The story of an Irish sept : their character & struggle to maintain their lands in Clare

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

1. Macnamara youths pillage Moynoe and spark clan war

   Moynoe · townland · Clare · 1310

   After killing De Burgho's steward in Galway, two young Macnamara family members sought sanctuary at the ecclesiastical establishment of Moynoe. Dissatisfied with their reception, they pillaged the neighbourhood for food, and in the ensuing turmoil Sioda's foster-brother was killed. Donchadh Macnamara then laid waste all the lands of Moynoe, sparing only the church, provoking a coalition of Dalcasian septs against Clancuilein.

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   Thomas de Clare was killed in August 1287, and until a.d. 1310 the peace and prosperity of Clare was almost undisturbed, and then the jealousy of the Irish septs amongst themselves was the cause of a small war which broke out in the north-eastern part of the district. The trudi was, the Hy-Blood, the Kennedys, Connings, and other Dalcasian septs, had for some time envied the position and importance which Clancuilein had obtained in the affiurs of Thomond. This feeling seems to have been rankling in their breasts for a considerable time, and was brought to a climax by the foolish rollicking conduct of two of the younger members of the Doncha<lh-Macnamara fieunily. These individuals had been on an expedition into Galway, and having fallen out with De Burgho's steward he was killed. Fearing the earl would speedfly retaliate they sought protection in the ecclesiastical establishment of Moynoe, some of them resting in the great church ; but they seemed to think they were not properly entertained by the religious community of the place, and they proceeded, therefore, to help themselves and to pillage the neighbourhood for food. Conduct of this kind created an outburst of indignation, and Sioda's foster-brother was killed in the turmoil which ensued. Upon this Donchadh, the chief of the sept, took up the quarrel and laid waste all the lands of Moynoe, sparing only the church. The badge of war being thus thrown down, the Hy-Blood and other Dalcasian septs of East Clare were not slow to accept ^e challenge given by Clancuilein.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 51

2. Archbishop O'Queely destroys Mac Dara's idol on Aran

   Inishmore · electoral division · Galway · 1643–1645

   The Archbishop of Tuam, O'Queely, travelled to the island of Aran in Galway Bay to destroy the venerated image of Mac Dara, which the people worshipped with Druidical superstition, swearing on it rather than the Gospels. He tore down the image and flung it into the sea.

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   province of Munster, he crossed over to England and met Charles I. at Oxford, in order to urge his claims to this appointment ; the king, however, declined to accede to his request. Inchiquin, therefore, left England and at once olSered his services to the Parliamentarians, who eagerly accepted his help and at the same time appomted him governor of Munster. This conduct on the part of Inchiquin was fatal to the Confederate cause. With a man of his energy and ability as leader in the south of Ireland, and with O'Neill, O'Donnell, and Macdonell in the north, the history of the country in the seventeenth century would probably have been different from that which has been handed down to us. The council of the Confederation at this time must have been hard up for a general, for they appointed the Archbishop of Tuam to lead their troops against the English garrison of Sligo. His name was O'Qucely, and he had, not long previously to taking command of the forces employed against the English garrison at Sligo, done battle in a very different cause, for he had gone over to the island of Aran, in Galway Bay, to destroy the image of ** Mac Dara" (Dara meaning ''oak"), which the people venerated with idolatrous superstition. It was in vain the Catholic clergy called on them to desist from worshipping this idol, and from swearing on it rather than on the Gospels; to put down this ancient superstition, which was evidently a remnant of the old Druidical worship, the Archbishop of Tuam, coming to the island, tore down the image and flung it into the sea.* He did not, however, long survive this proceeding, for in 1645 this unfortunate prelate, having only just assumed command of the Irish soldiers, was shot dead in his first encounter with the Parliamentary forces. In coimection with this event, we find Daniel Macnamara and Sir D. O'Brien, of Ennistymon, appointed by the Irish to effect an exchange of prisoners with the commander of the English troops in Connaughtf

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 93

3. Banshee of the wooded rocks above Killaloe

   Killaloe · town · Clare

   The chief banshee of the author's tribe was traditionally believed to dwell in the wooded rocks overlooking the Shannon above Killaloe. In local folklore, this spirit accompanied the tribe into battle, shrieking and fluttering over their heads.

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   The Irish had, and to the west of the Shannon still have, a firm belief in their ** banshees." The chief banshee of our tribe dwelt in the lovely wooded rocks overlooking the Suuinon above Killaloe ; she accompanied the tribe to battle, ^ shrdking and fluttering over their heads, surrounded by satyres and spirits of the valley." The writer of these pages can well remember hearing his £uher describe the thrice-repeated wail of the banshee, which he had distinctly recognised, and which foretold the death of a dear firiend ; nevertheless, he was a man ^o had seen much of men and the world.

   The emotional or sensitive disposition of the Irish Celts, has been the obstacle above all others which has barred their progress as a people, and prevented them fixnn joining hand in hand for that long and steady pull necessary for the establishment of a nation. The emotional side of their nature leads the Celt to arrive at rapid conclusions, which are by no means alwa]^ lasting, and so he too frequently lends himself to carry through the schemes of designing or misguided men who, with fluent tongue, persuade him to follow on in the pursuit of social or political phantoms, in place of devoting his best powers of mind and body in a persevering effort to succeed in his calling in life. It has been fairly said that the creed of many Irishmen is, that '' it ought to be ^— it must be— it is,** and for no better reason, they too often waste their undoubted talents and energies in efforts wide of the mark at which they aim.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 104

4. Battle of Clontarf and death of Brian Boru

   Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

   On Good Friday 1014, Brian Boru's forces met the combined host of Earl Segard and King Sigtryg at Clontarf. Brian fell with victory, his son Morrogh was mortally wounded, and young Turlogh drowned in a river grappling with a Dane. At least a quarter of the Irish army perished, but Danish power in Ireland was utterly broken.

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   There is reason to believe that not less than a quarter of the Irish army were left dead on the field of Clontarf^ and among their number were included very many Dalcasian and other chiefs. The result of this action, however, was the complete annihilation of the power of the Danes in Ireland, a power they never again attempted to regain.

   Donogh O'Brien, another son of Brian Boru, who previous to the battle of Clontarf had been directed by his father to proceed with a body of troops bto Leinster, returned after the battle and took command of the remnant of the Dalcasians. Wounded and worn, these men were not to be allowed to return home in peace, for the King of Ossory, having a grudge against the Dalcais, refused to permit them to cross his territory. Donogh determined, nevertheless, to march on into Thomond, and drew up his men to resist those of Ossory. He directed the wounded to be sent to the rear, but they b^;ged to be allowed to die fighting with their comrades. So weak were many of these Dalcasians that they were unable to stand without support ; Donogh, therefore, bad stakes driven into the ground, against which his wounded warriors might lean for support, and, with a sound man on each side of a wounded one, they stood prepared to receive their enemies. We are told that the King of Ossory when he learnt what was taking place in the Dalcasian camp, thought it imprudent to fiurther resist men of this stamp, and so the Dalcasians were allowed to pass on into their own territory. As already stated, there is every reason to believe that Menma (Macnamara), who had survived the battle of Clontarf, was one of the chiefs with Donogh O'Brien on this memorable occasion.^

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 42

5. Battle of Corcomroe and expulsion of Anglo-Normans

   Corcomroe · barony · Clare · 1350

   Mac-con Macnamara and his sept fought at the Battle of Corcomroe around 1350, resulting in the defeat and death of Richard de Clare. This victory led to the Anglo-Normans being completely driven out of Clare by 1332.

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   Anglo-Normans under De Clare and allies attack the O'Briens and Macnamaras, A.D. 13 1 z — Lochlain Macnamara, chief of his sept, treacherously seized by De Clare and executed with his nephew, a.d. 13x2 — Mac-con (Macnamara) succeeds as head of Clancuilein — Robert Bruce invades Ireland-— Appears on the Shannon— Skirmish with Clancuilein— Mac-con (Macnamara) and sept at battle of Corcomroe, a.d. Z350— Richard de Clare defeated and killed— The Anglo- Normans completely driven out of Clare, a.d. 1332 — Extension of Clancuilien territory from Fergus to Shannon — Mac Con died, 1365 — Cumedha succeeded, followed by Lochlain Mac Con, whose daughter married Brian O'Brien, King of Thomond, a.d. ? 1364— Appeal of Irish Chiefs to the Pope to establish English laws in Ireland or else leave her alone— Edward III.'s opinion regarding Ireland — ^Dnke of Clarence sent over to subdue country— Successfully resisted by O'Briens and Clancuilein — " Mear Irish " — Kilkenny Parliament, a.d. 1367— Gerald Fitzgerald sent his son to be brought up by O'Brien and Macnamara in place of. the Eng^lish Court — Second Mac-con (Macnamara) — The most powerful Irish families united in marriage through the Macnamaras, a.d. 1370 — ^Alteration in tenure of land as shown by Macnamara's rent roll and other documents of the fourteenth century Pp. 116-141

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 3

6. Battle of Knocknanuss: Inchiquin defeats Confederates

   Knocknanuss · townland · Cork · 1647

   In 1647, Confederate forces joined with Ulster men under Macdonell to battle Lord Inchiquin's Parliamentary army at Knocknanuss. The Munster regiment fled after firing one volley, leading to the rout of the Irish army; about 1,500 Confederates were slain and several Macnamara officers captured.

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   officers entreated the men to stand by them, and this appeal fiuHng, shot some of their panic-stricken soldiers, it was all in vain. About 1500 of the Confederate army were slain. Many of the officers remained on the field and were taken prisoners ; among Uiem are mentioned the names of Lieut-Colonel Macnamara, also Captains Brian, Daniel, and Patrick Macnamara, and Capt.-Lieut. Fitz Morris Macnamara.t The behaviour of the right wing of the Irish army was the reverse of that fimned by the Munster men ; it was composed of soldiers firom Connaught and Ulster, who, by theu: splendid behaviour in the early part of the engagement, drove back the whole of Inchiquin's left wing and captured his artillery : but being deserted by their Munster comrades, Inchiquin was able to direct the whole of his forces against the Connaught troops, and although they stood their ground and were almost annihilated, victory remained with the Parliamentarians.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 93

7. Battle of Mongressan: Turlough defeats De Clare

   Mungret · town · Limerick · 1277

   Turlough O'Brien met De Clare in the open fields of Mongressan in 1277 and completely defeated him, slaying De Clare's brother-in-law and other knights. Brian Roe and De Clare escaped to Bunratty, where De Clare's wife denounced Brian of treachery.

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   Turlough O'Brien passed from the MacMahon territory into Barren, and then northward into Galway ; and, having secured help from WiUiam de Burgho (Bourkes), he proceeded to join Clancoilein in the woods of Echty, and the combined force then conmienced offensive warfare against De Clare, and the other Anglo-Normans who had settled in the district of Tradree. So constant were these attacks that the foreigners constructed a wall and trench across the northern part of their lands, in hopes of preserving them from the Irish ; but defences of this kind were useless as means of protection against a race of active light-footed creatures like the men of Clancuilein. Turlough soon felt himself strong enough to attack De Clare, and, with Sioda Macnamaxa, passed first to the north-east and ravaged the O'Grad/s lands and other septs who had joined Brian Roe and De Clare; he then led his forces southward, and met his Anglo-Norman adversary in the open fields of Mongressan (a.d. 1277). De Clare was completely beaten, and his brother-in-law and other knights were slain* Brian Roe and De Clare escaped to Bunratty, where the earl's wife denounced Brian of treachery and as having been the cause of her brother's death. The unfortunate Irish chief was seized and brought into the castle-yard, where he was "bound to a stem steed " and dragged to death, and his body was then suspended by its feet fix>m the gallows. This murder was perpetrated by De Clare notwithstanding he had entered into a sacred alliance with Brian, upon which occasion they swore by the most solemn oaths to support one another, and mixed their blood in token of firiendship. The details of this crime are recorded by the ** Four Masters," and were also transmitted by certain Iri0h chiefr to Pope John XIL

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

8. Cormac MacArt's boyhood judgment at Tara

   near Tara · hill or hills · Meath

   As a boy, Cormac MacArt was present in his uncle's court at Tara when a dispute over sheep straying into the queen's garden was adjudicated. Cormac offered a more equitable judgment, suggesting the shearing of the sheep rather than forfeiting the animals themselves.

   Read the passage

   man of considerable literary attainments; the historian Keating has given us an accomit of Cormac's career, which need not be referred to in this place, beyond mentioning a characteristic anecdote of the young king. ConnBC MacArt, when a boy, was one day present in his uncle'scourt at Tara. It appears that ** certain sheep had strayed into and eaten up some vegetables growing in the queen's garden/' the case was brought before the king; and he '* adjudged the sheep to theplaintiflf in lieu of the trespass." Young Cormac, hearing the sentence, came forward and remarked, the judgment ^* were more equitable were the shearing oi the sheep given in damage of the green stuff cropped; for in the ground the grass will grow again, and so will the wool upon the sheep."*

   Cormac having been actively engaged throughout a long reign deter* mined, in consequence of an injury he had received to one of his eyes, to resign his throne in favour of his son, and to devote the remaining years of his life, as he stated, '' ^ meditation and the warship of God^ the Creator of Heaven^ and also of a place in which the souls of the wiched should be justly punished ;^^ these were Cormac's own words, recorded by himself in a work which existed in Keating's time^ and from which the historian quotes. These expressions were made use of by Cormac before Christianity had spread into Ireland ; he was brought up by a Druid and practised their art, for he undertook to cure one of his friends of leprosy by means of magic. It seems therefore probable that expressions such as those above quoted were not frir removed from what was taught by the Druids before Christianity was introduced into IreUnd; for in those days the Druids were the chief if not the only schoolmasters in Ireland. Cormac distinctly stated " that it was beneath the dignity of a rational being to adore anything in the form of an idol, but that hu prayers should be directed to die living Supreme Being who created all things."''^ The following are some of his expressions which have come down to us through another Cormac of Cashel :

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 29

9. Doolin as smuggling and Irish Brigade recruitment base

   Doolin · townland · Clare · 1746

   In 1746 Antony McDonogh resided at Doolin. His son, an officer in the Irish Brigade, returned to Burren to secretly collect recruits for the French army. Ships arrived off the coast of Doolin with smuggled claret and departed with wool and recruits for France.

   Read the passage

   In the year 1746 Antony McDonogh resided at Doolin, and from an account of the battle of Fontenoy, written by his grandson, and kindly lent to me by Dr. G. Macnamara of Corofin, we learn that McDonogh's son, a nephew of Dermot O'Brien, obtained a conunission in the Irish Brigade through an introduction which his uncle had given him to Lord Clare, at that time living in Paris. This young McDonogh was subsequently sent to collect recruits in Ireland for the French army, and he returned for this purpose to Burren. Having enlisted the number of Irishmen he required, and who, we are informed, he was " obliged to collect by stealth, the recruits were sent to France in ships that came off the coast of Doolin, in Clare, with smuggled claret, and took back the wool of that part of the country and also recruits."! Captain Mac-

   * Daniel Macnamara succeeded his father in 1665 ; he owned the estates and castles of BaUinacragga and Rathfolan, close to Newmarket in Bunratty. It seems quite probaUe that after being driven out of his fertUe estates in the south of Clare in z654, he named his new home In Burren BaUinacragga, after that of his former residence in South Clare.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 122

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here in 1746, Antony McDonogh lived at Doolin. His son had obtained a commission in the Irish Brigade through an introduction to Lord Clare, who was then living in Paris. The young McDonogh was sent back to Burren to gather recruits for the French army. He collected the men he needed, though he was, in the words of the source, "obliged to collect by stealth." Ships arrived off this coast carrying smuggled claret, and departed loaded with wool and the new recruits bound for France.

10. Earl of Thomond threatens law officers; Fitton flees Ennis on foot

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1570

    When summoned to Ennis, the Earl of Thomond resolved to imprison the law officers. President Fitton found the monastery uncomfortable and escaped on foot, finding a guide through the difficult terrain of the district.

    Read the passage

    Henry VIII. had determined to establish courts of justice in Ireland, which were to be constituted of the bishop of the diocese and some of the principal landowners. ,The officers forming these courts were to be charged with extensive powers, embracing military operations ; at the same time sheriff were instituted, and a nucleus formed from which a T^ular system of judicial authorities might have developed to enforce law and order in the province. Beyond this, free schools were established, to be maintained by local cesses raised for the purpose. But there was as yet no adequate S3rstem provided for enforcing these salutary reforms ; they were largely arrangements the outcome of good intentions, but wanting in material support to carry them into effect For instance, Sir E. Fitton had been appointed president of the province of Connaught, and in a.d. 1570 he proposed holding a court of eighteen days' duration, in the Monastery of Ennis, county Clare, *'to administer justice," and to reduce Clancuilein and other Dalcasian septs to order. Teigie O'Brien was appointed the first 'Sheriff of Clare, and he placed a •quantity of food and drink in the monastery for the use of the presi- -dent ; and with that he seems to have been content For on the following day, when Sir Edward arrived, he sent off messengers to the Earl of Thomond to summon him to Ennis. On receiving this message, the Earl, we are informed, " came to the resolution of making a prisoner of these officers of the law; and the English president, finding his monastery becoming rather uncomfortable, made his escape on foot from the place, and was fortunate enough to find a guide to conduct him through the narrow passes and wild, intricate ways of the district."! <2ueen Elizabeth, however, who had just come to the throne, would not tolerate this kind of thing, and she directed the Earl of Ormond to proceed at once into Clare with a well-equiped force. This action had the desired effect, and the Earl of Thomond not only had to abandon his forts, but to retire fix>m Clare and take refuge in France. He subse* quently obtained pardon firom the Queen, and returned to Ireland. The following year the president of Connaught came to Ennis, accompanied by a strong force, ''and established laws and rules, and abolished injustice and lawlessness." To secure obedience to these laws, he * " Annals of the Four Masters," a.d. 1559. f Ikid. a.d. X570.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 75

11. French invasion fleet arrives in Bantry Bay, December 1796

    near Bantry Bay · bay · Cork · 1796

    A French expedition of thirty-eight vessels carrying 15,000 soldiers arrived in Bantry Bay in December 1796 to invade Ireland, but a violent hurricane prevented landing and forced the fleet back to Brest. The event prompted widespread loyalist mobilisation across the south and west of Ireland.

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    In December 1796 an expedition of some thirty-eight vessels, carrying an army of 15,000 French soldiers for the invasion of Ireland, arrived on the south-west coast of Ireland, in Bantry Bay. A violent hurricane, however, swept the bay at the time, and not only prevented the French from landing, but compelled the commander of the transports to stand out to sea. The expedition returned to Brest, fix>m whence it had proceeded.

    No sooner had news arrived in Ennis, Galway, and Limerick, that a French force was about to land in Bantry Bay, than the yeomanry and volunteers turned out to a man to resist the enemy. The Clare troops were under command of Colonel Fhmcis Macnamara, who with his cousins John, and William Macnamara of Doolin, had taken an active part in drilling, and in the equipment of the troops. The old martial spirit of the people was instantly in wild excitement, and from the accounts left us by those who witnessed the mustering of the Clare volunteers, under the descendants of the old Clancuilein chiefr, we are reminded of some of Magrath's descriptions of the rising of the men of our sept five hundred years previously. General Dalrymple, who was in command at Cork, reported that **aU ranks of Irishmen rallied to his support, determined to resist the French fi!om landing.** He adds :

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 130

12. Inauguration of Kings of Thomond at Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 847–1014

    The ceremony of inaugurating the Kings of Thomond took place at Magh Adhair, situated within the Ui-Caisin tribal lands. The chief of the Macnamara sept, as hereditary Marshal of the province, handed the king-elect a white wand of authority and proclaimed him King of Thomond from atop the mound.

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    The ceremony of inauguration took place at Magh Adhair, situated within the Ui-Caisin tribal lands, upon the mound under which the last of the Firbolg chiefs of Clare was buried ; from a drawing made by Mr. T. J. Westropp, the existing appearance of this mound is clearly shown.t On die day of inauguration the heads of the various Dalcasian septs assembled around Magh Adhair; the king-elect, his chief bard, and the head of the Macnamara sept then ascended the mound, the king-elect stood on a stone placed near its centre; his bard then recited certain laws which the chief promised to obey. The chief of Clancuilein then handed the kingeloct a straight white wand, a sjrmbol of authority and an emblem of what his conduct should be, straight and without stain ; the king promised to maintain the prestige and the customs of his tribe ; and having put aside his sword and other weapons, and holding the wand in his hand he moved round the stone so as to view his territory from all sides, which he promised to protect firom invasion; the Marshal then in a loud voice proclaimed the chiefs surname and declared him to be King of Thomond. Edmund Spenser states that the tanist was elected to office in the same manner as the chie( but only placed one foot upon the stone and then took the same oath as his captain. { It is stated in the <' black book of Christ Church, DubUn," that the kings of Ireland were neither ordained nor anointed, but were kings by election and by the right of arms, f

    In the year aj>. 847, a chief named Lachtna ruled over Thomond, and an individual called Flan was at the time king and also abbot and

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

13. James II enters Dublin, March 1689

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1689

    James II entered Dublin on March 24 accompanied by D'Avaux as ambassador from France and with a splendid Court. On May 7 his Parliament assembled, and the king addressed the Commons with robe and crown, pronouncing liberty of conscience.

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    James II. entered Dublin on March 24, accompanied by D'Avaux as ambassador from France, and with a splendid Court On May 7 his Parliament had assembled, and the king, "with robe and crown," addressed the Commons ; he pronounced his policy to consist in ** liberty of conscience, and against invading any man's property." The king stated he had come to Ireland, '* to venture my life with you in defence of your liberties and my own rights." The conditions under which the Parliament of 1689 met therefore were exceptional, the King of Ireland was there to guard and control the deliberations of Parliament, Dublin was predominated by his Court, and full of his English and French friends and supporters. The members of this Parliament met, but many of them had other urgent duties to atteiid to ; for example, John Macnamara was soon to be Colonel of the ** Yellow Dragoons," which he raised in Clare, and led at the Battle of the Boyne ; Florence Macnamara, another member of the Dublin Parliament, was engaged in oiganising a regiment of infantry raised in his own county* In these circumstances, with the exception of the Act of Attainder, the Dublin Parliament of 1689 did good work, and in a thcMroughly business-like manner. Among other matters it laid down the principle that **the EngUsh Parliament had not, and never had, any right to legislate for

    ♦ See p. 194.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 143

    As the companion tells it

    As you travel through Dublin, you are passing through a city where, in 1689, James II arrived on March 24, accompanied by D'Avaux as ambassador from France, with a splendid Court in tow. On May 7 his Parliament assembled, and the king addressed the Commons, as the record puts it, "with robe and crown." He pronounced his policy to consist in "liberty of conscience, and against invading any man's property." He told the members he had come to Ireland, in his words, "to venture my life with you in defence of your liberties and my own rights." The conditions under which that Parliament met were exceptional. The King of Ireland was there to guard and control the deliberations of Parliament. Dublin was predominated by his Court, and full of his English and French friends and supporters. The members met, but many had other urgent duties to attend to. John Macnamara was soon to be Colonel of the "Yellow Dragoons," which he raised in Clare and led at the Battle of the Boyne. Florence Macnamara, another member, was engaged in organising a regiment of infantry raised in his own county. With the exception of the Act of Attainder, the Dublin Parliament of 1689 did good work, in a thoroughly business-like manner. Among other matters, it laid down the principle that "the English Parliament had not, and never had, any right to legislate for" Ireland.

14. Limerick stormed by Strongbow and Donald of Ossory

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1174

    After his defeat at Thurles, Strongbow received reinforcements and allied with Donald, chief of Ossory, a mortal enemy of the O'Briens. Together they attacked Limerick and carried it by storm.

    Read the passage

    Strongbow, finding that Donald O'Brien openly scoffed at the idea of the King of England having power over Thomond, marched with a strong force (a.d« i 174) as far as Thurles, intending to pass on into Clare; but he was met by O'Brien, who ''defeated the earl and slew one thousand seven hundred of his men.'^f Strongbow, however, having received reinforcements and found an ally in Donald, chief of Ossory, who was a mortal enemy of the O'Briens t (p. 83), diey attacked Limerick and carried it by storm. O'Brien seems to have had good reason to suspect treachery in this matter; he immediately afterwards seized two of his own family residing near Limerick, whose eyes were ordered to be put out, and a guest in their house was beheaded. Acts of this description would only have been perpetrated by the Dalcasian chief upon persons who were unfaithful to their tribe, as these individuals had probably been.

    In the meantime the. King of Connaught (Roderick O'Connor) had sent an embassy to arrange a treaty with Henry II. at Windsor (A.D. 1 1 75), by which the King of Connaught was to retain his position in the west of Ireland, and to rule the whole country as Henry's vassal ; through him the other kings and chiefs were to pay tribute to England; the Brehon laws were still to continue in force. O'Brien at once repudiated this treaty, and not only refused to pay tribute to England, but declined to give hostages in token of submission to the King of Connaught ; the only present he would receive from that king was Brian Boru's drinking goblet, which had been taken from his fiunily as ransom (p. 90).

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

15. Macnamara's grievance over quit rent to Earl of Thomond

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1588

    In a letter dated 26 July 1588, Lord Deputy Fytzwylliam informed Lord Burghley that the composition book of Connaught included a yearly quit rent to the Earl of Thomond, against which Macnamara found himself greatly aggrieved, since he and his ancestors had always held their lands owing no duty to the earl.

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    John Macnamara's father was the son of the individual who had so shortly before come to an agreement with Henry VIII., and there was every reason why this compact should not be disturbed, so far as his sept was concerned. They declined therefore to fall in with the views put forward by Sir Henry Sidney in this matter; and they >had cogent reasons for distrusting the purpose of the authorities in Clare with regard to^this land question, a fact clearly elucidated on reference to various official documents of this period. In a letter written by Lord Deputy Fytzwylliam to Lord Burghley, dated Dublin, July 26, 1588, it is stated that ^' by the fault of some of the Commissioners the composition book of Connaught with a yearly quit rent to the Earl of Thomond, wherewithal Macnamara findeth himself greatly greeved, he and his ancestors having always held the lands and owing no duty to the said Earl— by this rent charge laid on Macnamara the Earl of Thomond will ease himself in the composition money he ought to pay for Thomond. Macnamara to be

    * - O'Brien Memoirs," p. ai8. f ** Annals of the Four Masters," a.d. 1585.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 81

16. Macnamara's lone charge at Quin, 1378

    Quin · town · Clare · 1378

    In 1378, a hostile army approached Quin. S. Macnamara, with a band of relations, entered the enemy camp at daybreak seeking single combat with the hostile leader. All his followers were slaughtered and he was overpowered and killed after fighting with amazing vigour.

    Read the passage

    of Clancnileiny the O'Briens could not have held their own in Clare, or prevented its fisdling into the hands of the EngUsh. The leaders of Clancailein placed their lives absolutely at the service of their king as head of their tribe ; they were ready to fight and to die in the defence of his interests, and in these old times war made men staunch and true to one another. We can hardly have a better instance of this than in the case of S. Macnamara, who, when a hostile army approached Quin in a.d. 1378, with a band of his relations entered the camp of the enemy at daybreak, with the object of engagmg the leader of the hostile force in single combat. He fought his way onward with amazing vigour, his followers having all been slaughtered ; still he strove to meet the leader of his king's enemies, but was overpowered and killed.^

    Then again the action of Mac-Con (Macnamara) and his clan in the memorable battle of Corcomroe. In the neighbourhood of that beautiful abbey, surrounded by the wonderful hilb of Burren, one of the most important battles in the history of Clare was fought, and the Macnamaras covered themselves with honour.f In the remarkably vivid description which Magrath has left us of this battle there is nothing ferocious or barbarous in the practice, of war, for instance, with reference to the care of the wounded, he observes, they were ** no longer foes but brothers in trouble," the burial of the dead, and other details referred to by this author, contrast fiaivourably with scenes witnessed by the writer, in warfiure earned on in our Eastern possessions in the early part of the second half of the present century. The Irish Celt, in his eager pursuit of pleasure, considered fighting as the noblest pastime ; war was one of the chief duties of life, and it was thought honourable to die on the field of battle. The serious side of the subject seldom affected the soul of the gay, light-hearted Irishman.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 102

17. Malachy desecrates the inaugural mound of Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 983

    Malachy, King of Leinster, marched an army into Clare and camped on Magh Adhair, where he uprooted the sacred oak tree growing on the mound. This provoked indignation among the Dalcais, as Magh Adhair was the site of the inauguration ceremony for the Kings of Thomond.

    Read the passage

    at the time was the King of Leinster, seeing the rising power of Brian, determined to demonstrate his own supremacy as monarch of the •country; he therefore marched an army into Clare and pitched his camp on Magh Adhair ; he uprooted the sacred oak-tree which grew •on this mound * (a.d. 983). We can readily understand the indignation among the Dalcais produced by this act, for among other things the •ceremony of inauguration of the King of Thomond on Magh Adhair •demonstrated the fact, that the tribe had a right to elect their own king. It was therefore incumbent on Brian to retaliate on Malachy; after ^continued fighting it was determined by these chiefe to divide the sovereignty of Thomond ; but constant feuds sprang up between the rival kings, and in the end Malachy solicited and obtained the help of the Danes of Dublin. The combined forces, Irish and Danish, met those under Brian Boru at a place called Glenmana ; in the battle which •ensued Brian was victorious ; he then sacked Dublin, carrying off to his home at Kincora (Killaloe)'a vast quantity of treasure.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

18. O'Shaughnessy chief killed by Macnamaras (1223)

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1223

    In 1223 the chief of the O'Shaughnessys, one of the Dalcasian septs, was killed by the Macnamaras in spite of a solemn compact between the two to keep the peace. The compact had been ratified on the crosier of St. Colman, which is still to be seen in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

    Read the passage

    The inhabitants of Clare subsequent to these events remained for] some years free from foreign interference, and on the whole enjoyed a ftir amount of peace ; aldiough, we are informed by the ** Four Masters," tint in the year 1223 the chief of the O'Shaughnessys, one of the Dalcasian septs, was killed by the Macnamaras in spite of a solemn compact between the two to keep the peace. This compact was ratified on the crosier of St Cohim, which is still to be seen in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.*

    • We have varions references in the Calendar of the Papal Register of this period relating to Ireland, for instance :—a.d. 1225 : Canonization of St. Laurence ^O'Toole) by Pope Honorius IIL, in which document the statement is made '* that St. Laurence was son of the King and Queen of Ireland. As to his miracles, the deaf, the dumb, and sick are healed ; he restored seven dead persons to life *' <vdL i. p. 104). A.D. I2Z9 : " Mandate to the Bishop-elect of Norwich, papal legate '* to compel the Justiciary of Ireland, if he has, as is asserted, condemned A former papal mandate, to come before the king and give an account of the rents and other goods of the king which he had received (CaL Papal R%., vol i p. 64)^

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this city holds a relic tied to a breach of faith in Clare. The year was 1223. The chief of the O'Shaughnessys, one of the Dalcassian septs, was killed by the Macnamaras. What makes it striking is that the two sides had made a solemn compact to keep the peace. They ratified it on the crosier of Saint Colman. That crosier is still to be seen in the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy, here in Dublin. The Four Masters recorded the killing. After earlier troubles, the inhabitants of Clare had remained for some years free from foreign interference and on the whole enjoyed a fair amount of peace. Then this broke out. A sworn pledge on a sacred object, broken by bloodshed. The crosier of Saint Colman survived the centuries. The compact did not survive the year. Dublin holds the relic that witnessed the oath, and the oath failed.

19. Treason letters intercepted at Galway

    Galway · city · Galway · 1608

    In February 1608, the Lord Deputy received letters intercepted at Galway that revealed a conspiracy involving John Macnamara writing to Donald O'Sullivan in Spain about a foreign invasion via the Limerick river or Galway Bay. The Lord Deputy urged Salisbury to acquaint the King and stressed the need to strengthen Limerick and finish the work at Galway.

    Read the passage

    Dublin, February 27, 1608. Sends him copy of a letter intercepted at Galway, and states that Sjalisbury will perceive what are the plans shot at, and that there are many conspirators and fevourers of these devilish intentions who pretend to be loyal daily familiar anumgst them ; prays him to acquaint the Idng with the contents of the letters, and prays God may put it in his princely heart to root out all those that have been partakers In this treason, and to plant good and faithfol subjects in their stead. None of his Majesty's predecessors have had like means of power to reform and settle this kingdom, nor greater cause given to use severe justice to the fBdse-hearted and counterfeited subjects of the land. If this time and occasion be permitted, his Majesty's good subjects and servants may well despair of their safeties, for undoubtedly they will be taken unfounded, and suddenly cut off, perchance by those whom they are enforced to trust.

    The Lord Deputy had written to the Earl of Thotnond to come to him, and to bring the writer of the letter, who he believed was Sir J. Macnamara ; but for the more assurance, he willed him to bring all . the John Macnamaras who are of any power or note in that country, together with the priest, if he can light upon him. The Lord Dep^ity wrote as follows :

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 87

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Galway, there is a story from February 1608. The Lord Deputy, writing from Dublin, sent the Earl of Salisbury a copy of a letter intercepted at Galway. The letter laid bare what the Lord Deputy called devilish intentions, plans aimed at the kingdom by conspirators and their favourers, men who pretended daily to be loyal. He prayed Salisbury to acquaint the King with the contents, and asked God to put it in the King's princely heart to root out all those partakers in this treason and plant good and faithful subjects in their stead. The Lord Deputy wrote that none of the King's predecessors had greater means to reform and settle this kingdom, nor greater cause to use severe justice against the false-hearted and counterfeited subjects. If this time and occasion were permitted to pass, the King's good subjects might well despair of their safeties, for they would be taken unfounded and suddenly cut off, perchance by those whom they were enforced to trust. He had already written to the Earl of Thomond to come to him and bring the writer of the letter, whom he believed was Sir John Macnamara. For more assurance he willed him to bring all the John Macnamaras of any power or note in that country, together with the priest, if he could light upon him.

20. Wentworth nullifies Clare landowners' titles

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1632

    In 1632, Lord Deputy Wentworth discovered that Clare landowners had failed to enrol their title deeds in the Court of Chancery and declared all their titles null and void, effectively confiscating their lands to the Crown. The landowners had previously paid £3000 into Court expressly for the enrolment, meaning government officials were to blame, not the landlords.

    Read the passage

    We must again return to Sir J. Perrott's deed of composition entered ipto between him on the part of the Crown with the landowners of Clare. Under this agreement the landowners were to make good their titles held under the Brehon laws ; and having surrendered their lands to the Crown, were to receive deeds in exchange from the Crown for their lands, made out in such form and order as to be r^isterable under English law in the Court of Chancery. It was evident all this was something quite new to the Clare landowners ; they had no knowledge of the English procedure, which for the first time was then extended to the West of Ireland. The landlords trusted the Government, and as the action taken in this matter was the work of the Crown, and not theirs, they naturally supposed the Government officials in charge of the transaction would carry it through in a proper manner. After considerable delay, however, rumours reached Clare that matters were not progressing satisfactorily regarding the issue of the new title deeds. Two of the Macnamaras were deputed therefore to proceed to Dublin and ascertain what was amiss with regard to the documents in question. It then appeared that there was a hitch as to the procedure, which had not been all that was necessary according to law. These difficulties were, however, overcome, and the new title deeds were issued bearing the impression of the Great Seal. Nothing more was heard on the subject until a.d. 1632, when the Lord Deputy Wentworth discovered, that at the time of issuing these title deeds the landowners of Clare had one and all of them failed to enrol the documents in the Court of Chancery. Sir Thomas Wentworth (better known as Earl of Strafibrd), in consequence of this fault in the legal procedure, declared all these titles to be null and void ; and as the landlords had made their estates over to the Crown, to the Sovereign they belonged, and were accordingly to be confiscated without delay. It was conclusively shown that the Clare landowners had, before receiving their deeds paid the sum of;^3ooointo Court, for the express purpose of having the documents enrolled, and that the officials of the Government therefore were to blame and not the landowners. The Lord Deputy would listen to no plea of

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 88

21. Destruction of Bunratty town and bridge by Turlough

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare

    After Quin, Macnamara and Turlough O'Brien proceeded to Bunratty and destroyed the town. Turlough constructed a plank-bridge spanning the sea-channel to cut off the castle garrison's water-borne supplies, nearly forcing its fall before the Earl of Ulster intervened.

    Read the passage

    In the following year, Magrath states that the Nonnan garrison of the ** towering strong-waUed castle of Quin, die capital and nursery of the English iorces/* had a quanrd with some of the neighbouring chiefs, and in a ridrmish which ensued some of the Irish were killed, upon which CoT^ha Macnamara stormed the fmrtress, '* broke in its mighty gates," and plundered all its armour and horses, finally breaking down its flanking walls and burning it, ''and a dreadful black furnace it was." Corfiha was then joined by Turlough O'Brien, and they proceeded to Bunratty, and destroyed the town. It was then that '' Turlough contrived a piece of work such as in all Ireland never before had been set a-going : a plank-bridge, with edges accurately fitted, which [from the Bunsatty side of the river below the fortress] spanned its sea-channel to the opposite shore [and cut off its water-borne supplies]. By these measures the garrison of the castle were tired out : and its foil impended when again the Earl of Ulster's instructions overtake Turlough who, from the hour in which the Earl undertook to counsel him, let the castle be."t

    Turlough built and endowed the beautiful Abbey of Ennts, the ruins of which still exist in good preservation ; he died on the loth of April 1306, and was buried in the diurch he had so lately com^deted. Turlough O'Brien's son, Donough, was chosen king, and was inaugurated by Covftha Macnamara at Magh Adhair, and '' they wished him God's luck and man's luck."

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 51

22. Composition books drawn up in Dublin favouring the Earl of Thomond

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1586–1588

    After the composition negotiations, Lord Deputy Perrett and Sir Nicholas White came to Dublin and finalised the composition books in favour of the Earl of Thomond, to the detriment of Macnamara and others in the province of Connaught. This was done against the opposition of Bingham and fellow commissioners.

    Read the passage

    At the makiiig of the late composition between her Majesty and the lords and inhabitants of this province, Macnamara, chief of the Wony of Denigenyriggin in Thomond, found himself greatly injured that such rents, duties, chiefries, and seignories as of right belonged to him and his ancestors, by lawful and ancient course of inheritence, and that they quietly enjoyed for a long time, were cut off and taken away, and a new rent charge and many other things set upon the said barony and the inhabitants of it his tenants, for the Earl of Thomond, which the said earl or his ancestors had not any time before within the same, to the utter undoing of the said Macnamara and his heirs and successors for ever, which indeed myself and others of the Commissioners did much impugn and withstand at that very instant, but the late Lord Deputy Perrett and Sir Nicholas White, who took much upon him in these matters, handled the matter so far in favour of the earl, as after his coming to Dublin ihey made up the boohs according to their own pleasure, to the no little hindrance of mainy a man in the province. The said Macnamara had now of late put up a petition to the new Lord Deputy Fytzwylliam, craving to be freed of the earl, saving of such things as in past right he ought to yield him, and offering, nevertheless, ta pay 10" a quarter to her Majesty, so as he may have a reasonable freedom

    ♦ •• State Pi^iets " (Ireland), vol. for 1586-88, p. 577, and also July 31, 1588.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 82

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Dublin now, the city where composition books were drawn up between 1586 and 1588 that reshaped landholding in Connaught. When the composition was made between her Majesty and the lords and inhabitants of the province, Macnamara, chief of the Wony of Denigenyriggin in Thomond, found himself greatly injured. Rents, duties, chiefries, and seignories that of right belonged to him and his ancestors, by lawful and ancient course of inheritance, and that they quietly enjoyed for a long time, were cut off and taken away. A new rent charge and many other things were set upon the barony and its inhabitants, his tenants, for the Earl of Thomond, which the earl or his ancestors had not at any time before held within the same. This was to the utter undoing of Macnamara and his heirs and successors forever. Some of the Commissioners impugned and withstood this at the very instant. But the late Lord Deputy Perrett and Sir Nicholas White, who took much upon him in these matters, handled it so far in favour of the earl that after his coming to Dublin they made up the books "according to their own pleasure," to the no little hindrance of many a man in the province. Macnamara then petitioned the new Lord Deputy Fytzwylliam, craving to be freed of the earl, saving such things as in past right he ought to yield him, and offering nevertheless to pay 10 shillings a quarter to her Majesty, so as he may have a reasonable freedom.

23. Donald O'Brien and pirates near Loop Head

    Loop Head · promontory · Clare · 1563

    After being driven from Rosroe, Donald O'Brien retreated to a place near Corcomroe in Burren. A ship containing pirates landed near Loop Head, and O'Brien seized sailors, hanging some and burning others according to the measure of their crime.

    Read the passage

    In 1563 the Earl of Thomond was with Sioda Macnamam at his castle of Rosroe, a place to which Dineley refers in his '' Diary," and has also left us a sketch of it as he saw it in 1680. He states ** it was a fair seat, situated among good lands and orchards, with a very pleasant and profitable large port or lough on the one side thereof, abounding with large trout Here are also plenty of wild fowl. About a mile and a half from hence by water, between the castles of Rathlahem and Rathfolan, the lough of Rosroe runs underground for half an English mile, being opposed by hills and rocks." t In this castle the earl had retreated to obtain protection from his relative, Donald O'Brien of Inchiquin ; the latter, however, attacked the castle, but was driven back by Sioda Macnamara, and pursued across the river Fergus.! Donald O'Brien then betook himself to a place near Corcomroe in Burren, and we are informed that a ship containing ^ pirates " landed near Loop Head, and Donald O'Brien seized some of the unfortunate sailors, hung not a few, and burnt others, according to the measure of their crime. § Acts of this •description demonstrate the laxness with which English law and order was administered in Clare at this time. Another instance iUustrating the condition of this part of Ireland in the year 1569 is afforded by a petition which Sir H. Sidney received from Galway, stating that, " on the borders of Thomond certain outlaws, being bastard sons of the Bishop of KiUaloe, robbed all travellers, and had put a raid on a castle which they meant to defend." This bishop was an O'Brien, and after his •death, in 1569, the English Government appointed the first Protestant bishop of KiUaloe, a young man, Morrogh O'Brien, recommended by

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 76

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Loop Head, in 1563, a ship carrying pirates came ashore, and Donald O'Brien seized some of the sailors. He hanged not a few of them and burnt others, as the record says, "according to the measure of their crime." The story begins before that. The Earl of Thomond had retreated to Rosroe castle, the seat of Sioda Macnamara, to obtain protection from his relative, Donald O'Brien of Inchiquin. A traveller named Dineley, who described Rosroe in his diary and left a sketch of it as he saw it in 1680, called it a fair seat among good lands and orchards, with a pleasant and profitable lough on one side, abounding with large trout and plenty of wild fowl. He also noted that about a mile and a half by water from Rosroe, between the castles of Rathlahem and Rathfolan, the lough runs underground for half an English mile, opposed by hills and rocks. Donald, however, attacked the castle. He was driven back by Sioda Macnamara and pursued across the river Fergus. He then betook himself to a place near Corcomroe in the Burren. It was then that the ship containing pirates landed, and Donald seized some of the unfortunate sailors. The book notes that acts of this description demonstrate the laxness with which English law and order was administered in Clare at this time.

24. Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon made governor of Clare

    near Ennistimon · town · Clare · 1567

    Sir Henry Sidney passed through Clare to Galway and appointed Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon as governor of Clare, ordering the abolition of coyning and livery and the substitution of English law for the Brehon code.

    Read the passage

    We hear of trouble between O'Brien (Earl of Thomond) and the Macnamaras in the year 1567. The former had been educated in England, his mother and grandmother having been Englishwomen ; the Macnamaras, on the other hand, were still pure Celts, bred and bom in Clare. In a letter which the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, sent to the Council in London, dated from Cork, February i, 1567, he observes that he had written to ''the Earl of Thomond regardii^ his letter complaining against the Macnamaras, that so soon as we came to Limerick we would consider the complaint and require him to remember your lordships' letter, and not tangle with the Macnamaras. In the mean we received the earl's answer declaring that he could not do so, for that Macnamara had done many things which he could not su£fer." Sidney continues, the earl afiirms that they (the Macnamaras) had not only taken cattle, but also "despatched some knaves," which, he observes, '< God knoweth, they might spare enough, and her Majesty lose never a good subject " ; and, further, he charged those concerned in the matter to meet him at Limerick on the following Thursday ; '' he spared not to tell the earl of his lack of dutie in oure said letter to his lordship." f There was, however, much more than a few cattle involved in this matter, for, as we shall discover from subsequent correspondence, the Earl of Thomond, presuming on his position had appropriated lands belonging to the Macnamaras, and on the latter appealing against these proceedings, the earl had attempted to carry the point with a high hand^ conduct which the Lord Deputy was not disposed to permit. Matters however seem to have quieted down for the time, and Sir Henry Sidney passed through Clare to Galway. He gave orders to abolish ''coyning and livery," and such like cesses, directing that the rules of English law should be substituted for the Brehon code ; and to aid him in efiecting this purpose, Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon was made governor of Clare. The new ruler signalized his accession to office by hanging

    * "Annals of the Four Masters," a.d. 1584.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog

25. Execution of friar Roger Macnamara at Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1651

    Roger Macnamara, a learned professor of Quin Abbey College, was seized by Cromwellian soldiers and taken to the town of Ennis. Having refused to abandon his religion, he was first shot and then beheaded.

    Read the passage

    We learn from Mr. T. J. Westropp's interesting notes on Q«un Abbey, that its community, taking advantage of the freedom of religious worship granted by the Roman Catholic Confederation of 1641, repaired and re-opened the college which had been connected with the monastery,and that in the course of a short time no fewer than eight hundred Irish youths were receiving instruction, under the guidance of the Franciscan fraternity of Quin. One of these scholars was the historian Anthony Bruodin, together with eighteen members of his £unily. From this author we learn some focts relating to the College of Quin, and further of its destruction by Cromwell's soldiers. There seems good reason to believe that a Major William, and Henry Stainer, seized the abbey while the monks were celebratmg Mass, and the former attempted to drag the officiating priest from the altar, but the old friar with uplifted arm found time to curse his assailant, and foretell the extinction of his race. Stainer burnt down the building, and according to one account hanged the celebrant (T. J. Westropp's "History of Quin Abbey "). The Cromwellians seized the head of the college, Eugene O'Cahan, who they first scourged and then hung. Another of the community, Roger Macnamara, is referred to as follows : " This friar was a learned professor of the College of Quin Abbey, which his ancestors had built, and was ever a model of a simple and pious man. God determined to reward his piety, and so permitted him to be seized by soldiers, and by them taken to the town of Ennis, where, having refused to abandon his religion, he was first shot and then his head was severed firom the body." The remainmg monks of Quin fled to Drim, not fax firom their abbey, and aiding the parish priest, lived unmolested by the Government. One of the Quin monks clung to his old home till the middle of the last century, and wrote

    * At present the seat of Lord Dunboyne. The keep of the old castle is still inhabited.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 96

26. Kincora as Brian Boru's capital

    near Kincora · monument · Clare

    Kincora became the capital of Ireland under Brian Boru, with its timber and clay houses extending along the Shannon near the Clare side. The palace stood on the hill summit above the wooden bridge and served as the chief residence of Brian and his descendants.

    Read the passage

    After forty years of more or less strife Brian Boru at length found himself so securely seated on the throne of'Ireland that he was able to turn his attention to developing the resources of the country. Kincora became its capital; its chief buildings being near the Clare side of the Shannon, at the head of the wooden bridge which then crossed the river. The bouses were built of timber and clay and extended along the river bank for some distance; near the river there were two churches, the one stone-roofed, which still exists to the nortli of the cathedral. On the summit of the hill above the bridge stood the palace surrounded by numerous buildings, which was the chief place of residence of Brian Boru and his descendants for many years. Brian's rest and Ireland's peace, however, did not long continue; for political purposes he thought it wise to make an alliance with the Danes, hoping in this way to promote the harmony of the contending influences under his rule ; he therefore married the mother of Sitric, the leader of the Danes of Dublin ; this individual, whose name was Gormflaith, had previously married, first Sitrids father, and then the King of Leinster ; they both became weary of Gormflaith and turned her off, she then fell to the lot of Brian ; he also soon cast off his spouse but permitted her to remain in the palace at Kincora. To this place her brother Mailmoda came bringing with him a present for Brian, consisting of three masts for his ships ; these were carried on men's shoulders, and in crossing a bog the bearers came to grief, whereupon Mailmoda applied his own shoulder to the work, and in doing so tore off one of the silver buttons of his "goldbraided silken tunic," which had been presented to him on a former occasion by Brian. On the arrival of Mailmoda at Kincora he went to his sister Gormflaith and asked her to replace this button; but she snatched the garment from his hands and threw it into the fire, reproaching him for wearing a garment which was a token of submission to Brian Boru. Mailmoda while stinging under this taunt happened to see Monogh, Brian's son, playing at chess with another chief; he suggested a move which lost Morrogh the game; irritated by this, Morrogh turned on Mailmoda and remarked ** that, like the advice you gave your firiend at Glenmama, it lost the battle." Mailmoda replied, ** I will give them advice now, and they will not be defeated a second time." To which Morrogh replied, " Have a yew-tree ready on that * 0*Ciirry : " Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," vol. iL p. 177.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 42

27. Lochlain Macnamara seized at Bunratty and beheaded at Loch Coolmen

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1312

    Lochlain Macnamara was lured to Bunratty under a safe conduct from De Clare, seized, and bound with iron fetters. He was taken to Loch Coolmen and beheaded together with his nephew, their bodies thrown into the lake.

    Read the passage

    set by Dermot Brian Roe to capture Locblaiiiy his object being to separate him from his followers, and De Clare joined in this act of treachery. Lochlain Macnamara was seized, laid in hold, and bound with iron fetters ; urged on by '* chorister-canons/' Lochlain was taken from Bunratty to Loch Coolmen, and there beheaded, together with his nephew, and their bodies were thrown into the lake. *' Clancuilein's poet expresses himself in commemoration of their barbarous death," as follows :

    *' I mourn two horsemen of the verdant Adhair ; two branches of the cooling

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 55

28. Naval battle in Dundalk Bay to free Ceallachan

    near Dundalk Bay · bay · Louth · 954

    Kennedy of Thomond raised a force including Dalcasians under Macnamara chief Esida, and a fleet sailed from Limerick to Dundalk where Sitric held prisoners on his ships. The Irish boarded Sitric's vessel, releasing Ceallachan and Dunchan after Sitric was drowned.

    Read the passage

    Everything being ready, and a fleet having started from Limerick for Dundalk, to which place Sitric had removed his prisoners, the army of Thomond marched for that port On the approach of the Irish forces, Sitric took the prisoners on board his vessels which lay in the bay of Dundalk, so that when the Irish arrived they could do no more than stand on the shore and curse their enemies. Before long, however, they saw their own fleet, which had been sent from the Shannon entering the harbour, and the Irish vessels at once closed with the Norsemen. The commander of the Irish ran his ship alongside that of Sitric's and

    * Introdnctioii to the •• Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gail/' p. xlviii

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

29. Nuncio praises Bunratty Castle as most beautiful place

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1646

    In a letter to Rome announcing the fall of Bunratty, the Papal Nuncio Rinuccini wrote that it was the most beautiful place he had ever seen, comparing it favourably to Italy with its magnificent park and three thousand deer. The castle, built by the De Clares in the thirteenth century, still stands with walls almost perfect.

    Read the passage

    In March 1646, some of the ships under orders of the Parliamentarians arrived in the Shannon, and anchored as near as possible to Bunratty Castle, which was then the residence of Barnabas, Earl of Thomond, he invited the officers of the fleet to visit him, and entertained them with great hospitality. Subsequently he handed the castle over to the English commander, and then took his departure for England; and joined his wife at her residence in Northamptonshire. With an English fleet obstructing the passage up the Shannon to limerick, and Bunratty garrisoned by Parliamentary troops, the base of operations of the Confederates was so imperilled that it became necessary to dislodge the garrison of Bunratty from its position in Clare. The Confederate forces therefore surrounded the castle from the land side, and as the fleet could not pass up the river on which the castle stands, the garrison, after a brave defence, were compelled to surrender. During the siege the Pope's Nuncio joined the Irish army, and did much to expedite the military operations against the place. The Confederates found much valuable plate and vast quantities of military stores in the castle, ''together with a splendid stud of horses." In his letter to Rome commimicating the news of the &11 of Bunratty, the Nuncio writes '' that he had no hesitation in asserting that it is the most beautiful place he had ever seen. In Italy there is nothing like it, with its magnificent park and three thousand head of deer." We can well imagine this to be the case ; the walls of this grand old casde, built by the De Clares in the thirteenth century, are still ahnost perfect, and are inhabited at the present time. Close beneath the castle is a fine stream, with the lower Shannon in the distance, and behind it undulating, park-like lands, beautifully wooded and covered with exquisite green turf.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 93

30. O'Briens of Ennistymon raid Clancuilein lands

    near Ennistimon · town · Clare · 1598–1599

    Young O'Briens of Ennistymon organised a cattle-lifting raid against Clancuilein, ravaging farms along the Fergus as far south as Ballyalley. On their return laden with spoil, two cantreds of Macnamaras rose against them and killed Teigie O'Brien.

    Read the passage

    Seeing the apparent ease with which a raid of this kind could be effected without any effort on the part of the Government to restrain the offending nobleman, some of the younger members of the O'Briens of Ennistymon seem to have thought it well to try on the same game, and so they organised a cattle lifting expedition against Clancuilein. Under command of young O'Brien, they ravaged the lands and farms on either side of the Fergus as far south as Ballyalley, but on their return journey, when laden with spoil, they were met by a " rising out of the country of two cantred of the Macnamaras whose flocks and herds they had robbed, Teigie O'Brien was killed, and the expedition was dispersed."

    All this turmoil and bloodshed in Clare occurred without the slightest intervention on the part of the Government, who thus signally fidled to fulfil the agreement they had made with the members of our sept in 1545, ^'to protect them against their enemies," and to preserve order and justice in Clare.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 84

31. Primitive Agriculture in Burren, 1680

    Burren · townland · Clare · 1680

    Dineley observed primitive farming methods in the Burren around 1680, where horses drew ploughs by their tails due to the rocky terrain. The area had only one narrow road, but also featured remarkably fertile glades used for pasturage.

    Read the passage

    Agriculture. — R. Paynes dilates on the profitable nature of investments in £Btrming operations, carried on in Ireland in the latter part of the sixteenth century. Horses, cattle, sheep, and swine, were the principal care of the Irish landowner. Agriculture in some parts of Clare must have been of a very primitive description as late as 1680, for Dindey found in Burren ^ horses four abreast drawing the plough by their tails, which was the custom all over Ireland till by statute it was prevented ; yet they tolerate this custom here (Burren) because they cannot manage their lands otherwise, their plough gears, tackle, and traces being (as they are all over the rest of the kingdom) of gadds or withes of twigs twisted, which sure would break to pieces by the ploughshare so often jibbing against the rock, which gears being fiutened by wattles or wisps to the horses' tails, the horses being sensible, stop- until the ploughman lifts it over. The garrons are seldom or never shood. Here is but one narrow road on going out of it, and the land is marked by broad stones like slate, turned edgewise. The common people use brogues made of raw hides or untanned leather."! Those only who, like Dineley, have visited Burren can realise the rocky nature of its hill sides ; nevertheless, among these barren mountains there are numerous glades of marvellously fertile land, yielding herbage which is second to none in the country as pasturage for catde. A small quantity of oats, barley, and other cereals were grown with difficulty and in such quantities only, as was necessary for consumption by the few people, who in those times inhabited this desolate but most fascinating comer of Ireland. It is to be observed that Dineley states, there was only one narrow road leading from the east of Clare into this district of Burren. Produce was carried to fairs or from one place to another on the backs of * horses, or dragged on rude sleighs over the roads; there were no -carts.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

32. Second mobilization at Corcomroe monastery as Conor O'Dea approaches

    Corcomroe · barony · Clare

    While the army rested at the monastery after the battle, a messenger warned them that a fresh enemy force was approaching. The wounded soldiers insisted on joining the fight despite their injuries, and as the host mobilized, Conor O'Dea arrived to sue for friendship rather than battle.

    Read the passage

    " It was but a short time that they had been devoted to these strange occupations when there came to them a hurried messenger, and : ' let your gentlemen arise to fall you in,' he cried, * and your chiefs to get you into position ; with all speed armour your champions, bustle up your kerne ; in silence but resolutely, promptly, come forth of the monastery ; for to attack you comes on a very torrent of enemies, a battle-anped flag-flying array, and smooth-panoplied over-numerous formidable mass, of anything but friends.'

    " By these words pleasurable feelings were evoked both in leaders and in men, and they [the former] answered : * not for a mere random while, not for a brief spell only, fortune escorts and follows you, from the day when good luck has conveyed your enemies to fall on you here. And whereas on this field many a one of you fought hard without preconceived special enmity to your opponents, now on the contrary not a man of you but feels for them abiding rooted detestation because of your companies fallen by their captains ; [while they regard us in the same light] because of their supreme chief and foremost notables perished at our companies' hands. Neither in this present strait should we find commg against us " heads of battle " equal to the chiefs of a while

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 59

33. Sioda Macnamara chief at Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 877

    In the prose version of Mac Lonain's poem (c. 877), Sioda—a chief of the Clancuilein or Macnamara of Clare—figures prominently at Magh Adhair, single-handedly routing Flan's forces and taking their horses. The poet interceded with Sioda to obtain a bay steed for Flan, and Sioda honoured the request, maintaining his friendship with the bard.

    Read the passage

    Sioda * of the bay steed took two hundred horses per man, we thought it a hard case, that he, single-handed, took all from us; he surrounded us from the south, and did us much mischief. He came round us from the north and set us trembling so that our forces gave way.

    Flan from Tara*s halls, the king of lumquets. said. " O Mac Lonain for friendship's sake daim from Sioda his bay steed." Forthwith I went, and addressed Sioda, the free and pure. " Wherefore dost thou come Mac Lonain,'* said Sioda ? I replied to the Prince, the fierce warrior of the Gael. *' To solicit the bay steed. Sir. I have come." " Hearken [said Sioda] O Mac Lonain. since thou art a man of verse, the bay steed of handsome crest have I long ridden ; it has [before now] been my lot to put in a good year on foot ; I shall do brave deeds without him [the horse]." " For Sioda be the black horse saddled," cried the poet, in great excitement ; " Flan will make an exchange for a bay a black one." Bay were all their steeds after that, the horror of death was in their weapons, though all the world had been at stake, yet Sioda maintained his friendship for me.t

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 43

34. Mortogh O'Brien inaugurated King of Thomond at Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1311–1313

    After defeating Dermot Brian Roe, Mortogh O'Brien was conducted to Magh Adhair and inaugurated King of Thomond by Lochlain, chief of Clancuilein.

    Read the passage

    Donoagh O'Brien was compelled to flee into Barren ; he was closely followed by De Clare. Mr. Westropp remarks that treachery is infectious ; and the same &te awaited King Donough (yBrien as had beMen Donchardh Macnamara; he was slain by one of his own followers, and his army then dispersed over the country. There seems to be no other theory by which we can account for the assassination of the leader of Clancuilein, followed by that of the King of Thomond, unless it be that both these chiefs had been defeated, and seem to have brought disgrace on their followers. It may be that they were considered to be unfit to lead their forces, and that the penalty of defeat was death to men in their position. Richard de Clare and Dermot Brian Roe were now supreme rulers in Clare, and the latter, with the approval of his Anglo- Norman friends, was declared chief of Thomond. Dermot, however, did not long enjoy his honours. The De Burghos and Clancuileio favoured the cause of Turlough O'Brien's son, Mortogh, in opposition to that of Dermot : the former therefore invaded Clare, and met the lately chosen king, who, we are told, with all the Dalcasian septs, ** except Clancuilein," offered De Burgho and his allies battle ; after a short and sharp skirmish Mortogh and the Macnamaras were victorious, and Dermot was again compelled to seek shelter in Bunratty ^de. Mortogh O'Brien was then conducted to Magh Adhair, and inaugurated King of Thomond, by Lochlain, chief of Clancuilein.*

    Magrath' informs us that Sioda Macnamara, younger brother of Lochlain, while on an expeditiou into Burren caught a miserable sickness, from which he died, ^ his body he willed to St Brendan, and his soul to heaven's high King — none ever thought that the descendant of Mogh Corb would have died save on the field of batde." In St Brendan's chturchyard in Buna his body was laid to rest, and "his household mourning for him raised three loud cries of sorrow."

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 55

35. Bishop of Killaloe with turbulent family, late 16th century

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1580–1600

    A Bishop of Killaloe at the end of the sixteenth century was referred to as having a large and turbulent family of bastard sons, reflecting the lax discipline of the old Irish Church party.

    Read the passage

    The Irish Church in matters of discipline was ruled by its own authorities, largely under the tribal system. This '* old Church " party were in matters of doctrine in accord with Roman Catholics throughout the world ; but as in Henry II/s time, so in that of Charles L, although they by no means declined the authority of the Roman PontilTy they nevertheless adhered to their own ecclesiastical authorities and customs. On the other hand, the '*new party '^ in the Irish Church, who met with the Nuncio's approval, consisted principally of English and French priests, who, as a rule, had been educated on the Continent and had returned to Ireland to minister to the Anglo-Normans, and the English settled in that country ; they were directly under the oaden of the Pope of Rome. The Nuncio was of opinion, that the ** greatest obstacle to the progress of religion was the divbion between the old and new Iririi parties in the Church,** and adds that ** with sorrow he found the bishops of the old party abhorring any form of dress or ceremonial, even administering some of the sacraments in secular dress." From a passage already quoted from contemporary history, it appears that a Bishop of Killaloe at the end of the sixteenth century, is referred to as having a large and turbulent family of bastard sons ; and from Rinucdni we learn that the bishops of the old party, '^for the most part were lukewarm, but the regulars are without comparison much more so ; accustomed to live out of their convents, and acting as chaplains, with good stipends, to the barons of the island, not constrained by discipline to wear religious habit, they dare to preach almost seditious doctrines from the pulpit, some to prove that it is unnecessary to the support of fiuth to have churches, since in the Old Testament we are told the Hebrews were for centuries without a Temple; and that Christ instituted the Eucharist in a private house. To our scandal, on the very table from which the altarcloth has been but just removed, playing cards, or glasses of beer, together with food for dinner, are at once laid." This account of the Church in Ireland by Rinucdni differs in no respect from that given by Archbishop Lanfranc, in a.d. 1070 ; and very much coincides wiUi Edmund Spenser's observations made on this subject in 1596. He states that the Irish clergy were guilty of ** gross simony, greedy covetousness, fleshly incontinency, careless slouth — saving that they have taken holy orders, they doe goe and live like lay-men, follow all kinds of husbandry and other worldly affairs as other Irishmen doe." Sir W. Petty, writing in 1658, states that the poorer classes in the West of Ireland *' adhered to their religion from custom rather than dogma ; they

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

36. Captain O'Carroll killed at Rathfolan resisting Cromwell's soldiers

    Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1649–1653

    A daughter of Daniel Macnamara of Rathfolan married a young Captain O'Carroll. He lost his life attempting to resist Cromwell's soldiers from carrying off family retainers to be sold in the West Indies. His widow and son were then sent to Jamaica and other West Indian islands.

    Read the passage

    t The O'Carrolls of Ely were a brfinch of the old Dalcasian tribe (p. 36), and as £ar back as the year 1278 we find that the head of the Bfacnamara sept married a daughter of Thady O'Carroll, of Ely. I have referred on another page to the fact that a daughter of Daniel Macnamara, of Rathfolan (p. 237), married a young Captain O'Carroll, and it was in attempting to resist Cromwell's soldiers from carrying off some of the retainers of the family to be sold in the West Indies that he lost his life, and that his widow and son were then taken and sent off with many other yoimg Irish men and women, to Jamaica and other West Indian islands. In consequence of the penal laws many families left Ireland and went over to America, and among them was Charles O'Carroll, ^ afterwards of Carroltown, Virginia, U.S. ; he was, I believe, a relation of Eleanora ^ v^ O'Carroll, the wife of MJch^ Macnamara. However this may be, Charles ^^^^ysA O'Carroll was a well-known person in his adopted country. It was by his c(V/^ orders that Stewart burned the obnoxious English vessels carrying tea at Annapolb, which was the culminating act of opposition on the part of our American cousins which led to the War of Independence (" Bird's-eye View of the History of Ireland," by Sir G. Duffy, p. 184). In signing the Act of Independence, O'Carroll, as he statedj^h^ putting his name to the document, risked vast ^ landed possessions ii{yiiigi3^ C. O'CarroU's granddaughter Marianne married the Marquis of Wellesley, and in consequence of this marriage the Marquis obtained permission to quarter the O'Carroll arms with his own. Charles O'Carroll lived to an advanced age (the pedigree, an account of C. O'Carroll, is to be found in the work of the '* Royal Hbtorical and Archaeological Assodadon of Ireland" for October 1883, by P. O'Carroll, A.B. T.C.D.), and before his death wrote as follows : — '* I have lived to my ninety-sixth year ; I have enjoyed continued health and been blessed with great wealth, prosperity, and most of the good things this world can bestow— public approbation, esteem, applause; but what I now look back on with great satisfaction to myself is that I have practised in freedom the dutiM^f my religion." Eleanora O'Carroll, wife of Michel Macnamara, must hava^bMaSoerson very similar hi ^^nnv*t*T to her relative, Charles O'Carroll, o(^>^ipnia^^^

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 123

37. Clonmacnoise founded on Nos's swine-field

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 500

    According to legend, the Druid Lugardh's son Nos possessed a field where his swine fed, and on this spot the famous monastery of Clonmacnoise was subsequently built. The name Cluain-mac-nois means 'the field of the hogs of Nos.'

    Read the passage

    To proceed, however, with the story of the Druid Lugardh. Having been thus deprived of his property, he crossed the Shannon with his sons and cattle and passed into the south-west of Westmeath. On arriving at a certain cam, we are told he built an altar, and on it placed wood, which " he ignited by his Druidic power. From this fire there burst five streams of flame, in five different directions ; and the Druid commanded his five elder sons to follow one each of the fiery streams, assuring them that they would lead them to their future inheritance. One of these sons remained near his father ; his name was Nos, and he possessed a field on which his swine fed, and on this spot was subsequently built the famous monastery of Clonmacnoise (Cluain-mac-nois, the field of the hogs of Nos). In the fifth century, therefore, we find the people continued to believe in " oracles " or soothsaying, and in the production of magical fire by the Druids,* who, as will be observed by the references made in the legend, were not an exclusive caste, but formed a part of the Dalcasian tribe. This legend is, moreover, valuable in that it gives an idea of the social conditions under which these ancient members of Clancuilein came into possession of their tribal lands ; and, further, bears witness to the firm belief which still existed among them regarding the influence possessed by the Druids. The legend is in itself not more marvellous than those related of St. Kieran. who was a neighbour and contemporary of Lugardh.

    Of this saint we are told that he was bom in Ireland ; he preceded St Patrick as a missionary, and lived to be one of his most intimate friends. It is related of his mother that in a dream she saw a star which fell into her mouth, and on referring the dream to the Druids for interpretation, she was told that " the child she should bear would be famed for virtue to the end of time." In after-life St. Kieman renewed life in a dead man ; he went to sea on a rock which he caused to float, and so on, the record of his life being a continuous series of marvellous stories of this description.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 44

38. Dalcasians defeat Anglo-Normans on the plain near Tulla

    Tulla · town · Clare

    The Dalcasian forces under Donald and Coveha Macnamara met the Anglo-Norman forces of De Clare on the plain near Tulla. By a dexterous flank movement the Dalcasians broke the main body and completely overcame them, collecting the enemy's arms and returning their gold spurs and shields to De Clare.

    Read the passage

    From Magrath we learn that King Turlough and Cov^ha now came to the decision that they must depend entirely on their own resources if they were to be rid of the Anglo-Normans in Clare ; they consequently set about organising their forces, over which Donald, a brother of the king, and Covgba Macnamam were chosen leaders. De Clare was not behind them in warlike preparations, and the opposing forces met on the plain near Tulla ; the Dalcasians by a dexterous fiank movement broke in upon the main body of the Anglo-Norman forces and cornpletely overcame them, they fled firom the fiekl of battle in all directions ; Covgha ordered the arms of the enemy who had been killed to be collected and sent to the King of Thomond, who at the time was occupied to the east of the Shannon ; but the ** gold spurs of the knighu and their shields and armorial bearings he directed should be de&ced and returned to De Clare." Tuiiough followed up this victory by marching through Tradree up to the walls of Bunmtty Casde^

    * ** Wars of Thomond " (T. J. Westropp) : Mac-con, or son of the wolf-dog.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 50

39. Dalcasians plunder Clonmacnoise, 1044

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1044

    After Teigue Macnamara was slain by the King of Meath in 1044, his sept rose to avenge his death, burning the chief town of Meath and killing the king's brother. During this incursion the monastery of Clonmacnoise was plundered by the Dalcasians.

    Read the passage

    Teigue (Macnamara) was at this time, a.d. 1044, ** chief of Clan> cuilein, and next in rank to Donogh ; he was slain by the King of Meath." But his sept rose to a man to revenge his death, and " pushing on, burnt F»ns," the chief town of Meath, and killed the king's brother. During this incursion the monastery of Cluain-mac-noise was plundered by the Dalcasians. The King of Leinster, however, held his own, and his province for the time being remained independent under the rule of Melachlin, Turlough's foster-father.*

    The next year Donogh O'Brien again invaded Leinster, looting the " great Church of Lusk " on his march, and carrying away captive those who took refuge in it.t While he was thus engaged the King of Connaught invaded Clare by way of the Shannon, and then, striking inland, he passed into Ui-Caisin and to Magh Adhair.^ On this occasion Turlough O'Brien seems again to have accompanied the invading forces. After a fierce encounter with Macnamaras and other Dalcasian septs, the invaders had to effect a hasty retreat, to reappear, however, before long with the King of Leinster. The confederates advanced to Limerick, which the Dalcais being unable to hold, burnt before retreating into Clare.§ Donogh was now growing old and worn out by this constant warfare ; he retired, therefore, to Rome, where he died in the monastery of St Stephen, a.d. 1064. Dpnogh had indeed been beset with difficulties, for we are informed that in consequence of " much inclement weather in Ireland, its com, milk, fruit, and fish were

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 45

40. Death of Conor O'Brien near Ballyvaughan

    Ballyvaghan · town · Clare

    During an expedition to quell insubordination in the Burren, Conor O'Brien penetrated as far as the valley above Ballyvaughan. There he was attacked and slain, along with his son and a daughter.

    Read the passage

    We are informed by the ^ Four Masters ^ that during the latter part of Conor O'Brien's reign, Thomond was not only at peace, but that the seasons were fiivourable and the people consequently prosperous* Magrath confirms this statement, and states that Conor O'Brien had amassed great wealth in his fort at Clonroad, and that a large proportion of the mhabitsmts of the province had '* grown over-rich and in consequence had become turbulent, refusing to pay tribute to their king." In these circumstances Conor directed his brother-in-law, SifidaJfacm* mdiXB, to muster Clancuilein, and the Rineldunal led by Anselis O'Crady, and to proceed into Tipperary to quell the insubordination which had sprung up in that part of Thomond* Sioda seems to have speedily and effectually accomplished die duty he had been called on to perf(»m ; but in the meantime Conor had started off on a similar expedition into Burren, and having penetrated that part of his territory as &r as the valley above Ballyvaghan, he was attacked, and we are told that *' Conor O'Brien together, with Jii&ihird„$on and a da^^ter werejlain.* The body of the king was carried to the neighbourmg Abbey of Cor« comroe, and was there buried ; Conor's tomb is still to be seen in good preservation in the north side of the chancel of this abbey.

    Conor O'Brien had at one time gone near to rival his ancestor Brian Boru in the success of his mUitaxy operations, as Edmund Spenser observes '^ in a short space he possessed all that country beyond the river of Shannon and near adjoining : whence shortly rushing forth like a sudden tempest he overran all Munster and Connaught ; breaking down all the holds and fortresses of the English, defacing and utteriy subverting all corporate towns that were not strongly walled : for those he had no engines or other meanes to overthrow, neither indeed would

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

41. Earl of Thomond seeks freedom from cesses on Clare lands

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1584–1585

    The Earl of Thomond, leveraging his position as a court favourite, wrote to Queen Elizabeth to obtain freedom from cesses on all his lands within the county of Thomond. He simultaneously sought wardship of heirs after the decease of every chiefly name, and obtained a considerable portion of what he asked, including confiscated lands in Clare.

    Read the passage

    influence to persuade the other landowners to assent to the scheme of the Lord Deputy. The earl was probably alive to his position as a court Ceivourite, and he realised the power it gave him in obtaining the estates of persons in Clare, who could not prove their title to the lands they heldi for all such lands were to be confiscated, and consequendy re-allotted by the Government The first step the earl took was to write to Queen Elizabeth to obtain for himself '^freedom from cesses on all his own lands within the said county of Thomond." At the same time he sought to have the '* wardship of heires after the decease of the chief of every name."* The earl obtained no small part of what he asked, and a considerable grant of the confiscated lands.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 80

42. Edward Bruce reaches Cashel, joined by Robert Bruce

    Cashel · town · Tipperary · 1316

    Edward Bruce fought his way south as far as Cashel, where he was joined by his brother King Robert Bruce. Donough Brian Roe then urged them to attack Thomond and sack Limerick.

    Read the passage

    In the following year Donough, who had been elected to succeed Dermot Brian Roe, having been defeated by Maccon Macnamara's sons, fled into Ulster, and in conjunction with some of the chiefe of that province entered into communication with King Robert Bruce, urging him to come over and conquer Ireland. Bruce was willing to accept this invitation, hoping thereby to weaken his enemies the English, and so he despatched his brother, Edward Bruce, with a well-equipped army, into Ireland. The Scotch army, with Donouj^ Brian Roe and his allies, passed southwards from Ulster, ravishing and burning the whole country; as Magrath states, '^like a black cloud with vaporous-creeping offshoots and dark mist, hard to meet."t Edward Bruce ultimately fought his way south as far as Cashel, where he was joined by King Robert Bruce. Donough Brian Roe urged them on to attack Thomond and sack Limerick, and, so our historian informs us,t ^ the Scots reached the Shannon's banks, with intent to attack them of Thomond gathered on the opposite bank, the Scots lying at Castleconnell ; and between the parties ensued some akirmishing in the river vicinity. As for such as were hurt of the ♦ " Triumphs of Turk)Qgh," p. 64. t Ibid., p. 83. t Ibid., p. 83.

    Digitized by VjOOQIC

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 56

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Cashel, the town the road brings you to. In 1316 it was the farthest point south that Edward Bruce had fought his way to. His story begins a year earlier, when Donough, elected to succeed Dermot Brian Roe, was defeated by the sons of Maccon Macnamara. Donough fled to Ulster and entered into communication with King Robert Bruce, urging him to come over and conquer Ireland. Bruce was willing, hoping to weaken his enemies the English, and he despatched his brother Edward Bruce with a well-equipped army. The Scottish army, with Donough Brian Roe and his allies, passed southwards from Ulster, ravishing and burning the whole country. As Magrath states, they went "like a black cloud with vaporous-creeping offshoots and dark mist, hard to meet." Edward Bruce ultimately fought his way south as far as Cashel, where he was joined by King Robert Bruce himself. Donough Brian Roe urged them on to attack Thomond and sack Limerick. The Scots reached the Shannon's banks, with intent to attack those of Thomond gathered on the opposite bank. The Scots lay at Castleconnell, and between the parties ensued some skirmishing in the river vicinity.

43. Encampment at the Abbey of Corcomroe

    near Corcomroe Abbey · monument · Clare

    The host marched northward to the Abbey of Corcomroe in Burren, near the shores of Galway Bay, where they secured their cattle within the monastery precincts. Many spent the night sleeping on the church floor or in the cubicles before the impending battle.

    Read the passage

    With these words the host was rejoiced, and northward as straight as a pole urged their way towards the enemy, until they arrived at the Abbey of Corcomroe, in Burren, close to the shores of Galway Bay ; within the precincts of the monastery they secured their cattle. During that night many of them slept on the floor of the church, others in the most comfortable cubicles, where they enjoyed soft luxury and secured •deep sleep ; others passed the night in mirth, although on the morrow they might die or lose the soul of some dear fhendt

    Donough Brian Roe and his force in the meantime had assembled on the hills to the west of Corcomroe ; he told his men to remember that the purpose with which they had come on this perilous expedition was to gain the battle, and so make an end once and for all of the long discussions (of our tribe), either by your antagonists' destruction or your own death one and all. Magrath repeats that Donough explained to his men that their opponents were children of Cas as they were, of the same blood, '' with whom your close embrace of kinship will be that of steel to steeL" Then he ordered the advance stead&stly therefore : " children of Cas, now steady be " — and so they came to the shore of Loch Rask, and while all were looking at the shining mere ** they saw the monstrous and distorted form of a lone, ancient, hideous hag, that stooped over the bright loch's shore. The loathly creature's semblance was this : she was thatched with elf locks, foxy-grey and rough as heather, long as sea- wrack, inextricably tangled ; that had a bossy, wrinkled, foully ulcerated forehead, every hair of her eyebrows was like a strong fishhook, and from under them, bleary dripping eyes peered with malignant fire between lids all rawly crimson-edged. .... Thecronehadacaimof heads, a pile of arms and legs, a load of spoil, all of which she rinsed and diligently washed, so that by her labour the water of the lake was covered with hair and

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 57

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up near here, somewhere about Corcomroe Abbey in Burren, close to the shores of Galway Bay. A host marched northward, straight as a pole, until they reached this abbey. They drove their cattle inside the monastery precincts to secure them. That night, many slept on the floor of the church. Others found the cubicles and slept deeply in what the account calls soft luxury. Some passed the night in mirth, though on the morrow they might die or lose the soul of some dear friend. While they rested, Donough Brian Roe and his force had assembled on the hills to the west of Corcomroe. He told his men to remember the purpose of their perilous expedition: to win the battle and make an end once and for all of the long discussions of their tribe, either by their antagonists' destruction or their own death, one and all. Magrath repeats that Donough explained to his men that their opponents were children of Cas, as they were, of the same blood, with whom your close embrace of kinship will be that of steel to steel. Then he ordered the advance: children of Cas, now steady be. They came to the shore of Loch Rask, and while all looked at the shining mere, they saw the monstrous and distorted form of a lone, ancient, hideous hag, stooping over the bright loch's shore. She was thatched with elf locks, foxy-grey and rough as heather, long as sea wrack, tangled. Her forehead was bossy, wrinkled, foully ulcerated. Every hair of her eyebrows was like a fishhook, and from under them bleary eyes peered with malignant fire between crimson-edged lids. She had a chain of heads, a pile of arms and legs, a load of spoil, all of which she rinsed and washed in the lake.

44. Franciscan abbey built on site of de Clare's castle at Quin

    Quin · town · Clare · 1280

    De Clare built a strong castle in 1280 within the fort walls at Quin, and this castle later made way for a beautiful Franciscan abbey erected on the same site. The walls of the old castle and fort constitute part of the existing abbey, whose massive walls and narrow lancet windows still survive.

    Read the passage

    At the time of De Clare's advance from Limerick to Clonroad,Turlough O'Brien was away to the west of the Fergus receiving the fealty of the MacMahons, and De Clare therefore entered Qonroad unopposed; the Macnamaras were not prepared to meet him single-handed, and they retreated, with their cattle and goods, into the dense forests nordi of Clare. Several of the Dalcasian septs, however, jomed Brian Roe and the Anglo-Norman forces, and he strengthened and garrisoned the fort which before Conor's time seems to have been erected at Quin (p. 99), an important strategical post in the Macnamaras' territory ; in fact, it was only separated from the residence of the chief of our sept by the river Rine. There was a church in this place dedicated to St Finghin, which De Clare converted into '' a church and a fortress." This edifice still exists, with its massive walls and narrow lancet windows ; but De Clare's fort was on the opposite or eastern side of the stream. It consisted of a courtyard some 1 20 feet square, with walls nearly 10 feet thick, and round towers 40 feet broad at three of its angles. The lower part of these towers and the walls of this fort still remain ; it was within these that De Clare subsequently (1380) built a strong castle,* which has since made way for the beautiful Franciscan abbey erected on the site occupied by the castle within the fort of Quin. In fact, the walls of the old castle and of the fort constitute part of the existing abbey. De Clare at this time also built the castle of Bunratty at the ''dear harboured mouth of the River Raite." Part of this building is inhabited at. the present time by the Irish constabulary.

    ♦ •• The Normans in Thomond,*' by T. J. Wcstropp, M. A., (" The Proceedings of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland*') ; also " Annals of InnisfKllen/' xaSob

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

45. French expedition lands at Killala, August 1798

    Killala · town · Mayo · 1798

    In August 1798, a force of about 1500 French soldiers landed at Killala expecting all Ireland to rally to their standard. Instead the French general found the people indifferent and unwilling to help unless paid for their services.

    Read the passage

    In August 1798, two days after the Battle of the Nile had been fought, a second French o^edition appeared off the west of Ireland; it formed the vanguard of the much laiger army which was intercepted by Sir J. Warren at sea, and never reached Ireland.} A force of some 1500 French soldiers, however, landed at KiUala, believing that the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms, and rush to their standard ; in place of this the French general found the people were indifferent to his movements, nor would they even help him unless paid finr their services; some few of the natives, for the sake of the clothes and rations offered by the French, allowed themselves to be drilled* But Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded at Galway,on hearing that the French had landed in Mayo, instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments; they marched towards Mayo, and the General reported that he found along the whole of his route that the country was perfectly quiet, and the people hard at work on their harvest§ It is unnecessary to follow tiie fortunes of the French expedition in Ireland farther than to observe that they landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and that by the 9th of the following month Lord Comwallis, who was in command of the English forces,

    * •• Narrative of what Passed at KiUala in 1798,'* by an Eye-witness, p. 8i. t Lecky : " History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Centory/' vol. iv. p. 340. X Ibid. I '* A Narrative of what Passed at Killala in 1798/' by an Eye-witness, p. 4.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 132

    As the companion tells it

    Up ahead is Killala, the town in Mayo where a French force came ashore in 1798. In August of that year, two days after the Battle of the Nile, a second French expedition appeared off the west of Ireland. It was the vanguard of a much larger army that was intercepted at sea by Sir J. Warren and never reached these shores. But about 1500 French soldiers did land at Killala, believing that the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms and rush to their standard. Instead, the French general found the people indifferent to his movements. They would not even help him unless paid for their services. A few of the natives allowed themselves to be drilled, for the sake of the clothes and rations the French offered. Major-General Hutchinson, commanding at Galway, heard that the French had landed in Mayo and instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments. They marched towards Mayo, and Hutchinson reported that along his whole route the country was perfectly quiet and the people hard at work on their harvest. The French landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and by the 9th of the following month Lord Cornwallis, in command of the English forces, had closed the matter.

46. Irish gentleman near the Shannon, Clare, c.1700

    Shannon · town · Clare · 1700–1725

    Cumberland, visiting Ireland early in the eighteenth century, described a Clare gentleman dwelling not far from the Shannon in a spacious but dilapidated mansion. The man kept no books, cared nothing for conversation, prided himself on his game-cocks, and lived in a setting where furious drunken quarrels often ended in duels.

    Read the passage

    Pasting from the cotter and middle men we may inquire, what changes «had come over the resident landowners of Clare since the introduction of English law and government into that part of Ireland. Cumberland, who visited Ireland early in the eighteenth century, gives us what he states to have been a picture of the Irish gentleman of the period. This individual dwelt not far from the Shannon, in a spacious but dilapidated mansion, '' from an early dinner to the hour of rest he never left his chair, nor did the claret ever quit the table. The slaughtered ox was hung up whole, and the hungry servitors supplied themselves with doles of flesh sliced from the carcase." This gentleman of Clare had no books in his house, he cared nothing for conversation, his chief pride was in his game-cocks. In such an establishment furious drunken quarrels often ended in duels.* Mrs. Delany, who visited Clare in 1732, dilates on the extravagant habits of the gentry ; at one residence she describes the house as being little more than a large cabin with spare ftimiture ; but the proprietor kept a man-cook. Mrs. Delany states she never witnessed such hospitality, and they not only treated her magnificently at the house, but on her departure stored her carriage with baskets crammed with good things for the joumey.f

    If we turn from the Celts of Clare to the Anglo-Celtic inhabitants of the Pale, we find them to have been a wild set of creatures at the end of the seventeenth century, for instance :

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 120

47. Lynch of Galway suspected of forgery

    Galway · city · Galway · 1608

    Sir John Macnamara, while imprisoned, denied writing the treasonous letter and suspected one Lynch, a merchant of Galway, of having counterfeited his handwriting to do him mischief. The Lord Deputy sent for Lynch and the parties involved in receiving and carrying the letter.

    Read the passage

    denies writing the letter with which he is charged; he (the Lord Deputy) had compared them, and so have divers of the Council, with divers other letters and writings of his which he has gotten, and they agree in opinion that it is his own handwriting. He (Macnamara) seems to suspect one Lynch, a merchant of Galway, who (as he says) has long awaited to do him mischief, for counterfeiting his hand in this sort. Has sent for Lynch, together with the party who received the letters from the messenger that brought it, and for the messenger himself if he may be gotten.

    Sir James Perrott, writing to the Earl of Salisbury in June 1608, refers as follows to Sir J. Macnamara : " Now in hold, as a more popular man than even the Earl of Thomond in his own country, and although he is married to the Earl's sister, yet has written letters to attempt his destruction unto some fugitives of Spain/'* Sir James mentioned a

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 87

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Galway, this is a city whose merchants had fingers in more than trade. In 1608, Sir John Macnamara was held prisoner, accused of writing a treasonous letter to fugitives of Spain, attempting the destruction of the Earl of Thomond, whose sister he had married. Macnamara denied writing the letter. The Lord Deputy had compared it with other writings of Macnamara's, and divers of the Council agreed it was his own hand. But Macnamara suspected one Lynch, a merchant of Galway, who he said had long awaited to do him mischief, of counterfeiting his handwriting. The Lord Deputy sent for Lynch, for the party who received the letters from the messenger, and for the messenger himself, if he might be gotten. Sir James Perrott, writing to the Earl of Salisbury in June 1608, called Macnamara a man "more popular than even the Earl of Thomond in his own country."

48. Major Macnamara second in O'Connell's duel with D'Esterre

    Moyrisk · townland · Kerry · 1815

    Major Macnamara, son of Colonel Francis Macnamara of Moyrisk, served as Daniel O'Connell's second in the duel in which O'Connell shot the unfortunate Mr. D'Esterre in 1815. He later declined an offer to stand as MP for County Clare out of friendship for the Fitzgerald family.

    Read the passage

    Colonel F. Macnamara of Moyrisk was elected member for Clare in 1790; he had previously been an officer of the yeomanry and Clare volunteers, and held a prominent position in the county; he entered the Dublin Parliament as a supporter of the Government, and was a cotemporary of John Macnamara, M.P.; they were neighbours in Clare as boys, and probably on terms of friendship. Colonel F. Macnamara died in the year 1814, and was succeeded by his son Major Macnamara, who was Daniel CConnell's second in the duel when he shot the unfortunate Mr. D'Esterre in 1815. Major Macnamara was urged to stand as Member of Parliament for county Clare, on Mr. Fitzgerald's promotion (he being member for Clare) to the Secretaryship of the Board of Trade; the major, however, declined the offer, in consequence <'of his friendship for the Fitzgerald family."*

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 133

49. News of 1641 Ulster rising heard at Quin fair

    Quin · town · Clare · 1641

    The news of the Ulster rising against the English first reached County Clare at the fair held at Quin in 1641, provoking such excitement that Barnabas, Earl of Thomond, felt compelled to take immediate action to prevent an outbreak against English residents.

    Read the passage

    despair of protection from their Government, to wiite and take arms for their necessary defence and preservation of their lives.''* In Clare the news of the rising in Ulster against the English was first heard at the fidr held at Qiiin in 1641, and gave rise to such excitement that BamabaS; Earl of Thomond, considered it necessary to take immediate steps to prevent an outbreak against the English residents in his county. With the object of maintaining order he called a council of the principal landowners to meet him at Ennis early in January 1642, to consult as to the means best calculated to preserve peace. The Earl, at this meeting, invested Teigie and Donogh Macnamara with military authority over the civil population ; he also appointed the latter gentleman as his chief captain and adviser. The militia of the county were enrolled, and a tax levied on the inhabitants for their support.

    The English formed a very small proportion of the population of Clare, and were for the most part engaged as farmers on the estates of the Earl of Thomond. Hearing of the cruelties perpetrated by the Irish on their countrymen in the north, they naturally began to take measures for their own safety, and many of them assembled in a castle (Ballyallia) belonging to an Englishman, Mr. Maurice Cufife. The Earl of Thomond was not trusted by the English ; they accused him of favouring the Irish, and some time previously Wentworth had objected to the Earl being appointed Governor of Munster, because the Lord Deputy believed that he " merited nothing, as bis brother, the late Earl, did." Lord Thomond issued an order to the effect that the English in Clare were to give up their arms for the use of the militia ; but when men were sent to enforce this order, the English assembled at Ballyallia refused to obey it Cuffe fortified and provisioned his castle, and the Irish then invested it, hoping to starve out the garrison rather than storm the castle, which, without artillery, would have been a risky proceeding, defended as it was by a body of well armed Englishmen.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 91

50. O'Brien punishes suspected traitors near Limerick

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1174

    After the fall of Limerick, Donald O'Brien suspected treachery and seized two of his own family residing near Limerick. Their eyes were ordered to be put out, and a guest in their house was beheaded — acts suggesting these individuals had been unfaithful to their tribe.

    Read the passage

    Strongbow, finding that Donald O'Brien openly scoffed at the idea of the King of England having power over Thomond, marched with a strong force (a.d« i 174) as far as Thurles, intending to pass on into Clare; but he was met by O'Brien, who ''defeated the earl and slew one thousand seven hundred of his men.'^f Strongbow, however, having received reinforcements and found an ally in Donald, chief of Ossory, who was a mortal enemy of the O'Briens t (p. 83), diey attacked Limerick and carried it by storm. O'Brien seems to have had good reason to suspect treachery in this matter; he immediately afterwards seized two of his own family residing near Limerick, whose eyes were ordered to be put out, and a guest in their house was beheaded. Acts of this description would only have been perpetrated by the Dalcasian chief upon persons who were unfaithful to their tribe, as these individuals had probably been.

    In the meantime the. King of Connaught (Roderick O'Connor) had sent an embassy to arrange a treaty with Henry II. at Windsor (A.D. 1 1 75), by which the King of Connaught was to retain his position in the west of Ireland, and to rule the whole country as Henry's vassal ; through him the other kings and chiefs were to pay tribute to England; the Brehon laws were still to continue in force. O'Brien at once repudiated this treaty, and not only refused to pay tribute to England, but declined to give hostages in token of submission to the King of Connaught ; the only present he would receive from that king was Brian Boru's drinking goblet, which had been taken from his fiunily as ransom (p. 90).

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

51. Robert Bruce's skirmish on the Shannon

    Shannon · town · Clare

    During Robert Bruce's invasion of Ireland, his forces appeared on the River Shannon and engaged in a skirmish with the Clancuilein (Macnamara) sept. The sept subsequently participated in the Battle of Corcomroe.

    Read the passage

    Anglo-Normans under De Clare and allies attack the O'Briens and Macnamaras, A.D. 13 1 z — Lochlain Macnamara, chief of his sept, treacherously seized by De Clare and executed with his nephew, a.d. 13x2 — Mac-con (Macnamara) succeeds as head of Clancuilein — Robert Bruce invades Ireland-— Appears on the Shannon— Skirmish with Clancuilein— Mac-con (Macnamara) and sept at battle of Corcomroe, a.d. Z350— Richard de Clare defeated and killed— The Anglo- Normans completely driven out of Clare, a.d. 1332 — Extension of Clancuilien territory from Fergus to Shannon — Mac Con died, 1365 — Cumedha succeeded, followed by Lochlain Mac Con, whose daughter married Brian O'Brien, King of Thomond, a.d. ? 1364— Appeal of Irish Chiefs to the Pope to establish English laws in Ireland or else leave her alone— Edward III.'s opinion regarding Ireland — ^Dnke of Clarence sent over to subdue country— Successfully resisted by O'Briens and Clancuilein — " Mear Irish " — Kilkenny Parliament, a.d. 1367— Gerald Fitzgerald sent his son to be brought up by O'Brien and Macnamara in place of. the Eng^lish Court — Second Mac-con (Macnamara) — The most powerful Irish families united in marriage through the Macnamaras, a.d. 1370 — ^Alteration in tenure of land as shown by Macnamara's rent roll and other documents of the fourteenth century Pp. 116-141

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 3

52. Ruadh Macnamara, Clare poet and minstrel of Cratloe

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 1709–1814

    Ruadh Macnamara, born in 1709, was sent to the Continent for education but abandoned the Church and returned to Clare, where he lived as a roving poet and minstrel, lampooning the parish priest and composing celebrated verses including 'The Fair Hills of Holy Ireland.' He lived to age 95 and died near his native village of Cratloe in 1814.

    Read the passage

    We have one more reference to make to a member of our sept who lived in the early part of the eighteenth century ; he was bom in Gare in the year 1709, and named Ruadh Macnamara; he was sent to the Continent to be educated for holy orders ; but the lad soon discovered that tlie Church was not his vocation^ and he wandered from his seminary over the greater part of Europe, seeming to have learnt several languages with remarkable facility. R. Macnamara subsequently returned to Clare and led a rollicking, roving life, half poet and minstrel ; lampooning the parish priest at one time, and making fun of all sorts and conditions of men, usually in verse ; he crossed over to America, and has left us an admirably written and most amusing account of his voyage, which has been translated from Gaelic into English verse by Mr. T. Hayes. R. Macnamara was best known for his songs, and among them an air and words of great beauty, '*The Fair Hills of Holy Ireland." Thomas Moore set this fine air to his well-known words '* Weep on, weep on, your hour is past ; " he wrote of it as the '' song of sorrow." Ruadh Macnamara lived to the advanced age of 95 years, and died near his native village of Cratlow a.d. 1814.*

    * " Adventures of Donchadh Ruad Mac-Con-Mara," by S. Hayes (Dablin : Y. O'Daly, 1853); also «• Irish Music and Songs," by P. W. Joyce, LL.D. In the *' Gentleman's Magazine *' for 1808, part i. p. 453, we find the following obituary notice : " October 6th, at NewtOMrp, near Kilmacthomas, in his ninety-fifth year, Denis Macnamara, commonly kno¥m as Ruadh, or red-haired. During seventy years at least, of such a rare course of longevity, this extraordinary man had been looked up to by his contemporaries in Irish literature as possessing that poetical eminence which ranked him among the most celebrated of modem bards."

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 120

53. Sioda Macnamara attacks Flan at Magh Adhair, AD 877

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 877

    In 877, Flan, Monarch of Ireland, invaded Thomond and pitched his camp on the sacred mound of Magh Adhair. Sioda Macnamara, chief of Clancuilein, and Lorcain attacked Flan, who escaped into forests but surrendered after three days' fighting and was treated courteously.

    Read the passage

    Lachtna was succeeded by his son Lorcain as King of Thomond ; this chief was foster-son to, and tanist of Cormac McCuUinan, who at the time was King of South Munster and Archbishop of CasheL Cormac visited Lorcain, and amongst other good advice is said to have ^'impressed upon him the importance of religious education for children." Flan was at this period ''Monarch of Ireland, and having demanded tribute from the Dalcais, which they again refused, he invaded Thomond and entered the Ui-Caisins' territory, a.d. 877. The monarch's bard, McLonain, warned him to be careful not to insult the Dalcasians": Flan, however, marched into Clare and pitched his camp on the sacred mound of Magh Adhair, and having challenged one of his followers to chess they sat down to the game, which he was hardly allowed time to finish, for Sioda Macnamara

    * '* Ireland and the Cdtic Church,*' p. 199, by G. G. T. Stokes, D.D., Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Dublin.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

54. Sioda Macnamara defends sacred mound of Mag Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 700–799

    In the eighth century, Sioda Macnamara and his sept were deeply wronged when the King of Ireland desecrated the sacred mound of Mag Adhair. After three days of hard fighting, Sioda captured the king but treated him chivalrously, feasting him and escorting him home across the Shannon.

    Read the passage

    Another example of the chivalrous character of these people may be referred to in the case of Sioda (Macnamara), who in the eighth century, having with his sept been deeply injured, and the sacred mound of Mag Adhair desecrated by the King of Ireland, Sioda, after three dajrs* hard fighting, took the king prisoner. But so fieur from torturing or punishing the vanquished chief, we are told that Sioda d'eated him sumptuously, and then conducted him and the remains of his army homewards across the Shannon (p. 73).

    If we pass on to the fourteenth century we are informed by Magrath tiiat De Clare and bis Celtic ally, Donough Brian Roe, sent certain of the relatives of Mac-Con (Macnamara) to that chief, with the object of inducing him to desert the cause of Mortough O'Brien, King of Thomond, in favour of the Anglo-Norman baron and his friends. Mac-Con, however, and his followers, without hesitation refused to listen to any treachery of this kind, and he and Clancuilein remained the staunch supporters of their acknowledged ruler ; in fact, it was by the assistance of our sept that Mortough retained his position as Chief of Thomond.* This incident occurred at a period when, according to Mr. Freeman, an English Ealdbrman not only deliberately betrayed his country to the invader, but that '' to do so now became the regular course in the part of royal favourites."!

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 101

55. Sioda Macnamara's castle of Rosroe attacked by Donald O'Brien

    Rosroe · townland · Clare · 1563

    In 1563 the Earl of Thomond was with Sioda Macnamara at his castle of Rosroe, seeking protection from his relative Donald O'Brien of Inchiquin. O'Brien attacked the castle but was driven back by Sioda Macnamara and pursued across the river Fergus.

    Read the passage

    In 1563 the Earl of Thomond was with Sioda Macnamam at his castle of Rosroe, a place to which Dineley refers in his '' Diary," and has also left us a sketch of it as he saw it in 1680. He states ** it was a fair seat, situated among good lands and orchards, with a very pleasant and profitable large port or lough on the one side thereof, abounding with large trout Here are also plenty of wild fowl. About a mile and a half from hence by water, between the castles of Rathlahem and Rathfolan, the lough of Rosroe runs underground for half an English mile, being opposed by hills and rocks." t In this castle the earl had retreated to obtain protection from his relative, Donald O'Brien of Inchiquin ; the latter, however, attacked the castle, but was driven back by Sioda Macnamara, and pursued across the river Fergus.! Donald O'Brien then betook himself to a place near Corcomroe in Burren, and we are informed that a ship containing ^ pirates " landed near Loop Head, and Donald O'Brien seized some of the unfortunate sailors, hung not a few, and burnt others, according to the measure of their crime. § Acts of this •description demonstrate the laxness with which English law and order was administered in Clare at this time. Another instance iUustrating the condition of this part of Ireland in the year 1569 is afforded by a petition which Sir H. Sidney received from Galway, stating that, " on the borders of Thomond certain outlaws, being bastard sons of the Bishop of KiUaloe, robbed all travellers, and had put a raid on a castle which they meant to defend." This bishop was an O'Brien, and after his •death, in 1569, the English Government appointed the first Protestant bishop of KiUaloe, a young man, Morrogh O'Brien, recommended by

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 76

56. Council of chiefs in Limerick to resist the Scotch

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    A meeting of English and Irish chiefs was summoned in Limerick to organize an army against the Scottish invasion. Mortough O'Brien was unanimously selected to command the united forces of the Irish and Anglo-Norman barons.

    Read the passage

    At this critical moment a meeting of English and Irish chiefe was summoned in Limerick, and it was determined with all speed to collect an army to resist the Scotch. Mortough O'Brien was unanimously selected, both by the Irish chiefs and by all the Anglo-Norman barons who were present, to command the imited forces. The Irish and their allies seem to have been rapidly brought together, and they at once advanced against the enemy's position. The Bruces, however, thought it prudent to retire. Soon afterwards King Robert gave up the idea of conquering Ireland, and returned home; his brother Edward being subsequently defeated and killed in an engagement with the English at Dundalk. The '* Four Masters," referring to the Scottish invasion of Ireland, observe: '' Edward Bruce, the destroyer of the people of Ireland, both English and Irish, was slain by the English. No achievement had been performed in Ireland for a long time before from which greater benefit had occurred to the country than from this ; for during the three and a half years Bruce spent in Ireland a universal fiunine prevailed to such a degree that men were wont to devour one another."' It is impossible to add to the force of this account of the misery produced by this invasion of Ireland ; the progress of the Scotch throughout the country was followed by a fearful outbreak of the plague, which cut offa vast number of the £imine-stricken population. We cannot overlook the fact tliat the English, who had assumed the right tu govern Ireland,, practically stood on one side for three years, while the Scotch destroyed the inhabitants of the greater part of that country. County Clare escaped much of this su£fering, for we are expressly told that neither the invaders nor the plague reached the people of that province.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 57

57. Archbishop O'Queely killed attacking Sligo garrison

    Sligo · town · Sligo · 1645

    In 1645, Archbishop O'Queely of Tuam, having assumed command of Irish Confederate troops against the English garrison at Sligo, was shot dead in his first encounter with Parliamentary forces. Daniel Macnamara and Sir D. O'Brien of Ennistymon were appointed to arrange a prisoner exchange.

    Read the passage

    province of Munster, he crossed over to England and met Charles I. at Oxford, in order to urge his claims to this appointment ; the king, however, declined to accede to his request. Inchiquin, therefore, left England and at once olSered his services to the Parliamentarians, who eagerly accepted his help and at the same time appomted him governor of Munster. This conduct on the part of Inchiquin was fatal to the Confederate cause. With a man of his energy and ability as leader in the south of Ireland, and with O'Neill, O'Donnell, and Macdonell in the north, the history of the country in the seventeenth century would probably have been different from that which has been handed down to us. The council of the Confederation at this time must have been hard up for a general, for they appointed the Archbishop of Tuam to lead their troops against the English garrison of Sligo. His name was O'Qucely, and he had, not long previously to taking command of the forces employed against the English garrison at Sligo, done battle in a very different cause, for he had gone over to the island of Aran, in Galway Bay, to destroy the image of ** Mac Dara" (Dara meaning ''oak"), which the people venerated with idolatrous superstition. It was in vain the Catholic clergy called on them to desist from worshipping this idol, and from swearing on it rather than on the Gospels; to put down this ancient superstition, which was evidently a remnant of the old Druidical worship, the Archbishop of Tuam, coming to the island, tore down the image and flung it into the sea.* He did not, however, long survive this proceeding, for in 1645 this unfortunate prelate, having only just assumed command of the Irish soldiers, was shot dead in his first encounter with the Parliamentary forces. In coimection with this event, we find Daniel Macnamara and Sir D. O'Brien, of Ennistymon, appointed by the Irish to effect an exchange of prisoners with the commander of the English troops in Connaughtf

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 93

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Sligo, this is the town where the Archbishop of Tuam met his end attacking the English garrison. The Confederate council, hard up for a general, had appointed him to lead their troops against that garrison. His name was O'Queely, and in 1645, having only just assumed command, he was shot dead in his first encounter with the Parliamentary forces. Not long before, he had been doing battle in a very different cause. He had gone to the island of Aran in Galway Bay to destroy the image of Mac Dara, meaning oak, which the people venerated with idolatrous superstition. The Catholic clergy had called on them to stop worshipping this idol and swearing on it rather than on the Gospels. To put down this ancient superstition, evidently a remnant of old Druidical worship, the Archbishop came to the island, tore down the image and flung it into the sea. He did not long survive that proceeding. The Confederate cause had already been weakened by Inchiquin, who crossed to England and met Charles I at Oxford to press his claims. The king declined, and Inchiquin left and offered his services to the Parliamentarians, who accepted and made him governor of Munster. With a man of his energy and ability in the south, and O'Neill, O'Donnell, and Macdonnell in the north, the history of the country would probably have been different. After O'Queely's death, Daniel Macnamara and Sir D. O'Brien of Ennistymon were appointed by the Irish to arrange an exchange of prisoners with the commander of the English troops in Connaught.

58. Massacre on Wexford Bridge during 1798 rebellion

    Wexford Bridge · street · Wexford · 1798

    The open rebellion across Kildare, Queen's County, Carlow, and Meath in 1798 ended after much bloodshed, culminating in the massacre of ninety-seven women, children, and men on Wexford Bridge. The rebels were led by Father John Murphy, a priest educated in Spain.

    Read the passage

    The failure of the French expedition to Ireland, seemed to have augmented the bitterness of feeling against the English Government entertained by the people in the disaffected parts of Ireland ; murder and rapine increased, and the country was so disturbed that Giattan urged the jreomanry and volunteers of Munster and Connaught being called out to assist in maintaining order in the disaffected provinces. In March 1798, the leaders of the intended rising were assembled at their final meeting in order to mature dieir plans, when the place they were in was surrounded by an aimed force, and the conspirators were secured. The yeomanry was at this time raised to 50,000 men, and these, with the r^iular troops, were quartered on the civil population of Ulster and Leinster, doubtless inflicting severe treatment and hardship on innocent as well as on guilty people in the proclaimed districts. The people of Ulster eagerly looked forward to the arrival of troops fitHn France, and there was at the time no obstacle to their passage to the north of Ireland, for our fleet at the Nore was in a state of mutiny, but no foreign help came, and so the men of Ulster, with characteristic shrewdness, played a waiting game.f The brunt of the rebellion was left to the unfortunate people of Leinster; on the 24th of May 1798, a rebel force, armed with pikes and such like weapons, assembled at Naas ; they were, however, dispersed by the yeomanry. The inhabitants of counties Kildare, Queen's County, Carlow, and Meath then broke out into open rebellion, which terminated after much bloodshed and the massacre of ninety-seven women, children, and men on Wexford Bridge. The rebels were led by a priest. Father Jphn Murphy, who had been educated in Spain — a curious example, it may be thought, of the Irish priest, described in the previous pages of this chapter, p. 279 — but while Father Murphy was urging the unfortunate people into revolt and untold misery, the Archbishop of Dublin was emphatic and strong

    * " Ufe of the Marqfness Wdlesley, K.G.," by Colonel G. B. Mallison, p. 15.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 131

    As the companion tells it

    Along here on this street is Wexford Bridge, where one of the darkest events of the 1798 rebellion took place. The failure of the French expedition to Ireland had deepened the bitterness the people in the disaffected parts of Ireland felt against the English Government. Murder and rapine increased, and the country was so disturbed that Grattan urged the yeomanry and volunteers of Munster and Connaught to be called out to assist in maintaining order. In March 1798, the leaders of the intended rising gathered at their final meeting to mature their plans, but the place was surrounded by an armed force and the conspirators were secured. The yeomanry was raised to 50,000 men, and these, with the regular troops, were quartered on the civil population of Ulster and Leinster, inflicting severe treatment and hardship on innocent and guilty alike. The people of Ulster eagerly looked forward to troops from France. There was no obstacle to their passage to the north of Ireland, for the fleet at the Nore was in a state of mutiny. But no foreign help came, and the men of Ulster, with characteristic shrewdness, played a waiting game. The brunt of the rebellion was left to the unfortunate people of Leinster. On the 24th of May 1798, a rebel force armed with pikes and such like weapons assembled at Naas, but they were dispersed by the yeomanry. The inhabitants of counties Kildare, Queen's County, Carlow, and Meath then broke out into open rebellion, which terminated after much bloodshed and the massacre of ninety-seven women, children, and men on this bridge. The rebels were led by a priest, Father John Murphy, who had been educated in Spain. While Father Murphy was urging the unfortunate people into revolt and untold misery, the Archbishop of Dublin was emphatic and strong against it.

59. Sir John Davis's official visit to Clare, 1606

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1606

    Solicitor-General Sir John Davis visited Clare (called Thomond) in 1606 and reported on the condition of the people. He noted the Macnamaras and O'Lancyes as the best freeholders next to the O'Briens, appearing in civil habit, and that most spoke English.

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    condition of the Irish in the early part of the seventeenth century in order to understand the history of our sept at this period. Sir John Davis was then Solidtor-Geaeral, and Speaker in the Irish Parliament ; and in a letter to Lord Salisbury, dated May 4, 1606, he states that he had just returned from an official visit to Clare, *' which is called Thomond," where he ''beheld the appearance and fashion of the t people. I would," he remarks, " I had been in Ulster agam ; for these are mere Irish as they, and their outward form not much unlike them ; but when we came to dispatch business we found that most of them speak English, and understand the course of our proceedings well.'' Sir J. Davis continues as follows: ''After the despatch of the gaol, which contained no extraordinary male&ctors, our principal labour did consist in establishing sundry possessions of freeholders in the country, which had been disturbed in the time of the rebellion, and had not since been settled. The best of the freeholders next the O'Briens, are the Macnamaras, and the O'Lancyes, the chiefs of which families appeared in civil habit and tsahioa ; the rest not so refined as some of the people of Munster." Sir J. Davis goes on to state that one of the provosts of Clare was brought before him on the charge of murder. This man's name was Downing, and Sir John writes : " It happened that an idiot fool bdcmging to the Earl of Thomond, with another of the same quality, a follower of J. Macnamara, a knight of Thomond, came straggling into the village where Downing dwelt; he, meetmg them on a Sunday morning, took them immediately and hanged them both." Lord Thomond stated that Downing not only knew the mien to be idiots, but also that one of them belonged to him, and so had executed him maliciously. Sir John Davis, however, forgave Downing, although the jury convicted him of murder, '* upon which a few words of passion passed between the Earl and the Lord Deputy, Sir A. Chichester, and there the matter ended."*

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 86

60. Sir Richard Fitton's corrupt presidency at Athlone extracting bribes from Thomond

    Athlone · town · Westmeath

    The president of Connaught, Sir R. Fitton, took such large bribes from the men of Thomond in cattle that the Government was obliged to recall him to England. The Four Masters noted the difficulty of calculating the hundreds of cows given during the two years he remained in the territory.

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    •carried hostages from the Macnamaias and other chieftains of Thomond along with him to his head quarters in Athlone. ^' The Four Masters ** observe that it would be diffioilt *' to calculate the hundreds of cows given to the president of Connaught, Sir K Fitton, by the men of Thomond •during the two years he remained in the territory " ; in other words^ he took such large bribes that» even in those lax times, the Government was obliged to recall him to England.*

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 76

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Athlone, in Westmeath, this town holds a story of corruption. Sir Richard Fitton, president of Connaught, set up his headquarters here and carried hostages from the Macnamaras and other chieftains of Thomond along with him. The Four Masters observed that it would be difficult to calculate the hundreds of cows given to Fitton by the men of Thomond during the two years he remained in the territory. He took such large bribes that even in those lax times the Government was obliged to recall him to England.