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Created: By John Lloyd (fl. 1780) (1779)
Beatrix Färber (ed.)
Beatrix Färber (ed.)
Beatrix Färber (ed.)
Beatrix Färber (ed.)
Clare County Library (text donation)
- My free Parnassian, and my Friend sincere,
Your Short Description of the County Clare
I have perus'd; and think, upon due Pause,
'Twill from the Curious meet with great Applause;
As well as from each knowing, candid, Man
Who sees the extent of your compact Plan,
But, as each Writer, both sublime and poor,
Of busy Critics may be always sure;
You'll sooner turn Birches into Cedars
Than 'scapeth' censure of those envious Readers:
Such feeble Foes cannot true Merit wound,
Their spleenful Squibs are spent in Smoak and Sound.- To you we own the Laurel's justly due,
When Arts are low and Antiquarians few,
For your inrolling our once-happy Clare,
It's Soil, it's Verdure, and it's healthful Air;
It's Groves and Lawns. it's Fruit and fragrant Flow'rs,
(Most pleasing Emblems of th'Elysian Bow'rs)
It's purling Rills and Chrystaline Cascades;
It's Beef and Beer, of which all Ranks were free,
The healing produce of the Hive and Tree;
With all that could from Nature's Bounty flow,
Or what kind Heaven could on Earth bestow.- In fact, North Munster (tho' now much reduc'd);
Most famous Men has heretofore produc'd;
A Match for any Worthies round the Sun,
At Epic Pen, at Pistol, Sword or Gun;
Illustrious Chiefs whose noble Actions claim
The first, grand, Folio in th' Rolls of Fame!
Who, Arts and Tongues got learnedly revis'd,
Had Poets paid, and Teachers patroniz'd;
No wonder, then, that Crowds, from Year to Year,
From disctant Countries came to Study here.- Such copious Blessings, doubtless, my dear Lloyd,
For ages past our peaceful Land enjoy'd;
'Till Fate adverse, this inauspicious Time,
Has chang'd it's Luck, the Custom and the Clime!
And now, alas! we see it quite distres'd
By Taxes weak'ned and it's Trade repress'd!
The Tenant wreck'd, unable to pay Rent,
The needy Landlord driving for Content;
Some gen'rous Souls, that would Distress assuage,
Of means bereft, or in the Debtor's Cage;
Pure Wit and Parts eclips'd and disrespect'd;
Our native Tongue most shamefully reject'd;
A Tongue primitive, 1 florid and Sublime,
Of nervous Force in either Prose or Rhime.
- 'Twould only help to aggravate our Woe
Top tell the Fountain whence these Evils flow;
My Muse who knows the doleful Cause alright
Bids us not war with ministerial Might;
Nor raise Shillelee to enervate those
Who've been long our cruel, offensive, Foes:
But speedy Aid from gracious God implore,
Who, can relieve us and our Rights restore.
Ennis,May 24, 1779.T[homas] M[eeha]n.
John Lloyd, the author of this curious book, lived in the latter half of the last century, and was by profession a country schoolmaster. Canon Dwyer ( The Diocese of Killaloe, p. 537) speaks of him as a teacher or tutor at the house of Mr. Austin Fitzgerald of Toureen, and adds, ‘Poor Lloyd's weakness lay in potations. He was found dead on the road.’
Part of this statement is confirmed by the advertisement printed on the back of p. 59 below, in which ‘Mr. John Lloyd (the Author thereof) at Tureen’ is mentioned among his agents for the sale of his book; the remainder of it agrees with the following traditional account of Lloyd which has been communicated to me by Mr. John Daly of Ennis.
John Lloyd was born and educated in the County of Limerick. At the age of thirty years he migrated into Clare, and settling at Furroor in the parish of Dunaha, about four miles south-west of Kilkee, he opened a Hedge School, which he conducted for eight or nine years. At the end of that time he moved to Kilrush, where he became indebted to publicans, and soon afterwards to Kilmihil. Here he engaged in a literary controversy with Denis Mahony, a poet dwelling in the adjoining parish of Inagh, who had spoken disparagingly of an Irish poem composed by Lloyd. After this controversy, which was scurrilous and personal in tone, Lloyd proceeded to Ennis, and became intimate with Thomas Meehan, a respectable schoolmaster in that town. He was probably associated for a time with Meehan in educational work; but this arrangement, if it existed, was soon terminated on account of Lloyd's intemperate habits. Leaving Ennis he betook himself to Tulla, and spent most of the rest of his life in the neighbourhood of that village and of Newmarket. We have seen that in 1780, when his book was published, Lloyd was living at Toureen; and as his dead body was found by the roadside a quarter of a mile from that place, it may be inferred that he continued to live there until his death, the date of which is uncertain.
In addition to the Short Tour Lloyd is known to have produced an English translation of the Life of Saint Senan of Scattery Island, a MS. of which, transcribed by Anthony O'Brien in Dunaha Chapel, Aug. 23, 1780, is in the library of the Royal Irish Academy. (With regard to this translation Eugene O'Curry, who was himself born in the parish of Dunaha, says in his Catalogue of MSS., H. & S. Collection, Vol. I. p. 28, ‘This translation was made by John Lloyd, who was also a teacher in the parish of Dunaha. He lived at the time of transcribing this volume [1780], and was well known to the father of the compiler of this catalogue.’) In the same library another MS. volume (marked 23/B 37) contains four lines in Irish composed by John Lloyd ‘for Pat O'Connor's Block, a Wigmaker in Kilrush.’ Lloyd is said to have been put on his trial for writing some seditious verses, which were translated into English by Michael Comyn of Milltown, under the title of The Flowers of Edenborough, and sung to the tune of an Irish reel.
The initials ‘T. M——n’ appended to the verses printed on pages ii–iv, 24–5, are those of Thomas Meehan, the schoolmaster above referred to. He was the son of a tailor with a taste for poetry, on whose tombstone at Quin Abbey he wrote—
‘Here lies three in one,—
A poet, a scholar, and an honest man.’
That the disagreement between Lloyd and Meehan had to come to an end before the publication of the Short Tour is evident from the tone of Meehan's verses printed on p. ii. It also appears from the advertisement on the back of p. 59 that ‘Mr. Tho. Meehan, Teacher of Accompts and Mathematics in Ennis,’ interested himself in extending the sale of the book; and this was not unnatural if (as Mr. Daly supposes) he had borne the cost of its publication.
Meehan is said to have composed some songs in English, and a good deal of Irish poetry.
Of Lloyd's Short Tour two copies are known to be in existence. One of them is in the possession of Mr. T. R. Henn, of Paradise Hill2, having been given to him more than thirty years ago by Dr. George Petrie; the other, which also belonged to Dr. Petrie, has passed into the Joly Collection in the Dublin National Library. There is a curious difference between these copies. In the former the back of p. 59 is blank; in the latter there has been added an advertisement, in which are given the names and dwelling-places of the persons from whom the book could be bought. Mr.Henn's copy, having been for some time out of his keeping, has lost those pages which precede p. 3; but by the kindness of Mr. Archer, the Librarian of the National Library, I have been enabled to supply the defect from the perfect copy under his care.
My thanks are due to Mr. Edward Blackburne, Q.C., for transcribing from the copy in the Joly Collection the pages which are wanting in the Paradise copy; to Mr. John Daly for his account of Lloyd and Meehan; and to Mr. Thomas Westropp for some references, and for an interesting collection of historical notes, with which I should have been glad to illustrate this volume if I had not confined myself to the task of making it an exact literal reproduction of the original work.
Paradise Hill,
THIS County in the Province of Munster, is situate South West, by West of Dublin. Bounded on the North East, by the
KILLALOE at the Eastern extremity of this County, is an old Village and a Bishop's See, it's a Market Town well inhabited; this place was formerly noted for great Encampments, and famous for it's Vicinity with CEANNCORA.3
From KILLALOE to MOUNT SHANNON DALY (a Connaught Boundary) is a Hilly Country with some fertile Vallies, the Shannon in
This Barony or Territory of BURREN, is a rocky, high, Country; the subsequent Description thereof is humbly submitted. — The Barony of BURREN (saith General Ludlow in his Memoirs) is a Country, where there is not Water enough to drown a Man, Wood enough to hang him, nor Earth enough to bury him, which last is so scarce, that the Inhabitants steal it one from another, and yet their Cattle are very fat, for the Grass growing in Turffs of Earth, of two or three Feet square, that lie between the Rocks, which are of Limestone, is very sweet and nourishing; this Country belonged to the Ancient Family of
This wonderful Promontory almost encompass'd with devouring Seas, and the opposite Wild Shore, really affords an horrible and tremendous Aspect, vastly more to be dreaded than accounted for.
Numbers of different Ranks, from far and near resort hither every Summer to see this amazing Appearance and Curiosity of Nature.
Multitudes, likewise, in the fine Season, repair
Near to MOHAR, are the Noted Sand-Hills of LISCANOR BAY, commonly call'd O'CONNOR'S DOUGH, from that Chief's Residence on the inside Sandy Plain; the Walls of his Court and Castle are still up on the River AINEY—this Barony of CORCAMORE i.e. Corcomroe is for the most Part, a fertile, plentiful, and good Country—the brave and Hospitable old Family of the O'CONNOR'S, were, for a succession of Centuries, before the first English Invasion, and for a good while after, sole Proprietors of this Romantic Country.
Contiguous to this Coast of MALBAY, is the high MOUNT CALLEN, which commands an inviting Prospect of the whole Country, it's
On this remarkable high Mountain, is a large, flat, Stone, under which CONANUS (one of the Celebrated Irish Militia) is buried; this Stone hath an Irish, Celtic, Inscription on it, which implies in English, under this Stone lies the furious and long-legg'd CONANUS—probably this Mountain takes, it's Name from this Monumental Stone, as Callaan is one of the Irish Appellations for a Rock, or Stone. According to Irish Romance, the above Gentleman, was a very Uncouth Officer, and a Voracious Eater.
South East of MOUNT CALLEN springs the River AINEY, runs across the Country, in it's rapid Windings Washes the beautiful and resounding Cascades of INNISTYMON,4 salutes the Magnificent Seat and Elegant Improvements of EDWARD O'BRIEN Esq; the Sand Hills of Tuoharan, already mention'd; from thence falls into the Roaring Bay of Liscanor, an Arm of the Western Ocean.
KILLFENORA, likewise in the Barony of CORCAMROE, is a Bishop's See, and an old Market Town, was once a place of some Inland Trade and Consequence, at present that old, ruinous, Village, may be truely esteem'd the reverse of what it was half a Century ago; though, still, in the Centre of a respectable, good, Neighbourhood.
Three Miles Westward of INNISTYMON, lies MOY,5 in the Barony of IBRICKAN,
MALBAY, equal to it's Epithet for badness, has been for Centuries past terribly fatal to Navigators; the Northern Coast generally lin'd with astonishing Cliffs, and dreadful
There is an Artificial Curiosity made use of by certain Individuals, in the upper Part this dangerous Coast. It's a Kind of Canoe or Currach, compos'd of Wattles, cover'd with Raw Hydes: With this Indian-like construction, they Fish successfully in the proper Season, and Paddle some Leagues out in calm Weather; in the Month of August there is often a large Squadron of them together, in
Midway on this Northern Course, lies DOUGH-MORE or the Sand Hills of CLOHANES, they are of great height, and a Mile long. —— Annex'd to these is MONE-MORE, a wide extensive Bog, interspers'd with a Variety of Lakes, and extending from MALBAY to the SHANNON, it is about twenty Miles in Circumference, a great Part whereof is sinking and unprofitable, a Part of it good rearing for six Months; and the Part adjacent to the SHANNON, is excellent, good, Turbury, from whence the large and populous
The extreme West of this Country is a Peninsula, almost encircled on the North and South by MALBAY, and the SHANNON, two Miles in Breadth, scarcely one in some Parts, dividing the two great Waters.
This Western Neck, is rather low than high Ground, bounded by Verdant Eminences gradually ascending: the Soil so agreeably answering the Expectations of the Laborious Husbandman, that the Markets of Limerick, Tralee and Ennis, are often supplied from thence with Cargoes of Wheat and other Grain.
From this pleasant Retirement, are visible a great Part of this County, the West of CONAUGHT with the Isles of AREN, MOHAR UI RUAIN and MOUNT CALLAN, the County of KERRY in almost it's full Extent, with it's distant High Lands.
At the Western Extremity of this Peninsula, is a Light House Tower-like built on a rising Plain, commanding the stupendous Cliffs of that notable Point in the Sea-faring World, call'd LEAP'S HEAD, which is a Rock or small Island, and within a Stone's throw of the Continent, it is call'd by Navigators LUP'S HEAD, the same appearing to them, at some distance, like unto a Wolf's Head; This Appellation of LEAP'S HEAD properly Originates from CONGULLUS or CUCHOLLAN (an Ultonian Champion and Chief of
Four Miles S.E. of LEAP'S HEAD, on the River SHANNON, lies REHEY, an arable lofty Hill, with a Verdant Top, from whence is a most agreeable Survey of the opposite Countries, the Descent from the Summit of this Hill to the Surface of the SHANNON, is truly Alarming and Tremendous:
Not far East of REHEY HILL, is CARRIGHOLT7
This delightful Place, was an Ancient Estate and Residence, of that Heroic and Noble CLARE Family; Predecessors to the late Marshal THOMOND, and for near a Century, it belongs to that Worthy and Respectable Family of the BURTONS.
Four Miles East of CARRIGHOLT, is the great Strand or TRAIGH-MORE, seven or eight Miles in Circuit, a great Part of which is a soft Beach, it's an Angle of the SHANNON, and at low Water fordable in different Places, it's a Boundary to the South Side of the extreme West.
Two Miles East of this Strand lies KILLRUSH, a great Herring Fishery, it's a handsome Village, with a long and wide Street, and some good Houses; the Inhabitants are Industrious, Humane and agreeable; here is a plentiful Market every Saturday: No less than a hundred Boats of different Burthens belong to this Town and Neighbourhood——This pleasant Stuation, with an extensive Tract in this Country, was an antient Estate of that Gallant, Uultonian, old, Family, the O'KEANS
Off KILLRUSH in the SHANNON, lies SCATT'RY ISLAND or ENNISCATHA, famous for it's being the Residence of that pious and early Christian St. SENAN, who (for his Miraculous Life, and Sanctified Morals) is Illustrious among the first and Holy Recorded Irish Saints: This celebrated Saint was born near KILLRUSH: In ancient Time, Numbers of all Ranks, from various Parts resorted hither to perform Penance, and offer large Donations before this Holy Shrine: Here is, perhaps, the loftiest old Steeple in the Kingdom, with five or six large and small Churches, here is, also, a noted and excellent Harbour for large and small Vessels.
ENNISCATHA, so call'd from CATHAGH, the Name of that horrible Monster who resided here, until expell'd by St. SENAN, who (by Divine Ordinance) took possession of the Island.
From CARRIGHOLT to CLARE and LIMERICK, along the Rivers SHANNON and FERGUS, offers a most agreeable Landscape of safe and commodious Harbours, fragrant and fruitful Islands; a delightful Country well Stock'd and Cultivated, and Embellish'd with beautiful Seats,8 abounding with all necessary
CLARE, is situate 104 Miles, S. W. of DUBLIN in Lat. 52 d. 42 m. N. and in Long. 9. d. 11 m. West, some Writers affirm, that it derives it's Name from RICHARD and THOMAS DE CLARE, Sons of the Earl of GLOUCESTER, to whom King Edward the First, granted this Country.
I shall advance the following Opinion and Derivation, according to the old Historian BRODINUS a Native of this County——this
It was DONOGH CARBREACH (Son of the great DONALD O'BRIEN, absolute King of LIMERICK and NORTH MUNSTER) built and strongly fortified the Castle of CLARE, which took it's Name from a Bridge of Planks erected over the River FERGUS at that Time.
This Town, situate on the FERGUS, is by Name the Capital of this County, it's a small Sea-Port: the entrance whereof is only Navigable and sufficient for small Vessels to Ride in; and with respect to it's proximity to ENNIS, it's Trade and Commerce are of no material Consequence; here are some good Houses, also, an elegant New Bridge, built
The River FERGUS, takes it's Source from LOUGH FERGUS in the Barony of INCHIQUIN,
ENNIS, agreeably situated on the FERGUS (in the Barony of ISLANDS) may be justly call'd the Metropolis of this County; it's a Rich, Inland, Assizes Town, and a Borough, handsome and uniform, the Streets are well pav'd and regular, the Shops neat and well furnish'd; here are a magnificent Court-House with a stately Exchange: a grand
The School-House here was founded by two Honourable Patrons, to Wit, Lord
- M y courteous Lord from Goodness can't decline,
A Branch extracted from a fragrant Vine;
R eplete with Honor, Knowledge and good Sense,
C ompleatly grac'd with easy Eloquence.
U nto each Object lib'ral of his Store,
S o strong his Feelings to relieve the Poor:
P ray, who can Law or Justice sweetly scan,
A t Bar or Bench like this illustrious Man?
T he Wreaths of Orat'ry and it's gold'n Gown,
E ach Rival yields, our worthy Chief to crown.
R ejoice North Munster, loudly roar and ring,
S ince your faint Arts can have a second Spring;
O ur Patron's Works and Monuments of Fame,
N ow grandly shine to eternize his Name.
Ennis,12th Aug. 1774.
TUREEN10, the Seat of AUGUSTINE FITZ GERALD Esq; lies two Miles East of ENNIS; is an elegant situation—beautifully improved both by Art and Nature—the House and
- Here Hospitality and Christian Love,
With all the Social Virtues from above
Unite, with zeal, poor Objects to caress;
And relieve all encumber'd with Distress.
CURROFIN, in the Barony of INCHIQUIN, situate near that fair and spacious Lake of that Name, is an handsome, compact, Town, with a good Market House, and from its agreeable situation, is generally accommodated with some material conveniencies.
ASOLLAS, in the Barony of BUNRATTY, for many Years famous for Capital Race-Horses and a commanding Race Course, is a
Almost midway between ASOLLAS and NEW MARKET, lies DORMOLAND [sic]11 near the FERGUS; is the Family Mansion of Sir LUCIUS O'BRIEN, Bart. it is elegantly improv'd both by Art and Nature, and situate on the Verge of a delightful Lake, abounding with variety of Fish and Wild Fowl; the House is antient and large, and at some distance exhibits a grand external appearance, it is encircled by Verdant, Airy, Eminences; the Demesne is divided into beautiful Slopes
The Gardens are beautifully laid out, —— enrich'd with various Fruits and Flowers, &c. and decorated with Walks—Terraces, Hot-Houses and all other requisite Ornaments Artificial and Natural; here is a Square of Stabling compleatly finish'd in a manner not inferior to any of the Kind in Ireland.
NEW MARKET, in the Barony of BUNRATTY,
- L et learned Bards who lofty Themes desire,
U nerring Wit and Eloquence admire,
C ome near and sing a Subject worth their Praise
I n Sonnets sweet or in Parnassian Lays;
U nequal'd Honour crowns him with Applause,
S tedfast and Zealous in his Country's Cause:
- O h! from North Blows who could defend us right
B ut our brave Shield the free, Dalgassian, Knight—
R eason and Sense his princely Actions rule,
I n Courage great in manly Passions cool:
E ach Mark of Worth which makes our Patr'ot shine
N ow plainly shews the grand and noble Line.
Ennis,June 4, 1776.
Near unto NEW MARKET, is the Magnificent Church of KILLANASULA, where Numbers, from the distant Quarters of this and the adjacent Counties, resort every Summer to see the sumptuous and stately Monument erected there at the Expence of the late Sir EDWARD O'BRIEN, Bart. (of Patriotic Memory) in honour of his Grand-Sire Sir DONOGH O'BRIEN Baronet; this Superb and Exquisite Piece was executed by the great Artizan, Mr. GREGORY.
Five Miles East of NEW MARKET lies SIX-MILE-BRIDGE, in the Barony of BUNRATTY, it is a regular, commodious, and pretty Town —— here are some good Buildings, and a handsome Market-House, and from it's situation, so naturally agreeable, it is, thro' the Year, convenienc'd with many requisite Accommodations; this Town is saluted in its Center by the Trout-teeming River of MOUNT CASHELL.
On the same River, and within half a Mile of SIX-MILE-BRIDGE, are the Oyl-Mills, a grand, ingenious, and Mechanical Construction.
Not far from these, and within five Miles of LIMERICK adjoining the SHANNON, lies CRATLOE, whose clear and healthful situation,
CRATLOE Mountain, commonly call'd Gallows-Hill—forms a surmounting Prospect, and perhaps the most Romantic in Ireland—a Landscape so agreeably pleasant, that it is by far easier conceiv'd than describ'd.
From thence are visible, the great Rivers SHANNON and FERGUS, diversifyed with a variety of Islands, Angles, and Improvements for many Leagues; the flourishing City and County of LIMERICK —— SLIEVE RIEGH, and BALLYHOURA in the County of CORK —— a great Part of the County of TIPPERARY with it's noted High-Lands,
This Estate of CRATLOE was, for a succession of Ages, Hereditary in the Chieftain Family of the MAC NAMARAS —— but at present is, by Purchase, the Property of GEORGE QUIN, of Quinsborough, near LIMERICK, Esq.
From CRATLOE to THOMOND GATE, and round along the River SHANNON to
BROADFORD, near the Eastern extremity of this County, lies bordering on a fertile Valley, almost surrounded by a Ridge of
CALLAGHAN'S MILLS, nearly Midway between BROADFORD and TULLA, is a small, clean, Village and Fair-Place; it's situation open and agreeable; it takes it's Name from Daniel O'Callaghan Esq; who was (agreeable to the Laws of the Lord Protector) Transplanted from his Original and Extensive Estate in DUHALLOW, in the County of CORK, to this Country; He was, in a Paternal Line, descended from the renown'd CALLAGHAN CASHILL—and Lineal Predecessor to the present EDMOND O'CALLAGHAN Esq; a respectable Young Gentleman, Senior and Chief of that Heroic, Eugenian Sept.
TULLA, the Capital of a Barony, is a compact, pretty, Market Town, with a large Market-House, a wide, open, Street, and some good Buildings; from it's advantageous situation, Name and Improvement, it may be justly call'd an handsome, rising, Village; it really affords a commanding Prospect of the agreeable adjacent Country for many Miles, and is in the Centre of a rich and respectable Neighbourhood.
About a Mile N. W. of TULLA lies the River of KILLTANNAN and MILLTOWN, famous for it's ever-amazing and elegant, Subterraneous, Curiosities, call'd the TO-MINES: They form a Part of the River Midway between KILLTANNAN House and the Castle of MILLTOWN, extending, under Ground,
At each Side of this Elysian-like River, are Roomy Passages or rather Apartments freely communicating One with the Other, and scarcely obvious to any Inclemency whatsoever: they are, likewise, Decorated with a Sandy Beach, level along to walk on, whilst the curious Spectators are crown'd with Garlands of Ivy, hanging in Triplets from the impending Rocky Shades: Numbers of the Sporting Game, the Wily Fox, the wary
What can the much boasted of GIANT'S CAUSEY, in the North of this Kingdom, produce but Scenes of Horror and Obscurity? Whilst the TO-MINES of the Barony of TULLA, like unto the Artificial Beauties
Let the Literati and Curious, after taking the Continental Tour of EUROPE, praise and, even, write of the Imaginary Beauties and Natural Curiosities of ITALY and SWITZERLAND —— pray, let them, also, on a cool Reflection, repair to the County of CLARE, View and touch upon the truely Subterraneous and really Un-artificial Curiosities of the TO-MINES; they will Impartially admit that these naturally Enchanting Rarities may be freely visited, and generously treated of, by the Ingenious and Learned of this and after Ages.
Note that one Side of these TO-MINES
The Centre of this County is, for the most Part, Arable, good, Limy Ground; nor is it free from a Share of Bog and Mountain, gradually Interfering, which generally abound with Game; The Buildings and Improvements are truely Commendable, and the Country Populous; more so, for it's Extent, than any of the Neighbouring Counties.
To Enumerate the many grand Edifices, Castles, Abbies, Natural Curiosities and other remaining Traces of Antiquity, in this Country, is a matter of Investigation, more suitably calculated for a future History than a Short
The Warlike MAC NAMARAS, of the Eastern Baronies of this County, have built 91 Castles.——The Great MAC MAHONS, of the Western Baronies of MOYFEARTA and CLONDERLA, a good many, the Hospitable 14 O'CONNORS and O'LOGHLENS of the Upper Parts (with several other antient and
According to the Learned Sir James Ware, and other Antiquarians of Eminence, the great Donald O'Brien, (Sirnam'd King of LIMERICK and CASHELL) Founded and Endowed, in his Time, 18 Monasteries
It was this16 CONCHURE NA SIUDDINE,
The afore-mention'd DANIEL MORE O'BRIEN, King of LIMERICK, NORTH MUNSTER, &c. was a Prince of exalted Virtues; he voluntarily submitted in the Year 1172, to King Henry the 2d of ENGLAND; he was provok'd to this tame Submission by the unnatural Conduct of RODERICK O'CONNOR, King of IRELAND, who, instead of marching against the English Adventurers,
It was his Son, DONOGH CARBREACH, a very Religious and Devout Prince, that built 80 Churches, Abbeys and Chapels (See MacBrody's Chronicles) the Abbey of ENNIS for Franciscans, was one of the first he built in the Year, 1208.—He, also, erected an Academy or Seminary for Learning at CLONROAD, near ENNIS, where, according to many authentic Writers, 600 Scholars and a great Number of Monks were frequently Supported at the proper Expences of the O'Brien Family; untill the Reign of Henry the 8th
The Abbey of QUIN, (another great and consummate Model of Old, Irish, Masonry) was built in the Year 1434, by MAC-CON MAC NAMARA, Prince of CLANCULLANE, and Ancestor to the present FRANCIS MAC NAMARA, of MORIESK, Esq; Member of the Irish Parliament, and Chief of that Antient, Warlike, Sept.
Note, that all these noble Families, and Proprietors in this County, were Subordinate to the O'BRIENS, Chiefs of the Dalgassian, Heroic, Race, and Sovereigns of THOMOND
This County (equal to others in this Kingdom, particularly SOUTH MUNSTER) hath produc'd Men of Exalted Character, and Distinguish'd Merit, in several Parts of Europe; viz. Lord CLARE, Lieutenant General in the French Service, who fell in the Battle of Ramillies in Flanders, May 12, 1706; he was Father to the late Marshal THOMOND, the greatest in Military Rank, next to the Princes of the Blood, in the French Service; Colonel DONOGH MAC MAHON of CLENAGH, (Chief of that Valiant, Old, Family, and Grandfather of the present FRANCIS MAC MAHON, of TOONAGH, Esq;) who was Governor of Pistoa in Tuscany; the
These Sons of Fame, and other Officers of Reputation not mention'd here, were all Natives of this County, the great Marshal THOMOND, alone, excepted.
Nor has this Country, from the earliest to the present Age, been less Characteriz'd at home for respectable Gentlemen of polite Parts and regular Education; Clergy of Exemplary Piety and profound Learning, Dignified Chief Justices, persevering Patriots, persuasive Orators, and Antiquarians of distinguish'd Talents and Poetical Abilities.
NORTH MUNSTER, in antient Time, was famous for Arts and Arms, Learning and Hospitality; these were it's peculiar Characteristics (which are generally natural to the Irish Nation) nor does it, at the present Period, fall much short of the latter Quality; as it is obvious, that People of all Denominations, here, from the Gentleman of Fortune to the low Cottager, are endowed with an
- Each Gentle Pair by gen'rous feelings led,
To have poor Objects from their Tables fed;
Of distress'd Crowds, who call from Day to Day,
No Soul dejected ever goes away.
From the same prevalent and reigning Principle, blended with particular Extravagancies, this Country cannot bid so fair for Affluence as other Counties.
Nothing opposite to good Harmony and Understanding subsists here; no Seditious Factions,
This Short Description may be had from the following, viz. Mr. Mat. Kelly, Merchant in Limerick; Mr. Pat. Ryan, Merchant in Kilrush; Messrs. John Busteed and Geo. Trinder, in Tralee or Ennis; Mr. John Hogan, Instructer, in Change-lane, Limerick; Mr. John Lloyd (the Author thereof) at Tureen; and Mr Tho. Meehan, Teacher of Accompts and Mathematics in Ennis.