ANTIQUITIES OF COUNTY WESTMEATH

Tullamore,
January 1st 1838

Dear Sir

I visited Durrow and Killbeggan today and viewed their localities with anxious care - a care bordering upon pain- but was entirely disappointed in finding that the work of destruction has gone on to a lamentable extent !... At Durrow I could find nothing but St. Columbkille's Well and Cross which is most elaborately sculptured in the same style, as far as I am able to judge, as his crosses at Kells and Moone. But this Cross of Durrow exhibits a figure which I did not observe upon any of the others, viz, a man playing on a small six-stringed harp, which rests on his left knee; this perfectly agrees with the figure on Mr. Petrie's Shrine of Maidoc. There is also at Durrow a moat (lying opposite Lord Norbury's hall door) with small fragments of lime and stone masonry on the top.

Of the place at which Sir Hugo de Lacy murdered

I shall give the account of this tragic scene as preserved by tradition, as taken this day from the mouth of John Daly of Killbeggan, now in the 82nd year of his age and on his death bed. but retaining a remarkable vigour of memory and intellect.

He is the Ultimus Hibernorum in this part of Ireland and having been once in comfortable circumstances and given to antiquarian research , he procured all the local information on the subject which could be obtained from the old people.

"About 60 (or 62) years since, extensive ruins of the walls of a castle were extant at Durrow immediately to the north of the moat. These walls were levelled by the Stepeny family ( the then occupiers of Durrow ) to obtain materials for building a mansion house, which still remains, but much enlarged and modified by the present possessor, the Earl of Norbury. It was said that this castle was built before Sir Hugo de Lacy's time but that he obtained possession both of it and of another castle, of which the site is still traceable near Mr. Dudgeon's house in the Townland of Ros-Deala and about one and a quarter miles to the east of Durrow. Tradition says that when De Lacy obtained possession of these castles he commenced to carry a trench (road perhaps?) from the one to the other, and one day that he was looking over his men, who were composed of English and Irish labourers, O'Catharny, Lord of Teffia, and O'Breen of Brawney got him murdered as he was stooping down to give directions. Tradition says that De Lacy was at this time near the Castle of Ros-Deala and not at the Castle of Durrow.

Daly says that if he could get up (but he never will ) he could lay his finger on the spot which was always pointed out as the scene of this murder.

There is the ruin of a small little castle in the Townland of Ballybought called Shan-Court, which Mr. Fenwick sets down in the Name Book as Durrow Castle, thus:-

"Shancourrt or Meeanglish - so called by the country people;
De Lscy's Castle - Moorre's Hist. Ire.,V.2, p.321;
. Darmagh or Durrow Castle - Lanigan IV, 277.

"This Castle, of which scarce a vestige remains, was built by the celebrated Hugo De Lacy in 1186, upon a spot hallowed in the eyes of the natives, as being the site of a Monastery founded by St. Columba. Whilst inspecting the progress of the works, he was killed by a blow of an axe by a man named Hugh O'Chary (no, no) who escaped into the neighbouring woods. Archdall says the English built a castle here in 1214. See also Lanigan, Vol. IV, p.277, Note 73." - Durrow Field Name Book, p.44.

But this very small castle (which is scarcely ancient and was never famous) stands in an old fort and not upon a spot hallowed in the eyes of the natives, as being the site of a Monastery founded by St. Cloumba. The site of St. Columba's Monastery of Durrow is now, according to universal tradition, and as corroborated by the position of St. Columbkille's Cross occupied by the present Church and graveyard of Durrow, which lie within the Durrow Demesne. The celebrated Castle of Durrow stood, as I said before, to the north of the moat opposite Lord Norbury's Hall door and the considerable ruins of it were to be seen there about 60 or 62 years ago, when John Daly of Killbeggan was a young man.

Allthis I urge to prove that Mr. Fenwick's view of the castle cannot be correct. He states that he thought my view of it was wrong. Now, I never before wrote a word about Durrow and what I say now is in my own defence, which I deem necessary as I conside Mr. Fenwick a gentle man of sound judgement and remarkable research.

Tradition concerning De Lacy historically examined

I do not believe that tradition, unsupported by historical evidence, should be received in deciding upon this fact.Sir Henry Pierrs wrote in 1682 that it was then traditionally handed down that Sir Hugu de Lacy was murdered at the castle at Horseleap, but I find that that castle was not erected for some years after his death. I do not believe that he was murdered at Ros-Deala either, though tradition seems to be decided on that subject, as all our authentic Annals agree in making the castle of Durrow, lying immediately at St. Cloumbkille's Monastery, the scene of the murder. The Four Masters thus record(or rather, transcribe) the account of it:-

"A.D.1184 Hugo de Latii, the plunder and destroyer of many Churches, Lord of the English of Meath, Breifny and Oriel, to whom the rents of Connaught were paid; he who won the greter part of Ireland for the English and of those English castles all Meath, from the Shannon to the sea, was full, being offered (by some English friend) the Castle of Durrow, came forth, accompanied by three Englishmen to view it. But a youth named Gilla-gan-Inaher O'Meey, one of the men of Teffia, came up to him with a battle axe concealed under his garments (cloak ?). He struck Hugo and with a blow cut off his head, and he fell both head and body intothe trench (ditch, cladh) of the castle. This was in defence of Columbkille. Gilla-gan-Inaher, by swiftness of foot, escaped from the English and the Irish to Coill-an-Chlair* (the Wood of Clare) and afterwards proceeded to Fox and O'Breen, at whose instigation he had murdered the Earl,"

* So pronounced by Daly at this day, but it is Anglicised Kill-Clare. It is a Townland adjoining Foxe's Country, being divided from it by the Riverr Brosna.

This differs from Leland's very much to be suspected account of this occurrence, from which (if we believe him) we are to understand that the Earl was murdered as he was erecting a castle with materialsderived from the old Monastery of Columbkille, by one of his own labourers. This account Leland has manufactured from one sentence in Cambrensis ...

Perhaps O'Meey had been employed by De Lacy as a labourer and that Rox, his own Lord and relative, employed him to murder him.

Let me have the account of De Lacy's taking off , as given in the Annals of Clonmacnoise as translated by Mageogegan, in the Annals of Inishfallen and in the Book of Kilronan. Ithink Leland has manufactured this wrongly

Your obedient servant,
J. O'Donovan

ANTIQUITIES OF COUNTY WESTMEATH

Tyrrellspass,
October 11th 1837

Sir,
Durrow Parish is in Irish called Doireadh, which is explained as signifying Oakwood, Roboretum. It is said that St. Columb Kille who is the Patron Saint of the Parish and whose day is celebrated in it on the 9th of June, predicted that he would build a Church there, which he accordingly did. The walls of the old Church, I am informed, were repaired for the erection of the Parochial Protestant Church. In the Church yard stands a stone cross about eight or nine feet high, with very long arms. It remains quite perfect and is said to have been brought from the north of Ireland by St. Columb Kille. Near the Church is St Columb Kille's Well, Tobar Choluim Cille, Fons S. Columbae, which was very much frequented until, within those 2 years past the people were prohibited access to the place, on the occasion, by Lord Clondyne (qu? as to orthog. )who is now attempting to exclude the people from the use of the Church yard as a burial ground, thinking it too annoying to have them come so near his court, which lies within ten perches of the Church. But the people are determined not to be prohibited by him, for a number of persons who attended a young man's funeral from Killbeggan a few days ago, broke in his gate, which he took care to have locked against them, a circumstance of course very galling to his Lordship but which he could not resist. There was an attempt made about 60 years ago to put an end to the custom of frequenting the well. On the 8th of June , the day previous to the anniversary of St. Columb's festival, Herbert Stepeny Rozen ( Rossen? -qu? as to orthog. ) who was the proprietor of the place, took care to have the well stopped up, the consequence of which was, that on the morning of the 9th, his house (court) was filled up to the roof with water and not one drop of it would go out on the doors, though opened. Herbert, having no other means to remedy this inconvenience than by opening the well, caused it to be opened, thinking himself very fortunate, if even by doing so, he could save his residence from destruction. The well was frequented since, till within those two years a second prohibition took place, of which mention is made before.

Within twenty perches of the Church to the west are observable the small remains of the walls of the Castle of Durrow, at which Sir Hugo de Lacy met his fatal end. The erection of another castle at the distance of half or three quarters of a mile from the Castle of Durrow, was intended, and a subterraneous passage was to be drawn between them. When this passage was in the progress of being made, Sir Hugo de Lacy happened to be taking a view of the work, and being attacked by two men named Denis Kelly, who had a matlock as a weapon, and Simon Carney, who made use of a spade, was killed on the spot. A three day's battle between the workmen ensued, the work was discontinued and was never afterwards resumed. This account is said to have been taken chiefly from Keting's History of Ireland.

I have no reference to Durrrow from the Annals, all that is said here of it, its Church and Castle, is taken from verbal information. As I have no extracts relating to this place I looked upon it as losing time to visit it, for I fear Mr. O' Donovan has done with his portion of the County and I want to have done as soon as possible. A full investigation of it can be made when we go to the King's County.

In that part of the Parish of Durrow which lies in this County is situated the Townland of Ros-Deala, which is mentioned in the Book of Ballymote and in the Annals of the Four Masters as a place at which a most wonderful phenomenon appeared in the 11th (?) century. A Cloigtheach of fire appeared at night and around it flew, and on top of it perched, a number of birds and among them appeared a bird of extraordinary size, under whose wings the smaller ones, scared at the glowing pillar of fire, hid their heads.

These birds, after having amused themselves with this fiery pillar (as butterflies flutter around a lighted candle) were observed by the astonished inhabitants to fly from it suddenly and to perch on the branches of the oaks of a neighbouring Daibhne (Roboretum) of which the large bird tore the largest tree from the roots, after which he seized upon a grey- hound and flying with him to a sublime height let him suddenly drop down and kill him. Soon after these birds (devils to be sure ) and the fiery pillar disappeared ! (Quoted from memory)

This phenomenon is set down in the Book of Ballymote as one of the thirteen wonders of Ireland and referred to by John Dalton Esq. , the ablest antiquary in Ireland, as proof that the Round Towers of Ireland were fire pillars.

It was a storm of lightning ? It was not Aurora Borealis. Prehaps it was nothing more than a rick of furze, hay or corn which took fire and around which the birds of the wood fluttered. Birds generally flock around a fire, but the oak torn from the roots would seem to indicate a storm. The greyhound was knocked dead by lightning ? The words Cloicteach Teine, however, are very imposing to those who wish to believe in fiery pillars !

Some fiery phenomenon made its appearance which, to a people unacquainted with the laws of nature and the nature of optical delusions, seemed worthy of being recorded among the wonders of Ireland. That is all which can be said about it.

[Letter no. 49 from Thomas O'Conor ]

Roscrea,
February 11th 1838.

Sir,

In the Townland of Litter in Litter Parish, are the ruins of a Church. The stones composing part of its walls are exactly similar to those in O'Rourke's Tower at Clonmacnoise. In the west end of the Church is an apartment, over which there is a floor of stone work to another apartment, over this floor there is an ascent by winding stairs of stone, in the northwest corner of the building. The entrance to both is on the west gable.

Litter is the local name for the place, without any additional postfix which would enable us to identify it with any of the Litters on record. There is, however, a well within a few yards of the old Church to the northwest, which is called Tobar Lughna, Fons S. Lugnae. This is a holy well and was formerly frequented, but on what day I could not learn. Nor is St. Lugna's Day remembered in the Parish. Finding the name of St. Lugna annexed to this well here, is sufficient to establish the fact that Litter was called Leitir Lughna, i.e., Latibulum S. Lugnae.

Let all our Records be searched for the history of Lugna and the locality of his Leitir.

Colgan must have given his Life and the circumstances connected with it. The name of this place probably occurs in the Annals of the Four Masters. We find it recorded at A.D. 1145 by these writers, that:-

"Torlogh O'Brien led an army to Leitir Cranca in Slieve Bloom for the purpose of going to meet O'Rourke in Meath." Torlogh O'Conor fixed his camp at Rubhon, and sent his son, Donnell the Meathian, and Maoilseachlin, the son of Murrogh O'Melaghlin, and Conor, the son of Donnell O'Brien, and Dermot, the son of Cormac Mac Carthy, at the head of a numerous force, to guard Feara Ceall, that the men of Munster should not come into it."

"On a certain day, the Momonians went to the north to scour the woods, where the other party met them, who defeated and slaughtered them. The Momonians after that, went to their own houses, without plunder or hostages, without peace or cessation."

Leitir Cranca might have been an alias name for Leitir Lughna, and if so, is the same with Litter, our present subject. No local information to decide this can be had. More of the history of both these ancient names must, therefore, be collected, and a careful investigation made as to whether they were names denoting two places, or one and the same place.

Cadamstown Townland in this Parish, is remembered to have been called Baile Mhic Adam - Baile-mhic-adam. The Four Masters make mention of the Castle of Baile Mhic Adam, from which the place called Castlefield, close by the west side of Cadamstown House, took its name. The spot on which the castle stood is pointed out yet by the inhabitants of the neighbourhood, who say that it belonged to O'Carroll.

The passage in the Annals relating to Baile Mhic Adam remains to be inserted when the Letters be in the progress of being arranged.

We have no reference whatever to Roscomroe, nor is there any local information to be had respecting it. The only feature to be remarked as connected with it is Roscomroe Church, in ruins, which is of no antiquity.

Your obedient humble servant,
T. O'Conor.

ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY

[Letter no. 47 from Thomas O'Conor ]

Roscrea,
February 9th 1838.

Sir,

We find recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters at the year 1533, that:-

"The Earl of Kildare went a second time to Ely to assist Ferganainm O'Carroll at Suidhe an Roin, and laid siege to the castle, where he had a good Constable of his people. He took the castle and then returned home."

Suidhe an Roin signifies "the Sitting of the Seal" and is now the name of a Parish and Town in the Barony of Clonlisk.

This Parish is Anglicised Sinrone in the Down Survey, which, in the description of the Parish, says that in it stand "the walls of a Church at Sinerone, and a castle, and a mill in repayre with some Irish cabbins."

The ruins of a Church are remembered to have existed in the Churchyard near the present Parish Church at Sinerone Town.

The castle stood at the rear of Mr. Dancer's house in Shinrone Town. The yard attached to the house is called the Castle Yard, and some of the wall belonging to the castle is said to be now used as a garden wall.

Tradition says it was erected by O'Carroll, and we see from the Annals above cited that Suidhe an Roin was in Ely. Whence it can be deduced that Shinrone was situated in Ely O'Carroll on that side
Castle of Cill Comain.

At A.D. 1548 in the Annals it is said that:-

"Edmond a Fali banished O'Melaghlin (Teige Roe) and all his tribe out of Delvin. He afterwards styled Art, the son of Cormac, the Mac Coghlan, and deprived Cormac of that portion of the country which he had possessed, and banished him westwards across the Shannon, after which he repaired the Castle of Cill Comain, and placed his own warders in it."

This Cill Comain must be Cillcummin in Tissarn Parish in the Barony of Garrycastle, which is co-extensive with Delvin Eathra, afterwards called Delvin Mac Coghlan, being the Territory of the family of Mac Coghlan.

Your obedient humble servant,
T. O'Conor
ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY.

[ Letter no. 48 from John O'Donovan ]

Roscrea,
February 10th 1838.

Dear Sir,

We shall finish to-morrow, and if I can get a seat on or in the Limerick Coach, I shall go on to Dublin, if not, I wait till Monday. We can hardly procure two seats on the same day, as the coach is generally crowded.

We shall want the Name Books of the next Co. as soon as possible in order that the Extracts may be collected before we start for the country again. Mayo, I suppose, will be the next? Awful! My health is very much down, and I make no doubt but another winter's campaign would put an end to me, but I don't wish, as I have gone so far, to be killed, till I shall have examined all the oulde places of Ireland, and the stories connected with them. I have now traversed, since the 8th of May last, the whole country extending from Lough O'Gara to Carlow, and from Lough Sheelin to the Devil's Bit, which is a vast district, but I have injured my nerve by writing too much and sitting up too late. This I could have avoided by not doing so much; but if I don't work now, I won't be able to work in a few years hence, when I shall be an oulde fellow without nerve or vigor. If, however, the Saints of Ireland don't fast against me, I expect to live longer than St. Kieran, who, as he himself says, was approaching (near) his end, at the age of 33. I have been very severe on the Saints all along, for no other reason, to be sure, but because I am not a Saint myself, for, if I were, I would hide their faults as well as the pious Butler, who has omitted to relate (describe) the silly part of their conduct, and has holden up the heroic and noble part as an example to the faithful. He has manufactured his Lives of the Saints well, and so as to suit the feelings of the pious believers of his own age. Jocelyn had done the same and so had our honest Colgan, but unfortunately, the Saints of Jocelyn and the Saints of Colgan would not be Saints at all to the readers of Butler, and we must not, therefore, condemn that amiable Christian philosopher for rejecting those narrations which would offend the belief and religious feelings of the present day.

The principal fault which I reprehend in the writers of our Hagiology is their making their christian heroes too fond of duplicity and equivocation, which, according to my cold ideas of piety, savour more of the tricks of the arch rebel than of the pure doctrines which ought to emanate from the True Faith; but as these have passed the crucible of Doctors of Divinity, I should be very timid in pronouncing any opinion with regard to them, further than this, that I believe them to be the productions of an ulterior age, and therefore, rather to be considered as the fabricated stories of ignorant bards and Ecclesiastics, than as containing the sentiments of the original teachers of Christianity in Ireland. I could believe that pious frauds (1) sanctified chicanery, pretended visions, prophecies, visits from Angels, are all fabrications of the middle ages, when the minds of men were entirely diverted from real knowledge, and when the Ecclesiastics made use of the lowest and basest cunning to terrify the savage Chiefs to obedience and make them render the Church its due support.

(1). "Be ye cunning as serpents, but innocent as doves" favours in some measure these accounts of the equivocation of the old Saints, but they carried the cunning of the serpent to the cunning of the fox, and to the destruction of that noble camdon which elevates the human character.

This is the truth, and if anyone denies it, let him examine the original documents and say that Monks never forged prophecies never invented stories, or never told lies, and call me a heretic. This is all I have to say.

I have now done with this County and send all the Books of the Baronies of Clonlisk and Ballybritt, also all the Extracts, Rawson's Kildare, and Coote's King's County; also Beaufort's Ecclesiastical Map and all the Traces from old Maps which were sent me.

Your obedient servant,
John O'Donovan.

In the description of the Dioceses established in Ireland at the Synod of Rath Breasail, no Diocese of Meath or Clonmacnoise is mentioned, but the Kingdom of Meath appears to have been divided into the Dioceses of Duleek and Clonard, the former extending from Sliabh Breagh near Slane, to the Carn of Duncuair (Rath Core to the South of Trim) and from a small lough called Lochan na h-imirce, eastwards to the sesa; and the latter from Clochan, westwards to the Shannon, and from Urchuillte, where it met the Diocese of Ardagh, to Cloncurry (Conaire) where it joined that of Kildare.

Various changes, however, seem to have been since made, not in boundaries, but in uniting the small Dioceses to form the present large one.

The Diocese of Clonard, which was generally called of Westmeath, was annexed to Clonmacnoise in 1174, from which period we find the title of Bishop of Clonmacnoise hereditary in the family of O'Malone, of whose origin little is known. It is probable that the Diocese of Clonmacnoise extended from Birr to the River Inny and comprised the whole of the Co. of Westmeath and that part of the King's Co. now included in the Diocese of Meath. It is likely also that the Diocese of Clonard was of the same extent, no change having, in all probability, taken place, but a translation of the Seat of the Bishop from Clonard to Clonmacnoise.

Of the Diocese of Killaloe
(called in Latin Dioecesis Laonensis).

This Diocese is described in the Book of Clonenagh as extending "from Slighe Dala to Leim Conchulainn, and from Sliabh Oigi an an Righ to Gleann Caoin."

These are its exact limits at this day: Slighe Dala, according to Keating and other Irish Authorities, is Ballaghmore in Ossory, which is at this day close to the eastern boundary of this Diocese. Leim Chuchulainn is Loop Head at the mouth of the Shannon. Eachtge is a range of mountains which divides the Counties of Clare and Galway, and over which the boundary of the Diocese of Killaloe passes at this day. Sliabh Oighi an Righ can be no other than Keeper Hill in Tipperary Co., which is the boundary of this Diocese. Gleann Caoin is the present Glenkeen in the Barony of Ileagh and Co. Tipperary, and which is near (on) the eastern limit of the Diocese of Killaloe.

Of the Diocese of Ossory

This is called the Diocese of Kilkenny in the Book of Clonenagh and described as extending "from Sliabh Bladhma to Mileadhach and from Grian Airbh to Sliabh Mairge."

It is so at this day; it meets the Diocese of Killaloe in the Slieve Bloom range, a short distance to the northeast of this Town and comprises the entire of the Co. of Kilkenny and the Barony of Upper Ossory, latterly (i.e., in comparatively modern times) added to the Queen's Co.

Mileadhach is on the brink of the Barrow at the Meeting of the Three Waters. Sliabh Mairge, now Slewmargy, in the Queen's Co. is the boundary of the Diocese of Ossory at this day. Grian Airbh, the situation of which is as yet unknown to me, must lie on the confines of Tipperary and Kilkenny Counties. The Cross of Grian Airbh divided the Diocese of Ossory or Kilkenny from the Archdiocese of Cashel.

It is very curious that the Parish of Seirkieran, which is insulated in the Diocese of Killaloe, was referred to as in Ossory so early at the time of King 'Donogh, the son of Flann. As throwing light on this subject, the following story, given by Mac Firbisse, is curious, though it gives us an unfavourable idea of the character of the Clergy of the day. Nothing should be suppressed that throws any light on the condition of Man in any age - why suppress? According to climate, age, circumstances of education, prevailing opinions, prejudices, bigotry, superstition, man is modified; he is a boy of wax, capable of any modification. He was so, is so, and will be so, until Mr. Owens shall make philosophers of chimney sweepers and dairy girls.

"Donogh (the son of Flann, son of Maelseachlainn Mor, son of Donnell) leads an army to erect a wall and sink a trench around the Church of Saighir Chiarain, at the request of his wife Sabia, the daughter of Donogh Ramor, the son of Kellach, King of Ossory. It created great envy in her mind that every one of the distinguished Churches of Ireland were enclosed with a wall and ditch, while her own family Church of Saighir was without a wall and a ditch. All the men of Meath went with her to Tullydonogh to the east of Saighir, and commenced the erection of the wall. Shortly after the body of her father arrived at the Churchyard for interment, having been carried in a Fean (a car or chariot, cormae) drawn by six horses, and he was interred without delay. At nightfall nine long haired, black crossans (crouched Friars, no!) came and commenced chanting (cliaruigheacht) over the grave in the same manner that Crossans (what?) are ever since in the habit of doing. Their eyes and teeth were whiter than snow, but every other part of them was blacker than the smith's coals. They commenced to repeat a poem for (i.e., concerning) the King. Every one who beheld them was sick from morning till night. This is the poem they repeated:-

A poem is then inserted in which I find a contradictory meaning.

"These Clergy continued from night till morning, repeating this poem over the King's grave, and all who beheld them (as has been already said) were sick from morning till night. At length a question arose among the Laity and Clergy on the subject, for they were surprised that Demons (as these manifestly were) should frequent the grave of so truly pious a King, who had been accustomed to distribute food and drink among the poor of God and among all the people, in all the Chief Churches in Ossory on the Festivals of the Apostles, and whose conduct was under the control of confession (faoisidin) and confessional injunctions (breth .i. breitheamhmas aithrighe). The Clergy abstained and fasted to God that it might be revealed to them why the demons followed him. And the (an) Angel of God came openly to O'Caple, a Culdee of the Kinel-Fiach-Mic-Neill, then resident at Saighir, and said to him: It is well ye have fasted, said the Angel. These are nine of the Clergy of O'Coingeoidh (mo chuingidh ort a chiarain cuingidh (coimhed, congbhaidh) me o chleir choingeoidh) and this is the third time they have come to Ireland from Hell (bravo!). (A mhuire is leamh an sgeal so). Not having been able to injure the King during his life time, they have come to annoy him (i.e., his body, which had lost all its sensibility - mo gradh do philosophia) after death. Let Masses be offered, and let the consecrated waters of God be made (i.e., let holy water be made) to-morrow, and let it be sprinkled on the grave and on all the cemetery and on the plain of the Church, and the demons shall then depart from you. (I thought that the devil had no power to come near the grave in which the temple of a glorified soul was deposited). This was accordingly done, and the Clergy of O'Coingheoidh (Cia he an buachail sin?) came fluttering in the air in the shapes of very black birds (not blackbirds) for they durst not lie on the consecrated ground (nac raibh an roilig coisreagtha o aimsir shen Chiarain?) and they said: 'The fasting and the consecration are not to no purpose (have defeated our purpose) for we would haunt the body of the King in this world (ni fhil see orthodox!) as his soul is in Heaven (non sequitur!) in the other world, and we have no power over it.' And then they departed."

"The Crossan Fionn O'Kinga and Mac Rionntach O'Conodhrain were present on this occasion, and it was they who took (i.e., committed to memory) the poem and the tune from the Clergy of O'Coingheoidh, so that this is the poetical composition which served them from that forth, and not only them but all the other Crossans (satirical bards?) of Ireland in general."

A naois a mathar na raibh cleir Ui Choingeoidh! Ce he O'Coingheoidh? An sean bhuachaill air mh'anam.

This is a most strange story. What were the Crossans? The Irish family of Mac Crossan have taken name from the profession, whatever it was.

Mac an Fhilidh Poet
Mac an Bhaird Bard
Mac an Ollaimh Olave
Mac an tSaoir Carpenter
Mac an Bhreitheamhain Judge
Mac an Deoganaigh Dean
Mac an tSagairt Priest
Mac an Chrossain ? ? ?

I don't want to make use of this story to shew what vile, low and ignorant knaves the Clergy of Saighir Kieran were; all I want to draw from it is that the Church of Saighir was then the burial place of the Kings of Ossory, and that this accounts in some measure for its being placed in the Diocese of Ossory.

Of the Diocese of Kildare

This Diocese is described in the Book of Clonenagh as extending "from Rosfionnghlaise to Nas Laighean and from Nas to the Cumar or Confluence of Clonard, and to the mountains of Glenn Da Loch."

This Diocese of Kildare still extends from Ros Fionnghlaise, now Rosanalis at the Slieve Bloom range, to Naas, and from Naas to Clonard, but it does not extend as far eastwards as the mountains of Glendalough. We must therefore, suppose that a part of the southeast of this Diocese has been added to that of Glenalough, which was afterwards united to the Archdiocese of Dublin, since the Synod of Rath Breasail was held. It is very curious, however, how well the boundaries laid down at that Synod have been, generally speaking, preserved.

See the account of the Diocese of Kildare, which was furnished Colgan in ----- by Dr. Mageoghegan, the then Roman Catholic Bishop of that Diocese. See also my remarks on the misprints in Colgan's edition of it: Mithidh scur de ar sceluibh.

Your obedient servant,
John O'Donovan.

Before I conclude my topographical observations on this County I shall translate a few little stories about the old Saints of Ireland, which Mr. Curry has found in that rich mine of Hagiology, the Speckled Book of the Mac Egans. I don't insert them to laugh at them (God forbid that I should ever become such a heretic) but to ask Usher a few questions about the Protestantism of ancient Ireland. Moghradh his logic! May be they didn't believe in Purgatory? If I live for a few years, I will shew how Usher was led astray. His argument is sophistry.

1. The competition between St. Brendan of Birr (Clonfert) and St. Bridget for sanctity. The Sunbeam Story.

   "On one occasion St. Brendan came from the west of Ireland to Moy Liffey to visit St. Bridget, having heard of, and wondered at, her fame for miracles and signs. Bridget went away from the sheep!! to welcome Brendan, and as she entered the house she hung her wet mantle (cucullus) on the sun beams, which supported it like a drolu (a line to hang clothes on.) Brendan told his servant to place his mantle (cocholl) on the same sun beams; the servant did so, but it fell down twice. Brendan himself then rose up with rage and anger, and placed the mantle on them the third time, and they supported it. The Saints then communciated their consciences to each other mutually. Brendan said: "I never passed over seven furrowes without having my mind fixed on God." Bridget said: "Since I placed my mind on God, I have not diverted it from him for one moment."

   There are no features at Birr bearing the name of St. Brendan but his well, which lies in the Demesne. A curious stone was removed from the Town by the celebrated Steele, which he placed in O'Connell's Chapel in Clare! ( chapel dedicated to O'Connell). This is probably the stone mentioned by Usher. The following reference to the situation of Brendan's Church of Birr bears me out in my idea of the extent of Feara Ceall:-

   Hi ccoicrich Eli agus Fear Celd (Cell) hita Birra
   "On the confines of Ely and Feara Ceall Birra is."
   - Felire Aenguis.
   [ This stone is now back in Birr ]

2. The Saints of Ireland fast and pray to God for the death of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise.

   The Saints of Ireland fasted for the shortening (destroying) of the life of St. Kieran, the son of the Artifex (envying him) for his having the half of Ireland under his jurisdiction. However, God did not do this for them until he himself fasted along with them, for he knew not wherefore (why) they fasted, until an Angel told him. (He therefore left it as an injunction on his Monks never to promise anything till they knew all about it.) But St. Odhran of Latteragh Odhrain and Mac Cuillinn of Lusk went afterwards and told him the cause for which they fasted. You (ye) say then do so, said Kieran; meet in a Synod, and you shall obtain your request: Ut dixit Kieran."

   An mea est domus Calesty?
   An rium a ri an richid?

   All this poem, in which Kieran complains, is in the College Library in very old language. (Buain goirt ria siu ros apuidh (ape) Cuir an cagaid (just) a righ rind. St. Kieran!)

   He was only thirty three (33) years of age when he died. The three worst things (acts) which were ever done in Ireland by advice of the Saints were:-

   1. The shortening (destruction, Timdhibhe) of the life of Kieran.
   2. The banishment of Columbkille.
   3. The banishment of Mochuda from Rahan."

   
   Mogradh do Saints. I know a worse thing. This was carrying pious envy far enough, I guess? They frightened the life out of the poor carpenter's son!

3. St. Comgal renders a barren woman fruitful.

   "Comgall of Bangor goes to the house of the father of Colman Duibh Chuilinn, whose wife was barren. St. Comgall gives the barren woman a Duibh Scribhind (i.e., dark, obscure, or mystified writing - a gospel?) coitur (atuagar) and Colman is conceived. Unde Colman Duibhachuillinn dictus est."

   "Cuilend is the name of a mountain which is at Bealach Chonglais in Leinster."

   This is the Kill-cullen Hills, and Bealach Chonglais is the track of the road across the Curragh.

   IV. St. Briget was consecrated a Bishop.

   (Father Bollandus complains of the silliness of the writers of the lives of the Celtic Saints; and the Benedictines complain of the folly even of St. Jerome and Augustin!.)

   "Bridget was desirous that a degree of Penance (gradh Aithrighe) should be conferred upon her. Hearing that Bishop Mel was at Bri Ele (Croghan old Church) she repaired thither, accompanied by seven Nuns. But on their arrival the Bishop was not there, but had gone into the country of the Hy Neill "terra nepotum Neill" (Meath). On the morrow she passed in search of him in company with Mac Caille (the Bishop of Brig-Ele) who guided her over the bog of Monaidh Fathing, which she converted into a flowery plain. When they had come close to the Town (Baile) where Bishop Mel was, Briget told Mac Caille (Macaleus) to put (place) a veil on her head, that she did not wish to appear unveiled before the Clergy. Upon her arrival a pillar of fire sprung (colum, a glory? rose, shot out) from her head, reaching even to the roof of the Church. When Bishop Mel had seen this, he asked: "Who are the Nuns" Mac Caille answered: "This is Briget, the celebrated Nun of Leinster."

   "My affection to her, said Bishop Mel, it was I who predicted her greatness, even while she was in her mother's womb, and it is I who will confer orders on her."

   "This (gloss) alludes to one occasion that Bishop Mel came to the house of her father, Dubhthach; he saw the wife of Dubhthach grieved and sorrowful, and he asked whence the cause of her sorrow. I have cause of sorrow, said she, for Dubhthach admires (loves) the handmaid who attends. This is just (meet, dethbhir) said Bishop Mel, for thy seed shall serve (obey) the seed of this handmaid, alluding to Bridget." (Bridget was illegitimate, but not the worse Bishop for that, and ----).

   "Then Mac Caille placed a veil (caille, cowl) on the head of Briget. Wherefore, from that day to this, the Coarb (successor) of St. Briget (Abbess of Kildare) is entitled to receive the grade (dignity, orders) of a Bishop."
   "Wherefore have the Nuns come? said Bishop Mel. To have orders of Penance conferred on Bridget, said Mac Caille. Then he conferred orders on Briget, and it was the orders of (gradha eps.) a Bishop, that Bishop Mel conferred upon her!"

   (Columbkille intended to get himself made a Bishop, but the Consecrater made him only a Priest by mistake. The authorities of the Irish Bulls Begins with Brian Boru).

   "While St. Briget was being ordained, she held the foot of the altar (the altar was like a little table) in her hand; and (since that time) seven Churches were burned down, in which this altar was, but it received no injury from the fire: Sed servata est per gratiam (favor) Brigidae. Dicunt alii, that this Church, to which Bishop Mel had gone, is in Feratullach. Ita ut alii putant." (Fartullagh is near Bri Ele). - Liber Maculatus, Leabhar Breac, Fol. 31.

Colgan was ashamed of this. Cogitosus has not a word about it, or if he has, Colgan has suppressed it. I don't laugh at these stories, for I think they are very nice if they were well told.

ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY

[ Letter no. 46 from John O'Donovan ]

Mithidh scur de ar seluibh.

Roscrea,
February 9th 1838.

Dear Sir,

After all my exertions to identify Liath Mochoevoge (or Liath Mor) with the Leagh of the Down Survey, I fear I am wrong, and very wrong. The Festilogy of Aengus places Liath Mor, the establishment of St. Mochoemog or Pulcherius, in the Southern Ely, which is certainly not Ely O'Carroll; and what is still more against me, the Church of Leighmokivoge is still in existence in the Southern Ely to the East of Thurles, and on the borders of Leinster! ...

"Mochoevoge, the son of Beodha, and Cuangus Mac Dall;
These are of Liath Mor in the Southern Ely."

To this it may be opposed that Colgan places Liath Mor in the vicinity of Kinnitty, and the very ancient writer of the Life of Pulcherius states that it was only four miles distant from St. Colman's Church of Doire Mor, which Lanigan identifies with Kilcolman near Birr, and which, it is curious to observe, lies exact four miles northeast of the place called Leagh or the Down Survey. This objection is clear, strong, and striking, but still I think that there is a grand mistake in Colgan's assumptions, but the question cannot be finally settled till we come to examine the localities of the Southern Ely or Ely O'Fogarty in the Co. Tipperary. The following questions must be answered before we can come to any certain decision:-

1. What was the exact situation and extent of Magh Nairbh, the plain or level district in which Doire Mor, the Head Church or Establishment of St. Colman was situated?
2. Were there two places in Ely called Liath Mochoemog; one in Ely O'Carroll or North Ely near Kinnitty, and another in Ely O'Fogarty or South Ely near Thurles?
3. Is there a Church in the Southern Ely called Derrymore, and dedicated to St. Colman?

Is not Magh Nairbh in the Southern Ely?

My present impression is that Kilcolman is not Doire Mor, but merely a Church dedicated to St. Colman; that Liath Mochoemhog is the Church now called Leighmokivoge, and lying near Thurles in the Co. of Tipperary, on the borders of Leinster; and that Doire Mor is a Church lying within four miles of it somewhere in the neighbourhood of Thurles.

I travelled yesterday through the southern angle of the King's Co. which runs into that of Tipperary, but found nothing interesting, nor have I a single historical reference to any of the Churches which I visited, either does tradition preserve anything about them. The old Church of Finglas is level with the ground and nothing remains but a small Churchyard. The Parish received the name of Fionn Ghlaise (Fair Stream) from a little river which passes (flows) by the Churchyard. Is this Church of Fionnglaise in Ely the Northern, mentioned in Colgan, the Calen dar, Leabhar Breac, or any other of the old Books of Ireland to which we have access?

The Down Survey states that this Parish "contaynes the Townslands of Finglis and Laghlin (now Loughaun) on which there stands the walls of a Church and stumpe of a castle."

Is the site of the castle shown on the Plan? The old Church of Cullenwane is nearly destroyed, a small part of one gable only remaining, from which it appears to have been a modern and rude building. I could get no evidence to shew what the original Irish form of this name was , as the Irish language is not spoken in the district. I have no historical reference to this Parish except the following from the Down Survey:-

"At Coollenane in this Parish stands the walls of a Church and a Castle with some Irish cabbins at Branstown (Brownestown)."

From the manner in which the people pronounce the name of this Parish, I would be inclined to suppose it meant Cuilleannbhann (Tan Chuillin Bhain) White Holly, but if Coollenane, the orthography given in the Down Survey, be correct, it would mean Cuil Fhionnain or Cul Leanain. Does any such name occur in any of the old books of Ireland?

I had a fine view of Beann Dubh, Bearnan Eile and Sliabh Oighidh an Righ, from this old Church. Beautiful scenery; but the rain spoiled all the satisfaction derivable from it. I have no historical reference to the Parish of Dunkerrin, but the following from the Down Survey:

"In which (i.e., Townlands) are scituate the castles of Clonegenagh, Classigad, Ballintample, Emmell, and the stumpe of Bohernagh (now Behernagh) castle-like (recte likewise) the Church of Donkerine and many Irish cabbins in several places."

Are the sites of any of these castles marked on the Plan?

The Protestant Church, which is not a very modern one, occupies the site of the old Church of Dunkerrin.

Is this Church of Dunkerrin mentioned in any of our old Irish Authorities? It is not easy to find out its original Irish orthography. Try Dun Ceirin, Dun Cairin, Dun Ceithrin; it is hardly a historical place. Let search be made in the old Books of Ireland for historical references to Litir (Leitir) Lughna, Eiteach, Buirghes na Fearna, Ros Cre. I have not a single notice of any one of them in the Extracts before me, and fear that none are to be had (excepting of Roscrea.)

ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY

[Letter no. 45 from Thomas O'Conor ]

Roscrea
February 8th 1838.

Sir,

Doctor Lanigan, in Vol. II, pp. 395-7 of his Ecclesiastical History says that:-

"One of the principal abbetors of the Roman computation and promoters of its adoption by the southern Irish was Cummian, author of the celebrated 'Paschal Epistle to Segenius or Saint -----? Abbot of Hy and others. He seems to have been a Columbian Monk and was probably educated in the Monastery of Durrow, which was subject to the Superintendance of the Abbot of Hy. At the time of the proceedings now related he had apparently an establishment of his own which was, in all likelihood, that of Disert Chuimen (so called from his name) now Kilcolman or Kilcummin in the King's Co." (41).

In note (41) the Doctor states that Colgan says (ib., i.e., p. 411 and p. 408) that:-

"Disert Chuimin was at the borders of Leinster and Munster (old Munster) and west of Roscrea. This agrees with the situation of Kilcomin, which is seven miles west of that Town. (See Archdall at Kilcomin).

"Cummian placed some reliques of St. Peter and Paul in the Church of Disert Chuimin, and we may justly suppose that it is to them he alludes in his epistle. He represents his habitation as a sort of lurking place: 'Hec dixi, not ut vos impugnarem, sed ut me ut nycticoracem in domicilio latitantem defenderem.' This passage cannot be well understood as referring to the great Monastery of Durrogh; but it is very clear if applied to Disert Chuimin."

When Lanigan says that Disert Chuimin is now called Kilcolman or Kilcummin, I don't understand how Disert Chuimin is now called Kilcolman or Kilcummin, I don't understand how Disert Chuimin could analogically he called Kilcolman; if Kilcolman be intended as referable to Kilcolman, originally called Doire Mor, and now a Parish partly in Ballybrit and Clonlisk Baronies, there appears a total aberration in such identity; but if it be intended as an anglicised form of Cill Chuimin, a name posterior to Disert Chuimin, it is wrong in two ways: 1st, analogically, for it is contrary to every analogy to introduce 1 in Kilcolman, if formed from Cill Chuimin, as there is no 1 in the original; and in the next place in having no precedent for such a form; for Kilcomon, the name of a Parish in Clonlisk Barony, with which Disert Chuimin, without the least doubt, is attempted to be identified by Lanigan, is not found under the form Kilcolman in any document of which I make use at present.

The situation of Kilcomon old Churchyard agrees with that of Disert Chuimin, with respect to its lying west of Roscrea, according to Colgan, above cited by Lanigan. As to its being placed on the borders of Leinster and Munster by the former writer, it must be remarked that it gives no definite idea of its locality exactly with respect to the limits of those countries. For we find that the same writer places on the confines of Munster and Leinster Doire Mor, now Kilcolman, which is six miles from the nearest point of the now known boundary between these Territories, as has been said in a former letter; and Dairmagh (Durrow) between which and the boundary of ancient Munster and Leinster, two Baronies, viz., Ballycowan and Ballyboy, intervene.

We may collect from what has been said that Kilcomon, agreeing with the situation of Disert Chuimin to the west of Roscrea, according to Colgan, whose authority has been already referred to, does not disagree with its locality on the borders of Munster and Leinster, according to the instances adduced. It lies about nine miles from the limits just mentioned.

For sincerity's sake it is but fair to acknowledge that Colgan described places in general, as he found them defined in the Irish MSS., furnished to him. And it is a fact that the writers, who left those places described in the MSS. were in the habit of locating religious establishments on the confines of two countries, when they actually existed in one of the countries and at some miles distant from the limit common to both.

Now we find the situation of Disert Chuimin, not disagreeing with Kilcomon with respect to Roscrea and the confines of Leinster and Munster. The next feature that leads to the identification of both is the local pronunciation of Kilcomon, which is Cill Chuimin, i.e., Cella Cumini.

Along with this, tradition remembers St. Cuimin as connected with this place. Within the Churchyard, in the north corner was St. Cuimin's Seat. The three flags which composed it lie now separate on the very spot. It is said that he was wont to frequent a well which lies in Cnocan Ruadh, about twenty perches to the west of the Churchyard. This well is not, however, called after his name.

Not far from Rutland House, Seat of George Minchin, Esq., and immediately to the right of a road that branches to Dunkerin, from the road leading from Kilcomon to Roscrea, is a stone with the impression of St. Cuimin's knees and head, lying between four trees called Cuimin's Trees, and in a field which goes by the name of Cuimin's Field. (Cuimin's Field lies, according to my informant, in Kylogue Townland. The trees and stone are about a quarter of a mile from the Roscrea Road). There is a circular cavity in the stone which contains water. St. Cuimin's Well is a general name in the immediate neighbourhood for it.

A tradition exists that St. Cuimin of Kilcomon was cotemporary with St. Cronan of Roscrea. That an agreement was made between them at one time to have the limits of their jurisdiction marked out, where they themselves should meet on a certain morning each having set out from his own establishment, and having gone in the direction of the other's. St. Cuimin being a very pious man, determined not to go out till he should celebrate Mass in the morning. When he was after celebrating it, as he went through the congregation, sprinkling them with Holy Water, St. Cronan was coming into (up) the very Church, and said, this will be the limit of our jurisdictions. St. Cuimin explained to him the reason why he himself had not gone out sooner, and requested of him not to take any advantage, but to let the limit be whersoever the sparges, which he held in his hand, should fall, after being cast forth. Agreed, said St. Cronan. On this Saint Cuimin sent forth the sparges, and both Saints walked together watching its fall, which happened in a stream at Anneville, near Clyduff (a Townland in Dunkerin Parish).

The two Saints found it there. St. Cuimin asked St. Cronan whether he was satisfied or not that the stream should be the boundary. St. Cronan, being a man of boisterous temper, got into a desperate passion, and commenced a violent attack on St. Cuimin, to avoid which, the pious St. Cuimin took to flight, and running towards his own establishment, turned off the way, and, concealing himself under a bunch of briars in a field, let St. Cronan pass by, and thus escaped his fury.

The field in which he sheltered himself is called Cuimin's Park, in which are the trees and stone above mentioned.

From what has been said, on the authority of Colgan, cited by Lanigan, from this tradition and the features to which St. Cuimin's name remains as yet attached, and which are in existence, we may safely conclude that the present Kilcomon, in Irish Cill Chuimin, is the place formerly called Disert Chuimin.

In the Churchyard of Kilcomon are some ruins of religious edifices. In the one which was the most central there appears to have been an apartment with a stone roof, exactly similar to the ones in Drumcullen and Rathlihin old Churches.

St. Cuimin's Day is not remembered. Michaelmas Day was the Patron Day of the Parish.

The description of the Parish of Kilcomine in the Down Survey, says that:-

"There are two small rivoletts passing through it, on which stands two mills, one at Clonlisk and one at Kilcomin, where likewise are the walls of a Church, and a Castle at Clonliske with an Irish towne."

It is traditionally said that the castle at Clonlisk in this Parish was erected and afterwards inhabited by O'Carroll.

The castle has been entirely demolished with the exception of a very small "butment" as I was informed.

Your obedient humble servant,
Thomas O'Connor.

ELY O'CARROLL

"Ely, or Helia, an extensive district comprehended in the present King's Co. and the antient patrimony of the distinguished tribe of the O'Carrolls, from whom, as being Lords paramount of the District, it was called Eile Ui Chearbhaill (Ely O'Carroll); is generally supposed to derive its name from Eile Righdhearg (Eily Red Arm) the eighth in descent from the celebrated Olioll Olum, King of Munster, who, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, died A.D. 234, and Sadhbh (Sawy) daughter of Conn of the Hundred Battles, Monarch of Ireland.

"In this opinion concur almost all our ancient genealogists as does also the learned O'Flaherty in his Ogygia; yet there is reason to believe that this opinion is not well founded. In an antient vellum MS. in my possession in the handwriting of Adam O'Clanan (O'Keenan) a celebrated Irish antiquarian, we are told that the districts of Ely and Owny were so named from Eli and Uaithne (Ely and Owny) two daughters of Eochaidh (Eochy) son of Luchta, King of Munster, one of our antient Law Givers, who flourished about the time of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"The author describes these districts as lying east of the Shannon stretching from north to south; and he tells us that he copied the article "from the Book of his great master, John O'Dugan." This John O'Dugan was the Chief Poet of the O'Kellys of Hy Maine, and a famous astronomer, topographer and historian, who died A.D. 1372.

"To those who know the words and reputation of O'Dugan as an Irish scholar and antiquary, little doubt will be entertained of his credibility, and Adam O'Keenan was a writer of nearly equal" celebrity with his master.

"The authority of these writers even with those who do not know their real merits, must have the more weight, when we consider that Ely O'Carroll comprehended but a small portion of the antient Ely. We find adjoining to Ely O'Carroll on the south, the Territory of the O'Fogarty's, now called Eile Ui Fhogartaigh (Ely O'Fogarty) now comprised in the modern Baronies of Upper Ormond and Eliogarty in the Co. of Tipperary, the latter of which Baronies still preserves the antient name.

"Again on the east of Ely O'Carroll we find Eile Ui Mhordha (Ely O'Morha) part of the antient inheritance of the eminent family of the O'Mores, Princes of Leix, in the present Queen's Co. That the district of Ely was known by that name long before the birth of Eile Ridhearg, one of the O'Carroll's ancestors, from whom it is supposed, as above mentioned, the name of Ely was derived, is further confirmed by the fact that our antient historians, when treating of the reign of the Monarch Cormac Mac Art, tell us, that when that Prince applied to Teige, son of Cian, son of Olioll Olum, for assistance against Fergus, Black Tooth, the usurper of his throne, Teige was then in great power and authority" in the Territory of Ely.

"Now Eile Ridhearg was the sixth in descent from Teige, therefore, the district in which Teige lived in such power and which was then called Ely, could not be so called from Eile Ridhearg, who did not live for six generations after the time that Teige flourished.

"As a further proof that O'Dugan and O'Keenan were right with respect to the origin of the names and the situation of the districts of Eli and Uaithne (Ely and Owny) we see the latter name still preserved in the present Barony of Owney, in the Co. of Tipperary, situate as described in O'Keenan's MS., written long before Ireland was divided into Baronies.

"But whether the district of Ely derived its name from Eli, the daughter of Luchta, King of Munster, or from Eile Ridhearg, the Prince of that district and ancestor of the family of the Leinster O'Carrolls (not Leinster. J.O'D) is but of little consequence to that celebrated tribe. It is indisputable that they were, in very early ages, the supreme Princes of the entire district; and in more modern times when sirnames became hereditary gave their patronimic name to that part of the district which they then possessed, and which, from that circumstance was called Ely O'Carroll. When they were Kings of the entire district, and even since they became Lords of Ely O'Carroll only, they had under them several very famous tribes, of which the O'Meaghers and the O'Delanys were not the least eminent. Of the patriotism, piety and prowess of the Chiefs of the O'Carrolls of Ely, the Annals of Ireland team with abundant proof."

Such is the account given of the district of Ely by Edward O'Reilly, whose great learning and valuable MSS., in the Irish language eminently qualify him to give us correct information on matters of Irish antiquities, in addition to which, I have only to say, that in 1621 the Territory of Ely O'Carroll was then found by Inquisition to consist of the pasture lands of Ballycrinass, Roscullenagh and Brumcan, extending to the Lake of Leghagh, commonly called Laghaghirisallive, and bounded on the west by the lands called Laghenarken, and on the east joining or near Glencrokin, was always called Ely O'Carroll, and had never been measured or surveyed.

The mountain land was found to extend from the Lake of Leaghangerah to a hole called Polle Dowa, and from thence in a south easterly direction to Slieve Bloom Mountains, which are the limits between Ely O'Carroll and Upper Ossory, and meet at a village called Garryvoe or Scully's Land. ...

ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY

O'CARROLL

Sir William Betham's Irish Antiquarian Researches.
Part I, Page 95.

The following brief sketch of this distinguished sept will be found useful to illustrate the history of Dimma's Box and MS., as will also an account of the Territory of Helia, or Ely, afterwards called Ely O'Carroll:-

The family of O'Carroll, according to the Irish antiquaries, are descended from Kean, the third son of Olioll Olum, King of Munster. Teige, the eldest son of this Kean, was a distinguished warrior, who by killing in battle his three rivals, procured for Cormac Mac Art, King of Ulster, the Monarchy of Ireland. Cormac rewarded him with a grant of land in Connaught called Lurgny Gallen and Culavin, he paying to the King of Connaught and his successors, 150 milch cows in May; 100 beeves and 100 barrels of mead or Metheglin at Alhallontide yearly, forever.

He had two sons, Conla and Cormac Galeng; to the latter he gave the lands of Lurgny Gallen, now called the Barony of Gallen in the County of Mayo and Culavin, which were possessed by his descendants, the O'Haras and O'Garas.

Conla, the eldest son, possessed the lands afterwards called Duthec Eile, i.e., the Estate of Eile, from Eile Ridheargs, of which his descendants were styled Kings, there being no other title of honour in use in Ireland before the coming of the English.

Cearbhuill, the twelfth according to some, and the 16th in descent according to other authorities, from the above Eile, gave name to the Sept of the O'Carrolls, i.e., the descendants of Cearbhuill. The tenth in descent from him was Teige or Thatheus O'Cearbhuill Boy, King of Eile, who caused the Box of Dimma to be guilt, died about the middle of the 12th century and was succeeded by his son.

Maolroona O'Carroll or O'Cearbhuill, King of Eile, was succeeded by his brother.

Donald O'Carroll, who was King of Ely at the coming of the English under Strongbow and from him are descended the Principal houses of this family.

Maolroona O'Carroll, whose daughter Grace, or Grania, was married to Ulick Burke, Lord of Clanrickard, and was mother of Rickard Sassanagh Burke, the first earl, joined with O'Brien and others against the English Government and gave them much trouble. He died A.D. 1532.

His son Fergonamuin or Ferdinando O'Carroll, who succeeded his father as O'Carroll, concluded a treaty with Leonard, Lord Gray, Lord Deputy of Ireland, 12th June 1538, by which he consented for himself and his successors, the O'Carrolls, Capitanci de Ely O'Carroll, to pay the King 12d. for every carucate of land in Ely O'Carroll, one hundred and twenty marks on the nomination of the chief, and on general hostings to supply the Chief Governor of Ireland with twelve horsemen and twenty four foot men, all well equipped for war with provisions for forty days at the expense of O'Carroll; that on all journies to those parts, they should supply the Lord Deputy and suite with provisions for three days; that the Lord Deputy should be supplied with provisions by O'Carroll for eighty gallowglasses for three months every year and be permitted to make a road or roads through Ely O'Carroll at his pleasure.

In 1548 Teige Caoch O'Carroll, son of Ferdinando, called by Sir James Ware, petty King of Ely, routed the English out of his country, but afterwards submitted and was created Baron of Ely in 1532 (I have not been able to find the record of this patent) which he did not long enjoy, having been slain by his own Sept headed by his own kinsman and competitor Cahir O'Carroll, who was afterwards slain by William Adhar O'Carroll, younger brother of Teige, who was knighted 30th March 1567 and made Governor of Ely and Captain of his nation by Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Justice of Ireland. Sir William died 28th April 1579. His natural son Sir Cahir or Charles O'Carroll, was knighted by Sir John Perrott, Lord Deputy in 1584.

Sir Mulrooney O'Carroll, son of Sir William, was knighted by Sir George Carew, L. D. of Ireland, at Dublin Castle, St. James's Day, 1st March 1603, being the day of the Coronation of King James I.

Roger O'Carroll, son and heir of Sir Mulrooney, was ousted out of his Estates by Cromwell, he having attached himself to the King's party under the Duke of Ormond, but his eldest son and heir, Charles O'Carroll, was in great favour with Kings Charles II and James the I, who were not able to restore him to his paternal estate; the latter made him grants of large tracts of land on the Monoccasy River in the Province of Maryland in the North America, which was divided into three manors of 20,000 acres each and called after the possession he had lost in Ireland, viz., Ely O'Carroll and Doughoregan. The third was called Carrolston.

This gentleman was also made Attorney General of the Province and his Estates are still in the possession of his grandson, Charles O'Carroll of Carrolston, Esq. aged 90 years, whose father and himself have been members of the Senate of that State.

Mary, the daughter of the last mentioned Charles, was married to Richard Caton Esq., of the State of Maryland, by whom she was mother to her Excellency Marianne, the present Marchioness of Wellesley and three other daughters Elizabeth, Louisa-Catharine (Lady Harvey) and Emily.

Sir James Carroll, who was Mayor of Dublin, was knighted by Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy at Loghroer, the 30th of Sept. 1609. His father, Thomas O'Carroll, being oppressed by the chief of his family, came to live in Dublin.

Sir James Carroll had a grant of the Abbey of Baltinglass and was ancestor to the present High Sheriff of the County of Wicklow, Henry Griffiths (Carroll) of Ballymore Esq.

Donagh, or Denis O'Carroll, descended from Donogh O'Carroll, brother to Mulrooney O'Carroll, Chief of his name, who died in 1532, was possessed of the estates of Modereeny and Buolybrack in Tipperary and was ousted by Cromwell. He married O'Kennedy's daughter and had thirty sons, who he formed into a troop of horse and presented to Duke of Ormond for the service of King Charles I. On the Restoration, John, his son, had a grant of his lands at Killury in the Co. of Galway, where he married the daughter of O'Crean by Margarett, the daughter of Lord Athenry. His eldest son James Carroll, was ancestor to the family at Killury; Daniel, his second son, entered into the military service of the King of Spain and was made a Knight of the Order of Saint Iago. He was afterwards, through the interest of the Duke of Ormond, made a Lieutenant-Colonel in the British Service by Queen Anne, in which he rose to the rank of Lt. General, obtained permission to bear the Insignia of the Order of St. Iago in England, had also the style of Sir Daniel and was Colonel of a Regiment of Horse. His grandson, John Whitley O'Carroll, was British resident at Saxe Weimar in 1804.

I find three other O'Carrolls, John, Donagh and Kedagh, obtained grants of land in Connaught from King Charles II in compensation for their losses in Leinster.

From them are descended the families of Springhill, Tirlogh, Ardagh, Carragh and Dunmore in the Co. of Galway; Forthill in the County of Mayo and Doraville in the Co. of Clare. The other principal families now existing are those of Emmell in the King's County; Thurles, Ballingarry, Nenagh, Littlefield and Annemead in Tipperary; Rockfield in the Co. of Wicklow and Coolroe in the Co. of Carlow.

John Carroll of Stephen's Green, Esq., late M.P. for New Ross is the representative of this last family. Owen Carroll represented the King's Co. in King James's Parliament in 1689.