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

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

1. Host encamped on Magh Adhair and Dalcasian protection

   near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 900–918

   An army under Flan from Tara was stranded for three days and nights on the plain of Magh Adhair without food or rest. Mac Lonain, the poet, petitioned the Dalcasians and the men of Limerick for protection, which was granted, along with guides to escort the host safely to the Shannon and onward to Tara. The poem, dated before 918, names Sioda as a chief of the Clancuilein or Macnamara of Clare.

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   Three days and three nights was the host westward on chilly Magh Adhair, without food, sleep, or store, neither resting nor departing. " Ask protection for us, Mac Lonain," said Flan, " from the men of Dal-Cas, from the men of Limerick ; surely they are generous and will grant our request." I rise up and reach the despoiling Dalcasians, and forthwith I recite a poem to the best men on earth. After that I urge my petition on the Dal-Cas, to the people of Limerick, to allow Flan and all along with him to go in safety. Righteous protection was given us, and guides to show us the way until we reached the Shannon, and from its fords to Tara. The Dalcasians, the best of all people in the land of Alba and of Erin. It was by them, without fail, that quarter was given to their enemies. To the Dalcasians of the clans has been granted the bounty, the valour of Erin, and every good between heaven and earth has been bestowed on the chief, Lorcain.

   * Sioda and his son, Asoda, are the two " well-known chiefs of the Clancuilein or Macnamara of Clare " ("The Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," by Eugene O'Curry, vol. ii. p. 101). Professor O'Curry makes this observation in connection with this poem, written, by Mac Lonain, some time before a.d. 918.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 46

2. News of 1641 rising heard at Quin fair

   Quin · town · Clare · 1641

   The first news of the 1641 Ulster rising reached Clare at the fair held at Quin, causing great excitement. Barnabas, Earl of Thomond, took immediate steps to prevent an outbreak against English residents in the county.

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   despair of protection from their Government, to unite and take arms for their necessary defence and preservation of their lives."* In Clare the news of the rising in Ulster against the English was first heard at the fair held at Quin in 1 641, and gave rise to such excitement that Barnabas, Earl of Thomond, considered it necessary to take immediate steps to prevent an outbreak against the English residents in his county. With the object of maintaining order he called a council of the principal landowners to meet him at Ennis early in January 1642, to consult as to the means best calculated to preserve peace. The Earl, at this meeting, invested Teigie and Donogh Macnamara with military authority over the civil population ; he also appointed the latter gentleman as his chief captain and adviser. The militia of the county were enrolled, and a tax levied on the inhabitants for their support.

   The English formed a very small proportion of the population of Clare, and were for the most part engaged as farmers on the estates of the Earl of Thomond. Hearing of the cruelties perpetrated by the Irish on their countrymen in the north, they naturally began to take measures for their own safety, and many of them assembled in a castle (Ballyallia) belonging to an Englishman, Mr. Maurice 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.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 101

3. O'Conor charges from hill at Dysert, De Clare's son slain

   Dysert · townland · Clare

   O'Conor and his troops appeared on a hill above the battlefield at Dysert and charged down the slope onto the English forces. De Clare's son fought bravely but was overcome and killed on the field.

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   " 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.

   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.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 69

4. Changeling woman burnt to death in Tipperary, 1895

   Tipperary · town · Tipperary · 1895

   In 1895 a woman aged 27, wife of a cooper, was burnt to death in Co. Tipperary under the belief that she was a counterfeit or changeling held by fairies. The perpetrators believed burning would cause the false creature to disappear and the real woman to return, demonstrating the survival of pagan superstitions into the nineteenth century.

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   t " Pagan superstitions seem to exist among some of these people up to the present day, for in the year 1895 we have a case reported of black witchcraft in co. Tipperary. A woman, aged 27, the wife of a cooper, has there been burnt to death under the supposition that she was a counterfeit or changeling who, being burnt, would disappear, whilst the real woman, held in hostage by the fairies or good people, would return. And so this poor creature was literally roasted to death by her fellow-creatures : fire being the great restorer and purifier ; showing that the same train of thought so long ago impressed on our ancestors still crops up among descendants in the nineteenth century." (Extract from the Globe, April 2, 1895.)

   J O'Curry's " Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish," vol. ii. p. 202.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 31

5. Clare Brigade treaty signed by Daniel Macnamara, 1652

   Limerick · city · Limerick · 1652

   In April following the capitulation of Limerick, a formal treaty was drawn up between the Parliamentarians and the officers of the Clare Brigade, allowing troops to keep horses and property and to leave Ireland for the Continent at government expense. Daniel Macnamara signed the treaty on behalf of the Clare Brigade.

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   In the April following the capitulation of Limerick a formal treaty was drawn up between the Parliamentarians and the officers of the Clare Brigade. Under this treaty, among other stipulations it was agreed that the troops forming the Brigade should deliver up their arms, but were to be allowed to retain their horses, and any real property they possessed, so long as they kept the peace. Provision was also made that any of the soldiers of the Brigade who desired to quit Ireland for the Continent should be enabled to do so at the expense of the Government. This document was signed on behalf of the Clare Brigade by Daniel Macnamara.f Ludlow informs us that in April 1652 "the number of Irish who submitted on condition of being transported into foreign service was so great, that they became a heavy burden to the State, before shipping could be provided to carry them all out of the country."

   * Ludlow's " Memoirs," pp. 199 and 340.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 104

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is Limerick, the city the road is passing through. In April 1652, after the capitulation of Limerick, a formal treaty was drawn up between the Parliamentarians and the officers of the Clare Brigade. Under its terms, the troops forming the Brigade were to deliver up their arms, but were allowed to keep their horses and any real property they possessed, so long as they kept the peace. Provision was also made that any soldiers of the Brigade who wished to leave Ireland for the Continent should be enabled to do so at the expense of the Government. This document was signed on behalf of the Clare Brigade by Daniel Macnamara. Ludlow records that in April 1652 the number of Irish who submitted on condition of being transported into foreign service was so great, that they became a heavy burden to the State, before shipping could be provided to carry them all out of the country.

6. Dublin's new Liberty corps of volunteers drawn from lowest classes

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1784–1786

   After the original Irish Volunteers disbanded, a new force enrolled in Dublin took the name of volunteers but was composed of men from the lowest classes, unlike the earlier gentlemen volunteers. Through officers like Napper Tandy, a Dublin ironmonger, they opened communication with the revolutionary party in France.

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   constituted of small landowners and farmers. This should be clearly understood, so as not to confound the original Irish Volunteers with the force subsequently enrolled, which took the name of volunteers, but were altogether a different class of men to those who had preceded them. The Duke of Rutland, who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1784, appreciated the difference between the volunteers before and subsequent to the time he took office, for he wrote as follows : " The old corps, who were very completely appointed, and piqued themselves on being gentlemen both in manner and appearance would not for a moment submit to be in the same regiment with such men as those enrolled now in Dublin," no longer called Loyal, but " Liberty corps of volunteers."* These men, we are told, were enlisted from the lowest classes of the people, and, through their officers, Napper Tandy, a Dublin ironmonger, and the like, opened communication with the revolutionary party in France to secure the landing of a foreign army in Ireland in order to establish a "National Government," Ireland being placed directly under the protection of France.! In Protestant Ulster this feeling was rampant, and Wolfe Tone took advantage of it, and instituted the Society of "United Irishmen," whose members were enrolled mainly with the object of clearing the English Government out of Ireland. In the pursuit of this object, religious differences were to be swamped. This Society, however, gained no hold on the Catholic population to the west of the Shannon, so that it was far from being what its founders proposed — an organisation in which all Irishmen could join for a common political purpose. The United Irishmen of Belfast, at their public meetings, were in the habit of drinking "Success to the Revolution," "Health and long life to Washington and Tom Paine." Resolutions were passed congratulating the leaders of the French Revolution in Paris on the capture of the Bastille. The volunteers removed the crown from their standards and replaced it with a cap of liberty. The Presbyterian and other Nonconformist ministers of Ulster, in their public services, prayed for the success of the French arms, and were cognisant of the fact that open rebellion was at the time being organised in Ireland, with the promised aid of an army to be landed in the country from France.J

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 128

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through Dublin, this is the city where a new force enrolled in 1784 took the name of volunteers but was something altogether different from the original Irish Volunteers. The earlier volunteers had been gentlemen, small landowners and farmers, completely appointed and proud of their manner and appearance. The Duke of Rutland, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1784, saw the difference clearly. He wrote that the old corps would not for a moment submit to be in the same regiment with such men as those enrolled now in Dublin. These new men were no longer called Loyal but Liberty corps of volunteers, and they were enlisted from the lowest classes of the people. Through their officers, Napper Tandy, a Dublin ironmonger, and men like him, they opened communication with the revolutionary party in France. Their aim was to secure the landing of a foreign army in Ireland and establish what they called a National Government, placing Ireland directly under the protection of France. Wolfe Tone took advantage of the feeling rampant in Protestant Ulster and instituted the Society of United Irishmen, whose members were enrolled mainly to clear the English Government out of Ireland. The United Irishmen of Belfast drank Success to the Revolution and Health and long life to Washington and Tom Paine. The volunteers removed the crown from their standards and replaced it with a cap of liberty.

7. Edward Bruce reaches Cashel

   Cashel · town · Tipperary · 1315

   Edward Bruce and his Scottish army, having ravaged the country southwards from Ulster, fought their way as far south as Cashel. There he was joined by his brother, King Robert Bruce.

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   In the following year Donough, who had been elected to succeed Dermot Brian Roe, having been defeated by Maccon Macnamara's sons, fled into Ulster, and in conjunction with some of the chiefs of that province entered into communication with King Robert Bruce, urging him to come over and conquer Ireland. Bruce was willing to accept this invitation, hoping thereby to weaken his enemies the English, and so he despatched his brother, Edward Bruce, with a well-equipped army, into Ireland. The Scotch army, with Donough Brian Roe and his allies, passed southwards from Ulster, ravishing and burning the whole country; as Magrath states, "like a black cloud with vaporous-creeping offshoots and dark mist, hard to meet/'t Edward Bruce ultimately fought his way south as far as Cashel, where he was joined by King Robert Bruce. Donough Brian Roe urged them on to attack Tnomond and sack Limerick, and, so our historian informs us,| " the Scots reached the Shannon's banks, with intent to attack them of Tnomond gathered on the opposite bank, the Scots lying at Castleconnell ; and between the parties ensued some skirmishing in the river vicinity. As for such as were hurt of the * " Triumphs of Turlough," p. 64. t Ibid., p. 83. $ Ibid., p. S3.

   izo EDWARD BRUCE'S DEATH

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 62

   As the companion tells it

   Up ahead is the town of Cashel, in Tipperary. In 1315, Edward Bruce reached this place with a Scottish army, having fought his way south from Ulster. The story begins before that. Donough, who had been elected to succeed Dermot Brian Roe, was defeated by the sons of Maccon Macnamara. He fled into Ulster, and there, with some of the chiefs of that province, he entered into communication with King Robert Bruce, urging him to come over and conquer Ireland. Robert Bruce was willing, hoping to weaken the English. He sent his brother Edward Bruce with a well-equipped army into Ireland. The Scottish army, with Donough Brian Roe and his allies, passed southwards from Ulster, ravaging and burning the whole country. Magrath describes them as, like a black cloud with vaporous-creeping offshoots and dark mist, hard to meet. Edward Bruce fought his way south as far as Cashel, where he was joined by King Robert Bruce himself. Donough Brian Roe then urged them on to attack Thomond and sack Limerick. The Scots reached the banks of the Shannon, with intent to attack those of Thomond gathered on the opposite bank. The Scots lay at Castleconnell, and some skirmishing ensued in the river vicinity between the parties.

8. Henry VIII proclaimed King of Ireland in Dublin Parliament

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1541

   In 1541 a Parliament assembled in Dublin created Henry VIII King of Ireland, a title to descend to his successors. It was enacted that opposing this title would be deemed high treason.

   Read the passage

   The question Henry VIII. had to decide was, should he bring Ireland under the English crown, or give her up completely to the control of her native chiefs. The king determined in favour of the former policy, and, a.d. 1541, in a Parliament assembled in Dublin, Henry was created King of Ireland, a title which was to descend to his successors ; and it was enacted that it should be deemed high treason to impeach this title or oppose its authority. It is impossible to read Henry VIII.'s. despatches without coming to the conclusion that, while he determined to strive and enforce law, and bring the Irish people into subjection, he wished to prevent violence and to meet their wishes as far as possible with reference to their religion, laws, and ancient customs. The king instructed Wolsey to direct " the Irish clergy to preach and to publish that the king only required to bring the country to order, not to make war against those who do their duty, nor to take anything from any man who is lawfully entitled to it, but to make a fair distribution of land at reasonable rents, seeing that they now lived without order, nor wealth, nor being assured to any succession to their lands."* Henry adopted this policy in spite of the recommendation of his Irish advisers to proceed to conquer the country, to exterminate its inhabitants, and replace them with " men born in England." t

   The Irish chiefs must have felt at this time that it was useless for them to attempt to resist England, so that Henry VIII.'s opportunity for effecting a settlement of the Irish question was favourable ; and, from documents in our possession, we must arrive at the conclusion that the king's acts did not falsify his intentions as expressed in the above extract from his message to the Church in Ireland. Before we can

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 79

   As the companion tells it

   As you travel through Dublin, you're passing through the city where, in 1541, a Parliament assembled and created Henry VIII King of Ireland, a title that was to descend to his successors. It was enacted that to impeach this title or oppose its authority would be deemed high treason. The question Henry VIII had to decide was whether to bring Ireland under the English crown or give her up completely to the control of her native chiefs. The king determined in favour of bringing her under the crown. His despatches suggest that while he was determined to enforce law and bring the Irish people into subjection, he wished to prevent violence and to meet their wishes as far as possible with reference to their religion, laws, and ancient customs. He instructed Wolsey to direct the Irish clergy to preach and to publish that the king only required to bring the country to order, not to make war against those who do their duty, nor to take anything from any man lawfully entitled to it, but to make a fair distribution of land at reasonable rents. Henry adopted this policy in spite of the recommendation of his Irish advisers to proceed to conquer the country, to exterminate its inhabitants, and replace them with men born in England. The Irish chiefs must have felt at this time that it was useless to attempt to resist England, so Henry's opportunity for effecting a settlement was favourable. From documents in our possession, the king's acts did not falsify his intentions as expressed in his message to the Church in Ireland.

9. Lord Deputy enforces Protestant services at Wexford

   Wexford · town · Wexford · 1603

   Upon James I's accession, Irish Catholics displaced Protestant clergy and restored Catholic services. The Lord Deputy marched an armed force to Wexford and ensured Protestant services were reinstated in churches throughout Ireland.

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   James I. having Celtic blood in his veins, and being the son of the unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots, the Irish rushed to the conclusion [that he must be a Roman Catholic, and, acting under this impression, ;so soon as he came to the throne they turned the Protestants out of their (churches, and re-established the old services. The Lord Deputy, [however, marched with a force of armed men to Wexford, and made provision for the Protestant services being read in all churches throughout Ireland. At the same time the gentry were commanded to take an oath of allegiance to the King, which they had no objection to do; but most of them refused to acknowledge him as head of the Church ; for this reason they received the name of " recusants," and measures were taken to confiscate their lands. So great was the persecution of the recusants that many of them left the country, including such men as the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell. It was in vain the Irish urged on the King that all they desired was to be allowed to ";' exercise in public the religion which they had always practised privately ; and as their public prayers gave testimony to their loyal hearts, so they were no less careful to manifest their duty to God, in which they never would be dissembling." The only answer they got to las appeal was an order that every Popish priest must leave the country )n pain of death or imprisonment.

   Another effect of this coercive policy was to drive a number of Irish youths abroad to be educated for Holy Orders. Seminaries were istablished for their reception in almost every country of Europe, and

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 94

   As the companion tells it

   Coming through Wexford now. In 1603, when James I came to the throne, the Irish assumed he must be Roman Catholic. He had Celtic blood, and he was the son of Mary Queen of Scots. Acting on that belief, Catholics turned Protestants out of their churches and brought back the old services. The Lord Deputy responded by marching a force of armed men to Wexford, and from there made provision for Protestant services to be read in all churches throughout Ireland. The gentry were commanded to take an oath of allegiance to the King, and most had no objection to that. But most refused to acknowledge him as head of the Church. For this they were called recusants, and measures were taken to confiscate their lands. The persecution was severe enough that many left the country, including the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell. The Irish urged the King that all they wanted was to be allowed to exercise in public the religion they had always practised privately, and that their public prayers gave testimony to their loyal hearts. The only answer they received was an order that every Popish priest must leave the country on pain of death or imprisonment. A further effect of this policy was to drive Irish youths abroad to be educated for Holy Orders. Seminaries were established for their reception in almost every country of Europe.

10. Macnamara youths pillage Moynoe and its neighbourhood

    Moynoe · townland · Clare · 1307–1310

    After killing De Burgho's steward in Galway, two young Donchadh-Macnamara family members sought sanctuary at the ecclesiastical establishment of Moynoe. Dissatisfied with their reception, they pillaged the surrounding neighbourhood for food, provoking an uproar in which Sioda's foster-brother was killed.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 58

11. Peace conference held in Limerick between Irish and Norman chiefs

    Limerick · city · Limerick

    A conference was held in Limerick to arrange peace terms between the Anglo-Norman barons and the Irish chiefs of Clare. De Clare, Mahon Brien, the Butlers, Bourkes, Mortough O'Brien, and Mac-con Macnamara all attended, but the terms proposed were not accepted.

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    In the following year it was decided to hold a conference in Limerick, to again endeavour to arrange terms of peace. De Clare and Mahon Brien attended this assembly, as well as the head of the Butlers and Bourkes ; Mortough O'Brien and Mac-con Macnamara also came to the council, and propounded terms and guarantees of peace to the barons ; but they were not acceptable. De Clare determined, therefore, to make a last effort to overthrow the Celtic chiefs of Clare ; he had played one faction against another for years without success, and it seemed to him necessary now to rally all the Anglo-Normans he could collect, and, in conjunction with such of the Irish as chose to follow him, to do his best to crush the chiefs who had for so long stood between him and the possession of the territory now known as county Clare. De Clare was aided by Brian Bane, grandson of Brian Roe.t He marched to Quin, where he rested for a night, and then he passed over the Fergus westward. While crossing the river, a strange female apparition is said to have appeared to De Clare. Magrath states that she spoke Gaelic ; and so De Clare asked his Irish followers to tell him who she was and what she meant in washing a quantity of such blood-stained robes in the river. The banshee stated she was " Bronach, and abode in the fairy hills of the land, but that her permanent residence was among the dwellers of hell, from which place she had come to invite De Clare to follow her." Sir Richard scoffed at the creature, and passed on ; his object being to attack the stronghold of the O'Deas. That chief was on the look out, and placed a number of his followers in some woods near a causeway and

    * "Triumphs of Turlough," p. 120.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 68

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where a conference was once held to arrange terms of peace between the Anglo-Norman barons and the Irish chiefs of Clare. De Clare and Mahon Brien attended the assembly, along with the heads of the Butlers and the Bourkes. Mortough O'Brien and Mac-con Macnamara also came to the council, and they put forward terms and guarantees of peace to the barons. But the terms were not accepted. De Clare decided, therefore, to make one last effort to overthrow the Celtic chiefs of Clare. He had played one faction against another for years without success, and it seemed to him necessary now to rally all the Anglo-Normans he could collect, and, joined by such of the Irish as chose to follow him, to crush the chiefs who had for so long stood between him and the possession of the territory now known as county Clare. He was aided by Brian Bane, grandson of Brian Roe. He marched to Quin, where he rested for a night, and then passed over the Fergus westward. While crossing the river, a strange female apparition is said to have appeared to De Clare. Magrath states that she spoke Gaelic, and so De Clare asked his Irish followers who she was and what she meant in washing a quantity of blood-stained robes in the river. The banshee stated she was "Bronach, and abode in the fairy hills of the land, but that her permanent residence was among the dwellers of hell, from which place she had come to invite De Clare to follow her." Sir Richard scoffed at the creature, and passed on. His object was to attack the stronghold of the O'Deas. That chief was on the look out, and placed a number of his followers in some woods near a causeway.

12. Pope Eugene IV issues Bull for Quin Abbey to Mac-con Macnamara

    Quin · town · Clare · 1433

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

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 77

13. Sioda Macnamara takes King of Ireland prisoner at Magh Adhair, 877

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 877

    In 847, Sioda Macnamara as chief of the sept and Marshal of Thomond inaugurated Lachtna as King of Thomond at Magh Adhair. The section also records that Sioda took the King of Ireland prisoner at Magh Adhair around 877, defending the inauguration site from attack.

    Read the passage

    the head of the O'Briens, who were successively kings of Thomond : for in the year a.d. 847 we find the chief of our sept filling an important post as Marshal of the Province, it then fell to the lot of Sioda (Macnamara) to inaugurate the head of his tribe as King of North Munster, or Thomond. The office of Marshal, we are told, "was a highly honourable one and was hereditary," * and so far as the province of Thomond was concerned was held for many generations by the head of our sept.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

14. Son of Aodh, chief of Ui-Caisin, attacks Donogh O'Brien

    near Kincora · monument · Clare · 1019

    In 1019, the son of Aodh, chief of Ui-Caisin (the Macnamara territory), attacked Donogh, son of Brian Boru, wounding him severely on the head and right hand with a sword. Donogh escaped but the son of Aodh was slain, likely over the succession dispute between Donogh and his nephew Turlough.

    Read the passage

    Aodh {Macnamara). — From the " Annals of the Four Masters " under the date of a.d. 1019, we learn that " the son of Aodh, chief of Ui-Caisin, attacked Donogh, son of Brian," and with a sword wounded him severely on the head and right hand. " The son of Brian escaped, but the son of Aodh was slain." It is difficult from the records at our command to discover the cause of this attack on Donogh ; probably it arose from some personal quarrel between the two chiefs, or it may be that Clancuilein had espoused the claims of the rightful heir to the throne as against his uncle Donogh ; whatever the cause of the quarrel, the heir to the chieftainship of the Macnamara sept was slain, in consequence of his attack on the king. Ui-Caisin extended to within a few miles of Kincora, in fact was only separated from it by the hills of Bernagh, so that the O'Briens and Macnamaras must have been in

    86 INVASION OF CLARE

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 48

15. Death of Sioda Macnamara at Quin, 1277

    Quin · town · Clare · 1277

    Sioda Macnamara died at Quin in 1277 and was succeeded by Coveha (Cumheadha). Mac Carthy of Desmond subsequently declined to surrender Coveha to the Earl de Clare, indicating the political alliances and tensions of the period.

    Read the passage

    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

16. De Clare builds castle at Quin later replaced by Franciscan abbey

    Quin · town · Clare · 1280

    In 1280, Thomas de Clare built a strong castle within the fort walls at Quin, consisting of a courtyard some 120 feet square with walls nearly 10 feet thick and round towers at three angles. The castle later made way for a Franciscan abbey erected on the same site, whose walls incorporate parts of the old castle and fort.

    Read the passage

    At the time of De Clare's advance from Limerick to Clonroad, Turlough O'Brien was away to the west of the Fergus receiving the fealty of the MacMahons, and De Clare therefore entered Clonroad unopposed ; the Macnamaras were not prepared to meet him single-handed, and they retreated, with their cattle and goods, into the dense forests north of Clare. Several of the Dalcasian septs, however, joined Brian Roe and the Anglo-Norman forces, and he strengthened and garrisoned the fort which before Conor's time seems to have been erected at Quin (p. 99), an important strategical post in the Macnamaras' territory ; in fact, it was only separated from the residence of the chief of our sept by the river Rine. There was a church in this place dedicated to St. Finghin, which De Clare converted into "a church and a fortress." This edifice still exists, with its massive walls and narrow lancet windows ; but De Clare's fort was on the opposite or eastern side of the stream. It consisted of a courtyard some 120 feet square, with walls nearly 10 feet thick, and round towers 40 feet broad at three of its angles. The lower part of these towers and the walls of this fort still remain ; it was within these that De Clare subsequently (1280) built a strong castle,* which has since made way for the beautiful Franciscan abbey erected on the site occupied by the castle within the fort of Quin. In fact, the walls of the old castle and of the fort constitute part of the existing abbey. De Clare at this time also built the castle of Bunratty at the "clear harboured mouth of the River Raite." Part of this building is inhabited at the present time by the Irish constabulary.

    * " The Normans in Thomond," by T. J. Westropp, M.A., (" The Proceedings of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland"); also " Annals of Innisfallen, " 1280.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 54

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

    near Ennistimon · town · Clare · 1567

    To aid in substituting English law for the Brehon code in Clare, Sir Henry Sidney appointed Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon as governor of Clare. O'Brien signalized his accession by hanging refractory Irishmen and malefactors.

    Read the passage

    We hear of trouble between O'Brien (Earl of Thomond) and the Macnamaras in the year 1567. The former had been educated in England, his mother and grandmother having been Englishwomen ; the I Macnamaras, on the other hand, were still pure Celts, bred and born in Clare. In a letter which the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, sent to the Council in London, dated from Cork, February 1, 1567, he observes that he had written to "the Earl of Thomond regarding his letter complaining against the Macnamaras, that so soon as we came to Limerick we would consider the complaint and require him to remember your lordships' letter, and not tangle with the Macnamaras. In the mean we received the earl's answer declaring that he could not do so, for that Macnamara had done many things which he could not suffer." Sidney continues, the earl affirms that they (the Macnamaras) had not only taken cattle, but also "despatched some knaves," which, he observes, " God knoweth, they might spare enough, and her Majesty lose never a good subject " ; and, further, he charged those concerned in the matter to meet him at Limerick on the following Thursday ; " he spared not to tell the earl of his lack of dutie in oure said letter to his lordship." f There was, however, much more than a few cattle involved in this matter, for, as we shall discover from subsequent correspondence, the Earl of Thomond, presuming on his position had appropriated lands belonging to the Macnamaras, and on the latter appealing against these proceedings, the earl had attempted to carry the point with a high hand, conduct which the Lord Deputy was not disposed to permit. Matters however seem to have quieted down for the time, and Sir Henry Sidney passed through Clare to Galway. He gave orders to abolish "coyningand livery," and such like cesses, directing that the rules of English law should be substituted for the Brehon code ; and to aid him in effecting this purpose, Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon was made governor of Clare. The new ruler signalized his accession to office by hanging

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 89

18. Dr. Lucas of Corrofin, political reformer

    Corrofin · town · Clare · 1741–1771

    Dr. C. Lucas, a native of Corrofin, County Clare, settled in Dublin, left medicine for politics, and in 1741 published ideas on the history and constitution of Parliament. This brought the anger of Dublin Castle upon him and he was compelled to seek refuge in England. On the death of George I. he returned to Dublin, was received with great acclamation, and was elected Member of the first Parliament of George III., representing the city until his death in 1771.

    Read the passage

    The work published by Dr. C. Lucas, made a greater impression on Irishmen than either of the above-named authors. He was a native of Corrofin, county Clare, and settled in Dublin. Leaving medicine, he took to politics. In 1741 Dr. Lucas published his ideas regarding the history and constitution of Parliament. This work brought down on him the anger of Dublin Castle, and he was compelled to seek refuge in England. In London, Lucas became acquainted with Dr. Johnson, who wrote of him as follows: "The Irish Ministers drove Dr. Lucas from his native country by a proclamation in which they charged him with crimes which they never intended to call upon him to answer, and oppressed him by methods equally irresistible by guilt or innocence. Let the man thus driven into evil for having been a friend of his country be received in every other place as a confessor of liberty, and let the tools of power be taught to learn that they may rob, but cannot in poverish such men." On the death of George I. Lucas returned t,» Dublin, and was received with great acclamation. He was elected

    * " The Case of Ireland being Bound by Act of Parliament in Bngknd." bf W. Molyneux. A new edition and excellent Preface to a Ufa of MotjaMD recently been published by Very Rev. John Canon O'Hanlon, P.P.. M.K.I A

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 125

19. King of Norway stays at Kincora for hunting

    near Kincora · monument · Clare · 1086–1119

    Sigard, son of the King of Norway, stayed with Mortagh at Kincora for upwards of a year to enjoy the hunting and fishing for which that part of Ireland was famous.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 48

20. Macnamaras march with Brian Boru to Clontarf (1014)

    Clontarf · parish · Dublin · 1014

    At the Battle of Clontarf on Good Friday, April 23, 1014, the Clancuileins (Macnamaras) marched with Brian Boru under their leader Menma, son of Aeodh. Menma, Lord of Ui-Caisin, was one of the few Dalcasian chiefs who survived the battle, dying in 1015. The Dalcasians led the van of the Irish army under Morrogh, Brian's son.

    Read the passage

    These leaders were surrounded by Dalcasians ; among them, Keating tells us, there marched with Brian to Clontarf " the children of Cas, son of Connal of the fleet steed ; the Clancuileins (Macnamaras) ; around Menma, son of Aeodh, son of Endu, son of Esida, son of Sioda, son of Maelehuthier."f Keating, with his usual precision, identifies the leader of Clancuilein so that there can be no mistake about him, and on referring to the family pedigree we find that Menma was chief of the sept about the year 1014, when the battle of Clontarf was fought. From the "Annals of the Four Masters " we learn that " Menma, Lord of Ui-Caisin, died a.d. 1015, so that he was one of the few Dalcasian chiefs who survived the battle of Clontarf.

    On the morning of Good Friday, April 23, 1014, the Irish army took up their position on the field of battle ; they consisted of the Dalcasians in the van, led by Morrogh, the centre composed of the men of South Munster, and the rear by those of Connaught. The Danes under Sitric

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 44

21. Norsemen build fort at Tradraighe, later site of Bunratty Castle

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 890–968

    The Norsemen concentrated their forces on the Shannon and built a fort in the district of Tradraighe, which then belonged to the Macnamara sept and subsequently became the site of the Anglo-Norman castle of Bunratty.

    Read the passage

    The west of Ireland, from the year a.d. 890, was overrun with Norsemen, who, we are informed, occupied the homes of the Irish, so that the owners had not even power to "give milk or eggs to a sick or infirm man; the foreigners claimed the right over everything." The Norsemen were far better armed than the native Irish, who at the time were utterly unable to withstand them.t It was in circumstances of this kind that Mahon and his brother Brian, the sons of Kennedy appeared on the scene. From its geographical position, and in consequence of the dense woods which covered its hills and plains, Clare was not so completely occupied by the Norsemen as other parts of Ireland. At any rate, from the account given in the wars of the Gaedhil with the Gail, we learn that Mahon and Brian, with the greater part of the Dalcasians living to the east and south of the Shannon crossed the river into Clare so as to escape from the invaders of their country ; and they " dispersed themselves among the forests and woods situated between Loch Durge and the Fergus," or, in other words, over the Macnamara territories ; from this locality the Irish proceeded to sally forth and kill all the foreigners they could lay their hands on. The effect of these tactics were to compel the Norsemen to concentrate their forces on the Shannon, where they built a fort in the district of Tradraighe, which at that time belonged to our sept and was subsequently the site of the Anglo-Norman castle of Bunratty. In these operations Brian Boru's forces suffered fearfully from constant fighting and want of food ; and

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

22. Siege and fall of Bunratty Castle

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1646

    Confederate forces surrounded Bunratty Castle from the land side, and with the English fleet unable to pass upriver, the Parliamentary garrison was compelled to surrender after a brave defence. The Confederates seized valuable plate, military stores, and a splendid stud of horses from the captured castle.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 102

23. Ennis meeting pledges boycott of English goods, 1778

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1778

    In June 1778, a meeting at Ennis presided over by Colonel Francis Macnamara, High Sheriff of Clare, passed resolutions expressing loyalty to the Sovereign and pledging not to purchase goods manufactured in England until Ireland was granted Free Trade. Similar meetings were held throughout the country.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 128

24. Abbot of Armagh flees with St Patrick's shrine to Emly

    Emly · town · Tipperary

    Turgesius, leader of the Norsemen, drove ecclesiastics from their establishments, and the Abbot of Armagh fled taking the shrine of St. Patrick to a district in Thomond east of the Shannon inhabited by the Martini, a Firbolg tribe living at Emly under their own chief as late as the ninth century.

    Read the passage

    The two first expeditions which the Danes made into the west of Ireland, took place in a.d. 795 and 801, and were both repulsed by the Irish.} But from 812 to 835 a vast number of Scandinavians flocked into Ireland, pillaging the churches and committing every conceivable cruelty on the inhabitants of the country. § At this period, and for some time previously there had been incessant fighting among the ecclesiastics of Armagh for the office of Abbot ; the inhabitants of this monastery, of Clonmacnois, and Durrow, were also frequently at war with one another. Turgesius, the leader of the Norsemen, made short work of these ecclesiastics, for he drove them out of their establishments ; and we are told that the Abbot of Armagh fled, taking with him the shrine of St. Patrick to a district in Thomond east of the Shannon, which was inhabited by the Martini, a Firbolg tribe, who lived as a separate people under their own chief at Emly, county Tipperary, as late as the ninth century.

    Turgesius was the acknowledged King of the North of Ireland, he hoped to establish a strong government and so to overcome the discord and anarchy which existed in the country ; he also desired to banish

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

25. Arthur Young observes Whiteboys in Clare

    near Clare · population centre · Clare

    Arthur Young visited Clare while the Whiteboy organization held great power and noted it had survived ten years despite legal efforts. He was struck by the surprising intelligence and coordination of the people, with distant groups almost instantaneously aware of each other's actions.

    Read the passage

    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." \

    At the time the Whiteboys were extending so as to embrace a vast number of the Catholics of Munster, an outburst of popular feeling had been roused among the Presbyterian tenants of Lord Donegal, an absentee landowner of Ulster, who, when his leases fell due, in place of renewing them at a moderately increased rent, determined to raise ;£i 00,000 in fines on his tenants, and, as they could not pay this sum, they were ejected, and two or three rich Belfast merchants took their lands. The ejected tenants formed an organisation called the Steelboys ; they proceeded to maim cattle and to break into the houses of the gentry. A large body of soldiers was sent against them, and several of

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 124

26. Belfast United Irishmen toast French Revolution and Washington

    near Belfast · city · Antrim

    The United Irishmen of Belfast held public meetings where they drank toasts to the success of the French Revolution and to Washington and Tom Paine. They passed resolutions congratulating French revolutionary leaders in Paris on the capture of the Bastille and replaced the crown on their standards with a cap of liberty.

    Read the passage

    constituted of small landowners and farmers. This should be clearly understood, so as not to confound the original Irish Volunteers with the force subsequently enrolled, which took the name of volunteers, but were altogether a different class of men to those who had preceded them. The Duke of Rutland, who was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1784, appreciated the difference between the volunteers before and subsequent to the time he took office, for he wrote as follows : " The old corps, who were very completely appointed, and piqued themselves on being gentlemen both in manner and appearance would not for a moment submit to be in the same regiment with such men as those enrolled now in Dublin," no longer called Loyal, but " Liberty corps of volunteers."* These men, we are told, were enlisted from the lowest classes of the people, and, through their officers, Napper Tandy, a Dublin ironmonger, and the like, opened communication with the revolutionary party in France to secure the landing of a foreign army in Ireland in order to establish a "National Government," Ireland being placed directly under the protection of France.! In Protestant Ulster this feeling was rampant, and Wolfe Tone took advantage of it, and instituted the Society of "United Irishmen," whose members were enrolled mainly with the object of clearing the English Government out of Ireland. In the pursuit of this object, religious differences were to be swamped. This Society, however, gained no hold on the Catholic population to the west of the Shannon, so that it was far from being what its founders proposed — an organisation in which all Irishmen could join for a common political purpose. The United Irishmen of Belfast, at their public meetings, were in the habit of drinking "Success to the Revolution," "Health and long life to Washington and Tom Paine." Resolutions were passed congratulating the leaders of the French Revolution in Paris on the capture of the Bastille. The volunteers removed the crown from their standards and replaced it with a cap of liberty. The Presbyterian and other Nonconformist ministers of Ulster, in their public services, prayed for the success of the French arms, and were cognisant of the fact that open rebellion was at the time being organised in Ireland, with the promised aid of an army to be landed in the country from France.J

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 128

27. Brian Boru's residence on the hills above Lough Derg

    Killaloe · town · Clare

    Brian Boru's place of residence was situated on a spur of the hills overlooking the Shannon as it passes out of Lough Derg, near Killaloe. The spot was described as one of exceeding beauty, commanding the ford of Killaloe.

    Read the passage

    The county is divided by the river Fergus into east and west Clare the greater part of the former being covered by low hills and bog land ; but to the south-east of this part of the county there are a mass of lofty rugged hills which run down to the Shannon and the western shore of Loch Derge. These hills in former times were covered with forest trees and were known as one of the best hunting districts in Ireland ; it was here that Brian Boru lived, his place of residence being situated on a spur of the hills overlooking the Shannon as it passes out of Loch Derge, a spot of exceeding beauty, and commanding the ford of Killaloe, the only weak point in the boundary of Clare to the east.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 7

28. Burning of Quin Abbey and dispersal of Franciscan monks

    Quin · town · Clare

    Colonel George Stamer and his brother Henry burned Quin Abbey and dispersed the Franciscan community. By Lady Chatterton's tour one monk still remained, meditating and praying in the desolate cloister; the last friar, John Hogan, died in 1820 and his tombstone lies in the east cloister walk.

    Read the passage

    " The burning of the Abbey by Colonel George Stamer, and his brother Henr. , jpersed the monks, but at the time of Lady Chatterton's tour one of them still jditated, prayed, and wrote ' beautiful lines ' to Lady O'Brien in the desolate )ister. I have known two persons who remembered the last monk, whose tomb- >ne, a plain slab of limestone, in the east cloister walk, bears this inscription :

    " * HERE LIES THE BODY OF THE | REV. JOHN HOGAN OF DRIM | WHO DEPAi . IS LIFE A.D. 1820 I AGED 80 YEARS, THE LAST OF THE FRANCISCAN | FRIAKS IO HAD THEIR RESIDENTS (sk) | AT DRIM THE PLACE OF THEIR REFUGE j WHBM IVEN FROM THE ABBEY OF | QUIN. HE WAS SUPPORTED BY THE | PIOUS PONA- DNS OF THE FAITHFUL | AND SERVED AS AN AUXILIARY TO HIS | NEIGHBOUKIV ■ RISH PRIESTS I IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD. HE | KNEW HOW TO ABOUND D HOW TO SUFFER | WANT AS THE LORD WAS PLEASED TO | SEND. HE DIED

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 118

29. Catholic priests banished to Aran Islands and Inishbofin

    near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway · 1653

    Catholic priests were judged guilty of high treason and ordered to depart; those who did not were sent to Spain and the Barbadoes. When too many were arrested to be provided for, they were removed to the islands of Arran and Inis Bonfin.

    Read the passage

    Mr. Froude describes this act as a " masterly stroke of policy " on the part of Oliver Cromwell; this historian continues as follows: "The western province had a natural boundary in the Shannon. Beyond this deep and effectual barrier, the families of the chiefs — the middle and upper classes as we should call them, from whose ranks the worst elements of disorder arose — might receive an equivalent of lands of which the> were deprived. There living among themselves, they might die out or multiply as their lot might be : a line of physical demarcation would then be drawn between the Teutonic and Celtic population." Mr. Froude adds that " the Catholic priests were judged guilty of high treason and ordered to depart — such of them as did not remove were put on vessels for Spain, and to the Barbadoes— finally, when the number arrested were too great to be provided for, they were removed to the islands of Arran, and Inis Bonfin. Romanism, sternly repressed, must have died out, and the lines of difference between the two countries, now as marked as ever, and almost as threatening, would have long ago disappeared." ■ . * •' The English in Ireland " (Froude), vol. i. pp. 133 and 140 ; see Prendergasfs *' Cromwellian Settlement," 2nd edit. p. 246.

    202 MACNAMARAS OCCUPIED ORIGINAL

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 105

30. Chiefs of Burren and Corcomroe send tribute to Brian Boru

    Burren · townland · Clare · 1002

    After Brian Boru was acknowledged as supreme ruler of Ireland around 1002, he received tribute from across the country. The chiefs of Burren and Corcomroe sent a tribute of 2000 cattle and 1000 sheep, while the Danes of Dublin contributed 150 butts of wine and the inhabitants of Limerick a tun of wine per day.

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    Brian Boru now determined to rule Ireland ; and Malachy ultimately went to his camp and submitted to him as being the more powerful of the two. Malachy retained his position, however, as King of Leinster, but Brian Boru, the Dalcasian chief, was acknowledged as supreme ruler over the whole country (a.d. 1002); the other provincial kings paying him tribute. Brian received tribute also from the Danes of Dublin in the form of one hundred and fifty butts of wine ; from the inhabitants of Limerick a tun of wine per diem: he received a vast number of cattle from every part of the country; for instance, the chiefs of Burren and Corcomroe sent tribute of 2000 cattle and 1000 sheep ; and so with other parts of Ireland. The order of the various kings and chiefs at Brian's table has come down to us and was scrupulously followed; behind the seat of each chief his arms were suspended. t The tables, we are told, were covered with gold-mounted cups; the food consisted of beef, mutton, pork, game, fish, oat- cakes, cheese, curds, onions, and watercress ; wine, beer, and mead, together with the bilberry-juice, constituted their drink. The meat appears to have been cooked in the dining-hall.J

    Brian Boru in the year 1 004 made a circuit through the whole of Ireland ; and while at Armagh he confirmed its bishop as metropolitan of the country; the record of this fact, written by O'Carroll, Brian Boru's former tutor and

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

31. Colonel Macnamara of Moyrisk, MP for Clare

    Moyrisk · townland · Kerry · 1790–1814

    Colonel Francis Macnamara of Moyrisk was elected member for Clare in 1790, having previously been an officer of the yeomanry and Clare volunteers. He voted for the Act of Union in 1800 and died in 1814, succeeded by his son Major Macnamara.

    Read the passage

    Colonel F. Macnamara of Moyrisk was elected member for Clare in 1790; he had previously been an officer of the yeomanry and Clare volunteers, and held a prominent position in the county; he entered the Dublin Parliament as a supporter of the Government, and was a cotemporary of John Macnamara, M.P.; they were neighbours in Clare as boys, and probably on terms of friendship. Colonel F. Macnamara died in the year 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

32. Conor O'Brien slain near Ballyvaghan in Burren

    Ballyvaghan · town · Clare

    Conor O'Brien led an expedition into Burren and penetrated as far as the valley above Ballyvaghan, where he was attacked and slain along with his third son and a daughter.

    Read the passage

    We are informed by the " Four Masters " that during the latter part of Conor O'Brien's reign, Thomond was not only at peace, but that the seasons were favourable and the people consequently prosperous. Magrath confirms this statement, and states that Conor O'Brien had amassed great wealth in his fort at Clonroad, and that a large proportion of the inhabitants of the province had " grown over-rich and in consequence had become turbulent, refusing to pay tribute to their king." In these circumstances Conor directed his brother-in-law, Sioda Macnamara, to muster Clancuilein, and the Kineldunal led by Anselis O'Grady, and to proceed into Tipperary to quell the insubordination which had sprung up in that part of Thomond. Sioda seems to have speedily and effectually accomplished the duty he had been called on to perform ; but in the meantime Conor had started off on a similar expedition into Burren, and having penetrated that part of his territory as far as the valley above Ballyvaghan, he was attacked, and we are told that "Conor O'Brien together with his third son and a daughter were slain." The body of the king was carried to the neighbouring Abbey of Corcomroe, and was there buried ; Conor's tomb is still to be seen in good preservation in the north side of the chancel of this abbey.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 53

33. Council at Killaloe enacts laws during famine crisis

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1064

    Around 1064, after years of inclement weather that destroyed corn, milk, fruit and fish and made the people dishonest, a council was assembled at Killaloe. Laws were enacted to restrain injustice, and it was said that God then gave peace and favourable weather.

    Read the passage

    destroyed, and the people grew dishonest, there was no safety for any one." In these circumstances a council was assembled at Killaloe, and we are told that laws were then enacted ' ' to restrain every injustice, great or small, and in consequence God gave peace and favourable weather."

    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

34. Irish levies approach Enniskillen

    near Enniskillen · town · Fermanagh · 1689

    On July 30, 1689, a portion of the raw Irish levies, including Clare men, arrived within ten miles of Enniskillen. The town's defending force was under the command of Colonel Wolseley, who sent Colonel Berry to monitor the advancing Irish army.

    Read the passage

    A regiment of horse was raised, and also a regiment of infantry in Clare, for service under James II. Among the list of cavalry officers we find the names Colonel J. Macnamara (commanding), also Captain Fineen and a second John Macnamara. In the infantry were the names oi Captains Donogh, and Teigie, and also Lieutenants John and Daniel Macnamara. These regiments were enlisted during the spring of 1689, and in July of the same year they were called upon to take the field and fight against Dutch and English soldiers, who had served in military operations on the Continent. Neither officers nor men of the Irish levies had the slightest knowledge of drill or the use of firearms; they were raw recruits drawn from agricultural pursuits, and utterly unfit to fight on equal terms with veteran soldiers. But such as they were, the Clare, among other levies, were directed in July 1689 to join Lord Mountcashel's troops, and attempt to drive the English out of the north of Ireland. On July 30, a portion of these raw levies arrived within ten miles of Enniskillen, the force in that town being under the command of Colonel Wolseley, who sent Colonel Berry with a detachment of troops to watch the movements of the Irish army. Colonel Berry came unexpectedly on a large body of Irish Dragoons and infantry, he retired therefore towards a place called Lismarkea, sending off an express to Wolseley for reinforcements. Berry's road led him across a narrow causeway over a bog, at the further side of which was a quantity of thick brushwood ; here he drew up his forces, covering his men in the bushes to await the approach of the enemy, who were under the command of Colonel Hamilton. As the Irish advanced over the narrow causeway Hamilton and his second in command were shot down by Berry's men, and as a number of the Irish fell they retreated from their position and fell back on the advance guard of their army ; this movement on the part of the Irish was effected about nine o'clock in the morning. At eleven a.m. Colonel Wolseley arrived on the scene accompanied by a considerable force of cavalry and infantry. The Irish took up a strong position on the side of steep wooded hills, through which the road passed to Newtown Butler, in front of them was a bog crossed by a causeway which was defended by the artillery of the Irish • Frost's " History of Clare," p. 568.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 117

35. Kilkenny council chamber uproar over treaty debate

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1645–1649

    During a meeting of the Kilkenny Council, members became so excited over a debate regarding the treaty with Charles I that half the assembly jumped from their seats and rushed out of the council chamber. Rinuccini found he could neither manage his Council nor persuade them to adopt his views.

    Read the passage

    The affairs of Charles I. and of the Irish Confederation were now) reaching a climax ; the Kilkenny Council, in spite of the protests of | Rinuccini, concluded a treaty with the King of England, by which it was j agreed that the Irish Roman Catholics were to have freedom of religion I so long as they remained faithful to the Crown ; but they were not to be compelled to take the oath of supremacy to the king as head of the Church. The Nuncio at this time was President of the Council of Kilkenny, and he gives an amusing account of a meeting of thati assembly. It seems that as usual there was considerable difference of opinion on a certain subject under discussion, and after debating the question at issue with great animation, the parties concerned became much excited, so much so, that one-half of the assembly jumped up from their seats and rushed out of the council chamber, j The Nuncio discovered that he could neither manage his Council, nor persuade them to adopt his views regarding the treaty with Charles. He determined therefore to try what mild restraint would effect, and so he ordered the members of the Council to be shut up in Kilkenny Castle, and to be put on low diet for a time ; but they took their punishment rather as a joke ; and it had no effect whatever on their conduct.§

    There was, however, one other measure left in the hands of the Nuncio, and that was to excommunicate those who refused to follow his advice regarding the government of Ireland. That this act might have full ecclesiastical authority, Rinuccini summoned a synod of the Irish bishops

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 102

36. Macnamara youths kill De Burgho's steward in Galway

    Galway · city · Galway · 1307–1310

    Two younger members of the Donchadh-Macnamara family went on an expedition into Galway and fell out with De Burgho's steward, killing him. Fearing swift retaliation from the earl, they fled and sought protection at the ecclesiastical establishment of Moynoe.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Galway, this is where two younger members of the Donchadh-Macnamara family came on an expedition sometime between 1307 and 1310. They fell out with De Burgho's steward, and killed him. Fearing the earl would speedily retaliate, they sought protection in the ecclesiastical establishment of Moynoe, some of them resting in the great church. But they seemed to think they were not properly entertained by the religious community of the place, and they proceeded to help themselves and to pillage the neighbourhood for food. Conduct of this kind created an outburst of indignation, and Sioda's foster-brother was killed in the turmoil which ensued. Upon this, Donchadh, the chief of the sept, took up the quarrel and laid waste all the lands of Moynoe, sparing only the church. The badge of war being thus thrown down, the Hy-Blood and other Dalcasian septs of East Clare were not slow to accept the challenge given by Clancuilein. The trouble had been rankling for some time before this. The Hy-Blood, the Kennedys, Connings, and other Dalcasian septs had envied the position and importance which Clancuilein had obtained in the affairs of Thomond. That jealousy, brought to a climax by the foolish rollicking conduct of those two young Macnamaras in Galway, sparked a small war in the north-eastern part of the district.

37. Muster of Thomond forces at Ruane before battle

    Ruan · parish · Clare

    Maccon Macnamara and the allied septs of Thomond gathered at Ruane, described as the place of grass-clad caves, for their final muster before marching northward to confront Donough Brian Roe's forces. Maccon addressed the assembly with a prophecy of victory.

    Read the passage

    Dermot O'Brien, in his brother Mortough's absence in Dublin, issued a summons to the chief landholders of his territory to meet him in council ; and having come together they discussed the means by which they might best assail their enemies. Magrath reports that Mac-con- Macnamara was one of the members of this council, and said, " if the sept of Clancuilein alone were called upon to meet the enemy it would be impossible to keep them from doing so. ' But the Clan Mahons, Clan Teigue (a branch of Clancuilein), the O'Conors, O'Deas, and many other septs were full of enthusiam to join their chief; and after drawing up their plans the council broke up, "without a shadow of misgiving," and its members returned " to their homes to get on with all that was needed for the emergency of that formidable encounter on which, towards the recovery of their patrimonial rights, they were resolved ; and the place of meeting which they appointed for the last muster before the march was Ruane, of the grass-clad caves." *

    All preparations having been completed, these devoted " Gael of the true breed, with new standards and with burnished arms — with a sound appetite for the fray, they covered the distance to Ruane, where cheerily the contingents welcomed every one the other. Not a man of those crowded irachts but longed to fall to, and among them cordial words of welcome passed — without a failure they kept that tryst, and were moved as it were by the spirit of one man." f

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 63

38. Outlaws on borders of Thomond rob travellers, 1569

    Galway · city · Galway · 1569

    In 1569 a petition from Galway reported to Sir Henry Sidney that outlaws, being bastard sons of the Bishop of Killaloe, robbed all travellers on the borders of Thomond and had raided a castle which they intended to defend. The bishop was an O'Brien.

    Read the passage

    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

    As you come through Galway, this city sent a petition to Sir Henry Sidney in 1569 describing what was happening on the borders of Thomond. The petition stated that 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. The bishop was an O'Brien. After his death in 1569, the English Government appointed the first Protestant bishop of Killaloe, a young man named Morrogh O'Brien. The petition reflects how English law and order was administered in Clare at this time. A few years before, in 1563, the Earl of Thomond had retreated to the castle of Rosroe to obtain protection from his relative, Donald O'Brien of Inchiquin. Donald O'Brien attacked the castle, but Sioda Macnamara drove him back and pursued him across the river Fergus. Donald O'Brien then went to a place near Corcomroe in Burren. 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." Dineley left a sketch of Rosroe as he saw it in 1680, calling it a fair seat, situated among good lands and orchards, with a large lough abounding with large trout and wild fowl. About a mile and a half away by water, the lough of Rosroe runs underground for half an English mile, opposed by hills and rocks.

39. Richard II receives submission of Irish chiefs at Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1394

    Richard II landed at Waterford in October 1394 with an army of 34,000 men. The O'Brien and other chiefs met King Richard at Drogheda and promised obedience to his rule, but Richard left without increasing English territory or jurisdiction.

    Read the passage

    Richard the Second having determined to cross over to Ireland with the object of subduing that country, landed at Waterford, in October 1394 with an army of 34,000 men ; the O'Brien and the other chiefs recognised the hopelessness of resisting a force of this kind, and they met King Richard at Drogheda and promised obedience to his rule ; this was all that was demanded from them by the English king, with the exception of the King of Leinster, who, together with the entire native population of the province were ordered to leave their homes and lands by a certain date so as to make way for English settlers. Richard soon afterwards left the country and returned home, as Sir J. Davies observes, " having spent huge masses of treasure, yet did he not increase his revenue thereby one sterling pound, nor enlarge the English border the breadth of one acre of land ; neither did he extend the jurisdiction of his courts of justice by one foot further than the English colonies wherein it was used and exercised before." *

    Brian O'Brien after visiting King Richard at Drogheda, and subsequently in Dublin, returned to Clonroad ; he died in the year 1399. " Brian had by Slaine, daughter of Lochlain Macnamara, three sons. * Sir J. Davies' " Historical Tracts," p. 51.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 76

    As the companion tells it

    Coming through Drogheda now. Back in October 1394, this was where a remarkable meeting took place. Richard the Second had landed at Waterford with an army of 34,000 men, determined to subdue Ireland. The O'Brien and the other chiefs recognised the hopelessness of resisting a force of that size, and they came here to meet King Richard and promised obedience to his rule. That was all Richard demanded from most of them, with one exception. The King of Leinster, along with the entire native population of that province, was ordered to leave their homes and lands by a certain date, to make way for English settlers. Richard soon afterwards left the country and returned home. As Sir J. Davies observed, he had spent huge masses of treasure, yet did not increase his revenue by one sterling pound, nor enlarge the English border the breadth of one acre of land, nor extend the jurisdiction of his courts of justice by one foot further than the English colonies where it was already used. Brian O'Brien, after visiting King Richard here at Drogheda and subsequently in Dublin, returned to Clonroad. He died in 1399.

40. Sir John Macnamara imprisoned in Dublin Castle

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1608

    After being apprehended for treason by the Earl of Thomond, Sir John Macnamara was transported to Dublin Castle. The Lord Deputy was forced to keep a continual guard of soldiers over him due to his wealth and influence.

    Read the passage

    These imputations, together with the weakness of the persons and infidelity of officers and servants, proceeding for the most part from poverty, make him timorous to lay hands upon any great or active man, lest they should cause, after escape, greater harm than if they had never been apprehended at all. Besides, the juries are so partial that commonly the judges cannot possibly direct them aright, but they will many times give such a verdict as pleases themselves and the priests that govern them. Notwithstanding, he has within these few days caused the Earl of Thomond to apprehend Sir J. Macnamara for matter of treason, and has sent part of his troop of horse towards Limerick to bring him up to the Castle of Dublin, wherein he is driven to keep a continual guard of soldiers to attend that charge, over and above the ward of the castle, which he has committed to a costos, the constable being himself removed into the town jail. He proposes to send Sir John Macnamara over to their lordships, with the testimony of his treason written with his own hand, if it so pleases them.

    Sir A. Chichester reported to the Lords of the Privy Council on the 2nd of April 1608, that "Sir John Macnamara was brought here yesterday, and he had committed him to the castle. For his maintenance' there is no better case than the others, the wealth and greatness of these persons and many others like them being only in the dependence of men, of whose fortunes and affections they are the masters and disposers so long as they live in liberty amongst them and no longer; which inconvenience would be hereafter provided for, after their lands shall be confiscated to the Crown." Confiscation runs through the whole proceeding. Sir A. Chichester states that J. Macnamara :

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 96

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, the city holds a story from 1608. Sir John Macnamara had been apprehended for treason by the Earl of Thomond, and was brought here to Dublin Castle. The authorities were afraid of men like him. The Lord Deputy had written that officers and servants were unreliable, driven by poverty, and that juries were so partial the judges could not direct them aright, giving verdicts that pleased themselves and the priests that governed them. He feared that if a great or active man escaped after being seized, he could cause greater harm than if he had never been apprehended at all. Despite these fears, within those few days he had the Earl of Thomond seize Sir John Macnamara for matter of treason, and sent part of his troop of horse towards Limerick to bring him up to the Castle of Dublin. He was driven to keep a continual guard of soldiers over and above the ward of the castle itself, which he committed to a costos, the constable being removed into the town jail. Sir Arthur Chichester reported to the Lords of the Privy Council on the 2nd of April 1608 that Sir John Macnamara was brought here the day before. He wrote that his wealth and greatness lay only in the dependence of men, of whose fortunes and affections he was master and disposer so long as he lived in liberty amongst them, and no longer. Confiscation ran through the whole proceeding. Chichester proposed to send him over to their lordships, with the testimony of his treason written with his own hand, if it pleased them.

41. Sir Turlough O'Brien of Ennistymon granted Quin Abbey

    near Ennistimon · town · Clare · 1583

    Sir Turlough O'Brien of Ennistymon received letters patent dated December 14, 1583, confirming him in fee of the dissolved Abbey of Quin and its appurtenances. After Elizabeth's confirmation, the Franciscan friars still remained in possession of the abbey.

    Read the passage

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

    The close of the sixteenth century was destined to witness more

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 92

42. Teigie O'Brien dies at Inchiquin after short illness

    Inchiquin · townland · Clare · 1459–1466

    Teigie O'Brien, ruler of Thomond from 1459 to 1466, marched through Munster compelling tribute from Irish and English alike before returning to Clanroad. His career was cut short when he died at Inchiquin after a few days' illness.

    Read the passage

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

    In connection with the history of the Macnamaras during the first half of the fifteenth century we must not overlook the work they did in founding and endowing the Abbey of Quin (about the year a.d. 1402) as a Franciscan monastery. The remains of this fine building are still in an admirable state of preservation, and are likely to remain so, having been included among the historical buildings to be kept in repair by the Board of Works under Sir John Lubbock's Act. The tomb of the founder of the abbey still remains, and the cloisters and walls enclosing

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 77

43. Treason letter intercepted at Galway

    Galway · city · Galway · 1608

    A letter detailing plans for a foreign invasion was intercepted at Galway and forwarded to the Lord Deputy, who noted the presence of many conspirators. The letter was originally sent from John Macnamara to Donald O'Sullivan in Spain.

    Read the passage

    Doelin, February 27, i0c8. Sends him copy of a letter intercepted at Galway, and states that Salisbury will perceive what are the plans shot at, and that there are many conspirators and favourers of these devilish intentions who pretend to be loyal daily familiar amongst them ; prays him to acquaint the king with the contents of the letten, and prays God may put it in his princely heart to root out all those that ha.e been partakers in this treason, and to plant good and faithful subjects in their stead. None of his Majesty's predecessors have had like means of power to reform and settle this kingdom, nor greater cause given to use severe justice to the false-hearted and counterfeited subjects of the land. If this time and occasion be permitted, his Majesty's good subjects and servants may well despair of their safeties, for undoubtedly they will be taken unfounded, and suddenly c.it off, perchance by those whom they are enforced to trust.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 96

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Galway, this is where a treasonous letter was intercepted in 1608. The letter had been sent from John Macnamara to Donald O'Sullivan, who was in Spain, and it laid out plans for a foreign invasion. When the letter was caught at Galway, a copy was forwarded to the Lord Deputy, who sent it on to Salisbury. The Lord Deputy wrote that Salisbury would perceive what plans were being shot at, and that there were many conspirators and favourers of what he called these devilish intentions, men who pretended to be loyal while moving daily among the king's subjects. He prayed that the king would be acquainted with the contents, and asked that God put it in his princely heart to root out all those who had been partakers in this treason, and to plant good and faithful subjects in their stead. He wrote that none of his Majesty's predecessors had had like means of power to reform and settle this kingdom, nor greater cause to use severe justice against the false-hearted and counterfeited subjects of the land. The Lord Deputy had also written to the Earl of Thomond, asking him to come and bring the writer of the letter, who he believed was Sir J. Macnamara. For greater assurance, he wanted him to bring all the John Macnamaras of any power or note in that country, together with the priest, if he could light upon him.

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

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1277

    After defeating De Clare, Turlough O'Brien proceeded with his victorious army to Magh Adhair, where he was inaugurated King of Thomond by Sioda Macnamara. Magrath noted that the septs of Thomond were delighted to receive their rightful ruler, and no religious ceremony is recorded for the occasion.

    Read the passage

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

    De Clare having failed to come to terms with Turlough, felt that the charter he had received from the King of England granting him posses-

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 55

45. Ennis borough representation in the 1689 Parliament

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1689

    The Dublin House of Commons in 1689 was described by Thomas Davis as a "sort of sept representation." For the borough of Ennis, the members elected were another Macnamara and a Butler.

    Read the passage

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

    James II. entered Dublin on March 24, accompanied by D'Avaux as ambassador from France, and with a splendid Court. On May 7 his Parliament had assembled, and the king, "with robe and crown," addressed the Commons ; he pronounced his policy to consist in " liberty of conscience, and against invading any man's property." The king stated he had come to Ireland, " to venture my life with you in defence of your liberties and my own rights." The conditions under which the Parliament of 1689 met therefore were exceptional, the King of Ireland was there to guard and control the deliberations of Parliament, Dublin was predominated by his Court, and full of his English and French friends and supporters. The members of this Parliament met, but many of them had other urgent duties to 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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 141

46. Brian Boru sacks Dublin and carries treasure to Kincora

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    Following his victory at Glenmama, Brian Boru sacked Dublin and carried off a vast quantity of treasure to his home at Kincora (Killaloe). This event consolidated his power and demonstrated his military dominance over the Danes of Dublin.

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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

    As the companion tells it

    You are coming through Dublin now. This city was once held by the Danes, and after Brian Boru's victory at Glenmana, he sacked it and carried off a vast quantity of treasure to his home at Kincora, at Killaloe. The trouble began when Malachy, King of Leinster, saw Brian's rising power and marched an army into Clare. He pitched his camp on Magh Adhair and uprooted the sacred oak-tree that grew on that mound, in 982. The Dalcais were outraged, for the inauguration of the King of Thomond on Magh Adhair showed the tribe had a right to elect their own king. Brian had to retaliate on Malachy. After continued fighting, the two chiefs agreed to divide the sovereignty of Thomond, but feuds kept breaking out between the rival kings. In the end, Malachy sought and received the help of the Danes of Dublin. The combined Irish and Danish forces met Brian's army at a place called Glenmana. Brian was victorious. He then sacked Dublin and carried the treasure home to Kincora.

47. Burial of Coveha Macnamara at Ennis Abbey

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1306

    Coveha Macnamara, Turlough O'Brien's trusted friend and supporter, died in August 1306 and was buried near the remains of Turlough in Ennis Abbey. A dirge was sung over his body celebrating his military exploits across Clare.

    Read the passage

    King Turlough O'Brien was speedily followed to the grave by his trusted friend and supporter Coveha Macnamara, who was buried near the remains of Turlough in Ennis Abbey. J Magrath states that the following was the dirge sung over his body :

    The royal fortress of the house of Tal falls to the ground, no more to be set up. Coveha's wars deprived the foe of strength ; from Chodhna e'en to Cashel swept the land.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 57

48. Colonel Axtell's troops kill prisoners in Clare

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1650–1651

    Colonel Axtell commanded troops in Clare and promised certain prisoners their lives, but some of his soldiers slew the unfortunate captives. When Ireton heard of this, he deprived Axtell of his command despite the colonel's extraordinary qualities for service.

    Read the passage

    J Ludlow served under Ireton, and informs us that a Colonel Axtell, " who was in command of some troops in Clare, had promised certain prisoners their lives ; yet because some of his soldiers slew these unfortunate people, when Ireton heard thereof he deprived Colonel Axtell of his command, although be Wtt a person of extraordinary qualities for the service" (Ludlow's " Memoirs," vol. i p. 294).

    198 SIEGE OF LIMERICK

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 103

49. Cormac's Chapel built on the Rock of Cashel

    Cashel · town · Tipperary · 1123–1143

    During Connor O'Brien's reign, Cormac, Prince Bishop of Cashel, built a beautiful chapel on the rock at Cashel, described as a gem of massive architecture demonstrating that the arts were not neglected amidst turmoil.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 48

50. De Clare and O'Brien present rival claims at Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1316

    At the close of 1316, Richard de Clare travelled to Dublin to persuade the Council to recognise Donough Brien as King of Thomond. Mortough O'Brien, hearing of this, hastened to Dublin and laid before the Council his own claim, noting he had been acknowledged as king and leader by both Anglo-Normans and Irish tribes during the Scottish advance to Limerick.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 62

51. Inauguration of Kings of Thomond at Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 847

    The ceremony of inaugurating the Kings of Thomond took place at Magh Adhair, a flat-topped mound twenty feet high surrounded by a low fosse, situated within the Ui-Caisin tribal lands. The mound was built over the burial place of the last Firbolg chief of Clare, and the Macnamara chief acted as Marshal, handing the king-elect a white wand and proclaiming him king.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

52. Ludlow's cavalry raids Burren for cattle

    Burren · townland · Clare · 1651

    Ireton dispatched Ludlow with about three thousand men to scour Clare and drive in cattle supplies. Ludlow and his men penetrated as far as Burren, marching forty miles in twenty-four hours despite bad roads, and returned with droves of cattle.

    Read the passage

    The Confederates still held Limerick, and Ireton considered it neces sary to obtain possession of the city before disbanding the Parliamentary forces ; to effect this object he had to cross the Shannon and so stop supplies reaching Limerick from Clare. The only place he could attempt to ford the Shannon was at Killaloe, where the steep wooded hills of Clare run down to the banks of the river ; and it would have been easy for the Confederate troops to have resisted the passage of Ireton's army across the Shannon. No effort, however, was made to oppose the passage o the Parliamentary forces, and Ireton, to his surprise, crossed the rive.1 without difficulty, and marched unopposed along its Clare bank unti he arrived opposite to Limerick ; he then dispatched a force of some three thousand men under Ludlow to scour Clare and drive ir supplies of cattle for his army. Ludlow and his men penetrated the county as far as Burren and returned to the main army with droves o! cattle 4

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 103

53. O'Briens of Ennistymon organise cattle-lifting raid

    near Ennistimon · town · Clare

    Following O'Donnell's successful raids into Clare, younger members of the O'Briens of Ennistymon emulated the northern chief's tactics and organised a cattle-lifting expedition against Clancuilein, the Macnamara territory.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 93

54. Parliamentary fleet anchors near Bunratty Castle

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1646

    In March 1646, Parliamentarian ships arrived in the Shannon and anchored near Bunratty Castle, then the residence of Barnabas, Earl of Thomond, who entertained the fleet's officers with great hospitality before handing the castle over to the English commander and departing for England.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 102

55. Quin Abbey founded by Macnamaras as Franciscan monastery

    Quin · town · Clare · 1402

    The Macnamaras founded and endowed Quin Abbey as a Franciscan monastery around 1402. The remains of the building are well preserved, and the cloisters and precincts are full of monuments to deceased members of the sept.

    Read the passage

    In connection with the history of the Macnamaras during the first half of the fifteenth century we must not overlook the work they did in founding and endowing the Abbey of Quin (about the year a.d. 1402) as a Franciscan monastery. The remains of this fine building are still in an admirable state of preservation, and are likely to remain so, having been included among the historical buildings to be kept in repair by the Board of Works under Sir John Lubbock's Act. The tomb of the founder of the abbey still remains, and the cloisters and walls enclosing

    * " Memoirs of the O'Briens," p. 138. f Idem, p. 177. J Idem, p. 187.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 77

56. Teigie Macnamara garrisons Clare Castle for King James

    near Clarecastle · population centre · Clare · 1690–1691

    After the Battle of the Boyne, Teigie Macnamara of Rathfolan raised a troop and garrisoned Clare Castle, holding it for King James until the capitulation of Limerick. Under the treaty provisions, Teigie retained a portion of the Rathfolan estates.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 118

57. Wounded soldiers borne into Corcomroe Abbey after battle

    Corcomroe · barony · Clare

    After the Battle of Corcomroe, wounded Dalcassian soldiers were carried into the abbey where many lay dying or mutilated. Young men made lamentation there amid the casualties.

    Read the passage

    " Their heavy burthens they raised accordingly and bore into the abbey, where abundant wounded were in extremity, soldiers mutilated, leaders in dead faint, and where young men made lamentation."* " A baneful scare ye had . . . ."

    Magrath tells us that in the battle "a spear was put through Mac-con Macnamara's foot, which was the only part of his body not covered with armour." He adds that " if this was done to pin him to his place there was but little need to so severely harm it ; for always in all battles and affrays his step was as deliberate as bold, solidly maintained no less than lively taken. Fine command he had of his strong fast-striking arm and polished long blue Danish blade, that shore and rent and laid about whenever any measured swords with him. In all phases of war his heart was firm, daring, hardy to undertake ; never fear nor anxiety assailed his nature for enemy's numbers that he saw drawn up against him ; and it was to expound all this that the poet made these quatrains : — "A hero's qualities has Maccon ...." +

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 68

58. 1605 Dublin judgment abolishes Brehon land customs

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1605

    A judgment delivered in Dublin in 1605 set aside all Irish customs pertaining to landed property in favour of English common law, abolishing tanistry and gavelkind. This deprived junior family members of inheritances they would have received under the Brehon code.

    Read the passage

    there they lived until prepared to go forth to administer to the religious wants of their countrymen with death or imprisonment staring then in the face.* As the Government were unable to lay hands on thes<| youths in their Continental seminaries, they proceeded to punisr: parents who sent their sons abroad with the object of entering tht priesthood ; and the rules compelling Roman Catholics to attenc Protestant services were rigidly enforced. But it was all to no purpose and the Government, in despair of converting the Irish to the Protestant faith by these means, gave up the attempt. The custom oi tanistry and of gavelkind were abolished by law ; and from a judgment delivered in Dublin in the year a.d. 1605, all Irish customs appertaining to landed property were to be set on one side in favoui of the common law of England; but no means were taken to guard the interests of junior members of families who under the Brehon code would have inherited sufficient land to maintain them and their children in that grade of society to which they belonged. These people, having been deprived of their inheritance by the substitution of English for Irish law, were turned adrift impoverished and unable to gain a living. It was the sudden and untimely application of English law to the condition of the landed proprietors living under the old Brehon code that completely disorganised the land tenure in Ireland, and from which it has never recovered.! The Government soon afterwards re-enacted the law of gavelkind in Ireland, with the express object of sub-dividing the estates of Irish Roman Catholic landowners, so as to minimise their influence in the country, and this Act remained in operation until the time of George III.

    It was necessary to refer thus briefly to matters affecting the general

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 94

    As the companion tells it

    As the road passes through Dublin, you are in the city where, in 1605, a judgment was delivered that set aside all Irish customs appertaining to landed property in favour of the common law of England. The customs of tanistry and gavelkind were abolished by law. Under the old Brehon code, junior members of families had inherited sufficient land to maintain them and their children in the grade of society to which they belonged. No means were taken to guard their interests when the substitution came. They were deprived of their inheritance, turned adrift, impoverished, and unable to gain a living. The passage calls it the sudden and untimely application of English law to the condition of landed proprietors living under the old Brehon code. It completely disorganised the land tenure in Ireland, and from this it has never recovered. The broader background the passage gives is one of coercion. The Government had tried to compel Roman Catholics to attend Protestant services, rigidly enforcing the rules. They had also punished parents who sent their sons abroad to enter the priesthood, since they could not lay hands on the youths in their Continental seminaries. All of it was to no purpose, and the Government gave up the attempt to convert the Irish to the Protestant faith by these means. Soon afterwards, the Government re-enacted the law of gavelkind in Ireland, with the express object of sub-dividing the estates of Irish Roman Catholic landowners, so as to minimise their influence in the country. That Act remained in operation until the time of George III.

59. Aengus seeks refuge in the Aran Islands

    near Aran Islands · island or archipelago · Galway · 80–100

    During the conflict between the Firbolgs and the Celts around the end of the first century AD, after the Celts recovered power and slaughtered or drove out great numbers of the old Iberian race, Aengus sought refuge in the isles of Arran.

    Read the passage

    chief of Munster, was also slain in an engagement with the Aryan invaders.* Towards the end of the first century of our era the Firbolgs rose against the Celts ; they had still a chief in Connaught who was of sufficient importance to receive the Celtic king of Ireland, but having invited the king and his attendants into his fort, the Firbolg chief slew the whole of them and then seized the government of Ireland. Their reign, however, was of short duration, for the Celts soon recovered their power, and slaughtered or drove out of the country great numbers of the old race. It was at this period that Aengus sought refuge in the isles of Arran.f From this history we learn that the Iberian stock were still powerful and numerous in Ireland at the commencement of the Christian era ; and we shall find that in the district now known as county Clare, these people were not conquered by the Celts until the end of the fourth or the beginning of the fifth century.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 9

60. Battle of the Abbey aftermath at Corcomroe Abbey

    Corcomroe · barony · Clare

    After the great battle of the Abbey at Corcomroe, wounded warriors who had eagerly marched out of the monastery were carried back speechless and weak. The text calls this the third summit of high emprise achieved by the far-western Dalcasians from the Gael's arrival in Ireland until that day.

    Read the passage

    never had, were they that from their standing posture in the ranks fell fast and lay along. The mail being taken off them, ruddy jets came redly spirting and spouting through their wounds, at their angry hurts' slant open portals, and wide apertures of slashes dealt into the life, so that with those brave men's blood the softly green-grassed spot which they had taken up was all bedabbled and denied. Never was heard muffled sound more lamentable than their diverse companies' confused hum as they lighted on their friends, carefully tended the infirm and called to their leeches; into their fresh wounds stuffed pledgets, expedited their confessions, and tenderly carried off their generous comrades. For now that they found themselves defrauded of the battle, of that brilliant host great plenty that in the very front readily and briskly [for this second time] came out of the monastery all eager to encounter, into the same were lifted back speechless and weak and torpid.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 67