No More Learning

—The
The Massacre
this subject follows, the Irish
“Feall urghranna adhuathmhar do dhenamh Gallaibh Laigh
Alexander, son John Cathanach, son Mac
Donnell, was slain by O’Neill.
Onora, the daughter James Mac Maurice,
son Thomas, son the earl (of Desmond), who was the wife Pierce Butler, the son James, son Edmond, son Pierce, died.
The son Bryan Carrach Mac Cormac was slain O'Neill’s forces.
Torlogh Mac Anabaidh O'Dwyer (of Tipperary), ingenious, intelligent man, died, and was greatly
lamented his own country.
Mac Gorman, Thomas Oge, the son Tho
mas, son Malachy Duv (in Carlow
Clare), died, his place. Torlogh,
and his kinsman John was appointed Alexander, the son Calvach, son
galloglasses
more opulent, bountiful, and generous than he.
Teige, the son Murrogh, son Torlogh, son
Teige O’Brien, died, although was not sup
posed would have died upon his pillow
did, having been frequently engaged hard
contested conflicts and dangerous passes, he roic warrior, champion bravery, bear ac
the sons
Ireland that time were
O’Callaghan (of Cork, see note
valour.
Donal Riavach, son Teige
Dublin, while
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 495
of foot soldiers and of cavalry forces completely ting them off, so that not one of them to tell the closed round them, who began to slaughter them tale escaped from thence alive.
indiscriminately, killing them and completely cut
laigh Mhaistean agus iar rochtain doibh gus an maighin sin, Ro hiadhadh ceithri sreatha ina nuir timeeall ima couairt do saigh diuiribh, agus do mharcshluagh, agus rogabhadh occa ndiubhrac cadh gan dicheall, occa mudhucchadh, agus occa mormharbhughadh
cona tearmasceolanga, na elaitheach ass a mbeathaidh diobh. ” The place called Mullaghmast is situated in the parish of Nar raghmore, partly in the baronies of Kilkea, Narragh, and Rheban, in the connty of Kildare, within about a mile of the town of Bally
tore, and four or five miles from Athy. The Hill of Mullaghmast is large, and of considerable height, commanding an extensive pros
pect of the surrounding country; on its summit is situated a circular earthen rampart, very large and high, comprising in the
interior an area of about two acres. This Rath was a strong for tress, and the residence of some of the kings or chiefs of Leinster, in remote times, and according to Seward and other topographers,
John, the son of James, son of John, son of the
ference at the great Rath of Mullaghmast, where they assembled to the number of 400, all heads of clans, on New year's day, A. D. 1577, in the 19th year of the reign of Elizabeth, as stated by Rawson in the introduction to his Survey of Kildare, and by vari ous other authorities. On assembling in the Rath, the Irish chiefs were suddenly surrounded by three ranks of horse and foot, and all massacred ; or, according to some accounts, 399 were slain, and only one man escaped alive from the slaughter. In Rawson's Survey of Kildare, published in 1807, are the following passages respecting this massacre:—“Thirty years since a hole was shown
in the Rath where it was said the heads of the victims were buried ; at that time it was twenty feet deep, but now nearly closed. The successful assassins took possession of the properties of the unfor tunate gentlemen, but in such detestation is that act held by the country people, that they believe a descendant from the murderers never saw his son arrive at the age of twenty-one ; and, indeed, the properties so acquired, have melted away, and got into other hands. ” According to the accounts of different writers, and the traditions of the people, the chiefs slain at Mullaghmast were the O'Conors, O'Moores, O'Dempseys, O'Dowlings, O'Dunns, O'Dor ans, O'Kellys, O'Lalors, &c. , and likewise some of the Fitzgeralds, all of whom were heads of clans in Kildare, King's and Queen's counties. Dr. Curry, in his History of the Civil Wars in Ireland, gives in the Appendix a memorial from a M. S. , the original of which is in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, and was written by Captain Thomas Lee, or Leigh, an officer under the govern ment, in A. D. 1594, being the 37th year of the reign of Elizabeth, at which time sir William Fitzwilliam was lord deputy. This
it was a place of assembly for the conventions of the states of
Leinster in ancient days, and it may be remarked that Naas, in
Kildare, was likewise an ancient residence of the kings of Leinster,
and a place where assemblies of the states were convened for legis
lation and other purposes. Raiba, now Rheban, is mentioned on
the map of Ireland, by the Greek geographer, Ptolemey, in the
second century, as one of the ancient cities of Ireland, and was
situated a few miles from Mullaghmast, near Athy, on the banks
of the Barrow. In the districts adjoining Mullaghmast, are
several sepulchral mounds, the burial places of ancient kings and
warriors, and amongst others may be mentioned the Moat of
Ascul, at which, in A. D. 1316, the forces of the English Pale
were defeated in a great battle by the Irish and Scots, under Ed
ward Bruce. There are also some great pillar stones, and other memorial, drawn up by Captain Lee, was addressed to queen
Druidical remains near Mullaghmast, which show it to have been a place of note in remote ages. Mullach Maistean, or the Hill of Maistean, is mentioned by the old annalists, and by Keating and other historians, as the scene of some great battles, particularly
Elizabeth, and is entitled “A Brief Declaration of the Govern
ment of Ireland, &c. , showing its corruptions and discovering the
causes of the discontents of the Irishry. ” After enumerating vari ous acts of cruelty and misgovernment committed against the 1rish, and condemning the course pursued by various governors, he thus alludes to the massacre of Mullaghmast:—“They have drawn unto them, by Protection, three or four hundred of those country people, under colour to do your majesty service, and
two described at pages 221, 245, in the notes to these annals,
on the territory of Leix, which were fought near Maistean,
in the first and second centuries. Amongst the ancient no
tices of Mullaghmast may be mentioned the following curious
passage, given in vol. vi. at p. 38, of Hollinshed's Chro brought them to a place of meeting, where your garrison soldiers
nicles, written in the reign of Elizabeth :—“There is also in the county of Kildare a goodly field, called Mullaghmast, between
the Norragh and Kilkea; divers blind prophecies run of this place, that there shall be a bloody field fought there, between the English inhabitants of Ireland and the Irish; and so bloody, for— sooth, it shall be, that a mill in a vale hard by it shall run four and-twenty hours with the stream of blood that shall pour down from the hill. In the top of this height stand moats or rundles, very formally fashioned, where the strength of the English army shall be encamped. The earl of Sussex being lord lieutenant of Ireland, was accustomed to wish, that if any prophecy were to be fulfilled, it should happen in his government, to the end he might be general of the field. ” The earl of Sussex was lord lieutenant of Ireland in the latter end of the reign of queen Mary, and begin ning of that of Elizabeth—about fourteen years before the affair at Mullaghmast. An account of the massacre above mentioned in the text of the Four Masters, is given by various other his torians, and the circumstances which led to it were as follows:– In the reign of Philip and Mary, A. D. 1558, Thomas Ratcliffe, earl of Sussex, lord lieutenant of Ireland, formed the ancient ter ritories of Offaly and Leix into the King's and Queen's Counties, and the old chiefs, the O'Conors, O'Carrolls, O'Moores, O'Mul loys, Mac Coghlans, O'Dempseys, O'Dunns, &c. , were deprived of mostof their hereditary possessions, which were transferred to yarious English settlers, as the Bellinghams, Barringtons, Bowens, Cosbys, Digbys, Hartpoles, Hovendens, Hetheringtons, Rushes, &c. Many fierce conflicts took place between those British settlers and the old Irish proprietors at various times, in the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth. As mentioned by the Four Masters, and various writers, the Irish chiefs were invited to a friendly con
were appointed to be, who have there most dishonourably put
them all to the sword ; and this hath been by the consent and practice of the lord deputy for the time being. ” The lord deputy at that time was sir Henry Sidney. Fynes Morrison, who was secretary to the lord deputy Mountjoy, in the reign of Elizabeth, in his History of Ireland (folio edition, p. 3. ) as quoted in Curry's Civil Wars, chap. iii. thus speaks on this subject:—“After the 19th year of queen Elizabeth, viz. Anno 1577, the lords of Con naught and O’Rourke made a composition for their lands with sir Nicholas Malby, governor of that province, wherein they were content to yield the queen so large a rent, and such services, both of labourers to work upon occasion of fortifying, and of horse and foot to serve upon occasion of war, that their minds seemed not yet to be alienated from their wonted awe and reverence to the crown of England; yet, in that same year, an horrible massacre was committed by the English at Mullaghmastan, on some hundreds of the most peaceable of the Irish gentry, invited thither on the public faith, and under the protection of government. ” Leland, in his History of Ireland, in the reign of Elizabeth, at A. D. 1573, speaking of the murder of O'Neill of Clannaboy, by the earl of Essex, says, in reference to the massacre of Mullaghmast, as re corded in the Irish annals—“In like manner these annals assure us, that a few years after, the Irish chiefs of the King's and Queen's counties were invited, by the English, to a treaty of ac commodation, but when they arrived at the place of conference, they were instantly surrounded by troops, and all butchered on the spot. Such relations would be more suspicious if these annals, in general, expressed great virulence against the English and their government, but they do not appear to differ essentially from the printed histories, except in the minutemesswith which they record
ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1577. ,
earl (of Desmond) was taken prisoner in Cork by each barony; and that was the first tribute of the the president, William Drury, and was sent to Dalcassians.
Dublin, and confined in the same place with Rick ard Burke, earl of Clanrickard, and it was not made known what was the cause. The sons of that earl
of Clanrickard came on peaceable terms with the
English, but were at war with the people of Tho mond.
The same president came to Thomond a fort night before the festival of St. John, with a large force of English, and of the nobles of the two pro vinces of Munster, and held a court at Ennis for eight days. The Dalcassians having refused to go under tribute to the sovereign, he left a mar shal, with a violent rash force, to bring them under subjection. The president afterwards returned to Limerick, and commenced beheading the chiefs and common people in the neighbouring cantreds of Limerick, and amongst those was Murrogh, the son of Murtogh, son of Mahon, son of Donogh, son of Bryan Duv O’Brien, the most distinguished man, in fame and excellence, of the heirs of Carrick agonnell and Aherlow.
The earl of Thomond. i. e. Conor, the son of Tonogh, son of Conor O’Brien, went to England to complain to the queen of his troubles and op
pression, and he obtained a patent for his estate and towns, and of most of the church livings of Thomond, and a general pardon for his people; he returned about Christmas, after receiving great
honour and respect from the sovereign, and he thought himself that he had obtained his estate, from that time forth free from the unjust jurisdic tion of any officers, but, however, the marshal, before the earl's return, exercised severe oppres sion on the people, so that they were compelled to
go under taxes to the queen, viz. , ten pounds from
A contention arose between the earl of Des mond, i. e. Gerald, the son of James, son of John, and Fitzmaurice of Kerry, namely, Thomas, son of
Edmond, son of Thomas, and the earl took Bally Mic-an-Chaim (in Kerry), from Fitzmaurice. The young abbot O'Torna having joined the earl, was
killed in the castle door of Lixnaw, by a ball shot after the earl had entered the castle, and had there been no other evil done between them than the
death of that abbot, the loss would have been great enough. A great number of Fitzmaurice's people
were killed and drowned the same day; they car ried on this conflict for a considerable time, until at length they made peace,and Bally-Mic-an-Chaim to
gether with his prisoners, were delivered up to Fitz maurice, with an immense deal of kine and horses.
Hugh Oge, the son of Hugh, the son of John Buighe Mac Mahon (of Monaghan), went to plun
der the people of Mac Mahon, and Mac Mahon himself, namely Art, the son of Bryan of the Early Rising, the son of Redmond, son of Glaisne; and Hugh was slain by MacMahon, and his people, and
it is doubtful if any of the Clan Colla in his time was more to belamented, and in fame and renown he was not inferior to him by whom he had been slain.
A wonderful star appeared in the south-east in the first month of winter, from which extended a long sloping tail, in the form of a bow of effulgent brilliancy, whose light illumined the earth around, and the firmament above; and this star was visible parts western Europe, and astonished persons general. (This was co met which appeared this year).
James Macmaurice was France this year like W1Se.
the local transactions and adventures the Irish; and sometimes they expressly condemn their countrymen for their rebellions
Irish MS. , furnished Charles O'Conor, Belanagare:– “The Kalends January, Tuesday, 1577. this year, the against their prince. ” Mac Geoghegan, his History Ire English Leinster and Meath committed horrid murders such
allude Mullaghmast the fol Cosby being appointed governor
the O'Moores, O'Conors, and others the King's and Queen's
counties kept the peace, sued for protection, and held no cor
respondence with those their kindred who still stood out
arms against the English government. The English published
proclamation, inviting all the well-affected Irish interview the Rathmore, Mullaghmast, engaging the same time for
their security, and that evil was intended. consequence this engagement, the well-affected came the Rathmore afore said, and soon after they were assembled, they found themselves surrounded three four lines English and Irish, horse and foot, completely accoutred, whom they were ungenerously attacked, and cut pieces, that not single man escaped. ”
land, A. D. 1577, appears
lowing passage:—“Francis
Leix, ruled that country
equal him cruelty, wreaked his vengeance inoffensive Catholics, for the hard treatment had received from O'Moore. Having convened meeting the principal inhabitants the castle Mollach, under pretence the public welfare, he had them all murdered by assassins, posted there for the purpose, violating thereby all honour and public faith. One hundred and eighty men the family O'Moore, with many others, were put
death this occasion. ” Dr. Curry, his History the Civil Wars (chap. iii. ) quotes the following account from translation
true tyrant; his son, Alexander,
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chief, who had been left with a small portion of his party, he gave him no quarter, but immediately put him to the sword and slew him on the spot; it would have been better for the Eugenians that they had not gone on that expedition.
Mac Clancy of Dartry (in Leitrim), namely, Ca thal Duv, the son of Feredach, died, and his son,
Cathal Oge, succeeded in his place.
O'Byrne (of Wicklow), namely, Teige Oge, died
at an advanced age ; and Dunlang, the son of Ed mond O'Byrne, was nominated the O'Byrne.
O’Duigenan of Killroman, namely, Dolbh, the
son of Dubhthach, chief professor of Tirerrill (in Sligo), a learned historian, and a man who kept a house of general hospitality, a man of conviviality, cheerfulness, and affability, died, and his son Maol murry succeeded in his place.
Rory Oge,' the son of Rory Caoch, son of Co
A. D. 1578.
1. Rory Oge O'Moore. —An account of the O'Moores, princes and lords of Leix, in Queen's county and Kildare, and descendants of the renowned warrior Conall Kearnach, chief of the Red-branch knights of Ulster, has been given at p. 247 in these notes; they were celebrated chiefs, famous for their valour in their contests with the English, and made frequent incursions into their posses sions, and plundered the Pale, to which the annalists allude in the above passage. This Rory Oge O'Moore defeated the English forces in several engagements, and maintained his independence for
many years in the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth, and recovered a great part of the territory of Leix, possessed by his ancestors, which he held to the time of his death. In the course of his various conflicts with the Hartpoles, Cosbys, and other British settlers, he plundered the English settlements, and burned the towns of Naas, Leighlin-Bridge, Carlow, Rathcoole, &c. , and took great preys
O’Callaghan, namely, Conor the Rock, the son Dermod, son Teige Roe, son Anthony, son Cahir, was appointed his successor.
REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
A. D. 1578.
mall O'Moore, fell by the hand Bryan Oge, the son Bryan Mac Gillpatrick, and that Rory was the chief spoiler and insurgent the men Ireland
HE son of O’Neill, i. e.
Henry, the son of Torlogh,
son of Niall Conallach, son
of Art, son of Con, march
ed with a force into Tir son Pierce, died, and he was the ancient no
his time, and one was was disposed fire shot against the crown for long time after him.
Pierce Butler, the son James, son Edmond,
connell against the son of bility the English Munster.
O'Gallagher, namely Maol O’Callaghan, Callaghan, the son Conor, coba, the son of Cahir, son Donogh, son Teige Roe, was drowned son of Torlogh Oge; when
his forces had proceeded
to carry off prey, and to plunder the town, it hap
pened that the son of O'Gallagher was at that time
outside of the town, and having attacked the young father and his drowning; the son the prior
Avonmore (the river Blackwater, Cork), and was loss his reputation that had departed before spent entire year the enjoyment his patrimony, between the death his grand
and spoils in Kilkenny. In 1578, O'Moore was surprised in one
of fastnesses the woods party the forces Bryan Bearma-Cleitigh, signifying the Pass Plumes, from the great Fitzpatrick, baron Upper Ossory, who had joined the English, quantity plumes left there, which were worn the helmets and after determined conflict with superior numbers, Rory was the English knights who were slain.
mortally wounded, and died the 30th June. The lord deputy, o
Slaney, the daughter Torlogh, son
son Torlogh, son Bryan the Battle
nagh (O'Brien), died; she was the wife
the son Donogh Bacach, son Murrogh Caoch, son Bryan Mac Mahon (of Clare), and woman who spent her life without reproach, until she died
advanced age.
Sioda, the son Mac Con, son Sioda, son
Mac Con, son Sioda (Mac Namara), tanist the eastern portion Clan Cuilein (in Clare), was slain Slieve Eachtge, while pursuit prey,
which was carried off the kerns Clanrickard.
O'Heyne, i. e. Roderick the oak-wood, the son Flann, son Conor, son Flann, died; was
man eminent for hospitality and feats arms,
sir Henry Sydney, mentioned Lodge's Peerage the barons
Ossory, one his dispatches states that the baron Ossory was offered one thousand marks, due proclamation the head
O'Moore, but only accepted one hundred pounds, which
divided amongst his men, for their present reward and future en couragement. Amongst the heroic actions Rory O'Moore, Mac
Geoghegan and others mention that on one occasion, having been betrayed and surprised by night his residence the woods Robert Hartpole, the head two hundred the English, the valiant O'Moore alone performed the amazing exploit cutting his way through their ranks with his sword, and escaped safety. His son Owen, generally called Owny Mac Rory O'Moore, was also very valiant chieftain, and celebrated commander the wars against Elizabeth; defeated the English forces many engagements, one which, the year 1599, he cut off great number the troops the earl Essex, defile their pro gress through Leinster, place called from that circumstance
Teige,
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from early life to his end; his brother's son, i. e. Owen Mantach, the son of Edmond, was appointed
in his place.
Myler, the son of Walter, son of John, son of Myler Burke, sheriff of the county of Mayo, was
killed at Caslen-na-Helle (the castle of the Neale, in the barony of Kilmain, in Mayo), in a nocturnal attack made by his kinsman, Edmond, the son of Thomas of the Plain, the son of Myler, in conse quence of some controversy which happened be tween them at an assembly on the previous day.
Leitrim of Muintir Eoluis was taken by an Eng lish captain of the people of Nicholas Malby, from
O'Rourke, in the spring of this year, and Droma Teige, son of Torlogh, son of Bryan of the Battle haire was demolished by O’Rourke, i. e. Bryan, son of Nenagh O'Brien, died, in the 65th year of his
of Bryan, son of Owen. Leitrim was afterwards left age, after a long infirmity, an approved repentance,
-
the son of Art, son of Dermod Lamhdearg (the Red-handed), died.
John, the son of Donal, son of Thomas, son of Teige Mac Clancy, chief professor in Brehonism
to the earl of Desmond, died; and there was not
a Brehon (or judge), of a territory in Ireland at
that time who had a better landed property and mansion than he had.
The earl of Clanrickard was still in confinement in London.
A. D. 1579
| |
|
O’Rourke; but shortly after that the same town men; he was interred with honour and solemnity
|
Thomas, the son of Patrick, son of Oliver Plun
kett, lord of Lughmaighe (Louth), was slain by of Glenmalure; he was a warrior and spoiler Mac Mahon, namely Art, the son of Bryan of against the neighbouring English and Irish. (This the Early Rising, the son of Redmond, son of was Hugh O'Byrne of Wicklow, chief of the branch Glaisne.
-
O’Shaughnessy, i. e. Dermod Riavach, the son
of Dermod, son of William, son of John Buighe,
and his brother’s son William, the son of Giolla
Duv, son of Dermod, fell by each other's hands in
a treacherous attack made by O'Shaughnessy on William in the vicinity of Ard Maoldubhain;
William was slain on the spot, and O'Shaughnessy was wounded, of which he died soon after; John, the son of Gilladuff, was after that nominated the O'Shaughnessy.
ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1579.
by the English in possession of the sons of Teige and having gained the victory over the world and
was taken by O’Rourke, with the permission of the English, and despite of the sons of Teige.
Sir Henry Sydney, lord justice of Ireland, went
to England in November, and was accompanied
thither by captain Malby, and was succeeded by William Drury, president of the two provinces of
Munster. The lord justice took along with him the earl of Clanrickard, namely, Rickard, the son
of Ulick, son of Rickard, son of Ulick, and his son
William Burke, to bring them before the English council.
The earl of Kildare, namely, Gerald, the son of Gerald, who had been under arrest in England for two or three years before that time, came to Ireland about Christmas.
in the monastery of Ennis, and his son Torlogh was appointed his successor; and it was to record his death the following was composed :
“One thousand five hundred, the record is right, Together with nine and seventy years,
From the incarnation of the son of God
To the death of Donal, who was free from fault. ”
Onora, the daughter of Donogh, the son of Co nor, son of Torlogh, son of Teige O’Brien, died,
and she was greatly lamented in Leth Mogha.
Sir Edward Fitton, the treasurer, died.
Roland Eustace, the son of Thomas, son of Richard, died.
Hugh, the son of John, son of Redmond, son of John, son of Hugh, son of Donal Glas, died, and he was the chief of the branch of Raghnall, and lord
The seneschal of the county of Wexford, through
treachery, appointed to hold a conference with Fiacha Mac Hugh (O'Byrne), the son of Redmond, son of John of Gleann Maoilughra (Glenmalure, in
Wicklow); Fiacha discovered that it was through treachery the seneschal appointed that conference,
and he therefore formed a counter plot against
him, and slew one hundred of the young men and
chiefs of the country, with many of the common soldiers.
Bryan, the son of Cahir Cavanagh (of Carlow),
of Rannal, from whom the name Ranelagh was de rived).
Donal, the son
of Conor, son of Torlogh, son of
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 499
Torlogh of the Wooden Leg, the son of Maol after landing, proceeded from these woods his murry, son of Donogh, son of Torlogh, son of Ro first expedition, with his horse and foot forces,
through the centre Hy-Conaill-Gabhra and Clan William, and they began plunder every place through which they passed. The people the country collected and assembled pursue them, and first all came the sons William Burke, son
Edmond, namely Theobald and Ulick, and Theo bald dispatched messengers the territory Aes Greine, requesting Mac I-Brien Ara come
James, the son of Maurice Duv, son of John,
son of Thomas, son of the earl (of Desmond), re Brien sent force galloglasses and giom turned from France; and it was rumoured that anachs (common soldiers), Theobald; these then he had come with a greater number of ships than pursued the warlike troops, and overtook James, he had actually brought; he landed at Oilean-in who had halted dense solitary wood wait Oir, near Daingean-Ui-Chuis, in Kerry. The earl their approach, and engagement ensued between of Desmond was at this time encamped at Cuillean these respective forces which James was struck
derick Mac Sweeney, fell by the hand of Bryan Ballach, the son of Maolmurry, son of Donogh,
son of Bryan Mac Sweeney, at the gate of Cork. Captain Malby returned to Ireland, with great
presents from the sovereign.
Bryan-na-mbarog, the son of Maolmurry, son of
Donogh Mac Sweeney, brother of Torlogh before mentioned, died.
O-gCuanaigh, where he had commenced to erect a castle, and having heard of the arrival of that fleet
in Kerry, he went to see The chief marshal
the hollow his chest by the shot ball, which caused his death; but, however, he defeated those warlike forces who pursued him. lament
the two provinces Munster, Carter and Master Davidh, and
people Munster also proceeded did likewise the kinsmen the earl
John, son Thomas, namely, John and James Oge, and they were confederacy with James Mac Maurice, and
the two young sons James, son
they made attack
and Master Davidh
them while lying
then brought James
woods Claen-glais and Coill More.
night upon the marshal Tralee, and they beheaded
their couches and beds; they
shore, and
went the James, soon
- Landing the Spaniards and death Mae Maurice. —The
A. D. 1579.
celebrated James Mac Maurice, often mentioned this period,
named Thomas Stukely, Englishman, who was supposed
was James Fitzgerald, son sir Maurice Fitzgerald, who was natural son king Henry VIII. , but nothing certain was known
brother James, the fifteenth earl Desmond. James Mac his family; he was military adventurer, and appears Maurice called various writers Fitzmaurice, which has led have been man considerable abilities. At this time Philip II. ,
Maurice, conjunction with his cousin Gerald Fitzgerald, six mand Hercules Pise; Stukely was also appointed one
the commanders, and, according Cox, had conferred him
the titles Marquess Leinster, earl Wexford, and Carlow,
viscount Murrogh, and baron Ross; and, the head 800 sol diers, set sail from Civitta Vecchia, the Papal states, for Lisbon, where was appointed he should meet James Mac Maurice, with other forces raised Spain and Portugal. Stukely, his arrival with his fleet Lisbon, instead coming Ireland, was induced join Sebastian, king Portugal, who was then preparing for expedition Africa; their arrival Africa, fierce battle was fought, which three kings were slain, namely, Sebastian, king
Portugal, and his ally Mahomet, son Abdallah, king Fez,
some mistakes about him, and has been sometimes confounded with the family Fitzmaurice, earls Kerry. The following particulars the affairs above-mentioned the Annals, have been
Mary, queen England, conjunction with the Pope, assist the Irish Catholics, collected from Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Mac Geoghegan's Ire and 2000 men, according Mac Geoghegan, were raised the land, Lodge's Peerage, and various other sources. James Mac states the church for the expedition Ireland, under the com
teenth earl Desmond, and several others the nobility and chiefs Munster, having resisted the Reformation, and taken up arms against queen Elizabeth, became the military leaders that province, and make remarkable figure the course these Annals. Mac Maurice was very valiant commander, and du ring period about ten years, leader Munster, had va rious fierce conflicts with the English forces; he went France 1575, and having remained there for about two years endeavouring
obtain some troops from king Henry III. , which, however, did not succeed, went from thence Rome, where, Mac Geoghegan says, was received with distinction Pope Gregory
expel the traitor from the country. Mac
name Arthur able loss took place there, for Theobald Burke was the queen's slain, young warrior who was worthy heir
that fleet, Desmond,
earldom, valour, command force, and his knowledge the English language, and
the ancient Irish. James Mac Maurice had not
passed far from the field battle when the weak ness death came over him, upon which made his will few words, and ordered his faithful people, that his death they would cut off his head, order that his enemies might not discover him, recognise mutilate him. "
The lord justice Ireland, sir William Drury,
XIII. Rome becameacquainted with Cornelius O'Mulrian, O'Rian, titular bishop Killaloe, and also with gentleman
king Spain, who had been married was variance with Elizabeth, and according Cox, prepared troops
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500 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1579.
was at that time in great Cork of Munster, and the son of Ugaine (in the baronies of Connello, county earl of Kildare and sir Nicholas Malby, with their of Limerick), where he took his death-sickness, forces, were along with him there; they proceeded and he left captain Malby to carry on the war to Limerick, and encamped in the neighbourhood against the Geraldines, and he himself was con
of Kilmallock; the earl of Desmond waited on veyed in a carriage to Waterford, where he died.
them, and endeavoured to convince them that he The lord justice selected at the court of Dublin
had no part in bringing over James Mac Maurice, to succeed him was a gentleman of the queen’s
nor in any of the evil deeds committed by his people, who had arrived that very week, namely,
kinsmen, and he gave his only son and heir to the William Pelham, who had come for the purpose lord justice as security for his allegiance and loyalty defending the territory Bregia, Meath, and
to the crown of England. The earl was promised the English Pale, against the O’Neills and the that his country should not thenceforth be spoiled, Irish the North Ireland and Leinster,
but although promised, it was not fulfilled, for his
people and cattle were afterwards destroyed, and
his corn and dwellings were burned. The lord jus
tice then departed from the camp at Kilmallock,
accompanied by three or four captains, and four
hundred English and Irish soldiers, to search the
great wood inexpectation of discovering some of the
enemy; it so happened that they encountered the diers, and from thence went Easgebtene young sons of the earl of Desmond, namely, John (Askeaton, Limerick), and happened the and James Oge, at Gort-na-Tiobrad, where a fierce very day which the young sons the earl engagement ensued between them, in which the Desmond came into the county Limerick fight
lord justice's forces were defeated, and three of
their captains were slain, namely, captain Herbert,
captain Eustace, and captain Spris (Price), together
with three hundred of their men, and the remnant
fled with the tidings to the camp. The lord jus encountered and fought the Irish forces, and tice after that removed his camp to Belatha-na length defeated them; and Thomas, the son nDeise, in the very centre of Cliu of Mal, the John Oge, son John, son Thomas, son the
and Abimelec, king of Morocco; Stukely, and the greater part of the Italians, fell in this battle fighting under the standard of Se bastian. Mac Maurice having coine from Spain to Portugal, found with indignation that his cause had been betrayed by Stukely ; he collected the remnant of the Italians who had re turned from Africa, and beingjoined by some Cantabrians, and a few English and Irish exiles, he set sail for Ireland, and landed at Smerwick in Kerry, in the latter end of July, 1579, with three ships, and a small force, only amounting to about eighty or one hundred men ; he was accompanied by Nicholas Saunders, an English ecclesiastic, who was appointed the Pope's Nuncio or Le gate in Ireland, and by another ecclesiastic named Allen.
The place where Mac Maurice landed was called Ardnacant, in the har bour of Smermick, in the west of Kerry; and in the harbour is a small rocky island which forms a natural fortress; this is the place mentioned above in the Annals, under the name of Oilean-an-Oir, or the island of the Gold, and the fortress erected there by another body of the Spaniards who arrived in the following year was called Fort del Or. Daingean-I-Chuis, mentioned in the text, is Dingle
I-Couch, or Dingle, from which the harbour of Smerwick is about six or eight miles distant; the other places mentioned in the text are Hy-Conaill-Gabhra, now the two baronies of Connello, in
Limerick, and the woods of Claenglais were about the same place, on the borders of Limerick and Kerry, where the battle was fought. James Mac Maurice, on his arrival in Ireland, was joined by the forces of his cousins, sir John of Desmond, and sir James Fitz
gerald, his brother, who, with their troops, attacked the English garrison Tralee, which they dispersed, and slew Henry Davell, who above mentioned under the name Davidh, and also Car
whilst the lord justice who died, and captain Mal by, had been engaged bringing the people
Munster subjection. The earl Ormond came Ireland the same week, after sojourn three years England. Captain Malby, after the death
the lord justice, proceeded Limerick re model his army, and procure provisions for his sol
and make captures. They and the captain met each other front front, although they could have shun
ned and avoided him; fierce conflict took place between them, and the captain's people bravely
ter, the other commander. Mac Maurice's three ships were ta ken by captain Courtnay, and himself intending proceed Connaught raise more forces, was his progress, above unen tioned the text, attacked by the Burkes Clanwilliam and Castle Connell, Limerick, and Mac I-Brien Ara, Tip perary, who were the side the queen; and both parties hav ing encountered, had fierce conflict the barony Connello Limerick. Mac Maurice gained the victory, but was mortally wounded, and, according Mac Geoghegan, slew the en gagement, with his own hand, Theobald Burke, cleaving his head
with beth,
single blow; Burke's brothers also fell, and queen Eliza console sir William Burke for the loss his sons, settled
yearly pension 200 marks, and created him baron
him
Castleconnell. The valiant Mac Maurice died six hours after the engagement, and when found was mortally wounded, made the remarkable request that his friends would, soon
died, cut off his head that his body might not recognised and mutilated by his enemies; does not appear whether they com plied with his singular request, but stated by Lodge and others, that his body being found the English, was hanged upon the market-place Kilmallock. further account the second landing and massacre the Spaniards Kerry, 1580, given under that year.
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REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 501
earl, and Owen, the son of Edmond Oge, son of themselves returned their homes. The entire Edmond, son of Torlogh Mac Sheehey, along with country, however, was not tranquil state, from a great number of the constables of the Clan Shee Luachair Deadhaidh (in Kerry), the river Suir, hy, and also many of the party of the sons of the and from Ceann Febrad (in Limerick), the earl, were slain. A vast deal of booty, consisting Shannon, for there was not fortress town, any ofarms and accoutrements, fell into the hands of corn, dwelling, between those places, which
the sons the earl had come, that they did not demolish, destroy, burn, and completely consume by fire, lest the English should possess them; and the English, retaliation against the Geraldines, left not house dwelling, rick, corn-stack
the captain's party on that occasion. It was at
Aonach Beag that battle was fought, and the cap
tain remained nearly a week after that at Askeaton,
during which time the Geraldines daily threatened
to give him battle, but however they did not do so.
The captain having demolished the monastery of
the town proceeded from thence to Adare, where
he remained, to bring the neighbouring people un between them without corn dwellings. After der subjection, until the new lord justice, sir Wil this the earl Desmond, and his kinsmen, with
liam Pelham, the earl of Kildare, and the earl of Ormond, had arrived to relieve him, and they encamped Connello. The earl Desmond did not join them that occasion, for his estate was completely spoiled, and inhabitants were awfully plundered, although had been promised him be fore that his country should not spoiled. ”
When the earl had joined his kinsmen, the re solution the English came was, garrison his towns, viz. , Loughgair, Rathmore, Castlemuirisin, Adare, and Kilmallock (all Limerick), and they
Battles Gortnatibrid and Mainistir Nenay, &c. —In 1579, the death James Mac Maurice, before stated, his cousins, sir John Desmond, and James Fitzgerald his brother, becamethe chief commanders of the Irish Munster. The lord
they could muster together, proceeded devas tate fire and sword Roche’s and Barry’s coun tries Hy Liathain and Imokilly (in the baronies
Barrymore and Imokilly, county Cork); they
encamped before Eochoille (Youghal), and length took the town, and immense were wealth and treasures; the Geraldines seized upon every
thing they could lay hold
much the gold and silver
and burgesses had sent away
town was taken. Many poor and needy persons
Croom, Limerick, and both parties having encountered, had severe conflict, which great numbers were slain each side; Mac Geoghegan says that Desmond remained master the field
Butlers, lords Ormond, Mountgarrett, and Dunboyne, and Fitz ach Beag, and called by various other writers the battle patrick, baron Ossory. On arriving Kilmallock, the deputy Monasternenay, being fought adjoining the celebrated Cistercian
monastery that name near Croom, the county Limerick; and stated that the abbot the monastery was the engage ment the side Desmond, and also Father Allen, before men tioned, who was killed the conflict, and his body was found amongst the slain, with the consecrated banner grasped firmly
his hand. Some the Irish and Italian soldiers this engage ment took refuge the abbey, which the English with their can non afterwards destroyed, and demolished walls, but someruins still remaining show its former magnificence. The earl Des
deputy, sir William Drury, marched with his forces Munster,
Desmond, and others whose loyalty sus his camp; Desmond came, and was delivered the lord marshal, but soon after set liberty, his brother, sir John Desmond, who was en camped with his forces Slievelogher Kerry. The deputy proposed attack sir John Desmond, who collected his forces
from Kerry and from Connello, Limerick, and advanced meet the deputy's troops; Desmond posted himself the castle Gortantibrid, the barony Connello, Limerick, near forest
requested the earl pected, come
into the custody through fear
–called the Blackwood, according Mac Geoghegan, and both mond, said, was spectator the battle fron neighbouring
parties having encountered, had sharp engagement, which the English forces were defeated, and three hundred them slain, together with two their captains, Herbert and Price, and the victory was gained chiefly means ambuscade placed the wood by John Desmond.
Soon after fresh forces came from England, under captains Ca rew, Bourchier, Dowdall, &c. , and sir John Perrott arrived
hill, but did not join his brother's forces, and retired his castle Askeaton. The troops sir John Desmond, according Mac Geoghegan, next marched towards Aherlow, Tipperary,
and defeated their progress the English garrison Kilmallock, which had sallied out attack them. Desmond also defeated ten English battalions place called Gort-na-Pisi, the Field the Peas; next made incursions into Ormond, and defeated all
Cork with six ships protect the coast. The lord deputy Drury the forces the Butlers, and their English allies, fierce con retired Waterford, where, from the fatigues his campaign, flict the Hill of Knock-Raffan, Tipperary, place situate soon after died, September, 1579. Sir Nicholas Malby was between Cashel and Cahir, where there great mound and
appointed marshal the forces Munster, and having collected was celebrated residence some the kings Munster his troops, amounting according Cox, more than 1000 men, remote ages.
marched against John Desmond, who was encamped near
their course, that they did not destroy after the same manner, that the country was laid waste
battle, with the cannon and baggage; and Cox says that the Irish lost 260 men; and, according other accounts, nearly the accompanied Bagnall, Malby, Wingfield, Fitton, Masterson, and same number the English were slain. This battle was fought, other commanders, and was also joined the earl Kildare, the according the text the Four Masters, place called Aon
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502 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1580.
became enriched, and the rich became poor by the spoils of that town. Gloom was cast over the sun
shine of that town by the Geraldines, and they de molished its courts and castles, and its stone and
wooden buildings, so that it was not inhabitable for
vernment in place of John, without the permission of the sovereign.
The son of O’Donnell, i. e. Cathbhar, the son of Manus, son of Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe, ta nist of Tirconnell, a man distinguished for his great donations and hospitality, the patron of the exiles,
along period after that, and it was at Christmas pre
cisely these affairs took place. The earl of Ormond and of the professors of the schools of the North
marched with a powerful force in the same week into the country of the Geraldines, and arrived at Newcastle, and he carried away every thing he
laid hold on in the country, both flocks and cattle, and returned back without fight or conflict, because the earl and his kinsmen were at that time in Kerry.
Conall Buighe, the son of Gillpatrick, son of Pierce O’Moore, was slain at Birr, in the territory
of Ely, and it was well he was killed, for it was to plunder the town he had gone there.
Oliver Roe, the son of John-na-Beinne, son of John Roe, son of John of the Teeth (Burke), died. The earl of Clanrickard was still in England
this year.
A. D. 1580.
Conor, the son of Donogh, son of Conor, son of
Torlogh, son of Teige, son of Torlogh, son of Bryan of the Battle of Nenagh O’Brien, earl of Thomond, who was the first of the race of Cormac Cas who
of Ireland, died on the 15th of October, in his own residence, at Scariff Sholais, and was interred at Donegal.
O’Beirne (of Roscommon), i. e. Teige Oge, the son of Teige, son of Carbry, son of Malachy, a man eminent in learning, in music, and in the canon law, died, and was buried at Elphin, and his brother Carbry succeeded in his place.
The son of Mac Donogh of Tirerrill Sligo), namely, Murrogh, the son Cathal, son Owen,
spirited and convivial sportsman, who was fierce enemy, but kind friend, died.
Teige Riavach, the son Owen, son Conor,
son Teige O’Dowd (of Sligo), died.
Donal, the son Teige, son Conor O’Brien,
died, and was interred the monastery Ennis.
son Conla, son Conor, son Laighne, was succeeded his father over the portion of Munster unkindredly slain by his brother Bryan; was
belonging to the tribe of Lughaidh Meann, a junior
who took and regulated the government of his pa
trimony from the hands of his senior, according to
the rules, laws, and ordinances of the sovereign of greater portion the men Ireland. The father England, died in the meridian of his age, having
completed forty-five years and a half from his birth
to his death, of which he spent twenty-two years
and a half in the chief government of his tribe, and
in the command of his people, as the following verse certifies :
“Twenty years he had been, and five half years in full,
those sons was taken prisoner the lord justice, for was rumoured that he was concerned in that fratricide.
James Oge, the son James, son John, son Thomas the earl (of Desmond), the course his insurrection made predatory incursion into Mus
son That Conor was interred in the monastery of Carthy, lord the country, collected his forces
An earl over the land of Adhar, a champion like Conn was Conor. ”
Cormac Oge, son Cormac, son
Ennis, and his son Donogh was appointed in his place.
Mac William Burke, i. e. John, the son of Oliver, son of John, a man of generosity and great afflu ence, who preferred peace to war, and who always aided the sovereign, died; and Richard of the Iron, the son of Edmond, son of Ulick, assumed the go
together oppose him that night, and Cormac
having been informed that James had passed him into the country, proceeded certain place which expected James would pass, and having perceived James coming towards him with prey,
attacked and slew and destroyed the greater portion his people; James himself was taken
Owen, son Raphoe, died
Tuathal Balbh O'Gallagher, dean the 22nd day the month
October.
The son Mac Geoghegan, namely, Rossa, the
surprising how small the inheritance Kinel Fi acha was then, for Rossa was more than plain gentleman; was, however, lamented by the
kerry Cork), Cormac,
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and sent to Cork to be imprisoned, where he re mained confined for nearly two months, occupied
in preparing himself for death every day, repenting
leader galloglasses who paid more for wine and learned men than that Edmond.
Roland, the son Redmond (Burke), son
tered, and cut into pieces, which was accordingly done. "
James, the son of John Oge, son of John, son
of Thomas, the earl (of Desmond), was slain in
CeSSOr.
Donogh, the son Malachy Mac Gorman, son Malachy Duv, died.
Sir William Pelham, the lord justice, wrote
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 503
of his sins, and imploring forgiveness for his trans Ulick Knock Tuagh, bishop Clonfert, died,
gressions. At the end of that time a written or and the loss that good man was much lamented
der was sent from the lord justice and the council his own country.
of Dublin to the Mayor of Cork, commanding O'Sullivan More, Donal, the son Donal, him to have that noble young man executed, quar died, and his son Owen was appointed his suc
the same war by the lord of Pobal Brien, and of England after Christmas this year, requesting
Carrick-O-Gonnell (in Limerick), namely, Bryan that admiral, with the queen’s fleet supplied
Duv, the son of Mahon, son of Donogh, son of Bryan Duv O’Brien, and that James was a worthy heir to his patrimony.
with plenty provisions and large ordnance, should be sent Ireland, order take all their towns which were possession the
James, the son of Maurice, son of Gerald, son Geraldines. These were Askeaton, Baile-Ui of Thomas, the earl (of Desmond), was killed in Gheileacain, and Carraig-an-Phuill (Carrigafoyle
the Shannon). great army the men Meath, Fingall, and Leinster, and also all
those who were under their laws, from the Boyne the Meeting the three Waters (at Water raidhe (the Districts of Tory Island in Donegal), ford), was collected by the lord justice and the
the same war by the shot of a ball at the gates of Youghal.
Edmond, the son of Maolmurry, son of Donogh,
son of Torlogh Mac Sweeney from Tuatha To
went to take a prey from a party of the insurgents earl Ormond,
in Glenflesk (in Kerry); O’Donoghoe and a bro about the festival
ther’s son of the same Edmond, namely, Geoffrey Ormond brought
Carrach, the son of Donogh Bacach, overtook army, and did not halt until arrived Cork. Edmond and slew him in a malicious, unfriendly The lord justice proceeded with his forces
manner, and there was not at that time in Ireland
A. D. 1580.
1. Death of sir James of Desmond, &c. —On the 14th of June, 1580, according to Cox, in his Hibernia Anglicana, the lord justice,
sir William Pelham, invaded and devastated Clanauliff, in the county of Cork, and thence marched through Slievelogher to Kerry;
and on the 15th took a prey of 2000 kine and many sheep, and missed but little of surprising the earl of Desmond, and the Legate, Dr. Saunders. “On the 8th of July the popish lords of Munster,” says Cox, “appeared before the lord justice at Limerick, and being charged with correspondence with the rebels, and negligence in prosecuting them, all of them, except the lord Barry, submitted, and promised future loyalty, and were ordered to maintain 2000 men during the war. ” Soon after, Cormac MacTeige Mac Carthy was dismissed with favour, and an order to the country to assist him in his attempts against the Desmond forces, because he had promised to do some considerable service, which he very luckily effected, says Cox, for on the 4th of August he took prisoner sir James of Desmond, who had taken a prey from sir Cormac, where upon his brother, Daniel Mac Teige, assembled what force he could get together, to rescue the prey, and after a sharp conflict between them and the Desmonians, the latter were defeated, and sir James being taken prisoner, was brought to Warham St. Leger and cap tain sir Walter Raleigh, who caused him hanged, drawn and quartered, Cork, and his head and limbs were fixed the gates the city. This sir James Fitzgerald was brother the earl Desmond, and sir John Desmond, and commander note
immense force join that Limerick, and although the weather was very cold
Munster the war against Elizabeth. As reward for his services, Cormac Mac Teige Mac Carthy was knighted, and made high sheriff the county Cork.
According Cox, the earl Ormond dislodged from Adare Limerick, and marched Buttevant, Cork, where, the month
August, strange kind sickness, called afterwards the Gentle Correction, seized the whole army; took them with pain the head, and for two three days they lay senseless,and then recovered, few none died though, by the violence the symptoms, was not expected that many could recover. Ormond divided his forces into two parts, and marched with one half Castle Island,
Kerry, and the other he sent Tralee, where all met, and then dividing into three parts, marched Dingle, “and they went, they drove the whole country before them,” says Cox, “whereby they took prey eight thousand cows, besides many garrons, sheep, &c. , and slew great many people, and would have slain more, but that sir William Winter, who was then the harbourof Ventry with some her majesty's ships, gave many them pro tections. ” This Winter was vice-admiral England, and came
cruise about the coast prevent the Spaniards from landing, they should come. The lord justice having left sir George Bour chier commander Munster, with 2820 foot and 395 horse, rode Killaloe “where,” says Cox,” the unconscionable bishop (Maurice O'Brien), demanded thirty pounds for one night's gra zing for 160 horse. ”
march against the Geraldines St. Bridget. The earl
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504 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1580.
More, to the woods of Claenglass, and the seques tered and waste places, and they gave no mercy to
rich or poor that came in their way. It was not surprising to kill those who were able to make
resistance, but they also slew the blind and infirm, women, sons, and daughters, the sick, the feeble,
and the old; their wealth and properties were car ried away to the camp where the lord justice was ;
great numbers of the English fell by those who were endeavouring to recover their plundered pro
from thence to Tralee, and to the borders of the Askeaton. When the garrisons Baile-Ui mountain of Mis, the daughter of Muireadh, the Geileachain, and Askeaton, heard the awful
son of Caireadh (Slieve Mis mountain in Kerry). roaring that extraordinary ordnance, the like The earl of Ormond came from Cork to Kerry to which they never heard before, they began
join the lord justice, and immense was the number destroy their castles, and succeeded demolishing of men and horses that perished without blood Baile-I-Gheileachain, but were notable demolish
and severe then, he remained there only a week to The lord justice ordered the large ordnance which supply his soldiers with arms and provisions; he had been sent to him, to be conveyed to land, and proceeded from thence south-westward to Deis he placed five large guns before the Carrig to bat Beag (probably Small County in Limerick), and ter it without reserve; it was stated that the to Moy Maighrigh, and encamped in Connello; - smallest of those was a demi-cannon. They then he despatched light skirmishing parties to Coill
perty. The lord justice then determined to march
to Kerry, and proceeded to Teamhair Luachra, taking and the end that time proceeded
shed or wounds on that expedition, by the length of their march, and rapidity of their progress, and
the scarcity of provisions. It was about that time the queen’s fleet appeared on the coast of Ireland,
Askeaton, and, they could not effect they therefore left the gates the castle open the
lord justice, which was henceforth proclaimed
faithful the queen. The lord justice then pro which did not stop until they came to the shore of ceeded Limerick, where remained forty days
the clear stream of the Shannon, and cast their resting and recruiting himself after his fatigue, anchors in the sea exactly opposite Carrigafoyle. ” while his men and horses were quartered through The lord justice and the earl of Ormond came by out Thomond. He then returned to Askeaton land to the same place, and they formed two camps about the following Whitsuntide, and spent part and besieged it by land and sea. Sir Nicholas the summer that town, but did not, however,
Malby, with the nobles of the province of Con naught, and a vast number of the English, marched into Thomond for the purpose of pre venting any of the enemy, either by land or sea, from attacking the lord justice while engaged in besieging the fortified towns of the Geraldines.
2. Siege of Carrigafoyle. —In 1579, on the death of sir William Drury, sir William Pelham became lord deputy, and having ap pointed the earl of Ormond governor, and sir Warham St. Leger marshal of Munster, he proceeded in person to Kilkenny, Cashel, and Limerick, to organise Munster against the earl of Desmond, and proceeding through Limerick and Kerry, the English forces plundered and ravaged the territories of the earl of Desmond. The lord deputy besieged the castle of Carrigafoyle, an ancient fortress of the O'Connors, lords of Kerry, but then belonging to the earl of Desmond. This place, called in Irish Carraig-an-Phuill, signify ing the Rock of the Chasm, is situated on the small island of Car
cease from destroying and awfully spoiling day
and night the country the Geraldines. was
that expedition put death Faltach (Wall) Dun Maoilin (Dunmoylan, the parish
Shanagolden, county Limerick), namely, Ulick, the son Ulick, son Ulick, who had been blind
rigue, near the mouth the Shannon, the county Kerry; this castle was strongly fortified, and then garrisoned with ninetecn Spaniards and fifty Irish, under Italian engineer named Julio. The lord deputy, while viewing the castle, was nearly killed
musket shot, but having caused battered with three can non and two culverins, breach was made, which captain Mackworth entered, and, having taken the castle Palm Sun day, 1580, put the garrison the sword, and executed
the camp; “captain. Julio was preserved,” says Cox, “two three days, for certain considerations, but not complying with the lord deputy's wishes, was hanged. ”
opened their fire on the castle, and there was not one in the wilds, wastes, or sequestered glens from the Carn of Breas, the son of Ealathan, son of Neid, in the south-west of the province of the sons of Deirgthine to Knock Meadha Siuilin Con naught, that did not hear the noise and report of that uncommon and unusual ordnance. They at length demolished the western half of Carrigafoyle from top to bottom, and the destruction of the guards was simultaneous with the demolition of the castle which was taken by the lord justice, and he remained five nights at the Rock after
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lord Arthur Grey, a man greater by title and
honours than sir William Pelham, though, however,
no Englishman ever came to Ireland, for the period
of his government, who was more expert and ex
peditious in his marches, more distinguished and
fortunate, and more successful in his services than
that sir William ; he went to Dublin to meet the
lord justice who had come from England, and
having delivered to him the sword of state, he
departed for England, after conquering his oppo number gentlemen who had come over the nents.
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 505
from his birth to his death, and he also put to sovereign, and war and strife arose on the coming death Supple of Kilmochudha, namely, John, and of the lord justice, Arthur, lord Grey, to Ireland. indeed it was not a proper act to have killed him, The O’Cavanaghs, O’Kinsellaghs, O'Byrnes, for he was then upwards of a hundred years of O'Tooles, and the branch of Ranelagh, and also age. Immense and incalculable were the num those who were not extirpated the remnant bers destroyed by the English and the Geraldines the people Offaly and Leix, abetted and on both sides at that time. The lord justice pro joined alliance James Eustace, that from ceeded with his forces into Kerry, and did not the Slaney (in Wexford), the Shannon, and from halt until he arrived at Dingle-i-Couch ; he de the Boyne the Meeting the three Waters (at vastated and plundered a great part of the country Waterford), was one scene strife and dissension, of the Geraldines and of Kerry on that occasion, and those insurgents before mentioned encamped and from thence he came directly through the the vicinity Slieve Roe and Glenmalure (in
country to Cork, and from that back to Askea Wicklow).
ton, and to Limerick, and he took the nobles of The lord justice and captain Malby marched Munster prisoners, except the Geraldines, viz. : with force subdue and disperse those formi Barry More, with the wife and son of Mac Car dable spoilers, and when the insurgents received thy More, the two sons of Fitzmaurice of Kerry, intelligence that those attacking troops were ad O'Sullivan Beire, Mac Donogh, and the son of vancing towards them, they retired, secure
Mac Carthy Riavach.
The council of England sent, in the first month
of harvest, to Ireland, a new lord justice, namely,
themselves, the rugged hills Glenmalure.
The lord justice selected from among his army number captains, the most experienced and distinguished service, and sent them, the head eight nine companies soldiers, range and scour Glenmalure; they were, however, actively encountered without delay the defending parties the glen, that few those troops re turned, being slaughtered and completely destroyed by the Irish forces. that engagement the follow ing were slain, viz. , Peter Carew, Master Muar,
James Eustace, the son of Roland, son of Tho mas, demolished his castles, after having embraced the Catholic faith, and rejected the power of the
Battle Glenmalure. -In 1580 Arthur Grey, called lord Grey Wilton, came Ireland lord deputy, and landed Howth the 12th August soon after marched into Wick low, against the Irish forces, who were commanded Feagh Mac Hugh O'Byrne, captain Fitzgerald, Fitz-Eustace and others, who were arms against the queen. James Eustace, Fitz-Eustace, above-mentioned the text, was viscount Baltinglass Wick
lord justice’s guard, and receiving intelligence this event, the lord justice departed from his
low, and the great family the Fitz-Eustaces rons Portlester; joined the party the earl
the war against Elizabeth, and was commander
years Leinster; the death the earl Desmond 1583, Fitz-Eustace retired Spain, where soon after died. The lord deputy Grey's troops, amounting about 1000 men, were com manded by experienced officers, and having advanced the
Wicklow mountains they found the Irish forces posted the defiles Glenmalure. The English foot entered the glens, and the horse scoured the accessible parts the country and the woods. The Irish, under the commanders above-mentioned, and also
the text, suddenly attacked the English forces defile, and
camp. ”
An Italian fleet the Pope’s people landed
cut them almost all pieces; and according Mac Geoghegan, 800 them were slain, but he and others erroneously state that this battle was fought Glendalough Cox says, all the English forces were cut off except some few that were saved their cavalry, and amongst their commanders fell this fierce conflict, sir Peter Carew, colonel Moor, and captains Audley and Cosby; this captain, Francis Cosby, was one the English settlers who got great part the lands the O'Moores, the Queen's coun ty, and was distinguished commander, and mentioned Mac
Geoghegan one those concerned the massacre Mullagh mast; soon the English troops entered the valley Glen
malure they were hemmed all sides the Irish, who fiercely rushed them with fearful cries, and they were overwhelmed with shower darts and arrows the Irish kerns, and slaugh tered their spears. Lord Grey accompanied colonel Wingfield, who was ancestor the lords Powerscourt, and the earl Kil dare, was posted neighbouring hill waiting the event the con flict; and after the defeat retreated with the remnant his for ces Dublin, “covered says Leland, with confusion and dishonour. ”
Kildare, ba Desmond
note for several
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506 - ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1580.
Kerry, in the middle of harvest, and they were same route had marched thither, and he was
greater by name than in effect, for their fame was met Hy Comall Gavra (barony Connello,
so great at first, that it was supposed that if Limerick), the lord justice, whom the earl could
they should have come to Limerick, Galway or not persuade from going see Dun-an-Oir, and
Cork, the gates of those cities should be thrown proceeded onward regular marches through
open to them. The place which they landed at Clanmaurice and Kerry, until arrived the
was the island which James Mac Maurice had the year before begun to fortify, namely, Dun-an-Oir, and the cause which induced that fleet to come to
Ireland was to aid the Geraldines, when they (the Italians), had received intelligence that they had
vicinity the island, near which, however, did
not bring his camp. select party his forces went every day reconnoitre the island, during which several messages were interchanged both sides, and friendship was promised between them.
been put to great extremities in defending the Their captains came the lord justice, for the
Catholic faith. The earl of Ormond, i. e. Thomas, the son of James, son of Pierce Roe, collected a force on his own account, and also on behalf of the
purpose entering upon terms peace with him, upon which the lord justice’s people passed onward unawares the island, and began kill and slaughter the Italians, that not one the seven hundred Italians escaped from destruction the
sovereign (the queen), with which he marched to
attack the Italians at Dun-an Oir, and he did not
halt until he arrived in Kerry. The brave forces spot. The lord justice seized much gold, trea
of the Geraldines were assembled there to oppose them, but neither party attacked the other; at length the earl was permitted to proceed, until he arrived on the hill over the fortress, from which he
took a view of the deep trenches and the impreg nable ramparts which the Italians had raised round the island, and having contemplated in his mind
that it would be a fruitless undertaking to attack them in their stronghold, he returned back by the
4. Massacre of the Italians and Spaniards. --An account of the landing of a party of Italians and Spaniards at Smerwick, in
sure, and every other valuable property which the Italians had with them, and afterwards levelled
and demolished the fortifications the island, that might not rock defence, place refuge thenceforth for insurgents and that
transaction took place the month November. The lord justice then returned back Limerick, and from thence the English Pale. "
O’Rourke, i. e. , Bryan, the son Bryan, son
the governor, who was the garrison, not enter into any terms, but the governor decided otherwise, and, accompanied by Plun kett an interpreter, went the deputy's camp treat ca pitulation, which was agreed upon, though Plunkett was strongly opposed and also the captain the Cantabrians and Hercu les Pise; but San Joseph and the soldiers, tired the siege, and fearing they could not defend the fort much longer, agreed surrender conditions safety sworn deputy Grey, according
Kerry, under the command of James Mac Maurice Fitzgerald, has
been given in a note under the year 1579; in the latter end of
September, 1580, another body of about 800 Italians and Spa
niards, under the command of Sebastian de St. Joseph, landed at
Smerwick, being sent, says Cox, in his Hibernia Anglicana, “by
the Pope, and king Philip II. of Spain, to propagate the Catholic
religion in Ireland;” they built a fort on the small rocky island in
the harbour, which they called the Fort del Or, and they fortified
and furnished having brought with them much money and am
munition, and arms enough supply four five thousand men.
The earl Ormond encamped Tralee, and marched attack
the garrison, some whom, said, retired the woods being saved and Plunkett was mutilated and put death with Glanigalt, but afterwards returned the fort, and successful great torture; and from this massacre, says Mac Geoghegan, sally forced Ormond retreat Rathkeale, where awaited
the arrival the deputy, lord Arthur Grey, who led 800 men from Dublin, under captains Zouch, Raleigh, Mackworth, Denny,
&c. , and these forces were joined some the troops left Munster the lord deputy Pelham these formed force far su perior that the Irish, and their Spanish and Italian allies, besides, admiral Winter was stationed with some ships off the coast co-operate with the deputy. They invested the fort by land and sea, and the garrison was summoned surrender but they inade vigorous sortie, which they were repulsed, and the
fides Greia, the faith Grey, became proverb which any act signal treachery was designated. This massacre took place
next night, Winter having landed the artillery from his ships, and
the cannon Grey being brought forward, and batteries formed,
the siege commenced, and, according Mac Geoghegan, lasted
. . forty days, the place being well provided and bravely defended.
The deputy having displayed flag truce, gentleman the found they were reserved for execution by martial law. The name Plunkett, who was the garrison, advised San Joseph, Italian general and someofficers were made prisoners war, but
Mac Geoghegan and others; but Cox and Leland say the gar rison surrendered unconditionally mercy, discretion. As soon the garrison surrendered, they were immediately ordered
lay down their arms, and were all cruelly slaughtered, says Mac Geoghegan, the barbarous English, the governor alone
November, 1580, and, according authorities quoted Curry's Civil Wars, ch. iii. “All the Spaniards and Italians, with the ex ception eleven officers, were slaughtered cold blood, and their
bodies cast over the cliffs into the sea, for the fort stood mighty rock over the ocean, though the lord deputy had pledged his word and faith for their lives, liberty, goods, and safe conduct into Spain;” all the Irish the garrison were hanged. Leland,
his History Ireland (book iv. ch. 2), says: “the garrison, their distress and terror, fatally surrendered discretion, but that mercy for which they sued was rigidly denied them. Wingfield was commissioned disarm them, and when this service was per formed, English company was sent into the fort; the Irish
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Owen, having resisted the English in the harvest
of this year, Sir Nicholas Malby mustered a force, and marched eastward across the Shannon to at
who was able make resistance, except alone the constable, whom gave quarter, and then
conference with his brother Ulick, requesting him forsake the English, and that himself
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 507
tack O’Rourke, who, having sent his women and
people over the mountain Slieve-an-Iarain (in
Leitrim), demolished the castle Leitrim be
fore the arrival Sir Nicholas; the castle was would yield him obedience, was the duty
rebuilt Sir Nicholas, and having then put guards
and provisions into himself returned back without committing any depredation slaughter
junior yield submission his senior, and
promised him liberate and send him his son, whom had imprisonment; also promised
worth notice. O’Rourke laid siege the castle, give him Leitrim, the island Ballinlough, and
and did not permit one the garrison go
out gates, that Sir Nicholas was obliged come their relief and take them away. O'Rourke marched with force, the month
Roscommon). After that Donogh, the son Murrogh, son Torlogh, son Teige O'Brien, and Mahon, the son Torlogh, son Mahon, son the bishop O’Brien, joined the sons the earl in this contention. Mahon was the first who
rose that contest, and who called gathering the insurgents the neighbouring districts, and
engaged plunder and devastate from Burren Limerick; but short the greater portion the people the entire province Connaught joined
that commotion, except alone the earl Tho mond, namely Donogh, the son Conor, son Donogh, son Torlogh, son Donal, son Conor O’Brien, who was that time sheriff the county Clare.
English and Irish race now became alarmed,” says Leland, “and Grey was represented man blood, who had not only disho noured his nation and sovereign among foreigners, but alienated the
November, between the rivers Suck and Shannon,
and burned and plundered the woody districts,
and great portion Hy Maine; marched Loughrea, the chief family residence the second time with his forces into Hy Maine, the
month December, and with quick movements
devastated the country, and slew half company
released the prisoners. After John haddone this, sent his professors and trusty friends hold
the town Loughrea, mark security.
Ulick accepted these presents, and and his brotherjoined with one accord against the English; the first place they proceeded destroy and
demolish the fair-walled castles Clanrickard, and the first instance they demolished the castle
o *
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country; and doubtful they left castle un demolished from Clonfert St. Brendan, the east
\
the garrison was butchered cold blood, nor without pain that we find service so horrid and detestable committed Sir
Walter Raleigh. ” Leland says “that Elizabeth expressed the ut most concern and displeasure this barbarous execution, but such pretences and such professions could not effacethe odiousness
this action, and the Continent was received with horror. ” A. D. 1581, some rumour conspiracy against the go
Hy Anmchadha (in Galway), Kilmacduagh, the north Kinel Aodha Eachtge, and from dalon (in Roscommon); and party the O’Co Oran (in Galway), Cluain-da-dhamh (Cloonaff
soldiers the men Sir Nicholas Malby Lis
nors were along with O’Rourke that expedition. The sons the earl Clanrickard, namely Ulick and John, were war with each other, and both were peace with the English. number the gentlemen Clanrickard were dire imprison ment, the keeping the constable the town Loughrea, whose name was Master Jones, and who had the command the garrison the town, from the time the earl had been taken prisoner till them. was source great affliction John Burke that his town, and these prisoners, should
long determined
the hands the English, and
his mind make attack by night Loughrea, which accordingly
the town
did; took the town, and slew every one
vernment, Lord Grey seized upon John Nugent, one the Exchequer, and had him executed, according
weary his present charge, and earnestly petitioned
led. “Repeated complaints,” says Leland, “were made the inhuman rigour practised Grey and his officers, and the queen was assured that tyrannised with such barbarity, that little was left Ireland for her majesty reign over but carcases and ashes. ”—Leland, book ch. Cox says “Grey was repre sented the court England bloody man, that regarded not the lives the subjects any more than the lives dogs. ” The lord deputy Grey was recalled from Ireland 1582.
the barons Mac Geo singular good life and reputation. ” Gerald Fitzgerald, earl Kildare, and his
ghegan; though Leland says “Nugent was man
son-in-law, Christopher Nugent, baron Delvin, were seized
lord Grey, and committed the custody marshal Wingfield, and afterwards sent the Tower London. “All persons
hearts all the Irish subjects repeated barbarities.