Researches in the South of Ireland

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read it as the scan has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too. The passages are read off photographs of the page by machine, so a word here and there comes out wrong; they are kept as the reading produced them, so you can check any of them against the scan.

1. The curate of Ross put to death

   New Ross · townland · Wexford · 1798

   The curate of Ross was killed at the very commencement of the 1798 rebellion, the parish having been promised to the writer's son Charles before the bishop refused to ordain him for want of age. The insurgents, it seemed plain, wished to annihilate all the Protestant clergy; thousands were massing to march on the battle of Ross.

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   night. How to tell my father the melancholy state I left my brother in I knew not; nor could I bring myself to tell him the complete bondage we were in. How often did I thank God that the Bishop of Ferns refused to ordain Charles ! — he had been promised the curacy of Ross, but the Bishop objected to his not being the proper age for ordination. The curate of that place had been put to death at the commencement of the rebellion, and though the insurgents kept us as much as they could in the dark about their proceedings, it was plain they wished to annihilate all the protestant clergy. They continued to treat me with great kindness. Many of them, to whom I was a stranger, used to send in forme, and after looking mysteriously about, would lay a bottle of wine and some bread down by me, and say, " I know you'll be glad of that for Mr. Owen." But how inconsistent ! the same persons were quite abusive to my faithful Alley for smoothing some muslin handkerchiefs of mine, and asked her did she still think herself my servant? that she ought to make me change places with her, — she had the right to command me. This shewed how impressed they were with the idea that they were really to change places, as they said, and all to become gentlemen. My excellent Alley burst into tears, and said she would die before she would command me. At night the men who had escorted me home were true to their promise ; four of them came to sleep at Summerseat, and I felt such confidence in their protection that, for the first time since the rebellion, I went into bed, where I slept most soundly till four o'clock in the morning; when I was awoke by the galloping of horses up the avenue, which was succeeded by a violent knocking at the hall door. I was terrified lest it should be some more dreadful account of my brother. I flew down stairs, and impatiently asked what was the matter, entreating them not to awaken my father with their noise. They swore violently and called for the men who were in the house— saying, they should be punished, and sent to Vinegar Hill, for leaving their posts.

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 58

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to New Ross, a curate was killed at the very start of the rebellion in 1798. He was the curate of Ross, and his death was not an accident. The insurgents, it was plain, wished to annihilate all the Protestant clergy. A young man named Charles had been promised that same curacy, but the Bishop of Ferns refused to ordain him because he was not of the proper age. That refusal may have saved his life. The writer of this account thanked God for it, even as she and her family were held in what she called complete bondage by the insurgents. They kept her in the dark about their proceedings, but treated her with a strange kindness. Strangers would send in a bottle of wine and some bread, lay it down by her, and say, "I know you'll be glad of that for Mr. Owen." Yet the same people were abusive to her servant Alley, asking why she still thought herself a servant, saying she had the right to command her mistress. Alley burst into tears and said she would die before she would command her. At night, four men came to sleep at the house for protection. For the first time since the rebellion, the writer slept soundly, until four in the morning, when horses galloped up the avenue and a violent knocking came at the door. The men at the door swore and said those inside should be punished and sent to Vinegar Hill for leaving their posts. Thousands were massing to march on the battle of Ross.

2. The Legend of St Declan's Round Tower at Ardmore

   Windgap or Ardmore · townland · Waterford

   According to local legend, St Declan built the round tower at Ardmore and it would have reached the sky had he not been interrupted by an inquisitive old woman, whom he seized and flung to the tower's top, where her bones reportedly remained for years as a warning to her sex.

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   work never exceeds one night. Latocnaye, in his " Promenade d'un Francois dans llrelande," speaking of that at Cloyne, remarks, " si c'est le Diable qui 1'a batie le Diable est un bon mapon." The visitor of Ardmore will hear abundance of tales, in which the patron saint, Declan, appears as the " minister of miracles." That pious personage of course built the tower, which, it is affirmed, would possibly have reached the sky, if his operations had not been interrupted by an inquisitive old woman, when he hastily concluded his work, and, seizing the intruder, flung her with one twirl to the top, where the remains of her bones continued, until within a few years, a warning to her sex. The " cross like a crutch" has doubtless given rise to this legend. On the shore, a mass of rock is pointed out, equally under the patronage of St. Declan, beneath which it is possible to creep at low water, and the ceremony, if performed on the saint's day, is supposed to relieve the most grievous rheumatic pains, provided the patient, with becoming faith, can insinuate himself through the cavity three times, repeating certain prayers. This rock is reported to have floated from Rome, bearing the consecrated vestments of St. Declan, and a bell for the tower ; on whose second journey from thence into Ireland, says Dr. Hanmer, in his Chronicle, he " arrived in a place called Ard-naciored, in Latine Altitudo ovium, now called Ardmore, the which soile the Lord of Nandesi gave him, where goodly buildings have beene, and as the record runneth — ' Civitas sancti Declani quae in eo loco posita est, vocatur Ardmore, id est altitudo magna/ '

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 29

   As the companion tells it

   Close to Windgap or Ardmore, the visitor hears abundance of tales in which the patron saint Declan appears as the minister of miracles. That pious personage, of course, built the round tower. It is affirmed the tower would possibly have reached the sky, if his operations had not been interrupted by an inquisitive old woman. He hastily concluded his work, and seizing the intruder, flung her with one twirl to the top. The remains of her bones continued there, until within a few years, a warning to her sex. On the shore, a mass of rock is pointed out, equally under the patronage of Saint Declan. Beneath it, it is possible to creep at low water. The ceremony, if performed on the saint's day, is supposed to relieve the most grievous rheumatic pains, provided the patient, with becoming faith, can insinuate himself through the cavity three times, repeating certain prayers. This rock is reported to have floated from Rome, bearing the consecrated vestments of Saint Declan, and a bell for the tower. Doctor Hanmer, in his Chronicle, says that on his second journey from Rome into Ireland, Declan arrived in a place called Ard-naciored, in Latin Altitudo ovium. The soil the Lord of Nandesi gave him, where goodly buildings have been, and as the record runneth, the city of Saint Declani placed in that place is called great height.

3. The Súgán Earl's Treason Trial at Cork

   Cork · townland · Cork · 1601

   After his capture the Súgán Earl was carried by force to Kilmallock and thence to Cork, where he was tried and found guilty of treason on 14 August 1601. His life was spared as a matter of state policy; he was sent to the Tower of London and died there a prisoner after seven years, buried in its chapel.

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   The fate of the Sugan Earl, as he is styled, was little more fortunate than that of his predecessor. After one or two defeats he was hunted from place to place, and so closely followed that it was often known to his pursuers where he had been concealed the preceding night.* The Galtee mountains were the chief retreat of the Sugan Earl ; and his kinsman, the White Knight, being induced by money or fear, perhaps both, betrayed and seized him as he lurked in the cave of Skeenarinky, not far distant from Mitchelstown. Being forcibly carried to Kilmallock, he was thence conveyed to Cork, where he was tried and found guilty of being a traitor, on the 14th of August, 1601. But his life was spared by a piece of state policy ; and the Earl, transmitted to the Tower of London, died there a prisoner, after seven years confinement, and was buried in its chapel. His brother John emigrated to Spain, and was distinguished as Earl or Count of Desmond, which title was also given to his son, Gerald,

   * Sir Richard Cox, in the narration of one of his escapes, strongly depicts the wretched state of the country. " The President, having notice that the Sugan Earl and Dermod Magragh, titular Bishop of Cork, were at Lisbarry, in Drumfinin Woods, sent a party thither, who were so near surprizing them that the Sugan Earl was fain to run away barefoot ; and the Bishop got some old rags about him, and so well personated an old impotent beggar, that the English who met him did not thunk him worth a hanging, and therefore suffered him to pass."

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 13

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in 1601, the Súgán Earl was brought to Cork and tried for treason. After one or two defeats he had been hunted from place to place, so closely followed that his pursuers often knew where he had been concealed the night before. The Galtee mountains were his chief retreat. His kinsman, the White Knight, induced by money or fear or both, betrayed and seized him as he lurked in the cave of Skeenarinky, not far from Mitchelstown. He was forcibly carried to Kilmallock, and thence conveyed to Cork, where he was tried and found guilty of being a traitor on the 14th of August, 1601. But his life was spared by a piece of state policy. The Earl was transmitted to the Tower of London, where he died a prisoner after seven years confinement, and was buried in its chapel. Sir Richard Cox gives an account of one of his escapes. The President had notice that the Súgán Earl and Dermod Magragh, titular Bishop of Cork, were at Lisbarry, in Drumfinin Woods. He sent a party thither, who were so near surprising them that the Súgán Earl was fain to run away barefoot. The Bishop got some old rags about him and so well personated an old impotent beggar that the English who met him did not think him worth a hanging, and therefore suffered him to pass. His brother John emigrated to Spain, and was distinguished as Earl or Count of Desmond, a title also given to his son, Gerald.

4. An old man carted to Wexford jail

   Wexford · townland · Wexford · 1798

   On 2 June 1798 a party of fifty armed men came to Summerseat and carried the writer's aged, ailing father to Wexford jail on his own cart, his daughter walking beside him with her two children. They were crowded into a small front room whose window panes were all broken, and were released only when the parish priest procured a pass from General Keogh.

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   allowed to put a feather bed into it — which desire, after some consultation, they complied with. Never shall I forget the sensation, the freezing horror I felt, at seeing one of those fellows take my dear venerable father by the arm, and place him in his own cart. I put my two little girls by him, and, assuming as much cheerfulness as I could, I said, — " Well, Sir, the poor Pope had not the comfort of a child and grandchildren to travel with him to prison."* I walked by his side till we came near Wexford, when our guard suddenly stopped, and stood for some time together whispering. My terror of a jail was such, I hoped they were consulting about putting us to death, and at once ridding us of all the horrors we had to contend with. One of them at length came forward, and, with the greatest air of importance, said, " You have no right, as prisoners, to wear these green boughs ; take them out of your hats." I forgot to mention that, previous to our leaving Summerseat, they ornamented our heads with green boughs. So, after taking from us this badge of liberty, they proceeded with us to the jail. On our arrival there, the person who opened the door said to me, " you must not go in." " Not go in?— not go in with my father! — no one shall prevent me:" in an instant they put their pikes before me: I implored them not to separate me from my father : one of them gave me a push, and said, " there is no room for women." I turned round, almost distracted, and seeing a person amongst the crowd who had the appearance of a gentleman, I implored him not to suffer those fellows to prevent my going with my father into the jail, that he was extremely ill, and I had never been separated from him: — " I would not leave him for worlds — my children too! — do, dear Sir, let me share his fate — let us at least be together." He appeared much affected, and said, " certainly, Madam, you shall go in;" and, after taking my poor father and children out of the cart, handed me in, and, with the utmost concern of countenance, lamented the shocking place he was conducting us to. It was a small front room, and so crowded that there was not room even for a chair. I begged permission to get the feather bed that was in the cart; my request was complied with, and just as I had put it into a corner, and laid my poor father on it, a gentleman came up to me, and lamented very much seeing us in such a situation. — This gentleman was priest of our parish : he apologized for never having

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 58

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in June 1798, a party of fifty armed men came to Summerseat and carried a woman's aged, ailing father to Wexford jail on his own cart. She walked beside him with her two children. Before they left Summerseat, the men ornamented their heads with green boughs. Near Wexford the guard stopped and whispered together. The woman's terror of the jail was so great, she hoped they were consulting about putting them to death. One of them came forward and said, "You have no right, as prisoners, to wear these green boughs; take them out of your hats." They took this badge of liberty from them and proceeded to the jail. At the jail door, the person who opened it told her she must not go in. She said, "Not go in with my father? No one shall prevent me." They put their pikes before her. One gave her a push and said there was no room for women. She turned and saw a man with the appearance of a gentleman among the crowd. She implored him not to let them separate her from her father, that he was extremely ill. She said, "I would not leave him for worlds — my children too — do, dear Sir, let me share his fate." He was affected and said she should go in. The room was a small front room, so crowded there was not room even for a chair, and the window panes were all broken. She got permission to bring the feather bed from the cart and laid her father on it in a corner. Then the priest of their parish came up and lamented seeing them in such a situation. He procured a pass from General Keogh, and they were released.

5. Burning of Athenry Church, Bones and All

   Athenry · townland · Galway · 1558–1603

   During the reign of Elizabeth, a party of Irish burned the town of Athenry, sparing not even the church. When told the building held his mother's bones, the leader declared he would burn her along with it rather than let an English churl fortify there.

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   celebrated in some Irish verses still extant, commencing " The wailing of the English mourner over the losses of Englishmen is a sound that I lament not." And when the town of Athenry in the county Galway was burned by a party of Irish in the reign of Elizabeth, whose fury spared not even the church, the leader, on being told that this building contained the bones of his mother, ferociously replied, " I care not — were she alive I would sooner burn her and it together than that any English churl should fortify there." It was even proposed in the parliament assembled at Dublin by James II. during his last struggle for the crown of England, and the motion is upon record, " that all the fine houses and every thing that looked

   CHAP. XIV. ANCIENT BUILDINGS. 265

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 50

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in the reign of Elizabeth, a party of Irish burned the town of Athenry and spared not even the church. When the leader was told that the building held his mother's bones, he replied, "I care not — were she alive I would sooner burn her and it together than that any English churl should fortify there." The event is remembered in Irish verses that begin, "The wailing of the English mourner over the losses of Englishmen is a sound that I lament not."

6. Captain Cape the Tory at Carrigrohan Castle

   near Carrigrohane · townland · Cork · 1641

   Carrigrohan Castle, which suffered damage in the 1641 disturbances, later became the residence of Captain Cape, a notorious Tory or Rapparee who with a gang of desperate associates plundered travellers and terrorized the neighbouring country.

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   Carrigrohan Castle, a mile and a half nearer Cork than that of Ballincollig, is a castellated house, and stands on an abrupt rocky eminence over the Lee, from which it probably derives its name ; Carrigrohan signifying in English a rocky, sharp pointed hill. It suffered considerable dilapidation in the disturbances of 1641, but was shortly after repaired, and became the residence of Captain Cape, a notorious Tory or Rapparee, who with a gang of desperate associates plundered travellers, and laid the neighbouring country under contribution in the most daring manner.

   About twenty years since, a remarkably fine sycamore tree stood near it.

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 51

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Carrigrohane stands Carrigrohan Castle, a castellated house on a rocky hill over the Lee. The name means a rocky, sharp pointed hill. It suffered considerable damage in the disturbances of 1641, but was repaired shortly after. Then it became the residence of Captain Cape, a notorious Tory or Rapparee. He kept a gang of desperate associates with him. Together they plundered travellers and laid the neighbouring country under contribution in the most daring manner. About twenty years before the account was written, a remarkably fine sycamore tree stood near the castle.

7. Lightning Strikes Cloyne's Round Tower

   Cloyne · townland · Cork · 1749

   On the night of 10 January 1749, a violent thunderstorm swept across County Cork and struck the round tower of Cloyne used as the cathedral belfry. The lightning tore open the vaulted arch, threw down the great bell and three floors, blasted through the tower wall, and scorched pigeons roosting in the steeple to death.

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   to the lowest floor, forced its way, with a violent explosion, through one side of the tower, and drove some of the stones, which were admirably well jointed and locked into each other, through the roof of a neighbouring stable. The door, though held by a strong iron lock, was thrown to a distance of sixty yards and shattered to pieces, and a few pigeons that used to roost in the top of the steeple were scorched to death, not a feather being left unsinged. The conical stone' roof destroyed by this accident was never replaced, but the height of the tower was lowered more than six feet, and an embattlement substituted. The stones of which the tower is composed have been mostly brought from the sea shore, and were prepared with much care, though about half way up the building there is an evident difference in the stones themselves as well as in the mode of placing them. The steps to the door are modern, like the embattlement ; for these towers, whatever may have been their use, were entered by means of a rope or ladder, the door being generally eight or nine feet from the ground. In this at Cloyne it is about thirteen, and at Kilmacduagh, in the county Galway, no less than twenty-four. The height of the Round Tower of Cloyne is stated to be ninety-two feet, and the thickness of the wall forty-three inches : the first story has projecting stones for the joists of a floor to rest upon.

   The Bishop's Palace adjoins the town, and was rebuilt in the early part of the last century by Bishop Crowe, a descendant of the notorious Sir Sackville Crowe. It is an old fashioned and clumsy building, without any claims to architectural beauty ; but, as the residence of the amiable Bishop Berkeley, possesses a superior attraction : the most profound metaphysician of his time, he was distinguished by the disinterestedness of his character and the purity of his mind, and truly merited the commendation of Pope, who ascribes

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 46

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Cloyne stands a round tower that once served as the cathedral belfry. On the night of 10 January 1749, a violent thunderstorm swept across County Cork and lightning struck the tower. The lightning tore open the vaulted arch, threw down the great bell and three floors, and blasted through the tower wall. It forced its way, with a violent explosion, through one side of the tower, driving stones that were admirably well jointed and locked into each other through the roof of a neighbouring stable. The door, though held by a strong iron lock, was thrown sixty yards and shattered to pieces. A few pigeons that roosted in the top of the steeple were scorched to death, not a feather left unsinged. The conical stone roof destroyed that night was never replaced. The tower's height was lowered more than six feet and an embattlement substituted. The stones were mostly brought from the sea shore and prepared with care, though about halfway up there is an evident difference in the stones and how they were placed. The door stands about thirteen feet from the ground; these towers were entered by rope or ladder. The tower is ninety-two feet high, with walls forty-three inches thick, and the first story has projecting stones for floor joists to rest upon.

8. Slaughter of the Gallowglasses in Aherlow Wood

   near Aherlow · townland · Tipperary · 1583

   By the middle of 1583 Desmond's whole force was reduced to sixty gallowglasses. A party out of Kilmallock surprised them in Aherlow wood in the act of boiling horse-flesh and killed half of them.

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   Pursued from one retreat to another, the Earl of Desmond, after many ineffectual efforts at reprisal, and several narrow escapes, was forced " to keep his Christmas (1582) in Kilquegg wood, near Kilmallock," where being attacked, his followers were all put to the sword, and he and his Countess escaped by remaining concealed under a bank of the river, up to their chins in water. About the middle of the following year, Desmond's chief force, consisting only of sixty gallowglasses, was surprised in the act of boiling horse-flesh, and half of them slain by a party from Kilmallock, in Harlow or Agherlow wood. On the death of Dr. Saunders, who perished miserably, having fallen a victim to famine and the effects of exposure to the weather, and whose body was discovered partially

   CHAP. IV. KILMALLOCK. 73

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 13

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, in 1583, the last of Desmond's fighting men met their end. By Christmas of 1582, the Earl of Desmond had been hunted from one refuge to another. He kept that Christmas in Kilquegg wood near Kilmallock, where his followers were all put to the sword. He and his Countess survived only by concealing themselves under a bank of the river, up to their chins in water. By the middle of the following year, Desmond's force was reduced to sixty gallowglasses. They were in Aherlow wood, in the act of boiling horse-flesh, when a party from Kilmallock surprised them and killed half. Dr. Saunders perished miserably too, a victim of famine and the effects of exposure to the weather.

9. The Battle of Affane between Butler and Fitzgerald Clans

   Affane · townland · Waterford · 1550–1565

   At Affane, a severe conflict occurred in the mid-sixteenth century between the Butler and Fitzgerald clans, in which three hundred of the Fitzgeralds were killed and their leader, the Earl of Desmond, was wounded and taken prisoner.

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   Proceeding forward, the village of AiTane appears on the right, remarkable in Irish history from having been the scene of a severe conflict, about the middle of the sixteenth century, between the clans of Butler and Fitzgerald, in which three hundred of the latter were

   * This gentleman resided many years at Youghall, and was author of some tracts on electricity.

   Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 21

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, a severe conflict took place about the middle of the sixteenth century between the Butler and Fitzgerald clans. Three hundred of the Fitzgeralds were killed. Their leader, the Earl of Desmond, was wounded and taken prisoner.

10. The Duke of Grafton Falls in Grafton's Alley

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1690

    During Marlborough's siege of Cork in September 1690, the Duke of Grafton, natural son of Charles II, was mortally wounded by a musket shot from the city walls, the ball entering at the point of his shoulder, and died within hours. The spot where he fell is now called Grafton's Alley, a narrow passage from the South Mall into George's Street.

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    At noon a body of the Danes crossed the northern branch of the river, and four regiments of English under Brigadier Churchill, at the south side, waded to the East Marsh up to their chins in water, but both the detachments were retarded by the swampiness of the ground, and prevented storming the breach by a deep channel that passed down the centre of the present Grand Parade, and served as a counterscarp to the city wall. During the delay caused by these obstructions, the Duke of Grafton (natural son of Charles II.) was mortally wounded by a musket shot from the walls ; the ball entered at the point of his shoulder, and he died in a few hours after ; the place where this nobleman fell is now distinguished by the name of Grafton's Alley, a narrow passage leading from the South Mall into George's Street.

    Two vessels were also moored off the city, and threw bombs into it. " In the midst of which puther," to use the expression of Story, Lord Tyrone beat a parley, and surrendered at mercy. The garrison consisted of 4,500 men, and amongst the prisoners of note were the Earls of Clancarty and Tyrone, and many Irish chieftains. About 1,500 of the prisoners were embarked for England, 200 of whom perished in the Breda man of war, which was blown up in Cork harbour, an event that, for the honour of human nature, it is to be hoped has falsely been attributed to the treachery of Colonel Barrett — he and his servant only escaping.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in September 1690, the Duke of Grafton, natural son of Charles the Second, was mortally wounded during the siege of Cork. He was hit by a musket shot from the city walls, the ball entering at the point of his shoulder, and he died within hours. The narrow passage where he fell, running from the South Mall into George's Street, still carries his name: Grafton's Alley. The assault had stalled on both sides of the river. Four English regiments under Brigadier Churchill waded to the East Marsh up to their chins in water, while a body of Danes crossed the northern branch, but swampy ground and a deep channel running down what is now the Grand Parade blocked the storming of the breach. Two vessels moored off the city threw bombs into it. In the midst of which puther, as the writer Story put it, Lord Tyrone beat a parley and surrendered at mercy. The garrison held 4,500 men. Among the prisoners of note were the Earls of Clancarty and Tyrone, and many Irish chieftains. About 1,500 prisoners were embarked for England. Two hundred of them perished when the Breda man of war blew up in Cork harbour, an event attributed to the treachery of Colonel Barrett, who escaped with his servant.

11. The Earl of Kildare's Ghostly Ride Round the Curragh

    Curragh · townland · Kildare

    An Earl of Kildare, deified in local belief, is doomed as a penitential spectre to ride septennially round the Curragh common until the silver shoes of his supernatural steed are worn away.

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    Many of the ancient Irish chieftains have received deification, and the credulous believe in their frequent re-appearance on earth as the messengers of good tidings, such as a fine season or an abundant harvest. Other shades arc compelled to perform certain penitential ceremonies in expiation of crimes committed during life; of the latter may be mentioned an Earl of Kildare, doomed to ride septennially round the Curragh (an extensive common) until the silver shoes of his supernatural steed are worn out. To the former class belongs O'Donoghue, a chief of much celebrity, whose May-day visit on a milk white horse, gliding over the lake of Killarney, to the sound of unearthly music, and attended by troops of spirits scattering delicious spring flowers, has been lyrically preserved by Mr. Moore, and is accurately recorded in a poem by Mr. Leslie on Killarney, and in Mr. Weld's account of that Lake, as also in Derrick's Letters,

    o

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the Curragh stretches out as an extensive common, and local tradition says an Earl of Kildare is doomed to ride round it. He was one of the ancient Irish chieftains who were deified in popular belief. But his case is a penitential one, meant to expiate crimes he committed in life. Every seven years he must make the circuit on a supernatural steed, and he cannot be freed until the silver shoes of that horse are worn away.

12. The Heroic Siege Defence of Castletownroche by Lady Roche

    Castletownroche · townland · Cork · 1649

    During the rebellion, Maurice Lord Roche was attainted and outlawed for refusing Cromwell's terms. In 1649 his wife defied the parliamentary forces and defended Castle Town Roche for several days until a heavy artillery bombardment from the Camp Field forced her surrender.

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    During the rebellion of 1641, the greater part of the estates of this family were forfeited, and Maurice Lord Roche was attainted and outlawed, having refused a composition offered by Cromwell. His lady, in 1649, defied the parliamentary forces, and heroically defended Castle Town Roche for some days, until compelled to surrender by a heavy fire from a battery raised in a field on the opposite side of the river, still called the Camp Field, and from whence Mr. Nicholson's drawing was made.

    Lord Roche's attachment to Charles II., with whom he is said to

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1649, a woman held out against an army. When the rebellion of 1641 broke out, Maurice Lord Roche's estates were forfeited. He was attainted and outlawed for refusing a composition offered by Cromwell. His lady defied the parliamentary forces and heroically defended Castle Town Roche for some days, until compelled to surrender by a heavy fire from a battery raised in a field on the opposite side of the river, still called the Camp Field, from which Nicholson's drawing was made.

13. The Melancholy Death of Miss Adams

    Cloyne · townland · Cork · 1804

    A monument in Cloyne Cathedral commemorates Miss Adams, an accomplished young woman whose premature death was described as peculiarly melancholy. Her epitaph was penned by Mrs. Piozzi.

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    Before erecting the present cross wall at the entrance of the choir, which was done by Bishop Agar in 1776, as the workmen dug deep in the nave to lay the foundation, they came on a row of graves rather singularly constructed, consisting of brick cells, exactly suited to the size and shape of the body contained in each, and what is rather curious one of them ended at the shoulders, nor were any of the bones of the skull to be found with the body. " It is therefore not improbable," adds Bishop Bennett, who has recorded this discovery, " that the head of the owner may have been fixed on Cork gates in the times of turbulence, as they appear in the print given us in the Pacata Hibernia to be full of such kind of trophies." I cannot leave the cathedral of Cloyne, without noticing the monument of Miss Adams, an accomplished and elegant young woman, whose premature death was peculiarly melancholy. In the circle of my earliest

    i i

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 45

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in Cloyne Cathedral, there is a monument to Miss Adams, an accomplished and elegant young woman whose premature death in 1804 was peculiarly melancholy. Her epitaph was written by Mrs. Piozzi. Before that, in 1776, Bishop Agar put up a cross wall at the entrance of the choir. As workmen dug deep in the nave to lay the foundation, they came on a row of graves rather strangely constructed. Each was a brick cell, exactly suited to the size and shape of the body inside. One of them ended at the shoulders, and no bones of the skull were found with the body. Bishop Bennett, who recorded this discovery, wrote that "it is therefore not improbable that the head of the owner may have been fixed on Cork gates in the times of turbulence," as a print in the Pacata Hibernia shows such trophies.

14. The Pillory and the Gallows for Loose Talk

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1746–1756

    In 1746 the Cork post-boy was pilloried for answering an enquiry about the news with 'Good news, the Pretender is crowned in Scotland,' as was a man named Coughlan accused of toasting Lord Clare, an officer in French service. Over the following ten years four or five men were executed at Cork for enlisting soldiers for the French King.

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    crowned in Scotland ;" and a man named Coughlan, accused of toasting the health of Lord Clare, then an officer in the French service, suffered that punishment, and during the ten following years four or five men were executed for enlisting soldiers for the French King ; but with these individual exceptions Cork appears to have been Avell affected towards the Hanoverian succession.

    The ancient trade of Cork was very limited, and entirely confined to England and the ports in the Bay of Biscay — the principal import was wine from France and Spain, and in return it exported staves, hides, fish, skins, and wool. All the traffic was carried on in foreign bottoms ; for Cork, in the reign of Elizabeth, only possessed a few fishing barks, nor were there warehouses established for the reception of merchandize, and every trader therefore brought his goods at his own risk and disposed of them in the best manner he could from on board his vessel.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cork, in 1746, the Cork post-boy was pilloried for answering a question about the news with the words 'Good news, the Pretender is crowned in Scotland.' A man named Coughlan suffered the same punishment for toasting the health of Lord Clare, then an officer in the French service. Over the following ten years, four or five men were executed here for enlisting soldiers for the French King. Apart from these cases, Cork appears to have been well affected towards the Hanoverian succession.

15. William Penn's Imprisonment in Cork

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1667

    William Penn, having converted to Quakerism after attending a meeting in Cork, was arrested along with many others at a religious gathering and committed to the common prison when he refused to give bond for his behaviour.

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    On the 3d of September, 16675 Penn, being at a meeting in that city, was apprehended, with many others, and carried before the Mayor, who, observing his dress was less primitive than that of his companions, or perhaps recollecting that his father, Sir Wm. Penn, was a man of considerable power and influence both in the county and in England, would have set him at liberty upon giving bond for his future good behaviour, which Penn refused to do, and was committed with eighteen others to the common prison. Immediately on his commitment he wrote a manly letter to Lord Orrery, President of Minister, then at Chraleville, who ordered his discharge, but suffered his fellow prisoners to remain until released in the due course of law.

    Amongst the early religious associates of Penn was John Exham, distinguished by the name of the Quaker Prophet, an eccentric fanatic, originally a soldier under Cromwell, but who, on the appearance of Quakerism, took a leading part in the dissemination of its pacific doctrines. His enthusiasm was so great, about the time of Penn's imprisonment, that he walked through the streets, his head covered with sackcloth and ashes, preaching repentance and amendment of life, for which he suffered a long and severe imprisonment ; but undismayed by such usage, he took a second exercise of the same kind in Cork, during the year 1698, being then above seventy.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1667, William Penn was arrested at a Quaker meeting in Cork and sent to the common prison. On the 3rd of September, 1667, Penn was at a religious meeting in the city when he was apprehended with many others and carried before the Mayor. The Mayor observed that Penn's dress was less primitive than that of his companions. He may also have recollected that Penn's father, Sir William Penn, was a man of considerable power and influence in the county and in England. The Mayor would have set Penn at liberty upon giving bond for his future good behaviour. Penn refused, and was committed with eighteen others to the common prison. Immediately on his commitment, Penn wrote a letter to Lord Orrery, President of Munster, then at Charleville. Lord Orrery ordered his discharge, but suffered his fellow prisoners to remain until released in the due course of law. Among Penn's early religious associates was John Exham, called the Quaker Prophet, an eccentric fanatic originally a soldier under Cromwell. When Quakerism appeared, Exham took a leading part in spreading its pacific doctrines. About the time of Penn's imprisonment, his enthusiasm was so great that he walked through the streets, his head covered with sackcloth and ashes, preaching repentance and amendment of life. He suffered a long and severe imprisonment for this. Undismayed, he did the same again in Cork during the year 1698, being then above seventy.

16. The maddened clergyman in the jail of Gorey

    Gorey · townland · Wexford · 1798

    The Rev. Mr. Owen, a Protestant clergyman living near Enniscorthy, was taken prisoner at the head of five hundred of his parishioners, brought into the rebel camp and marched to the jail of Gorey. He lost his reason, dancing through the streets declaring himself an Orangeman, and his madness was afterwards credited with saving his life.

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    himself." My father continued very low and ill : I had not a drop of wine, or any proper nourishment for him. Poor Hayes, who saw my distress, mentioned it to one of the rebels, and next evening he came to me with a bottle of excellent claret — never was I more overjoyed. I do believe it saved his life ; it was at least a comfort he had not had since our escape to the island. All this time we were very uneasy about my brother and his large family. His living was near Eniscorthy, and of course he was in the midst of the rebellion. The first question I used to ask Hayes every night, on his return from the rebel camp, was, "have you heard any thing of my brother or Mrs. Owen ?" One night I was obliged to repeat the question, and, on looking at Hayes, I evidently saw his countenance marked with visible concern, and he appeared not to like to answer my question. I felt terrified, and desired he would not keep me in suspense — I guessed all — " they are murdered, I suppose." " No, Madam, not so bad; but Mr. Owen has been taken prisoner, at the head of 500 of his parishioners. He was brought into the rebel camp, and from thence marched into the jail of Gorey ; and indeed, Madam, I am afraid he is a little light in his head." At once it flashed across me that the strong sense of his situation, his wife, (who was near being confined,) and that of his eight children, had deprived him of his senses. This so completely overpowered me, I fell against a table, and was for some time insensible. When I recovered a little, all that I had suffered felt light compared to his malady. I charged Hayes to keep this melancholy intelligence a secret from my poor father and children. How often did I thank Heaven that my dear mother had not lived to come to the county of Wexford, where she had planned so much happiness for herself and family. — What blind creatures are we ! How often did I wish my dear father laid quietly by her, so much did I dread his being murdered. Oh, how impious it is to despair! But to return to my poor brother. Hayes begged of me not to suffer his master to go out on the road, as they were so exasperated against Mr. Owen for avowing himself an Orangeman, that he heard them talk of coming again to send his master back to jail. I asked where my brother was, and what had become of his family. He assured me he did not know. My fears that he had been put to death were soon relieved : in about an hour after Hayes's information, I received an open note written in his hand, but in such an agitated manner I could scarcely

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in Gorey, a Protestant clergyman was held in the jail in 1798. The Reverend Mr. Owen lived near Enniscorthy, and when the rebellion broke out he found himself in the midst of it. He was taken prisoner at the head of 500 of his parishioners, brought into the rebel camp, and from there marched into the jail of Gorey. The news reached his sister through a man named Hayes, who came to her one evening looking visibly troubled. She asked after her brother and his wife, and Hayes told her Mr. Owen had been taken and that he was afraid the clergyman was a little light in his head. At once it flashed across her that the weight of his situation, his wife, who was near being confined, and his eight children, had deprived him of his senses. She fell against a table and was for some time insensible. The rebels were exasperated against Mr. Owen for avowing himself an Orangeman. He had been seen dancing through the streets, declaring himself an Orangeman, out of his wits. His madness was thought to have saved his life. About an hour after Hayes brought the news, the sister received an open note written in Owen's own hand, but in so agitated a manner she could scarcely read it.

17. Three Hundred Rapparees Cut Down at Mallow

    Mallow · townland · Cork · 1690

    On 17 September 1690 Colonel Donap burned the bridge at Mallow and reported three thousand Rapparees nearby. Major Fittinkhoft was sent out with one hundred horse and fifty dragoons and routed them, leaving nearly three hundred dead on the field.

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    * " On the 17th September, 1690, Colonel Donap was detached with directions to burn the bridge at Mallow, which he performed, and brought an account that a party of Rapparees to the number of three thousand were not far off, when Major Fittinkhoft was immediately sent out with a party of one hundred horse and fifty dragoons, who completely routed them, leaving nearly three hundred dead on the field, and getting many silver hiked swords, and some fine horses amongst the plunder." — Story, vol. i. p. 140.

    142 THE RIVER BLACKWATER. CHAP. VII.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Mallow, something bloody happened in 1690. On the 17th of September, Colonel Donap was sent to burn the bridge at Mallow, which he did. He brought back word that a party of Rapparees, around three thousand strong, were not far off. Major Fittinkhoft went out at once with one hundred horse and fifty dragoons. He completely routed them, leaving nearly three hundred dead on the field. Among the plunder were many silver-hiked swords and some fine horses.

18. Desmond Storms Youghal

    Youghal · townland · Cork · 1579

    Having gathered his followers on the Ballyhoura mountain and declared himself the open enemy of Queen Elizabeth, the Earl of Desmond attacked and captured the town of Youghal with little opposition. The plunder was carried off to his castles of Strancally and Lisfinny, which he garrisoned with invading Spanish troops.

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    out that his haughty and tyrannic disposition made him regard the acts of others with suspicion ; and though of English extraction, in common with most Irish chieftains, he knew not how to demean himself as a subject, and resisted every encroachment on his feudal dignity. A more dangerous man, therefore, to any peaceable government could not have existed — arrogant, oppressive, and ferocious. Irritated at the severe conduct of the English governors towards him, whom an invasion compelled to adopt decisive measures, the enraged Earl, collecting his followers on the Ballyhoura mountain, for the first time appeared as the avowed enemy of Queen Elizabeth, and proceeded to attack the town of Youghall, which he captured without much opposition, and deposited the plunder in his castles of Strancally and Lisfinneen, having garrisoned them with the invading Spanish troops. Elated by this success, the Earl, with a view to intimidate Sir William Pelham, wrote to him, stating that he had entered into a league for the defence of the catholic religion with the King of Spain, under the sanction of the Pope, and invited Sir William to co-operate with them. Immediately on such a declaration, Lord Ormond and Sir Warham St. Leger made a fierce attack on the estates of Desmond, destroying the tillage, burning and ruining his castles, and murdering, in cold blood, the foreigners by whom they were garrisoned.

    A series of acts of devastation on the part of the English, that were vainly opposed by Desmond, ensued for six months, at the end of which time that nobleman, his Countess, and Saunders the Papal Legate, escaped with their lives only from the royal troops, and Lady Desmond once more appeared before the Lord Justice, beseeching him in tears and on her knees, forgiveness and pity for her consort. But Sir William Pelham remained inexorable ; and coldly speaking of the Queen's clemency, referred to her Majesty's mercy, at the moment when Lord Desmond's brother, Sir James, was con-

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1579, the Earl of Desmond gathered his followers on the Ballyhoura mountain and for the first time declared himself the open enemy of Queen Elizabeth. He was a dangerous man to any peaceable government, arrogant, oppressive, and ferocious, of English extraction but unable to comport himself as a subject. Irritated by the severe conduct of the English governors towards him, he attacked the town of Youghal and captured it without much opposition. He carried off the plunder to his castles of Strancally and Lisfinny, and garrisoned them with invading Spanish troops. Elated by this success, the Earl wrote to Sir William Pelham, stating that he had entered into a league for the defence of the catholic religion with the King of Spain, under the sanction of the Pope, and invited Sir William to co-operate with them. Immediately on this declaration, Lord Ormond and Sir Warham St. Leger made a fierce attack on the estates of Desmond, destroying the tillage, burning and ruining his castles, and murdering in cold blood the foreigners by whom they were garrisoned. A series of acts of devastation on the part of the English, vainly opposed by Desmond, ensued for six months. At the end of that time the Earl, his Countess, and Saunders the Papal Legate escaped with their lives only from the royal troops. Lady Desmond appeared before the Lord Justice, beseeching him in tears and on her knees for forgiveness and pity for her consort. But Sir William Pelham remained inexorable, coldly speaking of the Queen's clemency and referring to her Majesty's mercy, at the moment when Lord Desmond's brother, Sir James, was condemned.

19. John Exham's Prophecy of Ruin at Charleville

    Charleville · townland · Cork

    John Exham, the prophetic quaker and religious associate of William Penn, stood with a crowd of followers before Lord Orrery's door during a great assembly and denounced the judgment of the Lord upon the guests, predicting the house would become a habitation for the fowls of the air. Because Orrery had treated him kindly, Exham told him the evil would not come in his days; the later destruction of the mansion was held to verify his words.

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    Doneraile, built the parish church, enclosed an extensive park, and erected a noble mansion, described by Story as " one of the second rate houses of these kingdoms," which suffered a fate similar to that built by Sir William, being burned in 1690 by a party of James II/s troops, under the command of the Duke of Berwick, who, having dined there, ordered it, in the most wanton manner, to be set on fire, and remained to see it reduced to ashes. John Exham, the prophetic quaker, hereafter mentioned as the religious associate of William Penn, is reported to have predicted this destruction. A large company, on some particular occasion, was assembled at Lord Orrery's, when Exham, with a great crowd of his enthusiastic followers, stood before the door of that nobleman's house, and exhorted the guests to repentance, denouncing the judgment of the Lord upon them, should they not comply, and predicting ruin on the scene of their festivity, which should become an habitation for the fowls of the air.

    The Earl's servants, supposing Exham mad, attempted to drive him from the place, but Lord Orrery interfered, commanding them to let the honest man speak. Exham, having concluded his harangue, went away, but in a short time returned, and calling the Earl aside, said to him, " Because thou hast been kind and loving to the servant of the Lord, the evil shall not be in thy days ;" the event verified his words, and not a little contributed to raise the character of Exham as a prophet.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, a prophecy was made about the ruin of a great house. John Exham, the prophetic Quaker and religious associate of William Penn, is reported to have predicted the destruction of Lord Orrery's mansion. A large company was assembled at Lord Orrery's on some particular occasion, and Exham, with a great crowd of his enthusiastic followers, stood before the door of the nobleman's house. He exhorted the guests to repentance, denouncing the judgment of the Lord upon them should they not comply, and predicting ruin on the scene of their festivity, which should become a habitation for the fowls of the air. The Earl's servants, supposing Exham mad, attempted to drive him from the place, but Lord Orrery interfered, commanding them to let the honest man speak. Exham, having concluded his harangue, went away, but in a short time returned, and calling the Earl aside, said to him, "Because thou hast been kind and loving to the servant of the Lord, the evil shall not be in thy days." The event verified his words, and not a little contributed to raise the character of Exham as a prophet. The house had been described by Story as one of the second rate houses of these kingdoms, and it was burned in 1690 by a party of James the Second's troops, under the command of the Duke of Berwick, who, having dined there, ordered it in the most wanton manner to be set on fire, and remained to see it reduced to ashes.

20. Knop's Court: Lights That Lead Travellers Astray

    Youghal · townland · Cork

    A fairy chieftain named Knop was said to hold court in a rath on the road between Cork and Youghal. Travellers unfamiliar with the country were led astray by lights and alluring sounds from within, and at cockcrow the feast's delicious viands changed into carrion and the crystal goblets into rugged pebbles.

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    The circular intrenchments and barrows, known by the name of Danish forts,* in Ireland, are pointed out as the abode of fairy communities, and to disturb their habitation, in other words to dig, or plough up a rath or fort, whose construction the superstitious natives ascribe to the labour and ingenuity of the " good people," is considered as unlucky and entailing some severe disaster on the violator and his kindred. An industrious peasant, who purchased a farm in the neighbourhood of Mallow, from a near relative of mine, commenced his improvements by building upon it a good stone house, together with a lime kiln. Soon after, he waited on the proprietor, to state " the trouble he was come to by reason of the old fort, the fairies not approving of his having placed the lime-kiln so near their dwelling; — he had lost his sow with nine bontiiveens (sucking pigs), his horse fell into a quarry and was killed, and three of his sheep died, ' all through the means of the fairies/ ' Though the lime-kiln had cost him five guineas, he declared he would never burn another stone in it, but take it down, without delay, and build one away from the fort, saying, he was wrong in putting that kiln in the way of the " good people," who were thus obliged to go out of their usual track. The back door of his house unfortunately also faced the same fort, but this offence was obviated by almost closing it up, leaving only a small hole at the top, to allow the good people free passage, should they require it. In these raths, fairies are represented as holding their festive meetings, and entering into all the fantastic and wanton mirth that music and glittering banquets are capable of inspiring. A fairy chieftain, of much local celebrity, named Knop, is supposed to hold his court in a rath, on the road side between Cork and Youghall,

    * In Wright's Louthiana, Plate XII. of Part I. is a representation of " the Fairy Mount at Louth."

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Youghal, a fairy chieftain named Knop was said to hold his court in a rath on the roadside between Cork and Youghal. The circular earthen forts across Ireland were regarded as the abodes of fairy communities. To disturb one by digging or ploughing was considered unlucky, inviting disaster on the violator and his family. The people called the fairies the good people, and credited them with building these raths. In these forts the fairies held their festive meetings, entering into all the fantastic and wanton mirth that music and glittering banquets could inspire. Travellers unfamiliar with the country were led astray by lights and alluring sounds from within the rath. At cockcrow, the feast's delicious viands changed into carrion, and the crystal goblets turned into rugged pebbles. An industrious peasant at Mallow learned what came of disturbing the good people. He built a stone house and a lime kiln, placing the kiln near an old fort. He lost his sow with nine sucking pigs, his horse fell into a quarry and was killed, and three of his sheep died. He told the proprietor of the trouble he had come to by reason of the old fort, the fairies not approving of the lime-kiln so near their dwelling. Though the kiln had cost him five guineas, he declared he would never burn another stone in it. He would take it down and build one away from the fort, saying he was wrong in putting that kiln in the way of the good people, who had to go out of their usual track. The back door of his house also faced the same fort, so he almost closed it up, leaving only a small hole at the top to allow the good people free passage should they require it.

21. Nanny Steer's Evil Eye at a Queen's County Wedding

    Laois · townland · Laois

    The witch Nanny Steer was said to drive people mad with her malign glance, and many wandering lunatics were blamed on her baneful influence. In the Queen's County a young man named Rutlidge, having neglected to invite her to his wedding, was struck by one of her looks on the day of his marriage and immediately became a maniac.

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    In the Queen's county a young man, named Rutlidge, on the day of his marriage, is said to have become a victim to one of these dreadful looks, from his having neglected to invite Nanny Steer to the wedding — who appeared an unbidden guest, and casting an evil eye on the bridegroom, he immediately became a maniac.

    " In no case," says Camden, speaking of Irish superstitions, " must you praise an horse or any other beast, until you say, ' God save him,' or unless you spit upon him. If any harm befall the horse within three dayes after, they seeke him that praised him, that he may mumble the Lord's Prayer in his right eare. They think that there bee some that bewitch their horses with looking upon them, and then they use the help of some old hagges, who, saying a few prayers with a loud voice, make them well again." This belief in the fatal effects of an evil eye is as prevalent at the present day as when Camden wrote ; and few, if any, of the lower orders will speak to or of a child without spitting out, and excusing himself, should a superior be present, with — " It's for good luck sure." — " And God bless the boy, and make a fine man of him." So powerful is this superstition that even people of education and above the ordinary rank, are obliged, from policy, to accommodate themselves to it in

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Laois, a story is told about a woman called Nanny Steer. She had what people called an evil eye. They believed a single glance from her could drive a person mad, and many wandering lunatics were blamed on her baneful influence. A young man named Rutlidge lived in the Queen's County. He was to be married, but he neglected to invite Nanny Steer to the wedding. She came anyway, an unbidden guest. She cast one of her looks on the bridegroom, and he immediately became a maniac. The belief in the evil eye runs deep in Ireland. Camden, writing of Irish superstitions, said you must never praise a horse or any beast until you say, God save him, or unless you spit upon him. If harm befell the horse within three days, they sought the one who praised it, that he might mumble the Lord's Prayer in its right ear. They believed some could bewitch horses just by looking at them, and turned to old hags who said prayers in a loud voice to cure the beasts. The writer says this belief was as prevalent in his own day as when Camden wrote. Few of the lower orders would speak of a child without spitting, excusing themselves if a superior was present by saying it was for good luck, and adding, God bless the boy, and make a fine man of him. So powerful was the superstition that even people of education felt obliged to accommodate themselves to it.

22. O'Donoghue Rides the Lake of Killarney

    Killarney · townland · Kerry

    The deified chieftain O'Donoghue was believed to appear each May-day on a milk-white horse, gliding over the lake of Killarney to unearthly music and attended by spirits scattering spring flowers. A farmer said to be still living claimed he was overtaken near the lower end of the lake by a sumptuous stranger whose horse walked on the water, and spent the night in a rich house beneath it.

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    where some additional particulars may be found from the pen of Mr. Ockenden.* — " There is a farmer now alive," says that gentleman, " who declares, as I am told, that riding one evening near the lower end of the Lake he was overtaken by a gentleman, who seemed under thirty years of age, very handsome in his person, very sumptuous in his apparel, and very affable in conversation. After having travelled for some time together, the nobleman (for such he judged him, by his appearance, to be) observed, that as night was approaching, the town far off, and lodging not easy to be found, he should be welcome to take a bed that night at his house, which he said was not very distant. The invitation was readily accepted, they approached the Lake together, and both their horses moved upon the surface without sinking, to the infinite amazement of the farmer, Avho thence perceived the stranger to be no less a person than the great O'Donoghue. They rode a considerable distance from shore, and then descended to n delightful country under water, and lay that night in a house much larger in size and much more richly furnished than even Lord Kenmare's at Killarney."

    Second sight, so common in the Highlands, I believe is unknown in the South of Ireland. Story relates a mysterious appearance of stars, accompanied by heavy groans, that preceded the landing of the rival monarchs William and James, seen by " one Mr. Hambleton, of Tollymoore, a justice of the peace in his county, and a sober, rational man;" in company with others who were journeying towards Dundalk; adding, " They have a great many tales of this kind in Ireland, and the Inniskilling men tell you of several such things before their battles." I should, however, consider these visions, on account of their northern limits, as derived from Scotland, and not genuine Irish superstitions.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Killarney, the lake carries an old story of O'Donoghue. He was a deified chieftain, believed to appear each May-day on a milk-white horse, gliding over the water to unearthly music, with spirits attending him and scattering spring flowers. But there is another tale, told by a farmer who was still living when the account was written down. This farmer said he was riding one evening near the lower end of the lake when he was overtaken by a stranger. The man seemed under 30, very handsome in his person, very sumptuous in his apparel, and very affable in conversation. The farmer judged him a nobleman by his appearance. As night was approaching, the town far off, and lodging not easy to find, the stranger offered him a bed for the night at his house, which he said was not very distant. The farmer readily accepted. They approached the lake together, and both horses moved upon the surface without sinking. The farmer was amazed, and from this he perceived the stranger to be no less a person than the great O'Donoghue. They rode a considerable distance from shore, and then descended to a delightful country under water. They lay that night in a house much larger and more richly furnished than even Lord Kenmare's at Killarney.

23. O'Donoghue's Caves on the Shore of Muckross Lake

    near Muckross Lake · townland · Kerry

    The shore of Muckross Lake at Killarney is worn into numerous grotesque caves beneath overhanging woods. Every strange rock form there is explained by a marvellous tale of O'Donoghue, so that each object takes its local importance from antiquated legend.

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    The shore of Mucruss Lake is perhaps the most romantic. Worn by the action of the water into numerous grotesque caves, that repose beneath the leafy gloom of luxuriant trees, every irregularity out of which fancy has imaged forth a form is referred with a marvellous tale to O'Donoghue, and each object receives a local importance from antiquated legend. Nor should the less trodden shore of Glengarriff, about ten miles from Bantry, and seated at the head of that bay, remain unexplored by admirers of the " magnificently

    CHAP. II. SCENERY AND TRAVELLING. 21

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 3

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Muckross Lake, the shore is worn by water into countless strange caves, hidden beneath the shade of overhanging trees. Every rock formation here has its own marvellous tale told about O'Donoghue. Each shape, each irregularity that fancy has picked out, is linked to him, and every object takes its meaning from old legend.

24. The Butcher of Mallow and Clancarty's Ferocity

    Mallow · townland · Cork · 1688–1691

    Lord Clancarty was charged with many acts of wanton cruelty while commanding a troop of horse for James II, and his estates were forfeited in 1691. A considerable tract of the forfeited ground was granted to a poor butcher at Mallow who had fallen a victim to Clancarty's ferocity.

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    It should be mentioned, to the honour of King William's government, that a considerable tract of the forfeited ground was granted to a poor butcher at Mallow, who had fallen a victim to Lord Clancauty's ferocity ; the remainder was sold, with other property similarly circumstanced, at Chichester-house, Dublin : and the Sale Book is preserved in the library of the king's inns.

    A pension of three hundred a year was allowed to this unfortunate nobleman, on condition of his leaving the kingdom. " With this," says Smith, " he retired to Hamburgh on the Elbe, and purchased a little island in the mouth of that river from the citizens of Altona, which went by his name.* There he erected a convenient dwellinghouse, with a range of store-houses, and formed an useful garden. In this place he made a considerable profit by shipwrecks, but continued to give the distressed all the assistance in his power, and saved the lives of many. His profit arose from the goods thrown on his island, which he placed in his store-houses; and if demanded by the right owners, within the year, he returned them, requiring only two percent, for the store-room ; if not, he made use of them as his own. He died here October 22, 1734, aged 64 ;" leaving two sons, Robert, a captain in the English navy, commonly called Lord Muskery, and Justin Mac Carty, Esq. Lord Muskery, having fallen under suspicions of being attached to the House of Stuart, " which had on a former occasion," remarks Charnock, in his Biographia Navalis,

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Mallow, a poor butcher once lived who suffered at the hands of Lord Clancarty. Clancarty commanded a troop of horse for King James the Second, and was charged with many acts of wanton cruelty. When his estates were forfeited in 1691, a considerable tract of that forfeited ground was granted to the butcher himself, who had fallen a victim to Clancarty's ferocity. The remainder of the property was sold, along with other forfeited estates, at Chichester-house in Dublin, and the Sale Book is preserved in the library of the King's Inns. Clancarty himself was allowed a pension of three hundred a year, on condition that he leave the kingdom. He retired to Hamburg on the Elbe, and purchased a little island in the mouth of that river from the citizens of Altona, which went by his name. There he erected a convenient dwellinghouse, with a range of storehouses, and formed a useful garden. He made a considerable profit from shipwrecks, the goods thrown on his island, which he placed in his storehouses. If the rightful owners demanded them within the year, he returned them, requiring only two percent for the storeroom. If not, he made use of them as his own. He gave the distressed all the assistance in his power, and saved the lives of many. He died there on October 22, 1734, aged 64, leaving two sons, Robert, a captain in the English navy, commonly called Lord Muskerry, and Justin MacCarty.

25. The Gold-Plated Skeleton in the Cavern

    Castlemartyr · townland · Cork · 1805

    In 1805 a quarryman near Castlemartyr dropped his crowbar through a fissure in the limestone and descended after it into a cavern, where he found a human skeleton partly covered with thin embossed gold plates joined by wire, along with several amber beads. Most of the gold was sold and melted down in Cork and Youghal — a jeweller said the quantity he melted was rather more than the contents of half a coal-box.

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    Throughout the whole of this district the limestone rock abounds with natural caverns, and, in 1805, a curious discovery was made not far from Castle Martyr by a quarry-man, in consequence of his crow-bar having accidentally fallen through a fissure of the rock ; he widened the aperture and descended in search of the instrument into a cavern, where he was not a little surprized to behold a human skeleton, partly covered with exceedingly thin plates of stamped or embossed gold, connected by bits of wire ; he also found several amber beads. The annexed sketch of one of these gold plates is the same size as the original, which is in the possession of Mr. Lecky of Cork, Avith the fragments of a bead. The remainder of the gold was sold and melted in Cork and Youghall, and a jeweller who purchased the greater part told me the quantity he had melted — to use his own words — was " rather more than the contents of half a coal-box."

    The bones of the skeleton were eagerly sought after by the superstitious peasantry, as those of St. Colman, and carried away for charms : there is a tradition in the country, of a battle having been fought near this spot in a very remote period, and of four kings having fallen in the conflict. It is, perhaps, worth remarking, that the first account

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 48

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1805, a quarryman was working the limestone when his crowbar slipped and fell through a fissure in the rock. He widened the opening and climbed down after it, into a cavern, and there he found something he did not expect. A human skeleton lay in the dark, partly covered with exceedingly thin plates of stamped and embossed gold, connected by bits of wire. Several amber beads were found with it. One of the gold plates, the same size as the original, and a fragment of a bead, came into the possession of Mr. Lecky of Cork. The rest of the gold was sold and melted down in Cork and Youghal. A jeweller who bought the greater part of it said the quantity he melted was, in his own words, rather more than the contents of half a coal-box. The bones themselves were carried away by the local people, who believed them to be the bones of St. Colman, and kept them for charms. There is a tradition in the country of a battle fought near this spot in a very remote period, and of four kings having fallen in the conflict.

26. The Legend of the Blarney Stone

    near Blarney · townland · Cork

    A stone in the highest part of Blarney Castle's wall is said to give whoever kisses it the peculiar privilege of deviating from the truth with unblushing countenance, the origin of the well-known phrase 'Blarney.'

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    A stone in the highest part of the castle wall is pointed out to visitors, which is supposed to give to whoever kisses it the peculiar privilege of deviating from veracity with unblushing countenance whenever it may he convenient — hence the well-known phrase of " Blarney."

    The grounds attached to the castle, as I before observed, though so little attended to, are still beautiful. Walks, which a few years since were neat and trim, are now so overrun with brambles and wild flowers as to be passed with difficulty. Much wood has also been cut down, and the statues, so ridiculously enumerated in a popular song, removed. A picturesque bridge too, which led to the castle, has been swept away by the wintry floods, and, with the exception of a small dell called the Rock Close, every thing seems changed for the worse. In this romantic spot nature and art (a combination rather uncommon in pleasure grounds) have gone hand in hand. Advantage has been taken of accidental circumstances to form tasteful and characteristic combinations; and it is really a matter of difficulty at first to determine what is primitive, and what the produce of design. The delusion is even heightened by the present total neglect. You come most unexpectedly into this little shaded nook, and stand upon a natural terrace above the river, which glides as calmly as possible beneath. Here, if you feel inclined for contemplation, a rustic couch of rock, all festooned with moss and ivy, is at your service; but if adventurous feelings urge you to explore farther, a discovery is made of an almost concealed, irregularly excavated passage through the solid rock, which is descended by a rude flight of stone steps, called the " Witches' Stairs," and you emerge sul margine d'un rio, over which depend some light and graceful trees. It is indeed a fairy scene, and I know of no place where I could sooner imagine these little elves holding their moonlight revelry.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Blarney, and a stone set in the highest part of the castle wall. Visitors are shown this stone, and it is said that whoever kisses it receives a peculiar privilege: the ability to deviate from veracity with unblushing countenance whenever it may be convenient. Hence the well-known phrase, Blarney. The grounds attached to the castle, though little attended to, are still beautiful. Walks that a few years since were neat and trim are now so overrun with brambles and wild flowers as to be passed with difficulty. Much wood has been cut down, and the statues, so ridiculously enumerated in a popular song, have been removed. A picturesque bridge that led to the castle has been swept away by the wintry floods, and with the exception of a small dell called the Rock Close, everything seems changed for the worse. In this romantic spot, nature and art have gone hand in hand, a combination rather uncommon in pleasure grounds. Advantage has been taken of accidental circumstances to form tasteful and characteristic combinations, and it is a matter of difficulty at first to determine what is primitive and what is the produce of design. The delusion is heightened by the present total neglect. You come most unexpectedly into this little shaded nook and stand upon a natural terrace above the river, which glides calmly beneath. A rustic couch of rock, festooned with moss and ivy, is there for contemplation. If adventurous feelings urge you farther, a discovery is made of an almost concealed, irregularly excavated passage through the solid rock, descended by a rude flight of stone steps called the Witches' Stairs. You emerge by a stream over which depend light and graceful trees. It is indeed a fairy scene.

27. The Mutual Killing of St. Leger and Mac Guire near Cork

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1599

    In February 1599 Sir Warham St. Leger was riding with a few attendants about a mile outside Cork when he was attacked by Hugh Mac Guire, leader of a small body of rebels. St. Leger shot Mac Guire, but was himself so severely wounded in the head that he died soon after.

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    In 1580, Sir Warham was invested by commission with the power of executing martial law, which, jointly with Sir Walter Raleigh, he first carried into effect at Cork, on Sir James of Desmond, whom they condemned to be hanged and quartered as a rebel. After many services against the disaffected Irish, Sir Warham, in February, 1599> riding with a few attendants about a mile out of Cork, was attacked by Hugh Mac Guire, the leader of a small body of rebels, whom he shot, but Mac Guire wounded Sir Warham so severely in the head, that he died soon after ; and his son, Sir William, as a return for the services both of his father and grandfather, was created Lord

    CHAP. VI. AND BUTTEVANT. JO?

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in February 1599, Sir Warham St. Leger met his end. He was riding with a few attendants about a mile outside Cork when Hugh Mac Guire, leader of a small body of rebels, attacked him. St. Leger shot Mac Guire, but Mac Guire wounded him so severely in the head that he died soon after. St. Leger had a long history in this country. Back in 1580, he and Sir Walter Raleigh carried out martial law at Cork, condemning Sir James of Desmond to be hanged and quartered as a rebel. After many further services against the disaffected Irish, he fell in this mutual killing. His son Sir William was later created a lord, as a return for the services of both his father and grandfather.

28. The Smith's Keen at Killavullen

    Killavullen · townland · Cork

    A young smith left his widowed mother and sisters at Killavullian on the Blackwater and married far away. When one of his sisters set out to visit him on hearing he was ill, night overtook her and she sheltered at a roadside cottage, only to travel on with its inmates to a wake that proved to be her brother's. Over his lifeless body she burst into a keen bitterly reproaching his wife.

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    The account given of this lamentation, called the " Smith's Keenan," is at once simple and romantic. A young man (a smith) left his widowed mother and sisters, who resided at Killavullian on the Blackwater, and married in a distant part of the country. Some time after, one of his sisters, hearing that he was ill, set out to see him, but before she reached her destination, the night came on, which compelled her, being ignorant of the way, to seek shelter at a cottage on the road side; here she found the inmates preparing to proceed to a wake in the village where her brother resided, and going forward with them, on arrival discovered it to be her brother's wake, at the sight of whose

    May fevers long burn thee, and agues long freeze thee ! May the strong hand of God m his red anger seize thee !

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 35

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is the place remembered in what was called the Smith's Keen. A young smith left his widowed mother and sisters at Killavullian on the Blackwater, and married in a distant part of the country. One of his sisters heard he was ill and set out to see him. Before she reached him night came on, and not knowing the way she sought shelter at a cottage on the roadside. The inmates there were preparing to go to a wake in the village where her brother lived. She went forward with them, and on arrival found it was her own brother's wake. Over his lifeless body she burst into a keen, reproaching his wife, with these words from the record: "May fevers long burn thee, and agues long freeze thee! May the strong hand of God in his red anger seize thee!"

29. The Strangers' Grave at Ballintemple

    Ballintemple · townland · Cork

    A young officer arriving from the West Indies landed at Blackrock in poor health and died on the eighth day, his wife dying of grief two days later. Their black servant stripped the lodgings of every possession and paper and fled by ship, so nobody knew their names. The couple were buried together in one grave in the Ballintemple burial ground, paid for by public subscription, until the young man's father later came and set a stone at their head.

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    " The dear lady sunk under her affliction ; his loss, her destitute situation, alone and in a foreign land, added to the fatigue of her constant attendance on him, altogether so preyed on her that in two days she was a corpse by his side ; and the black servant, who had come over with them, seeing how things were, packed up every article, even their very clothes, and went off on board ship the same night.

    o

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Ballintemple there's a grave holding a young officer and his wife. He arrived from the West Indies, landed at Blackrock in poor health, and died on the eighth day. She died two days later. Their black servant stripped the lodgings of every article, even their very clothes, and fled by ship that same night, so nobody ever knew their names. The couple were buried together through public subscription, and the young man's father came later and set a stone at their head.

30. Cold Blood at Strancally Castle

    Strancally · townland · Waterford · 1580

    After Desmond declared his league with Spain and the Pope, Lord Ormond and Sir Warham St. Leger fell on his estates, destroying the tillage and burning and ruining his castles. The foreign troops garrisoning them, including at Strancally, were murdered in cold blood.

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    out that his haughty and tyrannic disposition made him regard the acts of others with suspicion ; and though of English extraction, in common with most Irish chieftains, he knew not how to demean himself as a subject, and resisted every encroachment on his feudal dignity. A more dangerous man, therefore, to any peaceable government could not have existed — arrogant, oppressive, and ferocious. Irritated at the severe conduct of the English governors towards him, whom an invasion compelled to adopt decisive measures, the enraged Earl, collecting his followers on the Ballyhoura mountain, for the first time appeared as the avowed enemy of Queen Elizabeth, and proceeded to attack the town of Youghall, which he captured without much opposition, and deposited the plunder in his castles of Strancally and Lisfinneen, having garrisoned them with the invading Spanish troops. Elated by this success, the Earl, with a view to intimidate Sir William Pelham, wrote to him, stating that he had entered into a league for the defence of the catholic religion with the King of Spain, under the sanction of the Pope, and invited Sir William to co-operate with them. Immediately on such a declaration, Lord Ormond and Sir Warham St. Leger made a fierce attack on the estates of Desmond, destroying the tillage, burning and ruining his castles, and murdering, in cold blood, the foreigners by whom they were garrisoned.

    A series of acts of devastation on the part of the English, that were vainly opposed by Desmond, ensued for six months, at the end of which time that nobleman, his Countess, and Saunders the Papal Legate, escaped with their lives only from the royal troops, and Lady Desmond once more appeared before the Lord Justice, beseeching him in tears and on her knees, forgiveness and pity for her consort. But Sir William Pelham remained inexorable ; and coldly speaking of the Queen's clemency, referred to her Majesty's mercy, at the moment when Lord Desmond's brother, Sir James, was con-

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 13

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Strancally, a castle once stood where a grim act of killing took place in 1580. The Earl of Desmond was a man described as arrogant, oppressive, and ferocious, of English extraction but unable to conduct himself as a subject. Irritated by the severe conduct of the English governors towards him, he gathered his followers on the Ballyhoura mountain and for the first time appeared as the avowed enemy of Queen Elizabeth. He attacked the town of Youghall, captured it without much opposition, and deposited the plunder in his castles of Strancally and Lisfinneen, having garrisoned them with the invading Spanish troops. Elated by this success, the Earl wrote to Sir William Pelham, stating that he had entered into a league for the defence of the catholic religion with the King of Spain, under the sanction of the Pope, and invited Sir William to co-operate with them. Immediately on such a declaration, Lord Ormond and Sir Warham St. Leger made a fierce attack on the estates of Desmond, destroying the tillage, burning and ruining his castles, and murdering, in cold blood, the foreigners by whom they were garrisoned. A series of acts of devastation on the part of the English, vainly opposed by Desmond, ensued for six months. At the end of that time Desmond, his Countess, and Saunders the Papal Legate escaped with their lives only from the royal troops. Lady Desmond appeared before the Lord Justice, beseeching him in tears and on her knees for forgiveness and pity for her consort. But Sir William Pelham remained inexorable, coldly speaking of the Queen's clemency at the moment when Lord Desmond's brother, Sir James, was condemned.

31. The Legend of St. Fineen Bar and the Dragon of Gougaun Lake

    near Gougane Barra · townland · Cork

    A popular legend tells how St. Patrick forgot to banish an enormous dragon or winged serpent from Ireland, which wasted the surrounding country. St. Fineen Bar was deputed to drown the monster in Gougaun Lake, on condition of founding a church where its waters met the tide, thus fulfilling the agreement by founding the cathedral of Cork.

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    dragon or winged serpent, which wasted the surrounding country, and power was deputed to a holy man named Fineen Bar, to drown this monster in Gougaun Lake, on the condition of his erecting a church where its Avaters met the tide; and the saint, having destroyed the monster, fulfilled the agreement by founding the present cathedral of Cork.

    The scenery of Gougaun Lake is bold and rugged, yet will scarcely afford the artist a suitable return for the labour of his journey. Surrounded by rocky and barren mountains, which rise with an air of desolate grandeur above the lake, in its centre is a small and solitary island, connected with the shore by a narrow artificial cause- Avay, constructed to facilitate the rites of religious devotees, who annually flock thither on the 24th of June, (St. John's day,) to the celebration of a pious festival.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 51

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here lies Gougaun Lake, where a popular legend says a dragon once wasted the surrounding country. St. Patrick had forgotten to banish the creature from Ireland, so the task fell to a holy man named Fineen Bar. He was to drown the monster in Gougaun Lake, on one condition: he must erect a church where its waters met the tide. The saint destroyed the monster and fulfilled the bargain by founding the present cathedral of Cork. The lake itself sits among rocky, barren mountains that rise with an air of desolate grandeur. In its centre is a small, solitary island, linked to the shore by a narrow artificial causeway built for religious devotees, who flock here each year on the 24th of June, St. John's day, for a pious festival.

32. The Omen of Admiral Hawke's Falling Arm

    Rostellan · townland · Cork · 1796

    A statue of Admiral Hawke, cast by the city of Cork after the defeat of Conflans in 1759 and bought by Lord Inchiquin, stands on a terrace at Rostellan with its back turned to the city as a rebuke. Sir Richard Hoare records that the admiral's right arm, which grasped a sword, fell off on the very day the French landed on the Irish coast at Bantry Bay — a circumstance that in a less enlightened age would have been thought ominous.

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    ral's figure on a pedestal with his back turned towards the ungrateful city. Mr. O'Brien," continues Sir Richard, " told me a curious circumstance relating to this same statue, and which, in a less enlightened age than the present, might have been considered as ominous ; that the admiral's right arm which grasped a sword, fell off on the very day that the French landed on the coast of Ireland at Ban try Bay."

    The O'Briens are one of the few original Irish families, that a series of revolutions have not entirely deprived of possessions in their native country. Until the reign of Henry VIII., they were distinguished as kings of Thomond, when the hereditary heir to the title, being a child, was dispossessed by his uncle Murrough, according to an ancient and barbarous Irish custom named Tannistry, a species of popular election of leaders or chiefs, that gave the right of possession to the strongest; as a living poet has happily defined it:

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 48

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Rostellan stands a statue of Admiral Hawke. The city of Cork cast it after the defeat of Conflans in 1759, and Lord Inchiquin bought it. It was placed on a terrace with its back turned towards Cork, a rebuke to what Sir Richard Hoare calls the ungrateful city. Mr. O'Brien told Sir Richard a curious circumstance about this statue. The admiral's right arm, which grasped a sword, fell off on the very day the French landed on the coast of Ireland at Bantry Bay in 1796. In a less enlightened age, that would have been considered ominous. The O'Briens are one of the few original Irish families that a series of revolutions have not entirely deprived of possessions in their native country. Until the reign of Henry VIII they were distinguished as kings of Thomond, when the hereditary heir, being a child, was dispossessed by his uncle Murrough under an ancient custom named Tannistry.

33. The Sack of Youghal by the Rebel Earl

    Youghal · townland · Cork · 1579

    In 1579 Youghal was besieged and taken by the rebel Earl of Desmond, who gave the town up to unrestrained pillage without sparing its religious foundations — a sacrilege said by Irish historians to have drawn down Heaven's vengeance on him. A Spanish soldier serving with Desmond's followers divided his cloak among five children left naked by the Irish kearns.

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    The town of Youghall is indebted to the Earls of Desmond for its former distinction, the chief buildings having been erected by them. In 1579 it was besieged by the famous rebel earl, who, without excepting the religious foundations, gave up the place to unrestrained pillage, a sacrilegious proceeding, that, according to Irish historians, drew down on him the signal vengeance of Heaven. Some Spanish soldiers, who were associated with Desmond's followers in this exploit, strongly reprobated these excesses, and one of the foreigners is said to have so deeply commiserated the sufferers in this scene of wanton havoc, that he divided his cloak amongst five children, who had been stripped of their clothes, and left naked by some of the Irish kearns.

    On the news of the capture of Youghall by the rebel party, Lord Ormond sent a small troop from Waterford, under the command of Captain White, to recover it; but, though an entrance was effected at the Water Gate, they were repulsed with the loss of their leader and

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 23

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Youghal, a town that owed its former distinction to the Earls of Desmond, who erected its chief buildings. In 1579 the rebel earl besieged it and gave the place up to unrestrained pillage, without sparing even the religious foundations. Irish historians called this a sacrilegious proceeding that drew down on him the signal vengeance of Heaven. Spanish soldiers serving with Desmond's followers strongly condemned these excesses. One of the foreigners is said to have so deeply pitied the sufferers that he divided his cloak among five children who had been stripped of their clothes and left naked by some of the Irish kearns. On the news of the capture, Lord Ormond sent a small troop from Waterford under Captain White to recover it. They effected an entrance at the Water Gate but were repulsed with the loss of their leader.

34. Eight Hours' Skirmish in the Knight of Glin's Country

    Glin · townland · Limerick

    Blockaded and driven to extremes at Adare castle during the Desmond wars, the English were compelled to hazard a desperate excursion into the Knight of Glin's country. A severe skirmish lasting eight hours followed, in which the English came off without much loss, having killed fifty of their opponents.

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    pelled to hazard a desperate excursion into the Knight of Glen's country, where a severe skirmish of eight hours took place, in which the English came off without much loss, having killed fifty of their opponents. Shortly after the death of Desmond it was seized by the Lord Kerry, and the garrison put to the sword, but Captain Zouch obliged him to abandon it.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Glin, during the Desmond wars, the English, blockaded at Adare castle, hazarded a desperate excursion into the Knight of Glin's country. A severe skirmish of eight hours followed. The English came off without much loss, having killed fifty opponents. After Desmond's death, Lord Kerry seized it and put the garrison to the sword, but Captain Zouch obliged him to abandon it.

35. Executions for the Pretender's Cause in Cork

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1722–1746

    In 1722 Captain Henry Ward and three others were hanged in Cork for raising men for the service of the Pretender, while William Roe was pilloried for a seditious toast. Further executions and pilloryings for Jacobite sympathies followed in subsequent decades.

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    In 1722, Captain Henry Ward and three others were hanged there for raising men for the service of the Pretender, and William Roe was pilloried for repeating the seditious sentence, " May King James III. enjoy his own again \" The pillory was again the award of treasonable expressions in 1746. The Cork post-boy, who to the inquiry — "What news?" replied, " Good news, the Pretender is

    D D

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in 1722, Captain Henry Ward and three others were hanged for raising men for the service of the Pretender. William Roe was pilloried the same year for repeating the seditious toast, 'May King James III enjoy his own again.' The pillory was used again in 1746 for treasonable expressions. A Cork post-boy, asked what news, replied that the good news was the Pretender is—and that was as far as the record goes.

36. Exham's Prophecy of Fire at Charleville

    Charleville · townland · Cork · 1690

    The quaker prophet John Exham denounced the guests at Lord Orrery's mansion in Charleville, predicting ruin would befall the house of festivity. His prediction was fulfilled decades later when the Duke of Berwick's troops burned the mansion to the ground in 1690.

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    Doneraile, built the parish church, enclosed an extensive park, and erected a noble mansion, described by Story as " one of the second rate houses of these kingdoms," which suffered a fate similar to that built by Sir William, being burned in 1690 by a party of James II/s troops, under the command of the Duke of Berwick, who, having dined there, ordered it, in the most wanton manner, to be set on fire, and remained to see it reduced to ashes. John Exham, the prophetic quaker, hereafter mentioned as the religious associate of William Penn, is reported to have predicted this destruction. A large company, on some particular occasion, was assembled at Lord Orrery's, when Exham, with a great crowd of his enthusiastic followers, stood before the door of that nobleman's house, and exhorted the guests to repentance, denouncing the judgment of the Lord upon them, should they not comply, and predicting ruin on the scene of their festivity, which should become an habitation for the fowls of the air.

    The Earl's servants, supposing Exham mad, attempted to drive him from the place, but Lord Orrery interfered, commanding them to let the honest man speak. Exham, having concluded his harangue, went away, but in a short time returned, and calling the Earl aside, said to him, " Because thou hast been kind and loving to the servant of the Lord, the evil shall not be in thy days ;" the event verified his words, and not a little contributed to raise the character of Exham as a prophet.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around Charleville, Lord Orrery built a noble mansion, described by Story as "one of the second rate houses of these kingdoms." It was burned to the ground in 1690. The Duke of Berwick, commanding a party of James II's troops, dined there, then ordered it set on fire in the most wanton manner, and remained to see it reduced to ashes. John Exham, a Quaker prophet and the religious associate of William Penn, is reported to have predicted this destruction. A large company had assembled at Lord Orrery's on some occasion. Exham stood before the door with a great crowd of his followers and exhorted the guests to repentance. He denounced the judgment of the Lord upon them should they not comply, and predicted ruin on the scene of their festivity, saying it should become "an habitation for the fowls of the air." The Earl's servants, supposing Exham mad, tried to drive him from the place. But Lord Orrery interfered, commanding them to let the honest man speak. Exham concluded and went away, but soon returned. He called the Earl aside and said, "Because thou hast been kind and loving to the servant of the Lord, the evil shall not be in thy days." The burning verified his words, and not a little contributed to raise the character of Exham as a prophet.

37. Human Bones and Spear-heads Discovered Near Blarney Castle

    near Blarney · townland · Cork

    In a quarry close to Blarney Castle, workmen picked up several human bones, and a labourer reported that as many as twenty horse loads of these bones had been thrown into the nearby lake, along with two or three spear-heads.

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    Since I am on the subject of discoveries, it may be worth notice that, in a quarry close to the castle, where some men were working, we picked up several human bones, and that one of the labourers informed us so many as twenty horse loads of these bones had been thrown into the lake ; he also spoke of two or three spear-heads being found with them. Groats and pennies of the Edwards and Henries have frequently been dug up here ; but I believe never in any quantity.

    The interior of the castle contains little worth notice except a full length portrait of Charles XII. of Sweden, said to be an original, and brought here by one of the Jeffreys family who was envoy to that monarch.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, near Blarney Castle, there was a quarry where men were working. Several human bones were picked up there, and one of the labourers said as many as twenty horse loads of these bones had been thrown into the lake. He also spoke of two or three spear-heads being found with them. Groats and pennies of the Edwards and the Henries have frequently been dug up here, though never in any quantity. Inside the castle there is a full-length portrait of Charles the Twelfth of Sweden, said to be an original, brought here by one of the Jeffreys family who served as envoy to that monarch.

38. Knop's Fairy Rath on the Cork-Youghal Road

    Youghal · townland · Cork

    A fairy chieftain named Knop was said to hold court in a rath beside the road between Cork and Youghal. Travellers unfamiliar with the area were reportedly led astray by lights and enticing sounds from within, only to find at dawn that the feast turned to carrion and rugged pebbles.

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    where often travellers, unacquainted with the country, have been led astray by the appearance of lights, and by alluring sounds proceeding from within ; but when

    '' The village cock gave note of day,

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Youghal is Knop's Fairy Rath, on the old road between Cork and Youghal. A fairy chieftain named Knop was said to hold court in it. Travellers unacquainted with the country were led astray by lights and alluring sounds from within. But at dawn the feast turned to carrion and rugged pebbles.

39. Lightning Strikes the Round Tower of Cloyne

    Cloyne · townland · Cork · 1749

    On the night of 10 January 1749 a thunderstorm crossed County Cork from west to east, killing cattle in a field south of Cork before striking Cloyne's round tower, then used as the cathedral belfry. The lightning rent the vaulted arch, threw down the great bell and three lofts, blew out one side of the tower with a violent explosion, hurled the locked door sixty yards, and scorched to death the pigeons roosting at the top.

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    This building received considerable damage from lightning : the following account of which is chiefly collected from Dr. Smith's County History. Bishop Berkeley also relates the circumstance in a letter dated the 2d February, 1749. A thunder storm with lightning passed through the county Cork, on the night of the 10th January, 1749, in a line from west to east, and after killing some cows in a field south of Cork, struck the round tower of Cloyne used as a belfry to its cathedral. The electric matter first rent the vaulted arch at the top, threw down the great bell presented by Dean Davies, together with the three lofts, and, descending perpendicularly

    viz. for a proportion of nyne cells or chapels, that is to say 48 daies* for every chapell, the chapels were these, Kill Kyran in Desmond, Kill Cluain, KillTorssair and Killatbebhe, and the other five kills of cells cannot be reade." 8tc.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 46

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, near Cloyne, a round tower was being used as the belfry for the cathedral. On the night of 10 January 1749, a thunderstorm crossed County Cork from west to east. It killed cows in a field south of Cork before reaching Cloyne. The lightning struck the tower and rent the vaulted arch at the top. It threw down the great bell, presented by Dean Davies, and brought down three lofts. The bolt blew out one side of the tower with a violent explosion and hurled the locked door sixty yards. Pigeons roosting at the top were scorched to death. Bishop Berkeley wrote of the event in a letter dated 2 February 1749, and the account comes chiefly from Dr. Smith's County History.

40. The Drowned Plate of Lord Clancarty

    near Blarney · townland · Cork · 1691

    Tradition holds that before Blarney surrendered to King William's forces, Lord Clancarty's plate was packed into an oaken chest and thrown into the lake south-west of the castle. It has never been recovered, and repeated attempts to drain the lake have failed.

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    for the pencil, being without islands, the margin swampy, and the adjacent trees planted with two much attention to regularity. It is a very generally believed tradition that, before Blarney surrendered to King William's forces, Lord Clancarty's plate was made up in an oaken chest, which was thrown into this lake, and has not since been recovered ; nor does this appear improbable, as I understand repeated attempts have in vain been made to drain it. In 1814, the late Mr. Milliken, whose well-known song of " the Groves of Blarney" has identified his memory with the place, gave me a clumsy silver ring for the finger, which had been taken out of the lake by a boy who was fishing in it. About the same time, the signet ring of Donogh Mac Carty More was sold by a peasant to a watchmaker in Cork named Brooks, from whom I obtained an impression, and which is copied double the size of the original.

    Since I am on the subject of discoveries, it may be worth notice that, in a quarry close to the castle, where some men were working, we picked up several human bones, and that one of the labourers informed us so many as twenty horse loads of these bones had been thrown into the lake ; he also spoke of two or three spear-heads being found with them. Groats and pennies of the Edwards and Henries have frequently been dug up here ; but I believe never in any quantity.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Blarney, a tradition has long been held about the lake by the castle. Before Blarney surrendered to King William's forces in 1691, Lord Clancarty's plate was packed into an oaken chest and thrown into the lake, and it has never been recovered. It does not seem improbable, for repeated attempts have been made in vain to drain the water. In 1814, the late Mr. Milliken, whose song of the Groves of Blarney tied his memory to the place, gave the writer a clumsy silver ring for the finger, which a boy had taken from the lake while fishing in it. About the same time, the signet ring of Donogh Mac Carty More was sold by a peasant to a watchmaker in Cork named Brooks, who provided an impression of it. In a quarry close to the castle, where men were working, several human bones were picked up, and one labourer said as many as 20 horse loads of bones had been thrown into the lake. He spoke of two or three spear-heads found with them. Groats and pennies of the Edwards and Henries have often been dug up here, though never in any great quantity.

41. The Penal Enactments of Youghal Corporation

    Youghal · townland · Cork · 1678–1744

    The manuscript annals of Youghal record a long series of anti-Catholic enactments: in 1678 no Papist might buy or barter in the public market, in 1702 Papists admitted as freemen were disfranchised, and in 1744 the victualler Gregory Grimes was disfranchised for having a Popish wife. Croker notes with regret that some were passed during the mayoralties of his own ancestors.

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    In 1696, it was ordered that any person but a Protestant freeman, presuming to go to the mayor's feast, should pay five shillings, or be set in the stocks.

    1702. Several Papists, who had been admitted freemen, were disfranched, and it was ordered that no Papist should be made free again. 1744. Gregory Grimes, victualler, was disfranched, for having a

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 27

    As the companion tells it

    Near here, Youghal's corporation passed anti-Catholic enactments. In 1678 no Papist might buy or barter in public market. In 1696 any but a Protestant freeman at the mayor's feast paid five shillings or sat in stocks. In 1702 Papist freemen were disfranchised. In 1744 Gregory Grimes, victualler, was disfranchised for a Popish wife. Croker regretted some passed by his ancestors.

42. Carrig Phooky, the Spirit's Rock near Doneraile

    Doneraile · townland · Cork

    Travellers leaving Doneraile in search of Kilcolman were drawn towards an old tower standing in view of the town, known locally as Carrig Phooky, or the Spirit's Rock. The name preserves the local association of the ruin with the púca, the malevolent spirit of Irish tradition.

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    Doneraile was the principal residence of this illustrious man, who held his presidential court here, and built the parish church, together with a mansion which was burned by the Irish in 1645. As the town possessed little to detain us, we set out from thence, immediately after breakfast, on an excursion to Kilcolman, the residence of the poet Spencer. We were told it was the first ruined castle to be seen from the mail coach road to Charleville, and following this direction, bent our steps towards an old tower called Carrig Phooky (or the Spirit's Rock), which appeared in view immediately after leaving Doneraile; but, discovering our mistake, regained the Charleville road, and, after about an hour's walk, arrived at the object of our search.

    Kilcolman Castle is distant three English miles from Doneraile, and is seated in as unpicturesque a spot as at present could have been selected. Many of the delightful and visionary anticipations I had indulged, from the pleasure of visiting the place where the Fairy Queen had been composed, were at an end on beholding the monotonous reality of the country. Corn fields, divided from pasturage by numerous intersecting hedges, constituted almost the only variety of feature for a considerable extent around ; and the mountains bounding the prospect, partook even in a greater degree of the same want of variety in their forms. The ruin itself stands on a little rocky eminence. Spreading before it lies a tract of flat and swampy ground, through which, we were informed, the " River Bregog hight" had its course, and though in winter, when swoln by mountain torrents, a deep and rapid stream, its channel at present was completely dried up.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here stands an old tower the people of this country call Carrig Phooky, the Spirit's Rock. The name carries the memory of the púca, the malevolent spirit of Irish tradition, and the ruin keeps that association still. Doneraile itself was once the principal residence of an illustrious man who held his presidential court here and built the parish church, together with a mansion that was burned by the Irish in 1645. When travellers of an earlier century set out from Doneraile in search of Kilcolman, the residence of the poet Spenser, they were told to look for the first ruined castle from the mail coach road to Charleville. Following that direction, they bent their steps towards this old tower, which appeared in view immediately after leaving Doneraile. But it was a mistake. Carrig Phooky was not what they sought. They regained the Charleville road, and after about an hour's walk arrived at Kilcolman Castle, three English miles from Doneraile. Kilcolman stands on a little rocky eminence, and the poet composed the Fairy Queen there. The country around it disappointed those who came with visionary anticipations: corn fields divided from pasturage by numerous intersecting hedges, and mountains that partook of the same want of variety in their forms. Spreading before the ruin lies a tract of flat and swampy ground, through which, as they were informed, the River Bregog had its course. In winter, when swollen by mountain torrents, it was a deep and rapid stream, but its channel was at that time completely dried up.

43. Cork's 1603 Rebellion and Martial Executions

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1603

    During a religious and civic uprising against James I, insurgents in Cork burned bibles and prayer books and killed several harmless persons before the city surrendered to Lord Mountjoy. Lieutenant Murrough and two others were executed by martial law for their role as ringleaders.

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    Mercy was extended by the Lord Deputy to all concerned in these transactions, except the ringleaders. Lieutenant Murrough, and two others, were executed by martial law; and the Recorder (Mead) was

    CHAP. X. CORK. 197

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cork, in 1603, insurgents rose against James I, burning bibles and prayer books and killing several harmless persons before the city surrendered to Lord Mountjoy. Mercy was extended to all concerned, except the ringleaders. Lieutenant Murrough and two others were executed by martial law.

44. Death by an Idiot's Stone-Throwing at Cove Lane

    near Cove Lane · townland · Waterford

    An idiot who habitually wandered the roads near Cork was known to throw stones with great dexterity, endangering passersby. In one recorded case, the wife of a respectable farmer was struck on the temple by a stone thrown by an idiot and died a few days later.

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    by a long and bushy red beard. On our driver giving him a piece of bread, for which he had run beside the jingle at least half-a-mile, he uttered three or four terrific screams, accompanied by some antic and spiteful gestures. I should not remark this circumstance here were it one of less frequent occurrence ; but on most of the public roads in the South of Ireland, fools and idiots (melancholy spectacles of humanity !) are permitted to wander at large, and in consequence of this freedom have acquired vicious habits, to the annoyance of every passenger ; throwing stones, which they do with great dexterity, is amongst the most dangerous of their practices; and a case is known to me where the wife of a respectable farmer, having been struck on the temple by a stone thrown at her by an idiot, died a few days after. Within my recollection, Cove Lane, one of the most frequented parts of Cork, as leading to the Cove, Passage, Carrigaline and Monkstown roads, was the station of one of these idiots, who seldom allowed an unprotected woman to pass without following her and inflicting the most severe pinches on her back and arms ; yet this unfortunate and mischievous being for many years was suffered by the civil power to remain the terror of every female, and that too within view of a public asylum for the reception of such. But to return from this digression.

    The charges at inferior towns and villages are extravagant in an inverse proportion to the indifference of their accommodation, and generally exceed those of the first hotels in the metropolis. Our bill at Kilmallock was any thing but moderate, and yet the house, though the best the town afforded, appeared to be one where carmen were oftener lodged than gentry. The landlady stood at the door, and with a low curtsey and a good-humoured smile welcomed us to " the ancient city of Kilmallock ;" in the same breath informed us that she was a gentlewoman born and bred, and that she had a son, " as fine an officer as ever you could set eyes on in a day's walk, who was a patriarch (a patriot) in South America ;" then leading us

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 5

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Cove Lane, one of the most frequented parts of the city, leading out to the Cove, Passage, Carrigaline and Monkstown roads. In the south of Ireland at this time, fools and idiots were permitted to wander at large on most of the public roads. Given this freedom, they acquired vicious habits that annoyed every passenger. Throwing stones, which they did with great dexterity, was among the most dangerous of their practices. A case is recorded where the wife of a respectable farmer was struck on the temple by a stone thrown at her by an idiot, and she died a few days after. Cove Lane itself was the station of one of these idiots. He seldom allowed an unprotected woman to pass without following her and inflicting the most severe pinches on her back and arms. This unfortunate and mischievous being, for many years, was suffered by the civil power to remain the terror of every female. And this was within view of a public asylum for the reception of such people. The author notes that he saw one himself, a man with a long and bushy red beard, who ran beside their carriage for at least half a mile. When the driver gave him a piece of bread, he uttered three or four terrific screams, accompanied by some antic and spiteful gestures.

45. The Burning of the St. Leger Mansion at Doneraile, 1645

    Doneraile · townland · Cork · 1645

    Doneraile was the principal residence of Sir William St. Leger, Lord President of Munster, who held his presidential court there and built the parish church and a mansion. The mansion was burned by the Irish in 1645 during the wars that followed the contentions of 1641.

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    Doneraile was the principal residence of this illustrious man, who held his presidential court here, and built the parish church, together with a mansion which was burned by the Irish in 1645. As the town possessed little to detain us, we set out from thence, immediately after breakfast, on an excursion to Kilcolman, the residence of the poet Spencer. We were told it was the first ruined castle to be seen from the mail coach road to Charleville, and following this direction, bent our steps towards an old tower called Carrig Phooky (or the Spirit's Rock), which appeared in view immediately after leaving Doneraile; but, discovering our mistake, regained the Charleville road, and, after about an hour's walk, arrived at the object of our search.

    Kilcolman Castle is distant three English miles from Doneraile, and is seated in as unpicturesque a spot as at present could have been selected. Many of the delightful and visionary anticipations I had indulged, from the pleasure of visiting the place where the Fairy Queen had been composed, were at an end on beholding the monotonous reality of the country. Corn fields, divided from pasturage by numerous intersecting hedges, constituted almost the only variety of feature for a considerable extent around ; and the mountains bounding the prospect, partook even in a greater degree of the same want of variety in their forms. The ruin itself stands on a little rocky eminence. Spreading before it lies a tract of flat and swampy ground, through which, we were informed, the " River Bregog hight" had its course, and though in winter, when swoln by mountain torrents, a deep and rapid stream, its channel at present was completely dried up.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Doneraile was the principal residence of Sir William St. Leger, Lord President of Munster. He held his presidential court here, and built the parish church, together with a mansion. That mansion was burned by the Irish in 1645, in the wars that followed the contentions of 1641. The town possessed little to detain those who passed through. Travelers would set out on the mail coach road to Charleville, past an old tower called Carrig Phooky, or the Spirit's Rock, which appeared in view immediately after leaving. Kilcolman Castle, the residence of the poet Spenser, stood on a little rocky eminence in as unpicturesque a spot as could have been selected. Many of the delightful and visionary anticipations indulged from the pleasure of visiting the place where the Fairy Queen had been composed were at an end on beholding the monotonous reality of the country. Corn fields, divided from pasturage by numerous intersecting hedges, constituted almost the only variety of feature for a considerable extent around. The mountains bounding the prospect partook even in a greater degree of the same want of variety in their forms. Spreading before the ruin lay a tract of flat and swampy ground, through which, as the source says,

46. The Farmer's Lime-Kiln and the Angry Fairies of Mallow

    Mallow · townland · Cork

    A peasant near Mallow built a stone house and lime-kiln close to an old fairy fort, and soon suffered the loss of his sow, nine piglets, a horse, and three sheep. Believing the fairies were offended by the kiln's placement, he vowed to demolish it and build elsewhere, and partially sealed a back door facing the fort to allow the 'good people' passage.

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    The circular intrenchments and barrows, known by the name of Danish forts,* in Ireland, are pointed out as the abode of fairy communities, and to disturb their habitation, in other words to dig, or plough up a rath or fort, whose construction the superstitious natives ascribe to the labour and ingenuity of the " good people," is considered as unlucky and entailing some severe disaster on the violator and his kindred. An industrious peasant, who purchased a farm in the neighbourhood of Mallow, from a near relative of mine, commenced his improvements by building upon it a good stone house, together with a lime kiln. Soon after, he waited on the proprietor, to state " the trouble he was come to by reason of the old fort, the fairies not approving of his having placed the lime-kiln so near their dwelling; — he had lost his sow with nine bontiiveens (sucking pigs), his horse fell into a quarry and was killed, and three of his sheep died, ' all through the means of the fairies/ ' Though the lime-kiln had cost him five guineas, he declared he would never burn another stone in it, but take it down, without delay, and build one away from the fort, saying, he was wrong in putting that kiln in the way of the " good people," who were thus obliged to go out of their usual track. The back door of his house unfortunately also faced the same fort, but this offence was obviated by almost closing it up, leaving only a small hole at the top, to allow the good people free passage, should they require it. In these raths, fairies are represented as holding their festive meetings, and entering into all the fantastic and wanton mirth that music and glittering banquets are capable of inspiring. A fairy chieftain, of much local celebrity, named Knop, is supposed to hold his court in a rath, on the road side between Cork and Youghall,

    * In Wright's Louthiana, Plate XII. of Part I. is a representation of " the Fairy Mount at Louth."

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, a peasant bought a farm and set about improving it. He built himself a good stone house, and beside it a lime-kiln. The trouble was, he placed that kiln close to an old fort, the kind the people call a Danish fort, and the kind they say belongs to the fairies. Soon enough he went to the proprietor of the land and told him what had befallen him. He said the fairies did not approve of his having placed the lime-kiln so near their dwelling. He had lost his sow, with nine sucking pigs. His horse fell into a quarry and was killed. Three of his sheep died. He said it was all through the means of the fairies. The kiln had cost him five guineas, but he declared he would never burn another stone in it. He would take it down without delay and build one away from the fort. He said he had been wrong to put that kiln in the way of the good people, who were thus obliged to go out of their usual track. There was more. The back door of his house also faced the same fort. He almost closed it up entirely, leaving only a small hole at the top, so the good people could still pass through freely if they needed to. In these old forts, the people say the fairies hold their festive meetings. They enter into all the fantastic and wanton mirth that music and glittering banquets can inspire.

47. The Long-Lived Countess and the Apple Tree

    Dromana · townland · Waterford

    Dromana, built on the site of a Fitzgerald castle above the Blackwater, is the reputed birthplace of the long-lived Countess of Desmond, who at the age of one hundred and forty crossed to Bristol to seek relief from James I. Locally her death is attributed to a fall while picking an apple in an orchard at Dromana.

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    to London, solicited, and obtained relief from James the First. In this part of the country her death is attributed to a fall whilst in the act of picking an apple from a tree in an orchard at Drumana.

    Drumana, richly surrounded with wood, is decidedly the most beautiful picture on the passage to Lismore. Strancally is more striking, as part of the ruin still retains nearly its original height, and the dark stateliness of its " time tinted" walls bestows an air of desolation and solemnity which the adjacent scenery is calculated to increase, the appearance of the ground being barren and neglected.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 21

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Dromana, richly surrounded with wood, is the most beautiful picture on the passage to Lismore. The long-lived Countess of Desmond is tied to this place. At the age of 140, she travelled to London, solicited, and obtained relief from James the First. In this part of the country, her death is attributed to a fall while she was in the act of picking an apple from a tree in an orchard at Dromana.

48. The Outlaw's Grave and the Bone Piles of Kilcrea

    Kilcrea · townland · Cork · 1773

    Kilcrea Abbey, founded for Franciscans by Cormac Lord Muskery, was the favoured burial place of the neighbouring Irish septs — Mac Carthies, Barretts, O'Learies, Reardins and Sweenys. The grave of Arthur O'Leary the outlaw, with its long verse epitaph, is pointed out to visitors. An avenue of old trees leads to the entrance, beside which a vast number of skulls and bones are piled up.

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    An avenue of fine old trees leads to the entrance of Kilcrea Abbey, close to Avhich are piled up a vast number'of skulls and bones. The castle is near the abbey, and appears to have been built to protect it.

    The course of the River Bride is through a small village called the Ovens, and opposite its junction with the Lee, stands the parish

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 51

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Kilcrea stands the abbey Cormac Lord Muskery founded for Franciscans. The neighbouring septs buried their dead here — Mac Carthies, Barretts, O'Learies, Reardins and Sweenys. An avenue of fine old trees leads to the entrance, beside which a vast number of skulls and bones are piled up. Visitors are shown the outlaw Arthur O'Leary's grave, with its long verse epitaph.

49. The Trumpeter Lost in Carrig a Crump Cave

    Cloyne · townland · Cork

    A story is told of a dragoon trumpeter quartered in Cloyne who entered the caverns of the Bishop's Meadow with comrades and was left behind. The next morning he astonished labourers at the Carrig a crump quarry by sounding his bugle from within the rock, having travelled nearly a mile underground before being rescued.

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    farther than I did. A story is related, but with slight claims to belief, of a trumpeter, belonging to a dragoon regiment quartered in Cloyne, being left behind by a party of his comrades, with whom he had entered one of the passages in the Bishop's Meadow, and the next morning surprizing the labourers in Carrig a crump quarry by the sound of his bugle issuing from the crevices of the rock, to which instrument he was indebted for his preservation, as they immediately extricated him, after having travelled in his subterranean journey about a mile in a direct line.

    Throughout the whole of this district the limestone rock abounds with natural caverns, and, in 1805, a curious discovery was made not far from Castle Martyr by a quarry-man, in consequence of his crow-bar having accidentally fallen through a fissure of the rock ; he widened the aperture and descended in search of the instrument into a cavern, where he was not a little surprized to behold a human skeleton, partly covered with exceedingly thin plates of stamped or embossed gold, connected by bits of wire ; he also found several amber beads. The annexed sketch of one of these gold plates is the same size as the original, which is in the possession of Mr. Lecky of Cork, Avith the fragments of a bead. The remainder of the gold was sold and melted in Cork and Youghall, and a jeweller who purchased the greater part told me the quantity he had melted — to use his own words — was " rather more than the contents of half a coal-box."

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 48

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cloyne, there is a story, told with slight claims to belief, of a trumpeter from a dragoon regiment quartered here. He entered one of the passages in the Bishop's Meadow with a party of his comrades, who left him behind. The next morning he astonished the labourers in Carrig a Crump quarry by the sound of his bugle issuing from the crevices of the rock. He owed his preservation to that instrument, as the labourers immediately extricated him. He had travelled about a mile underground in a direct line. Throughout this district the limestone rock abounds with natural caverns. In 1805, a curious discovery was made not far from Castle Martyr by a quarryman, whose crowbar accidentally fell through a fissure of the rock. He widened the aperture and descended in search of his instrument into a cavern, where he was surprised to behold a human skeleton, partly covered with exceedingly thin plates of stamped or embossed gold, connected by bits of wire. He also found several amber beads. One of these gold plates is in the possession of Mr. Lecky of Cork, with the fragments of a bead. The remainder of the gold was sold and melted in Cork and Youghal. A jeweller who purchased the greater part told the writer that the quantity he had melted was, to use his own words, "rather more than the contents of half a coal-box."

50. The Attempted Assassination of Abraham Morris in Cork

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1773

    The outlaw Arthur O'Leary, while being hunted, appeared boldly in the city of Cork and attempted to assassinate Mr. Morris by firing a pistol at him through the window of his lodgings in Duncan Street.

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    * " July 7, 1773. Three shots were fired at Abraham Morris, Esq., at his lodgings in Mr. Boyce's house, Hammond's Marsh ; the ball entered a little below the window, but did no mischief." — Fitzgerald 's Cork Remembrancer.

    CHAP. XV. THE RIVER LEE. 289

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 51

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here in 1773, the outlaw Arthur O'Leary, while being hunted, appeared boldly in the city of Cork and attempted to assassinate Mr. Morris by firing a pistol at him through the window of his lodgings in Duncan Street.

51. The Coffin Carried Ten Miles to Whitechurch

    Whitechurch · townland · Cork

    An old beggar woman who died near the city of Cork asked to be buried in White Church burial ground. Her daughter, too poor to hire a hearse, roped the coffin to her own back and carried it more than ten miles to fulfil the request.

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    A remarkable instance occurred not long since. An old beggar woman, who died near the city of Cork, requested that her body might be deposited in White Church burial ground. Her daughter, who was without the means to obtain a hearse or any other mode of conveyance, determined herself to undertake the task, and, having

    168 KEENS AND DEATH CEREMONIES. CHAP. IX.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 30

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Whitechurch lies White Church burial ground. An old beggar woman who died near the city of Cork asked that her body be buried there. Her daughter had no means for a hearse or any conveyance. She roped the coffin to her own back and carried it more than ten miles.

52. "But Not a Papist": the Gate Inscription at Bandon

    Bandon · townland · Cork

    In the towns under the Earl of Cork's influence, Protestant bigotry against Roman Catholics reached a violence unknown elsewhere in the kingdom. At Bandon an inscription over the principal gate once declared that no Papist might enter; a mocking couplet answering it is said to have caused its removal.

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    Lord Cork is said to have powerfully advanced the English interest in Ireland, and it must be granted, if the severest intolerance has been beneficial to the cause of Union : the bigotry of the Protestants against their Roman Catholic brethren in those towns under his influence reached a degree of marked violence unknown in any other part of the kingdom, and which feeling is not entirely eradicated at the present hour ; I need only instance the town of

    160 YOUGHALL. CHAP. VIII.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 26

    As the companion tells it

    Close to Bandon, Lord Cork's influence once ran deep. The bigotry of Protestants against their Roman Catholic brethren in towns under his power reached a violence unknown anywhere else in the kingdom. An inscription over the principal gate declared that no Papist might enter. A mocking couplet answering it is said to have caused its removal. That old feeling, the record says, was not entirely eradicated even at the present hour.

53. Captain Swayne killed by the rebels at Naas

    Naas · townland · Kildare · 1798

    Writing at the outbreak of the 1798 rebellion, Jane Adams reports dreadful accounts arriving from Naas, where the rebels had defeated and killed Captain Swayne of Youghal. The surrounding country was said to be surrendering firearms and pikes, yet still wore a most alarming appearance.

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    I FEAR we are in a most alarming situation. We have just had dreadful accounts from Naas — the rebels have defeated and killed Captain Swayne, of Youghall. Nancy Owen, in a letter of this day, says, that there are hundreds giving up fire-arms and pikes ; but notwithstanding the country wears a most alarming appearance. My father laughs at the idea of danger; but I strongly suspect we are surrounded by rebels and spies. Yesterday, rather a genteel looking man came up the lawn to me, and said he wished much to have the pleasure of instructing a few young ladies in geography, and begged I would allow him to teach my family. I told him my daughters were too young, and that I did not think he was likely to get any pupils in the neighbourhood. This day, as I was walking in the shrubbery near the road, I looked out, on hearing a number of horses, and saw the same young man under an escort going to jail, from information sent to Mr. Boyd by government. There was found upon him a plan of all our houses, the names and number of the inhabitants, and a copy of " Paine's Age of Reason." Mrs. Harvey, our near neighbour, has got a guard to sleep at Killeen Castle; we supped with her last night, and an express was sent for the gentleman who commanded the party. — My father is still incredulous !

    YY2

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1798, the rebels defeated and killed Captain Swayne of Youghal. Jane Adams was writing at the outbreak of the rebellion, and she said they had just had dreadful accounts from Naas. Nancy Owen, in a letter that day, said hundreds were giving up firearms and pikes, but the country still wore what Jane called a most alarming appearance. Jane's father laughed at the idea of danger, but she strongly suspected they were surrounded by rebels and spies. A genteel-looking man came up the lawn to her one day, saying he wished to instruct a few young ladies in geography. She told him her daughters were too young and that she did not think he was likely to get any pupils in the neighbourhood. The following day, hearing a number of horses, she looked out and saw the same man under escort going to jail, on information sent to Mr. Boyd by government. They found on him a plan of all their houses, the names and number of the inhabitants, and a copy of Paine's Age of Reason. Mrs. Harvey, their near neighbour, had a guard to sleep at Killeen Castle. Jane and her family supped with her, and an express was sent for the gentleman who commanded the party. Her father was still incredulous.

54. Killeen Castle under guard and its family seized

    Killeen Castle · townland · Meath · 1798

    As the rising broke out Mrs. Harvey obtained an armed guard to sleep at Killeen Castle. The large family of the castle were afterwards taken prisoner and escaped the common jail of Wexford only because there was no room, being confined instead in an old empty house under guard; the castle was later searched wardrobe by wardrobe for the magistrate Mr. Boyd.

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    I FEAR we are in a most alarming situation. We have just had dreadful accounts from Naas — the rebels have defeated and killed Captain Swayne, of Youghall. Nancy Owen, in a letter of this day, says, that there are hundreds giving up fire-arms and pikes ; but notwithstanding the country wears a most alarming appearance. My father laughs at the idea of danger; but I strongly suspect we are surrounded by rebels and spies. Yesterday, rather a genteel looking man came up the lawn to me, and said he wished much to have the pleasure of instructing a few young ladies in geography, and begged I would allow him to teach my family. I told him my daughters were too young, and that I did not think he was likely to get any pupils in the neighbourhood. This day, as I was walking in the shrubbery near the road, I looked out, on hearing a number of horses, and saw the same young man under an escort going to jail, from information sent to Mr. Boyd by government. There was found upon him a plan of all our houses, the names and number of the inhabitants, and a copy of " Paine's Age of Reason." Mrs. Harvey, our near neighbour, has got a guard to sleep at Killeen Castle; we supped with her last night, and an express was sent for the gentleman who commanded the party. — My father is still incredulous !

    YY2

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Killeen Castle, and in 1798, as the rising broke, it sat under armed guard. A letter from the time tells the story. The writer says they feared they were in a most alarming situation. Dreadful accounts had come from Naas. The rebels had defeated and killed Captain Swayne of Youghall. Hundreds were giving up fire-arms and pikes, but the country still wore a most alarming appearance. The writer's father laughed at the idea of danger, but she suspected they were surrounded by rebels and spies. A genteel-looking man had walked up the lawn and offered to instruct young ladies in geography. She told him her daughters were too young and that he was not likely to get pupils in the neighbourhood. The next day she saw the same man under escort going to jail, from information sent to the magistrate Mr. Boyd by government. Found upon him was a plan of all their houses, the names and number of the inhabitants, and a copy of Paine's Age of Reason. Mrs. Harvey, their near neighbour, had got a guard to sleep at Killeen Castle. They supped with her, and an express was sent for the gentleman who commanded the party. The writer's father was still incredulous. The large family of the castle were afterwards taken prisoner. They escaped the common jail of Wexford only because there was no room, confined instead in an old empty house under guard. The castle was later searched wardrobe by wardrobe for Mr. Boyd.

55. Leper's Town: The Old Name of Castle Martyr

    Castlemartyr · townland · Cork

    The village of Castle Martyr in county Cork was formerly called Leper's Town, reflecting the widespread affliction of leprosy said to have plagued Munster. Writers of the time blamed the disease variously on the eating of unwholesome salmon or raw meat by the inhabitants.

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    The old name of Castle Martyr, a village in the county Cork, was Leper's Town, and in particular the province of Munster is stated to have formerly abounded with persons afflicted by this loathsome disease. Dr. Boate, in his Natural History of Ireland, attributes the miserable state of leprosy that prevailed in Munster, to " the foul gluttony of the inhabitants in the devouring of unwholesome salmons;" and accounts for its suppression by the strict observance of severe laws made by the English, against taking that fish during the spawning season. Some authors have ascribed so severe a national affliction to the almost raw state in which the Irish used to eat their animal food.

    " 'Twas blood-raw meat

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 50

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here lies the village of Castle Martyr in county Cork. Its old name was Leper's Town. The whole province of Munster is said to have once abounded with people afflicted by this disease. Dr. Boate, in his Natural History of Ireland, blamed the misery on what he called "the foul gluttony of the inhabitants in the devouring of unwholesome salmons." He said the disease was suppressed when the English made strict laws against taking that fish during the spawning season. Other writers gave a different cause. They pointed to the almost raw state in which the Irish used to eat their animal food. The old record calls it "blood-raw meat."

56. Persecution Under James II at Cork

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1689–1690

    During the war between James II and William, Cork was garrisoned by Irish troops for James, and Protestant citizens were disarmed and confined to prevent them joining William's forces. The arrival of James at Cork, obliged to countenance these proceedings, made the place a scene of religious intolerance and persecution.

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    The trade of Cork and its commercial importance rapidly increased after the accession of Charles, until Ireland became involved in the contest between James II. and his son-in-law. The greater part of the inhabitants being Roman Catholics, supported the cause of James, and Cork was garrisoned by Irish troops in favour of that monarch. As the question at issue was one of a religious as well as political nature, the adherents of James disarmed and confined such of the citizens as were Protestants, to prevent their joining the forces of William, and the arrival of James at Cork, who in person was obliged to countenance these and other unconstitutional proceedings, rendered that place the scene of religious intolerance and persecution.

    Notwithstanding the victory of the Boyne, Cork still held out for the abdicated monarch, and William found it necessary to reduce

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Cork, in the years 1689 to 1690, this place became a scene of religious intolerance and persecution. Most of the inhabitants were Roman Catholics and supported James the Second, so Cork was garrisoned by Irish troops in his favour. The adherents of James disarmed and confined such of the citizens as were Protestants, to prevent their joining the forces of William. James himself arrived at Cork and was obliged in person to countenance these and other unconstitutional proceedings. Even after the victory of the Boyne, Cork still held out for the abdicated monarch, and William found it necessary to reduce it.

57. Raleigh's Skirmish with the Seneschal of Imokilly

    Cloyne · townland · Cork

    Hooker records a skirmish fought near Cloyne between the Seneschal of Imokilly and Sir Walter Raleigh, in which Raleigh's intrepidity was remarkable. Raleigh afterwards accused the Seneschal of cowardice, and both Lord Ormond and Raleigh publicly challenged Sir John of Desmond and the Seneschal — then in open rebellion — to settle the matter by single combat.

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    Hooker gives us an account of a skirmish that took place near Cloyne, between the Seneschal of Imokilly and Sir Walter Raleigh, in which the intrepidity and skill of Raleigh were remarkable. Raleigh afterwards accused the Seneschal of cowardice on the occasion ; and such were the manners of the times, that Lord Ormond and Sir Walter more than once publicly challenged Sir John of Desmond, and the Seneschal, both of whom Avere in open rebellion, to decide the matter by single combat.

    We are informed by the Avriter of the Pacata Hibernia, that the Lord Deputy Mountjoy, on his return from the siege of Kinsale to Dublin by way of Waterford, came out of his road to pay a visit to Cloyne, Avhere he slept on the 7th of March, 1601, and Avas received by Master John Fitz Edmonds,* Avho held the town and manorhouse in fee-farm, and Avho " gave cheereful and plentiful entertayn-

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 45

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, a skirmish was fought that the chronicler Hooker recorded. The Seneschal of Imokilly faced Sir Walter Raleigh, and Raleigh's intrepidity and skill in the fight were remarkable. Afterwards, Raleigh accused the Seneschal of cowardice on the occasion. Such were the manners of the times that Lord Ormond and Sir Walter Raleigh more than once publicly challenged Sir John of Desmond and the Seneschal, both of whom were in open rebellion, to settle the matter by single combat. The writer of the Pacata Hibernia also records that the Lord Deputy Mountjoy, returning from the siege of Kinsale to Dublin by way of Waterford, came out of his road to visit Cloyne. He slept there on the 7th of March, 1601, received by Master John Fitz Edmonds, who held the town and manor house in fee-farm, and who gave 'cheereful and plentiful' entertainment.

58. Stars and Groans on the Road to Dundalk

    Dundalk · townland · Louth · 1689–1690

    Story relates that a mysterious appearance of stars accompanied by heavy groans preceded the landing of the rival monarchs William and James. It was seen by Mr Hambleton of Tollymoore, a justice of the peace described as a sober rational man, in company with others journeying towards Dundalk.

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    Second sight, so common in the Highlands, I believe is unknown in the South of Ireland. Story relates a mysterious appearance of stars, accompanied by heavy groans, that preceded the landing of the rival monarchs William and James, seen by " one Mr. Hambleton, of Tollymoore, a justice of the peace in his county, and a sober, rational man;" in company with others who were journeying towards Dundalk; adding, " They have a great many tales of this kind in Ireland, and the Inniskilling men tell you of several such things before their battles." I should, however, consider these visions, on account of their northern limits, as derived from Scotland, and not genuine Irish superstitions.

    I fear it may be considered that I have dwelt too long upon, and

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1689 or 1690, a man on the road saw something he could not explain. Mr Hambleton of Tollymoore was travelling towards Dundalk with others when stars appeared and heavy groans were heard. He was, in the words of the source, "a justice of the peace in his county, and a sober, rational man." The story says this came before the landing of the rival monarchs William and James. The book notes that they had a great many tales of this kind in Ireland, and the Inniskilling men told of several such things before their battles. The author believed these visions came from Scotland rather than being genuinely Irish.

59. The Healing Well of the Blind and the Infirm

    near Gougane Barra · townland · Cork · 1813

    Beside the causeway at Gougaun Lake, part of the water was enclosed as a holy well where seven or eight diseased pilgrims at a time thrust their limbs into the water, showing terrible sores and infirmities. The blind, the crippled and the infirm jostled to reach it, while women and boys sold the polluted water in bottles and scallop shells. Mothers plunged shrieking infants into the well.

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    The number of slates thus treated at various periods, had worn in the stone to which they were applied a cross nearly two inches in depth, and which every new sign served to deepen. The door or opening to the front of the well was so narrow as scarcely to admit two persons at the same time. Within, the well was crowded to excess, probably seven or eight persons, some with their arms, some with their legs thrust down into the water, exhibiting the most disgusting sores and shocking infirmities. When those within came out, their places were as instantly filled by others. Some there were who had waited two or three hours before they could obtain access to this " healing fount." The blind, the cripple, and the infirm jostled and retarded each other in their efforts to approach ; whilst women and boys forced their way about, offering the polluted water of the well for sale, in little glass bottles, the bottom of broken jugs and scallop shells, to those whose strength did not permit them to gain this sacred spot. The water so offered Avas eagerly purchased, in

    * Small printed Prayers were also sold at these meetings ; one which I purchased is copied verbatim.

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 51

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Gougane Barra there was a healing well, part of the lake water enclosed beside the causeway. Pilgrims had worn a cross into the stone with slates, nearly two inches deep, and every new mark served to deepen it. In 1813, the opening to the well was so narrow it scarcely admitted two people at once. Inside, seven or eight persons crowded together, some with their arms, some with their legs thrust down into the water, showing what the book calls "the most disgusting sores and shocking infirmities." When those within came out, others instantly took their places. Some had waited two or three hours to reach this spot, called a "healing fount." The blind, the crippled, and the infirm jostled and pushed against each other trying to approach. Mothers plunged shrieking infants into the well. Women and boys forced their way through, selling the polluted water in little glass bottles, the bottoms of broken jugs, and scallop shells, to those too weak to reach it themselves. The water was eagerly purchased.

60. The Siege of Cork, 1690

    Cork · townland · Cork · 1690

    The bowling-green, gardens and temporary buildings raised on Cork's newly drained eastern marshes were trampled and destroyed during the siege of 1690 under the Earl (later Duke) of Marlborough. Christ Church suffered severely, a bomb falling through its roof, the Cathedral was so injured it was later taken down, and St. Anne's Shandon was destroyed in the burning of the suburbs.

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    It was not until the year 1670, about which time the south channel of the river was rendered navigable, that any improvements were made. Some of the eastern marshes, on which the best part of Cork now stands, were then drained, and a bowling-green and gardens with temporary buildings formed on the reclaimed ground ; but these works were trampled and destroyed during the siege in 1690, under the celebrated Duke (then the Earl) of Marlborough. Immediately after that event Cork rapidly extended ; almost all the marshy islands adjacent to the one on which it stood, were recovered, and portions of the city are still known by the names of the individuals who first reclaimed them, as Hammond's marsh, Pike's marsh, Dunscombe's marsh, &c. Stretching westward from the first of these marshes, a public walk called the Mardyke, consisting of an embankment nearly an English mile in length, was constructed across a swamp in 1719, at the expense of Mr. Edward Webber, who built at its termination a brick house, (whence it was vulgarly termed the Red House Walk,) and enclosed a tea garden adjoining, which was much frequented by the citizens during the summer.

    -" the city viewed,

    Project Gutenberg #researchesinsout00crokuoft, Chapter 36

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, the eastern marshes of Cork were drained around 1670, when the south channel of the river was made navigable. A bowling-green and gardens went up on the reclaimed ground, along with temporary buildings. The best part of Cork now stands on that ground. But those works were trampled and destroyed during the siege of 1690, under the Earl of Marlborough, who was later made Duke. Christ Church suffered severely in that siege. A bomb fell through its roof. The Cathedral was so injured it had to be taken down afterwards. St. Anne's Shandon was destroyed in the burning of the suburbs. After the siege, Cork rapidly extended. Nearly all the marshy islands adjacent to the one the city stood on were recovered, and portions of the city are still known by the names of the men who first reclaimed them: Hammond's marsh, Pike's marsh, Dunscombe's marsh. Stretching westward from the first of these, a public walk called the Mardyke was built in 1719, at the expense of Edward Webber. It ran across a swamp, an embankment nearly an English mile long. He built a brick house at its end, whence it was called the Red House Walk, and enclosed a tea garden adjoining, much frequented by the citizens in summer.