Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
A History of the Franciscan Order in Ireland (Author: Donagh Mooney)
Subsection 13
{journal issue 6:4}
p.97
Galbally-Aherlagh
This convent is situated in a country town in the diocese of Emly. I know nothing regarding its foundation,51 antiquity, except the following remarkable occurrence. In 1570 when the Viceroy, Lord Henry Sydney, was making incursions through this district three of our friars suffered martyrdom at Galbally. One of them was a priest called Dermot O'Mulroney. I have been unable to discover the names of the others. He had fled with his companions from that country convent to Clonmel, to escape the fury of the
p.98
persecution then raging. After a short stay he resolved to retrace his steps, God, perhaps, so disposing that he might gain the palm of martyrdom. He returned therefore to his convent, believing he could do so in safety. One day the English soldiers appeared. So sudden was the raid that all means of flight were cut off. Father O'Mulroney and his two companions took refuge in the bell-tower, and drew up the portable ladder after them. The soldiers determined to burn the church and tower, and applied fire to them for the purpose. To prevent this sacrilege the holy man came down of his own accord. He lowered the ladder, and placing his foot on the first step, fortified himself with the sign of the Cross. He then commenced to recite the Psalm ‘Misereri Mei’ as he descend. The soldiers, in their fury, received him with blows and wounds, and finally struck off his head. Then was seen this miracle. Not a drop of blood flowed from the body from which the head had been severed. The soldiers astonished at the marvel, hacked the body to pieces, but failed to force the smallest quantity of blood from the wounds. I could obtain no details of the death of the other two beyond the fact of their martyrdom. This convent is now in ruins the walls alone standing.