Name: The story of an Irish sept : their character & struggle to maintain their lands in Clare
Author: Nottidge Charles Macnamara (1832–1918)

Father Mooney's visit to Quin Abbey, 1617

Quin · town · Clare · 1617

Father D. Mooney visited Quin Abbey in 1617 and found the choir and transept still roofed, with two or three old friars in residence. The friars recalled that the monastery's gold and silver plate had been sent to Macnamara of Knoppogue, whose widow retained it but refused to give Mooney information.

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Before passing on from this period in the history of our sept it is well to refer to matters connected with the Abbey of Quin^ which had been founded by the Macnamaras, and although it had been dissolved by Henry YIII. in 15419 and made over by Queen Elizabeth to tiie O'Briens in 1578, the £unily whose ancestors built and endowed this monastery, and many of whose members were burned within its walls, still held it in loving memory. In the year 161 7 Father D, Mooney visited Quin Abbey; at this time he found the choir and transept roofed, and two or three helpless old friars about the place. They remembered the monasteiy being suppressed, and that its gold and silver plate had been sent to Macnamara of Knoppogue,* and that after his death his widdw retained it, but declined to give Mooney any information on the subject.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 96

Florence Macnamara organises infantry regiment in Clare

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1689

Florence Macnamara, another member of the Dublin Parliament of 1689, was engaged in organising a regiment of infantry raised in his own county of Clare.

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James II. entered Dublin on March 24, accompanied by D'Avaux as ambassador from France, and with a splendid Court On May 7 his Parliament had assembled, and the king, "with robe and crown," addressed the Commons ; he pronounced his policy to consist in ** liberty of conscience, and against invading any man's property." The king stated he had come to Ireland, '* to venture my life with you in defence of your liberties and my own rights." The conditions under which the Parliament of 1689 met therefore were exceptional, the King of Ireland was there to guard and control the deliberations of Parliament, Dublin was predominated by his Court, and full of his English and French friends and supporters. The members of this Parliament met, but many of them had other urgent duties to atteiid to ; for example, John Macnamara was soon to be Colonel of the ** Yellow Dragoons," which he raised in Clare, and led at the Battle of the Boyne ; Florence Macnamara, another member of the Dublin Parliament, was engaged in oiganising a regiment of infantry raised in his own county* In these circumstances, with the exception of the Act of Attainder, the Dublin Parliament of 1689 did good work, and in a thcMroughly business-like manner. Among other matters it laid down the principle that **the EngUsh Parliament had not, and never had, any right to legislate for
♦ See p. 194.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 143

Iberian chief Aengus took refuge on Aran Islands

near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway

As the Celts advanced from the east, the Iberian chief Aengus fled and established his home on the Aran Islands at the entrance to Galway Bay. His brother Adhar settled in central Clare instead.

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The Iberian race, or Firbolgs, as they are called in the ancient records and traditions of Ireland, have left us something more than their bones ; they lived on until long after the invasion of Ireland by the Celts, and many of their massive stone forts still exist in Clare. Mr. T. J. Westropp, in the September number of the " Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland,'' has described, and given us the ground plan of two of these forts. Some of the most perfect and remarkable work of these people is to be found on the isles of Arran, at the entrance of Galway Bay. As the Celts advanced from the east, the Iberian chiefs of Ireland were driven westward. One of these chiefe, Aengus by name, took up his abode on the isles of Arran ; his brother, Adhar, fixed his home in the centre of Clare, on the lands subsequently occupied by our Sept ; this chief died, and was buried within two miles of the site of Quin Abbey ; and the mound over his remains still exists in a perfect state of preservation. It is known as Magh Adhar, and will be frequently referred to in the following pages as being the spot on which the chiefs of the Dalcasian tribe were inaugurated kings of ThomondJ
Our Icnowledge of the Irish Iberians is very imperfect; when we first have cognisance of their existence in that country, they had passed from their {Nimitive state and developed into a people under the leadership of chiefe. Their consanguinie, near and remote, were classified into categories, and in conversation they addressed one another by terms of relationship, and not by personal names.$ At the time of the Celtic invasion of Ireland these people made a vigorous effort to resist the foreigners, and appear to have been led on more than one occasion by female warriors. One of them is referred to in a Celtic poem as

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 10

Lorcain's formal visit to Cormac at Cashel

Cashel · town · Tipperary

Lorcain, King of Thomond and foster-son of Cormac MacCullinan, traveled to Cashel to visit the king but declined to enter until Cormac sent him a formal invitation. The episode illustrates the etiquette and proud character of early Celtic chiefs.

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Mr. Westropp refers to a trait in Lorcain's character which is worth preserving. As already remarked, the King of South Munster had made Lorcain his tanist, and the two were evidently on the most friendly terms. Upon a certain occasion, however, Lorcain proceeded to Cashel to visit his friend, but on arriving there he declined to enter the place until the king sent him a formal invitation to come and see him. It is by casual reference to incidents of this kind that we obtain a peep into the character of some of these early Celtic chiefs.!
The historian, Keating, informs us that on a certain occasion Cormac MacCullinan had determined to hold a great feast at Cashed and he sent messages to his chiefs to provide the necessary contributions, but they declined to comply with his request, ^'although many of them were near of kin to the king." The Dalcais hearing this ^'prepared with all possible speed what provisions were necessary, together with horses, equipages, arms, and jewels, and sent them to the

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

As the companion tells it

Somewhere around here at Cashel, a story survives about Lorcain and the king. The King of South Munster had made Lorcain his tanist, and the two were on the most friendly terms. On one occasion Lorcain came to Cashel to visit his friend, but when he arrived he declined to enter the place until the king sent him a formal invitation to come and see him. It is through casual references like this that we get a glimpse into the character of these early Celtic chiefs. The historian Keating tells us that on another occasion Cormac MacCullinan had decided to hold a great feast at Cashel, and he sent messages to his chiefs asking them to provide the necessary contributions. They declined to comply, "although many of them were near of kin to the king." The Dalcais, hearing this, "prepared with all possible speed what provisions were necessary, together with horses, equipages, arms, and jewels, and sent them to" the feast.

Macnamara tenure of Quin rectory at nominal rent

Quin · town · Clare

Dr. Rider, Bishop of Killaloe, complained that his predecessor had leased the rectory in the parish of Quin to D. Macnamara for sixty years at only eighteenpence per annum, though it was worth at least two pounds a year. Sir J. and Daniel Macnamara also held considerable church property.

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* A vigorons effort was made by the Government to establish what were called free schools throughout Ireland ; the Protestant religion was to be made compulsory in these schools so as to spread the tenets of that form of fedth over the country, to the exclusion of the ancient religion of the people. At the same time strict orders were issued against saying Mass in any church in Ireland, when only the ritual contained in the Book of Common Prayer was to be used. The revenue of the Church appears to have been very irregularly managed, and some of the Macnaikiaras seem to have been in no way indisposed to take advantage of this state of afibirs ; for instance. Dr. Rider. Bishop of Killaloe, complained that his predecessor had let the rectory in the parish of Quin for three score years to D. Macnamara, on a rental of cdghteenpence per annum, but that it was worth at least two pounds a year. We learn that Sir J. and Daniel Macnamara held considerable chuxch property, and that another branch of the family had some twenty-two townlands derived from the same source (White's " History of Clare,'* pp. 233-234).
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Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 84

Magistrate from Ennis reports Clare escaped rebellion contagion

Ennis · town · Clare · 1798

A magistrate writing from Ennis at the time of the 1798 rebellion observed that county Clare had escaped the contagion, despite agents from Ulster being sent to excite the people to rebellion. Only a few shepherds were persuaded to join the United Irishmen.

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W. N. Macnamara, of Doolin, was high sheriff of county Clare during the 3rear 1789, and throughout this memorable period the country west of the Shannon remained *' perfectly peacefuL^t In Munster, with the exception of some slight disorder near Cork and Limerick, it is stated diat ^ there was no semblance of rebellion.'' One of die magistrates writing from Ennis at this time, observed that '' county Clare had escaped the contagion, although he had discovered that agents from Ulster had frequently been sent to excite the people to rebdlion, but beyond a few diepherds no one had been persuaded to join the Society of <* United Irishmen."
In August 1798, two days after the Battle of the Nile had been fought, a second French o^edition appeared off the west of Ireland; it formed the vanguard of the much laiger army which was intercepted by Sir J. Warren at sea, and never reached Ireland.} A force of some 1500 French soldiers, however, landed at KiUala, believing that the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms, and rush to their standard ; in place of this the French general found the people were indifferent to his movements, nor would they even help him unless paid finr their services; some few of the natives, for the sake of the clothes and rations offered by the French, allowed themselves to be drilled* But Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded at Galway,on hearing that the French had landed in Mayo, instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments; they marched towards Mayo, and the General reported that he found along the whole of his route that the country was perfectly quiet, and the people hard at work on their harvest§ It is unnecessary to follow tiie fortunes of the French expedition in Ireland farther than to observe that they landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and that by the 9th of the following month Lord Comwallis, who was in command of the English forces,

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 132

Quin Abbey founded by Macnamaras c.1402

Quin · town · Clare · 1402

The Macnamaras founded and endowed the Abbey of Quin as a Franciscan monastery around the year 1402. The remains of the building were still in admirable preservation at the time of writing, having been placed under the Board of Works.

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In connection with the history of the Macnamaras during the first half of the fifteenth century we must not overlook the work they did in founding and endowing the Abbey of Quin (about the year a.d. 1402) as a Frandscan monastery. The remains of this fine building are still in an admirable state of preservation, and are likely to remain so, having been included among the historical buildings to be kept in repair by the Board of Works under Sir John Lubbock's Act. The tomb of the founder of the abbey still remains, and the cloisters and walls endosmg
* •• Memoirs of the O'Briens." p. 138. f Idm, p. 177. t /^^i p. 187.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 68

Smuggling trade flourishing in Galway Bay

near Galway Bay · bay · Clare · 1700–1750

Galway Bay was reported to be alive with smugglers in the early eighteenth century. Governor Eyre complained that large quantities of goods were being landed in Galway city from vessels arriving from India and all parts of the world, in spite of revenue officers.

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The Government fiuling to prevent smugglers entering the rivers and harbours of the West of Ireland, endeavoured through means of inland defences to stop the passage of goods from the coast into the interior ; but all their efforts were useless so long as excessive import duties were levied on foreign produce. Until the middle of the eighteenth century the greater part of the wine consumed in Ireland was smuggled into the country. Galway Bay at that time was alive with smugglers. Governor Eyre complained that in the city large quantities of goods were landed from vessek arriving from India and all parts of the world.t Hardiman, in his history of Galway, gives some detaik rq;arding the contraband trade, which flourished in spite of revenue ofllcers.t But we learn that while complaints were being forwarded to the Government on the increase of smuggling in Galway Bay, the chief officer of Munster,. Sir W. Hull, confessed to having landed some forty hcurseloads of pq[>per on the coast of Clare, as well as silk, tobacco, gold, velvet and other commodities.^
Such were the times as rq;aid8 smuggling iriiai Daniel Macnamara of Rathfolan, having been expelled from his estates, found refuge in Bmren in the latter half of the seventeenth and the first half of the

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 121

Tradraighe: five Macnamara church ruins in Bunratty

near Bunratty · parish · Clare

The territory of Tradraighe, in the barony of Bunratty, Co. Clare, retains the name of the ancient chief Trad. It comprises seven districts containing the ruins of five churches built by the Macnamaras.

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Logardh Delbaeth (the fire-producer), who was a Druid, had six sons and one daughter called Aeif^, and she married Trad, who was a kingly chief and Druid, but without much land. After a time this pair found themselves the possessors of a numerous family. Accordingly, Trad said to his wife, *' Go thou and ask a favour of thy iaXher, It would be well for us and our children to get more land." Aeif6 therefore went and asked her father to grant her a favour. Then Lugardh consulted his oracles, and said to his daughter, " If thou should order any one to leave his country now he must depart without delay." " Depart thou, then," said she, "and leave us the land thou inheritest, that it may be our property." Whereupon we are told Lugardh her father immediately complied, and with his sons left the lands and assigned them to Trad and his daughter. Professor O'Curry remarks : " I may add that this territory, even at the present day, retains the name of Trad, forming as it does the Deanery of Tradraighe in the present barony of Bunratty, co. Clare, a tract which comprises seven districts in which there are the ruins of five churches built by the Macnamaras. It was in this district that Rathfolan and Ballinacragga were situated, which were subsequently owned by the ancestors of the writer of this history.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 44

Brian Boru's seat of power at Kincora, Killaloe

Killaloe · town · Clare

After sacking Dublin, Brian Boru carried a vast quantity of treasure to his home at Kincora, near Killaloe. Kincora served as Brian's principal residence and seat of power, where tribute from across Ireland was received.

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

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

Clonard school and its three thousand students

Clonard · town · Meath

Keating examined the roll of the school at Clonard and found that it had at one time no less than three thousand students. This attests to the scale and fame of early Irish places of education.

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Education. — Irish bards, like the Hindu Gurus, had to study for a period of twelve years before being admitted into the lowest order of their profession. They were largely employed in the work of educating their countrymen ; they taught their pupils by making them learn and recite a certain number of lines every day. Training of this kind not only developed the faculty of memory, but also of language, a power which would seem to have clung to not a few of their descendants. Schools conducted by bards and Brehons continued to flourish long afler the introduction of Christianity into Ireland, and in many such schools Druids were also engaged as teachers.f These places of education, which in the West of Ireland were numerous, might be called secular schools, to distinguish them firom those subsequently established by and immediately under the supervision of ecclesiastics, in which the Christian religion was taught in addition to the subjects common to both sets of schools. These subjects were history (especially that of Ireland), poetry, music, law, and military exercises. The secular schools were under the control of the supreme or of provincial councils. For instance. Professor O'Curry gives us the particulars of a council presided • over by the ruler of Ireland in the year a.d. 574, which assembled to regulate the course of study and discipline to which students were to be subjected. Many of these Irish schools became so famous that students flocked to them from all parts of Europe. Keating states that he had examined the roll of Clonard, and found it had at one time no less than three thousand students. Dagobert II., King of France, was sent to Ireland to be educated ; St. Senan, a native of Clare, states that in his time, fifty monks had travelled from Rome to study the Scriptures in Ireland. t The labour and exquisite taste shown by the Irish monks

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 21

Cormac MacCullinan's great feast at Cashel

Cashel · town · Tipperary

Cormac MacCullinan, King of South Munster and Archbishop of Cashel, planned a great feast at Cashel and asked his chiefs to contribute, but they refused. The Dalcais alone prepared provisions, horses, arms, and jewels, earning Cormac's gratitude expressed in verse.

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The historian, Keating, informs us that on a certain occasion Cormac MacCullinan had determined to hold a great feast at Cashed and he sent messages to his chiefs to provide the necessary contributions, but they declined to comply with his request, ^'although many of them were near of kin to the king." The Dalcais hearing this ^'prepared with all possible speed what provisions were necessary, together with horses, equipages, arms, and jewels, and sent them to the
♦ T. J. Westropp : •• On Killaloe " (" Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Irdand," vol. ii. p. 401, part iv. 5th series).

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

As the companion tells it

Close to Cashel, Cormac MacCullinan, King of South Munster and Archbishop of Cashel, once planned a great feast. The historian Keating tells us he sent messages to his chiefs to provide the necessary contributions, but they declined, "although many of them were near of kin to the king." The Dalcais, hearing this, "prepared with all possible speed what provisions were necessary, together with horses, equipages, arms, and jewels, and sent them to" him. Cormac expressed his gratitude in verse.

Daniel Macnamara's relocation to Balinacragga near Corcomroe Abbey

near Corcomroe Abbey · monument · Clare

Daniel Macnamara moved westward from Doorus to a remote place near Corcomroe Abbey known as Balinacragga. It is uncertain whether this new location was named after the old castle in Lower Bunratty.

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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

Galway shipping used for Spain correspondence

Galway · city · Galway · 1608

In a letter from Montallion dated 12 February, Macnamara wrote to Father Owen, a preacher at Galway, requesting that an enclosed letter be sent by the first trustworthy messenger via shipping at Galway bound for Spain. Galway served as a key port for clandestine communication with Irish exiles.

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Reverend father in God, my duty remembered. I understand there are shipping at Galway them that goeth for Spain, wherefore I heartily pray you, according to promise, to send this enclosed letter by the first trusty convenient messenger you may. Whereof I pray you not to fail, and so I commit yon to God, and rest yours for ever to command. John Macnamara.
Addressed to the Rev. Father in God Sir Owen, Preacher at Galway. This deliver.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 86

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Galway, in 1608 this city was a port where ships left for Spain. John Macnamara wrote to the Reverend Father Owen, a preacher here at Galway. He said he understood there were ships at Galway going for Spain, and he prayed Owen would send an enclosed letter by the first trusty convenient messenger he could find. He wrote, "I pray you not to fail," and committed Owen to God. Galway was how quiet letters reached Irish exiles abroad.

Grammar school at Limerick described by Payne, 1589

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1589

Robert Payne, writing in 1589, described a grammar school at Limerick with 160 scholars, most speaking good and perfect English, having been taught to construe Latin into English.

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Education. — Sir J. Davis, writmg of the Irish inhabitants of Clare in the early part of the seventeenth century, describes them as being well educated, and as both writmg and speaking English with fluency. From the original letter written by J. Macnamara to Lord Burghley, in March 1588, we find that not only was his handwriting and phraseology good, but his style is independent and even dignified; nevertheless, this individual had probably never been east of the Shannon, unless on some military expedition. He had learnt English as it was conmionly taught in the schools of the West of Ireland, long before Clare passed into the hands of Englishmen. Robert Payne, writing in the year 1589, remarks, that he had visited '' a grammar school at Limerick in which a hundred and three score scholars were assembled, most of them speaking good and perfect English, for that they had been used to construe the Latin language into English." Schools of a similar character existed at Killaloe, and in various other parts of Clare ; it was here that the Macnamaras learnt to read the Classics, and gained a good knowledge of English, and frequently of the French language. Champion, writing in • Frost's ** History of Clare," p. 634 ; and p. 200 of this work.
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Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Limerick, you are in a city where, in 1589, Robert Payne visited a grammar school with a hundred and sixty scholars assembled in it. He remarked that most of them were speaking good and perfect English, for that they had been used to construe the Latin language into English. Payne's account fits a wider pattern in this part of Ireland. Sir J. Davis, writing of the Irish inhabitants of Clare in the early part of the seventeenth century, describes them as well educated, and as both writing and speaking English with fluency. A letter written by J. Macnamara to Lord Burghley in March 1588 shows not only good handwriting and phraseology but an independent and even dignified style, and this man had probably never been east of the Shannon unless on some military expedition. He had learnt English as it was commonly taught in the schools of the West of Ireland, long before Clare passed into the hands of Englishmen. Schools of a similar character to the one Payne saw at Limerick existed at Killaloe and in various other parts of Clare. It was here that the Macnamaras learnt to read the Classics, and gained a good knowledge of English, and frequently of the French language.

Inauguration of Donough O'Brien at Magh Adhair

near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1306

After Turlough's death, his son Donough was chosen king and inaugurated by Covgha Macnamara at Magh Adhair, where they wished him God's luck and man's luck.

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Turlough built and endowed the beautiful Abbey of Ennts, the ruins of which still exist in good preservation ; he died on the loth of April 1306, and was buried in the diurch he had so lately com^deted. Turlough O'Brien's son, Donough, was chosen king, and was inaugurated by Covftha Macnamara at Magh Adhair, and '' they wished him God's luck and man's luck."
King Turlough O'Brien was speedily followed to the grave by his trusted friend and supporter Cov^ha Macnamara, who was buried near the remains of Turlough in Ennis Abbey, t Magrath states that the following was the dirge sui^ over his body :

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 51

Informers petition against Catholic Macnamaras' Burren lands

Burren · townland · Clare · 1690–1701

In 1690 and 1701, petitions were forwarded to the Government by informers claiming lands that certain Macnamaras had acquired in Burren, arguing that as Roman Catholics they had no right to hold them. This illustrates the penal restrictions on Catholic land ownership in the Burren district.

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eighteenth centniy. In consequence of the crushing eiqport duties levied by England on Irish wool and other agricultural produce, the temptation to smuggle was vastly augmented, and the profit to be derived fix>m it greatly increased. The southern shore of Galway Bay, with its snug inlets for boats, such as Muckinish and Kenvarra Bajrs, which run up to the Burren hills, with their wonderful caves and dark hiding-places, would seem to be an ideal place for freebooters; and here Daniel Macnamara and his numerous family settled/ They were Roman Catholics, and therefore excluded from the army, navy, or any of the liberal professions ; but even in this world-forsaken Burren district they were not allowed to acquire land, for we find in 1690 and in 1701 that petitions were forwarded to the Government against them by informers^ who claimed the lands which certain Macnamaras had acquired in Burren, because they had obtained these lands being Roman Catholics, and had consequently no right to them.t
Daniel Macnamara's eldest son, Teigie, after the capitulation of Limerick (p. 246) had retired to Smithstown, Burren, situated near the Atlantic coast, five miles east of Doolin, some thirteen miles south-east of his father's place at Ballinacragga.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 122

Irish invest Dublin but flee at English sally

Dublin · city · Dublin

A large Irish force under the King of Connaught was drawn to invest Dublin, where the English of Leinster had withdrawn behind the walls. When English cavalry and well-armed footmen sallied out, the Irish fled without offering any resistance.

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At a synod of all the clergy of Ireland, which met at Armagh, the state of the country and its invasion by foreigners was the sul>ject of serious discussion. It was agreed that the divine vengeance had fallen on Ireland because of the sins of the people, especially in that they were wont to purchase many of the natives of England as slaves. The synod decreed that all Anglo-Saxon slaves should be restored to freedom.* llie clergy would appear to have realised the danger that threatened their country, and to have done their best to rouse the provincial kings and chiefs to a sense of their duty, with the effect of drawing a large force of Irish under the command of the King of Connaught to invest the town of Dublin, within the walls of which place the English of Leinster had to withdraw. No attempt was made to storm the walls of the town, and when the English cavalry and well-armed footmen sallied out of Dublin they took the Irish by surprise ; the latter fled without making any resistance.
Dermot MacMurfbgh died in the spring of 11 71, and the Earl of Pembroke, who bad married Dermot's daughter, according to English law succeeded to the tide and estates of the King of Leinster. This, however, was going rather too fas. Heniy II. had no idea of seeing one of his barons become King of Leinster, and he therefore recalled Strongbow to England, and determined to visit Ireland himself. King

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 48

Rebel pike force assembles at Naas, dispersed by yeomanry

Naas · town · Kildare · 1798

On 24 May 1798, a rebel force armed with pikes and similar weapons assembled at Naas during the United Irish rebellion. They were dispersed by the yeomanry before achieving their objectives.

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The failure of the French expedition to Ireland, seemed to have augmented the bitterness of feeling against the English Government entertained by the people in the disaffected parts of Ireland ; murder and rapine increased, and the country was so disturbed that Giattan urged the jreomanry and volunteers of Munster and Connaught being called out to assist in maintaining order in the disaffected provinces. In March 1798, the leaders of the intended rising were assembled at their final meeting in order to mature dieir plans, when the place they were in was surrounded by an aimed force, and the conspirators were secured. The yeomanry was at this time raised to 50,000 men, and these, with the r^iular troops, were quartered on the civil population of Ulster and Leinster, doubtless inflicting severe treatment and hardship on innocent as well as on guilty people in the proclaimed districts. The people of Ulster eagerly looked forward to the arrival of troops fitHn France, and there was at the time no obstacle to their passage to the north of Ireland, for our fleet at the Nore was in a state of mutiny, but no foreign help came, and so the men of Ulster, with characteristic shrewdness, played a waiting game.f The brunt of the rebellion was left to the unfortunate people of Leinster; on the 24th of May 1798, a rebel force, armed with pikes and such like weapons, assembled at Naas ; they were, however, dispersed by the yeomanry. The inhabitants of counties Kildare, Queen's County, Carlow, and Meath then broke out into open rebellion, which terminated after much bloodshed and the massacre of ninety-seven women, children, and men on Wexford Bridge. The rebels were led by a priest. Father Jphn Murphy, who had been educated in Spain — a curious example, it may be thought, of the Irish priest, described in the previous pages of this chapter, p. 279 — but while Father Murphy was urging the unfortunate people into revolt and untold misery, the Archbishop of Dublin was emphatic and strong
* " Ufe of the Marqfness Wdlesley, K.G.," by Colonel G. B. Mallison, p. 15.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 131

As the companion tells it

You're coming through Naas, in Kildare. On the 24th of May 1798, a rebel force gathered here, armed with pikes and such like weapons. They were dispersed by the yeomanry before they could achieve anything. The rising had been planned earlier that year. In March 1798, the leaders held their final meeting to mature their plans, but the place was surrounded by an armed force and the conspirators were secured. The yeomanry had been raised to 50,000 men, and these, with the regular troops, were quartered on the civil population of Ulster and Leinster, inflicting severe treatment and hardship on innocent as well as guilty people in the proclaimed districts. The failure of a French expedition to Ireland had augmented the bitterness of feeling against the English Government in the disaffected parts. Murder and rapine increased. The people of Ulster eagerly looked forward to the arrival of troops from France, and there was no obstacle to their passage, for the fleet at the Nore was in a state of mutiny. But no foreign help came, and the men of Ulster played a waiting game. The brunt of the rebellion was left to the people of Leinster. After the assembly at Naas was dispersed, the inhabitants of Kildare, Queen's County, Carlow, and Meath broke out into open rebellion. It ended after much bloodshed and the massacre of 97 women, children, and men on Wexford Bridge. The rebels were led by a priest, Father John Murphy, who had been educated in Spain.

Sidney abolishes coyning and livery in Clare

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1567

Sir Henry Sidney passed through Clare to Galway and gave orders to abolish coyning and livery and similar cesses, directing that English law replace the Brehon code in the county.

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We hear of trouble between O'Brien (Earl of Thomond) and the Macnamaras in the year 1567. The former had been educated in England, his mother and grandmother having been Englishwomen ; the Macnamaras, on the other hand, were still pure Celts, bred and bom in Clare. In a letter which the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, sent to the Council in London, dated from Cork, February i, 1567, he observes that he had written to ''the Earl of Thomond regardii^ his letter complaining against the Macnamaras, that so soon as we came to Limerick we would consider the complaint and require him to remember your lordships' letter, and not tangle with the Macnamaras. In the mean we received the earl's answer declaring that he could not do so, for that Macnamara had done many things which he could not su£fer." Sidney continues, the earl afiirms that they (the Macnamaras) had not only taken cattle, but also "despatched some knaves," which, he observes, '< God knoweth, they might spare enough, and her Majesty lose never a good subject " ; and, further, he charged those concerned in the matter to meet him at Limerick on the following Thursday ; '' he spared not to tell the earl of his lack of dutie in oure said letter to his lordship." f There was, however, much more than a few cattle involved in this matter, for, as we shall discover from subsequent correspondence, the Earl of Thomond, presuming on his position had appropriated lands belonging to the Macnamaras, and on the latter appealing against these proceedings, the earl had attempted to carry the point with a high hand^ conduct which the Lord Deputy was not disposed to permit. Matters however seem to have quieted down for the time, and Sir Henry Sidney passed through Clare to Galway. He gave orders to abolish ''coyning and livery," and such like cesses, directing that the rules of English law should be substituted for the Brehon code ; and to aid him in efiecting this purpose, Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon was made governor of Clare. The new ruler signalized his accession to office by hanging
* "Annals of the Four Masters," a.d. 1584.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog

Turlough O'Brien plunders Clonard monastery

Clonard · town · Meath · 1070–1086

Turlough O'Brien plundered the rich monastery of Clonard, demonstrating his lack of reverence for the Church.

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Turlough O'Brien now became King of Munster and Thomond, and after the death of his foster-&ther he assumed the sovereign power over the whole of Ireland ; Ulster at first held out against him, but ultimately paid him tribute as a mark of submission. Turlough would appear to have had no great reverence for the Church, for he not only plundered the rich monasteries of Clonard and Kells, but he also removed firom Clonmacnoise the skull of one of the former kings of Meath, and took it with him to Kincora. It is reported by the annalists that a mouse came out of the skull and ran under Turlough's mantle. The king was at once seized with *^ a sore disease, so that his hair fell off, and he was like to die, until the said skull, together with a certain amount of gold, was restored to the church, when the king began to recover." * In spite, however, of Turlogh making free with church property, Lanfranc, William the Conqueror's Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed the Irish king in a.d. 1070 as ''the magnificent King of Ibemia, to whom God was mercifiilly disposed, and also to the people of Ireland, in giving him royal power over the land." Lanfiranc proceeds to bear testimony as to Turlough's '* pious humility, severe justice, and discreet equity." This letter was sent to Turlough O'Brien through the hands of Patrick, who had been elected Bishop of Dublin by the Danes, and passed over to England to be consecrated by Lanfianc; Dublin, a Danish colony, having before this period placed her ecclesiastical a£rairs directly under the Roman Pontiff.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 45

Turlough O'Brien plunders Kells monastery

Kells · town · Meath · 1070–1086

Turlough O'Brien plundered the rich monastery of Kells, among other church properties, showing little reverence for ecclesiastical institutions.

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Turlough O'Brien now became King of Munster and Thomond, and after the death of his foster-&ther he assumed the sovereign power over the whole of Ireland ; Ulster at first held out against him, but ultimately paid him tribute as a mark of submission. Turlough would appear to have had no great reverence for the Church, for he not only plundered the rich monasteries of Clonard and Kells, but he also removed firom Clonmacnoise the skull of one of the former kings of Meath, and took it with him to Kincora. It is reported by the annalists that a mouse came out of the skull and ran under Turlough's mantle. The king was at once seized with *^ a sore disease, so that his hair fell off, and he was like to die, until the said skull, together with a certain amount of gold, was restored to the church, when the king began to recover." * In spite, however, of Turlogh making free with church property, Lanfranc, William the Conqueror's Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed the Irish king in a.d. 1070 as ''the magnificent King of Ibemia, to whom God was mercifiilly disposed, and also to the people of Ireland, in giving him royal power over the land." Lanfiranc proceeds to bear testimony as to Turlough's '* pious humility, severe justice, and discreet equity." This letter was sent to Turlough O'Brien through the hands of Patrick, who had been elected Bishop of Dublin by the Danes, and passed over to England to be consecrated by Lanfianc; Dublin, a Danish colony, having before this period placed her ecclesiastical a£rairs directly under the Roman Pontiff.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 45

Turlough ravages O'Grady lands before Mongressan

Burren · townland · Clare · 1277

Before the battle of Mongressan, Turlough O'Brien and Sioda Macnamara passed north-east and ravaged the O'Grady's lands and other septs who had joined Brian Roe and De Clare. Turlough then led his forces southward to meet De Clare.

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

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

Wentworth writes from Limerick on Clare title inquisitions

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1637

Writing from Limerick in August 1637, Wentworth informed Secretary Coke that the king's title to Clare and Limerick was found by inquisition with 'strange cheerfulness and contentment,' crediting the Earl of Thomond, Lieutenant-Governor of the county, for his diligence. This despite Wentworth's earlier punitive measures against jurors who resisted.

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the rojral approbation was conveyed to Wentwortfa in a letter from Secretary Coke, dated Whitehall, May 3, 1637, ^ follows : " You may take the opportunity the time olQfers to you to go on with the plantation in the county of Clare, and from Ihs Majesty you may expect encouragement and support."* On the 23rd of August 1637, Wentworth wrote as follows from Limerick to Secretary Coke: ''I must certify that his Majesty's title to the country of Clare and Limerick is found by inquisition widi strange cheerfrilness and contentment I knew it piivately by some intelligence. I have among them my Lord of Thomond, Lieu* tenant-Governor of that county, who had been exceeding diligent and forward in this service, not only leading himself, but persuading others into good conformity." It will be noticed the officer ruling Ireland in the name of the Sovereign stated that the inquisitions by which the tides to the lands of Clare were proved to be illegal, upon the plea above referred to, are said to have been found " with strange cheerfulness and contentment,'' whereas this same individual had imposed enormous fines and imprisonment on the sheriff and jurors who had attempted to gain* say his will or refused to sanction the wrong perpetuated in the name of law.
When the new patents were granted in 1610 to the Earl of Thomond, for the enormous grants of land he had already received from Government, J. Macnamara of Dangan laid claim to Cratlomore, and other estates which without question had belonged to his &mily for many centuries, but his claim was dismissed, and the property was granted to the £arl of Thomondt

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 89

As the companion tells it

Coming up through Limerick. In August 1637, Wentworth was here, writing to Secretary Coke in London. He told Coke that the king's title to Clare and Limerick had been found by inquisition, and he described the mood as one of, in his own words, "strange cheerfulness and contentment." He credited the Earl of Thomond, who was Lieutenant-Governor of the county, saying the earl had been exceeding diligent and forward in the service, not only leading himself but persuading others into good conformity. What Wentworth did not dwell on in that letter was how that cheerfulness had been secured. He had previously imposed enormous fines and imprisonment on the sheriff and jurors who had tried to gainsay his will or refused to sanction what was being done in the name of law. The inquisitions that found the titles to the lands of Clare to be illegal were carried out under that shadow. There is a further thread in the material. When new patents were granted in 1610 to the Earl of Thomond for the enormous grants of land he had already received, J. Macnamara of Dangan laid claim to Cratlomore and other estates which had belonged to his family for many centuries. His claim was dismissed, and the property was granted to the Earl of Thomond.

Construction of Rathfolan and Ballinacragga castles

Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1607–1641

Daniel Macnamara built Ballinacragga Castle in 1607, and his son John completed Rathfolan Castle in 1641. The estates had originally belonged to Lochlain Macnamara, who divided Clancuilein into west and east branches in the fourteenth century.

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like a country house of the present time, than one of the keeps, such as most of these Clare castles were in the fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. Dinley, in his journal through Oare, dated 1680, in his sketch of Ballicar Castle, shows Rathfolan in the distance. Ballinacragga was built by Daniel Macnamara in the year 1607, and Rathfolan finished by his son John in the year 1641. Both properties had originally belonged to Lochlain Macnamara, who in the fourteenth century had divided Clancuilein into two branches, west and east, and these estates had descended firom father to tanist, in r^[ular succession for very many gaierations, until the seventeenth century.
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.*

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 99

Dalcassian tribe conquers Thomond and Clare from Iberians

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 419

The Dalcassian tribe, of which the Macnamaras were a sept, was granted possession of North Munster or Thomond and conquered that province from the Iberian race around A.D. 419, including County Clare. The Iberians continued to form a large proportion of Clare's population thereafter.

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HistQiy of the origin of the Dalcaslan tribe-— Of the Eoghanists— Cormac Cas, first of the Dalcasian chiefs (a.d. 234)— The Macnamaras, a sept of the Dalcasian tribe, which tribe was granted possession of North Monster or Thomond — ^They conquered that province from the Iberian race, induding co. Claie (A.D. 419}— Iberians then formed a large proportion of the population of Clare.
In the preceding chapter I have endeavoured to give a brief account of the people from which the members of our sept were derived, together with the social, political, and religious conditions under which they lived until the middle of the sixteenth century:, at that time certain arrangements were made between Henry VIII. and the leading landowners of Clare, whereby the tenure of the land under the Brehon code was for the first time disturbed ; but in other respects the people living to the west of the Shannon continued to flourish under their old laws and customs until the reign of James I.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 36

Flan attacks and robs churches of Clonmacnoise and others

Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly

Flan, King and Bishop of South Munster, had previously attacked and robbed the churches of Clonmacnoise, Armagh, Durrow, and Kildare, and put their clergy to the sword. This was noted to undermine the significance of his blessing given to Lachtna of Thomond.

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bishop of South Munster.* Unmindful of the £sict that the Dalcais were exempt from paying tribute either to the monarch of Ireland or to Munster, Flan nevertheless demanded pa]rment and submission from Lachtna, which was refused, whereupon Phelim marched an army against Thomond and encamped on the eastern bank of the Shannon. Lachtna desired peace and assembled his chiefs, including Maolchuite, who at that period was the head of Clancuilein; they determined to resist the demand for tribute, and against the advice of their king wished to resort to arms in defence of their rights. Thereupon, Lachtna disguised himself and proceeding to Flan's camp he obtained an audience with the King of Munster, and came to an amicable agreement with him ; the chief of Thomond then returned home; but in the meantime Phelim's mind had been poisoned by a sage he had consulted on the subject of the negotiations which he had been engaged in, and having been persuaded to distrust Lachtna he sent off a messenger in hot haste to recall that chief to his camp. On receiving this message Lachtna at once retraced his steps, ''and when Flan saw his good firith he felt iuU confidence in the chief of Thomond, and as a token of regard gave him his own steed and robes." Flan, we are told, also gave his blessing to Lachtna, which, as Mr. T. J. Westropp observes, could hardly have been accounted of much importance, as this king and bishop had just previously attacked and robbed the churches of Clonmacnoise, Armagh, Durrow, and Kildare,t and put their clergy to the sword.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

General Hutchinson at Galway calls out Connaught yeomanry

Galway · city · Galway · 1798

Major-General Hutchinson, commanding at Galway, heard of the French landing in Mayo and instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments. They marched towards Mayo and found the country perfectly quiet with people at harvest work.

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In August 1798, two days after the Battle of the Nile had been fought, a second French o^edition appeared off the west of Ireland; it formed the vanguard of the much laiger army which was intercepted by Sir J. Warren at sea, and never reached Ireland.} A force of some 1500 French soldiers, however, landed at KiUala, believing that the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms, and rush to their standard ; in place of this the French general found the people were indifferent to his movements, nor would they even help him unless paid finr their services; some few of the natives, for the sake of the clothes and rations offered by the French, allowed themselves to be drilled* But Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded at Galway,on hearing that the French had landed in Mayo, instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments; they marched towards Mayo, and the General reported that he found along the whole of his route that the country was perfectly quiet, and the people hard at work on their harvest§ It is unnecessary to follow tiie fortunes of the French expedition in Ireland farther than to observe that they landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and that by the 9th of the following month Lord Comwallis, who was in command of the English forces,
* •• Narrative of what Passed at KiUala in 1798,'* by an Eye-witness, p. 8i. t Lecky : " History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Centory/' vol. iv. p. 340. X Ibid. I '* A Narrative of what Passed at Killala in 1798/' by an Eye-witness, p. 4.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 132

As the companion tells it

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

Henry II introduces English laws at Lismore

Lismore · town · Waterford · 1172–1173

According to Molyneux, Henry II introduced the laws of England into Ireland at a public assembly of the Irish at Lismore, and allowed them the freedom of Parliaments to be held in Ireland as they were held in England.

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Molyneux states that the princes, both temporal and ecclesiastical, of Ireland not only did homage to Henry, and swore fealty to him and his heirs, but he also received letters from them with their seals pendant in manner of charters, testifying they had ordained him and his heirs their king, after which he returned to England, in April 11 73. This author also states that Henry II. introduced the laws of England into Ireland in a public assembly of the Irish at Lismore, and allowed them the freedom of Parliaments to be held in Ireland as they were held in England.* Without questioning the validity of these documents, the fact remains that, before leaving the country, Henry II. gave away the whole of Ireland to some ten of his Anglo-Norman barons, who were to take possession of their lands, if necessary, by conquestf
Henry, took no steps whatever to maintain authority in the country over which he assumed the sovereignty, and he made no effort to establish the English laws in Ireland; '^ neither left he behind him/' as Sir J. Davis observes, ''one true subject more than he found there at his coming over, which were only English adventurers." t Before leaving Ireland, King Henry convened a synod at Cashel, at which it was decreed that '* the universal Church of Ireland should be reduced in all things

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 49

Rising of O'Briens of Ennistymon against Macnamaras

near Ennistimon · town · Clare · 1590–1600

At the close of the sixteenth century, the O'Briens of Ennistymon rose against the Macnamaras. This local conflict coincided with inroads from the north into Clare.

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O'Neill's rebellion— Desmond, a.d. 1582— Confiscation of the greater part of land of Ulster anfl South Munster by the Crown— Terrible years of war and limine, Z551 to Z582 — 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. 1567 — Sidney's remarks on the dispute— Important inquisition in connection with land tenure^ by Macnamaras^ A.D. 1585— 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 appear 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
Pp. 162-174

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 4

Sidney's Parliament in Limerick, 1543

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1543

Sidney assembled a Parliament in Limerick in 1543 to legalise the land title proposals of the O'Briens, Macnamaras, and other septs, making them conformable to English procedure. This was the first Parliament heard of in the West of Ireland.

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In the first place, with regard to a Dublin Parliament, it is doubtful -firom recent experience in other countries, if parliamentary government is the best form of government to control the afifairs of people who inherit a considerable amount of the Celtic nature. Parliaments are certainly not indigenous productions of the Irish race; on the other hand, they were imported from England, and their action was for long confined to the English Pale. The first that we hear of a Parliament in the West of Ireland was in the year 1543, when Sidney assembled his Parliament in Limerick to legalise the proposals of the O'Briens, Macnamaras, and other septs with. regard to the titles of their lands being made conformable to English procedure. The first approach
♦ See p. 146. t See p. 11.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 143

As the companion tells it

As you travel through Limerick, you are passing through the city where, in 1543, Sidney assembled a Parliament. It was the first Parliament heard of in the West of Ireland. Parliaments were not native to the Irish race. They were imported from England, and for a long time their reach was confined to the English Pale. Sidney gathered this Parliament in Limerick to legalise the proposals of the O'Briens, the Macnamaras, and other septs regarding the titles of their lands, making those titles conformable to English procedure.

Teigie Macnamara retires to Smithstown after Limerick

Smithstown · street · Clare · 1691

After the capitulation of Limerick, Teigie Macnamara retired to Smithstown in Burren, situated near the Atlantic coast about five miles east of Doolin. He lived there until an advanced age and left a large family.

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Daniel Macnamara's eldest son, Teigie, after the capitulation of Limerick (p. 246) had retired to Smithstown, Burren, situated near the Atlantic coast, five miles east of Doolin, some thirteen miles south-east of his father's place at Ballinacragga.
In the year 1746 Antony McDonogh resided at Doolin, and from an account of the battle of Fontenoy, written by his grandson, and kindly lent to me by Dr. G. Macnamara of Corofin, we learn that McDonogh's son, a nephew of Dermot O'Brien, obtained a conunission in the Irish Brigade through an introduction which his uncle had given him to Lord Clare, at that time living in Paris. This young McDonogh was subsequently sent to collect recruits in Ireland for the French army, and he returned for this purpose to Burren. Having enlisted the number of Irishmen he required, and who, we are informed, he was " obliged to collect by stealth, the recruits were sent to France in ships that came off the coast of Doolin, in Clare, with smuggled claret, and took back the wool of that part of the country and also recruits."! Captain Mac-

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 122

Andrew MacCurtin, Gaelic poet of Kilmurry

Kilmurry · town · Clare

Andrew MacCurtin, an Irish poet who wrote the Gaelic address to Teigie Macnamara, was born in the parish of Kilmurry in County Clare. He belonged to a famous literary clan, served as hereditary ollamh to the O'Briens, and died in 1749.

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t MacCurtin was an Irish poet and was born in the parish of Kilmorry. CO. Clare ; he died in the year 1749. He belonged to the famous literary clan bearing his name, and who lived in and wrote of Thomond. He was the hereditary ollamh to the O'Briens* and a great authority on the pedigrees of the families of Monster ("Dictionary of National Biography," article signed by Normaa Moore, M.D.).
Digitized by VjOOQIC

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 113

Aran Islands hold most extensive pre-Celtic works in Ireland

near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway

The author compares the people of the Aran Islands and Burren to the Basques of Spain, finding them anthropologically almost identical. The Aran Islands contain the most extensive pre-Celtic works in Ireland.

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side to side ; that their fkces are long and oval, with a good angle.* The Basques have blue or blue-grey eyes, brown hair and fair camplexions; the large majority of the young men are good-looking fellows. They have a remarkably upright carriage, what the French call '^ une taille elands ; " the Basque is under the average height, but is a strong wiry creature capable of undergoing any amount of hard work. If we compare this description of the Basques with that of many of the people inhabiting the isles of Arran and Burren, we shall find that from an anthropological point of view they are almost identical ; and in the isles of Arran the most extensive works of the pre-Celtic people of Ireland exist Mr. Webster observes that the Basque language has great powers of assimilation, and fredy takes vocabularies of other languages* Max Miiller is of opinion that it is one of the best representatives of the Turanian type of language.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 11

Brian Boru confirms Armagh's bishop as metropolitan, 1004

near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1004

During a circuit of the whole of Ireland in 1004, Brian Boru visited Armagh and confirmed its bishop as metropolitan of the country. The record of this act was written by O'Carroll, Brian Boru's former tutor.

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Brian Boru in the year 1004 made a circuit through the whole of Ireland ; and while at Armaghhe confirmed itsbishop as metropolitan of the country; the record of this fact, written by O'Carroll, Brian Bom's former tutor and
* *' Annals of Innisfallen," and " Annals of the Poor Masters." t O^Cnrry : " Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish,'* vol. ii. p. 127. t •• Killaloe." by T. J. WestroR) (" Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries • of Ireland/' 1892, p. 404.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 41

Burial of Covgha Macnamara in Ennis Abbey

Ennis · town · Clare · 1306

Covgha Macnamara died in August 1306 and was buried near the remains of Turlough O'Brien in Ennis Abbey. A dirge was sung over his body celebrating his wars and victories.

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King Turlough O'Brien was speedily followed to the grave by his trusted friend and supporter Cov^ha Macnamara, who was buried near the remains of Turlough in Ennis Abbey, t Magrath states that the following was the dirge sui^ over his body :
The royal fortress of the house of Tal foils to the ground, no more to be set np. Cov3ia*8 wars deprived the foe of strength ; from Chodlina e*en to Cashei swept the land.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 51

Earl of Thomond retains Lissofin estate

Lissofin · townland · Clare · 1612–1782

After the confiscation and division of the forfeited lands, the Earl of Thomond kept the entire Lissofin estate and other lands for himself. As of 1782, his heirs continued to enjoy these lands.

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The MS. of Chevalier (^Gorman contains the names of the Commission, the witnesses, quotations and references to original documents, which are too voluminous to insert in a work of this kind, and he concludes his paper with the following remarks : In fine, the '' Earl of Thomond, had all the said lands under his control. He kept the whole of the Lissofin estate and other lands for himself, and his heirs now (1782) enjoy them. He left or gave to Sir Roland in fee form the castle and lands of Fomeriy and other lands, part of the said territory, at a small yearly rent Thus was the spoil divided, the ancient and lawfiil proprietors turned out of possession, and they and their heirs remained so. The Earl (as is reported for truth) turned out many other proprietors in both the said baronies, which shall not be particularised ; but that he had a great share is evident, for those deriving from him do now enjoy the same.** CyGorman proceeds to observe that '* what induced me to treat in particular of this family of Macnamaras, who were the true and lawfiil inheritors of the estates of TuUa, was that I had only bare tradition relating to the ways and means used to deprive the rest of them of their inheritance ; but I have matters of record to prove how this same fieunily and its posterity were ruined."
This account of the confiscation of the Tulla estates illustrates what was going on over the whole of Clare, and, in fact, in all those parts of Ireland which had not been ahready confiscated by the Crown ; but in the case above detailed the Government were not directiy to blame : the plot seems to have been the work of a countryman and relative of the evicted family.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 88

Lughaid Menu conquers Clare from the King of Connaught

near Clare · population centre · Clare

Lughaid Menu, son of Angus, drove the King of Connaught out of Clare and subdued the Firbolgs who occupied that territory. He was the first Dalcasian prince to take full possession of Thomond, or North Munster, including Clare.

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Lughaid Menu was a son of Angus, and it was reserved to him to drive the King of Connaught out of Clare and to subjugate the Firboigs who occupied that part of the country. Lughaid, therefore, was the first of the Dalcasian princes who was able to take full possession of Thomond, or North Munster, including Clare.
We are able to ascertain pretty accurately the date of this conquest of Clare by reference made to it in the ** Death of Crimthan, King of Ireland."^ From Mr. O'Grady's translation of this Celtic MS. we leara that, in Crimthan's reign, there was a great war, ** and for a lengthened

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 38

Mortagh O'Brien installed at Magh Adhair near Tulla

near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1086

Mortagh O'Brien was installed as king by the chief of the Macnamaras at the royal rath of Magh Adhair, near Tulla. The chief of the Macnamara sept at this period was Mac Conmarc.

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Turlough O'Brien died, at the age of seventy-seven, a.d. 1086, apd was buried in the cathedral church of Killaloe; he was succeeded by his second son, Mortagh. The annalists inform us that "he was installed by the chief of the Macnamaras at the royal rath of Magh Adhair, near Tulla." The chief of our sept at this period was
Mac Conmarc^ His death is referred to as follows by the " Four Masters" : "There died, in the year 1099, Cumara, son of Donall, Lord of Clancuilein."t

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 45

Roger Macnamara of Quin martyred for his faith

Quin · town · Clare · 1600–1700

During the persecution of the Irish Church in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Roger Macnamara of Quin willingly yielded up his life rather than renounce his religion.

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It is difficult to form an opinion as to what effect the Christian religion may have had upon the lives of individual members of our sept. The invasion of Ireland by the Danes' and Anglo-Normans, together with the subsequent war and turmoil going on in Thomond during the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, must have turned the minds of men towards self-preservation rather than to the practice of religion. Even in important ceremonies, such as the inauguration of the Kings of Thomond on Magh Adhair, no reference is made to ecclesiastics or to any religious observances ; the head of our sept officiated on these occasions, and the function of making the king was a civil procedure. The Macnamaras built Quin Abbey, and other churches on their estates, but they never held Church preferments, as did some of the 0*Briens, O'CarroUs, and other Dalcasian families ; nevertheless, in the time of persecution which fell upon the Irish Church in the seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, by far the greater number of the sept remabed staunch to their Church ; some of them, as, for instance, Roger Macnamara of Quin, rather than renounce their religion willingly yielded up their lives.*

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

St. Patrick received by King Angus at Cashel

Cashel · town · Tipperary

St. Patrick visited South Munster and was received by Angus, king of that province, at Cashel. Angus was a great grandson of Cormac Cas, the progenitor of the O'Briens, Macnamaras, and other Dalcasian families, and his baptism by Patrick is associated with a curious story involving the pastoral staff.

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St. Patrick visited South Munster and was received by Angus, king of that province, at CasheL This king was the great grandson of Cormac Cas, the progenitor of the O'Briens, Macnamaras, and oilier Dalcasian families. There is a curious story, referred to by the Abb£ Macgeoghegan in his History (p. 146), regardmg the baptism of Angus, " The holy bishop having leaned on his pastoral staff, which was pointed
* *' Hibbert Lectures/' z886, p 579 : " The Dmids of Britahi were Brahmins beyond the least shadow of doubt ** (the Archdruid, " Myfr Noiganwg '*).

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 30

W.N. Macnamara of Doolin, High Sheriff of Clare in 1789

Doolin · townland · Clare · 1789

W.N. Macnamara, of Doolin, served as high sheriff of county Clare during 1789. Throughout the rebellion period the country west of the Shannon remained perfectly peaceful.

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W. N. Macnamara, of Doolin, was high sheriff of county Clare during the 3rear 1789, and throughout this memorable period the country west of the Shannon remained *' perfectly peacefuL^t In Munster, with the exception of some slight disorder near Cork and Limerick, it is stated diat ^ there was no semblance of rebellion.'' One of die magistrates writing from Ennis at this time, observed that '' county Clare had escaped the contagion, although he had discovered that agents from Ulster had frequently been sent to excite the people to rebdlion, but beyond a few diepherds no one had been persuaded to join the Society of <* United Irishmen."
In August 1798, two days after the Battle of the Nile had been fought, a second French o^edition appeared off the west of Ireland; it formed the vanguard of the much laiger army which was intercepted by Sir J. Warren at sea, and never reached Ireland.} A force of some 1500 French soldiers, however, landed at KiUala, believing that the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms, and rush to their standard ; in place of this the French general found the people were indifferent to his movements, nor would they even help him unless paid finr their services; some few of the natives, for the sake of the clothes and rations offered by the French, allowed themselves to be drilled* But Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded at Galway,on hearing that the French had landed in Mayo, instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments; they marched towards Mayo, and the General reported that he found along the whole of his route that the country was perfectly quiet, and the people hard at work on their harvest§ It is unnecessary to follow tiie fortunes of the French expedition in Ireland farther than to observe that they landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and that by the 9th of the following month Lord Comwallis, who was in command of the English forces,

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 132

As the companion tells it

Close to Doolin, there lived a man named W.N. Macnamara, who held the office of high sheriff of county Clare in 1789. It was a memorable time, but the country west of the Shannon stayed, in the words of the source, "perfectly peaceful." In Munster, apart from some slight disorder near Cork and Limerick, there was, it is stated, "no semblance of rebellion." A magistrate writing from Ennis at the time observed that county Clare had escaped the contagion. He had discovered that agents from Ulster had frequently been sent to excite the people to rebellion, but beyond a few shepherds no one had been persuaded to join the Society of United Irishmen. In August 1798, two days after the Battle of the Nile, a second French expedition appeared off the west of Ireland. It formed the vanguard of a much larger army which was intercepted by Sir J. Warren at sea and never reached Ireland. A force of about 1500 French soldiers landed at Killala, believing the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms and rush to their standard. Instead, the French general found the people indifferent to his movements, nor would they even help him unless paid for their services. Some few of the natives, for the sake of the clothes and rations offered by the French, allowed themselves to be drilled. Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded at Galway, on hearing that the French had landed in Mayo, instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments. They marched towards Mayo, and the General reported that along the whole of his route the country was perfectly quiet and the people hard at work on their harvest. The French landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and by the 9th of the following month Lord Cornwallis, in command of the English forces, was

Gaulish merchants at Clonmacnoise in the sixth century

Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 500–599

In the sixth century, Gaulish merchants visited Clonmacnoise on the River Shannon to sell wine to Saint Kiaran. At that time, Saint Kiaran was the head of the flourishing establishment at Clonmacnoise.

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often be obtained which was easily accessible to the cattle of several homesteads. These guilds were established, under provisions laid down in the Brehon code, for ''the mutual benefit and assurance between the co-partners.'' On entering a guild "each of the members turned to the others and pledged himself that the responsibilities of the united body should be the responsibility of each person."* The great advantage derivable from this institution of guilds was, that by combination or co-operation, persons of an inferior grade in society, and not therefore possessing land sufficient to qualify as witnesses, sureties, or to sue before the Brehons, could by joint action qualify one of the guild to act for them, and so obtain the full rights of citizenship. Artisans, and, in (act, all who lived by handicraft, could in like manner choose a member of their guild to act for them individually ; so that practically no freeman was, under this ancient system, barred from the privileges of those classes of society which were above him in the social scale. It was through the guilds that villages first became established in Ireland, and subsequently developed into burghs. Of towns the Celtic Irish knew but little. They collected in places like Limerick and Galway ; but the trading community of such towns were largely constituted of foreigners, who carried on business with the agriculturisd population of the interior, exchanging hides and cattle, for wine, silk, brocades, and various other commodities. As early as the sixth century we hear of Gaulish merchants at Clonmacnois on the Shannon, and in the very heart of Ireland, selling wine to Saint Kiaran, who was at the time head of that flourishmg establishment.! These early Irish, however, were excellent sailors, and enjoyed the perils of the deep, and still more the excitement and profit which frequently attended their maurauding expeditions on the coast of England, France, and Spain.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 18

St Patrick baptises Cassin near Limerick

Limerick · city · Limerick

Cassin received baptism from St. Patrick in a plain near Limerick. Cassin died in 461 and his son Carthan succeeded him, becoming the progenitor of the Macnamara sept.

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t Macg6oghegazi*8 *• History of Ireland/* p. 147 (P. 0*Kdly*8 edldon). •• The . iune of the miracles which the saint performed at Cashel, and the news of his coming to Thomond, reached Cathan, who called together all the nobles of his establishment, and crossed the river Shannon to come to the Apostle. Cassin was one of the number and received baptism by the ministry of St Patrick in a plain near Limerick. Cassin died in the year 461, leaving his elder son, Carthan, who gaooeeded his father; he was the progenitor of our sept" (MS. in the Royal Irish Academy, 24 G. ao.)
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Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 31

Aran Islanders studied as Iberian descendants

near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway · 1893

Professors Haddon and C. R. Brown of Dublin visited the Aran Islands and reported that the inhabitants remain a distinct, exclusive race, short and athletic with specific cranial and facial characteristics, though somewhat mixed with mainland Irish settlers.

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In the isles of Arran the descendants of the old Iberian stock have probably existed with less intermixations of race than in most other districts of Ireland, except perhaps in parts of Burren, and within the past few years Professors Haddon and C R. Brown, of Dublin, have visited these islands and reported concerning the people.]: They state that at present the inhabitants of the isles of Arran (Galway), are still largely a peculiar and exclusive race, although mixed with Irishmen who have come from the mainland. The men are short and slight, but athletic in build ; their average height is 5 feet 4f inches, whereas Irishmen average 5 feet 8^ inches. Their hands are small, with short span, and their forearm is often unusually long. The head is well shaped, long and narrow (cephalic index 75.1), but, viewed from above, the sides are slightly bulging, not flat, the height above the ears is considerable, and the top well arched. The forehead is broad, upright, and rarely receding, though not high as a rule, and the superciliary ridges of the brow, that is to say the bone over the eyes, are not prominent ; the £Ace being remarkably long and oval, the chin long and narrow but not angular. The eyes are rather small, close together, and mariced at the outer corners by transverse wrinkles. The irises are mostly blue, or blue-grey ; the nose long, straight, and pointed. The lower lip is rather large and full. The ears are not large, but stand well out from the head. In many of the men the length of nose and chin appears
♦ We learn from Holinshed's " Chronicles" (vol. vi. p. 2) that it was from this Scota, or Scotach, that the early Irish were known as Scots, a name subsequently given by the Iberian and Celtic settlers in the north of Britain to Scotland, the lands of the Scota. f Professor O'Curry's " Lectures," p. 230.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 10

Bishop of Killaloe takes oath of loyalty at Limerick

Limerick · city · Limerick

Once the oath of supremacy was adjusted so that a Roman Catholic bishop could subscribe to it, the Bishop of Killaloe proceeded to Limerick to take the oath of loyalty to the Crown of England. This marked a significant moment in the easing of penal restrictions on Catholic clergy.

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the meA spirit of Christian pastors to Ae winning gentleness of die polished man of the worid, the welcome guests at the tables of Catholics and Protestants." A few of these men have lived on to widiin lecent times^ and every one who has met them will thoroughly endocse O'Driscoll's account of them ; they indicate to us what kind of beings the original landowners of Clare would have become, had they been permitted to develop under the influence of the advancing refinement of the times, and the gradual changes which were spreading over society at the close of the last century. We are told that these parish priests ^ in their own communion lent dieir influence to sooth the asperities of the times, and brought their knowledge ci mankind, and their own, and foreign nations, to enforce their lessons of patience, fortitude, and forbearance."*^ These men not only considered and gave due weight to the rights and feelings of other people, but also in their dealings with their neighbours practised what they inculcated, the spirit of charity. L. O'Brien observes, the priest was ever ready to attend his Protestant neighbour, and afibrd the best help m his power at the bed of sickness and death ; he was not unfrequently called upon to marry Protestants, to baptize their children, and to bury their dead. These priests were loyal supporters of the Sovereign, and directly the oath of supremacy was so adjusted that the Roman Catholic Bishop of Killaloe could subscribe to it, he at once proceeded to Limerick and took the oath of loyalty to the Crown of Englandt Persecution had done its work on these men ; it had driven them from Ireland to study in continental seminaries, and to learn by trial and experience to take a broader view of the responsibiliries of life than they were likely to learn at home. Moreover! young priests were, when abroad, brought into contact with men of refinement, which developed the good qualities natural to them ; we may with confidence make a statement of this kind, because we have only to refer to the description given by the Pope's Nuncio oi die Irish clergy in 1645, ^^^ compare it with that above quoted to appreciate the great change that had come over these men within a century.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 129

Chief Justice Aston tries Whiteboys in Tipperary

Tipperary · town · Tipperary

Sir R. Aston, Chief Justice of Common Pleas, was sent from Dublin to try a number of Whiteboys in Tipperary. He reported that the disturbances did not arise from disaffection to the King or Government but from private grievances, with both Papists and Protestants promiscuously involved.

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Sir R. Aston, the Chief Justice of Common Pleas, was sent from Dublin to try a number of Whiteboys in Tipperary, and in reporting on this organisation he states, that it did not appear to him that there was the 'Meast reason to impute those disturbances to disaffection to his Majesty, or his Government, but they took their rise from grievances of a private nature — ^Papists and Protestants were promiscuously concerned."*
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

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 124

Cork True Blues volunteer regiment formed

Cork · city · Cork · 1744

In 1744, due to the threat of French fleets and the withdrawal of English regular troops, the inhabitants of Cork formed a volunteer regiment for their own safety. Known as the 'Cork True Blues,' they wore blue uniforms with buff fringes.

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In the year 1744 England was engaged in war with France ; as a consequence our shores were seriously threatened by the French fleets and so great was the danger at this time that the Government felt compelled in self defence to withdraw the greater part of her regular troops from Ireland. The coast swarmed with privateers, and cities like Limerick and Cork found it imperative for their own safety, after the withdrawal of the English troops, to raise regiments of volunteers to serve both as dvil and military guardians of the people. In the year 1744 the inhabitants of Cork formed themselves into the *' United Independoit Volunteers." The regiment was dressed in blue uniform witii buff frunngs, and was hence kno?m as the ** Cork True Blues." A medal was struck commemorating the first parade of this regiment at Cark.$ In February 1766 the citizens of Limerick raised a regiment of horse
* Lord Charlemont, who knew Lucas well, maintained that it was through his writing the spirit of Irishmen was raised to the point of determining that nothing should stand in the way of their otytaining such changes in the Government as would secure a limit being placed on the duration of the Dublin Parliament, of freeing the country from the commercial restrictions under which she then laboured, and other necessary reforms, so as again to give Irishmen some freedom of action in political life. Charlemont describes Dr. Lucas, with his " bodily infirmities, his gravity, his uncommon neatness of dress, his grey expressive eyes and hair, blending with a pale but striking oonntenanoe which attracted the attention of every stranger who entered the House. He raised his voice in support of his country when all around him was desolation and silence.*'

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 125

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Cork, this is the city where, in 1744, its inhabitants formed a volunteer regiment for their own defence. England was at war with France that year, and French fleets seriously threatened Irish shores. The danger was so great that the Government felt compelled, in self-defence, to withdraw the greater part of its regular troops from Ireland. The coast swarmed with privateers, and cities like Limerick and Cork found it imperative, after the withdrawal of the English troops, to raise regiments of volunteers to serve both as civil and military guardians of the people. The inhabitants of Cork formed themselves into the United Independent Volunteers. The regiment was dressed in blue uniform with buff fringes, and was hence known as the Cork True Blues. A medal was struck commemorating the first parade of this regiment at Cork. The threat from the French fleets and the privateers along the coast had left the cities no choice but to act. The regular troops were gone, withdrawn for England's own defence, and the people of Cork organised themselves, chose their colours, and took to the streets in their first parade. That moment was marked by the striking of a medal, a record of the day the city stood up for itself.

Death of Sioda Macnamara at Quin, 1277

Quin · town · Clare · 1277

Sioda Macnamara, who had inaugurated Brian Roe as King of Thomond, died at Quin in 1277. He was succeeded by Coveha (Cumheadha), whom Mac Carthy of Desmond refused to surrender to the Earl de Clare.

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Ireland, on account of her sins, made over by the Supreme Pontiff to Henry II. of England — King of Leinster invited Anglo-Normans to conquer the country and made the Earl of Pembroke his successor, a.d. 1x72 — Henry II. visited Ireland and received submission of chiefs — Divides the country among his barons to take possession by conquest — Resistance of the O'Briens and Macnamaras — Attack on them by the Lord Deputy effectually resisted, a.d. 1x92 — Henry III. assumed right to govern Thomond, but had no power to enforce his rule— The Macnamaras and other septs refuse to submit to English rule — ^Niel Macnamara, a.d. i242~His daughter married Conor O'Brien. King of Thomond— Importance of idliance — They defeat the English, a.d. X257 — Meeting of provincial kings for combined action futile— Magrath's '* History of Wars of Thomond" — Sioda Macnamara inaugurates Brian Roe. King of Thomond. on Magh Adhair— Turlough O'Brien's revolt joined by the Macnamaras—Brian Roe seeks aid of Earl de Clare— Turlough and Clancuilein (Macnamara) gain a victory — Brian Roe murdered by De Clare — His son, Donogh Brien, succeeds his father and joins De Clare — Death of Sioda Macnamara at Quin. a.d. 1277— Succeeded by Cov^ha or Cumheadha— Mac Carthy of Desmond declines to give Cov6ha up to De Clare — CovSha defeats the Anglo-Normans— The Earl de Clare killed, a.d. 1287 — ^The O'Briens and Macnamaras retain their lands and homes — Burning of fort at Qtdn by Cov&ha Macnamara — His death, a.d. 1306 — Donchard Macnamara succeeds — His victory over other Dalcasian septs and his murder.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 47

Expulsion of the Macnamaras to Burren in 1654

Burren · townland · Clare · 1654

Following the confiscations of 1654, the expelled Macnamara families were sent to Burren or the West Indies, or left to labour on their former property.

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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

Grammar schools at Killaloe and Clare

Killaloe · town · Clare · 1580–1620

Schools similar to the Limerick grammar school existed at Killaloe and other parts of Clare, where the Macnamaras learnt to read the Classics and gained knowledge of English and frequently French.

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Education. — Sir J. Davis, writmg of the Irish inhabitants of Clare in the early part of the seventeenth century, describes them as being well educated, and as both writmg and speaking English with fluency. From the original letter written by J. Macnamara to Lord Burghley, in March 1588, we find that not only was his handwriting and phraseology good, but his style is independent and even dignified; nevertheless, this individual had probably never been east of the Shannon, unless on some military expedition. He had learnt English as it was conmionly taught in the schools of the West of Ireland, long before Clare passed into the hands of Englishmen. Robert Payne, writing in the year 1589, remarks, that he had visited '' a grammar school at Limerick in which a hundred and three score scholars were assembled, most of them speaking good and perfect English, for that they had been used to construe the Latin language into English." Schools of a similar character existed at Killaloe, and in various other parts of Clare ; it was here that the Macnamaras learnt to read the Classics, and gained a good knowledge of English, and frequently of the French language. Champion, writing in • Frost's ** History of Clare," p. 634 ; and p. 200 of this work.
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Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 107

Iberian descendants among the inhabitants of the Aran Islands

near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway

The text identifies the present-day inhabitants of the Aran Islands as descendants of the ancient pre-Celtic Iberian race. They are described as being a mixed race to some extent, sharing lineage with the Basques.

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It is well to quote Lord Carnarvon's opinion regarding the character of the Basque people, because it seems that we are justified in maintaining that the pre-Celtic inhabitants, at any rate of that part of Ireland with which we are now concerned, and the Basques were derived from the same Iberian stock. Of the character of these ancient people we can only now collect dim ra3rs of light ; but at the present time we have many of their descendants with us, a mixed race to some extent in the case of the inhabitants of the isles of Arran, but almost pure, and allowed to develop under their own laws and institutions in the Basque province up to the time that Lord Carnarvon lived among them. He writes that they inhabited a free land and were men deserving freedom ; and continues ''the erect, not haughty carriage, the buoyant step, and the whole bearing of the men, spoke of liberty long enjoyed, well understood, and therefore not abused. Such men were the Basques, trained to habits of self reliance by centuries of self-government, fine men in spirit, not in name alone, drinking in with their mother's milk a love of justice and a reverence for law ; in thought sober, yet independent, and wholly without fear, except the honest fear of doing wrong ; models of ancient manners, and not unfrequently of manly beauty, faithful fiiends, generous hosts; foUowing with fervour, but without intolerance, their fiahers' &ith, they were the Tyrolese of Spain, and, I might add, the flower of Europe. Lambs in the hour of peace, yet heroes in the field. With them the household charities and patriotism went hand in hand ; in them the honest yet the kindest spirit, the mildest yet the proudest virtues were combined. Never, perhaps, existed a more perfect union of the qualities which should adorn a people ; the idolatry of fireedom so distinctive of the Swiss^ and the unconquerable affection of the Tyrolese to his Princes, were, by a happy and most unusual combination, united in the Basques."* Lord Carnarvon continues: "They adhere with tenacity to the soil of their birth ; no prospect of advantage or promotion can induce him to abandon his home ; he is ready to make any sacrifice ♦ Vol. ii. pp. 220 and 338.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 12

Inquisitions at Ennis regarding Clare estates

Ennis · town · Clare · 1585

The Chevalier O'Gorman, in his 1782 manuscript held at the Royal Irish Academy, traced evidence given before Inquisitions taken at Ennis in 1585 concerning the Earl of Thomond's actions in 1611 to gain possession of the estates of Fermoy, Tulla, and Lissofin in Clare.

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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.
It will be remembered that Lochain Macnamara, who was chief of Clan-' culien at the end of the fourteenth century, divided his territory into two portions, East and West Clanculien. At the same time he made over certain lands to a third son, Mahon ; this property was known as that of Tulla and Lissofin. CyGorman states that Mahon Macnamara was '' a religious man or priest " ; and from another source we learn that his son Donogh ** at his own expense built the refectory and sacristy of the monastery at Ennis, and afterwards took the habit of the order " ; the landed pro-* perty of Tulla and Lissofin, however, passed to his tanist, and irom him to his successor, and so on without question until the year 161 1.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 87

Macnamaras elected to Confederate Council at Kilkenny

Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1642

The Irish Catholic Confederation formed a supreme council meeting at Kilkenny. Daniel Macnamara of Doon and John Macnamara of Moyriesk were elected as the representatives of the people of Clare on the Confederate Council.

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^ I swear in presence of God, and of His angels and saints, to defend the liberty of the Roman Catholic and Apostolic religion, and the person, heurs, and rights of his Majesty King Charles, and the freedom and privileges of the kingdom against all usurpers, at the peril of my life and freedom."! The Confederation proceeded to form a supreme •council, which met at Kilkenny; Daniel Macnamara of Doon, and John Macnamara of Moyriesk, were elected as the representatives of
* Maurice Cufie's "History of the Siege of BallyaUia Castle " (published by the Camden Society, 1841).

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 91

Musgrove followers expelled but retain forts at Quin and Bunratty

near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1237

Any of Robert Musgrove's followers who had settled in the south of Clare were expelled from their holdings. Nevertheless, it would seem that they retained one or more forts in the district, such as those at Quin and Bunratty.

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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

Physical description of women in Burren

Burren · townland · Clare

The author observes the typical Irish women found in Burren and the agricultural districts of Clare, noting their distinct physical features such as nut-brown hair, blue-grey eyes, and bare feet of perfect form.

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There are few amongst us who have resided in Burren, or in the agricultural district of Clare, who hare not met with the typical Irish lass, with her winsome fiice, thick nut-brown hair twisted up round her small head, with those wonderfiil laughing bkie^;rey eyes, shaded with long dark lashes, high cheek-bones and finely moulded chin, with sweet firm lips and a captivating voice, her ankles and feet bare, and (rf perfect form — a wonderfiil thing is this Celtic foot It may be we meet her sauntering along beside her young lover, a lad of seventeen, a creature with large grey eyes setin a brown £gu:e, with fine cut features, a pleasii^ voice and manner; in truth, being an almost idyllically picturesque pair of human beings. Such, however, are many of the descendants of the old Celtic stock at the present day, in those parts ci Ireland where there has been little if any adulteration of the race by intermarriage with other nationalities.
Under the native Irish or Celtic qrstem, the landowner in Clare, in the sixteenth century, lived in his strong keep or castle, surrounded bf the dwellings of his servants, horses, and cattle, the whole enclosed in a wall which formed the precincts or sanctuary, and woe to the enemy or intruder who attempted to force his way into this enclosure. The lord's time was spent in looking after his own property, which he farmed, in sport of every kind, and in hospitality.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 108

Quin Abbey cloisters and monuments of Macnamara sept

Quin · town · Clare

The tomb of the founder of Quin Abbey still remained, and the cloisters and enclosing walls were full of monuments erected to deceased members of the Macnamara sept. The building was included among historical buildings kept in repair by the Board of Works.

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In connection with the history of the Macnamaras during the first half of the fifteenth century we must not overlook the work they did in founding and endowing the Abbey of Quin (about the year a.d. 1402) as a Frandscan monastery. The remains of this fine building are still in an admirable state of preservation, and are likely to remain so, having been included among the historical buildings to be kept in repair by the Board of Works under Sir John Lubbock's Act. The tomb of the founder of the abbey still remains, and the cloisters and walls endosmg
* •• Memoirs of the O'Briens." p. 138. f Idm, p. 177. t /^^i p. 187.

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 68

Rathfolan Castle ruins near Newmarket

Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1653–1654

Rathfolan Castle, situated on rising ground to the right of the road from Newmarket to Ennis, opposite Ballinacragga, was referenced in inquisitions concerning sequestrated Macnamara lands. Its ruins allow comprehension of the kind of building it originally was.

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Among the inquisitions held in Clare in connection with the sequestrated lands, reference is made to the properties of Ballinacragga and Eathfolan, the former situated about a mile from Newmarket on the left of the road to Ennis, and marked at the present time by: a mound, the $ite of one of the Macnamara castles. The other, Rathfolan, situated almost opposite to Ballinacragga, although at some little distance horn it, on rising ground to the right of the road leading from Newmarket to Ennis. The ruins of Rathfolan Castle enable us to comprehend the kind of building it originally consisted of, being more
* Mr. Frost, in his " History of Clare," writing of the confiscation of 1654-5, observes : " Of the numerous families constituting the Macnamara sept, only six obtained a grant of part of tlieir possessions under the Cromwellian settlement, so complete was the ruin brought upon a race who for the space of 1360 years were powerful and prosperous owners of the lands of their inheritance " (p. 40},

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 98

Shan Macnamara's death (1587) and gavelkind succession in Clare

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1587

Shan, the second son of Sioda Macnamara, died on 31 March 1587, leaving five sons as co-heirs under the law of gavelkind, which was still in force in Clare at that time. The second son Teigie and his son Sioda were made heir at law by cousin Sir John Macnamara.

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Sioda Macnamara married a daughter of Desmond O'Shagnasie of Gort, and had four sons, the eldest, John, died in 1570, leaving an in£uit son, Sir John Macnamara, who died without issue. Shan, the second son of Sioda, died on March 31, 1587, leaving five sons his co-heirs under the law of gavelkind, which was still in force in Clare ; the second of these sons, named Teigie, and his son Sioda, was made heir at law by his cousin Sir John Macnamara. It was from this branch of the &mily that James Macnamara, M.P. for Leicester, and his brother Admiral John
* "State Papers/* voL iii. p. 476 (Ireland). A similar honour was oonforred «n Denis O'Grady, head of the Clan Donghaile (" O'Brien Memoirs," p. z86).

Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 74

Siege and surrender of Limerick to Parliamentary forces

Limerick · city · Limerick

During Cromwell's campaign in Ireland, Limerick was besieged. Teigie Macnamara ultimately surrendered the place to the Parliamentary forces.

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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

As the companion tells it

As the road brings you through Limerick, this is the city that Cromwell's forces besieged. In the years before the siege, Donogh and Teigie Macnamara had been appointed to keep order in Clare, and the English in Clare were not ill-treated by the Irish. Donogh Macnamara was sent on a mission to O'Neill. Two of the Macnamaras were appointed by the people of Clare to represent them in the Confederate Council. The Pope's Nuncio Rinuccini arrived in Ireland. Bunratty Castle was surrendered, and the Macnamaras were at the battle of Knocknanuss. Rinuccini left Ireland in 1648. Then came Cromwell's rule, and the siege of Limerick. Teigie Macnamara surrendered the place to the Parliamentary forces. Daniel Macnamara signed the treaty on behalf of the Clare Brigade. Cromwell's soldiers destroyed Quin Abbey. The Macnamara estates were confiscated. They had held the same lands in 1654 that had been granted to them in the fifth century, and no lands outside the boundary of their former tribal lands. Of 293 principal families of the Macnamara living in these lands in 1654, only 6 were permitted to retain a part of their estates. The rest were expelled to Burren or the West Indies, or left to labour on the property formerly their own. The Rathfolan and Ballinacragga families were expelled to the north of Burren.

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

The stories, best first

Father Mooney's visit to Quin Abbey, 1617

Florence Macnamara organises infantry regiment in Clare

Iberian chief Aengus took refuge on Aran Islands

Lorcain's formal visit to Cormac at Cashel

Macnamara tenure of Quin rectory at nominal rent

Magistrate from Ennis reports Clare escaped rebellion contagion

Quin Abbey founded by Macnamaras c.1402

Smuggling trade flourishing in Galway Bay

Tradraighe: five Macnamara church ruins in Bunratty

Brian Boru's seat of power at Kincora, Killaloe

Clonard school and its three thousand students

Cormac MacCullinan's great feast at Cashel

Daniel Macnamara's relocation to Balinacragga near Corcomroe Abbey

Galway shipping used for Spain correspondence

Grammar school at Limerick described by Payne, 1589

Inauguration of Donough O'Brien at Magh Adhair

Informers petition against Catholic Macnamaras' Burren lands

Irish invest Dublin but flee at English sally

Rebel pike force assembles at Naas, dispersed by yeomanry

Sidney abolishes coyning and livery in Clare

Turlough O'Brien plunders Clonard monastery

Turlough O'Brien plunders Kells monastery

Turlough ravages O'Grady lands before Mongressan

Wentworth writes from Limerick on Clare title inquisitions

Construction of Rathfolan and Ballinacragga castles

Dalcassian tribe conquers Thomond and Clare from Iberians

Flan attacks and robs churches of Clonmacnoise and others

General Hutchinson at Galway calls out Connaught yeomanry

Henry II introduces English laws at Lismore

Rising of O'Briens of Ennistymon against Macnamaras

Sidney's Parliament in Limerick, 1543

Teigie Macnamara retires to Smithstown after Limerick

Andrew MacCurtin, Gaelic poet of Kilmurry

Aran Islands hold most extensive pre-Celtic works in Ireland

Brian Boru confirms Armagh's bishop as metropolitan, 1004

Burial of Covgha Macnamara in Ennis Abbey

Earl of Thomond retains Lissofin estate

Lughaid Menu conquers Clare from the King of Connaught

Mortagh O'Brien installed at Magh Adhair near Tulla

Roger Macnamara of Quin martyred for his faith

St. Patrick received by King Angus at Cashel

W.N. Macnamara of Doolin, High Sheriff of Clare in 1789

Gaulish merchants at Clonmacnoise in the sixth century

St Patrick baptises Cassin near Limerick

Aran Islanders studied as Iberian descendants

Bishop of Killaloe takes oath of loyalty at Limerick

Chief Justice Aston tries Whiteboys in Tipperary

Cork True Blues volunteer regiment formed

Death of Sioda Macnamara at Quin, 1277

Expulsion of the Macnamaras to Burren in 1654

Grammar schools at Killaloe and Clare

Iberian descendants among the inhabitants of the Aran Islands

Inquisitions at Ennis regarding Clare estates

Macnamaras elected to Confederate Council at Kilkenny

Musgrove followers expelled but retain forts at Quin and Bunratty

Physical description of women in Burren

Quin Abbey cloisters and monuments of Macnamara sept

Rathfolan Castle ruins near Newmarket

Shan Macnamara's death (1587) and gavelkind succession in Clare

Siege and surrender of Limerick to Parliamentary forces

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