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. Capture of Cork and the overrunning of Munster

   Cork · city · Cork

   Following his capture of Limerick, Conor O'Brien also seized Cork from the English and proceeded to overrun the entirety of Munster. According to Magrath, no English inhabitant was left in that part of the kingdom.

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   A sister of Conor married the King of Connaught, and having thus gained the aid of that chief and of Clancuilein he felt himself sufficiently strong to attack Limerick; he' captured this town from the English and also Cork, and then overran the whole of Munster, so that,* as Magrath states, ** he did not suffer one of the English nation to inhabit the size of the meanest hut in this part of the kingdom." Conor's further progress was thwarted by an outburst of rivalry between the Dalcasian and Desmondian tribes, fcHx:ed into action by

   A.D. I2Z3 : Pope Innocent III. sent a notification to the King of Limerick, Connaught, and Meath that he was about to convoke a general council for the recovery of the Holy Land and the reformation of the Church " (vol. i p. 38). A.D. 1245 : Mandate from Pope Innocent IV. to " the Bishop of Annadown and Clanfort to restrain the Archbishop of Cashel from molesting the Bishop of Killaloe, reported by him guilty of simony by reason that D. Carbrech, Lord of Thomond (Tuadomonia) in that diocese, had, contrary to the bishop's inhibition, paid a sum of money to R. de Burgo, Justiciary of Ireland, to restore the temporalities to the See (vol. i. p. 212). * Standish Hayes O'Grady's translation of '* Triumphs of Turlough," p. 2.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

2. Dispossession and flight of the Macnamaras to Burren

   Burren · townland · Clare

   Following their dispossession after resisting English troops, the Macnamaras of Rathfolan sought refuge in the Burren region of County Clare, an isolated area of bare limestone mountains with only one road at the time.

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   The Rev. P. Whiter in his "History of Clare," observes, "that as a youth he had, from many sources, traditions relating to the disappearance of the Rathfolan, or the West Clancuilein fiunily of Macnamaras, the lineal descendants of the founders of Quin Abbey." He adds, that having "made vain resistance, and killed some English troops who were out on a foraging expedition^ the family had to fly precipitately to conceal themselves firom coming vengeance." There is truth in this tradition. The Macnamaras of Rathfolan were dispossessed of their home and estates ; they sought refiige in Burren, a part of county Clare into which there was then only one road, and which is largely constituted of bare limestone mountains or hills. On an inlet of the Bay of Galway^ Daniel Macnamara of Rathfolan, and his large family passed firom their home in Lower Bunratty. They first settled at Dooras, on property belonging to their fiiends the Frenches. Some of the fiunily lingered on in this locality, situated on the shores of Kinvarra Bay; DanieU however, moved westward to a place near Corcomroe Abbey, known as Balinacragga ; whether called after the old castle in Lower Bunratty or not we cannot tell, but this out-of-the-world locality still bears the name of Balinacragga.*

   * Daniel Macnamara succeeded his father in 1665, ^^^ married the daughter of Keatipg, of co. Kildare^

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 99

3. Earl of Ormond sent into Clare; Earl of Thomond flees to France

   near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1570–1571

   Queen Elizabeth directed the Earl of Ormond to proceed into Clare with a well-equipped force. The Earl of Thomond had to abandon his forts and retire from Clare, taking refuge in France before subsequently obtaining pardon and returning.

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   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

4. Henry III grants Tradree to Robert Musgrove, castle at Quin

   Quin · town · Clare · 1237

   Six years after Donough O'Brien's death, Henry III granted the district of Tradree, co. Clare, to Robert Musgrove, encroaching near Ui-Caisin and Macnamara lands. Musgrove was permitted to build castles, one probably on the site where Quin Abbey now stands, with two hundred oaks from the woods of Cratloe.

   Read the passage

   that he should pay a hondred and thiity marks to England as tri^^ and six years after Uie grantee's death, Henry, under a patent given at Westnunster, granted the district of Tradree, co. Clare, to Robert Musegrofii in this way encroaching dangerously near Ui-Caisin and some oi the Macnamaras' most fertile lands. King Henry also gave permksion to this Anglo-Norman nobleman to build castles on his lands, one of which was probably that on which Quin Abbey now stands; the king directed that Mus^ros was to have two hundred good oaks fix>m the woods of Cratloe for the purpose of building this castle. It is evident, from the entries in the Patent Rolls of England and Ireland of this period, that Henry III. assumed not only a right to govern the piovince of Thomond, but beyond this he took upon himself to dispose of the land in this part of Ireland ; it was therefore certain, if the members of Clancuilein, and the other Dalcasian septs intended to preserve their ancient tribal lands and homes intact, that the time had arrived for them to rise in defence of their position. They speedily showed their determination to resist the encr<Mchments of the Anglo- Normans, and they rose, therefcHre, against Donough O'Brien ^1>ecause he seemed to be fiivonrably disposed to their enemies,'' and drove him out oi Limerick ; he then took refuge at Clonroad, near Ennis, co. Clare, where he built a strong fort in which he might live. If any of Robert Musqpros' followers had settled in the south of Clare they were at this time expelled from their holdings ; nevertheless, it would seem that they retained one or more forts in the district, such as that of Quin and Bunratty.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

5. Kildare surprises the castle of Ballycullen in Clare

   Ballycullen · townland · Clare

   The Lord Deputy Kildare marched with his forces into Clare and surprised the strong castle of Ballycullen. His real motive was to punish the O'Briens for supporting Sir James Ormond against Kildare's claims to power in Ireland.

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   The fifteenth century, so far as Clare was concerned, was not desdned to close in peace. Sir James, a natural son of the sixth Earl of Ormond, arrived in the West of Ireland, claiming to be the heir to the title and lands of his father. Sir James was received by the O'Briens and Macnamaras, and also by the Clanricardes, these three families being closely related in marriage with the late Earl, were glad to support an Ormond, in opposition to the Earl of Kildare, who since Ormond's death had assumed paramount power over Ireland, and had been appointed Lord Deputy of that country by Henry the Seventh. Kildare, however, had been recalled to England by the king, and while there married the sister of the lawftd heir to the Ormond estates in Ireland. On the Lord Deputy's return to Dublin he raised a pretext for quarrelling with the O'Briens, his real motive being to punish them for the support they had affc^ded to Sir James Ormond. Kildare marched with his forces into Clare and surprised the strong casde of Ballycullen, which

   * Wadding, x. 525. No record of the Bull of Eugene IV. can be found in the Vatican, nor have I been able to discover a copy of any such document as that referred to by Wadding. Mr. W. Bliss has kindly sent me extracts from the records of the Vatican to the following effect : " To the Abbot of the Monastery of Clare, in the diocese of ' Laonien,* on behalf of Mathew Macconmara. priest of the same diocese, upon the perpetual vicarage of the parish of Cluony, vacant by the surrender of Henry O'Grady against Mathew Maccuilean, June 4, a.d. 1431 " ('* Roman Transcripts Kegetta Pontificum," 1431, an. L lib. 13, fol. 1 19, Eugenius IV.). From the same source we learn that a communication was forwarded from the Ponti£f on November 10, 1432, " To the bishop of ' Laonien ' on behalf of Tathidu Mac-conmara and Dubcoblaid Inymccma that with them a disposition may be made concerning the contracting of a marriage.'* Like permission is given to Maurice Mac-conmara and Raynyld Inymettomarra, dated November 1432.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 68

6. O'Briens of Ennistymon rise against the Macnamaras

   near Ennistimon · town · Clare · 1590–1599

   The close of the sixteenth century in Clare was attended with inroads from the north and a rising of the O'Briens of Ennistymon against the Macnamaras, marking the deterioration of relations between the two septs.

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   O'Neill's rebellion — Desmond, a.d. 1582 — Confiscation of the greater part of land of Ulster and South Monster by the Crown— Terrible years of war and famine, 1551 to X582 — Clare and the Macnamaras remained at peace— References to members of the sept by **The Four Masters*' — Commencement of trouble between O'Briens and Macnamaras, a.d. i567^Sidney's remarks on the dispute— ^Important inquisition in connection with land tenure by Macnamaras. A.D. i585^Borome tax existed in Clare at the end of sixteenth century — Macnamara, chief of Clancuilein, refuses to sign Sidney's new plan of land tenure and revenue — Abides by his contract of Henry VIII.'s time — Sir J. Perrott orders tenure of land and amount of rents to be taken in Clare before a Commission— The Macnamaras had to ^>pear before the Commissioners — They decline all change for reasons given by the Lord Deputy who supported Macnamara's contentions — He reports to Lord Burghley that there were no better men or any like the Macnamaras in their country— Correspondence on this subject between Lord Deputy and the Privy Council— J. Macnamara's letter to Lord Burghley— Quin Abbey granted by Queen Elizabeth to an O'Brien— Close of the sixteenth century in Clare attended with inroads from the North and rising of O'Briens of Ennistymon against the Macnamaras.

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 77

7. O'Daly of Corcomroe, hospitable poet, dies 1538

   Corcomroe · barony · Clare · 1538

   In 1538 O'Daly of Corcomroe, a poet and inhabitant of the province of Clare, died. He was famed among other qualities for keeping a house of general hospitality.

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   Klildare made no further effort to conquer the Dalcasians west of the Shannon, but in 15 13 he laid siege to Leap Castle, the residence of the O'Carroll's of Ely, and £riling to take the place by escalade, ''and being unprovided with heavy ordnance, he was obliged to raise the siege for the purpose of procuring artillery ; he was, however, taken ill, and died in September 15 13. Clare for some years enjoyed peace and hardly appears on the pages of Irish history. We are told that in 1538 one of the inhabitants of this province, O'Daly of Corcomroe, a poet, died ; he was fiuned, among other qualities, in that he " kept a house of general hospitality," p. 34. In the year 1533 Teigie O'Brien, while leading an attack in support of the O'CarroUs, was killed " by the shot of a ball"* We have ahready referred to the fact that Kildare had to raise the siege of Leap Castle for want of artillery, which at this time seems to have come into use in Ireland ; it was gunpowder and the cannon of the early part of the sixteenth century that sealed the fate of that country, for the native chiefs had no means of obtaining firearms, and as opposed to such weapons their swords and spears were useless. The last battle had been fought under the old style of warfare bir the O'Briens and Macnamaras against the English, and, as on so many previous occasions, they had driven back their foes and so preserved their lands and homes in Clare.

   Torlough O'Brien died in the year 1538, and was succeeded by his son Conor, who was married first to a daughter of Clanricarde, and secondly to a Desmond. The condition of Ireland at this time is described in the State Papers of the reign of Henry VIII., where it is stated that the country was under the rule of some sixty chief captains or princes * " Annals of the Four Masters."

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 70

8. Quin Abbey: Macnamara foundation and burial place

   Quin · town · Clare · 1420–1541

   Quin Abbey was founded and built by the Macnamaras in 1420. The head of the sept and family members were buried within its walls for many generations, where their tombs remained at the time of writing. The Franciscans there owned but one acre of land in 1541.

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   The Lord Deputy, in forwarding this letter to Burghley, urges him ''to have the cause of Macnamara in £sivourable remembrance, on account of his faithful and dutiful course " ; and adds, " there are not two more like him in the whole province,'^ t The Earl of Thomond's mother was a daughter of the Chancellor, Sir Thomas Cusack, and his wife a daughter of Lord Nugent of Delvin ; he had been brought up in the Court of Elizabeth. Another member of the O'Brien family. Sir Turlough of Ennistymon, received letters patent bearing date December 14, 1583, confirming him in fee of the dissolved Abbey of Quin and its appurtenances.! In 1 541 Quin Abbey had been formally dissolved by Henry VIII. and granted two years later to O'Brien, Baron of Ibirkane, who protected the monks. After Elizabeth's confirmation of this grant, the fiiars still remained in possession. As Mr. Westropp remarks, well had the Franciscans kept their vow of poverty, for in 1541 they owned but one acre of land. The Macnamaras, however, must have felt keenly the suppression of the abbey, which had been founded and built by their ancestors in the year 1420, and since then the head of the sept and members of the fiunily for many generations had been buried within its walls, where their tombs remain to the present time.

   The close of the sixteenth century was destined to witness more

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 83

9. Richard de Clare and Mortough O'Brien at Dublin Council

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1316

   Richard de Clare traveled to Dublin at the close of 1316 to persuade the Council to recognize Donough Brien as King of Thomond. Mortough O'Brien followed him to Dublin, presented his services against the Scotch, and was recognized as King of Thomond.

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   Richard de Clare, at the close of the year 1316, went to Dublin,, hoping to persuade the Council to recognise his friend Donough Brien as King of Thomond. Magrath observes that De Clare not only spoke several languages, but was also graceful in his address, and had remarkably fine teeth ; a remark not likely to have been made unless by some one who had seen the man. Mortough O'Brien, hearing of these proceedings, hastened to Dublin, and laid before the Council his position in Clare, and the fact that during the recent advance of the Scotch to Limerick, he had been acknowledged as king and leader for the Anglo- Normans, as well as of the Irish tribes and septs of Thomond ; the ♦ " Triumphs of Turlough," Standish H. O'Grady's translation, p. 84.

   Digitized by VjOOQIC

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 57

   As the companion tells it

   Dublin, late 1316. Richard de Clare came here hoping to persuade the Council to recognise his friend Donough Brien as King of Thomond. Magrath notes that de Clare spoke several languages, was graceful in his address, and had remarkably fine teeth, a detail likely from someone who had seen the man in person. But Mortough O'Brien heard what was happening and hastened to Dublin himself. He laid before the Council his position in Clare, and the fact that during the recent advance of the Scotch to Limerick he had been acknowledged as king and leader, not only by the Anglo-Normans but by the Irish tribes and septs of Thomond. He presented his services against the Scotch. The Council recognised Mortough O'Brien as King of Thomond. De Clare's journey had been for nothing.

10. Siege of Ballyallia during the 1641 Rebellion

    Ballyallia · townland · Clare · 1641

    During the 1641 rebellion, a siege took place at Ballyallia. Donogh Macnamara was sent on a mission to O'Neill during this period.

    Read the passage

    Charles L's and James IL's opinion as to state of Ireland in their time— Canse of rebdlion of 1641 — Donogh and Tdgie Macnamara appointed to keep order in Clare— English in Clare not ill-treated by Irish— Siege of Ballyallia— Donogh Mannamara sent on a mission to O'Neill— Roman Catholic Confederation — Two of the Macnamaras appointed by people of Clare to represent them in Confederate Council— The Pope's Nnndo Rinnodni arrives in Ireland — Lord IncUqnin — Snrreoder of Bunratty Castle— The Macnamaras at the battle of Knodanoness— Rinnodni leaves Ireland, a.d. 1648— Cromwdl's mle in Ireland — SiQge of Limerick— Teigie Macnamara surrenders the place to the Parliamentary forces— Daniel Macnamara signs treaty on behalf of the Clare Brigade — Qnin Abbey— Its destmction by Cromwdl's soldiers— Roger Macnamara — Importation of Catholic Irish into Clare— Confiscation of the Macnamara estates— They held the same lands in 2654 which had been granted to them in the fifth oentnry ; and no lands outside boundary of former tribal lands — Of two hundred and ninety-three prindpal families of the Macnamara living in these lands in 1654 only six were permitted to retain a part of their estates — The remainder expelled to Burren, the West Indies, or left to labour on the property formerly their own — Rathfolan and Ballinacragga family expelled to north of Burren Pp. 288-205

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 5

11. Turlough O'Brien cuts forest path between Gort and Athenry

    Gort · townland · Galway · 1143–1151

    Turlough O'Brien marched from Clare to subdue Connaught and had to cut his way through a dense forest between Gort and Athenry. He destroyed the red birch tree under which the O'Heynes were elected chiefs and took the chief of the O'Kellys prisoner.

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    Turlough O'Brien determined to subdue Connaught, and on his march from Clare had to '^ cut his way by clearing a path for his followers through a densely thick forest" which covered the route which he took along the line of country between the existing towns of Gort and Atheney. He destroyed the " red birch tree " under which the O'Hjmes were elected chiefs, and, having taken the chief of the O'Kellys prisoner, returned vi& Leinster into Thomond.

    ^* Cumara Macnamara^ son of Mac Conmara," we are informed, was at this time '* chief of Clancuilein. He was Turlough O'Brien's second

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 45

12. Turlough O'Brien's march through Cashel to Thurles and Nenagh

    Nenagh · town · Tipperary · 1304

    In 1304 Turlough O'Brien marched with his army through Cashel, ravaging the country as far as Thurles, then turned north reaching Nenagh. He was persuaded by the Earl of Ulster to abandon further conquest and return to Clare.

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    After the death of Thomas de Clare, Turlough O'Brien with Clancuilein and other of his allies marched forth (a.d. 1304) *'with his colours in the centre, and gilt shields outside," and cavalry in the rear ; and passing through Cashd ravaged the country as far as Thurles, and then turned north, reaching Nenagh. At this point in his career he was persuaded by his fiiend the Earl of Ubter to give up the idea of further conquest and to return to Clare.

    As Turlough's army moved along the lovely wooded banks of Loch Derg, Magrath informs us that '* they were met by a lone woman who approached them, fair of face she was and of modest mien. From her strange aspect and beautiful form, the whole of Turlough's followers took heed of her : a maid with red lips and taper fingers, long and wavy flowing hair; her whole being commanded respect" She spoke to the king as follows : '* My name is Ireland's sovereignty, and if strangers had not caused thee to turn back, the sovereign rule of the whole of Ireland would have been yours." Such delight had the army in listening to her that they pressed close on her ; but she disappeared in the semblance of a bright doud, repeating as she passed away a long poem which Magrath has given us in detail Turlough then deeply repented having followed the Earl's counsel; nevertheless he ruled the whole of Munster and Thomond as his ancestors had done before him. For no less than nine-and-twenty years Turlough reigned over this province, during which time we are told there was exceeding abundance in the country and ** every man was able to attend to and to perform the office of his station.''^

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 51

    As the companion tells it

    This is Nenagh, a town on the road ahead. In 1304, after the death of Thomas de Clare, Turlough O'Brien led Clan-cuilein and his allies out to march, as the record says, "with his colours in the centre, and gilt shields outside," and cavalry in the rear. He passed through Cashel, ravaging the country as far as Thurles, then turned north and reached this place. Here the Earl of Ulster, his friend, persuaded him to give up further conquest and return to Clare. As Turlough's army moved along the wooded banks of Loch Derg, Magrath tells us they were met by a lone woman, fair of face, modest of mien. Red lips, taper fingers, long wavy flowing hair. The whole host took heed of her. She spoke to the king: "My name is Ireland's sovereignty, and if strangers had not caused thee to turn back, the sovereign rule of the whole of Ireland would have been yours." The army pressed close to her, but she vanished in the semblance of a bright cloud, repeating a long poem as she passed away. Turlough deeply repented following the Earl's counsel. Still, he ruled the whole of Munster and Thomond as his ancestors had done. For twenty-nine years Turlough reigned over this province, and there was exceeding abundance, and "every man was able to attend to and to perform the office of his station."

13. Destruction of Castles in Clare by Cromwell

    near Clare · population centre · Clare

    Keeps and castles were once densely scattered across County Clare, as documented in Dineley's Journal. Most of these fortified structures were subsequently destroyed under a commission appointed by Oliver Cromwell.

    Read the passage

    Dwellings. — ^The people in Clare, up to the middle of the seventeenth century, lived for the most part in the old form of wicker and clay covered cabins. Keeps, or castles were scattered pretty thickly over Clare, and there are several rough sketches of these buildings in Dineley's Journal : most of them, however, were destroyed under the supervision of a commission appointed by Cromwell for that purpose^

    Dineley has left us a sketch of one of the Macnamara castles, Roscoe. The keep or residence of the family was evidently surrounded by dwellings inhabited probably by the servants, retainers, and the stables, the whole being enclosed by a stone wall, which served not only as a means of defence against wolves, but within these walls was the inviolable refuge or home, a place which up to the time of Cromwell was sacred to the family, and into which, without permission of its head, neither the arm of the law nor any human being might enter. Sanctity of a precisely similar nature is in the mind of the Celt still connected with his house ; a man, however deep his crime, is safe under the protection of his home. So strong is this feeling, that although the police often

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

14. Durrow monastery's armed conflict with Clonmacnoise

    Durrow · parish · Offaly · 673–816

    The monastery of Durrow engaged in persistent war with Clonmacnoise in 673, and a later skirmish around 816 left approximately 400 men slain. These conflicts illustrate how Irish monastic communities were not exempt from military service until 804.

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    It was not until the year a.d. 804 that the Irish monastic (communities were exempted from military service. During the year 673 there was persistent war between the monasteries of Clonmacnoise and Durrow; and as late as aj>. 816, in a scrimmage between these establishments, some 400 men are reported to have been slain. The deigy in the eighth century went about the country and to synods armed, and ^' often fought pitched battles, in which many were killed with but very small provocation."

    Although this state of things existed in Ireland, her monasteries were at the same time sending out missionaries whose devotion to theu- work in Ei^^d and many parts of the continent of Europe has never been surpassed. The first rector of the School of Paris was a pupil of Bede, and the second rector of that great school was an Irishman named Clementt As in the case of St. Columba, the better qualities of the Celtic missionaries were most conspicuously developed when serving in foreign countries ; at home their warlike proclivities often predominated over the principles they professed. But we must not overlook the fiabct that it was due to the efforts of the early Irish Church that women were emancipated in that country from military service; and that slavery in its grosser form, that ia in the traffic in human beings was abolished.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 32

15. Monastic war between Clonmacnoise and Durrow

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 673–816

    During the year 673, persistent war broke out between the monasteries of Clonmacnoise and Durrow. In a later scrimmage around 816 between these establishments, some 400 men were reported slain.

    Read the passage

    It was not until the year a.d. 804 that the Irish monastic (communities were exempted from military service. During the year 673 there was persistent war between the monasteries of Clonmacnoise and Durrow; and as late as aj>. 816, in a scrimmage between these establishments, some 400 men are reported to have been slain. The deigy in the eighth century went about the country and to synods armed, and ^' often fought pitched battles, in which many were killed with but very small provocation."

    Although this state of things existed in Ireland, her monasteries were at the same time sending out missionaries whose devotion to theu- work in Ei^^d and many parts of the continent of Europe has never been surpassed. The first rector of the School of Paris was a pupil of Bede, and the second rector of that great school was an Irishman named Clementt As in the case of St. Columba, the better qualities of the Celtic missionaries were most conspicuously developed when serving in foreign countries ; at home their warlike proclivities often predominated over the principles they professed. But we must not overlook the fiabct that it was due to the efforts of the early Irish Church that women were emancipated in that country from military service; and that slavery in its grosser form, that ia in the traffic in human beings was abolished.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 32

16. O'Brien's 1764 speech on Clare clergy at Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1764

    In January 1764, L. O'Brien delivered a speech at Ennis revealing that County Clare had been divided into seventy-five parishes but only fourteen Protestant churches existed, leaving sixty-two as sinecures with non-resident rectors. He contrasted the negligence of Protestant clergy with the diligence of Roman Catholic priests who freely exercised their functions despite penal laws.

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    We must here refer as briefly as possible to the position of the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland during the latter part of the eighteenth century. The penal laws were still in force against Papists, although practically they had become modified in the course of time, thus Roman Catholic priests not only lived without fear of molestation in all parts of the country, but they fireely exercised their functions, and said Mass openly in their churches. Nevertheless, Irish Roman Catholics were neither permitted to enter Parliament nor any of the Government services, nor could they legally purchase land. We obtain an insight into the relative positions of the Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy in Clare at this period, firom a speech delivered at Ennis by L. O'Brien (January 1 764) ; he stated that the country had been divided into seventy-five parishes, but that there were only fourteen Protestant churches in these parishes, so that sixty-two of them were sinecures, and of the fourteen parishes with churches as a rule, the rectors were non-resident, leaving their work to curates who they paid at the rate of forty pounds per annum. L. O'Brien remarked that *'to regret the non-residence of our dergy upon mere political grounds was similar to that of the sailor who, when his comrade's head was blown away by a round shot, regretted the upsetting of the tot of rum he was drinking at the moment he was struck." L. O'Brien stated that the Roman Catholic priest was diligent in proportion as Protestants were negligent, and he argued that neither by the laws of God nor man, should the nominal clergy be paid the tenth part of the produce of the land for doing nothing on behalf of those who worked the soil.*

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 129

17. Perrott's Commission probes Tulla and Lissofin titles

    Tulla · town · Clare · 1585–1611

    In 1585 Sir John Perrott's Commission investigated land titles in Clare. The agents of the Earl of Thomond argued that Tulla and Lissofin were Church lands because the ancestors Mahon and Donogh Macnamara had been ecclesiastics around 1393, and thus the estates should be forfeited under the statute of mortmain. Daniel Macnamara defended his title, and the jury refused to admit any defect.

    Read the passage

    The Commission discovered that the ancestors, Mahon and Donogh Macnamara, of the existing owners of TuUa and Lissofin, had been ecclesiastics of some kind about the year 1393. The plea was therefore put forward that these were Church lands, and must therefore be forfeited to the Crown under the statute of mortmain. The owner of the estates* Daniel Macnamara, argued that even supposing their ancestors had entered holy orders, there was nevertheless undoubted evidence to prove that the property had been held by members of their family for more than two hundred years. How was it possible, therefore, that these estates could be Church lands? Beyond this it was urged that the -statute of mortmain could not apply to co. Clare in Richard IL's reign, for at that period the Brehon laws alone were in force, and not an acre of land in Clare was then held by the English. The Commission who heard the case were aided by a jury ; and as these refused to admit that there was any defect in the title, the matter was allowed to stand over, and Daniel Macnamara remained in poss^ion of his property. But, as ahready explained, p. 170, the Governor of Connaught in a letter written to the English Minister, Walsyngham, states, with regard to the inquisition of Clare taken in 1585, that "the late Lord Deputy Perrott and Sir Nicholas White, who took much upon him in these matters, handled the matter so far in fieivour <^ the Earl of Thomond, as after their coming to Dublin they made up the books (regarding the inquisition) according to their own pleasure, to the no little hindrance of many a man in the province." These officials determined among other matters that the * " Irdand and the Anglo-Norman Church/' p. 355.

    Digitized by VjOOQIC

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 87

18. Aran islanders' wakes, fairy beliefs, and holy wells

    near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway

    The Aran islanders held wakes even for those who died abroad, stopped funeral processions to raise stone piles, and let corpses out through the back door owing to beliefs in fairies and banshees. Pin-wells, rag-bushes, and holy wells were frequented, with emigrants sleeping beside wells for good fortune.

    Read the passage

    Their sight and hearing is singularly acute. Dr. Kean states that on a clear day any of them could discern, with the naked eye, a small black sailing boat at Black Head, twenty miles distant, before he could see it with his binocular. Some of them live to a great age, and the births exceed the deaths, but the population is decreasing, owing to emigration ; a tombstone in Killeany records the death of one who lived 119 years. They are exceptionally honest, straightforward, and upright in their dealings, and illegitimacy is almost unknown. Mr. P. Lyster, a magistrate of these islands, states that '* The Arran islanders are, as a body, extremely well-behaved and industrious people. If there are disputes among them it is in connection with lands. There are very few cases of drunkenness. I have known two months elapse without a single case being brought before me ; for four years I have not sent more than six or seven persons to gaol without the option of a fine. There is no gaol on the island ; theft is very rare ; I only remember one case of positive stealing sent for trial"* They are singularly unmusical, no piper, fiddler, or musician of any sort being on the islands. Irish is their language, but English can be understood and spoken with strangers. Most of the weddings occur just before Lent. There is no courtship, the young man going straight to the house of an eligible girl and asking her to marry him. If refiised, he goes elsewhere, and a man has been known to ask three girls the same evening before he was accepted. Wakes are held even for those who die abroad. At one time a fimeral procession would be stopped on the road, and the mourners would raise small piles of stones. A corpse is always let out through the back door, for the Arranites believe in fairies, banshees, and ghosts. If at a marriage any one repeats the benediction after the priest and ties a knot on a string at the mention of each of the sacred names, the marriage will be childless for fifteen years, unless the string is burned. Pin-wells and rag-bushes are still firequented, and on the night before emigrating people will sleep in the open beside one of the holy wells, in order to have good fortune where they go. The Evil Eye is believed in, and certain days are counted unlucky, so that even burials do not take place on them.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 11

19. Bishop of Kilmore's timber destruction, 1699–1713

    Kilmore · townland · Clare · 1699–1713

    Between 1699 and 1713 the Bishop of Kilmore cut down and sold timber worth £20,000 from his estate for personal profit. This formed part of a broader pattern of English landowners destroying Irish woods on confiscated estates.

    Read the passage

    coantiy, did, by letters patent dated from Newmarket, 26tli November, 1614, direct a grant to be made by patent to H. Tuttesham, who by petition hath made offer to repair to Ireland, and there use his best endeayours to destroy the said wolves, providing at his own charge men, dogs, traps, engines, and requiring no other allowance save only four nobles steiling for the head of every wol^ young or old, out of any county, and to be authorised to keep four men, and twelve couple of hounds in every county for seven years next after the date of this letter "(''Transactions of the Royal Society of Antiquarians," vol. xiv. page 62). The wolves, however, were to be exterminated by other means, for the forests in which they lived were speedily cut down, and the timber sold or burnt after the English took possession of the country. Timber was required in Clare for smelting iron and working coal mines. For instance, in the year 1605 ^^ Itain that King James granted to ** J. Cutler and W. Phillips, certain grounds in Macnamara's country west of Shannon, with the right to open a coal mine." The Conunissioners appointed by Parliament to inquire into the disposal of the confiscated estates observe, that '' dreadful havoc has been committed on the woods ; for those on whom the confiscated lands have been bestowed, or their agents have been so eager after the smallest profit, that several large trees have been cut down and sold for sixpence each ; the destruction is still carried on in many parts of the country."* The Bishop of Kihnore, between the years 1699 and 17 13, cut down and sold for his own profit, timber to the amount of ;^2o,ooo. The Bishop of Derry and many other Englishmen, who cared nothing for the lovely woods of Ireland, and feared lest a political change might deprive them of their confiscated estates, thought best to make the most of what they had, and cut down and sold all the valuable timber on their estates, and thus inflicted an irreparable injury on the oountry.f Of these woods Edmund Spenser in his '* Faerie Queene"t wrote:

    Whylome when Ireland flourished in lame

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

20. Bunratty Castle surrendered to Parliamentary garrison

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1646

    In March 1646, Barnabas, Earl of Thomond, handed Bunratty Castle over to the English Parliamentary commander and departed for England. Parliamentary ships anchored near the castle obstructing the Shannon passage to Limerick, imperilling the Confederate base of operations.

    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

21. Burren's rugged landscape and pre-Celtic forts

    Burren · townland · Clare

    Burren is described as a series of bare terraced hills rising up to a thousand feet, lacking water, wood, and soil, yet intersected with deep valleys of fine grazing land. About two hundred pre-Celtic forts have been discovered there, evidence of how the pre-Celtic race defended their lands when driven westward by the Celts.

    Read the passage

    The northern part of the western division of Clare is formed by the district of Burren, which Cromwell's general, LudloW, refers to as not possessing vrater sufficient to drown a man in, wood eilough to hang a man on, or soil sufficient to bury him in. Burren is in fact little more than a series of bare hills, some of them rising a thousand feet above the level of the sea ; the sides of these hills are terraced in a remarkable manner and are of a light slate colour, with patches of exquisitely green grass scattered over their surface ; they are, however, intersected with deep valleys, forming some of the finest grazing lands in the country.^ Burren, with all its barrenness, has singular charms : its northern boundary, formed by Galway Bay, is indented with creeks which run up to the foot of its hills for long the home of numerous smugglers. To the west, the hills of Burren form perpendicular cliffs against which the Atlantic hurls its mighty waves, a coast which can hardly be equalled for the wildness or grandeur of its scenery, and which has been so well described by the Hon. Miss Lawless in her pathetic story of *' Hurrish."

    Up to the dose of the sixteenth century there seems to have been only one road leading through Burren, and now, unless along the coastline it is no easy matter to travel over this part of Ireland. These highlands afforded a safe refuge to the pre-Celtic race, when they were driven westward by the more highly civilised Celt in his advance from the east How well these people defended their lands may be learnt from the investigations of my friend Mr. T. J. Westropp, who has discovered the remains of about two hundred pre-Celtic forts in this part of county Clare. In dose proximity with these remains some of the work of the earliest Christian settlers in Ireland still exist, rude in the

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 8

22. Clare congregation punishes priest for denouncing Whiteboys

    near Clare · population centre · Clare

    In Clare, when a priest denounced the Whiteboys from the altar, his congregation retaliated by nailing up his chapel door. In one case, parishioners buried their priest up to his neck in brambles and thorns for having denounced the Whiteboy organisation.

    Read the passage

    The Whiteboys were frequently condemned, and even excommunicated from Catholic altars, with the effect of rather damaging the priest than the individuals concerned. In Clare if a priest took action of this kind, his congregation were apt to nail up his chapel door, and in one case they buried their priest up to his neck in brambles and thorns for having denounced the Whiteboys.f

    Arthur Young visited Clare when this organisation exercised great power over the people, and he states that it had then been in existence for ten years in spite of every exertion of legal power ; he further remarks that what struck him most was the surprising intelligence of these people ; their system was such that one body of men almost ^' instantaneously " became aware of what their allies were doing in a distant part of the country. Young writes, ** they all seem to be animated by one soul, and not an instance was known in that long course of time of a single individual betraying the cause; the severest threats and the most splendid promises of reward had no other effect but to draw closer the bonds which connected a multitude, to all appearances so desultory. // was thus evident the iron rod of oppression had been far enough from securing the obedienu or crushing the spirit of the people "%

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 124

23. Clare representatives attend Perrott's Parliament in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1585

    After returning to Dublin, Sir John Perrott called a Parliament at which John Macnamara, the elected representative of County Clare, was present along with the Earl of Thomond, several O'Briens, and the Bishop of Killaloe. The Parliament likely addressed the land title questions in Clare that had been left unresolved since Sidney's deputyship.

    Read the passage

    Sir H. Sidney, after having brought the landowners of Clare as a body to accept his views regarding a tax on the rents under the new sjrstem, left Galway and returned to Dublin. He resigned office in 1567, and for the time being his arrangement with the landlords of Clare was allowed to drop.t Although Sir Henry returned to Ireland in the following year, his hands were so fiill of other matters that he had no time to follow up his land scheme in Clare ; he ended his third deputyship in the year 1578. Passing over the important period of the Earl of Sussex's rule in Ireland, we find Sir John Perrott at the head of the government in the year 1584. After about a month's delay he visited Athlone, Galway, and then proceeded through Clare, remaining for one night at Quin, where he was met by the sheriff of the county with a prisoner, one Donogh B^, who had been concerned in some plundering and rising in Connaught. The " Four Masters " inform us that this prisoner ''was hanged from a car, and his bones were broken and smashed with the back of a heavy axe; and his body, thus mangled and half dead, was affixed, fiistened with hard and tough hempen ropes, to the top of the steeple of Quin, as a warning and example to cvid doers." Sir John Perrot, on his return to Dublin, then called a Parliament, at which, we are informed by the " Four Masters," that John Macnamara, the elected representative of county Clare, was present, as also was the Earl of Thomond and several other O'Briens, widi the Bishop of Killaloe | It b probable that the representations of the earl, regarding the affairs of Clare, led the Lord Deputy to take up the land question at the point at which it had been left by Sir Henry Sidney in the year 1567, however this may be, it is certain that Sir J. Perrott appointed a Commission to proceed to Clare and inquire into the nature of the titles by which the landowners held

    • Rev. P. White's " History of Clare," p. 194. t Jo3rce*8 " History of Ireland," p. 423. t " Annals of the Four Masters," a.d. 1585.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 80

    As the companion tells it

    Coming up now is Dublin, where Clare's voice was heard in Parliament in 1585. The story begins years earlier. Sir Henry Sidney had brought the landowners of Clare to accept his views on a tax on rents under a new system, but he resigned office in 1567, and for the time being his arrangement with the landlords of Clare was allowed to drop. He returned to Ireland the following year, but his hands were so full of other matters that he had no time to follow up his land scheme in Clare. His third deputyship ended in 1578. Then Sir John Perrott took the head of the government in 1584. After about a month's delay he visited Athlone, Galway, and then proceeded through Clare, remaining for one night at Quin. There the sheriff of the county met him with a prisoner, one Donogh B, who had been concerned in some plundering and rising in Connaught. The Four Masters tell us this prisoner was hanged from a car, and his bones were broken and smashed with the back of a heavy axe, and his body, mangled and half dead, was fastened with tough hempen ropes to the top of the steeple of Quin, as a warning to evildoers. On his return to Dublin, Perrott called a Parliament. The Four Masters inform us that John Macnamara, the elected representative of County Clare, was present, as also was the Earl of Thomond and several other O'Briens, with the Bishop of Killaloe. It is probable that the representations of the earl regarding the affairs of Clare led the Lord Deputy to take up the land question at the point at which it had been left by Sidney in 1567. It is certain that Perrott appointed a Commission to proceed to Clare and inquire into the nature of the titles by which the landowners held.

24. Court of justice proposed at Ennis Monastery, 1570

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1570

    Sir Edward Fitton, president of Connaught, proposed holding an eighteen-day court in the Monastery of Ennis to administer justice and reduce the Clancuilein and other Dalcasian septs to order. Teigie O'Brien, first Sheriff of Clare, supplied food and drink for the president's use.

    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

25. Donchardh Macnamara killed by his own people after defeat

    Thomond · street · Dublin

    After Clancuilein's victory at Kilgorey, the other septs of Thomond combined to attack the Macnamaras, defeated them, and slew many of their leaders. Donchardh Macnamara, retreating with a few followers after the engagement, was killed by some of his own people in an act of treachery that the author says is unique in the history of the sept.

    Read the passage

    After this ** most notable feat of war which Clancuilein had executed,*^ O'Brien having learned that they were not guilty of the late commotion^ returned their hostages. But the other septs of Thomond took compassion on the cantreds of Hi-Blood, ** who had been riddled through and through, their leaders fallen and their hospitallers thinned off/* and so they combined to attack Clancuilein, a severe battle was fought and the Macnamaras were beaten, and many of their leaders slain. " As the gallant Donchardh with but a few about him to keep his retreat after that engagement, some of his people took counsel to fall on him, in pursuit of which evil resolve he was killed by them ; " an instance of treachery which, so far as the Irish records go, is unique in the hbtory of our sept

    * Standish Hayes O'Grady's translation of the ** Triumphs of Turlough," pp. 40 and 41.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    Along here is where the story of Donchardh Macnamara ends. After Clancuilein's notable feat of war at Kilgorey, O'Brien returned their hostages, satisfied they were not behind the late commotion. But the other septs of Thomond took compassion on the cantreds of Hi-Blood, whose leaders had fallen and whose hospitallers had been thinned. They combined to attack Clancuilein. A severe battle was fought, the Macnamaras were beaten, and many of their leaders slain. As the gallant Donchardh, with but a few about him to keep his retreat after that engagement, some of his people took counsel to fall on him, and he was killed by them. It is an instance of treachery which, so far as the Irish records go, is unique in the history of the sept.

26. Dublin Volunteers demand 'Free Trade or revolution,' 1779

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1779

    In October 1779, at an assembly of the Dublin Volunteers, placards were displayed bearing the slogan 'Free Trade or revolution.' This public pressure, alongside parliamentary advocacy by Grattan and others, contributed to the removal of trade restrictions on Irish agricultural produce in 1780.

    Read the passage

    The first real efibrt made by the Irish people to disentangle the political net by which they were surrounded, was to demand emancipation from the commercial restrictions imposed on the country; this demand was the more urgent in consequence of the terrible agricultural distress which exbted throughout Ireland in the year 1778. The Lord Lieutenant went so £u: as to urge on the Government in London the necessity for concessions in this direction, and after much hesitation Uie House of Commons consented to allow the agricultural produce of Ireland to be shipped to our colonies without, as heretofore, being first sent over to an English port to be transhipped to America or the West Indies. But even this relief to the starving Irish was violently opposed on the part of the mercantile classes and the landed proprietors in England. It was not, however, the time to heed clamour of this sort, tor public feeling was growing high in Ireland, and was soon likely to lead to very decided steps being taken against the restrictions on tnule.t For instance, in an outof-the-way place like Ennis, county Clare, at a meeting held in June 1778, presided over by Colonel Francis Macnamara, High Sheriff of the county, resolutions were first passed expressing the sincere loyalty of the meeting to the Sovereign ; after which it was moved and carried that the meettng pledged itself; and all those it could influence, not to purchase goods manu&ctured in England until sudi time as that country chose to grant Ireland FreeTtade ; similar meetings were held throughout the country 4 In October 1779, at an assembly of the Dublin Volunteers, placards were exhibited inscribed with the words ^ Free Ttade or revolution.''^ At the same time, Grattan, Sir Lucius O'Brien, and other members of the Irish Parliament, pressed the matter on the Government, and at length gained their end, for the restrictions on the produce of agriculture were removed in the yeai 1780. In die same session Bills were passed relieving Dissenters in Ireland from the Sacramental test; a habeas onpus Act was passed, in truth, England found it necessary to yield to the claims of the Irish, for she was then

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 128

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, you are moving through the city where, in October 1779, the Dublin Volunteers held an assembly and displayed placards inscribed with the words, Free Trade or revolution. The demand for free trade had been building for over a year. In 1778, terrible agricultural distress existed throughout Ireland. The Lord Lieutenant urged the Government in London to make concessions. After much hesitation, the House of Commons consented to allow Irish agricultural produce to be shipped to the colonies without first being sent to an English port for transhipment to America or the West Indies. But this relief was violently opposed by the mercantile classes and landed proprietors in England. It was not the time to heed that clamour. Public feeling was growing high in Ireland. In June 1778, even in a place like Ennis, county Clare, a meeting was held under Colonel Francis Macnamara, the High Sheriff of the county. The meeting first expressed sincere loyalty to the Sovereign, then pledged itself and all those it could influence not to purchase goods manufactured in England until that country chose to grant Ireland free trade. Similar meetings were held throughout the country. By October 1779, the Dublin Volunteers made their demand plain with those placards. At the same time, Grattan, Sir Lucius O'Brien, and other members of the Irish Parliament pressed the matter on the Government. They gained their end. The restrictions on agricultural produce were removed in 1780. In the same session, bills were passed relieving Dissenters in Ireland from the Sacramental test, and a habeas corpus act was passed. England found it necessary to yield to the claims of the Irish.

27. Florence Macnamara of Dromad MP for Ennis in James II's Parliament, 1689

    Drummod · townland · Clare · 1689

    Florence Macnamara of Dromad was elected Member of Parliament for Ennis in 1689 during James II's Parliament. Other Macnamaras including Colonel J. Macnamara also held positions as MP and High Sheriff of Clare.

    Read the passage

    In spite of this assurance, but little could be done for Colonel Macnamara. The greater part of his lands had been made over to Peter Creagh, an Englishman, so detested by the Irish that he had to be provided with a considerable part of the Cratloe property, because it was situated not far distant from the garrison of Limerick.* In spite, however, of the loss of most of his estates, J. Macnamara was elected a Member of Parliament for his county in 1689 ; he was also appointed High Sheriff of Clare. A relation of his, Florence Macnamara, of Dromad, was Member of Parliament for Ennis.t Some other members of the sept also secured portions of their former estates, as, for instance, J. Macnamara, of Creeragh ; Colonel Daniel ; and John, of Moyriesk. Teigie Macnamara, the eldest son of Daniel, of Rathfolan (p. 205), was a distinguished officer in James II.'s army. Under the stipulations of the treaty of Limerick, he held the remnant of his father's property in lower Bunratty; but having mortgaged these lands to Sir D. O'Brien, under failure of redemption, the mortgage was , foreclosed, and the last ancient property of Rathfolan passed from the Macnamaras into other hands (a.d. 1703). The castle, which had only been completed by Daniel Macnamara's father, is now a complete ruin.t After parting with the remainder of his former estates, Teigie Mac-

    • White's " History of Clare." p. 267.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 111

28. Ireton crosses the Shannon at Killaloe unopposed

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1650–1651

    Ireton needed to cross the Shannon to cut off Limerick from Clare supplies. He crossed at Killaloe where steep wooded hills meet the river, meeting no Confederate resistance despite it being easily defensible.

    Read the passage

    The Confederates still held Limerick, and Ireton considered it necessary to obtain possession of the city before disbanding the Parliamentary forces ; to effect this object he had to cross the Shannon and so stop suppliesreaching Limerick from Clare. The only place he could attempt to ford the Shannon was at Killaloe, where the steep wooded hills of Clare run down to the banks of the river ; and it would have been easy for the Confederate troops to have resisted the passage of Ireton's army across the Shannon. No elSbrt, however, was made to oppose the passage of the Parliamentary forces, and Ireton, to his surprise, crossed the river without difficulty, and marched unopposed along its Clare bank until he arrived opposite to Limerick ; he then dispatched a force of some three thousand men under Ludlow to scour Clare and drive in supplies of cattle for his army. Ludlow and his men penetrated the county as far as Burren and returned to the main army with droves of cattle.t

    A passage from Ludlow's memoirs regarding Burren has already been referred to (page 2). He states that in spite of bad roads his men marched forty miles in twenty-four hours. At one place he came across a party of the natives and ** he took a share with some of them in a pot of sour milk, which,'' he observes, ^* seemed to me the most pleasant liquor I ever drank." As a rule, the Irish kept out of his way,

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 95

29. King of Ulster's surprise attack on Tara

    Tara · parish · Meath

    The throne of Leinster under King Cormac held councils at Tara every three years. The King of Ulster marched on Tara without warning to seize sovereign power, forcing Cormac to flee his capital and seek aid from the King of Munster.

    Read the passage

    him. At this time the throne of Leinster was occupied by a king named Cormac, chief of the provincial King of Ireland. It appears to have been the custom for the ruler of Leinster, as monarch of the country, to summon the provincial kings and chiefs once every three years to a council at Tara, in order to regulate the afOedrs of the kingdom. On an occasion of this kind the King of Ulster determined to seize the sovereign power. Without warning he collected a laige force and marched on Tara ; Cormac was unprepared for this invasion, and had therefore to retire in haste from his capital. He then summoned a council of war, and inquired of his chief bard as to what steps it were best to adopt in existing circumstances. The bard replied: ^'O Cormac, unless that nearer to hand thou hast some battle-winning friend, then of Munster crave a champion, mighty hard-hitting, a lord that may relieve thee of all fear of enemies."^ The king then consulted the chief Druid on the subject, and he concurred in the opinion expressed by the bard So Cormac started off to the King of Munster, ^^ the first of the Dalcasians," and at his hands received a hearty welcome. *'The object for which we are come thither," the monarch said, *^ is to propitiate your good will,** which, said the King of Munster, "thou shall right willingly have.* And so it was arranged that the forces of Munster should be placed at the disposal of Cormac, the Dalcasian chief, and his brother, Cian, being entrusted with the command of the forces. A desperate battle followed, in which the King of Ulster was slain, and Cormac restored to his thro^ie, but the men of Munster suffered severely, Cian, their commander, the progenitor of the O'CarroUs of Ely, bemg killed. His son, named Tiege, was also wounded in this battle, and the surgical treatment which he received has already been described. Cormac Cas was wounded on the head, and for thirteen years, it is said, portions of his brain passed through the wound, but he continued to govern his province. Cormac Cas buOt himself a fort on the side of a hill, " in the midst of which was a sparkling translucent spring,t about which a ro3ral house was constructed, and the king's couch so placed as to allow cold water being constantly poured over his head, which alone gave him relief from pain.'* In this place Cormac Cas died, he was buried in the hill where the remains of his father, Olioll, and his mother, Sabia, had already been laid.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 37

30. Mac-con's nephew brought to Ennis where he died

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1317

    After the Battle of Corcomroe, Mac-con Macnamara's nephew was brought to Ennis for treatment. Though his body did not recover, his soul's cure was achieved, meaning he died at peace with God.

    Read the passage

    Mac-con went to Clonroad to be healed, and his nephew was brought to Ennis, where " his body, though it recovered not, yet his soul's cure was the result " ; which means that he was at peace with God. The other wounded were borne to their homes ; the whole host, sound and lame, scattered to their dwelimgs, and then it was that the poet uttered a lay : " Victorious, O progeny of Tal . . . ."

    In the summer following the battle of Corcomroe, under guarantee given by De Clare's wife and son, Mac-con Macnamara, as Mortough O'Brien's representative, went to offer De Clare terms of peace, t Sir

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 60

31. Macnamaras command Clare volunteer regiments

    near Clare · population centre · Clare

    Several Macnamaras commanded regiments of Clare volunteers, whose privates were tenant-farmers and their sons. The volunteers west of the Shannon were praised by Grattan for their temperate zeal, steady moderation, sobriety, and alacrity to assist civil powers.

    Read the passage

    The vohinteers were at first confined to Protestants^ but as their numbers increased no questions were asked concerning a recruit's religion, and some of the regiments were entirely formed of men professing the Roman Catholic religion.! Several of the Macnamaras commanded tegiments of Clare volunteers; the privates were tenantfarmers and then: sons.

    The Right Hon. H. Grattan, who knew these men, especially those to the west of the Shannon, states that they were characterised by ** their temperate zeal, their steady moderation, their sobriety, their alacrity to assist the civil powers ; and their readiness to mardi at a few hours' notkre under orders of Government'' He adds : '* There was a serious, useful, irresistible principle, which seemed to be a part of their existence and success, something which reconciled the fears of the timid, and silenced the murmurs of those who wished their dissolution." { Sir J. Barrington, writing on the same subject, remarks that the intercourse and military training of the Irish farmer and his lads seemed to transform them; they became different creatures both in appearance and manner ; a striking revolution took place in their minds, and also in their external appearance.''§ The men's minds, like their bodies, were thought under discipline, and elevated by coming into contact with their superiors.) Francis Dobbs remarics that knowing the volunteers well he could not adequately ** express his respect and admiration of what he beheld in this movement ; " he continues : ^* It has been argued that volunteering wa^^ the men's time," but, he observes, '' I venture to assert there is not a poor man in the kingdom the poorer for being a volunteer, the exercise of arms b his recreation, and no bad substitute for cock-fighting, horse-radng, and so on ; and, moreover, a saving rather than loss, for sobriety and discipline are necessary." ||

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 126

32. Morrogh O'Brien created Earl of Thomond, Donogh Baron of Ibrickan (1543)

    Thomond · street · Dublin · 1543

    After Morrogh O'Brien's submission, Henry VIII recommended he receive an estate and honour. The Lord Deputy proposed Morrogh be created Earl of Thomond and Donogh O'Brien Baron of Ibrickan. On 1 July 1543, they received their titles from Henry VIII at Greenwich.

    Read the passage

    After receiving the submission of Morrogh O'Brien, Henry VIII. wrote as follows to the Lord Deputy : ** We think it mete in case he shall repayer to our Parliament, as reason is he shude, that he shuld make humble sute to us to receive some estate and honour at our handes, mete to be placed in our Parliament; for he can neither stand with our honour, nor with state of our Parliament, to have any man placed there as a Pere, but he have indede the state of a Pere, by the right cours and ordre of our lawes." The Lord Deputy therefore recommended that Morrogh O'Brien should be created '' Erie of Thomond," and Donogh O'Brien Baron of Ibrickan during Morrogh's lifetime, after which he was to succeed to his uncle's titles and estates. The O'Briens, Clanricardes, and others, went over to England, and on the ist of July, a.d. 1543, received their titles from Henry VIII. at Greenwich. To cover O'Brien's expenses to England the Lord Deputy had to lend him '' an hundred pounds sterUng in harp grotes, in default of other money, for there ys no sterling money to be had within this, your realme."

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 74

    As the companion tells it

    Along this street is Thomond, the name tied to a title created in 1543. After Morrogh O'Brien made his submission, Henry VIII wrote to the Lord Deputy saying it was fitting that Morrogh should make humble suit to receive some estate and honour, mete to be placed in Parliament, for he could neither stand with the King's honour nor with the state of Parliament to have any man placed there as a peer unless he had indeed the state of a peer by the right course and order of the laws. The Lord Deputy therefore recommended that Morrogh O'Brien be created Earl of Thomond, and Donogh O'Brien Baron of Ibrickan during Morrogh's lifetime, after which Donogh was to succeed to his uncle's titles and estates. The O'Briens, the Clanricardes, and others went over to England, and on the 1st of July 1543 received their titles from Henry VIII at Greenwich. To cover O'Brien's expenses the Lord Deputy had to lend him a hundred pounds sterling in harp groats, in default of other money, for there was no sterling money to be had within this realm.

33. Mrs. Delany visits Clare gentry, 1732

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1732

    Mrs. Delany, visiting Clare in 1732, described the extravagant hospitality of the gentry. At one residence the house was little more than a large cabin with spare furniture, yet the proprietor kept a man-cook and treated her magnificently, sending her off with baskets of provisions.

    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

34. Norwegian king stays at Kincora with Mortagh

    near Kincora · monument · Clare · 1119

    Sigard, son of the King of Norway, stayed with Mortagh at Kincora for upwards of a year to enjoy the hunting and fishing for which that part of Ireland had always been famous. Mortagh also supplied Irish oak for the roof of Westminster Hall.

    Read the passage

    with Irish oaky it is said, to form the roof of Westminster Hall. The Irish king's sister married a brother of the Earl of Shrewsbury ; another sister married Sigard, the son of the King of Norway. This king stayed with Mortagh at Kincora for upwards of a year to enjoy the hunting and fishing for which that part of Ireland had always been famous. Mortagh fell into bad health during the latter part of his reign ; he died AJ>. 1 1 19, and was buried at Killaloe. He was succeeded by Connor, as King of Munster, his brother Turlogh becoming King of Thomond ; so that Munster was again divided, as it had been previously to Brian Bom's time, into South Munster or Desmond, and North Munster or Thomond. After Connor's death in the year 1143 ^® ^^ succeeded as King of Munster by Turlough O'Brien, his nephew Mortagh becoming King of Thomond.*

    Cumea Mor Macnafnara. — During the year 1134, Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond, being absent from his territory, Macarthy, chief of Desmond, invaded the province, ^'and in an engagement with the Dalcais, headed by Cumea Macnamara of Ui-Caisin,''t that chief was killed. His death is referred to by the annalists as follows : they state " it was a just judgment on Cumea for having plundered, during the previous year, the great cathedral church of Tuam." Macarthy, after having slain the chief of Clancuilein, was returning with great booty to South Munster, but was overtaken by the Macnamara sept, who recaptured their property and slew Macarthy. It was during Connor's reign that Cormac, Prince Bishop of Cashel, built the beautiful chapel which still exists on the rock in that place, a very gem of massive architecture, which, together with the wonderful missab and other penmanship of the time, demonstrate the fact that, amidst all the fighting and turmoil going on in Ireland, the arts were not neglected ; the work of the twelfth century in iron, gold and silver, not only shows taste in design but skill in workmanship.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 45

35. Papal Bull grants Franciscans possession of Quin Abbey 1433

    Quin · town · Clare · 1433

    In 1433, Pope Eugene IV issued a Bull to Mac-con Macnamara, Duke of Clan Cuilen, granting powers for the Franciscan order to take possession of Quin Abbey. The friars remained there until the abbey was occupied by Cromwell's soldiers.

    Read the passage

    the precincts of the abbey are full of monuments erected to deceased members of our sept In the year 1433, we are told by Wadding, that the Supreme Pontiff Eugene IV., issued a Bull to " Dilecto filio nobili mio Mac-con Macnamara. Duci de Clan CuUen," granting powers for the Franciscan order to take possession of Quin Abbey, and there they remained until it was occupied by Cromwell's soldiers."^

    The ^^ Four Masters ^ state that in 1428 " Macnamara, chief of Clancuilein, died ; a charitable and truly hospitable man, who suppressed robbery and theft, and established peace and tranquillity in his territories."

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 68

36. Quin Abbey college re-opened, 1641 Confederation

    Quin · town · Clare · 1641

    Taking advantage of religious freedom granted by the Catholic Confederation of 1641, the Franciscan community at Quin Abbey repaired and re-opened its college. Within a short time some eight hundred Irish youths were receiving instruction there, including the historian Anthony Bruodin and eighteen members of his family.

    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

37. Surrender of Bunratty Castle

    Bunratty Castle · castle · Clare · 1641–1648

    During the Confederate Wars, Bunratty Castle was surrendered. The Macnamaras were also involved in the battle of Knodanoness.

    Read the passage

    Charles L's and James IL's opinion as to state of Ireland in their time— Canse of rebdlion of 1641 — Donogh and Tdgie Macnamara appointed to keep order in Clare— English in Clare not ill-treated by Irish— Siege of Ballyallia— Donogh Mannamara sent on a mission to O'Neill— Roman Catholic Confederation — Two of the Macnamaras appointed by people of Clare to represent them in Confederate Council— The Pope's Nnndo Rinnodni arrives in Ireland — Lord IncUqnin — Snrreoder of Bunratty Castle— The Macnamaras at the battle of Knodanoness— Rinnodni leaves Ireland, a.d. 1648— Cromwdl's mle in Ireland — SiQge of Limerick— Teigie Macnamara surrenders the place to the Parliamentary forces— Daniel Macnamara signs treaty on behalf of the Clare Brigade — Qnin Abbey— Its destmction by Cromwdl's soldiers— Roger Macnamara — Importation of Catholic Irish into Clare— Confiscation of the Macnamara estates— They held the same lands in 2654 which had been granted to them in the fifth oentnry ; and no lands outside boundary of former tribal lands — Of two hundred and ninety-three prindpal families of the Macnamara living in these lands in 1654 only six were permitted to retain a part of their estates — The remainder expelled to Burren, the West Indies, or left to labour on the property formerly their own — Rathfolan and Ballinacragga family expelled to north of Burren Pp. 288-205

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 5

38. Teigie Macnamara garrisons Clare Castle for King James

    near Clarecastle · population centre · Clare · 1690–1691

    After the Battle of the Boyne, Teigie Macnamara of Rathfolan raised his own troop and garrisoned Clare Castle, holding it for King James until the capitulation of Limerick. Under the terms of that surrender, Teigie retained possession of a portion of the Rathfolan estates.

    Read the passage

    We must pass over the battle of Aughrim and the details of the secopd siege of Limerick. Suffice it to remark that Teigie Macnamara (of Rathfolan), after the Battle of the Bojme raised a troop of his own and with it garrisoned Clare Castle, which he held for King James until the capitu* lation of Limerick, under the provisions of which it appears that Teigie retained possession of a portion of the Rathfolan estates.

    After the surrender of Limerick a third confiscation of Irish property took place. "V^^lliam had to serve his friends and followers, and he did . so as his predecessors had done, by seizing such Irish lands as he could lay hands upon ; among these were Lord Clare's estates, to the extent of some 86,000 acres, which l^lliam gave to his friend, Joost Van Kepple, Earl of Albemarle. Lord Clare made his wiU in October 1690, and among other bequests we find the following : ^ I leave to my brother Colonel John Macnamara, two mares of the Neapolitan breed, and

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 113

39. Turlough O'Brien inaugurated King of Thomond at Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1276

    After a battle, Turlough O'Brien proceeded with his victorious army to Magh Adhair, where he was inaugurated King of Thomond by Sioda Macnamara. Magrath noted that the septs of Thomond were delighted to receive their rightful ruler, though no religious ceremony is mentioned.

    Read the passage

    After thb battle De Clare endeavoured to come to an arrangement with Tudough, but the latter declined so much as to listen to words of peace after what had happened to his relation Brian Roe, although he was his enemy. Turlough proceeded with his victorious army to Magh Adhair, and was there inaugurated King of Thomond by Sioda Macnamara : Magrath states ** that the septs of Thomond were delighted to receive their rightfiil ruler." It is remarkable that in this and other references made by Magrath to the inauguration of the O'Briens as kings of Thomond, that no mention is made of any reli^ous ceremony on these occasions ; if we turn to the *^ Icelandic Saj^ " (vol iv. p. 332) we find, in the year a.d. 1261, how different was the service performed at the coronation of Eling Magnus, the archbidiops, bishops, and clergy being promment personages in the ceremony (aj>. 1276).

    De Clare having &iled to come to terms with Turlough, felt that the charter he had received &<»n the King of England granting him posses-

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

40. Sir John Macnamara released and made Sheriff of Clare

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1623

    After Sir James Perrott thoroughly reviewed the evidence, he concluded Sir John Macnamara was innocent, released him from confinement, and reinstated him in full possession of his property. Macnamara was subsequently appointed High Sheriff of Clare in 1623 and lived until 1632.

    Read the passage

    Sir J. Perrott, having subsequently gone thoroughly into the evidence and circumstances of Sir J. Macnamara's case, arrived at the conclusion that he was innocent of the crime of which he was accused, and not only released him from confinement, but reinstated him in the full possession of his property ; he was appointed High Sheriff of Clare in 1623. S^ Jo^Q Uv^ until 1632, and we have a copy of his will leaving his estates to his three nephews; he had no children. As ahready stated, it is probable this chaige against Sir J. Macnamara was a plot to ruin him, and so lead to the confiscation of his property. It is to be observed that the Earl of Thomond's name appears more than once in the proceedings, and his influence would doubtless have been considerable with a Deputy such as Sir A. Chichester. That the Earl was capable <^ taking action of this kind is shown by his proceedings in the following case concerning the Macnamaras of Tulla.

    The fiacts regarding this case have been drawn up from official documents, which are still in existence and were collected by the ChevaUer O'Gorman in the year 1782. His original MS. is in the library of the Royal Irish Academy (24 D. 10). In this document O'Gorman traces step by step the evidence given before Inquisitions taken at Ennis in 1585, and subsequently as to the action of the Earl of Thomond in the year 161 1 to gain possession of the estates of Fermoy, Tulla, f and Lissofin in Clare. O'Gorman wished to demonstrate by means of a wellauthenticated case the process taken under the newly introduced English law for depriving an old Celtic fiunily of their landed property.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 87

41. Battle of Corcomroe near the abbey in Burren

    near Corcomroe Abbey · monument · Clare

    One of the most important battles in the history of Clare was fought near Corcomroe Abbey, surrounded by the hills of Burren. The Macnamaras distinguished themselves. Magrath's vivid description notes the humane treatment of wounded as 'no longer foes but brothers in trouble.'

    Read the passage

    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.

    So long as success in battle depended on a strong arm and individual prowess, the men of Clare held their own against domestic and foreign foes ; but after arms of precision had been introduced these people completely succumbed. The truth was they had not then the means of purdiasing guns, and if they had, there was no one to teach them how to use them, or to drill them as soldiers ; they could act as individuals, man against man, but not against tramed bodies of troops. As before remarked, after the introduction of powder and shot as destructive agents in war, the Celts of the West of Ireland disappeared as an independent people.}

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 102

42. Battle of Quin, 1499

    Quin · town · Clare · 1499

    In 1499, the Lord Deputy Kildare advanced to Quin where he was met by Conor O'Brien and the Macnamara sept. After a fiercely contested battle, Kildare was utterly routed and forced to flee across the Shannon with the remnants of his troops.

    Read the passage

    belonged to Finn Macnamara. Leaving a garrison in this place, he moved on to Quin, where he was met by Conor O'Brien, who had hastily summoned the Macnamara and other Dalcasian septs to his aid, in order to oppose the progress of the Lord Deputy. After a fiercely contested battle Kildare was utterly routed by the Irish, and with difficulty made good his escape with the remnants of his troops across the Shannon. This battle was fought in a.d. 1499, and in the same year Conor O'Brien died, and was succeeded by his nephew Torlogh, who married Finola, a daughter of Rory Macnamara, by whom he had five sons, the two eldest respectively became rulers of Thomond ; the second son, Morrogh, however, resigned the chieftainship of the Principality, and became Earl of Thomond during the reign of Hemy VIIL*

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 69

43. Bishop of Derry fells estate timber

    Derry · townland · Clare

    The Bishop of Derry, fearing political change might deprive him of his confiscated estate, cut down and sold all valuable timber on it. This inflicted irreparable injury on the Irish landscape, a pattern repeated by many English landholders.

    Read the passage

    coantiy, did, by letters patent dated from Newmarket, 26tli November, 1614, direct a grant to be made by patent to H. Tuttesham, who by petition hath made offer to repair to Ireland, and there use his best endeayours to destroy the said wolves, providing at his own charge men, dogs, traps, engines, and requiring no other allowance save only four nobles steiling for the head of every wol^ young or old, out of any county, and to be authorised to keep four men, and twelve couple of hounds in every county for seven years next after the date of this letter "(''Transactions of the Royal Society of Antiquarians," vol. xiv. page 62). The wolves, however, were to be exterminated by other means, for the forests in which they lived were speedily cut down, and the timber sold or burnt after the English took possession of the country. Timber was required in Clare for smelting iron and working coal mines. For instance, in the year 1605 ^^ Itain that King James granted to ** J. Cutler and W. Phillips, certain grounds in Macnamara's country west of Shannon, with the right to open a coal mine." The Conunissioners appointed by Parliament to inquire into the disposal of the confiscated estates observe, that '' dreadful havoc has been committed on the woods ; for those on whom the confiscated lands have been bestowed, or their agents have been so eager after the smallest profit, that several large trees have been cut down and sold for sixpence each ; the destruction is still carried on in many parts of the country."* The Bishop of Kihnore, between the years 1699 and 17 13, cut down and sold for his own profit, timber to the amount of ;^2o,ooo. The Bishop of Derry and many other Englishmen, who cared nothing for the lovely woods of Ireland, and feared lest a political change might deprive them of their confiscated estates, thought best to make the most of what they had, and cut down and sold all the valuable timber on their estates, and thus inflicted an irreparable injury on the oountry.f Of these woods Edmund Spenser in his '* Faerie Queene"t wrote:

    Whylome when Ireland flourished in lame

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

44. Brehon law cited in Clare land title defense

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1585

    Daniel Macnamara argued that the statute of mortmain could not apply to County Clare in Richard II's reign because at that period the Brehon laws alone were in force and not an acre of land in Clare was held by the English. The jury refused to admit any defect in the title, and Daniel Macnamara remained in possession.

    Read the passage

    The Commission discovered that the ancestors, Mahon and Donogh Macnamara, of the existing owners of TuUa and Lissofin, had been ecclesiastics of some kind about the year 1393. The plea was therefore put forward that these were Church lands, and must therefore be forfeited to the Crown under the statute of mortmain. The owner of the estates* Daniel Macnamara, argued that even supposing their ancestors had entered holy orders, there was nevertheless undoubted evidence to prove that the property had been held by members of their family for more than two hundred years. How was it possible, therefore, that these estates could be Church lands? Beyond this it was urged that the -statute of mortmain could not apply to co. Clare in Richard IL's reign, for at that period the Brehon laws alone were in force, and not an acre of land in Clare was then held by the English. The Commission who heard the case were aided by a jury ; and as these refused to admit that there was any defect in the title, the matter was allowed to stand over, and Daniel Macnamara remained in poss^ion of his property. But, as ahready explained, p. 170, the Governor of Connaught in a letter written to the English Minister, Walsyngham, states, with regard to the inquisition of Clare taken in 1585, that "the late Lord Deputy Perrott and Sir Nicholas White, who took much upon him in these matters, handled the matter so far in fieivour <^ the Earl of Thomond, as after their coming to Dublin they made up the books (regarding the inquisition) according to their own pleasure, to the no little hindrance of many a man in the province." These officials determined among other matters that the * " Irdand and the Anglo-Norman Church/' p. 355.

    Digitized by VjOOQIC

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 87

45. Defeat of Edward Bruce at Dundalk

    Dundalk · town · Louth · 1318

    Edward Bruce, who had invaded Ireland and caused widespread famine and plague, was defeated and killed by the English in an engagement at Dundalk. His death was considered a great benefit to the country by the Four Masters.

    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

46. Earl of Thomond renounces name at Limerick Cathedral

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1558

    After being restored to his position in 1558, Donough, the third Earl of Thomond, attended a solemn service at the Cathedral of Limerick. There he publicly renounced the O'Brien name and promised fidelity to the English crown.

    Read the passage

    large a force that the Lord Deputy thought it unwise to risk a battle^ and so came to terms with the Dalcasian chief. In the following year^ 1558, Sussex again entered Clare and speedily drove Donald O'Brien into exile, replacing him by the lawful heir to the property and title of the Earl of Thomond. When Donough, the third Earl, had thus been placed in a secure position he attended a solemn service in the Cathedral of Limerick, and publicly renounced the name of O'Brien as an appellation or title, promising to be faithful to the crown of England, and to rule the people of Thomond according to the laws of the realm. Important stipulations were on this occasion imposed on certain of the landlords of Thomond, and among them the representatives of one of the principal branches of the Macnamaras, who undertook on behalf of himself and his retainers to be faithful subjects of the English crown, and also to be true to their chief the Earl of Thomond.* A copy of this agreement has been preserved and translated into English by Mr» Hardmian, it runs as follows : f

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 75

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where, in 1558, Donough, the third Earl of Thomond, came to the Cathedral for a solemn service. Earlier that year, the Lord Deputy Sussex had entered Clare and driven Donald O'Brien into exile, replacing him with Donough as the lawful heir to the property and title. Once securely placed in that position, Donough attended the service at the Cathedral of Limerick and publicly renounced the name of O'Brien as an appellation or title. He promised to be faithful to the crown of England and to rule the people of Thomond according to the laws of the realm. On the same occasion, important stipulations were imposed on certain landlords of Thomond, among them representatives of one of the principal branches of the Macnamaras. They undertook on behalf of themselves and their retainers to be faithful subjects of the English crown and true to their chief, the Earl of Thomond. A copy of this agreement was preserved and later translated into English by Mr. Hardiman.

47. English defeated entering Clare at Killaloe (1192)

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1192

    In 1192 the English concentrated forces and entered Clare at Killaloe, turning westward along the Shannon and then striking north to overrun the Ui-Caisin territories. They were met by Dalcasians under the O'Briens and Macnamaras, completely defeated, and forced to retreat across the Shannon.

    Read the passage

    In 1 192 the English determined to subdue the Dalcasians, and so concentrated their forces and entered Clare at Killaloe ; turning westward along the Shannon, they then struck north| intending to overrun the Ui-Caisin territories; but they were here met by the Dalcasians under command of the O'Briens and Macnamaras; the English were completely defeated and had to retreat in hot haste across the Shannon.

    In the year 1 231, we learn that King Henry III. made a grant oi the province of Thomond to Donough O'Brien on the understanding

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

48. Fitzstephen lands near Wexford, 1169

    Wexford · town · Wexford · 1169

    Robert Fitzstephen crossed to Ireland in 1169 and landed near Wexford to aid the expelled MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, marking the beginning of Anglo-Norman military intervention in Ireland on Henry II's authority.

    Read the passage

    having been asked by MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, to help him to regain the throne from which he had been expelled by his subjects, in consequence of his licentious mode 6f life, Henry at once recognised the advisability of taking advantage of the King of Leinster's appeal for aid, and so of gaining a pretext for interfering in the affairs of Ireland. The King of England, therefore, issued orders from Normandy conferring powers on certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid MacMurrogh to r^;am his throne ; among others Robert Fitzstephen responded to this call, and in the year 1169 passed over to Ireland and landed near Wexford. Fitzstephen on arriving in Ireland was joined by MacMurrogh ; one of their early feats was to bum the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, Slime, and Clonard, a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV. for making over Ireland to Henry II.

    It is unnecessary to describe the slaughter which followed in the steps of Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), who landed in Ireland in the year 11 70. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were then fighting with one another, and far too intent upon their own objects to combine and defend their country from invasion.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 48

49. Mac Con proclaimed monarch at Tara

    Tara · parish · Meath

    After his crushing victory at Mucramha, Mac Con marched to Tara and had himself proclaimed monarch of Ireland. He adopted the son of the former king, who subsequently became the famous Cormac Mac-Art.

    Read the passage

    Munster, and the allies, led by Eoghan (Olioll's eldest son) and six of his tm>thersy marched to resist their step-brother Mac Con and his allies.* In the batde which ensued, not only was the monarch of Ireland slain, but also Eoghan and his brothers. So crushing a defeat was at once taken advantage of by Mac Con, who marched to Tara and caused himself to be proclaimed monarch of the country. He adopted the son of the former king, and this lad subsequently became the famous Cormac Mac-Art, to whose opinions reference is made in a former chapter (p. 47).

    It was necessary to enter into the above details in order to understand the somewhat complicated system of succession to the throne of Munster. OlioU, before his death, appointed, with the consent of his tribe, one of his remaining sons, Cormac Cas, as his tanist At the time Olioll made this arrangement he did not know that his eldest son had married the night before the battle in which he was killed, and that the result of this marriage was a son. So soon as Olioll was assured of this &ct he revoked his former decision, and arranged that Cormac Cas should succeed bim ; but he decided that, as Eoghan had a son, he or his heirs must follow Cormac as King of Munster, the province being governed alternately by the family of Eoghan and then by the heirs of Conxiac Cas, "without quarrel or dispute."! The descendants of Eoghan formed the tribe known as the Eoghanists, and the descendants of Cormac Cas the tribe of the Dalcasians.t ^ ^wiju^cieM^^

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 37

50. Outlaws of the Bishop of Killaloe raiding Thomond borders

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1569

    In 1569 Sir H. Sidney received a petition from Galway stating that bastard sons of the Bishop of Killaloe, an O'Brien, robbed travellers on the borders of Thomond and raided a castle. After the bishop's death in 1569, the English Government appointed the first Protestant bishop of Killaloe.

    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

51. Tradition of stolen papal horses near Tulla

    Tulla · town · Clare

    A tradition connected with Tulla holds that men from Cill-o-Sluaiste stole the horses, mules, and asses of a Cardinal sent from Rome to Ireland, during the time of Domhuall Mór O'Brien, King of Munster. This act of revenge was said to have influenced Pope Adrian IV's grant of Ireland to the English king.

    Read the passage

    t Mr. King (" Chnrch History of Ireland ") gives a tradition connected with TuUa which is said to have inflnenced the Damons Bull of Adrian IV., as follows : "The sale of Ireland by the Pope to the King of England was brought about, partly at least, under the influence of revenge for injuries inflicted on a papal officer by the Irish, worried as it would seem to resistance by his extortions. The account is as follows : O'Annoe and O'Chelchin of Cilmor O'Sluaiste from Cill-o- Sluaiste.orO'Slattery's (5m Frost's "History of Clare."p.2z8). These were they who stole the horses and the mules and the asses of the CanHnal who came from Rome to the land of Erin to instruct it, in the time of Domhuall Mor O'Brien, King of Munster ; and it was on that account that the successor of Peter sold the rent and right ol Erin to the Saxons, and that is the right and title which the Saxons follow on the Irish (Gaedhil) at this day, for to the successor of Peter in Rome used to go the rent and tribute of Erin until then." (Dwyer, p. 536.)

    Digitized by VjOOQIC

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 48

52. Two Clare lads join Captain Macnamara's ship in the Baltic

    Doolin · townland · Clare · 1808

    In 1808, Captain James Macnamara, commanding the Berwick in the Baltic, received on board two young relatives, Timothy Nugent and Burton Macnamara, who had come fresh from Doolin, County Clare. Both belonged to the Burren branch of the sept and went on to distinguished naval careers.

    Read the passage

    * The following year Captain Macnamara was under Nelson's command, aa^ was with him in his engagement with the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent. In x8o8 he commanded the Birwick, a 74-gun vessel, and did excellent service in the Baltic ; and at this time he received on board his vessel two young relatives, lads fresh from Doolen, ca Clare, Timothy Nugent and Burton Macnamara. belonging therefore to the Barren branch of the sept Burton, rose to be an Admiral of the Fleet, and K.C.B. ; he lived to be eighty-three years of age. and died in Dublin, 1877 ; he was the younger brother of Major William Nugent Macnamara, who for many years represented co. Clare in the House of Commons. Timothy Nugent, rose to the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy, and his son, Colonel Nugent Macnamara, of the Royal Marine Artillery, is at present residing at Hove; his sister Florence, is married to General C. Wallace, both living at Ryde.

    t The letter is addressed to John Macnamara, Esq.. Uangoed Castle, Brecon, South Wales.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 135

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Doolin, two lads left home in 1808 and made their way to the Baltic, where their kinsman Captain James Macnamara commanded the Berwick, a 74-gun vessel. Their names were Timothy Nugent and Burton Macnamara, fresh from this part of County Clare, belonging to the Burren branch of the sept. Captain Macnamara had served under Nelson the year before, at the engagement with the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent. Now, doing excellent service in the Baltic, he took these two young relatives on board his ship. Both went on to distinguished naval careers. Burton Macnamara rose to be Admiral of the Fleet. He lived to be 83 and died in Dublin in 1877. He was the younger brother of Major William Nugent Macnamara, who represented County Clare in the House of Commons for many years. Timothy Nugent rose to the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy. His son Colonel Nugent Macnamara of the Royal Marine Artillery was residing at Hove, and his sister Florence married General C. Wallace, both living at Ryde.

53. Archbishop of Tuam destroys Mac Dara idol on Aran Islands

    near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway · 1650

    In the middle of the seventeenth century, the Archbishop of Tuam had to cross over to the isles of Arran to destroy the oak figure of 'Mac Dara,' which the people continued to worship despite clerical efforts to end the practice. The episode illustrates the persistence of pagan influences in this part of Ireland.

    Read the passage

    extreme, and said to have been built by the same hands as those which elected the forts above referred to ; pagans and Christians dwelt side by side, the sentiments of the former largely influencing the people of this part of Ireland up to within comparatively recent times. For instance, in the middle of the seventeenth century we are informed that the Archbishop of Tuam had to cross over to the isles of Arran to destroy the oak figure of ''Mac Dara," which the people then worshipped in spite of all the clergy could do to induce them to abandon the adoration <^ this idol.^ At the present time Irish men and women living to the west of the Shannon are full of the folk-lore and ideas derived from their ancestors.

    County Clare has no seaport town or bay of sufficient depth and magnitude to aflford protection to modem vessels. Excepting Ennis, with its 6000 inhabitants, there are no important towns or many large villages in Clare ; it is covered with hamlets, in which small farmers and tradesmen reside being essentially an agricultural district.!

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 9

54. Belfast nearly ungarrisoned, sparking Ulster volunteer movement, 1778

    near Belfast · city · Antrim · 1778

    In 1778, a well-founded report circulated that the French had collected an expedition to land at Belfast. The town had been left almost without a garrison of regular troops, and this prompted the commencement of the volunteer movement in Ulster, with men initially armed simply with scythes and agricultural weapons.

    Read the passage

    In 1778 there was a well-founded report that the French had collected an expedition which was to effect a landing at BeUast, the town had been left almost without a garrison of regular troops, and this was the commencement of the volunteer movement in Ulster, the men at first being armed simply with scythes and other agricultural weapons. The volunteers rapidly increased in numbers, and in the jrear 1782 it is stated the force amounted in Ireland to no less than 100,000 officers and men, Cairly armed, drilled, and taught to act in large bodies ; they also possessed a small force of artillery. England was powerless in the matter, her hands were more than full with rebellion in her American dependencies, and her shores threatened with the combined forces of Fhmce and SpaiiL It was at such a tune the Irish volunteers came to the fore^ having no idea of political independence or of ulterior possibilities ; their function was to maintain peace in Ireland, and if possible to save her from being overrun by a foreign army.

    ♦ Hardixnan's •• History of Galway/* p. 189. t Ihid.^ p. 191.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 127

55. Bishop of Killaloe's camp at Quin suppressed

    Quin · town · Clare · 1649–1650

    The Catholic Bishop of Killaloe gathered followers and camped at Quin to resist, but the Earl of Ormond immediately suppressed the movement and sent the bishop and his followers home.

    Read the passage

    French lady for three months, and dien landed in Scotland. Charles almost immediately issued a proclamation cancelling his Other's treaty with the Irish Confederation. In diis proclamation he stated that the late king had no power to enter into negotiations with Papists ; and he thus closed the door agamst freedom of religion to the Roman Catholics o( Ireland. The Catholic Bishop of KiUaloe endeavoured once again to arouse the Irish, and having collected a body of followers pitched his camp at Quin. This movement, however, was immediately suppressed by the Earl of Ormond, and the bishop and his followers sent to their homes. But Ormond found he could no longer serve Ireland with advantage, and he therefore left the country, having made over the remnants of the Royalist army to Lord Taaife,* and Lord Castlehaven, and among them two hundred men of the Clare Brigade, commanded by Colonel D. Macnamara and Captain Sheda Macnamara.f

    The Confederates still held Limerick, and Ireton considered it necessary to obtain possession of the city before disbanding the Parliamentary forces ; to effect this object he had to cross the Shannon and so stop suppliesreaching Limerick from Clare. The only place he could attempt to ford the Shannon was at Killaloe, where the steep wooded hills of Clare run down to the banks of the river ; and it would have been easy for the Confederate troops to have resisted the passage of Ireton's army across the Shannon. No elSbrt, however, was made to oppose the passage of the Parliamentary forces, and Ireton, to his surprise, crossed the river without difficulty, and marched unopposed along its Clare bank until he arrived opposite to Limerick ; he then dispatched a force of some three thousand men under Ludlow to scour Clare and drive in supplies of cattle for his army. Ludlow and his men penetrated the county as far as Burren and returned to the main army with droves of cattle.t

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 95

56. Brian Boru's allies at the Battle of Clontarf

    Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

    At the Battle of Clontarf, the King of Leinster declined to assist Brian Boru against the Norsemen. Earlier, the King of Ossory had refused to let Brian's wounded soldiers pass through his territory due to an old grudge against the Dalcassians, illustrating the disunity among Irish provincial kings.

    Read the passage

    From the fifth until the middle of the sixteenth century Ireland was nominally ruled by four or five provincial kings, who were constantly at war with one another in order to gain supremacy over the country. Brian Boru, by dint of hard fighting became monarch of Ireland about the year 1002, and as such received tribute firom the provincial kings. We have the details of the procedure followed by the various chiefs at Brian's table; the amount of tribute which each had to supply; but we hear nothing of a National Council. After Brian Bom's efforts to firee his country firom the Norsemen, the King of Ossory refused to permit his wounded soldiers to pass through his territory on account of some old standing grudge he had against the Dalcasians, and at the battle of Clontarf the Kmg of Leinster declined to assist Brian. Once only the provincial kings met in Council, with the object of devising means by which they might combine for the defence of their country against foreigners : but when they came together the question arose as to which of the kings was to take precedence at the Council-table ; they could not arrive at a satisfactory conclusion on this point, and so the meeting broke up, and there was an end to anything approaching

    U

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 142

57. Burning of churches at Kells, Slane and Clonard

    Kells · townland · Clare · 1169

    After landing, Fitzstephen and MacMurrogh burned the large ecclesiastical establishments at Kells, Slane, and Clonard, which the author wryly notes was a remarkable way of furthering the religion that was the ostensible justification for the papal grant of Ireland.

    Read the passage

    having been asked by MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, to help him to regain the throne from which he had been expelled by his subjects, in consequence of his licentious mode 6f life, Henry at once recognised the advisability of taking advantage of the King of Leinster's appeal for aid, and so of gaining a pretext for interfering in the affairs of Ireland. The King of England, therefore, issued orders from Normandy conferring powers on certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid MacMurrogh to r^;am his throne ; among others Robert Fitzstephen responded to this call, and in the year 1169 passed over to Ireland and landed near Wexford. Fitzstephen on arriving in Ireland was joined by MacMurrogh ; one of their early feats was to bum the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, Slime, and Clonard, a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV. for making over Ireland to Henry II.

    It is unnecessary to describe the slaughter which followed in the steps of Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), who landed in Ireland in the year 11 70. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were then fighting with one another, and far too intent upon their own objects to combine and defend their country from invasion.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 48

58. Clare and the Macnamaras at peace during rebellions 1551-1582

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1551–1582

    During the years of war and famine from 1551 to 1582, the inhabitants of county Clare enjoyed comparative peace while O'Neill's rebellion and Desmond's rising devastated other parts of Ireland. The Macnamaras remained in full possession of their lands and continued under their old laws and customs.

    Read the passage

    During the frightful years of war and famine, first in the north and -then the south of Ireland, which lasted torn 1551 to 1582, the inhabitants of county Clare enjoyed comparative peace. The O'Briens still held considerable influence among the members of the old Dalcasian tribe, and their chief was a staunch Mend of the Earl of Ormond and so of the Queen ; the Abb^ Macgeoghegan, therefore, may have been right when he stated that the Macnamaras were kept in check during these perilous times by the Earl of Thomond ;t but it is doubtful from the nature of the rising if the members of Clancuilein would have had much sympathy with the Earl of Desmond. At this time they were in fuU possession of their landed property and carried on their afiairs according to their old laws and customs, and, as we shall subsequently learn, their chief source of anxiety at this period was not so much fix>m the action of the English as firom that of their relative and former chief the Earl of Thomond.

    During this time we find more than one reference in the ** Annals of the Four Masters " to members of our sept, mostly obituary notices, as

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog

59. Clare representatives in Dublin Parliament of 1689

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1689

    The Dublin House of Commons in 1689 was described by Thomas Davis as a sort of sept representation. The members for county Clare were an O'Brien and a Macnamara, and for its borough Ennis another Macnamara and a Butler.

    Read the passage

    Mr. Thomas Davis, who has written an admirable account of the Dublin Parliament of 1 689, remarks that this Assembly " was the first, and the last which ever sat in Ireland since the English invasion possessed national authority, and complete in all its parts." t He further observes that the Dublin House of Commons was " a sort of sept representation "; for instance, the members for county Clare were an O'Brien and a Macnamara, and for its borough (Ennis) another Macnamara and a Buder : of the 224 members constituting the Lower House, six vrere Protestants.

    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

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 143

60. Crimthan, King of Ireland, dies at Cratloe

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 378

    Crimthan, King of Ireland, was poisoned by his sister in Connaught and died while journeying home to Munster. He reached only as far as Cratloe in the south of Clare before succumbing to the poison in A.D. 378.

    Read the passage

    Crimthan, King of Ireland, belonged to the Eoghanite division of OliolFs sons ; he was sixth in descent firom Olioll, as also was Lughaid on the Dalcasian side of the &mily. Crimthan can^e to the throne of Ireland in consequence of his nephew, the rightfiil heir, being at the time too young to fill that office ; he was an intrepid soldier, and carried the Irish arms not only into Scotland and Britain, but also into the heart of France, and firom all these he took hostages and great booty.f He left no children, and the succession to the throne was an open question, a fact which his sister hoped to turn to the advantage of her own son ; and to compass this end she determined to poison her brother, though " it should cost her her own life in doing so." Crimthan was invited to Connaught by his sister, and while there she poisoned his wine ; having first drunk some of this wine, she passed the cup to her brother. The king subsequently feeling that he had been poisoned, and his sister soon afterwards having died, he started for his home in Munster, but only reached Cratlow in the south of Clare, where he died in the year a.d. 378;! his success in arms and tragic death made a deep impression on the minds of his countrymen, so there can be no mistake as to the date of his decease.

    * O'Curry's " Lectures/' p. 498 ; sec also the " Annals of the Four Masters " for the above date.

    Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 39