O'Donovan continues his proofs of the boundaries of Fear Ceall discussing Lynally, Pallas, the Great Wood of Fear Ceall and Rahan.

Let us trace the boundary farther to the south. In an old Life of St. Colman Elo, quoted by Usher (Primordia, p. ?) and by Colgan, it is stated that Fiodh Elo, now Lynally, was in Fera-Keall. The following are the words of the old writer, as translated by Lanigan, Vol. II, page 303:-

Colman Elo, returning to his own country (Meath) he found King Aidus, son of Ainmirech, and several other persons assembled, among whom were Columbkille and St. Caineach. This was most probably in the year 590, after Columbkille had gone from Drumceal to visit his Monastery of Durragh. It was proposed to the assembly by Columbkille that a spot of ground should be given to their relative Colman, where he might establish a Monastery. Aidus Slaine, who was present, said that there was a large forest called Fidhelo in the District of Fercall ('Colman southern part of his Principality, where he might settle if he liked. Colman accepted of the offer and said: 'there shall be my resurrection and henceforth I shall be named from that place.' In fact, he was surnamed Elo and constantly called Colman-Elo, Latinized Colmanellus. To the Monastery which he erected, and which became very famous, was given the name Land-Elo, that is the House or Church of Elo, now Linally or Lynally in the King's Co. (in the Barony of Ballycowen and 4 miles south of Durrogh)."

I have already shewn that Offaly comprised all the Barony of Geshill and that Leinster, Offaly and the Diocese of Kildare met the Diocese and Kingdom of Meath here; and I now infer with certainty that the boundary of the Parish of Lynally (i.e., the boundary between the etc. --------- and etc.) with the Barony of Geshill was the boundary of Feara Ceall with Offaly.

I have also shewn in a former letter that Pailis Ui Mhaolmhuaid, now Pallis (and Lough Pallis) on the mearing of the Parish of Killoughy and the Barony of Geshill, was in Feara Ceall.

The following passage in the Annals of Clonmacnoise, as translated by Connell Mageoghegan, will shew the extent of Feara Ceall in this direction:-

"A.D. 1210. The King of England's Deputy came to Lynster and sent for the forces of Munstser, who came accordingly with Donnogh Carbreagh O'Bryen and marched with all their forces to Killnegrann (this is the Coill na gCrann of the Battle of Moylena) in Fercall, now called Killmore, where they met by Connor Mac Art O'Melaghlyn, who discomfitted them, where they left all their cows, horses, gold, silver and other things to the said Cormack."

This Kill-More or Great Wood of Fearkeall is referred to in two Inquisitions, one taken at Philipstown on the 3rd of September 1632, and the other at Iland on the 26th of May 1632, and in another Inquisition, taken at Killigh on the 31st May 1664, the "Great Wood of Fercale is described as lying in the Parish of Killaghie, Barony of Beallaghboy and King's County."

The name of this wood is yet retained in the Townlands of Coill More (Kilmore) and Great Wood in the Parish of Killaghy.

Hence it appears that the Territory of Feara Ceall was coterminas with Geshill in Offaly in Leinster, as far as the southeastern boundary of the Parish of Killaghy, where the three territories of Geshill, Doohy-Regan and Feara Ceall met or were conterraneous. (see pp. 24, 25).

To trace the boundary further to the south: It appears from the Annals of Clonmacnoise that the Castle of Ballyboy was in Feara Ceall:-

"A.D. 1260. Carbry O'Melaghlyn, worthy Prince for manhood, bounty and many other good parts, was treacherously killed by David Roche, in Athboye (Ath Buidhe, Baile Atha Buidhe) in the Territory of Fearkeall."

The Inquisitions will also shew that all the Parish and even Barony of Ballyboy was in Feara Ceall.

The following passage in the Annals of the Four Masters will also give one a clear idea of the extent of Feara Ceall in this direction:-

"A.D. 1601. O'Neill (after having crossed the Shannon at Ath Croch) marched forward through Delvin Mac Coghlan and Feara Keall, and until he crossed the muinchin (ridge) of Slieve Bloom into Hy Cairin (Ikerrin)."

I have shewn in a former letter that ancient Offaly in Leinster met the Kingdom of ancient Meath and Munster on the Mountain of Slieve Bloom, at the western extremity of the Barony of Tinahinch in the Queen's Co. and that the Diocese of Kildare meets the Dioceses of Meath and Killaloe at the same point. Hence I infer with perfect certainty that the Territory of Feara Ceall, which was the most southern part of ancient Meath, also met Offaly and Ely O'Carroll at this very point. (The old Map of Leax and Offaly shews Fercal O'Mulloy's Country immediately to the west of Geshill).

I have now traced the eastern boundary of Feara Ceall and found that the east side of that territory comprehended the Parishes of Durrow, Moy-Lena (or Kilbride) Lynally, Killaghy and Ballyboy, and I have also shewn in pointing out its southern boundary that it comprised the Parish of Drumcullen and that Kinitty was near its southern mearing. It now remains to be proved how far this territory extended to the north and west.

I have shewn in a letter from Westmeath that Kinel-Fiach or Mageoghegan's Country bounded it on the northeast and that Mageoghegan's Country was exactly coextensive with the Barony of Moycashel in the County of Westmeath; therefore Feara Ceall extended northwards to the verge of the County of Westmeath. I have also shewn in a letter from Westmeath that Muinter Thadhgain or Foxe's Country was coextensive with the Barony of Kilcoursey. Hence Feara Ceall could not have extended farther northwards than the southern boundary of the Barony of Kilcoursy.

We learn from the Annals of Clonmacnoise, the very best authority on the subject, that the Church of Rahen was in Feara Ceall.

"A.D. 1131. Mortagh O'Molloye, that succeeded as King of Ferkall, was burnt by the family of Muntyr Lwanyn in the Church of Rahin."

"A.D. 1212. Donnell Mac Donnell Breaghagh O'Melaghlyn, next in succession of Meath and Irish of Ireland, made a journey to take a prey from Meyler, was overtaken by Meyler himself and great forces of both English and Irishmen, who killed the said Donnell, with many others with him, at the River of Rahin in fFearcall." - Mageoghegan's Translation.

The Leabhar Breac or Speckled Book of the Mac Egans places Rathain the Territory of Delvin Eathra, but the Annals of Clonmacnoise are a better authority and must be received in preference to the former. The Church of Rahin, however, is close to the boundary of both territories and may have been at one time in the possession of the Mac Coghlans, but there is every appearance, if not certainty, that the River Brosnagh was originally the boundary between them in this direction.

"Civitas Rathen posita est in media Hiberniae in regione Midi in Plebe (cinel) scilicet Fearceall." - Vita Carthaci, quoted by Usher, Prim., pp. 910, 911.

This agreeing with the Annals of Clonmacnoise is decisive on the subject. The Leabhar Breac is wrong!

From the foregoing evidences, and from the following Inquisitions, it will appear that the Territory of Feara Ceall, since the encroachment of the Dalcassian tribe of Dealbhna Eathra, comprised only the Baronies of Ballycowan, Ballyboy and Farcall (Fercall) or Eglish.

The Inquisitions will shew that many Townlands lying in the present Barony of Eglish are in the Territory of Feara Ceall. Indeed the O'Molloys seem to have retained property in that Barony later than any of the others. John O'Molloy, the celebrated Sugawn chief, not thirty years dead, possessed Mount Henry in Eglish Ph.

The southern boundary of ancient Meath extended "from Dublin to the Abhainn Righe (Rye) and from the Abhainn Righe westwards to Cluain Conrach (Cloncurry) and from Cluain Conrach to the Ford of the French Mill, and to the Confluence (of the Boyne and Black Water) at Cluain Ioraird (Clonard) and from thence to the Causeway of Carbury and from the Causeway of Carbury to Crannach Geisille; thence to Druim Chuilinn and to Birr, and to the river called Abhainn Chara, and thence to the Shannon." - Keating.

O Loch Bodeirg go Biorra
O'n tSionain soir go fairge. - Old poet.

  1. Muinter Thadhgain was Foxe's Country; now Kilcoursey Bary.
  2. Dealbhna Eathra, Mac Coghlan's Country, now the Barony of Garrycastle.
  3. Feara Ceall, O'Molloy's Country. This was the most southern territory of Antient Meath and met Ely O'Carroll at Birr. Dr. Francis O'Molloy, author of the Irish Grammar and Catechism styles himself "Franciscus O'Molloy Midensis." [published in Rome in 1676 - see Offaly History and Society: Nicholas Williams article on Irish language in County Offaly]

This sketch of Feara Ceall is manufactured from Petty's engraved Map of the King's County. All the remarkable places referred to in history as lying in Feara Ceall are laid down in order that the eye may see, at a glimpse, how far the territory extended in every direction. If Archdall, Beaufort and the Abbe Mageoghegan had done the same, they would not have exposed themselves to the ridicule of posterity.