The large Genealogical Table, which will be found at the end of this volume, exhibits the descent of the principal families of the Hy-Fiachrach race in the order of their seniority, as far as that has been discovered, from their great ancestor FIACHRA, the son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, who was the sixth from Conn of the Hundred Battles, to as late a period as the Editor has been able to trace them by the evidence of authentic genealogical manuscripts, the Irish Annals, the English-Irish records, and family documents. As in the pedigrees of the Hy-Many race, it has been thought advisable to place all the principal lines in one view, on a single sheet, that it might be afterwards referred to in the account which will be given of each line separately.
1. Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin (pronounced Eochy Moyvane), King of Connaught, was proclaimed monarch of Ireland in the year 358, and, after a reign of eight years, died at Tara. He married Mongfinn, daughter of Fidach, of the royal family of Munster, and sister of Crimhthann Mor Mac Fidaigh, who succeeded Eochaidh as monarch of Ireland, according to the Four Masters, in the year 366. — (See Battle of Magh Rath, Additional Notes I.) By Mongfinn this monarch had four sons, namely, 1, Brian, the ancestor of the Hy-Briuin tribes, of whom the O'Conors of Connaught were the most distinguished; 2, Fiachra, the ancestor of the Hy-Fiachrach tribes, of whom the O'Dowds, O'Heynes, and O'Shaughnessys were, at least in later ages, by far the most distinguished families; 3, Fergus; and, 4, Oilioll, from whom Tir Oiliolla, now the barony of Tirerill, in the county of Sligo, received its name Queen Mongfinn, like the Empress Agrippina, actuated by motives of ambition, for the aggrandizement of her offspring, poisoned her brother, the monarch Crimthann, on Inis Dornglas, a small island in the river Moy, in the hope that her eldest son, Brian, might be immediately seated on the throne of Ireland; and in order the more effectually to deceive her brother as to the contents of the proffered cup, she drank of it herself first,
The body of Brian was buried at the place where he fell, but after a long lapse of years St Beo Aedli, or Aidus vivax, of Roscam, near Galway, removed his bones from that place, and buried them at Roscam; and the writer of the tract on the battle of Damh-cluain, preserved in the Book of Ballymote, adds, ‘the burial-place of Brian is to be seen there at this day.’
2. Fiachra Foltsnathach, i. e. of the flowing hair, son of King Eochaidh. — After the fall of Brian, the eldest son of King Eochaidh, as before recited, Fiachra, the second son, was set at liberty, and installed King of Connaught, and enjoyed that dignity for twelve years, during which period he was general of the forces of his brother Niall. His death happened in the following manner, according to the Lecan records: — He went on one occasion with the king's forces to raise tribute in Munster, but the inhabitants of that province, who detested him and his race, on account of the conduct of his mother in having poisoned the preceding monarch, who was of their own province and blood, refused to pay the tributes to King Niall, and defied him to battle. They met the king's forces in the territory of Caenraighe, now the barony of Kenry, situated in the county of Limerick, on the south side of the Shannon, where they were defeated, and obliged to give up hostages for their future allegiance. In this battle, however, Fiachra was severely wounded by Maighe Mescora, one of the warlike tribe of the Ernaans of Munster, and he set out in triumph for Tara; but when they had arrived in the territory of Hy-Mac Uais, in Meath, the Munster hostages found Brian unprotected and in a very feeble state from his wounds, and being suddenly actuated by motives of revenge, they seized upon his person and buried him alive in the earth! Thus fell Fiachra a victim to his own incautiousness, according to the Lecan records, which do not tell us a word about what his own chieftains were doing, when he was left thus barbarously unprotected. According to the Book of Lecan this Fiachra had five sons, and if we can rely upon the order in which they are mentioned we should feel inclined to think that the monarch Dathi was the youngest. They are mentioned in the following order: — 1., Earc Culbhuidhe, i. e. of the yellow hair, so called because his hair was of the colour of pure gold, who was the ancestor of the men of Ceara; 2., Breasal, whose race became extinct; 3, Conaire, from whom a St Sechnall is said to have sprung; 4, Amhalgaidh, or Awley, King of Connaught (and ancestor of several ancient families in Tirawley and Erris, in the county of Mayo), who died in the year 449; for some account of whom the reader is referred back to pp. 5–13 of this volume. The seven sons of this Amhalgaidh, together with twelve thousand men, are said to have been baptized in one day by St Patrick, at Forrach Mac n-Amhalgaidh, near Killala — (See Jocelin's Life of St. Patrick, c. 59, and Colgan, Trias Thaum. p. 141, col. 2); and, 5, Dathi, the youngest, but most illustrious, of the sons of Fiachra, and the ancestor of all the chiefs of the Hy-Fiachrach race.
3. Dathi, son of Fiachra Foltsnathach. — On the death of his father, Fiachra, this warlike chieftain became King of Connaught, and on the death of his uncle, Niall of the Nine Hostages, in the year 405 or 406, he became monarch of Ireland, leaving the government of Connaught to his less warlike brother Amhalgaidh, or Awley, who
After the death of King Dathi, Laoghaire, or Leary, the son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, became monarch of Ireland, and enjoyed that dignity, as the Book of Lecan states, for thirty years after the arrival of St. Patrick.
The monarch Dathi married three wives, but the Irish authorities differ much about their order; the fact therefore probably was that he had the three together; be this, however, as it may, the Book of Lecan states that he married Ruadh, or Rufina, the daughter of Airti Uichtleathan, by whom he had Oilioll Molt, monarch of Ireland, and Fiachra Ealgach, the ancestor of O'Dowd; he married, secondly, Fia, the daughter of Eochaidh, by whom he had Eochaidh Breac, the ancestor of O'Heyne and O'Shaughnessy; and, thirdly, Eithne, the daughter of Orach, or Conrach Cas, who, according to some authorities, was the mother of his son King Oilioll Molt. But as it would be now idle to speculate on which of Dathi's sons were youngest or eldest, the Editor will here follow the authority of the Book of Lecan, which states that Dathi had twenty-four sons, of whom, however, only twenty are given by name, and set down in the following order: — 1, Oilioll Molt: he succeeded as king of Connaught in the year 449, and after the death of the monarch Laoghaire, in 463, became monarch of all Ireland, and reigned twenty years. His two grandsons, Eoghan Bel and Oilioll Inbanna, became Kings of Connaught, but his race became extinct in his great grandsons; 2, Fiachra Ealgach, the ancestor of O'Dowd, and several other families; 3, Eochaidh Breac, i. e. Eochy the Freckled, the ancestor of O'Heyne, O'Shaughnessy, and many other families; 4, Eochaidh Meann; 5, Fiachra, who is said to have been detained as a hostage in the hands of King Niall of the Nine Hostages, and who is said to have left a family called Hy-Fiachrach, at a place called Cuil Fabhair, in Meath; 6, Earc; 7, Corc; 8, Onbecc; 9, Beccon; 10, Mac Uais; 11, Aengus the Longhanded; 12, Cathal; 13, Faelchu, from whom are descended the tribe of Hy-Faelchon; 14, Dunghal; 15, Conrach; 16, Neara; 17, Amhalgaidh, the
If the sons of Dathi be here set down according to their ages it will follow that Fiachra Ealgach was his second son, and that upon the failure of issue in the line of Oilioll Molt, the representative of Dathi is to be sought for in the line of Fiachra Ealgach. O'Flaherty, however, though he had the Book of Lecan before him, says that Eochaidh Breac, the ancestor of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, was the eldest son of Dathi, that Oilioll Molt, monarch of Ireland, was the second, and Fiachra Ealgach, the ancestor of the Hy-Fiachrach of the Moy, the third son. But, as already observed, it would be now idle to conjecture which is right, and the Editor has followed the Book of Lecan, which, as being the local authority, is more likely to be correct in the genealogy of this race than any other manuscript.
4. Fiachra Ealgach, son of Dathi. — The Irish annals have preserved no memorial of this Fiachra, as the descendants of the monarch Oilioll Molt, the eldest son of Dathi, were dominant in Connaught in his reign, but the Lecan genealogical books inform us that he was detained as a hostage in the hands of the monarch Niall of the Nine Hostages, — which however is scarcely credible, — and that the territory of Tir Fiachrach Muaidhe, now the barony of Tireragh, on the east side of the river Moy, took its name from him. He had, according to these records, two sons, namely, 1, Amhalgaidh, or Awley, from whom descended several families formerly seated in the barony of Tirawley, among whom, according to some authorities, are to be reckoned the family of Mac Firbis, but this is very uncertain, as is every thing connected with the early history of that family. By this Amhalgaidh was erected the celebrated Carn Amhalgaidh, on which the chiefs of the northern Hy-Fiachrach were afterwards for ages inaugurated, concerning which see more in the article on the inauguration of the O'Dowds. Fiachra had, 2, Maoldubh, or Maolduin, the ancestor of the subsequent chiefs.
5. Maoldubh, or Maolduin, son of Fiachra Ealgach. — No memorial of this personage is preserved in the authentic Irish annals, nor in the genealogical books of the Mac Firbises, except that he is said to have given name to a fort called Dun Maolduibh, near the River Easkey, where he was born and fostered.
6. Tiobraide. — He was chief of Hy-Fiachrach in the time of St. Columbkille, to whom he granted a tract of land around the hill of Cnoc na Maili, now the Red Hill
8. Oilioll son of Donnchadh Muirsce. — No memorial of him is preserved in any of our records except the mere statement that he was the son of Donnchadh Muirsce, King of Connaught, and the brother of Innreachtach, King of Connaught, who was slain in the year 718.
9. Cathal, son of Oilioll. — No account of him is found in history, except that he is mentioned as the grandson of a King of Connaught, and the father of another, namely, of
10. Donncatha Mac Cathail. — In the authentic lists of the Kings of Connaught this Donncatha, who is called son of Cathal, son of Oilioll, son of Donnchadh Muirsce, is said to have governed Connaught for eighteen years; and his death is entered in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 768.
11. Connmhach. — In the time of this Connmhach the government of the kingdom of Connaught was transferred to the race of Guaire Aidhne, who resided in the south of the province, and soon after wholly to the Hy-Briuin, of whom the O'Conors of Connaught were the principal family; so that Connmhach did not figure among the conspicuous characters of his age, and the Irish annalists have therefore preserved no notice of him. The genealogical books of the Mac Firbises, however, inform us that he was the ancestor of all the succeeding chiefs of the Northern Hy-Fiachrach race, whose country, before the Anglo-Norman invasion, extended from the River Robe to the River Cowney, at Drumcliff, and from the coasts of Erris, eastwards, to the boundary of O'Rourke's country. He had two sons, Caomhan, the ancestor of the
The genealogical books of the Mac Firbises contain some amusing stories, purporting to give a reason why the race of Caomhan, the eldest son of Connmhach, was set aside and the race of Dubhda put in their place as chiefs of the Northern Hy-Fiachrach, but as these have been already given from the text of Duald Mac Firbis, it is only necessary to remark here that whatever truth there may be in the seniority of Caomhan, his race was considered in later times the senior branch of the descendants of the monarch Dathi, and therefore their chief enjoyed many privileges which no other family of the race were entitled to; such as to take the first place at the banquet, to be the chief man at the inauguration of the O'Dowd, and to give out their first arms, or military weapons, to the youth of Hy-Fiachrach. How they first lost the chieftainship of the Hy-Fiachrach it would be now useless to inquire, but it may be remarked that they are not the only senior branch of a great race in Ireland who have been laid aside by more powerful junior rivals, and we cannot now admit any reason for O'Dowd's superiority to them than that his tribe became more numerous and more warlike, and compelled them to surrender all claims to the chieftainship of the Northern Hy-Fiachrach by force of arms.
12. Dubhda, the second son of Connmhach. He is the ancestor after whom the family of O'Dubhda, anglice O'Dowda, or O'Dowd, have taken their surname. The name Dubhda signifies a black complexioned or black-haired man, and the prefix O' denotes grandson, and, in a wider sense, a descendant in any degree, and is translated nepos by Adamnan in his Life of St. Columbkille; so that O'Dubhda signifies nepos Doudai, or descendant of Dubhda, or Dowda, and the O' should be prefixed, not only to the name of the chieftain of the race, but also to that of each individual of the family, as well in all the collateral branches as in the direct line. The exact period at which this Dubhda, or Dowda lived, cannot now be satisfactorily ascertained, as the Irish annals preserve no memorial of him, but we have two periods fixed by the authentic annalists, between which he must have flourished, namely, that of his grandfather Donncatha, King of Connaught, who died in 768, and that of his own grandson Aodh, King of North Connaught, who died in the year 983, and by striking a mean between these two dates we shall have the year 876, which may therefore be considered the year about which this Dowda died. The genealogical books of the Mac Firbises do not give us the name of his wife, and the sum of what they have handed down respecting him is, that he had one son, namely,
13. Ceallach Mac Dubhda, of whom nothing is recorded, except that he was the father of
15. Maolruanaidh, or Mulrony, son of Aodh, or Hugh O'Dubhda. — According to Duald Mac Firbis this Mulrony, who was chief of Hy-Fiachrach Muirisce, died in the year 1005, and the Four Masters have the following notice of his death under the same year: — ‘A. D. 1005. Maolruanaidh, son of Aodh O'Dubhda, lord of Hy-Fiachrach Muirisce, and his son Maolseachlainn, and his brother Gebhennach Mac Aodha, died.’
This Maolruanaidh, or Mulrony, had, according to the Mac Firbises, two sons, namely, 1, Maoileachlainn, or Maolseachlainn, the ancestor of the greater number of the succeeding chieftains, and, 2, Domhnall, or Donnell, the ancestor of a celebrated sept of the O'Dowds, called the Clann Domhnaill, or Clandonnell of Lough Conn, of whom were many distinguished warriors, chiefs of Tirawley, and among others Cosnamhach Mor, anglice Cosney More, who, according to the Mac Firbises, was the last of the Irish race who was called the fighter of an hundred men, but who was killed in his own house at Inishcoe, on Lough Conn, by O'Gloinin, one of his own sub-chieftains, in 1162.
16. Maoilseachlainn, i. e. Melaghlin, or Malachy O'Dubhda. — He died in 1005, the same year in which his father and uncle also died. The Mac Firbises mention but one of his sons, namely, Niall
17. Niall, son of Maoilseachlainn O'Dubhda. — He had three sons; 1, Niall, ancestor of the Clann Neill O'Dowd, who made strong efforts to wrest their little territory from the family of O'Caomhain, but without success; 2, Taithleach, the ancestor of nearly all the subsequent chiefs, and 3, Aodh, the ancestor of several septs, but whose pedigrees are not carried down.
18. Taithleach, son of Niall O'Dubhda. — He had two sons, namely, 1, Ruaidhri Mear,
19. Aodh, or Hugh, son of Taithleach O'Dubhda, father of
20. Muircheartach O'Dubhda, who was the father of
21. Aodh, or Hugh O'Dubhda. — He had three sons; 1, Taithleach, ancestor of the subsequent chiefs; 2, Brian Dearg, from whom the Clann Taithligh Oig [Clantahilly Og] O'Dowd are descended; and, 3, Muircheartach. He was probably the Aodh, son of Muircheartach O'Dubdha, lord of Tireragh and Tirawley, who died in 1143.
22. Taithleach, or Tahilly, son of Aodh, or Hugh O'Dubhda. — He seems to be the Taithleach O'Dubdha, lord of Tirawley and Tireragh, who was killed by his own two wicked grandsons in the year 1192. He had one son.
23. Aodh, or Hugh, son of Taithleach, who was father of the celebrated
24. Donnchadh Mor, or Donogh More O'Dubhda. — He appears first in the Irish annals at the year 1207, under which he is called by the Four Masters lord of Tirawley and Tireragh. In this year he joined Diarmaid, son of Maghnus O'Conor, Cormac Mac Dermot, and O'Hara, lord of Leyny, to oppose Cathal Carrach O'Conor, who had invaded and plundered Mac Dermott's country. A battle ensued between them, in which Cathal Carrach was defeated, taken prisoner, and deprived of his eyes, in order that by being maimed, he might have no further pretensions to chieftainship.
In the year 1213 he hired a fleet of fifty-six ships at the Hebrides, which he joined with his own, and sailed into the bay of Cuan Modh, now Clew Bay, where he landed on Inis Raithin, and compelled Cathal Croibhdhearg, or Charles the Redhanded O'Conor, King of Connaught, to give up to him his territory, extending from the river Robe to Drumcliff, free of tribute.
Having now carried the pedigree of this family down to a period at which their history becomes very certain, and pregnant with facts, the Editor will next glance back at the line of descent, to show that the genealogical books of the Mac Firbises have not preserved to us all the branches that sprang from the main trunk of the genealogical tree of this great race. This will be sufficiently obvious from the following passages in the Annals of the Four Masters:
‘A. D. 899. Joseph of Loch Con, abbot of Clonmacnoise, died. He was of the sept of the northern Hy-Fiachrach.’
‘A. D. 905. Aodh, son of Maolpatraig, lord of Hy-Fiachrach, was slain by Niall, son of Aodh.’
‘A. D. 1059. Aedhuar O'Dubhda, lord of Hy-Amhalgaidh, was slain by his own tribe.’
‘A. D. 1096. Muircheartach O'Dubhda, surnamed an Cullach, i. e. the Boar, lord of Hy-Amhalgaidh, was slain by his own tribe.’
‘A. D. 1126. Domhnall Fionn O'Dubhda, lord of Hy-Amhalgaidh, was drowned after having taken a prey in Tirconnell.’
‘A. D. 1128. The son of Aodh O'Dubhda, lord of Hy-Amhalgaidh, was slain at Ardee in a battle fought between the cavalries of Conchobhar, the son of Mac Loughlin, prince of Aileach, and of Tiernan O'Rourke, chief of Breifny.’
‘A. D. 1132. Conchobhar, son of Maoileachlainn O'Dubhda, was slain by his kinsman, i. e. by the son of Niall O'Dubhda.’
‘A. D. 1135. O'Maille was slain by the son of Domhnall O'Dubhda, in the Domhliag, or stone-church of Nuachongbhail.’ — Chron. Scot.
‘A. D. 1135. Amhlaoibh, son of Domhnall Fionn O'Dubhda, lord of Hy-Amhalgaidh, was slain by the northern Hy-Fiachrach.’
‘A. D. 1136. The son of Domhnall O'Dubhda, lord of Hy-Amhalgaidh, was slain.’
In 1139 Mathghamhain, or Mahon O'Dubhda, chief of the race of Flaithbheartach, is mentioned, but he was of the O'Dubhdas or Duddies of Ulster. See p. 112, note q recte p. 111, note g, corresponding to 278 in the CELT edition.
‘A. D. 1143. Aodh, son of Muircheartach O'Dubhda, lord of the northern Hy-Fiachrach and Hy-Amhalgaidh, died.’ This Aodh may have been Aodh, No. 21, in the above pedigree, but this is far from certain, as the number of generations from him to Maoileachlainn, No. 16, who died in 1005, would be too many.
‘A D. 1153. Brian O'Dubhda, lord of the northern Hy-Fiachrach, was slain in the battle of Craebh tinne.’
‘A. D. 1154. A fleet was sent out by King Toirdhealbhach, or Turlogh O'Conor, to coast Ireland towards the north, consisting of the fleets of Dun Gaillmhe [Galway fort], Connmhaicne mara [now Connamara], Hy-Amhalgaidh, and Hy-Fiachrach, over all which Cosnamhach O'Dubhda was placed as chief commander. These plundered Tirconnell and Inishowen. The Cinel Eoghain, with their chief Muircheartach, son of Niall, observing their designs, went over the sea to hire the fleets of the Gall-Gadelians of Arann, Cantire, the Isle of Mann, and of other parts of Scotland, over all which Mac Scellig was chosen as commander. When they came near Inishowen the Connacian fleet met them, and a fierce and obstinate sea fight ensued between them which continued from morning till evening, during which many of the Connacians were slain by the strangers, and among the rest their chief commander Cosnamhach O'Dubhda.
‘A. D. 1162. Cosnamhach O'Dubhda, lord of Tirawley, was slain by his own tribe.’ This was the celebrated Cosnamhach (son of Aodh, son of Cathbharr, son of Domhnall, son of Maolruanaidh), who was killed by O'Gloinin at Inishcoe. He had a son Cosnamhach, who was slain in 1181.
‘A. D. 1182. Murchadh, the son of Taithleach O'Dubhda, was slain by Maolseachlainn O'Mulrony.’
By a comparison of these entries in the Annals with the line of the pedigree of the O'Dowds as preserved by the Mac Firbises, and as fully displayed in the large Genealogical Table, it will be seen that there were several distinguished members of the family whose names have not been entered in the pedigree. The truth evidently is, that the Mac Firbises have preserved no more than the direct line of this pedigree, from the progenitor Dubhda, or Dowda, down to Donnchadh Mor, No. 24, excepting the names of a few of the senior or junior branches, such as they knew had become the founders of distinct septs. To return to the pedigree, Donnchadh Mor, No. 24, supra, had four sons, namely, Brian Dearg O'Dubhda, lord of Tireragh, Tirawley, and Erris, who, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, was killed on the road while on his pilgrimage to the abbey of Boyle; 2, Maolruanaidh, the ancestor of the subsequent chiefs; 3, Muircheartach, or Murtogh, ancestor of the Clann Conchobhair, who, on the death of his brother, Brian Dearg, in 1242, became chief of Hy-Fiachrach, and was, during his short career, a powerful chieftain, and at constant strife with the O'Conors. In the year 1246 he slew Maelseachlainn, the son of Conchobhar Ruadh, who was son of Muircheartach Muimhneach, or Murtogh, the Momonian O'Conor, for which he was banished over sea; but in the year following, 1247, he returned, accompanied by his friend O'Boyle, with a fleet, and made a descent upon the coast of Carbury, to be revenged on the O'Conors by plundering that territory, but on this occasion the crew of one of his ships, who were under the command of Maghnus O'Boyle, were drowned at the island of Inis Tuathrass, on the coast of Carbury. But his career of glory was short; he was slain in the year 1248 by the son of Felim O'Conor, as thus recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters: — ‘A. D. 1248. Muircheartach O'Dubhda, surnamed the Aithchleireach, lord of that tract of country extending from Cill Dairbhile [now Termon Dervilla], in Erris, to the Strand [i. e. the strand of Traigh Eothuile], was slain by the son of Felim O'Conor.’ The fourth son of Donnchadh Mor was Taithleach, who was the father of Conchobhar, or Conor Conallach O'Dubhda, who became chief of Tireragh and was drowned in the Shannon in the year 1291, but his race seems to have become extinct in a few generations. Donnchadh
One of the sons of this Donnchadh Mor O'Dubhda is charged with a very atrocious crime by the Irish annalists, who fortunately do not afford us the clue to discover which of the sons to brand with it. The Four Masters speak of it as follows in their Annals: — ‘A. D. 1244. Maoliosa Mac an Easpuig O'Maoilfoghmhair [Malisa Macanespie O'Mulfover], parson of Tireragh and Tirawley, who, from his wisdom, was intended for the episcopal dignity, was killed by the son of Donnchadh O'Dubhda, a deed strange to his family, for none of the O'Dubhdas had ever before that time killed an ecclesiastic.’
25. Maolruanaidh, or Mulrony, son of Donnchadh Mor O'Dubhda. — Though this Mulroney was the progenitor of the subsequent chiefs he does not appear to have ever been chief himself, for, in the record of his death given in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 1238, he is styled Maolruanaidh, son of Donnchadh O'Dubhda: — ‘A.D. 1238. Maolruanaidh, the son of Donnchadh O'Dubhda, was slain by Maoilseachlainn, son of Conchobhar Ruadh, who was the son of Muircheartach Muimhneach O'Conor, assisted by the son of Tighearnan, who was the son of Cathal Mac Arnain O'Conor.’
According to a modern account of the descendants of this Mulrony O'Dubhda, inserted in a modern hand in the Book of Lecan, and which shall be given in these Addenda, he had three sons, viz., Taithleach, Muaidhe, Donnchadh Mor, ancestor of the Clann Donogh O'Dubhda, formerly seated in the district of Coolcarney, and Cosnamhach, archbishop of Tuam; but that this genealogy is spurious is obvious from the fact that it totally differs from the original text of the Book of Lecan, as well as from the account given by Duald Mac Firbis; and that it appears from the Irish annals that Donnchadh Mor O'Dubhda, the ancestor of the Clann Donogh, could not have been the son of Mulrony who was slain in 1238, for Donnchadh died Tanist of Hy-Fiachrach in the year 1337, that is, ninety-nine years after the death of his supposed father. But the truth clearly is, that Donnchadh Mor was, as the original text of the Book of Lecan makes him, the grandson of Maolruanaidh, or Mulroney, and the son, not the brother, of Taithleach Muaidhe, who was slain in 1282. According to the Book of Lecan and Duald Mac Firbis this Maolruanaidh, or Mulroney, had two sons, namely, Taithleach Muaidhe, or Tahilly of the Moy, of whom presently, and Cosnamhach, archdeacon [not archbishop] of Tuam, and a daughter Dervorgilla, who was the mother of Tomalltach O'Conor, archbishop of Tuam, and died in 1265.
26. Taithleach Muaidhe, or Tahilly of the Moy, son of Mulrony O'Dubhda. — This warlike chieftain, in order to be revenged of William Mor Barrett, who had wrested
‘A. D. 1282. Taihleagh mac Moyleronie O'Dowdie (before spoken of), prince of the contrey of Offiaghrach Moye, one of great prowes and bounty, and of great and continuall dissention with the English, and all foreigners, in defence of his contry, was killed by Adam Cusack at Beerhaven.’
Here Mageoghegan renders Traigh Eothuile by Beerhaven, an error equalled only by that of Haliday, who, in his translation of the first part of Keating's History of Ireland, renders it Youghal, and evidently takes it to be the strand of Youghal, in the south-east of the county of Cork.
This Adam Cusack was defeated by Maghnus O'Conor at Ballysadare in the year 1285, on which occasion Collin Cusack, his brother, and many others, were slain. He died in the year 1287, after which we hear of no more triumphs of the Cusacks in Connaught, and the Barretts appear to have recovered all their possessions in Tirawley, of which he seems for a time to have deprived them.
Taithleach Muaidhe O'Dubhda had three sons, viz., Sen Bhrian, of whom presently, Donnchadh Mor, ancestor of the Clann Donogh O'Dubhda, who died in 1337, and Maoileachlainn Carrach, who was slain in 1316. There were many distinguished men among this sept of the family, as William, Bishop of Killala, who died in 1350; Muircheartach Cleireach, chief of the Clann Donogh, who died in 1402, but they disappear from history about the middle of the fifteenth century.
27. Sen Bhrian, or old Brian, the son of Taithleach Muaidhe O'Dubhda. — Duald Mac Firbis states in his short annals of this family, that this Brian was eighty-four years chief of his name; but we must conclude from the authentic Irish annals that he could not have reigned so long, and we may well believe that fifty-four years, as given in a more modern hand in the Book of Lecan, was the true period. The first notice of this chieftain to be found in the Annals of the Four Masters is at the year 1278, in which he and Art na g-Capall [of the horses] O'Hara, lord of Leyny, gave battle to the Berminghams, and defeated them, killing the two sons of Meyler Mor, Conor Roe Bermingham and others. This was in the life-time of his father, and still he does not appear to have succeeded his father, for the Annals record the death, by drowning, of Conchobhar, or Conor Conallach O'Dubhda, lord of Tir Fiachrach, in the year 1291. In the year 1308, as we learn from the Annals of Clonmacnoise, he joined the English of Leyny and Tireragh to plunder the O'Conors of Carbury. But in 1316 he joined Felim O'Conor and the Irish in the memorable battle of Athenry, where the English had mustered the best appointed and most formidable army that they had ever before sent against the native Irish. In this battle, in which the English were well armed, and drawn up in regular military array, and the Irish without armour1016, eleven thousand of the Irish were slain, and tradition says that the O'Conors were so completely defeated that throughout all Connaught not one man of the name, Felim's brother excepted, could be found who was able to bear arms.
According to the Annals of the Four Masters Brian O'Dubhda, lord of Tireragh, commanded his people in this battle, and lost therein his brother Maoileachlainn Carrach and two of the principal men of his name. The following account of this battle is given in the Annals of Clonmacnoise as translated, in the year 1627, by Connell Mageoghegan:
‘A. D. 1316. Felym O'Connor [after having slain Rory O'Connor, who had usurped the throne of Connaught] took all the preys and spoyles of all that belonged to Rowry O'Connor, or that partaked with him before, and took himself the government and name of King of Connought, as before he had, which extends from Easroe, in Ulster, to Eaghtge; took hostages, for the preservation of allegeance, of the Breniemen, and constituted Ualargge O'Roirke as their king; alsoe he took the hostages of the
‘King Felym having thus returned to his house made no long stay, but went to Milick to meet with those of Munster and Leathmoye, where he burnt and fell down the castle at first. Mortagh O'Bryen, prince of Thomond, came to his house, and all the families of the O'Briens face to face, with whom he returned to Roscomon to fall the Castle thereof to the Earth.’
‘Felym O'Conor hearing of the returne of William Burke to Connought from Scotland, he proclaimed that all his people from all parts where they were, with such as wou'd joyn with them, wou'd gather together to banish William Burke from out of Connought, at whose command all the Irishrie of Connought from Easroe to Eghtge were obedient and came to that place of meeting. Donnogh O'Bryen, prince of Thomond, O'Melaughlyn, king of Meath, O'Royrck of the Breffine, O'Ferall, chieftain of the Analie, called the Convackne, Teig O'Kelly, king of Imaine, with many others of the nobilitie of Ireland, came to this assembly, and marched towards Athenrie to meet with William Burke, the Lord Bremyngham and others, the English of the province of Connought, where they met and gave battle in a place neer the said towne, the Irishmen in which battle were discomfitted and quite overthrowen.’
‘Felym O'Connor, King of Connaught, was therein killed, also Teig O'Kelly, King of Imaine, and eight and twenty of the chiefest of that family. Magnus mac Dermott O'Connor, Tanist of all Connaught, Art O'Hara, prince of Lwyne; Melaghlyn Carragh O'Dowdie; Connor Oge O'Dowdie; Mortagh mac Connor O'Dowdie; Dermott Mac Dermott, Tanist of Moylorge; Mortagh mac Taithleagh Mac Dermoda; Mortagh mac Dermoda O'Fferall; Mullronie Oge Mac Magnosa; John mac Morrogh O'Madden; Donnell O'Boylle; Donnogh O'Molloye of Fearkeal, with his people; the son of Murrogh Mac Mahon with a hundred of his people; Neal Ffox, prince of Teaffie-men, with his people; Ferrall mac John Gallda O'Ferall; William mac Hugh Oge O'Feralle; Thomas Mac Awley O'Fferall; Tomaltagh, Morragh, Connor, Mortagh, and Melaughlyn Mac Donnough; John Mackeigan, O'Connor's chief Judge; Connor and Gillernew, the sons of Dalredocker O'Dovelen, the man called Fear imchar na h-onchon [i e. O'Connor's standard bearer], Thomas O'Connolan of the king's guard; all which persons, with many others of Munster, Meath, and Connaught (which were
- Mór mac rígh nach abraim ainm
Do marbhadh is an mór-mhaidhm,
Do shluagh Midhe is Mumhan,
Truagh lem chrídhi in cathughadh.1017
‘This battle was given [fought] upon the day of St. Lawrence the Martyre. Felym then being but of the age of twenty-three years, in the fifth year of whose reign Rowrye mac Cahall Roe O'Connor (before mentioned) deposed him for one half year, who being killed, as before is described, Felym succeeded for another half year, untill he was slain at Athenrie aforesaid.’
‘Rowry, surnamed Rowry na ffidh, mac Donnogh, mac Owen, mac Rowrie, succeeded next as King of Connaught.’
Sir Richard Cox states ( Hist. of Ireland, p. 97) that after this battle the Berminghams took a prey of two thousand cows from the O'Conors, and that eight thousand of the Irish were slain; and that the King of England, on receiving the news of this victory, granted to Sir Richard De Bermingham the title of Baron of Athenree, which his descendants have enjoyed ever since.
This Brian O'Dubhda died, according to the Irish annals, in the year 1354, when he must have been at least a century old, for he was in active service in the field as early as 1278. Duald Mac Firbis says that he recovered a great portion of the original territory, particularly Tireragh, from the English, and divided it among his own sons, grandsons, and great grandsons. He married Una, the daughter of Felim, who was the son of Cathal Croibhdhearg O'Conor, King of Connaught, and had by her eight sons, viz., Domhnall Cleireach, his successor, of whom presently; 2, Maolruanaidh, or Mulroney, who died in 1362; 3, Maghnus Cleireach, who died in 1359; 4, Diarmaid; 5, Aodh, the father of Brian Cam, and Edmond, chiefs of Tireragh; 6, Cosnamhach; 7, Niall; 8, Brian Og, who was slain by the Barretts in 1373.
28. Domhnall Cleireach, or Donnell the Citric, son of Old Brian O'Dubhda. — He succeeded his father in 1354, and died in 1380. In his time the English made strong efforts to get possession of his territory of Tireragh, which was all that remained with the O'Dowds at this period, though they still laid claim to Tirawley; but in the year
According to a list of the chiefs of the O'Dubhda family, inserted in a modern hand in the Book of Lecan, he was chief for forty-nine years and a half, but, according to Duald Mac Firbis, he reigned but thirty-six years, and if we date the commencement of his reign in 1354, when his father died, we cannot allow him a longer period than twenty-six years, but it is highly probable that his father had resigned the chieftainship to him several years before his death.
Domhnall Cleireach O'Dubhda married the daughter of O'Malley, chief of Umhall, and had by her ten sons, viz., 1, Ruaidhri, his successor, of whom presently; 2, Maghnus, who, in 1461, according to Ware, slew Connor O'Connell, Bishop of Killala; 3, Maoileachlainn; 4, Tadhg Riabhach, or Teige Reagh, who succeeded as chief of Tireragh in 1417, and died in 1432. It was in the time of this Teige Reagh that the abbey of Ardnarea, the ruins of which still remain in good preservation, was founded for monks of the order of St. Augustin, A. D. 1427. — See De Burgo Hibernia Dominicana and Archdall's Monasticon. It was in his time also the Book of Lecan was compiled by Giolla Iosa Mor Mac Firbis, who, in 1417, addressed to him the topographical poem, published in this volume: though it would appear from a memorandum at the bottom of folio 40, that the work had been commenced in the time of his brother Ruaidhri, who died in that year. This Teige Reagh was the ancestor of several chiefs of Tireragh, and of the famous family of the Dowds of Dublin, but the Editor being of opinion that this family is now extinct, deems it unnecessary to give their pedigree in this place, as it has been already given, though without dates, in the text of Duald Mac Firbis. But should the Dowds of Dublin be extant they will see the line of their descent, traced for thirty-four generations, in the large Genealogical Table hereunto prefixed. Domhnall Cleireach had, 5, John; 6, Domhnall Og; 7, Donnchadh; 8, Diarmaid, who died in 1439; 9, Aodh; and, 10, Eoghan, who was living in 1420.
29. Ruaidhri, Rory, or Roger, son of Domhnall Cleireach O'Dubhda. — He succeeded his father in the year 1380, and died in the year 1417, under which the Four Masters have the following notice of his death: ‘A. D. 1417. O'Dubhda (Ruaidhri, son of Domhnall, who was son of Brian, son of Taithleach), fountain of the prosperity and
This Ruaidhri married the daughter of Mac Costello, and had by her, 1, Maolruanaidh, his successor, of whom presently; 2, Conchobhar, or Conor; 3, Maghnus Cleireach; 4, Muircheartach; 5, Eoghan Caoch; 6, William, who died in 1438.
30. Maolruanaidh, or Mulrony, son of Ruaidhri O'Dubhda.— He was elected chief of his name in 1432, according to Duald Mac Firbis, and died at Liathmhuine, now Leafony, in 1447. He married the daughter of Mac Wattin Barrett, and had, 1, Diarmaid; 2, Domhnall Ballach, who was chief of the name for one year, and who was the father of William, chief of his name, who died in 1496; 3, Maoileachlainn; 4, Muircheartach Caoch.
31. Diarmaid, son of Maolruanaidh O'Dubhda.— He never attained to the chieftainship, though he was the senior of the race, and the ancestor of almost all the subsequent heads of the family. The name of his wife is not given, but it is stated that he had two sons, namely, 1, Conchobhar, or Conor O'Dubhda, of whom presently; 2, Brian.
32. Conchobhar, or Conor, son of Diarmaid O'Dubhda.— He succeeded Felim, the son of Tadhg Buidhe, or Teige Boy O'Dubhda, in the year 1508, and died in the abbey of Moyne about the year 1538, after having been thirty years chief of his name. In the year 1527 he took Mac Donogh prisoner. In 1532 his sons took the castle of Ardnarea from the sons of John Burke, in consequence of which great dissensions arose between them and the descendants of Richard Burke, and many depredations and slaughters were committed on both sides, and in the next year the Burkes got possession of Ardnarea, since which the O'Dubhdas, or O'Dowds, never recovered it. He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Roe Burke, and had by her, 1, Eoghan, his successor, of whom presently; 2, Fearadhach; 3, Ruaidhri; 4, Cormac, a friar; 5, Cathal Dubh, who became chief of his name, and consented to pay tribute to the Lower Mac William Burke; 6, Dathi; 7, John Glas; and, 8, Brian.
33. Eoghan, or Owen, son of Conchobhar O'Dubhda.— He succeeded his father about the year 1538, and was chief of his name for seven years. He married Sabia (the daughter of Walter, son of Richard) Burke, who was taken prisoner by O'Donnell in 1536. He was himself taken prisoner by Mac William of Clanrickard in 1542, as we are informed by the Four Masters, but we know no more of his history, except that he and his wife were interred in the same tomb in the abbey of Moyne. He had four sons, viz., 1, Tadhg Riabhach, or Teige Reagh, his successor; 2, Edmond; 3, Ceallach; and, 4, Conchobhar, or Conor.
34. Tadhg, or Teige Reagh, son of Eoghan O'Dubhda.— He seems to have succeeded his father about the year 1545, and we learn from the Four Masters that he died in
35. Dathi or David, son of Tadhg Riabhach O'Dubhda.— He was slain in the year 1594, under which he is styled chief of his name by the Four Masters. ‘A. D. 1544. O'Dubhda of Tireragh (Dathi, son of Tadhg Riabhach, son of Eoghan) was slain by one of the queen's soldiers in one of his own castles in Tireragh of the Moy.’
He married Miss Ellenor Lyens, afterwards Lady Ellenor Ghest, by whom he had two sons, viz., Dathi, or David O'Dubhda, his heir, and William O'Dubhda. This appears from an inquisition taken at Sligo on the third of April, 1623, preserved in the Rolls Office, Dublin, which finds ‘that David O'Dowde, late of Castleconnor, Esq., deceased, was seised of that castle and several other lands; that he died, leaving David O'Dowde, junior, his son and heir; that Ellenor Lyens, alias Dowde (now Lady Ellenor Ghest), was the lawful wife of the said David O'Dowde, senior, and that she is dowable of the one-third of all his lands; that after the death of the said David O'Dowde she married three several husbands, viz., Sir Lionell Ghest, Knight, who died; then William May, Esq., who also died; and after his death, and in the reign of our present sovereign Lord [Charles I.] she married Gerald Fitz-Morrice Fitzgerald, who is now [1633] living.’
36. Dathi, or David, junior, son of David, O'Dubhda.— On the third Patent Roll of the first year of the reign of King James I., there is enrolled ‘A Grant to Lionel Geste, or Ghest, of the wardship of David O'Dowde, son and heir of David O'Dowde, late of Killinglass, in the county of Sligo, Gent., deceased, for the fine of ten pounds Irish, and an annual rent of seven pounds, retaining five pounds thereof for his (the ward's) maintenance and education in the English religion and habits, and in Trinity College, Dublin, from the twelfth to the eighteenth year of his age.— Dated 1st Nov., 1603.’
It appears that when this David, junior, came of age, in 1612, he entered upon and took possession of his father's lands without suing out livery of seisin from His Majesty, which the law then required to make his title good; upon which William Chapman of Rossleagh made a discovery of same unto His Majesty, upon which His Majesty, in consideration of such service, as was then the custom, by his letters patent under the great seal of England, dated the first day of December, in the eleventh year of his reign, granted unto the said William Chapman ‘the benefitt and profitt of three
The original letters patent to William Chapman, Esq., are now in very good preservation, and in the possession of the O'Dowda of Bunnyconnellan. On the third day of December, 1613, this William Chapman sold his right to these fines to William May, of Castleconnor, Esq., who was young David O'Dowda's step-father, being, as appears from the inquisition already quoted, the third husband of his mother, Lady Ellenor Ghest.
From an original deed in the possession of the present O'Dowda, it appears that this David O'Dowda, of Castleconnor, Esq., was married to Joan Burke, by whom be had,
37. James O'Dowda.— He married on the 23rd [effaced] 1632, Evelyn Burke, daughter of Walter Burke, of Turlough, Esq., as appears by his marriage settlement, now in very bad preservation, in the possession of the present O'Dowda. This James died many years before his father. He was living in 1639, as appears by a deed in the possession of the present O'Dowda, dated 10th April, 1639, in which he is called James Dowde, of Castleconnor, Gentleman; but he was dead in 1641, as appears by another deed, dated last day of October, 1641, whereby his father, David O'Dowda, of Castleconnor, Esq., enfeoffs unto Fearil O'Garae of Moyh [Moy O'Gara, in Coolavin] and Walter Burke of Ardagh, in the county of Mayo, Gentleman, of the castle of Castleconnor, and three quarters of land thereunto adjoining, viz., the quarter of Slievnamesgiry, the quarter of Cloonalangy, and the quarter of Ballinaleynagh, in the barony of Tireragh, to the use of said David and Jewane Burke, his wife, during their lives, and after the death of the said David, the heirs or assigns of James O'Dowda (son and heir of the said David,) shall pass an assurance unto the said Jewane of lands to the clear yearly value of forty pounds of good, fine, pure silver, every year during her life.
By this Evelyn Burke, James O'Dowda had one son, namely,
38. Dathi Og, or David, junior, O'Dowda.— He is the last generation given by Duald Mac Firbis, who states in his smaller genealogical compilation that he was living in the year 1666, and we shall see presently that they were acquaintances. He married in 1656 Dorothy, daughter of Teige Reagh O'Dowda (son of Donnell, son of Teige Reagh, No. 34, supra), by whom he got a considerable fortune, though he had lost all his estate during the civil wars. His marriage articles, which are signed by the Irish
‘Indented Articles of Agreement concluded, covenanted, and agreed upon this seventeenth Day of April, Anno Domini One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty and Six, by and between David Dowda the younger, of Castleconnor, in the County of Sligo, Gentleman, of the one part, and Teig Reagh O'Dowd of Castletown, of the said County, Gentleman, of the other parte, for and concerning a Marriage to be had and solemnized between the said David and Dorothy Dowda, Daughter to the said Teig.’
‘First, it is agreed, covenanted, and graunted by and between the said parties that the said David shall, at or before the last day of May next ensuing the date hereof, wedd, marry, and take to wife the said Dorothy, according to the rites, laws, and customs of the Holy Catholic Church, and that the said Dorothy shall accordingly wedd, marry, and take to husband the said David.’
‘Item, it is covenanted and agreed upon by and between the said parties that the said Teige shall, in consideration of the said marriage, give and satisfie unto the said David, as marriage portion to and with the said Dorothy, the number of cows, sheep, cattle following, viz., fourty great cows, to be milch cows next summer, fifteen heifers of two years old, fifteen yearling heflfers, one hundred sheep, one horse, and one plough. Item, it is covenanted and agreed upon by and between the said parties, and the said David for himself, his heirs and assigns, to and with the said Teig, his executors and assigns, in consideration of the said marriage and marriage portion, doth covenant, grant, and agree to be and stand seised and possessed of and in one moyety of such proportion of lands and tenements as he the said David shall recover, and that shall be recovered, in the right, title, and interest of David O'Dowda, grandfather of the said David the younger, to the use and behoof of the said David the younger, and of the said Dorothy and the longer liver of them, for and during their or either of their natural lives, and after their decease to the use of the heirs males to be begotten on the body of the said Dorothy by the said David the younger; and for the securing, making, and confirming of the premises, according to the true meaning, purport, and intent of these presents, the said David Dowda the younger and David O'Dowda the elder, and either of them, shall, at the due request of the said Teig, his executors or assigns, make such assurance and assurances, by conveyance or otherwise, in writing, as by the said Teig, his heirs, executors, or assigns, or his and their council learned in the law shall be devised and advised. And the said David the younger, for himself, his heirs and assigns, for the considerations
aforesaid, to and with the said Teig, his heirs, executors, and assigns, doth covenant, grant, and agree that if in case the said David the younger shall dye having no issue female by the said Dorothy, the estate whereof the said David shall dye seised and possessed shall be charged with a sum of money for the preferment and livelyhood of such issue female as by the said Teig Reagh Dowd, Teibot Burk fitz Walter of Turlogh, in the county of Mayo, Esq., and Henry Albongh of Rathlee, in the said county of Sligoe, Gent., or by any two of them, or by the heirs of any two of them, shall be thought fitt and sett down.’‘And that the said David the younger shall, at the request of the said Teig, his heirs, executors, or assigns, give such power and writing to the said Teig, Tibott, and Henry, and to any of them, and the heirs of any two of them, to that purpose, as by the said Teige, his heirs, executors, or assigns, or his or their counsil learned in the law shall be devised and advised, Procided there be no issue male surviving the said David the younger of the body of the said Dorothy.’
‘Item, it is covenanted and agreed upon by and between the said parties, and the said David the younger doth convenant and graunt for himself, his executors and admistrators, to and with the said Teig, his executors and assigns, for the considerations aforesaid, that if in case the estate in these presents mentioned shall not be recovered in manner as is above expressed, whereby a jointure may not be secured for the said Dorothy as is hereby intended, and if in case the said David the younger shall happen to dye, the said Dorothy surviving him, that then, and in such cases the said Dorothy shall be satisfied in quantity and quality the said marriage portion, and a moiety of what goods over and above the said marriage portion as shall be then in the possession of the said David the younger at the time of his death. And it is furhter covenanted and agreed upon by and between the said parties, and the said David the younger, for himself, his heirs, executors, and admistrators, to and with the said Teig, his executors and assigns, doth convenant and graunt for the considerations aforesaid, that whereas the said Teig, his executors and assigns, are by these presents graunted to have a moiety of such goods as should be in the possession of the said David the younger at the time of his death, in case he shall happen to survive the said Dorothy, having no issue by her, if in case any part of the said marriage portion shall be employed or disposed by the said David the younger in recovering his estate, whereby the marriage portion, or the value thereof in goods shall not be extant at the time of the death of the said Dorothy, as is last mentioned, without issue, that then and in such case the said David the younger shall, out of such parte of his estate as shall be recovered as aforesaid, make up such parte of the said moiety as shall be in that case wanting, and which estate shall be recovered by the help of the said marriage portion.’
‘Item, it is covenanted and graunted by and between the said parties that in case the whole real estate of the said David O'Dowda the elder, and of the said David Dowd the younger, shall be left unto them or some of them, their heirs or assigns, or other lands in lieu of them, without disallowance in respect of qualification, that then the said Dorothy shall have for her jointure but the third parte of the same, any thing in these presents contained to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness of all and singular the premises the said parties have to these presents interchangeably put their hands and seals the day and year above written.’
THADY DOWDA."Being present at the signing, sealing, and delivery of the abovewritten articles, and at the interlineing of the words as is hereby intended, &c., twixt the 59 and 60 lines, we whose names duely ensure."
DUDLY FERBISSY. MYLES FERBISSY. FRANCIS DOWDA. JAMES FERBISSY. DANIEL DOWDE.
This Dorothy, who became the wife of this Dathi, was the daughter of Teige O'Dowd by Margery Bermingham, daughter of John, a younger son of the Lord Baron of Athenry, and this Margery being an heiress, the O'Dowds became, as would appear from the family papers, entitled to quarter the Bermingham or Athenry arms with their own, but this they have not done.
It appears from the foregoing marriage articles that David Dowda, junior, was left without any estate, but that he had a strong expectation of being soon restored, and in this he was not disappointed, for the Commissioners appointed for the setting out of Lands to the Irish in Connaught and the County of Clare, restored him in August, 1656, to a small estate in the parish of Kilgarvan, barony of Gallen, and county of Mayo, the ancient patrimony of the Clann Donogh O'Dubhda. This appears from the original grant in the possession of the present O'Dowda, which is as follows:
‘By the Commissioners for setting out lands to the Irish in the province of Connaught and county of Clare.’
‘In consequence of the Decree of the Commissioners for adjudication of the Claimes and qualifications of the Irish, graunted on behalfe of David O'Dowda, of Leafonye, in the county of Sligoe, whereby hee is adjudged to have two third partes of his estates by virtue of the right qualification wherein he is compressed, sett out to him in the province of Connaght, or county of Clare; it is ordered and heerby impowered to enter
This David had by Dorothy, his wife, four sons, namely, 1, David, who was more than seven feet tall, was an officer in the service of King James II., and was slain at the battle of the Boyne; 2, James, who was also an officer in King James II.'s service, and fought at the Boyne, which he survived, and distinguished himself at the siege of Athlone and battle of Aughrim, in which latter engagement he was slain; when his body was discovered his sword was found in his hand, which was so swollen from exertion that the guard of his sword had to be filed off before the hand could be disengaged from it; 3, Thady, or Teige, who was an officer in the service of the King of France, and subsequently admitted to the honour of nobility in Venice, and who died of a fever in France, without issue; 4, Dominic O'Dowda, No. 39, by whom the line was continued; and 5, Francis Dowd, who left no issue. See Will of 1731, next page.
‘In 1705, this David and his fourth son, Dominic, then the only surviving son, sold several denominations of land to a Mr. Wingfield, as appears from the original deed of sale, in the possession of the present O'Dowda.’
39. Dominic O'Dowda, fourth son of David. — He married, in 1703, Ellice Dillon, daughter of Theobald Dillon, Esq., whose brother was a colonel in the service of James II., and died in 1737, leaving by her David O'Dowda, his eldest son (see Lodge's Peerage by Archdall, vol. ii. p. 182), who married Letitia Browne, daughter of James
His Will is dated 18th September, 1731, and is as follows:
‘In nomine Dei. Amen.
I, Dominic O'Dowd, of Bunicunilane, weak and feeble of body, and troubled by many distempers, yet of sound memorie, sence, and reason, the Lord be praised, understanding my later days to approach, and fearing lest I should be surprised by death, do order and settle my last Will and Testament as followeth:
Imprimis, I bequeath my soul and body upon my Redeemer, and my body to be buried in my ancestors' Tomb, in Moyne, if allowed, otherwise where my relations will think fit.
2ndly. I order for my married wife, pursuant to the articles of intermarriage, the same forty pounds sterling per annum mentioned in said articles.
3rdly. I order for my eldest daughter Molly Dowd three hundred pounds sterling.
4thly. I order for my son James Dowd two hundred pounds sterling.
5thly. I order for my daughter Evelin Dowd hundred and fifty pounds sterling.
6thly. I order for my son Thady Dowd hundred and fifty pounds sterling.
These sums I order to be paid out of my real estate.
7thly. I order for the convent of Moyne five pounds sterling, and also for the convent of Ardnaree five pounds more, and lastly, for the convent of Strade two pounds ten shillings sterling. Further, I order for my parish priest, father David Henry, the sum of two pounds sterling, and to fr. Francis Beolan twenty shillings.
8thly. I order for my niece Molly Dillon ten big cows. All these aforesaid legacies I order to be deducted, or paid out of the personal estate.
9thly. I order twenty pounds sterling to be paid towards my funeral expenses.
Lastly. I do nominate and appoint Coll.l Morgan Vaughan, Counsellor Richard Cormick, and Mr. Toby Burk my true and lawful executors, to oversee my wife and children, and this my last will and testament executed. In witness, and for the true performance of all and singular the premises, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this the eighteenth of September, in the year one thousand seven hundred and thirty-one.
Memorandum.— I do order and bequeath to my brother Francis Dowd the sum
of two hundred pounds sterling, together with three years' interest, ending the first of November next, which sum was ordered by my father, David O'Dowd, and by myself as child's portion for him; and I do appoint that it should be paid out of my real estate. In witness and for the true performance of all and singular the premises, I do hereunto set my hand and seal, this the eighteenth day of September, 1731, thirty-one.’Dominic O'Dowd. Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of us, Henry Jordan. Hugh O'Donnell. Francis Moore. "A true copy."
Of David, his eldest son, the venerable Charles O'Conor of Belanagare wrote the following notice in the first edition of his Dissertations on the History of Ireland, published in 1753, pp. 234, 235:
The Hy-Fiachras, whose great ancestor Dathy, carried the Terror of the Scotic Name to the Foot of the Alps, possessed the Countries of Tir Fiachra and Tir Awly, from the fifth Century to the fifteenth. Our old Annals pay a large Tribute of Praise to this family, and it is represented at present by a Gentleman of the strictest Probity, David, or properly Dathy O'Dowda, of Ballycollanan [rectius Bunnyconnellan], in the County of Mayo, Esquire.
40. Thady, Teige, or Thaddaeus O'Dowda, third son of Dominic O'Dowda.— Sir Richard Musgrave states, in his Memoirs of the different Rebellions in Ireland, that this ‘Thady being a younger brother, and having neither property nor employment at home, went out a volunteer to Germany at the age of twenty-five years, and in the course of time was promoted, in the Hungarian service, to the rank of captain [recte colonel], having previously married a German lady, sister to the Baron Wipler [recte Vippler], of whom James O'Doude was the issue.’
According to the tradition in the family this Thaddaeus O'Dowda, who was called at home Tadhg Riabhach O'Dubhda, went out to Germany and entered the Austrian service, accompanied by Manus O'Donnell, who was promoted to the rank of general, and also by George Fitzgerald of Turlough, the father of the celebrated George Robert Fitzgerald. That he was promoted to the rank of colonel, and was one of the largest and bravest men in Germany, and that Antonia Vippler, the sister of Baron Vippler, residing in Silesia, fell in love with him, to whom, after much opposition on the part of her family, who threw many difficulties in his way, and even procured his imprisonment,
41. Captain James O'Dowda, commonly called Baron O'Dowda. Sir Richard Musgrave states, in his Memoirs of the different Rebellions in Ireland, that this James O'Dowda was born and educated in the Hungarian service, and that he had only arrived at the rank of lieutenant, ‘in which station,’ he adds, ‘he served, when the death of his uncle, David O'Doude, who possessed the family estate, and died without issue, was announced to him. In consequence of this event,’ adds this historian, ‘he left the army, came to Ireland, and took possession of the paternal property, which proved to be worth about £500 a year, and which he applied himself to the cultivation of with great attention.’
It appears from the family papers, and particularly from a letter in the handwriting of his uncle, the Baron Vippler, that this James returned to Ireland shortly before the year 1788. In the will of Letitia Browne, alias O'Dowda, the widow of his uncle David O'Dowda, dated 10th February, 1798, she states ‘that her late husband, David O'Dowda, lived in the Isle of Man,’ and she orders ‘that all the papers and the deeds of mortgage respecting Mac Donnell of Elaghmore shall be given to Captain O'Dowda, whose property it is, together with the copy of the map of his estate, and all other papers belonging to him.’ Her nephew, James Browne, of Browne Hall, Esq., administered to this will.
In the statistical account of the parish of Kilmactige, in the diocese of Achonry, and county of Sligo, written by the Rev. James Nelligan, Rector and Vicar, and published in Mason's Parochial Survey, vol. ii. pp. 349–398, the following curious account is given of the improvements made by this Captain James O'Dowda:
‘A valuable improvement was made in this place about twenty years ago, through the exertions of a Captain O'Dowdd [a misprint for O'Dowda], who possessed an estate of many thousand acres of these mountains, which were without inhabitants, except those ‘ferae naturae,’ and which were nearly impassable to the active and barefooted native. The immense rocks, steep hills, and deep caverns, which everywhere presented themselves, formed as many insuperable difficulties as the passage of the Alps did in former days; but this Hannibal by labour and perseverance overcame them all, and has now formed a road, where a coach passes six times a week, conveying passengers to and from Ballina and Castlerea, and has shortened the line from Ballina to Banada from twenty to twelve miles.’
This Captain James O'Dowda, who is said to have been the godchild of the Emperor Joseph, was implicated in the rebellion of 1798, and executed at Killala in September,
1798. A very curious sketch of his character is given by Sir Richard Musgrave, in his Memoirs of the different Rebellions in Ireland, vol. ii. pp. 622, 623, 624, where he says that ‘considering himself the head of the Clan or family, he despised taking a Christian name, and always subscribed himself O'Doude, Captain, and latterly he had the vanity to assume the title of Baron, perhaps from his uncle Baron Wipler in Germany.’ Sir Richard says that this family counted twenty-five castles on their extensive estate, many of which are still in existence, and that they ‘have a burying place appropriated to them in the abbey of Moyne, where may be seen the gigantick bones of some of them, who have been very remarkable for their great stature, as one of them exceeded seven feet in height.’— Vol. ii. p. 624.This Captain James O'Dowda, who was popularly called the Baron O'Dowda, married Temperance Fitz Gerald, daughter of Robert Fitz Gerald, Esq., of Mount Tallant. This marriage took place in the year 1788 or early in 1789, when he was very young, as appears from a German letter in the handwriting of his uncle, the Baron Vippler, dated Wigstädt, the 21st November, 1788, of which the following translation, made for the Editor by that accomplished scholar, George Downes, Esq., author of Letters from Continental Countries, &c. &c., is worth preserving:
MY DEAR NEPHEW,I was infinitely delighted to hear that of six letters written to you one had come to hand, and no less that you will be so kind as to admit the sincerity of my letter: you may now quite confidently believe that no one can have more sincere intentions towards you than I. You are then already quite determined to marry? To tell the truth, I would witness it with more pleasure if it were to happen a couple of years later; however, you are not to be checked; and I therefore wish you much joy. May you propitiously take this so great step, which is truly of the last importance! for every thing which is eternal ought to be undertaken with caution; and you, my good nephew, have not yet had the opportunity of acquiring sufficient experience of the world. Your future lot will therefore so much the more depend on fortune. And, dear O'Dowda, only keep religion and God constantly before your eyes; for such must be always kept in view by an honourable man. That you have become so good a manager, I am infinitely delighted to hear. God grant that you may continue in this course, and believe that the best enjoyment is one's own approbation! You can take myself as an example. How much have good friends cost me, and how little has been purchased!
That you have received no letter from my brother must not surprise you: you know already with what reluctance he writes. Now concerning your money. To speak
candidly, it is better for you not to be informed. If you did not get the money [...] and then you must [appear] at our court about permission.Mac Kernan is gone on an expedition against the Turks: it is about two months since he left me, but I have not yet received a letter from him. Do not forget to assure your worthy aunt of the very devoted respect I entertain for her. I am delighted that you ride indefatigably: but be on your guard to avoid meeting with an accident.
To conclude,
Your sincere uncle,
Yours from his heart,
WM. VIPPLER
This letter proves beyond a question the connexion of Captain O'Dowda with the family of Vippler; but nothing has been yet discovered to prove that he became the heir of that family, or that he had any right to the title of Baron. The following letter, written by the Honourable Thomas Dillon to him, on the 17th of January, 1795, shows that a relative in Germany had left him a handsome sum of money. This relative was probably his uncle, the Baron Vippler:
My Dear Friend,It gives me very great Pleasure to inform you that I had a Letter last Post from Lord Dillon, desiring I would send to you to give you the pleasing Intelligence of the following matter, which I give you down in his Lordship's Words. ‘Inform O'Dowda directly that there is a handsome Sum of Money left to him by a Relation in Germany; tell him to write immediately to Baron Reiyensfield, Secretary to the Imperial Minister, No. 6, Bryanton-street, Portman-square, London, or to Count Starhemberg, the Imperial Minister, Portland-place, London; but if he will take my Advice he will set out directly for London. Let him call upon me; I will give him a letter to Count Starhemberg, and that will shorten all proceedings; he may otherwise meet with great delay.’
Wishing you every prosperity, I remain, My Dear O'Dowda,
THOS. DILLON.
Your very affectionate
Humble Servant,
Loughglin House,17 Jan. 1795.I send this in the care of our friend Mr. Hughes, who will lose no time in forwarding it.
O'Dowda, Bunniconilan.
He had issue, 1, Thaddaus O'Dowda of Bunnyconnellan, now the O'Dowda, of
Captain O'Dowda (No. 41) had also two daughters, viz., Antonia Letitia, and Temperance, spinsters, now living.— See Exshaw's Magazine, January, 1790, in which is the following entry under BIRTHS:— ‘At Mount Tallant, near Dublin, the Lady of Baron O'Dowda, of a daughter.’
42. Thaddaeus O'Dowda, Esq., son of Captain James O'Dowda. He married, in 1812, Ellen White, daughter of Charles White of Dublin, merchant, and has the following issue, all living at present: Dr. James Vippler O'Dowda, a practising surgeon in Dublin; 2, Thaddaeus O'Dowda, Junior, who is six feet seven inches in height; 3, John Taaffe O'Dowda; 4, David; 5, Robert Francis O'Dowda, and four daughters, namely, Ellen, now Mrs. Kelly, Caroline Victoria, Catherine Wilhelmina, and Elizabeth. He had also another son Francis, and two daughters, Harriet and Louisa, who died young.
Arms: Or, a saltier sable; in chief two swords in saltier; in base an oak leaf, vert.
Crest: Over a coronet, a hand in armour holding a dart, ppr.
Supporters: Two lions rampant.
Motto: Virtus ipsa suis firmissima nititur armis.
In a MS. about one hundred and fifty years old, the arms of O'Dowde are described thus: ‘or, a saltier sable, in chief two swords saltierways, garnished of the first.’ No supporters are mentioned.
The oldest seal of arms in the possession of the present O'Dowda belonged to the David O'Dowda mentioned by Charles O'Conor, in 1753, the head of the family. It exhibits the supporters and the coronet in the crest.
Of the ancient history of the O'Shaughnessys— who have been so celebrated in Ireland since the reign of Henry VIII— the Irish annals have preserved but very slight memorials. Since the period alluded to they have been much praised, not only by the Irish bards, but by the more respectable writers of the country, and they had undoubtedly
In a Description of the Province of Connaught, dated in the month of ‘January, 1612,’ published in the twenty-seventh volume of the Archaeologia, it is stated that the O'Heynes were then utterly banished; but that ‘the O'Shaughnesses retnayned a rich and hable family.’— p. 126.
4. Eochaidh Breac.— He was the third son of the monarch Dathi, according to the
Book of Lecan, but we are told no more about him, except that he was the ancestor of the southern Hy-Fiachrach, or the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, and of the tribe called Hy-Eathach of the Moy, seated to the west of that river, in the barony of Tirawley, in the county of Mayo, and that he was the father of,
5. Eoghan Aidhne, i. e. Owen, or Eugenius of the territory of Aidhne, now comprised in the diocese of Kilmacduagh, in the south-west of the county of Galway; he was so called from his having been fostered in that territory by a tribe called Oga Beathra, who afterwards adopted him as their chief.— Vide supra, p. 53. He had four sons, namely, 1, Conall; 2, Cormac; 3, Sedna; 4, Seanach Ceanngamhna, from whom sprung a sept called Cinel Cinngamhna, of whom the O'Duibhghiollas were the chiefs after the establishment of surnames in the eleventh century.
6. Conall, son of Eoghan Aidhne.— We are told nothing about him, except that he
had one son, namely,
7. Goibhnenn.— He was chief of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, and in the year 531 fought
the battle of Claonloch, in the territory of Kinelea, in which was slain Maine, son of Cerbhall,
9. Aodh, son of Cobhthach.— Of the generations from this Aodh down to Gealbhuide (No. 27 in the Genealogical Table) our annalists have preserved no notice.
The first notice of this family which occurs in the Irish annals is at the year 1159, in which it is recorded that Gealbhuidhe, the son of Seachnasach, was slain in the memorable battle of Ardee, fought between Muircheartach Mac Loughlin. head of the northern Hy-Niall, and Roderic O'Conor, King of Connaught. The following are all the notices of the O'Shaughnessys, O'Cahills, and their territory of Cinel Aodha, or Kinelea, preserved in the Annals of the Four Masters and Clonmacnoise, down to the year 1408.
‘A. D. 1154. Toirdhealbhach O'Conor [King of Ireland] set out on a predatory excursion into Meath, but returned without a single cow, his son Maelseachlainn and Donnchadh O'Cathail [Donogh O'Cahill], lord of Cinel Aodha na h-Echtghe [Kinelea of Slieve Aughty], being killed.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1159. Gealbhuidhe O'Shaughnessy [recte Mac Shaughnessy] was slain in the battle of Ath Fhirdia.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1170. Diarmaid O'Cuinn [Dermot O'Quin], chief of Clann Iffernain [in Thomond], was slain by the Cinel Aodha of Echtghe.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1191. Cinel Aodha na h-Echtghe was given to King Roderic O'Conor.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1197. Maoileachlainn Riabhach O'Shaughnessy, lord of half the territory of Cinel Aodha, was slain by the son of Donnchadh O'Cathail [O'Cahill].’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1221. The sons of Gillenenewe macconn [recte Cromm] O'Seaghnossa, took house upon Gille Mochoynne O'Cahall, prince of Kynelhagh, who killed him after his coming foorth.’— Ann. Clonmacnoise, translated by Connell Mageoghegan.
‘A. D. 1222. Giolla Mochoine O'Cathail, lord of Cinel Aodha, East and West, was slain by Seachnasach, the son of Giolla na Naomh O'Shaughnessy, at the instigation of his own people.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1224. Seachnasach, the son of Giolla na naomh O'Shaughnessy, was slain by the Clann Cuilen [the Mac Namaras] and the bachall mor [large crozier] of St Colman of Kilmacduagh, was profaned by this deed.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1224. Giolla na naomh Crom O'Shaughnessy, lord of the western half of Cinel Aodha na h-Echtghe, died.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1240. Hugh, the son of Giolla na naomh Crom O'Shaughnessy, was slain by Conchobhar, son of Aodh, son of Cathal Croibhdhearg O'Conor and Fiachra O'Flynn.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1248. Opichen Guer [Hopkin Poer] was slain by Giolla Mochoinne O'Cahill.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1251. Giolla Mochainne, the son of Giolla Mochainne O'Cahill, was slain by Conchobhar, the son of Cathal Croibhdhearg O'Conor.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1403. Mortagh Garve O'Seaghnosy, tanist of Tyre-Fiaghragh Ayne, was killed by those of Imaine.’— Annals of Clonmacnoise, translated by Mageoghegan.
‘A. D. 1408. John Cam O'Shaughnessy was slain by the son of O'Loughlin, in a game on the green of Clonrode.’— Four Masters.
Seeing from these extracts (and we have no more), that it is now impossible to add dates to the pedigree of O'Shaughnessy given in the Genealogical Table, from Aodh, the ancestor of the Cinel Aodha, down to Sir Dermot, who was knighted in 1533 (No. 36 in the Genealogical Table), we must be content with illustrating this pedigree from this Sir Dermot down to the last acknowledged representative of the name, and adding a few observations to identify the present senior of the name.
36. Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy was the son of William, who was the son of John Buidhe, son of Eoghan, son of William, son of Giolla na naomh, son of Ruaidhri, son of Giolla na naomh Crom, lord of the western half of Kinelea, who died in 1224, son of Raghnall, or Randal, son of Gealbhuidhe, who was slain at the battle of Ardee in 1159, son of Seachnasach, the progenitor after whom this family took the name of Ui Seachnasaigh, i. e. descendants of Seachnasach, now generally anglicised O'Shaughnessy, and pronounced in the original territory O'Shannessy, and by some corruptly anglicised Sandys.
The first notice of this chieftain is found on Patent Roll, 33–35, Henry VIII., from which it appears that the king, on the 9th of July, 1533, wrote to the Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland, saying, ‘We have made the Lord of Upper Ossory, McNemarrowe, O'Shaftnes, Denys Grady and — — Wise, Knyghtes; and woll that by virtue and warraunt hereof youe shall make out unto McNemarrowe, O'Shaftnes and Denys Grady, several patentes of all soche lands as they nowe have.’
By Letters Patent, dated 3rd December, 35 Henry VIII., A. D. 1543, the king granted to Sir Dermot Sheaghyn [Sheaghynes], knight, captain of his nation, in consideration
This Sir Dermot married Mor Pheacach, i. e. More the Gaudy, O'Brien, who died in 1569, at an advanced age. Her death is thus recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters:— ‘A. D. 1569. Mor Pheacach (daughter of Brian, son of Tadhg, son of Toirdhealbhach, son of Brian of the Battle of Nenagh O'Brian) and wife of O'Shaughnessy (Diarmaid, son of William, son of John Buidhe), a woman celebrated for her beauty and munificence, died. By Mor Pheacach he had two sons, namely, Sir Roger, his successor, and Diarmaid, or Dermot Reagh, who went to England in his youth, and became servant or companion to the Earl of Leicester, as will presently be made appear from original documents.’
37. Sir Roger, son of Sir Dermot.— This Sir Roger was generally called Giolla dubh, anglice Gilduff, or Gilliduff, i. e. juvenis niger, by the Irish, from his black complexion and the colour of his hair. He married the Lady Honora (daughter of Murrogh, first Earl of Thomond) who had been a professed nun and an abbess, by whom he had four sons, namely, 1, John, born four or five years before marriage, as were also two daughters, Joan and Margaret; and, 2, William; 3, Fergananim; and, 4, Dermot, who were all born in marriage. Sir Roger, who was called by the Irish Giolla dubh, died in the year 1569, as we learn from the Annals of the Four Masters, in which the following notice of his death is given:— ‘A. D. 1569. O'Shaughnessy (Giolla dubh, son of Diarmaid, who was son of William, who was son of John Buidhe), pillar of support to the English and Irish who had sought his assistance, and a man who, though not skilled in Latin or English, had been greatly valued and esteemed by the English, died. His son John assumed his place.’
After the death of Sir Roger, his brother, Diarmaid Riabhach, anglice Dermot Reagh, or Darby the Swarthy, O'Shaughnessy, who had been servant or companion to the Earl of Leicester, returned to Ireland, having first procured a letter from Queen Elizabeth to her Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, of which the following is a faithful copy although, by some unaccountable mistake, he is in it called the son of William.
Right trusty and welbeloved we grete you well.
By the Queene.
Elizabeth R.Wher one Derby O'Shaghnes the youngest sonne, as he saith, of William O'Shaghnes, Lord of Kynally, in that our Realme of Ireland, hath by the meanes of his Lord and Master, our Coosen, the Erle of Leicester, humbly required us not onely to geve him leave to returne into his contry, but also to recomend his peticion unto yow for some order to be taken with hym upon the death of his brother named Roger O'Shaghnes as being next heire unto him, we being duely inforemed of his honest demeaner here and of his earnest desire to Serve us, have been content to accompt him to our Service, and do require yow to have favorable consideracion of his sute, and as you shall fynd it mete to place and settle him in the foresaid Contry, so the rather to incurrage him to persever in his fidelitie, to shewe him as muche favor as may accord with the good goverment of the same Contry.—
Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Otelands,the xxiiird of June, 1570, in the xiith yere of our Reigne.
To our right trusty and welbeloved Sir Henry Sidney,
Knight, of our order of the Garter, and Deputy of
our Realme of Irland.
It is very extraordinary, that in this letter Dermot Reagh is supposed to have been the son of William O'Shaughnessy, which he most unquestionably was not, for we have the testimony of the Irish Annals, and of his cotemporaries, that he was the brother of Sir Roger, as he states himself, and as such he was not the son but the grandson of a William O'Shaughnessy, for Sir Roger was the son of Sir Dermot, and
grandson of William. It would appear from the following entry in the Annals of the Four Masters that this Derby or Dermot was made chief of his name in 1571:
‘A. D. 1571. John, son of Gilla dubh, who was son of Diarmaid O'Shaughnessy, who had been the O'Shaughnessy from the time of the death of his father until this year, was deprived of that title, and also of Gort Insi Guaire, by his paternal uncle Diarmaid Riabhach, the son of Diarmaid, for he was virtually the senior.’
This Dermot Riabhach, or Reagh, as we are informed by the Four Masters, continued to be the chief of the O'Shaughnessys until the year 1573, when he and Ulick, the son of Richard Burke, slew Morogh O'Brien (the son of Dermot, who was son of Morogh), in revenge for which John Burke deprived O'Shaughnessy of Gort Inse Guaire. But he held considerable sway in the territory till the year 1579, when he laid a snare for his nephew William, the second son of Sir Roger, near Ard Maoldubhain, on which occasion a fierce combat took place between them, in which he slew his nephew, but though
After the death of Dermot Reagh, John O'Shaughnessy, the eldest son of Sir Roger, but who had been born before marriage, was again set up as the O'Shaughnessy, but his brother Dermot, who having been himself born in marriage, looked upon John as a bastard, made strong efforts to depose him; and John finding that the laws of England were in favour of Dermot, fortified himself against him by conveying all the lands in O'Shaughnessy's country to Sir Geffrie Fenton, for the sole consideration of Sir Geffrie maintaining his title against Dermot, who continually disturbed him in his possession. Both appeared at the parliament convened at Dublin in the year 1585, after which we have no more of John, or any of his descendants; but Sir Dermot appears to have been chief of his name till his death in 1606.
The following abstract of Depositions will throw much light upon the genealogy and rank of the O'Shaughnessy family at this period:
‘Abstract of Depositions in a cause in the Chancery of Ireland, wherein Fulk Comerford was Plaintiff, and Roger O'Shaghnes of Gort-Inchigorye, in Galway Co., Defendant, touching the town and lands of Cappafennell, or Capperell, in that Co. A. D. 1615.’
‘Donnell O'Holloran of Gilloconry, in Galway County, husbandman, deposed that Sir Roger O'Shaghnes was son and heir of Sir Dermott— that Sir Roger was married to Honora ny Brien, by whom he had four sons: 1, John, born about four or five years before marriage, as were also two daughters, Joan and Margaret; and, 2, William; 3, Fergananym; and, 4, Dermott, born in marriage— that William was married, but died without male issue, and Fergananym died unmarried— that John O'Shaghnes conveyed all the lands in O'Shaghnes' Country to Sir Geffrie Fenton, for the sole consideration of Sir Geffrie maintaining the title of John against Dermott— that John was continually disturbed in his possession by Dermott, the Defendant's father— that Dermott, after the death of his two brothers, and in the life-time of John, enjoyed the greatest part of the lands of which Sir Roger had died seised, and that John was always reputed to be a bastard— that Sir Roger, the Defendant's grandfather, enjoyed these lands (viz. Cappafennell) and had tillage there, having had at one time fourteen score of reapers in harvest cutting, of whom Deponent was one.’
‘Depositions to the same effect were made by the following persons, viz.:’
‘Knougher Crone O'Hyne of Ledygane, gent., 100 years old and upwards.’
‘Richard Bourke of Rahaly, in Galway county, 64 years old or thereabouts, who
added, that he had seen an order of Council made by Sir Henry Sydney between Dermott and William, brother and son of Sir Roger, ordering that William should enjoy O'Shaghnes' lands to him and his heirs male, remainder to Dermott, Sir Roger's brother.’‘Margaret Countess Dowager of Clanrickard, 80 years old and upwards, sister to Honora, wife of Sir Roger, who added that they were married by a dispensation from Rome.’
‘Manus Ward Dean of Kilmackoweth [Kilmacduagh], 80 years old or thereabouts, who added that he knew of the controversy between Dermott and William O'Shaghnes, as above mentioned, wherein Dermott endeavoured to prove Sir Roger's sons bastards, because their mother was abbatissa and could not be wife.’
‘Sir Tirrelagh O'Brien of Dowgh, in Clare Co., Knight, nephew of Honora ny Brien.’
‘Donell O'Heyne of Killaveragh, freeholder, aged 80 years.’
‘Richard Lord Brimigham, Baron of Athenrye, nephew to Sir Roger by his mother.’
‘Tirlagh Roe Mc Mahowne of Clare county, Esq., 44 years old, who added, that he knew the Defendant's father, Dermott, to have been in suit with John O'Shaghnes, and to have held Gort-Inshygory, the Newton, and Ardemoylenan, during John's lifetime, as heir of the body of Sir Roger.’
‘Nehemias Folan of Balladowgan, in Galway county, Esq., 60 years old, who added that Dermott Reogh O'Shaghnes, brother to Sir Roger, being servant to the Earl of Leyster, having come from England after Sir Roger's death, brought in question the legitimacy of Sir Roger's sons by the Lady Honora, at which time, during Sir Henry Sydney's Government, it appeared that the said Honora was a professed nun when the said Sir Roger had the said John by her, and that afterwards a dispensation was procured from Rome for their marriage.’
38. Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy, the fourth son of Sir Roger. He died on the eighth of July, 1606, seised of the territory of Kinelea, alias O'Shaughnes's country, leaving Roger, otherwise called Gilleduffe, his heir (who was then aged twenty-three and married), and Shyly Nyn Hubert, his widow. He had also two other sons, viz. Dathi and William, the latter of whom had four sons, namely, William, Edmond, Roger, and Dermot, of whose descendants no account has been discovered. This Sir Dermot had also three daughters, namely, 1, Joan, wife of Sir William Burke, Knight, who was by him the mother of Richard Burke, sixth Earl of Clanrickard— (See Hibernia Dominicana, p. 277); 2, Julia, the wife of Teige O'Kelly of Gallagh; and, 3, Honora, the wife of Johnock Burke of Tully.
39. Sir Roger O'Shaughnessy, son and heir of Sir Dermot. He married two wives:
- 1] Ua Donnabháin na n-déigh-bheart, tuilliomh garma a ghnáth-oighreacht,
1] Cuinge ceart d'á fhréim roimhe, a theacht 'san réim rioghroidhe;
3] Uachtaran iarthair Mumhan, urra an chirt do chothughadh,
4] Flaith amhra d'ár g-crú Cuirc-ne, tarla an chlu fá a chomuirce.
5] Buadh n-dealbha d'a dreich fosaigh, fuair inghion I Seachnosaigh,
6] Réidhe gan chumga g-croidhe, úmhla, féile, is foistine.
7] Pailm toruidh do threibh Dáithi, inghion réidh-chroidheach Ruaidhri,
8] Fuair airghe na n-glún ór' chin, ag tnúth le h-oidhbhle an oinigh.
9] Teist bhuan na ríoghraide roimpe, ni léig uaithe ar imirce,
10] Tug ar ainm Ghuaire ór chin, an ghairm is buaine braithfidh.
11] Fiu an treabh ór tuismheadh Síle, buaidh feile ar a prímh líne,
12] Da coimhdhe ag maicne an mhíodh-óil: roighne aicme Eireamhóin.- 1] The offspring of Donovan of the good deeds, hereditary deserver of dignity,
2] A worthy representative of the stock he sprung from, has come into the regal succession.
3] Superintendent of the west of Munster, prop for supporting justice,
4] Illustrious chieftain of our Corcnian blood, under whose protection our fame is placed.
5] The palm for beauty of her sedate aspect O'Shaughnessy's daughter has obtained.
6] Meekness without narrowness of heart, humility, generosity, firmness.
7] A fruitful palm-tree of the race of Dathi, the kind-hearted daughter of Rory,
8] Who inherits the attributes of the sires she sprung from, in longing to indulge the flame of hospitality.
9] The undying character of the kings before her she has not suffered to pass away,
10] But has reflected on the name of Guaire that lasting lustre she had derived from him.
11] The race from whom Sheela has descended deserved the palm for hospitality,
12] Of which the drinkers of metheglin boast: they are the choice of Heremon's race.
Sir Roger married, 2, Julia, the daughter of Cormac Mac Carthy, lord of Muskerry,
For my verie loveinge Daughter Mrs. Gyles Donovane, at Castledonovane, theise.
DAUGHTER,
I have received yours of the eighteenth of ffebruarie last, and as for your troubles you must be patient as well as others, and for my parte I taste enough of that fruite; God mend it amongst all, and send us a more happie tyme. As for the partie lately comaunded to the countree of Kiery, who may be expected to return that way, they are conducted by my Nephew (your Cuossen) Lieut. Collonell William Bourke, to whom I have written by the bearer in your behalfe. I am most Confident he will not suffer any wrong to be don unto your Dependants, Tenants, or yourself. And If in gase [in case] you should expect the whole Armey, you may certifie me soe much with speed, and I shall take that Course that shal be befittinge. In the meane tyme beseeching God to bless and keepe you and yours,
I am,
Youre assured loveing ffather, R. O'Shaghnissye.
Fedan,14. Martii, 1647.
The arms on the seal of this letter are ‘a tower crenelled in pale between two lions combatant.’ The crest, ‘an arm embowed holding a spear.’
This Gylles, who was living in May, 1676, had four sons, as appears from the O'Donovan records, namely; 1, Daniel, who was a colonel in the service of James II. and who was the great grandfather of the late General O'Donovan of Bawnlahan; 2, Cornelius; 3, Morogh; and 4, Richard, all living in 1655, but of whose descendants the Editor has not as yet discovered any satisfactory account, but believes that they are all extinct.
According to the pedigree of O'Shaughnessy given in the O'Clery MS. in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy, this Sir Roger, or Gilla-dubh O'Shaughnessy, died in the year 1650. There is a portrait of him dressed in armour preserved among the muniments of Ormond Castle, Kilkenny.
40. Sir Dermot O'Shaughnessy.— He married Joan, daughter of Lord Barrymore, and had by her two sons, Roger, his successor, and Cormac, or Charles. He died in 1673.
The following abstract of his Will, which is preserved in the Prerogative Court, Dublin, is well worthy of a place here, as throwing light not only on this pedigree, but upon the manners and customs of the times:
‘I order my bodie to be buryed in the Cathedral Church of Kill McDuagh, in the tomb where my ancestors were buryed— I doe order, that my son and heir shall cause fyve hundred and fower skore Masses to be said or celebrated for my soule immediately after my death; and I bequeath £29 to be given to those who shall without delay celebrate those Masses, allowing 1s. for every Masse aforesaid, and that each of the abbye's and convents mentioned hereafter do say the office of the dead for my soul and 15 masses besides,— I order 100 of my Ewes for my son Charles O'Shaughnessy, and bequeath to my eldest son and heir Roger O'Shaughnessy all my plate and household stuff, and I do charge my said sonnes to live during their lives in brotherly affection amongst themselves without animosity or contention— I bequeath to my son Charles the £20 mortgage I have from I. Prendergast, of the 60 acres he had in Ballinekelly, provided he shall cause 200 masses to be said for my soule— I order and leave my stuffe suite with gold buttons and my rapier for my son Charles— I leave the piece of grey frize to Edmond O'Heyne. I leave the piece of grey broad-cloth to father John Mullowny, he sayinge as many masses, for my soule, as the said cloth is worth— I leave one of my shirts to John Butler, one more to Edmond Heyne, one more to my servant Lawrence Donovane, and another to Edmond M'Hugh— I leave one of my best halfe shirts and my scarlett wastcoate to Dermott Clorane— I order the gold diamond ring I have in pawne from James Devenisse, for himselfe, he saying one hundred rosaryes for my soule— I leave my white gowne to Lawrence Donovan, and the rest of all my clothes to my son and heir Roger— I leave my white horse to my daughter in law Hellean Shaughnessy, I leave three young cowes and three great cowes, with four garrans, to my daughter Gyles Salcan, and my hatt to John Buttler— I order my son Roger to pay Eight pieces of Eight towards James Dowley his ransome— I leave two cowes and a mare to my neice Nell Donovan— ’
"In Witness of all which I have hereunto subscribed my hand and fixed my seal the29th of January, 1671.DER. O'SHAUGHNUSSY. "The Legacies I leave for my soule with some of the clergy, viz— To the Dominicans of Gallway 20s. To the Augustines of Galway 20s. To the Convent of Inish 20s. To the Vicar General, ffa. Michael Lynch, 20s. To ffa. Teige O'Meere 20s. To ffa. John Mullownee 30s. To ffa. Donogh Nelly 10s. To ffa. Thomas Kenny 10s. To ffa. John Nelly 10s. To ffa. Teige Mac Rory 10s. To ffa. Daniel Conegan 10s. To ffa. Thomas Grady 10s. To ffa. Breen Donnellan 10s. To ffa. Donogh Fahy 10s. To ffa. Daniel Broder 5s. To John Mac Glynn, lay-friar, 3s. To Thomas Burke,
lay-frier, 5s. Memorandum, that I do bequeath to my son and heire, Roger O'Shaughnessy and his heirs, the £500 due unto me from my lordship Viscount of Clare."
D. O'S. Being present at the signing and sealing hereof, Ffr. JO. MOLOUNY. LAWRENCE DONOVANE. DER. CLORANE. Proved — 8 July 1673, by his son Roger.
41. Roger O'Shaughnessy, Esq., the son of Sir Dermot.— He married, in 1688, Helena, the daughter of Conor Mac Donogh O'Brien of Ballynue, by whom he had one son, Colonel William O'Shaughnessy, and one daughter, Helena, who married Theobald Butler, and was the mother of Francis, John, and Theobald Butler, living in 1784. Roger joined King James's forces, and was engaged at the battle of the Boyne, from which he returned home sick, though not wounded, and died in the castle of Gort on the 11th of July, 1690. His property was declared forfeited on the 11th of May, 1697, and King William granted all his estates, in custodiam to Gustavus, the first Baron Hamilton; but he having soon after obtained a grant of other lands, the king, by letters patent, dated 19th June, 1697, granted to Thomas (afterwards Sir Thomas) Prendergast, in consideration of his good and acceptable services (the discovery of the assassination plot, &c.), all the estate, real and personal, of Roger O'Shaughnessy, Esq., deceased, in Gort-Inchigorie, and several other lands in the barony of Kiltartan and county of Galway. By a subsequent patent, dated 20th September, 1698, reciting the foregoing grant, and also that his Majesty was informed that the estates were then annually worth five hundred pounds, but that they had since proved very deficient of that sum; and it being the real intention that five hundred pounds a year should have been granted, several other lands of the clear yearly value of £334 )s. 2 1/2d., situate in the several counties of Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon, and Westmeath, were granted accordingly.— Rot. Pat. 10 William III.
42. Colonel William O'Shaughnessy.— He died in exile in France in 1744, without issue.
41. Cormac, or Charles O'Shaughnessy, the second son of Sir Dermot.— The Editor has not been able to discover the name of his wife, but it appears from De Burgo's Hibernia Dominicana, p. 505, and a pedigree compiled by Peter Connell in 1784, for a Cornet Butler, that he had three sons, namely, Colman O'Shaughnessy, Titular Bishop of Ossory; Robuck, or Robert O'Shaughnessy, Esq., and Joseph, who had a daughter Mary, the mother of a Cornet Butler, who was living in 1784. He had also a daughter Mary, who, according to Peter Connell, became the wife of Mortogh Cam MacMahon, Esq.
‘F. Colmanus O'Shaughnessy, S. Theologiae Magister, Alumnus Athenriensis Caenobii, oriundus e praeclarissima Familia de Gort, in Galviensi Agro Conaciae, cujus Nobilitatem, Antiquitatem, et Integritatem, qui non novit, Hiberniam non novit. Lovanii in Ordinem Fratrum Praedicatorum ex Officiali Militari Cooptatus, ibidem Studia confecit, atque docere incepit Anno 1706. Missionibus Apostolicis Hiberniae maturus, eoque profectus, laudabiliter se gessit, Sermone, et peculiari Morum Candore, in plurimis Conaciae Regionibus, ingenti cum Animarum Fructu praedicans. Die 30 Aprilis 1726 in Comitiis Dublinii celebratis electus fuit Provincialis in locum Stephani nostri Mac-Egan, Episcopi tunc Clonmacnoisensis, nuperrime laudati Anno 1736 a Clemente XII., Pontifice Maximo, renunciatus fuit. Episcopus Ossoriensis, vulgo Ossory, in Lagenia, sub Metropoli Dubliniensi atque Dublinii in Monialium nostrarum Aedibus Sacris consecratus a D. Joanne Linegar, ejusdem Urbis Archipraesule, assistentibus F. Stephano Mac-Egan, mox laudato, Midensi, et F. Michael Mac-Donogh Kilmorensi Episcopis, ex ordine nostro, ut ex nuper dictis liquet, assumptis. Anno 1744 defuncto Patruele suo, Tribuno Gulielmo O'Shaghnussy, in Galliarum Partibus, quo pater ipsius Rogerius Regem Jacobum secutus fuerat Anno 1691, eam ob Causam Castro suo Allodiali Gortensi, amplissimisque circumjacentibus Praediis, ultra Summam bis Mille, et quinquies centum Librarum Sterlingarum, id est, decies Mille Scutorum Romanorum, annuatim valentibus, privatus a Principe Arausicano, nuncupato Gulielmo III., qui eadem concessit Equiti Thomae Prendergast, durante duntaxat Vita laudatorum Rogerii, et Gulielmi O-Shaghnussy; isto, inquam, Gulielmo defuncto, Colmanus noster O-Shaghnessy, etsi jam Episcopus, Litem inchoavit, qua Familiae suae Primipilus, Dublinii, in Curia Communium Placitorum, contra tunc, et adhuc existentem Equitem Thomam pariter Prendergast, primo dicti filium, ad Bona illa haereditaria recuperanda; atque Praesule nostro e vivis sublato, in jure successit Germanus ipsius Frater, Robocus O-Shaghnussy, Armiger, hujusque nunc succedit Filius Josephus O-Shaghnussy, Armiger. Eques autem Thomas Prendergast acriter se defendit, non quidem Justitia Causae suae, sed Pecunia, et Potentia, unus quippe est e Senatoribus Regni in Parlamento sedens, insuperque Regi a Sanctioribus Consiliis, ad Differentiam Domini O'Shaghnussy, qui Fidei Catholicae est Cultor, suisque haereditariis Bonis exutus.’— pp. 505, 506.
42. Roebuck, or Robert, son of Charles O'Shaughnessy.— He had two sons, Joseph, who died in 1783, and William, and four daughters, Mary, Catherine, Ellice, and Eleanor, who were living in 1784, when Peter Connell wrote the pedigree for a Cornet Butler. Tradition states that this Joseph O'Shaughnessy, assisted by his relatives, the gentry of the county of Galway, took forcible possession of the mansion house of Gort, on which occasion they caused the bells of Athenry and Galway to be rung for joy. But O'Shaughnessy was finally defeated.
In Howard's Treatise on the Rules and Practice of the Equity side of the Exchequer in Ireland, second edition, Appendix, p. 903, the case of Smyth against O'Shaughnessy is mentioned as one of great importance. Howard says:
‘In the case of Smyth, guardian of Prendergast and others, against O'Shaghnessy and others, in the court of Chancery here, in October, 1760, on a petition to the lords commissioners (the Lord Chancellor being then in England) on a possessory bill and affidavits, an injunction was granted to the sheriff to restore the plaintiff, as devisee of the estate in question, to the possession of the mansion-house, out of which, it had been sworn, he had been forced by the defendant O'Shaghnessy, who claimed under some old dormant title, not as heir at law; and an injunction was also granted to the party, as to the demesne, unless cause should be shewn to the contrary, in the time prescribed by the order; afterwards, in Michaelmas term following, the defendant came to shew cause against the injunction to the party, and to set aside the injunction to the sheriff upon a notice for that purpose; but as to the first point, the court disallowed the cause; and as to the second point, the court refused to set aside the injunction, for that it is an order of course, and usually granted at the first instance, as the party turned out of his place of residence, and may not have a place to go to; and on these motions the following points were determined:’
‘That the defendant should not read any affidavits to contradict the facts in the plaintiff's affidavits, or shew any other cause than appeared on the face of the plaintiff's affidavits,’ &c. &c.
On this occasion it is said that the Lord Chancellor, Mansfield, lent Sir Thomas Prendergast Smyth eight thousand pounds to sustain him against O'Shaughnessy, which sum was charged on the Gort estate, and which has since been paid to the heirs of Lord Mansfield.
When Joseph O'Shaughnessy had taken forcible possession of the mansion-house of Gort, the whole tribe of the O'Shaughnessys believed that he had defeated Prendergast in the law suit, and a very curious song of exultation was composed on the occasion by a poor man of the family, named James O'Shaughnessy, the first quatrain of which runs as follows:
- 1] Guais na gábhaidh nár fhághair-se, a bhile gan locht,
2] O bhuaidh tú an bháire, is feárrde an chine tá bocht,
3] Beidh luadh ag dáimh, a's trácht ag ollamhnaibh ort,
4] 'S ó uaislibh Fáil gheabhair bárr clú féile 'sa n-Gort.- 1] Mayest thou meet neither peril nor danger, O hero without fault,
2] As thou hast won the goal, the tribe that is poor will be the better of it,
3] The poets shall spread thy fame, and the ollaves shall speak of thee,
4] And from the nobles of Inisfail thou wilt receive at Gort the palm for hospitality.
This Joseph, the last claimant of the Gort estate, died without issue in 1783, and there is no one now living that has yet traced his pedigree with certainty to the first Sir Dermot, who was knighted by Henry VIII.; some think that his race is totally extinct in the male line; but Captain Tyrrell of Kinvara has attempted to show that Mr. Bartholomew O'Shaughnessy of Galway is now the head of the name.
Captain Edward Tyrrell has compiled a pedigree of the O'Shaughnessys, from old documents which he had from Martin Colman O'Shaughnessy of Galway, in which he states that Colman, Titular Bishop of Ossory, already mentioned, but whom he incorrectly styles Lord Abbot of Cong, had several brothers; namely, Charles, Darby, ancestor of the O'Shaughnessys of the bounty of Limerick, where he settled, and Roger, ancestor of Dean O'Shaughnessy of Ennis, and of Dr. William O'Shaughnessy of Calcutta, F. R. S. Although this pedigree is, in the early part, full of errors in dates and genealogical facts, still there appears to be much truth contained in it for the last five generations, and the Editor is tempted to give that portion of it in this place, as containing the researches of a very intelligent old gentleman who was born in O'Shaughnessy's country, and who is now nearly a century old. He is, however, entirely wrong in making Dr. Colman the son of Sir Roger II. O'Shaughnessy, for we know from his contemporary De Burgo, already quoted, that he was the cousin german of Colonel William O'Shaughnessy (son of Roger, son of Sir Dermot III.), who died in France in 1744; that is, he was the eldest son of Cormac, or Charles, the second son of Sir Dermot, mentioned in the Will of 1671.
The Editor is of opinion that all the descendants of Sir Roger II. O'Shaughnessy are extinct in the male line, and that the O'Shaughnessys of Galway, Limerick, and Clare are descended from Lieut.-Colonel William O'Shaughnessy, who was made free of the corporation of Galway in 1648, and who was the third son of Sir Dermot II. This William had four sons, namely, William, Edmond, Dermot, and Ruaidhri, or Roger; and it is highly probable, though not yet proved, that his son Dermot is the ancestor of the O'Shaughnessys of the county of Limerick, and Ruaidhri, or Roger, the ancestor of the O'Shaughnessys of the county of Clare.
Pedigree of the O'Shaughnessys over five generations
According to this pedigree, which is beautifully drawn out on vellum (and in the possession of Dr. Terence O'Shaughnessy, R. C. Dean of Killaloe, who resides at Ennis, in the county of Clare), Colman O'Shaughnessy, Abbot of Cong, was the son of Sir Roger II.; but this is not true, for we learn from Dr. Colman's cotemporary, De Burgo, and from Peter Connell of Kilrush, who drew up a pedigree of O'Shaughnessy for a Cornet Butler, in 1784, that this Colman was the cousin-german of Colonel William O'Shaughnessy, who died in France in 1744, without issue. Captain Tyrrell writes that this Colman had five brothers, namely, Joseph, the head of the family, Charles, Darby, Roger, and James, the two last being twin brothers; but Captain Tyrrell is here totally mistaken, as we learn from De Burgo that on the death of Colonel William O'Shaughnessy in France, in 1744, Bishop Colman became the head of the O'Shaughnessys, and went to law with Sir Thomas Prendergast for the family estates, and that on the death of Colman, in 1749, his next brother, Roebuck, renewed the suit, as being the next senior representative of the family; and that after his death Joseph, his son, carried it on, and that it remained undecided in his (De Burgo's) time. Peter Connell also, who was born about the year 1740, and who knew all about this law suit between the O'Shaughnessys and Sir Thomas Prendergast, gives Colman but two brothers, namely, Robert (i. e. the Roebuck of De Burgo) and Joseph. From the total omission of Roebuck in Captain Tyrrell's pedigree of the O'Shaughnessys, it is quite clear that he has committed some mistake in enumerating the brothers of Dr. Colman O'Shaughnessy, as well as in making him the son of Sir Roger II.; and although he states that he drew this pedigree from the O'Shaughnessy papers, some of which are still, as he says, in his possession, we cannot receive his compilation as correct while in opposition to the registered records of the country, and to printed books of the highest authority. We must, however, receive this gentleman's testimony as far as it regards those genealogical facts which have come under his own immediate cognizance; and as he is now nearly a century old he must have heard and seen much of this family. The Editor, therefore, feels it his duty to lay before the reader that part of Captain Tyrrell's pedigree of the O'Shaughnessys which may be true in itself, though engrafted on a false stem.
2. Charles O'Shaughnessy.— He was the brother of Colman, Abbot of Cong. His other brothers were, 1, Joseph, the head of the Gort family [?]; 2, Darby, who settled in the county of Limerick and had numerous issue, whose descendants are still in that county; and, 3, Roger, who settled in the county of Clare, and is the ancestor
3. Charles O'Shaughnessy, the son of Charles.— He was born in 1660, and married Isabella French of Galway, called the Phoenix from her beauty, and had three sons, namely, 1, Darby, of whom presently; 2, John, who was born in 1692, and who resided at Kilmaine, in the county of Mayo, where he married Margery Kirwan, by whom he had issue male and female; 3, James, born in 1694, who went, it is supposed, to Jamaica, and was never heard of by any of his family. He had also six daughters, of whom the first married Michael French of Abbert; the second Geoffry Martin of Ross; the third Thomas French of Moycullen; the fourth R. Eyre; and two became nuns. He was an improvident man, and gave large portions to his daughters.
4. Darby O'Shaughnessy, the son of Charles.— He was born in the year 1690. He married, first, Cicily O'Brien, by whom he had two sons, William and John, and three daughters; and, secondly, Anne Gilmore of the county of Mayo, by whom he had Martin and James. He was reared for the Church by the Abbot of Cong, but was reduced to keep an academy in Dublin. He gave fifty pounds towards Joseph's suit with T. Prendergast Smyth, and was buried in the abbey of Galway, where he died. His son William, who was born in 1724, married Honor Lynch, by whom he had no male issue. He had three daughters. This William was barrack-master of Headford, and died at Galway [in 1781], aged fifty-seven. Thus ends the male line in the second branch in the fourth generation from Roger. His second son John, who was born in 1728, married Mary Bodkin, and died in 1779, leaving one daughter. His son James died unmarried.
5. Martin Colman O'Shaughnessy, the third son of Darby.— He was born in 1747, and married Mary Mac Donough, by whom he had two sons, Bartholomew and Andrew. Finding little property descend to him, it having gone to the female line, he thought a trade better than be a burden on his friends, or the many relations he might boast of, and was bound to a wig-maker. He died in 1829, aged 82. Thus ends the grandeur of this ancient family!
6. Bartholomew O' Shaughnessy, son of Martin Colman.— He was born in the year 1789. He married Deborah Morris of Spiddle, by whom he got £900 fortune. He
Captain Tyrrell, in a letter to the Editor, dated September 15th, 1843, writes the following account of the manner in which he obtained the evidences for compiling this pedigree:
‘In respect to the Galway barber, it is rather a long story, yet I will strive to get through it as distinctly as I can, for he is certainly the elder branch of that once great and ancient family, now totally gone to decay. About thirty-five or thirty-six years ago, when I lived in Galway, I had occasion to get my razors set to rights, and went to the father of the present barber, O'Shaughnessy, also a barber, and sitting in his shop; while he was so employed, his daughter came in, opened a good sized box near where I was sitting, and took out a bundle, or rather an handful of papers, on which I saw indistinct writing. I asked what she was going to do with them. She said to kindle the fire. I asked the father of the young woman what the papers related to; he replied he did not know, nor could he learn from persons who had examined them, as time had totally obliterated them. The box, he informed me, belonged to his grand-uncle, who was Abbot of Cong. This poor barber was then near seventy years of age, and spelled the name ‘O'Shoughnessy’ on his sign board, and often said it was the ancient mode of spelling the name. In short, I purchased the box, which I have to this day, and its contents, from the poor barber, and on my going to Dublin, I waited on my friend Mr. Kirwan, the highly celebrated chemist of his day, who showed me a way to enable me to read the whole of the papers.’
In another letter, dated Kinvara, November 30th, 1843, Captain Tyrrell writes concerning the law suit between Joseph O'Shaughnessy and Sir Thomas Prendergast:
‘This law suit was not finally closed in my memory, as it went before the Lords and Commons of England; and I remember having seen this Mr. Joseph O'Shaughnessy and his sister often, in the years 1768, 1769, and 1770, in a state nearly allied to beggary, at Gort; from thence they removed to Dublin, and before 1775 [recte 1783] both were dead without issue, by which the present barber's grandfather was, without dispute, the next heir to Sir Roger O'Shaughnessy.’
Arms.— A castle triple-towered az.
Supporters.— Two lions or.
Crest.— Over a side helmet a hand in armour holding a spear.
Motto.— FORTIS ET STABILIS.
The arms of O'Shaughnessy are given in a MS. in the British Museum, Clarendon 4815, entitled ‘Copies of Grants of Arms collected for a Peerage by Aaron Crossley.’ The crest, however, is not given in this collection, but it is added here from an impression
9. Colman, son of Cobhthach.— This Colman was King of Connaught for twenty-one years. He married the mother of St Caimin of Inis Cealltra, and was the father of Guaire Aidhne, King of Connaught, and Lairgneun, who was also King of Connaught seven years.
10. Guaire Aidhne.— He was King of Connaught for thirteen years, during which period he distinguished himself so much for hospitality and bounty that he became almost the god or personification of generosity among the Irish poets, and those of modern times boasted that O'Shaughnessy was his lineal descendant Thus Muldowny O'Morrison, in an ode, addressed, in 1639, to Daniel O'Donovan of Castle Donovan, who was married to O'Shaughnessy's daughter, boasts that his wife Sheela reflected honour on the name of her illustrious ancestor Guaire; but we have already seen that the Cinel Aodha, of whom O'Shaughnessy was chief, were not of the race of Guaire; but the poet was perfectly pardonable, as he had the authority of MSS. of considerable antiquity for deducing the Pedigree of O'Shaughnessy from Guaire Aidhne, King of Connaught.— See p. 54 55 in the CELT edition, note 183.
In the year 645 Guaire fought the battle of Carn Conaill against King Diarmaid, the son of Aodh Slaine, in which he was defeated.1018 He died in the year 662, and was buried at Clonmacnoise. According to the Book of Lecan, Guaire had three sons, namely, 1, Nar, who had a son Cobhthach, who had a son Flann, the ancestor of the family of O'Maghna, chiefs of the territory of Caenraighe, in Aidhne, and who was the senior of the race of Guaire— see p. 61, supra; 2, Artghal, the ancestor of O'Clery, O'Heyne, and Mac Gilla Kelly; and, 3, Aodh, the ancestor of the tribe called Cinel Enda. It would appear from the Annals of the Four Masters that he had another son, Ceallach, who died in the year 665.
11. Artghal.— He was the second son of Guaire, but our annalists or genealogists have preserved no particulars about him, except that he was the father of,
12. Fearghal Aidhne.— He was King of Connaught for thirteen years, and died in 694, under which year the Four Masters, in their Annals, erroneously call him the son instead of the grandson of Guaire Aidhne. He had two sons, 1, Torpa, the ancestor of O'Clery, and, 2, Flaithniadh, the father of Art, or Artghal, chief of Aidhne, who was slain, according to the Four Masters, in the year 767.
13. Torpa, son of King Feargal Aidhne.— He had two sons, Cathmogh, ancestor of the subsequent chiefs, and Aodh, from whom the celebrated poet Flann Mac Lonain was the fourth in descent.
14. Cathmogh, son of Torpa.— He had two sons, 1, Tighernach, lord of Aidhne, who died, according to the Four Masters, in the year 822, and Comuscach, the ancestor of the subsequent chieftains.
15. Comuscach, son of Cathmogh.
16. Ceadadhach, son of Comuscach.
17. Cleireach, son of Ceadadhach.— He is the progenitor after whom the family of O'Cleirigh, or O'Clery, have taken their surname. He had two sons, Maolfabhaill, of whom presently, and Eidhin, the progenitor of the family of O'Heyne.
18. Maolfabhaill, son of Cleireach.— He was lord of Aidhne, and died, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, in the year 887. He was father of Tighearnach O'Clery, lord of Aidhne, who died in 916, and of,
19. Flann, otherwise called Maolcerarda O'Clery.— He was slain by the men of Munster in the year 950, under which he is styled, in the Annals of the Four Masters, lord of South Connaught, and rioghdamhna, or heir presumptive, of all Connaught. He was father of,
20. Comhaltan O'Clery.— He was lord of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, according to the Annals of the Four Masters. This very powerful chieftain, assisted by Maelseachlainn Mac Arcdai, in the year 964, defeated the celebrated Sen Fergal O'Rourke, King of Connaught, and slew seven hundred of his people, and among the rest Taichleach O'Gara, lord of South Leyny. He died in the year 976.
21. Giolla Cheallaigh, son of Comhaltan O'Clery.— Comhaltan O'Clery was succeeded in the lordship of Aidhne by Muireadhach O'Clery, who was probably his son, and who died, according to the Four Masters, in the year 988, after which Giolla Cheallaigh, or Kilkelly O'Clery, succeeded to the lordship. In the year 998 he slew Diarmaid Mac Dunadhaigh, lord of Siol Anmchadha, but in 1003 he was himself slain by the celebrated Tadhg O'Kelly, chief of Hy-Many, as we are informed by the Four Masters:—
‘A . D. 1003. A battle was fought between Tadhg O'Kelly with the Hy-Many, and the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne with the men of West Connaught, in which were slain Giolla Cheallaigh mac Comhaltain O'Clery, lord of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, Conchobhar Mac Ubbain, and Cennfaoladh Mac Ruaidhri, and many others. Finn, the son of Marcan, Tanist of Hy-Many, was also slain in the heat of the conflict.’1019 This Giolla Cheallaigh is the progenitor after whom the family of Mac Giolla Cheallaigh, Kilkelly, or Killikelly, have taken their surname, so that , that family are virtually O'Clerys. He had one son,
22. Cugaela, son of Giolla Cheallaigh O'Clery.— After the death of Giolla Cheallaigh O'Clery, in 1003, it would appear that Maolruanaidh, or Mulrony na paidre [of the prayer] O'Heyne succeeded to the lordship of Aidhne, for he commanded the South Hy-Fiachrach in the battle of Clontarf, A. D. 1014, in which he fell. To whom succeeded Cugaela, the grandson of Comhaltan O'Clery, who seems to have ruled the territory for a period of eleven years, for he died, according to the Four Masters, in the year 1025. According to the genealogical MS. of Peregrine O'Clery, now preserved in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy, this Cugaela O'Clery had three sons, namely, 1, Braon, the ancestor of all the septs who retained the name of O'Clery; 2, Giolla na naomh, or Sanctius, the ancestor of the family who took the name of Mac Giolla Cheallaigh, now Killikelly, a family which was very respectable in the territory of Aidhne in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and then seated in the castle of Cloghballymore, near Kinvara — see p. 68, note r, i. e. p. 69, note 207 in the CELT edition; but, strange to say, the pedigree of this family is not carried down lower than the twelfth century in any Irish MS. accessible in Dublin; 3, Eidhin, the progenitor, after whom the family of the O'Heynes took their surname; but this Eidhin could not have been a son of Cugaela, who died in 1025, for his grandson Mulrony na paidre O'Heyne was chief of Aidhne, and was slain in the battle of Clontarf in 1014; and we must therefore agree with Duald Mac Firbis, who makes this Eidhin the son of Cleireach, No. 17 in the Genealogical Table.
23. Braon, son of Cugaela O'Clery.— He was slain, in the year 1033, as we learn from the Annals of the Four Masters at that year. — ‘A. D. 1033. A battle was fought between the men of Eile and the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, in which fell Braon O'Clery and Muireadhach, the son of Giolla Padraig, and many others.’
24. Eoghan, son of Braon O'Clery.— In the time of this Eoghan the family of O'Heyne became chiefs of Aidhne, but it does not appear that any member of the family who retained the name O'Clery ever after obtained chief sway in the territory; and they were finally driven out by the Burkes. From this Eoghan, who must have died about the year 1063, we are presented with the following generations, of which no dates or other particulars are preserved in the Irish annals.
25. Domhnall O'Clery.
26. Giolla na naomh O'Clery.
27. Tighernach O'Clery.
28. Muireadhach O'Clery.
29. Tadhg O'Clery.
30. Giolla Iosa O'Clery.
31. Domhnall O'Clery.
By allowing thirty years to each of these generations we will find that this Domhnall may have flourished towards the close of the thirteenth century, and this seems to have been the period at which the O'Clerys were driven out of the territory of Aidhne by the Burkes. He had four sons, namely; 1, John Sgiamhach, i. e. the comely, the ancestor of the O'Clerys of Tirconnell; 2, Daniel, from whom are descended the O'Clerys of Tirawley; 3, Thomas, from whom are the O'Clerys of Briefny O'Reilly; and, 4, Cormac, from whom are the O'Clerys of Kilkenny— See Genealogical Table.
32. John Sgiamhach (i. e. the Comely) O'Clery, fl. circ. 1303.
33. Diarmaid O'Clery, fl. circ. 1333.
34. Cormac O'Clery.— He was the first of the family who removed to Tirconnell, which he did shortly after the year 1382, when Toirdhealbhach an fhiona O'Donnell was chief of Tirconnell. He married the only daughter and heiress of Matthew O'Sgingin, who was at the time chief historian to O'Donnell, and had by her,
35. Giolla Brighde O'Clery.— He was so called after his maternal uncle, Giolla Brighde O'Sgingin, who had died in 1382, a short time before the birth of O'Clery. This Giolla Brighde O'Clery was educated in the profession of his maternal grandfather, whom he succeeded in the capacity of historical ollav or chief historian to O'Donnell. He had one son, who succeeded him, viz.
36. Giolla riabhach O'Clery.— The Four Masters have the following notice of his death:— ‘A. D. 1421. Giolla riabhach O'Clery, a learned historian, died after having spent a life of virtue.’ There must be some error, however, in this date, for his father, Giolla Brighde, having been born after 1382, was only 39 years old in 1421, when the death of his son is mentioned as that of a learned historian! The truth would appear to be that Giolla riabhach is here a mistake for Giolla Brighde.
37. Diarmaid of the three Schools, the son of Giolla riabhach.— The year of the death of this Diarmaid, strange to say, is not recorded by his descendants, the Four Masters, in their Annals.
38. Tadhg, or Teige Cam O'Clery.— His death is thus recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 1492: — ‘A. D. 1492. O'Clery (Tadhg Cam), ollav to O'Donnell in science, poetry, and history, a man who had maintained a house of universal hospitality, for the mighty and the needy, died, after having subdued the world and the devil.’ This Tadhg Cam had three sons, 1, Diarmaid, of whom presently; 2, Tuathal, who died in 1512, and who was the great grandfather of Michael O'Clery and Conary O'Clery, two of the Four Masters, and of Bernardinus O'Clery, the superior of the convent of Donegal in 1632 and 1636; 3, Giolla riabhach, chief of this family, who died in 1527.
39. Diarmaid, son of Tadhg Cam O'Clery.— He had four sons, namely, Cucoigcriche, or
40. Cucoigcriche, or Peregrine O'Clery.— He was living in the year 1546, as we learn from a passage in the Annals of the Four Masters under that year. He had six sons, namely, 1, Maccon, of whom presently; 2, Cosnamhach; 3, Dubhthach; 4, Tadhg; 5, Cormac; and, 6, Maurice Ballach, who was hanged in the year 1572 by the Earl of Thomond, who wished to exterminate the Irish poets.
41. Maccon, son of Cucoigcriche O'Clery.— He was the chief of the Tirconnell, or literary sept of the O'Clerys, and died in the year 1595, under which year the Four Masters have preserved the following record of him:— ‘A. D. 1595. Maccon, son of Cucoigcriche, son of Diarmaid, son of Tadhg Cam O'Clery, chief historian to O'Donnell, died at Leitir Maolain, in Thomond [now Lettermoylan, in the parish of Dysart O'Dea, in the barony of Inchiquin]. He was a learned and erudite man, profoundly versed in history and poetry, fluent, eloquent, and gifted with the harmony and splendour of oratory, and withal, pious, devout, religious, and charitable.’ He had five sons, namely, 1, Lughaidh of the Contention of the Bards, of whom presently; 2, Giolla Brighde; 3, Maccon Meirgeach; 4, Cucoigcriche; and, 5, Duibhgeann, who was slain at Clare in the year 1600.
42. Lughaidh, or Lewy O'Clery, son of Maccon O'Clery.— He was the head of the Tirconnell branch of the O'Clerys, and was in possession of all his lands in the year 1609, when he was selected as one of the ‘good and lawful’ men of the county of Donegal, appointed to inquire into the King's title to the several escheated and forfeited lands in Ulster. He was the principal disputant on the part of the northern bards in the contest with Teige Mac Dary [Tadhg Mac Dáire] and those of the south of Ireland, respecting the claims of the rival dynasties of the northern and southern divisions of Ireland to supremacy and renown, and his poems written during this controversy are very curious, as preserving many historical facts, and for the purity and correctness of their diction. The year of his death is not recorded by the Four Masters, and the probability is that he lived to a later period than that to which their Annals extended, for they have no entry later than the year 1616. He had two sons, Cucoigcriche, or Peregrine, of whom presently, and Cairbre.
43. Cucoigcriche, or Peregrine O'Clery, the eldest son of Lughaidh.— He married one of the Mac Sweenys of the county of Donegal, by whom he had two sons, Diarmaid and John. It appears from an inquisition taken at Lifford on the 25th of May, 1632, that he held the half quarter of the lands of Coobeg and Doughill, in the proportion of Monargane, in the barony of Boylagh and Bannagh, in the county of Donegal, from Hollantide, 1631, until May, 1632, for which he paid eight pounds sterling per annum
44. Diarmaid, son of Cucoigcriche, or Peregrine O'Clery.— No memorial of him remains in the MSS. except that he was the son of Peregrine and the father of,
45. Cairbre O'Clery.— He married, about the year 1692, —— Maguire of Arney Bridge, in the county of Fermanagh, by whom he had two sons, namely, Cosnamhach, or Cosney, and Philip, who died without issue male, and one daughter Alice. He removed with his children to the parish of Drung, in the county of Cavan, and was interred in the churchyard of Drung.
46. Cosnamhach, or Cosney O'Clery, son of Cairbre.— He was born in the year 1693 at the foot of Nephin mountain, in the county of Mayo. He removed from thence to a place called Knockbinish, in the county of Leitrim, whence he removed accompanied by his father, to the parish of Drung, in the county of Cavan, where he married Mable, daughter of Donnell Ultagh [Donlevy], by whom he had one son, Patrick, and four daughters. He died in the year 1759, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, and was buried in the churchyard of Drung.
47. Patrick, son of Cosnamhach O'Clery.— He was born in the year 1738, and in 1759 he married Anne, daughter of Bernard O'Gowan, or Smith, of Lara, in the county of Cavan, and had by her twelve children, six sons and six daughters. He died
48. John, eldest son of Patrick O'Clery, now living. He was born in the year 1778, and in 1812 married Alice, daughter of Patrick Smith of Ashfield, in the county of Cavan, and had by her five children, of whom only two are now living, namely, John and Anne.
This John, No. 48, removed to the city of Dublin in 1817, where he still lives, like his ancestors, a strictly honest and worthy man, and a good Irish scribe and scholar. His son, John O'Clery, Jun., has written the following remarks on the family manuscripts, in a letter to the Editor, dated 37, Nassau-street, 12th February, 1842, which should not be omitted here:
‘Cucogry left his books to his sons Dermod and Shane. Cairbre, son of Dermod, had them in his possession, and left them to his son Cosnamha, who left them to his son Patrick, through whom they came into the possession of his son John, my father. By an accidental fire, which occurred in the house of my grandfather, a great part of Cucogry's manuscripts was materially injured. The only ones which escaped damage were the following:— The Book of Pedigrees, the Book of Invasions, the Life of Red Hugh O'Donnell, the Amhra Choluim Chille, and Triallam timcheall na Fodhla, which were brought to Dublin by my father in 1817. He lent these books to the late Mr. Edward O'Reilly, but did not bargain for or sell them to him. He never got them back, however, as he did not know of Mr. O'Reilly's illness until he heard of his death, and saw that he had included these very books in his catalogue, except the Life of Hugh Roe, which, it appears, he had disposed of to Mr. Monck Mason, who resided at that time in Harcourt-street, and this he had done without letting my father know any thing about it. My father, on hearing of his books being thus advertised for sale, made an affidavit that he merely lent, but did not sell them to Mr. O'Reilly. Notwithstanding this, however, his executor, the Rev. Eugene O'Reilly of Navan proceeded with the sale of them, and it was under these circumstances that they came by purchase, at O'Reilly's auction, into the possession of the Royal Irish Academy. But although they could not perhaps be placed in better hands, or any where that they would be taken better care of, as far as their preservation is concerned, yet by all the laws of strict justice, they are as much my father's property, even at this moment, as if the Royal Irish Academy had never paid one farthing for them. Little did Cucogry think that these very books, on which he set so high a value, as is seen by his own Will, would ever, by such means, pass out of the hands of his descendants. My father has still a copy, which he made himself, of the Book of Pedigrees, and he has also some of the very books which belonged to Cucogry.’
Mr. Martin Clery of Ballycroy, in the county of Mayo, also descends from this Cucogry, or Peregrine, who died in 1664, and Mrs. Conway of Doonah castle, in Ballycroy, descends from his brother; but they are unable to add dates to the different generations, having retained no manuscript memoranda.
It does not appear that this family had ever obtained any grant of arms from the Irish College of Heralds, and the Editor has not been able to find that they ever used any armorial bearings in ancient Irish times.
18. Eidhin, the son of Cleireach. — We have already seen in the pedigree of O'Clery, No. 22, that Peregrine O'Clery errs in making this Eidhin the son of Cugaela, chief of Aidhne, who died in 1025, and we must therefore follow the authority of Duald Mac Firbis and of the O'Mulconrys in the Leabhar Irse, who make him the second son of Cleireach, the ancestor of the family of O'Clery. He had one son, Flann, of whom presently, and one daughter, Mor, the first wife of the monarch Brian Borumha, and the mother of his sons Murchadh, Conchobhar, and Flann, who were slain in the battle of Clontarf.
19. Flann, of whom we know nothing, except that from the pedigrees and the Irish annals we must come to the conclusion that he had two sons, namely, 1, Maolruanaidh na Paidre (or Mulrony of the Prayer) O'Heyne, chief of Aidhne, who was slain in the battle of Clontarf in the year 1014, of whose issue, if he left any, no account is preserved; and, 2, Maolfabhaill, or Mulfavill O'Heyne, by whom the line was continued.
20. Maolfabhaill, son of Flann O'Heyne. — He became chief of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, or South Hy-Fiachrach, probably after the death of Cugaela O'Clery, in the year 1025, and if so, he was chief for twenty-three years, for his death is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 1048. — ‘A. D. 1048. Maolfabhaill O'Heyne, lord of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, died.’
21. Cugaela, son of Maolfabhaill. — No notice of him is preserved in the Irish annals unless he be the O'Heyne, lord of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters as having slain Domhnall Ruadh O'Brien in the year 1055, which he probably was.
22. Giolla na naomh, surnamed of the Plunder, son of Cugaela O'Heyne.
23. Flann, son of Giolla na naomh O'Heyne.
24. Conchobhar, or Conor, son of Flann O'Heyne.
25. Aodh, or Hugh, son of Conchobhar O'Heyne.— He was probably the Aodh O'Heyne, lord of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, mentioned by the Four Masters at the year 1121, as haying been slain in Munster, whither he had gone on a predatory excursion with Turlogh O'Conor, who was then King of Connaught, and presumptive monarch of Ireland.
26. Giolla Cheallaigh, or Gillikelly, son of Aodh O'Heyne.— He had two sons, Aodh and Giolla na naomh, and was slain, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, in the year 1153, together with his son Aodh.
27. Giolla na naomh, son of Giolla Cheallaigh.— The Irish annals have preserved no memorial of this Giolla na naomh. In his time Roderic O'Conor, monarch of Ireland, was resident in the O'Heyne territory. At the year 1180 the Four Masters mention the death of a Maurice O'Heyne, lord of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, and at 1187, the death of Duvesa, daughter of O'Heyne, and wife of Conor Mac Dermot, lord of Moylurg, but nothing remains to show how this Maurice, or Duvesa, stood related to the Giolla na naomh in question; but it is highly probable that the one was the son and the other the daughter of his brother Aodh, who was slain in 1153.
28. Eoghan, or Owen, son of Giolla na naomh O'Heyne.—At the year 1201 the Four Masters enter the death of Conchobhar, or Conor O'Heyne, the son of Maurice; at 1211 that of Cugaola O'Heyne, and at 1212 they have the following entry:— ‘A. D. 1212. Donnchadh O'Heyne had his eyes put out by Aodh, the son of Cathal Croibhdhearg O'Conor, without the permission of O'Conor himself.’ These were evidently the grandsons of Aodh, or Hugh O'Heyne, who was slain in 1153, and whose race was now laid aside, when Donnchadh was deprived of his eyes and rendered unfit for the chieftainship. After this Eoghan, the son of Giolla na naomh O'Heyne, became chief of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, and one of the most conspicuous chieftains that ever ruled that territory. In the year 1225 he was one of the chiefs of Connaught who joined the sons of King Roderic O'Conor against Hugh, the son of Charles the Red-handed O'Conor, King of Connaught, who was assisted by the English; on which occasion Hugh O'Conor despatched his brother Felim and others of the chiefs of his people, and a large body of English soldiers, into Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne to plunder Eoghan O'Heyne, and they encamped one night at Ardrahin, for the purpose of plundering the country early the next morning; but when O'Flaherty of Iar-Connaught, and the other enemies of Hugh O'Conor, had heard that the English were here stationed with the intention of plundering Eoghan O'Heyne, they did not neglect their friend, but marched, as the Four Masters state, ‘with one mind and one accord,’ until they came to a place near Ardrahin, where they halted, and having held a consultation, they came to the resolution of of sending Tuathal, the son of Muircheartach, and Taithleach
In ten years after this we find this Eoghan on the warmest terms of friendship with the English. In the year 1235 he joined Richard, the son of William Burke, in his famous expedition into Connaught, on which occasion he rendered the English great services both by his deeds and counsel, as will appear from the following simple narrative, extracted by the Four Masters from the older annals:
‘A. D. 1235. Richard, the son of William Burke, assembled the English of Ireland, the most illustrious of whom were the following, viz.—Fitz-Maurice, Lord Deputy of Ireland; Hugo De Lacy, Earl of Ulster; Walter Rittabard [Riddlesford], Chief Baron of Leinster, who commanded the English of Leinster; and the Lord John Cogan, with the English of Munster, together with all the Roothes of Ireland. They crossed the ford of Athlone, and set fire to the town; then going to Elphin they burned the great church there, and proceeded from thence to the monastery of Ath Dalaarg [Boyle], on the River Boyle, on the eve of Trinity Sunday. Parties of their soldiers entered the monastery, broke into the sacristy, and carried away chalices, vestments, and other treasures. But the English nobles were highly incensed at this conduct [of the soldiery], and sent back as many of those articles as they found, and made restitution for such as they could not find. On the next day they sent forth parties to Creit, to Cairthe Muilchenn [now Glencar], and to the tower of Glenfarne, marauding, who carried off great spoils from those places to the Lord Deputy's camp at Ardcarne. Here the English held a private consultation at the request of Eoghan O'Heyne (who wished to be revenged on the Momonians, and particularly Donnchadh Cairbreach O'Brien), and determined on returning back through Hy-Many and Moinmoy, and passing thence into Thomond, without giving the Momonians any notice of their intentions. This they accordingly did, and committed great depredations. When Felim, the son of Cathal Croibhdhearg O'Conor, saw that the English had passed out of his territories,
‘Felim, the son of Cathal Croibhdhearg, finding himself beset with dangers, then resolved on taking with him to O'Donnell [Domhnall Mor] all the cows belonging to those who should be willing to take his advice in the territories of Conmaicne Mara and Conmaicne Cuile, together with the son of Maghnus and Conchobhar Ruadh, the son of Muircheartach Muimhneach O'Conor, and leaving the whole country desolate to the English. The English, on discovering what he had done, advanced to Dun-Mugdord, whence they despatched messengers to Maghnus, the son of Muircheartach Muimhneach, to demand hostages from him, but Maghnus refused to give them either peace or hostages. The English then sent forth from Dun Mugdord a numerous army against the sons of Roderic O'Conor, which plundered Achill and carried great spoils to Druimni. In the mean time Aodh O'Flaherty and Eoghan O'Heyne came round with their numerous forces, who carried boats with them as far as Lionan Cinn mhara [now Leenaun], and thence to Druimni, to meet the Lord Deputy at the Callow of Inis Aonaigh [Inisheany]. Maghnus at this time was with his ships on the water close to the island, where he and the English had frequent engagements. But the English gave him rest for awhile: they repaired to their camp, where they found the boats which had been carried round by O'Flaherty and O'Heyne1020, and carried
‘Many of the common people were put to death on that night by the English, who, on the next day, being Friday, landed on the islands north of Umhall, and the chiefs of the army issued orders that no people should be put to death on that day in honour of the crucifixion of Christ. After they had plundered and devastated Umhall, both by sea and land, they marched on with their spoils to Luffertane, thence they advanced to Ballysadare, where they plundered O'Donnell for having afforded refuge to Felim O'Conor after his expulsion. From thence they moved to the Curlieus and to Caladh Puirt na Cairge, on Lough Key, to attack a party of the people of Felim O'Conor, who were defending that place. On this occasion the English of Ireland and the Lord Deputy spared and protected Clarus Mac Mailin, herenach of Elphin, and the canons of the island of the Blessed Trinity, and the Lord Deputy himself and the chiefs of the English went to see that place, and to kneel and pray there. The English afterwards, with great art and ingenuity, constructed wonderful engines by means of which they took the fortress called the Rock of Lough Key from the people of Felim and Cormac Mac Dermot, and the Lord Deputy left guards in it with plenty of provisions and beer. On this expedition the English left the Connacians bereft of food, raiment, and cattle, and the country of peace and tranquillity; the Irish themselves plundering and destroying each other. The English, however, did not receive hostages or pledges of submission on this occasion. Felim made peace with the Lord Deputy, and the English gave him the five cantreds belonging to the king, without cattle, but free from tribute.’
In the year following, 1236, we find this Eoghan O'Heyne in opposition to Felim O'Conor, and assisting Brian, the son of Turlogh O'Conor, who had been set up as king of the Irish of Connaught by the English. He died, according to the Four Masters, in 1253.
29. John, son of Eoghan O'Heyne.
30. Aodh, or Hugh, son of John O'Heyne.
31. Donnchadh, or Donogh, son of Hugh O'Heyne.—The Irish annalists preserve no historical notice of the three last generations. At the year 1261 the Four Masters state that Maelfabhaill, or Mulfavill O'Heyne, slew Hugh, the son of Maolseachlainn O'Conor; and at 1263, that he was himself slain by the English; and at 1326 they notice the death of Nicholas O'Heyne; but nothing remains to show how these stood related to the generations above given. This Donnchadh had two sons, namely, Eoghan, who became lord of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, and was slain, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, in the year 1340 by his own kinsmen, and Muircheartach O'Heyne, by whom the line was continued.
The Irish annalists preserve but very few notices of this family from the year 1340 to 1578. At the year 1377 Mac Namara and his people of Clann Coilen defeated the people of Clanrickard, and slew Theobald, son of Ulick Burke, the commander of a great body of Kerns, and O'Heyne's three sons, with many others of the chiefs of Clanrickard — Ann. Clonmacnoise.
In the year 1407 O'Heyne joined Mac William Burke of Clanrickard, and Cathal, son of Rory O'Conor, King of Connaught, and fought the battle of Killaghy against O'Conor Roe, but they were defeated and taken prisoners. The annalists do not give us the Christian name of the O'Heyne here mentioned, but we may conjecture that he was No. 33 in the pedigree, namely, Aodh Buidhe, the son of Muircheartach.
32. Muircheartach, or Murtogh, son of Donogh O'Heyne.
33. Aodh Buidhe, or Hugh the Yellow, son of Muircheartach O'Heyne.
34. Brian, son of Hugh the Yellow, O'Heyne,
35. Conchobhar, or Conor, son of Brian O'Heyne.
36. Flann, son of Conor O'Heyne—He had four sons, who became the founders of four distinct septs, namely, 1, Edmond, the ancestor of the succeeding chiefs, except two; 2, Ruaidhri na Coille, i. e. Rory or Roger of the Wood, who became chief of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, and died in the year 1578, as we learn from the Four Masters: —‘A . D. 1578. O'Heyne (Ruaidhri na Coille, son of Flann, son of Conchobhar) died. He had been distinguished for his hospitality and activity in the use of arms from the beginning of his career until he was summoned from this world. His fraternal nephew, Eoghan Mantach, son of Edmond, was elected to his place.’1021 3. His third son was
37. Edmond, son of Flann O'Heyne.—Nothing is recorded of this O'Heyne except that he was the father of,
38. Eoghan Mantach O'Heyne.— He succeeded his uncle, Ruaidhri na Coille, as chief of the Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, in 1578. The following order of the Council of Connaught in his favour is worth inserting here, as throwing curious light upon the history of property at this period.
Order of Council of Connaught—1586Whereas, it is given us to understand that Owen Mantagh O'Hein of Lydegane, in the barony of Kiltaraght, within the county of Galway, chiefe of his name, is seized amongst other lands of the quarter of land called Caherkearney, & the quarter of Cratnagh, which 2 quarters by a reason they were not presented unto us, are not comprised within the Indentures of her Majesty's Composition, & for as much as by the said Indentures there was no freedom provided for the said Owen, and that by his own confession & presentment yt is found owte the said twoe quarters of land to be concealed and not presented as afforesaid, whereby he is the better worthie to engage the same. It is therefore condecended, granted & agreed in consideration of the premises that the said Owen Mantagh O'Hein shall possess said lands discharged of her Majesty's Composition Rent.
Given at Dublin the 13th of May, 1586. Richard Bingham. Thomas Dillon. Thomas. C. Strange. George Comerford. Nicholas White.
This Eoghan Mantach, or Owen the Toothless O'Heyne, died in the year 1588, as we learn from the Four Masters. ‘A. D. 1588. Eoghan Mantach, son of Edmond, son of Flann, son of Conchobhar O'Heyne, lord of Hy-Fiachrach Aidhne, died, and his son Aodh Buidhe [Hugh the Yellow] was elected to his place.’1022
39. Aodh Buidhe, or Hugh Boy, the son of Eoghan Mantach O'Heyne. —Upon the surrender of his property he received a grant of an extensive estate in the original territory, as will appear from the following curious document extracted from the fourth file of Fiants:
A Graunte unto Hughe Boy O'Heine, sonne and heire of One [Owen] O'Heyne of Ledigan, in the county of Gallway, within the province of Conaght, upon his Surrender, bearing date the 22nd of July, in the xxxth yeare of her Majesty's raigne, of 33s. 4d. Sterlinge yerely, chief rent going out of three quarters of lande in Crannaghe, of one quarter of
lande in Clonchie, of one quarter of lande in Cahern, one quarterof lande in Cahircarne, one quarter of lande in Crossye, and two quarters of lande in Rahassane; and also 33s. 4d. Ster. chiefe rent yerely goinge out of one quarter of lande in Sisselleidigan, one quarter of lande in Tuelgon, one quarter of lande in Corveighe, one quarter of lande in Kintierleveigh, and one quarter of lande in Dunguoire in th' aforesaid Countie: also 33s. 4d. chiefe rent yerely goinge out of one quarter lande of Cahirkillen, one quarter of lande in Caherglassane, one quarter of lande in Keppaghbeg, one quarter of lande in Cahermadorishe, one quarter of lande in Powleneveigh, and one quarter of lande in Rahalben in th' aforesaid Countie; also 33s. 4d. Ster. chiefe rent yerely goinge out of one quarter of lande in Ballibuige, one quarter of lande in Lawghcoure, one quarter of lande in Kiltwyne, and one quarter of lande in Caherscarlie in th' aforesaid countie; also fortie one shillings foure pence Ster. chiefe rent yerely goinge out of one quarter of lande in Ballevanegrane, one quarter of lande in Monescrib, one quarter of lande in le Mey, one quarter of lande in Fonchenbeg, one quarter of lande in Keapaghmore, and one quarter of lande in Clogher in th' aforesaid countie: also 35s. 8d. Ster. chiefe rent yerely going out of one quarter of lande in Knocklegan, one quarter of lande in Gortevallaile, one quarter of lande in Dromyn, one quarter of lande in Trelick, one quarter of lande in Fonshenmore, one quarter of lande in Rewe, one quarter of lande in Dowres, one quarter of lande in Townaght, one quarter of lande in Agard, one quarter of lande in Balliglara, one quarter of lande in Killily, and one quarter of lande in Cloneste in th' aforesaid countie —Summa total. x. libra Ster. to the said Hughe O'Heine and his heires and assignes for ever per servicium Militare, viz. per servicium xx.me partis unius feodi Militis. — Solvo jure cujuslibet. Deliberat. in Canc. Hibernie xxiiii Julii an. r. R. Eliz. xxx[ordm ], —tempore Wil. Fitzwilliams.
This Aodh Buidhe, or Hugh Boy O'Heyne, died in the year 1594, as we learn from the Four Masters: — ‘A. D. 1594. O'Heyne (Aodh Buidhe, son of Eoghan Mantach, son of Edmond, son of Flann) died.’1023 This is the last notice of the O'Heyne family given in the Annals of the Four Masters; but Duald Mac Firbis gives two generations more of the pedigree of the family of Lydigane, which carry the line down to his own time, A. D. 1650-1666. These generations are,
40. Aodh Buidhe, son of Aodh Buidhe O'Heyne.
41. Eoghan, son of Aodh Buidhe O'Heyne, of Lydigane.
From the Civil Survey, preserved in the Custom-House, Dublin, it appears that the following persons of the name of O'Heyne were living in the barony of Kiltartan in 1641, principally in the parish of Dawros Kinvara:
Dominick Darcy of Clonuane, Gent, by his Will (now preserved in the Prerogative Court, Dublin), dated 1st August, 1666, bequeaths to his brother [half brother?] Farragh O'Heyne, during his life, the cartron of Kilboren, and five pounds sterling; to his brother Flan O'Heyne three pounds, and the like to his brother Owen O'Heyne.
John Hynes, Esq., of the New Quay, in the barony of Burren, in the north of the county of Clare, who has acquired a handsome property by honest industry, is descended from Flan Boy O'Heyne of Kinturly, now Kinturlough, mentioned in the above list, from whom the generations to the present day will be seen in the following line:1024
1. Flan Boy O'Heyne of Kinturlongh, living in 1641.
2. Peter O'Heyne.
3. Brian O'Heyne.
4. John Hynes, died 1746.
5. James Hynes, died 1802.
6. John Hynes, now living, born 1785.
7. James; 7. Dr. Patrick of London; 7. Thomas, died 1841;7. Michael of Kinvara, merchant; 7. John.
This family were originally seated in Magh Broin, in Tirawley. They were afterwards removed to Rosserk, on the west side of the Moy, in the same territory, but when the Barretts drove the O'Dowds out of Tirawley, Mac Firbis was fixed at Lecan in Tireragh. They had the privilege of holding the rod over O'Dowd at his inauguration, and of drinking at the banquet even before the acknowledged senior of the race, O'Caomhain.— See pp. 140, 141, 142. The pedigree of this family, as given by Duald Mac Firbis in 1666, is many generations defective, and cannot be depended upon except for about the last twelve generations. Strange! that this family, who were the hereditary historians to the O'Dowds, while they preserved so much of the history of other families, should have left us so imperfect and uncertain an account of themselves. The following is the part of this pedigree which the Editor believes to be trustworthy:—
Our writers have preserved but few notices of this family. The following are all that the Editor has been able to collect:
‘A. D. 1279. Giolla Iosa Mor Mac Firbis, Ollav of Tireragh, died.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1301. Gille Issa Mac Firvissie, chief chronicler of Tyrefiaghrach, wonderful well-skilled in histories, poetry, computation, and many other sciences, died.’ — Ann. Clonmacnoise.
‘A. D. 1376. Donnchadh Mac Firbis, a good historian, died.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1379. Firbis Mac Firbis, a learned historian, died.’— Four Masters.
‘A. D. 1417. Giolla Iosa Mor Mac Firbis was chief historian to O'Dowd of Tireragh, and composed a long topographical poem on the tribes and districts in the ancient territory of his ancestors.’— Duald Mac Firbis.
‘A. D. 1450. Eugene O'Cormyn and Thady Mac Firbis, Eremites of the order of St. Augustine, received a grant of the lands of Stormor, in Tirawley, from Thady O'Dowd, to erect thereon a monastery under the invocation of the Holy Trinity, and Pope Nicholas the Fifth confirmed the same by a Bull dated 12th December, 1454.’ — Archdall, from Meagher.
‘A. D. 1560. Ciothruadh and James, the two sons of Diarmaid Caoch Mac Firbis, and their cousin-german John Og, the son of William Mac Firbis, built the castle of Lecan in Tireragh.’— Duald Mac Firbis. Vide supra, pp. 168, 169.
‘A. D. 1670. Duald Mac Firbis, the last of the hereditary antiquaries of Lecan, was murdered at Dunflin.’— Ch. O' Conor of Belanagare.
The present representative of this family is supposed to be John Forbes, a small farmer living in the parish of Lacken, near Killala, and barony of Tirawley. He descends from one of the brothers of Duald, the last of the antiquaries, and he has lately addressed the following letter to the Royal Irish Academy, which is inserted here for the sake of the particulars it contains of the writer's family, and as a curious assertion of his claim to be the representative of the ancient antiquaries:
To the Honourable the President and Associates of the Royal Irish Academy.The Memorial of John Mac Firbis of the parish of Lacken, in the county of Mayo, farmer,
respectfully showeth,
that Memorialist is descended from the family of Mac Firbis of Lecan—Mac Firbis, in the county of Sligo, hereditary antiquaries of Connaught, being the fifth in descent from the younger and only brother of Duald Mac Firbis, the last of the antiquaries of the family, who was brutally murdered in the county of Sligo.
That the sisters of said Duald retired into Spain, where they ended their lives in a convent, whilst his younger brother, the ancestor of memorialist, was dispossessed of the property of Lecan Mac Firbis, since which period memorialist's family have lived in poverty and indigence.That memorialist has been informed that a work on Irish antiquities called the Book of Lecan, written by one of memorialist's ancestors, is now in the Library of your honourable Society, together with the copy of another work of like nature, composed by the aforesaid Duald Mac Firbis, of which his family was deprived at the period of his murder.
Although the lands of Lecan Mac Firbis have passed away for ever from memorialist's family, yet he humbly hopes, from the honour and humanity of the Noblemen and Gentlemen composing the Royal Irish Academy, that he will be allowed some consideration for these works of his ancestors, which now, as memorialist believes, form a prominent portion of ancient Irish history.
Memorialist is in a state of humble poverty, and respectfully submits his case, my Lords and Gentlemen, to your humane consideration.
And will for ever pray.
Dublin,15 Aug., 1842.
Page 2, note c.—i. e. p. 3, note 8 in the CELT edition. The proper name Fiachra, making Fiachrach in the genitive case, which occurs so often throughout this volume, is well known on the Continent as that of a celebrated Irish saint, the site of whose hermitage near Meaux was deemed so sacred that to go on a pilgrimage thither was, to a late period, a frequent practice; and we are told of the pious queen Anne of Austria, that when she visited the shrine of this saint in 1641, so great was the humility of her devotion that she went the whole of the way from Monceau to the town of Fiacre on foot.
L'ermitage de Saint Fiacre est devenu un bourg de la Brie, fameux par les pélérinages que l'on y faisait; l'église ou chapelle étoit desservie par les Bénédictins; les femmes m'entroient point dans le sanctuarie, et l'on remarque que la Reine Anne d'Austriche, y venant en pélérinage en 1641, se conforma à cet usage, et qu'elle fit même à pied le chemin depuis Monceau jusqu'a Saint-Fiacre’’
Hist. de Meaux — quoted by Moore in his History of Ireland, vol. i. p. 278., who also quotes from ‘another work,’ which he does not name, relating to this saint: —‘On a pretendu que le nom de Fiacres avait été donné aux carosses de place, parcequ'ils furent d'abord destines à voiturer jusqu'a St. Fiacre (en Brie) les Parisiens qui y allerent en pélérinage.’ — See Butler's Lives of the Saints, in Aug. 30. Mabillon Acta SS. Ord. S. Bened. tom. ii. and the Bollandists.Ibid. — The Muaidh, called Moda by Adamnan. — The learned Dr. Prichard, in his Ethnography of the Celtic race, being misled by the inaccurate work on Ireland by Dr. Wood, states that the Moda of Adamnan is Wexford harbour, and concludes that the Milesian story was written after the seventh century. The following are his words: — The Milesians arrived in Ireland 1300, B. C., at Inmhear Slainge, or Wexford harbour, the name of which is a proof that the Milesian story was written after the seventh century, since in the second that place was called ‘Modoni ostia’ by Ptolemy, and in the seventh Moda by St. Adamnan.’’
Sect. XII. Par. 2.
Whatever truth or falsehood there may be in the Milesian story, this argument is too weak and unfounded to destroy it. The words of Adamnan are as follows, and they clearly show that he meant no other than the present River Moadh, or Moy: — Alio quoque in tempore de Cormaco nepote Lethani, viro utique sancto, qui tribus non minus vicibus eremum in Oceano laboriose quaesivit, nec tamen inuenit, Sanctus Columba ita prophetizans ait: hodie iterum Cormac desertum reperire cupiens, enauigare incipit ab illa regione quae ultra Modam fluvium sita, Eirros domnonn dicitur: nec tamen etiam hac vice quod quaerit inveniet; et non ob aliam eius culpam, nisi quod alicuius religiosi Abbatis Monachum, ipso non permittente, discessorem secum non recte comitari, navigio susceperit.’’
Vita S. Columbae, Cap. VI. De Sancto Cormaco. (ap. Colgan. Trias Thaumathurgae. p. 340.)
On the situation of the River Moda Colgan adds the following note, which is an additional authority against the opinion that the Moda of Adamnan was the harbour of Wexford: — ‘Fluvius est Connaciae Celebris, vulgo Muaidh, et nobis latine Moadus, sive Muadus appellatus.’
On the situation of Eirros domnon, which lies beyond the River Moda, Colgan says:—
‘Eirros —Est regio Occidentalis Connaciae vulgo Irros chlann Domnann appellata.’
Now, as the River Moda of Adamnan is not the harbour of Wexford, where is the argument to prove that Inbher Slainge, the name of the mouth of the River Slaney, is not older than Ptolemy's time? Where is the proof that the Modoni ostia of Ptolemy is the mouth of the Slaney? —See Ogygia, p. 17, where O'Flaherty writes:—
‘Nec qui nunc Slanius Modono, aut alio quam Slanio nomine cognitus a Belgarum ingressu multis seculis ante Ptolemaei natales.’ It is much more likely that the Modonus of Ptolemy is the bay of Bannow, which is said to have been anciently a safer harbour than that of Wexford.
Page 6, note 1 i. e. p. 7, note 31 in the CELT edition — Sith Budha, i. e. the hill of Budh. There were three or four celebrated hills of this name in Ireland, which were believed to have been haunted by
Leatha.—See pages 18, 19, note w, i. e. p. 19, note 81 in the CELT edition. — It has been much disputed by modern antiquaries what district the ancient Irish writers designated by the name Lethu, or Leatha. The translator of Fiech's Hymn on the life of St. Patrick has rendered it Latium in the fifth, sixth, and ninth quatrains, but Mr. Patrick Lynch, in his Life of St. Patrick, and after him Lanigan and Declan, have laboured to prove that Leatha was never applied to Latium, but was a hibernicised form of Letavia, the name by which a part, and sometimes the whole of Armoric Gaul was called by the writers of the middle ages. Lynch, after stating that the translator of Fiech's Hymn was in error in understanding Letha as designating Latium, or Italy, writes as follows, pp. 77, 78:
‘The truth is, that the word Lethu, in all parts of the Irish hymn where it occurs, should have been translated into LETAVIA, the name by which a part, and sometimes the whole country of Armoric Gaul was called by the writers of the middle ages.
In according to that, the old scholiast on this hymn says, that ‘all St. Patrick's family went on commercial business beyond the Iccian sea towards the south to Lethanian Aremorica, or Letheacensian Britain; but at that time the seven sons of
Fechtmund being banished from Britain (Albion) were committing depredations in Letha, a district of Aremoric Gaul.’’1025
‘In the life of St. Ailve, Bishop of Emly, in Momonia, or Munster, and not in
‘To the above we shall only add the testimony of Camden, who states that ‘this district, previously to the arrival of our countrymen from Britain, was originally called Aremorica, that is, near the sea, in the British dialect Lhydaw, importing also its maritime situation, lying on the coast; and in Latin LETAVIA , among the writers of the middle age; whence its inhabitants, I suppose to be the LETI , a people of Gaul mentioned by Zosimus; and, lastly, it was denominated Britannia Minor, or Little Britain, from our British compatriots who settled there’’1027.
This reasoning would seem to be borne out by the Irish translation of Nennius, in which ‘Brittones Armorici’ is rendered by the Irish ‘Breatain Leatha,’ i. e. the Britons of Leatha, as in the following passage:
‘Septimus imperator regnavit in Britannia Maximianus. Ipse perrexit cum omnibus militibus Brittonum a Brittannia, et occidit Gratianum regem Romanorum, et imperium tenuit totius Europae, et noluit dimittere milites, qui perexerunt cum eo, ad Brittaniam ad uxores suas, et ad filios suos, et ad possessiones suas; sed dedit illis multas regiones, a stagno quod est super verticem Montis Jovis usque ad civitatem quae vocatur Cantguic, et usque ad Cumulum occidentalem, id est, Cruc Ochidient. Hi sunt Brittones Armorici, et nunquam reversi sunt huc, usque in hodiernum diem.’
— Historia Britonum, Stephenson's edit., pp. 20, 21.
Thus rendered by the Irish translator in the Book of Ballymote and H 3 17.{column 1} ‘Maiximain ro ghab rigi Bhreatain, ocus rug slogu Bhreatain a Romhánchaibh, co torchair lais Gratian in t-imper, "
{column 2}‘Maximian succeeded to the government Britain into the country of the Romans, and he led the forces of Britain into the country of the Romans,1028 and Gratian, the Emperor, was slain by him, and he himself assumed the government of Europe, and he did not permit the forces which he had brought with him to return to their wives, sons, or lands, but he gave them many lands [in the region extending] from the lake which is on the summit of Mount Jove, southwards, to Canacuic, and westwards to the mound of Oichiden, where the grand cross is situated. And these are the Britons of Leatha, and they remained always in the south.’
{end of column }It looks strange that the Irish translator here seems to take the Welsh word cruc, a hill or mound, for the Latin word crux, a cross, and understands Cruc Ochidient, which Nennius intended as a Welsh translation of cumulum occidentalem, to signify ‘where the grand cross is situated!’
But it must nevertheless be confessed that in the Felire Aenguis, at the 27th of June, the city of Rome is styled Ruaim Letha in the original text, and Letha is explained in the Gloss by the Latin Latium, ‘Leatha, a nomine Latium.’ Also in a very ancient Irish stanza quoted in the same work, Pope Gregory the Great is styled ‘Abb Róma Letha,’ i. e. Abbot of Rome of Letha. These authorities are sufficient to defend the translator of Fiech's Hymn against the criticism of Lynch and his followers Lanigan and Declan. The following authorities are also submitted to the reader on this very curious question:{column 1} ‘Is ann sin do cuaidh Patruic do fhogluim eacna agus crabuid i n-oirtheas descert Etaile co German epscop ... iar sin ro fucc in t-aingeal e i n-Arboric Letha cus in cathraig dianad ainim Capua i Sleib Armoin, super ripam maris Terreni.’ — Vit. Patricii, in Leabhar Breac, fol. 13, b.
{column 2}‘Then Patrick went to learn wisdom and religion in the south-east of Italy, to German the Bishop. ... Afterwards an angel conducted him to Armoric Letha to the city named Capua, at the mountain of Armoin super ripam maris Tyrrheni.’
{end of column }Duald Mac Firbis has the following notices of this name:
{column 1}‘Fochan daoire Phatraig, i. Patraig
‘Teit Phatraic iarum go raibhe la Gearman ab, a n-deas i n-desgert Leatha (in australi pairte Gallorum iuxta Mare Terrenum). Leatha, .i. Italia, Leatha a latitudine. German, abb na cathroch dar ab ainm Altiodorus, as aige ro légh Pátraig, agus Burgunia ainm na ceannaichthe s d-tá in cathair sin in gallis; gomadh i n-Innsibh Mara Toirren sin mar aspert Fiag Slebhte,
In-innsib mara Toirrian,
Ainis innib ad rime,
Leughais canoin la German,
Aseadh ad fiadhad line.
Ocus Alanensis ainm na cathroch no na hinnsi sin ar Muir Toirren.’
{column 2}‘The cause of Patrick's slavery was this. Patrick, with his father, mother, and five sisters, Lupait, Tigris, Raichell, Dererca, and Cinnenum, and his brother Deochuin Samian, all went from Britain of Ail Cluath, southwards, across the Iccian sea, to the Britons of Armuiric Leatha, that is, to the Britons of Letheoc, who were their kinsmen at that time, and the mother of these children was of the Franks, namely, Coinces, a near relative to St. Martin. This was the time that the seven sons of Sechtmad, King of Britain, were in exile from Britain. They committed a great depredation on the Britons of Armuiric Leatha, where Patrick and his people were,’ &c. — Duald Mac Firbis, MS. Geneal., p. 692.
‘Patrick afterwards went southwards to German, the Abbot, in the south of Leatha (in australi parte Gallorum juxta Mare Terrenum).
Leatha, i. e. Italia; leatha a latitudine. German was abbot of the city named Altiodorus; it is with him St Patrick read; and Burgunia is the name of the principality in Gaul, in which this city is situated; and this is in the islands of the Tyrrhenian sea, as Fiag of Sletty says,’
‘In the islands of the Tyrrhenian sea
He resided, as is related,
He reads his canons with German,
As is certified by us.’
‘And Alanensis is the name of the city or island in the Tyrrhenian sea.’ — Id. p. 693.
It should be also remarked that in the Book of Lismore, and in the Book of Fenagh the city of Rome is called Róim Leatha, i. e. Rome of Leatha, from which it is quite
Pages 33–35—This Ceallach, who was the eldest son of Eoghan Bel, King of Connaught, was educated by St Kieran of Clonmacnoise, and became a bishop at Kilmore- Moy, in Tirawley; but he afterwards resigned his bishopric and retired as a hermit to Oilen Edghair, in Loch Con, from fear of Guaire Aidhne, King of Connaught, who had conceived a mortal hatred towards him, as he was the true heir to the kingdom of Connaught. Guaire bribed four ecclesiastical students who were under Cellach's tuition in the hermitage, to murder him, namely, Mac Deoraidh, Maelcroin, Maeldalua, and Maelseanaigh. According to the life of Bishop Ceallach, of which there is a copy in the collection of Messrs. Hodges and Smith, this murder was committed in a wood situated between Loch Con and Loch Cuillinn, in the south of the territory of Tirawley, and after its perpetration King Guaire granted the territory of Tirawley to these four students as a reward for their services in despatching Ceallach, who thereupon erected a fort for themselves at Dun Fine. Soon after this occurrence Muireadhach, who was otherwise called Cucoingilt, the second son of King Eoghan Bel, came to visit his brother [in] Oilen Edghair, but not finding him there, and learning that certain negociations had passed between his pupils and King Guaire, he at once suspected that the bishop, his brother, had been murdered; after some inquiries and searches he found the body in the hollow trunk of an oak tree, torn by the ravens, scald crows, and wolves. Cucoingilt carried the mangled body to the church of Turloch for interment, but the clergy of that establishment, dreading the vengeance of King Guaire, would not permit it to be buried there; upon which he carried it to the church of Lis Callain, but the clergy refused to admit it; it was next brought to the church of Eiscreacha, where it was interred with due honours. Cucoingilt, after having chanted a short dirge over the grave of his brother, in which he vowed vengeance against the murderers, assembled an armed band of three hundred of his relatives and adherents, with whom, after having lived one year in Hy-Many, and some time in Meath, where he married Aifi, the daughter of Blathmac, King of Ireland, he at length returned to Tirawley, his own Fleasc lamha, or patrimonial inheritance, where, by the assistance of a swine-herd, he procured admittance to the fort of Dun Fine, in which the murderers of his brother were banquetting. Here he remained at the banquet in the disguise of a swine-herd until he observed that the four murderers, and all their guests and attendants, were
On the next day Cuncoingilt carried the four murderers, in chains, southwards, through the territory from Dun Fine to a place called Durlus Muaidhe, and across Lec Durluis, until he arrived at a place near the River Moy, since called Ard na riadh [now Ardnarea], i. e. the hill of executions, where he executed the four, cutting off all their limbs while they were living.
After this Cucoingilt obtained the hostages of Tir Fiachrach and Tir Amhalgaidh, and compelled Guaire to live in Tir Fiachrach Aidhne, in the south of the province.
Page 96, note d, and page 267, note t i. e. p. 97, note 247 and p. 267, note 765 in the CELT edition — It should be here added that the district lying round the Red Hill of Skreen was originally called Cnoc na Maili, and afterwards Mullach Ruadha, which is now, strange to say, applied not to the hill itself, but to a small townland lying to the east of it. But the name was never so applied until the original Ballybetagh was subdivided into half quarters, which constitute the present townlands, when the names were very strangely confounded. Thus the half quarter on which the church stands received the appellation of Skreen from the church, the division to the south of it was called Lecarrow, i. e. Leith-cheathramha, the half quarter, from its quantity; the hill itself, which originally gave name to the whole district, or Ballybetagh, was called Cnoc Ruadha, i. e. Rufina's hill, now incorrectly translated Red Hill, while Mullach Ruadha, the more ancient appellation, was transferred to a subdivision to which it is by no means applicable, inasmuch as it is not a mullach, or summit, in relation to the other subdivisions, and contains no monument of the Lady Rufina with whose name it is compounded. In this manner, however, have ancient names, in many instances, been transferred and corrupted. The carn erected over the body of Ruadh, or Rufina, the wife of Dathi, still remains on this hill, but it is not on its very summit, as Duald Mac Firbis writes. It is thus described by Robert Jones, Esq., in a letter to R. C. Walker, Esq., of Rathcarrick, barrister-at-law, who has kindly forwarded it to the Editor:
Being here for the Christmas holidays I made a search for the cairn of Knockroe,
or Mullaghroe, and have discovered it. I enclose a sketch from the Ordnance Map, sheet 19. On the townland of Mullaroe there is nothing of the sort, but the district up the hill is all called Crockroe, or the Red Hill, and there is a large stone fort shown in the Ordnance Survey, called the Red Hill. This, however, is not the cairn, but lower down the hill I discovered the cairn, which had been opened, and contained several small chambers; the principal one has still the covering stones on it, but filled with smaller stones underneath. The carn is of an oval form, ninety-six paces round. The entire hill is a light soil on lime-stone rock, which every where protrudes. The cairn is formed of these stones; the first chamber has a double covering of large lime-stone flags, the sides being formed of upright flags of the same material, like a small cromlech, and is about six feet square. There appear to be several other smaller ones which have been opened and the rubbish thrown back again. From the stone fort higher up the hill there is a magnificent view: it stands just over the dark lake under Knockacrea, from whence the mountain rises at once, and the view of Knocknarea, Glencarr, and the mountains beyond the Union wood is splendid. It is a very considerable fort and has chambers underneath it.Robert Jones.
Skreen,27th December, 1843.
Page 116, note w, i. e. p. 117, note 294 in the CELT edition — The following document is taken from the Book of Lecan, fol. 85, b, where it has been inserted in a more recent hand:
{column 1}
‘Clann adbal mor la Maolruanaig, mac Donnchaig, meic Aodha, meic Tailtig, meic Aodha, meic Muircheartoig, i. Tailtech Muaidhi, agus Donnchadh agus in Cosnamoig, .i. Aird Espoc Tuama,’
Maolruanaidh, son of Donnchadh, son of Aodh, son of Taithleach, son of Aodh, son of Muircheartach, had a very great family, namely, Taithleach Muaidhe [of the Moy], Donnchadh1029 and Cosnamhach1030, Archbishop of Tuam.
‘agus as é in Tailtech Muaidhi sin do marbad a m-Bel Atha Tailtigh ar Coilltib Lughna Meic Firtri, re Gallaib. Agus ro eirgeadar clann imda ag Donnchadh Mor O'Dubhda re h-Onoruinn, ingen Meic Baitin Bairéd, .i. Donnchadh Og, agus Muircheartach, agus Taithlech, .i. cnam-fhiach na clainni ar a méd, agus ar a milidheacht agus drong eli d'á radha gur ab mac tabartais é, agus go bh-frith d'á ithe fa fiachaibh é, no go d-tuc O'Luachan d'á thig féin d'a oileamoin é; agus Lochlainn agus Aodh in Chorainn, agus Cormac, .i. Espoc Cilli h-Ealad, agus Aodh Ruadh, agus Concabar na Ceitherne.’
{column 2}This is the Taithleach Muaidhe who was slain at Bel Atha Tailtigh, in Coillte Lughna Mac Firtri, by the English.1031 And Donnchadh Mor O'Dubhda had numerous issue by Honora, the daughter of Mac Wattin Barrett1032, namely, Donnchadh Og, Muircheartach1033, and Taithleach (called the cnaim-fhiach of his children, for his size and warlike character, though others say he was a natural son1034, and that he was found under the ravens, which were devouring him, until O'Luachain took him into his house to nurse him); Lochlainn, Aodh an Chorainn, Cormac1035, Bishop of Killala, Aodh Ruadh1036, and Conchobhar na Ceitherne1037.
{column 1}‘Do gab Taithlech Muaidhi in tighearnus d'aimdeoin Donnchadha agus na sinnsirecht. Ro gab Donncadh Mór agus a clann ag foghail, agus ag dibearg, agus ag fir-milledh fonn O bh-Fiachrach agus O n-Amalgaid, no go n-dechaidh dith ar dhaínib, agus easbaidh ar aicmeadoib etorra, no go n-dechaidh lucht leanamhna na n-aon comairli etorra féin in tír do roinn, agus comatha comora agus fearonn fairsing do tabairt do na clannoib sin Donnchaidh Moir, agus in Tigearnus do beth ag Tailtech Muaidhi agus ag at-slicht ina deaghaidh.’
{column 2}Taithleach Muaidhe took the chieftainship in despite of Donnchadh and his seniority.1038 Donnchadh Mor and his sons
‘Agus as í so in roinn, .i. Sineasgalacht agus seirbis in rechta righ do tabairt do Donnchadh Og, mac Donnchaidh Móir, agus ceannus ceithern agus congbal do Concabar na ceitherni, agus tigearnus ceall do Uilliam Espoc, agus cís agus dligeadh ar in g-ceathramhadh cuid do'n tir do Donnchadh Mór féin, agus mir murra ar a chinn fuas do Donnchadh Mór, .i. secht m-baile Cúile Cearnadha, featha agus caithigthe agus cosnam in tiri d'fiachaib ar Donnchadh agus ar a clann Maicni i n-a deaghaidh acht nama in mir murra d'fearann t-saor fuair Donnchadh Mor.’
{column 2}This was the division: To cede the seneschalship and the service [administration] of the regal law to Donnchadh Og1039, the son of Donnchadh Mor, and the superintendence of the kerns and the houses to Conchobhar na Ceithirne, and the lordship of the churches to William the Bishop1040, and the rent and law of the fourth part of the territory were ceded to Donnchadh Mor himself, and a mir murra1041 was also ceded to him (Donnchadh Mor) for his seniority, viz., the seven townlands of Cuil Cearnadha1042; and Donnchadh Mor, and his sons after him,
‘Do dheanam eolus ar gach ceatramoin dibh foleith ar egla in duthchois do dol i m-bathadh, .i. Baile Cairthi in chuile, mar ata, ceathraimi in Cairthi fein, agus ceathraimi Aingilín, agus Ceathraimi na g-cloch agus ceatraimi Cilli Brigdi, oir i si cuid ronna sleachta Aodha Ruaidh, mic Donnchaidh Oig, in baile sin. Ceathraimi bec Muine Conalláin, Ceathraimi mor Muini Conalláin, agus Ceathraimi in Labáin, ag sin baile fearainn sleachta Muircheartaigh, mic Donnchaidh Móir.’
{column 2}To preserve a knowledge of every quarter of these separately lest their patrimony might be consigned to oblivion. They are as follows, viz., Baile Cairthi in chuile1043, viz., the quarter of the chairthi itself1044, and Ceathramh Aingilin1045, Ceathramh na g-cloch1046, the quarter of Cill-Brighde1047, for this townland was the dividend of Aodh Ruadh, the son of Donnchadh Og. The quarter of Rath Raodain1048, the small quarter of Muine Conallain, the large quarter of Muine Conallain1049 and Ceathramha an labain1050; this was the townland of the posterity of Muircheartach,
‘Ceathraimi Cilli na n-Garbhan, in Ceathraimi Riabhach, Ceathraimi mic Conín, Ceathraimi na h-Oilighi, Baile fearainn sleachta Aodha in Choraind. Ceathraimi Lis Ard Mor, Ceathraimi Meic Carra, Ceathraimi na Grelligi, Ceathraimi I Dubagain, ag sin baile Concobair na Ceitherni .i. Baile na Brothlaigi, Ceathraimi mor Caislein, Ceathraimi Beac Caislein, agus Leith Baili Gleanna da Ghub, agsin Baile Tailtigh Moir .i. Cnaim Fhiach na Cloinni; Leith Baile Rúsgaighi, .i. Ceathraimi na Cairgi, Ceatraimi na Corra Drisighi, Ceathraimi Droma Sguabaigh, Ceathraimi Meic Geirbli agus da ceathroime ele nach airmidedh sonn.’
{column 2}The quarter of Cill na n-garbhan1051, Ceathramha riabhach1052, Ceathramha Mic Coinin1053, the quarter of Oileach1054, constituting the townland of the posterity of Aodh an Chorainn. The quarter of Lis ard mor1055, Ceathramha Meic Carra1056, the quarter of Grellach1057, Ceathramha Ui Dhubhagain1058, that is, the townland of Conchobar na Ceithirne. Baile na Brothlaighe1059, the great Castlequarter and the less Castlequarter1060, and the half townland of Gleann da ghubh1061, this is the townland of Taithleach Mor, Cnaimhfhiach na Cloinne. The half townland of Rusgach1062, the quarter of Carraig1063, the
‘Agus as iad slicht Taithligh do ben sin amach d'aimdeoin na cloinni oili agus da ceathromoin oile mar aon riu .i. Ceathroimi I Sgorra agus a Ceathroimi Caol.’
{column 2}And the posterity of Taithleach got possession of these in despite of the other children, besides two other quarters, namely, Ceathramha Ui Sgorra1067 and Ceathramh Caol1068.
{column 1}‘Agso cor agus cunnradh Tailtigh Muaidhi, .i. rí O bh-Fiachrach re Donnchadh Mor, .i. beth umal urramach do Taithlech Muaidhi ar son in ceatroimi rann do'n tír do thabairt do Donnchadh agus d'á slicht; Eirgi i mach umal, urramach do thabairt do Taithlech Muaidhi, ar son in ceathroimi rann do'n tir do tabairt do Donnchadh agus d'á slicht Eirgi imach umal innruic do thabairt do Taithlech Muaidhi ar uaisli a anma agus a inmhi, agus gach uair dá m-beidh éigean-dáil ar O'n-Dubda, Donnchadh agus a clann d'á freasdal fa n-dithcell. A chuid cuain agus caladh ag Donnchadh Mor féin agus aga slicht.’
{column 2}The following is the compact and covenant of Taithleach Muaidhe, King of Hy-Fiachrach, with Donnchadh Mor, viz., that Donnchadh and his descendants should be obedient and submissive to Taithleach Muaidhe, in consideration of their having received the fourth part of the territory, also to furnish an obedient, submissive, and sincere Rising-out to Taithleach Muaidhe for the same consideration, and also for the nobility of his name and wealth; and whensoever the O'Dubhda should happen to be in jeopardy that they should assist him to the best of their ability. That Donnchadh Mor himself and his descendants should have their own portion of the harbours1069.
{column 1}‘Dá m-beadh Goill no Gaoidhil a n-dubhthaig I Dubda Donnchadh Mór agus a chlann
{column 2}
- Callraigi Cuili na g-cnead
rachat innti d'á h-airem,
Cuil Chearnuga na g-call g-cas,
neam-dona in drong dán dúthchas.- Ceithri taisigh as tir t-suas
ag Callraigi na g-caom chnuas,
coinnmi dochaidh far g-cairt-ni,
cair sloindi na saor-maicni.- O'Cuinn is O'Rothlan reidh
ó h-Iarnan na n-arm n-aigmeil,
gan digbail do'n gleri Gall,
O'Finain in meine Mor Clann.- O bel Easa n-eas n-glan,
feadh na tuaithi si nár tubad
go Brosnaidh fa tend teni
do chosain ceann Callraigi.
If the English or Irish should be in the country of O'Dubhda, Donnchadh Mor and his descendants should give as many as themselves1070 to Taithleach Muaidhe and his descendants, and the like from them to him. On which subject the historian has the following lines:
- Into Callraighi Cuile1071 na g-cneadh
I shall proceed to describe it,
Cuil Cearnadha of the knotty hazles,
Not unhappy the tribe in whom it is hereditary.- Four chieftains are in the upper country,
In Callraighi of beautiful fruit trees,
A festive party who have entered into our catalogue,
It is proper to name the noble party.- O'Cuinn and O'Rothlainn the ready,
O'h-Iarnan of dreadful arms,
Without injury to the choice of the foreigners,
And O'Finain a prop of great descendants.- From Bel Easa of the clear cataracts,
The extent of the country which was not oppressed
To the Brosnach of impetuous current,
Which defends the head of Calraighi.
{column 1}
- O Bél Atha in fheadha anall
as e fairsing na b-fhearann
mar tam da d-taroill uile,
go Traigh alaind Eothailli.- Donnchadh Mor rug mar rogha
Cuil Cnama Cuil chearnumha
amarc súl is ráimhe lind
in chúil is áille d'Eirind.- O Borraig na sreabh solas, —
na bídh aon 'na amoras,
Cúil cnáma in fearann ar fad
co tráigh nach dleagam do dearmad.- Do dhén do'n foirind éolus
in da chuil a g-comórtus
cúil ar gach ceann do'n tír
an geall ó gach cúil cluintí.- Tailtech Muaidhi, fa mór rath,
tigearna ar fonn O bh-Fiachrach,
atáid a chlann ó shoin alle
a g-ceann Donnchaidh 'sa chloinni.
{column 2}
- From Bel Atha an Fheadha1072, thither
Is the breadth of the lands,
As I am describing them all
To the beautiful strand of Eothuili1073.- Donnchadh Mor took as choice
Cuil Cnamha, Cuil Cearnadha,
A prospect to the eye the most delightful we deem
The most beautiful cuil [angle] of Erin.- From Borrach1074 of the bright streams, —
Let no one be in doubt of it, —
Cuil Cnamha embraces all the land,
As far as the strand, which we should not forget.- I shall afford intelligence to the tribe
Respecting the two cuils which are in competition,
A cuil at each extremity of the territory,
The palm wager being won by each cuil was heard of1075.- Taithleach Muaidhe1076 of great success
Became lord of the land of Hy-Fiachrach,
And his descendants have been ever since
Over Donnchadh and his lineage.
{column 1}
- Ceathroimi cuid do'n tír tais
fuair Donnchadh ó Dún Durlais,
gach laoi a g-ceill da g-cuiri
mar taoi sa reim rigraidi.- Mile bliadhan, nocha brég,
annála Críst re coiméd
trí céd do bliadnaib brasa,
mar do silad in seancasa,
agus a dó re dearbad dam,
sa lo far ceangladh cunnradh.
{column 2}
- The fourth part of the irriguous land
Donnchadh of Dun Durlais obtained,
Which every poem makes known,
As he is in the regal catalogue.- A thousand years1077, it is no falsehood,
The era of Christ to be preserved
Three hundred of fleeting years,
As the history sets forth,
And two to be certified by me,
On the day the treaty was ratified.
See page 143. — The inauguration of the ancient Irish kings and chieftains, has been so imperfectly described by modern Irish writers that the Editor is for this reason tempted to treat of it more fully in this place, in the hope that some readers may feel interested in the subject. We have unfortunately no minute or authentic account of the manner in which the pagan monarchs or chieftains were inaugurated or installed, the sum of what we are told on the subject being that the pagan Irish monarchs were made at Tara on a certain magical stone called the Lia Fáil, which was wont to emit a sound when the person about to be elected was legitimate. For some account of this stone, and the inauguration of Conaire Mor, at Tara, the reader is referred to Petrie's History and Antiquities of Tara Hill, pp. 154, 155. (Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. xviii).
The oldest account of the inauguration of a king of the Irish race is that given by Cumin, who became Abbot of Iona in the year 657, who says (Vit S. Columbae; apud Colgan, Trias Thaum. p. 321,) that St Columba ordained Aidan King of Scotland, by imposition of hands. Adamnan also has the same statement (Vit. S. Col. lib. iii. c. 5). Ibidemque Aidanum iisdem adventantem diebus, in regem, sicut erat jussus, ordinavit,
Vit. S. Col. lib. iii. c. 5
From a notice in an ancient Life of St Patrick, quoted by Keating, it would appear that twelve coarbs and twelve chieftains were always present at the inauguration of the King of Connaught, on Carn Fraoigh, near Tulsk; and this notice is corroborated by a passage in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, as translated by Connell Mageoghegan, which states that in the year 1316 Rory O'Conor, who attempted to wrest the kingdom of Connaught from Felim O'Conor, the rightful heir, ‘went to Carne Fraoigh, where he was invested King of Connaught by the twelve chieftains of Silemorrie, twelve coworbs, and other spiritualls that were accustomed to use the ceremonies usual at the time of the investiture of the king.’
From such respectable authorities, it is manifest, that since the introduction of Christianity into the country, the Irish kings and chieftains were inaugurated by the clergy, and that the ceremony was strongly marked with a religious character. But Giraldus Cambrensis, who came to Ireland about the year 1202, as tutor to prince John, has left on record the following very opposite account of the matter: — Est in Boreali ac ulteriori Ultoniae parte apud Kenelconil gens quaedam quae barbaro nimis et abominabili ritu sic sibi regem creare solet. Collecto in unum universo populo terrae illius, in medium producitur jumentum candidum, ad quod sublimandus ille non in principem sed in belluam, non in Regem, sed exlegem, coram omnibus bestialiter accedens, non minus impudenter quam imprudenter se quoque bestiam profitetur, et statim jumento interfecto, et frustratim in aqua decocto, in eadem aqua balneum ei paratur, cui insidens, de carnibus illis sibi allatis, circumstante populo suo, et vescente, comedit ipse. De jure quo lavatur, non vase aliquo, non manu, sed ore tantum circumquaque haurit, et bibit. Quibus ita rite non recte completis, regnum illius et Dominum est confirmatum.’’
Topographia Hibernica Dist. 3, c. 25.
This account of the mode of inaugurating the chief, or prince of Tirconnell, was probably never heard of in Ireland until after the publication of the works of Giraldus. The first who refuted it was Keating, who writes as follows in the Preface to his History:1078
‘Ab eodem pingitur, seu potius fingitur, O'Donnelli Kinelconelliae Reguli inaugurandi ritus. Omnes (inquit) Regionis
‘Haec cum ita se habeant facile adduci possum ut credam rumusculum hunc ab aliquo
And again, in the reign of Brian Borumha, he has the following more circumstantial account of the inauguration of the Irish chieftains (p. 223 of O'Mulconry's MS.):
‘Ex vetustis historiarum monumentis excerpsi, quos hic subjicio, ritus in Regum inaugurationibus adhiberi consuetos, sive ii totius Hiberniae Monarchae fuerint, sive provinciarum Reges, aut ditionum Toparchae. Nec alio quam Regum Titulo, quandam apud Hibernos provinciarum et minorum regionum domini insigniebantur; de aliarum gentium, et praesertim Judaeorum more, qui primo ducibus, deinde regibus, utebantur, sicut in Albania Dalriadi ante Fergusium, Ercae filium, Regem renunciatum Dynastis parebant. Causa vero cur
‘Cum autem quispiam Regis aut Toparchae dignitatem inibat, Antiquarius aderat librum gestans Institutionem Regis inscriptum; Leges et Instituta Regionis illius, quam candidatus ille Regni vel Toparchiae administraturus erat, et praemia illi a Deo et populo conferenda, si Rempublicam bene gesserit, sin autem male supplicia illum et posteros manentia, complexum. In his enim rebus tractandis Liber Regum et Institutio Regis versantur.’
‘Saepius etiam ejus amici, praedes effecti, obstringebantur illum vel instituta Regionis, ex praescripto Institutionis Regum ad amussim impleturum, vel Regno se ultro, citra litem, abdicaturum. Nec Tuadedanani Bressum Magnum, Eleathani filium, regio titulo potiri ante passi sunt, quam ejus amici simili se pacto devincierint.’
‘Regi designato virgam antiquarius porrigebat, ac deinde conversus ad adstantes, arma regi ad suos in officio continendos in posterum minime necessaria pronuntiat: populum enim ei non secus ac discipulorum magistro morem genere debere adultiores discipulos et sui commodi intelligentes, semper praeceptoribus suis amorem, obsequium, et gratias deferre solere, et subditos ad similia officia Regi suo praestanda obligari, utpote qui jus iis justitiae virga, non ferri acie administrat. Virga Regi per antiquarium tradita tota
‘Totius Hiberniae Reges Teamoriae1079 in augurabantur, primoribus et antiquariis ante Christianismum huc illatum, assensum praebentibus: sed post Hibernos Christianismo imbutos Episcopis, proceribus et antiquariis suffragia ferentibus.’
‘Super lapidem Regium in Tulchoga1080
‘O'Donnelli, Kilmacnenanae1086, ab O'Farghil1087 inaugurabantur, et O'Galchurum1088 militiae praefectum habebat.’
‘In Magh Adhor1089 O'Briano dignitas conferebatur a Macconmara1090: O'Duibhir de Coilnamanagh1091et O'Gorman1092 erant
‘Mac Cartho Magno1097 in Lisbanchor1098 insignia dignitatis porrigebat O'Sulevanus Magnus1099, et O'Donnchus Magnus1100 militaribus ejus copiis, et Ruarkus1101 suae ditionis imperabant; ad judicia exercenda Clanegani1102; ad carmina pangenda Muintir Dhali1103; Historias scribendas Muntir Dhunnin1104, ab eodem designabantur’
‘In colle Anbhogaidh Mac Morchuus1105 honoris sui titulum inibat; O'Nuelano1106 dignitatis eum ornamentis insigniente, et equum ejus atque paludamentum pro praestiti officii salario referente: O'Doran1107 Mac Murchuo fuit ab Historiis.’ — Dr. Lynch's translation, pp. 252, 253, 254.
[‘Apud Lec Mic Eochadho nominabatur Dominus de Hy-Kinselaigh, et Mac Keogh nominabat eum.
Apud Dun Caillighe Beirre O'Byrne nominabatur et mac Keogh nominabat eum.’]
The next of the Irish writers who replied to Cambrensis and attempted formally to refute him, was the celebrated Dr. Lynch, author of the translation of Keating's History of Ireland, which has just been quoted; his observations on Giraldus's account of the inauguration of the prince of Tirconnell in his Cambrensis Eversus, are as follows:
‘Sed qua veritate prolatae inaugurationis narratio fulciatur dispiciamus. Domestici certe scriptores eam disertis verbis funditus evertunt. Hac enim quam subjicio ratione Tirconelliae Regulos initiatos fuisse tradunt. Quando quis Odonelli titulo insigniendus erat, Tirconelliae proceres et aliorum ordinum ad statum collem confluebant. Tum e proceribus unus assurgens, peractis reverentiae consuetae officiis, candidam virgam, et omnino rectam, distortionisque omnis expertem quam manu gestabat, denunciato Regulo porrigens: accipe (ait) auspicatum dignitatis insigne, huius virgae candorem, rectudinemque moribus referre memento, ut nulla maledicendi libido factorum candorem nota illa maculare, aut studium in amicos animum a justitiae rectitudine cuique praestanda flectere possit. Imperium igitur tibi debitum bonis auibus ini, et huius Reipublicae fasces securesque secure capesse. Nunc igitur in eo controversiae cardo vertitur unine neganti, an pluribus affirmantibus illi rem auditione tantum, his aspectu comperientibus fides adhibenda sit? dispiciendum etiam si a domesticis scriptoribus veriora, quam ab uno advena producantur, et ab iis qui pro suo munere res gestas scriptis tradunt, quam peregrino falcem in alienam messem immittenti tabulis, et monumentis publicis, quam privati cuiusuis narrationi, quae non magis temere agyrtae alicui excidit, quam auide a scriptore inuido excepta, et posteritati commissa est. Certe Scriptores patrii non studio, sed officii sui adimplendi causa scriptis ista consignarunt, Giraldus res Hibernicas magis ex libidine, quam ex vero celebrat, obscuratque.’
‘Quis credat Divum Patricium, qui ditionem hanc accurate perlustrans, illius incolas in fidei documentis apprime instruxit, terrae principem Conallum Gulbanum
‘Pluribus e Dorensium Rapothensiumque Episcoporum, Abbatumque serie non solum summa consuetudo ac familiaritas cum Tirconalliae Regulis, sed etiam cognationis contiguitas intercessit. Ita ut si Principum reverentia praesules ab iis objurgandis deterrebat; certe praesulum erga cognatis studium ad eos e feritate tanta eruendos attraheret. Putabimus ne SS. Columbam, Baithenum, Laarenum, Fergnaum, Suibhneum, Adamnanum, aliosque viros sanctissimos, in his partibus natos et pietatis informationem nactos, et impertitos acerrimos vitiorum proculcatores hos sentes, et tribulos increpationis falce non demessuisse? Quos si potestas istius mali abigendi defecisset, certe SS. Moelbridius et Malachias Hiberniae Primates hinc oriundi ritum adeo perversum latius serpere non paterentur. Nec ipsi principes crebra in alios liberalitate, in Deum pietate insignes, qui se multis humanissimos pluries exhibuerunt, Principatus initium ab inhumanitate tam execrabili ducerent. Qui si hanc impudentiam non vitro ponerent, eam supremi Reges Hiberniae, severis legibus proculdubio coercerent.’
Nullibi certe tam foeda alibi ludicra initiatione aliqui principatum auspicantur. In Carinthia quoties novus princeps Reipublicae gubernationem init, solemnitatem nusquam alibi auditam observant. In patentibus pratis erectis lapus marmoreus est, quem cum dux creandus est rusticus quidem, cui per stirpis suae successionem haereditario id officium debetur, ascendit, ad dextram bovem habens foetam nigri coloris, ad levam equa illi sistitur strigosa macieque insigni, frequens circa populus agrestiumque turba ingens. Dux inde futurus ex adverso movet purpuratorum multitudine saeptus precedunt Principatus signa,
omnesque in toto comitatu egregie culti praeter futurum ducem. Is agresti habitu, pileo tectus, calceos et pastoralem baculum gerens pastorem agit, magis quam principem. Hunc venientem intuitus qui lapidem obtinet Illirica voce quis est hic exclamat, qui tam superbe incedit? Respondet circumfusa multitudo Principem regionis adventare. Tum ille iustusne iudex? Salutem patriae quaerens? liberae conditionis? Dignusne honore est? Christianae pietatis cultor, ac defensor? Clamatur: est quidem et erit. Rursus idem, quaero quo me jure hac a sede dimovebit? Respondet Ducalis aulae magister, sexaginta denariis hic a te locus emitur, iumenta haec tua erunt, ad bovem et equam manum intendens, vestimenta quae Dux exuet habebis; erisque tu cum domo tua tota liber a tributo. Quibus dictis rusticus malam percutit alapa leviter incussa, iubetque aequum iudicem esse, praemioque abducta loco cedit. Tum lapidem Dux occupat, nudum gladium vibrans ad omnem se partem vertit, populum affatur, polliceturque se aequum iudicem futurum, ferunt et aquam agresti pileo oblatam potare, in futurae sobrietatis argumentum, &c., imperium Austricae Principes obtinent, et Archiducem appellant.’’
Joannes Auban de Moribus gent. lib. 3, cap. 18.
Nec mirum est in Principum inferioris ordinis inauguratione ludicros gestus adhiberi; quando Imperator ipse Romanus post coronam auream a Pontifice receptam in montis Martii bis mille passus Roma dissiti vertice manu elata se gyrat dicens: ‘Omnia quae videmus nostra sunt’ &c.’’
Cambrensis Eversus, pp. 315, 316, 317.
To the foregoing observations of Keating and Lynch the Editor has to add, that most probably Giraldus never himself saw the ceremony of the inauguration of the prince of Tirconnell; and that he, therefore, repeated it from the report given him by some enemy of the Irish, as he did many other silly stories, such as the legend of the eruption of Lough Neagh, the legend of the speaking wolf, which predicted that the English would subdue the Irish, the story of the men who were wont to turn stones into red pigs and sell them at fairs, &c. &c. That he was never in Tirconnell, and therefore could not have been an eye-witness to the ceremony of the inauguration of the prince of Tirconnell, is pretty clear from his own words, in his Hibernia Expugnata, from which it can be inferred that he never dared to travel beyond the limits of the English power in Ireland, for, speaking of the English who had ventured into the territories of the Irish, he says, ‘Ubi capti decapitati, non redempti sed interrempti.’
That Giraldus's account of the inauguration of the prince of Tirconnell is a fabricated falsehood, and of a similar character with many others of his stories, is clear from the fact, that the Irish writers themselves, who often allude to Irish customs barbarous enough to modern ideas, never make any allusion to such a form of inauguration, and it is not for a moment to be supposed that the form used in inaugurating the prince of the Cinel Conaill tribe was different in any material point from that adopted by the
Dub. edit. p. 11, printed from the first edition, 1596.‘Eudox. What is this which you call Tanist and Tanistry? they be names and terms never heard of nor known to us.’
‘Iren. It is a custome amongst all the Irish, that presently after the death of one of their chief lords or captaines, they doe presently assemble themselves to a place generally appointed and knowne unto them, to choose another in his steed, where they do nominate and elect, for the most part, not the eldest sonne, nor any of the children of the lord deceased, but the next to him of blood, that is, the eldest and worthiest, as commonly the next brother unto him, if he have any, or the next cousin, or so forth, as any is elder in that kindred or sept; and then next to him do they choose the next of the blood to be Tanist, who shall next succeed him in the said captainry, if he live thereunto.’
‘Eudox. Do they not use any ceremony in this election? for all barbarous nations are commonly great observers of ceremonies and superstitious rites?’
‘Iren. They use to place him that shalbe their Captaine upon a stone, alwayes reserved for that purpose, and placed commonly upon a hill; in some of which I have seen formed and ingraven a foot, which they say was the measure of their first captaine's foot, whereon hee standing receives an oath to preserve all the auncient former customes of the countrey inviolable, and to deliver up the succession peaceably to his Tanist, and then hath a wand delivered unto him by some whose proper office that is; after which, descending from the stone, he turneth himself round, thrice forward and thrice backward.’
‘Eudox. But how is the Tanist chosen?’
‘Iren. They say he setteth but one foot upon the stone, and receiveth the like oath that the captaine did.’
Another writer who appears to have seen the ceremony of inaugurating an Irish chief with his own eyes, Philip O'Sullevan Beare, being born about the year 1588, and
Ibernorum magnatum inauguratio, et apud eos esse novos aliarum gentium titulos
‘Inaugurantur vero Iberni optimates, vel alii ab aliis, vel ab illis, quibus more maiorum est consecrandi facultas data. Ad quod in locum inaugurationi constitutum conveniunt, longis hominum agminibus, et solemni pompa comitati. Ibi intersunt iudices, qui, cui candidatorum principatus debeatur, ex jure, legibusque pronuncient. Mox consecrandi jurare coguntur, nunquam se contra fidem Catholicam aliquid machinaturos, aut permissuros, ut clientes, obaerati et suae dictioni subjecti moliantur. Quin etiam, si necesse habeant, sanguinem pro ea effusuros, et mortem oppetituros: subjectos sibi in officio contenturos, et inter eos justitiam exercituros. Inde a sacerdote sacrum Missae peragitur, et virga consecratur, quae in sceptrum novo principi traditur, qui certis et conceptis verbis, ab eo, qui inaugurat, prolatis, vel Osullevanus, vel Orellus, vel alius creatur et appellatur, et a circumstantibus renunciatur, nec amplius proprio baptismatis nomine solet vocari. Sic vetustati placvit nec hodie etiam displicet, etsi Marchionis, Comitis, Vicecomitis et Baronis dignitates quas Ibernia diu respuit, his antiquissimis titulis posthabitis, jam sint in magno usu et honore.’
This account of the inauguration of the Irish chieftains, by Philip O'Sullevan Beare, may be objected to, on the grounds that as there was no difference of religion among the Irish until shortly before the discontinuance of the custom of electing Irish chieftains, so there could have been no necessity of swearing to defend the Catholic faith. But it is highly probable that such Irish chieftains as were inaugurated in Munster during the rebellion of the Earl of Desmond, were obliged to swear that they would defend the Catholic faith to the utmost of their ability. In this view O'Sullevan's account may be regarded as correct, but it seems improbable that before the reign of Elizabeth, the chief to be elected was required to swear that he would defend the Catholic faith. This was a notion that sprang up in O'Sullevan's time, which then told very well among the Spaniards, who patronized the Irish; and it will be remembered that O'Sullevan's book was chiefly intended to rouse the Spaniards to sympathy with the Irish. It is highly probable, however, that the chief to be inaugurated was made to swear to the coarbs of the Church in his territory that he would preserve the rights and immunities of their churches, and to the utmost of his ability prevent the neighbouring chieftains from plundering their sanctuaries and termon lands. The next point which looks suspicious in P. O'Sullevan Beare's account is the consecration of the rod by a priest. No mention is made of such a consecration by Keating, who was
‘Agus tús dígi d'O'Caomain ó Ua n-Dubda; agus gan O'Caomain d'a h-ibhi no go tuga sé do'n fhilidh h-í, .i. do Mac Firbhisig, agus arm agus earradh, agus eich h-I Dubhda tar eis anma do ghairm dhe d'O'Caemain, agus arm agus earradh h-I Chaomain ag Mac Firbishigh; agus ní dingmhála O'Dubhda do gairm co brath, no go n-goiridh O'Caomain’
{column 2}‘And the privilege of first drinking [at the banquet] was given to O'Caomhain by O'Dubhda, and O'Caomhain was not to drink until he first presented it1108 [the drink] to the poet, that is, to Mac Firbis; also the weapons, battle dress, and steed of O'Dubhda, after his nomination, were given to O'Caomhain, and the weapons and battle-dress of O'Caomhain, to Mac Firbis, and it is not lawful ever to nominate the O'Dubhda until O'Caomhain’
‘agus Mac Firbisigh an t-ainm, agus nó go n-abra Mac Firbisigh corp na slaiti os cinn h-I Dubhdha; agus gach cléirech, agus gach comharba cilli, agus gach Esboc, agus gach taoisech feroind do radha an anma a n-diaigh h-I Chaomain agus Meic Firbisigh; agus ata ní cena, da tegmad a Tir Amalgaid O'Dubhda ’
{column 2}‘and Mac Firbis [first] pronounce the name, and until Mac Firbis brings the body of the rod over the head of O'Dubhda; and after O'Caomhain and Mac Firbis every clergyman and comharba of a church, and every bishop1109, and every chief of a district’
‘do bu dolta dho co Carnn Amalgaid do gairm anma dhe, ach go m-beith na taoisigh faris: agus no da tegmad a Carnn’
{column 2}‘pronounce the name. And there is one thing, should O'Dubhda happen to be in Tir Amhalgaidh [Tirawley] he may repair to Carn’
‘ingine Briain h-é, nír dholta do anonn do ghairm an anma, agus nir thigthi do anall ó Carnn Amalgaid, áir is é Amalgaid mac Fiachra Algaidh, do tochuil an carnn’
{column 2}‘Amhalgaidh1110 to be nominated, so as that all the chiefs are about him: but should he happen to be at Carn Inghine Bhriain1111 [in Tireragh] it is not necessary’
‘do féin do cum ainm tigearna do gairm de fein agus da gach duine dá n-gebadh flaithes na diaigh, agus is ann atá Amalgaid fein adhluici, agus is uadha ainmnigter an carnn; agus gach righ do clandaib Fiachrach nach goirfeadh ainm mar sin biaidh gair seichle do, agus ní ba h-oirrdric a shil nás a seimead agus ni fhaicfe flaithius De co brath. Finit Amen.’
{column 2}‘for him to go over [the Moy] to have the title given to him, and it is not necessary for him to come across [to Carn Inghine Bhriain] from Carn Amhalgaidh, for it was Amhalgaidh, the son of Fiachra Ealgach, that raised that carn for himself, in order that he himself, and all those who should obtain the lordship after him, might receive the style of lord upon it. And it is in this carn that Amhalgaidh himself is interred, and it is from him it is named. And every king of the race of Fiachra that shall not be thus nominated, he shall have shortness of life, and his race or generations shall not be illustrious, and he shall never see the kingdom of God1112. Finit Amen.’
3. We are informed by Philip O'Sullevan Beare that one chief was often inaugurated by another. Of this we have a good example on record in the Court of Chancery in Ireland, namely, an abstract of a law suit which took place in 1592, before the Lord Chancellor, Adam Loftus, between Donell O'Donovan of Castle Donovan, chief of his name, and his brother Teige O'Donovan, who attempted to depose him, but failed. This document is of great importance to this inquiry, as the case was decided according to the Irish custom of Tanistry, and as it is perhaps the only registered law document in which the custom of inauguration of the Irish chieftains is distinctly recognized. The Editor is therefore tempted to present the reader with extracts from it.
To His Honorable Lordshipp the Lord Chancellor,Sheweth,
Your poore Supplicant Teige O'Donovane of Castledonovane, in the county of Corke, Gente. —That whereas he was seised in his demesne as of fee of the Manors,
Castells, Towneshipps, Lands, &c., of the Lordshipp of Clancahell, was wrongfullie disseised by Donell O'Donovane, comonlie called O'Donovane of Castle Donovan; and as the said Donell is a man of greater wealth and alliance in those parts your Supplicant may not have indifferent tryall at common lawe, and that the premises doe alsoe lie in a remote countrey, that therefore it may please your Lordshipp to cause the said Donell to appeare before your Lordshipp to answer to the premises.Donell O'Donovane in answer saith, that the O'Donovan for the time being hath bene tyme beyonde the Memorie of Man seised of the said Lordshipp and hereditaments of Clancahell, and that the Custom of Carebry, where the said Lordshipp lies, is, and hath bene tyme beyond Memory, that the chieftaine of the said contrie of Cairbrie, called Mac Cartie Reough, and the moste parte of the gentlemen of the said contrie have and had the ellection, nomynatinge, and appointinge of the O'Donovan, for the tyme beinge, of one of the best and worthiest of the said Name, and whosoever the said Mac Cartie Reough and the greatest part of the said Gentlemen should nominate, appoint, and ellect for O'Donovan, and signifie the same by delivering a Rodd to the person so chosen, by the hands of the said Mac Cartie Reoughe, he should have and enjoye, during his lyfe, the said Castells, Lordshipps, and other hereditaments. — By virtue whereof one Dermot O'Donovan1113, Great Grandfather to this defendant, being ellected and having received a Rodd of the said Mac Carthie Reough, enjoied the same, and after his decease one Dermond mac Conogher O'Donovan1114 beinge ellected, enjoied
the same during his life, and after his death one Donell Mac Dermott1115 being ellected, O'Donovan was also seised during his life, and after his death one Teige mac Dermond1116 O'Donovan being ellected was likewise seised of the said Contrie, and after his death one Daniel Mac Teige1117 O'Donovan, father to the Defendant, being elected, was likewise seised of the said Lordship during his life. And after his said Father's death, Sir Owen Mac Cartie, Knight, being Mac Cartie Reough, and chieftain of Carebrie, and the greatest part of the gentlemen of the said Countrie of Carebrie, have ellected, chosen, and nominated the defendant [as] O'Donovan, as best and worthiest of the said seapt of O'Donovans, and Mac Cartie delivered him a Rodd wherefore he entered to all the Lordshipp and Lands, and was seised without interruption these eight years past, as was and is for him lawful.Whereto Teige O'Donovan replied, that he admitted that Mac Cartie Reough being lawfullie Mac Cartie, and no intruder, by assent of most of the freeholders, did use to invest and instal the worthiest of the O'Donovans in the chieftainrie, before which installacion the right of the chieftainrie, with the freehold and inheritance, was cast upon the said Worthiest of the O'Donovans, so as the investinge or installment did yield unto him but the name of Chieftane having the freehold and inheritance cast upon him theretofore; and, therewithall, by the usage and custom of the said contrie, an illegitimate, or base sonne, was to be secluded and put besides the Chieftainrie, Signorie, and inheritance, so that he that was lawfullie borne was ever interested by Custome in them and no bastard: and Donell mac Teige O'Donovan, father to this complainant, and supposed father to Donell, was seised of all those lands, and so died, having yssue this Complainant lawfullie borne, aud after espousalls with Ellen Ny-Learie, and the Defendant Donell was borne by the said Ellen before the said intermarriadge, so as the said Donell is base borne, and by the said Custome to be secluded. And howbeit Sir Owen Mac Cartie hath invested Donell in the said Chieftainrie, yet as this Complainant at that tyme was, and is yet within twenty-one years of adge,
therefore Donell being base-born, was not nor is yet capable. Besides that one Donell Mac Cartie is intituled to be Mac Cartie Reough, whereunto he had right by Her Highnes' Pattents, so as Sir Owen is an intruder, and the installment of Donell O'Donovan by said Sir Owen, who is an intruder, is avoyded, who is mightilie supported by Sir Owen by his potency and greatnes, for that Donell O'Donovane matched in marriage with a daughter of said Sir Owen: Werefore the Complainant prayeth humblie release from your Honorable Lordship.Whereto Donell O'Donovane rejoineth — that Sir Owen Mac Cartie, now Mac Cartie Reough, was lawfullie intituled to the Chieftainrie of the Contrie of Carbrie, and lawfully seised as best and worthieste of the Mac Carties of Carbrie at the tyme of delivering the Rodd to this rejoinant, whoe mainteyneth himself to be best and worthiest of the blood of the O'Donovans, and saith he was borne after espousalls betwixt Donell mac Teige, his father, and father to the Complainant, and the said Ellen Ny-Learie, their mother, and not before. He also saith that the custom of the Countrie warranteth that Bastards, especiallie Muliers, by the Civill Law, might be O'Donovans: that the last Chieftain claymed the said Contrie but durynge his lyfe by the said custome, and not as his inheritance, so as nothinge could descend from him; and therefore forasmoche as this defendant is lawfullie intituled and seised of the said contre as ‘O'DONOVAN,’ being best and worthiest of the bloud of the O'Donovans, and lawfullie is vested ‘O'DONOVAN,’ according the Custome tyme beyond the Memorie of Man, all which he is readie to averr.
Teige O'Donovan to this further replies, that Sir Owen Mac Cartie is an intrudor and the Ceremony of giving a Rodd by him is not by the usadge of the said Lordshipp warrantable; further, if it fall out that Donell is illegitimate, as indeed he is, then is the averrment untrue, alledging him to be beste and worthiest of the O'Donovans, &c. &c.
Uppon all which matters Commissioners were chosen of both parties to examine their wytnesses — whereupon it was directlie proved by diverse good witnesses, and especiallie by Sir Ffynen O'Driscoill, Knight, and diverse good gentlemen, that Donell was born many years after the marriadge solempnised at Dromale, in the county of Corke, betwixt Donell mac Teige and the said Ellen Ny-Learie, his mother, who had other sons elder than Donell1118, the Defendant, by reason whereof the complainant being
his younger brother, he had no title against the said Donell, the said Lordshipe being customarie, and Donell having proved the custome and his ellection as O'DONOVAN; — and for that it was proved that the father of both was made O'Donovan, and died seised of the Lordship and hereditaments of Clancahell, and the said Sir Owen Mac Cartie was Chieftain of Carbrie, by right, and not by usurpation, when he delivered a Rodd to Donell, now ‘O'DONOVAN’; and Donell being the elder brother of Teige, the Complainant, being bothe born of one father and mother after marriadge dulie celebrated betwixte them accordinge to the rites and ceremonies of the holie church, he had beste right to inherit or succeede their said father, and to be O'DONOVAN, and to have and enioie the Lordship, lands, tenements, and hereditaments of Clancahell.— And it is soe adjudged and Decreed, and the said Donell shall recover his charges and costs sustayned in this cause against the said Teige.— Yeoven at Dublin the 12th daie of Ffebruarie Anno Domini, 1592.Adam. Loftus, Canc.
The form of the inauguration of the O'Donovan is more circumstantially described by John Collins of Myross, in his pedigree of the late General Richard O'Donovan of Bawnlahan. It is to be feared that he has supplied some things from his own imagination, which we know was sufficiently creative, for he was a poet, and though but a rude English scholar, he was the author of the beautiful Irish poem entitled Soliloquy in Timoleague Abbey, published, with an admirable translation by Furlong, in Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, vol. ii. p. 235. But he is entitled to some credit, as he was well acquainted with Irish history, and knew the traditions of the mountains of Carbery better than any person living in his time. The following is the account which he has given of the inauguration of Donell mac Teige O'Donovan, the father of Donell and Teige mentioned in the foregoing document; an account which, if true, presents a dreadful picture of the lawless ferocity of the times. After giving an account of the escape of Donell mac Teige in his infancy from
‘The election was to be held in the town of Ross Carbery, under the superintendance of Mac Carthy Reagh, Prince of Carbery, who then dwelt at Binduff Castle, now Castle Salem, and who had the hereditary power of inaugurating the O'Donovan. The form of the inauguration was to give the chosen candidate a straight white wand in his right hand, as an emblem of unbiassed rectitude, and to cause him to swear solemnly to rule with strict justice and equity, as in those times every representative, or head of a family, was absolute in his own principality, and had a gallows and fosse, the former for the punishment of male criminals and the latter for that of the female ones.’
‘When the appointed day for the election came, Denis na Meeny and his party fell off to the south and met Ire with a division of his party at Ballaghalow, in the parish of Kilmackabea, to the west of Ross, slew himself, and cut off his party to a man. Captain Conolly, in company with Donell na g-Croiceann O'Donovan, O'Leary, and their party,
This, however, cannot have been the original form of the inauguration of O'Donovan, neither was Ross Carbery the original locality at which the ceremony was performed, for, previously to the beginning of the thirteenth century, the sept were seated along the River Maigue, in the present county of Limerick, and the chief resided at Croom, or Bruree, and the probability is, that he was inaugurated on the moat at Bruree, not by Mac Carthy, but by his own people of Hy-Figinte. When the O'Donovans were driven out of the plains of Hy-Figinte, they encroached on O'Driscol and others, and taking their tribe name with them, transferred it to the territory over which they had acquired dominion, and which had been previously called Corca Luighe1119; and we find that in the year 1200 Auliff, or Amlaff, More O'Donovan, who was slain at Kinneigh in that year, is mentioned in the Annals of Innisfallen as chief of the territory of Carbry, a name then recently transferred to Corca Luighe. But the descendants of Donell God [the stammering], the son of Donell More na Curra Mac Carthy, who died in 1185, increasing mightily in numbers and power, elected a chieftain for themselves
Another part of the ceremony of inauguration not mentioned by any of the writers already quoted, is noticed in the Annals of the Four Masters, namely, that in many cases when a superior chief was inaugurated by an inferior chief, the latter put on his shoe or slipper — See these Annals at the years 1461 and 1488, where it is stated that at the inauguration of the chiefs of the O'Conors, Mac Dermot, chief of Moylurg, put on his shoe. It is also stated that in inaugurating the chief of the O'Neill family, O'Kane threw a shoe or slipper over the head of the prince. It is rather strange that Keating should not have noticed this ceremony.
From the foregoing authorities we may infer that the following conditions were generally requisite to constitute a legitimate instalment or inauguration of an Irish chieftain:
On the subject of the inauguration of Christian kings, the evidence given by Cumin and Adamnan, as above noticed, is the oldest on record. The most ancient authorities given by Selden for the coronation of Christian emperors, and for that of the Kings of France and England, are subsequent to the time of Adamnan, who died on the 21st of September, 704, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. The sacred cruet of Rheims, used in anointing the Kings of France, is not mentioned previously to the ninth century. In the Notitia Episcopatuum, printed at Rome in 1533, we are told that the ancient kings usually consecrated, according to the ceremony of the Roman Ritual, were those of Castile, Arragon, Ireland, Scotland, Poland, and Hungary. It is highly probable that the monarchs of Ireland, since the introduction of Christianity, were inaugurated by the Archbishop of Armagh, attended by the four provincial kings, who took a conspicuous part in the ceremony, and there is every reason to believe that the clergy were employed in the inauguration of the chiefs of large districts, such as were called righa, or kings by the ancient Irish, but that the lords of single baronies, or Triucha cheds, were appointed by the head chieftain, by consent of his tribe, with the simple ceremony of delivering him a rod. This is evident from various passages throughout the Annals of the Four Masters, which it would be too tedious to quote in the present work.
See page 145, note a i. e. note 351 in the CELT edition. Dr . O'Conor, in his Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores, denies that the Annals of Ulster and Tighernach record the death of St. Gerald at 732; he says that at this year they record the death of Muireadhach, one of his successors, and that St. Gerald himself died long before. See his notes on the Annals of Ulster at the year 731, of Tighernach at 732, and of the Four Masters at 726. It is true that Dr. O'Conor is borne out in this opinion by the Annals of the Four Masters, in which it is expressly stated that Muireadhach was Bishop of Mayo; but the Editor is of opinion that the Four Masters have mistaken the original Annals of Tighernach, in which the passage stands as follows, without any punctuation: — ‘A. D. 732. Cath Connacht
Now it is quite clear from the two verbs cecidit and obit that two distinct persons
are referred to in the entry, and that the passage should be thus punctuated: —
‘A. D. 732. Cath Connacht, in quo cecidit Muiredach Mac Indrachtaig. Pontifex Muige h-Eo Saxonum, Garailt, obit,’ i. e. ‘A. D. 732. The battle of Connaught, in which fell Muiredhach, son of Indrachtach. The Pontiff of Mayo of the Saxons, Gerald, dies,’i. e. ‘Gerald, Pontiff of Mayo of the Saxons, dies.’ It is quite clear that Muiredhach was a chieftain, not a bishop, and it is more than probable that he was the son of the Indrachtach, King of Connaught, who is said to have been slain in the year 718 — Vide supra, p. 315, note h i. e. note 936 in the CELT edition.
Colgan also, at Mart. xiii. seems to think that St. Gerald of Mayo died earlier than 732; and Ussher thinks that he must have died before the year 697; but Dr. Lanigan clearly proves that both these opinions are groundless. The Four Masters enter the death of St. Gerald under the year 726, and in Mageoghegan's translation of the Annals of Clonmacnoise it is entered under the year 729; but as these Annals are antedated by a few years it is obvious that the same date is intended as in Tighernach. But it should be confessed here that even Mageoghegan has mistaken the construction of his original, which he renders thus: —‘A. D. 729. The battle of Connaught was fought, wherein Moriegh Mac Inreaghty, Bushop of Moyoe of the English, was slain. Garalt died.’ It should be, ‘The battle of Connaught was fought, wherein Moriegh Mac Inreaghty was slain. The Bushop of Moyoe of the English, Garalt, died.’
See page 204. — The following notices of the ancient Irish townlands, given by the Rev. John Keogh, author of the Irish Herbal, in a short account of the county of Roscommon, written by him for Sir William Petty's intended Atlas, are here presented to the reader in confirmation of what has been advanced by the Editor at p. 204, on the difference between the ancient and modern Irish townlands. This tract is preserved in MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, and is dated Strokestown, March 14th, 1683:
‘Connaught (and, I suppose, other provinces) was anciently distinguished into countries called Doohie, or Tyre, named from such and such families, or nations inhabiting them, as in the barony of Athlone, Doohie Keogh, the country or nation of the Keoghs. In the barony of Ballintobber, Doohie Hanly, the country of the Hanleys,
and betwixt Elphin and Jamestown, that sweet country Teer O'Ruin [Tir Briuin] and Teer O'Byrne, the country of the Beirns.’‘These countries were subdivided into townlands (in some other parts of Ireland known by the denomination of plough-lands) which were called Ballys, as in Doohie Hanly, Bally nengulluh, [or] Gyllstown, Ballygilleclinne, the town of the Chlinnes, Ballyfeeny, &c., and each townland was divided again into quarters, which are generally known and distinguished by certain meares and bounds, and for that reason the name of quarter is used as though it signified a certain measure; and now the lands here are generally set and let, not by the measure of acres, but by the name of quarters, cartrons, and gnieves, a quarter being the fourth part of a townland, and a gnieve the sixth part of a quarter, and a cartron also the fourth part of a quarter (although in other parts of Ireland a quarter is the same part that a cartron is here, and a gnieve the fourth part of a cartron). I have been sometimes perplexed to know how many acres a quarter contains, but I have learned it is an uncertain measure, and anciently proportioned only by guess, or according to the bigness of the townland whereof it was a parcel. I have also busied myself with my own concerns to inquire what town, or general denomination of townland, each quarter belonged to, for the more convenient setting of tithes in main parcels by those general names of ballys, but therein I could not meet with satisfaction, it being a thing forgotten since the days of yore, and unknown to the most who yet still retain the names of quarters. And these ancient names of townlands have lost part of their general signification, being now applied only to some small parcells, as quarters or less pieces, and each other parcell of the ancient townland hath another name, according as the inhabitants were pleased to settle their habitations and little villages here and there sparsedly fixed and variously named. I have observed that most names of dwelling places in the beginning of them (before what other addition or surname they are distinguished by) have the following words: Bally, the town; Leghbally, the half town; Carhu, the quarter; Kill, the church; Liss, or Rath, the fort of earth; Cassel, the fort of stone; Carrig, the rock; Ath, the ford; Bealawh, the ford's mouth; Gleann, the valley; Knock, the hill; Ross, Cluain. What Ross and Cluain signify I have not yet learned, they being words not commonly used (but as parts of the proper names of towns) except in ancient times, only I take it Cluain is applied generally to a place enclosed with bog and river or the like, which is commonly the pleasantest and most commodious for habitations, but Ross, being of affinity to the Latin Rus, is applied to places of wider extent, as wildernesses and forests, places overspread with underwood, &c.’
See page 309, note k i. e. note 913 in the CELT edition, and pages 316, 317, note n i. e. page 316, note 942. — It is stated in the Historia familiae De Burgo, a curious MS. preserved in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin (F. 4.13.), that every Mac William is entitled to a tribute of five marks yearly out of the country of O'Dowd, and that the then O'Dowd, namely, Cathal Dubh, consented to the payment of this tribute, which is called a cios cosanta, i. e. tribute for protection. No date appears to this document, but it states that O'Dowd was present at the writing of it, who subscribes his name to it, and it is also attested by Cosny Oge Mac an Brehon, who was Brehon to Mac Maurice of Clanmorris. It is probable, however, that this tribute was not of long standing; but the power of the O'Dowds was very much crippled at this period by the O'Conors and others, so that Cathal Dubh found it his interest to pay the lower Mac William five marks a year for assisting him against them. Notwithstanding this security of the protection of O'Dowd by the lower Mac William De Burgo, the power of O'Conor Sligo continued to increase, for in the year 1581 he was lord of that tract of country extending from the River Drowes to Ceis Corainn, and from the River Moy, eastwards, to Lough Gill.
See pages 338, 339, i. e. p. 339, notes f and g i. e. 1014 and 1015 in the CELT edition. — The following list of the Lower Mac William's townlands, tributes, &c., in Tirawley, is taken from the Historia familiae De Burgo, already quoted:
{column 1}
‘Ag so barúntacht Tíre Amhalgaidh: locum comitis an tír féin .i. inadh an iarla; agus do fuair Mac Uilliam so innte, ocht fichid dég d'éirghe amach innte, mar atá trí fichid marcach glésta, agus sé fichid cethernach, agus naoi bh-fichid giolla capoll, fa n-a lóntuibh féin, agus tri fichid marg cíosa agus chomha.’
‘This is the barony of Tirawley: the territory itself is a locus comitis, i. e. the place of the Earl. And Mac William obtained in it eighteen score of a rising-out [i. e. forces], to wit, three score accoutred horse and six score kerns, and nine score horse gillys [horseboys], all to subsist on their own provisions, and three score marks as rent and reward.’
{column 1}‘Ag so na fearoinn a bh-fuil sin; ar tús ann sa Bhacc thoir, se baile comhtha; agus anns a Bhacc thiar chúig bhaile chomhtha; ceathramha agus chuig bhaile’
{column 2}‘The following are the lands on which these are paid: — first in the eastern Bac, six townlands of reward, and in the western Bac five townlands of reward; a’
‘comhtha a n-Gleann Neimhthind, agus ag su na n-anmanda sin, .i. Baile in Chorráin, agus Baile na Craoibhidhe, agus leath-bhaile Maidheag, agus leath-bhaile Matha, agus leath-bhaile Caorthannáin, agus ceathramha Dairbhin, agus ceathramha Bhaile mhic Rémag, agus ceathramha Bhaile na Laighneach, agus ceathramha Bhaile an Bhruithneoguigh, agus leathbhaile Mhaol-átha, agus in Cheathramha chlochach, agus leath-bhaile Trintach, agus leath-bhaile Rátha Ruaidhin, agus Baile Easa Caoirigh, agus an Cheathramha riabhach, agus an Cheathramha chúigeadhach, agus leath-bhaile Ratha Toma, agus Ceathramha an charbuid, agus ceathramha Chille h-Achaidh, agus an Ceathramha mór, agus ceathramha Baile Hostin, agus cúig leith-cheathramha anns a Ros ó t-Sailin asteach, agus leathbhaile na Lagbhuaile; da uinge teasda do chúig mharg a n-Inis Cuadh, do chíos agus do chomha;’
{column 2}‘quarter and five townlands of reward in Gleann Nemhthinn, named as follows, viz., Baile an Chorrain, Baile na Craoibhidhe, the half townland of Maidheag, the half townland of Matha, the half townland of Caorthannan, the quarter of Dairbhin, the quarter of Baile mhic Remag, the quarter of Baile na Laighneach, the quarter of Baile an Bhruithneoguigh, the half townland of Maol-atha, Ceathramha chlochach [i. e. the stony quarter], the half townland of Trintach, the half townland of Rath Ruaidhin, Baile Easa Caoirigh, Ceathramha Riabhach, Ceathramha Chuigeadhach, the half townland of Rath Toma, Ceathramha an Charbuid, the quarter of Cill Achaidh, Ceathramha Mhor, the quarter of Baile Hostin; five half quarters in Ros from Sailin inwards, the half townland of Lagbhuaile; two ounces wanting of five marks in Inis Cuadh, as rent and reward;’
{column 1}‘dá mharg dhég do chíos agus do chomhadh a dhá baile Crois Mhuidhelína; Ocht pinginne agus fiche sgillinn a m-baile an Chorrbhaile; ocht pinginne agus fiche sgillinn anns a Bhaile meadhonach; ocht pinginne agus fiche sgillinn a m-baile Locha Bron; ocht pinginne agus fiche sgillinn a m-baile Chille h-Aodhain; ocht pinginne agus fiche sgillinn a m-Baile na Cobhruidhe; bonn agus uinge d'ór a g-ceathramhain an Cháirn; dá phinginn agus trí h-uinge anns a Cheathramhain mhóir; dá phinginn agus tri h-uinge a g-ceathramhain Baile na leice; da phinginn agus tri h-uinge anns a' cheathramhain Sdiallaigh; ocht pinginne agus fiche sgilling’
{column 2}twelve marks as rent and reward in the two townlands of Cros Muidhelina; twenty shillings and eight-pence in the townland of Corrbhaile; twenty shillings and eightpence in Bailemeadhonach; twenty shillings and eight-pence in the townland of Loch Bron; twenty shillings and eight-pence in the townland of Cill Aodhain; twenty shillings and eight-pence in the townland of Cobhruidhe; a groat and an ounce of gold in the quarter of Carn; two-pence and three ounces in Ceathramha Mhor; two-pence and three ounces in the quarter of Baile na Leice; two-pence and three ounces in Ceathramha Sdiallach; twenty shillings and eight-pence in Baile an Oireacht; twenty shillings and eight-pence
‘a m-Baile an Oireacht; ocht pinginne agus fiche sgillinn a m-Baile Rátha Leacain; uinge d'ór a n-duthaidh Chloinne Philip; ocht b-pinginne agus naoi n-uinge a m-Baile Chille Brighde; ocht b-pinginne agus fiche sgillinn a m-Baile an Chaisill; ceathra h-uinge dhég a m-Baile Acha Liag; bonn agus uinge d'ór a m-Baile an Ghleanna; tri h-uinge a m-Baile Charna; bonn agus uinge d'ór a leatbhaile in Tobair; ceathra h-uinge dhég a m-Baile Faraidh; bond agus chuig uinge a leathbhaile Locha Deala; dá phinginn agus trí h-uinge a g-ceathramhain Chaisle; sgillinn agus uinge a m-Baile I Dubhthaigh; naoi m-boinn a g-ceathramhain Bhrechmhuidhe; da mharg am-Baile O'g-Comhain; dá phinginn agus tri h-uinge a g-ceathramhain Dairín; dá phingind agus tri h-uinge a g-Ceathramhain Chuain Néill; uinge a m-Baile Mic Cithol.’
{column 2}in the townland of Rath Leacain; an ounce of gold in the territory of the Clann-Philip; eight-pence and nine ounces in the townland of Cill Bhrighde; twenty shillings and eight-pence in Baile an Chaisill; fourteen ounces in the townland of Acha Liag; a groat and an ounce of gold in Baile an Ghleanna; three ounces in Baile Charna; a groat and an ounce of gold in the half townland of Tobar; fourteen ounces in Baile Faraidh; a groat and five ounces in the half townland of Loch Deala; two-pence and three ounces in the quarter of Caisle; a shilling and an ounce in Baile I Dhubhthaigh; nine groats in the quarter of Breachmhaidh; two marks in Baile O'g-Comain; two-pence and three ounces in the quarter of Cuan Neill; an ounce in Baile Mic Cithol.
{column 1}‘Atáid na maoir d'á dhénamh d'fiaghnuisi ann so do réir mar fuaradar ó na sinnsearuibh táinicc rompa, gach fearann nach tiucfa d'á oighre féin a dhíol, an fearann d'fuasgra do Mhac Uilliam; agus fós damadh lúgha cíos Mhic Uilliam anns a bh-fearann iná cíos na d-tigearnaigh eile gan ar breith do na tighearnuighibh sin a g-cíos féin d'fágháil no go bh-faghaidh Mac Uilliam a chíos ar tús. Agus ni eile fós gur ab air an bh-fearann ata cion Mhic Uilliam, agus ní bh-fuil luagh air an chur do thagra leis.’
{column 2}‘The stewards bear testimony to this accordingly as they received it from their ancestors, that every land of which its own inheritor cannot pay this tribute is to be declared escheated to Mac William; and should Mac William's rent be less than that of the other lords, these lords cannot raise their rents until Mac William shall first receive his own rent. And moreover that Mac William's tribute is due of the land, and that there is no power of disputing it with him.’
The two documents which follow, taken from the Historia familiae De Burgo, will
In Dei Nomine Amen.
{column 1}‘As é ádhbhar in sgíbhinn si, dhá foillsiughadh go d-tárla baile Bel Leice do Shean mac Oilbhérus, agus d'a mac na diaigh, .i. Bháiter a Búrc, ó Bhairédachaibh, mar atá Tomás na geimhli agus a chlann, agus a Braitherocha, .i. Seann Bairéd agus a mac, agus Emain mac Maia, agus Uilleag, mac Maia Ruaidh; do bádar sin seal fada a n-diaigh an dúthchais do thaobh chúirti, agus seal oile do taobh a gcarod Gaedheal amuigh, agus ni fhuaradar toradh ar cheachtar díobh sin; agus rugadar do roghuin gurbh-fhearr leó maith Bhaiter a Búrc agus a shochar aca, iná beith a n-diaigh a n-dúthchais agus an chaisléin, agus nar derbhtha leo a fhagháil dá mhéd dá g-caithfidís ris. Ar an ádhbhar sin do rinneadar conradh re chéile leath ar leath, mar atá, cuid sinnsir ag Baiter uatha-son, .i. bota Bel Leice ar tús, agus leath soileir agus tighe meadhoin aca-son ó Bhaiter, agus leath badhúin agus dúthchais, agus inmhir, agus éisg, agus coicéid mar an g-cédna. Tuilleadh eile gach taobh a d-Tír Amhalghuidh 'n-a bfuil dúthaidh na m-Bairédach sin, a leath ag Bhaither, agus a leath aca-son, agus d'fiachaibh ar Bháiter a cumhachta féin do caitheamh re n-a buain amach annsa córuigh mar a chuid féin, agus an connradh sin aga d-tiucfaidh n-diaigh go brách ar a chéile do nós a g-connartha féin, agus d'fiachaibh orra ann so bheith ag’
{column 2}‘Universis et Singulis pateat per presentes, quod Manerium de Bel lecce pervenit ad Johannem [filium] Oliveri De Burgo ej usque filium Vaterum De Burgo, sed vere heredes ipsius manerii seu Castri, viz., Thomas Cathenarum Bared et ejus filii et fratres, viz., Johannes Bared ej usque filius Edmundus fitz Mayw Gullialmus fitz Mayw ruffi longo tempore in judicio et extra judicium convocato auxiliis tam Anglorum quam Hibernicorum contendebant de recuperatione ejusdem manerii; sed non obtinebant, tandem pacem concordiam et favorem prefati Vateri eligentes amicabiliter concordarunt sub forma quae sequitur, viz., quod ipse habeat supremam partem dicti manerii et dimediam partem solerii et domus medie ad eorum usum et dimediam partem Muniminis seu propugnaculi et terrarum piscariorum vectigaliumque. Item dimediam partem omnium tenementorum terrarum ubicunque in baronia de Tyramhalay jacent seu situantur ad eos de jure pertinentium prefato Vatero concesserunt, sub condicione quod eos in judicio et extra judicium legittime defenderet, et ipsi similiter seprefato Vatero in omnibus consilio auxilio et favore contra omnes assistant et hoc fedus et hunc contractum ad suos heredes assignatosque extendi voluerunt. Hee sunt terre et tenementa de quibus supradictum contractum inierunt secundum’
{column 1}‘Báiter mar in g-cédna do nos mar is cóir dóibh bhéith aige an-aghaidh gach aoin. As í an dúthaidh ar a n-dernadar Bairéduigh agus Bhaiter a Búrc an conradh sin, do réir umhachta Thomais na geimle, mar fuaramar sgriobhtha í, .i. leath bhaile Bel Leice ar tús, agus a shochar éisg agus inbhir agus coiceid, agus naoi b-pinginne agus naoi n-uinge ar leath Baile na Cuirte, agus ceathramha Tulaigh cléibh, agus leith cheathramha na n-Guirtine, agus do fháguibh Tomás na geimhli le h-umhachta nach raibhe acht da cnoc fa geall do'n leath ceathramuin sin, .i. in Réisi, agus an Cnoc Leitheach a n-geall re x n-uinge, agus nach raibhe acht leithcheathramha anns na Guirtínibh agus anns a' Réisi agus annsa Cnoc Leitheach. Agus leath bhaile Locha Muighe Bron, .i. Trian na Scológ, agus Trian na Páirce, agus Trian an Oilean, agus leath ceathramha Chluana Alchuin agus leath ceathramha Bhaile na Leice, agus leath Ceathramha in Tuairín, agus se buin dég a cíos 'san m-bliadhuin, agus an ceathramha Sdiallach, agus leath an Charbhuid bhig, agus leath fearuinn an tighe moir, agus Cnocán Muiris, agus Tobar Tighearnáin, agus Droidhneachán agus Gargha Longain, agus leath coiceid Ratha Brannuimh, acht a trian sin ag sliocht Roibeard Baired, agus seacht n-galuin do Phíopa na Soileog as coiced Innsi na n-Gall agus x n-galuin eile do bhean Riocard mac Tomais Chaoich amach do féin agus d'á shliocht, agus leath bhaile na Raithnighe, agus ceathramha mor Bhel Tragha agus ’
{column 2}‘ultimam voluntatem predicti Thome Bared et antiquas Scripturas, viz., dimedium villate de Bellecce cum omnibus supradictis emolumentis Piscariorum et Vectigalium, et ix unxie cum ix denariis pro dimedio villate na Cuirte. Item quarta nuncupata Twla Cleyw, dimedia quarta na ngwrtyne. Sed predictus Thomas in suprema voluntate attestatus est quod solum duo colles predicte quarte, viz., an Resy et Cnoc Leytheach erant in pignore x unxiorum, et quod non erat in predictis particulis de Gurtyn, Resy, Cnocleytheagh nisi dimedia quarta. Item dimedia villata Loghabron, viz., Tryan na Scolog et Tryan na Parke, et Tryan an Oylen et dimediam quarte Clwyn Alchwyn. Item dimediam Bayle na Lecce, dimedium quarte in Tworyn et xvi. grotti annui census. Item quarta quod vocatur Styallagh, dimediam Carbayd byg. Dimidium predii in Tyghe Mor, et Cnocan Murys, Tobar Tyarnayn, Droynechan, Ortus Longayn, dimedium vectigalis in Rathbranna, preter terciam partem que debetur genelogie Roberti Bared, et septem galones ex Pipa na Soleog ex vectigali Insule na ngall, et x galones quos Richardus filius Thome Ceci sibi nomine vectigalis exegit ac sue posteritati. Et dimedia villa na Rathny, et quarta magna Bel Tragha, item ’
{column 1}‘Baile Acha Liag agus treas mir Baile na Cabruidhe Ruaidhe, agus Baile an Ghleanna uile. As é cor ar a bh-fhuair Baiter a' Burc in tabhartus so maille re beannacht na n-oigheredh, agus do bheíth aige fein agus ag a shliocht 'n-a dhiaigh.’
{column 2}‘Bayle Achalyag; item tertia villa na Cabray Rway; item tota Villa vallis. Et prefatus Vaterus Burk hanc concessionem et donacionem cum benedictionibus heredum premissorum tam sibi quam sue posteritate recepit.’
{column 1}‘Agus dá n-eirgeadh báthadh fine do na Bairedachuibh, sin a g-cuid duithche agus fineachuis do bheith ag Bhaiteir agus ag a shliocht 'na dhiaigh, do réir an chéd chonnartha. As í aois in tighearna in tan sa, .i. mile bliadhain, agus ccccc agus ceithri bliadhna agus ceithre xx. an Chéadaoin roimh n-Odluig, agus as é Sir Seoin Pioroid do ba Giuisdís a n-Eirinn o'n bainrighain Saxan .i. Elisabet, agus Risdeard Binggam 'na uachtarán ar cuige Connacht, agus Risdeard mac Oilbherus a Burc 'na Mac Uilliam an bliadhuin chedna sin.’
{column 2}‘Et si nullus ex antedictis donatioribus supervixisse act est quod hiis Vaterus jure hereditario succedat. Scriptum in Bellecce 1584, feria iiii. ante festum Nativitatis, Regnante Serenissimo principe Elizabetha et Johanne Perotho Deputato in Hibernia existente — Risterdo Byngam Provinchias Thomondie et Connachie gubernante — Risterdo Olivere De Burgo creato Mac William.’
{column 1}‘As iad fiadhnuisigh an connartha so, .i. Mac Philip, mar ata Emann Og, mac mic Pilib, agus Hiberd Meiric. Risderd Meiric sagart na fairche agus Uilliam Mac in Chleirigh, in sagart eile; agus gabha na fairche, Ricaird O'Murain; agus an Dubhaltach mac Ricaird Duibh mic Ribird, agus Tomultach Og, mac Mathgamhna I Uigin, agus Aongus mac Aodha Ruaidh I Uigin in sgribhneoir, agus Maolmuire mac Alasdruinn, mic Aodha Bhuidhe.’
{column 2}‘Hiis testibus presentibus, viz., Mac Philipp, cujus proprium nomen est Edmundus, et Risterdo Meric presbitero.’
‘Ejusque Patre Hyberto et Willielmo Clery presbitero, et Richardo O Mwrayn fabro ferrario. Et Dualdo filio Richardi nigri Mac Roberd. Thomulteo filio Mathei y Hwyginn et Enea filio Odonis Ruffi y Hwygynn, ac Mylero filio Alexandri filii Odonis aliisque clericis et laycis.’Meisi Aongus O'Huigin. Meisi Maolmuire Mac Alasdruinn. Meisi Uilliam O'Cleirigh, Sacerdos. Meisi An Dubhalltach Mac Ricaird Duibh. Meisi Ricard O'Muráin Meisi Mac Philib. Meisi Tomultach Og. Meisi Hiberd Meiric. Per me Richardum Merick, Sacerdotem Parochialem. Meisi Seaan Baired.
Meisi Robag Baired. Meisi Emonn Mc Maigiu. Meisi Ulliam Baired. Meisi Uilleag Mc Maigiu Tuaigh. Meisi Maoilere Baired. Meisi Artur Baired. Meisi Risdeard Mc Riberd an Tochair.
The second document is as follows:
‘Omnibus has literas visuris et audituris innotescat, quod filii Risterdi Baired, eodem modo et eisdem condicionibus, contraherent et convenerunt cum Waltero Kytach a Burk, sicut ceteri alii eorum consanguinei, viz., quod Vaterus habebit dimediam partem omnium prediorum suorum, quocunque loco sita essent, sub condicione hac, ut Waterus eos in justitia sua defenderet pro viribus, et ipsi similiter cum fidelitate omni Vatero assistant, et presertim quod omnes qui eum erga predicta predia molestarent. Et tam Vaterus quam prefati filii Risterdi volunt extendi hunc contractum et obligacionem ad suos heredes et assignatos. Prediorum nomina sunt hec, semiquarta Clwyn Crayn, et semiquarta Clwyn na hatha, et semiquarta an Corrayncaym: Semiquarta vero na Cnoc est apud Vaterum ipsum in pignore 6 vaccarum fetosandarum, et septern vaccarum quas minores vocant, et quinque marcharum cum duabus unxiis: Item quarta de Cwan Neyll, sed ejus dimidia pars est in pignore v. Marcharum Ster. apud filios Mauritii hy Cernay, et alia dimedia pars apud eosdem in pignore unius Marche. Item sciendum est quod hec est pars que debetur predictis filiis Risterdi a suis consanguineis, viz., octava pars ejus partis quam a Vatero habent in Bellecce cum omnibus suis emolumentis et obventionibus. Insuper utraque pars contrahentium se obligat ut altera alteri pro viribus benefaciat, sive pauperes sint sive divites, sive fortes, sive debiles. Scriptum in Bellecce, Ann Domini Millesimo. ccccc. lxxxiiii. Januarii xiii[ordm ]. Hiis Testibus presentibus, viz., Risterdo Meric ac Johanne Roday Sacerdotibus, Johanne Bared, Heberto Meric, Tomultheo Juveni O'Hwyginn, ac Enea filio Odonis Ruffi y Hugynn, aliisque quamplurimis clericis et laicis.’
Misi Risdeard Meiric. Misi Sean O'Rodaidh. Misi Tomultach Og O'h-Uiginn. Misi Aongus O'H'Uigind.
See page 311, note s i. e. note 921 in the CELT edition — ‘LXXVI. Peragratis variis Connaciae partibus ad austrum, trajectoque Muadio flumine, venit Patricius ad regionem de Tir-Amhalgaidh; ubi tunc erant duodecim filii Regis Connaciae, Amalgadii nempe, filii Fiachrii, de regno contendentes. Nomina horum filiorum erant Aengussius, Fergussius, Fethlemius;
‘LXXVII. Filii igitur Amalgadii in duodecim curribus profecti sunt Temoriam: Sed in libris Patricii invenitur quod exierint in iudicium tantum septem fratres ex eis. Inter Temoriam venientes erat quidam spectatae indolis, et multae gratiae juvenis, nomine Conallus, Endae Cromio inter fratres primogenito, natus, causam patris acturus, eiusque loco litem prosequuturus. Hunc iuvenem ob singularem gratiam, praeclarasque animi dotes, ante alios metuebat Aengussius. Unde cum ipse esset janitoribus aulae, et ministris Regis notus (erat enim olim apud Regem Laogarium in aula Temoriensi inter Ephebos educatus) hoc ab eis obtinuit, ut Conallo introitum et accessum ad Regem intercluderent. Cum ergo alii essent in aulam admissi, et ad Regis praesentiam ducti, solus Conallus domo patrui sui mansit exclusus: qui nesciens quid ageret, quove se verteret, audivit pulsum cymbali S. Patricii pro celebrandis divinis mysteriis in loco Tiprad Phadric dicto symbolum dantis. Accedens ergo Conallus perhumaniter virum sanctum salutavit, et in memoriam refricavit, quomodo ante dies multos infantes suae patriae1121, in utero matrum existentes, clamaverint ad novae doctrinae quendam
‘LXXVIII. Post haec autem interrogabat Patricius, qua causa venerit Conallus
‘LXXIX. Decisa sic lite filii Amalgadii, ne omnes bene contenti, revertuntur in patriam, quos, et praecipue dilectum suum Conallum, patriae isti fidem praedicaturus comitatur S. Patricius. Sed Aengussius pessime cum Conallo, ejusque fantore Patricio contentus, instigatus ad hoc a perfido Laogario Rege, statuit utrumque e medio tollere; impiumque conceptum fratribus suis Fergussio et Fedlimio, eorum animos ad idem facinus sollicitando, communicavit. Locus sceleri committendo condictus erat Corann regio Connaciae. Sed fratres eius recusarunt in tam impium facinus consentire, dicentes nolle se crimen sacrilegii in innocentem, sanctumque Dei Patricium, nec parricidii in Conallum nepotem admittere. Sed nec sic ad saniorem mentem rediit Aengussius, sed in concepta perseverans impietate, sceleris consiliarios et consortes admisit duos Magos Roen et Rechet de progenie Foelani militis: et cum duabus malefactorum turmis progrediens, in via per quam transibant, ante eos statuit insidias, laqueosque mortis: ubi et Roen Magus criminis socios animabat, promittens, si ipse primus ilium prodigiorum conclamatum patratorem Patricium aspiceret, eum sui visus maleficio, illico fore extinguendum. Quae impia malignantium insidiatorum consilia, diabolicaque proposita cum vir Dei in spiritu recognosceret, adhuc uno iusto milliari distans (erat enim ipse tunc in loco, ubi nunc est Crux Patricii1123 dicta; et insidiatores in loco,
‘LXXX. Aengussius autem tam terribili spectaculo praemonitus valde timuit petiitque, et impetravit veniam, fidemque Christi tantis probatam prodigiis amplexus est: qui et enixe rogavit virum Dei, cui nihil putabit impossibile, ut suam sororem nomine Felimiam vitae dignetur restituere. Annuit Patricius et oratione ad Deum fusa, defunctam vita redonatam fratri praesentavit.’
‘LXXXI. Quidam oculorum lumine orbatus audiens mirabilia, quae per mirificum Dei servum Patricium fiebant, transeunti Patricia occursurus acceleravit gressus: et qui, visu viae monstratore carebat currens per invia cadebat, et gressum mox resumens, denuo recidebat. Cernens eum quidam de clericis S. Antistitis risit, et sine miserecordia derisit coeci cespitationes. Quod indigne ferens vir sanctus, indignatione commotus ait; Tu dignus es qui beneficio oculorum, quibus male vides, orberis; et caecus ille fide plenus, suo infortunio remedium sedulo postulans, dignus quem sol justitiae amissi luminis redonet usura. Et vix verba finivit, cum ecce ex tempore clericus coecitate percussus, oculorum lumen amisit: et coecus abstersa caligine luminibus restitutus, coepit obvia clare videre, divinamque bonitatem summis laudibus exaltare. Coeco nomen erat Roan filius Conchnamha, fuitque servus olim Amalgadii Regis; et locus in quo sanatus est Roe Roain abinde vocatus, donatus est postea S. Patricio. Clericus autem vocabatur Midgna et ipse et alter Patricii discipulus nomine Donnmalius relicti sunt in quodam eremitorio, quod desertum Patricii nominatur, iacetque iuxta fontem prope Ecclesiam, Cros-Phadruic nuncupatam.’
‘LXXXII. In loco Huachtar Charthuinn appellato venerunt duo claudi ad Patricium; coram quo, ut viscera eius ad misericordiam commoverent, prolixe conquesti sunt se facultate gradiendi, propter claudicantes pedes, destitutos; debere tamen propter rei familiaris curam per loca aspera, et invia inter montem et planitiem saepius iter
‘LXXXIII. Post istos claudos sic officio gradiendi restitutos, venit Patricius ad Ecclesiam de Domnach-mor1124, ubi est episcopus Mucna1125 et inde ad Ecclesiam de Crosphadruic1126, ubi venit ad eum quidam alius claudus genere nobilis, nomine Aidus, cognomento Longus, Aengussii ex Eochadio filio nepos, similemque imploraturus, et expectaturus gratiam. Quem et juxta expectationem, fideique meritum, vir sanctus officio pedum et facultate gradiendi restituit iuxta praedictam fontem, qui Ecclesiae de Cros-Phadruic ad occidentem adiacet. Aidus autem beneficio gratus dedit tunc Patricio quoddam praedium in quo fundavit Ecclesiam; e qua quietis locum duobus e discipulis Teloco et Domnaldo designauit.’
‘LXXXIV. Post tot magorum supra memoratos congressus, singulosque in publicis certaminibus victos, partimque extinctos, et partim ad poenitentiam conversos; nondum destiterunt reliqui magi, sua malitia excaecati, eius praedicationi resistere, et vitam insidiari. Et cum viderent ipsum in publicis certaminibus continuo victorem non audentes amplius cum eo publice congredi, statuerunt eum stratis insidiis occulte e medio tollere. Unde novem ex eis in unum convenientes, in regione de Tir-amhalguidh occultas ei struxerunt mortis insidias. Quod cum videret vir illustris Amalgadii filius Enda volentes occidere Patricium, dixit filio suo Conallo; vade et custodi Patricium, ne magi occidant illum. Ipse etiam Patricius sensit eos. Pro quo pugnans, tanti sceleris ultor ignis aethereus eos in numero novem combussit, et illico extinxit.’
‘Peragrans postea vir Sanctus eandem regionem, venit ad locum amaenum ubi Muadius fluvius piscosus exoneratur in oceanum. In eo autem loco, pia terrae Principum liberalitate donato, ad ripam fluminis australem construxit nobilem Ecclesiam, sedemque postea Episcopalem Killaladh1127 nuncupatam: cui et unum e discipulis Muredachum nomine, primum praefecit Episcopum.’
‘LXXXVI. Ibi etiam vir sanctus baptizavit, Deoque consecravit duas celebratae sanctitatis virgines Crebream et Lassaram, Gleranno viro nobili Cuminei filio, natas. Hae sunt, quae inclusae in utero materno in regione de Caille Fochladh referuntur dudum ante in persona infantium Hiberniae clamasse ad S. Patricium, dum esset in insulis maris Tyrrheni efflagitando ut seposita mora ad Hibernos convertendos acceleraret:
‘LXXXVII. Inde progressus venit ad locum, qui a concessu publico, in quo cum subiectis populis congregati erant filii Amalgadii Regis, vocatur Forrach mhac n-Amhalgaidh1128. Ingentem ibi populi multitudinem cum suis principibus collectam reperiens, vir Apostolicus in medium coetum se contulit, et ad succisionem idolatriae gladium spiritus avaginavit, et verbo Dei velut romphea bis acuta, totius multitudinis corda penetravit, et in Christianae fidei ac doctrinae amplexum voluntarios perduxit. Eo die septem Amalgadii filios cum ipso Rege et duodecim millibus hominum, Christo lucrifecit, et in fonte qui Tobur enadharc nuncupatur, omnes baptizavit. Populoque noviter converso Manchenum cognomento Magistrum, virum Sanctum, et in Scripturis egregie versatum, fidei et doctrinae praefecit magistrum.’
‘LXXXVIII. In eodem agro S. Patricius duo magna operatus est signa. Foeminam unam defunctam vitae restituit, et alteram cum sua prole in utero gestata, vita et mortali et aeterna, donavit. Hanc autem foeminam cum suo foetu mortuam resuscitavit vir Dei infra Ecclesiam de Kill-aladh. Et cum ad eam resuscitandam pergeret, eum comitati sunt Felimius, Amalgadii filius, et Conallus eius ex Enda fratre nepos; et Aengussius etiam Felimii frater, qui alia via superiori ad sepulchrum defunctae mulieris iter suscepit. Matrem autem cum prole iam resuscitatam sacra unda intinxit in fonte iam supra memorato: Et illa suscitata praedicavit turbis de poenis Inferni, de praemiis coelestibus: et per lachrymas rogavit fratrem suum, ut Deo per Patricium crederet: quod factum est; et baptizatus. Et in illo die duodecim millia baptizati sunt in fonte Oenadharca ut jam supra retulimus.’
‘LXXXIX. Retro flectens versus austrum, venit inde Patricius ad vadum quoddam iuxta lacum Loch Deala1129 vocatum, ubi statuit aedem sacram excitare: sed fundus erat versipellis Aengussii, qui viro Dei se opponens, animique duplicis, verbo et facto ostendens pravitatem; dixit se non ex sincera, sed ficta et turbata mente credidisse et baptismum suscepisse. Patricius haec audiens in perversum hominem, eiusque semen fulminavit maledictionis sententiam, precans et praedicens, nec ipsius nec seminis eius domicilium futurum nisi humile, eiusque posteritatem malis seditionum et homicidiorum notis fore notandam.’
‘XC. Inde versus Orientem reflectens venit ad locum Leac-fionnbaile vocatum, qui est supra Ecclesiam de Kill-mor1130 ad ripam superiorem Muadii fluminis: ibique
‘XCI. lbi etiam baptizavit virum Principem, Eochadium Dathia, sive Davide Fiachrii filio natum: cuius et uxorem Ectram nomine, paulo ante e viris excedentem, vitae restituit ad vadum ante fores Ecclesiae Kill-morensis iacens; quod ex eius nomine Ath-Echtra, id est vadum Ectrae nuncupatur. Cui vado et adiacet eiusdem foeminae sepulchrum, quod et similiter ab ea denominationem retinens, Feart Echtra1132 id est, tumulus Ectrae, vulgo appellatur, ut periti antiquitatum istius patriae ex continua traditione referunt.’
‘XCII. Progressus inde Patricius ad alias Connaciae partes, S. Olcano discipulo suo mandavit, ut post multos labores in praedicatione Evangelii exantlatos, se ad locum quietis, et cellam construendam conferret, reliquam vitae partem in quiete et coelestium con templatione transacturus: et ut singularis obedientiae virtus in discipulo praecellens, et magistro probe nota, mundo etiam manifestaretur, iniunxit ei Ecclesiam aedificare, ubicumque Deus dignaretur ipsi de loco providere idoneo. Filius obedientiae de sui veracissimi Patris praecepti, alias incerti, seu indeterminati, certitudine nihil haesitans, absque mora, gestans in humero securim, arripit itineris initium, cuius et lineam et finem nesciebat. Cerneus pater tantam filii resignationem, voce et consolatoria et prophetica ait; Olcane fili, cum benedictione perge, et ubi securis ceciderit, securus reside et aedificia. His auditis pergit S. Olcanus, et nescius quo pergeret, vel pedem figeret, cum venisset ad locum postea Kill-mor Uachtair Mhuaidhe appellatum, securis inopinato e scapulis cecidit, velati coelitus proiecta. Advertens autem vir Dei locum illum esse sibi a Domino designatum, coepit aedificare: et cum sudore multo aedificavit Monasterium, ubi factus est in gentem magnam.’
‘XCIII. In cultu et irrigatione dominicae vineae indefesso studio, de die in diem progrediens vir Apostolicus, et singulos patriae non solum tractus, sed et angulos circumeundo, deflexit versus Boream, venitque ad locum Leac Bailbene, id est, petram Balbenii, vocatam. Ubi denuo filios Amalgadii sua benedictione munivit. Deinde per utrosque Bertlacios transiens, ab Occidentalibus ad Orientales Bertlacios profectus, venit ad Muadii fluvii ostia, ubi in Oceanum solvitur. Postquam una filia esset ibi submersa, fertur vir sanctus ita portum ilium benedixisse, et de eo pronunciasse
‘XCIV. Ulterius progredienti viro Dei occurrit in finibus istis, et truculente occursat ei populus Gregragiorum; qui non tantum sunt conati ipsum a suis finibus excludere; sed et tanta mentis insolentia in ipsum insurrexerunt, ut ipsum et socios saxis et lapidibus impetierunt. Tunc justae indignationis spiritu motus vir Dei, fertur insolenti populo condignam factis mercedem apprecari, et sic apprecando maledictionis sententia praedixisse eos in omni conflictu caedendos, et ubique fore iugo servitutis et contemptui subiectos. Progrediens autem versus Septemtrionem, cum Muado flumine traiecto veniret in regionem Gregragiorum occurrerunt ei duo ex ilia gente Magi, qui statuerunt eum e medio tollere. Sed servus Dei virtute Domini sui instructas ab eis evadens insidias, praedixit ex eorum progenie magos et maleficos nunquam defecturos.’
‘XCV. Adiit postea vir Sanctus Conallum charissimum suum; cuius probaturus, et remuneraturus mentis pietatem et resignationem ait; Placetne mi Conalle, monasticam a me suscipere tonsuram? Conallus autem respondit se cor habere paratum ad faciendum quod viro Dei placeret. Gavisus Patricius de tanta principis resignatione, eamque larga mercede remunerans, ait; Non fiet quod dixi, sed ego tuis defendar armis; tuque de semine tuo successores habebis condignos: et multi saecularis militiae gloria famosi, multique Christiana coelestis militiae professione conspicui athletae, de eodem prodibunt semine. Et mox cum baculo suo, qui baculus Jesu dicebatur, crucis signum eius scuto impressit, asserens neminem de stirpe eius in bello vincendum, qui signum illud in suo scuto impressum gestaret; ipsumque proinde Conallum Sciath Bachlach, .i. scuti baculati, appellandum. Nec mirum sane quod stirpe illa minime foret imbecillis, quae baculi Jesu, omne robur quantumcumque debile fulcientis, impressum signum in suis insignibus, ut symbolum promissae victoriae, iure haereditario gestaret.’
‘XCVI. Inde progressus peragrando oram maritimam regionis de Hui Fiachrach, venit S. Antistes ad fluvium quendam; quem, cum ob magnam aquarum illuviem traiicere non posset, sterilitatis maledicto subiectum pronunciavit. Moram tamen iuxta eius marginem contraxit in loco, Buaile Phadruic appellato, in quo crux iuxta tumulum posita conspicitur. Ad ipsum in illo loco commorantem venerunt. S. Bronius Episcopus de Cassel-Irra et S. Mac-rime Tutelaris Ecclesiae de Corca Raoidhe; et ibi eis scripsit alphabetum. Et audivi (inquit vetustus author) ab alio quod in illo loco dedit dentem ex ore suo Episcopo Bronio, propterea quod charus esset Patricio’1133.
‘XCVII. Baptizavit vir Dei in istis partibus septem Drogenii filios unumque ex eis sibi elegit in alumnum, nomine Mackercam: quem videns parentibus praedilectum, quia eum in partes longinquas secum ferre non audebat, commisit S. Bronio Episcopo educandum. Et ipse est, qui praefectus est Ecclesiae de Kill-roe-mor1134 in regione Amalgadiae. Tunc etiam, vir sanctus iecit fundamenta Ecclesiae de Cassel-Irra1135; in cuius atrio est saxum, super quem cecidit dens eius supra memoratus.’
‘XCVIII. Susceptum iter prosequutus per oram maritimam Borealis Connaciae, venit Patricius ad fluvium Sligeach1136 appellatum: ubi exhaustum corpusculum volens reficere, petit a piscatoribus quatenus velint retia tendere, et suae piscationis beneficio de aliqua piscium refectione providere, qua praesentem relevet naturae necessitatem. Illi responderunt, licet res illa videretur difficilis tempore illo hyemali, se tamen velle eam in gratiam tanti hospitis attentare. Attentarunt, magnumque coeperunt salmonem, quem viro Dei laeti obtulerunt. Quorum benignum obsequium remunerans vir Dei, ipsis bene precatus est, flumenque benedixit, apprecans, et apprecando praedicens, nullo anni tempore pisces in eo defecturos. Quod veridicum oraculum rei continuo probat eventus: nam fluvius ille ita exinde abundat salmonibus, ut nullum sit anni tempus, in quo recentes in eo non reperiantur salmones.’
‘XCIX. Erat inter Patricii discipulos unus, nomine Rodanus vir profundae humilitatis et observantiae . Hic ut erat obedientiae singulare specimen, quia omnia ad Magistri nutum faciebat; ita bruta animantia eius nutui per omnia parebant. Praefectus enim a Magistro armentis fratrum pascendis et custodiendis, ita hanc curam obibat ut vituli ad ubera matrum sugenda non accederent, nec ab eis recederent, nisi ad eius, licentiam dantis, vel revocantis, nutum. Hunc Patricius postea iuxta virtutum
‘C. Patricio Connaciae circuitum ad exitum prope ducenti et transeunti, constructis insidiis occurrerunt viri Calregiae de Culechernadan1138 armorumque ac clypeorum strepitu, clangoribus, et clamoribus excitatis satagerunt sanctum Dei, ejusque socios terrere, ac de suis finibus fugatos propellere. Ad quos vir sanctus quod in spiritu vidit, dixit; quia contra inermes armati insurrexistis; et pacis et salutis nuncios e finibus vestris effugare contendistis; vos ipsi vestrique posteri in die belli, velut oves, in fugam acti, hostibus terga dabitis. Haec illi audientes, valde consternati sunt, et super temeritate sua poenitentiam agentes, omnes praeter quinque in genua provoluti veniam humiliter postularunt. Vir misericors paululum, velut deliberans, tacuit, et mox alio praesago et consolatorio oraculo ad eos ait; stabit fixum quod Dominus per os meum loquutus est: attamen quia erroris veniam humiliter postulatis, in nullo conflictu, etiamsi omnes Counnacii vos insequantur ultra quinarium numerum ex vobis occumbent. Et hoc oraculum impleri continuo probat eventus.’ — Septima Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. — Colgan, Trias Thaum. 140.
See page 312, note y i. e. p. 313, note 927 in the CELT edition. — In the Life of St. Ceallach, Bishop of Kilmore Moy, who was the son of this Eoghan Beul, there is a curious account of the battle of Sligeach (Sligo), in which his father, Eoghan, fell. It makes distinct mention of this king's onchu, or banner, and of the meirgeadha, or standards, which his chieftains carried on their plundering excursions into the other provinces. It goes on to state that Eoghan lived three days, or, according to others, a week, after being mortally wounded in the battle, in which time he advised the Hy-Fiachrach to elect his son Ceallach King of Connaught, and requested of them to go to Clonmacnoise, where he was under the tuition of St. Kieran, and in treat of him to come home with them and accept of the kingdom,
‘As bert fos Eogan a adnacul ocus a gha dearg ana láimh is in uadh. ‘Ocus tobair m'aighi ar in tuaisgirt, ar taebh na tulcha i ngebaid in tuaiscert re cath cuigedh Connacht, agus aigheadh m'uaighi-si forro, agus mé féin innti ar in corughad sin.’ Ocus do coimlead co fír an sgel sin; uair gach inadh a tegmad Clanna Neill d'á cheile ocus Connachtaidh, do muigeadh maidhm do gnúisib ar Clannaib Néill ocus ar in tuaiscirt ann; conad h-í comhairle do rinni Clanna Neill agus tuaiscirt Erenn uime sin, teacht sluaigeadh mór co Ráith O Fiachrach, ocus Eogan do thógbháil as in adhnacul, ocus a thaisi do bhreith leo tar Sligeach fo thuaidh; ocus ro h-adhnaiceadh tall h-é, a n-aenach Locha Gile, agus a bél re lár, co nach beith doib sin 'na chonair teithighthe do cinnti re Connachtaib.’
{column 2}‘Eoghan also told them to bury himself with his red javelin in his hand in the grave. ‘Place my face towards the north, on the side of the hill by which the northerns pass when flying before the army of Connaught; let my grave face them, and place myself in it after this manner.’ And this order was stricly complied with; and in every place where the Clanna Neill and the Connacians met in conflict, the Clanna Neill and the northerns were routed, being panic stricken by the countenances of their foes; so that the Clanna Neill and the people of the North of Ireland therefore resolved to come with a numerous host to Raith O'bh-Fiachrach and raise [the body of] Eoghan from the grave and carry his remains northwards across the Sligo. This was done, and the body was buried at the other side [of the river], at Aenach Locha Gile, with the mouth down, that it might not be the means of causing them to fly before the Connacians.’
The custom of thus interring Irish kings and chieftains in a standing position is often referred to in Irish historical tales. It is stated, for example, in the Leabhar na h-Uidhri, a compilation made at Clonmacnoise in the twelfth century, that the monarch Loeghaire, who was cotemporary with St. Patrick, but who had never been converted to Christianity, was interred in the external rampart of Rath Loeghaire, at Tara, in a standing position, with his military weapons upon him, and having his face turned southwards upon his enemies, the Lagenians, as if fighting with them, or bidding them defiance.
The following very curious allusion to the same King Loeghaire, and to the custom of the internment of kings in a standing position, with their arms, is found in the Book of Armagh, which contains perhaps all the old fragments of Irish literature now remaining to us:
Perrexitque ad civitatem Temro ad Loigairium, filium Neill, iterum, quia apud illum foedus pepigit ut non occideretur in regno illius. Sed non potuit credere, dicens: ‘Nam Neel pater meus non sinivit mihi credere, sed ut sepeliar in cacuminibus Temro quasi viris consistentibus in bello: quia utuntur gentiles in sepulcris armati prumptis armis facie ad faciem usque ad diem Erdathe apud Magos, id est judicii diem Domini. Ego filius Neill et filius Dunlinge im Maistin in Campo Liphi, pro duritate odivi’&c. ’’
Annotations of Tirechan, Book of Armagh, fol. 10, a, 2.
There is a curious little poem quoted by Duald Mac Firbis in his large genealogical work, describing the residence of King Eoghan Beul, but the Addenda to this volume having been already extended to too great a length, the Editor thinks it better to reserve it for some future work. It was situtated on the island of Inis Eoghain, in Lough Mask, on which the Editor saw distinct traces of its earthern ramparts in the year 1838.
John O'Donovan's Addenda and Corrigenda are integrated into the electronic text; and the list (pp 473–476) is omitted from this electronic edition.