No More Learning

e. Manus, conferred Tura and
Lurg (both in Fermanagh) on Maguire, namely,
John, the son of Cuchonacht, O'Donnell having
before that destroyed a great deal on Maguire. of Mac Clancy (of Dartry, in Leitrim), i. e. of
In return for this, Maguire submitted himself, his country, and lands to O’Donnell, and particularly
Maguire gave him the service of his own forces, and those of his territory, or a fine in every case where he (O’Donnell) would not obtain forces; he also bound himself to pay half an eric (fine) to O’Donnell for every person who should be killed throughout the entire of Fermanagh.
A. D. 1542.
The Earls created at this time were, as mentioned in the text, Conn O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, who was called Conn Bacach, or Conn the Lame; Ulick Burke, earl of Clanrickard, who was com monly called Ulick-na-goeann, signifying Ulick of the Heads, a name which originated, according to Lodge, in consequenceof his having made a great heap of heads of persons slain in battle, which he had covered with an earthen mound; according to Lodge, he held in fee the territory called Clanrickard, which comprised the six baronies of Loughrea, Dunkellin, Kiltartan, Clare, Athenry, and Leitrim, in the county of Galway. The third created was Murrogh O'Brien, earl of Thomond. The conditions
Mary, the daughter of Mac Gauran, the wife Feredhach (Frederick), died.
A. D. 1543.
Edmond, the son of Bryan O'Gallagher, bishop
of Raphoe, died on the 26th of February, after having experienced great opposition respecting the bishopric.
on which these three earls got their titles are curious. They were compelled to renounce their Irish names and titles; the earl of Clanrickard had to give up his designation of Mac William ; the earl of Tyrone was obliged to abandon the name of O'Neill; and it is stated in Cox, and in Lodge's Peerage, that the earl of Tho mond was compelled utterly to forsake and give up the name of O'Brien, and all claims to which he might pretend by the same, and to take such name as the king should please to give him ; and he and his heirs, and the inhabitors of his lands, should use only the English dress, manners, customs and language, and keep
no kerms or galloglasses; and the same conditions were imposed on O'Neill, earl of Tyrone.
Felim Duv, the son of Hugh O’Neill, was killed.
422 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1543.
The son of Mac Sweeney of Fanat. i. e. Maol and the son of John Ballach, son of John, were
taken prisoners by Donogh, the son of O’Don nell, and by Cahir, the son of Tuathal Balbh O'Gallagher.
The son of Mac Sweeney of Banagh, namely, for the deaths of those persons. He commenced Eoin Modardha (John the Stern), the son of Niall destroying the corn of the country, until he re
murry, the son of Donal Oge, heir to the lordship of Fanat, was slain by the sons of Mac Sweeney of Fanat, namely, Donogh and Maolmurry, the
sons of Torlogh, son of Roderick, son of Maol
murry. Before he fell he displayed extraordinary
valour, bravery, feats of arms, and execution of the sons of O’Dogherty, namely, Roderick and hand, in accordance with his usual achievements, John, the sons of Felim, son of Conor Carrach, for he slew Dudley, the son of Ferdorcha Mac and they also slew the son of Hugh Gruama Sweeney, the most renowned warrior opposed to O’Dogherty; and O’Donnell marched with his him. forces against O’Dogherty, to take revenge of him
More, died in the early part of his age and noble actions.
The son of O'Boyle, namely, Bryan, the son of Niall, son of Torlogh, was treacherously killed by the sons of Niall Oge O'Boyle, who were in his friendship, and along with him in his pay.
ceived hostages from O’Dogherty, as pledges for
the payment of his tribute, and his own demand for the crimes which had been committed. After
that Cahir, the son of Tuathal Balbh, was taken prisoner by O’Dogherty, and was delivered by him into the hands of O’Donnell, and O’Donnell himself took Torlogh, the son of Felim Finn O'Gal lagher, prisoner; and he conveyed those hostages to Lifford, in the hope he might recover the for
The son of O’Dogherty, i. e. Cahir, the son of Gerald, son of Donal, son of Felim, was slain by
O’Donnell, i. e. Manus, attended the great
council at Dublin, together with his kinsmen,
Eigneachan and Donogh. They were imprisoned
for some time, but were afterwards set at liberty, tress into his possession, but did not succeed on
that occasion.
The tribe of Owen Mac Sweeney, and the tribe of Cormac Mac Donogh, having gone on a pre datory excursion against O’Hara Buighe, were overtaken by O'Conor, i. e. Teige Oge, the son of Teige, son of Hugh, and by O’Hara, who gave a defeat to the Clan Sweeney, in which Roderick Mac Dougall, the sons of Maolmurry, the son of Owen (Mac Sweeney), and a number of the tribe of Cormac Mac Donogh, together with many of their people, were slain on that occasion.
Mac Sweeney of the Districts, and his son Bryan, were taken prisoners by a fleet from West Connaught on Inis-Mac-an-Duirn (an island on
the coast of Donegal), and were carried away into captivity.
Warlike dissensions arose between Maguire and the tribe of Torlogh Maguire. The tribe of Tor logh went into Tirconnell, and continued to har rass and plunder the people of Fermanagh. Ma guire at length came to O’Donnell, and made peace and amity with him, as he formerly had
aided the tribe of Hugh O'Gallagher; and Rode Maurice, the son of Patrick O'Maolconry, a rick, the son of O’Donnell, Ferdorcha, the son of man eminent in history and poetry—a man of John, son of Tuathal O'Gallagher, and his sons, wealth and great affluence—a learned writer, by
by advice of the lord justice and of the chiefs of Ire land in general, and peace and amicable arrange ments were made between them. Con O’Don
nell, his brother, who had been in England for a
long time, was also reconciled to him, after which Con returned to England to the king's residence,
where he was retained with honour and respect. O'Donnell having given the castle of Lifford to Cahir, the son of Tuathal Balbh O'Gallagher, and to a party of the tribe of Hugh O'Gallagher, to
be guarded by them, they put on the resolution
of keeping the castle for Hugh, the son of O’Don nell, and for themselves, and sent away O’Don
nell’s party and the doorkeeper of the fortress. O’Donnell and Calvach became enraged at this conduct, and Calvach with his followers attacked them in revenge for what they had done, and many persons were killed on either side, besides all the cattle and property that changed hands and was destroyed. Dudley, the son of Colla Mac Sweeney, a galloglass distinguished for his
bravery and feats of arms, was slain by the people
of the town. Donogh, the son of O’Donnell, done.
REIGN OF HENRY VIII. 423
whom many books had been written and poems attack, and it was on behalf of Cedach O’Melagh composed, and by whom schools were superin lin they committed that murder.
tended, and who entertained many of those scho The son of O’Neill, i. e. Niall Conallach, the son lars in his own house, died, after having gained of Art Oge, a tanist, who suffered most by the trou the victory over the world and the devil. bles and evils of war among the Kinel Owen and the
Cedach O’Melaghlin was inaugurated chief over Kinel Connell of any that came of the race of Eo the Clan Colman, in opposition to Roderick ghan, the son of Niall; a worthy representative of
O’Melaghlin; and the Clan Colman were not in the lordship of Tyrone had it been conferred on a happy state during the time of those two, which him ; a man full of skill, and learned in all the arts; happened to have been a bloody contention, as it died in the old castle of a sudden disease.
had been in the time of Felim, for war, plunder Mac Sweeney of Fanat, i. e. Torlogh, the son of ing and burning, want and famine, lamentation Roderick, son of Maolmurry, a brave, warlike,
Moy Gallen, in Delvin (in the King's county),
and desolation, prevailed in their time in the active man, who suffered much by war and com country; rent and tribute were levied for each of motion in his own country for a considerable time them in Magh Corran (in Westmeath), and im until then, was slain by the sons of Donal Oge mense evils were perpetrated between them both, Mac Sweeney, in revenge of the death of his bro though short had been their government. Rode ther, who had been slain by his sons; the names rick and his kinsmen made a nocturnal attack on
and burned and plundered the plain. They were
pursued by Malachy Balbh O'Madden, and by was slain, along with Mac Sweeney; but the person
Art Mac Coghlan, who gave them battle at Gallen,
in which Cormac O’Melaghlin, the brother of
Roderick, together with thirteen men of the chiefs
by whom John was killed, namely, Donal Gorm,
did not escape himself without being deeply wound ed. After that Roderick Carrach, the son of Donal
of his people, were slain or drowned on that Oge, was nominated the Mac Sweeney.
OCCaSiOn.
Murrogh, the son of Mac Sweeney of the Dis tricts, a man distinguished for hospitality, nobility,
and activity, and his brother Donogh, died. Margaret, the daughter of Mac Donnell, namely, The earl of Clanrickard, Ulick of the Heads, the daughter of Angus of Iligh (the island of the most illustrious of the English of Connaught, Ila, in the Hebrides), the wife of O’Donnell, i. e.
died, and he was much lamented in his own of Manus, after Judith, the daughter of O’Neill, country. A great contention arose in Clanrickard died on the 19th of December.
about the lordship, and Ulick, the son of Rickard Sile (Julia), the daughter of Manus O'Donnell, Oge, was nominated the Mac William, although the wife of O'Boyle, i. e. of Donal, died on the
A. D.
1544.
opposed by many in the country and at a distance,
who supported the claims of the sons of Mac
William, i. e. Thomas, the son of Ulick of the Heads.
14th of February.
Calvach, the son of O’Donnell, having gone to
the English Lord justice, brought back with him
some Saxon captains to the residence of O’Don Roderick O’Melaghlin was slain at Clartha by nell in Tirconnell; O'Donnell, the Calvach, and
Richard Dalton, aided by his kinsmen, in a nightly those captains, with some ordnance and other im
A. D. 1544. Burke, Graine, the first wife, being still living. But the earl of 1. The Earl of Clanrickard. —According to Cox, in his Ormond, and other commissioners sent by the lord deputy and
Hibernia Anglicana, on the death of Ulick Burke, earl of Clan council to settle this affair, soon determined the matter, and find
rickard, a great contest arose between his sons about the title and
inheritance, because the earl's first wife, Graine or Grace O'Car
roll, who was mother of his eldest son, Richard Burke, had been
formerly married to O'Melaghlin (a lord in Westmeath), who was
still living and undivorced as was alleged ; and she being still
alive, the earl married Honora Burke, and was afterwards di viour, and the minority of the earl. vorced from her, and married Mary Lynch, mother of John
*
----------
son Richard Burke in the earldom and estate of his father, accord ing to the laws of England; and because he was under age, they made Ulick Burke captain of the country during his good beha
of these sons of Donal Oge, by whom that killing was committed, were Roderick Carrach, and Donal Gorm; John, the son of Donogh, son of Maolmurry,
ing that the pretended marriage with O'Melaghlin could not be proved, adjudged Graine to be the earl's true wife, and placed her
424 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1545.
plements taking towns, proceeded Lifford,
Quillan committed great destruction O’Kane that time.
Hugh O'Gallagher. O’Donnell delivered the hostages had for con
take from the tribe
O’Kane having taken into his pay some gallo glasses the tribe Roderick Mac Sweeney, and certain day that Mac Quillan had crossed the the son Felim Fionn, the English, their Bann make some prey, O’Kane pursued him march the town, terrify and alarm the peo along with the galloglasses and overtook them, and having taken the prey from them slew and
Hugh Buighe, namely, Cahir, the son Tuathal, and Torlogh,
siderable time the tribe
ple the fortress; they afterwards attacked the castle, but the beginning one the Saxons was slain, and retaliation for the death the Saxon, they slew Cahir, the son Tuathal, his chains. Hugh, the son O’Donnell, and the tribe Hugh O'Gallagher, then gave the castle for the deliverance the son Felim Fionn, and the other son Tuathal Balv, who were chains, and they themselves quit the country after that; O’Donnell, after having given the Saxons their pay, permitted them return.
O'Donnell marched with force into the Routes
wounded many his people.
The earl Ormond having marched into Clan
rickard aid his kinsman, William Burke, the son Rickard, was defeated the sons Rickard Oge, and brave baron belonging his people,
namely, Macoda, was slain, together with upwards forty the earl’s forces, the gateway the
castle Athenry, on that occasion.
The castle Banagher was rebuilt by O'Carroll,
Teige Caoch, spite the opposition the
Clan Colman and the O’Maddens, who were then in contention with each other.
Malachy, the son Breasal O'Madden, one the two lords who governed Siol Anmcha, and he could not have been more hospitable and generous had been sole lord, was killed by Malachy Gott
(in the north the county Inis-an-Lochain, on which was
Antrim), and took wooden castle,
and impregnable fortress
expedition O’Donnell took the castle Baile-an O'Madden,
the possession Mac Quillan, and after O’Donnell had taken the castle, gave the castle O’Kane; the same
Lacha (Ballylough, the parish
found much property, consisting
brass, iron, butter, and provisions,
O’Donnell also took after that Inis-Locha-Bur rann and Inis-Locha-Leithinnsi (Loughlynch,
the parish Billy),in which helikewise found much property, and after having burned the surrounding country, victoriously returned home safe.
A. D. 1545.
Billy), and arms, armour,
the rebuilding
the Districts, Umalia O’Malley (in Mayo).
Eignaghan O’Donnell was slain people the Calvach O’Donnell.
those castles;
O'Conor Sligo, i. e. Teige Oge, the son Teige, war arose between O’Donnell and O’Neill, the son Hugh, was slain party the people
and O’Donnell placed himself ambush the neighbourhood the old castle; slew several
persons, and took the grandson Bryan, and some others, prisoners that occasion.
O’Neill made prey along the river Finn. Calvach O’Donnell made prey Tyrone. O’Donnell made another prey Tyrone.
The sons Mac Donnell, namely, James and
Colla, accompanied by body Scots, came in
vitation Mac Quillan, and they and Mac Quillan proceeded Inis-an-Lochain, and took the town from O’Kane's guards; Bryan, the son Donogh O’Kane and all that were with him on Inis-an-Loch ain, together with the property, arms, armour, and spoils, were entirely burned them, and Mac
Moylurg.
Calvach O’Donnell defeated the sons O’Don
nell More the battle Coil-na-gcuirittin, which Donal Cairbreach O’Donnell was slain.
part Christ Church, Dublin, was thrown
down some accident and stone coffin discover ed, which was found the body bishop, epis copal dress, with ten gold rings his fingers, and
golden mass chalice standing the side his
Mac Sweeney
Owen, died
party the
neck; the body lay
exactly excavated perfect and was placed
its own form, its size being
the stone; was raised up standing position sup
week after the commencement Banagher.
ported by the altar, and left there for some time; part the body was decayed the dress faded,
which was great sign sanctity.
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REIGN OF HENRY VIII.
A dispute arose between the Earl of Ormond' Donogh, son Donal the Defeats Mac and the lord justice, namely, the chancellor, and Sweeney, was slain by Conor, the son Murrogh,
both proceeded to the king to lodge their com son Conor Mac Sweeney.
plaints, and they both vowed that only one of them should return, which was verified, for the earl died in England, and the lord justice returned to Ireland. The death of that person, namely, James, the son of Pierce Roe, son of James, son of Edmond Butler, would have been a great loss, were it not for the injury had committed against the church, by the advice the here
tics.
The son Mac William Clanrickard, name
Teige, the son Thomas, son Scanlan, son
Dermod Mac Gorman, was unkindredly killed by the sons Murtogh Mac Gorman.
Pierse O’Morrissy, master schools, and one
the general lecturers the men Ireland, man distinguished for charity and piety, died.
ple Siol Anmcha (the O'Maddens Galway), they pursued him Bealach-Tire-Ithain, where
was slain, together with twenty the best his party, the people Malachy Balbh.
died. -
ly, Thomas Farranta, the son Ulick the
Heads, son Rickard, son Ulick Knocktow, Donal, the son Hugh Duv O’Donnell, the went hostile expedition into Siol Anmcha; son Hugh Roe, was treacherously slain the when was perceived the country the peo 20th April, by O'Gallagher, namely, Owen,
Donal, the son
the great official Mac Congal,
A. D. 1546.
the son Edmond, aided by his wife Honora, the daughter Tuathal Balbh O'Gallagher, after
had been sent his place Inis Samer (at Bally shannon), under the protection God, Mac Ward, i. e. Geoffrey, and Peregrine, the son Dermod,
Great famine happened this year, that six
pence the old money were paid for the loaf son Teige Cam O'Clery; his death was la
Connaught, and silver pennies Meath. contention arose between O'Rourke,
Bryan Ballach, the son Owen, and his own
brother by the mother's side, namely Teige, son Cathal Oge O'Conor, lord Sligo; great
destruction was committed by both parties, and among those concerned was Torlogh O’Reilly, the
mentable loss, for there was not man his age the race Conall, the son Niall, from whom
more was expected military commander. " Many the Geraldines, namely, William, the
son James, son the earl Kildare, and Maurice the Wood, the son James Meirgeach, the son the earl, and other young men along with them, rose against the English, resolved
revenged them for their expulsion from their estates; they committed innumerable depredations, among which were the plundering Ballymore Eustace (in the county Dublin), the depredation
Rathbile (Rathvilly Carlow), and the neigh bouring district; they plundered and burned Rath
marriage O’Rourke, who was killed ball, the door-way the castle
relative
the shot
Sligo,
Mac-I-Brien Ara, Conla, was slain
own castle some prisoners whom finement.
John, the son Giolla Duv, son
A. D. 1545.
The earl Ormond. —According Cox, great contentions
arose this time between the lord deputy, sir Anthony St. Leger, and the earl Ormond, who opposed tax attempted levied
Cathal Oge.
the people by the government, the exchequer being empty;
proposed him become his subjects, and shake off the yoke England, provided would procure the Pope's gift Ireland,
and send two thousand harquebusses, two hundred light horsemen, and four cannon their assistance. The French king thought the offer considerable, that he sent over, the year 1545, John de Montluc, bishop Valence, his ambassador Ireland, learn the truth their circumstances, &c. ; the bishop arrived Lough Foyle Shrove Tuesday, and the next day was, O’Dogherty, carried his house, which was great dark tower; the bishop soon after went Rome, but being unable separate the Pope from the interest the emperor, this negociation had effect. ”
“both,” says Cox, “were sent for the king, and they pro
ceeded England along with the lord chancellor John Allen, who was imprisoned the Fleet, and deprived the great seal, and
Thomas Cusack was made lord keeper; soon after, the latter end October, the earl Ormond and thirty-five his servants were poisoned feast Ely House Holborn, that and sixteen them died, but whether this happened accident Inistake, was donedesignedly, could not discovered. ”
A. D. 1546.
“The O'Neills, O'Donnells, and O'Doghertys,” according
had
Conor, son
his con
Cox, “had this time made some overtures the French king
(Francis I. ,) about assistance manage insurrection, and they
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426 - ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1546.
Ioffidhain (Rathangan in Kildare), and carried came to him with a very great force to his assist
away on that occasion many thousand heads of ance, and they continued fifteen days more plun cattle too numerous to be recorded. dering that country. They took a castle which
O'Kelly and the tribe of Breasal O'Madden, belonged to O'Moore, viz. , Ballyadams, which
made a hostile incursion into Siol Anmcha, against Malachy Gott O'Madden; the inhabitants of the country pursued and attacked them, but, how
ever, they turned on their pursuers and slew upwards of forty of them, and the country and
Ormond sustained a great loss by that conflict.
Clare, Carbury, and Castle Carberry (in Kildare), country, and carried away many thousands of
were plundered and burned by the foremen their cattle. O'Conor and O'Moore were pro
tioned insurgents, and by the son of O'Conor Faily, i. e. Donogh. After that O'Conor himself, namely, Bryan, and O'Moore, i. e. Gillpatrick,
joined in this commotion; when the lord justice,
namely, Anthony St. Leger, received intelligence
of this, he proceeded into Offaley, and plundered
and burned the country as far as Tochar Cruach cattle and many prisoners. The Clan Colman ain (Croaghan in King's county), where he re (O’Melaghlins of Westmeath), and Muintir Tadh mained two nights, and returned without getting again (the Foxes of Westmeath), did the same, battle or submission. O'Moore, and the son of and it is doubtful if so much prey and booty was O'Conor, namely, Roderick, attacked the town of collected together in the latter times as had been
they garrisoned, and after that the lord justice des
patched letters to the chiefs of Offaley, requesting
them to return to their country and abandon
O'Conor, and that they should receive pardon. They accordingly returned, but not long after
wards the English treacherously overran their
claimed outlaws throughout Ireland, and their
estates were seized for the king; O'Conor pro ceeded to Connaught for the purpose of obtaining forces, but the people of Fercall and Mac Geo ghegan attacked O'Conor's party at the instigation of the lord justice, and took from them much
Ath-Ai (Athy in Kildare), burned the town and the monastery, and committed great destruction by burning and slaughter on the English and Irish
on that occasion; so that it was after that man ner the most prosperous and wealthy man of that part of Ireland in which he lived, namely,
inhabitants on that occasion. The lord justice Bryan O'Conor, had been dispossessed and ex
pelled from his territory; he however remained in Connaught until the following Christmas, after having been proclaimed a traitor by the English.
Mac Gillpatrick, i. e. Bryan, made a prisoner of (Athy), against O'Conor, with one hundred horse his own son Teige, who was a distinguished mili
marched a second time into Offaley, and remained fifteen days in the country, plundering, spoiling,
and burning churches and monasteries, and de
stroying cattle and corn. He garrisoned the town
men, one hundred musketeers, one hundred battle axe men, and one hundred soldiers, with their
attendants, and left them plenty of provisions and all other necessaries. He then marched with his
large army into Leix, and the earl of Desmond
2. Brass Money. —In A. D. 1546, according to Cox, in his
tary leader, and sent him to Dublin with his
crimes written along with him, and the English put him to death at the request of his father.
New coin was introduced into Ireland made of copper,” and the Irish were compelled to use it
Hibernia Anglicana, “the necessities of the state obliged king
Henry VIII. , to coin brass or mixed money, and to make it cur cepted in the proclamation issued for that purpose. In A. D.
rent in Ireland by proclamation, to the great dissatisfaction of all
the people, especially the soldiers. ” . Ware also says that about this time king Henry, to maintain his charges in Ireland, being hard
put to it for lack of monies, gave directions to coin brass money, and commanded it by proclamation to pass current and lawful money in all parts of Ireland. Simon, in his Essay on Irish Coins, says “the money struck for Ireland in this reign was little better than brass. ” This base coin was made current in Ireland instead of silver, in six-pences, groats, half-groats, and pennies, and it was also circulated in the reign of Edward VI. ; but Simon says that
queen Mary, on her accession to the crown, in order that she might ingratiate herself with the people of England, prohibited the cur
1554, the second of Philip and Mary, ten thousand pounds worth of base monies were coined for Ireland, according to Simon, and in the years 1556 and 1557, seven thousand pounds worth of the same were coined into shillings, six-pences, and groats for Ireland, and five thousand five hundred pounds more of this base money was coined into Harp-groats, so that in less than three years about twenty-three thousand pounds worth of this base money was coined and circulated in Ireland. These coins are estimated by Simon not to have been worth more than about one-fourth of the value for which they passed, so that one pound of this base money was only worth five shillings. In the reign of Elizabeth, accord ing to Simon, the ounce of silver in England was first divided into
rency of the base money there, and ordered gold and silver money
to be made of a better standard; but Ireland was particularly ex
weeks), on account of being in league with the Irish, and it was believed he would be put to death, but at length he escaped safe.
. The English built the castle of Dangan (at Philipstown, in King's county), and pulled down the church of Killduirti, and used the materials in the work; they also plundered the parson of Croaghan.
A. D. 1547.
Edward VI. was proclaimed king of England
on the 28th of January. "
sixty pennies, which was in ancient times divided only into twenty pennies, so that one of the old silver pennies of the reigns of the Edwards was equal to three pence of the reign of Elizabeth. The base money coined by Elizabeth being decried in England, says Simon, was sent over in great quantities into Ireland, where the Bungals, as they were then called, went for six-pence, and the broad pieces for twelve pence, but in a short time after, the former passed only for two-pence, and the latter for a groat, and when they were refused elsewhere, they passed in Connaught, the first for one-penny, and the last for two-pence. Bunn or Bonn was the Irish term applied to various coins from a groat to a shilling, and geal means white, and the Bungals above-mentioned 'signify shillings; the broad piece mentioned was about half-a-crown, but of such base metal that its value was afterwards reduced to two
pence, and the shilling passed for one-penny. About the year 1600, according to Simon, money was coined for the service of the
Mora, the daughter O'Carroll, excellent and hospitable woman, died.
The insurgents suffered great defeat the town the Three Castles (in the county Kil kenny), the English, and by Brian-an-Chog aigh (Bryan the War), the son Torlogh
O'Toole, which the two sons James, the son the earl (of Kildare), namely, Maurice the Wood, and Henry, together with fourteen their
people, were taken prisoners, and afterwards con
REIGN OF EDWARD VI.
427
September, by his brother's Maolmurry, 1)onal Oge and
instead of silver money. The English power was very great at this time in Ireland, and it is doubt ful if the people of the south of Ireland were ever in such bondage before that time.
Teige O'Coffey, chief professor of poetry in the
schools of Ireland, was, taken prisoner by the
English, and was imprisoned in the king's castle
for a quarter and a half (three months and six Meirgeach, did not join them that slaying.
army in Ireland, so debased that it contained only between two
and three ounces of silver to nine ounces of brass; this base money,
according to sir John Davies, Fynes Morrison, Camden, and Simon,
was sent over in great quantities to pay the army engaged in Ire thony St. Leger was third time appointed lord deputy, land against Hugh O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, as the war drew yearly
out of England upwards of one hundred and sixty thousand pounds
sterling. This base money, being extensively circulated, caused
and the same year sir William Brabazon, and 1548 sir Edward Bellingham landed Dalkey, and was made captain
goods and provisions of all kinds to rise to double the usual price,
and produced greatimpoverishment and discontent, not only amongst
the Irish, but in the English army. In the reign of James pro
clamations were issued ordering the base money the reign
Elizabeth pass one-fourth its former value, that the shil him England Bryan O'Conor and Patrick O'Moore, the great
ling for three-pence, and the six-penny piece for three half-pence; and the same reign was ordered that money should pass cur
rent Ireland one-third more than England, thus English shilling passed for sixteen pence Ireland, five shillings for six and eight pence, and pound was equal about twenty-six shil lings. King James II. , supply funds for the support his army, and various expenses Ireland, was under the necessity substituting base money for silver, and, according Simon, set two mints, one Limerick, and the other Capel-street, Dublin,
lords Offaley and Leix, whom had formerly subdued, each whom the king gave yearly pension one hundred pounds, but O'Moore died London the same year. 1549, sir Francis
Bryan, Englishman who had married the countess dowager Ormond, and was governor the counties Tipperary and Kil kenny, was appointed marshal the army and lord justice, and sworn Christ Church, Dublin, the 29th December, but died the 2nd February following, Clonmel, when advancing against Teige O'Carroll, lord Ely, and was buried great state the cathedral church Waterford. the same year sir William Brabazon, vice-treasurer, was third time appointed lord justice, and carried campaign against Cahir Mac Art O'Cavenagh
where vast quantity base money was coined,
crowns, shillings, and six-pences, made mixed metal whitish colour, consisting copper, brass, and tin, and also some
consisting half
Banagh, Niall Oge, was
Mac Sweeney
slain the 3rd
sons, the sons
Bryan Oge. The place where was killed was
the new bawn, where had been imprisoned for the death his father, whom he had slain on
former occasion; their other brother, Maolmurry
veyed Dublin, and cut Maurice, who was confined until might determined
quarters except the king's castle
the council what
pennies made copper and lead pewter, and circulated through
out the country substitute for silver coin. The various base coinages made current Ireland by the kings and queens England, and extensively circulated instead silver money, were,
course, extremely injurious the trade and commerce the country, and greatly impoverished the inhabitants.
A. D. 1547.
King Educard VI. -Atthe death Henry VIII. , the
January, 1547, Edward, his son then only the tenth year his age, succeeded
Jane Seymour, king Edward Westminster.
28th
VI. , and the 20th February was crowned
Edward Seymour, earl Hertford, the king's maternal uncle, was created duke Somerset, and made protector the kingdom during his minority; king Edward died the 6th July,
1553, the sixteenth year his age, and seventh his reign.
Lords Lieutenant. —The following account the lords lieu tenant and deputies during the reign Edward VI. , has beencol lected from Ware, Cox, Borlase, &c. 1547, sir An
general and marshal Ireland, with
force 600 horse, and 400 man great valour, and
foot, and was, according Borlase,
fortissimus militari sci England. St. Leger, according Cox and Borlase, took with
celebrated military commander:—“vir
entia clarus;” was recalled the sameyear, and soon after died
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428 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1547.
death he should receive. These plunderers and O'Madden, the best young man his age, viz. insurgents were thus scattered and put to flight. years, his own tribe, was slain the people after that manner; and although their power was O'Carroll, and Malachy Balv O’Madden; Mur of short continuance, being only one year, yet rogh Riavach, the son O'Madden, the brother they committed immense depredations. Malachy Balv, who was imprisonment with
O'Conor and O’Moore, after some of their clans Covthach, was hanged revenge him, by Cov had gone for them to Ath-Croich (a ford at Sham thach's kinsmen and people, and the two were
non Harbour), crossed the Shannon, and collected
a great force, for the purpose of taking revenge on
the English, who deprived them of their estates
and properties, and they afterwards passed into Leinster.
A great wind arose on the night before the fes
tival of St. Bridget, (31st of January), and it is
doubtful if so great occurred since the birth of
Christ; it destroyed churches, monasteries, and
castles, and particularly the two western wings of they burned and plundered the greater portion the church of Clonmacnois. the territory the Eustaces; they after that re
The English exercised such great authority and mained the country until the lord justice over power, that persons dreaded give food pro took them, defeated the Irish, and slew two hun tection O'Conor or O'Moore. dred of their foot soldiers on that occasion.
Anthony St. Leger was deprived the lord jus O’Melaghlin, i. e. Conn, the son Art, and his
ticeship, and Edward Bellingham, new lord jus kinsmen, were defeated by Niall, the son Felim
carried the same time be interred.
O'Conor and Cahir Roe, along with their kins men, entered into new compact with each other against the English, for the English deprived those also their estates, they had deprived O'Conor;
and was on that account they joined alliance with O’Conor.
O'Moore, and the sons Cahir O’Conor, made hostile incursion into the county Kildare, and
tice, succeeded his place. Maurice the Wood, the son
the earl
O'Melaghlin, and the people the baron Del vin, Faithche Ciarain, which Conn O’Melagh
lin, and his brother Cormac, tanist Clan Colman,
Kildare, was put death Dublin.
great prey was seized, viz. five hundred cows,
together with one two score along with them, by Malachy Gott O'Madden, Hy Donnellan were slain.
(the country
The castle lish, namely,
the O'Donnellans, Galway). O'Conor, Bryan, and O’Moore, i. e. Gill Athlone was repaired the Eng patrick, after having been forsaken the Irish,
William Brabazon, the King's
made their submission unconditionally, under the guarantee English nobleman, namely, the lieutenant, and that was bad protection.
treasurer Ireland, and the English and Irish Meath, despite O'Kelly, Donogh, the son
Edmond, and the Irish Connaught. The Peregrine, the son Edmond Mac Coghlan,
lord justice's forces were that time Leix, con chief his own tribe, was treacherously slain by structing fortified rampart O’Regan’s Bawn, Malachy O’Melaghlin, and Murrogh, the son
which they left guards oppose O'Conor and O’Moore.
Covthach, the son Malachy, son Breasal
Leinster; Brabazon died, says Borlase, the 7th the Ides Narbon. ” Borlase further remarks—“the Liturgy English
July, the tents Ulster, and was buried Trinity Church, Dublin, and his heart carried England. A. 1550, sir Anthony St. Leger, about the 10th September, arrived Dub lin, being the fourth time appointed lord deputy Cahir Mac Art Cavenagh, says Borlase, made his submission, solemnly renouncing before him, the council, and many lords, the name Mac Murrogh.
A. D. 1551, sir James Crofts was designed deputy, but coming Dublin while St. Leger was Munster, did not re ceive the sword till May the 23rd, Cork, where St. Leger then was. During his time, says Borlase, “even this year King Arms, Herald, named Ulster, was first instituted Ireland; his province was all Ireland, and the first that had was Nicholas
was also this year printed Dublin, and enjoined authority; many memorable acts (Crofts), did Ireland; repaired the castle Belfast, and placed garrison there; coming for England
was certified sir Henry Knowles, that Mary, dowager
Scotland, (queen James W. ), had sent O'Conor's son into Ireland give encouragement new insurrection, which his prudenee, deferring his journey, prevented without noise, and took ship for England Howth, December 4th 1552. the year 1552 sir Thomas Cusack, Coffington Meath, lord chancellor, and
sir Gerald Aylmer, chief justice the King's Bench, were December 4th, Trinity Church, Dublin, constituted lords jus tices.
- Mac Murrogh (lord Leinster), Murtogh,
Torlogh.
the son Art Buighe, died.
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REIGN OF EDWARD VI.
429
A. D. 1548. possession the castle Kilcoman, into which O'Donnell, i. e. Manus, gave his own son Cal-' put the provisions the tribe Fergal, and
vach, and OKane, namely, Manus, the son of his own guards. Cormac and the Hy Manians Donogh, a signal overthrow at Sraith-Bo-Fiaich marched, the 9th May, with force into (Ballybofey, in the barony of Raphoe, county of Delvin, and burned and completely plundered Donegal), in which O’Kane himself, and many Cluain-I-Flaithile and Knock-Ratha-Bemain, and
others, were slain, on the 7th of February.
Mary, the daughter of Mac Conmee, died on
slew six persons, and the only son O'Siaghail (O'Sheil), i. e. Murtogh, the best physician his age the surrounding neighbourhood. hap
the 4th of April.
O'Conor and O'Moore went to England, along pened afterwards that they encountered Mac
with the lieutenant, at the mercy of the king, and the king gave their estates, viz. , Leix and Offa
Coghlan, the people the country, and their hired soldiers who accompanied them, Bel-atha-na gcaorach (the ford the sheep), Dubh Ab hain (the black river), which engagement Cor mac and his forces were defeated, and upwards
ley, to the lieutenant and his kinsman, (the Bel
linghams), who built two large courts, namely, the
camp in Leix, (Maryboro’, in Queen’s county), and
the Dangan in Offaley (Philipstown, in King's coun twenty them were slain, along with Malachy,
ty). They then began to those lands for rent the English and Irish, they had been their
own rightful inheritance, after having dispossessed and expelled their hereditary heirs, O'Conor and O'Moore, with their families, and their kindred.
the son John O’Kelly, Felim, the son O’Fal lon, and the son Dougall Mac Naghtan; they
lost upwards twenty horses, together with
much arms and armour, and many them were
drowned; the following Monday they were O’Melaghlin, Teige Roe, brought Edmond beheaded, and their heads were brought the
Faihi (called by Cox and Mac Geoghegan Ed mond Fahy, others Edmond White), and his Leinster forces with him, into Delvin, plunder it; and happened that Malachy, the son Art O’Melaghlin, was taken prisoner by Edmond Fahy, and sent him Dublin, although had come the country along with Edmond him self,
town Edmond Fahy, viz. Bally Macadams, Kinel Fearga, Ely O'Carroll, and were raised
spears trophies victory.
Edmond Fahy encamped before the castle
Fedan for the space eight days, and Cormac Mac Coghlan, who was the castle, was com pelled give him hostages, after which and
the request the king's council. The Edmond made gossipship with each other. Kinkora and the monastery Gallen great war having arisen between the French,
castle
(both
laghlin, and Edmond, but O’Melaghlin re turned sorrow, without gaining hostages
submission. Edmond Fahy was engaged the same time taking possession Delvin (in the King's county), behalf the king, and op position O’Melaghlin, that was after that
manner O’Melaghlin had brought rod with him which was himself beaten, for Edmond Fa dispossessed and expelled himself and his
race from Delvin, and drove him from the new swarm (of bees) drives away the old swarm. After that nominated Art, the son Cormac, the Mac Coghlan; took that portion the country belonging Cormac, the son Ferdor cha, from him, and then plundered, expelled, and banished him across the Shannon, westward into Hy Maine, and after expelling Cormac took
King's county), were taken by O’Me English, and Scotch, Donogh, the son O'Conor Faily, and the sons Cahir O'Conor, entered into
the king's pay, and were sent England aid the war, along with great number fighting
kerns Leinster and Meath, and were thus re
moved from their patrimony.
Calvach O'Carroll went Dublin, attend
the great court, but was treacherously taken prisoner, and confined the king's castle, and
none obtained any information the cause, how he could be ransomed.
Thelieutenant (sir Francis Bryan), and Edmond
Fahy, marched with their forces twice into Ely, which account O'Carroll,i. e. Teige Lusc, gotgreatly
alarmed, and consequently war broke out between them. Notlong afterwards Edmond Fahy demanded
Mac Coghlan, and the people Delvin, march with him predatory incursion into Ely; they
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manner he was deprived of Delvin, after having
return without obtaining any advantage, after having sustained much injury, and losing many his men.
Cahir Roe O'Conor was taken prisoner by Rick ard Saxanagh Burke (Rickard Burke, earl Clan rickard, surnamed Saxanagh, the Saxon), who
delivered him into the hands the English. O’Carroll burned the Aonach (Nenagh Tip perary), both monastery and town, from the fortress
outwards, and the same occasion burned the monastery Uaithne (Owney Tipperary), expelled the English therefrom, and confounded
them very much, and subdued their strength and power much, that commanded them quit
his country (Ormond Tipperary, which was part Ely O'Carroll), except alone few guards which were Nenagh, viz. , the Tower, the
son Manus. Cahir Roe O'Conor was put death Dublin, and Malachy O'Melaghlin was
liberated from his imprisonment with the Eng lish.
430 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1548.
however refused to comply with his request, on the barony Lower Ormond, county Tip
which account Edmond became enraged and ex 'perary), and O'Carroll gave them battle, asperated, and dissensions having ensued, O’Car which he slew two or three score of them. The
roll and Mac Coghlan expelled Edmond, on account Red Captain marched three different times with of his tyranny and overbearing conduct towards his forces one-quarter year Carrick-an them ; they took the castle of Kilcoman, and the Chomhraic, but did not succeed gaining the castle of Kincora, from him, and it was after that castle, any part the country, and was obliged
been in dire bondage by him Saighir Chiarain (Seirkeiran,
and Killcormac, were burned by O'Carroll.
half a-year.
King's county),
the English, and
The lieutenant and the English marched with force into Delvin, the instigation Edmond Fahy, take revenge for his expulsion; they
burned and plundered from Bealach-an-Fothair Tochar, and also the town Mac Huallachan,
Lusmagh (in King’s county); they remained en camped for night Ballynacloiche, and re turned home the following day with prey and
booty, without battle Magh-Slaine plain
waste by O’Melaghlin, the English
(that lone).
Ely, the castle Delvin, i. e. Ba
conflict. - Westmeath), was laid Teige Roe, aided by Athlone, and the fleet the Caladh the port the Shannon near Ath
The castle
nagher, the castle Magh-Isdean (Moystown,
King's county), and Clochan-na-gCeapach (Clogh
an, King's county), were demolished, lest they England, and his death would have been great
loss were not for the power the English.
Moy Corran, both houses and churches, was
plundered O'Carroll, Teige Caoch, and against O'Carroll Carraic-an-Chomhraic" (in Mac Coghlan, namely, Art, the son Cormac,
should taken possession The Red Captain (supposed
A. D. 1548.
Carraic-an-Chomhraic, considered Carrickahorig,
the barony Lower Ormond, county Tipperary, near the Shan non, between Portumna and Burrisokane. There are various other
places mentioned the Annals the course this year, the situ ation which has not been exactly explained. Caisien Cinnchor adh was castle the place row called Kincor, within about half
mile Ferbane, the northern bank the Greater Brosna
river, opposite the priory Gallen. Caislen Cilcomain was
castle situated the place now called Kilcummin, the parish Tissarin, barony Garrycastle, King's county, between the
towns Cloghan and Shannon Bridge. Cluain-I-Fhlaithile
supposed Clonaughii near Birr, where castle formerly stood.
Cnoc-Ratha-Benain, considered the place now called the
Knock, near Leap castle, the barony Ballybrit, King's coun
ty. Bel-Atha-na-gdaorach, the Black river, was situated
the Blackwater, small river about two miles north the Greater
Brosna, the barony Garrycastle, King's county. Caislen
an-Fheadain now Fadden castle, near Belmount, the parish Tissarin, King's county. Saighir Ciarain the parish Saiger
Seirkiaran, King's county. Kilcormaic now called Frank
Butlers Ormond), marched
with force
the English.
one the
O'Moore, Gillpatrick, died suddenly
ford, town the King's county, the ancient territory Fer call, the principality the O'Mulloys, and this church was their chief burial place. Bel-Atha-an-Fhothair, probably the townland between Birr and Banagher, called Ballaghanogher. Tochar, p posed the parish Lusmagh, King's county. Baile-Mic
Uallachain, also two miles west district possessed Baile-na-Cloiche
the parish Lusmagh, near the Shannon, abou Banagher, barony Garrycastle, ancient the O'Hoolaghans, now called Coolaghans. townland Lusmagh, known the name
Coolclough and Ballynacloughe, adjoining Ballymaccoolahan. Clochan-na-goeapach, now Cloghan, the King's county. At 1546, Tochar Cruachain, mentioned the text, the place now called Togher, near Croaghan Hill, about four miles from Philipstown, the King’s county derived its name from the great Togher, bog-pass, through which road led former times towards Meath. For the accurate topographical accounts these places the translator indebted the information kindly communicated that learned antiquary, Thomas Cooke, Esq. ,
Parsonstown, the King's county, author the History Parsonstown or Birr.
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REIGN OF EDWARD VI. 431
revenge of the treachery of the Delvinians, and O'Sullivan, Dermod, warlike, valiant, they encamped that might at Leacach Amadlain. friendly, and pious man, was burned by powder
John, the son of O’Neill, marched with a force his own castle (at Dunboy, the county Cork), against the Clanaboy, and Bryan Fogartach and his brother, Awlave O’Sullivan, who succeeded O’Neill, the son of Niall Oge, son of Con, son of him, was afterwards slain.
Hugh Buighe, a prosperous and warlike man, and
a man distinguished for benevolence and hospi tality, and the resplendent luminary of his own
tribe, was slain by John O'Neill on that expe dition.
A. D. 1549.
O'Boyle, i. e. Donal, the son of Niall, son of Torlogh, died on the 4th of August.
Eveleen, the daughter of O’Donnell, and wife of O'Boyle, died.
A. D. 1550.
Roderick, the son Donogh, son
O’Donnell, bishop Derry, and
Hugh Roe friar the
terms of peace for himself and for those of the
Irish in alliance with him, namely, Mac Murrogh,
O'Kelly, O’Melaghlin, and several others who are not recorded.
Rickard Saxanagh, the son Ulick the Heads, was nominated earl (of Clanrickard).
A. D. 1551.
and the O'Carrolls were reinstated in which was The archbishop Cashel, Edmond Butler, the
Bally Mac Adam was taken from Edmond Fahy,
source great joy and gladness the people Ely.
Donogh O'Ferrall, tanist the O'Ferralls (of
Longford), was treacherously slain his own English and the king, but always O’Brien accord
brother. ing
unrestricted order (of Franciscans), died the
8th October, and was interred Donegal,
the habit of St. Francis.
The abbot Easroe (Ballyshannon), John, the
son Donal Roe O'Gallagher, died on the 29th April.
Mac Sweeney Banagh, Torlogh Meir
Malachy Gott O'Madden, tanist of Siol Anm geach, was slain the town Mac Sweeney, by cha, was slain by Malachy Modardha O'Madden, the Clan Coilin, namely, William, Teige, and and his kinsmen, in revenge of his father and John, and the Clan Coinaigean (probably Cun brother. - ninghams from Scotland), the 8th January.
Niall O’Melaghlin attacked the house in which Roderick Ballach, the son Owen Roe Mac O’Melaghlin, i. e. Teige Roe, and his kinsman Sweeney, having gone obtain the lordship Murrogh were, in the town of Newcastle (proba Tir Banagh from O’Donnell, and not having suc
bly Newtown in Fertullagh, in Westmeath). The ceeded, proceeded
house was burned over them, and upwards of plundered the town, but
twenty persons in it were either killed or wounded, after that was slain
nine of them were slain on the spot, and O’Me Hugh, the 31st day March.
laghlin and his kinsman escaped, but Murrogh was wounded on that occasion.
The lord justice, Edward Bellingham, went to England, and William Brabazon, i. e. the treasurer, was appointed in his place, and a great court was held in Limerick by that lord justice. O'Carroll
went to that court under the guarantee of the earl
of Desmond, the mayor of Limerick, and the
English court, and Irish nobles who attended that
Maolmurry, the son
Mac Ward Tirconnell, i. e. Fergal, the son Donal Roe, man truly learned poetry, and professor schools, man distinguished for fame and excellence throughout Ireland his time, and who kept house general hospitality, died.
Anthony St.