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

Brian Roe dragged to death at Bunratty Castle

near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1277

After the defeat at Magh Greasain, Brian Roe and De Clare escaped to Bunratty, where the earl's wife accused Brian of treachery. Brian Roe was seized, bound to a horse, dragged to death in the castle-yard, and his body hung by the feet from the gallows, despite a sacred blood-brotherhood oath between Brian and De Clare.

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Turlough O'Brien passed from the MacMahon territory into Burren, and then northward into Galway ; and, having secured help from William de Burgho (Bourkes), he proceeded to join Clancuilein in the woods of Echty, and the combined force then commenced 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 Macnamara, passed first to the north-east and ravaged the O'Grady'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 stern steed " and dragged to death, and his body was then suspended by its feet from 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 friendship. The details of this crime are recorded by the " Four Masters," and were also transmitted by certain Irish chiefs to Pope John XII.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 55

Irish force invests Dublin against the English

Dublin · city · Dublin

The clergy's efforts to rouse the provincial kings resulted in a large Irish force under the King of Connaught investing Dublin, where the English of Leinster had withdrawn. No assault was made on the walls; when English cavalry and armed footmen sallied out, the Irish fled without 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 subject 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.* The 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 MacMurrogh died in the spring of 1 171, and the Earl of Pembroke, who had married Dermot's daughter, according to English law succeeded to the title and estates of the King of Leinster. This, however, was going rather too far. Henry 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 * Giraldus Cambrensis : " Conquest of Ireland," book i. chap, xviii. (Bohn's ed.).

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 51

Duke of Clarence's failed march into Thomond

Thomond · street · Dublin · 1361–1367

Lionel, Duke of Clarence, having banned any Irish-born person from approaching his army, marched on Thomond intending to break the power of the O'Briens. His heavily armed men became lost in bogs and forests without guides, allowing O'Brien to cut them off in detail, and the expedition had to be abandoned, preserving Clare from English invasion.

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the Duke of Clarence, over to Ireland ; * on arriving in the country one of the Duke's first acts was to " publish an order to the effect that none of Irish birth should be allowed to approach him or his army, nor be employed in service of the warres." f (a.d. 1361). Lionel, Duke of Clarence, then commenced his march on Thomond, intending to break the power of the O'Briens, but his heavily armed men soon got mixed up in the bogs, and lost their way in the forests for want of guides. O'Brien was thus able to cut them off in detail ; and the end of it was the expedition had to be abandoned, and so Clare was again preserved from an invasion by the English. The Duke of Clarence in the year 1367 met his Parliament in Kilkenny ; and they then passed the famous Act of that year. In the preamble of this Act it is affirmed that whereas at the conquest of Ireland, and for long after, the English had used the language, mode of riding, apparel, and had lived under English law, now many of them had forsaken these customs and laws and usages ; they live and govern themselves, according to the manners, fashions, and language of the Irish enemies ; and also have made divers marriages and alliances between themselves and the Irish enemies aforesaid."
The meaning of the expression " Irish enemies " is explained in a letter of Richard II. to the Duke of York.J He remarks : " In Ireland there are three kinds of people, wild Irish, our enemies ; Irish rebels, the English who had thrown off their allegance to the crown ; and obedient English. "§ King Richard adds : "To us and our Council it appears that the Irish rebels have rebelled in consequence of the injustice and grievances practised towards them, for which they have been offered no redress, and that if not wisely treated and given hopes of grace they will ally themselves with our enemies" :|| language very similar to that which the Pope used to King Edward, and with as little result. To return, however, to the Act passed by the Kilkenny Parliament in 1367 :

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 72

As the companion tells it

Along here in 1361, Lionel, Duke of Clarence, marched on Thomond to break the power of the O'Briens. On arriving in Ireland, one of his first acts was to publish an order that none of Irish birth should be allowed to approach him or his army, nor be employed in service of the wars. His heavily armed men soon got mixed up in the bogs and lost their way in the forests for want of guides. O'Brien was able to cut them off in detail, and the expedition had to be abandoned. Clare was again preserved from an invasion by the English. Six years later, in 1367, the Duke met his Parliament in Kilkenny, and they passed the famous Act of that year. Its preamble affirmed that at the conquest of Ireland and for long after, the English had used the English language, mode of riding, and apparel, and had lived under English law, but now many had forsaken those customs and lived according to the manners, fashions, and language of the Irish enemies, and had made marriages and alliances with them. Richard the Second later wrote that there were three kinds of people in Ireland: wild Irish, their enemies; Irish rebels, the English who had thrown off their allegiance to the crown; and obedient English. He added that the Irish rebels had rebelled in consequence of injustice and grievances practised towards them, for which they had been offered no redress.

Elizabeth Fitzgerald defends Moret Castle against O'Cahils

Morett · townland · Laois · 1690

In 1690, Stephen and Elizabeth Fitzgerald held Moret Castle in Queen's County when the O'Cahils, claiming prior title, attacked. Stephen was captured and the O'Cahils proposed exchanging him for the castle; Elizabeth refused, declaring she could get another husband but never another castle. Stephen was hanged, and Elizabeth later made her son swear vengeance atop the castle.

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Sir J. Barrington informs us that his great aunt and uncle, Stephen and Elizabeth Fitzgerald, in the year 1690, held possession of the castle of Moret, in Queen's County ; the O'Cahils claimed the property from which they said they had been excluded by Queen Elizabeth, and they proceeded to attack the place, but were driven off by the Fitzgeralds. Stephen, however, went for a walk in his garden the following morning, when he was seized by a party of the O'Cahils and carried off in triumph ; after a time it struck them they might exchange their prisoner for the castle, and so they approached its walls and produced Stephen Fitzgerald, and a flag of truce was sent forward with a message to Elizabeth to the effect that "we have your husband in hault, yee's have yeer castle sure enough. NOWWC will change, if you please we'll render the squire and you'll render the keep ; and if yees wont do the same, the squire will be throttled before your two eyes in half an hour." To which Aunt Elizabeth replied, without hesitation— mark the words
* Cumberland's " Memoirs," vol. i. pp. 258-2C3. Duelling in those days was not confined to drunken country gentlemen ; for instance, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Clare, fought the Master of the Rolls, Curran ; the Chief Justice fought Lord Tyrawly and two others ; the Chancellor of the Exchequer fought H. Grattan ; the Baron of Exchequer, his brother-in-law and two others ; Chief Justice Norbury fought Fitzgerald ; and so on through a long list (Barrington ':> I Own Times, 1760," vol. ii. p. 4).

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 121

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Morett, in 1690, Stephen and Elizabeth Fitzgerald held Moret Castle in Queen's County. The O'Cahils claimed the property, saying they had been excluded by Queen Elizabeth. They attacked but were driven off by the Fitzgeralds. The next morning Stephen went for a walk in his garden and was seized by a party of the O'Cahils and carried off. After a time it struck them they might exchange their prisoner for the castle. They approached the walls and produced Stephen, sending a flag of truce with a message to Elizabeth. They told her they had her husband in hold and she had her castle sure enough, and they would change if she pleased, rendering the squire and she rendering the keep, and if she would not, the squire would be throttled before her eyes in half an hour. Elizabeth replied without hesitation that she could get another husband but never another castle. Stephen was hanged. Elizabeth later made her son swear vengeance atop the castle.

Synod of Irish clergy at Armagh

near Armagh · town · Armagh

A synod of all the clergy of Ireland met at Armagh to discuss the state of the country and its invasion by foreigners. The synod agreed that divine vengeance had fallen on Ireland because of the people's sins, especially the purchase of English natives as slaves, and decreed that all Anglo-Saxon slaves should be restored to freedom.

Read the passage

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 subject 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.* The 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 MacMurrogh died in the spring of 1 171, and the Earl of Pembroke, who had married Dermot's daughter, according to English law succeeded to the title and estates of the King of Leinster. This, however, was going rather too far. Henry 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 * Giraldus Cambrensis : " Conquest of Ireland," book i. chap, xviii. (Bohn's ed.).

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 51

Henry II arrives in Waterford and receives submissions at Cashel

Waterford · city · Waterford · 1172

Henry II arrived in Waterford in November 1172 accompanied by Strongbow and other barons. MacCarthy, King of Desmond, was the first Irish prince to swear fealty. Henry proceeded to Cashel where most Irish chiefs including Donald O'Brien of Thomond made submission, though O'Brien subsequently ignored tribute obligations.

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Henry arrived in Waterford (in November 1172) accompanied by Strongbow, De Burgho, and other barons ; he was met by MacCarthy, King of Desmond, who was the first Irish prince to swear fealty and subjection to the King of England. Henry proceeded to Cashel ; he was visited by most of the Irish chiefs, including Donald O'Brien, King of Thomond, who made submission to the king and engaged to hand Limerick over to him. Donald, however, returned to Kincora, and seems not only to have overlooked the matter of tribute, but he carried on the government of Thomond exactly on the old lines, the King of England having no power whatever over the country.
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 1173. 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 conquest.!

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 52

Fitzstephen burns ecclesiastical establishment at Clonard

Clonard · town · Meath · 1169

Robert Fitzstephen landed near Wexford in 1169 and among his early feats was burning the ecclesiastical establishment at Clonard, along with Kells and Slane. The burning was noted as a remarkable way to further the religion that was the ostensible reason for the invasion.

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having been asked by MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, to help him to regain the throne from which he had been expelled by his subjects, in consequence of his licentious mode of life, Henry at once recognised the advisability of taking advantage of the King of Leinster's appeal for aid, and so of gaining a pretext for interfering in the affairs of Ireland. The King of England, therefore, issued orders from Normandy conferring powers on certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid MacMurrogh to regain his throne ; among others Robert Fitzstephen responded to this call, and in the year 1169 passed over to Ireland and landed near Wexford. Fitzstephen on arriving in Ireland was joined by MacMurrogh ; one of their early feats was to burn the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, Slane, and Clonard, a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV. for making over Ireland to Henry II.
It is unnecessary to describe the slaughter which followed in the steps of Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), who landed in Ireland in the year 1170. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were then fighting with one another, and far too intent upon their own objects to combine and defend their country from invasion.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 51

As the companion tells it

You're coming through a town in Meath. In 1169, it was the site of a notable burning. MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, had been expelled by his own subjects because of his licentious way of life. He went to Henry, King of England, and asked for help to regain his throne. Henry, who was in Normandy, saw his chance to interfere in the affairs of Ireland. He issued orders giving certain Anglo-Norman barons the power to aid MacMurrogh. Among those who answered the call was Robert Fitzstephen, who landed near Wexford in 1169. On arriving in Ireland, Fitzstephen was joined by MacMurrogh. One of their early feats was to burn the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, Slane, and Clonard, described as "a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV for making over Ireland to Henry II." The following year, 1170, Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, known as Strongbow, landed in Ireland. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were too busy fighting one another to combine and defend their country from the invasion.

Fitzstephen burns ecclesiastical establishment at Kells

Kells · town · Meath · 1169

Robert Fitzstephen landed near Wexford in 1169 to aid MacMurrogh, and one of his early acts was burning the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, along with those at Slane and Clonard. This was ironic given that the ostensible papal justification for the invasion was the furtherance of religion.

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having been asked by MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, to help him to regain the throne from which he had been expelled by his subjects, in consequence of his licentious mode of life, Henry at once recognised the advisability of taking advantage of the King of Leinster's appeal for aid, and so of gaining a pretext for interfering in the affairs of Ireland. The King of England, therefore, issued orders from Normandy conferring powers on certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid MacMurrogh to regain his throne ; among others Robert Fitzstephen responded to this call, and in the year 1169 passed over to Ireland and landed near Wexford. Fitzstephen on arriving in Ireland was joined by MacMurrogh ; one of their early feats was to burn the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, Slane, and Clonard, a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV. for making over Ireland to Henry II.
It is unnecessary to describe the slaughter which followed in the steps of Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), who landed in Ireland in the year 1170. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were then fighting with one another, and far too intent upon their own objects to combine and defend their country from invasion.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 51

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is the town of Kells in Meath. In 1169, MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, had been expelled by his own subjects because of his licentious way of life. He asked Henry the Second for help regaining his throne. Henry, seeing a pretext for interfering in Ireland's affairs, issued orders from Normandy allowing certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid MacMurrogh. Robert Fitzstephen was among those who responded. He crossed to Ireland and landed near Wexford. MacMurrogh joined him on arrival, and one of their early feats was to burn the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, and at Slane and Clonard as well. The source calls this a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason Pope Adrian the Fourth gave for handing Ireland over to Henry the Second. In 1170, Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, known as Strongbow, landed in Ireland. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were fighting among themselves, too intent on their own aims to combine and defend the country.

Fitzstephen burns ecclesiastical establishment at Slane

Slane · town · Meath · 1169

Robert Fitzstephen landed near Wexford in 1169 and among his early feats was burning the ecclesiastical establishment at Slane, along with Kells and Clonard. The burning was noted as a remarkable way to further the religion that was the ostensible reason for the invasion.

Read the passage

having been asked by MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, to help him to regain the throne from which he had been expelled by his subjects, in consequence of his licentious mode of life, Henry at once recognised the advisability of taking advantage of the King of Leinster's appeal for aid, and so of gaining a pretext for interfering in the affairs of Ireland. The King of England, therefore, issued orders from Normandy conferring powers on certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid MacMurrogh to regain his throne ; among others Robert Fitzstephen responded to this call, and in the year 1169 passed over to Ireland and landed near Wexford. Fitzstephen on arriving in Ireland was joined by MacMurrogh ; one of their early feats was to burn the large ecclesiastical establishment at Kells, Slane, and Clonard, a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV. for making over Ireland to Henry II.
It is unnecessary to describe the slaughter which followed in the steps of Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), who landed in Ireland in the year 1170. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were then fighting with one another, and far too intent upon their own objects to combine and defend their country from invasion.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 51

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Slane, in 1169, Robert Fitzstephen burned the large ecclesiastical establishment here, along with those at Kells and Clonard. It was one of his early feats after landing near Wexford that year. Fitzstephen had come at the invitation of MacMurrogh, King of Leinster, who had been expelled by his own subjects because of his licentious mode of life. MacMurrogh asked Henry, King of England, for help regaining his throne. Henry recognised the advantage and issued orders from Normandy empowering certain Anglo-Norman barons to aid him. Fitzstephen was among those who responded. On arriving in Ireland, Fitzstephen was joined by MacMurrogh, and together they burned the ecclesiastical establishments at Kells, Slane, and Clonard. The record calls this, in its words, a remarkable way of furthering the object of religion, which was the ostensible reason advanced by Adrian IV for making over Ireland to Henry II. In 1170, Richard de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, known as Strongbow, landed in Ireland. The provincial kings of Connaught, Ulster, and Munster were fighting one another, too intent on their own objects to combine and defend their country.

Anglo-Norman chiefs renounce English allegiance at Shannon

Athlone · town · Westmeath

Ulick de Burgho (Clanricarde) and Sir E. Bourke declared themselves independent of England on the banks of the Shannon, in sight of the royal garrison of Athlone, casting off Norman dress and arms and adopting the saffron robe of Celtic chieftains. This act symbolized the deepening fusion of Anglo-Norman families into the native Irish population in the west of Ireland.

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It was to preserve their tribe and people from the untold misery created by such a state of society as that described by so able a lawyer as Sir J. Davies, that the O'Briens and Macnamaras fought so obstinately and so effectively during the twelfth, thirteenth, and following centuries, their object being to maintain their lands and laws, and to this end prevent the English from gaining possession of Clare. The Anglo-Norman families in the West of Ireland had, together with the native Celts, become so convinced of the misery caused by the action of England in Ireland, that the former preferred to throw in their lot with those Irish chiefs into whose families they had married. Ulick de Burgho (Clanricarde) and Sir E. Bourke, ancestor of Viscount Mayo, declared themselves independent of England, and "on the banks of the Shannon, in sight of the royal garrison of Athlone, threw aside their Norman dress and arms and assumed the saffron robe of Celtic chieftains." * So completely did these and other Anglo-Norman chiefs become fused into the native population that they are described as having become more Irish than the Irish themselves. No doubt the proclivities of these noblemen were towards the freedom of action enjoyed by Irish chiefs, who exercised not only the power of life and death over their tribemen, but could also command their services to a man in any military undertaking which they and their clan approved.
Edward III. has left us his views as to the condition of Ireland. He stated that his dominion in that country had " been reduced to such utter devastation, ruin, and misery, that they may be totally lost if our subjects there are not immediately succoured." "Our subjects" meant the English of the Pale ; and to succour these he sent his son,

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 72

As the companion tells it

Coming up now is Athlone, a town on the Shannon. In the centuries after the Normans came, the great families of the west changed sides. The O'Briens and the Macnamaras fought through the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and after to hold their lands and laws in Clare and keep the English out. But the Anglo-Norman families in the west had married into Irish chiefly houses, and they saw the misery England brought. They chose to throw in their lot with the Irish. Ulick de Burgho, called Clanricarde, and Sir E. Bourke, ancestor of Viscount Mayo, declared themselves independent of England. On the banks of the Shannon, in sight of the royal garrison of Athlone, they threw aside their Norman dress and arms and put on the saffron robe of Celtic chieftains. These and other Anglo-Norman chiefs became so fused into the native population that they were said to have become more Irish than the Irish themselves. What drew them was the freedom Irish chiefs held, the power of life and death over their tribesmen, and the right to call every man to fight for a cause the clan approved. Edward the Third wrote that his dominion in Ireland had been reduced to utter devastation, ruin, and misery, and could be totally lost if his subjects were not immediately succoured. By his subjects he meant the English of the Pale, and to succour them he sent his son.

Battle of Dysert O'Dea and death of Sir Richard De Clare

Dysert · townland · Clare

O'Dea lured De Clare across a ford near Dysert by feigning a cattle drive, then ambushed him with men hidden in the bushes. Sir Richard De Clare and sixteen of his best knights were killed before the main body could come to their aid.

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ford, over which it was necessary for De Clare to advance. On the following morning, De Clare, having detached a part of his troops to make a flank movement, so as to attack O'Dea in the rear, advanced with his main body on Dysert. Its round towers rose boldly over the trees and crags, little more than a mile westward.* O'Dea sent a number of his retainers to appear as though engaged in driving cattle over the ford. De Clare attacked them ; and as they turned to defend the causeway De Clare, with his bravest knights, rode to the front. The O'Deas retreated, and were followed by De Clare over the ford, and so were separated from the main body of his troops, when he was suddenly set upon by the Irish previously hidden among the bushes on the sides of the road leading from the ford ; and before his men could come to his aid Sir Richard and sixteen of his best knights were killed.
" Too late to save their leaders, the main body of the English force made their way with difficulty across the stream, and beset the survivors of the O'Deas in the wood. Just then O'Conor and his troops appeared on a hill above ; they charged down the slope, and over the lowland, and fell on the English. These stood their ground bravely, headed by De Clare's son, who fought hand to hand with O'Conor ; but the brave youth was at length overcome, gallantly dying on the field of battle, as became the heir of so noble a race as the De Clares.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 69

Cormac MacArt's boyhood judgment at Tara

near Tara · hill or hills · Meath

As a boy, Cormac MacArt was present at his uncle's court at Tara when a case involving sheep straying into the queen's garden was heard. The king adjudged the sheep to the plaintiff, but young Cormac intervened, arguing it would be more equitable to give only the shearing of the sheep as damages, since both grass and wool would grow again.

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man of considerable literary attainments ; the historian Keating has given us an account of Cormac's career, which need not be referred to in this place, beyond mentioning a characteristic anecdote of the youn" king. Cormac MacArt, when a boy, was one day present in his uncle's court at Tara. It appears that " certain sheep had strayed into and eaten up some vegetables growing in the queen's garden," the case was brought before the king, and he "adjudged the sheep to the plaintiff" in lieu of the trespass." Young Cormac, hearing the sentence, came forward and remarked, the judgment "were more equitable were the shearing of the sheep given in damage of the green stuff cropped ; for in the ground the grass will grow again, and so will the wool upon the sheep." *
Cormac having been actively engaged throughout a long reign determined, in consequence of an injury he had received to one of his eyes, to resign his throne in favour of his son, and to devote the remaining years of his life, as he stated, " to meditation and the worship of God, the Creator of Heaven, and also of a place in which the souls of the wicked should be justly punished /" these were Cormac's own words, recorded by himself in a work which existed in Keating's time, and from which the historian quotes. These expressions were made use of by Cormac before Christianity had spread into Ireland ; he was brought up by a Druid and practised their art, for he undertook to cure one of his friends of leprosy by means of magic. It seems therefore probable that expressions such as those above quoted were not far removed from what was taught by the Druids before Christianity was introduced into Ireland ; for in those days the Druids were the chief if not the only schoolmasters in Ireland. Cormac distinctly stated " that it was beneath the dignity of a rational being to adore anything in the form of an idol, but that his prayers should be directed to the living Supreme Being who created all things."* The following are some of his expressions which have come down to us through another Cormac of Cashel :

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 30

Encounter with the woman of Ireland's sovereignty at Loch Derg

near Lough Derg · lake or lakes · Clare · 1304

As Turlough's army moved along the wooded banks of Loch Derg, a beautiful lone woman approached them and identified herself as Ireland's sovereignty, declaring that if strangers had not caused him to turn back, the rule of all Ireland would have been his. She then vanished in the semblance of a bright cloud.

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As Turlough's army moved along the lovely wooded banks of Loch Derg, Magrath informs us that " they were met by a lone woman who approached them, fair of face she was and of modest mien. From her strange aspect and beautiful form, the whole of Turlough's followers took heed of her : a maid with red lips and taper fingers, long and wavy flowing hair ; her whole being commanded respect." She spoke to the king as follows : " My name is Ireland's sovereignty, and if strangers had not caused thee to turn back, the sovereign rule of the whole of Ireland would have been yours." Such delight had the army in listening to her that they pressed close on her ; but she disappeared in the semblance of a bright cloud, repeating as she passed away a long poem which Magrath has given us in detail. Turlough then deeply repented having followed the Earl's counsel ; nevertheless he ruled the whole of Munster and Thomond as his ancestors had done before him. For no less than nine-and-twenty years Turlough reigned over this province, during which time we are told there was exceeding abundance in the country and " every man was able to attend to and to perform the office of his station." §
* State Papers, Ireland, No. 459, a.d. 1301.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 57

John Macnamara raises the Yellow Dragoons in Clare

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1689–1690

John Macnamara, a member of the Dublin Parliament of 1689, raised the "Yellow Dragoons" regiment in County Clare. He subsequently led this regiment at the Battle of the Boyne.

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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 attend 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 organising 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 thoroughly business-like manner. Among other matters it laid down the principle that "the English Parliament had not, and never had, any right to legislate for
* See p. 194.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 141

Mailmoda and Gormflaith episode at Kincora

Killaloe · town · Clare

Mailmoda, brother of Brian's discarded wife Gormflaith, arrived at Kincora bearing ship masts as a gift. After a humiliating incident involving a silver-buttoned tunic and a chess game with Morrogh, Brian's son, Mailmoda left Kincora in great anger and went to Dublin. Gormflaith followed and incited the Danes to revolt, leading to the coalition that would confront Brian at Clontarf.

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 44

O'Carroll killed rescuing captives near Rathfolan

Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1655

A daughter of Daniel Macnamara of Rathfolan married Captain O'Carroll, who attempted to rescue Irish people seized by Cromwell's soldiers for export to the West Indies. O'Carroll killed two Englishmen near Rathfolan but was himself shot dead; his wife and young son were reportedly seized and exported to Jamaica.

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It was in connection with this proceeding that the rumours arose which are referred to by the Rev. P. White in his " History of Clare " (p. 205). A daughter of Daniel Macnamara, of Rathfolan, had married a young Captain O'Carroll, and it is reported that in an attempt to rescue some of the poor creatures who had been seized by Cromwell's soldiers, O'Carroll, having killed two of these Englishmen near Rathfolan, was himself shot dead. His young wife is said to have been seized, together with her little boy, and exported to Jamaica; the lad, in after-years, passed over to America, and subsequently became a person of note in Virginia.
On the restoration of Charles II. the hopes of many an Irish family rose high, for most of them had loyally supported his father ; but they were doomed to disappointment, for the king could not be troubled with Irish grievances, but he appointed a commission to inquire into their claims. Mr. Frost has given us an abstract of most of the work done by this commission, so far as their investigations in Clare extended.! The Crown benefited largely by the confiscations; thus Charles II. bestowed no less than one hundred and seventy thousand acres of these lands on his brother James.J About two-thirds of the best lands in Ireland in 1641, which had belonged to Roman Catholics, in a.d. 1651 were made over to Protestants, most of them either Englishmen or Scotchmen. It seems that the commissioners appointed by Charles did their work in a very perfunctory manner, and three thousand cases were dismissed because there was not sufficient time to inquire into their merits.§ But the slight amount of concessions made to the old landowners of the country produced intense excitement, and disaffection among the English and Scotch adventurers ; so much was this the case, that Pepys, in his Diary, informs us that " a plot was discovered in the north of Ireland among the Presbyters and others to secure Dublin

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 116

Siege and capitulation of Limerick, 1651

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1651

Limerick was surrounded by Ireton's Parliamentary troops, cut off from food supplies, and ravaged by plague. Despite Bishop O'Brien's energetic resistance, a faction led by Captain Teigie Macnamara and Colonel Fennell seized a city gate and opened negotiations for surrender, and Limerick fell. Bishop O'Brien and eleven other citizens were hanged by order of the English general.

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Limerick was now completely surrounded by Ireton's troops, and so cut off from all supplies of food, and the plague which had broken out in the town some time previously to the commencement of the seige, began to commit terrible ravages among its half-starving population ; nevertheless, under the energetic leadership of Bishop O'Brien, the inhabitants of the city for several months refused to surrender. A party within the walls of Limerick, had from an early stage of the siege, considered that further opposition to the Parliamentary forces was hopeless ; and as time went on and the distress of the people became aggravated, this party led by one of the Burkes, Captain Teigie Macnamara, and Colonel Fennell, determined to open negotiations with Ireton. There was no hope of relief coming to the aid of the garrison, and their sufferings augmented day by day. In these circumstances the officers above named seized one of the gates of the city and proceeded to enter upon terms of capitulation with the beseigers ; although Bishop O'Brien and some of the principal citizens strongly opposed these proceedings, and endeavoured to drive Teigie Macnamara and his party from the post they had occupied ; the gates of the city were opened to the leader of the Parliamentary forces, and Limerick fell into their hands. The whole of the garrison were allowed to march out of the town, and its inhabitants, as had been agreed to by the beseigers before the capitulation, obtained permission to retain possession of their houses and property ; an exception, however, was made in the case of Bishop O'Brien and eleven other citizens, who were hung by order of the English general. t

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 104

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Limerick, the city carries the mark of 1651. In that year Limerick was completely surrounded by Ireton's Parliamentary troops, cut off from all supplies of food. The plague had broken out in the town before the siege even began, and it committed terrible ravages among the half-starving population. Under the energetic leadership of Bishop O'Brien, the inhabitants of the city refused to surrender for several months. But a party within the walls had considered from an early stage that further opposition was hopeless. As time went on and the distress of the people grew worse, this party, led by one of the Burkes, Captain Teigie Macnamara, and Colonel Fennell, determined to open negotiations with Ireton. There was no hope of relief coming to the aid of the garrison, and their sufferings augmented day by day. These officers seized one of the gates of the city and proceeded to enter upon terms of capitulation with the besiegers. Bishop O'Brien and some of the principal citizens strongly opposed these proceedings and endeavoured to drive Teigie Macnamara and his party from the post they had occupied, but the gates of the city were opened, and Limerick fell into the hands of the Parliamentary forces. The whole of the garrison were allowed to march out of the town, and its inhabitants obtained permission to retain possession of their houses and property, as had been agreed before the capitulation. An exception was made in the case of Bishop O'Brien and eleven other citizens, who were hanged by order of the English general.

Siege of Ballyallia Castle

Ballyallia · townland · Clare · 1642

English residents in Clare assembled at Ballyallia Castle, belonging to Maurice Cuffe, and refused to surrender their arms. The Irish invested the castle, constructing a wooden shed covered with hides to undermine the foundations, and eventually forced the garrison to capitulate after capturing Cuffe junior.

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The English formed a very small proportion of the population of Clare, and were for the most part engaged as farmers on the estates of the Earl of Thomond. Hearing of the cruelties perpetrated by the Irish on their countrymen in the north, they naturally began to take measures for their own safety, and many of them assembled in a castle (Ballyallia) belonging to an Englishman, Mr. Maurice Cuffe. The Earl of Thomond was not trusted by the English ; they accused him of favouring the Irish, and some time previously Wentworth had objected to the Earl being appointed Governor of Munster, because the Lord Deputy believed that he " merited nothing, as his brother, the late Earl, did." Lord Thomond issued an order to the effect that the English in Clare were to give up their arms for the use of the militia ; but when men were sent to enforce this order, the English assembled at Ballyallia refused to obey it. Cuffe fortified and provisioned his castle, and the Irish then invested it, hoping to starve out the garrison rather than storm the castle, which, without artillery, would have been a risky proceeding, defended as it was by a body of well armed Englishmen.
Early in January, Donogh Macnamara, with a company of horsemen, was despatched by the Irish in Clare to confer with Phelim O'Neil as to the state of affairs in the West of Ireland ; and further, if war was to be carried on, to procure the means for arming the people. Of cannon O'Neil had none to spare, and so Donogh Macnamara returned to Clare. He had an interview with Mr. Cuffe, offering to conduct him and the garrison of his castle to Limerick if they would give up the place. This they declined to do, and so Ballyallia remained closely

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 101

Thomas Macnamara, duelist and highwayman from Clare

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1700–1710

Thomas Macnamara, youngest son of Daniel Macnamara of Co. Clare, left Ireland as a youth to join the French army, earning the label of rebel to the English Crown. After fighting numerous duels across France and Flanders, he came to London, fell in with bad companions, was convicted of highway robbery, and was executed despite a petition for mercy presented by ten ladies in white satin.

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Another case, though not so directly bearing on our sept in Clare, is of interest as an illustration of the moral ruin which had fallen upon a son of one of the former landowners of the Ui-Caisin. Thomas Macnamara was the youngest boy of Daniel Macnamara of co. Clare. t At an early age Thomas thought "to advance himself by war," and so passed over to the Continent and entered the French army, and was therefore accounted "a rebel to the Crown of England." This youth had not been long in France before he fought several duels, and on one occasion at Fontainbleau, in an encounter of this kind, he killed two officers one after the other ; for this he was obliged to flee from France and take refuge in Flanders. Thomas Macnamara, we are informed, being " a good swordsman fought no less than thirty duels," and was never wounded, " and yet he had not then reached his twenty-first year of age." He had however to leave Flanders for the same reason as that which obliged him to quit France, and he came over to London, where it would seem he found an uncle who was evidently a man in good society, but Thomas fell among bad companions, and with them was concerned in a robbery "on the king's highway." The lad was taken, tried, and condemned to death. It seems, however, that he was such a remarkably handsome, fascinating young fellow, that " ten ladies dressed in white satin, and introduced by two ambassadors," presented a petition to the Queen in favour of Macnamara ; his companions in crime were reprieved but as Thomas was a rebel, no mercy was shown him.
One cannot but feel that Thomas had much of the Macnamara in him. nor can we help pitying an uneducated lad, for he was a Catholic, thrown on his own resources as a French soldier at the early age oi~ eighteen,

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 121

Henry III grants Tradree to Robert Musegros, castle at Quin

Quin · town · Clare · 1227

Around 1227, Henry III granted the district of Tradree in Clare to Robert Musegros, encroaching near Ui-Caisin and Macnamara lands. Musegros was permitted to build castles, one likely on the site where Quin Abbey now stands, and was directed to receive 200 oaks from Cratloe woods for the construction.

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that he should pay a hundred and thirty marks to England as tribute ; and six years after the grantee's death, Henry, under a patent given at Westminster, granted the district of Tradree, co. Clare, to Robert Musegros, in this way encroaching dangerously near Ui-Caisin and some of the Macnamaras' most fertile lands. King Henry also gave permission 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 Musegros was to have two hundred good oaks from 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 province 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 encroachments of the Anglo- Normans, and they rose, therefore, against Donough O'Brien " because he seemed to be favourably disposed to their enemies," and drove him out of 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 Musegros' 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 storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 52

Battle of Clontarf and death of Brian Boru

Clontarf · parish · Dublin

The Danes and their Irish allies formed a line along the shore of Clontarf with their backs to the sea. After a full day of fighting the Irish prevailed and the Danes were completely vanquished; Brian Boru, too old to lead, was killed in his tent by fugitive Danes, and his son Morrogh was mortally wounded.

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The old monarch, Brian Boru, although unable to lead his army, ratched its movements from a distance throughout the day. We are Did that his attention was constantly fixed on the standard of his son lorrogh, for so long as he saw it carried aloft he felt sure that all was rell with the Irish. Towards evening Morrogh's banner disappeared; t first Brian tried to persuade himself that it was his faulty sight and nxious watching that prevented him from recognising his son's standard, ut when the truth came home to him the old man's grief was extreme, e could no longer watch the contest, but went into the tent his ttendants had prepared for him, to give vent to his sorrow in secret, t is stated that his attendants urged him to retire from the scene, but Irian replied, " Retreat becomes us not, and I know that I shall not iave this place alive, for Aoibhel of Cragliath appeared to me last night nd told me that I should be killed this day." Soon after this the )anes fled in all directions, and Brian's servants seeing this left the old ing and joined their comrades in pursuit of their enemies. The king ras thus alone, and at this moment a party of fugitive Danes came upon is tent ; Brian was recognised, and though he did his best to defend imself the old man was soon overpowered and killed.*
Morrogh after fighting throughout the whole of the day, towards the vening found his hands so swollen that he was unable any longer to rasp his sword ; when in this condition he was attacked by a Dane, nd the two closed with each other. Morrogh is said by main force to ave pulled the armour off his antagonist, and then to have felled him

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 45

Friar Roger Macnamara martyred at Ennis

Ennis · town · Clare · 1651

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

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 104

Inauguration of Brian Roe as King of Thomond at Magh Adhair

near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1270–1280

Sioda Macnamara inaugurated Brian Roe as King of Thomond at Magh Adhair, the traditional inauguration site of the Dalcassian kings. This was followed by Turlough O'Brien's revolt, which was joined by the Macnamaras, prompting Brian Roe to seek aid from 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. i 172— 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. 1 192 — 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. 1242— His daughter married Conor O'Brien, King of Thomond — Importance of alliance — They defeat the English, a.d. 1257 — 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 Coveha or Cumheadha— Mac Carthy of Desmond declines to give Coveha up to De Clare — Coveha 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 Quin by Coveha Macnamara — His death, a.d. 1306 — Donchard Macnamara succeeds — His victory over other Dalcasian septs and his murder.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 50

Kildare routed at Quin by O'Brien and Macnamaras

Quin · town · Clare · 1499

The Lord Deputy Kildare, after leaving a garrison, moved on to Quin where Conor O'Brien had summoned the Macnamara and other Dalcasian septs to oppose him. After a fiercely contested battle in 1499, Kildare was utterly routed by the Irish and barely escaped across the Shannon with the remnants of his troops.

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 78

Lady De Clare burns Bunratty and flees across the Shannon

near Bunratty · parish · Clare

Upon hearing of the deaths of her husband and son, Lady De Clare placed her belongings in boats and crossed the Shannon, ordering Bunratty to be set on fire before she left. This marked the end of the Anglo-Norman presence in Clare.

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Lady De Clare, directly she heard of the death of her husband and son, placed her belongings in boats, and passed over the Shannon ; before leaving Bunratty, she ordered the place to be set on fire. This was the last of the Anglo-Normans in Clare ; they had absolutely failed, after fifty years' fighting, to obtain possession of a single acre in that part of Ireland. The O'Briens, and Macnamaras had resisted them manfully, md succeeded in preserving their lands from the intrusion of strangers ; 1 condition of things they maintained until as late as the year 1654.
It is true the English, after the battle of Dysert-O'Dea, assigned the :astle and estate of Bunratty to Matelda, wife of Robert de Wells, and mother sister of De Clare's, and appointed R. Sutton to hold the castle is a safeguard to the traders of Limerick, but in 1332, eleven years Defore Mortough O'Brien's death, the place was attacked and taken by Mac-con Macnamara, and so the king lived to see his power established irom Limerick to the cliffs of Moher.f

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 69

S. Macnamara's heroic stand at Quin, 1278

Quin · town · Clare · 1278

When a hostile army approached Quin in 1278, S. Macnamara and a band of his relations entered the enemy camp at daybreak seeking single combat with the hostile leader. His followers were all slaughtered, and Macnamara himself fought on with amazing vigour before being overpowered and killed.

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of Clancuilein, the O'Briens could not have held their own in Clare or prevented its falling into the hands of the English. The leaders of Clancuilein placed their lives absolutely at the service of their king as head of their tribe; they were ready to fight and to die in the defence of his interests, and in these old times war made men staunch and true to one another. We can hardly have a better instance of this than in the case of S. Macnamara, who, when a hostile army approached Quin in a.d. 1278, with a band of his relations entered the camp of the enemy at daybreak, with the object of engaging the leader of the hostile force in single combat. He fought his way onward with amazing vigour, his followers having all been slaughtered ; still he strove to meet the leader of his king's enemies, but was overpowered and killed.*
Then again the action of Mac-Con (Macnamara) and his clan in the memorable battle of Corcomroe. In the neighbourhood of that beautifu 1 abbey, surrounded by the wonderful hills of Burren, one of the most important battles in the history of Clare was fought, and the Macnamaras covered themselves with honour.! In the remarkably vivid description which Magrath has left us of this battle there is nothing ferocious or barbarous in the practice of war, for instance, with reference to the care of the wounded, he observes, they were " no longer foes but brothers in trouble," the burial of the dead, and other details referred to by this author, contrast favourably with scenes witnessed by the writer, in warfare carried on in our Eastern possessions in the early part of the second half of the present century. The Irish Celt, in his eager pursuit of pleasure, considered fighting as the noblest pastime ; war was one of the chief duties of life, and it was thought honourable to die on the field of battle. The serious side of the subject seldom affected the soul of the jay, light-hearted Irishman.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 107

Synod of Cashel decrees conformity with Church of England

Cashel · town · Tipperary · 1172

Before leaving Ireland, Henry II convened a synod at Cashel in 1172 decreeing that the universal Church of Ireland should be reduced in all things to the order and form of the Church of England. The reforms included prohibitions on clerical marriage and required Christian burial within church precincts.

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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." \ 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
* " The Case of Ireland," by W. Molyneux : edited by the Very Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon, P.P., pp. 44.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 52

English defeated at Killaloe entering Clare

Killaloe · town · Clare · 1192

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

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In 1 1 92 the English determined to subdue the Dalcasians, and s( concentrated their forces and entered Clare at Killaloe ; turning westwarc along the Shannon, they then struck north, intending to overrun thij Ui-Caisin territories; but they were here met by the Dalcasians unde command of the O'Briens and Macnamaras ; the English werf completely defeated and had to retreat in hot haste across th| Shannon.
In the year 1 221, we learn that King Henry III. made a grant c; the province of Thomond to Donough O'Brien on the understandm |

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 52

Archbishop destroys idol of Mac Dara on Aran Islands

near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway · 1640–1660

In the middle of the seventeenth century, the Archbishop of Tuam crossed to the Aran Islands to destroy an oak figure of 'Mac Dara' that the local people continued to worship despite clerical efforts to stop them. This illustrates the persistence of pagan beliefs in the west of Ireland well into the Christian era.

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 8

Bishop Nicholson witnesses destitution on the road to Tuam, 1728

Tuam · town · Galway · 1728

Bishop Nicholson, travelling in Ireland in 1728, observed extreme hunger and want among the poor. On the road to Tuam, one of his horses died and was immediately surrounded by desperate cotters struggling to obtain a morsel of flesh for themselves and their children.

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Bishop Nicholson, who seems to have been a hard, selfish Englishman, and not disposed, therefore, to spare much sympathy on the Irish, writes of the cotters as he saw them in the year 1728 ; he observes : " 1 never beheld, even in Picardy, Westphalia, or Scotland, such dismal marks of hunger and want as appeared among the poor of Ireland." The bishop states that one of his horses died on the road to Tuam ; the carcase was immediately surrounded " by a number of poor Irish cotters, struggling desperately to obtain a morsel of flesh for themselves and their children." All this, be it remembered, occurred before the years of actual famine in Ireland 1729-40, and '44. Nicholson dilates on the evils springing from the practice of the middleman, and from rack-rent ; he dwells on the starved, naked cotters in their mud cabins, unlit even for a pig to dwell in, much less a human being ; but there the matter ends, they were Roman Catholics, and Irish men and women. Arthur Young states that the cotter "spoke a language that is despised, they professed a religion which was abhorred, and being disarmed, find themselves in many cases slaves even in the bosom of written liberty. The cotter is punished with the cane or horsewhip with perfect security, a poor man would in Ireland have his bones broken if he offered to lift his hand in his own defence."* Can we wonder at people in these conditions growing deceitful or untruthful ? Young was an Englishman who had visited * See also Hely Hutchinson : " Commercial Relations of Ireland."
256 THE MIDDLEMAN

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 120

Columba's battle with the men of Meath

Meath · county · Meath · 561

After a dispute over a copied manuscript resulted in the King of Meath ruling against him, Columba ordered his tribesmen to attack the men of Meath in 561. The ensuing battle involved some 3,000 men.

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We may refer to the life of St. Columba as illustrating the working of this system; he was born a.d. 521, and belonged to the tribe of O'Donnell. Columba was educated in the famous school of Clonard, and being destined for the Church was sent to Clomford to be ordained a " domestic bishop." On arriving in that place Columba found the bishop engaged in ploughing his land ; having been ordained, the saint devoted himself to missionary work among his countrymen. Columba was a distinguished scribe, and having borrowed a portion of the Scriptures from his friend the Abbot of Clonard, he proceeded to copy the work ; the owner of the book subsequently demanded not only its return, but also the copy Columba had made, but the saint refused to give up his copy of the work, and the friends not being able to settle the matter in dispute referred it to the King of Meath. The king decided that Columba must give up his copy as well as the original book to the abbot, upon the principles contained in the Brehon Laws, that "to every cow belongs her little offspring, so to every book belongs its copy." Columba gave up his MS., but he was " rash, passionate, and revengeful," and being a chief in his tribe as well as an ecclesiastic, in the year a.d. 561 he ordered out a large body of his tribesmen to attack the men of Meath, a battle ensued, in which some 3000 men are said to
* " Richey's " Short History of Ireland," p. 82.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 32

As the companion tells it

You're travelling through Meath now, the county at the heart of this story. In 561, a battle was fought here involving some 3,000 men, and it began with a copied manuscript. St. Columba was born in 521 and belonged to the tribe of O'Donnell. He was educated at the famous school of Clonard and sent to Clonford to be ordained a domestic bishop. When he arrived there, he found the bishop engaged in ploughing his land. After his ordination, Columba devoted himself to missionary work among his countrymen. Columba was a distinguished scribe. He borrowed a portion of the Scriptures from his friend, the Abbot of Clonard, and proceeded to copy the work. The owner of the book later demanded not only its return but also the copy Columba had made. Columba refused to give up his copy, and the friends, unable to settle the matter, referred it to the King of Meath. The king decided that Columba must give up his copy as well as the original to the abbot, following the Brehon Laws: "to every cow belongs her little offspring, so to every book belongs its copy." Columba gave up his manuscript. But he was, as the record says, rash, passionate, and revengeful. Being a chief in his tribe as well as an ecclesiastic, in the year 561 he ordered out a large body of his tribesmen to attack the men of Meath. A battle ensued, in which some 3,000 men are said to have fought.

Coveha Macnamara storms Quin Castle

Quin · town · Clare · 1305

The Norman garrison of the strong-walled castle of Quin, described as the capital and nursery of the English forces, quarrelled with neighbouring chiefs. Coveha Macnamara stormed the fortress, broke its gates, plundered its armour and horses, and burned it, leaving it 'a dreadful black furnace.'

Read the passage

In the following year, Magrath states that the Norman garrison of the M. towering strong-walled castle of Quin, the capital and nursery of the English forces," had a quarrel with some of the neighbouring chiefs, and in a skirmish which ensued some of the Irish were killed, upon which Coveha Macnamara stormed the fortress, " broke in its mighty gates," and plundered all its armour and horses, finally breaking down its flanking walls and burning it, "and a dreadful black furnace it was." Coveha was then joined by Turlough O'Brien, and they proceeded to Bunratty, and destroyed the town. It was then that " Turlough contrived a piece of work such as in all Ireland never before had been set a-going : a plank-bridge, with edges accurately fitted, which [from the Bunratty side of the river below the fortress] spanned its sea -channel to the opposite shore [and cut off its water-borne supplies]. By these measures the garrison of the castle were tired out : and its fall impended when again the Earl of Ulster's instructions overtake Turlough who, from the hour in which the Earl undertook to counsel him, let the castle be."t
Turlough built and endowed the beautiful Abbey of Ennis, the ruins of which still exist in good preservation ; he died on the ioth of April 1306, and was buried in the church he had so lately completed. Turlough O'Brien's son, Donough, was chosen king, and was inaugurated by Coveha Macnamara at Magh Adhair, and " they wished him God's luck and man's luck."

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 57

Execution of Donogh Beg at Quin

Quin · town · Clare · 1584

Sir John Perrott, visiting Clare in 1584, stayed a night at Quin where the sheriff delivered a prisoner named Donogh Beg, involved in plundering and rising in Connaught. The Four Masters record that he was hanged, his bones smashed with an axe, and his mangled body fastened to the top of the steeple of Quin as a warning.

Read the passage

Sir H. Sidney, after having brought the landowners of Clare as a body to accept his views regarding a tax on the rents under the new system, left Galway and returned to Dublin. He resigned office in 1567, and for the time being his arrangement with the landlords of Clare was allowed to drop.f Although Sir Henry returned to Ireland in the following year, his hands were so full of other matters that he had no time to follow up his land scheme in Clare ; he ended his third deputyship in the year 1578. Passing over the important period of the Earl of Sussex's rule in Ireland, we find Sir John Perrott at the head of the government in the year 1584. After about a month's delay he visited Athlone, Galway, and then proceeded through Clare, remaining for one night at Quin, where he was met by the sheriff of the county with a prisoner, one Donogh Beg, who had been concerned in some plundering and rising in Connaught. The " Four Masters " inform us that this prisoner " was hanged from a car, and his bones were broken and smashed with the back of a heavy axe ; and his body, thus mangled and half dead, was affixed, fastened with hard and tough hempen ropes, to the top of the steeple of Quin, as a warning and example to evid doers." Sir John Perrot, on his return to Dublin, then called a Parliament, at which, we are informed by the " Four Masters," that John Macnamara, the elected representative of county Clare, was present, as also was the Earl of Thomond and several other O'Briens, with the Bishop of Killaloe. J It is probable that the representations of the earl, regarding the affairs of Clare, led the Lord Deputy to take up the land question at the point at which it had been left by Sir Henry Sidney in the year 1567, however this may be, it is certain that Sir J. Perrott appointed a Commission to proceed to Clare and inquire into the nature of the titles by which the landowners held
* Rev. P. White's "History of Clare," p. 194.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 90

French invasion fleet arrives in Bantry Bay

near Bantry Bay · bay · Cork · 1796

In December 1796 a French expedition of about thirty-eight vessels carrying 15,000 soldiers arrived off the south-west coast of Ireland in Bantry Bay. A violent hurricane prevented the French from landing and compelled the transports to return to Brest.

Read the passage

In December 1796 an expedition of some thirty-eight vessels, carrying an army of 15,000 French soldiers for the invasion of Ireland, arrived on the south-west coast of Ireland, in Bantry Bay. A violent hurricane, however, swept the bay at the time, and not only prevented the French from landing, but compelled the commander of the transports to stand out to sea. The expedition returned to Brest, from whence it had proceeded.
No sooner had news arrived in Ennis, Galway, and Limerick, that a French force was about to land in Bantry Bay, than the yeomanry and volunteers turned out to a man to resist the enemy. The Clare troops were under command of Colonel Francis Macnamara, who with hi> cousins John, and William Macnamara of Doolin, had taken an active part in drilling, and in the equipment of the troops. The old martul spirit of the people was instantly in wild excitement, and from the accounts left us by those who witnessed the mustering of the Clare volunteers, under the descendants of the old Clancuilein chiefs, we are reminded of some of Magrath's descriptions of the rising of the men o our sept five hundred years previously. General Dalrymple, who was in command at Cork, reported that "all ranks of Irishmen rallied to his support, determined to resist the French from landing. He add,: * Lecky's " History of Ireland in the Eighteenth Century,' vol Ui p. IM

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 129

French recruitment and smuggling at Doolin, 1746

Doolin · townland · Clare · 1746

Antony McDonogh resided at Doolin in 1746. His son, having obtained a commission in the Irish Brigade through Lord Clare in Paris, returned to Burren to secretly collect recruits for the French army. Ships arrived off the coast of Doolin with smuggled claret and departed with wool and recruits.

Read the passage

In the year 1746 Antony McDonogh resided at Doolin, and from an account of the battle of Fontenoy, written by his grandson, and kindly lent to me by Dr. G. Macnamara of Corofin, we learn that McDonogh's son, a nephew of Dermot O'Brien, obtained a commission 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 Ireiand for the French army, and he returned for this purpose to Burren. Having enlisted the number of Irishmen he required, and who, we are informed, he was " obliged to collect by stealth, the recruits were sent to France in ships that came off the coast of Doolin, in Clare, with smuggled claret, and took back the wool of that part of the country and also recruits."! Captain Mac-
* Daniel Macnamara succeeded his father in 1665 ; he owned the estates and castles of Ballinacragga and Rathfolan, close to Newmarket in Bunratty. It seems quite probable that after being driven out of his fertile estates in the south of Clare in 1654, he named his new home in Burren Ballinacragga, after that 1 1 his former residence in South Clare.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 122

As the companion tells it

Somewhere close to Doolin, in 1746, Antony McDonogh was living here. His son, a nephew of Dermot O'Brien, had gone to Paris and obtained a commission in the Irish Brigade through an introduction his uncle gave him to Lord Clare, who was living there at the time. The young McDonogh was then sent back to collect recruits in Ireland for the French army. He returned to Burren and enlisted the Irishmen he needed. He was, in the words of his own grandson's account, "obliged to collect by stealth" the recruits he gathered. Ships arrived off the coast of Doolin carrying smuggled claret, and when they departed they took back the wool of that part of the country, and the recruits with it.

Galway jury fined for refusing Crown verdict on land titles

Galway · city · Galway

In Galway, the jury refused to give a verdict for the Crown regarding land titles. Wentworth imposed a fine of £1000 on the sheriff who summoned the jury, and bound the jurors to appear in Castle Chamber, where each was sentenced to pay £4000 and to lie in prison until the fine was paid.

Read the passage

Mr. Lecky writes concerning this transaction : ■ In distinct violation of the king's solemn promise, after the subsidies that were made on the faith of that promise had been duly obtained, without provocation or pretext, or excuse, Wentworth, who now presided with stern despotism over the government of Ireland, announced the withdrawal of the two principal articles of the Grace, the limitation of Crown claims by a possession of sixty years, and the legalisation of the Connaught (including Clare) titles. Inquisitions were made in order to preserve the show of justice, juries were summoned, and were peremptorily ordered to bring in verdicts vesting all the titles referred to them to the king." Every means was taken to insure compliance ; men such as might give furtherance in finding a title for the king were carefully selected, and a grant of 4s. in the pound was given to the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chief Baron, out of the first yearly rent raised upon the commissions of defective titles, "which money," Wentworth, writing to Charles I. states " I find to be the best that ever was given. For now they (the Irish judges) do intend it with a care and diligence such as it were their own private property, and most certainly the gaining to themselves any 4?. once paid, shall better your Majesty's revenue ever after at least £$." These were words written by a Lord Deputy of Ireland to the King of England.f Mr. Lecky continues : "The sheriffs and the judges were the creatures of the Government, and Wentworth was present to overcome all opposition. The juries were assured that the project was for the advantage of the king and country ; that if they presumed to give unfavourable verdicts, those verdicts would be set on one side, and that, as Wentworth threatened, they might answer the king a round fine in the Castle Chamber in case they should prevaricate. In Galway the jury refused to give a verdict for the Crown, and the Lord Deputy at once imposed a fine of ^1000 on the sheriff who had summoned this jury, and bound the jurors to appear in the Castle Chamber, where they were each sentenced to pay the heavy fine of ^4000 (about ^20,000 of our money), and to lie in prison till it was paid."J

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 99

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Galway, you are in the city where a jury once refused to do the Crown's bidding on land titles. Wentworth, who governed Ireland with what Mr. Lecky called stern despotism, had announced the withdrawal of two key articles of the Grace. These were the limitation of Crown claims by sixty years of possession, and the legalisation of the Connaught titles, including Clare. He did this after subsidies had been obtained on the faith of the king's solemn promise, in distinct violation of that promise. Wentworth had inquisitions made to preserve the show of justice. Juries were summoned and peremptorily ordered to bring in verdicts vesting all titles to the king. Men who might support finding a title for the king were carefully selected. A grant of 4 shillings in the pound was given to the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chief Baron out of the first yearly rent raised on the commissions of defective titles. Wentworth, writing to Charles the First, said this money was the best that ever was given, for now the Irish judges intended it with a care and diligence such as it were their own private property. The sheriffs and judges were creatures of the Government, and Wentworth was present to overcome all opposition. Juries were assured the project was for the advantage of the king and country, and threatened that unfavourable verdicts would be set aside and they might answer a round fine in the Castle Chamber. In Galway, the jury refused to give a verdict for the Crown. Wentworth at once imposed a fine of 1000 pounds on the sheriff who had summoned this jury, and bound the jurors to appear in the Castle Chamber. There each was sentenced to pay the heavy fine of 4000 pounds, about 20,000 pounds in Lecky's measure, and to lie in prison till it was paid.

Henry II introduces English laws at Lismore assembly

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 in England. Henry returned to England in April 1173 after receiving sealed letters of homage from Irish princes.

Read the passage

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 1173. 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 conquest.!
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." \ 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 storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 52

Limerick burnt and Sioda Macnamara killed, 1369

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1369

In 1369, Limerick was burnt by the Clancuilein, after which the inhabitants capitulated. Sioda, son of Lochlain Macnamara, assumed wardenship of the town but was treacherously killed by the English who were in it.

Read the passage

Brian O'Brien (p. 132) had hardly come into possession of Thomond when he was attacked by the Earl of Desmond (Gerald FitzGerald), but with the aid of Luchlain Macnamara, the English Earl and his allies were thoroughly beaten, and Desmond, together with several other noblemen, were taken prisoners by O'Brien and Clancuilein. " On this occasion Limerick was burnt by the Clancuilein, upon which the inhabitants capitulated. Sioda, son of Lochlain Macnamara (by his first wife O'Dwyer) assumed the wardenship of the town, but the English who were in it acted treacherously towards him and killed him." a.d. 1369.*
Sir William Wyndsor had been sent over from England as Lord Deputy of Ireland, and he took advantage, as his predecessors had done, of the fighting propensities of the Irish ; which he considered might, in the interests of England, be expended in slaughtering one another rather than against his countrymen. It was not difficult to sow discord among the sept of Macnamaras after the death of Lochlain. We have seen that this clan had nearly doubled the extent of their territory at the expense

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 73

As the companion tells it

Coming through Limerick now. In 1369 this city was burnt. Brian O'Brien had hardly come into possession of Thomond when the Earl of Desmond, Gerald FitzGerald, attacked him. With the aid of Luchlain Macnamara, O'Brien beat the Earl and his allies thoroughly, and Desmond and several other noblemen were taken prisoner by O'Brien and the Clancuilein. On this occasion the Clancuilein burnt the city, and the inhabitants capitulated. Sioda, son of Lochlain Macnamara by his first wife O'Dwyer, took the wardenship of the town. The English who were in it acted treacherously toward him and killed him. Sir William Wyndsor had been sent from England as Lord Deputy of Ireland, and he took advantage, as his predecessors had, of the fighting propensities of the Irish, which he considered might be spent in slaughtering one another rather than against his countrymen. It was not difficult to sow discord among the sept of Macnamaras after the death of Lochlain.

Sioda Macnamara avenges desecration of Magh Adhair

near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 700–799

In the eighth century, Sioda Macnamara and his sept fought for three days against the King of Ireland, who had desecrated the sacred mound of Magh Adhair. Sioda took the king prisoner but treated him sumptuously and escorted him and his army homewards across the Shannon, demonstrating the chivalrous character of the sept.

Read the passage

Another example of the chivalrous character of these people may be referred to in the case of Sioda (Macnamara), who in the eighth century, having with his sept been deeply injured, and the sacred mound of Mag Adhair desecrated by the King of Ireland, Sioda, after three days' hard fighting, took the king prisoner. But so far from torturing or punishing the vanquished chief, we are told that Sioda treated him sumptuously, and then conducted him and the remains of his army homewards across the Shannon (p. 73).
If we pass on to the fourteenth century we are informed by Magrath that De Clare and his Celtic ally, Donough Brian Roe, sent certain of the relatives of Mac-Con (Macnamara) to that chief, with the object of inducing him to desert the cause of Mortough O'Brien, King of Thomond, in favour of the Anglo-Norman baron and his friends. Mac-Con, however, and his followers, without hesitation refused to listen to any treachery of this kind, and he and Clancuilein remained the staunch supporters of their acknowledged ruler ; in fact, it was by the assistance of our sept that Mortough retained his position as Chief of Thomond.* This incident occurred at a period when, according to Mr. Freeman, an English Ealdorman not only deliberately betrayed his country to the invader, but that " to do so now became the regular course in the part of royal favourites."!

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 106

Turgesius's wife presides at Clonmacnoise high altar

Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 840–879

The Norse leader Turgesius placed his wife to rule over the monastery of Clonmacnoise, where she regularly presided at the high altar of the principal church and worked the oracles of her religion from that position.

Read the passage

Christianity from Ireland ; and he placed his wife to rule over Clonmacnois : we are told that she was accustomed to preside at the high altar of the principal church of the monastery, and work the oracles of her religion from that position.* In the year a.d. 879 the Irish rose against Turgesius, and having killed him drove most of his followers out of Erin.f
The invaders soon returned in greater numbers than before, and overran the whole country. Kennedy, son of Lorcain, was at this time King of Thomond, and Ceallachan King of Munster. The Norsemen were anxious to obtain possession of these chiefs ; but rather than attack Munster they hoped to entice Ceallachan to Dublin under false pretences, and then make him prisoner. Sitric therefore, who was leader of the Norsemen, entered into negotiations with the king of Munster proposing to give him his sister in marriage. Kennedy, King of Thomond, hearing what was going on and suspecting treachery, warned Ceallachan of the danger of leaving his province, and especially of withdrawing from it any large body of followers to swell his train in Dublin. Ceallachan therefore set out with a few retainers to bring his intended wife home, and among this force was Kennedy's son, Dunchan. The cavalcade had nearly reached Dublin, when they were attacked by Si trie's soldiers and made prisoners. Directly Kennedy heard of this treachery, he assumed command of the forces of Munster as well as those of Thomond to revenge the insult offered to Ceallachan and, if possible, to release him and also his own son from the hands of the Danes. Keating records the fact that " Kennedy resolved to prosecute his designs with the greatest despatch, and he raised in addition to his other forces a body of five hundred Dalcasians, and placed them under command of Esida (Macnamara), chief of Clancuilein." X

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

Turlough removes king's skull from Clonmacnoise to Kincora

Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly · 1064–1086

Turlough O'Brien removed the skull of a former king of Meath from Clonmacnoise and took it to Kincora. A mouse ran from the skull under the king's mantle, he fell ill and lost his hair, and only recovered when the skull and gold were restored to the church.

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Turlough O'Brien now became King of Munster and Thomond, and after the death of his foster-father he assumed the sovereign power over the whole of Ireland ; Ulster at first held out against him, but ultimatelypaid 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 from 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 Ibernia, to whom God was mercifully disposed, and also to the people of Ireland, in giving him royal power over the land." Lanfranc 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 Lanfranc ; Dublin, a Danish colony, having before this period placed her ecclesiastical affairs directly under the Roman Pontiff.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 48

Two Burren lads from Doolin join the Royal Navy

Doolin · townland · Clare · 1808

Captain James Macnamara, commanding the Berwick in 1808, received two young relatives fresh from Doolen in County Clare: Timothy Nugent and Burton Macnamara, both of the Burren branch of the sept. Burton rose to become Admiral of the Fleet and K.C.B., while Timothy became a Commander in the Royal Navy.

Read the passage

* The following year Captain Macnamara was under Nelson's command, and was with him in his engagement with the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent. In 1808 he commanded the Berwick, a 74-gun vessel, and did excellent service in the Baltic ; and at this time he received on board his vessel two young relatives, lads fresh from Doolen, co. Clare, Timothy Nugent and Burton Macnamara, belonging therefore to the Burren branch of the sept. Burton, rose to be an Admiral of the Fleet, and K.C.B. ; he lived to be eighty-three years of age, and died in Dublin, 1877 ; he was the younger brother of Major William Nugent Macnamara, who for many years represented co. Clare in the House of Commons. Timothy Nugent, rose to the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy, and his son, Colonel Nugent Macnamara, of the Royal Marine Artillery, is at present residing at Hove ; his sister Florence, is married to General C. Wallace, both living at Ryde.
t The letter is addressed to John Macnamara, Esq., Llangoed Castle, Brecon, South Wales.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 133

Whiteboys punish priest in Clare

near Clare · population centre · Clare

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

Read the passage

The Whiteboys were frequently condemned, and even excommuni cated from Catholic altars, with the effect of rather damaging the priest than the individuals concerned. In Clare if a priest took action of this kind, his congregation were apt to nail up his chapel door, and in one case they buried their priest up to his neck in brambles and thorns for having denounced the Whiteboys. f
Arthur Young visited Clare when this organisation exercised great power over the people, and he states that it had then been in existence for ten years in spite of every exertion of legal power ; he further remarks that what struck him most was the surprising intelligence of these people ; their system was such that one body of men almost u instantaneously " became aware of what their allies were doing in a distant part of the country. Young writes, " they all seem to be animated by one soul, and not an instance was known in that long course of time of a single individual betraying the cause; the severest threats and the most splendid promises of reward had no other effect but to draw closer the bonds which connected a multitude, to all appearances so desultory. // was thus evident the iron rod of oppression had been far enough from securing the obedience or crushing the spirit of the people." \

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 124

Banshee of the tribe at Killaloe rocks

Killaloe · town · Clare

The chief banshee of the author's tribe was believed to dwell in the wooded rocks overlooking the Shannon above Killaloe. She was said to accompany the tribe to battle, shrieking and fluttering over their heads. The author's father recalled hearing the banshee's thrice-repeated wail foretelling the death of a dear friend.

Read the passage

The Irish had, and to the west of the Shannon still have, a firm belief in their " banshees." The chief banshee of our tribe dwelt in the lovely wooded rocks overlooking the Shannon above Killaloe ; she accompanied the tribe to battle, " shreiking and fluttering over their heads, surrounded by satyres and spirits of the valley." The writer of these pages can well remember hearing his father describe the thrice-repeated wail of the banshee, which he had distinctly recognised, and which foretold the death of a dear friend ; nevertheless, he was a man who had seen much of men and the world.
The emotional or sensitive disposition of the Irish Celts, has been the obstacle above all others which has barred their progress as a people, and prevented them from joining hand in hand for that long and steady pull necessary for the establishment of a nation. The emotional side of their nature leads the Celt to arrive at rapid conclusions, which are by no means always lasting, and so he too frequently lends himself to carry through the schemes of designing or misguided men who, with fluent tongue, persuade him to follow on in the pursuit of social or political phantoms, in place of devoting his best powers of mind and body in a persevering effort to succeed in his calling in life. It has been fairly said that the creed of many Irishmen is, that " it ought to be — it must be— it is," and for no better reason, they too often waste their undoubted talents and energies in efforts wide of the mark at which they aim.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 108

Fitton's escape from Ennis Monastery

Ennis · town · Clare · 1570

When the Earl of Thomond resolved to imprison the law officers, the English president found the monastery uncomfortable and fled on foot, finding a guide to lead him through the narrow passes of the district.

Read the passage

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 84

Naval battle in Dundalk Bay to free Ceallachan

near Dundalk Bay · bay · Louth · 954

An Irish fleet from Limerick entered Dundalk harbour and engaged the Norse vessels where Sitric had removed his prisoners. The Irish commander boarded Sitric's ship but was slain; a follower then seized Sitric and jumped overboard, drowning them both, and Ceallachan and Dunchan were released.

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

Tulla tradition and the Bull of Adrian IV

Tulla · town · Clare

A tradition connected with Tulla held that the Pope's grant of Ireland to Henry II was partly motivated by revenge for injuries inflicted on a papal officer by local Irishmen from Cilmor O'Sluaiste during the reign of Domhnall Mór O'Brien, King of Munster. The offenders stole the cardinal's horses, mules, and asses, prompting the Pope to sell Ireland's tribute rights to the Saxons.

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t Mr. King ("Church History of Ireland") gives a tradition connected with Tulla which is said to have influenced the famous Bull of Adrian IV., as follows : "The sale of Ireland by the Pope to the King of England was brought about, partly at least, under the influence of revenge for injuries inflicted on a papal officer by the Irish, worried as it would seem to resistance by his extortions. The account is as follows : O'Annoe and O'Chelchin of Cilmor O'Sluaiste from Cill-o- Sluaiste, or O ' Slat tery's (see Frost 's ' ' History of Clare, " p . 2 1 8) . These were they who stole the horses and the mules and the asses of the Cardinal who came from Rome to the land of Erin to instruct it, in the time of Dornhuall Mor O'Brien, King of Munster ; and it was on that account that the successor of Peter sold the rent and right of Erin to the Saxons, and that is the right and title which the Saxons follow on the Irish (Gaedhil) at this day, for to the successor of Peter in Rome used to go the rent and tribute of Erin until then." (Dwyer, p. 536.)
96 ANGLO-NORMANS IN IRELAND

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 51

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

Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1649–1653

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

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f The O'Carrolls of Ely were a branch of the old Dalcasian tribe (p 36), and as far back as the year 1278 we find that the head of the Macnamara sept married a daughter of Thady O'Carroll, of Ely. I have referred on another page to the fact that a daughter of Daniel Macnamara, of Rathfolan (p. 237), married a young Captain O'Carroll, and it was in attempting to resist Cromwell's soldiers from carrying off some of the retainers of the family to be sold in the West Indies that he lost his life, and that his widow and son were then taken and sent off with many other young Irish men and women, to Jamaica and other West Indian islands. In consequence of the penal laws many families left Ireland and went over to America, and among them was Charles O'Carroll. afterwards of Carroltown, Virginia, U.S. ; he was, I believe, a relation of Eleanora O'Carroll, the wife of Michel Macnamara. However this may be, Charles O'Carroll was a well-known person in his adopted country. It was by hi* orders that Stewart burned the obnoxious English vessels carrying tea at Annapolis, which was the culminating act of opposition on the part of our American cousins which led to the War of Independence (" Bird's-eye View of the History of Ireland," by Sir G. Duffy, p. 184). In signing the Act of Independence. O'Carroll, as he stated when putting his name to the document, risked vast landed possessions in Virginia. C. O'Carroll's granddaughter Marianne married the Marquis of Wellesley, and in consequence of this marriage the Marqui* obtained permission to quarter the O'Carroll arms with his own. Charles O'Carroll lived to an advanced age (the pedigree, an account of C O'Carroll. is to be found in the work of the " Royal Historical and Archxological Association of Ireland" for October 1883, by F. O'Carroll. A.B. T.C.D.). and 1 his death wrote as follows :— " I have lived to my ninety-sixth year . I have enjoyed continued health and been blessed with great wealth, prosperity, and most of the good things this world can bestow— public approbation, esteem, applause; but what I now look back on with great satisfaction to aqpnH 1* that I have practised in freedom the duties of my religion." Eleanora O'Carroll. wife of Michel Macnamara, must have been a person very similar in char»ctcr to her relative, Charles O'Carroll, of Virginia.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn

Downing hangs two idiots in Clare village

near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1606

A provost of Clare named Downing met an idiot fool belonging to the Earl of Thomond and another follower of Sir John Macnamara on a Sunday morning in the village where Downing dwelt, and immediately hanged them both. Downing was convicted of murder by a jury but forgiven by Sir John Davis.

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 95

Fireball Macnamara's lifestyle at Moyrisk

Moyrisk · townland · Kerry

John 'Fireball' Macnamara lived at Moyrisk during his father's lifetime and was known throughout Clare for fighting fifty-seven duels. His father's extravagant establishment with packs of hounds and teams of horses led to heavy debts and the eventual sale of the property.

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Colonel F. Macnamara of Moyrisk was elected member for Clare in 1790; he had previously been an officer of the yeomanry and Clare volunteers, and held a prominent position in the county; he entered the Dublin Parliament as a supporter of the Government, and was a cotemporary of John Macnamara, M.P.; they were neighbours in Clare as boys, and probably on terms of friendship. Colonel F. Macnamara died in the year 18 14, and was succeeded by his son Major Macnamara, who was Daniel O'Connell's second in the duel when he shot the unfortunate Mr. D'Esterre in 18 15. Major Macnamara was urged to stand as Member of Parliament for county Clare, on Mr. Fitzgerald's promotion (he being member for Clare) to the Secretaryship of the Board of Trade; the major, however, declined the offer, in consequence "of his friendship for the Fitzgerald family."* Major Macnamara's brother John, "Shawn Bwee," as he was called, or " Yellow John," on account of his swarthy complexion, lived at Moyrisk during his father's lifetime, and added much to the pleasure ofthe rollicking society which always crowded the rooms of that hospitable mansion. His father kept a pack of hounds, and more than one team of horses filled his stables, and with an establishment in proportion he ran up heavy debts, which ultimately led to the property being sold. But during the early part of this century the future was the last thing which Colonel Macnamara and his sons thought of. John, or as he was better known, Fireball Macnamara, was a great favourite throughout Clare j he is said to have fought fifty-seven duels during his early years, besides standing second in numerous affairs of honour. He is supposed to have fought incognito at the Battle of Vinegar Hill with the peasantry, and was then wounded in the thigh, and so was lame for the rest of his life. Fireball's name is at the present time a household word in Clare, and among the people numberless tales are told of his deeds 3 for he evidently exercised a fascinating influence over his neighbours and friends, and was overflowing with brave and generous sentiments a keen lover of sport of every kind. The tender side of Fireball's nature was brought out in his chivalrous devotion to his charming sister, Fair Mary of Moyrisk, who seems not only to have been a remarkably beautiful young woman, but was also held in the highest respect by all who came under her influence. There was much in John Macnamara's character which reminds us of the qualities displayed by so many of his ancestors, who were chiefs of one of the principal families of our sept. Fireball was the last of the Moyrisk Macnamaras, and, like many of those who had preceded him he attached * Very Rev. P. White, P.P., V.G. : " History of Clare," p. 337.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 131

Hag apparition at Loch Rask before battle

Loughrask · townland · Clare

As Donough Brian Roe's forces advanced to the shore of Loch Rask, they witnessed a monstrous hag washing heads, limbs, and spoil in the lake, an ominous portent before the battle. The water of the lake became covered with hair from her labour.

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 63

Inchiquin's massacre of priests at Cashel cathedral

Cashel · town · Tipperary · 1648

Inchiquin forcibly entered the cathedral of Cashel and slaughtered some of the priests there, shortly before the Confederation opened communications with him as a medium to treat with the Earl of Ormond. This act made Rinuccini refuse to have anything to do with him.

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Matters, however, moved on. The Council of the Confederation neither heeded this edict nor the threat of excommunication, but they proceeded to conclude a treaty with King Charles upon the terms above referred to ; and what in the eyes of the Nuncio was a still greater offence, they opened communications with Inchiquin, as a medium through whom they could treat with the Earl of Ormond, and persuade him to return as Lord Deputy to Ireland. Inchiquin had not long previously to these overtures forcibly entered the cathedral of Cashell, and slaughtered some of the priests ; it was not therefore surprising that Rinuccini absolutely refused to have anything to say to him. As to Ormond returning as Viceroy to Ireland, the Nuncio urged that a step of this kind would cancel " the glory reaped by the clergy in expelling him from his office because he was a Protestant." The Earl of Ormond, however, consented to return, and was received by Inchiquin at Cork, and subsequently took up his residence in his castle of Kilkenny. Rinuccini, finding his mission to Ireland was hopeless, took ship at Galway in December 1648, and returned to the Continent.
The Irish were soon destined to pass under the hands of a very different man, Oliver Cromwell, backed by his veteran soldiers and the resources of England. On this subject Carlyle writes as follows :

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 103

As the companion tells it

As you come near the town of Cashel in Tipperary, this is where, in 1648, Inchiquin forcibly entered the cathedral and slaughtered some of the priests there. It happened shortly before the Council of the Confederation opened communications with Inchiquin himself, using him as a medium through whom they could treat with the Earl of Ormond, and persuade him to return as Lord Deputy to Ireland. The Council had disregarded an edict and the threat of excommunication, and proceeded to conclude a treaty with King Charles. But Inchiquin's slaughter of priests in the cathedral here was not something Rinuccini could overlook. The Nuncio absolutely refused to have anything to say to him. Rinuccini also urged that Ormond's return as Viceroy would cancel what he called "the glory reaped by the clergy in expelling him from his office because he was a Protestant." Ormond consented to return regardless. He was received by Inchiquin at Cork, and took up residence in his castle of Kilkenny. Rinuccini, finding his mission to Ireland was hopeless, took ship at Galway in December 1648 and returned to the Continent.

Kilkenny Parliament passes Statutes of Kilkenny, 1367

Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1367

The Duke of Clarence met his Parliament at Kilkenny in 1367 and passed the famous Act prohibiting marriage, fostering, and all alliances between the English and the Irish. The preamble lamented that many English had forsaken their customs and laws, living instead according to the manners, fashions, and language of the Irish enemies.

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the Duke of Clarence, over to Ireland ; * on arriving in the country one of the Duke's first acts was to " publish an order to the effect that none of Irish birth should be allowed to approach him or his army, nor be employed in service of the warres." f (a.d. 1361). Lionel, Duke of Clarence, then commenced his march on Thomond, intending to break the power of the O'Briens, but his heavily armed men soon got mixed up in the bogs, and lost their way in the forests for want of guides. O'Brien was thus able to cut them off in detail ; and the end of it was the expedition had to be abandoned, and so Clare was again preserved from an invasion by the English. The Duke of Clarence in the year 1367 met his Parliament in Kilkenny ; and they then passed the famous Act of that year. In the preamble of this Act it is affirmed that whereas at the conquest of Ireland, and for long after, the English had used the language, mode of riding, apparel, and had lived under English law, now many of them had forsaken these customs and laws and usages ; they live and govern themselves, according to the manners, fashions, and language of the Irish enemies ; and also have made divers marriages and alliances between themselves and the Irish enemies aforesaid."
The meaning of the expression " Irish enemies " is explained in a letter of Richard II. to the Duke of York.J He remarks : " In Ireland there are three kinds of people, wild Irish, our enemies ; Irish rebels, the English who had thrown off their allegance to the crown ; and obedient English. "§ King Richard adds : "To us and our Council it appears that the Irish rebels have rebelled in consequence of the injustice and grievances practised towards them, for which they have been offered no redress, and that if not wisely treated and given hopes of grace they will ally themselves with our enemies" :|| language very similar to that which the Pope used to King Edward, and with as little result. To return, however, to the Act passed by the Kilkenny Parliament in 1367 :

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 72

Morrogh O'Brien created Earl of Thomond at Greenwich

Thomond · street · Dublin · 1543

After receiving Morrogh O'Brien's submission, the Lord Deputy recommended that he be created Earl of Thomond and Donogh O'Brien Baron of Ibrickan. The O'Briens travelled to England and received their titles from Henry VIII at Greenwich on 1 July 1543.

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After receiving the submission of Morrogh O'Brien, Henry VIII. wrote as follows to the Lord Deputy : " We think it mete in case he shall repayer to our Parliament, as reason is he shude, that he shuld make humble sute to us to receive some estate and honour at our handes, mete to be placed in our Parliament; for he can neither stand with our honour, nor with state of our Parliament, to have any man placed there as a Pere, but he have indede the state of a Pere, by the right cours and ordre of our lawes." The Lord Deputy therefore recommended that Morrogh O'Brien should be created " Erie of Thomond," and Donogh O'Brien Baron of Ibrickan during Morrogh's lifetime, after which he was :o succeed to his uncle's titles and estates. The O'Briens, Clanricardes, md others, went over to England, and on the 1st of July, a.d. 1543, received their titles from Henry VIII. at Greenwich. To cover O'Brien's expenses to England the Lord Deputy had to lend him " an hundred rounds sterling in harp grotes, in default of other money, for there ys no iterling money to be had within this your realme."
The day previous to recommending Henry to create Morrogh O'Brien in " Erie," the Lord Deputy addressed a letter to the king, in which, eferring to Sidoa Macnamara's submission, he observes, " and that the >aid M'Nemarro ys a man whose anncestors have in those partes alwayes 3orne a grete swynge, and one that for himself is of honest conformities, whose landes lye holy on the farsyde the Shanan, we most humbly beseech your Majestie to regarde him according to your princly bounty ;o advance him to the honour of a baron by the name of Clancuilein, md that he may holde such landes and possessions as he now hathe." ro this communication Henry VIII. replied, probably at the instigation }f O'Brien, who was at the time at Greenwich, that " we have made the ord of Upper Ossery Macnamarrow a knight." * This title was never issumed by Sioda Macnamara. The Rev. D. White suggests it may have seen lost or sent to some one else, for Sioda Macnamara died as he had ived, simply a landlord of Clare and chief of his sept.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 83

As the companion tells it

Along here is Thomond, a Dublin street named for an earldom that was created far away, at Greenwich. In 1543, after Morrogh O'Brien submitted to Henry VIII, the king wrote to the Lord Deputy that Morrogh should come to Parliament and make humble suit to receive some estate and honour, for no man could be placed there as a peer unless he had indeed the state of a peer by the right course and order of the laws. The Lord Deputy recommended that Morrogh O'Brien be created Earl of Thomond, and Donogh O'Brien Baron of Ibrickan during Morrogh's lifetime, after which Donogh would succeed to his uncle's titles and estates. The O'Briens, the Clanricardes, and others went over to England, and on the 1st of July, 1543, received their titles from Henry VIII at Greenwich. To cover O'Brien's expenses to England, the Lord Deputy had to lend him a hundred rounds sterling in harp groats, in default of other money, for there was no sterling money to be had within this realm. The day before recommending that Henry create Morrogh an earl, the Lord Deputy wrote to the king about Sidoa Macnamara's submission. He described Sidoa as a man whose ancestors had always borne a great sway in those parts, of honest conformity, whose lands lay wholly on the far side of the Shannon. He asked Henry to advance Sidoa to the honour of a baron by the name of Clancuilein. Henry replied, probably at the instigation of O'Brien, who was at Greenwich at the time, that he had made the Lord of Upper Ossary Macnamara a knight. This title was never assumed by Sidoa Macnamara. The Reverend D. White suggests it may have been lost or sent to someone else, for Sidoa died as he had lived, simply a landlord of Clare and chief of his sept.

Ruadh Macnamara, Gaelic poet of Clare

Cratloe · town · Clare · 1709–1814

Born in Clare in 1709, Ruadh Macnamara was sent to the Continent for holy orders but abandoned the seminary, wandered Europe learning languages, and returned to Clare to lead a roving life as poet and minstrel. He composed celebrated Gaelic songs including 'The Fair Hills of Holy Ireland,' and died near his native village of Cratlow in 1814 at the age of ninety-five.

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We have one more reference to make to a member of our sept who lived in the early part of the eighteenth century ; he was born in Clare in the year 1709, and named Ruadh Macnamara ; he was sent to the Continent to be educated for holy orders ; but the lad soon discovered that the Church was not his vocation, and he wandered from his seminary over the greater part of Europe, seeming to have learnt several languages with remarkable facility. R. Macnamara subsequently returned to Clare and led a rollicking, roving life, half poet and minstrel ; lampooning the parish priest at one time, and making fun of all sorts and conditions of men, usually in verse ; he crossed over to America, and has left us an admirably written and most amusing account of his voyage, which has been translated from Gaelic into English verse by Mr. T. Hayes. R. Macnamara was best known for his songs, and among them an air and words of great beauty, " The Fair Hills of Holy Ireland." Thomas Moore set this fine air to his well-known words " Weep on, weep on, your hour is past ; " he wrote of it as the " song of sorrow." Ruadh Macnamara lived to the advanced age of 95 years, and died near his native village of Cratlow a.d. 18 14.* 'b^Jti Unm
* "Adventures of Donchadh Ruad Mac-Con-Mara," by S. Hayes (Dublin Y. O'Daly, 1853); also "Irish Music and Songs," by P. W. Joyce, LL.D. Inthe " Gentleman's Magazine " for 1808, part i. p. 453, we find the following obituary notice : " October 6th, at Newtown, near Kilmacthomas, in his ninety-fifth year, Denis Macnamara, commonly known as Ruadh, or red-haired. During seventy years at least, of such a rare course of longevity, this extraordinary man had been looked up to by his contemporaries in Irish literature as possessing that poetical eminence which ranked him among the most celebrated of modern bards."

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 121

Turlough O'Brien flees to Limerick and pays ransom

Limerick · city · Limerick · 1151

After his defeat at Moinmore in 1151, Turlough O'Brien fled to Limerick and was compelled to pay the King of Connaught two hundred ounces of gold and Brian Boru's drinking goblet as ransom.

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Cumara (Beg) Macnamara seems, with his sept, to have taken a prominent part in the battle of Moinmore, and to have fought with great bravery, but towards the close of the day he was overpowered and slain, a fate which also befell many of his clan.f Turlough O'Brien escaped with difficulty from the field, and fled to Limerick; he was compelled, however, to give the King of Connaught two hundred ounces of gold as a ransom, as well as Brian Boru's drinking goblet, a.d. 1151.
Dunhual Macnamara, " chief of the Ui-Caisin, was drowned in the Shannon," a.d. 1159. This notice appears in the "Annals of the Four Masters," but we have no further record regarding this individual, who must, however, have been a chief of some importance, or he would not have figured in these annals, collected as they were from the official records of the various provinces of Ireland.

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 48

As the companion tells it

As you pass through Limerick, this is where Turlough O'Brien came fleeing in 1151. He had been defeated at the battle of Moinmore. Cumara, called Beg, Macnamara, with his sept, had taken a prominent part in that battle and fought with great bravery. But towards the close of the day he was overpowered and slain, and many of his clan fell with him. Turlough escaped with difficulty from the field and fled to this city. He was compelled, though, to give the King of Connaught two hundred ounces of gold as a ransom, and Brian Boru's drinking goblet as well. A relic of the high king passed out of O'Brien hands in this city, in the year 1151.

Wounded warriors patch themselves to fight at Corcomroe

Corcomroe · barony · Clare

At the Battle of Corcomroe, injured Dalcasian warriors rose from their sick beds, plugged their wounds with moss and clamped on armor, insisting they should lead the first shock of battle since they could not flee and their loss would be trifling. Conor O'Dea approached seeking friendship but was refused and cursed.

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"At which bright words, proudly they strode towards the enemy to meet him. Even their injured rose and in rough-and-ready fashion stanched their wounds : first, with moss they plugged the holes in their skins, then clapped on the rigid surface of close-fitting armour and the flat of their broad belts, to close the lips of their live cuts and gashes.
"With this coarse treatment they came away, cheerily saying : 'we verily being they to whom this coming bout promises the more advantage, all for the best it is that this godsend of our foemen's present menacing advance is granted to us ; for our tribesmen have no interest to spare us, that on our enemies we should not spend our strength's last remnant.' Then their superiors strove to turn these damaged ones back to their sick beds again, but they said : ' nay, not so ; this your design is not conceived aright ; for of you all there is not a band whom more than us, this crippled company, it should become now to do battle valiantly. For this reason : both that we the least are able to elude it; and that, by our immediate forcible extinction, we shall be to you a loss the more trifling that already we stand in so near jeopardy of our doom. Neither in the result would it bring us honour that we tarried here behind you, which would but involve our decapitation by the enemy. Wherefore a just thing it is to use us up in the battle's first shock, and in the opening passage of the handiwork ; for our ability to fly has abandoned us, our swift motion is disabled, nor have we possibility of escape from them, although our courage and skill at arms continue unimpaired.'

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 66

Malachy uproots sacred oak at Magh Adhair (982)

near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 982

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

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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. 982). 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 chiefs 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 storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

Pirates land near Loop Head and Donald O'Brien's reprisals

Loop Head · promontory · Clare · 1563

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

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

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 85

As the companion tells it

Somewhere about Loop Head, in 1563, a ship carrying pirates came ashore. Donald O'Brien, who had lately been driven back from the castle of Rosroe and had withdrawn to a place near Corcomroe in Burren, seized some of the unfortunate sailors. He hung not a few of them, and burnt others, according to the measure of their crime. Acts of this description demonstrate the laxness with which English law and order was administered in Clare at this time. That same year, the Earl of Thomond had been staying with Sioda Macnamara at his castle of Rosroe. Dineley, in his Diary, left a sketch of it as he saw it in 1680, describing it as, in the words of the source, "a fair seat, situated among good lands and orchards, with a very pleasant and profitable large port or lough on the one side thereof, abounding with large trout." There were also plenty of wild fowl. About a mile and a half from there by water, between the castles of Rathlahem and Rathblan, the lough of Rosroe runs underground for half an English mile, opposed by hills and rocks. The earl had retreated to Rosroe to obtain protection from his relative, Donald O'Brien of Inchiquin. But Donald O'Brien attacked the castle, was driven back by Sioda Macnamara, and pursued across the river Fergus. He then betook himself to a place near Corcomroe in Burren, and it was from there that the pirates landing near Loop Head met their fate. Another instance of the condition of this part of Ireland comes from 1569. Sir H. Sidney received a petition from Galway, stating that on the borders of Thomond certain outlaws, being bastard sons of the Bishop of Killaloe, robbed all travellers and had put a raid on a castle which they meant to defend. This bishop was an O'Brien, and after his death in 1569, the English Government appointed the first Protestant bishop of Killaloe, a young man named Morrogh O'Brien.

Spanish Armada vessel St. John stranded on Macnamara land on the Shannon

Shannon · town · Clare · 1588

A vessel of the Spanish Armada, the St. John commanded by Admiral de Ricade, was driven up the Shannon and stranded on land belonging to a Macnamara. The Macnamara seized the ship and its contents and obstinately refused to surrender them to the Crown when ordered by the Earl of Ormond.

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This vessel was the St. John, commanded by Admiral de Ricade.* From State Papers of this period we learn that the owner of the land upon which the vessel had stranded seized the ship and its contents, and he not only appropriated them to his own use, but when ordered by the Earl of Ormond to yield them to the Crown, " Macnamara obstinately refused to do so " ; and so tenaciously did this individual hold to the St. John, that some of the furniture of this vessel is believed to be still in the hands of his posterity.
The Government failing 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 vessels arriving from India and all parts of the world.f Hardiman, in his history of Galway, gives some details regarding the contraband trade, which flourished in spite of revenue officers-! 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 horseloads of pepper on the coast of Clare, as well as silk, tobacco, gold, velvet and other commodities.§

Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 122

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

The stories, best first

Brian Roe dragged to death at Bunratty Castle

Irish force invests Dublin against the English

Duke of Clarence's failed march into Thomond

Elizabeth Fitzgerald defends Moret Castle against O'Cahils

Synod of Irish clergy at Armagh

Henry II arrives in Waterford and receives submissions at Cashel

Fitzstephen burns ecclesiastical establishment at Clonard

Fitzstephen burns ecclesiastical establishment at Kells

Fitzstephen burns ecclesiastical establishment at Slane

Anglo-Norman chiefs renounce English allegiance at Shannon

Battle of Dysert O'Dea and death of Sir Richard De Clare

Cormac MacArt's boyhood judgment at Tara

Encounter with the woman of Ireland's sovereignty at Loch Derg

John Macnamara raises the Yellow Dragoons in Clare

Mailmoda and Gormflaith episode at Kincora

O'Carroll killed rescuing captives near Rathfolan

Siege and capitulation of Limerick, 1651

Siege of Ballyallia Castle

Thomas Macnamara, duelist and highwayman from Clare

Henry III grants Tradree to Robert Musegros, castle at Quin

Battle of Clontarf and death of Brian Boru

Friar Roger Macnamara martyred at Ennis

Inauguration of Brian Roe as King of Thomond at Magh Adhair

Kildare routed at Quin by O'Brien and Macnamaras

Lady De Clare burns Bunratty and flees across the Shannon

S. Macnamara's heroic stand at Quin, 1278

Synod of Cashel decrees conformity with Church of England

English defeated at Killaloe entering Clare

Archbishop destroys idol of Mac Dara on Aran Islands

Bishop Nicholson witnesses destitution on the road to Tuam, 1728

Columba's battle with the men of Meath

Coveha Macnamara storms Quin Castle

Execution of Donogh Beg at Quin

French invasion fleet arrives in Bantry Bay

French recruitment and smuggling at Doolin, 1746

Galway jury fined for refusing Crown verdict on land titles

Henry II introduces English laws at Lismore assembly

Limerick burnt and Sioda Macnamara killed, 1369

Sioda Macnamara avenges desecration of Magh Adhair

Turgesius's wife presides at Clonmacnoise high altar

Turlough removes king's skull from Clonmacnoise to Kincora

Two Burren lads from Doolin join the Royal Navy

Whiteboys punish priest in Clare

Banshee of the tribe at Killaloe rocks

Fitton's escape from Ennis Monastery

Naval battle in Dundalk Bay to free Ceallachan

Tulla tradition and the Bull of Adrian IV

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

Downing hangs two idiots in Clare village

Fireball Macnamara's lifestyle at Moyrisk

Hag apparition at Loch Rask before battle

Inchiquin's massacre of priests at Cashel cathedral

Kilkenny Parliament passes Statutes of Kilkenny, 1367

Morrogh O'Brien created Earl of Thomond at Greenwich

Ruadh Macnamara, Gaelic poet of Clare

Turlough O'Brien flees to Limerick and pays ransom

Wounded warriors patch themselves to fight at Corcomroe

Malachy uproots sacred oak at Magh Adhair (982)

Pirates land near Loop Head and Donald O'Brien's reprisals

Spanish Armada vessel St. John stranded on Macnamara land on the Shannon