O'Donovan here reviews briefly the history of Gallen Priory, the castle at Clonony and here a notice of the medical family of O'Shiel. Liam Cox of Moate has more recently written of this family.

ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERS KING'S COUNTY

[ Letter no. 23 from John O'Donovan ]

Banagher,
January 17th 1838.

Dear Sir,

I visited the old Monastery of Gallen, now corruptly called Gillen, and passed through the Parish in various directions.

Colgan informs us (in Actis Sanctorum, p.312) that the Monastery of Gaillinn in Dealbhna Mac Cochlain was erected by St. Canoc or Mochanoc in the year 492, but this original Monastery of St. Mochanoc there is now no remain.

At the year 949, the Annals of the Four Masters record that the Daimhliag of Gaillinn was burned. There are no remains of this Daimhliag either, for the present ruins of the Abbey are in the pointed style, which was not introduced into Ireland previously to the 12th century.

In the year 1003 the same Annals make mention of a Dearthach or Penitentiary at Gaillinn, but I could not find any building now remaining with which it could be identified.

In the year 1519 the same Annals record that a great war broke out in Delvin between the descendants of Fergal Mac Coghlan and the descendants of Donnell Mac Coghlan, during which James Mac Coghlan, who was the Prior of Gaillinn and the heir apparent of Delvin Eathra, was killed by a ball shot from the Castle of Cluain Damha. They also record that Murtagh, the son of Conor Mac Coghlan, who was Prior of Gaillinn and Vicar of Liath Manchain (now Lemanaghan) was treacherously slain by Torlogh Oge and Rory O'Melaghlin.

In 1548, according to the same Annals, O'Melaghlin and Edmond Faye took the Castle of Ceann Coradh and the Monastery of Gaillinn.

Sir John Coghlan in his last Will and Testament, dated 1590, granted to the Churches of Gailine Fuire (now Fuidhre, Anglice Wheery) Techsarayn (Tisaran) and Raonach (now Reynagh) two cows. Archdall writes:-

"Some emigrants from Wales founded a celebrated school here, from whence it acquired its present name."

For this he gives Mageoghegan. Which Mageoghegan does he mean? Connell or the Abbe? Can any authority be found for this, earlier than Mageoghegan?

In this Parish of Gallen in the Townland of Clonowny, about four miles to the north of Banagher, stands the Castle of Clonowney, the Clondownie of Mageoghegan. See his translation of the Annals of Clonmacnoise; note under the year 1289. Tradition says that this castle was built by the English family of Bullen, which is much to be questioned as Mageoghegan makes it the seat of the Slight Ross Mac Coghlan. It is now in excellent preservation and dwelt in by Counsellor Mullowney, who has an Observatory on the top of it.

In the Townland of Killowny in this Parish are the ruins of a Church of considerable antiquity, but I have no record of it nor is there a well or other monument at it to throw any light upon its Patron Saint or subsequent history.

In this Parish, near the River Brosna, is situated the Townland of Baile Ui Siadhail (Ballysheil) which contained the residence of O'Sheil, the hereditary physician of Delvin Eathra.

In the year 1548, as the Four Masters record, Cormac Mac Coghlan "slew the only son of O'Sheil, the best physician of his age in the territory" and Niall O'Sheil and Hugh O'Sheil were subscribing witnesses to the Will of Sir John Coghlan in 1590.

Misi Niall O'Siail. Misi Aodh O'Siaghail fianase.

Your obedient servant,
John O'Donovan.