, which became very popular, but which appears to be now almost entirely forgotten. The following is a copy of it : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 244

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through Limerick, there is a story from 1810 that speaks to the feuds between the citizens and the Corporation. The Corporation let the Lax and salmon weirs to tenants, and this had not ceased to be a source of litigation and annoyance. Feuds prevailed to a serious extent between the people and citizens generally on one side, and the tenants and Corporation on the other. On the 21st of August 1810, three large gaps were broken down in the Lax-weir, to the great joy of the public. The centre gap was fourteen feet, and was to be constantly kept open. One hundred tons of stones had been placed there to prevent any advantage to the public from the gap, and these stones were removed in the presence of a crowded assemblage of people. This was effected through the zeal and determination of William Eyves of New Garden near Castle Connell, who at his own expense instituted a suit against Thomas and John Burke, who rented and monopolised the weir. He obtained a verdict with costs and damages of 200 pounds at Cork Assizes in August 1809. By way of contrast with these serious matters, the passage turns to a literary trifle. The garden of Mr. William Carr was famous at this period for its beauty and was cultivated in the first style by an experienced gardener. Mr. Carr had three sisters who generally walked each day in the garden dressed in white, in the fashion of the time, with large gold watches displayed. Francis Wheeler, the father of the present Lady Lytton Bulwer, composed a song on the garden, which became very popular but which appears to be now almost entirely forgotten.

48. Limerick as cradle of the Jesuit order in Ireland

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1540–1560

    Limerick is described as the birthplace of the first Irish Jesuit to enter Ireland, the first papal nuncio sent after the Reformation, and Father David Wolf, the first Jesuit hanged, drawn, and quartered for the faith in Great Britain and Ireland. The city had more enduring relations with the Society of Jesus than any other in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    of. Why? Because Limerick was tlie cradle of tlie Company of Jesus in Ireland : it "vras the birthplace of the first Irish Jesuit that entered Ireland, of the hrst nuncio whom the Pope scut to this country after the Reformation, of the Archbishop of Armagh who " first and most coveted this company for the Isle ot Saints" ; it was the birthplace of that father who was the companion and rival of the Venerable Anchieta, the Apostle of Brazils, and who afterwards was the first to preach the name of Jesus to the copper-coloured cannibals of the pampas of Paraguay. In fine, it was the birthplace of the first Jesuit Father that was hanged, drawn, and quartered for the faith in Great Britain and Ireland, viz., Father David Wolf, S.J., 1560, who was "one of the most remarkable men" (says Dr. Moran) " who laboured to gather together the stones of the sanctuary". He spent seven years in Rome, under the immediate guidance of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Borgia. He was attracted to the young society, probably, by the example of the first companions of St. Ignatius, Pasquier, Broet, and Alonzo Salmeron, who came to Ireland in 1542 as legate of the Holy See, invested with all the prerogatives attached to the Apostolic Nunciatura, and armed by St. Ignatius with written instructions that would do honour to the most consummate diplomatist. They went all over Ireland on foot, living on alms as the apostles of old, and at the end of five weeks they were ordered to Rome by his Holiness, as Henry VIII. had set a price on their heads, and had decreed confiscation and death ao-ainst all who gave them hospitality. St. Ignatius, whose " first and dearest" mission Ireland was, declared the embassy of the fathers to be most successful, and Cox, the Protestant historian, says:

    " The observing reader will easily perceive the dismal and horrible efFects of this mission, which hath ever since embroiled Ireland, even to this day".

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 379

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, you are travelling through what the old record calls the cradle of the Company of Jesus in Ireland. The city was the birthplace of the first Irish Jesuit to enter Ireland, of the first nuncio the Pope sent to this country after the Reformation, and of the Archbishop of Armagh who first and most coveted this company for the Isle of Saints. It was also the birthplace of the first Jesuit Father hanged, drawn, and quartered for the faith in Great Britain and Ireland. That was Father David Wolf, in 1560. Dr. Moran says he was one of the most remarkable men who laboured to gather together the stones of the sanctuary. He spent seven years in Rome under the guidance of St. Ignatius and St. Francis Borgia. He may have been drawn to the young society by the example of the first companions of St. Ignatius. Pasquier, Broet, and Alonzo Salmeron came to Ireland in 1542 as legate of the Holy See, with all the prerogatives of the Apostolic Nunciatura. St. Ignatius armed them with written instructions that would do honour to the most consummate diplomatist. They went all over Ireland on foot, living on alms as the apostles of old. After five weeks they were ordered back to Rome, because Henry VIII had set a price on their heads and decreed confiscation and death against all who gave them hospitality. St. Ignatius called Ireland his first and dearest mission, and declared the embassy most successful. Cox, the Protestant historian, says the observing reader will easily perceive the dismal and horrible effects of this mission, which hath ever since embroiled Ireland, even to this day.

49. Limerick bridge opened by Lord Mulgrave

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1835

    A noble bridge in Limerick took eleven years to build and cost £89,061, far exceeding the £30,000 that would have sufficed for a suitable bridge. It was opened by the Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on 5 August 1835.

    Read the passage

    The Bridge took eleven years to build, and the Commissioners spent no less a sum than £89,061 in its completion. It was opened by the Ead of Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on the 5th of August, 1835. A sum of £30,000 would have sufficed for an excellent suitable bridge.

    During the years that were occupied in building the bridge, the promised dock lay in abeyance, and the commercial community were compelled to pay exorbitant dues for an unfinished bridge, which inconveniently interfered with the traffic of the port. They viewed the proceedings of the Commissioners with dissatisfaction, more particularly as the bridge and the port were different undertakings ; the bridge to benefit the landed interest, while the port was for trade and commerce.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 267

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, there is a bridge that took eleven years to build. The Commissioners spent £89,061 completing it, though £30,000 would have sufficed for an excellent suitable bridge. It was opened by the Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, on 5 August 1835. During the years the bridge was being built, the promised dock lay in abeyance, and the commercial community were compelled to pay exorbitant dues for an unfinished bridge that inconveniently interfered with the traffic of the port. They viewed the proceedings of the Commissioners with dissatisfaction, more particularly as the bridge and the port were different undertakings. The bridge was to benefit the landed interest, while the port was for trade and commerce.

50. Limerick parliamentary by-election and bribery disqualification

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1858

    Following Sergeant O'Brien's elevation to the Queen's Bench, a contentious by-election for Limerick city pitted Major George Gavin of Kilpeacon against John Ball. Gavin won by 49 votes but was disqualified on a bribery charge, leading to a second election won by James Spaight after Ball withdrew.

    Read the passage

    Mr. Sergeant O'Brien, M.P. for the city, being this year appointed one of the Judges of the Queen's Bench, his seat was vacated ; and an active canvass was instituted by Major George Gavin, of Kilpeacon, and John Ball, Esq., son of the late Right Hon. Nicholas Ball, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, for the vacancy ; both gentlemen being liberals, and of the same religious persuasion, Catholics. Strong feelings were aroused, and influential sections of the liberal party became divided into adverse camps. The result of the election, which ended on the 7th of February, favoured Major Gavin, who had a majority of 49 votes. On a petition instituted by Mr. Ball, however, a new election was ordered by the House of Commons. Major Gavin having been disqualified on this occasion on a charge of bribery, for which it was admitted he was morally, though not legally, irresponsible, Mr. James Spaight was taken up by Major Gavin's supporters to oppose Mr. Ball, who again entered the arena. At this election Mr. Spaight was returned, Mr. Ball, on the 3rd of May, having withdrawn without going to the poll. Several election rioters were incarcerated, but were liberated by the Lord Lieutenant on the 27th of May.

    ■■ On the 24th of May, John O'Connell, Esq., " the beloved son" of the Liberator, died at Kingstown. He had been some few years before member for Limerick. He was a man of distinguished abilities, an able writer and debater, and of the highest character in public and private life.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 298

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Limerick, you are passing through a city that saw a bitter political fight in 1858. That year, Sergeant O'Brien, member of parliament for the city, was appointed one of the judges of the Queen's Bench, and his seat fell vacant. Two men went after it: Major George Gavin of Kilpeacon, and John Ball, son of the late Right Honourable Nicholas Ball, who had been a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Both were liberals, both Catholics, and the contest split the liberal party into opposing camps. The election ended on the 7th of February, and Major Gavin won it with a majority of 49 votes. Ball petitioned the result, and the House of Commons ordered a new election. Gavin was disqualified on a charge of bribery. It was admitted that he was, as the source puts it, “morally, though not legally, irresponsible” for what happened. His supporters then took up James Spaight to stand against Ball, and at this second election Spaight was returned. Ball withdrew on the 3rd of May without going to the poll. Several election rioters had been locked up, and the Lord Lieutenant liberated them on the 27th of May.

51. Limerick Port debt crisis and Harbour Board reconstruction

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1824–1867

    Between 1824 and 1847, large sums totalling £179,384 were borrowed from Government at high interest for building Wellesley Bridge, improving quays, and constructing a Floating Dock at Limerick. Heavy harbour dues imposed to repay the loans steadily destroyed the coasting trade, and the debt accumulated to nearly £230,000 by 1861 before an 1867 Act re-structured the Harbour Board and commuted the debt.

    Read the passage

    From the year 1824 up to 1847, large sums of money amounting to £179,384, were borrowed from Government at various high rates of interest for building the Wellesley Bridge, and for improving the quays and constructing a Floating Dock. To repay these loans very heavy harbour dues Avere imposed on shipping, and on every article of agricultural produce or merchandise imported or exported by long sea. Prior to the existence of railways communicating with cross-channel ports, these dues were not felt too injurious ; but since railways were established, the heavy dues greatly impeded long-sea traffic, and were steadily destroying the coasting trade of the Port ; and, moreover, the whole income of the Port was insufficient to pay the annual interest on the debt ; so, whilst the maritime trade was being ruined by heavy taxation, the enormoaa debt was rapidly accumulating, until in 1861, it was nearly £230,000.

    The citizens and shipping interests made frequent efforts, in vain, to obtain Rome relief for the Port. At length, in 1861, an Act of Parliament having passed which enabled Government to lend money for harbour improvements, at a low rate of interest, Mr. Long, C.E., and Mr. F. W. Eussell, M.P. for Limerick, induced the Treasury to offer a material reduction in the debt, by consenting to apply that Act of 1861, retrospectively, to the Port, and compute interest from the beginning at 3^ per cent., instead of charging the higher rates of interest at which the loan had been borrowed. But as a condition of this concession, the Treasury required the reduced harbour debt to be secured on the whole rateable property of the City. After much discussion, the Municipal Corporation finally refused to adopt the harbour debt, and the whole arrangement came to nothing.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 463

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, the city carries the marks of a long harbour debt crisis that ran from 1824 to 1867. Between 1824 and 1847, large sums were borrowed from Government at various high rates of interest, amounting to 179,384 pounds. The money went to building Wellesley Bridge, improving the quays, and constructing a Floating Dock. To repay these loans, heavy harbour dues were imposed on shipping, and on every article of agricultural produce or merchandise imported or exported by long sea. Before railways connected to cross-channel ports, the dues were not felt too injurious. But once railways were established, the heavy dues greatly impeded long-sea traffic and steadily destroyed the coasting trade of the Port. The whole income of the Port was insufficient to pay the annual interest on the debt. So while maritime trade was being ruined by heavy taxation, the debt rapidly accumulated, until in 1861 it was nearly 230,000 pounds. The citizens and shipping interests made frequent efforts in vain to obtain relief for the Port. At length, in 1861, an Act of Parliament passed enabling Government to lend money for harbour improvements at a low rate of interest. Mr. Long, C.E., and Mr. F. W. Russell, M.P. for Limerick, induced the Treasury to offer a material reduction in the debt by applying that Act retrospectively to the Port, computing interest from the beginning at 3 per cent instead of the higher rates at which the loan had been borrowed. But as a condition, the Treasury required the reduced harbour debt to be secured on the whole rateable property of the City. After much discussion, the Municipal Corporation finally refused to adopt the harbour debt, and the whole arrangement came to nothing.

52. Lord Brittas discovered and arrested at Carrick

    near Carrick · street · Tipperary · 1607

    After being proclaimed a rebel, Lord Brittas sought shelter in the inland country but was discovered in Carrick, apprehended by the magistrate of that town, and confined in jail. His pregnant wife visited him and travelled from Carrick to Waterford and Kilkenny seeking a spiritual director.

    Read the passage

    3 This illustrious champion of his faith was descended from such a noble family, and was possessed of so plentiful a fortune, as that Sir George Thornton, one of the chief governors of Munster, thought him to be a great match for his daughter, Grace Thornton, to whom the Lord Brittas was married, and had nine children by her. He formed a purpose of going to Spain, in order the more freely to enjoy the benefits of the Catholic religion, which at this time was greatly persecuted in Ireland ; but his design being discovered to his father-in-law. Sir George, he so effectually managed with his feilow-governor. Sir Charles Wilmot, as entirely to prevent the Lord Brittas's departure. Being thus destuted in his journey he more fully and publicly performed all acts of the Catholic religion, bj- going openly to mass, assisting at sermons, having mass said in his own house, whither all the neighbours resorted to hear it ; his domestic affairs he left entirely to his wife, and devoted himself entirely to religion, by harbouring and supporting ecclesiastics and religious persons, especially those of the order of St. Dominick. This, his conduct, being represented in a new light to Charles Mountjoy, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in his passage to Limerick, he thereupon forfeited the Lord Brittas's estate, and it was with the greatest interest and difficulty it was afterwards restored to him. He no sooner got possession, but he prepared a large hall in his house of Brittas for performing divine service therein the following Sunday, which was the first Sunday of October, and whither all those of the sodality of the rosary came to perform their devotions. When the President was informed of this, he sent one Captain Miller with a detachment of horse to apprehend Lord Brittas, just as divine service was going to begin. The congregation was alarmed, and through fear dispersed up and down ; the Lord Brittas, with his chaplain and three or four servants, retired into a strong tower adjoining his house, into which they denied Miller or his troop admittance. The President made handle of this to have him proclaimed as rebel, which laid the Lord Brittas under the necessity of seeking shelter in foreign countries ; to effect this he went to a distant seaport, in hopes of meeting with a ship to transport him, but he was disappointed, which made him seek for shelter in the inland country ; but the edicts against him being published everywhere, he was discovered in Carrick, and apprehended by the magistrate of that town and confined in jail.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 73

53. Lord Justice persecutes Geraldines from Askeaton

    Askeaton · townland · Limerick · 1580

    The Lord Justice Sir William Pelham spent much of the summer at Askeaton, persecuting and extirpating the Geraldines, committing several atrocities before travelling to Cork and back to Askeaton and Limerick.

    Read the passage

    About Whitsuntide following, the Lord Justice proceeded back to Askeaton, where he spent a considerable part of the summer, and never ceased, day and night from persecuting and extirpating the Geraldines.'' Having perpetrated several revolting atrocities, he passed by a transverse course to Cork, and back to Askeaton and Limerick. He had in his custody, the Chiefs of Munster (the Geraldines only excepted) as hostages on this occasion, namely, Barrymore, the wife andson of MacCarthy More, the two sons of MacMaurice of Kerry, O'Sulhvan Bear, MacDonough McCarthy, Chief of Duhallow, and the son of MacCarthy Eeigh.' While the Lord Justice, Sir Wmiam Pelham, was at Limerick, Arthur, Lord Gray, Baron of Wilton and Knight of the Garter, arrived m Dublin; and the Lord Justice surrendered the sword to him, having left Limerick for Dublin for that purpose, and sailed for England.

    The reign of terror proceeded unchecked and rampant ; in the church of the parish of Mahunagh, county of Limerick, dedicated to St. Nicholas, 24 poor old people were put to death on the 6th of August, 1581. Gelasius CQuillenan, a Bemardine abbot of Boyle, and Eugene Crane were martyred. Daniel O'Nieilan, a Franciscan, was martyred at Youghal by John N orris, mayor. Laurence O'Moore, a priest, Oliver Plunkett, a gentleman, and Wilham Walsh, a soldier, were shot to death by a party in hatred of their rehgion, 11th November.''

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 63

54. Maurice O'Brien surrenders Thomond estates to Henry VIII

    Thomond · street · Dublin · 1535

    Maurice O'Brien, following the example of the Earl of Tyrone, submitted to Henry VIII in England and obtained a grant of all his lands in Thomond, along with all abbeys and patronage in the king's gift within his precincts. He was created Earl of Thomond and Baron of Inchiquin, while Donough O'Brien was made Baron of Ibricane.

    Read the passage

    Henry proceeded in his active courses strengthening his power in Ireland. On the 19th of November, 1534, Thomas Butler was made Baron of Cahir, and in the beginning of the next year Maurice O'Brien and Ulick Bourke, induced by the example and success of the Earl of Tyrone, went to England to wait upon the king, having made their submissions, and sui'rendered their estates. O'Brien obtained a grant of all his lands in Thomond, and all the Abbeys and patronage in the king's gift witliin his precincts to him and his heirs male ; and he was made Baron of Inchiquin, to him and his heirs, and created Earl of Thomond for life, with a remainder to Donough O'Brien and his heirs for ever, who for the present was made Baron of Ibricane but whether this Donough were nephew or natural son of the Earl's is not very plain. This Lord of Ibricane had also an annuity of twenty pounds per

    > Arthur MSS. 2 Irisb Acts of Parliament.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 46

55. Milner observes wretched poverty in rich County Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    Dr. Milner, on a second tour through Ireland, noted that despite the fertility of County Limerick in corn and pasturage, the crowded population lived exclusively on potatoes and never tasted the grain or beeves they produced. He found the cabins, clothes, and food of the people more wretched in Limerick than anywhere else he had seen.

    Read the passage

    who was then making a second tour through Ireland . Dr. Milner had opportunities of estimating the state of the population, and the condition of the land. He states that the fertihty of the County of Limerick, hoth in corn and pasturage, must strike the eye of every traveller ; but that this fertility is of no avail to its crowded population, who never taste the grain they reap, nor the beeves which they tend, as the same insipid root, the potato, if they can get even that, is their only food from one end of the year to the other. He adds, that in no part of the country had he seen the cabins, or the clothes and food of the people, more wretched than in the rich county of Limerick ; that their condition, in this respect, instead of exciting the scorn and ridicule of the reflecting stranger, who acknowledges a common nature with these suffering beings, calls for his commiseration, nay for his tears. 1 This may give a clue to the causes of those lamentable disturbances which prevailed ; and to which, it would appear, even he who was called the Iron Duke, could not close his eyes. In his visit to Limerick, Dr. Milner speaks of certain curiosities which particularly struck him — viz. what was shown to him as the Treaty Stone ; and the mitre, crozier, and register (the Black Book) of the ancient Catholic Bishops of Limerick.^

    This state of society contmued for some time longer to give much uneasiness to the Government, but no movement was made to mitigate the miseries of the people. In the years 1809^ and 1810, the same causes produced the same effects.* In this last mentioned year, the citizens conceived the idea of building a theatre in the New-town, and they selected a site for the purpose, in that portion of George's-street,^ which in some years afterwards became the centre of the street, and the principal portion of it for business.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 244

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, consider what Dr. Milner saw here on his second tour through Ireland. He found County Limerick fertile in corn and pasturage, a richness that must strike every traveller. Yet this fertility was of no avail to its crowded population. They never tasted the grain they reaped, nor the beeves they tended. The potato, that same insipid root, was their only food from one end of the year to the other, if they could get even that. In no part of the country had he seen the cabins, the clothes, or the food of the people more wretched than in this rich county. He wrote that their condition, instead of exciting the scorn and ridicule of the reflecting stranger, who acknowledges a common nature with these suffering beings, calls for his commiseration, nay for his tears. This may give a clue to the causes of those lamentable disturbances which prevailed, and to which even he who was called the Iron Duke could not close his eyes. During his visit, Dr. Milner also spoke of certain curiosities that struck him, what was shown to him as the Treaty Stone, and the mitre, crozier, and register, the Black Book, of the ancient Catholic Bishops of Limerick. This state of society continued for some time longer to give much uneasiness to the Government, but no movement was made to mitigate the miseries of the people. In 1809 and 1810, the same causes produced the same effects. In 1810, the citizens conceived the idea of building a theatre in the New-town, and selected a site in George's-street, which in some years afterwards became the centre of the street and the principal portion of it for business.

56. Nenagh Castle surrenders to General Ginkle

    Nenagh · town · Tipperary · 1691

    During the Siege of Limerick, General Ginkle marched with two thousand horse, six hundred dragoons, a regiment of foot, and two guns to Nenagh. The castle endured a twenty-four hour siege before surrendering at discretion, yielding prisoners including two captains, a lieutenant, a priest, and seventy soldiers.

    Read the passage

    On the 23rd in the morning one of Galmoy^s troopers went over to Wilham, and brought with him a boy, and four very good horses. About noon two captains, a lieutenant, a priest, and seventy common soldiers of the Irish, were brought in prisoners from Nenagh, whither General Ginkle marched with two thousand horse, six hundred dragoons, a regiment of foot, and two guns, the castle enduring a siege of twenty-four hours, and then surrendered at discretion.^ That afternoon two Frenchmen went over, and brought with them two as good horses as any in their army ; they gave an account that '■'■ the rogues in the city are in a miserable condition for the want of bread and drink, but that meat is plenty among them.''^ That night about seven in the evening, the besiegers played furiously into the town in several places. One shell fell into the great magazine of hay, which was consumed, and several houses were burned, the fire lasting there about six hours ; another set fire to a place near the Church, which was not consumed till five the next morning, and as that was extinguished they fired another place, which was blown up by the besieged.

    I have shown what has been said by English writers of our countrymen at this extraordinary crisis of their fortunes ; ancientand modern Limerick have suffered equally in their description, yet neither Harris, the biographer of "William, nor Lord Macaulay who dilates upon the "glaring red brick of the houses,^^ and the " showy shops with their shawls and china,'''' could tell the position of the grave of Tyrconnell, whose coffin was concealed beneath the pavement of St. Mary^s until certain repairs of the Cathedral which were executed a few years ago revealed it.^

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 135

57. Nuncio meets Bishops at Maryborough

    Portlaoise · municipal district · Laois · 1648

    The Nuncio reached Maryborough on his flight from Kilkenny, where he met Don Eugene and several Bishops. They took counsel regarding the imminent danger he faced, surrounded by Preston's army, deemed ten thousand strong.

    Read the passage

    the terror and consternation of those who had heard of his sudden departure, many of whom expressed a belief that it was his intention to move O^Neil against them ; but O'Neil at this time had not six hundred soldiers, and before he could collect the remainder of his army together, the conspirators were aware that the forces of Preston would have arrived in Kilkenny before him. He thus escaped arrest, and the confiscation of the money which he yet had with him, and resolved to proceed to Galway, which had shown a strong affection for the cause, and be near the sea to take shipping for Prance on the very first moment. He reached Maryborough in his route, where he met Don Eugene, and several of the Bishops, who took council as to the imminent danger in which he was at the moment, surrounded by Prestou^s army, which was deemed ten thousand strong. i The Bishops begged of him, on their bended knees, not to abandon the country in the emergency — that if he had no regard for his own honour, he should for that of the Holy See, of which it would be said with eternal shame in Ireland, that after having sent succours in religion, the Irish gave nothing but empty shadows. He saw that things had come to the worst — that delay was only a danger. However, after several inter^aews, he came to the resolution on the 27th of May, together with the sub-delegated Bishops, of publishing an excommunication against the accompKces and adherents of the truce, and of interdicting the cities where it would be received. In an instant 2000 soldiers passed from the side of Preston to O'Neil. This bold step saved the cause, for the time, from utter annihilation. Seventeen of the Bishops were for the censures, eight were against them. The religious orders were divided in the same proportion ; the Dominicans, with only one exception, and the Franciscans, without an exception, concurred with the Nuncio. Preston, taking advantage of the disagreement among the Bishops, stated that the excommunication did not affect liim. Disunion, desertion, treachery, and above all, the overwhelming influence of Ormond even on the Bishops, who otherwise felt for the cause,2 forced the Nuncio to adhere to his determination of abandoning the country. With good guides he was conducted in safety to the confines of Connaught, and remained in the house of Mr. Terence Coughlan, of whom he speaks in the warmest terms of praise, as a man, who having joined neither side, in these disastrous times, was confided in generally, and had a singular affection for the CathoHc religion, which he showed by Ins enthusiastic reception of the Nuncio. Coughlan heard one evening that Preston was to pass the following day, in order to unite with the troops of Viscount Dillon, and he immediately acquainted the Nuncio with the fact ; nor was he less prompt in at once departing, than Coughlan in advising him to the step. He was conducted that night to a strong place on the river side ; and in his journey he did not refrain from admiring the tAvihght of these northern nights, which irradiated the whole horizon, and gave light to their footsteps.^ Prom that place he went by water to Athlone, and from thence at last to Galway, from whence he could not at the time depart, and where directions were sent by the Ormondists to deprive him of the very necessaries of life. His vouchers and papers, which had remained with the Dean of Permo, in Kilkenuy, had been already seized, so that he could not show what money he had expended. The Bishops who adhered to him were threatened with the loss of their churches and benefices. Several were most severely dealt with. Don Eugene, for not uniting with Inchiquin, was declared to have

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 92

58. O'Donnell besieges Limerick from O'Donnell's marsh

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1213

    In 1213, O'Donnell plundered Thomond in pursuit of Muireagh O'Daly, followed him to the gates of Limerick, and pitched his camp at Moin-ui Donnell (O'Donnell's marsh). The inhabitants then expelled Muireagh at O'Donnell's command.

    Read the passage

    * The Four Masters mention that in A.D. 1213, O'Donnell having, in pursuit of Muireqgh O'Daly, plundered and laid waste Thomond. followed him to the gates of Limerick, and pitching Lis camp at Moin-ui Donnell (O'Donnell's marsh, so-called from that circumstance), laid siege to the city, upon which the inhabitants, at the command of O'Donnell, expelled Muireagh. — Annals of the Four Masters.

    We find the following entry in the Annals of Clonmacnoise for the year 1216: — " Geoffry ^larche (De Marisco) founded a castle at Killaloe and forced the inhabitants to receive an English bishop." The name of this bishop was Robert Travers. He was afterwards deprived (in 1221), and until the time of the Reformation the see continued to be tilled almost exclusively by Irishmen, there having been but one Englishman, Robert de Mulfield, who succeeded in 1409. — f Harris's ]Va7-e, vol. 1, pp. 521-593.

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 31

59. Penal laws revived and Quit Rent arrears driven in Munster

    Cork · city · Cork · 1741

    The Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council revived the Penal Enactments against Catholic clergy and those who sheltered them. Revenue Collectors of Munster were ordered to drive lands for Quit Rent arrears, with the Cork collection alone exceeding £6,000.

    Read the passage

    But, superadded to the sufferings of the gentry, as well as of the people, persecution was soon again let loose by the Government, and became fierce and general. The liord Lieutenant and Privy Council issued a proclamation, in which the rigors of the Penal Enactments were revived against CathoKc Archbishops, Bishops, Vicars General, and all others exercising ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and against all who harboured or sheltered them. Almost contemporaneously with this edict came an order to the Revenue Collectors of the Province of Munster, to drive several lands for an arrear of Quit Pi,ent, which arrear amounted in one collection — that of Cork — to over £0,000 — lands for which patents had been passed in the 20th and 3 Iml of Charles IL to Sir George Hamilton and the Protestant Bishop of Ossory.'

    To arrest the miseries consequent on the neglect of agriculture, a biU for the encouragement of tillage was mtroduced into the Irish Parliament in the sessions of 1741 ; but it was subjected to public criticism and animadversion, inasmuch as it did not grapple with evils which were then, as well as they now are, felt by those so deeply interested in the question. In a letter from a Mr. Wm. Jessopp, to Mr. Charles Smyth, then attending his Parliamentary duties in Dubhn, Mr. Jessopp, under date Limerick, Dec. 4th, 1741, says : —

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 190

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Cork, this is a city that sat at the centre of a harsh revival in 1741. The Lord Lieutenant and Privy Council issued a proclamation reviving the Penal Enactments against Catholic Archbishops, Bishops, Vicars General, and all others exercising ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and against all who harboured or sheltered them. Almost at the same time came an order to the Revenue Collectors of the Province of Munster to drive several lands for an arrear of Quit Rent. The Cork collection alone amounted to over 6,000 pounds. These were lands for which patents had been passed in the 20th and 31st of Charles the Second to Sir George Hamilton and the Protestant Bishop of Ossory. A bill for the encouragement of tillage was introduced into the Irish Parliament in the sessions of 1741, to arrest the miseries consequent on the neglect of agriculture. But it was subjected to public criticism, inasmuch as it did not grapple with evils deeply felt by those interested in the question. A letter from Mr. William Jessopp to Mr. Charles Smyth, then attending his Parliamentary duties in Dublin, dated Limerick, December the 4th, 1741, speaks to these times.

60. Portentous lights and apparition at Limerick churches

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

    On 17 July 1651, a luminous globe arose from the eastern side of the mountain north of Limerick and shed light over the city before dying over the enemy camp. An apparition of the Blessed Virgin was also reported on the summit of a church dedicated to her, seen by people working in the fields, accompanied by saints and followed to the Dominican Convent and Church of St. Francis.

    Read the passage

    2 O'Daly states that the events which now impended were foreshadowed by three portentous signs which he enumerates: — The first, a most extraordinary phenomenon, witnessed on the 17th July, IGol, a little before midnight of the sacred day of St. Alexius ; six weeks had the soldiers been fortifying the walls, and repairing the circumvallations ; all was just completed, when, lo ! from the eastern side of the mountain which is north of Limerick, tliere arose a lucid globe, brighter than the moon and little inferior to the sun, which for two leagues and a half shed a vertical light upon the city, and then died into darkness over the camp of the enemy. The second was the apparition of the Blessed Mother of God at about three o'clock in the afternoon, on the summit of the Church dedicated to her. She was seen by some simple people at work in the fields, accompanied by St. Francis and St. Dominick and five other heavenly beings, who seemed to follow her to the Convent of the Dominicans and thence to the Church of St. Francis

    Internet Archive limerickitshisto00leni, Chapter 99

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, there is a story from 1651, recorded by O'Daly. He says the events then impended were foreshadowed by three portentous signs. The first came on 17 July, a little before midnight, the sacred day of St. Alexius. The soldiers had spent 6 weeks fortifying the walls and repairing the circumvallations. All was just completed when, from the eastern side of the mountain north of Limerick, there arose a lucid globe, brighter than the moon and little inferior to the sun. For 2 leagues and a half it shed a vertical light upon the city, and then died into darkness over the camp of the enemy. The second sign was the apparition of the Blessed Mother of God, at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, on the summit of the church dedicated to her. She was seen by some simple people at work in the fields, accompanied by St. Francis and St. Dominick and 5 other heavenly beings, who seemed to follow her to the convent of the Dominicans and thence to the church of St. Francis.