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

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

1. MacGorman of Ibrickan, richest man in Ireland in livestock

   Ibrickan · barony · Clare

   According to the Four Masters, a certain MacGorman living in the Barony of Ibrickan in county Clare was at this period 'the richest man in Ireland in live stock,' illustrating the continued prosperity of Clare's inhabitants.

   Read the passage

   The War of the Roses was at its height when Teigie O'Brien became the ruler of Thomond ; and the attention of England was so completely absorbed in her own affairs that Ireland was entirely abandoned by her, unless in a smaU area of the country surrounding Dublin. In these circumstances the Macnamaras, under the orders of Teigie O'Brien, collected, as MacFirbis informs us, a host ^ such as we have not heard of with any of their name or ancestry since the days of Brian Boru." It would seem as if the intention of Teigie had been to emulate the deeds of his ancestor and to drive all foreigners out of Ireland ; he marched with his forces through Munster, compelling both Irish and EngUsh to pay him tribute. He then returned to Clanroad. Whatever Teigie O'Brien's intentions may have been, his career was cut short by death ; he exjnred at Inchiquin after a few days' illness. The inhabitants of Clare continued to flourish after the death of Teigie O'Brien, for we learn from *' The Four Masters " that a certain MacGorman was at this period ** the richest man in Ireland in live stock." This individual lived in the Baronie of Ibrickan in county Clare.

   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

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 68

2. Teigie Macnamara loses Rathfolan castle and lands through mortgage foreclosure, 1703

   Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1703

   Teigie Macnamara, son of Daniel of Rathfolan, held the remnant of his father's property in lower Bunratty under the Treaty of Limerick, but mortgaged it to Sir D. O'Brien. The mortgage was foreclosed in 1703 and the castle, built by Daniel's father, is now a complete ruin.

   Read the passage

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

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

   Internet Archive storyanirishsep00macngoog, Chapter 111