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. Battle of the Boyne maneuvers

   near River Boyne · river · Kildare · 1690

   On July 1, 1690, William of Orange's right wing was detached to cross the River Boyne above the main Irish position, attempting a flanking maneuver. O'Neil's cavalry briefly delayed the crossing but eventually fell back toward the main Irish body.

   Read the passage

   On the ist of July, 1690, the Prince of Orange at daybreak detached a strong force, consisting of the right wing of his army, to cross the Boyne some miles above the position taken up by James II.'s army, and if possible by a flank movement to occupy the king's left wing, and also the road to Dublin. O'NeiFs cavalry did good work on the part of the jlrish, and for some time he prevented the English troops from crossing the river; but O'Neil ultimately fell back and retired towards the main body of the Irish army. They were followed by the English, who, after advancing over very rough ground, found themselves brought to a stand by a bog which intervened between them and the left wing of the Irish. O'Neil's troops crossed the bog over a narrow passage, but it was impossible for the English to follow in the face of a strong opposing force. It would appear that James II. was to some extent ignorant of the ground to the left of his position, and he put himself, therefore, at the head of his French troops to oppose the advancing right wing of

   ' * Rev. A. Hamilton : "The True Relation of the Action of Inniskilling men, ' [published 1699 ; also " Memoirs of James, Duke of Berwick," written by himself, vol. 5. p. 62. ; t General Viscount Wolseley' s" Life of the Duke of Marlborough/' vol. ii. p. 136-

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 117

2. Colonel Macnamara's Cratloe lands given to Peter Creagh

   Cratloe · town · Clare · 1654–1660

   Colonel J. Macnamara of Cratloe petitioned Charles II to recover ancestral estates and had lent the king £100 while in exile in Paris. Despite the king's written acknowledgement, most of his Cratloe lands were handed to Peter Creagh, an Englishman so detested he needed to live near the Limerick garrison for safety.

   Read the passage

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

   * White's " History of Clare," p. 267.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 116

3. Confederation headquarters retreat to Ennis, Clare

   Ennis · town · Clare · 1649–1650

   After being expelled by Cromwell from Kilkenny, the headquarters of the Confederation took up their abode in Ennis, county Clare. The Earl of Ormond felt the Royalist cause was almost hopeless and urged Prince Charles to come to Ireland to rouse supporters.

   Read the passage

   The headquarters of the Confederation, having been expelled by Cromwell from Kilkenny, took up their abode in Ennis, county Clare ; but the Earl of Ormond felt the cause of the Royalists in Ireland was almost hopeless, and believed that Prince Charles alone could rouse the drooping spirits of his father's supporters ; he, therefore, urged Charles to assume command of the attenuated Royalist forces ; and the Prince, it is said, was actually on his road to Ireland, but was detained by a

   * In the official "Manual of Military Law" (published by the War Officp in 1894), chap. xiv. par. 14, we read: "The first principle of war is that armed forces, so long as they resist, may be destroyed by all legitimate means. The right of killing an armed man exists only so long as he resists ; as soon as be submits, he is entitled to be treated as a prisoner of war."

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 103

4. Conor O'Brien inaugurated King of Thomond at Magh Adhair

   near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1242

   In 1242, Conor O'Brien was inaugurated as King of Thomond on Magh Adhair by Sioda Macnamara, chief of Clancuilein. The territory of Thomond at that time extended from Loop Head to Cashel, Parsonstown, and the Bay of Galway.

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   Donough O'Brien was succeeded by his eldest son Conor, who was inaugurated on Magh Adhair (a.d. 1242) King of Thomond, by Sioda (Sheeda) MacNeil Macnamara. The territory of Thomond then extended from Loop Head to Cashel, thence to Parsonstown and the Bay of Galway ; but no longer included South Munster, which had passed to the MacCarthys and other chiefs of Desmond. Conor O'Brien married the daughter of Niel Macnamara, who at the time was chief of Clancuilein, an event which had an important influence on the disturbed state into which Thomond was plunged by two rival sections of the O'Brien family who claimed the leadership of the Dalcasian tribe. By the marriage of the head of one of these factions with the Macnamaras, the most powerful septs of this famous tribe were intimately united, and through many years of terrible strife they maintained their supremacy, although the rival section of the O'Briens was supported by the Anglo-Normans under De Clare, who so soon as he could conquer its chief had been granted possession of Thomond by the King of England.

   The first appeal to arms which Conor O'Brien was called upon to consider was at the request of Henry III., who summoned him, a.d. 1252, to cross over to England and aid in his proposed expedition against the King of Scotland ; before Conor could ascertain the feeling of the Dalcasians as to taking part with the King of England in a warr of this kind, Henry came to terms with Scotland and so the negotiations between him and Conor O'Brien fell through.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 53

5. Death of Joan Macnamara of Quin, wife of MacCarthy of Desmond

   Quin · town · Clare · 1370

   The Annals of the Four Masters record the death in 1370 of Joan, daughter of Macnamara of Quin and wife of MacCarthy of Desmond. In the same period, Philip O'Kennedy, Lord of Ormond, and his wife Aine, also a Macnamara daughter, both died within one week. These marriages linked the major western chiefs through the Macnamara family.

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   In the year 1370 the " Four Masters " notice the death of Joan, the daughter of Macnamara of Quin, and wife of MacCarthy of Desmond. These annalists also inform us that Philip O'Kennedy, Lord of Ormond, and Aine his wife, daughter of Macnamara, both died within one week.* The four most influential chiefs in the west of Ireland were thus brought together by marriage through their connection with the Macnamaras, viz., the King of Thomond, the Earls of Desmond, Ormond, and Clanricarde. Marriages of this description were not confined to the upper classes ; and, for the most part, the married people adopted the language, dress, laws, and customs of the Irish. One cannot help feeling that if these marriages had been allowed to develop, Ireland would now have been in a different position to that which she occupies ; for there is no finer race than that formed by an amalgamation of the Celt and Saxon ; and of such people the inhabitants of Ireland would have now consisted, had it not been for the action of the English Government, who did all in their power to prevent the blending of the two races. They drove those who had formed connections by marriage with the Irish Celts outside their sphere of government and laws, and, together with the native Irish, regarded them in the light of enemies, to be hunted down and killed whenever they were met with. The Government then proceeded to bestow the vacant estates created by this policy upon young and untrained Englishmen, who bound themselves to live under such rules and regulations as were prescribed for them by English authorities.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 75

6. Donchadh Macnamara lays waste the lands of Moynoe

   Moynoe · townland · Clare · 1307–1310

   In retaliation for the killing of Sioda's foster-brother during the turmoil at Moynoe, Donchadh, chief of the Macnamara sept, laid waste all the lands of Moynoe, sparing only the church. This act of war provoked the Hy-Blood and other Dalcasian septs of East Clare into open conflict with Clancuilein.

   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

7. Donogh O'Brien loots the great Church of Lusk

   Lusk · town · Dublin · 1051

   In 1051, Donogh O'Brien again invaded Leinster, looting the great Church of Lusk on his march and carrying away captive those who took refuge in it. Meanwhile the King of Connaught invaded Clare via the Shannon.

   Read the passage

   The next year Donogh O'Brien again invaded Leinster, looting the " great Church of Lusk " on his march, and carrying away captive those who took refuge in it.f While he was thus engaged the King of Connaught invaded Clare by way of the Shannon, and then, striking inland, he passed into Ui-Caisin and to Magh Adhair. J On this occasion Turlough O'Brien seems again to have accompanied the invading forces. After a fierce encounter with Macnamaras and other Dalcasian septs, the invaders had to effect a hasty retreat, to reappear, however, before long with the King of Leinster. The confederates advanced to Limerick, which the Dalcais being unable to hold, burnt before retreating into Clare.§ Donogh was now growing old and worn out by this constant warfare ; he retired, therefore, to Rome, where he died in the monastery of St. Stephen, a.d. 1064. Donogh had indeed been beset with difficulties, for we are informed that in consequence of "much inclement weather in Ireland, its corn, milk, fruit, and fish were

   * " The History of Clare," p. 79, by the Very Rev. J. White, P.P., V.G.

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 48

8. Donough Brian Roe rallies forces on Burren hills above Ballyvaughan

   Ballyvaghan · town · Clare

   Donough Brian Roe, having failed to secure recognition as King of Thomond, appealed to chiefs west of the Fergus who assembled with him on the hills of Burren above Ballyvaughan to prepare for battle against Mortough O'Brien's supporters.

   Read the passage

   Donough Brian Roe, who had already brought such trouble on his country and to the inhabitants of Thomond, having received intimation that De Clare had failed to persuade the government in Dublin to recognise him as King of Thomond, determined again to try what he could do by an appeal to arms ; he therefore threw himself on his former supporters and the chiefs west of the Fergus ; most of these chiefs rallied round him and assembled on the hills of Burren above Ballyvaughan.

   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." *

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 63

9. Flan robs churches of Clonmacnoise, Armagh, Durrow and Kildare

   Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly

   Flan, though a bishop-king, had just previously attacked and robbed the churches of Clonmacnoise, Armagh, Durrow, and Kildare, and put their clergy to the sword. This casts doubt on the value of the blessing he gave to Lachtna, King of Thomond.

   Read the passage

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

   Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

10. Ireton crosses Shannon unopposed at Killaloe

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1651

    Ireton needed to cross the Shannon to cut off Limerick's supplies from Clare. The only fordable point was at Killaloe, where the steep wooded hills of Clare run down to the river, but no effort was made to oppose the crossing and Ireton crossed without difficulty.

    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

11. Irish troops embark at Limerick for France

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1691

    Under the Treaty of Limerick, Irish troops who fought for James II were permitted to leave Ireland at government expense. The Clare Brigade marched from Quin Abbey to Limerick where they embarked for France, including eight Macnamara officers.

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    Under the treaty of Limerick it was agreed that the Irish troops who had fought for James II. were to be allowed to leave their country at the Government expense. The greater number of the men of the Clare Brigade assembled at the cavalry camp under the walls of Quin Abbey, and from thence marched to Limerick and embarked for France among their officers were eight of the Macnamara family, who, together with their followers, entered the French service. The residue of St. Ruth's unfortunate army were shipped to France (i69i). In all it is computed that some 19,000 splendid Irish soldiers under the gallant Sarsfield embarked at Cork.f The history of the Clare Brigade has yet to be written, and a most interesting one it would be, not only from a military but also from a social and political point of view. In the last battle the Brigade fought under the orders of Lord Clare, the French army in Piedmont was under the command of Catinat, who, we are told, at the battle of Marsaglia (October 1693), « to support and animate his troops by the example of the Irish soldiers, placed in the right wing of the first line the King's and Queen's Irish Dragoons, numbering some 1400 men. Clare's infantry, three battalions strong amounting to -000 men were placed to the left of the line, and the Limerick regiment 2800 strong, in the centre. Prince Eugene attacked and routed three ot the French regiments posted in the first line. These givin- way their place was taken by Clare's three battalions, with two of the French from the second line, who charged the Germans with such fury that they in their turn were obliged to fall back. The battle was thus restored on the left wing, and the Irish dragoons being equally successful on the right, the day seemed lost to the Allies, when Eugene led up his centre, * Frost's " History of Clare." p. 603. t " Life of the Duke of Marlborough, " by Viscount Wolseley," vol. ii. p. 239.

    VICE-ADMIRAL MACNAMARA 2+9

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 118

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Limerick, this is where Irish troops embarked for France in 1691. Under the Treaty of Limerick, the Irish soldiers who had fought for James II were allowed to leave Ireland at the government's expense. The men of the Clare Brigade gathered at the cavalry camp beneath the walls of Quin Abbey, then marched here to Limerick and boarded ships for France. Among their officers were eight of the Macnamara family, who with their followers entered the French service. The residue of St Ruth's army was shipped to France that same year. In all, it is reckoned that some 19,000 Irish soldiers under Sarsfield embarked, many of them at Cork. The history of the Clare Brigade has yet to be written. In their last battle they fought under Lord Clare. The French army in Piedmont was commanded by Catinat, who at the battle of Marsaglia placed the King's and Queen's Irish Dragoons, numbering some 1,400 men, in the right wing of the first line, as he put it, to support and animate his troops by the example of the Irish soldiers. Clare's infantry, three battalions strong, amounting to about 2,000 men, were placed to the left of the line, and the Limerick regiment, 2,800 strong, in the centre. Prince Eugene attacked and routed three of the French regiments posted in the first line. These giving way, their place was taken by Clare's three battalions, with two of the French from the second line, who charged the Germans with such fury that they in their turn were obliged to fall back. The battle was thus restored on the left wing, and the Irish dragoons being equally successful on the right, the day seemed lost to the Allies, when Eugene led up his centre.

12. Killaloe ford — the only crossing of the Shannon

    Killaloe · town · Clare

    The river Shannon formed Clare's southern and eastern boundary and was only fordable at one point, situated below the town of Killaloe. This ford was the sole weak point in Clare's eastern boundary, contributing to the county's long isolation from the rest of Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Rightly to comprehend the history of the Sept,* whose fortunes we have to follow, it is necessary to know something of the locality in which its members dwelt, and of the stock from which they proceeded, for their surroundings doubtless influenced their mental as well as their physical character, and it is equally certain that their congenital qualities |had an important share in shaping their history. f We shall find that the members of our Sept, from the early part of the fifth to the middle !of the seventeenth century, dwelt in a well defined district of Clare, a (county which until comparatively recent times was isolated from the irest of Ireland ; its southern and eastern boundary being formed by the jriver Shannon, which throughout this part of its course was only fordable at one place situated below the town of Killaloe. To the north, Clare is separated from Galway by a range of high hills (Echtye) 'running from the Shannon westward towards Galway Bay ; between the (extreme western spur of these hills and the bay is a strip of low lying jswampy land, through which the road northward from Clare passed ; this low land as well as the Echtye hills were in former times covered by a dense forest rendering them almost impassable. The geographical position of the county was such as to preserve its inhabitants from successful invasion, or from being occupied by foreigners until late in the sixteenth century ; thus not only did the people of Clare

    * A sept consists of a group of families derived from a common ancestor.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 7

13. L. O'Brien on Clare parishes and clergy, 1764

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1764

    In a speech delivered at Ennis in January 1764, L. O'Brien described Clare as divided into seventy-five parishes with only fourteen Protestant churches, most rectors non-resident, while Roman Catholic priests were diligent in proportion as Protestants were negligent. He argued the nominal clergy should not be paid tithes for doing nothing for those who worked the soil.

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    We must here refer as briefly as possible to the position of the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland during the latter part of the eighteenth century. The penal laws were still in force against Papists, although practically they had become modified in the course of time, thus Roman Catholic priests not only lived without fear of molestation in all parts of the country, but they freely exercised their functions, and said Mass openly in their churches. Nevertheless, Irish Roman Catholics were neither permitted to enter Parliament nor any of the Government services, nor could they legally purchase land. We obtain an insight into the relative positions of the Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy in Clare at thii period, from a speech delivered at Ennis by L. O'Brien (January 1764) ; he stated that the country had been divided into seventy-five parishes, but that there were only fourteen Protestant churches in these parishes, so that sixty-two of them were sinecures, and of the fourteen parishes with churches as a rule, the rectors were non-resident, leaving their work to curates who they paid at the rate of forty pounds per annum. L. O'Brien remarked that " to regret the non-residence of our cierg> upon mere political grounds was similar to that of the sailor who, when his comrade's head was blown away by a round shot, regretted the up setting of the tot of rum he was drinking at the moment he was struck.'' L. O'Brien stated that the Roman Catholic priest was diligent in pro portion as Protestants were negligent, and he argued that neither by the laws of God nor man, should the nominal clergy be paid the tenth part of the produce of the land for doing nothing on behalf of those who worked the soil.*

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 128

14. Mac Con's invading army lands near Galway

    Galway · city · Galway

    After being banished from Munster, Mac Con secured ships and troops from the King of Scotland and Britain. The invading army, commanded by Mac Con and Beine, a Prince of Wales, landed in Ireland near the site of the present town of Galway.

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    Olioll had nine sons. Of these, Eoghan, the eldest, and six of his brothers were killed in a battle fought against their half-brother Mac Con, the son of Sabia's former husband, " nursed on the same knee as Eoghan, and at the same breast." Mac Con appears to have been a delicate, peevish child, and, when nothing else would pacify him, those under whose care he was brought the boy to Olioll's favourite wolfhound, who was so tender and fond of children that young Mac Con and the hound became fast friends, so much so that he received the name of Mac Con (son of a hound). When Mac Con had grown to manhood he was entrusted with certain duties by his stepfather, and, having failed in his trust, he was banished by the king from Munster. He sought refuge with the King of Scotland without revealing his name and position, and was received on friendly terms. One day some Irishmen arrived in the Scotch king's presence while he and Mac Con were engaged in a game of chess ; Mac Con questioned the strangers as to the state of affairs in Ireland, and then turned the conversation to that of his own family in Munster. " Oh ! " said the strangers, " with them nothing goes well; they are under the bondage of women;" upon hearing this remark, Mac Con seized some of the heavy chessmen he was playing with and flung them at the strangers. "A fit of affection," exclaimed the King of Scotland ; " it is evident to whom you belong." Mac Con then related his history to the king, and sought his help to regain his position in Ireland. The king accepted this obligation, and, having obtained help from Britain, they assembled " what there were of ships and galleys and barges in the coast of Britain and Saxonland, so that they filled the King of Scotland's ports."! The troops on board these vessels were placed under the command of Mac Con, and Beine, a Prince of Wales. The army landed in Ireland near the site of the present town of Galway. The monarch of Ireland, hearing of the invasion of his country, joined his forces with those of Olioll, King of

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    As you come near Galway, the story here goes back to a time before the town existed. A man called Mac Con landed on this coast with an invading army. His name means son of a hound, and he got it as a child. He was delicate and peevish, and nothing would pacify him until they brought him to Olioll's favourite wolfhound, a hound so fond of children that the boy and the animal became fast friends. Mac Con was Olioll's stepson, nursed on the same knee and at the same breast as Olioll's own son Eoghan. But when Mac Con grew to manhood, Olioll entrusted him with certain duties. He failed in that trust, and the king banished him from Munster. He went to the King of Scotland without giving his name or his position, and was received on friendly terms. One day some Irishmen arrived while Mac Con and the king were playing chess. Mac Con asked them about affairs in Ireland, and then about his own family in Munster. The strangers told him nothing went well with them, that they were under the bondage of women. Mac Con seized the heavy chessmen he was playing with and flung them at the strangers. The King of Scotland said it was evident to whom he belonged. Mac Con told the king his history and asked for help to regain his position in Ireland. The king agreed, and obtained help from Britain. They gathered what there were of ships and galleys and barges on the coast of Britain and Saxonland, filling the King of Scotland's ports. The troops were placed under the command of Mac Con and Beine, a Prince of Wales. The army landed in Ireland near the site of the present town of Galway. The monarch of Ireland, hearing of the invasion, joined his forces with those of Olioll, King of Munster.

15. Macnamara lords complain to Sidney at Limerick, 1571

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1571

    When Lord Deputy Sidney was at Limerick in 1571, two Lords of Thomond called Mac Nemarroes came to him lamenting the ruin and waste of their countries, craving the execution of English laws and the planting of sheriffs among them. Sidney confirmed they were indeed ruined.

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    The Lord Deputy Sidney made an official visit to Clare in the year 1571. One of the main objects he appears to have had in view was to suppress the practice of landlords in charging their tenants with " uncertaine cesses, cuttings, and spendings "; but this custom among the Irish was of such long standing that even the Lord Deputy could do little in the matter. He states that when he was at Limerick " two Lords of Thomond, called Mac Nemarroes, came to him lamentinge the ruyn and wast of their countries." The Lord Deputy adds " and ruyned they are indede, craving to have the execution of English lawes and to have SherhTes planted amongst them." % Again, writing to the Council in April 1576, Sir Henry Sidney observes "that he left Lymerick on the 27th of February, and entered Thomond attended by Earl of Thomond, and several of the O'Briens, who had in former times been Kings of Limerick, all so neire kinsmen and yet no one of them friende to another." Sidney adds, " I also had with me the twoe MacNemarroghes, by us called East and West Mac Nemarroghes, cheife gentlemen of that countrey, which, if it were in quiet, they might lyve lyke principale knights in England." Among all the chief men Sir Henry Sidney met with in Thomond, he states he " could not find one descended in English race. They all complained of the Obryens for the ruyne of their countrey ; and truly in such desolation and wast it is." Sir Henry, after crossing the Shannon, marched through Clare in two days on his way to Galway, so that he really could have seen very little of the country. The Lord Deputy remained for some time in Galway, and bound the O'Briens " by bonds of great sommes," and further he carried off the earl's brother with him to Dublin, where he " still deteined hym in iron.'" Sir Donell O'Brien of Ennistymon was made Sheriffe of Clare. Other officers were appointed, such as a Provost-Marshal, with a proper force to back his authority, and keep the idle people which swarmed in the country in restraint. Sir H. Sidney states that " the root and origine of all this trouble was the uncerteine grannte, and unstable possession of their landes, whereupon grewe their warres." The Lord Deputy adds,

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 85

16. Macnamaras Command Clare Volunteers

    near Clare · population centre · Clare

    Several members of the Macnamara family commanded regiments of Clare volunteers. The privates in these regiments were composed of tenant-farmers and their sons.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 126

17. Molyneux absent from Dublin during James II's Parliament

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1689–1697

    Mr. Molyneux, author of the influential 1697 work 'The Case of Ireland,' was not in Dublin during James II's Parliament. His famous treatise argued that only the King and Parliament of Ireland could make laws to bind Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Ireland, and that none save the King, and Parliament of Ireland could make laws to bind Ireland." Mr. Molyneux took an active part in politics, but was not in Dublin during James II.'s Parliament ; in his famous work, " The Case of Ireland," which he published in February 1697, and addressed to King William, he argued strongly in support of the proposition laid down by James's Parliament as above quoted ; this work is frequently referred to by those who advocate a repeal of the Union; Molyneux, however, observes: "If from the last-mentioned records it be concluded that the Parliament of England may bind Ireland, it must also be allowed that the people of Ireland ought to have their representatives in the Parliament of England. And this, I believe, we would be willing enough to embrace, but this is a happiness we can hardly hope for."* Nevertheless, Ireland has now been close on a century governed by a Parliament of Irish and English members such as Molyneux advocated but hardly dared to hope for.

    Apart from all political considerations what has been the practical outcome of the union of the Irish and English Parliaments ? In the first place, we find that during the past century all classes of people in Ireland have benefited by the ^50,000,000 which England has advanced for public works and other improvements in that country ; these advances have been made on the security of the political union that exists between the two islands. As a test of the progress made in Ireland we may refer to the amount which the inhabitants of that country had as a reserve fund at their disposal in cash, in June 1894, as follows :

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 142

18. O'Daly of Corcomroe, poet of hospitality, dies 1528

    Corcomroe · barony · Clare · 1528

    In 1528 a poet named O'Daly of Corcomroe died. He was famed among other qualities for keeping a house of general hospitality.

    Read the passage

    Kildare made no further effort to conquer the Dalcasians west of the Shannon, but in 1513 he laid siege to Leap Castle, the residence of the O'Carroll's of Ely, and failing to take the place by escalade, "and being unprovided with heavy ordnance, he was obliged to raise the siege for the purpose of procuring artillery ; he was, however, taken ill, and died in September 15 13. Clare for some years enjoyed peace and hardly appears on the pages of Irish history. We are told that in 1528 one of the inhabitants of this province, O'Daly of Corcomroe, a poet, died ; he was famed, among other qualities, in that he " kept a house of general hospitality," p. 34. In the year 1522 Teigie O'Brien, while leading an attack in support of the O'Carrolls, was killed "by the shot of a ball."* We have already referred to the fact that Kildare had to raise the siege of Leap Castle for want of artillery, which at this time seems to have come into use in Ireland ; it was gunpowder and the cannon of the early part of the sixteenth century that sealed the fate of that country, for the native chiefs had no means of obtaining firearms, and as opposed to such weapons their swords and spears were useless. The last battle had been fought under the old style of warfare by the O'Briens and Macnamaras against the English, and, as on so many previous occasions, they had driven back their foes and so preserved their lands and homes in Clare.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 79

19. Papal Nuncio Rinuccini lands at Cork

    Cork · city · Cork · 1644

    Archbishop Rinuccini, sent by Pope Innocent X as Nuncio to Ireland, arrived in Cork in October 1644 carrying written papal orders to restore ecclesiastical discipline and reform Catholic habits without prejudicing anyone's temporal dominion.

    Read the passage

    Innocent X. was supreme pontiff at Rome, and in 1642 was kept informed of all that was going on in Ireland by Father Scarampi ; but on ■an appeal for help from the Irish, the Pope, when sending them munitions of war, including considerable sums of money, thought '|proper to appoint one of the ablest ecclesiastics at his command as Nuncio to Ireland. The person selected for this mission was the Archbishop of Ferno, Monsignor Rinuccini ; after considerable delay the Nuncio arrived in Cork in October 1644, with written orders from the Pope "not to go beyond the limits of pure benefit to the Catholic religion, to restore ecclesiastical discipline, and to reform the habits of Catholics relaxed by a long course of free living ; " he was " to have no thought of prejudicing the temporal dominion of any one ; " f but the Nuncio had no sooner arrived in Kilkenny than he found himself overwhelmed in politics and surrounded by a council engrossed in their own squabbles rather than uniting with fixed resolve to fight the battle of those who elected them to office.

    About the time that Rinuccini appeared on the scene in Ireland a very different individual came to the fore. The young Earl of Inchiquir., an O'Brien, a man of wonderful energy, and a thorough soldier, but unstable as the wind : at one time a Protestant and Royalist, at another an officer under Cromwell's government, afterwards a Roman Catholic. He was carried by pirates to Morocco, but he escaped, and was soon heard of fighting, first in the cause of France, and then of Spain. Inchiquin commenced his military training as a lad in the Italian army, and, after active service in that country and in Spain, he returned to Ireland, and came to be on friendly terms with Strafford. He was, at the age of twenty-four, appointed to the command of Charles I.'s troops in Munster, and in that capacity was enabled to afford the king material aid.J Inchiquin, not content with being in command of the king's forces, aspired to become governor of the

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 102

    As the companion tells it

    As you come through Cork, this is the city where Archbishop Rinuccini landed in October 1644. He had been sent by Pope Innocent the Tenth as Nuncio to Ireland. The Pope had been kept informed of affairs in Ireland by Father Scarampi since 1642, and when the Irish appealed for help, Innocent sent them munitions of war, including considerable sums of money. But the Pope also thought it proper to appoint one of the ablest ecclesiastics at his command as Nuncio to Ireland. The person selected for this mission was the Archbishop of Ferno, Monsignor Rinuccini. After considerable delay, he arrived in Cork in October 1644, carrying written orders from the Pope. In the words of the source, he was "not to go beyond the limits of pure benefit to the Catholic religion, to restore ecclesiastical discipline, and to reform the habits of Catholics relaxed by a long course of free living." He was also told "to have no thought of prejudicing the temporal dominion of any one." But the Nuncio had no sooner arrived in Kilkenny than he found himself overwhelmed in politics, surrounded by a council engrossed in their own squabbles rather than uniting with fixed resolve to fight the battle of those who elected them to office.

20. Parliament at Limerick for Thomond land agreement

    Limerick · city · Limerick · 1542

    In 1542, Lord Deputy St. Leger summoned a Parliament to Limerick to legalise an agreement with the chiefs of Thomond regarding land tenure. Morrogh O'Brien and Sioda Macnamara arrived in Limerick to meet the Lord Deputy and hand over their lands to the Crown in exchange for titles drawn up according to English law.

    Read the passage

    In the year 1542, St. Leger, who was Lord Deputy of Ireland,, summoned a Parliament to meet at Limerick, with the object of legalising an agreement with the chiefs of Thomond regarding the tenure of the land and other questions concerning the legal government of that part of the country. Morrogh O'Brien, and Sioda Macnamara came to Limerick to meet the Lord Deputy, with documents which they had prepared, stating the terms upon which they were willing to hand over their lands to the Crown, the basis of the understanding being that the landlords of Clare should receive their lands back with titles drawn up according to English law and procedure. The following is a copy of the agreement entered into between Sioda Macnamara, and Henry VIII. on this occasion :

    Patent 34, Henry VIII., a.d. 1542, December 10. This indenture made between the Rt. Honbl. Sir Anthony St. Leger Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter Gentleman of the King's Privy Council and Lord Deputy-General of Ireland for and behalf of his most high and tremendous Majestie of the one part and Sioda, son of Mac-con son of Sioda son of Mac-con son of Teigie son of (Lochlain) Mac-con Macnamara of Mountallon in the Principality of Thomond, Chief Captain elect of his name and sept called Clancuilein in the said principality for and on behalf of himself and of all the rest of the gentlemen and freeholders of the said sept in the Baronies of Dangan, Bunratty, and Tulla, in the said principality as authorised by the said gentlemen and freeholders under their deede and seale of the other partie.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 81

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Limerick, this was a city where, in 1542, Lord Deputy St. Leger summoned a Parliament. The object was to formalise an agreement with the chiefs of Thomond regarding the tenure of the land and other questions concerning the legal government of that part of the country. Morrogh O'Brien and Sioda Macnamara came to meet the Lord Deputy. They brought documents stating the terms upon which they were willing to hand over their lands to the Crown. The basis of the understanding was that the landlords of Clare should receive their lands back with titles drawn up according to English law and procedure. The agreement between Sioda Macnamara and Henry VIII was dated December 10, 1542. The indenture was made between Sir Anthony St. Leger, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Gentleman of the King's Privy Council and Lord Deputy-General of Ireland, on behalf of his Majesty, and Sioda, son of Mac-con son of Sioda son of Mac-con son of Teigie son of Lochlain Mac-con Macnamara of Mountallon in the Principality of Thomond. He is described as Chief Captain elect of his name and sept called Clancuilein in the said principality, acting for himself and all the rest of the gentlemen and freeholders of the said sept in the Baronies of Dangan, Bunratty, and Tulla, as authorised by the said gentlemen and freeholders under their deed and seal.

21. Rathfolan and Ballinacragga in Tradraighe district

    Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 400–500

    Rathfolan and Ballinacragga were situated within the district of Tradraighe in Co. Clare and were subsequently owned by the ancestors of the author of the history. These places are linked to the early Macnamara possession of tribal lands in the territory associated with the Druid Trad.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 47

22. Scots encamp at Castleconnell, skirmish with Thomond

    Castleconnell · town · Limerick · 1315

    The Scottish forces reached the Shannon and lay at Castleconnell, intending to attack the men of Thomond gathered on the opposite bank. Skirmishing ensued in the river vicinity, during which Hugh mac Donough Macnamara, a noble of the Thomond host, was wounded but recovered.

    Read the passage

    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

23. Sidney's letter from Cork on the Macnamara-O'Brien dispute

    Cork · city · Cork · 1567

    In February 1567, Lord Deputy Sir Henry Sidney wrote from Cork to the Council in London regarding the Earl of Thomond's complaints against the Macnamaras. The Earl accused the Macnamaras of taking cattle and killing men, while Sidney urged restraint and called all parties to meet at Limerick.

    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

    As the companion tells it

    The road runs through Cork, and in February 1567 this city was where the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, wrote to the Council in London about trouble between the Earl of Thomond and the Macnamaras. The Earl had been educated in England, his mother and grandmother Englishwomen. The Macnamaras were still pure Celts, bred and born in Clare. Sidney had written to the Earl regarding his complaint against the Macnamaras, saying that as soon as they reached Limerick they would consider the matter, and urging him to remember the Council's letter and not tangle with the Macnamaras. The Earl answered that he could not, for Macnamara had done many things he could not suffer. The Earl said they had not only taken cattle but also despatched some knaves. Sidney remarked, God knoweth, they might spare enough, and her Majesty lose never a good subject. He charged those concerned to meet at Limerick the following Thursday, and spared not to tell the Earl of his lack of duty. There was more than cattle at stake. The Earl of Thomond, presuming on his position, had appropriated lands belonging to the Macnamaras. When they appealed, the Earl tried to carry the point with a high hand, conduct the Lord Deputy was not disposed to permit. Matters quieted for the time, and Sidney passed through Clare to Galway. He ordered the abolition of coyning and livery and such like cesses, directing that English law replace the Brehon code. To aid this, Donald O'Brien of Ennistymon was made governor of Clare. The new ruler signalized his accession to office by hanging.

24. Turlough marches through Tradree to Bunratty Castle

    Bunratty Castle · castle · Clare

    Following the victory near Tulla, King Turlough O'Brien marched through Tradree up to the walls of Bunratty Castle, where he compelled De Clare to banish Donough Brian Roe into Desmond.

    Read the passage

    From Magrath we learn that King Turlough and Coveha now came to the decision that they must depend entirely on their own resources if they were to be rid of the Anglo-Normans in Clare ; they consequently set about organising their forces, over which Donald, a brother of the king, and Coveha Macnamara were chosen leaders. De Clare was not behind them in warlike preparations, and the opposing forces met on the plain near Tulla ; the Dalcasians by a dexterous flank movement broke in upon the main body of the Anglo-Norman forces and completely overcame them, they fled from the field of battle in all directions ; Coveha ordered the arms of the enemy who had been killed to be collected and sent to the King of Thomond, who at the time was occupied to the east of the Shannon ; but the " gold spurs of the knights and their shields and armorial bearings he directed should be defaced and returned to De Clare." Turlough followed up this victory by marching through Tradree up to the walls of Bunratty Castle,

    * " Wars of Thomond " (T. J. Westropp) : Mac-con, or son of the wolf-dog.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 56

25. Brian Roe O'Brien inaugurated King of Thomond at Magh Adhair

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 1268

    After Conor O'Brien's death, his second son Brian Roe was inaugurated King of Thomond at Magh Adhair by his uncle Sioda Macnamara. Conor's eldest son had left a nine-year-old heir, Turlough, too young to succeed, so Brian Roe took the throne.

    Read the passage

    Conor O'Brien was succeeded by his second son Brian Roe, who was inaugurated King of Thomond, on Magh Adhair, by his uncle Sioda Macnamara, but his eldest son had left as his heir a lad named Turlough, nine years of age, and consequently too young to succeed to the government of Thomond. Brian Roe, therefore, reigned at Clonroad for nine years, " and fought the English, governing with a strong hand ; " but in the year 1277, Turlough revolted against his uncle, Brian Roe; aided by the Clancuilein sept, who were related to him, his grandmother having been the daughter of Neil Macnamara, they drove Brian Roe out of Clonroad. And after a conference with his supporters Brian determined to seek the aid of the Anglo-Normans ; so he went to " Thomas, the Earl of Clare's son, who was of English race, a man of great consequence, then residing in Cork," who undertook to assist Brian with all the English in Munster, if Brian would grant him possession of all that part of Thomond between the Shannon and a line drawn from Limerick to Athsollus." % These terms having been agreed to, De Clare obtained the help of the Fitzgeralds, the Butlers, and other Anglo-Norman barons, and together with Brian Roe's followers they sallied forth from Limerick

    * Edmund Spenser's " View of the State of Ireland," p. 24.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 54

26. Informers petition against Macnamaras acquiring land in Burren as Catholics

    Burren · townland · Clare · 1690–1700

    In 1690 and 1700, informers forwarded petitions to the Government claiming lands which certain Macnamaras had acquired in Burren, arguing that as Roman Catholics they had no right to hold land. These petitions illustrate the legal disabilities faced by Catholic families even in the remote Burren district.

    Read the passage

    eighteenth century. In consequence of the crushing export duties levied by England on Irish wool and other agricultural produce, the temptation to smuggle was vastly augmented, and the profit to be derived from it greatly increased. The southern shore of Galway Bay, with its snug inlets for boats, such as Muckinish and Kenvarra Bays, which run up to the Burren hills, with their wonderful caves and dark hiding-places, would seem to be an ideal place for freebooters; and here Daniel Macnamara and his numerous family settled.* They were Roman Catholics, and therefore excluded from the army, navy, or any of the liberal professions ; but even in this world-forsaken Burren district they were not allowed to acquire land, for we find in 1690 and in 170 c that petitions were forwarded to the Government against them by informers, who claimed the lands which certain Macnamaras had acquired in Burren, because they had obtained these lands being Roman Catholics, and had consequently no right to them.f

    Daniel Macnamara's eldest son, Teigie, after the capitulation of Limerick (p. 246) had retired to Smithstown, Burren, situated near the Atlantic coast, five miles east of Doolin, some thirteen miles south-east of his father's place at Ballinacragga.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 122

27. Lady O'Brien of Dromoland and Teigie Macnamara's abbey restoration

    Dromoland · townland · Clare · 1714

    A beautiful poem was composed in the cloisters of an abbey to Lady O'Brien of Dromoland, who had befriended the poet. Captain Teigie Macnamara in 1714 restored the tomb of the founder of the abbey, situated to the north side of the High Altar.

    Read the passage

    in the cloisters a beautiful poem to Lady O'Brien of Dromoland, who had befriended him. Capt. Teigie Macnamara in 17 14 restored the tomb of the founder of the abbey, situated to the north side of the High Altar.

    The eight years' turmoil and war carried on by the Confederation, followed by Cromwell's conquest of Ireland, had wrought frightful havoc among the inhabitants of the country ; the misery and destitution to which they had been brought was appalling. For instance, in Clare in the year 1659, although many Irish Roman Catholic families from other parts of Ireland had been imported into the country, the total number of its population amounted to 16,474 Catholics, and 440 Protestants; its present population is about 141, 475 people. The Government seems to have recognised the deplorable state to which the people of Clare had been reduced, for in May 1653, it is stated that "upon the serious consideration of the poverty and disability of the county Clare, and of the starving condition in which the few remaining inhabitants are, and the impossibility of getting in the monthly contributions charged upon the county, their whole substance being pledged for their arrears hitherto; it is ordered that the said county shall be charged with no sum until the further pleasure of the Commission in England for the affairs of Ireland shall be known therein." It was into this impoverished county, that Cromwell determined, if possible, to transplant the great bulk of the Irish who had not taken part in the late war.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 105

28. Admiral Burton Macnamara dies in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1877

    Burton Macnamara, who rose from a Doolin lad to Admiral of the Fleet and K.C.B., lived to be eighty-three years of age and died in Dublin in 1877. He was the younger brother of Major William Nugent Macnamara, who represented County Clare in Parliament for many years.

    Read the passage

    * The following year Captain Macnamara was under Nelson's command, and was with him in his engagement with the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent. In 1808 he commanded the Berwick, a 74-gun vessel, and did excellent service in the Baltic ; and at this time he received on board his vessel two young relatives, lads fresh from Doolen, co. Clare, Timothy Nugent and Burton Macnamara, belonging therefore to the Burren branch of the sept. Burton, rose to be an Admiral of the Fleet, and K.C.B. ; he lived to be eighty-three years of age, and died in Dublin, 1877 ; he was the younger brother of Major William Nugent Macnamara, who for many years represented co. Clare in the House of Commons. Timothy Nugent, rose to the rank of Commander in the Royal Navy, and his son, Colonel Nugent Macnamara, of the Royal Marine Artillery, is at present residing at Hove ; his sister Florence, is married to General C. Wallace, both living at Ryde.

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 133

29. Archbishop of Tuam destroys Mac Dara idol on Aran

    Inishmore · electoral division · Galway

    The Archbishop of Tuam, O'Queely, travelled to the island of Aran in Galway Bay to destroy the idolatrous image of 'Mac Dara,' an object of Druidical-era superstition the people venerated and swore upon rather than on the Gospels. He tore down the image and cast it into the sea.

    Read the passage

    province of Munster, he crossed over to England and met Charles I. at Oxford, in order to urge his claims to this appointment ; the king, however, declined to accede to his request. Inchiquin, therefore, left England and at once offered his services to the Parliamentarians, who eagerly accepted his help and at the same time appointed him governoi of Munster. This conduct on the part of Inchiquin was fatal to the Confederate cause. With a man of his energy and ability as leader in the south of Ireland, and with O'Neill, O'Donnell, and Macdonell in the north, the history of the country in the seventeenth century would probably have been different from that which has been handed down to us. The council of the Confederation at this time must have been hard up for a general, for they appointed the Archbishop of Tuam to lead their troops against the English garrison of Sligo. His name was O'Qucely, and he had, not long previously to taking command of the forces employed against the English garrison at Sligo, done battle in a very different cause, for he had gone over to the island of Aran, in Galway Bay, to destroy the image of " Mac Dara " (Dara meaning " oak "), which the people venerated with idolatrous superstition. It was in vain the Catholic clergy called on them to desist from worshipping this idol, and from swearing on it rather than on the Gospels; to put down this ancient superstition, which was evidently a remnant of the old Druidical worship, the Archbishop of Tuam, coming to the island, tore down the image and flung it into the sea.* He did not, however, long survive this proceeding, for in 1645 this unfortunate prelate, having only just assumed command of the Irish soldiers, was shot dead in his first encounter with the Parliamentary forces. In connection with this event, we find Daniel Macnamara and Sir D. O'Brien, of Ennistymon, appointed by the Irish to effect an exchange of prisoners with the commander of the English troops in Connaughtf

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 102

30. Banshee traditions of the Burren

    Burren · townland · Clare

    The author notes that the Burren district has a long-standing tradition of Banshee sightings, with even recent generations claiming to have witnessed such apparitions. This local folklore context explains why a thirteenth-century chronicler included a supernatural encounter in his account of the battle.

    Read the passage

    As Mr. Westropp observes, remarkable as Magrath's account of the appearance of this supernatural being is, no one who has heard the stories of people living in Burren at the present day can be surprised at his description. In this district circumstantial statements are common as to the visits of Banshees even in recent times, often told by people who had themselves seen such apparitions ; it is no wonder therefore that an author of the thirteenth century should indulge his readers with myths of this description.

    We must, however, return to our historian's account of Dermot O'Brien's force which, as before stated, passed the night before the battle in the Abbey of Corcomroe. At the dawn of day they were awakened by reports of the advance of the enemy with standards displayed, with

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 64

31. Battle at Magh Adhair: Sioda Macnamara defeats Flan

    near Magh Adhair · monument · Clare · 877

    In 877, the Monarch Flan invaded Thomond and pitched his camp on the sacred mound of Magh Adhair in Clare. Sioda Macnamara, chief of Clancuilein, followed by Lorcain with a strong force, attacked Flan, who fled into neighbouring forests and surrendered after three days' fighting.

    Read the passage

    Lachtna was succeeded by his son Lorcain as King of Thomond ; this chief was foster-son to, and tanist of Cormac McCullinan, who at the time was King of South Munster and Archbishop of Cashel. Cormac visited Lorcain, and amongst other good advice is said to have "impressed upon him the importance of religious education for children." Flan was at this period "Monarch of Ireland, and having demanded tribute from the Dalcais, which they again refused, he invaded Thomond and entered the Ui-Caisins' territory, a.d. 877. The monarch's bard, McLonain, warned him to be careful not to insult the Dalcasians": Flan, however, marched into Clare and pitched his camp on the sacred mound of Magh Adhair, and having challenged one of his followers to chess they sat down to the game, which he was hardly allowed time to finish, for Sioda Macnamara

    * " Ireland and the Celtic Church," p. 199, by G. G. T. Stokes, D.D., Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of Dublin.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

32. Brian Boru and Aodh Macnamara storm Scattery Island

    Scattery Island · townland · Clare · 977

    In 977, Brian Boru, assisted by Aodh Macnamara, chief of Clancuilein, stormed the island of Scattery, driving the Danes who had taken refuge there back to their ships and completely clearing Thomond of their enemies.

    Read the passage

    From the " Annals of Innisfallen " we learn that, in the year a.d. 977, Brian Boru, assisted by Aodh (Macnamara), chief of Clancuilein, stormed the island of Scattery, driving the Danes, who had found refuge there, to their ships, and completely clearing the district of Thomond of their enemies.

    Brian Boru X was now proclaimed King of Munster, but Malachy, who

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

33. Clare landowners surrender lands to the Queen, 1576

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1576

    Sir Henry Sidney brought the principal landlords of Clare and Galway to agree to surrender all their lands into the Queen's hands and take them back from her, yielding both rent and service. This was intended to give precision to land tenure beyond the earlier agreement with Henry VIII, effectively imposing English land tenure for the immemorial Irish system.

    Read the passage

    ' I brought them to agree to surrender all their landes into the Queene's landes, and to take it of her Highness agayne, and yeilde both rent and lervice, and therefore I have confidence to make a good reckninge for he Queene."

    The meaning of this arrangement between certain of the principal andlords of Clare and Galway with the Lord Deputy was, that precision iras to be given to the tenure of the land beyond that of the agreement vhich most of them had entered into with Henry VIII. Sir H. Sidney, lowever, had an eye to the revenue ; it was clear if Ireland was to be governed the executive and the military must be paid otherwise than by \ perpetual charge on the English exchequer. The Lord Deputy pro- )osed therefore in place of the cesses and other burdens, that landholders hould pay a fixed sum every year to their landlords, and that the latter vere to yield to the Crown a definite amount per annum in proportion o the extent and value of their landed property ; this, however, was an dtogether different proposal to that contained in the agreement just >efore concluded between the Crown and the landowners of Clare ; it neant the imposition of the land tenure of England for that which had ixisted from time immemorial in Ireland.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 86

34. Clontarf as first pinnacle of Dalcasian honour

    Clontarf · parish · Dublin

    The battle of Clontarf is cited as the first occasion on which Brian's clans won imperishable victory, where both Gael and Norsemen were exterminated. Though Brian and his son Morrough fell, the Dalcasians rose and put the black Galls to flight when fresh Dublin garrison reinforcements arrived.

    Read the passage

    "Now this made the third summit of high emprise and genuine honour of the far-westerns, achieved [in the interval extending] from the day in which first from blue Spain's rugged coasts the Gael arrived in Ireland, until [this in which] the great battle of the Abbey [was decided]. And it cannot be but that to them of all Erin, besides it is a mischief [grievance] that one and the same noble stock should have ambitioned and attained to said three pinnacles of renown. The first occasion then on which Brian's clans made their own of victory so imperishable was the day of Clontarfs battle, by which both Gael and fresh- come Norseman thickly were exterminated ; but by obstinacy of the Gael it was won after their leaders all were fallen with Brian and his son Morrough. When the white Danes however, quite fresh, and their city's whole garrison [of Dublin] as well [by way of reinforcement], came upon the scene to fall on the freeborn but enfeebled residue which [before they themselves died] the Norsemen had left of the Gael, a fine tale of slaughter there would have been to tell had not the Dalcasians (cut up as they were) risen and put the black Galls to instant flight

    "The second turn at which again the Clancassians took the honours was when, as Brian's son Donough returned from his preyings and with the remnant of his gallant companies was on the march, Ossory in force gathered against the Dalcasians to require hostages of Donough mac Brian. Heart's torment to clanna Chais were these expressions : that by reason of their fewness and debility their own continued and ex origine natural servitors would have pledges of them. Therefore in their weak ones anger rose, valorous disposition in their injured, and in their dilapidated a flame was kindled, when they heard them whom the

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 67

35. Connaught king invaded Macnamara territory and took hostages

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1331

    The king of Connaught marched into the Macnamara's territory in Munster, took hostages from them, and forced the sept to submit to Connaught, weakening Clancuilein during a period when they had already been depleted by fighting.

    Read the passage

    Clancuilein had not only been much weakened by the fighting they had passed through, but they were at this time invaded from Connaught, the king of that province he "marched into the Macnamara's territory in Munster, from whom he took hostages, and thus forced the sept to submit to Connaught."* In consequence of this state of things, on the death of Mortough O'Brien, Clancuilein was not in a position to support his brother Dermod to obtain possession of the throne, in opposition to Brian Bane, who at length found himself able to take by force the office of King of Thomond, which his father and grandfather had so long striven to obtain. Brian, however, only enjoyed his honours for a few years, for in 1350 he was assassinated by one of his own family.!

    Dermod O'Brien, Mortough's brother, succeeded and died without issue ; he was followed as chief of Thomond by his nephew, who died in 1360, and he was succeeded by Brian O'Brien as King of Thomond. Mac-con Macnamara lived on through all these changes ; his son, we are informed by "The Four Masters," was slain in the year 1356, and, they add he " was the best son of a chieftain of his time ; a youth of great * " Annals of Ulster," a.d. 1331 t " O'Brien Memoirs," p. 130.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 70

36. Conor O'Brien defeats English at Galway and East Thomond

    Galway · city · Galway · 1257

    In 1257, aided by Clancuilein and other Dalcasian septs, Conor O'Brien met the English in battle and defeated them, driving them out of East Thomond and from Galway.

    Read the passage

    William de Burgho, who had gained large possessions in Galway, and so, through the weakness caused by the rivalries of the Celtic chiefs, an opening was again effected for the Anglo-Normans to force their way into the west of Ireland. Conor O'Brien, however, determined to face the foreigners in the field of battle, and in a.d. 1257, aided by Clancuilein and other Dalcasian septs, he met the English, and not only defeated them, but again drove them out of East Thomond, and also from Galway.

    The fact seemed at length to dawn on the four provincial kings of Ireland that, if they were to retain their position, it was necessary for them to act together against the common enemy ; and so it was determined they should for the second time meet and take steps to ensure concerted action (p. 88). Conor O'Brien was represented at this council by his son and tanist Teige. The council met (a.d. 1258), but when it came to the point of settling which of the four kings was to be supreme, the choice lay between O'Neil and O'Brien, neither of them would yield ; the council, therefore, broke up without arriving at any decision on the matter for which they had been assembled ; and so terminated the last hope of effective union between the native Irish chiefs to combine and work together for the good of their country. Teige O'Brien died soon after the termination of the council, and his father, Conor, seems to have been crushed by this blow ; " he refused to drink, rejoice, or take comfort, and to such a depth and for so long was his grief prolonged, that his tribe rose against him ; " his sorrow they respected, but when it passed into settled gloom they led their chief to understand that he must make way for some one else, if he desired to indulge in inordinate grief.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 53

37. Daniel Macnamara expelled from Rathfolan in 1654

    Rathfolan · townland · Clare · 1654

    Daniel Macnamara, great-grandson of Rory Macnamara (brother of Sioda Macnamara of Henry VIII's time), was expelled from Rathfolan in 1654 during the Cromwellian upheavals and relocated to Ballinacragga on the southern shore of Galway Bay.

    Read the passage

    Sioda Macnamara, of Henry VIII.'s time, had a brother Rory, and it was his great-grandson Daniel Macnamara, who in 1654 was expelled from Rathfolan and took up his abode at Ballinacragga, situated on the southern shore of Galway Bay .J Daniel's eldest son, Teigie, referred to above, had a younger brother named Daniel, who was twice married, his second wife being a daughter of Charles MacEnery of Castletown, county Kildare, this marriage took place in the year 1696; he had several children by his second wife, one of them, Michel, born in 1707, married the daughter of one of the Ely O'Carrolls in the year 1738. § Michel Macnamara's fourth son, Patrick, was born in 1752, and Patrick's

    * Dear MacDonogh, — I congratulate you on your marriage, but trust it will not induce you to retire from the Irish Brigade. I hope you do not forget the memorable day they had at Fontenoy, and the other glorious days in which they had a share. Your promotion goes on, and all are wishing for your return. With your assistance and O'Brien's, the ranks are near filled up. I hope to see you soon. How does my old friend and relation Captain Dermot O'Brien get on ? Is he in good health and permitted to live and pray in peace ? — Yours, Clare. To Mons. A. Mac Donogh, co. Clare, Ireland. (Rev. P. White's " History of Clare," p. 308.)

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 122

38. Death of King Crimthan at Cratlow

    Cratloe · town · Clare · 378

    King Crimthan of Ireland, having been poisoned by his sister in Connaught, set out for his home in Munster but only reached Cratlow in the south of Clare, where he died in AD 378. His military renown and tragic death made a deep impression on his countrymen, so the date of his decease is well-established.

    Read the passage

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

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 41

39. De Clare builds Bunratty Castle at mouth of River Raite

    near Bunratty · parish · Clare · 1277–1280

    Around the same period, Thomas de Clare built Bunratty Castle at the clear-harboured mouth of the River Raite. Part of the building was inhabited in the 1890s by the Irish constabulary.

    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

40. Division of Clare: Burren's defensible valleys assigned to Donough

    Burren · townland · Clare · 1284

    In 1284 the King of Thomond agreed to divide Clare with Donough, who was to rule the territory between the river Fergus and the sea, including its endless forests, sea-shore, and the defensible valleys of Burren. Turlough retained eastern Thomond with its fertile soil, fish-rich lakes, and mountain strongholds.

    Read the passage

    and he there compelled De Clare to banish Donough Brian Roe into Desmond. In the following year the King of Thomond agreed for the sake of peace to divide county Clare with Donough, who was to rule over that part of the territory situated between the river Fergus and the sea, with its " endless forests, the sea-shore, and the defensible valleys of Burren " ; while Turlough was to retain eastern Thomond with its fertile soil, its lakes abounding in fish, and the natural strongholds of its mountains to the north and south-east * This arrangement between the two rival O'Briens was hardly likely to lead to permanent peace, and in fact complications soon arose between them, and led to endless fighting, in which, Magrath states, "that the poet and eye-witness of these scenes affirms that it was Clancuilein that maintained " the cause of Turlough O'Brien.

    In 1284 it was agreed that the contending chiefs should meet and try and settle their quarrels. Donough Brian's coming was after this fashion : " He was sufficiently well drunken with mead to make him noisy, and when he came to the river's opposite bank, he thence gave Turlough O'Brien to feel the rough side of his tongue." t At his violent and bitter words Turlough's face grew red, and the chiefs who had been Donough's friends were so outraged that they passed over to Turlough, and they determined to attack Donough in one or other of the places in which he was sure to sleep that night. Donough hearing of this, mounted his beautiful horse and, followed by a few retainers, attempted to escape from his enemies, but they were too numerous for him. Wounded, he reached the river Fergus and plunged into it, " then it was that Donough, fervently adoring the true God, in hurried act of penance lifted up his hands, and so, with good courage, sank under the river's surface away from his enemies."^

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 56

41. Drim as refuge of the last Franciscan friars from Quin

    Drim · townland · Clare

    After being driven from Quin Abbey, the Franciscan friars took refuge at Drim. The last of them, Rev. John Hogan of Drim, served as an auxiliary to local parish priests and was supported by the pious donations of the faithful until his death in 1820 aged 80 years.

    Read the passage

    " * 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

    HOLY POVERTY | RESPECTED FOR HIS STRICTNESS IN RELIGIOUS DISCI PI C) I AND VENERATED I BY ALL. 'QUI SEMINAT IN LACHRYM1S EXULTATION ;TET.' I REQUIESCAT IN PACE, AMEN.'

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 118

42. Dublin Parliament of 1689 repeals Act of Settlement

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1689–1690

    The Dublin Parliament of 1689, freely elected and presided over by King James, passed a repeal of the Act of Settlement that had legalised Cromwellian confiscations, restoring former proprietors to ancestral property and providing compensation for honest purchasers.

    Read the passage

    Parliament, who then possessed the power to legislate for the country, had five-and-twenty years before lost by far the greater part of their estates under Cromwell's Act, and one of the first measures brought before the Dublin Parliament was the repeal of the Act of Settlement, which legalised the confiscations made by Cromwell and his officers.

    Under Act 4, of James II. 's Parliament, it was settled that all persons entitled to any lands or whose ancestors possessed such lands on the 2nd October 1641, shall and may take action for recovering the same. Commissioners were appointed to determine the claims, and have power to award injunctions for putting such persons as shall appear to them to have established their claims in possession of such lands. The former proprietors were thus to be restored to their ancestral property; and "honest purchasers of lands under the Acts of Settlements" were to be compensated for the loss of their lands, from the lands held by persons in rebellion against their lawful Sovereign (James II.) since the 1st of August 1688 ; the commissioners were to allot and distribute such reprisals. If a purchaser had obtained lands in the province of Connaught, including county Clare,* other lands were to be provided from the estates of forfeited lands or otherwise. Tenants were not to be disturbed in their holdings by the change in the owners of their lands, unless in the case of the mansion-house of the old proprietor or his heirs and the demesne belonging thereto. The blot in this Act was that no provision was made for the families of these adventurers, who having been for twenty-five or thirty years in possession, and residing on the estates they had purchased, had rights to citizenship.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 117

    As the companion tells it

    As you pass through Dublin, this is the city where the Parliament of 1689 met, freely elected and presided over by King James. Its members had lost the greater part of their estates under Cromwell's Act five-and-twenty years before. One of their first measures was the repeal of the Act of Settlement, the law that had legalised the confiscations made by Cromwell and his officers. Under Act 4 of James the Second's Parliament, it was settled that all persons entitled to any lands, or whose ancestors possessed such lands on the 2nd of October 1641, could take action for recovering them. Commissioners were appointed to determine the claims and had power to award injunctions to put those persons in possession. The former proprietors were thus to be restored to their ancestral property. "Honest purchasers of lands under the Acts of Settlements" were to be compensated for the loss of their lands, from lands held by persons in rebellion against their lawful Sovereign James since the 1st of August 1688. The commissioners were to allot and distribute such reprisals. If a purchaser had obtained lands in the province of Connaught, including county Clare, other lands were to be provided from forfeited estates or otherwise. Tenants were not to be disturbed in their holdings by the change in owners, unless it was the mansion-house of the old proprietor or his heirs and the demesne belonging to it. The blot in this Act was that no provision was made for the families of these adventurers, who having been 25 or 30 years in possession and residing on the estates they had purchased, had rights to citizenship.

43. Ennis public meeting asserts Irish legislative independence (1782)

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1782

    A public meeting held at Ennis in 1782 passed a vote of thanks to the local volunteers and resolved that no power had any right to make laws to bind the kingdom save the Lords and Commons of Ireland. The meeting reflected the political aspirations of the Irish people and echoed principles from earlier Irish parliamentary traditions.

    Read the passage

    With regard to the political aspirations of the Irish, we may learn something from speeches made at a public meeting held at Ennis in 1782. The first resolution passed was a vote of thanks to the local volunteers for their services and excellent conduct. It was then resolved that " no power had any right to make laws to bind the kingdom save the Lords and Commons of Ireland." This was going back to the principle contained in Act iii. of James II.'s Dublin Parliament, and to much that followed in the works of Molyneux, Swift, Lucas, and other political writers. Opinions of this kind were urged on the Government by Grattan, Flood, and others in the Parliament sitting in Dublin, and in the House of Commons by Edmund Burke. It was largely through their influence, backed by the people of Ireland, that C. Fox carried the Bill by which Act vi. of George I. was repealed. This Act had reasserted the right of England to legislate for Ireland. At the same time, the duration of Irish Parliaments were curtailed from an indefinite period to a term of eight years ; and it was further enacted that the Irish Parliament was to have the same authority over local affairs in Ireland as the English legislative assembly had over the affairs of that country. A Mutiny Act was also passed; and for all these favours Ireland willingly supplied England with some twenty thousand young fellows to help to man the Royal Navy.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 128

44. Expulsion of Macnamaras to Burren

    Burren · townland · Clare · 1654

    Of 293 principal Macnamara families living on their lands in 1654, only six were permitted to retain part of their estates. The remainder were expelled to the Burren or the West Indies.

    Read the passage

    Charles I.'s and James II.'s opinion as to state of Ireland in their time — Cause of rebellion of 1641 — Donogh and Teigie Macnamara appointed to keep order in Clare — English in Clare not ill-treated by Irish — Siege of Ballyallia — Donogh Macnamara sent on a mission to O'Neill — Roman Catholic Confederation — Two of the Macnamaras appointed by people of Clare to represent them in Confederate Council — The Pope's Nuncio Rinuccini arrives in Ireland — Lord Inchiquin — Surrender of Bunratty Castle — The Macnamaras at the battle of Knockmoness — Rinuccini leaves Ireland, a.d. 1648 — Cromwell's rule in Ireland — Siege of Limerick — Teigie Macnamara surrenders the place to the Parliamentary forces — Daniel Macnamara signs treaty on behalf of the Clare Brigade — Quin Abbey — Its destruction by Cromwell's soldiers — Roger Macnamara — Importation of Catholic Irish into Clare — Confiscation of the Macnamara estates — They held the same lands in 1654 which had been granted to them in the fifth century ; and no lands outside boundary of former tribal lands — Of two hundred and ninety-three principal families of the Macnamara living in these lands in 1654 only six were permitted to retain a part of their estates — The remainder expelled to Burren, the West Indies, or left to labour on the property formerly their own — Rathfolan and Ballinacragga family expelled to north of Burren Pp. 188-205

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 5

45. First Protestant Bishop of Killaloe appointed

    Killaloe · town · Clare · 1569

    After the death of the O'Brien bishop of Killaloe in 1569, the English Government appointed the first Protestant bishop of Killaloe, a young man named Morrogh O'Brien, recommended by the Lord Deputy to Elizabeth because he was a Protestant educated at Oxford.

    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

46. Flan camps on the Shannon demanding tribute from Thomond

    Shannon · town · Clare

    Phelim, King of Munster, demanded tribute from the Dalcais, which was refused by Lachtna, King of Thomond. Phelim marched an army against Thomond and encamped on the eastern bank of the Shannon, leading to negotiations in which Lachtna disguised himself and visited Flan's camp to reach an amicable agreement.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 43

47. Formation of Kilkenny Rangers

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1777

    In early 1777, following the example of southern cities, the Kilkenny Rangers volunteer regiment was established and brought into training by non-commissioned officers experienced in the Seven Years' War.

    Read the passage

    In December 1776, the Dublin Parliament sent a Money Bill to England for the sanction of the Government. To the astonishment of the Irish Parliament it was discovered that English officials had altered the original Bill, and cut down the force to be retained in Ireland from twelve thousand men to four thousand, it having been previously stipulated that the minimum number of English troops to be retained in Ireland for the defence of the country should be not less than twelve thousand soldiers. This proceeding created an uproar in the Dublin Parliament, and led to the demand for a force of militia being at once raised ; the Government declined this proposal, and Charles Ogle, Member of Parliament Tor Wexford, and other gentlemen, determined to follow the example set them by the cities of Cork, Limerick, and Galway, and to arm and enrol their tenants into volunteer corps. The uniforms of these corps were scarlet with buff facings. Many of the country gentlemen joined in the movement ; and so, in the early part of the year 1777, the Kilkenny Rangers, and regiments oi volunteers in Wexford and Wicklow, were brought into training under the orders of non-commissioned officers who, having passed through the Seven Years' War, were well acquainted with the details of drill and sucl like matters. It should be distinctly understood that this volunteer movement commenced in the South of Ireland, and spread to Clan. and Connaught in 1766, and in the following ten years was well established over those parts of Ireland.* In fact, before the year 1777 the volunteers had done good work in the South of Ireland ; for although drawn from the same class as the Whiteboys, when enrolled as soldiers they at once displayed a capacity for order, and a sense of duty which when brought to bear on the Whiteboys did more to suppress in a few months the excesses of that Society than the Government had been able to effect in as many years. The volunteers of the South of Ireland bad

    » O'Brien's " Memoirs," pp. 402, 3 I also Sir J. Barrington's " Historic Memories of Ireland," vol. i. p. 49.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 126

48. Inquisition at Galway on Macnamara's property, 1585

    Galway · city · Galway · 1585

    An inquisition held at Galway before Sir R. Bingham on 27 January 1585 investigated the property of the recently deceased John Macnamara. It revealed that neither the owner nor anyone else knew the rental amounts, and documented ancient customs including the Borome tax still being collected in Clare.

    Read the passage

    Before referring to the important steps taken by Sir Henry Sidney at Galway, in relation to the land belonging to the members of our sept, we may with advantage refer to an inquisition made at Galway, before Sir R. Bingham, on January 27, 1585, as it throws much light on the nature and scope of the Lord Deputy's proposal concerning the tenure of land.* This inquisition was made with reference to the property of John Macnamara, who had recently died. We learn in the first place that, although J. Macnamara was an extensive landlord, he had no idea of what his rental was, for it is stated in this document that " neither the owner of the land, nor any one else, knew for certain how much rent they had or ought to pay on any of the said quarters of land." In these circumstances the commission had to refer the matter " to those who knoweth best how much the said rent should be." The estates referred to belonged to one of the chiefs of our sept, the son of the Sioda Macnamara who had signed the agreement with Henry VIII. on behalf of a number of the freeholders of his clan. It would seem to us almost incredible that a person in this position, as late as the sixteenth century, should have been unable to state the amount of his rental. The truth was, he had never received any rent, according to our meaning of the term. Lands which he did not require for his own purposes he made over to his family or relations to cultivate, they supplying him with a certain quantity of stock and grain to enable him to keep open house, and live as one of the chief men of his sept. The management of the property was still conducted on the conjoint family principle, modified according to the necessities of the times. The out-turn of the soil was consumed by man and beast living upon the land which produced the stock and grain. There was no idea of sending gold and silver derived from the sale of stock to London or Dublin to be spent by individuals who had no personal interest in the land, and, in not a few instances, who had never even seen it. Englishmen, however, had discovered that land in Ireland was worth having, from their point of view, which was to make money out of it. When this fact had been realised a rush of all sorts and conditions of men passed into Ireland from the east, and the confiscated estates of Ulster and Munster offered them an opportunity of which they were by no means slow to avail themselves.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 89

49. O'Brien power established from Limerick to the Cliffs of Moher

    near Cliffs of Moher · cliff or cliffs · Clare · 1332

    After the Battle of Dysert O'Dea and the taking of Bunratty, Mortough O'Brien lived to see his power established from Limerick to the cliffs of Moher, marking the full extent of restored Gaelic control over Clare.

    Read the passage

    It is true the English, after the battle of Dysert-O'Dea, assigned the :astle and estate of Bunratty to Matelda, wife of Robert de Wells, and mother sister of De Clare's, and appointed R. Sutton to hold the castle is a safeguard to the traders of Limerick, but in 1332, eleven years Defore Mortough O'Brien's death, the place was attacked and taken by Mac-con Macnamara, and so the king lived to see his power established irom Limerick to the cliffs of Moher.f

    Our sept had taken a leading part throughout the long years of warfare n Clare, so that we are not surprised to hear at the termination of the struggle they annexed the territory of the Hybloids and other septs who

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 69

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Cliffs of Moher, you are coming near the western edge of what Mortough O'Brien held. After the Battle of Dysert O'Dea, the English assigned the castle and estate of Bunratty to Matelda, wife of Robert de Wells, and appointed R. Sutton to hold it as a safeguard for the traders of Limerick. But in 1332, eleven years before Mortough O'Brien's death, Bunratty was attacked and taken by Mac-con Macnamara. The king lived to see his power established from Limerick to these cliffs. The sept had taken a leading part throughout the long years of warfare in Clare, and at the end of the struggle they annexed the territory of the Hybloids and other septs.

50. O'Brien's speech on tithe extortion at Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1763

    In early 1763, Mr. L. O'Brien (later Sir Lucas) delivered a speech at Ennis condemning the neglect of Protestant clergy in County Clare and linking it to Whiteboy risings against tithe extortion. He argued that insurrections were rooted in the shameful neglect of clergy and defects in religious institutions.

    Read the passage

    There were, however, other causes than those referred to by Mr. Young and Lord Weymouth which impoverished the small farmers and landholders, and that was the collection of tithes, for these had to be paid in the first place to the Protestant rector of the parish, and, in addition, there was the maintenance of the parish priest, which fell on the Roman Catholics. We have reference made to this subject by Mr. L. O'Brien (afterwards Sir Lucas) in a speech he delivered at Ennis in the early part of the year 1763, he referred to the lamentable neglect of the Protestant clergy to their duties in co. Clare, and stated that one of the bad consequences of this neglect of the clergy is those risings which have been mentioned to the violation of the law, for who can suppose that men will patiently suffer the extortion of a tithemonger when no duty for which the tithe is claimed has been performed in the memory

    of man " He continues, " the insurrections, against which we are

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 124

51. Perrott's Commission inquisition at Ennis, 1585

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1585

    Sir John Perrott's Commission began investigating the titles by which Clare landlords held their estates at Ennis in 1585. The process required title deeds to be examined under English law, giving the Earl of Thomond's agents an opportunity to find flaws in the Macnamaras' titles to Tulla and Lissofin.

    Read the passage

    In the year 1585 Sir John Perrott's Commission commenced its investigation as to the titles by which the landlords of Clare held their estates. The original titles were to be made over with the lands to the Crown, and to be received back by the owners with titles registerable in the Court of Chancery, and in conformity with English procedure. An inquiry of this kind made it necessary that the title deeds should be examined, and gave the agents of the Earl of Thomond an opportunity for discovering any flaw which might exist according to English law in those titles, with the object of upsetting them and having such lands confiscated, when they were either sold, or, as in this case, would most probably have been made over to the Court favourite, the Earl of Thomond.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 97

52. Quin monks flee to Drim after Cromwellian destruction

    Drim · townland · Clare · 1651

    After the Cromwellian destruction of Quin Abbey, the remaining monks fled to Drim, not far from their abbey. There they aided the parish priest and lived unmolested by the government.

    Read the passage

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

    * At present the seat of Lord Dunboyne. The keep of the old castle is still inhabited.

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 104

53. Richard II lands at Waterford with large army

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1394

    Richard II landed at Waterford in October 1394 with an army of 34,000 men, intending to subdue Ireland. Despite the massive force, the expedition failed to extend English dominion or revenue.

    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

54. Sir John Davis's 1606 visit to Clare

    near Clare · population centre · Clare · 1606

    Sir John Davis, Solicitor-General, reported on conditions in Clare (Thomond) in May 1606, noting that the people were 'mere Irish' but spoke English and understood legal proceedings. He established freeholders' possessions disturbed during the rebellion and noted the Macnamaras and O'Lancyes as the principal families after the O'Briens.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 95

55. Some 200 pre-Celtic forts discovered in Burren

    Burren · townland · Clare

    T. J. Westropp discovered the remains of about two hundred pre-Celtic forts in the Burren region of county Clare. These forts attest to how well the pre-Celtic race defended their upland lands when driven westward by the advancing Celts.

    Read the passage

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

    * " Memoirs of the Geological Survey," Sheets 114 to 123 (Ireland).

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 7

56. Synod at Armagh abolishes slavery, 1171

    near Armagh · town · Armagh · 1171

    The clergy assembled in synod at Armagh in the year 1171 abolished slavery in Ireland. The slaves of that period were for the most part English lads taken prisoners or sold to Irishmen by people of their own country.

    Read the passage

    All landlords and landholders were freemen in consequence of their possessing land. This possession of land was all important, and it is the survival of this feeling which engenders that intense desire to possess land which is so marked a characteristic of Irishmen even at the present time. In days gone by the landholder was the freeman, the landless man the bondsman, because he had no direct lien on the soil. These bondsmen had no social position, they could neither appeal to a Brehon for redress, or appear to give evidence before him ; but in consequence of the law of tanistry and of gavelkind, it is certain not a few of the landlords' relatives must have been landless, and consequently bondsmen. This fact was of the greatest importance in the tribal system, for there was thus a strong hereditary feeling between the bondsman and the freeman of the same locality, and so a tie existed between the higher and lower grades of society which was of vast consequence from a social point of view. It is questionable if these Irish bondsmen were slaves in the way of being bought and sold ; doubtless slavery existed in Ireland until it was abolished by the clergy assembled in synod at Armagh in the year 1171 ; but the slaves of that period were for the most part English lads taken prisoners or sold to Irishmen by people of their own country. Even bondsmen, such as horse-boys, who were of the lowest class, herdsmen, labourers, and others who formed a part of a tribe, could by patient industry hope in the course of time to raise their families into the ranks of freemen. t

    From the above statement it appears that from the earliest period of the Celtic invasion of Clare the land was held under two different systems ; under one, a portion of the tribal lands were assigned, on

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 26

57. Turlough O'Brien plunders monasteries of Clonard and Kells

    Clonard · town · Meath · 1064–1086

    Turlough O'Brien, having become King of Munster and Thomond, showed little reverence for the Church. He plundered the rich monasteries of Clonard and Kells, and removed from Clonmacnoise the skull of a former king of Meath, taking it to Kincora.

    Read the passage

    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

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

    Doolin · townland · Clare · 1789

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

    Read the passage

    W. N. Macnamara, of Doolin, was high sheriff of county Clare during the year 1789, and throughout this memorable period the country west of the Shannon remained " perfectly peaceful."! In Munster, with the exception of some slight disorder near Cork and Limerick, it is stated that " there was no semblance of rebellion." One of the magistrates writing from Ennis at this time, observed that "county Clare had escaped the contagion, although he had discovered that agents from Ulster had frequently been sent to excite the people to rebellion, but beyond a few shepherds no one had been persuaded to join the Society of " United Irishmen."

    In August 1798, two days after the Battle of the Nile had been fought, a second French expedition appeared off the west of Ireland ; it formed the vanguard of the much larger army which was intercepted by Sir J. Warren at sea, and never reached Ireland. \ A force of some 1500 French soldiers, however, landed at Killala, believing that the whole of Ireland would meet them with open arms, and rush to their standard ; in place of this the French general found the people were indifferent to his movements, nor would they even help him unless paid for their services ; some few of the natives, for the sake of the clothes and rations offered by the French, allowed themselves to be drilled. But Major-General Hutchinson, who commanded at Galway,on bearing that the French had landed in Mayo, instantly called out the yeomanry of Clare, Galway, and other Connaught regiments; they marched towards Mayo, and the General reported that he found along the whole of his route that the country was perfectly quiet, and the people hard a: work on their harvest.§ It is unnecessary to follow the fortunes of the French expedition in Ireland farther than to observe that they landed at Killala on the 22nd of August, and that by the 9th of the follow.n, month Lord Cornwallis, who was in command of the English EMC c,

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 130

59. Sidney marches through Thomond with Macnamaras, 1576

    Thomond · street · Dublin · 1576

    In February 1576 Sir Henry Sidney left Limerick and entered Thomond attended by the Earl of Thomond and the two MacNemarroghes, chief gentlemen of the country. He noted that among all the chief men in Thomond he could not find one descended in English race, and that all complained of the O'Briens for the ruin of their country.

    Read the passage

    The Lord Deputy Sidney made an official visit to Clare in the year 1571. One of the main objects he appears to have had in view was to suppress the practice of landlords in charging their tenants with " uncertaine cesses, cuttings, and spendings "; but this custom among the Irish was of such long standing that even the Lord Deputy could do little in the matter. He states that when he was at Limerick " two Lords of Thomond, called Mac Nemarroes, came to him lamentinge the ruyn and wast of their countries." The Lord Deputy adds " and ruyned they are indede, craving to have the execution of English lawes and to have SherhTes planted amongst them." % Again, writing to the Council in April 1576, Sir Henry Sidney observes "that he left Lymerick on the 27th of February, and entered Thomond attended by Earl of Thomond, and several of the O'Briens, who had in former times been Kings of Limerick, all so neire kinsmen and yet no one of them friende to another." Sidney adds, " I also had with me the twoe MacNemarroghes, by us called East and West Mac Nemarroghes, cheife gentlemen of that countrey, which, if it were in quiet, they might lyve lyke principale knights in England." Among all the chief men Sir Henry Sidney met with in Thomond, he states he " could not find one descended in English race. They all complained of the Obryens for the ruyne of their countrey ; and truly in such desolation and wast it is." Sir Henry, after crossing the Shannon, marched through Clare in two days on his way to Galway, so that he really could have seen very little of the country. The Lord Deputy remained for some time in Galway, and bound the O'Briens " by bonds of great sommes," and further he carried off the earl's brother with him to Dublin, where he " still deteined hym in iron.'" Sir Donell O'Brien of Ennistymon was made Sheriffe of Clare. Other officers were appointed, such as a Provost-Marshal, with a proper force to back his authority, and keep the idle people which swarmed in the country in restraint. Sir H. Sidney states that " the root and origine of all this trouble was the uncerteine grannte, and unstable possession of their landes, whereupon grewe their warres." The Lord Deputy adds,

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 85

60. Aran islanders' extraordinary eyesight at Black Head

    near Black Head · promontory · Clare

    Dr. Kean reported that the Aran islanders possessed remarkably acute sight, capable of discerning a small black sailing boat at Black Head, twenty miles distant, with the naked eye before it could be seen through binoculars. This observation was presented as evidence of the exceptional physical attributes of the islanders.

    Read the passage

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

    Internet Archive storyofirishsept00macn, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere about Black Head, a story is told about the sight of the Aran islanders. Dr. Kean reported that on a clear day, any of them could make out a small black sailing boat here, twenty miles distant, with the naked eye, before he himself could see it through his binoculars. Their hearing was just as sharp. They were honest and straightforward people. Illegitimacy was almost unknown among them. Mr. P. Lyster, a magistrate of the islands, said they were, as a body, "extremely well-behaved and industrious people." Disputes among them were about land. Drunkenness was rare. He could recall two months passing without a single case brought before him. In four years he had not sent more than six or seven persons to gaol without the option of a fine. There was no gaol on the island. Theft was very rare. He remembered only one case of positive stealing sent for trial. They were singularly unmusical. No piper, fiddler, or musician of any sort lived on the islands. Irish was their language, but they could understand and speak English with strangers. Most weddings took place just before Lent. There was no courtship. A young man went straight to the house of an eligible girl and asked her to marry him. If refused, he went elsewhere, and a man was known to ask three girls the same evening before he was accepted. Wakes were held even for those who died abroad. A corpse was always let out through the back door, for the Aranites believed in fairies, banshees, and ghosts. If at a marriage anyone repeated the benediction after the priest and tied a knot on a string at each sacred name, the marriage would be childless for fifteen years, unless the string was burned.